iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) -- A military parade ordered by President Donald Trump will take place on Veterans Day, according to a memo from Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford.



The memo directs the use of period uniforms and a lot of aircraft, but no tanks as to "minimize damage to local infrastructure."



"This parade will focus on the contributions of our veterans throughout our history of the U.S. Military, starting from the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, to today, with an emphasis on the price of freedom," the memo said.



President Trump first mentioned the idea of a grand parade after attending France's Bastille Day parade last summer. Then, in February, he asked the Pentagon to begin planning for such a parade to take place in the U.S.



The memo states that there will be no tanks used in the parade, only wheeled vehicles in order to "minimize damage to local infrastructure." There is also a request to "include a heavy air component at the end of the parade, to include older aircraft as available."



The parade, which will go from the White House to the Capitol, will also be integrated with the annual Washington, D.C. Veterans Day parade on Nov. 11 and include the Medal of Honor Association and other Veterans Service Organizations.



Last month, White House budget director Mick Mulvaney gave a preliminary estimate of the parade's cost to the House Budget Committee of between $10 to $30 million.

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.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.A Polk County couple arrested in relation to the dismembering of a man in Fort Meade in February has been charged in connection with a triple homicide in South Carolina.

Christopher Taylor, Kristina Sluss charged in Spartanburg County

Three homicide victims "savagely killed"

Sheriff Judd says Taylor has characteristics of a serial killer

Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright charged Christopher Taylor and his girlfriend Kristina Sluss in connection with the murders of Fred Richards, Frances Richards, and Nathan Poffenburger on Jan. 20, 2018.



Those three victims were savagely killed, said Wright.



Wright said Taylor and Sluss were acquaintances with the victims and had lived nearby at the time.



I know youre gonna ask how. Im going to leave that alone. Youre going to ask about a motive. Im going to leave that alone, said Wright.



Investigators were having a tough time solving the triple murders until deputies in Polk County gave them the tip they needed.



While Polk deputies were investigating the couple for the murder and dismembering of Douglas Bowling, whose remains were found in an orange grove in February 2018, they said the couple kept mentioning 'what happened in Landrum.'



They basically told us some information about the homicide that only people who were there would know, said Wright about the interviews his detectives conducted with the couple in Florida.



Sheriff Grady Judd held a news conference Saturday morning and said Taylor is sadistic and dangerous with characteristics of a serial killer. Judd believes there may be more victims around the country.People who live in the Barclay Road home directly above a depression reported Thursday were still waiting Friday evening to learn if the eight-feet-wide by eight-feet-deep hole is a sinkhole.

RELATED STORY: County crews monitoring depression under New Port Richey home

Hole is on private property, will be homeowner's responsibility to fix

Hole may have been caused by a plumbing issue

A man who identified himself as an engineer hired by an insurance company told us he couldnt comment on the situation that same afternoon.

Megan Dennison is the daughter of the homes owner, and also lives there. She told us she didnt expect to learn the engineers conclusion until his report is written.

Its life, you know? But its just rough, Dennison said earlier in the day.

Dennison said she and her mother are staying at a hotel. They expected to meet with the Red Cross to see if there was any help they could provide.

This all started Thursday morning, when the man who takes care of their lawn told them about the hole.

I was shocked, and I felt sick to my stomach because I could see down in there and it goes way in, Dennison said.

She said she began getting her things together then. When crews arrived to inspect the depression, she said she was given just five minutes to collect her belongings and get out.

The womens next door neighbor, Jerry Rooney, said officials also recommended he leave.

When I saw it, I said, It dont look that bad to me, Rooney said. I said, Im staying. If it gets bad, then Ill get out of here.

Another neighbor said shes very concerned about the depression. She said she worries what it will mean for her as far as insurance and selling her home goes if it is ruled a sinkhole.

A spokesperson for Pasco County Fire Rescue said that because the hole is on private property, it will be up to the homeowner to fix it.

According to a spokesperson for the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection, the Florida Geological Survey may be asked to conduct research on the depression. No request has yet been made.

An official with the county previously said the hole couldve been caused by a plumbing issue.

Whatever the end result, Dennison said she hopes others can learn from this situation.

Everyone needs to take a good look at their foundation, and if anything is noticeable, get someone to look at it, she said.Posted 3/9/18

To say many Ozarks anglers are starting to think about crappie fishing would be a false statement: Most never stop thinking about it.However, its getting ever closer to the spring crappie spawn 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.The Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) has launched its free smartphone app to improve communication with the citizens it serves and increase responsiveness to crime in the community. Users of the Chattanooga PD Mobile receive important safety alerts, view CPD social media sites, find department contacts, and submit anonymous crime tips.

CPD Officers find many community members want to help police, but prefer to keep their identity private., said CPD Chief David Roddy. The Chattanooga PD Mobile app addresses that by allowing tipsters to remain anonymous. Also, there is no monitoring in any form by the department to anyone who downloads the app.

The Chattanooga PD Mobile app is one of the many technology advancements CPDs made in recent years to become a more progressive, responsive, and transparent department. The Police Departments new mobile app is one more innovation that helps better connect the people of Chattanooga with the men and women who keep them safe, said Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke. Communication and responsiveness are at the heart of any effective public safety strategy, and this new technology significantly improves both. Ive already downloaded CPDs app to my phone and I encourage everyone in Chattanooga to do the same.

The app is available for download on Apple and Android devices. It was developed for CPD by Mobile PD, a mobile app developer for law enforcement and public safety. The company works with about 100 other agencies across the country and in Canada. CPD received $40,000 in grant money to pay Mobile PD to develop the app and will pay the company $15,000 annually to maintain and update the app.

Officials said, "The Chattanooga Police Department is committed to building strong relationships across the community in order to keep you, your family, and our community safe. The Chattanooga Mobile PD app is another way for the department to increase accessibility, transparency, and communication with members of the community we serve. Find the app in Apple and Android app stores by searching CHATTANOOGA PD MOBILE. The Chattanooga Police Department will be adding features in the future so please select automatic updating when you download the application."

The app is not designed or intended to replace 911, which residents should still call immediately if there is an emergency or a crime in progress.The cemetery is one of Hamilton Countys smaller cemeteries - photo by M. A. Locke

The cemetery is not far from the Hickory Valley and Bonny Oaks intersection - photo by M. A. Locke

Hundreds of autos and industrial vehicles pass by each day - photo by M. A. Locke

The Stubblefield family cemetery sits next to Hickory Valley Road in the Enterprise South industrial park. The Gestamp facility is seen in the background. - photo by M. A. Locke

One of Hamilton Countys smaller cemeteries sits inside a busy industrial park in Chattanooga. The Stubblefield family cemetery on Hickory Valley Road is surrounded by a hum of activity in the Enterprise South industrial park.

According to the website of the Hamilton County Genealogical Society, which cites a 1939 WPA survey, the cemetery includes the remains of David Phillips, A. V. Stubblefield, and Stella C. Stubblefield, all who died in the early 1900s.For Immediate Release, March 9, 2018 Contacts: Ted Zukoski, Earthjustice (303) 996-9622 (w), (303) 641-3149 (c), tzukoski@earthjustice.org

Abbie Fink, Havasupai Tribe, (602) 957-8881, afink@hmapr.com

Sandy Bahr, Sierra Club  Grand Canyon Chapter, (602) 999-5790, sandy.bahr@sierraclub.org

Amber Reimondo, Grand Canyon Trust, 307-389-9499, areimondo@grandcanyontrust.org

Marc Fink, Center for Biological Diversity, (218) 464-0539, mfink@biologicaldiversity.org

Kevin Dahl, National Parks Conservation Association, (520) 603-6430, kdahl@npca.org Uranium Mining Industry Seeks Supreme Court Review to Overturn Grand Canyon Region Mining Ban FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. Mining industry trade groups today asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review the Interior Departments 20-year ban on new uranium mining claims on 1 million acres of public land adjacent to the Grand Canyon. The requests from the American Exploration and Mining Association and the National Mining Association come in response to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision last December, which upheld the Grand Canyon mineral withdrawal. The Havasupai Tribe, Grand Canyon Trust, Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity and National Parks Conservation Association intervened in the lawsuit in 2013 to defend Interiors decision to protect Grand Canyons springs and creeks, wildlife and vistas from new toxic uranium-mining pollution. The tribe and conservation groups are represented by the public-interest law firms Earthjustice and Western Mining Action Project. The mining industrys petitions allege that the Interior secretarys authority under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act to protect areas larger than 5,000 acres from mining is unconstitutional. A three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit and U.S. District Court Judge David Campbell of Phoenix rejected that argument. This is an attack on the Grand Canyon region, which is bad enough, said Ted Zukoski, an Earthjustice attorney representing the Havasupai Tribe and conservation groups. Its also a long-shot attempt to kneecap the Interior Departments authority to ever again protect large public landscapes from the damage and pollution hardrock mining can have on recreation, cultural resources, wildlife, clean air and water and the communities that rely on those values. Amber Reimondo, energy program director for the Grand Canyon Trust said, We doubt the Supreme Court will take the case, but if it does, we look forward to defending it alongside the Interior Department, which touted its defense in the Ninth Circuit as a victory in Trumps first year in office. The public has repeatedly spoken out against the dangers of uranium mining in the Grand Canyon watershed, said Marc Fink, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. This last-ditch attempt by the mining industry to overturn the ban doesnt change that. Uranium mining simply doesnt belong here, period. Secretary Zinke knows that mineral withdrawals are a good tool to be used for his own backyard in Montana. We look forward to his support of a mineral withdrawal meant to protect the Grand Canyon, an iconic American treasure, said Kevin Dahl, of National Parks Conservation Association. The Supreme Court will review the petitions after the Havasupai Tribe and conservation groups have responded. The court could take the case for further review or reject the petitions and let the appeals court decision stand. The Supreme Court denies more than 90 percent of the petitions it receives.Environmental Affairs minister Dr Edna Molewa says transformation of the biodiversity sector is a necessity in a changing world.

This is more so in the context of South Africa, where policies of the past were exclusionary, thus depriving the majority of our people from actively participating in sectors of the economy, Molewa said.Addressing the third Biodiversity Economy Indaba (BEI) at the International Convention Centre in East London, Eastern Cape, she said it cant be justified that the custodians of the genetic resources and equally the holders of traditional knowledge are treated as non-equals in the beneficiation of their resources.Molewa said government has, in response to this anomaly, developed and implemented the National Biodiversity Economy Strategy, which aims to promote a new generation of partnerships between communities, industry and the public sector. Molewa said this was done to realise the access, fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of biological resources.In order to ensure a coherent approach in the implementation of this strategy, detailed plans at a three-feet level were developed through the Operation Phakisa Model, organised in the form of the Biodiversity Economy Lab.This was an intense process which focused on identifying quantifiable targets centred on transformation, sustainability and economic growth, as well as the associated initiatives meant to deliver big fast results for the bio-prospecting, wildlife, and coastal and marine tourism subsectors, she said.Molewa said the countrys efforts in the bio-prospecting industry should create a sustainable, inclusive and commercially viable sector adding 10,000 new jobs and contributing R1.7bn to GDP at 10% per annum by 2030. In recent years, the biodiversity economy, which is an important contributor to job creation, has shown a constant annual growth of 6%.The South African bio-prospecting sector encompasses organisations and people that are searching or collecting, harvesting and extracting living or dead indigenous specimens, or derivatives and genetic material for commercial and industrial purposes.The third BEI Indaba brings together multiple and diverse stakeholders in the biodiversity economy, including the hunting and game farm sectors and the bioprospecting, natural products and biotrade industries.The Tennessee Valley Authority kicked off a public comment period on Friday seeking input on a draft Environmental Assessment that explores potential environmental and economic impacts of its proposed rate change.

The rate change would revise the structure of wholesale electric power rates to better align wholesale rates with the underlying costs to serve the 154 local power companies who serve TVAs service territory, said officials. As proposed, the standard service energy rate would be reduced and a grid access charge would be established to recover the same amount. The result would be revenue neutral for TVA.

To ensure a full range of issues are addressed, TVA invites members of the public, businesses, employees, environmental organizations and community leaders, as well as federal, state and local agencies, to comment on the proposed rate change EA, which can be viewed online at TVAs website.

The public comment period will run 30 days, closing on April 9.

We are very focused on keeping rates low for everyone and providing more bill stability over the course of the year, said Cass Larson, vice president of Pricing & Contracts.

"In fact, we cut more than $1.5 billion annually in costs over the past few years to protect consumers and keep power bills as low as feasible for years to come.

TVA welcomes the publics comments on the draft EA. Comments must be received or postmarked no later than April 9. Comments may be submitted by email or mail to Matthew Higdon at mshigdon@tva.gov or 400 West Summit Hill Drive, WT 11D, Knoxville, TN, 37902. Please note that any comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of the project administrative record and will be available for public inspection.Nansubuga Makumbi

A Manchester-based author whose debut novel was initially rejected by British publishers has won one of the world's richest literary prizes.

Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi - who's from Uganda and moved to the UK 17 years ago - has won one of the Nansubuga Makumbi Prizes from Yale University in the US.

She will receive $165,000 (119,000). "I haven't been earning for a long, long time," she says.

"I really put everything into writing. So for this to happen is unbelievable."

The prize money is more than double the amount that the Booker Prize winner gets, and organisers say it's the richest award dedicated to literature after the Nobel Prize.

Makumbi is one of eight writers to receive Windham Campbell Prizes this year spanning fiction, non-fiction, drama and poetry - and is the only winner to have published just one full-length work.

Two other British writers are also on the list, both for non-fiction - Sarah Bakewell and Olivia Laing.

The prizes were created by writer Donald Windham and also carry the name of his partner Sandy M Campbell. They were first awarded in 2013 to "provide writers with the opportunity to focus on their work independent of financial concerns".

Makumbi said news of the award came out of the blue. "It's American, and normally it's people who have got so many books [behind them]," she said. "So I'm surprised how I was one of them."

Makumbi's debut novel Kintu was first published in Kenya four years ago after British publishers rejected it for being "too African". It was finally released in the UK this January.

Please see BBC

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-43315380?ocid=wsnews.chat-app...A new report issued by the National Recreation and Park Association demonstrates the economic impact of the nations local parks. According to the report, local parks generated more than $154 billion in U.S. economic activity and supported more than 1.1 million jobs in 2015 from their operations and capital spending alone.

Developed in partnership with the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University, the report also includes a state-level analysis that highlights the economic impact of local parks in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

From this report the economic impact of area states were:

North Carolina $2.7 billion

Georgia $2.4 billion

Tennessee $1.5 billion

Alabama $945 million

Parks provide tremendous health and environmental benefits; however, they are also powerful engines of economic activity, said Barbara Tulipane, NRPA president and CEO. This report demonstrates why policymakers and elected officials at all levels of government should prioritize park and recreation funding in communities everywhere. The impact of these investments is huge.

Dr. Terry Clower, lead investigator for the study, said, Local and regional park systems are growing in economic importance, not only as generators of jobs and local business opportunity, but as major contributors to local quality of life. Dr. Clower further notes that quality of life and the availability of recreation amenities is increasingly important for attracting and retaining workers and employers, which extends the economic impacts of park and recreation spending beyond what is captured in the current study.

The results of this report will be announced at the IPL Mayors Lunch for Parks in Indianapolis, In. on Thursday. Organized by the Indianapolis Parks Foundation, the event, which is attended by central Indiana corporate, community and city leaders, will feature keynote speaker Indianapolis Mayor, Joe Hogsett, who is a champion for local parks.

The 2017 NRPA Americans Engagement with Parks Survey found 92 percent of Americans agree parks and recreation are important local government services (comparable to police/fire/schools/transportation). Moreover, 85 percent of Americans seek high-quality park and recreation amenities when choosing a new place to live. To access the survey results, click here.

To access the report, visit www.nrpa.org/ParkEconReport. To learn more about NRPA, visit www.nrpa.org.





China on Friday joined global condemnation of the U.S. decision to impose heavy tariffs on steel and aluminum.

Steel products [File Photo: dyhjw.com]

U.S. President Donald Trump formally signed off on 25 percent tariffs on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum Thursday, with initial exemptions for Canada and Mexico, saying exemptions could be made for other countries through negotiations.

China will defend its rights and interests after assessing any damage caused by the tariffs, Wang Hejun, a Ministry of Commerce official, said on the ministry website.

Calling the move protectionism disguised as national security, Wang urged the United States to respect the multilateral trade system and revoke the policy.

China Iron and Steel Association called on the government to take firm counter-measures on imports from the United States, including stainless steel, galvanized sheets, seamless tube, coal, farm produce and consumer electronics.

The U.S. move not only damages the iron and steel industry across the world, but damages the interests of consumers, especially American consumers, the industry group said on its website.

China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association also issued similar comments, urging the government to take counter-measures on imports of U.S. products ranging from aluminum scrap, coal, farm produce to high-end consumer goods.

Shares of China's steel and aluminum producers tumbled Friday, with Baoshan Iron & Steel Co. down 3 percent to 9.1 yuan (1.4 U.S. dollars) while Liuzhou Iron and Steel Co. fell 2.3 percent to 7.13 yuan.

The broad impact of the tariffs on the Chinese economy will be limited because steel and aluminum account for a small proportion of exports to the United States, and exports have become a less important driver of growth in recent years, with the contribution of net exports to growth falling to 9.1 percent in 2017.

According to Ding Shuang, an economist at Standard Chartered Bank, China's steel and aluminum exports to the United States accounted for less than 0.2 percent of its total exports in 2017 and the impact of the tariffs would be insignificant.

The U.S. administration has made trade deficit reduction a priority, but its protectionist measures have drawn widespread opposition from both U.S. business groups and trade partners.

Last year, China's trade surplus with the United States expanded 13 percent to 1.87 trillion yuan, with exports to the United States up 14.5 percent and imports up 17.3 percent, according to data from China's customs.

Stephen Roach, former chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia and the firm's chief economist, said raising tariffs shows the U.S. administration's fixation on trade imbalances with its partners, including China.

Lacking domestic savings and wanting to consume and grow, America must import surplus savings from abroad while running massive current-account and trade deficits to attract foreign capital, he said in a recent article.

"Going after China, or any other country, without addressing the root cause of low saving is like squeezing one end of a water balloon: the water simply sloshes to the other end," he said.

Ding Shuang projected that "a grand bargain" will be reached between China and the United States with limited damage to bilateral trade.

Trade friction may intensify as Trump seeks trade remedies under the Section 301, raising fears of a widespread trade war, Ding said. However, "this is very likely a tactic of the Trump administration to win the biggest possible concessions."

Ding said China is likely to file World Trade Organization complaints while taking counter-measures against the U.S. farm produces, vehicles and aircraft.Church of the Brethren Newsline

March 9, 2018

Brethren Disaster Ministries is working with Puerto Rico District to plan its response following last years hurricanes. An allocation of $200,000 from the Church of the Brethrens Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) has been approved by the denominations Mission and Ministry Board to provide funding for the effort.

Roy Winter, associate executive director of Brethren Disaster Ministries and Global Mission and Service, attended the Puerto Rico District conference in January, and held meetings with church leaders on the island to discuss the disaster recovery effort.

Puerto Rico has continued to suffer effects of last years hurricanes, including a continuing loss of population, according to the Washington Post on March 6. Experts say the storm and its widespread devastation undoubtedly have sped up the pace of migration as residents have dealt with extended power outages, communication lapses, infrastructure failures and, in some cases, isolation. However, the newspaper reported that even before [Hurricane] Maria strafed the region, a record number of Puerto Ricans were realizing that the declining island might be where their heart is but cannot be where their feet stay. Nearly 500,000 people left Puerto Rico for the mainland during the past decade. The government of Puerto Ricos guess is that by the end of 2018, 200,000 more residents will have left the US territory for good.

Brethren Disaster Ministries plan in coordination with the district include a focus on the islands poorest residents who were disproportionately affected by the hurricanes. Those who have the fewest resources to rebuild experienced the most damage, and many of them live in rural communities and hard-to-reach areas of the mountains which are expected to be the last areas to regain access to water and electricity services. This area includes three of the seven Churches of the Bethren in Puerto Rico.

At this time, 34 homes of Brethren memberssome from each congregation in Puerto Ricoare known to have suffered major damage or flooding. Other homes in the communities around all of the district churches also were damaged. Each congregation has completed assessments and has organized disaster assistance in their community and to affected members.

Brethren Disaster Ministries is supporting and partnering with the district to implement a long-term recovery program that will support the efforts of the congregations by providing funds, disaster response expertise, response planning, skilled labor, and a container of critical supplies.

Response programming through January

The response effort so far has included:

 Staff trips to Puerto Rico to work with district leaders in assessing, organizing, providing training, planning the response program, and attending and presenting at the district conference. In October, staff hand-carried cash, solar charging panels, flash lights, batteries, and food.

 Shipping of a container of supplies that included canned chicken, water filters, tarps, tools, generators, and solar lights. Total purchased supplies and shipping costs came to $31,658.

 Support for two volunteer work trips organized by volunteers with Caimito Church of the Brethren, including $10,700 in funds for building materials and volunteer support, and the sending of a trained project leader.

 Funding of $48,300 provided to the district for church-based relief programs including member support, community programs, pastor support, and other emergency needs such as feeding programs, food distributions, small grants for home repairs, water distributions, medical clinics, and related transportation and logistics.

Planning for long-term recovery

Long-term recovery will center on creation of a Puerto Rico District Recovery Committee and naming of a Puerto Rica-based response coordinator and related response staff. This group will carry out case management, funding approvals, volunteer management, and volunteer-based home repair and construction.

Brethren Disaster Ministries will work closely with these staff and the recovery committee to provide training, develop response guidelines, support with trained volunteers as needed, and provide coordination of volunteers from outside Puerto Rico and related efforts to support Puerto Rico.

The district conference in January supported this plan and asked the district board to appoint the Recovery Committee and response coordinators. Once case managers have been identified and trained, Brethren Disaster Ministries will set schedules for volunteer rebuilding programs led by trained construction managers.

To express interest in volunteering with Brethren Disaster Ministries, contact a district disaster coordinator or contact Terry Goodger in the Brethren Disaster Ministries office at tgoodger@brethren.org or 410-635-8730. Find out more about the work of Brethren Disaster Ministries at www.brethren.org/bdm .

 Roy Winter, associate executive director of Global Mission and Service and Brethren Disaster Ministries, and Jenn Dorsch-Messler, Brethren Disaster Ministries director, contributed to this report.

Go to www.brethren.org/Newsline to subscribe to the Church of the Brethren Newsline free e-mail news service and receive church news every week.Church of the Brethren Newsline

March 9, 2018

A thanksgiving service to celebrate the release of 10 womenincluding two members of Ekklesiyar Yanuwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria)who had been kidnapped by Boko Haram in June 2017 is planned this Sunday in Maiduguri, Nigeria. The service is planned by the EYN Maiduguri congregation and the Mdurvwa family.

One of the women who was released, Rifkatu Antikirya, is a sister to Yuguda Mdurvwa, director of EYNs Disaster Relief Ministry, and a nurse who headed up accident and emergency at Maiduguri Specialist Hospital. Another was from the EYN Kano congregation. They were traveling with Nigerian policewomen when the kidnapping occurred last summer.

That kidnapping was just one of several incidents in recent weeks and months in which EYN membersamong many other Nigerianshave been affected by the continuing violence of Boko Haram.

On Feb. 20, Boko Haram carried out a mass kidnapping of some 110 girls and young women from the Government Girls Science and Technical School in Dapchi, Yobe State, close to the Niger border. For many people, this recalled the kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls in 2014. It is believed the girls abducted from Dapchi were mostly Muslim, and none are known to have connections with EYN.

On March 3, two health workers, Alice Adamu, also known as Alice Ngadda, and Hauwa Mohammed, were kidnapped by Boko Haram at Rann Camp, Kala Balge Local Government Area, Borno State. A report on the incident from EYN staff liaison Markus Gamache noted that some humanitarian staff were killed during the kidnapping, which happened close to the border with Cameroon.

Adamus guardian is church secretary of an EYN congregation in Nigerias capital city, Abuja. She also is related to Rebecca Dali, wife of EYNs past president Samuel Dali, who identified her in a Facebook post as a nurse working for UNICEF. She is the mother of two young children.

The EYN church at Utako Abuja is observing 40 days of prayer for the release of the two women, and the church secretary is sending out messages asking brothers and sisters in the faith to pray for Adamu and Mohammad, her Muslim colleague.

Yuguda Mdurvwa also shared in an e-mail to Church of the Brethren staff: This last two weeks has seen a lot of attacks by Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen, in Maiduguri, Kaduna, Jalingo, Numan, and Demsa in Adamawa State. We will continue to pray for Nigeria. Jalingo and Numan are within 100 miles of the city of Yola. The EYN Disaster Ministry in December gave $2,800 to the Numan area following a Fulani attack. The Jalingo area is one of the new church districts in EYN.

Markus Gamache reported that the church and our communities needs prayers without ceasing. EYN and other churches in Nigeria are still undergoing different levels of threats. The southern Borno and northern Adamawa and part of Yobe States are still under threat of daily killings, kidnappings, and bombing. The other states like Benue, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Plateau, and Taraba are under Fulani attack almost every week. There will be more mass burials this week for victims of Fulani killings in Benue and Taraba States.

Go to www.brethren.org/Newsline to subscribe to the Church of the Brethren Newsline free e-mail news service and receive church news every week.Spencer Platt/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- The announcement that President Donald Trump has agreed to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is the latest step in a tense and combustible public relationship between the two men.



The two have famously exchanged explosive words in the past, with Trump calling Kim little rocket man and saying that continued threats against the U.S. would be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen.



North Korea, meanwhile, has promised thousands-fold revenge against the U.S.



The degree to which Trump and Kim tamper their rhetoric when they meet face to face remains to be seen, though the meeting is set to occur in the next two months.



Here is a detailed timeline showing how the war of words escalated throughout the course of Trumps transition and administration.



Jan. 2, 2017



Trump tweeted about possible advancements in North Korean technology.



"North Korea just stated that it is in the final stages of developing a nuclear weapon capable of reaching parts of the U.S. It won't happen!" he wrote.



April 11, 2017



A statement from North Korea's Foreign Ministry was read on state television before a U.S. aircraft carrier group arrived in the region for a military exercise with South Korea.



"The United States' dispatching of its nuclear carrier task group in the waters off the peninsula proves that its reckless moves for invading North Korea have reached a serious phase. If the U.S. dares opt for military action, then North Korea is ready to react to any mode of war desired by the U.S.," the Foreign Ministry said, according to PBS.



April 18, 2017



North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Han Song Ryol said that an "all-out war" would result if the U.S. was "reckless enough to use military means," according to the BBC.



"If the U.S. is planning a military attack against us, we will react with a nuclear pre-emptive strike by our own style and method," he said.



April 24, 2017



During a lunch with ambassadors representing the member countries of the United Nations Security Council, Trump touched on how the group's policy toward North Korea needs to change.



"The status quo in North Korea is also unacceptable, and the council must be prepared to impose additional and stronger sanctions on North Korean nuclear and ballistic missile programs. This is a real threat to the world, whether we want to talk about it or not. North Korea is a big world problem, and it's a problem we have to finally solve. People have put blindfolds on for decades, and now it's time to solve the problem," he said.



April 28, 2017

Trump tweeted about a North Korean missile launch, "North Korea disrespected the wishes of China & its highly respected President when it launched, though unsuccessfully, a missile today. Bad!"



April 30, 2017



In an interview with CBS, Trump called Kim a "pretty smart cookie" for having taken over after his father's death in 2011.



"I can tell you this, and a lot of people don't like when I say it, but he was a young man of 26 or 27 when he took over from his father, when his father died. He's dealing with obviously very tough people," Trump said.



"A lot of people, I'm sure, tried to take that power away, whether it was his uncle or anybody else. And he was able to do it," Trump said. "So obviously, he's a pretty smart cookie."



Early June 2017



Foreign Policy reported that North Korea's Rodong Sinmun newspaper ran an article that made a not-so-veiled threat that New York could be within the range of the country's intercontinental ballistic missiles soon.



"The DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] is about 10,400 kilometers far away from New York. But this is just not a long distance for its strike today," the article read, according to Foreign Policy. "The U.S. is feeling uneasy, as this might be proven in practice. This is because its hostile policy will end in [futility] when the DPRK conducts the test-fire of ICBM capable of precisely striking any place on the U.S. mainland."



"Trump blustered early this year that the DPRK's final access to a nuclear weapon that can reach the U.S. mainland will never happen. But the strategic weapons tests conducted by the DPRK clearly proved that the time of its ICBM test is not a long way off at all," the North Korean article added, according to Foreign Policy.



June 30, 2017



During a press conference at the White House with South Korea's President Moon Jae-in, Trump said, "The years of strategic patience with the North Korean regime has failed. Many years and they failed. It's failed. And frankly, that patience is over."



"Together we are facing the threat of the reckless and brutal regime in North Korea. The nuclear and ballistic missile programs of that regime require a determined response. The North Korean dictatorship has no regard for the safety and security of its people or its neighbors and has no respect for human life. And that's been proven over and over again," he said.



July 4, 2017



Trump blasted North Korea on Twitter in response to its decision to launch a missile strike that day.



"North Korea has just launched another missile. Does this guy have anything better to do with his life? Hard to believe that South Korea and Japan will put up with this much longer. Perhaps China will put a heavy move on North Korea and end this nonsense once and for all!"



Aug. 7, 2017



North Korea said in a statement that it would take "thousands-fold" revenge against the United States in response to the latest round of international sanctions over its nuclear program.



The statement came through a state-run media outlet, the Korean Central News Agency, two days after the U.N. Security Council unanimously approved sanctions to penalize the regime for its escalating nuclear program and missile launches.



North Korea slammed the penalties  which could slash the country's $3 billion in export revenue by a third  as a "violent infringement of its sovereignty" and part of a "heinous U.S. plot to isolate and stifle" the country.



The sanctions ban North Korea exports of coal, iron, lead and seafood products, estimated to be worth $1 billion a year.



But North Korea asserted the punishment will not lead it to change course.



"It's a wild idea to think the DPRK will be shaken and change its position due to this kind of new sanctions formulated by hostile forces," the government said in its statement.



Aug. 8, 2017



Trump warned North Korea against making any further threats against the U.S.



"North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States. They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen. He has been very threatening  beyond a normal statement  and as I said, they will be met with fire, fury and, frankly, power the likes of which the world has never seen before," Trump said, referring to North Korea's statement about taking revenge.



Aug. 9, 2017



North Korea threatened to strike the U.S. territory of Guam in a statement distributed by its state-run news agency.



The statement said that the North Korean military is reviewing a plan to create an "enveloping fire" around Guam, in the Pacific Ocean about 2,100 miles from North Korea.



Later that day, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, in Guam for a refueling stop on his way back to the U.S. from a regional summit in the Philippines, dismissed North Korea's rhetoric about attacking the island.



"I do not believe that there is any imminent threat," he said. "Americans should sleep well at night."



In the statement released by the Department of Defense, Mattis didn't mince words, cautioning North Korea that its actions "will continue to be grossly overmatched by ours and [it] would lose any arms race or conflict it initiates."



He added that Kim should "take heed" of the U.N. Security Council's "unified voice," referring to the sanctions issued against the nation, and called for the country to "cease any consideration of actions that would lead to the end of its regime and the destruction of its people."



Sept. 19, 2017



Trump opted not to use the North Korean's name while making his first address to the United Nations, using a new nickname instead: "Rocket Man."



At first, Trump did not name the North Korean leader, using a nickname instead.



Trump said, "No nation on earth has an interest in seeing this band of criminals arm itself with nuclear weapons and missiles. The United States has great strength and patience, but if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea. Rocket Man is on a suicide mission for himself and for his regime. The United States is ready, willing and able, but hopefully, this will not be necessary."



He called on all nations to isolate the Kim regime in light of its "reckless pursuit" of nuclear weapons and treatment of its citizens.



He also said it was "an outrage" that some nations continue to trade with North Korea. At other points, he referred to Kim's regime as "depraved" and "twisted."



The North Korean ambassador to the United Nations, Ja Song Nam, was photographed at the General Assembly that morning, but he left before Trump entered the room. The seats assigned to North Korea, which are in the front row, were empty during Trump's speech. The only individual in the area was an unidentified man who appeared to be taking notes.



Sept. 22, 2017



Trump used the nickname again during a riff on North Korea at a rally for then-Republican Senate candidate Luther Strange in Alabama.



"We can't have madmen out there shooting rockets all over the place. And by the way, 'Rocket Man' should have been handled a long time ago," Trump said.



"Maybe something gets worked out and maybe it doesn't. Personally, I'm not sure that it will," Trump said.



Oct. 1, 2017



Trump seemed less optimistic about the chances of an effective negotiation days later, however, telling Secretary of State Rex Tillerson via tweet that he was "wasting his time."



"I told Rex Tillerson, our wonderful Secretary of State, that he is wasting his time trying to negotiate with Little Rocket Man...Save your energy Rex, we'll do what has to be done!" Trump wrote in two tweets.



"Being nice to Rocket Man hasn't worked in 25 years, why would it work now? Clinton failed, Bush failed, and Obama failed. I won't fail," he wrote in a later tweet that day.



Nov. 7, 2017



Trump made a multi-stop, two-week visit to Asia and during his visit to South Korea, he addressed the country's National Assembly.



"I hope I speak not only for our countries but for all civilized nations when I say to the North, do not underestimate us and do not try us," Trump said.



"All responsible nations must join forces to isolate the brutal regime of North Korea  to deny it any form of support, supply or acceptance," Trump said. "The longer we wait, the greater the danger grows, and the fewer the options become.



Nov. 9, 2017



The speech and the Asia trip overall came during a time of extended silence on the missile-testing-front. Nov. 9 marked the longest stretch of time -- 56 days -- since Trump took office that the North Korean regime has not conducted a test.



Nov. 11, 2017



North Korea later responded to Trump's speech, saying the speech was made up of "reckless remarks by an old lunatic."



And Trump responded with a tweet, appearing to soften his stance.



"Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me 'old,' when I would NEVER call him 'short and fat?' Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend - and maybe someday that will happen!" Trump wrote.



When asked about the tweet later that day, Trump acknowledged it would be surprising for them to suddenly become friends.



"I think anything is a possibility. Strange things happen in life, that might be a strange thing to happen, but it's certainly a possibility," Trump said, adding, "if that did happen, it would be a good thing."



Jan. 2, 2018



After a stretch of relatively little change on the topic, Trump turned to Twitter to tout what he saw as the effectiveness of sanctions against the regime.



"Sanctions and other pressures are beginning to have a big impact on North Korea. Soldiers are dangerously fleeing to South Korea. Rocket man now wants to talk to South Korea for first time. Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not - we will see!" Trump tweeted.



Jan. 30, 2018



North Korea came up in Trump's first State of the Union address, warning that the country's "reckless pursuit of nuclear missiles could very soon threaten our homeland."



"We need only look at the depraved character of the North Korean regime to understand the nature of the nuclear threat it could pose to America and our allies," Trump said in the speech.



The parents of American student Otto Warmbier, who died shortly after being returned to the U.S. from North Korean captivity, attended as special guests of the White House, as was Ji Seong-ho, a man who escaped hardship and torture in North Korea as a boy.



Feb. 2, 2018



In the wake of the State of the Union, Trump met with other North Korean defectors in the White House, praising the "special group of people."



"These are just great people that have suffered incredibly. There are many, many others like them that have suffered so much," Trump said.



Feb. 20, 2018



This particular instance relates not to something that was said but instead to something that went unsaid.



Vice President Mike Pence was originally slated to hold a secret meeting with North Korean officials while they both were in South Korea for the Olympics opening ceremony but the meeting was reportedly nixed at the last minute.



In a statement, Nick Ayers, Pence's chief of staff, said, North Korea dangled a meeting in hopes of the Vice President softening his message, which would have ceded the world stage for their propaganda during the Olympics," adding Pence would have confronted the North Koreans about human rights abuses and their nuclear weapons ambitions.



Feb. 23, 2018



During his address to the Conservative Political Action Conference, Trump suggested that he was optimistic about change as motivated by sanctions.



"I do want to say, because people have asked  North Korea  we imposed today the heaviest sanctions ever imposed on a country before," Trump said. "And frankly, hopefully something positive can happen. We will see. But hopefully something positive can happen. But that just was announced, and I wanted to let you know. We have imposed the heaviest sanctions ever imposed."



March 6



Days before a historic announcement about a significant change, Trump hinted that things between the two countries were allegedly headed in a positive direction.



"Possible progress being made in talks with North Korea. For the first time in many years, a serious effort is being made by all parties concerned. The World is watching and waiting! May be false hope, but the U.S. is ready to go hard in either direction!" Trump tweeted.



March 8



It was announced that Trump agreed to a high-stakes meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un by this May on his nuclear weapons program, South Korea's national security adviser announced at the White House Thursday evening. He had briefed the president on a message from Kim earlier in the day.



The White House said afterward that Trump "will accept the invitation," and Trump tweeted about the progress in the relationship.



"Kim Jong Un talked about denuclearization with the South Korean Representatives, not just a freeze. Also, no missile testing by North Korea during this period of time. Great progress being made but sanctions will remain until an agreement is reached. Meeting being planned!" Trump tweeted.

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.Uh-oh! It could be you, or it could be us, but there's no page here.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.

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Digital EditorLuxury car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover(JLR), a subsidiary of Tata Motors, is expecting a drop in growth this year due to the hike in customs duty on components and imposition of high GST rates on the premium segment, managing director of JLR India Rohit Suri said.

The impact of customs duty hike on parts and kits by five per cent would raise prices ranging between 3.5 per to five per cent across the various models of JLR, he said.

"The hike in customs duty hike as announced in the budget was really disappointing. This will have an adverse impact on the growth in 2017," Suri said.

"We were expecting a double digit growth in 2018. But the customs duty hike would depress it down to a single digit", he said.

In 2017 JLR sold around 4000 cars in India, which was 49 per cent year-on-year growth over 2016, Suri told reporters on the sidelines of a showroom launch here today.

The proportion of Jaguar sedan and SUV Land Rover sales was almost 50:50, he said.

Regarding GST, he said it was 50 per cent for SUVs and 48 per cent for sedans inclusive of cess. "This too is very high", Suri said.

Spanning across 11 models of Jaguar and Land Rover models in India, the prices range between Rs 40 lakh to Rs 1.6 crore, depending on the model.

JLR, which stared operations in India four years ago, had a low-volume manufacturing plant in Pune and was pitted against other luxury brands like Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Porsche. It had a market share of 11 per cent in the category.

Asked about the probable launch of electric vehicles in India from the JLR stable, Suri said "In India, we have to see whether the infrastructure support is there, like charging points".

JLR already has the technology and a vehicle, I-Pace, was just showcased in the Geneva Motor Show.Balkrishna Doshi was known to invite students of architecture to his home in Ahmedabad. As the founder director of the School of Architecture (now known as CEPT, or Centre for Environment and Planning Technology, of which he is dean-emeritus), the privilege he accorded his acolytes was often their first exposure to modern architecture.

And they either loved it or hated it, a reaction Doshi probably aimed for in these interactions. It was a lesson beyond anything he could offer in a classroom, and it piqued the curiosity of even the most jaded appetites. That the elegant and ...Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 10)  Two members of the African Drug Syndicate were arrested Friday after selling packs of poisonous "fake shabu."

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said Saturday they caught Nigerian suspects Agu Austin Chukwuebuka and Nkwocha Chimaobi in a buy-bust operation in Bacoor, Cavite, where they seized 11 sachets of drugs amounting to 2.5 million pesos.

But only two of the 11 packs contained methamphetamine hydrochloride or "shabu," while the nine other packs had a different medical substance.

PDEA Chief Aaron Aquino said the compound -- which looks like shabu but has no stimulant effect -- is poisonous.

"Iyong tinitira mo walang effect kasi hindi naman siya shabu, so kapag ito ni-distribute akala ng mga taong tumitira nito may tama sila pero wala kasi niloloko nila 'yung kliyente nila, niloloko din nila 'yung sarili nila," Aquino said.

[Translation: These drugs have no effect. So the users think they're high when actually there are just tricked into believing that.]

The PDEA chief said this is a sign that illegal drugs are harder to obtain and source. This is why, he added, there is a growing demand for other forms of illegal drugs like ecstasy and marijuana.

The modus of African Drug Syndicate members is to hide shabu inside cell phone chargers for easier transport. They are also known for their strategy of enrolling themselves in medical schools, and mix with students.

Chukuewuebuka and Chimaobi will be charged for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

They are the second set of Nigerian nationals arrested in Cavite since November 2017 for selling illegal drugs.

The PDEA said it is investigating why African drug syndicate members are operating in Dagupan, Pangasinan and Cavite.Ahead of French President and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to this Uttar Pradesh city on Monday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday reached here to take stock of preparations for the high-profile visit.

The visiting dignitaries will reach the Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport here around 10.25 a.m and after a brief break, will fly in a chopper to Dadarkalan in Mirzapur.

Adityanath met district officials and the police top brass and understood the travel plans of the French President and assessed the preparedness of the visit, an official said.

Macron and Modi will partake in the inauguration of a solar plant at Mirzapur for 20 minutes after which they will drive back to the helipad before flying off to the Badlapur and then to the Deen Dayal Handicraft Institute.

Macron will then go to Derek helipad from where he and Modi, who is also the Lok Sabha member from Varanasi, will drive to Assi Ghat on the banks of the holy river Ganga.

They will take a boat ride followed by lunch, and in the evening, will fly back to New Delhi in a special IAF plane.The CBI on Friday got a court permission to question Karti Chidambaram for three more days even as the Delhi High Court gave him interim protection from being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a case relating to alleged kickbacks in getting foreign investment clearances to private companies when his father P. Chidambaram was the Finance Minister.

Judge Sunil Rana of a special court allowed the CBI to quiz the 46-year-old businessman till March 12 after the agency sought extension of his custody for six more days. Karti Chidambaram is being interrogated by the CBI since his February 28 arrest.

The CBI said it had found "new incriminating documents" to prove that Karti Chidambaram got kickbacks to get foreign investment clearance.

Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the special court that the CBI had recovered evidence to prove that Karti Chidambaram had direct links with Advantage Strategic, which allegedly received lakhs of rupees for facilitating Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approvals for INX Media and Aircel companies.

"So we need six more days of police custody."

Defence lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi opposed the CBI plea, mocking at the agency for its failure to locate the well-known registered office address of Advantage Strategic in Nungambakkam High Road in Chennai.

"For one year, the CBI cannot find the registered office. Anyone can Google about it. It is tragic as well as comic for me."

Mehta countered Singhvi and said some documents had been shifted from the Chennai office location. The CBI raided the location on a tip off on March 7 and 8 and several documents were recovered, he said.

A CBI official here said the agency searched ASCPL's office on May 16, 2017 in Chennai. After that the board of companies passed a resolution to change the office.

The CBI alleges that Karti Chidambaram received kickbacks in the clearance of foreign investment worth Rs 305 crore for INX Media -- owned by jailed media executives Peter and Indrani Mukherjea.

It said it had a recorded statement of Indrani Mukherjea accusing Karti Chidambaram of demanding and receiving a bribe to get the FIPB clearance.

Karti Chidambaram was confronted with Indrani Mukherjea in Mumbai last week.

On Friday, the CBI moved two more applications, seeking court permission to confront Karti Chidambaram with his Chartered Accountant S. Bhaskararaman, arrested last month. The second is to allow the CBI to bring the Mukherjeas to Delhi from Mumbai and identify the places where they met Karti Chidambaram.

The Special Court Judge dismissed the CBI's application seeking permission to bring the Mukherjeas to Delhi.

Extending Karti Chidambaram's custody, the court told the CBI to confront him with the Chartered Accountant at Tihar Jail.

Singhvi also told the court that Karti Chidambaram's blood pressure levels were fluctuating as he was not allowed to sleep as four guards keep playing cards till 2.30 a.m. each night.

"On March 7, his blood pressure was 140/90 while on March 8 it was 150/100."

In a related development, the Delhi High Court gave a major relief to Karti Chidambaram, directing the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is separately probing the allegations, not to arrest him till till the next hearing of the case on March 20.

The interim relief from "any coercive action" taken by the ED came a day after the Supreme Court transferred to the Delhi High Court his plea seeking quashing of summons issued by the probe agency.

A High Court bench of Justices S. Muralidhar and I.S. Mehta, however, directed the businessman to cooperate in the investigation, appear before the ED whenever required and submit his passport.

Defence counsels Kapil Sibal and Singhvi told the court that they apprehended sequential arrests of their client by the ED after he was freed from the custody of the CBI.I got in touch with B V Doshi in 1994 for some housing projects, but initially he did not show much interest. For one, there wasnt any direct flight between Ahmedabad and Kolkata and he would have had to travel via Mumbai. I also think he had some reservations about how a commercial real estate developer like me would be able to understand his mind.

A few months after this initial setback, I learnt that he would be visiting Kolkata to attend an architectural event. I decided to meet him there  my heart was set on winning him over for the residential project I had planned. To ...And there has been interest far beyond its zone of operations, Pune. We have got calls from over 200 people for franchises, including New York and Dubai, since the news broke on Saturday, says co-founder Nilesh Yewale. The ramp-up in revenue occurred within a month of the opening of the second branch near Dagdusheth Ganpati temple, but the Yewale family has been in the business for long. ...

Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

We, however, have a request.



As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.



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Digital EditorA leading UK-based think tank has released a research to support its call for a new, more economical visa regime to attract Indian visitors to the country.

The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) revealed that the UK was losing out as neighbouring France attracted 185,000 more Indian business visitors and tourists in 2016.

Overall the number of visits to the UK by Indian nationals fell by 1.73 per cent in 2016, while in France it grew by 5.3 per cent.

The UK's market share of Indian outbound tourists has more than halved from 4.4 per cent in 2006 to 1.9 per cent in 2016 600,000 Indians visited France in 2016, 185,000 more than visited the UK, RCS says in its new Britain and India: Building a New Visa Partnership' fact sheet presented to British MPs earlier this week as part of its campaign launched in 2016 for a new UK-India bilateral visa agreement which would considerably reduce the cost of tourist visas.

The new UK-India Visa Agreement being proposed would reduce the cost of a two-year visa from 388 pounds to just 89 pounds and allow travellers to make repeat visits within two years. This would mirror the reduced cost two-year multiple entry visa that was launched in January 2016 for visitors travelling both ways between the UK and China, RCS said in a statement.

The RCS feels the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in April, to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, presents the ideal setting for an announcement of a new agreement.

A new UK-India bilateral visa agreement will enhance trade and tourism, as well as strengthen important business and cultural ties, enabling both the UK and India to capitalise on future global opportunities, said Labour MP Virendra Sharma, who is backing the campaign.

The new fact sheet was produced by the Royal Commonwealth Society with the support of a number of organisations, including Airlines UK, Airport Operators Association, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Edwardian Hotels, Tourism Alliance and UKinbound, a travel trade association which focuses on the interests of the UK's inbound tourism sector.

Indian industry strongly supports this initiative. Indian businesses, students and tourists already make a big contribution to the economy across the UK," said David Landsman, Chair, CII UK India Business Forum, and Executive Director, Tata Ltd.

"The UK has the potential to benefit more from India's world-beating growth. A strong balanced and fair visa partnership is an indispensable part of unlocking the potential for both countries, said Landsman.

London-based Royal Commonwealth Society was founded in 1868 as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) to promote the values of the Commonwealth.

It has been leading a campaign for a new UK-India visa agreement for a few years as it believes it would enhance trade and tourism, and strengthen important business and cultural ties between the two countries.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 10)  A Muntinlupa court has allowed detained Senator Leila de Lima to leave her detention center for a one-day medical furlough.

De Lima is set to undergo a CT scan at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City on Monday afternoon to have her liver problem checked.

Judge Amelia Fabros-Corpuz of Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court's Branch 205 granted on March 6 De Lima's "very urgent motion for medical furlough."

CNN Philippines obtained a copy of the court order Saturday.

"The prosecution and the defense agreed in open court that the CT scan procedure be done at the Philippine Heart Center, Quezon City," the order read.

All "corresponding expenses" will be shouldered by De Lima, the court said.

It said De Lima filed the request on February 22, "following the findings of an impression of a liver mass."

This was the result of De Lima's periodic medical examination at the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital on February 15, the court said.

The prosecution on February 26 opposed De Lima's motion saying the hospital inside Camp Crame could examine De Lima.

But there was no CT scan machine in the PNP General Hospital, its chief, Senior Supt. Reimound Sales said in a court hearing.

The court also ordered the police to provide adequate security for De Lima "to forestall any possibility of escape" and to immediately bring her back to jail for detention.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque told CNN Philippines the Palace defers to the decision of the judiciary on this matter.

This was the first time De Lima was granted a furlough after filing requests in the past for her to be allowed to participate in legislative inquiries as a senator.

De Lima has been detained without bail at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame since February 2017 over drug charges.

A staunch critic of the Duterte administration, De Lima has repeatedly denied involvement in the illegal drug trade. She said she is a victim of political persecution, a claim Malacanang has repeatedly denied.

After over a year in jail, De Lima through her statements continued to condemn the Duterte's attacks against the media and critics, herself included.

"Ang aking unjust detention ay malinaw na patunay na tayo ngayon ay nakapailalim na sa isang 'authoritarian regime' kahit walang pormal na deklarasyon ng Martial Law sa buong bansa," De Lima said in a statement on Saturday.

[Translation: "My unjust detention is proof that we are under 'authoritarian regime' even without a nationwide martial law."]Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday announced that the e-way bill will be implemented from April 1 for inter-state movement of goods. While speaking to media after the crucial GST Council meet, Jaitley also said that the tax exemption for exporters has been extended by six months. Among other key decisions, intra-state e-way bill will be rolled out from April 15 in a staggered manner and the entire country will be covered by June 1. The present system of GST return-filing has also been extended by three months. "Intra-state e-Way Bill will be rolled out in phased manner ...

Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

We, however, have a request.



As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.



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Digital EditorSri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday left on a foreign tour even as his country has been hit by communal violence that has killed at least two people.

His visit comes after four days of anti-Muslim riots in the central hilly district of Kandy.

Sirisena will be in India to attend the first conference of the founding members of the International Solar Alliance in New Delhi. He will also visit Japan.

The president had proclaimed a state of emergency to quell the riots and Kandy was under curfew for five days.

The government also blocked social media in another desperate attempt to curb rumours and violence.

Sinhala mobs went on a rampage after a Sinhalese man died in a traffic accident. The incident was reportedly used to fan communal passions.

Sirisena's government has come under fire for its inability to take timely action to curb the tensions.

Sinhalese Buddhists make up about 75 per cent of Sri Lanka's 21 million population while Muslims are 10 per cent.

Tensions between Muslim groups and the majority Sinhalese Buddhist community in the country have escalated since the end of the civil war in May, 2009.Among the plethora of charges stacked up against fugitive businessman Nirav Modi, there is one that could stick with the foreign courts to compel his extradition. A top officer of an investigative agency said the case dates back to 2014, where the diamond merchant had pleaded guilty, though indirectly.

The problem with the main charges against Nirav in all the other cases of buyers credit is that they can be demonstrated as crimes only if it can be proved that he would have not met his obligations. It is a charge his lawyers are expected to contest vigorously. The exception ...Politics have been at the centre of the public debate about the Justice Departments lawsuit to block AT&Ts $85 billion purchase of Time Warner. But the trial itself, starting later this month, is shaping up to be a fight focused on classic issues in antitrust law. In court filings on Friday, the Justice Department and AT&T laid out the arguments that they plan to make in the trial. Regulators will argue that the deal will hurt competition and lead to higher prices. AT&T and Time Warner will counter those arguments by saying that even with a merger, it is an underdog against ...Thomas Yamamoto had only seen it in a photograph, but the retired corporate finance executive was so enthralled by Mary Corses monochrome white canvas that he bought it first and then hopped on a plane to New York from Shanghai to inspect his newest treasure.

He glimpsed the $350,000 work up close for the first time Wednesday in the booth of Kayne Griffin Corcoran gallery at the Armory Show, the largest modern and contemporary art fair in New York. Normally, wed put it on reserve, come here, see it and then buy it, said Yamamoto, 69, who began collecting art with ...In 2014, Google became one of the first technology companies to release a race and gender breakdown of its work force. It revealed  to no ones surprise  that its staff was largely white or Asian and decidedly male. The company explained that it disclosed the figures, in part, because it wanted to be held accountable publicly for not looking the way we wanted to. Since then, Google has made modest progress in its plan to create a more diverse work force, with the percentage of women at the company ticking up a bit. But a spate of recent incidents and ...President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told the media. Trump confirmed the exemption in an early Saturday morning call between the two leaders, Turnbull said. He said the conversation also touched on the security alliance between the US and Australia, as well as possible talks between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. I was very pleased the president was able to confirm that he would not have to impose tariffs on Australian steel and aluminum, Turnbull said. ...

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Digital EditorThe Trump administration on Friday asserted that it firmly supports the territorial integrity of Pakistan and does not support Baloch insurgency or any group that threatens this country.

A day earlier, the US announced a $5 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Afghanistan-based Maulana Fazlullah, leader of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an outfit that carries out terrorist attacks inside Pakistan.

Under its rewards for justice program, the US also announced a $3 million reward each for information on Abdul Wali, of Jamaat ul-Ahrar (JuA), and leader of Lashkar-e-Islam Mangal Bagh.

"We firmly support Pakistan's territorial integrity. We do not support a Baluch and surgeons or the threat of a irredentism against Pakistan," Alice Wells, Senior Bureau Official in South and Central Asia wing of State Department told a Washington audience.

Wells, who is the State Department point person for South and Central Asia, in the absence of a full-fledged Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia said during her appearance at the US Institute of Peace (USIP) that the message of the Trump administration is that any group or any terrorist group threatening any country in the region has to be opposed.

She also referred to the announcement of rewards by the US for three TTP leaders.

"We oppose groups that are targeting Pakistan. Of course, we oppose groups that are targeting Afghanistan," she said in response to a question.

The United States, she said, has not yet seen "decisive or sustained changes" in Pakistan's behaviour and as a result, "we suspended our military assistance," she said.

"But we are not walking away from Pakistan. This relationship is important to us and we're continuing our intensive dialogue through both our military and civilian channels to discuss how we can work together better," she said, adding that a day before Deputy Secretary John Sullivan and she met with Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua.

Pakistan, she said, has an important role to play in a peace process, and in stabilising Afghanistan.

"We believe that Pakistan can help change and shape the calculus of the Taliban. We are engaged with Pakistan on how we can work together as well as address Pakistan's legitimate concerns through a negotiated process," she said.

"Pakistani officials have long expressed concerns ranging from border management to refugees to terrorism that emanates from ungoverned spaces in Afghanistan, and these are issues that need to be addressed during the course of a reconciliation process," Wells said.

She said that senior officials of the US and Pakistan are engaged in an "intensive dialogue".

"We have a calibrated our relationship with Pakistan in a very different way than other administrations. We've gone much further and underscored the importance and the centrality of this issue to our ability to expand relations with Pakistan," Wells said.16 insurgent were killed in two separate army operations carried out in Afghanistan on Saturday.

10 insurgents were killed and 13 were wounded in an army operation in Helmand on Saturday.

As per the statement of National Directorate of Security (NDS), the operation was conducted at Lashkargah's Khoshkaba in Helmand.

Further, eight insurgents were arrested and their hideouts were destroyed by the army, as according to Tolo News.

During the operation, the security forces seized weapons and explosive materials including suicide vests and a vehicle bomb, NDS said in the statement.

In a separate incident, six Islamic State militants, including two Uzbekistan citizens, were killed in a clash with the security forces in Afghanistan's Jowzjan province on Friday.

Mohammad Reza Ghafoori, the spokesman of provincial governor said, "The clash occurred in Darzab district. Security forces did not suffer any casualties in the clash."

He further informed that a body of a woman was found stuffed in a bag at Afghan-Gas Enterprise Blocks in Sheberghan city of Jowzjan province.

No arrests were made in relation to the Darzab clash. An investigation is underway.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 10)  Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque lauded a report that hailed the Philippines as the ninth best market for women entrepreneurs.

"Another good news, yesterday being International Women's Day, the Philippines was named as the ninth best economy for women entrepreneurs," Roque said in a press briefing Saturday.

A report by global payments company Mastercard included the country in the world's top 10 markets with the best conditions for women entrepreneurs to thrive.

The Philippines scored 68.0 out of 100, trailing Belgium with 68.7. New Zealand topped the rankings with a score of 74.2.

The Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs 2018 surveyed 57 economies to represent 78.6 percent of the world's female labor force.

In 2017, the Philippines ranked seventh with a score of 68.5.

Mastercard said the scores indicate how entrepreneurship is seen as a ticket to opportunity for women.

The report also noted that women entrepreneurs mostly thrive in more developed economies, making the Philippines an exception as the only lower-middle income market to make it to this year's top 10.

The Philippines also maintained its first place ranking in Women's Advancement Outcomes, a section of Mastercard's report gauging women's progress and degree of marginalization economically and professionally.

Following the Philippines are Colombia, Russia, and Brazil. The United States ranked eight and Vietnam 10th.

The 65.9 score of the Philippines indicates there is strong representation for women as business leaders, professionals, and technical workers. The report said it also means women in the country are equally inclined to venture into entrepreneurship as men.

Overall, the Philippines' high index score means the country offers a friendly business environment for women.

"Markets with high index scores generally offer the most conducive and supportive conditions that not only drive women's inclination towards entrepreneurship, but also their capacity to nurture and grow their business start-ups," the report said.A total of 18 Kurdistan Workers' Party (PYD/PKK) terrorists have been neutralised in Turkey's southeastern provinces of Diyarbakir in Mardin and northern Iraq this week, Anadolu Agency quoted a Turkish General Staff as saying.

One of the neutralised terrorists was from the senior cadre of the PKK.

Here, 'Neutralised' implies the terrorists either surrendered or were killed or captured.

According to a statement from the Turkish military, the operations against the terrorists continued from March 2 till March 9.

During the operation, one soldier lost his life while two were wounded.

Meanwhile, 7,858 people attempting to illegally cross Turkish borders were also detained during this period.

The Turkish military is also involved in an operation called 'Olive Branch', which was launched on January 20 to clear PKK and IS terrorists from Afrin in northwestern Syria.

Under operation 'Olive Branch' 3,213 terrorists have been neutralised till now.

As per the military statement, 42 soldiers were killed and 202 were wounded, out of which 117 soldiers returned to their duties after medical treatment.

The PKK, which is based in Turkey, Iraq and parts of Syria, has been involved in an armed conflict with Turkey for the past 30 years. Its aim is to achieve the objective of creating an independent Kurdish state.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is enthusiastic about talks between United States and North Korea, US President Donald Trump said.

After speaking with his Japanese counterpart, the US President posted on Twitter, "Spoke to Prime Minister Abe of Japan, who is very enthusiastic about talks with North Korea. Also discussing opening up Japan to much better trade with the U.S. Currently have a massive $100 Billion Trade Deficit. Not fair or sustainable. It will all work out!"

Following Trump's nod to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Abe announced that he will be visiting the US to discuss North Korea with the US President.

In a telephone call with President Trump on Friday, Abe hailed the "change" in North Korea's stance saying such a dialogue with the US will lead to the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, and that this development was "the result of Japan, the US and South Korea, together with the international community, having continued to put a high level of pressure on North Korea."

The US-North Korea made a breakthrough when Kim invited Trump for a meeting, and the latter duly accepted to meet by May.

A senior US official said North Korea offered to suspend their nuclear missile testing alongside their invitation for talks. The official also said there are no plans to suspend the upcoming planned military exercises with South Korea.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Australian Governor-General Peter Cosgrove has arrived in Delhi to attend the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Founding Conference.

The Governor-General, who is on a four-day visit, will represent Australia at the ISA.

During the summit, the Governor-General will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.

He will also interact with business leaders in New Delhi and Chennai, address educational institutions with Australian links, view an Australian-funded aid project in Nizamuddin Basti, officially open an ANZAC Centenary exhibition, and visit an Indian Coast Guard vessel which is playing a role in enhancing regional security.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Forever 21, an international fast fashion brand from Los Angeles, California, and part of Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd. debuted in Uttar Pradesh with its first store in Lucknow.

The sprawling new store is spread across 8500 sq ft. of retail space and is located in the heart of the city at Sahargunj mall.

Popular Bollywood Actress Bipasha Basu, along with Rahul Jhamb, India Brand Head, Forever 21, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd inaugurated the store.

"We are delighted to launch our first store in Lucknow, which marks our foray into the vibrant state of Uttar Pradesh. At Forever 21, we aim to make fast fashion accessible to millennials at affordable price points and we are proud to be at the forefront of the fashion revolution that is underway in this Nawabi city. Over the last few years, the brand has gained immense popularity amongst the fashion conscious millennials who are always on a lookout for fresh and unique styles. As we commence this brand new journey, we would like to thank our patrons for making Forever 21 the most loved fashion destination of the country," said Rahul Jhamb.

Forever 21's Spring '18 collection brings fresh shades and lightweight fabrics that refresh your wardrobe and offer a modern look for the warmer weather. For women, the collection comprises a range of sporty to feminine chic pieces from striped dresses, separates, plaid blazers, patterned blouses, gingham prints and various denim pieces to complement each look. Accessories include newsboy caps and berets.

For men, the collection features essential layering pieces like simple graphic t-shirts, checkered pants and striped sweaters. The collection is available across all stores in India and on Forever21.com.

To mark the celebrations, Forever 21 introduced an exciting offer for its first 200 customers who availed a special discount of Rs. 500 on their purchase and 10 lucky patrons dressed in yellow and black won a fan moment in the form of a 'Meet and Greet' with the stunning actress.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A senior European researcher has accused Pakistan of making moves to sell the disputed region of Gilgit-Baltistan to China in return for stacks of Renminbi (Chinese currency) and Yuan (basic unit of Chinese currency).

Participating in the 37th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Senior Research Analyst at the European Foundation for South-Asian Studies Dusan Vejinovic said Friday, "While Pakistan manifests itself as a self-styled advocate of the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the factual situation is, that it remains an illegal occupier of Jammu and Kashmir, which has deprived the people of their political and civil liberties."

"Contrary to the country's diplomatic rhetoric, it is Pakistan which has denied the people of Jammu and Kashmir their fundamental human rights. Moreover, it is now aspiring to become a broker of Jammu and Kashmir, by negotiating the sale of Gilgit-Baltistan to Beijing, in return for stacks of Chinese Yuan," he added.

Demanding that the United Nations take appropriate action against Pakistan, Vejinovic said, "Why is Pakistan allowed to infringe international law and make a mockery of this august institution? The United Nations is obliged to act, not only to ensure peace in South Asia, but more importantly, to maintain its own credibility and reinforce its authority."

Reminding the UNHRC that the U.N. resolutions of 1948 and 1949 had directed Pakistan to withdraw its troops from the state of Jammu and Kashmir by August 13, 1948, a perplexed Vejinovic asked what is preventing Islamabad from complying with a legally binding instruction issued more than 70 years ago.

Jammu and Kashmir has been an area of contention for both India and Pakistan ever since the nations were formed in 1947 with three battles having been fought between the two neighbours over it.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A suspected gunman, along with three women believed to be hostages, were found dead at a California veterans home in the US on Friday, the police said.

The development brings an end to the situation at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville, a 600-acre facility north of Napa wine country, which saw hours-long shootout at its premises, according to NBC.

"This is a tragic piece of news, one that we were really hoping we wouldn't have to come before the public to give," Chris Childs, assistant chief of the California Highway Patrol Golden Gate Division, said in a statement.

"The identities of the suspect and victims were not released. The situation is over and there is no threat to the public but an active investigation is continuing," Childs added.

According to the local authorities, the suspect, identified as male, was armed with a rifle and was firing indiscriminately before taking three female people as hostages inside a room of the veterans home.

The Veterans Home of California is one of the largest veterans homes in the country.

According to California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), the facility opened in 1884 and is home to about 1,000 residents, including veterans of War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, and the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts respectively.

The police found a rental car, which was believed to belong to the suspect. While there were initial reports of the possibility of planting bombs near the veterans home, no such explosives were found.

"The hearts of the California highway patrol family go out those families that are grieving tonight, and I think I can speak on behalf of all law enforcement tonight. We express our deepest and most sincere condolences to the families," Childs said.

California Governor Jerry Brown condemned the incident and said that flags at the Capitol complex will be flown at half-mast in respect to the victims and their families.

This comes after a 19-year-old person named Nikolas Cruz went on a rampage at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on February 14 and gunned down 17 students and injured 14 others. He allegedly used an AR-15 assault rifle that he had purchased legally.

Cruz was a former student and was expelled from the high school for disciplinary reasons. He was charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder.

After the incident, many lawmakers, gun control advocates and student survivors of the Florida school shooting have urged the Trump administration to implement tougher gun measures in the US.

Many students across the US held mass protests and walk-ins of pressurising authorities to implement tougher gun laws.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu asserted that the Centre is focusing on the 'futuristic industries', which will expedite the growth of the country.

Addressing the Indo-French Economic Partnership signing ceremony, Prabhu said, a new industrial policy will be announced in the few weeks to focus on new industries.

"We are focusing on industries which aren't even born today, futuristic industries, the industries which will drive the growth of tomorrow and there we see great opportunity for partnership with France," he added.

The Commerce and Industry Minister highlighted the opportunity for partnerships between India and France across various areas.

"In the ministry of commerce and industry, we have identified few sectors which will be the key thrust sectors of India. We are modernising our existing industry and new industrial policy will be announced in next few weeks," Prabhu added.

The proposed policy is expected to renovate the Industrial Policy of 1991.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday lauded the Central Industrial Security Force's (CISF) calling it a multidimensional force known for its professionalism and competence.

"CISF is a multidimensional force known for its professionalism and competence. I would also suggest that CISF celebrates 2018 as a planning year for 2022 as we will be celebrating 75 years of independence," Rajnath said on attending the CISF 49th raising day celebration in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad.

Meanwhile, the CISF has decided to offer security consultancy to five-star hotels so that they can be prepared to deal with 26/11 type terror attacks.

The CISF came into existence in 1969 to provide integrated security cover to public sector undertakings and at present has a strength of around 1.4 lakh personnel.

The force is responsible for securing critical infrastructure installations like nuclear installations, space establishments, airports as well as the Delhi Metro.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)India's Permanent Mission at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland, has squarely accused Pakistan of openly supporting cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and allowing United Nations-designated terrorists like Hafiz Saeed to operate with state support.

Speaking at the 37th session of UNHRC), Second Secretary of India's Permanent Mission, Mini Devi Kumam, describing Pakistan as a "Failed State", said, "In gross violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1267, UN-designated terrorists like Hafiz Mohammed Saeed are freely operating with state support and UN-designated entities are being politically mainstreamed in Pakistan."

"We await credible action by the Government of Pakistan to bring all those involved in the 2008 Mumbai attack and the 2016 Pathankot and Uri attacks to justice," she added.

"They (UN-designated terrorists) are raising funds in flagrant violation of Pakistan's international obligations," Kumam said.

"Even as terrorists thrive in Pakistan and roam its streets with impunity, we have heard it (Pakistan) lecture about the protection of human rights in India. The does not need lessons on democracy and human rights from a country whose own situation is charitably described as a failed state," Kumam said further.

India also used the occasion to expose Pakistan's poor rights record viz-a vis minorities, including Hindus, Sikhs and Christians, as also its abysmal record on forced conversions and marriages.

India also highlighted enforced disappearances and unlawful killing of political dissidents by the Pakistani security forces.

"We urge the Council to call on Pakistan to stop targeting political dissidents and legitimate criticism in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and to stop torture, enforced disappearances and unlawful killing, including that of journalists and activists by its security agencies. Pakistan should also prosecute all perpetrators of such crimes," Kumam said.

India also demanded the end of sectarian violence, systemic persecution and attacks on Muslim minorities, such as Shia, Ahmadiyas, Ismailia and Hazaras in Pakistan.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The family members of Lance Naik Yangmi Muiwo have alleged foul play in the death of the 34-year-old personnel that was described as suicide by the Army authority.

Speaking to ANI at Manipur Press Club in Imphal, Timrawon Muiwo, bereaved wife of the deceased jawan, raised doubts over his death.

Lance Naik Muiwo, who was serving in Territorial Army at 165 Battalion in Leimakhong in a wireless department in Manipur, was found dead with his throat slit on January 18, 2018, at a storeroom.

Expressing disappointment over the negligence of the army officials, Timrawon said that the family was not allowed to get near his lifeless body and was asked to wait for the next day.

According to the family's statement, they were not informed about the death of Lance Naik Muiwo.

"I was at the paddy field when I received the news about my husband's deceased from my sister-in-law. On the same day, we went to the Leimakhong camp, where my husband was murdered. But we were not allowed to see his body by the army official. We were asked to come the next morning and even on that day, we were again denied to see his dead body. Later in the evening, they took the dead body of my husband to Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) hospital in Imphal for post-mortem and there only we saw the lifeless body," she said.

"Yangmi was like a son to me. We got the information about his demise from one of the family friends, who is also working in the army at Leimakhong camp. He had informed us that Yangmi's throat was slit after which he died. Soon after that, we came to Ukhrul from our village (Halang village) and then went to Imphal. By the time, we reached Leimakhong camp, it was already dark," added K. Machinel, uncle of the deceased.

After no response came from the army, three of the family members rushed to Sapormeina Police Station, under Kangpokpi District and lodged an FIR. Following this, the police team came to Leimakhong 57th Mountain Division Garrison and sent the body for an autopsy to Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences mortuary in Imphal.

"When the army officials denied showing his body on the second day, we along with our family elders lodged an FIR at Sapormeina Police Station which is under the jurisdiction of Kangpokpi district. Thereafter, Commanding Officer of 165 Territorial Army had assured us that justice will be done. But till now, no one has been arrested and we are still waiting for justice," said the wife.

Though the officials claimed that it was a suicide case, the post-mortem report suggested that he was murdered, she added.

The family members told the media that two Lt. Col. went to Muiwo's village and met the locals and the village head and tried to label the homicidal case as a suicide case. The cited family tussle as the reason, which was not true.

"After the FIR lodged, we enquired about the ongoing investigation progress. Since we didn't get any help from police, today we came to media to seek help for justice," the family alleged.

The family members also appealed to the state government to look into the matter.

"During this difficult juncture of my life, I request the honorable chief minister of our state and DGP to look into the matter and investigate the case and to prevail justice for my husband's death," added Timrawon.

Lance Naik Yangmi Muiwo, son of Diamond Muiwo of Halang Village in Ukhrul District, is survived by his wife and a son, who is just 3 yrs and 10 months old.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 10)  Vice President Leni Robredo wants an independent, urgent probe on Senate Majority Leader Tito Sotto's allegations of fraud in the 2016 presidential polls.

"Sa lalong madaling panahon, kailangang maimbestigahan ito. Sa lalong madaling panahon, kailangan mapakita na iyong nag-imbestiga nito isang independent na body, na hindi nadadamay sa pulitika, kasi apektado tayong lahat," Robredo said in an interview at the University of the Philippines Visayas - Iloilo City Campus Friday.

[Translation: There should be an immediate investigation on this, conducted by an independent body, without any politics involved, because we are all affected.]

Robredo said this is different from the accusations hurled at her by former senator Bongbong Marcos, whose poll protest questioning the results of the 2016 vice presidential vote, is pending at the Presidential Electoral Tribunal.

"Parang iba yata, iba iyong grounds: iyong kay Senator Bongbong iba iyong sinasabi niya, itong kay Senator Sotto bago. Pero tayo, mas interesado tayo. Tingin ko iyong accusations seryoso," he said.

[Translation: The grounds for Senator Bongbong Marcos' complaint is different from that of Senator Sotto's. But we are interested in this case because the accusations appear to be serious.]

The Vice President said the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) should immediately address the allegations and find out if there is any truth to the claims.

"Ang apektado dito iyong buong electoral process  mula kay Pangulo hanggang sa pinakamaliit na councilor sa pinakamaliit na munisipyo. Kapag kinuwestiyon mo iyong integridad ng 2016 elections, kinukuwestiyon mo iyong pagkapanalo ng lahat na pinagbotohan noong 2016," she said.

[Translation: The entire electoral process -- from the President down to councilors in the smallest towns -- is affected. If you question the integrity of the 2016 elections, you question the win of everyone.]

Sotto in Tuesday's plenary session presented documents from "reliable sources," citing two alleged irregularities in the 2016 polls: the early transmission of votes and a foreign entry into the election system.

READ: Sotto alleges 2016 election irregularity

Transmission activities were present in some towns in Albay and Rizal on May 8, 2016, even if the last official transmission test happened on April 23, 2016.

Sotto also presented documents showing the possible involvement of a cloud computing service in the United States.

Meanwhile, Marcos claimed there were irregularities in the ballot images in the previous polls -- such as the presence of "mysterious squares" in the ballots.

The COMELEC commissioners recently voted to exercise their option to purchase Smartmatic's voting counting machines for the 2019 senatorial elections.French President Emmanuel Macron arrived at the Rashtrapati Bhawan and inspected a guard of honour here on Saturday.

President Macron, who was accompanied by his wife Brigitte Macron, met with his counterpart Ram Nath Kovind, his wife Savita Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi respectively.

After inspecting a guard of honour and meeting with other officials, Macron said, "I am very happy and proud of this visit. I thank the President (Kovind) and Prime Minister (Modi) for this welcome. I think we have a very good chemistry and our two great democracies have a historic relationship."

The French President stated that the visit would open a new era of strategic partnership in the coming decades.

"Our two democracies have common channels like terrorism, lots of common risks and common threats. But we have to protect this history and the state for freedom," President Macron added.

Delving into the details during the visit, the French President said that Prime Minister Modi would host a dinner for the French delegation at the International Solar Conference (ISA) and the latter would chair the conference on Sunday.

The ISA, an alliance of more than 121 countries, was initiated by Prime Minister Modi in January 2016. The primary objective of the alliance is to work for efficient exploitation of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

President Macron said that both India and France were committed to addressing climatic change and termed it as a 'critical battle' not only for the two countries but for the other countries as well.

The French President called for his country to be India's best partner in Europe.

"I want my country to be the best partner in Europe. This is a strong message. I want Indian citizens coming to France for studying, becoming entrepreneurs and opening start-ups."

Prime Minister Modi and President Macron on Saturday will hold delegation level talks in Delhi.

During the talks, both the leaders are expected to review the progress achieved in bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. Several agreements are expected to be signed in various areas.

The French President arrived here yesterday and was received at the airport by Prime Minister Modi in a special gesture.

The visit aims at strengthening the bilateral economic, political and strategic dimension of engagement between the two countries. Besides, the visit is also aimed at forging not only strong manufacturing and technology partnerships but also greater people to people contacts.

The last visit of President Macron to India was in January 2016, when he was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. Prime Minister Modi had last visited France in June last year.

The India-France CEO's Forum will also take place during the visit.

The bilateral trade between India and France from April 2016 to March 2017 reached 10.95 billion dollars.

France is the ninth largest foreign investor in India with a cumulative investment of over six billion dollars from April 2000 to October 2017.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)French President Emmanuel Macron met External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj here on Saturday, to discuss on further enhancement of ties in various sectors between India and France.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar took to Twitter and shared the moment of the two leaders.

"A strategic partnership since 1998! EAM @SushmaSwaraj called on President of France @EmmanuelMacron and exchanged views on further enhancing our strategic partnership in trade & investment, defence & security, culture, education and people-to-people ties," he wrote on the micro-blogging site.

Macron visited Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi and paid his tribute to the latter here on Saturday.

The French President was accompanied by his wife, Brigitte Macron and M.J. Akbar, the Minister of State for External Affairs, among other officials.

President Macron signed the visitor's book and was presented with a bust of Mahatma Gandhi.

Many foreign leaders have visited Rajghat and have paid their tributes to the 'Father of the Nation'.

Earlier on Saturday, President Macron arrived at the Rashtrapati Bhawan and inspected a guard of honour.

He met with his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind, his wife Savita Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi respectively.

Prime Minister Modi and President Macron will hold delegation level talks in Delhi later in the day.

During the talks, both the leaders are expected to review the progress achieved in bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. Several agreements are expected to be signed in various areas.

Prime Minister Modi and President Macron will co-chair the International Solar Conference (ISA) on Sunday.

The ISA, an alliance of more than 121 countries, was initiated by Prime Minister Modi in January 2016. The primary objective of the alliance is to work for efficient exploitation of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

The French President arrived here on Friday and was received at the airport by Prime Minister Modi in a special gesture.

The visit aims at strengthening the bilateral economic, political and strategic dimension of engagement between the two countries. Besides, the visit is also aimed at forging not only strong manufacturing and technology partnerships but also greater people to people contacts.

The last visit of President Macron to India was in January 2016, when he was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. Prime Minister Modi had last visited France in June last year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)French President Emmanuel Macron met with his Indian counterpart President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan, here on Saturday.

Earlier in the day, French president Macron, in a joint statement with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stressed upon deepening the trade alliance between France and India.

Beginning on a lighter note, President Macron made remarks on the origin of the French Curry in India and credit India for providing ideas to various French writers who visited the sub-continent in search of ideas and further spread those in the entire

He said, "During 18th and 19th century many French writers had travelled to India and found a lot of inspiration and tried to translate a lot of works from Sanskrit to French. Not just French Indian had inspired writers of all places".

He further asked both the countries to work together on the issues of terrorism including financing of terror activities and radicalisation on the internet.

He seeks cooperation by India over the military activities of both the countries while saying, "France wishes to get India 's cooperation in the functioning of their military agencies and ensure a collective effort in monitoring the activities in space".

He further inclined towards building submarines in India under the Make in India initiative.

Macron insisted upon making India as the first strategic partner of France and further expressed his keenness to ensure a strong strategic alliance with the rest of Europe.

He said, "After 20 years of strategic partnership between the two countries, now we should focus on our activities in the India Ocean as part of our strategic activities are based on the Indian Ocean and also in the Pacific."

President Macron hinted about bringing change in France's education policy to facilitate the education of the India students.

Macron said, "We would discuss bringing certain changes in the education policy of the country to ensure that the degrees obtained by the Indian students in France are recognized in India and outside".

He further expressed his willingness to invest in the Indian economy in sectors, including generation of electrical energy, aqua-food business and technology.

Focusing on the trade partnership of France and India, Macron emphasised on maintain a Balance of International trade to avoid any trade-wars.

He said, "Trade war between the countries is impacting the economies of India and France".

"Both the economies are driven by various trade policies", he added.

He further invited the Prime Minister of India to become the guest of honour at the coronation ceremony of 140 Indian soldiers who risked their lives for the freedom of France.

He said, "Many of these soldiers have been buried at Cemetry of Chaplet".

The France and India are set to 50 agreements in the upcoming session on climate on Sunday. French is set to sign an Electrical energy agreement also various agreements on climate change and sanction of projects to "invest in the future of India".

President Macron arrived in India on Thursday for a four-day visit.

The last visit of President Macron to India was in January 2016, when he was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. Prime Minister Modi had last visited France in June last year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Sleep problems may be associated with specific genes in our bodies.

Research indicates that there is a genetic link between insomnia and psychiatric disorders such as depression, or physical conditions such as type 2 diabetes.

Survey shows that up to 20 percent of Americans and up to 50 percent of US military veterans are dealing with sleep problems. Insomnia can seriously affect a person's healthcare system and make them weak internally.

Chronic insomnia can cause various long-term issues such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, as well as mental illness, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicide.

Twin studies show that various sleep-related characteristics, including insomnia, are heritable. With the help of these findings, researchers have now started looking into the specific gene variants involved. Such studies are crucial in figuring out the reason behind insomnia and other such sleep problems.

"A better understanding of the molecular bases for insomnia will be critical for the development of new treatments," says Murray Stein of the University of California San Diego and the VA San Diego Healthcare System.

In this study, Stein's research team conducted genome-wide association studies (GWAS). DNA samples obtained from more than 33,000 soldiers taking part in the Army Study To Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (STARRS) were analyzed.

Data from soldiers of European, African and Latino descent were grouped separately to identify the influence of specific ancestral lineages. Stein and his colleagues also compared their results with those of two recent studies that used data from the UK Biobank.

All in all, the study confirms that insomnia is partially hereditary.

"The genetic correlation between insomnia disorder and other psychiatric disorders, such as major depression, and physical disorders such as type 2 diabetes suggests a shared genetic diathesis for these commonly co-occurring phenotypes," says Stein.

Insomnia was linked to the occurrence of specific variants on chromosome 7. In people of European descent, there were also differences on chromosome 9. The variant on chromosome 7, for example, is close to AUTS2, a gene that has been linked to alcohol consumption, and others that relate to brain development and sleep-related electric signaling.

Stein further says, "Several of these variants rest comfortably among locations and pathways already known to be related to sleep and circadian rhythms. Such insomnia associated loci may contribute to the genetic risk underlying a range of conditions including psychiatric disorders and metabolic disease."

The findings from the study are published in the journal, Molecular Psychiatry.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Goods and Services (GST) Council in its 26th meeting on Saturday is likely to simplify tax returns, sources from Ministry of Finance told ANI.

The council, chaired by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is also expected to discuss the extension of 3B returns, and the current position of revenue generated from GST.

Changes in the Anti-Profiteering Rules, which will give more flexibility and power to the apex body National Profiteering Authority (NAA) are also expected.

Another important matter likely to be reviewed is the implementation of the new e-way bill for inter and intra-state movement of goods.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, after the 25th GST Council meeting in January, had said that the implementation of the e-way bill for intra and inter-state movement of goods would start from February 1, with 15 states agreeing to implement it on a trial basis.

However, the trial phase was deferred on account of technical glitches on the official website.

Earlier in February, Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister of Bihar, Sushil Modi had suggested that the e-way bill be made mandatory from April 1.

"From April 1, when the new financial year of 2018 - 2019 starts, (GoM) decided to start the inter-state movement of e-way bill system. In the first phase, only the inter-state movement of goods will be mandatorily required to take e-way bill and after a couple of weeks, the roll-out of intra-state movement of goods through e-way bill system will start," Modi had told reporters.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)After a prisoner of Haridwar district jail uploaded a video on the social media, accusing the authorities of torturing him, the Haridwar district administration on Saturday ordered a probe into the matter.

Deepak Rawat, District Magistrate, Haridwar, said that an inquiry committee was constituted to probe the authenticity of the video and accusations of torture made by the jail inmate.

"It will also probe if similar instances occurred in the past," the DM said.

He also termed the presence of a mobile phone in the jail premises as a security threat and said mobile jammers were needed in the jail premises.

"An FIR has been registered under relevant sections," Rawat added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Hugh Grant is now a father of five!

Grant's ex-girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley revealed he has welcomed baby no. 5 with girlfriend, Swedish television producer Anna Eberstein.

She let the news slip while promoting her series 'The Royals'. "I'm very lucky that 31 years into our friendship, he's still my best friend in the world," Hurley told E! Online.

"He's a really great guy. I see him a lot; I speak to him a lot. You know, he's now a father of five; he has five kids and he's a great dad. Yeah, he will remain my best friend for life."

Elaborating about the newborn during an appearance on Bravo's 'Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen', the actress said, "He had another one last week. He has five. He was over 50 when he spawned them all! He's an enchanting dad-really, really sweet. Having these kids has transformed him from a very miserable person into a fairly miserable person. It's improved him. He's gone up the scale."

The baby is the 'Notting Hill' star's fifth child and third with his current girlfriend Anna Eberstein. Grant and Eberstein's elder children are five and three.

He also has a six-year-old daughter and five-year-old son from his relationship with ex-girlfriend Tinglan Hong.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)India and France on Saturday signed 14 agreements in key sectors in an effort to bolster the bilateral relations between the two sides.

An agreement was signed on the prevention of illicit consumption and reduction of illicit traffic in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and chemical precursors and related offences.

It will facilitate the two countries in combating illicit traffic and consumption of drugs and will also impact on the financing of terrorism.

The agreement was exchanged by Home Minister Rajnath Singh from the Indian side and Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs from the French side.

An agreement on India-France Migration and Mobility Partnership was signed between the two sides. It will facilitate temporary circular migration based on mobility and the encouragement for a return of skills to the home country.

The agreement was exchanged by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj from the Indian side and Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs from the French side.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between India and France to facilitate mutual recognition of academic qualifications.

The agreement was exchanged by Human Resource Development Minister Pravash Javadekar from the Indian side and Frederique Vidal, the Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation from the French side.

A MoU between the Ministry of Railways and SNCF Motilities of France on technical cooperation was also signed in the field of railways. The purpose of this MoU is to build upon and deepen the mutual cooperation and focus on priority areas of high speed and semi-high speed rail, station renovation and modernisation of current operations and infrastructure; and suburban trains.

The agreement was exchanged by Railways Minister Piyush Goyal from the Indian side and Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs from the French side.

A Letter of Intent between India and France was signed for the creation of a permanent Indo-French Railways Forum. The purpose of this Letter of Intent is to enhance the already existing cooperation by creating an Indo-French Permanent Railway Forum.

The agreement was exchanged by Railways Minister Piyush Goyal from the Indian side and Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs from the French side.

An agreement was signed between India and France regarding the provision of reciprocal logistics support between their country's armed forces. It will facilitate the reciprocal provision of logistic support, supplies and services between the armed forces of the two countries during authorised port visits, joint exercises, joint training, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.

The agreement was exchanged by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman from the Indian side and Florence Parly, the Minister for the Armed Forces from the French side.

A MoU between India and France on cooperation in the field of environment. It aims to establish a basis for the exchange of information between the Governments and technical experts of the two countries in the field of environment and climate change.

It was exchanged by Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Mahesh Sharma from the Indian side and Brune Poirson, the Minister of State, attached to the Minister for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition from the French side.

An agreement between India and France was signed on the cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development. It will allow the exchange of information on smart city development, development of urban mass transportation systems, urban settlements and utilities.

The agreement was exchanged by Minister of State (IC) of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri from the Indian side and Brune Poirson, the Minister of State, attached to the Minister for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition from the French side.

An agreement between India and France was signed regarding the exchange and reciprocal protection of classified or protected information. It defines the common security regulations applicable to any exchange of classified and protected information.

The agreement was exchanged by Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval from the Indian side and Philippe Etienne, Diplomatic Adviser to the French President Emmanuel Macron from the French side.

An Implementing arrangement between Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Central D'EtudesSpatiales (CNES) was signed by India and France for pre-formulation studies of a maritime awareness mission. The agreement would provide an end-to-end solution for detection, identification and monitoring of vessels in the regions of interest for France and India.

The agreement was exchanged by K. Sivan, Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, ISRO from the Indian side and Jean-Yves Le Gall, President, CNES from the French side.

An industrial way forward agreement between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited and EDF, France was signed by the two sides. The agreement prescribes a way forward for the implementation of the Jaitapur nuclear power project.

The agreement was exchanged by Sekhar Basu, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy from the Indian side and Jean-Bernard Levy, CEO, EDF from the French side.

A bilateral arrangement between India and France was signed on cooperation in the matter of hydrography and maritime cartography. It will encourage cooperation between the two countries in the field of hydrography, nautical documentation and maritime safety information.

The agreement was exchanged between Vinay Kwatra, the Ambassador of India to France and Alexander Ziegler, the Ambassador of France to India.

A credit facility agreement between India and France of 100 million euros was signed by India and France for funding of the Smart City projects. The agreement will help fill the funding gap under the Smart City Mission and the funds provided by the Central and State Governments for the purpose.

It was exchanged between Vinay Kwatra, the Ambassador of India to France and Alexander Ziegler, the Ambassador of France to India.

A MoU between Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the National Solar Energy Institute (INES), France was signed between the two sides.

With this agreement, both countries shall work on projects in International Solar Alliance (ISA) member countries in the areas of solar energy (solar photovoltaic, storage technologies, etc.) through the transfer of technology and collaborative activities.

The agreement was exchanged between Vinay Kwatra, the Ambassador of India to France and Daniel Verwaerde, Administrator of the Commission for Atomic and Alternate Energy (CEA) from the French side.

President Macron is currently on a four-day visit to India.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Indian Navy on Saturday successfully rescued all four crew members of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) helicopter that made a hard landing in Maharashtra's Raigad district.

One of the pilots suffered injuries in the incident. The rescued crew members have been taken to the Naval Hospital INHS Asvini at Mumbai.

The crew members have been identified as - Deputy Commandant Balwinder Singh, Assitant commandant Penny Choudhary, Sandeep, P/Nvk and Baljeet, Nvk.

The ICG helicopter that took off from Mumbai for routine surveillance sortie with four crew made an emergency landing near Nandgaon Beach, Murud.

The Indian Navy launched two Chetak helicopters and a Seaking 'C' helicopter on a search and rescue mission and located the helicopter. One ICG Chetak and an Air Force Mi 17 helicopter were also part of the search effort.

Preliminary report intimated that the crew experienced technical difficulties 25 minutes after taking off.

This incident came nearly two months after a Pawan Hans helicopter with seven people onboard, including five ONGC officers and two pilots, crashed off the Mumbai coast.A nine-year-old girl was allegedly molested in an upscale shopping mall in Indore on the International Women's Day.

The incident took place when the girl was playing in the gaming zone of Treasure Island Mall, along with her brother.

"In Treasure Island mall there is a game zone. The child went to play there. A guy, named Arjun Rathore, molested her. We have registered a case and also arrested the guy", said Superintendent of Police, BPS Parihar.

Police authorities are investigating the matter, after registering a case under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POSCO) Act and Section 376 of Indian Penal Code (IPC).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Islamabad High Court issued notices regarding the petition filed by Jamaat Ud Dawa Chief Hafiz Saeed on Friday.

Saeed had challenged the presidential ordinance, which banned JuD for being on the watchlist of the United Nations, claiming it to jeopardise former's sovereign rights.

He stated in the petition that he established JuD in 2002 and cut off all ties with the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), though India continued to malign JuD for its past association with the banned outfit, as reported by the Dawn.

Further, founder of (LeT) claimed to be kept in detention in 2009 and 2017 due to India's pressure. He added that the UNSC passed a resolution against JuD, after which the government of Pakistan kept it on the watchlist.

In February Pakistan president Mamnoon Hussain promulgated an ordinance amending the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, which proscribed terrorists and terror organisations listed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to include Hafiz Saeed-linked JuD and Falah-i-Insaniyat Foundation (FIF) in the list.

As per the ordinance it amends Sections 11-B and 11-EE of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 (XXVII of 1997). Section 11-B sets parameters for proscription of groups, whereas 11-EE describes the grounds for the listing of individuals.

Under Section 11-EE, the requirements were: "(a) concerned in terrorism; (b) an activist, office-bearer or an associate of an organisation kept under observation under section 11D or proscribed under section 11B; and (c) in any way concerned or suspected to be concerned with such organisation or affiliated with any group or organisation suspected to be involved in terrorism or sectarianism or acting on behalf of, or at the direction of, any person or organisation proscribed under this Act."

Both sections would now include Sub-Section 'aa', according to which organisations and individuals "listed under the United Nations (Security Council) Act, 1948 (XIV of 1948), or" will be included in the First Schedule (for organisations) and Fourth Schedule (for individuals), respectively, on an ex-parte basis.

With respect to the promulgation of the ordinance, Saeed in his petition stated that the promulgation of the ordinance and addition of Section 11-EE is not only prejudicial to the sovereignty, but also contradictory to the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan. It adds that any law which is in violation of constitutional provisions is liable to be struck down.

Mumbai terror attack mastermind Saeed earlier alleged that the U.S. has plotted against his charities and that is why Islamabad has been acting against them.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Jain Muni (monk) Tarun Sagar on Friday welcomed the Supreme Court's landmark decision to allow passive euthanasia, saying it coincided with the tenets of Jainism.

"The whole world takes birth crying, but Mahavira taught us to die laughing. Today, the Supreme Court has given a historical ruling, which has been a law in Jainism for ages. I thank the Supreme Court (for the verdict)," the monk told ANI.

In a decision passed on Friday, the top court gave legal sanction to passive euthanasia or withholding treatment essential to life for a terminally-ill patient.

Recognising the right to die with dignity, a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Kumar Misra passed the order.

The bench said passive euthanasia was permissible with guidelines.

The Supreme Court said 'living will' would be permitted only after obtaining permission from the family members of the person who had sought passive euthanasia and also from a team of expert doctors who had reached conclusion that the said patient could not be revived.

(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 spokesperson of 'Free Karachi' campaign and former convener of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Nadeem Nusrat said that Mohajirs have welcomed India's statement on their atrocities committed by Pakistan at the United Nations Human Rights session.

Highlighting the atrocities committed in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Nusrat said that the inclusion of Sindh in India's statement on human rights violations is an important and encouraging development for nearly 70 million Mohajirs.

"The people of Karachi and Urban Sindh are grateful to the Indian Government for raising the voice on the plight of Mohajirs in Pakistan," he said.

Nusrat further said that Sindh, especially in Karachi and urban centres of Sindh province, had been neglected previously by the community while highlighting the persecution of ethnic groups in Pakistan.

More than 25,000 Mohajirs have been brutally killed by the Pakistan Army and paramilitary operations in Karachi since 1992. Enforced disappearances, abductions and extrajudicial killings are on the rise in Karachi since the latest phase of operation in 2013.

The term 'Mohajir' is used to describe the Urdu-speaking immigrants, who left India in 1947 and came to Pakistan. A large chunk of them settled in the Sindh province of Pakistan.

Highlighting the issue of terrorism, Nusrat said that religious extremism, fanaticism and terrorism is being nourished by Pakistan which has put peace and security of the region at stake.

"The Pakistani soil has been used to plan and launch major terror attacks in the region. The providers and facilitators of terror sanctuaries in Pakistan must be held accountable by the UN and all peace-loving nations," he asserted.

He further added that the 'Free Karachi' campaign has been drawing world's attention towards the state atrocities of Pakistan on Mohajirs, Balochs, Pashtuns and other religious minorities.

Nusrat stressed that the 'Free Karachi' team is approaching international community, lawmakers, decision-making bodies, human rights groups and is getting tremendous support from all quarters.

He urged all the major regional powers of South Asia and international powers to put pressure on Pakistan to end crimes against humanity in Karachi and urban centers of Sindh along with Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

The 'Free Karachi' campaign was launched on January 15 on the eve of Martin Luther King Day to raise global awareness on human rights violations in Karachi and Urban Sindh.

Also, digital ads of 'Free Karachi' are running on the website of the leading US newspaper 'The New York Times' in the latest phase of the campaign.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Leading European menswear fashion brand, JACK & JONES continues to ride high on their style legacy as they launched their largest store in Asia today. The sprawling JACK & JONES store is spread across an impressive 6,000 square feet area in Pune's Phoenix Marketcity mall, offering latest international trends with a state-of-the-art decor for a truly luxurious shopping experience.

Located in the Pune's premier fashion district (Viman Nagar), the swanky new store is conceptualized to give the patrons an evolved shopping experience. Since JACK & JONES is built on a passion for denims, which is also the core of the brand, the layout and visual merchandising of the outlet is adapted to focus on the denim attitude and offers a freewheeling vibe which is in complete accord with the brand's identity. Displayed on a denim bar, the store showcases the widest selection of jeans the brand has to offer.

The store houses international styles from the latest Spring/Summer 2018 collection displayed in separate sections depicting the brand's distinct lines such as CORE, ORIGINALS, VINTAGE and PREMIUM, each catering to different target groups with unique visual appeal that perfectly replicates the brands core identity of self-confidence, free-spirited individuality and rugged masculinity.

"We are extremely thrilled to launch Asia's largest JACK & JONES store in Pune, considering its one of the youngest, most fashion-forward and trendsetting cities in India. The vibe and energy of the people here is fast-paced and reflects the brand ideology effortlessly. We are extremely positive on the success of this store and look forward to an exciting season ahead." said Vineet Gautam, CEO, BEST SELLER India.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua on Saturday highlighted the need for reconciliation in Afghanistan.

Tehmina Janjua on a two-day visit to Washington stressed the need for restarting the process of reconciliation in Afghanistan.

She held two high-level meetings at the White House and the State Department respectively during her visit to Washington on Friday.

"The meetings went off very well. There's a sense of positivity that they want to strengthen their relationship with Pakistan," Janjua was quoted by the Dawn, as saying.

"There was also a great deal of focus on peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and, both sides welcomed Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's recent peace offer to the Taliban," said Ambassador Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhary, who attended both meetings.

Gen. Joseph L. Votel, who heads the US Central Command was included in the US team for the talks.

Gen. Votel's inclusion in the White House team was supported by Pakistan as he has always strongly advocated maintaining a strong relationship with Islamabad.

"They do realise Pakistan's importance, repeatedly said it, and stressed it yesterday too," said Janjua when asked if Gen Votel was the only US official who considered Pakistan an important ally.

She pointed out that she had come to Washington on a "reach-out" visit, but when US officials learned about it they arranged high-level meetings, reflecting the fact that Washington continued to value this important relationship.

"We told them that this is a long-term relationship, which needs a structured dialogue process," Janjua said.

Janjua further pointed out at 'many actors' in Afghanistan and suggested that they might not be completely in support of Islamabad reconciliation efforts.

"We can only play a facilitative role, she added.

The last US-Pakistan strategic ministerial process was held in Washington in February 2016.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday will hold delegation level talks in the capital.

During the talks, both the leaders are expected to review the progress achieved in bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Several agreements are expected to be signed in various areas.

French President Macron will be accorded ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan in the morning.

The visiting leader will also meet President Ram Nath Kovind and Minister of External Affairs (MEA) Sushma Swaraj will call on him.

French President Macron arrived yesterday, who is on a four-day India visit, and was received at the airport by Prime Minister Modi in a special gesture.

Briefing media in New Delhi yesterday, Joint Secretary in the MEA K. Nagaraj Naidu said, "India has a very deep engagement with France in several areas including space".

"Issues of maritime security and terrorism will be discussed during the visit of French President," Naidu added.

The visit aims at strengthening the bilateral economic, political and strategic dimension of engagement between the two countries. Besides, the visit is also aimed at forging not only strong manufacturing and technology partnerships but also greater people to people contacts.

The India-France CEO's Forum will also take place during the visit.

The bilateral trade between India and France from April 2016 to March 2017 reached 10.95 billion dollars.

France is the ninth largest foreign investor in India with a cumulative investment of over six billion dollars from April 2000 to October 2017.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui and his wife have been summoned by Thane's crime branch in connection with a Call Data Records (CDR) racket that was unearthed in January.

The duo have been summoned after some of the arrested accused had told the police that an advocate named Rizwan Siddiqui had obtained the CDR of the actor's wife from private detectives.

The matter is part of the larger CDR leakage racket that involved private detectives illegally sourcing CDR of people for their clients. Thane's crime branch has arrested 11 in this connection, so far.

"We arrested 11 people and after interrogating three, we found that an advocate named Rizwan Siddiqui extracted CDR of Nawazuddin Siddiqui's wife. Summons have been issued to Nawazuddin Siddiqui and his wife for further probe," Deputy commissioner of police (crime) Abhishek Trimukhi told media.

India's first woman private detective, Rajani Pandit, was also arrested in this connection, in February, in addition to four more detectives.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Indian Politics is not in a good condition and is currently based on an uncertainty of ideas, pointed out Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Dev Vrat.

He said this was because religion was being interpreted wrongly to the extent that it is creating divisions between and among citizens.

Participating in the valedictory ceremony of the Amity Youth Fest 2018, Acharya Dev Vrat appealed to students to value India's rich culture and history.

Commneting on the challenges being faced by Indian society today, he said these have been created by educated people and not the uneducated or the poor ones.

He said, "True religion advises us to treat people in a way we want to be treated by others."

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah pointed out, "Each election has divided us and not united us. There is so much noise and argument over every issue in Parliament. Issues need to be resolved with dialogue and not argument."

"God does not feel threatened, it's the people asking for votes who feel threatened and tend to divide the people of the nation in the name of religion," he added.

Students, he said, need to create a nation where every religion is respected which will lead to peace.

"Work hard and nurture the feelings of brotherhood and affection within every person to make the nation great again. The need of the hour is take along the countries which are below us and help them to grow and prosper with us," he added.

Dr. Ashok K Chauhan, Founder President- Amity Group, said, "Students should imbibe the advices of the dignitaries for a successful career."

The event saw the participation of more than 210 students from 60 universities and institutions, including Ramjas College, Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Symbiosis Law College, Jesus and Mary College, Banaras Hindu University; Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, Kirorimal College, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, St. Mary's Convent Allahabad and NBT Law College Nashik amongst others, to deliberate upon current issues.

The mock parliament had six committees wherein students posed as politicians and bureaucrats delved upon various issues, including joint session of parliament, Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017; All India Political Parties Meet-Deliberation on the 79th Standing Committee report on the feasibility of holding a simultaneous election to the House of People (Lok Sabha) and State Legislative Assemblies (Vidhan Sabha); All India Stakeholders Meet - Deliberation over the right to free speech in censored democracy and measures towards media accountability; Security Council- Futuristic Security Concerns of India; Law Commission- Deliberation on Section 498A and section 375 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Hindustan Press- Reporter, photography, Caricaturist.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Russian Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev has written to Telangana Police expressing "profound gratitude" for their assistance in solving a case of fraudulence that affected the interests of the Russian diplomatic mission.

"The Embassy expresses its profound gratitude to the Telangana police for their dedicated work and invaluable assistance in solving the crime, which affected the interests of the Russian diplomatic mission," the letter stated.

According to the police, the Russian Embassy was cheated of $42,500 in 2016, by a Hyderabad businessman, K Ranga Babu, who had agreed to supply metal detectors to the mission.

Following this, the embassy officials complained to the state police last year.

After a case was registered, the police launched an investigation into the matter and tracked the accused and returned the looted amount to the embassy.

The Russian envoy also lauded the leadership of Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) M Mahender Reddy.

"State Police officers under your able and skilful guidance in a prompt and efficient manner responded to the Embassy's report regarding the committed crime. The criminal was quickly identified, detected and detained, while the stolen Russian property was returned to the Embassy," the envoy stated in the letter.

The Russian embassy officials also visited the office of DGP Reddy and Rachakonda Police Commissioner Mahesh M Bhagwat and expressed their gratitude.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena met with his Indian counterpart President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhawan here on Saturday.

Welcoming the Sri Lankan President to India, President Kovind said that he has played a stellar role in Sri Lanka's active re-engagement with the His leadership has been reassuring for India and the region and beyond.

The President was happy to note that Sri Lanka has taken several environment-friendly measures.

He admired the Sri Lankan President's vision for ensuring economic development with environmental sustainability. He praised Sri Lanka's 'Surya Bala Sangra Maya' initiative in the solar energy sector.

President Kovind said relations between India and Sri Lanka are unique and are based on shared historical, cultural, ethnic and civilisational ties and extensive people-to-people linkages.

The President was happy to note that the close political ties between the two countries have gained momentum during the past three years.

"India and Sri Lanka must promote greater progress in trade, commerce, connectivity and development cooperation. India shares Sri Lanka's emphasis on areas such as power, renewable energy, ocean resources, organic agricultural practices, port and airport facilities," he added.

Sri Lankan President is visiting India to participate in the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Summit.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 10)  Half of adult Filipinos believe divorce for spouses who are "irreconcilably separated' should be legalized.

These are the results of a 2017 Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey that was released on Friday.

Among the 1,200 respondents nationwide, 30 percent strongly agreed with the policy, while 23 percent somewhat agreed. Meanwhile, 22 percent strongly disagreed with it, while 10 percent somewhat disagreed.

The remaining 15 percent were undecided.

Subtracting those who disagreed from those who agreed, net support for the policy is +21, which the SWS classifies as "moderately strong."

This is slightly lower than the +25 recorded in 2016.

The SWS also found support for the policy was "very strong" for women with live-in partners (+44), men with live-in partners (+37), and widowed/separated men (+33).

Meanwhile, it was "moderately strong" among widowed/separated women (+24), women who have never married (+24), men who have never married (+21), married men (+19) and married women (+12).

In terms of geography, support for divorce was strongest in Metro Manila at +35 ("very strong"). Meanwhile, support from the rest of Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao was "moderately strong" at +23, +14 and +15, respectively.

For religious groups, support was strongest for Catholics at +23, followed by other Christians at +12. However, members of the Iglesia ni Cristo were felt "neutral" about it at -8.

The SWS said although it interviewed Muslims, the results were not relevant as divorce is legal in Shari'ah Law.

Divorce bill hurdles House

The SWS survey results came after the House of Representatives committee on population and family relations approved on February 20 a measure that would allow divorce in the Philippines.

Read: House panel approves substitute bill on divorce

Under the bill, married couples may end their marriage for several reasons, including abuse, infidelity and irreconcilable differences.

The proposed measure also allows spouses separated for at least five years to file for absolute divorce.

However, there is currently no divorce bill proposed at the Senate.

At present, the Family Code of the Philippines currently provides two ways for couples to separate.

First is legal separation  which allows spouses to split up, but not to remarry  and annulment, which allows spouses to remarry because the marriage is considered invalid from the start.

Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano, whose own marriage was annulled, said on February 23 that couples tend to stay in broken or abusive marriages because getting an annulment is a long and expensive process.

"For someone  and usually it's a woman  to obtain an annulment, she would have to prove that the person is psychologically incapacitated," she said. "On its own, beating up your wife or not being a responsible partner by coming home drunk everyday is not a ground to annul the marriage."

However, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines also said divorce is "anti-marriage and anti-family."

Read: CBCP: Divorce bill 'anti-marriage and anti-family'A 21-year-old girl allegedly committed suicide on Saturday by hanging herself over a financial issue in Hyderabad.

According to Circle inspector, Chilkalguda police station, R Bhaskar the deceased, a graduate student, gave her gold chain to two of her friends for starting a business of crackers during Diwali.

The business apparently failed and the girl's friends were not returning her the money, following which she took this drastic step.

The body of the deceased was taken to Gandhi general hospital for Autopsy, after which it will be handed over to the family.

Meanwhile, a case has been registered against the two friends under section 306 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and has been remanded to judicial custody.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Terrorists on Saturday hurled grenade at Kral Khud police station in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar.

As of now, no loss of life has been reported.

Last month, a terrorist was killed in a grenade attack on a police station in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district while trying to escape from the police custody.

One policeman was also injured in the grenade explosion when the terrorist was challenged by the guard while trying to escape from the police station in Tral in Pulwama.

Further details are awaited.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Tibetans-in-exile held protest in New Delhi on Saturday to commemorate the 1959 Tibetan uprising.

The protest took place in Jantar Mantar area of the city.

Previously, on Friday a Tibetan man, Tsekho Tugchak, died after he set himself ablaze in Dharamshala on Wednesday in protest against China's policies. The death added to the 152 Tibetans, who self-immolated themselves, of which 130 succumbed to their burn injuries.

In the 1959 uprising, Tibetans revolted against Chinese rule in Lhasa. It resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent Tibetans.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Sixteen criminals, who had surrendered before the Uttar Pradesh Police, swore to lead respectable lives and were felicitated on Saturday.

The police also assured these surrendered criminals that they would clean their past record.

Superintendent of police (city) Maan Singh said, "16 criminals who had surrendered have sworn that they will do respectable work for their livelihood and the police will help in eliminating their past record and help in all possible ways."

The incident comes in the wake of the crackdown against criminals in Uttar Pradesh.

Recently, two alleged criminals were seen carrying placards in Kairana which said they would not commit any crime in the future.

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath government, which came to power last year, has faced criticism over the astounding number of police encounters in the state.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the African Development Bank (AfDb), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Green climate fund (GCF), and the New Development Bank (NDB) signed Joint financial partnership Declarations. The International Energy Agency (IEA) also signed a Joint partnership Declaration with the ISA. The agreements were signed in the presence of Shri Arun Jaitley, Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs and Shri R. K. Singh, Minister of State (I/C) for Power and New and Renewable Energy. The objective of the agreements is to deepen their cooperation in support of Renewable Energy. The previous three partnerships were signed by ISA with the World Bank, the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) will sign a Joint Partnership Declaration on 11th March 2018.

ISA is working for deployment of over 1000 GW of solar energy and mobilising more than US$ 1000 billion into solar energy by the year 2030.

On the occasion the Union Minister of State for Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Shri R. K. Singh said that ISA has potential to have a huge impact on future of planet.

He added that today we are in a happy situation where renewable energy has become viable. He highlighted that solar energy was the future. The minister while highlighting that the effects of global warming were apparent with every successful year also informed that ISA today had 60 signatories and 30 parties already had ratified solar alliance.

The African Development Bank's New Deal on Energy for Africa aims to achieve universal access to energy in Africa by 2025. AfDB's transformative Desert to Power initiative in the Sahel and Sahara regions of Africa envisages 10 GW of solar power generation and providing clean energy to 90 million people. Together with the ISA, they would like to work on mobilization of concessional financing through existing, notably the Bank's Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa and the Facility for Energy Inclusion.

The Asian Development Bank promotes a vision of an Asia and Pacific region free of poverty. ADB's energy policy aims to help its developing member countries (DMCs) in Asia to provide reliable, adequate, and affordable energy for an inclusive growth in a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable way and provide USD 3 billion per year by 2020 for clean energy, including solar energy projects in its DMCs.

ISA and ADB have joined hands for promotion of Solar Energy in Asia and the Pacific, including solar power generation, solar based mini-grids, and transmission systems dedicated for integrating solar energy into the grids and any other future programs launched by ISA.

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank finalized an Energy Sector Strategy that emphasizes proactive support to client countries to develop intermittent renewable energy, including solar. AIIB and ISA both have joined hands for promotion of Solar Energy in prospective ISA member countries where AIIB operates.

The Green Climate Fund's Strategic Vision includes financing innovative projects and programmes, inter alia supporting the application and dissemination of cutting-edge climate technologies. Both ISA and GCF promote the development of affordable, reliable and sustainable solar energy as an important way towards a sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

The New Development Bank's purpose is to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the People's Republic of China, and the Republic of South Africa (BRICS) and other emerging market economies and developing countries.

The International Energy Agency is an autonomous agency within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which works to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy for its 30 member countries and beyond. The IEA has four main areas of focus: energy security, economic development, environmental awareness and engagement worldwide. The IEA is at the heart of global dialogue on energy, providing authoritative statistics and analysis.

The International Renewable Energy Agency is a universal international intergovernmental organisation that plays a leading role in the global energy transformation by supporting countries in achieving the increased adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The north European country of is wooing Indian businesses with its e-residency programme which it says will give access to the European Union (EU) market.

"If you are establishing a company in Estonia, you are establishing a company in the EU," Estonia's Minister Entrepreneurship and IT Minister Urve Palo said during an interaction with the media here on Friday.

She said that although the e-residency does not grant citizenship, its holder can become virtual residents in her country.

is the first country in the world to offer e-residency -- a government-issued digital ID available to anyone in the world.

It offers the freedom to every world citizen to open and run a global EU company fully online from anywhere.

E-residents have access to the EU business environment and can use public e-services through their digital identity.

Firms set up through e-residency are "trusted location-independent EU companies", which allows them to be run remotely from anywhere in the world with low costs and minimal hassles, according to a statement issued during the media interaction.

"They have access to an advanced and secured digital infrastructure along with all the tools required to grow globally," it stated.

"Indian entrepreneurs now can run their micro-businesses not only in India but grow them with access to the entire EU market. E-residency, therefore, stands for "Make in India and Sell in Europe!"

Palo said that ever since the e-residency programme was started in 2014, there are now 30,000 e-residents of from 154 countries.

"From India, we have 1,200 e-residents," she said, adding that one only has to go to the Estonian Embassy here and give the biometrics to become an e-resident.

Applying for e-residency costs 100 euros and registering a company 190 euros.

According to the statement, Estonia is aiming to reach out to the booming Indian startup community through a series of road shows and industry tie-ups in the next 12 months with the target of enrolling over 200 startups during 2018.

During the course of her ongoing visit to India, Palo has met Minister of Law and and Justice and Electronics and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad and Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar.

"The Indian government is interested in cooperating with us in cyber security and e-governance," the Estonian minister said.

She said that during her meeting with Akbar, she discussed automatic recognition of Estonian diplomas in India.

There are around 300 Indian students in Estonia.Douma, March 10 (IANS/AKI) A convoy entered the town of Douma in Syria's besieged rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta enclave near Damascus on Friday and delivered the remaining aid that could not be offloaded earlier this week due to insecurity and fighting there, the Red Cross said.

"Relieved that ICRC, Syrian Red Crescent and UN teams were able to fulfil their mission today in Douma, Eastern Ghouta," tweeted the Red Cross's regional director Robert Mardini.

"As more aid is needed in the coming days, it is absolutely critical that assurances given by warring parties be renewed and respected in the future," Mardini's tweet continued.

Friday's convoy included 2,400 food parcels for 12,000 people.

Ahead of the convoy's entry, Douma was hit by government airstrikes, leaving an unspecified number of people injured, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group reported.

Relentless shelling forced trucks bringing desperately needed humanitarian aid to leave Douma on Monday before half of the food destined for the hungry could be offloaded, United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said.

Humanitarian access to those in need must be guaranteed. People must be allowed to leave to seek refuge and civilians and civilian infrastructure including hospitals and schools must be protected at all costs," Guterres stated.

The humanitarian situation in Eastern Ghouta, home to hundreds of thousands of people, is dire, according to the UN and the Red Cross.

--IANS

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Congress President Rahul Gandhi said on Saturday that he and his sister Priyanka Gandhi had "completely forgiven" their father Rajiv Gandhi's killers.

LTTE, a militant organisation from Sri Lanka, led by Prabhakaran was blamed for plotting and executing the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

When asked during an interactive session here if he and his sister Priyanka Gandhi had forgiven his father Rajiv Gandhi's killers, Gandhi said: "We were very upset and hurt and for many years. We were quite angry. But, somehow, completely...in fact, completely (forgiven).

"When one realises that when these events take place, its collision of ideas, forces, confusion. That's where you get caught. When I saw Prabhakaran lying dead on TV, I got two feelings - first was why they are humiliating this man in this way.

"And second was...I felt really bad for him and for his kids," said Gandhi during the interactive session.

"We have been through this experience, so we understand. I literally find it difficult to hate people, even my sister does. I don't like any kind of violence."

Gandhi also said: "We knew that my father was going to die. We knew that my grandmother was going to die. In politics, when you mess with the wrong forces, and if you stand for something, you will die. That's pretty clear.

"My grandmother told me she was going to die and my father...I told him he was going to die."

"In politics, we deal with forces, big forces, which are normally not visible. You are dealing with structures that are powerful. Those are not visible but they can hurt you," he added.

--IANS

sid/nir

(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 demolition of a statue of Lenin in Tripura earlier this week, allegedly by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers, after the party snatched the Northeast state from the Left Front, which had ruled it continuously since 1993, reminded me of another fall of a communist government.

In 2011, the Trinamool Congress routed the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led leftist coalition in West Bengal, which had been in power, uninterrupted, since the end of the Emergency. For many of us, born in the early- to mid-1980s, that would be the first time we would experience a change of government at the ...Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 10)  The government is not out to persecute experts of the United Nations, Malacanang said Saturday in defense of a special rapporteur's inclusion on the list of terrorists.

"I assure everyone including the international community that this is not a witch-hunt on UN special rapporteurs," Roque said in a press briefing in Alimodian, Iloilo.

He said the UN should perhaps fine-tune its selection process "to ensure that individuals identified with terrorist groups are not given any mandate by the UN Human Rights Council."

Roque's statement comes after local and international human rights groups have condemned the petition filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ), which seeks to brand 600 people as terrorists, including UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Victoria Tauli-Corpuz.

READ: UN human rights experts slam inclusion of rapporteur in DOJ 'terrorist' list

The government alleged that Corpuz, along with hundreds others, have links to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing New People's Army (NPA), which the government wants outlawed.

Roque on Saturday said Corpuz landed on the list "because of intelligence information that she is somehow connected with the CPP-NPA."

"The DOJ would not have filed the petition without evidence that she is a member of or somehow affiliated with the CPP-NPA," Roque said.

He guaranteed that the Philippines, as a "civilized country," will allow Corpuz to defend herself, urging her to present evidence she is not part of the CPP-NPA.

"She is not automatically tagged as a terrorist. She can dispute the classification in the regional trial court where the petition to declare the CPP-NPA as terrorist group is currently pending," Roque said.

The petition was filed by the DOJ before the Metro Manila Regional Trial Court on February 21. Under the law, a terrorist tag cannot be finalized unless it is approved by a court.

In her own statement dated Thursday, Corpuz denounced the inclusion of her name and called it "baseless, malicious, and irresponsible."

She said she is consulting with her lawyers on what legal action to take to clear her name.

Her colleagues said the accusation was "an act of retaliation" for her criticism of alleged military attacks and killings among the indigenous Lumads in Mindanao.

This is not the first time President Rodrigo Duterte's administration butt heads with UN Special Rapporteurs and the CPP-NPA.

The administration has repeatedly hit UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard, and refused to have her investigate the killings in the country's controversial drug war.

READ: Roque: We'll invite Callamard to swim in Pasig river if she visits PH

Despite initially warm relations with the Reds, Duterte ended the on-off negotiations with communist rebels in November 2017, citing a rash of violent attacks by the NPA.

Duterte has offered hefty prizes for the turnover of rebels and has called on his government to "destroy the NPA."

READ: How peace talks with communist rebels failed

CNN Philippines' Regine Cabato contributed to this report.Senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra minister passed away at Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital on Friday.

The 72-year-old was suffering from renal dysfunction and had recently been admitted to the hospital.

Kadam has previously helmed the forest ministry in the Maharashtra government. He was also an educationist and the founder of Bharati Vidyapeeth.

He is survived by his son, Vishwajeet Kadam, who is Maharashtra Pradesh Youth Congress president.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to extend his condolences over Kadam's demise. "My deepest condolences on the unfortunate demise of Senior Congress leader and educationist ji. This is an irreparable loss to the Congress party. My love and support to his family in this hour of grief," he tweeted.



My deepest condolences on the unfortunate demise of Senior Congress leader and educationist ji. This is an irreparable loss to the Congress party. My love and support to his family in this hour of grief.  Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) March 9, 2018

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also condoled the death of Congress leader.

"With the sudden demise of Dr Patangrao Kadam ji, we have lost a great educationalist, social and political leader! His contribution in building cooperative sector will be remembered forever," he tweeted.

"He was the 1st person to pass SSC from his native village; had to travel 5-6 km every day to attend school. Keeping in mind his own pain he started Bharati Vidyapeeth in 1964 to serve society & provide education to all. My deepest condolences to his family and followers!" he added.

The last rites of Kadam will be performed in Pune at Sonhira Sugar factory, Sangli on Saturday at 4:00 p.m., the Twitter handle Maharashtra unit of Congress Party informed.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi, seeking time to meet them for resolving the issue of sealing of shops in the capital.

In his letter to the prime minister, he stressed on bringing a Bill in Parliament to remove anomalies in the law which are the reasons behind sealing of commercial establishments, and warned that unemployment caused by the drive could impact law and order situation in the city.

"The reason behind sealing is anomalies in the law. It is the responsibility of the Central government to remove these anomalies," the chief minister said.

Kejriwal had yesterday threatened that he would go on hunger strike if the sealing drive is not stopped by March 31.

Traders earn their livelihood honestly and pay tax. But, they are suffering due to sealing. There is only one solution now. A Bill has to be brought in Parliament to remove anomalies in the law and save traders from unemployment, he said.

In his letter to Modi, the chief minister said, "The traders are on the verge of starvation and each shop is means of livelihood for many people. If all of them are rendered unemployed (due to sealing) then it may impact law and order situation."





Seeking an appointment with the prime minister, Kejriwal demanded that a Bill should be brought in Parliament immediately to stop the sealing drive.

In his letter to Rahul Gandhi, the chief minister sought an appointment with him and said sealing of commercial establishments is driving lakhs of people unemployed.

"A solution to this problem should be found by rising above This issue needs to be strongly raised in Parliament and pressure should be exerted on the Centre to bring a Bill over it," Kejriwal wrote to the Congress president.

The sealing drive was undertaken by the municipal corporations of the capital on the directions of a Supreme Court-appointed committee in December last year.

Under the drive, hundreds of commercial establishments have been sealed so far due to non-payment of conversion charges and violations of Delhi Master Plan.

The AAP government on Friday accused the BJP of hoodwinking traders by not bringing in an ordinance to end the sealing drive here.

It (sealing drive) was a conspiracy to collect money from Delhi businessmen, Saurabh Bharadwaj, the chief spokesperson of the party's Delhi unit, alleged.

He alleged that the BJP leaders in Delhi were swindling crores of rupees from traders after civic bodies started the drive on the directions of Supreme Court-appointed Monitoring Committee.

Bhardwaj alleged that the saffron party was hoodwinking traders by not bringing in an ordinance to end the sealing drive. He said the issue would be addressed only after the BJP-led Centre brought in an ordinance.The Telugu Desam Party, which pulled out of the Modi government this week, on Saturday clarified that its alliance with the BJP was still on, though it was severely hurt by Finance Minister Arun Jaitleys remarks on assistance to Andhra Pradesh.

It also described as unethical the demand by the YSR Congress asking the TDP to move a no-confidence motion against the NDA government at the Centre. State Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu told reporters that the TDP had decided to expose the Centre on what it had done or not done for the state ...A man was killed and another injured in a clash between two groups of Nigerian nationals in south Delhi's Chhatarpur, police said today.

A Nigerian has been detained in connection with yesterday's clash, they said.

"The injured man has also shared details of the others involved. Police are on the lookout for them," a police official said.

Further details are awaited.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A four-year-old boy fell into 110-feet-deep borewell at Umaria village near Khategaon, about 110 kms from the district headquarters, police said today.

The incident happened around noon and efforts are on to rescue the minor, they said.

"The boy fell into the 110-feet-deep open borewell at an agriculture field while he was playing when his parents were busy working in the farm," Khategaon police station in-charge Tehjib Qazi said.

"He is stuck at the depth of 40 feet and oxygen is being supplied to him to ensure that he can breathe easily...efforts are on to save him," the officer said.

Talking to PTI, BJP MLA from Khategaon Ashish Sharma said, "The child fell into the borewell around noon and the rescue operation has been launched."



According to police, the local administration is digging a parallel pit to rescue the boy.

The district administration has sought Army's help in the rescue operation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Solar Alliance (ISA) today signed a cooperation arrangement to promote solar energy deployment in Asia and the Pacific.

The cooperation envisages solar power generation, solar based mini-grids, and transmission systems for integrating solar energy into grids, among others.

The ISA and the ADB would also cooperate on knowledge sharing and developing technology roadmaps for the promotion of solar energy, the multilateral lending agency said in a statement.

They would also develop financing instruments to support solar energy deployment and conduct studies and consultations to explore mobilisation of concessional financing through trust funds or special funds administered by ADB.

ISA interim director general Upendra Tripathy and ADB vice-president for knowledge management and sustainable development Bambang Susantono signed the pact in the presence of Finance Minister and ADB Governor Arun Jaitley.

"ADB's energy policy commits USD 3 billion per year by 020 for promoting clean energy, including solar energy projects in its developing member countries," said Susantono. "We are happy to work with ISA to mobilise additional investments to meet ISA's goals for the massive deployment of affordable solar energy."



ISA, headquartered in Gurgaon near here, is now a treaty-based intergovernmental organisation that was established following the Paris Declaration as an alliance dedicated to the promotion of solar energy among its member countries.

The ISA's major objectives include global deployment of over 1,000 gigawatt (GW) of solar generation capacity and mobilisation of investment of over USD 1 trillion into solar energy by 2030.

India has set an ambitious target of installing 175 GW of renewable energy, including 100 GW from solar by 2020 as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the joint launch of the ISA with then-French President Francois Hollande on November 30, 2015.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members48 from the region.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)An Afghan official says at least 15 security forces have been killed in an attack by Taliban fighters in western Farah province.

Fared Bakhtawar, head of the provincial council, said Saturday that seven army commandos and eight police are among those 15 killed in Bala Buluk district.

Bakhtawer said three other security forces are missing and more than 30 insurgents were killed in the battle.

Gen Dawlat Waziri, spokesman for the Defense Ministry, confirmed the attack but said only four soldiers were killed and two wounded.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujhaid claimed responsibility for the attack.

In recent months, Farah province has witnessed an increase in attacks by insurgents against security forces and local officials have requested the deployment of more forces in the province.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Miscreants allegedly vandalised the statue of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar in a village here, adding to the string of such incidents in the country targeting political icons and social reformers.

The statue of Ambedkar installed in Rajapatti village under Captanganj police station area was found vandalised this morning by the villagers who informed the police, SP, rural Narendra Pratap Singh said.

Infuriated over the incident, locals started gathering in the area. Police and senior officials rushed to the village and pacified them, the SP said.

The repair work has started and efforts are on to identify the miscreants, the SP said.

Strict action will be taken against all those found involved in the incident, the SP added.

This is the second incident of its kind in the state after a statue was vandalised on Wednesday in Meerut and was later replaced.

Similar incidents have also been reported from other parts of the country with statues of communist leader Vladimir Lenin, social reformer Ramasamy Periyar's and Jan Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee being vandalised in recent days.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Police have initiated attachment proceedings against three absconding accused in the gangster Vicky Tyagi murder case.

A local court yesterday issued the CB-CID, the investigation agency in the case, notice to initiate attachment proceedings against Vikas Choudhry, Shah Nazer, and Anil Balyan, under Section 82 of the CrPC.

The investigation agency has already filed a chargesheet against the three accused in court, said CB-CID Inspector Yogesh Dixit.

Vicky Tyagi was gunned down in the courtroom during a hearing in another case here on February 16, 2015. Shooter Sagar Malik was arrested from the spot while Brijbir Singh was nabbed the next day.

Police had registered a case against 11 people, including four police officials.

The Uttar Pradesh government had handed over the probe to CB-CID, which, on February 27 last year, had given clean chit to Brijbir, citing lack of evidence against him.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 10)  Authorities arrested two drug suspects in Cagayan de Oro City on Saturday after they were found with 900,000 worth of marijuana.

Francisco Neri, 39, and Don Claudio Absin, 33, were nabbed in an anti-illegal drug operation in Brgy. Macasandig.

The City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) found the suspects carrying three kilos of dried marijuana leaves.

CDEU Chief Senior Inspector Maricris Mulat said the suspects were considered high value targets because of the amount of drugs.

Mulat said Neri ran a marijuana business while Absin worked at a private company. She added the suspects claimed to have been advocating marijuana as alternative medicine.

Neri and Absin face illegal drug charges.US President Donald Trump has indicated that Australia would soon be exempted from his decision to impose a 25 per cent tariff on import of steel and 10 per cent on aluminium.

The proclamations signed by Trump in this regard a day earlier gives exemptions to only two countries - Canada and Mexico.

However, Trump indicated that the Australian could be the third country. He said he spoke to Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in this regard.

"He is committed to having a very fair and reciprocal military and trade relationship. Working very quickly on a security agreement so we don't have to impose steel or aluminum tariffs on our ally, the great nation of Australia!" Trump said in his tweet.

Turnbull said that he had "great discussion" with Trump on security and trade. Australia-US trade is fair and reciprocal and "each of our nations has no closer ally," he said.

"Thank you for confirming new tariffs won't have to be imposed on Australian steel & aluminium - good for jobs in Australia and in US!" said the Australian premier as he retweeted the US president's tweet.

Trump had praised Australia during his Cabinet meeting on Thursday.

We have a very close relationship with Australia. We have a trade surplus with Australia. A great country, a country long term partner will be doing something with them. We'll be doing something with some other countries, he said.

We will be very flexible. At the same time, we have some friends and some enemies where we have been tremendously taken advantage of over the years on trade and on military," he said.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters that in the president's proclamation two countries are specifically excluded.

"There would be the opportunity for us to negotiate on matters of national security with other countries. And we're going to be doing that with a number of different countries," she said.

On Thursday, Trump had said that America will remain open to modifying or removing the tariffs for individual nations.

As long as we can agree on a way to ensure that their products no longer threaten our security," he said.

US Trade Representative (USTR) Robert E Lighthizer has been put in charge of negotiating with countries that seek an alternative to the steel and aluminium tariffs, he said.

The White House said Trump welcomes any country with which "we have a security relationship" to discuss alternative ways to address US concerns, including those about global excess capacity.

He has left open an avenue for potentially modifying or removing a tariff under certain conditions for individual countries, it said.

"Modification or removal of the tariffs would be possible if alternative means are agreed upon to ensure imports from a country no longer threaten to impair our national security. Under the direction of the president, the USTR is responsible for negotiations with countries that seek an alternative means to the steel and aluminium tariffs," the White House said.

"In addition, there will be a mechanism for US parties to apply for the exclusion of specific products based on demand that is unmet by domestic production or on specific national security considerations. This process will be managed by the Department of Commerce in consultation with other federal agencies," it said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Bangladesh pulled off a memorable record chase to stun Sri Lanka by five wickets in the Nidahas Twenty20 Tri-Series here tonight, ending their recent run of reverses against the islanders owing to Mushfiqur Rahim's belligerent 35-ball 72.

Chasing a mammoth 215 in the stipulated 20 overs, Bangladesh crossed the line in 19.4 overs for the loss of five wickets. This was the fourth highest run chase in T20 Internationals and Bangladesh's best.

Blazing half-centuries by Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera had powered Sri Lanka to a formidable 214 for six after Bangladesh opted to bowl.

When his time to bat came, Mushfiqur slammed four sixes and five boundaries during a smashing knock.

Needing nine off the last over, Mushfiqur slashed Thisara Perera for a boundary to inch closer to victory. Before that, the experienced wicketkeeper hit a six after 19 were required in the last two overs.

If the Lankans were off to a flyer, Bangladesh' start was blistering as they raced to 74 in just six under overs, before Liton Das' whirlwind 19-ball 43-run knock came to an end.

The Tigers continued to roar as Tamim Iqbal (47) and Soumya Sarkar (24) kept up with the required run rate to reach 100 in the 10th over.

However, having blazed away to 47 off 29 balls with the help of six boundaries and a six, Tamim offered a return catch to Thisara Perera in the over they got to the three-figure mark. That was Thisara's 50th wicket in T20 Internationals.

Liton Das had smashed five sixes and two fours.

The experienced Mushfiqur Rahim and skipper Mahmudullah then joined hands in the middle.

Mushfiqur seemed determined to take his side as close to the target as possible, hitting Shanaka for a six and four off successive balls in the 12th over.

They needed 112 at the back 10 at little over 12 runs an over.

After a six in the 17th over, Mushfiqur started the next over with four to put pressure on Sri Lanka and he sustained it till the end to see Bangladesh home.

Earlier, Mendis (57) and Perera (74) toyed with the Bangladesh attack with a flurry of boundaries and sixes, to the delight of the home crowd at the Premadasa Stadium.

Invited to bat after a drizzle delayed the toss by 15 minutes, Sri lanka were off to a flying start with Mendis putting on 56 runs for the opening wicket with Danushka Gunathilaka (26).

Bangladesh pacers were guilty of bowling short and the Lankans took full advantage of that, pummelling them for 70 runs in the six mandatory powerplay overs.

That the visitors persisted with bowling short despite getting smacked, too helped Sri Lanka's cause.

Mendis hit 57 off 30 balls with the help of five sixes and two fours, Perera found the fence eight times and cleared it twice in his 48-ball knock.

That set the tone for a big total and even though Mustafizur Rahman cleaned up Gunathilaka, the hosts were sitting pretty at the halfway stage at 98 for one.

There was a lull though, from seventh to ninth over, as the hosts managed just 16 runs in 18 balls.

The well-settled Mendis hoiked Nazmul Islam over square leg for a six to break the shackles.

It was then the turn of the other Kusal - Perera - as he smashed Mehidy Hasan for a six and four, helping Sri Lanka race to 111 for one at the end of 11th over.

Continuing his stellar run at the top, Mendis meanwhile welcomed Mustafizur with a six and brought up his fifty in just 26 balls, his third half-century in four innings.

Bangladesh had a breakthrough but not before Mendis sent a Mahmudullah delivery soaring over deep mid-wicket for another maximum.

Dasun Shanaka and Dinesh Chandimal fell cheaply but Upul Tharanga helped Sri Lanka score 17 runs in the 17th over with the help of two boundaries and a six. Tharanga was unbeaten on a breezy 32 off 15 balls.

Meanwhile, Perera continued his onslaught on the Bangladesh bowlers, and was mostly dealing in boundaries. He got out while going for one too many, getting stumped off Mustafizur.

Mustafizur Rahman (3/48) and Mahmudullah (2/15) were the most successful bowlers for Bangladesh.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The chief ministers of Assam and Mizoram today held telephonic talks over clashes between Assam Police and Mizo activists who had allegedly tried to intrude in Assam's territory.

Activists of the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), the apex Mizo student body, who had accused the Assam Police of excesses against them, temporarily withdrew from the spot of clashes late in the evening, officials said.

Chief Ministers of Mizoram and Assam, Lal Thanhawla and Sarbananda Sonowal respectively, held talks over phone and the latter suggested that both the sides should withdraw from the disputed area, the statement said.

Assam and Mizoram have a long-standing boundary dispute and there had been tension in the Hailakandi-Kolasib region several times in the past too.

Mizoram Chief Secretary Arvind Ray also contacted his Assam counterpart and both the sides agreed to hold talks on the border dispute.

However, the date for holding talks between the two states was not yet fixed, the statement said.

Meanwhile, the MZP members withdrew from the place of incidents this evening temporarily, the officials said.

The student activists have been camping at Zopui locality in Kolasib district since Thursday to construct a rest house on the land of the late Ch Chhunga, first chief minister of the state where a large number of Assam's police forces were deployed to prevent them from doing so.

A report from Assam's Hailakandi also said the MZP workers were retreating from the border.

This was conveyed to Hailakandi Deputy Commissioner Adil Khan by his Kolasib counterpart R Zarzosanga, an Assam government release here today.

"This is a positive development and augurs well as we are expecting the situation to return to normal along the Assam-Mizoram border," Khan said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A prominent British Indian MP in the UK Parliament has rejected labels attached with the black, minority and ethnic population, calling them patronising and insulting.

Conservative party MP Priti Patel, who was the first Indian-origin member of the UK Cabinet until she resigned last year, said that she had made it clear to her political colleagues and civil servants that she does not like the term Black, Minority Ethnic (BME).

"I don't like the labelling of people. I don't like the term BME. I'm British first and foremost, because I was born in Britain," she was quoted as saying by BBC.

"I challenge all my colleagues in the Conservative Party and in Westminster: Don't label me as a BME. I've said that to people in the Cabinet. I've said that to civil servants. I think it's patronising and insulting, she said.

The 45-year-old former international development minister said the term was "totally unhelpful because we are people and everybody wants to be recognised for their individual merits".

The MP who represents Witham in Essex also expressed doubts over whether the UK could one day have a minority ethnic incumbent in 10 Downing Street.

"Who knows?" she said, when asked if she could be Prime Minister.

Patel was forced to resign from her Cabinet post in November 2017 after revelations of a series of undisclosed meetings with Palestinian officials had made her position in government untenable.

In reference to the controversy, she said the "whole thing was incredibly messy" but that she had been "very clear with the Prime Minister and also I took responsibility for what she felt was not acceptable, so I think I did the right thing".

Patel, now as a backbench MP, continues to be among the most vocal pro-Brexit voices in the Conservative party.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Centre has shortlisted four cities -- Jaipur, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Mysore -- for holding the main function of International Yoga Day this year.

These four names will now be sent to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) which will select one city and then finalise the venue of the main function of IDY to be held on June 21.

"We have already started the preparations. The main function of International Yoga Day (IYD) will be held outside Delhi. Four cities -- Jaipur, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Mysore -- have been shortlisted for selecting the venue of the main function of International Yoga Day this year," a senior AYUSH ministry official said.

According to the official, several states were consulted and based on their responses the four cities were shortlisted.

In the lead-up to the main event, an international yoga festival would be held in March end, which will be followed by 10 state-level fests to be held in different parts of the country.

"The aim is to build an atmosphere of Yoga in the lead-up to the main event and sensitise the masses about the grand function on June 21," the official said.

"We want to convert Yoga into a bigger activity, stretch it over the entire year and not just restrict it to a one-day event," he said.

Besides, the government will soon declare 100 parks especially dedicated for yoga activities across the country to promote this traditional practice.

The United Nations General Assembly, heeding to a call by Prime Minister Modi, had made a declaration in December 2014 to observe June 21 every year as IDY.

Last year, the main event of the IDY was held in Lucknow in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated.

The first IDY celebration was organised at Rajpath in New Delhi on June 21, 2015, in which representatives of 191 countries took part. In 2016, the main function was held in Chandigarh.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Actor Christopher Abbott has been roped in to to play the lead role in the "Catch-22" series adaptation.

The six-part limited series is based on Joseph Heller's classic novel of the same name, reported Variety.

All six episodes were co-written by Luke Davies and David Michod.

Set in Italy during World War II, the story focuses on Captain John Yossarian (Abbott), a US Air Force bombardier who is furious because the bureaucratic rule known as Catch-22, which specifies that a concern for one's own safety in the face of dangers which are real and immediate is the process of a rational mind; a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous combat missions, but a request to be removed from duty is evidence of sanity and therefore makes him ineligible to be relieved from duty.

Abbott will star alongside George Clooney, who is set to play Colonel Cathcart in addition to serving as executive producer.

Clooney is also co-directing the series. Grant Heslov will also direct a portion of the series in addition to executive producing.

The series will be Clooney's first regular TV role since 1994 medical drama "ER".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)An Indian Coast Guard helicopter, on a routine patrol with four crew members on board, made an emergency landing near Nandgaon beach in Raigad district of Maharashtra this afternoon, injuring a woman co-pilot, an ICG official said.

The Navy had earlier said that the helicopter had "crash landed".

The ICG official said that according to the preliminary reports, the helicopter suffered technical difficulties for around 25 minutes after it took off from the Coast Guard base in Mumbai.

"The Indian Coast Guard helicopter that took off from Mumbai for routine surveillance sortie with four crew made an emergency landing near Nandgaon Beach, Murud tehsil this afternoon," Avinandan Mitra, deputy commandant and PRO for Indian Coast Guard (West), said in a statement.

"The pilot- Deputy Commandant Balwinder Singh- managed to land the helicopter by avoiding populated places and the sea. Assistant Commandant Penny Choudhary received some injury in the incident, but nobody else was injured. All were taken to the naval hospital 'Asvini' at Mumbai for treatment and medical checkup," he said.

Other two members were identified as Pradhan Navik (P/Nvk) Sandeep Singh and Navik (Nvk) Baljeet Singh, the officer said, adding that all four were evacuated by the Navy and the Air Force.

"The preliminary report says that the crew experienced technical difficulties for 25 minutes after taking off," he said.

Asked about the damage to the helicopter, a senior ICG official said, "The rotors of the chopper and its machinery are intact. The tail rotor is slightly bent. Except the right wheel area, no part has broken off. We need to carry out a thorough inspection."



He said that the chopper is most likely to be airlifted from the site.

The ICG statement lauded pilot Balwinder Singh for his presence of mind and "special skills" in avoiding the landing of the helicopter in crowded places and the sea.

Earlier, the Western Naval Command had said in a statement, "A Chetak helicopter of the Indian Coast Guard, during a routine patrol off the coast south of Mumbai, crash landed six nautical miles north of Murud near Alibaug at 1448 hours today."



A naval officer said the Navy launched two Chetak helicopters and a Seaking 'C' chopper on a search and rescue mission and located the ICG helicopter.

One ICG Chetak helicopter and an Air Force Mi-17 chopper were also part of the search operation, the officer said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)In a major development, the Congress today decided to support the BSP candidate Bhimrao Ambedkar for the Rajya Sabha elections scheduled later this month.

A meeting of Congress Legislature Party was held here this morning and after consulting the MLAs, we have decided to vote for the BSP nominee in the election, CLP leader Ajay Singh Lallu said.

"We have decided to join hands with the secular forces against the oppressive and communal and decided to vote for the BSP candidate," Lallu said, adding that the central leadership of the party has been apprised of the decision and they have supported it.

The Congress' support comes after BSP chief Mayawati offered a quid pro quo in Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

According to the offer, her party would support the Congress candidate in Rajya Sabha election in MP if all its seven MLAs vote for the BSP's Rajya Sabha candidate in Uttar Pradesh.

The BSP, with 19 MLAs, needs 18 more votes in order to ensure the smooth sail of its nominee, who has already filed his nomination, to the Upper House.

The Samajwadi Party, which has 47 MLAs, has already fielded Jaya Bachchan and will be left with 10 surplus votes and together with seven Congress and one of the RLD, BSP will be able to get its candidate elected.

The nomination process for the election on UP's 10 Rajya Sabha seats will close on March 12. The election, if necessary, will be held on March 23.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The CPI-M in Kerala today expelled four of its cadres who are among the accused in the killing of a youth congress functionary in the district recently.

They are among the 11 persons who have been arrested in connection with the killing of S P Shuhaib on February 12.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPI-M state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan were present at the meeting of the party's district committee whichtook the action against the workers.

Akash Thillankeri, T K Askar, K Akhil and Deep Chand were expelled for violating party norms, party sources said.

The 29-year-old youth congress activist was hacked to death at Therur near Mattanur in the district.

The Congress has demanded a CBI probe into the killing.

Opposition leader in the Kerala assembly, Ramesh Chennithala has urged the chief minister to relinquish the Home portfolio alleging that he had not allowed the police to function independently in the state.

The Kerala High Court has ordered a CBI probe into the killing after rejecting the state government's contention that all the suspects had been arrested.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy and national secretaries including D Raja will take part in the 24th Tamil Nadu State conference of the CPI to be held at Mannargudi from March 28.

Apart from Reddy and Raja, other national secretaries Dr K Narayana and Nagendranath Ojha and senior leaders, R Nallakkannu and D Pandian and Tamil Nadu secretary R Mutharasan will participate in the meet, the party's Coimbatore district secretary V S Sundaram said here.

About 1,000 party workers from Coimbatore district will participate in a procession to be held on March 31, the last day of the conference, he said after a meeting of the District Committee workers here today.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Assyrian Doctor, Wife, and Mother Stabbed to Death in Baghdad

Dr Shafiq al-Maskuni (L), his mother Khairiya Dawoud (C) and his wife Shatha Malik Danu were stabbed to death in Baghdad. A Christian doctor, his wife, and mother were stabbed to death on Thursday evening in Baghdad's eastern neighbourhood of al-Mashtal.

Dr. Hisham Shafiq al-Maskuni, 61, a native of Baghdad, his wife Shaza Malik, and his mother Khairiya Dawood were killed, according to Rayan al-Kldani, head of the Christian militia group of Babylon, known as the Christian Hashd. The attack was carried out by an unknown group of armed people, Iraqi media reported. The attackers also stole some money and expensive items from the house, according to unverified media reports. This is not an isolated incident, Fr. Biyos Qasha of Baghdad's Maryos Church told Rudaw TV, noting that a boy was killed a few days ago in Baghdad. "This means that there is no place for Christians," he said. "We are seen as a lamb to be killed at any time." He expressed fear that these are the signs of a start of a plan to force the Christian population from their homes and out of the country. Kldani, head of the Christian militia group, agrees that such attacks are nothing new for the Christian community in Iraq."This crime has only one message. Frightening our people and forcing them to leave the country," he said on Friday. "We are not afraid, and we will not leave our homeland," he vowed, explaining that the Thursday attackers will fail just like ISIS did when the bells of the churches of Iraq started to ring again following the defeat of the extremist group. Fr. Qasha called on the federal government to "work to protect all Christians and all citizens." Yezidi MP Vian Dakhil condemned the crime, tweeting that "minorities are persecuted in their homeland." Warning that this stabbing was not the first nor the last crime against Iraq's minorities, she called on the international community to "move with great effort to protect minorities in Iraq." A page on Facebook dedicated to Iraq's medical doctors expressed its condolences to the family of the deceased doctor. The spokesperson for Iraq's Ministry of Health told Rudaw in August last year that Baghdad was experiencing a rising number of assassinations against doctors and health workers by gangs or in acts of "terrorism." "Attacks on doctors have almost become a daily thing," Saif Badir told Rudaw then. In Iraq's last census in 1987, some 1.5 million Christians were counted. Prior to ISIS, local groups estimate the Christian population was 400,000 -- 600,000. About half the population have left Iraq since 2014 and around 130,000 sought shelter in the Kurdistan Region.(CNN)  Around 180 British troops have been deployed to the English city of Salisbury to aid in the investigation of a nerve agent attack on a former Russian double agent and his daughter.

Personnel from the Royal Air Force, British Army and Royal Navy were among those sent to Salisbury on Friday, a Ministry of Defence spokesman told CNN.

London's Metropolitan Police tweeted that the public should not be alarmed and the public health advice remained the same. It explained that the counterterrorism division had requested assistance from the military to "remove a number of vehicles and objects from the scene."

Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, were still hospitalized in "very serious condition" after being poisoned earlier this week, UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd said as she visited Salisbury on Friday.

The pair  believed by authorities to have been deliberately targeted  were found slumped on a bench near a shopping center on Sunday afternoon.

Rudd visited several of the sites cordoned off by investigators before heading to Salisbury District Hospital.

Detective Sgt. Nick Bailey, a policeman who also fell ill, is in serious condition, but is "conversing and engaging" with visitors, Rudd added.

Authorities earlier revealed 21 people had received medical attention in the aftermath of the incident, but only three people were still being treated Friday.

Kier Pritchard, temporary chief constable of Wiltshire police, which covers Salisbury, told Britain's Sky News on Thursday that "multiple" police officers and members of the public had been assessed by medics: "A number of those had been through the hospital treatment process, there have been blood tests and they're having treatment in terms of support and advice."

Identifying the source of the nerve agent continues to be central to the probe but so far, Rudd has refused to name any potential culprits.

"We will have to wait until we're absolutely clear what the consequences could be, and what the actual source of this nerve agent has been," Rudd said. "At the moment, our priority is going to be the incident, which is why I'm here."

Western intelligence services consider Russia a leading suspect based on previous attacks that used a similar substance and method, a Western intelligence official told CNN. The official cautioned that the investigation was still in its early stages.

If a Moscow link was proved, it would plunge relations between the West and Russia to a new low, and would call into question the British government's ability to protect UK residents at home.

On Friday, Russian Foreign Ministry Sergey Lavrov said Russia was ready to assist "any investigation" but that it was "not necessary to hurl unfounded accusations on TV."

Earlier this week, a spokesman for the Russian embassy in London described comments by UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson  who vowed a "robust response" in the event that state involvement was proved  as "strongly anti-Russian."

The spokesman said Johnson's comments were an attempt to politicize the affair, and attacked the media for aiding the UK government's efforts.

Police say they know the nerve agent used in the attack, but have declined to say what it was or how they suspect it was administered.

They called on anyone who visited the area on Sunday, including a branch of the Zizzi restaurant chain or the nearby Bishop's Mill pub, to come forward with any information that might help them piece together what happened.

Related: In Salisbury, grist for conspiracy theorists, and an elusive truth

Spy swap

Skripal is considered a traitor in his native Russia after a 2006 conviction for spying for the UK, for which he was sentenced to 13 years in prison.

He arrived in the UK in 2010 as part of a spy swap between the United States and Russia, when the two countries exchanged agents on chartered planes on a runway at an airport in Vienna, Austria.

According to previous reports by Russia's state news agency RIA Novosti, Skripal had spied for Britain as an intelligence officer during the 1990s and he had continued to communicate with British foreign intelligence agency MI6 after his retirement in 1999.

Skripal's daughter is thought to be one of the few members of his immediate family still alive after his wife, Lyudmila, and son Alexander died in recent years. Police have sealed off both graves, the UK's Press Association reported, but it was unclear on Friday why.

Litvinenko's wife: Russians in UK 'feel unsafe'

On Tuesday, Boris Johnson said there were "echoes" in this case of what happened to former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko, who died a slow death after drinking tea laced with highly radioactive polonium-210 in 2006 in a hotel in the Mayfair section of London.

A detailed UK inquiry later concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin probably approved the operation by Russian agents to kill Litvinenko. At the time, the Russian Foreign Ministry dismissed the UK investigation as politically motivated.

Speaking in Berlin on Thursday, Litvinenko's window, Marina, told CNN there was a "similarity of a way to assassinate" between the attack on Skripal and the case of her husband.

Marina Litvinenko said Russians living in the UK feel "insecure and very unsafe" and that the UK government should do more to protect those who have claimed political asylum.

This story was first published on cnn.com, "Russian spy attack: British troops deployed to assist nerve agent probe."The Dental Council of India (DCI) has urged the Centre to introduce a three-year MBBS bridge course for Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) graduates so that they could work as full-fledged MBBS doctors.

If BDS graduates are allowed to pursue and complete the three-year bridge course, they could serve in the rural areas of the country for four to five years, DCI president Prof Dibyendu Majumdar said here today.

"We are awaiting the clearance from the Medical Council of India (MCI) in this connection," Majumdar said.

The DCI, he said, is also trying to convince the central government that much importance was required to be given to oral health care since 40 to 45 per cent of all cancers pertained to the oral cavity alone.

"There is a huge budget for health and the DCI is asking for a separate budget for oral health," Majumdar said while speaking at a programme, which was held under the aegis of the Indian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology at the Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (SOA), a deemed university.

Majumdar said the government has already agreed to the DCI's proposal to allow dental surgeons to give death certificates in case a patient died while undergoing treatment in a dental clinic or hospital.

The DCI is making efforts to ensure that the dental students were exposed to lectures by eminent teachers which would be made available to them through the web.

"It will not cost the institutions anything as DCI will bear the expenditure," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on today vowed to expand Turkey's offensive in Syria against Kurdish militia to key border towns controlled by the group right up to the Iraqi frontier.

Turkey launched its operation seeking to oust Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia from the Afrin region of northern Syria on January 20 and Erdogan said Thursday its forces could now enter Afrin town at "any moment".

But Ankara has always threatened to expand the operation to the east to oust the YPG from the swathe of territory it controls right up to Iraq.

Speaking to supporters in the city of Mersin, Erdogan said the Turkish army and allied Syrian rebels wanted to oust the YPG from all the towns they control close to the Turkish border.

"Once we have purged the terrorists (from Afrin) we will then cleanse them from Manbij, Ayn al-Arab, Tel-Abyad, Ras al-Ayn and Qamishli," he said in televised comments.

Manbij, the next main YPG-held town east of Afrin, is a particular flashpoint as it has an American military presence there.

Ayn al-Arab, better known by its Kurdish name Kobane, has huge symbolic importance as it was the epicentre of a struggle with Islamic State (IS) jihadists which was eventually won by the Kurds.

Qamishli is seen as the main town of the YPG-controlled region.

Turkey regards the YPG as a terror group and a branch of militants in Turkey who have waged an insurgency for decades.

The United States however has worked closely with the YPG in the fight against IS and the campaign has raised tensions with Turkey's NATO ally Washington.

Erdogan questioned why NATO had not come to Turkey's aid in its Syria operation when Ankara had backed critical alliance campaigns worldwide.

"Hey NATO where are you?" Erdogan asked. "We came in response to the calls on Afghanistan, Somalia and the Balkans, and now I am making the call, let's go to Syria. Why don't you come?"



Today, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said the Turkish forces were now four kilometres from Afrin town.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.): Republic of Estonia, Minister of Entrepreneurship and Information Technology, Urve Palo today called on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami and discussed strengthening of trade ties between her country and the State.

The Minister during her brief visit to the city, called on Palaniswami, Minister for Information and Technology M Manikandan and senior government officials at the Secretariat and discussed "strengthening of bilateral ties between Tamil Nadu and Estonia," a press release said.

Senior government officials from her country including the Ambassador of Estonia to India, Riho Kruuv were also present on the occasion, it said.

Later, the Minister and her delegates met industrialists and members of trade body Confederation of Indian Industry.

"The focus of the visit was on bilateral cooperation in Information and Communication Technology sectors, cyber security, e-governance and smart cities," it said.

Trivitron Group of Companies, Chairman and Managing Director, G S K Velu was appointed Honorary Consul of the Republic of Estonia in Chennai.

He would work towards strengthening the relations between India and Estonia by promoting business, culture, tourism, education.

A Honorary Consulate in Chennai was also unveiled by the Minister on the occasion.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The EU's top trade official said the US failed today to provide full clarity on how Europe could be spared from Washington's controversial steel and aluminium tariffs, but said talks would continue next week.

European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem made her statement after crunch talks with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in an effort to defuse a bitter row that many fear could turn into an all-out trade war.

President Donald Trump's announcement of duties of 25 per cent on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminium has stung the European Union, along with other major partners including Japan, whose Economy Minister Hiroshige Seko also attended the talks in Brussels.

"As a close security and trade partner of the US, the EU must be excluded from the announced measures," Malmstroem said on Twitter after the meeting.

"No immediate clarity on the exact US procedure for exemption however, so discussions will continue next week," she added.

The talks, initially set to address China's oversupply of steel, have long been in the diary, but after Trump's dramatic announcement, they became the first opportunity to defuse the crisis.

With tensions at a peak, officials kept a tight lid on the content of the meeting and sought to keep expectations of any breakthrough low.

Along with a huge range of steel products, the EU's hit list of flagship American products lined up for counter measures includes peanut butter, bourbon whiskey and denim jeans.

The real estate tycoon also faced a backlash at home with his top economic advisor Gary Cohn stepping down in opposition to the tariffs and senior Republican allies voicing shock and dismay.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)NCP chief Sharad Pawar today cautioned Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis that his government would be held responsible if jailed party leader Chhagan Bhujbal suffered any "untoward fate in the days to come".

In a letter written to Fadnavis, Pawar pointed out that 71-year-old Bhujbal was languishing behind bars since March 14, 2016 (in a Prevention of Money Laundering Act case) and was in a fragile state of health.

"I am saddened to record that if Chhagan Bhujbal suffers any untoward fate in the days to come, your government will be held responsible for the same," Pawar stated.

He said he did not expect anything, apart from proper medical treatment, which was also Bhujbal's constitutional right.

"Knowing fully well the overall health condition of Chhagan Bhujbal and his advance age, I am sure you will direct that prompt steps be taken to ensure that proper medical treatment be administered to him," he stated.

"As of now, the legal matters concerning Chhagan Bhujbal have not been decided by the Hon'ble Court and unless and until judiciary comes to a conclusion, he is deemed to be innocent," Pawar stated.

He further pointed out that the Supreme Court had held that 'bail is rule and jail is exception' and that the same principle should also apply to Bhujbal.

"It is unfortunate that bail has been denied to him time and again. However, I do not want to comment on this," his letter stated.

He said that Bhujbal was a respected mass OBC leader with more than 50 years of contribution to public life.

"He has served as the mayor of Mumbai, deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, minister of home, minister of public works, minister of tourism and his contribution to the welfare of people of Maharashtra cannot be scorned," he stated.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Roger Federer will be looking for payback when he opens the defence of his ATP Indian Wells title with a second round match against Argentina's Federico Delbonis on Saturday.

There aren't many players who can say they have a winning record over 20 time Grand Slam winner Federer but Delbonis is one of them.

In their only other ATP meeting in 2013, Delbonis won on clay in Hamburg 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/4).

Delbonis, who is ranked 67th in the world, is no stranger to upsets in Indian Wells. In 2016 he shocked world number two Andy Murray to reach the fourth round.

He reached the second round here this week by saving two match points to defeat another American Ryan Harrison in three sets.

Federer, who regained the world number one ranking last month, is on a quest to make history in the California desert by winning an unprecedented sixth Indian Wells title.

The 36-year-old Swiss marvel continues to defy the ageing process, claiming his 20th Grand Slam title and sixth Australian Open crown in January.

He has enjoyed a perfect start to 2018 by winning both events he has competed in and taking his career singles title tally to 97.

Federer told reporters on Thursday that he won't be taking anyone for granted in this draw.

"I didn't come here to lose in the first round two and two," he said. "I care about the moment. I care about the results."



- Monfils rolls -



=================Elsewhere, unseeded Gael Monfils rolled to an easy 6-3, 6-3 victory over Aussie Matthew Ebden in his opening match at the ATP Indian Wells tournament on Friday.

The 31-year-old Frenchman needed just 71 minutes to dispatch Ebden.

Monfils began 2018 by claiming his seventh career ATP Title in Doha, but this is the first time he has come into Indian Wells unseeded in the men's draw since 2008.

Monfils hammered six aces, won 68 percent of his first serve points and broke Ebden four times.

Monfils improved to 2-0 lifetime over Ebden having beaten him previously at the 2010 Australian Open.

Monfils will face world No. 18 John Isner in the second round. The Frenchman has beaten Isner five times in nine career meetings, including winning four of their past five.

Their most recent encounter took place a year ago in the California desert, with Monfils winning easily 6-2, 6-4 to reach the third round.

Indian Wells marks the first time playing on hard courts for Monfils since the Australian Open in January. He is coming off four straight weeks on the South American clay court circuit so needed to make the necessary adjustments.

"The ball was flying quite a lot. It was not easy to adapt but today I was just lucky to get the win and in straight sets is always good. I will be focused for the next one," Monfils said.

Ebden committed five double faults and won just 39 percent of his second serve points on Friday.

He is playing in the Indian Wells main draw for the first time since 2014.

Wild card Ernesto Escobedo surprised fellow young gun Frances Tiafoe 7-5, 6-3 in the first career meeting between the two Americans.

The 20-year-old Tiafoe, who is ranked 64th in the world, was fresh off his first career title at Delray Beach on February 25.

Escobedo, 21, is making his Indian Wells debut.

In other men's matches on Friday, Felix Auger-Aliassime, who is the youngest player in the draw at 18 years, seven months, defeated Vasek Pospisil 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) in an all-Canadian second round matchup.

Portugal's Joao Sousa rallied to beat Mikhail Youzhny of Russia, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Syrian army continued its offensive against rebel-held Eastern Ghouta today, a day after an aid convoy delivered food to the hunger-stricken residents of the enclave despite heavy bombardment.

Nearly 950 civilians have been killed since Russia-backed government forces launched a blistering assault on the last opposition bastion near Damascus on February 18.

Eastern Ghouta's 400,000 inhabitants have lived under government siege since 2013 and the enclave -- more than half of which has over the past three weeks been retaken by regime forces -- is home to a myriad of armed groups.

Apart from Islamist groups such as Jaish al-Islam, jihadists from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), who are mostly linked to Al-Qaeda, are also deployed there.

Syrian state television aired footage of a single bus carrying 13 "fighters" and family members out of the enclave through Al-Wafideen checkpoint, without giving their affiliation.

Some appeared to be young, while others wore hoodies to cover their heads and faces.

The limited operation came as the powerful Jaish al-Islam said HTS fighters would be evacuated to the northern province of Idlib, in an arrangement struck following consultations with the United Nations and other international players.

"It has been agreed that the first group of HTS members be released from the prisons of Jaish al-Islam ... (and) moved to Idlib at their request," Jaish al-Islam said.

HTS is the main force in Idlib, in Syria's northwest and the last province outside regime control.

Civilians continued to bear the brunt of the violence on Friday with at least six killed in air strikes on the area of Jisreen, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said.

Thirteen trucks loaded with 2,400 food parcels, meanwhile, crossed into Eastern Ghouta, the International Committee of the Red Cross said, entering what UN chief Antonio Guterres has called "hell on earth".

But "shelling" near the enclave's main town of Douma threatened "to put at risk" the joint ICRC, Syrian Arab Red Crescent and United Nations convoy, said the UN humanitarian coordinator in Syria, Ali al-Zaatari.

The aid was delivered as helicopters hovered overhead and warplanes targeted areas outside Douma, a correspondent said.

The World Health Organization said it has verified 67 hits on medical facilities in Syria through January and February, nearly half of them in Eastern Ghouta.

The facilities hit included 20 hospitals, 16 health facilities, two ambulance stations and one medical supply warehouse.

Doctors and nurses in the enclave have run out of several life-saving items, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which reported a "terrible medical catastrophe."



"Medical material is extremely limited, medical infrastructure has been hit and medical staff are exhausted," it said, adding that hundreds of people have been wounded and need urgent assistance.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Four Mali soldiers were killed when their vehicle ran over a road mine in the central town of Dialloube as they returned from an operation against jihadists, military sources told AFP.

"Returning from a successful military operation against the jihadists' main base in Dialloube, where 10 terrorists were neutralised, an army vehicle drove over a mine, killing four soldiers," said a military source at the defence ministry.

A foreign military source yesterday confirmed the deaths, adding that two other soldiers were seriously injured.

Jihadists have ramped up their activities in central Mali in recent months, targeting domestic and foreign forces in violence once confined to the restive north.

Four UN peacekeepers were killed and four were wounded last week when a mine exploded under their vehicle in central Mali.

During a visit to the region earlier this week Mali's Prime Minister Boubeye Maiga assured that ramped up military operations were beginning to bear fruit.

Islamic extremists linked to Al-Qaeda took control of the desert north of Mali in early 2012, but were largely driven out in a French-led military operation launched in January 2013.

In June 2015, Mali's government signed a peace agreement with coalitions of armed groups. But the jihadists remain active, and large tracts of the country are lawless.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Expressing concern over under-utilisation of central funds released by the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry under its major schemes, a parliamentary panel has asked the ministry to "get its act together and identify problematic areas" to expedite use of funds.

The standing committee on urban development, in its report on demand for grants for 2018-19 tabled in the Parliament yesterday, said it was concerned to find that the actual utilisation of funds was only 21.6 per cent or Rs Rs 7850.72 crore out of Rs 36,194.39 crore released since the launch of six flagship programmes.

It was apprehensive that, at this pace, the realisation of almost all the six flagships programmes would remain a "distant dream in reality", the committee said.

The programmes are Smart Cities Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY), National Urban Livelihood Misison and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

The committee noted that though a huge share has been allocated to AMRUT scheme, meant to provide for water supply, sewerage and drainage facilities to selected 500 cities, the actual utilisation was only Rs 2,480.43 crore which was only 28.74 per cent.

In case of Smart Cities Mission, the utilisation was the lowest at 1.83 per cent or Rs 182.62 crore out of the released Rs 9,943.22 crore, the panel said.

Under Swachh Bharat Mission, funds utilised were to the tune of Rs 2,223.22 crore or 38.01 per cent, against Rs 5,847.92 crore released under the scheme, the panel said.

In case of PMAY, the states have spent Rs 2,080.52 crore which was only 20.78 per cent of the fund released, it added.

"The committee are extremely unhappy about the actual scenario with respect to the flagship programmes of the government and the trend of central funds not being utilised," the report said.

"The committee, hence, recommend that the government should get its act together and identify problematic areas leading to this slack implementation and address them on war footing, including the brittle financial health of most of the municipal bodies in undertaking Centres flagship schemes," the panel said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Madras High Court has observed that if illegality is going to be regularised or accepted then even law abiding citizens will probably start thinking of violating the law and take advantage of the situation.

A division bench of Justice M Venugopal and Justice S Vaidyanathan made the observation while dismissing a review plea filed by two persons seeking regularisation of their unauthorised building, yesterday.

"We do not understand as to how the violators can inculcate the values to the children and the family members," the bench said.

The matter relates to an application from D.Rajappa and R.Jayalakshmi to review a court order which rejected their request for regularisation of their building.

"...the review cannot be treated as appeal in disguise," the bench said.

"The object behind review is ultimately to see that there should not be miscarriage of justice and shall do justice for the sake of justice only and review on the ground that the judgment is erroneous, cannot be sustained," it said.

The bench said the petitioners were trying to take everyone for a ride including the High Court and the Supreme Court.

The authorities have identified 37 violations and the building had been constructed violating many of the development regulations and parameters, it said.

Payment of fine amount cannot justify the regularisation, the bench said.

"It is very unfortunate that the violator is trying to justify the act. The supreme court and this court have repeatedly held that everyone should follow the law," it said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.): After evading arrest for over two decades, the main accused in the theft of 1,500-year old idols from Munreswaramudaiyar temple in the district, has been nabbed in Madurai, police said today.

Sanjeevi Ashokan, hailing from Thiruvananthapuram, who had been on the run for 22 years, was arrested by personnel of Idol Theft Prevention Wing on March 9 and produced before the Judicial Magistrate in Kumbakonam today, they said.

He was remanded and lodged in Tiruchi central prison, police said.

The case relates to the theft of 'Dwara Balagar' statues from the temple near Veeravanallur in the district in 1995.

The idols had been sold to an art gallery in Australia reportedly for Rs 4.98 crore, police said.

Though police had originally registered a case in 1995, they closed it after investigations, as 'not traceable.'



Inspector General of Police (Idol Wing) A G Pon Manickavel took up the 'closed case' last year and found that the stolen idols had been smuggled to Australia.

The idols had allegedly been sold to persons with links to an international idol smuggler.

While Ashokan has been arrested, another accused Seetha Ramaiah had passed away.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Indian Medical Association (IMA) which has been on a nationwide march from February 25 to deprecate the current form of the National Medical Commission Bill will hold a 'Mahapanchayat' on March 25.

The Mahapanchayat will be held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi.

The IMA has strongly opposed the draft Bill that seeks to replace the Medical Council of India with a new body, claiming it will cripple the medical profession.

"The bill, which has the potential to adversely alter the course of medical education and healthcare delivery in India, will also make irrevocable damage if passed in its current forms," IMA's general secretary Dr R N Tandon said.

Cutting across party lines, the members of Parliament have also voiced their concern and opposition towards the bill, which has now been referred to the standing committee.

"Vehemently opposing the commission, IMA has already started a march across India and will converge before the Doctors Mahapanchayat in New Delhi. Over 20,000 medical fraternities are expected at the venue," IMA's National President, Dr Ravi Wankhedkar said.

IMA, which is a self regulating body run by doctors, has over 1,725 local branches across the country and has held simultaneous yatras across the country to generate awareness among masses.

The IMA is also organising a cycle rally tomorrow across India with an aim to sensitise the masses about the issue.

According to the bill, the government can fix the fee for only 40 per cent of the seats in private medical colleges.

"As the remaining 60 per cent of seats does not come under the guidelines, the colleges shall be charging higher fee. This clause is paradoxical in nature and makes it pro-rich reservation system," said Tandon.

"If functional, this means that the present ratio of 15 per cent allotted to private and deemed universities for charging high fees stands augmented to the entire 60 per cent which itself is a real travesty of its kind," he said.

The IMA is also opposing the clause in the bill which calls for allowing practitioners of traditional medicine system to pursue modern medicine.

"If the bill is incorporated with such liberal provisions, it will only end up with half-baked and ill-equipped medical practices which will put the health of Indian population at stake," said Dr Vinay Aggarwal, former president of IMA.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)India today congratulated Egypt for signing the framework agreement of the International Solar Alliance, a treaty-based global body for promotion of solar energy in alliance with 121 countries.

India and France are co-hosting the first International Solar Alliance (ISA) Summit to be held in New Delhi tomorrow to promote solar energy.

The summit will be attended by the heads of state from 23 nations, including France, Australia and Sri Lanka.

India's Ambassador to Egypt Sanjay Bhattacharyya congratulated Egyptian Electricity Minister Mohamed Shaker who signed the framework agreement at a ceremony held at his office today.

"Over 61 countries have joined the ISA and will participate at the Founding Conference of ISA in New Delhi tomorrow," Bhattacharyya said.

He said with Egypt joining the ISA, there will be growing opportunities for cooperation in the field of solar projects, including in the financing of projects in Egypt under India's Line of Credit (LOC) programme.

"There can be cooperation for projects in Arab countries and Africa," Bhattacharyya said.

ISA is aimed at increasing the use of renewable energy, especially solar energy, to address the issues faced by climate change.

The primary objective of the alliance is to work for efficient exploitation of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

The initiative was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the India Africa Summit, and a meeting of member countries ahead of the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris in November 2015.

India has set an ambitious target of having 100 GW of solar energy capacities by 2022. It is close to achieving 20 GW in the current fiscal itself and plans to auction 30 GW solar projects each in 2018-19 and 2019-20.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)India and France today decided to step up cooperation in space technology and use it in the maritime domain.

The two sides also decided to expedite work on the Jaitapur nuclear power plant during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Central National D'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) inked an agreement for end-to-end solution for detection, identification and monitoring of vessels in the regions of interest.

India and France share a robust relationship in the area of space which is five-decades-old.

In the field of atomic energy, the two countries signed an agreement to expedite the work on Jaitapur nuclear power plant.

The "Industrial Way Forward Agreement" was signed between EDF, France, and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).

The EDF will be constructing six atomic reactors in Jaitapur with a capacity of 1,650 MW each. The plant which will come up in coastal Maharashtra will be the largest nuclear park in the country.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)With an eye on China's growing military presence in the region, India and France today decided to ramp up cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and resolved to work closely with strategic powers to ensure regional peace and stability.

After extensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, French President Emmanuel Macron said the critical sea lanes cannot allowed to be places for hegemonic power play, in a clear reference to China.

A Joint Strategic Vision of India-France Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region doucment was released after the Modi-Macron talks, which said the two leaders agreed on the need to establish an open, inclusive and transparent "cooperation architecture" to ensure peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

"The two leaders are desirous of associating other strategic partners in the growing cooperation between India and France, as and when required and, in this regard, would establish trilateral dialogues," the document said.

India, the US and several other nations have been pressing for freedom of navigation in the disputed South China Sea. The US has been periodically sending naval ships and planes to assert freedom of navigation, much to the chagrin of China.

In November, India, the U.S., Australia and Japan gave shape to the long-pending Quad to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of Chinese influence.

Modi and Macron also welcomed the signing of pact on the reciprocal logistics support between the armed forces, including the two navies. The pact will provide for the use of each other's military facilities, including opening naval bases to warships.

"As the leaders of two strong democracies with vital interests in the Indian Ocean Region, President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi recognise the crucial role that the multi-dimensional India-France strategic partnership will play in ensuring peace, security and stability in bringing robust economic growth and prosperity to the region," the document said.

It said France and India have shared concerns with regard to the emerging challenges in the Indian Ocean Region, including ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight.

"In order to widen and deepen strategic naval cooperation, India and France will be open to inviting strategic partner countries in the region to participate in Indo-French exercises," the document said.

It said the two countries are also determined to increase exchange of information on the maritime situation in the Indian Ocean.

Macron said space agencies of both countries will have joint monitoring mechanism for developments in the maritime sphere, while navies of the two nations will share intelligence and call their respective military bases for any requirement.

The two leaders, recalling the importance of the Varuna bilateral exercise initiated in 1983 between the navies of the two countries, agreed to deepen it further to enhance interoperability between the two navies.

"Its next edition, to be held in 2018 in the Indian Ocean, will focus on submarine and anti-submarine warfare as well as combating maritime terrorism," said the vision document.

A memorandum of understanding between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Centre national d'etudes spatiales (CNES- National Centre for Space Studies) of France was signed to develop a maritime surveillance satellite system focused on the Indian Ocean.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)India and France today inked key pacts in the strategic areas of security, nuclear energy as well as protection of classified information after extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Agreements in the field of education, environment, urban development and railways were also signed in the presence of the two leaders.

Addressing a joint media event with Macron, Modi said the two countries have robust cooperation in the fields of defence and security.

On his part, Macron said India and France have decided to work together to deal with threats of terrorism and radicalisation.

Defence cooperation between the two countries now has a new significance, the French President said.

Both the leaders also talked about cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Macron, who arrived here last night, was given a ceremonial welcome this morning.

"Another chapter in the glorious book of our friendship! PM Narendra Modi welcomes President of France Emmanuel Macron at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi ahead of the bilateral talks," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted along with pictures of the two leaders.

Macron is in India on a four-day visit. He was received at the airport last night by Prime Minister Modi, in a special gesture.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)In a major expansion of strategic ties, India and France today inked 14 pacts in key areas of defence, security, nuclear energy and protection of classified information besides resolving to deepen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and step up joint efforts to contain terrorism.

The agreements were signed after extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, including on the changing security dynamics in the Indian Ocean and Pacific.

The visiting leader asserted that the sea lanes cannot be places for hegemonic power play, in a clear reference to China.

The pacts included reciprocal logistic support between the armed forces of the two countries and another on protection of classified or protected information, an agreement that comes in the backdrop of the Indian government refusing to divulge details of the multi-billion dollar Indo-French Rafale fighter jet deal.

"Our defence cooperation is very strong and we consider France among the most trusted defence partners," Modi said at a joint media event with Macron.

He said that the pact on reciprocal logistic support between the armed forces was a "golden step" in defence relations.

Modi said that both sides have agreed to strengthen cooperation in ensuring freedom of navigation, overflight as Indian Ocean will play a key role in ensuring regional peace and stability.

Noting that defence cooperation between the two countries now has a "new significance", Macron talked about the Scorpene submarine project for the Indian Navy and the fighter jet deal for the Air Force.

"India had made a sovereign decision in this respect (Rafale fighter jet) and we are monitoring the progress in the field. We very much want to continue the programme. It is a long-term contract which is mutually beneficial. I personally consider it as the heart of the strategic partnership," Macron said.

India had signed a government-to-government deal with France in 2016 to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of about the Rs 58,000-crore. The Congress has been demanding details of the deal, alleging that the deal negotiated under its rule was much cheaper then the contract signed by the Modi government.

On maritime security, the French President said both the countries will have "unprecedented" level of cooperation to ensure peace and stability in the Indian Ocean and Pacific.

He said space agencies of both countries will have joint monitoring mechanism for developments in the maritime sphere, while navies of the two nations will share intelligence and call their respective military bases for any requirement.

In his statement, Modi said that the strategic partnership between the two countries may be just 20-years-old, but the cultural and spiritual partnership was even older.

"The values of liberty, equality and fraternity echo not just in France but are also deeply enshrined in India's Constitution as well," the Prime Minister said.

Macron also said effectively containing threats of terrorism and radicalisation are going to be key elements in the strategic cooperation between the two countries. He particularly also talked about threat of Islamist terrorism.

"The trust that we share is protecting us as our interests are aligned," said Macron.

He further said, "We want India as our first strategic partner here, and we want to be India's first strategic partner in Europe, and even in the western world."



The agreement on protection of classified information defines the common security regulations applicable to any exchange of classified and protected information.

Another pact provides for a way forward for the implementation of the Jaitapur nuclear power project.

The two countries also inked pacts for cooperation in other areas, including railways, environment, solar energy, maritime awareness and checking trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)India and France today signed an MoU for mutual recognition of educational qualifications.

Frederique Vidal, France's Minister of Higher and Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar signed the MoU at the 'Knowledge Summit' held coinciding with the first state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India.

The Knowledge Summit brought together and research industry experts.

At the Summit, agreements were signed between universities and research institutions of both countries to boost student mobility between the two countries.

"It is historicfor the first time; a government-to- government MoU has been signed to mutually recognise academic qualifications. It will help the student community. There used to be only bilateral arrangements between institutions to institutions, Javadekar said while speaking at the Knowledge Summit at the Pravasi Bharatiya Bhawan.

According to an official statement, "The agreement between the two governments will facilitate mutual recognition of academic qualifications. It will mark a breakthrough providing students across-the-board recognition to degrees acquired in India".

"It will drive mobility of students by mutually recognising academic qualifications at various levels: starting with secondary school, Masters to Doctorate degrees, and also recognises periods of study in the partner country," it said.

The first high-level India-France Knowledge Summit was jointly organised by French Institute in India, along with Ministry of Higher Education, Research & Innovation (MESRI), France and Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.

Pointing out that more than 5,000 Indian students are studying in France and about 1,500 French students in India, the minister said the HRD Ministry would launch a 'Study in India' initiative to attract more and more students from other countries to India.

Apart from the MoU on Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications between India and France, 15 MoUs between various institutions of India and France in the areas of higher education, research, innovation, faculty exchange, scientific cooperation were exchanged.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)India and France today inked an an agreement to expedite the Jaitapur nuclear power plant project, with the aim of commencing work at the site around the year-end.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron encouraged the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) and EDF France to accelerate the contractual discussions for the project, which is yet to see a consensus on key aspects such as credit limits.

The two leaders emphasised on the need for the project to generate cost-effective electricity, remain economical and competitive financing package from the French side with reliable, uninterrupted and continued access to guaranteed fuel supply for the lifetime of the power plant.

They also agreed to further their collaboration on transfer of technology and cost-effective localisation efforts of manufacturing in India.

"The two leaders reiterated the goal of commencing works at the Jaitapur site around the end of 2018, and encouraged NPCIL and EDF to accelerate the contractual discussions in that respect," a joint statement released after the delegation-level talks said.

The EDF and the NPCIL is yet to agree on the cost per unit and the credit aspect, which France will give to India for building the plant in Maharashtra.

Indian sources also said that unless the EDF is out of its financial mess, the NPCIL will not go ahead with a final contract or a General Framework Agreement with the French company.

Besides defence and space, nuclear energy is a key component of the Indo-French strategic partnership.

The Indo-French nuclear agreement was signed in 2008 and it was decided to build a nuclear power plant in Jaitapur, in coastal Maharashtra, some 600 km south of Mumbai. The power plant will have six reactors with a capacity of 1,650 MW each.

Once installed, the Jaitapur project will be the largest nuclear power plant in the world, with a total capacity of 9,600 MW.

The two sides also welcomed the understanding shared on the enforcement of India's rules and regulations on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damages applicable to the Jaitapur project.

"The understanding is based on the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act 2010, the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Rules 2011, and compliance of India's rules and regulations with the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage, ratified and notified to the IAEA," the statement said.

In the past, the foreign players have raised concerns over the civil liability law in the country.

Modi thanked Macron for France's leadership that led to India's membership of the Wassenaar Arrangement.

He also thanked France for supporting India's membership to the Australia Group.

India is already a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and its membership for this control regime was also backed by Paris.

France is one of the strong votaries for India's inclusion in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, a crucial export control regime of which New Delhi is not a member. However, India's membership bid is opposed by China.

"In order to further strengthen global non-proliferation, France reaffirmed its strong and active support to building consensus among regimes' members on the issue of India's membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, recognising that India's accession will add value to the aims and objectives of these regimes," the joint statement said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Reflecting a growing depth in defence ties, India and France today inked a strategic pact providing for the use of each other's military facilities including opening naval bases to warships, an agreement that comes amid China's growing military expansionism in the Indo-Pacific region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron held wide-ranging deliberations during which they also decided to create an annual defence dialogue at the ministerial level to explore ways to further deepen defence and strategic ties.

The two countries signed a pact on exchange and reciprocal protection of classified or protected information which came in the backdrop of the Indian government refusing to divulge details of the multi-billion dollar Indo-French Rafale fighter jet deal.

On ties in the maritime security sphere, the French President said both the countries will have "unprecedented" level of cooperation to ensure peace and stability in the Indian Ocean and in Pacific.

He said space agencies of both countries will have joint monitoring mechanism for developments in the maritime sphere, while navies of the two nations will share intelligence and call their respective military bases for any requirement.

Separately, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her French counterpart Florence Parly held talks during which detailed discussions on specific projects including on the Scorpene submarine programme for the Indian Navy was discussed.

A joint statement issued after the talks said the pact on protection of classified information reflected the high level of "strategic trust" between the two countries.

It said Modi and Macron noted with satisfaction that the "on-schedule" progress in the implementation of acquisition related agreements, including the Rafale aircraft deal and the construction of six Scorpene submarines in India, in collaboration with French shipbuilder Naval Group.

"They looked forward to continue their discussions to expand and deepen the ongoing defence manufacturing partnerships," the joint statement said.

The Indo-French agreement on reciprocal logistics support for armed forces came nearly two years after India signed a similar pact with the US on use of each other's land, air and naval bases.

Officials said the agreement will facilitate the reciprocal provision of logistic support, supplies and services between the armed forces of the two countries during authorised port visits, joint exercises and joint training among others.

"The agreement is symbolic of the strategic depth and maturity reached in India-France defence ties," the joint statement said.

The two sides inked the pact amid China's growing assertiveness in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific region.

Referring to maritime security cooperation, Modi and Macron reiterated that it will be crucial in order to maintain the safety of international sea lanes for unimpeded commerce and communications.

"Our defence cooperation is very strong and we consider France among the most trusted defence partners," Modi said in a statement to the media, in the presence of Macron.

He said the pact on reciprocal logistic support between the armed forces is a "golden step" in defence relations.

Noting that defence cooperation between the two countries now has a "new significance," Macron talked about the Scorpene submarine project for the Indian Navy and the fighter jet deal for the Air Force.

"India had made a sovereign decision in this respect (Rafale fighter jet) and we are monitoring the progress in the field. We very much want to continue the programme. It is a long-term contract which is mutually beneficial. I personally consider it as the heart of the strategic partnership," Macron said.

India had signed a government-to-government deal with France in 2016 to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of about the Rs 58,000-crore. The Congress has been demanding details of the deal, alleging that the deal negotiated under its rule was much cheaper then the contract signed by the Modi government.

The joint statement said both sides also emphasised the importance of the joint military exercises and affirmed their intention to enhance the level of the exercises.

It said both sides acknowledged that the Make-in-India initiative offers a valuable opportunity for Indian and French defence enterprises to enter into co-development and co-production projects in the defence sector, including through transfer of technologies.

"The leaders noted ongoing discussions between DRDO and SAFRAN on combat aircraft engine and encouraged necessary measures and forward-looking approaches to facilitate early conclusion," it said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)India and France have decided to set up a joint working group to institutionalise cooperation in conservation of environment, Union Minister Harsh Vardhan said today.

The minister held delegation-level talks with Brune Poirson, French Minister of State for Ecological and Inclusive Transition, who is the part of a team led by President Emmanuel Macron on cooperation in the field of conservation of and biodiversity.

"India and France decide to set up a joint working group to institutionalise cooperation in the area of conservation of French Minister Poirson said, it is an ambitious beginning & India France should overcome barriers in deepening cooperation," Harsh Vardhan tweeted.

"The French Minister said, she will ask her country's embassy in New Delhi to work out further modalities. Ms Poirson also showed keen interest in the innovative #GreenGoodDeeds campaign and its promotion through a mobile application," he posted.

He also held a bilateral meet with Frederique Vidal, French Minister for Education Research and Innovation.

The environment minister also said Vidal agreed to Indian proposal to hold the first Indo-French Science and Technology Joint Committee Meeting in Delhi during May or June to help expand the scope and contents of future cooperation.

"India and France being founder partners of Intl. Solar Alliance plan to set up Indo- French Solar Energy Research & Innovation Centre for developing deployable solar technologies," he tweeted.

Earlier, Harsh Vardhan also called on visiting Guyana President David A. Granger and discussed the issue of climate change and its impact on India's natural resources in particular.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)An illegal inter-state money lending racket has been busted by police here today with the arrest of three persons from Tamil Nadu.

Police said they also seized documents revealing the gang's illegal money lending business involving crores of rupees.

The kingpin of the racket operated from Chennai, police said adding more arrests were likely in the case.

The three persons were nabbed on a complaint filed by a local resident, police said.

The man approached the police after he was allegedly harassed by the gang even after he paid the entire amount and interest for the money borrowed from them.

The gang allegedly seized his vehicle when he refused to give in to their demand for payment of more money.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)With the Congress attacking the Centre on the Rafale deal, Union minister Nitin Gadkari today said it is "irresponsible and anti-national" to allege corruption in the Euro 7.5 billion fighter aircraft contract with France.

His remarks came a day after the Congress accused the Narendra Modi government of "compromising" on national security and causing a loss of Rs 12,632 crore to the state exchequer on account of purchase of 36 Rafale jets under the inter-governmental deal.

"Where is the corruption? It is irresponsible and anti-national to make such allegations," the minister for shipping, ports, road transport and Ganga rejuvenation said at the India Today Conclave here.

Gadlkari asked if the country did not require a front line fighter plane such as the Rafale and took potshots at the previous Congress government questioning if the procurement of critical defence assets could be postponed for five-six years over fear of corruption.

Citing the annual report of Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the fighter aircraft, the Congress alleged that the company sold each jet to India at a price which was Rs 351 crore higher than those sold to Qatar and Egypt 11 months ago.

On the nearly Rs 13,000-crore Punjab National Bank fraud case involving Nirav Modi, Gadkari said the BJP has nothing to do with the gems and jewellery businessman and added that it was unfair to "bill" the blame on it.

"Who was in power when he was given loan?" the BJP leader countered, without naming the Congress or the UPA.

Gadkari said the NDA government will take appropriate action against people wanted by India and who are holed up abroad such as Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya.

However, he sought to underline that every NPA (non-performing asset) is not a scam or involves criminality, as businesses go through various cycles and have to be supported during the tougher times.

"There are two kinds of intentions, bonafide and malafide. We will act strong against malafide intentions," he said.

The government has helped save Rs 3 lakh crore in NPAs through 22 Cabinet decisions which helped revive stalled projects that helped companies engaged in road building and also the banks, Gadkari claimed.

On the logjam in Parliament, Gadkari alleged that it was due to the opposition's desire to hog the limelight, and therefore, no business got transacted in the two Houses.

The government, he said, is ready to conduct a debate on any issue, including the Rafale deal or the PNB fraud, he said, adding that only one debate can happen at a time.

Gadkari said the BJP's win in northeastern states such as Tripura signified the prevailing mood in the country about the NDA rule and exuded confidence that the alliance would return to power after the next general elections.

He said barring Gujarat, where the Congress has increased its seat tally, the principal opposition party has seen a steady decline in elections.

Gadkari claimed that his ministries alone have helped create 50 lakh jobs because of the works of over Rs 8.5 lakh crore that it has undertaken and referred to a IIT-Bombay study which has a ratio of job creation to the amount of money invested.

He, however, said that even though there has been progress on the job creation and skill development fronts by the government, the population continues to grow and the aspirations of the people are also growing faster which may make some people discontented.

Gadkari also expressed his reservation over driver-less cars, saying the government would rather protect the jobs of drivers.

On the Ganga rejuvenation front, he said the government will be awarding over 140 remaining projects by the end of this month, while conceding that only 47 projects have been awarded till now.

Admitting that the government has more work to do in the rural and agricultural sectors, Gadkari said specific measures are being taken on these fronts.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A senior leader of the National Conference (NC) today claimed that Jammu is on the edge of communal violence under a "well-planned conspiracy" and asked the Centre to focus on the emerging situation in the region to avert the crisis.

NC provincial president Devender Singh Rana also appealed to the people to maintain communal harmony and asked political parties to rise above petty political considerations to ensure that the bouquet of the state, which comprises three regions of Ladakh, Kashmir and Jammu remains intact.

"The situation in Jammu region is grave. We feel it is on the edge and the PDP-BJP coalition government is directly responsible for it," Rana told reporters here.

"A well-planned conspiracy was hatched (by the coalition partners) to divide the people and make them fight (against) each other to divert their attention from total failure on all fronts, including governance, development, and employment, besides (creating) opportunities," Rana said.

Referring to the ongoing protests in parts of Rajouri over the issue of district status and rape-and-murder of a girl in Kathua, Rana asked the Centre to focus on the region "to avert the crisis before it gets out of hand".

"We appeal to the state government, Centre and people of all the regions to contribute to ensure that the bouquet of Jammu and Kashmir remains intact...

"If this banquet is disintegrated, the political parties, which are trying to exploit the situation for pretty political considerations, will be squarely responsible. They are not only the enemies of the state, but the whole nation," Rana said, adding that they are taking the state towards a "historic blunder" by their actions.

Referring to the government order of creating additional deputy commissioners' posts on rotational basis in parts of Rajouri district, he alleged that the decision has failed to satisfy any of the protesting parties.

The NC supports the people, who are demanding district status for Nowshera, Sunderbani and Kalakote and separate posts of additional deputy commissioners, he said.

Replying to a question about the alleged raising of pro-Pakistan slogans by protesters in the district, he condemned it terming it "wrong".

Asked about his party's stand on the rape-and-murder of a minor girl in Kathua district in January, the NC leader said: "Tell the BJP or any other political party that, beyond politics, there is a human angle and this is a human issue."



A criminal is a criminal and should be punished for such a barbaric act, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Stressing that nobody was above the law, Supreme Court judge Justice Sharad Bobde today exhorted the judges and lawyers to work in tandem to meet the hopes and aspirations of people.

He was speaking while inaugurating a new six-storey building of Amravati District and Sessions Court here. Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, Vijaya Tahilramani, presided over the function.

"It is not the judges, legislators, lawyers or litigants who are supreme. It is the authority of the rule of law that is supreme," Justice Bobde said.

Stating that India has a sound foundation for the rule of law, he said "In 'The Mahabharat', when Duryodhana seeks his mother Gandhari's advice, she tells him 'If you adhere to law, you can win'."



He also quoted a famous line "Be you ever so high, the law is above you", to drive home the point that nobody is above the law.

"At all times, what is upheld is the rule of law," the SC judge said.

Hailing the district courts, he said, "District judiciary has the power over virtually everything in the district. The importance of district judiciary is inestimable. Eighty per cent litigations come to the high courts and the SC through it."



Praising the new court building in the city, he said, "It represents the future of Amravati."The building, constructed at a cost of Rs 47.83 crore, is spread over 16,845 sq mtrs of land and houses 32 spacious courtrooms, a bar room, store and record rooms, library, canteen and a conference room.

During her speech, Justice Tahilramani said, "District judiciary is the backbone of the legal system, which translates theory into practice."



"Regard for public welfare is the highest law. The system exists for the service to people," she said.

She urged judges and lawyers not to waste judicial time and asked the latter to make serious attempts to drive the litigants to settlement.

Tahilramani asked the lawyers' community to assist courts in just and proper manner for effective delivery of justice.

"Work for the welfare of people without wasting time of the court and uphold the majesty of the Constitution, she appealed.

Maharashtra ministers Pravin Pote and Ranjit Patil and Bombay High Court judges were present on the occasion.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Kerala Catholic Bishops Council today stepped in to help resolve the crisis in Syro-Malabar Church after a group of priests came out openly against its head Cardinal George Alencherry over alleged irregularities in a land deal involving him.

Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, also the Major Archbishop of Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, andSoosa Pakiam,Archbishop of the Latin Rite Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram,held meetings with Alencherry, auxiliary bishops and agitating priests of the Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese.

Archbishop Soosa Pakiam, who is also the president of KCBC, hoped that the Synod of the Syro Malabar Church would use its authority to resolve all the issues.

"The issues can be settled within the Church itself. We believe that the Synod of the Syro Malabar Church is taking sincere efforts to deal with it, he told reporters here after their meetings.

He said other Churches, including Syro-Malankara Catholic Church and Latin Church were thinking in which way they could help resolve the crisis in the Syro Malabar Catholic Church.

The move comes a day after over 200 priests of the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese hit the streets, urging Alencherry to keep off all responsibilities of the Archdiocese in view of a police probe on the alleged irregularities.

Cardinal Alencherry is the Archbishop of the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese.

The priests who met at a Basilica here yesterday had urged police to commence a probe after registering an FIR against Alencherry and three others on the complaint over the alleged irregularities.

They raised the banner of protest days after Kerala High Court ordered police to register an FIR against Alencherry.

The priests alleged that Alencherry and the others sold prime land of the archdiocese for "a very low price" and refused to make public the details about it.

Early this week, the High Court had ordered the probe after rejecting Alencherry's contention that the land belonged to the diocese and that a third party could not complain about alleged loss in sale of such a private property.

Police have not registered an FIR against Alencherry who enjoys support of priests, Bishops and Church followers in other dioceses.

The judge passed the order on a petition by one Shine Varghese from Cherthala, who had moved the court saying that the Ernakulam Central Police had not lodged a FIR on his complaint against the Cardinal and others over the land deals.

Meanwhile, those who are opposing the Cardinal were exploring the option of moving the Court complaining delay in registering the FIR.

Besides Alencherry, priests Joshy Puthuva and Sebastian Vadakkumpadan and middleman Saju Varghese are the others against whom the complaint was lodged.

Directing police to conduct a free-and-fair probe after filing the FIR, the High Court had said that the alleged conspiracy and breach of trust issues could be investigated.

Earlier, a six member church committee, which probed the alleged irregularities, said it found numerous instances of violation of canon and civil laws and recommended necessary action against those responsible.

The committee also said that the Cardinal "seems to have fully known and involved" in alienation and purchase of lands by the archdiocese between April 1,2015 and November 30, 2017.

The panel, comprising priests, was appointed by Alencherry.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal will address a public rally here tomorrow.

He will speak at the 'Sankalp Sabha' to be held at the Government Science College grounds here.

The event will mark the conclusion of 'Badalbo Chhattisgarh Sankalp Yatra'- a campaign launched by AAP's state unit from November last year to garner support of the people to bring change in the assembly elections due by the end of the year.

"All preparations have been done to accord a warm welcome to Kejriwal on his maiden visit to Raipur on Sunday," AAP state's convener Sanket Thakur said here today.

Kejriwal will arrive at Swami Vivekananda airport in Raipur around 2.20 pm, from where he will proceed to the state guest house.

From there, he will leave for the venue, where he will address the rally of party workers and common people from 3.30 pm, Thakur said.

"People from across the state are expected to participate in the grand function," he added.

The three-phase 'Badalbo Chhattisgarh Sankalp Yatra' was launched by the AAP in the state from November as a part of which door-to-door campaign was carried out across the 90 assembly constituencies of the state.

During the campaign, people were informed that the incumbent government's alleged failure to fulfil its promises made to them, he said.

"The last phase of the campaign, which has reached the climax, will be concluded with the public meeting of the party's national convener tomorrow," he said.

Security has been beefed up here ahead of Kejriwal's visit.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Political ties between India and Sri Lanka have gained momentum during the past three years, President Ram Nath Kovind said today as he welcomed Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena here.

Sirisena, who is in New Delhi to participate in the International Solar Alliance Summit, called on the President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan today, an official statement said.

Kovind said Sirisena had played a stellar role in Sri Lanka's active re-engagement with the world. "His leadership has been reassuring for India and the region, and beyond," he added.

Kovind lauded the environment-friendly measures undertaken by Sri Lanka.

"He admired the Sri Lankan President's vision for ensuring economic development with environment sustainability. He praised Sri Lanka's Surya Bala Sangra Maya initiative in the solar energy sector," the statement said.

Kovind said the relation between the two countries was unique and based on shared historical, cultural, ethnic and civilisational ties, and extensive people-to-people linkages.

"The President was happy to note that the close political ties between the two countries have gained momentum during the past three years. The President said that India and Sri Lanka must promote greater progress in trade, commerce, connectivity and development cooperation," it said.

The President said India shared Sri Lanka's emphasis on areas such as power, renewable energy, ocean resources, organic agricultural practices, port and airport facilities.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Mortal remains of an Army officer, who had the unique distinction of being awarded a Yuddh Sewa Medal as a second lieutenant for his gallant action against the Pakistani soldiers in Siachen Glacier in 1989, were today laid to rest in Dharamsala, officials said.

Hundreds of people with moist eyes joined the funeral ceremony of Lt Col Deepak Thapa, who had breathed his last on March 8, after battling cancer for more than a year in Army's super speciality Research & Referral Hospital here, a senior official said.

"The officer had the unique distinction of being awarded with a Yudh Sewa Medal as a second lieutenant for his gallant action against the Pakistani soldiers in the inhospitable Siachen Glacier in 1989.

"The area of action was rechristened as 'Thapa base' in his name, which till date serves as a source of motivation for all young soldiers and officers alike," he said.

Several dignitaries and Army officers paid tribute by laying wreaths during a ceremony organised in Himachal Pradesh's Dharamsala, where his body was finally laid to rest with full honours, the officer said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Even as it managed to increase the budget outlay for development programmes by nearly 23 per cent to Rs 95,000 crore in 2018-19, the Maharashtra government expects planning agencies to bear the financial burden of its various infrastructure projects.

Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar today presented the budget for 2018-19, which has an estimated revenue deficit of Rs 15,374 crore and focuses on improving infrastructure.

While he made a provision of Rs 10,828 crore for road development, the finance minister said the government was evaluating a proposal to ascertain financial participation of local bodies and authorities in such projects.

Mungantiwar, presenting his fourth budget in the Legislative Assembly, said works worth Rs 10,948 crore have been undertaken by the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) 3 for improving the suburban railway services.

"The state's share of 50 per cent towards the project would be borne by Cidco and MMRDA (both state-run agencies)."



Under MUTP 3A, the Centre has proposed projects worth Rs 54,776 crore.

"A proposal is under scrutiny to ascertain financial participation of local bodies and authorities (in such plans) and to assist them in other ways," Mungantiwar said.

The state has also made a provision of Rs 220 crore as subsidiary loan for the metro projects undertaken by the MMRDA (in Mumbai) and Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) in Pune and Nagpur. Of this, Rs 130 crore has been provided for projects by MMRDA, while the rest is for MMRC.

MMRDA has proposed a metro network stretching 266 km, of which work on 163km network, estimated to cost Rs 76,421 crore, has already been undertaken.

MMRC is developing 69km long metro projects in Pune and Nagpur worth Rs 20,100 crore.

Besides, Cidco is developing 11km metro network worth Rs 3,043 crore in Navi Mumbai, while the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority has undertaken 23.3 km metro project in the city costing Rs 8,313 crore.

The finance minister has made no allocation for these projects in the budget.

Mungantiwar said the work on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' ambitious high-speed Nagpur-Mumbai Highway project will commence from April.

The Rs 46,000-crore project will be implemented by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).

The minister said the MSRDC has also agreed to undertake capacity enhancement of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway at a cost of Rs 4,797 crore apart from executing the Rs 7,502 crore Versova-Bandra Sea Link project.

There was no allocation by the government in the budget for these two projects as well.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)



1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.

2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.

3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament of the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.

4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war.

5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites.

6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination.

7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N.

8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N.

9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress.

10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N.

11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.)

12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party.

13. Do away with all loyalty oaths.

14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office.

15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States.

16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.

17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks.

18. Gain control of all student newspapers.

19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack.

20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions.

21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.

22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms."

23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art."

24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.

25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.

26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy."

27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch."

28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state."

29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.

30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man."

31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.

32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture--education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc.

33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.

34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities.

35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI.

36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.

37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business.

38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand.

39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals.

40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.

41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.

42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use united force to solve economic, political or social problems.

43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government.

44. Internationalize the Panama Canal.

45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike.The Centre today asked Assam and Mizoram governments to ensure peace along their borders following clashes between Assam police and Mizo protesters, an official said.

The Union home ministry has also sought reports from the two states about the incident and steps being taken to normalise the situation.

The ministry, atthe highest level, is in constant touch with both the governments of Assam and Mizoram, the official said.

The state governments were asked to take appropriate steps to ensure law and order, prevent the situation from escalating and bring the situation under control.

The home ministry also told the two state governments to enforce prohibitory orders and deploy forces wherever necessary, the official said.

The situation along the Assam-Mizoram border turned violent after Assam police resorted to lathi-charge to control some protesting students



Assams Hailakandi administration, bordering Mizoram, had on March 7 clamped prohibitory orders under section 144, CrPc with immediate effect in certain areas apprehending encroachment attempts from the other side.

The prohibitory orders were imposed in Kachurthal and other areas under the Ramnathpur police station, bordering Kolasib district of Mizoram.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron to explore ways to deepen bilateral cooperation, including in the fields of defence, security, trade and investment.

Macron, who arrived here last night, was given a ceremonial welcome this morning.

"Another chapter in the glorious book of our friendship! PM @narendramodi welcomes President of France @EmmanuelMacron at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi ahead of the bilateral talks," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted along with pictures of the two leaders.

Macron is in India on a four-day visit. He was received at the airport last night by Prime Minister Modi, in a special gesture.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said "hardcore politics" of struggle and agitation is no longer as relevant as it used to be, and urged the lawmakers to work together for the progress of over 115 under-developed districts.

Addressing a Legislators Conference on "We for development" at Parliament's Central Hall, he spoke about social justice in the context of all-round development.

If all children go to schools and all households get electricity, then it would be a step towards social justice, the prime minister said.

Asserting that budget or resources were not the reason for lack of development but governance was, Modi said good governance, effective implementation of schemes and focussed activities were needed for development.

"There used to be a time when hardcore politics, round-the-clock politics involving agitations and struggle would work. Time has changed. Whether you are in power or in opposition, what matters is whether if you come to people's help," he told parliamentarians and legislators from states.

Things like how much agitation you did, how many 'morchas' you took out and how many times you went to jail would matter to your political career 20 years back, but things have changed now, Modi told the lawmakers and asked them to work towards fulfilling developmental targets in their regions.

Lawmakers who are elected repeatedly are often those who are identified with something beyond politics by their constituents, he said.

Recalling that icons like Jawaharlal Nehru, B R Ambedkar and Sardar Patel sat in the Central Hall of Parliament to prepare the Constitution, he likened the lawmakers' presence in the hall today to a pilgrimage and pitched for development.

That parliamentarians and legislators from different parties are sitting together on the issue of development is a living example of federalism, the prime minister said.

He said development in the 115 districts would be a work of social justice and if the lawmakers work sincerely for one year, with people's participation it would bring about a sea change, and help India go up in Human Development Index.

Governments have the tendency of focusing on what gives them results easily and it often results in developed districts doing better still while backward districts slide further, Modi said, adding his government has identified these 115 districts as "aspirational" and not backward as the latter has negative connotations.

"We don't have to do a competition of backwards but of forwards," he said.

The prime minister also called for posting young officers, a reference to those directly from the IAS instead of those promoted to the all India service from state cadre, with a sense of purpose, as district magistrates in these places.

Modi said the average age of a district magistrate is generally 27-30 years but he was surprised to find in a meeting with officials of these 115 districts that 80 per cent of them were aged more than 40 years.

Elder officers have many other concerns, such as family and career, and these districts should not be seen as places where anybody like these should be posted, he said.

Working for development in these districts would also be a form of the social justice envisaged by the makers of our Constitution and there is little possibility of any fight in this, the prime minister said.

If work is done on a mission mode with available resources and manpower, then it will lead to very good results. Where this has happened, things have changed, he said.

Underlining the importance of good governance, the prime minister said his experience showed that MNREGA, the rural employment guarantee scheme, has been used less effectively in more poor places and more effectively in richer regions because of good governance in the latter.

(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 persons were killed when their motorcycle caught fire after colliding with a tractor-trolley on the Lucknow-Delhi national highway here, the police said today.

Arun (20) and Jitesh (45) were returning from Bareilly last night when their motorcycle caught fire after colliding with the tractor-trolley under Faridpur police station area, they said, adding the driver of the tractor-trolley sped away after the incident.

Following the incident, locals rushed to douse the flames. Arun died on the spot while Jitesh was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was declared brought dead, the police said.

An investigation into the incident is underway, they said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Senior IAS officer, B S Jamod, who was transferred as collector of Ashoknagar on the directives of the Election Commission in the run-up to the recent bypolls in the state, was today reappointed by the state government.

"The state government has again posted Jamod as the collector of Ashoknagar," a public relation department official said.

Jamod was transferred after the Congress complained to the EC about irregularities in the electoral rolls of Mungaoli Assembly constituency where a bypoll was conducted on February 24. Mungaoli falls within the limits of Ashoknagar district.

Following the complaint by the opposition Congress, booth level officials were also removed.

Jamod today replaced V S Choudhary Kolsani, who has been posted as collector of Katni in place of Vishesh Garhpale.

In other orders, the state government appointed Garhpale as managing director of MP Eastern Area Power Distribution Company Limited, Jabalpur in place of Mukesh Chand Gupta, who has been posted as secretary in the finance department.

The state government also posted Anoop Kumar Singh as chief executive officer of Anuppur district panchayat.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Patidar leader Hardik Patel today said not meeting Congress president Rahul Gandhi ahead of the Gujarat polls was a mistake as it would have prevented the BJP from retaining power in the state.

The 24-year-old Patidar quota agitation spearhead, who had pledged support with the Congress for the Gujarat polls held in last December, said the opposition party would have got an absolute majority had he met Gandhi.

Speaking at the India Today Conclave here, Patel said, "I have said this before as well and I am saying it now. I did not meet Rahul Gandhi. If I can openly meet Mamata Banerjee, Nitish Kumar and (Shiv Sena president) Uddhav Thackeray, there was no issue in meeting Rahul.

"It was a mistake. Had I met him, the BJP would have won 79 and not 99 seats."



The BJP retained Gujarat by winning 99 seats in the 182-member Assembly. The Congress improved its tally, but could not oust the saffron outfit from its stronghold.

After dilly-dallying for weeks, Patel had, in November-end, declared that his Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) would back the Congress in the Gujarat polls, after the latter accepted its demand for reservation to the Patidar community.

Patel reiterated his allegation that a high-ranking bureaucrat of Gujarat had offered him a bribe of Rs 1,200 crore to get the agitating Patels call off their quota stir.

Stating that innocent people were killed in Gujarat during the quota agitation, Patel said sedition charges were slapped on people, who had to make regular court visits now.

"We also voted for (Narendra) Modi when he was the prime ministerial candidate. We had thought the youth of this country would get jobs...the farmers of the country would get a fair price for their produce, but all these things did not happen," he added.

The Patidar leader also said that the BJP ran a communal election campaign, but once it came to power, it started speaking about inclusiveness.

Top leaders of the saffron outfit were part of such campaigns, he added.

Referring to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's recent remarks on Eid celebrations, Patel said the political discourse needed to be more positive, so that people from different communities were encouraged to celebrate their respective festivals.

Speaking at the event, student leader Kanhaiya Kumar said there was a trend in the country of Congress leaders leaving the party, joining the BJP and turning virtuous individuals overnight.

"The BJP has become like a washing machine," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Taking suo motu cognisance of a convict's alleged suicide inside Parapana Agrahara Central Prison last month, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to Karnataka IG (Prisons) seeking a detailed report in the incident within six weeks.

According to the rights panel, M Jaishankar (38), who was undergoing imprisonment for 10 years, had committed suicide inside the jail by slitting his throat with a shaving blade on February 27.

"The commission has issued notice to the IG (Prisons), Karnataka calling for a detailed report in the matter within six weeks," the NHRC said in a statement.

The commission also noted that the state authorities have not informed it within 24 hours of the death, as per its guidelines, and hence has also sought an explanation from IG (Prisons) over not adhering to the guidelines.

Jaishankar was accused in 15 cases of rape and murder, out of which he had been convicted in 3 cases. He was confined to an isolated cell, as he was a threat to other inmates, the rights panel said and observed that the contents of a report regarding the incident, if true, amount to negligence on the part of jail officials, which is a matter of serious concern.

According to the NHRC, inquiries have reportedly revealed that the convict was being treated for depression.

He was arrested after a massive manhunt in 2009, after raping and murdering a police constable in Tamil Nadu. Jaishankar escaped from judicial custody in 2013 by scaling the boundary wall of the prison, but he was rearrested. Since then, he was being kept in a separate cell, the NHRC said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)One Nigerian national was killed while another man was injured after a fight broke out between two groups of Africans in south Delhi's Mehrauli last night, the police said today.

A senior police officer said the reason behind the clash was not clear as various versions such as being under the influence of alcohol, old enmity and an exchange of abusive words had come to the fore.

The incident occurred around 10.30 pm yesterday between the two groups of Africans, who were known to each other.

A Nigerian national, Hillary alias Harry (30), received a stab injury in the chest and was declared brought dead by doctors at the AIIMS Trauma Centre, the police said.

Another man, Arumala Kueve (35), from the opposite group received injuries on his knee and hand, they added.

The police are in the process of ascertaining the identity of the accused from both sides and raids are being conducted at their possible hideouts.

The officer said they had picked up eight to 10 Africans in connection with the incident for questioning.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A Venezuelan military court has ordered seven army officers and two sergeants to be jailed on charges of treason and "instigating a rebellion" against President Nicolas Maduro.

If found guilty the accused soldiers "face up to 30 years prison," defence attorney for the suspects Alonso Medina told AFP yesterday.

All nine -- six lieutenant colonels, a first lieutenant and two sergeants, one of them a woman -- were ordered sent to prison in a hearing that ended early Saturday, Medina said.

"No concrete evidence against the officers was presented, only testimony based on alleged intelligence reports," the lawyer said.

Two of those detained are battalion commanders -- one in Caracas, and the other in San Cristobal, on the border with Colombia.

The soldiers were taken into custody by military counter-intelligence agents on March 2, accused of belonging to an anti-Maduro movement known as the "Movement of Transition towards the Dignity of the People," Medina said.

The arrests come more than a week after Maduro ordered 24 retired and active duty military officers demoted and kicked out of the service.

Among them was Raul Baduel, a minister of defence under Maduro's predecessor, the late Hugo Chavez.

The arrests are being carried out as a way "to keep the military institution submissive and loyal" to the government's so-called Bolivarian Revolution, said Rocio San Miguel, an expert on military affairs.

"The biggest danger that Maduro faces comes from his generals and admirals," San Miguel told AFP. "And since he can't act against them, he picks on the mid-level officers to see how they react."



Analysts believe that the military's support is key to Maduro maintaining power amid a worsening crisis that has driven hundreds of thousands of Venezuela to try to flee the country.

Maduro is seeking a second six-year term in elections set for May 20 that most of the main opposition parties are boycotting.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The US today ruled out a recent request from the Taliban for a direct talk with the White House, unless it engages with the elected government of Afghanistan.

This comes a day after the Trump administration surprised the world by agreeing to a North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's invitation for a meeting with President Donald Trump.

"Obviously there is no comparison between North and South Korea and the Afghanistan situation. I would note that North and South Korea have spoken to each other in advance of the president's offer to also engage in the conversation," senior US diplomat for South and Central Asia, Alice Wells, told a Washington audience at the US Institute of Peace, a US-Congress supported top American think-tank.

"So, what we're looking for in Afghanistan is a fundamental recognition that in an insurgency, the insurgents and the government that is ruling need to engage in a conversation with one another as well as with other interested parties to that settlement. We have been very consistent in this approach," Wells said.

In the absence of a full-fledged Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, she is currently the State Department's point person for South and Central Asia.

"We've been spending so much time focused on how do we get the Taliban across the starting line in recognition of a need for negotiations and how do we use our military actions to help shape the conditions for a successful negotiation," she said.

The Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in the recently concluded Kabul Process conference in the Afghan capital, she said, laid out some important principles in his remarks about implementation of the peace process that this will be a part of a national plan that would encompass social development, that would be equitable, that would have a demobilization plan.

"That would require the support of the international community. There's no way to walk away from Afghanistan even in a time of peace. And so how can the donor community through targeted support help the government, at a time when it's going to be restructuring and demobilizing some of its own forces yet having to integrate and deal with the Taliban combatants as well," she said.

Wells noted that it was a complicated process which cannot be pre-judged but underscored its importance for the success of the stabilisation of Afghanistan.

"So, the Afghan government's ability to manage conclusion to a piece and to manage its own security and territory in a responsible fashion will all feed into the international assessment of how we need to structure our future relations with the government of Afghanistan," Wells said, responding to a question on the presence of US troops in Afghanistan.

Alleging that the Taliban had been indifferent to the Afghan people, she said the US sees that in their targeting of civilians or use of civilians as shields to the effort, there is an enormous cost that Afghanistan has borne.

"It's time for this conflict to end. There's a way to end this conflict. There's a will to end this conflict. There's international support to this. It's the Taliban who are the stumbling block to peace," Wells said.

The top American diplomat said it's now up to the Taliban leaders to respond to this serious offer of talks from the Afghan President.

"This is a peace offer that the US supports and is prepared to facilitate, but we cannot substitute for the direct negotiations that are required between the Afghan government and the Taliban leadership," Wells said in her remarks at the US Institute of Peace.

Wells said when it comes to the US, its conditions based South Asia strategy ensures the Taliban cannot win on the battlefield, but it recognises that a resolution to the conflict will be through a negotiated political settlement.

"The recent Taliban letter to the people of the US misses the point. For eight years the US has been prepared to support a peace process, but we cannot be a substitute again for the Afghan people in the Afghan government in a negotiation with the Taliban," the top American diplomat said.

"Let us not forget that it was the Taliban which repeatedly refused to hand over Osama bin Laden and to this day the Taliban maintain relations with Al-Qaeda and a host of other terrorist organizations," she said.

"We are not in Afghanistan to acquire it's natural resources to impose our own form of government to prevent the free practice of Islam or to destabilize the region," Wells said.

"We will remain in Afghanistan as long as it takes to keep it from becoming a terrorist safe haven," she asserted.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Odisha government has directed all schools to conduct morning classes from April two as preventive measure against possible heat wave during summer this year, an official said.

The School and Mass Department has directed in a letter yesterday to all schools including public schools and privately managed schools to reschedule timing of all classes between 6.30 am to 10.30 am from April 2.

The letter said that mid day meals (MDM) would be served at 10.00 am and in no case the school would remain open beyond 11.00 am. It also asked the school authorities to complete assessment exercise/examination by March 31.

As the state is expecting intense heat wave this time as per prediction made by the IMD, the letter asked the authorities to ensure adequate safe drinking water and first aid in schools.

The school authorities were also instructed to advise the students to come to the school with umbrella and water bottle during the summer season.

The new academic session 2018-19 will begin from April three and April two will be observed as Pravesh Utsav.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif's face was blackened with ink by a religious extremist when he was addressing his party's workers' convention in Punjab province of the country late last night.

The suspect, who was thrashed by the party workers before being handed over to police, allegedly said that Asif's party had tried to change the finality of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in the Constitution which hurt his sentiments.

Asif was speaking at the PML-N workers' convention in Sialkot, his hometown (some 100km from Lahore), when a middle-aged man with long beard, who was standing close to him, threw ink on his face.

The workers grabbed the man and thrashed him before handing him over to police. The foreign minister was escorted by his guard after the incident. However, after washing his face, Asif returned and completed his speech.

"I do not know this man. It appears my opponents had given him some money to throw ink at me but I pardon this man and will ask the police to release him," the minister said, adding this incident does not affect his



"Such an incident adds sympathy for him," he said.

Meanwhile, the Sialkot city police identified the ink thrower as Faiz Rasool.

"Rasool doesn't have any connection with any political party. He told police in his statement that he threw ink at the foreign minister because his party had tried to change the finality of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in the Constitution. This hurt the sentiments of millions of Pakistanis including his," a police officer quoted Rasool as having said in his statement.

He said since the minister is not interested in getting an FIR registered against Rasool, police will set him free after meeting all legal requirements.

Pakistan's Law Minister Zahid Hamid had to resign last November when hundreds of Tehreek-e-Labbaik supporters camped at Islamabad's Faizabad traffic interchange, forcing the PML-N government to take action against those in the federal cabinet responsible for attempting to change this clause from the Constitution.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra minister Patangrao Kadam was today cremated with full state honours at Wangi village in the district.

Kadam died last night at Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital, where he was undergoing treatment for renal dysfuntion. He was 74.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other political leaders attended the cremation.

From Mumbai, Kadam's mortal remains were taken to Pune earlier in the day. His body was kept at his residence for some time. Around 4 pm, the body was flown to his birthplace Sonsal village by helicopter and was cremated in Wangi.

Kadam was born in a lower-middle class family in Sonsal of Sangli district, Western Maharashtra, on January 8, 1944.

He was elected to the state Assembly four times from Palus-Kadegaon constituency in Sangli district.

He founded the Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, an educational empire which is spread across the state, and also set up cooperative ginning mills and sugar mills in western Maharashtra.

He held key portfolios such as cooperation, forest, relief & rehabilitation, education and industry under Congress -led governments during his decades-long political career.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen, while reacting to the vandalisation of statues, has said "people can't control their emotion", but asserted that a defeated party should not be targeted as was the norm in the Middle Ages, in a reference to the razing of communist icon Vladimir Lenin's statues in Tripura.

It is a democracy, and not a Middle Ages war in which the side that used to win, vandalised the defeated side's houses and looted their assets, she said on the sidelines of an event organised by the Reader's Digest.

"That was the norm in the ages of what we call the Dark Ages. But now it is modern times. If any party is defeated, they are not your enemies.... They are just your political opposition," the 55-year-old author told PTI when asked about the recent incidents of vandalising of statues, including that of Lenin.

Nasreen said that if one does not like Lenin, one may not follow his ideology but there was no need to break his statues.

"The ideology of all those people whose statues have been erected, we may not like but we don't break their statues," she said yesterday.

Her comments come after two statues of Lenin were brought down in South Tripura, with the CPI(M) and its arch-rival in Bengal, the Trinamool Congress, blaming the BJP for the incidents.

The incident happened just days after the Left was defeated in the Assembly polls by the BJP and its ally IPFT, which together won a two-thirds majority in the House in a state where the CPI(M) was in power for 25 years.

Later, in a tweet, Nasreen also talked about other incidents of statue vandalisation in the country.

"The statues of Lenin, Periyar, Amdedkar, Subhash Bose have been vandalised. People can't control their emotion. Don't worry. Statues will be erected again, she later tweeted.

"In Kolkata, the statues of Gandhi, Shyamaprasad Mukherjee, Netaji, Rabindranath Tagore, Vivekananda, Vidyasagar etc are getting probably Y or X category security. But the statue of Lenin is getting Z plus security. Lal Salaam, Comrade statue!" she said in another tweet.

At the event, Nasreen along with other writers -- Nilanjana S Roy, Prayaag Akbar, Samit Basu, Shubhra Gupta and Himanjali Sankar -- regaled the audience with storytelling.

Nasreen, who had fled Bangladesh in the early 1990s after right wing Muslim outfits issued death threats to her, talked about freedom and exile.

The event, whose theme was 'What I Talk About When I Talk About Women', marked the launch of the Reader's Digest Chronicles, a live storytelling series.

Sanghamitra Chakraborty, Editor, Reader's Digest, said "Stories and storytelling can also be an act of resistance."



"There are enough examples of powerful dystopian fiction that can flag clear and present danger. For example, stories of women trapped in surveillance states, looking for their lost children -- and freedom," she said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Congress president Rahul Gandhi has rejected the resignation of OPCC president Prasad Harichandan and he will remain in the post till the next general election, Congress sources said today.

Harichandan had resigned from the post on February 28 owning moral responsibility for his partys miserable show in the Bijepur by-election. Congress, which had won the seat the last time, had lost its deposit in the by-poll.

Harichandan had taken over as OPCC chief in December 2014. He has been facing opposition from within the party since last year's panchayat election where the Congress was pushed to the third position after BJP emerged as number two in the state



''The AICC did not accept the resignation of Harichandan as Odisha Congress president. Rahul Gandhi wants him to continue as the OPCC president,'' OPCC disciplinary committee chairperson Sandhya Mohapatra told a press conference here today.

Gandhi felt that as the general election is most likely to be held in the next eight to nine months, it will not be possible for a new PCC president to deal with the election situation within the short period.

He therefore decided to retain Harichandan as the OPCC president till the next general election, Mohapatra said.

While BJD candidate Rita Sahu bagged 1,02,871 votes and BJP candidate Ashok Panigrahi bagged 60,938 votes. The Congress had finished a distant third with party candidate Pranaya Sahu bagging a paltry 10,274 votes in the byelection.

The Congress candidate lost his deposit though the party had won the Bijepur seat in 2004, 2009 and 2014 elections.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Former Maharasthra chief minister Narayan Rane will on Monday file his nomination papers from the BJP quota for the biennial Rajya Sabha polls from the state, sources close to him said today.

"Rane has accepted the BJP's offer of Rajya Sabha nomination and will file his papers on Monday," the sources told PTI.

March 12 is the last day for filing nominations for the March 23 election to the Upper House of Parliament. The polls are being held for 58 Rajya Sabha seats across states, of which six are in Maharasthra.

Rane was not available for a comment.

Rane quit the Shiv Sena in 2005 and later joined the Congress. He ended his over-a-decade-long association with the Congress in September last year.

The former Shiv Sena chief minister subsequently formed his own party, the Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksh, and allied with the BJP-led NDA.

The 65-year-old Konkan strongman, along with Maharasthra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, had met BJP president Amit Shah in New Delhi last week.

Rane had subsequently told reporters that the saffron party had offered him a Rajya Sabha berth.

The BJP can get three candidates elected to the Rajya Sabha, given its strength of 122 MLAs in the 288-member House.

Union Human Resource Development Minister and BJP leader Prakash Javadekar filed his nomination papers yesterday. The BJP is yet to announce its third candidate.

The sources said the BJP leadership had assured Rane that he would be inducted into the Fadnavis ministry, when its expansion or reshuffle took place.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Anais Josemon (14), a Class 9 student of a convent school here, today virtually became the face of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's book Exam Warriors -- a book on how to deal with exams -- as she was rescued by the railways after she ran away from home for failing a mathematics test.

Depressed for not being able to secure the passmark in maths, Josemon left home on March 8 and boarded the Tamil Nadu Express from the Nizamuddin station here with a plan to go to Chennai and enrol for Bible classes, her mother Ivon Peters told PTI.

She was rescued from the Bhopal railway station yesterday. Today, the 14-year-old girl went to meet Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, who gifted her the book penned by the prime minister.

Peters (45), who works as a nanny, said her daughter was not good in maths and that she had performed well below par even in her last exam.

She also claimed that the school did not respond to her queries to discuss the matter.

The schools just do not bother. They just refused to speak to us. I wish I had told the minister about this. This is a huge problem, which affects the students, Peters said.

She added that her daughter, who was rescued yesterday, returned home after being away for over 36 hours.

The 14-year-old girl would have remained as one of the many children rescued by the railways, if not for Goyal's tweet about her.

"Met Anais Josemon from New Delhi who ran away from her home due to exam pressure and now rescued promptly by Railways and reunited with her family. Also gave her a copy of the book @ExamWarriors penned by PM @NarendraModi and told her 'be an Exam Warrior, not Worrier' (sic)," the railway minister tweeted.

The railway ministry has brought all the major stations under the ambit of "Operation Muskaan", a campaign aimed at rescuing missing children.

According to data provided by the ministry, from 2014 to 2016, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) had rescued 20,931 children, including 1,317 (944 boys, 373 girls) trafficked children, who were found from across the railway network.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Supreme Court has tilted more towards "idealism" in the recent years, compared to "realism" in the past, due to the socio-political and economic changes taking place in the country, a senior judge of the apex court said today.

Justice Ranjan Gogoi compared the Supreme Court's 2017 verdict on triple talaq (Shayara Bano) and the 1985 ruling on right to alimony (Shah Bano) to buttress his point.

"The Supreme Court, in the triple talaq judgment, did perhaps what it could not do in the Shah Bano case," he said.

The injustices today were not borne out of poverty or illiteracy alone, but due to different identities, diverse opinions and aspirations for autonomy, Justice Gogoi said.

He maintained that the apex court's "character and functioning" would have to be perceived in the light of the prevailing circumstances.

Justice Gogoi said this as a response to arguments in certain quarters that "the Supreme Court is venturing into creating a judicial legislature or that it is entering into the domain traditionally reserved for the executive and legislature".

He was speaking on the topic of "Constitutional Realism and Constitutional Idealism: Is the Supreme Court on the Cusp of Evolution?" as part of the 13th Justice P D Desai Memorial Lecture.

"We are realising that the injustices today are not borne out of poverty and illiteracy alone. They are borne out of different identities, diverse opinions, aspirations for autonomy and the desire to be a free thinker.

"However good or bad it may appear to be, we can't help it, this is the new order," the apex court judge said.

Stating that the Supreme Court's stance as regards strengthening civil liberties showed a tilt towards "idealism", he said, "The court seems to have taken a meaningful leap towards the ideal idea of India, if not towards the new idea of India."



Through this shift, the apex court was gradually "enriching the culture of constitutionalism", Justice Gogoi added.

Through its recent judgements, the apex court had been "beaming a new light into the promises of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity that we, the people of India, have made to one another", he said, citing the triple talaq ruling as an example.

"I don't know why the media and the intelligentsia were quick to draw a parallel between Shayara Bano (triple talaq) and Shah Bano (right to alimony). It is my earnest view that the Supreme Court, in the triple talaq judgment, did perhaps what it could not do in the Shah Bano case.

"It extended democratic ideals into a very intimate private sphere of two autonomous individuals. The Shah Bano ruling (1985) began with these words: 'This appeal does not involve any question of constitutional importance'," Justice Gogoi said.

The apex court judge added that both the landmark cases were treated differently.

"In the triple talaq judgment, the court tested the practice of unilateral talaq on the touchstone of this very Constitution," he said.

In the Shah Bano case, the court "perhaps did not deem the issue to be so much an issue of gender equality.

"In the Shayara Bano case, it left no stones unturned when it held triple talaq to be inequitable in terms of Article 14 (dealing with equality)," Justice Gogoi noted.

"Without an inkling of doubt, this piece of law will be a sterling addition to Indian legal philosophy on gender justice," he added.

Highlighting the reasons for the change in the apex court's approach in dealing with issues of public interest, Justice Gogoi said the country had witnessed a socio-political and economic transformation over the years.

"India is transforming from socialism to acquire a new identity. The rise of the capitalist class has made India extremely susceptible to corruption and the consequent criminalisation of politics and economy and aberrations in good governance," he added.

The "watchdog vacuum" created due to these changes was being filled by the judiciary, Justice Gogoi said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Chinese Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui today praised Chinese scholar Hu Hsu,who settled down here for 27 years since 1951, saying he enhanced cultural ties between the two countries.

Speaking at a symposium here on the Chinese scholar, he said Hu Hsu also built a bridge between his country and the rest of the world by translating western and Indian works to Chinese.

The Ambassador, who arrived here yesterday on an official visit, said Hu Hsu had translated famous Indian Sanskrit texts,including Upanishads and the Bhagvad Gita,into Chinese.

Chief Minister V Narayanasamy referred to the historical and cultural connections between China and India.

Hu Su settled down in Sri Aurobindo Ashram here for 27 years since 1951 had also translated the works of spiritual leader Sri Aurobindo. PTI COR APR



The Ambassador yesterday called on Lt Governor Kiran Bedi and Chief Minister V Narayanasamy.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Shiv Sena has extended support to the farmers' 'long march' currently underway against the BJP government, organisers said today.

Ajit Nawale of the All India Kisan Sabha, which has organised the march, told PTI that senior Sena leader and PWD Minister Eknath Shinde met protesting long march leaders when it entered neighbouring Thane earlier today.

The march, which commenced from Nashik on March 6, will culminate here on Monday and protestors plan to gherao the Vidhan Bhavan where the Budget session of the state legislature is underway, said organisers.

Nawale said, "Shinde welcomed the protestors in Thane district and extended support to the demands of the farmers. He said he was conveying the message of Sena president Uddhav Thackeray. Similarly, Abhijit Jadhav, an emissary of MNS chief Raj Thackeray, also met us and got me in touch with the MNS chief over phone. The MNS too has extended support to our demands."



The march has been organised to protest the failures of the state BJP government on the farm front, including issues like farm loan waivers, remunerative prices for produce, non-implementation of the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission as well as the Forest Rights Act, he said.

Protesting farmers have demanded a change in the plan to link rivers in Nashik, Thane and Palghar to ensure that tribal lands are not submerged and water from the scheme be made available to these areas as well as other drought-prone districts, organisers said.

They said that farmers were also protesting against the state government's land acquisition for projects like high speed rail and super highways.

"We are demanding an increase in pension schemes for poor peasants and farm workers, compensation for losses due to bollworm and pest attacks and rehauling of the public distribution system," he said.

Police said that traffic diversions and alternate routes had been set in place for motorists on the Eastern Express Highway through which the march will enter the city tomorrow morning.

The march will be attended by AIKS national president Ashok Dawale, CPM MLA J P Gavit, state president Kisan Gujar and working president Arjun Ade among others.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)No-frills airline SpiceJet today inked USD 12.5 billion deal with French major Safran Group for CFM aircraft engines.

At current exchange rate, the deal is worth more than Rs 81,000 crore and is one of the biggest in the aviation sector.

SpiceJet and Safran Group, have now finalised the purchase of LEAP-1B engines to power a total of 155 Boeing 737 MAX planes, along with spare engines to support the fleet, according to a release.

CFM engines are manufactured by CFM International, a joint venture between Safran and General Electric.

The deal was inked at the Indo- French Economic Partnership signing ceremony here on the occasion of French President Emmanuel Macron visit to India.

The airline has also signed a ten-year Rate per Flight Hour (RPFH) agreement with CFM Services that covers all LEAP-1B engines powering SpiceJet's 737 MAX planes.

RPFH agreements are part of CFM's portfolio of flexible aftermarket support offerings.

Under the terms of the agreement, CFM guarantees maintenance costs for all SpiceJet's LEAP-1B engines on a pay by hour basis, the release issued by the airline said.

"We are looking forward to introducing the new LEAP-1B into our fleet... From what we have seen so far, the LEAP-1B is living up to its promises for efficiency and reliability.

"We hope they provide us unmatched service reliability while keeping our costs in check to ensure profitable operations," SpiceJet CMD Ajay Singh said.

Safran CEO Philippe Petitcolin said it has been exciting to watch this airline grow over the years and believe it has a very bright future.

"We are proud to be such a big part of the SpiceJet team over the long term," he added.

Currently, SpiceJet operates a fleet of more than 38 CFM 56-7B-powered Boeing 737 NG family aircraft.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Private airline SpiceJet operated a civil fixed-wing aircraft for the first time to Sikkim's Pakyong airport today as a part of a trial run, Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials said.

The airline operated a 78-seater Q400 Bombardier aircraft from Kolkata to the newly-constructed airport and officials of the airline, Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials and officials of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) travelled in the aircraft, a state government official said, adding that the plane landed safely in Sikkim at 11.55 am.

"I am extremely happy to know that the maiden flight of SpiceJet to Pakyong airport landed safely," Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling said in the state Legislative Assembly.

This is a momentous occasion for Sikkim and the Sikkimese people, Chamling said.

The SpiceJet aircraft landed at Pakyong airport, nearly a week after an IAF aircraft, a 19-seater Dornier 228 aircraft landed at the airport.

The Pakyong airport is likely to be made operational soon after the DGCA gives the green signal, officials at the airport said.

Initially, flights will be operated from the airport to destinations such as Guwahati, Kolkata and New Delhi, the chief minister had said during the budget session of the Legislative Assembly.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi today said vandalisation of statues was unfortunate and people should pay respect to all persons.

To a question about the vandalising of the bust of Syama Prasad Mookerjee in the city on March 7, Tripathi said, "This is unfortunate. It should not have happened."



"We should pay respect to all persons, all important persons, including Syama Prasad Mookerjee," he told reporters on the sidelines of a cultural event here.

Statues of prominent political personalties such as Vladimir Lenin, Dr BR Ambedkar and Periyar were vandalised or defaced across in the country this week.

The chain started after Lenin's statue was pulled down in Tripura on March 5.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The workers of the BJP and Trinamool Congress (TMC) clashed over the ''purification'' of a bust of Jan Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee at Serampore in West Bengal's Hooghly district and three persons were arrested in connection with the incident, the police said today.

The ''purification'' of the bust followed the defacement of another statue of Mookerjee in Kolkata on March 7.

The statue was attacked a day after two statues of communist icon Lenin were vandalised in Tripura in the wake of the declaration of the Assembly poll results in the north-eastern state.

The clash took place yesterday when BJP supporters had gathered at the RMS ground here for the ''purification'' of the bust with milk and water, the police said, adding that a group of TMC workers stopped them and poured milk on the bust.

Nine BJP supporters, including the party's Serampore unit president Bhaskar Bhattacharya, were injured in the incident and admitted to the Walsh Hospital here.

Bhattacharya alleged that the TMC workers, led by two councillors, attacked the BJP workers and beat them up, adding that even he was not spared.

The BJP lodged an FIR at the Serampore police station in connection with the incident.

The TMC, however, claimed that locals were involved in the clash.

The BJP workers today blocked the GT Road at Sheoraphuli and Serampore to protest against yesterday's incident.

The Commissioner of Chandannagore Police Commissionerate, Ajay Kumar, said three persons were arrested for their involvement in the clash.

Most of the attackers had fled, he said, adding, ''But we will arrest all the miscreants soon.''



Bhattacharya alleged that the police did not arrest any of the TMC ''goons'' named in the FIR.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Tamil Nadu government today claimed that the term 'scheme' used by the Supreme Court in its February 16 Cauvery verdict pointed to the formation of the Cauvery Management Board and another body.

"Accordingly, the 'scheme' refers to the formation of an organisation that will implement the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and the Supreme Court verdict," a state government release said.

This comes a day after Union Water Resources Ministry Secretary U P Singh's remarks that the apex court had never mentioned about these boards.

"Supreme Court has (in its order) not used the words Cauvery Management Board, it is basically saying a 'scheme.' It could be exactly what the tribunal had said," the secretary told a meeting in New Delhi yesterday.

The meeting convened by the union water resources ministry with all the stakeholders in the inter-state river dispute-- Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry-- had discussed the modalities of a scheme to be implemented.

This was in the light of the recent apex court order on the dispute.

The Tamil Nadu government officials during the meeting had said the "Centre has no other option than constituting the CMB and Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC)," the release said.

Opposition DMK has sought to know if the state government questioned Singh's remarks at the meeting.

Following the February 16 Supreme Court verdict on the vexed Cauvery dispute, Tamil Nadu has been insisting on constitution of the CMB and the CWRC.

Referring to portions from the judgment, the release here said the Supreme Court had ruled that the Centre should evolve a 'scheme' within six weeks that modified the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal award.

Certain provisions of the Interstate River Water Disputes Act, 1956 have "clearly defined" what this 'scheme' means, the release said.

The state government officials claimed during the meeting that the 'scheme' mentioned in the apex court verdict referred to constitution of the CMB and CWRC and that these should be formed within six weeks.

The release said the state government underlined its commitment to uphold Tamil Nadu's rights on the Cauvery issue and vowed to protect the interests of the farmers who were dependent on the river water.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)BJP in-charge Sunil Deodhar on Saturday urged newly sworn-in Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb to get the septic tanks of all ministers' quarters cleaned before these are occupied, as skeletons could be hidden there.

He alleged that the CPI(M) is a party of murderers and they might have hidden skeletons in the septic tanks.

"I request @BjpBiplab, new CM of Tripura, to get septic tanks of all minister quarters cleaned before occupying them. It should be recollected that a woman's skeleton was found in the septic tank of Ex CM Manik Sarkar's quarter on Jan 4, 2005 but the case was deliberately suppressed," Deodhar said in his twitter handle.

A woman's skeleton had been found in the septic tank Sarkar's quarter on January 4, 2005. There had been an investigation but its report was not published.

"If our ministers occupy the quarters without cleaning them and checking things, someone might blame us," Deodhar later told reporters.

Reacting to it, CPI(M) spokesperson Gautam Das asked the new government to go ahead and check the septic tanks.

"Let them check. We do not have any problem," Das, also the party's central committee member, told PTI.

Asked about this, state DGP Akhil Kumar Shukla said, "The police did not cover up any issue."



He said allegations raised by political parties would be examined by the police.

Shukla said law and order in the state is normal but there were efforts to spread rumours that law and order has degenerated.

"Stern action would be taken against rumour-mongers," he said.

After the election results were announced on March 3, 25 persons were arrested and other legal steps were taken against 34 others following complaints of post-poll violence and other unlawful activities.

(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.)Mithun Debnath (34) travelled over 100 kms to watch the swearing-in ceremony of new Chief Minister Biplab Deb here as he wanted to have a closer look at the man, who was entrusted with shaping the destiny of the state for the next five years.

Incidentally, Debnath lives in Sepahijala district's Dhanpur, the constituency of outgoing chief minister Manik Sarkar, who also attended the grand oath-taking event of the new Tripura cabinet at the sprawling Assam Rifles ground yesterday.

"I work in a private firm. About 10 of us friends came to Agartala to witness the ceremony. Biplab Deb is young, energetic and a fresh face. We had voted for a change and now we expect the government to deliver as promised," he told PTI.

Deb, dressed in starched kurta-pyjama and a red traditional jacket, greeted the crowd with folded hands and thanked the people of Tripura.

"My humble submission to Mother Tripureswari and the entire population of Tripura. I greet you today not as the chief minister but a son of this soil," he said in Bengali, in his first address to the people as the chief minister.

A long-time RSS volunteer, Deb (48) said his efforts would be to bring a greater progress for the people of Tripura.

The BJP-IPFT government took charge yesterday after the alliance demolished the Left in the February 18 state polls, putting an end to the 25-year rule of the CPI(M)-led government.

Sarkar, however retained his Dhanpur seat for the fifth consecutive time even as he moved out of the Chief Minister's House to a humble abode in the CPI(M) office.

Incidentally, soon after taking charge, Deb touched the feet of Sarkar to seek his blessings as the latter was leaving the venue of the oath-taking ceremony.

Governor Tathagata Roy also administered the oath of office to the BJP's Jishnu Deb Burman as the deputy chief minister, along with seven other ministers, including IPFT chief N C Debbarma.

Two members in the council of ministers belong to the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT).

David (30), an IPFT member in Agartala, alleged that the "Left had ruined the state over the years and a change was needed. I feel the IPFT did the right thing by aligning with the BJP."



A large number of women, young and old were also part of the crowd that had assembled at the Assam Rifles ground to witness the oath-taking ceremony of the new government.

Santana Chakma of the BJP is the sole woman in the council of ministers.

"I am happy that a new government has taken charge for the development of Tripura and there is a woman in the council of ministers. But we hope that the promises will now turn into performances," Maumita Das, who works in the private sector here, said.

Paulomi Sen, a doctor at the Tripura Medical College, said, "The young people are excited about the new government. But we expect that the agenda of development will not be sidelined for other political factors and that Tripura will progress."



The BJP-IPFT alliance had won the Assembly polls with a two-thirds majority in the 60-member House. The BJP had bagged 35 seats and the IPFT eight, of the 59 seats that went to the polls.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address from the Assam Rifles ground yesterday, had urged both the BJP-led government and the Opposition Left to combine their strengths to take Tripura to greater heights.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Trouble continued along Assam-Mizoram border today with the Mizoram Police alleging that a Mizo student was injured in firing on a group by the Assam Police at Zopui, while the latter denied the charge and claimed that the protesters were only pushed back when they tried to intrude into the state.

The Mizoram Police claimed that one student was injured in firing by the Assam Police at Zopui near Mizoram-Assam border town of Bairabi.

Several other members of the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), the Mizo apex students body, were also injured as security forces in Assam resorted to lathicharge at Zopui locality of the town, the Mizoram Police said.

The MZP said its members were trying to construct a rest house in the land of the late Ch Chhunga, first chief minister of the state, at Zopui in Kolasib district.

Assam's Hailakandi district Deputy Commissioner Adil Khan, however, said, "We have acted with utmost restraint and applied minimum force to push back the MZP members when they intruded into Assam's territory."



Asserting that no excesses were committed by the district administration on the MZP activists, Khan said there is no report of any injury to anyone.

The Hailakandi administration has clamped prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC in certain pockets of the district, apprehending encroachment attempts from the Mizoram side, on March 7.

Assam and Mizoram have a long-standing boundary dispute, and there had been tension in the Hailakandi-Kolasib region several times in the past too.

The Mizoram Police said one MZP activist received bullet injury in the leg by the Assam Police personnel while shooting around eight rounds to disperse around 100 students. Several other students were injured in the lathi-charge.

They said the student activists have been camping in the area to construct the rest house called 'Zofate Chawlhbuk' since March 8 where a large number of Assam's India Reserve Battalion were deployed to prevent them from doing so.

The Hailakandi DC, who is at the spot since this morning, said MZP activists entered into Assam's territory at Kachurthal and attacked personnel of the Assam Police and para military forces leading to a mild lathi-charge.

"We have ensured not an inch of Assam's land is encroached upon," he said.

Meanwhile, opposition parties in Mizoram condemned Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla of failing to protect the state's territory.

Earlier, Assam's Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Political, Alok Kumar had asked his Mizoram counterpart to take immediate steps to avert any untoward incident and to maintain status quo along the interstate boundary.

The Hailakandi DC had also talked to his Kolasib counterpart R Zarzosanga on the situation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)US President Donald Trump today spoke with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and briefed him on developments in ties with North Korea, the White House said.

"The two leaders welcomed the prospect of dialogue between the United States and North Korea, and committed to maintain pressure and sanctions until Pyongyang takes tangible steps toward complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearisation," the White House said in a readout of the call.

During the call, Trump expressed hope that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un might choose a "brighter path" for North Korea's future.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Trump has spoken with a number of world leaders after he was briefed on North Korean by the visiting South Korean national security adviser.

A day earlier, Trump also called Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, during which the two leaders agreed to continue to maintain pressure on North Korea till the time it takes tangible steps toward complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearisation.

The White House said this in a statement after the conversation between Trump and Abe to discuss the situation in North Korea and to continue the close coordination between the two countries.

Trump and Abe assessed that the maximum pressure policy, together with international solidarity, brought them to this critical juncture wherein North Korea has agreed to refrain from testing of nuclear weapons and missiles.

"The leaders affirmed their strong intention to continue close trilateral coordination with South Korea to maintain pressure and enforce international sanctions until such point that North Korea takes tangible steps toward complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearisation," the White House said.

Trump expressed his hope that Kim's invitation signals his desire to give the North Korean people a brighter future, it said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un would not take place without "concrete actions" that match the promises made by Pyongyang, the White House said today.

Trump also confirmed that a deal with North Korea is very much in the making, and if completed, it would be a very good one for the world, a day after he stunned the global community by accepting an invitation to meet Kim.

"This meeting would not take place without concrete actions that match the promises made by North Korea," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said at a conference, adding that the time and place for the meeting is yet to be determined.

"The deal with North Korea is very much in the making and will be, if completed, a very good one for the World. Time and place to be determined," Trump said in a tweet, as experts and analysts scrambled to decipher the unexpected and surprising decision of the president.

The US, however, maintained that the time and place for the meeting has not been determined, after Trump said he has agreed to meet Kim by May, setting the stage for a historic summit between the two leaders who have repeatedly traded insults amid spiralling tensions over Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programmes.

Sanders reiterated that the Trump administration will continue with its "maximum pressure" campaign on Pyongyang.

Last night and this morning, Trump has had a series of telephonic conversations with a number of world leaders, who have been involved with the US on the North Korean issue.

Sanders said the US has accepted the invitation to talk based on the commitment made by North Korea.

"We are making no concessions. We are not going to move forward until we see concrete and verifiable actions from North Korea," she said.

The president, she said, is committed to denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

"The US is speaking from a position of strength and North Korea is on a weak wicket," Sanders added.

Earlier in the day, US Vice President Mike Pence said that North Korea's desire to meet to discuss denuclearisation while suspending all ballistic missile and nuclear testing is evidence that Trump's strategy to isolate the Communist regime is working.

"The North Koreans are coming to the table despite the United States making zero concessions and, in close coordination with our allies, we have consistently increased the pressure on the Kim regime," he said.

"Our resolve is undeterred and our policy remains the same: all sanctions remain in place and the maximum pressure campaign will continue until North Korea takes concrete, permanent, and verifiable steps to end their nuclear programme," Pence said.

Sanders said Trump is hopeful that the US can make some continued progress.

"What we know is that the maximum-pressure campaign has clearly been effective. We know that it has put a tremendous amount of pressure on North Korea," she said.

"They have made some major promises. They've made promises to denuclearise. They've made promises to stop nuclear and missile testing. They have recognised that regular military exercises between the US and its ally, South Korea, will continue. The maximum-pressure campaign, we're not letting up," she said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)US President Donald Trump spoke to his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and discussed his decision to impose import tariffs on foreign steel and aluminium.

In a telephone call with Macron, who is on a four-day visit to India, Trump underscored that his decision is necessary and appropriate to protect national security, the White House said.

"Both Presidents discussed alternative ways to address United States concerns, an official readout of the call said.

Citing national security concerns and the need to protect American industries from "unfair" business practices, Trump yesterday signed two proclamations that levied a 25 per cent tariff on steel and a 10 per cent tariff on aluminium imported from all countries except neighbouring Canada and Mexico. The contentious tariffs will go into effect in 15 days.

Major nations reacted sharply to Trump's decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, warning of damage to close relations amid industry calls for retaliation.

Trump also discussed his decision to meet North Korea's top leader Kim Jong-Un.

"The two leaders also conferred about President Trump's intention to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to ensure the complete and permanent denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, the White House said.

Trump and Macron sharply condemned Syria's Assad regime, and its Russian and Iranian sponsors, for the "atrocities" it has committed, including the bombing in East Ghouta, the White House said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)US President Donald Trump will travel to Peru next month on his first trip to Latin America to attend a summit in the Peruvian capital Lima, the White House has said.

Trump will meet Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski and attend the 'Summit of the Americas' in Lima and will then travel to Colombia to meet with President Juan Manuel Santos, it said.

The regional summit, which began in 1994, is seen as the leading forum for the US to influence events across the region.

"The trip will be the President's first to Latin America, and he will participate in a series of bilateral, multilateral, and cultural engagements," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said yesterday.

It demonstrates Trump's resolve to deepen US' historical ties with its partners in the region and to strengthen their joint commitment to improve security and prosperity for the people of the Americas, she said.

"The President is looking forward to meeting with partners and allies who share our values and believe that the promise of a safe and prosperous future rests in strong democracies, fair and reciprocal trade, and secure borders," Sanders said.

Trump has been critical of Latin American policies over drugs and trade and has vowed to crack down on illegal immigration from the region to the US.

Mexico, US' main trading partner in Latin America, was upset after Trump accused it of stealing US jobs.

He threatening to pull out of the North American Free Trade Agreement and insisted Mexico paid for a border wall he plans to build to keep out illegal immigrants.

This summit has run into a controversy over Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Peruvian leaders have repeatedly said Maduro is not invited to the summit because of his differences with the US government, but Maduro recently said he was determined to attend.

The US has backed Peru's decision to cancel Maduro's invitation to the summit, though several Latin American countries have asked that the host country reconsider that rebuff.

The last Summit of the Americas took place in Panama in 2015, when then-President Barack Obama used the opportunity to meet Cuban leader Raul Castro for the first time.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Turkish Airlines has confirmed plans to buy at least 50 wide-body aircraft from Airbus and Boeing as the flag carrier ramps up its ambitions ahead of a move to a new Istanbul airport.

The company said in a statement late yesterday that it had agreed to buy 25 Boeing B787-9 aircraft, known as the Dreamliner, and 25 Airbus A350-900 aircraft.

In addition, it has the option to buy five more of each aircraft from both suppliers, meaning the eventual purchase could total 60 planes.

It said six would be delivered in 2019, 14 in 2020, 10 in 2021, 12 in 2022, 11 in 2023 and 7 in the year 2024.

A statement by Airbus indicated that the catalogue price of the 25 A350s alone would amount to USD 9.5 billion.

Turkish Airlines chief executive Ilker Ayci said that the announcement came after agreements signed during recent visits to France and the United States -- the homes of Airbus and Boeing -- by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

He hailed the deals as a "very important initiative to meet the need for wide-body aircraft at the new airport" and strengthen the fleet ahead of the 100th anniversary of the founding of modern Turkey in 2023.

"We believe this will not just accelerate the steady rise of Turkish Airlines, but also contribute to Turkish civil aviation as a whole," Ayci said, quoted by the Anadolu agency.

The government plans to open the new airport by Istanbul's Black Sea coast on October 29, hoping to make it a global hub that can compete with Dubai for transfer traffic.

Turkish Airlines, which is 49-percent owned by the government through a wealth fund, has grown exponentially in recent years in a rise strongly supported by Erdogan to create a national champion.

Passenger numbers have swelled from just 14 million in 2005 to 69 million in 2017.

And the airline is targeting a total 74 million passengers in 2018 and wants to expand its fleet from 329 at present to 424 planes by 2023.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A UK college which piloted a language course in Hinglish last year is planning to offer it to a wider range of students from this year following an interest among students to learn the new language, which is a blend of Hindi and English.

Portsmouth College said the popularity of the course, offered as part of a wider module, reflects an interest among students for work placements with Indian companies and that having a basic grasp of Hindi would give them a head start in the market.

"The Hinglish course finished last week and there have already been enquiries from students and adult learners about taking up this course next year," said James Watters, Head of E6 Programmes at the college.

The unique course was introduced for a select group of students in November 2017 to raise student awareness of the language, get them to explore how Hinglish is used in society and business in the UK and internationally, and give them insights into specific cultural reference in headlines/texts in adverts, films and newspapers related to India.

"Movies are being watched a lot by Indian people and right from the titles to the song to the script, everything is in Hinglish," explains Hinglish teacher Viraj Shah.

An initial cohort of 18 students attended the Hinglish sessions on a regular basis, who are now being approached for their views on how the course could be further developed. It will then become a regular feature from the 2018-19 academic year as part of the Modern Business Language & Culture programme at Portsmouth College in Hampshire.

Academics at the college believe the popularity of the course is also down to a growing understanding among the youth in Britain of the need to keep their job prospects as wide as possible with Britain set to leave the European Union (EU).

"The young people are very aware we are leaving the EU and I suppose this helps prepare them for the post-Brexit world," said Simon Barrable, the deputy principal of the college.

According to their analysis, Hinglish is easier to learn than Hindi because it is taught using Roman letters rather than the traditional Devanagari script. Some of the Hinglish words that the students were made familiar with include "prepone", or to bring forward, "airdash", or going somewhere in a hurry, and "timepass" or something that is a pass time.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)UN General Assembly President Miroslav Lajcak has held talks with Indian activist Apoorv Om on more inclusion of people with disabilities at the world body.

Om, who has hearing impairment, also presented a portrait of Lajcak with that he has painted. He also gave him portraits of other prominent international figures, including former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the 15 judges of the International Court of Justice.

It was wonderful to meet Apoorv Om, a young deaf activist from India who advocates for inclusion of persons with disabilities, Lajcak said on Twitter after the meeting at the UN headquarters in New York yesterday.

I told him what I'm doing to make UNGA more accessible to all people. He gave me a portrait of me that he painted himself! at United Nations, he said.

In his tweet, Apoorv thanked the General Assembly president for meeting and accepting my artwork and my ideas for inclusion, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)On the 59th anniversary of Tibetan Uprising Day, a top American leader today sought to re-energise international efforts to ensure meaningful autonomy for Tibet.

"If we do not speak out for human rights in Tibet because of economic concerns, then we lose all moral authority to talk about human rights in any other place in the world," Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, said in a statement.

Every year, Tibetan Uprising Day commemorates resistance to occupation of Chinese government forces in Tibet on March 10, 1959.

"Let us move forward together, renewed by the enduring faith of the Tibetan people and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and re-energise our efforts to ensure meaningful autonomy for Tibet and guarantee that the culture, religion and human rights of the Tibetan people be fully and forever respected," Pelosi said.

Nearly 60 years ago, the Tibetan people stood defiant in the face of oppression and brutality, she said.

"Guided by their great faith and dignity, the Tibetan people refused to be silent and the rest of the world heard their clarion call for freedom and justice," she added.

In March 2008, the people of Tibet spoke out once more as they faced horrific human rights abuses simply for practicing their religion and culture, Pelosi said.

"Today, the abysmal human rights situation in Tibet continues to be a challenge to the conscience of the world. All freedom-loving people must continue to speak out, until every Tibetan man, woman and child is able to celebrate their heritage and culture, learn their own language, freely practice their faith and secure the dignity and respect that they deserve," Pelosi said.

Meanwhile, Senator Patrick Leahy introduced a resolution in the US Senate to commemorate the 59th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising, which affirms support for the Tibetan people's fundamental human rights and freedoms, including their right to self-determination and the protection of their distinct religious, cultural, linguistic and national identity.

Expressing its sense that the identification and installation of Tibetan Buddhist religious leaders, including a future 15th Dalai Lama, is a matter that should be determined solely within the Tibetan Buddhist faith community, in accordance with the inalienable right to religious freedom, the resolution calls on the US Secretary of State to fully implement provisions of the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002.

It said representatives of the US government in exchanges with officials of the Chinese government should call for and otherwise promote the cessation of all interference by China in the religious affairs of the Tibetan people.

The resolution urged the US Ambassador in China to meet with the 11th Panchen Lama, who was arbitrarily detained on May 17, 1995, and otherwise ascertain information concerning his whereabouts and wellbeing.

It said US secretary of state should make efforts to establish an office in Tibet's capital Lhasa, to monitor political, economic, and cultural developments in the Himalayan region.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The United States is working to exempt ally Australia from its newly unveiled foreign steel and aluminium tariffs, President Donald Trump said today, tying the effort to a security agreement.

Major US trading partners have condemned Trump's decision to impose the punitive tariffs as protectionism and an affront to allies, amid growing fears of a global trade war.

After a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Trump said the Australian leader "is committed to having a very fair and reciprocal military and trade relationship."



"Working very quickly on a security agreement so we don't have to impose steel or aluminium tariffs on our ally, the great nation of Australia!" the American president added.

There were no immediate details on what such a "security agreement" would entail.

Australia and the United States have been joined in the ANZUS Treaty security alliance since it took effect in 1952.

Turnbull told reporters that Trump "was able to confirm that he would not have to impose tariffs on Australian steel and aluminium," and that now the paperwork will be done "to put that direction into effect."



Australian steel and aluminium account for just a small percentage of the US import market, but Canberra has warned the tariffs would distort trade and lead to job losses.

"That was a very good and productive discussion with the president," Turnbull said.

Trump had indicated he would be flexible toward "real friends."



During yesterday's signing of the tariffs, 25 per cent on imported steel and 10 per cent on aluminium, he confirmed Canada and Mexico would be exempted permanently if the ongoing renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement is successful.

But both Mexico and Canada rejected Trump's linkage of the levies to ongoing NAFTA talks.

The US leader had also added Australia to a list of likely exemptions.

"We have a very close relationship with Australia, we have a trade surplus with Australia, great country, long-term partner, we'll be doing something with them," he said.

But Trump took aim at Germany -- the biggest economy in the European Union trade bloc -- as a bad actor likely to face tariffs.

Railing against countries that had "taken advantage" of the United States, Trump accused Germany of behaving unfairly by contributing much less than the US towards the funding of NATO.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Union and Japan pressed U.S. President Donald Trumps trade envoy Saturday to exempt them, as longtime U.S. allies, from upcoming steel tariffs that have sparked fears of a new trade war.

But they appeared to win no quick concessions.

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem said after meetings in Brussels that she got no immediate clarity on the exact US procedure for exemption, and that new talks are planned next week.

The tariffs come into force in two weeks, and if the 28-nation EU cannot secure an exemption, it has threatened retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products like peanut butter and orange juice. Japan has warned of the dangers of tit-for-tat measures.

Malmstroem said in a statement that she had a frank discussion with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer about the steel tariffs, insisting that the European Union must be excluded because it is a close U.S. ally.

The two also met with Japans Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan Hiroshige Seko, and all three pledged in a statement afterward to work together to fight dumping that hurts jobs and industries around the world.

Lighthizer didnt comment publicly after the meetings. Trump tweeted that he spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, saying they are discussing opening up Japan to much better trade with the U.S. Currently have a massive $100 Billion Trade Deficit. Not fair or sustainable. It will all work out!

Trump is opening up one-on-one trade talks with countries on the new tariffs, to see if he can win concessions for the U.S.

Trump insisted in a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron  a leading EU player staunchly opposed to the tariffs  that the decision is necessary and appropriate to protect national security. The White House said in a statement Saturday that both presidents discussed alternative ways to address United States concerns, without elaborating.

Trump later tweeted: The European Union, wonderful countries who treat the U.S. very badly on trade, are complaining about the tariffs on Steel & Aluminum. If they drop their horrific barriers & tariffs on U.S. products going in, we will likewise drop ours. Big Deficit. If not, we Tax Cars etc. FAIR!

Saturdays meetings in Brussels had been previously planned but took on greater importance because of Trumps announcement of a 25-percent tariff on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum imports.

Key U.S. trading partners and businesses have warned the tariffs could backfire, provoking a trade war and hurting allies like the EU and Japan more than China, their main target.

Japans government has warned the measure could hurt its economic relations with the U.S. But ahead of Saturdays talks, Seko also cautioned that falling to exchanges of unilateral measures will not be in the interest of any country, according to the Kyodo news agency. He was apparently referring to the EU threats of retaliation.

Trump said Canada and Mexico are exempt for now, and other countries could be spared if they can convince the administration that their steel and aluminum exports dont threaten American jobs and industry.

The EU insists that it is committed to open, global trade. Malmstroem said the real problem is an oversupply of steel on global markets, and she rejected Trumps assertion that the tariffs are needed to protect U.S. national security, especially when most EU countries are members of NATO.

The EU exported about 5.5 million tons of steel to the U.S. last year. The U.S. bought 5 percent of Japans steel last year but just 1.1 percent of Chinas steel.

Foreign steel producers are not only concerned about losing access to the U.S. market but also that steel from other exporters will flood already saturated markets, threatening jobs elsewhere.

The EU has warned that it stands ready to slap rebalancing tariffs on about 2.8 billion euros ($3.4 billion) worth of U.S. steel, agricultural and other products, like peanut butter, cranberries and orange juice.



Charlton reported from Paris.TULSA, Okla. (AP)  An Oklahoma county will pay $6 million to settle a federal civil rights lawsuit filed by the family of an unarmed black man who was fatally shot by a white former sheriffs reserve deputy, according to court documents filed Friday.

Tulsa County commissioners on Feb. 26 approved the settlement with the estate of Eric Harris, who was fatally shot in a Tulsa street by ex-volunteer deputy Robert Bates during an illegal gun sales sting. Harris was already being restrained by deputies when Bates shot Harris. Part of the incident was captured on a camera mounted in a pair of a deputys glasses.

The 76-year-old Bates, who said he confused his stun gun with his handgun when he shot Harris in April 2015, was convicted of second-degree manslaughter. He was released in October after serving less than half of his four-year sentence. Bates asked a state appeals court this week to rehear an appeal he lost last month.

This will send a message that not everybody gets away with it, said Harris brother, Andre Harris, in an interview Friday. I hope this (settlement) is a deterrent.

Guy Fortney, an attorney for Bates, didnt immediately return a message seeking comment on the settlement.

Sheriff Vic Regalado said in a statement he believes the settlement will allow the process of healing to continue for the Harris family, the citizens of Tulsa County and the hard working men and women of the Tulsa County Sheriffs Office.

Harris family attorney Dan Smolen said Harris legacy brings hope for some measure of justice and accountability when a law officer violates the rights and takes the life of an African-American citizen.

Erics death, and the profound government corruption uncovered in the wake of his death, served as a wake-up call for Tulsa, Smolen said.

The Harris shooting drew thousands of county residents to petition for a grand jury to investigate allegations that Bates was unqualified to serve as a deputy but kept on the force because of his friendship with indicted ex-Sheriff Stanley Glanz.

Glanz, a fishing buddy of Bates, was indicted in September 2015, accused of failing to release a 2009 internal report that raised serious concerns about Bates ability to do its job.

The memo, which was leaked to reporters in the weeks after Harris was killed, alleged superiors knew Bates didnt have enough training but pressured others to look the other way because of the wealthy insurance executives relationship with the sheriff and close ties to the agency, which included donating thousands of dollars in cash, vehicles and equipment to the department.

Glanz eventually pleaded no contest in 2016 to a charge of refusing to perform official duty for not releasing the 2009 training memo on Bates and was sentenced to a year of jail time, which was suspended.

Harris death also uncovered a law enforcement agency in disarray.

Consultants hired by the county issued a scathing 238-page report found that the sheriffs office suffered from a system-wide failure of leadership and supervision and said the agency had been in a perceptible decline for more than a decade.

Shortcomings in its reserve deputy program were just the most-visible signs of trouble within the agency, it said.

While Andre Harris told the AP he was glad for a settlement, he doubted whether it would truly improve long-simmering tensions between black residents in Tulsa and the police. Those date to a 1921 race riot in which hundreds of black residents were killed and thousands more injured.

Its sad to say, but this (settlement) aint going to stop this, he said Friday. It can slow it down, but I dont think the relationship between law enforcement and African-Americans is going to go away over a $6 million settlement.NEW DELHI (AP)  India and France pledged Saturday to work together to ensure freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean and signed an agreement to expedite construction of a major nuclear power plant in India by a French company.

After talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also highlighted a solar alliance and cooperation between the two countries in defense, security, technology, space and counterterrorism.

Macron, who arrived in New Delhi on Friday for a four-day visit to India, said France and India should be key partners.

And I dream to have more and more Indian citizens coming to France  studying, becoming entrepreneurs, creating startups  and I want my country to be a best partner in Europe, an entry point, Macron said at a reception ceremony.

I want to double the number of Indian students coming to France, he said later on Twitter.

Modi said it was critical for the two countries to cooperate in the Indian Ocean region.

Both our countries believe that for world peace, progress and prosperity in the future, the Indian Ocean region is going to play a very important role, he said.

To help ensure freedom of navigation, the space agencies of the two countries signed an accord to help them detect, identify and monitor sea vessels.

The United States considers India a critical anchor in a regional strategy for the Indian and Pacific Oceans to blunt an increasingly assertive China. India is rallying support of countries including France and Australia on the maritime security front.

Shivani Singh, an Indian researcher on nuclear security, said France, like India, is an Indian Ocean power with a similar culture of strategic autonomy.

France has the largest Exclusive Economic Zone in the world, of which 24 percent lies in the Indian Ocean region, Singh wrote on her blog on Friday.

France has three Indian Ocean territories  Reunion, Mayotte and the French Southern and Antarctic Lands  comprising a total of almost 1 million French citizens.

France also has military bases in Djibouti and the United Arab Emirates, Singh wrote. This gives France significant sovereign, demographic and economic interests to defend militarily in the region.

France and India also agreed to exchange information and technical experts in the fields of environment and climate change.

The nuclear agreement is considered significant, with critics saying that Jaitpur, the site of the six-unit plant, which is to generate 9,900 megawatts of power in western India, is in a seismic zone. The opposition has grown since Japans nuclear accident in 2011, with several villagers refusing to hand over their land to the Indian government for the project.

On Saturday, the nuclear agreement was signed by state-run Nuclear Power Corporation of India and the French firm EDF.

Another agreement envisages reciprocal logistical support between the two countries armed forces.

In 2016, India signed an $8.78 billion deal with France to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets in ready to fly condition, meaning they will be made in France.

On Sunday, India and France will co-host the first meeting of the International Solar Alliance, an initiative launched by the two countries on the sidelines of the 2015 Paris Climate Conference.

India says that access to solar technology is becoming a reality, with costs coming down and grid connectivity improving.

The objective of the solar alliance of more than 120 countries is to work for efficient exploitation of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

France is the ninth-largest foreign investor in India. Bilateral trade between the two countries touched $10.95 billion during April 2016 to March 2017, according to Indias External Affairs ministry.

Indias main exports to France include textiles, boilers, electrical machinery and equipment, organic chemicals, railroad rolling stock, mineral fuels, leather goods, and gems and jewelry.

France mainly exports aircraft, medical instruments, organic chemicals, iron and steel, plastics, pharmaceuticals and chemical products to India.

Macron also paid homage to the tens of thousands of Indians who died in World War I, and said India is being invited to a major ceremony being planned in Paris for Nov. 11, the 100th anniversary of the wars end.WASHINGTON (AP)  The White House tried to swat away criticism Friday that the U.S. is getting nothing in exchange for agreeing to a historic face-to-face summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said North Korea has made promises to denuclearize, stop its nuclear and missile testing and allow joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises. But questions remained over exactly what North Korea means by denuclearize and what the U.S. might be risking with a highly publicized summit that will build up Kims stature among world leaders.

Lets not forget that the North Koreans did promise something, Sanders said, responding to a reporters question about why Trump agreed to a meeting  unprecedented between leaders of the two nations  without preconditions.

She added: We are not going to have this meeting take place until we see concrete actions that match the words and the rhetoric of North Korea.

Still, the White House indicated that planning for the meeting was fully on track.

The deal with North Korea is very much in the making and will be, if completed, a very good one for the World. Time and place to be determined, Trump tweeted late Friday.

The previous nights announcement of the summit marked a dramatic turnaround after a year of escalating tensions and rude insults between the two leaders. A personal meeting would have been all but unthinkable when Trump was being dismissed as a senile dotard and the Korean rocket man was snapping off weapons tests in his quest for a nuclear arsenal that could threaten the U.S. mainland.

North Koreas capabilities are indeed close to posing a direct atomic threat to the U.S. And the wider world has grown fearful of a resumption of the Korean War that ended in 1953 without a peace treaty.

The prospect of the first U.S.-North Korea summit has allayed those fears somewhat. The European Union, Russia and China  whose leader spoke by phone with Trump on Friday  have all welcomed the move.

North Koreas government has yet to formally comment on its invitation to Trump. South Korea said the president agreed to meet Kim by May, but Sanders said Friday that no time and place had been set.

The promises on denuclearization and desisting from weapons tests were relayed to Trump by South Korean officials who had met with Kim Monday and brought his summit invitation to the White House. Trump discussed the offer with top aides on Thursday. Some expressed their reservations but ultimately supported the presidents decision to accept it, according to U.S. officials who were briefed on the talks and requested anonymity to discuss them.

Still, some lawmakers and foreign policy experts voiced skepticism about the wisdom of agreeing to a summit without preparations by lower-level officials, particularly given the lack of trust between the two sides. North Korea is also holding three American citizens for what Washington views as political reasons.

A presidential visit is really the highest coin in the realm in diplomacy circles, said Bruce Klingner, a Korea expert at the conservative-leaning Heritage Foundation, adding that Trump seemed to spend it without getting anything in return, not even the release of the three U.S. captives.

Some say Trump could be setting himself up for failure amid doubts over whether Kim has any intention to relinquish a formidable atomic arsenal that he has made central to his personal stature and North Koreas standing in the world. Kim would also boost his own standing by becoming the first of the three hereditary leaders of North Korea to sit down with an American president.

Evans Revere, a former senior State Department official experienced in negotiating with North Korea, warned there is a disconnect between how the North and the U.S. describes denuclearization of the divided Korean Peninsula. For the U.S. it refers to North Korea giving up its nukes; for North Korea it also means removing the threat of American forces in South Korea and the nuclear deterrent with which the U.S. protects its allies in the region.

The fundamental definition of denuclearization is quite different between Washington and Pyongyang, Revere said, noting that as recently as Jan. 1, Kim had vigorously reaffirmed the importance of nukes for North Koreas security. He said that misunderstandings at a summit could lead to recrimination and anger and even military action if Trump were embarrassed by failure.

There is good reason to talk, but only if we are talking about something that is worth doing and that could be reasonably verified, said former Defense Secretary William Perry, who dealt with North Korea during President Bill Clintons administration. Otherwise we are setting ourselves up for a major diplomatic failure.

The White House maintains that Kim has been compelled to reach out for presidential-level talks because of Trumps policy of maximum pressure.

North Koreas desire to meet to discuss denuclearization  while suspending all ballistic missile and nuclear testing  is evidence that President Trumps strategy to isolate the Kim regime is working, Vice President Mike Pence, who has visited the region, said Friday in a written statement.

However, other presidents have lodged economic sanctions against North Korea, as Trump has. And the North has made a habit of reaching out after raising fears during previous crises, with offers of dialogue meant to win aid and concessions. Some speculate that the North is trying to peel Washington away from its ally Seoul, weaken crippling sanctions and buy time for nuclear development. It has also, from the U.S. point of view, repeatedly cheated on past nuclear deals.

Without question, the North wants a peace treaty to end the technically still-active Korean War and drive all U.S. troops from the Korean Peninsula, removing what it says is a hostile encirclement of its territory by Washington and Seoul.



Associated Press writers Darlene Superville, Matthew Lee, Zeke Miller, Jill Colvin and Tracy Brown in Washington, and Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul contributed to this report.BOISE, Idaho (AP)  Federal scientists are trying to decide if its time to let the big dogs out.

Nearly 120 dogs from three large breeds perfected over centuries in Europe and Asia to be gentle around sheep and children but vicious when confronting wolves recently underwent a study to see how theyd react to their old nemesis on a new continent.

The dogs were gathered as puppies in Portugal, Bulgaria and Turkey and sent to the American West, where they spent four years guarding sheep.

When we were first looking at doing this, a lot of people wanted to know: What dog do I use in dealing with wolves and grizzly bears? said Julie Young, a Utah-based research biologist with the U.S. Agriculture Departments National Wildlife Research Center.

The department looked to areas where dog breeds developed to guard sheep against wolves and brown bears. Then scientists supplied Cao de Gado Transmontanos, a large though lean and agile dog developed in a mountainous region of Portugal; Karakachans, developed by nomadic sheepherders in a mountainous area of Bulgaria; and Kangals, another powerful breed with an instinct for guarding, this one originating in Turkey.

Dogs from all three breeds can weigh up to 140 pounds (64 kilograms), about the size of a wolf. The dogs were sent to guard 65 herds in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Washington and Oregon.

Scientists are still analyzing information from notes, remote cameras and GPS collars, Young said, with four or five scientific papers expected in the next year. But overall, she said, the dogs did well keeping away wolves and better than traditional guard dogs at deterring coyotes.

One dog died during the study. It was hit by a vehicle as sheep crossed a road.

For decades, most U.S. sheep producers have used large white dogs such as Great Pyrenees, Akbash or Maremma Sheepdogs. Light brown Anatolian Shepherds are also used.

But the reintroduction of wolves in the American West in the 1990s has led to questions about whether those breeds are up to the task. Since wolves returned to Idaho in 1995, the Agriculture Departments Wildlife Services says, wolves have killed 50 guard dogs through the end of last year and injured nearly 40 others in the state. Federal officials in 2017 killed 56 wolves in Idaho due to attacks on livestock.

Young said the study found wolves left areas when sheep bands, dogs and herders arrived, but their absence emboldened smaller predators such as coyotes.

Not all dogs in the study succeeded. Jill Swannack, president of the Washington State Sheep Producers, is a veterinarian who also has a ranch with about 800 sheep on private land in eastern Washington state. She received three Karakachans.

When we came home, they preferred to be home with us, she said. They really didnt bond to the sheep.

She also said the dogs were only about 70 or 80 pounds (32 to 36 kilograms). One went to a young family with sheep near their house, and now that dog plays with the children and has successfully guarded those sheep against coyotes.

The dogs that work best at her ranch are Anatolian Shepherds, though wolves killed one in 2014.

Wolves are a phenomenal predator, Swannack said. I would be happy if we didnt have them, but Im also a realist, and we do have them. So we need the tools to deal with them and the support.

Ranchers can call the Agriculture Departments Wildlife Services to kill wolves that attack livestock. Environmentalists, though, have been working to reduce the need for that and see guard dogs as one solution.

Most of the year, the livestock guardian dogs are an excellent deterrent, said Suzanne Stone of Defenders of Wildlife, noting the exception is in the spring when wolves are guarding dens with pups.

The imported guard dogs cost about $500 apiece, including transportation to the U.S., Young said, and nearly all were just a few months old when they arrived.

She said the Karakachans tended to be more vigilant, the Kangals inclined to investigate, and the Cao de Gado Transmontanos better at assessing threats. Ultimately, she said, sheep producers might benefit from a mix of dogs that includes some that stick near the sheep and others that patrol the perimeter.

Another part of the study involved the relationship between dogs and herders, many Peruvians, which will be one of the scientific papers.

Theres a bond there, Young said. Just from watching them and looking at data, the ones who were better bonded, the dogs just seemed to perform better.YOUNTVILLE, Calif. (AP)  The man who killed three women after a daylong siege at a Northern California veterans home had trouble adjusting to regular life after he returned from the Afghanistan war and had been kicked out of the treatment program designed to help him.

As family and friends of the victims tried to make sense of the tragedy, authorities offered little information Saturday about why Albert Wong, 36, attacked The Pathway Home and whether he targeted his victims. Those who knew the women said they had dedicated their lives to helping those suffering like Wong, and they wouldve been in a good position to assist him had Fridays hostage situation ended differently.

We lost three beautiful people yesterday, Yountville Mayor John Dubar said. We also lost one of our heroes who clearly had demons that resulted in the terrible tragedy that we all experienced here.

Authorities said Wong, a former Army rifleman who served a year in Afghanistan in 2011-2012 and returned highly decorated, went to the campus about 50 miles (85 kilometers) north of San Francisco on Friday morning, slipping into a going-away party for some employees of The Pathway Home. He let some people leave, but kept the three.

Police said a Napa Valley sheriffs deputy exchanged gunshots with Wong around 10:30 a.m. but after that nothing was heard from him. From a vet-center crafts building across the street from the PTSD center, witness Sandra Woodford said she saw lawmen with guns trained outside, but said the only shots she heard were inside Pathway early Friday. This rapid live-fire of rounds going on, at least 12, Woodford said.

Hours later, authorities found four bodies, including Wong.

His victims were identified as The Pathway Home Executive Director Christine Loeber, 48; Clinical Director Jennifer Golick, 42; and Jennifer Gonzales Shushereba, 32, a clinical psychologist with the San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System. A family friend told The Associated Press that Gonzales was seven months pregnant.

These brave women were accomplished professionals who dedicated their careers to serving our nations veterans, working closely with those in the greatest need of attention after deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, The Pathway Home said in a statement.

Wong always wanted to join the Army and serve his country and was soft-spoken and calm, said Cissy Sherr, who was Wongs legal guardian when he was a child.

Sherr and her husband became Wongs guardians after his father died and his mother developed health problems, she said. He moved back in with them for a little while in 2013 after he returned from his deployment in Afghanistan and kept in touch online.

He always had a great smile on his face, she said. He didnt have a traditional upbringing but still he just became a fine young man. I cant imagine what happened. It doesnt make any sense to me.

Wong wanted to go back to school to study computers and business and thought the Pathway House program would help him readjust after the Army, she said.

Dunbar, a member of The Pathway Homes board of directors, said the program has served over 450 veterans in more than a decade. Six members are currently in the nonprofit mens residential recovery program for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who suffer from PTSD or traumatic brain injuries, he said.

The program is housed at the Veterans Home of California-Yountville in the Napa Valley wine country region. The largest veterans home in the nation cares for about 1,000 elderly and disabled vets.

Golicks father-in-law, Mike Golick, said in an interview she had recently expelled Wong from the program. After Wong entered the building, Golick called her husband to say she had been taken hostage by the former soldier, her father-in-law said.

He didnt hear from his wife again.

Marjorie Morrison, the founder of a nonprofit organization known as PsychArmor, recalled Gonzales Shushereba as a brilliant talent who did amazing work with veterans with PTSD, and also focused on helping college campuses successfully reintegrate veterans when they return to school.

Gonzales Shushereba, a mother-to-be, had planned to travel to Washington, D.C., this weekend to celebrate her wedding anniversary, family friend Vasiti Ritova said.

Jennifer and her colleagues died doing the work they were so passionate about  helping those in critical need, her husband, T.J. Shushereba, said in a statement.

Loeber, who had taken over The Pathway Home 18 months ago, was known by all as dedicated and caring.

She would sleep in her office more often than not because she had to be there to fill a shift, thats the kind of personal dedication she showed all of us, Dunbar said.

Family friend Tom Turner said Loeber would be helping others understand and deal with the tragedy if she were still alive.

Shed have a better perspective than I would, he said. And she wouldnt be as angry I am.

Dunbar said all three of the women were excellent at what they did, and will be sorely missed. He added that veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan come home with a lot of need for special care.

Dunbar did not answer questions about why Wong was removed from the program. There was no answer at the small, neatly kept Napa ranch house listed on property records as Wongs most recent address. A neighbor told a reporter he hadnt lived there for a couple years, but declined to say more.

President Donald Trump tweeted Saturday morning: We are deeply saddened by the tragic situation in Yountville and mourn the loss of three incredible women who cared for our Veterans.

California Secretary of Veterans Affairs Vito Imbasciani said some veterans and employees at the home were traumatized and Gov. Jerry Brown had offered the states employee assistance program, which had already sent counselors to the campus.

When asked whether armed CalVet guards might have stopped Wong, he said that such questions were akin to politicizing the tragedy, though a union representing guards at veterans homes had raised the issue Friday. But Imbasciani said he would take input from every reliable source, including law enforcement.

At the veterans home, those who served in earlier wars passed the building that houses The Pathway Home, which was surrounded by crime tape.

Muriel Zimmer, an 84-year-old Air Force veteran of the Korean War, said she feels badly for Wong, saying she cannot blame him. Its because of the war.

Older vets didnt always interact with the Iraq and Afghan vets at The Pathway Home, because older vets tended to bring up their own war stories too much with the younger ones, Zimmer said. But she would exchange encouraging words and hugs with vets at The Pathway Home when she could.

That PTSD program has helped so many, and we are so afraid this is going to affect it, she said.



This story corrects the first name of Jennifer Golicks father-in-law and corrects to show Jennifer Gonzales Shushereba was 32 years old, not 29, according to new information from police.



Forliti reported from Minneapolis. Associated Press writers Frank Baker and Michael Balsamo in Los Angeles also contributed to this report.RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  A white police officer shown on video beating a black pedestrian has been charged with felony assault in a North Carolina case that sparked outrage over use of excessive force.

The case against former Asheville Police Officer Christopher Hickman stems from an August 2017 encounter but became public only last week after a leaked body camera video showed Hickman subduing and punching the pedestrian, who was accused of jaywalking.

The violent encounter happened shortly after Asheville implemented rules against excessive force, demonstrating how even a well-meaning policy can be limited by the officers carrying it out. The delay in making the footage public also shows that body camera technology being adopted across the country cant always guarantee the level of transparency many have hoped for.

We need to be very cognizant of how difficult police supervision actually is. Its difficult enough that we cant just throw a piece of technology at it and expect to substantially change police supervision, said Seth Stoughton, who teaches law at the University of South Carolina.

Hickman, 31, was arrested late Thursday on a felony charge of assault by strangulation, plus misdemeanor counts of assault and communicating threats, according to the prosecutor. A phone listing for Hickman, who resigned in January, had a full inbox that wouldnt take messages.

The Aug. 25 encounter came months after the city implemented the use-of-force policy that included training on de-escalating tense situations. The policy was drafted in the aftermath of a white officer killing an armed black man after a high speed chase.

Despite the policy, Hickman was shown on video published last week by The Citizen-Times subduing Johnnie Jermaine Rush, then punching and shocking him with a stun gun. Rush was stopped on a dark street because officers accused him of crossing outside a crosswalk near a minor league ballpark and cluster of breweries popular with tourists.

An arrest warrant for Hickman said Rush, 33, suffered head abrasions and swelling and that he lost consciousness when Hickman pressed his arm on his throat.

James Lee, a black minister and member of the Racial Justice Coalition, said the episode erodes trust in a community that hoped the use-of-force policy would bring change.

What this has done is pause that level of trust, Lee said.

Still, Lee said Hickman is being held accountable, and he believes Police Chief Tammy Hooper should stay in her job.

Hopefully shell continue to learn from this, he said.

On Wednesday, Hooper was interrupted by an angry audience as she spoke about the case at a citizens police advisory board meeting. Hooper said she put Hickman on administrative duty immediately after the altercation, and started an administrative review. But people attending the meeting demanded to know why a criminal investigation wasnt sought for months.

Obstacles to resolving the case began after Hickmans supervisor arrived on scene. The supervisor didnt immediately review footage of the scene and did not give interview notes to superiors in a timely manner, according to city documents.

Weeks later, after reviewing nearly 60 hours of Hickmans body camera footage from numerous encounters, the department identified four other instances of rude behavior toward members of the public. Hickman resigned in January.

Ashevilles body camera policy requires department technology officers only to review a sampling of body camera footage from officers around the department each month. Susanna Birdsong, an ACLU lawyer who studies body camera policy, said even when departments require footage review, the rules arent always followed. She said the debate needs to go beyond technology to efforts to stop racially biased policing before it starts.

The departments administrative review ended in December, and authorities didnt seek an outside criminal investigation until January. The State Bureau of Investigation declined to lead it, citing the time lapse. An Asheville investigator then began probing whether criminal charges were warranted. The FBI is also conducting a criminal investigation of Hickman.

Complicating transparency efforts, state law generally requires a judge to sign off on public release of body camera video. City officials are petitioning a judge to make more footage public.

Ashevilles City Council released a statement saying that members were furious that they werent told about the case until the video surfaced. The panel now wants a third-party audit for racial bias among the police serving a city of nearly 90,000 with a population thats about 82 percent white and 12 percent black.

At Wednesdays meeting, activist DeLores Venable questioned the citys image as welcoming, progressive and a tourist haven.

Wheres the progress when we tell tourists to come here, she asked, but black tourists gotta face getting beat down on Biltmore Avenue because youre jaywalking?



Follow Drew at www.twitter.com/JonathanLDrewLOS ANGELES (AP)  Prosecutors in the Los Angeles murder case against eccentric New York real estate heir Robert Durst want his victims words to help send him to prison.

Prosecutors filed nearly 400 pages of documents Friday to argue that statements Susan Berman made to friends before she was killed in 2000 should be allowed to help prove that Durst knocked her off to silence what she knew about his first wifes mysterious 1982 disappearance.

Defense lawyers have argued the statements are hearsay and inadmissible.

But Deputy District Attorney John Lewin said Durst forfeited the right to challenge the statements because he killed Berman to prevent her from being a witness.

Silence, like a cancer, grows, Lewin wrote, borrowing a lyric from Simon and Garfunkels Sounds of Silence. Faced now with the prospect of at long last being brought to justice, defendant tries again to prevent Susans voice from being heard. His attempt to prohibit the jury from learning what she said about him killing his wife is the most recent chapter in defendants 36-year quest to evade responsibility for the heinous crimes he has committed.

Berman told friends that the real estate tycoon admitted he killed Kathleen Durst, who was a medical student when she vanished. Her body has never been found, but she was officially declared dead last year.

Berman also told several friends, including former Saturday Night Live cast member Laraine Newman, that she provided alibis for Durst, her good friend.

Durst, 74, has pleaded not guilty and has denied any part in her fatal shooting. Berman, a writer who was the daughter of a Las Vegas mobster, had been best friends with Durst since they were undergrads at the University of California, Los Angeles in the 1960s.

The filing comes as lawyers in the case prepare for a preliminary hearing next month in Los Angeles Superior Court that will determine if Durst stands trial on a murder count in Bermans death.

It also marks what is likely to be a contentious fight over the admissibility of a wide range of evidence from hearsay witness statements, including those made by Durst, to Lewins lengthy interrogation of Durst after his arrest in New Orleans in 2015 that came just before the final episode aired of the six-part HBO series The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst.

Durst is also expected to try to prevent jurors from seeing clips from that project, including the dramatic finale when he was caught on a live microphone muttering: Youre caught! What the hell did I do? Killed them all, of course.

Witnesses have testified at a series of pretrial hearings that Berman, despite her close friendship with Durst, feared him and told some of them that if anything happened to her he would be responsible.

Nathan Nick Chavin, a mutually close friend of Durst and Berman, dropped a bombshell during one pretrial hearing when he testified that Durst admitted to him after a dinner in New York that he killed Berman.

I had to, Durst said, according to Chavin. It was her or me, I had no choice.

Durst, who is being held in jail, previously beat a murder charge in the 2001 killing and dismembering of a 71-year-old neighbor in Galveston, Texas. Durst had moved there and disguised himself as a mute woman to escape investigators who wanted to talk to him after reopening the investigation into Kathie Dursts disappearance.

While conceding he chopped up Morris Blacks body and tossed it in the sea, Durst was acquitted of murder after testifying that he did it in self-defense.PORTLAND, Maine (AP)  In a story March 10 about a defamation lawsuit filed over sexual abuse allegations against an orphanage founder, The Associated Press erroneously identified Paul Kendrick as the founder of the Voice of the Faithful. Kendrick was a co-founder of the state chapter of the organization.

A corrected version of the story is below:

#MeToo is fresh backdrop in lawsuit over Haiti abuse claims

A Maine activist being sued over claims that a Haiti orphanage founder sexually abused boys says more accusers are coming forward

By DAVID SHARP

Associated Press

PORTLAND, Maine (AP)  A federal jury apparently didnt believe seven men when they testified under oath that they were sexually abused by the founder of an orphanage in Haiti.

But things have changed since summer 2015. The number of men willing to testify about alleged abuse they endured as boys in Haiti has grown to at least 15, activist Paul Kendrick says, and the #MeToo movement has raised awareness of sexual misconduct.

Kendrick predicts a different outcome in a new defamation lawsuit targeting his claim that the orphanage was led by a serial pedophile.

We have overwhelming amounts of evidence and testimony that this guy is a child abuser, Kendrick said, and were not done yet.

Orphanage founder Michael Geilenfeld and a U.S. charity contend unsubstantiated assertions ruined Geilenfelds reputation and cost the charity several million dollars in donations. Geilenfeld also contends Kendricks allegations caused him to be falsely imprisoned for 237 days in Haiti.

Neither Geilenfelds attorney nor the charity, Hearts With Haiti, responded to requests for comment for this article.

The defamation case has been dragging on since 2013.

A federal jury in Maine awarded $14.5 million to Geilenfeld and Hearts with Haiti, despite testimony from seven men who said they were sexually abused as boys. But the verdict was overturned after a U.S. appeals court ruled that a federal courtroom in Maine was the wrong jurisdiction.

Now Geilenfeld and Hearts With Haiti are suing Kendrick again, this time in state court.

The lawsuit is in a holding pattern while the courts sort out Kendricks attempt to dismiss the lawsuit on the grounds that his efforts to generate attention on behalf of abused orphans is protected speech. A judge rejected his motion, but Kendricks attorneys are appealing to the Maine supreme court.

Geilenfeld, an Iowa native who has testified that the abuse allegations were vicious, vile lies, is currently living in the Dominican Republic, according to court documents.

Kendrick, of Freeport, Maine, became an outspoken voice during the priest sex abuse scandal and co-founded the chapter of the Voice of the Faithful in Maine. Known for in-your-face tactics, he began waging a campaign against Geilenfeld and supporters of his orphanage in 2011.

He isnt backing down from his claims.

He contends his case has been bolstered by a former federal agent hired to go to Haiti to investigate the sex abuse claims.

Former U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Special Agent Rod Khattabi, who has been honored for protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation, corroborated some of the activists claims during interviews with accusers during three visits to the island nation, according to court documents.

The original trial painted two different pictures of Geilenfeld. One was a former Roman Catholic brother inspired to do good works. The other sexually abused powerless street kids, according to testimony.

Jurors chose the former.

If theres a trial, it will be against the backdrop of the #MeToo movement. And changing societal views could alter the questions asked to potential jurors, the way the lawyers try the case and ultimately the outcome, said Jim Burke, a professor at the University of Maine School of Law.

The whole point of the jury is that is the voice of the community, Burke said.

As for Kendrick, he said he is re-energized  and saddened  after traveling to Haiti to meet with some of the eight additional victims he says have come forward since the first trial.

John Whitman, one of Kendricks attorneys, said the defamation lawsuit will ultimately rise or fall on whether jurors believe Kendricks assertions that Geilenfeld abused boys who were in his care. Were prepared to prove that, Whitman said.ISTANBUL (AP)  Turkeys president has criticized NATO for not supporting his countrys ongoing military operation against Syrian Kurdish fighters in Syria.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking to reporters on Saturday, asked, Hey NATO, where are you? and accused the military alliance of double standards.

Erdogan said NATO member Turkey sent troops to conflict zones when requested, but did not receive support in return.

Turkey launched a solo military offensive against the Syrian Kurdish Peoples Protection Units or YPG on Jan. 20 to clear them from Afrin in northwestern Syria.

The country considers the YPG a terror organization, but its NATO ally, the United States, backs the fighters to combat the Islamic State group.

Erdogan urged NATO to come to Turkeys aid, saying its borders are under threat right now.KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)  An Afghan official says at least 15 security forces have been killed in an attack by Taliban fighters in western Farah province.

Fared Bakhtawar, head of the provincial council, said Saturday that seven army commandos and eight police are among those 15 killed in Bala Buluk district.

Bakhtawar said three other security forces are missing and more than 30 insurgents were killed in the battle.

Gen. Dawlat Waziri, spokesman for the Defense Ministry, confirmed the attack but said only four soldiers were killed and two wounded.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujhaid claimed responsibility for the attack.

In recent months, Farah province has witnessed an increase in attacks by insurgents against security forces and local officials have requested the deployment of more forces in the province.JUBA, South Sudan (AP)  South Sudan has suspended a United Nations radio station for allegedly refusing to comply with the countrys media laws, although the station has not yet been taken off the air.

On Friday, the Media Authority, an independent body charged with regulating journalistic practices in the country, said it was shutting down Radio Miraya for persistent non-compliance. They said the radio station was not immune to oversight.

Radio Miraya opted not be regulated or questioned. They are operating in an environment of their own but they operate in the Republic of South Sudan where there are laws that need to be observed, said Elijah Alier, the Media Authoritys managing director at a press conference.

Alier said theyre not trying to censor the station but rather they are monitoring it for hate speech and incitement. The government may not be able to take the station off the air because the transmitter is on the U.N. base in Juba.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York: Our colleagues in South Sudan are in touch with the South Sudanese authorities to clarify the situation. At this point, the U.N. radio station is still broadcasting.

Amid South Sudans 5-year civil war, which has killed tens of thousands and plunged parts of the country into famine, freedom of the press has also been under siege.

Last year, at least 20 members of the foreign press were prevented from entering or kicked out of South Sudan, according to the Foreign Correspondents Association of East Africa. Local journalists have been detained, beaten, threatened and denied access to information and newspapers are censored, according to local media bodies.

Reporters without Borders ranked South Sudan 145th out of 180 in its 2017 World Press Freedom Index.

This is Radio Mirayas first suspension since it launched in 2006. The United Nations is in discussions with the government over the action and it intends to keep broadcasting, Francesca Mold, spokeswoman for the U.N. in South Sudan, told The Associated Press.

Under the Status of Forces Agreement, between the U.N. and South Sudans government, the U.N. has the right to operate radio stations under its exclusive control and to convey information to the public relating to its mandate.

Civic groups are calling the suspension disturbing and are urging the Media Authority and the U.N. to sort out their differences, said Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization.

Since being formed more than a year ago, the Media Authority has been a reliable regulatory body, with the number of local journalists being arrested decreasing significantly, said Edward Terso, general secretary of the Union of Journalists of South Sudan.

However, he said closing a media outlet indefinitely deprives the public of access to information and he is calling on the Media Authority to find a balanced and amicable approach to the situation.

Alier, of the Media Authority says only when the U.N. complies with the law will the station be allowed to return to the airwaves. They wont be on air until they cooperate, he said.JERUSALEM (AP)  Zemenech Bililin has not seen her sisters in more than a decade, since she immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia with part of her family. Now a 19-year-old infantry soldier in Israels military, Bililin says she is outraged that she is fulfilling her duties as a citizen but the state is shirking its responsibility to bring her relatives to Israel.

Bililins family is one of hundreds that have been split between Israel and Ethiopia over what they say is an inconsistent immigration policy, and whose fate hinges on an Israeli government decision over whether to allow for their reunification. Ethiopians in Israel say the bitter public feud to unite with long-lost relatives has exacerbated a feeling that the state discriminates against its Ethiopian minority.

Its shocking in my opinion. They only do this to us, to our ethnicity, said Bililin. The state should take responsibility and stop abandoning the Jews.

The issue faces a critical juncture next week, when the government is tentatively scheduled to decide whether to allocate funding to bring as many as 8,000 Ethiopians to Israel to reunite with their families.

Israel clandestinely airlifted thousands of Ethiopian Jews from the country in the 1980s and 90s, spending hundreds of millions of dollars to bring the ancient community to the Jewish state and help them integrate. About 140,000 Ethiopian Jews live in Israel today, a small minority in a country of over 8 million. But their assimilation hasnt been smooth, with many arriving without a modern education and then falling into unemployment and poverty.

As far as Israel is concerned, the drive to bring over Ethiopias Jewish community officially ended in the 90s, but amid pressure from lawmakers and family members, successive Israeli governments have opened the door to immigration by a community of descendants of Ethiopian Jews who were forced to convert to Christianity under duress about a century ago.

Although many of them are practicing Jews, Israel doesnt consider them Jewish, meaning they are not automatically eligible to immigrate under its law of return, which grants automatic citizenship to anyone with at least one Jewish grandparent. Instead, the government must OK their arrival.

Community members have been permitted to immigrate over the last two decades in limited bursts that have left hundreds of families torn apart.

Nearly 8,000 people in Ethiopia are hoping to immigrate, among them Bililins sisters, who as married women applied to immigrate separately.

In 2015, Israel agreed in principle to bring over the remaining Ethiopians who have Israeli relatives, vowing that it would be the last round of Ethiopian immigration and clearing the way for the arrival of 1,300 people last year.

Israel says it has continued to greenlight the communitys immigration on humanitarian grounds but it also has set a slew of requirements on those waiting in Ethiopia, in part to prevent what could be an endless loop of immigration claims.

Avraham Neguise, an Ethiopian-Israeli lawmaker in the ruling Likud party who chairs the Israeli parliaments Absorption and Diaspora Committee, accused the government of dragging its feet and in turn damaging the Ethiopian communitys already brittle relationship with the state.

The government is pursuing a discriminatory policy by not having the remaining Ethiopian Jews immigrate, he said. Theres no doubt that it harms the communitys trust.

While Ethiopians have made strides in certain fields and have reached the halls of Israels parliament, many complain of racism, lack of opportunity, endemic poverty and routine police harassment.

Those frustrations boiled over into violent protests three years ago after footage emerged of an Ethiopian-Israeli in an army uniform being beaten by police. Thousands of Ethiopian Jews and their supporters blocked main highways and clashed with police in a bid to draw attention to their plight, including what they say is unchecked police brutality against their community members.

Activists have been lobbying the government to approve the immigration, penning letters to Israeli officials and sharing their poignant stories of separation in parliamentary committees. They see the issue as an easily solvable one that has needlessly shattered families and marooned people in a troubled country.

Daughters are getting married in Israel without their mothers at their side. Sons are going to war and not returning without having their fathers there to bury them. Were talking about human lives here, said Alisa Bodner, a spokeswoman for Struggle for Ethiopian Aliyah, an activist group.

The community expected to see funding for immigration in the proposed budget, which is expected to come up for a vote as early as next week. But they were stunned when it was absent from preliminary versions of the budget.

The anticipated estimated cost of flying all 8,000 people to Israel along with housing and social services is roughly 1.4 billion shekels, or about $400 million, a sizeable figure but a tiny fraction of a nearly 500 billion shekel ($143 billion) national budget, according to an official from the finance ministry. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to discuss a budget that has not yet been passed.

Neguise and the activists are engaged in a last-minute push to have the families plight included in the upcoming budget and to do so the Israeli government must vote on the issue, which could happen on Sunday. However, it is unclear whether the government would agree to bring all of the Ethiopians to Israel, or just limited numbers as in the past.

Regardless of the outcome, hundreds of people are expected to protest outside parliament the following day demanding action.

Israels Finance Ministry said it was up to the government to decide on the issue. There was no immediate comment from Israels prime ministers office.

The Ministry of Immigration and Immigrant Absorption said the subject of the continuation of Ethiopian immigration is on the governments agenda. But with the government embroiled in a coalition crisis over separate issues, the plight of the Ethiopians may not be its top priority.

Its intensely painful. I miss them like crazy, Bililin said about her sisters. (The government) doesnt understand that pain.Notice for the Postmedia Network

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The ACT government has ruled out allowing therapy dogs into ACT courts, against the wishes of advocates. A trial run in NSW saw therapy dogs and their volunteer owners visit Manly Court in Sydney to alleviate the stress felt by victims of crime. NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman announced an expansion of the NSW program earlier this month, with Goulburn among nine courts set to host Canine Court Companion dogs. Mr Speakman said the dogs were a "huge hit". "Hundreds of people took part in the trial and every one of them gave therapy dogs the tick of approval. Having a floppy ear to talk to and a friendly paw to hold helps victims and witnesses feel relaxed and more focused. The scientists call it 'the pet effect'. "One of the unexpected bonuses has been the positive impact the dogs have had on court staff, police and lawyers, who also reported feeling a reduction in stress levels after spending time with the happy hounds," Mr Speakman said. He said while he "can't possibly bark orders at another government", the pilot program was so well-recieved he would encourage the ACT to trial it. "I'm happy to discuss the program with my ACT counterpart and to have officials in the NSW Department of Justice co-operate with the ACT government to help bring the comfort of therapy dogs to the nation's capital," Mr Speakman said. ACT acting Victims of Crime Commissioner Helen Watchirs is strongly supportive of the NSW program. "Court proceedings can be very stressful and re-traumatising for victims of crime, and the evidence from pilot programs in NSW is that trained therapy dogs can make a huge difference in reducing anxiety and providing comfort for victims giving evidence," Ms Watchirs said. "There are current obligations under the Discrimination Act 1991 for courts to make reasonable adjustments for people with a disability, and this can extend to assistance animals to reduce anxiety and distress." Ms Watchirs pointed to a case in ACT courts last year where a child was allowed to have her disability assistance dog accompany her while giving evidence. She said while the result was pleasing, it took "considerable time and advocacy" to achieve that outcome. "In my view we can and should go further in facilitating the use of therapy dogs for victims of crime and vulnerable witnesses, taking a proactive approach as has been done in NSW. "This would greatly benefit individuals and also serves the interests of justice in facilitating accurate testimony by reducing trauma and stress for witnesses." The Delta Society, who provided volunteers and their trained therapy dogs for the pilot program in Sydney, work in Canberra visiting nursing homes. Nicci Gradidge and her five-year-old golden retriever Norman visit a nursing home in Canberra every week. "He brings joy to the older people," Ms Gradidge said. She said the court therapy program was one she would love to get involved with if it came to Canberra. "Dogs put people at ease. It makes them completely think of other things, and it settles people. I go out with my dogs all the time and if kids are screaming, they stop when they see the dog. They forget for five minutes. "It would take their mind off the proceedings going on in court," she said. But a spokesman for the ACT government said there was no plan to change the policy to allow assistance dogs in courts. "Assistance dogs are permitted in the courts as required by law, for example animals that support people with disabilities. "Decisions about animals in an individual case are a matter for the courts and should be made independently by the judge or magistrate," the spokesman said.

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Calvary Hospital staff were threatened by managers to remove social media posts mentioning the death of an emergency department nurse who was allegedly bullied at work for over a year. In the immediate aftermath of the suicide of nurse Andrew Earl in late June 2017, staff were told to take down tribute posts on Facebook that mentioned Andrew had been bullied . Sources have said staff received late-night phone calls from Calvary managers threatening that they were "going to be dealt with badly" if the Facebook post wasn't taken down. The Sunday Canberra Times last week revealed Calvary Hospital had launched an internal investigation into Andrew Earl's death, with those close to him saying he faced relentless psychological bullying in the workplace. The ACT Health Services Commissioner is also investigating the circumstances following a formal complaint. A Calvary staff member, who declined to be named, said she had shared a Facebook post written by someone close to Andrew that said he was a victim of bullying. The post did not explicitly name Calvary Hospital as the workplace. "I read it and then I shared the post," the staff member said. "I then got a phone call at 10.30 at night from a manager, and they said you need to take that down and that 'you're going to be dealt with badly if you don't bring that post down. "I took down the post because I didn't want to lose my job." The staff member said other employees also received similar threats from Calvary management. "They swept [Andrew's death] under the carpet," the staff member said. "They didn't want it getting out, and they were bullying us through managers to get the posts down and they were trying to frighten us." Calvary Hospital chief executive Barbara Reid sent a memo to all staff on Monday regarding Andrew Earl, which has been obtained by The Sunday Canberra Times. "We are very sad about the loss of Andrew, we continue to grieve his absence and the manner of his dying in June 2017. We deeply respect the wishes of Andrew's family not to comment on the situation directly," the memo reads. "Calvary does take bullying, harassment and intimidation very seriously. We will not tolerate these forms of gross disrespect in any way. "I wish to reinforce that staff who wish to speak out will be supported 100 per cent in being heard and the matter being investigated." The memo also stated to employees that it was important to have a "common understanding of bullying and harassment", outlining ways for employees to report bullying in the workplace. "Your feelings matter, whether or not the circumstances constitute bullying and harassment," the memo said. In a statement, Ms Reid said hospital staff were "recently reminded of the policies that relate to the use of social media". "We regularly remind staff that Calvary has policies around social media. This is always done in a respectful manner," she said. "Staff are reminded that our policies exist to ensure that social media activities do not disrespect our patients, their families, our colleagues and other people and services." The chief executive also listed multiple avenues for employees to report bullying in the workplace. "No member of staff who reports their concerns around the behaviour of a colleague will suffer any disadvantage," Ms Reid said. "Every reported matter provides an opportunity for us to respond and address concerns." ACT Health Minister Meegan Fitzharris said she was saddened by the death of Andrew Earl. "My condolences are with his family and friends," she said. "I understand Worksafe is liaising with Calvary Public Hospital management to ensure that their workplace procedures and policies in this area are adequate and appropriately implemented." Ms Fitzharris said ACT Health takes allegations of bullying seriously. "Very soon we will finalise a new ACT Health Quality Strategy, which will present a further opportunity to clearly emphasise the importance of positive workplace culture," she said. The ACT Nurses and Midwifery Federation secretary, Matthew Daniel, said many nurses in Canberra felt unable to report bullying due to it originating from management. "It's a widespread problem if it's the immediate supervisor, because it can be difficult and raises issues that people believe they can't be supported," he said. Australian Medical Association ACT president Peter Sommerville said a more inclusive approach was needed to make hospital employees safe in the workplace. "It's hard to see that much has changed in dealing with bullying issues in the workplace," he said. ACT opposition health spokeswoman Vicki Dunne said a toxic culture was created when bullying was not dealt with. "It's no secret that bullying exists in the ACT health system," she said. "It's an issue that has been raised by numerous ACT health employees, many of whom have said they were vilified after seeking help." Do you know more? Email: andrewbrown@fairfaxmedia.com.au Lifeline: 13 11 14 BeyondBlue: 1300 22 4636

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Mac.Robertson Girls High School is set to expand as the Andrews government vows to fix a gender imbalance that sees hundreds more boys graduate from select-entry schools. Last year, almost 500 more boys than girls were enrolled in Melbourne's four select-entry schools. This means that every five years, an extra school of boys graduates from these institutions. The situation has prompted the state government to spend $500,000 on a review of enrolments at select-entry state schools, as well as planning for an expansion of the sought-after Mac.Robertson Girls High School, which is at capacity. Victorian Education Minister James Merlino said opportunities for a great education should not rely on a persons gender. "We want to see more of Victoria's best and brightest young women have life-changing opportunities through the state education system," Mr Merlino said. "Well look at the long-term provision across select-entry schools to ensure girls have the same access to these schools as boys. We will also look at options at the current Mac.Rob site to significantly increase capacity." In 2017, almost 56 per cent of the 4000 select-entry places were awarded to boys. The imbalance mainly stems from Melbourne High School having capacity for 400 more students than Mac.Robertson Girls High School. Co-ed select entry schools Nossal High and Suzanne Cory High School have a relatively even mix of girls and boys. Last year, boys made up 51.6 per cent and 52.6 per cent of enrolments at these two schools. Mac.Robertson Girls' High is located next to Albert Park on Kings Way, but the state government has ruled out encroaching on the parkland to accommodate the expansion. It is exploring increasing capacity at the existing campus, or leasing or buying a new site. The school's principal, Toni Meath, has been campaigning for an expansion or a new campus. She told The Age last year that the situation was unfair, and disadvantaged smart girls. "This school has produced some of our finest leaders, and the fact that more boys get an opportunity to enter these spaces isnt fair," she said. "We want girls to have an opportunity to have feminist role models, which we know is important for their growth." The Education Department said last year it was considering reaching out to high-achieving girls via social media and their schools to encourage them to sit entrance exams for select-entry schools. Select-entry schools cater for the most gifted and talented students and achieve some of the state's top VCE results. While Sydney has 16 of these schools, Melbourne has just four. Students compete for a coveted year 9 place by sitting an entrance exam in June. In 2015, the state government waived the $120 exam fee for disadvantaged students. Some education experts believe select-entry schools have created a more segregated education system by skimming off the top students from neighbouring schools. Under the rules, a maximum of 5 per cent of year 8 students from any one school can be accepted into a select-entry high school.

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Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.I shop at Save On, T-bones, Paynters, Bylands and Home Hardware, to name just a few places. I buy wine at Quails Gate and Little Straw and Volcanic Hills because I can walk to those places.

I hike Knox Mountain and my neighbourhood Kalamoir park. I cross-country ski the wonderful Nordic and Telemark Club trails. Last spring and summer, I cleaned up after the flood and watched the hills like a hawk for fires.

I belong to my community association and pay my dues. I know most of my neighbours and they all absolutely rock whether they are from BC or Alberta. I encourage my neighbours to pick fruit from my trees when I cant be there at the peak.

I watch the lake and count the stars and contemplate retirement when I can come to this wonderful place to stay. I pay my taxes, I cannot pay 4 times my taxes every year. Think about what you are asking, every year.

I am not a speculator, I am an Albertan, I am a Canadian and I am your neighbour.

Barb FergusonIs this not a horrifying world we live in? Where someone can say something on Twitter and twelve of their friends can say something similar and destroy someones lifes work without a trial or jury? Wow.

That actually scares me, what doesnt scare me is these amazing talented and generous individuals that all of this is targeted on. The amount of hate they have received disgusts me, Ive met them personally, Ive volunteered with Jake and his fiance for we day in Vancouver. They are all perfectly respectful people, they may say things on stage and may have done questionable acts in the past, so are we going to boycott all music now?

Every musician and everyone as an individual has done something in the past they would probably take back if given the chance. This is a witch hunt, trial by social media and it needs to stop being portrayed as news. None of these supposed attacks were ever reported to the police and thats something everyone should take into account. I love the guys, I will not stop supporting them no matter what is said on social media. Its like a gigantic high school out there. People say things for likes and responses and go with what they think is the popular belief.

In conclusion, I think they should without a doubt be allowed to finish their tour in Kelowna. There are people flying here from all across Canada to see them before they go on their much needed hiatus. We should be honoured that it is in our hometown.

Laura CarruthersCongratulations Okanagan, it looks like we survived another winter.

After several months of frigid temperatures and lots of snow, the sun has returned and the mercury is rising.

Environment Canada is calling for sunny skies today with a mix of sun and cloud for the rest of the week.

But really good news is the mercury will keep on rising as the week wears on.

It is expected to reach 7 C today, but by the middle of the week the temperature is expected to climb to a balmy 14 C.

Even night time temperatures are becoming more bearable with the lows of just 3 C predicted in the coming days.

According to the Farmer's Almanac, the long-term forecast is for mild weather through March.

There will be some storms, but in general the almanac is calling for spring-like weather from the 15th to the end of the month.

Similar weather is predicted for April as well.Photo: pixabay

The BC River Forecast Centre says snowpack levels in the Okanagan and Similkameen are well above what would be considered concerning in any year.

As of March 1, the Okanagan snowpack was at 141 per cent of normal, which is only exceeded by the Similkameen at 144 per cent.

Seeing these kinds of numbers, above 120 per cent for us is where we start to get more concerned about elevated flood risk in the spring, and we are well above those numbers right now, said forecast centre spokesman Dave Campbell.

It doesnt necessarily mean that flooding is going to happen, but certainly, the risks as we come into the melt season this year are elevated, he added.

Campbell noted it's a La Nina year, which means more precipitation will likely be falling into the spring. He said during a typical La Nina year, the snowpack grows by about five per cent between March and April 1.

The likely scenario is that we will see this snowpack continue to grow rather than taper off, he said.

The Okanagan and Similkameen snowpacks are already deeper than any point last year, but Campbell cautions that doesnt guarantee flooding.

Some years, like 1999, can see extraordinarily high snowpacks and no flooding. Or last year, when the snow wasnt very deep, Okanagan Lake reached record levels.

It really tends to be that mix of some kind of extreme weather on top of the high snowpack that tends to drive major flooding.

Campbell said the April 1 snowpack survey usually proves to be the most valuable for them in predicting flooding. That's due out on April 9.

The province has been letting extra water out of the Okanagan River Dam in Penticton to mitigate flood risk.Photo: Thinkstock.com

Once recreational cannabis becomes legal in Canada in July retail sales may not be allowed in the Town of Oliver.

Staff are recommending council to ban retail cannabis sales in the town until they create their own zoning rules  which will be based on consultation with residents and may not be done in time for Jul. 1.

"There is a certain level of uncertainty and pressure to establish the policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements needed to manage this new industry," corporate officer Diane Vaykovich said in a report to council.

Vaykovich said staff need to consider issues around zoning, licensing and enforcement  framework that will be left in the hands of local governments to deal with.

She added the biggest challenge is a "short window of opportunity" to get all the consultation work done.

As a result, staff said "council should consider restricting cannabis sales in Oliver; and as controls are established, slowly open the door for business."

Staff are also recommending to hire a consultant to help with the public consultation process, which will cost between $10,000 and $15,000.

The other challenge, according to staff, is addressing current zoning and businesses regulations related to selling cannabis, which they said are very broad.

"If this is not addressed, communities would have no choice but to authorize retail cannabis shops in all of our commercial zones  even if the zones are close to a school or park."

Staff are also in the process of creating a bylaw to ban smoking in public places, such as public parks, which was directed by council in January.

Council will debate staff's recommendations during Monday's committee of the whole meeting.Photo: similkameenvalley.com

The Village of Keremeos is now flush with cash to upgrade its aging sewage treatment plant.

The small Similkameen community was granted $3.9M from the federal governments gas tax fund for upgrades to the plant.

Mayor Manfred Bauer says the existing facility was built back in 1982.

Its certainly in dire need of upgrades, and with the growth we are experiencing, when this sewer plant was put in place we probably only had half the people we do now.

The upgrades will take place over the next three years, possibly starting later this year.

We are really pleased we will be able to accommodate our growth in the future by upgrading our infrastructure, Bauer added.

The village also received $89,000 to undertake condition assessments on the Villages sanitary and road system networks.Part of the tons of materials unloaded from LC Tina 1 at Narovorovo. (Photo: Courtesy of Ricado Vuhu, Maewo Updates Facebook page).Photo: Keith MacIntyre

The Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce elected a new board of directors Thursday night during its AGM at the Shatford Centre.

Nine vacancies were filled, with another six directors returning for the second year of a two year term.

We are thrilled to welcome our new board members, said Neil Wyper, Past President of the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce. Our directors help the Chamber deliver a robust calendar of educational programs and events in our community, and Im excited to see what this team comes up with.



The directors of the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce for the 2018  2019 year are:

Lucas Achtem (Affordable Storage Centre)

Don Brown (Brown Benefits)

Nicole Clark (KISStrategies for Business Inc.)

Daryl Clarke (independent)

Jason Cox (The Peoples Soda)

Harley Elasoff (Sandman Hotel Penticton)

Derek George (Boston Pizza)

Natalie Grant (Grant Media PR)

Lyndie Hill (Hoodoo Adventures)

Jonathan McGraw (BDO Canada LLP)

Paul McPhail (McPhail Kilts)

Natalie Preston (Okanagan Hockey Group)

Cary Schneiderat (Pearce Schneiderat)

Diana Stirling (LocoLanding Adventure Park)

Neil Wyper (Wyper Law)



Retiring from the board this year after several years of service; Michael Magnusson of Cascade Casinos, Julie Read of Wildstone Construction & Engineering Ltd., and Tracy Van Raes of Total Restoration Services.



The chamber's executive committee will be elected by the directors on March 22.Photo: The Canadian Press

Democratic Institutions Minister Karina Gould has made history  twice over  with the birth of a baby boy this week.

She's the first woman to give birth while holding a federal cabinet post.

And she's the first federal minister to take maternity leave.

"My husband, Alberto, and I were thrilled to finally meet our son, Oliver, earlier this week," Gould said in a statement Friday.

"We are grateful to be able to say that everyone is happy and healthy."

There is no provision for members of Parliament to take maternity leave, but MPs can make arrangements with their party leadership to take time off, beyond the 21 days of paid medical leave accorded each MP.

Gould is expected to be off the job until at least May.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has handed temporary responsibility for Gould's portfolio to Treasury Board President Scott Brison.

"I will be spending time with my family now, but I look forward to returning to work when I am ready to resume my duties as Canadas minister of democratic institutions," Gould said.

"As we join so many other Canadian parents who juggle the responsibilities of career and family, Alberto and I want to thank everyone for their kind words and support."

She added that constituents in her Burlington, Ont., riding can continue to contact her MP's office for any help or services they need.

Liberal Sheila Copps became the first sitting MP to have a baby in 1986. She was an Opposition MP at the time.

But it did not become a relatively common occurrence until after the 2011 election, which saw an influx of young women elected to the House of Commons.Photo: CTV

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley's threat to reduce oil shipments to other provinces, the latest salvo in a recent pipeline dispute with British Columbia, carries on a provincial tradition of using its natural resources to reinforce its political positions.

The energy-rich province has used its oil and gas exports as leverage at least three times in the past to win arguments with other levels of government, oilpatch historian and author David Finch said Friday.

"Because the ... premier represents the people of Alberta as owners of the natural resource, there's always more at stake on these issues and the Alberta perspective is always different than the Ottawa perspective," he said.

Notley on Thursday said she would, if pushed, replicate the actions of former premier Peter Lougheed who in 1980-81 reduced oil flows over several months and cancelled two oilsands developments after the federal Liberals brought in the national energy program with its price controls, new taxes and revenue sharing.

Finch said ex-premier Ernest Manning "flexed his muscles" and sent a shipment of natural gas to Montana in 1951 to assert the province's right to control its exports. And then-Alberta energy minister Don Getty reduced natural gas shipments to Ontario in 1975 to protest federal policies he felt were discouraging establishing a petrochemical industry in the West.

Alberta has been locked in an inter-provincial dispute with its western neighbour over the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. It became more heated earlier this year when B.C. said it would not allow increased oil flow until more research is completed on pipeline safety and spill response  B.C. backed down after Alberta suspended imports of B.C. wine.

The Alberta government still has the legal right to restrict exports of oil and gas by withholding "removal permits," said Bob Skinner, executive fellow with the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary, whose career has included stints in the federal energy department, industry and academia.

However, he thinks there's a "very low chance" that Notley will actually implement export cuts because her threat echoes a previous suggestion by Opposition United Conservative Leader Jason Kenney, who could be the next premier.

"She does not have to do it because what she's done is take an arrow from the quiver of Jason Kenney, so the signal to British Columbia and Premier (John) Horgan is, 'If you think I'm a toughie, just you wait. I'm offering you a basis for negotiation. I don't think you'll get that if somebody else is here.'"

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday that the Alberta-B.C. dispute over Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain expansion plans isn't the first time provinces have disagreed on a project, adding that it's important the federal government show leadership now.

"What I have been very clear about is that this project is in the national interest and it will get built," Trudeau said in Regina.Photo: The Canadian Press

Daylight time begins this weekend, with most Canadians setting their clocks an hour ahead early Sunday.

As always, officials are using the moment to remind us it's a good time to replace the batteries in our smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms.

The shift from standard to daylight saving time officially comes at 3 a.m. Sunday across much of the country. Daylight will last longer into the evening, but take an hour longer to emerge in the morning.

Standard time returns Nov. 4Photo: Contributed

A bowl of soup will help feed the hungry in more ways than one.

Enactus Okanagan College, in collaboration with the Upper Room Mission, is holding Vernons greatest soup event.

Soups On has run successfully for the past two years in Salmon Arm, which prompted Okanagan College students in Vernon and Kelowna to jump on board and serve up the initiative in their own communities.

Vernons event will showcase soups from eight local restaurants, competing to become the grand soup champion. Attendees of Soups On will don their judges hat and vote for which soup reigns supreme. At the end of the night, one local chef will be walking away with the prestigious Soups On trophy.

Tickets are $30, and will include soup samples from each restaurant, as well as one complimentary drink ticket.

For tickets, go to Prospera Credit Union in the Vernon Square Mall or the Upper Room Mission.

They will also include live music and a silent auction.

This 19+ event is taking place Thursday, March 15 at the Okanagan College Vernon Campus.

Proceeds will go toward supporting the Vernon Okanagan College Enactus, and the Upper Room Mission.

Through events such as Soups On, Enactus OC students raise funds to support their entrepreneurial and philanthropic programs in the community, such as their Silver Surfers Program, which helps seniors boost their comfort level with technology.

Money raised for the Upper Room Mission will go to the Healthy Snack Program, which provides nutritious food items to more than 500 local school-aged children and youth in our community.Photo: CTV

RCMP in southern Alberta say a 79-year-old woman is in hospital with serious injuries after she was attacked with a sword.

Police say they were called to a home in Bragg Creek west of Calgary early Friday morning.

Officers took a 19-year-old man into custody and charges were pending.

Police say the man is related to the woman and lives in the same house.

Cpl. Troy Savinkoff says the suspect makes weapons, possibly as a hobby or for his job.

He says police are working to determine a motive for the attack.

"Its unusual and what happened is shocking and hearts go out to the victim," he said. "Her injuries are serious and will be long-lasting."

The woman was listed in stable condition.Photo: Colton Davies Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and South Okanagan - West Kootenay MP Richard Cannings meeting with media in Penticton on Friday.

Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and South Okanagan - West Kootenay MP Richard Cannings were active in Penticton on Friday.

Singh was visiting the city for the time since he was elected federal party leader in the fall.

He and Cannings visited Okanagan College, the En'owkin Centre, and finished their day visiting residents at the Nest and Nectar  which came after Singh spoke to local media at the Penticton Lakeside Resort to discuss current issues.

In his travels through Penticton, Singh said issues regarding housing, for all types, were raised most commonly by residents.

"Everyone's stressed about the fact there is no housing, and it's a major barrier... Not just limited to Penticton, it was top of mind to everyone I've spoken to in B.C.," Singh said.

"The other issue that keeps coming up is kind of like this divide. The divide is: the government says the economy is doing really well... and people aren't really feeling that in their lives."

Singh also weighed in the current trade battle between the provincial governments in B.C. and Alberta, and when asked he said his role is to hold the federal government accountable.

"The context is, Premier (Rachel) Notley is doing exactly what she promised to do. She said she would defend the people of the Alberta, the economy. She also put forward one of the best climate change plans in the country," Singh began.

"Premier (John) Horgan is doing exactly what he promised to do, to defend the coastline, to defend the environment. They're both following through with their promises.

"It's Prime Minister (Justin) Trudeau who broke his commitment to having a modernized environmental assessment process... We're in this position now because of the federal government."

Two major talking points for Singh were goals of implementing Pharmacare and proportional representation, if he were to be elected Prime Minister.

He said, however, the two biggest issues in Canada currently are inequality and the environment.

"Everything we do is going to talk about 'how do we lift people out of the struggles they're facing? How do we tackle that inequality? And how do we protect and defend the environment?'"Photo: CTV Parts of Nova Scotia are getting pummelled with snow.

Thousands of Nova Scotians are without power today after a snowstorm battered the province.

Nova Scotia Power says over 11,500 customers are still without electricity.

That's down from about 22,000 this morning.

Power company officials say wet, heavy snow from a storm Friday is causing tree branches to touch or even pull down power lines.

They say about 120 technicians are out across the province working to end the blackouts.

Nova Scotia Power says they are aiming to have power restored to the vast majority of customers by the end of the day.

The company says snow and high winds have made it difficult for repair crews to get to all the affected areas, and that it may take longer to bring power back to more remote parts of Nova Scotia.

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.This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questionsOn Monday, March 5, the House reconvened for Legislative Day 30 and the ninth week of the 2018 legislative session. In addition to vetting Senate measures in our respective House committees, we also took up several pieces of legislation on the House floor this week, including the Fiscal Year 2019 state budget, which is one of the most important bills that we will pass all session.

The Georgia General Assembly is constitutionally required to pass a balanced budget each year, and the House took a step in filling this constitutional obligation on Friday, March 9, by granting initial passage to House Bill 684, the Fiscal Year 2019 (FY 2019) budget. This years state budget is $50.85 billion and will guide our states spending from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019. The FY 2019 budget was determined by a revenue estimate of $26 billion, which is an increase of $1.03 billion, or 4.1 percent, over last years budget.

Each year, education funding is always one of the largest budget items in the state budget, and this year is no exception, with 55.9 percent of the entire budget allocated to education. First and foremost, the FY 2019 budget includes $119.5 million for K-12 enrollment growth and training and experience for an additional 6,552 students and 1,869 teachers across the state. Furthermore, the budget includes $111 million for the University System of Georgia enrollment growth and increased square footage; $5.5 million for the Technical College System of Georgia enrollment growth and increased square footage; $27.1 million for the Dual Enrollment program; $2.7 million for 1,177 additional HOPE and Zell Miller private scholarships; and $65.3 million for 27,832 more HOPE and Zell Miller public scholarships. Finally, one of the most important education appropriations included in the FY 2019 budget was $8 million for school security grants to improve security in Georgias schools, which was added to the budget in light of one of the deadliest school shootings in recent history. This funding is instrumental in helping to protect Georgias students, teachers and school staff members, and we hope that our Senate counterparts will join us in adding supplementary school security funding as well.

In addition to education funding, health care costs also make up a significant portion of the FY 2019 budget. The FY 2019 budget provides $16.9 million for a 4.3 percent provider rate increase for nursing homes and $962,022 for increased background checks for long-term care facility owners and employees. Mental health initiatives are also a significant budgetary focus in the House, and the FY 2019 budget provides critical funding for several mental health programs that will benefit our states citizens. Specifically, the 2019 budget implements the Commission on Childrens Mental Healths recommendations by funding child and adolescent crisis services, including four new respite homes; 13 new Georgia APEX Program grants to expand mental health services to students in 100 more schools; telemedicine equipment and services; and high-fidelity wraparound services training that will impact up to 3,000 young Georgians.

Georgias 2019 state budget also provides funding for Georgias highly successful accountability courts, as well as for nine additional assistant district attorney positions and nine assistant public defenders to support juvenile courts across the state. Finally, the budget includes appropriations for statewide transportation infrastructure construction, maintenance and improvements. These highlights are just a handful of all the items in Georgias FY 2019 budget, and the state budget in its entirety reflects the diversity of our states citizens, needs and opportunities.

Finally, on Monday, March 5, Governor Nathan Deal signed House Bill 159, one of the Houses most important bills this session, into law. HB 159 will significantly update and modernize Georgias adoption laws for the first time in nearly three decades, and this bill will streamline and expedite all types of adoptions in Georgia. The new adoption laws will increase efficiencies in every aspect of Georgia adoption, and these additions and revisions to our adoption code will bring Georgia up to speed with the rest of the country. Our states updated adoption code will benefit every family going through the adoption process and every child in Georgia in need of adoption, and this groundbreaking legislation will go into effect on Sept. 1, 2018.

With only eight legislative days remaining until we adjourn sine die, the General Assembly is in the final stretch of the 2018 legislative session. Legislative Day 40, the last day of session, is Thursday, March 29, and although we only have a few weeks left to finish our legislative business, my colleagues in the House, as well as our Senate counterparts, will be hard at work to ensure that we pass meaningful legislation for the people of our great state. Until then, please feel free to reach out to me to voice any concerns or questions you have on any legislation up for consideration in the House or the Senate. I can be reached at my Capitol office at 404-656-0202, or by email at john.deffenbaugh@house.ga.gov.

As always, thank you for allowing me to serve as your state representative.

Rep. John Deffenbaugh



Advertorial

fUN

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Here are 9 reasons why Sentosa is the place to be this March School Holidays:





FREE Entry to Sentosa









FunFest with We Bare Bears

FREE 11 inflatables

Aquaplane

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Bumpy Bouncer

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Ultimate Tennis

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Loopy Ladder

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Sticky Wall

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Balancing Beam





Cliff Jump





Horizontal Slide









Kids Maze

Traversing Wall

Foam Pool

Movies by the Beach

Palawan Pirate Ship

BBQ by the Beach

If you need more reasons to head to the State of Fun this school holidays, how about these few more?

Sentosa Islander Membership + Day Out at Universal Studios Singapore

Animal & Bird Encounters

Take a walk through history at Fort Siloso and Fort Siloso Skywalk

Discover Nature at Sentosa Nature Discovery

Segway Fun Ride

Coastes Beach Bar





No need to think so much...





ENJOY! :)





Useful Information





Mega Fun at Sentosa

Gogreen Segway Eco Adventure





Coastes

Last year's FunFest at Sentosa must have been ultra-fun for everyone because instead of June, Sentosa is bringing it back earlier during theAnd there is absolutely NO excuse for you not to head down... because just how cute are these We Bare Bears installations???Happening from 10 to 18 March 2018, FunFest promises to have loads of fuNwith the kids! Be it an attraction, dining by the beach or enjoying a slew of free activities, there is something for everyone at Sentosa!Just for 10 to 18 March 2018, all Singaporeans, Permanent Residents and local residents enjoy complimentary island admission via the Sentosa Express or drive-in!*For entry via Sentosa Express, tap your Ez-link card to enter. While locally registered IU vehicles can simply drive through.The bulk of the fun happens right on Palawan Beach, where an outdoor playground of larger-than-life inflatable and Instagram-worthy We Bare Bears inflatable installations await.But if it's up to the kids, chances are they will zoom straight to the followingThe 50-metre long Aquaplane is the centerpiece of FunFest 2018!Expect plenty of joyful screams while sliding down and through multiple soaking sprinklers!For all the inflatables above, the minimum height is 0.9m and maximum weight allowec is 100kg. Children below 1.2m must be accompanied or supervised by a parent or guardian. Adult supervision is advised.There are shower areas for kids and adults to wash off the foam too.I guarantee you that kids (and adults too!) will have endless fun and excitement at this mega inflatable playground. Oh, and doAlso, do check out Cartoon Network's three brother bears - Grizz, Panda and Ice Bear around FunFest!Be awed by over 300 We Bare Bear inflatable and resolve to take picture with every bear you can find, especially the mega 3 layers Bearstack, measuring 50 feet tall!So take a plunge down the mega slide, dip into a pool of overflowing foam, have a selfie with the We Bare Bears or simply relax by the beach - it's all up to you!Can't get enough of We Bare Bears? Make sure you chill and relax with We Bare Bears cartoons by the beach when night falls!What do you mean the kids are still clamouring for MORE water play? No biggie. Just pop by at the former Port of Lost Wonder which has since re-opened as Palawan Pirate Ship. And yes, admission is now FREE! With bubbling fountains and slides, the Palawan Pirate Ship is perfect for kids aged 3 to 10 years old.If you are hungry after all the action, treat your taste buds to a sumptuous barbecued spread at Palawan Green. Think delicious Black Angus sirloin steak, skewered tiger prawn and more! It's the perfect dinner to celebrate the school holidays with the family.It pays to be a Sentosa Islander member this March because you can get the Islander membership bundle (including 1 USS ticket) at $35. What's more, you get to purchase up to 7 additional USS tickets at $10 each! For families, there is the Islander Family Membership bundle which comes with 2 USS tickets at $70.IMPORTANT: The USS tickets are only valid for 17 March 2018 (5pm - 1am). For more details and to purchase, visit. *While stocks last. Terms and conditions apply.Date: DailyTime: www.sentosa.com.sg/explore/attractions/animal-bird-encounters Venue: Palawan Amphitheatre, Palawan BeachAdmission: FREEEnjoy a daily show of delightful tricks and antics by exotic parrots, mischievous macaques and majestic birds-of-prey at Palawan Amphitheatre, Palawan Beach.If you haven't been to the Fort Silosa Skywalk, you really should because it is so child-friendly and easy to complete. It is even stroller-friendly too!The Fort Siloso Skywalk is an 11-storey elevated bridge which leads visitors on a trail above the canopy treetops en route to Fort Siloso. Apart from the aerial views of the western part of Sentosa, the scenic trek among the treetops may just offer eagle-eyed visitors to chance upon some wildlife, such as squirrels and pigeons!And at the end of it all, enjoy Fort Siloso, which is now free for everyone to enjoy. Get transported back in time through the stories of people who lived during the Japanese Occupation and pay a visit to the Surrender Chambers to re-live some of the momentous moments of Singapore's history and be guided by state-of-the-art light and sound effects through six interactive zones.You can read more about our experienceEmbark on a hands-on journey of discovery and hone your skills as a 'detective'. At Sentosa Nature Discovery, nature and fun go hand-in-hand!That really sounds like plenty of activities to cover on Sentosa in one day so why not rent ato experience the island instead?Hop on the Segway Personal Transporter (PT) for an introductory riding experience along Siloso Beach. For beginners like the monkies, trainers were on hand to assist them and in a matter of minutes they were able to master the mobility device!They were then lead by the instructor on a 800-metre route for some riding action!Definitely an exciting experience & effortless way to see Sentosa! The minimum height requirement is 105cm and prices start from $17 for one round. Visitfor more information.We felt hungry after all of the activities so there was no better place than to head toon Siloso Beach to satisfy our growing appetite!Coastes' menu offer generous servings of mouthwatering burgers, pizzas, pastas and delicious fresh seafood... frankly, it was quite the task trying to make up our minds.Food was delicious, especially the Chicken Wings - you just got to order that if you are dining there! On top of it all, Coastes exudes a rustic charm and casual, laid-back beach vibe where the sunbeds and deck chairs flow right to the water's edge. Perfect for kids who will be able to play by the beach while parents chill and relax with an ice cold beer.I could sit here all day, if the monkies would let me.one week of school holidays isn't exactly that long so there is no time to procrastinate! For a day - or even DAYS - of fun this school break, Sentosa will be your best bet to recharge your kids' energy.10 - 18 Mar 2018Segway Fun Ride: 1 Round (250m) - S$17 | 2 Rounds (500m) - S$21 | 3 Rounds (800m) - S$25Segway Eco Adventure @ Beach Station (beside Gelatissimo)Segway Eco Adventure @ Siloso beach (after Luge opposite Bikini Bar)For Segway Fun Rides - Minimum height of 105cm & Maximum weight 120kgSiloso BeachMonday to Thursday: 9am  11pm | Friday and Saturday: 9am  1am | Sunday: 9am  11pmFeatures

A tribute to Jimmy Greaves

Chelsea Football Club are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jimmy Greaves at the age of 81. Greaves began his career with the Blues and scored 132 goals in 169 games for the club. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Jimmy Greavess family and friends at this time of their sad loss.Guest Commentary Fair maps for our children, for our Hispanic communities, for our futures My son will vote for the first time next year. And for his first time, the state of Indiana will have brand new legislative and congressional districts. It should feel like a clean...

Voice of the People During the 13 years I have called Chesterton my home, there are few small-town activities I have come to enjoy quite like the high schools homecoming parade. It is always a beautiful moment of celebrating our students, gathering for an afternoon of fun and seeing...

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...But it still contained alcohol, and our ingenious kind used every method possible to either mask the nasties or attempt to stave them off: additions of ground chalk, wood ash, resin, lye-ash, marble dust, lime and every conceivable herb or spice. And they either boiled down wine to a concentrate to which they later added water or made it out of dried or partially dried grapes. Such dried-grape wines were sweeter, more potent and more durable than wines made from "regular" grapes and, so, became highly prized and were more expensive than "the sour." All the great wines of antiquity  Falernum, the so-called Romneys from Rome, the legendary Opimian vintage of 121 B.C.  were dried-grape or concentrated wines.This week, Anaya called for the State Board of Elections to investigate at least four "illegal" donations to the Sandoval campaign. A county ordinance prohibits companies that have contracts with the county from contributing more than $750 to a political campaign; but Reliable Asphalt, which had a contract with the county, contributed $7,500 to Sandoval. D Construction Inc. also has contracts with the county and contributed $5,000 to Sandoval, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.Sandovals campaign did not return calls regarding this matter.The first Napa County sheriffs deputy to arrive exchanged gunfire with the gunman, who allowed some of the employees to leave before holing up in a room with three hostages. Childs said authorities credited the responding deputy for saving lives by eliminating the ability of the suspect to go out and find other victims.If youre in a nursing home and they ask you to support J.B. Pritzker, ask them if they got a government contract from the state of Illinois. If your ward organization urges you to vote for Pritzker, ask the leadership if they took money from him. If your pastor says vote for Pritzker, ask if they took money from J.B.We are delivering, and if the mayor and aldermen are true to what theyve said about wanting that community process to develop, we should be getting public hearings on this ordinance, said Luis Carrizales, associate director of city and county policing for the Community Renewal Society, which works to eliminate race and class barriers and is part of the alliance. If they have other ideas about what might work better, those should be included in that public debate.Also on Saturday, a 3-year-old accidentally shot a 9-year-old female relative on the West Side. The girl was in good condition at Stroger Hospital after she was shot in the arm around 11:20 a.m. in the 3200 block of West Fulton Boulevard in the East Garfield Park neighborhood.Around 11:20 a.m., the children were playing on the back porch of their female relatives home in the 3300 block of West Fulton Boulevard in the East Garfield neighborhood when the boy found a gun and accidentally fired it, hitting the 9-year-old girl, police said.The first incident happened about 5 p.m. March 3 in the 2800 block of South King Drive. Three days later, the robber struck again on Tuesday in the 2600 block of South Calumet Avenue and the 2700 block of South Prairie Avenue, police said.The financial stress of being a graduate student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was a large part of Chans decision to take a leave of absence from the school in January. Some family members back in New York urgently needed financial help, and she needed flexibility. Even though she taught three classes as a graduate teaching assistant and tutored, she simply was not making enough, she said.They can try to pull all the desperate B.S. stuff theyre trying to pull up, try to play the race card, try to play the Blago thing, its all B.S., Burnett said. Its a sign of desperation because they know that they are going to lose. And they know that J.B. got the right guys working for them and were gonna kick their butts. Thats what its all about.Murashko said he submitted a letter of resignation Aug. 23 but was asked to stay through the end of the month to help with the transition. The following day, Murashko said he learned of an ethics complaint that had been filed against him at the Office of the Executive Inspector General.Ive been listening to people all across the state of Illinois, especially those here in central Illinois, and how neglected you all have been, he told the audience at the University of Illinois at Springfield. Specifically, Ive listened to the students and faculty here at UIS, to parishioners at Union Baptist Church, the farmers at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur and to early childhood educators in Champaign.MILWAUKEE  A registered sex offender forbidden from visiting his severely ill 9-year-old son filed a lawsuit Friday against Wisconsin Children's Hospital, arguing its visitation policy is "cruel and causes unnecessary harm to families and innocent children."



Security guards escorted Stuart Yates from the building Tuesday, five days after his son was hospitalized with a blood infection caused by e-coli, according to the lawsuit filed in Milwaukee County. Born without some vital organs, Yates' son has had surgical transplants of his pancreas, liver and bowels, the lawsuit said.



It wasn't immediately clear how long the hospital's policy of barring registered sex offenders from visiting patients has been in place, but Yates said his son was born there and there have been no problems in the past.



Yates, 49, was convicted of second-degree sexual assault of a child, age 15 at the time, in 1998 and was sentenced to six months' time served under a deal with prosecutors. Yates said he didn't know the age of the victim in the case and that the incident happened at a house party where there were strippers.



"They're using my past record, 20 years ago, against me," he said. "I served my time for it. I've been transparent about it."



Hospital spokesman Andy Brodzeller said he's unable to comment on individual cases because of potential privacy violations. Speaking generally, he said "the hospital does have visitation policies in order to ensure the safety of our patients, visitors and staff and those practices do allow us to take steps that would limit an individual's access to our hospital."



Yates said his son was having surgery Friday.



"He called me this morning and he was crying on the phone," Yates said, "telling me how much he needed me and how scared he was and where am I at? 'Dad where are you? How come you won't come? I miss you, I need you.'"



Brodzeller said the hospital can evaluate cases for exceptions to their visitation policy if someone shares their concerns with staff or security. But Yates' attorney, Adele Nicholas, said that hasn't been relayed to them. According to the lawsuit, exceptions are only made if a patient is near death.



Nicholas said she has not heard of another hospital having a policy like Children's Hospital and the lawsuit contends that the facility is breaking state law.



"The law is quite clear that the patient has a right to designate the people they want to visit with while they're in the hospital and the hospital is not supposed to interfere with that visitation," she said.



"I gave Wisconsin my time. I am not a re-offender. I've been free for 20 years," Yates told Fox 6. "I've been a good father, I've been a good husband, here it is my son has to pay for something I did.""As a junior foreign service officer, I signed an oath to serve faithfully the president and his administration in an apolitical fashion, even when I might not agree with certain policies," he said in his Dec. 27 letter to President Donald Trump, first reported by Reuters and confirmed by Feeley as his words. "My instructors made clear that if I believed I could not do that, I would be honor bound to resign. That time has come."People familiar with the discussions said that the president's Domestic Policy Council and the Department of Justice are studying potential policy changes and that a final announcement could come within weeks. The White House has said one approach it might take is to make trafficking large quantities of fentanyl - a powerful synthetic opioid - a capital crime because even small amounts of the drug can be fatal. White House officials also are studying tougher noncapital penalties for large-scale dealers.Hoos and his brother Bill bought their father out in 1974. Don Hoos sold his share of the business to his brother around 1989. He continued to work as a pharmacist, including occasionally filling in for his brother and working for larger pharmacies for several years. But his first love was music.The biggest threat to these beasts is not legal trophy hunting but killing by poachers who want to harvest their tusks for the ivory trade. The good news is that progress has been made in suppressing that commerce. Last year, China said it would stop all sales of ivory, and Hong Kong moved to ban them all by 2021. The black-market price has dropped sharply since 2014, reflecting a decline in demand.With Lisa Madigan choosing not to run again, the next attorney general can reinvent a job that has extraordinary potential to fight corruption and violent crime in a state with too much of both. Yet look whos among the front-runners in the Democratic primary race for AG, according to a recent poll. Why, its Pat Quinn, who spent 12 of the past 15 years in Springfield as governor or lieutenant governor. And who years earlier was state treasurer. And years before that served in Cook County government.While it should be obvious to us all, I would like to thank the Tribune Editorial Board for reminding its readers that Russia is an adversary not only with nuclear power but also with a view of the world antithetical to Americas. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia interfered in our last election and will do so again. To punish Russia, the U.S. House voted 419-3 and the U.S. Senate 98-2 to enact increased sanctions on our adversary.The first-round winner in Santa Fe was also the ultimate winner of the election, but results don't always shake out so neatly. After the first round of the 10-candidate Oakland, Calif., 2010 mayors race, conservative Democratic former state senate president Don Perata had 34 percent of the vote for a comfortable lead over the second-place candidate, city councilwoman Jean Quan, who had 25 percent of the vote. But Quan had played nicer during the campaign with the other anybody but Don candidates, according to news reports, and after nine elimination rounds she squeaked to victory over Perata with 51 percent of the vote.The alderman said at one point he and his husband were facing down eight to 10 men who appeared drunk or high on illicit drugs, one of whom confronted him and another who put him in a headlock."I think the kids themselves are the best at identifying other kids at risk because they are the ones reading these social media posts," Hunter said, adding, "Probably most of what constitutes or seems to be a threat is not going to happen, but there is no bad information, and all of it is worth checking out."District 308 has faced budget deficits for several years. Officials cut more than $5.5 million in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 budgets, and 20 percent of central administrators had been cut in the past two years, the assistant superintendent for business services said in December."Does that raise with you the idea that the person has a good chance of dying or getting seriously injured because they used marijuana?" Leonard said. "We don't think think that makes any sense because I think everyone knows marijuana is used quite frequently and I don't think the mere fact you use it means you may be subject to death or bodily injury.""There is the issue of property taxes and people paying too much, and the fact that education has experienced rigorous changes and the need to have all the tools for success," Collins said. "There are going to be budget cuts in the next year with the district and we need to have all the stakeholders here and be proactive."In winning the election in 2013, Kelly had emphasized gun control as a key issue in the 2nd District and vowed to "take on the NRA ." She said she has introduced bills and backed other proposals designed to ensure things, such as background checks on every gun sale and research into public health impacts of gun violence, although measures that been hamstrung in the House.Meyers-Martin is an administrator in the state treasurer's office and most recently served for seven years as the suburb's mayor, losing her bid for re-election in April 2017, and prior to that was a trustee for nine years. She is a past president of the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association.At their Jan. 18 meeting, plan commission members recommended approval of the project, which has drawn strong opposition from Elwood residents and neighboring communities. Typically, the village board votes on recommendations from the plan commission within 60 days. In this case, trustees would have had to vote by March 18 without an extension.Even getting to school consumes energy, though efficiency and conservation of that energy isn't always simple to illustrate. For example, the leaders said, while a diesel fuel-guzzling school bus is far less efficient than a hybrid vehicle, or even a pickup truck, but the bus is "picking up 50 kids, where the truck is only picking up one."To the writer of the Speak Out who wrote that a tax professional could not provide a good estimate of 2018 tax returns because all the tax information is not available: That is incorrect. The information is all available online, and was available weeks ago. Large accounting firms, like PricewaterhouseCoopers have an excellent sites that show for instance how deductions will be changed for 2018 returns, including the increase in standard deduction. I believe almost all employers now have the tax information in their payroll systems since with the tax change in pay check withholdings have to be adjusted.Don't tear down Florida school: Since we had the tragedy in Florida at the high school where 17 students were killed, they are now talking about tearing down the school. What would that actually do? They should keep the school and have memorials at the school where they students were killed. Life does go on. If you tore down building or houses where someone was killed or death, this country would be in debt. It is a perfectly good school. Don't tear it down. It is just another burden to taxpayers. It is unfortunate they were killed. Put up some plaques. Northern Illinois University tore down the building. What's the point? It must be nice to have money to throw away. I may sound asinine about the whole thing but it is just ridiculous. Let's do away with guns."I think there is not any dance like it in the world," she said of Irish dancing, something she said is now performed all over the world  including in Japan and South America. "It is the embodiment of Irish culture.""I am impressed with the amount of people that met with him," and that those interviews were less about him than how Elgin "does business," Swoboda said. "He met with social service people, activists in the community, people within the police department. They learned a little more about me but more about how the community works together, how we run things here, and more about the culture we have here and the connections in the police department.""In 2011 there were many states in Mexico suffering from an extreme drought," Martha Martinez said. "The town of Matanzas is in a very arid area where surface water sources dry up. With every drought ... (residents are forced) to look to other towns to fill up barrels of water for daily use. It was imperative to address the critical need (to bring) potable water into the homes."Several impromptu walkouts occurred around the country one week after the Feb. 14 mass shooting at the Parkland high school in an attempt to show solidarity with the shooting victims and to call for gun control reform. Plans to organize a national walkout came from the same motivation, with Wednesday's event scheduled for the one-month anniversary of the shooting in which 17 people were killed.DiCianni targeted Scott's credibility, citing a deposition where lawyers for the plaintiff had hired him to bust a hole in Hill's testimony. Scott, who has been paid more than $18,000 by the plaintiff, said his responsibility is the evidence, and that the majority of potential clients do not hire him for criminal cases because he disagrees with their story.We all selfishly want her to come with us to the new hospital, because she does a great job and we are all a little anxious without her after being with her for so long, Epstein said. But at the same time, we know after almost 40 years of service to Lake Forest Hospital, she absolutely, positively deserves to retire and have some time for herself and her family."Municipalities can (force annexation), but you don't do it because if we force annexation on a property, we have to pay to connect that property to (city water and sewer) services," Chirico said. "When someone applies, they have to pay for that. It just doesn't make any sense to have forced annexation of property."Firefighters were called to the Maple Parks Apartments at 1330 E. Chicago Ave. about 12:35 p.m. on a report that the building's roof was on fire, Naperville Fire Bureau Chief Jim Kubinski said. Firefighters were able to contain the blaze to the roof, preventing it from spreading into the apartments, Kubinski said.Henriksen said so many Naperville-area students are under pressure to get into the best four-year colleges and end up graduating with huge amounts of debt. "It's not so much where you are going but what are you going to do with your life," she said.Check driver's licenses before entering building: Before you're allowed to go into a District 204 elementary school, you stand in front of a camera and microphone and state your reason for being there. If the person assigned to buzz in visitors thinks your reason is sufficient, you are granted permission to enter. After you are in the school, you must then provide a driver's license to scan to ensure you are a good person. The problem is you could be a bad person and you are now in the building! Simple fix: move the driver's license scanning device outside the building.Kerry Connor, Buncich's appellate attorney, asked the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to push back the deadline to file an appeal until May as the trial transcript is still being completed, according to court documents. The 7th Circuit set a new deadline for Buncich to file an appeal for May 14.Election Day is March 20, however, you can vote early starting March 5 in various locations in the city. For more information visit chicagoelections.com.Eight years later: Do you remember the Colorado flood of 2013?You are here: China

Chinese scientists have found a gene that can help grow bigger grains of corn to raise yields.

The gene, named urb2, is crucial in the growth of grains, according to the research by Henan Agricultural University and Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

The result of the research can help increase corn yields and lay a foundation for related studies in breeding, said Tang Jihua, head of the research team.

The research results were published in the journal New Phytologist.You are here: China

Chinese scientists are considering setting up smaller radio telescopes surrounding FAST to increase array resolution, authorities said.



According to the FAST observation station with the National Astronomical Observatories, two to 10 radio telescopes measuring 30 meters in diameter may be set up around FAST, the world's largest single-dish radio telescope.

The resolution of the array will be around 100 times greater than currently.

FAST will have a more advanced radio receiver as early as end of April.

Located in a natural, deep round karst depression in Guizhou, southwest China, FAST, or Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope, is believed to be the world's most sensitive radio telescope.

Its tasks include observation of pulsars, exploration of interstellar molecules and monitoring interstellar communication signals.You are here: China

China has launched an intelligence navigation platform to help people find legal assistance centers on their phones, according to the Ministry of Justice.

The platform, launched Friday by the ministry together with Chinese internet firm Baidu, covers almost all of the more than 3,200 legal assistance centers across the country, the ministry announced at a press conference.

It not only offers the addresses of the institutions, but also lists their functions, office hours, contacts and shows photographs.

China handled around 1.3 million cases with legal assistance last year, benefiting some 1.4 million people, including over 490,000 migrant workers and more than 60,000 people with disabilities.The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has selected a portfolio of 932 patents for its first patent auction.

The Intellectual Property Operation and Management Center of CAS is promoting the patents in the coastal provinces of Shandong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang as well as the cities of Shanghai, Fuzhou and Shenzhen, where auctions will be held in March.

Sui Xueqing, head of the center, said the auctions would increase the use of national-level science and technology resources in the economy. The academy wishes to lead by example to encourage more science institutes in China to commercialize their scientific achievements.

He said that the patents were selected from those obtained by 104 institutes and 89 national labs affiliated with the academy. Together they held 46,000 patents in total by the end of 2017.

According to the intellectual property rights trading market in Jiangsu, the CAS auction in the east China province will be held on March 21.

By Friday, 30 firms in the province had registered to join the bidding.

Fan Guohu, general manager of the Jiangsu Lanyu Aeronautics Technology Co. Ltd., said he is interested in vanguard information technology. He planned to bid on a broadband resonant radio transmission system developed by the Electrical Engineering Institute of CAS from the catalogue of patents.

"It was not only the patent that strikes me, but also the technology development team behind it," he said.

According to An Lili from CAS's intellectual property center, the minimum starting bid for the patents is expected to be 100,000 yuan (US$15,700).

She said the patents cover a wide spectrum of fields, including new materials, intelligent manufacturing, advanced biomedical technology, new energy and ecological environmental technology.

The center found that new material and new pharmaceutical patents were among the most-pursued patents during market research, An said.



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.



U.S. President Donald Trump [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese officials and delegates gather for the most important annual political event  the first session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC). The legislative meeting takes place as trade tensions with the U.S. having escalated, following Donald Trump's announcement to place tariffs on steel and aluminum imports of 25 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

The announcement triggered concerns globally that Trump may be heading towards a trade war, as his administration has been showing an increasing inclination towards inwardness and protectionism in line with the "America First" policy.

Earlier this year, China's fast-growing solar sector, the world's largest, has been a primary "target of protectionism" by the U.S.'s imposition of tariffs  up to 50 percent  on imports of washing machines and solar panels.

Trump's earlier decisions of pulling out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal (TPP) and renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) come in the same context of this heralded "America First" policy.

In the recently released U.S. national security and defense strategies, China was directly labelled as a growing "threat" to the U.S.'s national security, especially with regard to the hefty deficits in U.S. trade with the Asian rising power, causing, according to Trump, industrial job losses in the U.S. Beijing strongly dismisses Trump's "threat" theory as a "cold war mentality."

The tariff measures have prompted an outcry from the U.S.'s trading partners, as well as from U.S. businesses that rely on the imported products. They are regarded as "regrettable" and in violation of international trade rules by several affected production markets, sparking promises of resorting to legal action in response, including complaining to the World Trade Organization.

Dismissing any intention of a trade war, Trump's argument is that he seeks to protect U.S. local manufactures said to be "hurt" by cheaper imports and foreign competition, create more jobs in the U.S. and not let the U.S. "be taken advantage of anymore."

The administration justifies this protectionist approach on the grounds of what Trump describes as "unfair" trade practices by Beijing, which, to the contrary, has shown serious commitment to its pledged policy of further integration into the world trading landscape and opening up to the multilateral trading system and foreign investors.

North Korea's nuclear file has much to do with Trump's renewed "confrontational" approach towards trade relations with China, which he has so far relatively kept in check, compared to his election campaign threats, out of desire for effective Chinese cooperation over North Korea.

Now, accusing Beijing of allowing oil into Pyongyang in violation of international sanctions against the latter, and facing growing pressure from his anti-China Republican supporters, Trump seems more inclined to take a tougher trade line against Beijing.

Economic observers, however, rule out the possibility of a U.S. trade war, arguing that China, although being the world's largest steel exporter, is only the 11th among the U.S.' largest steel sources, which makes the tariffs "inconsequential," especially since China has already started to cut off steel exports to the U.S. following higher tariffs under Barack Obama in 2016.

However, concerns of a possible trade confrontation with the U.S. are not likely to be taken lightly by China's 5000 lawmakers and political advisors meeting at the annual sessions of the NPC and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), briefly called "two sessions," to formulate China's future economic and political path.

According to Premier Li Keqiang's government work report delivered at the opening of the NPC annual meeting on Monday, China has set an economic growth target of around 6.5 percent in 2018, the same as in 2017, and is focused on achieving high quality growth, reducing financial risks and curbing high level corporate debts to keep its economy stable, in line with President Xi Jinping's vision of making China a "modestly prosperous" nation by 2020 and turning it into an international "strong power" by 2050.

Achieving this stability necessitates "safeguarding" China's interests and rights, as stated in the report, echoing statements by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying on China's intention to "take proper measures" against U.S. actions.

Indeed, Beijing has several tit-for-tat options to target various U.S. interests, as China is the second-largest market for U.S. agricultural goods, the largest foreign holder of U.S. treasuries, and among the five largest markets for U.S. cars and transport equipment.

Trade seems to be another reason why all eyes are on the two sessions, which will definitely give clues into China's future course of dealing with trade disputes.

Haifa Said is chief editor of the English Department at the Syrian Arab News Agency.





Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.



 Flash

President Xi Jinping has told US President Donald Trump that China hoped Washington and Pyongyang will begin contacts and dialogue as soon as possible to achieve positive outcomes.





Xi made the comment in a phone conversation with Trump, and they had an in-depth exchange of views on the current situation of the Korean Peninsula and China-US relations, Xinhua News Agency reported on Friday night.





The planned summit between the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was announced on Thursday by Republic of Korea national security adviser Chung Euiyong, who was in the US capital to brief officials on the DPRK-ROK talks held this week.





Xi told Trump that China also hopes all parties involved can show more goodwill, avoid actions that may affect and disturb the improving situation on the Korean Peninsula, and strive to maintain the current positive momentum.





The positive changes taking place are conducive to getting the peninsula's denuclearization process back on track for settlement through dialogue, and are also in line with the direction outlined by United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding the DPRK, Xi said.





Xi hailed Trump's proactive willingness to seek a political settlement of the peninsula issue.





Trump said that the US-DPRK high-level meeting, if held, would be a good thing for all parties, and he hopes the DPRK nuclear issue could be resolved eventually.





The stance upheld by Xi  that the US should have a dialogue with the DPRK  is correct, Trump said.





The US is very grateful to and attaches great importance to the important role of China on the peninsula issue and is willing to maintain close contacts and coordination with China, Trump added, according to Xinhua.





Xi said China is firmly committed to achieving the denuclearization of the peninsula, maintaining its peace and stability and upholding the idea of solving the issue through dialogue and consultation.





As long as all parties stay committed to the direction of political and diplomatic settlement, progress will surely be made in taking the peninsula issue in the direction expected by the international community, Xi said.





The two heads of state also exchanged views on China-US relations, Xinhua said.





Xi noted that he has been in close contact with Trump this year, and they both agreed that the working teams of both sides should work in the spirit of having no time to lose.





It is hoped that the two sides will work together on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit, focus on cooperation and manage and control differences, promote win-win economic cooperation and push for greater progress of bilateral relations in the new year, Xi said.





Trump congratulated China on the successful convening of its annual two sessions. He said the US attaches great importance to US-China ties and bilateral cooperation.





Xi thanked Trump for his greetings and said the successful convening of the two sessions in China will provide a positive impetus for China's development as well as the development of China's relations with countries including the United States.You are here: World

 Flash

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in New Delhi late Friday night on a four-day state visit to India.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Macron are slated to hold bilateral talks Saturday, following which a number of pacts are expected to be inked between the two countries, according to India's External Affairs Ministry.

"The visit of President Macron is aimed at strengthening the bilateral economic, political and strategic dimension of our engagement," the Ministry earlier said in a statement.

Modi and President Macron will Sunday co-chair the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), a flagship Indian initiative launched by the two countries on sidelines of Paris Climate Conference in 2015.

Bilateral trade between India and France touched nearly US$11 billion during April 2016 to March 2017. France is the ninth largest foreign investor in India.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Youve heard the buzz: A Wrinkle in Time, based on the classic childrens book by Madeleine LEngle (19182007), hits theaters this week as a $100 million Disney movie.

A lot more than money is riding on the films success. Not only is the sci-fi novel beloved by millions of readerssince winning the 1963 Newbery Medal, it has sold upwards of 16 million copiesbut its author was one of the most adored writers of Christian faith in recent history.

As Ive learned while writing her spiritual biography (A Light So Lovely: The Spiritual Legacy of Madeleine LEngle, which releases in August), her fans among millennials and my own Generation X, in particular, are as vast as the cosmos she so loved. For many who struggle with faith and doubt, LEngle has become a kind of patron saint for the wavering, the wondering, and the wounded.

No pressure, Hollywood.

This new adaptation of Wrinkle, directed by the irrepressible Ava DuVernay (Selma, 13th, Queen Sugar), stars no less than Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, and Chris Pine. Frozens Jennifer Lee adapted the storyline for the screen, and along the way the main characters have been creatively recast as a multiracial family. DuVernay herself is the first female director of color to oversee a budget this size.

Newcomer Storm Reid plays Meg Murry, the storys teen protagonist, who is sent by a triad of angelic beings (Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which) on a quest to find her missing scientist-father trapped behind a dark force in the universe. The Mrs trio teaches Meg and her companions how to fold, or wrinkle, the space-time continuum so they can skip from galaxy to galaxy, planet to planeta concept called tessering.

I think you have to prepare yourself that the movie will look different than the book, producer Catherine Hand told me. I hope people who love the book dont just focus on the trees and not see the forest. Hand first sat down with LEngle in 1979 to discuss bringing the story to the big screen and now, nearly 40 years later, is seeing her dream become reality. The movie is going to look different because it had to look different, Hand explained. Too many filmmakers, writers, directors, all sorts of creative talent have been influenced by Wrinkle for 50 years. Some of the visuals that we hold dear in Wrinkle weve already seen on film. We had to take the essence of the emotional storye.g., why did this happen in the book?and explore how to give it a new look but with the same meaning.

The question many are wondering is whether the essence and meaning will include the spiritual themes that were vital to LEngles Christian faith.

Asking Cosmic Questions

During the 1950s, as a 30-something transplant from New York City to rural Connecticut, LEngle struggled to balance writing, child-rearing, and small-town life. She also wrestled with what she called cosmic questions: Does God exist? Why are we here? Do we exist after death? Well-meaning pastors encouraged her to read German theologians (she rarely ever named which ones, exactly, although philosopher Immanuel Kant is a strong contender). But she found no solace there. Such theology, for LEngle, emphasized a limited God definable by human categories, a concept wholly at odds with the awe-inspiring, star-strewn universe she saw at night while walking her dogs.

By contrast, it was the wonder and humility of scientists, especially theoretical physicists like Max Planck and Albert Einstein, who eventually convinced her to become a Christian. If the Creator of a vast and surprising cosmos could love this small planet enough to become one of us, thendespite her ongoing questionsthat was a faith worth clinging to. As LEngle said in a 1979 interview with Christianity Today, I believe that we can understand cosmic questions only through particulars. I can understand God only through one specific particular, the incarnation of Jesus of Nazareth.

Thus, A Wrinkle in Time was my rebuttal to the German theologians, LEngle wrote in Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art (1980). Her protagonistangry, nerdy Meg Murry, in many ways a portrait of LEngle herself as a girlis unwilling and unable to conform to cultural expectations, to the usual categories by which we define human worth. By the end of her story, Meg must confront the source of the darkness thats at war with the light: a pulsing, disembodied brain that threatens to absorb everything into the pattern of itself. Its goal is to annihilate the created particularity of each unique thing, down to the smallest particle.

For anyone whos ever fallen asleep reading German theology (raises hand), this is a stirring concept. If faith can be reduced to an intellectual exercise, to mere agreement with certain principles and precepts, then all you have left is knowledge without agency, without mercy or compassion. All you have is a disembodied mind, out there in the universe, coldly detached from human suffering. And a thing without a body could never, ever love you the way God in Christ does.

Translating a Core Story

One could argue that Wrinkle is a core story in American literature: one of those seminal classics that takes on the status of myth. Myths essential nature is to articulate truths about the human experience that are universal, that are beyond mere human invention, pointing to a pattern of meaning that undergirds our existence. For literary-minded Christians like C. S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia), myths offer partial glimpses of a foundational Story written by the Author of all authors, a Story that became historical fact in Jesus. Myths may not be about what literally happened, but they are most certainly about what happens: birth, joy, passion, longing, loss, death, redemption.

Megs journey to fight not only the darkness out there but to fight it within herself is one such story. Indeed, I would argue that Wrinkle qualifies as mythopoeic: a term Lewis and his friend J. R. R. Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings) used to describe a created thing that is somehow more than itself, whose spiritual and theological underpinnings are able to transcend the original storyteller and context.

Lisa Ann Cockrel, director of Calvin Colleges Festival of Faith and Writing, was a college student when she saw Wrinkle performed as a stage play at the Lifeline Theatre on Chicagos North Side. It was my first really powerful, personal engagement with Madeleines work, she said. I cant even describe it to you, the stagecraft of how they managed to pull off a tesser. It was magic, magic, from what I can tell. Just one example of how the truly mythopoeic can transcend even the medium by which it comes to us, whether childrens book, stage performance, opera, graphic novel, or, one hopes, a blockbuster movie.

During a Q&A at the 1996 writing festival, LEngle was asked about a possible film version of Wrinkle. She claimed she had told Catherine Hand, I cant sign the average Hollywood contract because I cannot sign that clause giving the producer freedom to change character and theme. LEngle explained that she eventually got the clause reversed, but the contract also included language granting the producers the rights to the movie in perpetuity throughout the universe. So, she said, she took a red pen and made an asterisk, noting, With the exception of Sagittarius and the Andromeda Galaxy. As the festival audience erupted in laughter, LEngle joked, They had a serious meeting of their lawyers before they would accept this, in case I knew something they didnt know.

Then, in a more earnest tone, she continued: I would like it to be made into a movie, but a good movie, not a bad one. I believe my books, and so I cant sign that clause. And Id rather not have them done than have them come out and say something Im not saying, which is very easy in the world of Hollywood.

Only after various fits and starts, a low-budget, made-for-TV movie finally aired in 2004 that was panned by reviewers for its clunky special effects and slow pace. It also notably left out both a key biblical text (John 1:5) and a direct reference to Jesus that together distill a vital spiritual theme in the book: the source of the light by which the darkness is overcome is not we ourselvesthough were invited to join it. Yes, Jesus told his followers you are the light of the world (Matt. 5:14), but only because they participate in the light of Christ that shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5). (For the record, this particular viewer wept openly when Mrs. Whatsit, before taking leave of the Murrys in the final scene, told Meg, Well done. Three out of five stars.) But anyone who loves the book was left wanting more.

Despite ongoing obstacles, Hand didnt give up her quest to bring the film to the silver screen. Its a big story, after allgalaxy-jumping is no trifle and deserves big effects. But its themes are also, as Hand is well aware, cosmic. My curiosity about a spiritual life absolutely was one of the driving forces behind why I did what I did for 30 years, she told me. When I was a young girl, my mother said, I used to wake her up in the morning around five to make sure we werent late for church. So there mustve been something in me that was always drawn to faith. She went on to say, I think I had an understanding of what God was from a 10-year-old point of view, which deepened when I got to know Madeleine, who expanded my views.

The two developed a friendship over the decades, one that Hand treasures. There is no one on this planet that loves A Wrinkle in Time more than I, she said. However, we had to make a movie of the book, which meant we had to rethink the story. Jennifer Lee, Ava DuVernay, the creative team at Disney, and Jim Whitaker, the other producer, were essential in finding a fresh approach to the material. We all loved the themes, the charactersthe essence of the story. And I hope audiences will agree that we stayed true to that essence.

Entertaining Possibilities

Of course, insert Oprah into any story, and it will mean whatever Oprah wants it to mean. But does it retain its mythopoeic nature as a story with theological underpinnings? And does that matter?

When it was announced that Ava DuVernay was going to do the adaptation, I was so excited, YA author Sara Zarr told me, because I felt that Selma [DuVernays film about the 1965 civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama] had a really strong directorial point of view. And thats what you need when youre taking on a story thats so well known. Because if you dont have your own strong point of view and confidence in executing it, youre going to try to make it into something that everyone will like or approve of, maybe in a tepid way, and no one will criticize.

Zarrs own Story of a Girl was made into a television movie starring Kevin Bacon and Ryann Shane, and the process of watching her own book become film was a fascinating one. When Im writing a book, she said, I may or may not have an idea in my head of what a character looks like, and I may or may not do a decent job of describing that. Then the reader gets a hold of the book, and theyre recreating the image in their head, and its going to come together differently than in someone elses head. So when were reading a novel, were recreating a story. When it comes to a film adaptation, we have to go in realizing not every single person in the world sees or experiences things in the same way we do. And I think thats really cool.

Film critic and novelist Jeffrey Overstreet (Auralias Colors) agrees: I hope that theres still that sense of expansiveness in all the story means, he told me. Anytime you adapt a story like this from one medium to another, from one translation to another, youre going to end up entertaining possibilities that were just suggested in the original and thus also inevitably minimizing things that are emphasized in the original. Thats just the nature of adaptation. Its sort of like an illustrated manuscript among many illustrated versions of the same thing.

Zarr added, If an adaptation is not how they imagined it, fans can feel its a defilement of the original thing. But the original thing will always still exist. And its not going away anytime soon: As of this writing, LEngles book is sitting at number one on Amazons current bestsellers list.

Madeleine would want us to go to the movie with an open mind and a willing heart, Hand told me, because thats how she saw the universe.

It remains to be seen whether the film will qualify as mythopoeic, theologically speaking. It may not address all our cosmic questions. But it can still be darn good fun.

Sarah Arthur is the author of a dozen books about the intersection of faith and literature, including the forthcoming A Light So Lovely: The Spiritual Legacy of Madeleine LEngle (Zondervan).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.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.BROOK PARK, Ohio -- Former Mayor Tom Coyne spoke bluntly March 6 before Brook Park City Council and Mayor Mike Gammella about issues he said "are being handled improperly" in regard to planned community center renovations.

The John A. Polonye Community Center shares a building with the recreation center. City Hall, as well as City Council's office operations, eventually will be relocating to the facility. The project originated under Coyne's administration.

Coyne alleged that Gammella's changes to the original office layouts are not being done for functionality purposes but because "folks wanted some larger offices." He also said carpeting, which was paid for and received but which Gammella has since determined will not be used in the community center, should be installed as originally planned.

"To not do that, to me, is foolhardy," Coyne said. "You're keeping a parquet floor that went out in the 1950s. I would implore council ... to insist that the carpet be put in."

His next criticism involved Gammella's plan to add a separate, south vestibule to the community center for mayor's court access. Gammella previously cited safety concerns in justifying the $100,000 cost.

"There has never been an instance whatsoever of any problems," Coyne said, noting that he had presided over mayor's court for 18 years. "I heard about our citizens being exposed to criminals walking through the rec center. It's the greatest hoax and myth there is. There is no threat to anybody."

He went on to urge City Council -- of which there are three new members as well as a new council president -- not to "fall for this $100,000 boondoggle."

"I am here to help this community that I love, and I'm not going anywhere," Coyne said.

Gammella then addressed council prior to adjournment.

"Public safety isn't a myth. It isn't a hoax," Gammella said. "It's something that we have to do as public officials, and spending $100,000 for the public's safety is certainly not a boondoggle."

He acknowledged that "a very lean budget" will be coming to council for approval, but the proposed mayor's court entrance is necessary.

"We've discussed it, and I know a lot of you support it," Gammella said. "Even though the recreation center project was done with the very best intentions, there were some oversights made, and we're going to correct them."Erick Jamal Hendricks

AKRON, Ohio - An undercover FBI agent who testified Friday against a terrorism suspect on trial in Akron said he was driving behind a car in a city outside Dallas when two men got out of the car and opened fire in an Islamic State-inspired attack in May 2015.

The agent, who testified under the pseudonym Steven Jane, said he went to Garland, Texas near "The First Annual Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest" to develop his relationship with Erick Jamal Hendricks, then the target of an FBI investigation.

While Jane had previously talked to one of the attackers, he said he didn't know Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi also were in Garland. He said he had no advance knowledge of the pair's plans and was as surprised as anyone when he saw gunfire being exchanged.

Simpson and Soofi wounded a security guard and died after a police officer shot them.

Jane's testimony lasted all day Friday as he detailed his interactions with Hendricks and Simpson, all of which took place through Twitter and various encrypted messaging apps. He is a key witness in Hendricks' trial, in which testimony began Thursday in U.S. District Judge John Adams' courtroom in Akron.

Hendricks, 37, of North Carolina is accused of conspiring to provide support to ISIS. Authorities say his mission was to recruit and train ISIS sympathizers to carry out attacks on U.S soil.

Adams approved a set of unusual measures to protect the undercover agent's identity, which included having the agent use a pseudonym and wear a light disguise. He also closed the courtroom Friday to everyone other than the himself, the jury, attorneys, defendant and essential court personnel.

Others, including a cleveland.com reporter, sat in another courtroom and listened to the agent's testimony through a laptop connected to a TV. When prosecutors showed exhibits, the images appeared on the TV screen.

Hendricks' connection to the Garland attack is a key piece of the government's case against him. Justice Department attorney Rebecca Magnone told the jury Thursday that Hendricks was "unequivocally tied" to the attack.

Hendricks' attorney David Doughten argued in his opening statement that the government cannot prove the social media handles it cites as belonging to Hendricks were actually his.

Jane rarely used the defendant's name on Friday, but the FBI has said Hendricks was behind all the online handles the agent referenced.

The vast majority of Jane's testimony pertained to his online conversations with Hendricks, which took place between March and May 2015. Jane said Hendricks showed a deep-seated sense of paranoia, frequently changed his handles on various messaging apps and told the agent to do the same.

The agent also said Hendricks took other measures such as putting spaces between letters when he texted certain Islamic terms in order to avoid detection by any software the apps contained to find and flag certain words. Screenshots of the conversations between Hendricks and the agent showed that this was a pattern.

"This person clearly demonstrated they were concerned about spies early in the conversation," Jane testified.

Hendricks made it clear that he was an ISIS supporter and spoke of using acres of land to train recruits, the agent said.

The agent said Hendricks' messages were constant. At one point, Jane said he asked Hendricks if he worked, and Hendricks said "my work is for Allah. It is my full-time job."

Hendricks had the agent reach out to potential recruits to vet them. Several were actually FBI informants, Jane testified.

But Hendricks also had Jane reach out to Simpson, a little more than a week before the attack in Garland, the agent said.

It was during that conversation in April 2015 that Simpson asked Jane whether he was aware of the then-upcoming event in Texas.

Simpson told the agent that he had tweeted about it and received many responses, including from a "muj," a reference to a muhajed, or a person of Muslim faith willing to die to defend their religion.

"And you can assume what the muj said about such event," Simpson messaged the undercover agent.

"Tear up Texas," the agent said he responded.

That statement has been the source of some controversy, as some have interpreted it as the FBI appearing to push Simpson toward the attack he eventually carried out.

Jane, however, said it was his response to posit "what somebody else, a third party, what a mujahed would say."

He said he never spoke to Simpson again and didn't know Simpson and Soofi would be in Garland.

Instead, he traveled to Texas at Hendricks' urging. The trip was approved by the FBI and the agent was in contact while there with a Garland police officer assigned to an FBI task force in Dallas, he testified.

Jane drove near the event and told Hendricks what he saw, including security measures, the agent said.

To further the conversation, Jane said he texted Hendricks that law enforcement doesn't realize "a lion starring them down from behind the tall grass and in the woods."

Hendricks responded by saying, "Alla h akb ar!", something terrorists say before an attack, the agent said.

The undercover agent will be cross-examined by Hendricks' attorneys on Monday.

If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Friday's crime and courts comments section.AKRON, Ohio - The 11th annual Akron Art & Ale packed in more than 600 beer lovers to the atrium of the Akron Art Museum on Friday night, with Hoppin' Frog Brewery earning the top judges' pick and R. Shea Brewing Co. winning the people's-choice award.

Competition was blind-judged by Jon Albrecht of Acme, Rick Armon of the Akron Beacon Journal and myself. Because of the number of entries, we expanded the winners from three to five.

Festgoers sipped beers from more than two dozen breweries and munched on treats from a handful of food vendors. The event raises about $25,000 for the museum, a rep said.

Judges picks

1. Hoppin' Frog Brewery, Akron, B.O.R.I.S. Royale Russian Imperial Stout

2. Fat Head's Brewery, Middleburg Heights, Hop JuJu Imperial India Pale Ale

3. Thirsty Dog Brewery, Akron, Cerasus Dog, Flanders Red

4. Saucy Brew Works, Cleveland, Habituale Kolsch-style Ale

5. Golden Road Brewing Co., Los Angeles, Wolf Pup, Session India Pale Ale

Wolf Pup became the first non-Ohio beer to earn one of the judge's selections in the past five years. It was one of the beers I included in a review last year. Tasty and quaffable, it has surprisingly good body for its style.

Fat Head's or Hoppin' Frog is a perennial favorite at Art & Ale, with at least one placing in the top three every year over the last five events.

2018 People's Choice

1. R. Shea Brewing Co., Akron, Imperial Stout

2. R. Shea Brewing Co., Akron, Orange Mango Citra Shandy

3. Fat Head's Brewery, Middleburg Heights, Hop JuJu Imperial India Pale Ale

PAST JUDGES' WINNERS

2017 (non-blind)

1. Fat Head's Brewery, Middleburg Heights, Hop JuJu Imperial India Pale Ale

2. Thirsty Dog Brewing Co., Akron, Wulver, Wee Heavy-style aged ale

3. HiHO Brewing Co., Cuyahoga Falls, Smash Pils

2016 (blind judging)

1. Fat Head's Brewery, Middleburg Heights, Double India Pale Ale

2. Spider Monkey, Kent, Stout

3. Jackie O's, Athens, Mystic Mama, IPA

2015 (blind judging)

1. Hoppin' Frog Brewery, Akron, B.O.R.I.S. the Crusher

2. MadTree Brewing Co., Cincinnati, Gnarly Brown Ale

3. Thirsty Dog Brewing Co., Akron, Coffee Stout

2014 (collective top three, non-blind)

* Hoppin' Frog Brewery, Akron, B.O.R.I.S. the Crusher

* Black Box Brewing Co., Westlake, Abbey Ale

* Main Street Grille and Brewing Co., Garrettsville, Ma Barker's Birch BeerMAPLE HEIGHTS, Ohio -- The Cleveland Division of the FBI and Maple Heights police are searching for a man who robbed a Citizens Bank Friday afternoon.

The robbery happened about 3:15 p.m. at the branch on Broadway Avenue near Libby Road, FBI spokeswoman Vicki Anderson said.

The man walked into the bank, approached a teller and demanded money, Anderson said.

The teller complied and gave the man cash, including a dye pack, authorities said.

The dye pack exploded outside near the bank. The man ran from the bank. He may have red dye on his hands or clothing and may use the money with red dye, Anderson said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Cleveland FBI at 216-522-1400 or Maple Heights police at 216-662-1234.

Tips can remain anonymous and reward money is available for tips leading to the identity of the man.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Saturday's crime and courts comments section.CLEVELAND, Ohio - The first 12 residents of the Cleveland business accelerator hosted by Plug and Play have been selected.

The companies will be housed in the Global Center for Health Innovation, where Plug and Play has made a three-year commitment to provide mentorship to high-tech startups.

On March 1, 21 companies in the field of health made live pitches for a spot in the incubator. Audience members were allowed to vote on which ideas they liked best and the results assisted the Cleveland Clinic and local business booster JumpStart in the selection process.

Several other companies that featured financial applications also presented their ideas at Plug and Play Cleveland's first "selection day," although they were not among the first pool of candidates for accelerator space.

Plug and Play, based in Silicon Valley, Calif., has three locations devoted to assisting health-related companies. Silicon Valley and Munich, Germany, facilities work with pharmaceutical companies, whereas Cleveland will focus on medical devices and other health-related technologies.

The accelerator, however, has helped with a broad array of high-tech startups and boasts PayPal among its portfolio of successes.

Here are the first 12 companies to be selected to receive help from Plug and Play Cleveland:

Alertgy

Alertgy developed a sensor that doesn't require diabetics to draw blood to test their blood sugar levels. Using a band, a user will have constant access to their blood sugar levels. The technology also sends alerts to the user's phone when sugar levels are high or low, and then if it doesn't get a response will alert a friend or emergency contact.

The company is shooting to have the band ready for production in 2020.

CancerAid

CancerAid is a mobile app designed to allow patients to manage their cancer treatment. Users can access information about their cases, including diagnosis and stage, as well as likely side effects from treatments.

The app also includes a journal where patients can track their symptoms and log milestones related to their case. There's also a community aspect where people can connect for support.

CloudMedx

CloudMedx is working with five U.S. hospitals on electronically combining lab results, prescription data, patient information and doctors' notes into a single system to help doctors make better decisions.

Gyant

Gyant is a chat app to help patients get a diagnosis. In Step 1, patients answer a series of questions from a bot built to gather symptoms and other information. In Step 2, a doctor reviews the case and talks with a patient about their next steps.

The app is free. As more people use it the bot becomes better informed and can better shape its questions.

HealthTensor

HealthTensor looks to streamline and improve health documentation. The program analyzes a patient's medical record and makes notes on relevant parts. It then generates appropriate documentation for a doctor to review. Its goal is to cut down on time doctors have to spend on a computer working, freeing up time to spend with patients.

InsightRX

InsightRX determines how much medicine a patient needs to take. This is done through looking at different mathematical models, patient characteristics and different biomarkers, such as body temperature, cholesterol levels and more.

Dosage can make the difference between a drug working or failing. By addressing each dosage individually through software, physicians might be able to improve effectiveness of their prescriptions and reduce side effects.

KENZEN

Kenzen, a late add to the program, has developed a patch that it envisions could improve workplace safety by tracking workers' vital signs, motions and sweat in real time.

Navimize

Navimize updates patients by analyzing how patients are flowing through doctor's office and calculating delay times. According to the company's website, across more than 300 patients at 4 pilot sites the system received a 100 percent satisfaction rate.

OWKIN

OWKIN Socrates uses previous data to improve drug development and research. It's a computer program that learns different patterns and indicators of disease causes, based on different cases it analyzes. The program then can apply what it knows to new cases.

The program is used mainly by drug development researchers and hospital physician-researchers.

Valencell

Valencell makes heart rate sensors that are small enough to fit in an in-ear headphone.

The sensors, which can detect biometrics such as blood pressure and oxygen use, send the statistics to your smartphones. You can find Valencell sensors in products from companies such as LG and Sony,

VideoTherapy

VideoTherapy allows users to do physical therapy without leaving their homes. Each person is assigned a therapist and a schedule of sessions. The application sends alerts via phone and text message.

Once a session, the user is guided through a series of exercises, using an illustration on the screen. If the user needs help, they can reach a therapist in an online chat. After the session is over, users can give feedback.

VRHealth

Virtual reality completely immerses users in a digital world. This usually involves a headset that covers the eyes, plus controllers that mark where the hands are.

VRHealth wants to use this technology for physical therapy. Physical therapists work with their clients by using the program to walk patients through exercises and games. Through these movements, VRHealth provides information about how the patient is performing and can adapt the exercises for their specific needs.The group stressed that the ongoing hearings in the case, the latest of which took place on Thursday, reveals the extent of the fraud, mockery,  and the faltering and lack of justice.



(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Bahrains Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society reiterated its condemnation of the ongoing trial against the countrys opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman.



The group stressed that the ongoing hearings in the case, the latest of which took place on Thursday, reveals the extent of the fraud, mockery,  and the faltering and lack of justice.



Sheikh Salman, who is already serving a 4-year prison term, was charged with spying for the state of Qatar last November.



The charges in the case stem from his contacts with Qatari officials, who acted as mediators during a 2011 US-GCC initiative aimed at resolving Bahrains political crisis.



According to Al-Wefaq, the trail has nothing to do with justice but is the result of the ongoing rift in the Gulf, pitting Qatar against a Saudi-led bloc of countries.



Bahrain joined Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in sanctioning Qatar in June over Dohas alleged support for terrorism.



Al-Wefaq also pointed out that the case against Bahrains opposition leader has long since lost its legitimacy and is continuing based on fabrications, and the testimonies of the false witnesses.







/257AKRON, Ohio -- An Akron police captain was demoted after an investigation determined he shared a photograph of a nude woman taken from a criminal investigation, officials said.

Akron police demoted former Capt. Brian Simcox to lieutenant and reassigned him to the department's radio room Tuesday following an five-month investigation, according to a disciplinarian agreement released Friday afternoon.

Simcox, Fraternal Order of Police President Frank Williams, Akron police Chief Ken Ball and Deputy Mayor Randy Briggs signed the document.

Investigators said Simcox, 20-year veteran, searched the cellphone of a suspect at a crime scene on Sept. 9, 2017 at East Market Street. The phone had a photograph of a naked woman saved on it, the documents said.

Simcox took a photo of the nude female with his own cellphone and started sharing it with other officers and relatives. He also showed the photo to a tow-truck driver and an Akron firefighter, authorities said.

Simcox violated the city's anti-harassment and sexual harassment policies and the social networking and sharing policy.

No charges have been filed against Simcox.

A second investigation found Simcox failed to complete a police report during a Sept. 5, 2017, investigation.

To comment on this story, visit Friday's crime and courts comments page.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland police have released body camera video from the day a mother was arrested and eventually charged in connection with the death of her son.

Larissa Rodriguez

In the 19-minute video, Larissa Rodriguez, who wore a white tank top and a dark colored shorts, can be seen speaking with two Cleveland officers, who were called to conduct a welfare check regarding her 5-year-old son, Jordan.

The 34-year-old is accused of killing Jordan and burying his body in the backyard of their home on West 80th Street, between Detroit and Lake avenues. The FBI and Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner unearthed Jordan's body Dec. 19, 2017 after three hours of digging.

Jordan's disappearance went unknown until the brother of Larissa Rodriguez's boyfriend, Christopher Rodriguez's, called Cleveland police from Pakistan, police said.

He told police that Christopher Rodriguez called him from jail and told him that Christopher and Larissa both buried the child in the backyard of the home two months ago after finding him unresponsive, according to police reports.

Christopher Rodriguez was also charged with murder in the death of Jordan. He is currently serving a six-month sentence in the Medina County Jail for failing to pay child support. His sentence in Medina County Jail will be finished April 18, 2018.

Jordan was last seen alive in September, and investigators believe he died sometime around Sept. 22, Cuyahoga County prosecutors have said.

Police used a cadaver dog to search the backyard of the home earlier but found nothing. Investigators conducted interviews and got more information about the whereabouts of Jordan's body. The FBI and medical examiner helped dig for the body.

The officers pepper Larissa with a series of questions about her children near the entrance of the home for the most of the video. She answered questions while she stood on a stairwell. Early in the video she walks one of the officers up to the second floor of the home to show him four of her nine children.

Larissa said six children stayed with her while the others either lived with relatives or were in foster care.

The home is dark and appears to be in poor condition.

One of the officers ask if she had a special needs son named Jordan.

"Is that who you guys are pertaining to?" she asks the officers.

"Possibly," the officer answers.

Larissa, who has lived at the home for two years, can be seen and heard telling police in the video that Jordan went to Houston, Texas, to visit his biological father for the holidays. Her statements were later noted in a police report.

Larissa said she was unable to get in contact with Jordan or his father in Texas because his phone was recently disconnected. She was waiting for him to call her so she could have a way to get in contact.

According to police reports, she told police that the boy's aunt picked him up on Dec. 2. She was unable to provide contact information for the boy's biological father or the aunt.

She also was unable to provide any other information about her son, police reports say.

To comment on this story, visit Friday's crime and courts comments page.A governor's state of the state message, the Ohio Constitution says, should "communicate ... to the General Assembly, the condition of the state, and recommend such measures as he shall deem expedient." But his text suggests that Republican Gov. John Kasich's 2018 State of the State speech, delivered Tuesday in the Columbus suburb of Westerville, was more a self-report on the state of John Kasich.

True, the speech wasn't all about him. Kasich name-checked Aristotle and Plato. And St. Augustine. And Bonhoeffer. And Camus. And Kierkegaard. Nietzsche. And Rousseau. And Natan Sharansky. And St. Thomas Aquinas (whose traditional feast day, before the Vatican messed with it, was March 7, the day after Kasich's speech.)

That is, the governor is a thinker. (And that's genuine.) And the governor is a believer. (So is that.)

Trouble is, to many Ohioans, all those names may sound more like the names on a Cleveland law firm's letterhead than a roster of some of history's great figures.

Sure, rhetoric is one of the ways a leader can lead. And as a speaker, Kasich is as suited for the pulpit as he is for the podium. Still, it's unclear why a governor's annual message on Ohio's condition should mention (albeit, in passing) "addiction to the smartphone."

And Kasich's review of virtues such as compassion and forgiveness was better suited for church or temple than for politicking. That's especially so given that humility, among the virtues the governor mentioned, isn't believed to be in surplus on the Riffe Center's 30th floor, where Ohio's gubernatorial offices are located.

What was more striking, for an Ohio officeholder, was Kasich's unwillingness or inability to plainly state his unquestionable achievements.

To name one: Kasich's expansion of Medicaid, as authorized by the Affordable Care Act, to provide health care to more low-income Ohioans.

On Tuesday, Kasich described that, obliquely, as "[lowering] the number of people who are uninsured." Kasich did say that "health care has been an essential part of what we've done." Correct. And Kasich praised the crucial role that Greg Moody, director of the Governor's Office of Health Transformation, has played in that. Also correct.

Perhaps Kasich skirted the phrase "Medicaid expansion" to spare the feelings of some Republican state legislators. To expand Medicaid, Kasich, via the state Controlling Board, bypassed Ohio's House and Senate. Publicly, some GOP legislators got riled about that. Privately, those Great Americans may have thanked Kasich for sparing them a tough House or Senate roll-call.

Kasich on Tuesday did announce two big and praiseworthy projects.

He said the state will spend $112 million to replace, at the same location, the state's Twin Valley mental hospital, on Columbus's West Side.

And Kasich said the state will create a Jesse Owens State Park and Wildlife Area in east-central Ohio. The state's buying 13,000 acres of restored strip mine land from Columbus-based American Electric Power Co. (Tab: $26 million.) The property will offer recreation, fishing and hunting in parts of Guernsey (Cambridge), Morgan (McConnellsville), Muskingum (Zanesville) and Noble (Caldwell) counties. Owens, a renowned athlete and black Clevelander, won four gold medals at Berlin's 1936 Olympics, humiliating Nazi Germany's racist regime.

Kasich's speech was no swan song. He won't vanish in January, when his governorship ends. He still has Potomac Fever, so 2020 and the presidency seem on his mind as much as ever. That's entirely reasonable, given John Kasich's resume and the antics of the White House's tenant.

So, here's a tip to voters in other states: If you've never heard the names Albert Camus, Soren Kierkegaard or Jean-Jacques Rousseau, don't worry: There's a fair chance you soon will.

Thomas Suddes, a member of the editorial board, writes from Athens.

To reach Thomas Suddes: tsuddes@cleveland.com, 216-999-4689

Have something to say about this topic? Use the comments to share your thoughts. Then, stay informed when readers reply to your comments by using the "Follow" option at the top of the comments, and look for updates via the small blue bell in the lower right as you look at more stories on cleveland.com.Andrew Stettner is a senior fellow at The Century Foundation's Bernard L. Schwartz Rediscovering Government Initiative.

CLEVELAND -- This week, President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on imported steel and aluminum in an effort to help U.S. manufacturers -- companies like ArcelorMittal in Cleveland -- that have long been hurt by deindustrialization and offshoring. The announcement has sparked a firestorm of debate, dividing workers, advocates, and economic experts across the political aisle, and even manufacturers themselves.

What this debate is really about, though, is not tariffs, but jobs, and whether preserving (and growing) manufacturing jobs is a lost cause or a goal within reach.

We see evidence that it is an attainable goal. With the right choices by government -- choices that include, but are not limited to, enforcing existing fair trade laws -- manufacturing can once again be a driver of shared prosperity and good jobs here in Ohio and across the country.

Many people, especially young people, have reason to be skeptical of manufacturing's future. Deindustrialization has left once-prosperous communities across the state poorer, weaker, and in some cases smaller.

Michael Shields is a researcher at Policy Matters Ohio.

By 2016, Ohio had lost half its peak manufacturing jobs, spurring population declines in Cleveland, Akron, and Youngstown, among other cities. Median household income trailed the national average by nearly $5,300.

Structural changes to the sector mean that once-lucrative jobs in manufacturing are no longer a given. In 2016, manufacturing wages still paid $11,000 more than other jobs, but that average obscures growing stratification driven by outsourcing and increased use of contingent workers. Assembly-line wages have dropped 3.7 percent from 1999, as established companies have contracted out operations to a fiercely competitive supplier market, and fewer workers are unionized.

Yet, there are bright spots in Ohio's manufacturing landscape. Since bottoming out in 2009, manufacturers have expanded their revenues by 24.5 percent and now represent a greater share of the state's economy than in 2009.

Ohio has the third most manufacturing jobs in the nation, trailing only much larger California and Texas.

Plus, nearly half of Ohio's manufacturing jobs are in one of 35 "advanced" manufacturing industries -- jobs that pay 18 percent more ($65,000 a year) and have long-term growth potential.

So how can Ohio build on this recent momentum, grow good-paying manufacturing jobs, and help families make up lost economic ground?

To start, we must abandon policies that are not working, such as giving away massive corporate tax credits that force communities to compete for firms to move into the state. Such policies cost the state vital resources that are needed to invest in communities and a reinvigorated workforce.

As we outline in a new report to be released next week, Ohio should invest resources in university-based public-private partnerships that can develop new advanced manufacturing technologies, rather than chasing firms in a race-to-the-bottom competition.

Through things like Manufacturing Extension Partnerships, the America Makes - National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute in Youngstown, and layoff aversion programs, the state can make its existing manufacturers more productive, competitive, and well-paying.

Similarly, Ohio must refresh its manufacturing workforce with a new generation of talented and equipped workers. This requires significant government action, starting with efforts in the kindergarten-through-12th-grade education system to expose young people to an array of manufacturing careers. It also requires the state to invest more in industrial apprenticeships to restock skilled trades like machinists and mechanics.

And for manufacturing to help lift up the rest of the state, policies must focus on increasing prosperity for workers who spend their wages in their own communities. That means rejecting proposals in Columbus to make it harder for workers to form unions, and phasing in a $15 minimum wage by 2025. Ohio policymakers should also provide adequate unemployment compensation to restore viability to the unemployment trust fund, which workers need to regroup and retrain, through an adequate employer tax and a payroll tax.

President Trump's tariff announcement, its imperfections notwithstanding, was aimed at a real problem. But more can -- and must -- be done. With a level playing field, Ohio's manufacturing workers can compete with anyone in the world. And with the right policies and investments, Ohio can once again become a destination for good jobs and an envy of the nation.

Andrew Stettner, based in Washington, D.C., is a senior fellow at The Century Foundation's Bernard L. Schwartz Rediscovering Government Initiative. The foundation's funding comes largely from an endowment established in 1919 by progressive businessman Edward Filene. Cleveland-based Michael Shields, based in Cleveland, is a researcher at the liberal think tank Policy Matters Ohio and author of the new report, "Protected: Manufacturing a High-Wage Ohio." Policy Matters Ohio is funded by foundation grants and individual donations.

**************

Have something to say about this topic? Use the comments to share your thoughts. Then, stay informed when readers reply to your comments by using the "Follow" option at the top of the comments, and look for updates via the small blue bell in the lower right as you look at more stories on cleveland.com.On July 28, 2011, the Bahraini Parliament, with the endorsement of King Sheikh Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa, voted 22 new counter-terrorism laws. These newly-implemented measures are widening the scope of the law since, under these provisions, plethora of activities could qualify as terrorism offences.

(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Documenting human rights violations in a country like Bahrain has become an extremely challenging and dangerous task. Since February 2011, Bahraini authorities have banned international human rights groups to enter the country. Bahraini Human Rights defenders have been increasingly targeted and prevented from documenting cases of arbitrary arrest and detention, torture and enforced disappearances. In addition, local NGOs like BCHR face further obstacles in documenting abuses against detained Bahraini women as many victims or their families are also afraid of speaking up in fear of reprisals or social stigma.



The role of women in preventing and countering terrorism and extremism has generally gained momentum at the UN and internationally. However, in some countries like Bahrain, women have become the invisible victims of counter-terrorism laws.



The increased targeting of women in the context of the Counter-Terrorism Law



On July 28, 2011, the Bahraini Parliament, with the endorsement of King Sheikh Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa, voted 22 new counter-terrorism laws. These newly-implemented measures are widening the scope of the law since, under these provisions, plethora of activities could qualify as terrorism offences. These laws are serving a manifest strategic purpose and Bahraini authorities are using them to hinder any form of dissidence to the regime. This reality doesnt spare women.



During the last month, 7 women have been prosecuted under these new laws. The Bahraini authorities have been adopting an overly broad definition of the crime of complicity and women have been unjustly targeted for their relationships to male family members whom the government is investigating cases of alleged terrorism. On February 21, a Bahraini court sentenced three Bahraini women (Amal, Iman, Fatima Ali) to three years in prison for allegedly covering up for male family members. On January 31, Muna Habib, Hamida Alkhor, Amira AlQashaami and Faten Hussein were convicted as well and sentenced to 5 years imprisonment in relation to alleged terrorist activities by family members.



This blatant misuse of criminal law represents a typical pattern of repression from an authoritarian state and is intended to silence all opposition voices. This campaign of intimidation is contrasting with official statements, as Governments representatives are denying that any prisoner is detained for political reasons.



Unfair prosecution by military Courts



The use of military courts and the Counter-terrorism law means that detainees are deprived of their basic right to a fair trial. The women convicted have been denied access to lawyers and relatives, as well as the opportunity to challenge the basis of their detention before a judge. BCHR or any independent monitoring body has never been allowed to attend these trials.



The Counter-terrorism framework and military Courts are the main tool used by the Bahraini authorities to prosecute persons detained in relation with opposition or protest movement as is the case for the vast majority of the women recently convicted.



On International Womens day, BCHR request the Bahraini Government to put an end to arbitrary arrests of women and to review all cases of women detainees held for their relationship with male family members. The authorities should also revise the Counterterrorism law and replace it with rights-respecting counterterrorism legislation that meets international standards for due process and fair trial.









/129The protesters held up posters of the senior cleric, who was placed under house arrest last May following a bloody police raid on his residence in Diraz.



(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Residents in the northwestern Bahraini village of Diraz took to the streets on Friday in show of solidarity with Bahrains highest religious authority Sheikh Isa Qassim.



The protesters held up posters of the senior cleric, who was placed under house arrest last May following a bloody police raid on his residence in Diraz.



Those who took part in the peaceful gathering also voiced their condemnation of the continuing ban on Friday prayers at Dirazs Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque, which use to host the largest Shiite congregation in Bahrain.



The kingdoms security forces enforced the ban, which has been in place since June 2016, by deploying armored vehicles while placing concrete barricades and police checkpoints across the village.



The introduction of the ban came shortly after Sheikh Qassim was stripped of his citizenship for speaking out against the regime in Manama. Since then, Dirazs 30,000 residents have been subjected to an unprecedented lockdown in what rights groups describe as collective punishment.







/257We are analyzing the site. Please wait a few seconds..Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society demanded in a statement marking Women's Day to release female prisoners of conscience in Bahraini regime prisons.

(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society demanded in a statement marking Women's Day to release female prisoners of conscience in Bahraini regime prisons.



Al-Wefaq said in its statement that "the Bahraini regime arrests, tortures and issues retaliatory verdicts against activists. Some activists are sentenced to 5-year jail terms".



The society stressed that "Bahraini women are subjected to different kinds of violations and abuses. Many were martyred, imprisoned, stripped of their citizenships, persecuted, deported, dismissed or banned from traveling. Women in Bahrain are blackmailed, summoned and pressured to work for intelligence bodies."



"The Bahraini woman serves as a great model for women across the world for the capabilities she enjoys on all levels. The Bahraini woman has a leading role in education, work and culture and has a major role in society. She also works in different high-rank and vital professions. She also has a major role in voicing the demands of Bahrainis and standing steadfast with great will in their ongoing demand for the necessary democratic transition and putting an end to corruption and tyranny," Al-Wefaq further stated.



Al-Wefaq saluted every Bahraini woman "whether she was a housewife, maintaining a job, pursuing education or behind bars for expressing her political views."









/129My mother had an important influence on me. One of the most inspiring people in my life has been my mother; she was a very influential person.

(AhlulBayt News Agency) - My mother had an important influence on me. One of the most inspiring people in my life has been my mother; she was a very influential person.



Ayatollah Khamenei, April 27, 1998



My parents were great parents. My mother was a wise, knowledgeable woman, keen on reading books. She had poetic and artistic talents; and she was well familiar with the poet Hafiz--not in an academic sense, but she used to read his book of poems often. She was also extremely familiar with the Quran and had a beautiful voice.



When we were small children, we used to gather around her and my mother would recite the Quran for us. She recited the Quran in a sweet and beautiful voice. We, children, used to gather and she would, according to the occasion, relate to verses about the lives of the prophets. The first time I heard life stories of the prophets Moses, Abraham, and other prophets was from my mother during these occasions. When she recited the Quran and then reached a verse with the name of a prophet, she began to tell his story.



Some of the poems, that I still remember at the age of nearly 60, are the poems I heard from my mother during those times, including these two couplets:

In the morning when, he's standing on the mountainous lands, the Khasrau of the east, the rising sun pitched,

With the hand of mercy, the door of hopeful ones, my beloved beats



***



At the gates of the tavern I saw the angels knock

Kneaded this clay we call human and made it talk.



In sum, she was a very kind and wise woman. She, like all mothers, loved her children and was considerate towards them. My father was a great, well-known religious scholar. In contrast to my mother, who was very attractive, talkative, and friendly, my father seemed a calm, silent man. This was the effect of the long years he spent as a seminary student, alone in his chamber. Well, my fathers mother tongue was Turkish; we are originally from Tabriz; my father comes from Khamene in Tabriz, and my mothers native language was Farsi. So, since childhood, we came to know both Turkish and Farsi; and our home had a good ambience in it.



Imam Khamenei, February 3, 1998









/129The 100-million ($138-million) agreement, the first of its kind, was signed between the UK government and Saudi Arabias KS Relief during a visit to London by the kingdoms Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the British PoliticsHome website, which reports on parliamentary affairs, reported on Friday.



(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Britains shadow aid secretary blasts London for inking a hefty aid deal with Saudi Arabia with the purported aim of creating infrastructure in poor countries at a time when the Riyadh regime is killing Yemeni people and has pushed their country, the poorest in the Arabian Peninsula, into the worlds worst humanitarian crisis.



The 100-million ($138-million) agreement, the first of its kind, was signed between the UK government and Saudi Arabias KS Relief during a visit to London by the kingdoms Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the British PoliticsHome website, which reports on parliamentary affairs, reported on Friday.



The government has defended the controversial deal as a new long-term partnership to promote economic development in some of the worlds poorest countries.



However, the UKs opposition and aid sector have reacted angrily to the deal amid growing concerns over Saudi Arabias war crimes in neighboring Yemen.



Kate Osamor, the shadow international development secretary, slammed the deal as a national disgrace, saying Prime Minister Theresa May had said she would raise concerns over the Yemen situation in talks with bin Salman.



Over 22 million Yemeni lives depend on permanent, full access for aid, food and fuel in Yemen. Instead, she has won no concessions and simply handed on a plate to Saudi Arabia a new humanitarian partnership and an endorsement from DfID [the Department for International Development], the worlds best aid agency, she said.



It will whitewash Saudi Arabias reputation and role in the war, and it is a national disgrace, Osamor.



She said Prime Minister Theresa May was auctioning off Britains credibility as a humanitarian power to the highest bidder.



A Labour source noted concerns that the aid agreement had been signed with no guarantee of a permanent lifting of the blockade of goods into Yemen or a ceasefire in the region, the website, meanwhile, reported. The source added that it was unclear what the 100m will be spent on, and whether the UK had attached any safeguards, it added.



Bin Salman, who was in London from Wednesday until Friday, is regarded as the architect of Riyadhs three-year war on Yemen. More than 13,600 people have died since the onset of the war and the impoverished country has turned into the scene of the worlds worst humanitarian crisis, according the UN.



The UK has been lending logistical support to the warfare. It has increased its weapons sales by around 500 percent since March 2015, The Independent reported last November. The military equipment sold to the kingdom ever since, including warplanes, precision-guided bombs, and missiles, are worth more than $6.4 billion.



On Friday, Saudi Arabia signed a preliminary deal to buy 48 Typhoon jets from the UK despite widespread protests against Londons arms sales to Riyadh.



Earlier, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has accused the Government of colluding in war crimes by directing the war in Yemen - claims dismissed as false by Downing Street.



Allan Hogarth, the head of policy and government affairs at Amnesty Internationals British chapter, also voiced concern over the deal.



He said, British overseas aid is important in many ways, but at a time when the UK is arming a Saudi-led military coalition thats laying waste to homes, hospitals and schools in Yemen, this raises troubling questions.



Kevin Watkins, the chief executive of London-headquartered Save the Children, said, It has become acceptable to operate humanitarian blockades which, if not explicitly designed to starve children and harm children, will have that inevitable consequence.







/257Referring back to the Soviet Union's part in the war and answering his own question the Leader of the Revolution stated: "The Soviet Union, though opposed to the US, accompanied US in this event because the USSR owned numerous Muslim Republics, and the Islamic Revolution could incite those republics to think of their own Islamic identity."



(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Teenagers and young adults from Tehran and Alborz Provinces, planning to go on "Travelers to the Light" camp, met with the Leader of the Revolution this morning March 10, 2018.



During his meeting today with participants of the "Travelers to the light" journey, the Leader of the Revolution stated: "Todays claimants conspicuously provided bomb making chemicals to Saddam. The US and the powerful part of Europeincluding the UK, France, Italy and Germanyall backed Saddam and helped him as much as they could."



He reminded the audience, "At the beginning of the war, Saddams army had limited equipment, [but] as the time passed and despite the war, their amount of equipment increased substantially."



Referring back to the Soviet Union's part in the war and answering his own question the Leader of the Revolution stated: "The Soviet Union, though opposed to the US, accompanied US in this event because the USSR owned numerous Muslim Republics, and the Islamic Revolution could incite those republics to think of their own Islamic identity."



Elaborating further on those who aided Saddam during the eight-year war, he added: "The US, USSR, Nato and all other domineering powers backed Saddam to destroy the Islamic Republic."



"France provided its most advanced jets and helicopters to Saddam. Germany provided poisonous chemicals to Saddam to be used during the war," the Leader said while listing off the various ways countries assisted Saddam against Iran.



Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the hypocrisy of certain groups who accuse others of chemical weapons use while they gave Saddam weapons used against innocent people and Iranians, "Those who criticize certain groups with the excuse of using chemicals today, at that time, publicly gave chemicals to Saddam for making his bombs."



"Still, today, after 30 years, we have among our veterans those who still suffer from the chemical elements of the war; a great number were also martyred as a result," he reminded the audience while bringing up the use and impact of chemical weapons, adding "All satanic regimes of the world, helped the arrogant satan, Saddam, to create this war and to help him win the war."



The Leader of the Islamic Revolution asserted: "Of course, all their efforts were futile, and they couldnt take even the smallest part of the Islamic Republic under their control."



"Young generations, today, are more prepared than earlier generations when faced with repelling the invading enemies," said Ayatollah Khamenei, this morning, when speaking to "Travelers to the light" participants.



He added, "Animosity of domineering powers against the Islamic Republic led to this war, and the magnificence and self-sacrifice of our youth put an end to the war, in our interest, making the Islamic republic stronger; this is the identity of the holy defense, which we have to safeguard."



Speaking on the importance of the "Travelers to the light" and their mission, Ayatollah Khamenei stated: "The fact that, every year, millions of people go on the "Travelers to the Light" journey is one of the manifestations of safeguarding that magnificent era."



The Leader of the Revolution mentioned the enemies' intentions to his audience at the turn of their generation: "The enemies hope when the turn of your generation -- at 18 to 25 year-olds-- arrives, and your generation reigns over the country, Islam and the Revolution will be no longer, and the Americans be dominant over all aspects of the country."



"With this purpose, they started fighting against the Islamic Republic and caused the war, and they've continued their soft and hard attacks after the war," he added.



The Leader of the Revolution encouraged the young audience to repel the enemy by reflecting on and comparing them to the generations of the past: "But the actual result is that in this generation there are people who have greater talents for growth and prosperity, compared to the first generation, and their authority is greater than the enemies. So no doubt, if at that time our youth managed to repel the enemies, today this young generation is much more prepared to face and repel the enemies."



Ayatollah Khamenei touched on the reason behind the eight-year war, "The reason behind the eight-year war initiated by Saddams Baath Regime, was the greatness and grandeur of the revolution."



He continued, "When the revolution took place, its greatness frightened the powerful enemies. On the other hand, when they saw this revolution was welcomed among other Muslim nations and in countries headed by dependants on the US, and that the nations started slogans in favour of the Islamic revolution, the enemies aimed at destroying this revolution at any price."



The Leader of the Revolution asserted: "The enemies knew that Saddam was a personality with underlying tendencies to move aggressively and arrogantly, he was a naturally aggressive invader as a person. At the time of the Iranian revolution, Saddam was not the president of Iraq. The enemies proceeded in a way to put Hassan al-Bakr aside and make Saddam the president in order to incite him, encourage him, and force him to start a military attack on Iran."







/257Donald Trump and Theresa May could hardly be further apart in their character as national leaders.

Whereas Trump is seen to be decisive, Theresa May dithers. Trump is flamboyant and May is dull. While the British Prime Minister tends to seek out compromise, a headstrong U.S. President wants everything on his own terms.

And recently these huge differences in personality and style have been more evident than ever.

While Mrs May has inched forward very carefully with Britains negotiations to leave the EU, Mr Trump has ripped up the rulebook by arranging a meeting with North Korean despot Kim Jong-un.

The move is pure Trump  a bombastic, boastful and arrogant man who conducts high-stakes diplomacy by Twitter and is contemptuous of the advice of the Washington establishment, which despises him and is determined to destroy him.

Donald Trump and Theresa May could hardly be further apart in their character as national leaders, says PETER OBORNE

Yes, its very early days, but the dramatic news that Trump is to meet Kim brings hope of an end to the threat of nuclear war which has hovered in that part of the globe for years and defied the best efforts of the worlds best diplomats.

If a deal is struck, it will be an extraordinary vindication of The Donalds way of doing politics. His bravado, aggression and brinkmanship will have paid off.

Remember that when Barack Obama was in the White House, the liberal media applauded his judicious approach to North Korea. But it did absolutely nothing to stop the Pyongyang regime building missiles with the reported capability to reach California.

Im not suggesting in any way that Mrs May copies Trump, but there are lessons from his leadership style.

Generally, the consensus has been that the Prime Ministers calm and self-effacing approach has been the right one for a Government with a wafer-thin majority to handle historic negotiations.

Nevertheless, its time to ask whether in her dealings over the EU, Mrs May ought to take a leaf or two out of The Trump Book Of International Diplomacy. To date, shes behaved in the opposite way to Trump.

Shes played by the rules. Shes been careful not to cause offence to Brussels. Shes always ready to offer compromise. She habitually does what Whitehall civil servants tell her.

In the early days of her premiership, Mrs May was tougher, saying about Brexit that no deal is better than a bad deal. She was right.

However, she has backtracked and there has been none of that resolute language recently. Quite the reverse, in fact.

True, her measured speech at Londons Mansion House eight days ago was pragmatic and sensible  setting out her governments position while also handing out olive branches to Brussels.

So what was the result of being reasonable? The Prime Minister was put down by contemptuous EU leaders. They made clear that they have no intention of striking a deal with Britain except on their own terms.

The European Parliaments Brexit chief, Guy Verhofstadt, with leaden sarcasm, insultingly spoke of Mrs Mays goals as vague aspirations and said he hoped that serious proposals have been put in the post.

Donald Trump, right, speaks to Theresa May during in a working dinner meeting at the NATO headquarters

The preening Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, sneeringly said it was not in the EUs interests to give way to what he called her pick-and-mix approach.

And with his own bucket of cold water was the EUs chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, whose office lectured the British Government that it should not be allowed to cherry-pick a bespoke Brexit deal. Its easy to guess how Trump would respond to such pipsqueaks. This is the man, remember, who called the North Korean leader Little Rocket Man and who tweets scathing ripostes to his critics at 5am.

Mrs May, of course, disdains Twitter  unlike her predecessor in No. 10, David Cameron, who was an oh-so trendy social media obsessive.

(Indeed, on the evening of the EU referendum he was foolishly busy tweeting: Just 1 hour left to #VoteRemain  and keep Britain stronger, safer and better off in Europe.)

Without resorting to such gimmicks, Mrs May could start tearing up the diplomatic textbook and making her own ultimatums.

For the truth is that Britain has aces to play. If the Brussels bully-boys try to pull up the drawbridge, we must retaliate.

A bankrupt Brussels is desperate for the billions we have offered as a divorce settlement. If they cut up rough, we should threaten to withdraw our offer.

These Eurocrats need to be forcefully reminded that German and French manufacturers would be severely damaged if there was no deal.

Certainly, an area where Mrs May ought to be more Trump-like is on UK fishing rights.

In recent days, two ministers  Philip Hammond and George Eustace  shamelessly signalled to EU negotiators that Britain might be happy to sell out this countrys fishermen and allow boats from the remaining 27 EU nations into our coastal waters if we can secure a better deal for some sectors of our economy such as the City.

Its time for Theresa May to be bolder, put EU negotiators in their place  and win a really good deal for Britain

What a shabby betrayal of the democratic wishes of the 17 million who voted for Brexit (and, I wager, of many who voted Remain who also care for the protection of British fisheries).

Fishing rights are a deeply emotive issue, like immigration. Mrs May would be justified to do a Trump and threaten to walk away from the negotiating table if Brussels tries to con us on that issue.

She needs to make absolutely clear that any border arrangement between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic cannot be allowed to damage the constitutional integrity of the UK, and if she needs to use brinkmanship to secure this, so be it.

Lets never forget that it was the unequivocal resolve of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan  another leader unconscionably sneered at by the liberal classes  who out-stared the Russian bear, resulting in the collapse of Communism.

Timidly and limply following the advice of diplomats never achieves much in the face of obdurate foes.

Its time for Theresa May to be bolder, put EU negotiators in their place  and win a really good deal for Britain.

An over-ambitious liability

As police continue to investigate the Salisbury poisonings, the Government is planning how to respond if it is proved that the Russian state was responsible.

In such circumstances, I wish I had more faith in our novice Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson. Since his appointment four months ago, he has shown poor judgment.

First, he appalled senior military figures by revealing sensitive information about the Russian threat in what looked like a cack-handed attempt to distract attention from embarrassing revelations that he became close to a female office colleague during the early years of his marriage.

Then he self-aggrandisingly announced that he planned to challenge China by sending a British warship through the South China Sea  which must have had the Chinese quaking in their boots!

Most worryingly, I understand that Mr Williamsons relations with his military chiefs of staff are poor.

Im told he has taken to summoning them to his office and berating them in front of junior colleagues. Apparently, senior generals are so alarmed that they may raise their concerns with No. 10.

Mr Williamson makes little secret of his ambition to be prime minister one day. Let me tell him, if he continues alienating so many people, hell be lucky to stay in his present job, let alone make it to Downing Street.

As the storm clouds gather, Britain needs a wise head as Defence Secretary. Not an inexperienced lightweight who is consumed by his own vaulting ambitions.

Despite winning four of the five general elections he fought, Harold Wilsons reputation was abysmally low when he died 23 years ago.

However, there are signs that it is being rehabilitated.

One reason, I believe, is because his skill in keeping Britain out of the Vietnam War contrasts with Tony Blairs calamitous decision to take this country to war in Iraq.

The latter choice resulted in the wider region becoming a bloodbath that continues to this day.

An insight into Wilsons mind was offered last week when his chief policy adviser, Bernard Donoughue, 83, delivered a speech in Westminster.

He said the Labour PM never entered a room without first establishing the best exit.

Donoughue added: That was a metaphor for Wilsons political tactics.

Donoughue also said that Wilson warned his speechwriters: Remember that I dont want too many of these Guardianisms, Environmentalism, Genderism etc.

I want my speeches always to include what working people are concerned with: jobs, pay, prices, pensions.

Sound advice for any prime minister.We've had sparkly cupcakes and glitter lattes but apparently the latest trend to hit social media is glitter-infused beer, and just in time for St Patrick's Day.

Breweries across the country are experimenting with the edible glitter to give their beers a shiny, sparkly gleam.

Breweries including Ska Brewing in Durango, Colorado, Three Weavers Brewing Company in Inglewood, California and Bold Missy Brewery in Charlotte, North Carolina are just a few of the rising number of brewhouses who have released glitter-filled pints, reported Munchies.

Breweries across the country are experimenting with the edible glitter to give their beers a shiny, sparkly gleam

'I've done a few glitter beers and I'm absolutely smitten with them,' says Erica DeAnda, head brewer at Minocqua Brewing Company in Minocqua, Wisconsin.

'I think they are fun and bring a new level of uniqueness to a beer.'

Carli Smith from Bold Missy Brewery paid homage to '90s icon Lisa Frank with the glitter drink. 'What better way to honor her legacy than with glitter?' she said.

Breweries including Ska Brewing in Durango, Colorado, Three Weavers Brewing Company in Inglewood, California and Bold Missy Brewery in Charlotte, North Carolina are just a few of the rising number of brewhouses who have released glitter-filled pints

The glitter is edible and therefore is perfectly safe to drink.

'When I get people to come to my booth and try "the one with sparkles in it," they aren't just saying thank you and walking away to the next booth. They are holding it up, exclaiming, showing their friends, taking photos it's awesome,' Erica DeAnda, head brewer at Minocqua Brewing Company in Minocqua said.

The brewers said the glitter beer is even a way to 'fight rampant sexism in the beer industry.'

However, they did say they don't want the sparkly beer to just appeal to women, it's for everyone to enjoy.

'Even the men dig glitter beer,' DeAnda said. 'I dont think it means I disrespect my craft because I put my heart and soul into all my brewsI think glitter is just a small little part of my heart, so why the hell not?'

The brewers said the glitter beer is even a way to 'fight rampant sexism in the beer industry'We owe a lot to Roger Bannister, who died last week at the age of 88. Not only did he lift the spirits of a beleaguered post-war nation with his sporting feat of running a mile in under four minutes, but he went on to have a long and distinguished career as a doctor.

An athlete of world renown, he could have rested on his laurels, yet instead he dedicated himself to his patients and medical students. What a wonderful legacy.

But theres something else we should be grateful for: his story teaches us all a lesson about what we are capable of when we focus. It illustrates perfectly how the thing we need to overcome is the limitations we put on ourselves.

We owe a lot to Roger Bannister, who died last week at the age of 88. Not only did he lift the spirits of a beleaguered post-war nation with his sporting feat of running a mile in under four minutes, but he went on to have a long and distinguished career as a doctor

An athlete of world renown, he could have rested on his laurels, yet instead he dedicated himself to his patients and medical students. What a wonderful legacy

In the 1952 Olympics Bannister set a British record in the 1500 metres. However, he came fourth. Disappointed to have missed out on a medal, he set himself a goal: to be the first person to run a mile in under four minutes.

This had been tried many, many times and, in fact, was widely assumed to be physically impossible  the human body simply couldnt run that fast, it was thought. Undeterred, on May 6, 1954, with very little training by todays standards, Bannister ran a mile in 3 minutes, 59.4 seconds.

He was an instant celebrity with news of his achievement spreading round the globe. My mum was a little girl at the time and she, along with the rest of the country, was transfixed. She tells a story of how, enthralled by his achievement and encouraged to try it herself, she spent hours madly running. The only problem was that she didnt have a watch and didnt know how far a mile was, so instead, she counted to 60 four times while running hell for leather down the road and back with all the neighbours wondering what on earth was going on.

But while this made a fun family anecdote, it speaks of something much bigger  of how Bannisters achievement captured the imagination of a nation.

Sir Roger Bannister after receiving his award as a Companion of Honour from the Duke of Cambridge

His story was really about how things that seemed impossible could, with a little determination, become possible. And what happened after his run does, I think, teach us something quite profound about the workings of our minds.

There is no doubt his was a great achievement but whats really interesting is that his record lasted only 46 days.

And it continued to be broken  in fact one New Zealand runner, John Walker, ran 135 sub four minute miles in his career. Many male athletes (including some secondary schoool students) have run this time. So why was it that for years it seemed impossible, but is now quite commonplace?

Certainly this is partly down to the fact that we have better nutrition compared to Bannisters era. But experts now think a large part of this is the fact that Bannister removed the mental barrier. Once we know something is achievable, it becomes easier to achieve it. We see this time and again in sport.

The results that were considered record breaking  that won gold, say, 20 or 30 years ago  are now considered standard. Yet at the time, they were viewed as the limits of human capabilities. This same phenomenon happens in our individual lives. How often do we convince ourselves that something simply cant be done? But the limits of our lives are often the limits we place on them.

These limitations we put on ourselves come from the stories, the narratives or explanations about ourselves that give us a sense of self. They dont have to be true  they are often based on selective or biased recollections of events that fit with the overall story about how we define ourselves.

His story was really about how things that seemed impossible could, with a little determination, become possible

Sir Roger Bannister, after he passed the Olympic Flame to a torchbearer on the running track at Iffley Road Stadium in Oxford

So, someone convinces themselves theyre a failure, and look for evidence of this, overlooking all the things they achieve.

And the seed for the story you will tell about yourself is planted when we are children. This is why we have to be very careful when we start putting labels on children as it can be so damaging. Often its our parents and teachers who subtly and without us really realising, start a story about us and who we are.

People can live down, as well as up to expectation. We become known as not being very good at maths, or sport, or being badly behaved or scatty. They roll their eyes and shrug their shoulders as they dismiss their childs behaviour. Oh, hes always naughty or oh, shes not very good at so and so. We internalise these statements and they become self-fulfilling.

Rather than nuanced, fluid and changeable, things get caste as absolutes immoveable characteristics we can do nothing about. Its just who we are.

But this isnt true. It holds us back in life. Its not until we challenge this that we can lift the mental limitations we place on ourselves.

Don't be afraid of the word 'suicide'

From the outside, everything seemed to be going well for Edward Mallen. The 18-year-old, a gifted musician, had a place to read Geography at Cam- bridge University.

But hed been suffering from depression and in February, 2015, he took his own life.

Standing beside the coffin at his funeral, his father Steve made a promise that he would do something to tackle the appalling, tragic rates of suicide. And so he has.

As he told Good Health earlier this week, he is now leading efforts to help suicidal people with a campaign called Zero Suicide. The scheme involves providing suicide prevention training in schools, workplaces and hospitals, as well as raft of recommendations for policy changes that would mean suicidal people receiving better mental health support.

The campaign has also produced a training video that explains what to say to someone  a relative, friend, colleague for example  if youre worried about them. It encourages people to ask the question: Are you thinking about suicide?

I would question whether zero suicides is really achievable  not everyone who kills themselves has a mental illness, for example. Some have a terminal or incurable illness or are severe disabled and decide they no longer want to live. But over all, the message from the campaign is a vitally important one: Its good to talk about suicide.

There is a dangerous myth that perpetuates about suicide that, if you talk about it to someone who is desperate or depressed, then theyre more likely to kill themselves. This is categorically untrue.

Countless pieces of research have shown the exact opposite  asking about suicide and talking about it actually reduces the risk of someone doing it. Its such an important message and one that can save lives.

Stress doesn't cause cancer

Theres no doubt that stress can make us feel miserable and depressed. Its also been linked to all sorts of health complications such as high blood pressure and insomnia. But can it give you cancer?

According to research published this week by the World Cancer Research Fund, half of us wrongly believe that it can.

Theres no doubt that stress can make us feel miserable and depressed. Its also been linked to all sorts of health complications such as high blood pressure and insomnia

For many years, doctors would talk of type C personalities to describe unassertive, stressed, nervous people who repressed their feelings. It was thought that their buried anger and negative feelings somehow made them prone to cancer.

In fact, theres no evidence to support this and its been widely criticised by both psychologists and oncologists.

Yet it remains a popular idea. I think part of the reason it endures, despite all the evidence to the contrary, is that it suggests theres a neat, clear explanation for why people get cancer.

In a strange way, its far more reassuring to think its caused by someones negative energy or stress levels than to accept the truth  that life is random and unfair and sometimes people just get the short straw.

But when you think about it, the idea that its someones negative energy or struggle to cope thats responsible for illness is hateful. It implies its their fault for allowing themselves to get stressed and not dealing with life better, and thats simply not true.

Imagine youve just been diagnosed with cancer  this sort of claptrap is the last thing you want to hear. Well, if only youd relaxed a bit more often youd be right as rain now.

It resonates with the idea that the world is fair, that bad things happen to bad people. But some of the happiest, most relaxed people Ive ever known have been mowed down by cancer.

Being stressed isnt going to give you cancer, however theres no doubt that someones psychological state can impact on how they experience being unwell. Studies show a positive mental outlook helps patients, whatever their illness: they report less pain, less discomfort and need less medication.

However, this is not saying a positive attitude actually affects the eventual outcome. People with cancer have enough to contend with without also having to deal with the idea that their personalities might be responsible for their illness.

Having a birthday in the office soon? Well, according to Public Health England rather than bringing in cake, we should be offering around a cucumber or carrot.

Are they serious? The problem with public health doctors is that while their heart is in the right place, they seem so out of touch.

And can you imagine wandering around the office waving a cucumber and asking who wants to celebrate your birthday with you? Thats a sexual harassment lawsuit waiting to happen!Thai massage looks brutal. During a typical session, performed on a floor mat, the therapist will use hand, elbows, knees, feet and even the whole body to push, pull, stretch and twist the body into some seemingly impossible shapes.

But the 2,500-year-old treatment is said to do the body a world of good, aligning posture, ironing out muscle tension, improving the circulation and, claim advocates, even balancing hormone levels.

Having had Thai massage in the UK in a bid to rehabilitate a very sore hamstring (injured during an over-enthusiastic yoga session), I was intrigued to try it out at the point of origin, in Bangkok.

Thai massage looks brutal. During a typical session, performed on a floor mat, the therapist will use hand, elbows, knees, feet and even the whole body to push, pull, stretch and twist the body into some seemingly impossible shapes

What's the problem?

If I could change anything about my body, it would be my hamstrings  the tough band of muscles and ligaments that run down the backs of the thighs. Like many men of my age  Im 39 this year  mine are ridiculously tight. I cant touch my toes. In 2016, trying to stretch them during a yoga class, I felt a slight pop. The tear wasnt horrendous, but it was painful while it healed and that took about six months.

Wheres the solution?

Massage spas line the streets in Bangkok and look a little like hairdressers. Therapists hang around outside, and depending on how busy they are and (possibly) how hot it is, tout for business. You pick a treatment from a big printed menu on the wall, sit on a leather recliner and let them do the business.

Costing as little as 5 for a 30-minute treatment, its not the height of luxury. But as a tourist pull, theyre strictly licensed and regulated. Locals think nothing of popping in for a quick tune-up.

For the sake of contrast, I also try a high-end treatment at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, on the bank of the Chao Phraya River.

Whats the treatment?

Being a Bangkok spa newbie, I opt for a foot and leg massage at the street parlour. Im given a pair of loose trousers to change into, sink into the easy chair with my feet up on a padded stool and let my masseur do his thing.

The therapists dont speak English but I managed to use a sort of sign language to indicate the bit of me thats injured.

The stretches arent that intense  they avoid anything too vigorous at these sessions for health-and-safety reasons. Its more relaxing than anything, and I notice a few locals dozing in their chairs while their feet are worked on.

The Traditional Thai treatment (66 for 50 minutes) at the Mandarin Oriental is, however, the full works. After changing into linen pyjamas, I lie on a floor mat as the petite therapist applies pressure and pulls my limbs.

At one point, she holds my arms behind my back while pulling me up, so I am arched upward. Its intense, but never uncomfortable and also hugely satisfying.

She works on my leg, taking a huge amount of care, but the treatment is top to toe  everything is connected, after all. Its the best Thai massage Ive had. Oh, and afterwards, I can touch my toes at last.Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei authorized Irans Judiciary to pardon or commute the sentences of Iranian convicts under new conditions.



(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei authorized Irans Judiciary to pardon or commute the sentences of Iranian convicts under new conditions.



Under the new conditions, approved by the Leader at the request of the countrys Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani on the occasions of the birth anniversary of Hazrat Zahra (SA), the beloved daughter of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and Irans New Year (due to begin on March 21), the Judiciary will reduce three fourth of the jail terms of convicts sentenced up to a year, half of the jail terms of convicts sentenced between a year and 20 years, and the remaining of the jail terms of convicts sentenced to more than 20 years provided that they have served at least 10 years of their sentence.



Those serving terms in Iranian prisons due to financial problems and inability to pay their fines are also included in the new order.



The Clause 11 of the Constitutions Article 110 grants the Leader the right to pardon or reduce the sentences of convicts upon a recommendation from the head of the Judiciary.



The clemency, however, does not apply to certain types of convicts, including those who have been sentenced for their role in the armed struggle against the country, armed or organized drug trafficking, armed robbery, arms smuggling, fraud, abduction, bribery, and embezzlement.







/257A Midsummer Night's Dream London Coliseum Until Thu

Rating:

In some ways, A Midsummer Nights Dream was Benjamin Brittens most personal opera, one that set the seal on his relationship with his partner Peter Pears.

Britten and Pears, in a huge hurry, and with intense concentration, fashioned the libretto together, skilfully trimming Shakespeares play to reflect the fact that singing a line takes twice as long as speaking it.

For this piece, Britten wrote some of his most ravishing music, especially for the orchestra: the wind rustling through the leaves in the enchanted wood, where the entire piece is set, is invariably totally magical. And this is where most directors get it wrong.

English National Operas last production, by Christopher Alden in 2011, was an appalling example of directorial egomania.

This elderly take from Robert Carsen is undeniably prettier, but in truth misses the target by a similarly wide margin. Above: Soraya Mafi as Tytania with Joshua Bloom as Bottom

English National Operas last production, by Christopher Alden in 2011, was an appalling example of directorial egomania. It was set in an ugly prep school playground and had strong paedophilic undercurrents. No wonder even ENO deemed it unrevivable.

This elderly take from Robert Carsen is undeniably prettier, but in truth misses the target by a similarly wide margin. It first appeared in 1991 and was taken up by ENO in 1995, last appearing at the Coliseum in 2004. Instead of an ugly playground you get a huge green bed in Act I, and a lot of smaller beds in Act II. Notwithstanding the colourful costumes, this is an inert, unimaginative and superficial staging. Especially when compared to Peter Halls celebrated Glyndebourne production, where the atmosphere of the enchanted wood was completely captured.

Notwithstanding the colourful costumes, this is an inert, unimaginative and superficial staging. Above: Christopher Ainslie as Oberon and Miltos Yerolemou as Puck

The evening is partially redeemed by the singing of a young British cast. Above: Clare Presland as Hermia and Eleanor Dennis as Helena

After its first night, Pears was in tears: If only Ben could have seen this, he cried. Pears was unlikely to have been as impressed by either of the above.

The evening is partially redeemed by the singing of a young British cast, stiffened by a team of experienced rude mechanicals, led by Joshua Blooms charismatic Bottom. Christopher Ainslies Oberon stands out, as does Soraya Mafis Tytania. The rest are charming enough, but a bit overwhelmed by the size of the Coli. Indeed the whole piece, composed for the reopening in 1960 of Aldeburghs Jubilee Hall, which seated a mere 316 people, is more of a chamber opera, better suited to a smaller space.

Carsens one good idea was to cast Puck as an adult. Miltos Yerolemous acrobatics belie his dumpy frame. His charisma  and clear diction  steals this so-so show from under everybody elses noses.

Gianni Schicchi

Rating:

Il Tabarro

Rating:

English Touring Opera, Hackney Empire, London

On tour until Jun 2

I have been following English Touring Opera for years now, and have never heard anything better from them than this Gianni Schicchi. Puccinis one-acter, taken from Dantes Divine Comedy, tells the tale of the awful Donati family, who gather at the bedside of their deceased uncle Buoso in keen anticipation of loadsamoney. Only to find hes left it all to the monks. They send for the local rogue, Schicchi, who at their behest happily forges a new will, and then keeps most of Buosos fortune for himself.

I have been following English Touring Opera for years now, and have never heard anything better from them than this Gianni Schicchi

What is arguably the greatest of all operatic comedies really sparkles here thanks to the idiomatic conducting of Michael Rosewell, the excellent playing from his hand-picked orchestra, Liam Steels sophisticated direction and a strong cast.

Andrew Slater is a straight-forward, no-frills Schicchi; Galina Averina, who gets to sing Oh My Beloved Father, is a charming Lauretta; the tenor Luciano Botelho is an ardent Rinuccio, Laurettas intended; and a team of ETO stalwarts excels as the rest of the benighted family.

Neil Irishs art nouveau, Puccini-period sets and costumes look delightful. Not to be missed.

Its stablemate on tour, Il Tabarro, directed by James Conway, is a very different piece. One where the bullying barge-owner Michele (Craig Smith) ends up murdering the handsome young stevedore Luigi (Charne Rochford), who has been having an affair with Micheles wife Giorgetta (Sarah-Jane Lewis impressive, below with Smith).

Conway loves this piece, and his direction is compelling. Smith is maybe too long in the tooth to be entirely credible as the hulking barge-owner. But with Rosewell so persuasive in the pit, bringing out every detail of Puccinis brilliant score, this too is a credit to the company, which produces high-quality work on a shoestring.

ETO plays 20 venues on tour, also offering The Marriage Of Figaro and an evening of Fireworks from Rossini.

english touring opera.org.ukThe Best Man

Playhouse Theatre, London Until May 26 2hrs 20 mins

Rating:

Some things never change. American elections, for example, as this near 60-year-old play about two candidates slugging it out for the American presidency demonstrates. The writing is wise, waspish and insider-ish. Just what youd expect from the acidic Gore Vidal.

Martin Shaw plays William Russell, the principled Secretary running for President at the 1960 Democratic Convention. His trouble is that he cant keep his trousers on (just like John F Kennedy), and hes had a mental breakdown the press doesnt know about.

The writing is wise, waspish and insider-ish. Just what youd expect from the acidic Gore Vidal. Above: Honeysuckle Weeks, Maureen Lipman and Glynis Barber

Senator Cantwell is played by Jeff Fahey, all teeth and Brylcreem, an unscrupulous Southerner, a family man who pours God over everything like ketchup

His brash rival is Senator Cantwell (played by Jeff Fahey, all teeth and Brylcreem), an unscrupulous Southerner, a family man who pours God over everything like ketchup and who has his own skeletons rattling in the closet.

In Cantwell you hear the chest-thumping of Trump. Hell use any dirty trick to smear his opponent. But will the more noble Russell hit back with what he knows?

Hobbling between the two candidates is Wycliffe star Jack Shepherd as the lame old President, oozing mortality from every pore.

As the matriarchal representative of the women voters, Maureen Lipman casts a beady eye about like an escaped goose. Shes great value, though sadly she waddles off for good after livening up Act One.

There are also fine performances from Honeysuckle Weeks, as the shallow chatterbox Mrs Cantwell, and from Glynis Barber, whose loyal public poise hides a decayed but fond marriage to the philandering Russell. The action is all set in a hotel suite and the raucous press gaggle outside the door is reminiscent of that lovely old screwball newspaper comedy The Front Page.

Dated it may be, yet The Best Man is also a real crystal ball of a play, predicting the total moral debasement of todays political climate. Very well acted, its recommended if witty, astute old Broadway plays are your thing.

Macbeth

Olivier stage, National Theatre, London Until June 23, 2hrs 30mins

Rating:

Here, Macbeths castle is a tiny caff off the A9. Just the place for Rory Kinnears white van man Thane of Cawdor, who sounds like hes up from the South delivering a load of glottal stops.

Anne-Marie Duffs Lady Macbeth (above) forms a sort of partnership with Rory Kinnear (also above) but its oddly uninvolving

Indeed this horror poem, staged in anoraks, is a nightmare done in Geordie, Scouse, Yorkshire and God knows what accents. (All part of director Rufus Norriss dogged inclusivity and equality agenda.) Only Stephen Boxers King Duncan is carefully enunciated. As a result, he sounds like John Gielgud caught in a pub fight.

Anne-Marie Duffs Lady Macbeth forms a sort of partnership with Kinnear but its oddly uninvolving.

And I cant say I felt very sorry when Banquo (Kevin Harvey) got the chop. His bloody ghost lurches about the stage like an alcoholic in an A&E ward.

The dead creepy voodoo witches are a trump card and the jittery soundscape of ambient malice is also very effective. But the only serious murder going on here is that of the English language.

Fanny & Alexander

The Old Vic, London Until April 14 3hrs 30mins

Rating:

Fanny & Alexander  based on Ingmar Bergmans classic 1982 film  is set in 1907 and tells a story through the eyes of a young girl and boy whose family runs a theatre in a Swedish town.

The childrens father dies and life goes from a dream to a nightmare when their mother marries a cold, disciplinarian bishop.

The cast here is terrific. Above: Kevin Doyle as the cruel stepfather and Catherine Walker as Emilie Ekdahl

The zig-zagging adventure has a Hamlet-like ghost, lip-smacking family feasts, servants, love affairs and a kidnapping. Above: Walker with Lolita Chakrabarti

The zig-zagging adventure has a Hamlet-like ghost, lip-smacking family feasts, servants, love affairs and a kidnapping. Though this version is long (with two intervals), Max Webster, directing a thronging cast of 24, doesnt ever allow you to be bored.

Fans might miss the films close-ups and its amazing contrasts. But the cast here is terrific. Penelope Wilton is the imperious but kindly grandmother; Kevin Doyle (her fellow Downton Abbey actor) the cruel stepfather. Michael Pennington  the Jewish family friend  is another of the shows trump cards, as is Jonathan Slinger as the dissipated uncle you cant help loving.

Adapted by Stephen Beresford, this lush, haunting bedtime story unfolds in the sumptuous Old Vic as if it was written for it.





A Princess Undone

Park Theatre, London Until Sat, 1hr 40mins

Rating:

This play about Princess Margaret unfortunately arrives in the wake of Netflixs The Crown  Margaret is one of its many joys  and Craig Browns sparkling biography, Maam Darling. Nightmare she may have been, but was Margaret really as tiresome as she is here?

We meet her in Kensington Palace in 1993, a self-pitying, frosty old boot guzzling scotch and slagging off Diana and fellow Royals (Princess Michael of Kent is called rent a Kent) as she prepares a bonfire of letters that might embarrass the family  and herself. Felicity Deans Margaret  swathed in pearls and fag smoke  trades insults with Billy the butler, played by the shows author, Richard Stirling, plumping the cushions as if he is in a very camp sitcom.

The second half is livened up by the arrival of John Bindon (Patrick Toomey), a bit of criminal rough from Margarets past whose party trick of hanging beer mugs from his manhood is alluded to. But their scene together goes nowhere much.

Margaret clearly suffered from a lifetime of second billing and cloying self-pity. No one can accuse her, though, of lacking a waspish wit. I liked her description of a relative being like Tugboat Annie as she goes from peer to peer.My in-laws run Europes most westerly bookshop, in Dingle, County Kerry, and as a regular visitor to the west coast, Im delighted by the rising tide of top-notch local drinks. Dingle Gin is fab, and the West Kerry Brewery at Tig Bhric  Kerrys first micro-brewery in over a century  brews brilliant Cul Dorcha beer, among others. While many of us raise a pint of the ubiquitous black stuff on St Patricks Day, Ireland  especially if you buy online  has an expanding range of unmissable splendour on offer.

Beyond big-name Irish beers, Im a fan of The White Hag Brewing Company in County Sligo, with creative kit such as The Puca Dry Hopped Lemon Sour with Berry Hibiscus & Ginger. Unfiltered and unpasteurised, with just 3.5% alcohol, its an all-day sucker thatll keep you sharply quenched from this St Patricks Day to the next (2.95, beermerchants.com).

For a huge, dark beer, go for The White Hag Black Boar Imperial Oatmeal Stout 2016 (10.2%, 2.95 beermerchants.com)  thanks to ageing in bourbon barrels, its as powerful as an espresso ocean boosted by a tide of treacle.

Eight Degrees Brewing in County Cork blows me away, and if you want one genuinely awesome Irish experience this year, drink its Knock Mealdown Irish Stout (5%), recommended above, or for a hoppy tropical dazzler, Eight Degrees Citra Single Hop IPA (5.7%, 2.99, flavourly.com) is also a stunner.

Barrys Tea always features on my visits to County Kerry and Im thrilled to see it among the botanicals for Blackwater Barrys Tea Gin, with its golden tint and spicy twist. Alternatively, for sheer purity, Blackwater No 5 gin is incredibly elegant (41.5%, 29.99, homedeliverywine.com).

Of course theres Irish whiskey, and Ive found a stunner, above, from my go-to stockist for St Patricks Day  but remember the liqueurs too. Open a bottle of Coole Swan Irish Cream Liqueur (16%, 22, John Lewis) within a 100-mile radius of my wife and it will vanish to the echo of laughter and early signs of a living-room disco night. Spot on for celebrating good times, great craic and Saint Patrick himself! Slainte!Kettners Townhouse

29 Romilly St,

London W1D 5HP

Rating:

Kettner's is Sohos great survivor, a rakish flaneur with raffish charm and an ever-wandering eye. His suits may have been a little worn, his shoes in need of a resole, but he wore his elegance lightly, like a splash of Trumpers Extract of Limes. Who knows how many champagne-fuelled flings, exotic entanglements and torrid trysts have taken place in this Romilly Street institution. Its where Oscar Wilde entertained some of his more, well, fresh-faced friends, Edward VII discussed Uganda, upstairs, with Lillie Langtry. And Winston Churchill had a drink. Or ten.

The refurbished dining room. Kettner's is Sohos great survivor, a rakish flaneur with raffish charm and an ever-wandering eye

But its always been sexy rather than seedy, a softly lit and sybaritic escape from the grey mundanities of everyday life. I hadnt been in years, probably not since I worked in Soho in the late 1990s. Back then, there was a Pizza Express in there, alongside the famed Champagne Bar. It was probably one of the best places to eat, as the area was a culinary wasteland. All the hot culinary action happened out east. Anyway, the place has now been bought by one of Sohos modern saviours, Nick Jones, the quietly brilliant brains behind the Soho House empire.

And many of the original features have been buffed and polished and brought back from the dead. The plaster moulding in the dining room, along with the mirrors, which seem artfully aged, but have actually been lovingly restored. Just like the mosaic floor of the Champagne Bar. Elsewhere, theres a studiedly expensive shabbiness to the place  the fabric on the chairs is artfully faded, the parquet floor discreetly scuffed, while the material covering the banquettes has random stains, as if champagne has been spilled from the flutes of princes and courtesans alike. There are old lamps scattered about, and pot plants and antique screens, giving the feel of lived-in Edwardiana. Jazz trills in the background, to be replaced, as lunch gets going, by a very good pianist. So I like the room, and the service too  slick, but never pushy. Glasses are constantly filled, attention gained by the merest flicker of the eye.

Things start well with the food, a mighty silver bowl filled with crushed ice and crudites (pert carrots, fiery radishes with their leaves, romanesco, endive and more) with a gently herby mayonnaise. The potato cakes that come with the home-made taramasalata (gently smoky, slyly rich) turn out to be obese chips. Well, deep-fried oblongs of crushed spud. But theyre damned fine too.

Gougeres arrive under a blizzard of grated gruyere, but theyre a touch dense and heavy. They clump where they should be gliding. Not a patch on those beauties at Noize. Devon crab is spiked with batons of apple, but its a little dull, lacking the ethereal sweetness of the truly fresh. We wonder if it had been picked the day before and spent a night in the fridges chilly embrace. Roasted bone marrow is underseasoned and cries out for an uplifting slash of acidity. St John, it aint, grumbles Seb, and hes right. Raw Gigha halibut uses good-quality fish, and thinly sliced radishes add welcome crunch. But any subtlety is lost in a clumsy splodge of incongruous smoked cream. Mains are fine, if a little uninspiring. A decent Kettners omelette is generous with good-quality smoked eel and salty shards of crisp bacon too. Beautifully wobbly inside, its Rowley Leigh level. But then Id eat anything featuring this peerless pairing of surf and turf. Theres also a splurge of entirely unnecessary sauce dumped in the middle. Why?

Sea bass, monks beard and sauce vierge. A lunch that doesnt ever offend. And occasionally even delights

Bouillabaisse is generous with the fish, although it lacks the muscular grunt of the truly great. Its perfectly polite, but this is not a dish concerned with good manners. I want the salty, foul-mouthed swagger of the drunken sailor.

A lunch, then, that doesnt ever offend. And occasionally even delights. But on the whole, unlike the room, its hardly memorable, shuffling off meekly to the distant reaches of the back of my mind. Its great to have the old roue back, and the mischief is still stained deep in its walls. But next time, like the kings, poets, playwrights and prime ministers before, me, Ill skip the grub. And retire, disgracefully, next door, to that most lovely and louche of legendary London bars.

About 35 per head

What Tom ate this week

Sunday

More fasting at the Buchinger Wilhelmi clinic, Germany. Pear juice for lunch. Spinach soup for dinner. Surprisingly not hungry.

Monday

Apple juice for lunch. Clear vegetable consomme for dinner.

Tuesday

Breakfast day! Apple puree and a single cashew. Later, vegetable and potato soup.

Wednesday

Porridge for breakfast. Braised fennel for lunch. Roasted vegetables for dinner. Proper food. Back home tomorrow.Never mind watching future electric cars being unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show this week. I was among the first to drive one  Jaguars Tesla challenger, the I-Pace.

I took it out on a slippery track a short distance from the show hall  and its great fun. Its stylish, but would fit well in any family driveway.

Im not sure why I was surprised, but it drives like a Jaguar, too, though running entirely on electric power, it lacks the traditional roar. But it still feels taut and fast.

Future classic: The I-Pace drives like a Jaguar though running entirely on electric power, it lacks the traditional roar

And it accelerates like lightning, hitting 60 mph from rest in just 4.5 seconds.

But I wasnt just going in straight lines.

I was throwing it around in the rain with abandon on an automotive assault course of tight turns and even a stint on a skid pan, as well as doing a fair few manoeuvres of my own.

Its sure-footed and fun with a top speed of 124 mph. Yet it still promises a range of 298 miles  or just enough battery charge to drive from London to Newcastle  on one overnight charge.

Ray tried out the I-Pace on a slippery track a short distance from the show hall at the Geneva Motor Show

Quick: The I-Pace hits 60 mph from rest in just 4.5 seconds and has a top speed of 124 mph

Priced from 58,995 to 76,995, which includes a taxpayer subsidy of 4,500, its available to order now in four trim levels: S, SE, HSE and a top of the range First Edition launch model.

Deliveries are set for July, when the first models also reach showrooms. But customers can order and configure their cars online now at jaguar.co.uk

Two Jaguar-designed electric motors  one at each axle  develop a total of 400 bhp  thats about four Ford Fiestas.

Coming soon: The electric Jag is priced from 58,995 to 76,995, which includes a taxpayer subsidy of 4,500, with deliveries set for July

Credentials: Jaguar says owners will be able to achieve an 80 per cent charge in 85 minutes

Providing the power is a high-tech 90kWh lithium-ion battery that sits centrally and low between the axles, to give perfect 50:50 weight distribution.

Jaguar says owners will be able to achieve an 80 per cent charge in 85 minutes using a 50kW DC charger.

A 30-minute charge will give a range of about 80 miles.

A fast charge will power the battery to 80 per cent capacity in just 45 minutes.

Home charging overnight achieves 80 per cent power in just over ten hours, while a full charge will take 12.9 hours.

Jaguar has pipped Audi, and a host of other rivals, to the post.

Nimble: Jaguar has pipped Audi, and a host of other rivals, to the post

VOLVO XC40 IS CAR OF THE YEAR Volvo boss Hakan Samuelsson with the European Car of the Year award for the XC40 SUV Volvos new XC40 SUV, which I road tested recently, is a deserving winner of this years prestigious European Car of the Year award, which was announced on the eve of the Geneva Motor show and collected by the Swedish car firms chief executive Hakan Samuelsson. In a Eurovision-style tallying of points for the industrys Oscars it beat six other shortlisted cars: Alfa Romeos Stelvio, the Audi A8, BMW 5-series, Citroen C3 Aircross, Kia Stinger, and Seat Ibiza.

Toyota unveils new British-built Auris

Toyota took the wraps of its new Auris hybrid hatchback (above) which, along with petrol versions, will be built at the Japanese giants plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire, ready for sale in the first quarter of next year.

Brexit boost: The new Auris hybrid hatchback, along with petrol versions, will be built at the Japanese giants plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire

But it also delivered a shock by announcing the death knell for diesel.

Toyota will end sales of all diesel cars in Britain and Europe by the end of this decade and plans to boost petrol-electric hybrids in their place.

Last year 45 per cent of Toyota UK sales were hybrid and fewer than 7 per cent were diesel, plummeting to 4.5 per cent in January.

Two-door Range Rover is three times the price

The new two-door 165 mph Range Rover SV Coupe from Jaguar Land Rovers special vehicle operations division in Ryton, Coventry, has half the number of doors and costs three times the price of a standard Range Rover  a hefty 240,000.

Most expensive Range Rover yet: Just 999 of these limited edition Range Rover SV Coupes will be built, each once costing at least 240,000

Production is limited to 999 vehicles, all hand-built. Rest to 62 mph takes 5.3 seconds from the 557bhp, 5-litre supercharged V8 engine.

Two more eye-catchers from rival camps pleased the crowds in Geneva  Audis new A6 and BMWs prototype M8 Gran Coupe due in 2019.

Audis new A6 also debuted at the 88th edition of the Geneva Motor Show this weekFour months have passed since Philip Hammond delivered a sober Autumn Budget peppered with gloomy forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

If Spreadsheet Phil feels like lifting clouds of despondency, partly created by Treasury mandarins, he will have the opportunity next Wednesday when he delivers his spring statement.

The Chancellor pledges a scaled back affair rather than the shed-load of new policies favoured by predecessors Gordon Brown, Alistair Darling and George Osborne.

But most politicians would find it difficult not to lift the mood with a sprinkle of stardust.

Say it quietly, but the Chancellor does have cash behind the clock for smoothing Brexit, boosting the NHS and Tory tax cuts

In a very short time-frame, the economic and fiscal outlook has improved sharply. Indeed, if the goal posts can shift so quickly, it is a reminder that leaked Treasury estimates on the impact of Brexit on the nation and the regions are likely to be unreliable.

You dont have to be a believer in the merits of leaving the European Union to think this.

An authoritative report by three Remainer Cambridge economists at the universitys Centre for Business Research fundamentally challenges forecasts made by HM Treasury, the OBR and the OECD.

It argues that many of the assumptions fed into forecasting models are faulty, with the possible exception of the London School of Economics approach.

One should be cautious about short-term data, but improvements seen since November are remarkable.

The latest numbers for manufacturing output show production up for an unprecedented ninth month in succession, with capital goods and electronics leading the charge.

Exports are at record levels, as might be expected following sterlings post-referendum depreciation. But so are imports from the EU.

That might not seem a good thing but it illustrates why Brussels should not allow Britain to fall off a cliff edge.

In the autumn, the OBR made a series of poor assumptions about the UKs perceived appalling productivity.

The timing of its big downgrade, which fed into growth forecasts and the health of the public finances, was peculiarly premature.

Output per hour jumped 0.8 per cent in the final quarter of 2017 and has now experienced its best two consecutive quarters since the financial crisis.

Moreover, with unemployment at record low levels and the flow of overseas workers becalmed by Brexit, the long-awaited uptick in business investment may start to materialise.

The Cambridge economists suggest that the Bank of England agents have overdone the impact of business uncertainty in their forecasting and the economic impact is shown to have been weak.

What is indisputable is that Hammond has a better borrowing story to tell.

In November, the OBR lowered the budget deficit forecast for this year from 58billion to 50billion.

Overkill: The Cambridge economists suggest that the Bank of England agents have overdone the impact of business uncertainty in their forecasting

The Institute for Fiscal Studies says it will come in below 46billion and could possibly hit 41billion, which would mean the current budget is back in surplus for the first time since Brown was at the Treasury in 2000/01.

Drivers for lower borrowing are strong revenues, with cuts in corporation tax delivering higher receipts. This represents a repudiation of Labours plans to reverse Osbornes radical corporate tax cuts.

The Torys tight grip on spending has also made a big difference. There is no room for complacency. Borrowing has been savaged and is negligible compared to 10 per cent of national income in the aftermath of the financial crisis.

But at 86 per cent of output, public debt is at its highest level since the mid-1960s.

So there is a way to go. Say it quietly, but the Chancellor does have cash behind the clock for smoothing Brexit, boosting the NHS and Tory tax cuts.

GKN escape route

After several long sessions of negotiations, GKN has secured a white knight in the shape of American drive-shaft maker Dana.

GKN investors will own 47.5 per cent of a new UK domiciled group, along with two GKN non-executives and a New York Stock Exchange quote. GKNs pension fund is rendered safe and, with support from Whitehall, e-drive and innovation could be secured.

Shareholders have a clear choice. They can support a new structure which gives clarity to the intrinsic value in car components and aerospace, or opt for the unknowns of a Melrose break-up.

A deal with Dana is not ideal. But it avoids embarrassment to Government and UK long-term investors over obscene payouts of up to 285million to the Melrose three  Chris Miller, Simon Peckham and Tory donor David Roper. Phew.When you give money to a fund manager, you expect them to use expert knowledge to grow your nest egg.

But what if you paid them big fees only to find they simply copied the FTSE 100 index?

These are known as 'closet trackers' and it is thought there are at least 84 of them on offer, according to the City watchdog.

They are called this because they operate in the same way as a robot-controlled tracker fund: they move up and down with the benchmark by choosing many of the same stocks.

But the big difference is these funds often don't tell you they are doing this, yet they charge as much as ten times more than a tracker would to do the same job.

Once charges have been deducted from your pot, you will be much worse off than if you had invested in a cheap tracker.

For example, in five years the tracker fund L&G UK Index Trust returned 35.1 per cent versus 39.2 per cent for the FTSE All Share it is designed to mimic.

Lindsell Train UK Equity, a fund where the manager seeks to beat the index, has returned 79 per cent in five years.

Scottish Widows UK Growth, on the other hand, claims it aims to beat the same index but has returned just 28.5 per cent in five years. This is because it charges 1.46 per cent, against 0.56 per cent for the L&G tracker.

The Financial Conduct Authority says the problem is that many closet trackers are misleading savers with their advertising.

So far, asset managers have had to pay 34million in compensation to misled savers.

Megan Butler, the watchdog's supervision chief, said: 'We want customers to have confidence that, when they buy a fund, they know it will do what it says on the tin.'

Experts are urging savers to review their funds after the FCA's findings.

And while the City watchdog has refused to reveal the funds it identified, there are ways you can tell a closet tracker from a fund genuinely trying to beat its index.

The first thing to do is to get hold of your fund's factsheet. You can get these for free by visiting the asset manager's website.

'Closet trackers' operate in the same way as a robot-controlled tracker funds

The most important information to look for are the top ten holdings, the index it measures itself against and the annual performance figures.

Compare the top ten stock picks with those of its benchmark index. If about seven or eight are the same, then it is a sign that your manager is not taking many bets over and above the index. But that alone is not enough evidence to determine whether or not you are in a closet tracker.

Adrian Lowcock, of investment firm Architas, said: 'Some managers might not make big bets that vary from the index, so that is not a guarantee that you are in a closet tracker. Even in this case, you could be in a fund that outperforms the index because of the way the manager has allocated the money.'

However, checking the fund's performance against its index can help weed out rip-off closet trackers. Check the annual returns against those of the index. If your fund is returning slightly below that of the index, it is a bad sign.

It is easier to plot both on a graph so you can see the fund following the index up and down.

Data firms such as FE Trustnet have free tools that let you do that. All you do is pick the index and the fund you want to chart.

Finally, check how many companies your fund is invested in. If it is 60 to 70 or more then it is usually an indicator that your fund is set up to mimic an index. This information can usually be found on the fund factsheet as well.

A Scottish Widows spokesman said: 'The fund is actively managed and holds a broad range of stocks, which target a consistent, modest level of outperformance, rather than a highly focused portfolio that may perform in a more volatile manner. It is designed to outperform the FTSE All Share index with a low tracking error.'Troubled SIG has said a number of employees will leave the business following disciplinary investigations relating to accounting irregularities and mis-stated profits.

Last month the building supplies group called in auditors from Deloitte and KPMG after a whistleblower identified issues at its UK insulation and interiors business, SIG Distribution.

This resulted in the discovery of historical overstatement of profit for the financial year ending December 31, 2016, as well as prior years, SIG said at the time.

Building supplies group Sig called in auditors after a whistleblower identified issues at its UK insulation and interiors business

On Friday, the company said that while an investigation carried out by KPMG found no further cause for concern, a number of employees are leaving the business.

SIG also unveiled its full-year results, which saw losses narrow but the firm warn over a precarious UK market.

Pre-tax losses came in at 51.2million in 2017, down from the 110million booked the previous year.Tharisa is a platinum and chrome miner that operates in South Africa

WHO IS IT? Tharisa is a platinum and chrome miner that operates out of a site in the Bushveld Complex of South Africa.

The company's Tharisa Mine has an estimated 867.5m tons of resources and has an open pit life of around 17 years with a further 40 years underground.

WHAT'S THE LATEST? At the end of last year, the miner set out its Vision 2020 to increase its output substantially, but also to diversify into mining for lithium, cobalt, copper and manganese to feed increased demand for electric-vehicle batteries.

WHO BACKS IT? Asset management behemoths Blackrock, Fidelity, Old Mutual and Investec are all among the miner's biggest ten shareholders.

WHY SHOULD YOU INVEST? Russ Mould, of broker AJ Bell, says: 'Tharisa is interesting because it is profitable, it has started paying a dividend and it is very cheap, based on earnings.

'A lot of people were down on South African miners because of the proposed charter, which would force firms to allow locals to own a more significant part of mining companies and would increase royalties.

'But new president Cyril Ramaphosa has called for that to be reviewed, which could be positive for miners in the area such as Tharisa.'

AND WHY YOU SHOULDN'T Investing in mining firms can be risky, as they are so tied to the price of commodities.

Should the price of platinum and chrome dive, Tharisa will find life difficult.

And while there is hope for South Africa after scandal-hit former president Jacob Zuma resigned, nobody can know for sure if his replacement Ramaphosa, who came to power last month, will be good for business or not.WASTE NOT Waste management firm Renewi is quitting a loss-making contract in Dumfries and Galloway and Buckinghamshire, writing off 73million on those and other contracts.

PLANE CHOICE Boeings 787 Dreamliner is Hawaiian Airlines pick as its flagship plane for medium to long-haul flights. The airline is buying ten, worth up to 2billion.

FLOAT SECRET Saudi Arabia will keep the world guessing until the end of the year over plans for a 1.5 trillion float of state oil firm Aramco, insiders say.

Officials still have not decided where to list the business, with London and New York the top candidates.

FUND LAUNCH Travis Kalanick, who was ousted as boss of Uber amid a sexism storm at the taxi firm, is launching a fund called 10100 to back real estate and start-ups in China and India.

SHARE SHOW A 1billion share buyback programme was started by Lloyds this week, running until February next year.

LEGAL BATTLE Victims of an alleged 50million Ponzi scheme operated by currency trading firm CWM FX, which was raided by police in 2015, are being urged by solicitors FS Legal to join legal action.

DEALS DONE Deal-making activity by insurers climbed in the second half of 2017 for the first time in two years, according to law firm Clyde & Co.

FIRM FAILS Farming supplies retailer Countrywide Farmers has fallen into administration, putting 735 jobs at risk.

FOOD FLOP Restaurant group Fulham Shore, which owns The Real Greek, warned that full-year earnings are likely to come in below expectations when it posts results in July.

NEW LISTING Administration services firm JTC will list on the London Stock Exchange on Wednesday, valued at 310millio.Despite the recent bitter winds and snow-drifts, spring is officially upon us, and with it comes a new addition to the economic calendar - a revamped spring statement from the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

The spring statement - presented to Parliament next Tuesday - will be a shorter, snappier version of the old autumn statement, now that the Budget proper has been moved from the spring to the autumn.

Crucially, the fiddly tweaks to fiscal policy have been banished, as Hammond has made clear he wants to restrict major announcements to the November Budget.

Fiddly tweaks to fiscal policy have been banished, Hammond will keep all major policy announcements to his November autumn budget

Hammond's speech, scheduled for 12.30pm, will see the House of Commons treated to a tight speech of only 15-20 minutes  a far cry from the hour-long mystery tour of pensions, student loans, tax and benefits we have had in years gone by.

With no policy to announce, the statement is expected to offer an update on the economic outlook and public finances as well as look at more longer-term budgetary issues.

No more quick policy fixes or easy-vote winners here. Allegedly.

So what WILL Hammond have to say?

Hammond is expected to finally have some good news to share after a string of damning economic forecasts from the Office of Budget Responsibility dampened his last speech in the run up to Christmas.

Economists believe Britain's fiscal watchdog will nudge up near-term growth forecasts as the global economy powers ahead, while slashing expected government borrowing for 2017-18 by as much as 7billion.

The UK has recently recorded its strongest two quarters of productivity growth in six years, which in 2017 came in at 0.6 per cent compared to the OBR's forecast of zero.

Wage growth is improving with pay rising at an annual rate of 2.9 per cent over the last six months.

The government has also recently announced it is finally running a budget surplus on day to day spending.

Investment firm Investec has said it expects growth of 1.7 per cent this year and added: 'In terms of the spring statement, we would expect the GDP growth projections to be a little more upbeat.'

Phillip Shaw, author of the Investec report into the spring statement, said: 'The OBR should conclude that the government is on track to meet its three specific fiscal rules on the structural budget position, a falling debt ratio and hitting the welfare cap.'

The UK recently recorded its strongest two quarters of productivity growth in six years - meaning Phillip Hammond has some positive news to spin during Tuesday's speech

However, Shaw adds that the aim to balance the entire budget by the end of the next parliament was 'ambitious'.

Chief economist at the Resolution Foundation, Mark Whittaker, added that the challenges Britain faces are likely to be 'long-lasting' despite any positive economic news outlined in Hammond's speech.

Whittaker said: 'While the temperature has continued to fall, the economic picture has started to brighten and we should expect a slightly sunnier outlook next week.

'Britain's revised economic outlook is likely to give the Chancellor more fiscal leeway.

Phillip Hammond, Chancellor of the Exchequer, will read the spring statement in Parliament on Tuesday, March 13

'However, the broader economic backdrop remains extremely challenging. Britain plunged from the top to the bottom of G7 economic growth league in 2017.'

The Resolution Foundation says while growth in productivity and wages is present, overall progress has been disappointing when compared to the performance of other G7 countries.

UK national debt has more than doubled since the late 2000s, it said, and productivity remains at historically low levels despite the recent uptick.

And although no new policy is due to be announced on Tuesday, a number of changes to welfare are due in the coming weeks which the Resolution Foundation says will have a big impact.

While more than 1.5 million workers are due a 4.4 per cent pay rise when the National Living Wage increases to 7.83 on April 1, around 11 million working-age families will be hit by the benefits freeze from April 9.

The freeze means a couple with two children will lose an average of 315, the foundation said.

The poorest third households will lose 135 on average once the welfare changes come into force, but will save government 2.5billion in 2018/19, while the continued roll out of Universal Credit looks set to leave swathes of families worse off.

So, while Hammond's speech on Tuesday may end up being a non-event, the economic policy already on its way looks set to have a big enough impact on its own.Advertisement

When Sir Francis Beaufort set out to sea on board HMS Woolwich in 1806, sailors did not have an accurate scale to describe the strength and impact of winds while at sea.

The Beaufort Scale, which he developed, is still used today and is a morning ritual on BBC Radio 4 during the shipping forecast as the names of coastal regions are intoned with a reverence normally given to a solemn prayer.

Beaufort wrote his scale in his ship logs which are now in the archive of the Met Office. The scale gave sailors and those on the shore a chance to assess the strength of wind by the effect it has on the sea.

Yet it took more than 150 years to photograph the various sea states, this picture taken by R Palmer on board SS Heldia shows Force 1 - which has winds between 2 knots and smoke drifts in the wind's direction although a weather vane will not move

R R Baxter onboard the SS Clan Chattan recorded these Force 2 conditions with wind speeds of between 5 knots described as a light breeze producing waves of six inches and 'smooth' seas

R Palmer photographed Force 3 again onboard the SS Heldia, with winds of 9 knots described as a gentle breeze producing waves of up to three feet described as 'slight' conditions

The relatively simple scale allowed captains to assess the risk presented by a storm. His scale was later illustrated with line drawings, but it was not until 1959 that a full set of photographs, showing conditions at sea through Force 1 to Force 12.

In January 1958, the Marine Observer magazine asked its readers to photograph sea conditions so they could, for the first time, document the entire Beaufort Scale.

Yet, it took more than a year for each of the sea conditions to be photographed. Unsurprisingly, it was the heavy seas and storm force winds towards the end of the scale which presented the greatest problem.

According to researchers at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency: 'In January 1958 the Marine Observer invited readers to send in photos of the sea under the influence of each of the Beaufort Forces.

'They asked that the photographs should be taken in the open sea after the wind had been blowing long enough to raise the appropriate sea, and that the date and time, the latitude and longitude of the ship, the direction and force of the wind and the height of the photographer above the sea, should all be stated.'

The correspondents managed to secure appropriate photographs for Force 1 to Force 10 by April 1959. However, they had to wait for the HMTS Monarch - which was laying a trans-Atlantic telephone cable - to capture images of Force 11 and Force 12.

Force 4 on board the MV Sydney Star was captured by PJ Weaver with 13knot winds and a moderate breeze causing 4ft six inches waves in conditions described as 'slight-moderate'

PJ Weaver on board the MV Sydney Star photographed Force 5 with its 19knot winds described as a 'fresh breeze' causing waves up to seven feet in what are called 'moderate seas'

RR Baxter on board the Clan Chattan photographed Force Six, with 24-knot winds and 12-foot waves whipped up by the strong breeze in what have become 'rough' seas

As a result, the entire series of photographs was first published in 'The Coastguard' magazine in 1959.

The Met Office also produced a 'State of the Sea' card to help mariners identify conditions they faced.

Beaufort himself was born in Navan, Co Meath in Ireland in 1774 and first went to sea aged 14 with the British East India Company. He later served with the Royal Navy.

However, aged 15, he was shipwrecked due to a faulty maritime chart and became obsessed with making life at sea safer.

RR Baxter on the SS Clan Chattan also photographed Force 7, where he faced near gale 30 knot winds with seas reaching 18 feet in conditions described as 'rough-very rough'

RR Baxter continued with his camera as the winds hit Gale Force 8 and 37knot winds with 'very rough-high' seas producing waves of up to 25 feet

PJ Weaver on board the MV Sydney Star stood on the rail facing strong gale Force 9 winds of 44 knots and 33-feet seas described simply as 'high'

He collaborated with Admiral Robert FitzRoy - who later founded the Met Office.

FitzRoy commanded HMS Beagle which voyaged to South America and the Galapagos Islands in order to produce charts for use by the Royal Navy.

Beaufort recommended a gentleman by the name of Charles Darwin to join FitzRoy on the voyage.

As well as accurate charts, Beaufort understood the necessity of being able to record sea and wind conditions in the ship's log in order to navigate.

J Hodkinson on the OWS Weather Explorer stood out in 52-knot Storm Force 10 winds and 'Very High' 41-foot seas

It is not known who photographed the Force 11 winds on the HMTS Monarch, although they faced a violent storm with winds of up to 60-knots and 54-foot 'very high seas'

The last point on the scale, Force 12, has hurricane winds in excess of 64knots and seas in excess of 54 feet. The conditions are officially described as 'phenomenal'

According to Beaufort's diary held by the Met Office, he introduced his scale in 1806. He wrote: 'Hereafter I shall estimate the force of the wind according to the following scale, as nothing can carry a more uncertain idea of wind and weather than the old expressions of moderate and cloudy etc. etc.'

Initially, he described 13 forces and a host of 'weather letters' to describe the sky.

Later in 1807 he cut that back to 12 forces and got rid of the weather letters.

By 1810, he further refined the scale and described the impact of the conditions on a Royal Navy frigate.

The Admiralty were so impressed by the updated scale that they adopted its use across the Royal Navy.

Sir Francis Beaufort devised the Beaufort Scale in 1806 which is still used in marine weather updates such as the Shipping Forecast on BBC Radio 4 every morning

Beaufort first wrote down his scale in this log while commanding HMS Woolwich in 1806. It used 13 forces and weather letters to describe the sky

In 1807 he revised his scale from 'light air' at Force 1 to a 'hurricane' at Force 12, reducing the scale from having 13 forces

By 1810 he revised his scale further which is still used in weather forecasts to this day. The Admiralty were so impressed by the updated scale that they adopted its use across the Royal NavyAdvertisement

The brutal warfare of the SAS as they battled insurgents in the punishing environment of the African bush has been revealed in a fascinating new book.

The specially formed Rhodesian SAS, known as C Squadron, fought in what was formerly known as the state of Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, from 1968 to 1980.

Secret SAS Missions in Africa reveals the devastating fighting techniques of C Squadron's expert troops, by their second-in-command, Michael Graham.

Striking pictures from the book show the bodies of landmine victims strewn across dirt roads, weapon hauls captured at enemy bases and the rugged terrain the troops were forced to contend with to hunt their prey.

But other photos also depict the elite fighters of C Squadron themselves, as they pose alongside their AK-47s in the brush, load up artillery or train for a parachute jump.

The unit first formed at the end of the Second World War, but was temporarily disbanded in 1955 before being made officially operational in 1962.

C Squadron fought alongside the Rhodesian Light Infantry (RLI) to execute missions against African nationalist factions who were fighting the white colonial government for control of the nation during the Rhodesian Bush War.

The nationalists benefited from backing by Russia and China and posed a deadly threat to the current regime - but were no match for the expert trained troops of the SAS.

One of their most daring missions was Operation Dingo, a raid on the HQ of the Zimbabwean African National Liberation Army (ZANLA), headed by Robert Mugabe, who went on to be President of the nation from 1987 to 2017, in Chimoio, Mozambique, in 1977.

Despite numbers heavily stacked against them, just 96 C Squadron fighters and 48 soldiers from the Rhodesian Light Infantry, as well 40 more helicopter-borne troops, attacked 10,000-strong ZANLA force, inflicting around 6,000 casualties.

The elite troops of the Rhodesian SAS, known as C Squadron, pose carrying AK-47s in the dense thorn scrub of the Zambezi Valley. The unit operated in Rhodesia, now known as Zimbabwe, from 1968 to 1980, fighting nationalist groups that were trying to overthrow the white colonialist government of the time

During an attack on an enemy camp in the bush, the SAS troops picked up a camera and subsequently developed the film. Among the collection was this picture, which shows fighters from the Mozambique Liberation Front, posing with a KPV 14.5 mm anti-aircraft gun that had been aimed at C squadron throughout the night

This sobering photo conveys the brutality of war, with an SAS soldier overlooking the victims of the unit's ambush while fighting in the bush. The unit was forced to call upon its expert understanding on the landscape in order to defeat the African Nationalist groups

This picture offers an insight into the training methods of the expert Rhodesian SAS unit, with troops assembled in a DC Dakota military transport plane, to practice static line parachute jumping with equipment

Helicopters played a vital role in some of C Squadron's missions, particularly Operation Dingo in Mozambique during 1977, and here a troop called 'Fish' loads up a bazooka on his friend's rucksack as they prepare to board a chopper

This picture captures the aftermath of a deadly landmine, laid on a dirt road by the African nationalist groups. The front of the lorry has been completely ripped off by the explosion with at least two people killed. In the background two SAS troops can be seen holding rifles as they survey the scene

C Squadron were forced to rely on all modes of transportation to make their way through the African bush and infiltrate the camps of their enemies. Here the unit assembles Klepper kayaks at the start of a mission

The nationalists benefited from backing by Russia and China and posed a deadly threat to the current regime in Rhodesia. Pictured, are landmines supplied by the Russian military to insurgents in Rhodesia

This picture offers further evidence of the nationalist groups' Russian backing. A recoilless rifle and other weapons lay strewn on the ground of the Moscow-backed base of the Zimbabwe African People's Union

The mines, provided by Russia and China, were sometimes boosted with the addition of explosives, mortar bombs or grenades. This picture shows the devastation caused by by the landmines, with a lorry completely destroyed and a man's body lying yards from the vehicle

Mr Graham captured this striking picture of the the Zambezi River cutting through the hills, before using kayaks to cross the river at night, as he and his troops worked through the African bush to fight African nationalist insurgents

Author Michael Graham, with Rhodesian Minister of Defence Pieter PK van der Byl. During their conversation, the minister said: Mick, there are some interesting chaps I want you to meet. Let me know when you are back in town.Forced smiles, dangling earrings and interesting fashion - these pictures look like typical family portraits from the mid-2000s.

But Peta Butler, 15, had no idea of the sick plot brewing in her mother Therese's mind when she posed with her in these professional pictures in 2005.

Ms Butler has released these images to Daily Mail Australia because they are the only photos mother and daughter took together in the year that Therese took Peta on a 'girl's weekend' to Toowoomba, Queensland, and arranged for Peta to be raped by a fat stranger known only as 'Thommo'.

The pictures have been provided in the hope they may jog someone's memory back to that terrible day long ago - and provide clues to her rapist's identity.

Peta Butler (right, when she was about 15) has shared these photos of herself with her mother Therese during the same year she arranged her rape in a Toowoomba motel room

It's hoped these pictures could jog a memory of a witness who may have seen Ms Butler in Toowoomba on the day she was sexually assaulted by a man known only as 'Thommo'

Ms Butler, who is now 27, went public recently after her mother was finally jailed by a court in January for her heinous crime.

Peta only gathered the courage to go to police and elicit a recorded phone call confession from her mother in 2016.

Then, Therese was recorded saying: 'It was still rape but you were 16. I wouldn't let him touch you under 16, no way'.

The phone call led to Therese being charged in October 2016 and she was jailed for four years - in a sentence suspended after 12 months - in January.

But Therese clearly did not understand the gravity of her situation, online posts show.

She took to Facebook to whinge about being ostracized from her family in July 2017, posting a meme which said: 'It is very sad when members of the same family do not talk to each other'.

'The children suffer for the adult ego ... Stop getting offended. Reunite with your family members.

'One day, your imaginary conflict will all come to an end ... with or without you.'

Butler then commented: 'this is so damn true.

'i know this because im going through this situation, only others can change this situation til then I wait...'

Vile: Therese Butler, 47, has never apologised for the heinous assault she inflicted upon her daughter Peta - and now cops are hot on the trail of the man who did it

Online posts showed Therese Butler clearly did not understand the gravity of her situation

Bulging eyes and 'extremely obese': Clues to the identity of Peta Butler's vile rapist as released by police Police have made an urgent appeal for public information about a man named Thommo (pictured is a police comfit image) who is wanted for the rape of teenage girl Peta Butler - 'Thommo' is described as being in his mid-to-late 40s at the time of the incident - Police said he was extremely obese, around 175 centimetres tall with a shaved head, stubble and distinctive bulging blue eyes - He was wearing an expensive suit and drove a car with cream coloured leather seats. - He is known only as 'Thommo' and would now be aged in his 50s - The man is believed to have used an email address similar to thommo_thommo_thommo@hotmail.com - Police believe it is likely he has preyed upon other girls or women Anyone who may recognise him, has knowledge of his movements or knows anything that may help identify him is urged to contact Policelink, Crime Stoppers or their local police station Anyone who believes they have been hurt by this man is urged to visit their local police station and speak with investigators. Advertisement

Peta Butler broke her silence to Daily Mail Australia and other media outlets in recent months.

She revealed how that night in 2005, Therese plied her with drinks - four vodka cruisers and a bourbon mix - on a supposed 'girl's trip' to Toowoomba.

Therese left her alone in the hotel room until Thommo arrived and blocked her from getting out.

'He raped me,' she told Tracy Grimshaw on Monday night's A Current Affair .

'It only lasted for a couple of minutes. But while he was raping me I had my head turned to the side and eyes closed while crying.

'I felt his face stubble against my face. I still remember feeling that and I still remember the smell of him.'

'So sad': Therese Butler moaned about how family members weren't talking to each other

Her mother stayed outside the room.

'I hoped she was going to come in and stop it,' Peta, who is now 27, said.

'She didn't once try, she sat outside smoking.

Peta Butler told A Current Affair her mother Therese went through a phase where she locked herself in a room to flirt with men on the internet. At one point, she organised daughter's rape

'She knew what was happening.

'She might as well have murdered me on that day.

'She took me to that place and premeditated the whole thing. That's not a mother.'

Her mother then hugged her and told her everything was OK.

In January this year, Therese Butler hurled vile threats at her daughter as she was taken away to the cells - leaving Peta in fear for her family's safety.A 16-year-old freshman male who brought a gun to school accidentally shot himself on Friday morning, while inside a classroom.

Alarm was raised when the firearm accidentally discharged at Frederick Douglass High School in Lexington, wounding the student in his left hand.

Law enforcement at the scene immediately secured the weapon before the boy was taken to the University of Kentucky Hospital where is expected to be fine after suffering the non life-threatening injury to his thumb.

Students filed out of Frederick Douglass High School in Lexington, Kentucky after a gunshot accidentally fired on Friday morning, hurting just the student who brought it in the hand

Police gathered on the scene in front of the school, left, after a freshman male, 16, brought the gun and showed it in class, when it misfired and hurt his thumb

The alarming accident caused the school to announce it will install metal detectors

No one else was injured according to Lexington police.

The school did not go into lockdown following the incident as the weapon was removed.

Lisa Deffendall, Fayette County Public Schools spokeswoman, said that the student will face charges for possessing a weapon on school property and wanton endangerment.

'He will not be back to Frederick Douglass High School,' Principal Lester Diaz wrote in a letter sent to the students' families Friday.

The incident has spurred a decision to place metal detectors in the school to heighten security for the students, according to Fayette County Schools Superintendent Manny Caulk.

'This is something we must do,' Caulk said.

'Students cannot learn at high levels if they're not safe and if they don't feel safe. We're going to do everything we can to make sure that students feel safe, and that teachers and staff are safe in the building as well,' he added.

Student Benjamin Roberts, 14, described the experience as scary as he reveals nearby high schools have experience gun threats in the past weeks

The student in question will not be allowed back in the school, according to the Frederick Douglass principal, and metal detectors will be installed as a new precautionary measure

A student witness who was in the classroom when the gunshot fired said that another student was playing with the gun, before it went off, as told to CBS.

Students who were in the classroom at the time of the misfire were taken into another location to speak with authorities as well as school counselors.

Student Benjamin Roberts, 14, said the experience was 'scary'.

'It was very scary to just be inside that school knowing that gunfire had been released earlier that day,' he said to Kentucky.com

'It was pretty concerning [not] know what intentions that person had... It was very concerning just knowing what could have happened and thankfully only one person was injured,' he added.

'Sometimes I feel paranoid that it might happen here. Theres been threats at Henry Clay and Tates Creek. Theres been threats at Frederick Douglass here before. I think it can happen but Frederick Douglass is doing a great job of keeping its students safe,' he said.A bikini-clad college student who killed a father and his unborn child in a drunken car crash has been sentenced to 14 years in prison, seven years for each life she took.

On Friday a jury sentenced former Texas State University student Shana Elliot, 22 to seven years behind bars for each of her two counts of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle after she pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated in the August 2, 2016 crash, according to My San Antonio.

The horrific San Marcos, Texas accident claimed the lives of father-to-be Fabian Guerrero Moreno, 23, and injured his five-months pregnant wife Kristian Nicole - leading to the unborn child's death.

Scroll down for video

Texas State University public relations student Shana Elliot, 22, (right) has been sentenced to 14 years in prison, seven years for each of the two counts of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle made against her after the fatal crash on August 2, 2016. Father-to-be Fabian Guerrero Moreno (left with his wife), 23, died in the crash and his five-months pregnant wife Kristian Nicole was injured, leading to the unborn child's death

Mrs. Guerrero was driving the vehicle at the time, with her husband was sitting in the passenger seat. Pictured: Their car after the crash

'You have shown you're incapable of remorse, I don't buy your crocodile tears, or the sweet little innocent girl they try to portray you to be,' Kristian Guerrero said after the sentencing.

'You're a monster, you're not sorry for what you've done, you're sorry because it landed you right there, you're sorry because you got caught,' she added.

Elliot was sentenced on intoxication manslaughter charges and also faces 10 years probation for intoxication assaults in the case.

A later court date will determine if her sentences will take place consecutively.

On Thursday in court Elliot issued an apology according to KXAN saying: 'I just want to say to the victim's family that I'm sorry from the deepest of my heart and I know that an apology doesn't do much, I know it doesn't, but I pray for forgiveness every day.'

Elliot apologized on to the Guerrero family in court on Thursday (above) before her sentencing

Kristian Guerrero, pictured above Thursday, shared sharp words to Elliot saying: 'You're a monster, you're not sorry for what you've done... you're sorry because you got caught'

Days earlier in court the jury watched an upsetting video of Elliot in the aftermath of the crash walking in a line in a sobriety test for a police officer, that sees her sob as she struggles to walk straight.

The dashcam footage was revealed for the first time in court on Monday.

The clip sees Elliot walking the line while telling a police officer, 'kill me now, please... I just want them to be OK,' following the fatal crash.

Elliot is heard complying with the cop while standing stiffly and saying 'yes, sir', then attempting to walk the line in a nervous manner.

Distressing dashcam shows bikini-clad Shana Elliot, 22, who killed a man and his unborn baby, struggle to take a sobriety test

Elliot is heard complying with the cop while standing stiffly and saying 'yes, sir', then attempting to walk the line in a nervous manner

The college girl admitted she had been drinking beer and liquor while floating down the river at Texas State Tubes with friends just before the horrific crash

Elliot's blood alcohol level was .199 when she was taken to hospital after the crash, KXAN reports. The legal limit in Texas is 0.08.

She admitted to police that she had been drinking beer and liquor while floating down the river at Texas State Tubes with friends just before the horrific crash around 6pm.

Police said that the couple were driving in the opposite direction down Highway 21 in San Marcos when the public relations senior, driving a Chevy Impala, drifted into oncoming traffic and collided with their car head-on.

Mrs. Guerrero was driving the vehicle at the time, with her husband was sitting in the passenger seat.

Moreno died at the scene and his wife was taken to hospital in a serious condition.

The happy couple had been planning to host a gender-reveal party for their baby before the crash

Doctors then tried to save Guerrero's baby by inducing labor - but, tragically, the child was stillborn.

'The baby was just perfect,' Guerrero's aunt, Diane Castillo told People Magazine at the time.

'Kristian got to hold his hand for a while, and his paternal grandmother got to hold him as well.'

She added that Moreno had always wanted to have a son and died not knowing his wife had been expecting a boy.

The newlywed couple had been arguing about their baby's middle name, with the husband pushing for Fabian James, if it was a boy, and the wife giving preference to Fabian Michael.

In the end, the young widow named her stillborn son Fabian James, like her husband wanted.

Her aunt said that a short time after the crash, doctors performed an ultrasound and detected the baby's heartbeat.

'Kristian was so relieved that she would still have part of her husband after finding out he had passed,' the aunt explained.

But a repeat ultrasound showed that the baby had died in the womb.

The newlywed couple had been arguing about their baby's middle name, with the husband pushing for Fabian James, if it was a boy, and the wife giving preference to Fabian Michael

Just a day before the deadly crash, Mrs Guerrero proudly shared this photo of their unborn child

Just hours before the crash, the couple checked into a Joe's Crab Shack in San Antonio, celebrating Fabian's new US residency status.

And the day before, Mrs. Guerrero proudly posted a sonogram image of their unborn baby to Facebook, writing: 'Is this the face of a little prince or a little princess?! We can't wait to find out Sunday! Are you team boy or team girl?! Taking bets now!'

Elliott was taken to Central Texas Medical Center for minor injuries before she was booked on the charges.Police have defended controversial anti-gang policeman 'Raptor 13' and found there were 'no issues' with him shoving a man wearing a motorcycle jacket.

An investigation led by the NSW Police found all allegations against Senior Constable Andrew Murphy were a part of his duties.

All the incidents posted on social media about the member of Strike Force Raptor have been within protocol and the police found 'no issues' with his behaviour, a NSW police spokesperson told News.com.au.

The author of the petition highlighted footage that emerged over the weekend which showed Const Murphy involved in a tense roadside confrontation with a man wearing a Veterans Motorcycle Club vest

'Raptor 13', whose real name is Senior Constable Andrew Murphy, was filmed in the middle of the roadside confrontation

The anti-gang enforcer 'Raptor 13' has become the target of vile online abuse after a petition was launched calling for a public inquiry into the controversial New South Wales policeman.

Senior Constable Andrew Murphy has previously been seen on camera appearing to throw a motorcyclist's licence on the ground, seemingly push away a woman, refusing to show a driver his speed radar and holding a metal pole to a man's head.

More recently, footage appeared to show him shove a motorcyclist, confront a group of men at the funeral of a slain bikie boss and allegedly place defect notices on every car inside an automotive workshop.

'Officer Murphy has gone too far and something needs to be done,' reads a petition that has amassed nearly 10,000 signatures since it was launched on Sunday.

In the video, 'Raptor 13' could be heard telling the grey-bearded man to 'move it', before adding: 'I'm not asking, I'm telling you. Move it'

Anti-gang enforcer 'Raptor 13' has become the target of vile online abuse after a petition was launched calling for a public inquiry into the controversial New South Wales policeman

'This man is not serving the people but himself,' another wrote.

The author of the petition highlighted in the footage that emerged showed Const Murphy involved in a tense roadside confrontation with a man wearing a Veterans Motorcycle Club vest.

'What really blew my whistle was seeing him Shoving a Veterans MC member on the Good As Gold Poker Run 2018 run which has just happened this Saturday,' the author wrote.

In the video, 'Raptor 13' can be heard telling the grey-bearded man to 'move it', before adding: 'I'm not asking, I'm telling you. Move it.'

The motorcyclist - seemingly angered by the demands - leaned towards the policeman, who reacted by shoving him away with both hands as several other officers flanked him.

'Hold on, I have not touched you,' the shocked motorcyclist said as the officers closed in around him. The man could also be heard telling Raptor 13 to not talk down to him.

The senior constable was seen last week pulling over two motorcyclists in Bankstown

The constable - who is part of an elite militarised police unit which tackles violent bikie gangs - said: 'I'm talking directly to your face, now move it.'

Const Murphy has also been seen pulling over two motorcyclists in Bankstown, in Sydney's west, and pointing out the non-compliant features of their modified bikes.

'What licence have you got mate... so you don't have a motorcycle licence?' he asked one of the men.

In the video uploaded to Facebook on Friday, 'Raptor' 13 pulled out a measuring tape and started sizing up the motorcycles' specifications

The man tells him he has 'nothing', before 'Raptor 13' pulled out a measuring tape and started sizing up the motorcycles' specifications.

'This mirror here is also not compliant - it's 13cm wide by the greatness of five... That's way too small,' the policeman told him.

He also said the after-market seats on both bikes weren't secured, and that proper Harley-Davidson seats 'actually attach to the motorbike properly'.

The constable is also alleged to have been responsible for defecting several cars inside a panel shop in the same week.

The constable is also allegedly responsible for defecting several cars inside a panel shop (pictured)

Another video posted to Facebook on Friday morning showed the business had been ravaged by defect notices, which a man claimed were placed on the cars after 'Raptor 13' 'rocked up with 25 officers'.

The man claimed police arrived a day earlier to discuss an unrelated incident before defecting the vehicles.

'Police came here yesterday, they wanted information about a customer from two years ago. And Murphy rocked up with 25 officers and they've put a defect notice on every single car,' the man claimed.

'Raptor 13' was heard shouting 'You're going to get searched' as tensions flared outside Hawi's funeral

Last month, 'Raptor 13' was seen in video footage drawing his taser and shouting 'you're going to get searched' as tensions flared outside former Comanchero boss Mick Hawi's funeral.

The men were driving to Rookwood Cemetery in western Sydney when their limousines were stopped by police on King Georges Road.

'Brother, there's 30 of us [and] there's two of you... show some respect' one of the men said as the policeman pushed the surging group out of his face.

'I don't care, you're going to be searched, stand against the fence all of you... you're all being searched for firearms and drugs,' he responded.

'Raptor 13' was joined by at least one other officer and issued warnings to some of the men before letting the group go.

Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting any of the people shown committed any crime, or that 'Raptor 13' misused his position of power in any way.

In 2015, Const Murphy was filmed holding a metal pole to a driver's head during a routine traffic stop

The officer was seen checking out the luxury cars a number of attendees to Hawi's funeral arrived in

In 2015, Const Murphy was filmed holding a metal pole to a driver's head during a routine traffic stop.

In another incident, he pulled over a motorcyclist who was wearing a defective skull-shaped helmet after he allegedly ran a red light.A 16-year-old girl who has been missing with a 45-year-old man since Wednesday named him as her stepfather on paperwork at her school so that he could sign her out without her mother's knowledge.

Amy Yu has not been seen since March 5. Police say she is with Kevin Esterly who signed her out of school at least 10 times between November 13 and February 9 without her parents' permission or knowledge.

Amy is friends with his daughter and he and his wife have been over to her family's home before.

He had been told to stay away from the girl after it was discovered that he had signed her out of school 10 times between November 13 and February 9.

Amy Yu, 16, told staff at her school on Pennsylvania that Kevin Esterly, 45, was her stepfather so that he would be allowed to sign her out. He is the father of one of her friends and the pair, who are in a 'secretive' romantic relationship, have been missing since March 5

On February 15, another incident occurred at her home which prompted Amy's mother to call police.

When they arrived, they told Esterly and his wife Stacey to stay away from the girl.

Amy and Esterly were in a 'secretive relationship' which was laid bare in text messages between them which Amy's mother discovered on her phone.

It is not clear if she found them before or after they went missing together.

On March 5, the pair are believed to have left Allentown, Pennsylvania, in a 1999 Red Honda Accord.

Amy was last seen by her brother who said she fled after being dropped off with him by their mother at their school bus stop.

Before fleeing, Esterly withdrew $4,000 from his bank accounts, his wife Stacey told police.

Esterly had signed Amy out of Lehigh Valley Academy school in Allentown, Pennsylvania (pictured) 10 times between November and February 9

Esterly and his wife Stacey befriended Amy's family through the church they both attend. She is friends with one of his daughters, seen with him above

Stacey told police that her husband withdrew $4,000 in cash from their accounts before he vanished with Amy on March 5

Amy's mother Mul Luu has not seen her since she dropped her off for the school bus on March 5

Amy's mother discovered after her daughter vanished that she had taken some of jewelry, her passport and cash.

Amy's younger brother and mother say they met the Esterly family through church.

They had them over for dinner at least once and Amy's brother John said it seemed the man wanted to help his sister.

'We never knew. Now I think he's a very bad guy and Amy's not hanging out with the right person,' John told WFMZ.

Their mother speaks limited English. Her mother said she's praying for her child's return.

'We need her to come back,' John said.As luxury car firms famous the world over  and the epitome of Britishness  you would expect a certain decorum from Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin.

But a rather unseemly row has broken out between the bosses at the brands whose customers include the super-rich, royalty and, of course, James Bond.

Aston Martins design chief Marek Reichman said that Rolls-Royce was as modern as Ancient Greece  dismissing his rivals flagship Phantom model as an out-of-date Buckingham Palace on wheels.

Aston Martins design chief Marek Reichman (left) said that Rolls-Royce was as modern as Ancient Greece   dismissing his rivals flagship Phantom model as an out-of-date Buckingham Palace on wheels. Torsten Muller-Otvos, Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce, said the comments were 'unprofessional'

He added: The world has changed, and the royals have changed.

But Rolls-Royce chief executive Torsten Muller-Otvos hit back, describing the comments as highly unprofessional and accusing Aston Martins executives of ungentlemanly behaviour.

He said: They dont understand the luxury segment. Nor do they understand our customers. They are in a complete different league when it comes to pricing and they have zero clue about whats going on in the upper, upper segment.

The clash began after Aston Martin said its new 300,000 electric-powered Lagonda prototype  launched at the Geneva Motor Show this week  would disrupt the super-luxury market dominated by Rolls-Royce and Bentley by offering guilt-free luxury to ultra-wealthy motorists.

Mr Reichman went on to tell motoring magazine Autocar that Rolls-Royce was an imperfect package for luxury and executives from Silicon Valley firms such as Apple and Google would be more likely to drive an Aston Martin.

He said: Rolls-Royce and Bentley are Ancient Greece today. I worked on the original Phantom. The brief was Buckingham Palace on wheels. It was important to do that to establish it.

But the world has changed, and the royals have changed.

Look at Rolls-Royce: Its the most luxurious car in the world. Given its roots, its reason for being, its essentially still an internal combustion engine to replace a horse, a carriage and a trunk. Its an imperfect package for luxury.

Referring to the new Lagonda, which he designed, Mr Reichman added: You cant see Apple or Google executives in a Phantom. You can see them in this.

Separately, Aston Martin chief executive Dr Andy Palmer said that the Lagonda, which is expected to enter production in 2021, would offer guilt-free luxury to attract younger wealthy motorists. He added: If Rolls-Royce is a Boeing 777, then Lagonda will be Concorde. It doesnt need a big grille.

The remarks provoked a furious response from Rolls-Royces chief executive, who suggested Aston Martin was not in the same league as his company.

Mr Muller-Otvos said: Why are they behaving like this?

Theres enough room for three great British brands  Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Aston Martin. We dont criticise our rivals.

Rolls-Royce, which is owned by BMW, sold 3,362 cars last year. It plans to launch a fully electric car in the next decade (stock image)

Its not a very gentlemanly way to behave. Why are they saying such things?', Rolls Royce said

'They dont understand luxury. I think they are on a completely different turf', Rolls Royce said

Its not a very gentlemanly way to behave. Why are they saying such things?

Let them do their own thing, well do ours. They talk about guilt-free luxury. What does that mean? They dont understand luxury. I think they are on a completely different turf.

What theyve done is not good business. Its a misunderstanding of what luxury is.

Rolls-Royce, which is owned by BMW, sold 3,362 cars last year. It plans to launch a fully electric car in the next decade.

Mr Muller-Otvos argued that his company rewrote the rule book for luxury cars two years ago when it unveiled its electric prototype, which was codenamed 103EX.

In an apparent side-swipe at Aston Martin, the chief executive added: Since then it has become clear that other car brands have acknowledged our vision, so much so that they have adopted most aspects, apart from the most visionary and radical.

Electric dreams: Aston Martin is to be revive the Lagonda name with a range of new electric-powered luxury limousines to take on Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Maybach

The concept car was one of the shocks of this year's Geneva Motor Show and outlines the British brand's plans to infiltrate new markets

Rolls-Royce is based on the Duke of Richmonds estate in Goodwood in Sussex, while Aston Martin, whose cars have featured in James Bond films since Goldfinger in 1964, has its headquarters at Gaydon in Warwickshire and a new factory under development at St Athan, South Wales.

Aston Martin, which holds a Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales, recruited furniture designer David Linley, Princess Margarets son, to create the interior for its new Lagonda.

In charge: Aston Martin's chief executive Dr Andy Palmer

Aston Martin is currently owned by two Kuwaiti investors Adeem Investment and Tejara, which together own around 60 per cent, and Italian private equity firm Investindustrial with just under 40 percent of voting shares. Daimler has a 5% non-voting stake.

Last month Aston Martin announced pre-tax profits of 87million  reversing a pre-tax loss of 163million in 2016 and marking a 250million turnaround and putting it back in the black for the first time in seven years ahead of an expected flotation with analysts valuing it at up to 4.4billion

Aston Martin, founded in 1913, currently employs 3,100 people more than 400 vacancies, but that will rise to 4,250 by 2020 and 5,000 by 2023. The older Lagonda luxury car brand, founded in a greenhouse in Staines, goes back to 1906.

Last years producton of 5,117 cars is set to treble to up to 14,000 cars by 2022 as the new St Athan plant in Wales comes on stream to build Lagonda models and SUVs, joining the existing Gaydon factory in Warwickshire building sports cars and grand tourers.

Last year Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, which employs around 1,400 people at its boutique factory at Goodwood in Sussex, delivered 3,362 cars to customers in nearly 50 countries. Rolls-Royce, founded in 1906, does not report separate financial figures. But Germanys BMW Group, of which it is part, this week reported its eighth successive year of record pre-tax profits of nearly 10billion on total sales of more than 2.09million vehicles, including UK-built MINIs.It was a scene that seemed straight out of a movie: A dark street, a bloody stabbing, a business meeting turned assassination attempt.

But what if the whole thing was as fake as a film on the big screen?

These are the questions swirling around Muhammad Bayazid, the Syrian filmmaker allegedly stabbed in a plot concocted by dictator Bashar al-Assad or his supporters.

Bayazid won the world's support - and thousands of dollars in donations - until leaked videos appeared to show him planning the attack in an attempt to fund his first feature film.

Syrian director Muhammad Bayazid has been accused of faking an assassination attempt in order to fund his first feature film, which he has called the Syrian 'Schindler's List'

Bayazid and his wife and filmmaking partner Samah (pictured together) had been struggling to fund The Tunnel until a businessman reached out on Facebook and said he wanted to help

It all began on the night of October 10, when Bayazid, 35, arrived in Istanbul to meet a businessman who said he would fund the film, according to the Washington Post.

Bayazid, who now lives in Reston, Virginia after being granted asylum in the US, had been struggling to find funds for the film he planned to be Syria's version of Schindler's List.

The Tunnel follows the horrors of Tadmor prison, a place in the deserts of eastern Syria where inmates were beaten, restrained to car tires, and forced to eat dead mice.

It was considered a place of 'maximum suffering', according to Amnesty International, before it was blown up by the Islamic State in 2015.

Bayazid saw Tadmor as a representation of 'Syria between four walls', and reached out to former prisoners so that he could tell their stories on the big screen.

It wasn't until the director posted an image from the trailer of his film on Facebook that he found someone who was interested in helping fund the $1million project.

A businessman, who identified himself as a Syrian with a textile factory in Turkey, said he was 'very interested' in Bayazid's project.

Bayazid won the world's support - and thousands of dollars in donations - until leaked videos (pictured) appeared to show him planning the attack in an attempt to fund his first feature film

That's how Bayazid and his film's cinematographer ended up on the dark street in Istanbul on that October night, waiting for the businessman to arrive.

But after the man greeted Bayazid, he allegedly stabbed the director through the open passenger's side window and sunk a knife into his shoulder.

Bayazid said that before the man could get another hit, the cinematographer stepped on the gas and drove him to the hospital.

The director was treated and took a flight back to the US the next day. Meanwhile, his story was making waves across the globe.

It reached Syrian producer Mohammad Hindi, who said he found the tale to be all too familiar.

Hindi, who lives in Turkey, said he first heard from Bayazid last April when the director was planning a film course in the country and needed help scouting locations.

As the two men got to know each other, Bayazid began telling the producer about the troubles he was facing to get The Tunnel off the ground.

The Tunnel (pictured is a scene from the film) follows Tadmor prison, a place in the deserts of eastern Syria where inmates were beaten, restrained to car tires, and forced to eat dead mice

Bayazid saw Tadmor as a representation of 'Syria between four walls', and reached out to former prisoners could he could tell their experience

Then one night, Hindi claims Bayazid revealed his outrageous plan.

'The director told me that he had exhausted all his attempts to collect the funding,' Hindi wrote in a statement to the Post.

'He had only one last card. He had to go through an assassination attempt to fund the film.'

Hindi claims the director even offered to pay him for help with the plot, but that he refused.

But the producer was still weary, fearful that Bayazid may retaliate if he felt threatened by Hindi knowing his plan.

So Hindi said he played along and began to record the Skype calls he had with Bayazid, making sure to ask details about how the director would stage the assassination attempt.

The world rallied around Bayazid, until producer Mohammad Hindi (pictured) leaked videos that appeared to show the director planning the assassination attack to get funds for his film

In one call, Bayazid can be heard telling Hindi that the businessman who stabs him will be identified as a Syrian.

In another call the director tells Hindi that the news will make Arabs 'donate happily for' the film.

'When there is danger or harm, it accomplishes several things: The first is media buzz,' Bayazid is heard telling Hindi.

'When that happens, within a period of 48 hours, you and I are going to be the two most famous people in the Middle East.'

Bayazid believes that the leaked videos are part of a smear campaign, led by dictator Bashar al-Assad (pictured) or his supporters

Hindi said Bayazid stopped contacting him in June, after the producer told him he needed more time to think about the project before getting involved.

Four months later, Bayazid had been stabbed.

As the story spread like wildfire, Hindi decided he had to do something.

He shared the recorded Skype calls with New Arab, an Arabic media outlet based in England, and they were published in November.

Bayazid confirmed to the Post that the videos were real, but claims that they were filmed after the stabbing took place.

The director claims he and Hindi were planning to make a film about the incident and that the producer had edited the clips to make it seem as if they were filmed before the stabbing.

But the videos have made many question if Bayazid can be trusted, and some have even questioned if he faked the very torture story - in which he claimed to be beaten with a cable for 24 hours - that purportedly caused him to leave Syria forever.

Yet Bayazid maintains that Hindi's videos are part of a smear campaign, led by Assad or his supporters, to take the director down.

'They tried to assassinate me,' he said. 'After that failed, they are trying to end my reputation.'Of the figure, Vietnams exports accounted for USD305 million, up 42.8 percent from one year ago and its imports from Australia were valued at USD290 million , a strong increase of 80.2 percent.

Australia has always been among the top 20 trade partners of Vietnam for the past several years.

Vietnamese dragon fruits have been exported to Australia. (Source: VNA)



In 2017, bilateral trade stood at USD6.45 billion, up 22.7 percent from 2016, with Vietnam exporting 3.28 billion USD worth of goods to Australia and importing USD3.17 billion.

Exports to Australia accounted for 1.5 percent of all Vietnams exports last year.

Vietnam has been enjoying a trade surplus with Australia, but the gap is reducing. From USD1.84 billion in 2014, the surplus dropped to USD816 million in 2015, USD403 million in 2016, and USD116 million in 2017.

Exports of Vietnam to Australia are mostly machinery parts, electronic equipment, footwear, textile-garment and seafood. It is noteworthy that nearly one third (31 percent) of Vietnams export value to Australia in 2017, or USD1.02 billion, came from mobile phones and parts, computers, and electronic goods and parts. Crude oil export to Australia went up 105 percent last year to USD262 million.

Meanwhile, Vietnam bought from Australia metals (USD628 million), coal (USD470 million), wheat (USD424 million) and cotton (USD296 million).

Australia is now the eighth largest exporter to Vietnam, while Vietnam is the 14th largest exporter to Australia, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

The ministry said there will be good opportunities for Vietnamese businesses to promote the export of goods to the Australian market as Australia will cut 90 percent of import tariff lines in 2018 and 100 percent of them in 2020 under the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) roadmap./.Krista Ann Muccio (Pictured), 44, of Inver Grove Heights, initially tried to defend herself from the charges stemming from a 2015 complaint

A former high school lunch lady in Minnesota has pleaded guilty to sending nude pictures and sexually explicit text messages to a 15-year-old student.

Krista Ann Muccio, 44, of Inver Grove Heights, initially tried to defend herself from the charges stemming from a 2015 complaint by claiming that the messages were protected free speech under the first amendment.

Attorneys representing Muccio had attempted to challenge Minnesota's 'sexting' law at the Dakota County District Court but to no avail.

Muccio on Thursday entered in a plea of guilty to one felony count of communication with a minor describing sexual conduct.

'This statute was enacted for the important purpose of prohibiting sexually explicit speech directed at a child that is intended to cause sexual arousal,' Dakota County Attorney Jim Backstrom said in a statement.

'We are pleased to bring Krista Muccio to justice for violating this law,' he added.

An additional charge of possession of pornographic material involving minor is still being adjudicated by the court and will be addressed by Judge Kathryn Messerich during an April 6 hearing.

Messerich also ordered a presentence investigation and set sentencing for the same date.

Muccio on Thursday entered in a plea of guilty to one felony count of communication with a minor describing sexual conduct (Pictured: Grove Heights Middle School)

In November 2014, Muccio sent explicit photos to a 15-year-old Grove Heights Middle School student through Instagram's direct message feature and asked for 'something in return,' according to the Twin Cities Pioneer Press.

That prompted the male student to then share explicit photos with Muccio, court documents explain.

The criminal complaint also states that the student had known Muccio since the eighth grade.

Local authorities began investigating Muccio after the boys father found the photos saved to an iPad.Medical start-up founder Danae Vachata, 29, filed a complaint against venture capitalist Lucio Lanza, 73, who allegedly groped and threatened her while aboard a plane

A tech start-up founder has filed a lawsuit against a San Francisco venture capitalist who she claims groped her and threatened he could 'make or break' her career while aboard a red eye flight.

When she resisted his advances he allegedly threatened her, boasting of his powerful pull in Silicon Valley.

Danae Vachata, 29, sued venture capitalist Lucio Lanza, 73, for emotional distress, punitive damages, and attorneys' fees at Santa Clara County Superior Court on February 14, in wake of the harassment that took place last July.

The alleged harassment first started as a conversation while aboard a San Francisco flight bound for Minneapolis where Lanza, the Managing Director of Lanza Tech Ventures, sat next to her and upon seeing her send a work email, began inquire about her company.

Vachata is the co-founder and CEO of a medical surgical start-up called Mallium and has made the prestigious list of Forbes 30 Under 30 in Healthcare in 2018.

After small talk it was revealed that Lanza was in the wrong seat and he was asked to move, but kept returning to talk to Vachata and once allegedly brought her an alcoholic drink.

Vachata filed the lawsuit against Lanza (above), who Lanza Tech Ventures, on February 14 and has since received word from other women say they too were victims of his assault

On the plane Lanza allegedly drunkenly spoke with her, groped her breast, tried to kiss her, and then threatened her when she resisted saying he could 'make or break' her career

The person sitting next to Vachata offered to switch seats so Lanza could continue the conversation.

Vachata claimed that Lanza appeared drunk with a stench of alcohol and slurring his words.

Once seated next to her the harassment began. She claims he grabbed her arm, then her breast, tried to kiss her and tried to grab her crotch, according to the complaint.

He also allegedly threatened her when she resisted saying how he could 'make or break' her career, boasting about his power in the start-up industry.

On his company's website it claims the company has backed over 50 start-ups.

When she arrived at the gate of her following flight, she asked to not be seated next to a male passenger but was refused.

She also told the airline agent of the incident with Lanza, who told her that Lanza was a 'platinum member' which would explain his access to 'an abundance of alcohol'. The agent then told her to report the incident.

In her complaint Vachata said she suffered an anxiety attack and passed out on her subsequent flight. She was escorted to emergency services, where she reported the Lanza's alleged behavior which was also reported to law enforcement.

After the complaint was filed a spokesperson for Lanza said: 'Lucio has no idea of what he is being accused of. As far as he remembers, he was on a plane talking with this woman about her start-up,' as told to Business Insider.

Barely a month since her complaint was filed, Vachata says other women have reached out to her say they too have been victims of Lanza's unwanted advances, where he also pulled the 'make or break' career card.

The new accounts string together a 10-year history of Lanza's alleged harassment and exploitation of women.

Vachata, above, is the co-founder of a medical surgical start-up Mallium. Her achievements won her a spot on Forbes 30 Under 30 list in Healthcare in 2018

Vachata (left) claimed in the complaint that after the harassment she boarded another flight where she had an anxiety attack and passed out. She later reported Lanza's alleged assault

The complaint was filed and amended at Santa Clara Superior Court (above)

'After the incident happened, just by the way he approached things and the way that he threatened me, I knew deep down inside that this wasnt his first time,' Vachata said to The Verge.

Women began to reach out after media first reported on her lawsuit.

'It was very like, oh my goodness, someone believes me. Someone knows that Im not making this up,' she said.

She added she was sad to know Lanza had 'been doing this for so long and he has been using fear tactics to silence us.'

On Thursday Vachata's lawyers amended the complaint to add the voices of other women who have had similar experiences.

'Since filing the initial Complaint in this matter, Ms. Vachata has learned that Lanza has engaged in a pattern of sexually assaulting women going back more than a decade,' the amended complaint said.

'Specifically, other women have come forward to share their experiences of Lanza groping and fondling them against their will and boasting about his power to make or break careers in Silicon Valley. The assault on Ms. Vachata is just the latest example of Lanzas predatory behavior,' it said.

Although the new women have not been identified they may be in the future.

Lanza has a successful venture capitalist career and formerly worked at US Venture Partners and as the CEO of EDA Systems in the 1980s.

A spokesperson for Lanza said to The Verge: 'Ms. Vachata's amended complaint is as sensationalist and meritless as the original. Neither has even been served on Mr. Lanza, but instead has been presented to the media to smear his name. We will defend Mr. Lanza vigorously.'Michael Fawcett (pictured), who started as a junior footman, has been made the 95,000-a-year chief executive of The Princes Foundation

Prince Charless controversial former valet, Michael Fawcett, was put in charge of his charity empire yesterday, sealing an astonishing rise to power.

Mr Fawcett, who started as a junior footman, has been made the 95,000-a-year chief executive of The Princes Foundation in a major re-organisation of Charless philanthropic work.

This has put him in charge of a multi- million-pound budget and gives him responsibility for all the future kings public work on issues including architecture, heritage, culture and education.

Mr Fawcetts appointment is all the more remarkable given that he has been forced to resign from the Princes service twice.

Last night, one royal source said Mr Fawcetts rise to power seemed unstoppable, adding: Many believe the Prince will retain and promote him to an even more senior role when he becomes King. They are simply inseparable.

Mr Fawcett began his royal service in 1981 as a footman to the Queen, becoming sergeant footman and then Charles assistant valet, setting out his bespoke suits and shirts every morning at Kensington Palace.

He even had to squeeze toothpaste on his masters toothbrush after the Prince broke his arm playing polo, and became so indispensable that Charles once said: I can manage without just about anyone, except for Michael.

But colleagues noted how he began to ape his boss both in the way he dressed and the way in which he threw his weight about.

When a number of the Princes staff complained to Charles about Mr Fawcetts overbearing and bullying attitude in 1998, he resigned. Within a week, however, he was reinstated  and promoted.

Then, in 2003, he was forced out when an inquiry found he had sold off official gifts on Charless orders. He was accused of pocketing a percentage of the proceeds, but was cleared by an internal inquiry of any financial misconduct.

But the report painted a picture of him as a bully who accepted valuable gifts from outsiders.

Mr Fawcett began his royal service in 1981 as a footman to the Queen, becoming sergeant footman and then Charles assistant valet. Pictured: Mr Fawcett and Prince Charles in 1992

After he quit, Charles rewarded him with 500,000 in severance pay  and retained his services as a freelance fixer and party planner.

Indeed, when Mr Fawcett set up the events firm Premier Mode, the Prince became his most lucrative client, relying on him to organise everything from Camillas birthday parties to lavish fundraisers.

Royal aides confirmed yesterday that while Premier Mode would not be allowed to cater for Princes Foundation events, it would continue to be paid to organise other receptions and dinners for Charles and other royals. Premier Mode received more than 270,000 from the Princes charities last year.

For the past five years, Mr Fawcett has also worked as chief of executive of Dumfries House Trust, a stately home rescued by the prince on behalf of the nation which has become the base for his charitable endeavours.

Aides said Mr Fawcett had helped to raise tens of millions of pounds and created 200 jobs at the house, its estate and the wider area in the role. He will not get a pay rise for his new appointment, which was made by the board of The Princes Foundation.

Foundation chairman Jayne-Anne Gadhia said Mr Fawcett had an exemplary track record, adding: We are thrilled to have Michael Fawcett as the new CEO of The Princes Foundation.

Following bullying complaints in 1998, Fawcett resigned. In 2003, he was forced out when an inquiry found he had sold off official gifts on Charless orders. He was accused of pocketing a percentage of the proceeds, but was cleared by an internal inquiry of any financial misconduct

His achievements as CEO of Dumfries House include raising significant sums for good causes and creating employment for more than 150 people in the very challenging economic climate of East Ayrshire. We have great confidence that he will do a similarly excellent job for The Princes Foundation.

In a video to the staff of his 21 charities and organisations yesterday, Charles stressed he was not stepping back from my charitable work or downsizing in any way.

But the move will be interpreted by some as helping to ensure a smooth transition to the throne for the Prince, who will be 70 in November. He said: Now, as I approach something of a milestone in my own life, I have had a chance to reflect on how best to ensure my charities can continue to help those people and causes they were initially set up to serve, both now and for many years to come.

He said an independent review was appointed to examine what changes were needed to let his organisations work as efficiently as possible, whist also allowing me to use my own time with them to greatest effect. The reorganisation will result in a few job losses, and savings said to be of hundreds of thousands of pounds.The student who had his hair cut by a long-standing deputy principal of an elite private high school has revealed he never wanted he wanted him to be sacked.

A woman who claimed to be the boy's aunt told The Herald Sun they did not try to force Rohan Brown out of Trinity Grammar School in Melbourne.

She also said that her nephew had been the target of bullying since the announcement of Mr Brown's dismissal and that the student and Mr Brown had sorted the issue out between themselves.

Students were seen passionately protesting the dismissal of Mr Brown, with one student claiming students and teachers alike were crying over it.

However despite more than 500 people signing an online petition to 'Bring Brownie Back' and parents threatening to withhold fees, the school is standing firm on its decision.

Principal Michael Davies said he would consult with advisors and leaders so that the school could provide more insight into the issue in the coming weeks.



Trinity Grammar School council chairman Roderick Lyle told parents on Thursday night Mr Brown had left the school.

Mr Lyle said Mr Brown's actions were 'inconsistent with community expectations in this day and age', The Age reported.

It is understood Mr Brown cut a student's hair because it was too long on the school's photo day.

Video footage taken on students' mobile phones show Rohan Brown cutting a student's hair

The school's policy is that hair must be off the collar.

'As a result, the school council was of the view that Mr Brown's leadership position at the school was no longer tenable,' the letter read.

'We are all very disappointed and deeply saddened by the situation.'

Mr Brown had worked at the school for almost 30 years, and said he was upset about what had happened.

Mr Brown has since been dismissed from the school over the incident, but the student never wanted it to go that far

'I would like to go back. It's a good school and this is tearing me apart. I can't comment further,' he said.

Former students said they believed the decision to sack Mr Brown was political.

'This was a school which produced well-rounded men who had an interest in the wider community not just their pay packets and status. The school is being destroyed,' a former Trinity Grammar student said.

School council chairman Roderick Lyle told parents on Thursday night deputy principal Rohan Brown (pictured) had left Trinity Grammar in Melbourne

Former teachers said there had been high staff turnover after current principal Michael Davies took the role in 2014.

A teacher estimates 152 staff had left the school since then.

In his letter to parents, Mr Lyle said Mr Brown had served the school and had made a strong contribution.

An interim leadership structure has been put in place at the school while the council looked for a replacement for Mr Brown.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Trinity Grammar School for comment.The dingy drug underworld where methamphetamine use is at an all time high has been exposed.

New Zealand's drug use is 'worse than ever' as people everywhere are being hooked by its 'evil clutches', according to Kelly Lyndon.

The 35-year-old author told Daily Mail Australia business people, office workers and people with families and jobs were among those hooked on the deadly drug, not just the stereotypical 'gang members'.

'It is right in front of us, but you don't see it,' Ms Lyndon said.

'There are users and dealers everywhere and you'd be surprised who they are.

'Yes it is gangs who are making it and pushing the sales, but the majority of users aren't gang members and nor do they have any gang connections.'

New Zealand's drug use is 'worse than ever' as people everywhere are hooked by its 'evil clutches', according to Kelly Lyndon (pictured)

In her novel, Crystal Reign, she explores the murky meth underworld full of swinger parties, severed limbs.

The 35-year-old said she also witnessed people first hand falling into the drug's evil trap, including her ex-boyfriend and a family friend.

Ms Lyndon saw the effects of meth when her friend 'took that first pipe' and 'never put it down'.

'He was falling into the depths of hell, but taking everyone he loved for the ride,' Ms Lyndon told New Zealand Herald.

'They think they are in control, it ends up destroying everything they have. They end up in the gutter, with nothing, or in jail, even dead.'

Ms Lyndon told Daily Mail Australia ice users became a 'heightened version' of themselves, becoming more confident and alert before quickly getting hooked.

'It initially makes you feel so much better. But it doesn't last,' she said.

'It could take months to turn, and if you use it sporadically sometimes it takes years, but in the end you need more of the drug to keep that buzz and the more you take the less it works.'

In her novel, Crystal Reign, she reveals the murky meth underworld full of swinger parties, severed limbs and murder as users fall deeper into the world of hell (stock image)

Hamilton Alcohol and Drug Community Support Trust director Stephen King said everyone from teenagers to 60-year-old middle-class white men were using the drug, with the addictive drug becoming more widely used than alcohol, Stuff reported.

'There's a rise and it's right across the board. There are 700,000 people in New Zealand with addiction-related problems,' Mr King said.

'The brain learns that methamphetamine is better than food, better than sex, music, better than anything else the brain has seen.

'But ultimately, you pay the price.'Sixth-form colleges have joined the campaign to give 16-year-olds the vote, which is backed by Jeremy Corbyn

Sixth-form colleges have joined the campaign to give 16-year-olds the vote, which is backed by Jeremy Corbyn.

The Association of Colleges wants the Government to lower the voting age from 18.

This would create up to 1.5million new voters, who would be statistically more likely to vote Labour.

Party leader Mr Corbyn has promised sixth forms more money if he comes to power.

The move, which is opposed by the Government, was put forward in a private members Bill by Labour MP Peter Kyle.

But several Tory MPs support the Bill, including former education secretary Nicky Morgan.

Some 544,850 students aged 16 and 17 attend English colleges.

The AoC says it is unfair that they can marry, work, pay taxes and serve in the military, but cannot vote  even though their peers in Scotland can.

David Hughes, the AoCs chief executive, told the Times Educational Supplement: Helping young people to engage in politics is really important.

How do you make young people feel theyve got a stake in our society? You say, We think you should have a vote.The Army recruitment video shows Captain Jo Ellett (above) sitting in a helicopter grasping a gun as she looks out over a grassy moor

The Army has become the latest organisation to embrace International Womens Day as it celebrated the occasion in a recruitment advert.

The 40-second video, shown on primetime television, featured a female soldier in camouflage before proclaiming the Armys support of the day.

The advert, called Having My Voice Heard, was originally released as part of the This is Belonging 2018 campaign in January.

But while the original clip only shows the Army logo at the end, the words proudly supports International Womens Day have been added to the final shot in the new version.

The recruitment video shows Captain Jo Ellett sitting in a helicopter grasping a gun as she looks out over a grassy moor.

As the helicopter lands she leaps out with her fellow soldiers and communicates with the rest of the group using military hand signals as the slogan Having My Voice Heard appears on screen.

The clip, which was broadcast on International Womens Day on Thursday, has also been posted on the Army website and YouTube.

On the Army website, it says: International Womens Day is just another day in the British Army with equal pay, equal dress codes and equal opportunities.

Women have been allowed to join the army since 1917 and there are currently more than 13,000 serving in the Armed Forces.

The words proudly supports International Womens Day appear at the end of the 40-second video

International Womens Day has been celebrated since the early 1900s, but was recognised by the UN for the first time in 1975.

The day is used by campaigners to push for gender equality. This years campaign protested against the gender wage gap.

After the advert was broadcast, some complained the Army was spending too much money on adverts.

Rod Bishop tweeted: The last two Army recruitment ads Ive seen have featured a Muslim praying on patrol and a celebration of International Womens Day? The MOD has a 20billion black hole. Go figure.

It comes after the Army was criticised for spending 1.6million on the This is Belonging 2018 campaign, which aimed to diversify the 83,000-strong Army.

Critics said the campaign, which declares it is fine for soldiers to cry, pray and show emotion, could undermine Britains fighting strength.

In January the head of the Army defended the adverts amid claims they made the military look weak and soft.

General Sir Nick Carter said the Army was not fully staffed and its recruitment campaign had to better reflect the demography of the UK to boost numbers.

Sir Nick told Radio 4s Today: Combat ethos and fighting power remain the highest priority... and I cant remember a time in my career when weve had a more combat-hardened Army.

But former corporal Brian Wood, who was awarded the Military Cross for outstanding bravery in Iraq, said at the time: We are showing weakness to the enemy. People who join the military do so to serve and protect, not worry about being gay, praying and being emotional. PC madness.

OXFORD University has apologised after a female cleaner was told to scrub out a message reading Happy International Womens Day from library steps.

The slogan was written in chalk on steps at the Clarendon Building, part of the 400-year-old Bodleian Library.

It is usual practice for graffiti to be removed, but feminists were upset that a woman was asked to remove the campaign message.The father of a murder victim in a high-profile case has been brought to tears in court during the latest proceedings.

Pat Comunale, the father of 26-year-old murder victim Joseph Comunale, covered his face during a pre-trial hearing on Thursday in New York City, as a witness gave testimony.

Suspects James Rackover, 26, and Lawrence 'Larry' Dilione, 29, are charged with killing Comunale during a party at a luxury Upper East Side apartment in November 2016, after an argument over a cigarette got out of hand.

Former Oceanport, New Jersey mayor Gordon Gemma took the stand on Thursday, when he was quizzed by prosecutors about his son Max's statement that Rackover 'smashed (Comunales) head on the floor' - an exchange that brought the victim's father to tears, according to the New York Daily News.

Pat Comunale, the father of 26-year-old murder victim Joseph Comunale, covered his face during a pre-trial hearing on Thursday. He is seen left at the funeral in 2016

Lawrence Dilione, 29, (left) revealed where police could find Joseph Comunale's body (right) after a heart-wrenching phone call with the Hofstra graduate's devastated father

Former Oceanport, New Jersey mayor Gordon Gemma (pictured) testified on Thursday. His son Max is accused of assisting in the cover-up and misleading investigators

Gordon Gemma is seen with his son Max outside court on Thursday. Max, 30, has been charged with with assisting in the cover-up and misleading investigators

Max Gemma, 30, has been charged with with assisting in the cover-up and misleading investigators.

He is pals with Rackover and Dilione, who are accused of killing Comunale on November 16, 2016.

Prosecutors say that Comunale was stabbed 15 times at the alcohol and cocaine-fueled party inside Rackover's luxury apartment, paid for by famed jeweler Jeffrey Rackover, after an argument over cigarettes.

Three days later police found the Hofstra graduate's burned body buried in a shallow grave in Oceanport, New Jersey, where Dilione lived.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Comunale's body was discovered only after Dilione had a heart-wrenching phone conversation with the victim's father, Pat.

It was NYPD homicide detective Raymond Reuther who came up with the idea to put Dilione on the phone with Comunale's father.

Reuther, now retired, recalled hearing Dilione begin to cry as he spoke to Pat and told him 'everything will be alright', according to the New York Daily News.

Dilione and James Rackover, 26, (pictured behind him) are accused of killing Comunale during a party at a luxury Upper East Side apartment in November 2016

'I started asking him if Joey was in New Jersey, and did they take him there,' Reuther said.

The detective believed, due to video surveillance footage, that the pair may have buried the body near Dilione's father's house in Oceanport.

'[Dilione] just started looking at me, and then he said, "He's not far from my father's house"', Reuther recalled.

The detective said Dilione then revealed that Comunale's body was 'behind the florist'.

It's a shocking story that Michael Pappa, Dilione's lawyer, is fighting to keep out of the courtroom - and away from a jury.

Pappa is hoping Justice James Burke will rule the confession inadmissible due to the fact that Dilione had not yet been read his rights before the fateful phone call.

Burke must decide if the both the statement and corresponding crime scene evidence, including the discovery of Comunale's body, will be included in the murder trial.

Dilione and Rackover have been charged with murder, concealment of a human body, hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence.

Both have pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

It was NYPD homicide detective Raymond Reuther who came up with the idea to put Dilione (pictured together) on the phone with Comunale's father

The detective said Dilione then revealed that Comunale's body was 'behind the florist'

Dilione and Rackover have been charged with murder, concealment of a human body, hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence

It's a shocking story that Michael Pappa, Dilione's lawyer, is fighting to keep out of the courtroom due to the fact that Dilione had not been read his rights before the confession

Dilione reportedly told police he struck Comunale, 26, inside Rackover's apartment on East 59th Street on the night of November 13, 2016 after a fight about cigarettes.

But he claimed it was Rackover who pummeled, choked, and ultimately stabbed the victim to death.

Court documents filed by co-defendant Max Gemma's attorney, Mark Bederow, allege that Rackover flew into a rage at the party during the fistfight between Comunale and Dilione.

He 'punched and kicked (the victim) in the head and face several times, and smashed the back of his head into the hardwood floor several times,' the June 2017 filings state.

'Rackover's attack left Comunale bleeding profusely and created a bloody mess in the living room floor.'

'Rackover panicked about returning to prison. He ordered Gemma and Dilione to take off their clothes.'

He then allegedly wrapped Dilione's jeans around the victim's neck 'as if he were preparing to choke Comunale', according to the court filings.

Gemma was told to leave the apartment, his lawyer said in the documents.

Dilione has claimed it was Rackover (pictured) who pummeled, choked, and ultimately stabbed Comunale to death

Dilione and Rackover then allegedly cleaned the apartment with bleach and removed Comunale's body with a luggage cart they took from the luxury building.

Police found bloody towels and Comunale's driver's license in trash cans at the building, according to the New York Daily News.

Surveillance footage also caught Rackover leaving the building with three duffel bags and a backpack that he put in the drunk of a black Mercedes-Benz car.

Rackover lived in the building with his 'adoptive' father Jeffrey Rackover.

The famed jeweler has designed baubles for the likes of Jennifer Lopez and was responsible for Melania Trump's $3million engagement ring.

Jeffrey Rackover has since distanced himself from his 'adoptive' son, but was named in a lawsuit filed in June 2017 alleging he helped to cover up the murder.

Pat Comunale claimed Jeffrey provided cleaning supplies to Rackover and alleged that the pair were in a sexual relationship.

The lawsuit also alleged that Jeffrey let Rackover borrow his Mercedes-Benz to dispose of the victim's dismembered remains on the Jersey Shore.Paige Skarrats, a five-year-old from Queensland, was diagnosed with brain cancer after complaining of headaches when she laughed or cried.

Doctors informed her parents Jake and Tania Skarratts that she only had days to live due to an inoperable brain tumour.

However, Paige surprised doctors and her parents by completing the final treatment in a six-week course of radiation, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported.

Paige Skarrats (pictured) was diagnosed with brain cancer after complaining of headaches when she laughed or cried

Paige surprised doctors and her parents by completing the final treatment in a six-week course of radiation marking the milestone with, 'I did it. I'm all done'

Paige marked the milestone with six words, 'I did it. I'm all done.'

Mr Skarratts said Paige was throwing the doctors curve balls since the first treatment.

'After her first treatment she could barely move but today she's trying to walk,' he said.

'Paige is giving me strength every day and she comes out smiling.'

When her parents found out there was little chance of Paige surviving, they went ahead and surprised her with an impromptu wedding at the Brisbane Lade Cilento Children's Hospital.

Mr Skarratts (left) said Paige (middle) is throwing the doctors curve balls since the first treatment

'Paige is giving me strength every day and she comes out smiling,' her father said

Paige always wanted to be a flower girl at her parent's wedding and Ms Skarrats said it was difficult getting married after being told your child is not going to live.

'Paige was excited about the wedding and would tell people she's a flower girl,' she said.

'It's not how we planned it but having her there is the main thing.'

Now that Paige has completed her final treatment, the family is headed back to the Gold Coast until they return to the hospital for an MRI in April.

Paige and her family are headed back to the Gold Coast until they head back to the hospital for an MRI in April







Dr Hadiza Bawa-Garba, was found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter over the death of a six-year-old Jack Adcock - she has now been struck off

GP leaders have declared they have no confidence in the General Medical Council after its decision to strike off a doctor whose mistakes resulted in a boy dying from sepsis.

Hadiza Bawa-Garba, a trainee paediatrician, made a series of errors while looking after six-year-old Jack Adcock and was convicted of manslaughter through gross negligence in 2015.

Experts say many of the errors were caused by systemic failures at her hospital, the Leicester Royal Infirmary.

The case has provoked an outcry among doctors worried about reporting their own mistakes for fear of suffering the same fate, prompting thousands to sign a petition.

Doctors on Friday night defied their union bosses to back a motion of no confidence in the GMC at an annual meeting of GP leaders in Liverpool.

They also called for the GP committee of their union the British Medical Association to demand a review by the parliamentary health select committee, Pulse magazine reported.

Jack Adcock, 6, died of sepsis after the trainee doctor mistakenly marked him as 'do not resuscitate'

Dr Zoe Norris, a BMA subcommittee chairman, said: GPs have lost all confidence in the ability of the GMC to be objective and to genuinely balance patient safety against the reality of being a doctor in the modern NHS.

The doctors want to establish a system whereby GPs can make collective statements of concern regarding unsafe care.

Jack died on February 18, 2011  11 hours after he was admitted to hospital.

Dr Bawa-Garba had just returned from 13 months of maternity leave and was covering the roles of three doctors and looking after patients on six wards.

Her errors included wrongly diagnosing Jack with gastroenteritis. When he suffered a septic shock, leading to a call for doctors to revive him, he was mixed up with a discharged patient who had a do not resuscitate instruction on his notes.

Dr Bawa-Garba was given a 12-month suspension by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service but the GMC went to the High Court to overturn this and she was struck off in January.Director of the Vietnamese Department of Foreign Affairs of Localities Nguyen Hoang Long (R) and Deputy Secretary of Victorias Department of Economic Development, Job, Transport and Resources Gonul Serbest sign the agreement on March 9th (Photo: VNA)



The deal was inked in Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria, by Director of the Vietnamese ministrys Department of Foreign Affairs of Localities Nguyen Hoang Long and Deputy Secretary of Victorias Department of Economic Development, Job, Transport and Resources Gonul Serbest.

The agreement is expected to create conditions for enhancing connectivity and increasing support for effective cooperation between Vietnamese localities and Victoria in such areas as administration-to-administration ties, people-to-people exchange, trade, investment, education-training, science-technology, smart city building, agriculture, tourism, and services.

During his stay, Director Long also attended and delivered a speech at a meeting on introducing the business environment in Vietnam. The event saw the presence of Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Craig Chittick, Australian Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City Karen Lanyon, and President of the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam Chau Ta.

The Vietnamese delegation had working sessions with the agencies for external affairs of Victoria and Melbourne, the Business Council of Australia, and some Australian enterprises. They also visited the University of Melbourne, Monash University, and RMIT University./.Britain could have breached its human rights obligations over the Grenfell Tower inferno, the United Nations housing investigator has suggested.

Leilani Farha, the UN special rapporteur on the right to housing, said safety standards in the tower were not met.

The blaze killed 71 people and left hundreds homeless last June. As a result, the Government might have failed to comply with its international human rights obligations over the disaster, she suggested.

Leilani Farha, the UN special rapporteur on the right to housing, said safety standards in Grenfell Tower were not met

Last week Miss Farha, who has worked as the UNs unpaid housing investigator since 2014, was invited by human rights law academics and activists to meet with Grenfell survivors and local residents.

The Canadian, who is executive director of Ottawa-based NGO Canada Without Poverty, said she was alarmed by the survivors feelings of not being heard, of feeling invisible, and not being treated like equal human beings during her London visit.

She told the Guardian: Im concerned when I have residents saying to me they feel they are not being heard and that they are not always being treated like human beings. Those are the fundamentals of human rights: voice, dignity, and participation in solutions to their own situations.

Miss Farha said that the residents rights to safe and secure housing might have been breached because of safety standards in the tower, such as the cost-saving cladding and electrical circuits used. She said she was concerned that residents and survivors had been discriminated against because they had been living in social housing.

She said: Residents told me they feel the Governments position is that they should feel lucky that they are going to be rehoused and that they should feel lucky that they had social housing.

That doesnt suggest residents feel the Government recognises them as rights holders.

The fact that so many residents have said to me they are not being treated as human beings is suggestive of a society that is structured in a way where those in social housing are viewed perhaps as counting less. And that is deeply troubling.

Miss Farha said that the residents rights to safe and secure housing might have been breached because of safety standards in the tower, such as the cost-saving cladding and electrical circuits used

She has questioned whether it might have influenced the decision to fit Grenfell Tower with cheaper cladding.

If the population wasnt viewed as somehow undeserving, as really lucky to receive the benevolence of state support for housing, if they were viewed as rights holders, I just wonder if that same decision would have been made.

It is not the first time the UK has been criticised by UN rapporteurs.

In 2013, the UNs special investigator on housing, Raquel Rolnik, said the Government should axe the so-called Bedroom Tax because it breaches human rights.

However, she was staying at a four-star hotel, where the cheapest room available costs 300 a night, while preparing a report claiming the tax would result in people going hungry in order to pay their rent.

A Government spokesman said: Grenfell was an awful tragedy that should never have happened and nothing like it should ever be allowed to happen again.

In the immediate aftermath of the fire we were clear that the council had failed the residents of Grenfell, and so we have committed to supporting everyone affected in the months and years ahead  including by rehousing residents and offering mental health support.

Had the UNs special rapporteur on the right to adequate housing approached the Government to discuss her concerns we would gladly have met her to discuss the work we are doing to support the Grenfell community.The poisoned spy lying in a critical condition in hospital was codenamed 'Forthwith' and provided MI6 with a host of revealing information on Russian agents.

Sergei Skripal, who was 'deliberately targeted' in a nerve agent attack along with his daughter in Salisbury on Sunday, was regarded as a 'highly valued spy' for MI6.

It is also reported that Mr Skripal was 'useful' to foreign intelligence services after he was returned to Britain in a spy swap in 2010.

Mr Skripal, 66, provided a wealth of intelligence on the GRU - Russia's foreign intelligence service - over a ten-year period, according to The Times.

Sergei Skripal (left, in 2006 and, right, during his time in the Russian military) is fighting for his life after being exposed to an unknown substance. He had been brought to Britain in a spy swap in 2010 after he was caught passing Russian secrets to MI6. But a documentary claimed that he had in fact begged not to be swapped.

A police tent has been put up over the park bench where Skripal and his daughter appeared 'catatonic'

One security officer told the Financial Times: 'There was interest from friendly foreign services after he was released in the spy swap.

'He was useful for a limited period.'

Among the trove of data supplied to British authorities was the GRU's entire telephone directory.

He was first identified as a potential recruit for the Spanish intelligence - but run by British intelligence because it was believe he would respond better to British handling.

While station in Spain as a GRU officer, Mr Skripal was approached by an MI6 officer who posed as a Spanish business partner, according to intelligence sources.

The first meeting between the Russian and British intelligence agents took place in 1996 when he was 44.

After he was diagnosed with diabetes he returned to Moscow, but frequently returned to Spain to recuperate.

His contact with MI6 would gradually expand to the point where he was appointed his own full-time case officer.

Emergency services found Sergei Skripal and a woman, said to be his daughter Yulia, slumped over a bench at The Maltings shopping centre before they were transported to Salisbury District Hospital, where a major incident was declared on Monday

Mr Skripal was among of a group of top spies exchanged in Vienna in 2010 (left) for a group of Russian agents including the glamorous Anna Chapman (right)

Mr Skripal retired from the GRU in 2000 but managed to secure a job through a former army colleague in the Moscow provincial government - continuing to provide MI6 with intelligence.

He was even bought a timeshare holiday home near Malaga, where he would meet the case officer over periods of three days.

Following each session, Mr Skripol would be paid between $5,000 and $6,000 in cash, which he then deposited into a Spanish bank account.

Sources also revealed that while his initial motivation was financial, he became increasingly more interested in Britain.

But MI6 made sure not to bring him to Britain in order to avoid giving away any link between 'Forthwith' and the service.

In one instance, Mr Skripol was said to have called an emergency meeting in Spain, during which he demanded $10,000 in cash and an MI6 officer flew out with the money the next day.

Intelligence sources believe Russia could be targeting double agents living in Britain due to MI6's success in recruiting spies since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

At least a dozen former MI6 agents are thought to be living in the UK under varying degrees of protection.

Their names are kept secret but their identities are not necessarily unknown to President Putin, himself a former Lieutenant Colonel in the KGB.

It is understood that Mr Skripol did not expose a large number of Russian spies working undercover in the West.

But he was able to provide specific information on Russian military intelligence structure, including the identities of hundreds of officers.

The intelligence he gathered was also shared with MI5 and other allies, including the CIA.

Even in his retirement from the GRU, he would maintain contact with British intelligence before finally being exposed as a double agent and arrested in 2004.

He was jailed for 13 years in 2006 and was only released in the high-profile spy-swap which involved glamourous Russian agent Anna Chapman, who had been caught spying in the US

Once married to a British former public schoolboy, the seductive spy is now a propagandist for the Kremlin

MI6 first learnt that 'Forthwith' had been compromised when he failed to attend a meeting that same year.

He was jailed for 13 years in 2006 and was only released in the high-profile spy-swap which involved glamourous Russian agent Anna Chapman, who had been caught spying in the US.

After being debriefed by British security services, he was given a new life living in a 340,000 house in Wiltshire.

At the time of his arrest he was mocked as 'the spy with the Louis Vuitton bag' after grainy pictures showed him with an expensive looking bag at an airport en route on one meeting with his handlers.Teachers will have their hours and workload cut in a bid to encourage more people into the profession, the new Education Secretary will say today.

In his first major speech, Damian Hinds will pledge action on teacher shortages caused by the rise in pupil numbers.

A sharp rise in births fuelled by migration has meant a bulge in the pupil population  and teacher numbers have not caught up.

Addressing 1,000 heads today, Mr Hinds will say it is his top priority to make sure that teaching is regarded as one of the most rewarding jobs you can do.

In an olive branch to the profession, he will also promise there will be no further changes to the curriculum and no new tests during the course of this Parliament, aside from those already announced.

Teachers have previously complained that years of changes created by Tory reforms have caused too much stress, and they also say a heavy workload is putting off new recruits.

In his first major speech, Damian Hinds will pledge action on teacher shortages caused by the rise in pupil numbers

Mr Hinds will say: Right now, we have so many brilliant teachers in our schools.

But, with rising pupil numbers, I recognise that recruitment and retention is difficult for schools.

And, clearly, one of the biggest threats to retention, and also to recruitment, is workload.

Too many teachers and our school leaders are working too long hours, and on non-teaching tasks that are not helping children to learn.

We need to get back to the essence of successful teaching  strip away the workload that doesnt add value and give teachers the time and space to focus on what actually matters.

It could mean teachers being required to do less marking, lesson planning and data collection work in their evenings after school. Some schools are phasing out complicated marking systems to reduce the burden on teachers.

There is now a record number of teachers, but a report by the National Audit Office found that this rise is not enough to meet the needs of the growing pupil population.

In addition, the growth in teacher numbers over the past five years has been only in primary schools, while in secondary schools, numbers have decreased by around 5 per cent.

The key to education is the person standing at the front of the class

It is estimated there will be an extra 540,000 secondary school pupils by 2025  a rise of 19 per cent. Around 65,000 more youngsters are expected to join secondary schools this autumn alone.

Mr Hinds will say in his speech to the Association of School and College Leaders, which represents secondary heads, that he wants to devise new ways to attract, and keep, the best and brightest graduates.

He will say: There can be no great schools without great teachers. The quality of teaching matters more than anything else. Above all else, the key to education is the person standing at the front of the class.

Since 2010, a raft of changes to the primary, GCSE and A-Level curriculums have been made to raise standards, following reforms by former education secretary Michael Gove (stock image)

Since 2010, a raft of changes to the primary, GCSE and A-Level curriculums have been made to raise standards, following reforms by former education secretary Michael Gove.

But Mr Hinds will promise there will be no more reforms before the end of this Parliament in 2022  creating stability for teachers.

Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman will add: I want to look at how Ofsted can play its part in reducing workload, so that youre able to focus on the things that matter to you and to your pupils.

It doesnt matter what an inspectorate thinks if we cant attract good people into teaching.

She will say she will look into stopping schools from forcing teachers to do endless data cuts, triple marking, ten page lesson plans, and, worst of all, Mocksteds.An off-duty cop forcibly arrested a black woman at a Pennsylvania movie theater because she was filming him mistreat a group of teenage girls.

Video filmed by Melanie Carter at the North Versaille Stadium 18 movie theater shows confrontation between the manager and three girls on February 23.

Accusing the girls of causing ruckus inside the theater, the manager - named Jason -even claims that he has 'witnesses.'

Video filmed by Melanie Carter at the North Versailled Stadium 18 movie theater shows confrontation between the manager and three girls on February 23

An off-duty cop, who had just asked Carter for a light for his cigarette, demands that she and the kids leave the premises

'You guys have been a problem since you got here,' an off-duty officer with North Versailles police department, Christopher Kelly, says of the girls.

Kelly had just so happened to ask Carter for a light for his cigarette, but was now demanding everyone to leave.

Carter was charged with resisting arrest, failure to disperse, disorderly conduct and defiant trespass

But Carter retorted that she paid money so that she and her children could watch a movie.

'You're behaving like an animal,' the manager said to Carter and the children, proceeding to make his way closer to the Wilkinsburg, Pennslvanbia, native.

Kelly tells the woman that she is 'defiant trespassing' after she tells him that she isn't leaving and proceeds to take out his handcuffs and attempt an arrest.

In the next moments, Kelly appears to tackle the woman and she goes further to say that he banged her head on the sidewalk and put his knee in her back.

Carter was charged with resisting arrest, failure to disperse, disorderly conduct and defiant trespass.

'I broke no laws. I'm asking the community to help me seek justice. I need a lawyer,' the woman wrote on Facebook.

Accusing the girls of causing ruckus inside the theater, the manager - named Jason -even claims that he has 'witnesses'

The officer was identified as Christopher Kelly with the North Versailles police department

On their Facebook, the movie theater announced that the officer was off-duty and that the manager in the video was fired, following an internal investigation.

'We are aware of this incident and after an internal investigation, we determined that the managers conduct does not reflect our values, his training, or our policies,' they said in a post on Facebook, Friday.

'This is certainly not the way we treat people, and this manager has been relieved of his duties. The off-duty police officer is not an employee of our company, and his actions have been reported to his superiors.'Prosecutors in the Los Angeles murder case against eccentric New York real estate heir Robert Durst want his victim's words to help send him to prison.

Prosecutors filed nearly 400 pages of documents Friday to argue that statements Susan Berman made to friends before she was killed in 2000 should be allowed to help prove that Durst knocked her off to silence what she knew about his first wife's mysterious 1982 disappearance.

Defense lawyers have argued the statements are hearsay and inadmissible.

Prosecutors in the murder case of Susan Berman, a friend to Robert Durst (pictured) want her statements to friends included in the trial to prove that the man killed her to cover up his other misdeeds

Berman (left) told friends that the real estate tycoon admitted he killed Kathleen Durst (right), who was a medical student when she vanished

But Deputy District Attorney John Lewin said Durst forfeited the right to challenge the statements because he killed Berman to prevent her from being a witness.

'Silence, like a cancer, grows,' Lewin wrote, borrowing a lyric from Simon and Garfunkel's 'Sounds of Silence.' ''Faced now with the prospect of at long last being brought to justice, defendant tries again to prevent Susan's voice from being heard. His attempt to prohibit the jury from learning what she said about him killing his wife is the most recent chapter in defendant's 36-year quest to evade responsibility for the heinous crimes he has committed.'

Berman told friends that the real estate tycoon admitted he killed Kathleen Durst, who was a medical student when she vanished. Her body has never been found, but she was officially declared dead last year.

Berman was murdered back in 2000, and Durst may now face murder charges in relation to her death. The two were best friends since their days together at UCLA in the 1960s

Defense lawyers have argued the statements are hearsay and inadmissible

Berman also told several friends, including former 'Saturday Night Live' cast member Laraine Newman, that she provided alibis for Durst, her good friend.

Durst, 74, has pleaded not guilty and has denied any part in her fatal shooting. Berman, a writer who was the daughter of a Las Vegas mobster, had been best friends with Durst since they were undergrads at the University of California, Los Angeles in the 1960s.

Kathleen Durst's body has never been found, but she was officially declared dead last year

The filing comes as lawyers in the case prepare for a preliminary hearing next month in Los Angeles Superior Court that will determine if Durst stands trial on a murder count in Berman's death.

It also marks what is likely to be a contentious fight over the admissibility of a wide range of evidence from hearsay witness statements, including those made by Durst, to Lewin's lengthy interrogation of Durst after his arrest in New Orleans in 2015 that came just before the final episode aired of the six-part HBO series 'The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst.'

Durst is also expected to try to prevent jurors from seeing clips from that project, including the dramatic finale when he was caught on a live microphone muttering: 'You're caught! What the hell did I do? Killed them all, of course.'

Witnesses have testified at a series of pretrial hearings that Berman, despite her close friendship with Durst, feared him and told some of them that if anything happened to her he would be responsible.

Witnesses have testified at a series of pretrial hearings that Berman, despite her close friendship with Durst, feared him and told some of them that if anything happened to her he would be responsible

Nathan 'Nick' Chavin, a mutually close friend of Durst and Berman, dropped a bombshell during one pretrial hearing when he testified that Durst admitted to him after a dinner in New York that he killed Berman.

'I had to,' Durst said, according to Chavin. 'It was her or me, I had no choice.'

Durst, who is being held in jail, previously beat a murder charge in the 2001 killing and dismembering of a 71-year-old neighbor in Galveston, Texas. Durst had moved there and disguised himself as a mute woman to escape investigators who wanted to talk to him after reopening the investigation into Kathie Durst's disappearance.

While conceding he chopped up Morris Black's body and tossed it in the sea, Durst was acquitted of murder after testifying that he did it in self-defense.Barely a week after her baby daughter was killed, Raelene Jemison told the world that she hated her boyfriend, the man who had been charged with the murder.

'He deserves everything that is coming to him,' Jemison, the mother of 10-month-old Jordyn Chu, told KSNV.

Eric Chu, 31, had been taken into custody just days before. But now, two months later, Jemison is joining him behind bars on a second-degree murder charge.

It has been a surprising twist in a case that includes skull fractures, broken arms, and changing stories of fear and abuse.

Raelene Jemison, 36, has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of her 10-month-old daughter Jordyn Chu

Barely a week after her baby daughter was killed, Jemison went on television (pictured) and told the world that she hated the man, her boyfriend, who had been charged with the murder

Chu called 911 around 4.50pm on January 23 to report that Jordyn wasn't breathing and was convulsing, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Authorities were also called to the scene after medical personnel reported they were being threatened by Chu, who was taking care of the couple's three children while Jemison was at work.

The father told police he had been giving Jordyn a bath when she suffered a seizure and stopped breathing.

But doctors found extensive brain injuries, including two skull fractures, that Chu could not explain.

'One was previous. It was a previous one that bled,' Jemison, 36, told KSNV. 'I never saw any marks on her.'

Jordyn died the next day from 'blunt force injuries to her head and neck', according to the Clark County Coroner's Office. Her death was ruled a homicide.

'He deserves everything that is coming to him,' Jemison (pictured with Jordyn's twin CJ) told station KSNV during the interview

Chu (pictured) called 911 around 4.50pm on January 23 to report that Jordyn wasn't breathing and was convulsing

Chu left town after speaking to police and was arrested three days later by US Marshals in Chicago before being extradited back to Las Vegas.

After Jordyn's death, Jemison told authorities that she had tried to leave her boyfriend but was afraid he could harm her and their children, an arrest warrant states.

She also claimed Chu had hit her in the past and that she had told him on multiple occasions that he was being 'too rough with their children'.

The mother even told police that, on the day Jordyn was hospitalized, Chu told her that 'one would have been fine', according to the warrant.

She claimed that on the night before her daughter died, Chu also shook their infant son in his bouncer seat when he wouldn't stop crying.

And, in June 2017, Jemison called police and claimed that Chu said he was going to 'end up killing' their twins and threw a baby bottle against the wall.

After Jordyn's death, Jemison told authorities she had tried to leave her boyfriend but was afraid he could harm her. But on TV the mother claimed she had never seen any warning signs

'I never, ever thought he would hurt the kids,' Jemison said during the interview. 'Not once'

He was arrested that day for owning a firearm despite two previous domestic violence convictions in 2014 and 2016.

But when it came time to talk to the press, Jemison claimed she had never seen any warning signs that her boyfriend could ever harm their children.

'I never, ever thought he would hurt the kids,' she told KSNV. 'Not once.'

'I think he had a psychotic breakdown and doesn't remember the incident.'

And, when speaking with the Review-Journal, Jemison said she never saw bruises on her children and that Chu was 'fine with them'.

'I never once thought he would hurt those kids,' she told the newspaper.

Four months before Jordyn died, Jemison and Chu were investigated by the Clark County Department of Family Services after Jordyn's brother suffered a broken arm

Jemison also denied she ever told police that Chu said he would 'end up killing his children', or that he had ever threatened their children or thrown a baby bottle during the June 2017 incident.

Four months before Jordyn died, Jemison and Chu were investigated by the Clark County Department of Family Services.

Family Services was asked to investigate neglect allegations after Jordyn's twin CJ broke his arm after allegedly falling from a bed during a diaper change.

The case was closed after the department determined that the allegations were unsubstantiated.

After Jordyn was admitted to the hospital, a doctor also noticed that CJ had marks on his neck and bruises, the police report states.

It remains unclear what led to Jemison's arrest this week.A notorious street gang looking to set up in Australia has had its members kicked out of the country.

Members of New Zealand's Mongrel Mob are attempting to establish Australian chapters.

The gang has a reputation for violent conduct in New Zealand, and its members have been kicked out of Western Australia as they attempt to grow their influence in Perth.

A notorious street gang looking to set up in Australia has had its members kicked out of the country

Members of New Zealand's Mongrel Mob are attempting to establish Australian chapters

The gang has a reputation for violent conduct in New Zealand, and its members have been kicked out of Western Australia as it attempts to grow its influence in Perth

One of the gang members to be deported was senior leader Joe Edmonds who was caught at Perth Airport in 2017 trying to bring gang uniforms into Western Australia

Five members of the gang have been booted out of the state, The Weekend West reported.

The Mongrel Mob has attempted to gain a foothold in Perth by moving members to the city from other Australian chapters or from New Zealand.

The gang also has its own Facebook page, 'Mongrel Mob Australia', featuring photos of heavily-tattooed gang members riding motorcycles.

Police have been working to identify members of the gang who are not Australian citizens and can therefore be targeted for deportation.

One of the gang members to be deported was senior leader Joe Edmonds who was caught at Perth Airport in 2017 trying to bring gang uniforms into Western Australia.

His visa was cancelled on 'character grounds' and he was put on a plane back to New Zealand.

Several Mongrel Mob chapters remain in Western Australia despite the deportations

The Mongrel Mob is the fourth gang to try and set up in Western Australia in the past two years

Australian Border Force WA regional commander Rod O'Donnell said they wanted to protect the community from 'violent' gangs.

A police spokesperson said: 'The WA Police Force is aware of the presence in Western Australia of a small number of people with links to the Mongrel Mob street gang'.

'Through the gang crime squad we are actively monitoring those people.'

Several Mongrel Mob chapters remain in Western Australia despite the deportations.

The Mongrel Mob is the fourth gang to try and set up in Western Australia in the past two years, sparking calls for the toughening up of bikie laws amid concerns the state is seen as an easy target.

Opposition politicians have been calling for the toughening up of bikie laws amid concerns the state is seen as an easy targetTeenagers face being disconnected from social media sites after browsing for a certain number of hours, under new government proposals.

Ministers want to impose a limit on how long children can spend on social media platforms each day.

The proposals would see varying time cut-offs for different ages on popular social media sites, such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat.

Ministers want to impose a limit on how long children can spend on social media platforms each day. File photo

Detailing the plans to The Times, Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said: Social media companies are going to need to know how old children are when they are on the site.

'For an adult I wouldnt want to restrict the amount of time you are on a platform but for different ages it might be right to have different time cut-offs.

Mr Hancock said the proposals arise from a genuine concern about the long hours young people spend in front of screens.

Such plans would be enforced by new laws  which would require social media sites to enforce an age limit of 13 for account holders.

The proposals would see varying time cut-offs for different ages on popular social media sites, such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. File pic

One proposal could see parents registering their children on a one-stop age-verification site.

A code would be issued that had to be entered when the child signed up for different accounts.

Last month, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said excessive social media was as great a threat to childrens health as smoking or obesity.The National Rifle Association has filed a lawsuit against Florida, arguing that a newly signed law raising the age to buy long guns to 21 is unconstitutional.

The gun owners' rights group filed the federal lawsuit just hours after Scott signed the bill in Tallahassee on Friday, which also included new school safety and mental health measures.

The new measures come in the wake of the February 14 shooting rampage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that killed 17 people.

Federal law already limits the purchase of handguns from licensed dealers to those over the age of 21. The new state law raises the age for purchasing rifles and shotguns from 18 to 21, and expands a three-day waiting period to buy handguns to apply to long guns as well.

Lawyers for the NRA want a federal judge to block the new age restriction from taking effect, saying it violates the Second Amendment.

Lawyers for the NRA want a federal judge to block the new age restriction from taking effect, saying it violates the Second Amendment. NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre is seen last month

The gun owners' rights group filed the federal lawsuit just hours after Governor Rick Scott (pictured) signed the bill in Tallahassee on Friday

Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action, says the bill 'punishes law-abiding gun owners for the criminal acts of a deranged individual.'

'Swift action is needed to prevent young adults in Florida from being treated as second-class citizens when it comes to the right to keep and bear arms,' Cox said in a statement.

'We are confident that the courts will vindicate our view that Florida's ban is a blatant violation of the Second Amendment.'

Among the compromise bill's other provisions are a ban on 'bump stocks' that modify semi-automatic rifles to fire at a high rate, new funding for school mental health programs, and a school guardian program that would arm some school employees.

Full-time classroom teachers are exempt from participating in the guardian program unless they are JROTC instructors, current military service members, or current or former law enforcement officers.

Announcing the bill, Gov. Scott said: 'Today should serve as an example to the entire country that government can and must move fast.'

Speaking after the lawsuit was filed, John Tupps, the Communications Director for Scott said: 'We will review the lawsuit.'

Tony Montalto and his wife Jennifer lost their daughter Gina in the shooting. They stood next to Gov. Scott to watch him sign the bill

Scott is pictured on Friday addressing the media after signing the bill in

Also on Friday, an AP analysis of the NRA Foundation's public tax records found that about 500 schools received more than $7.3 million from 2010 through 2016, mostly through competitive grants meant to promote shooting sports.

The grants have gone to an array of school programs, including the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, rifle teams, hunting safety courses and agriculture clubs.

Most of the schools are in medium-sized counties or rural areas, with few near major cities. The analysis found that nearly three-quarters of the schools that received grants are in counties that voted for President Donald Trump in the 2016 election, while a quarter are in counties that voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton.

California received the most in school grants, more than $1 million, while Florida was a close second.

Florida's Broward County school district is believed to be the first to stop accepting NRA money after the shooting there last month.

The teen charged in the shooting had been on a school rifle team that received NRA funding. School officials announced the change on Tuesday but declined to comment further.

Denver Public Schools followed on Thursday, saying it won't pursue NRA grants in the future and will turn down several that were to be awarded this year. But officials in many other districts say they have no plans to back away.

'Whatever I think of the NRA, they're providing legitimate educational services,' said Billy Townsend, a school board member in Florida's Polk County district, whose JROTC programs received $33,000, primarily to buy air rifles.

'If the NRA wanted to provide air rifles for our ROTC folks in the future, I wouldn't have a problem with that.'The former Conservative candidate dubbed the Tatler Tory has resigned amid claims he sexually harassed a female colleague, it emerged last night.

Mark Clarke, who was expelled from the Conservative Party in 2015, has quit his job as senior director at Unilever during an internal investigation into a sexual harassment claim.

It comes fewer than three years after claims that he bullied a young activist who later took his own life. The 40-year-old is thought to have been suspended after it was claimed he had sexually harassed a female contractor last year, who also worked at the British-Dutch company.

Mr Clarke denied the allegation, but resigned from the FTSE 100 firm this week before the inquiry had been completed, The Times reported.

Former Conservative election candidate Mark Clarke has resigned from the FTSE 100 firm

Mr Clarke, known as the Tatler Tory after he was tipped for the Cabinet by Tatler magazine in 2008, ran Conservative HQs battlebus campaign which saw activists sent to target seats.

He also ran his own similar RoadTrip campaign which was at the centre of sexual harassment, bullying, drug-taking and drunken-behaviour claims. A month before his suicide, a young activist called Elliott Johnson made a complaint to the Tories about Mr Clarke, claiming that he had bullied him.

Mr Clarke denied the allegation and Mr Johnson withdrew his complaint. He was also accused of plotting to blackmail Cabinet minister Robert Halfon, over an affair and was alleged to have had a tryst of his own with activist India Brummitt.

Mr Clarke previously denied the allegations, saying: I strongly refute any suggestion of bullying, harassment, blackmail, or intended/attempted blackmail.

The claims led to his party expulsion and he was barred from standing for the Conservatives again, or representing the party. However, Mr Clarke kept his London job as senior director of marketing analytics at Unilever.

The company published a report in 2016 that said it has no place for sexual harassment at Unilever. It added: The company will monitor cases of sexual harassment to identify where further action might be appropriate.

Mr Clarke did not respond to requests for comment yesterday.

A Unilever spokesman told The Times: We take any alleged breach of Unilevers code of business principles very seriously. We can confirm that we are investigating allegations made about Mr Clarke.

He denied the allegations and decided to leave the business before our investigation was concluded.Mr. Hanif Salim (left), Mr. Ibnu Hadi, Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam and Mr. Nguyen Minh Vu, Director General of Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam. (Photo: CPV)



Consul General Salim, who arrived in Ho Chi Minh City early March this year, expressed his appreciation to DG Vu for the issuance of exequatur from the Vietnamese Government which was signed by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Nguyen Quoc Dung on behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Pham Binh Minh.

In the ceremony held in the Consular Department of Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Consul General Salim was accompanied by Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam H.E. Ibnu Hadi, Minister Counsellor of the Indonesian Embassy in Hanoi Andi Dirgahayu and protocol officials from both Indonesian Embasy and Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City.

Photo: CPV

Ho Chi Minh City is the most populous city and the most important center for Vietnams economy. The newly appointed Consul General hopes to work closely with the Vietnamese authorities and business communities to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Vietnam, especially in trade, tourism and investment.

Consul General Salim is a career diplomat who has served Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1992. Prior to his inauguration as a Consul General by Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi on January 12th 2018, he was Director of Political Analysis at the Indonesian National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas)./.Ann Weisse, 67, was struck by her husband's, 67-year-old Frank Weisse, Chevy Silverado at their Pompton Plains, New Jersey, home on Thursday

A woman shoveling in her New Jersey drive way was killed on Thursday when her husband accidentally ran her over with his pickup truck.

Ann Weisse, 67, was struck by her husband's, 67-year-old Frank Weisse, Chevy Silverado at their Pompton Plains, New Jersey, home.

Frank has been trying to leave when the accident occurred, Pequannock Township police Captian Christopher DePuy explained to NJ.com.

'She was shoveling at the end of the driveway and he did not see her,' DePuyt said.

He added that a neighbor witnessed the truck run the woman over and called 911 at 9.26am.

DePuyt said: 'It's just tragic. Any fatal accident is sad. But this is very, very sad.'

The mother-of-one was taken to the Chilton Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

According to the officer, the couple were well known in the small town - having lived there for more than four decades - and had been married since 1071.

Frank had graduated from Pequannock Township High School in 1970 while his wife was a certified public account

Frank has been trying to leave when the accident occurred and Ann was shoveling snow (stock)

'It's hard to imagine anyone living here more than a month who didn't know either the husband or the wife,' said the officer.

Frank had owned Frank's Chevron on Newark-Pompton Turnpike for four decades before selling the business to Sean Singh, last year.

A funeral is planned for the woman on Monday in Pompton Plains.

'They were just a pleasant, happy couple,' said Singh.

He added: 'Frank is true gentleman. Everybody loves him in this town. It's just a sad, sad thing.'A man has allegedly impersonated a police officer to confine and rape a woman in Sydney's southwest.

Luke Snowden faced nine charges at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday, including a host of sexual assault charges and theft over an incident in the early hours of Friday at Minto Heights.

The 23-year-old has been accused of impersonating a police officer to confine a woman, force her to perform sexual acts and rape her about 2am on Friday.

Luke Snowden, 23, has allegedly impersonated a police officer and raped a woman in Sydney's southwest

He faced nine charges on Saturday, including a host of sexual assault charges and theft over an incident in the early hours of Friday at Minto Heights

He also allegedly stole her phone and $200 cash and used his fake police powers to steal two other phones, an iPad and a woman's driver's licence at the same address.

It will be alleged he contacted two separate adult services agencies in the Minto area yesterday (Friday 9 March 2018), where the man told the worker and her driver that he was a police officer and stole personal property from them.

A 45-year-old woman has told police that she was also sexually assaulted at another location after meeting a man on Hansens Road at Minto.

After the man returned them to Hansens Road, the woman and her driver drove to the nearest house and alerted neighbours who contacted police.

In a bid for bail, his legal aid lawyer said Snowden lived with his pregnant girlfriend, had a full-time job and was willing to put up his entire savings of $3000 as surety.

The lawyer also told the court he had a limited criminal history and there was no certainty he would be convicted of the alleged offences.

'I wouldn't say it's a strong prosecution case,' the lawyer said.

He appeared at Parramatta Bail Court (pictured) on Saturday was denied bail with the case being adjourned on May 2

Magistrate George Zdenkowski noted his strong community ties, but said the allegations against Snowden were 'very serious' and he posed an unacceptable risk to the community.

'There are at the moment allegations he confined and attacked and intimidated a young woman and obliged her to perform a sexual act,' the magistrate said.

Bail was denied and the matter has been adjourned to Campbelltown Local Court on May 2.At least three men who broke into a home in Sydney's west and stabbed a man to death were heard cheering after the violent home invasion.

The 36-year-old was stabbed by a group of men who forced their way into his home on Livingston Avenue, Dharruk, in Sydney's west on Friday night.

The group of men who committed the assault threw furniture onto the veranda before throwing a step ladder at the home and making a getaway in a dark colour hatchback.

An unnamed neighbour told the Daily Telegraph that they heard the smashing but didn't think anything of it as 'things like that happen all the time'.

A murder investigation has been launched after a man died of stab wounds after a home invasion

'Then the girlfriend started going off her head and said "he's been stabbed",' said the neighbour.

Witnesses heard cheering before the car sped off down Kilbridge Avenue. They also said people came and went from the house regularly.

Three men were stopped, spoken to by detectives and had their car searched.

Emergency services were called to a home in Dharruk, in Sydney's west, at 9.45pm on Friday night

No arrests have been made.

Police and emergency services were called to the scene about 9.45pm after reports of a home invasion.

New South Wales Ambulance paramedics treated the man at the scene but he died while being taken to hospital.

A crime scene was established by officers from the Mount Druitt Police Area Command, assisted by the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad.

A murder investigation is underway.

Police urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or use Crime Stopper's online reporting page here.Surveillance photos have emerged that show the nanny charged with murdering two kids with them just hours before the crime, as she laughed maniacally in court while an NYPD detective testified.

The trial of Yoselyn Ortega, 55, continued on Friday in a New York City courtroom, where she stands accused of killing Lucia Krim, six, and Leo Krim, two, in an Upper West Side apartment in 2012.

The Dominican native Ortega has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in the case.

Retired NYPD Detective Francis Brennan showed the court an image he obtained from surveillance cameras at Beacon Hardware, depicting Ortega with Lucia and Leo just hours before their murder on October 25, 2012.

A still image from a surveillance camera at Beacon Hardware is seen. The defendant Yoselyn Ortega, 55, and the two children are in the lower left-hand corner.

Ortega is currently on trial (above in court last Friday) charged with murdering siblings Leo and Lucia Krim in their Upper West Side apartment back in October 2012

Yoselyn Ortega, 55, is accused of killing the children she was meant to be looking after - Leo Krim (left), two and Lucia Krim (right), six

The Krim's other child, Nessie, is also seen strolling with Ortega down Amsterdam Avenue - but the girl wasn't home at the time of the murders, and was spared.

Marina's frantic text messages to Ortega

Mother Marina Krim rushed home with Nessie, then three, after going to pick up Lucia from a dance studio and finding that the girl wasn't there.

Ortega plunged a knife into her own throat just as Marina Krim opened the door to the apartment's bathroom to find the two children lying stabbed in the bathtub, their eyes still open.

Brennan testified on Friday that he found Ortega injured on the apartment floor after he rushed to the scene.

'I looked down and she was bleeding and her eyes were closed,' he told jurors in Manhattan Supreme Court, according to the New York Post. 'She looked dead.'

Jurors shook their heads at pictures showing the extent of Ortega's wounds.

When Brennan was asked on cross-examination about Ortega's condition at the hospital, he said he didn't know. At that, she cried out, 'Oh!' and laughed within earshot of jurors.

Photos of two bloodied knives were shown to jurors in court this week before the evidence photos were released by the New York District Attorney on Thursday

One knife used in the stabbing murders was found in the bathroom sink just inches from a pink child's toothbrush

At other points in his testimony, Ortega rolled her eyes and shook her head. She muttered something in Spanish while tightening her fist at one point.

Brennan described the children's bodies being covered with white sheets at the hospital the night of the murders. Lucia was stabbed 30 times and Leo was stabbed five times.

'I could see the extent of the wounds,' the detective said.

The children's father rushed back home from a business trip that evening and demanded to see the bodies, Brennan said. Nurses at the hospitals swaddled the bodies so only their faces were visible.

Earlier this week, the court heard that Ortega first communicated with police as she recovered in the hospital, using her statement to complain about the cleaning duties she'd been asked to perform in the Krim home.

Two days after the attack, shackled to a hospital bed and with a tube down her throat, she dictated statements to NYPD Sgt. Yoel Hidalgo, using an alphabet board.

She said: 'I had to do everything and take care of the kids. I worked as a babysitter only and she wanted me to do everything. She wanted five hours of cleaning every week.'

In this harrowing hand-written notes penned after the killings, Yoselyn Ortega said: 'I had to do everything and take care of the kids. I worked as a babysitter only and she wanted me to do everything. She wanted five hours of cleaning every week'

Ortega is accused of stabbing the children multiple times and waiting for their mother - Marina (pictured) - to come home and see the aftermath

In her first statement to police following the murders, Ortega complained about the children's mother, the New York Post reports.

'I had to do everything and take care of the kids,' she said when she woke up in hospital.

'I worked as babysitter only and she (Krim) wanted me to do everything so wanted 5 hours of cleaning every week.'

Ortega also said she didn't want to clean, 'because of soap'. Hidalgo told jurors she pointed to her pinky finger after making this statement.

In the days before the killings, Marina said Ortega had shown her a bleach burn on her pinky finger. Marina went out and bought natural cleaning products, she testified in court last week.

She also said she paid Ortega $100 extra per week for the five hours of cleaning, according to the New York Post.

Speaking about taking down Ortega's statement, Hidalgo said: 'When I got things wrong she would make a grunting, gargling sound. She would tap on the railing. She would show frustration. Even small facial expressions, she would make.'

Ortega has claimed she heard voices and was 'touched by the devil', which drove her to kill the young children in October 2012.

Psychologists have refuted this, but the 55-year-old - who is on trial - has pleaded not guilty, claiming insanity.

On March 2, Marina stormed out of the courtroom after screaming at Ortega.

'You're evil and you love this! You like this!' Krim screamed, wailing 'Get me out of here. Please, get me out of here. Get me out!' as she was escorted out of the courtroom by court officers for a short break.

The judge told jurors to disregard the outburst.

Photos of a bloodied knife wrapped in a towel in the hallway (top of image) and blood spattered on the floor and walls were among the images shown

One bloodied knife was found wrapped in a towel in the hallway on top of a toy refrigerator

Two kitchen knives were used in the stabbing attack. The images were taken inside the apartment roughly seven hours after mother Marina Krim found her children's bodies

Prosecutors say two-year-old Leo was stabbed five times and his six-year-old sister Lucia, also known as Lulu, was stabbed 30 times after she fought back.

Ortega had allegedly grabbed the two kitchen knives and butchered the children while their mother was blocks away at a dance studio where Lulu was supposed to be.

It is claimed Ortega waited until Marina had found her children dead in the bathroom before plunging a knife into her own neck so that she could relish in the devastated woman's pain and horror.

Ortega was supposed to pick up Lulu from kindergarten and walk her to dance class before going home to put Leo down for nap.

The children's mother had taken her other daughter, three-year-old Nessie, to a swimming class.

Marina had shown up to the dance studio to pick up LuLu and panicked when she noticed her daughter wasn't there.

She frantically texted Ortega: 'Where's Lulu... Donde Estas... Where are you' but Oretga never answered.

Jurors were also shown photos of the blood-spattered bathroom where the bodies of the children were found with their eyes open.

The bottom of the bathtub was almost entirely red.

At least two jurors wiped away tears as they took in the horror images, while others gasped and held their faces.

Ortega, who has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, refused to look and stared straight ahead when the photos taken inside the apartment were shown to the court

Dr. Thomas Caffrey (pictured in court) the therapist who saw a Manhattan nanny just days before she stabbed two young children in her charge to death, testified in court on Thursday that she hadn't appeared suicidal or murderous during their session

The photos were taken roughly seven hours after Marina found her children's bodies and saw Ortega stabbing herself in the neck.

Dr. Thomas Caffrey, the therapist who saw Ortega just three days before the killings, said she hadn't appeared suicidal or murderous during their session.

He told the court on Thursday she had booked her first and only appointment with him on October 22, 2012, to discuss a variety of different issues including anxiety, depression, and guilt.

Caffrey said there was 'no evidence' she suffered from delusions or hallucinations.

'She didn't tell me about any concerns about voices or visions, smells, tactile. No indication of hallucinations,' Caffrey testified in Manhattan Supreme Court, according to the New York Post.

'Her concerns seemed to be about her heart, her anxiety, her son, her sister, her money. She impressed me as a worried, anxious, frightened person.'

During his testimony, Ortega sat in court, shaking her head, and pursed her lips and told her lawyer: 'No, no.'

She faces a minimum of 20 years imprisonment if she is convicted and could be jailed for life without parole.

The Krims use a Facebook page to post updates on how they are doing, writing about the arrival of two new children, Felix born in 2013 and Linus in 2016.

The couple started the Lulu and Leo Fund, which aims to support innovative art programs for children.

They recently posted a video message on Facebook asking that people mention the fund as their case becomes news again.The college professor who told an Asian-American couple to 'go back to your home country' has been placed on leave from her college.

Tarin Olson, a teacher with the Coast Community College District, was placed on two weeks leave while an internal investigation is underway.

'This is not being taken lightly,' said CCCD spokeswoman Letitia Clark to CBS Los Angeles.

Tarin Olson, 58, is a professor and counselor at Golden West College in Huntington Beach

Olson was a career planning teacher at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, California, and had been with the school since 1991.

Tony Kao, a Long Beach resident, posted a video of the 'bigot and a racist' teacher he encountered while on a walk with his wife and baby in their neighborhood on March 1.

He said the comment was 'completely unproved' and that she said it 'very nonchalantly' as she was passing them on the sidewalk.

She was filmed telling an Tony Kao and his wife that they should 'go back to your home country' last week while they were walking in Long Beach, Califonia

She was placed on leave for two weeks by her college while they conduct an investigation into the incident

'A few weeks back we believed we walked pass the same lady and also heard her mumble something to that effect but ignored it and thought we misheard but this time as she walked away, I yelled to her, 'WHAT YOU SAY?'

'Not only did she walk away confirming what she had said, she walked back our way to head home and the video footage explains the rest,' Kao wrote.

The video shows Kao and the woman engaged in conversation, right before she realizes that his wife is recording them.

When she notices the camera, she starts speed-walking away.

Kao (pictured above) informed the woman that both he and his wife were born and raised in the U.S.

Olson, right, refused to talk to reporters on camera when they knocked on her door

'I want you to tell everybody why you told us to go back to our country,' Kao says in the video.

'You need to go back to your country,' the woman replies.

'And what does that mean?' Kao says, adding that both he and his wife were born and raised in America.

'Have your wife turn your phone off and I'll talk to you,' she says.

After the video was posted online, it quickly went viral, and as of Monday afternoon had been watched more than 522,000 times.

Over the weekend, commenters identified the woman in the video as 58-year-old Tarin Frances Olson, who is a professor and counselor at Golden West College in Huntington Beach.

Olson later issued a statement to one news station, saying she would be happy to sit down for an interview about 'the displacement of European-Americans'

School administrators became aware of the video on Saturday, and said they are looking into the matter.

Olson volunteered not to come to classes this week while they evaluate the situation.

'We're very aware the community has deep concerns, and we're not going to let this die,' school spokeswoman Letitia Clark said. 'We're looking at past interactions with students and staff to see if it relates to the comments made on the video.'

Clark says Olson has taught at the school since 1991. She is currently teaching four career-planning classes.

Reporters with KCBS-TV/2 knocked on Olson's door when the video started gaining traction, but she refused to do an on-camera interview at the time.

She later issued this bizarre statement to the station however: 'I feel my perspective will be twisted if discussing the skewed video which cut out part of the incident. If you would like to have a full normal interview about the displacement of European-Americans, then I gladly am available to enlighten the public.'

Golden West College officials said they are aware of the video and are investigating the matter

In another comment to the Daily Pilot, Olson said she was 'not in a good place emotionally after receiving so many disgusting emails...for something that wasn't even racist and was then skewed by a guy named Tony who filmed me without my permission.'

She said Kao edited out part of the video in which he asked her why she 'hated him so much,' and she responded that she did not hate him.

On Sunday, Kao posted an update on his Facebook page, thanking everyone who had expressed their support after the incident. He said he was never trying to harm the woman's reputation.

'We have no intention of seeking out or besmirching the offender's personal life or career,' Kao wrote. 'It is our hope the offender is aware and apologetic for what she has said to us, but all we can do is hope.'President Donald Trump said that the details of an anticipated meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are still being worked out with a 'time and place to be determined.'

In a message posted to his Twitter feed Friday night, Trump also wrote that if a deal to arrange a summit between the two adversaries can be reached, it would be a positive development for the world.

'The deal with North Korea is very much in the making and will be, if completed, a very good one for the World. Time and place to be determined,' Trump wrote in the tweet.

In a message posted to his Twitter feed Friday night, Trump wrote that if a deal between the two adversaries can be reached it would be great for the world

The planned meeting drew immediate praise from other nations including the UK, Australia and Russia

South Korean national security director Chung Eui-yong speaks to reporters at the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 8, 2018

On Thursday, the commander-in-chief accepted an invitation to meet face-to-face with the reclusive despot in a dramatic development that caught most policy experts off guard.

South Korea's national security adviser Chung Eui-yong first announced the face-to-face and claimed it was due to take place by May.

Chung says he relayed Kim's commitment to denuclearization.

'Kim pledged that North Korea will refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests. He understands that the routine joint military exercises between the Republic of Korea and the United States must continue. And he expressed his eagerness to meet President Trump as soon as possible,' the South Korean official said.

'President Trump appreciated the briefing and said he would meet Kim Jong-un by May to achieve permanent denuclearization,' Chung said.

However, a statement from the White House did not confirm the two-month timeframe and said the place and time of the meeting was still being worked out.

On Thursday, the commander-in-chief accepted an invitation to meet face-to-face with the reclusive despot in a dramatic development

Governments around the world welcomed the announcement, with praise coming from the UK, Russia and Australia.

'President Trump greatly appreciates the nice words of the South Korean delegation and President Moon. He will accept the invitation to meet with Kim Jong Un at a place and time to be determined,' White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement a half hour after South Korea's announcement.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders faced questions from reporters about U.S. President Donald Trump accepting an invitation from North Korea's Kim Jong-Un for face-to-face meetings on March 8, 2018

'We look forward to the denuclearization of North Korea. In the meantime, all sanctions and maximum pressure must remain.'

Chung, who made the announcement on behalf of South Korea, led the delegation visiting North Korea earlier this week. The invitation to meet Trump was made to him directly by Kim.

The foreign official said that Kim understands and accepts the fact that joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises will continue and that he also made promises to halt nuclear and ballistic tests until the meeting with Trump takes place.

The planned meeting drew immediate praise from other nations.

A spokesperson for the British government said, 'The UK welcomes the South Korean announcement that Kim Jong Un has made a renewed commitment to denuclearise and will refrain from further nuclear missile tests while dialogue continues.

'We welcome the announcement of direct talks with President Trump by May and (South Korean) President Moon Jae-in in April.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in, right, poses with Kim Yo Jong, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister, for a photo at the presidential house in Seoul, South Korea Feb. 9, 2018

'We have always been clear that we want Kim Jong Un to change path and put the welfare of his people ahead of the illegal pursuit of nuclear weapons.

'We will continue to work closely with the US, South Korea and the international community to ensure that pressure on North Korea continues and sanctions are strictly enforced until Kim Jong Un matches his words with concrete actions. We will continue to monitor developments closely.'

A passenger reads a newspaper with headline of a planned summit meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump March 10, 2018

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also welcomed the news, saying that Russia considers the move 'a step in the right direction.'

He went on to express hope that an agreement would be implemented because it is 'necessary for normalizing the situation around the Korean peninsula.'

Australia's former prime minister expressed surprise at how 'surprisingly good' Trump has been at foreign policy compared to his predecessors.

Bruce Klingner, former head of the CIA division for the Koreas, warned Trump to beware of Kim's siren song.

'Washington has fretted that Seoul's acquiescence to North Korea's Olympic charm offensive conveyed legitimacy to the regime and risked undermining international resolve to maintain pressure. The U.S. counseled its ally to exercise caution and move forward cautiously and only after lengthy preparations,' said Klingner, a research fellow now at the Trump-aligned Heritage Foundation.

'The Trump administration should take its own advice before it is seduced by the same sirens' song,' he said in a statement.Former Texas State University student Shana Elliot, 22, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison, seven years for each of lives she took in a drunk car crash on August 2, 2016

A heartbroken widow gave a seven minute speech to condemn the bikini-clad drunk driver who killed her husband and her unborn child in a car crash, after she was sentenced to 14 years in prison for her crimes.

Widow Kristian Nicole Guerrero, 26, looked former Texas State University student Shana Elliot, 22, in the eye as she said 'you're a monster'.

'You have shown you're incapable of remorse, I don't buy your crocodile tears, or the sweet little innocent girl they try to portray you to be,' Guerrero said after the sentencing.

'You're a monster, you're not sorry for what you've done, you're sorry because it landed you right there, you're sorry because you got caught,' she added.

Elliot was 21 when she got into the fatal crash in San Marcos, Texas as she was drunk driving.

In the August 2, 2016 accident she crashed head-on into the Guerrero's vehicle, killing father-to-be Fabian Guerrero Moreno, 23, and injuring five-months pregnant Kristian which led to the death her unborn child.

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Kristian Guerrero, 26, pictured above Thursday, was left a widow by the 2016 accident that killed her husband and the unborn child she was five-months pregnant with

After Elliot was sentenced Guerrero delivered a seven-minute long speech, admonishing Elliot for her actions saying: 'You're a monster, you're not sorry for what you've done... you're sorry because you got caught'

Father-to-be Fabian Guerrero Moreno (left with his wife), 23, died in the crash and his five-months pregnant wife Kristian Nicole was injured, leading to the unborn child's death

On Friday a jury sentenced Elliot to 14 years behind bars, seven years for each of her two counts of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle as well as 10 years probation for intoxication assaults in the case.

A later court date will determine if her sentences will take place consecutively.

On Monday she pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated in the August 2, 2016 crash, according to My San Antonio.

And the sentencing Guerrero addressed Elliot in court saying, ' I spent the past year and seven months thinking about what I would say to you.'

Elliot can be heard choking with tears to which Guerrero issued an unsympathetic rebuke of 'Dont cry. Dont cry.'

'I dont know what's worse. What you said when you were drunk, accusing of my husband and I of drinking that day at the river. Or when you were completely sober on the phone with your boyfriend just months after you murdered my family discussing our fictitious involvement in the cartel. You have shown you are incapable of remorse and you dont know what it's like to take full responsibility for your actions. Instead you point the finger... Youre a coward,' she said.

Guerrero gave a seven and a half minute speech reminding Elliot of the times she blamed Guerrero and her family for accident, claiming that they were drunk, members of a cartel, and that they caused the accident. She even went as far as claiming to have seen Guerrero take shots that day at the river, despite being five-months pregnant.

Elliot apologized on to the Guerrero family in court on Thursday (above) before her sentencing

When Guerrero addressed her Elliot began to sob. Guerrero rebuked her saying 'Don't cry'

Mrs. Guerrero was driving the vehicle at the time, with her husband was sitting in the passenger seat. Pictured: Their car after the crash

Kristian shared this photo of her injuries in the aftermath of the crash, which caused her to give birth to her child stillborn

Guerrero, above, reminded Elliot of the times she blamed the Guerrero's for the accident despite being the one under the influence who crashed head-on into their vehicle

'Im sorry. Im sorry your family didnt take the time to correct you. Im sorry the justice system failed you and never taught you a proper lesson. Im sorry we even know you exist, because I wish I never did,' Guerrero said.

'Im sure you and I have both wished it was you that day instead of him,' she added.



'Youre a murderer and a thief. You stole my life. And you handed me a life sentence that day,' she said.

'The least you can do is to sit in jail  not just so you can learn from what youve done  but so no other family has to know you like I know you,' she added.

Guerrero was calm throughout the intense speech, deliberately making eye contact with Elliot who began to sob.

She closed her harangue with 'You're sorry because you got caught'.

On Thursday in court Elliot issued an apology according to KXAN saying: 'I just want to say to the victim's family that I'm sorry from the deepest of my heart and I know that an apology doesn't do much, I know it doesn't, but I pray for forgiveness every day.'

Days earlier in court the jury watched an upsetting video of Elliot in the aftermath of the crash walking in a line in a sobriety test for a police officer, that sees her sob as she struggles to walk straight.

The dashcam footage was revealed for the first time in court on Monday.

The clip sees Elliot walking the line while telling a police officer, 'kill me now, please... I just want them to be OK,' following the fatal crash.

Elliot is heard complying with the cop while standing stiffly and saying 'yes, sir', then attempting to walk the line in a nervous manner.

Distressing dashcam shows bikini-clad Shana Elliot, 22, who killed a man and his unborn baby, struggle to take a sobriety test

Elliot is heard complying with the cop while standing stiffly and saying 'yes, sir', then attempting to walk the line in a nervous manner

The college girl admitted she had been drinking beer and liquor while floating down the river at Texas State Tubes with friends just before the horrific crash

Elliot's blood alcohol level was .199 when she was taken to hospital after the crash, KXAN reports. The legal limit in Texas is 0.08.

She admitted to police that she had been drinking beer and liquor while floating down the river at Texas State Tubes with friends just before the horrific crash around 6pm.

Police said that the couple were driving in the opposite direction down Highway 21 in San Marcos, Texas when the public relations senior, driving a Chevy Impala, drifted into oncoming traffic and collided with their car head-on.

The happy couple had been planning to host a gender-reveal party for their baby before the crash

Kristian Guerrero was driving the vehicle at the time, with her husband was sitting in the passenger seat.

Fabien Guerrero Moreno died at the scene and his wife was taken to hospital in a serious condition.

Doctors then tried to save Guerrero's baby by inducing labor - but, tragically, the child was stillborn.

'The baby was just perfect,' Guerrero's aunt, Diane Castillo told People Magazine at the time.

'Kristian got to hold his hand for a while, and his paternal grandmother got to hold him as well.'

She added that Moreno had always wanted to have a son and died not knowing his wife had been expecting a boy.

The newlywed couple had been arguing about their baby's middle name, with the husband pushing for Fabian James, if it was a boy, and the wife giving preference to Fabian Michael.

The newlywed couple had been arguing about their baby's middle name, with the husband pushing for Fabian James, if it was a boy, and the wife giving preference to Fabian Michael

Just a day before the deadly crash, Mrs Guerrero proudly shared this photo of their unborn child

In the end, the young widow named her stillborn son Fabian James, like her husband wanted.

Her aunt said that a short time after the crash, doctors performed an ultrasound and detected the baby's heartbeat.

'Kristian was so relieved that she would still have part of her husband after finding out he had passed,' the aunt explained.

But a repeat ultrasound showed that the baby had died in the womb.

Just hours before the crash, the couple checked into a Joe's Crab Shack in San Antonio, celebrating Fabian's new US residency status.

And the day before, Mrs. Guerrero proudly posted a sonogram image of their unborn baby to Facebook, writing: 'Is this the face of a little prince or a little princess?! We can't wait to find out Sunday! Are you team boy or team girl?! Taking bets now!'A man once described as an aspiring 'Nike bikie' who showed off his diamonds, motorcycles, jet-skis and fast cars has been released on parole.

Jon Pierre Kairouz, 35, faced Brisbane Supreme Court on Friday charged with possessing drugs.

The former Warwick man known for his flashy lifestyle faced the drug charges after police stopped him at a random breath test in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, the Tweed Daily News reported.

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Jon Pierre Kairouz (pictured), 35, was sentenced for cocaine and diazepam possession

Mr Kairouz, a former Warwick man, was once described as an aspiring 'Nike bikie' and was known for his flashy lifestyle

Justice Martin Burns told the court Kairouz became 'animated' and his female passenger was not wearing a seatbelt.

According to Tweed Daily News, this is not the first time Kairouz was caught up with the law as he was caught in a high-profile police raid by Taskforce Maxima.

Footage of police storming his apartment was released by police who allege they seized drugs and cash with some hidden in new pairs of new Nike shoes.

He pleaded guilty in 2016 for possessing cocaine, testosterone and diazepam, as well as having a pair of locking handcuffs which he allegedly bought from a sex shop.

Justice Martin Burns told Brisbane Supreme Court Kairouz became 'animated' and his female passenger was not wearing a seatbelt

This is not the first time Kairouz was caught up in the law as he was caught in a high-profile police raid (pictured) by Taskforce Maxima

Police allege they seized drugs and cash with some hidden in new pairs of new Nike shoes (pictured)

Justice Burns told Kairouz he had performed well on probation after being sentenced to 18 month's probation.

The supreme court was given positive references about Kairouz for his sentencing on Friday with Justice Burns saying a lot of people are saying good things about him.

He continued by mentioning that after Kairouz moved to the Gold Coast, recreational drugs became a problem causing him to have a substantial addiction.

The court also heard Kairouz had worked hard to stay off drugs and was warned if he slips back into his old habits, he will be sent straight to jail.

He was sentenced to 18 months' jail, but released on parole immediately.Marissa Kennedy died on February 25

Lawmakers in Maine have authorized a probe into the state's handling of abuse complaints, after a 10-year-old girl was allegedly beaten to death by her parents in a case the state's governor called a 'comedy of errors'.

The Maine Legislature's Government Oversight Committee voted on Friday to investigate the February 25 death of 10-year-old Marissa Kennedy in Stockton Springs.

School officials have said that they repeatedly contacted the Maine Department of Health and Human Services with suspicions that Marissa was being abused at home.

Marissa's mother, 33-year-old Sharon Carrillo, and stepdad, 51-year-old Julio Carrillo, admitted to taking turns beating her on a daily basis for five months, according to police. Both are charged with murder.

Parents charged: Mom Sharon Carrillo, 33, and stepdad Julio Carrillo, 51, have been charged with murdering Sharon's biological daughter, 10-year-old Marissa Kennedy

Marissa died of horrific injuries after allegedly being beaten daily for five months. Now Maine's Legislature is opening a probe into her death and how state agencies handle abuse complaints

An autopsy indicated Marissa was a victim of battered child syndrome with injuries including bleeding on the brain and a lacerated liver.

According to court documents cited by WTSP, Julio told police he and Sharon would punish Marrisa by forcing her to knee on a tile floor in the kitchen  because it hurt more than other surfaces - and raise her hands above her head while they repeatedly whipped her with a leather belt.

They also said they would hit the 10-year-old with open hands and first in her abdomen and sides, or use a metal mop handle until one day it broke from the force of the blows to the girl's ribs.

When they parents were not beating her, they would lock Marissa in a closet for long periods of time. Sharon reportedly told police the girl would scream nonstop during her punishments.

The abuse began in October 2017 and continued until February 22 or 23. By that point, Marissa could no longer walk or talk without slurring her words.

An autopsy indicated Marissa was a victim of battered child syndrome with injuries including bleeding on the brain and a lacerated liver

Marissa is seen at a younger age in an undated photo.

Her stepfather told police his wife thought Marissa was faking her condition, so she beat her at least one more time.

Sharon later told police that after Marissa's death, her husband carried her body to the boiler room and staged the scene to try and cover up the crime.

After calling 911, Julio carried Marissa to an upstairs bedroom, where she was found by police lying on the floor under a blanket.

The family, which includes the Carrillos' two other children, ages one and two, had been staying at a condo owned by the mother's parents.

State police say the couple's two younger children were present in the home at the time of their older sister's death. The Maine DHHS took custody of the other children.

In the weeks since Marissa's death, DHHS itself has come under increasing scrutiny, after Bangor's superintendent of schools has said the district contacted DHHS on 'a number of occasions' while the girl was attending school there.

On Wednesday, Maine's Republican Governor Paul DePage publicly criticized police, child welfare workers, school officials, and lawmakers, telling WCSH-TV that the failure of anyone to prevent Marissa's death was a 'comedy of errors' and that 'everybody messed this up.'

'The system has clearly failed her,' said Republican state Senator Roger Katz, co-chairman of the watchdog committee, the Bangor Daily News reported. 'We all failed her.'

Marissa was found unresponsive at this condo complex in Stockton Springs, Maine on Feb. 25

The Legislature's probe will also examine the December death of 4-year-old Kendall Chick of Wiscasset. A report is due in May.

Maine DHHS Commissioner Ricker Hamilton told WGME this week that he was 'deeply saddened' by Marissa's death, and that his department had opened an internal review and was cooperating with state police investigators.

Last weekend, Julio Carrillo was jumped and beaten unconscious by another inmate who shouted 'I'll kill you, baby killer' while they were both held in the Two Bridges Regional Jail.

Paul Andrews, 34, was charged with misdemeanor assault and criminal threatening in the incident. He was being held at the jail pending trial for allegedly raping a child under the age of 12.

Sharron Carrillo is also being held at Two Bridges, and is seven months pregnant.

Both Julio and Sharron Carrillo have had bail set at $500,000 cash. They are next due in court for a status conference hearing at 1pm on April 30.

Marissa's funeral will be held on Saturday at St. Mary's Church in Newburgh, New York, where family members helped raise her before she moved to Maine.

In lieu of flowers, the family has said that donations can be made to the Maine Children's Trust in memory of Marissa.A man has handed himself into police after a horrifying moment when an 88-year-old was hit by a car which then allegedly drove off.

The pensioner is in a serious condition in hospital after he was hit while crossing the road in western Sydney on Friday evening.

Police arrested a 24-year-old man on Saturday after he attended Bankstown Police Station shortly after 1pm.

Vision of the shocking incident in Bankstown was captured on camera showing a white car strike the elderly man who was using a walking frame.

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The Bankstown resident was hit by what police believe to be a white Toyota while crossing the road

The victim, a man from Bankstown, was hit by what police believe was a Toyota.

The car can be seen driving through the roundabout before striking the man.

The alleged hit-and-run happened at the intersection of Eldridge Road and Northram Avenue at around 7.30pm on March 9.

In the CCTV footage, the man is seen tentatively making his way across the road before a car ploughs into him.

The man is also believed to have dementia, live alone and would often walk to the shops to buy buy vanilla slice and milk, according to Nine News.

He did the walk daily to go to the shops from his home just 200 metres away from where the crash happened.

CCTV footage shows the man is seen using a walking frame as he tentatively makes his way across the road

Police believe that the car's driver stopped briefly before driving off.

But in a statement on Saturday, a spokesman for New South Wales Police said: 'A man has been arrested after a pedestrian was injured in a fail to stop crash in Sydney's west yesterday.

'The driver then allegedly drove from the scene, failing to render assistance.

'An 88-year-old man was treated by paramedics and taken to Liverpool Hospital in a serious condition.

'Officers from Bankstown Police Area Command commenced inquiries.

Police had been urging the driver to turn themselves in after they drove off from the scene

'Just before 1pm today (Saturday 10 March 2018), a 24-year-old man attended Bankstown Police Station where he was arrested.'

The spokesman added inquiries are continuing.

Acting Inspector David Laird told reporters on Saturday: 'It is upsetting to think someone would drive off like that and not render any assistance.'

Witnesses described police and paramedics arriving 'within seconds'.

The walking frame was left abandoned in the middle of the road as the road was cordoned by police.

The car may also have damage to its bonnet or windscreen, according to police.

The man is recovering in Liverpool hospital where he is currently in a stable condition after being treated at the accident by paramedics.

Bankstown Police Area Command have established a crime scene and launched an investigation into what happened.

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses to come forward with information.

Anyone with information on the hit-and-run to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use their online reporting page here.According to the report titled Economic and Distributional Impacts of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership: The Case of Vietnam, multilateral trade agreements like the CP TPP will help boost Vietnams investment and export driven growth model.

Even under conservative assumptions, the report estimates that CP TPP would increase Vietnams GDP by 1.1 percent by 2030. Assuming a modest boost to productivity, the estimated increase of GDP would amount to 3.5 percent from CP TPP, said Ousmane Dione, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam.

CP TPP will bring in huge economic benefits for Vietnam, says WB report - Illustrative image (Source: VNA)



Sebastian Eckardt, the World Bank Lead Economist for Vietnam, said that the deal will directly benefit Vietnam, from trade liberalisation and improved market access.

It will also help stimulate and accelerate domestic reforms in many areas, he stated, adding that delivering commitments under the CP TPP will contribute in promoting transparency and supporting the creation of modern institutions in the country.

All income groups are expected to benefit from this new agreement, although higher-skilled workers in the top 60 percent of the income distribution may reap more. In addition, the anticipated increase in FDI is expected to lead to a further expansion of services sectors and boost productivity growth. It will create opportunities for domestic private firms to integrate into global value chains and promote the development of the SME sector.

The CP TPP is expected to stimulate reforms in such areas as competition, services (including financial services, telecommunications, and temporary entry of service providers), customs, e-commerce, environment, government procurement, intellectual property, investment, labor standards, legal issues, market access for goods, rules of origin, non-tariff measures, and trade remedies.

The report is assisted by the Australia  World Bank Group strategic partnership which supports Vietnams development agenda through technical assistance, capacity building, and analytical work.

Together with the World Bank, we are committed to helping Vietnam take advantage of the substantial economic opportunities created through CP TPP, Australian Charge dAffaires Rebecca Bryant said. This includes assistance to enhance competitiveness, reduce trade barriers, and improve connectivity.

The official signing of CP TPP took place in Santiago de Chile on March 8th (local time), with the participation of representatives from 11 member countries, namely Chile, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Malaysia, Mexico, Japan, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

CP TPP was launched a year ago after the US withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.

The content of CP TPP was basically unchanged from the original TPP with 8,000 pages, except for the suspended implementation of 22 provisions mainly related to intellectual property. It sets high criteria in numerous fields, including labour, the environment, intellectual property, digital economy and cyber security.

The official signing of the pact will facilitate the promotion of economic growth and job generation, poverty reduction, and improvement of peoples living conditions. With its commitment to market opening, CP TPP delivers a strong message against protectionism, while proving that an opening economy will benefit member nations, according to experts.

The pact will create one of the worlds largest free trade blocs with a combined market of 499 million people and GDP of around USD10,100 billion, accounting for 13.5 percent of the global GDP.

The pact will come into force 60 days after it is fully ratified by at least six of the 11 members./.Vladimir Putin 'couldn't care less' if the 13 Russians who were recently indicted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller did in fact interfere with the 2016.

In a brief segment of Megyn Kelly's two hour interview with the Russian head for NBC News that took place last week, the journalist grilled Putin on the country's involvement in the 2016 presidential election.

'If the 13 Russian nationals plus three Russian companies did in fact interfere with our elections is that okay with you,' Kelly asks.

Putin let out a laugh before the question was even fully asked and then added: 'I don't care, I couldn't care less.'

Indifference: Vladimir Putin said he 'couldn't care less' when Megyn Kelly asked him if the recent indictment of 13 Russian nationals shows that they did interfere with the 2016 election. The question was pat of her NBC News special airing Friday night

Kelly also has revealed that Vladimir Putin will call out President Donald Trump on a lie in her NBC News special airing Friday night.

Kelly traveled to Russia last week and interviewed the Russian leader for two hours spread over two days, grilling him on meddling in the 2016 elections, the recent indictments of 13 Russian by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, and his opinion of Trump.

Without giving away any specifics, Kelly tells People Magazine that the Putin 'directly contradicts Donald Trump on something that Trump has been telling us for a while and it is as plain as the nose on your face.'

Kelly said Putin 'directly contradicts Donald Trump on something that Trump has been telling us for a while'

'Not my problems': Kelly grilled Putin about Russia's meddling in the US elections, which he brushed off, saying, 'These are not my problems'

In the run-up to the highly anticipated special, which will be broadcast at 10pm ET, Kelly went on the Today show Friday morning to tease her interview with Putin - an encounter she described as 'tense'.

'Why would you allow an attack like this on the United States?' Kelly asked Putin in a new clip from the interview released by NBC on Friday.

'Why have you decided the Russian authorities, myself included, gave anybody permission to do this?' Putin shot back. 'Some names have popped up. So what? They could just as easily have been the names of some Americans who are sitting here and interfering in your own political process.'

Kelly reported: 'But it wasnt Americans. It was Russians.'

She then pressed Putin, who is currently running for re-election in Russia, whether his constituents should be concerned that he was unaware that a million-dollar cyber warfare campaign targeting the US elections was being carried out right under his nose.

'The world is very large,' Putin replied vaguely, before turning to the 13 Russian nationals who were indicted for meddling.

'You mentioned a number of names, some individuals, and youre telling me that theyre Russians,' Putin said.

'So what? Maybe being Russian, theyre actually working for some kind of American company. Perhaps one of them used to work for one of the candidates. I have no idea. These are not my problems.'

In a previously released portion of Putin and Kelly's sit-down, the Russian leader claimed there was no hard evidence that those Russian nationals interfered in the 2016 presidential election and that everything put forward so far, including the indictments handed down by Mueller, amounts to 'yelling and hollering.'

Russian President Putin told NBC's Megyn Kelly that he would 'never' extradite Russian citizens to American authorities, referring to the 13 Russian nationals indicted in Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe

During the interview, in which the first clips ran last Friday during NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, Putin suggested that the evidence described in Mueller's indictment was not proof of interference and not enough for him to take action against the people it accuses.

'I have to see first what they've done. Give us materials, give us information,' Putin said.

He also said Russia would 'never, never' extradite the 13 Russian nationals.

'Russia does not extradite its citizens to anyone just like the United States,' Putin told Kelly. 'Does the United States extradite its citizens to anyone?'

On Sunday, during a clip that aired during Meet the Press, Kelly asked Putin what actions he's taken to determine whether these 13 Russian nationals were not behind this, pointing out that it's caused an 'international incident.'

'I know that they do not represent the Russian state, the Russian authorities,' Putin answered.

Putin has close ties to the head of the meddling operation, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who started the troll factory before Trump announced his campaign as a vehicle to spread pro-Kremlin material on social media.

'What they did specifically, I have no idea. I do not know what they were guided by. Even if they did do something it's ... maybe it's just our American colleagues,' the Russian leader continued.

'Let them just not talk to the press. Let them provide some materials, specifics and data. We'll be prepared to look at them and talk about it,' Putin said.

Over the course of the interview, Putin seemed to shift his argument to say that he would only hold the people responsible if they had broken Russian laws, ignoring any US laws which they may have been in breach of.

'You must have people with legal degrees 100 percent you do and people who are well educated who must understand that we, Russia, cannot prosecute anyone if they have not violated Russian law.

'If you don't have a legal degree I can explain to you,' he said.

Kelly, who was a practicing lawyer before she turned her hand to journalism, quickly fired back: 'I do!'

Putin continued: 'Then you have to understand what it takes is an official request to the general prosecutor of the Russian federation.

'Give us a document. Give us an official request.

'This has to go through official channels, not through the press or yelling and hollering in the United States Congress.'

Putin made the comments during an interview which aired Friday night and Sunday morning with NBC's Megyn Kelly

Putin was animated as he said the matter must be handled by 'people with legal degrees'

In February, Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller charged 13 Russian nationals with election interference.

They operated out of a 'troll factory' in St. Petersburg where they wrote fake Facebook posts to cause discord in the US and later promote President Trump, the indictment alleges.

Prigozhin is known as Putin's personal chef and has close ties to senior political figures in Russia.

He fell into favor with them through his luxury restaurant in St. Petersburg and is now the caterer of choice for any official state events.

Before the troll factory, he had a multi-million dollar deal providing catering for the Russian military.

The deal lasted one year but pocketed him almost a billion dollars. A year later, he launched the Internet Research Agency, the official name for the meddling operation.

Prigozhin has never been the face of it. That honor was given to a retired police colonel who is its CEO on paper.

He has close ties to the Kremlin and is said to have funded the entire operation with money he earned through military catering contracts.

With his money, he funded the 'troll factory' which was launched first as a pro-Kremlin operation to promote Putin and his allies online.

Thirteen Russian nationals including Putin's 'personal chef', businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, were charged last month in a grand jury indictment. Prigozhin allegedly funded the 'troll factory'

The 'troll factory' in St Petersburg where the nationals worked from computers to cause discord in the US by posting fake social media posts

One of its operations was to sow discord in the US and when Donald Trump announced his presidential campaign, the trolls put their support behind him.

They dedicated their efforts to furthering his chances at victory and posed as Americans on fake grassroots organization pages to organize rallies to support him.

There was no sign of collusion between the trolls and Trump's campaign team but there was contact.

There is no evidence that the meddling worked but US officials including the president's National Security Adviser, HR McMaster, have said it is irrefutable that Russia at least tried to sway the result.

When the indictment was announced last month, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov gave a similarly indifferent answer to it.

'They are talking about Russian citizens, but we have not heard in announcements from Washington accusations about the involvement of the Russian state, the Kremlin and the Russian government.

'This evidence has no grounds and we dont consider it overwhelming, we dont regard it as fair and cannot agree with it,' he said.President Donald Trump says he believes North Korea will keep its promise not to test long-range missiles in the coming weeks as he and Pyongyang ruler Kim Jong-un prepare to meet for a summit.

'North Korea has not conducted a Missile Test since November 28, 2017 and has promised not to do so through our meetings,' Trump tweeted on Saturday.

'I believe they will honor that commitment!'

Earlier on Saturday, Trump revealed that he spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe about the upcoming summit.

'President XI told me he appreciates that the U.S. is working to solve the problem diplomatically rather than going with the ominous alternative,' Trump tweeted on Saturday.

President Donald Trump says believes North Korea will keep its promise not to test long-range missiles in the coming weeks as he and Pyongyang ruler Kim Jong-un prepare to meet for a summit

'China continues to be helpful!'

Trump also tweeted on Saturday that he spoke to Abe about the upcoming summit.

'Spoke to Prime Minister Abe of Japan, who is very enthusiastic about talks with North Korea,' the president tweeted.

'Also discussing opening up Japan to much better trade with the U.S. Currently have a massive $100 Billion Trade Deficit.

'Not fair or sustainable. It will all work out!'

Abe was reportedly upset over Trump's decision on Thursday to impose tariffs on imported steel and aluminium.

Trump revealed on Saturday that he spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe about the upcoming summit

Trump tweeted on Saturday that China's Xi Jinping (left) and Japan's Shinzo Abe (right) endorsed his planned summit with Kim Jong-un of North Korea

The stunning news late Thursday that Trump had agreed to meet Kim sometime before May has led to speculation about where the much anticipated summit will be held.

Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev chose Reykjavik, Iceland. Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Josef Stalin huddled at Yalta.

Dwight Eisenhower and Soviet leader Nikita Khruschev will always have Paris.

So where should Trump and Kim meet up for the first face-to-face talks between a US and North Korean president?

The Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea is one possibility. Sweden has offered to help. And there's always neutral Geneva, Switzerland.

Someplace in Asia perhaps - such as Beijing - hasn't been ruled out. Nor, for that matter, has a ship in international waters.

The question crackled through diplomatic and government circles Friday, one day after a South Korean official announced in the dark on a White House driveway that the two heads of state who had threatened mutual obliteration for months would take a meeting.

It's not clear what location is suitable for leaders who have sniped at each other - 'Little Rocket Man' vs. 'senile dotard' - in nerve-rattling Twitter exchanges about nuclear war.

It's not clear what location is suitable for leaders who have sniped at each other - 'Little Rocket Man' vs. 'senile dotard' - in nerve-rattling Twitter exchanges about nuclear war. Trump is seen left and Kim is seen right

'It's all about optics, from their first handshake,' said Lisa Collins, a Korea scholar and fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

'There are 70 years of historical baggage between the two countries... so to have the meeting in a place that's a safe location and one that doesn't overly highlight the differences between the two countries would probably be the best.'

The White House wasn't offering suggestions in the hours after the announcement.

Trump, a former reality TV star, understands well the value of 'optics.'

But symbolism, security and practicality also come into play. Holding talks in either the US or North Korea seem unlikely.

Traveling to North Korea risks conferring legitimacy on Kim and his country.

As for Kim: Except for schooling in Switzerland and perhaps some vacations during that time, it's not clear that Kim has left North Korea.

So Mar-a-Lago, the president's Florida estate that was good enough for Chinese President Xi Jinping last April, probably won't do this time.

More likely is the no-man's-land of Peace Village in the DMZ's Panmunjom.

There is a building there with a line through the middle that marks the border - and was the site of the 1953 armistice.

Theoretically, Kim could shake Trump's hand by reaching over the line without ever setting foot outside North Korea.

And Trump's been wanting to visit the DMZ, anyway. A shrouded-in-secrecy stop there during Trump's tour of Asia last year was scrubbed due to bad weather.

In April, the leaders of North and South Korea are to meet there for their own historic bilateral talks.

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, meanwhile, has offered to help, given that his nation has an embassy in Pyongyang.

'We are a non-aligning country,' Lofven pointed out during a press conference with Trump this week.

'If the president decides, the key actors decide if they want us to help out, we'll be there.'

History offers some lessons in bilateral summitry.

Sometimes, talks fail.

In diplomatic circles, Reykjavik, Iceland's frosty capital, is a reference to the hastily arranged arms reduction talks between President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1986.

They failed to produce a deal, but did result in iconic photos of the two leaders smiling together in the final years of the Cold War.

Other times, they blow up.

South Korea's national security adviser Chung Eui-yong (L) met Trump (right) at the White House on Thursday

'Peaceful coexistence' was the goal, but not the immediate result, of a summit in Paris between Khruschev and Eisenhower.

The talks were tense over the Soviet downing of a U-2 plane in 1960 that Eisenhower was forced to admit had been spying on Russia.

The Russian leader stalked out of the meeting, cooling any thoughts of a lasting peace for awhile.

It's good to have a backup venue: What were to be talks in 1989 between President George H.W. Bush and Gorbachev aboard a ship near Malta turned into the 'seasick summit' when seven-foot waves forced the leaders to cancel some meetings.

Talks and the most powerful images sometimes go only so far.

Egyptian President Anwar Sadat stunned the world when he set foot in Israel in 1977 and addressed the Israeli parliament.

The visit set the tone for the Camp David peace summit and treaty in 1979.

The Egyptian-Israeli agreement has remained intact and laid the groundwork for other Mideast summits.

But the peace process has stalled in recent years.U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson canceled his scheduled events Saturday in Kenya because he was sick.

'The secretary is not feeling well after a long couple days working on major issues back home such as North Korea,' U.S. Undersecretary of State Steve Goldstein said.

By the afternoon, Tillerson had improved and was expected to resume his schedule Sunday.

Goldstein said some events may be rescheduled, including a planned stop at the site of the 1998 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, right, walks with Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta, left, inside State House in Nairobi, Kenya on Friday

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, center, walks down the steps of a U.S. Air Force plane as he arrives in Nairobi, Kenya on Friday

It comes after Tillerson revealed on Friday he spoke with President Donald Trump about the decision to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un after the public announcement was made by South Korean officials and the administration.

An event Saturday for PEPFAR, the U.S. program to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa, went ahead without Tillerson.

His visit to the U.S. Embassy to meet with American diplomats was scrapped.

A rigorous schedule that included stops in three African countries on Friday has been made even more strenuous for Tillerson by events in Washington.

An event Saturday for PEPFAR (pictured), the U.S. program to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa, went ahead without Tillerson

Late Thursday, Trump revealed he had agreed to meet Kim sometime before May.

According to PJ Media, Tillerson told a reporter in Djibouti on Friday: 'In terms of the decision to engage between President Trump and Kim Jong-un, that's a decision the president took himself.

'I spoke to him very early this morning about that decision and we had a good conversation.

'This is something that he's had on his mind for quite some time, so it was not a surprise in any way, because I think this has long been something. He's expressed it openly before about his willingness to meet with Kim Jong-un."

Tillerson arrived in Kenya on Friday afternoon for the third stop on his five-country tour of Africa.

He had started his day Friday in Ethiopia with the North Korea announcement and flew to Djibouti for a brief visit before continuing on to Nairobi.Stormy Daniels has displayed her assets in a turn around the stripper's pole, just days after suing President Donald Trump in an effort to toss her non-disclosure agreement.

Daniels, 38, performed on Friday night at the Solid Gold strip club in Pompano Beach, Florida, hours after her attorney Michael Avenatti appeared on CNN to bash claims from the Trump camp.

The crowd gawped as Daniels entered in a red-sequined brassier paired with a ruffled-lace and sequined skirt and leather corset front, photos from the venue show.

Strutting confidently on the runway stage, Daniels flipped the skirt up provocatively before doffing it entirely.

Scroll down for videos

Daniels, 38, performed on Friday night at the Solid Gold strip club in Pompano Beach, Florida

The crowd gawped as Daniels entered in a red-sequined brassier paired with a ruffled-lace and sequined skirt and leather corset front

Strutting confidently on the runway stage, Daniels flipped the skirt up provocatively

As she shed her layers, Daniels was bestowed dollar bills tucked into her undergarments

Smiling in her heels and undergarments, Daniels could be seen with single dollar bills tucked into her thong and garter.

It was all part of her 'This p***y grabs back Mr President' world tour. She is scheduled to return to Solid Gold for an encore appearance on Saturday.

It comes just hours after the latest salvo from Daniels, real name Stephanie Gregory Clifford, in her legal battle with President Trump over a non-disclosure agreement.

Daniels was paid $130,000 in the agreement, money that Trump's attorney Michael Cohen said came from his own pockets and not the Trump administration.

The porn star claimed in a lawsuit filed this week that the payment made as part of a nondisclosure agreement was to ensure she didn't share details of an extramarital affair with Trump.

Daniel's lawyer Avenatti sat with CNN anchor Anderson Cooper on Friday to call Cohen's story of the transaction, utter 'nonsense'.

Smiling in her heels and undergarments, Daniels could be seen with single dollar bills tucked into her thong and garter

It was all part of her 'This p***y grabs back Mr President' world tour

The porn star is scheduled to return to Solid Gold for an encore appearance on Saturday

Porn star Stormy Daniels (left) arrives at Solid Gold strip club with her assistant and fellow porn star Kayla Paige in Pompano Beach, Florida on Friday

Avenatti (above) spoke on CNN in response to Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen's claims that he paid Daniels the $130,000 using money from his home equity line funds

Stormy Daniels lawyer on Trumps lawyer's explanation of porn star payment: Nonsense, ridiculous, preposterous, ludicrous... we are out of words to describe what Mr. Cohen is trying to sell to the American public" https://t.co/ZRDxDJTGxh https://t.co/sIHHTdGSPW  Anderson Cooper 360 (@AC360) March 10, 2018

Cohen has claimed that he personally paid Daniels out of his home equity line, and that Trump never authorized the transaction.

'We have heard explanation upon explanation. They are ever changing. It's nonsense. I'm running out of superlatives. Your legal analysts are running out of superlatives...,' Avenatti said on CNN.

'Nonsense, ridiculous, preposterous, ludicrous...the list goes on and on. We are out of words to describe what Mr Cohen is trying to sell to the American public. Anderson, it is impossible, it is so out of the realm of possibility that this attorney undertook all of this work,' he added.

He then claimed that it would have been impossible for Cohen to undertake the extensive work of a non-disclosure agreement without the consultation or authorization of Trump.

'This took a long time. The negotiation, the drafting, the communication, the routing of the payment. We're talking about hours and hours and hours,' Avenatti said.

'What Mr Cohen and the administration expects the American public to believe is that he went off half-cocked on his own without any guide of communication whatsoever with his client. None. He just decided that he was going to do this,' he added.

Donald Trump and porn Stormy Daniels pose together in 2006. Daniels has come forward saying that the two shared an intimate relationship from 2006 to 2007

Trump laywer Michael Cohen (above) says that his transaction had nothing to do with the Trump organization despite his payment being linked to his Trump email account

Cohen said last month in a public statement that '[n]either the Trump Organization nor the Trump campaign was a party to the transaction with Ms. Clifford, and neither reimbursed me for the payment, either directly or indirectly.

'The payment to Ms. Clifford was lawful, and was not a campaign contribution or a campaign expenditure by anyone.'

On Thursday, a nonprofit watchdog group has asked the Justice Department and the Office of Government Ethics to investigate whether the secret payment may have violated federal law because Trump did not list it on his financial disclosure forms

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington lodged the civil and criminal complaint, arguing that the payment may have been a loan from Cohen to Trump and, if so, needed to be disclosed.

And CREW noted that special counsel Robert Mueller may also want to investigate because of 'a similar pattern of potential blackmail' in personal matters involving Trump.A gunman is on the run after shooting a man in the face in the street this afternoon.

The shooting happened outside a tutoring centre in Kealba, Melbourne at 3pm.

Dozens of students were locked inside for two hours before police combing the area led them out through the crime scene.

The victim, in his 30s, was taken to Royal Melbourne hospital with upper-body injuries. He is in a serious but stable condition.

A gunman is on the run after shooting a man in the face in the street this afternoon. Pictured: The scene

The victim, in his 30s, was taken to Royal Melbourne hospital with upper-body injuries. He is in a serious but stable condition. Pictured: The sceneA Darwin man has almost had his finger amputated after being bitten by a sea snake and ignoring the pain to continue fishing with his friends.

Peter Davis was on a boat with a group of avid anglers in Northern Territory hotspot Chambers Bay when he accidentally pulled a sea snake out of the lake, Yahoo 7 reports.

Just as he was preparing to cut the snake loose, Mr Davis was unknowingly bitten - a split second moment in time which would later almost cost him a phalange.

Peter Davis was on a boat with a group of avid anglers in Northern Territory hotspot Chambers Bay when he accidentally pulled a sea snake out of the lake

'He felt it rush up his arm and brush past his finger. He didn't know whether it had bit him or not,' Davis' friend and fellow fisher Nathan Corpus told the online publication.

So instead of halting the journey and heading back to land in search of a doctor, Mr Davis continued his passionate fishing expedition.

While there were no issues throughout the rest of the day the six-foot-four fisherman did begin to feel some uncomfortable pain in his hand.

Two days later and Mr Davis was in a far worse state, his finger having swelled considerably

'Peter mentioned that his hand felt like it was burning but there were no visible tell tail signs to suggest panic and plus the fishing had just gotten better so we stayed for the rest of the day,' Mr Corpus said.

Two days later and Mr Davis was in a far worse state, his finger having swelled considerably.

'I saw him later that day around lunchtime and he looked terrible, he was nauseous and looked like he'd been hit by a freight train,' Mr Corpus reiterated.

Fortunately Mr Davis had only sustained an infection from the bite and none of the actual venom had entered his bloodstream

It took an instance from Mr Corpus - and an extra nudge from Mr Davis' wife Tanya - until Peter finally went to the hospital.

And doctors insisted he'd almost left it too late.

Fortunately Mr Davis had only sustained an infection from the bite and none of the actual venom had entered his bloodstream.

Mr Davis also mentioned the fishing trip was a huge success - with the weather only increasing their catches (sea snake pictured)

'They reckon the teeth on them can be just as dangerous as the venom, just from the infection, which is what I got. I didn't get no venom,' Mr Davis told the ABC.

'Left a big hole in my finger, but it's on the heal now,' he said.

Mr Davis also mentioned the fishing trip was a huge success - with the weather only increasing their catches.The partner of a young mother whose body was found at her home has been charged with her murder by detectives.

Tributes have been paid to the woman named as Katie Haley, 29, from Diggers Rest in Melbourne's north east after her death on Friday.

On Saturday evening, Shane Robertson appeared at an out of session court hearing charged with murdering Ms Haley.

The 28-year-old has been remanded in custody to appear before Melbourne Magsitrates' Court on Sunday morning, police said.

The body of young mum Katie Haley (pictured with her partner Shane Robertson) was found at her home on Friday night

The couple had two young children together and reportedly rented the home in Diggers Rest, north east Melbourne

Police were called shortly after 11pm and found Ms Haley's body inside the property, Victoria Police said

Neighbours said the incident came just days after arguing and swearing had been allegedly heard coming from the house.

Robertson will stand accused of fatally striking his partner in the head, the court heard.

A summary read out by police at the hearing said Robertson admitted involvement in Ms Haley's death and had received cuts to his arms.

Ms Haley, a mother of two young children, was found dead at the scene when officers arrived, Victoria Police said.

Earlier, police said a man known to the victim was arrested and taken in for questioning at 12.40am on Saturday.

A murder investigation has now been launched by homicide detectives from Victoria Police

He was arrested more than an hour after police were called at another house around 10km away in Sunbury.

The 28-year-old man has remained in police custody all day.

Friends and family have called Ms Haley a 'beautiful person' in paying tribute to her.

Lana Ryan said: 'My heart breaks for your family and most of all my heart beaks for such a beautiful person and mother gone too soon and so unnecessarily.

Ms Haley, who is understood to be a hairdresser but also worked at a nearby pub, was described as a 'beautiful person'

Police have held a 28-year-old man in custody, believed to be Ms Haley's partner Shane Robertson

'I will miss your face and all our nail dates. RIP forever beautiful.'

Tania Haley-Unwin, thought to be Ms Haley's mother, said: 'May our beautiful daughter, sister and mum rest in peace. I promise to look after your beautiful children.'

Ms Haley is understood to be a hairdresser but was working at Castello's Victorian Tavern, a pub around 15 minutes away from her house.

Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia on Saturday evening that no charges have been laid yet by officers.

Emergency services were called to a family home in the quiet suburban street in the suburb shortly after 11pm on Friday.

Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia on Saturday evening no charges have been laid yet by officers

'The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be established,' police said

Neighbours reported they had allegedly heard shouting and loud arguments in the week but heard nothing during the incident.

It is being reported by the Herald Sun that Ms Haley's 28-year-old partner, Shane Robertson, has been taken in for questioning by police.

Victoria Police said in a statement a man has been assisting officers with their inquiries but were unable to comment on his identity.

They confirmed the man in custody and the victim were known to each other.

A spokesman for the force said: 'The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be established and the investigation is ongoing.

'The parties are believed to be known to each other.'

Homicide and forensic detectives spent the night Friday at the modern property in the suburb which the family of four are understood to have rented, the Herald Sun reports.

The family home in Diggers Rest where police remained throughout the night on Friday

Terry Parnis told the publication he had not heard anything on the night and neighbours were concerned about the young children.

He added: 'During the week I've heard a lot of arguing. It's a very quiet street, the nosiest thing we get is birds.'

Police are urging anyone who saw or heard anything around Fairfield Crescent to contact them through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.Sixty-three years after the last hanging of a woman in Britain, fresh evidence is casting doubt on her death sentence.

Model Ruth Ellis shot her ex-boyfriend - racing driver David Blakely - outside a pub in Hampstead, North London, cutting his life short when he was just 26.

The nightclub hostess, then 28, claimed sole responsibility for the killing after he left the Magdala in April 1955, telling the Old Bailey: 'It was obvious that when I shot him I intended to kill him.'

Ruth Ellis (pictured) claimed sole responsibility for the shooting but new evidence suggests she may not have acted alone

David Blakely (pictured) was killed after leaving the Magdala pub in Hampstead, North London

But in a recently unearthed recording her son Andre Neilson suggests his mother had an armed accomplice never revealed to the jury, according to The Times.

Mr Neilson says his mother left the house with her partner of the time, former RAF pilot Desmond Cussen. The son, who was just 10 when his mother was hanged, says both had guns.

He claims Cussen, then 32, owned a taxi and it emerged in the case that Ellis travelled to the Magdala in a a taxi, the driver of which was never found.

Mr Neilson is thought to have recorded the claims shortly before he killed himself in 1982. The tape will be broadcast in a documentary on BBC Four next week.

Racecar driver David Blakely and Ruth Ellis had a fractious relationship, which is exposed in a new BBC documentary

The model and nightclub hostess's execution caused a public outcry that fuelled the abolition of the death penalty in the UK

Film-maker Gillian Pachter - who looked into the case with two former detectives - told The Times that Mr Neilson's perspective has never been taken on board until now.

'Here is a witness, a key witness, who was not asked for what he knew, but when you listen to him he backs up the fact of Cussens involvement,' she said.

One day before she was executed, Ellis told her solicitor Cussen gave her the firearm and had showed her how to use it.

The Home Office refused to grant a reprieve but Mr Neilson's recording backs up her account, supporting the theory that Cussen wanted Blakely taken care of.

David Blakely - pictured circa 1955 driving a racing car - was shot dead outside a pub in North London

A film-maker has suggested the single mother's death by hanging was in part caused by snobbery shown toward her

New evidence is explored in the documentary, which shows the violence Blakely inflicted on Ellis. It also reveals the sexual abuse Ellis suffered.

The jury was barred from considering a provocation defence and Ms Pachter says snobbery contributed to the denigration of Ellis, who was a working class single mother. Cussen and Blakely originated from higher social circles.

The execution was met with public outcry that resulted in Parliament allowing defences of diminished responsibility in 1957.

Eight years later capital punishment was abolished as a penalty for murder.

The Ruth Ellis Files: a Very British Crime Story will first air on BBC Four at 9pm on Tuesday.Taxpayers' money has paid for the purchase of daffodils so that 527 female inmates at a private prison can celebrate Mothering Sunday tomorrow.

Serial killer Joanna Dennehy, transgender double rapist Jessica Winfield and Becky Watts murderer Shauna Hoare are among the inmates who will be given flowers and a poem.

A memo was sent to prison guards at HMP Bronzefield in Ashford telling staff that prisoners would be handed the gifts at lunchtime tomorrow.

Serial Killer Joanna Dennehy (pictured) is among the prisoners who will receive flowers and a poem tomorrow

The message, published by The Sun, wished 'the very happiest day' to all mothers and grandmothers as well as those expecting or aspiring to become parents.

'As part of our commitment around decency and welfare, Chaplaincy will deliver small bunches of daffodils with a special message from the staff of HMP Bronzefield to every Resident during lunch time patrol state this Sunday 11 March 2018,' it read.

'Please know that whatever you are facing, however tough or dark it may feel, there are people all around you who will walk by your side.

'Like the yellow petals of the daffodil, all you need to do is see them and know your dark moments are behind you and spring is on its way.'

Shauna Hoare - who killed Becky Watts - will receive greetings for Mothering Sunday at the Category A prison

Calling the flowers 'a symbol of new hope and opportunity' the message was signed off 'with love from all the staff at HMP Bronzefield'.

The largest female prison in Europe, the Category A facility also houses Kathryn Smith, who murdered her 21-month-old baby, Ayeeshia.

Mairead Philpott was held in the prison near Heathrow for a fire that killed six children.

Other previous prisoners include Karen Matthews, who attempted an insurance scam by arranging the kidnap of her daughter, Shannon.

John O'Connell, chief executive at the Taxpayers' Alliance, said it was wrong to spend public funds on criminals who have hurt other people.

'Rehabilitation is an important part of the penal system, but one doubts whether this use of money is going to help anybody,' he said.

Joanna Dennehy (pictured) along with hundreds of others will receive a comforting message from prison staff tomorrow

Victim's Rights Campaign director Harry Fletcher - formerly head of the national association of prison officers - branded the move 'a very bizarre gesture'.

The prison houses inmates convicted or murder and arson, with most of the remaining prisoners having severe issues with alcohol, drugs or both.

Mr Fletcher said bunches of flowers were not the answer to solving inmates' 'high degree of mental health issues'.

He argued that though staff were required to keep inmates safe, friendship was not a requirement.

The Ministry of Justice handed Sodexo - the firm that runs the prison - 64,188 per prisoner. The figures, released in 2016, show the total handout was more than 35million.

Conservative MP Philip Davies branded the move 'crass' adding it was ironic and 'perverse' to give this kind of treatment to inmates who had their children taken away from them due to being unfit parents.

A spokeswoman for HMP Bronzefield said: 'As part of our commitment to decency and welfare we will be giving daffodils to prisoners to mark Mothering Sunday.'Indigo and Blue are the mother-and-daughter duo of dogs who watched over the body of their dead owner for two weeks before he was found by police.

And now, against all odds, they've found a new home with a vet.

The red heeler and the kelpie-cross were handed to founder of Brightside Farm Sanctuary, Emma Haswell, after their owner's family refused to take the protective puppies.

United front! Indigo and Blue are the mother-and-daughter duo of dogs who watched over the body of their dead owner for two weeks before he was found by police

'The owner had died, and no-one knew, and he had been dead for two weeks when the police found him,' Emma told the ABC.

'It would have been very stressful for the dogs and very difficult for them when the police came in and they didn't know what was going on. They were very, very protective. Apparently the police weren't game to go near them.

'Nobody from the family could or would take them, so their future was looking pretty grim, so I said I would [find them a new home].'

Describing them as the most 'adorable' dogs, if Ms Haswell failed to secure them the perfect forever home the 10 and 12-year-old pets would likely be euthanised.

The red heeler and the kelpie-cross were handed to founder of Brightside Farm Sanctuary, Emma Haswell, after their owner's family refused to take the protective puppies

But Ms Haswell was determined and five hours after finding them in her care managed to convince a kind-hearted vet they were the perfect companions

But Ms Haswell was determined and five hours after finding them in her care managed to convince a kind-hearted vet they were the perfect companions.

One of the main reasons older dogs are hard to re-home, she explained, was because they often need complicated and expensive medical procedures.

But amongst the many horror stories, this was a breakthrough case.

The vet who took them home had rescued a 10-year-old shepherd dog from Emma before, so she was certain they would be in good stead.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A man had to be escorted off a flight after forcing it to turn around when he threatened to stab female passengers sitting near him during a drunken rant.

The clip is from a Ryanair flight that was due to leave Manchester airport on Thursday, March 8 to Tenerife at 9pm.

However, according to passengers, the man, 45, started to abuse and threaten women, causing the pilot to turn back to Manchester.

The video, which was recorded by another passenger, shows the moment the man is met by police officers and led off the plane.

The passenger who sent in the footage said that the man was drunk and 'really rowdy' when they boarded the flight.

The witness also confirmed that all passengers were put up in a hotel by Ryanair before boarding the next flight at 6am on March 9.

They also claimed that, half an hour into the flight, the man threatened female passengers around him and said that he was 'going to stab them'.

He was described by passengers as threatening and aggressive during the rant.

Following the incident, the flight was turned around and arrived back at Manchester airport where it was met by police officers.

Footage shows the moment a man was escorted off a plane by police at Manchester airport after he allegedly threatened to stab a passenger in a drunken rant

A spokesperson from Ryanair told MailOnline: 'This flight from Manchester to Tenerife returned to Manchester after a passenger became disruptive inflight. The aircraft landed normally and the passenger was met by police upon arrival.

'Customers were provided with overnight accommodation in Manchester and boarded a rescheduled flight for Tenerife early the following morning.

'We will not tolerate unruly or disruptive behaviour at any time and the safety and comfort of our customers, crew and aircraft is our number one priority.

'This is now a matter for local police.'

In the footage, you can see the rowdy passenger, dressed in a tracksuit jacket, climbing to his feet as he is faced by three police officers.

It is unclear what they are discussing but the man is led away and off the flight a few seconds later.

The man can be seen being led away by police officers after the flight had to turn around and go back to Manchester airport, 30 minutes into the trip

Before leaving, he turns around to shake the hand of another passenger.

People on the plane can be heard cheering as the man is escorted away.

He stops and turns back, gesturing at something but is quickly ushered away, to more sarcastic cheers.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We were called before 10.40pm after reports of an intoxicated man on a flight from Manchester airport.

'A 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being drunk on an aircraft. Enquiries are ongoing.'

The witness told MailOnline: 'The Ryanair stewards didn't know what to do with the man, they had no other option than to turn the plane around. The whole plane was gob smacked and very angry with the man. He had a bottle of whisky on the plane.

'The guy was clearly drunk and I first noticed him when he started shouting on the plane. He threatened a group of women near him, saying he'd stab them.

'I think he realised the severity of what happened later, he realised what he had done.'Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal met his handler from the British intelligence services every month at a Salisbury restaurant, it is reported.

The MI6 handler regularly met the Russian agent, who is fighting for his life in hospital after being attacked with a nerve agent, at the Cote Brasserie.

The British agent was described as the 'man in the tweed suit' who frequently met with Skripal, raising the possibility that the Russian agent was still involved in intelligence work.

A waitress at the restaurant identified a picture of the MI6 agent, according to The Sun.

The MI6 handler regularly met the Russian agent, who is fighting for his life in hospital after being attacked with a nerve agent, at the Cote Brasserie, it is reported

The two agents spoke to each other in Russian and English during their regular meetings, it is claimed.

It is reported that they discussed 'business' trips to Poland, suggesting Mr Skripal may not have severed all his ties to the intelligence community.

Waitress Dagmara Wieczorak said she was 'sure' that the man she was shown a picture of was the 'English man in the tweed suit that used to meet Sergei every month'.

Mr Skripal was also said to have been close to an unnamed intelligence expert who carried out work for independent security firm Orbis Business Intelligence.

Orbis was founded by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, who was behind a notorious and controversial dossier on Donald Trump, which claimed Moscow had compromising information on the US President.

But Orbis has denied having any connection to Mr Skripal's work.

Pictures suggest Mr Skripal was not afraid of enjoying his time in Britain as he is seen supping beer in pubs and restaurants in the city.

Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal met his handler from the British intelligence services every month at a Salisbury restaurant, it is reported (pictured at a local pub)

Mr Skripal and his daughter Yulia (left) are pictured when she visited him two years ago

And it has now emerged that Mr Skripal was so fond of Britain that he hung a Union Jack flag in a window at his home.

The large flag covered a whole window and showed that he was a true lover of the country he had passed information on to while a senior official in the Russian secret service.

Police have extended the cordon around the cul-de-sac at Mr Skripal's home from 50 yards to 150 yards. Residents were still allowed access to their homes but there was no view point directly to the house.

Mr Skripal, 66, provided a wealth of intelligence on the GRU - Russia's foreign intelligence service - over a ten-year period, according to The Times.

Among the trove of data supplied to British authorities was the GRU's entire telephone directory.

Pictures emerged of Mr Skripal and his daughter Yulia during a previous visit she made to Salisbury to see him

Poisoned Russian spy was 'codenamed Forthwith' and remained 'highly valued' by MI6 even AFTER settling in Britain following exchange that led to release of glamorous GRU agent Anna Chapman

The poisoned spy lying in a critical condition in hospital was codenamed 'Forthwith' and provided MI6 with a host of revealing information on Russian agents.

Sergei Skripal, who was 'deliberately targeted' in a nerve agent attack along with his daughter in Salisbury on Sunday, was regarded as a 'highly valued spy' for MI6.

It is also reported that Mr Skripal was 'useful' to foreign intelligence services after he was returned to Britain in a spy swap in 2010.

Mr Skripal, 66, provided a wealth of intelligence on the GRU - Russia's foreign intelligence service - over a ten-year period, according to The Times.

Sergei Skripal (left, in 2006 and, right, during his time in the Russian military) is fighting for his life after being exposed to an unknown substance. He had been brought to Britain in a spy swap in 2010 after he was caught passing Russian secrets to MI6. But a documentary claimed that he had in fact begged not to be swapped

One security officer told the Financial Times: 'There was interest from friendly foreign services after he was released in the spy swap.

'He was useful for a limited period.'

Among the trove of data supplied to British authorities was the GRU's entire telephone directory.

He was first identified as a potential recruit for the Spanish intelligence - but run by British intelligence because it was believe he would respond better to British handling.

A police tent has been put up over the park bench where Skripal and his daughter appeared 'catatonic'

While station in Spain as a GRU officer, Mr Skripal was approached by an MI6 officer who posed as a Spanish business partner, according to intelligence sources.

The first meeting between the Russian and British intelligence agents took place in 1996 when he was 44.

After he was diagnosed with diabetes he returned to Moscow, but frequently returned to Spain to recuperate.

His contact with MI6 would gradually expand to the point where he was appointed his own full-time case officer.

Mr Skripal retired from the GRU in 2000 but managed to secure a job through a former army colleague in the Moscow provincial government - continuing to provide MI6 with intelligence.

He was even bought a timeshare holiday home near Malaga, where he would meet the case officer over periods of three days.

Following each session, Mr Skripol would be paid between $5,000 and $6,000 in cash, which he then deposited into a Spanish bank account.

Sources also revealed that while his initial motivation was financial, he became increasingly more interested in Britain.

Mr Skripal was among of a group of top spies exchanged in Vienna in 2010 (left) for a group of Russian agents including the glamorous Anna Chapman (right)

But MI6 made sure not to bring him to Britain in order to avoid giving away any link between 'Forthwith' and the service.

In one instance, Mr Skripol was said to have called an emergency meeting in Spain, during which he demanded $10,000 in cash and an MI6 officer flew out with the money the next day.

Intelligence sources believe Russia could be targeting double agents living in Britain due to MI6's success in recruiting spies since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

At least a dozen former MI6 agents are thought to be living in the UK under varying degrees of protection.

Their names are kept secret but their identities are not necessarily unknown to President Putin, himself a former Lieutenant Colonel in the KGB.

It is understood that Mr Skripol did not expose a large number of Russian spies working undercover in the West.

Once married to a British former public schoolboy, the seductive spy is now a propagandist for the Kremlin

But he was able to provide specific information on Russian military intelligence structure, including the identities of hundreds of officers.

The intelligence he gathered was also shared with MI5 and other allies, including the CIA.

Even in his retirement from the GRU, he would maintain contact with British intelligence before finally being exposed as a double agent and arrested in 2004.

MI6 first learnt that 'Forthwith' had been compromised when he failed to attend a meeting that same year.

He was jailed for 13 years in 2006 and was only released in the high-profile spy-swap which involved glamourous Russian agent Anna Chapman, who had been caught spying in the US.

After being debriefed by British security services, he was given a new life living in a 340,000 house in Wiltshire.

At the time of his arrest he was mocked as 'the spy with the Louis Vuitton bag' after grainy pictures showed him with an expensive looking bag at an airport en route on one meeting with his handlers.Hundreds have been told to evacuate their homes in the face of wild bushfires.

More than 80 firefighters are battling an enormous blaze in Bunbury, south of Perth.

An emergency warning has been issued to residents as the fire remains 'unpredictable and out of control'.

Hundreds have been told to evacuate their homes in the face of wild bushfires. Pictured: The blaze creates a huge cloud of smoke over houses

As many as 70,000 live in the Great Bunbury area. Pictured: Cars parked underneath clouds of smoke

The fire, which began around 1.30pm, is quickly moving west and north across the city, threatening lives and homes. Pictured: A cloud of smoke engulfs a main road

More than 80 firefighters are battling an enormous blaze in Bunbury, south of Perth. Pictured: A map showing the danger area

Dramatic pictures show the city's buildings and roads smothered in clouds of thick smoke

The fire, which began around 1.30pm, is quickly moving west and north across the city, threatening lives and homes.

Dramatic pictures show the city's buildings and roads smothered in clouds of thick smoke. As many as 70,000 live in the Great Bunbury area.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services tweeted: 'Act now to survive.'

Smoke rises over a house in Bunbury as residents are told to evacuated the area immediately

Smoke rises over the city of Bunbury as firefighters battle an enormous blaze

Shocked residents posted pictures of the rising smoke on social media this afternoon

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services tweeted just before 8pm saying 'act now to survive.'One of the women drawn-in by a con artist using a happily married gay mans photos on a dating website has said he must do it because he hates women.

The 60-year-old PR consultant from south west London, who does not want to be named, said she began talking to a man claiming to be Martin Petersen at the end of January on Zoosk.

He initially claimed to be Danish-American but was living in Hendon in Barnet, north west London, but within two weeks he had 'moved' to Bahrain.

She quickly became suspicious because his photos from the poolside had deciduous trees in the background, and in others, his wedding ring was visible.

A 60-year-old PR consultant from south west London has come forward to say she has been duped by a con artist using Steve Bustin's photos (pictured) on a dating website

The man, who said his named was Martin Petersen, contacted her on Zoosk and claimed he had moved to Bahrain but got into a car accident

The con artist used the above dating profile to lure women, and claimed he was 'romantic and affectionate' and 'passionate about traveling'

He then told her an elaborate story about how he had been in a car accident in the country and had hit two people - one of which ended up in the ICU.

Just ten days ago 'Martin' sent her to a fake banking website and asked her to check his balance and transfer money so he could complete an out of court settlement.

She told the MailOnline: 'I just wanted to see where it went, he hadnt asked me for money but this week because I was aware of what was going on I said "can I offer you some money?"

'He said yes that would be great, can I have $6,000, but then quickly upped it to $8,000.

'I think for him to do something like that, I think he must hate women, thats the only conclusion.

'Theres something in his psyche to psychologically abuse them, and financially abuse them, I dont know about being lonely. Theres a lot of thought that goes into this.'

Speaking about her experience in order to warn other women, she said: 'I think for him to do something like that, I think he must hate women, thats the only conclusion'

The woman has since spoken to action fraud who said the scam is typical. However, the con artist never directly asked her for money (pictured: two of the messages 'Martin' sent to her)

She has since approached Action Fraud with his phone number and details of what he said to her.

In some photos that appeared after she added the scammer's number on Telegram, name tags were clearly visible for Steve Bustin - the real man behind the photos.

Last week Mr Bustin came forward to warn other women that his photos were being used by a con artist on several dating websites.

He first discovered his photos were being used on dating websites such as EliteSingles back in July 2016 when a woman from Berlin contacted him.

Mr Bustin, a former BBC News producer who now works as a public speaker, told The Sunday Times he was choosing to go public now to 'devalue' his photos and hopefully stop the scammer, or scammers, for good.

He said: 'Someone has been harvesting images of me from all over the web.'

Several women have since come forward to talk about the men they have been talking to on Zoosk and other dating websites using Mr Bustin's photos.

A 58-year-old teacher from west London spoke to a man claiming to be Martin Hansen for three weeks last month.

The real man in the photos, Steve Bustin, pictured right with his husband John, is a happily married man and has never used a dating website

He came forward last week to warn women that his photos were being used on fake profiles across the web in order to 'devalue' them

She said that he also claimed to be Danish-American, and that he had just moved over to south Africa where he had bought an oil rig.

After a week or so of talking he claimed that there had been an explosion on the rig and that three people had been severely injured and fallen into a coma.

He also said he had his card stolen and his passport had been taken, and he was in a really bad way.

She also noted that the scammer never directly asked her for money, but believed he was 'leading up to it'.

She said: 'Ive never sent money to anyone but I can see why people would. In a funny kind of way you do think youre talking to this guy, the conversations are so real, you think youre talking to Martin Hansen.

'I can see why women want to pretend its still real, theyre so charming. He sounded so genuine and interested on the phone, you do want to believe it.

'Im wary now and I never was before. Im thinking are they out to scam me? Most of them have been lovely, really nice guys, and I will continue online dating but I will be a lot more wary, its taught me to trust my guts.

'If you think it's too good to be true, it probably is.'

Since publishing the story the MailOnline have been approached by four separate women who claim to have spoken to a man using Mr Bustin's photo, bringing the total number of known victims to seven.

A spokesperson for Zoosk said: 'The stories of victims who have lost money to romance scams are all heartbreaking. And those aren't the only victims: when a scammer infiltrates an online dating community, every member of that community who becomes exposed to him has a degraded user experience.

'The people whose photographs are stolen to create fictitious personas on social media and dating sites are, of course, also victims.

'That is why we take incidents like this very seriously, and why we try to lead the online dating industry in the fight against romance scammers.

Like all reputable dating sites, Zoosk monitors usage patterns, prevents many fraudulent accounts from being created, and blocks users with suspicious behavior. But these measures are not foolproof.

'We believe awareness - when paired with the right authenticity tools to empower our customers - is the most effective line of defense against scammers.

'In 2014, Zoosk became the first major dating site to offer profile photo verification. Users can choose to verify their profile pictures by taking a video selfie of themselves with one of our mobile apps - a human moderator then compares the video to the profile photos.

'Photo verification makes it hard for con artists to impersonate someone whose photographs they stole online.'

Action Fraud have been contacted for comment.

The 46-year-old is going public to 'devalue' his photos and try to stop the scammers for goodA man who purchased a $75,000 Porsche had his car seized just ten minutes later after allegedly driving more than twice the speed limit while filming himself on a phone.

The 37-year-old from Yallambie, Victoria, won't be seeing his 2013 Porsche Cayenne for at least 30 days after allegedly travelling 100km per hour in a 40 zone on Albert Park's Aughtie Drive on Saturday morning.

Prahran Highway Patrol officers noticed him allegedly playing with a mobile phone at 9.55am, just before he was clocked for speeding along Melbourne's Grand Prix Circuit.

The 37-year-old from Yallambie, Victoria, won't be seeing his 2013 Porsche Cayenne (pictured) for at least 30 days after allegedly travelling 100km per hour in a 40 zone on Saturday morning

Prahran Highway Patrol officers noticed him allegedly playing with a mobile phone at 9.55am, just before he was clocked for speeding along Melbourne's Grand Prix Circuit (stock image)

He is expected to be charged on summons with speeding and using a mobile phone while driving.

The driver, who hasn't been named by Victorian police, reportedly told police he'd only just purchased the vehicle.

The make and model of the car can be bought brand new for anywhere between $65,450 and 75,240, Carsguide reports.

Police are targeting unsafe drivers using Operation Arid this weekend, a statewide focus on keeping the community safe.A heavily tattooed Rebels bikie will remain behind bars over charges of manufacturing and supplying the drug ice.

John Jamie Tozer, 32, was sent to Sydney on Thursday charged after police found two methamphetamine drug labs.

South Australia Police Crime Gangs Task Force arrested Tozer as he left a Murray Bridge Gym on Wednesday.

Bikie John Jamie Tozer, 32, was sent to Sydney on Thursday charged after police found two methylamphetamine drug labs

Shortly after the arrest, they seized heroin, mobile phones and encrypted mobile devices, cash and fraudulent identification documents from a nearby home.

Police were granted the ability to extradite Tozer to Sydney after appearing at the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday.

He was escorted to the Surry Hills Police Station where he was charged with two counts of large commercial drug manufacture, two counts of large commercial drug supply and knowingly directing activities of a criminal group.

Police were granted the ability to extradite Tozer to Sydney after appearing at the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday.

He did not apply for bail and it was formally refused, with the matter adjourned to Penrith Local Court on March 23.

Earlier, Strike Force Raptor and Drugs and Firearms investigators found a clandestine laboratory in Springwood in January 2017.

The investigator then found a clandestine laboratory at Lethbridge Park in New South Wales, with a number of people arrested and charged.

But it was not until Wednesday that Tozer was arrested by police after further investigations.

He was escorted to the Surry Hills Police Station where he was charged with 'two counts of large commercial drug manufacture' and 'two counts of large commercial drug supply' and 'knowingly directing activities of a criminal group

The Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang is the largest in Australia with 70 groups and more than 2000 members.

The Rebels constitution includes strict rules regarding drug use, with heroin and smoking methamphetamine banned by the club.

A $1,000 fine is in place for people disclosing information on social media and members must spend 15 hours riding a Harley Davidson motorbike.

Police have requested anyone with information, including photos and videos, to report it to the Strike Force Raptor online reporting page or call Crime Stoppers.Stefan Sylvestre threw acid in the face of Katie Piper. He could be freed next month if a parole board decides he is no longer a danger

Katie Piper posted a cryptic message on social media asking for 'protection' as it emerged the thug who left her scarred for life after throwing acid in her face could be freed next month.

Stefan Sylvestre was jailed indefinitely in 2009 for hurling sulphuric acid in Katie's face on the orders of her obsessed ex-boyfriend.

The attack - which was caught in disturbing CCTV footage - left her blind in one eye and she has had to endure years of surgery, with more than 40 operations.

Now, MailOnline understands Sylvestre's legal team has applied for a parole hearing aimed to convince the board he is no longer a danger.

The hearing is set for April.

A Parole Board spokesman confirmed to MailOnline his case has been referred to them for review.

Hours after the news emerged Katie posted a message on Instagram, which said: 'God protect me from ANYTHING that wasn't sent by you.'

Sylvestre had a bid for freedom denied in December 2015. He was 20 when a judge jailed him for life in 2009.

Katie's ex-boyfriend, Daniel Lynch, ordered the attack and is serving life in prison.

In her autobiography, Katie, now 33, wrote of the moment she heard that he was seeking parole for the first time.

Katie, pictured left leaving BBC studios today and right in 2009 following the attack, was left blind in one eye. Sylvestre was jailed indefinitely but has now served his minimum sentence

Sylvestre attacked Katie (left, before the attack) on the orders of her ex-boyfriend Daniel Lynch (right). Lynch was jailed for life

She wrote: 'The two of them had taken so much from me, and now this man's punishment might soon be over.

'I thought, "I'm the one with the life sentence. Not him. He can change his identity, change his name, get a new job, a partner, move on, but I can't. I can't pretend it didn't happen because it's all over my face".'

Katie is now a mother-of-two and married to Richard Jams Sutton. She gave birth to Belle Elizabeth in March 2014 and announced the birth of a second daughter in December.

In her autobiography, Katie also wrote about how she fears Sylvestre will come after her again.

In the autobiography, Beautiful Ever After, she wrote how she told her father: 'I wish I'd been burned in a house fire or a car accident.

'At least a fire wouldn't come after me again, at least a fire wouldn't have a score to settle.'

Katie was just 24 when her ex-boyfriend Daniel Lynch organised for a man to throw industrial-strength sulphuric acid in her face.

Katie is now a mother-of-two and married to Richard Jams Sutton. She gave birth to Belle Elizabeth in March 2014 and announced the birth of a second daughter in December

Earlier today Katie shared this adorable picture of her cradling her daughter. She captioned it: 'Had the best day spending time with both of my girls'

Katie, pictured here with her husband Richard Jams Sutton and daughter Belle Elizabeth, has previously written about her fears her attacker would strike again if he was freed

Katie's recovery has taken place in the public eye and she is now a successful TV presenter. She has undergone more than 40 surgeries

Stricter sentencing guidelines brought in to fight the acid attack menace Anyone who carries out an acid attack faces life in prison after MPs introduced tougher sentences. And acid is to be defined as a 'highly dangerous weapon' for the first time. Anyone found carrying acid in public for the second time will be given a minimum six-month jail term while under-18s will be handed a four-month detention and training order. The guidelines will come into force in June. Assaults using acid have more than doubled in England since 2012 - up from 183 five years ago to 504 in the year to March 2017. The majority have been in east London. There were more than 1,800 reports of acid used in murders, robberies and rapes since 2010. Last year acid was used in 454 crimes, up from 261 the previous year, with almost a third of the attacks carried out in the borough of Newham in east London, the figures show. Police have so far been powerless to tackle the acid attack menace. Attackers often conceal them in innocuous looking soft drinks bottles and a pilot using litmus paper to test substances proved unsuccessful. Major retailers including Tesco, Waitrose and the Co-Op have signed up to a voluntary ban on acid sales to under-18s. The new Sentencing Council guidelines also target knives and other bladed weapons. Advertisement

Lynch was jailed for life with a minimum term of 16 years.

Former beauty queen Katie is now a regular on programmes such as This Morning and Loose Women.

She also presented Channel 4 shows Bodyshockers and Never Seen a Doctor.

MPs have introduced stricter sentencing guidelines for acid attacks and anyone who carries out 'life-changing' attacks - even if they miss their target or fail to inflict serious harm on their victim - faces life sentences.

It is likely Sylvestre would have faced a longer jail term under the new guidelines.

Last year the ex-boyfriend of Towie star Ferne McCann was jailed for 20 years after he squirted acid across a packed nightclub dancefloor.

Arthur Collins, 25, hurled the corrosive liquid across the club in east London during a tit-for-tat gang war and later branded the crime 'a silly little mistake'.

Acid is to be defined as a 'highly dangerous weapon' for the first time in a move that will give judges the power to hand out tougher sentences.

Anyone found carrying acid in public for the second time will be given a minimum six-month jail term while under-18s will be handed a four-month detention and training order.

The guidelines will come into force in June.

Assaults using acid have more than doubled in England since 2012 - up from 183 five years ago to 504 in the year to March 2017. The majority have been in east London.

There were more than 1,800 reports of acid used in murders, robberies and rapes since 2010.

Last year acid was used in 454 crimes, up from 261 the previous year, with almost a third of the attacks carried out in the borough of Newham in east London, the figures show.A religious education teacher is said to be 'expecting a child' with a former pupil from the same school he taught at.

Gavin Dunsmuir is being investigated by Scotland's teaching watchdog accused of 'forming an inappropriate relationship' with Megan Reid while she was 17.

The 46-year-old was teaching at Largs Academy in North Ayrshire where Ms Reid, now 20, was attending when the alleged relationship began.

Gavin Dunsmuir, 46, is being investigated by Scotland's teaching watchdog over allegations that he 'formed an inappropriate relationship' with a pupil half his age

He was allegedly dating Megan Reid while she was still at school at Largs Academy in North Ayrshire and aged 17, and she is said to be pregnant with his child

Mr Dunsmuir was a mentor to Ms Reid at the school from when she started in first year, aged 12, and things were said to have developed from there.

Suspicions were raised about their relationship when the pair were spotted in a pub 'looking like a couple' by an off-duty teacher.

Gavin's wife at the time, Shona Dunsmuir, said she suspected something was going on and raised the alarm when their young daughter asked: 'Mummy, do you know that daddy has a new girlfriend?'

Ms Dunsmuir claimed Ms Reid is now eight months pregnant and the couple are living together.

'I believe the relationship did go further than Gavin being just a mentor as I was informed by one of his colleagues that they were spending a lot of time together during lunchtimes,' she said.

'Gavin denies being in an adult relationship with her at the time but as they are still together and she is eight months pregnant with his child, I find this hard to believe.

Gavin's ex-wife, Shona Dunsmuir (pictured), suspected something was going on and raised the alarm when she said their daughter asked: 'Mummy, do you know that daddy has a new girlfriend?'

The couple pictured together in 2011, four years before he allegedly started a relationship with one of his students

'Days after we had left the house (for no apparent reason) he went to stay at his mum's and asked if he could see our daughter.

'I agreed as I did not suspect anything was going on with anyone at this time until my daughter returned and asked me "mummy, do you know that my daddy has got a new girlfriend?".

'My daughter told me that when I drove away after dropping her at her grans to see her dad that the girl had been hiding in the bedroom upstairs and when my daughter walked into the room she shouted 'surprise'.

Ms Dunsmuir said she called one of her husband's colleagues that evening and told them what her daughter said, and allegedly confirmed they suspected the pair were in a relationship.

She then contacted the school and spoke to the head teacher as she felt it was a 'serious matter', and sent a letter to North Ayrshire Council but got no reply.

'According to Gavin he was Megan's mentor since she was in first year. My personal feelings do not come in to this. This is simply the facts,' she said.

Mr Dunsmuir was a mentor to Ms Reid at the school from when she started in first year, aged 12 (the pair pictured with another teacher)

A photo from Ms Reid's Facebook shows Ms Reid cuddling a man but does not show their faces

The General Teaching Council for Scotland panel began a hearing on Tuesday to decide whether Mr Dunsmuir's fitness to teach is impaired.

Mr Dunsmuir did not attend the hearing on Tuesday or Wednesday and did not request legal representation on his behalf.

Their allegations state that the 'inappropriate relationship' unfolded between March 2015 and August 2015.

Lynsey Muir, a PE teacher at Largs Academy since 2001, told the panel she ran into Mr Dunsmuir and a group of pupils at the Lounge public house in Largs.

'Gavin came into the pub with [Ms Reid] and several other pupils. There were four or five in total,' she said in her evidence.

'I was with a group of probationary teachers and I told them I had to leave. I felt really uncomfortable. Their body language was close, turning to each other.

'My blood was boiling from the Lounge. It was in the summer of 2015, so she would've been at the end of sixth year.

'She was a sensitive girl with a heart of gold. She lacked self confidence.'

Mr Dunsmuir was a mentor to Miss Reid at the school from when she started in first year, aged 12, and things are said to have developed from there

Ms Dunsmuir claimed Ms Reid is now eight months pregnant and the couple are living together

Suspicions were raised about a relationship when the pair were spotted in the Lounge bar in Largs (pictured) 'looking like a couple' by an off-duty teacher

Ms Muir said she often walked past the RE room between classes and noticed Ms Reid would be sitting with Mr Dunsmuir alone 'on a daily basis'

'I asked Gavin about [Ms Reid] and he told me he was a mentor to her,' she said.

Alan Leishman, a Chemistry teacher at Largs Academy from 2002, also gave evidence at the hearing.

He was best friends with Gavin during their time at the school together, and even attended his wedding.

'I felt [Ms Reid] and Gavin developed a relationship. I saw them on exam day, she had been at his house but I didn't ask why,' he said.

'I recall him saying the pupil went as a surprise for his daughter.

'[Ms Reid] got on well with his daughter. He said he was going to use her as a babysitter. I recall saying to Gavin not to get too close.'

Mr Leishman said his friend told him she had issues and he knew not to get too close.

'I asked Gavin if anything was going on and he said "no",' he told the panel.

Dunsmuir's career is under threat after being accused of striking up an inappropriate relationship with a teenage pupil while teaching at Largs Academy in North Ayrshire (pictured above)

The 'relationship' unfolded between March 2015 and August 2015, and now Mr Dunsmuir's fitness to teach is being questioned by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) in Edinburgh (pictured above)

Mr Leishman also said Mr Dunsmuir's wife told him the teacher and pupil were having a relationship.

He added that he was 'speechless' when Mr Dunsmuir arrived at his home with Ms Reid in his car.

'I never had a pupil come to my home. Gavin said he'd tell me later why she was in the car, and he said that she was at his house as a surprise,' he said.

'I know his daughter liked [Ms Reid]. Gavin mentored her as well as another English teacher.'

North Ayrshire Council confirmed Mr Dunsmuir was no longer working for them.

He was still registered as an RE teacher on the GTCS website. The hearing adjourned on Wednesday.Advertisement

A concerning map showing the locations of dogs struck by the flesh-eating Alabama Rot has revealed the spread of the deadly disease across the UK.

Around 135 cases have been recorded since 2012 but some fear the bad weather experienced this winter could make 2018 the worst year yet.

Vets are unsure what causes the disease but it is believed to thrive in cold, wet soil, as around 60% of the cases occur in the first three months of the year.

The highest number of recorded deaths was last year at 37, but in 2018 15 dogs have already died from the mystery disease.

This shocking image (left) shows the flesh-eating disease taking hold of Julie Rothwell's six-year-old Manchester terrier Bradley (right, in happier times). He caught the disease while walking near his home in Tyldesley in Wigan

Vets4Pets have shared an interactive map on their website showing where Alabama Rot cases have been recorded, and tips for spotting the disease early before turns deadly and leads to kidney failure.

The first sign of Alabama Rot, or cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV), is a skin sore, often below the knee or elbow, that swells and looks like an ulcer.

Within two to seven days of the sore first appearing signs of kidney failure appear, including vomiting, reduced hunger and unusual tiredness.

Alabama Rot is fatal in nine out of ten cases recorded, and there is no known cure.

It is believed that the disease is picked up by dogs going along muddy paths, and pet owners are being told to wash off woodland mud picked up while walking and to contact the vet immediately if you spot the warning signs.

Last month a two-year-old labrador called Thornton died after catching the disease while walking in the Long Eaton and Shardlow areas of Derbyshire, according to the Derby Telegraph.

At first Thornton had just a small lesion on his paw but within a few days he became so ill that he had to be put to sleep.

Vets are saying pet owners should be aware of the warning signs so their dogs can be diagnosed early with Alabama Rot.The diary of Friedrich Kellner, a lowly bureaucrat in wartime Germany, claims the average citizen was aware of the Nazis' atrocities

The German people knew of the Nazis' appalling crimes throughout World War Two, an explosive new book claims.

The secret wartime diary of Friedrich Kellner, a lowly bureaucrat, reveals he was in active opposition to Hitler.

On December 17, 1942, he wrote in the 200,000-word diary: 'Adolf Hitler is Satan and the devil in one person.'

And he reveals just how much the average German citizen knew about Hitler's crimes - even towards the beginning of the Second World War, reports the Daily Express.

In October 1941 Kellner wrote about German soldiers returning from the frontline and noted the 'inhuman atrocities' on the eastern front 'as naked Jewish men and women were placed in front of a long deep ditch and upon the order of the SS were shot by Ukrainians in the back of their heads.

'Then the ditch was filled in as screams kept coming from it'.

In October 1941 Kellner wrote about German soldiers returning from the frontline and noted the 'inhuman atrocities' on the eastern front. It raises questions about who knew what

Kellner's grandson, former American serviceman Robert, said: 'If he knew, it is clear that the average German did know what the Nazis were doing. The existence of the diary means it can never again be claimed that the Nazis were acting in secret.'

Robert was first shown the diary, now a book titled My Opposition, in 1960 when he travelled to Germany to meet his grandfather.

He was expecting to meet a Nazi, like his father, but instead found a man deeply against the evil group.

Shortly after Robert arrived, Friedrich crouched down in front of a cabinet in his drawing room and brought out the secret manuscript.

Friedrich was born in 1885 and worked as a courthouse administrator in the small German town of Laubach, central Germany, where he had moved in 1933 to escape persecution for his socialist views.

He knew he had to exercise 'extreme caution' in criticising the Nazis and confined his criticism to the diary.

Kellner's grandson, former American serviceman Robert, said: 'If he knew, it is clear that the average German did know what the Nazis were doing

The diary has just been released in Britain following its publication in Germany last year.

But it was only released when former President George Bush Senior intervened to have it put on display in 2005 after spotting its significance.

But publishers still had to overcome Germany's strict libel laws and the country's decision not to 'point fingers'.

But Robert was determined to publish the diary to dispel the myth that the German people were unaware of the Nazis' atrocities.

He said Friedrich wrote the book so future generations would know the truth.North Queensland has been slammed by 'catastrophic' floods this week with residents now being urged to prepare for a cyclone.

Severe storm activity in the gulf and Coral Sea region could develop into a more offensive front, the Bureau of Meteorology reported on Saturday.

'Certainly with that kind of activity and the time of year, there's certainly a possibility that one or both of those areas... could develop into a tropical cyclone,' meteorologist Julian De Morton told Nine News.

Scroll down for video

Severe storm activity in the gulf and Coral Sea region could develop into a more offensive front, the Bureau of Meteorology reported on Saturday

Even if an extreme weather system doesn't develop, Mr Morton said, the area could still face a further soaking

'At this point it's a low risk of a cyclone forming but we will be closely monitoring the situation,' BoM confirmed to Daily Mail Australian on Saturday night

Even if an extreme weather system doesn't develop, Mr Morton said, the area could still face a further soaking.

'At this point it's a low risk of a cyclone forming but we will be closely monitoring the situation,' BoM confirmed to Daily Mail Australian on Saturday night.

Previously there was little worry about a cyclone forming around the ravaged site.

The Bureau confirmed the tropical cyclone currently in the Coral Sea was not likely to have any effect on Queensland, and that chances are low of a cyclone forming off of the low pressure system in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

'(Tropical Cyclone Hola) is expected to take a more southerly track during the day and track back to the south-east at the moment,' BoM forecaster Sam Campbell said on Friday

It comes just a day after the state's north was declared a 'disaster' by the government and a 'catastrophe' by the Insurance Council of Australia

'(Tropical Cyclone Hola) is expected to take a more southerly track during the day and track back to the south-east at the moment and it's not expected to have any impact on the Queensland coast,' BoM forecaster Sam Campbell said on Friday.

It comes just a day after the state's north was declared a 'disaster' by the government and a 'catastrophe' by the Insurance Council of Australia.

ICA CEO Rob Whelan said by labelling the natural disaster as a 'catastrophe' insurers were now able to prioritise claims from people affected by floods and storm-related damage.

More than 200 homes in Ingham have been badly affected by the storm and a number of community members in nearby Innisfail told to evacuate.

ICA CEO Rob Whelan said by labelling the natural disaster as a 'catastrophe' insurers were now able to prioritise claims from people affected by floods and storm-related damage

More than 200 homes in Ingham have been badly affected by the storm and a number of community members in nearby Innisfail told to evacuate

Up to their knees! The rain is beginning to ease in the region

On Sunday Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will travel to flood-affected regions

Police are also coordinating a rescue mission for a group of 72 year six students and eight teachers from the Willows State School in Townsville.

Deputy Commissioner Bob Gee, the Queensland Police state emergency coordinator, said the school group could be there for 'some time' as medical and food supplies were flown in on Friday evening.

He said he could not predict an exact day they could be rescued but said they were happy the group had enough supplies for 48 hours.

Three children were airlifted to Cairns on Saturday with gastro after a doctor and two nurses flew in to check on them.

Children from The Willows State School in Townsville were cut off by the flooding in North Queensland

Pictures posted by the school's Facebook page on Thursday showed children involved in team building exercises at the camp

The group were staying on a school camp trip at the Echo Creek adventure park before the rains came on Thursday leaving them stranded when the road between Townsville and Cairns was closed.

Deputy Commissioner Gee said: 'We're waiting on a break in the weather. We have no doubt they have enough supplies.

'It will be some time before we can get all those children out safely.'

On Sunday Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will travel to flood-affected regions.

She said the full extent of the damage would not be known for weeks, but that flooding would have a detrimental impact on banana and sugar cane crops, and the aquaculture industry.

'We will get the full assessments over the next few weeks about the impact on the economy and I think everyone should spare a thought for the farmers who are going to feel a huge impact,' she said.A father-of-two has been hit by several fines for driving in bus lanes despite being 9,000 miles away in Australia at the time.

Philip Cross, from Childwall, Liverpool, has been handed hundreds of pounds of fines in total and is locked in a ten-month legal battle with Manchester City Council - for a car he claims he had already sold.

Self-employed barber Mr Cross, 33, has already been forced to pay more than 1,000 in fines and legal costs and is facing another 600 bill.

Father-of-two Philip Cross (pictured) has been hit by hundreds of pounds worth of fines for driving in bus lanes - despite being in Australia at the time

Mr Cross claims the dispute has turned his life upside down and says that he doesn't have the money.

He also says that the fines should be charged to the new owner of the car and not to him.

He said: 'I'm going to have to fork out all this money, and I just haven't got it.'

The barber swapped his silver BMW at a Liverpool dealership in 2016 in a 'part-exchange' deal.

The BMW was later sold to a new owner.

Mr Cross said that he sent a form to the DVLA at the time telling them he was no longer the car's owner, but the organisation said it didn't receive the notice until the following year.

Mr Cross eventually learned that the car's new owner had racked up the bus lane fines, which he was expected to pay.

Mr Cross insists he was on a family holiday in Australia with his wife and two kids when some of the violations had occurred.

He has spent the last ten months finding evidence - including sales receipts, travel tickets, and car insurance statements - to prove he had already sold the car.

As well as being in Australia, the self-employed barber said he had also sold his car and that the new owner had racked up the fines

But Manchester City Council claim he has failed to give 'adequate evidence' that he was no longer the car's owner.

In desperation, he even contacted Google after he found a photo online of his old car being advertised at a car dealership.

Mr Cross said: 'This is how in-depth I've gone to try and prove my innocence, but nobody seems to want to listen.

'The amount of work I've put in clearly shows I'm innocent.'

The dispute escalated to the point where a court bailiff came to his house and threatened to remove his possessions unless he paid the fines.

Mr Cross added: 'I don't know who to complain to. The council isn't listening, the courts aren't listening, the DVLA weren't listening. I'm literally just throwing money away.

'Rich people can pay all this to get it sorted, and they know people. Normal, working-class people haven't got a chance. It really is ridiculous.'

Mr Cross has also turned to his local MP, Luciana Berger, for help.

A Manchester City Council spokesman said: 'The council was notified by the DVLA that Mr Cross was the registered keeper of the vehicle at the time of the offences and he has failed to provide adequate evidence that this was not the case.'

The DVLA said they did not receive a change-of-ownership notice until May 2017 and the matter is now between Mr Cross and the council.Yulia Skripal (pictured), 33, is critically ill in hospital along with her father Sergei after they were poisoned with a deadly nerve agent last Sunday

The Russian spy's daughter who was caught up in a poisoning attack in Salisbury had 'not done anything to deserve' her illness, her friend has said.

Yulia Skripal, 33, is critically ill in hospital along with her father Sergei after they were poisoned with a deadly nerve agent last Sunday.

Irina Petrova, a friend of the former double agent's daughter, said Yulia was a 'normal kind of person' who had lived in the UK for five years after her father's return to Britain in a spy swap.

Yulia had even considered applying for British citizenship before she moved back to Moscow, Ms Petrova told BBC News.

'She told me she liked everything there,' she said. 'They had an amazing place, and an amazing house.

Ms Petrova said her friend had got on well with Mr Skripal but had 'not been drawn to England' when her father was handed over by Russia in an exchange in Vienna in 2010.

But she thought about trying to become a British national before she eventually left for Moscow with her boyfriend, she said.

She worked for Nike in the Russian capital and is currently employed by PepsiCo.

The Russian spy at the centre of a poison plot was previously pictured raising a toast with his daughter in the Zizzi restaurant which has since been cordoned off by police.

Sergei Skripal, 66, and his 33-year-old daughter Yulia smiled for the camera while holding glasses of lager and wine inside the Italian chain.

The Russian spy at the centre of a poison plot was previously pictured raising a toast with his daughter in the Zizzi restaurant which has since been cordoned off by police

The pair went for a meal at the same restaurant before they were attacked with a nerve agent in Salisbury on Sunday.

It has been suggested that Yulia may have unwittingly brought the nerve agent with her from Moscow in a gift.

Investigators are said to be probing whether Yulia could have brought the toxin with her from Russia as a present from friends for her father.

She could have then opened it when the pair were out together in Salisbury on Sunday afternoon - at either a pub, Zizzi restaurant or the city's shopping centre.

Police said a nerve agent was used to deliberately poison the Skripals - and both are in comas fighting for their lives along with a policeman who was first on the scene.

Counter-terrorism police are investigating after 'Punish a Muslim day' letters were distributed to homes throughout the UK.

People in London, the West Midlands and Yorkshire have reported receiving the shocking letter.

The letter encourages people to harm and commit crimes against Muslims on April 3 and publishes a sickening point-scoring system of punishments.

People have been left horrified after a letter was sent to UK homes describing 'Punish a Muslim' day on April 3

The horrific letter encourages people to 'help turn things around' as it claims that Western Europe is being 'overrun'.

The point scoring system ranges from 10 points if you 'verbally abuse a Muslim' to 2500 points if you 'Nuke Mecca'.

Other sickening acts include 50 points for throwing acid in a Muslim's face and 1000 points for bombing or burning a mosque.

Counter-terrorism police are now investigating the letter after the Metropolitan Police, West Yorkshire police and the West Midlands police all received complaints.

The Counter-Terrorism Unit said in a statement: 'Police are investigating a number of reports of potentially malicious communications sent to individuals across the UK.

'Officers are currently investigating the full circumstances.

'Counter Terrorism Policing North East are coordinating the investigation at this time and will consider any potential links to existing enquiries.

'Anyone with any concerns about a communication they may have received should contact their local police force.'

This was the letter sent to several homes around the UK, including a score sheet of acts the writer encouraged people to perform against Muslims

Anti-racism groups have also expressed their horror at the leaflets, which direct anyone with questions to the HM Courts & Tribunals Service.

Campaign group Tell Mama UK said: 'We have been sent several reports of the 'Punish a Muslim Day' letter in London, the Midlands, and Yorkshire.

'We are working closely with the relevant police forces on this matter which is being treated with the utmost seriousness.

'It is essential that all letters and envelopes are kept and handled minimally to preserve evidence for the police to investigate.

'Incidents like this are rare but we urge vigilance and calm as we remind Muslim communities that our confidential support service is available to assist in this matter.'

The hate-filled letter says: 'Sheep follow orders and are easily led, they are allowing the white majority nations of Europe and North America to become over-run by those who like nothing more than to do us harm and turn our democracies into Shaira led police states.'

Bradford Councillor Riaz Ahmed received a letter to his business and expressed his shock at the contents

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said that the letter is being investigated: 'The MPS does not tolerate any form of hate crime. If anyone believes they have been a victim of such an offence we would encourage them to report it to police so it can be fully investigated.'

Police in Bradford have acknowledged they are investigating reports of the letters.

Councillor Riaz Ahmed, a Lib Dem in Bradford, West Yorkshire, said he received the letter to his business address.

He said: 'It was not addressed to anyone, just the address and postcode as if it was sent out randomly. It has a second class stamp on the plain white envelope and the frank mark is Sheffield. It was posted yesterday.

'It seems strange that anyone would send something like this to an address in a predominantly Muslim area. When I opened it and saw the content I was horrified.'

He said he believed the letter had been sent out by a group with the 'intent of alarming people' and 'to stir up racial hatred'.

Councillor Ahmed said: 'It goes on to ask if you are a sheep and 'are allowing the white majority nations of Europe and North America to become overrun by those who would like nothing more than to do us harm and turn our democracies into Sharia led police states'.

'They must be disaffected people to do something like this not knowing whose hands it may end up in.

'My main concern is that it could get into the hands of other disaffected people in Bradford who just need that push to act. Some people may look at is at a sick joke. I don't. I am alarmed by its content especially where it mentions acid because of all the recent reports in the media of acid attacks.'

This is the full sickening list of acts on the score sheet, as well as an explanation of the owner's motives

He added: 'It is shocking that anyone would even think of putting something like this together and posting it out knowing that it could potentially cause a lot of upset and harm.

'I am passing this to the police straight away and will encourage anyone who receives one to do the same.

'I don't really want people to be a concerned with these and the best advice I can give is for them to pass the letters if they get them to the police and then ignore them.'

Several people took to social media to express their shock and disgust at the vile letter

Counter-terrorism police are encouraging anyone who has received a letter to send it to their local police station

The letter bears an image similar to the royal coat of arms.

There is also an image of a dagger with the letters MS, suggesting it is linked to so-called Muslim Slayer who targeted mosques in London and the United States last year with similar threats.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: 'Police are investigating a number of reports of potentially malicious communications sent to individuals in the Bradford area. Officers are currently investigating the full circumstances.'

Anyone with any concerns about a communication they may have received should contact police on 101.Teenage thugs replicating American street gangs clad in red hoodies and bandanas are causing havoc in Melbourne.

The wannabe gangsters, known among locals in the city's south-east as the Reds, are reportedly linked to a series of assaults, robberies and thefts.

The new gang of youths of African and Caucasian appearance menacing residents have caused police to ramp up patrols in the City of Casey.

Residents have been living in fear after wannabe gang members have been reportedly causing havoc (pictured are local youths dressed in red clothing)

Police have ramped up patrols in the City of Casey area of Melbourne's south eastern suburbs (pictured are local youths)

Youths identify themselves as members of the Reds by wearing signature red clothing including bandanas, hats and hoodies (pictured are local youths wearing red clothing)

The Reds take to social media to brag about terrorising residents around shopping centres and elsewhere in the Endeavour Hills suburb - 35km south-east of the Melbourne CBD.

The youths hide themselves with red hoods, bandanas and hats.

Daily Mail Australia has obtained photographs of local teenagers posing with their heads bowed wearing red garments and making hand signals.

There is no suggestion the youths in the photographs are involved in any wrongdoing or criminal activity.

A local resident who we are keeping anonymous said: 'It is a problem though these wannabe gangsters - the Crips and Bloods. [They are] watching too many movies but causing havoc in the schools at the moment.'

It comes as traders at the nearby Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre warned they were being terrorised and had seen the teens threatening customers and stealing from shops.

Locals have claimed the groups are trying to replicate American street gangs like the Crips and Bloods (pictured are local youths posing with a red bandana)

One said he wanted increased security at the centre and was left disgusted by the group's behaviour - which included one member spitting at a customer.

'They think they're full-on gangsters and parade around the centre wearing red and play loud music through a big speaker,' Amrif Rustemovski told the Herald Sun.

He said traders and customers no longer felt safe doing their shopping.

The centre manager, Leigh Regan, claims security teams they employ will 'continue to work with police', the Herald Sun reports.

Police believe they caught some of the 'wannabe gang members' in relation to a aggravated burglary in January.

Traders and customers no longer felt safe doing their shopping according to business owners (pictured is a local youth)

Acting Sergeant Matt McCormack was also quoted by the Herald Sun as saying three teens aged 15, 16 and 17 will appear in court on March 23 'in relation to a series of offences'.

They were arrested seven days after the alleged incident on January 10 and are accused of stealing from The Reject Shop at the centre.

Acting Sergeant McCormack added local patrols had been stepped up around the centre 'to target hotspots'.

Meanwhile, a New Year's Eve attack where a man was attacked, bashed in the head and left semi-conscious on the footpath is still being investigated.

The Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre (pictured) has been targeted by groups of youths leading to upped police patrols

The victim said at the time he had been approached by four to six teenagers of Pacific Islander appearance in red shirts and bandannas.

The city's problems with gangs has been widely documented and reported over the summer.

A series of crimes believed to be linked to African gangs came to a head in January.

Mostly Sudanese youths are accused of stealing cars, invading homes and businesses, and theft.

The crime spree has even prompted some residents to fork out $10,000 on security systems for their homes.

The Menace To Society gang, whose presence emerged after the earlier exploits of the more prominent Apex gang, are believed to be linked to several crimes in the Tarneit area, 25km west of Melbourne.

One woman was reportedly hit across the face when 14 men ransacked her home in Hillside, in the city's far north west.

Alleged Apex gang kingpin Mahmoud Taha, 21, jailed last week for organising three armed heists.Joey Carbstrong has told how his drug-fuelled youth and time in jail inspired him to become a 'celebrity' militant vegan and tour the world preaching his radical beliefs.

The 31-year-old South Australian, who has thousands of Instagram and YouTube followers, has just completed a tour of the UK and is now in Tel Aviv, Israel, pressuring people to stop buying meat and other animal products.

His life today is a far cry from his youth which he spent with gangsters and drug addicts before he was jailed for six months for hiding a .22 calibre rifle down his trousers and hoarding other weapons including shotguns, knuckledusters and flick knives.

Joey Carbstrong (pictured on a rally in the UK) has told how his drug-fuelled youth and time in jail inspired him to become a 'celebrity' militant vegan and tour the world preaching his radical beliefs

Carbstong said of his girlfriend (pictured together): 'I first met Laura at the vegan campout in July last year and we shared an instant connection. Ever since she has remained my closest friend.'

The 31-year-old South Australian, who has thousands of Instagram and YouTube followers, has just completed a tour of the UK and is now in Tel Aviv, Israel campaigning for people to stop buying meat and other animal products

Reflecting on his turnaround, Carbstrong, whose real name is Joey Armstrong, said on Sunday: 'Jail was a massive realisation about what I had done. I was looking at my life from a bird's-eye view. I thought f*** this for a life.'

'I've turned my life around completely,' he told the Sunday Mail. 'I wanted to get sober, I wanted to clean my life up and give something back. It wasn't for me anymore.'

After dropping out of school aged 14, Mr Carbstrong fell in with the wrong crowd, eventually turning to 'more serious, hardcore, organised crime gangs' and dealing drugs to support his own habit.

He spent much of his youth using cannabis, methamphetamine and drinking alcohol.

Reflecting on his turnaround, Carbstrong, whose real name is Joey Armstrong, said on Sunday: 'Jail was a massive realisation about what I had done. I was looking at my life from a bird's-eye view. I thought f*** this for a life.'

Aged 26, Carbstrong (pictured on a rally in the UK) spent six months in jail for possession of a firearm, which he had hidden down his trousers while on house detention

Discussing his gang-related crime, Carbstrong (pictured with his girlfriend) said: 'I still had compassion in my heart but it was clouded by the environment that shaped me and people around me.'

In 2011 he was admitted to hospital after suffering, psychosis, depression and anxiety and contemplating self harm. Doctors described him as angry and aggressive.

Aged 26, he spent six months in jail for possession of a firearm, which he had hidden down his trousers while on house detention.

Discussing his gang-related crime, he said: 'I still had compassion in my heart but it was clouded by the environment that shaped me and people around me.'

While holed up in prison he had 'an epiphany' and became determined to turn his back on the criminal world.

He said: 'It was the longest I'd been sober for the past 12 years of my life. I began seeing my life with new eyes. I'd seen all the other prisoners in there and didn't want to be there, I wanted to leave the gangs.'

Mr Carbstrong turned to the teachings of Dan McDonald, an American advocate for raw food and fasting who formerly had a drug problem.

Following his release from prison he then went 'full vegan'.

On British TV: The campaigner claimed artificial insemination - during which semen are injected into the female cow's 'reproductive tract' - was equivalent to 'sexual abuse'. He is seen on This Morning next to Mr and Mrs Crickmore

Joey Carbstrong lectured dairy farmers on British TV during his tour of the UK

The 31-year-old said: 'I'd always said that it's hypocritical to say you love animals  save the whales, dolphins, dogs  but then have a piece of an animal that's suffered and had a bolt gun to the head on your plate. I was a walking hypocrite I decided to align my actions and my morals.'

Since then he has become a militant vegan campaigner and has been touring the world with his glamorous girlfriend who he met on 'vegan camp'.

For the last six weeks he has been on tour in the UK and Ireland, attending daytime vigils and protests alongside fellow activists.

He hit the headlines because of his clashes with farmers, likening them to 'slave owners'.

He also posted YouTube videos showing him confronting farmers and meat industry workers, saying they 'should be scared' - but later denied that he advocates violence.Accused drug dealer Willie Thompson's execution-style death in 2003 was described as a pivotal turning point in Melbourne's gangland wars, but the murder remains unsolved.

In an effort to bring the violent killers to justice, the anti-gangland Purana taskforce will post a $1 million reward on Sunday for any information leading to a conviction.

Reports suggest Mr Thompson was killed on the orders of condemned murderer and drug trafficker Carl Williams, The Herald Sun reports.

A $1million dollar reward is being offered to find the hitmen behind a gangland execution 15 years ago (Willie Thompson pictured)

But with Williams' own death in 2010 making it impossible to question the gang leader, detectives are instead turning to the public for help.

Namely, an anonymous caller from 2004 who had important information surrounding the killing.

Mr Thompson, 39, was gunned down on Waverley Road, Chadstone, in Melbourne's south-east, after leaving a training session at a martial arts club.

It's believed there were at least two people involved in the purposeful slaying that fateful Monday night: one using a shotgun from Mr Thompson's side of the car and the other firing a pistol through the passenger window.

Mr Thompson, 39, was gunned down on Waverley Road, Chadstone, in Melbourne's south-east, after leaving a training session at a martial arts club (allegedly at the order of Carl Williams)

Thompson's murder led to the revenge killing of hot dog salesman Michael Marshall, and ultimately, the fall of Carl Williams.

'While lots of people are familiar with other crime figures from the gangland period, not many know anything about Willie Thompson's story,' said Detective Inspector Tracie McDonald of the taskforce.

'The circumstances surrounding his death are shocking. He was shot in a very public area and died a brutal death.

'We're confident this murder is solvable. All we need is the right information from the right people.'

Carl Williams (pictured) was believed to have paid one of his lieutenants $100,000 to carry out five of the murders

Mr Williams was killed by a fellow inmate while serving time in prison (pictured)

Over a period of 12 years, 36 crime figures were slain in revenge attacks by members of two crime families or their associates and members of the local Calabrian mafia, known in Australia as N'Drangheta.

Carl Williams was believed to have paid one of his lieutenants $100,000 to carry out five of the murders.

In one of the gangland war's most intensive periods, 13 men were shot dead in just over two years. Four members of one family, the infamous Morans, were gunned down.A Sikh student has claimed he was told to leave a bar by door staff because he was wearing a turban.

Amrik Singh, 22, was asked to leave Rush Late Bar in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, because he was wearing 'headgear'.

Mr Singh said he felt 'victimised' by the doorman and the Nottingham Trent University law student recorded the incident.

In the recording, he can be heard asking the doorman why he has to leave.

The unnamed doorman replies 'that's just our policy' and adds, 'I didn't think you were allowed to come for a drink anyway'.

Mr Singh, who worked at Bhatia Best Solicitors in Nottingham on his university placement year, said he was left 'heartbroken' and 'upset' by the incident.

Mr Singh said: 'I had finished a module on my course and some people I used to work with at the solicitors said I should come up to Mansfield to celebrate.

'We decided to go out for some drinks and ended up in Rush Late Bar which was all fine, about half an hour into being there I got a tap on my shoulder and a bouncer just said to me 'take it off'.

The incident occurred at the Rush Late Bar in Mansfield with the doorman telling the student they 'don't allow headgear'

'I was confused at first and then he said that I wasn't allowed to wear headgear in the venue and I shouldn't have been let in.

'I explained that a turban isn't just headgear, but part of my religion and that it protected my hair - and that I was allowed to wear a turban in public.

'The bouncer ignored this and said I needed to take it off. I refused and was subsequently dragged away from my friends, which was humiliating and I felt victimised.'

Mr Singh said he decided to film the incident after seeing a similar incident recently where a student at Nottingham Trent filmed racist chanting outside her door.

He said: 'I knew that if I recorded it I could prove it happened and seeing how other recent stories have become high profile though social media I knew that I couldn't just let this discrimination go ahead.

'The worst part of it was the fact he compared my turban to wearing a pair of trainers.'

In a statement to councillor Sonya Ward, who represents Labour in Mansfield, Rush Late Bar said that it was not their policy.

A representative for the bar told the councillor: 'Good morning, this is absolutely not our policy.

'We are investigating this incident and the security member in question has been suspended.'

The bar has been contacted for further comment.The brother of Russian spy Sergei Skripal died following an unexplained road accident, it emerged today.

Relatives confirmed Valery Skripal, 68, perished following a crash, but further details are not known, although he suffered a significant weight loss before his death.

The military officer died almost two years to the day before his 66-year-old brother Sergei and his daughter Yulia, 33, were poisoned by nerve gas in a sinister incident in Salisbury on Sunday.

Valery's widow Svetlana lives in Kazakhstan, but it is not clear where he died or where the accident was.

Valery Skripal, left, who was in the paratroop regiment, and is pictured with his wife Svetlana, right, died following an unexplained road accident, it emerged today

Valery Skripal pictured with his wife Svetlana, as he lost weight and became dramatically thinner before he died two years ago

Valery Skripal in the months leading up to his death following an 'unexplained' car accident, showing severe and sudden weight loss

Valery Skripal, left, on military drills in an unknown location thought to be in Russia

Viktor Skripal, soldier father of Sergei, who was found 'poisoned' on Sunday, and his brother Valery, a paratrooper on his knee as a baby. Valery died two years ago after sudden weight loss

'He was ill for a while after the crash,' said a relative.

British police are examining the hitherto unsuspicious deaths of Sergei Skripal's wife and son in recent years, as he lies in a coma fighting for his life.

Sergei Skripal's wife Liudmila, a housewife, died aged 59 from a disseminated endometrial carcinoma on 23 October 2012, in Britain, according to her death certificate.

Son Alexander perished reportedly from a liver disease in July last year while in Russia, although mystery remains over the exact circumstances off his death.

His body was 'repatriated' to England.

Valery Skripal, brother of the Russian spy found 'poisoned' in Salisbury, as a young man

Valery Skripal, centre, in his later life posing with some younger soldiers during military drills

Like Sergei, now 66, who was a career military spy in the feared GRU before agreeing to work for MI6, Valery served as a paratrooper in the elite Russian airborne troops.

It is unknown if Valery was also a spy in the GRU, seen as Moscow's most secretive spy service.

Valery's 65 year old widow Svetlana has not commented on his death other than to post this week: 'Today is the day to remember Valery.

It adds to the picture of a proud military family suddenly cut down within the space of a few years - with the tragedy arriving on British soil as Mr Skripal and his daughter were apparently targeted in Salisbury.

An exclusive set of photographs also includes a school photograph of the spy's daughter, Yulia, who is fighting for her life in hospital, and a poignant portrait of the spy's father Viktor, who also served as a Russian soldier in Lithuania, sitting with Valery as a baby on his knee.

Although Sergei Skripal's son Alexander died in St Petersburg last summer at the age of 43, his body was taken to Britain for burial in the same cemetery as his mother.

When MailOnline visited, the graves appeared well-tended and adorned with bright artificial flowers and trinkets.

Sergei Skripal's brother Valery Skripal in military uniform examining a weapon

Valery Skripal as a young man posing in his military uniform, where he served in an elite unit

Alexander reportedly died from liver disease but mystery surrounds the circumstances of his death. The spy's wife, Liudmila, a housewife, died aged 59 from a disseminated endometrial carcinoma on 23 October 2012, in Salisbury.

Valery's widow, who lives in Kazakhstan, has not commented on his death other than to post yesterday: 'Today is the day to remember Valery. It's been two years since he passed away'. Among the comments, one of her friends desperately asked for news of 'poisoned' Sergei and Yulia.

St Petersburg's respected Fontanka news agency said it could find no traces of Alexander dying in the city, adding to the mystery surrounding his demise.

It reported: 'According to our research, Alexander Skripal did buy tickets on the Sapsan (high speed) train from Moscow, arriving on 13 July and departing on 15 July.

'He was with a 49-year-old female called Anna. It is not clear if the couple left St Petersburg on the planned date, as the tickets were bought about one and a half months ahead of the trip.'

Valery Skripal posing in his uniform and a parachute during exercises with the paratroopers

Valery Skripal collects his parachute after a jump when serving with the paratroopers

Valery Skripal in his military uniform holding his weapon as a young man from an army family

It is understood Alexander died several days after his planned trip to St Petersburg, which was described as a holiday. The Fontanka report added: 'As of now, we failed to find traces of him dying in St Petersburg.

'And according to our information, Alexander had planned a trip to see his father in England in August 2017. He bought a ticket for a plane leaving early morning on August 8, 2017.'

Liudmila's death was reported to Wiltshire Council's register office in 2012 by her daughter Yulia, who told staff that her father was a retired local government planning officer.

The grave of Alexander Skripal, who died in mysterious circumstances in Russia

The grave of Liudmila Skripal who died of cancer in Britain in 2012 and was buried in Salisbury

A screen-grab from CCTV footage showing Sergei Skripal before he was 'poisoned'

Sergei Skripal, left, as a younger man in uniform, and right after he was arrested in Russia

It comes as relations between the UK and the Kremlin soured after Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson went on the offensive in the House of Commons.

Mr Skripal was convicted in 2006 of passing state secrets to MI6 before being given refuge in the UK as part of a spy swap.

The former colonel in Russian military intelligence, who was sentenced to 13 years in prison, was among four convicts who were given pardons and one of two sent to Britain in 2010 in a deal that was said at the time to be the largest exchange since the Cold War.

He was found along with his daughter on a bench in The Maltings in Salisbury after police were called by a concerned member of the public at around 4.15pm on Sunday.A pensioner claims he lost almost two stone on a cruise after a kidney failure - despite being told by the ship's doctor there was nothing wrong with him.

Gordon McDowall, 69, felt unwell on a Fred Olsen cruise to Madeira and the Canary Islands but claims he was told that nothing could be done for his loss of appetite.

But within hours of arriving home in Boldon Colliery, Tyne and Wear, he was taken to hospital by ambulance where he was diagnosed with kidney failure.

Doctors told him that his kidneys stopped working while on board the cruise, and that his right kidney was swollen.

Gordon McDowall, 69, lost nearly two stone after falling ill while on a Fred Olsen cruise to Madeira and the Canary Islands in October last year

After making it back home to Boldon Colliery, Tyne and Wear, Mr McDowall, pictured here with his wife Joyce on the cruise, was told his kidneys had failed

Mr McDowall is still having treatment following the holiday in October last year.

He plummeted from 12-and-a-half stone to 10st 8lbs during the 16-day cruise after falling ill with severe back pain and vomiting on day three.

By the fifth day he was ill enough to visit the medical officer who carried out some tests, but claims he told him there was nothing wrong with his kidneys.

Mr McDowall said: 'After another couple of days I had completely last my appetite and on the odd occasion I managed to eat I was sick again.

'I went back to see the medical officer and explained I was not eating and could not face the thought of food.

'His reply was "I do not do anything for loss of appetite".

'I managed to get through the rest of the cruise but not able to enjoy it.'

He claims he approached the medical officer on two separate occasions but claims he told him 'I do not do anything for loss of appetite' and said nothing was wrong with him

Mr McDowall still felt ill after he and his wife Joyce reached Boldon Colliery so he phoned 111 and paramedics were sent out.

He said: 'They took one look at me and I was taken by ambulance to South Tyneside Hospital, given pain relief, and tests.

'Within 30 minutes I was taken to a ward as the doctor told me there was something wrong with my kidneys which required further investigation.

'Since then I have been informed there was a swelling on my right kidney and I am waiting for a date an operation to reduce the size of my prostate.

'My consultant at the hospital says my kidneys stopped working while I was on the cruise but Fred Olsen say I went into retention after leaving the boat.

'I cannot understand why the doctor on the boat said there was nothing wrong with the kidneys and yet a few days later the hospital discover there is a problem.'

A Fred Olsen spokeswoman said that, due to client confidentiality, the company was unable to discuss the private medical details of guests.

The travel firm said it hoped to welcome Gordon, who had been on its holidays several times, back on board for another cruise.Glamorous spy Anna Chapman has branded poisoned double agent Sergei Skripal a 'traitor'.

Chapman was traded for Skripal, who is fighting for life in hospital, in a 2010 spy swap. She however found no words of comfort for the 66-year-old.

Instead Chapman attacked Britain by saying: 'As always Russia is guilty by default - despite the fact that traitor Skripal was pardoned by the President, and released.

'When investigating any murder, the first issue is the motive of the crime.

'Who benefits from it?

Glamourous spy Anna Chapman (pictured) has branded critically-ill Sergei Skripal a 'traitor'

Chapman took to Instagram to launch a furious tirade at Skripal, who is lying in a hospital bed fighting for his life

Her emotional rant on Instagram came almost a week after Skripal and his daughter were poisoned by an nerve agent in Salisbury

'In any case, Russia is definitely not interested in such scandal.

'Does the West needs proof to blame Russia?'

Her emotional rant on Instagram came almost a week after Skripal and his daughter were poisoned by an unknown nerve agent in Salisbury, plunging relations between London and Moscow to a new low.

The pair were found unconscious the day after 33-year-old Yulia arrived in Britain on a two week visit from Moscow, where she lives.

Other members of the Skripal family have been found dead in recent years, although it is not clear if their deaths were suspicious.

In 2010, Chapman, who was previously married to a British ex-public schoolboy, was part of a Cold War-style swap with Skripal.

In 2010, Chapman was part of a Cold War-style swap with Skripal

The ex-spy now runs an antique shop in a trendy district of Moscow and works as a TV host

She posed in a red dress apparently in a leftover picture from Christmas for her posting, embracing two reindeer.

Chapman - expelled from the US in 2010 after being unmasked by the FBI as a SVR foreign intelligence asset - is now seen as a propagandist for the Kremlin.

Chapman has 108,000 followers on Instagram

She has 108,000 followers on Instagram.

Recent postings show Chapman - who was stripped of her British passport by then Home Secretary Theresa May after being unmasked her as a spy operating in New York - relaxing in swimwear in Thailand.

Since the spy swap, glamour SVR spy has become a multi-millionaire with her Russian business ventures including her own fashion line and work as a TV presenter.

Pictures show her relaxing on Phuket at Nai Harn Baan-Bua - a sumptuous jacuzzi villa complex where a minimum three night stay costs around 600.

Her latest manoeuvres including lazing on the Thai island's tropical Rawai Beach.

In one posting she lauded Putin as a 'sensation' for a recent speech.

Chapman is a mother of one, giving birth to a son in summer 2015.

She has not disclosed the identity of the child's father.

She has worked as a TV presenter on a show called Mysteries of the World for Ren-TV, a channel owned by National Media Group, headed by ex-Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva, 34, rumoured to be Putin's secret girlfriend.

Chapman - who also runs her own label fashion boutiques in Moscow - is seen as having made a fortune since she was caught red handed operating as a spy in New York in 2010.The husband of locked-up British citizen Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has said that Iranian authorities approved her release 'months ago'.

Richard Ratcliffe has said that the head of the prison in Tehran informed him this week that he had already approved her release.

Mr Ratcliffe now wants to know why his wife's return to the UK from jail is being delayed and has asked for an urgent update from Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, pictured with her husband Richard and their daughter Gabriella, had her realease approved 'months ago' according to her husband

Mr Ratcliffe said it was not clear what was delaying a return to the UK for his wife, a British-Iranian dual citizen serving a five-year prison sentence after being convicted of spying charges in 2016.

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Ratcliffe said: 'We've been getting better messages from the Iranian side, from the judiciary and the prosecutor's office in Iran.

'This week the head of prison said, ''Oh yes, I've approved her release, I approved it a number of months ago''. So there's been clearly things to hold on to, hopefully.

'Part of the aspiration of today's message to the Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is I would like to meet to ask what's the blockage? What's going on?'

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe is a charity worker for the Thomson Reuters Foundation and denies spy charges, saying she was in Iran to introduce her daughter to her parents

He says that while there had been positive signs from Iranian authorities, the family still did not know when they would be reunited with her.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a charity worker for the Thomson Reuters Foundation, denies the spy charges and maintains that she was in Iran to introduce her young daughter Gabriella to her parents.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: 'We will continue to approach each case in a way that we judge is most likely to secure the outcome we all want.

'Therefore we will not be providing a running commentary on every twist and turn.'

Mr Ratcliffe (pictured) has now urged Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to find out why his wife's release and return to the UK is being delayed

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson lobbied for Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's early release on humanitarian grounds during a trip to Tehran in December.

The Foreign Secretary was previously criticised for potentially doubling her sentence on fresh spying charges after wrongly saying that she'd been training journalists in Iran.

Mr Johnson said at the time: 'I think the best thing I can say is that the truth is we are continuing to work very hard with all the consular cases, particularly the very difficult ones we have in Iran.

'I just don't want to get into a running commentary. There are very good reasons for not saying anything.'Footage has been released of the moment two police helicopters were completely destroyed injuring five officers and one civilian in California when the rotor blades collided.

The incident happened in November 2012 on the heliport of the Pasadena Police Department as one helicopter was flying in and another was getting ready for takeoff.

Surveillance video of the horrific crash was recently released showing the moments leading up the crash.

The Bell OH-58 helicopter is seen being pulled on to the pad by three men.

The rotor blades of two Pasadena Police Department helicopters collided causing a crash that injured six people

The helicopter on the left was returning to the heliport pad when it landed too close to the helicopter on the right, which was preparing for takeoff

The crash destroyed both helicopters and injured the five officers aboard the aircrafts as well as a civilian standing on the heliport pad

As the pilot prepares for takeoff, a second Bell OH-58 returns to the pad.

The pilot in the second helicopter maneuvers the aircraft on to the pad when its rotor blades strike the first helicopter's blades.

The collision causes the rotor blades to rip apart and fly in different directions.

Both aircrafts are destroyed leaving debris scattered across the heliport pad.

A man who was standing on the heliport pad at the time of the crash is knocked to the ground.

He jumps up and sprints away from the wreckage towards safety as the pilots from both helicopters climb out of their severely damaged helicopters.

Police said six people were injured in the November 17 crash, including five officers aboard the helicopters and the civilian who had been standing on the heliport pad. They were all hospitalized with minor injuries and released.

Pasadena Police Chief Phillip Sanchez said it was the first time a crash like that happened involving Pasadena police helicopters

Pasadena Police Chief Phillip Sanchez told NBC at the time that the returning helicopter had been monitoring traffic for the Rose Bowl and came back to the heliport pad because of weather conditions.

The other helicopter was getting ready to takeoff and respond to a call in the area.

Sanchez told the outlet that it was the first time police helicopter rotor blades had collided causing an accident.Amazon and Google are pushing ahead with plans to develop their own air traffic control network for low-level altitudes so their drones can make deliveries.

The commercial drone industry would create the privately funded and operated air-traffic control network, entirely separate from the current federal system.

The plans were outlined at a conference earlier in the week and have the backing of major players including Amazon, General Electric, Boeing and Google.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the system would use automated cellular and web applications to track and prevent collisions among swarms of small unmanned aircraft flying a few hundred feet above the ground.

Amazon is proposing that a section of airspace above our cities should be dedicated to hundreds of thousands of high-speed delivery drones

The move would create a sort of 'drone superhighway' and would be the next step in Amazon's ambitious plans to deliver packages via drone within 30 minutes.

The vision is in line with that of Google's which would see all tracked drones to communicate their positions to a centralized computer system available to all operators, similar to aviation airspace, to avoid any collisions.

In conjunction with NASA, tests are already being planned over the next three months at a handful of sites.

The intent is to develop a 'totally different, new way of doing things,' Parimal Kopardekar, NASA's senior air-transport technologist who first suggested the idea of an industry-devised solution, told about 1,000 attendees at the conference.

There would be a slow lane for local traffic below 200 feet and a fast lane for long-distance transport between 200 and 400 feet. Altitudes between 400 and 500 feet would become a no-fly zone

The test flights would work out how drones would function on a network and interact with one another but even a limited deployment will take at least two years and things could take even longer with various engineering and policy hurdles to be overcome.

They also need to work with the Federal Aviation Administration's existing ground-based radars and human controllers.

In recent years, there have been a growing number of close calls between drones and other commercial aircraft near airports.

The latest recommendations, put forward by Amazon, are a bid to speed approval of unmanned aerial vehicles in large portions our skies.

Gur Kimchi, a vice president who heads the Amazon's drone-delivery division, told Bloomberg News that drones should remain within 400 feet off the ground.

There would be a slow lane for local traffic below 200 feet and a fast lane for long-distance transport between 200 and 400 feet.

Altitudes between 400 and 500 feet would become a no-fly zone, and anything above that is already against FAA regulations.

'The technology to do this is basically off the shelf,' including communication principles and software repurposed from cellphone companies, according Kimchi.

'Mr. Kimchi said in his presentation; if it works as designed, 'they don't have to do anything' to resolve conflicting flight paths.

He said sensors developed for autonomous automobiles could assist drone operators in detecting and avoiding midair collisions.

The FAA wouldn't finance or run the system for drones but it would be able to temporarily bar them from certain areas if police or medical-evacuation helicopters needed to pass through them.

In cases when aircraft would enter drone flyways, drones would automatically give way, he said.

The vehicles would also be capable of communicating with each other.

A centralized computer system of known flight hazards, such as towers and high ground, would be developed and shared with drone users, allowing them to automatically avoid these areas.

Long-range drones must also give notice when and where they intend to fly, and they have to be connected to the internet, he added.

Drones capable of flying long distances must also have sensors that can detect birds and other hazards not in the centralized database, Amazon claims.

This would prepare the airspace for a future in which thousands of drones fly over cities delivering parcels.

Google has already tested its own drone delivery system. Google Project Wing's aircraft have a wingspan of approximately 1.5m (4.9ft) and have four electrically-driven propellers

One group that may take issue with the proposals are hobbyists and modellers.

Under current rules in the U.S. they are allowed to fly their aircraft within line of sight up to 400ft as long as they stay away from airports.

Under Amazon's proposals, they would have to stick to the 200ft to 400ft section of the sky, and meet technical recommendations.

Amazon's proposals are echoed by suggestions put forward by Google.

Dave Vos, who heads Google's Project Wing division, said that different companies could develop drone air-traffic systems.

'We think the airspace side of this picture is really not a place where any one entity or any one organisation can think of taking charge,' he said.

'The idea being that it's not ''Google is going to go out and build a solution and everyone else has to subscribe to it''.

'The idea really is anyone should be free to build a solution.'

To promote broad-based support, Amazon and other companies with big ambitions in the drone world stress that their focus is on finding answers to serve the widest possible range of operators.

The objective is to allow various types of drones equipped with disparate communication links to talk to each other through web-based applications or other compatible data-transfer methods.

The model roughly parallels today's cellular systems, switch seamlessly switch between towers and service providers depending on the phone customer's location.Federal prosecutors won't take on small-time marijuana cases, despite the Justice Department's decision to lift an Obama-era policy overlooking state-regulated legalized pot trade, Attorney General Jeff Sessions has said.

Federal law enforcement lacks the resources to take on 'routine cases' and will continue to focus on drug gangs and larger conspiracies, Sessions said in remarks in Washington DC on Saturday.

'I am not going to tell Colorado or California or someone else that possession of marijuana is legal under United States law,' Sessions said, answering student questions after a speech at Georgetown's law school.

However, he added, federal prosecutors 'haven't been working small marijuana cases before, they are not going to be working them now.'

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has said that federal prosecutors won't crack down on small-time pot cases in states that have legalized the drug. He is seen earlier this week

The comments come after the Trump administration in January threw the burgeoning marijuana legalization movement into uncertainty by reversing the largely hands-off approach that prevailed during the Obama administration, saying federal prosecutors should instead handle marijuana cases however they see fit.

The Obama-era policy allowed the pot trade to flourish, with eight states legalizing marijuana for recreational use.

The reversal added to confusion about whether it's OK to grow, buy or use marijuana in states where pot is legal, since long-standing federal law prohibits it.

It also caused concern that prosecutors would feel empowered to jail individuals for marijuana possession.

A legal marijuana grow operation is seen in Washington state, which legalized the drug for recreational use in 2012. Session has signaled he will allow legalized pot to continue

Of particular interest are problems that federal authorities have tried for years to tackle, like illegal marijuana-growing operations on national parklands and gangs that peddle pot along with more harmful drugs.

Some law enforcement officials in pot-legal states argue the legal trade has caused unintended problems like black-market marijuana growing and dealing by people who don't even try to conform to the legal framework.

It remains to be seen whether prosecutors will seek to punish state-sanctioned pot businesses. Some have indicated they have no plans to do so.

'Those are the kinds of things each one of those U.S. attorneys will decide how to handle,' Sessions said.Counter terrorism police have identified more than 240 witnesses in the investigation into the poisoning of a Russian spy.

Following a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee, Home Secretary Amber Rudd revealed there are also 200 pieces of evidence involved in the probe.

Ms Rudd said former double agent Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, are still in a 'critical condition' in hospital after being poisoned by the deadly nerve agent in Salisbury.

Wiltshire Police's Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, who was also poisoned after visiting Mr Skripal's home, is 'seriously ill' but talking to his family from his hospital bed, she added.

Following a meeting of the Government's COBRA emergencies committee, Home Secretary Amber Rudd said police had obtained as many as 240 pieces of evidence

Gavin Williamson (pictured arriving at the COBRA meeting) warned earlier this week that Russian influence was an 'ever-greater threat'

She also said there were more than 250 officers from eight out of 11 of the country's counter-terrorism units involved in the investigation.

Ms Rudd said: 'This is a serious, substantial investigation. We need to give the police and the investigators the space to get on with that.

'I want to stress that they are proceeding with speed and professionalism. We are putting in enormous resources to ensure that they have all the support that they need to do that.'

Security ministers arrived at No 10 Downing Street for an emergency meeting triggered by the poisoning of Russian double agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury last week.

The meeting, led by Ms Rudd, covered the latest police and intelligence reports from Salisbury, where a military-supported investigation is underway.

Earlier this week Rudd called for a considered reaction from police, who she said should respond to 'evidence, not to rumour'.

Also attending was Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, who earlier this week warned Russia was becoming an 'ever-greater threat'.

'We're seeing right across the Eastern front in countries such as the Ukraine, Estonia [that Russia is taking an] increasingly aggressive stance.'

Security Minister Ben Wallace, also attending, told BBC radio on Saturday that the government stood ready to respond 'with the full force of the UK's resources'.

He added that the attack was 'a very serious incident with horrendous outcomes'.

'Someone has come onto our soil... has recklessly, brazenly, committed what looks like a very nasty crime, with a nerve agent prohibited, by most international laws... and has potentially put lots of people at risk,' he said.The former Trump aide who fumbled through a string of interviews earlier in the week sparking fears he had been drunk throughout said on Friday that the president is being 'taken advantage of' by Vladimir Putin.

Sam Nunberg spent five hours testifying before a grand jury as part of Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller's ongoing probe into whether there was any collusion between Trump's campaign team and Russia during the election.

Afterwards, he spoke to ABC'S Good Morning America where he made the remark.

'I think Vladimir Putin, if you look at it objectively, is really taking advantage of the president,' he said.

Nunberg added that he does not believe the investigation is a 'witch hunt', something his former colleagues have claimed endlessly, and said instead that it was 'warranted'.

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On Friday, former Trump aide Sam Nunberg said he believed Vladimir Putin was 'taking advantage' of the president during an interview with ABC

Nunberg had come straight from testifying before a grand jury as part of Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian collusion in the election when he made the remark

'Theres a lot there and that's a sad truth but I don't believe it leads to the president,' he said.

Nunberg fingered Roger Stone, the right-wing former Trump adviser, as a potential culprit.

'I'm very worried about him. He's certainly at least the subject of this investigation, in the very least he's a subject,' he said.

Nunberg said he was 'very worried' ex Trump adviser Roger Stone's involvement with the Russians

Nunberg said that during the five hours he spent testifying, the grand jury asked him questions including whether anyone was ever heard in the Trump campaign offices speaking Russian.

He brushed off accusations that he was drunk during interviews earlier in the week and rather than lament how embarrassing they were, said he viewed them as a triumph.

'They said it was a media meltdown. I felt I melted down the media.

'I felt it was a good game And if you want to know the truth its kind of therapeutic too,' he said.

CNN's Erin Burnett raised concerns about his sobriety during their on-air interview.

She pointed to his interviews earlier in the day which suggested he had been drinking or, as sources said, was 'off his meds'.

Among his shocking comments earlier in the day was that White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders was a 'fat slob'.

Nunberg passionately vowed to ignore Mueller's request for him to testify, declaring; 'Let him arrest me.'

While he believes Putin is taking advantage of the president, he does not believe the investigation will prove any wrongdoing on Trump's behalf. Trump and Putin are pictured in November

On Monday, CNN's Erin Burnett asked Nunberg if he had been drinking or was 'off his meds' as had been suggested after a day shocking interviews

Earlier on Monday, Nunberg described White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders as a 'fat slob' during a phone interview with NY1

He vowed to defy Mueller's subpoena and said he was prepared to be arrested for it

Nunberg is pictured leaving CNN on Monday night. 'Friends' have since said he has a drinking problem which he will seek treatment for. He has not commented on the alcoholism allegations and said he did not think his controversial day of interviews was the disaster it appeared to be

On Friday however, he said his defiance was a side effect of the pressure he claims the whole ordeal has put on him.

'I wanted to show what this independent counsel, this independent investigation does to people like me.

'I'm collateral damage in this independent special investigation,' he said.

Fox News Business Network's Charlie Gasparino later described him as a 'friend' and said on-air that he had a drinking problem and would address it after testifying.

'Drinking I believe is a big part of it and that's what happened yesterday,' Gasparino said on Tuesday.

Nunberg was fired by the Trump campaign in August 2015 for racist Facebook posts.Theresa May has been told to take back control of Britain's sovereign waters by Fishing For Leave, who claim it would boost Britain's economy by around 4 billion a year.

The pro-Brexit pressure group have urged the Government to immediately exit the Common Fisheries Policy when the UK formally leaves the EU.

It comes after the EU's latest Brexit guidelines say they want to maintain their existing access into the UK's fishing waters.

Fishing For Leave's Alan Hastings has previously described the deal regarding Britain's waters as an 'acid test' for how successful any possible Brexit deal she can secure.

Fishing For Leave's Alan Hastings has previously described the deal regarding Britain's waters as an 'acid test' for how successful any possible Brexit deal she can secure. Fishing For Leave sailed a flotilla down the Thames in support of Brexit ahead of the referendum (pictured)

He demanded that Britain is withdrawn from the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) immediately due to the boost it will provide the British fishing industry.

He told Express.co.uk: 'We have 50 percent of the waters we give to the common EU pot, but we only get 25 percent of the fish back, and the EU catches 60 percent in our waters.

'Under international law, the moment we leave the EU, we automatically go into a thing called the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which says we have sovereign rights over all fish and all waters.

'That would see us regain that 60 percent they're catching in our waters, and that would be worth 3-4bn every year to the UK economy and coastal communities.'

He insisted that the CFP had failed environmentally and economically, which was one of the key reasons fisherman are in favour of Brexit.

The CFP goes through ten year periods with the current one set to end in 2022.

This had led to fears from groups like Fishing For Leave that the EU could take advantage of Brexit and change the policy once Britain has no ability to input.The police officer contaminated by a nerve agent as he went to help a poisoned Russian double spy and his daughter has insisted:' I'm no hero'.

Wiltshire Police's Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey said he was simply doing his job when he rushed to help stricken Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia after they collapsed on a park bench.

The married father-of-two, 38, is in a 'serious but stable condition' after suffering from the effects of coming into contact with the deadly nerve agent.

Wiltshire Police Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey (pictured) was poisoned after rushing to the aid of former double agent Sergei Skripal after he was attacked with a deadly nerve agent in Salisbury on Sunday

He is in the same Salisbury hospital as the former Russian spy, 66, and his daughter, 33, and there are hopes he will make a full recovery.

A statement issued by Wiltshire Police said: 'He wishes to say that he was part of a group of officers and other emergency service colleagues who dealt with the initial incident.

'He wants to say that he does not consider himself a 'hero', he states he was merely doing his job - a job he loves and is immensely proud of - just like all of his other dedicated colleagues do, day in-day out, in order to protect the public and keep people safe.'

The statement added that Nick and his family are overwhelmed by the messages of support he has received from well wishers in the UK and worldwide.

Pictured: The moment police were scrambled to the scene of Sergei and Yulia Skripal slumped unconscious on a bench in Salisbury city centre after being poisoned on Sunday

He has been visited by Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Wiltshire temporary Chief Constable Kier Pritchard.

The statement said: 'Nick would like us to say on his behalf that he and his family are hugely grateful for all the messages of support from the public, and colleagues from the police family.

'People have been so kind and he has expressed that he will never forget that kindness.

'He would like to thank everyone once again for all of their kind thoughts and best wishes, they are truly appreciated.

'He asks respectfully that the media allow his family privacy at this difficult time.'

Sgt Bailey is believed to have been among the first emergency personnel to reach Skripal and his daughter after they were said to be in a 'catatonic state.'

As a detective he was also the first to visit the Stkripal home on the outskirts of the city and where experts believe he was contaminated.

Victims: Sergei and Yulia Skripal are fighting for their lives in hospital after the attack

A doctor who treated the Russian pair at The Maltings shopping centre has suffered no ill effects  while Sgt Bailey has needed emergency medical treatment.

One theory is that Yulia had innocently brought the nerve agent into the house after a package she brought from Russia had been tampered with.

Counter terrorism police have refused to reveal the exact type of nerve agent that was used or where Skripal, his daughter the Wiltshire police officer became contaminated.

Eighteen other people needed hospital treatment but were released the same day.

Only Skripal, his daughter and police Sgt Bailey remain hospitalised.Zapping the brain with electricity causes people to re-experience old dreams and nightmares while they're wide awake, a new study claims.

Stimulating the temporal lobe - the part of the brain responsible for long-term memory and dreaming - allows the person to relive experiences they've had in their sleep.

The phenomenon is called deja-reve, meaning 'already dreamed' and people who suffer from epilepsy have reported remembering old dreams during seizures.

Stimulating the temporal lobe - the part of the brain responsible for long-term memory and dreaming - allows the person to relive experiences they had in their sleep, scientists claim

The study, by researchers at Toulouse University Hospital in France, used electrical stimulation to assess which parts of the brain were involved in epileptic fits.

But they found that zapping the brain with electricity produced the same deja-reve effect.

One of the people analysed in the study said they re-experienced a nightmare from years ago while another claimed she was taken back to a recent dream where she was locked in a room and could vividly see orange colours.

The phenomenon is called deja-reve, meaning 'already dreamed'. People who suffer from epilepsy have reported remembering old dreams during seizures

All 23 people involved in the study reported deja-reve-like experiences while undergoing electrical brain stimulation.

Deja-reve is rare in people with epilepsy, and the study concludes there is no evidence that it occurs in people who don't have the condition, but it doesn't rule it out.Police in New York City are regularly able to avoid getting fired for serious offenses while in uniform, an investigation has concluded.

The conduct of hundreds of officers appeared to have been overlooked despite behavior warranting a punishment that would usually see officers being fired according to Buzzfeed News.

For four years, between 2011 to 2015, at least 319 New York Police Department officers or employees managed to keep their jobs despite committing serious offenses on the job.

The offenses range from anything such as lying on official reports to stealing and even assaulting residents of the city.

More than 300 NYPD cops have reportedly kept their jobs despite fireable offenses

The internal files documenting such atrocious behavior by the NYPD were obtained by Buzzfeed.

Upon closer inspection the figures were even more shocking:

At least 58 employees were found to have lied on official reports, under oath, or during internal investigations

38 were found guilty by a police tribunal of using excessive force while on duty

71 were found to have fixed tickets and dismissed charges as a favor

58 drove under the influence of an intoxicating substance

At least one officer sexually harassed and inappropriately touched a fellow officer

From 2011 to 2015, 777 cops got dismissal probation while 463 cops were fired or quit

There are numerous other cases where cops committed misconduct but kept their jobs:

Officer Jarrett Dill threatened to kill someone

Officer Roberson Tunis sexually harassed another officer

Officer Raymond Marrero was found guilty of beating two men and lying about it.

Juan Garcia, a school safety officer, illegally sold prescription medication to an undercover officer

In all the above cases, the officers still kept their jobs and are still working for the the force. Some of the other cases were for lesser offences.

In a number of cases cops committed misconduct but still kept their jobs

Despite the above offenses requiring officers to be sacked, on 319 occasions the police commissioner instead assigned the officers or employees to 'dismissal probation'.

That punishment is the one of the lowest forms of discipline in the force and non-intrusive, with staff being allowed to continue to do their job on the same salary.

They may be offered fewer overtime hours and be passed over for promotions but the during probation usually lasts for just a year.

New York's Finest were able to keep the damning files a secret using a law known as Civil Rights Law Section 50-a, which allows agencies in New York State to carry out some of the least transparent protocols in the country.

The law was passed in 1976 under the premise that a truly transparent system would allow 'unverified and unsubstantiated' allegations to surface, as well as 'confidential information and privileged medical records' about officers that could be used against them.

Fifty of the 319 cops and civilian workers lied on official reports, according to internal police files that were obtained by BuzzFeed News

Instead, the law is being used to cover up the low levels of discipline at the NYPD with employees repeatedly showing violence and disregard for basic rules that underpin a police force tasked with keeping America's largest city safe.

In one case an officer who was accused of viciously beating an individual, arresting an individual under false pretenses, assaulting a third individual, and for fabricating evidence against another, received a punishment so light it was akin to a slap on the wrist.

Other incidents emerged of an NYPD officer throwing a man to the ground before being repeatedly punched in the head, while in another instance, an officer was accused of hitting a detained suspect in the head with a police baton, resulting in 12 staples and a hospital visit to close the wound.

In that particular case the officer ended up costing the department around $900,000 in settlement fees yet he still managed to keep his job and patrol the city streets.

The NYPD says every case is analysed differently and that there is a policy of not terminating officers unless it is deemed to be absolutely necessary.

When circumstances arise where an officer needs to be fired, a spokesman said, the commissioner and the department have done so.

Kevin Richardson, the deputy commissioner of the department's internal prosecutor's office, said when an officer shows remorse, the department would opt for 'dismissal probation' instead of firing 'to make sure that this officer and other officers who are watching this realize this is not something that will be tolerated from the police department,' he said.Two rabbits that found themselves at the centre of a spy poisoning mystery have been rescued four days after they were stranded.

The animals were stuck behind a police cordon at The Mill pub in Salisbury, as police continued their investigation into the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal.

Wiltshire Police's chief constable today confirmed the floppy-eared bunnies have been fed and given water.

Their owner Greg Townsend, general manager at pub, had taken to social media to raise awareness of his pets' plight.

The rabbits were stuck behind a police cordon at The Mill pub in Salisbury, as police continued their investigation into the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal

Left: A resident speak with a police officer outside The Mill pub in Salisbury. Right: Forensic officers in suits and gas masks search the pub

Mr Townsend even turned to the RSPCA for help, but the rabbits still remained stranded behind the cordon. Pictured: Two officers outside the pub

He said: 'I was sent out of my flat Monday night at 23:50 by the police in Salisbury. I was told I would have access to my flat by Tuesday evening.

'I gave the rabbits lots of food and water then was escorted out of my flat.

'The police are refusing to let anybody into my flat to give them food and water. They are still alive! But I think we're on borrowed time.'

Mr Townsend even turned to the RSPCA for help, but the rabbits still remained stranded behind the cordon.

However, the rabbits' plight resonated with residents who called on Wiltshire Police to hop to their rescue.

Luckily, Wiltshire Police stepped into the rescue the rabbits after pub manager's plea was shared more than 100 times across Facebook

Luckily, Wiltshire Police's chief constable today confirmed that the two animals had been fed and watered

Luke Wilkinson commented: 'These rabbits need food and water! Can we please get this trending so someone, even a bloke in a full hasmat suit if need be, can go and see these animals?'

Luckily, Wiltshire Police stepped into the rescue the rabbits after pub manager's plea was shared more than 100 times across Facebook.

The force today tweeted: 'We have an update on the rabbits stuck at an address in one of [the] cordons.

'They have now been given food and water and are OK. Thanks for everyone's concern.'

Mr Skripal, who passed secrets to Britain while working for Russian intelligence, and his daughter Yulia are believed to have visited Zizzi restaurant and the Mill Pub in Salisbury before they were found unconscious on a bench near The Maltings shopping centre on Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, chemical warfare teams are testing for deadly nerve agents at the graves of the Russian agent's wife and son.

Mr Skripal and his daughter Yulia (left) are pictured when she visited him two years ago. His son Alexander (pictured, right) died during a visit to Russia last year

The presence of detectives in Hazmat suits, also known as decontamination suits, indicates police believe the nerve agent may have spread

Members of the emergency services wear protective suits at the site of the grave of Luidmila Skripal, wife of former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripa

A blue and white forensic tent was erected over the memorial stone of Mr Skripal's son Alexander, who died at the age of 43, along with another tent over the grave of the spy's wife, who died aged 59, and a third grey and white command tent.

It is believed military personnel were testing the ground for evidence that Mr Skripal's relatives may themselves have been poisoned.

The two sites are about 200 metres apart with Alexander's at the front of the cemetery.

Investigators were seen carrying transparent bags full of what is thought to be chemical testing equipment into the tents, while green screens were put up along the London Road cemetery wall.President Donald Trump's former adviser, Steve Bannon, told French far-right nationalists accused of racism to 'wear it as a badge of honor.'

The former head of Breitbart News gave a speech before members of the French National Front Party on Saturday in Lille, France.

'Let them call you racists,' Bannon told party members. 'Let them call you xenophobes. Let them call you nativists. Wear it as a badge of honor.'

Bannon told National Front members that 'history is on our side'.

The far-right party, whose leaders in the past have expressed sympathy for the Nazis and have said the Holocaust was exaggerated, is seeking to bounce back from crushing electoral setbacks.

'The tide of history is with us and it will compel us to victory after victory, after victory,' Bannon said.

President Donald Trump's former adviser, Steve Bannon, told French far-right nationalists accused of racism to 'wear it as a badge of honor.' Bannon is seen left with National Front Party leader Marine Le Pen in Lille, France on Saturday

Bannon was in northern France on Saturday to address members of the French National Front Party

The former Trump aide was visiting France after a recent stop in Rome, where he watched as the anti-immigrant and euroskeptic coalition led by populist movements like the Five Star Movement (M5S) and the League (La Lega) won a majority of seats in parliamentary elections.

Bannon also met recently with the heads of the German AfD, a party with a strongly anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim platform that has made electoral gains recently, according to Newsweek.

Bannon on Saturday waxed lyrical about Marion Marechal-Le Pen, the young niece of French far-right leader Marine Le Pen, seeing a great future ahead of the 'rising star'.

The champion of Donald Trump's 'America First' agenda, who was invited to speak at the National Front party congress in northern France by Marine Le Pen, spoke only about her 28-year-old niece at their joint press conference.

'She is not simply a rising star on the right in France. She's one of the most impressive people in the entire world,' Bannon told reporters, without mentioning his host Marine Le Pen.

Bannon met Marion, who temporarily withdrew from politics after her aunt's presidential election defeat last May, at the CPAC conservative conference in Maryland last month, where he said she was 'absolutely electrifying.'

Marion's US speech was widely commented on in French media as posing a challenge for Marine Le Pen.

Asked by reporters how she felt about Bannon's comments, Marine Le Pen turned to the American and said that journalists were trying to stir up competition between the two women.

'They don't understand that we defend the same ideas, in the education field for her and in politics for me,' she said.

The champion of Donald Trump's 'America First' agenda, was invited to speak at the National Front party congress in northern France by Marine Le Pen

Bannon heaped praise of Marine Le Pen's niece, Marion Marechal-Le Pen, 28, calling her a 'rising star.' Marion Marechal-Le Pen is seen above addressing American conservatives in Maryland on February 22

'They're asking me how I feel about the good things you said about Marion, to which I reply: they make me glad.'

Bannon then quipped: 'We call that fake news.'

Party head Marine Le Pen, who will wind up the gathering with a speech on Sunday, suffered a bruising loss to centrist Emmanuel Macron in last year's presidential poll and the party won only eight seats in the general election that followed.

Her poor showing in a final TV debate against Macron raised questions about her fitness to lead one of the world's biggest economies and in the months since both party and leader have appeared deflated.

Le Pen came to Lille vowing to ditch the tainted FN (National Front) brand, seen as a key hurdle to winning power, in favor of an as yet unannounced new name.

The party canvassed 51,000 members last year about the name change proposal and on Saturday it emerged just 52 per cent had voted in favor among the 30,000 who responded.

That compared with 90 per cent of respondents wanting a referendum on continued EU membership and 98 per cent wanting to reduce immigration in France.

Bannon, who has repeatedly expressed support for Europe's far-right movements, fired the opening salvo at the gathering, even if the head of Macron's Republic on the Move party, Christophe Castaner, earlier dubbed him 'the king of fake news and of white supremacists.'

Bannon said he agreed with Le Pen's expressed belief that 'it is not about left versus right. That's too simplistic and it's the way the opposition party, media, has always kept us out of power.

'She described it perfectly: it's do you consider the nation state an obstacle to be overcome or a jewel to be polished, loved and nurtured?'

Bannon said he was in Europe 'as an observer and to learn. And what I learned is you're part of a worldwide movement that is bigger than France, bigger than Italy, bigger than Hungary, bigger than all of it.'

Bannon was in Rome this week, where a coalition led by populist movements like the Five Star Movement (M5S) won a majority of seats in parliamentary elections. M5S leader Luigi Di Maio celebrates with supporters in Pomigliano, Italy on Tuesday

He was fired as Trump's chief strategist last August after John Kelly took over as White House chief of staff.

Trump and Bannon maintained contact, with Bannon still supporting Trump as head of Breitbart News.

But Breitbart and Trump disavowed Bannon in January after a new book by author Michael Wolff quoted Bannon as saying that Donald Trump Jr's meeting with a Russian lawyer during the 2016 presidential campaign was 'treasonous' and 'unpatriotic.'

Speaking in Paris before Bannon's address, former party head Jean-Marie Le Pen, from whom Marine took over the leadership in 2011, dubbed the American's visit 'paradoxical' and 'not exactly the definition of 'de-demonization' his daughter has sought to give the party.

Marine Le Pen is running unopposed for a third term and her address Sunday will see her try to turn a page on the anti-Semitic, openly racist party of her former paratrooper father.

'Without a name change we will not be able to forge alliances. And without alliances we will never be able to take power,' she said last month.

This week Le Pen appeared heartened by the strong gains made by the allied anti-immigrant League party in Italy's election.

Yet her appetite for battle appears dented.

The 49-year-old mother of three told French radio recently she would gladly step aside before the 2022 presidential election if another candidate was 'better placed to unite people and help our ideas triumph'.It was their second meeting in a year.

So when Megyn Kelly and Russian President Vladimir Putin sat down together last week, the pair were already on familiar terms.

Now, their comfort around one another is laid bare in a series of behind-the-scenes photographs from the interview.

They both appear in high spirits, smiling towards one another and walking side-by-side.

Kelly, who was conducting the interview for NBC News, is pictured practicing her questions and playfully looking over one shoulder at other times.

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Megyn Kelly and Vladimir Putin met in Moscow last week to film an interview which aired on NBC on Friday night. They are pictured greeting one another. It was not their first meeting and they both appeared relaxed

The pair walked side-by-side to the table where they filmed their interview, both looking at ease as they made their way across the room

Kelly was in high spirits and smiled throughout the interview and behind the scenes

The ordinarily stern Putin seemed to soften for the NBC host who he had spoken candidly to once before

On-camera it was a different story.

As the film rolled, she grilled Putin on his country's interference in the 2016 US presidential election and asked him what he thought of the indictment against 13 of his citizens who are charged with meddling.

His answers were mostly unsurprising. Stopping short of outrightly denying that any meddling had taken place, Putin said he had not yet seen hard proof that it had and that this was what he needed before he would take action on his side of things.

He also suggested that any action was unlikely, saying that no Russian crimes had been committed and even blurting out: 'I couldn't care less' when quizzed on the indictment.

Later, he suggested that the 13 charged - which include his personal chef - may not be entirely his responsibility.

Kelly is pictured practicing her questions while the Russian president looks over a sheet of his own

The pair spoke familiarly before the cameras began. Kelly looked intrigued by her subject who had a translator there

Once the cameras were rolling, the pair were both decidedly more serious

Bizarrely, he said: 'Maybe they are not even Russians, but Ukrainians, Tatars or Jews, but with Russian citizenship, which should also be checked.'

Kelly also has revealed that Vladimir Putin will call out President Donald Trump on a lie in her NBC News special airing Friday night.

Kelly traveled to Russia last week and interviewed the Russian leader for two hours spread over two days, grilling him on meddling in the 2016 elections, the recent indictments of 13 Russian by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, and his opinion of Trump.

Without giving away any specifics, Kelly tells People Magazine that the Putin 'directly contradicts Donald Trump on something that Trump has been telling us for a while and it is as plain as the nose on your face.'

In the run-up to the highly anticipated special, which will be broadcast at 10pm EST on Friday, Kelly went on the Today show Friday morning to tease her interview with Putin - an encounter she described as 'tense'.

The end result: Kelly changed outfits at least once during the interview. The final part will air on Saturday

'Not my problems': Kelly grilled Putin about Russia's meddling in the US elections, which he brushed off, saying, 'These are not my problems'

'Why would you allow an attack like this on the United States?' Kelly asked Putin in a new clip from the interview released by NBC on Friday.

'Why have you decided the Russian authorities, myself included, gave anybody permission to do this?' Putin shot back. 'Some names have popped up. So what? They could just as easily have been the names of some Americans who are sitting here and interfering in your own political process.'

Kelly reported: 'But it wasnt Americans. It was Russians.'

She then pressed Putin, who is currently running for re-election in Russia, whether his constituents should be concerned that he was unaware that a million-dollar cyber warfare campaign targeting the US elections was being carried out right under his nose.

First time around: Kelly and Putin met for the first time in June 2017 in one of her first assignments for NBC after leaving Fox

'The world is very large,' Putin replied vaguely, before turning to the 13 Russian nationals who were indicted for meddling.

'You mentioned a number of names, some individuals, and youre telling me that theyre Russians,' Putin said.

'So what? Maybe being Russian, theyre actually working for some kind of American company. Perhaps one of them used to work for one of the candidates. I have no idea. These are not my problems.'

In a previously released portion of Putin and Kelly's sit-down, the Russian leader claimed there was no hard evidence that those Russian nationals interfered in the 2016 presidential election and that everything put forward so far, including the indictments handed down by Mueller, amounts to 'yelling and hollering.'A deadly new illness dubbed 'Disease X' could wipe out millions of people around the world, the World Health Organisation has warned

A deadly new illness dubbed 'Disease X' could wipe out millions of people around the world.

The unknown disease has been added to the list of potential global epidemics by scientists at the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Ebola, SARS and Zika viruses were also on the list this year, but unlike these pathogens it is not known what causes Disease X or how it may be treated.

It was added to the threat list to acknowledge the fact that the next pandemic could be started by an illness that has not caused problems before.

The hope is that formally including a potential future disease will push countries and researchers to work even harder to create protections against unknown epidemics.

Norwegian scientist and WHO adviser John-Arne Rottingen told The Daily Telegraph it represents the importance of flexibility in vaccines and diagnostic tests.

Disease X could arise out of man-made means rather than from nature.

It is feared that chemical and biological weapons are increasingly being produced and used.

And they could be especially dangerous because humans have not built up any resistance to them over time, so can spread rapidly.

Ebola, SARS and Zika viruses were also on the list this year, but unlike these pathogens it is not known what causes Disease X or how it may be treated (above: flu virus cells under microscope)

Chemical bombs were dropped on civilians during Syria's civil war, and nerve agent VX was believed to have been used in the assassination of Kim Jong-Un's half-brother last year.

The Zika and SARS viruses sprung up and killed scores of people before being brought under control (above: a baby infected by Zika)

More recently, police have confirmed that a nerve agent was used to attack former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury this week.

But Disease X could also arise from the natural world, like Spanish Flu and HIV, as animals and humans come into ever-increasing contact.

And modern travel and trade make it much more likely they will spread, WHO adviser Professor Marion Koopmans told The Daily Telegraph.

For example, the Zika and SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) viruses sprung up and killed scores of people before being brought under control.

More common diseases such as flu could also cause devastation.

The WHO warned yesterday that the next global flu epidemic could begin tomorrow and kill as many as 33 million people in just 200 days.A vicious knife attack on Elizabeth Hurleys nephew was sparked by road rage, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Miles Hurley and a friend, both 21, were stabbed after they had overtaken a car minutes earlier, according to a source close to the police investigation.

Ms Hurley said her nephew lost more than four pints of blood, and a blade narrowly missed severing his spine.

A gang of at least four men chased Mr Hurley  a model for Dolce & Gabbana  and his friend in their car until they pulled over.

When the pair got out of their vehicle, they were set upon by the men, who repeatedly stabbed them.

Ms Hurley, 52, last night spoke about the brutal attack and said it had been an appalling time for their family.

Mr Hurley and his friend fled and hid behind a van while waiting for the emergency services to arrive after the horrific incident in the Nine Elms area of South-West London at 9pm on Thursday.

The actress and model today said Miles Hurley, 21, was set on by four men she described as 'animals'

Miles, a model, was said to be fighting for his life after the attack on a street in Nine Elms, South West London at around 8pm on Thursday. He is pictured with his aunt

Mr Hurley and his friend fled and hid behind a van while waiting for the emergency services to arrive

Ms Hurley is said to be close to Miles, the son of her sister Kate Curran, 54. The actress rushed back from a promotional tour in the US to be by his hospital bedside.

Last night she wrote on Twitter: My 21-year-old nephew was repeatedly stabbed in a brutal attack in London. The police and hospital are being fantastic. Thank you for all your messages. It is an appalling time for him and our family.

She added: He lost more than four pints of blood.

A policeman was patrolling close by and administered first aid until the ambulance arrived.

The deepest wound just missed severing his spine. By some miracle, no vital organs were damaged. We are praying that these animals are caught before they maim, or even kill, someone else. These are sad days.

The actress also liked a tweet calling on London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Home Secretary Amber Rudd to do more to tackle knife crime.

In the past two months there have been 16 fatal knife attacks in London, many of them believed to be connected to gangs.

Eighty people were stabbed to death in the capital last year and knife crime is up 23 per cent since 2012.

It has been rising as the use of stop-and-search has been declining. More than 80,000 people were stopped and searched in London ten years ago, but that figure fell to fewer than 20,000 in 2016-17.

Miles' mother is Liz's older sister, Kate Curran, 54, and the aunt is especially close to him.

Liz was pictured earlier today arriving at Heathrow around 9am on Friday, before visiting Miles

Miles (right) pictured with his cousin Damian, Elizabeth's son

Today, Liz appealed for help in catching the thug who stabbed her nephew

A source close to the investigation said: We believe the two groups of men did not know each other before this incident. It was a road rage incident, and nothing to do with drugs or gangs.

The victims have given police information about their attackers, but have so far not given formal statements.

Another source said: Miless family feared the worst. Fortunately, it seems the knife missed his vital organs.

A 70-year-old resident, who did not want to be named, said: We saw one man being taken away on a stretcher into an ambulance.

I saw another man, who had his shirt off, and a white bandage around his waist.

Then I saw them putting a gas mask on him and he was taken into an ambulance as well.

Miles' mother is Liz's older sister, Kate Curran, 54, and the aunt is especially close to him

Ascalon Street in south west London where the nephew of Liz Hurley was stabbed on Thursday night

Miles began modelling at the age of 13 when a scout spotted him working on a stall in Londons Camden Market and signed him to Next Model Management.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: Officers attended with the London Ambulance Service. A 21-year-old man was discovered with stab wounds to his back.

Another man, also believed to be aged 21, was also found suffering from stab wounds.

They are believed to have been attacked by a group of males who got out of a vehicle and assaulted them before fleeing the scene.

A crime scene was put in place. There have been no arrests.Britain's most senior Roman Catholic cleric has provoked anger by speaking out against children who declare they are changing their gender.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols told an audience of head teachers that pupils may question their identity, but schools could not ignore the sex they were born into.

He said children were not simply individuals who could do as they liked, but were part of a wider community that had firm points of reference.

In comments which will be seen as a thinly veiled attack on campaigners blamed for promoting transgender ideologies in schools, he also criticised the closed self-selecting world of the like-minded.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols (pictured) told an audience of head teachers that pupils may question their identity, but schools could not ignore the sex they were born into

His remarks contrast with Church of England guidance advising teachers that children should be allowed to wear tutus, tiaras or superhero capes without judgment or derision.

Transgender campaigners said the remarks by Cardinal Nichols were not helpful. Heather Ashton, of transgender charity TG Pals, said: It is the responsibility of educators to be accepting, tolerant and understanding, and a religious bias should not have any impact on a transgender childs needs.

In his speech to London school leaders last month, Cardinal Nichols  the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales  appealed to a common sense of humanity to counter a growing individualism in relationships, family life and sexuality.

He said: At a time of great confusion about the rules of sexual behaviour, about exploitation and abuse in every part of society, some firm points of reference already built into our humanity at its best are of vital importance.

'In an age of fluidity, even in gender identity, and at a time when the response to difference is to become closed in a self-selecting world of the like-minded such foundations are so important. They affirm that there are givens which come with birth

They help us keep hold of the reality that we are not single, self-determining individuals but members of a great family, with all its trials, diversities and struggles, and within that family, not alone, will we find our greatest joy.

His speech follows criticism by a Catholic academic institute of plans drawn up by the Scottish Government to allow people to change their gender simply by self-declaration.

The Anscombe Bioethics Centre warned children should not be encouraged to make life-changing decisions as they may regret it later.

Although he cannot impose his views on the Churchs 2,200 schools, Cardinal Nicholss remarks will be hugely influential.

One head of a London all-girls school has already told children to use the preferred pronouns of pupils who did not identify as female. Marian Doyle, of Sacred Heart High School in Hammersmith, said as a Catholic school they must promote greater wholeness for transgender individuals.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales is due to discuss its official line on transgender issue next month.Navy sailor Kristian Saucier was pardoned by Trump on Friday for taking photos in a submarine. He gave his first interview on Saturday morning to express his gratitude

A Navy sailor who served a year in federal prison before President Donald Trump pardoned him appeared in his first interview Saturday morning.

Kristian Saucier, 31, was pardoned by Trump, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on Friday, adding that the president was 'appreciative' of his service to the nation.

Saucier spoke with Fox & Friends on Saturday and expressed his gratitude towards President Trump.

'He's an amazing man, and this is just one of the many great things that he's done in his term,' Saucier said on air.

Saucier was imprisoned for using his cell phone to photograph parts of the USS Alexandria's nuclear propulsion system, but he has repeatedly said he meant no harm.

'All I ever wanted to do was serve my country,' Saucier said.

'I honestly believe that the systems that went after me were put in place to protect people like me until I was run through the ringer.'

Saucier's prison term is complete, but the presidential pardon clears his name and criminal record.

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Saucier expressed his gratitude towards President Trump after he was pardoned. In an interview Saturday, he said the only job he could get was a garbage man because of his sentence

The 31-year-old said he was disappointed in the justice system and felt like his punishment should've been handled within the military since he was still on active duty at the time

Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Saucier's pardon on Friday. 'He has been recognized by his fellow service members for his dedication skill and patriotic spirit,' she said

The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Alexandria (pictured) arrives pierside in its new homeport of San Diego

It was revealed during the interview that Saucier asked for permission to take off his ankle bracelet once he got the news the president pardoned him.

'We got permission to cut my ankle bracelet off and so now I am no longer on house arrest which is pretty amazing,' he said.

Saucier pleaded guilty in 2016 to unauthorized detention of defense information

But Saucier said he is disappointed in how his case was handled when he first was sentenced.

'It's unfortunate that one prosecutor and a couple FBI agents really just destroyed my life for no reason,' he said.

He admits that he made a mistake, but thought the incident should've been handled within the military because he was still on active duty.

Once Saucier got out of prison, he said the only company that would hire him was a local waste company as a garbage man.

Now with the pardon, he will be able to seek other employment opportunities because the charge is expunged from his record.

'He has been recognized by his fellow service members for his dedication skill and patriotic spirit,' Sanders said during a press briefing on Friday.

Trump has referenced Saucier's case often when criticizing Democratic rival Hillary Clinton for her use of a private email server. In a January tweet, he referred to the 'Deep State Justice Dept' and criticized the federal system for going after a sailor instead of a top Clinton aide.

Saucier maintains that the pictures he took inside the USS Alexandria submarine were for his eyes only. He never had intentions to show anyone

He said during his interview on Saturday morning that he felt the prosecutor and FBI agents mishandled his sentencing

It was Trump's second pardon as president. He pardoned Joe Arpaio, a former six-term sheriff of metro Phoenix, in August.

Saucier's attorney, Ronald Daigle Jr., said his client was 'ecstatic. He's so grateful that the president saw there was an injustice in this matter and he took action on it.'

Saucier pleaded guilty in 2016 to unauthorized detention of defense information for taking photos inside the USS Alexandria while it was stationed in Groton, Connecticut, in 2009.

Saucier had said previously that he had only wanted service mementos.

But federal prosecutors argued he was a disgruntled sailor who had put national security at risk by taking photos showing the submarine's propulsion system and reactor compartment and then obstructed justice by destroying a laptop and camera.

Saucier claimed his prosecution was driven by sensitivity about classified information amid the scandal involving Clinton's emails.

Saucier served a year in federal prison for the offense.

Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting on Thursday. Trump pardoned Saucier on Friday

Former sailor Kristian Saucier pictured with his wife Sadie (right) and baby daughter

Saucier, of Arlington, Vermont, was a 22-year-old machinist mate on the nuclear-powered attack submarine when he took the photos.

His lawyers said he knew the photos would be classified but he wanted to show his family what he did in the Navy. He denied sharing the photos with any unauthorized recipient.

Trump repeatedly referred to the former sailor during the 2016 campaign, drawing attention to the handling of his case and describing it as overzealous and politically motivated.

After Trump won election, Daigle discussed the case at Trump Tower with Michael Flynn, the president's former national security adviser, who encouraged a formal pardon request.

Trump was later asked about the case during an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity and said it was 'very unfair.'At first glance it looks like any other shipping container. But this picture reveals crucial evidence that could end the nightmare for a British aristocrat facing 30 years in a Kenyan jail on charges of smuggling drugs.

Jack Marrian  grandson of the 6th Earl of Cawdor  was arrested in Nairobi in August 2016 and charged with bringing in cocaine worth 4.5 million hidden in a shipment of sugar for the trading company where he is a director.

Mr Marrian has always protested his innocence and insisted criminals must have hidden the drugs in the container before the ship left Brazil on its way to the Kenyan port of Mombasa.

Mr Marrian and his legal team showed court officials what they hope will be definitive proof of his innocence. Magistrate Derrick Kutto and officials set up a temporary court at the Mombasa docks and examined the yellow container (pictured)

Jack Marrian (pictured)  grandson of the 6th Earl of Cawdor  was arrested in Nairobi in August 2016 and charged with bringing in cocaine worth 4.5 million hidden in a shipment of sugar

That was dismissed by the prosecution, but as his trial continued on Friday, 18 months after his arrest, Mr Marrian and his legal team showed court officials what they hope will be definitive proof of his innocence.

Magistrate Derrick Kutto and officials set up a temporary court at the Mombasa docks and examined the yellow container in which police found 220lbs of cocaine.

One of the bars on the containers right-hand door had clearly been cut through, then clumsily rewelded. The original metal clasp has been replaced with a new one, the screws holding it in place contrasting with older, partly rusted screws that were uniform on other containers. Other clasps had been tampered with.

As court officials were shown the evidence, Mr Marrian, 33, fought back tears of relief. His hands covering his face, he took a few seconds to recover his composure as chief investigating officer Corporal Sheila Kipsoi was questioned.

One of the bars on the containers right-hand door had clearly been cut through, then clumsily rewelded (circled)

She admitted her police team had noted the tampering to the containers. But asked if she had questioned the shipping company, the trader in Brazil, or port authorities in Valencia, Spain, where the consignment arrived en route for Mombasa, she replied: No.

Mr Marrians defence lawyer, Andrew Wandabwa, said: It is very clear that the police did not investigate further and did not enquire further.

From the time Mr Marrian was arrested in a night-time swoop on his Nairobi home, he has insisted that the container must have been interfered with. He spent two weeks in a crowded cell before being allowed out on a record 530,000 bail.

Mr Marrian (pictured right) has always protested his innocence and insisted criminals must have hidden the drugs in the container before the ship left Brazil on its way to the Kenyan port of Mombasa

Drugs gangs in South America have in recent years been using the so-called rip-on, rip-off method to plant narcotics in containers holding legitimate cargo. The containers are then resealed so they can pass through security checks.

This newspaper learnt after Mr Marrians arrest that agents working for the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had been monitoring gang activity in Santos, Brazil, and had known there was a huge haul of cocaine in the container when it left the port on June 10, 2016 loaded with brown sugar intended for Mr Marrians company, Mshale Commodities.

Members of a Colombian drugs cartel had intended the drugs to be offloaded in Valencia but this plan failed. The American drug enforcement agents told Kenyas Director of Public Prosecutions and its Anti-Narcotics Unit that it had detailed evidence of the smugglers operation and a spokesman in Washington told The Mail on Sunday they had passed documentary evidence to Kenyas police.

He said: We acquired information about the cocaine from a suspect recently arrested and were able to identify the exact colour, serial numbers of the container and its seal and the location of the drugs hidden among sacks of sugar.

Born in Britain, the defendant - whose ancestral home is Cawdor Castle in Scotland, the setting for Shakespeares play Macbeth  has lived in Kenya since the age of four

This should help to establish Jack Marrians innocence. He had no involvement in this matter.

On Friday, Mr Marrian told the MoS: Weve had 17 prosecution witnesses giving evidence so far and not one of them has given information about the DEA documents, or admitted that it was known for certain that one of the shipping containers had been tampered with.

It was a big moment today when we were shown obvious defects to the container. I know this will clear my name.

Mr Wandabwa said he would submit that there was no case to answer when the prosecution evidence ended.She has built an empire on the principles of healthy eating  but blogger Ella Mills has found out the hard way that healthy finances are harder to achieve.

The foodie, known for her Deliciously Ella brand, has been forced to close two of her three London delicatessens after racking up losses of 724,000.

Her shop in Herne Hill, South-East London, had been open for less than a year, while the other, in Marylebone, was the first she and her husband and business partner Matthew opened in January 2016.

Ella Mills, known for her Deliciously Ella brand, has been forced to close two of her three London delicatessens after racking up losses of 724,000

Ella told her 1.2 million Instagram followers the axed stores will always have such a special place in the Deliciously Ella journey, but added: It has become clear that wed be better off focusing all of our attention on one deli.

Matthew is the son of Labour peer Tessa Jowell while Ellas parents are former Labour Cabinet Minister Shaun Woodward and supermarket heiress Camilla Sainsbury, who backed the Deliciously Ella business.

Debts from the delis that closed last week will be met thanks to shareholder support. The remaining store in Mayfair is just a five-minute walk from the Marylebone branch.

Last week, Ella admitted that having two delis so close together doesnt really make sense.

The 26-year-old started her Deliciously Ella blog in 2011 after being struck down with a debilitating illness called postural tachycardia syndrome while studying at university.

Her first book was published in January 2015 and went on to become the fastest-selling debut cookbook ever. But as Jamie Oliver  who recently closed 12 of his Jamies Italian restaurants  knows, book sales do not always translate into High Street success.

Ellas deli business is separate from a firm that channels her earnings from book sales and other goods and services.

That firm has current assets of 524,690.Look ma, no hands!

A Tesla owner got caught red handed ...because his hands were not on the wheel and his feet were hanging out of the window as he took a selfie.

The driver, Joseph Salim Mourad, was showing off the vehicles autopilot function which sees the car drive itself down the road automatically.

Driver DJ Klypso was in his Tesla Model S car on autopilot and cruising down the highway taking a selfie when a police officer road alongside him and gave him a ticket

The driver had his feet hanging out of the window and his hands were nowhere near the wheel

However the owner was clearly not anticipating running into a cop who was also riding along the same road on his motor cycle.

The driver who is also a Grammy-nominated producer by the name of DJ Klypso, tells The Blast he was riding on the 101 freeway in his Tesla Model S when he was pulled over by the California Highway Patrol who also made an appearance in his pictures.

Klypso could be seen filming himself on his cellphone while the car was moving down the highway and even does a double-take as he spots the officer out of the corner of his eye.

He was cited for operating a cell phone while driving and also driving at unsafe speed for traffic conditions.

After passing the office, he ended up doing a double-take as he was instructed to pull over

The driver claims that he managed to convince the judge to toss the ticket after explaining the Tesla's autopilot capability. The court the real reason was the officer never showed up

But incredibly in court he claimed he was able to convince the judge to drop the ticket after showing supporting evidence that the Tesla auto-pilot drives 100% on its own and accurately monitors speed while on the freeway.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles court system however said that the ticket was dismissed because the police office who issued it didn't attend the hearing.

High-profile accidents involving Autopilot have revealed the difficulties automakers face as they introduce semi-autonomous technologies that can assume control in limited contexts, but are not yet capable of fully autonomous driving.

Tesla and other car companies insist that drivers should be alert and ready to take control at a moment's notice, some drivers don't follow that advice.

In January, a Model S that was possibly using the Autopilot feature crashed into a fire truck in California and in May 2016, a Model S driver was killed when the car crashed into a truck while Autopilot was activated.Advertisement

A bouquet of fresh flowers laid by former Russian spy Sergei Skripal at his wifes grave has become a primary focus of the forensic inquiry into his poisoning, according to a source close to the inquiry.

Mr Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, visited the cemetery where his wife Liudmila is buried just hours before they collapsed in Salisbury city centre last Sunday.

It is believed the flowers may have been contaminated with the rare nerve agent  yet to be publicly identified  that has left the pair fighting for life.

The highly placed source, who was briefed yesterday about the inquirys latest developments, told this newspaper that one extraordinary new line of inquiry is that the bouquet may have been laced with poison. It cant be ruled out, he said.

Police at the grave of Liudmila Skripal the wife of Sergei Skripal in Salisbury

This possibility centres on the idea that the flowers, now being examined by chemical experts, were sent to Mr Skripals home by whoever targeted him. It is thought they may have been accompanied by something  a card perhaps  to suggest they came from a friend of his wife and a request to take them to the cemetery.

The source said: Its all about the flowers at the moment the fresh flowers along the grave, and it appears he [Skripal] went there just before he went to the car park [in Salisbury centre].

Contact between the flowers and furnishings at the house would explain how traces of the agent were absorbed through the skin of anyone who touched surfaces there  including Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey who became ill following a visit to the Skripals home. He may also have become contaminated after rushing to the scene of where they collapsed to treat them.

DS Bailey remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital. The belief that Mr Skripal and his daughter were poisoned at home with a slower-acting toxin than previously thought has gained credence in the past few days. Toxicology experts say it is possible for the effects of nerve agents to take several hours.

Yulia Skripal (on the left) with her father Sergei Skripal

It was unusual for Mr Skripal to lay fresh blooms at the grave. Normally he bought artificial ones every few weeks from the same market stall. Professor Monique Simmonds, one of the UKs leading botanists and an expert consultant during an investigation into the death of a Russian corruption whistleblower five years ago, said plant toxins can be regarded as a type of nerve agent.

Alexander Perepilichnyy collapsed during a jog near London in November 2012. Reports have suggested the Kremlin wanted him dead because he was a witness in a 145 million corporate fraud case involving Russian officials, police officers and the mafia.

Prof Simmonds established that traces of the flower Gelsemium elegans was present in Mr Perepilichnyys body. The plant can cause a rapid shutdown on nerve and respiratory systems but British detectives concluded at the time that the death was not suspicious.

Yesterday Prof Simmonds said she could not speculate on whether a plant toxin was used in the Salisbury attack. There are certainly plants that can change compounds in the body and have an effect on nervous systems, she said.

Asked about the flowers being a key focus of the investigation, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said: Were not confirming individual sources or site locations.

In other developments yesterday:

Activity around Mrs Skripals grave intensified, with officers in decontamination suits working close to an orange gurney, normally used for moving hospital patients;

A witness told police that an hour before the couple collapsed he saw a man in a mask acting suspiciously nearby;

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said more than 250 counter terrorism police are involved in the investigation which was proceeding with speed and professionalism;

Details emerged about the life of deeply religious Yulia who grew up not knowing her father was a spy;

Anna Chapman, the Russian agent who was exchanged for Mr Skripal, has branded him a traitor;

Police issued a statement on behalf of DS Bailey saying he does not want to be considered a hero.

More than 180 troops flooded into Salisbury on Friday to help at the numerous crime scenes. Police have identified more than 200 witnesses and 240 pieces of evidence.

Military personnel at the South Western Ambulance Service station in Harnham, near Salisbury

Yesterday, forensic inquiries continued at Mr Skripals four-bedroom semi. At the citys hospital, military transporters removed ambulances that might have been contaminated. But it was Mrs Skripals graveside that saw the most intensive activity.

Her death certificate says the 60-year-old died of cancer in 2012. Her body was not exhumed but detectives have not ruled out removing it for forensic tests at a later date.

The couples son, Alexander, died of liver failure aged just 43 while on holiday in Russia last year. Investigators also removed flowers and trinkets, including a toy dog, from his grave in the same cemetery in Salisbury.

I am not a hero... I was just doing my job

Our source said: They [investigators] are purely looking at surface material that he [Mr Skripal] might have handled before the nerve agent got to him.

They believe he visited the grave and put some fresh flowers down that morning. So to them its something he touched on that day.

They are being extra careful that anything he has touched could be contaminated and because of the nature of this nerve agent  and they dont know what it is  they are being super, super cautious about everywhere hes been.

They dont know how it was administered so they are not closing down any line of inquiry on this and obviously thats why the fire people are going in with full chemical protection just in case.

Market trader John Bourne, 58, said Mr Skripal bought plastic flowers from his stall every four to six weeks.

He said: Hes been a good regular customer for a couple of years. Ive seen him with his daughter here a few times but I havent seen her since last summer. The last time I saw him was about three weeks ago.

Sergei Skripal holding Yulia at the time of her birth with family members

Last night, Mr Skripal and his daughter remained in a coma, critical but stable. In a statement Wiltshire Police said DS Bailey wishes to say that he was part of a group of officers and other emergency service colleagues who dealt with the initial incident. He wants to say that he does not consider himself a hero  he states that he was merely doing his job  a job he loves and is immensely proud of.

Meanwhile, police and volunteers from Citywatch, who sift through CCTV material, have been scouring footage for signs of an assailant. The Mail on Sunday has learned that officers are investigating claims that an aggressive masked man was seen acting suspiciously in the area shortly before Mr Skripal and his daughter collapsed.

A witness told detectives he saw a man with a black mask covering his nose and mouth acting suspiciously around 3pm last Sunday.

At the time Mr Skripal and Yulia were thought to be in the Mill pub a few yards away. The man, who asked not to be named, told The Mail on Sunday he saw the man after he had been out for Sunday lunch with his partner and his parents across the street.

He said: We all left together at 3pm and we were walking back into the Maltings [the shopping centre where the Skripals collapsed] to go back to our car when we all saw this man looking very strange and suspicious walking towards us.

He had on black skinny jeans, a black hoodie pulled up over his head and he had this strange looking mask over his face. It had black with a white pattern on it. You could only see his dark eyes and forehead. He had a dark complexion. He looked threatening and aggressive and he was walking towards us with purpose.

He gave me a stern look as he passed us by the Works which is about 100 yards from the bench where they found the Russians.

The witness, who works as a pest controller, contacted police on Wednesday. He added: I rang the police because it was niggling away at me that we had seen this suspicious man less than an hour before this man and his daughter were found on the bench. There was something not right about him. It wasnt cold, I was out without a coat, so it didnt make sense that he had his hood up and face covered.

Police contacted the man yesterday and said they would be back in touch to take a formal statement but declined to comment publicly.

Meanwhile, friends of Yulia Skripal in Russia said she decided to build her future in Russia not her fathers adopted country Britain  and was full of life before being struck down last week.

They say she grew up not knowing he was a spy. A childhood friend, Irina Petrova, told the BBC she hasnt done anything to deserve being targeted.

It was claimed yesterday by an unidentified relative that the spys older brother Valery died following an unexplained road crash. Earlier reports had suggested he died after an illness.

Meanwhile, Anna Chapman has branded Sergei Skripal a traitor. Chapman was traded for Skripal in a 2010 spy swap. In an Instagram rant she said: As always Russia is guilty by default  despite the fact that traitor Skripal was pardoned by the President, and released.

Since publication of this article Prof Monique Simmonds of Kew Gardens has stated that final tests found no such toxin as Gelsemium elegans in the samples she analysed.More than 400 tons of debris, 13,950 needles and 5,279 pounds of hazardous waste were discovered in Santa Ana River Trail in California between January 22 and March 3.

The waste was from a more than two-mile stretch of bike trail from around the I-5 in Orange to Ball Road in Anaheim, the OCR reported.

Hazardous waste includes human waste, propane and pesticides.

The Santa Ana River Trail was once populated by homeless people, but the encampments were dismantled in late February.

Between January 22 and March 3, 404 tons of debris, 13,950 needles and 5,279 pounds of hazardous waste were discovered in Santa Ana River Trail, California

The waste was found on a more than two-mile stretch of bike trail roughly from the I-5 in Orange to Ball Road in Anaheim, the OCR reported

The Santa Ana River Trail was once populated by the encampments of homeless people

The bike path once was home to over 700 homeless people - most of those people are being housed temporarily in local motels

The bike path once was home to over 700 homeless people - most of those people are being housed temporarily in local motels, The Inquisitr reported.

Some other homeless people have gone to shelters, while others are in treatment centers and mental health facilities.

Some homeless residents called the bike trail home for as long as a decade.

The ever-increasing homeless encampment prompted city officials to take action.

The cleanup is the beginning of an environmental remediation effort that aims to remove two to three inches of soil in the project area and tree trimming.

Some other homeless people have gone to shelters, while others are in treatment centers and mental health facilities

Some homeless residents called the bike trail home for as long as a decade

Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors Andrew Do declared it a success. 'This is a momentous occasion for the County of Orange and will undoubtedly shape how we address issues of homelessness moving forward.'

'Its becoming part of the permanent landscape in those communities and there is no way we are going to allow Orange County land that is supposed to be used by residents to be occupied by the homeless,' Todd Spitzer, who sits on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, said.

He also said: 'There is no way we are going to allow Orange County land that is supposed to be used by residents to be occupied by the homeless.'

Homeless people line up in preparation to move from their homeless camp site along a riverbed in Anaheim, California on February 20Nearly six years after their mother's death, the two eldest daughters of Allison Baden-Clay made their first public appearance on Saturday.

Hannah, 16, and Sarah, 14, attended the Queensland Ballet to watch young ballerina Taji Hennessy receive a $5,000 scholarship created in honour of their murdered mother.

The girls were joined by their aunt Vanessa Fowler and grandparents Geoff and Priscilla Dickie, ABC reported.

Ms Fowler remembered her sister as a talented ballerina who was 'born to dance' and commanded any stage.

Hannah, right, and Sarah, centre, made their first public appearance on Saturday to watch young ballerina Taji Hennessy (left) be presented a scholarship in their murdered mother's honour

Hannah, 16, and Sarah, 14, were joined by their aunt Vanessa and grandparents, Geoff and Priscilla (pictured from left: Hannah, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Sarah)

'Today is an exciting day as we see my sister and her legacy live on,' she said.

'She's assisting a young dancer to pursue her dream and strive to the best that she can be.

'Allison was born to dance and excelled at it by the age of four.

'She had that spark, that bright smile, and the soft arms and pointed feet and she filled the stage.

'Allison was the ever feminine ballet dancer with spirited stage presence.'

Her daughter Hannah is also a talented ballerina, and has performed lead roles in a number of ballet performances.

Before her death, Ms Baden-Clay ran a ballet class at her children's primary school after classes, with her best friend Fiona Christ saying a ballet school 'was her dream'.

Allison Baden-Clay (pictured as a child) was a talented ballerina who was running ballet classes before her death

The Allison Baden-Clay Senior Program Scholarship will assist Taji (pictured) to complete Level 1 at the Queensland Ballet Academy during Year 12 this year

The scholarship is an initiative of the Queensland Government and was announced in July on Strive to be Kind Day, run by the Allison Baden Clay Foundation

The Allison Baden-Clay Senior Program Scholarship will assist Taji to complete Level 1 at the Queensland Ballet Academy during Year 12 this year.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the scholarship would help to honour Ms Baden-Clay's memory and allow Taji to work towards her dream of being a professional dancer.

'Allison's tragic death and the continuing work of the Allison Baden-Clay Foundation brings to the forefront the devastating impact domestic and family violence has in our community,' she said.

Ms Baden-Clay died at the hands of her husband Gerard (pictured with his daughters at Ms Baden-Clay's funeral)

Mr Baden-Clay is serving a life sentence at Wolston Prison for murdering his wife and mother to his three daughters, who he has been banned from contacting

'This new scholarship pays tribute to Allison's love of dance and highlights the importance of nurturing our young people and providing them with safe environments to develop their full potential.'

Ms Baden Clay was killed by her husband Gerard in 2012. He was charged over the murder in 2014, and is now serving a life sentence in Wolston Prison.

The man has been banned from having any contact with his three daughters, Hannah, Sarah and Ella.A New York man jumped out of a moving car to escape his allegedly drunk girlfriend, only to be fatally hit by an oncoming vehicle.

The NYPD said Arif Hoosein, 30, was in the passenger seat of a Mercedes Benz driven by his girlfriend, 34-year-old Savittrie Beria-Lackhan, when the incident occurred.

Authorities said Beria-Lackhan, of Floral Park, was intoxicated,NBC reports.

Arif Hoosein, 30, died Saturday after jumping out of a moving vehicle on the parkway

The couple was driving on the Grand Central Parkway near Little Neck Parkway around 4am Saturday when Hoosen got out of the moving car.

He was then struck by a 2013 Nissan Sentra.

Hoosein, of Queens, was taken to Long Island Jewish Medical Center Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities said he had severe head and body trauma.

Police said the driver of the Nissan, a 39-year-old man, stayed at the scene of the accident until cops arrived. He was not charged.

Beria-Lackhan fled the scene, police told NBC, and was later arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated.A new device that uses soundwaves to shake away bacteria could protect thousands of hospital patients from painful and potentially life-threatening bladder infections.

The innovation will offer hope to the 90,000 Britons who each year are fitted with a urinary catheter  a tube inserted into the urethra that drains urine from the bladder into a bag outside of the body  and is worn long-term.

Catheters are essential for a wide range of conditions that compromise the ability to empty the bladder effectively, such as prostate cancer patients, and those with incontinence and neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis and spinal injury.

A new device that uses soundwaves to shake away bacteria could protect thousands of hospital patients from painful and potentially life-threatening bladder infections (stock image)

However, the tube provides a direct route for external bacteria to get into the bladder and multiply, leading to the formation of a thick, bacterial glue called biofilm which sticks to the surface of the catheter plastic.

Biofilm is highly resistant to antibiotics, making infections difficult to treat.

Although more than a million patients a year are given a catheter for a short time while in hospital, those using them at home for longer periods have them changed every three months and infections can be missed between changes.

An untreated urinary tract infection (UTI) may spread to the kidney, causing more pain and illness, and lead to sepsis, a life-threatening reaction to an infection.

Catheters result in 250,000 serious infections, 3,000 deaths and up to 500 million in healthcare costs each year, according to recent research.

The new device, called Uroshield, is clipped to the external tube of a urinary catheter and emits lowfrequency ultrasound waves.

The innovation will offer hope to the 90,000 Britons who each year are fitted with a urinary catheter (stock image)

This vibrates the surface of the catheter, preventing bacteria from building up and disrupting biofilm if it has occurred.

The vibrations also help to reduce rubbing and friction to the skin, with participants reporting a significant lessening in catheter-related pain  even though the vibrations are not felt by the patient.

The innovation is currently being trialled in NHS hospitals in Yorkshire, the East Midlands, East Anglia and Oxfordshire, with leading urologists including Chris Ogden, consultant and surgeon at the Royal Marsden in London, describing the device as game-changing.

A recent study of 51 catheter users, 26 of whom tested the Uroshield and 25 who did not, found that after 90 days, only one Uroshield user was diagnosed with a UTI, compared to half of the control group.

In further studies the Uroshield device achieved a 90 per cent reduction in the presence of common bacteria most likely to cause infection, including E.coli and staphylococcus epidermidis.

Developed by medical researchers at Absolut Health Care in New York, the Uroshield is made up of an electronic driver weighing 5g and a disposable clip that fits around the catheter tube.

The driver, which has an eight-hour battery life, transmits continuous ultrasound waves to the clip via a small cable.

The rechargeable device can be switched on and off, and a small screen on the driver indicates power supply and battery life.

Health implications for chronic catheter users are enormous for the NHS, added Mr Ogden.

But this technology can double the time between catheter changes.

The build-up of biofilm is inevitable when plastic is in longterm contact with urine. But the ultrasound disrupts this build-up, preventing infection. So far, its achieved impressive results.'At least' 10 people have volunteered to pay the $1million penalty that Stormy Daniels would incur if she spoke publicly about her alleged affair with President Donald Trump, the porn star's lawyer said on Saturday.

Michael Avenatti, the attorney for the actress whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, told Michael Smerconish of CNN that his client would be covered if she decided to violate a confidentiality agreement.

Daniels filed a civil lawsuit against Trump in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday claiming that the agreement is null and void since the president never signed it.

When asked by Smerconish if anyone 'offered to pony up the million dollars to protect her,' Avenatti said: 'At least 10 individuals in the last three days alone.'

Michael Avenatti, the attorney for the actress whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, told Michael Smerconish of CNN that his client would be covered if she decided to violate a confidentiality agreement

Daniels became a headline name in January, when The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, arranged a $130,000 payment to the adult film star in order to prevent her from revealing details about their relationship

Daniels' attorney said that the actress is not seriously considering any of the offers.

According to the terms of the deal signed by Daniels, she would have to pay a $1million penalty if she acknowledged publicly that she slept with Trump.

But Avenatti said that even if Daniels breached the agreement, 'no court in California would ever enforce that.'

'Why doesn't she come on a program like mine right now and tell whatever the story is that she is dying to tell?' Smerconish asked Avenatti.

'We may see that,' Avenatti said.

Meanwhile, Daniels says the attention generated by reports of her alleged affair with the president has benefited her financially.

She was seen Friday doing a striptease routine at the Solid Gold club in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Daniels became a headline name in January, when The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, arranged a $130,000 payment to the adult film star in order to prevent her from revealing details about their relationship.

In recent days, the Trump administration has tried to wrestle with legal and ethical questions over the circumstances of the payment, which was made just before the election.

Daniels told CNN that since the Journal story, she has been in greater demand for her services.

'Now, yes, I'm more in demand,' Clifford told CNN.

Daniels told CNN that since the Journal story, she has been in greater demand for her services. 'Now, yes, I'm more in demand,' she said. She is seen above doing a striptease routine in Pompano Beach, Florida on Friday

Trump laywer Michael Cohen (above) says that he paid $130,000 to Daniels out of his own pocket and without Trump's knowledge

'Like I said in the Rolling Stone interview, if somebody came up to you and said, "Hey, you know that job that you've been doing forever? How about next week I pay you quadruple," show me one person who's going to say no.'

Daniels, who began her career in show business as a dancer in Louisiana, moved to Los Angeles to make porn films.

She now says she not only acts, but writes and directs movies as well.

On Thursday, a nonprofit watchdog group has asked the Justice Department and the Office of Government Ethics to investigate whether the secret payment to Daniels, which Cohen says came from his own pocket and was made without Trump's knowledge, may have violated federal law because Trump did not list it on his financial disclosure forms.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington lodged the civil and criminal complaint, arguing that the payment may have been a loan from Cohen to Trump and, if so, needed to be disclosed.

Avenatti told CNN on Friday he believed Cohen was lying.

'We have heard explanation upon explanation. They are ever changing. It's nonsense. I'm running out of superlatives. Your legal analysts are running out of superlatives...,' Avenatti said on CNN.

TICK TOCK: Stormy Daniels' lawyer, Michael Avenatti, tweeted out an image of his client flanked by himself and Anderson Cooper. Avenatti on Friday revealed that Daniels will break her silence in an interview with '60 Minutes', which is scheduled to air on Sunday

'Nonsense, ridiculous, preposterous, ludicrous...the list goes on and on. We are out of words to describe what Mr Cohen is trying to sell to the American public. Anderson, it is impossible, it is so out of the realm of possibility that this attorney undertook all of this work,' he added.

He then claimed that it would have been impossible for Cohen to undertake the extensive work of a non-disclosure agreement without the consultation or authorization of Trump.

Avenatti on Friday revealed that Daniels will break her silence in an interview with '60 Minutes', which is scheduled to air on Sunday.Apple is reportedly coming out with a cheaper version of its $349 HomePod, Business Insider reports.

The company is following in the footsteps of Google and Amazon, both of which released 'discount' versions of their own smart speakers, making the technology more accessible to a wider audience.

The cheaper HomePod would cost somewhere between $150 and $200, and it would be smaller.

The new report says it could be available as soon as this fall.

Scroll down for video

Apple might be releasing a cheaper, smaller version of its HomePod speaker. The device could be up to $200 cheaper than the $349 HomePod, which was released in the US, UK and Australia last month (file photo)

Apple is reportedly also releasing cheaper versions of the iPhone, iPad and MacBook Air.

The as of yet unverified release would not mark the first time Apple chose to produce a cheaper product that is more within reach.

The company answered the problem of high-dollar products by releasing the iPhone 5c and 5S at the same time, the 5c being less equipped but $100 cheaper than the 5S, in 2013.

Additionally, the company produces the iPhone SE and sells it for $350, the most affordable iPhone price today.

The cheaper HomePod might make consumers who are not willing to pay $349 more interested in Apple's reply to Google Home and Amazon's Echo.

Both Amazon and Google have released cheaper, smaller versions of their own smart speakers.

The smaller version of Google Home, the Home Mini, is $50, and that of Amazon's Echo, called the Echo Dot, is the same price.

Apple's $349 HomePod went on sale in February in the US, UK and Australia - two months later than initially planned.

Firmly marketed at music lovers, the wireless seven-inch smart speaker uses spatial awareness technology to sense its place in a room and adjust audio output accordingly.

First unveiled last year, the device houses Apple's virtual assistant Siri, meaning it can be controlled using voice commands and provide news and weather information when asked.

It is fitted with six microphones to record owners' voice commands.

The device joins the battle between Google and Amazon for the lucrative smart speaker market after its November release date was pushed back twice while Apple claimed it needed 'a little more time before it's ready'.

The HomePod is more than twice the price of the $180 Google Home and costs more than three times the $125 Amazon Echo.

During the HomePod's launch last year, Apple CEO Tim Cook took to the stage at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose to unveil the speaker, which he claimed would 'reinvent home audio'.

'We want to reinvent music in the home in the way we invented mobile music,' Cook said.

HOW CAN YOU REMOVE THE WHITE RING LEFT BY APPLE'S HOMEPOD? Apple has confirmed that its recently released smart speaker can damage wood furniture, by leaving behind a nasty white ring on the surface. The iPhone maker has since updated its HomePod support page to reflect the issue. Apple says that the mark may be caused by oils diffusing between the device's silicone base and the table surface. Apple has said the HomePod should only leave behind a mark if the surface is treated with oil. To remove the white ring, users can wipe down the surface with a soft damp or dry rag The company set out a few different steps to remove the white ring: The mark should go away on its own after the HomePod is moved

Wiping the surface with a soft damp or dry cloth should remove the marks

If not, Apple says the user should re-oil the wooden surface

Users should also move their HomePod to a non-wooden surface or table to prevent damage Advertisement

'We really think it's going to take your home music experience to the next level.'

The new device is available in white and space grey on the Apple Store app and on the Apple website.

It is also available in Apple Stores and at select Apple Authorized Resellers including Best Buy in the US; Argos, Dixons Carphone (Currys PC World), John Lewis, Shop Direct (Very and Littlewoods), EE and Apple Premium Resellers in the UK; and The Good Guys, Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, Myer and Telstra in Australia.

It is set to arrive in France and Germany this spring.

'HomePod is a magical new music experience from Apple', said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.

The wireless seven-inch HomePod currently availalble uses spatial awareness technology to sense its place in a room and adjust audio output accordingly. It has an Apple-designed upward-facing woofer paired with the custom A8 chip and is made of seamless mesh fabric

The speaker is designed to work with Apple Music and users can ask HomePod directly to play music from the Apple Music library. Users can use AirPlay to play songs on their Pod through other music providers via their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch

'It brings advanced audio technologies like beam-forming tweeters, a high-excursion woofer and automatic spatial awareness, together with the entire Apple Music catalogue and the latest Siri intelligence, in a simple, beautiful design that is so much fun to use,' he said.

HomePod is compatible with iPhone 5S or later, iPad Pro, iPad Air or later, iPad mini 2 or later, or iPod touch (6th generation) with iOS 11.2.5 or later.

The speaker is designed to primarily work with Apple Music and users can ask HomePod directly to play music from their Apple Music library.

Users can use AirPlay to play music from other music providers from the iPhone, iPad or iPod touch on HomePod.

HomePod is designed to work with the Apple Music subscription service and can produce rich sound while tapping into the artificial intelligence power of Siri.A company known for its noise-cancelling headphones wants to create a pair of augmented reality glasses that's focused around sound.

Bose is unveiling a pair of concept AR glasses at the South by Southwest conference in Austin this year that add an 'audible layer of information and experiences' to the world in front of you.

The unnamed device differs from other augmented reality wearables in that the wearer can control it with gestures and their voice.

The glasses are also equipped with a tiny, 'wafer thin' speaker that can relay information directly into the wearer's ear without anyone around them listening in.

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Pictured are a pair of Bose's concept augmented reality glasses. The product has yet to be named, as the company is unveiling it at South by Southwest in Austin this week

'Unlike other augmented reality products and platforms, Bose AR doesn't change what you see, but knows what you're looking at -- without an integrated lens or phone camera,' Bose said in a statement.

'And rather than superimposing visual objects on the real world, Bose AR adds an audible layer of information and experiences, making every day better, easier, more meaningful and more productive'

'It allows simple head gestures, voice or a tap on the wearable to control content -- replacing the need to swipe, type or tap on a touchscreen for the same commands,' the company added.

Bose said the glasses connect to your phone via BlueTooth and are compatible with Apple's Siri voice assistant or Google Assistant.

The glasses are designed to be slim and light, appearing similar to a regular pair of sunglasses, but 'sound and function more like Bose headphones,' the company said.

The technology core to the concept glasses is 'Bose AR,' the ultra-slim acoustics package developed for the platform.

It can be built into headphones, eyewear and helmets without compromising the existing functionality of those products.

Bose said the glasses connect to your phone via BlueTooth and are compatible with Apple's Siri voice assistant or Google Assistant. They can be controlled using voice or hand gestures

The glasses also have motion sensors built in that are able to know which way you're facing.

It also reads the GPS location from a smartphone, which is connected via BlueTooth.

The sensors send the motion and location data to a Bose AR-enabled app that aggregates information, sending real-time content back to the user's ears 'instantly,' Bose explained.

Bose envisions a variety of applications for the glasses, ranging from travel to education and music.

For example, if someone is wearing the glasses while sightseeing, the device can simulate historic events at landmarks as you view them.

'Voices and horses are heard charging in from your left, then passing right in front of you before riding off in the direction of their original route, fading as they go,' Bose noted.

WHICH COMPANIES ARE WORKING ON AUGMENTED REALITY GLASSES? Augmented reality (AR) glasses have seen a resurgence in desirability, with a host of firms working to develop their own technology. Last year, Bose joined a quickly growing list of tech companies that are building augmented reality eyeglasses. The first company to enter the race was Google, which released the Google Glass in 2011. Google Glass, now referred to as Glass, has been changed from a consumer-facing product to an enterprise product, used by companies like Boeing. Since then, several companies have come out with their own products. Secretive startup Magic Leap began working on a prototype several years ago, but finally debuted its 'mixed reality' smart glasses late last year. Magic Leap says its AR glasses will ship in 2018 after a multi-year wait. Tech company Vuzix, based in Rochester, New York, is launching its Vuzix Blade glasses later this year for about $1,300. Smart glasses that superimpose computer-generated images onto the world around you could start at at 1,000 when they are released this year. Magic Leap, the usually secretive Google-backed company behind the gadget, says it is working on multiple versions of the gadget They use a tiny projector to show a virtual image in the top right hand corner of their lenses. Wearers can connect to WiFi and read emails and other messages via the display, as well as use Alexa, Amazon's digital assistant, to issue voice commands. Amazon is also rumored to be working on its own AR glasses to be released sometime in the future. Additionally, Intel released its prototype smart glasses, the Vaunt, earlier this year. The glasses use retinal projection to put a tiny display on the wearer's eyeball. Snap has launched its Spectacles and there are rumours of Facebook abd Apple working on AR glasses, Niantic, the American firm being Pokemon Go, has also revealed it is partnering with Qualcomm to create its own AR headset technology. Advertisement

'Or letting you listen to a renowned speech 'pinned' precisely to the famous person in a monument's statue,' they added.

The glasses could also inform a user which way to turn towards their departure gate at an airport.

Additionally, they could be used to translate a sign or tell someone the word or phrase for what they're looking at in any language, which is similar to Google's PixelBuds that can translate language in real-time.

Most of Bose's claims about what its AR platform is capable of are unproven, at least for now, as the products are all in a prototype phase.

The products also haven't been reviewed yet.

The glasses also have motion sensors built in that are able to know which way you're facing. It also reads the GPS location from a smartphone, which is connected via BlueTooth

But the company seems like it's working hard to get the technology ready, as Bose said its AR platform is open to developers and manufacturers.

It's also already partnering with fitness app Strava, TripAdvisor, radio app TuneIn and Yelp for future applications.

John Gordon, vice president of consumer electronics at Bose, said the company wants to help consumers interact with their surroundings in new ways.

'It's not justt the voice side,' Gordon told Gizmodo.

'It's the voice and the head movements that now enable you to do something as transformative as swiping and scrolling on your smartphone'

'This is a whole new interaction pattern for a different type of interface,' he added.If an asteroid the size of a small village were headed straight toward Earth, there isnt much we could do on short notice to prevent a major disaster  except blow it up, that is.

Scientists are investigating the possibility of using a specially designed spacecraft to nuke approaching cosmic objects, in hopes that doing so could deflect the threat.

While it could be possible to divert a near-Earth object by slamming into it with a so-called impactor, experts say a nuclear explosion may be the best bet when time is running out.

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If an asteroid the size of a small village were headed straight toward Earth, there isnt much we could do on short notice to prevent a major disaster  except blow it up, that is. An artist's impression of an asteroid collision is pictured

In a new paper, scientists from NASA and the National Nuclear Security Administration have laid out a plan for the Hypervelocity Asteroid Mitigation Mission for Emergency Response (HAMMER).

The 8.8-ton HAMMER spacecraft could be used to steer itself directly into a small asteroid, or blow the space rock up using a nuclear device, according to BuzzFeed News.

The team has devised a proposal around a potential impact with the 1,600-foot-wide asteroid Bennu, which is currently the destination for NASAs Osiris-Rex sample return mission.

While Earth isnt at risk of a collision with Bennu any time soon, theres a 1 in 2,700 chance it will slam into our planet sometime next century.

Bennu is also the best-studied asteroid of all the known NEOs, the researchers note.

The two realistic responses considered are the use of a spacecraft functioning as either a kinetic impactor or a nuclear explosive carrier to deflect the approaching NEO, the authors wrote in the study, published to the journal Acta Astronautica.

But, there are several factors that would determine the best approach.

The asteroids size and mass must be taken into consideration, along with the amount of time available before it hits Earth.

Plus, there are always various uncertainties.

The team has devised a proposal around a potential impact with the 1,600-foot-wide asteroid Bennu (far left in the illustration above). While Earth isnt at risk of a collision with Bennu any time soon, theres a 1 in 2,700 chance it will slam into our planet sometime next century

Whenever practical, the kinetic impactor is the preferred approach, but various factors, such as large uncertainties or short available response time, reduce the kinetic impactors suitability and, ultimately, eliminate its sufficiency, the authors wrote.

By driving multiple spacecraft into the asteroids path, it could be possible to slow the object down and throw it off course to avoid a collision with Earth.

If the conditions arent right to use the kinetic impactor, however, nuking it might be the only option.

If the asteroid is small enough, and we detect it early enough, we can do it with the impactor, physicist David Dearborn of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory told BuzzFeed News.

The impactor is not as flexible as the nuclear option when we really want to change the speed of the body in a hurry.

Despite ongoing efforts to catalogue potential hazards in Earths vicinity, scientists have increasingly warned that there are countless large objects that remain undetected. An artist's impression is pictured

Astronomers are hunting for asteroids larger than 450ft as they can cause 'catastrophic damage' Researchers have discovered most of the asteroids that are about a kilometers in size, but are now on the hunt for those that are about 459ft (140m) - as they could cause catastrophic damage. Although nobody knows when the next big impact will occur, scientists have found themselves under pressure to predict - and intercept - its arrival. Artist's impression pictured 'Sooner or later we will get... a minor or major impact,' said Rolf Densing, who heads the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt It may not happen in our lifetime, he said, but 'the risk that Earth will get hit in a devastating event one day is very high.' 'For now, there is little we can do.' Source: AFP Advertisement

Despite ongoing efforts to catalog potential hazards in Earths vicinity, scientists have increasingly warned that there are countless large objects that remain undetected.

Given the risk of an inevitable impact sometime in the future, the experts say its necessary to plan for the worst.

The researchers will present their proposal at a conference in Japan this coming May.

For now, however, whether or not the HAMMER plan will ever come to fruition remains up in the air.Elon Musks ambitious plan to slash commuting times with tunnel systems beneath major cities has just had a major makeover.

The Boring Company boss tweeted details this evening on an adjusted plan for the urban loop system, revealing a new focus on mass transit.

While Musk previously outlined a system that would ferry individual cars at high-speeds on electric sleds, a new animation visualizing the project shows multi-passenger carriages that prioritize pedestrians and cyclists.

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The electric buses would descend to the tunnels in an elevator shaft, before setting off on a track where they can hit speeds of up to 125 miles per hour. In a video shared alongside the new details, futuristic passenger cars can be seen picking up riders from the street level

In some ways, Musks new vision is much like the original plan.

But, instead of beginning with personal cars, it will first roll out to the masses.

The electric buses would descend to the tunnels in an elevator shaft, before setting off on a track where they can hit speeds of up to 125 miles per hour (200km/h).

Adjusting The Boring Company plan: all tunnels & Hyperloop will prioritize pedestrians & cyclists over cars, Musk tweeted Friday evening.

Will still transport cars, but only after all personalized mass transit needs are met. Its a matter of courtesy & fairness. If someone cant afford a car, they should go first.

Musk also offered additional insight on how the transport system will fit into urban life.

And, while the idea might at first sound like another subway, the CEO says there will be some major distinctions.

The Boring Company boss tweeted details this evening on an adjusted plan for the urban loop system, revealing a new focus on mass transit. A new animation visualizing the project shows multi-passenger carriages that prioritize pedestrians and cyclists

Boring Co urban loop would have 1000s of small stations the size of a single parking space that take you very close to your destination & blend seamlessly into the fabric of a city, rather than being a small number of big stations like a subway, Musk explained.

In a video shared alongside the new details, futuristic passenger cars can be seen picking up riders from the street level, before descending on a high-speed trip to LAX.

The latest details come just days after the billionaire shared a chuckle-worthy post on Instagram from inside a hole dug by his boring machine.

Musk, pictured alongside the massive machinery, can be seen resting his hand upon the metal grating, with the caption, Sometimes when we touch, the honestys too much.

The Boring Company boss shared a glimpse at the companys progress on social media over the weekend, referencing Dan Hills 1977 ballad in the hilariously intimate post.

Along with the lyrics, Musk also wrote, Deep in the hole with my boring machine.

Despite the ambitious nature of the plan, Elon Musk's Boring Company has made major strides toward the development of traffic-beating tunnel systems in the US in recent months.

The firm was recently granted a permit by Washington DC's Department of Transportation that will allow digging to begin within a designated area in the district.

Its been a successful few months for Elon Musk and his many business ventures  and, the latest accomplishment might just prove too much for the CEO to handle. Musk shared a photo this weekend, captioning it with lyrics from Dan Hill's 1977 ballad

While the permit is so far considered to be early and vague, the firm says the site could one day be used as a station in the larger network, according to the Washington Post.

The permit comes just months after Elon Musk claimed he had received verbal government approval to build a Hyperloop connecting New York to Washington, with stops in Philadelphia and Baltimore.

And, last month, DC Mayor Muriel E Bowser visited the tunneling firm in California to get a first-hand look at what the Boring Company is all about.

With permission from the DC government, the Boring Company can now do work within an abandoned parking lot at 53 New York Avenue NE, near the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, according to The Post.

Washington DCs Department of Transportation has issued a permit to Elon Musks Boring Company that will allow the firm to begin digging within a designated area in the district. The Boring Company's tunnel digging machine is pictured

Musk has also received support from the White House Office of American Innovation, which is headed by White House aide and President Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, the Post notes.

The firm already had backing from the state of Maryland, after it was revealed this past October that the administration had granted Elon Musk permission to begin tunneling beneath Baltimore.

At the time, Maryland governor Larry Hogan revealed on Twitter that the administration supports the construction of a line that would connect Baltimore City to D.C, and said he thinks the Hyperloop is coming to Maryland.

Elon Musk has revealed a plan to build an underground tunnel to transport passengers between New York and Washington DC in just 29 minutes

The state has issued a conditional utility permit for the project, allowing the firm to dig a 10.3 mile tunnel under part of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, according to LA Times.

Musk first revealed his plan for a system that could ferry passengers from NY to DC in just 29 minutes back in July, when he tweeted that hed been given verbal government approval for the underground tunnel.

At the time, he said it will run via Philadelphia and Baltimore, and use his Hyperloop technology.

If completed, it would become the world's longest tunnel.

With Maryland's approval, the CEO secured permission for the first section of the system.

There will undoubtedly be many other hurdles before the tunnel comes to life, including environmental reviews and obtaining approval from other administrations.

But, Governor Hogans support marks the first step in the process.

Our administration is proud to support The Boring Company to bring rapid electric transportation to MD  connecting Baltimore City to DC, the Maryland governor tweeted.

And, in a video accompanying a second post, in which he wrote, Get Hyped, the governor can be heard responding to a question about the Boring Companys Hyperloop, saying, I think its coming to Maryland, and its going to go from Baltimore to Washington, so get ready.

WHAT IS THE HYPERLOOP? Hyperloop is a proposed method of travel that would transport people at roughly 700mph between distant locations. It was unveiled by Elon Musk in 2013, who at the time said it could take passengers the 380 miles (610km) from LA to San Francisco in 30 minutes - half the time it takes a plane. It is essentially a long tube that has had the air removed to create a vacuum. For safety reasons, Hyperloop tunnels need escape hatches in case of fire. The tube is suspended off the ground to protect against weather and earthquakes. There are now a number of firms vying to bring the technology to life, including Elon Musk himself, Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, and Virgin Hyperloop One. As several firms vie to create the first operational Hyperloop, Elon Musks vision of a radical transport system that could ferry passengers above land at 760 miles per hour continues to inch closer to reality Advertisement

The governor also shared photos of himself alongside SpaceX and Boring Company execs, at the site where the tunneling is set to begin.

The system, which will begin with two 35-mile tubes between Baltimore and Washington, will be treated like a utility, officials told the LA Times, and will largely run beneath existing state highways.

While it remains unclear what other steps have been taken ahead of the digging, officials say it will be done in an environmentally sound and safe fashion, LA Times reports.

If the plan comes to life, Musk's East Coast Hyperloop tunnel would be far longer than the current record holder, the Gotthard Base Tunnel, a railway line that runs through the Swiss Alps and opened in 2016, measuring 35.5 miles.My guide Ortwin strides on ahead, while I pant up the hill. Goat and sheep bells clank and tinkle like wind chimes.

Then Ortwin suddenly stops. 'See this?' he asks, picking tiny a lilac flower. 'You can eat it. It's very bitter, but it's the best cure for stomach ailments.'

I am on Skiathos, a small island in the Sporades famed for its pristine waters. But Ortwin, who visited 20 years ago and never left, has dedicated himself to uncovering the island's inner beauty, clearing 30 miles of ancient footpaths and creating 130 miles of hiking trails.

Beautiful beaches: Don't miss the limestone arch at Lalaria, one of Greece's most stunning spots

Nourished by streams and waterfalls, this fragrant world, he tells me, is home to more medicinal plants than anywhere else in Europe. As a specialist in herbal remedies, he should know.

Our five-mile walk takes us over a high plateau, with views to distant Mount Athos, from which the island allegedly takes its name (Skia-Athos  shade of Athos).

We pause at the remote monastery of Kekhria before descending to the beach.

Sitting at the Tarsanas Taverna, where, bizarrely, an octopus has been pegged to a washing line, we enjoy our lunch and sip glasses of ouzo as cicadas chirrup urgently.

I discover so much of the island beyond its beach-and-party reputation thanks to Alexis, the concierge of my hotel, the Skiathos Princess.

Best-kept secrets: The monastery of Panagia Kounistra is located in the middle of a pine forest

One day, I sail around the island, seeking beaches inaccessible by land. During my trip I stop at Lalaria, one of Greece's most beautiful beaches and famous for its limestone arch.

I also discover the monastery of Panagia Kounistra in the middle of a pine forest.

But if you're feeling lazy and do not fancy venturing too far, you need only hop to Ammos, the hotel's taverna on the beach. It's bliss.Crowned in January with much fanfare and ceremony, Leeuwarden is one of two European Capitals of Culture for 2018.

Yet most people have never heard of the place, which is a pity because it has everything you could wish for  canals, quaint streets, cosy bars and a couple of stunning museums.

It's also the capital of the Dutch province of Friesland, which has its own language (Frisian) and a strong reputation for independence.

Quaint: Cafes and shops line Leeuwarden's main canal. The city has recently been named a European Capital of Culture for 2018

Unsurprisingly, Frisians are grabbing the opportunity to showcase Leeuwarden, with a string of events and exhibitions throughout the year, so now is a great time to visit.

Here are my tips for spending a lazy weekend in the city

DAY ONE: Morning

Your first stop is Wilhelminaplein, Leeuwarden's most central square, where the Fries Museum has an excellent collection of Frisian artefacts and a section dedicated to the region's spirited resistance to the Nazis during the war.

And until April, there is a special exhibition on the life (and death) of First World War spy Mata Hari, who was born in Leeuwarden. She also has a statue dedicated to her next to one of the nearby canals.

It's a short stroll from the museum to the city's pretty Nieuwestad area, where you can browse in the shops before wandering along the attractive streets of the old town, exploring the independent shops and boutiques of St Jacobsstraat and Kleine Kerkstraat.

Pop into either the Zuivelhoeve or House of Taste deli to stock up on delicious unpasteurised Frisian cheeses, local ales and more sausages than you can shake a stick at.

Local haunts: Try the Kelder 65 bar, which was historically a favourite for local rockers

At lunchtime, enjoy a hot chocolate and uitsmijter (that's ham and eggs to you and me) at the nearby Fire Cafe, or else sink into one of the comfortable armchairs at Laura & De Chef, where they do decent burgers and salads.

DAY ONE: Afternoon

Noted Dutch graphic artist M. C. Escher was born in the city's Princessehof, a grand 18th Century mansion that has since been transformed into a stunning ceramics museum.

The museum has a breathtaking collection of Far East and Middle Eastern porcelain and contemporary works  think giant squids in their own ink and you've more or less got the picture.

Its pride and joy is a very rare 11th Century Ru dynasty dish, kept under tight security (an almost identical object was sold in London recently for 30 million), but the shop has a range of ceramic objects for those whose pockets are not quite as deep.

Across the square from the museum is the Pisa-like Oldehove, once the Netherlands' tallest church tower. The building subsided in the 16th Century and has been a symbol of the town since. Cross the road to see a mural that celebrates Rembrandt's Frisian wife Saskia van Uylenburgh.

Round off the day with dinner at Proefverlof, housed in a former prison, where you can choose to eat in a beautifully renovated industrial space  all girders and beams  or in one of the old cells.

Modern: The Fries Museum is home to an excellent collection of Frisian artefacts and a section dedicated to the region's spirited resistance to the Nazis

Follow this with a low-key bar-hop, taking in De Strolheod, Cafe de Spoek, an old rockers' haunt, or Kelder 65.

DAY TWO: Morning

Wander towards the station and take in the first of 11 fountains that follow the route of the region's famous ice-skating race, the Elfstedentocht.

Alas, the weather hasn't been cold enough to hold this event since 1997 but the fountains give you an excuse to get out of town for a few hours and take the train to see the surrounding area.

Be sure to visit the little museum in Hindeloopen, home to a display of the colourful painted furniture for which the town is renowned, before heading down to the harbour for lunch while gazing out over the still waters of the IJsselmeer.

Alternatively, you could consider a trip up the coast to where artist Joop Mudder's series of sculptures called Sense Of Place follow the dykes of the Wadden Sea.

DAY TWO: Afternoon

Jump on the train to explore the nearby town of Franeker before heading back to Leeuwarden. Have dinner at the excellent and atmospheric Grand Cafe Tsjoch, housed in the Post Plaza hotel.Advertisement

Some people are born to trains and some have trains thrust upon them. Fortunately, I can be included in this latter category. I have liked trains since I was a boy, although I was never a train-spotter.

My professional association with them began in 1998, shortly after I left Parliament. There was a BBC series in those days called Great Railway Journeys, which had a different presenter every week, and I was asked to host one of the shows.

My episode was largely autobiographical, focusing on my father's involvement in the Spanish Civil War. I travelled by train around Spain and talked to my uncles, who had fought on the opposite side from my father.

All aboard: Passengers sit on the roof as a packed train wends through Rajasthan. Trains are key to India's national story

I got rather emotional during the programme, revealing a different side to me than the one people knew from my 30-year career as a politician. I think this programme stuck in the memories of many viewers.

Ten years later, it was decided to make a new series about rail travel and history and my name came up because of the Spanish programme  an amazing bit of luck, really.

You never quite know what you do in life that leaves a seed behind that grows into an oak tree.

You can say it all flowed from the impact of the Spanish Civil War. Without it, my Spanish father would never have met my Scottish mother  he fled to Britain after the conflict  and without the war, I would not now have made 300 programmes charting great railway journeys across Britain, America, Europe and India.

About 100 days a year are taken up with filming  and I spend much of the rest of the year on trains too, travelling around the UK with my one-man show, talking about my life and times.

American dream: Michael in front of an old locomotive in Lowell, Massachusetts

People sometimes say that it's slightly surprising that trains have become a big part in my life, because the Conservative Government of which I was member did not seem to be terribly fond of the railways.

That's a big misconception. For example, I was the Minister who saved the Settle-Carlisle line  that's to say, I refused British Rail permission to close it.

The same Government also electrified the East Coast mainline, built the Channel Tunnel and the Heathrow Express, rebuilt Liverpool Street Station, extended the Jubilee Line to Docklands, and built the Docklands Light Railway.

Privatisation of the railways, which I supported, has meant they have gone from carrying 700 million passengers a year to 1.7 billion. There's been a huge renaissance in rail travel.

My recent series took me to America and it was interesting to look at the state of travel there. A lot of freight moves by rail, much more than in Britain. But long-distance passenger services have fallen victim to competition from airlines. There aren't too many people who can spend three days on a train rather than six hours on a plane to go from coast to coast.

One of the longest journeys I completed was from St Louis to the Grand Canyon, which I can thoroughly recommend.

However, you will discover that these long-distance services are not always very punctual, and generally there's only one train a day. But the trains are wonderfully old-fashioned in the best sense of the word  old-fashioned observation cars and conductors in old-fashioned uniforms.

Another pleasure is there is an on-board restaurant, so your steak is cooked to order by a chef  it wasn't pre-cooked in Wyoming and then reheated in a microwave, for example. And there are very high standards of accommodation: nice cabins with en suite showers.

So I think it is surprising that more Americans aren't taking the train. I often meet Americans on board who are travelling by train for the first time.

For international tourists, perhaps partly because of our programmes which are seen around the world, there is increasing interest in US train travel.

However, the programmes are not only about railways  they're about history too. In New England, for example, I took part in a Boston Tea Party event for tourists  you go on board a ship and decide whether you're going to hurl the tea into the harbour or not.

Interestingly, the Boston Tea Party, which we understand as being an act of protest against King George III for imposing 'taxation without representation', actually occurred because the British had reduced tax on tea, which meant that it had become unprofitable for smugglers!

Through the desert: In the US, there's an interesting history to freight trains, one pictured here along Route 66, Mojave Desert

I'm also interested in the so-called Robber Barons, the great tycoons of the railroads: Cornelius Vanderbilt and Leland Stanford, founder of the elite university in California. These men are enormous figures in American history.

The US railroads at the time were very unpopular  they became associated with monopolistic practices and very high ticket prices. To fight these monopolies, a populist movement rose up  as a result there is quite strong anti-cartel legislation which still exists  so the railways have played an important part in the political and economic history of the United States.

The train has also been key in India's national story. British-built railways in India helped the British to make money and maintain order; but, as a by-product, they served to unite the country, making it ripe for independence. Today, hundreds of millions of Indians live in the world's largest democracy.

Ghandi used the railways to help bring down the Raj

Exploring the subcontinent by rail today exposed me to its extraordinary vivacity, colour and noise  and introduced me to the new high-tech India, too.

With a century-old Bradshaw's Handbook Of Indian, Foreign And Colonial Travel, I embarked on a new adventure through a land of majestic mountains and plains watered by holy rivers.

Published at the height of the British Raj in 1913, the guidebook helped steer me towards ornate palaces and golden temples. I met Maharajas and Mughals and rode some of the world's most exhilarating trains.

One of the marvellous paradoxes, which we explore in the series, is that Mahatma Gandhi used the railways to travel to every town in India to spread the word of independence, and when he got off the train in each place, he was understood because he was speaking English and English was the common language.

So Gandhi used the railways and the English language (and the English law, because he was a barrister trained at Lincoln's Inn) to bring down the British Raj.

In the works: There's been talk of Michael's next series focussing on South America and the old Patagonian Express

We are planning further adventures and will be filming in Australia shortly. There has also been talk of a series on South America  the old Patagonian Express sounds very appealing.

But there are practical things to consider before we launch a new show. For example, many countries in South America have lost much of their railway network.

In contrast, countries such as Japan and China have invested heavily in railways and it is therefore easier to film there.

So there is no end in sight to my Great Railway Journeys. I'm happy to go on telling stories of history using the train as my vehicle.She once starred on a reality series called The Simple Life.

And Paris Hilton stripped down to the bare essentials while apparently working on a new photo-shoot, as she showed in an Instagram video this Friday.

The 37-year-old star posed topless with her long blonde hair falling over her bust.

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Blonde bombshell: Paris Hilton stripped down to the bare essentials while apparently working on a new photo-shoot, as she showed in an Instagram video this Friday

When it came to bottoms, all she had on was a set of sparkly nude underwear before later rocking a black pair.

She later wore a bunny mask, shielding her eyes.

Paris, who is currently engaged to marry her actor beau Chris Zylka, placed her hands at her head and turned sensuously, closing her eyes.

A few fire emoji floated around her head in the video, which she captioned: '#MermaidVibes'.

Wow: When it came to bottoms, all she had on was a set of sparkly nude underwear before later rocking a black pair

Hello, gorgeous: The 37-year-old posed topless with her hair falling over her bust, ensuring she comported with Instagram's Community Guidelines

Paris left her locks loose with a slight wave, opting for a center part.

The blonde painted her lips a pink hue with a touch of shadow on her lids.

This week it emerged that Paris' one-year-old niece Lily-Grace Victoria Rothschild is likely to serve as flower girl at her aunt's wedding.

Looking good: Paris painted her pout a pink hue for the photoshoot

Stunner: Paris left her locks loose with a slight wave, opting for a center part

Burning hot: A few fire emoji floated around her head in the video, which she captioned: '#MermaidVibes'

The news came from Nicky Hilton Rothschild - Paris' little sister and Lily-Grace's mother - who said as much to People magazine.

Nicky, who with her husband James Rothschild also has an 11-week-old daughter called Teddy, dished: 'I think Lily-Grace definitely will be [a flower girl]. I dont think Teddy will be walking yet.'

The Nicky Hilton-Rothschild wedding, joining a top American hotelier clan to titled European banking family of centuries-long fame, took place in 2015 at the Orangery of Kensington Palace, the London home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Gorgeous: She rocked white pointed heels with her sparkly underwear

Strike a pose: She later wore a bunny mask, shielding her eyesThey've taken the next step in their flourishing relationship.

And Hilary Duff's boyfriend Matthew Koma looked to be bonding well with their new senior pooch in a sweet Instagram photo shared on Friday morning.

Matthew adoringly held on to the gorgeous gal named Lucy as the pair cuddled together on the couch just one day after announcing he and Hilary had adopted the cute dog.

Lucy to his Ricky: Hilary Duff's boyfriend Matthew Koma looked to be bonding well with their new senior pooch in a sweet Instagram photo shared on Friday morning.

'I Love Lucy and she...looks fairly indifferent towards me,' Matthew joked to his thousands of fans on Instagram.

With a bright blue bandana wrapped around his head, he completed the caption saying, 'I will Ricky Ricardo her heart.'

Just the day before, Hilary boasted about the new addition with a sweet family photo shared on social media.

'Hey guys! We adopted an old dog thank you so much @loveleorescue #welovelucy,' Duff, 30, posted on Instagram on Thursday.

It's a girl: Hilary Duff and boyfriend Matthew Koma adopted a senior dog named Lucy in New York City

The Younger star wore a long melon coat and a copper top paired with black boots for the big outing.

Koma, 30, wore a pair of jeans, black coat and a white shirt with black sneakers.

Their pup Lucy went home with the excited couple wearing a red bandana.

Duff lost her beloved dog Dubois in February.

Cool to hot: The weather is much warmer in Los Angeles, where Lucy and mom Hilary don't have to deal with snow

This is the second time Hilary has adopted from Love Leo Rescue.

She brought home her 'little naughty Momo' from the company and it's been true love ever since.

Luckily for Lucy, the pair didn't spend too much time in the winter snow. Hilary and her four legged pal landed in Los Angeles on Friday where she met a French Bulldog pup named Peach.

Pure happiness: Lucy wagged her tail while meeting a French bulldog pup named Peach

Puppy love: The Younger star hung out with the Frenchie, who was trying to hide from a moving vacuum

The dogs were instantly friends, proven by Lucy's excitedly wagging tail in an Instagram video.

The new pup, formerly named Eloise was abandoned by their owner at the shelter after nine years together.

'We rescued her to give her the second chance she so deserves,' said a caption on Love Leo Rescue's Instagram page.

'I wish her former people could see her now. Shes going to have the best life ever.'He fought neighbours and planners for a decade to build this 10million ultra-modern home in the Cotswolds.

Now it appears Rowan Atkinson has given up the controversial property to his ex-wife  after leaving her for a younger woman.

The Mr Bean star, worth 100million, is believed to have forfeited the Oxfordshire mansion as part of a divorce settlement with former BBC make-up artist Sunetra Sastry, 55.

Rowan Atkinson is believed to have forfeited the Oxfordshire mansion as part of a divorce settlement with former BBC make-up artist Sunetra Sastry (left), 55. Meanwhile Atkinson, 63, is living with his new love  34-year-old actress Louise Ford (right)

The modernist Cotswolds estate, filled with hi-tech gadgets, comes with an underground garage for the Blackadder stars fleet of supercars

Meanwhile Atkinson, 63, is living with his new love  34-year-old actress Louise Ford  and their new baby in his 5million property in Hampstead, north London.

The modernist Cotswolds estate, filled with hi-tech gadgets, comes with an underground garage for the Blackadder stars fleet of supercars.

Although locals dubbed it a space age petrol station, it has won a top architecture award.

Friends said they were surprised Atkinson was willing to give it up his lifes work when he ended his 24-year marriage to Miss Sastry in 2016.

A spokesman refused to comment.She's the Channel Nine presenter currently expecting her first child.

And Erin Molan has now revealed the most surprising part of her pregnancy journey.

Speaking candidly with BW Magazine on Saturday, the 35-year-old divulged that it's 'her hormones and her emotions' that have been completely unexpected.

'I thought I was pretty cray-cray prior, but I tell you it's next level (now)': Speaking with BW magazine, Erin Molan has revealed that 'her hormones and her emotions' have taken her by surprise during her first pregnancy

'I thought I was pretty cray-cray prior, but I tell you it's next level (now)' Erin told the publication.

'The other week we were driving back to from Canberra and I started crying because I saw a dead tree branch!'

Pregnancy has been no easy ride for the blonde beauty, who has also been battling a strain of acute morning sickness known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

'The other week we were driving back to from Canberra and I started crying because I saw a dead tree branch!' Pregnancy has been no easy ride for Erin, who has also been battling a strain of acute morning sickness

Symptoms of Hyperemesis Gravidarum include severe nausea and feeling faint or dizzy when standing, and is the same illness Kate Middleton has battled throughout her three pregnancies.

Last month, Erin was rushed to hospital after fainting at Nine's studios in Sydney, an event that she previously told 9Honey 'was probably a good lesson' as she needs to try and slow down.

However, speaking with BW on Saturday, Erin said her employers have been 'amazing' and 'so flexible'.

Busy blonde: Erin juggles presenting sports reports with her role as host on a revamped Footy Show

The bubbly star juggles weekends presenting sport on Nine News Sydney and has just commenced hosting a revamped version of The Footy Show.

And while it's been a difficult pregnancy Erin said she's looking forward to becoming a mum in June.

She gushed to BW that she can't wait to see her policeman fiance Sean Ogilvy 'with bubba'.

'I said to him the other day, I can't wait to see you hold bub for first time... He's so good with kids and will be such a beautiful dad'.She was recently announced as a new ambassador for retail chain Myer.

And Elyse Knowles narrowly averted a crisis on Friday when a taxi drove dangerously near her as she did a photo shoot for the brand on a busy inner city street.

The 24-year-old shared footage from the hazardous moment to her Instagram Story while promoting her modeling gig during Melbourne Fashion Festival.

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That was close! Elyse Knowles narrowly averted a crisis on Friday when a taxi drove dangerously near her as she did a photo shoot for the brand on a busy inner city street

The statuesque blonde was seen shooting outside Myer's flagship store in the CBD, wearing a racy red bralette and matching pants from clothing brand House Of CB.

As she posed for impromptu images by raising her hands in the air and walking in the middle of the street, a yellow taxi steadily drove towards her.

She smiled as she neared the camera, then turned around abruptly to notice the incoming car and gasped.

Street style: As she posed for impromptu images by raising her hands in the air and walking in the middle of the street, a yellow taxi steadily drove towards her

Crisis averted! She smiled as she neared the camera, then turned around abruptly to notice the incoming car and gasped

'Wait for it!' she captioned the video, tagging the photographer, 'Lady Drewniak'.

Elyse's career has reached new heights since she won Channel Nine reality show The Block with her longtime boyfriend Josh Barker last year.

After recently revealing her new role with Myer, she strutted her stuff for the retailer at the 2018 Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival on Friday night.

'Wait for it!' she captioned the video, tagging the photographer, 'Lady Drewniak'

She made her catwalk debut for the department store alongside male ambassador Kris Smith in the 'Australian Designer' and 'Street Style' categories.

Elyse's appearance at VAMFF was her first role for Myer since she was announced as the retail chain's latest ambassador last month.

Taking to Instagram, the beauty confirmed: 'I'm very excited to announce that I will be working alongside @myer this season.''Can it really be 60 years ago that I first tottered down the Oscars red carpet in vertiginous pink satin heels and a pink balloon-skirted gown that I had designed myself?' writes Joan Collins (above wearing a pink gown in 1958 which she designed herself)

Can it really be 60 years ago that I first tottered down the Oscars red carpet in vertiginous pink satin heels and a pink balloon-skirted gown that I had designed myself?

I was an excited young starlet when I set foot inside the Pantages Theatre, Hollywood, to attend what was then the 30th Academy Awards and I shall never forget it.

I was majorly excited because one of the nominees for the Best Actress award was my very close friend Joanne Woodward.

She was accompanied by her handsome movie star husband Paul Newman and I was with my friend, the producer John Foreman, and my boyfriend Arthur Loew Jr.

Joanne was up for her staggering performance in The Three Faces Of Eve, but facing tough competition from Deborah Kerr, Anna Magnani, Elizabeth Taylor and Lana Turner.

Despite it being the biggest night in Hollywood, Joanne had styled her own hair. As had I.

We had also applied our own make-up and wore our own jewellery. Those were the days!

But Joanne had one up on me and all the other guests that evening. She had designed, cut and sewn her own dress.

'Shocking,' shrieked the tough, outspoken grand dame Joan Crawford. 'By making her own clothes, Joanne Woodward has set Hollywood glamour back 20 years.'

Well, Joan, you should see what some starlets are wearing today.

Cut to the crotch, boobs barely contained, legs akimbo  many frocks today seem attached to their wearer by tooth floss. I'm sure she'd turn in her grave.

Joanne was mighty proud of her intricate green velvet dress with matching coat and it looked brilliant when, to our whoops and cheers, she stepped on to the stage to receive the winning statuette.

'I'm keeping the dress,' she said when a museum in her home town asked for it to be displayed.

'I'm almost as proud of it as I am of my Oscar.'

'At the after-party in 1959, I chatted with the witty and urbane David Niven who had won Best Actor for Separate Tables' (above together)

Fifteen years later, Niven cleverly dealt with streaker Robert Opel at the Oscars (above)

How times have changed. And not just in terms of the frocks.

No stranger to the 'wolves' of Hollywood myself, I am glad that actresses of today are no longer frightened to speak up about the sexual harassment that, in my day, was par for the course.

I've lost count of the times I was called frigid, a shameless flirt and a cold, heartless b**** for rejecting unwelcome advances.

But there is a danger, too, of Hollywood losing its sense of humour in its quest to right untold wrongs.

There was no chance of that back in 1958 when the brilliant Bob Hope was the Master of Ceremonies, trading quips and insults with the likes of John Wayne, Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas.

These were some of the most talented, charismatic actors of what is now called the 'golden age' of cinema.

Having been an avid movie-goer since I was eight, I was utterly star-struck to see Burt and Kirk perform a hilarious song-and-dance routine called It's Great Not To Be Nominated, which poked fun at some of the male nominees, including Marlon Brando, Alec Guinness and Charles Laughton.

The number ended with a spectacular stunt in which Kirk stood on Burt's shoulders, who held him aloft as they danced jauntily off the stage.

It was such a success that, to my surprise, I was asked to perform a version the following year with two other British actresses  Angela Lansbury and Dana Wynter.

'When, in 1984, I presented the technical awards with Arnold Schwarzenegger, there was a designer on board who insisted I wear a strange melange of styles 'to go with the theme of the night'. This confection consisted of a long black skirt and a bright red sequin beaded top'

Legendary lyricist Sammy Cahn wrote the lyrics to It's Bully Not To Be Nominated, which we performed in exaggerated English accents.

Angela and Dana wore slinky satin sheaths while I opted for a tight gold lame number which, again, I had designed myself since I considered the old-school Hollywood designers outfits too fussy and complicated.

Besides, I didn't have a dresser to truss me up in the corsets and buttons and bows with which they festooned their evening dresses.

As it turned out, I had to console myself that at least my dress looked good, because the reaction to our skit fell way short of the applause that had greeted Burt and Kirk.

We, nevertheless, trundled on, only discovering later  to our horror  that all the nominated actresses had been insulted by our japes and had taken the jokey lyrics personally.

Granted, the words were pretty unfunny, although we did raise a grin from Shirley when we hissed: 'Shirley MacLaine's a talent that's rare, if you like juvenile delinquent hair.'

Legendary comedy actress Rosalind Russell glowered as we made reference to her age  ageist jokes don't go down well in Hollywood  so I was surprised to see this year's host Jimmy Kimmel crack a feeble joke about Christopher Plummer, still magnificent at 88.

It was a shame Rosalind took it personally as she and I got along quite well the year before, exchanging quips when I presented Best Cinematography to Jack Hildyard.

She asked me to explain what a cinematographer does, and I said: 'He's the one who shows up first on set before anyone is there, fixes the lens, adjusts the lights, peers through the viewfinder at you and then stands up and asks: 'So, what were you up to last night?'

At the after-party in 1959, I chatted with the witty and urbane David Niven who had won Best Actor for Separate Tables.

That was also the year the show ended up being too short for the allotted television broadcast.

Joan with her husband Percy Gibson arriving at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in LA this year

The producer, Jerry Wald, started cutting numbers from the show to make sure it ran on time, but ended up cutting too much material, so the ceremony finished 20 minutes early, leaving bemused host Jerry Lewis to attempt to fill in the time.

Jerry asked the presenters, winners and nominees to come up on stage while he took the conductor's baton and played a lovely waltz as he told us to, 'Keep dancing, kids, keep dancing!'.

For ten excruciating minutes, a host of stars such as Dean Martin (Jerry joked of his former comedy partner, from whom he'd split acrimoniously: 'You never thought Dean and I would be on stage together again'), Natalie Wood, Robert Wagner, Maurice Chevalier and little me had to awkwardly take each other's hands and prance around while Jerry frantically encouraged us.

Eventually, NBC cut to a re-run of a sports show.

It never happened again.

In 1974, I had another encounter with Niven when my then husband, producer Ron Kass, was nominated for best documentary for Naked Yoga.

True to the title, a streaker shot past security and paraded naked on stage in front of Niven, who had the wit and presence of mind to joke: 'Isn't it fascinating to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings?'

The audience burst into hysterical laughter.

As the Eighties dawned, stylists came into vogue.

When, in 1984, I presented the technical awards with Arnold Schwarzenegger, there was a designer on board who insisted I wear a strange melange of styles 'to go with the theme of the night'.

This confection consisted of a long black skirt and a bright red sequin beaded top.

It was backless and almost frontless, which I wasn't happy about as I thought it was too revealing. I laid out in the sun and got a deep tan to cover my embarrassment.

'This year I was bewitched into a structured beaded gown by Mark Zunino, with a long train which was constantly stepped on, almost tripping me up'

Arnold, however, seemed quite taken with the outfit and put his arms around me several times in what today would most certainly be deemed 'inappropriate touching'.

Never one to play the victim, I touched him back, squeezing his massive bicep which was as hard as steel.

I wasn't the only one to be surprised when he went on to become governor of California and have a child with his maid.

As the Eighties powered on, it was considered rather tacky to not wear anything but designer duds, and as I was then working on Dynasty I was lucky enough to be able to borrow several outfits I'd worn on the show.

It was also around this time that the legendary super-agent Irving 'Swifty' Lazar started hosting his fabulous Oscar night viewing parties at the trendy Spago restaurant.

By this time, most stars who weren't nominated or presenting preferred to go to Swifty's party, rather than face the hassle of red carpet madness at the actual ceremony.

Lazar's parties were a much coveted ticket, as he was meticulous about whom he invited. Competition to be asked was fierce and he had to fend off hundreds of wannabe invitees.

I was honoured to always be on the guest list, as was my late sister Jackie, along with major luminaries and legends such as Billy Wilder, Robert Mitchum and Cary Grant.

It was a veritable Who's Who of Hollywood.

In 1992, I went to my table at Spago escorted by Swifty's right-hand man, Alan Nevins, and saw that he was seated next someone called 'Ms Ciccone'.

'Who's that?' I enquired.

'Me,' said a little voice in reply and I turned to see Madonna wearing a black beret, a string of pearls and a simple blue top.

'From now on, it's no tight dresses, no long trains; and perhaps by next year, I'll have learned my lesson...'

I wore a long, black lace dress which I had bought myself, unlike most of the actresses on the red carpet who were loaned their designer dresses and bling.

Today, the top actresses actually get paid to wear a particular designer's dress and jewellery, sometimes as much as $200,000 (144,000).

In the days before freebies and Instagram, if you can imagine such Medieval times, privacy was also highly prized.

Swifty did his utmost to keep his parties truly private and became enraged if people took pictures inside.

Each year, his table arrangements were more and more spectacular and he forbade any of his guests to stand up and mingle during the television broadcast.

One year he banned Raquel Welch because she was socialising too much!

Swifty died in 1993 and his legendary parties were taken over by Graydon Carter, editor of Vanity Fair magazine.

Graydon continued the tradition of inviting the great and the good to marvellous seated dinners to watch the TV broadcast. The event continues to be a required stop after the awards along with Elton John's AIDS Foundation party.

The now famous Vanity Fair party started at Morton's restaurant, then Cecconi's (which was great because Elton's was over the street and people could walk back and forth between the two).

It then moved to the Sunset Tower Hotel, finally becoming so big they had to erect a tent across a main thoroughfare to connect it to the vast Annenberg Center.

Jackie and I went to both parties every year, and we always had the most brilliant time.

We were quite the Oscar regulars!

Which made my Oscars fashion disaster in 2011 all the more embarrassing.

I'd squeezed myself into a mauve and violet Georges Hobeika gown, gifted to me by Georges himself for a photoshoot.

The dress looked fantastic but it was seriously tight and I couldn't eat, which was seriously stupid because these parties regularly begin at 4.30pm and would always end in the early hours.

To make matters worse, I was still on a course of antibiotics for the flu so I'd started the evening already under par.

Around 10pm, while chatting to Valentino (as one does), I started to feel faint.

I collapsed beside the bar (as one also does), which luckily was empty except for Jackie, who summoned my husband Percy, who summoned the hotel staff, who, for some reason, summoned the fire department.

I was ignominiously whisked into an ambulance and off to Cedars-Sinai Hospital where half my dress was cut off by my doctor Lawrence Piro  despite my screams of protest.

Mortified, I vowed to never make the same mistake again, promising myself I would wear only comfortable gowns to every future Oscar party.

That was before this year, when I was bewitched into a structured beaded gown by Mark Zunino, with a long train which was constantly stepped on, almost tripping me up.

So, from now on, it's no tight dresses, no long trains; and perhaps by next year, I'll have learned my lesson...EastEnders fans have been waiting on the edge of their seats ever since it was revealed Jessie Wallace would reprise her iconic role in the soap.

And the latest trailer has given viewers at home their first glimmer of Kat Moon making her explosive comeback to Albert Square via a black taxi.

Nail-biting scenes capture the moment Kat is sat in a taxi reapplying her red lipstick  a look inspired by Hollywood star Joan Collins, according to Jessie.

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EastEnders SPOILER: Dramatic trailer revealed the moment Kat Moon is seen for the first time on Albert Square after sobbing Big Mo announces her death

Tear-jerking scenes also reveal Big Mo (Laila Morse), who makes her own shock return to the soap, announcing the devastating death of Kat.

The strong matriarch figure breaks down into tears as she shares the bad news with the rest of the family.

But never one to miss a money-making opportunity, Big Mo plans a wake in the Queen Vic with a 10 entry fee, with a sign on the door saying: 'RIP Kat Slater.

'She's dead': Tear-jerking scenes also reveal Big Mo (Laila Morse), who makes her own shock return to the soap, announcing the devastating death of Kat

'Tonight at the Queen Vic. Meat Raffle, Auction, Walford's Got Talent. Entry only if you're wearing leopard print!'

All the residents of Albert Square dig out their leopard print ensembles, Kat's trademark look, to pay tribute to her.

At first Big Mo tried to get in touch with Kat's cousin Stacey Slater with the sad news but when she fails she is forced to make the trip in person.

Tragic loss: At first Big Mo tried to get in touch with Kat's cousin Stacey Slater with the sad news but when she fails she is forced to make the trip in person

Fans were left on tenterhooks over Kat's fate last year in the final scenes of her Irish spin-off Kat and Alfie: Redwater.

Kat was pulled from the icy ocean unconscious, just as Alfie flat-lined during an operation for a brain tumour.

But they need not worry, as Kat's return to the BBC soap was confirmed in December, with a source telling The Sun her latest storyline will be nothing short of a rollercoaster.

Tribute: Never one to miss a money-making opportunity, Big Mo plans a wake in the Queen Vic with a 10 entry fee, with a sign on the door saying: 'RIP Kat Slater'

They said: 'Kats return has caused a lot of excitement, but it wont be quite what everyones expecting.

'Rather than her friends and family rolling out the red carpet the residents are told she has died. Its set to be a very emotional story-line  but thats probably fitting for Kat.

'It wont all be quite as it seems and the writers have some further twists and turns planned.'

Are you copying my look? All the residents of Albert Square dig out their leopard print ensembles, Kat's trademark look, to pay tribute to her

Sadly it seems Kat's husband Alfie will not be joining her back in Walford, as actor Shane Richie has confirmed he has no plans to return.

Jessie shot to huge fame playing Kat, a member of the popular Slater family, in 2000 and has appeared on the soap on and off ever since.

With her romance with Alfie being a focal storyline for Kat throughout the soap, it was believed that things would go well.

In January, the soap star revealed it felt like coming 'home' when she shared intimate pictures of her dressing table while preparing for her role reprisal.

She's back! The latest trailer has given viewers at home their first glimmer of Kat Moon making her explosive comeback to Albert Square via a black taxi

What a comeback: Fans were left on tenterhooks over Kat's fate last year in the final scenes of her Irish spin-off Kat and Alfie: Redwater

Detailing what it was like to be back on Albert Square, Jessie simply penned on social media: 'I'm home'.

It seems the feisty television character will be taking some make-up and style tips from Hollywood queen and Dynasty star Joan Collins.

Striking Jessie shared a snap which displayed a number of make-up items released by the 80s icon, captioned: 'Kat's new make-up'.

Returning: All is not as it seems as 'dead' Kat is actually set to return to Albert Square in the near future, following the cliffhanger end to her spin-off Kat and Alfie: RedwaterThey often leave fans in stitches over their on-air gags.

But Nova's Fitzy and Wippa have revealed they once almost went too far.

Speaking to news.com.au, the duo (real names Ryan Fitzgerald and Michael Wipfli) revealed a spoof their employer completely banned them from doing.

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'What if Kate Ritchie has a meltdown?': Radio hosts Fitzy and Wippa reveal the dangerous stunt Nova BANNED them from doing

The pair planned to 'fake their deaths' in an attempt to terrify fellow Nova employees.

'We were gonna steal an idea from a film ... it was going to be a prank on [Nova drive show] Kate, Tim and Marty,' explained Wippa.

Hosts from both shows were to be told they were taking part in an advert for the network in a caravan.

Fitzy and Wippa were to enter the vehicle first before escaping through a secret door.

Then, as Kate Ritchie, Tim Blackwell and Marty Sheargold looked on, it would go careering down a cliff before exploding into flames.

The duo said the gag ended up being canned at the last minute by Nova because they had a 'duty of care'.

Not happening: Speaking to news.com.au , the duo (real names Ryan Fitzgerald and Michael Wipfli) said they had planned to 'fake their deaths' in an attempt to terrify fellow Nova employees

'We were told two things  first of all, Nova said, "What if they don't react and don't care that you've gone off a cliff?"' Wippa explained.

'Or what if it's the opposite, and Kate (Ritchie) goes into meltdown or something?' ... It came down to duty of care.'

One of the duos' funniest pranks to date was the time Fitzy replaced one of Wippa's children with a demon doll in his cot.

Entering his son Jack's nursery, Wippa got the fright of his life when the doll's eyes lit up and his head span around, prompting Wippa to duck and swear behind the boy's bed.

The funnyman's wife Lisa was in on the joke and had helped Fitzy set it up.She stars as Olivia Pope on the hit show Scandal.

And on Friday, Kerry Washington filmed scenes for her the ABC series in front of the White House in Washington, DC.

The 41-year-old actress looked chic and quite cosmopolitan thanks to her cream-colored trench coat, which she fashionably secured by knotting the incorporated belt.

Patriotic feel! On Friday Kerry Washington filmed scenes for her hit ABC show Scandal in front of the famed White House in Washington, D.C.

Black wide leg trousers and some white pointed toe pumps rounded out her sophisticated outfit, while her main accessory was a large black Prada tote which she held in her right hand.

Her raven tresses were parted on the right, and fell straight down just past her shoulders.

The Bronx, New York native opted for a smokey eye, subtle blush and pale rose lipstick for the shoot.

Classic look! The 41-year-old actress looked chic and quite cosmopolitan thanks to her cream-colored trench coat, which she fashionably secured by knotting the incorporated belt

Keeping it simple: Black wide leg trousers and some white pointed toe pumps rounded out her sophisticated outfit, while her main accessory was a large black Prada tote which she held in her right hand

Super style! Her raven tresses were parted on the right, and fell straight down just past her shoulders

While it wasn't clear what role the famous landmark would play in the episode, it certainly featured quite prominently in the shoot, which saw Washington pose in front of it multiple times.

This season of the show will be the last, but that apparently doesn't mean that Washington knows how the storyline will resolve.

Washington and co-stars Tony Goldwyn, Scott Foley, and Bellamy Young recently admitted they were just as in the dark as everyone else during a stop by The Ellen Show last week.

Not so subtle: While it wasn't clear what role the famous landmark would play in the episode, it certainly featured quite prominently in the shoot, which saw Washington pose in front of it multiple times

The actors confessed that they know to expect the unexpected from showrunner/creator Shonda Rimes, as Washington explained: 'We know enough to know that if we feel like this episode is leading us down a path, the rug is going to get ripped out from under us.'

Though she couldn't glean many details about the finale from the actors, Ellen made sure to ask the quartet who they'd miss 'doing love scenes with' the most.

Washington laughed the question off, saying: 'I'm not gonna miss [Olivia's love interests] that way, but I'm going to miss them in a lot of other ways.'He was propelled into fame back on The Only Way Is Essex in 2011.

But Joey Essex, 27, claimed he has his eyes set on America after filming his latest TV venture Five Star Hotel  where he claimed he didn't sleep with any of the guests.

The former TOWIE star explained to The Sun he wants to make the move to the states because he can't walk down the street without being noticed on home turf.

'I can't walk down the street without a hat': Joey Essex planned to move to America as he confessed he didn't have sex during filming for Five Star Hotel (pictured)

Joey told the publication: 'In England I can't walk down the street without a hat on. I want a fresh start in America.

'I'm going to America soon to meet agents. I've been offered presenting but I don't feel like me when I do it, all I want to do is be Joey Essex.'

Reality star worlds collide on Five Star Hotel when a whole galaxy of celebrities run a luxury resort together in Ios, Greece which will air on E4 shortly.

Star-studded crew: Joey joins Made In Chelsea's Spencer Matthews, Geordie Shore's Holly Hagan and Ex On The Beach's Ashley Cain as well as TOWIE's Lydia Bright

Joey joins Made In Chelsea's Spencer Matthews, Geordie Shore's Holly Hagan and Ex On The Beach's Ashley Cain as well as TOWIE's Lydia Bright.

Well known for his charming ways, it may come as a surprise that the former TOWIE star didn't have sex with any of the guests while filming Five Star Hotel.

Despite claiming he had at least five sexual advances, the hunk insisted he didn't want to 'annoy' the other beauties by taking up one of the offers.

Shock: Well known for his charming ways, it may come as a surprise that the former TOWIE star didn't have sex with any of the guests while filming Five Star Hotel

He added: 'There were five girls who all wanted to get with me but if I got off with one of them, it would annoy the other four.'

Joey has previously been romantically linked to reality star Sam Faiers, model Amy Willerton and Made In Chelsea's Stephanie Pratt.

During his latest TV appearance in June, he kept pretty tight lipped about his love life when quizzed on This Morning.

The Essex native explained: 'I'm single but you know I'm seeing someone.. erm...' Joey stuttered, as Holly Willoughby interjected with, 'That can't work surely?'.

'Erm yes it can', he hit back, as Phil Schofield intervened, repeating: 'You're single but you're seeing someone?'.

'Well I'm not going to sit at home by myself,' Joey responded, defensively.He's the British actor known for his star turn as Finn in the new Star Wars franchise.

And now John Boyega has revealed yet another classic franchise he'd like to tackle - James Bond.

While Idris Elba has been tipped to play the next Bond, during an interview with Be, the 25-year-old jokingly said: 'We can both do it'.

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Going head to head! John Boyega has said he'd like to be the next James Bond, ahead of his new blockbuster flick Pacific Rum Uprising as both leading man and producer

John suggested that Idis could play James Bond while he take on a novel role alongside the actor as James Bond Jr.

The actor admitted he was probably too young to be considered for the 007 role at this stage in his career, sharing: 'For me, at 25-years-old, James Bond, I'm a bit too young for it now.'

Despite suggestions as to who could play the next Bond, the title is still held by Daniel Craig.

Mini me! Following his comment, the famed face suggested that Idis could play James Bond while he take on a novel role alongside the actor as James Bond Jr

The star made sure to note that Daniel Craig is not finished with his reign as 007 just yet.

'We still get to enjoy him in at least one more film, I hope,' the young talent added.

Ahead of the release of his all-new Pacific Rim Uprising flick, John landed in Sydney to make an appearance Down Under.

Dream team! Ahead of the release of his all-new Pacific Rim Uprising flick, John landed in Sydney to make an appearance Down Under with fellow co-star Scott Eastwood

Filmed alongside Scott Eastwood, Pacific Rim Uprising was largely shot in Sydney, with John living in the Australian city for more than four months during production.

'I like the best Raman spots in town. In Sydney, I like George Street and how loud it is, it reminds me of central London so you could catch me walking around there while we were filming,' he revealed in a recent interview on Seven's Sunrise.

The action-packed film is set to hit cinemas across Australia on 22 March, 2018.She's the former high-class escort who regularly shares racy snippets of her life.

And on Saturday, Samantha X (real name Amanda Goff) was showing off her risque sense of humour on social media.

Taking to her Instagram Story, the 44-year-old uploaded an image of pair of pink undies which had been discarded on the pavement.

'They're not mine!': Former elite escort Samantha X teased fans with photo of discarded underwear in a cheeky Instagram snap on Saturday

'They're not mine,' the former magazine journalist cheekily captioned the snap.

Samantha has garnered quite the following since sharing her exploits as a former sex worker, with many women coming to the stunner for advice.

Last Sunday, a woman who had recently busted her husband paying for erotic massages while heavily pregnant asked the blonde bombshell what to do next.

Cheeky! Taking to her Instagram Story, the 44-year-old uploaded an image of pair of pink undies which had been discarded on the pavement and joked about them

The anonymous woman revealed that she had discovered her partner had been spending thousands on 'happy endings' while she was eight months pregnant with their child.

Explaining that her husband had insisted he had gone to therapy and was now 'cured' of the addiction, the woman expressed that she had her doubts that this was true.

She added that a huge red flag was that her man had recently returned from a trip to Melbourne and mysteriously had all his clothes laundered.

'You ask me do I think he will change? The answer is no' Samantha was blunt when telling the woman her man probably wouldn't change his ways

'The urge will come back' Samantha also warned the woman that her husband would likely return to the erotic massage parlours

Samantha X was straight to the point when dishing out advice to the scorned woman.

'You ask me do I think he will change? The answer is no,' the busty blonde responded.

'He may stop seeking sexual services for a few weeks or months, but the urge will come back and the parlour doors will be beckoning him again.'

She concluded: 'Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but I am a big believer in knowledge is power not ignorance is bliss. Good luck.'Police were forced to intervene after Tori Spelling got into a row with her husband Dean McDermott, over a family dinner.

The warring couple were pictured at loggerheads inside a packed diner near their Tarzana, California home, as other diners watched the drama unfold on Friday evening.

Los Angeles Police Department deputies could be seen attempting to defuse the incident, which occurred in the presence of all five of the couple's children.

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Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott pictured having blazing row in restaurant in front of their 5 children on Friday evening in Tarzana... before being escorted out by police

Rough:The row marks the third time this week that police have been forced to intervene with the pair, who remain living together

The row marks the third time this week that police have been forced to intervene with the pair, who remain living together.

The two had appeared to be attempting to put their troubles behind them as they walked inside the Black Bear Diner, smiling for photographers.

Dean, 51, carried their youngest child Beau, while Stella, Hattie, Liam and Finn walked beside their mother.

Stepping in: Los Angeles Police Department deputies could be seen attempting to defuse the incident, which occurred in the presence of all five of the couple's children

Difficult: While the cause of the commotion was unknown, Tori appeared to keep her phone in front of her face to document the events

Problem? Minutes later, the entire party of seven was escorted out of the restaurant through a back door and into a waiting vehicle

Trouble: It's unclear if there was an issue surrounding the family at the restaurant, but authorities were pictured parked outside of the eatery while the family dined

However once inside the eatery things went downhill. After police calmed the couple, the entire party of seven was escorted out of the restaurant through a back door and into a waiting vehicle.

While the cause of the commotion was unknown, Tori appeared to keep her phone in front of her face to document the events.

The incident comes a week after police were first summoned to Dean and Tori's Woodland Hills-area home.

Family: Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott brought the entire brood to dinner in the Los Angeles suburb of Tarzana, Calif., on Friday evening

Cute: The 44-year-old actress walked alongside her four children wearing distressed denim and a red flannel jacket as Dean, 51, carried their youngest child by his side just days after police were called to their home for a 'domestic incident'

Mommy and me: Large floral appliques were plastered across the sleeves of her stylish red-and-black check coat

Police were called to the family's residence late last week for a 'domestic incident' but decided that no crime was committed.

Spelling reportedly had heard a noise while at home and called the police, only to find it was her husband returning home.

Days later officials were once again called by Dean to check in on Tori during a doctor's appointment after she left the home with at least one of their children.

It's uncertain why Dean was concerned about his wife, but after deputies spoke with Tori inside the doctor's office and determined she and the children were fine, 'everyone went on their way' as no crime had been committed, according to TMZ.

Cute: The Beverly Hills 90210 starlet sported a white shirt with the slogan, 'Act like a lady; think like a boss' etched in bold black lettering

Dad: Dean followed his family into the eatery wearing jeans and a grey T-shirt paired with a puffy black vest.

Hungry: The Chopped Canada host carried their youngest child, Beau, in one hand as Stella, Hattie, Liam and Finn hurried by their motherShe always looks stylish, no matter the occasion.

And on Friday, Selma Blair did not disappoint as she showed off her toned legs during a shopping trip in Beverly Hills on Friday.

The American Crime Story star, 45, wore a black top, matching velvet shorts and a pair of blush ballet flats.

Pink lady: Selma Blair showed off her toned legs in a pair of velvet short and blush ballet flats on Friday in Los Angeles

Blair is currently promoting her latest film Mom and Dad, a horror film which co-stars Nicolas Cage.

The film tells the story of a teenage girl and her little brother who must survive a wild 24 hours during which a mass hysteria of unknown origins causes parents to turn violently on their own kids.

Blair and Cage play their parents Brent and Kendall Ryan in the Brian Taylor directed film.

Retail therapy: Blair, who has a new film out co-starring Nicolas Cage, indulged in a bit of shopping

Breezy: Her brunette locks looked glamorous for her solo retail outing

Quick change: The mom-of-one walked in wearing a pair of sneakers but left wearing the flats

Cage told Variety it's the best movie he's done in ten years followed by Drive Angry and Joe.

Blair has a six-year-old son Arthur Saint Bleick with ex Jason Bleick.

The Michigan born star also has a role in the small screen adaptation of Heathers, though the premiere was delayed after the Parkland School shooting.

The brunette beauty plays Jade, the stepmother of Heather Duke (Brendan Scannell), who is described as 'rough around the edges with a bit of glamour to her,' according to Variety.

How do I look? She also checked herself out in the mirror while trying on a pair of sunglasses

Delayed: Her new series Heathers was delayed after the Parkland School ShootingShe split from her Bachelorette boyfriend Stu Laundy after six months together.

And Sophie Monk appeared to be enjoying life as a single woman when she stepped out to attend the 2018 Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival on Friday.

The 37-year-old flirted up a storm with male attendees at the GQ Magazine runway event, including the festival's CEO Graeme Lewsey.

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Pucker up! Sophie Monk appeared to be enjoying life as a single woman when she stepped out to attend the 2018 Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival on Friday

The reality star planted a kiss on Graeme's cheek as the attractive pair posed for red carpet photos prior to the catwalk presentation.

The twosome snapped a number of photos together, with Sophie flaunting her slender physique in a black leather dress.

She also took photos with another couple of gentlemen, standing in the middle of them beaming as they smooched either side of her face.

Dazzling: The 37-year-old flirted up a storm with male attendees at the GQ Magazine runway event, including the festival's CEO Graeme Lewsey

A glowing Sophie stunned onlookers at the event in her daring mini, which she paired with YSL stilettos and dazzling drop earrings.

The eligible media personality confirmed her break-up with her 'perfect match' Stu in January, after months of fan speculation regarding their romance.

She spoke with A Current Affair in February about splitting with the millionaire publican, stating: 'You clash when you've got different morals.'

Popular: She also took photos with another couple of gentlemen, standing in the middle of them beaming as they smooched either side of her face

'I don't get the opportunity to meet people that often,' she explained of her decision to star in The Bachelorette's third season.

'I kept trying to make it work. I gave it my best shot, I didn't go into this half-arsed, I went into it full and happy to commit,' she continued.

The former pop star admitted she was crestfallen at the time, revealing: 'I wanted to get married, settle down, have children.'

Rock chic: A glowing Sophie stunned onlookers at the event in her daring mini, which she paired with YSL stilettos and dazzling drop earringsShe's the former Home And Away star who famously possesses a passion for fashion.

And on Friday night, Demi Harman put her best foot forward in the style stakes, stepping out for the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival.

The 24-year-old turned heads by opting for a pinstripe pantsuit teamed with a pair of crisp white sneakers.

Suits her! Former Home And Away actress Demi Harman turned heads in a Carla Zampatti pantsuit at VAMFF on Friday night

The starlet, who played rebellious teenager Sasha Bezmel on the Channel Seven soap, looked chic in the suit by Australian-Italian designer Carla Zampatti.

Appearing to go braless beneath the blazer, daring Demi flashed a hint of cleavage as she posed before the event's media wall.

Proving on-trend, the pants were cut wide in the leg, while the actress made sure she was effortlessly cool by leaving one of her shoes deliberately unlaced.

Stunner: The Brisbane-born beauty left her brunette locks out and parted at the middle, and completed her look with eye shadow and a burgundy lipstick

The Brisbane-born beauty left her brunette locks out and parted at the middle, completing her look with eye shadow and a burgundy lipstick.

Posing with a friend, the star later treated her 348,000 Instagram followers to glimpses inside the runway show as she sat in the event's front row.

Demi is no stranger to the glitzy world of fashion shows, having last September attended New York's famed Fashion Week.

Friends and fashion! Demi posed with a pal on the event's red carpet

In 2015, the star departed Home And Away bound for Hollywood in 2015, but her upcoming screen roles are currently unknown.

Meanwhile, the beauty is set to celebrate her 25th birthday on Sunday.

The star may be spending the special day with her long-term love Alec Snow, who also appeared on Home And Away.Brooklyn Decker's new film Support The Girls premiered Friday at the South By Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas.

But when she swung by the event at the ZACH Theatre, she paid tribute to her co-star in another project - Jane Fonda, her colleague on the sitcom Grace And Frankie.

Wearing her blonde hair down, 30-year-old Brooklyn modeled a T-shirt that had Jane's iconic 1970 mugshot emblazoned on the front.

Glowing: Brooklyn Decker's new film Support The Girls premiered Friday at the South By Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas

The black-and-white top elegantly complemented Brooklyn's high-waisted black skirt, into which she had tucked the tee.

Her skirt was hemmed around mid-calf, allowing for a full view of the sleek sharp-tipped black boots she wore.

Brooklyn accentuated her winning features with makeup including a slick of scarlet lipstick, and she added a splash of glitz with hoop earrings.

Loving nod: But when she swung by the event at the ZACH Theatre, she paid tribute to her co-star in another project - Jane Fonda, her colleague on the sitcom Grace And Frankie

She was joined at the premiere by her co-star Regina Hall, who wore a stylish black coat over a T-shirt advertising that she 'DRINKS WELL WITH OTHERS'.

Their fellow actress in the film, Haley Lu Richardson, was Little House On The Prairie chic in a floral dress with bulbous sleeves, a high neck and lace trim.

AJ Michalka, also in Support The Girls, had opted for floral as well, slipping into a scarlet, green, purple and off-white dress with sheer sleeves.

Hot in Cleveland: Wearing her blonde hair down, 30-year-old Brooklyn modeled a T-shirt that had Jane's iconic 1970 mugshot emblazoned on the front

This quartet of actresses posed up a storm with a fifth member of their cast, the denim-mini-dress-clad Dylan Gelula.

Jane's mugshot includes a sign indicating that the arrest took place in Cleveland, Ohio on November 3, 1970 - at which point she would have been 32.

The politically outspoken celebrity scion - daughter of the Old Hollywood legend Henry Fonda - raised her hand clenched into a power fist for the camera.

Looking fabulous: She was joined at the premiere by her co-star Regina Hall, who wore a stylish black coat over a T-shirt advertising that she 'DRINKS WELL WITH OTHERS'

Jane, whose arrest occurred two years before her explosively scandalous trip to Hanoi during which she was snapped on a North Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun, recounted her side of the mugshot situation on her blog in 2009.

During a 'speaking tour about the Vietnam War,' she traveled to 'Canada and when I re-entered the US at the Cleveland airport all my luggage was seized and gone through.'

She continued: 'They discovered a large bag containing little plastic envelopes marked (in red nail polish) B, L, Dsignifying breakfast, lunch and dinner- that contained the vitamins I took with each meal.

Cute as a button: Their fellow actress in the film, Haley Lu Richardson, was Little House On The Prairie chic in a floral dress with bulbous sleeves, a high neck and lace trim

Ready for spring: AJ Michalka, also in Support The Girls, had opted for floral as well, slipping into a scarlet, green, purple and off-white dress with sheer sleeves

'They confiscated that as well as my address book (which was photocopied) and arrested me for drug smuggling. I told them what they were but they said they were getting orders from the White Housethat would be the Nixon White House.

'I think they hoped this "scandal" would cause the college speeches to be canceled and ruin my respectability. I was handcuffed and put in the Cleveland Jail, which is when the mug shot was taken. (I had just finished filming Klute so, yes, it was the Klute haircut).

'Headlines across the country had the story of me being jailed on suspicion of drug smuggling. I was released on bond and months later, after every pill had been tested in a lab (with taxpayers money!) The charges were dismissed and there were a few paragraphs hidden in the back of papers that they were vitamins, not drugs.'She's got legs for days.

And Jamie Chung wasn't afraid to show off her fit pins while promoting her newest film 1985 at the SXSW film festival in Austin on Friday.

She wore a striped Ronny Kobo dress from the brand's 2018 resort collection with an Anine Bing black coat, and strappy purple heels.

Stripes at SXSW: Jamie Chung supported the release of her latest film 1985 in Austin on Friday

The San Francisco native, 34, stars in the Yen Tan directed drama about Adrian (Cory Michael Smith), a closeted and terminally ill young man who struggles to reveal his dire circumstances to his conservative family while visiting them over the holidays.

It co-stars Designated Survivor star Virginia Madsen, Michael Chiklis, and Ryan Piers Williams.

Chung stars as Adrian's old girlfriend while Madsen and Chiklis star as Adrian's parents.

All smiles: She wore a striped Ronny Kobo dress and a pair of purple heels

Family affair: The San Francisco native posed with her co-stars Cory Michael Smith, Virginia Madsen and Aidan Langford

Promo rounds: Chung met with different outlets to discuss the Yen Tan directed drama

She's got style: She wore an Anine Bing black coat featuring a promotional pin for the film

'After I graduated from college, I got a job where I interacted with people who were living with HIV/AIDS,' Tan told SXSW.com.

'Their collective stories, often devastating, inspired me to make this film.'

The indie, based on the award winning short also by Tan, premiered Friday at the Zach Theatre during the yearly festival and has yet to receive a wide release date.

Brunette beauty: Chung stars in this dramatic film which tackles the AIDS crisis from the 1980's

Happy gal: Husband Bryan Greenberg is in Austin to support her film's premiere

Chung is just happy to be back in Austin.

'All smiles at SXSW,' Chung wrote on Instagram on Friday.

She was joined at the premiere by husband and fellow actor Bryan Greenberg.After accidentally returning to Instagram on Thursday, Dan Single made his intentional return on Saturday, exactly twelve months after his Paris balcony fall.

The Ksubi founder shared twenty emotional posts - and counting - in the space of just over an hour, eventually confirming his split with Bambi Northwood-Blyth.

Alongside an image of his estranged wife, he explained: 'When I fell, my hips and pelvis broke in half, and with that our D&B co-dependent relationship broke too.'

'No bad vibes': Dan Single CONFIRMS split with Bambi Northwood-Blyth on 12-month anniversary of his balcony fall as he returns to Instagram to share 19 emotional posts in 1 hour

'We were no longer joined at the hip. Two people cannot live as one, its not healthy, you can try but you're really living half a life.'

Although several sources had announced the split, Saturday's post was the first time the DJ and designer has publicly confirmed the allegations.

Bambi has not commented on their relationship status in the twelve months following Dan's three-storey fall from his bedroom window at the Hotel Grand D'Amour, Paris.

'I returned home in a wheelchair': After accidentally returning to Instagram on Thursday, Dan made his intentional return on Saturday, exactly twelve months after his Paris balcony fall

Emotional: The Ksubi founder shared twenty emotional posts - and counting - in the space of just over an hour, eventually confirming his split with Bambi Northwood-Blyth

Dan explained on Saturday: 'We both have our own journeys to go on now, ones that we couldnt have gone on together.'

'We are respectful and happy for what each other has got going on, no bad vibes.'

Broken: Alongside an image of his estranged wife, he explained: 'When I fell, my hips and pelvis broke in half, and with that our D&B co-dependant relationship broke too'

He continued to expand upon the comments he accidentally made on Thursday, where he praised Bambi for her ongoing support.

'I will love her to the moon and back for eternity, she is one of the most beautiful, kindest and funniest humans I know,' Dan wrote.

'I learnt a lot from her and am so grateful to have shared many adventures with this beautiful girl.'

Better apart: Dan explained on Saturday: 'We both have our own journeys to go on now, ones that we couldnt have gone on together'

In another heartfelt post, he told the story of how he 'DIED. Came back to life, [and] was in a coma for 8 days.'

Alongside an X-ray image of his shattered hip and pelvis, he spoke of overcoming fears he would never walk again: '[Now] I can walk without crutches, I can surf, I can run slowly'.

'To the moon and back': 'I will love her to the moon and back for eternity, she is one of the most beautiful, kindest and funniest humans I know,' Dan wrote

'Enough information?' He continued to expand upon the comments he accidentally made on Thursday, where he praised Bambi for her ongoing support

He insisted: 'Instead of talking about all the pain and all the operations my body went through, I am going to show you the positive side of my experience.'

Dan went on to praise his mother, 'Dr Judes' and father, 'The Andy Man,' for 'putting up with [his] moods and craziness,' over the past year.

Alive: In another heartfelt post, he told the story of how he 'DIED. Came back to life, [and] was in a coma for 8 days'

Late pop icon David Bowie received a dedication, captioned simply: 'HERO.'

The Ksubi founder also spoke of his renewed reliance on meditation, and revealed his new favourite word was 'EMPATHY.'

He also explained the posts he shared, then quickly deleted on Thursday night.

Dan went on to praise his mother, 'Dr Judes' and father, 'The Andy Man,' for 'putting up with [his] moods and craziness,' over the past year

The posts took aim at various media reports on his accident and the fallout, including an extended rant targeted at a News Corp journalist who had contacted him for comment.

'I was planning to call out certain journalists and media because the year was made an awful lot harder due to a heap of stories made up about me,' Dan explained.

He was 'Hoping that they might look for a bit of empathy inside of themselves so next time someone else who is going through a hard time might just get a break.'

'HERO': Late pop icon David Bowie received a dedication, captioned simply: 'HERO'

'But its bigger than the media, it applies to all of us. SOMETIMES LIFE'S NOT EASY.'

'Why do we as people that know NOTHING about each others situation feel the need to make it harder?'

Dan reasoned: 'Everybodys journey is different and we should be supportive and compassionate to each and every one. This is empathy.'

'The people that feel the need to hate on others are often the ones that feel unloved themselves.'

Empathy: The Ksubi founder also spoke of his renewed reliance on meditation, and revealed his new favourite word was 'EMPATHY'

Please explain: He also explained the posts he shared, then quickly deleted on Thursday night

Plans: 'I was planning to call out certain journalists and media because the year was made an awful lot harder,' he said

He concluded: 'So to everyone, that has hated on me or I maybe have hated on in the past, I'm sorry, I LOVE YOU!'

Prior to Thursday, Dan had not posted on Instagram since March 10, 2010, one day before his accident.

Bambi, a model and TV presenter, was in the Hotel Grand D'Amour apartment with Dan on March 11, 2017, when he fell 'feet first' from a bedroom window.

'This is empathy': Dan decided otherwise, reasoning: 'Everybodys journey is different and we should be supportive and compassionate to each and every one. This is empathy'

Alongside two friends, she was seen rushing to a nearby hospital, where Dan was placed in an induced coma.

A month later, previously supportive fans turned on him, labelling him 'pathetic' for using fundraising website GoFundMe to ask for $250,000 to cover hospital bills.

It was later claimed Bambi was 'mortified' about Dan's decision to ask for money, and reports subsequently emerged speculating the pair had split during the fallout.He's the Myer ambassador who has been strutting up a storm at the 2018 VAMFF.

But on Saturday, Kris Smith committed a major fashion crime, as he confidently carved up the runway at the 2018 Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival.

Unbeknownst to the cheeky Brit, he walked the entirety of the runway with his trouser fly undone.

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Zip it! Myer ambassador Kris Smith suffers major fashion pas faux as he flashes UNZIPPED FLY on runway at VAMFF

In a cruel twist of fate, the playful model whipped out his smartphone on the catwalk to capture his moment in the spotlight.

However, the 39-year-old's unzipped crotch threatened to steal the attention from his fashion moment.

Although the Aussie TV personality risked a wardrobe malfunction he saved the day by rocking a cool designer-laden outfit.

Look down! In a cruel twist of fate, the playful model whipped out his smartphone on the catwalk to capture his moment in the spotlight

The model got back to his UK roots as he layered on a stack of winter woolies on the Myer Street Style and Australian Designer series runway.

The ruggedly handsome model cut a cool figure in a navy hooded jacket, grey hoodie and black beanie.

He teamed the layers with a long pair of cargo trousers, which complete his casual streetstyle look perfectly.

Unexpected guest: Although the Aussie TV personality saved the day by rocking a cool designer-laden outfit



On Friday, the former rugby league player shared a video to his Instagram account, sharing a laugh with The Block winner, Elyse Knowles, 24.

'And they say models dont smile... please mate,' he wrote in the caption of the backstage clip.

In the clip, the pair are seen dancing enthusiastically before their big runway appearance, however it's unclear whether the former I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Outta Here! star's fly was undone at this point.

Elyse made her catwalk debut for the department store alongside the former partner of Dannii Minogue.Praise the reality TV gods.

Your days of cursing the screen whenever Sarah Roza shows up to flaunt her unobtainable, flawless makeup on Married At First Sight are almost over.

On Saturday night, Sarah informed fans she's finally succumbed to growing public demand for her to release a 'boglam' fashion tutorial.

The A-Z of PVC! Married At First Sight's Sarah Roza teases the long-awaited debut of her first ever 'boglam' fashion and makeup tutorial... after turning heads in THAT skin-tight dress

Her Instagram announcement comes after she blessed the red carpet in a stunning PVC gown at the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival on Thursday.

While many, including MAFS co-star Nasser Sultan were quick to criticise her look, it was considered revelatory to true scholars of 'boglam' beauty.

If Thursday heralded a new paragon of PVC shapewear, then Saturday was the day she dropped the teaser trailer for her New You Testatment.

'Coming soon... my fav products!' she wrote in an Instagram story post.

I submit! On Saturday night, Sarah informed fans she's finally succumbed to growing public demand for her to release a 'boglam' fashion tutorial

Sarah promised she would soon be passing on her wisdom in the fields of: 'Skincare, Makeup, Fashion, Shapewear, Makeup Tutorials, Hair and Fake Tan.'

She added: 'Can't wait to show you! #Ijustlovemyfollowers.'

'#soexcited #iwillteachyou #cantwait #boglam #youguysarethebest.'

NEW YOU TESTAMENT: If Thursday heralded a new paragon of PVC shapewear, then Saturday was the day she dropped the teaser trailer for her New You Testatment

Just like many other now revered religious figures, Sarah's proclamations have been lost on many who refuse to fathom the idea that she is simply ahead of her time.

She was the victim of body shaming at the hands of MAFS co-star Nasser Sultan on Friday night.

After her 'husband' Telv Williams shared an image of his 'wife' in her work of Polyvinyl chloride perfection, Nasser sharing his controversial opinion in the comments.

Coming soon! Sarah promised she would soon be passing on her wisdom in the fields of: 'Skincare, Makeup, Fashion, Shapewear, Makeup Tutorials, Hair and Fake Tan'

Ahead of her time! Just like many other now revered religious figures, Sarah's proclamations have been lost on many who refuse to fathom the idea that she is simply ahead of her time

'How did you get into that dress?' he asked.

With the picture rallying over 12,270 likes from the PVConverted, Nasser's snide comment became quickly lost in the mix.

Nasser told Daily Mail Australia it had been a 'fair comment', explaining: 'By the looks of it it was hard to get into don't you think?'He's the former Married At First Sight groom who quickly became a fan favourite as a result of his salt-of-the-earth style.

But after some eagle-eyed fans discovered a StarNow profile listing him as 'performer,' it appears groom Sean Hollands is getting some more training.

Taking to Instagram, the 'farmer,' showed off some action hero moves as he completed training at the Australian Stunt Academy.

Changing careers? Married At First Sight alum Sean Hollands undergoes training at a stunt academy at the Gold Coast ... After responding to rumours he was an actor

Possibly looking for paid work as an actor, the former reality TV star enhanced his skills flaunting a number of choice moves at the institute.

Looking fit in one snap, the former reality star appears to be doing a Tom Cruise-like move in the air with two prop 'guns,' with his legs splayed in the air.

In an accompanying short clip, horse-loving Sean does a daring jump down the sides of a wooden wall and a number of stacked shipping containers.

'I'm not an actor and I never have been': A number of eagle-eyed Married At First Sight fans noted the reality star had updated his StarNow profile to say 'performer' last year

In March last year, the TV groom, who appeared to find love with Perth-based truckie Susan Rawlings, denied he was ever an actor, despite having a StarNow profile.

'I'm not an actor and I never have been,' he told Who magazine at the time.

The Queensland farmer explained: 'I went on Married At First Sight for the right reasons, to find love. Some others [on the show] might not be as genuine but I think the audience can spot the difference.'

He also explained to the publication that the only reason the word 'performer' appeared on his StarNow profile was because he appeared on Channel 10 program Family Feud last year.

'Performer'? Sean was a fan favourite on the show with viewers often praising how authentic he was. Sean has denied he was an actor and added he was a genuine love-seeking single. Here he is pictued with co-star Nadia Stamp

When quizzed whether he would pursue a life in the spotlight after finding fame on Married At First Sight, Sean admitted that he would be 'open to all options.'

It comes after New Idea magazine claimed that Sean's profile on the talent site originally stated that he 'Starred in Married at First Sight Season 4 and is 'a natural actor according to the producers'.

The following month, his one-time bride Susan Rawlings followed-up the rumours by accusing him of staying on the show for the money.

Slammed! However, Sean was later slammed by his TV wife Susan Rawlings who followed-up the rumours by publicly accusing him of staying on the show for the money

'His kids were crying to him on Skype: 'Please come home daddy, we don't really know why you're away for so long',' she told news.com.au.

'And I said, 'No, you need to go, we're just friends, you need to go'. And he's like, 'Nah, I need the money',' she added.

She then recounted how Sean told her he was travelling to New Zealand on his 'first overseas trip ever' this month and explained he needed 'some spending money'.

Married man! The groom appeared on season four of the popular reality showThey partied in style at a post-Oscars charity gala last Sunday.

And Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright appeared ready to detox as they headed to the gym in Los Angeles on Friday.

The actress, 30, showed off her peachy derriere in skintight grey leggings while her husband, 31, flashed his well-sculpted six-pack as he wiped sweat from his brow following their gruelling work out.

Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright appeared ready to detox as they headed to the gym in Los Angeles on Friday

Michelle cut a relaxed figure, complementing the sporty look with a black vest top, hot pink bra and chic white trainers.

She tied her long brunette tresses in a high ponytail and shielded her eyes from the suns rays with a pair of black aviators.

Meanwhile, Mark was casually-clad in a simple black t-shirt and shorts for his workout at Barry's Bootcamp.

Pert: The actress, 30, showed off her peachy derriere in skintight grey leggings as she got out of their car

Working up a sweat: Mark flashed his well-sculpted six-pack as he wiped sweat from his brow following the gruelling work out

Living it up: Following their sweaty gym session, the couple headed to West Hollywood to do a spot of shopping

Following their sweaty gym session, the couple headed to West Hollywood to do a spot of shopping. The lovebirds have been spending quality time together after reuniting in the U.S. last week.

Despite leading to the distance between them, Michelle recently admitted she was the one who urged Mark to pursue a career in the States.

The actress sat down with her spouse last year before she decided to sign on for a new series of Our Girl - which meant being abroad for eight months - to discuss their options and she suggested he spent the time following his Hollywood dream.

Tired: The Extra TV presenter had to quench his thirst and wipe his forehead following the exhausting boot-camp session

Loved-up: The lovebirds have been spending quality time together after reuniting in the U.S. last week

Speaking to Cosmopolitan, she said: 'Before I went to South Africa last April, we were sat in the gym car park and he was asking how long [I'd be away for]. I said, "What do you want to do?" He said, "I don't know."

'And I said, "When I'm away, why don't you go to America?" He had an agent here. So he did - and look what's happened. It's unbelievable.'

While she's immensely proud of Mark's achievements, she can't believe he doesn't get more star-struck when he's interviewing big-name stars like Sir Elton John, Liam Neeson and Kim Kardashian West.

She added: 'He met Kevin Costner the other day. I was like, "Oh my God, how was it?" He said, "Yeah, alright. Have you had any lunch?"'Shes rumoured to be dating an older man following her split with jailed former boyfriend Arthur Collins.

But Ferne McCann put her love life to one side as she arrived at Euston station in London on Saturday with her baby Sunday.

The 27-year-old reality star, who had been filming her new TV series in Manchester, showed off her sartorial flair in a plush cream furry coat as she lovingly gazed down at her three-month-old daughter while making her way through the station.

Sweet: Ferne McCann looked every inch the doting mum as she lovingly gazed down at her daughter Sunday as she arrived at Euston station in London on Saturday

Ferne hid her incredible post-partum figure under the cosy coat and teamed the look with a pair of black skinny jeans and studded heeled boots.

The former TOWIE star tied her long blonde tresses back in a high ponytail and appeared to go make-up free for the train journey, shielding her eyes with a pair of black oversized sunglasses.

Not one to pack lightly, the television personality toted a Louis Vuitton suitcase and black rucksack as well as pushing little Sunday, who was tucked up in a soft white blanket, in a pram.

Chic: The 27-year-old reality star, who had been filming in Manchester, showed off her sartorial flair in a plush cream furry coat as she made her way through the station

Glam: Ferne hid her incredible post-partum figure under the cosy coat and teamed the look with a pair of black skinny jeans and studded heeled boots

Natural beauty: Ferne tied her long blonde tresses back in a high ponytail and appeared to go make-up free for the train journey, shielding her eyes with a pair of black oversized sunglasses

Her trip to Manchester comes amid claims the Essex native has allegedly been secretly dating an older man for a month and a half.

A source told The Sun that Ferne has been keeping her new romance out of the spotlight following her split from jailed ex Arthur Collins, but is 'the happiest she's been in a long time.'

The insider shared: 'He's quite a bit older than her and she seems the happiest she's been in a long time.'

'She's had a terrible time of things so she's being realistic - she's keen to keep the romance out of the spotlight as he's not a celebrity and it's early days...but she's the happiest she's been in ages.'

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Ferne for comment.

Doting mum: Not one to pack lightly, the television personality toted a YSL suitcase and black rucksack as well as pushing little Sunday, who was tucked up in a soft white blanket, in a pram

Romance on the cards? Her trip to Manchester comes amid claims the Essex native has allegedly been secretly dating an older man for a month and a half.

Ferne is currently focusing on attending to her duties as a single mother to daughter Sunday after ending her relationship with Arthur last year.

The former scaffolder was convicted of GBH and ABH against 14 people after he sprayed party-goers with acid following an argument at the Mangle E8 nightclub in east London last April.

The attack left several clubbers hospitalised and scarred for life, while some required skin grafts. Arthur is currently serving a 20-year jail sentence for the crime.

Loved up: A source told The Sun that Ferne has been keeping her new romance out of the spotlight following her split from jailed ex Arthur CollinsKarl Stefanovic, 43, and Jasmine Yarbrough, 34, had an intimate commitment ceremony in Palm Beach on Saturday.

The low-key event was a surprise move for the spotlight-loving couple, who have flagrantly showcased their newfound love since going public with their relationship last year.

The unusual ceremony saw Karl and Jasmine exchange vows at a $13 million Palm Beach mansion owned by a lieutenant of James Packer.

Karl Stefanovic and Jasmine Yarbrough CONFIRM they exchanged vows during an intimate evening service in Palm Beach with their families

According to The Sunday Telegraph, Karl and Jasmine exchanged vows at a luxury property owned by Rob Rankin, a former chairman of Crown resorts.

James and Karl's friendship goes back a long way, with the casino magnate previously offering the Channel Nine personality refuge in his Bondi pad following his split from wife Cassandra Thorburn in 2016.

Despite Jasmine happily flashing her engagement ring at a series of events this past month, guests and the loved up couple hid from paparazzi who flew overhead in a helicopter on Saturday.

A source close to Karl has confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that the TV star only invited two of the three children her shares with his ex-wife Cassandra Thorburn.

But despite the invite both Ava, 12 and River, 11, declined to attend their father's commitment ceremony to his new partner.

The source also revealed that Karl's eldest son, Jackson, 18, was not invited to the event.

'Its a commitment ceremony. It was lovely,' the Today host was reported as saying outside the lavish, private mansion

'We are very much in love. We clicked right from the start,' Karl told publication after exchanging vows.

'Its a commitment ceremony. It was lovely.'

Karl will take the next week off from Today, with the couple thought to be honeymooning in the South Pacific.

The confirmation comes after Fairfax initially claimed the pair held a 'secret ceremony' under a wooden arch at a private house.

It is unclear whether the ceremony constituted a legally-binding marriage and Daily Mail Australia has contacted the couple's representatives for comment.

The Sunday Telegraph also received confirmation of the union from Channel Nine's director of publicity and communication Victoria Buchanan.

A family affair! Jasmine's sister Jade, parents Cheryl and Bob and even her 91-year-old nan were reportedly in attendance, as was Karl's brother, Peter (pictured far left)

Sudden: A source confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that none of Karl's children - whom he shares with ex-wife Cassandra Thorburn - attended the ceremony

Late notice: The source said Karl's two youngest children only found out about the ceremony three hours before it took place (pictured in white is Jasmine's sister, Jade)

'Everyone at Nine wishes Karl and Jasmine happiness and good heath [sic] for the future,' she said.

Meanwhile, an eyewitness told Now To Love the high profile couple had an intimate ceremony.

'It was really small,' a neighbour reportedly told the publication. 'Karl looked on top of the world, and was laughing and having a great time.

Vows! A 'secret ceremony' was held under a wooden arch (pictured)

The exchange: It's claimed rings and vows were exchanged, but no legally-binding commitment was made

Be my guest! Jasmine's parents Bob (silver vest) and Cheryl (floral dress) are seen on the balcony

'Low-key': 'It was really small,' a neighbour said of the occasion

'Jasmine looked beautiful, but the whole vibe was very, very casual and low-key.'

Jasmine's sister Jade, parents Cheryl and Bob and even her 91-year-old nan were in attendance, as was Karl's brother, Peter Stefanovic and his wife Sylvia Jeffreys.

Delta Goodrem is also said to have scored an invite to the 'low-key affair'.

On top! 'Karl looked on top of the world, and was laughing and having a great time,' the neighbour said

Peter stood by his brother's side, while his wife and fellow Today star Sylvia is said to have slotted in as 'wedding photographer.'

Now To Love's source said Sylvia was the only person taking photos at the event, possibly hinting at a blanket social media ban.

They described a fun-filled event, during which some guests even 'jumped into the infinity pool.'

Beaming! 'Jasmine looked beautiful, but the whole vibe was very, very casual and low-key,' they added

Taking the leap! The neighbour described a fun-filled event, during which some guests even 'jumped into the infinity pool'

Karl and Jasmine have enjoyed a whirlwind romance since meeting at a Sydney boat party in December 2016.

The couple confirmed their engagement last month, with New Idea reporting Karl had popped the question to Jasmine during a holiday in Fiji.

Did she sing? Intriguingly, Delta Goodrem is also said to have scored an invite to the 'low-key affair'

'Happiness and good heath for the future': Channel Nine's director of publicity and communication Victoria Buchanan confirmed the union, alongside a loving statement

In late February, after his bride-to-be flashed her $150,000 engagement ring, Nine's million dollar man confirmed the pair would likely get married this year.

It's unclear whether he has finalised his divorce with ex-wife of 21-years, Cassandra Thorburn.

Last year, Karl responded to criticism regarding how quickly his relationship with Jasmine has moved following his split with Cassandra.

Congrats! 'Everyone at Nine wishes Karl and Jasmine happiness and good heath for the future,' she said

Whirlwind! Karl and Jasmine have enjoyed a whirlwind romance since meeting at a Sydney boat party in December 2016

'I certainly did not expect to meet someone five months after I broke up with my wife,' he told Stellar magazine.

'That was not planned. I did not know her before. I met her on a boat in Sydney.

'We have a really lovely relationship, but its got to be slow for a variety of reasons.'She bills herself as 'the artist formerly known as Kate Fischer.'

But it appears Tziporah Malkah is going back to her modelling roots, with the 44-year-old sharing a saucy cleaving-baring selfie on Saturday.

Taking to Instagram, the former glamour model struck quite a pose while enjoying a day at the beach.

Busting out! Tziporah Malkah, 44, has shared a sizzling selfie to Instagram flaunting her cleavage in polka dot swimsuit. The former model appeared to be channeling her days as Kate Fischer

In the close-up shot, the former model and actress looked radiant in a polka dot swimsuit which flaunted her generous cleavage.

The model angled the shot to show off her clear skin, straight teeth and bright eyes.

Obviously having enjoyed a dip, Tziporah, who was previously engaged to billionaire James Packer, seems to be recovering well after an accident at Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras last week.

Good old days! Tziporah Malkah, formerly known as Kate Fischer, was a 1990s IT girl

On Tuesday, Tziporah showed that Kate Fischer's lively spirit is still out in force, having uploaded an image of her legs covered in bruises.

She divulged the bruises had been the result of vigorous dance moves.

'When you're too old, fat & unfit to pull off your classic dance moves without bruising,' Tziporah joked in the caption.

'I was twerking': James Packer's ex-fiancee Tziporah Malkah reveals the damaged caused by her enthusiastic Mardi Gras dance moves as she shares snap of her leg bruises

Overworked and over-twerked: Tziporah uploaded an image of her legs covered in bruises, which she divulged had been a result of her vigorous dance moves

The brunette went on to explain that the painful-looking injury occurred when she was busting a move at Mardi Gras over the weekend.

'I was twerking but had to balance myself out by putting all my weight on my knees. Fell over a million times anyway Best night ever! Mardi Gras,' Tziporah elaborated in the comments section.

The star didn't seem to be letting the debacle get to her however, with Tziporah seemingly in a jovial mood as she replied to commenters.

Please explain! 'I was twerking but had to balance myself out by putting all my weight on my knees. Fell over a million times anyway Best night ever!' she explained in the caption

Tziporah was among the thousands of Mardi Gras attendees who flocked Oxford Street on Saturday to celebrate the inclusive event's 40th anniversary.

Decked out in a black and purple ensemble with three jewels on her forehead, Tziporah shared an array of snaps on her social media of the celebrations.

'Happy 40th Sydney Mardi Gras!' she captioned one photo.

From the back streets to the baggage claim! Other photos documented her return trip to South Australia as she continue the good times at the airport

Other photos documented her return trip to South Australia as she continue the good times at the airport.

Posing with 'Mr Leather 2018', Tziporah was all smile in one such happy snap.

'The partaay continued on my virgin airlines flight back to SA,' she explained in the caption.He became a Hollywood icon when he played the tuxedo-clad spy James Bond in the Nineties.

But Pierce Brosnan sported a different look as he headed out for dinner with his wife, Keely Shaye Smith, 54, and their sons Dylan, 21, and Paris, 17, in Mailbu on Friday.

The actor, 64, cut a low-key figure in a casual black shirt and light grey jeans for the family outing to celeb hotspot Nobu while continuing to display his impressive beard.

Pierce Brosnan cut a different figure as he headed out for dinner with his wife, Keely Shaye Smith, 54, and their kids Dylan, 21, and Paris, 17, in Mailbu on Friday

Pierce showed off his devilishly good looks as he coiffed his hair back and sported a bushy grey beard.

The Mamma Mia hearthrob clearly passed on his handsome genes and style to his children, as Burberry model Dylan looked effortlessly cool in a black leather jacket and a red stripy top.

Meanwhile, Paris, who stormed the Dolce and Gabbana catwalk during Milan Fashion Week, was casually-clad in a white hoodie and black jeans, while Keely looked elegant in a navy blue dress.

Good genes: The Mamma Mia hearthrob clearly passed on his looks and style to his children, as Burberry model Dylan looked effortlessly cool in a black leather jacket and a red stripy top

Handsome: Pierce showed off his devilishly good looks as he coiffed his hair back and sported a bushy grey beard

The two-time Golden Globe nominee, who first met his wife on a Mexican beach in 1994, appeared in high spirits following their lavish meal.

Paris is following in the footsteps of his older brother Dylan, who made his modelling debut for Saint Laurent Men's Permanent Collection back in 2014.

Dylan, who is also a musician and studying film in California, was first discovered by Burberry's former creative director Hedi Slimlane on the beach in Malibu.

Meanwhile, Pierce is gearing up for the much-anticipated release of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again this summer.

Relaxed: Pierce took time out with his family ahead of the much-anticipated release of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again this summer

Family outing: Paris was casually-clad in a white hoodie and black jeans, while Keely looked elegant in a navy blue dress

Last year, executive producer and ABBA member Benny Andersson passionately came to the defense of Brosnan's singing abilities as his character Sam Carmichael in the movie musical.

'I've just been to the UK to promote the album,' he told the Independent.

'And it's really annoyed me the way people say Pierce Brosnan can't sing. They think it's not possible for James Bond to sing. But he can, and he sings well.'She's the former Hi-5 star who welcomed her bundle of joy into the world in May 2017 with partner Barry Hall.

And on Saturday, Lauren Brant gushed about baby Miller and revealed her and Barry, 'never stop kissing him'.

On Saturday the 28-year-old took to Instagram to share a black and white family portrait of the former AFL star affectionately kissing his ten-month-old.

Scroll down for video

'Miller is just one big slobber fest!' Lauren Brant reveals she and partner Barry Hall 'never stop kissing' their ten-month-old son

'I swear Miller is just one big slobber fest... cause both Barry and I NEVER stop kissing him,' she wrote alongside the family happy snap.

She added, 'What on earth are we going to do when he [Miller] is able to tell us no?

The former children's entertainer rounded-off her caption by asking her 44,500 Instagram fans: 'How many times do you kiss your baby/child per day?!'

Baby love: Since baby, Miller's arrival, Lauren has been sharing non-stop baby spam to her various social media channels

In the snap, the brunette beauty is pouting at the camera, as Barry warmly embraces Miller and gives him a loving peck on the cheek.

In his usual fashion, Miller looks as happy as Larry in an adorable one piece suit and bib as his Dad's muscular frame envelopes him.

Since baby, Miller's arrival, Lauren has been sharing non-stop baby spam to her various social media channels.

Just last month, the TV television personality shared a short clip of herself performing a workout routine, gripping her giggling bundle of joy around the bottom.

It's trending! Lauren Brant becomes the latest celebrity to workout with their baby as she grips her giggling son Miller during exercise session

In a video posted to her Instagram story, Lauren is seen performing a simple squat, while clutching her bundle of joy.

And her tiny-tot appeared to be thoroughly enjoying the up-and-down motion, giggling uncontrollably.

'Loves an at home session,' Lauren wrote on the top left-hand corner of the video.

Baby-love: Miller looked adorable in a brown and pale blue bodysuit, paired with pint-sized yellow handkerchief scarf

She accompanied the caption with a laughing-crying emoji.

Baby Miller looked adorable in a brown and pale blue bodysuit paired with pint-sized yellow handkerchief scarf.

Lauren's Instagram account is brimming with adorable family shots and videos of her alongside baby Miller and partner Barry.He's the impressive rugby union player whose larrikin sense of humour has seen him dubbed 'The Honey Badger'.

And now, hunky Nick Cummins, 30, may be set to add the Bachelor to his long list of achievements, with the chisel chested sportsman slated to appear in the Channel Ten reality show.

First reported in The Sunday Telegraph, it claimed the handsome athlete beat out rumoured favourites Cam Cranley and Jason Dundas for the plum role, which was last filled by Matthew 'Matty J' Johnson.

Will he accept this rose? Rugby union player Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins, 30, is set to become the next Bachelor, according to a report in The Sunday Telegraph

The sports star, who has played in the rugby sevens and for the Wallabies, was thought to be out of the running for the TV role, due to his five-year romance with Norwegian artist Martine Thomassen.

However, it has since been reported the pair are understood to have ended their relationship, which has led the way for elite athlete to be signed to the top-rated Channel Ten show.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to both Nick and Network Ten for a response to the story, however, The Telegraph is reporting an announcement from the network is scheduled for next week.

New Bachelor! Channel Ten producers are reportedly hoping to replicate the larrikin sense of humour with the Port Macquarie-born athlete which proved popular with Bachelorette, Sophie Monk

Muscled single! The Bachelor will be formally announced next week, but The Sunday Telegraph are reporting it will be rugby union player, Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins

Risky business! Nick is known for his sense of humour and is currently the face of a number of brands including Tradie Underwear & Workwear and Beef Australia

Fans of the show might remember muscular Nick being in a comedic Zoolander-type Oakley commercial with Matty J in January ahead of the Winter Olympics - with the pair known to be friends.

Despite not achieving mainstream fame yet, hunky Nick has served as Tourism Australia ambassador and has been on the face of Tradie Underwear & Workwear and Beef Australia.

This isn't the first time the muscular elite athlete's name has been thrown around as a possible Bachelor contender - with Bachelor producers rumoured to have set their sights on him last month.

Will he accept this rose? Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins 'set to be this year's Bachelor' as the rugby player takes break from Wallabies team

No go! Muscular Perth-based firefighter Cam Cranley was previously thought to be the favourite for the top-rated show's next season, however, The Sunday Telegraph is reporting it will be rugby union player Nick Cummins

'Viewers loved Sophie's authenticity and the fact that she was so down to earth. Ten felt they might be able to replicate that with Nick,' the source for Network Ten reportedly said.

With Port Macquarie-born Nick's down to earth charm, producers are hoping to replicate the success they found with Bachelorette Sophie Monk, who connected well with audiences.

The hunky 30-year-old, known for his broad Australian accent and his trademark sense of humour, is known to be earthy and outdoorsy, often posting snaps of himself to Instagram being adventurous.

Split! Nick is believed to have recently split from his Norwegian artist girlfriend of five years, Martine Thomassen (pictured)

Top athlete! Nick rose to fame as a rugby union player

Prior to this announcement, popular LA-based presenter Jason , 35, was also rumoured to be in contention for the role, along with Perth firefighter Cameron Cranley.

35-year-old Jason, who was crowned Cleo's Bachelor of the Year back in 2008, is currently believed to be single.

Meanwhile, previous Bachelor Matty J told Now To Love that his money was on handsome Cam Cranley for the win.

'I'm thinking surely by now they've got the person locked in. If I had to put money on someone it would be Cam Cranley from my season,' the Bondi-based former Bachelor said.

Not in the running: Also considered for the role was male model Jason DundasHer racy trilogy has amassed her a multi-million pound fortune.

Yet Fifty Shades Of Grey author E. L. James, real name Erika Leonard, proved she is truly generous on Friday night as she was spotted outside Soho House members club gifting a homeless person with what appeared to be a 50 note.

The 54-year-old looked incredibly chic in a rose-print coat as she lit up a cigarette before striking up the repertoire with the stranger following a night out at the club, where membership fees top 1650.

Kind-hearted: Fifty Shades Of Grey author E. L. James, real name Erika Leonard, was spotted outside Soho House members club on Friday night gifting a homeless person with what appeared to be a 50 note

James was fighting the elements as she emerged for a cigarette yet still managed to look stylish in her intricately embroidered coat.

Pulling the hood up, she seemed determined to keep her coiffed tresses sleek as she stood against the rain while also lighting her cigarette.

With her glasses sitting low on her nose, she seemed concentrated on her surroundings before she was greeted by the passerby.

After a moment of chatting, the pen-woman handed over what seemed to be a 50 note - undoubtedly to the delight of the homeless person.

Smoking away: The 54-year-old looked incredibly chic in a rose-print coat as she lit up a cigarette before striking up the repertoire with the stranger following a night out at the club, where membership fees top 1650

Warm smiles: After being approached, she reached into her handbag and greeted the weighed-down passerby with a warm smile

Kind-hearted: In 2012, the writer spoke to The Guardian about being cautious with money, saying: 'Well, last week I finally got a new pair of Uggs. Yes. I'd been putting it off, you see'

She was joined by her husband Niall Leonard, who she married in 1987, as he stepped alongside clutching a carrier bag and displaying long locks.

MailOnline has contacted representatives for James for comment.

In 2012, the writer spoke to The Guardian about being cautious with money, saying: 'Well, last week I finally got a new pair of Uggs. Yes. I'd been putting it off, you see...

'Yes, but I'm more conscious of money now than before. I've had the odd moment when I've thought: I could buy that. But I've always decided not to, in the end. It's just stuff, really, and I've got enough stuff.'

Hometime? She was joined by her husband Niall Leonard, who she married in 1987, as he stepped alongside clutching a carrier bag and displaying long locks

Stunner: James wrote the Fifty Shades trilogy of books and has kept strong creative control over the film adaptations - which concluded with Fifty Shades Freed which was released earlier this year

Glam: Her bold coat was the perfect choice for her outing at the super glamorus bar and club.

Speaking of changing with fame, she said: 'No. I'm too old for that. Having worked in TV production all my life, I'm very aware of how monsters are created, and I don't want to be one. It's unsettling, yes. I do feel like I'm in a dream.

'But it's just noise or that's how I think of it. One minute, you're in Madrid, drinking cosmopolitans, the next you're in Ikea, eating meatballs and chips.'

James wrote the Fifty Shades trilogy of books and has kept strong creative control over the film adaptations - which concluded with Fifty Shades Freed which was released earlier this year.

Same as before: Speaking of changing with fame, she said: 'No. I'm too old for that. Having worked in TV production all my life, I'm very aware of how monsters are created, and I don't want to be one. It's unsettling, yes. I do feel like I'm in a dream'She confessed she 'couldn't stop crying' when her eldest son jetted to New York last year to embark on a photography degree.

And Victoria Beckham couldn't hide her delight at being reunited with Brooklyn, after the 19-year-old flew back home all in time for Mother's Day.

The fashion designer, 43, took to Instagram on Saturday to share a sweet family snap before they headed out to celebrate her mother, Jackie's birthday.

'Guess who's back!': Victoria Beckham couldn't hide her delight at being reunited with Brooklyn, after the 19-year-old flew back home in time for Mother's Day

In the cute selfie, Brooklyn beamed for the camera while six-year-old Harper and Victoria poked their heads in.

She captioned the snap: 'Guess whos home!! We love u @brooklynbeckham @davidbeckhamx'

The former Spice Girl then shared with her 19million followers that the family had headed out to celebrate her mum's birthday, posting a snap of Brooklyn cuddling their adorable cocker spaniel, Olive, while sitting next to Jackie in an alfresco seating area.

Family time: The fashion designer, 43, took to Instagram on Saturday to share a sweet family snap before they headed out to celebrate her mother, Jackie's birthday

The amateur photographer was casually-clad in a khaki oil-wax jacket, checked shirt and black wellies for the outing.

Feeling sentimental, Victoria also shared two throwback photos of when she was a baby to mark her mum's birthday.

She wrote: 'I love you both so much x Happy Birthday Mum! Check out my dads mustache!'

Way back when: Feeling sentimental, Victoria also shared two throwback photos of when she was a baby to mark her mum's birthday

Sweet: In another snap, a baby Victoria was being cradled by her mother

Her gushing posts comes after Victoria took to the social media site to scold her husband David after he left her waiting in the rain on Friday.

Victoria uploaded a video of her standing in the rain, captioning the clip: 'When u r standing in the rain waiting for your husband to pick you up from work!x (sic)'

Clearly getting impatient, the mother-of-four uploaded another video five minutes later, this time tagging in the former Real Madrid star.

She wrote: 'Maybe the bike will be quicker?? @davidbeckham.'

Telling off: Her gushing posts comes after Victoria took to the social media site to scold her husband David after he left her waiting in the rain on Friday

After waiting around for 20 minutes, Victoria took to Instagram to share her delight of being out of the wet weather by posting a clip of her handsome beau driving.

She wrote: 'He arrived' (sic) alongside four grinning emoticons, before she headed to a design meeting for her eponymous fashion label.

Her outing comes after reports emerged that Victoria has appointed fashion industry veteran Ralph Toledano as chairman of her clothing company as she battles to turn it around.

Hurry up! Clearly getting impatient, the mother-of-four uploaded another video five minutes later, this time tagging in the former Real Madrid star

Back in the warmth: After waiting around for 20 minutes, Victoria took to Instagram to share her delight of being out of the wet weather by posting a clip of her handsome beau driving

Father-of-three Toledano, 66, spent more than ten years as chief executive at luxury French fashion house Chloe.

He joins Beckhams company from the governing body for the French fashion industry, where he served as president from 2014.

His appointment comes after Victoria's fashion empire saw losses for the year to December 2016 almost double to 8.5million.

Sales were relatively flat at 36.4million compared with 36.9million a year earlier.

David dipped into his own companys earnings to help the business, injecting 19.3million, up from 3million a year earlier.He's the handsome actor who has been tipped to take over the iconic role of James Bond from Daniel Craig.

And Idris Elba stunned fans with his ageless looks as he posted a two-decade-old snap on Instagram on Saturday.

The 45-year-old Luther star seemed in a reflective mood as he reminisced about the days he used to DJ with Trevor Nelson.

Handsome hunk: Idris Elba stunned fans with his ageless looks as he posted a two-decade-old snap on Instagram on Saturday

In the snap, Idris looked effortlessly cool as he donned a sporty Nike striped t-shirt and rocked a trim mustache, while Trevor dressed up in a black shirt.

He wrote: 'I used to DJ at #Twiceasnice on a Sunday with @djtrevornelson, DJ Steve Sutherland and Confunkion! big up @djspoony for digging this one up. Mid 90s flow Naaaa mean!'

Fans were quick to gush over his appearance, describing the Thor star as an 'ageless man'.

Throwback: The 45-year-old actor seemed in a reflective mood as he reminisced about the days he used to DJ with Trevor Nelson

One fan wrote: 'Ok. You've aged like a fine wine but had no idea how you looked before heading towards mature wine. Very exquisite,' while another commented: 'this guy is an old school beauty' and another added, 'so youve been ridiculously handsome all your life'.

Idris, who has forged a successful side-line as a DJ under the moniker DJ Big Driss, has been feverishly touted to be cast as the next James Bond.

The star previously addressed the rumours in an interview with Vanity Fair.

'Are we interested in having a Bond character other than being a male?' he told the publication.

'It could be a woman - could be a black woman, could be a white woman,' he said. 'Do something different with it. Why not?'

Smitten: Last month the hunky actor went down on one knee at a cinema in London to ask Sabrina Dhowre, 29, to marry him and presented her with a stunning diamond ring

Last month the hunky actor went down on one knee at a cinema in London to ask Sabrina Dhowre, 29, to marry him and presented her with a stunning diamond ring.

Idris and Sabrina, who won Miss Vancouver in 2014, made their red carpet debut as a couple in September 2017.

But the newly engaged lovebirds were said to have been dating for seven months before going public with their relationship.She's the Essex girl who is always ready to flaunt the body she's worked so hard for.

And Amber Turner did not disappoint as she showed off her washboard abs in a skimpy two piece at exclusive Dubai restaurant Asia Asia.

The 24-year-old TOWIE star is currently on holiday, and wowed diners in the shimmering sheer trouser and crop-top combination.

Ab-tastic: Amber Turner, 24, showed off her washboard abs in a skimpy two-piece for a sexy Instagram snap as she dined at exclusive Dubai restaurant Asia Asia

The transparent trousers flashed the TOWIE reality star's nude underwear as she posed for the camera, with the bandeau top glimpsing her chiseled abdominals.

Amber's thick platinum blonde locks had been styled into loose, glossy waves, and tumbled to her waist, highlighting her tanned skin.

She had a statement eye, with bronze eyeshadow and long lashes showing off her baby blues, and kept her lips a subtle nude.

Show-stopping: The TOWIE star is currently on holiday in Dubai, and wowed diners in the shimmering sheer trouser and crop-top combination

Holiday feeling: Amber has shared several stunning pictures during her travels, including this snap of her in a sequinned two-piece on the beach

Her holiday comes after she had a breast enhancement in Turkey in December after feeling 'insecure and uncomfortable' for years as a B cup.

And Amber recently gushed that she feels '100 times more confident' with her new 34D cleavage, adding that going under the knife has 'changed her life'.

'I love them, I'm so happy with them,' she told The Sun at the National Television Awards on Wednesday.

Feeling more confident: Her outing comes after she had a breast enhancement in Turkey in December after feeling 'insecure and uncomfortable' for years as a B cup.

'I got them for me, not anyone else, and I feel more 100 times more confident. They've changed my life.'

The reality star added: 'I haven't really got much more attention from blokes, I just feel better about myself.'

Amber confirmed she had gone under the knife earlier this month, as she flaunted her enhanced chest in an Instagram clip.

She wrote: 'As I'm sure you all know 4 weeks ago today I had a breast augmentation.'

Amber said the decision to undergo cosmetic enhancing surgery was not a quick or easy one, explaining it was 'something I had been researching and wanting for years' due to her body insecurities.

Big decision: Amber said the decision to undergo cosmetic enhancing surgery was not a quick or easy one, explaining it was 'something I had been researching and wanting for years' due to her body insecurities

She added: 'Every time summer came round the one thing that I felt so so insecure and uncomfortable with was my boobs. I was a 34B so I did have a bit of boob but I felt not in proportion.

'I also had one boob that was slightly smaller than the other (this is very common) & I wanted them both to to be even size'.

The starlet said she's now 'confident' in her new physique, continuing: 'I am so so happy 4 weeks later with the results. I am now a 34D.

'They are settling more and more every day and I can't recommend them more I am now super happy and confident In my body and that truly is all that matters!'She broke up with Tesla billionaire Elon Musk for the second time in February.

But Amber Heard, 31, picked herself up and was back on the prowl as she was spotted out with Sean Penn, 57, at Sunset Tower Bar in Los Angeles on Saturday.

'They looked like they were on a date. They shared a bottle of red wine and were flirty and intimate,' said a source according to Page Six.

Spotted: Amber Heard, 31, was spotted out with Sean Penn, 57, at Sunset Tower Bar in Los Angeles on Saturday

'They were at times in deep conversation and at times laughing,' added the insider.

The source continued that Amber showed up to the A-list haunt after gracing the WME pre-Oscar party where ex Elon was attending as well.

'Amber showed up in the same dress she wore to the WME party for her date with Sean. She looked beautiful and seemed happy, even if she may have avoided a run-in with Elon earlier in the night,' the source noted.

The ex-wife of Johnny Depp and the tech mogul originally started dating in 2016 but broke up after a year in an acrimonious split.

Off again: She broke up with Tesla billionaire Elon Musk for the second time in February

Look of love: Meanwhile, the Amber and Sean outing comes amidst reports that his ex Robin Wright, 51, married her younger French beau Clement Giraudet

Faces in a crowd: The House Of Cards star and the VIP relations manager for Saint Laurent were both spotted wearing bands on that finger of their left hands on Tuesday

The 46-year-old billionaire revealed he'd been dumped by the actress, 31, and the breakup had caused him 'severe emotional pain.'

'She broke up with me more than I broke up with her, I think,' Musk told Rolling Stone magazine. 'I was really in love, and it hurt bad.'

However, according to TMZ, this time around it was Musk who pulled the plug after deciding that the relationship just wasn't working.

Better days: Amber was famously married to Hollywood star Johnny Depp whom she met while filming The Rum Diary with him in 2011

Meanwhile, the Amber and Sean outing comes amidst reports that his ex Robin Wright, 51, married her younger French beau Clement Giraudet.

The House Of Cards star and the VIP relations manager for Saint Laurent were both spotted wearing bands on that finger of their left hands on Tuesday.

The couple flashed their rings at the UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint Germain and Real Madrid at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris.

old flames: Sean and Robin began dating in 1989 following his divorce from Madonna after four years of marriage; (pictured 2016)

Sean and Robin began dating in 1989 following his divorce from Madonna after four years of marriage.

After breaking off and reconciling several times, Robin finally filed for divorce from Sean in 2009.

He went on to be linked to Charlize Theron in recent years as well.

And Amber was famously married to Hollywood star Johnny Depp whom she met while filming The Rum Diary with him in 2011.

They married in February 2015 with the actress filing for divorce in May 2016 and obtaining a restraining order against Depp after accusing him of domestic violence.Gemma Arterton and Ophelia Lovibond joined hundreds of women as they marched through London's streets to end violence against women and girls.

The Million Women Rise march took place on Saturday, with Gemma, 32, proudly wearing a Time's Up t-shirt as she protested.

The Bond Girl, who has campaigned vocally for equal pay, stood defiantly among the crowd - as did actress Ophelia Lovibond - as they progressed through central London.

Time's Up: Gemma Arterton, 32, stood defiantly among protesters during a Million Women Rise march in London on Saturday

Campaign: Guardians of the Galaxy star Ophelia Lovibond, 31, also joined in on the march, and could be seen passionately taking part dressed in red

According to Million Women Rise's website, one in four women will experience domestic violence during their lifetime, and two women are murdered every week by a partner or ex-partner.

And Gemma looked ready to take action in a defiant Time's Up white top, which she paired with blue jeans and a camel coat to shield herself from the chilly weather.

As well as Gemma, Guardians of the Galaxy star Ophelia also could be seen passionately taking part dressed in red.

The march comes as part of a busy week of raising awareness for the Hollywood actress, who attended a Harper's Bazaar lunch to celebrate International Women's Day on Tuesday.

Protesting: Million Women Rise are campaigning to end violence against women and girls, and the actress proudly wore a Time's Up t-shirt as she protested

Hardworking: Gemma created an all-female production company, and says she has had to battle to ensure scripts kept female roles pivotal

Speaking about her time in Hollywood last August, the actress shamed an obese Hollywood producer who previously ordered her to lose weight on a few films.

Gemma revealed that producers flew a personal trainer out to Morocco to ensure she lost weight - and had her filmed in the gym to prove she was exercising - during production of an unnamed title.

Incredibly, the actress - size 10 at the time - said she was even told she couldnt eat dried apricots by the weighty Hollywood boss.

Gemma revealed: There was one film that I was on and we were out in Morocco and a couple of weeks went past and they literally were like We need a personal trainer - stat.

Feminism: The march comes as part of a busy week of raising awareness for the Hollywood actress, who attended a Harper's Bazaar lunch to celebrate International Women's Day on Tuesday

And they flew someone out overnight that gave up their whole life to be with me and be my personal trainer.

'You know when its like - Is it that f****** bad that I need an emergency... [it was as if they were] like on speed dial - Get that trainer out here now. It was so traumatic at the time.

Gemma created an all-female production company, and has said she has had to battle to ensure scripts kept female roles pivotal.

Beaming: The Tudors star Joely Richardson appeared in high spirits at the Women's march

Fighting domestic abuse: According to Million Women Rise's website, one in four women will experience domestic violence during their lifetime, and two women are murdered every week by a partner or ex-partner

'Together we can end violence': Women carrying inspirational placards were seen marching through central London

She said: 'There's been times when I've gone into a meeting with a financier and it's been a film about a woman and they say, can we write up the man because otherwise we won't finance it,' reported The Telegraph in 2016.

'And I say, no, it's about a woman, the male part is a small part.

'That's the system and the way it works. There's the people with the power and the money and that's what needs to change.'

Awareness: The march comes as part of a busy week of raising awareness for the Hollywood actress, who attended a Harper's Bazaar lunch to celebrate International Women's DayThey're making names for themselves as style prodigies.

And Lucy Hale and Elle Fanning proved on trend as they commanded attention at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas on Saturday.

The Pretty Little Liars star, 28, turned heads in a revealing top as the Maleficent alum, 19, rocked a sophisticated pinstripe suit for the celeb-stacked annual fete.

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Stunners: Lucy Hale, 28, and Elle Fanning, 19, commanded attention on the SXSW Film Festival red carpet in Austin, Texas on Saturday

Daring to impress, Lucy looked every inch the movie star as she revealed her flawless figure in a low cut black top with a cut out at her decolletage.

A graphic skirt boasted a celestial design as the couture number cinched her lithe waist and cut mid calf.

She paired the fashion forward look with a set of red high heels as she went virtually makeup free to highlight her natural beauty.

Striking a pose on the red carpet as well, Elle wrapped her enviable physique in a tailored ensemble that oozed class and elegance.

Impressive: Daring to impress, Lucy looked every inch the movie star as she revealed her flawless figure in a low cut black top with a cut out at her decolletage

Lucy Hale stopped by the Pizza Hut lounge to refuel at SXSW and even picked up Pizza Hut 'Pie Top' sneakers.

Pizza Hut brings back the fuel for creative communities by serving up more hot slices all around Austin at the SXSW. Top entertainment industry talent, on and off screen, promoting their films grabbed slices while having their portraits taken at the Getty Studio and Pizza Hut Lounge. Pizza Hut also served up pizza late night to partygoers at the #TwitterHouse and BuzzFeed.

Actors including Josh Brolin, Blake Jenner, Danny McBride, Jamie Chung, Jeremy Allen White, Jake Tapper, and more enjoyed Pizza Huts slices this weekend.

Lucy Hale from the film "The Unicorn" at the Pizza Hut Lounge at the 2018 SXSW Film Festival on March 10, 2018 in Austin, Texas

Class act: Elle wrapped her enviable physique in a tailored ensemble that oozed class

She accessorized the daring look with a set of Freda Salvador white shoes and a high end bedazzled graphic clutch.

Her trademark blonde tresses were left long and loose as they cascaded over her petite shoulders.

Elle recently spoke about her meaning of beauty with Glamour magazine for their latest cover story.

Star-studded: Ben Foster and Melanie Laurent joined the young star

Denim magic: Ben rocked out in a daring denim ensemble

Cute as buttons: The Price twins, Anniston and Tinsley, were little princesses

'Well, beauty is not just what you look like from the outside. Ive certainly experienced not feeling super confident,' she said.

She went on to talk about how she was home-schooled until the fourth grade and was 'freaked out' to be in a classroom with children her age.

The Beguiled star explained: 'My hair is actually really curly, so I got it blown out straight, and I wore contactsmy eyes are terribleand this one boy came to me on the playground and said, "Youre so beautiful. Im going to marry you!" Whatever.

'Then the next day I washed my hair, so it was curly, and wore my glasses. And he told me, "Im not going to marry you anymore." Im like, What? All because of physical appearance? Heartbreaking.'

Casual chic: John Krasinski cut a casual figure in sweater and chinos; he as joined by wife Emily Blunt for the preview

Director's chair: John sat down for an interview during the festival

Relaxed: John kicked back in a lounge set up for the interviews

Elle was there for the premiere of her movie Galveston which pairs her with Ben Foster and Lili Reinhart in a film noir about a dying hitman returning to his hometown of Galveston where he plans revenge.

The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Nic Pizzolatto who created and wrote the HBO hit series True Detective.

Meanwhile, Lucy is there to promote her latest film The Unicorn whic tells the tale of a couple trying to save their relationship with a threesome.

Beauty queen: Olivia Wilde was a glamour goddess

Pretty in pink: Olivia rocked a pale pink blazer

Well read: Olivia posed in front of a stack of books showcasing her gorgeous gams

Simply gorgeous: Jamie Chung and Brooklyn Decker turned heads on the red carpet

Wild thing: Lena Dunham rocks an animal print skirt

Red hot: Dakota Fanning rocked a flirty plunging red dress

Berry sweet: Dakota's chic dress had a cute strawberry motif

Of course there were tons of other a-listers on hand for the wide-ranging event.

This is 40 star Leslie Mann, 45, mixed business and casual with a black suit jacket, white graphic tee and dark high-waist jeans.

She soon joined her husband Judd Apatow and daughters Maude, 20, and Iris, 15, to celebrate the premiere of their new movie, which they all were involved with, Blockers.

Pro wrestler John Cena, 40, who also stars in the comedy, joined them on the red carpet with his squeeze Nikki Bella.

Meanwhile, White House Down starlet Joey King, 18, was there for her new drama Summer 03.

She delighted in a peach-colored frock which featured ruffles down the front and very baggy sleeves.

Great mix: This is 40 star Leslie Mann, 45, mixed business and casual with a black suit jacket, white graphic tee and dark high-waist jeans

Family affair! She soon joined her husband Judd Apatow and daughters Maude (right) and Iris (left) to celebrate the premiere of their new movie, which they all were involved with, Blockers

Multi-talented! Pro wrestler John Cena, 40, who also stars in the comedy, joined them on the red carpet with his squeeze Nikki BellaHe carved out a career in Hollywood following his appearances in Love Actually, Pirates of the Caribbean and Underworld.

But Bill Nighy, 68, has signed up to try his hand at something completely different when he started work on the set of his latest live-action movie Detective Pikachu.

Spotted on set for the first time on Saturday, the Hot Fuzz star cut a dapper figure in his smart black suit jacket, which perfectly framed his age-defying frame.

Spotted: Bill Nighy, 68, cut a sharp figure in a smart suit jacket as he was spotted filming live-action Pokemon movie Detective Pikachu for the first time, in London on Saturday

Bill added a patterned scarf to his look to keep off the chill in the bitter cold temperatures of the British capital.

The Shaun Of The Dead star proved to be practical as he toted his huge umbrella on the overcast day, in case it poured down with rain.

While Bill was already on set filming, the film producers have kept the actor's role tightly under wraps for the moment.

Explained: Detective Pikachu is a feature-length and live-action film based on one of the nation's favourite Nintendo games Pokemon

Detective Pikachu is a feature-length and live-action film based on one of the nation's favourite Nintendo games Pokemon.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Bill will join a whole galaxy of stars for the movie including: Justice Smith, Ryan Reynolds, Big Little Lies' Kathryn Newton, Rita Ora and Suki Waterhouse.

It will chart the story of teenager Tim Goodman (Smith) who joins forces with Detective Pikachu (Reynolds) to hunt down his kidnapped dad.

Back in October, Bill gave an insight into how he prepares to take on his latest film roles in an interview with The Telegraph.

Will it rain? The Shaun Of The Dead star proved to be practical as he toted his huge umbrella on the overcast day, in case it poured down with rain

He explained to the publication: 'If youre doing anything, whether its a play or a film, learn every single word that you have to say backwards forwards and sideways before you go into a rehearsal room and before you go on a film set.

'That might sound like an obvious thing, but its not currently: there is a fashion for not knowing your lines.

'Its been invented by people who dont want to do their homework, even as a creative choice.'

Upcoming movie Detective Pikachu is the latest film installment in the Pokemon franchise and it will hit cinemas on May 19, 2019.Twilight alum Nikki Reed and Hart of Dixie alum Jaime King celebrated International Women's Day by calling their state representatives during a political party at The Standard Hotel in West Hollywood.

The 29-year-old Independent Spirit Award winner wore a light olive Jonathan Simkhai tracksuit over a white tank top and matching pumps while using one of the hotel chain's Ring Your Rep phone booths.

Joining the acro-yoga enthusiast was her adoring second husband, Ian Somerhalder, wearing a black fedora with a white button-down and jeans.

Sunset Strip duo: Twilight alum Nikki Reed (L) and Hart of Dixie alum Jaime King (R) celebrated International Women's Day by calling their state representatives during a political party at The Standard Hotel in West Hollywood

April 26 will mark the third wedding anniversary for the inseparable couple, who've famously both played vampires.

On February 3, Nikki gave her 4.3M social media followers the first glimpse of their eight-month-old daughter Bodhi Soleil.

Reed - who hasn't acted since 2016 - currently designs Bayou with Love jewelry, which is made with gold from recycled Dell computers and ethically-sourced diamonds and opals.

Meanwhile, the 39-year-old SAG Award winner will next by the honorary pace car driver at NASCAR's next Auto Club Speedway event March 18 in Fontana, according to ESPN.

Ring Your Rep phone booth: The 29-year-old Independent Spirit Award winner wore a light olive Jonathan Simkhai tracksuit over a white tank top and matching pumps

The look of love: Joining the acro-yoga enthusiast was her adoring second husband, Ian Somerhalder, wearing a black fedora with a white button-down and jeans

Still going strong! April 26 will mark the third wedding anniversary for the inseparable couple, who've famously both played vampires

'Happiness is a book and these toes': On February 3, Nikki gave her 4.3M social media followers the first glimpse of their eight-month-old daughter Bodhi Soleil

'#sustainablefashion': Reed - who hasn't acted since 2016 - currently designs Bayou with Love jewelry, which is made with gold from recycled Dell computers

Easy rider: Meanwhile, the 39-year-old SAG Award winner will next by the honorary pace car driver at NASCAR's next Auto Club Speedway event March 18 in Fontana

Somerhalder will also play Agent Truman Black in Sinisha Nisevic's upcoming spy drama Time Framed opposite Jaime's husband of a decade, Kyle Newman, as the character Carson Lynch.

King - turning 39 next month - looked chic as ever in her classic khaki trench coat over blue jeans and white mules selected by stylist Annabelle Harron.

Beneath her coat, the Nebraska-born blonde was wearing a $95 black 'Feminist AF' T-shirt designed by Jonathan Simkhai for the bash, which benefitted grassroots organization Swing Left.

'Not f***ing around on #internationalwomensday,' the B**** actress - who boasts 1.4M social media followers - wrote.

Co-stars and pals: Somerhalder will also play Agent Truman Black in Sinisha Nisevic's upcoming spy drama Time Framed opposite Jaime's husband of a decade, Kyle Newman (M), as the character Carson Lynch

Turning 39 next month! King looked chic as ever in her classic khaki trench coat over blue jeans and white mules selected by stylist Annabelle Harron

Swing Left benefit: Beneath her coat, the Nebraska-born blonde was wearing a $95 black 'Feminist AF' T-shirt designed by Jonathan Simkhai for the bash

E.T. fans: Jaime and the 41-year-old Gnome Alone writer were enjoying a date night away from their two sons James, 5; and Leo, 2

Italian stallion: King will next play Abigail Ross in the upcoming action sequel Escape Plan 2: Hades alongside Sylvester Stallone, Dave Bautista, and 50 Cent

'Easy to do friends! Get involved! The #midterm elections are SO important and there is a way to channel your energy and make change!'

Jaime and the 41-year-old Gnome Alone writer were enjoying a date night away from their two sons James, 5; and Leo, 2.

King will next play Abigail Ross in the upcoming action sequel Escape Plan 2: Hades alongside Sylvester Stallone, Dave Bautista, and 50 Cent.

The activist affair encouraging people to vote in the November mid-term elections was spearheaded by designer Jonathan Simkhai as well as trans-rights luminary Janet Mock.

Other attendees included British belter Aluna George (born Francis) wearing white and Thrift & Threads blogger Brittany Xavier wearing black.

Activist affair: The party encouraging people to vote in the November mid-term elections was spearheaded by designer Jonathan Simkhai (R) as well as trans-rights luminary Janet Mock (L)Jessica Rowe's abrupt departure from Studio 10 sent shock waves through the Australian media industry this week.

And it's now been claimed that Channel Ten executives were gearing up to axe the 47-year-old presenter as part of drastic cost-cutting measures however a rep has denied the report.

An Insider told The Sunday Telegraph that the embattled network, which went into voluntary administration last year, wanted to reduce costs by up to $500,000 a year.

Cutting costs? An insider has claimed that Channel Ten executives were gearing up to axe Jessica Rowe as part of cost-cutting measures at the embattled network. Executives allegedly wanted to reduce costs by up to $500,000 a year. The 47-year-old was pictured on Saturday with her 11-year-old daughter Allegra and a school friend

'There was a plan in place to eliminate one presenter and the decision was made it would be Jessica Rowe,' an unnamed source said.

'The writing has been on the wall for a long time.'

Jessica first joined Studio 10 back in 2013.

In a statement to Daily Mail Australia on Sunday, a Channel Ten spokesperson dismissed the report as 'total fiction.'

Out: 'There was a plan in place to eliminate one presenter and the decision was made it would be Jessica Rowe,' an unnamed source said

New addition: The report comes just months after former Today co-host Lisa Wilkinson joined the network with a rumoured $2 million pay packet

'The story is completely false. It is total fiction. Jessica Rowe resigned,' they said.

The report comes just months after former Today co-host Lisa Wilkinson joined the network with a rumoured $2 million pay packet.

On Friday, Jessica's departure ignited a feud between Channel Ten and Robert McKnight, a former executive producer at Studio 10.

Moments after Jessica's announcement, Robert wrote on Twitter: 'Sad to hear (Jess) is leaving Studio 10. (Channel Ten) have been planning to sack her for over a year.'

See you in court! Channel Ten has slammed a 'spiteful' former Studio 10 producer who claimed the network 'wanted to fire Jessica for a year'

'She blamed me, even though I was trying to save her job,' he added.

Channel Ten's publicity team promptly hit back with an official statement denying McKnight's claims.

A spokesperson said: 'Mr McKnight's claim is completely wrong, obviously spiteful and deliberately misleading.'

'As Jess said, she has decided to leave Studio 10 to devote more time to her family and her other interests. Anyone who suggests otherwise is being petty and ignorant. Jess is welcome back to TEN anytime.'

'I look forward to them repeating that in court': After Ten issued a statement denying Robert McKnight's (L) tweet about their alleged plans to fire Jessica (R), he threatened legal action

David Wilson, the director of Watercooler Talent agency to which Jessica is signed, also refuted what McKnight had tweeted.

He responded on Twitter: 'To be absolutely clear - Ten offered Jess a generous new contract for her to stay. Leaving Studio 10 was Jess' choice for the reasons she so beautifully articulated on air this morning. It takes great courage to make these big decisions.'

Hours later, McKnight took to Twitter with his response to Channel Ten's statement, which had first appeared in an article published by News.com.au.

'Re @channelten's quote in @newscomauHQ saying my tweet was 'completely wrong', I look forward to them repeating that in court,' he tweeted.

Illustrious career: Jessica is one of Australia's most well-known television personalities, having been on screens for more than 20 years

Jessica is one of Australia's most well-known television personalities, having been on screens for more than 20 years.

She was a co-host of Channel Ten's evening news, before defecting to Nine in 2006, where she briefly appeared alongside Karl Stefanovic as host of the Today show.

On Friday's show, Jessica made clear that Channel Ten had been 'nothing but supportive' of her decision.Chris Soules is coming out of digital hiding.

The reality star, 36, stayed off social media sites for nearly 11 months in the wake of a deadly crash he was involved in last year that claimed the life of a 66-year-old farmer.

The 6ft1 Iowa native posted a clip on Instagram Stories captioned 'Buddies,' in which a dog and a cat were mingling amidst a snowy country backdrop to the tune of Selena Gomez's Wolves.

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Return: Chris Soules, 36, of The Bachelor fame made his first post to Instagram in nearly a year following a crash he was involved in, as he shared this snowy shot of a dog and a cat

Soules, who shot to fame on The Bachelor's 19th season, vanished from his social media accounts after the April 24, 2017 incident in which he rear-ended a John Deere tractor being steered by farmer Kenneth Mosher, who died in the crash.

Soules contacted 911 before departing the scene in a separate vehicle and headed to his Arlington, Iowa home, authorities said, noting he didn't initially answer his door until he was served with a warrant. He was subsequently arrested at his house in connection with fleeing the scene of an accident.

Soules, who also appeared on Dancing With The Stars, has been charged with hit and run, resulting in a death, and faces up to five years in custody if convicted in the case.

'It has been clear since the beginning of this case that Mr. Soules did everything in his power to assist the injured tractor driver, Kenneth Mosher, in the aftermath of the terrible accident on April 24, 1017,' Soules' legal team said in a statement earlier this year. 'The 911 recording from that night shows Mr. Soules kept his wits about him and attempted CPR on Mr. Mosher with the assistance of other first responders.'

Frosty: In the clip, a dog and a cat were mingling amidst a snowy country backdrop to the tune of Selena Gomez's Wolves

Mug shot: Soules was arrested in April of 2017 in connection with leaving the scene of an accident

Tragedy: Farmer Kenneth Mosher, pictured here, died in the crash involving the reality star

Better times: The Midwesterner was snapped in Las Vegas at a music festival in 2016

Soules, who has pleaded not guilty, has been 'staying positive' amid his legal battle, 'all things considered,' a source told E! News.

'He's always been the type of guy to see the good in everything and for the most part since things have quieted down publicly with the accident, he's been as positive as he can about it all,' the source said, adding that Soules has been 'slowly starting to come back out socially more and more.'

After an unsuccessful attempt last month to have the Iowa Supreme Court dismiss the case, it's set to proceed to a jury trial beginning November 7 in Independence, Iowa.Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has thrown his support behind South Australian Opposition Leader Steven Marshall ahead of next week's state election.

Mr Turnbull called for an end to the "failed leadership" of the the Labor government during a visit to the McLaren Vale wine region on Saturday.

"How can you be in a position where you have the most expensive and the least reliable energy in Australia?" he asked reporters.

"The long and sorry era of Labor government in this state has let South Australians down."The Greens candidate for Melbourne's marginal federal seat of Batman, Alex Bhathal, has spoken out against what she claims are racist slurs on social media.

Labor supporters on social media have referred to Ms Bhathal, who is of Indian background, by the religious term "namaste", while discussing a leaked internal complaint accusing her of branch stacking and of intimidation and bullying.

"I am proud of my South Asian heritage and am deeply disappointed by this new attack on my culture," Ms Bhathal said in a statement on Saturday.Two lifeguards have been rescued after a "freak" wave tipped their boat over while they were searching for a missing swimmer off a Sydney beach.

A long-distance swimming group took off from Coogee on Saturday morning, headed towards Clovelly, but when they reached Gordon Bay they realised one of their members was missing.

A search was sparked involving lifesavers, police, paramedics, an ambulance helicopter and a police helicopter.

During the search, two lifeguards became victims of "a freak wave" that "washed the crew into the water and pushed the boat up onto rocks", according to a Surf Life Saving NSW statement.

The two lifeguards, who were wearing lifejackets, were rescued and the swimmer was found with minor injuries at a nearby beach.

An extraction operation has been planned to retrieve the rescue boat from the rocks when conditions permit.While the commonwealth reaps the benefits of higher immigration, NSW Labor leader Martin Foley says the states are left to wear the costs.

He's backing a call by former prime minister Tony Abbott for a closer look at immigration, including cuts to current migration rates.

"The migration intake has to be set, not simply by the commonwealth government alone any more, but by all Australian governments working jointly, given the burden the states bear in having to pay for the infrastructure," he told the Weekend Australian.

The Labor leader wants migration intake set on a five-yearly basis, and yearly discussions between the commonwealth and the states.

He said major city roads, trains and buses are groaning under the surging population.A fight at a home in NSW's south has left one man dead, another fighting for his life and a third man in police custody.

Emergency services were called to a home in Corowa, west of Albury, around midday on Saturday following reports of a fight.

They discovered a 41-year-old man with serious stab wounds and a head injury and a 33-year-old man with stab wounds and internal bleeding.

They were both taken to Corowa Hospital where the 41-year-old man died and the 33-year-old remains in a critical condition.

A 42-year-old man who was arrested at the scene remains in police custody at Corowa Police Station as investigations continue.

It is believed all three men knew each other.A surf life saving boat has overturned off Sydney's eastern coast as its crew was rushing to reports of a swimmer in trouble.

The rescuers were completing a training run when they were told of a missing swimmer in rough conditions at Gordons Bay, north of Coogee, on Saturday morning.

They were racing to the site in the inflatable rescue boat when they were struck by a large wave, Surf Life Saving NSW said.

"The wave flipped the boat, they were pulled out of the water by life guards," a spokesman told AAP.

The IRB then became stuck on the rocks at Coogee.

Other rescuers were stood down when the swimmer was found on the beach.A 24-year-old man has handed himself in to police for allegedly failing to stop after mowing down an elderly pedestrian in Sydney's west.

The 88-year-old was crossing a road at Bankstown about 7.30pm on Friday when he was struck. He remains in Liverpool Hospital in a serious condition.

CCTV from a nearby property shows the man, who was using a walking frame, slowly making his way across the street when a white Toyota drives through a roundabout and into him.

The driver allegedly failed to stop as a shocked onlooker, who was walking a dog at the time, stares in disbelief.

A 24-year-old man who handed himself in to police on Saturday was arrested and interviewed, with no charges laid by late afternoon.A partial dam wall collapse at a major gold mine in NSW has forced its operator to temporarily suspend operations.

Workers at the Cadia mine, about 20km south of Orange, noticed a "limited breakthrough of tailings material" at one of its dam embankments on Friday afternoon, following earlier inspections that revealed cracks in the wall.

"We have secured the area around the tailings dam, and have implemented a comprehensive geotechnical monitoring system," the mine's operator Newcrest Mining said in a statement on Saturday.An accused Sydney drug dealer has been charged with 30 offences after he was allegedly caught with a stash including MDMA, LSD, ice and cocaine.

The 57-year-old was stopped by police on Flinders Street, Darlinghurst, on Friday night after he'd allegedly supplied MDMA.

A search revealed he was allegedly carrying 114 capsules of MDMA, eight bags of cocaine, 12 tabs of LSD, 11 bags of ketamine and seven of methylamphetamine powder, one bag of ice and a Valium tablet.

Early on Saturday morning, officers raided an Auburn home and allegedly found larger collections of the drugs along with cannabis leaf.

The man was charged with a string of offences including drug supply and dealing in the proceeds of crime.

He's been refused bail and is expected to appear at Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday.A man has been charged with murdering his partner at their Melbourne home.

Shane Robertson, 28, is accused of fatally striking 29-year-old Katherine Haley in the head with a blunt object at Diggers Rest on Friday night.

He appeared in an out-of-sessions court hearing on Saturday night charged with murder, and said he had cuts to his arm.

A summary read out by police said Robertson admitted to being involved in Ms Haley's death.

Her family earlier said they'd been touched by "an act of pure evil".

"She did not deserve what happened to her," News Corp quoted a family statement as saying.

"Our beautiful Katie girl, not only did we lose a much-loved daughter and sister, but two precious children lost their beautiful mother."

Robertson was remanded in custody to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Sunday.Today's Birthday, March 11: Benji Madden, record producer, songwriter, guitarist and vocalist for Good Charlotte, (1979 - ).

Back when Good Charlotte had just formed, Benji Madden recalls a time spent knocking on doors. One night out of desperation, he jumped on stage while longtime producer John 'Feldy' Feldmann was playing a show. In the middle of the set, Benji screamed 'Good Charlotte' into the microphone.

He puts his youthful tenacity down to a tough life at home, Madden told Rolling Stone in 2015.

Following their self-titled debut album in 2000, Good Charlotte's second record The Young and Hopeless propelled the band into mainstream success with roughly 3.5 million copies sold.

After joining The Voice Australia in 2015, the Madden brothers now call Down Under their second home.

Born in the small town of Waldorf, Maryland near Washington DC, Madden is one of four children, including his older brother Josh and youngest sister Sarah.

In 1996 he and his and his twin brother Joel started a band while still attending high school. They later recruited fellow schoolmates Paul Thomas and Aaron Escolopio to form Good Charlotte.

Poverty and a broken home - their father battled alcoholism and left when they were teenagers - led the Madden twins to pour their formative years into the band.

Good Charlotte went on to release three more studio albums, The Chronicles of Life and Death in 2004, Good Morning Revival in 2007 and 2010's Cardiology, netting them more than half-a-dozen awards worldwide.

The Madden twins have also worked in production, with Benji co-writing and producing Hillary Duff's 2005 album Most Wanted. He's also written songs for 5 Seconds of Summer and Tonight Alive.

They also started their own Music Company, MDDN, offering artist management and development.

Over the years Madden has been involved in high-profile romances including a two-year partnership with Australian Sophie Monk. After they split in 2008 he was linked with Paris Hilton.

Most recently Madden tied the knot with Cameron Diaz in a secret ceremony, in 2015, sealing their whirlwind romance after just eight months of dating.The power balance between companies and workers is at the centre of a major new union advertising campaign.

The Australian Council for Trade Unions will launch its largest national media campaign in a decade on Sunday.

They want changes to improve job security and that help workers get pay rises that keep up with the basic cost of living.

ACTU Secretary Sally McManus says the eight week campaign will highlight the power big business has.

"Profits are up, but working people are struggling to get a pay rise, and 40 per cent of the workforce is in insecure work," she said.

"This campaign is about changing the rules for working people so Australians have more secure jobs and fair pay rises."Queensland police are searching for a group of Irish tourists accused of running a number of scams in the state's southeast.

Brisbane and Gold Coast police have received 12 complaints about the group of nine men and women.

Detective Superintendent Tony Fleming said the men have fleeced thousands of dollars from elderly home owners with bogus agreements to fix roofs and driveways.

One man lost $25,000 after they failed to carry out promised roof repairs, he said.

The women are accused of distracting shop attendants while their children put stolen items in a pram.

Both the men and women have been reported to police for scamming food by claiming they found hair in their meal, or that a piece of glass cut their mouth.

Anyone with information should contact police.A man is set to front court charged with the murder of his partner at their Victorian home.

Shane Robertson, 28, is accused of fatally striking 29-year-old Katherine Haley in the head with a blunt object at Diggers Rest, in Melbourne's outer northwest, on Friday night.

Robertson faced an out-of-sessions court hearing on Saturday night, where he was remanded in custody to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Sunday morning.

A police summary said Robertson admitted to being involved in Ms Haley's death.

Her family earlier said they'd been touched by "an act of pure evil".

"She did not deserve what happened to her," News Corp quoted the family statement as saying.

"Our beautiful Katie girl, not only did we lose a much-loved daughter and sister, but two precious children lost their beautiful mother."

In a Facebook tribute, one friend said her "heart beaks for such a beautiful person and mother gone too soon and so unnecessarily".

"I will miss your face and all our nail dates RIP forever beautiful," the woman wrote.Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will travel to the state's north on Sunday to assess the damage caused by four days of torrential rain and flooding.

The region between Cairns and Townsville has been declared a "disaster" by the state government and a "catastrophe" by the Insurance Council of Australia.

More than 700mm of rain fell in a number of catchment areas in four days, with The Boulders, south of Cairns, receiving 1009mm in the seven days to 9am Saturday.

More than 200 homes were inundated at Ingham, where flood waters started to recede on Saturday, and some residents at Innisfail had to evacuate.

A stranded group of primary students on school camp at the Echo Creek adventure park near Tully will be airlifted on Sunday morning if weather permits, the Department of Education said.

Three children with gastro were airlifted to Cairns on Saturday, however authorities decided it was safer to leave the remaining students where they were.

"Current weather advice indicates that if the airlift does not occur (on Sunday), there may not be another opportunity to evacuate the group until later next week," the department said in a statement.

Rain started to ease on Saturday, but the Bureau of Meteorology has warned more may be on the way later next week, with a potential cyclone loitering in northern waters.

Ms Palaszczuk said the full extent of the damage caused by the rain would not be known for weeks, but that flooding would have a detrimental impact on banana and sugar cane crops, and the aquaculture industry.

"We will get the full assessments over the next few weeks about the impact on the economy and I think everyone should spare a thought for the farmers who are going to feel a huge impact," she told reporters on Saturday.Greg Inglis says his reconstructed left knee felt good after his long-awaited NRL comeback, but South Sydney's poor defensive effort caused him plenty of pain.

The Anthony Seibold era at the Rabbitohs started off with a whimper after the team were comprehensively outplayed in a 32-20 loss to the NZ Warriors in Perth on Saturday.

Seibold lamented his team's low 68 per cent completion rate, while they also missed 25 tackles on the way to conceding six tries.

Inglis was solid without starring in his first NRL game back from a knee reconstruction, recording 110 run metres.

But it wasn't nearly enough to inspire the Rabbitohs to victory.

Inglis, playing at centre, said he didn't give a second thought to his knee during the match.

"You can't go into games thinking about that, otherwise it would just get your mind off what you're supposed to do out there," Inglis said.

"I know I've done all the preparation and training I can to get myself right for this round and punch out 80 (minutes).

"I pulled up fine. Just a bit of cramp coming in. But the knee, body - everything is fine."

Inglis said the team's defensive performance against NZ was unacceptable, and something that needs addressing ahead of next Saturday's clash with the Panthers.

"We're not going to win games on the back of a defensive performance like that," Inglis said.

"I know it's round one, but we've got to be better than that."

Seibold agreed, and his message to his players was blunt after the match.

"As I said to the players in there. It's black and white - you can't have 85 per cent effective contact and expect to win against any team in the competition," Seibold said.

"You can't complete at 68 per cent ... and expect to compete as well.

"Some of that's down to poor decision making or not being effective enough from a contact point of view.

"But at the end of the day, the Warriors ran harder than us and they got their body in front more aggressively than us. That's what's more disappointing to me."A million-dollar reward will be offered for information on the execution-style murder of gangster Willie Thompson in Melbourne more than 14 years ago.

Thompson was murdered while alone in his vehicle on Waverley Road in Malvern East about 9.30pm on July 21, 2003.

The 39-year-old had just left a nearby martial arts gym when he was shot several times by two men who pulled up beside his car. He died at the scene.

At the time of his murder, Thompson was known to police and had a number of connections to a range of gangland figures including Nick Radev and Carl Williams. He was also known to be involved in drug trafficking with particular links to Western Australia.

In announcing the reward, officer in charge of the Purana Taskforce, Detective Inspector Tracie McDonald, said in many ways Thompson was the "forgotten gangster".

"Thompson's death came during a time when a number of gangland figures were being murdered, however, it never received a lot of public or media attention," she said.

In 2004 police received anonymous information regarding the murder of Thompson and detectives are particularly keen for that person to contact them again.

"We know there are still people out there who know exactly what happened to Willie Thompson and why, and we're appealing for those people to come forward," Det Insp McDonald said.

"Fourteen years is a long time and obviously circumstances can change, so people who did not feel comfortable speaking to police at the time may now be in a position to do so.

"We're confident that this murder is solvable - all we need is the right information from the right people."A toddler has suffered life threatening injuries after being run over by a car in a driveway north of Sydney.

A 22-year-old woman was allegedly driving the car when it hit the two-year-old boy outside the Maitland home about 6.30pm on Saturday.

He suffered serious injuries and was rushed to hospital for surgery where he remains in a critical condition.

The woman has been charged with a string of offences, including driving with drugs in her system and negligent driving causing grievous bodily harm.

She is expected to appear at Maitland Local Court on March 28.A Florida nightclub is under police investigation after a horse got spooked and threw off its rider on the dancefloor

Florida partiers who packed a Miami Beach nightclub Thursday night were keen to see an actual party animal -- a snow-white horse complete with a half-naked model as its rider.

But, in events apparently unforeseen, the horse became spooked on the dance floor, throwing off its rider and making a break for it as partygoers screamed in fear.

Mokai Lounge in South Beach is now saddled with a police investigation -- and the wrath of seething social media users.

Footage shared online sparked cries of animal abuse, and a petition set up to get the club's license revoked amassed more than 1,000 signatures.

The bar's page on reviewing site Yelp has been shut down following a flood of posts outraged over the horsing around.

"People go to nightclubs to have a good time, enjoy drinks with friends, dance and party. This environment is by no means a place for ANY animal or wildlife," the Change.org petition read.

The Miami Beach Police Department said it had launched a joint investigation with local government officials.

"Last night, MBPD was made aware of this incident at Mokai. We are very concerned over the allegations," the department said on Twitter.

Mokai Lounge, which is closed during the day, did not respond to telephone calls Friday.A gunman opened fire at the Veterans Home of California-Yountville in the Napa Valley, taking hostages and sparking an hours-long standoff with police

A gunman and three women thought to be his hostages were found dead Friday at a California veterans home after an hours-long standoff with police.

The assailant struck at 10:20 am (1820 GMT) at the Veterans Home of California-Yountville in the Napa Valley, the largest veterans' home in the United States with around 1,000 former servicemen and women.

"Shortly before 6:00 pm this evening law enforcement personnel made entry into the room where we felt the hostages were being held by the suspect and unfortunately made the discovery of three deceased females and one deceased male suspect," Captain Chris Childs of the California Highway Patrol told a news conference.

"This is a tragic piece of news, one we were really hoping we wouldn't have to come before the public to give."

The Napa County Sheriff's Office had earlier issued an advisory on social media telling people to avoid the area following reports of gunfire, as the California Highway Patrol dispatched officers, air support and a SWAT team to the site.

Childs said a sheriff's deputy who was first on the scene exchanged fire with the suspect, adding that "we credit him with saving the lives of others in the area by eliminating the ability for the suspect to go out and find further victims."

The three victims were described by local media as employees of The Pathway Home, an on-site counseling service for veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

It is was not immediately clear whether they had been targeted or were chosen at random.

The San Francisco Chronicle said the gunman -- apparently a 36-year-old war veteran wearing "a stash of bullets" around his neck and waist -- had been on the PTSD treatment program, adding that his weapon was a rifle.

- Gunman was calm -

It quoted state senator Bill Dodd identifying the program's executive director, Christine Loeber, as being one of the dead, although the victims' names have not been officially released.

Police did not say how they died, although local media, citing unnamed sources, reported that the assailant shot the three women before turning the gun on himself.

Dodd, whose district includes the center, said the gunman had been asked to leave several days earlier, according to the Chronicle.

"It's a residential program so guys live in the building, staff work in the building," Larry Kamer, whose wife Devereaux Smith was working at the center, told the local ABC7 News channel.

Smith, a development director for The Pathway Home, was one of four women released by the gunman, said Kamer.

"There was a going away party for a couple of the staff who were leaving today. They were having cake and toasting and all that and then he apparently just walked in with this rifle."

Kamer said the gunman was calm and talked to everyone present.

The discovery came after several fruitless hours of trying to contact the man by the sheriff's department, City of Napa Police and the FBI.

California Department of Veterans Affairs secretary Vito Imbasciani said in a statement the agency was "devastated" by the deaths.

"Our hearts are heavy for the entire Yountville Veterans Home community and the families and friends who are grieving for those who died," he added.

"Nothing matters more than caring for our veterans and employees during this difficult time. We appreciate the tremendous law enforcement response today and unfailing support of this community."US President Donald Trump (R) vowed to work "very quickly" on a security agreement with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to spare Canberra steel and aluminum tariffs

The United States is working to exempt ally Australia from its newly unveiled foreign steel and aluminum tariffs, President Donald Trump said Friday, tying the effort to a security agreement.

Major US trading partners have condemned Trump's decision to impose the punitive tariffs as protectionism and an affront to allies, amid growing fears of a global trade war.

After a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Trump said the Australian leader "is committed to having a very fair and reciprocal military and trade relationship."

"Working very quickly on a security agreement so we don't have to impose steel or aluminum tariffs on our ally, the great nation of Australia!" the American president added.

There were no immediate details on what such a "security agreement" would entail.

Australia and the United States have been joined in the ANZUS Treaty security alliance since it took effect in 1952.

Turnbull told reporters that Trump "was able to confirm that he would not have to impose tariffs on Australian steel and aluminum," and that now the paperwork will be done "to put that direction into effect."

Australian steel and aluminum account for just a small percentage of the US import market, but Canberra has warned the tariffs would distort trade and lead to job losses.

"That was a very good and productive discussion with the president," Turnbull said.

Trump had indicated he would be flexible toward "real friends."

During Thursday's signing of the tariffs, 25 percent on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminum, he confirmed Canada and Mexico would be exempted permanently if the ongoing renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement is successful.

But both Mexico and Canada rejected Trump's linkage of the levies to ongoing NAFTA talks.

The US leader had also added Australia to a list of likely exemptions.

"We have a very close relationship with Australia, we have a trade surplus with Australia, great country, long-term partner, we'll be doing something with them," he said.

But Trump took aim at Germany -- the biggest economy in the European Union trade bloc -- as a bad actor likely to face tariffs.

Railing against countries that had "taken advantage" of the United States, Trump accused Germany of behaving unfairly by contributing much less than the US towards the funding of NATO.

bur-oh/itUS President Donald Trump, shown putting on his Commander in Chief's jacket upon arriving at a US airbase in Yokota, Japan, in 2017, is planning a military parade on November 11 in Washington

Military vehicles will roll through Washington on November 11 in a salute to veterans, a Pentagon memo said Friday, detailing President Donald Trump's dream of hosting a military parade.

The White House announced a month ago that Trump had asked for a large-scale military parade, an unconventional call that immediately fueled comparisons with similar events in more autocratic countries.

"This parade will focus on the contributions of our veterans throughout the history of the US military, starting from the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 to today, with an emphasis on the price of freedom," said the memorandum for General Joe Dunford, who chairs the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Defense Department had earlier said it was planning for "around" that date, which is known in the United States as Veterans Day and in other countries as Remembrance Day marking the end of World War I.

Pentagon plans call for "wheeled vehicles only, no tanks," as they would tear up city roads.

There would also be "a heavy air component at the end of the parade, to include older aircraft as available," according to the memo.

The parade route will stretch roughly one mile (1.6 kilometers) from the White House to the Capitol, where Trump will review his troops surrounded by veterans and Medal of Honor recipients.

Female veterans will be highlighted, and marchers representing previous wars will wear period uniforms, including historical dress from the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.

As planning continues, the memo gave no more details on the type of weaponry to be featured in the parade.

Trump, the military's commander-in-chief, received deferments from service during the Vietnam War.

The last major parade in Washington was in 1991 after the Gulf War, when missiles and tanks moved through the streets of the capital.

Since taking office, Trump has frequently touted his support for the US military and placed high-ranking generals in top White House and cabinet posts.

The idea for a parade appears to have been rekindled when the president visited Paris for Bastille Day in July and made no secret of his awe for the pomp and ceremony of the occasion.

Military parades are also a highlight of the calendar in Moscow and Pyongyang but are rare in the United States, where displays of patriotism usually take the form of flag-waving, fireworks and grilled hot dogs.America's leading intelligence agencies concluded last year that Russian President Vladimir Putin himself had directed a broad intelligence effort to influence the US election, but he says, "So what?"

President Vladimir Putin said in an interview released Friday that he "couldn't care less" if fellow Russian citizens sought to meddle in the 2016 US presidential election, insisting such efforts could not be tied to the Kremlin.

"Why have you decided the Russian authorities, myself included, gave anybody permission to do this?" Putin asked in the often-combative interview with NBC television.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller is conducting a wide-ranging investigation to determine whether President Donald Trump's campaign colluded with Moscow to help elect him.

Last month Mueller indicted 13 Russian nationals and three Russian companies for allegedly backing Trump's campaign, maligning his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton and engaging in other election interference.

"So what if they're Russians?" Putin said of the allegations.

"There are 146 million Russians. So what?... I don't care. I couldn't care less... They do not represent the interests of the Russian state."

Mueller issued a 37-page indictment against the Russians but Putin indicated he has seen no evidence thus far that the alleged meddling broke any US law.

"Are we the ones who imposed sanctions on the United States? The US imposed sanctions on us," he said.

"We in Russia cannot prosecute anyone as long as they have not violated Russian law... At least send us a piece of paper... Give us a document. Give us an official request. And we'll take a look at it."

America's leading intelligence agencies concluded last year that Putin himself had directed a broad intelligence effort to influence the US election to undermine Clinton's campaign and boost Trump's chances, but Trump has repeatedly denied colluding with Moscow.

The Russian leader also rejected those assessments.

"Could anyone really believe that Russia, thousands of miles away... influenced the outcome of the election? Doesn't that sound ridiculous even to you?" Putin asked.

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, when he announced the Russian indictment, said it made no judgment on whether the alleged Russian propaganda campaign altered the outcome of the election which Trump won.

"It's not our goal to interfere. We do not see what goal we would accomplish by interfering. There's no goal," Putin said.

Trump himself has repeatedly shied away from condemning Russia over the alleged meddling.

US intelligence chiefs last month said Russian attempts to meddle in US politics are continuing unabated -- and pose a threat to mid-term congressional elections in November.Left out of the loop? US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was not consulted about Trump's shock decision to meet North Korea's leader

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, on his first Africa tour as Washington's top diplomat, cancelled his programme in Kenya on Saturday because he was feeling unwell.

"The secretary is not feeling well after a long couple days working on major issues back home such as North Korea and has cancelled his events for the day," said a brief statement from Undersecretary of State Steve Goldstein.

He later said that Tillerson was "feeling better and will resume his normal schedule tomorrow (Sunday)".

The announcement came little more than 24 hours after US President Donald Trump stunned the world by accepting an invitation to meet North Korea's Kim Jong Un before the end of May.

The audacious diplomatic gambit, which was taken before consulting key confidantes including Tillerson -- who was in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa at the time -- left aides scrambling to catch up.

Just hours before the summit announcement Thursday, Tillerson had said Washington was "a long way" from talking directly to North Korea as he kicked off his five-nation Africa tour.

The US diplomat, who arrived in Nairobi on Friday, had been due to visit AIDS relief programme PEPFAR on Saturday and attend a ceremony marking 20 years since Al-Qaeda bombed the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, killing 224 people.

Tillerson is due to travel to Chad on Monday then on to Nigeria a day later.

pool-cyb/hmw/txwTensions have been running high for many years between herders and farmers over increasingly precious resources

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have killed at least five people in central Nigeria's Plateau state, police said Saturday, in the latest violence linked to tensions over grazing rights.

Thursday's attack happened just as President Muhammadu Buhari was rounding up a tour of Plateau and four other flashpoint states.

"The gunmen were believed to be herdsmen. They attacked some communities in Miango district and killed five people," state police spokesman Terna Tyopev told AFP.

He said dozens of people were injured while many houses and properties were destroyed in the mayhem.

Local media said apart from the incident in Miango, six people were also killed at Ganda village in Bokkos local government area of the state.

The police could not immediately confirm the attack.

Speaking to Nigeria's Guardian newspaper, community leader, Matawa Mankut put the toll at six dead when cattle rearers invaded the village on Friday.

"We are at the burial ground in Ganda village to give the deceased a mass burial," he said, urging the authorities to end the violence.

Since the start of the year, Nigeria has seen a growing number of clashes between largely nomadic herders and farmers over land, water and grazing rights.

Buhari has been under pressure to end the killings.

Plateau state lies in Nigeria's so-called Middle Belt that separates the predominantly Muslim north from the largely Christian south.

It has long been a hotbed of ethnic, sectarian and religious tensions between indigenous farming communities, who are mainly Christian, and the nomadic Hausa/Fulani cattle herders, who are Muslim.

Tensions have boiled over access to land and resources, escalating into a rift that has deepened along nominally religious lines.

In January, eight people were killed in tit-for-tat attacks in the rural districts of Bokkos and Bassa of the state.US President Donald Trump's announcement of duties of 25 percent on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminium has stung its major partners

President Donald Trump renewed his demand Saturday that the European Union halts its trade barriers to US products in order to spare his allies new steel and aluminum tariffs.

The American president made his comments after crunch talks in Brussels between EU negotiators and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in an effort to defuse a bitter row that many fear could turn into an all-out trade war.

The EU's top trade official said the US failed to provide full clarity on how Europe and Japan could be spared set to continue next week.

"The European Union, wonderful countries who treat the U.S. very badly on trade, are complaining about the tariffs on Steel & Aluminum," Trump tweeted.

"If they drop their horrific barriers & tariffs on U.S. products going in, we will likewise drop ours. Big Deficit. If not, we Tax Cars etc. FAIR!"

President Donald Trump's announcement of duties of 25 percent on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminum has stung the European Union, along with other major partners including Japan, whose Economy Minister Hiroshige Seko also attended the talks in Brussels.

"As long-standing security partners of the United States, (the EU and Japan) underlined to ambassador Lighthizer their expectation that EU and Japanese exports to the US would be exempted from the application of higher tariffs," an EU statement said after the talks.

But after two-way talks with Lighthizer, European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem tweeted: "No immediate clarity on the exact US procedure for exemption however, so discussions will continue next week."

- Match 'stupid with stupid' -

Japan's Economy Minister Hiroshige Seko was also in Brussels for the talks

Brussels has gone the furthest in fighting back against Washington's shock measures, loudly announcing a list of US products to hit with countermeasures if its exports are affected by the tariffs.

In announcing the measures, European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker taunted Trump, saying the EU could match "stupid with stupid."

Trump pushed back as he visited western Pennsylvania, in the heart of US steel country, where he boasted of his tariffs and denounced low-quality imports.

"It's not good steel -- you guys know what I mean. It's crap," Trump said, earning cheers from the crowd.

Trump said the move would spur economic growth in the region.

"A lot of steel mills are now opening up because of what I did," he said. "Steel is back, and aluminum is back."

Lighthizer, a loyalist to Trump's "America First" mantra, made no official comment after the talks, but the three sides did agree on a series of next steps to address the oversupply worldwide of steel and other materials, mainly by China.

This progress was "unexpected" and a source of cautious optimism on solving the tariff row, an EU official said on condition of anonymity.

"If Trump wants his allies to demonstrate that they are united in tackling problems with China, this is precisely that," the source added.

- US 'affront' -

With tensions at a peak, the EU had sought to keep low expectations for any breakthrough on Saturday. European Commission Vice President Jyrki Katainen said it would be "a meeting, not THE meeting."

Along with a huge range of steel products, the EU's hit list of flagship American products lined up for counter measures includes peanut butter, bourbon whiskey and denim jeans.

The EU exports a billion euros' worth of aluminum to the US each year

Germany -- singled out for particular criticism by Trump -- accused Washington of protectionism, calling the tariffs an "affront to close partners."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned that "no one can win in such a race to the bottom" while French President Emmanuel Macron said Trump risked provoking a mutually destructive "trade war."

Trump said the tariffs, which will come into effect 15 days after he formally unveiled them Thursday, will not initially apply to Canada and Mexico. He also added Australia to the list of likely carve-outs.

Complicating matters, Trump indicated that the sparing of Australia was linked to an unspecified "security agreement" outside of trade policy.

This shed light on Trump's attacks against Germany -- the biggest economy in the European Union -- that have accused Berlin of contributing much less than the US toward the funding of NATO.

The EU exports around five billion euros ($4 billion) worth of steel and a billion euros worth of aluminum to the US each year, and the European Commission, the bloc's executive arm, estimates Trump's tariffs could cost some 2.8 billion euros.

European Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen said on Friday: "We are prepared and will be prepared if need be to use rebalancing measures"

Brussels is also looking at "safeguard" measures to protect its industry -- restricting the bloc's imports of steel and aluminum to stop foreign supplies flooding the European market, which is allowed under World Trade Organization rules.

burs-oh-mlm/ohThe UN and Doctors Without Borders have pulled out their staff from Rann, on the border between Nigeria and Cameroon, after an attack by Boko Haram on March 1.

A suspension of humanitarian operations has been extended in a remote town in northeast Nigeria where three aid workers were killed in a Boko Haram attack, medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said on Saturday.

MSF and the UN pulled out their staff from Rann, on the border with Cameroon in Borno state, after the attack on March 1.

The UN suspended its activities for one week until Friday.

But the suspension has now been extended until Tuesday next week at the earliest, the UN in Abuja said, while MSF said it had no timeline for a return.

"We think that the entire area is not protected," the charity's emergency coordinator for Borno, Kerri Ann Kelly, told AFP.

"Until there's more protection it will be very hard to operate. It's a fairly exposed area... I had 19 people up there that day, lying on the ground going on for 90 minutes, so security drives the mission."

MSF, the UN children's agency Unicef and the International Committee of the Red Cross were among those providing emergency food, medical care and other programmes to some 80,000 people in Rann.

Of those, about 55,000 were living in a camp for people displaced by the Islamist insurgency, which began in 2009 and has ravaged the northeast, killing at least 20,000.

Kelly said the suspension leaves those people without healthcare and no access to food distribution -- and time was pressing to resume activities before the arrival of annual rains from mid-May.

Last year, Rann was cut off due to flooding during the rains, while across the northeast food shortages become more acute and diseases such as malaria increase.

"If we can't get up there, the rainy season is going to be a problem... We are really concerned about being able to be prepared for this rainy season," said Kelly.

But even before then, there are fears about the effect of a prolonged suspension on clean water and sanitation programmes for those in the camp, after previous outbreaks of water-borne diseases such as typhoid and cholera linked to poor hygiene.

The UN has appealed this year for $1.05 billion to fund its operations in northeast Nigeria, where the insurgency has left millions homeless and dependent on aid.

The Rann attack -- which also saw eight Nigerian security personnel killed -- also prompted fresh doubts about government claims the jihadists are virtually defeated.

The surrounding countryside has witnessed a series of attacks, highlighting the continued difficulty for the military to secure hard-to-reach areas outside urban centres.Syrian regime forces sit inside a tank in the town of Aftris in the besieged Eastern Ghouta region on March 10, 2018

Syrian regime forces continued their offensive against Eastern Ghouta Sunday, a day after they cut off the rebel-held enclave's largest town, pressing on with a 20-day assault that has left more than 1,000 civilians dead.

Government troops and allied militia launched their military campaign for Eastern Ghouta on February 18 and have since overrun more than half of the area, defying global calls for a halt to the violence.

The assault has followed a divide-and-conquer strategy, eating away at rebel-held territory, and government forces on Saturday successfully isolated Ghouta's main town of Douma in a blow for the beleaguered rebels.

Regime fighters cut off a road linking Douma with the town of Harasta further west and also captured the town of Misraba, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

"Regime forces have therefore divided Eastern Ghouta into three parts -- Douma and its surroundings, Harasta in the west, and the rest of the towns further south," the Britain-based monitor said.

Syrians walk past destroyed buildings in rebel-held Eastern Ghouta on March 9, 2018

Shelling and air strikes slammed into Douma on Saturday, trapping residents inside their basements for hours, AFP's correspondents in the town said.

Rescue workers and medics were struggling to navigate the town's rubble-littered roads to bring wounded residents back to field clinics.

At least 20 civilians -- including four children -- were killed in Douma on Saturday, in addition to 17 civilians in other battlefront towns, said the Observatory.

The deaths raised the assault's total toll to 1,031 civilians, including 219 children, according to the Observatory. More than 4,350 have been wounded.

- 'Bomb shelters full' -

Douma's opposition-run local council issued an urgent "distress call" on Saturday to international organisations.

"The bomb shelters and basements are full, and people are sleeping in the streets and in public gardens," the statement said.

"For three days, it has been hard to bury the dead because of the intense bombing on the cemetery," it added.

Syrian regime forces are seen in the town of Aftris in the besieged Eastern Ghouta region on March 10, 2018

Eastern Ghouta is the last remaining opposition-controlled zone on the outskirts of the capital, and rebels there have regularly fired rockets onto Damascus.

On Saturday, at least one child was killed and four other civilians wounded in rebel shelling on eastern districts of Damascus, according to state news agency SANA.

Rebels have tried to slow the advance with an attempted counter-offensive, but President Bashar al-Assad's forces steamrolled their efforts.

Syrian state television broadcast live footage from Misraba hours after it was captured by the army on Saturday, showing dozens of civilians in a dark basement, surrounded by troops.

Syrians walk past a destroyed mosque in the Eastern Ghouta region on March 9, 2018

One elderly man broke down into tears as he relayed how his family had fled to Douma under fierce bombardment.

Eastern Ghouta is home to around 400,000 people, living under a five-year siege that has made food and medical aid exceedingly rare.

On Friday, an aid convoy by the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent delivered food to hunger-stricken residents.

It was the second convoy in one week, after deliveries on Monday were interrupted by heavy bombardment.

- 'Scared faces' -

The UN refugee agency's Syria representative, who entered Ghouta with Monday's convoy, said the area was "on the verge of a major disaster".

"I've never seen such scared faces in my life," Sajjad Malik said Friday.

He described seeing a five-storey building that had been reduced to rubble, with a powerful stench emanating from several bodies trapped underneath.

Syrian troops have cut off the battered town of Douma from the rest of the rebel-held Eastern Ghouta enclave

Two Islamist groups are the most prominent rebel factions in Ghouta, but jihadists from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) -- once linked to Al-Qaeda's Syria branch -- also have a presence.

On Friday, 13 HTS members and their relatives were bussed out of the enclave.

Rebels said they would be taken to HTS territory in the northern province of Idlib, in an arrangement struck following consultations with the UN and international players.

Such evacuation deals have been repeatedly agreed in Syria's seven-year war, most notably in the second city of Aleppo in late 2016.

After a ferocious month-long government assault, thousands of rebel fighters and civilians were bussed out of the city's east.

That paved the way for Syria's government to announce the full recapture of Aleppo -- the largest defeat to date for the fractured opposition movement.

Syria's conflict erupted with protests against Assad but has since developed into a full-blown war drawing in world powers.

Russia has intervened on Assad's behalf while Turkey has backed rebels against his regime.

Saturday, Ankara-backed rebels advanced against Kurdish militia in northwest Syria, coming to within two kilometres (just over one mile) of the flashpoint town of Afrin, the Observatory said.

Elsewhere in Syria, the White Helmets rescue force suffered its first female fatality on Saturday, after air strikes hit a rebel-held town in Idlib province.President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the Turkish army and allied Syrian rebels wanted to oust the Syrian Kurdish militia the YPG from all the towns they control near the Turkish border

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday vowed to expand Turkey's offensive in Syria against Kurdish militia to key border towns controlled by the group right up to the Iraqi frontier.

Turkey launched its operation seeking to oust Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia from the Afrin region of northern Syria on January 20 and Erdogan said Thursday its forces could now enter Afrin town at "any moment".

But Ankara has always threatened to expand the operation to the east to oust the YPG from the swathe of territory it controls right up to Iraq.

Speaking to supporters in the city of Mersin, Erdogan said the Turkish army and allied Syrian rebels wanted to oust the YPG from all the towns they control close to the Turkish border.

"Once we have purged the terrorists (from Afrin) we will then cleanse them from Manbij, Ayn al-Arab, Tel-Abyad, Ras al-Ayn and Qamishli," he said in televised comments.

Manbij, the next main YPG-held town east of Afrin, is a particular flashpoint as it has an American military presence there.

Ayn al-Arab, better known by its Kurdish name Kobane, has huge symbolic importance as it was the epicentre of a struggle with Islamic State (IS) jihadists which was eventually won by the Kurds.

Qamishli is seen as the main town of the YPG-controlled region.

Turkey regards the YPG as a terror group and a branch of militants in Turkey who have waged an insurgency for decades.

The United States however has worked closely with the YPG in the fight against IS and the campaign has raised tensions with Turkey's NATO ally Washington.

Erdogan questioned why NATO had not come to Turkey's aid in its Syria operation when Ankara had backed critical alliance campaigns worldwide.

"Hey NATO where are you?" Erdogan asked. "We came in response to the calls on Afghanistan, Somalia and the Balkans, and now I am making the call, let's go to Syria. Why don't you come?"

On Saturday, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said the Turkish forces were now four kilometres (2.5 miles) from Afrin town.America's leading intelligence agencies concluded last year that Russian President Vladimir Putin himself had directed a broad intelligence effort to influence the US election, but he says, "So what?"

President Vladimir Putin suggested in a US television interview that Ukrainians, Tatars or "Jews," could have meddled in the 2016 US presidential election -- but not the Kremlin.

"Why have you decided the Russian authorities, myself included, gave anybody permission to do this?" Putin asked in the often-combative interview with NBC television.

The leading US intelligence agencies concluded last year that Putin personally directed an intelligence effort to influence the 2016 US presidential election to undermine Democrat Hillary Clinton's campaign and boost Republican Donald Trump.

Last month US Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is conducting a widespread probe into Russia's role in the campaign, indicted 13 Russian nationals and three Russian companies for allegedly backing Trump, maligning Clinton, and engaging in other election interference.

"So what if they're Russians?" Putin said of the allegations, according to transcripts of the NBC interview released late Friday.

"There are 146 million Russians. So what?... I don't care. I couldn't care less... They do not represent the interests of the Russian state."

"Maybe," Putin said, "they are not even Russians but Ukrainians, Tatars or Jews, but with Russian citizenship, which should also be checked; maybe they have dual citizenship or a green card; maybe the US paid them for this.

"How can you know that? I do not know either."

- No laws broken? -

Despite Mueller's 37-page indictment, Putin said he has seen no evidence thus far that the alleged meddling broke any laws.

"We in Russia cannot prosecute anyone as long as they have not violated Russian law... At least send us a piece of paper... Give us a document. Give us an official request. And we'll take a look at it."

Trump has repeatedly denied any collusion with Moscow, and Putin laughed at the mere suggestion.

"Could anyone really believe that Russia, thousands of miles away... influenced the outcome of the election? Doesn't that sound ridiculous even to you?" Putin asked.

On announcing the indictment on the Russians, US Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said the document made no judgment on whether the alleged Russian propaganda campaign altered the election outcome.

"It's not our goal to interfere. We do not see what goal we would accomplish by interfering. There's no goal," Putin said.

US intelligence chiefs last month said Russia still seeks to meddle in US politics, posing a threat to mid-term congressional elections in November, and the 2020 presidential election.

- 'Destabilization' campaign -

Trump has acknowledged that Russia and "other countries" meddled in the 2016 election, but insisted it had "no impact on our votes whatsoever" and vowed to make sure it wouldnt happen again.

"We'll counteract whatever they do. We'll counteract it very strongly. You don't want your system of votes to be compromised in any way," Trump said Tuesday. "And we won't allow that to happen."

Russian efforts however are said to go far beyond US elections: US General Curtis Scaparrotti, the commander of NATO forces in Europe, told US lawmakers on Thursday that Russia is working to break up the NATO alliance partly through its online operations spreading false information.

"Russia is carrying out a campaign of destabilization to change the international order, fracture NATO and undermine US leadership around the world," Scaparrotti told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday.esident Donald Trump told supporters at the Make America Great Again Rally that his reducing the North Korean nuclear threat helped save the Winter Olympics last month in South Korea

President Donald Trump predicted "tremendous success" Saturday in upcoming groundbreaking talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and suggested the reclusive state wants to "make peace" despite a years-long nuclear standoff.

The comments came after the American leader said he has received encouragement from the leaders of China and Japan, and assurance that North Korea had promised not to shoot missiles in the interim, as he moves toward the high stakes summit, announced suddenly this week.

"I think North Korea is going to go very well, I think we will have tremendous success... We have a lot of support," Trump told reporters before boarding his Marine One helicopter to travel to a rally in Pennsylvania.

"The promise is they wouldn't be shooting off missiles in the meantime, and they're looking to de-nuke. So that'd be great."

At the rally, he told supporters that the United States had "shown great strength" when tensions were high with Pyongyang, but he went so far as to say the reclusive regime's leaders "want to make peace."

"I think it's time," Trump said.

He also boasted that his reducing the North Korean nuclear threat helped save the Winter Olympics that were held last month in South Korea.

US President Donald Trump told supporters at the Make America Great Again Rally in Pennsylvania that North Korea's leaders "want to make peace"

"It's a little hard to sell tickets when you think you are going to be nuked," the president added.

Earlier, Trump said China's President Xi Jinping was appreciative of his decision to opt for diplomacy rather than "the ominous alternative," while Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was "very enthusiastic" about talks with North Korea.

Trump reached out to the Asian leaders in phone calls Friday after his stunning decision to accept an invitation to meet Kim before the end of May.

The turnabout -- a huge surprise after months of intensifying brinksmanship over the North's nuclear and missile programs -- caught even Trump's top aides off guard.

Just hours before Trump made his announcement Thursday, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had said direct talks with North Korea were "a long way" off.

White House officials initially waffled on the president's intentions.

"We're not going to have this meeting take place until we see concrete actions that match the words and the rhetoric of North Korea," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters Friday.

- Emphasizing the positive -

But in a series of tweets late Friday and Saturday, a seemingly ebullient Trump emphasized the positive.

"North Korea has not conducted a Missile Test since November 28, 2017 and has promised not to do so through our meetings. I believe they will honor that commitment!" he said.

Trump praised a possible future agreement with the nuclear-armed North as "very good" for the international community as a whole.

A South Korean soldier walks past a television screen showing pictures of US President Donald Trump (L) and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at a railway station in Seoul

He also tweeted that Xi "appreciates that the U.S. is working to solve the problem diplomatically rather than going with the ominous alternative. China continues to be helpful!"

A White House readout of the conversation said the two leaders committed to keeping the pressure on North Korea until it takes "tangible steps toward complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization."

North Korea's ambassador to the United Nations, Pak Song Il credited the turnabout to Kim's "broadminded and resolute" decision to contribute to peace and security in the Korean Peninsula.

"The United States should know and understand our position and should further contribute to the peace and security-building in the Korean Peninsula with (a) sincere position and serious attitude," he wrote in an email to The Washington Post.

- 'Diplomacy without diplomats' -

Not everyone was so sanguine about the prospects of a breakthrough, however, and some Democrats shuddered at the thought of such sensitive -- and potentially explosive -- negotiations in the hands of an impulsive, inexperienced president.

"If you want to talk to Kim Jong Un about his nuclear weapons you need experienced diplomats," Hillary Clinton, Trump's rival in the 2016 presidential elections, told Dutch tabloid Algemeen Dagblad.

The former diplomatic chief said the State Department was "being eroded," and experienced diplomats on the North Korean issue were in short supply because many have left.

"You cannot have diplomacy without diplomats," she said, adding that "the danger is not being recognized by the Trump government."

Clinton's words echo those of veteran diplomat and former US ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson, who warned that negotiating with North Korea was not "reality television."

"It's a real opportunity.... I worry about the president's unpreparedness and lack of discipline. But I commend him for his very bold move in accepting the invitation," Richardson told AFP on Friday.African migrants rescued from a ship off the coast of Zawiyah, west of the Libyan capital Tripoli, sit at the dock at the capital's naval base on March 10, 2018

The Libyan navy on Saturday rescued 252 migrants seeking to reach Europe, in two separate operations off the country's western coast.

"We were alerted... to the position of a migrant boat" around 30 kilometres (20 miles) off Zawiya, west of Tripoli, navy captain Rami al-Hadi Ghomed said.

He said the 140 migrants on board, including 14 women and four children, were brought back to Tripoli's naval base before being transferred to a detention centre.

Since the 2011 fall and killing of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi, unruly Libya has become a key launch pad for migrants making desperate bids to reach Europe, often on unseaworthy vessels.

To save money to pay smugglers for the crossing, some migrants stay and work in Libya -- such as Sunday Adeleghe, a 42-year-old Nigerian father of four.

He was among those who tried their luck on the boat rescued off Zawiya.

"I left my country in June," he said. "I couldn't go back to Nigeria with nothing."

"I started washing cars to save money for my family," he said.

"I'm desperate... but a man can die only once, not twice."

The second rescue operation took place around 50 kilometres off Garabulli, east of the capital.

The navy rescued "112 migrants, including 30 women and three children, aboard an inflatable boat", said navy spokesman Ayoub Kacem.

"The migrants, from African countries.... were given medical care before being transferred to the Tajoura detention centre" in Tripoli, Kacem said.

The navy gave no details on the origin of the boats, but smugglers usually launch departures from western Libya, just 300 kilometres from the Italian coast.

Recent years have seen thousands of migrants infiltrate the vast southern border of Libya in attempts to cross the Mediterranean to Europe.

The situation has deteriorated since Kadhafi's fall, as lawlessness and insecurity have pushed ever more migrants who were already present in Libya to attempt the perilous crossing.

At least 337 migrants have died or disappeared off the coast of Libya since the start of the year, according to the International Organization for Migration.

"If our rulers were good for us, Nigerians would not leave their country," Sunday said.Tunisians take part in a protest to demand equal inheritance rights with men and a change to the current law based on Islamic precepts that give men the double of what women receive

Tunisian women led a march by more than 1,000 demonstrators Saturday, including men, to demand equal inheritance rights for both sexes in the North African country.

Tunisia's inheritance law is based on Islamic jurisprudence stipulating that men inherit double the amount received by women.

The demonstrators marched to the seat of parliament in the Tunisian capital chanting equal inheritance rights "are a right, not a favour".

Last year, President Beji Caid Essebsi announced plans to set up a commission to examine "individual liberties" and "equality in all domains", including inheritance.

His announcement sparked opposition from Muslim clerics who issued a statement saying the proposals amounted to "a flagrant violation" of Islamic precepts.

Tunisia, which adopted a 1956 Personal Status Code extending several rights to women and abolishing polygamy, is seen as a pioneer on women's emancipation in the Arab world, although tensions often surface between conservatives and reformists.

The 2011 revolution in Tunisia toppled the regime of autocratic president Zine el Abidine Ben Ali and sparked uprisings across the Arab world, where changes to inheritance rights are considered a taboo.

But activists on Saturday stressed the demand for equality among the sexes in Tunisia.

"There must be equality, it is in the constitution," adopted after the 2011 uprising, said Sana Ben Achour, president of the Beity association which supports women.

A constitution adopted in 2014 guarantees equality between men and women.

Article 21 of the constitution states: "All citizens, male and female, have equal rights and duties, and are equal before the law without any discrimination."

Monia Ben Jemia, who heads the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women, said she hoped the law will change by next year.

"The fact that we are talking about it now means that we have already won the battle," she said.

Rahma Jawadi, who heads a rural women's organisation in northwestern Tunisia, said any change in the law on inheritance would help empower women in her region.

"They could farm the land and have a revenue," she said.

The commission examining individual liberties is expected to release its first report in June and would recommand a policy of step by step changes, one of its members said.

It could suggest families take it upon themselves to equally distribute the inheritance between sons and daughters, thus bypassing Islamic precepts.Au Nok-hin, who stepped in to contest the Hong Kong Island seat after Agnes Chow was disallowed, campaigning in Hong Kong

Hong Kong's pro-democracy camp will try to claw back lost seats as polls opened early Sunday in controversial by-elections that have exposed the heart of the city's political divide.

The vote comes as China signals a harder line against any challenges to its sovereignty, with high-profile young candidate Agnes Chow barred from standing because her party promotes self-determination for the semi-autonomous city.

Beijing has become increasingly incensed at the emergence of activists advocating independence and sees calls for self-determination as part of a splittist push.

The by-election was triggered after Beijing forced the disqualification of six rebel lawmakers who had swept to victory in citywide elections in 2016.

Some were former protest leaders, others openly advocated independence. All were ousted from their posts for inserting protests into their oaths of office.

Four of the six vacant seats will be contested Sunday.

"The election is not just about selecting me as a candidate, it is also about voting for justice," said Au Nok-hin, who stepped in to contest the Hong Kong Island seat after Agnes Chow was disallowed.

Pro-establishment politician Judy Chan cast the pro-democracy opposition in Hong Kong as provoking "violence and resistance"

The seat was originally held by Nathan Law, one of the leaders of 2014's mass pro-democracy Umbrella Movement rallies, who was among the six thrown out of office.

But pro-establishment politician Judy Chan, standing against Au, cast the opposition as provoking "violence and resistance".

"The by-election is a chance for the silent majority, who are tired of a politicised Hong Kong, who detest those who humiliate the country, to come out and tell those politicians that Hong Kong has no room for them," Chan told AFP.

- Democracy camp struggling -

The six lawmakers were retrospectively barred from office by Hong Kong's high court after Beijing issued a special "interpretation" of the city's mini-constitution stipulating legislators had to take their oath "solemnly and sincerely" or face being banned.

Hong Kong's pro-democracy camp has come up against increasing pressure since the failure of the Umbrella Movement to win political reform, with some leading activists jailed on protest-related charges

Pro-independence lawmakers had inserted expletives and waved "Hong Kong is not China" banners during their swearing in. Others added phrases supporting the democracy movement.

The pro-democracy camp has come up against increasing pressure since the failure of the Umbrella Movement to win political reform, with some leading activists jailed on protest-related charges.

Political analyst Dixon Sing says losing any one of the four by-election seats would be a further blow.

"It would only add to the disappointment and the loss of faith," he told AFP.

But Sing added that even an across-the-board win would be countered by a system fundamentally weighted towards Beijing.

Only half the legislature is elected, with the rest selected by traditionally pro-establishment interest groups.

Of 70 seats, the democracy camp currently holds 24, only just clinging on to the one-third needed to veto important bills.

Pro-establishment politician Judy Chan (2nd R) of New People's Party standing with team volunteers as she campaigns in Hong Kong

It has also been curbed by new rules against filibustering, long a favoured tactic.

Nevertheless, veteran democrats are urging residents to go out and vote.

"It is not just a by-election," said pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo.

"It's a fight between good and evil."LAS VEGAS (AP) - Police can recover costs of providing media with officer body camera videos, recordings of 911 calls and written evidence logs and interview reports about the Las Vegas mass shooting, a state court judge ruled Friday.

Clark County District Judge Richard Scotti said the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department cannot demand as much it asked to comply with public records requests, though he did not set a final dollar amount. In records submitted to the court, police estimated the cost of providing the records at $234,000 to $458,000

"Metro must reevaluate and report back to this court with the proper fee that it proposes to charge the media," the judge said.

FILE - In this Oct. 2, 2017 file photo, drapes billow out of broken windows at the Mandalay Bay resort and casino on the Las Vegas Strip following a mass shooting at a music festival. A Nevada judge says he'll rule this week how much media companies should have to pay to obtain police records about the Las Vegas Strip mass shooting that became the deadliest in modern U.S. history. (AP Photo/John Locher,File)

He added in his ruling: "The government cannot frustrate the media's efforts to obtain information on behalf of the public by charging exorbitant fees."

Attorneys for the department did not immediately respond to telephone and email messages.

The judge suggested that it could take at least six months for the department to comply and set a March hearing for an update from lawyers for the department and media companies suing under the state public-records law, including The Associated Press.

Reporters have sought a motive for the Oct. 1 shooting that killed 58 people, injured hundreds and became the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. The shooter killed himself before police reached him.

Records could shed light on the response by public agencies and emergency workers when the shooter opened fire for more than 10 minutes from 32nd-story windows of a casino hotel room into an open-air concert crowd of 22,000 people below.

Las Vegas Review-Journal lawyer Margaret McLetchie argued in a hearing on Wednesday that police cannot charge excessive fees for public records.

The judge ruled that Las Vegas police can charge 81 cents a page for evidence logs and interview reports, including 31 cents a page for copying and 50 cents a page for staff time.

Scotti noted that police said there are almost 750 hours of body camera recordings from the incident. The judge said police can recover copy costs for body camera footage and 911 audio recordings, including time to reproduce them and the cost of the DVD, flash drive, CD or other medium.

Media companies can also be billed for what the judge termed "pre-copy preparations" of incident dispatch logs.NEW YORK (AP) - A Virginia man who invented a bogus buyer to manipulate the price of Fitbit stock has been sentenced to two years in prison.

Robert Murray told a New York federal judge Friday it was "one of the stupidest things I can imagine anyone ever doing." The 25-year-old from Chesapeake, Virginia, pleaded guilty last November to securities fraud.

Prosecutors say he filed a regulatory document in November 2016 saying a fictitious company had offered to buy fitness tracker maker Fitbit at well over its share price. The stock briefly shot up about 10 percent, and Murray sold Fitbit stock options he had.

The Securities and Exchange Commission says Murray made over $3,000, but other investors lost money by paying artificially inflated prices.

San Francisco-based Fitbit Inc. declined to comment.It looks like President Donald Trump is getting the military parade he wants in Washington - though he may get no tanks for the effort.

A Pentagon planning memo issued Thursday and released Friday says the parade being planned for Nov. 11, Veterans Day, will 'include wheeled vehicles only, no tanks - consideration must be given to minimize damage to local infrastructure.' Big, heavy tanks could tear up District of Columbia streets.

But the event will 'include a heavy air component at the end of the parade,' meaning lots of airplane flyovers. Older aircraft will be included as available.

President Donald Trump speaks at the Latino Coalition Legislative Summit, Wednesday, March 7, 2018, in Washington.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and U.S. President Donald Trump watch the annual Bastille Day military parade along Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris, France on July 14, 2017

The memo from the office of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis offers initial planning guidance to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, whose staff will plan the parade along a route from the White House to the Capitol, and integrate it with the city's annual veterans' parade. Northern Command, which oversees U.S. troops in North America, will execute the parade.

The memo from the office of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis offers initial planning guidance to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Pictured: Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr)

Trump decided he wanted a military parade in Washington after he attended France's Bastille Day celebration in the center of Paris last July.

As the invited guest of French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump watched enthusiastically from a reviewing stand as the French military showcased its tanks and fighter jets, including many U.S.-made planes, along the famed Champs-Elysees.

Trump praised the French display months later when he and Macron met in New York, saying, 'We're going to have to try and top it.'

But outdoing the French may be difficult without any tanks.

Trump thinks the parade, which some lawmakers in both political parties have criticized, would boost the spirit of America.

'We have a great country and we should be celebrating our country,' he told Fox News Channel in a recent interview.

The Pentagon memo did not include a cost estimate for the parade. The White House budget director recently told Congress the cost to taxpayers could be between $10 million and $30 million.

The parade will focus on the contributions of American veterans throughout the history of the U.S. military, starting with the Revolutionary War, and highlight the evolution of women veterans from World War II to the present, according to the memo.

Trump should be surrounded in the reviewing area at the Capitol by veterans and Medal of Honor recipients, the memo said.

US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis (R) listens to US President Donald J. Trump (L) deliver remarks in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 08 March 2018CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) - Henry Nicholls and Mitchell Santner made half centuries as New Zealand struggled to 223 in the absence of match-winning batsman Ross Taylor Saturday in the deciding fifth one-day international against England.

Chris Woakes took 3-23, Adil Rashid 3-42 and Tom Curran 2-46 as England, after winning the toss, bowled out New Zealand in 49.5 overs.

New Zealand was deprived of its most reliable batsman when Taylor withdrew shortly before the start of play Saturday with a leg injury which has troubled him throughout the series. England also lost opener Jason Roy with a back injury, giving Alex Hales his first start of the series.

England's Eoin Morgan celebrates with teammate Tom Curran, left, after dismissing New Zealand's Henry Nicholls, right,during their one day cricket international in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, March 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Taylor's 113 in the first match at Hamilton helped New Zealand to a three wicket win; England won the second and third matches - the latter when Taylor was injured - and Taylor's 181 not out in the fourth match Wednesday guided New Zealand to a five wicket win with three balls to spare.

Taylor was troubled by his injury throughout Wednesday's innings which was his highest for New Zealand and the third highest by a New Zealander in one-day internationals. He underwent a fitness test Saturday and quickly concluded he was too impaired to play.

New Zealand's batting lineup looked fragile in his absence, especially through a middle order in which Mark Chapman, Taylor's replacement, had scored only nine runs in two previous innings and Nicholls 14 runs in four innings, though he hit the winning runs in the fourth match in Wellington.

That middle order was quickly exposed when Woakes, who took 1-16 from six overs in his first spell, dismissed Colin Munro for 0 with the third ball of the innings and when captain Kane Williamson was bowled by Mark Wood for 14, leaving New Zealand 26-2.

The pitch at Hagley Oval looked good for batting at Eoin Morgan's decision to bowl on winning the toss was predicated on England's preference to chase a known total rather than to set a target. Morgan is playing his 200th ODI and his 177th for England.

There was seam movement at first, which Woakes and Wood used well, and the New Zealand batsman seemed uncertain of the pitch's pace and bounce.

Munro tried to flick a ball to leg, was cramped by Woakes and top-edged a catch which was taken by wicketkeeper Jos Buttler. Williamson dangled the bat at a ball from Wood which seamed back from wide of off, took the inside edge and cannoned onto leg stump.

Spinners Rashid and Moeen Ali bowled well through the middle of the innings on a pitch which gripped and turned a little. Tom Latham (10) received a ball from Rashid which dipped late, turned and which he flicked to Ben Stokes at mid-on and Chapman (0) was undone by a delivery from Ali which turned sharply from outside off.

Nicholls and Mitchell Santner forged the only substantial partnership of the innings, putting on 84 for the seventh wicket. Nicholls broke out of his slump with his sixth ODI half century, from 73 balls, before being dismissed by Curran. Santner reached his 50 from 60 balls and went on to 67 before being caught by Alex Hales off Woakes.

Jonny Bairstow took a brilliant one-handed catch on the boundary to remove Tim Southee (10).

England's Chris Woakes dives as he attempts to field the ball during their one day cricket international against New Zealand in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, March 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler appeals unsuccessfully for a run out New Zealand's Tim Southee, left, during their one day cricket international in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, March 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

New Zealand's Mitchell Santner hits the ball for six runs against England during their one day cricket international in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, March 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)WASHINGTON (AP) - Bernie Sanders is back in the Senate minority. Hillary Clinton is selling books and playing with grandchildren. And the Democratic Party is still navigating the fallout from their bitter 2016 presidential nominating fight.

The latest reminder came this week as party leaders failed to agree on how to reduce the influence of so-called "superdelegates" in picking Democrats' next White House nominee. That class of party leaders - Democratic National Committee members, elected officials and others - overwhelmingly favored Clinton two years ago, inflaming Sanders backers who accused Democratic power players of stacking the deck.

Democratic national Chairman Tom Perez is promising the party will curtail superdelegates' role at the 2020 presidential nominating convention, but he's been unable to broker a shift he says is needed to avoid charges of favoritism that dogged Clinton.

FILE - In this Monday, March 6, 2017, file photo, Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez speaks at a protest against President Donald Trump's new travel ban order in Lafayette Square outside the White House, in Washington. Democratic Party leaders still can't reach a deal on how to limit party leaders' influence on the presidential nominating process. Perez is promising Democrats will curtail superdelegates' role at the 2020 nominating convention. But a key Democratic National Committee panel is opting to delay action on any specific plans. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

A key Democratic National Committee panel this week opted to delay specific action until this summer. Instead, the full DNC on Saturday is expected to ratify a generic commitment to reduce superdelegates' "perceived influence." That essentially repeats a deal that Clinton and Sanders negotiated ahead of the party's 2016 convention in Philadelphia.

"We will improve the democratic process" before 2020, Perez insisted in an interview. "If we're going to win elections, you've got to earn the trust of voters, and many voters had a crisis of confidence in the Democratic Party," the chairman told the Associated Press, adding that the notion of DNC players "putting their thumb on the scale" had "a lot of negative consequences" in 2016.

At the 2016 convention, unpledged superdelegates accounted for about 15 percent of the all presidential nominating votes. To be clear, Clinton almost certainly wouldn't have needed any of them to become the nominee. She won at least 3 million more primary votes than Sanders nationally, giving her a clear lead among pledged delegates who made up the overwhelming majority of the votes in Philadelphia.

Sanders' backers, however, resented her ability to rack up early endorsements and claim a significant delegate lead before any primary or caucus ballots were cast. Adding to the umbrage since the election is the confirmation by longtime party players that the DNC made fundraising deals with Clinton's campaign before she was the nominee.

Some DNC members want to bar superdelegates altogether from the first convention ballot. That would mean a candidate would win the nomination with a majority of pledged delegates who are bound by primary and caucus results.

"I'd like to see us go all the way to not even being able to endorse, at least get to a place where we can have that discussion," said David Bowen, vice chairman of the Wisconsin state party.

More privately, other DNC members defend the existing system, saying they've earned the right through years of work in the party to have the freedom to vote how they please at the convention.

A special party commission last year recommended a compromise. The group, appointed by Sanders, Clinton and Perez, proposed tying most DNC members' nominating votes on the first convention ballot to the primary and caucus results. But elected officials who are convention delegates - members of Congress, sitting governors, former presidents and vice presidents - would retain their unpledged status. That outline irritated some state party leaders who don't want elected officials to get special treatment.

The DNC's powerful Rules and Bylaws Committee decided not to advance that or any proposal for now.

Washington state Chairwoman Tina Podlodowski said a split system that involved unpledged superdelegates still would expose the 2020 nominee to charges of an illegitimate process. "Take everybody out of the first ballot," Podlodowski said. "Make it fair and transparent. I don't want to spend the next two years having to explain and defend this process."

___

Follow Bill Barrow on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BillBarrowAP .TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Labor strikes. Nationwide protests. Bank failures.

In recent months, Iran has been beset by economic problems despite the promises surrounding the 2015 nuclear deal it struck with world powers.

Its clerically overseen government is starting to take notice. Politicians now offer the idea of possible government referendums or early elections. Even Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei acknowledged the depths of the problems ahead of the 40th anniversary of Iran's Islamic Revolution.

FILE- In this Jan. 5, 2018 file photo, Iranian senior cleric Ahmad Khatami delivers his sermon during Friday prayer ceremony in Tehran, Iran. In recent months, Iran has been beset by economic problems despite the promises surrounding the 2015 nuclear deal it struck with world powers. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File)

"Progress has been made in various sectors in the real sense of the word; however, we admit that in the area of 'justice' we are lagging behind," Khamenei said in February, according to an official transcript. "We should apologize to Allah the Exalted and to our dear people."

Whether change can come, however, is in question.

Iran today largely remains a state-run economy. It has tried to privatize some of its industries, but critics say they have been handed over to a wealthy elite that looted them and ran them into the ground.

One major strike now grips the Iran National Steel Industrial Group in Ahvaz, in the country's southwest, where hundreds of workers say they haven't been paid in three months. Authorities say some demonstrators have been arrested during the strike.

More than 3.2 million Iranians are jobless, government spokesman Mohammad-Bagher Nobakht has said. The unemployment rate is over 11 percent.

Banks remain hobbled by billions of dollars in bad loans, some from the era of nuclear sanctions and others tainted with fraud. The collapse last year of the Caspian Credit Institute, which promised depositors the kinds of returns rarely seen outside of Ponzi schemes, showed the economic desperation faced by many in Iran.

Meanwhile, much of the economy is in the grip of Iran's security services.

The country's powerful Revolutionary Guard paramilitary force, which answers only Khamenei and runs Iran's ballistic missile program, controls 15 to 30 percent of the economy, analysts say.

Under President Hassan Rouhani, a relatively moderate cleric whose government reached the atomic accord, there has been a push toward ending military control of some businesses. However, the Guard is unlikely to give up its power easily.

Some suggest hard-liners and the Guard may welcome the economic turmoil in Iran as it weakens Rouhani's position. His popularity has slipped since winning a landslide re-election in May 2017, in part over the country's economic woes.

Analysts believe a hard-line protest in late December likely lit the fuse for the nationwide demonstrations that swept across some 75 cities. While initially focused on the economy, they quickly turned anti-government. At least 25 people were killed in clashes surrounding the demonstrations, while nearly 5,000 reportedly were arrested.

In the time since, Rouhani has suggested holding a referendum, without specifying what exactly would be voted on.

"If factions have differences, there is no need to fight, bring it to the ballot," Rouhani said in a speech Feb. 11. "Do whatever the people say."

Such words don't come lightly. There have been only two referendums since the Islamic Revolution. A 1979 referendum installed Iran's Islamic republic. A 1989 constitutional referendum eliminated the post of prime minister, created Iran's Supreme National Security Council and made other changes.

A letter signed by 15 prominent Iranians published a day after Rouhani's speech called for a referendum on whether Iran should become a secular parliamentary democracy. The letter was signed by Iranians living inside the country and abroad, including Nobel Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi.

"The sum of the experiences of the last 40 years show the impossibility of reforming the Islamic Republic, since by hiding behind divine concepts ... the regime has become the principal obstacle to progress and salvation of the Iranian nation," read the letter, which was posted online.

But even among moderates in Iran's clerical establishment, there seems to be little interest in such far-reaching changes, which would spell the end of the Islamic Republic. Hard-liners, who dominate the country's security services, are adamantly opposed.

"I am telling the anti-Islamic government network, the anti-Iranians and those runaway counterrevolutionaries ... their wish for a public referendum will never come true," Tehran Friday prayer leader Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami said Feb. 15, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.

Yet there are signs that authorities realize that something will have to give. Khamenei's apology in February took many by surprise, especially as the country's true hard-liners believe he is the representative of God on earth.

Khamenei's apology came after a letter from Mehdi Karroubi, an opposition activist who remains under house arrest, demanding that the supreme leader take responsibility for failures.

"You were president for eight years and you have been the absolute ruler for almost 29 years," Karroubi wrote in the letter, which was not reported on by state media. "Therefore, considering your power and influence over the highest levels of state, you must accept that today's political, economic, cultural and social situation in the country is a direct result of your guidance and administration."

Iran's former hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, blamed by many for the country's economic woes, has come out for early elections. He also demanded they be "free and fair," while continuing his own campaign against Khamenei, whom he ignored in his attempt to run in the 2017 presidential election.

However, Ahmadinejad's action drew immediate criticism, as his own widely disputed 2009 re-election sparked unrest and violence that killed dozens.

___

Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

FILE- In this April 4, 2015 file photo, Iranian and U.S. banknotes are on display at a currency exchange shop in downtown Tehran, Iran. In recent months, Iran has been beset by economic problems despite the promises surrounding the 2015 nuclear deal it struck with world powers.(AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 2, 2018 file photo released by the official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting, in Tehran, Iran. In recent months, Iran has been beset by economic problems despite the promises surrounding the 2015 nuclear deal it struck with world powers. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP, File)JERUSALEM (AP) - Zemenech Bililin has not seen her sisters in more than a decade, since she immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia with part of her family. Now a 19-year-old infantry soldier in Israel's military, Bililin says she is outraged that she is fulfilling her duties as a citizen but the state is shirking its responsibility to bring her relatives to Israel.

Bililin's family is one of hundreds that have been split between Israel and Ethiopia over what they say is an inconsistent immigration policy, and whose fate hinges on an Israeli government decision over whether to allow for their reunification. Ethiopians in Israel say the bitter public feud to unite with long-lost relatives has exacerbated a feeling that the state discriminates against its Ethiopian minority.

"It's shocking in my opinion. They only do this to us, to our ethnicity," said Bililin. "The state should take responsibility and stop abandoning the Jews."

File - In this Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 file photo, Snteayw Girmaw holds a photo of her sister Zemenech Bililin, wearing Israeli military uniform, during a solidarity event at the synagogue in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Zemenech Bililin has not seen her sisters in more than a decade, since she immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia with part of her family. Now a 19-year-old infantry soldier in Israel's military, Bililin says she is outraged that she is fulfilling her duties as a citizen but that the state is shirking its responsibility to bring her relatives to Israel. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene, File)

The issue faces a critical juncture next week, when the government is tentatively scheduled to decide whether to allocate funding to bring as many as 8,000 Ethiopians to Israel to reunite with their families.

Israel clandestinely airlifted thousands of Ethiopian Jews from the country in the 1980s and 90s, spending hundreds of millions of dollars to bring the ancient community to the Jewish state and help them integrate. About 140,000 Ethiopian Jews live in Israel today, a small minority in a country of over 8 million. But their assimilation hasn't been smooth, with many arriving without a modern education and then falling into unemployment and poverty.

As far as Israel is concerned, the drive to bring over Ethiopia's Jewish community officially ended in the 90s, but amid pressure from lawmakers and family members, successive Israeli governments have opened the door to immigration by a community of descendants of Ethiopian Jews who were forced to convert to Christianity under duress about a century ago.

Although many of them are practicing Jews, Israel doesn't consider them Jewish, meaning they are not automatically eligible to immigrate under its "law of return," which grants automatic citizenship to anyone with at least one Jewish grandparent. Instead, the government must OK their arrival.

Community members have been permitted to immigrate over the last two decades in limited bursts that have left hundreds of families torn apart.

Nearly 8,000 people in Ethiopia are hoping to immigrate, among them Bililin's sisters, who as married women applied to immigrate separately.

In 2015, Israel agreed in principle to bring over the remaining Ethiopians who have Israeli relatives, vowing that it would be the last round of Ethiopian immigration and clearing the way for the arrival of 1,300 people last year.

Israel says it has continued to greenlight the community's immigration on humanitarian grounds but it also has set a slew of requirements on those waiting in Ethiopia, in part to prevent what could be an endless loop of immigration claims.

Avraham Neguise, an Ethiopian-Israeli lawmaker in the ruling Likud party who chairs the Israeli parliament's Absorption and Diaspora Committee, accused the government of dragging its feet and in turn damaging the Ethiopian community's already brittle relationship with the state.

"The government is pursuing a discriminatory policy by not having the remaining Ethiopian Jews immigrate," he said. "There's no doubt that it harms the community's trust."

While Ethiopians have made strides in certain fields and have reached the halls of Israel's parliament, many complain of racism, lack of opportunity, endemic poverty and routine police harassment.

Those frustrations boiled over into violent protests three years ago after footage emerged of an Ethiopian-Israeli in an army uniform being beaten by police. Thousands of Ethiopian Jews and their supporters blocked main highways and clashed with police in a bid to draw attention to their plight, including what they say is unchecked police brutality against their community members.

Activists have been lobbying the government to approve the immigration, penning letters to Israeli officials and sharing their poignant stories of separation in parliamentary committees. They see the issue as an easily solvable one that has needlessly shattered families and marooned people in a troubled country.

"Daughters are getting married in Israel without their mothers at their side. Sons are going to war and not returning without having their fathers there to bury them. We're talking about human lives here," said Alisa Bodner, a spokeswoman for Struggle for Ethiopian Aliyah, an activist group.

The community expected to see funding for immigration in the proposed budget, which is expected to come up for a vote as early as next week. But they were stunned when it was absent from preliminary versions of the budget.

The anticipated estimated cost of flying all 8,000 people to Israel along with housing and social services is roughly 1.4 billion shekels, or about $400 million, a sizeable figure but a tiny fraction of a nearly 500 billion shekel ($143 billion) national budget, according to an official from the finance ministry. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to discuss a budget that has not yet been passed.

Neguise and the activists are engaged in a last-minute push to have the families' plight included in the upcoming budget and to do so the Israeli government must vote on the issue, which could happen on Sunday. However, it is unclear whether the government would agree to bring all of the Ethiopians to Israel, or just limited numbers as in the past.

Regardless of the outcome, hundreds of people are expected to protest outside parliament the following day demanding action.

Israel's Finance Ministry said it was up to the government to decide on the issue. There was no immediate comment from Israel's prime minister's office.

The Ministry of Immigration and Immigrant Absorption said "the subject of the continuation of Ethiopian immigration is on the government's agenda." But with the government embroiled in a coalition crisis over separate issues, the plight of the Ethiopians may not be its top priority.

"It's intensely painful. I miss them like crazy," Bililin said about her sisters. "(The government) doesn't understand that pain."BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) - The chairman of Romania's ruling party consolidated his grip on power Saturday after an ally was promoted to a key position amid criticism of his leadership.

Social Democracy Party Chairman Liviu Dragnea, who's been party leader since 2015, initially planned to seek a vote of support at the congress, but gave up the idea after some members claimed he had arbitrarily changed party rules.

Prime Minister Viorica Dancila, a Dragnea ally, was appointed deputy leader after two other candidates running for the post withdrew to protest the way the congress was run.

Dragnea can't be Romania's prime minister due to a 2016 conviction for vote rigging. Prosecutors launched a separate probe, charging him with embezzling European Union funds. He denies wrongdoing.

He vowed to press on with a government-led overhaul of the judicial system that critics say would make it harder to punish high-level corruption.

"Romania's sovereignty is more precious than any fight for power, than any local interest and that's why we'll protect it through explicit laws, debated and voted in Parliament," Dragnea said.

The Social Democracy Party congress opened amid criticism of the government and Dragnea's leadership. Dozens of demonstrators - as well as hundreds of supporters - gathered outside the building in Bucharest where some 4,000 party members elected 16 deputy presidents and the deputy leader.

Supporters watched the meeting broadcast on a screen while protesters yelled "You thieves!" and called the Social Democrats "the red plague." Police briefly detained and fined three people for disturbing public order.

The left-wing party retains its traditional base of support, but has been criticized for appointing three prime ministers in one year and for a tax overhaul that shifted responsibility for social security taxes from employers to employees.THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) - Anarchists and riot police have clashed in Greece after some 2,000 protesters from across the Balkans marched in the northern city of Thessaloniki against nationalism.

Police used tear gas and threw stun grenades at the anarchists, who also barricaded themselves at the University of Thessaloniki. Police are prohibited by law from entering the campus to make arrests.

The gathering of Balkan anarchists was organized after far-right activists burned down an anarchist collective's premises during a January rally protesting the use of the name Macedonia by Greece's northern neighbor.

A molotov cocktail explodes between riot policemen during clashes outside the University of Thessaloniki campus, in Thessaloniki, March 10, 2018. Anarchists have clashed with riot police in Greece after some 2,000 protesters from across the Balkans marched in the northern Greek city against nationalism in the region. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)

Nationalist tensions remain pervasive in the Balkans, and Greece and neighboring Macedonia have seen recent protests over a decades-long name dispute. Greece argues that Macedonia's name in its current form implies a territorial claim against its own region with the same name.

A masked protester kicks a tear gas canister during clashes outside the University of Thessaloniki campus, in Thessaloniki, March 10, 2018. Anarchists have clashed with riot police in Greece after some 2,000 protesters from across the Balkans marched in the northern Greek city against nationalism in the region. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)

A man leaves a square during clashes outside the University of Thessaloniki campus, in Thessaloniki, March 10, 2018. Anarchists have clashed with riot police in Greece after some 2,000 protesters from across the Balkans marched in the northern Greek city against nationalism in the region. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)

Molotov cocktails explode around riot policemen during clashes outside the University of Thessaloniki campus, in Thessaloniki, March 10, 2018. Anarchists have clashed with riot police in Greece after some 2,000 protesters from across the Balkans marched in the northern Greek city against nationalism in the region. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)LONDON (AP) - British government security ministers held an emergency meeting Saturday to discuss the poisoning of a Russian who spied for Britain as police backed by soldiers continued to search the English town where he was attacked with a nerve agent.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said after the meeting it was still "too early" to say with certainty who was behind the poisoning that left former Russian military intelligence agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in critical condition.

Rudd said the investigation has been painstaking and involved more than 250 counter-terrorism officers. More than 240 pieces of evidence have been collected and 200 witnesses have been identified, she said.

In this image dated Friday March 9, 2018, and issued Saturday March 10, 2018, by Britain's Ministry of Defence, showing troops in protective gear as they work to remove a contaminated police car from the Accident and Emergency entrance at the District Hospital in Salisbury, England. Counter-terrorism police asked for military assistance to remove vehicles and objects from the scene in the city, much of which has been cordoned off over contamination fears of the nerve agent poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter. (Pete Brown/MoD via AP)

"I want to stress that they are proceeding with speed and professionalism," said Rudd, who oversees domestic security in her Cabinet post. "We are putting in enormous resources to ensure that they have all the support that they need to do that."

The meeting was similar to the ones convened after extremist attacks and other threats to Britain's national security. It covered the latest police and intelligence reports from the town of Salisbury, where the military-supported investigation has turned to the cemetery where the ex-spy's wife and son are buried.

Police are looking for clues to what sickened Skripal, 66, who in 2006 was convicted in Russia of spying for Britain, and his daughter, Yulia, 33. The father and daughter were found unconscious March 4 on a bench in Salisbury; Skripal lived in the town, located 90 miles (140 kilometers) southwest of London.

A local restaurant and pub have been searched and remain closed to the public. Anti-contamination measures have been taken at places the father and daughter visited before they fell ill. Police in hazardous material gear also are collecting evidence from Skripal's house, as well as at the gravesites of Skripal's son and wife.

Skripal had his sentence cut short and was released from prison in 2010 as part of a spy swap. The former intelligence agent lived out of the public eye. in Salisbury

A friend of his daughter's, Irina Petrova, told The Associated Press that Yulia Skripal enjoyed England but preferred living in Moscow, where she made her primary home.

"She's not a typical Russian," Petrova said. "She was so easygoing. Even when something happened to her dad, she never spoke of any problems. And neither did her mother. They were so alike. Never did they speak of problems. Even in difficult times, they always had smiles and pleasant faces, not grumpy."

Petrova described Sergei Skripal as "a good, kind man" and said it was terrible that the "whole family disappeared in basically one instant."

Detective Sgt. Nick Bailey, who has been hospitalized since helping the Skripals, released a statement Saturday saying he was "merely doing his job" and does not consider himself a hero.

Bailey is recovering and is well enough to sit up and talk with his family, according to Rudd.

Police have not released details about the specific nerve agent used in the attack. One theory is that the Skripals were poisoned in his house before visiting a restaurant and a pub and becoming ill.

British officials say there is not a public health threat but some residents have become alarmed by the site of investigators wearing extensive hazardous material protection gear.

About 180 marines, soldiers and air force personnel with expertise in chemical weapons, decontamination and logistics have been called in to help with the probe and to remove vehicles that may have become contaminated.

___

Naira Davlashyan in Moscow contributed.

A forensic tent covers the grave of Liudmila Skripal, the wife of Sergei Skripal, at the cemetery in Salisbury, England, Saturday March 10, 2018, as investigations continue at the cemetery where former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal's wife and son are laid to rest. Emergency service personnel and troops trained in chemical warfare were deployed on the streets of Salisbury as investigations continue into the nerve-agent poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter. (PA via AP)

A member of the emergency services puts on a full hazardous material suit at the cemetery in Salisbury, England, Saturday March 10, 2018, as investigations continue at the cemetery where former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal's wife and son are laid to rest. Emergency service personnel and troops trained in chemical warfare were deployed on the streets of the usually sleepy English city of Salisbury on Friday as part of the investigation into the nerve-agent poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter.(PA via AP)

In this image dated Friday March 9, 2018, and issued Saturday March 10, 2018, by Britain's Ministry of Defence, showing troops in protective gear as they work to remove a contaminated police car from the Accident and Emergency entrance at the District Hospital in Salisbury, England. Counter-terrorism police asked for military assistance to remove vehicles and objects from the scene in the city, much of which has been cordoned off over contamination fears of the nerve agent poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter. (Pete Brown/MoD via AP)

In this image dated Friday March 9, 2018, and issued Saturday March 10, 2018, by Britain's Ministry of Defence, showing troops in protective gear as they work to remove a contaminated police car from the Accident and Emergency entrance at the District Hospital in Salisbury, England. Counter-terrorism police asked for military assistance to remove vehicles and objects from the scene in the city, much of which has been cordoned off over contamination fears of the nerve agent poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter. (Pete Brown/MoD via AP)WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump said Saturday he believes North Korea will abide by its pledge to suspend missile tests while he prepares for a summit by May with the North's leader, Kim Jong Un.

Trump noted in a tweet that North Korea has refrained from such tests since November and said Kim "has promised not to do so through our meetings."

"I believe they will honor that commitment," the president wrote.

A woman walks by a huge screen showing U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, in Tokyo, Friday, March 9, 2018. After a year of threats and diatribes, U.S. President Donald Trump and third-generation North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un have agreed to meet face-to-face for talks about the North's nuclear program.(AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

The president continued the optimistic tone Saturday night when he led a rally for the Republican candidate in a special House race in western Pennsylvania. When he mentioned Kim's name, the crowd booed but Trump responded: "No, it's very positive ... no, after the meeting you may do that, but now we have to be very nice because let's see what happens, let's see what happens."

Trump shocked many inside and outside his administration Thursday when he told South Korean officials who had just returned from talks in North Korea that he would be willing to accept Kim's meeting invitation.

Earlier Saturday, Trump tweeted that China was pleased that he was pursuing a diplomatic solution rather than "going with the ominous alternative" and that Japan is "very enthusiastic" about the agreed-to talks.

Trump has spoken with both Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe since Thursday's announcement, and said Xi "appreciates that the U.S. is working to solve the problem diplomatically rather than going with the ominous alternative."

Trump had previously threatened North Korea with "fire and fury like the world has never seen."

Trump also said China, North Korea's most important ally and trading partner, "continues to be helpful!" Trump has repeatedly urged China to do more to pressure North Korea into abandoning its nuclear program.

Trump said in another tweet Saturday that Abe is "is very enthusiastic about talks with North Korea" and that the two discussed how to narrow the U.S.-Japan trade deficit. Trump wrote, "It will all work out!"

Trump misspelled Xi's first name as "Xinping" in the first version of his tweet about China but later corrected it.SARNANO-SASSOTETTO, Italy (AP) - Mikel Landa won a thrilling sprint at the end of the fourth stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico race on Saturday, while Damiano Caruso moved into the overall lead after a mechanical failure for previous leader Geraint Thomas.

After a fascinating tussle in the closing kilometers of the steep climb to the finish, Landa accelerated on one of the final bends of the mountainous 219-kilometer (136-mile) route from Foligno to Sarnano-Sassotetto. He held off Rafal Majka and George Bennett to clinch victory.

Landa rode a quiet race but broke free of the peloton with 2.6 kilometers remaining and caught up with Majka, Ben Hermans, and Fabio Aru, who attacked earlier in the 14-kilometer climb to the finish, at the foot of the local ski slopes.

They were joined by Bennett but no one could respond when Landa charged for the line to claim his first victory for Movistar.

"I let other riders do the work and waited for the right time to go for a final attack," Landa said. "I'm in a new team. I'm in a good shape."

Caruso was the first leader of the race after BMC won the opening team time trial, and he reclaimed the blue jersey on Saturday. The Italian rider has an 11-second lead over Wilco Kelderman with Landa a further 9 seconds behind.

Thomas is fourth, 26 seconds behind Caruso after what looked like a dropped chain with less than a kilometer to go.

"I didn't exactly expect to be back in the lead today but I felt good in the last climb," Caruso said. "I was convinced I could have a good race today. It's a big result for me to take the jersey at the top of a mountain like this."

Tom Dumoulin is out of the race after crashing early in the stage. Team Sunweb said the 2017 Giro d'Italia winner didn't need hospital treatment as he had no fractures but "sustained multiple bruises and abrasions to his chest, hand, arm and leg."

The fifth stage on Sunday will pay a tribute to Michele Scarponi as it ends in his hometown of Filottrano after a hilly, 178-kilometer route from Castelraimondo.

Scarponi died after a collision with a van while training, shortly before the Giro last year.

The race ends on Tuesday.VALDOSTA, Ga. (AP) - A group of student musicians from Georgia have gone overseas to bring jazz to China.

The seven-member honors jazz combo from Valdosta State University is on a weeklong trip to perform a series of concerts in China, give a seminar on innovation and creativity in music and collaborate with Chinese musicians.

The Valdosta Daily Times reports the trip comes after Valdosta State and the Business College of Shanxi University in Taiyuan, China, were recently awarded a grant to establish an American cultural center at the Chinese campus.

David Springfield of Valdosta State's jazz studies program said the traveling group is made up of the most talented jazz students at the school.BERLIN (AP) - Robert Lewandowski scored a hat trick and missed a penalty as Bayern Munich enjoyed another rout of Hamburger SV, winning 6-0 on Saturday to move closer to its latest Bundesliga title.

Bayern can wrap up its record-extending sixth consecutive league title next weekend if other results go its way.

Lewandowski completed his hat trick in the final minute with his second penalty attempt, taking his league-leading tally to 23 - five more than the entire Hamburg team this season - and his Bundesliga total for Bayern to 100.

Bayern's Robert Lewandowski celebrates after scoring his side's sixth goal during the German Soccer Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Munich and Hamburger SV in Munich, Germany, Saturday, March 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

With 142 goals in competitive games, the Poland striker is Bayern's most prolific foreign player.

"The game today and the result is also important for Wednesday, because you can never hide in football, you can never take it easy," said Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes, looking ahead to the Champions League.

Bayern travels to Besiktas with a 5-0 lead from the first leg of their last-16 tie.

Bayern's only concern is for French midfielder Corentin Tolisso, who went off injured after a clash with Vasilije Janjicic.

Hamburg had other worries. The side's 44 goals conceded in its last seven games in Munich did not bode well for the visitors.

The home side needed only seven minutes to get off the mark as Hamburg captain Gotoku Sakai's attempted clearance went straight to Franck Ribery, who duly skipped past the 'keeper to score.

The visitors must have feared the worst when Lewandowski scored five minutes later, heading home off a cross from Joshua Kimmich, and claimed his second seven minutes after that.

"The game was over after 18 minutes," said Bernd Hollerbach after his seventh game without a win as Hamburg coach.

Hollerbach's side held on until Arjen Robben made it 4-0 10 minutes into the second half, and Ribery went on to claim his second.

Lewandowski uncharacteristically sent a penalty over with four minutes remaining, but was given another chance shortly afterward when Filip Kostic shoved Kimmich. Lewandowski made no mistake with his second attempt.

"It's not the football I want to see," said Hollerbach, who noted that relegation rival Wolfsburg also lost, at Hoffenheim 3-0.

Wolfsburg remains level on points with Mainz, which lost to Schalke 1-0 on Friday and occupies the relegation-playoff place. Hamburg is seven points behind both Wolfsburg and Mainz with eight games remaining.

"I still believe in it," Hollerbach said of his side's chances of avoiding relegation.

Last-place Cologne visits Werder Bremen on Monday and can move above Hamburg with a win.

___

LEVERKUSEN EYES CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Lucas Alario scored one and set up another for Bayer Leverkusen to move third with a 2-0 win over visiting Borussia Moenchengladbach.

The home side gained the upper hand after half an hour and duly made the breakthrough before the break when Leon Bailey crossed for Kevin Volland at the far post. Volland headed the ball back for the lurking Alario to hammer it past the 'Gladbach 'keeper.

Julian Brandt, who came on for the impressive Bailey, wrapped it up in injury time on a counterattack after Alario played the ball over.

Leverkusen moved two points above Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt ahead of their clash on Sunday, while 'Gladbach dropped to ninth.

Also, Augsburg won in Hannover 3-1, and Freiburg drew at Hertha Berlin 0-0.BRUSSELS (AP) - The Latest on international reaction to U.S. President Donald Trump's push for steel tariffs (all times local):

5:45 p.m.

The EU's trade chief says talks with U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy failed to secure an exemption for EU steel from upcoming tariffs that have sparked fears of a new trade war.

European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstroem, center, Japanese Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko, right, and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, pose for photographers prior to a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels on Saturday, March 10, 2018. The EU is still seeking clarity from Washington about whether the 28-nation bloc will be exempt from U.S. President Donald Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs. (Stephanie Lecocq, Pool Photo via AP)

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem said she had a "frank" discussion with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in Brussels on Saturday about the steel tariffs, insisting that "the European Union must be excluded" because it is a close U.S. ally.

She said she got "no immediate clarity on the exact U.S. procedure for exemption" and that new talks are planned for next week.

The two also met in Brussels with Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko. All three pledged in a statement afterward to work together to fight dumping that hurts jobs and industries around the world.

Trump argues the tariffs are designed to protect U.S. jobs and national security. He said Canada and Mexico are exempt for now, and other countries could be spared if they can convince the administration that their steel and aluminum exports don't threaten American industry.

___

3:05 p.m.

Key U.S. trading partners and businesses have warned the tariffs could backfire, provoking a trade war a trade war and hurting allies like the EU and Japan more than China, their main target.

Japan's government has warned that new U.S. steel tariffs could hurt its economic relations with the United States.

Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko also cautioned before talks with President Donald Trump's trade envoy Saturday that "falling to exchanges of unilateral measures will not be in the interest of any country," according to the Kyodo news agency.

Seko was apparently referring to the EU threats of retaliation.

Trump argues the tariffs are designed to protect U.S. jobs and national security. He said Canada and Mexico are exempt for now, and other countries could be spared if they can convince the administration that their steel and aluminum exports don't threaten American industry.

The EU insists that it is committed to open, global trade. EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem rejected Trump's assertion that the tariffs are needed to protect U.S. national security, especially when most EU countries are members of NATO.

___

1:20 p.m.

U.S. President Donald Trump's trade envoy is meeting Saturday with top officials from the European Union and Japan, who are pushing back against new U.S. steel tariffs that have unleashed fears of a broader trade war.

The EU is seeking clarity from Washington about whether the 28-nation bloc will be exempt from the U.S. tariffs, which come into force in two weeks. If not, the EU has threatened retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products like peanut butter and orange juice.

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem met Saturday in Brussels with Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko, before U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer arrived to join them for three-way talks as well as individual discussions with the EU and Japanese trade chiefs.

The meeting had been previously planned but took on greater importance because of Trump's announcement of a 25-percent tariff on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum imports.

___

10:05 a.m.

The trade chiefs of the European Union and Japan are holding talks about U.S. President Donald Trump's plans to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum amid fears they could trigger a broader trade war.

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem is meeting Saturday in Brussels with Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko.

U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer is expected to join the two for broader talks later Saturday.

The EU is seeking clarity from Washington about whether the 28-nation bloc will be exempt from the U.S. tariffs, like Canada and Mexico are. If not, the EU has threatened retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products.

Key U.S. trading partners and businesses have warned the tariffs could backfire, provoking a trade war and hurting allies more than China, their main target.

European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstroem, center left, meets with Japanese Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko, third right, and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, fourth right, at EU headquarters in Brussels on Saturday, March 10, 2018. The EU is still seeking clarity from Washington about whether the 28-nation bloc will be exempt from U.S. President Donald Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs. (Stephanie Lecocq, Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, arrives for a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels on Saturday, March 10, 2018. The EU is still seeking clarity from Washington about whether the 28-nation bloc will be exempt from U.S. President Donald Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys)

European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstroem prepares to meet Japanese Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer at EU headquarters in Brussels on Saturday, March 10, 2018. The EU is still seeking clarity from Washington about whether the 28-nation bloc will be exempt from U.S. President Donald Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs. (Stephanie Lecocq, Pool Photo via AP)BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) - Some 3,000 ethnic Hungarians have staged a march in Romania's northwest Transylvania region to demand more autonomy.

They gathered in Targu Mures, a city that is home to many ethnic Hungarians, on Saturday carrying a giant Szekler flag, a symbol of the Hungarian minority seeking greater self-determination in Romania.

Participants shouted "Autonomy!" and presented a petition calling for territorial autonomy for their group.

They said the request would not "affect the territorial autonomy and sovereignty of Romania." There are some 1.2 million ethnic Hungarians living in Romania, a country of 19 million.

Transylvania was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918, when it was given to Romania.

Ethnic Hungarians are allowed to be educated in Hungarian and can speak the language in court in some areas of Romania.Dr Jennifer Gonzales, 29, above, was seven months pregnant when she, along with two other women, were shot at the Veterans Home of California, Yountville on Friday

Three women - including one who was pregnant - were murdered by a decorated former serviceman at a California veterans' home, where he was reportedly removed from a PTSD program earlier this week.

Albert Wong, 36, killed Dr Jennifer Gonzales, 29, who was seven months pregnant, on Friday.

He also killed Christine Loeber, 48, who was Executive Director of the veteran center, and Dr Jen Golick, 42 who was a therapist at The Pathway Home.

The veteran home was on lockdown for more than 10 hours when Wong took the three female employees as hostage, before opening fire then turning the gun on himself.

Saturday locals have laid flowers down at the Pathway Home, a privately run program at the Veterans Home of California, Yountville in Napa in memory of the lives lost Friday.

Executive Director Christine Loeber, 48, (left) and Dr Jen Golick, 42, (right) were also killed in the shooting. All three women worked at The Pathway Home

Gonzales, above at her wedding last year, was pregnant with a son that would be named TJ at the time of her death. Her friends say she got married just last year and was to celebrate her anniversary this weekend

Albert Wong, 36, (circled right) had been receiving treatment at The Pathway Home in California before being asked to leave its PTSD program. On Friday he raided a going-away party held at the home, where he shot the women including executive director Christine Loeber, 48, (circled left) before turning the gun on himself

Albert Wong, 36, (pictured) has been identified as the suspect who stormed the largest veterans home in the US and shooting dead three women before killing himself on Friday

Gonzales was a psychologist with the San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

She was seven months pregnant, expecting a son to be named TJ.

She had gotten married one year ago and was planning to fly to Washington DC this weekend to celebrate the anniversary, according to family friend Vasiti Ritova.

'Every aspect of Jenns life was dedicated to others and her caring and kind spirit was evident to everyone she met. Jenn leaves behind her best friend, husband, and father of her unborn child, TJ,' a GoFundMe page for Gonzales said.

Ritova, whose niece cares for Gonzales' grandmother, says she would visit her grandmother every weekend, sing to her and give her baths.

Marjorie Morrison, the founder of a nonprofit organization known as PsychArmor, says Gonzales was 'brilliant' and did amazing work with veterans with PTSD.

Saturday morning mourners paid tribute at The Veterans Home of California, where the shooting took place, where they offered flowers in wake of Friday's deadly shooting

Resident Tom Parkinson placed flowers on a sign at the Veterans Home of California, the morning after the hostage situation in Yountville, California at The Pathway Home

The Veterans Home building a day after the shooting is still taped off by authorities after they found the four bodies in wake of the shooting

Fernando Juarez, 36, of Napa, center, embraces his 22-year-old sister Vanessa Flores, right, at the Veterans Home of California on Friday. She is a caregiver at the facility and exchanged texts with family while sheltering in place when Wong took over the building

A day after the shooting, damage to the building can be seen in the broken windows (above) after the day-long siege

All three of the women worked at The Pathway Home, a private veteran's home in California, Yountville in Napa, where Wong was a former member.

Just earlier this week victim Jen Golick had reportedly asked Wong to leave the program, according to her father-in-law Bob Golick.

The reason for the expulsion is not clear.

Police said that more than 30 shots were fired at officials and the facility was in lockdown for nearly 10 hours.

Won's former legal guardian Cissy Sherr described him as 'calm and soft-spoken' and revealed that he had a difficult time readjusting after his deployment in Afghanistan in 2013, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

She and her husband were legal guardians of Wong for a time when he was a child, in the wake of Wong's father's death after which his mother developed health problems.

He moved back into Sherr's home for a month after returning from deployment in 2013 but had a hard time readjusting and couldn't sleep at night.

He wanted to go back to school to study computers and business. He thought the Pathway Home program would help him.

President Trump acknowledged the tragedy on Twitter on Saturday morning

Officials said all three women were employees of The Pathway Home, a privately run program, at the Veterans Home. Wong, of Sacramento, was a former member of the Pathway Home Program

Gunfire was first reported at 10.20 am after the 36-year-old man stormed a going away party being held at the Yountville Veterans Home in Napa, California

It is a tragic ending to a day-long standoff with police that saw more than 30 shots fired at officials and a nearly eight-hour lockdown at the facility

Authorities said the gunman was armed and wearing a bulletproof vest when he slipped into the facility, which is the largest veterans home in the US

Yountville Mayor John Dunbar said that the employees will be remembered as beautiful people, calling the gunman 'one of our heroes who clearly had demons' and lamenting the Pathway Home shooting as a 'terrible tragedy'.

He said the three women killed 'lived their lives selflessly to serve others' and that the home will continue to operate.

Locals hail Christine Loeber who was the executive director of the Pathway home - a treatment program for Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans - as an intelligent, delightful, outgoing and charming person.

They said she deeply cared for people suffering from PTSD.

Veteran Muriel Zimmer, 84, was on the scene of the Pathway Home today and said she sympathized Wong. She said she 'cannot blame him. It's because of the war.'

At 6am on Saturday President Donald Trump tweeted that he is 'deeply saddened' by the shooting and mourns 'the loss of three incredible women who cared for our Veterans.'

Investigators are yet to determine a motive.

Wong raided the Pathway Home while employees inside were throwing a going-away party for some employees. He took the women hostage and let the others go.

The hold-up took about 10 hours before he killed the three women.

Wong, who was wearing a bullet proof vest, then killed himself.ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - There's one guaranteed outcome of the bribery trial of a former top aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo: another black eye for Albany's long tradition of pay-to-play politics.

A jury in Manhattan has been deliberating for more than a week in the case of Joseph Percoco, a longtime aide accused of taking more than $300,000 in bribes from companies that needed his help with state business.

The trial has painted an unflattering picture of the state capital, highlighting it as a place where deep-pocketed developers use campaign donations to gain influence and rules meant to regulate lobbying are flouted.

Joseph Percoco, former top aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo accused of bribery, leaves court after a judge dismissed a jury for the weekend in his trial, Friday, March 9, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

Among the revelations: Cuomo administration officials avoided public information laws by using private email addresses to conduct state business; a lobbyist close to the administration evaded disclosure rules by never registering with the state; Percoco continued to work out of a state office even after he was supposed to have left government to lead Cuomo's 2014 re-election campaign.

But the trial's outcome may do little to limit Cuomo's political ambitions or, if past is any guide, lead to meaningful ethics reforms.

"Most people are not going to know or pay much attention," said Michael Johnston, a political scientist who now works at the International Anti-Corruption Academy, based in Austria, after spending many years at Colgate University in upstate New York.

Cuomo is considered a possible White House contender in 2020 and is seeking a third term this fall. But he has not been accused of any personal wrongdoing and has said he was unaware of any corrupt acts by Percoco or others charged in the case.

Johnston noted that the case against Percoco has lacked the juicy narrative of some other scandals that have seriously damaged governors with presidential ambitions.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was politically damaged in the 2013 "Bridgegate" scandal, in which some of his aides created gridlock on the George Washington Bridge as an act of political retaliation against a Democratic mayor.

The Percoco case, by comparison, is a complicated and somewhat bland stew of state contracts and lobbying regulations.

Blair Horner, director of the New York Public Interest Research Group, said the case has exposed a lack of safeguards in Cuomo's administration when it comes to state contracting oversight. Too much power rests in the hands of just a few trusted aides, he said.

But he said the case isn't likely to cause big political problems for Cuomo unless Percoco is found guilty.

"If Percoco is exonerated, then this is a headache for the governor, but that's it," he said. "He can take two aspirins and he'll be fine. If he's convicted then I think it could be a body blow."

The case against Percoco has received little attention outside New York, but should he run for president, Cuomo's opponents will no doubt raise the specter of Albany corruption.

"It's all about money and power with this governor, and New Yorkers are now seeing that ugly truth revealed, drop by drop," said Sen. John DeFrancisco, who is running for the Republican nomination for governor.

So far, Cuomo appears to be more worried about a potential challenge to his re-election from "Sex and the City" star Cynthia Nixon, a public education advocate who is also reportedly considering a bid for the Democratic nomination.

"My administration has probably been subjected to more investigation than any state administration; after all that they have two people who are now on trial for wrongdoing," Cuomo told reporters Wednesday, referring to Percoco and Alain Kaloyeros, the former president of SUNY Polytechnic Institute who faces charges he steered state business contracts to companies whose executives had given to Cuomo's campaigns.

Kaloyeros' trial is set to begin this spring.

There's also little reason to believe lawmakers will tighten ethics rules or campaign finance limits in response to the Percoco case. More than 30 state lawmakers have left office facing allegations of misconduct since 2000, yet there's been little response from Albany officials, despite calls to strengthen state ethics rules.

"Virtually nothing has been done to address rampant corruption," said Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb. "With corruption trials and arrests piling up, it is unfathomable that we have yet to fix this problem."

___

Associated Press writer Larry Neumeister contributed to this report from New York City.

Joseph Percoco, left, former top aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo accused of bribery, leaves court with his lawyer Barry Bohrer, right, after a judge dismissed a jury for the weekend in his trial, Friday March 9, 2018 in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

Joseph Percoco, left, former top aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo accused of bribery, listen as his lawyer Barry Bohrer speaks to reporters after a judge dismissed a jury for the weekend in his trial, Friday March 9, 2018 in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)BALTIMORE (AP) - Ronnie Franklin, who rode Spectacular Bid to victory in the 1979 Kentucky Derby and Preakness before their Triple Crown try was derailed in the Belmont, has died. He was 58.

Franklin's nephew, Walter Cullum, said the former Maryland-based jockey died of lung cancer in Baltimore on Thursday.

Franklin was 19 when he guided Spectacular Bid to victory as a 3-5 favorite in the Kentucky Derby. After winning the Preakness by 5 lengths, Franklin's bid to capture the Triple Crown ended in the Belmont when Spectacular Bid finished third.

FILE - In this May 5, 1979, file photo, Spectacular Bid, with jockey Ronnie Franklin up, wears the blanket of roses in the winner's circle after winning the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Franklin, who rode Spectacular Bid to victory in the 1979 Kentucky Derby and Preakness, has died. He was 58. Franklin's nephew, Walter Cullum, said the former Maryland-based jockey died of lung cancer on Thursday, March 8, 2018. (AP Photo/File)

The colt stepped on a safety pin in his stall before the race.

In the 1-mile Belmont, Spectacular Bid chased a speedy longshot early in the race and tired in the stretch. Franklin was blamed for the loss by the horse's trainer.

A week later, Franklin was arrested for possession of cocaine.

He never rode Spectacular Bid again, having been replaced by Hall of Fame jockey Bill Shoemaker, who guided the colt to a dominant 4-year-old season.

Franklin rode 1,403 winners in 9,242 starts from 1978-92 and had purse earnings of more than $14 million. He won the Eclipse Award as the nation's outstanding apprentice jockey.

The Belmont was a crushing defeat, but Cullum said Franklin labeled his time aboard Spectacular Bid as "the highlight" of his career.

"He was so proud of that," Cullum said.

Franklin struggled with substance abuse in the ensuing years and was repeatedly denied licenses from state commissions because of his problems.

But Cullum insisted Franklin "had been clean for years" before his death.

Cullum said Franklin was working with horses in California when diagnosed with cancer in March 2017. Franklin returned to Baltimore to receive treatment, and he and Cullum spent many an afternoon crabbing.

Cullum was 5 years old when Franklin rode Spectacular Bid, and his uncle's success inspired the young boy to follow in his footsteps. Cullum had more than 4,000 mounts before retiring in 2010.

Born Dec. 20, 1959, in Baltimore, Franklin grew up the youngest of six children in the hardscrabble area of Dundalk. He dropped out of high school at 16 and headed for the local racetrack looking for work.

Franklin met trainer Bud Delp, who hired him as a stablehand, and Franklin began learning the racing business from the ground up. Delp became a father figure to Franklin, taking him in to live with his family.

Delp sent Franklin to a training center in Middleburg, Virginia, where he developed a rapport with the young Spectacular Bid. The horse won seven of nine races and was named the nation's champion 2-year-old before his Triple Crown campaign.

Franklin is survived by his mother, Marian; brother, Tony Franklin; and four sisters, Sharon Wallace, Carolyn Franklin, Barbara Kaminkow and Nancy Fram.

A private service is planned.

___

AP Racing Writer Beth Harris in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

FILE - In this May 21, 1979, file photo, jockey Ronnie Franklin sits atop Spectacular Bid as they make their way to the winner's circle after winning the Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Track in Baltimore, Md. Franklin, who rode Spectacular Bid to victory in the 1979 Kentucky Derby and Preakness, has died. He was 58. Franklin's nephew, Walter Cullum, said the former Maryland-based jockey died of lung cancer on Thursday, March 8, 2018. (AP Photo, File)Rika Shimizu, 36, was indicted on five counts of second-degree sexual assault and four counts of fourth-degree sexual assault

A woman from Oahu, Hawaii was charged on Thursday with sexually assaulting a 16-year-old Japanese exchange student.

Rika Shimizu, 36, was indicted on five counts of second-degree sexual assault and four counts of fourth-degree sexual assault.

Shimizu operated a boarding home for Japanese students who were attending school in Honolulu.

Apparently Shimizu who is originally from Japan is in Hawaii on a visa, authorities said.

She allegedly assaulted the boarder from October to February while the boy was bedridden due to a head injury.

Honolulu police arrested Shimizu on Tuesday after the boy reported the assaults. Her bail was set at $600,000.

State Public Defender Jack Tonaki, whose office represented Shimizu on Thursday, declined to comment.

The boy told police that Shimizu assaulted him at least 10 times, according to court documents. The boy's injury had left him incapacitated, unable to go to the bathroom alone, prepare meals or change clothes.

The victim claims he repeatedly asked her to stop and threatened to report her during the assaults.

He said Shimizu told him she would cry rape if he reported the assaults, according to the court documents. She also threatened to get him expelled from school and the exchange program.

Micky Yamatani, the boy's attorney, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that the teen reported the assaults to his mother. She then contacted a friend, and the boy was taken out of the boarding house.

'This is a case of sheer betrayal of the trust this victim and his family endowed on this woman,' Yamatani said.

'Instead of providing a healthy and nurturing environment, the defendant engaged in sexual assaults of this minor child.'

'He has been greatly betrayed by this woman, injured by this woman, been traumatized by this experience, and he looks forward to the day where our American justice system would set forth the truth and punish the person who harmed, hurt, and injured him,' she said.

Second-degree assault is a class B felony that carries penalties of up to 10 years in prison. Fourth-degree assault is a misdemeanor that carries penalties of up to a year in jail.Harriet Tubman earned a place in history after she escaped slavery and became an Underground Railroad conductor

A space at a Baltimore park that had long honored two Confederate generals has been rededicated to abolitionist Harriet Tubman.

Hundreds of people gathered on Saturday at Wyman Park Dell near Johns Hopkins University for the ceremony, which took place just feet from the now-empty pedestal where a large statue of Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson once stood.

The Confederate statue was removed overnight in August after a violent white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, reignited the national debate over what to do with symbols of the Confederacy.

A monument honoring Confederate women and another of Supreme Court justice Roger B. Taney, were also taken down along with the statue.

Hundreds of people gathered on Saturday at Wyman Park Dell in Baltimore for a ceremony to rededicate a former Confederate Site to Tubman

The ceremony took place just feet from the now-empty pedestal where a large statue of Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson (pictured) once stood

Taney wrote the 1857 opinion on the Dred Scott v. Sandford, which dictated that a slave who had lived in a free state was not entitled to his freedom and that African Americans could never be citizens of the Unite States.

Last month the city approved the re-purposing of the space, which will now be known as the Harriet Tubman Grove.

On Saturday, the 105th anniversary of Tubman's death, the space was renamed Harriet Tubman Grove.

Last month the city approved the re-purposing of the space, which will now be known as the Harriet Tubman Grove

The ceremony honoring Tubman took place on the 105th anniversary of her death

'It helps bring the community values to important places and helps to weave together the community,' Baltimore Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke said, according to local outlet WJZ.

'This place is really interesting. Since the statues were removed, it has become a gathering place.'

Tubman was born a slave on Maryland's Eastern Shore and earned a place in history after she escaped and became an Underground Railroad conductor.

'This place is really interesting. Since the statues were removed, it has become a gathering place,' said Baltimore Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke. Pictured is Saturday's ceremonyNext months increase in minimum workplace pension contributions is unlikely to fatally undermine its success and trigger mass opt-outs, according to analysis by a mutual insurer.

Automatic enrolment into workplace pensions started in 2012, and currently the minimum contribution rate is 2%, comprising 1% from staff and 1% from their employers.

From April 6, minimum contribution rates rise to a combined 5%, with a minimum of 2% from the employer and the remaining 3% from staff.

Royal London has said increasing minimum workplace pension contributions is unlikely to trigger mass opt-outs (PA)

In April 2019, the rate will increase again, to 8%, with a minimum of 3% from the employer, leaving a 5% minimum staff contribution.

Take-up of auto-enrolment so far has surpassed expectations, with around nine in 10 people choosing to stay in their pension rather than opting out.

Minimum contributions are gradually being increased to help encourage people save enough for a comfortable retirement.

Royal London said it has been estimated that between six and seven million workers who are currently paying at the legal minimum level will be asked to contribute more than 2 billion extra between themselves and their employer, prompting speculation that cash-strapped workers might opt out in large numbers.

But the insurer believes the minimum contribution hikes will not create a rush to opt out of workplace pensions, arguing that several factors will help to keep workplace pension scheme membership high.

It said the pension contribution increases coincide with a new tax year  when many workers can expect to get pay rises which will help to offset the rise in contributions. Employees pension contributions also benefit from tax relief.

Increases in the national living wage and income tax thresholds will also help to limit the number of people seeing a fall in take-home pay when pension contribution rates increase, Royal London said.

Sir Steve Webb, a former pensions minister who is now director of policy at Royal London, said: The power of inertia remains strong  individuals will still have to actively opt out and the additional amounts they are being asked to contribute are still relatively modest, especially for the lowest-paid workers, who will be receiving a large increase through the national living wage.

Evidence from the US suggests that when contributions into workplace pension schemes were gradually increased by a few percentage points from low single-digit rates, opt-out rates were very low, and the same is likely to happen in the UK.

We believe that relatively modest increases in contributions, combined with pay rises, especially for the low-paid, are unlikely to fatally undermine the success of automatic enrolment.

The real focus should already be on how to get savers beyond the 8% minimum level that they will reach in 2019 and up to more realistic levels.

Guy Opperman, Minister for Pensions and Financial Inclusion, said: Its fantastic news that more and more people can look forward to a financially secure retirement.

But there is still more to do to ensure that everyone is building up good private pension savings, including increasing contributions, and we have recently announced a package of measures to ensure that even more people benefit from a workplace pension.The Salisbury poisoned spy drama continues to make the front pages, while Donald Trumps planned meeting with Kim Jong Un also grabs headlines on Saturday.

As nearly 200 specialist chemical warfare troops arrived on the streets of the Wiltshire city to assist with the decontamination operation, investigators were examining on the graves of Sergei Skripals wife and son, the Daily Mirror reports.

Meanwhile the Daily Telegraph says locals have accused authorities of keeping them in the dark after specialists from the RAF and Royal Marines began removing contaminated materials.

Picture

The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph: 'Residents' fear over poison risk' #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/NRMaUoimQw  The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 9, 2018

On its digital front page The Independent carries a striking image of members of the Royal Tank Regiments Falcon Squadron, wearing protective outfits in desert combat colours, alongside police.

Meanwhile the Daily Express says Vladimir Putin has been warned he faces a cyber war if hackers try to attack Britains vital infrastructure.

The surprise announcement that Mr Trump and Mr Kim will meet sent White House staff scrambling to keep up with the developments, The Guardian says, with officials briefing that the US will take a hard line in any negotiations.

Guardian front page, Saturday 10 March 2018: US will take tough stance in talks with North Korea pic.twitter.com/4jwWLYRZxt  The Guardian (@guardian) March 9, 2018

The Financial Times says the White House has denied the meeting itself is a concession by the US, which for decades has shunned such requests from Pyongyang leaders.

Just published: front page of the Financial Times UK edition, Saturday March 10 https://t.co/kAacVwIMaX pic.twitter.com/UFRu1v4MjR  Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) March 9, 2018

The i weekend says Mr Trumps own staff were left astonished by the move and there are concerns among critics that Mr Kim could be emboldened if the plan backfires.

I WEEKEND: Nuclear gamble with N Korea stuns World #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/HLnYYHM0pD  Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) March 9, 2018

Breaking away from the two dominant stories, The Times reports on a proposal by Culture Secretary Matt Hancock that children should have time limits imposed when they are on social media sites.

Tomorrow's front page: Time limits for children hooked on social media #tomorrowspapertoday pic.twitter.com/afwqrXaZtz  The Times (@thetimes) March 9, 2018

The Daily Mail meanwhile says motorists face hikes in council parking charges, with some authorities also considering charging on Sundays.

And The Sun reports that Liz Hurley has flown back to the UK after a relative was left fighting for their life after a knife attack.Elizabeth Hurley has spoken about the brutal attack on her 21-year-old nephew after he was stabbed in London.

The actress said it was an appalling time for their family and thanked fans for their support.

She was photographed returning to London shortly after the attack on Miles Hurley, who is a model.

Elizabeth Hurley (David Parry/PA)

She wrote on Twitter: My 21 year old nephew was repeatedly stabbed in a brutal attack in London on Thursday night.

The police & hospital are being fantastic. Thank you for all your messages. It is an appalling time for him & our family. The police will be appealing for witnesses.

My 21 year old nephew was repeatedly stabbed in a brutal attack in London on Thursday night. The police & hospital are being fantastic. Thank you for all your messages. It is an appalling time for him & our family. The police will be appealing for witnesses.  Elizabeth Hurley (@ElizabethHurley) March 10, 2018

On the day of the attack, Miles had paid tribute to his aunt in a post celebrating International Womens Day.

He posted a picture of her with another family member, writing: Love & appreciation for all the strong, happy and independent women around me.

Hurley has previously shared Miles modelling photos, tweeting: Heres my handsome nephew.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: Police were called at 20.52 on Thursday, 8 March to Ascalon Street, SW8 following reports of a stabbing.

Officers attended with the London Ambulance Service (LAS). A 21-year-old man was discovered with stab wounds to his back.

Another man, also believed to be aged 21, was also found suffering from stab wounds.

They were both taken by LAS to a south London hospital where their conditions are described as not life-threatening or life-changing.

They are believed to have been attacked by a group of males who got out of a vehicle and assaulted them before fleeing the scene.

A crime scene was put in place. Road closures were also in place but have since been lifted.

There have been no arrests.The husband of locked-up British citizen Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is seeking urgent updates from the Foreign Secretary after Iranian authorities signalled her release had been sanctioned.

Richard Ratcliffe said it was not clear what was delaying a return to the UK for his wife, a British-Iranian dual citizen serving a five-year prison sentence after being convicted of spying charges in 2016.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a charity worker for the Thomson Reuters Foundation, denies the charges and maintains she was in Iran to introduce her young daughter Gabriella to her parents.

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Ratcliffe said there had been positive signs from Iranian authorities, but the family still did not know when the family would be reunited.

He said: Weve been getting better messages from the Iranian side, from the judiciary and the prosecutors office in Iran.

This week the head of prison said, Oh yes, Ive approved her release, I approved it a number of months ago. So theres been clearly things to hold on to, hopefully.

Part of the aspiration of todays message to the Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is I would like to meet to ask whats the blockage? Whats going on?

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was convicted of spying charges in 2016 (Family handout/PA)

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: We will continue to approach each case in a way that we judge is most likely to secure the outcome we all want.

Therefore we will not be providing a running commentary on every twist and turn.Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has pulled out of the squad to face Malaga in LaLiga following the birth of his third child.

Messi, whose wife Antonella Roccuzzo has given birth to a boy named Ciro, has been replaced by Colombian defender Yerry Mina for Saturdays clash.

The Argentinian confirmed Ciros arrival in an Instagram post on Saturday afternoon, writing in Spanish: Welcome Ciro! Thank God everything went perfectly. He and his mum are very well. We are super happy!!!!!

Lionel Messi has welcomed a third child (Nick Potts/PA)

Ciro is a younger brother to Messis sons Mateo and Thiago, about whom Roccuzzo regularly posts on social media.

Messi, 30, has scored four goals in his last three LaLiga games for leaders Barca, who would go 11 points clear with victory at the La Rosaleda.Former Robot Wars presenter Philippa Forrester has revealed she thought she was going to lose her teenage son after learning he had a brain tumour.

The broadcasters son, Fred, 17, suffered a seizure and smashed his head against a wall before doctors discovered an absolutely massive brain tumour in 2016 which turned out to be cancerous.

The youngster underwent a four-hour surgery to remove the tumour which was found to be PNGT glioma, a little-known cancer often diagnosed in teenagers.

Forrester revealed her son has been treated for a brain tumour (Charlie Hamilton James/PA)

After doctors told her the initial diagnosis, Forrester, 49, said she went to the bathroom and vomited in shock in an interview with the Daily Telegraph.

The ex-Tomorrows World presenter now lives in the US with her husband, photojournalist Charlie Hamilton James, and Fred was flown to a childrens hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he was admitted to a neurology ward.

She recalled: It was like being in a dream. As we flew over the mountains I just looked down and thought, I dont know if hes ever going to see them again. But you dont panic because youre somebodys mum, so youve got to hold it together.

Forrester is now attempting to raise awareness of early diagnosis for Brain Tumour Awareness month.

She told the newspaper: Early diagnosis is key.

If I hadnt taken him to the eye doctor we could have lost him. Often the tumour isnt spotted and the person just dies because there isnt time to save them. We have been incredibly lucky.

Brain Tumour Awareness month takes place throughout March and is organised by a number of groups including The Brain Tumour Charity, which runs the HeadSmart campaign.Vladimir Putin has said he does not care about alleged Russian interference in the US presidential election because the actions were not connected to his government.

In an interview with American broadcaster NBC News that aired on Saturday, the Russian president also suggested that some of the 13 Russian nationals indicted by the United States may not be ethnically Russian.

Maybe they are not even Russians, but Ukrainians, Tatars or Jews, but with Russian citizenship, which should also be checked, he said.

Mr Putin responded brusquely when interviewer Megyn Kelly asked if he condoned the interference that was alleged in last months US indictment by special counsel Robert Mueller.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was interviewed earlier this month (Alexei Druzhinin/AP)

Its all the same to me. To me it absolutely makes no difference because they do not represent the government, Mr Putin answered, according to the Russian-language interview transcript posted on Saturday by the Kremlin.

Mr Putin said Russia has neither the tools nor the will to meddle in elections. He repeatedly complained during the interview that Washington has brushed off Russian initiatives to work together on cyber security issues.

But the US refuses to work like this and instead throws 13 Russians to the media, he said, going on to list the possible ethnicities that would make the suspects not even Russian.

Maybe they have dual citizenship or a green card  maybe the US paid them for this. How can you know that? I do not know, either, the Russian leader said.

Mr Putin claimed that the United States interferes in Russian elections all the time but that it was impossible for us to do the same.

First, we have principles whereby we do not allow others to interfere in our domestic affairs and do not get into the affairs of others Secondly, we dont have this quantity of tools, he said.

The NBC News interview was conducted in two parts, on March 1 and March 2. Ms Kelly noted that Mr Putin made the remark about not having the tools to disrupt the US election shortly after he announced that Russia had developed major new nuclear weapons.

This isnt missiles. This is an absolutely different sphere of activity, Mr Putin responded.Syrian government forces have made their deepest push yet into the eastern suburbs of the capital Damascus, inflicting a major blow to opposition fighters who have vowed not to surrender.

Syrian state media and an opposition monitoring group said government forces have laid siege on the rebel-held town of Harasta, cutting it off from the rest of the suburbs known as eastern Ghouta.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said government forces have also cut off the main highway that links northern Ghouta with its southern parts, isolating the town of Douma, the largest in the area.

The government-controlled Syrian Central Military Media (SCMM) said troops captured the Kilani gas station on the main highway linking Douma with Harasata and those two areas with the rest of eastern Ghouta.

Syrian deputy foreign minister Faisal Mekdad speaks during a news conference in Damascus (SANA/AP)

Rami Abdurrahman from the Observatory said: The regime has cut Ghouta into three parts by cutting the main roads linking them.

The government and its Russian backers, determined to wrest eastern Ghouta from rebel control after seven years of war, recently intensified the shelling and bombardment to clear the way for its troops to advance on the ground.

Nearly 1,000 people have been killed in the past three weeks of bombardment.

SCMM said troops reached the centre of the town of Misraba on Saturday, adding that opposition fighters were crumbling amid the offensive.

Syrias deputy foreign minister Faisal Mekdad denied in a news conference in Damascus opposition charges that government forces used poison gas in their attacks on eastern Ghouta.

Mr Mekdad said that insurgents groups in the area are preparing to fabricate more such attacks to blame the Syrian army.

The Observatory said three weeks of fighting have left 976 people dead, including nearly 200 children.

The group said the dead also include 146 soldiers and pro-government gunmen.Paris St Germain boss Unai Emery hailed an important victory after the runaway Ligue 1 leaders responded to their Champions League loss against Real Madrid by hammering bottom side Metz.

PSGs dreams of European glory were dashed once more in midweek, leading to speculation about Emerys future, but there was no league hangover as they eased to a 5-0 victory at the Parc des Princes.

Youngster Christopher Nkunku scored twice, with Thomas Meunier and Kylian Mbappe also on the scoresheet in the first half before Thiago Silva rounded off the scoring with a late header.

Unai Emery was pleased with his players response against Metz (Thibault Camus/AP)

Emery said on psg.fr: It was important to get back to winning ways, especially here at home, in front of our fans. We need to keep moving forward and work hard to reach our goals.

We want to win the league and the two domestic cups. We produced a very complete performance tonight and we have to keep going like this.

Nkunku, 20, has now scored three goals in two games after being given a starting berth by Emery.

It was a great night, with, above all, a big win, he said. We also kept another clean sheet. It was a very good match for us. The aim was to pick up the three points, and thats job done. For me, it was a special day. It was incredible to score twice, here at the Parc, in front of my family.A top UN official met Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) front-liner and former minister Basil Rajapaksa at his home on Thursday and discussed the latest political trends in Sri Lanka.

Mr. Rajapaksa told Daily Mirror that Mari Yamasitha, the head of the Asia and the Pacific Division of the United Nations Department of Political Affairs meeting him showed the international community's keenness to engage with the SLPP after its victory in the local government elections.

He said the status of the national unity government was also discussed.

I told them the unity government was virtually nonexistent at the moment, he said. (Kelum Bandara)In monetary terms PNB was followed by Bank of India, which lost 27.7 billion rupees, and State Bank of India that lost 24.2 billion rupees. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Indias Punjab National Bank lost 28 billion rupees ($431 million) to various frauds last fiscal year, the government said on Friday, making it the biggest such loser among all state-owned banks even before it uncovered an alleged $2 billion fraud this year.

The countrys second-biggest state-owned bank in February accused two high-profile jewellers and their companies of colluding with rogue bank employees to secure credit from overseas lenders using fraudulent guarantees between 2010 and 2017.

This has been dubbed as the biggest bank fraud in Indias history, but the finance ministry told parliament that even before the fraud came to light, state banks lost a total of 195.33 billion rupees to 2,718 cases of fraud in the year that ended on March 31, 2017.

Punjab National, better known as PNB, alone reported 158 cases of fraud in 2016-17, the ministry said. PNB did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In monetary terms PNB was followed by Bank of India, which lost 27.7 billion rupees, and State Bank of India that lost 24.2 billion rupees, the ministry said.

The ministry did not specify the nature of the frauds but added that the central bank recently formed an expert committee to look into factors leading to increasing incidence of frauds in banks and the measures needed to curb and prevent it.

The committee will also look into the role of auditors in checking frauds.

Reuters reported last month that Indias state-run banks reported 8,670 loan fraud cases totalling 612.6 billion rupees over the last five financial years up to March 31, 2017.

In India, loan fraud typically refers to cases where the borrower intentionally tries to deceive the lending bank and does not repay the loan.

A parliamentary committee on finance said in a report on Friday that it was extremely concerned about the recent fraud detected in Punjab National Bank, which clearly reflects that a small group of individuals can manipulate such a gigantic bank and compromise it despite such well laid out norms, guidelines, checks and balances.A notice dated January 15, 2018 was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed for non-compliance with guidelines and directions issued by RBI.

New Delhi: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a penalty of Rs 5 crore on Airtel Payments Bank, the financial services arm of Bharti Airtel Limited, for violating operating guidelines and Know Your Customer (KYC) norms.

This penalty has been imposed "for contravening the 'Operating Guidelines for Payments Banks' and directions issued by RBI on KYC norms," RBI said in a statement.

"This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers," the statement further read.

Based on the complaints and adverse media reports alleging that the bank had opened customer accounts without a specific consent of the customers, a supervisory visit to the bank was undertaken by RBI between November 20 and 22, 2017.

The supervisory visit report and other relevant documents, revealed, inter alia, contraventions of 'Operating Guidelines for Payments Banks' and the directions issued by RBI on KYC norms.

Based on the documents, a notice dated January 15, 2018 was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed for non-compliance with guidelines and directions issued by RBI.

After considering the bank's reply and oral submissions made in the personal hearing, RBI came to the conclusion that the aforesaid charges of non-compliance with RBI guidelines were substantiated and warranted imposition of monetary penalty.

The central bank imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 40 lakh on State Bank of India (SBI) on March 1 for non-compliance of its directions on detection and impounding of counterfeit notes.

The RBI had also imposed monetary penalties on Axis Bank (Rs 30 million) for violation of non-performing asset classification norms and Indian Overseas Bank (Rs 20 million) for not complying with the KYC regulations, recently.Reserve Bank of India wrote to all banks a week ago asking for details of the LoUs they had written.

New Delhi/Mumbai: The Reserve Bank of India has asked commercial lenders to provide it with details of all letters of undertaking - a form of credit guarantee at the centre of an alleged $2 billion fraud - issued by them in the past several years, according to four bankers who have seen the directive.

The regulator is ratcheting up pressure on lenders, increasing its scrutiny and laying down deadlines for them to fix gaps in their systems, in the aftermath of the countrys biggest bank fraud.

Two jewellery groups were accused last month of defrauding state-run Punjab National Bank (PNB) of more than $2 billion, mostly through fraudulent guarantees based on letters of undertaking (LoUs) issued by rogue bank employees that they used to raise credit overseas. The key accused in the case have denied any wrongdoing.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) wrote to all banks a week ago asking for details of the LoUs they had written, including the amounts outstanding, and whether the banks had pre-approved credit limits or kept enough cash on margin before issuing the guarantees, the sources said.

One of the sources said the regulator had asked for details of LoUs issued as far back 2011, while another said the deadline for banks to respond was earlier this week.

If there is a problem in one bank, they will be checking the whole system. Whats the outstanding? Is it correctly reflecting in the book or not? That kind of thing, said a third source, a senior banker.

The RBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Importers typically use LoUs issued by their local bank to raise cheaper foreign currency loans overseas to fund purchases.

In the case of PNB, bank employees who have been accused of pulling off the fraud in connivance with companies controlled by jewellers Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi, allegedly issued LoUs on behalf of the jeweller groups without any pre-approved limit or margin. Modi and Choksi both deny involvement.

The bank has also said the employees intentionally did not enter the LoUs in the banks core accounting system to prevent the alleged fraud from being detected.

In sweeping changes to bank protocols after the fraud, the RBI had asked banks to comply within strict deadlines on more than two dozen checkpoints, most notably to connect the SWIFT interbank messaging system with their core banking software by April 30.

Previous central bank letters to banks reviewed by Reuters had shown that the RBI had warned banks as early as in 2016 on technical loopholes that it said could expose the lenders to a heightened risk of fraud, but there was no indication of any fix on most counts.

Separately, a senior PNB executive told Reuters that the bank found procedural lapses involving paperwork after scanning all its 250 branches that deal with foreign exchange, but added he did not expect its total exposure to the fraud to rise further.Union Bank figures are separate from USD 300 million exposure it had previously reported on account of fraudulent PNB guarantees. (Photo: PTI)

Mumbai: Union Bank of India has direct credit exposure of about 1.2 billion rupees ($18.4 million) to companies controlled by jeweller Nirav Modi, and another 1.75 billion rupees ($26.9 million) to Gitanjali group of companies, its chief executive told Reuters on Friday.

Companies belonging to Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi, who heads the Gitanjali group, have been accused by Punjab National Bank of defrauding the bank of over USD 2 billion. The bank alleges firms controlled by the duo colluded with rogue PNB staff to secure fraudulent guarantees that were used to raise credit from overseas branches of Indian banks.

Both Modi and Choksi have denied wrongdoing, and so have two key accused PNB employees in the case, which has so far led to 19 people being arrested.

The latest Union Bank figures are separate from the $300 million exposure it had previously reported on account of the fraudulent PNB guarantees, said Rajkiran Rai, Chief Executive of state-run Union Bank.

This week, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a new complaint against jeweller Modi alleging that companies he controlled had misused even legitimate loans and guarantees.

Lenders including Union Bank have recalled loans to Modis and Choksis firms after the news of the fraud, according to the authorities.CBEC has already given refunds to tune of Rs 5,000 crore but as much as 70 per cent of total refunds to exporters is still stuck even after eight months of GST roll out.

New Delhi: To ease exporters' GST refund woes, revenue authorities will set up camps across the country for a fortnight beginning March 15, CBEC Chairperson Vanaja Sarna said on Saturday.

The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has already given refunds to the tune of Rs 5,000 crore but as much as 70 per cent of total refunds to exporters is still stuck even after eight months of GST roll out.

Sarna said there are instances of exporters committing errors while filing refund claims and to help them, the department has started giving out refunds partially with manual intervention.

"Now to solve it completely we have instituted a special fortnight campaign, starting from March 15 which will go on till March 29. There are going to be camps all over the country so that all exporters can come with refund problem and they will be explained what their problem is, they will be asked to rectify it and then the process will completed and refund will be given.

"So we hope that by March 31 all pending refunds as far as exporters are concerned will be sorted out," Sarna said.

The issue of refunds to exporters has been hanging fire for over five months now, with exporters complaining that delay in GST refunds has blocked their working capital.

The revenue department, on the other hand, has argued that there are discrepancies in forms submitted by exporters with the customs department and those with the GST Network (GSTN).

The GST Council in its meeting today decided to implement e-wallet scheme for refunds to exporters by October 1. Under the e-wallet mechanism, a notional credit would be transferred to the exporters account based on their past record and the credit can be used to pay taxes on input.

To ease exporter woes, the Council has also allowed exporters to continue to claim tax exemptions till October 1, 2018.

Accordingly, merchant exporters can pay a tax at the rate of 0.1 per cent on goods procured for export purposes and obtain a refund for the same.

Also, domestic procurement made under Advance Authorisation, EPCG and EOU schemes are being recognised as 'deemed exports' with flexibility for either the suppliers or the exporters being able to claim a refund of GST/IGST paid thereon.

An official statement issued after the Council's meeting said that the CBEC and GSTN have started detailed data analytics and preliminary data analysis has revealed that there is variance between the amount of Integrated GST (IGST) and compensation cess paid by importers at Customs ports and input tax credit for the same claimed in GSTR-3B.

Besides, it has come to light that there are major data gaps between self declared liability in GSTR-1and GSTR-3B.

"It was deliberated that this information may be further analysed and adequate action may be initiated accordingly," the statement added.Mumbai: Hrithik Roshan is currently shooting for his upcoming film, Vikas Bahls Super 30 in Varanasi.

The actor celebrated womens day by buying a saree for the special women in his life, which means he bought it for his mother and sister.

A source close to the actor told Hindustan Times, Varanasi is popular for its authentic Banarasi saris. So, Hrithik decided to make the most of this chance and surprised the two of the most important women in his family with saris.

He is very close to both of them. Thats why the actor is happy to have bought something unique for the two ladies. Hrithik thought it was the perfect gift that he could have picked up for his mum and sister from Varanasi, says the source.

Since Hrithik was well aware of his mum and sisters choices and preferences, he decided to pick saris of different designs and colours. The two ladies were very touched with Hrithiks gesture, especially since he decided to buy them such special gifts amidst his busy schedule, added the source.

Apart from Super 30, Hrithik has been roped in for Siddharth Anands next with YRF and Krrish 4.Mumbai: Bollywood actor Irrfan took to Twitter last week to clarify the reports on his health. Since then it has been a matter of concern for his many fans about his rare disease.

The actor wrote, "Sometimes you wake up with a jolt with life shaking you up. The last fifteen days, my life has been a suspense story. Little had I known that my search for rare stories would make me find a rare disease. I have never given up and have always fought for my choices and always will."

"My family and friends are with me and we are working it out the best way possible. In trying times, please dont speculate as I will myself share with you my story within a week  ten days, when the further investigations come with a conclusive diagnosis. Till then, wish the best for me," added the actor.

Irrfan's wife Sutapa Sikdar in a Facebook post requested fans of the actor to refrain from any speculations.

Sutapa Sikdar has opened up and has shared a lengthy post on Facebook. She wrote, "My best friend and my partner is a warrior he is fighting every obstacle with tremendous grace and beauty. I apologize for not answering calls msgs, but I want all of you to know I am truly humbled indebted for ever for the wishes prayers and concern from all over the world. I am grateful to god and my partner for making me a warrior too. I am at present focused in the strategies of the battlefield which I have to conquer."

"It wasnt and isnt going to be easy but the hope ignited by the magnitude of family ,friends and fans of Irrfan has made me only optimistic and almost sure of the victory. I know curiosity germinates from concern but lets turn our curiosity from what it is to what it should be. Lets change the leaf. Lets not waste our precious energies to only know what it is and just prey to make it what it should be," wrote the actor's wife.

"My humble request to all of you is to concentrate on the song of life, to dance of life to victory. My family will soon join in this dance of life. Thank you all from bottom of our heart. Sutapa irrfan babil ayaan," concluded the actor's wife.

Read Irrfan's wife Sutapa Sikdar's full statement here:

On the work front, Irrfan was last seen in 'Qarib Qarib Singlle' and he's awaiting the release of his next black comedy 'Blackmail.'An Afghan Hound arrives for Crufts 2018 at the NEC in Birmingham, England, on Saturday. (Photo: AP)

Birmingham, United Kingdom: Alongside well-groomed canines taking part in beauty contests this week at Britains Crufts dog show, specially trained labradors, poodles and cocker spaniels showed off a different set of skills that can save the lives of their disabled owners.

These four-legged helpers are trained not just to help the blind or partially sighted but also to recognise a variety of sounds for the deaf or detect the signs of an impending epileptic fit.

Some of the dogs can recognise the sound of an alarm clock, a knock on the door or a fire alarm  and transmit the information by moving their paws or adopting certain positions.

Veronica Pearce, a spokeswoman for the association Hearing Dogs For Deaf People, which was taking part in the display at Crufts, the worlds biggest dog show, said the aim of the charity was to give disabled people their independence back.

We have got lots of people who before might be relying on their parents or their parents wouldnt be able to leave them, but are now living on their own, Pearce said. Since it was created in 1985, the organisation has helped more than 2,000 people.

If someone requests a certain sound at application stage, we will make sure that the dog is trained ready for that, said Janine Hovey, a 27-year-old trainer.

For the past three years, John Morris, a former warehouse worker based in Leeds in northern England, has had Theo, a cocker spaniel given to him by the association.

I have now got my freedom back. Without him, I could not go out, said Morris, who lost his hearing 15 years ago because of his job and now works as a volunteer for the association. For Morris, it is about more than having a dog who can hear for him.The theme of World Kidney Day this year, therefore, is Kidneys and Women's Health. In their bid to increase awareness on kidney-related ailments and instill the importance of early detection, Manipal Hospitals unveiled an awareness campaign aimed at educating women on the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

Bengaluru: The many dangers of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) still need to enter mainstream knowledge. The theme of World Kidney Day this year, therefore, is Kidneys and Women's Health. In their bid to increase awareness on kidney-related ailments and instill the importance of early detection, Manipal Hospitals unveiled an awareness campaign aimed at educating women on the importance of a healthy lifestyle. The hospital has a host of activities lined up, including free screenings from March 8 to March 16, 2018. Women constables will also be offered free kidney tests at the Home Guard office premises.

Dr Sudarshan Ballal, Veteran Nephrologist and Chairman, Manipal Hospitals said, "Kidney disease can be controlled and prevented if we understand the circumstances and risk factors which predispose us to it. This goes a long way in preventing a patient ending up on dialysis or requiring a kidney transplant. Early kidney disease usually shows no signs and symptoms and the only way to know is blood and urine tests. It is only later in the stages of chronic kidney disease that one gets symptoms and signs like nausea, lack of appetite, swelling over body parts and altered behavior at times. The majority of chronic kidney failure patients are diagnosed in the last stage as 50% first see a nephrologist only in the last stage. It is seen that less than 5 to 10% suffering from end stage kidney disease get opportunity for either a dialysis or transplant. Despite the fact that prevalence of kidney disease is same among men and women, unfortunately very few women are treated." "Although less than 30% of end stage renal

disease (ESRD) patients are females, it is important to highlight that less than 8-10% of them opt for any form of treatment. The reasons for this are many which might include lack of awareness and access to care. Therefore, it needs to be ensured to counsel patients regarding the three types of treatment available-transplant, hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD)- and inform them about the benefits of undergoing treatment. With respect to dialysis, most patients are aware about HD and very few know about PD.

Thus, it is crucial to explain the benefits of PD as well and in my experience, when I have informed the patients, specifically females, they have accepted this treatment mode," said Dr Renuka S, Professor and Head of Department of Nephrology, St John's Medical College Hospital Bengaluru.

Sadly, the symptoms in both men and women are similar. However, there are certain challenges which are unique to women. Dr Pallavi Patri, Nephrologist, Columbia Asia Hospital, Bengaluru adds, "there are several challenges faced by women who have CKD. Menstrual irregularities with missed periods or even cessation of menstruation can occur in later stages of CKD. Sexual dysfunction such as a decrease in libido and vaginal dryness can also occur. Moreover, fertility and pregnancy are greatly impacted by this condition and it has been observed that women who have CKD are less likely to conceive."Hadiya, who is in Kerala with her husband Shafin Jahan, on Saturday reached the Popular Front of India (PFI) headquarters at Kozhikode and thanked its chairman, P Aboobacker for all the support during the couple's legal battle. (Photo: File)

Kozhikode: Two days after the Supreme Court scrapped the Kerala High Court order annulling the marriage of Hadiya, the 24-year-old woman on Saturday said "all this happened because she embraced Islam", reported news agency IANS.

While restoring her marriage, the apex court said Hadiya was free to live with her husband Shafin Jahan and "pursue her endeavours", also mentioning that the Kerala High Court should not have intervened.

Also Read: Kerala 'love jihad': SC restores Hadiya's marriage, scraps High Court order

Hadiya, who is in Kerala with her husband Shafin Jahan, on Saturday reached the Popular Front of India (PFI) headquarters at Kozhikode and thanked its chairman, P Aboobacker for all the support during the couple's legal battle.

Addressing the media, Hadiya and Shafin said that they had approached several organisations for help, but it was the PFI which stood by their side.

"Some Islamic organisations criticised people who have helped us. All this fury is because I am a Muslim. After embracing Islam I approached a few Islamic organisations for their support. But no one helped me.", Hadiya was quoted as saying by India Today.

The Constitution gives all the freedom to choose their religion, which is a fundamental right of every citizen and all this happened because I embraced Islam, Hadiya said.

With the Supreme Court upholding our marriage, we feel we have got freedom, she added.

Hadiya, who was born to a Hindu couple in Kerala, made headlines after she converted to Islam and married a Muslim man against the wishes of her parents.

Also Read: Kerala 'love jihad': The curious case of Hadiya aka Akhila

The Kerala High Court in May, last year, annulled the marriage on a complaint by her father terming it as an instance of 'love jihad'. The high court, while declaring the marriage as "null and void", had described the case as an instance of 'love jihad' and ordered the state police to conduct probe into such cases.Two Telugu Desam Party (TDP) ministers -- Ashok Gajapathi Raju and YS Chowdhary -- submitted their resignation on Thursday following their meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Photo: File)

Amaravati: The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which pulled out of the Modi government this week, on Saturday said it's alliance with BJP was still on, though it was 'severely hurt' by Finance Minister Arun Jaitleys remarks on assistance to Andhra Pradesh.

It also described as 'unethical', the demand by YSR Congress asking the TDP to move a no-confidence motion against the NDA government at the Centre.

State Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu also told reporters that TDP has decided to 'expose' the Centre on what it has done or not done to the state -- as promised in the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014 -- by putting out relevant facts and figures before the people.

He said this after a meeting Chief Minister and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu held with him, senior minister K Kala Venkata Rao and others.

For the record, Yanamala said TDP's alliance with BJP was 'still on'.

"Withdrawing from the Central government was the first step... we have to see what the second step will be. Our alliance is on but we will still fight (for securing the states rights from the Centre)," he said.

"We are hurt severely by Jaitleys remarks. Not only us, entire people of AP are hurt, except (leader of opposition) YS Jaganmohan Reddy and the like," the minister added.

Also Read: AP special status: 2 ministers quit Union Cabinet; TDP to stay with NDA

Asked about the YSR Congress demand that TDP either move or support a no-confidence motion against the Modi government, he said that moving such a motion against an ally would be 'unethical'.

"We are an alliance party, we have some ethical values. Moving or supporting a no-confidence motion will be unethical," he noted, adding that was the difference between TDP and YSRC.

Yanamala and Rao lashed out at the YSRC chief, saying he was only trying to get the criminal cases against him quashed by planning to go under the BJP umbrella.

The TDP ministers alleged that YSR Congress had mortgaged the interests of the state. "Their talk about a no-confidence motion is ridiculous," they said.

Meanwhile, a TDP source said the party would take up campaigns from the mandal level by publishing pamphlets and other material, listing facts and figures on the assistance the Centre rendered to the state since bifurcation.

"We will tell people why we could not achieve more progress in these four years despite best efforts," the source added.UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi was responding to questions during the India Today conclave in Mumbai. (Photo: conclave.intoday.in/2018/)

Mumbai: Days after handing over the Congress baton to her son Rahul Gandhi, chairperson for UPA Sonia Gandhi on Friday said that Congress may have a President from outside the Nehru-Gandhi clan in future.

Replying to a question on whether there is any possibility of a Congress president being chosen from outside the Nehru-Gandhi family, she said, "Why not? In future there may well be."

Sonia Gandhi was responding to questions during the India Today conclave in Mumbai.

She added that she opted for Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister, when Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was voted to power in 2004 because he was a better candidate for the post.

Asked why she did not become the Prime Minister, Sonia said, "Because I thought Dr Manmohan Singh would be a better Prime Minister than myself."

Replying whether Congress will survive without a Gandhi as its leader, Sonia said the question should be forth to Congress workers.

Sonia further said that there has been a tradition in the Congress and the leaders are elected democratically. She also referred to dynasties in the US such as that of the Bush family and the Clintons and also to dynasties in several states of India.

When asked whether she was the adhesive that held Congress together, she smiled and said it was a tough question. "There are many Congressmen, you can ask them."

Dismissing perception in certain quarters that under the UPA government when Manmohan Singh was in office, she was in power, Sonia said, "I don't think it was that kind of a situation."

Also Read: Does maximum governance mean minimum truth: Sonia Gandhi targets Modi govt

"Without trying, even I knew my limitation," she said answering another question.

Sonia said she decided to take the political plunge when she saw that the Congress was going through a very difficult phase.

Also Read: Rahul tries to bring balance in party: Sonia Gandhi

"Some people were leaving the Congress, I really felt that I was being sort of a coward in not even trying to do something to see if I could help the party," Sonia said.

(With inputs from agencies)Prime Minister Narendra Modi with French President Emmanuel Macron during their joint press conference at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on Saturday. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Reflecting a growing depth in defence ties, India and France today inked a strategic pact providing for the use of each other's military facilities including opening naval bases to warships, an agreement that comes amid China's growing military expansionism in the Indo-Pacific region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron held wide-ranging deliberations during which they also decided to create an annual defence dialogue at the ministerial level to explore ways to further deepen defence and strategic ties.

The two countries signed a pact on exchange and reciprocal protection of classified or protected information which came in the backdrop of the Indian government refusing to divulge details of the multi-billion dollar Indo-French Rafale fighter jet deal.

On ties in the maritime security sphere, the French President said both the countries will have "unprecedented" level of cooperation to ensure peace and stability in the Indian Ocean and in Pacific.

He said space agencies of both countries will have joint monitoring mechanism for developments in the maritime sphere, while navies of the two nations will share intelligence and call their respective military bases for any requirement.

Separately, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her French counterpart Florence Parly held talks during which detailed discussions on specific projects including on the Scorpene submarine programme for the Indian Navy was discussed.

A joint statement issued after the talks said the pact on protection of classified information reflected the high level of "strategic trust" between the two countries.

It said Modi and Macron noted with satisfaction that the "on-schedule" progress in the implementation of acquisition related agreements, including the Rafale aircraft deal and the construction of six Scorpene submarines in India, in collaboration with French shipbuilder Naval Group.

"They looked forward to continue their discussions to expand and deepen the ongoing defence manufacturing partnerships," the joint statement said.

Also Read: Want to be India's 1st strategic partner in Europe, says French Prez Macron

The Indo-French agreement on reciprocal logistics support for armed forces came nearly two years after India signed a similar pact with the US on use of each other's land, air and naval bases.

Officials said the agreement will facilitate the reciprocal provision of logistic support, supplies and services between the armed forces of the two countries during authorised port visits, joint exercises and joint training among others.

"The agreement is symbolic of the strategic depth and maturity reached in India-France defence ties," the joint statement said.

The two sides inked the pact amid China's growing assertiveness in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific region.

Referring to maritime security cooperation, Modi and Macron reiterated that it will be crucial in order to maintain the safety of international sea lanes for unimpeded commerce and communications.

"Our defence cooperation is very strong and we consider France among the most trusted defence partners," Modi said in a statement to the media, in the presence of Macron.

He said the pact on reciprocal logistic support between the armed forces is a "golden step" in defence relations.

Noting that defence cooperation between the two countries now has a "new significance," Macron talked about the Scorpene submarine project for the Indian Navy and the fighter jet deal for the Air Force.

"India had made a sovereign decision in this respect (Rafale fighter jet) and we are monitoring the progress in the field. We very much want to continue the programme. It is a long-term contract which is mutually beneficial. I personally consider it as the heart of the strategic partnership," Macron said.

India had signed a government-to-government deal with France in 2016 to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of about the Rs 58,000-crore.

The Congress has been demanding details of the deal, alleging that the deal negotiated under its rule was much cheaper then the contract signed by the Modi government.

The joint statement said both sides also emphasised the importance of the joint military exercises and affirmed their intention to enhance the level of the exercises.

It said both sides acknowledged that the Make-in-India initiative offers a valuable opportunity for Indian and French defence enterprises to enter into co-development and co-production projects in the defence sector, including through transfer of technologies.

"The leaders noted ongoing discussions between DRDO and SAFRAN on combat aircraft engine and encouraged necessary measures and forward-looking approaches to facilitate early conclusion," it said.The couple, identified as Gopalakrishnan Nair,70, a retired Air Force personnel, and his wife Gomathi, 68, were found dead by their neighbours at their Narmada Green Valley residence under Awadhpuri police station. (Representational image)

Bhopal: An elderly couple from Kerala was found dead at their house in Bhopal on Friday with their throats slit, police said.

The couple, identified as Gopalakrishnan Nair,70, a retired Air Force personnel, and his wife Gomathi, 68, were found dead by their neighbours at their Narmada Green Valley residence under Awadhpuri police station, Bhopal Deputy Inspector General or DIG Dharmendra Choudhry told PTI.

He said that the maid at the household alerted neighbours after there was no response from inside despite her repeatedly knocking on the door.

"Neighbours who peeped in from a window saw the couple lying in a pool of blood. Their throats had been slit with a sharp object," the official said.

Police said that as valuables and household goods had not been touched, they were also looking at personal enmity as a possible cause.

A reward of Rs. 20,000 had been announced for information on the case and a team under the local Superintendent of Police had been formed the solve it, he added.Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron watch as Defense minister Nirmala Sitharaman exchanges agreement files between India and France on Saturday. (Photo: AP)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday inked 14 pacts and witnessed the exchange of MoUs between India and France.

Macron, who is on his four-day India visit, arrived in New Delhi on Friday evening. He was given a ceremonial welcome on Saturday morning.

Addressing the joint statement, Modi said that even though India-France strategic partnership is just 20 years old, the cultural and spiritual partnership between the two nations is ages old.

He said liberty, equality and fraternity not only echo in France, but are also deeply embedded in India's Constitution.

PM Modi welcomed investments from France in the defence sector under Make in India. India and France also signed an agreement on protection of classified information.

"India and France have robust cooperation in fields of defence and security. In the defence sector, we welcome investments from France under Make in India," Modi said.

Macron, in briefing with Modi, said that France wants India as its first strategic partner in Asia, and it wants to be Indias first strategic partner in Europe, and even the western world.

Macron added that India and France have decided to work together to deal with threats of terrorism and radicalisation.

Also Read: Aim to make France India's entry point to Europe: Emmanuel Macron

Earlier on Saturday, PM Modi held talks with Macron to explore ways to deepen bilateral cooperation, including in the fields of defence, security, trade and investment.

The visit of the French President is aimed at strengthening the bilateral economic, political and strategic dimension of our engagement, the foreign ministry said in a statement.'We arrested 11 people and after interrogating 3, we found that an advocate named Rizwan Siddiqui extracted CDR of Nawazuddin Siddiqui's wife. Summons have been issued to Nawazuddin Siddiqui and his wife for further probe,' DCP (crime) Abhishek Trimukhi said. (Photo: File)

Thane: Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui and his wife have been summoned by Thane's crime branch in connection with a Call Data Records (CDR) racket that was unearthed in January.

The duo have been summoned after some of the arrested accused had told the police that an advocate named Rizwan Siddiqui had obtained the CDR of the actor's wife from private detectives.

The matter is part of the larger CDR leakage racket that involves private detectives illegally sourcing CDR of people for their clients. Thane's crime branch has arrested 11 in this connection, so far.

"We arrested 11 people and after interrogating three, we found that an advocate named Rizwan Siddiqui extracted CDR of Nawazuddin Siddiqui's wife. Summons have been issued to Nawazuddin Siddiqui and his wife for further probe," Deputy Commissioner of Police (crime) Abhishek Trimukhi told media.

India's first woman private detective, Rajani Pandit, was also arrested in this connection, in February, in addition to four more detectives.Nirav along with his wife Ami, brother Neeshal and Mehul Choksi left India in the first week of January before the Punjab National Bank accused them of committing the fraud. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: Days after disgraced billionaire jeweller and main accused in the PNB fraud case, Nirav Modi told CBI that he cannot join the investigation, his lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal reiterated Modi's stand stating that his client will take time to come back as he has business commitments abroad.

The lawyer said that it is difficult for Nirav Modi to return to India immediately as there are security concerns. He also maintained that the case cannot be considered a scam.

Nirav Modi had refused to join the CBI investigation in the USD 2 billion fraud in Punjab National Bank citing his business engagements, prompting the agency to issue a stern letter in February asking him to appear before it in a week.

In a terse letter, the CBI directed him to approach the Indian mission in the country where he is residing so that immediate arrangement can be made for his travel to India, officials said.

The agency told him that it is mandatory for an accused to join the investigation whenever they are asked to, they said.

Earlier, Mehul Choksi, co-accused along with Nirav Modi in the PNB fraud case and promoter of Gitanjali Group also told the CBI that it was "impossible" for him to return to India due to his "persistent health problem".

Also Read: PNB fraud: Return to India 'impossible' due to health issues, Choksi tells CBI

A special PMLA court in Mumbai, earlier in March issued non-bailable warrants against diamond traders Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi in connection with the PNB fraud case.

Modi, Choksi and others are being investigated by multiple probe agencies after the fraud came to light recently following a complaint by the Punjab National Bank. The complaint alleged that they cheated the nationalised bank to the tune of Rs 11,400 crore, with the purported involvement of a few employees of the bank.

Nirav along with his wife Ami, brother Neeshal and Mehul Choksi left India in the first week of January before the Punjab National Bank accused them of committing the fraud. They have not returned to India since then.

Meanwhile, the Government has revoked the passports of Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi.Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Randeep Surjewala said while 36 Rafale jets were sold to India at 7.5 billion Euros in 2016, 48 jets were sold to Qatar and Egypt at 7.9 billion Euros in 2015. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: The Congress on Friday accused the Modi government of "compromising" national security and causing a loss of over Rs 12,000 crore to the taxpayer with its deal to buy 36 French Rafale fighter jets.

Quoting from the annual report of Dassault Aviation, makers of the fighter aircraft, the party alleged that the company sold each jet to India at Rs 351 crore higher than those sold to Qatar and Egypt 11 months ago.

Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Randeep Surjewala said while 36 Rafale jets were sold to India at 7.5 billion Euros in 2016, 48 jets were sold to Qatar and Egypt at 7.9 billion Euros in 2015.

This amounted to Rs 1,670.70 crore per aircraft for India and Rs 1,319.80 crore to Egypt and Qatar. There was a difference of Rs 351 crore for each aircraft, the party claimed.

Addressing a joint press conference, Azad, Surjewala and former Minister of State for Defence Jitendra Singh asserted that the government had adopted complete opaqueness in the purchase of the Rafale fighter aircraft.

Azad asserted that had the Modi government not cancelled the deal struck by the UPA dispensation for 126 Rafale jets, it could have saved Rs 41,212 crore.

"The Modi government's 'diversionary tactics' on Rafale deal has left more questions than answers," they said in a statement.

Accusing the Prime Minister of compromising on national security and interests, Azad asked why were only 36 fighter jets purchased instead of 126 jets for which international bids were called for.

"Is this not compromising with national security? Why are the prime minister and defence minister hiding the purchase price (of the jets)? Is it correct that per aircraft pricing of Rafale as per bid dated 12.12.2012 (during the UPA-Congress government) was Rs 526.1 crore as against the Modi government's per aircraft purchase price of Rs 1,670.70 crore?" he asked.

Surjewala said the deal was also made in absence of prior clearance from Cabinet Committee on Security, thus sacrificing the national interest and bypassing Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on the Rs 36,000 crore 'offset contract' in favour of a private entity with no defence manufacturing experience.

"Grave apprehensions and claims of insurmountable loss being caused to public exchequer stand exposed as the government refuses to state the truth. A huge scam is brewing in procurement of fighter aircrafts for the Indian Air Force, yet the Modi government remains opaque, intransient, obscure and obstinate," the Congress leaders alleged.

The BJP, however, countered the charges, accusing the Congress of "misleading" the nation on the issue. It said the Congress-led government never inked any deal for the fighter aircraft before 2014 and sat on its file due to its "greed".

BJP spokesperson Anil Baluni called the Congress allegations a "pack of lies" and part of its strategy to spread "untruth and confusion" against the Modi government.

"The Congress has again misled the country over a sensitive issue like defence. It is comparing a best deal struck by this government in the national interest with an alleged deal of the UPA government which had never happened," the BJP's national media head said.

The UPA dispensation sat on the Rafale deal file for reasons of its "greed and personal benefits" and compromised the nation's security interests, he claimed.Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu has been assigned with the additional charge of the Civil Aviation Ministry. (Photo: DC | File)

New Delhi: Two days after Telugu Desam Party's (TDP) Ashok Gajapathi Raju stepped down from the position of Civil Aviation Minister, the portfolio was handed over to Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu.

Suresh Prabhu has been assigned with the additional charge of the Civil Aviation Ministry.

Suresh Prabhu had stepped down from the designation of Minister of Union Railways in 2017 and was given the charge of Commerce and Industry ministry while Railways was alloted to Piyush Goyal.

"The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has directed that Suresh Prabhu, Cabinet Minister shall be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, in addition to his existing portfolio," news agency ANI tweeted Rashtrapati Bhawan as saying.

The President accepted the resignation of two TDP ministers from their posts in the Central government.

Two Union Ministers, Ashok Gajapathi Raju and YS Chowdary, have submitted their resignations to the Prime Minister on Thursday evening following the TDP supremo and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's announcement.

The portfolio of Civil Aviation ministry was taken over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the resignation of Ashok Gajapathi Raju.

Also Read: PM Modi takes over portfolio after TDP minister quits

Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said that two of his lawmakers will resign from their ministerial posts as the Centre has not considered their demand for special status for Andhra Pradesh.Speaking at the session of UNHRC, Mini Devi Kumam, Second Secretary, India's Permanent Mission, said, 'In gross violation of UN Security Council resolution 1267, the UN designated terrorists like Hafiz Mohammed Saeed are freely operating with State support, and the UN designated entities are being politically mainstreamed in Pakistan.' (Photo: ANI)

New Delhi/Geneva: India lambasted failed state Pakistan for trying to drag in the Kashmir issue at the United Nations for a second day in a row. On the first day of the 37th session of UN human rights council (UNHRC), Pakistan had argued about a plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir, and a day later, on Friday, it tried to raise the issue again.

Demolishing Pakistan's arguments, India presented a long list of transgressions that Pakistan has refused to accept, from Osama Bin Laden found hiding on its soil to harbouring the United Nation-designated terrorists as well as accused in the Mumbai attacks roaming freely in the country.

Read: Pak says India violating human rights in Kashmir, UN says its other way round

Speaking at the session of UNHRC, Mini Devi Kumam, Second Secretary, India's Permanent Mission, said, "In gross violation of UN Security Council resolution 1267, the UN designated terrorists like Hafiz Mohammed Saeed are freely operating with State support, and the UN designated entities are being politically mainstreamed in Pakistan."

She further added, "The world does not need lessons on democracy and human rights from a country whose own situation is charitably described as a failed state.

"Even as terrorists thrive in Pakistan and roam its streets with impunity, we have heard it lecture about the protection of human rights in India," she said.

Also Read: After 'terroristan', India now describes Pak as 'special terrorist zone'

India said it is waiting for "credible action by the government of Pakistan to bring all those involved in the 2008 Mumbai attack and the 2016 Pathankot and Uri attacks to justice."

Mini Devi Kumam was responding to Tahir Andrabi, Pakistan's UN Deputy Permanent Representative in Geneva, who on Friday alluded to former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to make his case for a plebiscite in Kashmir.

The Pakistani diplomat said that at the heart of the Kashmir problem is the right to self-determination, which he claimed was mentioned by "the first Prime Minister of India, one of the founding fathers of India" and by the UN Security Council.

Pakistan has often referred to UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir to push its agenda.

"However, it (Pakistan) very conveniently forgets its own obligation under these resolutions to first vacate the illegal occupation of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. It has also blatantly disregarded its other commitments... they continue to support cross-border terrorism in India," said Kumam.

Former prime minister Indira Gandhi and former Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had agreed in the Simla Agreement of 1972 that the two countries would look at the Kashmir issue as a bilateral matter, which cannot call for the involvement of a third party for negotiations.

"It is extraordinary that the state which protected Osama Bin Laden and sheltered Mullah Omar should have the gumption to play the victim," said Kumam.

The World does not need lessons on democracy and human rights from a country whose own situation is charitably described as a failed state," Kumam added.

Kumam also demanded that Pakistan should end forced conversions and marriages of minorities; including Hindu, Sikh and Christian women, and prosecute all such cases.

India also highlighted enforced disappearances and unlawful killing of political dissidents by the Pakistani security forces.

"We urge the Council to call on Pakistan to stop targeting political dissidents and legitimate criticism in Sindh, Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and to stop torture, enforced disappearances and unlawful killing, including that of journalists and activists by its security agencies. Pakistan should also prosecute all perpetrators of such crimes," Kumam said.

India also demanded the end of sectarian violence, systemic persecution and attacks on Muslim minorities, such as Shia, Ahmadiyas, Ismailia and Hazaras in Pakistan.Congress President Rahul Gandhi during a meeting with Indian-origin CEOs of Singaporean companies, in Singapore on Thursday. (Photo: PTI)

Kuala Lumpur/New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on Saturday that demonetisation was not a good initiative and if he were the prime minister he would have thrown the proposal into the dustbin.

Gandhi is on a five-day trip to the Southeast Asian countries. He began the Malaysia leg of his visit on Saturday and interacted with an enthusiastic gathering of Indian diaspora in Kuala Lumpur.

Asked how he would have rolled out demonetisation differently, Gandhi said If I was the Prime Minister and somebody would have given me a file with demonetisation written on it, I would thrown it in the dustbin, out of the door and into the junkyard.

That is how I would have rolled it out, because that is what I think should have been done with the demonetisation which was not good at all, he said in a video shared by the Congress party on its Twitter handle.

The demonetisation initiative was rolled out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8, 2016, announcing the invalidation of high-value currency notes currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.

The Congress party has strongly criticised demonetisation, saying the move has led to economic slowdown.

Earlier at the University of California, Berkeley, Gandhi had said that Modi had caused tremendous damage to Indias economy with his reckless and dangerous decisions like demonetisation and hastily-applied GST.

Responding to a question on women empowerment, Gandhi also said equality was not good enough for women empowerment and asserted that women have to be given more support than men to end the bias against them.

I dont treat women equal to men, but better than men. I think there is a bias in all societies, including in western society and that bias needs to be corrected. And to correct that bias, equality is not good enough, you have to be partial to women and give them more support than you give men, he said.

Gandhi also addressed a gathering of young professionals at IYCON in Kuala Lumpur.

Met Mr Subramaniam Sathasivam, president of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) in Kuala Lumpur. Originally a part of the AICC until 1946, the MIC has played a major role in the Malaysian Independence Movement, he wrote on his facebook page.

Gandhis trip is part of the Congress partys efforts to connect with the diaspora.

He called on Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday and discussed a wide range of topics related to India-Singapore ties.

Also Read: Rahul grilled in Singapore: Cong chief replies, 'you wouldn't dare with Modi'

The trip is being organised by the AICC Overseas cell headed by technocrat Sam Pitroda, who helped former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi lead the IT revolution in India.

Pitroda had earlier successfully organised Rahul Gandhis visits to the US and West Asia.

Later in the year, the Congress president is also expected to travel to Dubai and Canada.Chennai: The Central government has no option but to constitute the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) and the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC) within six weeks as per the Supreme Court verdict as the scheme mentioned in the February 16 order of the apex court referred to CMB and another body.

Expressing this in unequivocal terms, the state government on Saturday said it had conveyed this to the Centre at the meeting held at the national capital on Friday. Tamil Nadu had clearly emphasised at the meeting (on Friday) that the word scheme mentioned in the February 16 Supreme Court order was only setting up the Cauvery Management Board and the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee as envisaged under Clause 6 (A) of Inter-state Rivers Act of 1956, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said on Saturday. Reiterating that the Centre has no other alternative but to set up the CMB and the CWRC within six weeks as per the court order, he said in a statement here that all the MPs from Tamil Nadu were also agitating for this cause.

His statement comes after Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan called on him at the secretariat earlier in the day and apprised him about the deliberations on Friday's meeting in New Delhi on the Cauvery issue.

The meeting, convened by the Union Water Resources Ministry with all the stakeholders in the inter-state river dispute  Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry, had discussed the modalities of a scheme to be implemented.

The apex court in its February 16 order, had only altered the quantum of water to be released to Tamil Nadu (reducing it by 14.75 tmcft to 177.25 tmcft as against 192 tmcft allocated in the final award) and has not changed any other clauses of the final award of the Cauvery Disputes Tribunal, he said and added that "the State government had insisted in yesterday's meeting that the Centre has no other alternative, but to constitute the CMB and the CWRC within six weeks as per the apex court order and this point was made very clear."

The state government, which was functioning on the path shown by late chief minister J. Jayalalithaa, would continue to play a constructive role in upholding Tamil Nadu's rights on the Cauvery issue and protect the farmers' interest, Mr Palaniswami said.Hyderabad: With the Million March, traffic woes trailed regular commuters. Though the police had officially announced the closure of Tank Bund Road, many other city roads were also barricaded, slowing down the traffic considerably.

Motorists who regularly commute through the busy Tank Bund stretch had to take alternate routes. The traffic moved at a snail's pace on the Karbala Maidan to Telugu Talli flyover stretch throughout the day.

Generally, it takes around 10 minutes to travel through the Tank Bund stretch. However, as the roads were closed, we were forced to take the Lower Tank Bund stretch, which being nar-row, was really congested and it took us nearly half an hour to cross the road, said Saurabh Rana, an employee of a private company and a regular commuter of the Tank Bund Road.

The students who were returning after appearing for their intermediate examination, faced a lot of problems while heading back home in the afternoon. We could not find any autorickshaws to hire and even when we did, they asked for a bomb just to take us through, said a student.

The RTC buses were also running behind schedule due to the barricaded roads and diversions. However, a police official said, Though orders were issued for the closure of Tank Bund Road, commuters witnessed barricades all over the city. But since it was a weekend, there was not much trouble.

V.V. Srinivasa Rao, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad, had notified the public a day before, that in view of Million March by TJAC in Hyderabad and in order to maintain security, traffic on the Upper Tank Bund Road would be clo-sed from 11 am to 5 pm on Saturday. Therefore, the public are requested to start early, take alternate routes to reach the-ir destination, the commissioner said.New Delhi: Visiting French President Emmanuel Macron held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, after which the two countries signed 14 pacts, including one on reciprocal logistics support between their armed forces that will provide access for warships of either side to each others ports.

The pact  to facilitate the reciprocal provision of logistics support, supplies and services between the armed forces of the two countries during authorised port visits, joint exercises, joint training, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts  was described by Mr Modi as a golden step in the history of our close defence cooperation.

He also described France as one of Indias most trusted defence partners, adding that from land to sky there is no such topic where we are not working together with each other.

Reflecting a growing depth in defence ties, India and France inked the strategic pact providing for the use of each others military facilities including opening naval bases to warships, an agreement that comes amid Chinas growing military expansionism in the Indo-Pacific region.

With India already acquiring 36 French Rafale state-of-the-art fighter aircraft and the two countries expressing satisfaction over the progress in the matter, news agencies cited officials as saying that the French side pushed for the procurement of another batch of 36 Rafale fighters by India during a meeting between defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her French counterpart Florence Parly.Hyderabad: The protests by doctors and staff of Osmania General Hospital has entered its 50th day, but there is no response from the government yet. The joint action committee of OGH is going to escalate their protest further for a new building. Dr P. Naik, incharge of the joint action committee said, We cannot work in the old building any more. The Chief Minister had promised us a new OGH building, we want the promise to be implemented.

The doctors, staff and nurses have reached a consensus that a new building must be constructed and it is for the government to decide on the heritage structure. A senior doctor explained, The government has to separate the two issues. Heritage is one aspect and medical care is another. We need better infrastructure for OGH and that has to be provided. For that the right utilisation of the existing space has to be done.Hyderabad: Telugu Desam (TD) and Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) did not get any invitation till Saturday for the much hyped dinner to be hosted by former Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Another TD MP J.C. Diwakar Reddy said the same and added that if the Congress invites, also they will not attend the dinner.

Against the backdrop of the Third Front proposal from Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Sonia Gandhis dinner is creating interest in political circles.

A senior TRS leader said that if any party attends Sonia Gandhis dinner, it does not mean that the party will sail with the Congress. He said that the dinners are different and politics is different.Many schools are trying to do their bit by issuing notices and sending e-mails to parents which reduces the tension of students and also calms down parents.

Hyderabad: Exam season is synonymous with tension, comparisons and stress for most students and with added pressure from schools for model exams, good marks and extra tuition, it is important to ensure that the students are not demoralised.

Many schools are trying to do their bit by issuing notices and sending e-mails to parents which reduces the tension of students and also calms down parents. Most messages from schools are on the lines of asking parents not to compare students with their peers and also not to judge them based on grade.

Anjali Razdan, Principal of P. Obul Reddy School said that they sent out mails during the beginning of the exam season and even during the start of the year with health advisories.

To ensure that it is a relaxed environment at home, we have an orientation for parents where we make them sit down and tell them the dos and donts of the exam season to make sure that they are also ready to face the exam season, she said.

Many principals and teachers have also made it a point to visit the exam centres during each exam.

Minu Khan, Director of Glendale Schools said that the CBSE had also issued a notice to ensure that there is a relaxed environment. I have been sending mails to parents and students before and after each exam to calm them and make them stress-free. An exam is not the end of the world and sometimes the stress of parents trickle down to their children. So it is up to the school to ensure that we do not make parents feel tensed, she said.

A notice that went viral on the social media by the Army Public School, South says, Amongst the students who will be sitting for the exams, there is an artist who doesnt need to understand Maths. There is an entrepreneur who doesnt care about History and there is a psychologist whose Chemistry marks wont matter. Every child has a unique quality in him/her.Hyderabad: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) decided to support candidates nominated by the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti for the three Rajya Sabha seats in Telangana.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said on Saturday the decision on Twitter. MIM party has decided to support TRS party candidates in Rajya Sabha elections, his tweet said.

The elections to the three Rajya Sabha seats from Telangana would be held on March 23 and the last date for filing nominations was March 12.

The elections followed the completion of terms of Congress member R. Ananda Bhaskar and TDs C.M. Ramesh. The third seat fell vacant after the passing away of Congress MP Palvai Goverdhan Reddy.

The AIMIM was the first party to come out and openly welcome the Third Front plans of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

Pune police issues notice to MIM chief

AIMIM chief Asadudd-in Owaisi lamented that the Pune police was curbing his fundamental right. He vented his anger after the poli-ce served him a notice under Section 149 of CrPC, minutes before he was to address a public meeting at Azad college in Pune.

Mr Owaisi expressed his anguish through social media and said, I have been again served a love letter, by Pune City Police on the stage of the public mee-ting which is being held for Tahafuz Shariat and Islah-e-Mashaira. It is shocking and is an atte-mpt to curb my fundamental right. I hope the national leaders of the Congress, BJP and Shiv Sena are also given notices!

During previous visits to the city, the Hyderabad MP was issued such notices by the local police in Pune. The section gives the authority to the police to issue a notice to prevent cognizable offences.Supporters of TJAC president Professor K. Kodandaram shout slogans before he was arrested at his house on Saturday. (Photo: DC)

HYDERABAD: The police foiled the plans of Telangana Joint Action Committee and other organisations to hold the Aata, Paata, Maata programme planned at Tank Bund on Saturday. About 2,000 police officers were posted in and around Tank Bund.

The programme was planned on the lines of Million March, held during the struggle of formation of Telangana. The police as a preventive measure arrested about 3,500 persons of the committee, CPI, CPI-ML (new democracy) and other organisations across the State.

TJAC chairperson Prof. Kodandaram was taken into custody from his house and later shifted to Bolaram police station. Several police officers were posted outside his house. The first Million March was held on March 10, 2011, to highlight the demand of the people of Telangana for a separate state.

Around afternoon, when Mr Kodandaram came out and started for Tank Bund, police took him into custody and shifted to the station.

Prior to his detention, he told mediapersons that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao wanted democracy at the national level. But when we want to hold protest, he is behaving like a dictator and intends to rewrite the history of Telangana statehood in a way favouring him.

He added that the Chief Minister did not want the people to know that Telangana was an outcome of peoples struggle. Though the police had prevented us from holding the event, we have a moral victory as thousands of people were planning to turn and few dared to get arrested by the police, he said.

Several activists were also rounded up at railway stations, bus stations and MMTS stations while they were on way to participate in the programme.

The police had set up several check points on roads leading to the city from various districts.

Massive security beef-up to check Spoorthi march

Unlike during the Million March in 2011, security was beefed up across the city and checkposts were set up on highways connecting the city to control cadres from marching to Tank Bund as part of the Million March Spoorthi.

Armed forces, QR teams and Special Police parties were deployed all over, and plainclothes police kept a watch at the residences of important leaders who were likely to take part in the march. Passengers at railway stations in the city were also thoroughly screened and allowed out. Keeping in view of the Reddy Poru Yatra agitation in October last, during which crowds were mobilised through social Media, police kept a vigil on social media activities as well.

While Tarnaka Street No 1, which housed Prof. Kodandarams residence, was `cordoned off from Friday evening and continued till he was arrested on Saturday afternoon, traffic movement was restricted on Tank Bund much before 11 am as announced by police. In districts, detentions began as early as from Friday morning and people were kept in custody till late Saturday evening.HYDERABAD: Since the period of NTR till that of Chandrababu Naidu now, Telugu Desam (TD) ministers in the Union Cabinet never completed a full term in office.

TD ministers were in Centre from the Cabinets of National Front government during NTRs time, United Front government and the present NDA government in Mr Naidus regime. But now, Union ministers P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Y.S. Chowdary were in offi-ce for the longest period th-an the previous TD ministers.

Mr Raju and Mr Chow-dary were in the office for three years and 10 months. But in the past, the TD ministers were in the office for less than two years. Due to political reasons, National Front and United Front governments at the Centre did not complete full-term.

The National Front government was formed at the Centre after the Lok Sabha general elections in 1989. In the National Front, Telugu Desam represented Prime Minister V.P. Singhs Cabin-et for the first time. NTR was the chairman of the National Front and V.P. Singh was the convenor.

In the VP Singh government, P. Upendra was made the Cabinet minister. Even though, the National Front with seven political parties did not have a majority in the House, with outside support from the BJP, the V.P. Singh government was formed. But in 1991, the BJP withdrew its support and V.P. Singh resigned. Due to this, Upendra lost his Cabinet post also. Upen-dra was in the office for around a year.

Later, in 1996, the United Front was formed under the leadership of N. Chand-rababu Naidu.

In the United Front government, H.D. Deve Gowda was made the Prime Mini-ster. In this Cabinet, from Telugu Desam, K. Yerrann-aidu, Ummareddy Venkate-swarlu, Bolla Buliramaiah and S. Venugopalachary were made ministers. Yerr-annaidu was the Cabinet minister, Ummareddy was the state minister with ind-ependent charge and others were also state ministers.

In the United Front government, after Deve Gow-das resignation, I.K. Gujral was made the Prime Mini-ster. In the Gujral Cabinet, all TD ministers continued and in addition to them, Renuka Chowdary was also inducted into the Cabinet.

With outside support from the Congress, United Front government was formed. But in 1998, the Congress withdrew its support and the United Front government lost the power. In United Front government, TD ministers were in the office for around two years.

After BJP came to power in 2014, in Prime Minister Narendra Modis Cabinet, P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Y.S. Chowdary represented the TD. Ashok Gajapathi Raju was the Cabinet Minister and Y.S. Chowdary was the Minister of State.

In the latest political developments, in protest against the Central Government for not granting Special Status to AP, on the directions of party leadership, both Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Y.S. Chowdary resigned on March 8, 2018. Both were in the office for three years and ten months. This is the longest period represented by TD Ministers in the Union Cabinet.Hyderabad: Telugu Desam (TD) and Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), the ruling parties in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana respectively, have decided not to support the proposed No Confidence motion against the Central government to be moved by YSR Congress (YSRC) on Monday.

YSR Congress has decided to move a No Confidence motion against the Central Government for not granting Special Category status to AP as assured in the Parliament at the time of state bifurcation.

YSRC had earlier decided to move this motion on March 21 but with the latest political developments, it has advanced it to March 12. YSRC Chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had requested AP Chief Minister and TD national president N. Chandrababu Naidu to support the No Confidence motion.

Naidu had discussed this issue in the strategy committee headed by him and decided not to support the motion.

In last week, the Parliament could not transact any business as the proceedings were continuously stalled by opposition members, including TD, TRS and YSRC with their demands.

AP CM Naidu opined that with the No Confidence motion, nothing will happen to the Central government and at the same time, there will be no benefit to AP also.

Moreover, the AP CM feels that if No Confidence motion will come for discussion in the House, other Opposition members will give priority to Punjab National Bank fraud issue in the discussion and Special Status to AP will fade down.

TRS has nothing to do with the No Confidence motion. A senior TRS leader said that their party will support demands for Special status to AP but will not back the No Confidence motion.

AP Minister and TD Strategy Committee member K Atchennaidu said that their party will not support the No Confidence motion going to be moved by YSRCP.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, he said ,We have our own agenda. Why should we join the YSRCPs agenda? We will continue our fight in Parliament for Special Status to AP.

TRS MP A.P. Jitendar Reddy said that they have their own priorities. Why should we support the No Confidence motion? he asked.

Meanwhile in AP, out of 25 MPs, YSRCP has eight, TD has 15 and BJP has two MP strength. In Telangana, out of 17 MPs, TRS has 14 (after defections from the TD, Congress and YSRCP), MIM, BJP and Congress have once each.

Procedure for No Confidence Motion

Any member can give a written notice and the Speaker shall read the motion of No Confidence in the House and ask all those persons to rise who favour that the motion be taken up. If there are 50 MPs in favour, the speaker allots a date for discussing the motion. The motion of No Confidence is required to be taken up within 10 days from the date on which it is granted by the House.In diplomacy, foolhardiness is as damaging as pusillanimity. To show bravado, without the ability to implement it, displays lack of maturity. To show timidity, when the situation does not warrant it, shows lack of strategic resolve. These thoughts come to mind in the light of the recent directive sent by Cabinet Secretary P.K. Sinha to the Centre and states that senior leaders and government officials should refrain from attending functions marking 60 years in exile of the Dalai Lama. The directive was reportedly prompted by a note by foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale that such a step was advisable given that India-China relations were going through a sensitive phase. As a result, the Tibetan government-in-exile has cancelled two events in New Delhi  one, an inter-faith prayer meeting at Rajghat; and two, a Thank You India function, which has been shifted to Dharamsala.

Is this genuflection before Chinese sensitivities justified? Perhaps there are facts, or new developments, to which the MEA is privy to, but prima facie this deference to China is difficult to understand. The Dalai Lama has been in India for the past 60 years. India has reiterated to the Chinese that we recognise Tibet as a part of China, and that His Holiness will refrain from any political activity. That this has largely been the case is verifiable, and becomes manifestly clear through the nature of activities planned to commemorate the 60th anniversary  special prayers, mass tree plantations, yoga events, cleanliness drives, feeding of the hungry and homeless, and distribution of blankets to the poor. There is nothing political in this, or different from what the Dalai Lama, a deeply revered religious figure internationally, has been promoting all these years. Why is China taking umbrage, and even more important, why are we so suddenly deferential to their sensitivities?

Has China done anything in recent times to deserve a more compliant India? I dont think so. In fact, it has been particularly hostile. It has blocked Indias efforts to designate dreaded Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as a terrorist by the UN. It has done its best to block Indias entry into the Nuclear Supplies Group. It has brazenly gone ahead with the proposal to build the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Pakistan through Gilgit-Baltistan, territory that India claims to be its own. Last year in June it also escalated the Doklam crisis by attempting to build a road in the disputed area at the tri-junction between India, China and Bhutan. Geopolitical strategist Brahma Chellaney has now reported that, in spite of the Indian governments claim of disengagement, the Chinese are continuing to build sentry posts, trenches and helipads in Doklam.

Over the years, China has consistently implemented its policy towards India of engagement with containment. Containment has meant showing India its place whenever necessary and with impunity. At the time of Chinese President Xi Jinpings visit to India in September 2014, Chinese troops invaded India in significant numbers at Chumar in Ladakh. We predictably downplayed this outrageous behaviour. On bilateral trade  which is hugely in Chinas favour  China milks the Indian market while limiting market access to our exports. Geopolitically, China has penetrated deep into our sphere of influence by acquiring strategic assets in Sri Lanka, such as Hambantota port, and by meddling against our interests in Nepal, Bangladesh, and more recently, in the Maldives. It regularly gives sanctuary to anti-India insurgents in the Northeast. While we seem to have looked the other way, it has invested billions of dollars in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, an area recognised internationally as disputed, but resisted our attempts to foray for oil in the open waters of the South China Sea.

On Arunachal Pradesh, which is undeniably a part of India, but which China continues to designate as disputed and calls South Tibet, the Chinese have been unrelentingly intimidating. Earlier, the Chinese government announced that Indian citizens from Arunachal Pradesh will be given stapled visas to travel to China. We protested, but rather mutely. An effective retaliatory response to this affront should have been to say that we shall give stapled visas to Chinese of Tibetan origin. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Arunachal Pradesh last month, the Chinese lodged a formal diplomatic protest! In April 2017, when the Dalai Lama went to Arunachal Pradesh, the Chinese lost all diplomatic restraint and unilaterally named six places in that state on their own map.

The problem is that we have too low a threshold of happiness about Chinese behaviour. Earlier this year, China appeared to be a little nice to us at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting in Paris, by withdrawing its opposition to a US proposal to place Pakistan on the FATFs watchlist of countries with financial links to terrorism. We took it as a huge victory. But China plays this game of aggression and conciliation as part of a strategic plan, and support to Pakistan, notwithstanding this concession, will remain an integral part of its policy to contain India.

So, with such a track record, why are we so readily willing to kowtow to China? Are we a natural punching bag? In diplomacy, perceptions greatly matter. Nations respect nations that respect themselves. This is particularly so in the case of China. A timid and submissive India reinforces the Dragons self-belief in its ordained destiny of global dominance as the middle kingdom, and strengthens its conviction that India can be easily bullied. We need to understand that while China may be militarily stronger than us, we are not a walkover either. Such meekness, particularly from a government whose leaders took pride in their muscular approach to diplomatic relations, hardly does credit, either to them, or to our national interests. We need to have good relations with China, and should do what is required for this, but in conformity with our self-esteem, and as part of a strategic gameplan. A little bit of attitude will do our diplomacy good. Perhaps this couplet of Ghalib can inspire us: Mat pooch ki kya haal hai mera tere peeche, Tu dekh ki kya rang hai tera mere aage  Dont ask how I will fare under your sway; you see how you will fare under my watch!Pirelli has included its hypersoft tyre among the three compounds it has selected for the Canadian Grand Prix in June.

It's uncertain however if the new tyre will get its baptism of fire in Montreal as Pirelli has yet to reveal its selection for Monaco which could include the pink-rimmed compound.

Pirelli will also include the supersoft and ultrasoft tyres among its Canadian selection while it has named the supersoft, soft and medium rubber for Spain.

Logistical reasons linked to freight compelled F1's exclusive tyre supplier to reveal its tyre choices for the fly-away race well in advance.

It was initially due to inform the FIA of its Canadian selection by late February, but it was granted a two-week delay in order to take advantage of pre-season testing in Barcelona and the additional tyre data which has been collected.

"We have a deadline that is March 8th to select the compounds for Barcelona and Canada," explained Pirelli F1 boss Mario Isola.

"Canada was February 22nd, but we spoke to the FIA and the teams to postpone the deadline to March 8th together with Barcelona, in order to collect more data from this test, because with our logistics, it's possible to produce and ship the tyre in time."

The extra margin in time allowed teams to put the hypersoft to the test at the Circuit de Catalunya this week, and better understand its exploitation and degradation.

"The hypersoft hung on a lot better than we expected," said Renault tech boss Nick Chester.

"We thought it might be a single lap tyre but Nico [Hulkenberg] had three good push laps on it with cool laps in-between and was quickest on his last one.

"For Carlos [Sainz] it wasn't quite the same: his best was a second push lap. Generally it was hanging on okay. It was a bit grained by the last lap but for a high energy track like here it was hanging on quite well."

As a reminder, each driver must save one set of the softest of the three nominated compounds for Q3.

This set will then be returned for those who qualify in the top 10, but the remaining drivers will keep it for the race.

Each driver must have both these sets available for the race. Teams are free to choose the remaining 10 sets,making 13 sets in total for the weekend.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and TwitterIt is worrisome that Sri Lankas President Maithripala Sirisena has divested his Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremasinghe, of the law and order portfolio. This is not suggestive of where failure may have lain in controlling the communal conflagration in his island nation as much as a measure of desperation in the government to ensure that the violence doesnt spiral out of control, as the future of the government itself might be at stake. Declaring a state of emergency seemed stern but the right thing to do in trying to stem the violence between the majority Sinhala Buddhists and the minority Muslims. It may appear silly that a traffic accident should trigger so much tension among the communities that it should spill over into violence after the Sinhala victim succumbed to his injuries. The vulnerability of the minorities was stressed as Muslim shops and residences were burnt in the central hill district of Kandy.

The political background to these incidents is what makes the situation fraught. The play of hate in an era of instant communications via social media is something that all governments have to tackle. The Sri Lankans have followed the classic pattern of shutting down social media access for a while, hoping the tensions subside once people are kept away from it, specially as they were being fed with rumours of attacks on places of worship. Of greater concern may be divisive politics, as former President Mahinda Rajapaksas Sri Lanka Podujana Perumana (SLPP) party is rising again, as seen in results of recent local elections. It is suspected Mr Rajapaksa may be stoking the latent fear of the resurfacing of Tamil extremism to derive political advantage. In fact, it was the insecurity of minority Tamils and Muslims that led to Mr Rajapaksa losing the presidency on being defeated in national elections. He paid a high price for the Aluthgama riots of 2014, when extremist Buddhist monks ran riot at the minorities expense.

Emboldened by the end of the civil war involving Tamils in 2009, Buddhist groups have been sharpening their stand against Muslims, leading to the heating up of this communal cauldron. The anti-Muslim riots may now be limited to Kandy, but if it spreads, the situation may even become conducive to a swing towards a hardline Sinhala regime. In the post-civil war scene since 2009, the Sinhalese have become an absolutely dominant group, but communal incidents have only been sporadic as in Gintola last year. The President himself visited Kandy to check on police operations. Containment of the violence must be his top priority as the support of the minorities is vital to the SLFP-UNP. The government has to take greater control over the actions of the police forces on the ground if it is to quickly bring about normality.Its a bold step that US President Donald Trump has taken to accept North Korean dictator Kim Jong-uns invitation for summit-level talks on denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, conveyed through the South Korean government. This also indicates that the South, a key American ally that hosts thousands of American troops, is on board.

The opening of talks at the highest level between Washington and Pyongyang is a good idea even if the desired outcomes are elusive, provided doors arent shut on future talks. The Norths nukes and missiles to deliver them, which were extensively tested with fanfare and bellicose propaganda last year amid trading of personal insults between Mr Trump and the very young and very powerful Mr Kim, make the Koreas the worlds number one flashpoint.

No US President, while in office, has conversed even telephonically with any leader of the isolated Communist regime that poses a nuclear threat to mainland America. That makes Mr Trumps decision even more striking. Americas political and foreign policy and security establishment, and the Presidents Cabinet colleagues, have been largely taken aback.

In the normal way, lower-level conversations prepare the ground for summit talks. In this case, theres a history of official-level talks spluttering and North Korea resuming nuclear weapons activities with US and UN economic sanctions against the Communists tightening further. Pyongyang has sought top-level talks for years, with Washington being dismissive. Mr Trump has changed all that. North Korea will certainly seek security guarantees and substantial economic support to give up its nuclear weapons. The US President should negotiate to bring peace and set the benchmark high.If the Reserve Bank of India has been caught napping in the Punjab National Bank episode, one reason could be that the RBI does not have a full-time deputy governor to supervise banks.

If the Reserve Bank of India has been caught napping in the Punjab National Bank episode, one reason could be that the RBI does not have a full-time deputy governor to supervise banks. The last person to hold the post was S.S. Mundra, who retired in July. For close to seven months, the government hasnt found a replacement for Mr Mundra. Sources say the RBI has four deputy governors, including one from the banking sector. The three other deputy governors are Viral Acharya, B.P. Kanungo and N.S. Vishwanathan, all economists. Not having a DG supervising banks, a role that also includes inspection, is now a glaring loophole, which allowed the PNB fraud to go undetected by the bank.

Those in the know say that the government had initiated the process to appoint the fourth DG before Mr Mundra retired on July 30, but scrapped the panel of shortlisted candidates who had been interviewed. In December, over four months after interviews were conducted, the process was restarted with the government yet to shortlist a new set of candidates.

Trouble in paradise

The subterranean tensions between the two coalition partners in Jammu and Kashmir has had its most telling effect on the states officials. For chief minister Mehbooba Mufti it is the Peoples Democratic Party government in the state supported by the BJP high command. The chief ministers PDP has final say in all matters of governance in J&K.

Sources say that the general administration department that is headed by Ms Mufti has issued over 200 transfer orders of babus in the state without holding Cabinet meetings to avoid interference from any political quarters (read BJP) in the last two years. Even senior Indian Administrative Service and Indian Police Service officers were transferred in the last one year without discussion in Cabinet meetings. It is believed that 45 IAS and 20 IPS officers were prematurely transferred during 2016 and 2017. Few officials have been transferred three to four times in the last two years. Though the government claims that the transfers were made in the interest of the state administration, apparently, the manner in which they were done are in violation of J&Ks transfer policy, which states that premature transfers shall be made only in unavoidable circumstances. Maybe that is the view in PDP circles as well.

MEA reshuffles envoys

The ministry of external affairs is witnessing the first changes under new foreign secretary Vijay Keshav Gokhale, who took charge in late January, succeeding S. Jaishankar. Among the first appointments was of senior diplomat T.S. Tirumurti as secretary for economic relations, the position Mr Gokhale held before taking over the post of foreign secretary. Now, the MEA has effected a wider reshuffle and ambassadorial appointments. Sripriya Ranganathan has been appointed Indias new envoy to South Korea to replace Vikram Doraiswami, who is returning to headquarters. Joint secretary (South) Vinay Kumar has been named ambassador to Kabul while 1985-batch IFS officer Narendra Chauhan is the new envoy to the Czech Republic, replacing Krishan Kumar, who is moving to Norway as ambassador. Ravi Thapar, a 1983-batch IFS officer, has been named envoy to Serbia. Sources say the MEA is also looking to appoint new ambassadors to Japan and Thailand, with chief of protocol Sanjay Verma, a 1990-batch IFS officer, reportedly the frontrunner for the Tokyo posting.If not a wreck, the university is in a shambles in India. Legal compulsions facilitate intrusion of politics. A college can be set up by a registered society. A university can be set up only by law. It alone can confer on it a legal personality. Legislators rob it of autonomy. The head of state, the President or governor, is chancellor. He appoints the vice-chancellor mostly on the governments advice. The University of Mumbai, once the finest in India, saw the removal of its vice-chancellor  for good reasons.

The governor is removable at the whim of the Centre. The Presidents prestige, none too high, suffered gravely when President Ram Nath Kovind reversed his own decision on the appointment of a Central universitys vice-chancellor at the behest of the Central government. He had assented to the appointment of Swapan Kumar Dutta as the vice-chancellor of Rabindranath Tagores Visva-Bharati University at Santiniketan. He also scrapped the panel of three finalists forwarded by the ministry of human resources development. Visva-Bharati has functioned without a regular head for two years. Its chancellor is the Prime Minister. The President is its visitor. If the President can act thus in such a matter, what can the nation expect of him as a constitutional check on power?

The BJPs mentor, the RSS, has a students wing that attacks universities if they are deemed to lack patriotism; it is the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, which was set up in 1948 to evade the ban on the RSS after Gandhis assassination. One of its targets was Hyderabad Central University. Another is the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, which is perceived as leftist. McCarthyite dossiers are prepared. JNUs international reputation deters greater intervention. Parnal Chirmuley, associate professor at the Centre for German Studies at JNU, has listed some it has already suffered. Because the composition of its highest decision-making bodies is based on a rational process of fair academic representation from its schools and departments, the present administration (Modis) has sought to change the composition of these bodies flouting all rules... Student and faculty associations are not allowed within a hundred metres of the administrative building under threat of persecution for group bargaining, an expression out of place in a university.

Another associate professor, Vikas Bharati, recorded in 2016 the support extended by a professor at a university in Islamabad. She had come to be gripped by what was happening at JNU... the first thing she did in the morning was to reach out for the Internet to know of the latest development at JNU... she had been surprised by her anxieties that had made her feel and react as though these students were her own... In this lies hope for India-Pakistan relations. At JNU, there are students and teachers who empathise with the people of Kashmir. He wrote, JNU students need be commended for having broken the ice between the people of Kashmir and the rest of India.

The 70-year-old University of Kashmir has been a victim of the sordid politics of those New Delhi instals in power in Srinagar. The fearless monthly from Srinagar, the Kashmir Narrator, published a thorough expose of UoK by Aasif Sultan in its January 2018 issue. Compliant vice-chancellors impose curbs. A course in human rights was wound up within a year. A students union is not permitted on the campus. The Open University of Catalonia offers post-graduate courses in armed conflict and criminology. If UoK followed suit, it would provide its students with a constructive alternative, especially if it includes case studies in similar situations in Europe in the 20th century.

The travails of Aligarh Muslim University are well known. Its founder Sir Syed Ahmad Khans son Syed Mahmood drew up a scheme for a university in 1873 to further the cause of enlightened education  not politics. AMU has achievements to boast of like the Aligarh School of History. What is little known is that, in contrast, Benaras Hindu University was set up to promote politics as the Italian scholar Marzia Casolari documented in an article in Economic & Political Weekly (April 13, 2003). Its prime mover was the president of the Hindu Mahasabha, Madan Mohan Malaviya. Under Malaviyas direction BHU became a workshop in the construction of political Hinduism. In November 1933, Jawaharlal Nehru visited BHU and called it the very citadel of Hindu communal thought. Small wonder, then, that in 2018 Malaviyas political heirs are targeting JNU.

Walter Lippmanns description of freedom in academia in 1936 is still very relevant today. A free university is one in which the selection of teachers and of studies reflects the judgment of scholars, is determined by their standards, and is independent of money, the mob and the political power of the state. No university can long survive in freedom in a society itself riven with strife or governed by a repressive state consumed with hate.Shortly after the victory in Tripura, alleged BJP-RSS mobs vandalised statues of Lenin. CPI national secretary D. RAJA speaks to SREEPARNA CHAKRABARTY on the controversy over the attacks. Mr Raja says that these incidents show the desperation of the BJP-RSS. They might win elections through a number of manipulations, but ideologically they are not winning India. Electorally they might have got some success here and there. That is also being challenged now. Excerpts from the interview:

What is your view on the statue controversy which has begun after the Tripura verdict?

This statue politics needs to be condemned condemned in the strongest possible terms. Since the results came out, the BJP-RSS started the whole statue demolition campaign. First they targeted Lenin statues, then they targeted the Left cadre in the state. It is highly condemnable. But it is unfortunate that the BJP leadership, including the Prime Minister, claimed that they won an ideological victory in Tripura. This is not an ideological victory because the battle of ideology is the battle of ideas. It must be understood properly.

Even when the Jawaharlal Nehru University attacks occurred, they slapped sedition charges against students, activists and claimed that they had won an ideological battle. By slapping sedition charges and using the police, can you claim that you have won an ideological battle? The same thing happened in Tripura. By destroying statues, can you claim an ideological victory? You can destroy statues, but can you destroy ideology?

Now it has spread to Periyar statues

It doesnt stop with Lenin as it has spread across the country. In Tamil Nadu, Periyar statues were targeted. Ambedkar statues were targeted in Uttar Pradesh. This thing about ideological battles and the breaking of statues is different. It is absurdity on the part of the BJP and RSS.

What do you think is the motive?

They want to create strife in the country. Targeting Periyar statues means that Tamil Nadu is now in uproar. All parties are agitating in Tamil Nadu and they are going to the extent of asking the government to act against the BJP leader who said all this. The BJP-RSS should understand history properly. But they have a closed mindset. You can change the mind but not the mindset. The mindset has been created by their fascist ideology. They think everything starts with them, and ends with them. Lenin is an idea and he is recognised as a leader of humanity as a whole. Leaders like Tilak also hailed Lenin. When Tilak was arrested by the British, Lenin condemned the arrest. Lenin was hailed by Bhagat Singh too. In fact, when Bhagat Singh was taken to the gallows, then the last book he was reading was on Lenin. This is part of history. Subramania Bharti also hailed Lenin. How come the BJP leaders are saying that Lenin is a foreigner? What is this? On the other hand, they also say that the world is one family. This is nothing but rabid anti-Communism.

Do you think there would be a backlash?

It is already happening. Periyar is a leader of great stature. He was the leader of a huge movement  the self-respect movement, rationalist movement. He fought against the caste system. He fought against superstition. He fought for social justice and one cannot push him to any one party. He is above all of them. Why is the BJP targeting Periyar? They should explain that. They think the Periyar ideology is the biggest threat to them. They cannot have a foothold in Tamil Nadu because of the Periyar movement. Periyar propagated such rationalist views. Periyars rationalism cannot be fought with this kind of fascist communal view of the RSS. That is why they are scared of the Periyar movement. Now this will boomerang and it is already boomeranging. That is why they got scared. Even with Lenin they were trying to but Periyar got rattled.

People have compared this with Taliban breaking the Bamiyan Buddha

This is what happens. If you criticise the Taliban for their narrow understanding of history, then this is nothing but the Indian variant. What is this kind of foreign understanding? We are in a globalised period, and the world has become one and interdependent. What do they mean? They are desperate. They might win elections through a number of manipulations in Tripura, but ideologically they are not winning India. Electorally, they might have got some success here and there. That is also being challenged now.

Do you think the BJP can repeat its electoral victory across the country?

No. They have lost ground support. How do you explain the BJP losses in Rajasthan? Even in Gujarat, they did not win any spectacular victory. India is a diverse country; this diversity should be respected. And this composite culture must be acknowledged and the pluralist character of our democracy must be understood. But they have not understood it.Android P brings certain new features such as a revamped UI, HEIC image compression, indoor mapping using Wi-Fi, native support for display notches and more.

Its here and its all new. Googles next iteration of Android  Android P, has broken cover and has been made available to the world of developers and testers. As with all new Android versions, Android P brings in multiple new features and a revamped UI to smartphones relying on Googles open-source operating system. Therefore, it becomes tempting to try out the latest version of Android P on your smartphone, especially if you are into app development or coding.

Since Android P is only into its first developer preview, getting an access to it for most Android users isnt possible. As always, Google has limited the trial of Android P to Google-branded smartphones, i.e. the Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. Additionally, the update cannot be downloaded Over-the-Air (OTA) like stable ROM updates, which means there are a lot of additional steps involved in flashing Android P on your smartphone.

We would like to notify you that flashing your smartphone requires a lot of attention to the steps  missing anyone could lead to bricking your device. Additionally, early tester versions of Android are full of unknown bugs and issues, which could be lead to frequent crashes, thereby making it risky to install the ROM on your primary smartphone.

Android P hasnt been made available to the Android beta Program yet, which means you will have to look for the updates and manually flash them on your device. If you are having any of the first or second generation Pixel smartphones, you can download the Android P ROM here. Do note that you download the right ROM for your Pixel device. You will have to make sure your Pixels bootloader is unlocked and access to USB debugging enabled. Also, make sure that Android SDK Platform-Tools package is present on your computer. Connect your Pixel device to the computer using the USB port and through the adb tool, execute the bootloader and reboot your device into fastboot mode. Open a terminal and navigate to the unzipped system image directory. Execute the flash-all script. This script installs the necessary bootloader, baseband firmware(s), and operating system.

After this, your Pixel device should reboot and show you the freshly installed Android P Developer Preview 1. For a detailed account of the steps, click here.

Do note that Android P is in its early stages. Therefore, most of the feature that you encounter in this developer build could miss out making it to the final build of Android P, when it gets released later this year. Android P brings certain new features such as a revamped UI, HEIC image compression, indoor mapping using Wi-Fi, native support for display notches and more. For a brief account of all the major new features that Android P brings to the table, you can read it here.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.North Korean media appeared to have had no major coverage of Kim's invitation to meet US President Donald Trump or South Korean President Moon Jae-in to discuss the future of Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme. (Photo: File)

Seoul: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sudden overtures to Washington are making headlines around the world. Almost everywhere, it seems, except North Korea.

North Korean media noted a visit by a senior delegation from South Korea earlier this week but it appeared to have had no major coverage of Kim's invitation to meet US President Donald Trump or South Korean President Moon Jae-in to discuss the future of Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme.

South Korea's National Security Office head Chung Eui-yong told reporters at the White House on Thursday after briefing Trump that Kim had "committed to denuclearisation" and to suspending nuclear and missile tests.

However, North Koreans appear to still be in the dark despite such a potentially historic achievement.

Also Read: Prez took decision himself: Tillerson asserts Trumps willingness to meet Kim

Kim's meeting with South Korean officials made it onto the front page of the Rodong Sinmun, a leading state-run newspaper, but neither his policy concessions, as described by the South Korean government, nor his planned summit with Moon in April appeared to have been reported publicly in the secretive North.

"North Korea has not made an announcement on the two Koreas holding the summit in April yet," said Kang Mi-jin, a North Korean defector who works at the Seoul-based Daily NK website and regularly speaks to sources in the North.

"I believe such a decision is only handled by high-ranking officials close to Kim Jong Un. I do not think regular government/military officials are aware of the summit meeting yet," Kang said.

While trumpeting the thaw in relations between North and South Korea, North Korean media outlets have continued to criticise the United States, especially over joint military drills it plans to conduct with South Korean troops at the end of March.

"In North Korea, the leadership won't decide to release it to the media until they know for sure the summits are happening," said Shin Beom-chul, a professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy in Seoul.

"There has to be an agreement within the North's inner circle about this. There's no reason why it should promise denuclearisation of North Korea to its people right now when there is a possibility of things falling apart," Shin said.According to officials dealing with genocide and religious leaders, she said, 3,154 Yazidis are missing including 1,471 women and girls  and 1,200 Turkmen are missing including 600 women and 250 children. (Photo: Representational/ AP)

United Nations: The UN envoy for sexual violence in conflict who just returned from Iraq said on Friday she found a gross lack of support for women and girls who were raped and forced into sexual slavery by Islamic State (IS) extremists, and survivors she met were like living corpses.

Pramila Patten said the survivors were released early in 2018 and told her they are confined to camps because of the double stigma of being victims of sexual violence and sexual slavery, and of being associated with IS  and fear of being perceived as an affiliate of the militant group.

Some also expressed a fear of being detained, she told a news conference on Friday. So they are very much confined, including by their parents. They are not stepping out of their camp and have not had an opportunity to avail themselves of even the limited psycho-social support that there is inside the camp.

Patten, who visited Iraq from February 26-March 5, said many women who remain displaced expressed serious concerns for their safety if they return home and shared their fear of reprisals.

She said she met with all religious leaders, and while they show a lot of empathy toward the women returning she was told that Turkmen women will be rejected by their community. And she said Yazidi women, who have historically been subjected to persecution, expressed a wish to leave Iraq.

During a lightning charge in June 2014, IS fighters took over Iraqs second-largest city, Mosul, and nearly a third of the country, plunging it into the most severe crisis since the US-led invasion in 2003. Mosul was liberated in July 2017, and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared an end to the Islamic States self-styled caliphate.

But Patten said the impact of the conflict and IS occupation is impacting not only the women but their children.

She said provincial authorities in Mosul told her, women who were raped and held as sex slaves have abandoned their children born to IS fighters. As a result, she said, the authorities have had to set up orphanages for thousands of children.

Patten said she will be seeking more information about the orphans, who are from all religious faiths  Turkmen, Shiite, and Yazidi.

In talks with prime minister Abadi and regional and provincial officials, she said it was essential to shift the stigma from the victims to the perpetrators.

Despite all humanitarian efforts, Patten said, I find a gross lack of both physical and mental health, psycho-social support, and especially in the quality of the psycho-social support that is required by survivors of sexual violence.

There is a need for very specialized service, which I think is simply not there, she said.

In her meetings, Patten said she also called for a scaling-up of medical, mental health and psychological services and economic opportunities for victims of sexual violence.

Patten said she also relayed to government officials a strong message from survivors to step up efforts to free those still in captivity and locate the missing.

According to officials dealing with genocide and religious leaders, she said, 3,154 Yazidis are missing including 1,471 women and girls  and 1,200 Turkmen are missing including 600 women and 250 children.China's image among the wider Muslim community around the world is important to Beijing as it pushes President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road initiative to invest billions of dollars building infrastructure linking Asia, Europe and Africa. (Photo: File)

Beijing: Chinese Muslims need to guard against creeping Islamisation, including mosques that copy foreign styles, and strive to practice their faith in a more Chinese way, a senior Chinese Islamic official said on Saturday.

China is home to roughly 20 million Muslims, many living in the western part of the country, from the Uighurs of Xinjiang who speak a Turkic language to the largely sinified Hui people.

While China officially guarantees freedom of religion, it has in recent years tightened controls in heavily Muslim areas, nervous about the possibility of radicalisation and violence.

Speaking to the largely ceremonial advisory body to China's parliament, Yang Faming, head of the government-linked China Islamic Association, said Islam had a long and glorious history in the country.

But Yang warned of problems he said had become apparent in recent years which could not be overlooked, according to a copy of his speech carried by the official Xinhua news agency.

"For example, some mosques' construction style blindly imitates foreign models. In some areas the concept of halal has become common, and religion interferes in secular life," he said.

"Some people set great store on religious rules and much less on national law, only knowing what it is to be a believer and not what it is to be a citizen," Yang added. "We must certainly remain on high alert."

Islam in China must uphold the successful experience of becoming more Chinese, be guided by core socialist values and oppose radicalisation, he said.

Religious practices, culture and the architecture of religious buildings must be Chinese in nature and style, Yang added.

Parliament and its advisory body are holding their annual session.

China has blamed a series of attacks in recent years in Xinjiang, which sits on the borders of Central Asia and Pakistan on Islamist terrorists. Rights groups say the unrest is more a reaction to Chinese controls on the religious and cultural rights of the Uighurs who live there.

China denies accusations of repression in Xinjiang.

China's image among the wider Muslim community around the world is important to Beijing as it pushes President Xi Jinping's "Belt and Road" initiative to invest billions of dollars building infrastructure linking Asia, Europe and Africa.Jammu and Kashmir has been an area of contention for both India and Pakistan ever since the nations were formed in 1947 with three battles having been fought between the two neighbours over it. (Photo: Representational/ AP)

Geneva: Speaking at the 37th United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session, Dusan Vejinovic, a Senior Research Analyst at the European Foundation for South-Asian Studies brought into focus the numerous human rights violations by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Contrary to the country's diplomatic rhetoric, it is Pakistan which has denied the people of Jammu and Kashmir their fundamental human rights," he said.

"Moreover, it is now aspiring to become a broker of Jammu and Kashmir, by negotiating the sale of Gilgit-Baltistan to Beijing, in return for stacks of Chinese Yuan," he added.

Also Read: India has much to hide, peace elusive till Kashmir issue resolved: Pak

"While Pakistan manifests itself as a self-styled advocate of the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the factual situation is, that it remains an illegal occupier of Jammu and Kashmir, which has deprived the people of their political and civil liberties."

Urging the UN to take appropriate actions against Pakistan, he said "Why is Pakistan allowed to infringe international law and make a mockery of this august institution? The United Nations is obliged to act. Not only to ensure peace in South Asia, but more importantly, to maintain its own credibility and reinforce its authority."

The United Nations Resolutions had directed Pakistan to withdraw its troops from the state of Jammu and Kashmir on August 13, 1948. Vejinovic stated he was perplexed by Pakistan's non-compliance to this legal binding for more than 70 years.

Jammu and Kashmir has been an area of contention for both India and Pakistan ever since the nations were formed in 1947 with three battles having been fought between the two neighbours over it.Chief Justice Zhou Qiang delivers a work report of the Supreme People's Court at the second plenary meeting of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Zhou Qiang, China's chief justice, delivered a work report of the Supreme People's Court (SPC) on Friday at the first session of the 13th National People's Congress.

Following are highlights of his report:

WORK FOR 2013-2017

-- The SPC heard about 82,383 cases and closed about 79,692 ones, up 60.6 percent and 58.8 percent over the previous five-year period respectively.

-- Local courts nationwide heard about 88.97 million cases and closed 85.98 million ones, up 58.6 percent and 55.6 percent over the previous five years respectively.

-- A total of 6.07 million suspects were convicted in the first trials of 5.49 million criminal cases.

-- A total of 195,000 graft cases including bribery and embezzlement were concluded, involing 101 officials at and above ministerial level.

-- A total of 42,000 criminal cases including offenses related to food and drug safety were concluded.

-- Chinese courts reopened trials of 6,747 criminal cases and rectified the sentences.

-- A total of 2,943 suspects prosecuted by the state were acquited.

-- A total of 31,527 convicts were granted amnesty.

-- Chinese courts tried 683,000 cases of intellectual property rights.

-- Chinese courts heard 1,383 public interest litigation cases for environmental damage lodged by prosecutors, and another 252 such cases filed by non-governmental organizations.

-- A total of 85 judges died of fatigue or assaults on duty.

-- The SPC punished its 53 staff members for violating Party disciplinary rules and law.

-- A total of 3,338 staff members at local courts nationwide were caught misusing their power, 531 of whom were prosecuted.

-- A total of 1,762 leading officials of courts were held accountable for poor leadership.

PLAN FOR 2018

-- The SPC will launch a large-scale education campaign of Xi JinpingThought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and the spirit of the 19th Communist Party of China National Congress.

-- The SPC will step up crackdown upon infiltrative, subversive and separatist activities, terrorism, organized crimes, porns, gambling, drugs, human trafficking, pyramid schemes, illegal fundraising, and graft.

-- The SPC will create a better legal environment for economic development and enhance protection of property rights.

-- The SPC will provide better judicial service for ordinary people, respect lawyers' right to exercise their duties, and make sure the execution of court orders.

-- The SPC will continue pushing forward judicial reforms.

-- The SPC will further enhance transparency of court proceedings and legal documents.

-- The SPC will discipline judges and court staff more strictly and uphold a zero tolerance policy on corruption.

[ Editor: meng ]Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has set the agenda for her dinner meeting with Opposition leaders on Tuesday, aiming to sink differences at the local level and come together to defeat Narendra Modi-led BJP.



Gandhi has sent invites to leaders of most of the non-BJP Opposition parties to join her to coordinate strategies to corner the Modi government in Parliament during the Budget Session.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of attempts by Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekar Rao to form a non-BJP, non-Congress third front, an initiative that has been welcomed by Trinamool Congress and some other regional parties.

A Congress leader said there is a lot of anxiety among the regional outfits due to the muscle flexing by the BJP in the aftermath of its electoral successes in the north-east and the initiative by Gandhi would help in keeping the Opposition flock together.

The bypolls to the two Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh Phulpur and Gorakhpura on Sunday are expected to set the tone of Opposition politics for the Lok Sabha elections next year.

Mayawati-led BSP has taken an unprecedented stand and announced support to candidates put up by arch-rival Samajwadi Party for both the seats in a bid to stop the BJP juggernaut.

Larger picture

An SP victory in at least one of the seats is expected to give a fillip to Opposition efforts to take on Modi next year.

Speaking at the India Today Conclave in Mumbai on Friday, Gandhi admitted the pressure various political parties, including the Congress, face when it came to working with like-minded parties.

"But if all of us think of the larger picture...if we feel and care for the country, we have to sink local differences," Gandhi said.French President Emmanuel Macron Saturday said he wanted his country to be India's best partner in Europe as he started a three-day trip to the country aimed at ratcheting up security and energy ties.



Macron, who was welcomed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his traditional bear hug on his arrival late Friday, also said "collective security" will be on top of the agenda during talks later Saturday.

"France is the entry point to Europe. We want to be India's best partner in Europe," Macron said after a ceremonial reception at New Delhi's presidential house.

"The first (objective of my visit) is to seal for the decade to come to a strong pact around collective security in the region between our two democracies."

The two countries are to sign an accord to step up military cooperation in the Indian Ocean where regional power China has been flexing its muscles.

Macron also talked about his personal rapport with Modi which was established after their meeting in Paris last year.

"I think we have very good chemistry, our two great democracies have a historic relationship," the French president said.

Modi broke protocol to receive Macron at the airport Friday, exchanging warm hugs and robust handshakes.

"Welcome to India, President @EmmanuelMacron! Your visit will add great strength to the strategic partnership between India and France," he tweeted Friday.

On Sunday, Macron will attend a solar power summit designed to showcase India and France's commitment to fighting climate change, which both leaders have made a priority.

Travelling with his wife Brigitte, France's 40-year-old president will also visit the monument to love, the Taj Mahal, a few hours drive from the Indian capital on Sunday.

On Monday, he heads to the chaotic Hindu holy city of Varanasi on the banks of the river Ganges, which the Indian premier has promised to modernise and clean up.

Macron's visit comes after a somewhat misstep laden visit to India by Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.

Both he and Macron are often compared internationally because of their broadly similar political views, as well as youth and good looks.

But Trudeau's visit hit a series of embarrassing bumps and he received a fairly cool reception from Modi.

Trudeau was pilloried on social media and in the Canadian press for donning traditional Indian clothing at every opportunity.

And there were red faces when it emerged a former Sikh militant was invited to a dinner with him in Mumbai.

Macron has so far opted for more sober and predictable dress -- a dark suit.A 23-year-old man was killed after his cousin accidentally fired from a pistol while they were attempting to click a selfie posing with the firearm in southeast Delhi, the police said.



The incident took place on Thursday when Prashant Chauhan, native of Pali village in Uttar Pradesh and was working as a teacher on a contract basis in Shahdara, had gone to his uncle's house in Sarita Vihar, they said.

At the house, Chauhan's 17-year-old cousin said to be a student of class 11, managed to get hold of his father's pistol. While trying to click a selfie and posing with it, the pistol went off and a bullet hit Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South East) Chinmoy Biswal said.

Chauhan was rushed to a hospital with a gunshot injury, where he was declared brought dead, they said.

"The pistol's license is in the name of Promod Chauhan, the father of the juvenile. The boy's father, a property dealer, was not at home when the incident occurred," the DCP said.

Police will probe whether there was any negligence on the part of the minor's father, he said.Facing the heat from traders over sealing of their shops, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has shot off letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi to resolve the issue.



In the letters, dated March 9, Kejriwal has sought appointments from Modi and Rahul to apprise them of the serious issue of sealing of shops in the national capital and discuss possible solutions to it.

The sealing drive is being carried out by a Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee against business establishments that operate from residential properties without paying any conversion charges.

Kejriwal's efforts to reach out to traders have run into rough weather. The chief minister has been greeted with protests from traders which has prompted him to call for a unity among political parties on the sealing issue.

The chief minister has also threatened to go on a hunger strike if a solution to the issue is not found by March 31.

Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken sent a counter letter to Kejriwal asking him to move court instead of threatening to go on a hunger strike.

In his letter to the prime minister, Kejriwal stressed on bringing a bill in Parliament to remove anomalies in the law which are the reasons behind sealing of commercial establishments, and warned that unemployment caused by the drive could impact law and order situation in the city.

In his letter to Rahul, Kejriwal said a solution to the problem of sealing needed to be found rising above politics. "This issue needs to be strongly raised in Parliament and pressure should be exerted on the Centre to bring a bill on it," Kejriwal said seeking an appointment with Rahul.The Syrian Army continued its offensive against rebel-held Eastern Ghouta on Saturday, a day after an aid convoy delivered food to the hunger-stricken residents of the enclave despite heavy bombardment.



Nearly 950 civilians have been killed since Russia-backed government forces launched a blistering assault on the last opposition bastion near Damascus on February 18.

Eastern Ghouta's 4,00,000 inhabitants have lived under government siege since 2013 and the enclave - more than half of which has over the past three weeks been retaken by regime forces - is home to a myriad of armed groups.

Apart from Islamist groups such as Jaish al-Islam, jihadists from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), who are mostly linked to Al-Qaeda, are also deployed there.

Syrian state television aired footage of a single bus carrying 13 "fighters" and family members out of the enclave through Al-Wafideen checkpoint, without giving their affiliation.

Some appeared to be young, while others wore hoodies to cover their heads and faces.

The limited operation came as the powerful Jaish al-Islam said HTS fighters would be evacuated to the northern province of Idlib, in an arrangement struck following consultations with the United Nations and other international players.

"It has been agreed that the first group of HTS members be released from the prisons of Jaish al-Islam ... (and) moved to Idlib at their request," Jaish al-Islam said.

HTS is the main force in Idlib, in Syria's northwest and the last province outside regime control.

Civilians continued to bear the brunt of the violence on Friday with at least six killed in air strikes on the area of Jisreen, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said.

Thirteen trucks loaded with 2,400 food parcels, meanwhile, crossed into Eastern Ghouta, the International Committee of the Red Cross said, entering what UN chief Antonio Guterres has called "hell on earth".

But "shelling" near the enclave's main town of Douma threatened "to put at risk" the joint ICRC, Syrian Arab Red Crescent and United Nations convoy, said the UN humanitarian coordinator in Syria, Ali al-Zaatari.

The aid was delivered as helicopters hovered overhead and warplanes targeted areas outside Douma, a correspondent said.

The World Health Organisation said it has verified 67 hits on medical facilities in Syria through January and February, nearly half of them in Eastern Ghouta.

The facilities hit included 20 hospitals, 16 health facilities, two ambulance stations and one medical supply warehouse.

Doctors and nurses in the enclave have run out of several life-saving items, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which reported a "terrible medical catastrophe."

"Medical material is extremely limited, medical infrastructure has been hit and medical staff are exhausted," it said, adding that hundreds of people have been wounded and need urgent assistance.

In the face of the regime's Russian-backed onslaught, Ghouta's main rebel groups had so far rejected Moscow-brokered offers to evacuate civilians or any of their own fighters.

But on February 27, they said in a letter to the United Nations they would be willing to expel jihadist fighters from the enclave as soon as a UN ceasefire took effect.

That offer came on the same day as a daily humanitarian "pause" called by Moscow began, a measure which fell short of a 30-day ceasefire called by the UN Security Council late last month.

Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said talks were underway between regime representatives and local figures to organise the evacuation of civilians or fighters from parts of the enclave.

SANA earlier said dozens of civilians were expected to leave on Friday through the Wafideen checkpoint, an agreed exit point.

In the town of Hammuriyeh, dozens of people took part in a protest calling for an end to the bloodshed, the Britain-based Observatory said.

"Enough destruction and death! We want to save our children and all those who have not died," said Abu Riyadh, a 47-year-old man in the town.

A negotiator from the Hammuriyeh said a "civilian delegation" wanted to hold talks with the regime to end the fighting in the area.

A tribal leader said more than 300 civilians from the areas of Kafr Batna, Saqba and Hammuriyeh wanted to leave.

He told journalists there had also been discussions for "500 fighters to hand over their weapons to the army".

Syria's war, which enters its eight year next week, has killed more that 340,000 people since it erupted in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on Friday called the conflict a "colossal human tragedy".

In rebel fire on Friday, a woman and a child were killed by a mortar round that hit the Damascus suburb of Jaramana, SANA said.

On another front, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his forces and allied rebels could enter the northern Syrian town of Afrin "at any moment", a day after they seized another town in the area.

Turkey-led rebels have been pressing an assault on the Kurdish enclave of Afrin since January 20.A deal with North Korea is very much in the making, and if completed, it would be a very good one for the world, US President Donald Trump has said, a day after he stunned the global community by accepting an invitation to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.



"The Washington Post" said Trump's personal involvement in the White House's deliberations over the world's most serious and vexing security situation "has placed a president who considers himself a master dealmaker into the most fraught faceoff of his 71 years".

"The deal with North Korea is very much in the making and will be, if completed, a very good one for the World. Time and place to be determined," Trump said in a tweet, as experts and analysts scrambled to decipher the unexpected and surprising decision of the president.

"A breakthrough that would reduce Pyongyang's nuclear threat would be a legacy-defining achievement. A stalemate that gives Kim a photo-op for nothing in return could fracture US alliances and be seen as a devastating embarrassment," the daily said.

According to the "Wall Street Journal", Trump has stood the traditional diplomatic model on its head.

"Casting aside years of protocol, the president agreed to a summit with Mr Kim before any of his aides had even sat down with a North Korean representative to clarify precisely where Pyongyang stands on fundamental nuclear issues," it said.

And for the "New York Times", the high-level diplomatic encounter is so risky and seemingly far-fetched that some of Trump's aides believe it will never happen.

"Several officials said on Friday that the United States still needed to establish direct contact with North Korea to verify the message from Mr Kim that was conveyed by South Korean envoys to Mr Trump on Thursday. They warned that Mr Kim could change his mind or break the promises he made about halting nuclear and missile tests during talks," the daily said.

Senator Dan Sullivan, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said it is clear that the maximum global pressure campaign US has been focused on for months under the leadership of the Trump administration - US sanctions mandated by Congress, additional sanctions authorised by the UN Security Council, the development of credible military options and pressuring China to do much more regarding North Korea is having a real impact and clearly starting to bite.

"As we move forward with the objective of the complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, staying very closely aligned with our allies in the region especially the Republic of Korea and Japan will be critical, along with the continuation of the maximum pressure campaign, US-Republic of Korea joint military exercises, and importantly the stationing of US military forces on the Korean Peninsula," Sullivan said.

House Democratic Whip Steny H Hoyer welcomed the initiative from South Korea and hope it can lead to a peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear crisis.

"However, we have to be very careful and skeptical of any overtures by North Korea, given its history of failing to deliver on its commitments. The president and our negotiators must approach this development with due caution and openness, and any talks should be based on realistic expectations of what can be negotiated and verified," he said.

Senator Mark R Warner, vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said that diplomacy is the right path forward to deal with North Korea, but at the same time, due to Pyongyang's history of obfuscation and international defiance, the United States must proceed with caution.

"I am deeply concerned that the White House has not laid the necessary diplomatic groundwork and coordination for direct talks with North Korea. Even President Trump's own secretary of state appeared to be taken aback by this announcement," he said.

"Trump's record of cosying up to authoritarian governments, his consistent failure to appoint, empower or value the expertise of professional diplomats, and his overall lack of focus on critical details also give me pause. The administration must go into any meeting with a plan to ensure that negotiations with Kim Jong-un produce real results, not a photo-op that lends legitimacy to North Korea's murderous regime," Warner said.India and France on Saturday inked key pacts in the strategic areas of security, nuclear energy as well as protection of classified information after extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.



Agreements in the field of education, environment, urban development and Railways were also signed in the presence of the two leaders.

Addressing a joint media event with Macron, Modi said the two countries have robust cooperation in the fields of defence and security.

On his part, Macron said India and France have decided to work together to deal with threats of terrorism and radicalisation.

Defence cooperation between the two countries now has a new significance, the French President said.

Both the leaders also talked about cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Macron, who arrived here on Friday night, was given a ceremonial welcome on Saturday morning.

"Another chapter in the glorious book of our friendship! PM Narendra Modi welcomes President of France Emmanuel Macron at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi ahead of the bilateral talks," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted along with pictures of the two leaders.

Macron is in India on a four-day visit. He was received at the airport on Friday night by Prime Minister Modi, in a special gesture.Rambhapuri Peetha seer Virasomeshwara Shivacharya Swami on Saturday called upon voters to teach a lesson to politicians dividing Veerashaiva-Lingayat religion.



"We will move the court if our religion is divided. Seers of all Mutts will fight against efforts by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to divide our religion. The Congress party will have to pay a heavy price if it divides Veerashaivas from Lingayats when the Assembly elections are around the corner," he told reporters.

The seer added: "No chief minister has ever intervened in religious matters so far in the state. It is improper on part of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to poke his nose in the religious matter."

The seven-member expert committee constituted by the State government to examine the demand for a separate religion tag for the Lingayats had sought six months to submit its report. However, the chief minister and a few of his cabinet colleagues put pressure on the committee and got the report in a hurry, he charged.

"The term Veerashaiva denotes a theory, while Lingayat a practice. Therefore, the state government should consider Veerashaiva-Lingayat as an independent religion. It should never recommend the status of independent religion to Lingayats," he urged.



Answering a question, he said: "Lingayats are a majority and the move to include them in the list of minorities is wrong. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is in dilemma over according the status of independent religion to the Lingayats."



"Seers of all Mutts will fight against efforts by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to divide our religion," he warned.Illegal armed groups operating in Donbas have fired three times at the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces over the past 24 hours, killing one serviceman and wounding one more, the press center of the headquarters of Ukraine's military operations has reported.

"Over the past 24 hours, Russian occupation forces have repeatedly violated the terms of an indefinite ceasefire in the military operations zone, firing three times at the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. One Ukrainian serviceman was killed as a result of enemy fire. One more defender was wounded. The injured soldier was taken to a medical institution and provided with medical assistance," reads a report posted on the Facebook page of the headquarters early on Saturday.

In the Luhansk sector, the enemy fired from small arms at Ukrainian fortified positions near Stanytsia Luhanska.

In the Donetsk sector, illegal armed groups used small arms twice. In particular, the aggressor shelled the positions of Ukrainian defenders near the villages of Avdiyivka and Vodiane.Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday left on a foreign tour even as his country has been hit by communal violence that has killed at least two people.



His visit comes after four days of anti-Muslim riots in the central hilly district of Kandy.

Sirisena will be in India to attend the first conference of the founding members of the International Solar Alliance in New Delhi. He will also visit Japan.

The President had proclaimed a state of emergency to quell the riots and Kandy was under curfew for five days.

The government also blocked social media in another desperate attempt to curb rumours and violence.

Sinhala mobs went on a rampage after a Sinhalese man died in a traffic accident. The incident was reportedly used to fan communal passions.

Sirisena's government has come under fire for its inability to take timely action to curb the tensions.

Sinhalese Buddhists make up about 75% of Sri Lanka's 21 million population while Muslims are 10%.

Tensions between Muslim groups and the majority Sinhalese Buddhist community in the country have escalated since the end of the civil war in May 2009.Young and dynamic officers, not extra funds, is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's panacea for putting 115 backward districts of the country on the development path.



Inaugurating the National Legislators Conference at Parliament's Central Hall, Modi virtually ruled out any extra budgetary support for the backward districts but insisted on implementing the existing government schemes on a mission mode.

Modi said one of the key issues these backward districts face is the lack of young and dynamic officers.

"The average age of districts collectors is 27-30... but in case of backward districts 80% of collectors are over the age of 40 years and mostly have promotee officers from state civil services," he said.

He said postings to these 115 districts, too, is seen as a punishment in the officer ranks leading to demoralising of the cadre.

Modi said he was talking to chief ministers on posting fresh IAS officers to such districts to impart a new dynamism to implementation of government policies.

The two-day conference, organised at the initiative of Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, aims to provide a platform to MPs, MLAs and MLCs from across the country to share their experiences and learn from each other's success stories on developmental issues.

The prime minister urged the legislators, particularly from the 115 backward districts, to identify the shortcomings in implementation of the government schemes and make efforts to rectify them by ensuring public participation.

"Public participation always helps. Wherever officials have worked with people and involved them in the development process, the results are transformative," he said.

Niti Ayog, the government think tank, has been tasked to identify the most backward districts in the country and suggest an action plan to ensure their development.

Accordingly, NITI Ayog had identified 115 districts on the basis of indicators of education, health, nutrition, basic infrastructure, rural household electrification, and access to potable water and individual toilets.

Of these 115, 35 districts are affected by Left-wing extremism.

In November last year, NITI Ayog had appointed an additional secretary and a joint secretary-rank officer as "prabhari" (in-charge) of these districts to coordinate efforts taken by the Centre and the states to ensure their development.Abhishek Manu Singhvi, the Congress nominee for the forthcoming Rajya Sabha polls from West Bengal, today said there was an "anti-BJP space" in the state and he was happy to be nominated from here.



After an hour-long meeting with the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) members at the Assembly premises here, Singhvi told reporters that he was proud to be the party nominee for the March 23 Rajya Sabha polls from the state.

"The arithmetic, history and geography of this state show the presence of an anti-BJP political space here", he said.

Singhvi added that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) extended support to his candidature on the basis of its political stand, which was backed by time, event and issue-based decisions.

"I am very very thankful to the West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee for her support to my candidature", he said.

Banerjee had yesterday announced that her party would support Singhvi in the Rajya Sabha polls from the state.

Singhvi also thanked all the senior Congress leaders in the state, including West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) president Adhir Chowdhury, and hoped that they would keep on supporting him.

"I do not sense any opposition here, as in at our party-level", he said.

Singhvi said he was proud to be nominated from the land of Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, Ramakrishna, Rammohan Roy and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, Abdul Mannan, said even in the last Rajya Sabha election, the Mamata Banerjee-led party had extended support to the Congress' Pradip Bhattacharya, "but that did not prevent us from opposing the TMC at the state-level".

On the Left Front proposing to field a candidate against Singhvi, he said: "It is their democratic right to do so and I will not comment on it."

The Left Front had yesterday announced the name of senior CPI(M) leader Rabin Deb as its candidate for the Rajya Sabha polls from the state.On a day Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with French President Emannuel Macron, the Congress targeted the NDA government over the Rafale deal, claiming that it is turning out to be a "mother scam" and asked it to come clean.



Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan said the "high" price India had paid to France for the purchase of the fighter aircraft compared to prices paid by countries like Egypt and Qatar was not some "charity" and the Modi government should answer as to where the money had gone.

People are asking in whose pockets this money has gone, he told reporters.

Vadakkan said his party had been raising the issue for the last three days. But "not a word from the government or the BJP was heard in response. Not even a denial", he said.

The BJP had on Friday rejected the Congress' charge, saying it was spreading "lies and confusion" to mislead the nation.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said it is "irresponsible and anti-national" to allege corruption in the Euro 7.5 billion deal with France to supply the fighter jets.

"Where is the corruption? It is irresponsible and anti-national to make such allegations", he said speaking at a media event.

However, the Congress again raked up the issue on Saturday and likened the government's stand to a cat drinking milk with its eyes shut in the belief that nobody will watch it.

"The government, the defence ministry must come clean. What are they trying to hide," Vadakkan asked.

"You called the UPA corrupt.... If this is not corruption then what is. It is turning out to be a mother scam on which the NDA must come clean", he added.

"This was clearly an attempt to cover up an operation which started on last April 8 last when the foreign secretary had said that the prime minister was not going to France for the Rafale deal but it was later signed", Vadakkan charged.With the Congress attacking the Centre on the Rafale deal, Union minister Nitin Gadkari today said it is "irresponsible and anti-national" to allege corruption in the Euro 7.5 billion fighter aircraft contract with France.



His remarks came a day after the Congress accused the Narendra Modi government of "compromising" on national security and causing a loss of Rs 12,632 crore to the state exchequer on account of purchase of 36 Rafale jets under the inter-governmental deal.

"Where is the corruption? It is irresponsible and anti-national to make such allegations," the minister for shipping, ports, road transport and Ganga rejuvenation said at the India Today Conclave here.

Gadlkari asked if the country did not require a front line fighter plane such as the Rafale and took potshots at the previous Congress government questioning if the procurement of critical defence assets could be postponed for five-six years over fear of corruption.

Citing the annual report of Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the fighter aircraft, the Congress alleged that the company sold each jet to India at a price which was Rs 351 crore higher than those sold to Qatar and Egypt 11 months ago.

On the nearly Rs 13,000-crore Punjab National Bank fraud case involving Nirav Modi, Gadkari said the BJP has nothing to do with the gems and jewellery businessman and added that it was unfair to "bill" the blame on it.

"Who was in power when he was given loan?" the BJP leader countered, without naming the Congress or the UPA.

Gadkari said the NDA government will take appropriate action against people wanted by India and who are holed up abroad such as Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya.

However, he sought to underline that every NPA (non-performing asset) is not a scam or involves criminality, as businesses go through various cycles and have to be supported during the tougher times.

"There are two kinds of intentions, bonafide and malafide. We will act strong against malafide intentions," he said.

The government has helped save Rs 3 lakh crore in NPAs through 22 Cabinet decisions which helped revive stalled projects that helped companies engaged in road building and also the banks, Gadkari claimed.

On the logjam in Parliament, Gadkari alleged that it was due to the opposition's desire to hog the limelight, and therefore, no business got transacted in the two Houses.

The government, he said, is ready to conduct a debate on any issue, including the Rafale deal or the PNB fraud, he said, adding that only one debate can happen at a time.

Gadkari said the BJP's win in northeastern states such as Tripura signified the prevailing mood in the country about the NDA rule and exuded confidence that the alliance would return to power after the next general elections.

He said barring Gujarat, where the Congress has increased its seat tally, the principal opposition party has seen a steady decline in elections.

Gadkari claimed that his ministries alone have helped create 50 lakh jobs because of the works of over Rs 8.5 lakh crore that it has undertaken and referred to a IIT-Bombay study which has a ratio of job creation to the amount of money invested.

He, however, said that even though there has been progress on the job creation and skill development fronts by the government, the population continues to grow and the aspirations of the people are also growing faster which may make some people discontented.

Gadkari also expressed his reservation over driver-less cars, saying the government would rather protect the jobs of drivers.

On the Ganga rejuvenation front, he said the government will be awarding over 140 remaining projects by the end of this month, while conceding that only 47 projects have been awarded till now.

Admitting that the government has more work to do in the rural and agricultural sectors, Gadkari said specific measures are being taken on these fronts.A lady pilot was injured when a Chetak helicopter of the Indian Coast Guard had to make an emergency landing near the Nandgaon beach at Murud in the Raigad coast, nearly 200 kms from downtown Mumbai.



A total of four persons including two pilots were on board the chopper, CG-803, when the landing was necessitated because of technical issues.



The four onboard include Deputy Commandant Balwinder Singh, Assistant Commandant Penny Choudhary, Naviks - Sandeep and Baljeet.



Assistant Commandant Choudhary is currently admitted to INHS Asvini, the command hospital of the Indian Navy at Colaba in Mumbai.



The aircraft was on a routine surveillance sortie. "Preliminary report intimates that the crew experienced technical difficulties 25 minutes after the takeoff," an ICG spokesperson said.



Immediately after the incident, two Chetak helicopters and a Seaking helicopter of the Indian Navy and a Mi 17 of the Indian Air Force took off for the search and rescue mission. "The crew was lifted and taken to INHS Asvini," an Indian Navy spokesperson said.

ICG officials said that Deputy Commandant Singh not only managed to save the helicopter from total damage but also avoided landing in crowded areas and the sea. "All are alive because of their skill," an official said.AICC general secretary B K Hariprasad on Saturday said Tejraj Sharma, the man who stabbed Lokayukta P Vishwanatha Shetty, suffered from "the BJP mindset."

"Tejraj Sharma's mindset is like the BJP's. That's how much the BJP's mindset has spread and we should not let that come to Karnataka," Hariprasad, a Rajya Sabha member, told reporters.

Hariprasad took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his 'Seedha Rupaiya' remark against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. "The BJP cannot tolerate a backward classes leader from a remote village becoming the chief minister. That's why they make fun of his name," he said.

Referring to Union Minister Anantkumar Hegde's firebrand speeches, Hariprasad said BJP leaders were "offsprings" of Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse.

The Congress leader challenged Amit Shah for "an open debate" on the Gujarat model of development and the Karnataka model of development. The Congress-ruled Karnataka is "at least 100 years ahead" of states ruled by the BJP, Hariprasad said.

He also defended the induction of businessman Ashok Kheny and illegal mining scam accused Anand Singh into the Congress. "They haven't been given leadership positions. Besides, charges of corruption against them are pending in courts," he said.

Further, Hariprasad dismissed BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa's demand for Governor's rule in Karnataka. "Everybody knows how bad Karnataka's law-and-order situation was when Yeddyurappa was the chief minister."The BJP is understood to have decided not to rush through the process of finalising the candidates, even as it principal rival, the Congress, has formally started screening ticket aspirants.

Sources in the BJP said the district-level core committees comprising among others incharge state office-bearers and district BJP presidents recently submitted lists of probable candidates to the party leadership. The party is currently sifting through these names.

Of the 224 constituencies, names for about 150 seats have almost been finalised. For the remaining seats, the party is still in the process of holding consultations. Some of these constituencies have more than two aspirants. The party central leaders are holding talks with the local leaders of these constituencies in order to prevent rebellion, the sources said.

Unlike the Congress, the BJP does not encourage the aspirants to submit applications. The selection will be done within the organisation by way of consultation.

"However, names suggested by the district-level core committees are not final. BJP national president Amit Shah has commissioned a survey in this regard. The party leadership will compare the survey report with the names suggested by the panels, before zeroing in on the candidates. Hence, the state leaders, especially state unit president B S Yeddyurappa, will not have much say in this process," the sources said.

The sources said the party has decided to adopt a wait-and-watch strategy till the Congress announces its candidates. "We are closely monitoring developments in all constituencies. The Congress and the JD(S) are grappling with their own problems locally in many constituencies. The BJP will field appropriate candidates depending on the local situation," BJP sources said.

Meanwhile, a team of 54 BJP leaders, including many union ministers, arrived in the state on Saturday to assess poll-preparedness of the party. Each of these leaders has been assigned three to four Assembly constituencies. They will examine whether the local leaders have completed the task assigned by party president Amit Shah to them on strengthening the organisation.

These leaders will tour the constituencies assigned to them on Saturday and Sunday. They have been asked to submit a report to Shah by March 18, the sources said.Russia should get out of Donbas if it wants to pull Ukraine closer to itself  Volker

U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker has said that Moscow would like to see a pro-Russian government in Ukraine, but the younger generation of Ukrainians is completely lost to Russia, because they see it as an aggressor and occupier, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has reported.

According to the report, Volker said at the Brussels Forum on March 10 that Russia would like to see a pro-Russian government in Ukraine and restore what it considers to be a "normal situation." However, according to the U.S. diplomat, by invading Ukraine, annexing Crimea and continuing the occupation of its territories, the Russians produced the opposite and received a more unified, more nationalist, more Western-oriented and more anti-Russian Ukraine than has ever existed before.

According to him, this trend deepens every day, and the younger generation of Ukrainians is completely lost to Russia, because "they see them as aggressors, as occupiers."

"So if Russia wants to pursue its objectives of trying to influence Ukraine and pull Ukraine closer to Russia, it got to start by getting out of eastern Ukraine," Volker said.

According to the report, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze and Georgian President GiorgiOn the second leg of his statewide tour after forming his party 'Makkal Neethi Maiyyam,' actor Kamal Haasan today asked people to come together to bring about the 'much needed' change in society.



Addressing a large number of party workers and fans at Avanashi in nearby Tirupur district, he said it was not enough to bring in crowds for a meeting. One should come and work at the grassroots level to bring in the 'much needed' change in society, he said.



The actor-cum-politician is on a tour of Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode districts to meet people and workers. Earlier, Kamal Hassan paid homage at the Farmers memorial at nearby Perumanallurby by placing a wreath there.

The actor said he supported early implementation of the long pending Athikadavu-Avanashi Water project. He met those who were fighting for it's cause over the years. Earlier, talking to reporters at the city airport, Kamal Hassan said he had come to meet members of Fans Association and party workers.



"This is neither a public meeting nor a conference," he said. Haasan took the political plunge by launching the "Makkal Needhi Mayyam" at Madurai on February 21, saying his outfit was committed to politics free from "games of caste and religion" and would focus on good governance.



The top actor had also touched upon key issues concerning Tamil Nadu, including the Cauvery river water dispute, alleged corruption and vote for money. He had told his followers to realise that they have a big responsibility and they had to be pioneers.



Haasan had earlier visited former President A P J Abdul Kalam's residence at Rameswaram, where he sought blessings from the late leader's brother.The families of veteran Congress leaders Mallikarjuna Kharge and (late) N Dharam Singh, which wield significant clout in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region, are upset with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the induction of businessman Ashok Kheny into the party.

The ruling Congress has received much flak from various quarters, including from within, ever since Kheny was formally welcomed into the party last week. Kheny is the promoter of the controversial Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project. He represents Bidar South constituency, from where Dharam Singh's son-in-law Chandra Singh is a ticket aspirant, in the Assembly.

Singh's family has formally registered its protest against the "unilateral" decision to rope Kheny in. Singh's elder son and MLC Vijay Singh led a delegation to AICC general secretary incharge of Karnataka K C Venugopal to express their discontent.

The delegation strongly urged Venugopal not to give Kheny the party ticket in the upcoming polls. Apparently, Chandra has been nursing the Bidar South constituency and had worked closely with Singh when he contested the 2009 Lok Sabha polls. "We don't know why Kheny was brought in and we don't want to question the decision of the party leadership. But, we don't welcome the decision and we have stated our position," Vijay told DH.

According to sources, the Kharge family has supported the Singh family's stand. Kharge and Dharam Singh were close friends for five decades, the latter passed away last July.

"We have built the party's organisation in this region. This is a Congress stronghold. In this background, Kheny believes he is the right candidate, but he is unpopular. Whenever someone joins a party, it must be a positive development. In this case, it has backfired," Vijay said.

A joint legislature committee headed by Law Minister T B Jayachandra, in its 2016 report, found irregularities in the BMIC project and recommended action against Kheny. A Cabinet colleague of Siddaramaiah, who did not wish to be named, said there was serious disgruntlement within the party over Kheny's induction.

"How can anybody justify this? For Siddaramaiah, however, the decision was purely based on winnability," the minister said.In a shocking incident reflective of the sorry state of affairs of health services in Uttar Pradesh, the doctors at the government medical college in state's Jhansi town allegedly used the amputated leg of a man, who had been injured in a mishap, as a pillow and put it under his head.



The matter came to light when a video, showing the amputated leg under the head of the injured man, was aired by local TV networks who lay on a stretcher inside the casualty ward of the hospital.

The man, who was a cleaner in a school bus, was injured when the bus carrying children of a private school, turned turtle in a bid to avoid a collision with a tractor in Mauranipur area in Jhansi district on Saturday.

The cleaner was rushed to the Jhansi medical college hospital, where the doctors amputated his leg to prevent the infection from spreading, sources said.

The hospital officials, however, denied that the amputated leg had been used as a pillow but added that a probe had been ordered into the reports to this effect.

Conflicting claims were made by medical college hospital authorities in this regard. While some officials said that the leg was amputated at the hospital, some others said that the leg had been severed in the mishap and the family members had brought it to the hospital.

Chief medical superintendent of the hospital Dr Harischandra Arya said that a probe had been ordered into the matter.

There have been reports of sweepers and ward boys treating the patients and even performing minor surgeries in the district hospitals in UP.The Congress and the BJP candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls are likely to file their nominations on March 12, the last day for filing nomination papers.

The two national parties are yet to announce their candidates for the elections scheduled on March 23. The elections will be held for four seats. The ruling Congress can win three seats, while the BJP can win one. MLAs are the voters in the elections.

The JD(S), which does not have the required numbers to win, was, however, the first to enter the fray, with its candidate B M Farookh filing his nominations on Friday. The party is hoping that the Congress will extend support to it.

But Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is said to be against supporting the JD(S). He is learnt to have told the Congress high command that the party can easily win three seats. The party has a long list of aspirants, including Shivraj Patil, Meira Kumar, Rahman Khan, H Hanumantharayappa (deceased IAS officer D K Ravi's father-in-law), R Roshan Baig and Chenna Reddy. The BJP may field either Rajeev Chandrasekhar or Vijay Sankeshwar.

While the scrutiny of the nominations is on March 13, the last date for their withdrawal is March 15.

The election will be held between 9 am and 4 pm on March 23. The counting of votes will take place the same day at 5 pm.Key leaders of Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC), including its chairman Prof M Kodandaram, were arrested on Saturday and security was beefed up at vantage points across the city to prevent the gathering of people for the "Spirit of Million March".



The city police had refused permission for the event, which was meant to commemorate the historic 'Million March' of 2011 on the Tank Bund at the height of the Telangana statehood movement.



The city of Hyderabad turned into a virtual fortress with the deployment of a large posse of the police force to thwart the rally. Barricades were erected on either side of the Tank Bund and traffic between Hyderabad and Secunderabad has been diverted.



On this day seven years ago, pro-Telangana activists from all walks of life, under the umbrella of TJAC, had participated in the "Million March" which was seen as a milestone in the statehood agitation. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), now in power in the new state, was part of the rally. However, in the changed political dynamics, TRS founder president and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao finds himself at loggerheads with the TJAC leaders.



A new party on the anvil

TJAC chief Kodandaram, a retired professor of political science from Osmania University and a widely respected Telangana ideologue, is gearing up to float a political party to take on the TRS. The TRS government is facing flak for its crackdown on TJAC activists and denying permission for the "Spirit of Million March", which is being supported by Left parties and various social organisations.



A large number of policemen were deployed outside Kodandaram's residence in Tarnaka area. He was taken into custody when he stepped out to proceed towards Tank Bund. Hundreds of activists were detained across the city.



"The state government should realise that it cannot suppress the aspirations of Telangana citizens through arrests and illegal detentions," Kodandaram said before he was arrested. "On one hand, Chief Minister wants to stage a dharna in Delhi for upholding federal spirit and democracy but he unleashes repression on the people of his own state here and imposes curbs on their democratic rights to protest. Is this not hypocrisy?" Kodandaram questioned.



The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and its French counterpart, the Centre national d'etudes spatiales (CNES) will work together to send rovers to the Moon, Mars and other planets.



India and France on Saturday came out with the Joint Vision for Space Cooperation after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.



The ISRO and CNES will work together on autonomous navigation of rovers in the Moon, Mars and other planets and on aero-braking technologies for planetary exploration.



They also agreed to work together for modelling of atmospheres of Mars and Venus and for inflatable systems for exploring Venus.



Both sides will be able to embark on complex, high-technology space science and planetary exploration missions in future.



The Joint Vision for Space Cooperation was issued after the Modi-Macron meet at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.



The CNES is likely to provide support to ISRO particularly for the navigation of moon rovers.



The modelling of Mars and Venus atmospheres will be done with support from Laboratoire de meteorologic dynamique of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique of France.



The CNES may be involved in the defining scientific goals and preparatory studies of the future planetary missions of ISRO, and both agencies will study the possibility of embarking French science instruments on board Indian interplanetary missions, the two governments agreed on Saturday.



They also agreed that the ISRO and CNES will work together to protect and monitor the assets of the two nations in land and sea, especially when it comes to the use of satellites for maritime surveillance.



The agencies also agreed to cooperate to protect their respective space-based assets, by sharing infrastructure and information regarding space events.



India and France will also develop a wider dialogue on space situational awareness.



They agreed to cooperate in the remote-sensing of Earth using satellites, including the joint development of advanced instruments and joint missions to study weather and climate and in the sharing of data, including the direct receptions from each other's Earth observation missions meant for Meteorology, Oceanography, Resource inventory and Cartography.



The two countries will also share their expertise in data analysis, including algorithm development and modelling, to derive useful information for the benefit of humanity, according to the joint vision for India-France space cooperation issued on Saturday.

Udupi police, led by Police Superintendent Lakshman Nimbargi, arrested five accused in connection with the murder of history-sheeter Naveen D'Souza.



Nimbargi said that the reason behind the murder was some money that was lent by D'Souza to the main accused, history-sheeter Kishen Hedge, who owns a hotel in Pune. D'Souza had reportedly threatened Hegde for not returning Rs 4 lakh. Fearing the worst, Hegde, lured four others and hatched a conspiracy to kill D'Souza.

All the five accused had been on the run until the police caught one of the accused, Mahesh Ganiga at Bappanadu on March 8. D'Souza was stabbed on the night of February 28 by four men who arrived in a car when the victim was about to leave on his bike after visiting a bar. He also had two men along with him as pillion riders. The car, which was being driven at a high speed, grazed past the motorbike thus pushing the three riders off the vehicle. There were five men in the car including the driver. Of the five, four came out with a sword and attacked D'Souza. Meanwhile, D'Souza's friends ran inside the bar for protection.

The other accused include Ramesh Poojary who worked as a collector in a private bus, Mohanchandra Shetty who worked as a labourer in a hotel and Nagaraj Poojary. Except for Nagaraj Poojary, all others have had criminal cases lodged against them.The Supreme Court has stayed a Karnataka High Court order that restrained any "precipitative" action against real estate developers by the BBMP, even though there was specific direction by the National Green Tribunal that no building plan and occupancy certificate can be issued within the buffer zones around lakes in Bengaluru.



A bench of Justices Adarsh Kumar Goel and R F Nariman allowed a plea made by K S Ravi against the interim relief granted by the high court on January 10 to SJR Prime Corporation Ltd and others. SJR Prime Corporation is said to have violated the buffer zone limit while establishing a 529-unit highrise residential complex near Kaikondarahalli Lake.

The court also directed no third party rights can be created in the matter, meaning thereby the flat buyers cannot claim any equity in future on the basis of action undertaken either by them or by the colonisers.

Senior advocate Meenakshi Arora, along with advocate Ram Prasad, representing city resident Ravi, contended that the high court's order was "legally unsustainable" and had serious repercussion as it had made the pending proceedings before the NGT, New Delhi in the case of 'NGO Forward Foundation' nugatory.

"It was a gross abuse of the process of law as the respondents made a clever attempt by filing a writ petition before the high court to frustrate the proceedings before the NGT," the counsel submitted.

The high court had admitted the petition by the real estate developers for consideration. It had ordered, "no precipitative action be taken against the petitioner without the specific leave (permission) of this court".

The NGT's principal bench had on May 4, 2016, directed buffer zone and green belt of 75 metres in case of lakes, 50 metres for primary, 35 metres for secondary and 25 metres for tertiary 'Rajakaluves' has to be maintained.

After hearing the counsel, the top court on Friday issued a notice to the real estate developers and suspended the high court's order.

A bench of Justices Nariman and Navin Sinha had on February 19 stayed a similar order passed by the high court on a writ petition filed by K N Mohan and others.

The high court had then restrained the BBMP from taking any action against the project proponent establishing a commercial complex around Kaikondarahalli Lake.The BBMP on Saturday signed a partnership agreement with a French company to set up a waste-to-energy plant at Chikkanagamangala near Anekal.



The MoU was signed at the Indo-French Economic Summit held here on the occasion of French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India.

BBMP commissioner N Manjunath Prasad and 3WAYSTE SAS CEO Robert R Filipp signed the agreement. Mayor R Sampath Raj was present.

The plant will be set up by 3WAYSTE SAS at the Chikkanagamangala solid waste disposal site and will process 500 tonnes of waste and generate 10 MW of power. The project may be commissioned in seven months.

The company has taken the plant area for power generation for a lease of 30 years.Deadly, hazardous and toxic, untreated bio-medical waste could trap us in all in a twister of nightmarish infections. Isn't this reason enough to bring every healthcare setup in the city under a stringent regulatory system with the utmost urgency? Not so, if a damning report based by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is any indication.



First, what do the rules say: The Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016 (BMW Rules) mandate every Health Care Establishment (HCE) generating BMW to take all steps to ensure that such waste is handled without any adverse effect on the human health and environment.

Glaring lacuna

The infectious wastes are required to be collected, transported, treated and disposed of strictly in accordance with the BMW rules. The CAG report found a glaring lacuna in the enforcement of this rule by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB): "KSPCB does not have details of the mode of treatment and disposal of BMW of 3,473 HCEs in the state. Disposal of a significant portion of the BMW using unscientific methods cannot be ruled out."

The implication is clear: A disturbing number of hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres are clearly guilty of not segregating the hazardous waste. Used syringes, contaminated swabs, expired drugs and even body parts are being mixed with municipal waste. Contamination of soil and water bodies is a real danger, a readymade recipe for an outbreak of deadly diseases.

Common facilities

The bio-medical waste collected is treated at the city's Common Bio-Medical Waste Treatment Facilities (CBMWTF). But the Pollution Board has been charged with not doing enough to monitor them. Studies have indicated that the efficiency of these facilities are low since they use outdated technologies. Their incineration facilities and emission control levels have also come under question.

An estimated 25 tons of BMW are generated by the healthcare units in Bengaluru every day. But how much of this ends up at the city's two CBMWTFs? This is not clear. Top KSPCB officials have themselves found during random checks that a majority of hospitals do not fully comply with the mandated BMW segregation.

But the Board has been found to be lax in cracking down on the violating hospitals. Waste management experts, environmentalists and concerned citizen activists are asking why the pollution watchdog is not closing down such facilities.

Deliberate mixing

Healthcare establishments have been repeatedly found mixing medical and general waste. Preferring anonymity, pourakarmikas confirm that they do find the hospital waste in huge quantities at the landfills and solid waste treatment centres.

Segregation of BMW is a continuous process, and this can be done efficiently only when there is continuous training. This has been found lacking even in big hospitals, notes Wilma Rodrigues from Saahas Zero Waste, a social enterprise. "This reiteration of training has to be taken right down to the cleaning person. Lab assistants too need to be vigilant about BMW," she notes.

Guilty clinics

Wilma also draws attention to the smaller clinics that hardly follow the BMW rules. "A lot of them don't even know that such rules exist. There is no segregation. Nor do they hand over biomedical waste to the right agencies. This violation is even worse with dental clinics where a lot of BMW is generated. Has KSPCB randomly visited such clinics?" she wonders.

At a prominent private hospital in Indiranagar, proper segregation of BMW and transportation to a common treatment facility is currently on. A visit to the hospital confirmed this. But the entire process was streamlined only a year ago.

An insider, who did not want to be named, reveals that before a newly trained officer took charge, the entire medical waste generated in the hospital was mixed with municipal waste and carted away to the landfills. Awareness was low and inspections too were rare.

No segregation

In Dasarahalli, at the BBMP Maternity Hospital, syringes, swabs and other waste were found dumped in a huge dustbin. However, there was no sign of any segregation. A hospital staffer explained the segregation would happen outside the health facility at a nearby BBMP garbage facility. But rules mandate that this process should be completed within the hospital by trained staff.

Segregated or not, once the biomedical waste leaves a health facility, does the entire load reach the CBMWTF? Narendra Babu, a solid waste management specialist and equipment supplier, notes that the BMW finds its way to the municipal waste dump yards enroute. This, he alleges, is in collusion with the Palike and the garbage mafia.

Environmental hazard

From an environmental perspective, the unregulated dumping of BMW with municipal waste can be disastrous. "We find tons of biomedical waste in a lot a quarries where garbage is dumped. This is particularly common in Anjanapura, Kengeri, Bommasandra and other areas. Besides being extraordinarily hazardous, BMW is highly pathogenic too. Infected body parts are coming out of hospitals. Infections can spread very fast since awareness on public health is so low," notes Leo Saldanha from the Environment Support Group (ESG).

The high rate of morbidity among the BBMP pourakarmikas, who are in direct contact with BMW -mixed garbage, is a clear indication of the hazards. "They are the most exposed," as Saldanha puts it. Conversations with pourakarmikas in early morning pickup vans in HAL area confirms that they do get hospital waste bags filled with used syringes, swabs and more.

Landfills to water sources

A recent study by ESG is another proof of how the hazardous waste finds their way to landfills. Finding fault with the treatment plant at Mavallipura, the study reveals that heavy metals are being released by the landfills into the water sources. Notes the report: "This is quite uncharacteristic of municipal garbage, indicating thereby the strong possibility that these landfills have been receiving hazardous wastes as well." This observation says it all.

(With inputs from Darshan Devaiah B P & Madhuri Rao)Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman will meet with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini on March 12, the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has reported.

According to the report, Groysman and Mogherini will hold a briefing as part of the meeting.

On March 12, Mogherini will also meet with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. During the meeting, the sides will discuss security in Donbas and prospects for the deployment of a UN peacekeeping force. In addition, the parties will coordinate their positions regarding the non-recognition of illegal Russian presidential elections in the temporarily occupied territories of Crimea and Sevastopol.

Earlier, the press office of the EU Delegation to Ukraine reported that Mogherini would meet with Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin and Minister for Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons Vadym Chernysh.

In addition, the High Representative will meet with Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan, the Chief Monitor of the OSCE's Special Monitoring Mission, Martin Sajdik, the OSCE's Special Representative to the Trilateral Contact Group, and Alain Aeschlimann, Head of the Mission to Ukraine of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to address the situation on the ground and the implementation of the Minsk agreements.

While in Kyiv, the High Representative will also speak to students at the Taras Shevchenko University, meet with representatives of civil society organizations, and with members of staff of the European Union's Advisory Mission and the EU Delegation to Ukraine.India and France on Saturday agreed to step up cooperation in the Indian Ocean and inked a new deal to open up their military bases for each other's armed forces - ostensibly to counter China's growing clout.



A meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Saturday was followed by an exchange of 14 pacts. Modi and Macron also agreed on a "Joint Strategic Vision of India-France Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region" and an "India-France Joint Vision for Space Cooperation".

They also agreed that Indian and French warships and submarines will hold the next edition of the bilateral naval exercise, Varuna, in the Indian Ocean later this year - a move, which is likely to raise China's hackles. The drill this year will focus on submarine and anti-submarine warfare as well as combating maritime terrorism. They agreed to expand the ambit of the exercise, which was initiated in 1983, to enhance interoperability between the two navies.

Modi and Macron agreed that India and France would be open to inviting "strategic partner countries in the region" to participate in Indo-French military exercises.

The India-France joint strategic vision on the Indian Ocean region stressed on the need to establish an open, inclusive and transparent cooperation architecture. It also called upon all states to respect international laws.

"Both of us believe that in future, the Indian Ocean region will play a very important role in the happiness, progress and prosperity of the world," Modi said, as he and Macron addressed reporters. "A strong part of our security and the world's stability is at stake in the Indian Ocean," said Macron, adding, "The Indian Ocean, like the Pacific Ocean, cannot become a place of hegemony."Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu was on Saturday given the additional charge of the Civil Aviation Ministry, two days after TDP's Ashok Gajapati Raju quit the post.



"The President, as advised by the prime minister, has directed that Suresh Prabhu, Cabinet minister, shall be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, in addition to his existing portfolio," a Rashtrapati Bhawan communique said here.With the apex court on February 16 asking the Centre to set up a scheme to implement its order on allocation of Cauvery water among riparian states within six weeks, the Centre is studying two models - Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and the Narmada Control Authority (NCA).



All the Cauvery basin states are suggesting the Centre to allow the respective states to maintain physical assets such as dams and that the scheme should only monitor the release of water from upper riparian states to lower riparian states. The Union Ministry of Water Resources will prepare a structure of the scheme after taking the views from the states, Ministry Secretary U P Singh told DH.

The BBMB is engaged in regulation of water and power supply from the Bhakra Nangal and Beas projects to Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Chandigarh. The NCA is a body with representatives from Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and the Centre.

Both the models are slightly different from each other. The BBMB has taken over the assets such as reservoirs whereas, under the NCA model, the assets continue to be with the respective state governments, but the responsibility of regulation, release and supervision is with the NCA, Singh said.

The Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal had, in the 2007 award, recommended setting up a Cauvery Management Board (CMB) with a chairman, who would be an officer of the chief engineer's rank (with 20 years of experience). The tribunal had said there would be two members (chief engineers with 15 years of experience each) - one from the agriculture department and the other from the water resources department - and a board secretary.

They would be full-time members, the tribunal had said and recommended two part-time engineers from the central government, of the rank of chief engineer, and a commissioner. The four states would also have representations through part-time members, it had recommended.

"After taking the views from the states, the Centre will prepare a draft of the scheme and place it before the meeting of the chief ministers of basin states for final approval, he said, adding that the chief ministers' meeting would be convened after the ministry finalises the draft.

The Supreme Court had, on February 16, increased the 270 tmcft share of Cauvery water for Karnataka by 14.75 tmcft and reduced Tamil Nadu's share, while compensating the latter by allowing extraction of 10 tmcft groundwater from the river basin, saying the issue of drinking water had to be placed on a "higher pedestal".

By virtue of the apex court verdict, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry would be annually entitled to 404.25 tmcft, 284.75 tmcft, 30 tmcft and 7 tmcft of Cauvery water respectively out of a total of 740 tmcft.Country

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Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of ZimbabweA group of hackers who committed a cyberattack on German government servers has stolen a record of talks on Britain's exit from the EU and documents on the EU's negotiations with Belarus and Ukraine, according to German weekly news magazine Der Spiegel.

According to the report, six files were stolen as a result of the attack. It notes that German special services detected the attack before the theft of documents on negotiations with Belarus and Ukraine.

Earlier this month, German Interior Ministry spokesman Johannes Dimroth said that a cyberattack on German government servers had been thwarted immediately after it was detected.

At the same time, he declined to say whether the Russian authorities were behind the attack. Dimroth said that the German authorities were trying to find out how information about the cyberattack had leaked in the media.French President Emmanuel Macron, in India on a four-day visit, said today that New Delhi is a strategic partner of France in South Asia and "we want to be your (partner) in Europe." Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron in New Delhi on 10 march 2018 Addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi after their meeting, Macron said that stability in the Indian Ocean is important for the stability of the region. Modi, who spoke before President Macron, said "In defence, we welcome investments in Make in India from France". The two countries have signed 14 agreements today. "India and France have decided to work together to deal with threats of terrorism and radicalisation," said Macron. "Defence cooperation between the two countries now has a new significance." Modi, speaking in Hindi as usual, said, "India and France have always had good ties with African nations, which gives us another opportunity to come closer. "For the future of planet earth, we are committed to the international solar alliance. I am sure you (Macron) will experience the wisdom of India in Varanasi. In the next two days, President Macron and I will continue to discuss various ideas and issues." Macron is scheduled to visit Modi's constituency Varanasi. Both leaders will take a boat ride on the Ganga, which will include a private lunch. They will also visit Mirzapur to inaugurate a 100 MW solar power plant. President Macron and his wife will also visit the Taj Mahal. Modi said that India and France have taken a big leap forward in ties. "Be it land, water, air, or space, our cooperation and ties bind us together in all," he said. ''Our ties when it comes to defence cooperation are deep. There are many war drills conducted between the armies of our two nations. "In the future, Indian Ocean will play a crucial role in peace and stability, whether it is about environment or freedom of navigation," said the Indian Prime Minister. "This is why we are implementing a joint strategic vision for the Indian Ocean today," he said. "The most important are our people-to-people ties," he added. Macron said, "Stability in the Indian Ocean is very important for the stability of the entire region, and we are with India for freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific." Later, Modi tweeted, ''Held important talks with President @EmmanuelMacron. We discussed several areas of India-France cooperation, particularly in defence, security, trade and people-to-people ties.'' As PM Modi and President Macron met, the French presidency said in a statement that French and Indian companies today signed contracts worth 13 billion ($16 billion). Macron, 40, began his official engagements this morning, when he was given a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi. "Our aim is to begin a new era in ties between our two countries. For France, India is our priority and has always been. India has been France's first ally in the region. It is the entry point for France in the region, and my aim is to make France the entry point for India to Europe," Macron said. He later visited Rajghat. President Macron met foreign minister Sushma Swaraj this morning. "They exchanged views on enhancing strategic partnership in trade and investment, defence and security, culture, education and people-to-people ties," tweeted foreign ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar. The French President arrived in Delhi on Friday accompanied by his wife Brigitte Marie-Claude Macron, businessmen and top officials. Prime Minister Modi received Macron at the airport and greeted him with his trademark hug. Modi and President Macron will co-chair the founding conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), on Sunday. The ISA is a flagship Indian initiative launched by Modi and the French president on the sidelines of the Paris climate conference in 2015. This meeting assumes extra significance in the light of the United States under President Trump pulling out of the Paris accord. India and France have pledged to achieve reduction in emissions as committed in Paris. The last visit of a French President to India was in January 2016, when President Francois Hollande was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. Modi had visited France in June last year, immediately after Macron was elected president.







Meeting with Japanese Economy Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Minister Anh stressed that Vietnam highly values the leading role of Japan, especially Minister Motegi, in the promotion and negotiation of the CPTPP, which is of a high quality as a binding agreement but still has the necessary flexibilities to suit the development level of each member country.

Vietnam thanks Japan and the minister for their effective support in persuading other CPTPP members to give certain flexibility to Vietnam in such issues as labour  trade unions and intellectual property, helping to comprehensively finish the negotiations on this deal in Tokyo last January, he noted.

The two ministers hailed the success of the CPTPP in general and the CPTPP signing in particular, expressing their belief that it will be a new-generation free trade agreement with superior and comprehensive standards and serve as a foundation to shape new relations in Asia-Pacific for the future.

The Vietnamese side affirmed the resolve to work with Japan and other members to swiftly bring this agreement into force so as to actualise the benefits that the deal will bring to the businesses and people of participating nations.

The two sides shared the view that the CPTPP signing by the 11 countries will be an important turning point and create a prerequisite for member nations to begin ratifying and enforcing the deal soon.

Vietnam also asked Japan to hastily implement the necessary technical assistance to help it fully enact the commitments in the CPTPP.

At the meeting with Chilean Foreign Minister Heraldo Munoz, Minister Tran Tuan Anh said Vietnam welcomes and highly appreciates Chiles organisation of the CPTPP signing ceremony.

Minister Tran Tuan Anh (left) and Chilean Foreign Minister Heraldo Munoz (Credit: VOV)

He affirmed that Vietnam will join efforts with Chile and other member countries to bring the trade deal into force as quickly as possible, in order to realise the benefits brought from the pact to enterprises and the people of participating nations.

FM Heraldo Munoz stressed that Chile also agrees with Vietnams viewpoint on the benefits that the agreement will bring about, affirming that his country will make efforts to conduct the necessary procedures for the deal to be ratified soon.

Regarding bilateral ties, the two sides spoke highly of positive outcomes in trade reached over the recent past, especially after the Vietnam  Chile free trade agreement (FTA) took effect.

They agreed to enhance the dissemination of the details of the FTA among the two countries business communities via trade promotion events, conferences, and seminars.Please DOUX follow us

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has been on the web since 2004 and features thousands of episode reviews of the best classic and current television shows as well as many book and movie reviewsOn March 8, 2018, US President Donald Trump signed off on a decision to apply measures restricting the imports of steel and aluminium under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, in the form of increasing import levies. Accordingly, a number of steel and aluminium products imported to the US will be subject to a 25% tariff and a 10% tariff, respectively. The decision takes effect 15 days after the date on which it was signed.

The MOIT continued to affirm its stance that steel and aluminium imports from Vietnam do not provide direct competition for US manufacturers.

The volume of steel and aluminium imports from Vietnam only accounts for a negligible share of the USs total steel and aluminium import volume, so it cannot be a threat or a cause of damages to the steel and aluminium production industry of the US, the ministry said.

It stated that the newly issued policy would directly impact US consumers and the US industries that use steel and aluminium products as input materials for their production.

On the basis of the efforts to accelerate comprehensive partnership between the two countries over the past few years, the MOIT asked the US Government consider an exclusion for Vietnam-originated steel and aluminium imports to fall outside the application scope of restriction measures, as these products do not affect the US goal of ensuring national security.

The MOIT will continue to closely follow developments in the case and consider all subsequent measures to protect the legitimate interests of businesses and promote the finely growing comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the US.In addition to the prospects for promoting exports to the other members, the CPTPP trade deal will help Vietnam to accelerate its institutional reform and create a more attractive and open investment and business environment.

Caution and expectation

Without the US, many enterprises remain cautious in assessing the prospects available from the CPTPP. General Secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) Truong Dinh Hoe said that the US absence reduces the benefits for the fisheries sector compared to the TPP. However, there are many opportunities for domestic fisheries as the CPTPP countries have imported nearly US$2 billion of Vietnamese seafood annually, equivalent to 23% of the total export turnover of the sector.

According to Chairman of the Board of Directors of Seavina Joint Stock Company Ngo Quang Truong, enterprises that have exported a lot of products to the US, such as Seavina, would not receive as many benefits as per the TPP agreement. However, currently the company is enhancing its exports to new markets, including Australia. Therefore, the CPTPP will certainly help it to promote growth in exporting its seafood to this country.

With weak finance, technology and equipment, Vietnamese enterprises have poor competitiveness. Therefore, in order to develop and seek opportunities in new markets, they should pay greater attention to enhancing their investment in machines, equipment and workshops, as well as improving their management and the quality of human resources.

Le Tien Truong, General Director of the Vietnam Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) cum Vice chairman of Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (Vitas), previously shared that the Vietnamese textile and garment sector was highly dependent on the US as it was the main export market. Despite the countrys absence from the CPTPP, new markets, such as Canada and Australia, are predicted as potential future markets with strong growth in the near future.

In addition to these opportunities, Vietnam will have to open the door for products and services from the other partners, creating more fierce competitions for domestic enterprises.

New playground for long-term benefits

According to a new World Bank report, announced on March 9, multilateral trade agreements such as the CPTPP will help to boost Vietnams growth driven model based on investment and exports. All income groups in Vietnam are expected to benefit from this new trade deal, although highly-skilled workers may reap more benefits. Furthermore, the anticipated increase in foreign direct investment is expected to lead to a further expansion of the services sector and boost productivity growth. It will create opportunities for private domestic firms to integrate into global value chains and promote the development of small and medium-sized businesses.

Sebastian Eckardt, the World Banks chief economist for Vietnam, said that it will directly benefit Vietnam, from trade liberalisation and improved market access. Most importantly, the CPTTP would accelerate domestic reform in many areas, such as intellectual property, labour standards, and the rules of origin. Delivering the commitments under the CPTPP will promote transparency and the creation of modern institutions in Vietnam.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, despite being without the US, the CPTPP has the potential to bring specific benefits to all of its members, opening a new playing field with a market size accounting for 13.5% of the global GDP and including 500 million people. Vietnam joined the pact from the beginning, so the country will have more advantages in protecting its benefits.

In addition to commercial values and tax rate reductions, the CPTPP will contribute to changes in economic institutions in order to meet the requirements for international economic integration. The agreement will also create favourbale conditions for domestic producers to develop and expand their markets.

Dr. Tran Toan Thang, Head of the World Economy Department under the National Centre for Socio-Economic Information and Forecast, noted that the benefits for Vietnam from the CPTPP without the US will be lower than the previous TPP. However, Vietnamese enterprises can take advantage of the markets across the Pacific including Canada, Mexico, Chile and Peru, which have not yet signed bilateral trade agreements with Vietnam. In addition, the commitments moved from the TPP to the CPTPP are almost unchanged, which will put pressure on institutional reform in Vietnam.

The largest member is now Japan, which has a good relationship with Vietnam, while other countries such as Canada and Chile are more developed economies. The regulatory framework and issues mentioned in the CPTPP are considered as a new paradigm, and the agreements in the CPTPP are also valid beyond the framework of the 11 members; therefore it is considered as an international agreement model.

Many experts have also stated that the CPTPP members expect the US to join the pact again in the next couple of years. It is also forecast that the number of its members will increase as the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines have expressed their willingness to join, which would significantly increase the economic benefits for the parties involved, even greater than the original TPP agreement.Blog Archive June 2021 (1) May 2021 (77) April 2021 (77) March 2021 (82) February 2021 (68) January 2021 (64) December 2020 (67) November 2020 (66) October 2020 (66) September 2020 (67) August 2020 (74) July 2020 (83) June 2020 (92) May 2020 (86) April 2020 (104) March 2020 (105) February 2020 (74) January 2020 (75) December 2019 (75) November 2019 (70) October 2019 (89) September 2019 (69) August 2019 (81) July 2019 (77) June 2019 (73) May 2019 (110) April 2019 (110) March 2019 (102) February 2019 (85) January 2019 (123) December 2018 (116) November 2018 (112) October 2018 (121) September 2018 (107) August 2018 (150) July 2018 (163) June 2018 (190) May 2018 (145) April 2018 (112) March 2018 (124) February 2018 (113) January 2018 (164) December 2017 (150) November 2017 (144) October 2017 (169) September 2017 (171) August 2017 (135) July 2017 (131) June 2017 (147) May 2017 (160) April 2017 (138) March 2017 (156) February 2017 (143) January 2017 (203) December 2016 (208) November 2016 (185) October 2016 (173) September 2016 (194) August 2016 (232) July 2016 (225) June 2016 (238) May 2016 (231) April 2016 (215) March 2016 (246) February 2016 (226) January 2016 (252) December 2015 (230) November 2015 (250) October 2015 (234) September 2015 (222) August 2015 (253) July 2015 (275) June 2015 (279) May 2015 (223) April 2015 (226) March 2015 (243) February 2015 (258) January 2015 (281) December 2014 (292) November 2014 (296) October 2014 (413) September 2014 (472) August 2014 (506) July 2014 (483) June 2014 (488) May 2014 (512) April 2014 (497) March 2014 (531) February 2014 (482) January 2014 (535) December 2013 (482) November 2013 (441) October 2013 (416) September 2013 (491) August 2013 (521) July 2013 (491) June 2013 (470) May 2013 (457) April 2013 (426) March 2013 (420) February 2013 (414) January 2013 (489) December 2012 (433) November 2012 (504) October 2012 (469) September 2012 (430) August 2012 (427) July 2012 (360) June 2012 (336) May 2012 (362) April 2012 (322) March 2012 (263) February 2012 (224) January 2012 (291) December 2011 (295) November 2011 (325) October 2011 (330) September 2011 (319) August 2011 (333) July 2011 (318) June 2011 (387) May 2011 (373) April 2011 (389) March 2011 (375) February 2011 (335) January 2011 (400) December 2010 (445) November 2010 (395) October 2010 (312) September 2010 (262) August 2010 (277) July 2010 (323) June 2010 (386) May 2010 (360) April 2010 (333) March 2010 (351) February 2010 (336) January 2010 (384) December 2009 (353) November 2009 (300) October 2009 (308) September 2009 (350) August 2009 (298) July 2009 (255) June 2009 (203) May 2009 (193) April 2009 (186) March 2009 (197) February 2009 (173) January 2009 (148) December 2008 (181) November 2008 (197) October 2008 (236) September 2008 (304) August 2008 (314) July 2008 (273) June 2008 (27) May 2008 (1) April 2008 (6) October 2007 (1) May 2007 (1) April 2007 (6) March 2007 (2) February 2007 (1) October 2006 (1) September 2006 (1) August 2006 (4) July 2006 (4) June 2006 (1) July 2005 (1) May 2005 (2) March 2005 (1) June 2004 (2) May 2004 (1) April 2004 (4) March 2004 (2) February 2004 (2) July 2003 (2) June 2003 (5)Over the past 10 years, the festival in Hanoi has attracted 190,000 participants and collected 60,300 blood units, contributing to ensuring blood treatments immediately after the Lunar New Year.

This years festival takes place from March 3-11. Its official days run from March 9-11 at the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion.

From March 3-7, the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, in collaboration with several other agencies, arranged 17 donation collection points, receiving over 3,400 blood units.

Standing member of the National Assembly's Committee for Social Affairs Luu Binh Nhuong is donating his blood.

This is the sixth time Hoang Thi Minh from Ung Hoa district, Hanoi, has joined the blood donation. She said she was delighted to help needy patients.

Blood units are classified carefully.

The blood units will be provided to 120 hospitals in 16 northern provinces and cities.Considered to be the Ten Best UFO Photos Ever Taken I am sure that we could add more pictures to this list but these are considered ten o...To build the largest and most complete Amateur Radio community site on the Internet - a "portal" that hams think of as the first place to go for information, to exchange ideas, and be part of whats happening with ham radio on the Internet. eHam.net provides recognition and enjoyment to the people who use, contribute, and build the site. This project involves a management team of volunteers who each take a topic of interest and manage it with passion. The site will stand above all other ham radio sites by employing the latest technology and professional design/programming standards, developed by a team of community programmers who contribute their skills to the effort. The site will be something of which everyone involved can be proud to say they were a part. We welcome your comments. The eHam.net Team, Revision 07/2020.The RoK has become Vietnams most important partner, ranking first in foreign direct investment and second in trade, ODA and tourism while Vietnam is the RoKs fourth largest trade partner and more and more Vietnamese are working and living in the East Asian nation, the President told FM Kang, who is on an official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

President Quang praised the Miracle on the Han River and congratulated the RoK on its recent socio-economic development and the success of the Pyeongchange Winter Olympics 2018 hosted by the country.

He suggested the two countries further increase bilateral cooperation, adding that Vietnam looks forward to the RoKs enhanced support in technology, and sustainable development.

He hoped the RoK facilitates Vietnamese agro-forestry and seafood products to enter the Korean market, fosters two-way trade and continues providing Vietnam with ODA.

The President stressed Vietnam welcomes the RoKs new Look South policy for peace, cooperation and development, and wanted the two countries to step up coordination in regional and international issues of mutual interest as well as support at regional and international forums.

Vietnam welcomes and is ready to greet RoK President Moon Jae-ins State visit to Vietnam, he said.

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, for her part, thanked President Quang for his hospitality. She informed the President on outcomes of her talks with Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh during which the two sides reviewed progress of the two nations bilateral ties and discussed schedules on President Moons upcoming visit to Vietnam.

The RoK expects President Moons visit will create impetus for the two countries ties to harvest more practical results in cooperation fields, she noted.________________________

Best in the State

Washington Post's

The Fix, 2011, 2009

Best in Pittsburgh Region

PoliticsPA, 2011

"[W]idely cited as one of the oldest and most-read political blogs in the city"

Pittsburgh City Paper, 2007

________________________The editor-in-chief, Thuan Huu, said that over the past 67 years, Nhan Dan has seen remarkable developments to become a multimedia organisation with print and online editions as well as a television channel.

The online versions are available in Vietnamese, English, Chinese, French and Russian while a Spanish edition is also in the work.

The media organisations leader stated that the publications are undergoing renovations in both design and content in order to provide comprehensive coverage and attract more readers.

In a visit to the newspaper headquarters earlier this week, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc praised Nhan Dan as a pioneer in realising the commitment of a disciplined, action-oriented, creative and effective government.

Nhan Dan has a network of correspondents in all of 63 provinces and centrally-governed cities as well as in five countries: China, France, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.

On this occasion, Nhan Dans editorial board decided to award orders of merit to 23 reporters and editors for their substantial contributions to the newspaper.It is a sad day for the team behind Home Town after producer Brandon Davis has died. Erin Napier announced this via social media.

The Napier duo, Erin and Ben, hosts Home Town, a highly entertaining show focusing on house renovations in the community. On Thursday, she revealed Davis, also a videographer, passed away but did not elaborate.

"Today our hearts are broken in downtown Laurel after suddenly losing our friend, colleague and #HGTVHomeTown crew member Brandon Davis," Erin wrote.

In her message, she gave fans a glimpse of how close the Home Town team was in real life. The lengthy post continued to celebrate his works and talent that could beautifully tell wonderful stories. Erin further hailed him and his contributions in Home Town.

To showcase Davis's talent, Erin uploaded a video from Black Horn Productions, the company in which he worked for. The video showed the Laurel Mercantile and which underlined the importance of the folks in the community.

"I know Camp Home Town will miss him sorely," she said.

'Home Town' Family

Erin and Ben's Home Town is well on its second season, and the newest addition to the family was baby Helen, who came in January. Even with the bundle of joy, fans won't be seeing her much, as the mother said they plan to keep her life "normal."

Fans should not be worried too much, as Helen would make short appearances every now and then, just to give a little boost to the creative souls. While Erin and Ben are focused on giving new life to the homes in their community, their main priority would be the little girl.

The HGTV series started in 2016 and has since enjoyed an increase in ratings. Apart from renovating and giving a little oomph to the structures at the Laurel, Mississippi town, Erin and Ben had been known to occasionally share in their show some secrets to their relationship.

If by chance their story had somehow helped other couples who are struggling, then Erin said Home Town could prove to be an important vehicle.

Success

With Chip and Joanna Gaines' Fixer Upper gone in HGTV, Home Town proved to becoming an entertaining way to witness such beautiful home transformations in their Mississippi town. So much so that its season 3 has already been sealed, as announced in February.

The couple became popular for their masterpieces in their hometown, with Erin incorporating her artistic background in designing and Ben with his amazing woodwork.The event was jointly held by the National Steering Committee for Overcoming the Consequences of Chemical and Explosive Remnants of War (701 Steering Committee), the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The project will be carried out in the two provinces of Quang Binh and Binh Dinh from now until December, 2020.

In her speech, Minister at the RoK Embassy in Vietnam Lee Myion said that the RoK government has committed US$20 million in grant aid to the project via the KOICA, with a commitment to making real changes in the lives of many people in the central region.

Lieutenant General Le Hien Van, deputy head of the Standing Office of the 701 Steering Committee, spoke highly of the collaboration between KOICA, UNDP and the Vietnam National Mine Action Centre over the past few years.

He also called for more support from the international community for Vietnam to overcome the consequences of the war, a noble and humanitarian objective.

Prolonged wars have left 6.13 million hectares of land in Vietnam contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnances (UXOs), accounting for 18.82% of the countrys total land area. Over 100,000 people have died or been injured due to UXOs.

The land of Quang Binh and Binh Dinh provinces are severely contaminated with UXOs and the number of victims is increasing with limited preventive measures. The contaminated land in Binh Dinh accounts for over 40% of its total land area and UXO-caused approximately 3,000 casualties, whilst the respective figures in Quang Binh are roughly 28% and nearly 6,000 people.Months before they exchange vows, it is announced that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will be having an American and English hops mix as wedding beer.

Preparations are in order and details about the upcoming wedding on May 19 at the Windsor Castle are slowly trickling out. The most recent of which is the wedding beer Harry & Meghan Windsor Knot, which was aptly named after the royal couple.

The drink is by Windsor & Eton Brewery, a pub a few blocks away from the wedding venue. The beer is crafted from barley harvested from Queen Elizabeth's farm as well as champagne yeast and English and American hops.

"We use a special blend of British hops called Invicta in recognition of Prince Harry's role in creating the Invictus Games, combined with some great American West Coast hops," Paddy Johnson, brewer, said.

The beer was also inspired with the couple's love journey, highlighted by the Invictus Games last year, where the paparazzi caught a glimpse of Prince Harry and Markle together with her mom, Doria Ragland.

Context

One of the owners of the pub, Willie Calvert, said the beer was to help provide a background of Markle and Prince Harry's journey. The bottle is decorated with a red label that shows the flags of the United Kingdom and the United States into a circle, celebrating the "modern" union of the Brit and the American.

The pale ale will be available on March 28, ahead of Prince Harry and Markle's royal wedding. It will be a limited edition and will be sold at the Royal Farm Shop and other pubs.

It can be remembered that the brewery also crafted a wedding beer for Kate Middleton and Prince William's wedding in 2011, but Calvert revealed that it had become a hit that they continued making the drink.

"We called it Windsor Knot, which is a bit of a pun really as the Windsor Knot is a way of wearing a tie, but it also reflected the royal Windsor family tying the knot," Calvert shared.

He plans to send the soon-to-be newlyweds the samples of the beer, and hopes it would reach Prince Harry and Markle. He did the same with Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge back then, and fortunately, some of it reached them.

Now that another royal wedding is set to happen, it is only fitting to make another one in honor of Prince Harry and Markle. People will get to enjoy the beverage during the May 19 celebration until 1 a.m., as the curfew 11 p.m. was extended to give leeway on the celebration of the royal wedding.New details on the arrest of Heather Locklear emerge alleging that Chris Heisser attempted to endanger her life prior to the actress' arrest on Feb. 25.

In a warrant issued by the Ventura County police department, Locklear said that her boyfriend, Heisser, tried to kill her by choking prior to the authorities making the arrest.

Heisser denied the allegations, and the arresting officers observed that Heather did not have any bruising at the time of the incident.

The 56-year-old actress, who is known as Sammy Jo Carrington in the TV series Dynasty, was charged with one count of domestic violence and three counts of misdemeanor and battery against a police officer.

He Says, She Says

Ventura County deputy sheriff reported that at the time of the arrest, Locklear was seen lying her back on the bed with feet on the ground. Heisser was standing next to the bed while holding her wrists. The police have observed that Heisser's nose bridge was bleeding apparently due to an altercation with Locklear.

Heisser, on the one hand, alleged that Locklear attacked him multiple times as she was going "crazy, angry and wild." He then changed his story upon the police interview, saying that he was fine and did not want his girlfriend to get into trouble.

Locklear's claims were supported by her account of a fight with Heisser because apparently, the latter lied to her. He has since denied the choking allegations, adding that he did not touch Locklear as per stated in the report.

One of the police officers offered to provide Locklear medical attention, but the lady went in rage and forced the authorities to leave the house.

"Get the f**k off my property. Don't ever come on it. All of you are not allowed. I will shoot you if you come on my property and take that as a threat and f**king put another count against me," threatened Locklear.

Getting Help

Locklear's daughter, Ava, told investigators that her mother has drinking problems. The police also discovered a .38 Smith and Wesson revolver under the respondent's name.

At the time of Locklear's arrest, she was subsequently brought to a hospital for treatment. She then filed a $20,000 bail and was released the next day. It was reported that Locklear is currently getting help in a treatment facility to counter her years of substance abuse.

Meanwhile, Heisser was arrested for drunk driving in California. He was released after citation and is scheduled for a court appearance on April 26.Courtney Love stepped out Thursday night to attend the Other Peoples Children launch event in Los Angeles and support daughter, Frances Bean Cobain, who has her painting on display at the art showcase.

Painting

The mother-daughter spent time together at the event, which debuted art and design of emerging artists, including Cobain's. The 25-year-old daughter of the late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain has one of her art on display at the event.

Cobain's painting, which she previewed on her Instagram page a couple of days ago, is a colorful representation of that time when she "accidentally drank Ayahuasca with a Cult in Encino." The seemingly bedazzled art shows a tiny figure of a woman with long hair surrounded by glittering colors of red, purple, yellow, and green.

"I'm glad she came out. It's really nice of her to support me," Cobain said of her mother attending the launch to support her and see the works of the other artists.

Cobain's painting is inspired by a tattoo that Love got while she was pregnant with her daughter. The American visual artist explained the meaning behind her art in an interview at the event.

"It's supposed to be her interpretation of what she thinks I'm going to look like when I was in her stomach, and it's horrible, terrifying," she said. The small angel-like character in the left corner of the painting is said to represent Cobain's reimagination of herself as a baby in her mother's womb.

"I tried to reimagine it from the perspective of imagining what I think she thought I would have looked like in the womb. It's a weird train of thought, but I tried to think from her perspective," Cobain explained.

Art Passion

Talking about her passion for drawing and painting, the Bard College student recalled her first foray into art in eighth grade when she became an emo kid. She would doodle on her desk and one of her favorite characters to draw was Milo, the mascot from The Descendents. That was when she realized her interest in creating fantastical images.

"I've always felt more comfortable in fantasy. Fantasy has felt more real to me at times," Cobain revealed.

The launch of Cobain's painting comes weeks after she revealed to her social media followers that it has been two years since she was sober. Cobain expressed her goal to live a healthier lifestyle to promote emotional stability. The model struggled with addiction in the past, although she did not specify what addiction she struggled with.Is something akin to SmootHawley (and the retaliations it provoked) on the cards?

United States (US) President Donald Trumps announcement on 1 March to impose a 25% import tariff on steel and a 10% import tariff on aluminium, both on grounds of national security, has been widely expected to provoke a trade war. As we go to press, this is yet to break out, but without sounding alarmist, one needs to add that a trade war between the worlds major economies would lead to a significant contraction of world trade. In turn, this could result in deep recession in the world economy, which would, no doubt, exacerbate the already tense geopolitical strains. Indeed, riding high on his nationalistic America First tirade, Trump seems to be bent on generating such a denouement. Ranting against unnamed countries that had destroyed the aluminium and steel industries of the US, he went on to justify the big import tariff impositions: When it comes to a time when our country cant make aluminium and steel, then you almost dont have much of a country.

The announcement of the import tariffs came at a meeting with a group of top executives of the US aluminium and steel industries, suggesting that domestic steel and aluminium prices and profits were the prime considerations in arriving at the decision. What impact the import tariff impositions would have on the costs of production of the automotive, aerospace, construction, machinery, and many other steel and/or aluminium-based industries, and, in turn, on their international competitiveness, did not seem to matter. On 6 March, Gary Cohn, Trumps chief economic adviser and head of the National Economic Council, who had spearheaded the earlier massive corporation and income tax cuts, resigned. A former top Goldman Sachs executive, Cohn reportedly sided with Trumps national security team, H R McMaster, Rex Tillerson, and Jim Mattis, US National Security Advisor, Secretary of State, and Defense Secretary respectively, who opposed the import tariffs on the plea that such an imposition would alienate Washingtons main security alliesGermany, France, Japan, Canada, and South Korea.InterGrain WA marketing territory manager Kynan Jackson (left) dressed as English botanist Joseph Banks who was the inspiration behind newly-named barley variety Banks. Mr Jackson is pictured with InterGrain barley breeder David Moody at the Grains Research and Development Corporation's Research Updates, Perth, last week, where Banks was given its official title.

A NEW high-yielding barley variety suited to southern parts of the WA grainbelt has officially passed stage one of the malting accreditation process, after being given its official title in Perth last week.

Barley Australia gave InterGrain variety Banks its first tick of approval on Thursday, confirming it had passed the initial stage of the evaluation process through the Malting and Brewing Industry Barley Technical Committee (MBIBTC).

High-yielding spring barley variety RGT Planet also succeeded in passing stage one of the assessment after undergoing a small trial in Victoria last year.

Both Banks and RGT Planet will go through stage two of the trial process this season, before a final recommendation is made by Barley Australia in March 2019.

It comes after Banks  formerly known as IGB1305  was given its formal name at the Grains Research and Development Corporations (GRDC) Research Updates, Perth, last week.

Named after English botanist Joseph Banks  who travelled with Captain James Cook to Australia in the 18th century  Banks is a long season, mid-to-late maturing variety with broad adaption suited to areas throughout southern Australia in the medium to high rainfall zones.

Intergrain WA marketing territory manager Kynan Jackson said Banks was a good option for growers in the Albany, Esperance and south Kwinana port zones, that had the potential to be a premium export malt variety.

Its a mid-long semi-dwarf variety with good powdery mildew resistance and good physical grain properties, Mr Jackson said.

It has good stable yield performance and another key feature is its high diastatic power, suitable for the Chinese export malt market.

Mr Jackson said Banks had good head retention, high test weight and low straw volume, making it suitable for no-till farming systems.

The variety is rated moderately resistant to powdery mildew, and has relatively low levels of black point.

After three years within the GRDCs National Variety Trials (NVT), he said results had been promising.

Its going to be competing with Bass, Flinders, Planet and Granger, Mr Jackson said.

From the Bass side of things it provides far better mildew resistance and is higher yielding.

Because weve now launched the name, its visible on the NVT app and I encourage growers to have a look at that to look at regions the variety is appropriate.

Limited commercial Banks barley crops will be planted this year, while seed is bulked up for general release in 2019.The last item offered, this CLAAS 750TT header (2738 engine hours and 1959 rotor hours), was offered without a front and was knocked down at $140,000. It is pictured with the new owners, Stuart and Emily Slade, Mt Barker.

THE action came at the end of the clearing sale at Kojonup last week.

Held by Landmark on behalf of Giovi Ltd, Hyfield, the estimated crowd of 1200 people saw the last six units of the sale gross just under a million dollars.

The sale toppers included two tractors which went at $180,000 and $178,000 respectively, two big seeding rigs ($140,000 and $132,000) and two headers ($140,000 and $97,500).

A total of 437 lots were catalogued with 517 registered buyers, attracted by the detailed advertising of the offering of extensive quality plant and equipment and sheep handling and associated gear.

After just over five hours of continuous selling, Landmark auctioneer Steve Wright  assisted by Terry Norrish Landmarks  said it was one of the largest clearing sale he had ever auctioned.

What helped was the quality offering for genuine sale, he said.

Potential buyers came from throughout the Wheatbelt, with Eastern States interests operating through phone hook-ups, along with one physical buyer from Tasmania.

The first tractor offered was a CLAAS 630 model (2294 hours) with loader bucket, hay forks and pallet forks which went for $62,500 when knocked down to a Cranbrook bidder.

Then a CLAAS 620 (2222hrs), also with loader bucket along with hay and pallet forks, attracted competition before going to a Bremer Bay buyer at $72,500.

The top price of the sale came with the next unit, a CLAAS 930 (2882hrs) with duals, Rear Trimble Auto Steer and Rangepoint subscription, with Steve Wright finally knocking it down to an undisclosed buyer from Williams at $180,000.

This was followed by yet another CLAAS tractor, a 950 model (3843hrs), also on duals and Rear Trimble Auto Steer and Rangepoint Subscription.

This finally went to a Tambellup buyer at $178,000.

The last tractor in the line-up was a John Deere 9420 on triples (7031hrs), with JD auto steer SF2.

This sold locally for $90,000.

Two big seeding units attracted plenty of bidding.

The first was a 17,000 litre Simplicity air seeder linked to a 42 tine N series DBS bar, which went to an Ongerup bidder at $132,000.

The other unit, a 48 tine S series DBS, was sold to a Northam buyer for $140,000, while a Norrish 5-in-1 bin went at $26,000.

Seven items of harvesting equipment brought this amazing clearing sale to a close.

First up, two Phillips false fronts sold at $8000 and $9000, respectively, then two Tecfarm Smartcart 30s sold at $40,000 (Williams buyer) and $45,000 (Popanyinning).

The first of the two CLAAS headers, a 580R (3845 eng. hrs, 2828 rotor hrs), with 12.2 metre (40 foot) D60 MacDon front, was initially passed-in but later negotiated at $97,500.

A MacDon D60 12.2m front which had been damaged and is to be repaired, was offered and sold at $26,000 and then followed the final item of the sale.

It was a CLAAS 750 TT Terra Trac header (2738 engine hours and 1959 rotor hrs).

It was offered without a front and was knocked down at $140,000 to a young couple  Stuart and Emily Slade, who totally crop their farm north of Mt Barker.

Sheep handling and associated gear that sold, included a Hecton sheep handler (sold at $3000); a Hecton loading race ($3400); a near-new Prattley Auto Handler ($17,000); two Aussie Xpress TPW wool presses ($14,000 and $15,000, respectively); two steel roller wool tables ($550 each) and four shearing heads and a grinder ($1600).

With the property until recently the home of the Hyfield Poll Merino stud, a good number of lots being offered related to the stud, including dismantled ram pens on pallets, with values ranging between $1000 and $1600.

When it came to the larger sheep items offered, prior to the larger machinery items, competition was widespread and very strong for the well-maintained and presented items.

Winning bids were achieved on a Harrington VE machine ($8000); an almost new mobile Proway sheep handler ($22,000); an older set of McDougall transportable sheep yards ($6500); a more recent galvanised set ($21,500); a Hi-Way Express hay and grain mobile feeder ($75000; an old yellow mobile type ($2500); a Birds tandem axle round feeder in very good condition ($7500) and six Birds round silo-type feeders ($2500-$3400).

A total of 14 Advantage lick feeders sold from between $1600 and $1900 while an Advantage lick feeder trailer made $1200.

Stock trailers also attracted interest with a large tandem type making $6500 and another more recent model making $7000.

But the big interest was in the Evertrans 13.6m (45ft) tri-axle tipper with two deck sheep crates, which was knocked down at $52,000 to a well known Woodanilling Merino and Poll Merino stud.

Other types of trailers offered saw two 3.5 tonne fuel trailers in the line-up - an older one with fire-fighting equipment made $10,000 and a Universal model was knocked down at $16,500.

A 15,000 litre Flexi-N tank went at $12,500 with two 10,000L capacity models going at $7500 and $6000 respectively.

Other higher-priced items included a three metre (10ft) Vaderstad Rapid 300C pasture disc seeder ($30,000); a A400 Dresser grader ($27,000); a Riteway RR 900 rock picker ($25,000); a Scannell five bale feeder ($20,000) and a JCB telehandler and attachments ($16,000).

There were some big grain augers lined up, including a Farm King 851 ($7500); a Farm King 846 ($11,500) and a Pederick 50 x 10 ($23,500).

The line-up of farm utes  all but two being Toyota Landcruisers  were offered by age and kilometres on the clock.

The four more recent units sold between $31,000 and $47,000 (a 2014 V8 model, 123,000km).

The previous model offered, a 2013 V8 (103,480km) sold at $46,000 to a buyer who had come from Tasmania to attend the sale.

Field bins included a 45 tonne Sherwell ($8500) and a 45t Pederick ($15,000), while two Grain King 85t capacity chaser bins sold at $51,000 and $60,000 respectively.

A 25t Trufab bin with fire-fighter unit sold at $31,000, an AMAZONE 4000L 3PL hydraulic-drive spreader was knocked down at $19,500 and a Transpread 8t hydraulic-drive spreader went at $23,000.

On the spraying side, a 2009 model John Deere 4830 self-propelled boomsprayer (4815hrs) with 3000 litre tank and 30m (100ft) boom went to an Arthur River concern at $106,000.

Trailers and trucks were snapped up including a tri-axle tipper ($16,000); two dolleys ($6000 and $7000); two semi-trailers ($34,000 and $36,000); a 1996 model Isuzu fire truck (97,392km, $35,000); a 1998 Volvo FH 12 240 prime mover ($31,000); a Volvo 2005 model FM 12 460 eight-wheeler with bin ($74,000) and a 2002 Mercedes 2653 prime mover ($35,000).

About 300 sundry lots were on offer, including workshop equipment, a massive amount of CLAAS and MacDon spares, unused fencing materials, gates and strainer posts, a large assortment of chemicals and bags of seed and many other sundry items one would expect in a sale of this magnitude.

Also among the sundries were two quantities of large round rolls of oaten hay with 77 rolls from the Hyfield property selling for $77.50 a roll and 139 rolls from the Crossburn property going at $82.50 a roll.Figures from Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) released on Tuesday, show sheep producers received an estimated 35 per cent pay rise, on the back of 6pc rise in saleyard prices for lamb and a lucrative 15pc spike in wool prices.

The hero of sheep farmers pay rise is wools significant growth in prices.

In 2017-18 the Australian Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) wool price was forecast to average 1630 cents a kilogram.

This marks the highest annual price since the 1989-90 average of 1955c/kg (in todays dollar value) but would not be a record in real terms.

Wool price is forecast to continue rising but remain below record levels, with this years rise 16 per cent below the 1947c/kg average of the 1970s-1980s, and 38pc below the 2612c/kg average in 1987-88 (in 2017-18 dollars).

The five-year outlook forecasts wool production to reach 456,000 tonnes by 2022-23, while wool exports are projected to increase to $5.1 billion, driven by sustained demand for superfine wool.

On the meat side, strong demand in major export markets, particularly China, will continue to drive restockers and processors battle for supply and influence a further rise in lamb prices to average 625c a kilogram and 440c/kg for sheep this financial year.

In the future, lamb prices are projected to decline to average 576c/kg and saleyard sheep prices to average 426c/kg by 2022-23.

Farmers move to capitalise on the current historic high prices of lamb, combined with dry seasonal conditions, slowed the national flock rebuild that has stagnated at an estimated 70.5 million head.

The five-year outlook, forecasts sheep numbers to reach 75 million head but 2022-23, at about 1pc per year.

The value of Australian sheepmeat exports is estimated to rise 12pc to hit $3 billion, reflecting the higher unit values and a 7pc increase in export volume to 419,000 tonnes (shipped weight).

Ongoing flock expansion is anticipated to influence a 20pc rise in sheepmeat exports from 430,000t in 2018-19 to 514,000t in 2022-23.

Australias three biggest export markets for sheepmeat  United States, Middle East and China  account for 65pc of trade.

With lamb accounting for about two-thirds of the countrys sheepmeat exports, the value of the nations sheepmeat exports is expected to hit $3.5b in 2022-23.

Strong wool prices are expected to influence sheep prices, which are forecast to remain at historic highs.BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese lawmakers, political advisors and the general public have voiced firm support for the draft revision to the country's Constitution, which is under deliberation and discussion at the ongoing national legislative and political advisory sessions.

They agreed that the anticipated revision accords with the times, the demands of the country's development and the aspirations of both the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the people.

"The revision is right on time," said Zheng Changzhong, a political science professor at Fudan University, noting that he agreed with the draft. "It is a historic move and is inevitable."

Adding Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into the Constitution as a guiding theory of the country is in line with the underlying logic of the development of the political system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, he said.

Zhang Si'en, a farmer from central China's Henan Province, has been paying close attention to media coverage on the draft revision since it was submitted to the first session of 13th National People's Congress (NPC) for deliberation on Monday.

"As a farmer who has started my own business, I'm quite impressed by the improving legal and business environment in past years," Zhang said. "Revising the Constitution to make it align with our country's development is in the fundamental interest of us commoners."

The draft amendment is scheduled to be put to vote on March 11. If adopted, it will be the Constitution's first amendment in 14 years.

NPC deputy Wang Hongxiang hailed the revision as "a milestone for advancing law-based governance in the new era."

"Improving the Chinese socialist system of laws, at the heart of which is the Constitution, is a prerequisite for law-based governance in every dimension," said Wang.

Gao Jie, a political advisor at the ongoing session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), was impressed by the planned revisions concerning the Party's leadership, the Chinese President's term of office, granting more cities legislative power, and the patriotic united front.

"These anticipated revisions are a top-down plan that will ensure the Party and the country's sound governance and lasting security," Gao said.

For Hu Hong, an undergraduate in law at Huazhong Agricultural University, the constitutional revision gave him a weighty sense of mission.

"Advancing law-based governance is a long and arduous historic task. The amendment makes young people like me keenly aware of our glorious mission and heavy responsibility," Hu said.

Zhao Yanquan, another NPC deputy and a navy officer, said, "All military officers and soldiers should take the lead in observing and safeguarding the Constitution and make efforts to strengthen the role of rule of law in enhancing national defense and military capabilities."

The People's Republic of China enacted its first Constitution in 1954. The current Constitution was adopted in 1982 and amended in 1988, 1993, 1999 and 2004.Elizabeth Hurley has appealed for information after her nephew was brutally attacked in London on Thursday (08.03.18).

Elizabeth Hurley

The 'Royals' actress took to Twitter to confirm that model Miles Hurley, 21, was repeatedly stabbed in South West London after it was reported that he was injured following an altercation with a stranger.

Elizabeth, 48, tweeted: "My 21 year old nephew was repeatedly stabbed in a brutal attack in London on Thursday night.

"The police & hospital are being fantastic. Thank you for all your messages. It is an appalling time for him & our family. The police will be appealing for witnesses (sic)."

A source told The Sun: "His family feared the worst. Fortunately it seems the knife missed his vital organs."

Miles' mother is Elizabeth's older sister Kate Curran, 54, and Elizabeth rushed back to London from a promotional tour in the US to be with her family following the incident.

PEOPLE reports that another man was found at the scene with knife wounds and both are now in hospital, where "their conditions are described as not life-threatening or life-changing," according to police.

A source added: "They are believed to have been attacked by a group of males who got out of a vehicle and assaulted them before fleeing the scene."

Miles, who has worked with Roberto Cavalli and Dolce & Gabbana, has previously spoken about his close relationship with his aunt, saying: "I'm really close to my aunt and she's very supportive of everything I do. The best advice she has given me is just to enjoy myself, work hard and be nice to everybody."Ryan Coogler has praised his "big sister" Ava DuVernay for "making the impossible look easy".

Ryan Coogler

Following the release of Ava's 'A Wrinkle In Time', 'Black Panther' director Ryan wrote an eloquent open letter to the filmmaker, in which he praised her work ethic and her ability to inspire her cast and crew.

He wrote on espn.com: "Ava DuVernay is someone who makes the impossible look easy. It's why I feel privileged to call her my big sister. I met her in 2013, but she's one of those people who you feel like you've always known.

"I watched closely from across the hall at Disney while working on 'Black Panther' as my big sister inspired her crew with love and navigated the challenges of studio filmmaking, adapting a book that many people called unfilmable into a movie that explodes with hope, with love and with women warriors. But above all, it's a film about a little black girl with glasses - like my mom, like my wife, like my big sister Ava - who refuses to accept that her dad is lost. The main character in the film, Meg, uses her love, her hope and her kickass skills as a scientist to bring him back, and maybe she saves the universe along the way."

Ryan also revealed that Ava lost her father while making '13th' for Netflix and he paid tribute to her for "weathering that loss".

He said: "Ava is the past, present and future. She is all of these things, but sometimes I forget she is human. I was reminded of this a couple of years back, when I got the heartbreaking news that she had lost her father. I almost lost my father, and it nearly broke me in half. Ava, the warrior, weathered that loss while making "13th" to show everyone with a Netflix subscription that American slavery never ended -- it had only morphed."Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release

SubCategory Select Sub-CategoryVancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 9, 2018) - One World Lithium Inc. (CSE:OWLI) (the "Company") reports as a result of a review by the British Columbia Securities Commission (the "BCSC"), the Company is issuing the following news release to clarify and retract its disclosure.

Certain economic statements regarding the Company's Mogollon Project referred to in the Company's Investment Summary Presentation dated January 2018 (the "Summary") and the Company's Mogollon Presentation dated April 2017, each of which were posted to the Company's website, in addition to other economic references included in the Company's website disclosure are not supported by a current technical report disclosing a preliminary economic assessment that is compliant in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"). Such statements are retracted by the Company and should not be relied upon. The Company confirms that the Mogollon Project is an early stage property without a Mineral Resource, and as such, cannot support a preliminary economic assessment. The Company intends to prepare and file a current technical report on the Mogollon Project to reflect its early stage of exploration and to recommend a suitable work program to advance the property in the near future.

In addition, certain statements regarding costs of a proposed pilot plant on the Company's Salar del Diablo Project referred to on page 11 of the Summary in addition to other economic references included in the Company's website disclosure were not the result of a mining study and are retracted and should not be relied upon. The Company confirms that the Salar del Diablo Project is an early stage property without a Mineral Resource. To date, the Company has only conducted a sampling program on the Salar del Diablo Project, the results of which were disclosed in a news release dated and posted on SEDAR on March 10, 2017.

The Company retracts all non-compliant disclosures referenced above, and has amended its website and corporate presentations to remove such disclosure.

John E. Hiner, SME Registered Member and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release.

For further information please visit the Company's web site at www.oneworldlithium.com or email info@oneworldlithium.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Douglas Fulcher"

Douglas Fulcher, CEO and President.SANTA MONICA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 10, 2018 / According to Neil Shekhter, founder, and CEO of Santa Monica-based NMS Properties, apartment hunters these days look for digital database listings and search engines that specialize in rental properties. There are many different options to select from and millions of apartment listings. Most all of them have IOS and Android apps that apply.

Here's an alphabetical listing of 20 websites:

Abodo.com

Visuals are used for searching apartments by price and room size, including non-negotiable features such as whether the location is pet-friendly or has air-conditioning. Sort by popularity and other relative aspects particular to that apartment.

Apartmentguide.com

If you're interested in floor-plans and photos of the place, here's where you want to go. Get a full 360-degree visual video and photo tour of many of the listings. Large management companies provide these listings.

Apartments.com

A great search engine that uses comprehensive filters to find out exact pricing and type of apartment features. Some examples are such things as whether they cater to military families, permit restricted income tenants or provide a nice pad for students.

Coldwellbanker.com

This website is probably used by upper-end renters more than others and offers single-family luxury-type homes mostly. There are special filters that can find 'Smart Homes.' Great for those who are moving into a new city.

Craigslist.com

There are a few duplicate listings and users need to be careful they don't run into any scams. You can deal with small landlords and homeowners directly before running into the ideal place you're looking for.

ForRent.com

A website that provides a lot of information about all types of apartments. A floor plan of the place, photo gallery and video is usually available for review. The company will move your belongings for free. Included is a rent calculator.

Homefinder.com

Locations and details of the houses are listed in a very simple style on this not-so-sophisticated website which lets the user see all the cities and available housing properties for free across the U.S.

Homes.com

A site that's geared specifically with a cordial database for rental listings and whether its a retirement home, short term housing residence and student off-campus housing. Every listing offers state test performance data.

Hotpads.com

A company that was acquired by Zillow in 2012. A site that offers in-depth search engine information regarding rentals across the United States. No filters are provided at this site for neighborhoods.

New York Times Real Estate

All you do is type in the neighborhood you want and price range. Attention to details of the housing market is the focus at this site. Surprisingly there's no Andoid app.

PadMapper.com

Newly designed website that also includes information from other websites such as Airbnb, ForRent, and PadLister. Rent per bedroom is easy to find if you want to share an apartment with two or more friends.

Realtor.com

A fast and able to personalize the search type of website. Price comparison with area homes, including the statistics on type of schools, restaurants, shops and grocery stores in the area are all presented in an easy-to-digest format.

Rent.com

You can save money at this site. By listing your home's size you may be able to get free moving estimates here. Tours on this site of the potential homes are always available, including the inside of the place and a map view of the available spots for rent.

RentCafe.com

The only listings available are those that can be obtained directly from the property managers. If you're a renter, there's the possibility for applying in real-time for finding cheap apartments online.

RentHop.com

Filters such as 'Has Floorplan' to 'Common Outdoor Space' are used on this site. 'HopScore,' provides an assessment of how good each listing is. You can use 'Price Comparison.' The Android app is only available to brokers and landlords.

RentJungle.com

A website that will enable you to find out whether you're receiving a good deal or not. It uses a graphics Geo-map that can make the difference between dwellings that are single and multiple occupancy. Military families can easily find housing at this site.

Sublet.com

This site has been around since 1999 and is all about sublets, but smaller landlords also offer rentals here. If you are looking for a room or a whole apartment you can find it here. An international site, although there are no apps for it.

Trulia

A easy interface search engine site that's owned by Zillow since 2005. They also offer CrimeReports.com, EveryBlock.com, and SpotCrime.com. This helps users get specific information regarding local schools, amenities, and commute times.

Zillow

This is a company that was founded in 2006. As one of the most looked at sites online fo real estate research, it provides data for 110 million homes. All you need to do is type in the neighborhood's zip code, and the Zestimate tool will estimate rental and purchase price.

Zumper.com

A company that will give you market reports and apartment hunters can learn about city landmarks and the daily weather in that location. You can find a breakdown of several neighborhoods and listings that may interest you.

Launching NMS Properties in 1988, Neil Shekhter assumed the role of CEO in January 1995. The real estate management company focuses on multi-family and mixed-use properties in the Greater Los Angeles area and in Santa Monica. At present, NMS properties manage more than 70 properties.

Over the course of 2017, NMS deployed 40 furnished units in Los Angeles, and Neil Shekhter plans to triple that number in 2018. The company currently manages some of its properties while testing a pilot with MY SUITE.

Neil Shekhter - Founder and CEO of NMS Properties

Apartments For Rent In Los Angeles NMS Residential: http://www.nmsresidential.com

NMS Properties - Real Estate Management Firm: http://www.nmsproperties.com

Contact Information: info@NeilShekhter.com

SOURCE: NMS Properties, Inc.Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met the press Thursday morning on the sidelines of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress.

Wang briefs journalists from home and abroad on China's foreign policies and answer questions on a wide range of diplomatic issues.

China-LAC cooperation does not target anyone

The cooperation between China and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) does not target or seeks to replace anyone, Wang Yi said.

"China will not move anyone's 'cheese,'" Wang said on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress. "China and LAC are helping and supporting each other as fellow developing countries."

Wang hopes nations behind Indo-Pacific Strategy will honor their promise

China hopes that the four countries involved in the Indo-Pacific Strategy will honor their pledge that the strategy targets no one, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

Wang made the remarks when asked to comment on the strategy that involves the United States, Japan, India and Australia, and whether he believes it aims to contain China or offset the Belt and Road Initiative.

"Contrary to the claims made by some academics and media outlets that the Indo-Pacific Strategy aims to contain China, the four countries official position is that it targets no one," Wang said. "I hope they mean what they say and their action will match their rhetoric."

Stoking a new "Cold War" is past its time, Wang said, adding that there is no market for forming little blocs and inciting confrontation.

Wang seeks stronger China-EU relations

Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that he hopes the China-EU relations will be as strong at the end of the year as they were at the start of the year.

"China and EU share the responsibility to safeguard the global free trade system and negotiation needs to be speeded up to conclude a China-EU investment agreement," he said.

"There are some disagreements between China and the EU, but both sides have realized the need to put themselves in the each other's shoes and to be more open, tolerant and understanding of one another," he said.

Adhering to one-China principle in other countries interest

It is a correct choice and an "overriding and unstoppable" trend for countries to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan and establish relations with the government of the People's Republic of China, the sole legal representative of the whole China.

The move also conforms to the long-term interests of those countries and their people, Wang added.

"There is only one China in the world. Taiwan is an inseparable part of China. This has been the consensus of the international community for decades. Adhering to the one-China principle and not having official ties with Taiwan has become a generally observed norm in international relations," the foreign minister said.

"The key to unlocking the cross-straits stalemate lies in recognizing the 1992 Consensus and acknowledging that the two sides of the Taiwan Straits belong to one and the same China," Wang said urging the Taiwan authorities to return to the consensus as soon as possible.

Chinese FM calls for mutual trust with India

Foreign Minister Wang Yi called mutual trust "an issue that needs to be addressed urgently" between China and India.

"With political trust, not even the Himalayas can stop us from friendly exchanges. Without it, not even level land can bring us together," Wang said.

When China and India, the two largest developing countries in the world, each with a population of more than 1 billion, become modernized,the two countries must do everything to empathize with and support each other, he said.

Chinese and Indian leaders have developed a strategic vision for the future bilateral ties, which is the Chinese "dragon" and the Indian "elephant" must not fight but dance with each other, he said.

Stressing that shared understanding between the two countries far outstrips difference and common interests far outweigh frictions, Wang said China is willing and ready to carry on traditional friendship.

He said he hopes the two sides will replace suspicion with trust, manage differences through dialogue and build a future through cooperation.

Inciting bloc confrontation will find no market

Wang Yi said Thursday that stoking a new Cold War is out of sync with the times and inciting bloc confrontation will find no market.

Wang made the remarks in response to media reports on the "Indo-Pacific" strategy, which claimed that it was introduced to contain China.

Wang cited the official positions of the United States, Japan, India and Australia as "it targets no one."

"I hope they mean what they say and their actions match their words," said Wang at a press conference.

"There's never a shortage of headline-grabbing ideas, but they are like sea foam in the Pacific or Indian Ocean," said Wang.

"They may get some attention but will be short-lived," he said.

Japan urged to see China as partner, not threat

Wang Yi said that Japan should earnestly implement the political understanding that "China and Japan see each other as partners, not threats".

China is willing to work with Japan to restore the relationship to healthy and steady growth, as long as Japan "does not prevaricate, flip-flop or backpedal and instead accepts and welcomes China's development," Wang said.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship.

"Never forget why you started, and you can accomplish your mission. At this important juncture, we ask Japan to have political credibility and act accordingly to cement the political foundation of its relations with China," Wang said.

China to boost ties, advance Belt and Road Initiative in Africa

China will step up cooperation with African countries and will jointly advance the Belt and Road Initiative to help Africa address challenges of maintaining peace and security and promoting development, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

Wang said that the profound friendship between China and Africa will remain unbreakable, quoting President Xi Jinping's statement that China and Africa are friends tested by adversity and such friendship must not be forgotten.

"Africa faces challenges of maintaining peace and security, and of promoting development and revitalization. In response to the needs, China will step up mediation in regional hotspots as well as cooperation with African countries on unconventional security threats such as terrorism, piracy and natural disaster," Wang said.

The Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation will be held in September in Beijing where Chinese and African leaders will discuss their cooperation in the new era and focus on jointly advancing the Belt and Road Initiative and turning China and Africa into a community with a shared future, according to Wang.

"Africa is an indispensable partner in our effort to build a global community with a shared future. China welcomes our African brothers and sisters in getting on board of the fast train of development," the minister said.

China determined to maintain peace in South China Sea

China always firmly and consistently deals with the South China Sea issue by taking into account the interests of its people, the facts of history, the regional peace and the international law, Wang Yi said.

China's determination to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea is unshakable and sincere, Wang said.

"The situation in South China Sea is turning better, China and ASEAN countries have reached a consensus on maintaining the hard-won tranquility through making the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea," the minister said.

China and ASEAN countries have conducted the first round of consultation about the COC text and have made positive progress, he said, adding that the two sides agreed to conduct at least three rounds of consultations this year.

Wang said that "China and ASEAN countries are willing and able to independently draft regional rules that meet the reality and be adhered to by all parties".

There are challenges, he said, noting that some outside forces are not happy with the calm and try to stir up trouble and muddy the waters by sending aircrafts and vessels to the sea to show off their military power, which are the biggest destabilizing factors in the area.

China and ASEAN countries will seize the opportunity, broaden cooperation, prevent interference and overcome challenges, and speed up the consultation and explore a cooperation mechanism with coastal countries for the peace and cooperation in the South China Sea, he said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi answers questions on China's foreign policy and external relations at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress in Beijing, March 8, 2018. [Photo by Kuang Linhua/chinadaily.com.cn]Health economic data from the DEFINE FLAIR trial demonstrates an iFR-guided strategy reduces costs and improves patient comfort compared to an FFR-guided strategy, while delivering consistent cost savings and patient outcomes

AMSTERDAM and ORLANDO, Florida, March 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --Royal Philips(NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, today announced health economic results from the DEFINE FLAIR clinical trial comparing cost-effectiveness between instant wave-free ratio (iFR) and fractional flow reserve (FFR) in the guidance of treatment of ischemic heart disease at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) annual meeting in Orlando, Florida, March 10-12, 2018. The study found that an iFR-guided strategy offers a one-year average cost savings of US$896 per patient compared to an FFR-guided strategy, while delivering consistent patient outcomes. iFR is an innovative pressure-derived index unique to Philips, a global leader in image-guided therapy solutions, allowing a simplified hyperemia-free physiological assessment of coronary blockages.

Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease and is the leading cause of death in the U.S. for men and women[1]. Coronary physiology has become routine in planning coronary revascularization, and DEFINE FLAIR compared using iFR and FFR strategies to guide these types of procedures. With an average saving of nearly US$900 per patient per year, the study found that iFR offers a total procedure cost saving of approximately 10 percent per patient over FFR. Additionally, patients treated with the use of an iFR-guided revascularization strategy had fewer coronary artery bypass graft procedures and fewer subsequent revascularizations. Previous data from DEFINE FLAIR released in 2017 found that iFR-guided treatments reduced procedure time by 10 percent versus FFR-guided treatments, while reducing patient discomfort by 90 percent[2]. The pivotal DEFINE FLAIR study continues to illustrate the advantages of iFR and the superior value it delivers to clinicians and hospital administrators.

"The findings from DEFINE FLAIR continue to demonstrate the benefits of iFR, showing that an iFR-guided treatment offers proven outcomes, reduced costs and procedure time, and enhanced patient comfort compared to FFR," said Dr. Manesh Patel, MD, FACC, FSCAI, Chief of the Division of Cardiology and Co-Director of the Duke Heart Center at Duke University School of Medicine. "iFR is not only a faster diagnostic solution, but it also offers the advantage of significantly reduced patient discomfort. By implementing an iFR program at a hospital, this solution can deliver the clinical outcome benefits of physiology-driven PCI, while reducing annual health care costs significantly across the organization."

In the treatment of coronary artery disease, clinicians have been using FFR in addition to angiographic images to assess the physiology of a suspected blockage in coronary arteries in order to identify the appropriate therapy for each patient. iFR is a next-generation physiologic measurement that uses the same pressure guide wires and equipment as FFR, but avoids the administration of hyperemic agents, which are required with FFR, to the patients.

"The DEFINE FLAIR study has provided further clinical validation of iFR and how it is improving the lives of patients and physicians," said Christopher Barys, Business Leader of Philips Image Guided Therapy Devices. "An iFR-guided strategy has now been shown to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs for the treatment of coronary artery disease in comparison to an FFR-guided strategy. This is a significant step in our journey to help clinicians decide, guide, treat and confirm the right therapies for their patients, while reducing costs."

DEFINE FLAIR is a randomized, controlled, single-blinded comparison of clinical outcomes and cost efficiencies of iFR and FFR-guided interventions of 2,492 patients in 49 centers across Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa. The study conducted its comparison of iFR versus FFR using pressure guide wires and equipment from Philips. Since the introduction of the hyperemia-free iFR modality in 2013, iFR has been studied in nearly 15,000 patients and is used in more than 4,100 catheterization labs across the world.

See Philips' calendar of events for ACC, as well as general information about the company's presence at the show, online here. Visit the Philips booth (#2811) to experience its innovative cardiology portfolio that delivers integrated solutions to the full health continuum. Follow the ACC18 conversation on @PhilipsLiveFrom throughout the event.

[1] Coronary Artery Disease, NIH, 2015

[2] Davies JE, et al., DEFINE-FLAIR: A Multi- Centre, Prospective, International, Randomized, Blinded Comparison of Clinical Outcomes and Cost Efficiencies of iFR and FFR Decision-Making for Physiological Guided Coronary Revascularization. New England Journal of Medicine, epub March 18, 2017

For further information, please contact:

Mark Groves

Philips Group Press Office

Tel: +31 631 639 916

E-mail: Mark.Groves@Philips.com

Fabienne van der Feer

Philips Image Guided Therapy

Tel: +31 6-22698001

E-mail: Fabienne.van.der.Feer@philips.com

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips' health technology portfolio generated 2017 sales of EUR 17.8 billion and employs approximately 74,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at: www.philips.com/newscenter.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/652217/Royal_Philips_iFR___FFR.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/556483/Philips_Logo.jpgSANTA MONICA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 10, 2018 / Los Angeles was always known for not having enough housing to accommodate its growing population. Fortunately, we are about to see over 17,000 housing units that are about to be available for rent this year. This might certainly be good news for those seeing a new apartment or home for rent in the near future, Neil Shekhter points out.

However, don't get too excited and expect these new rental units to remain affordable. According to a report from Marcus & Millichap, rent will increase in these new units. Along with that, the number of vacancies would also go up in this region this year.

According to this commercial brokerage firm, one should expect a 6.3% increase in rent this year. Rental in this region is expected to go to about $2200 a month. This increase in rental charges is mainly because of all the luxury units available in the market. This tends to bump up the rental rates for the neighborhood and region as a whole.

The Los Angeles Business Journal also stated that the confidence that people always have with housing in this region can also cause this continuing rise in rental charges. They trust that even with the hike in rental prices, there still will be a demand filled in the Los Angeles region.

The number of vacancies is also expected to go up by 5.2%. This is mainly due to the huge rise in the number of multifamily units that are being built in this area.

According to this report, Downtown LA and the Mid-Wilshire neighborhoods would see a large number of housing units. This study also mentioned that there will be about 53,000 new workers in LA this year. That would be an increase of 1.2% from last year.

You can also expect new apartments in Hollywood, Marina Del Rey, and Glendale in the near future. The number of vacancies, however, would be lower at a maximum of 4 percent. This is because the rent in these regions would be lower than other parts of the Los Angeles county, according to Neil Shekhter, founder, and CEO of Santa Monica-based NMS Properties.

Private investors are also more likely to move over to less common areas like Glendale or Pasadena, as they expect better yield and good employment hubs in these areas. Regions like Santa Monica will carry on and attract institutional investors. The low supply and high demand in this region, also known as Silicon Beach market, keep this region constantly competitive and hot. The vacancy rate in this region usually is under 3 percent, Neil Shekhter notes.

Therefore, while the housing situation in Los Angeles might get easier, it isn't going to get any more affordable or inexpensive. However, this could ease the increasing housing demands in Los Angeles.

Launching NMS Properties in 1988, Neil Shekhter assumed the role of CEO in January 1995. The real estate management company focuses on multi-family and mixed-use properties in the Greater Los Angeles area and in Santa Monica. At present, NMS properties manage more than 70 properties.

Over the course of 2017, NMS deployed 40 furnished units in Los Angeles, and Neil Shekhter plans to triple that number in 2018. The company currently manages some of its properties while testing a pilot with MY SUITE.

Neil Shekhter - Founder and CEO of NMS Properties

Apartments For Rent In Los Angeles NMS Residential: http://www.nmsresidential.com

NMS Properties - Real Estate Management Firm: http://www.nmsproperties.com

Contact Information: info@NeilShekhter.com

SOURCE: NMS Properties, Inc.Punjab National Bank (PNB) had witnessed losses to the tune of Rs 2,808 crore on account of frauds in 2016-17, almost a year before it unearthed the mega scam of Rs 12,646 crore allegedly perpetrated by billionaire diamond jewellers Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi

New Delhi: State-owned Punjab National Bank (PNB) had witnessed losses to the tune of Rs 2,808 crore on account of frauds in 2016-17, almost a year before it unearthed the mega scam of Rs 12,646 crore allegedly perpetrated by billionaire diamond jewellers Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, Parliament was informed on Friday.

Enlisting the bank-wise details of cases of fraud reported by public sector banks (PSBs), involving an amount of Rs 1 lakh and above for 2016-17, Jaitley in a reply to the Lok Sabha said that Punjab National Bank encountered 158 such cases that caused loss of Rs 2,808.27 crore to the bank.

In 18 of these cases, employees from PNB were also involved in perpetrating the fraud.

Country's largest lender SBI had reported to be hit by fraud of Rs 2,422 crore in 544 cases, out of which 83 were cases in which bank employees were also involved.

Collectively, all the 27 public sector banks (PSBs) --when the five associate banks of SBI and Bharatiya Mahila Bank were not amalgamated with State Bank of India (SBI)-- had incurred losses of Rs 19,533 crore in 2016-17.

Among others, Bank of India took a hit of Rs 2,774 crore (162 cases); Bank of Baroda Rs 1,165 crore (224 cases); Indian Overseas Bank Rs 1,372 crore (95 cases); IDBI Bank Rs 1,137 crore (107 cases); Union Bank of India Rs 921 crore (111 cases): Allahabad Bank Rs 895 crore (60 cases) and Central Bank of India Rs 868 crore (146 crore).

In 2015-16, the PSBs had reported a total fraud of Rs 16,910 crore (2,789 cases) and in 2014-15 they incurred losses of Rs 16,803 crore (3,113 cases) due to frauds.

PNB had reported fraudulent issuance of Letters of Undertaking/Foreign Letters of Credit for payments of import bills, amounting to Rs 12,645.97 crore to RBI through its Fraud Monitoring Reporting System.

Jaitley said the government has issued an advisory to PSBs to take immediate action as per extant legal/regulatory framework to ensure that such/similar fraudulent activity (as reported by PNB) is not prevalent in the bank.

"Government has further advised PSBs to collectively prepare a report for effective management of operational risks, including technology risk, so as to safeguard against occurrence of frauds," he said.

In response to a separate query on steps taken by government and RBI to recover money, Minister of State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla said, "With regard to effect of the fraud on PNB and other banks, RBI has stated that it does not have specific information. PNB has stated that it has adequate assets/capital to meet any liability which may crystallise on the bank."

He said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered two cases relating to the matter and as of 3 March, 2018, had arrested 18 persons.

As per CBI inputs, eight public servants belonging to PNB had been arrested as on 6 March, ranging from the rank of general manager to single window operator.

"The matter is under investigation. A total of 21 PNB employees have been suspended," he said.The Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS), the highest decision-making body of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh re-elected Bhaiyyaji Joshi for a fourth term as the sarkaryavah (general-secretary) of RSS on Saturday

The Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS), the highest decision-making body of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh re-elected Bhaiyyaji Joshi for a fourth term as the sarkaryavah (general-secretary) of RSS on Saturday.

Maananeeya Sri Suresh ( Bhaiyaji) Joshi re-elected as #RSS Sarkaryavah ( General Secretary ) for a period of 3 years (2018-2021) by the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha at Nagpur. #RSSABPS pic.twitter.com/e8ul1iqhyr  RSS (@RSSorg) March 10, 2018

The RSS said that Joshi will be serving as the general-secretary for another three years (till 2021). He was unanimously elected as the RSS general-secretary by RSS delegates from across the country.

Earlier, it was believed that saha-sarkaryavah (joint general-secretary) Dattatreya Hosabale could be elevated to the rank of sarkaryavah. It was said that 70-year-old Joshi may pass the mantle to Hosabale due to health reasons. Hosabale, who hails from Karnataka, is considered close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

However, addressing the media, RSS leader Manmohan Vaidya said that "no names to replace Joshi were brought up during the election" which was held in Nagpur on Saturday.

As Firstpost had reported earlier, the sarkaryavah or general-secretary is effectively the second most important position in RSS. The general-secretary is the executive head of the organisation who looks after day-to-day activities. While the sarshanghachalak (chief) is the top post of RSS, its incumbent is seen in the role of a philosopher and guide leading the organisation.

This year's ABPS, which is held every three years, was considered crucial because this was the last annual meeting before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

THE ABPS conclave is being held in Nagpur and according to reports, 1,500 delegates of RSS are expected to attend the meeting. Held every three years, the ABPS discusses and deliberates upon a host of decisions.

According to News18, the ABPS on Saturday also said that Indian languages should be given preference in education, and urged the government to formulate policies regarding the same. It also said that all competitive exam should also be conducted in Indian languages, the news channel reported.

With inputs from agenciesIn what could be a strong message from the afflicted farmers, the congregation is also likely to surround the state legislature to press for their demands before the Fadnavis government.

Mumbai: Uneasy days lie ahead for Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis as farmers in huge numbers will enter Mumbai on Monday under the banner of Akhil India Kisan Sabha, the CPM farmers' wing to protest against the failure of the state government in resolving hordes of issues affecting the farming community.

"The demands are an increase in Minimum Support Price for crops, immediate implementation of loan waiver, implementation of the Swaminathan Commission, forest rights to the farmers, good quality education for farmers' children," Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha general secretary, Ajit Navale told Firstpost.

The issue is no longer limited to the distress persisting in the state's agrarian sector as BJP's ally in the governmentShiv Senaalongwith Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) are also extending their support to the march by 50,000 farmers to the state capital making it thoroughly political. The march began four days ago in Nashik and is scheduled to enter Thane, near Mumbai on Sunday before it ends at Azad Maidan in Mumbai on Monday.

In what could be a strong message from the afflicted farmers, the congregation is also likely to surround the state legislature to press for their demands before the Fadnavis government. Farm woes are far from over even after the Maharashtra government had deposited Rs 13,452 crore in the bank accounts of farmers seeking loan waiver.

"The farmers were promised a loan waiver package of Rs 34,000 crore by the Fadnavis government. But in reality, a much lesser amount has been deposited in the farmers' accounts. They had promised loan waiver to 89 lakh farmers. We have demanded a complete loan waiver. Forget about our demands, but this government has even failed to keep even its own word. They are cheating farmers. That's why we will hit the road against the government," Navale said.

"We had highlighted our demands earlier but the state government repeatedly ignored us. So the state's steering committee of farmers' agitation decided to launch an aggressive agitation against the state government from 6 March. I am very happy that Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation minister and senior Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde who is also the guardian minister of Thane visited our march yesterday night at Shahapur. Shinde told us that Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has announced his support for the farmers' march," he said.

The minister confirmed the support of his party to the farmers as well.

"Shiv Sena will support the farmers' morcha. Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray is always with farmers and we are repeatedly demanding the complete loan waiver for farmers. As guardian minister of Thane, I welcome the morcha and next two days Shiv Sena will give full support to the farmers' march," Shinde said.

The MNS also offered its support to the farmers' rally.

"Today afternoon when our march started from Bhiwandi, MNS chief Raj Thackeray called me and offered me his party's support to our cause. We have 50,000 farmers with us but we hope the number to touch 1 lakh once the Shiv Sena and MNS join us. I am sure the government which has been turning a deaf ear to us so far will hear us this time. Otherwise we will not return to Nasik," said Navale.French president Emmanuel Macron arrived in New Delhi on Friday night on a four-day India visit.

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The Congress, which has launched a tirade against the government over the Rafale deal that Prime Minister Narendra Modi struck during his visit to France in April 2015, however, said that the issue would not be raised during the meeting.

According to sources, the meeting is slated for Sunday after Rahul returns from his two-nation visit to Thailand and Singapore that is part of his overseas Indians outreach plan.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to meet French president Emmanuel Macron during his four-day India visit.

Rahul Gandhi will not discuss Rafale deal during his meeting with Macron

"I aim to have more and more Indian citizens coming to France studying, becoming a partner, creating start-ups and I want my country to be your best partner in Europe," The Indian Express quoted Macron as saying.

Macron says he wants 'more and more Indian citizens coming to France'

"In 2015, when the International Solar Alliance was launched, it was done in the presence of the French president," he said.

"Our strategic partnership is around 20 years old. Today, if two nations can face global challenges, they are India and France," said the prime minister.

"This is not just a meeting of two leaders but a meeting of common ideologies of two nations. 'Liberty, equality and fraternity' is not just in France but also present in the Indian Constitution," Modi said.

"This is why we are implementing a joint strategic vision for the Indian Ocean today," he said. "The most important are our people-to-people ties," he added.

"In the future, Indian Ocean will play a crucial role in peace and stability, whether it is about environment or freedom of navigation," said the prime minister.

"Our ties when it comes to defence cooperation are deep. There are many war drills conducted between the armies of our two nations," said Narendra Modi.

"India and France have decided to work together to deal with threats of terrorism and radicalisation," said French president Emmanuel Macron. "Defence cooperation between the two countries now has a new significance," he added.

Defence cooperation between India and France has reached new significance: Macron

"We are not just heads of two democratic states but we are also successors in lands of deep history. India and France's spiritual connection is old and deep," said Modi.

"A few months back, you (President Macron) had welcomed with a warm heart. I am pleased to welcome you in India," Narendra Modi said.

"In 2015, when the International Solar Alliance was launched, it was done in the presence of the French president," he said.

"Our strategic partnership is around 20 years old. Today, if two nations can face global challenges, they are India and France," said the prime minister.

"This is not just a meeting of two leaders but a meeting of common ideologies of two nations. 'Liberty, equality and fraternity' is not just in France but also present in the Indian Constitution," Modi said.

Liberty, equality and fraternity not only echo in France, but are also deeply embedded in India's constitution: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/WO5gaeejN6

"This is why we are implementing a joint strategic vision for the Indian Ocean today," he said. "The most important are our people-to-people ties," he added.

"In the future, Indian Ocean will play a crucial role in peace and stability, whether it is about environment or freedom of navigation," said the prime minister.

"Our ties when it comes to defence cooperation are deep. There are many war drills conducted between the armies of our two nations," said Narendra Modi.

"For the future of planet earth, we are committed to the international solar alliance," Modi said. "I am sure you (Macron) will experience the wisdom of India in Varanasi. In the next two days, President Macron and I will continue to discuss various ideas and issues."

"India and France have always had good ties with African nations, which gives us another opportunity to come closer," Modi said.

We are committed to the international solar alliance: Modi

In the Defence sector we welcome investments from France under ' #MakeInIndia ': PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/FDbzGFS2GG

We welcome investments from France under Make in India: Modi

The HT report also said that agreements on security and nuclear energy were also part of the 14 agreements signed.

"India and France have decided to work together to deal with threats of terrorism and radicalisation," said French president Emmanuel Macron. "Defence cooperation between the two countries now has a new significance," he added.

Defence cooperation between India and France has reached new significance: Macron

"Same is the case with the French nationals who frequent the city for their spiritual pursuits. We have come together to have a common platform with them to share our history, culture, arts and food," Ojha said.  PTI

Ojha said Varanasi is a place where nationals of several countries stay for long durations to understand the old city.

"The idea of getting the nationals of both the countries together for improving personal contact just took shape and we gave it the form of Indo-French Friends Club," the convenor and founder of the club, Uttam Ojha, told PTI.

The 'Indo-French Friends Club' was launched at Assi Ghat on Thursday.

A group of local youths and some French nationals have formed a club to work towards improving man-to-man contact between the people of the two countries.

Held important talks with President @EmmanuelMacron . We discussed several areas of India-France cooperation, particularly in defence, security, trade and people-to-people ties. https://t.co/QbRofwXNtw pic.twitter.com/MhhxRkaK5T

Today several crucial MoUs were signed that will boost India-France friendship. pic.twitter.com/pgQx6gGCvI

Latest update: Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the ties between India and France and said that the words 'liberty, equality and fraternity' were also embedded in the Indian Constitution. India and France signed 14 agreements as Emmanuel Macron and Narendra Modi issued a joint statement. The French president met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House. Emmanuel Macron met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. He and his wife earlier paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

French president Emmanuel Macron arrived in New Delhi on Friday night on a four-day India visit and was received at the airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a special gesture.

Macron was accompanied by his wife Brigitte Marie-Claude Macron, besides senior ministers from his Cabinet.

"Welcome to India, President @EmmanuelMacron! Your visit will add great strength to the strategic partnership between India and France. I look forward to our talks tomorrow," Modi tweeted after receiving Macron at the airport.

I look forward to our talks tomorrow. Looking forward to co-chairing the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance with President @EmmanuelMacron on 11th March. The ISA is a unique effort that brings the world together to harness solar energy and create a cleaner as well as greener future, he tweeted.

During the visit, the two countries would look to boost ties, especially in the areas of maritime security and counter-terrorism.

An agreement on the Jaitapur nuclear power plant, which is being built with French assistance, is expected to be signed during the visit, sources in New Delhi said.

Stepping up cooperation in the Indian Ocean region will be one of the top issues that will be discussed by Macron and Prime Minister Modi during delegation-level talks on Saturday.

"France has particularly supported India's perspective on terror in South Asia. We are seeing convergence in new areas, particularly maritime security, counter-terrorism and renewable energy," K Nagraj Naidu, joint secretary (Europe-west), told reporters.

Besides defence, cooperation in the areas of nuclear energy and space are the other pillars of the strategic partnership between India and France.

The two sides will also sign an agreement on co-development of a full-fledged satellite constellation in the maritime domain.

"In the area of space, India and France have a matured engagement and we would like to take it to a new level," Naidu said.

The Indo-French cooperation in the area of space is more than five-decades-old.

Besides conventional areas, thrust would also be on renewable energy, high-speed train and stepping cooperation in trade.

The bilateral trade between India and France for the period from April 2016 to March 2017 was USD 10.95 billion. France is the 9th largest foreign investor in India with a cumulative investment of USD 6.09 billion from April 2000 to October 2017.

After holding delegation-level talks with Modi tomorrow, Macron will take part in a Town Hall and have an interactive session, in which nearly 300 students from different institutions are expected to participate.

On the same day, he will also take part in a Knowledge Summit which will be attended by more than 200 academicians from both sides.

On 11 March, President Macron will attend the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Summit, an initiative mooted by France and India.

The ISA Summit, expected to be attended by several heads of the states and governments, is likely to focus on concrete projects. On the same day, he will also visit Taj Mahal in Agra.

President Macron will also visit Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Modi, on 12 March.

He, along with Modi, will inaugurate a solar plant in Uttar Pradesh's Mirzapur.

With inputs from agenciesA journalist working for CNN News18 was lathi-charged by Assam Police while reporting on the Assam-Mizoram border.

A journalist working for News18 Assam-North East was lathicharged by the Assam Police while reporting on the Assam-Mizoram border on Saturday.

Emmy Ci Lawbei was assaulted when she was reporting the border tension between Assam and Mizoram. According to her, as she was reporting, members of a Mizo student's body clashed with the Assam Police. A group of journalists, including Lawbei, were caught in the clashes and were lathicharged by the cops.

Lawbei sustained grievous injuries on her shoulder and back. Following is the first-person account of Lawbei:

I was travelling from Aizawl at 6 am along with another female reporter from All India Radio (AIR) and three reporters from the local media. We reached Bairabi at around 11 am and immediately met the leaders of a Mizoram student body.

Before we even had time to meet the Assam officials who were posted about 100 feet away, the Mizoram students decided to move ahead and construct the rest shed. All they carried were logs for the construction, no other weapon.

All the journalists were moving ahead of the students, and as soon as the Assam police saw us approaching them, they assembled everyone and blocked the students from proceeding further. The students were determined to reach the area and construct the shed.

There was some verbal exchange followed by lathicharge. Police started chasing us, beating everyone on the way. I screamed and said I'm a journalist but they kept beating us. I felt sharp pain on my butt, back and my arms.

Police also opened fire and I was so scared  I started running back towards the car. I saw the other female journalist running towards the car and I followed her. Police kept chasing, screaming and beating us. No matter how many times I shouted I'm a journalist, they turned a deaf ear. There was one policeman who was trying to stop other Indian Reserve personnel from beating me, but it didn't help.

As I was running, I was trying to film the firing and saw that they were still firing at us. They destroyed the camp where the students spent the night. I saw a student getting shot on his leg and falling to the ground. Two other men helped him up and ran towards the bus.

I also saw another reporter get hit on his head. He lost his glasses and ran towards a safe area. Another reporter from Kolasib also got injured on his arm. I also ran as fast as I could and got into the first car I saw. We all returned to Bairabi hospital and got medical treatment"

Assam police has zero respect for journalists. They knew that we were journalists and yet they assaulted us. It was a horrible experience but I hope as negative as this was, it would bring something positive out of the situation.The Supreme Court's recent stoppage of a Jammu and Kashmir Police investigation into the death of three people by the Indian Army in Shopian district is in line with the Central government's refusal over the last 17 years to allow prosecution of soldiers in 50 cases

By Abheet Singh Sethi

Mumbai: The Supreme Courts recent stoppage of a Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) police investigation into the death of three people by the Indian Army in Shopian district on 27 January, 2018, is in line with the Central government refusal over the last 17 years to allow prosecution of soldiers in 50 cases.

No soldier can be prosecuted without sanction from Delhi under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. The Centre has denied 94 percent (47) of the 50 requests while the remaining 6 percent (three) are pending, according to data tabled in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament). The government has cited lack of sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case in all cases.

Under Section 6 of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 and 1990, no prosecution, suit or other legal proceedings shall be instituted, except with the previous sanction of the Central government, against any person in respect of anything done or purported to be done in exercise of the powers conferred by this Act, according to a reply by Kiren Rijiju, minister of state in the home affairs, to the Rajya Sabha on 19 July, 2017.

AFSPA empowers the governor of the state or the central government to declare any part of a state disturbed, a region that requires the deployment of armed forces, according to this note by PRS India, an advocacy.

AFSPA protects security forces (army, central police forces and state police personnel) from investigation and murder charges in a variety of circumstances, arrest without a warrant and the destruction of property likely to be used as shelters by insurgents.

Amnesty International, a human-rights advocacy, has said the law contravenes international laws and United Nations humanitarian laws. Amnesty also said the AFSPA violates Article 32 of the Indian Constitution, which gives right to effective remedy to citizens, IndiaSpend reported on July 22, 2016.

If AFSPA is repealed or diluted, it is the army leaderships considered view that the performance of battalions in counter-insurgency operations will be adversely affected and the terrorists or insurgents will seize the initiative, according to this column by Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal (retired), distinguished fellow at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), New Delhi, in Rediff on 6 September, 2016.

Source: Rajya Sabha

Since 2000, the J&K government has sought the Centres approval to prosecute armed forces personnel for 10 alleged cases of killing civilians, six cases of disappearance of civilians, two cases of raping women, two cases of custodial death and other cases.

On 5 March, 2018, the Supreme Court decided to halt a J&K police investigation into the death of three civilians by army personnel in Ganovpora village in Shopian district on 27 January, 2018.

J&K Police had filed a first information report (FIR) against the personnel of 10 Garhwal Rifles on charges of murder and attempt to murder. Major Aditya Sharma, who was commanding the unit during the incident, was named in the FIR. The army claimed the firing was conducted in self-defence in response to stone pelting by a mob.

Sharmas father Lt Colonel Karamveer Singh filed a case in the Supreme Court seeking the quashing of the FIR.

During the 5 March, 2018, hearing, the J&K government clarified that Kumar was not named as an accused in the FIR. The Centre argued that the J&K police could not register a case against army personnel in the Shopian case without the Centres approval as AFSPA was in effect in the state.

The SC has ordered the J&K government to halt the case until it delivers its final ruling on 24 April, 2018.

J&K witnessed 358 terrorist-related deaths in 2017  98 percent more than in 2013 when 181 deaths were recorded, IndiaSpend reported on 14 February, 2018, citing data from South Asian Terrorism Portal run by the Institute for Conflict Management, a Delhi-based non-profit.

Although more than twice as many terrorists were killed in 2017 (218) as in 2013 (100), civilian casualties more than doubled to 57 in 2017 from 20 in 2013. The data reflect an overall worsening in the security situation in J&K.

Indiaspend.org is a data-driven, public-interest journalism non-profit/FactChecker.in is a fact-checking initiative, scrutinising for veracity and context statements made by individuals and organisations in public life.A journalist working for CNN News18 was reportedly beaten up by Assam Police near the Mizoram-Assam border

A journalist working for News18 Assam-North East was beaten up by the Assam Police near the Mizoram-Assam border on Saturday, the news channel reported. Police also fired in the air leaving two civilians injured.

#FreedomOfPress - News18 journalist baton-charged by Assam police while covering Assam-Mizoram border dispute. The journalist is presently in the hospital and being treated for injuries. pic.twitter.com/5LN7tMPZmk  News18 (@CNNnews18) March 10, 2018

The reporter named Emmy Ci Lawbei had reached the border on Saturday morning. According to her, as she was reporting, members of a Mizo students' body clashed with the Assam Police. A group of journalists, including Lawbei, were caught in the clashes and were lathicharged by the cops. The police also fired in the air to disperse the crowd in which two people were reportedly injured

The police had on Wednesday, clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPc with immediate effect of Hailakandi district, bordering Mizoram. According to the police, the move followed "information from reliable sources that some individuals and organisations from the Mizoram side are planning to intrude into Assam's territory with the intention to encroach forest land and erect permanent structures, including religious structures."

Tension has been prevailing in the area ever since some members of Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), an apex student body, entered Assam and erected a working shed and a temporary checkpost, which were later dismantled by the state police personnel, according to the police.

The police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officers will be stationed along the border

Last month, two journalists were assaulted on their duty sparking outrage.

With inputs from PTIBEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, on Friday discussed the situation on the Korean Peninsula and bilateral relations via phone.

The phone conversation came after Trump has agreed to meet Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), by May at Kim's invitation "to achieve permanent denuclearization," according to Chung Eui-yong, South Korea's top national security adviser, who had briefed Trump on the outcome of a South Korean delegation's meeting with Kim earlier this week.

KOREAN PENINSULA ISSUE

Speaking by telephone, Xi told Trump that he appreciates the U.S. president's desire to resolve the Korean Peninsula issue politically, hoping that the United States and the DPRK will start dialogue as soon as possible and strive for positive results.

Xi added that he hopes all parties concerned will show goodwill and avoid doing anything which might affect or interfere with the improving situation on the peninsula, calling on them to maintain the positive momentum on the Korean Peninsula issue.

Xi also told Trump that China and the United States should focus on cooperation, control differences, promote win-win economic cooperation, and push for new advancement of bilateral relations in the new year.

Regarding the situation on the Korean Peninsula, Trump said the nuclear issue has shown positive development recently, adding that a high-level meeting between the United States and the DPRK meets the interests of all parties, hoping for an eventually peaceful solution to the nuclear issue.

It has been proved that President Xi is right to insist on a dialogue between the United States and the DPRK, Trump said, adding that the U.S. side highly appreciates and values China's significant role in resolving the Korean Peninsula issue, and is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China over the issue, Trump said.

Xi pointed out that China remains persistent in denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula, and resolving the nuclear issue through talks.

At present, the positive changes in the situation on the Korean Peninsula are conducive to putting the denuclearization process back on the right track of settlement through dialogue, which is also in line with the direction set by UN Security Council resolutions concerning the DPRK, Xi said.

"I believe that as long as all parties adhere to the general direction of political and diplomatic settlement, we will surely push forward the Korean Peninsula issue in the direction that the international community has been looking forward to," Xi said.

CHINA-U.S. TIES

The two heads of state also exchanged views on China-U.S. ties.

Xi said he has been in close contact with Trump since the beginning of this year and they both agreed that the two sides should seize every minute to promote wide-range cooperation and dialogue to maintain a healthy and stable development prospects for China-U.S. relations.

Xi hoped that with the joint efforts and on the basis of mutual respect and benefit, China and the United States will focus on cooperation, control differences, promote win-win economic cooperation, and push for new advancement of bilateral relations in the new year.

Trump congratulated China on the successful holding of the annual political meetings, known as the "Two Sessions" -- the first session of the 13th National People's Congress and the first session of the National Committee of the 13th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Trump said maintaining close ties between the two leaders is very important for the development of U.S.-China relations. The U.S. side attaches great importance to bilateral relations and cooperation, and is willing to make joint efforts with China to push forward U.S.-China ties.

Xi thanked Trump's wishes and pointed out that the successful holding of the two annual sessions will provide an active impetus for the development of China, as well as its relations with other countries including the United States.

SPRING THAW ON PENINSULA

Signs of a thaw on the Korean Peninsula emerged earlier this year since working-level talks between the two Koreas were held at the truce village of Panmunjom and the DPRK participated in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. In addition, the two Koreas agreed to hold the third inter-Korean summit in late April.

During the Olympics, the DPRK suspended missile tests, while the United States and South Korea postponed their joint military drill till April. China's suspension-for-suspension proposal has proven to be a right prescription for the problem in creating the basic conditions needed for improving inter-Korea relations.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Friday through his spokesman that the summit will be recorded as a historic milestone in the future, which created peace on the peninsula, according to the Blue House.

If Trump and Kim meet after the South-North summit, "the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula will go into a full orbit," said Moon.The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to Karnataka IG (Prisons) seeking a detailed report on the suicide of a convict inside Parapana Agrahara Central Prison last month

Bengaluru: Taking suo motu cognisance of a convict's alleged suicide inside Parapana Agrahara Central Prison last month, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to Karnataka IG (Prisons) seeking a detailed report in the incident within six weeks.

According to the rights panel, M Jaishankar (38), who was undergoing imprisonment for 10 years, had committed suicide inside the jail by slitting his throat with a shaving blade on February 27.

"The commission has issued notice to the IG (Prisons), Karnataka calling for a detailed report in the matter within six weeks," the NHRC said in a statement.

The commission also noted that the state authorities have not informed it within 24 hours of the death, as per its guidelines, and hence has also sought an explanation from IG (Prisons) over not adhering to the guidelines.

Jaishankar was accused in 15 cases of rape and murder, out of which he had been convicted in 3 cases. He was confined to an isolated cell, as he was a threat to other inmates, the rights panel said and observed that the contents of a news report regarding the incident, if true, amount to negligence on the part of jail officials, which is a matter of serious concern.

According to the NHRC, inquiries have reportedly revealed that the convict was being treated for depression.

He was arrested after a massive manhunt in 2009, after raping and murdering a police constable in Tamil Nadu. Jaishankar escaped from judicial custody in 2013 by scaling the boundary wall of the prison, but he was rearrested. Since then, he was being kept in a separate cell, the NHRC said.Despite a national policy draft being put in place by the Central government, theres a lack of awareness on the issue of rare diseases.

The last 15 days, my life has been a suspense story. Little had I known that my search for rare stories would make me find a rare disease 51-year old actor Irrfan Khan shared a heart-breaking message with his fans, urging them not to speculate until he returns to reveal more.

The lives of others, especially significantly famous others, evoke much curiosity. But, rare diseases are rarely discussed. This is why, despite a national policy draft having been put in place by the Central government, theres a lack of awareness among clinicians, dependence on medicines sourced from foreign companies and no institutional push for compulsory pre-natal or new born screening. Rare diseases include inherited cancers, autoimmune disorders, congenital malformations, and infectious diseases amongst others include Hemangiomas, Hirschsprung disease, Gaucher disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Muscular Dystrophies and Lysosomal Storage Disorders. The more common ones from out of 7,000 rare diseases are Down Syndrome, muscular dystrophy, haemophilia, thalassemia and autism.

It is not just children who suffer from rare diseases. For instance, a study titled Rare Cancers: Challenges and Issues published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research states that As per the Delhi Cancer Registry (DCR) data31, approximately 60.9 percent of males and 46.4 percent of women fall into the category of rare cancers. Correspondingly, taking the IRCI definition, the DCR data showed rare cancers in 19.4 and 23.0 percent males and females, respectively. The study, authored by Raveendran K Pillai and K Jayasree lists cancer of the gall bladder and cervix as common in India. While most LSDs are diagnosed during childhood, diseases like Fabry and Pompe can be diagnosed even after three years of age. To adults, diseases like Adrenoleukodystrophy, Huntingtons Chorea and Marfan syndrome can happen.

On 28 February, which is observed as World Rare Diseases Day, multiple references to this policy were made. Speaking at a conference organised by the NGO Indian Organization for Rare Diseases in the capital, Union Health Minister JP Nadda said that after formulating a national policy for rare diseases in 2017, the government was in the process of preparing a registry of such diseases. He also declared that it will provide full support in terms of cost-effective management and investigation facilities. At another event organised by patient group association Lysosomal Storage Disorders Support Society (LSDSS), the joint secretary, MoH&FW who led the formulation and the finalisation of the rare diseases policy, said that a Rs 100 crore fund had been set aside for the cause by the union government and that was an element of hope. For this, he added that the formation of Technical and Administrative committees had been proposed and the policy was just the first step and implementation would require the coordination of both committees.

The policy draft was formulated in a hurry, based on a PIL filed in 2013 by a rickshaw puller whose child Mohammad Ahmed was diagnosed with Gaucher, a rare enzyme deficiency that results in the accumulation of harmful quantities lipids (fats) especially within the bone marrow, spleen and liver. So, the first thing the parent did was take the child to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and the price quoted by the hospital was nearly Rs 4.80 lakh a month for enzyme replacement, said Prassana Shirol, who co-founded the health advocacy and awareness community Organisation for Rare Diseases India (ORDI) in 2014. Adv. Ashok Aggarwal filed a PIL on behalf of the father and the judgment in the case of Mohd. Ahmed (Minor) vs Union Of India & Ors came in 2013 in favour of the applicant. The judgment stated: Government is bound to ensure that poor and vulnerable sections of society have access to treatment for rare and chronic diseases, like Gaucher especially when the prognosis is good and there is a likelihood of the patient leading a normal life. Although obligations under Article 21 are generally understood to be progressively realizable depending on maximum available resources, yet certain obligations are considered core and non-derogable irrespective of resource constraints. Providing access to essential medicines at affordable prices is one such core obligation. Since a breach of a Constitutional right has taken place, the Court is under a duty to ensure that effective relief is granted.

Speaking to Firstpost, Adv Aggarwal said that despite the judgment and the allocation of funds, patients havent started receiving monetary benefits. In a recent case, the Jharkhand High Court had to give directions to the state government to bear 40 percent of the cost of six-year-old Shaurya Singh, who is suffering from Hunters Syndrome. On the strength of this policy, we are able to put pressure on different institutions to acknowledge the problem. There are also 13 to 14 beneficiaries covered under the Employees State Insurance in Tamil Nadu and Haryana, Chennai, Karnataka, said Adv. Aggarwal. He also informed us that the Central government told the Delhi High Court that it is looking into 39 cases.

Despite a big effort made towards bringing the issue into the attention of the judiciary and the government, Prasanna Shirol, who works closely with parent and doctor groups connected to ORDI, feels that implementation still seems difficult. Later on, the government issued a notice that the patient has to identify a government hospital in the state. However, unless state governments form a technical committee to see what treatment is available locally and what drugs need to be sourced and look into whether the drugs needed have been approved by the Drugs Control Administration (DDCA) and lay out clearly who will approve it, the Centre or the state? explained Shirol. He added that the government has laid down a procedure whereby patients have to approach the health secretary through an online application but wonders how many patients families are able to understand the procedure.

In December, the central government sent a circular to the National Rural Health Mission to submit a list of rare diseases to health departments of state governments. Now every state has to submit a proposal but only Karnataka has submitted its report till now, Shirol rued over the lack of research that results from the dearth of genetics medicine specialists in India. There are three institutions that offer the Doctorate of Medicine in Medical Genetics. There are the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, the Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (DMIMS) in Wardha, Maharashtra and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Theres also a DNB (Medical Genetics) course conducted by three institutions of India: National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG), Kalyani; Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH), New Delhi; The Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad. Among the handful of institutions that offer fellowship courses is Christian Medical College, Vellore.

As stated in the draft of the National Policy for Treatment of Rare Diseases, If we apply the international estimate of 6 percent to 8 percent of population being affected by rare diseases, to India, we have between 72 to 96 million people affected by rare diseases in the country, which is a significant number. So far, only 450 rare diseases have been recorded in India. The policy quotes a 2015 research work Rare Disease Terminology and Definitions  A Systematic Global Review: Report of the ISPOR Rare Disease 28 Special Interest Group, which concluded that attempts at harmonising the differing definitions should focus on standardising objective criteria such as prevalence thresholds and avoid qualitative descriptors like severity of the disease. The policy states that disease prevalence may not be a sure shot basis for defining rare diseases, since it doesnt take into account the changes in population over time.

Dr Seema Thakur, Fetal Medicine Doctor at Fortis Hospital, Gurugram feels that the policy will remain on paper unless there is a structural mechanism of generating awareness among healthcare providers at the district and the village level. Rare diseases can be diagnosed in the 11th and 12th week of pregnancy and the fetus can be terminated. We need to establish a referral pattern to diagnose this disease, one standard procedure that should become compulsory and known to all, she explained that genetic disorders arent synonymous with inherited disorders and in fact in as many as 85 percent of the cases, these will be diagnosed for the first time in the family. In the case of Lysosomal Storage Disorders, metabolism keeps slowing down and the child ends up with mental retardation or physical handicap or both.

Right now, treatment is mostly available through charitable access programmes of Genzyme and more recently Shire (both private companies). The government should have a corpus fund for manufacturing and supplying such medicines, Dr Thakur feels the advocacy through community networks is dispersed and stresses on the need for serious institutional support. She remembered the case of 7-year-old Ankit who died two years ago. His parents had got him here from Varanasi, but because of the criteria of one of the private organisations that the child should be severely affected to receive free medical aid, the treatment didnt start on time. These companies cannot be held accountable because they are doing charity and are burdened with the load of hundreds of patients, Dr Thakur painfully revealed.

Reflecting on the lack of research, Dr Manjit Singh, President of the Lysosomal Storage Disorders Support Society (LSDSS), said one of the reasons that curing a disease like Morquio Syndrome can cost up to Rs 4 crore a year is that American Companies that have made the medicine have spent billions of dollars on research. If research was done here, treatment would have been in our reach. Today, because of the collaborative effort of the European Gaucher Alliance, 200 children are getting medicines free of cost, he suggested that funding on research is essential, especially because India doesnt have something like the Orphan Drugs Act of 1983, which incentivises R&D efforts for such drugs to treat millions suffering from orphan diseases. Following the act, EU, Japan and Australia too laid down a strong legal framework to combat rare diseases.

Closer home, in what is a positive development for the field, Bengaluru is becoming a hub for companies that do commercial testing. These include Strand Genomics, CentoGene, MedGenome and Eurofins India. Dr Sunil Tadepalli, General Manager of CentoGene, which offers more than 1,700 routine genetic and biochemical tests, told Firstpost that a pulse polio like national programme is needed for genetic testing. Today, nearly 80 percent Chinese babies are being screened for genetic disorders. But youll be shocked to note that the newborns screened in India are less than one percent, Dr Tadepalli, who has vast experience in genetic testing in India and West Asia, underlined the reason for this as the lack of political will. There are to 30 to 50 disorders that can be eliminated through new born screening, these include Phenylketonuria and Congenital Hypothyroidism. The Genomics for Understanding Rare Diseases India Alliance Network (GUaRDIAN) does next-generation sequencing, genotyping micro-arrays and extensive computational analysis. Dr. Vinod Scaria, its Co-founder and Investigator Scientist, told Firstpost that affordability of genetic tests is an issue as they cost somewhere between Rs 10,000 and Rs 80,000. A lot more people will get diagnosed if these tests are made available to them at subsidised rates, through government or CSR intervention, he suggested.

One good impact of the policy, shared Dr Thakur, is that the accuracy levels of genetic tests have gone up from less than five per cent to 50 per cet. It costs around Rs 30,000 to send my sample to Bengaluru and just about Rs 45,000 to send it overseas to German labs and the results are more or less the same, she stressed on the need for more labs, especially in north India. Hospitals that refer patients for enzyme assembly testing include government hospitals like Ganga Ram and AIIMS in Delhi, Institute of Child Health in Bengaluru, King Edward Memorial in Mumbai, Sandor Lifesciences in Hyderabad, Apollo in Chennai, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences in Lucknow and PGI Hospital in Chandigarh. But the reach is limited to establishments in bigger cities because practitioners spread across smaller towns and thousands of villages have neither the awareness nor the equipment for enzyme assembly testing.

The policy draft is just a late first step to tackle rare diseases.A three-day meeting of the RSS's highest decision-making body is expected to elect the next sarkaryavah or general-secretary on Saturday

A three-day meeting of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh' highest decision-making body, the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS), which began on 9 March in Nagpur, is expected to elect the next sarkaryavah (general-secretary) of RSS on Saturday, reports said.

Saha-sarkaryavah (joint general-secretary) Dattatreya Hosabale is likely to be elevated to the rank of sarkaryavah on Saturday, replacing the current general-secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi, according to Zee News.

Joshi was unanimously re-elected as the RSS general-secretary for a third time in March 2015 by 1,400 delegates from across the country, the report added.

Joshi, now in his 70s, is likely to pass the mantle to Hosabale due to health reasons, The New Indian Express reported. A senior RSS functionary also told the newspaper that Hosabales elevation has been on the cards for a long time.

The sarkaryavah or general-secretary is effectively the second most important position in RSS. The general-secretary is the executive head of the organisation who looks after day-to-day activities. While the sarshanghachalak (chief) is the top post of RSS, its incumbent is seen in the role of a philosopher and guide leading the organisation.

This year's ABPS, which is held every three years, will be the last annual meeting before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In the meeting, the agenda of action for the next three years will be laid down.

Around 1,500 delegates of RSS are expected to attend the meeting, in which a host of issues will be discussed and deliberated upon. All regional heads of the RSS and its affiliates will attend the meeting. BJP chief Amit Shah is also expected to attend the meeting.

With inputs from agenciesSri Lanka president Maithripala Sirisena arrived in India on Saturday to attend the first conference of the founding members of the International Solar Alliance in New Delhi. He will head to Japan afterwards

Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena arrived India on Saturday to attend the first conference of the founding members of the International Solar Alliance in New Delhi. The Sri Lankan President will also be visiting Japan as part of his foreign tour.

Sirisena's foreign trip has come after four days of anti-Muslim riots hit the central hilly district of Kandy in Sri Lanka. The communal violence that has killed at least two people.

President of #SriLanka Maithripala Sirisena arrives in Delhi to attend #InternationalSolarAlliance conference pic.twitter.com/gGHxdPpLs0  ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018

The president had proclaimed a state of emergency to quell the riots and Kandy was under curfew for five days.

The government also blocked social media in another desperate attempt to curb rumours and violence.

Sinhala mobs went on a rampage after a Sinhalese man died in a traffic accident. The incident was reportedly used to fan communal passions.

Sirisena's government has come under fire for its inability to take timely action to curb the tensions.

Sinhalese Buddhists make up about 75 percent of Sri Lanka's 21 million population while Muslims are 10 percent.

Tensions between Muslim groups and the majority Sinhalese Buddhist community in the country have escalated since the end of the civil war in May, 2009.

With inputs from PTICommerce Minister Suresh Prabhu has been given additional charge of civil aviation ministry, a statement on Rashtrapati Bhavan's official Twitter account said.

Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu has been given additional charge of civil aviation ministry, a statement on Rashtrapati Bhavan's official Twitter account said.

As advised by the Prime Minister, #PresidentKovind has directed that Shri Suresh Prabhu, Cabinet Minister, shall be assigned charge of the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, in addition to his existing portfolio  President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 10, 2018

Prabhu has been assigned the responsibility after the TDP's Ashok Ganapathi Raju, who was in charge of civil aviation earlier, resigned from the Union cabinet. He is taking over at a time when the government is mulling privatisation of the national carrier Air India. A civil aviation official was recently quoted as saying that the government is committed to expediting the process of Air India's disinvestment.

The ministers resigned from the cabinet over the Centre's refusal to grant special status to Andhra Pradesh, and other demands.

Till September 2017, Prabhu was the railway minister in the Union Cabinet. He was moved to the commerce ministry in a Cabinet reshuffle at the Centre, after which Piyush Goyal took his place. His tenure as railway minister was marred by a number of accidents, which had led to severe public criticism of the railways.REMOTE. The Rural Changemakers of Janwaar, the book on Janwaar Castle, documents the experience of locals whose lives have been uplifted, as well as that of volunteers who have worked on the project | #FirstCulture

Its been three years since a skatepark came up in an obscure village in central India. Or, if one actually made the long-yet-picturesque trip to Janwaar in Madhya Pradesh, in the middle of nowhere.

The facility, called Janwaar Castle, has raised a new generation of rural change makers, who have left an impression on the rest of the country and across the world with their enthusiasm and talent. And each time they rolled out on a skateboard, this bunch took on the onus of bringing about change, around them.

What was once a closed environment, resistant to any change that came its way, is today an open sandbox, ready for experimentation and moving in a direction that hopes to set an example for other similar rural communities. The journey over these years has been charmingly captured by the founder, Ulrike Reinhard, in the book REMOTE. The Rural Changemakers of Janwaar, with stunning visuals of Janwaar made mostly by ace photographer, Vicky Roy.

It was important to document how people see what is happening in Janwaar. From the kids to the villagers, people who have been volunteering with us, as well as visitors, this book captures their experience, Reinhard says. REMOTE, because thats exactly where we are, in the middle of nowhere! she laughs.

At the start of the book, Reinhard explains what brought her to India and what it took to set up the skatepark. That, essentially, was the easy part; the bigger challenge was to expose the villagers to change, and more importantly, get them to embrace it.

Look at the smaller villages in India, they are a part of a very rigid, traditional set up. Without movement, there will never be change, so you need to shake them up and get them moving. This is essentially what the skatepark has done, she says.

The model on which Janwaar Castle was set up was an open process, where anyone could plug-in and play, with no predefined program that focussed on a particular issue. Additionally, having previously worked in the field, Reinhard used the power of networks.

You see huge companies like Cisco which embrace these network models and allow their employees to decide where they want to see their company in the next few years. Its the same with Janwaar  the villagers must drive it forward. When I saw someone in the village move, we would define a single individual learning pass for him. But it was designed in such a way that it gave back to the community. The vision was to uplift the lives of the villagers in Janwaar, she explains.

The biggest challenge for Reinhard and her team was to not interfere too much, and instead, step back and observe the direction in which the change was progressing. It all started with the kids  all too eager to learn and pull off the latest tricks on a skateboard. Over a period of time, some of them stepped up to show different abilities  from creative arts to vocational skills, which were honed by various experts across India.

A few even had the opportunity to step out of Janwaar for the first time and observe the world outside. While three boys rolled out on skateboards across Europe for over six weeks, Asha had the opportunity to spend a month in England. In the coming months, three girls will visit Australia to skate and stitch.

Im really happy to say that these kids whove been out have really taken up the responsibility of being role models. Theyve become leaders in their own community, trying to give back to the village through their own learning and experience. Besides being self-confident and open to interaction, they are also ready to deal with failure, which I think is great, Reinhard says.

It hasnt been all smooth sailing for Janwaar. The registered NGO, Janwaar Castle Community Organisation, went through a rough patch last year. But Reinhard, who decided to part ways with the NGO and continues to work in her own capacity, believes it only brought the village together, as they found common ground to unite and make their voices heard. Then, there is the issue of network connectivity, which restricts the scope of operation, especially when it comes to education and learning. For instance, Internet access could bring in essential tools such as the School in the Cloud founded by Sugata Mitra, or help tap into the volunteer network around the world, who are happy to work with the kids on various subjects every once in a while.

The lack of infrastructure hasnt stopped Janwaar Castle from growing, though. One of the key initiatives that was taken up last year was the Data Project. A team of volunteers walked into the 130-odd households in Janwaar and gathered socio-economic data  right from what they did for a living, the number of members in each household, their income and how they spent it and if they had Aadhar cards. They then looked up the various schemes offered by the state and central government and created a programme to match the data.

So on one hand, we have government schemes, and then, the data from the village. We can now see who is eligible for which scheme. Our next step is to file these applications, which will have a direct and immediate impact on the village. Take a widow, for example, who benefits from it  some money will make her life a little bit easier, Reinhard says.

It was also very intense learning for the volunteers involved. To understand how big the gap is between their smartphones and the data that its collecting is the first step towards closing this gap," she says, adding, "The data project most likely will advance to a pilot study in Madhya Pradesh, supported by the Tata Government Services and MPonline. And if it works, it will be scaled all over India. We are pretty proud of that."

Then, there are the six homestays that have been set up to accommodate visitors and give them a taste of rural life, as well as skateboarding. This in turn, has ensured cleanliness and hygiene, especially when it comes to sanitation. For some of the villagers, it has also translated to more income than their regular jobs.

In such a place, progress is when people start thinking about another future. They have started realising that village life has some clear advantages, after interacting with outsiders. This is helping them create their own identities and they take pride in their village today. It is what you need to prevent migration. If we succeed a little more in creating opportunities, things will change for the better, she says.Sonia Gandhi, through her address at the India Today conclave, was trying to reclaim Congress's space and mantle of leadership among the Opposition.

When a batter tries to hit every ball out of the park regardless of where it is pitched, you know that either a rank tailender is at work or we are into the slog overs. Now, even if the NDA decides to advance the date of general elections, we'll have to wait till December. These are clearly not the slog overs yet and Sonia Gandhi isn't a rookie. So what was she trying to do on Friday in Mumbai at the India Today conclave? As we shall see, she was trying to do several things at once.

On the face of it, through her speech, Sonia was evidently gunning for Narendra Modi and blaming him for every real and perceived ill that currently plagues India. While that is obvious, it is also unexceptionable.

At a subtler level, Sonia was trying to reclaim Congress's space and mantle of leadership among the Opposition. Naturally, the easiest way to do so would be to make the Modi government the target of excoriating rhetoric. Brand Modi is so strong that political careers can be made or resurrected by ricocheting off it. Sonia, a craftier politician than many give her credit for, would have hoped to create enough noise in both mainstream and social media to place Congress at the forefront of the Opposition ranks ahead of the 2019 battle.

This is crucial because Congress's leadership has come under question after a string of listless results and talks of a "third front" have started swirling again, led by the likes of Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and even NCP supremo Sharad Pawar. The latter, in fact, is holding a meeting of anti-BJP parties on 27 and 28 March in New Delhi and recently sent Praful Patel to Bengal to secure Mamata's participation.

What would have spiked Sonia's concern is that some Opposition leaders are pledging equidistance from Congress. In KCR's words, according to a News18 report: "There is a serious need to bring change in national politics. Seventy years have passed since Independence and out of those 70 years, 64 years were ruled by either BJP or Congress. Even after 70 years, people are suffering and they dont even have water to drink It can be a third front or anything It is unification of the people of India and not just some political parties. And this will surely be minus BJP and Congress, no doubt about that."

While Pawar is planning to hold meetings and KCR is calling for a "third front" sans the Congress and BJP, Mamata is busy blaming Rahul Gandhi for the Congress's North East debacle. Soon after the results were out, the TMC chief told the media that Rahul was wrong to turn down her invitation to join hands for the Tripura Assembly polls. "Tripura is the outcome of CPMs surrender and Congress failure," she declared.

It is not a secret that Mamata has a very poor opinion of Rahul's political acumen and would rather do business with Sonia instead. Things, however, have become a tad complicated at the change of baton in Congress. Other constituents of this 'third front' are equally wary of Rahul. RJD chief Lalu Yadav, for instance, last year had requested the presence of Sonia or Priyanka Gandhi for his "BJP bhagao desh bachao" rally last May. The Telegraph had reported that in a phone call, Lalu apparently told Sonia, "You should come, but if for some reason you cannot, kindly send Priyanka Gandhi for the rally."

This presents a problem of legitimacy for the Congress, one which the wily Sonia sought to address by claiming that in 2019, Opposition parties must keep aside all their differences to unite against the "oppressive" Modi regime "in the larger interest" of the nation. Unspoken in the "selfless" call is the message that no formation can afford to keep the Congress out.

She said, "We have worked together earlier. In Parliament, there is co-ordination, especially in the Rajya Sabha It is difficult for all the parties including ours. At the national level, we can come together on some issues. But at the ground level, we are opponents. There is a lot of pressure from all parties, including ours, like in West Bengal and many other states. It is a difficult task But if all of us think of the larger picture...if we feel and care for the country, we have to sink the local differences."

Sonia thundered that in 2019, "we are going to come back. We are not going to let them come back to power". She even went on to claim that "achhe din will sink BJP like India Shining did" . Whether or not that happens is for the voters to decide. There was, however, a touch of arrogance and a sense of entitlement in her words, which seemed a little misplaced.

After all, the Congress's performance in recently concluded Assembly polls in three north-eastern states has been dismal. In Meghalaya, the only state where it managed a few seats, Congress tally was down to 21 from 29 in 2013. In Nagaland, Congress failed to open account whereas it had won eight in 2013. Its vote share in this Christian-majority state crashed from 24.89 percent to just 2.1 percent while BJP posted a handsome increase. Similarly in Tripura, Congress's vote share nosedived from a healthy 36.53 percent in 2013 to a paltry 1.8 percent this year. Needless to say, it didn't win any seat.

If we scratch the surface, the much-hyped recent bypoll results also look less than glamorous for Congress.

In the two Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh that it retained  Kolaras and Mungaoli  Congress has been in power since 2013. What should worry Sonia is that in both these seats, Congress' vote share has suffered a drastic downward revision. In Mungaoli, for instance, Congress's margin came down from about 20,000 votes to just 2,000-odd votes. In Kolaras, the margin was down to around 8,000 votes from nearly 25,000 in 2013. In both these seats, the BJP has substantially increased its share even after a 15-year reign. For all its bravado before the media, infighting has started over this erosion.

As Economic Times notes in a report, "that these seats fell in the parliamentary constituency of partys CM face probable Jyotiraditya Scindia, who relentlessly campaigned here, is only expected to increase the tussle among state leaders on the point whether Scindia can lead the party to a win in the state eight months later."

It is only in Rajasthan that Congress's prospects look good. The party won two bypoll seats and also performed well in local civic body elections. It is tough to argue, however, that a good show in Rajasthan is enough to convince Sonia that Congress is ready to unseat BJP in 2019 when the grand old party's performance everywhere else is taking a beating.

We may, therefore, look at the other possibility, that Sonia's "belligerence" against Modi  which mainly was a mishmash of old and tired rhetoric before a sympathetic audience  reflected more a desperation to shore up the party's morale ahead of upcoming crucial states, especially as party president Rahul Gandhi was abroad, busy making a meal of himself before the world. Sonia showed that Rahul has still a lot to learn.The BJP's Karnataka unit accused the Congress government in the state of 'failure' on the law and order front, and demanded that the Governor recommend imposition of President's rule in the state

Bengaluru: The BJP's Karnataka unit on Friday accused the Congress government in the state of "failure" on the law and order front, and demanded that the Governor recommend imposition of President's rule in the state.

The state BJP chief Yeddyurappa also hit out at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for allegedly instructing prison officials to provide "special amenities" to deposed AIADMK leader VK Sasikala who is lodged in the central jail in Bengaluru in connection with a disproportionate assets case.

Slamming the government for the attack on Lokayukta P Vishwanatha Shetty, who was stabbed multiple times in his cabin on Wednesday, Yeddyurappa said, "this shows that there is no civilian government in place in the state."

He said the attack on the Lokayukta has become nationwide news and brought down the credibility of the state government in front of the world.

"The government that cannot provide security to the honourable judge is not fit to continue in power even for a minute. Governor has to immediately take action and should recommend President's rule," he told reporters in Bengaluru.

The former chief minister also said he along with Union Minister Ananth Kumar had met Union home minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi on Thursday on the matter.

Alleging that the law and order situation has been consistently deteriorating, Yeddyurappa said Karnataka has, for the first time in its history, become "a goonda state", where murders and extortion have become common.

Giving numbers indicating increase in cases of murder, atrocities against Dalits, incidents of rape and dacoity, he said, "This is Siddaramaiah government's record...the chief minister has to give an explanation to the people of the state."

Yeddyurappa targeted the government for repeated incidents of "attacks and murders" of BJP and right wing activists.

He also accused the Siddaramaiah government of weakening the institution of Lokayukta by bringing in the Anti-Corruption Bureau, which works according to its instructions, to target political opponents.

Referring to the allegation made by former DGP Prisons Sathyanarayana Rao that certain amenities were provided to Sasikala in jail following instructions from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Yeddyurappa called it "shameful".

"This for the first time in the history of the country, a chief minister has tried to help an inmate (in jail). This is an insult to our democratic system."

Terming it contempt of court, he said the governor has to initiate legal action against the chief minister.

Siddaramaiah, however, has denied having instructed officials to give certain amenities to Sasikala.The Congress on Saturday announced its support for the candidature of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) nominee Bhim Rao Ambedkar for the Rajya Seat from Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow: The Congress on Saturday announced its support for the candidature of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) nominee Bhim Rao Ambedkar for the Rajya Seat from Uttar Pradesh, polling for which will be held on 23 March.

The decision was announced by the leader of the Congress legislature party in the state assembly, Ajay Kumar 'Lallu', after a meeting with the leader of the BSP legislators in the assembly, Lalji Verma.

Polling in biennial elections for 10 Rajya Sabha seats from the state will be held on 23 March. Based on its strength in the state assembly, the ruling BJP can send eight persons to the Upper House of Parliament, while the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the BSP can send one member each.

The BJP, however, is said to have been contemplating a ninth candidate also, something which might now face a roadblock.

The SP has named Jaya Bachchan as its candidate for the polls.

The BSP has 19 members in the Vidhan Sabha while the Congress has seven. The SP has 47 and the BJP along with its allies has 324 seats.

To get elected to the Rajya Sabha, each candidate requires 37 votes. While eight candidates of the BJP can cruise along easily, it will have 28 more votes and if it can ensure cross-voting by nine more members, its ninth candidate can also get elected.

Independent MLAs like Raghuraj Pratap Singh aka Raja Bhaiyya, Vinod Saroj, Aman Mani Tripathi and Vijay Mishra sided with the BJP in the presidential election.

BJP strategists are eyeing these four legislators and also looking at some possible breakaways in the SP and Congress ranks. The BJP has so far only announced the name of Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley from Uttar Pradesh for the polls.Sunil Deodhar, BJP's national executive committee member and the party's in-charge for Tripura, has asked incoming chief minister Biplab Deb to have the septic tanks of all state ministers cleaned before the quarters are occupied

Sunil Deodhar, the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) national executive committee member and the party's in-charge for Tripura, has asked the new Chief Minister of Tripura Biplab Kumar Deb to have the septic tanks of all state ministers cleaned before the quarters are occupied.

Deodhar has also brought up a 13-year-old case of a woman's skeleton being found in former chief minister Manik Sarkar's house, and accused "these people" of being political murderers.

However, the link between cleaning septic tanks of all ministers' houses in Tripura with a 13-year-old long-forgotten incident remains unclear.

Deodhar took to Twitter on Saturday to launch the attack on Sarkar. "I request Biplab Deb, the new Chief Minister of Tripura, to get septic tanks of all ministers' quarters cleaned before occupying them," he wrote.

"It should be recollected that a woman's skeleton was found in septic tank of ex-chief minister Manik Sarkar's quarters on 4 January, 2005, but the case was deliberately suppressed," Deodhar added.

Deodhar, an RSS pracharak originally from Maharashtra, had also worked as a national coordinator of the North East India Communication Cell set up by Nitin Gadkari, when the latter was the BJP's national president.

I request @BjpBiplab, new CM of Tripura, to get septic tanks of all minister quarters cleaned before occupying them. It should be recollected that a womans skeleton was found in septic tank of Ex CM Manik Sarkar's quarter on Jan 4, 2005 but the case was deliberately suppressed.  Sunil Deodhar (@Sunil_Deodhar) March 10, 2018

Prior to that, Deodhar was made incharge of Dahod district in Gujarat for the 2012 Assembly election and managed to improve the party's tally from the Adivasi-dominated region from one seat to three.

Unmarried, the former teacher from suburban Andheri in Mumbai runs an initiative called 'My Home India' which aims to establish a communication channel between communities and tribes of the North East.

When skeletons were found in Manik Sarkar's house

In 2005, the skeletal remains of a woman were discovered inside a septic tank at Manik Sarkar's official residence, and a report in The Telegraph said it triggered frenzied speculation about a possibly brutal crime at the most famous address in town.

The report said that Sarkar initially constituted a CID probe, but later handed over the case to the CBI after consulting his ministers and senior police officials.

The skull and nine bones  from the shin, forearms and ribs  of the unidentified woman were found when the septic tank was being cleaned by the Agartala Municipal Council. The tank is connected to a toilet close to the house meant for security personnel and other members of the chief minister's staff. The sprawling campus has two buildings and several security sheds, The Telegraph report added.

With inputs from PTIChief Justice Zhou Qiang delivers a work report of the Supreme People's Court at the second plenary meeting of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- China's judicial and procuratorial organs have maintained high pressure against graft, as the numbers of both investigated public servants and convicted high-ranking officials set records.

At a plenary meeting of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) Friday, Chief Justice Zhou Qiang and Procurator-General Cao Jianming delivered work reports on the Supreme People's Court (SPC) and the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) respectively, highlighting the anti-graft campaign progress over the past five years.

Procurators investigated 254,419 people for suspected involvement in duty-related crimes from 2013 to 2017, up 16.4 percent compared with the previous five years, Cao said in the SPP report.

Losses of over 55.3 billion yuan (8.7 billion U.S. dollars) were recovered from the concluded cases, he said.

Among the investigated, 120 are former officials at the provincial and ministerial level or above. Prosecution proceedings were launched against 105 of them, said Cao.

Graft cases involving 101 former officials at the provincial and ministerial level or above were concluded from 2013 to 2017, Zhou said in the SPC report.

Chinese courts concluded 195,000 graft cases during the period, implicating 263,000 individuals. A total of 13,000 people were convicted of offering bribes, the report read.

The case of Yang Xiuzhu, who was number one on the list of China's top 100 fugitives in an Interpol Red Notice, was heard during the period, said the chief justice.

Yang, former vice mayor of Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, fled China in 2003 and surrendered to police in November 2016. She was sentenced to eight years in jail for embezzlement and taking bribes in October 2017.

Chinese courts also investigated and punished 3,338 court staff members for abusing judicial and enforcement power. Cases involving 531 of them were transferred to the judicial organ.

"Drawing a profound lesson from the case of Xi Xiaoming, we resolutely punished judicial corruption with zero-tolerance," Zhou said.

Xi Xiaoming, former SPC vice president, was sentenced to life in prison for accepting bribes worth over 100 million yuan in 2017.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress held in November 2012, China has intensified measures to prevent and fight corruption, including disciplinary inspections and supervisory reform.

Supervisory commissions at the provincial, prefectural and county levels have been formed to supervise all who exercise public power. The national supervisory commission is also expected to be established at the ongoing first session of the 13th NPC.

Zhang Weiguo, an NPC deputy, said the record high number of convictions, including cases of those former high-ranking officials, have shown China's zero-tolerance for graft.

"Judging from the anti-corruption achievements over the past five years, I am confident that we can secure an overwhelming victory against graft under the leadership of the CPC," he said.Voting will be held on Sunday for bypolls to Lok Sabha seats of Phulpur and Gorakhpur, a stronghold of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, with a riveting triangular contest on the cards

Lucknow: Voting will be held on Sunday for bypolls to Lok Sabha seats of Phulpur and Gorakhpur, a stronghold of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, with a riveting triangular contest on the cards after Mayawati-led BSP extended support to Samajwadi Party to take on the BJP, while the Congress joined the fray on its own.

Tight security arrangements have been made with nearly 6,500 personnel of central armed para-military forces deployed, apart from Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and homeguards to ensure peaceful polling in Gorakhpur and Phulpur seats, vacated by Adityanath and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya respectively following their election to Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council.

The outcome of the bye-election will be crucial, as a success for the SP-BSP experiment could pave the way for the two major players in Uttar Pradesh to tie up in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections to counter the BJP, which had trounced them in the last general and assembly elections.

There are 10 candidates in the fray from Gorakhpur, while there are 22 candidates contesting from Phulpur.

The BJP has fielded Kaushalendra Singh Patel from Phulpur and Upendra Dutt Shukla from Gorakhpur against SP's Pravin Nishad and Nagendra Pratap Singh Patel respectively. Sureetha Kareem is the Congress candidate from Gorakhpur. The party, which had joined hands with SP in the assembly polls held last year, has

fielded Manish Mishra from Phulpur.

For the BJP, Gorakhpur is significant as it is the bastion of the chief minister, who has represented the seat in the Lok Sabha five times. Prior to Yogi Adityanath, the seat was thrice represented in Parliament by his mentor Yogi Avaidyanath.

Phulpur, once the bastion of the Congress and represented by India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, witnessed a saffron surge in the 2014 Lok Sabha election, when Maurya won the seat.

Adityanath has termed the bye-elections a rehearsal for the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

The office of the Uttar Pradesh chief electoral officer in a statement issued on Saturday said that voting will begin at 7.00 am and continue till 5.00 pm.

In Gorakhpur parliamentary constituency, there are 970 polling centres and 2,141 polling booths. Similarly, in Phulpur, there are 793 polling centres and 2,059 polling booths.

According to the Election Commission, there 19.61 lakh voters in Phulpur parliamentary constituency, while there are 19.49 lakh voters in Gorakhpur.

In the bypolls, as many as 4,728 VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines will also be used. VVPAT machines are used during election process to verify that the vote polled by a voter has gone to the candidate.

Steps have been taken for webcasting from 95 critical booths.tech2 News Staff

Samsung just launched its latest flagship series, the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus at Mobile World Congress 2018 (MWC).

The Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus are not the only two flagship devices that the company will launch this year as it plans to launch its Galaxy Note series flagship device later in the year for Note series fans.

Samsung has not announced any details about the upcoming flagship. However, regardless of the announcement, considering that this is a flagship device from Samsung, it is expected that the company will add the latest and greatest that the technology world has to offer in terms of the hardware along with an impressive design from the company. However, according to a new report by MacRumors, Samsung is likely to not include the under-display fingerprint scanner that was all the rage during MWC 2018, especially with the Vivo APEX and the X20 Plus UD that was revealed during the Consumer Electronics Show 2018 (CES).

According to the report, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi-Kuo stated that the company will cancel the under-display fingerprint scanner because of technical issues implanting it in the device. Kuo claimed that the ultrasonic sensor by Qualcomm and the optical solution by Synaptics does not meet the technical requirements of the company. This is not the first time that Samsung device to take a pass on the technology as it did not include it with the S9 and S9 Plus.

Regardless of the reports, Kuo is positive about the technology and believes that Samsung will be the first to pioneer the under-display fingerprint scanner for OLED displays.A trade war between Europe and the US can still be averted, German economy minister Brigitte Zypries said on Saturday

Berlin: A trade war between Europe and the United States can still be averted, German economy minister Brigitte Zypries said on Saturday, adding she hoped that talks in Brussels this weekend could help to prevent an escalation.

US president Donald Trump set import tariffs on Thursday of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum but is under heavy pressure from allies including the European Union and Japan to dilute the measures.

US trade representative Robert Lighthizer was due to meet EU trade chief Cecilia Malmstrom and separately with Japanese trade minister Hiroshige Seko on Saturday for long-planned talks that have taken on added urgency amid concerns that Trumps move could provoke a global trade war.

Zypries told Deutschlandfunk radio that so far no tariffs had been imposed and it was too early to talk about a looming trade war. But weve reached a situation in which the preliminary skirmishes have become serious, she added.

Zypries said the EUs Malmstrom was trying to solve the dispute through negotiations, adding: There are still talks going on, things are in flux, so if you want you could say its still about diplomacy and not war.

The minister said Trumps proposed tariffs would violate the rules of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and that Germany would coordinate closely with the European Commission on how to react if Trump pushed ahead.

Of course, we would have to take proceedings against him at the WTO, Zypries said. And in addition, we will have to think about counter-measures.As authorities in Sri Lanka finally get a grip on the unrest, which was sparked by a single incident on 4 March, security remains tight in Kandy.

Sri Lankas president Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday appointed a three-member Presidential Committee of Inquiry to investigate the violence that engulfed the countrys central, hill-capital Kandy earlier this week.

A team of parliamentarians lead by prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and speaker Karu Jayasuriya is visiting affected communities on Saturday.

The prime minister held discussions with the affected community and government officials on recovery efforts, barely a week after the incidents occurred. According to the statistics shared by the prime minister at the meeting, 465 properties, including buildings, mosques and vehicles have been destroyed in arson attacks that lasted for three days, before being brought under control by the military.

As the authorities finally get a grip on the unrest, which was sparked by a single incident on the night of 4 March, security remains tight in Kandy with an overnight curfew in force to prevent any more trouble.

The first attack on the Muslim community living in Kandy occurred in Teldeniya town and spread to adjoining Digana town on the morning of the 5 March and continued till midweek, despite a curfew and a state of Emergency declared by the government.

We will not remove the troops who have been deployed there as yet, Sri Lanka Army spokesman, Brigadier Sumith Kuruppu told Firstpost. They will remain on location till the situation returns to complete normalcy.

As many as 3,160 soldiers from the Army, Navy and Air Force have been deployed in the district to quell the violence. The attacks on Muslim-owned shops, homes and places of worship had spread as far as Katugastota, some 20 km from Teldeniya, where it first started on 4 March.

The Army took the decision to deploy a large number of troops also as a confidence-building measure, Brigadier Kuruppu said. We will keep the troops until the civilians are confident of their safety, he said.

The Muslim community, which was targeted in the attacks, accused the police of inaction, as violence continued for three days after police Special Task Force (STF) had been deployed in the area.

Kandy's Chief Maulavi, Fazrul Rahaman, claims he raised concerns with the top police officials in the district but they went unheeded. The DIG called late on Sunday (4 March) night and told me the situation is not looking good and asked me to tell the community to stay put. It was already too late then, Maulavi Rahaman told Firstpost.

However, he said the situation is now under control, and Friday jumma prayers were held without incident. The army beefed up security for all prayer locations on Friday, following a decision by army commander Lieutenant General NUMMW Senanayake, who was recalled from a trip to India on 7 March to control the situation.

After a few mosques were destroyed in the attacks earlier this week, Friday prayers in some parts of Kandy district were held in open areas under tight security provided by the military.

Muslims in Digana, the area hardest hit by the violence, were forced to say their prayers in a nearby playground as the mosque was destroyed in an arson attack. In Kengalle, the prayers were held on the street. As a mark of solidarity with the Muslim community, Buddhist priests attended prayers in a number of areas.

There were a number of mosques in the district that had to hold prayers either on the streets or in nearby open areas as the buildings were deemed unsafe to enter after the attacks, said Maulavi Rahaman. Thankfully no incident has occurred after the prayers. I have called all mosque leaders in the district and everything is peaceful.

Sri Lanka police last evening announced that 146 suspects have been arrested since clashes erupted on Sunday (4th) night. Two teenagers were arrested for inciting racial hatred through sharing posts on Facebook, a police spokesman, Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Investigations of the involvement of ten suspects, including Amith Weerasinghe, who is alleged to have led the attacks through his hard-line Sinhala Buddhist organization, Mahasohon Balakaya, are being conducted by the Terrorist Investigative Department.

The army has been tasked with rebuilding damaged buildings and homes deploying their engineer corps. Lieutenant General Senanayake chaired a meeting with Muslim business leaders on Friday to discuss their concerns. He assured them that the rebuilding will be completed by the end of April, in time for Buddhist Wesak Festival, with money from the Presidents Fund.

The police also said that 51 complaints have been received of damage to houses and businesses. Another 12 complaints of damage to vehicles have also been recorded by the police.

However, the extent of damage may be much higher as people from the affected community return to survey their properties. Civilian movement has been restricted due to the curfew imposed throughout Kandy district, with short breaks when people are allowed to move freely to stock up on food and other basic needs.

(Chathuri Dissanayake is a Colombo-based journalist and a member of 101Reporters.com, a network of grassroots reporters.)Three workers for a programme that treats veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder were found dead Friday along with the suspect who took them hostage in a daylong standoff at the state-run Veterans Home of California-Yountville

Yountville, California: Three workers for a programme that treats veterans for post-traumatic stress disorder were found dead Friday along with the suspect who took them hostage in a daylong standoff at the largest veterans home in the US, officials said.

The bodies of the four were discovered nearly eight hours after the gunman slipped into an employee going-away party in a building where combat veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan receive treatment, said California Highway Patrol Assistant Chief Chris Childs.

The three female victims were employees of the nonprofit organisation Pathway Home treatment programme, which is housed on the campus of the Veterans Home of California-Yountville.

Childs said it was "far too early to say if they were chosen at random" because investigators had not yet determined a motive.

"This is a tragic piece of news, one we were really hoping we would not have to come before the public to give," he said.

Napa County Sheriff John Robertson declined to identify the victims and the gunman Friday night, saying family members still needed to be notified following the attack at the state-run Veterans Home of California-Yountville, in one of Napa Valley's most upscale towns in the heart of wine country.

Yountville is about 53 miles (85 kilometres) north of San Francisco.

A sheriff's deputy responding to an emergency call shortly after 10 a.m. got into a shootout with the gunman, but the officer was not injured.

Highway Patrol Sergent Robert Nacke said negotiators were unable to make contact with the gunman throughout the day.

Larry Kamer told The Associated Press that his wife, Devereaux Smith, was at a morning staff party and told him by phone that the gunman had entered the room quietly, letting some people leave while taking others hostage.

Smith, a fundraiser for the nonprofit Pathway Home, was still inside the facility's dining hall and was not allowed to leave, he said. The Pathway Home, a privately run programme on the grounds of the veterans home, treats veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Police evacuated the property and closed off nearby roads. An armored police vehicle, ambulances and several firetrucks were at the facility, which houses about 1,000 residents.

Army veteran and resident Bob Sloan, 73, was working at the home's TV station when a co-worker came in and said he had heard four gunshots coming from the Pathway Home. Sloan sent alerts for residents to stay put.

Jan Thornton of Vallejo, California, was among hundreds of relatives worried about how their loved ones were coping with the lockdown. Thornton said her 96-year-old father, a World War II fighter pilot, was inside a hospital wing and that she had reached one of his friends who said he was safe.

Still, she worried about the stress of the lockdown, considering her father's age and that he has PTSD and some dementia. Thornton said her "heart just bleeds for the people that are being held hostage."

A group of about 80 students who were on the home's grounds were safely evacuated after being locked down, the sheriff said. The teens from Justin-Siena High School were at a theatre rehearsing a play.

"They were a distance away from the shooting situation," Robertson said.

Some of the children were driven away on school buses and others in cars. Sasha Craig spotted a car carrying her 15- and 17-year-old children and ran toward it blowing kisses.

"There are my kids," she said. Like many parents, she was texting with her children inside and said the teenagers were telling their parents to "chill."

The state Veterans Affairs department says the home that opened in 1884 is the nation's largest veterans home, with about 1,000 elderly and disabled residents.

Yvette Bennett, a wound-care supply worker who supplies the veterans center, was turned back when she tried to deliver what she called urgently needed medical supplies for two patients inside.

Of all the medical institutions she has worked with, "this is the most placid, calm, serene place," she said. Earlier this week, when she last visited, she asked a doctor, "What's your magic here?"

"And then 48 hours later this happens," Bennett said.

Yountville is a small town that's home to wineries such as Domaine Chandon, which is less than a half-mile from the veterans facility, and Thomas Keller's famed restaurant The French Laundry, which is about a mile away.A first group of jihadists is to be evacuated from the Syrian rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta, the target of a devastating regime assault, a powerful Islamist rebel group announced on Friday

Beirut: A first group of jihadists is to be evacuated from the Syrian rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta, the target of a devastating regime assault, a powerful Islamist rebel group announced on Friday.

The fighters from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group made up mostly of Al-Qaeda's ex-affiliate Al-Nusra Front, is to be evacuated to the northern province of Idlib, Jaish al-Islam said in a statement.

It said the initiative was "based on consultations between Jaish al-Islam and the United Nations, and a number of international actors.

"It has been agreed that the first group of HTS members be released from the prisons of Jaish al-Islam ... It has been agreed that they be moved to Idlib at their request," Jaish al-Islam said.

Despite two weeks of air strikes and artillery bombardment that have killed almost 950 civilians, the main rebel groups have so far rejected Russian-brokered offers to evacuate civilians or any of their own fighters.

The main groups had said on February 27 they would be willing to expel jihadist fighters from the enclave as soon as a UN ceasefire took effect.

Eastern Ghouta, which lies just east of Damascus, is home to some 400,000 civilians and is controlled by myriad armed groups..    -            12-15 ,   PA,  ,    COVID-19         .          ;  ,   ,         ...Photo taken on March 9, 2018 shows the Veterans Home of California in Napa County, Califonia, the United States. A gunman on Friday took three people hostage at the veterans home and the standoff was still continuing, local media reported. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

SAN FRANCISCO, March 9 (Xinhua) -- A gunman on Friday took three people hostage at a veterans home in the U.S. state of California and the standoff was still continuing, local media reported.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) said via Twitter that it was responding to an active shooter and hostage situation at a veterans home at Yountville.

Local TV KRON4 reported the suspect is believed to be a 36-year-old man who was a member of The Pathway Home, a privately run program for military veterans with emotional trauma.

There were preliminary reports of 30 shots fired outside the main dining area of the Veterans Home of California in Napa County, about 84 km north of San Francisco.

The sheriff's office said that multiple shots had been fired at officers, but there were no reports of any casualties.NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

Under the current system, getting information about your own health care and the care your children get can be challenging and confusing.

Whats in your medical records? How do you even get access to them? How do you understand what all the strange medical terminology means in plain English? How much do particular treatments, procedures and drugs cost? How do you make intelligent choices about dealing with your health conditions? Why cant you be in charge of your own health care?

These questions came to my mind last Wednesday when I learned that my 13-year-old son was receiving an inadequate antibiotic for an ear infection because his medical chart wrongly listed him as having a penicillin allergy. Though both my wife and I are physicians, we didnt have automatic access to this information.

On Thursday I traveled to Washington and heard new Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar speak at the American Health Insurance Plans Conference about the exact kind of problem that had occurred with my son  and that affects millions of other Americans. Azar also provided his solution.

First, a bit about Azars background. He has unique qualifications for his job because he previously worked at HHS as both general counsel and deputy secretary under President George W. Bush. In the private sector he was president of the U.S. division of Eli Lilly and Company, a major drug company. He also grew up in a medical family. His father, Dr. Alex Azar, practiced ophthalmology for over three decades.

At the conference, Secretary Azar stated emphatically that he and President Trump are committed to disrupting the current structure of our health care system. He said they are going against special interests with the goal of putting the patient at the center of his or her health care.

These are prodigious claims, and afterwards Azar sat down with me in an exclusive on-camera interview for Fox News and explained what he means by changing todays volume to tomorrows value.

We are trying to work to facilitate that information be accessible to top app developers so that information can be sucked into applications that are very useable and intuitive for the patient to look at their own data, Azar told me. We think that is a big part of putting the patient in the driver seat in the health care system.

Clearly, we live in a technological world where it is an advantage for patients to have all their health information no farther than their smartphone. I cautioned that as a physician, I am aware that a patient may worry excessively over results too easily taken out of context. Dr. Google doesnt always reassure, and your physician is less and less likely to be available.

But Azar said he is prepared to use the broad reach and power of the HHS for positive change. HHS includes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, the Public Health Service, Medicare and Medicaid.

HHS has a $1.2 trillion budget. Azar said. That means its bigger than the British Empire. He spoke to me about using this power and reach to increase transparency and decrease costs. He pointed to this weeks news of United Healthcare asking for a portion of its employees to receive prescription drug discounts. I think thats a direct result of pressure on drug pricing and benefits, he said.

Azar told me his own story of being victimized by the current system as an example of where improvements in price transparency are needed. While he was deputy HHS secretary he went to see his primary care doctor, who ordered a routine stress echocardiogram. But the test was scheduled  without his prior agreement  in the hospital, which would have caused the cost to skyrocket from $550 to $5,500 before the insurance discount was applied. Azar said he removed the hospital wristband and left.

I know what Im doing. I know this space, Azar said. I know how cost works in the system. What if I were a grandmother and Im trusting the system will take care of me? What if Im a 20-something and I have a high deductible plan? I was able to fight for that information. I knew to fight for that information ... they wouldnt. I think its a right to know up front what we are going to pay for a procedure.

Azar said he and President Trump believe that by putting the patient in charge, using Medicare and Medicaid to reward quality throughout the health care system and having costs knowable up front, the price will come down and the value will go up.

As a practicing physician I tend to agree with this approach. I would just as soon see the insurers, drug companies and government recede into the background when it comes to health care delivery.

Sure, let the patient be in charge. Why not use the latest digital technology to channel this information right to his or her fingertips?

As a doctor I would only caution that too much information is not always a good thing. Sometimes my patients jump to too many conclusions and worry too much about worst-case scenarios. This is especially true as health care solutions become more and more complex.

Personalized health care is a good thing to have and the patient should certainly be in charge of it. But we also need a support system that provides the right answers to a patients growing questions.

Fox News Field Producers Jeremy Copas and Meghan Welsh contributed to this article.NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

In his new book, "Our Father: Reflections on the Lords Prayer," Pope Francis offers his insights into some of Jesuss most profound words. In this excerpt from the book, the Pope discusses the importance of spiritual fatherhood.

The first thing needed is this: that the father be present in the family. That he be close to his wife, to share everything, joys and sorrows, hardships and hopes. A father needs to be close to the children as they grow up; when they are playing and when they are working on a task; when they are carefree and when they are troubled. He needs to be there when they are outgoing and when they are withdrawn; when they are daring and when they are fearful; when they make a misstep and when they get back on track; the father must be present, always. Being present does not mean being in control! Because fathers who control too much are crushing their children, they are not letting them grow up.

The Gospel speaks to us of the exemplary nature of the Father who is in heaventhe only one, Jesus says, who can truly be called good Father (cf. Mk 10:18). We have already mentioned the parable of the prodigal son, or better, of the merciful father, which is found in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 15 (cf. 15:1132). What dignity and tenderness there is in how the father stands at the door of that house, waiting for his son to come back! Fathers have to be patient. So many times there is nothing that can be done but wait with patience, kindness, generosity, and mercy, and pray.

A good father knows how to wait and knows how to forgive sincerely. Of course, he also knows how to give firm correction. He is not a weak father, a pushover, sentimental. The father who knows how to correct without discouraging is the same one who knows how to protect without sparing himself.

A good father knows how to wait and knows how to forgive sincerely. Of course, he also knows how to give firm correction. He is not a weak father, a pushover, sentimental. The father who knows how to correct without discouraging is the same one who knows how to protect without sparing himself.

One time at a conference on the topic of marriage, I heard one dad say, Sometimes I have to discipline my kids a little, but I never humiliate them. How beautiful! The father has a sense of dignity. He has to reprimand, but he does it in the right way, to correct behavior, and then moves on.

Therefore, if there is someone who can fully explain the prayer of the Our Father as taught by Jesus, it is precisely someone with his own personal experience of fatherhood. Without the grace that comes from the Father who is in heaven, fathers lose courage and abandon the field. However, children need to find a father who is waiting for them when they return from their failures. These children will do all they can in order not to admit their mistakes, not to let their embarrassment show, but they need this security. Not finding their father at the door opens wounds inside of them that are difficult to heal.

The Church, our mother, is committed to supporting with all her strength the good and generous presence of fathers in families. For the younger generations, fathers are the irreplaceable guardians and mediators of faith in the goodness, of faith in the justice, and faith in the protection of God, like Saint Joseph.

Reprinted from "OUR FATHER: REFLECTIONS ON THE LORD'S PRAYER" by Pope Francis. Copyright  2017 by Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Citta del Vaticano. Copyright  2017 by Rizzoli Libri, S.p.A./Rizzoli, Milano. Translation copyright  2018 by Penguin Random House LLC. Published by Image, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC. Originally published in Italian by Rizzoli Libri S.p.A. in 2017.NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

Dont expect California Gov. Jerry Brown to roll out the red carpet for President Trump when the president is scheduled to visit the Golden State in the week ahead.

A raised middle finger is a more likely greeting, after U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions slapped a lawsuit on Brown and his resistance henchman, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, over their sanctuary state defiance of federal immigration laws.

The president is scheduled to head to the Otay Mesa border crossing near San Diego to take a look at the prototypes of the new border wall that was one of his most prominent campaign promises. Hes certainly determined to Build the Wall  and rightly so.

It seems bizarre to me that the idea of protecting your national border is even mildly controversial. It certainly isnt in any other country Im aware of. Quite the opposite, its seen as a basic expectation of government.

And as the New York Times recently  and perhaps unwittingly  showed, there are huge sections of Americas border with Mexico that are effectively unprotected, whether by a man-made barrier or a natural one.

Just scroll down to the Short Fencing section in this interactive map to see the vast gaps that exist. Who knew that the New York Times would end up producing one of the most persuasive arguments for President Trumps wall?

But the question I have for Jerry Brown, after reflecting on this weeks back-and-forth with Sessions is this:

Gov. Brown, will you build a wall? Not between California and Mexico, of course  your extreme open borders ideology wont let you do that (or perhaps more accurately, your weak pandering to the open borders extremists in your partys base wont let you do that). But will you build a wall between California and Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona? That is the only logical consequence of the position you have staked out.

Browns argument is that California has every right to determine its own policy on immigration, and a responsibility to protect the large community of illegal immigrants living in the state.

Lets acknowledge something at the outset: Of course its true that the majority of those illegal immigrants are otherwise law-abiding and hardworking members of their local communities who make a positive contribution to Californias economy and society.

Lets also agree that anyone who believes in the decentralization of power and the rights (enshrined in the Constitution) for states to determine their own affairs should instinctively support Californias wish to treat people living in the state however its elected leaders choose.

But here we come up against another the practical problem: If California has the right to protect illegal immigrants (including those with criminal convictions), then by the same token, any other state has the right not to do that.

Lets take Arizona as an example  a state that borders California. The attitudes of elected leaders in Arizona on immigration are vastly different than Californias elected officials. Arizonans, through their elections, have said they dont want illegal immigrants in their state. They especially dont want illegal immigrants who also happen to be violent criminals.

Can Brown guarantee that not a single one of the illegal immigrants protected by his sanctuary policies will ever end up in Arizona? Or any other state? Of course not. The only way he could do that would be to Build the Wall  between California and its neighboring states. Of course thats not going to happen.

It is for these very obvious practical reasons that the Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that immigration policy is one area that should clearly be subject to overall federal control. You cant have 50 immigration policies in a country with no internal borders.

That argument applies, by the way, to all illegal immigrants, including the majority who are otherwise law-abiding. But doesnt it apply even more when we consider the minority of illegal immigrants who are violent criminals?

It is absolutely astonishing to me that in order to make a political point, Californias elected Democrats  from the governor, to the mayor of Oakland, to the leading Democratic candidates to be elected the next governor this November  are literally prepared to release convicted child sex offenders, drug dealers and other violent criminals on to the streets.

As a resident of the Bay Area, this affects me personally. It offends me personally.

Thats why I want so much to talk to Gov. Brown about it. Weve asked him to join us on The Next Revolution this Sunday. He described the Trump administration last week as behaving like Fox News. The least he could do is explain what he meant to this particular Fox News Channel host, who is directly affected by his dangerous sanctuary state posturing.

The governors office said hes unavailable. Well, isnt that a surprise? Earlier in the week on Fox News, I said that Californias Democrats have moved so far to the left on immigration that theyre halfway to Hawaii.

Perhaps Gov. Brown is embarrassed about where hes ended up on this issue. Perhaps he just lives in a bubble and cant cope with any challenge to his views. Either way, the invitation still stands: Jerry Brown, please, will you talk to me?

With or without Gov. Brown, well debate all this on The Next Revolution this Sunday at 9 p.m. on Fox News Channel  hope you can join us!NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

If President Trump goes ahead with announced plans to meet with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, he would open the door to potentially solving our nuclear dispute with the Communist nation short of war. This is a far better course that listening to the calls from some to give up on diplomacy and use military force against the North.

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton, for example, recently put forth an argument  echoed by a number of establishment foreign policy members  that America was legally justified in conducting a preventive military strike on North Korea.

But the case that a military attack on the North is necessary and would be effective is both flawed and wrong. Such a drastic and costly course of action should only be taken as an absolute last resort to forestall an imminent attack by North Korea.

Bolton claimed that those who oppose striking in the absence of a North Korean attack argue that action is not justified because Pyongyang does not constitute an imminent threat. They are wrong. The threat is imminent.

Bolton added that the U.S. should not wait until the very last minute. Otherwise, he continued, we risk striking after the North has deliverable nuclear weapons, a much more dangerous situation.

If such a U.S. strike were ordered, it would have catastrophic consequences for us. Far from ensuring our safety, it would impose egregious levels of casualties on U.S. forces and American civilians, and harm  not help  our security and our prosperity.

Also critical is the fact that only Congress can authorize such a strike. Subsection 2(c) of the War Powers Resolution of 1973 expressly limits the presidents ability to use military force abroad under only three conditions: First, when Congress has declared war; second, when Congress has specifically authorized such action; or third, during a national emergency created by (an) attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed forces.

There is nothing in the law that authorizes the president to use lethal military force against an adversary merely because it possess a capability to attack us. Absent an actual or imminent attack, such use would violate U.S. and international law.

Though the Constitution prevents the president from taking such unlawful actions, there is also a very practical reason for refusing to do so: It isnt necessary to keep us safe.

David Kang, a North Korea expert and professor of international relations at the University of Southern California, argues that  contrary to some alarmist claims  the North Korean regime isnt crazy, but is in fact very predictable.

There are exactly zero examples of a time North Korea caved in to pressure, he wrote in The Washington Post. North Korea wont attack first, he continued, because to do so would be regime suicide. But it will fight back if attacked.

Moreover, should the U.S. launch a war on the Korean Peninsula, the cost to the troops would be astronomically high.

As The New York Times reported: Roughly 10,000 Americans could be wounded or killed in combat in the opening days alone.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley added: The brutality of this will be beyond the experience of any living soldier.

It is important to recognize what should be the core objective of U.S. policy on North Korea: to use the most efficient and effective means possible to ensure the North never uses its nuclear weapons.

While a war might eventually eliminate the North Korean military threat, the cost in lives of doing so could be measured in the millions.



Nuclear weapons might be used against American citizens, and egregious damage would be done to the Asian economy, which would have a direct and negative effect on the United States.

Such casualties need never be suffered, however. There are far superior ways to ensure Americas core interests are protected short of preventive military strikes leading to war.

Deterrence has worked for 65 years, and it can continue to do so indefinitely, Kang explains. Evidence and logic strongly endorse his analysis. President Trumps diplomatic opening is a move in the right direction and immediately lowers the danger of war.

Much work remains. Kim has worked for many years to reach the stage where he has an operational missile that can reach the U.S. mainland. He will not give up his only domestic deterrence cheaply and will almost certainly make major demands of the U.S.

Talks are a great beginning but reaching the goal of denuclearization will likely take a lot of painful back-and-forth negotiations. Kim must eventually take concrete, verifiable action to prove his intentions. President Trump is not likely to repeat diplomatic mistakes of the past and will require tangible evidence of compliance.

President Trump has been right to resist those advocating the use of military force to solve the North Korean crisis. Time will tell if Kim is sincere in his claim to work towards full denuclearization. But as has been the case for the past 65 years, even during negotiations, deterrence will continue to keep America safe.The National Rifle Association reacted Friday with a federal lawsuit after Florida lawmakers approved gun legislation that would raise the age to buy guns. The group's argument: that the proposed law violates the Second Amendment.

News of the lawsuit came just hours after Florida Gov. Rick Scott publicly went against allies in the NRA in signing a gun control bill that was drafted in response to the fatal school shooting in Parkland, Fla., on Feb. 14. Seventeen people were killed in that gun attack, attributed to a 19-year-old named Nikolas Cruz.

Chris Cox, executive director of the NRAs Institute for Legislative Acton, has matainted that the bill punished punishes law-abiding gun owners for the criminal acts of a deranged individual."

The lawsuit is asking a federal judge to block the new age restriction from taking effect.

FLORIDA GOV RICJ SCOTT SIGNS GUN BILL FOLLOWING PARKLAND MASSACRE, IN BREAK WITH NRA ALLIES

The bill signed by Governor Scott raises the minimum age to buy rifles from 18 to 21, extends a three-day waiting period for handgun purchases to include long guns and bans bump stocks, attachments that enable semiautomatic rifles to approximate the firing speed of fully automatic ones. Such bump stocks were used in the recent gun massacre in Las Vegas in which several dozen people died.

The bill did appeal to Republicans with the inclusion of a provision that enables teachers and other school employees to carry handguns, something President Trump was passionate about immediately following the Valentine's Day shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.A Democrat is seeking a seat in the Pennsylvania House again this year after being bounced from last years special election for not using his toilet enough.

A judge had ruled in 2017 that Frederick Ramirez didn't spend enough time at his home in the 197th District within Philadelphia County because records showed he was billed for only 95 gallons of water between March 2016 and January 2017 -- or less than two flushes a month, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

A Republican Party lawyer described Ramirez as a candidate who cavalierly dismisses the law of this commonwealth to the detriment of the voters in order to advance his own interests, the newspaper reported.

Ramirez, the CEO of Pan-American Mental Health Services, listed the same home on his paperwork this year to run for the same House seat. But this time, the Democrat's lawyer insists, Ramirez won't be disqualified because he'll have better legal representation, the newspaper reported.

Dr. Ramirez not only lives in the 197th Legislative District, but he also provides desperately needed mental health services to that community, lawyer Gregory Harvey said. We anticipate no difficulty in establishing conclusively that his legal domicile is in the district.

Ramirez previously acknowledged that he spent three or four days per week elsewhere: either at his girlfriends apartment in Bucks County, Pa., or at his daughters apartment, the report said.

Despite last year's "toilet" debacle, another Democrat won the election, in a district where 85 percent of voters are reportedly registered as Democrats.

Click here for more from the Philadelphia Inquirer.Zhou Xiaochuan (C), governor of the People's Bank of China (PBOC), Yi Gang (R), deputy governor of the PBOC and Pan Gongsheng, deputy governor of the PBOC and head of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, attend a press conference on financial reform and development on the sidelines of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- It has been ten years since a global financial crisis swept the world's major economies. While a global recovery is finally underway, the world's second largest economy is staying alert against systemic financial risks.

As one of China's "three tough battles" for the next three years, forestalling systemic risks is being heatedly discussed by the country's lawmakers and political advisors at the ongoing annual legislative and political advisory sessions.

China will deepen institutional reform in the financial sector and improve its financial regulatory system to defuse financial risks, they said.

Institutional reform in the financial sector is underway, and deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) will discuss deepening reform in financial institutions in the following days, said Zhou Xiaochuan, China's central bank governor, on the sidelines of the NPC session.

The central bank will play an important role in financial supervision in China, Zhou said, adding that loopholes in the financial regulatory system need to be closed, flaws in regulations need to be corrected and all risks that have already appeared need to be handled immediately, so as to maintain the health of the financial system.

He added that the central bank would take the lead in coordination among supervision institutions.

"China has entered a stage of stabilizing the leverage ratio and is gradually reducing it," Zhou said, noting that China is likely to reduce reliance on wide capital support for economic growth as the country seeks high-quality development.

China's Finance Minister Xiao Jie said earlier this week that he is confident of fully forestalling systemic risks.

The country's debt-to-GDP ratio had decreased to 36.2 percent by the end of 2017 from 36.7 percent in 2016, far below the international alert line of 60 percent, according to Xiao.

The ratio is also relatively low compared with the levels of major economies and emerging countries, the minister said, who expects "no significant change" in the ratio in the coming years.

The Chinese government has placed high attention on the management of government debt and is firm in cracking down on irregularities in financing activities, he said.

Nearly 100 people were held responsible for misconduct and irregularities related to local government debt in 2017.

The banking regulators imposed a fine of 52.5 million yuan on 19 banking institutions over a pledge loan fraud case in Shaanxi and Henan provinces, and 295 million yuan on 12 banks over a bill fraud case in northwest China's Gansu Province, the China Banking Regulatory Commission announced in January and February.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday expressed strong confidence in the nation's economy and its ability to prevent systemic risks.

The country will strengthen coordination in financial regulation, improve regulation over shadow banking, internet finance, and financial holding companies, and further improve financial regulation, Li said, stressing that all forms of borrowing and debt underwriting that violate the law and regulations are strictly prohibited.

Chen Jing, an NPC deputy from Shanghai, said he would make a suggestion focusing on deepening reform in the financial sector.

He also called for more cooperation between financial supervision institutions, public security departments, procuratorates, courts, and local governments to strengthen cooperation in forestalling financial risks.

Deputy Zhang Zhaoan, who is also vice president of Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, suggested that more regulatory technology should be applied in government financial regulation.

Technology like machine learning, big data, and cloud computing could be very helpful for the government and financial institutions in updating regulatory measures, said Zhang.Washington Democrats continue to take a Wild West approach to their 2018 congressional primaries -- endorsing challengers, attacking at least one incumbent and totally avoiding Californias testy Senate contest -- all of which appears OK with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

Welcome to the Democratic Party, the California Democrat said Thursday, when asked whether a lack of party unity could help Republicans.

It is the most exhilarating thrill to be a leader in a party that has that kind of diversity of opinion. Its our strength. Were not a rubber stamp.  It certainly can work to our advantage. So I dont see it as an obstacle.

Washington Democrats have been split this year in several races, as they focus on winning a total 24 House seats to take control of the chamber. But the situation is most glaring in a Texas congressional race.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, whose mission is to elect and reelect party members to the chamber, has openly opposed candidate Laura Moser, one of a handful of Democrats who ran in this weeks 7th Congressional District Democratic primary.

Democratic voters need to hear that Laura Moser is not going to change Washington, the group said on its website weeks ahead of Tuesdays primary, in which Moser nevertheless advanced to a May runoff. She is a Washington insider, who begrudgingly moved to Houston to run for Congress.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont Independent who caucuses with Democrats, told NBC News on Friday that such tactics are unacceptable.

In 2016, Sanders ran for president on the Democratic ticket but lost in the primary to Hillary Clinton, who appeared to have some advantages from the Democratic National Committee, according to leaked emails.

Moser already has support from Our Revolution -- the political group continuing the so-called Sanders Movement.

But Sanders, whos campaigning this weekend in Texas, is so far noncommittal about whether hell help Moser, saying, Well take a look at the race.

Sanders told The Hill on Friday that hes staying out of the California Senate race in which his backers and the Democratic Partys far left wing are leading efforts to deny moderate Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein a sixth term.

At the state party convention last month, delegates gave Feinstein just 37 percent of the vote, compared with 57 percent for state Senate leader Kevin de Leon.

De Leon, a favorite of the state partys progressive wing, didnt get the endorsement because neither he nor Feinstein got the required 60 percent of the vote. But the situation was another example of a divided party and a possible threat to Feinsteins reelection bid, despite her having a double-digit primary lead over de Leon and millions more in campaign money.

Sanders this week joined a handful of Washington Democrats in endorsing Marie Newman, the primary challenger in moderate Illinois Democratic Rep. Dan Lipinskis bid for an eighth term.

The others backing first-time candidate Newman include New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Illinois Democratic Reps. Luis Gutierrez and Jan Schakowsky, who is part of the DCCC leadership team, while Pelosi is backing Lipinski.

In another example, so many Democrats have entered congressional primaries in Southern California, where the DCCC is trying to win several GOP-held seats en route to 24 , that fears of splitting or diluting the vote has led to some candidates being asked to drop out, a source recently told Fox News.

Fox News Chad Pergram contributed to this report.A Democrat who has come under fire for his ties to Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan despite a long record of warning that hate speech poses one of the greatest threats to U.S. security dismissed calls from the Republican Jewish Coalition for his resignation, saying the organization lacks credibility in his view.

A defiant Rep. Andre Carson told FOX 59 that the Jewish coalition doesnt have any credibility with [him] and that its all part of their political agenda.

The Congressional Black Caucus is asking that organization to condemn (Israeli Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu and the (Israeli) government for discriminating against Africans who are migrating, who are fleeing dictatorships, who are fleeing oppression, he added. There's a great deal of bigotry and racism happening right now they fail to condemn.

Carsons remarks came after he was asked about his ties to Farrakhan, who frequently expresses hostility toward Jews, as well as whites and the LGBT community.

The Indiana congressman is one of eight members of the Congressional Black Caucus known to have ties to Farrakhan, who recently made national headlines when he delivered a major speech in Chicago in which he said powerful Jews are my enemy and Farrakhan, by Gods grace, has pulled the cover off of that Satanic Jew and Im here to say your time is up, your world is through.

Matt Brooks, executive director of the Republican Jewish Coalition, told Fox News that it seems clear to him that Carson flatly refuses to disavow Farrakhan.

His comment about Netanyahu and Israel is a pivot to deflect from the fact that hes unwilling and unprepared to condemn the hatred of Mr. Farrakhan, Brooks said.

The other members of the Black caucus with ties to Farrakahn were recently identified by The Daily Caller as being Maxine Waters of California, Danny Davis of Illinois, Al Green of Texas, Barbara Lee of California, Keith Ellison of Minnesota, Gregory of New York, and James Clyborn of South Carolina.

"You cannot condemn anti-Semitism and embrace the anti-Semite."  Matt Brooks, executive director of Republican Jewish Coalition

Ellison is deputy director of the Democratic National Committee and Clyson is the third-highest ranking House Democrat.

Under mounting pressure since Farrakahns speech in Chicago, many of the eight CBC members have released statements saying they oppose racism and anti-Semitism. With the exception of Ellison, Meeks and Lee, the statements notably avoided mentioning Farrakhan.

Green and Waters have not yet publically commented.

In a 2015 interview to ABC News, Carson said that racial separatists are the biggest national security threat  more than jihadists -- to the U.S.

The rhetoric that were seeing, it concerns memost of our domestic threat comes from racial supremacist groups, he said. Ive worked in counterterrorism; I know this to be a fact.

His spokeswoman Jessica Gail, told Politifact that the congressman believes that when looking at relative membership numbers, hateful rhetoric, racially based hate crimes and fatalities by right-wing organizations, it paints a picture of a larger threat to the safety of Americans and society as a whole.

Gail did not address Fox News questions, but did release a statement attributed to the congressman that said: Ive spent my life fighting discrimination in every form, from anyone. As a Member of Congress, I have met with a diverse array of community leaders, including Minister Farrakhan, to discuss critical issues that are important to my constituents and all Americans.

While many of these leaders have long track records of creating positive change in their communities, this does not mean that I see eye to eye with them on all beliefs or public statements.

"Many of these leaders have long track records of creating positive change in their communities, (but) this does not mean that I see eye to eye with them on all beliefs or public statements."  Rep. Andre Carson, D-Ind.

He continued: Racism, homophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance have no place in our civil discourse. This is part of my responsibility as a Representative to the diverse constituency I represent. As public officials, we must all recommit ourselves to simultaneously advocating for our communities while fostering a more inclusive, tolerant society.

Brooks told Fox News that statements by Carson and others that seem to carefully avoid a direct position on Farrakhan himself are deficient.

You cannot condemn anti-Semitism and embrace the anti-Semite, he said.

The liberal group Southern Poverty Law Center classifies the Nation of Islam as a hate group, and Farrakhan as a separatist. Farrakhan is a proponent of blacks living separately from whites  a concept also supported by white nationalist groups that Carson said threaten U.S. security.

Farrakhan seems to reserve his strongest attacks for Jews, blaming them for the Sept. 11 attacks, apartheid and for, as he put it in 2006, promoting lesbianism, [and] homosexuality.

Its the wicked Jews, false Jews, that make it a crime for you to preach the word of God, then they call you homophobic! he said.

Tony Katz, a conservative radio host in Indiana, called for Carsons resignation.

We cant have him representing us, Katz told Fox News. The same goes for members of any party who are associating with bigots and anti-Semites. They say they work with Farrakhan on issues that are important in the black community. Is there not another leader in the black community they can work with?

The Republican National Committee is calling on its Democratic counterparts to take a stand on the ties some of its members have with Farrakhan. Efforts by Fox News to get comments from the DNC, CBC, Waters, Green and Clyborn were unsuccessful.After negotiating a savings of more than $1 billion on the order for the next Air Force One, President Donald Trump will visit a Boeing plant during a visit to Missouri next week.

Wednesday's scheduled trip will be his third to the Show Me State since taking office  and first since passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

At Boeings St. Louis plant Trump is expected to talk taxes during what the White House described as a roundtable discussion focusing on the projected benefits of the tax bill, which the president signed into law in December, the newspaper reported.

According to Fridays jobs report, U.S. employers added 313,000 jobs in February, more than forecast, and saw moderate wage growth and continued low unemployment.

Trumps trip to the Boeing facility follows an informal agreement between the two parties on a fixed contract for the new Air Force One program.

Thanks to the presidents negotiations, the contract will save the taxpayers more than $1.4 billion, deputy White House press secretary Hogan Gidley said.

Trump had taken to Twitter in late 2016 to criticize the high cost of building the aircraft.

The new deal will be valued at $3.9 billion, down from the original estimate of more than $5 billion for two 747 jets, which will serve as presidential aircraft, and a development program.

Joining Trump in the roundtable discussion will be Missouri state Attorney General Josh Hawley and other Republicans, FOX2 St. Louis said. Hawley is vying to replace Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill in November's election.

Hawley has also been pursuing an antitrust case against Google, and his Senate campaign can help to amplify that effort, Bloomberg reported.

Wednesday's event is billed as invitation only, though it will be open to media.

The presidents two previous Missouri visits were to Springfield in August and St. Charles in November while promoting his tax-reform plan, the Post-Dispatch reported.

Fox New's John Roberts, Matthew Kazin and the Associated Press contributed to this report.Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Saturday defended his decision to recuse himself from any investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election -- a decision for which he has repeatedly been criticized for by President Trump.

Sessions addressed the issue in response to a question after a speech at a Federalist Society event at Georgetown University. When asked whether it was a mistake to recuse himself in March 2017, Sessions smiled and shifted uncomfortably before saying: No, I dont.

No, I think thats what I had to do," he added.

The former Alabama senator told the audience that regulations state that if someone participates in a campaign, then they cant investigate that campaign, and he called that pretty reasonable.

"I was chairman of the National Security Committee of the Trump campaign and participated in it. So I didn't feel like it was, that's what I was advised, by the professionals, career people in the department and I felt like I had to recuse myself," he said.

President Trump has repeatedly torn into his attorney general over everything from his failure to pursue a potential prosecution of Hillary Clinton more vigorously to his decision to ask the inspector general to review alleged surveillance abuse by intelligence agencies.

"Why not use Justice Department lawyers? DISGRACEFUL!" Trump tweeted this month about the latter.

Sessions was one of Trumps earliest supporters and is tight with Trump's base on issues like immigration and crime. But that solid relationship appeared to collapse after Sessions decision to recuse himself.

In an interview with The New York Times last year, Trump said he wouldn't have appointed Sessions if he had known what he was going to do.

"Sessions should have never recused himself, and if he was going to recuse himself, he should have told me before he took the job and I would have picked somebody else, Trump said in July.

According to one published account, Sessions tried to resign last May after Trump called him an "idiot," but then-Chief of Staff Reince Priebus intervened and helped convince him to stay.

TRUMP'S PUNCHING BAG: HOW MUCH LONGER WILL SESSIONS ENDURE THE THRASHING?

The Washington Post reported last month that Trump now refers to Sessions as Mr. Magoo -- the bumbling elderly cartoon character -- while Sessions staff marked the anniversary of his confirmation by buying him a bulletproof vest with his name on it.Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Saturday slammed activist judges, whom he accused of overreaching and paralyzing the government by shutting down Trump-era policies they object to via nationwide injunctions.

At a Federalist Society event at Georgetown University, Sessions blasted judges who have shut down controversial Trump-era policies such as denying funding for so-called sanctuary cities and repealing the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

The court is not superior; the court does not get to have the final word in every dispute, give me a break, he said.

He said the vehicle of choice for "activist judges" is nationwide injunctions -- orders that block the federal government from enforcing a law or policy across the entire country.

"It would be fitting to call them nonparty injunctions or limitless injunctions, since they bind all of America and grant relief to those who are not parties to the case," he said.

According to Sessions, President Donald Trump has been hit with 22 such injunctions since he took office, on issues such as transgender people in the military, DACA, sanctuary cities and the travel ban. He complained that the practice meant that one federal judge out of 600 can shut down a federal policy across the U.S., even if others agree with the government.

Its a question often of pure, raw power -- who decides? he said, accusing judges of turning themselves into "super-legislators."

SESSIONS DEFENDS DECISION TO RECUSE HIMSELF FROM RUSSIAN PROBE

He said that such injunctions encourage forum-shopping by litigants, noting that many lawsuits were filed against the Obama administration in Texas and against the Trump administration in California or Hawaii.

Sessions argued that such moves are done to implement a policy outcome that could never be won at the ballot box or in the legislature, and also cut off further discussion among lower courts.

As an example of this overreach, he cited in particular the DACA issue, where judges in San Francisco and New York issued injunctions which keeping parts of it in place. Sessions noted that a Maryland judge subsequently sided with the administration, but the plaintiffs in that case got relief anyway via the New York and San Francisco lawsuits.

DACA is the immigration policy that allowed some individuals who entered the country as minors to receive a renewable deferral from deportation and be eligible for work permits.

Sessions also noted the administration's restriction of federal grants from so-called sanctuary cities -- states that won't cooperate with federal immigration officials -- which was also blocked by a federal judge.

Normally this would be a discrete decision affecting only one citys grant and we would correct it on appeal in due course, it wouldnt affect the whole country, he said. But instead of issuing an injunction for that city, the judge enjoined the federal government from imposing these conditions on any state or city across the entire nation, including those that agree with our position and dont want this relief.

He noted that Democratic administrations, including the Obama administration, had also been hit by nationwide injunctions.

There can be no question that courts should put an end to nationwide injunctions and keep activists on both sides of the aisle from paralyzing the functioning of our government, he said.

Potential details for President Donald Trumps requested military parade were revealed Friday -- and tanks are not included.

The suggested plans do, however, call for a representation of veterans across U.S. history and an air demonstration, according to a note from Defense Secretary Jim Mattis's office at the Pentagon.

The letter, dated Thursday and addressed to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, gives guidance for planning a military-themed Veterans Day Parade in Washington on Nov. 11.

The planned parade is intended to highlight the contributions veterans have made throughout the history of the U.S. Military, the letter said, dating from the Revolutionary War to present day, with an emphasis on the price of freedom.

TRUMP ORDERS MILITARY CELEBRATION IN WASHINGTON DC

Among the list of planning considerations was to merge the event with the annual Veterans Day Parade in Washington, and to have it run from the White House to the Capitol.

The parade should include wheeled vehicles only, no tanks, the letter said, as consideration must be given to minimize damage to local infrastructure.

And at the conclusion of the parade woukd be a heavy air component that, if possible, incorporates older aircraft, according to the outline.

The letter asked for the inclusion of the Medal of Honor Association, as well as Veterans Service Organizations, and to have veterans and Medal of Honor recipients standing around President Trump at the Capitol.

MILITARY PARADE PLANNERS EYE VETERANS DAY FOR EVENT, OFFICIAL SAYS

Organizers also reportedly hope to highlight the evolution of women Veterans from separate formations in World War II to todays integrated formations. And formations donning period uniforms may be utilized to represent veterans from previous wars, the letter said.

Inspiration for a military parade in Washington, D.C., reportedly arose after Trump attended Frances Bastille Day parade as the guest of honor in July. The president admired the countrys celebrations and called the parade magnificent.

The Joint Staff will reportedly oversee the planning of the procession, while Northern Command, which oversees U.S. troops in North America, will carry it out.

Fox News Jennifer Griffin, Nicole Darrah and the Associated Press contributed to this report.President Trump said Saturday that the leaders of China and Japan are pleased that he's working toward a diplomatic solution with neighboring North Korea, perhaps reversing the collision course on which the president and leader Kim Jong Un were headed over the North's nuclear weapons program.

Chinese President XI JINPING and I spoke at length about the meeting with KIM JONG UN of North Korea, Trump said Saturday in one of three tweets on the issue. President XI told me he appreciates that the U.S. is working to solve the problem diplomatically rather than going with the ominous alternative. China continues to be helpful!

Washington lawmakers have supported the Trump administration's increasing economic sanctions in recent months on North Korea, as that country has tested nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles.

However, Democrats, who were highly critical of Trumps escalating tough talk over the issue, are expressing wariness about his agreed-to talks with North Korea.

Diplomacy is the right path forward to deal with North Korea, Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said after reports early this week about the possibility of talks. At the same time, due to Pyongyangs history of obfuscation and international defiance, the United States must proceed with caution. I am deeply concerned that the White House has not laid the necessary diplomatic groundwork and coordination for direct talks with North Korea," continued Warner, a Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Trump had previously threatened North Korea with "fire and fury like the world has never seen."

He also tweeted Saturday: Spoke to Prime Minister Abe of Japan, who is very enthusiastic about talks with North Korea, and "North Korea has not conducted a Missile Test since November 28, 2017 and has promised not to do so through our meetings. I believe they will honor that commitment!"

The Associated Press contributed to this report.President Trump will stump Saturday night in western Pennsylvania for GOP congressional candidate Rick Saccone -- hoping to energize voters and bring some needed wattage to the campaign with Election Day on Tuesday.

In 2016, Trump easily won the congressional district, which has been a Republican stronghold for more than a decade. But Conor Lamb, the fresh-faced Democratic candidate in the special House election, has brought the race to a dead heat in the closing weeks.

The campaign for Lamb, a Marine and former federal prosecutor, has by most accounts had a superior ground game, out fundraising Saccone and mounting a better get-out-the-vote effort, which is critical in low-turnout special elections.

However, much of the district includes steel and coal country that remains loyal to Trump and stretches to the West Virginia border -- far beyond the more liberal Pittsburgh suburbs that Lamb, 33, is expected to win.

Barack Obama didnt do right by the people of southwestern Pennsylvania or West Virginia. And people remember that, Waynesburg resident Larry Douglas said Tuesday.

Saccone, a four-term state representative and a military veteran, has held campaign events in Waynesburg, about 26 miles north of West Virginia, at least twice in the past six days.

Trump won the states 18th Congressional District, where Saccone and Lamb are competing, by nearly 20 points, despite it having more registered Democrats than Republicans.

Trump won the district largely on a promise to restart shuttered steel plants and coal mines that appealed to its white, blue-collar workers. And his recent tax cuts and new tariffs on cheap, imported steel and aluminum should help solidify the districts GOP-leaning voters.

Still, at least some registered Democrats in the districts coal country who voted for Trump could already be looking for the next promise, as wages and job prospects remain relatively unchanged compared with elsewhere in the country, Douglas also said.

People are look for a change and (Lamb) might just able to do that, he said Tuesday on a Waynesburg sidewalk, just blocks from a shuttered coal mine.

Douglas also argued that other southwestern Pennsylvania towns have recently prospered while Waynesburg has not and that nearby Morgantown, W.Va., has roughly 450 practicing lawyers.

Lamb has indeed tried to win back district votes with an infrastructure plan that has become a centerpiece of his campaign.

Saccone spokesman Patrick McCann told Fox News that the campaign, in the final days, is largely focused on getting voters to the polls and that its closing argument is record versus rhetoric -- an attack on Lamb being a first-time candidate and his vow, if elected, not to be a rubber stamp for top House Democrat Nancy Pelosi of California.

State Representative Saccone has consistently delivered for the people of southwestern Pennsylvania and would continue to do so in Congress, McCann said, amid concerns about whether his candidates campaign has an adequate get-out-the-vote operation.

Saccone has, in fact, been forced to outsource that operation to paid contractors and the national GOP, which has scrambled to pick up the slack.

McCann also played down the argument that the special House election is another test case -- like several last year -- for whether voters will still support the Trump agenda when roughly 470 House and Senate seats are up for re-election in November.

Theres a lot of national attention on the race right now because its sort of the only game in town, he also said. But each contest, each district is its own animal.

Lamb and Saccone, 60, are competing for the seat left open by GOP Rep. Tim Murphy, who held it for eight terms before resigning in October. Murphy stepped down following news reports he suggested that a woman with whom he was having an extramarital affair get an abortion.

Democrats will need to win a total of 24 seats this year to take control of the House.

Beyond Saccones professional canvassers, teams from the Koch brothers-backed Americans For Prosperity arrived in the region this weekend to broaden the conservative outreach.

And the Republican National Committee has spent more than $1 million on its own operation that was expected to reach 250,000 targeted voters - either by phone or in person - by election day, said RNC spokesman Rick Gorka.

Overall, national groups allied with the GOP have spent nearly $8 million on advertising in the race, a figure that doesn't include logistical support on the ground and is more than seven times the amount invested by national Democratic allies unaffiliated with the Lamb campaign.

By Saturday afternoon, likely voters were standing in line in near-freezing temperatures for the Trump rally, at Atlantic Aviation, at the Pittsburgh airport.

Heading to Moon Township, Pennsylvania, to be with a really good person, State Representative Rick Saccone, who is running for Congress. Big & happy crowd (why not, some of the best economic numbers ever). Rick will help me a lot. Also, tough on crime & border. Loves 2nd A & VETS, Trump tweeted before arriving.

In recent days, former Vice President Joe Biden has stumped for Lamb. Trump is making is second visit this year to the district. And Vice President Pence has already campaigned along with Saccone.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.This is a rush transcript from "Hannity," March 9, 2018. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.

SEAN HANNITY, HOST: And welcome to this special breaking news edition of "Hannity."

We have a ton of brand new information tonight and for the hour, we'll be focusing on stories that your media always ignores.

Now, The Wall Street Journal reporting just a short time ago that the president's legal team is, in fact, negotiating with a special counsel Robert Mueller over an interview with Donald Trump. Now, does that mean finally this corrupt, crooked, witch-hunt could be coming to an end? I have my beliefs and I will tell you in a second.

Also, Sara Carter is here with new reports on the massive story we broke last night. Victoria Toensing, the lawyer for the Uranium One FBI informant is now confirming her client was interviewed last December by the FBI because there is an active and ongoing investigation into the Clinton Foundation. Now, this informant is saying that he has proof of a Clinton Foundation quid pro quo. That's huge news.

Now, this breaking news information is in response to a coordinated attack by congressional Democrats yesterday to discredit this informant. And also brand new, the Attorney General Jeff Sessions is now strongly considering appointing a second special counsel to investigate FISA abuses and bias within the FBI, and, of course, deep state Obama administration officials should be very worried tonight.

Also, President Trump pardoned Kristian Saucier. You may remember, he is the former Navy sailor. He spent a year in prison, had his entire life ruined, what, for daring to do only a fraction of what Hillary Clinton did with her private email server?

And also breaking this hour, Fox News reporting the House Intel Committee, they are demanding answers about the phony anti-Trump dossier from a former Obama administration official married to high Fusion GPS employee. And we'll expose the media's absolutely reprehensible coverage, 91 percent negative of President Trump's big foreign policy victory with North Korea.

All of that tonight's focus in tonight's breaking news opening monologue.

(MUSIC)

All right. We have big breaking news tonight. Wall Street Journal just out with a major report. Here is the headline: Trump lawyers seek deal with Mueller to speed end of Russia probe. Now, White House sources are pushing back on some aspects of the story.

But here is what we are being told at this hour: negotiations underway on how the president will be questioned by the special counsel, Robert Mueller. And they are close to now determining what is going to happen. My interpretation of all of this, it means this witch-hunt could finally be wrapping up.

But the president would be the last person that Mueller would want to talk to. By the way, to me, that means that a conclusion is probably coming soon and that would mean, yes, Donald Trump did not collude with the Russians. A big development we're following closely tonight.

And also breaking, more breaking news on a bombshell development that we broke on this program last night. Sara Carter will join us. She has new information about the Uranium One informant that is said to have proof of a Clinton Foundation quid pro-quo.

Now, Victoria Toensing will also join us, the lawyer for the informant, is revealing that her client, William Campbell was interviewed in December of last year by the FBI in Arkansas as part of an ongoing investigation into the Clinton Foundation. Ongoing.

Now, because the information this informant has, Democrats preemptively, and the media, they are now trying to discredit this informant who spent decades of his life serving his country. You have congressional Democrats releasing a memo yesterday to The Hill trashing this informant William Campbell's credibility. Now, these smears were then picked up on and published by liberal outlets like The Washington Post, predictably, CNN, fakes news, Reuters and Yahoo.

Now, here's the one thing that none of those organizations never reached out to Victoria Toensing for a comment. Now, we're going to give her a chance to defend her client completely against an untrue smear.

What is this is a partisan left wing attack just designed to protect Hillary Clinton, her foundation, and what they did. It never made sense to give 20 percent of our uranium to Russia. And the left in this country, they know this FBI informant. He was in Putin's network. He has damaging information on the Clintons that potentially could send them to jail. So, they are lashing out.

Now, Victoria Toensing, Sara Carter will have the details. That's coming up tonight.

Now, we also have new information on another major breaking news story. Special counsel Jeff Sessions, he's continuing to suggest that he is strongly now considering doing what we have been saying for a long time need to be done. That would be appointing a second special counsel to investigate rampant FISA abuses and abuse within the FBI and the DOJ.

Here's what we know. The FBI lied to the FISA court by using an unverified dossier bottom bought and paid for by Hillary Clinton to get a warrant to spy on an associate of the Trump campaign during an election. The FBI broke the FISA law. And they also did not follow the bureau's own protocols by relying heavily on what was something that they themselves should have verified and corroborated.

Now, remember, former FBI Director Andrew McCabe, he's testified without the dossier, they wouldn't have even had a FISA application. A huge development, major scandal, I know the media ignores it, they'll have egg on their face.

And another breaking story tonight, President Trump finally has issued a pardon for Kristian Saucier. This was an issue we talked about for a long time. You might remember our extensive coverage of this case.

Now, Saucier is a former U.S. Navy sailor. He was convicted of a felony and imprisoned for a year from, quote, mishandling classified information. He took a few photos where he worked inside a submarine, 40-year-old submarine that were discovered on Saucier's discarded cell phone. He didn't give it to anybody.

Now, this became a huge issue on the 2016 campaign trail, highlighting a major disparity in our criminal justice system. Remember, Hillary Clinton mishandled an enormous amount of top secret, special access, classified information on that unauthorized private server. And then she deleted 33,000 subpoenaed emails. And she received no punishment because James Comey, Peter Strzok and company, well, the fix was in and they rigged the outcome.

Now, meanwhile Saucier did a fraction of what Clinton did. He was sent to prison for a year. And thankfully, President Trump today and rightly today, he corrected this injustice and Kristian Saucier can now move on with his life.

Now, even more breaking information to tell you about. Fox News reporting, the House Intel Committee, they are sending 10 key questions about the dossier to two more Obama administration officials. One of them who worked as a key advisor for Barack Obama and Joe Biden is actually married to a senior Fusion GPS employee. Now, this is drawing comparisons to demoted DOJ official Bruce Ohr and his wife Nellie who worked on that fake news dossier for Fusion GPS.

Now, the other official served as a former national security advisor to Biden. So, this scandal is getting bigger and bigger by the day. Now, the House Intel Committee Chairman Devin Nunes revealed earlier this week that he has received some responses about the dossier from some top Obama officials. Others so far refusing to comply. So, Nunes is now threatening to issue subpoenas, which he should do.

And finally, President Trump's major win with North Korea is sending the media into a hate-filled frenzy. The partisan press is absolutely going apoplectic over the fact that President Trump's peace through strength approach with dealing with little rocket man, Kim Jong-un is now yielding positive results. We may have peace in the Korean peninsula.

Now, this breaking news that the president is agreeing to meet with the North Korean dictator to discuss denuclearization is now apparently aggravating and incensing liberal lap dog media people as they are physically and mentally incapable of reporting any positive news about this president.

Watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEREMY BASH, NBC NEWS NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: It's a roll of the nuclear dice. In some ways, the president kind of got boxed in here. He couldn't say no to this invitation.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think the entire foreign policy community and good deal of the informed public freaked out last night when they thought Trump was actually going to get in a room with this guy with no conditions and start talking.

JEFFREY GOLDBERG, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF THE ATLANTIC: We have just given Kim Jong un something for nothing.

JOHN KIRBY, FORMER STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON: I'm very concerned about what this administration would be willing to barter away.

RACHEL MADDOW, MSNBC ANCHOR: Why hasn't any other president ever done -- should I take this to mean that this might be particularly risky or even an unwise move? But this is the president we have and he said yes to North Korea.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HANNITY: But he is not sending $150 billion in cash and other currencies and he is not giving billions of dollars to the North Koreans. He gave nothing.

But the destroy Trump media, they love the policies of appeasement of Barack Obama and President Clinton. Both of which have failed. At this point, it wouldn't be surprising if the media literally awarded Neville Chamberlain, you know, a profile in courage award for capitulating in his negotiations with Adolf Hitler in Munich.

Like we have been saying, the media cannot stomach a leader that believes in peace through strength and stands up to dictators. All they want, they want a president to grabble and cower and kiss Kim Jong-un's rings. President Trump is proving he won't do that. As a result he is winning. He got every condition he needed and a discussion -- well, about denuclearization would be good for the world. He's not going to repeat the absolutely idiotic and completely foolish mistakes of both Clinton and Barack Obama.

Now, back in the 1990s, Bill Clinton came up with brilliant idea let's try to bribe Kim Jong-un's father Kim Jong-il with billions of dollars in energy subsidies with the hopes that the North Koreans would abandon a nuclear program. President Clinton actually took a victory lap on national TV, patting himself on the back for brokering a great deal for the American people. He was wrong.

Look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This is a good deal for the United States. North Korea will freeze and then dismantle its nuclear program. South Korea and our other allies will be better protected. The entire world will be safer as a we slow the spread of nuclear weapons.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HANNITY: Now, Bill Clinton's massive foreign policy blunder set the stage for North Korea to actually develop nuclear weapons. Billions wasted. And he is directly responsible for the current situation we face today. And, of course, there is president appeasement himself, Barack Obama. He tried to outdo both Neville Chamberlain and Bill Clinton with a timid reckless policy of appeasement towards Iran and radical mullahs that are calling for death to America, the same people promising to wipe America and Israel off the map, who burn American and Israeli flags. In other words, they hate our guts.

That didn't stop Obama from orchestrating one of the worst deals ever in the history of mankind. Now, the appeaser in chief, he gave Iran $150 billion while still allowing them to spin their centrifuges.

Here is Obama surrendering to the radical mullahs, in case you're interested.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, FORMER PRESIDENT: Today, after two years of negotiations, the United States, together with our international partners, has achieved something that decades of animosity has not -- a comprehensive long-term deal with Iran that will prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon. This deal demonstrates that American diplomacy can bring about real and meaningful change, change that makes our country and the world safer and more secure.

This deal is also in line with a tradition of American leadership.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HANNITY: Now, unlike Neville Chamberlain, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, President Trump is refusing to give an inch when it comes to countering North Korean aggression. Watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States. They will be met with fire, fury, and, frankly power, the likes of which this world has never seen before.

If he does anything with respect to Guam, or any place else that's an American territory or an American ally, he will truly regret it.

Rocket man is on a suicide mission for himself and for his regime.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HANNITY: Yes, fury and fire for rocket man. And here's something the abusively biased news media will never tell you. Well, since the 1900s, Donald Trump has been warning about the growing threat posed by North Korea. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: These people in three or four years are going to have nuclear weapons. They're going to have those weapons pointed all over the world and specifically at the United States. And wouldn't you be better off solving this really potentially unbelievable -- and the biggest problem. I mean, we can talk about the economy, we can talk about Social Security. The biggest problem this world has is nuclear proliferation.

And we have a country out there North Korea, which is sort of wacko, which is not a bunch of dummies, and they are going out and they are developing nuclear weapons. And they are not doing it because they are having fun doing it. They are doing it for a reason.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HANNITY: And also tonight, we have even more proof, exposing the media's anti-Trump agenda. Now, according to the New Media Research Center study, 91 percent of ABC, NBC, CBS' evening newscast coverage about President Trump was negative in January and February -- 91 percent. I told you back a long time ago journalism in America is dead.

What we have now is a media that is only an extension of the Democratic Party. They regurgitate the talking points. Their singular purpose is to do what? Destroy president Trump at all cost and the truth be damned and all of these statistics prove it.

Now, in the media's efforts to delegitimize, damage this president they have all but blacked out any positive news coming from the White House. Just look at today's economic data. February's job numbers smashed expectations, 313,000 new jobs were created. That's the best monthly gain in over a year and a half.

Since president, Trump took office, 363,000 manufacturing jobs have been created and a record 155 million Americans are now on the labor force. Here's the statistic the media will never tell you about. According to the Heritage Foundation, 64 percent of President Trump's agenda is already complete. That's faster than President Ronald Reagan himself which is astounding.

The media doesn't care. Instead, they are only hyper focused on advancing their bizarre conspiracy theory about Trump-Russia collusion that has no evidence of ever happening. There is no evidence. There has been no evidence.

Now, while the media has been literally taking you, the American people, down this conspiratorial rabbit hole for over a year, here's what they've missed -- take a look at the side of your screen. Those are all President Trump's accomplishments. Have you heard of the media ever talk about any of these? I doubt.

The media spent the past year and a half thrashing the president at every single turn. They absolutely refuse to give this administration credit for anything. It's 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, non- stop, constant attacks, and a lot of lies. It's unlike anything we have ever seen. And sadly, well, it's only going to get worse. The more successful the president is, the harder the media is going to try to destroy him.

All right. Joining us with reaction, former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer and former deputy assistant to the president, Fox News national security strategist, Dr. Gorka.

Sean Spicer, just look at these numbers: 3 million jobs have been created. America now is on a path towards energy independence. He's gotten rid of more regulations than any other administration in record time. His tax cut deal is done. The employer mandate is done. And, lo and behold, rocket man is going to sit down with the president.

Who would have thunk it?

SEAN SPICER, FORMER WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: ISIS is on the run. Border crossings are down. The judiciary is being made with conservative judges. He is standing up for life. I mean, we can go on and on and on.

The president is continuing to rack up results. And one of the things that's interesting, Sean, you touched on this, but the bottom line is that as he gets results, they try to talk about chaos and profits. At the end of the day, most Americans care whether or not their countries and their lives are improving. And they are. The president continues to chuck up results that are making this country a better place, for making it safer, for making the economy better, giving more people jobs, higher wages.

And what people vote for at the end of the day, is to make their lives, the lives of their family, the lives of their neighbors and the lives of their fellow citizens better. The president is achieving those results. And I think, so what happens is the media then turns and tries to figure out how can we focus on the process story? How can we talk about chaos and things like that? As opposed to the results.

The one thing that I think is really interesting, Sean, is that President Trump is doing exactly what he said he would do on the campaign trail. Washington is littered with campaign -- with politicians that make promises over and over again and then don't fulfill them. President Trump is doing exactly what he said he was going to do and he is getting the results that he said he would get.

HANNITY: Yes. And after eight years of Obama, 13 million more Americans on food stamps, 8 million more on poverty, lowest labor participation rate since the 1970s, worse recovery since the `40s, he doubled the debt, lowest home ownership rate in 51 years. It's all rebounded in a year and tax cuts are now only just kicking in, Dr. Gorka.

SEBASTIAN GORKA, FOX NEWS NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGIST: That's the most remarkable thing. This is for -- this isn't even 14 months into the Trump administration, the kinds of things that this administration has achieved, you would be proud of them if you were an 8-year double term president.

And, Sean is absolutely right. Look, the obsession with process, if this is chaos, Sean, give me more chaos. Give all Americans more chaos because it's bringing results. And at the end of the day, Sean --

HANNITY: Yes, but isn't the chaos -- America elected a disrupter.

GORKA: Yes.

HANNITY: America elected an iconoclast. You know what? I don't think most Americans are going to vote -- that they don't like Donald Trump's tweets if they have $3,000 more dollars in their pocket a year.

GORKA: Right. Look, Sean, let's just one thing. We lived it. Sean and I lived it inside the building. The more they attacked us and the president, the more we knew we were doing what the people elected the president to do.

SPICER: The one thing that's interesting though is that the American people are on to this, right? If you look at the ratings that came out, look at the programs where American people are tuning in to. They are tuning out the mainstream news and tuning in to shows like yours and Tucker's and Laura and other shows on Fox because they are tired of not being told what's going on.

The American people understand what's happening and they're changing their viewing habits to match what's being fed to them because they don't want to see these other (INAUDIBLE) to overlook this and focus on the process and the chaos.

HANNITY: Guys, thank you both. We appreciate it. Have a good weekend.

We have more breaking news tonight. The attorney for Uranium One informant, Victoria Toensing joins us with Sara Carter. Why? Because we discover there is ongoing investigation into the Clinton Foundation that nobody knew about. We'll tell you next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(NEWSBREAK)

HANNITY: Welcome back to our special news breaking edition of HANNITY.

Joining us now with a lot more is the attorney for the FBI informant, Victoria Toensing, Fox News contributor Sara Carter.

As I look at this with Douglas Campbell, so here is a guy Victoria, your client that literally put his client in jeopardy for decades in his life, serving this country. So, he has access to Putin operatives in America. We know, because he is reporting back crimes, bribery, extortion, money laundering, kickbacks, and he knows and discovers that Putin's operatives inside America, that they, in fact, would like to get a foothold in the uranium industry.

So, an article comes out, leak Democrats trashing your client but we discover that, in fact, he is so credible that FBI agents in December in Arkansas that are looking into the Clinton Foundation, in fact interviewed him, but the big revelation is there's an investigation into the Clinton Foundation.

VICTORIA TOENSING, LAWYER OF FBI INFORMANT: Correct.

HANNITY: Explain.

TOENSING: Well, what the Democrats said are just lies. Mr. Campbell went up to the Hill. And he told the staffers from three congressional committees that the Russians bragged and bragged and bragged repeatedly about how much influence they had with the Clintons. In fact, they said they were really confident that they were going to get the approval for the-- to buy Uranium One because of the Clintons. And they were so confident that they opened up a new office, Sean, 10 months before the CFIUS approval. That's how confident they were so they could accommodate the new business.

But let me tell you something else. He specifically told the members, the staff, of the quid pro quo. And that was about the APCO, the lobbying firm in Washington that has all these former Clinton staffers on it. And he said the Russians told him they were giving APCO $3 million, it's about my lobbying fee for a year to do some work, but to do in-kind work for the Clinton Foundation. Now, if that's a quid pro quo right there, as a former federal prosecutor, I could take that to the jury.

HANNITY: And we reached out to them, but you know what? You can always follow the money in these cases.

Sara, you know this informant. You met with this informant. This informant has gone before three congressional committees. But the notion that we suspected, we thought, we believed, but now we know, there is an FBI investigation into the Clinton Foundation.

SARA CARTER, FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR: That's right, Sean. There is an FBI, an open FBI investigation into the Clinton Foundation.

We know, number two, that he was questioned by FBI agents investigating the Clinton Foundation. And he is credible because, why? He spent more than 30 years collecting information for the United States, for the U.S. intelligence community and for the FBI. The FBI had him on this case six years.

Back to some of the statements that he made to congressional staffers, which I think is valuable and important here. He spent those six years taking briefs for the FBI, writing them out, daily briefs in his conversations with high level Russians.

HANNITY: And they knew about the felonies. They knew these were Putin operatives. They knew Putin's goal was to get a piece of the uranium market. They knew all of this. Everybody knew.

CARTER: Absolutely they knew all of this. They were using that to continue their counter intelligence investigation into Russia and eventually to seek criminal charges.

This is the one point I want to make about all of this. We opened in the United States, there was -- second special counsel became embedded into what we are doing, when George Papadopoulos opened his mouth at a London bar, this man collected six years of information on the Russians.

HANNITY: Unbelievable.

CARTER: And there was no second special counsel and, instead, we cut a deal with the Russians. So, you tell me how the two match.

TOENSING: The Democrats fault Mr. Campbell for not knowing that the Clintons got extra goodies at the time that they got them because he didn't know about the half million dollars speech that Bill Clinton got by Russian capitalist firm that were promoting Uranium One stock. A half a million dollars bill and Hillary Clinton got. And they said, well, he didn't know about that speech.

Well, no, he didn't. He found out about it later and he told people when he found out about that and $145 million that the uranium stock, one stockholder gave to the Clinton Foundation that he said that fits the pattern. That's like the APCO case.

HANNITY: Yes. By the way, all of this belies the lie of Clintons. Oh, this has been debunked. There is ongoing FBI investigation.

Thank you both.

We're going to stay on this topic and we will follow it to its conclusion. We would like to know what the FBI knows and how far this investigation is going.

When we come back, we will expose the left's ties to one of the most racist and anti-Semitic people in America, Reverend Louis Farrakhan, something members of the mainstream media should be doing, but are afraid of, as we continue.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HANNITY: All right. As we continue this special news breaking edition of Hannity tonight, an investigation into the bigotry of the left. So when a prominent Democrats and women's March organizers, when will they denounce Louis Farrakhan, who is one of the most hateful, racist anti-Semitic people in America today. And why did the Congressional Black Caucus pressure a photographer to keep this photo of Barack Obama and Louis Farrakhan a secret before the 2008 election. Now, we're going to cover all of that and more in tonight's mini monologue.

We have been following a story that the Daily Caller broke earlier this week about seven Democratic lawmakers having ties to Louis Farrakhan. Now, this list includes Representative Maxine Waters, Keith Ellison, who also the Deputy co-chair of the DNC; Congresswoman Barbara Lee; Danny Davis; Andre Carson; Gregory Meeks; and Al Green.

Now, these alarming connections to Farrakhan are causing the Republican Jewish coalition rightly to call on these lawmakers to resign. Now, those members of congress aren't the only liberals that have relationships with Farrakhan. We will have more on that in a second.

Now, Tamika Mallory, she is the co-chair of the women's March, she actually attended a recent Farrakhan's event, and it was called "Savior's day in Chicago," where he said these despicable things.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LOUIS FARRAKHAN, ISLAM LEADER: The powerful Jews are my enemy.

White folks are going down.

(APPLAUSE)

And Satan is going down.

(APPLAUSE)

And Farrakhan, by God's grace, has pulled the cover off of that satanic Jew.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HANNITY: He has only a history of this kind of racism and antisemitism. Now, Tamika Mallory, she posted on Instagram about the event. And according to the anti-defamation league, Farrakhan absolutely gave Mallory a shout out during this speech. Now, after an intense backlash, Mallory is out with a statement, where she apologizes to the various groups of people that Farrakhan routinely and viciously and hatefully attacks, but then she also defended her attendance.

And she writes in part, quote, "I didn't expect my presence at Savior's Day to lead anyone to question my beliefs, especially considering that I have been going to this event regularly for over 30 years." And she continues, "Where my people are is where I must also be. I go into difficult spaces. I attend meetings with police and legislators and the very folks so much of my protest has been directed towards."

This is utterly ridiculous argument. Now, you can't attend Farrakhan events for over 30 years, like Mallory has just admitted, and all of the sudden pretend to be surprised and learned that he spews vile hateful racist and anti-Semitic rhetoric. This is what the left does every single time. They hang these people, the radical left wingers, they hang out with them and then either flat out deny their relationships or they just pretend, like it just isn't a big deal.

For example, let's look at how some of those seven Democratic members of Congress are reacting to being exposed to having these ties to Farrakhan. Now, Congressman Keith Ellison only told the Washington Post, oh, none of my colleagues ever asked me about that, only reporters. I'm telling you no one cares. Pretty disgraceful. And this is the same Keith Ellison that accuses Republicans of being racist and for years has been trying to dodge and down play allegations of anti-Semitism.

And of course, Ellison, he is not alone. Back in February, Congressman Danny Davis told the Daily Caller, he is not bothered by Farrakhan's position on, quote, "The Jewish question," and Congressman Davis has previously told the Daily Caller that he thinks Farrakhan is a, quote, "outstanding human being." And Danny is changing his tune and denouncing Farrakhan.

Now, we reached out to all seven members of congress for comment. They all ignored us except for Congressman Gregory Meeks. He directed us to a tweet where he condemns Farrakhan's anti-Semitic statement, but then goes on to attack President Trump.

As for the other members of congress that are not denouncing their ties to Farrakhan, the Daily Caller is reporting that Maxine Waters, Barbara Lee, Andre Carson and Al Green have all attended meetings with Farrakhan while serving as members of Congress.

And by the way, take look at this. It is a stunning video that shows Maxine Waters, Barbara Lee, Al Green all hugging and shaking hands with, yes, the racist, anti-Semite Louis Farrakhan. And according to the Daily Caller, this happened in 2006 during an event in New Orleans.

Now, for years these members of Congress have been able to maintain relationships with Farrakhan, because most members of the media give them a pass. There is no accountability, no punishment for hanging out with hate- filled extremists. In fact, it has become a defining characteristic of the left, including former President Barack Obama.

Now, we told you how Obama sat in the pews of the Reverend Wright's church, you know, the church of G.D. America for 20 years, how he launched this political career inside the living room of un-repented domestic terrorist, Bill Ayers, and Bernardine Dohrn.

Given that information, this 2005 photo of Barack Obama grinning ear to ear with Louis Farrakhan, it shouldn't be a surprise. Now, the reason you never saw this before the election in 2008 is because the photographer who took the picture said he was pressured by the Congressional Black Caucus to keep it a secret. And the photographer also says that he thinks that this photo would have made a difference in the 2008 election.

I believe he is right. This photo would have further exposed everything we were uncovering on this show about Barack Obama and his radical, rigid leftist beliefs and friends. We did reach out to Obama for comment about Farrakhan's comments. Not surprisingly, we didn't hear back from his spokesman.

And here is the most important question about this. If Farrakhan isn't that bad of a guy, like several Democrats are claiming, then why is it necessary to hide a photo of him with Obama? Maybe it is because Democrats didn't want you to be reminded of Farrakhan and his history of hate. This is just a small sampling. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FARRAKHAN: The Jews don't like Farrakhan, so they call me Hitler. Well, that is a good name. Hitler was a very great man.

There were many Israelis and Zionist Jews in key roles in the 9/11 attack.

Because you see white people deserved to die.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That is right.

(CHEERS)

FARRAKHAN: And they know, so they think it's us coming to do it.

There is no human being on earth that has murdered more living things than the Caucasian. He is a murderer and a liar.

(APPLAUSE)

Then soon we are going to sit at a table and talk about (inaudible) -- we want some of this earth (ph), because we are tear this god damn country up.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HANNITY: All right. Here now with reaction Fox News contributor, Herman Cain. Herman, simple question, not complicated question. Imagine somebody that racist, anti-Semitic, that hateful and a picture with Donald Trump?

HERMAN CAIN, FORMER 2012 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: A friend of mine recently shared something with me that describes Farrakhan and his hypocritical racist rhetoric. And that is, stop dreaming of a better yesterday. He is talking in the past, living in the past, and unfortunately, too many people are also embracing his racist, hypocritical rhetoric.

And here's something no one is talking about. He attacks the Jews, because he doesn't want to alienate all black people. But what he is unaware of is that some black people will not embrace his hypocritical racist rhetoric.

For example, he makes the statement that the Trump administration, for example, has all white people in charge of everything. Have they heard of a guy by the name of Ben Carson? And as soon as Ben Carson openly criticized ObamaCare, he got on what is not really written called the black folks blacklist. Ben Carson got put on that list. His hometown newspaper criticized him.

I am an ABC, an American Black Conservative and I'm probably on that list also, Sean. But what they don't know is that many black people aren't living in the past. They are living in the present and what the future can be.

HANNITY: You are also on the HSGA list. Sean Hannity Great American list.

(LAUGHTER)

How is it that these Congressman and all these people associate with this guy and there is zero coverage, zero condemnation, because if it was a Republican, associated with anybody similar, it would be the biggest news in the country. How is that possible?

CAIN: It is possible, Sean, because these organizations are afraid to criticize a black personality like Farrakhan. I didn't see he is a good personality. And then when you have black members of Congress, who affiliate with Farrakhan, they are afraid to attack them because they don't want to be accused of being a racist. That's how they get away with it. But the thing they don't realize is they now represent the minority of people who think like that. And that's probably the best news about all of this racist rhetoric that he and the people that support him are trying to basically promote.

HANNITY: All right. Herman, Great to see you. When we come back, for over a year right here on this program, we have been breaking story after story while members of the mainstream media turned a blind eye. Joe Concha and Dr. Gina Loudoun will join us straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO LIVE FEED)

WILL CARR, FOX NEWS CORRESPONDENT: This is a Fox News alert. I'm Will Carr. A hostage situation now almost in its ninth hour at the largest veterans home in the country, the standoff started just after 10:00 this morning in Yountville, California. Authorities are saying a man armed with a rifle walked into a party. He let some guests leave, but held three at gunpoint. Witnesses then called 911. Police swarmed the area and deputy engaged the suspect. The two exchanged a number of gunshots, neither was hurt.

Tonight, SWAT teams and hostage negotiators are still on the scene. It is unclear if the suspect or the hostages have been injured. Authorities say they do know the gunman's identity and they tried calling his cell phone numerous times. The veteran's home houses around 1,000 vets, some of who served in World War II, others who are disabled.

I'm Will Carr in Los Angeles. Now, let's get you back to Hannity.

(END VIDEO LIVE FEED)

HANNITY: All right. Over the past year right here on this program, we have been bringing you important breaking stories about deep state scandals, it should concern every single American. You might remember some of these moments.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HANNITY: Investigative journalist Sara Carter from Circa news will join news just a minute. Now, she along with her colleague, John Solomon, they have confirmed the existence of in fact a FISA court warrant order, granted in October of 2016, just weeks before the general election. I want you to remember very crucial words, four words, surveillance, unmasking, intelligence and leaking.

We have real evidence that the FBI uncovered a Russia plot that involved. We have real evidence, bribery, extortion, blackmail, money laundering, and racketeering. They knew in 2009, that was one year before Hillary Clinton and the Obama administration approved this corrupt uranium one deal.

The FBI top echelon, not rank and file, lied to a FISA Judge about Clinton and the DNC. They never told a judge that she paid for these Russian lies in this dossier that was then used to get a warrant to spy on the Trump campaign.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HANNITY: Now, sadly, some of these stories still are not being covered by the mainstream media, the question is why? Joining us now from The Hill, Joe Concha, and radio talk show host Dr. Gina Loudon.

Dr. Loudon, you know, it is a pretty simple fundamental issue, I think one of the greatest abuse of power corruption scandals we have seen, they don't even touch it, especially in light of what we learned about how the FISA warrant was based on everything Hillary Clinton, you know bought and paid for that turned out to be false, Russian propaganda.

GINA LOUDON, RADIO TALKSHOW HOST: Yes. And you look at the media and every single measure, Sean, the lame stream media that isn't covering the real news in a fair and balanced way is losing. Their numbers are at all- time low approval rating. While shows like yours that are covering it and just telling the truth, uncovering what we're all seeing happen out there, your ratings are going through the roof.

It doesn't make any sense except to say that you can always tell how big a score the President has or anyone on the right has by how apoplectic the media is the next day in their coverage of it that is literally how most Americans measure news these days.

HANNITY: Joe, I don't see any excuse for not covering this. You cover the media. Can you -- it is inexplicable to me, your thoughts?

JOE CONCHA, THE HILL NEWSPAPER: Well, Sean, there are two kinds of bias, right? There is bias in broad daylight and that is where you see an anchor or host or pundit (ph) openly rooting for a side or against a side, and we see a lot of that.

But then the more sinister kind of bias is the bias of omission. And the media research study that came out a couple of days ago that analyzed the evening newscast -- evening newscast seen by 25 million people every night supposed to be unbiased, supposed to be nonpartisan, but yet they found that 91 percent of coverage of this President and the administration is negative.

And you look at the stories they cover versus the ones they don't. And one break down was 204 minutes total on CBS, ABC, and NBC went towards special counsel Mueller and the Russia investigation. Compare that with the economy and jobs, which is always the number one issue that people vote on, that got 12 minutes. If you're breaking that down, that is about 20 times the coverage to Russia and Mueller.

And then you look at the more, I don't know, sensational stuff like the Michael Wolff book we remember. That got 53 minutes on ABC, CBS, and NBC. And ISIS, where 98 percent of the caliphate has been destroyed, that only got 11 or five times less.

So the priorities are all out of whack. And because of the bias omission, we are not hearing about the stories that people actually vote on and care about most.

HANNITY: So do they eventually get embarrassed when we -- when a special counsel is appointed?

CONCHA: Do they get embarrassed when a special counsel is appointed last May? I mean this has been --

HANNITY: Now we are learning everything we had been reporting is now being corroborated. It was one year ago yesterday on this program we broke this story that a FISA warrant was issued against the Trump campaign. Everybody laughed at it. They laughed at the President when he tweeted about it. But we were right.

CONCHA: Right. And FISA warrant obviously led to the special counsel, it is obviously a wiretapping, I should say or whatever term you want to use in that situation. And that story doesn't get covered, just like it doesn't get covered on -- and it still hasn't been explained to me how -- if the Clinton campaign, the DNC, then hired a foreign agent to get information from the Russians as opposition research against another candidate in Donald Trump, then how is that not collusion?

I still don't understand why that isn't defined that way and why that story isn't covered more. But I guess I know the answer and that is only one narrative fits here and that is the one around Mueller and Russia.

HANNITY: All right guys, when we come back, more of this news breaking edition of Hannity, straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HANNITY: All right. A quick programming note, be sure to tune in this coming Monday 9:00 Eastern. We have exclusive interview with Vice President Mike Pence. We'll ask him about the President's upcoming face- to-face meeting with Kim Jong-un and much more, the good economic news and, of course, yes, there is an investigation into the Clinton foundation that nobody knew about. There is going to be a lot of other breaking news. I can't tell you about now. Join us Monday at 9:00.

That is all the time we have left this evening. We will always be fair and balanced. We are not them. Anyway, you can also check out our Instagram page and you pick up a copy of my movie, "Let there be light." It is now On Demand, it is on DVD at Walmart, Amazon.com, and Hannity.com. If you haven't seen it the whole family, I hope, will love it.

Have a great weekend. Jason Chaffetz in for Laura, we will see you Monday.

END

Content and Programming Copyright 2018 Fox News Network, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Copyright 2018 CQ-Roll Call, Inc. All materials herein are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of CQ-Roll Call. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content.The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a class-action lawsuit accusing the U.S. government of broadly separating immigrant families seeking asylum.

The lawsuit, filed Friday, follows action the ACLU took in the case of a Congolese woman and her 7-year-old daughter, who were being held in immigration facilities 2,000 miles apart.

The woman was released Tuesday from a San Diego detention center. The 7-year-old remains at a Chicago facility for unaccompanied immigrant children.

Immigrant advocates accuse the Trump administration of systematically separating parents and children seeking asylum to deter people from coming to the United States.

Administration officials acknowledge they have separated some families but say they do not have a broad policy to do so.A total of 47,737 Shanghai residents have registered for body and cornea donation by the end of 2017, and 10,467 bodies and corneas have been donated. Both figures accounted for one third of the countrys total.

A farewell ceremony was held on March 31, 2017 at Shanghai-based Jiading District Central Hospital for Ge Jinxing who donated his body after passing away. (Photo from website of Jiading District People's Government)

March 1, 2018 marked the citys 16th annual Memorial Day for body donation. A promotional and memorial activity was held in one of the citys cemeteries by the Shanghai branch of Red Cross Society of China (RCSC).

The RCSC Shanghai branch is the earliest organization in China that started body donation program in 1982. The branch has set up registration stations for body donation in 6 medical colleges and cornea banks in 4 hospitals of Shanghai.

There are numerous touching stories of donators in Shanghai. A former associate chief physician named Ge Jinxing from a hospital in Jiading district was one of them.

Before he passed away, Ge and his wife signed a body donation agreement. He hoped the donation would facilitate the medical students with a better understanding of humans physical structure.

A sub-district level Red Cross Society of China holds a promotional activity for body and organ donation at a local community. (Photo from Shanghai branch of Red Cross Society of China.)

His wish was finally fulfilled after he passed away. In addition to his body, his corneas were also donated to help people in need.

Because of these stories, more and more citizens began to realize the value of body donation and the humanitarianism of the Red Cross spirit. Body donation is expected to gain broader acceptance in China alongside the advancing of society and improvement of civilization.A gunman and three female hostages were dead Friday evening after an hourslong "active shooter situation" at a veterans home in Napa County, Calif.

The bodies were discovered around 6 p.m. local time, about eight hours after the gunman slipped into an employee going-away party in a building that houses Pathway Home, a program that assists combat veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The three slain women were employees of the program at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville, about an hour's drive north of San Francisco.

Napa County officials identified the slain hostages as Christine Loeber, 48, executive director of Pathway Home; Dr. Jen Golick, 42, a therapist; and Dr. Jennifer Gonzales, 29, whom Pathway Home identified as a psychologist with the San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

"These brave women were accomplished professionals who dedicated their careers to serving our nation's veterans, working closely with those in the greatest need of attention after deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan," a Pathway Home statement said.

Napa identified the gunman as Albert Wong, 36, of Sacramento, a former client of the Pathway Home program.

California Highway Patrol Assistant Chief Chris Childs, of the Golden Gate Division, said officers entered the room where the hostages were being held around 6 p.m. and found the bodies.

Exactly when the hostages and gunman died was unclear, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Prior to that, authorities said, they hadn't had contact with the gunman for nearly eight hours since he entered the area where the party was being held.

Officials said the suspect exchanged gunfire with a deputy at the center when he took the women hostage about 10:30 a.m.

Responding deputies exchanged gunfire with the suspect, who was armed with a rifle. Authorities said at least 15 to 20 shots were fired in Building G, starting about 10:30 a.m.

Childs said hostage negotiators from at least three agencies were at the scene, attempting to make contact with the individual.

Brian Goder, a resident of the veterans home who was under lockdown for hours in the main dining room of the veterans home, told the Associated Press that he saw more than a dozen armed troops walking to the building in which the suspect and hostages are located. The officers wearing fatigues could be seen in a video he posted on Facebook, but it wasn't immediately clear what agency they were from.

The hostages were reportedly employees of Pathway Home, a privately run program on the veterans home's grounds. That group "serves post-9/11 veterans affected by deployment-related stress," according to the Pathway Homes website.

Earlier Friday, a number of ambulances, fire trucks and an armored police vehicle were seen at the property.

A group of about 80 students who were on the home's grounds were safely evacuated after being locked down, the sheriff said. The teens from Justin-Siena High School were at a theater there, rehearsing a play.

"They were a distance away from the shooting situation," Robertson said.

Some of the children were driven away on school buses and others in cars.

According to the California Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Home of California in Yountville dates to 1884 and is considered the largest veterans home in the U.S. with more than 1,000 veterans from all wars dating to World War II.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.Theyre on the front line, battling blazes throughout our nation. Yet the traumatic calls can add up, leading many firefighters to deal with a fire within.

As a first responder, we do see a lot of stuff and it does affect us, Troy Holtorf, Phoenix Fire Department firefighter, said. Were the first ones to help a complete stranger but were the last ones to help ourselves.

Were the first ones to help a complete stranger but were the last ones to help ourselves"  Troy Holtorf, Phoenix Fire Department firefighter

According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 2016, there were 69 firefighters who died while on the line of duty. In the same year, there were 99 firefighter suicides.

As firefighters, we operate in darkness of the smoke a lot on fires but also the darkness of the worldthe violence, the shootings, the school shootings, Las Vegas, Nick Petrucci, retired Phoenix firefighter, said. We really feel for those victims and those families. But if you always look back youll see a first responder, a police officer, a firefighter, EMTs, medical people. So, we just believe we need an outlet because those things affect us, too. PTSD is a big thing. A lot of firefighter suicides, we lost four or five guys in the last five years, to suicide.

Its one of the reasons retired Phoenix firefighter Nick Petrucci formed a faith-based group for first responders 14 years ago. Its called Koinonia, a Greek word meaning fellowship. Petrucci said he wanted a place for firefighters to be able to talk about the traumatic experiences they saw as first responders so that it doesnt pile up in their minds.

Its also a place for firefighters to talk about whats going on in their personal lives.

I think theres a lot of hurting brothers and sisters on the fire department, many of whom we dont know about, Holtorf said. I think firemen tend to keep things in, tend not to talk about it a whole lot. Its our pride; its what were wired to doI think you take enough hits, your armor gets some chinks in it and all of a sudden it wears you down mentally.

The group started with a few buddies at Petruccis home. Petrucci said they were going through some things at the station and wanted to turn to their faith, reaching a point in their lives where they had nowhere else to go.

Its transformed into a group of more than 180, meeting in different locations each week. Composed of mostly firefighters and other first responders, Petrucci hoped this group could be an outlet and a place for brothers to be real with another.

We can come and be vulnerable with each other, we can be real, we sit and open Gods Word, look for our healing through God, and lift the name of Jesus up, Petrucci said. We have praise and worship. We do a lot more, too. We actually go out and serve the community. We have a trailer with event barbecues and any time a firefighter or police officer gets hurt or injured, well go and do fundraisers for those events to help raise money for the families.

Holtorf said some of the coping mechanisms firemen use are drugs, alcohol or substance abuse. The group hopes this can be a positive alternative to that, encouraging anyone to come as they are.

I can go to my brothers, tell them whats on my mind, theres no judgmental things there, said Jerry Witt, a retired Phoenix firefighter whos struggled with PTSD after serving in Vietnam and then later as a firefighter. We can pray together, we can talk Scripture together, and I can just be myselfWeve laughed, weve cried but thats what I personally need and I think thats what a lot of guys need. Instead of just man up, cowboy upopen up. Open up and be yourself.

"Weve laughed weve cried but thats what I personally need and I think thats what a lot of guys need. Instead of just man up, cowboy upopen up.  Jerry Witt, retired Phoenix firefighter whos struggled with PTSD after serving in Vietnam

With each call, firefighters turn out and suit up to protect them from the heat of the blaze. For this group, with each call, they relate that with putting on life saving spiritual armor to help protect them from the heat of each mental battleturning to the Bible verse of Ephesians 6:13: "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."

We need protection, Witt said. Were exposed to so much, its very important that we put on that armor that the fire service gives us. But, its more important that we put on the armor of God so we cant be attacked. Were attacked in so many different ways. When you have your armor on, Gods with you and youre protected.

This group, weve learned our 9-1-1 is the good Lordthats who we call on"  Troy Holtorf, Phoenix Fire Department firefighter

Petrucci said this group means everything to him. Hes seen lives impacted. He mentioned a firefighter, who had cancer and lived three years longer than expected, bring others to the group; and how even in this difficult time it brought his family together. Hes also seen marriages restored, as well.

Koinonia is even overseas, as firefighters on active duty are having Bible studies in Afghanistan.

I think its the power of the mind, Holtorf said. If youre constantly seeing things, all that stuffs up in your brain, if you dont get it out, youll cope with it in other ways and weve seen that with firemen. Suicide is definitely a real thing, especially with first responders. So, Ive learned personally just to talk. Just be open, be honest.A New York karate instructor, accused of allegedly sexually assaulting two children in the studios bathroom, may have abused other children, police said on Friday.

Anthony Gonzalez, 37, was arrested in January after a student at USA Martial Arts Fitness Academy in Morrisania told her mother that Gonzalez took her into the bathroom, undressed her and proceeded to touch her genitals, The Daily News reported, citing police information.

Gonzalez was charged with sexual misconduct against a child, sexual abuse, forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child, WABC7 reported.

Subsequent investigation found that the teacher had allegedly molested a second student, 5, between November 2015 and June 2017, The Daily News reported, citing sources.

Gonzalez is being held on $350,000 bail.

Investigators now suspect Gonzalez sexually abused additional children, the paper said, adding that police urge victims, witnesses or anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS.A Virginia man who invented a bogus buyer to manipulate the price of Fitbit stock has been sentenced to two years in prison.

Robert Murray told a New York federal judge Friday it was "one of the stupidest things I can imagine anyone ever doing." The 25-year-old from Chesapeake, Virginia, pleaded guilty last November to securities fraud.

Prosecutors say he filed a regulatory document in November 2016 saying a fictitious company had offered to buy fitness tracker maker Fitbit at well over its share price. The stock briefly shot up about 10 percent, and Murray sold Fitbit stock options he had.

The Securities and Exchange Commission says Murray made over $3,000, but other investors lost money by paying artificially inflated prices.

San Francisco-based Fitbit Inc. declined to comment.It looks like President Donald Trump is getting the military parade he wants in Washington  though he may get no tanks for the effort.

A Pentagon planning memo issued Thursday and released Friday says the parade being planned for Nov. 11, Veterans Day, will "include wheeled vehicles only, no tanks  consideration must be given to minimize damage to local infrastructure." Big, heavy tanks could tear up District of Columbia streets.

But the event will "include a heavy air component at the end of the parade," meaning lots of airplane flyovers. Older aircraft will be included as available.

The memo from the office of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis offers initial planning guidance to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, whose staff will plan the parade along a route from the White House to the Capitol, and integrate it with the city's annual veterans' parade. Northern Command, which oversees U.S. troops in North America, will execute the parade.

Trump decided he wanted a military parade in Washington after he attended France's Bastille Day celebration in the center of Paris last July. As the invited guest of French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump watched enthusiastically from a reviewing stand as the French military showcased its tanks and fighter jets, including many U.S.-made planes, along the famed Champs-Elysees.

Trump praised the French display months later when he and Macron met in New York, saying, "We're going to have to try and top it."

But outdoing the French may be difficult without any tanks.

Trump thinks the parade, which some lawmakers in both political parties have criticized, would boost the spirit of America.

"We have a great country and we should be celebrating our country," he told Fox News Channel in a recent interview.

The Pentagon memo did not include a cost estimate for the parade. The White House budget director recently told Congress the cost to taxpayers could be between $10 million and $30 million.

The parade will focus on the contributions of American veterans throughout the history of the U.S. military, starting with the Revolutionary War, and highlight the evolution of women veterans from World War II to the present, according to the memo.

Trump should be surrounded in the reviewing area at the Capitol by veterans and Medal of Honor recipients, the memo said.

___

Follow Darlene Superville on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dsupervilleapAn animal shelter in Sacramento, Calif., is asking for help to find a bandit.

A gumball bandit, that is.

Front Street Animal Shelter posted a video on Friday of an unidentified man who appears to break into the shelter and steal the gumball machine inside.

Hidden camera footage shows the man crawling through a broken pane in a glass door to enter the shelter.

Once inside, he picks up the gumball machine and tries to shove it through the same broken pane. Hundreds of gumballs spill out all over the ground.

The suspect then tries to pry open the machines quarter compartment. With no avail, he carries the machine through a different door that leads outside. Once outside, he throws the machine over a barbed wire fence as dogs bark at him. He then appears to flee the scene.

During his attempt to steal the machine, the suspect never seemed to notice a donation box, full of money, on a countertop a few feet away.

Those with information about the break-in can call the Sacramento Police Department at 916-264-5471 or Crime Stoppers at 916-443-HELP, according to FOX 40.The gunman who killed three women at a Northern California veterans center had been kicked out of a therapy program for soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The suspect identified as Afghanistan veteran Albert Wong was found dead Friday evening by Napa Valley sheriff's deputies at the Veterans Home of California-Yountville.

Wong slipped into a going-away party for some employees of The Pathway Home, a nonprofit post-traumatic stress disorder program. He took some people hostage and let others go.

Authorities say he traded gunshots with a deputy early on and then nothing more was heard until his body was found along with those of the home's executive director, clinical director and a psychologist.

A relative of one victim says Wong recently was kicked out of the program.Authorities have identified a man arrested Saturday, accused of shooting two police officers in Pomona, Calif., killing one of them.

Isaias De Jesus Valencia, 39, was apprehended Saturday after barricading himself in an apartment and holding a SWAT team at bay for more than 15 hours, authorities said.

Police had tried to stop the suspect Friday night after receiving a call about reckless driving, but he refused to pull over and led officers on a pursuit, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said.

The man crashed during the chase and fled into an apartment complex.

Officers pursued the suspect, who fired through the door, shooting one of the officers, Los Angeles Sheriff Jim McDonnell said.

A second officer tried to rescue his wounded comrade and the gunman fired through the door again, striking the officer in the face, the sheriff said.

Pomona Police Officer Greggory Casillas, 30, of Upland, was killed. The other officer was undergoing surgery Saturday and was expected to recover, officials said.

"He left his family at home to protect yours and his ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten," Pomona police Chief Michael Olivieri said at a news conference.

Casillas first joined the police department in Pomona, which is 30 miles east of Los Angeles, as a records specialist in 2014. He then worked as a jailer and became a sworn police officer in September. Casillas was finishing his field training when he was killed Friday night, KTLA reported.

He leaves behind a wife and two small children.

Pamona Police Department tweeted Saturday night: We are deeply moved by the love and support we have received from our law enforcement brothers and sisters, our community and people across the US during this difficult time. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of our brother, Officer Gregg Casillas.

Gov. Jerry Brown ordered flags at the Capitol to fly at half-staff and said Casillas' "brave sacrifice will never be forgotten."

Outside the Los Angeles County coroner's office, dozens of police cars lined the streets and officers saluted as the slain officer's body was brought there in a procession Saturday.

The man was holed up in the apartment for more than 15 hours as a SWAT team used flash-bang grenades and cameras to watch him and crisis negotiators tried to coax him into coming out peacefully.

The man was taken into custody without bail and led out of the building wearing only his underpants.

McDonnell said that it had been "a long night" but now that the scene was secure and safe, officials could begin their investigation.

During an afternoon news conference, Olivieri said it was "a sad day" for the Pomona Police Department, community and "law enforcement in general."

"Our Pomona officers were out doing what they always do - putting themselves in harm's way to protect Pomona, a community that we love," he said.

The Los Angeles Times reported the suspect was contained in the apartment and around 7 a.m., local time, a "loud bang was heard." An officer was heard instructing the suspect to come outside the apartment with their hands up.

OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY IN 2018

Video footage from local media showed exchanges of gunfire while a wounded officer was on the pavement, receiving medical attention.

At least 21 police officers have died in the line of duty since the start of 2018.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.The former Army infantryman who shot and killed three women before taking his own life at a Northern California treatment program was a decorated veteran and an expert rifleman, but he was also troubled by PTSD.

Albert Wong, 36, served in Afghanistan from April 2011 to March 2012 and was an active member of the Army from May 2010 to August 2013, according to Department of Defense records. Wong was described as an expert marksman.

He was awarded a number of medals including the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars.

VICTIMS KILLED IN CALIFORNIA VETERANS HOME STANDOFF DESCRIBED AS BRAVE WOMEN; GUNMAN IDD

Before Wong opened fire Friday morning inside the Pathway Home, a nonprofit post-traumatic stress disorder at the Veterans Home of California-Yountville, he was a patient at the center.

Wong was expelled from the program by Jennifer Golick, the clinical director and one of the women killed. It was not immediately clear why Wong was kicked out of the program.

A motive for the shooting was not immediately clear.

Wong entered the building Friday morning, slipping into a going-away party for some employees. Authorities said he held the three women hostage and sparked a standoff with police lasting nearly eight hours.

Later that day, authorities discovered the bodies of Golick, Christine Loeber, 48, executive director of the program and Jennifer Gonzales, 29, a clinical psychologist.

POLICE: SUSPECT CONTAINED IN APARTMENT COMPLEX AMID STANDOFF THAT LEFT COP DEAD

Wong's rental car was later found nearby. A bomb-sniffing dog alerted authorities to something on the car but the only thing found was a cellphone, authorities said.

Yountville Mayor John Dunbar told reporters Saturday, "We lost three beautiful people yesterday and lost one of our heroes who clearly had demons which resulted in the terrible tragedy we all experienced."

The mayor did not comment more explicitly about Wong, but said he has personal info on the veteran that he would share when it was appropriate.

Dunbar said he would be meeeting with Dr. Vito Imbasciani, the secretary of California's Department of Veterans Affairs, to discuss the future of the program and safety measures.

Imbasiciani told reporters Saturday the association was cooperating and working with law enforcement. He said there are safety measures in place for natural disasters and active shooter situations.

According to The Sacramento Bee, the hostage standoff in Yountville has prompted a California law enforcement union to repeat its appeal to arm the officers who provide security at state hospitals and veterans' facilities.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported the Pathway Home opened in 2008 helping veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. The center has treated some 450 people.

Fox News Benjamin Brown and The Associated Press contributed to this report.China urged the United States on Friday to revoke its decision to impose immediate, steep tariffs on imports of foreign steel and aluminum products, which the Ministry of Commerce said would seriously disturb global trade.

China's move came after US President Donald Trump signed two proclamations on Thursday to levy a 25 percent tariff on steel and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum while offering potential exemptions for Canada and Mexico. Trump said the penalties may "go up or down depending on the country, and I'll have a right to drop out countries or add countries".

Wang Hejun, head of the trade remedy and investigation bureau of the Ministry of Commerce, said the US measures are in essence trade protectionism in the guise of national security. Most US steel and aluminum imports are for civil use and by no means impair US national security.

Wang said the US abuse of the "national security" provision is a wanton sabotage of the multilateral trading system represented by the World Trade Organization, and is set to hurt the normal international trading order.

"China firmly opposes that," he said in a statement. "China has lodged solemn complaints with the US side through multiple channels, and China will assess its losses caused by the US measures, as well as take strong actions to ensure its legitimate interests."

The US first announced the tariffs on March 1 after a US Commerce Department investigation under Section 232 of US Trade Expansion Act of 1962 found the imports threatening to US national security.

The China Iron and Steel Association called on the Chinese government on Friday to retaliate against the US by targeting "stainless steel products, galvanized sheet, seamless pipe, coal, agriculture products and electronic products" imported from the US, it said in a statement posted on its website.

Xu Xiangchun, chief analyst for Mysteel.com, an iron and steel industry consultancy website, said the US move would have a limited direct impact on China's steel industry because China has been exporting a fairly small amount of steel to the US in recent years. Chinese steel products are mostly used in the domestic market, rather than for exports, Xu said.

China shipped a total of 75.43 million metric tons of steel to global markets in 2017, and the exports to the US accounted for only 1.18 million metric tons, while overall steel exports represented less than 10 percent of China's steel production, according to the National Development and Reform Commission and the General Administration of Customs.

Chen Weihua contributed to this story.A drifter couple behind bars for murder in Florida have been charged with killing three people in a home in South Carolina, authorities said Saturday.

Christopher Taylor, 31, and Kristina Sluss, 36, face three counts of murder in the Jan. 19 deaths of Fred Richards, 59, Francis Richards, 59, and Nathan Poffenberger, 23, in Landrum. Investigators said the victims had been hacked to death with a hatchet.

Arrest warrants state Taylor and Sluss took money and drugs from one of the victims, Fox Carolina reported.

Taylor and Sluss have been in custody in Florida since their arrest in the Feb. 19 beating death of Douglas Bowling, a homeless man, in Polk County. Taylors brother was also arrested in the Bowling murder, Fox 13 Tampa reported.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Saturday at a news conference that he believes Taylor may have killed others.

I dont believe for a moment that when you look at this guy that there may be all of the people hes murdered, he said. He not only murdered people, he savagely murdered people.

He said he wants other jurisdictions in the Southeast to check their records to see if they had any unsolved murders in which the victim may have been dismembered or partially dismembered.

Judd said Bowling was found with one of his hands chopped off. He said Bowling was killed because Taylor found him "annoying."

The sheriff said Taylor told Sluss after the South Carolina murders that he didnt cut that boys head off, but almost did.

Judd said Taylor made the statement after speaking to his mother who lived in Landrum near the Richards house. He said she had told her son that she heard that one of the victims had been decapitated.

He has demonstrated attributes of a serial killer, Judd said, referring to Taylor. We just want to know if there are other victims out there.

The sheriff said deputies were able to tie the two cases together after interviewing Sluss.

Poffenbergers father found his son and the other two victims when he didn't return home, Fox Carolina reported.

These people were savagely killed, Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright said of Poffenberger, Richards and his wife.Federal workplace safety officials launched an investigation into Wednesdays deadly fire at a construction site in Denver, a report said Friday.

Dozens of investigators, including agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, visited the site of the blaze in the North Capitol Hill neighborhood, Denver's Fox 13 reported.

The cause of the fire is still unknown or not yet released.

Two construction workers died, and at least six other people were injured, including one Denver firefighter, the report said.

More than a dozen construction workers from organized carpenter groups gathered at the site and voiced their concern about dangerous working conditions, the station reported.

What has happened here is unacceptable, said Mark Thompson of Colorado Carpenters. People need to be held accountable  who is responsible and how could this have been avoided.

"What has happened here is unacceptable. People need to be held accountable  who is responsible and how could this have been avoided."  Mark Thompson, Colorado Carpenters

Local labor organizers told the Denver Post that there is evidence that at least one subcontractor employed workers who were paid under the table and not signing daily work logs, making it difficult to account for all the people on site.

When I approached the foreman for United Builders Service, I asked him how many workers he had on his crew. He looked me straight in the eye and said, I dont know, Thompson said at Fridays rally. We pray there are no other workers missing, but how can the professionals be certain without an accurate count to start with?

United Builders Service officials declined to respond to the allegation that it paid workers under the table, while the construction site projects general contractor, Vertix Builders Inc. called the allegation patently false in a statement obtained by the Post.

We are committed to determining the facts and working with investigators to establish the cause of this incident, the statement reads.The three women who dedicated their lives to treating military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress were described as brave woman after they were gunned down by an ex-patient of the treatment program they worked in.

Police said a gunman  later identified as Albert Wong, 36, of Sacramento  managed around 10:30 a.m. Friday to discreetly enter a going-away party for an employee of Pathway Home, a privately run treatment program housed at Veterans Home of California-Yountville.

Wong held the three women hostages and sparked a nearly eight-hour standoff with police.

At around 6 p.m., authorities discovered the bodies of the three women  identified as Christine Loeber, 48, executive director of the program; Jennifer Golick, 42, a clinical director; and Jennifer Gonzales, 29, a clinical psychologist.

Authorities said Wong had also killed himself.

These brave women were accomplished professionals who dedicated their careers to serving our nations veterans, working closely with those in the greatest need of attention after deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Pathway Home statement said. All of us at the Pathway Home are devastated by todays events. We stand with the families, friends, and colleagues who share in this terrible loss.

Golick's father-in-law said she had recently ordered Wong removed from the program.

Golick called her husband, Mark, around 10:30 a.m. to say that she had been taken hostage by the former soldier, Bob Golick said.

Mark didn't hear from her again, Golick said.

Family friend Vasiti Ritova told The Associated Press that Gonzales, the 29-year-old victim, got married a year ago and was set to go to Washington DC this weekend to celebrate her anniversary. Gonzales was also reportedly seven months pregnant.

Ritova, whose niece takes care of Gonzales' grandmother, also said the victim made bi-weekly trips to visit her relative and would sing to her and give her baths. She said the loss was "devastating."

Gonzales was described as "brilliant" by Marjorie Morrison, the founder of a nonprofit organization known as PsychArmor, whom Gonzales parterned with to create the VA Campus Toolkit. Morrison said Gonzalez did amazing work with veterans with PTSD and also focused on helping college campuses successfully reintegrate veterans when they returned to school.

Loeber, the 48-year-old victim, was "very dedicated to the veterans," Sandra Woodford, a veteran who lives at the facility and works at the crafts center across the street from Pathway, told The Associated Press. She said Loeber would visit the center occasionally to ensure that younger veterans from Pathway were well received if they came to work on projects.

"She was delightful, intelligent, outgoing, charming," Woodford said.

Loeber was supposed to have a girls' weekend with her close friend, Maura Turner, before she was held hostage at the veterans home, Turner's husband, Tom, told the outlet.

"We heard the guy was a former patient and so I thought that was a positive," he told The Associated Press. "I figured he had to like her."

Veterans Home of California-Yountville is the largest veterans home in the nation, according to the state Department of Veterans Affairs.

On Saturday morning, President Donald Trump tweeted his condolences to the three women killed.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic situation in Yountville and mourn the loss of three incredible women who cared for our Veterans," Trump wrote.

Authorities said Wong was a former participant in the Pathway Home program, but investigators had yet to determine a motive for the killings.

"It's far too early to say if they were chosen at random," California Highway Patrol Assistant Chief Chris Childs said of the slain hostages, during a news conference Friday evening.

Wong had been an Army infantryman who served a year in Afghanistan from 2011 to 2012. He held a number of service awards, including one for expert marksmanship with a rifle.

News of Friday's tragedy drew reactions of sadness and shock.

"We are deeply saddened and affected by the tragic outcome of the hostage situation at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville and extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones involved," wrote David Shulkin, U.S. secretary of Veterans Affairs, in a Twitter message. "We ask for patience as we continue to monitor emerging details."

California Gov. Jerry Brown also offered condolences.

"(T)he horrible violence at the Yountville Veterans Home ... tragically took the lives of three people dedicated to serving our veterans. Our hearts go out to their families and loved ones and the entire community of Yountville," Brown wrote.

A Napa County sheriffs deputy responded to an emergency call around 10 a.m. and exchanged gunfire with the suspect. Shortly after, the women were taken hostage.

We believe and credit him with saving the lives of others in the area by eliminating the ability for the suspect to go out and find further victims, Childs said. The officer was not injured.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Larry Kamer said his wife, Devereaux Smith, a fundraiser for Pathway Home, told him by phone that the gunman had slipped quietly into the building before taking some people hostage, while letting others leave.

Authorities were unable to make contact with the gunman and hostages throughout the day, and after nearly eight hours, law enforcement entered a room where they believed the hostages were being held. There they found three women and the suspected gunman -- all dead, Childs said.

It was not immediately clear what type of gun was used in the shootings.

Authorities found a cellphone in a rental car belonging to the suspect that was parked near the facility, authorities said.

Gov. Brown ordered flags at the state Capitol in Sacramento to be flown at half-staff following the shooting, KTVU reported.

Fox News Bradford Betz, Lucia I. Suarez Sang, Elizabeth Zwirz and the Associated Press contributed to this report.The Latest on two police officers who were shot in Los Angeles County (all times local):

2:30 p.m.

Authorities say a man accused of shooting two California police officers  killing one of them  has been arrested after a standoff that lasted more than 15 hours.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell says the suspect was taken into custody shortly after 2 p.m. Saturday.

Authorities say Pomona police officers chased the suspect into an apartment complex after the man led them on a pursuit Friday night.

The suspect fired through the door and shot one of the officers. A second officer who tried to pull his wounded comrade to safety was shot in the face.

Officer Gregory Casillas was pronounced dead. The wounded officer was expected to recover.

Pomona Police Chief Michael Olivieri said Casillas started with the police department as a records clerk in 2014 and became a police officer in September.

___

Noon

Coroner's officials have identified a Southern California police officer who was fatally shot by a barricaded suspect after a pursuit.

Los Angeles County coroner's Lt. Dave Smith identified the Pomona police officer Saturday as 30-year-old Gregory Casillas, of Upland.

Investigators say Casillas had chased the suspect into an apartment complex after the man led police on a pursuit Friday night.

Los Angeles County sheriff's Capt. Christopher Bergner says the suspect fired through the door, striking Casillas and another officer. He says the other officer was undergoing surgery Saturday but was expected to survive.

The suspect remains barricaded in the apartment.

____

9:10 a.m.

A man who led police on a chase in Southern California barricaded himself in an apartment and fired through a door, fatally shooting one officer and wounding another.

Los Angeles County sheriff's Capt. Christopher Bergner says the suspect remained barricaded Saturday morning in an apartment building in Pomona, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of Los Angeles.

Bergner says the man had led police on a pursuit Friday night before he crashed the vehicle and fled on foot. He says officers pursued the man into the apartment building before he fired through a door, striking two Pomona officers.

One of the officers was killed. Bergner says the other officer was undergoing surgery but was expected to recover.

He says crisis negotiators were speaking with the suspect throughout the night.

____

7:12 a.m.

A California police officer responding to a call of a barricaded suspect has been struck by gunfire and died.

A second officer who was also shot is in stable condition Saturday.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said the officers were responding to a call in Pomona around 9 p.m. Friday. Pomona is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of Los Angeles in Los Angeles County.

Police Chief Michael Olivieri tweeted overnight that one of the officer had not survived.

Authorities have not released any more information including whether the suspect is in custody.

Police remained on the scene Saturday morning.The hostage crisis at the veterans treatment facility in Northern California -- where an armed suspect killed three women and himself Friday -- hosted a rehabilitation center for U.S. service members transitioning to civilian life.

The Pathway Home opened 10 years ago to treat U.S. soldiers returning from conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Many of the veterans suffer from severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

The facility is a 9,000-acre campus located in Yountville  about an hour's drive north of San Francisco.

Friday's gunman -- whom authorities identified as Albert Wong, 36, of Sacramento -- was recently kicked out of the program, the father-in-law of one of his victims said Friday.

According to California state Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, Wong was asked to leave for unknown reasons. The slain women were staffers who worked with Wong, Dodd said.

Treatments at the Pathway Home have included swimming with dolphins and having veterans work with children. Since 2008, approximately 450 people have been treated there for PTSD and brain-related injuries.

Its website states: The Pathway Home has helped more than 450 post-9/11 Veterans improve mental health issues, while supporting successful community reintegration and achievement of academic, work-related, and relationship success.

The Veterans Home of California-Yountville, which occupies space on the campus, accommodates 850 retired service members, some going back to World War II.

The Pathway Home was featured in the non-fiction book and film of the same name, Thank You For Your Service.A South Carolina woman who gouged her eyes out in public while in a drug-induced high said she believed the drugs were bringing her closer to God.

Kaylee Muthart, 20, of Anderson, SC, opened up to Cosmopolitan magazine about how she went from a straight-A student occasionally drinking and smoking marijuana to having meth and ecstasy on a regular basis.

She said it all began last summer when she smoked marijuana laced with a narcotic that she believes may have been cocaine or meth. Following the incident, she left school and her job because she felt she was betrayed by the friend who gave her the laced substance.

Soon after Muthart said her relationship with her boyfriend of two years began to deteriorate and she smoked marijuana and took Xanax to cope. Their breakup led to a mental breakdown and a bipolar disorder diagnosis.

SOUTH CAROLINA WOMAN SEEN OUTSIDE CHURCH GOUGING OUT HER EYES WITH HER OWN HANDS, POLICE SAY

Muthart said she eventually found a new job but could not shake off the thoughts of how the laced marijuana made her feel. It was those feelings that made her decide to smoke meth last August.

She lost her job because she was too embarrassed to go to work after she picked at her face following her trip on the narcotic.

Eventually, Muthart turned to ecstasy as well.

While on ecstasy, I studied the Bible, Muthart said. I misinterpreted a lot of it. I convinced myself that meth would bring me even closer to God.

During Thanksgiving, her mother Katy Tompkins tried to intervene and even recorded a phone conversation between the two of them to get a court order that would force her daughter into a rehab center.

However, Muthart bought meth from her dealer. She recalled that she injected a larger dose [of meth] that Id ever used before."

This was on Feb. 6, 2018. That day, while hallucinating from the large dose, Muthart recalled that she thought someone had to sacrifice something important to the world, and that person was me.

I thought everything would end abruptly, and everyone would die, if I didn't tear out my eyes immediately, she said. I don't know how I came to that conclusion, but I felt it was, without doubt, the right, rational thing to do immediately.

MOTHER OF WOMAN, 20, WHO GOUGED OUT EYES SPEAKS ON HAZARDS OF ILLEGAL DRUGS

Muthart said the man she had been staying with, who she did not identify but said had a biblical name, was driving by and asked her a question. She said she felt that the encounter was her sign.

What happened next has left Muthart completely blind.

WARNING: Details below contain graphic material

So I pushed my thumb, pointer, and middle finger into each eye. I gripped each eyeball, twisted, and pulled until each eye popped out of the socket  it felt like a massive struggle, the hardest thing I ever had to do, she said. Because I could no longer see, I don't know if there was blood. But I know the drugs numbed the pain. I'm pretty sure I would have tried to claw right into my brain if a pastor hadn't heard me screaming, I want to see the light!  which I don't recall saying  and restrained me.

She continued: He later said, when he found me, that I was holding my eyeballs in my hands. I had squished them, although they were somehow still attached to my head.

Across the street, terrified churchgoers from the South Main Chapel and Mercy Center watched on.

Muthart said that during the incident her mother was traveling to the courthouse to get her committed to the rehabilitation center but she was too late.

Following her surgery to save her optic nerves, Muthart said she knew she was blind and suffered from bad headaches. She said she refused powerful painkillers despite her pain and even asked visitors to describe how she looked now that she could not see.

Since then, Muthart has been clean. She has been adapting to her new lifestyle and hoped to go back to school for marine biology. She also plans to attend 90 Narcotics Anonymous meetings and hopes to raise enough money on GoFundMe for a seeing-eye dog.

Despite the situation, Muthart said she is happier now than she was before all this happened.

I'd rather be blind than dependent on drugs, she said. It took losing my sight to get me back on the right path, but from the bottom of my heart, I'm so glad I'm here.Noura Hassan's tiny top-floor flat in the central Cairo neighborhood of Bulaq contains barely any furniture; instead, her belongings have been packed into dozen of cardboard boxes.

In the bedroom, rolled carpets and bed slats lean against the walls, while a sheet laid on the tiled floor marks the place where Noura and husband have been sleeping for the past few weeks.

Stepping out of the front door of the two-storey building where the 56-year-old mother-of-two lives, the rubble from the demolitions of other buildings in the street is visible; her building is scheduled to meet the same fate in a matter of days.

Hassan is one of thousands of residents of a tiny section of central Cairo who have for decades fought off efforts by the government to demolish their homes, to make way for redevelopment.

The conflict in the Maspero Triangle, where almost 80 percent of properties have had their residents evicted, reveals the underside to the government's attempts to modernise the Nile-adjacent area, which officials say is the most highly-valued land in the capital.

"I was born here; I have lived here all my life and my grandfathers had lived here," Hassan said.

"How do they [authorities] want me to leave now? I don't have money or anywhere to move out to," she added as she showed Ahram Online around her building.

Her building is cut off from the street by a mound of debris from a couple of buildings that have been partially torn down, while a demolition crane is parked at the entrance to the street. A big letter X spray painted by clearance teams on the door indicates the buildings fate.

The rest of the lower-income area remains partially inhabited, but the main street where Hassan lives has been almost emptied, because it is the first due to come down.

Strategically located in the heart of Cairo, off the Corniche promenade alongside the Nile, Maspero is a triangle-shaped area made up of run-down houses and shabby low-rise buildings. It neighbours a major five-star hotel, the state television and radio complex, and the foreign ministry headquarters. The district's streets vary from large well-mapped thoroughfares to narrow alleyways.

Hassan's family is among some 850 of a total of around 4,500 households in the area who have opted to return after the development is complete. But she has yet to receive a EGP 40,000 (approx. $2,270) temporary housing allowance offered by the government to offset the three-year period in which the redevelopment is due to take place.

Less than one hundred of those who submitted applications requesting to be resettled in the area have received the temporary housing payment, said Ahmed Hassan, a member of a committee representing residents with officials.

Most of the residents in the working-class area inherited the right to rent their flats and shops, and continued to live in them with open-ended contracts under an old property law that gives families secure long-term tenancy and keeps the rents at a prices fixed decades ago, many as low as EGP 10 to 20 a month (approx. $0.50 to $1).

Such tenancy contracts can be legally passed down to heirs, and typically cannot be terminated without a significant sum of compensation paid to the tenant.

The catch is that hard-up residents who opt to return to the area will have to pay to swap their houses for new apartments in the same area which will not fall under the old rent laws: that means either hundreds of pounds in monthly rents, or mortgage installments that will be way beyond their means.

The rest of the area's long-time residents have accepted compensation, and others were offered alternative housing.

Some residents interviewed say the government has yet to finalise assessment of their houses or look at appeals by families who say their properties have been under-valued.

Despite the appeals, the authorities have continued to issue renewed deadlines for evictions, and say that the area will be entirely cleared by the end of March.

Livelihoods under threat

Among those holdouts who refuse to leave are most of the neighbourhoods shopkeepers, who hold inherited, long-term tenancy contracts under similar rules to that of residents.

The government announced compensation for some 900 shops in the area only two weeks ago, although a payment scheme for homes was made public almost a year ago. Unlike residents, shopkeepers are offered no alternative, but must depart in return for what they see as meager financial compensation.

"I wont find any [shop] elsewhere with the money they will give me. I would leave my living here in the centre [of the city], and then where should I go?" Mohamed Khamees, a mechanic in his 40s, wondered.

"Okay, we can leave, but give us alternative shops, anywhere," he said.

Khamees and many other shopkeepers say the EGP 5,000 pounds (approx. $280) offered by the government per square metre is a fraction of the original value of their properties and is nowhere near enough for them to buy a shop in an outlying area of the city, let alone in downtown.

In addition to the compensation, shopkeepers will also be given EGP 80,000 (approx. $4,500) as a moving allowance.

According to local real estate agents contacted by Ahram Online, the average prices in the Triangle are estimated at EGP 60-100,000 (approx. $3,400-$5,600) per square metre.

But the position of those business owners is unlikely to change in the neighbourhoods final days.

The head of the Boulaq Abul Ela municipal district, Ibrahim Abdel Hady, told Ahram Online the evaluation is final and residents have no choice but to accept it.

Modernisation plan

Those who have lived in the Triangle for generations say the area has been a good home and offered a sense of community, but had also been neglected by the state.

Most of the area's working-class residents, around 2,900 families, have accepted a one-time compensation in return for their properties, some EGP 100,000 per room (approx. $5,600).

The majority of the apartments in the area are occupied by more than one family, each living in a single room, sharing a bathroom and a kitchen. Others have been relocated to a newly opened housing complex in Al-Mokattam district, east of Cairo, and around 20km away from the original district.

Around 50 acres of the Maspero Triangle area is scheduled to be demolished and replaced with commercial high rises, residential and office spaces, and deluxe hotels overlooking the Nile.

The bulk of land is owned by big firms, including Saudi and Emirati companies and the Maspero Urban Development Company (a subsidiary of the Investment Ministry), while around a third is owned by some 200 individuals, according to recently-resigned deputy housing ministry Ahmed Darwish.

"The state's role [in the project] is only meant to preserve citizen's rights and to avoid leaving investors with frozen assets," a senior housing ministry official, who asked not to be named, said.

He added that the ramshackle buildings in the area are deemed unsafe, necessitating quick intervention from the state.

The resulting development will be financed and carried out by private developers; the governments EGP 4 billion scheme ($227 million) extends to outlining a development master plan for investors to comply with, for removing the residents, and constructing a small residential complex to which a small number of original residents will return.

The housing ministry will acquire part of each owner's land and earmark it for a residential complex on 20 percent of the project's area, where 900 residential units will be built for the original residents.

While some see the government's plans as unfairly targeting the vulnerable underclass to benefit developers, officials have another view.

"This is land owned by investors. The state will give everyone their right," Ibrahim Abdel Hady said.

Others are sceptical about the government promises they will be resettled in the area after new houses are built, fearing gentrification.

"There will be registered contracts. The government won't deceive them," Abdel Hady said.

New homes on the outskirts of the city

Around 400 families from Maspero have been relocated some 20km away, and are now living in 65-square metre homes in six-storey blocks of flats in Al-Mokattam.

Now home to over 10,000 families to date, the Tahya Misr residential complex (also known as Al-Asmarat) is an ambitious EGP 2 billion (approx. $114 million) project to rehouse slumdwellers in Cairo. It was opened by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi two years ago, and takes its name from his Tahya Misr (Long Live Egypt) slogan. When complete, the complex will feature 18,000 flats.

But many are not so enthusiastic about their new life in Al-Asmarat, and say the quality of living conditions in the sprawling compound, with its broad paved streets and well-planned buildings, do not make up for the communities they left behind.

There [in Maspero] we had a community, we had jobs near our homes, we paid nothing to live at our homes, said 49-year-old Saeed, who moved to Asmarat five months ago.

He is living in his new two-bedroom flat rent-free for a year; then he is supposed to pay EGP 300 in monthly rental for 30 years, after which he will own the flat.

Here, I cant find a job, I dont know my neighbours, and I have to wait for the bus sometimes for an hour to go out [of the complex]," he said, as he showed Ahram Online around his flat.

Saeed's story is repeated across Al-Asmarat by others who were moved from informal housing in Cairo, including from irregularly built areas in Doueyka, Dar El-Salam and Sayeda Zeinab.

Saeed, and many others in the complex, complains of having to commute to downtown Cairo almost daily either to work or maintain a social life, which incurs a significant financial burden.

No shops have yet opened inside Al-Asmarat except for a several formal outlets belonging to the army, the interior ministry and the investment ministry's Al-Ahram consumer complexes (Al-Ahram Markets). They all offer basic commodities and close in late afternoon.

Residents say they have to walk a long distance or wait for the public bus to go to the markets outside the complex to get everything they need.

The complex also has around 400 yet-to-open shops; tenancies are scheduled to be put up for public auction in two months under a lease scheme, with a reduced one-time payment upon delivery, Al-Asmarat district head Hassan El-Ghandour told Ahram Online.

But hard-up residents say they won't be able to afford the units.

The local authority also aims to impose order in the compound. The only allowed mode of transportation inside the complex is public buses. No microbuses or tuk-tuks, which residents once exclusively relied on, are permitted to enter.

Informal efforts to find a living by some individuals have not been welcomed. The compound security has cracked down on attempts by some residents to sell goods through their flats or at public spaces inside the compound.

Ghandour said four units have been withdrawn from their owners for doing so, and a candyfloss seller seen wandering a street in Al-Asmarat told Ahram Online with a laugh that he has been detained three times by the municipal officials for doing so.

Unlike residents from Maspero Triangle, other Al-Asmarat residents who came from informal Cairo neighbourhoods -- where building is technically illegal -- do not get a years rent-free tenancy in the complex, and must immediately pay the monthly rent of EGP 300 for their flats. In addition they will remain tenants, whereas the former Maspero Triangle residents will own their flats after making rent payments for 30 years.

All the residents interviewed by Ahram Online said they couldnt afford rent and utility bills, and most of them have abstained from paying, but fear a build-up of debts or the loss of their units.

Ahmed, 29, moved to the complex from a crumbling slum in the medieval district of Sayeda Zeinab.

"Life here is clean and good, but I was happier there, he said.

Short link:

President Donald Trump said Saturday he believes North Korea will abide by its pledge to suspend missile tests while he prepares for a summit by May with the North's leader, Kim Jong Un.

Trump noted in a tweet that North Korea has refrained from such tests since November and said Kim "has promised not to do so through our meetings."

"I believe they will honor that commitment," the president wrote.

The president continued the optimistic tone Saturday night when he led a rally for the Republican candidate in a special House race in western Pennsylvania. When he mentioned Kim's name, the crowd booed but Trump responded: "No, it's very positive ... no, after the meeting you may do that, but now we have to be very nice because let's see what happens, let's see what happens."

Trump shocked many inside and outside his administration Thursday when he told South Korean officials who had just returned from talks in North Korea that he would be willing to accept Kim's meeting invitation.

Earlier Saturday, Trump tweeted that China was pleased that he was pursuing a diplomatic solution rather than "going with the ominous alternative" and that Japan is "very enthusiastic" about the agreed-to talks.

Trump has spoken with both Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe since Thursday's announcement, and said Xi "appreciates that the U.S. is working to solve the problem diplomatically rather than going with the ominous alternative."

Trump had previously threatened North Korea with "fire and fury like the world has never seen."

Trump also said China, North Korea's most important ally and trading partner, "continues to be helpful!" Trump has repeatedly urged China to do more to pressure North Korea into abandoning its nuclear program.

Trump said in another tweet Saturday that Abe is "is very enthusiastic about talks with North Korea" and that the two discussed how to narrow the U.S.-Japan trade deficit. Trump wrote, "It will all work out!"

Trump misspelled Xi's first name as "Xinping" in the first version of his tweet about China but later corrected it.next Image 1 of 2

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From their home, a tent hastily erected in a grassy field, the young Muslim Rohingya couple can see the village they left behind last year, fleeing attacks by Buddhist mobs and Myanmar security forces.

They arrived in a no man's land, one of the small, ill-defined areas that exist at the cloudiest edges of the borderlands, places that seem to be neither Myanmar nor Bangladesh. While nearly every other Rohingya refugee who crossed the border has sought protection in the immense camps a few miles deeper into Bangladesh, these people say they will go no farther.

"My ancestors' graves are there," said Abdul Naser, gesturing toward his village, less than 100 meters (yards) away. "Sometimes, I walk close to the barbed wire fence and touch my land, and I cry in the dark."

But a few weeks ago things changed. Myanmar deployed more soldiers to the border, some of whom began coming to within 10 meters (yards) of the refugees' homes. They shout insults at the Rohingya, the refugees say, they throw empty whiskey bottles. They have set up speakers that blare announcements, insisting people go further into Bangladesh.

Because to Myanmar, no man's land doesn't exist at all.

"We cannot accept the term 'no man's land' because that is our land," said Nyan Myint Kyaw, Myanmar's deputy commander of the border police. Shifting rivers may have washed away some border markers, he says, and fences may not have been erected everywhere. But he insists the 6,000 or so Rohingya who think they live between the two countries are actually living inside Myanmar.

It is easy to get confused on the border, where many areas are not marked at all and where it's sometimes unclear if a fence marks someone's personal land, or if it demarcates the frontier. Making things more complicated, Myanmar places its border fences 150 feet from the actual boundary line.

While Myanmar insists all the hazy territory is their land, its security forces  as well as Bangladesh security forces  are also very careful to avoid entering places seen as a no man's land, presumably fearing accidental clashes and diplomatic trouble.

Myanmar says the additional soldiers were deployed to stop possible cross-border attacks by Rohingya militants, though no such attacks are known to have occurred. When Bangladesh protested the deployments, Myanmar dismissed their complaints.

"This is not like we are trying to invade Bangladesh," Myanmar spokesman Zaw Htay said in early March. "These are only actions taken against the terrorist groups."

The Rohingya have long lived at the ragged fringes of life in Myanmar, denied citizenship and many of the most basic rights. They are derided as "Bengalis" and many in Myanmar believe they are illegal migrants from Bangladesh. Muslims in an overwhelmingly Buddhist nation, most live in poverty in Myanmar's Rakhine state, next to Bangladesh.

The most recent problems began in August, when Rohingya insurgents launched a series of unprecedented attacks on Myanmar security posts. Myanmar responded with overwhelming force, burning Muslim villages with the help of Buddhist mobs, raping women, looting homes and carrying out massacres. Some 700,000 Rohingya fled the attacks into Bangladesh. Aid groups say more than 6,700 people were killed.

The UN refugee agency has appealed for protection for the borderland Rohingya.

The agency "is concerned about the safety of a group of vulnerable Rohingya women, men and children from Myanmar, who have been living in a so-called 'no man's land,'" it said in a statement. "People who have fled violence in their country must be granted safety and protection."

But is the no man's land inside Myanmar? Even the Rohingya say some of it probably is, though there are plenty of places where even border guards aren't sure where to find the dividing line.

A Rohingya community leader says most of the 6,000 in the borderlands are from nearby villages.

"They do not want to leave the place or enter Bangladesh, hoping that they will go back one day and it will be easier to move from here," Dil Mohammed said.

The young Rohingya couple agreed with him. They want to keep their village in sight. Or at least what's left of it.

"My trees are still there," said Naser's wife, 20-year-old Ruksana Begum. "It's spring now. I can see the green leaves of my mango trees. They have burned our homes but my trees are still growing."

___

AP writers Julhas Alam in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Esther Htusan contributed to this report.An Afghan official says at least 15 security forces have been killed in an attack by Taliban fighters in western Farah province.

Fared Bakhtawar, head of the provincial council, said Saturday that seven army commandos and eight police are among those 15 killed in Bala Buluk district.

Bakhtawer said three other security forces are missing and more than 30 insurgents were killed in the battle.

Gen. Dawlat Waziri, spokesman for the Defense Ministry, confirmed the attack but said only four soldiers were killed and two wounded.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujhaid claimed responsibility for the attack.

In recent months, Farah province has witnessed an increase in attacks by insurgents against security forces and local officials have requested the deployment of more forces in the province.Some 3,000 ethnic Hungarians have staged a march in Romania's northwest Transylvania region to demand more autonomy.

They gathered in Targu Mures, a city that is home to many ethnic Hungarians, on Saturday carrying a giant Szekler flag, a symbol of the Hungarian minority seeking greater self-determination in Romania.

Participants shouted "Autonomy!" and presented a petition calling for territorial autonomy for their group.

They said the request would not "affect the territorial autonomy and sovereignty of Romania." There are some 1.2 million ethnic Hungarians living in Romania, a country of 19 million.

Transylvania was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918, when it was given to Romania.

Ethnic Hungarians are allowed to be educated in Hungarian and can speak the language in court in some areas of Romania.British police have collected more than 240 pieces of evidence and identified 200 witnesses in the massive investigation into the deadly nerve agent attack targeting an ex-Russian spy and his daughter, officials said Saturday.

Sergei Skripal, 66, a former Russian military intelligence officer who was convicted of spying for Britain, and his daughter, Yulia, 33, were found unconscious Sunday in Salisbury and taken to a hospital where they remain in critical condition.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said after an emergency meeting of British security ministers it was still "too early" to say with certainty who was behind the poisoning.

Rudd said the investigation has been painstaking and involved more than 250 counter-terrorism officers.

"I want to stress that they are proceeding with speed and professionalism," said Rudd, who oversees domestic security in her Cabinet post. "We are putting in enormous resources to ensure that they have all the support that they need to do that."

Detective Sgt. Nick Bailey, who has been hospitalized since helping the Skripals, released a statement Saturday saying he does not consider himself a hero.

He states he was merely doing his joba job he loves and is immensely proud ofjust like all of his other dedicated colleagues do, day in-day out, ir order to protect thte public and keep people safe, Wiltshire police said on his behalf, Sky News reported.

Nick would like us to say on his behalf that he and his family are hugely grateful for all the messages of support from the public, and colleagues from the police family, the police department said. "People have been so kind and he has expressed that he will never forget that kindness."

The security ministers have convened similar meetings after extremist attacks and other threats to national security.

The meeting covered the latest police and intelligence reports from Salisbury, where a military-supported investigation has turned to the cemetery where the ex-spy's wife and son are buried.

The son was 43 when he died last July, Reuters reported. He reportedly died while in St. Petersburg, Russia. Skripals wife, Liudmila, died of cancer at 60 in 2012.

A local restaurant and pub have been searched and remain closed to the public. Police also are collecting evidence from Skripal's house. One theory says he may have been poisoned there and became ill later.

Military personnel in decontamination suits and masks covered a potentially contaminated ambulance with a tarpaulin as they prepared to move it from the scene, the BBC reported.

Skripal was convicted in 2006 of spying for Britain and released in 2010 as part of a spy swap. The former intelligence agent lived out of the public eye in Salisbury, 90 miles southwest of London.

The attack has been likened to the assassination of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko, a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who died in London in 2006 after drinking green tea laced with radioactive polonium-210.

Investigators identified two Russian suspects and said the killing was probably approved by Putin.

Russia has denied any involvement in Litvinenko's death, and this week said it wasn't involved in the Skripal incident.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.Egypts Grand Mufti condemned Saturday a terrorist attack that killed at least seven people in the Afghan capital of Kabul as a suicide bomber blew himself up in a Shia neighbourhood Friday.

In an official statement, Egypts Grand Mufti Shawki Allam said that terrorism aims to shake the security and stability of nations and fuel obnoxious sectarianism to undermine their coherence.

He called on the Afghan people to stand side by side to fight terrorism and extremism.

Saturdays statement by the Grand Mufti comes one day after Egypts Al-Azhar  the world's foremost institution of Sunni Islamic learning  also denounced the attack, calling on the international community to intensify efforts to take serious and prompt measures to face the hands of evil that commit such heinous crimes and scare safe citizens in their communities.

On Friday, a suicide bomber blew himself up in the Afghan capital, killing at least seven people in an attack on a crowd gathered to commemorate the anniversary of the killing of the mainly Shia majority Hazara political leader Abdul Ali Mazari by the Taliban in 1995. The attacker was stopped before reaching the main gathering of commemorators.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for Fridays attack.

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A Giza criminal court sentenced on Saturday 10 people to death in a case known in the media as the Imbaba Terrorist Cell.

The court also sentenced five others to life imprisonment.

Saturdays sentence comes after a preliminary death sentence issued by the court in late January pending the Grand Muftis non-binding opinion.

Referring death sentences to the Grand Mufti is a legal requirement before the sentenced is finalised, although the Muftis religious opinion is not binding.

The defendants were being tried for establishing an outlawed group from 2013 till March 2015 with the aim of attacking state institutions, harming national unity, targeting Copts, disturbing public order, endangering society, attacking police and security forces, and possessing unlicensed arms.

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For more than a decade after a stem cell transplant, he was the only person known to be cured of HIV/AIDS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 Cairo prosecution ordered on Saturday the detention of two people for four days pending investigations into the murder of engineering student Mohamed Abdel-Aziz, who was found stabbed to death in Heliopolis earlier this week.

Abdel-Azizs mother said that her son had arranged a meeting with someone through the online shopping website OLX to buy a laptop.

The18-year-old defendants have confessed to the crime, saying they planned to rob Abdel-Aziz after arranging the meeting through the website.

The defendants said that they stabbed Abdel-Aziz when he resisted their attempt to rob him, taking his mobile phone and EGP 25,000, according to the prosecution, who added that the suspects were later arrested at their homes.

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Six months after Harvey, progress on housing repairs is a gradual process, local and state officials said. Some 615 Galveston County families are still living in FEMA-funded hotel rooms and hundreds are still waiting for some kinds of housing assistance from state and federal agencies, according to the Governor's Commission to Rebuild Texas.Political life in Ethiopia is exclusivist and violent by nature. A minority comes to power, monopolises control over government and wealth, and excludes all other ethnic groups.

There is a high incidence of recourse to violence because the major political parties in Ethiopia today had initially emerged as militant secessionist movements.

As a result, Ethiopian political developments generally come with large casualty tolls, as occurred in the final years of the imperial period, under the military junta, and even under PM Meles Zenawi at the time of the political crisis that followed the 2005 elections.

Recent developments in Ethiopia leading up to the resignation of PM Hailemariam Desalegn should be read against the backdrop of this Ethiopian experience which delineates the boundaries of potential political change.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:

Ethiopia has been governed since 1991 by the Ethiopia Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), a coalition that consists of four political parties, representative of four ethnic groupings: the Tigray, the Amhara, the Oromo and the Southern Peoples Region.

The Tigray has dominated the coalition since the outset.

Upon coming to power, the Tigray succeeded in picking an acquiescent successor to represent the Oromo camp, the Oromo Peoples Democratic Organisation (OPDO), which was less popular within the Oromo camp than the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), which was more hardline in its secessionist demands.

At the same time, the Tigray took care to contain the Amhara, which continued to wield considerable political power and demographic weight despite the fact that the thrust of the Ethiopian political struggle during the imperial and military eras was directed against the Amhara.

Also, as a precaution against the prospect of the Oromo and Amhara making common cause, the Tigray included a fourth ally in the coalition: a representative of the Southern Peoples Region.

In spite of the considerable demographic disparities between these four groups, political positions in the EPRDF government were distributed equally among the four political parties. The effect was to increase the Tigrays political representation from six per cent (the percentage of Tigray in the Ethiopian population) to 25 per cent.

To avert any possible reduction in this quota, the Tigrayan Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) closed the doors of the coalition to other Ethiopian groupings such as ethnic Somalis and the Afar people, although this did not preclude alliances with such groups outside the coalition. The TPLFs power in the coalition was manifested in the fact that Meles Zenawi remained prime minister for over two decades.

Following the sudden death of Zenawi in 2012, the Tigray chose to retain control indirectly by installing Hailemariam Desalegn into the premiership. Desalegn, who belongs to the Southern Peoples grouping, had been nominated as a successor by Zenawi, himself, before his death in order to avert internal rifts in the EPRDF.

That choice, however, would have numerous repercussions. They began in the autumn of 2015 when Oromia, the Oromo peoples home region, erupted into protest demonstrations against a government plan to expand the capital city, Addis Ababa, at the expense of land and property in this region.

At a deeper level, the demonstrations were a manifestation of anger against deteriorating economic and social conditions among the Oromo and, simultaneously, a protest against under representation of the Oromo in the federal government. As the demonstrations gained momentum, the government upped the scale of clampdowns.

Thousands of people were arrested, armed force was used to prohibit demonstrations and communications were severed. When the Amhara joined the protests, the government declared a state of emergency. It remained in force for 10 months, from October 2016 to the beginning of August 2017.

THE NEW TIGRAY STRATEGY:

As the political and security situation deteriorated in 2017, the TPLF adopted a new strategy to resolve the crisis in the Oromia and Amhara regions.

Firstly, in July 2017, the ruling EPRDF announced that its general congress would be postponed from September 2017 to March 2018.

The congress is held every two years in order to hold elections to key government posts. In the three decades since the EPRDF came to power, the meeting had only been postponed once before. That was in the wake of Zenawis sudden death.

The purpose of postponing it this time was to buy time for the TPLF so that it could proceed to the second phase of its strategy.

In October 2017, it initiated a series of meetings at all levels within the party in order to introduce radical reforms and end the internal discord that had prevailed since 2012 among the members of the partys nine-member executive committee, the highest decision-making authority in the TPLF.

By November, the party had eliminated three of the most prominent members of the executive committee: Abay Weldu who had served as TPLF chairman, Zenawis wife, Azeb Mesfin and Beyene Mekeru.

This settled the internal rift in favour of the camp that included the minister of communication and information in the federal government, Debretsion Gebremichael, who succeeded as party chairman; Fetlework Gebreziabher, who became vice-chairman; and Getachew Assefa, Ethiopias intelligence and national security chief.

The third phase had not been envisioned in the original plan. Rather it was necessitated by an unexpected shift in prime minister Hailemariam Desalegns behaviour.

In February 2018, he began to meddle in military affairs. Although Desalegn was officially supreme commander of the armed forces, the Tigray continue to dominate the military establishment through General Chief-of-Staffs Samora Yunis and his deputy Abraham Woldemariam Genzebu.

Desalegn suddenly dismissed the latter and appointed three new deputy chiefs-of-staff to represent the Tigray, the Amhara and the Oromo.

Desalegn also ordered the release of thousands of political detainees who had been imprisoned under his rule since 2015 when he initiated the massive and systematic repression of all opposition activity.

This second sudden change in Desalegns behaviour occurred only hours before his surprise resignation which was followed by the declaration of a six-month state of emergency.

THE FUTURE OF THE ETHIOPIAN PREMIERSHIP:

The choice of the person to succeed Desalegn is the most crucial question in Ethiopia at present.

This is not because of the prospect that it might inaugurate a new balance between the ethnic groupings but rather because it will reveal how the Tigray intend to position themselves in order to retain control the various keys of power.

The first item on the agenda of the 180-member EPRDF Council, to which each of the four coalition partners contribute 45 members, slated to meet in the first three days of March, was to officially accept Desalegns resignation.

The second, to elect a new EPRDF prime minister and then the other members of the cabinet.

The TPLF has to choose between efficacy and ethnic representation in the process of finding a suitable successor to Desalegn.

From its standpoint, efficacy would best be served by choosing a new prime minister from the Tigray, someone who enjoys considerable support among this ethnic group which controls the economy and is, therefore, best poised to compensate the dissident groups (the Oromo and Amhara) by increasing their share of development returns.

Also, since the Tigray dominate the security and military sectors as well, a Tigrayan prime minister would have the ability to restore security in the two regions and to stifle opposition voices.

Giving preference to the criterion of representation would entail finding a suitable candidate among the Oromo or Amhara (most likely the former).

That candidate would have to be willing to have his hands bound by pledging, for example, not to infringe on the Tigrays control of the economy which is the key to ensuring that groups control over the army, the perpetual sword over the prime ministers head. Opting for the representation criterion would inevitably detract from efficacy, as a prime minister not supported by the Tigray could not easily promote change or rally the necessary sustained support for economic or other reform policies.

A compromise solution would be to choose a new prime minister from outside the Tigray, Oromo and Amhara camps. This might obtain the minimum requirements for efficacy.

However, Desalegns failure to meet either of the two criteria reduces the likelihood of a repetition of this compromise solution.

On the whole, the opportunities for political change in Ethiopia appear very limited given the Tigrays ongoing monopoly of political, military and economic power.

Regardless of the ethnic and political affiliation of the next Ethiopian prime minister, he will be obliged to secure the Tigrayan economic interests and he will simultaneously have to keep the Oromo and Amhara regions under control, whether by partially responding to their demands or by means of direct security interventions and clampdowns, or, thirdly, by punishing the Oromo and Amhara by leaving their regions prey to political turmoil while preventing the chaos from spreading to other regions.

*This story was first published in Al-Ahram Weekly

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The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach will take over the city's downtown this weekend, Sept. 24-26, after a nearly 18-month delay because of the coronavirus pandemic -- and almost 30 months since the 2019 iteration.The leader of an Iranian spiritual movement, whose repeated death sentences drew UN and US condemnation, has been given a five-year jail term after a second retrial, his lawyer said Saturday.

In June 2015 and again in September last year, the courts found Mohammad Ali Taheri guilty of "corruption on earth" -- the gravest charge in the Islamic republic.

But on each occasion the supreme court overturned the death sentence and ordered a retrial.

After the latest retrial, the court convicted Taheri of the lesser charge of "non-aggravated corruption" and sentenced him to five years in prison, his lawyer Mahmoud Alizadeh Tabatabaie told AFP.

But Tabatabaie said he would appeal the conviction as it was made on the basis of a 2013 law that the court was applying retroactively and his client had already served a five-year jail sentence and longer in prison awaiting retrial.

Taheri founded his Erfan Kayhani ("Cosmic Mysticism") movement in the early 2000s and quickly became a well-known spiritual leader, appearing on state television and giving classes at Tehran University.

He promoted alternative medicine and followed what he said were messages from spirits.

But as his popularity grew, he fell foul of Iran's clerical establishment and the conservative-dominated judiciary launched a crackdown on what they dubbed his "satanic" sect.

He was first detained for a short period in 2010 and was then rearrested in May 2011 and held in solitary confinement before being charged with "insulting Islamic sanctities" and "corruption on earth".

In July, August and September, authorities arrested at least 25 of his followers, some of them for organising protests against his death sentence, Iranian media reported.

Both UN human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein and the US State Department have called for his immediate release.

Iran recognises the monotheistic religions that came before Islam, such as Christianity, Judaism and Zoroastrianism, allowing considerable freedom to their followers.

But it has cracked down on new Islamic sects that challenge the authority of Iran's Shiite clerics, particularly the Bahai movement that emerged in 19th century and is now banned.

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.

A Palestinian man was shot dead by Israeli soldiers on Saturday following a clash with Jewish settlers near the West Bank city of Nablus, medics and security sources said

Palestinian security sources said the clash was started by the settlers, after which the army intervened and fired at a group of Palestinians.

The Palestinian Red Crescent identified the dead man as a 22-year-old from the town of Urif, adding that at least one other person was wounded.

The Israeli army said Palestinians from Urif had approached Yitzhar settlement, sparking "a confrontation between Palestinian and Israeli civilians".

As soldiers arrived, "a riot was instigated, during which troops used riot dispersal means and fired live rounds", a military spokesman told AFP.

On Friday, a Palestinian was killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank city of Hebron and at least four others were wounded in clashes along Gaza's border with Israel.

Tensions have risen since US President Donald Trump's recognition in December of Jerusalem as Israel's capital -- a decision that has infuriated Palestinians.

Israel seized mainly Arab east Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community.

At least 31 Palestinians and two Israelis have been killed since Trump's announcement.

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Indian sculptor Siti (Tutu) Pattnaik was among four international artists at this years Aswan International Sculpture Symposium, which concluded its 23rd edition 9 March.

Pattnaiks sculpture, titled Homage to Bamiyan, commemorates the iconic 6th century Buddha statues carved into a mountain in Afghanistans Bamiyan Valley.

After standing for 1,700 years, the statues (one at 55m and a smaller one at 37m high) were dynamited by the Taliban in 2001 in a sweeping and systematic destruction of idols, completely demolishing the larger one, and partially destroying the smaller.

The artist depicts the left half of a Buddha, carved within an arch to mimic the one in the Bamiyan cliff. The half figure is standing under the sacred peepal tree, carved in high relief.

In the upper segment, chants written in ancient Sanskrit letters share the space with an upward spiral motif known in Indian art.

The vertical three-piece sculpture looks like a broken slice of an actual monument. There are seemingly broken horizontal beams protruding from the right side, while the left side has three holes, implying how this piece would connect like a puzzle to form a complete temple.

Noting that the sculptor himself is neither Afghani nor Buddhist, his subject of interest extends much wider than one particular religion or monument.

All of my work is related to history, mostly Indian but also all of the worlds history. Pattnaik tells Ahram Online.



After all, it is not just in Afghanistan or India that temples have been attacked by opposing sects or religions, but all around the world. Coincidentally, Aswans very own Philae temple shared a similar fate on a smaller scale, with much of its art being defaced by the Christians circa 520 BC, and later by the Byzantine Iconoclasts.

While this particular sculpture of Pattnaik deals with a dramatic subject and an exceptionally harsh attack on culture, his work is embedded with a concern for preserving history and culture at large, rendering him an ambassador for these things he holds dear.

Pattnaiks work speaks for him and he speaks for love, understanding, connection and unity, to counter all the ego which he feels is the root of all evil and behind all the intolerance and wars in the world.

He has an appreciation for everything old, and tries to preserve it by recreating it in his sculptures, but in the process always adding his own interpretation and making it his own.

I like it when you can smell the history in a place or an artwork, the scent of the country. That feeling is more valuable to me than all the new modern things, he says.

One of his signatures is placing two parallel metal pieces across a cracked line in the stone, which appears like a fix that preserves the piece from falling apart.

He also usually applies an aging effect by painting some parts and then wiping the paint off, leaving only traces of the color in the grooves.

In Homage to Bamiyan, some parts of the stone are polished, while there are areas treated with a rough texture, and others are left as organic as the natural stone.

Stone has its own quality, when you cut everything cleanly like a machine it becomes artificial. There must be something natural, because the stone itself in nature is already a beautiful sculpture, Pattnaik says.

The artist grew up in Orissa in East India, known as Temple City for the abundance of temples. Growing up surrounded by temples fueled his desire to become an artist, even though they did not have the same effect on the rest of his scientifically-inclined family members.

What makes his work even more special and necessary is that  according to Pattnaik  the new generation in India is more invested in Westernising, and care little about their past and heritage and the ancient temples that surround their modern lives.

The artist talked about how important it is for him to create sculptures that represent him and reflect his roots.

I am making work that shows my culture, when you see it you will know it is mine and from my country. If I travel to England for example and recreate the style of an English artist, then what would I be adding? Why would they invite me? he adds.

While many symposium artists may recreate some of their pieces upon request, Pattnaik says he never repeats a project, and will always want to work on something new and add his own twist to it.

It is perhaps romantic but heartwarming to think of all the unique sculptures made by his hand, scattered all over the countries hes visited  sculptures that continue to speak for the ambassador that speaks for culture.

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

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Between 13 and 18 March, New York's Theatre at the 14th Street Y will organise an event dedicated to showcasing Egyptian dance in all its forms and traditions.

As part of the the theatre's 'From the Horse's Mouth' series, the upcoming event will shed light on and honour Egypt's first prima ballerina Magda Saleh through a variety of events.

Saleh, who has established herself in New York, is a graduate of the Bolshoi Academy of Ballet in Moscow and Cairo's Academy of Arts in Egypt. She is also a former dean of the Higher Institute of Ballet and a founding director of the New Cairo Opera House (1988).

Saleh has kept strong links with Egypt and is active in supporting and promoting Egyptian artists in the United States, particularly classical musicians.

The event will also include special film screenings.

The documentary film A Footnote in Ballet History (2016) by the Egyptian Paris-based award-winning director Hisham Abdel-Khalek will be screened on 13 March. The film captures the important years of Egypt's ballet through Salehs presentation.

Another film titled Egypt Dances (1977), which is narrated by Saleh, will be screened on 17 March.

According to the event's promotional material, the film is a unique blending of movement and storytelling, presenting rare film footage, videos and multimedia about Egypt's dance.

"In this a groundbreaking documentary, Magda Saleh travels the length and breadth of Egypt to create a visual record of the numerous indigenous dance forms throughout the country," according to the organisers of From the Horse's Mouth.

The organisers add that Saleh's influence and impact on countless areas of cultural life in Egypt and the USA serves as a conduit for the celebration of Egyptian dance.

"Over 30 dancers, musicians, historians and choreographers will participate in this special event. The sharing of stories, memories, anecdotes, and dance will form the special tapestry that is a From the Horse's Mouth production."

The participants, whether at the venue itself or through video footage, will include Walid Aouni, dancer/choreographer and founder/director of the Cairo Modern Dance Theatre Company; Catherine Batcheller, former soloist, San Francisco Ballet; former principal, Stuttgart Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet; Nadia Habib Eskinazi, founding member and soloist, Cairo Ballet Company; Nimet Habachy, New York icon and long-time host of WQXR classical music station; Diana Hakak of the Bolshoi Five, founding principal ballerina at the Cairo Ballet Company (1966).

Also participating are Adhem Hafez, choreographer, composer, performer, founder and programme director of HaRaKa and artistic director for the TransDance festival series; Nader Hamed, former dancer at the Cairo Ballet Company and choreographer; Fadi J. Khoury, artistic director, FJK Dance; Ati Metwaly, award-winning journalist and Arts & Culture editor of Ahram Online; as well as dancers Kendra Dushac, Julia Kulakova, and Lindsey Miller, among others.

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

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The Column of King Meneptah arrived Saturday at its permanent display area in the atrium of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Giza.

King Meneptah was the fourth king of the 19th Dynasty and the son of King Ramses II. He ruled for 10 years, from 1213-1203 BC.

Tarek Tawfik, supervisor general of the Grand Egyptian Museum, told Ahram Online that the pillar was discovered in 1970 inside Meneptah Temple in Matariya archaeological site, east of Arab Al-Hesn area.

It is carved in red granite with a limestone base. It is decorated with engravings of the kings different titles, cartouche and scenes depicting his victory in wars against Libyan tribes.

The pillar is 17 tons in weight and 5.6 metres tall. It was first transported in 2008 to the Salaheddin Citadel for conservation and restoration as the residential area around it was suffering with high levels of subterranean water.

The pillar was then kept in the Citadel for 10 years until it was chosen to be among the GEM exhibits. It is to be put on show in the atrium at the GEM's main entrance, neighbouring the colossus of his father, Ramses II.

Eissa Zidan, director general of First-Aid Restoration at the GEM, explained that great care was taken before transportation, the pillar restored after comprehensive study to detect and consolidate its weak points.

It took eight hours to prepare the pillar for transportation. A wooden base padded with of layers of foam was made, with the pillar tied with carefully tensioned rope to safeguard it during transportation. The Tourism and Antiquities Police accompanied the pillar on its journey.

Osama Abulkheir, director general of the Restoration Department at the GEM, said that upon its arrival the pillar would be examined and further restoration work completed.

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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Quirks and Asterisks The data collected is for front pages only, and doesnt take into consideration other pages or sub-domains associated with a government website. In most cases, even if a governments main page isnt encrypted, a page that asks users for information will be.



Thats not always the case, though. For example, sanantonio.gov has a contact page where users can send a message to the city. The form requires them to enter their name and email address, and they have the option to submit home and work phone numbers as well, but the website doesnt have encryption.



There are also websites on the list that have encryption certificates but dont force users to the HTTPS version of the page, like Washington and Ohio. In those cases, a user can reach the encrypted version of the page if they type out the entire URL, starting with HTTPS://. If they forgo that part, theyll reach the non-encrypted version.



Finally, in many cases, the states IT department is not directly responsible for all websites. Often, each individual agency has to take the burden on themselves to build a site, and many times they will have multiple sites.







The Bare Minimum

The Looming Skull and Crossbones

Why Government Lags Behind

How Easy Is Encryption?

Google, the most widely used Web browser in the world, thinks a majority of state and local government websites arent doing enough to protect the people visiting them. And starting in July , that browser is going to start prominently telling those users that the sites theyre visiting arent secure.And as of right now, a lot of those governments disagree  at least on paper  that they need to do anything about it.The security measure in question is encryption, and specifically the basic encryption implied by a website having a URL that starts with HTTPS instead of HTTP. Of the 50 state government websites, 29 have front pages that are not encrypted. Of the 10 most populous cities in the nation, six have non-HTTPS front pages:The problem is likely even more widespread than that. The government website and digital services company ProudCity embarked on a project about a year ago to gather information on trends among local government websites and estimated that less than 20 percent of city websites in the U.S. had HTTPS. Vision Internet, another government website builder, estimates that about 25 percent of its clients had encryption before they stepped in.A lack of encryption means, in so many words, that hackers would have an easier time seeing, stealing or manipulating information traveling between the user and the website.Does it matter?Google Chrome, the Web browser that carries the majority of traffic on the Internet today, is led by people that think every single page should be encrypted  even the ones that dont carry sensitive information in either direction.They arent the only ones.Having the states primary website over HTTPS matches the visitors expectations of privacy between their device and the services residing on www.mo.gov, wrote Missouri Chief Information Security Officer Michael Roling in an email. Privacy in this day and age has become paramount for Internet users, and Googles move to flag sites as not secure will hopefully motivate other website owners to switch to HTTPS.If an unencrypted Web page carries sensitive information, that information could be visible to hackers. And toward that end, a lot of the government websites that dont encrypt their main landing pages do encrypt the pages that actually ask users for information  whether thats renewing a drivers license, paying for a parking ticket, signing up for notifications or something else.Even if a page doesnt handle sensitive information, there are still reasons to encrypt, according to Google spokesperson Ivy Choi.HTTPS is the only way for sites to ensure that the site they create is the site that users actually see, because without HTTPS, an attacker can modify the site in any way they want, Choi wrote in an email. For example, if a government site is on HTTP, an attacker could change or delete the information on the site, or add offensive imagery, etc.A big concern is photos and videos, which are often hosted on different servers but embedded into a governments website. In those cases, even if the site itself is encrypted, a hacker could get in by targeting those assets.And then theres third-party software, long a weak point in government websites. Embedded third-party software can offer hackers a back door that allows them to do a lot of things.Even if you have, for example, a JavaScript file, because thats more dynamic content, if somebodys able to  hack that external file, that gives them a little more control over the website and they could potentially reroute them to another website, said Jake Sager, director of product for Vision Internet.Encryption also is the direction most of the Internet is going in. Most Google Chrome traffic is to HTTPS pages, and federal agencies are under strict orders to encrypt as well.What many working in the government technology arena worry about is the message Chrome will be sending to users, and what impact it might have.At a time when peoples faith in government is low, especially with security issues that are coming up in the news around government and security, when you go to a government website and you see not secure in a browser, regardless of whether youre submitting information or not, that further decreases peoples faith in government to secure their private information, said Luke Fretwell, ProudCitys chief executive officer.That not secure message, some think, will act as a general indication that something is wrong  a vague one.I think having a not secure message for the average user is gonna be ambiguous, so theyre just not going to know what that means, said Michael DeAngelo, deputy director of Washington Technology Solutions.It might serve as a general indicator that something is wrong. And ultimately, some argue, something is wrong.If youre not taking the most basic steps, I think thats something you should really be concerned with, said Graig Lubsen, a spokesperson for the Indiana Office of Technology. The industry is clearly driving this, and citizens may lose confidence when they start putting the unsecure messaging up there  whether its a skull and crossbones or something, citizens are going to have doubts about the business theyre doing with the government.There are a few reasons so many state and local government websites dont encrypt. But they mostly boil down to the same thing: If theres no sensitive information coming across a Web page, why make the extra effort?The attitude has manifested itself in the form of policies, written or unwritten, in state governments. Take the unencrypted main landing page for the state of California, for example. The state has a policy stating that encryption is necessary for confidential, sensitive or personal information.CA.gov doesnt contain any sensitive information, its not a transactional website, said Bryce Brown, a spokesperson for the California Department of Technology. Its only a central portal from which you can access other websites and their services.Similar guidelines explain the status quo for the states of Washington, Indiana and Florida.For some of them, its just a matter of time. Washington Technology Solutions launched a service last year where any state agency, local government or nonprofit can hire it to build Web pages. That service includes encryption, accessible design and mobile responsiveness on all pages by default.Theyre not calling us and asking us about it, we just do it, said DeAngelo. For some of them, they probably dont even know.DeAngelo estimates that the service has already increased the number of encrypted sites among its clients in the state ten-fold. The main landing page for the state government is in the queue.Indiana plans on making all of its sites HTTPS in the next couple of months.Since were on a single content management system to manage our sites, its not that big a lift for us, he said. I think other states have that issue where they have agencies on multiple content management systems.Michigan is in a similar situation  its in the testing phase of moving most of the states websites to HTTPS.A lot of companies that build websites for government are moving toward HTTPS. ProudCity encrypts by default, Vision Internet is moving toward encryption by default and NIC urges all its clients to consider HTTPS.Not everybody is interested.Some of the feedback weve received, and weve been in conversation about this, is, Its public record, people can get it anyway, said Rodney Caudle, NICs director of information security.This despite the relative ease of encryption relative to yesteryear. Back when encryption was mainly used for e-commerce, it could cost a significant amount of extra time and maybe a couple hundred dollars to build encryption into a site. Now there are free tools like Lets Encrypt that let any website owner move to HTTPS.But thats not going to work for everyone. Lets Encrypt only offers domain verification and not extended verification, which is a higher standard and takes more effort to attain. The certificates that come from that service also only last 90 days, while others will last a year.Domain verification is easier, but its also not as secure.There have been cases  and its relatively easy to do  you can impersonate an organization and get a domain validation cert, whereas its much more difficult to get an extended validation cert, said Thomas Vaughn, chief information security officer of Florida.And thats not to say anything of the other security measures that vendors recommend governments take when building a website.Theres actually quite a bit of work you have to do to make sure you have HTTPS on your website, and then you have to worry about security policies and sub-resource integrity, Caudle said.Whatever resistance is there, change is in the wind. Aside from Google Chromes looming deadline, government cybersecurity is beginning to creep into the national dialog. Theres the investigation into foreign actors hacking into voting technology in the November 2016 elections. There are destructive ransomware attacks on a regular basis. And then theres simply a desire to do something about it: The Center for Digital Government* regularly finds in surveys of government IT workers that cybersecurity is their No. 1 priority.In that environment, many find that covering basics like Web encryption just makes sense, even if its not a huge concern for every corner of the Internet.Its just a model of behavior that we thinks more appropriate for the times, DeAngelo said.Charleston, S.C.

Coral Gables, Fla.

Elk Grove, Calif.

Georgetown, Texas

Technologists, city officials and other stakeholders in Boulder, Colo., are working hard to make transportation throughout the city as sustainable as possible. In doing so, they are also increasingly aware that its important not to leave behind residents from lower income brackets.To this end, Boulder is conducting a series of experiments  which range from ride sharing to subsidies to an electric car loan program  to find the most efficient ways to improve mobility for low-income residents. Boulder, however, is not alone when it comes to wanting to find ways to help its population move through the city while also remaining environmentally responsible. In fact, for most cities of a certain size, this is of great interest, which is why Boulder was one of the 35 cities named as a champion in the Bloomberg Mayors Challenge 2018 , which had an initial pool of 320 applicant jurisdictions.Boulder, and the other 34 cities, will now begin a six-month testing phase for their idea. For Boulder, this will mean continuing to build on extensive human-centric research that saw the citys technologists accompanying residents as they commuted to work, said Boulder Chief Innovation Officer Julia Richman. Richman compared some of the research she personally did to the popular Carpool Karaoke concept, except instead of singing, she was ideating about solving the obstacles that bar some residents from using existing shared transportation modes.These obstacles, Richman and other researchers have found, include commutes that take 15 minutes by car but 90 by bus, or work hours that necessitate transportation use during times of day outside of peak commute times, when many modes of public transport arent running. What Boulder seeks to do now is test out methods and programs to help its residents overcome this.This article is the second in a series that will look at the innovative ideas of 35 cities that, like Boulder, are preparing to test with support from Bloomberg that could potentially be scaled to other cities. Ultimately these pilots have the potential to change wide swaths of the gov tech market. In October, four of these cities will receive an additional $1 million in support, while one grand prize winner will receive $5 million to support its idea.In Charleston, S.C., sunny-day tidal flooding can be a problem, with experts predicting that it will occur as many as 180 days a year by 2040. Meanwhile, 75 percent of the city lives in a designated flood zone.In a press release announcing that Charleston had been selected as one of the Mayors Challenge champion cities, officials described it as essential that the city learn to adapt to and coexist with water. To that end, Charlestons innovation project for the contest involves developing an emergency alert system to get residents, businesses and first responders tailored information about increasingly routine coastal floods.Essentially Charleston is working on creating a personalized, and thereby more effective, means of emergency notification to help residents during more routine flooding incidents. As with the other municipal projects on this list, the exact logistics of this effort are likely to become clearer as the city advances its work throughout the summer with Bloombergs support.Coral Gables, Fla., is also engaged in work to respond to increasing incidents of natural disasters, specifically to hurricanes, given its location in South Florida, just outside Miami.Coral Gables Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli recently convened an innovation council made up of different stakeholders from the public and private sectors, as well as from academia. Beatrice Rangel oversees that council, and she said that input from academia helped shape the citys Mayors Challenge project, which seeks to establish a way to keep critical services powered when tropical storms hit.We believe the area that is most important to the city right now is energy, Rangel said, because we are all in shock with three hurricanes in a row passing through this area of the United States. The third one was Irma, which was really vicious. Power was lost, and it took over six weeks to restore it.The idea of Coral Gables' Mayors Challenge project is to create a web of small power networks operated by social energy, which would be more resilient during hurricanes.Elk Grove, Calif.  a suburb of Sacramento that has roughly 170,000 residents  is working on a project that would use tech and innovation to make it easier for residents, especially those with low income, to find apartments.What Elk Grove is building is basically a centralized application aimed at pairing would-be tenants with ideal landlords based on income and rental history, thereby replacing a current system that requires paying application fees for every property a tenant seeks to rent.In some cases, applicants burn through the money they had saved up for a security deposit, said Sarah Bontrager, Elk Groves housing and public services manager, just by applying to apartments and not ultimately getting an apartment. Our goal is to find a way to make the application process simpler and cheaper for all applicants, but especially for those applicants who are often applying to multiple places in order to find housing.This idea was born from a citywide effort begun last August to fight homelessness. Research for that project identified a need to help with apartment application fees, and the winning project was then created. Ultimately, city officials said, the result of this project is an application process intended to be online, one that will quickly serve as a model for other cities in California, a state in the midst of a severe housing crisis.In Georgetown, Texas, the city has for some time bought energy that is produced far from the boundaries of its jurisdiction in Central Texas.In fact, the homes and businesses in Georgetown, which is near Austin, are powered in part by energy that is created in a solar farm in West Texas or in a wind energy farm up in Texas panhandle, and then transmitted via powerlines. What this means is that Georgetown, essentially, does not have control over its utilities. Their entry in the Mayors Challenge, however, seeks to change that.Our thought was wouldnt it be great if we just made power in Georgetown and kind of cut out all the other risks, said Jack Daly, assistant to the city manager in Georgetown.To accomplish this, the city is exploring an idea to install its own solar energy infrastructure around town, potentially leasing space from local businesses and residents.The local government there has already completed a substantial amount of research to determine if this would be a viable option. What officials plan to do with the support resulting from being selected as a champion city is finalize what an eventual business model might look like, including determining a price point of what businesses and residents are willing to lease space at, as well as what the city is willing to pay to lease it.And while the mix of solar and wind energy already means that Georgetown is 100 percent powered by renewable energy sources, officials acknowledge that Bloomberg may be interested in part because a model created in Georgetown could potentially help other jurisdictions take advantage of that sort of energy as well.(TNS)  A ransomware attack has knocked the Connecticut court systems computers off line.The ransomware infection began Friday morning, said Melissa Farley, a Judicial Branch spokeswoman.Weve successfully contained it, Farley said Friday afternoon. Information technology staff are now working to remove the ransomware from computers. Officials do not yet know how it got into the system, she said.A similar bug hit more than 100 computers in 12 state agencies last month Servers and personal computers were hit by the virus.We have 535 servers and 114 were affected, Farley said. But the good news is most of those servers that were affected were test servers. The affected servers are used to test programs before they are put online, she said.Ransomware, a computer virus that usually arrives via an email attachment, a malicious link or infected software, encrypts data on the victim's computer and demands payment for an encryption key that unlocks it The loss of the system made it difficult for court clerks to handle routine business such as fine and fee collection. Theyve also had to resort to old fashioned fax machines to send information about restraining orders and protective orders to police departments, Farley said.It is important to note that absolutely no private information was released as a result of this infection, no data was breached and no files have been lost, Farley said.The Judicial Branch is working with its security vendor to eradicate the infection and to eventually bring the system back online, she said.The goal is to get the most critical functions back online. Courts should function close to normal on Monday because dockets were already prepared, she said.Branch IT staff will work through the weekend, but it remains unclear when the system will be at 100 percent, she said.The Nadia Younes Memorial Lecture titled A Vision for the Rising Arab Generation, organised by the American University in Cairo (AUC), will be held on Monday 12 March from 6 to 9pm in Moataz El-Alfi Hall, AUC New Cairo.

The speaker is Lubna S. Olayan, the CEO and deputy chairman of Olayan Financing Company.

In 2004, Olayan became the first woman to join the board of a publicly listed Saudi company when she was elected to the board of directors of Saudi Hollandi Bank (now Alawwal Bank), where she currently serves as vice chair.

Olayan will discuss the increase in youth demographics, the social impact of the refugee crisis, economic issues and how these topics affect and lead to problems with access to education, brain drain and lack of female participation. She will also look into the different ways to overcome these obstacles through investing in sustainable growth initiatives, female empowerment and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

The lecture is part of the Nadia Younes Memorial Fund, which was established in honour and memory of Nadia Younes, who was tragically killed in the bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad on 19 August 2003, while she was serving as chief of staff to Sergio Vieira de Mello.

In addition to the annual series, the fund has helped establish the Nadia Younes Conference Room, which serves Cairo International Model United Nations members, and the Nadia Younes Award for Public and Humanitarian Service.

The Nadia Younes Memorial Lecture invites renowned international figures in the fields of politics, international relations and humanitarian affairs to speak at AUC.

Speakers have included Kofi Annan (2005), former secretary-general of the United Nations; Dr. Bernard Kouchner (2006), former foreign minister of France and co-founder of Medecins Sans Frontieres; Mary Robinson (2007), former president of Ireland and the first female to assume that post; Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland (2012), former prime minister of Norway, former director-general of the World Health Organization and founder of the sustainability movement; Nabil Elaraby (2013), secretary-general of the League of Arab States; Nabil Fahmy (2014), Egypts former foreign minister and dean of AUCs School of Global Affairs and Public Policy and Michael Mller, UN under-secretary-general (2015) ; in addition to many other prominent speakers and global leaders.

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This is a warning of an impending urban disaster in Cairo if we fail to stop what is happening to our city. In this column last week, I appealed to Governor of Cairo Atef Abdel-Hamid to halt the deterioration in our urban services and utilities that are being strangulated by overcrowding.

I spoke of how the long-standing ordinance banning construction had lapsed at the end of January, yet was never renewed or extended for some mysterious reason. (Some say there is nothing mysterious about it, but I prefer to presume innocence over levelling charges of corruption until proof emerges to cause me to do otherwise.



A ban on new construction had applied to many districts in Cairo, safeguarding some of them (such as Maadi) from the collapse of urban infrastructure which was not designed to sustain the mounting pressures caused by the increasing numbers of inhabitants in these districts.

As I pointed out last week, the reasons why the ordinance was enacted to begin with still persist. In fact, the conditions have probably grown worse given that Cairos infrastructure has undergone little noteworthy improvement.

One would have thought, as I did, that the ordinance would be extended until the infrastructure was upgraded to accommodate the growing population, because otherwise some of our capitals neighbourhoods will become no different from sprawling slums.

Ahmed Hussein Al-Shawadfi, a former deputy minister, wrote to me the following: You remind me of the late Ahmed Bahaaeddin who, despite his primary interest in political affairs, often devoted attention to environmental and urban issues. Such matters are no less important than politics.

In fact, you put your finger on a most crucial political issue. The true purpose of politics should be to strive to improve the quality of life of the people. Is there anything that can affect the quality of life more than the quality of public services and utilities? Unfortunately, no one seems to appreciate this.

Moreover, the law and ordinances that were meant to safeguard what remains of our services and utilities are falling by the wayside.



Commenting on last weeks article on his Facebook page, Mohamed Hassan, a resident of Maadi, wrote: What we are seeing is the systematic destruction of Cairos neighbourhoods and the victory of corruption and ignorance over the public welfare.

I believe that the source of the problem that Mohamed Salmawy discussed, namely the failure to renew the construction ban ordinance in Maadi due to the inability of the infrastructure to sustain more apartment blocks and the unprecedented deterioration in utilities, traffic and streets, resides in the fact that some corrupt officials, as a favour to a number of building contractors, had not notified the governor of the need to renew the ordinance.



Are our municipal councils and their unqualified leaders set upon ruining the country by undermining every advance towards progress in order to serve the few? How often have I and many others cautioned that the current infrastructure is unable to cope with the buildings that already exist? Are certain opportunists to be granted privileges so that we can witness the decay of a district that is home to more than two million people?



Why was the ordinance abandoned? Was it a mistake? If so, should not the official responsible be brought to account? On the other hand, if the ordinance was right, then why was it not extended? Governorate and municipal authorities hold the answers to such questions.



Here is another question for them: how can we try to invite foreign direct investment and, at the same time, turn the residential quarters that house the employees of foreign firms into areas unfit for human habitation?



I also received the following letter from Dr Medhat Al-Siftawi: I am at a loss to understand what is happening in this country. The president is working to establish an administrative capital using the most modern methods and concepts for urban planning and design.

Meanwhile, the rest of the government agencies are doing all in their power to erode the condition of Cairo which was once one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

How can the president fight corruption when other government agencies feed corruption to benefit those who possess money and influence?

How are law enforcement officials supposed to arrest a governor here or a deputy governor there in the fight against corruption when authorities in a third governorate facilitate corruption and make it possible for the corrupt to break construction laws by failing to extend the ordinance banning construction in neighbourhoods that are unable to cope with more high-rises?

It is as though those authorities told the corrupt construction contractors, Feel free to wreak your corruption. The ban is gone. You can do as you please in order to aggravate the crises in those already overcrowded neighbourhoods. No one will stop you. Has no one learned a thing from the cases of the governor of Menoufiya or the deputy governor of Alexandria?



Why do you address your appeal to the governor? Dr Olfat Abdel-Meguid, an urban planning expert, asked me. Isnt the governorate the source of the ailment? Was it not the governorate bureaucrats who issued the construction ban ordinance and then made the mistake of failing to extend it despite the fact that the existing infrastructure is unable to cope with more buildings? How can you expect them to right what they wronged? I can tell you right now that the governor will do nothing and that the rest of the governorate bureaucrats will pretend that they hear and see nothing, and act as though the people in this governorate are not groaning under the strains of poor urban infrastructure.

The governorate, which is presumably responsible for remedying this state of affairs, has lifted the construction ban, only to augment the suffering of the people and intensify their anger against the governorate authorities and the entire government. Do not write to the governor, Sir. Look for a more effective way.



For the second time I address an appeal to Governor of Cairo Atef Abdel-Hamid to reconsider this matter and to discipline those responsible for failing to extend the construction ban ordinance, thereby unleashing unrestrained construction activities that threaten certain urban disaster.

*This article was first published in Al-Ahram Weekly

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You need to prepare yourself for language shock before listening to speeches at the annual convention of AIPAC, the Israel lobby. Speaker after speaker will use words that you think you understand, but they will use them in ways that so distort their meaning that the experience will leave you exhausted or exasperated.



On the opening day, for example, the group's new president, Mort Fridman and a former Democratic governor, Jennifer Granholm, wreaked havoc with the word "progressive."

Motivated by recent polls showing that Israel has lost support among Americans on the left, Fridman issued an appeal to progressives to recognize that "the progressive narrative for Israel is... compelling." And Granholm, building on this theme, declared that "as a progressive" she supports Israel as "a nation that provides universal health care... protects women's rights and LGBT rights. It's a progressive's paradise."



What both speakers deliberately ignored is the reality that this "paradise" has become an apartheid state that occupies and oppresses millions of Palestinians whose rights are denied, lands are confiscated, and daily lives have become a hell on earth.



Not only that, but as Israel's government moves further to the right it is mired in corruption, violates religious freedom, and embraces Donald Trump. It is at best, a stretch to call them "progressive." The word means something and it doesn't mean Israel.



I was also struck by Ambassador Nicki Haley's description of the United Nations as "bullying Israel" because the world body repeatedly passes resolutions condemning Israeli practices in the occupied territories. Once again, reality is being turned on its head.



It's not the UN that bullies Israel, its Israel that is bullying the Palestinians by repeatedly violating international law and conventions. Because the UN is the body that established Israel and set the terms for "a just and lasting peace," it remains the address for complaints with Israeli behavior. Palestinian recourse to the world body then isn't bullying, it's appropriate.



It also takes more than a little chutzpah for speakers addressing AIPAC to call the UN a bully, since the Israel lobby has long relied on the U.S. Congress to bully Palestinians with repressive and often humiliating legislation, while simultaneously arming and giving a blank check to Israel which it uses to systematically violate Palestinian rights.



Then there's the Orwellian talk about "peace, two states and negotiations," none of which bears any relationship with reality. Israel's governing coalition no longer supports a two-state solution. For years, they pretended to endorse this outcome but did so with terms that made it impossible to achieve.



Israeli leaders claimed to want "negotiations without preconditions leading to two states," but then proceeded to lay out conditions like: settlement remain, no consideration of refugees' right to return, no compromise on Jerusalem, and continued Israeli control over the Jordan Valley and access and egress on all borders.

Meanwhile, in the two decades since Netanyahu was first elected, the settler population has quadrupled as they continued to expand their settlement enterprise in the occupied territories. In the end, it appeared that Israel's embrace of two states was more a stalling tactic or a fig leaf to mask their aggressive conquest of the entire land and their permanent subjugation of the Palestinian people.



In the face of this reality, it was a bit of a farcical "too little, too late" for the new AIPAC president to declare his organization's support for two states and then lament that this goal was probably unattainable duehe of course addedto Palestinian failures. That Fridman was quickly rebuked by members of the Israeli governing coalition was a clear indication that Israelis have become so emboldened they no longer feel the need for a fig leaf to cover for their ill intent.



The topsy-turvey world of AIPAC's use of language was writ large in the juxtaposition of two signs advertising an event on "freedom of the press." Outside the room was a screen that announced the session "Free Speech and Freedom of the Press in Israel." Above it was another sign stating that "This session is off the record and closed to press." No further comment is necessary.



If this weren't enough to set sane minds reeling in confusion or consternation, there were the bizarre claims about "Israel's moral army" or the need to confront "Palestinian fake news about the occupation army's mistreatment of Palestinian children or how Israel is on the verge of peace with its Arab neighbors, if it were not for the pesky Palestinians who keep getting in the way.



Keeping with this "up is down and down is up" approach is newly revised AIPAC-supported "Israel Anti-Boycott Act." When it was initially proposed, the bill was condemned by civil libertarians as a violation of protected free speech.

The AIPAC fix was to add language saying that "nothing in this Act ...shall be construed to diminish or infringe upon any right protected under the First Amendment." The problem is that the language is non-binding and in no way, affects the binding provisions of the bill that continue to call for punishments for honoring the boycott of Israel. In other words, "we won't be violating your First Amendment rights, but we will."



The problem with all of this is that there are true believers in this upside-down fantasy world created by AIPAC and its Israeli partners. The audience of the faithful cheer for the distortions they are being fed. The Members of Congress fall all over themselves announcing their willingness to jump through more AIPAC hoops designed to demonstrate their loyalty to Israel.



Thankfully, the story doesn't end here. Polls are showing that there is some promising movement in public opinion on issues involving Israel and the Palestinians. Republican opinion, driven by right-wing evangelical Christians and neo-Conservatives, remain under Israel's sway.

Democrats, on the other hand, are divided in their support for Israel, with young and minority voters no longer buying the AIPAC-created narrative and increasingly more supportive of Palestinians. This deadly contest between reality and illusion will continue.

The writer is President of the Arab American Institute



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The global struggle for domination between the US and Russia is not a novelty or a temporary state of conflict. This struggle has been ongoing for seven decades with short periods of dormancy.

However, strong words and the exchange of accusations between the two superpowers are now reaching alarming new heights, with Russian President Vladimir Putin bragging about the development of new Russian nuclear inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) to counter the US redeployment of nuclear missiles in Europe.



Putin declared on 28 February that his country had tested an array of new-generation hypersonic nuclear ICBMs and cruise missiles called Sarmat and Avantgarde.

The cutting-edge Sarmat RS 28 missile, referred to by NATO as the SS-30 Satan 2, is capable of carrying 10 heavy warheads or 15 lighter ones with an unlimited range, according to the Russian presidents statement.



The new RS 25 Avantgarde nuclear missile is capable of travelling at speeds reaching Mach 20, or 20 times the speed of sound. It has been described as unstoppable, as it can render all known anti-missile defence systems obsolete since most of these respond to missiles of a maximum speed of Mach 8, as in the case of US THAAD defence system.



Other weapons announced by Russia include underwater drones capable of launching nuclear missiles.

The shocking development of these new weapons announced by the Russian president may ignite a new arms race similar to that between the US and the former Soviet Union during the Cold War, but with even more devastating capabilities.



Putins speech was delivered in the same month as the US Pentagon announced a new nuclear policy that includes the introduction of low-yield nuclear weapons launched on ballistic missiles from submarines in an attempt to match Russian capabilities.

The Pentagon announcement said that our strategy will ensure that Russia understands that any use of nuclear weapons, however limited, is unacceptable.



The policy is an outcome of US President Donald Trumps vow to develop a strong US nuclear arsenal to deter any future aggression.

The developments were exacerbated by a statement by the Russian foreign minister that the US military was preparing the militaries of the European states to use tactical nuclear weapons against Russia.



The two superpowers already possess 90 per cent of the known nuclear warheads in the world, with Russia having around 7,000 and America 6,800.

However, Russian delivery methods and capabilities excel those of the Americans in terms of speed and payload, while the Americans have excelled in their missile-distribution capabilities with the ability to launch them at Russian targets from countries including the US European and Asian allies.



Putin said in his announcement that the new Russian weapons did not violate any international agreements and that they had been developed in order to maintain the balance of power in response to US actions. But this does not stop a new arms race from looming on the horizon that has not been caused by such announcements.



The reason for this alarming news is that the US, which has the highest military budget in the world, is continuing on its path towards further military expenditure, with the US Department of Defense requesting the huge sum of $686 billion in the 2018 budget.

This is a whopping 4.7 per cent jump from the 2017 budget, and it is said that the extra expenditure will be focused on missile-defence systems and naval expansion.



The traditional response among US politicians to such alarming developments is to pass new bills calling for sanctions against Russia, even though these never actually work.

They rarely work against small developing countries, let alone against a nuclear superpower with devastating capabilities that match those of the US.



Instead of passing such new sanctions, the US would be better off developing more efficient negotiations with the Russians on how to stop the alarming nuclear arms race and simultaneously diffuse the escalating situations in the worlds conflict zones, where US and Russian interests are on a collision course.

These conflict zones include Syria, the Korean Peninsula, Ukraine and Eastern Europe.



The policies of both nations have exacerbated the above-mentioned conflicts in these countries, as the warring factions in them tend to fight proxy wars on behalf of their superpower masters, thus prolonging the conflicts.

While there is nothing new about the conflict of the superpowers, there is no prediction on how far these conflicts may develop in the future. Some pundits may argue that these developments are nothing but business as usual when it comes to the turbulent history of relations between the two countries.

However, the alarming announcement of further nuclear weapons development and testing may take matters to a different level should the countries leaderships refrain from restraint and engage in provocation.



Many Americans see Putin as their countrys enemy and hope for the day when he will be ousted or leave power, believing that this will make the world a better place.

However, this naive hope could not be further from the truth, as should Putin leave office he will be unlikely to be replaced by a Russian liberal politician despite the hopes of many.

The chance that he is more likely to be replaced by a Russian having an ultra-nationalist military background is a real one, and such a president is unlikely to show the compromises or willingness to negotiate associated with the pragmatism of Putin.



With a lot at stake as a result of the recent developments, initiatives to de-escalate the situation between the two superpowers should be at the top of the worlds priorities, as the planet braces itself for further exchanges of threats and fear-mongering between the superpowers.

These threats are once again heating up a Cold War that lasted for decades, and action by other powers is now imperative to render it cold again.

The writer is a political analyst and author of Egypts Arab Spring: The Long and Winding Road to Democracy.

*This article was first published in Al-Ahram Weekly

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Operation Of UN Radio suspended In South Sudan

The government has ordered for the suspension of the operation of Radio Miraya 101 FM for non-compliance to orders of license. Radio Miraya is operated by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Director of the Media Authority, Elijah Alier Kuai, [Gurtong photo|Ojwe Lumara]

By Ojwe Lumara



JUBA, 09 March 2018[Gurtong]-The Director of the Media Authority, Elijah Alier Kuai said the move was taken following several notifications for registration which were not responded to by the management of the Radio station.



This is to inform the public and media houses that the Media Authority has suspended the operations of Radio Miraya 101 FM for persistent non-compliance and refusal to be regulated under media laws in the republic of South Sudan, a statement from the Media Authority reads.



According to section 34(1) of the media authority act, 2013, a person shall not provide a broadcasting service except in accordance with a valid broadcasting license.



Alier said the suspension letter was sent to radio Miraya after numerous notifications since June, September, November 2017, and February 2018.



Nonetheless, the management of radio Miraya has not responded which is a clear violation of non-compliance with the media authority orders, he added.



Alier said the Media Authority has requested the National Communications Authority (NCA) to withdraw the frequency 101FM that was allocated to Radio Miraya FM under UNMISS for non-compliance with the license condition with effect from Friday march 09th, 2018.

The order applies to all of Radio Mirayas platforms including online broadcasting, according Alier.



He said the suspension will stand as long as the management of Radio Miraya refuses to be registered.



He said journalists working with Radio Miraya will not be allowed to cover events outside UNMISS because they would not be having accreditation.



The media authority is more of content because all the content of the media we look at the content of all what you are broadcasting is healthy to the public.



He said Radio Miraya operates in an environment of its own when it is operating in the Republic of South Sudan.



There are issues that are of concern that we have to decide with the broadcasters and radio is not immune to such issues because they are public to the public and if they are open to the public, issues to do with hate speech, hatred, incitement have to be regulated, Alier said.



Radio Miraya is the radio station of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Radio Miraya started broadcasting in South Sudan on June 30, 2006, when it was still part of the Republic of Sudan.



The management of Radio Miraya was yet to respond to the suspension order.

















Yei Governor Expresses Readiness For Dialogue With SPLA-IO Armed Groups

The Governor of Yei River State has expressed readiness to hold an open dialogue with members of the main armed opposition group, the Sudan peoples liberation Army (SPLA) operating in the various bushes of Yei River State in an effort to restore total peace and stability in the region.

Governor of Yei River State, Emmanuel Adil Anthony [Gurtong photo|Daniel Friday Martin]

By Daniel Friday Martin

YEI, 10 March 2018 [Gurtong]-Speaking at the 3rd round of the opening of the State Legislative Assembly held under the theme towards sustainable peace, reconciliation and unity for development in Yei River State on Friday, Emmanuel Adil Anthony said he has come to pursue peace, reconciliation, unity and stability in the whole State.



Adil said for Yei River State to realize its states vision of peaceful and prosperous state and make Yei great again, there is need for peace and security.



Adil said his Government is ready to meet the armed groups wherever they want to be so that they can together sit down and agree on issues of concern which were not addressed in the earlier grass root peace agreement.



I want to take this opportunity to call on our brothers and sisters who took up arms against the government to denounce war and embrace dialogue. This opportunity will also address issues not met by the grass root peace dialogue. I am ready to meet you at any place of your convenience to end the suffering of our people he added.



Adil further revealed that the presidential amnesty is open and active in Yei River State. The presidential amnesty still holds and I will guarantee your safety and this is my assurance as the governor of Yei River State



According to Adil, the two year war in Yei River State has badly affected the livelihoods of the people adding that its high time for all stakeholders in peacemaking to come together and work towards restoration of peace, stability so as to pave way for peaceful co-existence and advance the agenda for development and service delivery to the common people at the grass roots.



Building sustainable peace and stability calls for involvement of all stake holders, hence, my government will include the chiefs, the elders, land lords, women and youth leaders, religious leaders, army commanders, Payam and Boma administrators so that together we move towards collective ownership and restoration of peace and stability in Yei River State Mr. Adil revealed.



However, Gurtong could not reach members of the armed opposition groups to comment on the Governors peace statement.













Haiti - Agriculture : Support project for rice producers of Artibonite





As part of the policy of strengthening stakeholders in the rice sector, the Ministry of Agriculture of Natural Resources and Rural Development (MARNDR) officially launched this week, in collaboration with the Directorate General of the Development Agency of the Valley of the Artibonite (ODVA), the project "Promotion of production blocks" in the Artibonite Valley.



"[...] the idea of this project is to give a new impetus to the development of agriculture in the region, especially rice farming, through the provision of local support for agricultural producers. It is a matter of accompanying the latter from the preparation of soil to the marketing of products through processing," declared Agronomist Jean Willy Jean Baptiste, who explains that the government has just initiated a series of actions consisting of the physical development of spaces called "production blocks", including the rehabilitation of irrigation and drainage infrastructure (secondary network), as well as access tracks to facilitate the transport of agricultural products.



According to him, the setting up of this project has already made it possible to identify and delimit 12 production blocks accompanied by 12 agricultural cooperatives and the census of current producers, at the level of 6 production blocks.



Eugene Branly, Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture confirms that the Ministry has already put 60 tractors at the disposal of agricultural cooperatives https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23537-haiti-agriculture-distribution-of-52-additional-tractors-in-the-artibonite.html , adding that about 440 metric tons of rice seed, variety TCS10 donated from Taiwan https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23088-haiti-news-zapping.html were made available to producers during the last production season and some 40 high-quality processing equipment was made available to 40 rice mill owners https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23346-haiti-agriculture-jovenel-gives-40-rice-mills-to-farmers-of-artibonite.html



He said the actions for the next few months will be the identification and delineation of 12 new production blocks; the census of producers at the level of 18 production blocks and the continuation of the setting up of new cooperatives and equipment for the benefit of mill owners.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23537-haiti-agriculture-distribution-of-52-additional-tractors-in-the-artibonite.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22435-haiti-politics-jovenel-moise-distributes-48-tractors-to-12-cooperatives.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23346-haiti-agriculture-jovenel-gives-40-rice-mills-to-farmers-of-artibonite.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23088-haiti-news-zapping.html



HL/ TB/ HaitiLibre

















In the months following the 25 January Revolution in 2011, major shifts were happening in Egyptian foreign policy.

The main reason behind these changes was the fact that popular movements, in their attempt to reform the previous governments mismanagement of foreign affairs, became the main influencers of Egypts foreign policy.

This attempt at change caused government stagnation and confusion, however, as Egyptian diplomacy seemed to lack a clear strategic vision.

Fortunately, in the aftermath of the 30 June Revolution in 2013 the government started pursuing tangible changes to the countrys foreign policy.

This started with its laying out some basic principles regarding that policy, including the maintenance of international cooperation and the promotion of regional peace and diplomatic solutions to political conflicts.

At the same time, Egypt rejected involvement in other states internal affairs.

After years of neglecting its neighbours in Africa, Egypts new outlook on foreign policy was particularly welcome, especially in relation to the Nile Basin states.

Egypts diplomatic activities had previously come to a standstill in 1995 after a failed assassination attempt on former president Hosni Mubarak in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

After this, the former Mubarak regime never made a real effort to reopen diplomatic talks with the continent. This stands in contrast to the present government, which has worked hard to strengthen Egypts rapprochement with the Nile Basin states.

Egypts institutions have adopted various principles to help the state achieve effective cooperation with the Nile Basin states in order to help Egypt reposition itself as a regional leader.

Many of these institutions, especially the foreign ministry, have adopted flexible policies when engaging with these states, especially Sudan and Ethiopia.

Major changes also took place when two new diplomatic positions were developed in April 2011, namely deputy foreign minister for African affairs and Sudan affairs consultant to the foreign minister.

In 2013, the government merged its Fund for Technical Cooperation with the Commonwealth, Islamic and newly Independent States with the Fund for Technical Cooperation with Africa in order to create a new Egyptian Partnership Agency.

This began operating in June 2014, its main objective being to send development specialists to the African and Islamic countries and to help organise development programmes in these states.

Broadly speaking, the Egyptian government has taken two approaches towards its relations with the Nile Basin states, and these are outlined below.

NEGOTIATION ON NILE PROJECTS:

The months following the 25 January Revolution were not easy for Egyptian diplomacy towards the Nile Basin states because Ethiopia took advantage of the confusion in Egypt to start developing its Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Ethiopia created a Framework Convention regarding the building of this dam in 2010, and it has been doing its best to persuade all the Nile Basin states, with the exception of Egypt and Sudan, to sign it and approve it through their respective parliaments.

Egyptian-Ethiopian relations at this time can be described as switching between convergence and escalation.

Between April 2011 and May 2013, Egypt used diplomacy to try to foster greater cooperation with Ethiopia.

In September 2011, both states agreed to set up an impartial international panel of experts to study the proposed Ethiopian dam and how this could affect the Nile Basin states.

However, Ethiopias decision in May 2013 to attempt to reverse the flow of the Blue Nile escalated tensions, and these persisted until June 2014.

This did not discourage Egyptian diplomatic efforts, however, as former foreign minister Nabil Fahmi offered Egyptian funding towards the GERD in exchange for the joint management of its operations.

The Ethiopian government did not accept this offer, as it felt that joint management would impinge on its sovereignty.

With the coming of President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi to power, a new era of Egyptian diplomacy started in relation to this issue.

There were renewed talks and negotiations, reflected in the deal that Al-Sisi and his Ethiopian counterpart signed in June 2014.

Both parties also agreed to continue negotiations with the help of international advisors as an impartial third party.

In 2015, Al-Sisi, along with Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir and Ethiopian prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn, signed the GERD Declaration of Principles in the Sudanese capital Khartoum.

This outlined 10 basic principles for the construction of the dam, these being aligned with international law on shared river systems.

IMPROVED RELATIONS WITH THE NILE BASIN STATES:

Under Al-Sisis presidency, Egypt had the gargantuan task of rebalancing African alliances in its favour, and it attempted to consolidate its relations with the other Nile Basin states.

President Al-Sisi visited various Nile Basin States as a result, including Sudan, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, and he also welcomed representatives from these states to Egypt and participated, along with other government officials, in various African forums. In 2015, Egypt hosted a forum bringing together the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) in Sharm El-Sheikh.

Many Egyptian institutions worked to develop cooperation with the Nile Basin states in a number of vital fields, the most important of which have been trade, investment, irrigation, agriculture, health and education.

Egypt introduced measures to maximise the benefits of the COMESA Agreement, especially with the Nile Basin States, as well as the African Free Trade Zone (AFTZ) Agreement.

Kenya became Egypts number one trading partner in COMESA, as it (along with Sudan) benefited from most Egyptian exports to the Organisation, and Egypt received most Kenyan exports. In 2017, Egypt greatly increased its trade with Kenya by exporting goods worth $170 million, or 30 per cent more than in the previous year.

The Egyptian Ministry of Water and Irrigation helped fund 90 per cent of a Ugandan project to help protect the western region of the country from excessive flooding.

The Egyptian government also provided the Ugandan government with $1.5 million of development aid. It helped the South Sudanese government develop its sewage and irrigation systems and drilled 180 wells in Kenya.

In February, the Agriculture Ministry announced the beginning of a joint farming initiative with the Eritrean government, in which the former would develop farms in the latter.

This will be the seventh farm project that Egypt has developed after it previously started farms in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Tanzania, Zambia, Niger and Togo.

With the help of Egyptian businessmen, the Egyptian government has also been able to implement five agricultural and industrial projects in African states including Kenya and Uganda.

With regard to the health sector, the Egyptian Partnership Agency and the Magdi Yacoub Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding in May 2015 stating the need for monetary aid and training for African healthcare professionals especially in the field of cardiology.

EGYPTS ROLE IN THE NILE BASIN STATES:

Over the last few decades, Egypt neglected its role on the African continent, especially in the Nile Basin states.

It is this that rendered these states, many of them undergoing democratisation and/or regime change, susceptible to both regional and global powers.

The latter often pursued their own interests at the expense of these states because of their resources and strategic geographical positions.

They may have orchestrated internal conflicts in individual states, or they may have encouraged regional conflicts between them.

Drought, disease, illiteracy, and man-made and natural disasters also made these weaker.

Without a regional leader, the Nile Basin states could not find the means to voice their interests to the international community.

As a result, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda took advantage of Egypts absence and started to compete for regional leadership of the Nile Basin, and the power vacuum caused these three states to exert their own interests at the expense of Egypt and Sudan.

The Nile Basin states all have energy and development needs, and they all have the intention of using the Nile to satisfy their demands.

However, each countrys individual exploitation of the Nile combined with the lack of willingness to cooperate with each other has threatened Egypts water security.

Many of the Nile Basin states have also been included in the traditional regional competition between Egypt and Ethiopia over the leadership of the East African Region.

Despite the efforts exerted by Egyptian institutions to protect the countrys vital interests in Africa, the restoration of the Egyptian role in Africa, especially in the Nile Basin states, requires more effort at several levels.

Since Egypt has expertise in a variety of fields, and many of these states have extensive development needs, it is paramount that Egypt uses its expertise to influence the region.

Egypt must use its know-how in agriculture, irrigation, education and technology to help these states develop in terms of infrastructure and transportation.

In addition to economic and development aid, Egypt should form a security partnership with these states to help them fight against any terrorist threats in them and in the region as a whole.

Such a policy would be a strategic one, and it has some similar historical precedents since Egypt previously helped many of these states free themselves from colonial control during the rule of former Egyptian president Gamal Abdel-Nasser.

It should also be noted that the support many of these states have for Ethiopia comes as a result of security issues, regional conflicts and Western (especially US) support for Ethiopia.

Egypt must work hard to help these states resolve the conflicts they may suffer from, since this would align them with its sphere of influence.

It is in the interest of the Nile Basin states to make use of Egyptian expertise in conflict resolution, as many of them have had problems with ensuring peaceful transitions of power.

For instance, in recent years Kenya and Burundi have suffered from bloody conflicts, while Ethiopia sometimes faces popular unrest.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is still suffering from instability, and 1.7 million Congolese have been displaced in 2017.

The Nile Basin states often do not have strong military and security capabilities, so Egypt can also help them to train their militaries and security apparatuses.

This could help turn Egypt into a regional leader that can steer them away from international and regional conflicts.

The writer is a consultant on African affairs at the Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies.

*This article was first published in Al-Ahram Weekly

Short link:





Haiti - Politic : The construction of major roads financed by the European Union





Friday a high-level delegation led by President Jovenel Moise and the Ambassador of the European Union (EU) Vincent Degert, composed of Fritz Caillot, the Minister of Public Works, Charles Jean-Jacques the National Authorizing Officer of the European Fund of Development (EDF), of Anna Lipchitz the Director of the French Development Agency (AFD) as well as several experts and representatives of companies contracted (consortia between European and Haitian companies), visited several important road infrastructure projects funded by the European Union to take stock of the state of progress of the work.



Several sections of roads were visited, including the Mirbalais-Lascahobas -Belladere axis, the Peligre site between Mirebalais and Hinche, and the Hinche-St Raphael section.



It should be remembered that in terms of road infrastructure, the European Union's intervention has two main components: road rehabilitation and institutional support aimed at making the investments made permanent. For roads, European support is concentrated on the main network, ie national roads, but also on links with the Dominican Republic. Thus, the national road 3 that goes from Port-au-Prince to Cap Haitien should be finalized in 2020. The EU also subsidizes road maintenance via an emergency fund (Road Maintenance Fund).



Regarding the rehabilitation of the section between Hinche and St Raphael of the RN3, 74 million euros have been invested. With regard to work in progress on the RN3 on this section, the construction of 5 bridges for 6.1 million euros started in December 2016 and in the process of completion and the rehabilitation of the road for an amount of 45 million euros whose work started in August 2017 will last 24 months. Moreover, last month, the construction of the Hinche Bypass was confirmed for an additional amount of 12.7 million euros and an additional period of 7 months.



On the Mirebalais - Hinche section, near Peligre Lake, the road is threatened with rupture due to a widespread landslide on the area. A works contract to carry out the design studies and the repair of the road was signed in 2017 for an amount of 7 million euros. This market is waiting for the contracting of a supervision mission for which a consultation has been launched and which is under way to be able to start.



At the end of this tour, the Ambassador of the European Union to Haiti said "[...] Soon we will have the pleasure to officially inaugurate several works already completed or in the finalization phase [...] "



Regarding the work carried out, remember that the section Port au Prince / Mirebalais for an amount of  40 million was completed in 2011. The  52 million Mirebalais - Hinche section started in 2008 was also completed in 2011. The St Raphael - Barriere Battan section was also the subject in 2015/2016 of landscaping, earthworks by the CNE for 4 million euros.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-14286-haiti-politic-346-million-from-eu-for-regional-programs-in-the-caribbean.html



HL/ HaitiLibre

















In the years preceding the 2011 and 2013 revolutions, there was a prevailing idea in Egypts foreign policy-making circles that there was a direct correlation between foreign policy and national security.

While the symbiotic relationship between foreign policy and national security was a widely accepted notion, few had made the effort to explain the reasons for their connection.

Nevertheless, some foreign policy issues were left to national security agencies, and among these was the Palestinian cause handled by the general intelligence agencies.

The changes that Egypt experienced in the 2011 and 2013 revolutions played a role in the academic and political re-exploration of this relationship, and such topics became more freely discussed.

As a result, it has been found that there are multi-dimensional components in Egyptian foreign policy, as seem during the first term in office of President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi.

This article analyses three dimensions of the security component of Egyptian foreign policy, which have all come about as a result of the institutionalisation of foreign policy decision-making processes.

This institutionalisation has come through the National Defence Council, the National Security Council, and the Council for Combating Terrorism and Extremism.

The article will also demonstrate the growing importance of military force as one of the tools for implementing Egypts foreign policy and how this has affected its relationship with the international community.

Finally, it will attempt to explore how issues of terrorism and extremism have become top priorities in Egypts action in regional and international forums.

Institutionalisation

During the first term of Al-Sisis presidency, there has been an increase in security institution involvement in foreign policy decision-making in Egypt.

This has been especially true in relation to issues pertaining to national security and more importantly issues that need the use of military force.

Article 203 of the 2014 constitution highlights the formation of a National Defence Council that has the president as its head and includes as members the prime minister, MPs, the interior minister, the foreign minister, the finance minister, the defence minister, the head of General Intelligence, and the chief of General Staff, as well as other ministers and cabinet members.

In accordance with the law, this council is in charge of ensuring the security of the state and identifying its political and military objectives. It must also ensure that such objectives are aligned with other government policies, especially those pertaining to foreign policy.

The constitution also states that when parliament is in recess, the National Defence Council is in charge of declaring war on another state or non-state actor, thereby sending military force beyond Egypts borders.

This is what happened in March 2015, when in the absence of the parliament, the council made the decision to send the military to participate in Operation Decisive Storm in Yemen.

Article 205 of the constitution also provides information on the formation of the National Security Council.

This is also headed by the president, and its members include the prime minister, the majority leader in parliament, the interior minister, the defence minister, the foreign minister and others.

The role of the council is to draw up policies that ensure national security, determine and locate both internal and external threats to it, and finally take all necessary actions to face up to official or public threats to national security.

President Al-Sisi has also taken the initiative of appointing two experts in national security as consultants. One of them is Faiza Abul-Naga, who has become his consultant on national security, and the other is Ahmed Gamaleddin, appointed as consultant on counter-terrorism.

In June 2017, President Al-Sisi decided to establish another council called the National Council for Combating Terrorism and Extremism. The members of this include the grand imam of Al-Azhar, the patriarch of the Coptic Church, the defence minister, the interior minister and others. It also includes 13 members of the public.

The roles of the council include demonstrating the states counter-terrorism strategy to the international community, examining legislative decisions in countering terrorism internally and externally, pursuing the establishment of a special security entity between Egypt and the Arab states, and cooperating with these states to put an end to organised crime in the region.

The council also works to inform the international community of the presence of terrorist organisations within Egypt and the fact that there are states and authorities that support terrorists bent on attacking the Egyptian public. The council also works to take legal action against states that sponsor terrorists against Egypt.

Militarisation

We are living in an era in which the Armed Forces has been playing an increasingly vital role in foreign policy.

The reasons behind the increasing militarisation of foreign policy are two-fold, and include, first, the evident factor that Egypt currently lacks the economic tools needed to pursue quiet diplomacy based on soft power since this primarily relies on economic power.

The second factor is that President Al-Sisi has maintained a healthy relationship with the military even after his becoming president in 2014.

The president has worked to develop Egypts military strength through improved training and increased weaponry.

Based on the international Global Firepower rankings, these efforts have resulted in Egypts moving from 11th largest military power in the world in 2016 to 10th largest in 2017.

The increase in the militarys role in foreign policy has been reflected in the presidents speeches, in which he has insisted on the need to send Egyptian military forces to help protect any Arab state facing real security threats.

Sending military forces to help other countries can also be a way for Egypt to protect its own national security and people.

For instance, after a video showing Islamic State (IS) group militants in Libya beheading 21 Egyptian Copts, the state did not hesitate to send the air force to attack IS bases in Libya in 2015.

While Egypt has not participated in the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, it has provided naval security for the Bab Al-Mandab Straits, since this relates to the security of Suez.

Furthermore, Egypt has been taking part in many military exercises with various states both within the Middle East and around the world. From 2014 to 2017, Egypt has been an avid participant in exercises with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait.

In May 2015, Egyptian and Russian naval forces participated in a military exercise in Alexandria, and in October 2017 Egypt and Greece took part in the Medusa 5 military exercise that took place in Rhodes.

Terrorism

During President Al-Sisis first term in office, the issue of terrorism has topped Egyptian priorities in international forums.

The president and the Egyptian delegations participating in these forums have made speeches on this topic, among them Al-Sisis address to the United Nations last September in which he discussed Egypts position of encouraging the international community to cooperate in fighting terrorist organisations as well as the states that politically or logistically support them.

In Spain in 2015 the president made a speech in which he said that the world more than ever needed a coalition of people and cultures to counter extremism and prejudice because both these elements were breeding grounds for terrorists threatening human civilisation.

The years 2016 and 2017 were critical for Egypt since the country was both a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and the head of its committee for combating terrorism.

During that time, Egypt stressed the importance of the Security Councils enacting new policies to stop terrorists from gaining weapons and addressing the phenomenon of foreign fighters joining such groups.

Egypt also emphasised the importance of getting the international community and social media companies on board with such policies.

Egypt has carried out many actions against fighting global terror, such as training airport staff in many airports around Africa on how to detect explosives and weapons being smuggled into planes.

It is for such reasons that Egypt should now reposition itself as a leading power in the region, not only because of its vast size and important history, but also because of the strength of its military that has long enabled it to be a major player in the Middle East and North Africa.

If Egypt continues on this path during Al-Sisis expected second term in office, then there will be many positive outcomes, such as Egypts becoming a major regional partner steering the region to a safer and more secure future.

However, there are also challenges on this path, among them the possibility that the sphere of what is considered a security issue will be widened at the expense of what are considered political issues.

It is for such reasons that the state must find a balance between militarism and diplomacy and find alternative means to fight against terrorism. Using military action along with these alternative methods will ensure the stability of the Egyptian political arena.

The writer is an expert on security at the Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Security Studies.

*This article was first published in Al-Ahram Weekly

Short link:

WARD COMMENDS TRUMP FOR MEETING WITH KIM JONG UN, SUGGESTS HAWAII VENUE

News Release from Rep Gene Ward, March 9, 2018

HONOLULU, HAWAII - Representative Gene Ward (RHawaii Kai, Kalama Valley), a member of the House Military Affairs & Int'l Relations Committee, lauded President Donald Trump today for the President's acceptance of a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. In a letter to the President, Ward also urged Trump to hold the meeting in Honolulu.

"This is truly historic and they're actually going to talk about the denuclearization of North Korea," Ward said. "The leaders of the United States and North Korea have never even talked to each other on the phone and now they're scheduled to meet face-to-face.

"This meeting is especially important for Hawaii since we are well within striking distance of North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Ward also encouraged President Trump to hold the meeting, tentatively penciled in for May, in Honolulu given the city's location and the presence of the East-West Center and the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies.

"There is no better place to hold this meeting," Ward said. "We have two elite diplomacy institutions here. We have a sizeable Korean population. It's a natural. Hawaii is perfectly placed to become a 'Geneva of the Pacific.'"

See attachments:

Coverage:

Big Q: What do you think about the upcoming meeting between President Trump and North Koreas Kim Jong Un?We visited Colombia and took a volcanic mud bath in El Totumo Mud Volcano, right outside of Cartagena! This was so much fun, truly one of the best day trips from Cartagena.

Have you ever stepped foot inside of a volcano? I recently went on a girls trip to Colombia and enjoyed my time spent in Cartagena. We are a slightly adventurous crew, so we thought that the Volcan del Totumo tour, or the El Totumo mud volcano bath right outside of Cartagena would be perfect.

I have been in a mud bath before, but never in my life have I been in a naturally occurring mud bath inside of a volcano! This experience is very unique, unlike any other that I have had. Plan to visit El Totumo Mud Volcano in Cartagena, Colombia, and immerse yourself into a volcanic mud bath.

Take A Volcanic Mud Bath In El Totumo Mud Volcano

Climbing up a giant staircase and immersing ourselves into a thick, warm mud bath was, well, interesting. There were tour guides in the mud ready to help us settle in, offered a mud massage if we wanted, and move us around the mud and slathered it all over us. At first, it was a little scary to think about getting in because you cant feel the ground or anything beneath once you stick your feet in. Once we did settle in to the oozing mud, we could feel that we were floating! This is because the volcanic mud is so thick and dense, you literally float and bounce like a little life raft.

Here I am getting into El Totumo mud bath, the stairs were slippery and caution was exercised. I volunteered to go first, yet despite the smile, I was a little wary!

Myself on the left, and one of my friends get the royal El Totumo mud volcano treatment

As more and more people get into the volcanic mud bath, we are shifted around like weightless astronauts in space. This is starting to get really cool! We are encouraged to put mud all over the place, our backs, shoulders, and even faces. So we did!

After about 20 minutes, we got out of the volcano by climbing another slippery ladder and quickly dried at the top of the hill. It was time to head to the lagoon and wash off all of the mud!

El Totumo mud bath is one of the best day trips from Cartagena!

This is such a cool mud volcano in Colombia, you have to make the trip when you visit! We took our Cartagena mud volcano tour with Backpackers booked through Trip Advisor, they picked us up at our hotel and drove us about 30-40 minutes to El Totumo mud volcano. The guides spoke English and were very helpful and accommodating, they have a little locker and changing room set up and restrooms, and a fresh piece of fruit is included.

Make sure you bring an old swimsuit that you dont mind it getting messy, and a towel, as they did not have any on-site. Also, you can attempt to take photos yourself if you want to risk ruining your camera or pay a small fee of pesos to have someone do it for you while you bask in the sheer existence of a volcano. After we finished, I indulged in a little cold coconut water, a very refreshing treat. There is a little shop where you can buy beer, soda, chips, and light eats.

Book your El Totumo mud volcano Cartagena tour. You wont regret it!

My favorite photos from my trip to Panama, Central America

Its time to visit Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

All-Inclusive Luxury at Grand Velas Los Cabos Resort in Mexico

10 photos of Curacao Island in the Caribbean

Beautiful nature photos in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Subscribe: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTubeAs an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content.

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If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create.Julie Pellerin-Herrera and Kimberlee Chappell headed the effort to start the new foundation. PreviousNext

Pittsfield Educators Create Non Profit To Support Teaching and Learning



The first fundraiser was a wine tasting at the Berkshire Hills Country Club. PITTSFIELD, Mass.  When the school year closed out a few years ago, reading specialist Julie Pellerin-Herrera didn't feel like she was done teaching.

But, there was no funding set aside in the school's budget for ongoing tutoring over the summer.

"It was two and a half years ago, after a year of being a reading specialist and working with small groups, at the end of the year I thought to myself, 'I want to still work with these kids during the summer. I wish we could get organizations to sponsor these kids so we can get reading specialists to tutor them,'" Pellerin-Herrera said.

And then, "I noticed there are education foundations for public school systems throughout the county. That's what we need. We need a container of money that is available for sponsoring tutors and teachers who want to do it."

So that is exactly what she sought to create. She proposed the idea to her colleague Kimberlee Chappell and the two recruited other staff members and formed the Pittsfield Education Foundation.

"We are educators ourselves. Being reading specialists we wanted to support students' enrichment in literacy and students who are struggling. There was a lack of funding through the public education sector to support tutoring," Chappell said.

The group started with an eye toward tutoring programs but over time expanded its goals. Now the non-profit organization will raise a pool of money and accept grants requests from teachers in all fields who want to do more. It will support teachers who want to try new things to support their students.

"It doesn't have to be teachers writing grants. It can be students writing grants for something they want. It can be professional development," Chappell said.

Pellerin-Herrera said the grants can be for any subjects, for enrichment programs, tutoring, academies, or for teachers to get extra training. It can be art or theater, anything that will fit the organization's goals of "student support, student enrichment, and professional development."

"Those are the prongs that will ignite the fire," Pellerin-Herrera said. "We want to ignite the creative, innovative passion for teaching and learning."

The first major fundraiser was held Friday night at the Berkshire Hills Country Club. It was a wine tasting that brought numerous community members in support. That money will then go back to the foundation for the grants.

School Committee Chairwoman Katherine Yon said the organization will be a great "adjunct" to city's education because the non-profit will provide fundings for items that the district as a whole won't.

"It is absolutely going to help us. There are certain things we can't provide. It is not your regular curriculum," Yon said.

The School Department just recently revamped both its math and reading curriculum. Yon said the district can only go in so many different directions with the funding it has. There isn't much of a chance the district could purchase new material to pilot new ideas at this moment.

"Teachers are creative every single day. But if there are some new, different, innovative techniques they wanted to try where they needed new materials, we're probably not in a position right now to say, 'OK, let's get some pilot materials,'" Yon said.



The organizers were pleased with the number of people who attended Friday's event. The Pittsfield Education Foundation provides another avenue for teachers to seek support for their ideas.

"They would have more opportunities to do these things, and judge these things as opposed to now," Yon said.

Chappell said with professional development, the district does support that on some level now. But there are also bigger ticket conferences that an individual teacher could benefit from the district doesn't support.

"The International Literacy Association puts on a huge literacy conference. But it is really expensive. For a teacher to go, it is thousands of dollars. So, they'll fund professional development through the district but if you want to go on something like that, that is out of your own pocket," Chappell said.

"They used to be able to [fund that] because we had a larger pot to draw from but funding has been cut as our population in the area has diminished. So we are trying to create another pot to draw from so they can still have these opportunities and not necessarily have to pay out of pocket."

The first fundraiser attracted much attention and the organization is already thinking about other types of events. From here, the group will look to recruit more board members.

"One of our major next steps is to build a board. We need board members who have that authentic desire to do the same thing," Pellerin-Herrera said.

And from Yon's perspective, that the staff members would spend their time outside of the classroom organizing and fundraising to further help students says a lot.

"I think this tells you exactly how dedicated they are to education. They have their eye on the children and they want to do the very best they can for the children. They are willing to do whatever is necessary to help out education in the city of Pittsfield," Yon said. "I think it is terrific."



iciHaiti - Politic : Promises of gender equality in Port-au-Prince





To commemorate International Women's Day in a special way, the Port-au-Prince Municipal Council commited to respect equality between women and men.



Text adopted by the Municipal Council :



"1 - Considering that the equality of women and men is a fundamental principle of human rights;

2 - Considering that the Port-au-Prince City Council considers itself morally bound by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

3 - Considering that the principles of dignity, freedom and equity among individuals are founding principles of the country of Haiti;

4 - Considering that society can only advance and enrich itself if it promotes equity and equality between women and men;

5 - Considering that the Town Hall of Port-au-Prince is a public body whose mission is to offer services to its citizens to improve their quality of life;

6 - Considering the gender inequalities that persist in society;

7 - Considering that discrimination between persons prevents the full enjoyment of fundamental rights;

8 - Considering that it is essential that inequalities, discrimination, inequities and violence against women are combated and abolished.



Declare that :



- It condemns all acts of discrimination, inequality, iniquity, violence and any act of sexism aimed at promoting the superiority or inferiority of one genre over the other;

- It undertakes to adopt appropriate measures to combat violence, discrimination or acts or speech designed to abuse or decrease a person compared to another;

- It commits to take all necessary measures to promote equality and gender equity in its administration;

- It commits to promote equality between women and men, its actions and in its relations and communications with the citizens, particularly in terms of education and teaching.





Adopted at Port-au-Prince, March 8, 2018."



IH/ iciHaiti





















iciHaiti - Arcahaie : Towards increased production of the banana sector





Thursday, a delegation led by Eugene Branly the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, composed of officials of the Directorate of Agricultural Infrastructure (DIA) and other officials of the Ministry met in Arcahaie, members of the Association Irrigants of the Arcahaie Plain (AIPA), who has been working for over 20 years in water management in this area and currently has 450 active members.



The objective of this meeting was to identify the main needs of this commune with a view to increasing agricultural production, in particular the banana sector, and finding appropriate solutions to certain diseases, including the "Black Sigatoka", which eat up banana production in this region.



Eugene Branly said that the Ministry intends to increase its actions in this part of the country by supporting the banana farmers and associations of Arcahaie.



The delegation took the opportunity to visit several irrigated perimeters.



IH/ iciHaiti

















Imperial Valley News Center

Governor Brown Issues Statement on Yountville Veterans Home Shooting

Sacramento, California - Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. issued the following statement today regarding the shooting at the Yountville Veterans Home:

Anne and I are deeply saddened by the horrible violence at the Yountville Veterans Home, which tragically took the lives of three people dedicated to serving our veterans. Our hearts go out to their families and loved ones and the entire community of Yountville.

Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff in recognition of the victims and their families.Imperial Valley News Center

What You Need To Know: Section 232 Investigations and Tariffs

Washington, DC - Section 232 investigations help to determine the effects of imports on Americas national security and give the President the ability to address any threats to national security by restricting imports through tariffs.

Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, gives the executive branch the ability to conduct investigations to determine the effects on the national security of imports. Within 270 days of initiating any investigation, the Commerce Department issues a report to the President with the investigations findings, including whether certain imports threaten to impair Americas national security. The President has 90 days to determine whether he concurs with the findings and, if so, to use his statutory authority under Section 232 to adjust the imports as necessary, including through tariffs or quotas.

President Donald J. Trump has accepted the Commerce Departments recent conclusion that imported steel and aluminum threaten to impair the national security, and is taking action to protect America.

In January 2018, the Department of Commerce delivered the Section 232 reports on steel and aluminum to the President. In February 2018, the Commerce Department publicly released Section 232 reports on imported steel and aluminum. The reports concluded that the quantities and circumstances of steel and aluminum imports threaten to impair the national security, as defined by Section 232. The reports found that United States steel imports were nearly four times our exports, and that aluminum imports had risen to 90% of total demand for primary aluminum. The Commerce Department recommended that President Trump take action to protect the long-term viability of our nations steel and aluminum industries.U.S. Delegation to the 62nd Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women

New York - The Department of State is pleased to announce the U.S. Delegation attending the 62nd Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), to be held March 12-23, 2018 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The CSWs annual two-week session is the UNs most important annual meeting on womens issues. Representatives of the CSWs 45 member governments, along with officials from other governments and participants from several thousand civil society organizations worldwide, convene to discuss ways to improve womens lives. The theme of this years session is Challenges and Opportunities in Achieving Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Rural Women and Girls.

Ambassador Nikki Haley, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, will serve as the Head of Delegation. Ambassador Kelley E. Currie, United States Representative to the UN Economic and Social Council, will serve as the Deputy Head of Delegation.

Other members of the U.S. Delegation include senior officials and technical experts from the Department of State, the Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the United States Agency for International Development.The Eleven-Year Anniversary of the Disappearance of Robert Levinson

Washington, DC - Today marks the eleven-year anniversary of Robert Levinsons disappearance from Kish Island, Iran. The United States remains unwavering in our commitment to bring him home.

We share our deepest sympathy with his family which has suffered from his absence for over a decade. We will not rest until the Levinson family is whole again.

Iran committed to cooperating with the United States to assist us in bringing Robert Levinson home and we call on Iran to fulfill this commitment.

The FBI has offered a $5 million reward for any information that could lead to his safe return. We call on anyone with information about this case to contact the FBI at http://tips.fbi.gov or email the FBI at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Information will be kept confidential and can be provided anonymously.Under Secretary Shannon Participates in G-7 Political Directors' Meeting

Washington, DC - Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas A. Shannon, Jr. will travel to Ottawa, Canada, March 1112, to participate in the G-7 Political Directors meeting. Canada holds the G-7 presidency for 2018.

Under Secretary Shannons engagement with his G-7 counterparts in Ottawa will prepare for the Foreign Ministers meeting in April and the Leaders Summit in June. The G-7 annually brings together representatives of the worlds leading industrialized democracies to address domestic and international priorities.President Donald J. Trumps Call with President Xi Jinping of China

Washington, DC - President Donald J. Trump spoke Friday with President Xi Jinping of China about recent developments related to North Korea.

The two leaders welcomed the prospect of dialogue between the United States and North Korea, and committed to maintain pressure and sanctions until North Korea takes tangible steps toward complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization. President Trump expressed his hope that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un might choose a brighter path for North Koreas future.Education Secretary Damian Hinds will pledge to reduce teachers long working hours in a bid to tackle staff shortages  but unions say action on funding cuts and low teacher pay is needed to solve the crisis.

In his first major speech, Mr Hinds will tell headteachers that the Government will strip away pointless tasks, including excessive lesson plans and unnecessary marking, which do not help children learn.

Speaking at the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) conference in Birmingham, Mr Hinds will admit that rising pupil numbers is making recruiting and retaining teachers difficult for schools.

The Education Secretary, who was appointed in January, will also acknowledge that the heavy workload of teachers and school leaders is one of the biggest threats to retention and recruitment.

Too many of our teachers and our school leaders are working too long hours, and on non-teaching tasks that are not helping children to learn, Mr Hinds will say.

The minister is expected to announce a strategy to encourage the recruitment and retention of teachers amid continuing concerns about teacher shortages, particularly in subjects like maths and physics.

Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, welcomed the recognition of the teacher shortage crisis but he called on the Government to look at low pay and funding cuts.

Mr Courtney said: The Government needs more than ambition if these efforts are to work.

The Government needs to recognise that funding cuts are also now driving up workload  with class sizes increasing in two-thirds of secondary schools and teachers facing cut backs in preparation time.

He added: And the Government needs to recognise that it must deal with the growing uncompetitiveness of teacher pay.

Mr Hinds is expected to reiterate today that the Government will not announce any new tests or exams, or changes to the national curriculum, beyond those already announced, before 2022.

He will also admit that the current system for holding schools to account can feel very high stakes for school leaders and he will add that headteachers should have clarity about how the system works.

Amanda Spielman, Ofsted chief inspector, will tell the conference that the schools watchdog will also look at how it can help to reduce teacher workload.

She will say: It really doesnt matter what an inspectorate thinks if we cant attract good people into teaching.

The record number of good and outstanding schools wont be sustained if the people, who make them run so well, are burning out and leaving the profession.

When I see newly qualified teachers brimming with passion to change young lives for the better, I think it an utter travesty that so many end up losing their early enthusiasm, because of the pressures of the job. Especially when so many of those pressures are entirely unnecessary.

Because thats what endless data cuts, triple marking, 10 page lesson plans, and, worst of all, Mocksteds are - a distraction from the core purpose of education.

We must do all we can to support removing unnecessary workload for teachers and school leaders ... and direct the focus back to what matters.

UK news in pictures Show all 49 1 /49 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 18 September 2021 Children take part in the Settrington Cup Pedal Car Race as motoring enthusiasts attend the Goodwood Revival, a three-day historic car racing festival in Goodwood, Chichester, Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2021 Hugo, 7, from London rides past a 4x7 metre rainbow arch, made entirely of recycled aluminium cans, which has been installed by recycling initiative 'Every Can Counts', in partnership with The City of London Corporation in front of St Paul's Cathedral in London, to encourage members of the public to recycle their drinks cans ahead of recycling week, which starts on 20 September PA UK news in pictures 16 September 2021 Sheikeh MOhammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, leader of Abu Dhabi, leaves Downing Street after meeting with Boris Johnson PA UK news in pictures 15 September 2021 Children pose by ice sculptures depicting people collecting water by charity Water Aid to show the fragility of water and the threat posed by climate change in London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 14 September 2021 Heavy rain covers the A149 near Kings Lynn in Norfolk PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2021 Luke Jerram's 'Museum of the Moon' at Durham Cathedral PA UK news in pictures 12 September 2021 Inspirational young fundraiser Tobias Weller crosses the finish line, near his home in Sheffield, as he completes his latest epic feat where he swam and triked his way to the end of his awesome year-long Ironman Challenge. This is the third challenge Tobias, who has cerebral palsy and autism, has completed, raising more than 150,000 for his school and Sheffield Children Hospitals charity PA UK news in pictures 11 September 2021 British player Emma Raducanu, holds up the US Open championship trophy winning the women's singles final of the US Open in New York AP 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

Geoff Barton, general secretary of ASCL, will say in his speech to conference today that teacher workload is one of the key issues or our time in education, adding, only co-ordinated action by school leaders, Ofsted and the Government will solve this problem.

On the Governments renewed pledge on workload, Mike Kane MP, Labours shadow schools minister, said: The Tories have been promising to solve the workload crisis for years, but the facts are that they have missed their own recruitment targets five years in a row, and teachers are leaving the profession in record numbers.

This Government cant offer a solution to the crisis in teacher recruitment and retention because they created it. If the Government were serious about ending the crisis in teacher recruitment and retention they would match Labours fully-funded commitment to scrap the public sector pay cap and give our teachers the pay rise they deserve.Steve Bannon, US President Donald Trump's one-time trusted adviser, addressed the far-right Front National party in France and said "history is on our side".

The former editor of right-leaning Breitbart News had helped the President shape his "America First" agenda and met with National Front leader Marine Le Pen, known for her controversial anti-immigration views.

"You're part of a worldwide movement bigger than France, bigger than Italy," he told a cheering crowd in Lille, France for the party's convention. Ms Le Pen said inviting Mr Bannon to speak was important because he was "the architect of Donald Trump's victory". She also cited his views on giving regular people "power, which in his mind and mine, too, has been practically illegally captured by the elite".

Mr Bannon's appearance seems to be part of the Front National's attempted re-branding. They are set to announce a new name in a bid to draw more voters after Ms Le Pen lost to the more centrist French President Emmanuel Macron in last year's election.

Recent polls suggested at least three-quarters of the country think Ms Le Pen would make a bad president. She has garnered more political momentum than her father and party founder Jean-Marie Le Pen, but her loss to Mr Macron was partially due to her threats to pull France out of the European Union.

Her nationalists-vs-globalists stance - echoing similar sentiments across Europe and Mr Bannon's own agenda while at the White House - makes her election as party leader again all but already won ahead of the party vote on Sunday.

In a similar exchange of political ideologies, Ms Le Pen's niece Marion Marechal-Le Pen came to Washington DC last month to speak in front of powerful right-wingers and Republicans at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).

 Marine Le Pen pledges to expel 'foreign extremists'

However, curiously, the younger Ms Le Pen will not be attending the party conference in Lille this weekend and neither will Mr Le Pen, who was ousted from the party by his daughter and publicly criticised the proposed rebranding.

The strategist was once a key fixture on Mr Trump's campaign team towards the finish line in 2016 and lasted through August 2017 in the White House.

Reports of his strained, at best, relationship with Mr Trump's daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner, both also White House advisers, was likely one of the reasons for his departure in an administration that has had unusually high turnover.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

But it may have also been Mr Bannon's ties to white supremacists which resulted in his departure. The Charlottesville, Virginia riots in which two state police officers and one counter-protester were killed occurred just days before the announcement.

Mr Trump had given several conflicting statements over the protests, which began with white nationalists and neo-Nazis protesting the removal of a statue of Civil War Robert E Lee, who fought for the right to continue slavery in the American South. He ultimately said "both sides" were to blame for the violence and took days to condemn white nationalist and Neo-Nazi groups at the protest.

Mr Bannon has long been said to have prodded the President into not alienating white supremacists because they are an active part of the Trump base of support.

As early as 2013, he said he is a "Leninist" and that his main goal was to "destroy all of today's establishment". Whether he actually came into the White House four years later with that agenda is unclear, but reports have suggested he did have a personal agenda - in addition to a personal publicist - and despised "establishment" Republicans like former Chief of Staff Reince Preibus who came from directly from the GOP.

Mr Bannon also just spoke at an event hosted in Zurich, Switzerland for the country's weekly right-wing magazine Die Weltwoche as well.Counter-terrorism police have launched a hate crime investigation after letters urging people to carry out attacks on Muslims were posted across the country.

West Yorkshire Police confirmed it had received around six reports of letters advertising Punish a Muslim Day, while people in London and Birmingham said identical post had been delivered to their homes.

The letters promise rewards for violent acts ranging from verbal abuse of Muslims to burning or bombing mosques.

They detail a points-based scoring system, rising from 25 points for pulling the headscarf off a Muslim woman to 2,500 for nuke Mecca. The letters also encourage people to torture and butcher Muslims in a day of Islamophobic violence on 3 April.

West Yorkshire Police said it had obtained some of the letters for further analysis as the force investigates their origin.

A spokesman said: Counter Terrorism Policing North East are coordinating the investigation at this time and will consider any potential links to existing enquiries.

Anyone with any concerns about a communication they may have received should contact their local police force.

A Bradford councillor was among the recipients of the letter, which he said had been posted to his business address.

 Four far-right UK terrorist plots foiled since Westminster attack, police reveal

When I opened it and saw the content I was horrified, he told the Telegraph and Argus.

I think it has been sent out by a group with the intent of alarming people and to stir up racial hatred.

My main concern is that it could get into the hands of other disaffected people in Bradford who just need that push to act. Some people may look at is at a sick joke. I dont.

I am alarmed by its content, especially where it mentions acid because of all the recent reports in the media of acid attacks.

He said the letter was not addressed to anyone and appeared to have been sent out randomly. It had been stamped at a sorting office in Sheffield.

Social media users in London and Birmingham also reported receiving the letters.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said it was not yet clear whether any criminal allegations relating to the letters had been reported in the capital.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures 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 UK news in pictures 22 July 2021 Festivalgoers in the campsite at the Latitude festival in Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk PA

Iman Atta, director of anti-Muslim hate monitoring service Tell MAMA, said: This has caused quite a lot of fear within the community.

They are asking if they are safe, if their children are safe to play outdoors. We have told them to keep calm, and to phone the police if they receive one of these letters.

The organisation said it had received reports of the letters being sent to addresses in London, Yorkshire and the Midlands.

"We are working closely with the relevant police forces on this matter which is being treated with the utmost seriousness," it added.

Last year West Yorkshire Police launched a hate crime investigation after Muslim families in Bradford were sent letters threatening acid attacks and Islamophobic murders. The letters included an image of a sword and the St Georges flag beside the words kill scum Muslims.

In a separate campaign, mosques and Islamic centres received white powder and abusive letters as part of a "structured" transatlantic campaign.

The latest case came after police revealed four far-right terror plots and 10 Islamist plots have been foiled in the past year.

Muslims have been targeted in several violent attacks, including the Finsbury Park terror attack and car rammings in London and Leicester.A police officer who needed intensive care after responding to the nerve agent attack on a Russian spy has said he does not consider himself a hero and he was merely doing his job.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey was seriously ill but was able to speak. His long-term prognosis was unclear on Saturday afternoon.

DS Bailey, who joined Wiltshire Police in 2002, was one of the first to respond after former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia Skripal were found unconscious in Salisbury city centre just after 4pm on Sunday.

He attended the bench where the pair, aged 66 and 33, were slumped and later went to Mr Skripals house.

DS Bailey is among 21 people who received medical treatment following exposure to the nerve agent. Only DS Bailey and the Skripals, who are both critically ill, remain in hospital.

A statement released by Wiltshire Police said: Nick would like us to say on his behalf that he and his family are hugely grateful for all the messages of support from the public, and colleagues from the police family. People have been so kind and he has expressed that he will never forget that kindness.

He also wishes to say that he was part of a group of officers and other emergency service colleagues who dealt with the initial incident. He wants to say that he does not consider himself a hero, he states he was merely doing his job  a job he loves and is immensely proud of  just like all of his other dedicated colleagues do, day in-day out, in order to protect the public and keep people safe.

(Wiltshire Police (Wiltshire Police)

Follow a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee on Saturday, the Home Secretary said 200 pieces of evidence including huge amounts of CCTV footage were being examined as part of the painstaking, detailed investigation.

Amber Rudd said 240 witnesses had been identified and 250 officers from eight out of 11 of the countrys counter-terrorism units were handling the case with speed and professionalism.

This is a serious, substantial investigation. We need to give the police and the investigators the space to get on with that, she added.

The Home Office has said it knows what kind of nerve agent was used, but has refuse to disclose the information.

Wiltshire Polices temporary Chief Constable Kier Pitchard visited DS Bailey at Salisbury District Hospital on Thursday and said it was too early to tell if he would make a full recovery.

He paid tribute to the well-liked, well-loved and massively dedicated officer, who was formally commended in 2016 for work which led to a serial rapist being jailed.

T/Chief Constable Pritchard said: Hes well, hes sat up. He is not the Nick that I know but of course hes receiving a high level of treatment. Hes in the safe hands of the medical professionals working in Salisbury District so Im very confident hes getting the best professional support that he can.

Of course hes very anxious, hes very concerned. He did his very best on that night.

His praise was echoed by Prime Minister Theresa May, who said the events served as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by emergency staff.

DS Baileys statement comes as troops descended on Salisbury for a second day, with their focus turning to an ambulance station.

UK news in pictures Show all 49 1 /49 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 18 September 2021 Children take part in the Settrington Cup Pedal Car Race as motoring enthusiasts attend the Goodwood Revival, a three-day historic car racing festival in Goodwood, Chichester, Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2021 Hugo, 7, from London rides past a 4x7 metre rainbow arch, made entirely of recycled aluminium cans, which has been installed by recycling initiative 'Every Can Counts', in partnership with The City of London Corporation in front of St Paul's Cathedral in London, to encourage members of the public to recycle their drinks cans ahead of recycling week, which starts on 20 September PA UK news in pictures 16 September 2021 Sheikeh MOhammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, leader of Abu Dhabi, leaves Downing Street after meeting with Boris Johnson PA UK news in pictures 15 September 2021 Children pose by ice sculptures depicting people collecting water by charity Water Aid to show the fragility of water and the threat posed by climate change in London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 14 September 2021 Heavy rain covers the A149 near Kings Lynn in Norfolk PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2021 Luke Jerram's 'Museum of the Moon' at Durham Cathedral PA UK news in pictures 12 September 2021 Inspirational young fundraiser Tobias Weller crosses the finish line, near his home in Sheffield, as he completes his latest epic feat where he swam and triked his way to the end of his awesome year-long Ironman Challenge. This is the third challenge Tobias, who has cerebral palsy and autism, has completed, raising more than 150,000 for his school and Sheffield Children Hospitals charity PA UK news in pictures 11 September 2021 British player Emma Raducanu, holds up the US Open championship trophy winning the women's singles final of the US Open in New York AP 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

A military convoy arrived at the small building close to Salisbury District Hospital and police cordoned off a road.

Soldiers wearing grey hazmat suits and masks covered a potentially contaminated ambulance with a silver tarpaulin and prepared to move it from the scene.

Meanwhile, investigators were active near the grave of Mr Skripals wife Liudmila in Salisburys London Road cemetery.

Officers erected a large white tent close to where she was buried in 2012. Police vehicles and an ambulance incident support unit could also been seen.

Recommended CCTV shows Russian spy and daughter moments before they were found

Scotland Yard said it was not exhuming a body, but would not comment further on the investigation, saying only the tent was in place for operational reasons.

Entrances to the cemetery remained sealed off by police cordons and a blue and white forensic tent was also seen over the memorial stone of Mr Skripals son Alexander, who was cremated last year.

Suspicion is mounting that Russia attempted to kill the former intelligence officer and his daughter as an act of revenge against Mr Skripal, who was convicted in 2006 of selling state secrets to MI6. He was later released as part of a spy swap with the US.

The Kremlin has denied responsibility and British ministers have urged caution over apportioning blame until the facts become clear.

Defence minister Tobias Ellwood said the militarys presence reflected the seriousness of the situation, adding: We mustnt get ahead of ourselves but we must have a robust response and its something that well be discussing with our Nato partners and with the forthcoming summit in Brussels in July.

Some big questions arise as to how do you stand up to a clandestine and sinister attack deliberately done to play havoc in our society?

Meanwhile Salisburys MP John Glen, also a Government minister, attempted to reassure his constituents that a whole range of tools are at our disposal once it is established who was behind the incident.

The Government will not be acting precipitously in response to what has happened. Now is the time for cool heads and a rational examination of the facts, he said.

Once these are established, then and only then, will an appropriate and proportionate course of action be taken. A whole range of tools are at our disposal depending on who has perpetrated this act, including a number of financial and economic levers.Elizabeth Hurleys nephew was repeatedly stabbed in a brutal attack in London on Thursday night.

The 52-year-old actress and model has rushed back from the US to be at the bedside of 21-year-old Miles Hurley as he recovers from his serious injuries.

She said it was an appalling time for her family.

Miles, a model, suffered multiple stab wounds when he was targeted by a group of men in Nine Elms, south west London, at around 9pm on Thursday.

Scotland Yard said his injuries were not described as life-threatening or life-changing.

Elizabeth Hurley tweeted: My 21-year-old nephew was repeatedly stabbed in a brutal attack in London on Thursday night.

The police and hospital are being fantastic. Thank you for all your messages. It is an appalling time for him and our family. The police will be appealing for witnesses.

Miles and another 21-year-old man were both stabbed by a group of men who got out of a vehicle in Ascalon Street at around 8.52pm on 8 March.

A 21-year-old man (victim one) was discovered with stab wounds to his back, a spokesperson for the Met Police said.

Another man, also aged 21 (victim two), was also found suffering from stab wounds.

They were both taken by London Ambulance Service to a south London hospital  victim one remains there; his condition is described as not life-threatening or life-changing. Victim two has been discharged following treatment. They are believed to have been attacked by a group of males who got out of a vehicle and assaulted them before fleeing the scene.

A crime scene was put in place. Road closures were also in place but have since been lifted.

UK news in pictures Show all 49 1 /49 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 18 September 2021 Children take part in the Settrington Cup Pedal Car Race as motoring enthusiasts attend the Goodwood Revival, a three-day historic car racing festival in Goodwood, Chichester, Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2021 Hugo, 7, from London rides past a 4x7 metre rainbow arch, made entirely of recycled aluminium cans, which has been installed by recycling initiative 'Every Can Counts', in partnership with The City of London Corporation in front of St Paul's Cathedral in London, to encourage members of the public to recycle their drinks cans ahead of recycling week, which starts on 20 September PA UK news in pictures 16 September 2021 Sheikeh MOhammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, leader of Abu Dhabi, leaves Downing Street after meeting with Boris Johnson PA UK news in pictures 15 September 2021 Children pose by ice sculptures depicting people collecting water by charity Water Aid to show the fragility of water and the threat posed by climate change in London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 14 September 2021 Heavy rain covers the A149 near Kings Lynn in Norfolk PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2021 Luke Jerram's 'Museum of the Moon' at Durham Cathedral PA UK news in pictures 12 September 2021 Inspirational young fundraiser Tobias Weller crosses the finish line, near his home in Sheffield, as he completes his latest epic feat where he swam and triked his way to the end of his awesome year-long Ironman Challenge. This is the third challenge Tobias, who has cerebral palsy and autism, has completed, raising more than 150,000 for his school and Sheffield Children Hospitals charity PA UK news in pictures 11 September 2021 British player Emma Raducanu, holds up the US Open championship trophy winning the women's singles final of the US Open in New York AP 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

The attack is being investigated by detectives from Wandsworth CID but no arrests have been made yet.

Miles Hurley is the son of Elizabeth Hurleys older sister Kate Curran, 54, and has done photo shoots for Dolce & Gabbana.The daughter of a former Russian double agent had done nothing to deserve being targeted with a nerve agent, her friend has said.

Yulia Skripal is still fighting for her life along with her father Sergei after they were exposed to an unknown toxic substance in Salisbury.

Her childhood friend Irina Petrova told the BBC everyone was shocked by the news, adding the 33-year-old was a normal kind of person.

She said Ms Skripal hasn't done anything to deserve the attack and her friends and family were scared to speak out for fear of reprisal.

"I'm starting to get scared," she said. "No one wants to speak - even her relatives".

Ms Petrova said Ms Skripal had lived in the UK for five years after her father was given refuge there in 2010, but wasnt drawn to England.

She said her friend considered applying for British citizenship, but later changed her mind and moved back to Moscow to live with her long-term boyfriend.

Ms Skripal had been visiting her father at the time of the attack and had an excellent relationship with him, Ms Petrova said.

She told me she liked everything there," she said. "They had an amazing place, and amazing house."

Ms Skripal and her father, 66, are currently being treated in hospital for exposure to a nerve agent after both were found collapsed on park bench.

Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, 38, is also receiving treatment after being exposed to the chemical as one of the first responders to the incident.

Wiltshire Polices acting Chief Constable, Kier Pritchard, said DS Bailey remained in a serious condition, but was now conscious and talking and engaging with people.

Mr Skripal has jailed for 13 years in Russia in 2006 after he was caught spying for MI6, but only served four years of his sentence before being brought to the UK in a spy swap deal in 2010.

The Kremlin denies any involvement in the attempt on the former agents life.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 19 September 2021 Bubbles surround Manchester Uniteds Cristiano Ronaldo before the match against West Ham at London Stadium Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 18 September 2021 Children take part in the Settrington Cup Pedal Car Race as motoring enthusiasts attend the Goodwood Revival, a three-day historic car racing festival in Goodwood, Chichester, Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2021 Hugo, 7, from London rides past a 4x7 metre rainbow arch, made entirely of recycled aluminium cans, which has been installed by recycling initiative 'Every Can Counts', in partnership with The City of London Corporation in front of St Paul's Cathedral in London, to encourage members of the public to recycle their drinks cans ahead of recycling week, which starts on 20 September PA UK news in pictures 16 September 2021 Sheikeh MOhammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, leader of Abu Dhabi, leaves Downing Street after meeting with Boris Johnson PA UK news in pictures 15 September 2021 Children pose by ice sculptures depicting people collecting water by charity Water Aid to show the fragility of water and the threat posed by climate change in London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 14 September 2021 Heavy rain covers the A149 near Kings Lynn in Norfolk PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2021 Luke Jerram's 'Museum of the Moon' at Durham Cathedral PA UK news in pictures 12 September 2021 Inspirational young fundraiser Tobias Weller crosses the finish line, near his home in Sheffield, as he completes his latest epic feat where he swam and triked his way to the end of his awesome year-long Ironman Challenge. This is the third challenge Tobias, who has cerebral palsy and autism, has completed, raising more than 150,000 for his school and Sheffield Children Hospitals charity PA UK news in pictures 11 September 2021 British player Emma Raducanu, holds up the US Open championship trophy winning the women's singles final of the US Open in New York AP 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. 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The US government has won the latest round in its High Court bid to appeal against the decision not to extradite Julian Assange on espionage charges PA UK news in pictures 10 August 2021 Students react after they receive their A-Level results at the Ark Academy, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 9 August 2021 The final athletes from Great Britain arrive home including Jason Kenny, Laura Kenny and Katie Archibald (front left-right) at Heathrow Airport, London following the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games PA UK news in pictures 8 August 2021 Great Britain's Laura Kenny during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in Japan PA UK news in pictures 7 August 2021 People from the Glasgow Southside community take part in the Govanhill Carnival, an anti-racist celebration of pride, unity and the contributions immigrants have made to the community in Govanhill, at Queen's Park, Glasgow PA UK news in pictures 6 August 2021 Chijindu Ujah of Britain, Zharnel Hughes of Britain, Richard Kilty of Britain and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake of Britain celebrate winning silver as they pose with Asha Philip of Britain, Imani Lansiquot of Britain, Dina Asher-Smith of Britain and Daryll Neita of Britain after they won bronze in the women's 4 x 100m relay during Olympic Games Day 14 Getty UK news in pictures 5 August 2021 A protester places flowers on a photograph of an executed man during a demonstration organised by supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) to protest against the inauguration of Iran's new president Ebrahim Raisi in central London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 4 August 2021 England's Joe Root looks on as India's KL Rahul doesn't make it to a catch during day one of Cinch First Test match at Trent Bridge, Nottingham PA UK news in pictures 3 August 2021 Great Britain's Laura Kenny and Jason Kenny with their silver medals for the Women's Team Pursuit and Mens Team Sprint during the Track Cycling at the Izu Velodrome on the eleventh day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan PA UK news in pictures 2 August 2021 Great Britains Charlotte Worthington competes during the Womens BMX Freestyle Final at the Tokyo Olympics PA UK news in pictures 1 August 2021 EPA

Home Secretary Amber Rudd will chair a meeting of the Government's Cobra committee on Saturday afternoon, to receive an update on the police investigation into the incident.

Officers wearing protective clothing cordoned off the graves of Mr Skripals son, Alexander and wife, Liumila at a cemetery in Salisbury as part of their enquiries.

Mrs Skripal died of cancer in 2012, while Alexander Skripal died of liver failure aged 43 in St Petersburg last year.People crossing the Irish border would have to register in advance to avoid checks and delays after Brexit under a hugely controversial plan being considered by No 10.

Anyone without fast-track movement clearance would have to use approved crossing points or would be considered to have entered the state irregularly, the study suggests.

Despite Theresa Mays insistence that the border will continue to have no physical infrastructure, both CCTV and cameras to track vehicle number plates would be needed at some crossing points, according to the blueprint.

Recommended EU freezes Brexit talks until Britain produces Irish border solution

Nevertheless, the Prime Minister has told MPs she has asked officials to look at it very carefully, adding: I believe it gives some very good proposals for solutions.

The decision to consider the plan, put forward in Brussels, was strongly criticised by the Irish government, which told The Independent the proposals would break Ms Mays pledge of no physical infrastructure and associated checks after Brexit.

Peter Hain, the former Northern Ireland Secretary, went further, warning the proposal to pre-register travellers would be risking immediate civil unrest.

If I was Northern Ireland Secretary and this report came on to my desk, its next stop would be the bin, Mr Hain said.

 Donald Tusk on Brexit negotiations: Ireland first

The package of measures has also attracted support from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), the Tories partners in government, which hailed it as an excellent foundation to build on.

I strongly recommend that all read this  borders, in summary, need to be dragged into the 21st century, wrote Emma Little-Pengelly, the Belfast South MP, in a newspaper article.

The Prime Minister has asked officials to study the Smart Border 2.0 report  commissioned by a European parliamentary committee  as she scrambles for a solution to the border dilemma.

In December, she agreed to full alignment of regulations across the entire UK if necessary to avoid the return of border posts and checks, which could become a magnet for terrorists.

But she has been accused of reneging on that agreement, rejecting the EUs proposal of a common regulatory area across Ireland if other solutions to avoid a hard border fail.

Instead, the Government has vowed to leave the EU customs union, putting its faith in technology to avoid checks  while failing to rule out the return of cameras at the crossing.

The Smart Border 2.0 study does propose a solution based on technology, but The Independent can report it acknowledges the plan would still require:

Both physical and digital infrastructure  with vehicles to be monitored using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) at unmanned border crossings. It states: CCTV will also be required at border crossings

A Trusted Traveller Programme  under which people would pre-register for fast-track movement across the border, possibly using biometric passports or enhanced drivers licenses using radio frequency identification

Free movement lanes at the busiest crossings to allow differentiation between those entitled or not to move under the CTA [Common Travel Area]. Non-qualifying individuals who did not cross at these specific border crossings would then be considered to have entered the state irregularly

Agreement between the EU and the UK on the transfer of personal data, to allow each side to carry out inspections for the other. The EU has said this will require binding oversight by the European Court of Justice  which Ms May has ruled out

The proposal does not remove the need for a border with checks; rather, it is designed to make such a border as frictionless and open as possible, states the report, carried out for the European Parliaments policy department for citizens rights and constitutional affairs.

A spokesperson for the Irish governments Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade pointed to the phase one Brexit deal agreed by Ms May last December.

The UK gave a guarantee that a hard border, including any physical infrastructure and associated checks and controls will be avoided. This report proposes the opposite.

The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Show all 8 1 /8 The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Post-Brexit immigration workers sorting radishes on a production line at a farm in Norfolk. One possible post-Brexit immigration scheme could struggle to channel workers towards less attractive roles - while another may heighten the risk of labour exploitation, a new report warns. PA The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Customs union A key point in the negotiations remains Britain's access to, or withdrawal from, the EU customs union. Since the referendum there has been hot debate over the meaning of Brexit: would it entail a full withdrawal from the existing agreement, known as hard Brexit, or the soft version in which we would remain part of a common customs area for most goods, as Turkey does? No 10 has so far insisted that Brexit means Brexit and that Britain will be leaving the customs union, but may be inclined to change its position once the potential risks to the UKs economic outlook become clearer. Alamy The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Northern Ireland-Irish border Though progress was made last year, there has still been no solid agreement on whether there should be a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. To ensure borderless travel on the island, the countries must be in regulatory alignment and therefore adhere to the same rules as the customs union. In December, the Conservative Partys coalition partners, the DUP, refused a draft agreement that would place the UK/EU border in the Irish Sea due to its potential to undermine the union. May has promised that would not be the case and has suggested that a specific solution would need to be found. Getty The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Transition period Despite protests from a small number of Conservative MPs, the Government and the EU are largely in agreement that a transitional period is needed after Brexit. The talks, however, have reached an impasse. Though May has agreed that the UK will continue to contribute to the EU budget until 2021, the PM wants to be able to select which laws made during this time the UK will have to adhere to. Chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said the UK must adopt all of the laws passed during the transition, without any input from British ministers or MEPs. EPA The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Rights of EU citizens living the UK The Prime Minister has promised EU citizens already living in the UK the right to live and work here after Brexit, but the rights of those who arrive after Brexit day remains unclear. May insists that those who arrive during the transition period should not be allowed to stay, whereas the EU believe the cut-off point should be later. Getty The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Future trade agreement (with the EU) Despite this being a key issue in negotiations, the Government has yet to lay out exactly what it wants from a trade deal with the EU. Infighting within the Cabinet has prevented a solid position from being reached, with some MPs content that "no deal is better than a bad deal" while others rally behind single market access. The EU has already confirmed that access to the single market would be impossible without the UK remaining in the customs union. Getty The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Future trade agreements (internationally) The Government has already begun trying to woo foreign leaders into prospective trade agreements, with various high profile state visits to China, India and Canada for May, and the now infamous invitation to US President Donald Trump to visit London. However the UK cannot make trade agreements with another country while it is still a member of the EU, and the potential loss of trade with the world's major powers is a source of anxiety for the PM. The EU has said the UK cannot secure trade deals during the transition period. EPA The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Financial services Banks in the UK will be hit hard regardless of the Brexit outcome. The EU has refused to give British banks passporting rights to trade within the EU, dashing hopes of a special City deal. However according to new reports Germany has suggested allowing trade on the condition that the UK continues paying into the EU budget even after the transition period. Getty

And Mr Hain, a supporter of the pro-EU Open Britain group, added: It is absolutely incredible that the Prime Minister has appeared to endorse this report and the proposals it contains.

These ideas are more than just stupid, they are dangerous and, if we insisted on pre-registration for travellers, we would be risking immediate civil unrest.

A government spokesman confirmed that Brexit officials were studying the Smart Border 2.0 report, after Ms Mays little-noticed comment in her Commons statement last Monday.

But he added: This isnt our report, it was produced by the EU. Our commitment remains that we want no hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland  and no physical infrastructure at the border.

The Prime Minister has said that any number of times, and the position hasnt changed.

The criticism underlines how the future Irish border is among the most difficult issues in the Brexit negotiations, threatening to wreck the UKs hopes for a deal.

In Dublin, on Friday, Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, warned the EU will stall trade talks until Britain comes up with a workable solution.

The next stage of negotiations would be Ireland first and the UK had yet to put forward a proposal to allay fears, he said.Jeremy Corbyn has been accused of echoing Nigel Farage after vowing to curb foreign workers, in extraordinary criticism from senior Scottish Labour colleagues.

Kezia Dugdale, the former Scottish Labour leader, said the party had allowed the myths of EU immigration rules to be perpetuated after Mr Corbyn called for post-Brexit curbs on low-paid immigration.

And Ian Murray, an ex-Shadow Scottish Secretary, warned the only person smiling after that passage in Jeremys speech would have been Nigel Farage.

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon also accused Labour of sounding like Ukip after Mr Corbyn described foreign nationals as cheap workers. Labour spelling Keir Hardies name wrong was amusing. Hearing them echo Nigel Farage is profoundly depressing, she tweeted.

The fierce criticism came after Mr Corbyns speech to the Scottish Labour conference on Friday was viewed as a significant shift to a Eurosceptic stance.

The Labour leader claimed Brexit would deliver the benefit of preventing firms importing cheap labour to undercut the wages of UK workers.

And he tried to outflank the Prime Minister, accusing her of planning to tie the UK permanently to EU rules, which are used to drive privatisation and block support for British industry.

We cannot be held back, inside or outside the EU, from taking the steps we need to develop and invest in cutting edge industries and local business, stop the tide of privatisation and outsourcing, or from preventing employers being able to import cheap agency labour to undercut existing pay and conditions in the name of free market orthodoxy, Mr Corbyn told the conference in Dundee.

Speaking at a later fringe event, Mr Murray said: Im disappointed that the Labour Party is not making this argument  immigration is good for the United Kingdom and Scotland and we have to be brave enough to stand up and make that point.

The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Show all 8 1 /8 The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Post-Brexit immigration workers sorting radishes on a production line at a farm in Norfolk. One possible post-Brexit immigration scheme could struggle to channel workers towards less attractive roles - while another may heighten the risk of labour exploitation, a new report warns. PA The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Customs union A key point in the negotiations remains Britain's access to, or withdrawal from, the EU customs union. Since the referendum there has been hot debate over the meaning of Brexit: would it entail a full withdrawal from the existing agreement, known as hard Brexit, or the soft version in which we would remain part of a common customs area for most goods, as Turkey does? No 10 has so far insisted that Brexit means Brexit and that Britain will be leaving the customs union, but may be inclined to change its position once the potential risks to the UKs economic outlook become clearer. Alamy The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Northern Ireland-Irish border Though progress was made last year, there has still been no solid agreement on whether there should be a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. To ensure borderless travel on the island, the countries must be in regulatory alignment and therefore adhere to the same rules as the customs union. In December, the Conservative Partys coalition partners, the DUP, refused a draft agreement that would place the UK/EU border in the Irish Sea due to its potential to undermine the union. May has promised that would not be the case and has suggested that a specific solution would need to be found. Getty The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Transition period Despite protests from a small number of Conservative MPs, the Government and the EU are largely in agreement that a transitional period is needed after Brexit. The talks, however, have reached an impasse. Though May has agreed that the UK will continue to contribute to the EU budget until 2021, the PM wants to be able to select which laws made during this time the UK will have to adhere to. Chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said the UK must adopt all of the laws passed during the transition, without any input from British ministers or MEPs. EPA The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Rights of EU citizens living the UK The Prime Minister has promised EU citizens already living in the UK the right to live and work here after Brexit, but the rights of those who arrive after Brexit day remains unclear. May insists that those who arrive during the transition period should not be allowed to stay, whereas the EU believe the cut-off point should be later. Getty The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Future trade agreement (with the EU) Despite this being a key issue in negotiations, the Government has yet to lay out exactly what it wants from a trade deal with the EU. Infighting within the Cabinet has prevented a solid position from being reached, with some MPs content that "no deal is better than a bad deal" while others rally behind single market access. The EU has already confirmed that access to the single market would be impossible without the UK remaining in the customs union. Getty The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Future trade agreements (internationally) The Government has already begun trying to woo foreign leaders into prospective trade agreements, with various high profile state visits to China, India and Canada for May, and the now infamous invitation to US President Donald Trump to visit London. However the UK cannot make trade agreements with another country while it is still a member of the EU, and the potential loss of trade with the world's major powers is a source of anxiety for the PM. The EU has said the UK cannot secure trade deals during the transition period. EPA The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Financial services Banks in the UK will be hit hard regardless of the Brexit outcome. The EU has refused to give British banks passporting rights to trade within the EU, dashing hopes of a special City deal. However according to new reports Germany has suggested allowing trade on the condition that the UK continues paying into the EU budget even after the transition period. Getty

And I was incredibly disappointed to see yesterday that the only person smiling after that passage in Jeremys speech would have been Nigel Farage.

Ms Dugdale said: Our party, a party of internationalism and equality, one that believes in freedom, hope and opportunity, should be one thats at peace with making the positive case for immigration.

A party that doesnt just accept  but proactively argues  that our country is culturally deeper and economically richer because of immigration, not despite it.

A party that states clearly and unequivocally that your troubles finding a job, getting a house, or seeing your doctor are caused by the Tories austerity ideology, not your Polish next-door neighbour.

Every day we fail to do that, is a day in which Nigel Farage and his kin get up smiling.

And Catherine Stihler, co-chair of the Scottish Labour for the Single Market group, said: While some voters are angry about immigration, it is the job of the Labour Party to challenge anti-immigrant sentiment and promote the benefits to our economy and public services.

Elsewhere in his speech, Mr Corbyn insisted last years general election  when the party defied the odds to gain six seats in Scotland  showed it was alive and kicking north of the border.Jeremy Corbyn faces a new push from both Labours left and right wings to make the party adopt a more pro-European stance.

A left-wing group backed by key Corbyn supporters has produced a report calling for the party to ditch Brexit and instead remain and reform in the EU.

It followed another report from the Progress think tank, which has backing from MPs on the partys right, setting out how tackling concern around immigration would allow Labour to commit to staying in the EUs single market.

Recommended UBS to move London jobs to EU as Brexit talks stall

One Labour backbencher told The Independent that now the party had committed to a customs union, pushing for it to also accept the single market was achievable.

The new drive emerged when the left-wing Another Europe is Possible group produced a document called The Corbyn Moment and European Socialism, which says the Labour leader can far better achieve his goals inside the EU.

It argues that the right to free movement has been poorly understood and that concern about companies employing large numbers of cheaper European workers are now being addressed by new EU anti-undercutting rules.

The report then points to recent moves from some EU figures to water down a proposed Europe-wide financial transaction tax (FTT), a European policy backed by Mr Corbyn.

 Jeremy Corbyn accuses Theresa May of presiding over '20 wasted months' of Brexit negotiations

It reads: British support for this policy under Labour could break the logjam and open up its rapid EU-wide introduction.

This would be especially important in the context of the current uncertainty surrounding the FTT.

Weve got the party to commit to shift position towards a customs union, now we need the single market Labour MP

One negative consequence of Brexit is that it has created increased scope and incentive for beggar-thy-neighbour policies, risking a race to the bottom in regulation and tax as financial centres such as Paris and Frankfurt scramble to capture business from London.

The report has the backing of Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association, who called on the left to join forces and prevent Brexit undermining workers rights, while Labour MEP Julie Ward said a Corbyn-led Labour government could successfully push the EU from the inside.

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell and fellow shadow cabinet member Cat Smith are listed on Another Europe is Possibles website as being wider supporters, as is Clive Lewis, a backbencher.

There is no suggestion that they had input into the EU report however, and a spokesman for Mr McDonnell told The Independent he had not seen it.

A spokesman for Mr Corbyns office said: We respect the result of the referendum and have laid out plans for a jobs first Brexit.

The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Show all 8 1 /8 The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Post-Brexit immigration workers sorting radishes on a production line at a farm in Norfolk. One possible post-Brexit immigration scheme could struggle to channel workers towards less attractive roles - while another may heighten the risk of labour exploitation, a new report warns. PA The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Customs union A key point in the negotiations remains Britain's access to, or withdrawal from, the EU customs union. Since the referendum there has been hot debate over the meaning of Brexit: would it entail a full withdrawal from the existing agreement, known as hard Brexit, or the soft version in which we would remain part of a common customs area for most goods, as Turkey does? No 10 has so far insisted that Brexit means Brexit and that Britain will be leaving the customs union, but may be inclined to change its position once the potential risks to the UKs economic outlook become clearer. Alamy The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Northern Ireland-Irish border Though progress was made last year, there has still been no solid agreement on whether there should be a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. To ensure borderless travel on the island, the countries must be in regulatory alignment and therefore adhere to the same rules as the customs union. In December, the Conservative Partys coalition partners, the DUP, refused a draft agreement that would place the UK/EU border in the Irish Sea due to its potential to undermine the union. May has promised that would not be the case and has suggested that a specific solution would need to be found. Getty The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Transition period Despite protests from a small number of Conservative MPs, the Government and the EU are largely in agreement that a transitional period is needed after Brexit. The talks, however, have reached an impasse. Though May has agreed that the UK will continue to contribute to the EU budget until 2021, the PM wants to be able to select which laws made during this time the UK will have to adhere to. Chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said the UK must adopt all of the laws passed during the transition, without any input from British ministers or MEPs. EPA The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Rights of EU citizens living the UK The Prime Minister has promised EU citizens already living in the UK the right to live and work here after Brexit, but the rights of those who arrive after Brexit day remains unclear. May insists that those who arrive during the transition period should not be allowed to stay, whereas the EU believe the cut-off point should be later. Getty The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Future trade agreement (with the EU) Despite this being a key issue in negotiations, the Government has yet to lay out exactly what it wants from a trade deal with the EU. Infighting within the Cabinet has prevented a solid position from being reached, with some MPs content that "no deal is better than a bad deal" while others rally behind single market access. The EU has already confirmed that access to the single market would be impossible without the UK remaining in the customs union. Getty The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Future trade agreements (internationally) The Government has already begun trying to woo foreign leaders into prospective trade agreements, with various high profile state visits to China, India and Canada for May, and the now infamous invitation to US President Donald Trump to visit London. However the UK cannot make trade agreements with another country while it is still a member of the EU, and the potential loss of trade with the world's major powers is a source of anxiety for the PM. The EU has said the UK cannot secure trade deals during the transition period. EPA The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Financial services Banks in the UK will be hit hard regardless of the Brexit outcome. The EU has refused to give British banks passporting rights to trade within the EU, dashing hopes of a special City deal. However according to new reports Germany has suggested allowing trade on the condition that the UK continues paying into the EU budget even after the transition period. Getty

Two days earlier Progress, the philosophical home of the partys right, also published an editorial focussing on continued membership of the single market.

In an article in its monthly magazine it listed 10 ways Britain could better control its borders that would fit with Labour values, deal with the publics concerns and keep us in the single market.

It included measures like counting all migrants in and out of the country, a worker registration system and a Belgium-style no job, no stay approach.

Director and the articles author Richard Angell urged the party to consider the list, saying: It is socialist to take a lead, it is right to engage the public and, if it is done correctly, it could keep Britain in the single market.

It comes on the back of the launch of the Labour Campaign for the Single Market, which calls for a dedicated policy commission on Brexit so that members and supporters can influence the partys position.

Despite having a membership that is broadly pro-European, Labour has had to walk a careful line on Brexit because many of its northern seats heavily backed leaving the EU over concerns related to immigration.

But one senior Labour MP told The Independent that the time had come to revisit the debate, pointing to seats like Wakefield where ex-shadow cabinet minister Mary Creagh had increased her vote by almost 6,000 votes in 2017, despite voting against triggering Article 50.

The MP said: Weve got the party to commit to shift position towards a customs union, now we need the single market. The main block to that is the issue around freedom of movement.

There was a time when the debate on that seemed insurmountable, but that is changing and we need a new discussion on it.A Home Office minister has refused to confirm or deny whether Russian double agent Sergei Skripal was still working for Britains intelligence services.

Ben Wallace said it was a very longstanding policy of governments not to comment on such matters, amid suggestions the spy poisoned with a nerve agent in Salisbury was still active.

The security minister said it was too early to know all of Mr Skripals activities, saying: When it comes to the investigation, we dont assume anything.

Recommended Russian spy Sergei Skripal may have been poisoned at Salisbury home

But he added: It is a very longstanding policy of governments never to confirm or deny whether someone is working for our intelligence services or not.

There are many reason for that, not least of all the security of individuals and so as not to aid our adversaries.

Security services previously told The Independent Mr Skripal was not an active MI6 asset, but may have been targeted for "freelancing" for private firms run by former agents.

Mr Wallace also threatened to retaliate with the full force of the United Kingdoms resources against Mr Skripals attackers, if appropriate  but declined to say what form that action might take.

His comments come after a report that the Russian spy met his former handler from MI6, the foreign intelligence service, every month in a restaurant in the Wiltshire city.

According to The Times and The Sun, Mr Skripal spoke with the former officer in English and Russian and they also discussed a business he runs in Poland.

It raised the question of whether the double agent, who was jailed for passing Russian secrets to MI6 but later settled in the UK after a Cold War-style spy swap, was still involved in intelligence work.

UK news in pictures Show all 49 1 /49 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 18 September 2021 Children take part in the Settrington Cup Pedal Car Race as motoring enthusiasts attend the Goodwood Revival, a three-day historic car racing festival in Goodwood, Chichester, Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2021 Hugo, 7, from London rides past a 4x7 metre rainbow arch, made entirely of recycled aluminium cans, which has been installed by recycling initiative 'Every Can Counts', in partnership with The City of London Corporation in front of St Paul's Cathedral in London, to encourage members of the public to recycle their drinks cans ahead of recycling week, which starts on 20 September PA UK news in pictures 16 September 2021 Sheikeh MOhammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, leader of Abu Dhabi, leaves Downing Street after meeting with Boris Johnson PA UK news in pictures 15 September 2021 Children pose by ice sculptures depicting people collecting water by charity Water Aid to show the fragility of water and the threat posed by climate change in London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 14 September 2021 Heavy rain covers the A149 near Kings Lynn in Norfolk PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2021 Luke Jerram's 'Museum of the Moon' at Durham Cathedral PA UK news in pictures 12 September 2021 Inspirational young fundraiser Tobias Weller crosses the finish line, near his home in Sheffield, as he completes his latest epic feat where he swam and triked his way to the end of his awesome year-long Ironman Challenge. This is the third challenge Tobias, who has cerebral palsy and autism, has completed, raising more than 150,000 for his school and Sheffield Children Hospitals charity PA UK news in pictures 11 September 2021 British player Emma Raducanu, holds up the US Open championship trophy winning the women's singles final of the US Open in New York AP 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

Security sources have told The Independent he may have been using his intelligence contacts to work for private security firms run by former MI5, MI6 and GCHQ spies.

Mr Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, remain unconscious in a critical but stable condition in hospital, after collapsing in Salisbury city centre last Sunday.

Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, who responded when the Skripals collapsed, is also in a serious condition, but has improved and has spoken with medical staff.

The investigation is focused on a likely Russia-inspired assassination attempt, but the authorities are still working to determine where the nerve agent used was manufactured.

The Russian government has vehemently denied any involvement in the attack. Foreign minister Sergey Lavrov condemned pure propaganda, pure fanning of hysterics and hysteria in Britain.

Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, will chair a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee at 3pm on Saturday, to receive updates on the police case.

Around 180 troops, including Royal Marines, RAF Regiment troops and chemical warfare specialists, were deployed in the city on Friday after Scotland Yard requested specialist help.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said armed forces personnel will return to Salisbury in similar numbers on Saturday as the probe and clean-up operation continues.

Mr Wallace told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: We will respond with the full force of the United Kingdom's resources, if that is the appropriate and proportionate thing to do.

We want to make sure that we are effective in whatever our response is. If that is arresting a couple of people and getting them in jail, then that is what we shall do.

There are lots of things that the United Kingdom can do. It is a powerful country with a powerful economy, powerful allies, powerful military and powerful other capabilities and we shall look at those all.A gunman has taken three people hostage at a California veterans home.

Law enforcement authorities from multiple agencies responded to a report in the morning of shots being fired at the Yountville Veterans Home in Napa County, working to clear buildings and establish a perimeter.

A sheriffs deputy exchanged gunfire with the assailant, a California Highway Patrol spokesman said. The suspect released some people before retreating into a room with three hostages, all of whom were employees of a programme called the Pathway Home that works with veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

There were no reported injuries. In the early evening, California Highway Patrol spokesman Sgt Robert Nacke said he knows of no contact on Friday with the gunman or the people who were holed up with him at the veterans home.

There has not been any confirmed communication with the gunman since 10:30 in the morning, he told reporters.

Calling the situation at the veterans home dynamic and active, Mr Nacke said he had no information about the hostages or their conditions.

Police tactical teams are forming plans on how to deal with the ongoing situation, he added.

We have quite a few hostage negotiators working for a peaceful resolution to this, Napa Sheriff John Robertson told reporters in the afternoon, adding that he did not yet know what the suspects potential motivation was.

Authorities said they had identified the shooter but were not yet releasing his name. They said he was believed to have used a rifle but did not identify the model.

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 man named Larry Kamer, who said his wife worked as fundraiser for Pathway Home, told multiple news outlets that the gunman entered a going-away party before seizing hostages.

Napa County Sheriffs officials directed people to avoid the area. The California Highway Patrol said it had deployed officers and a SWAT team to the scene.

Video from the scene showed an armoured vehicle joining police cars in surrounding the facility.

The facility is Americas largest veterans home, according to California, housing some 1,000 people.

Yountville sits in the heart of California wine country, an area known for fine wine and upscale restaurants.Florida has banned marriage for children under 17, after a campaign by a woman who was forced to marry her rapist when she was just 11-years-old.

Sherry Johnson watched from the gallery as the state legislature voted 109-1 to pass a bill removing exemptions allowing boys and girls of any age to marry if a pregnancy was involved.

"My heart is happy," she said afterward. "My goal was to protect our children and I feel like my mission has been accomplished. This is not about me. I survived."

Republican Governor Rick Scott has indicated he will sign the new bill after the House and Senate reached a compromise on its terms.

Florida currently allows children of any age to marry if a pregnancy is involved and a judge approves. Children aged 16 and 17 can marry with the consent or both sets of parents.

In one case a man in his 90s was able to marry a girl aged 16 or 17 and there were several cases of girls marrying men more than twice their age.

An analysis of state statistics revealed 1,828 marriage licenses involving a minor were issued between 2012 and 2016. They included one 13-year-old, seven 14-year-olds and 29 15-year-olds.

The new bill bans marriage for anyone under 17 and prevents 17 year-olds marrying people more than two years older and without parental consent.

The only person to vote against the bill, Republican Representative George Moraitis, had described current law as "very good".

He added: "I don't want the message to be that it's better to not get married."

After the bill was passed, Sherry Johnson was described as "the star" by a sponsor of the bill, Republican Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto.

Ms Johnson was nine when she was raped by a church deacon, 10 when she gave birth to his child and 11 when she got married to him 47 years ago.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

She said her church pressured her mother to consent to the marriage and a judge approved it. Ms Johnson ended up having five more children with her husband before she broke free of the marriage.

"I feel the whole system failed me," Johnson told CBS News. She said that "it would have changed my life" if the child marriage had been banned at the time.

"I would have been a single mother and I think would have done well," she added.

Child marriage is a major issue in the US. Most states have a minimum age of 18 but every state has "loopholes" allowing unions if there is parental consent or pregnancy.

Last year it emerged that more than 200,000 children as young as 10 and 11 got married in the US between 2000 and 2015.

In the last two years Virginia, Texas, Kentucky and New York have all voted to ban or limit child marriage.A coffee shop has banned police officers dressed in uniform in an effort to prevent their customers from becoming upset by their presence.

The ban began when Hasta Muerte in Oakland, California, denied a police officers request to buy a drink last month over fears for the emotional safety of other customers.

And the coffee shop stands by their decision according to a photo uploaded to the stores Instagram page.

Recommended Spain bans police from strip club visits while on duty and in uniform

The post reads: Last Friday, February 16, a police (OPD) entered our shop and was told by one of our worker-owners that we have a policy of asking police to leave for the physical and emotional safety of our customers and ourselves.

Since then, cop supporters are trying to publicly shame us online with low reviews because this particular police visitor was Latino.

He broadcasted to his network that he was refused service at a local business.

The coffee shop continued the post, defending the decision.

We know in our experience working on campaigns against police brutality that we are not alone in saying that police presence compromises our feeling of physical and emotional safety, they wrote.

The post then calls on the community to unite in keeping the neighbourhood, an area faced by drug sales and abuse, homelessness, and toxic masculinity, safe.

Despite the backlash for their decision, including a letter sent to the cafe by the Oakland police union, a ban on police officers is not illegal.

David Sklansky, a Stanford University law professor and co-director of Stanfords Criminal Justice Centre, told Vice: It's not against the law to refuse to serve police officers or any other kind of occupational category. It's like saying, 'Bus drivers are not welcome here,' or, Trash collectors are not welcome.' It's a dumb and insulting thing to do to any group of workers, but it's not illegal.

Since opening their doors last November, Hasta Muerte, which means until death in Spanish, has functioned as a nurturing and inclusive space for people in the neighbourhood - as well as an outspoken advocate for victims of police brutality, according to their website.

Owned and run by people of colour, the shop, which commemorates victims of police brutality on the walls outside, is about a mile from where a police officer fatally shot Oscar Grant, an unarmed black man, in 2009.

The shop's walls commemorate victims of police brutality (Fox 2)

On the coffee shops Instagram, a thank you letter from a customer, which reads: Thank you for providing a space for the people. The ones with melanin who face oppression, who need a space to work, relax and feel at home. You are life, you are love, is proudly featured.

However, not everyone is happy with the coffee shops decision.

The police officer who was denied entry said he was surprised and is looking forward to talking with the owners of the coffee shop and the community.

And on Yelp, the coffee shop is currently being monitored for reviews related to the police ban, as people have reacted strongly to the news.

Prior to the Yelp hold, one reviewer criticised the coffee shop, stating it feels more like an Antifa stronghold.

The Independent has reached out to the owners of Hasta Muerte Coffee for comment.A conjoined twin who was separated from her sister after a seven-hour operation has finally been allowed home after spending almost a-year-and-a-half in hospital.

Anna Grace Richards was attached to sister Hope Elizabeth at the chest and abdomen when they were born at Texas Childrens Hospital in Houston in December 2016.

A team of 75 doctors successfully separated them in January and, after a 428-day stay at the hospital, Anna Grace was discharged.

Her family including, father Michael and older brothers Collin and Seth said they were hopeful that Hope Elizabeth who remained in hospital, would be discharged in the near future.

Their mother, Jill Richards, discovered she was carrying conjoined children during a routine ultrasound and later gave birth to the pair via Caesarean-section at 35 weeks.

Weighing a combined 9lbs 12 oz, Anna and Hope shared a chest wall, diaphragm and liver.

Complicating matters further, the sisters shared the same pericardial sac  the lining of the heart  and a large blood vessel connecting their hearts.

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 success of this incredibly complex surgery was the result of our dedicated team members hard work throughout the last year, said Dr Larry Hollier, surgeon-in-chief and chief of plastic surgery at Texas Childrens.

Through simulations and countless planning meetings, we were able to prepare for situations that could arise during the separation.

We are thrilled with the outcome and look forward to continuing to care for Anna and Hope as they recover.Cuba will take its first step this weekend towards selecting a new president  the first time in nearly 60 years that the office will not be occupied by a member of the Castro family.

More than 8m Cubans are expected to turn out for the election on 11 March, according to government-funded outlet Telesur. Voters will select members of the National Assembly of Peoples Power, who will go on to pick the countrys next president.

Below is everything you need to know about the elections, and what they could mean for the country.

Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Show all 20 1 /20 Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Pictures of everyday life in Cuba A man rides his modified bicycle past a vintage American car in Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba A taxi sits parked by Ancon Beach waiting for returning bathers in Trinidad Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Afrocuban carnival group "Los componedores de batea" performing in the streets of La Habana Vieja Rex Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Pastel colours for an ice-cream place and a vintage American car in Cienfuegos after sunset Rex Pictures of everyday life in Cuba A man on the phone in a bookshop in Old Havana (Habana Vieja) selling books and displaying propaganda poster of the Cuban Revolution Rex Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Street Musicians in Santiago De Cuba Rex Pictures of everyday life in Cuba A man works to repair his classic American car after it broke down along the Prado, a wide avenue that runs from Parque Central to the Malecon seafront highway, in Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Members of the 'Ladies in White,' a group founded by the partners and relatives of jailed dissidents that regularly protests against the Cuban government, demonstrate on the streets of Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Street vegetables vendor in Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba The sun setting through the palm trees and creates long shadows on the pool deck at this resort in Cuba Varadero Rex Pictures of everyday life in Cuba General view of a street in Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba A girls plays on a street in Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Girls walk past graffiti art along the Paseo de Marti, the wide boulevard that runs through the heart of the historic Old Havana neighborhood in Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba A woman smokes her Havana cigar Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba A man harvests tobacco leaves for drying at a tobacco drying house on a co-op plantation in Pinar del Rio Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Men play chess on a street in Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Locals take part in a gay parade in Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Scene of the Memories Paraiso Azul resort in Santa Maria Key Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Beach on the Bay of Pigs, Zapata Peninsula Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Divers swimming above coral reef in Caribbean Sea Rex

How will the elections effect Raul Castro and the presidency?

Raul Castro, the countrys leader since 2008, announced in 2013 that this would be his last five-year term as president. The newly elected members of the National Assembly will be charged with choosing the new president in April.

Recommended The ultimate guide to Havana

When Mr Castro is replaced, it will be the first time since the countrys 1959 revolution that someone other than Raul or his brother, Fidel, holds the office. Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel is widely viewed as a favourite for the role.

Mr Castro was expected to step down in February, but pushed the election by two months following Hurricane Irma, which caused $13bn in damages across the island nation. After stepping down, Mr Castro will continue to serve as head of the Communist Party  a job with almost as much power as the incoming president.

 Trump says a America has 'rejected the Cuban people's oppressors'

Who are Cubans voting into office now?

Voters will cast their ballots on Sunday for one of the 612 members of the National Assembly of People's Power  Cubas national legislative authority.

Assembly members are elected for five-year terms, and are charged with selecting the Council of State, which consists of one president, one first vice president, five vice presidents, one secretary and 23 other members.

The National Assembly is also responsible for deciding on the constitutionality of laws, and making changes to the Constitution if necessary.

50 years of Castro Show all 3 1 /3 50 years of Castro 50 years of Castro 108530.bin REUTERS 50 years of Castro 108531.bin GETTY IMAGES 50 years of Castro 108532.bin GETTY IMAGES

How do the elections work?

Cubas elections are a multi-pronged process that start with the election of municipal representatives and end with the selection of the president. Voters went to the polls in September to elect their local representatives, and will return on 11 March to choose their national legislators.

The candidates in this election were chosen by government-linked organisations, based on criteria such as their merit, patriotism, ethical values and revolutionary history.

Candidates need at least 50 per cent of the votes in their district to win. If the 50 per cent threshold is not met, the seat remains open unless the Council of State decides to hold another election.

Telesur reports that the country trained some 200,000 people to run the more than 24,000 polling stations this year.Drug dealers could be executed in the US under a policy reportedly being looked at by Donald Trump's administration.

In one of a number of proposals being examined, prosecutors could be given the go-ahead to pursue the death penalty in cases involving the trafficking of the synthetic drug fentanyl, given that small doses of it can be fatal.

It would come as part of a wider crackdown on opioids, which claimed the lives of more than 60,000 Americans in 2016, The Washington Post reported.

The class of drug that acts on the nervous system includes heroin as well as everyday pain relievers that can be bought over the counter, but can lead to addictions and fatal overdoses.

Mr Trump has reportedly spoken in private about giving the death penalty for dealers, believing that it has been a successful way to tackle the drug problem in nations such as Singapore.

Officials from the country have briefed White House staff on its policies to deal with the issue which includes treatment and education for users but also the death penalty for traffickers.

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 president has also praised the hardline approach in the Philippines, praising President Rodrigo Duterte for his unbelievable job. Thousands have been killed in extrajudicial police killings in the countrys war on drugs.

Mr Trump said at a White House summit on opioids last week: "Some countries have a very tough penalty, the ultimate penalty, and they have much less of a drug problem than we do.

Courts can only hand down executions in the US in cases involving drugs when it involves the murder or the death of a law enforcement officer.

Mr Trumps administration has already called for harsher penalties for traffickers as part of his response to the opioid crisis in the US.

The official heading the White Houses strategy on the problem is Kellyanne Conway.

There is an appetite among many law enforcement, health professionals and grieving families that we must toughen up our criminal and sentencing statutes to match the new reality of drugs like fentanyl, which are so lethal in such small doses," she told news website Axios.

"The president makes a distinction between those that are languishing in prison for low-level drug offenses and the kingpins hauling thousands of lethal doses of fentanyl into communities, that are responsible for many casualties in a single weekend."

The White House did not reply for comment over reports that it would seek the death penalty for drug traffickers.Donald Trump has pardoned a US Navy sailor who took pictures aboard a classified nuclear submarine and tried to defend his actions in court, by citing Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server.

Petty officer Kristian Saucier, 29, was found guilty of espionage charges after taking six images of the propulsion system in the engine room of USS Alexandria on his phone, while he was working there as a mechanic.

At trial his lawyer had argued that the photos did not compare to the some 30,000 work emails Ms Clinton sent on a private server when Secretary of State.

She was cleared of any wrongdoing in two FBI investigations, but a court nevertheless jailed Saucier for a year in August, 2016.

On his presidential campaign trail, Mr Trump had said Saucier had been ruined for doing nothing compared to his then Democratic rival.

As president, he had now pardoned Saucier - but only after he had completed his full 12 month sentence in July of last year.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders saying Mr Trump was "appreciative" of his service to the nation.

"He has been recognised by his fellow service members for his dedication skill and patriotic spirit," Sanders said.

Mr Trump later tweeted: "Congratulations to Kristian Saucier, a man who has served proudly in the Navy, on your newly found Freedom. Now you can go out and have the life you deserve!"

Saucier's attorney, Ronald Daigle Jr, said his client was "ecstatic. He's so grateful that the president saw there was an injustice in this matter and he took action on it."

Saucier had admitted in his trial that he was aware that he did not have the authority to take the photos but took them anyway so he could one day show his family and his future children what he did while he was in the Navy", his defence said, according to court papers reported by CNN.

A pardon does not wipe out a criminal record but it allows those convicted of a crime to get around the usual penalties imposed for federal crimes. It means they can continue to be eligible to work for the federal government, for example, and it "should lessen the stigma arising from the conviction", according to the Justice Department, NBC News reported.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

Mr Trump pardoned Saucier in his second such act as president. He pardoned Joe Arpaio, a former six-term sheriff of metro Phoenix, in August. He had ignored a judges order not to take suspected undocumented migrants into custody and was later convicted of criminal contempt.

Additional reporting by Associated PressA rare "one in a million" set of identical triplets have returned home with their parents after being born six weeks premature.

Ron, Elkanah and Abishai Choge weighed between 3.4 pounds and 4.5 pounds on arrival at the Truman Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri, last month.

The boys spent two weeks in the neo-natal intensive care unit preparing for the outside world.

As they left hospital father Caleb, a pilot, joked that he and partner Nicole can still barely tell their sons apart.

Our little guy here, Ron, is a little smaller than his brothers - about a pound smaller - so we know him by size, he told KCTV. These two, we know them by their arm bands, their hospital arm bands.

The couple, who already have a two year-old son, were living in Kenya when Nicole fell pregnant and moved to the Kansas City area to be near her parents.

They were told at first they were going to have twins, only for a later scan to reveal it was in fact triplets.

Parents Caleb and Nicole Choge with their newborn sons Ron, Elkanah and Abishai (Choge Family)

Caleb, who is applying for immigration papers so he can work in the US, said: "My mind as the dad was very excited. My first thought is, Our car doesn't fit. I need a bigger car.'"

We were hoping for a second child, he added. I prayed, my wife prayed and our son Corban prayed. God answered all three of our prayers."

Because each child was growing in separate amniotic sacs, Nicole was able to choose not to have a C-section.

Thanking the local community for their support, Nicole said: The people have come around us and have really helped. People we dont know have really come out to support us.

The boys surprised doctors with their development. They dont act like theyre premature, Charlie Shields, president and CEO of Truman Medical Centers, told ABC.

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

Dr Josh Petrikin estimated the chances of having identical triplets was one in a million, although one study put the odds as high as one in 30 million.

When you come a month and a half early, youre at risk for all sorts of complications," he told InsideEdition.com. These boys dont seem to realize that and are doing better than expected for their gestational age.

A Gofundme page set up by a friend of the family to support the triplets has so far raised just over $2,000 (1,400) out of the $15,000 (10,800) target.

"These parents are the most modest, biggest hearted people I know," wrote Rachel Myers on the site.

"There are three more minds to teach, three more hearts to encourage, three times as many laughs to be had, and three additional mouths to feed.

"If God puts it on your heart to donate to this deserving family, do so, and if not, prayers are equally appreciated and welcomed."President Donald Trump has said that a deal with North Korea is very much in the making, a day after it was announced that he would meet with the regimes leader Kim Jong-un.

The deal with North Korea is very much in the making and will be, if completed, a very good one for the World, the President tweeted.

Time and place to be determined, he added, most likely referring to where his meeting with Mr Kim would take place.

The President did not include details about what kind of deal is being made, but he has indicated that the US will accept nothing less in an agreement than the total denuclearisation of North Korea.

On Thursday, Mr Trump confirmed that he had accepted Mr Kims invitation to meet, a stunning announcement that followed months of rising tensions between the US and North Korea over the latters continued development of its nuclear and ballistic weapons programme.

South Koreas National Security Advisor Chung Eui-Yong told reporters at the White House that North Korea expressed a willingness to refrain from testing missiles and nuclear weapons and said Mr Trump pledged to meet by May in an effort to achieve permanent denuclearisation.

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

In a statement, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, We look forward to the denuclearisation of North Korea.

In the meantime, all sanctions and maximum pressure must remain, she added. Mr Trump also said in a tweet that sanctions will remain until an agreement is reached.

During a press briefing on Thursday evening, a senior administration official said that at this point were not even talking about negotiations.

What were talking about is an invitation by the leader of North Korea to meet face to face with the President of the United States, the official said. The President has accepted that invitation.US allies looking to avoid being imposed with Donald Trumps new tariffs on steel and aluminium may have to increase their financial contributions to Nato, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has suggested.

Mr Mnuchin told CNBC that Mr Trump would consider national security when determining which countries could be exempt from the tariffs, noting that the President wants to ensure that Nato gets more funding from European allies.

If were in Nato, he wants to make sure that Nato gets more money so that Nato can protect all of us and fulfill its goal, Mr Mnuchin said. The President, who has criticised European countries for not contributing enough to the military alliance, has pushed Nato allies to spend at least 2 per cent of their GDP on defence.

Mr Trumps alleged authority to impose sweeping 25 per cent tariffs on steel and 10 per cent for aluminium stems from a Commerce Department investigation that concluded last month that imported metal threatened national security by degrading the American industrial base.

The Presidents protectionist move drew opposition from world leaders and members of his own political party. After a week of intense lobbying, he agreed to exempt Canada and Mexico from the tariffs, which go into effect later this month.

Unless they also receive exemptions, South Korea, China, Japan, Germany, Turkey and Brazil could be hit by the tariffs.

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 president can do exemptions and my expectation is there may be some other countries that he considers in the next two weeks, Mr Mnuchin told CNBC.

He added that exemptions for specific products would be decided by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.

He will be publishing regulations very quickly on how those products could be exempt, Mr Mnuchin said.

Earlier in the day, Mr Trump suggested that he would exempt Australia after speaking with the countrys prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull.

Spoke to PM @TurnbullMalcolm of Australia, Mr Trump tweeted. He is committed to having a very fair and reciprocal military and trade relationship. Working very quickly on a security agreement so we dont have to impose steel or aluminum tariffs on our ally, the great nation of Australia!An eight-hour stand off with police at a California veterans home ended with four people dead including the gunman, who is believed to have taken his own life.

Police discovered the bodies at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville, which treats veterans for post-traumatic stress disorder, following a suspected hostage situation.

The gunman, identified as Albert Wong, was a 36-year-old former patient who had served as an Army rifleman in Afghanistan.

He is thought to have slipped into a leaving party mid-morning on Friday at the not-for-profit treatment organisation Pathway Home, which operates a rehabilitation centre on the Yountville property.

Authorities described workers inside the building as hostages throughout the day, although it is unclear how long they were held alive for.

Police said shots had been fired as Wong entered the party and they had been unable to make contact with him before the four bodies were found later that evening.

The victims have now been identified as Pathway Home employees Christine Loeber, 48, Jennifer Golick, 42, and clinical psychologist for the San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs Jennifer Gonzalez, 29.

California Highway Patrol Assistant Chief Chris Childs said it was far too early to say if Wong had chosen his victims at random as investigators were yet to establish his motive.

The centre is home to around 1,200 veterans from all conflicts since the Second World War (AP)

This is a tragic piece of news, one we were really hoping we would not have to come before the public to give, he said.

Pathway Home paid tribute to the workers who died in the shooting in a statement.

These brave women were accomplished professionals who dedicated their careers to serving our nations veterans, working closely with those in the greatest need of attention after deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, the organisation said.

California Governor Jerry Brown said flags would be flown at half mast at the capitol building and that he and his wife are deeply saddened by the horrible violence.

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

Yvette Bennett, a wound-care supply worker who supplies the veterans centre, was turned back when she tried to deliver what she called urgently needed medical supplies for two patients inside.

She said the facility was the most placid, calm, serene place, she had worked and had asked a doctor earlier this week: Whats your magic here?

And then 48 hours later this happens.

The veterans home is situated in the heart of Californias wine country (AP)

Yountville is situated some 50 miles north of San Francisco and has a population of around 3,000, a third of whom live on the grounds of the veterans home.

In the heart of Californias Napa Valley wine country, it is home to several vineyards as well as two Michelin-starred restaurants.

The Veterans Home of California in Yountville was established in the town in 1884 and houses around 1,200 elderly and disabled former soldiers who served in conflicts from the Second World War to the Iraq War.

Additional reporting by Associated PressRussian President Vladimir Putin has suggested Jews and other minorities in Russia, including Tatars and Ukranians, could be to blame for meddling in the US presidential election.

Maybe theyre not even Russians, he told NBC News. Maybe theyre Ukrainians, Tatars, Jews, just with Russian citizenship. Even that needs to be checked.

The Independent contacted Jewish organisations both in Britain and the US for comment. None responded at the time of publication.

The CIA concluded that Moscow interfered in the 2016 presidential election  leaking hacked Democratic communications and flooding social media with misinformation.

Last month, the FBI charged 13 Russians and three companies for running what it claims was a cyber warfare movement based in the Russian city of St Petersburg.

But Mr Putin said he couldnt care less if they were Russians.

So what if theyre Russians? he said. There are 146 million Russians. So what?

He added: They do not represent the interests of the Russian state. Maybe they have dual citizenship. Or maybe a green card. Maybe it was the Americans who paid them for this work. How do you know? I dont know.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

Mr Putin said that even if the FBI investigation found that the Russian nationals and companies were guilty of meddling in the US elections, it may not amount to a crime in Russia.

We in Russia cannot prosecute anyone as long as they have not violated Russian law, he said. Give us an official request. And well take a look at it.

Mr Trump himself has dismissed the claims his campaign colluded with Moscow, and added that if it had it would not have amounted to a crime.Jackie Chan has sponsored a bill urging Beijing to introduce laws to protect Chinas national dignity from insults.

The martial arts film star is one of 38 top political advisers who signed a proposal calling for affronts to the countrys history, heroes and martyrs be punishable as crimes.

State media said the proposal had been put forward amid a worrying phenomenon in Chinese society  similar to neo-Nazism in Europe  in which people make fun of martyrs and victims of historical atrocity.

Recommended China jails men who posed in Japanese army uniforms at massacre site

They are the scum of Chinese people, Foreign Minister Wang Yi was quoted as saying.

Last month two Chinese men were detained by police after they were pictured wearing Japanese World War II army uniforms at the site of one of the conflicts worst atrocities.

Insulting the Chinese national flag, emblem and anthem is already punishable under the countrys law.

But the advisers want to extend legislation to criminalise affronts to Chinese dignity, history, heroes and martyrs and actions by Chinese citizens that promote Japanese militarism and Nazism in China.

The proposal was put forward by He Yunao, a history professor from Nanjing University, and co-signed by 37 other members of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

The individual has dignity, but the nation also has dignity, said Mr He.

Mr Chan has not commented publicly on the bill, but the Hong Kong-born action star has previously spoken in favour of Chinas authoritarian rule.

Im not sure if its good to have freedom or not, he said in 2009.

Im gradually beginning to feel that we Chinese need to be controlled. If were not being controlled, well just do what we want.

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 remarks incensed pro-democracy legislators in Hong Kong, but Mr Chan was rewarded for his support for Chinas one-party rule by an invitation in 2013 to serve on the CPPCC.

The political consultative conference gives recommendations to the National Peoples Congress, although many are never followed up.

This week Mr Chan was in attendance as a delegate at the congress, where state media reported patriotic discussions were taking place about protecting the countrys national dignity.

The Independent has contacted Mr Chans representatives for a comment.Explosive eruptions at a volcano featured in a James Bond film have prompted authorities in Japan to issue heightened warnings of flying rocks within 2.5 miles of the crater.

Increasing the alert to level three following two huge blasts at Mount Shinmoedake, the Japan Meteorological Agency said that rocks more than 50cm wide could be hurled from the volcano, which was used in You Only Live Twice as the exterior of the villain Blofelds secret rocket base.

Molten lava was seen running down one side of the crater.

One of Japans most dangerous volcanoes, Shinmoedake has been shooting ash and smoke into the air for five days, restricting entry to the 4,660ft mountain and causing the cancellation of flights from the nearby Kagoshima airport.

Residents living nearby were also warned about pyroclastic flows  hot gas and volcanic debris that race down the slopes at high speeds, incinerating or vaporising everything in their path.

Japan has 110 active volcanoes and the alerts range from level two, Do not approach the crater, to level five, Evacuate.

In January a soldier was killed and at least 11 injured after an eruption at Kusatsu-Shirane.

The activity at Shinmoedake is expected to last several months.A former Catalan regional government minister wanted in connection with last autumns independence referendum has headed to Scotland from her previous self-imposed exile in Belgium.

Clara Ponsati, who fled with former regional premier Carles Puigdemont to Brussels in late October, has returned to work as an economics lecturer at the University of St Andrews.

Ms Ponsati took a sabbatical from the university last summer to take up a post as education minister in the now-deposed Catalan government.

Recommended Catalan independence leader flees country rather than face trial

Although there is a Spanish warrant for her arrest, the European arrest warrant issued in November for Ms Ponsati was withdrawn by Spains Supreme Court early last December.

In Spain, she and four other former ministers including Mr Puigdemont face charges of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds. The former charge alone carries a sentence of up to 30 years.

The Spanish judicial authorities argued at the time of withdrawing the European warrant that maintaining its validity could create subsequent legal complications because evidence had shown the allegations were for a wider group.

It first emerged Ms Ponsati may have left Belgium on Thursday when she apparently did not form part of a group of former councillors interviewed by a Catalan newspaper.

She confirmed her move to the UK on her Twitter account on Saturday morning, posting: Catalan exile reaches the United Kingdom. Enjoying my freedom of movement as a European citizen, this week I am now back at the University of St Andrews.

Her tweet included what appeared to be a picture of the Scottish coastline.

Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence Catalan independence supporters react to the news that the Catalan Parliament voted to declare independence Getty Images Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence Catalan separatists react as the Catalan Parliament votes the independence of Catalonia Rex Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence People react as they celebrate the unilateral declaration of independence of Catalonia AP Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence Catalan government members, pro independence deputies, and Mayors from pro indpendence towns sing the Catalan anthem REUTERS Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence People celebrate after the approval of the declaration of a uniteral independence EPA Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence Catalan pro-independence mayors raise their batons as they gather in the parliament AFP/Getty Images Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence Catala president Carles Puigdemont sings the Catalan anthem AFP/Getty Images Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence Protesters shouts slogans during a rally outside the Catalan Parliament AP Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence People react as they watch on giant screens a plenary session outside the Catalan regional parliament REUTERS Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence An aerial view shows thousands of people gathering near the Catalan regional Parliament EPA Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence Protesters during a rally outside the Catalan Parliament AP Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence People react as they watch on giant screens REUTERS Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence Leftist party CUP leader Anna Gabriel casts her ballot REUTERS Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence A protester reacts AP Catalan parliament votes on independence: in pictures Catalan parliament votes for independence Popular Party leader Xavier Garcia Albiol gestures REUTERS

In a video interview with Catalan news website Vilaweb, Ms Ponsati said she decided to return to Scotland for practical and personal reasons. She has apparently agreed with former President Mr Puigdemont to give up her position as education minister.

Ms Ponsati also reportedly pledged to continue fighting for Catalan independence while in the UK.

Her return to Britain means former members of the Catalan government or top politicians wanted for questioning over their role in the independence movement are now in exile in three European countries: Belgium, Switzerland and the UK.

While Ms Ponsati remains wanted in Madrid, she does not face arrest in Britain due to the revocation of the European arrest warrant.

Although Spain could choose to reissue the warrant should her move to the UK be confirmed, this did not happen when Mr Puigdemont briefly visited Denmark from Brussels nor when Anna Gabriel, a former far-left MP, left Catalonia for Switzerland.

Recommended Catalan leader denies giving up on independence after text leak

The Swiss justice department had indicated it would would not grant extradition for any political offences if sought by Spain.

The UKs National Crime Agency, which processes extradition requests from European countries, said it did not comment on individual cases. It added any arrest under European warrants would be carried out by the relevant British police force.

The Independent has contacted Ms Ponsati for a comment.

A spokesman for the University of St Andrews said: Professor Clara Ponsati was granted a sabbatical from her post as a senior academic in the School of Economics and Finance to serve as a minister in the Generalitat de Catalunya.

We are delighted that she has recently returned to her research work at St Andrews.Wait a second. Werent we told all would be OK with Donald Trump in the Oval Office because thered be enough grown-ups around him to keep him in check? On taking the oath he had the cream of the crop of Republican policy experts in Washington DC to choose from. Academics and wonks aching to come out of eight years of Obama-induced hibernation.

Even at the start, it didnt work out quite that way. Trump was elected in part because he had made expert a derogatory term. Likewise establishment, to which almost all the more obvious candidates for positions in his West Wing clearly belonged. On top of that, he had stamped his feet and ruled out hiring anyone who had not been supportive of him during the campaign.

That limited his hiring pool somewhat. The result was Javanka, Bannon and Michael Flynn. Good Lord, he even named Omarosa spokesperson for the White Houses Office of Public Liaison. Unlike Javanka, she is only one person, by the way. Her qualification for public service? A sizzling career as a contestant on The Apprentice.

Spin-the-bottle drama ensued. Flynn was fired. (He awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to lying about talking to Russians.) Bannon was fired for getting too big for his boots. Reince Priebus was fired as Chief of Staff for, in Trumps view, failing to fill his boots. Sean Spicer was ousted as spokesman because he was too easy for Melissa McCarthy to lampoon. I forget why Omarosa was let go, but she was.

There may have been brief periods, however, when the West Wing could have been described as functioning, more or less. Foreign policy types in the GOP, like Senator John McCain, were reassured that the man who replaced Flynn as National Security Advisor was HR McMaster, a widely respected retired general. And they trusted John Mattis over at the Pentagon.

But that Trump had proved unable or unwilling to achieve a modicum of stability within his own inner circle was highlighted by the Brookings Institution on the first anniversary of his coming to office. His bleed-rate of A Team advisors in his first year, it reported, had far outstripped that all of all his five immediate predecessors, double the rate even of Ronald Reagan, the previous leader in the field.

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

Now its got a lot worse. Rob Porter, the Staff Secretary who with Chief of Staff John Kelly was in charge of smoothing the flow of papers to the Oval Office desk, was fired last month, in bungled fashion, after it emerged he was a wife-abuser. (Two of them.) Hope Hicks, Trumps Director of Communications, has since announced her departure. And now Gary Cohn, his top economic advisor, is taking his leave after falling out with the boss over tariffs.

What we have now, clearly, is a West Wing in deep disarray. We know this because Trump has seen the need publicly to insist otherwise. Believe me, everyone wants to work in the White House, Mr Trump said during a news conference last week with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven. They want a piece of the Oval Office, they want a piece of the West Wing.

No they dont. Equally unconvincing was his tweeted claim that turmoil is healthy. The new Fake News narrative is that there is CHAOS in the White House. Wrong! People will always come & go, and I want strong dialogue before making a final decision. I still have some people that I want to change (always seeking perfection). There is no Chaos, only great Energy!

Perfection in the West Wing? By every reckoning its a miserable place to be. Those left behind frequently are doing multiple jobs at once, because there are now so many gaps. They are left with vacancies atop of vacancies, said Kathryn Dunn-Tenpas of Brookings, which now estimates that turnover in the Trump inner circle has reached a mad 43 per cent. That kind of turnover creates a lot of disruption, she said, not least because those who have already gone have taken so much policy and institutional knowledge with them.

Many are exhausted for other reasons. They fear they too may have a target on their backs working for a boss who has demonstrated not a scintilla of loyalty to anyone but himself. They worry about getting caught up in the ongoing probe by special counsel Robert Mueller into Russia and the legal fees they could incur. Worse, if they also head for the exits finding new jobs may be tough because having the Trump White House on their resume is not exactly helpful.

But leave many still will, whether by their own volition or after being pushed. There have been waves of speculation about both McMaster and Kelly. Ivanka and Jared equally appear to be on the ropes. There was even a report this week that Trump had lost patience with Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the current spokesperson, for being insufficiently fierce with reporters seeking comment on Trumps past relations with Stormy Daniels, a one-time adult film star.

Where is this all taking us? For one, its evident, now that Cohn has thrown in the towel, that the forces that were dedicated to containing Trumps anti-globalist instincts have finally been routed. In the ascendant are Wilbur Ross, the Commerce Secretary, and Peter Navarro, Director of Trade and Industrial Policy, both of whom share his zeal for protectionism.

We may not be there quite yet  there is still life in the West Wing beyond the closed door of the Oval Office  but increasingly this is becoming a presidency if not quite of one then of a very few. Any president being left to his or her own devices would be inherently unhealthy. No leader, however smart, however wise, however filled with energy, can be a good caretaker of their country if they are bereft of good and steady counsel.

But when that leader is Donald Trump it is especially unnerving.A Trump-Kim Jong-un summit is only a cautious first step in the complex long-haul diplomatic hustle and bustle to denuclearise North Korea. However optimism for successful and permanent nuclear weapons deproliferation of the Korean Peninsula is constrained by the inexplicable exclusion of China, North Koreas advocates and Japan, whose island territories Kims armed missiles have recently overflown to great alarm.

Without a five-way agreement that encompasses agreements of both Koreas, the United States, China and Japan, the US-North Korea summit is unlikely to broker a reliable and lasting peace in Far East Asia.

Joseph Ting

Carina, Australia

The cost of re-election

If Theresa May can find 410m to give to the DUP, then all she has done has prove that her own personal survival is much more important to her than the rest of us struggling with the NHS, with the lack of money to deal with rough sleepers. I could go on and on.

I promise Im not stupid enough not to realise that the only thing that really matters to an MP is getting re-elected. But at this cost, Theresa May should be ashamed of herself.

Steve Mumby

Bournemouth

Bright dyslexic children need help too

According to Philip Kirby (Mums the Word, 8 March), the battle for recognition of dyslexia was fought for and won by a group of pioneering women in the Seventies. As a result of their determination, government ultimately recognised the condition, an evidence base for diagnosis was established and its now recognised that dyslexia can occur across the spectrum of intellectual abilities. Sadly, it took just one man to undermine all these achievements.

As Education Minister (2010-14), Michael Gove changed the boundaries that determined whether a child was sufficiently disadvantaged to benefit from a range of concessions in public exams. Prior to this, diagnosis and proof of need were based on a significant discrepancy between high and low scores in a complex range of tests carried out by an educational psychologist. Mr Gove decided that need was only evidenced by below-average scores. So a bright child with learning difficulties suddenly no longer qualified for support.

If the story of dyslexias pioneers serves as a warning against the gains that could be lost, perhaps it can also flag up to the Government what has already been lost and overturn Mr Goves regressive ruling so that all children with significant learning difficulties, however bright, have an equal chance of reaching their full potential.

Deborah Richardson

London

We need the Lib Dems

The Lib Dems need to come back to the voice of protest. The anti-war, free education and training, renewable energy, and social responsibility policies are the ones of the future. It is only when people have something to move towards that they will move to Lib Dems.

Martin Rayner

Windemere

A Labour-Lib Dem pact

Andrew Grice refloats an old idea, tried many times over the years (A below the radar agreement could deliver a victory for Labour and save the Lib Dems from extinction, 9 March), and while I would applaud the former, the latter holds no attraction to me.

In my local District of Suffolk in the late Nineties a prospective Labour district councillor was approached by the then Lib Dem incumbent with a plan: the Labour man would withdraw his candidacy to ensure a Lib Dem victory.

This may seem one-sided, but they were on friendly terms, both active in their community, and the Lib Dem confided that he had been about to defect to Labour for some time. Late in the day the Labour man withdrew his candidacy and the Lib Dem won the seat, but did not defect to Labour.

It would have to be not only well below the radar but deep underground as LP rules forbid such deals and there is no love lost between the two parties at the grass roots.

Eddie Dougall

Bury St Edmunds

We need the latte levy

Is it any wonder that plastic platitudes have not been followed through with action by Theresa May?

Is it surprising that our Environment Secretary  Gove, who lambasted experts during the EU referendum  should ignore informed opinion now?

This is, after all, the party that when in government back in 2013 rejected plain packaging on cigarette packets despite compelling positive evidence of the success and benefit to health of this in places like Australia.

Amanda Baker

EdinburghLets look long-term for a change. This year will in all probability see two seismic shifts in the global economic league table. China will pass the Eurozone to become the worlds second-largest currency area. And India will pass the UK and France to become the worlds fifth largest economy.

I was aware of the second possibility, and the Centre for Business and Economic Research published a report in December predicting that this would happen. But I had not spotted the first until a Bloomberg story pointed this out earlier this week.

It reported: Chinas gross domestic product is forecast to reach about $13.2 trillion in 2018, beating the $12.8 trillion combined total of the 19 countries that use the euro.

There is still some way to go before China passes the EU, but with the UK leaving the union that will happen sometime in the middle 2020s.

Does it matter that the developed world, or rather the present developed world for there is a new developed world being created alongside it, should be losing ground?

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In one sense no, because we are reverting to a power balance that has existed for most of the past 2,000 or more years, when China and India have been much larger economies than Europe and America.

Europe and then the US only leapt ahead because of the Industrial Revolution, and  though this is more contentious  because western policies towards China and India may have slowed the transfer of western technology.

That debate is for the economic historians to ponder. What is beyond dispute is that Chinas gradual adoption of a market economy and western technology since 1978 has propelled its recent growth, and that the more recent reforms in India have enabled it to surpass China in economic growth.

As a result it is very hard to see China not passing the US in economic size sometime around 2030, and India passing Japan to become number three about a decade later.

So by 2050 the world economy will be back to the sort of balance that it was in around 1820, before the Industrial Revolution really got going. The order will be China, the US, India, Japan, and Germany  with the UK after that.

Recommended How capitalism without growth could build a more stable economy

But if we simply have to accept this, there are ways that the West can help shape the world economy in a positive way.

For a start, the US can be pretty confident that it will remain the single most important cultural, technical and intellectual power for another generation at least.

China will be the only challenger, for neither Europe nor Japan can match it. The UK has the only universities that can give the US a run for its money. In military terms, it will remain number one: the only country able to project power across the world.

Second, the institutions that the US helped create after the Second World War  the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the World Trade Organisation and so on  have been the base on which the world has seen the greatest burst of prosperity and the fastest narrowing of global income differentials that the world has ever known.

We are all aware of the faults of those bodies, but we should also be aware of their overall success.

 Donald Tusk says EU-UK relationship will be worse after Brexit

The question is how to pass over more of the stewardship of these institutions to the emerging economies. How, for example, can the Group of 20, which has replaced the Group of Seven as the main coordinating body for economic issues, become less unwieldy? (The G20 includes the main emerging economies, whereas the G7 are just the developed countries.)

Third, there is one absolutely crucial relationship: that between the US and China. There are others of course, notably between India the rest of the subcontinent, and China, that matter too.

We all should worry about the Middle East, and I think also should worry about Russia coping with its declining power (and population) by trying to destabilise Europe  also a region in long-term relative decline, though not as fast as Russia.

But the one that must not go wrong is the pivot between China and the US. Some see this in terms of the US handing over the baton of responsibility to China, but realistically that will not happen. They have to share it  to somehow carry it together.

These are huge issues. They are issues that make the little matter of the UKs future relationship with Europe seem a sideshow. The only message I take from this is that it is in the self-interest of both the UK and Europe to have an amicable debate rather than an ill-tempered one.

As for the message from China passing the eurozone, and India passing the UK, we should I suggest respect and acknowledge what is happening. To come back to earth, next time you see one of the new hybrid London taxis note that they are made by the subsidiary of a Chinese company, Geely.

And when you see a Jaguar or Land-Rover, remember their revival has been under its Indian owner, Tata.The North Kingston School Committee showed support for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Subcommittee and board member Jen Lima amid debate regarding a proposal to recall Lima at their regularly-scheduled meeting Tuesday night. Debate regarding the DEI sub-committee dominated the majority of citizens comments during the meeting as some citizens expressed concern for the work the subcommittee is doing and the agenda proposed by its mission statement. The school committee voiced support for the subcommittees work and for Lima, who has become the focus of those opposing it. Lima is far from the only local or state politician facing backlash from constituents who have called for, or initiated, a recall less than a year after the 2020 election. Also Tuesday, California Governor Gavin Newsom easily defeated a recall effort that cost taxpayers an estimated $300 million or more. Do you believe it should be more difficult for citizens to recall an elected official after an election? Why or why not? Let us know below and cast your vote in this week's poll.

You voted:For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browserPeople protest rape at an event organized on International Women's Day in Bengaluru March 8. The Rajasthan Assembly March 9 passed a bill that allows for the death penalty for those who rape girls below the age of 12. (IANS photo)The New Surveillance State and the Old Perjury Trap





A significant number of Trump's people were electronically monitored by a Democratic administrationmany "by accident."



By Peter Van Buren

March 08, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - We now know that a significant number of people affiliated with Donald Trump were surveilled during and after the 2016 campaign, some under warrants, some via inadvertent or accidental surveillance. That surveillance is now being used against these individuals in perjury cases, particularly to press them to testify against others, and will likely form the basis of Robert Muellers eventual action against the president himself.

How did the surveillance state become so fully entrenched in the American political process? Better yet, how did we let it happen?

The role pervasive surveillance plays in politics today has been grossly underreported. Set aside what you think about the Trump presidency for a moment and focus instead on the new paradigm for how politics and justice work inside the surveillance state.

 Incidental collection  is the claimed inadvertent or accidental monitoring of Americans communications under Section 702 of the FISA Amendments Act. Incidental collection exists alongside court-approved warranted surveillance authorized on a specific individual. But for incidental collection, no probable cause is needed, no warrant is needed, and no court or judge is involved. It just gets vacuumed up.

While exactly how many Americans have their communications monitored this way is unknown , we know these Republican Trump supporters and staffers were caught up in surveillance authorized by a Democratic administration (no evidence of incidental surveillance of the Clinton campaign exists). Election-time claims that the Obama administration wasnt  wiretapping  Trump were disingenuous. They in fact gathered an unprecedented level of inside information. How was it used?

Incidental collection nailed Michael Flynn : the NSA was ostensibly not surveilling Flynn, just listening in on the Russian ambassador as the two spoke. The embarrassing intercept formed the basis for Flynns firing as Trumps national security advisor, his guilty plea for perjury, and very possibly his game-changing testimony against others.

Jeff Sessions was similarly incidentally surveilled, as was former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon , whose conversations were picked up as part of a FISA warrant issued against Trump associate Carter Page . Paul Manafort and Richard Gates were also the subjects of FISA-warranted surveillance: they were surveilled in 2014, the case was dropped for lack of evidence, and then they were re-surveilled after they joined the Trump team and became more interesting to the state.

Officials on the National Security Council revealed that Trump himself may also have been swept up in the surveillance of foreign targets. Devin Nunes, chair of the House Intelligence Committee, claims multiple communications by Trump transition staff were inadvertently picked up. Trump officials were monitored by British GCHQ with the information shared with their NSA partners. Some reports claim that after a criminal warrant was denied to look into whether or not Trump Tower servers were communicating with a Russian bank, a FISA warrant was issued.

How much information the White House may have acquired on Trumps political strategy, as well as the full story of what might have been done with that information, will never be known. We do know that the director of national intelligence Dan Coats saw enough after he took office to specify that the intelligence community may not engage in political activity, including dissemination of U.S. person identities to the White House, for the purpose of affecting the political process of the United States.

Coats likely had in mind the use of unmasking by the Obama administration. Identities of U.S. persons picked up inadvertently by surveillance are supposed to be masked, hidden from most users of the data. However, a select group of officials, including political appointees in the White House, can unmask and include names if they believe it is important to understanding the intelligence, or to show evidence of a crime.

Former Obama national security advisor Susan Rice told House investigators in at least one instance she unmasked the identities of Michael Flynn, Jared Kushner , and Steve Bannon. Obamas ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power , also made a number of unmasking requests in her final year in office.

But no one knows who unmasked Flynn in his conversations with the Russian ambassador. That and the subsequent leaking of what was said were used not only to snare Flynn in a perjury trap, but also to force him out of government. Prior to the leak that took Flynn down, Obama holdover and then-acting attorney general Sally Yates warned Trump that Flynn could be blackmailed by Moscow for lying about his calls. When Trump didnt immediately fire Flynn, the unmasked surveillance was leaked by a senior government official (likely Yates ) to the Washington Post . The disclosure pressured the administration to dump Flynn.

Similar leaks were used to try to pressure Attorney General Jeff Sessions to resign, though they only resulted in him recusing himself from the Russiagate investigation. Following James Comeys firing, that recusal ultimately opened the door for the appointment of Special Counsel Mueller.

A highly classified leak was used to help marginalize Jared Kushner. The Washington Post, based on leaked intercepts, claimed foreign officials from four countries spoke of exploiting Kushners economic vulnerabilities to push him into acting against the United States. If the story is true, the leakers passed on data revealing sources and methods; those foreign officials now know that, however they communicated their thoughts about Kushner, the NSA was listening. Access to that level of information and the power to expose it is not a rank-and-file action. One analyst described the matter as the Deep State takes out the White Houses Dark Clown Prince.

Pervasive surveillance has shown its power perhaps most significantly in creating perjury traps to manufacture indictments to pressure people to testify against others.

Trump associate George Papadopoulos lied to the FBI about several meetings concerning Clintons emails. The FBI knew about the meetings,  propelled in part by intelligence from other friendly governments, including the British and Dutch. The feds asked him questions solely in the hope that Papadopoulos would commit perjury, even though there was nothing shown to be criminal about the meetings themselves. Now guilty of a crime, the FBI will use the promise of a light punishment to press Papadopoulos into testifying against others.

There is a common thread here of using surveillance to create a process crime out of a non-material lie (the FBI already knew) where no underlying crime of turpitude exists (the meetings were legal). That this is then used to press someone to testify in an investigation that will have a significant political impact seems undemocraticyet it appears to be a primary tool Mueller is using.

This is a far cry from a traditional plea deal, giving someone a light sentence for actual crimes so that they will testify against others. Mueller should know. He famously allowed Mafia hitman Sammy the Bull to escape more serious punishment for 19 first-degree murders in return for testimony against John Gotti. No need to manufacture a perjury trap; the pile of bodies that never saw justice did the trick.

Dont be lured into thinking the ends justify the means, that whatever it takes to purge Trump is acceptable. Say what you want about Flynn, Kushner, et al, what matters most is the dark process being used. The arrival of pervasive surveillance as a political weapon is a harbinger that should chill Americans to their cores.

Peter Van Buren, a 24-year State Department veteran, is the author of We Meant Well : How I Helped Lose the Battle for the Hearts and Minds of the Iraqi People and Hoopers War : A Novel of WWII Japan. He tweets @WeMeantWell.The National Endowment for (Meddling in) Democracy





The quasi-government group follows one rule: the U.S. has an unqualified right to do unto others what others may not do unto the U.S.



By Daniel Lazare

March 08, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Theyre meddling in our politics! Thats the war cry of outraged Clintonites and neocons, who seem to think election interference is something that Russians do to us and we never, ever do to them.

But meddling in other countries has been a favorite Washington pastime ever since William McKinley vowed to Christianize the Philippines in 1899, despite the fact that most Filipinos were already Catholic. Today, an alphabet soup of U.S. agencies engage in political interference virtually around the clock, everyone from USAID to the VOA, RFE/RL to the DHSrespectively the U.S. Agency for International Development, Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and the Department of Homeland Security. The last maintains some 2,000 U.S. employees in 70 countries to ensure that no one even thinks of doing anything bad to anyone over here.

Then there is the National Endowment for Democracy, a $180-million-a-year government-funded outfit that is a byword for American intrusiveness. The NED is an example of what might be called speckism, the tendency to go on about the speck in your neighbors eye without ever considering the plank in your own (see Matthew 7 for further details). Prohibited by law from interfering in domestic politics, the endowment devotes endless energy to the democratic shortcomings of other countries, especially when they threaten American interests. In 1984, the year after it was founded, it channeled secret funds to a military-backed presidential candidate in Panama, gave $575,000 to a right-wing French student group, and delivered nearly half a million dollars to right-wing opponents of Costa Rican president Oscar Ariasbecause Arias had refused to go along with our anti-communist policy in Central America.

A year later, it gave $400,000 to the anti-Sandinista opposition in Nicaragua and then another $2 million in 1988. It used its financial muscle in the mid-1990s to persuade a right-wing party to draw up a Contract with Slovakia modeled on Newt Gingrichs Contract with America; persuaded free marketeers to do the same in Mongolia; gave nearly $1 million to Venezuelan rightists who went on to mount a short-lived putsch against populist leader Hugo Chavez in 2002; and then funded anti-Russian presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko in Ukraine in 2005, and the later anti-Russian coup there in 2014.

What all this had to do with democracy is unclear, although the NEDs role in advancing U.S. imperial interests is beyond doubt. Rather than my country right or wrong, its operating assumption is my country right, full stop. If Washington says Leader X is out of line, then the endowment will snap to attention and fund his opponents. If it says hes cooperative and well-behaved, meaning he supports free markets and financial deregulation and doesnt dally with any of Americas military rivals, it will do the opposite. It doesnt matter if, like Putin, the alleged dictator swept the last election with 63.6 percent of the vote and was declared the  clear  winner by the European Union and the U.S. State Department. If hes expanding [Russias] influence in the Middle East, as NED President Carl Gershman puts it , then hes a strongman and an autocrat and must go.

Americas own shortcomings meanwhile go unnoticed. Meanwhile, the NED, as it nears the quarter-century mark, is a bundle of contradictions: a group that claims to be private even though it is almost entirely publicly funded, a group that says democracy  must be indigenous  even though it backs U.S.-imposed regime change, a group that claims to be bipartisan but whose board is packed with ideologically homogeneous hawks like Elliott Abrams, Anne Applebaum, and Victoria Nuland, the latter of whom served as assistant secretary of state during the coup in Ukraine. Historically speaking, the NED feels straight out of the early 1980s, when Washington was struggling to overcome Vietnam Syndrome in order to rev up the Cold War. The recovery process began with Ronald Reagan declaring at his first inaugural, The crisis that we are facing today [requires] our best effort, and our willingness to believe in ourselves and to believe in our capacity to perform great deeds, to believe that together with Gods help we can and will resolve the problems which now confront us. After all, why shouldnt we believe that? We are Americans.

The U.S. was apparently not just a nation, but something like a religion as well. Additional input for the new NED in 1983 came from spymaster William Casey, CIA director from 1981 to 1987, who, after the intelligence scandals of the 70s, had swung around to the view that certain covert operations were better spun off into what the British call a quango, a quasi-non-government organization. Obviously we here should not get out in front in the development of such an organization, he cautioned , nor do we wish to appear to be a sponsor or advocate. It was a case of covert backing for an overt turn.

Others who helped lay the groundwork were:

Neoconservative ideologue Jeane Kirkpatrick, Reagans ambassador to the UN, famous for her argument that traditional authoritarian governments should be supported against revolutionary autocracies because they are less repressive and whose UN aide

Carl Gershman would become NED president and serves to this day

Human rights Democrats who believe that Americas job is to enforce democratic standards throughout the world, however idiosyncratic and self-serving they may be

Old-fashioned pluralists who maintained that the power to succeed existed in different groups working separately toward a common goal, in this case, spreading democracy abroad

The result was an ideologically lethal package that assumed whatever Americans did was democratic because God is on our side, that old-fashioned CIA skullduggery was passe, and that the time had come to switch to more open means. We should not have to do this kind of work covertly, Gershman later explained . We saw that in the 60s, and thats why it has been discontinued. We have not had the capability of doing this, and thats why the endowment was created.

In the interests of pluralism, the NED adopted a quadripartite structure with separate wings for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the AFL-CIO, the GOP, and the Democrats, each working separately yet somehow together.

Pluralism helped tamp down debate and also shore up support on Capitol Hill. Liberal Democrats were initially skeptical due to the NEDs neocon tilt. Michigan Congressman John Conyers Jr. tried to kill it in 1985, and The Nation magazine complained a few years later that the group served as little more than a pork barrel for a small circle of Republican and Democratic party activists, conservative trade unionists, and free marketeers who use endowment money to run their own mini State Department.

But when the House voted unexpectedly to defund the agency in 1993, beneficiaries sprang to its defense. Major-league pundits like George Will, David Broder, and Abe Rosenthal went into overdrive, according to The Nation, as did the heavy hitters of the Washington Post editorial page. Vice President Walter Mondale, a member of the NED board of directors, worked the phones along with Lane Kirkland, George Meanys successor as head of the AFL-CIO. Ronald Reagan wrote a letter, while Senators Richard Lugar, Orrin Hatch, and John McCain pitched in as well. So did prominent liberals like Paul Wellstone, John Kerry, Tom Harkin, Ted Kennedy, and Carol Moseley-Braun. These people normally couldnt bear to be in the same with one another, but they were of one mind when it came to Americas divine right to intervene in other nations affairs.

The anti-NED forces didnt stand a chance. Twenty-five years later, the endowment is again under attack, although this time from the right. Gershman started the ball rolling when, in October 2016, he interrupted his busy pro-democracy schedule to dash off a column in the Washington Post accusing Russia of using email hackers, information trolls and open funding of political parties to sow discord and of even intervening in the U.S. presidential election. Since there was no question whom Russia was intervening for, there was no doubt what the article amounted to: a thinly veiled swipe at a certain orange-haired candidate.

Never one to forget a slight, Trump got his revenge last month by proposing to slash the NED budget by 60 percent. The response was the same as in 1993, only more so. Uber-hawk Senator Lindsey Graham pronounced the cut dead on arrival, adding : This budget destroys soft power, it puts our diplomats at risk, and its going nowhere. Gershman said it would mean sending a signal far and wide that the United States is turning its back on supporting brave people who share our values, while Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin moaned that the administration was guilty of an assault on democracy promotion. The ever-voluble Democratic Congresswoman Nita Lowey accused the administration of dismantling an agency that advances critical goals.

The work our government does to promote democratic values abroad is at the heart of who we are as a country, added Senator John McCain. America is democracy, democracy is America, and, as historys first global empire, the U.S. has an unqualified right to do unto others what others may not do unto the U.S. Only a  Siberian candidate ,  a traitor , or  a Russian stooge  could possibly disagree.Home The Coming Backlash Against the Pentagons Hybrid War in Syria



Turkey is throwing in with Russia and Iran, all three of which want to see the US gone



By M.K. Bhadrakumar



March 09, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - U.S. and Turkish officials are due to meet in Washington today to begin thrashing out the range of issues now threatening to tear the already fragile relationship between the two NATO allies apart. The Turkish-American discord goes back to the Obama administration when Washington persuaded Ankara to spearhead the regime-change project in Syria circa 2011, only to see the U.S. retract later, leaving Turkey holding a can of worms. Since then the relationship has become mired in several disputes, with the overarching geopolitical result that Turkey has steadily drifted away from its Western allies towards a detente with Russia. This has taken the form of a quasi-alliance with Moscow over the Syrian conflicta partnership that appears to be flourishing as a win-win economic relationship and has resulted in the Turkish decision to purchase an S-400 air defense system from Russia. The situation in Syria will top the agenda during the talks in Washington on Thursday. The priority for both sides will be to avert a standoff in northern Syria where the U.S. and Turkey are pursuing sharply divergent interests. At least since 2014, the U.S. has aligned with Kurdish groups that Ankara regards as terrorists belonging to the PKK, the separatist movement waging a bloody struggle to carve out an independent state in the Kurdish homelands in eastern Turkey. On the other hand, Kurds are the Pentagons foot soldiers in its war against the Islamic State in Syria. Never Miss Another Story Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter To say the talks are taking place in an acrimonious climate is an understatement, and the trust deficit is palpable. The only high note is that both Turkey and the U.S. are diplomatically experienced enough to navigate their perennially problematic relationship as allies and, most certainly, neither seeks a showdown in Syria. Recent remarks by Pentagon officials suggest the U.S. has no intentions of terminating its alliance with Kurdish militia in eastern Syria anytime soon, as Turkey demands. Meanwhile, Turkey wants the redeployment of the Kurdish militia in Manjib in northern Syria to the east of the Euphrates. During his visit to Ankara in February, Tillerson had assured the Turks that the U.S. would heed their sensitivities over Manjib. But curiously, Turkey now alleges the U.S. is instead lifting the Kurdish fighters in Manjib to the frontline in the canton of Afrin, 100 miles to the west, to stiffen the Kurdish resistance against the current Turkish military operation there. To be sure, an elaborate pantomime is playing out. The Turks suspect that Washington is simply playing for time by engaging them in talks, while on a parallel track systematically advancing a geopolitical project to create an independent Kurdish entity carved out of northern Syria, which would eventually have direct access to the eastern Mediterranean. The Turkish press is awash in accusations of bad American intentions. In a sensational report on Monday, the pro-government Turkish Daily Star published a supposed American blueprint for establishing a full-fledged Kurdish state in eastern and northern Syria along Turkeys borders. Amidst all this, Erdogan recently spoke on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to discuss Syria. The Kremlin evidently takes an interest in creating space for Turkey to negotiate effectively with the U.S. Ankara also finds it useful and necessary to keep the line open to Moscow. The Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu plans to meet his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow next Tuesday prior to a likely visit to Washington on March 19 to activate yet another mechanism between himself and Tillerson. Turkey is openly disregarding Washingtons misgivings over the Astana process on Syria and continues to work actively with Russia and Iran. The foreign ministers from all three countries plan to meet in Astana on March 16. A statement by the Kazakh Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said that the ministers of the three guarantor countries would assess the results of their collaboration and identify common steps. The three foreign ministers propose to issue a joint statement after their meeting to determine areas of further work within the Astana process with specific reference to the tragic events in Eastern Ghouta. Again, the Turkish Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday that a trilateral summit of the Turkish, Russian, and Iranian presidents is slated for April in Istanbul to discuss Syria and potential steps in the region. Suffice to say, if Tillersons mission to Ankara had aimed at getting Turkey out of the Russian-Iranian orbit, he had no success. The Astana process is returning with renewed vigor, and Turkeys growing frustration and anger towards the perceived U.S. intransigence is strengthening its axis with Russia (and Iran). It is of the utmost importance for Turkey that Russia continues to remain passive while it presses ahead with the present operation in Afrin. A tacit understanding is apparent between Turkey on one side and Russia and Iran on the other as regards the Turkish operation in Syrian territory. For its part, Ankara will not impede the operations by the Syrian government forces and allied fighters in the Eastern Ghouta region and in Idlib and Aleppo provinces. Significantly, Erdogan virtually held out an assurance to Moscow on Tuesday when he said in a TV interview that Turkey will not cancel the contract for purchasing the air defense systems S-400 Triumf from Russia, even if it risks U.S. sanctions. In hard-hitting remarks on Monday, Erdogan warned the Trump administration Today we are in Afrin, tomorrow we will be in Manbij, the day after we will be east of the Euphrates to clean up all terrorists all the way to the border of Iraq. We will hold the terrorist organization [Kurdish militia] and its supporters [U.S. special forces] accountable We are well aware of their treacherous tricks Turkey has the power, energy and strategy to deal with those tricks. To be sure, in immediate terms, the Turkish objective will be to coax out of the Trump administration a firm timeline for the redeployment of the Kurdish fighters in Manjib. But it is hard to see the Pentagon agreeing. Manjib serves as a supply hub for various front lines in northeastern and eastern Syria. The bottom line is that Ankara, Moscow, and Tehran have converged on the opinion that an open-ended U.S. military presence in Syria will be detrimental to their interests. The recent testimony by the commander of the U.S. Central Command General Joseph Votel before the House Armed Services Committee cast Russia as an adversary in the Syrian conflict. Votel described Russia as playing the destabilizing role of both arsonist and firefighter in Syria. Ankara gathers that the U.S. is fueling Kurdish nationalism for geopolitical purposes, which poses a threat to Turkeys security and sovereignty. Iran, of course, is only too aware of the United States containment strategy towards it in Syria and Iraq. The fundamental contradiction here is that the Pentagon is fighting a hybrid war in Syria using the Kurdish proxy without formal congressional approval. Behind the fig leaf of the residual operations to mop up the defeated ISIS, the U.S. hopes to take advantage of Syrias overall fluidity to weaken the regime, get the Russians bogged down in a quagmire, roll back the Iranian presence in Syria and Iraq, and tame Turkeyall without really putting boots on the ground. Somewhere along the line, in a not-too-distant future, there is going to be a backlash. This article was originally published by " The American Conservative " - The views and opinions expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect those of Information Clearing House. ===== Note To ICH Community Regarding Our Comment Section By Tom Feeley March 08, 2018 " Information Clearing House " -As many of you are aware, for some time now we have been experiencing attacks on our third party comment system. The purpose of this onslaught is an attempt to sow discontent among our community, reduce the impact this website and daily newsletter has on those searching beyond the propaganda outlets we call "news" media. Continue Join the Discussion It is not necessary for ICH readers to register before placing a comment. We ask that you treat others with respect. Please read our Comment Policy before posting - Search Information Clearing House === Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load.World Leaders Always Decide to let Bygones be Bygones When Rich Visitors are in Town



Theresa Mays fear that the UK is going to go down the plughole if we really do leave the EU was bound to plunge her into the most unsavoury shopping expeditions



By Robert Fisk



March 09, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - There is a dreary inevitability to the way in which the most dreadful creatures turn up at Downing Street or Buckingham Palace. Archbishop Makarios, Jomo Kenyatta, Menachem Begin, Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness, Robert Mugabe, Nicolae Ceaucescu and Vladimir Putin to name a few. Of the home-grown variety, I suppose I would include Tony Blair. So why make such a fuss of his Royal Majesty Mohammad bin Salman?

Hes only a crown prince, after all, wet behind the ears at 32, gouts of blood on his hands to be sure, but scarcely 10,000 have died in his Yemen war . Most of them civilians; but none of them British. Certainly not British soldiers, which didnt apply to Begin or McGuinness and doesnt apply to Adams. As for Mohammads legal head-choppers, theyve largely been let loose on Philipinos, Burmese, Pakstanis, Indians and Arabs, women as well as men. Drug-smugglers, murderers, you name it. Saudi ladies will soon be allowed to drive  driving supposedly being a womans primary objective in Saudi Arabia  and the British, especially Theresa May, are very keen on this.

You can always tell a fraud, however, by the number of sub-clauses piled up around statements of humanitarian assistance. A real cracker emerged from Downing Street this week when we were assured that Theresa and Mohammad planned  wait for it  to continue working together to explore ways the UK can support Saudi Arabia to progress (sic)...reforms. Phew! What it meant, of course, was that Theresa and Mohamed would discover how to improve the miserable UK arms export figures to the Kingdom  a measly 1.1 billion in the past half year, a tiny 836 million of hardware sold to the Saudis in the long months between April and June.

Of course, we Brits must appeal to both sides in the conflict to show restraint  an aim never espoused by us about both sides in the war in Syria (whose president, by the way, has also visited Buckingham Palace)  and trumpet our humanitarian assistance to the Yemenis. An extra 50m in aid? Why not? It can be creamed off the 3.6bn weve made out of arms sales to the Saudis since the start of the Yemen bloodbath. And then theres Brexit.

Theresas fear that the UK is going to go down the plughole if we really do leave the EU was bound to plunge her into the most unsavoury shopping expeditions. The whole Gulf loves our jets and missiles, just as the Syrians love Putins jets and missiles. Putins generals boast of the achievements of their arms in the Syrian war. How dare they! Just lets forget that British soldiers have been demonstrating British targeting systems used during the Yemen war, as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has raised. And so it goes on. The Tories are so frightened that Brexit means bankruptcy, that theyll chat to anyone to keep the cash coming in.

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Which is why Theresa is doing something faintly familiar when she courts the kings and princes and emirs of the Gulf. In order to get their money, she is appeasing them. Yes, appeasement is her policy with wealthy Arabs, in the most literal sense of the word. She is satiating their appetite for war against the Shia. She is turning her back on the Yemen war, a quarrel in a far away country  you might say  between people of whom we know nothing.

But there is something weirdly macabre  even Roman  about the trucks carrying Mohammads smiling face around London . How could such a happy emperor, progressing all those reforms that hes working with us to explore  a modern-day Hadrian perhaps  have sanctioned the execution of opponents, including prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr in January 2016? A former British ambassador to Riyadh, Sir Alun Munro, once advised Westerners to adapt to Saudi Arabia, and to act with the grain of Saudi traditions and culture. So I guess thats what we have to do when we contemplate the Saudi penchant for decapitatation, often after torture and unfair trials.

This is important, because in the age of globalisation and the total erasure of all institutionalised memory, we do not remember that Saudi King Faisal came to Buckingham Palace in 1967 at the height of the earlier Yemen civil war  when Nasser supported the republican side, along with the Russians, and the Saudis and Brits helped the royalists. Yemeni villagers were gassed  here we go again  by the Egyptians. But those were the days when the Saudis could get away with anything. All Her Majestys subjects, Pathe News reported at the time, join in extending a most cordial welcome to King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. I bet they did.

Forty years later, however, a more familiar scenario unfolded  though already largely forgotten today. Saudi King Abdullah arrived in 2007 for a state visit mired in controversy according to BBC archives. The controversy was the cancellation by Tony Blair of the British Special Branch enquiry into alleged bribery of Saudi officials by British arms manufacturers from BAE Aerospace. Protestors demanded that the investigation be reopened  its odd, but typically forgetful, that this weeks opponents of the Saudi regime havent brought this up again  and held banners which condemned the Saudis as murderers and torturers. Put human rights before BAE profits, said another.

Another former British ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, KCMG, LVO, was trotted out on the networks this week to praise the Kingdom, where he was known, according to the Saudis themselves, as Abu Henry. And its intriguing to recall that arguments put forward by the same Cowper-Coles, according to the head of the Serious Fraud Squad in a compelling article in the Financial Times in 2006, very much helped me to make my decision to discontinue the investigation.

Abu Henry, it seems  and again I quote the FT  told how the probe might cause Riyadh to cancel security and intelligence cooperation, potentially depriving London of access to vital surveillance of terror suspects during the haj pilgrimage to Mecca... The ambassador had even suggested [that] persisting with the SFO probe could endanger lives in Britain. Two days later, the bribery enquiry was scrapped. Thus Theresa May could this week tell us how many thousands of British lives had been saved by Saudi intelligence cooperation  which would not have been forthcoming, of course, had the SFOs investigation continued .

But its all in a good cause, isnt it? Bygones must be bygones. Brexit means Brexit. Enough is enough. And just look how Mohammad smiles. Forget Saudi Arabias support for the Taliban. Forget that 15 of the 19 hijackers of 9/11 were Saudis. Forget the Wahabi faith that inspired al-Qaeda and Isis. Macron  who couldnt even bring up Egyptian human rights when he met President/Field Marshal al-Sissi in Paris  is not going to raise such nonsense when he meets Mohammad at the weekend. And by the time our favourite Crown Prince arrives in Washington to meet Trump, hes going to be the reformer-in-chief who is going to make Saudi Arabia Great Again. And you cant beat that, can you?

This article was originally published by " The Independent " -

The views and opinions expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect those of Information Clearing House.

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Robert Fisk : To Putin, Assads Enemies in Syria are the Same as Russias in Chechnya

Note To ICH Community Regarding Our Comment Section By Tom Feeley March 08, 2018 " Information Clearing House " -As many of you are aware, for some time now we have been experiencing attacks on our third party comment system. The purpose of this onslaught is an attempt to sow discontent among our community, reduce the impact this website and daily newsletter has on those searching beyond the propaganda outlets we call "news" media. Continue

Join the DiscussionWho Gains From Poisoning a Russian Exile in Britain?

By Finian Cunningham



March 09, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - The British are well known for their dramatic flair when it comes to stories of Cold War espionage and murder mystery. Think Ian Fleming, John Le Carre and Agatha Christie.



But this week's episode of a former Russian spy being poisoned on a public park bench in a quaint English town has suspiciously a tad too much drama about it.

It is being speculated that the Russian exile, who had been living in Britain since 2010, may have been poisoned with a deadly nerve agent. He is reportedly in hospital in a critical condition.

Within hours of 66-year-old Sergei Skripal being rushed to hospital in Salisbury, along with his adult daughter, British politicians and media were cranking up the story that the pair had fallen victim to a murder plot implicating the Kremlin.

British Prime Minister Theresa May held a top national security summit in Downing Street, and her Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was telling the parliament on Tuesday that further sanctions would be imposed on Russia "if" Moscow was found to be involved in the apparent poisoning incident.

Johnson's use of the word " if " seemed to be irrelevant because he had already laid on the innuendo thick and fast to impugn Russia. "We don't know exactly what has taken place in Salisbury, but if it's as bad as it looks, it is another crime in the litany of crimes that we can lay at Russia's door," intoned Johnson with affected gravity and notable haste to implicate Moscow.

Moscow has dismissed the rampant speculation as "wild" allegations aimed at whipping up "anti-Russian sentiment" among the British public.

British media outlets then quickly moved on to report security sources as saying that Britain's counter-terrorism forces "are hunting a network of highly-trained assassins suspected of launching a nerve agent attack". The would-be assassins were also described as "state sponsored" and conjectured to have access to a "specialist laboratory".

It is being speculated that Sergei Skripal and his 33-year-old daughter, Yulia, were exposed to the deadly nerve toxin known as VX during an afternoon stroll through their adopted hometown of Salisbury on Sunday.

Skripal had been living in Britain for the past eight years where he had been exiled as part of a spy swap. The former GRU military intelligence colonel was found guilty of treason by Russia in 2006 after being exposed as a double agent for Britain's foreign intelligence service MI6. After serving four years in prison in Russia, the disgraced spy was handed over to Britain in a Cold War-style exchange.

What is being recklessly speculated in the British media is that the Kremlin ordered Skripal's assassination out of revenge for his past betrayal.

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To drive home the innuendo, comparisons are being made to the death of another Russian secret service agent Alexander Litvinenko. He died in a London hospital in 2006 from suspected poisoning with radioactive polonium. Again, the British media and politicians engaged in tenuous allegations of Kremlin involvement in Litvinenko's death.

As with this week's Skripal case, Moscow said it had nothing to do with Litvinenko's demise. A dubious semi-official British inquiry concluded in January 2016 that there was "strong circumstantial evidence of Russian state responsibility" over Litvinenko's death. The British inquiry presented no evidence.

However, alternatively, there is plausible evidence that Litvinenko may have been poisoned accidentally as a result of his own shady dealings with organized crime and international smuggling of polonium.

In any case, the real similarity between the case of Sergei Skripal and Alexander Litvinenko is the cynical way that the British authorities are exploiting it for anti-Russian propaganda.

It seems highly significant that Russia's presidential elections are due to take place later this month. What better way to smear the expected electoral victory of incumbent president Vladimir Putin than to accuse the Kremlin of carrying out an assassination plot on British soil against a former Russian spy?

Think about it. The timing of such an alleged plot would be ludicrous from a Russian point of view. Why would a has-been Russian agent who has been living quietly and undisturbed for nearly a decade in England be targeted on the eve of Russia's presidential elections by Kremlin avengers? That doesn't make any sense.

The trusted detective question of "who gains?" points far more plausibly to sinister British state involvement. The rapid concerted political and media reaction to the incident of Skripal's apparent poisoning is strongly suggestive of orchestration for propaganda value.

For several weeks now, the British authorities and their lock-step media have been fulminating about Russian cyber attacks and other means of sabotage endangering British civilians. British Defense Minister Gavin Williamson has made unhinged claims that "thousands and thousands" of Britons could die from Russian agents who are allegedly planning to attack British infrastructure, such as energy and communication facilities.

This is extreme irresponsibility by British officials and media which has been elevated to hysterical fever pitch.

But the relentless Russophobia serves to condition the British public to be receptive towards more anti-Russian hostility. As we can see this week with the reckless innuendo against Moscow regarding the apparent poisoning of Sergei Skripal.

Given their inveterate anti-Russian agenda, the British authorities have much more vested interest in seeing Skripal poisoned than the Kremlin ever would.

And while we are in "who done it?" mode, another important possible lead is this: if Venomous Agent X (VX) was used to harm the former Russian spy, the perpetrators would have had a convenient source by which to carry out their deed.

Britain's top secret chemical weapons laboratory at Porton Down is only six miles away from the location in Salisbury where Skripal and his daughter were apparently attacked last Sunday afternoon. Porton Down is the laboratory where VX was originally synthesized in the 1950s. It remains one of the most deadly chemical weapons ever made. And it is as British as afternoon tea.

That's motive and means. But, hey, who needs logic when Russophobia is the name of the game?

This article was originally published by " Sputnik " -

The views and opinions expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect those of Information Clearing House.

=====

Note To ICH Community Regarding Our Comment Section By Tom Feeley March 08, 2018 " Information Clearing House " -As many of you are aware, for some time now we have been experiencing attacks on our third party comment system. The purpose of this onslaught is an attempt to sow discontent among our community, reduce the impact this website and daily newsletter has on those searching beyond the propaganda outlets we call "news" media. Continue

Join the DiscussionWho Profits from Keeping Gaza on the Brink of Humanitarian Catastrophe?



Keeping Gaza on the verge of collapse keeps international humanitarian aid money flowing to exactly where it benefits Israeli interests.



By Shir Hever

March 09, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - The Gaza Strip is on the brink of a humanitarian crisis. Sound familiar? Weve been hearing about the imminent collapse of Gazas drinking water, sewage, health, and electricity systems since the outbreak of the Second Intifada 18 years ago.

In their book The One State Condition, Ariella Azoulay and Adi Ophir attempt to answer the question, what interest does Israel have in keeping Gaza on the verge of collapse? Their answer remains valid even after fifteen years: keeping the Palestinians perpetually on the brink is proof of Israels conclusive victory. The Palestinians cannot take their lives as given, for Israel can take their lives at any time. This is the basis of Israels relation of clear relation of dominance over the Palestinians.

But while this answer is true, it is not sufficient. There is also an economic answer. As long as Gaza remains on the brink of collapse, international donors keep the flow of humanitarian aid money going. If the crisis were ended and the siege lifted, it is safe to assume that that the international donors would change the type of aid they provide and return to focus on the development of the Gazan economy (as they did from 19942000, until the outbreak of the Second Intifada). This type of aid would likely compete with certain branches of Israeli companies and therefore threaten the Israeli economy. Keeping Gaza on the verge of collapse keeps international humanitarian aid money flowing exactly to where it benefits Israeli interests.

In light of the growing strength of the populist right , which portrays Palestinians as total enemies of the state of Israel, we must ask why the Israeli government has refused its second opportunity to exit the situation of the brink  to prompt an even worse humanitarian crisis, and cause mass death in Gaza and in the occupied territory more generally. Despite the ever-deepening national hatred for the Palestinians, the Israeli government has clearly acted to prevent this kind of scenario, allowing emergency deliveries of medicine and desalination machines (internationally funded) to prevent mass death in Gaza. But why?

Despite numerous protests from the Palestinian side, the Paris Agreements signed in 1994 continue to constitute the framework for the main economic agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, including the Gaza Strip. Israel controls the customs regime, thus there is no import duty on goods imported from Israel to the occupied territories, while there is on goods imported from abroad.

International aid organizations are required to provide humanitarian aid in the most efficient way possible. They must purchase the cheapest food available to aid the greatest number of people within their budget. Though food is cheaper in Jordan and Egypt, food imports from Jordan and Egypt to the occupied Palestinian territory are taxed. The taxes, in principle, go to the PA coffers, but this cannot be a consideration for the aid organizations. Instead, they are required to purchase most of the goods they distribute from Israeli companies, unless importation from another country, including import taxes, will still be cheaper than the price in Israel.

Additionally, Israeli security regulations require aid organizations to use Israeli transportation companies and vehicles, since Palestinian companies are not allowed to enter Israel to pick up goods from airports or sea-ports. Even more significant is the fact that the Palestinians do not have their own currency or central bank: financial assistance must be given in New Israeli Shekels. The foreign currency remains in the Bank of Israel, and Israeli commercial banks collect numerous service charges along the way.

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What this means, in fact, is that Israel exports the occupation: as long as the international community is willing to contribute financially to prevent a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Israeli companies continue to supply them with goods and services and receive payment in foreign currency.

In a study I conducted for the Palestinian organization Aid Watch in 2015, I observed the correlation between international aid, on the one hand, and the trade deficit in goods and services between the Palestinian and Israeli economies, on the other. The data for the study was from 2000-2013. I found that some 78 percent of aid to the Palestinians found its way to the Israeli economy. This is a rough estimate, to be sure. And we need to remember that this isnt simply clean profit for Israel companies but revenue. The Israeli companies need to provide goods and services for the money and bear the costs of production.

In light of these figures, its easy to understand the gap between the governments populist declarations against the Palestinians and the steps it quietly but consistently takes to increase international humanitarian aid to the Palestinians. During an emergency meeting of contributing countries in January, Regional Cooperation Minister Tzahi Hanegbi presented a billion-dollar plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip  foreign funded, of course. Transportation Minister Yisrael Katzs plan to build an artificial island off the Gaza coast also suggested that foreign funders bear some of the cost of the occupation, bringing foreign cash into Israeli coffers, and, at the same time, preventing the situation in Gaza from deteriorating to the point of no-return.

The picture Ive presented here is not new. It is clear to the contributing countries, the international aid organizations, the Israeli army, and the Israeli government. It is, of course, clear to the Palestinians, who need the aid but who also understand that it makes the work of occupation easier for the Israeli authorities.

However, there is also a serious problem with this picture. It presupposes the existence of a state called the brink of humanitarian crisis and generates endless discussion of whether the current state of affairs constitutes a crisis or not. But when exactly do the economic conditions in Gaza constitute a humanitarian crisis? How many people need to die before the siege is lifted to avoid reaching the point, beyond which mass starvation, disease and the disintegration of the social fabric cannot be stopped?

The most important recent aid initiative to move beyond this situation is the flotilla initiative . The flotillas provide aid to Palestinians in coordination with Gaza residents specific demands for goods that are not permitted to cross through Kerem Shalom. Without using Israeli currency and without paying customs duties to the Israeli treasury, the boats attempt to provide the aid directly, without a middle-man. Unsurprisingly, the Israeli response has been violent  the army killed nine activists on the Mavi Marmara ship in May 2010.

But what would the Israeli government do if the major international aid organizations adopted a similar mode of action to supply the Palestinians with aid directly, without using Israeli companies and without paying taxes to the Israeli authorities? This strategy would expose the economic interest Israel has in keeping Gaza on the brink and would force the Israeli government to choose: take direct control over the lives of the Palestinians and pay the costs involved, or allow the international humanitarian organizations to supply aid under the conditions of their choosing, therefore helping the Palestinians out of the crisis.

This would not abrogate Israels responsibility for the Palestinians  which is delineated by international law  but it would eliminate Israels financial incentive to maintain the occupation and the siege of Gaza.

Shir Hever is an economic researcher and journalist living in Heidelberg, Germany. His latest book , The Privatisation of Israeli Security, was published by Pluto Press in 2017. A version of this article first appeared in Hebrew at Local Call. Read it here .

This article was originally published by " 927 Mag " -

The views and opinions expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect those of Information Clearing House.

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Join the DiscussionLight It Up

By James Howard Kunstler

It must be hard on The New York Times editors to set their hair on fire day after day in their effort to start World War Three. Todays lead story, Russian Threat on Two Fronts Meets Strategic Void in the U.S. , aims to keep ramping up twin hysterias over a new missile gap and fear of Russian meddling in the 2018 midterm elections.

The Timess world-view begins to look like the script of a Batman sequel with Vlad Putin cast in The Joker role of the cackling psychopath who must be stopped at all costs! Americas generals have switched on the Batman signal beacon, but Donald Trump in the role of the Caped Crusader, merely dithers and broods in the splendid isolation of his 1600 Penn Avenue Bat Cave, suffering yet another of his endless bipolar identity crises. For Gods sake, The Times shrieks, do something! The Russians are coming! (Gotham Citys Chief of Police Hillary said exactly that last week in a Tweet!)

I think they misunderstood Mr. Putins recent message when he announced a new hypersonic missile technology that would, supposedly, cut through any imaginable US missile defense. The actual message, for the non mental defectives left in this drooling idiocracy of a republic, was as follows: Nuclear war remains unthinkable, so kindly stop thinking about it.

Mr. Putins other strategic position is also misrepresented  actually, not even acknowledged  in Mondays NYT propaganda blast, namely, to discourage the USAs decades-long policy of regime change here, there, and everywhere on the planet, creating a debris trail of one failed state after another. As a true-blue American, I must say these are two admirable propositions. Is it fatuous to add that atomic war is unlikely to benefit anyone? Or that the world has had enough of US military meddling in foreign lands?

Of course the shopworn trope of Russian meddling in the 2016 election still occupies the center ring of the American political circus. Todays Times story includes another clumsy attempt to set up expectations that the 2018 midterm elections will be hacked by Russia, in order to keep the hysteria at code-red level. As usual, the proposition assumes that the alleged 2016 hacking is both proven and significant when, going on two years, there is no evidence of hacking besides the obviously amateurish Facebook troll farm. (And, by the way, how does that compare to the USAs 2014 covert toppling of Ukraines president Viktor Yanukovych? Talk about meddling!)

[I]n public statements in recent weeks, Mr. Trumps top intelligence officials have conceded that the president has yet to discuss strategies with them to prevent the Russians from interfering in the midterm elections this year. Mr. Trump has expressed severe doubts that the Russians meddled in 2016, contradicting the conclusions of his intelligence officials.

By inference, The New York Times has no doubts that the 2016 election was fatally hacked to defeat its preferred candidate  though there is plenty of reason to suppose that the entire Russian meddling story was a mendacious psyops product of John O. Brennans CIA. It was only a few months ago that The Times and the cable news networks were shrieking about the White House National Security Advisor (General Flynn) being caught speaking with the Russian Ambassador  as if foreign ambassadors come here for some reason other than to keep open communication lines with American officials.

Whats going on here makes the Red Scare of 1920 and the McCarthy episode of the early 1950s look sedate in comparison. Its reasonable to suppose that officials in any foreign country watching the dismal ongoing spectacle here would conclude that the United States has lost its mind. Somebody please take us to the hydrotherapy chamber!

James Howard Kunstler is the author of many books including (non-fiction) The Geography of Nowhere, The City in Mind: Notes on the Urban Condition, Home from Nowhere, The Long Emergency, and Too Much Magic: Wishful Thinking, Technology and the Fate of the Nation. His novels include World Made By Hand, The Witch of Hebron, Maggie Darling  A Modern Romance, The Halloween Ball, an Embarrassment of Riches, and many others. He has published three novellas with Water Street Press: Manhattan Gothic, A Christmas Orphan, and The Flight of Mehetabel. http://kunstler.com/

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The views and opinions expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect those of Information Clearing House.

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Join the DiscussionDivide and Conquer - Why Does the U.S. Hate Peace?

By Ted Rall

March 09, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Give peace a chance, the song urges.

But the United States wont have it.

Olympic diplomacy seems to be working on the Korean peninsula. After a pair of South Korean envoys visited Pyongyang, they issued a promising communique . The North Korean side clearly stated its willingness to denuclearize, the statement said. Considering that the Korean crisis and a derpy emergency management official had Hawaiians jumping down manholes a few months ago, this news comes as a relief.

Then comes the rub. The South Korean statement continued: [North Korea] made it clear that it would have no reason to keep nuclear weapons if the military threat to the North was eliminated and its security guaranteed [my emphasis].

In other words, the DPRK is saying  reasonably  well get rid of our nukes but only if you promise not to invade us. That guarantee would have to be issued by two countries: South Korea and the United States.

This would directly contradict long-standing U.S. foreign policy, which clearly and repeatedly states that the use of military force is always on the table when we dont get our way in an international dispute.

Kim Jong-On has good reasons to be afraid of us. In a speech to the UN President Trump threatened to  totally destroy  North Korea. President George W. Bush declared them a member of the Axis of Evil; we invaded and currently occupy Iraq, one of the two other supposed Evildoers. After deposing and enabling the execution of Iraqs president. Last week Bushs UN ambassador John Bolton published a legal argument for nuking North Korea without provocation .

Believe it or not, this is the soft side of U.S. foreign policy.

For decades South Korea has tried to deescalate its relationship with the North, not infrequently expressing its desire to end formal hostilities, which legally never ended after the Korean War , and move toward the long-term goal of a united Korea under a single government. And for decades the United States has stood in the way, awkwardly trying to look reasonable as it opposes peace. We do not seek to accelerate reunification, a State Department spokesman said recently.

To say the least.

South-North talks are inextricably related to North Korea-United States relations, South Korean President Kim Dae Jung said in 2001, after Bush canceled dialogue with the North. The South, dependent on more than 20,000 U.S. troops stationed along its northern border, was forced to suspend reunification talks too.

The Reagan Administration pressured its South Korean ally to break off reunification talks in 1985.

Nixon did the same thing in 1974 . After Nixons resignation later that year, President Gerald Ford opposed a UN resolution to demilitarize the border by withdrawing U.S. troops.

Even Mr. Reasonable, Barack Obama, refused to listen to South Koreans who want peace (and to visit long-lost relatives in North Korea). Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, Obama threatened to loose the dogs of war : The United States of America will maintain the strongest military the world has ever known, bar none, always. That is what we do. What Obama would not do was allow North and South Korea to sit down and work out their differences. Before talks, Obama said, North Korea would have to denuclearize. After which, of course, there would be no need for talks because, hey, regime change is fun!

Why, a sane person might ask at this point, would U.S. policymakers want to risk World War III over two countries that repeatedly say they want to make peace and get back together?

For my money a 2007 analysis by the geopolitical thinktank Stratfor comes closest to explaining whats really going on inside the Beltway: The basic global situation can be described simply. The United States has overwhelming power. It is using that power to try to prevent the emergence of any competing powers. It is therefore constantly engaged in interventions on a political, economic and military level. The rest of the world is seeking to limit and control the United States. No nation can do it alone, and therefore there is a constant attempt to create coalitions to contain the United States. So far, these coalitions have tended to fail, because potential members can be leveraged out of the coalition by American threats or incentives.

The U.S. is the Great Global Disruptor. As powers emerge, the United States follows a three-stage program. First, provide aid to weaker powers to contain and undermine emerging hegemons. Second, create more formal arrangements with these powers. Finally, if necessary, send relatively small numbers of U.S. troops to Eurasia to block major powers and destabilize regions. For example, Iran is the emerging hegemon in the Middle East. The U.S. undermines Iran with trade sanctions, props up rivals like Saudi Arabia with aid, and deploys U.S. troops next door in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Similarly the U.S. keeps China off-balance by propping up Taiwan and setting up new U.S. bases in the region . We play India against Pakistan, Europe against Russia.

A united Korea would create a new power center, potentially a new economic rival, to the U.S. in the Pacific Rim. So the U.S. uses threats (totally destroy) against the North and incentivizes the South (free border security).

It would almost be funny if it wasnt so sick. Heres to the day the two Koreas see through us.

Ted Rall is the political cartoonist at ANewDomain.net, editor-in-chief of SkewedNews.net, Ted Ralls Twitter: @tedrall) brand-new book is  Meet the Deplorables: Infiltrating Trump America , co-written with Harmon Leon. His next book will be  Francis: The Peoples Pope , the latest in his series of graphic novel-format biographies. Publication date is March 13, 2018. You can support Teds hard-hitting political cartoons and columns and see his work first by sponsoring his work on Patreon .)

The views and opinions expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect those of Information Clearing House.

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White House press secretary Sarah Sanders says President Trump wont meet with Kim Jong Un until we see concrete actions that match the words and the rhetoric of North Korea https://t.co/qTID7SRySB pic.twitter.com/bJrQz4kvPQ  CNN (@CNN) March 9, 2018

In America, Only a Madman Tries to Make Peace : Its tempting for Democrats to mock everything Donald Trump does, but lets face it, this is exactly the kind of dealmaking America needs if it works out.

Note To ICH Community Regarding Our Comment Section By Tom Feeley March 08, 2018 " Information Clearing House " -As many of you are aware, for some time now we have been experiencing attacks on our third party comment system. The purpose of this onslaught is an attempt to sow discontent among our community, reduce the impact this website and daily newsletter has on those searching beyond the propaganda outlets we call "news" media. Continue

Join the DiscussionWhy Russias New Strategic Capabilities Come As a Shock to US Intelligence Community

By Philip M. Giraldi

March 09, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - The United States of America spends something like $80 billion annually on intelligence gathering and analysis. When the CIA was founded by the National Security Act in 1947 the intention was to create a mechanism that would warn about an imminent threat. The memory of Pearl Harbor in 1941, when Japan attacked the U.S. naval base was still fresh, and the legislation was popularized by the slogan no more Pearl Harbors.

In spite of the dedication of considerable resources and manpower, there have been some major intelligence failures in the past seventy years, starting with the inability to anticipate the breakout of the Korean War and including the embrace of false intelligence on Saddam Husseins alleged weapons of mass destruction. But the most recent failure is perhaps more consequential than either Korea or Iraq.

On March 1 st , Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke before his countrys Federal Assembly plus a large group of both local and foreign journalists, outlining his plans for the economy and also dealing with other domestic issues should he be reelected later this month. The final third of the presentation was on national defense and, in its substance, was clearly directed at a global audience, particularly the United States.

He explained

During all these years since the unilateral U.S. withdrawal from the ABM Treaty [in 2001] we have been working intensively on advanced equipment and arms, which allowed us to make a breakthrough in developing new models of strategic weapons.

He was referring to the RS-28 Sarmat ballistic missile, which has almost unlimited range and ultra-high speed, enabling it to employ trajectories including strikes coming over the South Pole that can defeat existing American Anti-Ballistic Defense systems. Russia has also produced and deployed a hypersonic glider weapon system Avangard.

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But the real game changer is the Russian ability to negate Americas ability to project power through its navy. The already deployed air-launched Kinzhal anti-ship missile has a range of 2000 kilometers and a hyper-sonic speed that makes it nearly impossible to intercept. The development has made Americas thirteen aircraft carrier groups obsolete. President Putin made clear that Russia now has an overwhelming military advantage in cruise and ballistic missiles that are capable of penetrating U.S. defenses.

The new reality may or may not impel policymakers in Washington to approach Moscow and seek a new round of negotiations for arms control, but the real shock deriving from the Putin announcement is the failure of the intelligence community to anticipate the developments and advise their significance. Some of the new systems were hardly secret, with development of the Sarmat, for example, known to western governments for a number of years.

There will no doubt be a blame game in Washington over the inability to learn of Russias arms programs, but the questions that probably will not be asked relates to the intelligence agencies themselves and their capabilities, or lack thereof. It is no secret that organizations like the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) have seen their basic missions change since 2001. An organization that used to pride itself on its ability to conduct classic espionage operations involving recruiting and running spies suddenly heard from policymakers that those skills were no longer in demand. Many officers who were made redundant or forced to retire were precisely those individuals who had cut their teeth on running operations directed against the old Soviet Union. They had the language and cultural skills necessary to collect information on Russia. With their departure, those capabilities also largely vanished.

Instead of spying, American intelligence agencies working mostly against what was broadly described as terrorism, used technology to locate potential targets and kill them. The CIAs Clandestine Services, once the haven of its spies, became under President Barack Obama, a largely paramilitary operation focused on military solutions rather than espionage. This process was accelerated under Obamas CIA Director John Brennan, who worked assiduously to reduce the influence of the former spies within the Agency. Brennan reportedly had once wanted to become a spy but was kicked out of the training program as unsuitable.

So, has America learned that its intelligence agencies are doing all the wrong things and that the national defense strategy is unsustainable because the Russian-American relationship is now on a new footing? Possibly, but it is perhaps more likely that Washington will avoid asking the hard questions.

Philip Giraldi is a former counter-terrorism specialist and military intelligence officer of the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

This article was originally published by " Strategic Culture Foundation "

The views and opinions expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect those of Information Clearing House.

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Join the DiscussionProgressive Journalists Jump the Shark on Russiagate



A lack of skepticism has characterized much of the reporting on Russiagate, with undue credibility being given to questionable sources like the Steele dossier, and now progressives like Jane Mayer and Cenk Uygur are joining the bandwagon, Ray McGovern observes.



By Ray McGovern

March 09, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Jane Mayer of The New Yorker and Cenk Uygur of The Young Turks are the latest progressives to jump on the anti-Trump, pro-Russiagate bandwagon. They have made it crystal clear that, in Mayers words, they are not going to let Republicans, or anyone else, take down the whole intelligence community, by God.

Odd? Nothing is too odd when it comes to spinning and dyeing the yarn of Russiagate; especially now that some strands are unraveling from the thin material of the Steele dossier.

Before the 2016 election, British ex-spy Christopher Steele was contracted (through a couple of cutouts) by the Clinton campaign and Democratic National Committee to dig up dirt on candidate Donald Trump. They paid him $168,000. They should ask for their money back.

Mayer and Uygur have now joined with other Trump-despisers and new progressive fans of the FBI and CIA  among them Amy Goodman and her go-to, lost-in-the-trees journalist, Marcy Wheeler of Emptywheel.net. All of them (well, maybe not Cenk) are staying up nights with needle and thread trying to sew a silk purse out of the sows-ear dossier of Steele allegations and then dye it red for danger.

Monday brought a new low, with a truly extraordinary one-two punch by Mayer and Uygur .

A Damning Picture?

Mayer does her part in a New Yorker article, in which she  intentionally or not  cannot seem to see the forest for the trees.

In her article, Mayer explains up front that the Steele dossier painted a damning picture of collusion between Trump and Russia, and then goes on to portray him as a paragon of virtue with praise that is fulsome, in the full meaning of that word. For example, a friend of Steele told Mayer that regarding Steele, Fairness, integrity, and truth, for him, trump any ideology.

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Now, if one refuses to accept this portrait on faith, then you are what Mayer describes as a Trump defender. According to Mayer, Trump defenders argue that Steele is a dishonest Clinton apparatchik who had collaborated with American intelligence and law enforcement officials to fabricate false charges against Trump and his associates, in a dastardly (sic) attempt to nullify the 2016 election. According to this story line, it was not the President who needed to be investigated, but the investigators themselves.

Can you imagine!

I could not help but think that Mayer wrote her piece some months ago and that she and her editors might have missed more recent documentary evidence that gives considerable support to that dastardly story line. But seriously, it should be possible to suspect Steele of misfeasance or malfeasance  or simply telling his contractors what he knows they want to hear  without being labeled a Trump supporter. I, for example, am no Trump supporter. I am, however, a former intelligence officer and I have long since concluded that what Steele served up is garbage.

Character References

Mayer reports that Richard Dearlove, head of MI6 from 1999 to 2004, described Steele as superb. Personally, I would shun any recommendation from that charlatan. Are memories so short? Dearlove was the intelligence chief who briefed Prime Minister Tony Blair on July 23, 2002 after a quick trip to Washington. The official minutes of that meeting were leaked to the London Times and published on May 1, 2005.

Dearlove explained to Blair that President George W. Bush had decided to attack Iraq for regime change and that the war was to be justified by the conjunction of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. Dearlove added matter-of-factly, The intelligence and facts are being fixed around the policy.

Another character reference Mayer gives for Steele is former CIA Deputy Director John McLaughlin (from 2000 to 2004) who, with his boss George Tenet, did the fixing of intelligence to justify the war on Iraq. State Department intelligence director at the time, Carl Ford, told the authors of Hubris: The Inside Story of Spin, Scandal, and the Selling of the Iraq War that both McLaughlin and Tenet should have been shot for what they did.

And then there is CIA veteran spy John Sipher who, Mayer says, ran the Agencys Russia program before retiring, in 2014. Sipher tells her he thinks the Steele dossier is generally credible in saying what Russia might be up to. Sipher may be a good case officer but he has shown himself to be something of a cipher on substance.

Worse still, he displays a distinct inclination toward the remarkable view of former National Intelligence Director James Clapper, who has said that Russians are typically, almost genetically driven to co-opt, penetrate, gain favor, whatever. If Mayer wanted to find some ostensibly authoritative figure to endorse the kind of material in Steeles dossier, she surely picked a good one in Sipher.

Mayer notes, Its too early to make a final judgment about how much of Steeles dossier will be proved wrong, but a number of Steeles major claims have been backed up by subsequent disclosures. She includes, as flat fact, his claim that the Kremlin and WikiLeaks were working together to release the DNCs emails, but provides no evidence.

Major Holes

Mayer, however, should know better. There have been lots of holes in the accusation that the Russians hacked the DNC and gave the material to WikiLeaks to publish. Heres one major gap we reported on Jan. 20, 2017: President Barack Obama told his last press conference on Jan. 18, that the U.S. intelligence community had no idea how the Democratic emails reached WikiLeaks.

Using lawyerly language, Obama admitted that the conclusions of the intelligence community with respect to the Russian hacking were not conclusive as to whether WikiLeaks was witting or not in being the conduit through which we heard about the DNC e-mails that were leaked.

It is necessary to carefully parse Obamas words since he prides himself in his oratorical constructs. He offered a similarly designed comment at a Dec. 16, 2016 press conference when he said: based on uniform intelligence assessments, the Russians were responsible for hacking the DNC.  the information was in the hands of WikiLeaks.

Note the disconnect between the confidence about hacking and the stark declarative sentence about the information ending up at WikiLeaks. Obama does not bridge the gap because to do so would be a bald-faced lie, which some honest intelligence officer might call him on. So, he simply presented the two sides of the chasm  implies a connection  but leaves it to the listener to make the leap.

It was, of course, WikiLeaks that published the very damaging Democratic information, for example, on the DNCs dirty tricks that marginalized Sen. Bernie Sanders and ensured that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would win the Democratic nomination. What remained to be demonstrated was that it was the Russians who gave those emails to WikiLeaks. And that is what the US intelligence community could not honestly say.

Saying it now, without evidence, does not make it true.

Cenk Also in Sync

Cenk Uygur of The Young Turks at once picked up , big time, on the part of Mayers article that homes in on an astonishing report from Steele in late November 2016 quoting one senior Russian official. According to that official, The Kremlin had intervened to block Trumps initial choice for secretary of state, Mitt Romney. Steeles late November memo alleged that the Kremlin had asked Trump to appoint someone who would be prepared to lift Ukraine-related sanctions and cooperate on security issues like Syria.

Mayer commented, As fantastical as the memo sounds, subsequent events could be said to support it. Fantastical or not, Uygur decided to run with it. His amazing 12-minute video is titled: New Steele Dossier: Putin PICKED Trumps Secretary of State. Uygur asks: Who does Tillerson work for; and that also goes for the President.

Return to Sanity

As an antidote to all the above, let me offer this cogent piece on the views of Joseph E. diGenova, who speaks out of his unique experience, including as Counsel to the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (the Church Committee). The article is entitled: The Politicization of the FBI.

Over the past year, diGenova wrote, facts have emerged that suggest there was a plot by high-ranking FBI and Department of Justice (DOJ) officials in the Obama administration, acting under color of law, to exonerate Hillary Clinton of federal crimes and then, if she lost the election, to frame Donald Trump and his campaign for colluding with Russia to steal the presidency.

He pointed out that nearly half of Americans, according to a CBS poll, believe that Muellers Trump-Russia collusion probe is politically motivated. And, he noted, 63 percent of polled voters in a Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll believe that the FBI withheld vital information from Congress about the Clinton and Russia collusion investigations.

This skepticism is entirely warranted, as diGenova explains, with the Russiagate probe being characterized by overreach from the beginning.

Ray McGovern works with Tell the Word, a publishing arm of the ecumenical Church of the Saviour in inner-city Washington. He served in Army and CIA intelligence analysis for 30 years and, after retiring, co-founded Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS).

This article was originally published by " Consortiumnews " -

The views and opinions expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect those of Information Clearing House.

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Note To ICH Community Regarding Our Comment Section By Tom Feeley March 08, 2018 " Information Clearing House " -As many of you are aware, for some time now we have been experiencing attacks on our third party comment system. The purpose of this onslaught is an attempt to sow discontent among our community, reduce the impact this website and daily newsletter has on those searching beyond the propaganda outlets we call "news" media. Continue

Join the DiscussionSomeone is attempting to sell the car two of the worlds greatest rap icons were shot in. 64-year-old Gary Zimet, founder of Moments In Time  a business that possesses some morbid memorabilia  is in the process of seeking buyers for the two vehicles Tu Pac Shakur and Biggie Smalls were shot in .

He spoke to Pitchfork about why he is doing it

The GMC Suburban SUV Biggie was shot in is reportedly being auctioned $750,000 while the BMW 7 Series Tupac was shot in is said to be going for $1.5 million .

Zimet says for the vehicles have historical significance, arguing that hed sell them to museums, but hasnt found one yet because theyre perpetually broke. He said he got a hold of both cars coincidentally.

Speaking about the car Biggie was shot in he said:

Weirdly enough, a family purchased the SUV purely by chance and had no idea of its importance until several years later when they got a postcard from a detective in L.A. saying he needed the car returned for evidence. They had to give it up momentarily but later got it back.

Now, in the case of the Tupac murder car, its been fully restored and, unfortunately, all the bullet holes were done over and you can hardly tell it was a car used in a murder. However, with the Biggie car, although the doors were replaced [the LAPD cut off the original doors for evidence], there is a bullet hole still visible in the seatbelt!

He also admits that trying to sell the vehicles is creepy, but the fact it surrounds the deaths of two of hip-hops most influential figures appeals to people.A mother of 5 identified as Ashile Basirat has been arrested for working with robbers to dupe passengers in Ogun state.

The suspect arrested recently in Abeokuta confessed that she started the 419 business because she was once a victim.

Basirat in her confession at the Ogun State Police Command Headquarters in Eleweran Abeokuta said her gang operates by picking up unsuspecting passengers.

Once the victim is found, they would tell him or her that there was money in the booth, which could not be spent because it was spiritually locked.

They will later persuade their victim to follow them to a priest who could unlock the box.

he or she would be brought to me, while I pretend to be an Ifa priestess (Iya Alawo). It was at the junction that we would then request for the bank details and card of the victim

The 45-year-old said she started the illicit business in 2011 a year after she was scammed in a similar manner.

Other members of her syndicate include Olaniyan Ashimiyu, Erinosho Tajudeen and Ifeanyi Leonard.In the matter filed against Kiss Daniel by his former label, G-Worldwide.

The Federal High Court in Lagos ruled yesterday that having made a case for the grant of injunctions against the artists, on the basis that the same evidence which was presented for the grant of the injunctions are same with those submitted to the court for the trial and main issue, the court is constrained to make an order for an accelerated hearing and trial of the matter.

Recall that the court had order the parties to maintain status quo under the recording contract in December 2017, and by virtue of the fact that both parties have submitted themselves to the court, parties are to refrain from taking any steps or doing any act that may affect the final decision of the court.

The parties are to come before the court on 16th May, 2018 with their witnesses  Emperor Geezy and Kiss Daniel on that day to tender their evidence and testify.

A source has hinted that Kiss Daniel through his lawyers have reached out to his former label with a hope to reach a settlement.

Source: NaijaloadedA 9-year-old boy drowned while trying to save a friend from a construction pit, in Soshanguve, South Africa.

Thapelo Tambani, a pupil at Transoranje School for the deaf, was playing with friends on a heap of sand near a construction site last Wednesday.

One of his friends suddenly slipped into a nearby water-filled trench. Tambani managed to rescue his friend, but ended up sliding into the trench himself.

His brother Joseph tried to rescue Tambani, but he had disappeared under the murky water.

A week later after Tambanis death, relatives and residents are blaming a construction firm for the unsafe conditions at the site. His mother Sarah said:

I blame the contractor for the passing of my son. The scene is now made to look like it was safe all along.

However, the construction company, Vharanani Properties , said it was not to blame.

They claim safety measures had been in place at the excavated trench in the area near Soshanguve South Secondary School in Extension 10 at the time of the accident.

The trench had been securely barricaded with safety nets, noted site manager Jerry Sawena.

Extension 10 residents disputed the companys claims that the trench had always been secured.

Samuel Maluleka, who lives close to the trench, said the contractor could have done more to ensure the safety of the community, especially of children.

The safety net was not tight as it fell down at times without the company returning to fix it, said Maluleka.

We have children in the area  they should have thought of that.

Another resident, William Soloms, said the trench was only sealed after Tambanis death.

The child was pulled out of the trench on late on Wednesday evening, but Thursday morning we woke up to a sealed pit.

Akasia police spokesperson Matsobane Mabusela said an inquest into the cause of death was underway.American actress, Jennifer Lawrence has in a new interview with SUN, revealed that she rarely has sex and also forces her partners to undergo STI tests.

The 27-year-old who has previously dated director Darren Aronofsky, actor Nicholas Hoult and Chris Martin, hates physical contact, including shaking hands, as shes so worried about catching a disease.

She said:

The truth is when I look back at my sexual past it was always with boyfriends. I talk like I like it, but I dont really do it. I am mostly also a germaphobe. I have made it this far without an STI. D**k is dangerous.

If I was at the point where I could get an STI, doctors have already been involved. That is how much of a germaphobe I am.

I am not in a relationship. I am making it clear that I have not had sex in a very long time. I would like to have a relationship, you know. It is hard out there.

Source  THE SUNA woman in India is still in pain in hospital hours after her husband beat her to coma for allegedly turning off their home WiFi to enable him to go to bed on time.

Reshma Sultana is being treated at a local hospital in Hyderabad, India even as women all over the world celebrate Intl Working Women Day.

The 30-year-old told Deccan Chronicle that her husband Omer Pasha who has been harassing her for a longtime beat her to the point of coma before relatives came to her rescue and rushed her to the hospital.Tribune

The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said on Friday that President Muhammadu Buhari has turned his belated tour of violence affected states to campaign rallies.

Punch

Depot operators under the aegis of Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association have appealed to the Federal Government to prioritise the upgrade of the three existing refineries in the country to meet the nations petroleum consumption.

Vanguard

AND 22 governors showed up to mark register when 110 daughters of citizens of your nation were captured by Boko Haram that you said you have already technically defeated? It just shows how insensitive our leaders are.

Thisday

The federal government has inaugurated Chairmen and over 200 board members of the 17 agencies under the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The Sun

The rift between the House of Representatives and the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development took a new dimension yesterday, as the Minister, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said he may not honour invitation by the lower chamber again, on Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) in Kogi State.

Daily Trust

The FCT Chapter chairman of Agriculture and Allied Employees Union of Nigeria (AAEUN), Agha Ukpai Agha, has said the federal government is planning to give land to civil servants to encourage them to go into agriculture.

Leadership

The local government area should be the foundation of democratic governance for all countries. It is the closest level of government to the citizens. It should address the basic needs of the citizens. It is expected to provide citizens with more direct representation and opportunity for political participation.

Daily Trust

There is disquiet in the Lagos State chapter of the APC, with some chieftains of the party, on Tuesday, rejecting the tenure elongation of national officers of the party.KABUL, March 10 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 Afghan soldiers were killed after Taliban attacked their outpost in western province of Farah overnight, local Ariana News TV reported on Saturday.

The deadly attack was carried out by Taliban militants Friday night in Farah Rod area of Bala Buluk district, northeastern of the provincial capital Farah city, the report quoted Farid Bakhtawar, chairman of the provincial council, as saying.

Those among the killed were nine members of the Afghan Special Operations Forces, according to the report.

Additional forces were dispatched to the district after the clashes.

Several soldiers went missing after the attack during which one armored military vehicle was destroyed and two others were seized by the attackers together with weapons.

Zabiullah Mujahid, a purported Taliban spokesman, claimed that 53 Afghan soldiers were killed and injured when Taliban fighters stormed their position in Farah Rod.

Afghan army and police have repulsed Taliban attacks against Farah city in the past months as the militants have been trying to capture full control of the city and outer parts.

Violence has been on the rise as Afghan security forces struggle against a surge in attacks by anti-government fighters since the drawdown of foreign forces over the past three years.The map of rich neighborhoods in the Seoul metropolitan area is changing as a result of a real estate market slump that has been going on since the financial crisis started in 2008.

More people are giving serious consideration to finding an environment where they can live comfortably and conveniently, rather than investing in property in the hope that the price will go up and make them rich.

Emerging neighborhoods include Banpo-dong in Seocho and a part of Yongsan, both in Seoul, and Pangyo in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.

Housing prices in Banpo-dong have risen more sharply over the past five years than in established upscale areas such as Apgujeong-dong, Daechi-dong and Gaepo-dong in the Gangnam district.

According to estate agents Dr. Apartment, the average apartment price in Banpo-dong rose from W32.65 million per 3.3 sq.m in January 2008 to W34.24 million. In contrast, housing prices in Apgujeong-dong, Daechi-dong and Gaepo-dong fell more than 20 percent over the past five years, even though many older apartments are being renovated there.

"The market situation changed drastically after 5,000 new luxury apartment units were built there around 2009," an estate agent in Banpo-dong said. "They attracted a lot of attention, which drove up their prices."

This is also true of parts of Gyeonggi Province. Apartments in Pangyo now cost on average W19.56 million per 3.3 sq.m, up about 2.6 percent from April 2009 when many people moved into new apartments there. By contrast, the average price of apartments in nearby Bundang fell 12.5 percent to W15.13 million.

Many homes in Bundang have already become obsolescent because they are more than 20 years old. But in Pangyo many new apartments were built and office workers moved in as one company after another rushed into Pangyo. The proximity to Seoul is another draw.

The part of Yongsan in Seoul where Yongsan Park is under development is now drawing more interest than upscale Hannam-dong in the same district. The government decided in 2011 to build Yongsan Park, measuring 2.42 million sq.m, with a plan to develop the area and open it to the public from 2017.

The average apartment price nearby is now W33.4 million per 3.3 sq.m, making it the second most expensive area in Seoul after Banpo-dong.

"An increasing number of people are starting to consider their current utility the most important factor when they buy homes, rather than investment for the future," said Ham Young-jin at Real Estate 114.Within hours came the remarkable news that after years of brinksmanship and threats of mutual obliteration, Trump had agreed to sit down with North Korea's Kim Jong-un, a man he's long derided as "Little Rocket Man."

Then ABC reporter Jon Karl ran into Trump in a West Wing hallway and the president let out a little more string. Asked if the announcement was about talks with North Korea, Trump offered: "It's almost beyond that. Hopefully, you will give me credit."

The first inkling that something big was afoot on North Korea came from President Donald Trump himself: He popped his head into the White House briefing room late Thursday afternoon to tease a "major statement" coming soon -- from South Korean officials.

 History-making Statement

Instead of a televised addressed to the nation or a press conference in the stately East Room, the news ultimately was delivered by a South Korean national security official standing on the White House driveway in the dark.

Chung Eui-yong read his roughly two-minute, history-making statement to cameras and shivering reporters gathered in a cluster.

Trump's earlier teaser in the briefing room -- his first known visit there -- sent reporters who'd missed the presidential pop-in frantically rushing to find out what he'd said as White House officials scrambled to figure out just where the announcement would occur. Initial plans for a briefing room announcement with White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders were scuttled in favor of the driveway.

Several Pentagon officials said shortly before the announcement that they had no knowledge of what the South Koreans planned to announce. And Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, traveling in Africa, just hours before said the U.S. was "a long ways" from direct talks.

 White House Briefing

Word was already out that the South Korean delegation, which had just returned from Pyongyang, had spent the day briefing White House officials on their conversations. And the delegates had made public much of what they'd learned.

Some outlets soon reported that Chung had delivered a message from Kim requesting a one-on-one meeting with Trump. But no one was prepared for what would come next.

In his driveway statement, Chung delivered the headline: Trump had accepted Kim's invitation to meet by the end of May.

Almost a half-hour after that news broke, the White House weighed in with a statement from Sanders confirming that Trump had indeed accepted the invitation and the two leaders would meet "at a place and time to be determined."

Trump wrapped up the day's chaotic events with, what else, a tweet: "Great progress being made but sanctions will remain until an agreement is reached. Meeting being planned!"As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles.

Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services.

These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience  the local community.

It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times.

CloseFOLLOWING his shock death in Thailand, the family of Luke Miller have joined with other grieving parents and called on the government to launch an investigation.

Several parents, including Luke's mum Sara Cotton, handed over a petition at 10 Downing Street on Tuesday (6), demanding the government investigate the deaths of young Britons in Thailand.

At least nine Western backpackers have been murdered or died in unexplained circumstances on just one island, Koh Tao, in the past five years.

An inquest last June, where an open conclusion was recorded, heard Lukes body was found at the bottom of a swimming pool after a night out with friends.

His family do not believe the explanation given by Thai police, that bricklayer Luke, 26, hit his head jumping into the pool and drowned, and remain convinced he was unlawfully killed.

The petition was lunched by Surrey mum Pat Harrington, whose son Ben died on the same island in 2012.

She does not believe he died in a motorbike accident, as the authorities claim, and said his wallet and watch were missing when he was found.

Sara, 53, and her husband Martin Cotton, 57, of Woodbine Close, Newport, said they would not stop fighting for answers.

They have been supported by Island based charity the Lucie Blackman Trust in their efforts to find out what happened. A series of questions have been put to the Thai police, via the Foreign Office, regarding his death.

"I hope this will make a difference. We want these deaths looked into, and we want young people to be aware of the safety issues. People don't realise it's dangerous, they just go to have a good time," said Sara.

"As a parent, it doesn't get any easier. It's just different. There is no pain like it. I still think of Luke every hour of every day.

"I don't want Luke to die in vain. I don't think we will get justice for Luke but we can try to stop other people from going through this pain."India to restart COVID-19 vaccine exports to COVAX, neighbours

The export of surplus vaccines would begin in the next quarter (October-December) under the Vaccine Maitri programme and in order to fulfil the commitment of India towards COVAX.Scene Editor Billy Arnold covers arts and entertainment. He apprenticed as a sound engineer at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland, Ohio before making his way to Jackson, where he has become a low-key fan of country music.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.Cody Cottier covers town and state government. He grew up with a view of the Olympic Mountains, and after graduating Washington State University he traded it for a view of the Tetons. Odds are the mountains are where youll find him when not on deadline.Will came to Jackson as sports editor in the summer of 2021 after covering Mountaineer athletics during his time at West Virginia University. A native of New Hampshire, Will spent time exploring the White Mountains before making his way West.Govt Degree Colleges Fort Abbas Jobs 2018

Latest Services & General Administration Department Labor Posts Fort Abbas 2021 Government Degree Colleges Fort Abbas, Services & General Administration Department, Government of the Punjab required individuals for the posts of Lab Attendant, Mali/ Baildar, Watchman, Conductor, Sweeper and Naib Qasid.

How to Apply on Services & General Administration Department Job Advertisement

Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online.

Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If the employer asks you to pay money for any purpose including processing to shortlisting, do not pay at all and report us using our contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs cannot be applied online here. Error & omissions excepted.LTV Drivers, Truck Drivers & JCB Operator Jobs in Qatar

Latest Great View Overseas Employment Promoter Posts Qatar 2021 A well reputed companies based in Qatar seeks candidates for the posts of Block Mason, Carpenter, Steel Fixer, Drum Truck Driver, Helpers, LTV Drivers, HTV Bus Driver and JCB Operators.

How to Apply on Great View Overseas Employment Promoter Job Advertisement

Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online.

Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If the employer asks you to pay money for any purpose including processing to shortlisting, do not pay at all and report us using our contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs cannot be applied online here. Error & omissions excepted.INGRID THOFT

Last fall in Toronto I sat waiting for the opening ceremony at Bouchercon to begin. I don't like to wait, but in this instance, I hoped the delay would continue given that I was sitting next to Ausma Zehanat Khan. Ausma and I first met through social media and then were on a panel together at the Tucson Festival of Books. Everything that I had surmised about her from her books was born out in person: Ausma is smart, talented, kind, and funny . She also has a Ph.D. in international human rights law with a research specialization in military intervention and war crimes in the Balkans and writes fantastic, thought-provoking mysteries. I'm so happy she is joining us today on Jungle Reds!

INGRID THOFT: I love your protagonists, Inspector Esa Khattak and Sergeant Rachel Getty, who are members of Canadas Community Policing Team . What is it about these two characters in particular that made you want to tell their story?

AUSMA ZEHANAT KHAN: Thank you, Ingrid! I wanted to write Esa because I hadnt seen a character like him in crime fiction beforehes a devout Canadian Muslim , and Ive portrayed him in ways that people dont expect to see someone of his background. Hes handsome, charismatic, thoughtfula bit reserved, because I have always loved the archetype of the sexy, brooding detectivebut its his faith that grounds his actions and his view of his job. In the real world, there is a lot of prejudice against a person like Esa, and writing him as I have was a way for me to tackle bigotry head-on .

With Rachel, theres nothing I love so much as characters who have suffered adversity but find a way to push through. Rachel comes from this truly dysfunctional family background, and shes in a male-dominated field where shes faced setbacks and been diminished in ways that her male colleagues havent experienced ways that speak to this #metoo moment . But though Rachel is far from perfect, she doesnt give up on herselfthrough trial and repeated error, shes been getting herself on her feet. And then shes so different from Esa, that creatively its been really rewarding to figure out the parameters of their relationship.





IPT: The latest book in the series, "A Dangerous Crossing, focuses on the refugee crisis in Europe, specifically on the flight of Syrian refugees to the Greek Islands. How did you choose this particular issue as the focus of the book?

AZK: My cousin, who has quite a globe-trotting job, introduced me to an amazing young volunteer whod been on Lesvos. I did a long interview with this volunteer that made me realize that no matter what Id been seeing on the news, I wasnt even close to having the full picture of conditions in the camps on the islands, or of the overwhelming scale of the crisis. The Greek islands are a perfect microcosm of the different dimensions of the refugee crisis : the many dangers of the journey, the kindness or cruelty of strangers, the inadequate response by both international organizations and national governments, and the very human moments that spring up in these extreme circumstances that we may not expect.

One thing that struck me when my first book, The Unquiet Dead," came out, is how many readers responded to the book by telling me that they knew very little about the genocide that followed upon the dissolution of Yugoslavia. Now were seeing atrocities on a much greater scale in Syria . I wanted to write about these crimes while they were ongoing to try and provide some context to the refugee crisis, and to clarify the realities we often find difficult to grasp. I hoped I could do my small part to engage on these issues with some immediacy.





IPT: You have a Ph.D. in international human rights law with a research specialization in military intervention and war crimes in the Balkans. How did you make the transition from academia to fiction?

AZK: It wasnt easy to give up teaching, which I loved, but I felt the administrative side of my job was keeping me from focusing on the things that were important to me about my work. And the academic point of view often insists on this perceived sense of neutrality as a code for objectivity I couldnt fit my research or my point of view into that paradigm. I wanted to write more boldly and without that equivocating language. I also wanted to reach a broader audience. Id been writing fiction all my life, and there finally came a period where I was able to make the decision to make it my priority. But because Im writing about the issues that concern me, Im still doing the work that matters most to me.

IPT: What has surprised you most about being a published author?

AZK: In a really great way, Ive been surprised by how supportive and generous the community of crime writers is . So many writers have taken the time to educate or encourage meits been such a tremendous help, and Im truly grateful.

IPT: Some readers may not know that your first fantasy novel, The Bloodprint was recently released to rave reviews. Im a fan of the tagline on the front: The only defense against the ignorance of men is the brilliance of powerful women. Is there a wannabe book lurking in the back of your brain, something you would write if you didnt have to consider agents, editors, and fans? A romance? Non-fiction?

AZK: Thank you so much for that nod to The Bloodprint. There is a book I have always wanted to write about a human rights crisis I wont name. A war of aggression broke out and during the course of an attack on civilians, an entire extended family was destroyed. Its only surviving member was a nine-year-old girl. I want to write the story of that girl. What happened to her after her family was murdered? Who did she grow up to becomeand how does she view the world after her experience of tragedy and exile? I dont think Im done with the subject of the politics of borders or the horrors of ultra-nationalism. I write about these things, but this little girl lived them. Im not sure yet if this would be fiction or non-fiction. Isn't the UK cover gorgeous? : Thank you so much for that nod to The Bloodprint. There is a book I have always wanted to write about a human rights crisis I wont name. A war of aggression broke out and during the course of an attack on civilians, an entire extended family was destroyed. Its only surviving member was a nine-year-old girl. I want to write the story of that girl. What happened to her after her family was murdered? Who did she grow up to becomeand how does she view the world after her experience of tragedy and exile? I dont think Im done with the subject of the politics of borders or the horrors of ultra-nationalism. I write about these things, but this little girl lived them. Im not sure yet if this would be fiction or non-fiction.

PS: I would also love to write romance . I write romantic scenes for my books all the time that never make it into the final version because they distract from the story too much. But theyre buried somewhere in the files on my computer!





Ausma will be here to answer your questions and is giving away a copy of "A Dangerous Crossing." Join us in the comments!



"A Dangerous Crossing" For Inspector Esa Khattak and Sergeant Rachel Getty, the Syrian refugee crisis is about to become personal. Esas childhood friend, Nathan Clare, calls him in distress: his sister, Audrey, has vanished from a Greek island where the siblings run an NGO. Audrey had been working to fast-track refugees to Canada, but now, she is implicated in the double-murder of a French Interpol agent and a young man who had fled the devastation in Syria.

Esa and Rachel arrive in Greece to a shocking scene, witnessing for themselves the massive fallout of the Syrian war in the wretched refugee camps. Tracing Audreys last movements, they meet some of the volunteers and refugeesone of whom, Ali, is involved in a search of his own, for a girl whose disappearance may be connected to their investigation. The arrival of Sehr Ghilzaia former prosecutor who now handles refugee claims for Audreys NGOfurther complicates the matter for Esa, as his feelings towards her remain unresolved.

Working against time, with Interpol at their heels, Esa and Rachel follow a trail that takes them from the beaches of Greece, to the TurkishSyrian border, and across Europe, reaching even the corridors of power in the Netherlands. Had Audrey been on the edge of a dangerous discovery, hidden at the heart of this darkest of crisesone which ultimately put a target on her own back?







Ausma Zehanat Khan is the author of the award-winning debut novel The Unquiet Dead, the first in the Khattak/Getty mystery series. Her subsequent novels include the critically acclaimed The Language of Secrets and Among the Ruins. Her latest mystery in the series is A Dangerous Crossing. The Khattak/Getty mystery series has been optioned for television by Lionsgate, and Ausma is also the author of a fantasy series for Harper Voyager. The Bloodprint, Book One of the Khorasan Archives was published in October 2017. Ausma holds a Ph.D. in international human rights law with a specialization in military intervention and war crimes in the Balkans. A British-born Canadian and former adjunct law professor, she now lives in Colorado with her husband.









JURIST Guest Columnist Dr. Charles Lugosi of Crease Harman, LLP, discusses how Canadian prime ministers evasive answers during the Question Period expose deeper constitutional issues

All Canadian citizens, regardless of personal political preferences, are the heartbeat of parliamentary democracy. Together we vote to choose the political party that will exercise the powers of the executive branch of the federal government. A caring electorate can only make an informed vote when the people know about the mistakes the Prime Minister has made, that are exposed by the Opposition during Question Period in the House of Commons. Public accountability is achieved by truthful responsive answers communicated by journalists and is fundamental to achieving a check and balance between the power of the executive and the legislative branches of government to prevent executive corruption and contempt of Parliament, and ultimately contempt of the people of Canada.

Giving direct, frank, candid answers that are responsive meets the governments constitutional duty. Public denunciation of the platitudes and political rhetoric uttered as nonsensical answers to legitimate questions has failed to reverse the threat to democracy from Prime Ministers Harper and Justin Trudeau, who have refused to engage in meaningful dialogue. The result is that important role of Question Period has been trivialized and rendered powerless [PDF], reduced to a disgraceful display of arrogance, incivility, and absurdity. The legitimacy of Parliament is at stake, as Speakers of the House, such as Mr. Scheer and Mr. Regan, have claimed that the lack of specific rules makes them helpless and so have failed to resolve this constitutional crisis contributed to by both the Conservative and Liberal parties. It is pathetic to excuse this lack of leadership by Speakers and say, That is why it is called question period, not answer period. Canada deserves national and international ridicule for the constant display of buffoonery during Question Period.

Fortunately Canada is also a constitutional monarchy, which means that Governor General Julie Payette has the constitutional and legal authority as Canadas Head of State, and as Commander-in -Chief, to restore balance, ethics and integrity to the government, by asking these simple questions of the Supreme Court of Canada, Is it unconstitutional and contempt of Parliament anytime the Prime Minister or any Minister of the Crown, or a delegate, gives an unresponsive answer to a question in Question Period? If yes, may the Governor General, then dissolve Parliament and call a general election? Sections 53(2) and (3) of the Supreme Court Act permits the Governor in Council to refer to the Supreme Court an important question of law or fact for an advisory opinion. Normally the Governor General will act upon the advice of the Privy Council, which is comprised of the cabinet members of the ruling party. It is reasonable to expect that the Prime Minister would order the cabinet to oppose the proposed reference, since the root of the current problem lies with Prime Minister Trudeau. There may be different legal opinions whether the Governor General may act unilaterally contrary to the advice of the Privy Council and submit the Reference on her own motion. I think she can, since the entire Privy Council would need to abstain from the reference issue because of an inherent conflict of interest.

It may be that the Liberal party will come to its senses. After all, the Liberals under Justin Trudeau made a campaign promise [PDF] to reform the disgraceful abuses of Question Period by Conservatives like Stephen Harpers parliamentary secretary, Paul Calandra. Trudeau promised: the Prime Minister represents all Canadians and should be directly accountable to all Canadians. But Trudeau has failed to keep his promise.

A glaring illustration is his repeated refusal on May 10, 2017 during Question Period to answer a simple question about how many times he met with the Ethics Commissioner. Instead of demonstrating accountability, Trudeau feebly clung to consistency, weakly claiming, That is what Canadians expect. Last week, outside the House, Trudeau was asked by a journalist about President Trumps decision to put trade barriers on the imports of Canadian steel and aluminium. Trudeau fumbled an incoherent answer that has been mocked on social media as a national embarrassment for Canadians who wanted to hear a sophisticated thoughtful response. Perhaps that is why he avoids answering questions during Question Period because he is incapable of spontaneous responsive answers and can only deliver a scripted evasive answer extolling the virtues of the Liberal agenda.

It is impossible for Canadians to have confidence in a government that undermines democracy and the rule of law by repeatedly rejecting questions designed to hold the executive branch accountable to Parliament and the people of Canada. I agree with Michael Ignatieff that, there can be no more profound cause for an election than the protection of democracy. That is why the Governor General needs to obtain a responsive answer from the Supreme Court of Canada whether her office may dissolve Parliament if the Government refuses to submit to accountability during Question Period. In my opinion, this is what Canadians expect.

Dr. Charles Lugosi is an attorney with the Canadian law firm of Crease Harman, LLP. Throughout his varied career, Dr. Lugosi has been awarded numerous advanced degrees in law and related fields and has earned his license to practice in several U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions. Additionally, Dr. Lugosi is a noted scholar and researcher, regularly publishing for scholarly journals and amicus briefs.

Suggested citation:Charles Lugosi, Question Period and Constitutional Crisis, JURIST  Professional Commentary, Mar. 8, 2018, http://jurist.org/forum/2018/03/charles-lugosi-question-period.php

This article was prepared for publication by Sean Merritt, an Assistant Editor for JURIST Commentary. Please direct any questions or comments to him at commentary@jurist.orgMEDFORD, Ore.  Police have released the details of a standoff in Medford this morning, March 9. The suspect who was found holding a young woman against her will in a vehicle was engaging in sex trafficking, according to the Medford Police Department (MPD).

Lemarr Mitchell, 45, was taken into police custody after a tense encounter on the 700 block of East 9th Street, near Cottage Street.

A report came to the MPD this morning from a woman in California, who claimed that her 20-year-old daughter was being held against her will somewhere in Medford. Police believe that the victim was actually texting a man in California, who was then relaying information to the mother.

The victim relayed to her mother that she was frightened and unable to escape. However, she was able to inform police of her approximate locationin a house, or a vehicle with Texas plates, near East 9th and Cottage.

Officers descended on the area 40 minutes after the initial report, finding a white Ford Fusion with Texas plates. They found the female victim in the car's passenger seat, and an uncooperative Mitchell in the driver's seat.

The victim was able to escape the vehicle, but Mitchell refused to exit. Officers and negotiators communicated with Mitchell by PA and by phone, but the suspect still refused to surrender. Police were unsure if Mitchell was armed.

The standoff continued for over an hour until the Medford Police SWAT team responded. Using a "diversionary device" (referred to in our first story as a glass breaker), the SWAT team were able to force Mitchell to exit the car.

According to MPD, Mitchell was uninjured during his arrest. However, Mitchell told detectives that he had ingested narcotics and marijuana. The suspect was brought to a hospital to be cleared.

After speaking with the victim, investigators now believe that she was sex trafficked in a number of states. Mitchell is now being held in the Jackson County Jail for Promoting Prostitution, Compelling Prostitution, and Trafficking in Persons.

An Advocate from the Rebecca Bender Initiative was summoned and has been with the victim providing support. For more information on the Rebecca Bender Initiative please visit the website at www.rebeccabender.org.Indigenous leaders speak at a news conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on Friday, March 9, 2018, prior to a planned protest over a pipeline expansion project that would pump oil from Canada's tar sands to the Pacific Coast. Thousands are expected to march Saturday in the Metro Vancouver area. (AP Photo/Phuong Le)Doug Ford supporters listen as Hartley Lefton, Chair of the Leadership Election Organising Committee announces the delay of the Ontario PC Leadership announcement, after confusion over the results, in Markham, Ont., on Saturday, March 10, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris YoungOntario PC leadership candidates Tanya Granic Allen, Caroline Mulroney, Christine Elliott and Doug Ford pose for a photo after participating in a debate in Ottawa on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. Ontario's Progressive Conservative party is giving members even more time to sign up to cast their vote for a new leader.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin TangMedia trucks stage at the entrance to the Veterans Home of California in Yountville, Calif., on Friday, March 9, 2018. A gunman took at least three people hostage at the largest veterans home in the United States on Friday, leading to a lockdown of the sprawling grounds in California, authorities said. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)This undated photo provided by Muir Wood Adolescent and Family Services shows The Pathway Home Clinical Director, Dr. Jennifer Golick, a victim of the veterans home shooting on Friday, March 9, 2018, in Yountville, Calif. Dr. Golick was killed by a former patient at The Pathway Home, a treatment program for veterans from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. (Muir Wood Adolescent and Family Services via AP)FILE - In this Feb. 11, 2007 file photo, Stormy Daniels arrives for the 49th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. A nonprofit watchdog group has asked the Justice Department and Office of Government Ethics to investigate whether a secret payment to Daniels made prior to the 2016 presidential election violated federal law because Donald Trump did not list it on his financial disclosure forms. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)FILE -- In this Monday March 28, 2016 file photo, Brian Kelly, former Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency waits to testify before the Assembly Transportation Committee, in Sacramento, Calif. The rail authority on Friday , March 9, 2018, will release its latest business plan, the first since Kelly took over the bullet train project, which has been beset by delays and cost increases. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, file)FILE - In this Oct. 4, 2017 file photo, a device called a "bump stock" is attached to a semi-automatic rifle at the Gun Vault store and shooting range in South Jordan, Utah. The Trump administration is proposing banning bump stocks, which allow guns to mimic fully automatic fire and were used in last year's Las Vegas massacre. The Justice Department's regulation, announced Saturday, March 10, 2018, would classify the device as a machine gun prohibited under federal law. The move was expected after President Donald Trump ordered officials to work toward a ban after 17 people were killed at a Florida high school. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)In this March 5, 2018 photo, a worker manipulates coils of steel at Xiwang Special Steel in Zouping County in eastern China's Shandong province. China says it "firmly opposes" U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff increase for imported steel and aluminum but gave no indication whether Beijing might impose its own measures in response. (Chinatopix via AP)SALEM, Ore. (AP) - A former Salem-Keizer teacher has pleaded guilty to nine child sexual abuse charges.

The Statesman Journal reported Thursday that 40-year-old Shane Ross had been arrested in June 2017 on suspicion of sexually abusing one former student. But a month after his arrest, allegations of abuse toward a second former student arose.

Ross acknowledged in his guilty plea filing that he inappropriately touched the two girls when they were under 14 years old and forced them to touch his private area.

Ross taught at five Salem-Keizer Public Schools for more than 17 years, starting at Houck Middle School as a physical education teacher in 2000.

He was placed on paid administrative leave on March 6, 2017.PORTLAND, Ore. -- An Oregon kidnapping victim said texting 911 saved her life.

The woman only wants to be known as Kinsey. She said she was standing outside of a 7-Eleven, when Douglas Braaten offered her a ride home.

Kinsey said she didn't know the 61-year-old but got out into his vehicle anyway.

Instead of taking her home, Kinsey said Braaten drove her to the Columbia River Gorge and sexually assaulted her.

During the drive, she discretely texted 911 and got a response. When she got the chance, Kinsey said she called 911 and kept the phone out of sight.

She believes dispatchers tracked the phone to find her location.

"They opened the car door, told him to step out. Next thing I hear are handcuffs going on him."

Braaten was arrested on charges of kidnapping and sex abuse.

MEDFORD, Ore. -- The attorney representing a southern Oregon man in a discrimination lawsuit said he is confident the court will side with his client.

Tyler Watson, 20, filed lawsuits on March 5 against both, Dick's Sporting Goods and Walmart, after store employees wouldn't sell him a gun because he isn't 21.

READ MORE: Southern Oregon man takes on two big stores in discrimination lawsuit.



In Oregon, age is a part of the public accommodations law. This means that stores cannot discriminate against someone because of their age. Tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol are exceptions.

"I see this going to summary judgment," said Max Whittington, Watson's lawyer. "I don't think there's a lot of facts at issue. I think that the courts will agree with us that these practices are discriminatory and enjoin them."

Whittington said the stores are ignoring Oregon law and need to be held accountable.

He said his client would only accept a settlement "if [Dicks and Walmart] would reverse their policy and stop these discriminatory practices."

Whittington hasn't been contacted by the NRA or any other gun rights groups about the lawsuit.

"At this time, we are not looking for any support for anyone," he said.

The Bureau of Labor and Industries sent a letter to the president of the Oregon Senate and Speaker of the House about the bill it plans to introduce next season. It would change Oregon's current law to include firearms on the list of exemptions.SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Authorities say a suspect shot by Salem police had backed his pickup into the patrol car of the officer who fired.

Lt. Dave Okada says the suspect, 40-year old Zackary Miles Pevey, was taken to a hospital for treatment. The officer, Jesse Rios, was not injured.

Okada says the incident began Thursday afternoon when officers tried to stop Pevey regarding a warrant.

Pevey fled in his Ford pickup, striking a patrol car in the getaway. Officers pursued but stopped for safety reasons.

Other officers later found Pevey and tried to arrest him in a driveway.

Okada says Pevey placed the truck in reverse and went toward Rios, prompting the officer to fire.

The Oregon State Police will investigate the shooting.MASON CITY, Iowa  The trial of Braedon Bowers has been pushed back.

The 21-year-old is charged with 1st degree murder for the stabbing death of Wraymond Todd. Authorities say Todd was stabbed in the 300 block of West State Street in Mason City on May 30. He died several days later.

Bowers had been scheduled to stand trial on May 21 but that has now been delayed until August 20. He remains in the Cerro Gordo County Jail on $500,000 cash only bond.MASON CITY, Iowa- A proposal from US Senator Ted Cruz has some farmer in our area worried.

Senator Cruz is proposing a reduction the amount of ethanol that would be allowed to be blended in the US fuel supply by around 700 million gallons.

On Friday those with Golden Grain Energy in Mason City sat down with farmers to discuss what those charges could mean.

Several farmers talked about how corn prices are already down and this could reduce the prices by another 25 cents. To put that in to perspective, those we spoke with say farmers could lose out on about $50 per acre.

Curt Strong, the Executive Vice President Commodity Manager at Golden Grain, was in attended this discussion and expressed concerns about how the changes could impact jobs.

It puts jobs at stake in ethanol plants, it puts jobs at stake with vendors that work with ethanol plants, it would slow down potentially, some of the commercial grain elevators, he said.

There are 42 ethanol plants in the state of Iowa.AUSTIN, Minn.  Trial has been set for a man accused of causing a disturbance at a grocery store.

49-year-old Jeremy Reid Johnson of Austin is charged with 2nd degree assault, terroristic threats, and false imprisonment. Austin police and Mower County Sheriffs deputies were called to Jims Marketplace on 11th Street NE on November 15, 2017, after Johnson reportedly came up behind a 17-year-old cashier and held scissors to her throat. Witnesses described Johnson as rambling on about the government and police.

Law enforcement surrounded the store and when the 17-year-old got away from Johnson, he was arrested.

Johnson is pleading not guilty and will stand trial on May 14 in Mower County District Court.ROCHESTER, Minn.  The Arc Minnesota is an organization dedicated to protecting the human rights of people with disabilities.

One way its doing this is by hosting a discussion on Thursday on how to educate people who are closely connected to people with disabilities, about sexuality.

Its to reach both people with disabilities and disabilities service professionals in the community who are interested in becoming trainer themselves and interested in getting information they need to teach this topic to people they might serve, friends, or the community, Mitch Gunderson-Palmer, Programs and Services Supervisor at The Arc Minnesota, said.

Brian Shreifels is leading the discussion with Gunderson-Palmer. Thriving through is own developmental disabilities, this is a personal and important topic to Shreifels.

Ive been wanting to discuss this topic for over 10 years, Shreifels said. To get the stigma, the fear, and the stereotypes out in the openresolve themso that way individuals with special needs and individuals without special needs can be treated equally.

Gunderson-Palmer describes the stereotypes.

Things like people with disabilities do not have a sexuality, that theyre not interested in relationships, that theyre not sexually active, or cannot be sexually active, he said.

By teaching others how to engage in conversation about people with disabilities and sexuality, Gunderson-Palmer and Shreifels hope bring normalcy to the topic.

Its fear-based and its significantly taboo, Shreifels said.

He said by breaking the stereotype of this topic, people with special needs can be closer to equality.

Empathy, sympathy, respectyou cant emphasize them enough, he said. People with special needs have feelings, were human beings, and we deserve to be treated like such.MASON CITY, Iowa - Mason City High School celebrated the school's Special Olympians during a Friday morning pep rally.

The rally kicked off with a band performance, followed by games and the showing of a music video featuring those with intellectual and physical disabilities, and wrapped up with an award and recognition ceremony.

Marcus Buttweiler, a junior who is in charge of the school's 'Best Buddies' program and organized the rally, says he is pleased with the school's turnout.

"It was very nice that the entire student body was very supportive and they were cheering everyone on, so it made a good day for everyone involved," Buttweiler says.

There was also a presentation on the "Spread the Word to End the Word" movement about usage of the R-word, with Buttweiler saying the word degrades people.

"It is a very, very derogatory word used many times in places like 'stupid' when things aren't going someone's way, they use the R-word, but it's not appropriate. It really never has a time where it is appropriate. So we're calling on everyone to start using the word 'respect' instead," Buttweiler says.MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  A Minnesota lawmaker is proposing a new limit on public access to police files in light of the legal battle by the family of a slain Minnesota boy whose case remained unsolved until last year.

Patty and Jerry Wetterling want to prevent the release of 168 pages of court documents related to the 1989 kidnapping and killing of their son, Jacob.

The Star Tribune reports that Minnesota state Sen. Richard Cohens bill would allow people involved in criminal investigations to request that information about them be kept private if it is irrelevant to the preparation or prosecution of the case. That determination would be left up to law enforcement.

Open records advocates worry that the bill would restrict access to files that have been open to the public for decades.WASHINGTON, DC (AP) - President Donald Trump says a deal with North Korea, if completed, will be very good for the world.

Trump appears to be referring to North Korea agreeing to give up its nuclear weapons arsenal. That has been a key demand of the United States and other world powers.

Trump tweets Friday night: The deal with North Korea is very much in the making and will be, if completed, a very good one for the World. Time and place to be determined.

The president has agreed to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for a historic face-to-face summit.

South Korean officials who recently met with Kim told their White House counterparts Thursday that Kim was eager to meet with Trump.

The White House also says President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have discussed North Korea.

The leaders spoke Friday, the day after Trump agreed to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at a date and time still to be determined.

The White House says Trump and Xi welcomed the prospect of dialogue between the U.S. and North Korea. They also committed to keep pressure and sanctions in place until North Korea takes tangible steps toward complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization.

Trump expressed hope that Kim will choose a brighter path for his country.

China is North Koreas main benefactor. Trump has urged his Chinese counterpart to help pressure North Korea into abandoning its nuclear program.(Adds Trump speaking with Australian PM Turnbull) * Treasury Secretary Mnuchin opens way for more exemptions

* Japan, EU deny exports threaten U.S. national security * Brazil, Argentina, South Korea, Australia want waivers * Top trade academic dubs Trump tariffs "small potatoes"

* Chinese steel makers demand retaliation on coal By Lindsay Dunsmuir, Robin Emmott and Ruby Lian WASHINGTON/BRUSSELS/SHANGHAI, March 9 (Reuters) - The United States opened the way for more exemptions from its steel and aluminum tariffs on Friday, after pressure from allies and intense lobbying from lawmakers, further diluting the measures just a day after they were formally announced. President Donald Trump, who has broad powers to impose the tariffs of 25 percent on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum, at the outset granted exemptions to Canada and Mexico, and said there would be the possibility of industry exemptions, although he has not been specific. After Trump opened the door, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, Australia and Europe clamored for special treatment, while Chinese producers called on Beijing to retaliate in kind. Trump tweeted on Friday that he spoke with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull about trade and military cooperation. "Working very quickly on a security agreement so we dont have to impose steel or aluminum tariffs on our ally, the great nation of Australia!" Trump said. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin earlier said he expects countries in addition to Mexico and Canada to be exempted in the next couple of weeks. When proposed tariffs were initially announced, stock markets went into a tail spin on concerns they would ignite a global trade war. But since Trump signaled that exemptions were possible, reaction has been measured, and counter threats have been carefully calibrated so far. Those threats have been overblown, according to Dani Rodrik, professor of international political economy at Harvard Universitys John F. Kennedy School of Government and one of the world's leading experts on trade. "The reality is that Trumps trade measures to date amount to small potatoes. In particular, they pale in comparison to the scale and scope of the protectionist policies of President Ronald Reagans administration in the 1980s," Rodrik wrote on Friday.

CHINA VOW Tokyo and Brussels rejected any suggestion that their exports to the United States threatened the country's national security - Trump's justification for imposing the tariffs despite warnings at home and abroad that they could provoke a global trade war. "We are an ally, not a threat," European Commission Vice President Jyrki Katainen said. China's metals industry issued the country's most explicit threat yet in the row, urging the government to retaliate by targeting U.S. coal - a sector that is central to Trump's political base and his election pledge to restore American industries and blue-collar jobs. Brazil, which after Canada is the biggest steel supplier to the U.S. market, said it wanted to join the exemption list, and Argentina made a similar case.

Japan, the United States' top economic and military ally in Asia, was next in line. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference that Japan's steel and aluminum shipments posed no threat to U.S. national security.

The European Union, the world's biggest trade bloc, chimed in. "Europe is certainly not a threat to American internal security so we expect to be excluded," European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said in Brussels. Malmstrom told reporters the EU was ready to complain to the World Trade Organization, and retaliate within 90 days. She will meet with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Japanese Trade Minister Hiroshige Seko in Brussels on Saturday when she will ask whether the EU is to be included in the tariffs. Malmstrom won support from German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Shares in European steel makers fell, although Germany's two biggest producers, Thyssenkrupp and Salzgitter , have insisted the impact on them will be limited. The target of Trump's ire is China, whose capacity expansions have helped add to global surpluses of steel. China is also the potential target of far more wide-ranging U.S. action over what Washington says is its theft of intellectual property and coercion of U.S. firms to share commercial secrets. Beijing vowed to "firmly defend its legitimate rights and interests." Tariffs would "seriously impact the normal order of international trade," the Commerce Ministry said. Last year, China imported 3.2 million tonnes of U.S. coal, worth about $420 million and nearly five times the amount it took in 2016. Trump has championed coal exports as demand from power firms at home weakens. The dispute has fueled concerns that soybeans, the United States' most valuable export to China, might be caught up in the row after Beijing launched an inquiry into imports of U.S. sorghum, a grain used in animal feed and liquor. South Korea, the third-largest steel exporter to the United States and a strategic ally on the Korean peninsula, called for calm. "We should prevent a trade war situation from excessive protectionism, in which the entire world harms each other," Trade Minister Paik Un-gyu told a meeting with steelmakers.

While carrying a message to Washington to push forward a diplomatic breakthrough over North Korea, South Korea's national security office chief Chung Eui-yong asked U.S. officials to support Seoul's request for a waiver, a presidential spokesman said. <^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ GRAPHIC: U.S. steel products imports interactive How would Trumps tariff affect the cost of the Boeing 737? IMG ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> (Additional reporting by Adam Jourdan, Wang Jing, Yuka Obayashi, Kaori Kaneko, Ami Miyazaki, Ju-Min Park, Hyunjoo Jin, Cynthia Kim, Robert-Jan Bartunek, Eric Beech and Alissa de Carbonnel; Writing by David Stamp and David Chance; Editing by Toby Chopra, Susan Thomas and Leslie Adler)

Messaging: aaron.sheldrick.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))



By Ko Dong-hwan







There was more to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's invitation to a summit for United States President Donald Trump, as the South Korean government's senior official said Friday, as South Korean envoy Chung Eli-Young slipped Trump a "special message" from Kim.







The official didn't disclose the wording of the message, only saying it was meant as an exchange between the two leaders. However, he indicated there was more to Kim Jong-un's message than what the envoy conveyed in person to President Trump.







Requesting anonymity, the official told the reporters that North Korea's Kim asked Chung to deliver a special message to Trump that "was part of Kim's effort to build trust toward the summit with the U.S."







After Chung debriefed Trump on his meeting with Kim earlier this week, Trump said Thursday he would attend the summit. Kim said he was committed to Pyongyang's denuclearization and gave his word to Chung he will no longer pursue further nuclear or missile tests, said Chung.







When asked if the message was linked to Kim's denuclearization pledge, the official said, "It was very comprehensive." He then added that Trump showed a "very positive" response.







A young store worker/greeter in the main alleyway in Harajuku looks, speaks and acts the brightly colored, inexorably cheery part that people expect in Harajuku. All photos by Michael Hurt



By Michael Hurt



I recently gave an academic talk on street fashion culture at a forum in Tokyo, at Seijo University. So I leapt at the opportunity to get to know the (in)famous Harajuku and Shibuya scenes by shooting them after my presentation.





I stopped these three hairstyling/beauty students on the main Harajuku strip and posed them in front of the hip STYLENANDA facade for my "Harajuku picture."



So I went out looking for "Harajuku." And that's the interesting conundrum. What the heck is Harajuku? A simple Google search of the term "Harajuku girl" tells me pretty clearly that it's this:





These are Japanese people. Or are they?



There's a particular look here of "Tokyo fashion" or "Japanese fashion" that the world is now familiar with, especially after Shoichi Aoki dropped the first issue of his magazine FRUiTS in 1997, which was a publishing and cultural sensation.





Everyday Japanese people, right?



And then there's what Gwen Stefani told the world.









But here's what I also found in Harajuku  fashionable people, but of an unexpected kind.





A younger, stylish couple with a baby out for a mobile picnic. Daddy does collaborations with Korean fashion designers.





An older couple married for 41 years, out on a Sunday stroll.



Although these aren't the kind of fashionable folks one might expect bearing the "Harajuku look," they are indeed fashionable people in Harajuku, albeit walking in and out of the nearby Yoyogi Park, where the cool kids used to hang out when the FRUiTS-style fashion kids used to congregate there.



I also made a stop in equally famous Shibuya, where some of Japan's most famous fast-fashion trend shops were located, including the world-famous Shibuya 109 building. Of course, the most Shibuya-looking girl in shooting distance with interesting attire, who also agreed to pose, turned out not to be a Japanese local, but a Hong Kong Chinese tourist only in town for a few days. But it occurred to me that one of the reasons she looked so Shibuya? -- ?indeed, standing in front of Shibuya 109 -- ?was because she might have dressed according to her idea of what would be appropriate for her? -- ?a waitress with a pretty strong brand and Instagram following? -- ?to look like when visiting Shibuya. My image of a Shibuya look simply matched with hers and we happened to meet that day on the common stage of the actual place of Shibuya 109.







Although I had been thinking about this issue of the staged nature of all "street fashion"? -- ?especially given its increasingly commercial and non-amateur manifestations -- the trip to Harajuku/Shibuya confirmed my idea that the curational staging of street fashion is most apparent after its mediation out into the world, solidification into even more concrete images, and back again, through the people who dress up and inhabit these stages, as well as the photographers who go looking for them.



It occurred to me that I had found exactly what I was looking for, and so had my most Harajuku/Shibuya-licious subjects. We had simply found each other in space that day, brought together partly by the chance that made me cross her path on that day at that particular time, along with a far grander design that went into the crafting of the stage that brought us together.





When it comes to my "street fashion" photography at Seoul Fashion Week and the fact that it (and any fashion week) has simply become a curational stage for the street fashion scene, ?it makes me think more deeply about how and why Seoul Fashion Week has become one of the hottest in the world? -- ?as regular treatment by Vogue , GQ , Women's Wear Daily , Hypebeast , Highsnobiety, W Magazine , and many others is obvious testament to.? ?I am inevitably led to the same conclusion I made in an earlier column here, but for different reasons?, ?that t he Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) is indeed an "accidental wonder " -- not just an achievement in socially aware architectural design -- as the curational stage for one of the hottest street fashion scenes on the planet now.



Regardless of the question of how "representative" Korean street fashion paepi (Korean slang portmanteau for "fashion people") are of everyday Korean people, it begs a string of similar questions related to what we choose as representative of a culture.



Street fashion kids at Harajuku/Shibuya weren't representative of what most Japanese people wore every day, even in the 1990s. Likewise, Seoul people are a big chunk of the Korean population but not the majority. And in Seoul, the really cool kids who populate Seoul Fashion Week aren't, numerically speaking, the majority of people who wear clothing here. But these spectacular minorities do tell us something interesting about the places and the cultures, even if the message isn't super simple and prima facie obvious.



So I'll end this column by posing a final question through pictures from the curational stage of the DDP during Seoul Fashion Week. What's going on here, in terms of what the cool kid paepi are bringing to the (re)mix?













Michael HurtKendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Variable clouds with thunderstorms, especially this morning. High around 75F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 66F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.A KTUU viewer from the northern Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Ruth Decker, wanted to find out whether the marijuana excise tax was applied to any particular expenditure and whether it could be dedicated for education.

The answer came from the states tax division director, Ken Alper, a former legislative aide with years of experience in Alaska revenue.

Alper says the marijuana tax is general fund revenue.

Half of the marijuana tax, Alper said, was designated by the 2016 criminal justice reform bill, Senate Bill 91, for a recidivism reduction fund. The fund, shared between the departments of correction, public safety and health and human services, is designed to prevent convicted criminals from violating the law again when they get out of prison.

The other half of the money, Alper said, goes into the undesignated general fund for any government purpose.

And its a growing pool of money, he added.

This is a new industry, its growing every month, theres very much an upward trend on the revenue, Alper said. Last month we crossed over the $1 million threshold for the month of January sales, so were looking at an annual trend of about $12 million. Our forecast for next year is $18 million of marijuana tax revenue.

Legislators are looking to designate additional marijuana money to education, but with each earmark, theres less money for other purposes he said.

In any event, Alper said, the Alaska Constitution has strong prohibitions on dedicating funds. Lawmakers can try to designate a path for revenue to go, but future legislators are free to ignore those requests. Permanent Fund income, the Constitutional Budget Reserve, and a few small funds from territorial days that pre-date the constitution are exceptions, Alper said.

So the marijuana tax cant be dedicated to specific expenditures without a constitutional amendment, but can be designated in a law  that future legislatures are free to ignore, he said.Police and San Diego Unified School District officials are thanking students and parents for preventing what could have been a violent incident at La Jolla High School, March 7, by reporting threats that were heard verbally and posted on social media. Based on an influx of calls to local law enforcement, police had enough evidence to arrest a 15-year-old male student Friday morning on the charge of criminal threats before any violent action could be taken.

According to a press statement, San Diego Unified Police Chief Michael Marquez thanked the San Diego Police Department for its collaboration and fast action in response to the alleged threat. This is absolutely an example of how See something, Say something is supposed to work, he said. Students warned administrators a threat had been made, and school leaders notified all parents of this report. Multiple parents then spoke with their students and uncovered potential evidence of a threat. In the end, it was this evidence which allowed police to take swift action this morning.

The timeline

San Diego Unified School District police department Captain Dan Palkovic said at a press conference Friday afternoon that on Wednesday, March 7, students came forward to school administration to report some comments that were made by a fellow student containing threats.

The administration contacted our police department. In conjunction with administration, school police investigated and exhausted all leads. (Thursday) afternoon, a statement went out to parents and students of La Jolla High School from the administration, he explained.

Although the letter stated that the threat was not a credible threat to (the) school, it was enough to start a conversation at home.

After that conversation (between parents and their children), SDPD received numerous additional tips into this case, which took the investigation into a different direction. It gave us further tips we could look into, Palkovic said.

San Diego Police worked through the night on the additional tips received, which provided enough information to make an arrest Friday morning.

San Diego Police Department Lt. Steve Waldheim said officers went to the suspects home and took him into police custody, and he is currently being held in juvenile hall. During a search of the home, no firearms were found.

He added that the student had been suspended from school Friday and Monday because he was suspected of making threats, but there was no evidence that the crime of criminal threats had been committed at that time.

A lockdown drill was planned for Friday morning, but canceled by school principal Charles Podhorsky. However, one classroom went on lockdown after finding a note written in Spanish suggesting someone had a gun in the classroom. Police report the students were discussing gun control the previous day, and determined the note was from that class.

Additional details, such as whether the threats were to an individuals or to the school at large, the specifics of the threat and whether the student was being bullied, were not available as the investigation is ongoing.

When the investigation is complete, the case will be handed over to the juvenile district attorneys office for prosecution.

A word of gratitude

To students and parents who spoke out, Palkovic said: Thank you, thank you, thank you very much. The collaborative effort between the police department and the community worked in this incident. We were able to get you to spark conversation with your children at home  and you notified the appropriate authorities, the authorities took action and were able to arrest the subject in this incident.

Waldheim added the reminder that, any threats, whether they are said jokingly or posted on social media, are going to be taken seriously, and investigated thoroughly. We treat every threat as if it is real and credible.COLUMN: Recent streak of crime, rancor, complicity spell doom for decency What in the hell is going on? Granted, in the last 18 months  with the pandemic as a reason or an excuse, depending on your perspective  life has taken...

This Sept. 11, will revisiting the past reset our present? Two decades after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, there are distinct perspectives for those looking back on a day that stopped a nation in its tracks. Many of those who...Minutes before President Trump entered the White House Roosevelt Room on Thursday to announce sweeping tariffs on imported metals, the presidents economic A-team stood stone-faced near the presidents podium  but not Peter Navarro.

The 68-year-old former UC Irvine economics professor looked almost gleeful as he waited for Trump to issue final orders levying 25% duties on foreign steel and 10% on aluminum, all in the name of national security.

Trumps move defied his own party and has infuriated U.S. allies. But the tariffs represent just the kind of shocking shake-up of the status quo on trade that Navarro has long advocated.

And in the last several weeks, perhaps no one has emerged as a more forceful public champion of the White Houses explosive new trade policy than Navarro, who has made multiple appearances on national television and other media to explain and defend the tariffs in his characteristically combative style.

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Lets remember this, he told Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace a week ago. Donald Trump ran against 16 Republicans. None of those Republicans supported Donald Trumps positions on trade. He beat every one of them.

Many lawmakers, businesses and economists believe the tariffs ultimately will hurt American consumers and the economy, while weakening relations with key allies such as Canada and the European Union. Trumps National Economic Council director Gary Cohn resigned in protest last week.

For Navarro, who declined to be interviewed on the record, the tariff plan marks something of a personal vindication and another stunning turn in his brief stint in Washington and long career as an academic and wannabe politician.

A noted China hawk and onetime big fan of Hillary Clinton, Navarro volunteered on Trumps campaign as an economic advisor (the only one with an economics PhD). And after Trumps victory, the president named him head of a newly created National Trade Council.

Navarro gave up his tenured position in California, and an active life in sunny Laguna Beach, and came to Washington to run a small office and work on the presidents Buy American, Hire American agenda.

But within a few months, the trade council was dissolved, and Navarro found himself in a kind of White House purgatory. Though his work continued, access to the president was restricted as he was eclipsed by rival administration officials favoring more open-trade policies.

So-called globalists in the West Wing, led by Cohn, a former Goldman Sachs executive, had successfully tempered  or at least delayed  Trumps protectionist and nationalistic moves.

But with battles over healthcare and taxes behind him, the president has been itching to push through hard-line measures on trade that he promised on the campaign trail, reportedly telling his staff, Where are my steel tariffs?

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That provided an opening for Navarro.

Although the steel and aluminum tariffs followed a lengthy investigation by the Commerce Department, Navarro has persistently advocated for such actions, using what some said was guerrilla warfare to bypass Cohn to reach the president, a claim Navarro called a cheap shot on Fox News.

Over the years many people have rung alarm bells about the industrial decline in America, but Navarro has been at the forefront of linking the weakening of domestic manufacturing from global trade to the future of the countrys defense and national security.

That was the rationale Trump cited for the tariffs, although his later decision to exempt Canada and Mexico, as well as possibly others, is seen by scholars as undermining the legal basis for the restrictions and has been criticized as a tool for gaining economic leverage.

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Trump elevated Navarro to the position of assistant to the president shortly before making the tariff announcement 10 days ago, allowing Navarro once again to report directly to Trump.

Now, there is speculation that Navarro is in the running to replace Cohn as head of the National Economic Council.

If youre of the mind-set you want somebody in there who has the Trumpian viewpoint on economies, hes the right person for the job, said Harry Kazianis, a friend of Navarros who directs defense studies at the Center for the National Interest. Trump is going to want his own guy, somebody that he trusts and is on the same wavelength.

Like Trump, Navarro is a newbie in Washington politics with unconventional views and a pugnacious style to match. Raised in the East Coast mostly by his mother, a Saks Fifth Avenue secretary, Navarro served in the Peace Corps in Thailand out of college and in 1986 earned a PhD in economics from Harvard University.

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For the next three decades, Navarro made Southern California his home, first teaching in San Diego and then moving to UC Irvine until retiring from its business school last year. Early in his academic career he developed an expertise in public utilities and energy policy, and over the years his articles and dozen books have spanned a variety of subjects, including cyber-learning, investment strategies, and, of course, Chinas rise and what he considers Americas biggest threat.

Along the way, Navarro ran for office three times as a Democrat. He lost each bid, including one in 1996 when then-First Lady Hillary Clinton came to San Diego, to Navarros great delight, to give a lift to his campaign for a seat in Congress. Navarro would later tell The Times that he was seduced by her charm and power.

Navarros thinking on trade has turned dramatically as well. Like many mainstream economists, he was at one time a believer in free trade and wrote extensively in support of such deals that he and his boss in the Oval Office are now trying to redo or dismantle, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Nor was Navarro always a China basher. In an August 2016 interview, he said the turning point came in the early 2000s when he began to notice many people, including his own former students, struggling to get jobs. He came to the conclusion that their troubles, as well as other problems in the economy, could be traced to China. All roads led to Beijing, he said.

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Many economists consider Navarros views as extreme and he has been marginalized by China academics. But one person who agrees with Navarro is Trump, who on the campaign trail accused China of raping our country and threatened to impose 45% tariffs on all Chinese imports.

Navarro is the person who gives voice to the presidents gut instincts, said Derek Scissors, a China expert at the American Enterprise Institute. With or without Navarro, the president was bound to act on the steel tariffs, Scissors said. Now Navarros resurgence in the White House, coupled with Cohns departure, will only reinforce Trumps protectionist instincts, raising the risk of more stringent actions, he said.

If the president seems like hes too globalist a few months from now, then he would probably turn to Peter and say, What can we do to remind people of America First? 

That may involve China, as a pending case involving Chinese theft of intellectual property and forced technology transfers could prove even more consequential for the U.S. and global economy than the fallout from the steel and aluminum tariffs.

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In a matter of weeks, Trump could decide to impose broad tariffs or restrict imports and investments from China, which almost certainly would escalate risks of a trade war.

That once again would thrust Navarro into the spotlight.

Navarro has been preparing for years for a U.S. confrontation with Beijing. His provocative books, such as The Coming China Wars and Death by China: Confronting the Dragon  a Global Call to Action, are widely viewed as polemical works. And his unorthodox  many would say faulty  analysis on trade deficits and the economy, as well as his acerbic style, have turned off many in his profession.

But Navarros supporters note that in recent years, more China experts have come closer to Navarros pessimistic take on the Asian nation as more threat than ally, as Beijing has backpedaled on promises to open up markets while also becoming more expansionary and assertive politically.

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For Navarro, what matters inside the White House is that the president sides with him, his friends say.

I think the presidents views on trade, his rhetoric on trade have been pretty consistent for a long time, said Scott Paul, president of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, an advocacy group for whom Navarro wrote a chapter for a 2009 book.

While [Trumps] direct engagement on policy has waxed and waned on trade, I think his beliefs and his point of view have remained pretty steadfast, and Peter reflects that and is an implementer of that policy, Paul said. Eventually Navarro was going to win this argument because he agrees with Trump.

don.lee@latimes.com

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UPDATES:

6:55 p.m.: This article was updated with background on Navarros career.

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This article was originally published at 3:20 p.m., March 10.In another sign of the states power glut, three Southern California gas-fired power plants owned by a subsidiary of energy firm NRG Energy Inc. will close over the next few months.

The NRG Etiwanda Generating Station in Rancho Cucamonga, which began operations in 1962, will be retired as of June 1. The NRG Ormond Beach Generating Station in Oxnard, which started operations in the early 1970s, will close on Oct. 1, and the NRG Ellwood Generating Station in Goleta will close on Jan. 1 after about 45 years of operations.

NRG spokesman David Knox said the three California plants are being closed for economic reasons.

Gladys Limon, executive director of the California Environmental Justice Alliance advocacy group, said in a statement Friday that the retirement of the three plants was long overdue and called for state officials to look toward clean energy solutions.

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About 50 people employed across the plants will be affected by the decision, Knox said. Employees will be able to apply for other open positions within the company, or if not, will receive a severance package that includes outplacement services, he said.

The plants are owned by GenOn Energy Inc., which was acquired by NRG in 2012. GenOn filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy relief in June and is expected to separate from NRG after the bankruptcy proceedings are complete, Knox said.

NRG has headquarters in Princeton, N.J., and Houston.

A Times investigation last year found that California has a large and growing glut of power.

The issue dates back to 2000, when increasing energy usage led to blackouts. State officials at the time called for the construction of new power plants to increase capacity.

At the time, there were about 700 plants throughout the state. Over the next 15 years, nearly 500 more plants opened, and Californias power supply jumped 43%.

But Californians didnt necessarily need that much power anymore. During the recession, state residents cut back on their usage, while appliances became more efficient and rooftop solar panels became more ubiquitous. By 2015, most plants generated less than a third of their potential power.

Despite the decreased demand, Californias electricity rates increased  even as prices in the rest of the nation fell  to pay for construction of the new plants. Utility companies are guaranteed profits on new plants, regardless of how much power they sell, though government regulators say the overbuilding is part of their plan to avoid blackouts.

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After the Times investigation, a California Energy Commission committee recommended in October that the state reject a proposal to build a new natural gas plant in Ventura County called the Puente Energy Project. The plant was intended to be owned by NRG, and Southern California Edison would have been under contract to supply power to the utility.

A little over a week later, the developer of the project asked state regulators to suspend review of the plans, which effectively ended the project.

samantha.masunaga@latimes.com

Twitter: @smasunagaArchitectures most notable prize and the real-life soldier that inspired a trilogy of plays. Im Carolina A. Miranda, staff writer for the Los Angeles Times, with your weeks hot and spicy art news and TMZ references:

IMAGE OF THE WEEK

Cristal, a professional wrestler in Mexico City, is one of many women in typically male fields photographed by Agence France-Presse to mark International Womens Day. (Omar Torres / AFP / Getty Images )

AN UNEXPECTED PRITZKER

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Ninety-year-old architect Balkrishna Doshi has become the first Indian to win the prestigious Pritzker Prize. Doshis extensive body of work is located entirely in India, representing a departure from the globe-trotting architects who have dominated the ranks of Pritzker winners, writes Times architecture critic Christopher Hawthorne. The architect, who early on in his career collaborated with renowned figures such as Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn, is known for, among other things, his affordable housing designs. Los Angeles Times

In an interview with Robin Pogrebin, Doshi says architecture is too concerned with the bottom line. What is the role of an architect today? he asks. Are we going to be a service provider working for a client, or are we going to be useful to the society at large? New York Times

Plus, a gallery of some of his most notable works. Pritzker Prize

Indian architect Balkrishna Doshi, 90, winner of the Pritzker Prize, at his residence in Ahmedabad. (Sam Panthaky / AFP / Getty Images )

AN INFLUENTIAL DEAN DIES

Richard Weinstein, the influential dean of UCLAs Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Planning and part of the selection committee that chose Frank Gehry as the architect for the Walt Disney Concert Hall, has died at 85. He was fascinated by the urban form of Los Angeles, writes Hawthorne. He saw L.A.s openness, both physically and temperamentally, as its great distinguishing characteristic. Los Angeles Times

Architecture dean Richard Weinstein in 1994. (UCLA )

A SOLDIERS LIFE

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Quiara Alegria Hudess trilogy of plays about a young man dealing with the psychological and physical effects of his service in war were inspired by her real-life war-veteran cousin: Elliot Ruiz. All three plays have been on view around L.A. over the past month. Times contributor Margaret Gray sits down for an interview with Ruiz to get his perspective on his cousins work. Los Angeles Times

Iraq war veteran Elliot Ruiz is the inspiration for playwright Quiara Alegria Hudes trilogy of plays about a war veteran. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times )

DUDAMEL IN THE D.F.

Gustavo Dudamel was in Mexico City to lead several concerts as part of the Vienna Philharmonics Americas tour. The performances drew sold-out crowds, but the tour repertory stayed mostly within the narrow Viennese comfort zone, notes Times classical music critic Mark Swed. More dynamic, he writes, was Dudamels Palacio de Bellas Artes concert for the Encounters program, which featured young musicians from throughout North and South America. The orchestra musicians swayed in their seats, and a local youth chorus executed stirring hand movements while it sang, he writes. Los Angeles Times

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Gustavo Dudamel conducts students from all across the Americas at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City. (Gustavo Dudamel Foundation )

CLASSICAL HAPPENINGS

Swed also has been making the rounds in Los Angeles, including concerts for two new commissions: Nico Muhlys arresting organ concerto for the Los Angeles Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall, and a stunning new piece by Ellen Reid for the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, performed across town at UCLA. Los Angeles Times

Composer Ellen Reid a the premier of her composition Petrichor for the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times )

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Also on Sweds docket: a Piano Spheres concert at the Zipper Concert Hall at the Colburn School that featured Gloria Cheng and Terry Riley. For the first half of the show, Cheng surveyed Rileys notated piano music. For the second half, Riley took to the keys. He remains as stunning a pianist as ever, notes Swed. Los Angeles Times

Plus, Times contributing reviewer Richard S. Ginell checks out a superstar concert featuring pianist Emanuel Ax, violinist Leonidas Kavakos and cellist Yo-Yo Ma taking on Brahms. Los Angeles Times

Ginell also caught Andrew Normans first opera, A Trip to the Moon, staged by the L.A. Phils artist-collaborator Yuval Sharon. Los Angeles Times

CURATING THE CURATOR

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Times art critic Christopher Knight reports on a fascinating show at the Getty Research Institute that examines the life and work of Swiss curator Harald Szeemann, a ground-breaking curator who didnt think like an administrator or a bureaucrat. He organized shows that consisted of a single telephone that an artist might call at random times, or piles of materials that would be incinerated upon an exhibitions conclusion. A related installation at the Institute of Contemporary Art Los Angeles re-creates a 1974 project in which Szeemann paid homage to his deceased grandfather  a show that speaks to meticulous, exhaustive obsession. Los Angeles Times

Harald Szeemann organized an installation called Art by Telephone by Walter De Maria in 1969. (Balthasar Burkhead / Walter De Maria )

AN OPERA-BALLET

The Joffrey Ballet and the L.A. Opera have teamed up for a production of Glucks Orpheus and Eurydice, choreographed and directed by renowned Hamburg Ballet choreographer John Neumeier. (It opens Saturday at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.) One critic has described the show as an achingly beautiful dream of a show. Times contributor Catherine Womack reports that glimmers of that aching beauty were visible even in a hectic, costume-less rehearsal. Los Angeles Times

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Maxim Mironov is Orpheus in Orpheus and Eurydice, Los Angeles Operas new collaboration with the Joffrey Ballet, (Maria Alejandra Cardona / Los Angeles Times )

Plus, contributing reviewer Lewis Segal checks out a presentation of Swan Lake by the Los Angeles Ballet. Los Angeles Times

GOING TO HOLLYWOOD

I spent Oscars week doing what many visitors to L.A. do: visiting Hollywood. But how to visit a place that is an idea? I wrote of the experience. How to touch fame, record it? And how to explain to out-of-town guests that Hollywood isnt a cinematic array of studios and sidewalk cafes brimming with movie stars but a tourist strip of un-muscular men in droopy Superman costumes? To see how the desire to connect with the famous has shaped Los Angeles, I took a TMZ tour, hung out on the Walk of Fame, ate egg rolls at the Foo Chow Restaurant in Chinatown where Rush Hour was filmed (in 1998) and even took a seat at the Academy Awards. Los Angeles Times

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Heres a separate report on that TMZ Tour, by the way  complete with Kanye West head-bonking. Los Angeles Times

The Hollywood sign as seen from the Hollywood & Highland Center. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times )

And because Im on a movie bender: Black Panther has inspired some serious nerding out on issues such as Afrofuturism, Western notions of Africa and the Wakandan municipal transit system. To keep things easy, Ive gathered some of the best critical essays on the subject into a single Pantherpedia. Los Angeles Times

IN OTHER NEWS

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 The arts contributed $763.6 billion to the U.S. economy, according to statistics compiled by the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the National Endowment for the Arts. Hyperallergic

 Handwritten notes discovered in a 16th century text about a Danish prince may have been made by Shakespeare. The Guardian

 Five writers, critics and arts administrators weigh in on museums and #Metoo. Walker Reader

 Because it was a matter of time: Mattel is releasing a Frida Kahlo Barbie  with no unibrow. Discuss. Remezcla

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 James Luna, a performance artist known for skewering stereotypes of indigenous people in his work, has died. First American Art Magazine, Artforum

 Times film critic Kenneth Turan has a look at the new art doc Leaning Into the Wind: Andy Goldsworthy. Los Angeles Times

Andy Goldsworthy in the documentary Leaning Into the Wind: Andy Goldsworthy. (Thomas Riedelsheime / Magnolia Pictures )

Sign up for our weekly Essential Arts & Culture newsletter 

Advertisement

 Robert Irwins 48 Shadow Planes once offered subtle plays of light in the atrium space at the Old Post Office in Washington, D.C. To that geometric intervention, the Trump Organization has added chandeliers and a ginormous American flag. Less is bore? Artnet

 I have this vision that its almost like a carpet, and youre a piece of dust on that carpet, and the whole thing makes you laugh. Catherine Wagley has a fabulous profile of 96-year-old painter Luchita Hurtado, who will be part of the Hammer Museums upcoming Made in L.A. biennial. ARTnews

 The Dia Art Foundation has acquired Nancy Holts Sun Tunnels in Utah, the organizations first piece of land art by a woman. New York Times

 Speaking of women: in honor of International Womens Day on Thursday, Joe Cortright gathered a list of essential women urbanists. City Commentary

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 And the New York Times has added obituaries of 15 women who were overlooked in their time  including photographer Diane Arbus and printmaker Belkis Ayon. New York Times

 Alexa is laughing at you: Critic Alexandra Lange on the Black Mirror house. Curbed

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST

Totos Africa, by Ernest Hemingway. McSweeneys

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carolina.miranda@latimes.com

@cmonstahThat was insane. Who made that film and why?

Director, co-writer and actor John Krasinski asked the question after the premiere of his own movie A Quiet Place on Friday night. The horror-thriller took the SXSW opening night audience at the Paramount by surprise, providing a heightened atmosphere of tense scares and unexpectedly deep emotions.

With a screenplay credited to Bryan Woods, Scott Beck and Krasinski , the film follows one family  portrayed by Krasinski, his real-life wife, Emily Blunt, and young performers Noah Jupe and Millicent Simmonds  living on a remote farm as they attempt to defend themselves against mysterious creatures that have overtaken the land and who track and attack their prey based on sound.

There is very little dialogue in the film, with long stretches playing out in the relative quiet of sound effects and sparse music that made every cough and seat shift in the theater a part of the building tension.

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Krasinskis previous film was the comedy-drama The Hollars, which premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, making his skillful turn to a movie as potently thrilling as A Quiet Place all the more of a revelation.

Ive never been a genre guy, he said after the screening. Im a scaredy-cat.

It was while shooting his upcoming series Jack Ryan that the producers at Platinum Dunes  Michael Bay was in the audience Friday  came to him with the project.

They said, Would you ever do a genre film?  Krasinski noted. And I said, I dont think so. I mean if it was a good idea. And they said, What if it was a family that cant make noise and you have to figure out why? And I thought, Thats a pretty damn good one-liner.

And believe it or not, Emily and I had just had our second daughter, he added, so we were already in the world of pure terrified and nervous, and so I thought, why not put it into a movie? And thats really what drew me to it  this family and these people. And then the scares came from how much you care about the family rather than just trying to scare people.

The film marks the first time on-screen together for Krasinski and Blunt. Introducing the film before the screening, Krasinski said, The one person I cant even talk about without crying, so I wont look at her, is my wife. Shes the best collaborator. As the crowd burst into applause, he peered out into the audience where Blunt was sitting.

I didnt even say your name and they clapped. Thats pretty good, he said. It was the best compliment of my career when she said that she would do the movie, and Ill never forget it.

From the stage after the screening, Blunt, who will soon appear in the title role of Disneys Mary Poppins Returns, spoke about their collaboration.

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We were both a bit nervous going into it, she said. You dont know how your processes are going to align themselves. And we were sort of terrified the night before my first scene, hoping to offer each other the same diplomacy we would to any other actor or director.

She added, I cant tell you, it was so exhilarating working with him and realizing how aligned we were creatively and how much we truly valued each other, in a different sense outside of our marriage.

The positive response to the film bore out what Krasinski said while introducing the film.

When you make a film, you really hope that it finds an audience, you always do, but its very rare when you get the chance to find the audience, he said. And I cant tell you enough that in this room, with these people, there is no better place to screen this movie and there is no place else in the world that Id rather be.

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Mark.Olsen@latimes.com

Follow on Twitter: @IndieFocusMartin Sheen has played a real president, a fictional president, a presidents brother and even one of the presidents men.

The 77-year-old Emmy winner returns to that comfort zone March 11 as the narrator of CNNs new six-part documentary series American Dynasties: The Kennedys, which explores the fame and foibles of the most dominant political family dynasty of the 20th century.

Sheen suggests calls for him to participate in political projects are partly due to his activism on social justice and civil rights, which he attributes to having come of age during the era of President John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert.

They were my generation, Sheen said in a telephone interview. I was in New York in the 60s. All of that history is part of my life. The war in Vietnam. The Cuban Missile Crisis. The assassinations. The civil rights movement. All of it was part of our daily lives, and it still has a powerful effect.

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When the news broke on Nov. 22, 1963, that President Kennedy had been shot in Dallas, Sheen was at work on the upper Manhattan set of The Defenders, the legal series starring E.G. Marshall that was one of the topical series inspired by the new administration. He remembers feeling numb after the mournful weekend of the presidents funeral  and how there was more mayhem in the years that followed.

The effect that loss had on all of us was a raging open wound, he said. And it was compounded just a few years later with the Rev. Martin Luther Kings murder, and of course Robert Kennedy. Change only came from the bullet, not the ballot. We were staggering around, constantly subjected to this horrible violence that became part of our culture. We never really recovered from those three assassinations.

Sheen played Robert Kennedy in The Missiles of October, a 1974 ABC docudrama about the Cuban missile crisis. But he initially turned down the role of John Kennedy in NBCs 1983 miniseries The Kennedys when it was first offered to him.

I didnt think I could do it, and I didnt think anyone should do it, Sheen recalled. I kept turning it down and [the producers] kept coming back, making changes in the script and assuring me that they were going to do an honest portrayal. And finally my wife said, Maybe its a good idea that you play him because you loved him  and if that prevents someone from playing him who did not love him, it would be a good thing. That made great sense to me.

While Sheen prefers the leadership of JFK to the current administration (I have been part of The Resistance since I came into the world, he said with a laugh when asked about President Trumps agenda), American Dynasties: The Kennedys is far from being a hagiography.

Developed by the British TV production company Raw, the first three installments go deep into the manipulations of patriarch Joseph Kennedy to move his children into power after his own aspirations were derailed by his favoring appeasement of Nazi Germany before World War II.

A later episode addresses the 1969 scandal involving Sen. Ted Kennedy when he crashed his car off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island, Mass., and fled the scene. His young passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne, was trapped in the car and died.

Amy Entelis, executive vice president of content and talent development for CNN, noted that some Kennedy clan members declined to participate in the series. But several other family members are interviewed along with former White House staffers, academics and authors

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Sheen, who is an executive producer of the series, said he was drawn by the candid approach in The Kennedys. He believes the familys ability to confront their flaws is part of their legacy.

We dont stop being human when we are lifted to higher office or were successful in our endeavors, he said. It makes the story that much more powerful that the Kennedys were human beings just like everyone else despite the privileged life and responsibility. They embraced that humanity and they were not afraid to show emotion.

Sheen has been getting a lot of fan mail lately from young viewers about another president  Josiah Bartlet, whom he played from 1999 to 2006 on the hit NBC drama The West Wing. The series is being rediscovered by viewers of Amazon and Netflix (Sheen co-stars in Netflixs Grace and Frankie).

He speculated that anxiety over the Trump administration is creating new Bartlet fans.

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In the last year and a half, the reaction to The West Wing has been phenomenal, Sheen said. I think it has been a source of inspiration and comfort to a lot of people. It is, in essence, a parallel universe.

If The West Wing ever joins the line of classic TV series that have been getting revived lately, Sheen said he would be interested in playing Bartlet again.

I dont know how much time Ive got left, he said. But I wouldnt mind spending it making a positive contribution in a public way. That would be very satisfying.

stephen.battaglio@latimes.com

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Twitter: @SteveBattaglioThe Hotel Figueroa is nearly finished with the two-year, top-to-bottom, inside-and-out renovation that has transformed it from a dowdy lodging appealing to budget travelers into a stylish trendsetter for creative sophisticates.

The hotel was built in 1926 as a haven for female travelers. The Los Angeles Times noted that it was the largest project of its kind to be financed, built, owned, and operated by women. The hotels new redesign channels that legacy into a tribute to women, especially artists.

Now theres a kind of cozy, warm and welcoming vibe to the place that gives the hotels public and private spaces a residential feel that sparks a try-this-at-home impulse.

Our behind-the-scenes tour of the more than $55-million makeover before its recent opening to the public highlighted how designers modernized the 1920s fixer-upper without losing its historic, residential feel. No doubt you can borrow some of their design principles for the place you call home, too.

Add art with a message

An 8-foot-square painting in the lobby sets the tone for artwork throughout the hotel. Santa Monica artist Alison Van Pelt portrayed the hotels first managing director, the pioneering aviatrix Maude Bouldin, astride a motorcycle. The lobbys art gallery features all female artists in a newly acquired permanent collection that emphasizes history and a sense of place.

Embrace the feminine side, boldly

Man caves and boudoirs have their place, but a blend of both welcomes all. The hotels feminine feel comes from curvy wing chairs, plump ottomans and button-tufted booths. Assertive but earthy colors such as moss, ochre and chestnut highlight soothing upholstery in plush, touchable velvet, suede and chenille. Plucked-from-nature surfaces show up as marble tabletops, wood floors, slate tile and shower floors of smooth river pebbles.

Bring the light inside

The mirror facing the window helps bring light in a guest room at Hotel Figueroa. Christina House / Los Angeles Times

Even though the hotel had this unique charm to it, part of the lightness and brightness was lost over the course of its many renovations, said Christian Schulz, principal of the Santa Monica-based interior design firm Studio Collective. His team restored street-facing windows and repaired and wired skylights for nighttime illumination. It was important to us to have a street presence on Figueroa, Schulz said. Now, the former fortress-feeling structure embraces pedestrian life, like a friendly neighbor.

Indoor lighting matters

A guest room at Hotel Figueroa. Christina House / Los Angeles Times

Strategically placed, warm-toned LED lighting bathes guests in a flattering glow. Lights placed variously in the floor, on the wall posts and overhead combine to highlight the best features of guests and decor. Lampshades made of antiqued mirror, frosted glass and alabaster or gold-painted paper further filter the soft illumination.

Usher guests in with style

The building now has two entries  one for stay, one for play, said hotel developer Bradley Hall, managing partner of Capital Hall Partners, which has invested in the project and its redesign. Weary travelers can transition slowly through the separate guest entry, while also glimpsing the action at the adjacent public bar and lobby.

Engineer for engagement

The bar at Hotel Figueroa. Christina House / Los Angeles Times

The public play entry opens into a bar and high-ceilinged lobby, with nary a distracting television screen. Instead, the inviting seating arrangements allow for conversation, communal dining and a kind of approachability. We want people to create an emotional connection instead of staring at a screen, said co-owner Jack vanHartesvelt, president of Hartland Hotels, an investor focused on hotel operations.

Emphasize comfort

Though suites have spacious seating areas, even the smallest rooms feel engaging with their mix of linen, leather, velvet and marble. The designers were told to give the guest rooms the most comfortable beds and make the bathrooms feel special, Schulz said. Guests get pillow-top mattresses, a snuggly bed throw, crisp linens and a choice of pillows from a 16-item menu. Windows are extra sound-proof and double shades block light.

Make bathrooms memorable

Blue, fig-leaf wallpaper in a guest bathroom at Hotel Figueroa. Christina House / Los Angeles Times

Bathrooms dont have to be dull to feel soothing. The hotels oversize rain shower nozzle adds a spa-like experience. More compelling: a custom, trademarked fig-leaf wallpaper pattern rendered in a signature shade of cerulean. Soft-textured, polished plaster makes the walls look and feel like suede but wear like ceramic tile.

Embrace the variation

After shrinking to 268 guest rooms, nearly 40 floor plans emerged. Schulz and design partner Adam Goldstein united the rooms with a palette of cerulean, soft white, satiny brass and dark wood. Art, books and antiques extend a residential feel.

Respect history

While Hotel Figueroas reinvention isnt a preservation project, it is sort of a rescue. Were hoping for a timeless feel, so guests will be able to feel comfortable and grow up with the hotel, said vanHartesvelt. Were stewards of this place, he said, but with an opportunity to rehabilitate it and bring it into the future.

Hotel Figueroa, 939 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles.

Home@latimes.com

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Go inside four DTLA boutique hotels where style is the thing

An open, industrial loft in DTLA gets a cozy makeover

More Southern California home toursOddly, we (sort of) welcome the Trump administrations legal challenge in hopes that it will clarify not just for state officials, but for the federal government where the lines of responsibility and culpability might lie. We suspect the courts will side with California on most if not all of the legal issues Sessions lawsuit raises, and in the process could underscore the reality that Californias menu of state and local laws limiting involvement with federal immigration enforcement do not offer anyone anything remotely like sanctuary. ...

What this lawsuit really is about is politics. California political leaders have persistently challenged a wide range of Trump administration policies. Brown is the main figure in a global coalition of sub-national governments seeking to meet global-warming emissions under the Paris Agreement that Trump is walking away from. State Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra has sued the administration over the suspension of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, the travel ban, a Trump rule allowing more employers to stop offering insurance coverage for birth control, and on and on.

For the administration, liberal and ethnically diverse California is the America its political supporters hate, and this lawsuit is another front in our ongoing culture wars. So as state Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon tweeted, Bring it on. Clarifying these lines of responsibility just might do everyone some good.

>> Click here to read moreRepublicans in Congress from the Central Valley are used to being Democratic targets. Hillary Clinton in 2016 won both of the districts that are considered pickup opportunities in the Democrats quest to retake control of the U.S. House.

Heres a quick look at the candidates who will appear on the June 5 primary ballot in the 10th and 21st congressional districts, and the designations that will be listed after their names.

Track the congressional races that will make the difference in California 

10th Congressional District

Rep. Jeff Denham has drawn a slew of well-funded challengers. Prior to entering Congress, the Republican owned an agricultural packaging company and almond orchard. Denham voted for the GOP tax plan and to repeal the Affordable Care Act but has pushed his party repeatedly to complete an overhaul of federal immigration policy.

The Turlock Republican was first elected in 2010 and won reelection in 2016 with 51.7% of the vote. That year, Clinton narrowly won the district with 47.4% of the vote.

The 10th district includes all of Stanislaus County and the southern third of San Joaquin County, as well as Modesto, Tracy and Turlock. It is dependent on agriculture and is among the poorest areas of the state.

The ballot:

Denham, Republican, Businessman/Farmer/Representative

Michael J. "Mike" Barkley, Democrat, Lawyer/CPA/Programmer

Barkley, 73, of Manteca, is making his fourth bid for the seat. He says he was inspired to run for Congress to address gun violence.

Michael Eggman, Democrat, Farmer/Businessman

Eggman, 54, is back for a third run at the seat even after saying he wouldnt try again. The beekeeper and farmer lost to Denham by 3.4% in 2016.

Josh Harder, Democrat, Educator/Businessman

Harder, 32, is a former venture capitalist who has raised the most money among challengers. Harder moved back to the district, where he grew up, from San Francisco last spring after leaving his job as a vice president at Bessemer Venture Partners, where he focused on investment in software, mobile and telecommunications.

Ted D. Howze, Republican, Veterinarian

Howze, 51, of Stockton, entered the race at the last minute, causing some worry that it would set up a Republican-on-Republican general election race under Californias top-two primary system.

The former Turlock city councilman told the Mercury News he did not know so many Democrats were challenging Denham and did not enter the race to keep a Democrat from getting onto the general election ballot.

Virginia Madueno, Democrat, Valley Water Commissioner

Madueno, 52, of Riverbank, entered the race because of Denhams vote on the GOP healthcare bill last spring. She ran unsuccessfully for the state Assembly in 2016 after serving on the Riverbank City Council from 2005 to 2012, including a stint as mayor from 2009 to 2012. She runs a communications firm.

Dotty Nygard, Democrat, Registered Nurse

Nygard, 61, of Tracy, has a nursing degree from Cal State Hayward. She served on the Riverbank City Council from 2010 to 2013. But shes actually not running: Nygard issued a statement withdrawing from the race after filing to be on the primary ballot. It was not clear Saturday whether her name can be removed without legal action.

Scott Shoblom, no party preference, Attorney

An independent, Shoblom, 53, of Modesto, graduated from Empire College School of Law. He was admitted to the California Bar in 2004.

Sue Zwahlen, Democrat, Nurse/School Boardmember

Zwahlen, 63, of Modesto, is an emergency room nurse who said she wants to focus on healthcare and education. She has been elected twice to the Modesto City Schools Board of Education.

Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford) leaves the House Republican Conference meeting in the basement of the U.S. Capitol. Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call

21st Congressional District

Rep. David Valadao has drawn just a single opponent as he seeks a fourth term. A longtime dairy farmer, the Hanford Republican served in the Assembly prior to entering Congress, where he has focused on bringing water to his agricultural district.

He has been a reliably conservative vote in Congress, supporting the tax bill overhaul and repealing the Affordable Care Act, but he has broken with party leaders on immigration policy. He has advocated for a legislative fix to address the legal status of people brought to the country illegally as children.

Valadao was first elected in 2012 and won reelection in 2016 by a 13% margin in the district, which includes parts of Fresno, Kern, Kings and Tulare counties.

The ballot:

Valadao, Republican, designation not released

TJ Cox, Democrat, Engineer/Small Businessman

Cox founded Central Valley NMTC Fund, an organization that invests millions in public and private funds in economically disadvantaged Central Valley communities.

Born in California but raised in Nevada and New Mexico, Cox moved to Fresno with his family in 2000. He originally planned to run in the crowded 10th District race, but switched districts after Democratic lawyer Emilio Huerta dropped out days before the filing deadline.

Support our journalism Please consider subscribing today to support stories like this one. Get full access to our signature journalism for just 99 cents for the first four weeks. Already a subscriber? Your support makes our work possible. Thank you.

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Track the California races that could flip the HouseA Tijuana municipal judge has been charged with drug smuggling after 38 pounds of cocaine were found hidden in his Jeep Liberty while crossing the border, according to a complaint filed in San Diego Federal Court.

Eduardo Francisco Sais Peinado was arrested Feb. 10 at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, according to the complaint and jail records.

A Tijuana city official said Sais was fired from his judicial post the same day for a work-related matter but declined to elaborate, including whether the arrest had anything to do with his dismissal.

Sais was alone in his Jeep when crossing about 6:20 p.m. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer conducting inspections approached him as he waited in the pre-primary lanes. Sais presented his border crossing card and said he was headed to Chula Vista, according to the complaint. He said that he had nothing to declare and that the only people who use the Jeep are him and his girlfriend, the complaint states.

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The officers used a device that tests the density of vehicle parts and got a high reading on the door panels, the complaint says. Sais again said he had nothing to declare.

Officers became more suspicious when a drug-sniffing dog alerted, and an X-ray found anomalies in the vehicles passenger doors, the complaint says.

An officer eventually found 11 packages of cocaine hidden in the front and rear passenger doors, as well as five packages in the rear door.

Sais has pleaded not guilty and has agreed to remain in federal custody without bail.

He had worked as a municipal judge in Tijuana since the previous administration, the official said. Municipal judges oversee cases involving violations of city law, including traffic infractions.

Davis and Dibble write for the San Diego Union-Tribune.Dr. Alan Kleinmans former neighbors wonder why he stayed in South Los Angeles after his dental office was destroyed in the 1992 riots.

Some say he was never much connected to the community. When the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church held parking lot barbecues, he never joined other shopkeepers from the street, said Roscoe Baker, longtime deacon of the church.

But not only did Kleinman stay, he added to the real estate investments he had been making since the 1970s.

Today, he owns a dozen commercial parcels on Broadway in the two blocks south of Manchester Avenue. Among them are the still-vacant lot where his office once stood and the building across the street where he reopened his practice.

Kleinman retired a few years ago. He might already have been forgotten by the areas sellers of religious paraphernalia, sewing machines, Spandex pants and marijuana, but for the Dental Office sign that remains on one of his buildings, all of which are either abandoned or demolished.

In some circles of business and city politics, however, Kleinman is well known  as an obstacle to revitalizing an area that has languished in blight since the riots.

He's the bane of my existence, said Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson, who cant get Kleinman on the phone.

National retailers are said to be eager to occupy the slice of land between Broadway and the 110 Freeway, if only someone can acquire it.

Everybody looks at this site, all the big developers, said Curtis Fralin, a real estate investor who wants to develop the area. The problem with this site is absentee landlords.

Homeless encampment in a property owned by Neighborhood Housing Services in Los Angeles. A graffiti-covered building owned by retired dentist Alan Kleinman is in the background. Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times

The Broadway/Manchester corridor, the focus of a post-1992 redevelopment project that never got off the ground, offers a vivid example of the obstacles  economic, social and historical that stymie the best intentions for improving South L.A.

Older shop tenants and churchgoers recall the neighborhoods heyday, when there were three cinemas, banks and a grocery store.

The theaters and grocery store became churches and the Legal Aid Foundation took over the abandoned bank at Broadway and Manchester, said Mary M. Lee, an attorney who worked there during the 1990s.

Lee, now a board member of the Community Coalition of South Los Angeles, sees the decline as a result of a mixture of the inertia of public process and land-use planning and racialized attitudes toward development.

Fralin, who built a new shopping center with a CVS and a Starbucks not far away at Slauson and Central avenues, has been trying to overcome those forces for more than two decades.

In 2006, he got close. He obtained an exclusive negotiating agreement from the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency to build a shopping center with a Target and major grocery store.

The plan covered two large blocks south of Manchester, including several of Kleinmans properties. But the redevelopment agencys power to assemble land by eminent domain  limited to the first 12 years of the Broadway/Manchester project  had just expired.

In a June 2007 letter to Kleinmans attorney, Fralin expressed frustration dealing with the absentee owner.

I would suggest that you drive by the site that has looked like a ghetto for over 20 years, he wrote. I cannot give my community what you have in your community if you and your client are uninterested and do not care.

The appeal failed, and Fralins exclusive negotiating agreement expired. We lost all rights to get the land, he said.

Fralin has not given up. He said he could build a shopping center in 18 months if he had the land.

But without the redevelopment agency, which was dissolved by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2012, Fralin has no leverage to acquire it.

Harris-Dawson said he would have used eminent domain to seize the Kleinman properties, but was advised by the city attorney that the city has no power to condemn because of blight.

So Fralin, who still owns a property at the corner of Broadway and Manchester, would have to make deals with Kleinman and three other property owners on the block. If he could get Kleinman to sell, the others would follow, Fralin said, but Kleinman is ignoring him.

I write them an offer every three or four months, he said.

Kleinman did not respond to a written message left at the Venice address listed on his property records, or to a letter from The Times. A lawyer who has represented him did not return several calls.

Changing social needs are now impinging on Fralins vision. The city is facing a housing crisis, and vacant or unused buildings like those on Broadway are being targeted for affordable housing, especially for chronically homeless people.

The southern half of the land Fralin once eyed for a shopping center  the part where the Target would have been  has been sold to Neighborhood Housing Services.

The nonprofit housing developer has leveled everything, leaving a network of concrete foundations that host a homeless village.

A swap meet and the vacant storefronts of a Kleinman building occupy the remainder of the block. Lori Gay, the president and chief executive of Neighborhood Housing Services, said her acquisition team is seeking to buy both properties.

The group hopes to begin construction on 108 affordable housing units this year, Gay said.

Circumstances have made Gay and Fralin friendly competitors, each pursuing an agenda that would block the other, but both aligned against a common obstacle  Kleinman.

Gay hopes to expand her holdings north to a large city-owned parking lot that Fralin would need to realize his plans.

Both have asked Harris-Dawson to let them to buy the lot.

Harris-Dawson said he wants the property developed, and doesnt favor one over the other.

I have two people who are prepared to do a development except for Kleinman, he said.

Bible study at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times

In the meantime, Gay may have the advantage because she could build housing on the city lot, which is behind a Kleinman property, without buying him out.

Fralin contends that allowing housing on the city lot would spoil one of the few South Los Angeles locations that can accommodate a large shopping center.

This is a shopping center site, Fralin said. You dont want to put more apartments right next to a freeway. You have a major signalized intersection, incredible traffic counts, visibility from the freeway. I dont see that happening.

An obstacle to redevelopment of most commercial thoroughfares, he said, is the historical zoning pattern of narrow commercial strips backed up by single-family housing, a pattern evident on the east side of Broadway.

But because of the freeway, the west side of Broadway is deep enough to accommodate a retail project if a developer could consolidate ownership of the parcels.

Gay said she is sympathetic to Fralins dream, but cant wait.

Hes been talking for 24 years for all of this, Gay said. Getting it done is another thing. Were planted there now, so were just going to keep building outward.

Whichever developer prevails, Broadway will remain in distress until Kleinman decides to sell or do something with his property.

One way way out of the impasse could arise from Kleinmans own disengagement.

Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector records show that 2015-16 property taxes on his properties are in default and the first installment on this years taxes of $18,251.84 has not been paid. If the default is not cleared by July 1, 2019, the tax collector would initiate a process to sell the properties within four years.

Meanwhile, as long as he refuses to talk, people can only guess about his thinking.

I dont understand how someone could work there and have the ability to be a part of the change and could not, said Lee, the former legal aid attorney.

Not long ago, Rhodell Glasco, pastor of the New Temple church, handed his business card to some workers he spotted on Kleinmans property and asked them to pass it on.

Glasco was only hoping to get approval to use the vacant lot for parking.

He never got a call.

Its hard to explain why would a person withdraw like that, Glasco said. We can only speculate.

doug.smith@latimes.com

Twitter: @LATDougA 28-year-old Sunland man was arrested attempting to sneak into a downtown Los Angeles jail by flashing a fake FBI badge, authorities said Friday.

The suspect, Greg Baghoomian, was armed with a large fixed-blade knife, two Tasers, handcuffs and gloves in addition to the bogus credentials, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.

Authorities said Baghoomian entered the lobby of the Twin Towers Correctional Facilitys inmate reception center Tuesday and attempted to quickly flash a badge and ID to gain access to the facility. When sheriffs deputies tried to check his credentials, he fled on foot across the street to Mens Central Jail, where he was detained by deputies, according to the department.

Baghoomian faces felony charges of bringing a deadly weapon inside a jail facility and impersonating an officer. Officials said it was unclear what his motivation was for attempting to slip into the lockup.

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Los Angeles County court records indicate Baghoomian has an outstanding 2016 case for distribution of child pornography. He was being held at Twin Towers Correctional Facility, the same building he allegedly was attempting to sneak in to, in lieu of $105,000 bail.

Anyone with information on the case as asked to contact Mens Central Jail at (213) 974-4921 or anonymously at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).

victoria.kim@latimes.com

For more California news, follow me on Twitter @vicjkimA man suspected of killing one Pomona police officer and wounding another was arrested Saturday afternoon after an overnight standoff at the apartment complex where the shooting occurred.

The dead officer has been identified as Greggory Casillas, 30, said Pomona Police Lt. Eddie Vazquez.



For the record: Previous versions of this story misspelled Greggory Casillas first name as Gregory and said he was 25 years old. He was 30.

Officials said the suspect, identified as Isaias De Jesus Valencia, 39, was being pursued by police Friday night when his car crashed near the apartment complex. The man ran from his vehicle and was followed by officers on foot.

He went into the apartment complex and barricaded himself inside one of the units. When officers arrived, authorities said, he fired through a door, striking the two officers.

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The second officer was shot in the face as he attempted to rescue Casillas, Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell said at a news conference Saturday afternoon.

Its tough right now, McDonnell said. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Pomona Police Department. It is a family. Everyone is impacted by this.

During the standoff, deputies used tear gas to get the suspect to surrender, but he refused to comply, according to the Sheriffs Department. Deputies with the Special Enforcement Bureau eventually entered the building and deployed a police dog.

Valencia was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempting to murder police officers and is being held without bail.

McDonnell said authorities can start the actual investigation now that the suspect has been arrested.

 Media briefing on standoff with suspect in fatal shooting of Pomona police officer (Video by Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

It has been a long night, he said.

Casillas was sworn in as a Pomona police officer in September 2017, Pomona Police Chief Michael Olivieri told reporters. He was nearly finished with his field training when he was killed.

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Its a sad day for our community and a sad day for law enforcement in general, Olivieri said. He left his family at home to protect yours.

Raised in Los Angeles County, Casillas attended local colleges and universities, Olivieri said. He is survived by his wife and two children, as well as his parents and two brothers.

Olivieri called Casillas a hero, and a man to be looked up to. He had worked in different positions within law enforcement  as a records specialist and jailer before becoming a police recruit  to better prepare himself to achieve his goal of becoming an officer.

His ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten, Olivieri said.

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At the end of the news conference, sheriffs deputies surrounded Olivieri as he walked away from the crowd. Some patted him on the back.

Earlier Saturday, more than a dozen Pomona police officers, L.A. County sheriffs deputies and county fire vehicles blocked the street in front of the apartment building where the suspect was barricaded. A handful of SWAT officers were gathered outside the entrance to the beige structure. Every so often, their muffled megaphone calls to the man to come out echoed through the street.

Police Officer Greggory Casillas was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest a man. (Pomona Police Department )

Neighbors, some wrapped in blankets or wearing hooded jackets, watched the scene unfold from behind police tape. A few stood on top of their cars in the rain for a better view when a flash-bang device detonated about 10 a.m. An officer then again ordered the man to exit through the front door.

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Come outside with your hands up, the officer said. Come on out.

About 9:10 p.m. Friday, dispatchers relayed reports of an officer down in the 1400 block of South Palomares Street near Fernleaf Avenue. A law enforcement source said about 75 officers from several agencies converged on the scene but were unable to move the wounded officers to safety at first because of gunfire.

The L.A. County Fire Department was called about 9:30 p.m. to assist, said dispatch supervisor Jeremy Stafford.

Local news footage showed officers trying to perform CPR on a man lying on the pavement.

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A mother and daughter who live nearby said they ran out of their apartment after hearing the crash Friday night. A beige truck crashed into a parked red truck in front of an apartment complex, said the pair, who gave only their first names.

Marlene, 12, said she saw the suspect exit the beige truck with a gun tucked under his arm. He then ran into the nearby apartment. Marlene recorded a portion of the shooting.

(Los Angeles Times )

The video shows Marlene and her mother, Jessica, 29, running for safety as the gunfire continues.

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Hes inside, a woman says in the video. Lets go!

Marlene said she saw police bring a wounded officer outside and rip off his vest. In the cellphone footage, a group of officers surrounds another officer on the ground as one performs chest compressions.

Marlene and other neighbors said they spotted a woman they said was the suspects mother crying and vomiting outside the apartment building before she got into a police SUV.

I was scared, Marlene said.

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Ninfa Martinez said she saw residents running out of the building where the shooting occurred.

Then I heard some shots and went back running Martinez, 24, said. It was crazy.

Once the gunfire stopped, her mother and other neighbors offered coffee to those outside, she said. Some of the displaced residents slept in their cars, she said. Martinez and her mother slept for an hour, until just before 6 a.m.

The shooting sparked an outpouring of support from local law enforcement.

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Our thoughts and prayers are with Pomona police, the Sheriffs Department said in a statement.

Another hero gone too soon. These tragedies are occurring too often, and the pains of sacrifice will never be forgotten, added LAPD Chief Charlie Beck.

Casillas body was escorted by a police procession Saturday morning as it was transferred from Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center to the coroners office.

1 / 9 Peter Garcia of Pomona prays at a memorial in front of the Pomona Police Department for fallen Pomona Police Officer Gregory Casillas. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 9 Petty Officer Bernadette Ramirez of the California National Guard salutes a memorial in front of the Pomona Police Department for fallen Pomona Police Officer Gregory Casillas. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 9 A handwritten note sits among the many flower bouquets at a memorial in front of the Pomona Police Department. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 9 Lincoln Ayala, 5, carries a bouquet of roses on Saturday to lay at a memorial in front of the Pomona Police Department for Gregory Casillas. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 9 Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell, left, and others show their support to Pomona Police Chief Michael Olivieri, center in dark glasses. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 9 A police officer in tactical gear works near the scene where one officer was killed and another wounded after chasing a suspect in Pomona. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 9 A police officer in tactical gear near the scene where one officer was killed and another wounded Friday at a Pomona apartment. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 9 L.A. County sheriffs deputies take Isaias de Jesus Valencia, suspected of fatally shooting a Pomona police officer, to a waiting vehicle on Saturday. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 9 People wait for news near the scene where one officer was killed and another wounded at a Pomona apartment complex. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

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The last law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty in Southern California died a little over a year ago.

Whittier Police Officer Keith Boyer was fatally shot while investigating a traffic crash in February 2017.

Michael C. Mejia, 27, a convicted felon with a history of drug possession and violent criminal activity, is accused of killing his cousin and stealing his car in East Los Angeles before crashing into two other vehicles at a Whittier intersection.

When Boyer, 53, and his partner, Patrick Hazell, arrived at the scene and ordered Mejia out of his car, he opened fire on them, prosecutors said. Boyer died and Hazell was wounded.

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Times staff writer Alene Tchekmedyian contributed to this report.

UPDATES:

8:50 p.m.: This article was updated with the suspects identity.

3 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from a press conference.

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2 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from residents.

11:40 a.m.: This article was updated with the identity of the dead police officer.

10 a.m.: This article was updated with police using a flash-bang device to try to capture the suspect and other details.

8:30 a.m.: This article was updated with additional details about the shooting.

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7:30 a.m.: This article was updated with activity at an apartment.

5:55 a.m.: This article was updated with background on Whittier shooting.

5 a.m.: This article was updated with new details.

1:55 a.m.: This article was updated with one officers death.

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March 10, 12:20 a.m.: This article was updated with L.A. County homicide detectives responding.

11:40 p.m.: This article was updated with two officers wounded.

11:20 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details.

This article was originally published at 10:55 p.m. March 9.A weak storm brought some sprinkles to Southern California on Saturday.

Los Angeles probably will see between one-third and one-half inch of rain from a subtropical storm passing through the region Saturday and early Sunday, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Robbie Munroe. The mountains around L.A. could see up to 2 inches of precipitation.

Ventura and Santa Barbara counties probably will experience the most rainfall, Munroe said.

Experts expect between a half and 1 inch of rain along the coast and valleys in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, and 1 to 3 inches in the ocean-facing Ventura County mountains, Munroe said.

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Meteorologists do not expect as much rain as last week, when Montecito and nearby communities were spared significant damage from the first significant storm to hit the area since Januarys devastating mudslides.

The rain likely wont come down fast enough to cause mud or debris flows in recent burn areas, even though they are forecast to receive much of the rain, Munroe said. Still, residents in those areas should monitor changes in the forecast, he said.As the community mourned the victims, authorities on Saturday were trying to sort out the motive of a former Army soldier once deployed to Afghanistan who killed three people Friday at a veterans facility in Napa County where he was once a resident.

The Napa County Sheriff-Coroners Office identified the shooter as 36-year-old Albert Wong of Sacramento, who formerly was housed at the Pathway Home, a residential unit within the Yountville Veterans Home. He was found dead next to the bodies of three employees Friday afternoon, all with gunshot wounds.

Authorities identified the victims as the homes executive director, Christine Loeber, 48; therapist Jen Golick, 42; and Jennifer Gonzales, 29, a psychologist with the San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

At a news conference Saturday morning, officials said the victims brought a unique sense of purpose and humanity to their jobs.

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Yountville Mayor John Dunbar said the Pathway Home program has been unique from the very beginning, partly because of the way it allowed veterans to interact with the community. The program included activities such as fishing or bowling trips.

In some cases, those in the program needed to be reintroduced into daily life, Dunbar said  that included being in crowded rooms or places with loud noises.

Some local businesses would offer the veterans anything they needed, he said, to come and relax.

Sometimes thats part of the programming, to just be human, Dunbar said.

He said Loeber was tireless in her efforts on behalf of veterans: She would sleep in her office more often than not because she had to be there to fill a shift. Thats the kind of personal dedication she showed all of us.

The mayor described Wong as one of our heroes who clearly had demons.

Authorities said they dont yet know whether Wong targeted the victims specifically or chose them at random.

President Trump on Saturday said on Twitter that he mourned the loss of three incredible women who cared for our Veterans.

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Golicks father-in-law, Bob Golick, told the Associated Press that she recently had expelled Wong from the program.

California Sen. Bill Dodd told KGO-TV that Wong had suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder from his service in the Middle East.

After an hours-long standoff, law enforcement officers entered the room at the veterans home where the gunman had been holding the hostages shortly before 6 p.m. That is where they found the four bodies.

Cissy Sherr, who with her husband became Wongs legal guardian after his father died when he was a child, told the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat that she was devastated by the violence.

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Like many of our young men [in the military], he did see some rough times, Sherr told the paper. Hes always been soft-spoken, honest and patriotic and loyal. Its heartbreaking.

The first Napa County sheriffs deputy to arrive at the scene exchanged gunfire with the gunman, who allowed some of the employees to leave before holing up in a room with the three hostages. Childs said authorities credited the responding deputy for saving lives by eliminating the ability of the suspect to go out and find other victims.

The deputy was not injured.

Childs said authorities tried throughout the day to reach the gunman on his cellphone to no avail. Three hostage negotiators were at the scene, but the standoff dragged on throughout the day with no contact with the gunman or the hostages.

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UPDATES:

12:40 p.m.: This article was updated with more statement from the mayor and President Trump.

11:35 a.m.: This article was updated with information from a news conference.

This article was originally published at 11 a.m.Mattel, which has just introduced a Frida Kahlo Barbie, has a history of missing the mark in expanding its line of Barbie dolls. Its misjudgments over the years have led to some cringe-worthy creations.

Slumber Party Barbie

This 1965 doll came with pink pajamas, a pink robe and pink flurry slippers for sleepover fun.

However, she came with an accessory from a 1963 model: a book titled How to Lose Weight!

The doll also came with a pink scale permanently set at 110 pounds  35 pounds underweight for a woman of Barbies supposed height of 5 feet 9.

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Teen Talk Barbie

About 350,000 of these dolls were produced in July 1992, each equipped with four recordings out of a possible 270.

The sayings included: Will we ever have enough clothes? Want to go shopping? OK, meet me at the mall and Math class is tough.

The American Assn. of University Women, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and many women advocacy groups condemned the dolls for reinforcing negative and sexist stereotypes of women.

One group of performance artists, the Barbie Liberation Organization, took hundreds of Teen Talk Barbie voice boxes and switched them with G.I. Joe voice boxes.

Vengeance is mine! Barbie said.

Lets plan our dream wedding, G.I. Joe said.

By October of the same year, Mattel eliminated the Math class is tough recording.

We didnt fully consider the potentially negative implications of this phrase, then-Mattel President Jill E. Barad said.

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Share a Smile Becky

Mattel released this doll in May 1997 with a pink wheelchair in an effort to be inclusive. However, the Barbie Dream House didnt exactly comply with the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act .

Becky could not fit through the dollhouses elevator, and so was unable to fully participate with the other dolls. Kjersti Johnson, a Tacoma, Wash., teenager who has cerebral palsy, raised awareness on the matter.

How ironic and true  housing for people with disabilities that is not accessible! she wrote in an email to the Easter Seal Society of Washington in 1997.

Mattel later redesigned the dollhouse to be more accessible to Becky and other dolls with disabilities.

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Oreo Barbie

A 1997 collaboration between Mattel and Nabisco produced two dolls, one white and one black. Previous black Barbies failed commercially because people complained that except for her skin tone, the doll had the physical characteristics of a blond Barbie.

The Oreo Barbie was an even bigger fail, because in the African American community, Oreo is a disparaging term for a black person who identifies with white culture  black on the outside and white on the inside.

The doll was recalled the same year.

Some parents thought the pregnant version of Midge, Barbies oldest friend, was a little too real for their children. (Sabina Louise Pierce / Associated Press )

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Pregnant Midge

Mattels Happy Family set in 2002 featured Barbies friend Midge with her daughter, Nikki.

It was a wonderful prop for parents to use with their children to role-play family situations, the company said at the time.

The doll, which featured a removable abdomen with a baby inside, angered parents who felt it promoted teenage pregnancy and presented adult situations to young minds. Theres enough teenagers getting pregnant as it is. I think theyre glamorizing it, and its horrible, Jackie Ellis, a Philadelphia resident, told the Associated Press in 2002.

A different version of pregnant Midge came with her husband, Alan. Parents didnt like that one either, and the company recalled the dolls.

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It was just that customers had a concern about having a pregnant doll, then-Wal-Mart spokeswoman Cynthia Illick said.

michael.livingston@latimes.com

@mikelive06Pressed by President Trump, the Pentagon is proposing to stage a military parade in November with veterans in historic uniforms and warplanes, but no tanks  a scaled-down version of the grand display of military might the president envisioned, according to a memo released by the Pentagon on Friday.

Veterans in period uniforms from past wars would march from the White House to the Capitol on Nov. 11  Veterans Day  joined by wheeled vehicles only, no tanks, to minimize damage to local infrastructure, the planning document says.

Trump asked the Defense Department to plan a parade of the U.S. armed forces to celebrate military strength, much like Frances annual Bastille Day parade that he and First Lady Melania Trump attended in July in Paris as the guests of French President Emmanuel Macron.

But Pentagon officials, citing the cost, logistical difficulties and rarity of large-scale military parades in the United States, have sought to shift the focus to celebrating American history and the contributions of veterans, and away from displaying military hardware and row after row of marching troops  a scene more associated with autocratic nations, from Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union to, in the present age, Russia and North Korea.

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At the end of the parade, a heavy air component of warplanes would conduct flyovers that would include older aircraft as available, the document says.

The parade will focus on the contributions of our veterans throughout the history of the U.S. military, starting from the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 to today, with an emphasis on the price of freedom, the memo reads.

The event will also highlight the evolution of women veterans who served in separate units during World War II but today can serve in combat units, it adds.

Veterans and Medal of Honor recipients would join Trump at a reviewing area at the Capitol.

The memo described the plan as initial guidance. It is unclear whether Trump will be satisfied with the Pentagon plan, which one official said was still a work in progress.

The memo, issued by the office of Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis, went to Marine Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

I can confirm that the Joint Staff has received planning guidance for the parade from DOD and that planning is underway, said a spokesman for Dunford, who spoke on the condition that he not be identified.

The United States traditionally has not embraced showy displays of raw military hardware, such as North Koreas displays of ballistic missiles in its bid for international prestige and influence. Trumps budget director, Mick Mulvaney, estimated last month that the parade could cost as much as $30 million.

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U.S. military members commonly participate in parades on the Fourth of July and other holidays to signify appreciation and remembrance of veterans. Yet these events typically do not include military equipment.

Pentagon officials have said privately that bringing tanks, artillery and other weapons to Washington, as well as hundreds of troops to march, would be a massive logistical headache at a time when the military is engaged in combat in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

The memo does not specify how many active-duty or reserve troops would participate in the parade, a question that officials said was still being decided. At least some would likely be required to drive the vehicles and fly the aircraft.

The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, an Army musical unit that dresses in Revolutionary War uniforms, would participate in the parade, the memo says.

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The Pentagon last staged a parade in Washington in 1991 to celebrate victory in the first Persian Gulf War, which saw a vast U.S.-led military coalition push Iraqi troops out of Kuwait.

david.cloud@latimes.com

Twitter: @davidcloudLATThose seeking richer context for the modern friction between the United States and the Russian Federation might leave off  for a weekend, anyway  reading profiles of superspy Christopher Steele and even indictments of Russians by special prosecutor Robert S. Mueller III.

Instead, try two ferocious new documentaries about Russian and American spycraft.



For the record: This op-ed originally stated that the Academy ruled Wormwood ineligible for the Best Documentary Feature category because of scripted scenes. Actually, the Academy said it disqualified Wormwood because its episodic.

Taken together, Errol Morris Wormwood and Bryan Fogels Icarus illuminate 65 years of the two nations mutual incomprehension. They show how fear of the other great power plunges each country into paranoid, twisted and murderous intelligence operations.

Is the U.S. under President Trump becoming Russia, its terrified and fractious population ruled by a klepto-autocrat who aspires to Russian President Vladimir Putins ruthlessness and greed? Or might we yet assert our cherished rectitude and define our country against Putins Russia once again? These urgent questions nip at the edges of the two movies.

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Wormwood, a six-part series on Netflix, revisits the gothic death of Frank Olson, a CIA bacteriologist who died in 1953 at the hands of his bosses. He was either a casualty of a sadistic LSD experiment by the U.S. government, or  as wily investigative journalist Seymour Hersh insists  of an outright execution. (The film reports out Hershs incendiary thesis, and gives it credence.)

Is the U.S. under President Trump becoming Russia, its terrified and fractious population ruled by a klepto-autocrat?

Morris casting of SAG actors in lavish sepia-noir reenactments had some critics asking whether it was really a documentary. No matter: Morriss hallucinatory collage simultaneously conceals and reveals the truth of Olsons death, in the manner of espionage and history itself. Also in the manner of LSD. To tell a story of sloshed, tripping, paranoid, self-important and delusional midcentury CIA chain-smokers in the straitened Frontline style would be dishonest.

Morris appears in the film, listening, rapt, as Olsons son, Eric, describes a mind-control program of the Korean War-era CIA. Convinced that the Soviet Union was using psycho-chemicals to loosen the lips of American prisoners, CIA agents tested LSD on Olson, who was secretly nursing doubts about American denials that the military used biological weapons in Korea.

CIA mind-controllers wanted to see if Olson could keep secrets  that is, could lie on command  while dosed. Evidently, he couldnt. The agency later copped to the LSD experiments and told the Olson family that Frank, unable to hold his drugs, lost his stuffing and jumped out of a hotel window.

The Olson tragedy, as Morris renders it, is founded in projections about the riddle-mystery-enigma that Russia has always represented to the West. For fear of their mind-control measures, we undertake our own. With fatal consequences.

This sounds familiar. In chain-smoking days, we feared biowarfare and the mind control of chemical weapons, hypnotists and hallucinogens. In Twittering days, we fear viral memes, and the mind control of botnets and troll farms.

The second film, Bryan Fogels Icarus, which won the best-doc Oscar last weekend, follows a whistleblower, Grigory Rodchenkov, as he seeks  at great peril  to tell the truth about Russian doping at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

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As in Wormwood, the filmmaker appears as a naive listener cornered by a nerve-jangled old man who unfolds a geopolitical farrago. That farrago is not just stranger than fiction; its orders of magnitude more complex.

Rodchenkov in Russia, like Olson in the U.S., was expected to play an upright citizen and biochemist for his country, while also conspiring in a secret state-sponsored doping program. (If LSD is a kind of dope, a state-sponsored doping program is also what the U.S. ran for 20 years.) Rodchenkovs earnestness, panic and pathological urge to tell the truth, even if it kills him, recall Olsons.

At the time of the Sochi Olympics, the Kremlin was convinced that other national teams were doping despite stringent efforts to police it. So they undertook to hack the anti-doping measures. This put everyone  including Russias athletes, whose biochemistry they damaged with anabolics  at extreme risk.

When Rodchenkov speaks out, his government hunts him. But unlike one of his colleagues, and unlike Olson, Rodchenkov escapes with his life. He currently resides in the U.S., in witness protection.

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In any kind of arms race between the U.S. and Russia, the old caricatures reemerge. The Kremlin represents the U.S. as sanctimonious and hypocritical, pretending not to be as corruptible, greedy and racist as everyone else. The U.S. represents Russia as devious, malicious and warlike.

And then we bring these cartoons into being. Trump and his syndicate have proven themselves to be every bit as corruptible, greedy and racist as Putin believes all Americans to be. In turn, Russias state-sponsored mind-control programs  in the form of troll farms and botnets  reflect our intelligence agencies most dire warnings.

As usual, the nations scare the hell out of each other. And scared nations are scary. In this terrified atmosphere, the truth is elusive. Is there collaboration between Trump and the Russian oligarchs? Why havent we implemented sanctions against Russia? And what does the Kremlin want?

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If were ever to find justice and peace between the nations, we dont need more disinformation and propaganda. We need whistleblowers and truth-tellers like Olson and Rodchenkov.

Twitter: @page88

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or FacebookTo the editor: On March 5,1968, Mexican American high school students from East Los Angeles walked out of class to protest substandard education, racist teachers and police beatings. These Chicano students did what adults failed to do: Take action. (East L.A., 1968: Walkout! The day high school students helped ignite the Chicano power movement, March 1)

While walkouts seldom bring about change by themselves, what was clear about the East L.A. protest was that Latinos who speak up and work together can be a catalyst for positive change.

Todays high school students are also doing what adults have failed to do: Demand stronger gun control laws. How many more young lives do we need to lose at schools before our elected officials understand we must push for tougher gun control laws? As a father of two teenagers, I pray every morning that my kids are safe when they go to school. I want them to express their voices loud and clear at the upcoming nationwide walkout on March 14.

Maybe these walkouts will spark a wider movement toward stronger gun laws and living more peacefully together. Lets not forget the victims and everyday people who should never have to live in fear when they go to see a movie, attend school or worship at church.

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Luis Alfredo Vasquez-Ajmac, Redondo Beach

..

To the editor: I experienced the long-term impact of how Garfield High School treated many of its students.

After excelling academically in San Rafeal, Calif., I moved with my family to East Los Angeles. Garfield enrolled me in electric shop, office practice and nonacademic classes over three years.

Despite serving on the student council, being elected the student body president and attending Boys State, I didnt qualify for a four-year college. So, I graduated from barber college.

Working as a barber, I attended night classes over 12 years at East L.A. College, Cal State Los Angeles and Southwestern Law School. I was 35 and married with five children when I was admitted to the State Bar in 1971.

Since then, in my law practice I have represented Pacific Bell, the Metropolitan Water District, Southern California Edison and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Joseph Avila, Montebello

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..

To the editor: Your article, The president was polarizing, even crude. The shocking became routine. Somehow, we survived 1968  or did we? states that the words of Robert Kennedys famous speech in Indianapolis in April 1968, informing a shocked, largely African American crowd of Dr. Martin Luther Kings assassination, and concluding with a moving appeal for nonviolence, went unheeded.

This ignores the crucial fact that while riots protesting Kings assassination broke out in more than 100 cities across the U.S. that night, Indianapolis was not one of them. This poignant moment is in fact commemorated in the Landmark for Peace Memorial in that city, where half-figures of King and Kennedy reach toward each other near a plaque inscribed with Kennedys moving words.

Larry George, Santa Monica

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..

To the editor: Thank you for your articles looking back on the tumultuous year of 1968. As a high school and college teacher of United States history for 40 years, I always spend time with my students on this pivotal year. Many good books have been written about it.

Personally, I was affected as a student in Lakewood in 1968. The East L.A. student movement brought about a free speech forum at Lakewood High School that year.

Michael Pazeian, Garden Grove

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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

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Failed California housing bill was not a bad idea, Gov. Jerry Brown says By Liam Dillon Gov. Jerry Brown (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Earlier this month, high-profile housing legislation that would have allowed for four- to five-story apartments and condominiums near transit stops failed to advance in the state Legislature. But had it reached his desk, would Gov. Jerry Brown have signed it? Maybe. I think that was not a bad idea, Brown said of Senate Bill 827 at a meeting with business leaders from the Bay Area Council on Monday afternoon. The bill, written by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), attracted national attention and a maelstrom of opposition in part because it would have eliminated single-family zoning near transit stops in favor of apartments or condominiums. Brown said that a relative of his who lives in West Portal, a low-density neighborhood in San Francisco, told the governor he was horrified by the bill. Brown also lamented dramatically rising housing costs. He said he bought his first house in Los Angeles in 1973 for $75,000 at a time when his salary as secretary of state was $35,000. Now, he said, buying a house for a little over twice ones annual salary is virtually impossible anywhere in the state. FOR THE RECORD

May 1, 9:32 a.m.: This post originally misstated the year Brown purchased his house as 1970. It was 1973. Facebook

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John Cox begins California barnstorm with the delivery of gas tax repeal signatures By Javier Panzar Gubernatorial candidate John Cox, left, and Assembly candidate Bill Essayli load boxes of signatures for the gas tax repeal initiative. (Francine Orr) GOP gubernatorial candidate John Cox strolled up to the stack of 12 boxes in front of the Los Angeles County registrar-recorders offices in Norwalk on Monday and placed his hands on top of his partys hope for success in 2018. The boxes, stacked four across and three high, contained 211,000 signatures for an initiative to repeal recent increases in Californias gas tax and vehicle fees. Cox says the effort has gathered more than 940,000 signatures from registered voters to put the measure on the ballot  far more than the 585,407 signatures that are required. The aim: to bring out the partys base to the polls this November and help candidates in tough congressional and legislative races down the ticket. A USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll in November found 54.2% of registered voters surveyed said they would repeal the tax and fee hike, but a survey a month earlier by another group said a majority would vote to keep the higher taxes. Cox was flanked by Bill Essayli, a former federal prosecutor who is challenging Democratic Assemblywoman Sabrina Cervantes of Riverside in the June primary. Cervantes voted for the gas tax and Essayli plans to use that vote against her. He even launched his campaign at a 76 gas station in Norco. This is a central issue in my campaign, he said. Cox also submitted signatures in San Diego on Monday and is headed to Bakersfield, Fresno and Sacramento, as well as Shasta and Butte counties in coming days. We are going all across the state, Cox said. The whole state is paying this tax and the whole state wants it gone. Facebook

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All Californians would be able to serve on state boards  even people in the U.S. illegally  under new bill By Jazmine Ulloa Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) State lawmakers on Monday introduced legislation that would allow all Californians to serve on state boards and commissions regardless of immigration status. Senate Bill 174, by Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles), comes as the state is locked in a broader legal battle with the Trump administration over state immigration laws and his call for mass deportations. Lawmakers point to what they say is the states own discriminatory history as their basis for introducing the legislation. The proposal would amend an 1872 provision that was first adopted to exclude Chinese immigrants and other transient aliens from holding appointed civil positions. At the time, antipathy toward the Chinese had been building in California, though, Chinese immigrants opened hundreds of businesses across the state and would play a critical role in building the transcontinental railroad. The Senate bill would delete the phrase transient aliens from the government code and make clear that any person, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, can hold an appointed civil office if they are at least 18 years old and a resident of the state. That would allow any Californian to serve on hundreds of boards and commissions that advice in an array of policy areas, including farm labor, history and employment development. Californias two million undocumented immigrants are a source of energy for our state, Lara said in a statement. It is shocking to read the words of fear and exclusion that are still in California law but belong in historys trash can. Facebook

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Tony Mendozas fundraising dries up after resignation amid harassment inquiry By Patrick McGreevy Former state Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia). (Steve Yeater / Associated Press) Political contributions to Tony Mendoza, who resigned from the state Senate under pressure amid sexual harassment allegations, have nearly dried up. New documents he filed with the state in his bid to reclaim the seat he once held show that his support has eroded. As a result, five other candidates for the 32nd District senate seat in the June 5 election have raised more than Mendoza so far this year. With the June 5 election approaching, Mendoza has reported raising just $7,750 in cash from six supporters during the nearly four-month period from Jan. 1 to April 21. Mendoza, a Democrat from Artesia, went on a leave of absence from the Senate Jan. 3 and resigned a month later under the threat of expulsion from colleagues. An investigation ordered by the Senate found a pattern of unwanted flirtatious or sexually suggestive behavior based on testimony from six women. Mendoza has denied wrongdoing. Last year, Mendozas reelection campaign raised $412,600, or an average of about $34,000 per month, from more than 350 supporters. Most of Mendozas 2018 total was contributed by the political arm of the Southern California Pipe Trades District Council 16 on Jan. 22, a month before Mendoza resigned. Mendoza also reported that his campaign loaned $125,000 this year to his legal defense fund. That left him with $446,600 in his campaign account at the end of April. Mendoza is running against eight Democrats and two Republicans. Democrat Bob J. Archuleta, a Pico Rivera city councilman, raised the most, $210,000, during the period. On Monday, Mendoza suffered another setback when the State Legislative Womens Caucus endorsed Democrat Vicky Santana, a member of the Rio Hondo College Board. Facebook

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Newsom and Villaraigosa affairs coming to TV ads in California By Phil Willon An independent political committee backing Republican John Cox for governor released an ad blasting both Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for their past sexual affairs. The California Deserves Better ad, which was first reported by Politico, criticizes Newsom for having an affair with a woman on his staff in 2005 while he served as mayor of San Francisco. It also goes after Villaraigosa for having an extramarital affair with a television reporter in 2007 while he was mayor of Los Angeles. The ad, which begins airing on Fox stations in the states top media markets Monday, links Newsom and Villaraigosa to the men accused of sexual impropriety in the #MeToo movement, including movie mogul Harvey Weinstein and disgraced Today show veteran Matt Lauer. Powerful men are finally being held to account, punished for inappropriate sexual conduct with women over whom they exercise power, the ad begins. Newsom and Villaraigosa think the rules shouldnt apply to them. The independent campaign committee, called Restore Our Values, already has raised more than $100,000, said Leigh Teece of Emeryville in Northern California, co-founder of the group. Teece, the CEO of a nonprofit that helps line up students with professional mentors, said the campaign will actively support Cox. She called him a true conservative and noted that he supports cutting taxes and opposes Californias sanctuary state policy. John is a business person who has demonstrated integrity, Teece said. Facebook

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Was that Cisneros in the voicemail? Dispute is latest espisode of Democratic infighting in crowded primary races By Christine Mai-Duc Gil Cisneros speaks during a forum at Fullerton College in January. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) With less than five weeks to go before Californias primary, insults and accusations are flying with abandon in the most crowded races Democrats hope to ultimately win. The latest example of this is in the 39th Congressional District, where a half dozen Democrats are vying for a chance to replace Rep. Ed Royce, whos retiring. Its one of several California contests where Democratic leaders are already worried that divisions could ultimately split votes and shut Democrats out of key pickup opportunities. In that race, millionaires Gil Cisneros and Andy Thorburn are going negative  about going negative. Cisneros was recently elevated to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committees Red to Blue program in hopes it would serve as a signal to Democratic activists and donors that his campaign was the most viable. But both Cisneros and Thorburn have poured millions into the race, which promises to be a knock down, drag out fight through June 5. At the center of the latest controversy is a voicemail, allegedly left by Cisneros on Thorburns home answering machine earlier this month. The recording, which the Thorburn campaign turned over to media outlet The Intercept, lasts less than 10 seconds. Hi Andy, its Gil Cisneros. Im gonna go negative on you, a mans voice is heard saying. Cisneros campaign manager Orrin Evans denied the candidate made the call, posting a cease and desist letter to The Intercept on Twitter. The letter, sent by a Cisneros campaign attorney, called the voicemail fabricated and demanded that the story be taken down, calling it defamatory. It gave the publication until 3 p.m. Friday to take down the story before they pursue all legal rights and remedies. An attorney for The Intercept, in a letter to Cisneros, said the publication confirmed with multiple sources familiar with Mr. Cisneros that his voice was on the recording, and that it stands by its reporting. Thorburns camp says it flatly rejects Cisneros denial, and that the timing of a negative website filled with unflattering background on Thorburn, released three days later, suggests it was him. Track the California races that could flip the House According to The Intercepts report, Cisneros campaign manager did not respond to initial inquiries about the voicemail, calling its questions ridiculous. In a follow-up statement Friday, Evans said called the episode a dirty, desperate trick by the Thorburn campaign and said they are readying to pursue legal action for defamation and false light against both him and the publication. It sounded like him to me! said Thorburns wife, Karen, in a statement released by the campaign. She was the one who first heard the voicemail, they said. Thorburn campaign manager Nancy Leeds called Cisneros threats Trump-like tactics and accused the candidate of trying to harass and intimidate anyone who stands in his way. Its not the first time candidates from the same party have clashed in the lead-up to the June 5 primary, and its all but certain to not be the last. Cisneros sued two of his opponents, Thorburn and Sam Jammal, over their ballot descriptions until they had to change them. Earlier this month, Democrat Bryan Caforio asked his opponent, Katie Hill, to sign a pledge rejecting the use of independent expenditure committees, entities that neither of them can legally coordinate with, in the race to unseat Rep. Steve Knight (R-Lancaster). Hill refused and called the attempt hollow and likened it to political theater, while Caforio accused her of empty campaign promises. Facebook

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California Politics Podcast: The money raised in the race for governor hints at a race thats now red hot By John Myers With less than six weeks before election day, the cash raised in the California governors race mirrors the overall dynamics: one major front-runner and a heated race for second place. This weeks podcast episode offers a glimpse into those cash reports and how the Republican field seems more settled in a new statewide poll than the battle between Democrats. We also examine the reasons why a nationally talked-about housing bill in Sacramento was killed by the Democratic authors own allies. Im joined by Times staff writers Melanie Mason and Liam Dillon. You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud and Stitcher. Facebook

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L.A. County politician sexually assaulted woman when she was 16, lawsuit claims By Dakota Smith A woman sued an unnamed politician in Los Angeles County on Friday, alleging the man sexually assaulted her when she was a teenager after he gave her an unusual-tasting drink. The politician, identified as John Doe, was in his early 40s and a public figure at the time of the 2007 assault, according to the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. The man is an elected official today and lives in Los Angeles, said attorney Lisa Bloom, who is representing the woman identified in the lawsuit as Jane Doe. Bloom declined to say what branch of government the man represents. Read More Facebook

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Villaraigosa touts his working-class upbringing, accomplishments as mayor in first TV ad By Phil Willon Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa released his first TV ad in the governors race Friday, touting his record and accomplishments as mayor of Los Angeles when up against the economic downturn during the recession. The 30-second television spot opens with a sweeping shot of Los Angeles and cuts to Villaraigosa sitting on a bus. In kindergarten, my sister and I took three buses to get to school. As mayor, I remembered that, Villaraigosa says into the camera. And despite the recession, we built more new schools and rail lines than any city in America, added 200,000 living wage jobs, built 20,000 units of affordable housing and nearly doubled graduation rates. Campaign spokesman Luis Vizcaino said the ad will air statewide over the next week at a cost of approximately $1 million. The commercial will being airing Saturday. Two Democratic rivals in Californias race for governor, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and state Treasurer John Chiang, also launched ads this week, signaling the biggest ramp-up of the campaign as the June 5 primary approaches. Newsom is the front-runner, while Villaraigosa is battling for second place with Republican John Cox. One recent poll has Villaraigosa trailing both Cox and Republican Assemblyman Travis Allen of Huntington Beach. Chiang has been stuck in the single digits in almost all polling in the race. Last week, an independent expenditure group called Families and Teachers for Antonio Villaraigosa for Governor, funded largely by a trio of wealthy charter school backers, launched a spot in support of the former mayor of Los Angeles. That ad campaign is focused on increasing Villaraigosas chances of coming in second in the June 5 primary and moving on to the general election. Villaraigosas ad, titled Three Buses, emphasizes the struggles he faced growing up in East Los Angeles and addresses one of his central campaign themes  that hes the candidate best suited to help working-class Californians. I know how far a bus can take you, Villaraigosa says in the ad. Facebook

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Sen. Dianne Feinstein wont participate in pre-primary debate By Sarah D. Wire (Tom Williams / CQ Roll Call) California Sen. Dianne Feinstein will not participate in a proposed pre-primary debate because there are too many candidates in the race, her campaign spokesman said Thursday. Political activists with the group Indivisible Los Angeles said they had a venue and date  May 5  reserved for a debate with four of the Senate candidates. But they said if Feinstein does not participate, it will be canceled. Feinstein faces 31 primary opponents in her bid for a fifth full term representing California in the Senate. Feinstein staffers initially said she had a prior commitment on May 5 in San Francisco. When organizers offered to let her campaign pick another date, her campaign said it wasnt fair for the group to invite only some of the candidates when there is such a big field, said Tudor Popescu, volunteer community organizer with Indivisible Los Angeles. The invited candidates, all Democrats, were Feinstein, state Sen. Kevin de Leon, political action committee director Alison Hartson and lawyer Pat Harris. They were selected based on fundraising and poll numbers. There are 11 Republicans, 10 Democrats, nine independents and 2 third-party candidates running for Senate on the June ballot. Indivisible Los Angeles is still hoping Feinstein will pick another date, Popescu said. Feinstein spokesman Jeff Millman pointed to a San Francisco Chronicle endorsement of Feinstein, which indicates that she told the editorial board she would be willing to have a debate ahead of Novembers general election. Senator Feinstein looks forward to debating her opponent in the general election, Millman said in an email. Feinstein holds a substantial lead in both fundraising and in the polls. Front-runners in statewide races have routinely declined to debate their challengers, knowing that its free publicity for candidates who dont have the cash to increase their name recognition on their own. De Leon spokesman Jonathan Underland said the state senator has done candidate forums before, but planned to attend the May 5 debate only if Feinstein did. We basically said well clear his calendar 100%, well clear his calendar if Feinstein shows up, Underland said. Wed love to make it happen, but we want her to be there. Facebook

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NRA, Olympic shooter sue California over its restrictions on ammunition sales By Patrick McGreevy Olympian Kim Rhode is a plaintiff in a lawsuit filed by the NRA and its state affiliate against California. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) The National Rifle Assn. and its state affiliate have filed a fourth lawsuit against California over its gun control laws, this time challenging new restrictions on the sale and transfer of ammunition. The NRA and the California Rifle and Pistol Assn. filed a challenge in federal court to a requirement that ammunition sales and transfers be conducted face to face with California firearms dealers or licensed vendors, ending purchases made directly from out-of-state sellers on the internet. The lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California also challenged a requirement starting next year for background checks for people buying ammunition. The lawsuit was filed in the name of Kim Rhode, a six-time Olympic medal-winning shooter, and others. It challenges Californias new ammunition sales restrictions as a violation of the 2nd Amendment and the commerce clause of the United States Constitution. Restrictions on ammunition purchases were included in Proposition 63, approved by voters in 2016, and in bills approved by the Legislature. As a result of these laws, millions of constitutionally protected ammunition transfers are banned in California, Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRAs Institute for Legislative Action, said in a statement. Californias law-abiding gun owners are sick of being treated like criminals and the NRA is proud to assist in this fight. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is running for governor, defended his initiative and vowed to fight the NRA lawsuit. We wrote Proposition 63 on solid legal ground and principle: If youre a felon banned from possessing guns in California, then you should not be able to purchase the ammunition that makes a firearm deadly, Newsom said in a statement. California voters said loudly and clearly that guns and ammunition do not belong in the hands of dangerous individuals  but once again, the NRA has prioritized gun industry profits over the lives of law-abiding Californians. Facebook

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Republicans hope to ride a gas-tax repeal to victory By Patrick McGreevy In a Central Valley barn decked out in red, white and blue, dairyman and state Senate candidate Johnny Tacherra drew cheers from a crowd of fellow farmers when he said he opposes the California Legislatures hike on gas taxes and vehicle fees. I would not have voted for that. It is not the time to be voting on (raising) the gas tax, said Tacherra, a Republican running against Democratic Assemblywoman Anna Caballero, who voted for the tax increase last year. Three hundred miles away the same week, a campaign mailer arrived at homes in Orange County from an Assembly candidate with a message blaring from the cover in bold type: Republican Greg Haskin  tough enough to stand up to Jerry Brown and repeal the gas tax. Read More Facebook

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Treasurer John Chiang launches ad in governors race touting his record as a fiscal steward By Seema Mehta In his first television ad in the governors race, state Treasurer John Chiang touts his record on fiscal issues as California faced the recession. Some thought we were done, Chiang says in a voiceover in the 30-second spot he released Thursday, with images of him standing seriously at a lectern and complimentary headlines about his work as controller and treasurer. But I knew better. I made the tough calls. And brought California back from the brink of financial disaster because you trusted me to manage our economy. Chiangs campaign is spending about $500,000 to air the ad in Los Angeles and San Diego in coming days. That buy is dwarfed by seven-figure purchases for ads supporting Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Newsom is the front-runner, while Villaraigosa is battling for second place with Republican businessman John Cox. Chiang has been mired in the single digits in almost all polling in the race. His ad, called Quiet Storm, tries to portray Chiang as a progressive who is effective and can move policy in Sacramento. Chiang points to his work challenging Wells Fargo before arguing that he could accomplish what doubters say is impossible to improve the states healthcare, housing and schools. I say, we got this, Chiang concludes. Facebook

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Been ignoring the race for California governor? Thats OK, in some ways its just starting By Mark Z. Barabak On a recent trip to Iowa, Eric Garcetti  the mayor of Los Angeles and a possible 2020 White House contestant  raised eyebrows with a bit of exuberant outreach. Los Angeles and Iowa, Garcetti insisted, have a ton in common, and he didnt simply mean both are inhabited by carbon-based life forms needing oxygen to survive. Urban or rural, farmer or fashion plate, all of us harbor the same hopes and dreams, the mayor suggested, and if it wasnt a terribly original thought it also wasnt the most egregious sort of political pandering  like, say, ordering that every home in Los Angeles be powered by Iowa-produced ethanol. Read More Facebook

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California voters should expect to decide on an $8.9-billion water bond in November By Liam Dillon (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) A proposal to borrow $8.9 billion for improvements to Californias water quality systems and watersheds and protection of natural habitats is eligible for the statewide ballot in November, Secretary of State Alex Padilla announced in a press release Wednesday. Padilla said the measure, which is backed by agricultural interests, had exceeded the 365,800 valid signatures it needed to qualify for the general election ballot. The bond measure will appear on the ballot unless proponents withdraw it by June 28, the release said. The bond is one of many voters could decide on in 2018. A $4-billion bond for parks and water infrastructure improvements will appear on the June 5 ballot. State lawmakers approved it last year. Facebook

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They came for Darrell Issa. They stayed with their inflatable chicken, blue wall and signs for political therapy By Christine Mai-Duc (John Gibbins / San Diego Union-Tribune) A mother of two turned ringleader of the resistance and more than a hundred of her faithful followers gathered on Tuesday morning outside Rep. Darrell Issas office in a northern San Diego County suburb. Across the street was her foil, a wedding DJ in a red Make American Great Again cap, setting up hefty speakers for an upcoming war of words. For about 65 weeks the deep divide in America played out along this 100-yard stretch of road in Vista. Here, at 10 a.m. every Tuesday, passersby found signs, chants, songs and, if they were lucky, sometimes a 20-foot-tall inflatable chicken with a Trump-esque coif. Theyd also glimpse the state of the body politic in 2018, a time when shock has turned to anger and post-2016 calls for reconciliation have morphed into grudging acceptance that each side might be better off in their respective corners. Or in this case, their sides of the street. On Tuesday, the anti-Issa, anti-Trump contingent fought this particular battle for the last time, declaring it their final protest at the congressmans office. They said they planned to use their energy to knock on doors and get out the vote, with an occasional protest on the side. Their pro-Trump rivals vowed to show up wherever they do. Read More Facebook

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Efforts to regulate bail companies have some unlikely allies: bail agents By Jazmine Ulloa Jane Un, chief executive and founder of Abba Bail Bonds, works with a client. ( Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) In recent years, the seriousness and number of official complaints related to the bail industry in California have significantly increased while bail agents and bounty hunters face limited oversight, putting vulnerable communities at risk of fraud, embezzlement and other forms of victimization. This year, as Gov. Jerry Brown has pledged to work with lawmakers in a push to overhaul how courts assign defendants bail and to better regulate bail agencies, even some who profit from the court practice admit its time for regulation. These bail and bail-recovery agents could become unlikely allies, saying they advocate for change because theyve seen the system abuse the poor. Read More Facebook

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California voters: Get ready for an onslaught of television ads By Seema Mehta After a sleepy campaign, California voters are now being bombarded with television advertisements in the governors race, an onslaught that is expected to ramp up in coming weeks. The ads most frequently seen on television are those promoting Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, the front-runner in the race, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who is trying to secure the second spot in the June primary. Newsoms campaign and an outside group backing Villaraigosa are spending seven figures weekly on these efforts, according to filings with the California secretary of states office and a media buyer who asked not to be identified in order to freely discuss the ads. Other gubernatorial candidates are expected to hit the airwaves soon, the media buyer said. State Treasurer John Chiang has reserved a half-million dollars in the coming days in the Los Angeles and San Diego markets, and Villaraigosas campaign has requested availability in at least five of the states biggest TV markets. The GOP candidates in the race, who will be seeking the state Republican Partys endorsement at its convention next weekend, have been much less active. Businessman John Cox in recent weeks has been spending about $90,000 per week, but doubled that this week in Los Angeles and added small buys on KFI-AM radio and cable in markets including Fresno, Bakersfield and Salinas. State Assemblyman Travis Allen of Huntington Beach, who has been scooping up Republican Party endorsements across the state, has yet to make a notable television or radio buy, though he and Cox have received some attention as commentators on Fox News. Facebook

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Republicans ready to turn in signatures for ballot measure to repeal California gas-tax increase By Patrick McGreevy A Chevron gas station in Sacramento shows prices last year. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Republican activists said Tuesday that they have collected at least 830,000 signatures for an initiative to repeal recent increases in Californias gas tax and vehicle fees, more than enough to qualify the measure for the November ballot. The activists need 585,407 signatures of registered voters to qualify the ballot measure. Because signatures are still being processed and counted by the campaign, backers hope to have 900,000 by the time they begin turning them in to the counties on Friday, according to Carl DeMaio, a former San Diego City Council member and organizer of the drive. The breadth and depth of voter anger over the car and gas tax hikes is just amazing, said DeMaio, who hosts a radio talk show. We are seeing Democrats, independents and Republicans sign the petition and volunteering to carry the petition, people from all walks of life. The initiative targets a law approved in April 2017 by the Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown that is expected to raise $5.4 billion annually for road and bridge repairs and improvements to mass transit. The money comes from a recent 12-cents-per-gallon increase in the gas tax, a 20-cent increase in the diesel fuel excise tax and a new annual vehicle fee ranging from $25 for cars valued at under $5,000, to $175 for cars worth $60,000 or more. The petition drive raised more than $2 million with significant contributions from the California Republican Party and Republican members of Congress from California, including House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield and Reps. Ken Calvert of Corona and Mimi Walters of Irvine. Republicans hope the issue will help their candidates for office in this years election and hurt Democrats who support the higher taxes. I think this is going to put Democrats in real bad spot, DeMaio said. A spokesman for Brown declined to comment until the signatures are filed. DeMaio said there were approximately 20,000 volunteer petition circulators who brought in more than 250,000 signatures, with the rest collected by paid circulators who received $1 to $2.50 per signature. Its a pretty comfortable margin [of signatures] that we have been able to hit here, DeMaio said. Opposition will grow, he said, as more Californians get their annual vehicle registration notice. The repeal campaign hopes to raise $5 million for the campaign to pass the constitutional amendment, which would not only repeal the increase in the gas tax and vehicle fees but require future increases to be submitted to voters. We know that Gov. Brown and his cohorts are going to spend an amazing amount of money to mislead voters, DeMaio said. But I feel pretty confident that we will repeal the gas tax. Read More Facebook

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Rep. Duncan Hunter sets up trust to raise money for legal expenses amid ongoing criminal investigation By Morgan Cook Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, has filed paperwork to establish a legal expense fund amid an ongoing federal criminal investigation into misused campaign cash. Hunter filed the required paperwork March 27, seeking a rarely granted Legal Expense Fund through which members of Congress under investigation or being sued in connection with doing their jobs or running for office can raise money for their legal expenses. Such funds are administered by an independent trustee and allow donors to give above the maximum amount they can contribute a candidates campaign. Hunter has spent more than $600,000 of campaign money on lawyers. Read More Facebook

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Kamala Harris says she wont take corporate donations anymore By Sarah D. Wire (Jose Luis Magana / Associated Press) California Sen. Kamala Harris says she will no longer accept money from corporate political action committees. In an interview with WWPM-FMs The Breakfast Club, in New York that aired Monday, the senator said she wasnt expecting a question at a town hall this month about whether she would accept money for corporations or corporate lobbyists. At the time, Harris said it depends, but she said on Monday that she had reflected on the matter and changed her mind. Money has had such an outside influence on politics, and especially with the Supreme Court determining Citizens United, which basically means that big corporations can spend unlimited amounts of money influencing a campaign, right? Harris said. Were all supposed to have an equal vote, but money has now really tipped the balance between an individual having equal power in an election to a corporation. So Ive actually made a decision since I had that conversation that Im not going to accept corporate PAC checks. I just  Im not. You can watch the video of the interview here. (Harris corporate money comments come about 30 minutes in.) Harris wouldnt be on the ballot for a second Senate term until 2022, though its widely believed that she is planning a presidential bid in 2020. Other potential 2020 presidential candidates, including Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), have also ruled out taking corporate PAC money. Soon after Mondays show aired, Harris campaign sent out a fundraising request noting her new stance. As corporate PACs continue to corrupt our politics and twist Congress priorities at your expense, were going to focus on raising money from small-dollar, individual donors like you, the email says. Facebook

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With money tied up in court, California lawmakers try again with new plan to spend $2 billion on homeless housing By Liam Dillon A man sleeps on the sidewalk in front of the Union Rescue Mission in the skid row neighborhood of Los Angeles. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) A measure to spend $2 billion on housing homeless Californians could be on the November statewide ballot. State Sen. Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) is pushing the idea to deal with what he said was a burgeoning humanitarian crisis whose epicenter is here in California. De Leons new measure is a do-over for a 2016 plan passed by the Legislature to redirect $2 billion toward building homeless housing from a voter-approved 1% income tax surcharge on millionaires that funds mental health services. A Sacramento attorney sued over that decision, arguing that the move violated constitutional rules on approving loans without a public vote and that lawmakers shouldnt take money away from mental health treatment. The case remains active in Sacramento Superior Court and its unclear when, or if, the state will be able to spend the $2 billion. De Leons Senate Bill 1206 would put the $2-billion loan on the ballot in November, freeing up the money if voters approve the measure. De Leon said had he been able to predict the 2016 plan would end up in court, he would have sought a ballot measure at the time. We thought this was like apple pie and baseball and puppies, De Leon said. Who would oppose the idea of repurposing the dollars to build immediate housing as a permanent solution for homelessness? Obviously with a crystal ball, had I anticipated the litigation, I would have worked to place it on the ballot. De Leon noted that the 2016 plan had bipartisan supermajority support in the Legislature, something his new bill also will need to get on the ballot. Sen. John Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa) is a coauthor of the plan. SB 1206 is scheduled for its first hearing in the Legislature on Wednesday. Should De Leons measure be approved, it will join a crowded list of housing issues before voters in November. Californians will decide on a separate $4-billion bond to help finance new low-income housing and home loans for veterans. De Leon said hes not worried those two measures will compete against each other because voters are aware of the scale of the states housing problems and the proposed homeless housing bond redirects existing dollars instead of raising taxes. Once [voters] know that the impact on their pocketbook is not existent, Im confident that theyll join me and my colleague John Moorlach in support of this measure, De Leon said. Facebook

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California lawmakers say too many former felons are being denied professional licenses By John Myers Assemblyman David Chiu (D-San Francisco) along with supporters of bills to allow more former felons to receive professional licenses. (John Myers/Los Angeles Times) A trio of California Assembly members urged colleagues on Monday to pass legislation that would prohibit state commissions and agencies from rejecting a professional license for those who were once convicted of less serious crimes. We cant say we want to rehabilitate people, and then block them from getting the jobs that they need when theyre released, said Assemblyman David Chiu (D-San Francisco). That leads to more recidivism and to more crime. The bills, scheduled to be heard in Assembly committees Tuesday, would ban the use of arrest or conviction records as the reason for denying a professional license. The bill would not apply to Californians who served time for any of the offenses on the states list of violent crimes. The authors, all Democrats, said that a government-issued professional license is required for some 30% of all jobs in the state. Their bills would change the licensing process at the California departments of Consumer Affairs and Social Services and agencies that certify emergency medical technicians. The bills would block prior convictions from leading to the delay or denial of a license unless that crime is directly related to the profession the person intends to pursue. Two of the bills also specifically say convictions less than 5 years old could continue to play a role in licensing decisions. Last year, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a law that keeps private sector employers from inquiring about a job applicants conviction history prior to an offer of employment. Advocates joined the lawmakers at a press conference in Sacramento to point out that limits on awarding licenses should focus only on those whose prior criminal activity could pose a threat to consumers. Continuing to hold people back for crimes that are 6, 7, 8, 10, 20 years old does not actually make sense if youre looking at public safety, said Jael Myrick of the East Bay Community Law Center. One of the proposals, Assembly Bill 2293, seeks to make it easier for ex-felons to get a license allowing a job with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection  the same agency that often uses prison inmates to battle blazes around the state. If a person is good enough to risk their life fighting fires for the state of California as an inmate, said Assemblywoman Eloise Gomez Reyes (D-Grand Terrace), their previous actions should not prevent from having a job utilizing the skill set that they learned. Facebook

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Assembly speaker rebukes building trades union after it targets Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia By John Myers ( (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)) The decision by a politically powerful labor group to openly campaign against an embattled Los Angeles-area lawmaker drew a sharp rebuke on Friday from Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. The Lakewood Democrat lashed out hours after the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California filed paperwork for a political action committee to defeat Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens). Garcia, whos seeking her fourth term, took an unpaid leave of absence in February following allegations of sexual misconduct. She has denied the reports and an Assembly investigation remains underway. Rendon didnt criticize the labor group by name, insisting instead that the decision was driven by oil and gas industry interests. This is a thinly veiled attempt by Big Oil and polluters to intimidate me and my members. It is an affront to my speakership, Rendon said in a statement. We are proud of the work that the Assembly has done to increase jobs and wages while defending our environment. We will vigorously defend the members of our caucus from any ill-advised political attack. A statement from the labor group, which sparred with Garcia last year on her effort to link new climate change policies with a crackdown on air pollution, said it had decided to reverse past support for her. The Trades have thousands of hard working members in Garcias district, and we look forward to lifting up another Democrat in the 58th Assembly to better represent them and their families, said the statement. The political action committees campaign finance filing on Friday listed nonmonetary in kind contributions from Erin Lehane, a public affairs consultant aligned with the building labor group. Lehane said she had begun researching Garcia in November. In January, a former legislative staffer accused her of groping him in 2014. Lehane, who identified herself as a spokesperson for the labor groups political action committee, said on Friday that she believed Garcias hypocrisy threatened a movement that will dictate how much harassment and abuse my daughter will face in her work life. Garcia, who has been an outspoken advocate for women in the #MeToo movement, has complained that her political opponents helped fan the flames of the accusations. Through a campaign consultant, she declined to comment on Friday. Rendons critique came on the heels of a full-page ad in The Times on Friday, partly paid for by the Trades Council, that criticized well-funded ivory tower elites who push proposals that hurt the oil and gas industry. We are the real jobs that fuel the real California economy, read the advertisement. Facebook

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Legal tiff breaks out over independent committees ad backing Antonio Villaraigosa for governor By Phil Willon An attorney representing Gavin Newsoms campaign for governor is demanding that California television stations cease airing an ad by an independent political committee supporting his Democratic rival Antonio Villaraigosa. Attorney Thomas A. Willis, in a letter to the stations, said the ad is false and misleading and violates California law because it uses snippets of video footage from Villaraigosas own campaign ads. Willis called that illegal coordination between the campaign and PAC. Under California law, advertisements made by entities other than a candidate are presumed to be coordinated  and thus not independent expenditures  when the advertisement replicates, reproduces or disseminates substantial parts of a communication, including video footage, created and paid for by the candidate, the letter states. A representative for the independent expenditure committee  Families & Teachers for Antonio Villaraigosa for Governor  fired back. Attorney Brian T. Hildreth says those allegations have no merit and accused the Newsom campaign of being misleading. Hildreth sent a letter to the television stations in response, urging them to ignore the Newsom campaigns accusations. He said the Newsom camp appears to intentionally misrepresent the law and that the video use was permissible. He said only six seconds of video from Villaraigosas campaign ads was used, which is well within the legal limits. The independent committee is sponsored by the group California Charter Schools Assn. Advocates, according to the California secretary of states office. The ad is airing on broadcast and cable stations statewide. The committees ad is focused on Villaraigosas record as Assembly speaker and as mayor of Los Angeles when there was a drop in crime. Facebook

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Governors race snapshot: Californians are generally upbeat but not focused on the campaign By Mark Z. Barabak Armand Werden, a 29-year-old community college student who works the taps at Dust Bowl Brewery in Turlock, said the state is on the upswing. (Phil Willon / Los Angeles Times) As California chooses a new governor  one of just a handful in the last 40 years not named Jerry Brown  the state seems to be enjoying something unusual in these tumultuous political times: a feeling of relative contentment. Not to say things are perfect. Still, more than 100 random interviews conducted over the length and breadth of the state  from Redding in the north to Santee in the south, from the Pacific coastline to the edge of the Sierra Nevada  found most saying things are looking up, at least so far as Californias direction is concerned. Read More Facebook

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Sierra Club backs Gavin Newsom for California governor By Phil Willon Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks with members of the public following a debate at USC in January. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) The Sierra Club endorsed Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom in the race for California governor, with officials in the established environmental group praising the Democrats record on climate change and clean energy. He has a proven record for leading on environmental protection, public health and clean energy, Kathryn Phillips, director of Sierra Club California, said in a statement released by the Newsom campaign. He understands that we are feeling the effects of climate change and that California must reduce carbon emissions and reach 100% renewable energy to achieve our climate goals. Phillips said the Sierra Clubs extensive network of volunteers will campaign for Newsom as the June 5 primary approaches. Sierra Club executive director Michael Brune also praised the Democrat, saying he will protect California from Donald Trumps attacks on our clean air and water. The Sierra Club joins a series of other influential groups in California that have backed Newsom. The California Medical Assn., the powerful state doctors lobby, announced its endorsement of Newsom on Thursday. The California Nurses Assn. and the Service Employees International Union, one of the most powerful labor unions in the state, also support Newsom. Newsom is the races front-runner in polls and fundraising. A poll released earlier this month by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California found that 26% of likely voters backed Newsom. John Cox, a Republican from Rancho Santa Fe, was favored by 15% of likely voters and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a Democrat, by 13%. Facebook

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Californias GOP House members are taking their challengers more seriously and the numbers show it By Christine Mai-Duc For much of last year, consultants and campaign managers for some of Californias most vulnerable Republican incumbents maintained a bullish tone on the prospect that the GOP would hold the House in this years midterms. The National Republican Congressional Committee insisted that longtime Republican incumbents in California had built up reputations as effective champions of local issues that would help them weather a flood of Democratic enthusiasm. Since then Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) have decided not to seek reelection and the NRCC has opened a West Coast headquarters in Orange County. Read More Facebook

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California officials say Pentagon has confirmed National Guard funding despite Trump threat By John Myers (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) The awkward dance between Gov. Jerry Brown and the federal government over the National Guard jerked back toward discord on Thursday, when Trump said he would refuse to pay for a new deployment of troops  just hours after his administration said otherwise. And a few hours later, California officials said they had received written confirmation from the Pentagon that the mission would indeed be funded. Trump had earlier called Browns decision to approve 400 troops for a mission focused on combating transnational crime and drug smuggling a charade in a tweet. We need border security and action, not words! the president wrote. Governor Jerry Brown announced he will deploy up to 400 National Guard Troops to do nothing. The crime rate in California is high enough, and the Federal Government will not be paying for Governor Browns charade. We need border security and action, not words!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 19, 2018 A spokesman for Brown pointed to a tweet written Wednesday night by Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, thanking the California governor for his efforts. Trump was meeting on Thursday with Nielsen at his Mar-a-Lago estate not long after his tweet was posted. A tweet later posted by the California National Guard said that almost three hours after Trumps comment, the state received written confirmation from the Pentagon to fund the mission as outlined by Brown the day before. In short, nothing has changed today, said a subsequent Guard tweet. Just spoke w @JerryBrownGov about deploying the @USNationalGuard in California. Final details are being worked out but we are looking forward to the support. Thank you Gov Brown!  Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen (@SecNielsen) April 19, 2018 Brown was the last of the nations border governors to respond to Trumps insistence earlier this month that National Guard troops were needed to assist with immigration-related duties at the U.S.-Mexico border. And he has consistently refused to allow California troops to engage in any mission related to federal immigration law. This will not be a mission to build a new wall, Brown wrote last week to Nielsen and Defense Secretary James N. Mattis. It will not be a mission to round up women and children or detain people escaping violence and seeking a better life. Exactly what the California operations will cost remains unclear, as state officials have said it will depend on decisions made once the mission begins. The funds would not be transferred to the state, but instead would be paid directly by the Department of Defense. Trump has critiqued California several times over the past few days, often writing tweets that embrace the actions by some cities and counties to join his administrations lawsuit against the states sanctuary immigration law. He made similar comments to reporters on Thursday afternoon. If you look at whats happening in California with sanctuary cities  people are really going the opposite way, Trump said. They dont want sanctuary cities. Theres a little bit of a revolution going on in California. 2:26 p.m.:This article was updated with additional information from the California National Guard and with remarks from Trump. This article was originally published at 9:51 a.m. Facebook

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Gay conversion therapy services would be banned under measure advancing in California By John Myers (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) The California Assembly voted Thursday to add gay conversion therapy to the states list of deceptive business practices, following a debate that focused on the personal experiences of several lawmakers and hinted at potential lawsuits to come. It is harmful and it is unnecessary, Assemblyman Evan Low (D-Campbell), the bills author and one of the Legislatures most vocal LGBTQ members, said of the practice. Low, who told Assembly members that he explored conversion therapy as a teenager and suffered depression over his sexual orientation, insisted that the bill would be limited to efforts that involve the exchange of money. Theres nothing wrong with me, he said in an emotional speech on the Assembly floor. Theres nothing that needs to be changed. The bill, which now heads to the Senate, has become the focal point of intense debate on social media. Some religious groups have said that such a law would be a violation of their constitutional rights, while advocates insist the provisions are narrow and theres no credible evidence that the services work. One key part of the debate centers on whether Assembly Bill 2943 would stretch beyond businesses that charge for these programs and extend to printed documents, even Bibles. An analysis by the Assembly Judiciary Committee says the bill would apply only to services that purport to change a persons sexual orientation and offered on a commercial basis, as well as the advertising and offering of such services. Lawmakers who spoke in support of AB 2943 also made clear that they believe those kinds of services have been discredited. This is fraudulent, it should not be occurring, said Assemblywoman Susan Eggman (D-Stockton). But you can still try to pray the gay away, if you like. Assemblyman James Gallagher (R-Yuba City), who said the bill addresses a difficult issue, nonetheless said that its important to ensure laws dont tamper with religious freedom. We have to think about the legitimate experience of people who have gone through conversion therapy and said this was a good thing for them, Gallagher told his colleagues. California law already bans the use of conversion therapy by mental health professionals on those under age 18. Lows bill would expand the states efforts beyond minors. It would join a list of commercial activities deemed unfair or deceptive acts or practices and therefore banned under state law. Facebook

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Gavin Newsom gets backing from doctors group, despite differences over single-payer healthcare By Melanie Mason Gavin Newsom speaks at the California Democrats State Convention in San Diego on Feb. 24. (Kent Nishimura) Californias doctors are siding with Gavin Newsom in the governors race, even though they dont see eye-to-eye on a defining issue of the campaign: single-payer healthcare. The California Medical Assn., the state doctors lobby and a political heavyweight, announced its endorsement of the lieutenant governor on Thursday. Gavin is a lifelong champion for health care in California, and we know he will continue to fight for pragmatic solutions to our most crucial health care challenges, including working to achieve universal access and tackling our states physician shortage, CMA President Theodore M. Mazer said in a statement. Newsom has made his support for state-financed healthcare a centerpiece of his campaign, and he earned the early backing of the most ardent single-payer supporters, the state nurses union. The doctors, meanwhile, oppose the nurses bill, SB 562, which emerged as a flashpoint in the healthcare debate last year. The CMA said the bill would dismantle the healthcare marketplace and destabilize Californias economy. Newsom has said SB 562 should advance in the Legislature, but also said it has open-ended issues that still need to be addressed. The doctors group is also battling with another prominent Newsom endorser, the Service Employees International Union, over a new measure that would impose price caps on an array of medical services paid for by commercial health insurers in the state. The SEIU is a leading sponsor of the proposal; the doctors fiercely oppose it. Newsom and the physicians group have a history of political alignment. Newsom was the first statewide official to support Proposition 56, a 2016 tobacco tax pushed by the CMA that raised revenue in part to increase money for doctors who saw Medi-Cal patients. That year, the association also endorsed two initiatives championed by Newsom: Proposition 63, which imposed new gun control measures, and Proposition 64, which legalized recreational marijuana. Facebook

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Independent committee backing Antonio Villaraigosa for governor hits the airwaves with first ad By Phil Willon Antonio Villaraigosa speaks at the 2018 California Democratic Party Convention in San Diego in February.. (Denis Poroy / Associated Press) A well-financed independent committee backing Antonio Villaraigosas bid to be Californias next governor released its first television ad Thursday, praising his record for working with Republicans and as a candidate for all of California. The ad, which is to air statewide on broadcast and cable stations, is focused on Villaraigosas record as Assembly speaker and mayor of Los Angeles, including on education and a drop in crime while he was at City Hall. To move California forward, we need to help more Californians get ahead, the ad says. Thats why Antonio Villaraigosa brought both parties together to balance the state budget with record investments in public schools and new career training programs. The independent expenditure committee behind the ad campaign, Families & Teachers for Antonio Villaraigosa for Governor 2018, is sponsored by the California Charter Schools Assn. Advocates, according to the California secretary of states office. The committee is spending seven figures per week on the ad buy, said Josh Pulliam, a political consultant for the committee. As mayor of Los Angeles, Villaraigosa clashed with teachers unions, starting with his failed attempt to take political control of the Los Angeles Unified School District. His fight with those unions continued after he left office in 2013. Money has poured into the committee this month from wealthy charter schools supporters: Reed Hastings, chief executive of Netflix, donated $7 million, and Los Angeles billionaire and philanthropist Eli Broad donated $1.5 million. On Wednesday, former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan donated $1 million. The independent expenditure committee is expected to provide a boost to Villaraigosas campaign. Democratic front-runner Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom has a major advantage in fundraising over all other candidates in the race and has received the backing of the California Teachers Assn. and other education unions. A recent Public Policy Institute of California poll also showed Villaraigosa lagging in third place in the race, trailing Newsom and Republican businessman John Cox. The candidates who finish in the top two in the June 5 primary will advance to the November general election, regardless of their party affiliation. Facebook

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Gov. Jerry Brown says Trump administration will fund his National Guard mission  without immigration duties By John Myers (Alex Wong / Getty Images) Gov. Jerry Brown formally mobilized 400 California National Guard members Wednesday for transnational crime-fighting duties, thus preventing any effort by President Trump to have the troops focus on immigration enforcement on the Mexican border. The governor announced that federal officials have agreed to fund the plan he announced last week  a mission to combat criminal gangs, human traffickers and illegal firearm and drug smugglers in locations around California, including near the border. The order Brown signed makes clear that the troops will not be allowed to perform a broader set of duties as envisioned by Trumps recent comments. California National Guard service members shall not engage in any direct law enforcement role nor enforce immigration laws, arrest people for immigration law violations, guard people taken into custody for alleged immigration violations, or support immigration law enforcement activities, the order read. The cost of the mission, a spokesman for Brown said, will be paid directly by the federal government. No initial estimate has been made, as the exact amount will depend on exactly how the troops will be used. Though the duties of California Guard members were outlined last week, the state had been waiting for an agreement by federal officials to pay for the operations. Since that time, the president has taken Brown and the state to task over its decision to avoid any immigration-related duties at the border. On Wednesday morning, Trump tweeted, Jerry Brown is trying to back out of the National Guard at the Border, but the people of the State are not happy. Want Security & Safety NOW! There is a Revolution going on in California. Soooo many Sanctuary areas want OUT of this ridiculous, crime infested & breeding concept. Jerry Brown is trying to back out of the National Guard at the Border, but the people of the State are not happy. Want Security & Safety NOW!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 18, 2018 Looks like Jerry Brown and California are not looking for safety and security along their very porous Border. He cannot come to terms for the National Guard to patrol and protect the Border, Trump tweeted Tuesday. There was no immediate reaction from the White House to Browns announcement. On Tuesday, Brown told reporters in Washington that his plan was consistent with a safer border. That sounds to me like fighting crime, the governor said. Trying to catch some desperate mothers and children, or unaccompanied minors coming from Central America, that sounds like something else. The order Brown issued Wednesday after returning from a brief trip to talk climate change in Toronto and to speak to a national trade union and visit with reporters in Washington is set to expire at the end of September. It specifically says no Guard service member may participate in a mission that would exceed the mission scope and limitations related to transnational crime activity. It also says troops cannot help build any new border barrier. 5:27 p.m.: This article was updated with information related to the cost of the Guard mission and Browns trip to Washington. This article was originally published at 5:13 p.m. Facebook

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California bill aims to end practice that keeps workplace misconduct cases out of court By Melanie Mason A California bill would prohibit employers from requiring workers to use private arbitration to settle disputes, a practice that critics say shields improper workplace conduct from public view. The bill by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego) would bar businesses from making employees, when they are hired, waive their future rights to take any harassment, discrimination or other claims to court. Arbitration can be a highly effective dispute resolution method when both parties can choose it freely, when both parties are equal, Gonzalez Fletcher said at a news conference on Wednesday. It is far less successful when the more powerful party forces the other to accept those terms, especially as a condition of employment. Forced arbitration has come under increasing scrutiny since the #MeToo movement, with high-profile figures such as former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson pointing to the practice as shielding workplace abusers from public disclosure because arbitration resolutions often include nondisclosure agreements. Last year, a bipartisan bill was introduced in Congress to end mandatory arbitration in employment agreements. Gonzalez Fletcher said she was pursuing an unusual tool to draw attention to the issue  a subpoena issued by the Legislature to compel testimony from a worker bound by a nondisclosure agreement as a result of arbitration. The Legislature has subpoena power but it is rarely used. The bills sponsors believe lawmakers last issued a subpoena in 2001 while investigating price manipulation by Enron. Gonzalez Fletcher said she has requested Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) to issue the subpoena to require Tara Zoumer, who sued the company WeWork in 2016 for overtime pay, to testify before the Assembly Judiciary Committee next week. Zoumers suit was moved to arbitration and resolved. She is now subject to a nondisclosure agreement and could face a financial penalty for speaking publicly about her case. A spokesman for Rendon said the subpoena request is under consideration. Business groups oppose the bill, AB 3080. The California Chamber of Commerce has dubbed it a job biller, claiming it would dramatically increase legal costs for businesses. Banning such agreements benefits the trial attorneys, not the employer or employee, the group said. The bill must first advance from the Assembly Labor Committee on Wednesday. Facebook

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At least 240 House lawmakers want a vote on immigration. California supporters say they arent ready to force one By Sarah D. Wire Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Turlock), flanked by Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Redlands) and Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) speak about DACA legislation (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) Rep. Jeff Denham says at least 240 of the 430 current House members have signed onto his resolution to hold votes on four immigration bills, and he hopes House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) and President Trump are paying attention to the show of support. But, the Republican from Turlock and his allies said Wednesday that they are not yet willing to commit to forcing Ryans hand through a little-used procedural move called a discharge petition; they acknowledged theres no guarantee that all of 47 Republicans and 193 Democrats House co-signers will back them up if they try to force the issue. Im sure that it is something that will be discussed in the coming weeks. You should not need a discharge petition. When you can show the overwhelming majority of the House, the support of it, you should not need a discharge petition, but it is something we would talk about in the future, Denham said. It is far too early to talk about next steps. Ryan said last week that he opposes Denhams effort, saying its a waste of time for the House to vote on bills the president might veto. Denhams resolution would prompt debate and votes on four very different immigration bills: one favored by the Trump administration, one preferred by Democrats, one bipartisan proposal and another immigration bill of Ryans choice. Whichever got the most votes would move forward to the Senate. All four bills would help Dreamers to differing degrees and include varying levels of border security or immigration enforcement. For example, the Trump-backed bill would also dramatically reduce legal immigration, while the Democrats would only deal with legal status for Dreamers. Democrats say they dont expect the show of support will sway Ryan. Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.) said Tuesday night she expects Ryan will have to be forced into allowing a vote. It doesnt matter how many signatures we get. We could have every signature, technically, except his, on the floor of the House and... if he doesnt want to, it doesnt happen, Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.) said. Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Redlands), who gathered the Democratic co-sponsors for Denham, also wouldnt give a deadline for House leaders to act, but said the co-sponsors are only willing to wait weeks not months. We do want to give them an opportunity to bring up the rule and to use whatever process they want, Aguilar said. They do have options, but I think they need to understand that we have options too. Facebook

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Billionaire Democratic activist Tom Steyer endorses Kevin de Leon in his insurgent bid against Sen. Dianne Feinstein By Seema Mehta Tom Steyer, left, and California state Sen. Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles). (Getty Images; Los Angeles Times) Billionaire Democratic activist Tom Steyer is endorsing state Sen. Kevin de Leon in his insurgent challenge to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, and did not rule out funding an outside effort to boost De Leons chances. I think hes the kind of young progressive that reflects California and would be a very strong advocate for our state nationally, Steyer said in an interview on Tuesday, pointing to De Leons efforts on issues such as immigration, climate change and gun control while he was the state Senate leader. I know him well and hes a friend. We share a lot of values. Steyer, who flirted with running for the Senate seat, did not criticize Feinstein as he has in the past. Sen. Feinstein has been an outstanding public servant who has dedicated the bulk of her adult life to the service of our state and the country, he said. These are two strong, very good Democrats. I just believe Kevin is the true progressive and he reflects something we need representing California going forward. I have nothing bad to say about Dianne Feinstein. I have a lot of good to say about Kevin de Leon. De Leon faces enormous odds as he tries to oust Feinstein, who has served in the Senate for a quarter-century, is well known to the states voters and has daunting leads in polls and fundraising. But De Leon has gained notable endorsements, most recently from the 2.1-million-member California Labor Federation last week. Campaign finance reports released this week show that Feinstein has more than $10 million in the bank, while De Leon has just more than $670,000. Feinstein, a multimillionaire and one of the wealthiest members of the Senate, has already lent her campaign $5 million and could easily write another check. But Steyer, a billionaire former hedge fund manager, could write a larger one. He is among the largest Democratic donors in the nation and has already committed more than $50 million to push for the impeachment of President Trump and to register young voters. He was noncommittal when asked if he would fund an independent expenditure group on behalf of De Leon. I dont have any concrete plans for that, he said. Read More Facebook

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Californias largest pension fund sends next years invoice to state government: $6.3 billion By John Myers The California Public Employees Retirement System building (Max Whittaker / Getty Images) As part of a shift toward less optimistic expectations for investment returns to pay for government worker pensions, board members of the California Public Employees Retirement System voted Tuesday to require an almost $6.3-billion payment from the state budget in the fiscal year that begins on July 1. The action, which could receive final approval on Wednesday, reflects a gradually higher annual contribution to public employee pensions by the state and from local governments across California. In 2016, CalPERS approved a half-percentage point decrease in its official estimate of the long-term investment return on its $353.3-billion portfolio. That shift was designed to happen over several years, in hopes it would lessen the financial shock of shifting more of the costs onto government employers. The highest costs are also, in part, a reflection of increases in the size of the states payroll. The states CalPERS payment will be about $450 million more than the total paid in the current fiscal year and more than double what it was only a decade ago. CalPERS board members voted on Tuesdays staff proposal with little discussion, save for a question about the increase in contributions also required from workers hired after a pension overhaul that took effect in June. It seems like it will be a ding on peoples salaries, said Theresa Taylor, the chairwoman of CalPERS finance committee and a member of SEIU Local 1000, the union that represents some 96,000 state employees. The $6.299-billion payment required from Californias state government must now be factored into the budget crafted by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown in late June. Brown had already assumed a similarly sized payment in his budget proposal unveiled in January. In February, a coalition representing city governments warned about the effects of rising pension costs under the expectations of less money from Wall Street investments. The report issued by the League of California Cities projected an average increase of more than 50% in annual pension payments made by the states largest cities over the next seven years. A CalPERS staff report notes that the net return on all of the funds investments for the fiscal year that ended in July was 11.2%. But expectations on profits over the next 30 years remain significantly more modest, and theres long been a robust debate about how to properly set those future expectations. The lower the rate of projected investment return, the larger the share of pension costs that must be covered by taxpayers and some employees. Overall, CalPERS officials believe the system has assets to cover 71% of its long-term obligations. Facebook

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California warns legal pot sellers not to participate in unlicensed 4/20 events By Patrick McGreevy Marijuana on display at a dispensary in Los Angeles. ( (Frederic J. Brown / AFP/Getty Images)) The state issued a warning Tuesday that businesses holding licenses to sell marijuana could face penalties if they participate in unlicensed temporary events away from their stores, including on Friday, April 20, which has become an annual celebration for counterculture groups. The warning was issued ahead of 4/20 by the state Bureau of Cannabis Control. Since Jan. 1, the bureau has issued more than 700 state licenses to sell marijuana for medical or recreational use. The bureau has issued 47 temporary event licenses to groups that are limited to holding the marijuana celebrations on county fairgrounds that have authorized such events with city approval. Any bureau licensee participating in an unlicensed cannabis event may be subject to disciplinary action, the warning said, adding that lawful participation by bureau licensees in any temporary cannabis event that allows sales and/or consumption is dependent upon issuance of the appropriate licenses from the bureau. While many Californians have been issued medical approval to sell or use marijuana, the law does not allow them to participate in unlicensed events, also referred to as Proposition 215 events after the ballot measure that legalized medical pot two decades ago in the state. Participation in such events may lead to civil penalties for unlicensed commercial cannabis activity, the warning said. Meanwhile, a survey of some 1,000 marijuana users that was released Tuesday by the firm LendEDU found that the average 4/20 participant plans to spend $71 on marijuana to celebrate the unofficial holiday, and about 35% of respondents are planning to take off work Friday. Facebook

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California police groups shift position on officer discipline records, now consider support for making some of them public By Liam Dillon Los Angeles Police Department recruits at a graduation ceremony in April (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) Some major law enforcement groups signaled Tuesday they are willing to support making part of police officer disciplinary records public, a dramatic departure from their past positions. Local and national attention on police shootings and misconduct has led law enforcement organizations to reconsider their blanket opposition to proposals that would give public access to some internal disciplinary investigations of officers. Were going to be open to supporting efforts that would allow for some records to be released, said Ryan Sherman, a lobbyist with the Riverside Sheriffs Assn. Debate over secrecy provisions in officer disciplinary files came during a legislative hearing on Senate Bill 1421 from Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley). Skinners bill, which advanced out of the Senate Public Safety Committee on Tuesday, would require public disclosure of all internal officer shooting investigations and confirmed cases of sexual assault and lying while on duty. Currently, all police discipline information is confidential outside of a courtroom in California, which has some of the nations strictest standards against public disclosure. Unfortunately, the fact that we have such strict restrictions on any access to public records has affected certain communities trust towards our law enforcement, Skinner said during the hearing. Prior to Skinners effort, other have tried to loosen these rules, some of which date back 40 years. Most recently in 2016, a bid by then-Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) failed in a Senate committee. In debate two years ago, no major law enforcement groups indicated they would accept changes to state laws that would make individual internal investigations public, saying they were essential to protect officer privacy and safety. But Tuesday, Sherman and other lobbyists including those representing the states largest police labor organization, signaled they might be willing to entertain changes. They said they were negotiating with Skinner on the bills details. Law enforcement groups still have major concerns about SB 1421 as written. Ed Fishman, an attorney for the Police Officers Research Assn., told legislators that the bill would wrongfully expose police officers who acted within departmental policy to invasions of their privacy. It has unintended consequences that are extreme and will hurt the public, Fishman said. Tuesdays hearing featured testimony from many who have had relatives killed by police officers in recent years advocating for the bill. Senators on the Public Safety Committee also gave public rebukes to law enforcement lobbyists, criticizing them for a lack of diversity and insensitivity to concerns raised by communities of color. I think that you are completely and utterly out of touch with the realities of how those you are representing are perceived by major segments of California, said Sen. Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles). You are not going to be able to continue to lobby your way out of it. The bill faces at least one more committee hearing in the Senate before reaching the floor. It will have to pass both houses of the Legislature by the end of August. Facebook

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Newest member of the California Assembly arrives ready to work on criminal justice issues By John Myers Assemblywoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove prepares for the oath of office from Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon with her husband, Austin Dove. (California Assembly Democrats) Two weeks after winning a Los Angeles special election, the newest member of the California Assembly says she hopes to focus on reforms to the states criminal justice system during her time in Sacramento. Assemblywoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles) took the oath of office on Monday, filling one of three vacant seats representing Los Angeles County in the lower house. The Democrat, a former community college trustee and legislative staffer, thanked her mentors in remarks from the Assembly rostrum. So many women, and in my life so many black women, have paid in giving me the kind of morals and integrity and grit that is required to fight on behalf of people that you know, and people that you dont know, she said. Kamlager-Dove won handily on April 3, receiving 70% of the votes cast in the 54th Assembly District which encompasses communities west of downtown Los Angeles, from Crenshaw to Culver City and as far north as Westwood. She will serve the remaining eight months of the term of former Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas, who resigned last year citing health concerns. She has said she hopes to focus her attention on poverty issues and on reform of the states criminal justice system. I think we have an opportunity to really push the needle in terms of how we look at rehabilitation, how we look at incarceration, and how we look at changing the lives oftentimes of poor men and women of color, Kamalager-Dove said on Monday in a video released by Assembly Democrats. Facebook

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Survivors of violent crime raise their voices in California to call for a new approach to criminal justice By Jazmine Ulloa Aaliyah Smith marches with her cousins. (Jazmine Ulloa / Los Angeles Times) Her father, uncle, a cousin and two older brothers. Those are some of the family members 16-year-old Aaliyah Smith has lost to gun violence. Then there are her friends. Jermaine Jackson Jr., 27, was shot and killed in 2016 while he painted over graffiti in San Francisco. Toriano Tito Adger, 18, was shot there a year later at a bus stop. He called Smith, who was nearby, and warned her to run. She made it inside a library moments before the crack of gunfire. Last week, Smith was among hundreds who gathered in Sacramento for annual National Crime Victims Rights Week events, where calls were issued for a new approach to criminal justice and public safety in California, one that puts survivors at the center of policy. But a debate is brewing over what that entails. Read More Facebook

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California expects $14 billion in tax payments this month By John Myers State workers handle income tax returns at the California Franchise Tax Board offices. (Laura Morton / For The Times) Gov. Jerry Browns proposed state budget is built on what taxpayers might find an audacious assumption: almost $14 billion in tax payments in the month of April, an average of $83 million collected per hour on every business day of the month. Most of that money will come from the taxes Californians pay in advance of Tuesday nights filing deadline for income tax returns. If history is any guide, the rate of payment could quadruple by weeks end. While tax rules have shifted some of the payment schedules to other months, April remains a vitally important month to the fiscal health of state government. The state controllers office reports more than 15% of all personal income tax revenues in 2017 were collected in April. In the recession years of a decade ago, tax revenue predictions were frequently off the mark by hundreds of millions of dollars. The last two state budgets have seen significant windfalls of personal income tax revenue, thanks in part both to an improving economy and to the continuation of a temporary surcharge on the wealthiest taxpayers  extended by voters in 2016. In the budget plan he sent to lawmakers in January, Brown projected a $6.1-billion windfall and proposed using a sizable amount to top off Californias rainy-day fund ahead of schedule. The independent Legislative Analysts Office reports that through the end of last week, the months income tax tally stood at $3 billion, slightly ahead of projections. By the end of the current week, a single days total could be almost that large. Lawmakers began reviewing the governors $190.3-billion spending plan during the winter, but few decisions are made until they get a look at Aprils tax revenues. The governor will release a revised plan based on the new data next month; lawmakers are required to send him a completed budget no later than June 15. Facebook

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Feinstein war chest tops $10 million while Kevin de Leon struggles to keep pace By Sarah D. Wire Sen. Dianne Feinstein widened her already-massive fundraising advantage in the run-up to Junes primary, raising twice as much in the first quarter than her strongest Senate challenger has sitting in the bank. Feinstein raised $1.3 million between January and March, bringing her war chest to just over $10 million as Californias U.S. Senate race begins in earnest, according Federal Election Commission reports. Former state Senate leader Kevin De Leon, the best known of the more than 30 people who will appear with Feinstein on the June primary ballot, raised just $575,991 in that same period, bringing his cash on hand to $672,331, according to his quarterly FEC report. Read More Facebook

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Trump has met his match, says Gov. Jerry Brown in promoting climate action on a quick trip to Canada By John Myers (Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press) Gov. Jerry Brown told a Canadian audience Monday that he believes President Trumps efforts to reverse course on climate change policy are a momentary deviation as others in the United States seek limits on greenhouse gas emissions. Thats very temporary, I can assure you, Brown said at a joint event in Toronto with Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne. The governors quick international trip, announced only late last week, comes as Wynnes Liberal Party faces a stiff challenge in Junes election from the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario and its leader, Doug Ford. Critics of Wynnes party have called for Ontario to pull out of the Western Climate Initiative, a cooperative agreement between three Canadian provinces and California on efforts to limit greenhouse gases. Brown sought to link the efforts of Canadian conservatives with Republicans in the United States who oppose existing climate change programs. In contrast, he told the audience, several GOP lawmakers voted last summer to renew Californias cap-and-trade program. I would say to the conservatives of Canada, wake up and see what your friends in California are doing, he said. The Democrat took particular notice of Trumps efforts to shift away from climate change policies from the administration of former President Obama, as well as a push by the Environmental Protection Agency to cancel Californias strict limits on automobile emissions. If Trump tries to change that, well have litigation well beyond his term in office, Brown said while also noting Chinese government efforts to produce more low-emissions vehicles. Between California and China, Trump has met his match. What hes saying is not going to happen. Many of the governors remarks, though, were aimed at the tough political situation in which Wynne finds herself with seven weeks to go before Ontarios parliamentary elections. Dangers abound, but success is right in our hands, Brown said. So dont blow it! Facebook

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California voters are getting to know the states attorney general through his aggressive stance challenging Trump By Patrick McGreevy Less than two months from his first statewide election, California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra has become adept not only at challenging President Trump but at using the bully pulpit of his office to raise his profile with voters. The aggressive effort may help boost the former Los Angeles congressmans chances at winning a full term in office this fall, almost two years after he was appointed to replace Sen. Kamala Harris in 2017. Appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown, Becerra took office as attorney general four days after Trumps inauguration. Thats afforded him an opportunity to get in front of Californians  and potential voters  on an array of issues including immigration, healthcare and the environment. Read More Facebook

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Gov. Jerry Brown forms commission for 2020 census outreach By Melanie Mason In an effort to make sure California has a strong showing in the next national census, Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday established a state commission to prepare outreach for the decennial count. It is vitally important for California to do everything it can to ensure that every Californian is counted in the upcoming census, Brown said in a prepared statement. The commissions formation comes on the heels of a Trump administration plan to ask about citizenship status as a part of the census. State officials fear that such a question, which has not been asked in a census since 1950, could chill participation among California residents. That could result in the state losing billions of dollars in federal funds and a seat in Congress. The 23-member panel, appointed largely by Brown as well as picks by legislative leaders, comes from private- and public-sector backgrounds, including civil rights groups, religious institutions and educational institutions. Facebook

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Garcetti kicks off Iowa visit with 2020 on his mind and a hardhat on his head LA Mayor - and 2020 prospect - Eric Garcetti makes his Iowa debut at the Carpenters Union Training Center. Fearlessly flaunts the never be photographed in head gear/safety glasses rule. pic.twitter.com/14bUOPXMvF  Mark Z. Barabak (@markzbarabak) April 13, 2018 Facebook

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Asm. Rocky Chavez takes the lead in race to replace Issa, while Doug Applegate slips By Joshua Stewart A new poll shows that Republican Assemblyman Rocky Chavez has taken a clear lead over 15 other candidates running to replace Rep. Darrell Issa in Congress and has overtaken Democrat Doug Applegate, the previous frontrunner. In a SurveyUSA poll by 10News and The San Diego Union-Tribune, Chavez, R-Oceanside, has support of 16 percent of likely voters, putting him ahead of Applegate, a lawyer, who was favored by 12 percent of voters and is in second place. The top two vote-getters in June, regardless of party, will proceed to a November runoff election. Competing with Applegate for the No. 2 spot is Democrat Mike Levin, also a lawyer, with support of 9 percent of voters. Several other candidates were right at his heels. Democratic Businessman Paul Kerr and Board of Equalization Member Diane Harkey, R-Dana Point, were tied for fourth at 8 percent each. Read More Facebook

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Pro-Kevin de Leon group launches ad castigating Dianne Feinstein By Seema Mehta A group that is supporting Kevin de Leons bid for the U.S. Senate launched a blistering ad against Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Thursday, questioning her progressive principles and tying her to President Trump. The ad buy from A Progressive California is minuscule  $10,000 to air it in Los Angeles for one day on CNN and MSNBC during programming such as The Rachel Maddow Show, Hardball with Chris Matthews and Anderson Cooper 360. The minute-long ad features news clips about Feinstein not getting the California Democratic Party endorsement earlier this year, as well as footage of Feinstein saying that Trump can be a good president and appearing to share a laugh with Trump. That moment actually came during a White House meeting in the aftermath of the Parkland, Fla., school shooting when the president suggested an assault weapons ban should be included in a bipartisan bill to expand gun background checks. It also features extensive clips of de Leons speech at the state partys convention. De Leon, who just ended his final term as leader of the state Senate, announced last year he would run against fellow Democrat Feinstein as she seeks her fifth full term. Feinsteins longtime political advisor dismissed the ad, noting the size of the buy. Its not really a buy, said Bill Carrick. Ten thousand dollars in cable in L.A. Poof, its gone. Still, he said he planned to have the campaigns lawyers review the ad to see if it violates campaign law that limits what outside groups like A Progressive California can do. Such groups cannot coordinate with campaigns or candidates, and are limited in how much their messages can support a candidate. Ann Ravel, the former chair of the Federal Election Commission and the California Fair Political Practices Commission, said if the ad was in a state race, she is certain that the state commission would open an investigation into potential coordination with de Leons campaign because of the messaging and the types of footage in the ad. But the bipartisan federal commission cant agree on how to enforce the federal regulations, she said. The problem is [outside groups] understand that given the lack of very strong enforcement at the federal level, theres the ability to stretch the law, she said. A spokeswoman for the FEC declined to comment. Dave Jacobson, a spokesman for A Progressive California, disputed the suggestion that the ad violated campaign law. This frivolous allegation shows that Sen. Feinstein is afraid of the public seeing an ad which showcases her own words, that Donald Trump can be a good president, he said. Facebook

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Dispute over money emerges in campaign to repeal Californias gas tax increase By Patrick McGreevy A motorist prepares to gas up her vehicle in San Rafael, Calif., in 2015. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images) A proposed initiative to repeal hikes to Californias gas tax has been caught in the middle of a dispute involving Republican rivals in the governors race. Assemblyman Travis Allen, a Republican candidate for governor, decided in January to drop plans for his own initiative and said he would urge supporters to sign a separate petition being supported by several Republican members of Congress. Then last week, the committee Allen formed to finance his ballot measure reported a $300,000 contribution from PISF Inc., a Novato, Calif., real estate firm. Now, an organizer of the still active Give Voters a Voice committee is urging the Allen committee to immediately donate their funds in support of the ongoing signature gathering efforts. There is only one gas tax repeal measure currently in circulation and that is the measure sponsored by the Give Voters a Voice Committee, said Dave Gilliard, a consultant to the group. PISF Inc., he said, gave to repeal taxes aAllies balk at Trump administration bid to block Chinese firm from cutting-edge telecom markets By David S. Cloud Britain and Germany are balking at the Trump administrations call for a ban on equipment from Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, threatening a global U.S. campaign to thwart Chinas involvement in future mobile networks. Both countries are expected to limit Huawei and other Chinese companies from providing core components including routers. But other types of Chinese equipment for next-generation, high-speed communications could still be installed on British and German networks, officials and analysts say. The U.S. push to ban Huawei has provoked a global dispute in recent weeks, with senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, publicly urging NATO allies in Europe to exclude the company and warning that the United States might limit its military presence in countries that did not do so. Read More Facebook

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Confucius Institutes: Do they improve U.S.-China ties or harbor spies? By Don Lee Hanging red lanterns welcome visitors to the University of Marylands Confucius Institute, the oldest of about 100 Chinese language and cultural centers that have popped up over the last 15 years on American campuses, subsidized by millions of dollars from Chinas central government. But last fall, when four U.S. Senate investigators walked into the Confucius offices in Maryland and spent hours questioning staff, they werent looking for an educational exchange. The committee has been seeking detailed information from the university about the program, including contracts, email exchanges and financial arrangements that school administrators have kept under wraps since it started in 2004. American colleges once viewed these jointly funded institutes as an economical way to expand their language offerings  one that could also bring warmer ties with China and, importantly, an influx of Chinese international students paying full tuition. Read More Facebook

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U.S. policy toward China shifts from engagement to confrontation By David S. Cloud For decades, China had no closer American friend than Dianne Feinstein. As San Francisco mayor in the 1970s, she forged a sister-city relationship with Shanghai, the first between American and Chinese communities. As U.S. senator, she dined with Chinese leaders at Mao Tse-tungs old Beijing residence. And in the 1990s, she championed a trade policy change that opened a floodgate of Western investment into China. Today the Democratic senator sees China as a growing threat, joining a broad array of Trump administration officials, national security strategists and business executives who once favored engagement with Beijing and now advocate a confrontational approach instead. Read More Facebook

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Mnuchins attempt to calm markets backfires as Trump takes another shot at the Federal Reserve By Jim Puzzanghera An attempt by Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin to calm plunging financial markets backfired Monday, further rattling investors with new fears about whether major U.S. banks have enough cash on top of worries about interest rates, political instability in Washington and a slowing global economy. Adding to the volatile mix was a fresh attack on the Federal Reserve by President Trump, who declared that the central bank was the U.S. economys only problem and that it didnt have a feel for the market. The Fed is like a powerful golfer who cant score because he has no touch -- he cant putt! Trump said on Twitter. Read More Facebook

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He speaks to Democratic hearts. But is Beto ORourke a serious White House contender? By Mark Z. Barabak Hes a failed U.S. Senate candidate with an undistinguished congressional record who, for the moment, is a blazing-hot 2020 presidential prospect  despite the fact that he may not run and faces long odds if he does. Beto ORourke suggests the will-he-or-wont-he speculation is something he himself cant quite fathom. I think thats a great question, he responded in a Dallas Morning News interview when asked whether his unsuccessful November Senate bid merited a promotion to the White House. I ask that question myself. Read More Facebook

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Russian disinformation teams targeted Robert S. Mueller III, says report prepared for Senate By Craig Timberg, Tony Romm, Elizabeth Dwoskin Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. (Associated Press) Months after President Trump took office, Russias disinformation teams trained their sites on a new target: special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. Having worked to help get Trump into the White House, they now worked to neutralize the biggest threat to his staying there. The Russian operatives unloaded on Mueller through fake accounts on Facebook, Twitter and beyond, falsely claiming that the former FBI director was corrupt and that the allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 election were crackpot conspiracies. One post on Instagram  which emerged as an especially potent weapon in the Russian social media arsenal  claimed that Mueller had worked in the past with radical Islamic groups. Such tactics exemplified how Russian teams ranged nimbly across social media platforms in a shrewd online influence operation aimed squarely at American voters. The effort started earlier than commonly understood and lasted longer while relying on the strengths of different sites to manipulate distinct slices of the electorate, according to a pair of comprehensive new reports prepared for the Senate Intelligence Committee and released Monday. Read more Timberg, Romm and Dwoskin report for the Washington Post. Facebook

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President Trump announces Mick Mulvaney as acting White House chief of staff By Associated Press President Trump says budget director Mick Mulvaney will serve as acting chief of staff, replacing John F. Kelly in the new year. I am pleased to announce that Mick Mulvaney, Director of the Office of Management & Budget, will be named Acting White House Chief of Staff, replacing General John Kelly, who has served our Country with distinction. Mick has done an outstanding job while in the Administration....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 14, 2018 Facebook

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It aint over when its over: In Michigan, Wisconsin and elsewhere, losers seek to undermine election results By Mark Z. Barabak Democrat Gavin Newsom has yet to become California governor, but already a candidate for state Republican Party chairman is promoting a recall effort. In Michigan and Wisconsin, GOP lawmakers have rushed through legislation to thwart their incoming Democratic governors and hamper others in the opposing party from doing the jobs voters chose them to do. In Congress, GOP leaders have echoed President Trump and sought to undermine the legitimacy of Democrats strong midterm performance, raising unsubstantiated allegations of fraud and political malfeasance. Read More Facebook

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New CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger says she wont be a puppet of Mick Mulvaney By Jim Puzzanghera On her first full day leading the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Kathy Kraninger said she wont be a puppet of Mick Mulvaney, the controversial acting director whom she replaced in the powerful regulatory position. To underscore that point, the former White House aide said she would even reconsider a Mulvaney action that critics saw as a gratuitous jab at Democrats who championed the agencys creation: changing its name to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. Kraningers declaration during a meeting with reporters Tuesday addressed one of the main criticisms of her selection. She is considered a protege of Mulvaney, her boss at the White House Office of Management and Budget who has executed a dramatic, industry-friendly shift at the watchdog agency. Read More Facebook

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Trumps pick for chief of staff, Nick Ayers, out of running By Associated Press Nick Ayers, right, with Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, at the funeral service for George H.W. Bush on Dec. 3. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Associated Press) President Trumps top pick to replace John F. Kelly as chief of staff, Nick Ayers, is no longer expected to fill that role. Thats according to a White House official who is not authorized to discuss the personnel issue by name and spoke on condition of anonymity. Ayers is Vice President Mike Pences chief of staff. The official says that Trump and Ayers could not agree on Ayers length of service. The father of young children, Ayers had agreed to serve in an interim capacity though the spring, but Trump wanted a two-year commitment. The official says that Ayers will instead assist the president from outside the administration. Trump announced Saturday that Kelly would be departing the White House around the end of the year. Thank you @realDonaldTrump, @VP, and my great colleagues for the honor to serve our Nation at The White House. I will be departing at the end of the year but will work with the #MAGA team to advance the cause.  #Georgia  Nick Ayers (@nick_ayers) December 9, 2018 Facebook

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U.S. hiring slows to 155,000 jobs, unemployment rate holds at 3.7% By Jim Puzzanghera Job growth slowed significantly in November but still was solid, indicating the economy remains in good shape but not expanding so quickly that it will lead to sharply higher interest rates. U.S. employers added 155,000 jobs last month, well below analyst expectations and a steep decline from Octobers strong 237,000 figure, the Labor Department reported Friday. Still, monthly job gains are averaging 206,000 this year, the best since 2015. Even the slower pace of 170,000 over the last three months is close to last years average of 182,000 and well above the amount needed to keep up with population growth. Read More Facebook

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Trump is expected to pick State Department spokeswoman for U.N. ambassador By Associated Press Heather Nauert at a briefing at the State Department on Aug. 9, 2017. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) President Trump is expected to nominate State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert to be the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Two administration officials confirmed Trumps plans. A Republican congressional aide said the president was expected to announce his decision by tweet on Friday morning. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly before Trumps announcement. Trump has previously said Nauert was under serious consideration to replace Nikki Haley, who announced in October that she would step down at the end of this year. Trump has been known to change course on staffing decisions in the past. Nauert was a reporter for Fox News Channel before she became State Department spokeswoman under former Secretary Rex Tillerson. Facebook

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Senate confirms new consumer financial protection chief: Kathy Kraninger, protege of industry-friendly Mick Mulvaney By Jim Puzzanghera The Senate, in a party-line vote Thursday, confirmed White House aide Kathy Kraninger to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and experts predicted a continuation of the industry-friendly shift it has taken since President Trump installed an acting director last year. Kraninger is a protege of acting director and White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney, an outspoken critic of the agency that was created in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis to prevent predatory lending and other abuses that led to it. Democrats and consumer advocates have denounced him for sharply departing from the aggressive watchdog role the bureau had pursued under its first director, Obama-appointee Richard Cordray, including scaling back enforcement and moving to reassess tough new rules on payday loans and narrow the definition of abusive practices by banks and other firms. Read More Facebook

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Shutdown postponed by two weeks under plan approved by Congress By Erik Wasson Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), shown at the Capitol on Tuesday, says President Trumps border wall is a waste of money. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Congress passed a two-week stopgap spending bill that will delay the chance of a partial government shutdown until Dec. 22 as lawmakers and President Donald Trump negotiate over his demands to pay for a wall on the southern border. The House and Senate passed the measure Thursday without dissent, and Trump has indicated hell sign the bill before the current shutdown deadline of midnight Friday. Negotiations were delayed by memorial services this week for former President George H.W. Bush. The temporary measure gives Democrats and Republicans more time to find a resolution to their biggest hurdle: funding a wall on the U.S. Mexico border wall. Trump says he wants $5 billion for parts of a concrete wall on the southern border and is willing to shut down the government if he doesnt get it. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York has said Democrats will provide no more than $1.6 billion for border security, because the wall is a waste of money. The presidents demands for wall funding from Congress come after he said during the campaign that Mexico would pay for it. This week he said on Twitter that a $25 billion border wall would pay for itself in two months, without providing evidence. Most of the U.S. governments $1.2 trillion discretionary budget has been appropriated already by Congress for the fiscal year that began on Oct. 1. Departments at a risk of a partial shutdown late this month include the departments of State, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Treasury and Homeland Security. Talks to resolve the differences have been on hold since a meeting among Trump, Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California originally slated for Dec. 4 was postponed due to Bush memorial events. The three are scheduled to meet on Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter. Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby of Alabama told reporters the rest of the seven-bill spending package being negotiated is basically done. Shelby in recent weeks had tried to broker a compromise in which Trumps $5 billion request would be split over two years, but Schumer has rejected that. Some Democrats have been willing to trade border wall funding for deportation protections for young undocumented immigrants. Pelosi ruled out such a deal in remarks to reporters Thursday. The stopgap government funding measure also would extend the National Flood Insurance Program, which provides subsidized coverage for homes in flood-prone areas, to Dec. 21. Facebook

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Bipartisan Senate group wants to formally blame Saudi crown prince for journalists killing By Karoun Demirjian Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires. (Associated Press) A bipartisan group of senators filed a resolution Wednesday condemning Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as responsible for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, directly challenging President Trump to do the same. This resolution -- without equivocation -- definitively states that the crown prince of Saudi Arabia was complicit in the murder of Mr. [Jamal] Khashoggi and has been a wrecking ball to the region jeopardizing our national security interests on multiple fronts, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said in a statement accompanying the release of the resolution. It will be up to Saudi Arabia as to how to deal with this matter. But it is up to the United States to firmly stand for who we are and what we believe. The resolution put forward by Graham and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who are expected to lead the Judiciary Committee together next year, comes just one day after CIA Director Gina Haspel briefed leading senators about the details of the agencys assessment that Mohammed ordered and monitored the killing and dismemberment of Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Senators emerged from that closed-door briefing furious not only with Saudi Arabia, but Trump as well for dismissing the heft of the CIAs findings. You have to be willfully blind not to come to the conclusion that this was orchestrated and organized by people under the command of MBS and that he was intricately involved in the demise of Mr. Khashoggi, Graham said following the briefing, referring to Mohammed by his initials. He added that Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Defense Secretary James N. Mattis, who briefed senators last week, were at best being good soldiers and at worst were in the pocket of Saudi Arabia for presenting the evidence of Mohammeds involvement as inconclusive. The release of the resolution condemning Mohammed also comes as the Senate is preparing to move ahead with debate on a resolution to curtail U.S. support for the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen. Though the Yemen resolution does not directly address Khashoggis murder, its popularity is a sign of how strained the United States patience with Saudi Arabia is on multiple fronts, including its role in worsening the civilian cost of the war in Yemen, cited by the United Nations as the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. Last week, the Senate voted 63 to 37 to advance the Yemen resolution past an opening procedural hurdle. But Graham and Feinsteins resolution on the crown prince has the potential of drawing broader support, especially from Republicans, who are deeply divided about how fiercely to punish Saudi Arabia over Khashoggis killing. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who has been an outspoken advocate for human rights and is seen as one of the more influential foreign policy voices in the GOP, did not vote for the Yemen resolution last week or sign on to a bipartisan measure last month to sanction Saudi officials and cease weapons transfers to the kingdom. But he is an original co-sponsor of the resolution condemning Mohammed over Khashoggis death. So is Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), who represents the other end of the GOP spectrum in terms of recent Saudi-related votes and endorsements. Young was an initial co-sponsor of the bill Graham wrote with Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) to sanction Saudi officials deemed responsible for Khashoggis killing and stop the sale of anything but exclusively defensive weapons to the kingdom until it ceased hostilities in Yemen. Young also voted to advance the Yemen resolution  something Graham did as well, though Graham has signaled he will not be lending any similar support to the measure, fearing it may establish a precedent of invoking the War Powers Act too broadly. Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) are listed as original co-sponsors of the resolution condemning Mohammed, which also urges Saudi Arabia to negotiate with Houthi rebels to end the Yemen war, work out a political solution to its standoff with Qatar and release political prisoners. But how much sway the resolution has probably comes down to how forcefully the administration decides to heed it -- and thus far, Trump has not shown any interest in condemning the crown prince the way the senators hope he will. Demirjian reports for the Washington Post. Facebook

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Los Angeles County offices and U.S. Postal Service closed Wednesday in honor of George H.W. Bush By Brian Park The Honor Guard carries the casket of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush following his funeral on Dec. 5 in Washington, DC. (Doug Mills - Pool/Getty Images) The U.S. Postal Service will suspend regular mail delivery Wednesday, which President Trump has declared a national day of mourning in honor of former President George H.W. Bush. All retail postal outlets will be closed, and package delivery will be limited. In Los Angeles, all nonessential county departments, offices and libraries will be closed for the day, L.A. County officials said. The Los Angeles County Library said no overdue fines will be assessed for books, and due dates will be moved forward one week. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health offices also are closed Wednesday. The Sheriffs Department, Fire Department, clinics and hospitals will continue to operate, the county said. The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health clinics are being operated with reduced staffing, and the department asked patients to confirm or reschedule any appointments. All county courts and the disaster recovery centers for the Woolsey fire in Malibu and Agoura Hills will remain open. Larger federal government operations will be closed Wednesday. To honor the life and legacy of President Bush, the Postal Service will observe the National Day of Mourning. Learn how Postal operations will be affected. https://t.co/Mffch7bPCh pic.twitter.com/vG46BsIOpm  U.S. Postal Service (@USPS) December 4, 2018 L.A. County offices and libraries will be closed tomorrow (Dec 5) in observance of the #NationalDayOfMourning for President George H. W. Bush.



The Countys Disaster Recovery Centers in Malibu & Agoura Hills will remain open from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. pic.twitter.com/Sv1J7GoJ7T  Los Angeles County (@CountyofLA) December 4, 2018 @LAPublicHealth offices will be closed tomorrow December 5 in observance of the national Day of Mourning for President George H. W. Bush. Essential Services including clinics and other services will remain open: https://t.co/tZGoGGHRlg pic.twitter.com/ypXsV6vlYY  LA Public Health (@lapublichealth) December 4, 2018 Facebook

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Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick to skip 2020 White House race, sources say By Associated Press Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick speaks during an interview in Boston on Dec. 15, 2014. (Elise Amendola / Associated Press) Former Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts will soon announce he wont launch a 2020 presidential campaign, according to three sources familiar with his plans. They did not say why the Democrat decided against a run. A formal announcement was delayed as the country observed a day of mourning for President George H.W. Bush, one source said. News of Patricks plans was first reported by Politico. Patrick, 62, served two terms as governor, from 2007 to 2015, was assistant attorney general for civil rights in the Clinton administration and since leaving the governors office has been a managing director for Bain Capital. Patrick traveled the country in support of Democratic candidates in the recent midterm election. Earlier this year, some of Patricks supporters and close advisors started the Reason to Believe political action committee, a grassroots organization dedicated to advancing a positive, progressive vision for our nation in 2018 and 2020. Reason to Believe PAC had been holding meetups across the country, including in early presidential primary states. While Patrick is opting against a 2020 run, dozens of Democrats are considering jumping in, including nearly a half-dozen members of the Senate, several House members, and other Massachusetts politicians. On Tuesday, Michael Avenatti, the attorney for adult film star Stormy Daniels and a vocal critic of President Trump, said in a statement that he would run. Patrick had previously expressed some concerns about breaking through if he sought the nomination, telling David Axelrod, a former advisor to President Obama, that he wasnt sure he could stand out in such a large field. Its hard to see how you even get noticed in such a big, broad field without being shrill, sensational or a celebrity, and Im none of those things and Im never going to be any of those things, Patrick said in a September interview with Axelrod. Facebook

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Former Trump adviser Roger Stone invokes 5th Amendment right and wont testify before Senate Judiciary Committee By Associated Press Roger Stone in 2017. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) Roger Stone, an associate of President Trump, says he wont provide testimony or documents to the Senate Judiciary Committee. An attorney for Stone said in a letter to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the committees top Democrat, that Stone was invoking his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination in refusing to produce documents or appear for an interview. Stone has been entangled in investigations by Congress and special counsel Robert S. Mueller III about whether Trump aides had advance knowledge of Democratic emails published by WikiLeaks during the 2016 election. Stone has not been charged and has said he had no knowledge of the timing or specifics of WikiLeaks plans. In the letter to Feinstein, Stone said the committees requests were far too overbroad, far too overreaching and far too wide-ranging. Facebook

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Watch live: Vice President Pence and lawmakers honor George H.W. Bush at the U.S. Capitol before he lies in state Facebook

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Rebuilding crumbling infrastructure has bipartisan support. But who gets to pay for it? By Jim Puzzanghera The grades for major U.S. infrastructure would give any parent indigestion if they were on a childs report card. Roads: D; bridges: C+; dams: D; ports: C+: railways: B; airports: D; schools: D+; public transit: D-. The nations overall grade: D+, which translates to being in fair to poor condition and mostly below standards with significant deterioration and a strong risk of failure, according to an evaluation last year by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Read More Facebook

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Trump calls former lawyer Michael Cohen a weak person who is lying By Associated Press President Trump says his former lawyer Michael Cohen is lying to get a reduced sentence. The president is reacting to Cohens guilty plea Thursday to lying to Congress about work he did on a Trump real estate project in Russia. During a surprise court hearing, Cohen admitted to lying in testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee about a plan to build a Trump Tower in Moscow. Cohen in his guilty plea said he made the false statements to be consistent with Trumps political message. Cohens lawyer says he continues to cooperate with special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigation into Russian election interference and possible coordination with Trump associates. Facebook

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As California Republicans confront a congressional wipeout, GOP leader Kevin McCarthy faces a reckoning By Mark Z. Barabak When the House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Kevin McCarthy trooped with other Republican lawmakers to a splashy Rose Garden celebration, smiling alongside President Trump as they celebrated the moment. As majority leader, McCarthy had helped round up the votes to narrowly pass the hard-fought legislation, convincing 13 other California Republicans to go along, even though several faced tough reelection fights. Fewer than half will be returning in January. Read More Facebook

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As California Republicans confront a congressional wipeout, GOP leader Kevin McCarthy faces a reckoning By Sarah D. Wire When the House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Kevin McCarthy trooped with other Republican lawmakers to a splashy Rose Garden celebration, smiling alongside President Trump as they celebrated the moment. As majority leader, McCarthy had helped round up the votes to narrowly pass the hard-fought legislation, convincing 13 other California Republicans to go along, even though several faced tough reelection fights. Fewer than half will be returning in January. Read More Facebook

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Michael Cohen, President Trumps ex-lawyer, pleads guilty to lying to Congress about Trump real estate project in Russia By Associated Press Michael Cohen, President Trumps former personal lawyer, pursued a Russian real estate project on candidate Trumps behalf well into the 2016 campaign, he said Thursday while pleading guilty to lying to Congress. Cohen had previously said that the project was abandoned in January 2016, but he now admits he continued to pursue a deal and says he updated Trump and members of his family about the negotiations, according to a new court document. Read More Facebook

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James Comey says acting Atty. Gen. Whitaker may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer By John Wagner Acting Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitaker speaks at the Justice Department in Washington on Nov. 14. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press) Former FBI Director James B. Comey apparently isnt too impressed with the mental prowess of President Trumps acting attorney general. Matthew Whitaker may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer, Comey said during a radio interview on Monday night in which he sized up the man Trump installed this month to replace ousted Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions. Comey was asked by WGBH News in Boston if he thinks Whitaker could derail the investigation of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Whitaker has spoken critically of the probe, and Trump  as recently as Tuesday  continues to call it a witch hunt. I think its a worry, but to my mind not a serious worry, Comey said. The institution is too strong, and [Whitaker], frankly, is not strong enough to have that kind of impact. He may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer, but he can see his future and knows that if he acted in an extralegal way, he would go down in history for the wrong reasons, and Im sure he doesnt want that, added Comey, who was fired by Trump last year and later wrote a book that portrays the president as an ego-driven congenital liar. Whitaker, a former U.S. attorney in Iowa, was Sessions chief of staff before being picked by Trump to lead the Justice Department. Trump has called Whitaker a very smart man. Earlier this year, Trump called Comey an untruthful slime ball. Wagner writes for the Washington Post. Facebook

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Interior Department watchdog clears Zinke in investigation of Utah national monument By Juliet Eilperin Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, third from the left, and Gov. Jerry Brown tour fire damage in Paradise, Calif., on Nov. 14. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) The Interior Departments Office of Inspector General has cleared Secretary Ryan Zinke in a probe of whether he redrew boundaries of a national monument in Utah to aid the financial interests of a Republican state lawmaker and stalwart supporter of President Trump. In a Nov. 21 letter to Zinkes deputy, David Bernhardt, Deputy Inspector General Mary Kendall wrote that her office found no evidence that the secretary or his aides changed the boundaries of Utahs Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in an effort to help former Utah state representative Mike Noel, who serves as executive director of the Kane County Water Conservancy District. Last December, Trump shrank the monument, first established by President Clinton in 1996, by 46% based on Zinkes recommendation. Noel owns 40 acres that had been surrounded by the monument, but now lies outside its boundaries. The new boundaries also would make it easier to construct the proposed Lake Powell Pipeline, which would deliver water to sites in Kane County that include Noels property. Earlier this year, the Interior Department had proposed selling off 120 acres of federal land from the former monument that lay adjacent to some of Noels land holdings, but later reversed the plan. We found no evidence that Noel influenced the DOIs proposed revisions to the [monuments] boundaries, that Zinke or other DOI staff involved in the project were aware of Noels financial interest in the revised boundaries, or that they gave Noel any preferential treatment in the resulting proposed boundaries, Kendall wrote. Neither the Interior Department nor the inspector generals office would release the actual investigative report. In the letter, Kendall writes that her office will provide the report to Congress no sooner than 31 days from Nov. 21, when it is provided it to Zinkes office. The Associated Press first reported the inspector generals conclusions Monday night, but did not provide details from the report itself. Noel emailed Zinke about the effort to alter Grand Staircase-Escalante, according to emails released by Interior under the Freedom of Informational Act. But those emails do not make references to Noels land holdings. Noel also pushed to rename a Utah highway in honor of Trump, but abandoned that effort in March after some of his fellow Republicans objected to the idea. Noel did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday. The inspector generals office still has at least two ongoing probes of the secretary, including one focused on his real estate dealings in Whitefish, Mont., and another regarding his decision to deny a permit to two Connecticut tribes who were hoping to jointly run a casino after MGM Resorts International lobbied against it. Interior Department spokeswoman Heather Swift welcomed the watchdogs conclusions. The report shows exactly what the secretarys office has known all along  that the monument boundaries were adjusted in accordance with all rules, regulations and laws, she said in an email. This report is also the latest example of opponents and special interest groups ginning up fake and misleading stories, only to be proven false after expensive and time consuming inquiries by the IGs office. But Kendalls spokeswoman, Nancy DiPaolo, defended the inquiry, even though she said the report has not been publicly released and we will not be speaking specifically about the matter at this time. The OIG opens investigations based on credible allegations and reports our findings objectively and independently, DiPaolo added. Any time or resources spent investigating conduct or activity that may be a violation of law, regulation or policy is a service to the public, Congress and the Department. Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, said in a statement that he still intended to investigate the way Zinke and his colleague redrew the boundaries for Grand Staircase-Escalante and another Utah national monument, Bears Ears, next year. I have great respect for the inspector general, and I accept these findings, but Secretary Zinke should have known the people he listened to while destroying our national monuments had disqualifying conflicts of interest, he said. Should I chair the Natural Resources Committee in the next Congress, the process he and President Trump used to destroy Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante will be front and center in our oversight and investigations efforts. We need to know why they ignored overwhelming public expressions of support for both Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, why they ignored Native American tribes throughout their decision-making, and why they removed protections on parcels of land with known mineral deposits. Eilperin and Rein report for the Washington Post. Facebook

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Trump advisor Larry Kudlow says China must do more to end trade war By Jim Puzzanghera Larry Kudlow, President Trumps top economic advisor, said Tuesday that Chinas response to U.S. efforts to rework the two economic superpowers trade relationship has been extremely disappointing but the planned meeting this weekend between the nations leaders is an opportunity for a breakthrough. They have to do more. They must do more, Larry Kudlow, director of the White House National Economic Council, told reporters ahead of a Saturday dinner between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Group of 20 Summit in Argentina. I think the president is exactly right  to show strong backbone when prior administrations did not, to break through these Chinese walls, Kudlow said. Theyre so resistant to change. We have to protect the country. We have to protect our technology, our inventiveness, our innovation. Read More Facebook

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Watch live: White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders holds a media briefing amid tensions at the border By Los Angeles Times Staff Facebook

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Democrat TJ Cox grabs lead over Republican David Valadao in nations last remaining undecided House race By Maya Sweedler Democrat TJ Cox slipped past Republican incumbent David Valadao on Monday to take the lead in the countrys sole remaining undecided congressional race, positioning Democrats to pick up their seventh House seat in California and 40th nationwide. Cox, who trailed by nearly 4,400 votes on election night, has steadily gained as ballot counting continues nearly three weeks after the Nov. 6 election, a pattern consistent with the states recent voting history. On Monday, he pulled ahead by 438 votes after Kern County updated its results. Read More Facebook

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Former CIA director Michael Hayden hospitalized after suffering a stroke By Deanna Paul Then-CIA Director Michael Hayden testifies before a Senate committee in 2008. (Saul Loeb / Getty Images) Former CIA Director and retired Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden has been hospitalized after suffering a stroke, his family said Friday. He is receiving expert medical care for which the family is grateful, according to a statement issued by his namesake organization. The General and his family greatly appreciate the warm wishes and prayers of his friends, colleagues, and supporters. Hayden, 73, served as director of the CIA and National Security Agency during the George W. Bush and Obama administrations. He retired from the CIA in 2009. Hayden has been a vocal critic of Donald Trumps campaign and presidency. Earlier this year, after Trump decided to revoke the security clearance of former CIA director John Brennan, Hayden was one of several former intelligence leaders who signed a statement in opposition. Criticizing the president for crossing a line, he quickly became one of the individuals whose security clearance Trump threatened to review. Deanna Paul writes for the Washington Post. Facebook

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Trump tells troops hes thankful for what hes done for the U.S. and rails against courts and migrants By Associated Press President Trump talks with troops via teleconference from his estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on Thanksgiving. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Trump used his Thanksgiving Day call to troops deployed overseas to pat himself on the back and air grievances about the courts, trade and migrants heading to the U.S.-Mexico border. Trumps call, made from his opulent private Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., struck an unusually political tone as he spoke with members of all five branches of the military to wish them happy holidays. Its a disgrace, Trump said of judges who have blocked his attempts to overhaul U.S. immigration law, as he linked his efforts to secure the border with military missions overseas. Trump later threatened to close the U.S. border with Mexico for an undisclosed period of time if his administration determines Mexico has lost control on its side. The call was a uniquely Trump blend of boasting, peppered questions and off-the-cuff observations as his comments veered from venting about slights to praising troops  You really are our heroes, he said  as club waiters worked to set Thanksgiving dinner tables on the outdoor terrace behind him. It was yet another show of how Trump has dramatically transformed the presidency, erasing the traditional divisions between domestic policy and military matters and efforts to keep the troops clear of politics. You probably see over the news whats happening on our southern border, Trump told one Air Force brigadier general stationed at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, adding: I dont have to even ask you. I know what you want to do, you want to make sure that you know who were letting in. Later, Trump asked a U.S. Coast Guard commander about trade, which he noted was a very big subject for him personally. Weve been taken advantage of for many, many years by bad trade deals, Trump told the commander, who sheepishly replied, Mr. President, from our perspective on the water  we dont see any issues in terms of trade right now. And throughout, Trump congratulated himself, telling the officers that the country is doing exceptionally well on his watch. I hope that youll take solace in knowing that all of the American families you hold so close to your heart are all doing well, he said. The nations doing well economically, better than anybody in the world. He later told reporters, Nobodys done more for the military than me. Indeed, asked what he was thankful for this Thanksgiving, Trump cited his great family as well as himself. I made a tremendous difference in this country, he said. Facebook

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Trump contradicts CIA assessment that Saudi crown prince ordered Jamal Khashoggi killing By Josh Dawsey | Washington Post (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Trump on Thursday contradicted the CIAs assessment that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, insisting that the agency had feelings but did not firmly place blame for the death. Trump, in defiant remarks to reporters from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, defended his continued support for Mohammed in the face of a CIA assessment that the crown prince had ordered the killing. He denies it vehemently, Trump said. He said his own conclusion was that maybe he did, maybe he didnt. I hate the crime .... I hate the cover-up. I will tell you this: The crown prince hates it more than I do, Trump said. Asked who should be held accountable for the death of Khashoggi, who was killed at the Saudi Consulate in Turkey, Trump refused to place blame. Maybe the world should be held accountable because the world is a very, very vicious place, the president said. He also seemed to suggest that all U.S. allies were guilty of the same behavior, declaring that if the others were held to the standard that critics have held Saudi Arabia to in recent days, we wouldnt be able to have anyone for an ally. Trumps remarks came after he held a conference call with U.S. military officers overseas, during which he repeatedly praised his administration and sought to draw the officers into discussions of domestic policy. Facebook

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Former FBI Director James Comey gets subpoena from House Republicans By Bloomberg Former FBI Director James B. Comey said he has received a subpoena from House Republicans, according to a Twitter post on Thursday. Bloomberg News reported last week that Comey would be receiving a subpoena alongside former Atty. Gen. Loretta Lynch as part of continuing probes into their handling of investigations into Hillary Clinton and Russian election meddling, according to a top House Democrat. Happy Thanksgiving. Got a subpoena from House Republicans. Im still happy to sit in the light and answer all questions. But I will resist a closed door thing because Ive seen enough of their selective leaking and distortion. Lets have a hearing and invite everyone to see.  James Comey (@Comey) November 22, 2018 Read More Facebook

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Republican David Valadaos lead slips to 447 votes over Democrat TJ Cox in still-undecided Central Valley House race By Mark Z. Barabak Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford), right, finds himself in an increasingly harrowing cliffhanger against Democrat TJ Cox. (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) On election night, it looked like Rep. David Valadao had survived a close shave and was destined to return to Washington for his fourth term. But on Wednesday, when Fresno County announced its latest vote totals, the Hanford Republican found himself in an increasingly harrowing cliffhanger against Democrat TJ Cox, with his lead in the Central Valley district shrunken to 447 votes. Thousands remain to be counted. Valadao, a repeated Democratic target, finished election night with a lead of nearly 4,440 votes. Cox, an engineer and a business owner who unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2006, has steadily gained ground in the 21st Congressional District ever since. The trend is consistent with historic patterns showing Republicans in California tend to vote early and Democrats later, meaning their mail ballots continue to stream in past election day. Under California law, ballots postmarked up to midnight on Nov. 6 will be counted. Democrats have already picked up six House seats in California. They ousted Reps. Dana Rohrabacher, Mimi Walters, Steve Knight and Jeff Denham and won the seats of retiring Reps. Ed Royce and Darrell Issa. All six represented districts that backed Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in 2016. Valadao was the seventh California Republican in a district Clinton won, though his previous successes  he last won reelection by a 14-point margin  suggested his ouster was a longer shot for Democrats. If Cox prevails, it would give Democrats a 40-seat gain nationwide, far more than the 23 seats needed to take control when Congress reconvenes in January. Facebook

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Trump says no new punishments against Saudi Arabia in Jamal Khashoggi murder By Eli Stokols In this Oct. 25 photo, candles are lit in front of a photo of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. (Lefteris Pitarakis) President Trump made it clear on Tuesday that he does not intend to punish Saudi Arabia or Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an American resident killed by Saudi officials in Turkey in October. In a remarkable statement replete with exclamation points, Trump cast doubt on the CIAs reported conclusions that it has a high degree of confidence that the crown prince ordered Khashoggis murder and sent his closest allies to Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul to carry it out. Read MoreThis article has been updated with staff. Facebook

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Sixteen House Democrats vow to oppose Nancy Pelosi as next speaker By Mike DeBonis | Washington Post House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Sixteen House Democrats said Monday that they will vote to deny Rep. Nancy Pelosi another stint as House speaker, a show of defiance that puts her opponents on the cusp of forcing a seismic leadership shake-up as their party prepares to take the majority. Their pledge to oppose Pelosi (D-San Francisco), both in an internal caucus election and a Jan. 3 floor vote, delivered in a letter sent to Democratic colleagues, comes as Pelosi has marshaled a legion of supporters on and off Capitol Hill to make her case. But her opponents said Monday they are convinced it is time to select a new leader. We are thankful to Leader Pelosi for her years of service to our Country and to our Caucus, they wrote. However, we also recognize that in this recent election, Democrats ran on and won on a message of change. Pelosi has expressed complete confidence that she will retake the speakers gavel in January  eight years after she lost it following massive Republican gains in the 2010 midterms and 16 years after she was first elevated to the top Democratic leadership post in the House. Come on in, the waters fine, she said Friday about a potential leadership challenge. The signers might not be able to force Pelosi out themselves. The size of the Democratic majority remains in flux, but Democrats have already won 232 seats, according to the Associated Press, with five races still undecided. All those races have Republican incumbents, but the Democratic challenger is ahead in only one of them. If the leads hold in the uncalled races, Democrats would have won 233 seats, a 16-seat majority. That means Pelosi could lose as many as 15 Democratic votes when she stands for election as speaker on Jan. 3. Read More Facebook

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Democratic senators sue over Whitakers appointment as acting attorney general By Associated Press Acting U.S. Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitaker (Nicholas Kamm / AFP/Getty Images) Three Senate Democrats filed a lawsuit Monday arguing that Acting Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitakers appointment is unconstitutional and asking a federal judge to remove him. The suit, filed by Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, argues that Whitakers appointment violates the Constitution because he has not been confirmed by the Senate. Whitaker was chief of staff to Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions and was elevated to the top job after Sessions was ousted by President Trump on Nov. 7. The Constitutions Appointments Clause requires that the Senate confirm all principal officials before they can serve in their office. The Justice Department released a legal opinion last week that said Whitakers appointment would not violate the clause because he is serving in an acting capacity. The opinion concluded that Whitaker, even without Senate confirmation, may serve in an acting capacity because he has been at the department for more than a year at a sufficiently senior pay level. President Trump is denying senators our constitutional obligation and opportunity to do our job: scrutinizing the nomination of our nations top law enforcement official, Blumenthal said in a statement. The reason is simple: Whitaker would never pass the advice and consent test. In selecting a so-called constitutional nobody and thwarting every senators constitutional duty, Trump leaves us no choice but to seek recourse through the courts. The lawsuit comes days after a Washington lawyer challenged Whitakers appointment in a pending Supreme Court case dealing with gun rights. The attorney, Thomas Goldstein, asked the high court to find that Whitakers appointment is unconstitutional and replace him with Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein. Rosenstein, the second-ranking Justice Department official, has been confirmed by the Senate and had been overseeing special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Whitaker is now overseeing the investigation. The Justice Department issued a statement Monday defending Whitakers appointment as lawful and said it comports with the Appointments Clause, the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and legal precedent. There are over 160 instances in American history in which non-Senate confirmed persons performed, on a temporary basis, the duties of a Senate-confirmed position, Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said. To suggest otherwise is to ignore centuries of practice and precedent. Facebook

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Gov. Rick Scott says Sen. Bill Nelson concedes Florida Senate race By Associated Press Republican Senate candidate Rick Scott speaks with his wife, Ann, by his side at an election watch party in Naples, Fla., on Nov. 7. (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press) Floridas Republican Gov. Rick Scott says incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson called him to concede defeat in their extremely tight race. Scott issued a statement Sunday saying Nelson graciously conceded their Senate race shortly after the states recount ended. The final results show Scott defeated Nelson by just over 10,000 votes out of 8 million cast. Nelson is scheduled to release a videotaped statement later Sunday. The defeat ends Nelsons lengthy political career. The three-term incumbent was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000. Before that he served six terms in the U.S. House and as state treasurer and insurance commissioner for six years. Scott spent more than $60 million of his own money on ads that portrayed Nelson as out-of-touch and ineffective. Nelson responded by questioning Scotts ethics and saying he would be under the sway of President Trump. Facebook

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Orange County goes blue, as Democrats complete historic sweep of its seven congressional seats By Michael Finnegan Gil Cisneros defeated Republican Young Kim on Saturday in the last of Orange Countys undecided House races, giving Democrats a clean sweep of the states six most fiercely fought congressional contests and marking an epochal shift in a region long synonymous with political conservatism. With Cisneros victory, Democrats will constitute the entirety of Orange Countys seven-member congressional delegation, the first time since the 1930s that the birthplace of Richard Nixon, home of John Wayne and spiritual center of the Republican Party will have no GOP representative in the House. Sitting back in the 1960s, I would never have believed this would happen, said Stuart K. Spencer, a party strategist who spent more than half a century ushering Republicans, including President Reagan, into office. Read More Facebook

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Going, going ... with midterm wipeout, California Republican Party drifts closer to irrelevance By Michael Finnegan For a party in freefall the last two decades, California Republicans learned that its possible to plunge even further. The GOP not only lost every statewide office in the midterm election  again, in blowout fashion  but Democrats reestablished their supermajority in Sacramento, allowing them to legislate however they see fit After major defeats in Orange County and the Central Valley, two longtime strongholds, Republicans will have a significantly smaller footprint on Capitol Hill. (Democrats hold both Senate seats.) When the vote-counting is finished, the GOP may not even have enough lawmakers in Californias 53-member House delegation to field a nine-person softball team. Read More Facebook

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Congresswoman-elect Katie Porter says she will support Rep. Nancy Pelosi for speaker By Maya Sweedler Democratic Rep.-elect Katie Porter is congratulated by volunteers at her campaign headquarters in Irvine. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Congresswoman-elect Katie Porter said she plans to support Rep. Nancy Pelosis bid for speaker of the House and will make campaign finance reform her top priority when she enters the chamber in January. Im going to continue to have conversations, but so far I feel like Leader Pelosi is definitely making the things that were a priority to the families that elected me her priorities, including announcing her support for campaign finance reform and anti-corruption as HR1, Porter said in her first public appearance since being declared the winner in Californias 45th Congressional District on Thursday evening. It means a lot to me that she is a Californian. She understands our state, Porter added. When we talk about environmental protections, this is a person who understands as a Californian how fragile our environment is and whats at risk in things like drilling off our coasts. Porter, a law professor at UC Irvine, defeated two-term Republican Rep. Mimi Walters. The 45th District, covering inland Orange County, has never been represented by a Democrat. Porter became the third Democrat to claim a Republican-held seat in Orange County, following the victories of Harley Rouda in the 48th District and Mike Levin in the 49th. A fourth, Gil Cisneros, is running slightly ahead of his Republican opponent in the race for the open seat in the 39th District, which extends into Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Porter attributed the massive political shift in the county, for decades a conservative stronghold, to increased levels of political engagement. Folks here care about education, they care about the environment, they believe climate change is real, they want healthcare that protects preexisting conditions, they want a tax system that doesnt punish California, they want our schools and places of worship to be safe from gun violence, she said. Those are the issues we campaigned on, and to the extent that Donald Trump and Mimi Walters were on the wrong side of those issues, the voters have made clear what direction they want us to go. Porter was flying back from the East Coast when her race was called, she said. She turned on her phone to find 167 text messages from friends and supporters. Among them was Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who was one of Porters teachers in law school and with whom she has remained close. The pair spoke via FaceTime this morning, she said. Facebook

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Bitter battle for Senate seat in Florida goes to hand recount By Associated Press Employees look through damaged ballots during a recount Thursday in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press) Floridas acrimonious battle for the U.S. Senate headed Thursday to a legally required hand recount after an initial review by ballot-counting machines showed Republican Gov. Rick Scott and Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson separated by less than 13,000 votes. But the highly watched contest for governor between Republican Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum appeared to be over, with a machine recount showing DeSantis with a large enough advantage over Gillum to avoid a hand recount in that race. Gillum, who conceded the contest on election night only to retract his concession later, said in a statement that it is not over until every legally casted vote is counted. The recount so far has been fraught with problems. One large Democratic stronghold in South Florida was unable to finish its machine recount by the Thursday deadline due to machines breaking down. A federal judge rejected a request to extend the recount deadline. We gave a heroic effort, said Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher. If the county had three or four more hours, it would have made the deadline to recount ballots in the Senate race, she said. Meanwhile, election officials in another urban county in the Tampa Bay area decided against turning in the results of their machine recount, which came up with 846 fewer votes than originally counted. Media in South Florida reported that Broward County finished its machine recount but missed the deadline by a few minutes. Counties were ordered last weekend to do a machine recount of three statewide races because the margins were so tight. The next stage is a manual review of ballots that were not counted by machines to see whether there is a way to figure out voter intent. Scott called on Nelson to end the recount battle. Its time for Nelson to respect the will of the voters and graciously bring this process to an end rather than proceed with yet another count of the votes  which will yield the same result and bring more embarrassment to the state that we both love and have served, the governor said in a statement. The recount has triggered multiple lawsuits, many of them filed by Nelson and Democrats. The legal battles drew the ire of U.S. District Judge Mark E. Walker, who slammed the state for repeatedly failing to anticipate election problems. He also said the state law on recounts appears to violate the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that decided the presidency in 2000. We have been the laughingstock of the world, election after election, and we chose not to fix this, Walker said during a morning hearing. Walker vented his anger at state lawmakers and Palm Beach County officials, saying they should have made sure they had enough equipment in place to handle this kind of a recount. But he said he could not extend the recount deadline because he did not know when Palm Beach County would finish its work. This court must be able to craft a remedy with knowledge that it will not prove futile, Walker wrote in his ruling turning down the request from Democrats. It cannot do so on this record. This court does not and will not fashion a remedy in the dark. The overarching problem was created by the Florida Legislature, which Walker said passed a recount law that appears to run afoul of the 2000 Bush vs. Gore decision by locking in procedures that do not allow for potential problems. A total of six election-related lawsuits are pending in federal court in Tallahassee as well at least one lawsuit filed in state court. Walker also ordered that voters be given until 5 p.m. Saturday to show a valid identification and fix their ballots if they have not been counted due to mismatched signatures. Republicans appealed the ruling, but an appeals court turned down the request. State officials testified that nearly 4,000 mailed-in ballots were set aside because local officials decided the signatures on the envelopes did not match the signatures on file. If those voters can prove their identity, their votes will be counted and included in final official returns due from each county by noon Sunday. Walker was asked by Democrats to require local officials to provide a list of people whose ballots were rejected. But the judge appointed by President Obama refused the request, calling it inappropriate. Under state law, a hand review is required with races that have a margin of 0.25 percentage points or less. A state website put the unofficial results showing Scott ahead of Nelson by 0.15 percentage points. The margin between DeSantis and Gillum was at 0.41 points. The margin between Scott and Nelson had not changed much in the last few days, conceded Marc Elias, an attorney working for Nelsons campaign. But he said that he expected the vote tally to shrink due to the hand recount and the ruling on signatures. The developments fueled frustrations among Democrats and Republicans alike. Democrats want state officials to do whatever it takes to make sure every eligible vote is counted. Republicans, including President Trump, have argued without evidence that voter fraud threatens to steal races from the GOP. Facebook

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Democrat Gil Cisneros pulls ahead of Republican Young Kim as more votes are tallied in Orange and San Bernardino counties By Michael Finnegan Congressional candidate Gil Cisneros (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Democrat Gil Cisneros pulled ahead of Republican Young Kim in one of Californias undecided congressional races Thursday, an ominous sign for a GOP already reeling from its loss of four House seats in the state. In updated vote counts released by the registrars for Orange and San Bernardino counties, Kim fell 941 votes behind Cisneros in the contest to succeed Republican Rep. Ed Royce in Californias 39th Congressional District. The 39th straddles Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Orange counties. In another unresolved House race, Democrat Katie Porter pulled further ahead of Republican incumbent Mimi Walters in the 45th District, which includes Mission Viejo, Tustin, Irvine, Rancho Santa Margarita and Laguna Hills. Porter, a consumer attorney and UC Irvine law professor, is now 6,203 votes ahead. The Nov. 6 midterm election has been devastating to Republicans in California. If Cisneros and Porter win, the party will have lost six of its 14 House seats in the state, essentially a wipeout in every contest that both parties spent heavily to win. The three Republicans already bounced from Congress are Reps. Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa, Steve Knight of Palmdale and Jeff Denham of Turlock in the San Joaquin Valley. Democrat Mike Levin won the seat of retiring GOP Rep. Darrell Issa of Vista in the fourth district flipped so far. Facebook

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Florida Senate race likely headed to second recount By Associated Press A Palm Beach County Sheriffs deputy walks past boxes of ballots before a recount on Nov. 15 in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Wilfredo Lee) Unofficial Florida election results show that the governors race seems to be settled after a machine recount but the U.S. Senate race is likely headed to a hand recount. Republican Ron DeSantis is virtually assured of winning the nationally watched governors race over Democrat Andrew Gillum. Florida finished a machine recount Thursday that showed Gillum without enough votes to force a manual recount. Unofficial results posted on a state website show the margin between U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and Gov. Rick Scott is still thin enough to trigger a second review. State law requires a hand recount of races with a margin of 0.25 percentage point or less. Counties have until Sunday to inspect the ballots that did not record a vote when put through the machines. Those ballots are re-examined to see whether the voter skipped the race or marked the ballot in a way that the machines cannot read but can be deciphered. The election will be certified Tuesday. Read More Facebook

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Pelosi says she has the votes to become the next House speaker By John Wagner Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi speaks during a news conference in Washington on Nov. 14. (Susan Walsh) House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi insisted Thursday that she has the votes to become the chambers speaker despite solid opposition from more than a dozen Democrats who want fresh leadership when the party takes control next year. I have overwhelming support in my caucus to be speaker of the House, the San Francisco lawmaker told reporters. I happen to think at this point, Im the best person for that. A vote within the Democratic caucus is scheduled for Nov. 28. The full House votes on Jan. 3 to elect a new speaker. During her remarks, Pelosi touted the size of the Democratic victory in the midterms, which she called almost a tsunami. With a few races still to be decided, Democrats are poised to pick up close to 40 seats in the chamber. Pelosi called that the biggest victory for the Democrats since 1974, when the Watergate babies came in. Pelosis comments come as she faces solid opposition from at least 17 Democrats, setting the stage for a battle over who will ascend to one of the most powerful positions in Washington. After a campaign in which some Democrats prevailed in competitive districts by promising to oppose her, a coalition of incumbents and newly elected members has denied her a smooth path to the speakership. The defections, if they stand, would leave Pelosi, who has led the Democrats for more than 15 years, several votes short of the 218 she would need when the full House votes for speaker Jan. 3. However, no Democrat has stepped forward to run against her for a job she held from 2007 through 2010. Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) told reporters Wednesday that shes being encouraged to stand for speaker if Pelosi doesnt have the votes. In an interview with the Washington Post on Thursday, she said she has been overwhelmed by the support from many of her colleagues for her possible entry into the race for House speaker. Over the last 12 hours, Ive been overwhelmed by the amount of support Ive received, Fudge said, adding that there are probably closer to 30" Democrats who have privately signaled that they are willing to oppose Pelosi. Things could change rapidly, Fudge said. Fudge, 66, a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, said she is building a diverse coalition as she mulls a speaker run, talking with allies in the caucus, moderate Democrats and newly elected members. To this point, Pelosi has enjoyed the strong backing of the Congressional Black Caucus. On Thursday, Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), one of its members, wrote a letter to colleagues praising her insight, fortitude and strategic thinking and urging support for her speakership bid. Former Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr., an African American who is contemplating a 2020 presidential bid, also voiced support for Pelosi, praising her in a tweet as an architect of the recent midterm success. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), a leader of the resistance to Pelosi, said during an interview on CNN on Thursday that Fudge is the kind of new leader that we need in this party. Shes in touch with middle America. She understands what the American people want. Shes a next-generation leader that people will look to and say, Thats the future of our party, thats the future of our country, and thats exactly the kind of leader that I want to see as our next speaker. Wagner reports for the Washington Post. The Posts Robert Costa, Erica Werner, Mike DeBonis, Paul Kane and Elise Viebeck contributed to this report. Facebook

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GOP Rep. Jeff Denham concedes to Democrat Josh Harder in Central Valley race By Maya Sweedler Rep. Jeff Denham (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) Republican Rep. Jeff Denham has conceded to Democrat Josh Harder in the race to represent Californias 10th Congressional District in the San Joaquin Valley. It has been an absolute honor to serve our community and represent the Central Valley in Congress over the past eight years, the 51-year-old congressman said. The enormity of the responsibility was never lost on me. My wife Sonia and I look forward to starting the next chapter of our lives. Harder said he had spoken with Denham and the two were committed to a productive transition. Denham, an Air Force veteran, previously represented the region in the state Senate for eight years and founded a company specializing in plastic packaging used in agriculture. While a member of Congress, he sat on the Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans Affairs and Agriculture committees. First-time candidate Harder was born and raised in the district. After graduating from Stanford University, he served as vice president of a Silicon Valley venture capital firm. Since moving back, he has been teaching at Modesto Junior College. Denhams House seat is one of four in California that Republicans lost in the Nov. 6 election, with two contests in Orange County still undecided as of Thursday morning. Jeff Denham called me this morning and we had a very productive conversation. I'm honored that I've been chosen to serve our community in Congress, and we're both looking forward to a productive transition that best serves the people of District 10.  Josh Harder (@JoshHarder) November 14, 2018 Facebook

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Democrat Katie Porter now nearly 3,800 votes ahead of GOP Rep. Mimi Walters By Maya Sweedler Rep. Mimi Walters thanks all of her supporters as she watches election results in Irvine on Nov. 7, 2018. (Alex Gallardo / Associated Press) Democrat Katie Porter opened a 3,797-vote lead Wednesday over Republican Rep. Mimi Walters in Orange Countys 45th Congressional District. In the neighboring 39th, Democrat Gil Cisneros has nearly tied the race against Republican Young Kim. Cisneros now trails Kim by a razor-thin margin of 122 votes. The 39th District straddles Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties; Wednesdays updated ballot counts came from the latter two. There are more than 202,000 ballots left to count in Orange County, which includes parts of seven congressional districts. The 45th is entirely in inland Orange County. In California, the ballots counted first tend to lean Republican and those tallied later skew Democratic. In the Central Valleys 21st Congressional District, Democratic challenger TJ Cox has pulled within 2 percentage points of Rep. David Valadao, who is serving his third term. The Associated Press had projected a win for Valadao on election night, but his 4,839-vote advantage has shrunk to 2,090. Back in CA-21, Valadao (R) wins a batch of ballots from his stronghold in Kings Co., but by a considerably smaller margin (14 points) than his previous ~30-point margin in the county. We're moving to Lean R from Likely R; today a bit scary for Valadao.https://t.co/WqJVUVkqGW  Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) November 15, 2018 A spokesman for Valadao told the Fresno Bee that the changes were expected and that [s]tatistically, David Valadao has won this race. Democrats in California have already flipped four House seats, defeating three Republican incumbents and claiming an open seat previously held by the GOP. Reps. Steve Knight of Palmdale, Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa and Jeff Denham of Turlock have already lost their races, and retiring Rep. Darrell Issas San Diego County seat was claimed by Democrat Mike Levin. Facebook

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Trump aide departs West Wing after rebuke from Melania Trump By Associated Press First Lady Melania Trump. (Alain Jocard / AFP-Getty Images) Deputy national security advisor Mira Ricardel is leaving the White House, one day after First Lady Melania Trumps office issued an extraordinary statement calling for her dismissal. No replacement was named. Aides said Ricardel clashed with the first ladys staff over her visit to Africa last month. Yet it is highly unusual for a first lady or her office to weigh in on personnel matters, especially the presidents national security staff. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Ricardel would have a new role in the administration. On Tuesday, Stephanie Grisham, the first ladys spokeswoman, released a statement saying, It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House. President Trumps White House has set records for administration turnover. Ricardel was the third person to hold the post under Trump. An ally of national security advisor John Bolton, Ricardel began her service in the Trump administration as associate director in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, then moved to the Commerce Department last year. Bolton brought her into the West Wing shortly after taking the job in April. He is traveling in Asia this week alongside Vice President Mike Pence. Facebook

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Race for House Minority Leader is Kevin McCarthys to lose By Associated Press (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy is running to take over next years shrunken caucus in closed-door elections that will set the tone for the new Congress. The race for minority leader is McCarthys to lose Wednesday. But the California Republican, who is an ally of President Trump, must fend off a challenge from conservative Jim Jordan of Ohio. Jordan is a leader of the House Freedom Caucus. The two encountered questions and finger-pointing during a private meeting with lawmakers Tuesday night as the GOP sorted through the midterm defeat that put Democrats in the majority next year. Elections Wednesday will also determine party leadership in the Senate. Voting for the biggest race, Nancy Pelosis bid to return as the Democrats nominee for speaker, is later this month. Read More Facebook

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Melania Trump calls for the firing of deputy national security advisor By Justin Sink First Lady Melania Trump arrives at the Chateau de Versailles outside Paris on Nov. 11. (Alain Jocard / AFP/Getty Images ) First Lady Melania Trumps office said she wants Mira Ricardel, the deputy national security advisor, ousted from the White House. It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House, Trumps spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, said in a statement in response to a question about reports the first lady had sought Ricardels removal. Ricardel is the top deputy to national security advisor John Bolton. She drew the first ladys wrath after threatening to withhold National Security Council resources during Melania Trumps trip to Africa last month unless Ricardel was included in her entourage, one person familiar with the matter said. Grishams statement comes as several media outlets have reported that President Trump is considering a broader shakeup of his administration, including ousting Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. Sink and Jacobs report for Bloomberg. Read More Facebook

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CNN sues Trump over the suspension of Jim Acostas White House press credentials By Jim Puzzanghera CNN said Tuesday that it is suing President Trump and other administration officials over the decision to suspend the White House press credentials of correspondent Jim Acosta after a conflict at a news conference last week. The suit, to be filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, escalates an ongoing battle between Trump and the cable news outlet that he frequently accuses of disseminating fake news for its aggressive coverage of him and his administration. The wrongful revocation of these credentials violates CNN and Acostas 1st Amendment rights of freedom of the press, and their 5th Amendment rights to due process, CNN said in a written statement. If left unchallenged, the actions of the White House would create a dangerous chilling effect for any journalist who covers our elected officials. Read More Facebook

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Maxine Waters to take aim at Wells Fargo and Deutsche Bank as new head of House Financial Services Committee By Jim Puzzanghera Rep. Maxine Waters plans to zero in on two big banks  Wells Fargo & Co. and Deutsche Bank  when she becomes head of the powerful House Financial Services Committee. The Los Angeles congresswoman, now the committees top Democrat, is widely expected to gain the gavel after her party won control of the House in last weeks elections. While Waters has outlined a wide-ranging agenda, she said her focus on bank oversight will target two large institutions she has been tangling with for a while  including one, Deutsche Bank, that spills into her bitter feud with President Trump. With Trump in the White House, I know that our fight for Americas consumers and investors will continue to be challenging. But I am more than up to that fight, Waters wrote in a letter last week to her Democratic colleagues on the committee that was obtained by The Times. Read More Facebook

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Heres how a controversial voting system will decide a congressional race in Maine By Kurtis Lee For the first time in U.S. history, a controversial voting system known as ranked choice is being used to decide a federal election. Its happening in Maine, which adopted the system in 2016. Rather than marking a single candidate, each voter ranks them all, assigning a first-place vote, a second-place vote and so on down the ballot. Read More Facebook

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ACLU files suit to stop Trumps new asylum limits By Associated Press A group of Central American migrants march to the office of the U.N.'s humans rights body in Mexico City on Nov. 8. (Rebecca Blackwell / Associated Press) The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a legal challenge to President Trumps order denying asylum to migrants if they cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally. The lawsuit was filed Friday in federal court in San Francisco and argues the new rules are against the law. Attorney Lee Gelernt said the regulations will put families in danger. The suit seeks to declare the regulations invalid and wants a judge to stop the rules from going into effect while the litigation is pending. The new rules were spurred in part by caravans of Central American migrants slowly moving north on foot, but officials say they will apply to anyone caught crossing illegally. Officials say about 70,000 people who enter the country illegally claim asylum. The order invoked the same national security powers Trump used to push through his travel ban. Read More Facebook

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Trump on new acting AG: I dont know Matt Whitaker By Associated Press President Trump talks with reporters before departing for France on the South Lawn of the White House on Nov. 9. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) President Trump is moving to distance himself from Matthew Whitaker as he faces criticism over his choice for acting attorney general. Trump told reporters Friday that I dont know Matt Whitaker and said he didnt speak with Whitaker about special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Whitaker has made public comments critical of Muellers investigation, and critics have called on Whitaker to recuse himself from oversight of the inquiry. Under former Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions, the investigation was overseen by Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein. Of the scrutiny Whitaker is facing, Trump said: Its a shame that no matter who I put in they go after. He also called Whitaker a very highly respected man. Whitaker was Sessions chief of staff before Trump made him Sessions interim replacement. Facebook

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Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg out of hospital after fall By Associated Press The Supreme Court says 85-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is home after being released from the hospital. She had been admitted for treatment and observation after fracturing three ribs in a fall. The court said Ginsburg was released Friday. Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg says she is doing well and working from home. The court had previously said the justice fell in her office at the court on Wednesday evening and went to George Washington University Hospital in Washington early Thursday after experiencing discomfort overnight. Ginsburg broke two ribs in a fall in 2012. She had two prior bouts with cancer and had a stent implanted to open a blocked artery in 2014. Facebook

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Gun-control activist Lucy McBath defeats GOP Rep. Karen Handel in Georgia By Associated Press Lucy McBath speaks during a rally for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams on Nov. 2 at Morehouse College in Atlanta. (Alyssa Pointer / Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) Democratic gun-control activist Lucy McBath has defeated Republican Rep. Karen Handel of Georgia in a suburban congressional district long considered safe for the GOP. Handel had to seek reelection after winning her seat last year in a close special election race against Democrat Jon Ossoff. McBath became an advocate for stricter gun laws after her son, Jordan Davis, was fatally shot at a Florida gas station in 2012 by a man angry over loud music the teenager and his friends were playing in a car. McBaths margin of victory was narrow enough for Handel to have requested a recount. The Associated Press declared McBath the winner Thursday after Handel conceded. Handel conceded in a statement Thursday morning, stating that after reviewing all of the election data, its clear she came up a bit short in Tuesdays vote. Handel congratulated McBath, offering good thoughts and much prayer for the journey that lies ahead for her. McBath, who is African American, declared victory Wednesday. Facebook

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Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg hospitalized after fracturing 3 ribs in fall By Associated Press Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press) The Supreme Court says 85-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg fractured three ribs in a fall in her office at the court and is in the hospital. The court says the justice went to George Washington University Hospital in Washington early Thursday after experiencing discomfort overnight. The court says the fall occurred Wednesday evening. Ginsburg was admitted to the hospital for treatment and observation after tests showed she fractured three ribs. Ginsburg broke two ribs in a fall in 2012. She has had two prior bouts with cancer and had a stent implanted to open a blocked artery in 2014. Facebook

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White House suspends press pass of CNNs Jim Acosta after heated exchange with Trump By Associated Press The White House on Wednesday suspended the press pass of CNN correspondent Jim Acosta after he and President Trump had a heated confrontation during a news conference. They began sparring after Acosta asked Trump about the caravan of migrants heading from Latin America to the southern U.S. border. When Acosta tried to follow up with another question, Trump said, Thats enough! and a female White House aide unsuccessfully tried to grab the microphone from Acosta. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement accusing Acosta of placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern, calling it absolutely unacceptable. The interaction between Acosta and the intern was brief, and Acosta appeared to brush her arm as she reached for the microphone and he tried to hold onto it. Pardon me, maam, he told her. Acosta tweeted that Sanders statement that he put his hands on the aide was a lie. CNN said in a statement that the White House revoked Acostas press pass in retaliation for his challenging questions Wednesday, and the network accused Sanders of lying about Acostas actions. This conduct is absolutely unacceptable. It is also completely disrespectful to the reporters colleagues not to allow them an opportunity to ask a question. President Trump has given the press more access than any President in history.  Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 Contrary to CNNs assertions there is no greater demonstration of the Presidents support for a free press than the event he held today. Only they would attack the President for not supporting a free press in the midst of him taking 68 questions from 35 different reporters...  Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 As a result of todays incident, the White House is suspending the hard pass of the reporter involved until further notice.  Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 Sanders provided fraudulent accusations and cited an incident that never happened. This unprecedented decision is a threat to our democracy and the country deserves better, CNN said. Jim Acosta has our full support. Journalists assigned to cover the White House apply for passes that allow them daily access to press areas in the West Wing. White House staffers decide whether journalists are eligible, though the Secret Service determines whether their applications are approved. Facebook

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Trump spars with reporters at post-election news briefing, ordering several to sit down By Associated Press  President Trump assails CNNs Jim Acosta at a White House news conference. President Trump sparred with reporters at his post-election news conference, ordering several to sit down and telling another hes a rude, terrible person. He told another reporter hes not a fan of yours, either. The presidents mood turned sour Wednesday after reporters pressed him on why he referred to a migrant caravan making its way to the U.S. on foot through Mexico as an invasion. Trump ramped up his anti-immigrant rhetoric against the caravan in the final days of the midterm elections. Trump was also pressed on why his campaign aired an ad featuring a Mexican immigrant convicted of killing American police officers and linking the mans actions to the caravan. Several television networks pulled the ad after airing it or declined to air it at all. Facebook

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Im living one hour at a time at this point By Christine Mai-Duc Republican congressional candidate Young Kim and gubernatorial candidate John Cox campaign in Rowland Heights. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Republican congressional candidate Young Kim greeted gubernatorial candidate John Coxs giant campaign bus, the words HELP IS ON THE WAY emblazoned across it, as it rolled into the parking lot outside her Rowland Heights field office. Standing beside Cox on Saturday, Kim predicted that a string of GOP victories Tuesday would start with voters repealing the gas tax hike. Can you imagine Gavin Newsom being our governor? Can you imagine Gil Cisneros being your representative? Kim asked the crowd, to loud boos and cries of Nooo! The former state assemblywoman who worked for retiring Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) is vying for his seat with Democrat Gil Cisneros. She led the crowd in chants of Enough is enough! and, though short-lived, Drain the swamp! Ive served you in Sacramento and Ive seen dysfunction personally, Kim continued. We cannot continue that route. She urged her supporters to stay and help make phone calls or walk neighborhoods. Lets get out there  the 72 hours is really critical. Its all going to come down to a few votes, it could be your vote, she said pointing to her left, then pivoting right, it could be your vote. So dont sit back and do nothing. Every night I go to sleep thinking, OK, how many more votes can I get or how many more people can I call tomorrow? Kim said. It can be physically exhausting but Im mentally, emotionally very energized. She listed off her events so far that day  and the next one she was heading to. Thats just what I can remember, she said. Im living one hour at a time at this point. Kims campaign invited press to two of her events on Saturday. After she was whisked away to her next event  a high tea fundraiser in Walnut, a couple dozen volunteers remained. John Freeman, a statewide field manager for the state Republican Party, tried to pump them up. This is the Super Bowl. Were not in an NFL stadium, were not getting paid millions of dollars, but you know what? Freeman said. Were walking on the field right now. This is that high-stakes-level game. Facebook

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Its going to be tough out there Democratic candidate Katie Porter speaks to volunteers in Mission Viejo. Jon Bauman, Bowzer from the band Sha Na Na, is in the background. (Victoria Kim / Los Angeles Times ) Judging from the cheers in the crowd, about half those assembled at Katie Porters campaign headquarters in Mission Viejo Sunday morning were old enough to remember 70s rock n roll star Bowzer from the band Sha Na Na. Jon Bauman, as Bowzer is known off stage, said it was her position on senior issues including retirement and social security that has him out supporting Porter over her opponent, incumbent Rep. Mimi Walters. I want you to make sure every phone is called and every door is knocked, he told the crowd of about 80 volunteers. There has never been a more important election. Both Bauman and his nephew, California Democratic Party Chairman Eric Bauman, were interrupted by yells from Trump supporters coming from an adjoining hillside. We love Trump, the voice cried out. We love him too, he makes great fodder, the younger Bauman retorted, before introducing Porter. Porter, a UC Irvine law professor and first-time candidate, acknowledged the uphill battle some of her canvassers might face in this more conservative end of the long-red Orange County district. I know its going to be tough out there, she said, motioning to the hillside. But she said the attacks meant the other side viewed her campaign as a significant threat. This election is going to be close, she said. If we dont fight all the way to the finish line, until 8 oclock on Tuesday, this could slip away. Bowzer then took to a keyboard piano to lead the crowd in a reworded rendition of the song Good Night Sweetheart: Good night, Mimi Walters, he crooned. A woman in a black tank top, jeans and flip flops holding a cup of coffee later joined the crowd with her two sons, 17 and 14, the younger one wearing a Trump 2016 T-shirt. She declined to give her name, saying she was concerned about being attacked, but said she lived up the hill and said she had been the one yelling. She said she was encouraging her sons to talk to people on both sides and make up their own minds. We need to have a government that runs the way government teachers are telling kids its supposed to be run, said the woman, a retired registered dental assistant who voted early for Mimi Walters. Referring to Democrats, she said: Theyve had control over all these years and Californias gone to crap. Among those canvassing was Stacie Campbell, 37, who was at the launch with her husband Jerome and three children, the youngest of whom was 2 months old. Campbell, a Mission Viejo resident who runs a business, had never canvassed or volunteered for campaigns before, and her husband is a French citizen and unable to vote. She said they had been talking to their children  the older ones are 5 and 2  about the presidency and the government since Trumps election. Together, they worked on homemade Katie Porter lawn signs and put them up around town. This is the first time its felt like a big deal and there isnt a president up for election, she said. Because her city is a mix of conservatives and liberals  her next-door neighbor is an NRA-supporting Republican  she the race felt mThe Burbank City Council will soon have a more permanent set of rules outlining the dos and donts of building accessory dwelling units, known as ADUs or granny flats, in the city.

Council members unanimously voted on Tuesday to approve the first reading of a proposed zoning amendment that would allow Burbank to regulate how and where ADUs can be built.

The City Council will have one more chance to make changes to the rules during the amendments final reading next Tuesday.

A crucial component to the proposed regulations deals with the size of granny flats.

Burbank has been using guidelines laid out in an interim ordinance approved last April to determine what types of ADUs can be built while city staff worked on a more thought-out set of rules that could work for the city.

Under the interim ordinance, granny flats can be built up to 500 square feet if they do not put the property over its floor-area ratio, which is what the City Council decided was a fair size.

However, the Planning Board decided during its Feb. 12 meeting to recommend City Council members allow granny flats to be built up to 800 square feet after receiving feedback from residents who said 500 square feet is too small.

Council members on Tuesday ultimately decided that up to 500 square feet would be large enough for a housing unit that could be configured to be a studio or a one-bedroom unit, fearing that having an ADU larger than that would defeat the purpose of a granny flat.

I am not unsympathetic to the people who feel that they need to have a one-bedroom or two-bedroom unit, Vice Mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy said. To me, that was not the purpose and intent of state law.

The state measures Gabel-Luddy referred to were those initially passed last year  SB 1069 and AB 2299  that changed the rules regarding ADUs in an attempt to address the housing shortage in California. The pieces of legislation were updated this past January as SB 229 and AB 494.

Under the state regulations, property owners could build a granny flat up to 1,200 square feet in all single-family residential zones. However, Burbank was allowed to and decided to pick a square footage standard that was right for the city.

If the purpose and intent is to provide units that are considered more affordable, then by definition a smaller unit would not be as expensive and would remain an accessory to the main house, Gabel-Luddy said.

The proposed Burbank ordinance would allow homeowners to build a granny flat in different ways. They can choose to construct a new detached unit or a unit built above a garage, as long as it has a 5-foot setback from the rear and side.

Residents could also convert an existing garage into a granny flat or convert a portion of the main house as an ADU.

The proposed rules are different for single-family homes in the R1-H zone, which is located in the Rancho neighborhood of Burbank, an area that allows the boarding of horses in the backyard.

Many Rancho residents have told the City Council and other city officials that having new ADUs built in their neighborhood would negatively affect the unique characteristics found in the R1-H zone.

While the interim ordinance did not allow for granny flats to be built in this specific zone, city staff believe they have come up with a solution, which the City Council spoke in favor of, that would keep the Ranchos aesthetics intact.

Under the proposed ordinance, homeowners in the R1-H zone cannot build a new ADU, but they can convert an existing city-permitted garage, city-permitted guest house or a portion of the main house as a granny flat.

In addition to the physical dimensions of what a permissible ADU in Burbank should look like and can be located, the proposed ordinance will also require the homeowner to live in either the main house or in the granny flat.

Some residents and council members had concerns with the live-in covenant, saying that it would not be fair to those that cannot live in either the main house or ADU, whether due to illness, death or military deployment.

To address this concern, the City Council agreed to allow residents in those situations to apply for a hardship waiver, which would give the applicant up to two years to find a solution.

anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com

Twitter: @acocarpioA Costa Mesa property with a Tesla service center has been sold to a private buyer for $16.65 million, according to a news release.

The property at 3020 Pullman St. near John Wayne Airport has two buildings on 2.25 acres and was built in 1973.

The Tesla service center opened in 2014.

Vans launches global campaign

Vans has launched a global initiative to celebrate women in skateboarding.

The Costa Mesa-based company will host more than 100 skateboarding clinics throughout the world; one took place Friday at the Vans skate park in Orange.

O.C. Fair looking to hire summer workers

The OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa is looking to fill about 1,500 seasonal positions for the July 13 to Aug. 12 fair.

Jobs include selling tickets, parking cars and building exhibits. For information, visit www.ocfair.com/jobs.com.

Laguna Beach is hiring summer employees

Laguna Beach is hiring summer bus drivers, trolley stewards and parking lot attendants.

Prospective applicants must pass a thorough police background check. For information and to apply, visit www.lagunabeachcity.net/cityhall/citygov/administrative_services/personnel/opportunities.htm.

Designers to host event in Newport

The American Society of Interior Designers is hosting a design expo April 19 at the Renaissance Hotel in Newport Beach.

Melinda Ritz, a Hollywood set designer who won three Emmy Awards for her work on Will and Grace, is the keynote speaker.

Pacific Life donates to nonprofit

The Newport Beach-based Pacific Life Foundation recently gave a $10,000 grant to Human Options, a nonprofit that works to break the cycle of domestic violence.

The money will fund crisis counseling and education, according to a news release.

Laguna cafe raises money to help offset rent increase

The Penguin Cafe in Laguna Beach recently raised $3,010 on its campaign at GoFundMe.com to help itself stay in business.

The cafe at 981 S. Coast Hwy. first opened in 1942. Its rent recently went up by 40%, which is why it needed the money, according to the campaign website.

Costa Mesa woman receives service award

Costa Mesa resident Pat Moechel is the recipient of the January/February 2018 Oliver Halsell Care Award, a program by Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary that pays tribute to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional care in their profession and community, according to a news release.

Moechel was credited for her work at Caring Companies at Home, an in-home care agency.

Nonprofit CEO receives award

Debra Marsteller, chief executive and president of Costa Mesa-based Project Independence, has received a Lifetime Achievement Spotlight Award from the Regional Center of Orange County.

The center funds some of the nonprofits programs, which help people with developmental disabilities. The center recognized Marsteller for her decades of service as an advocate, trainer, mentor and enthusiastic supporter of people with developmental disabilities, according to a news release.Costa Mesa Mayor Pro Tem Allan Mansoor was hit with a legal complaint this week alleging he didnt live in the city for part of last year, which would be a violation of state law, and therefore should be removed from office.

The complaint  obtained by the Daily Pilot Friday evening  claims Mansoor and his family lived for a time in a house owned by his in-laws in the 1600 block of Pegasus Street in Newport Beach.

It seeks approval from the state attorney generals office to file a quo warranto action to determine whether Mansoor is lawfully entitled to remain in office. Should Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerras office sign off, that action could then be filed in Superior Court.

You shouldnt be able to break the law with impunity  especially if youre supposedly serving the city, Costa Mesa Parks and Recreation Commission Chairwoman Liz McNabb said Friday. Its very basic: You need to live in the city that you represent, according to the [California] Government Code. Its a rule of law issue.

McNabb said she is part of a group of people who collaborated to bring the action forward. The complaint is signed by Art Perry, a local resident who serves on the Costa Mesa Sanitary District board.

Mansoor, who is running for mayor, dismissed the allegations in an emailed statement Friday afternoon.

If our Attorney General does not reject the politically motivated complaint outright, I will defend myself and expect to prevail based on the law, he wrote. Regardless of any temporary circumstance between my familys move from one Costa Mesa residence to another, Costa Mesa has been mine and my wifes home for most of our lives.

Representatives from Becerras office could not be reached for comment Thursday or Friday.

Mansoor was elected to the City Council for the third time in 2016 and his current term runs through 2020. He previously served on the council from 2002 to 2010 before winning election to the state Assembly.

According to state Government Code, if a city council member moves his or her place of residence outside of the city limits or ceases to be an elector of the city while in office, his or her office shall immediately become vacant.

Because Mansoor resided in a neighboring city  during 2017, he became immediately disqualified from continuing to serve out the remainder of his term on the Costa Mesa City Council, the complaint states. His seat must now be declared vacant so that it can be filled by a proper replacement.

Among the documents sent to the attorney generals office are declarations from two residents on Pegasus Street who attest that they saw Mansoor regularly staying at the Newport Beach house last year.

Numerous neighbors saw Mansoors vehicles continuously and repeatedly parked in front of the Pegasus house late at nights and early the following mornings, the complaint states. The lights inside the house were turned off during these periods, indicating that Mansoor spent several nights sleeping at the Pegasus house. This trend was observed for many months.

As of September 2016, Mansoor was registered to vote at an apartment in The Enclave complex near South Coast Plaza, according to records from the Orange County Registrar of Voters.

However, the complaint alleges another man listed that same apartment as his address when he updated his voter registration information last September.

Records show Mansoor registered to vote at a new address on Canyon Drive in the citys Westside in late October.

Per state law, Mansoor has at least 15 days to respond to the complaint. The original filers would then have a chance to reply.

What the attorney general does is grant us the ability to file the lawsuit, McNabb said. Then we would have to prove the case, and he would have to prove where he lived.

A quo warranto action isnt a foreign concept in Costa Mesa. In 2012, the sanitary district filed for and received state approval to pursue such a suit against former board member Jim Fitzpatrick  arguing that role conflicted with his other position as a city planning commissioner.

Fitzpatrick ended up resigning both positions, though he later rejoined the Planning Commission.

luke.money@latimes.com

Twitter @LukeMMoneyThe Newport Beach City Council will consider banning the use of public funds for informational campaigns for or against local tax measures.

The local policy would expand on state and federal laws that prohibit public agencies from spending public funds to support or oppose ballot measures, but leave some room for allowing the use of public funds to provide information to the public.

However, Mayor (Marshall) Duffield and Mayor Pro Tem (Will) ONeill believe that public agencies in the past have blurred the lines between advocacy and information, especially when the underlying ballot measure relates to a tax, according to a staff report written for the item on Tuesdays council agenda.

The prohibition would apply to tax measures on the city or county ballot.

The policy would still allow city officials to respond to questions about the fiscal impacts of any tax measure, but not engage in public education, public opinion polling or studies.

Port plan lobbyist and construction plans

In other business, the council will consider hiring a lobbyist to help give Newport Harbor its own port master plan.

City staff proposes retaining the firms Schmitz and Associates and Henschel Government Affairs on a six-month contract in the amount of no more than $120,000  $16,000 per month plus travel and incidentals  to make a bill for a Newport port plan into law.

A port master plan would be like an in-the-water equivalent to a state-sanctioned Local Coastal Program, which allows the city to issue permits in place of the California Coastal Commission for development on land close to shore. Newport has had a coastal program since last year.

Without a port master plan, projects ranging from minor dredging of harbor channels to private pier repair must be permitted directly by the Coastal Commission.

Assemblyman Matt Harper (R-Huntington Beach) introduced a bill, AB 2464, last month for Newport to join the ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles, San Diego and Hueneme in Ventura County to have its own master plan that gives greater local control over harbor capital improvements.

The council will also hold a study session summarizing the major capital projects the public works department has planned for next fiscal year. Proposed projects would cover facilities, streets, drainage, water, wastewater, the tidelands and more.

Tuesdays meeting starts at 5 p.m. with the study session, followed by the regular session at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 100 Civic Center Drive.

hillary.davis@latimes.com

Twitter: @Daily_PilotHDTwo weeks ago, I and the overwhelming majority of the City Council voted 6 to 1 to support a five-year contract for Huntington Beach Police Chief Rob Handy. It was the right move for the city and the community.

Unfortunately, rather than embracing this positive news, our colleague, Billy OConnell, has doubled-down publicly, promoting a preposterous image of Surf City as a crime-riddled den of violence and danger (Commentary: Its time to stop playing politics and declare war on crime in Huntington Beach, March 5).

Nothing could be further from the truth. The notion that Huntington Beach is on the brink of anarchistic ruin is as ridiculous as it is false.

While property crime declined in 2017, violent crime did increase. And one violent crime is too many.

But to take this fact out of local, regional and national context is intellectually dishonest  and OConnell knows it.

Heres reality: Huntington Beach is among the safest large cities in America. Our violent crime rate is one-third the average U.S. city our size. In fact, in two of the past 10 years, we were the only large city in the entire country without a murder.

Recent FBI statistics show that the entire Southern California region is experiencing an uptick in violent crime, in part due to changes in how violent crimes are classified and due to changes in laws, such as Propositions 47 and 57, which have allowed too many violent criminals to avoid incarceration. My upcoming town hall will address this dynamic.

An outside consultant, Robert Lehner, recently conducted an assessment of the crime in Huntington Beach and issued a report stating, Residents of most cities would envy the remarkably low crime experience of Huntington Beach over the past decade.  The overall risk to the community of victimization in Huntington Beach, as well as the cost of that victimization, was (and remains) much lower than most other cities.

The five-year contract is a vote of confidence, a meaningful sign of the support Chief Handy enjoys for his community-focused leadership. We should move forward as a unified community. The contract extension shall serve as a unifying instrument: A unifier that delivers incentive to all stakeholders in a path forward toward reconciliation.

The city and the chief have expressed complete commitment to the continued evolution of HBPD into a forward-thinking model of 21st century community policing.

We must put the safety and welfare of our citizens above all else; continued attacks of city leadership for political gain is irresponsible and unprofessional.

So my message to OConnell is simple: Be a part of the solution to work together to enhance our already wonderful and safe community.

MIKE POSEY is the mayor of Huntington Beach.A young soldier named Cliff Archer was home on leave in the Los Angeles area on Dec. 7, 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

Archer, then in his early 20s, was quickly trained as a medic and soon boarded a tanker bound for Honolulu, where he and his unit awaited further orders.

From there, he went to New Guinea, then to the Philippines and eventually to Negros Island, where Archer saw action in the lengthy Battle of the Visayas, which began in March 1945.

Their mission was to take Hill 3155, later renamed Dolan Hill in tribute to 1st Lt. John W. Dolan, the first officer to be killed in the attack. Archer himself narrowly escaped death in one of the battles.

Dads unit did a lot of mop-up action and island hopping during the last stages of the war. Negros was the fiercest fighting, wrote his son, Mike Archer, who now lives in the Seattle area, in a series of emails regarding his father, who died in 2002.

This was one of the final battles of the Pacific Campaign, and the Negros Island troops received a visit from Gen. MacArthur. When the fighting was over, Cliff Archer returned home, went to work for Greyhound, met and married Lola Oswald and bought a house in Torrance on the G.I. Bill.

Two little boys later, in 1952, the Archers purchased the Glendale Greyhound Station and found a place to live here in town. Two more children joined the family, and then they opened a travel agency in the lobby of the bus station. Later on, they purchased a home in northwest Glendale.

But the war years were never far from her husbands mind, Lola Archer told me one afternoon at her home. He had been a very young man when he was drafted and spent four years, from age 21 to 25, in the Army. Four years which left him with nightmares. Now, they would call it PTSD, she added.

Mike Archer recalled many dinnertime conversations about the war.

He would get very animated about all of his experiences up through his Hawaii deployment, Mike Archer said. As soon as he started getting into actual battle scenarios, he would get very quiet, to the point where he simply stopped talking and just looked down at his hands in his lap.

At that point, the children would get up quietly and start clearing the table.

Sometimes Dad would just sit there for another minute or two, he added.

Then, in 1976, some 30 years after the war was over, Cliff Archer decided to return to the scene of so many of his memories. And he wanted his wife to go with him.

He was the first Army veteran to return to the hill, she said. The mayor of Silay City arranged for a local guide and, on the designated day, the couple climbed into an old Army weapons carrier left behind after the war.

The worn-out floorboards had been replaced with wooden boards and more boards provided seating. We were accompanied by the guide and also an armed guard, she recalled. On the way up the hill, it was like a local bus that would pick up and discharge passengers.

At the top of the hill, Archer and the two men walked around trying to get a feel for the place. They returned to have dinner with the mayor and learned of a Japanese officer, Kazuo Ishizuka, who had returned several times to pray for the souls of his fellow countrymen.

Cliff Archer took the officers address home with him, and the two survivors exchanged letters for four years. They discovered they had fought in the same battles and that Ishizuka had suffered at least 13 wounds.

He was one of the few officers that did not commit Harakiri, probably because he was too wounded to do so, Mike Archer said.

Their correspondence led to another trip in 1980.

The Japanese invited him and whoever was left of his unit to come help them dedicate a memorial to their fallen on Negros, his son added.

This time, Lola Archer stayed behind in the village while the two men, who had fought so hard against each other, went up the hill together. There, at the top, at the scene of so many horrendous battles, they hoped to lay to rest the ghosts of their mutual past.

Readers Write:

An email arrived from Daniel Conover, who wrote that he enjoys your historical articles in the Glendale News-Press. Conover is seeking information about the Roads End Street neighborhood, the short continuation of East Los Feliz Road after it crosses Glendale Avenue. If anyone has any information to share, please contact me.

KATHERINE YAMADA can be reached at katherineyamada@gmail.com or by mail at Verdugo Views, c/o Glendale News-Press, 202 W. First St., Second Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Please include your name, address and phone number.The musical Godspell, being presented at the Glendale Centre Theatre, has a special place in the heart of its director, Zoe Bright.

She played a disciple in a production on Londons West End in 1973 that went on to a national tour. It was directed by one of the shows creators, the late John-Michael Tebelak, with assistance from the shows composer Stephen Schwartz.

Her character sang By My Side.

The show is a musical retelling of the Gospel of Matthew in the Bible, and productions are often set in unique locations onstage. Bright has set the local production in a refugee camp.

I thought it was very pertinent to whats going on today, Bright said. And we really flew with it. And the guys in the shop were great with the graffiti and all that.

As part of the scenery, there is a sign that reads M 25:35-40, which stands for a passage in the Book of Matthew that begins For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink ...

Bright is no stranger to the local theater. She most recently directed The Importance of the Being Earnest, and she played the role of Lady Bracknell in the production.

Tyler Hodges plays Jesus in Godspell and talked about his most moving part of the show.

It has to be the moment when Im saying goodbye to all my disciples, after Judas has left, and Ive made it clear that hes betrayed me, Hodges said.

And everyone knows that Im going somewhere that they cant go with me. ... I have a moment with everyone in the cast [individually] that sort of ties together moments that weve had previously in the show, he added.

While Bright, who lives in Glendale, tried to bring in elements of the past production she was involved with, she and the cast worked to meld a combination of past and present, British and American.

Hodges said it ultimately became a work in tandem.

There has to be a certain amount of pop culture references that make it contemporary. So a lot of the things she was bringing from her cast were things that we had no idea what they were at all, Hodges said, with a chuckle. But we found a nice common ground.

The refugee theme does come in at times during the performances, not just in the scenery, such as in the Vaudeville-style song All for the Best.

Like the hats [for that number], I gave them all pans and colanders, something that would have been in the refugee camp, Bright said.

Godspell runs concurrently with the theaters other production, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, another musical with a biblical story, which has mostly weekend performances and select Thursday shows through April 7.

Godspell will be presented Sunday through Wednesday through March 25.

For more information about either musical, call (818) 244-8481 or visit glendalecentretheatre.com.

mark.kellam@latimes.com

Twitter: @lamarkkellamThe city of Glendales proposed solution to stymie the effects of Los Angeles Countys rising housing costs, known as the Right to Lease ordinance, did not receive support from either tenants or landlords during a City Council hearing on Tuesday.

The ordinance, proposed last year, was designed to ease the volatile rental market by requiring that Glendale landlords offer one-year leases to all tenants renting apartments in buildings with five units or more and include an option to lease for a second year.

Section 8 and other government subsidized units would have been exempt.

The ordinance would have existed as an amendment to the existing Just Cause Eviction ordinance, which requires, with some exemptions, that landlords must provide at least 60 days notice to a tenant in order to vacate a unit and fulfill one of 12 legal reasons for eviction.

Glendale landlords currently offer tenants a one-year lease, which then defers to a month-to-month rental agreement once its concluded.

Despite numerous public outreach meetings in the past few months by Glendale officials to about 90 stakeholders such as members of the Glendale Tenants Union, landlord and Realtor groups, there was no support voiced for the measure during the hearing.

When asked by Councilman Zareh Sinanyan whether city staff members got a sense that tenants were excited about the Right to Lease ordinance, Philip Lanzafame, director of community development, said they did not.

We didnt get the interest that we hoped for, Lanzafame said.

The lack of support was echoed during the public-comment portion of the meeting, when neither tenants nor landlords said they felt the ordinance was helpful.

Mayor Vartan Gharpetian, who was the most vocal supporter of the proposed ordinance, agreed with three other council members to hold off on a vote on the measure until a separate rent-control proposal makes its way through the qualifying process. Councilman Ara Najarian recused himself from voting.

My suggestion is to continue reaching out, continue the study sessions with the stakeholders until we find out if [the Glendale Tenants Union has] enough signatures to put [rent control] on the ballot, Gharpetian said.

The Glendale Tenants Union has until Aug. 6 to collect enough signatures to qualify for a municipal or special election ballot.

jeff.landa@latimes.com

Twitter: @JeffLandaAs the world honored women this week, a fierce battle has emerged here about rights to the image of one of the 20th centurys most celebrated: Frida Kahlo, the Mexican artist who died in 1954 but has now made a reappearance  as a Barbie.

The dispute pits Kahlos descendants in Mexico against the toy giant Mattel, which rolled out the Frida Kahlo Barbie doll just in time for International Womens Day.

Mattel says it has the legal rights to use the Kahlo image, while family members here deny that.

The dispute has raged on social media and in the press in Mexico.

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The Kahlo doll features the familiar floral crown, braided black hair, flowing print dress, fringe shawl and de rigueur earrings and necklace. Lacking, however, are Kahlos signature uni-brow, her much commented-upon upper lip hair and the baubles that adorned most of her fingers. Mattel also made her look slimmer.

The company is touting the Kahlo doll as part of a new Barbie line, the latest in the companys efforts to diversify its Barbie brand, which debuted in 1959.

Kahlos history of transcending victimhood resonates deeply today, as do her leftist politics, bohemian lifestyle and singular look and style.

Her enigmatic visage stares out from T-shirts and jewelry, coffee cups, ash-trays, posters, tequila bottles  and now has a Barbie iteration. The doll went on sale this week on Mattels website for $29.99, but quickly sold out and will soon be replenished, a spokeswoman for the company said.

The Barbie Inspiring Women Frida Kahlo doll celebrates the groundbreaking achievements, heroism and long-lasting contributions Frida made in the art world and for women, Mattels website states. Her extraordinary life and art continue to influence and inspire others to follow their dreams and paint their own realities.

The other two initial dolls in the Inspiring Women series represent Amelia Earhart, the pioneer aviator, and Katherine Johnson, the African American mathematician.

This product image released by Barbie shows dolls in the image of pilot Amelia Earhart, left, Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and mathematician Katherine Johnson, part of the Inspiring Women doll line series. (Barbie via Associated Press )

While commentators are deeply divided on the look of Mattels Kahlo, the controversy doesnt focus on the dolls aesthetics. The question is whether Mattel was entitled to use Kahlos image in the first place.

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Mattel, based in El Segundo, said in a statement that it has a legally binding agreement with the owner of the rights to Kahlos name and identity to make a doll in the likeness of the great Frida Kahlo.

Mattel said that it has worked in close partnership with the Frida Kahlo Corporation, the owner of all rights related to the name and identity of Frida Kahlo, and that the corporation was an important part of the doll development process.

But one of the artists descendants, Mara Romeo, Kahlos grand-niece, has launched a very public campaign alleging that Mattel proceeded without lawful permission. Romeo says she and her family retain the rights to Kahlos image, and she is threatening to sue to block distribution of the doll.

The company Mattel does not have the proper authorization to use the image of Frida Kahlo, Romeo wrote in a Twitter message that was trending this week on Mexican social media.

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Mexican Mara Romeo, great-niece of late Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. (Yuri Cortez / AFP / Getty Images )

Mattel, she wrote, may have been a victim of deception or ignorance, assertions that the toy company denies.

The Frida Kahlo Corp., based in Panama, was launched in 2005.

Its website features Kahlo-themed products past and present, including beer, cosmetics, mouse pads, keychains, an official Frida Kahlo Trivia game and a prepaid Visa card. Bank with Frida, the site advises.

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The corporation says it acquired the rights to all things Kahlo from the artists late aunt, Isolda Pinedo Kahlo, the mother of Romeo and a pioneer in marketing the Kahlo label.

Before her death in 2007, Pinedo Kahlo championed a Frida Kahlo tequila line that sparked a raging controversy in Mexico about what some viewed as the crass peddling of an artist known for her leftist politics and intimate friendship with Leon Trotsky, the Russian Bolshevik revolutionary assassinated in 1940 in Mexico City.

The debate over the marketing of Kahlo, who died at age 47, has only become fiercer as her renown has spread and her face has become one of the worlds most recognized.

Frida was a militant of the Communist Party, the author David Martin del Campo said last year while presenting a new book about the artist. She would never have wanted to have been an element of commercialization on bags, T-shirts or socks.

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The Frida Kahlo Corp. rejects the complaint from Kahlos family.

There is no argument here, said Beatriz Alvarado, a spokeswoman for the corporation, speaking from Florida. We have all the rights registered.

In fact, Alvarado added, Romeo  the grand-niece who is challenging the corporations licensing deal with Mattel  remains a shareholder in the privately held Frida Kahlo Corp., and one of three members of its board of directors.

I believe she is not very well guided by the people she hired to give her some advice, Alvarado said.

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Mattel is seeking to stay above the fray.

Its very odd that she [Kahlos grand-niece] seems not to be aligned with a company that shes a shareholder in and a board member of, said Michelle Chidoni, a Mattel spokeswoman. We want to make sure that the intent of this line doesnt get lost in what seems like a fight between two parties that arent Mattel.  The Frida Kahlo story is an inspiring one that we believe can inspire more girls.

The company is pushing ahead with its plan to ship the dolls to retail stores to go on sale March 26, she said.

Neither Mattel nor the Frida Kahlo Corp. would comment on the financial details of the licensing deal.

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Kahlos descendants in Mexico were never consulted in connection with the doll project and heard about it on social media, said Pablo Sangri, an attorney for the family.

He said Kahlos grand-niece broke her formal relationship with the Frida Kahlo Corp. in 2010 amid financial losses and disagreements. Moreover, he asserted that the corporation only had the rights to Kahlos name, not her image.

Certainly not a doll, Sangri said, insisting that the family was acting out of principle, not seeking cash in its public spat with Mattel.

For the family this is not a matter of money; its for the love of everything Frida Kahlo represents, said the lawyer, though he noted that the family wasnt pleased about the dolls appearance either.

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It looks very stylized, very much in the Barbie style, Sangri said. And we are going to fight to be sure that it doesnt go on sale.

Kahlo, whose career was overshadowed by that of her larger-than-life husband, Diego Rivera, the Mexican muralist, has evolved into a 21st century icon, her turbulent life featured in film, books, exhibitions and lectures  while her idiosyncratic works, many anguished self-portraits, fetch millions and are scooped up by the likes of Madonna.

Her well-documented travails  Kahlo suffered from polio and the effects of a disastrous streetcar accident, while enduring a notoriously philandering husband  have only added to her contemporary appeal, as has her reported bisexuality.

Like Ernesto Che Guevara, another communist and unabashed admirer of Soviet Russia, Kahlo has become an attractive brand for a new, post-Cold War age.

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And thats the rub, as various parties seek to stake claims for their piece of a lucrative, global phenomenon that some have labeled Fridamania.

Cecilia Sanchez in The Times Mexico City bureau contributed to this report.

To read this article in Spanish click here

patrick.mcdonnell@latimes.com

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Twitter: @PmcdonnellLATAn apartment building fire Friday night in Allentown sent a child and a firefighter to area hospitals and left at least 20 people without a home, according to the city fire department.

"Out of seven units, six were occupied and basically the whole building is uninhabitable because of water damage," Allentown fire Capt. John Christopher said. "We had to have some utilities pulled."

The fire started at about 8:45 p.m. in a second-story rear unit in the seven-apartment building, where a family of two adults and two children lived, Christopher said.

One of the children was rushed to Lehigh Valley Hospital in the city, according to the fire captain. The child's condition and extent of injuries were not immediately available Saturday.

The fire rose to a third alarm, meaning every engine and on-duty firefighter in the city responded and mutual aid was called in from other area departments.

"A lot of the reason for that, there was quite a bit of confusion at the scene about getting people evacuated," Christopher said Saturday morning. "People were telling us there were people inside, kids inside. There were no kids inside. There was no rescue involved."

Flames spread to the third-floor apartment directly above the apartment where the fire started, according to Christopher, who said it took responders about 45 minutes to get the blaze under control.

The firefighter who was hurt suffered a fall but was able to get to an ambulance under his own power before being taken to St. Luke's Hospital, Allentown.

The American Red Cross Lehigh Valley-Bucks Chapter says it responded to provide emergency assistance for five families -- 20 people total -- following the fire.

The cause remained under investigation.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.Lehigh University has kicked a sorority off its campus after it organized a scavenger hunt a university disciplinary panel called 'a significant and reprehensible event.'

Alpha Chi Omega's Theta Chi chapter has lost its Lehigh campus recognition for two years, starting March 5 of this year until May 31, 2020.

The sorority, which can appeal the finding, must vacate its sorority house once the disciplinary process resolves.

The sorority held a scavenger hunt (road rally) on Dec. 8, which "involved the use of drugs and alcohol, sexual activity, and other activities that violate Lehigh University policy," according to the university's Lehigh Greeks blogs.

The chapter was placed on interim university suspension on Dec. 12 and its national headquarters also directed it to "cease and desist all activities," according to the posting.

Lehigh's Title IX Coordinator Karen Salvemini launched an investigation that culminated in a March 5 disciplinary hearing where the sorority was found responsible of hazing and related offenses.

Alpha Chi Omega cooperated with the investigation, turning over the scavenger hunt list and documented examples of member's completed tasks, according to Lehigh. But the disciplinary panel found the sorority had violated many university rules.

While members may have willingly joined in the hunt, that does not stop it from being considered hazing under Lehigh's Code of Conduct, the university found.

"AXO created a situation that occurred on and off campus involving morally questionable quests such as a scavenger hunt, treasure hunts, etc.," the university writes on the blog. "The acts described may not have been required for affiliation into the organization, but are clearly considered a rite of passage and a consistent part of membership in AXO."

By the time the sorority can resume operations at Lehigh, all of the current members, who are aware of the tradition, will have graduated, which was intentional, the university notes.

"This incident was a significant, reprehensible event that the entire chapter was aware of and leadership endorsed. This event did not only take place this year, but there is credible information that this event has been going on for years," the university found. "The panel is deeply concerned about the escalated nature of the content of this year's list and we are unconvinced that this escalation wouldn't continue."

The university found that the sorority's current track record did not lead the panel to have confidence in the chapter's ability to act in a manner that shows care and concern for the health and safety of its members.

"This type of behavior is simply unacceptable considering the current climate on college campuses," the university found.

The sorority can apply to the university's Dean of Student Offices in 2020 to start the recognition process again.

The national organization conducted its own on-campus investigation in December that resulted in probationary terms for the chapter and individual punishments.

Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @sarasatullo and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.UPDATE: 'We are safer': 1 lawmaker wins protection from another

A state lawmaker from suburban Philadelphia says he was blindsided by a restraining order secured Friday by another member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

"Rep. Tarah Toohil's request of a Luzerne County judge for a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order from Rep. Nick Miccarelli, a former boyfriend, is part of an ongoing smear campaign," reads a statement issued on Miccarelli's behalf by Frank Keel, a Philadelphia-based public relations and crisis communications specialist.

Toohil, R-Luzerne, obtained the order from a Luzerne County judge, alleging Micarelli, R-Delaware, had pulled a gun on her and threatened to kill her.

The order, first reported by (Wilkes-Barre) Citizens Voice, bars Miccarelli from contacting the 38-year-old female lawmaker and prohibits him from possessing firearms.

Miccarelli, 35, has not been charged with any crime and previously denied the allegations, calling them "complete fabrications" in a March 1 Facebook post.

Pennsylvania state Rep. Nick Miccarelli, R-Delaware, speaks during a news conference Feb. 5, 2018, in the Capitol Media Center in Harrisburg. Fellow Republican state Rep. Tarah Toohil alleges he threatened and abused her, allegations that he denies. (LNP via AP | For lehighvalleylive.com)

The two had been in a romantic relationship that Miccarelli ended years ago, according to the statement sent out Friday night by Miccarelli.

"It's shameful that Toohil would make this move for a PFA without any notice to Nick or any opportunity for him to be heard," the statement says. "The allegations Toohil trumpeted to secure the PFA supposedly occurred six long years ago, yet she never decided to seek any legal relief until now?

"She knew Nick was recently married. It's unconscionable that Toohil would abuse the PFA process in this way at this time, knowing the shame and embarrassment it would bring to Nick and his new family."

The two are said to have minimal contact, and only while carrying out their duties as state representatives at the Capitol in Harrisburg.

Toohil alleged in a February complaint, according to Philly.com, that Miccarelli kicked, punched and hit her. She said she was so concerned about her safety she appended a note to her life insurance policy that said Miccarelli should be investigated if something happened to her.

In a separate allegation against Miccarelli, a political consultant, who has not made her name public, claims that after she ended their relationship in 2014, Miccarelli came to her house and forced her to have sex, holding her neck during part of the alleged attack.

Miccarelli also denies those allegations, which were also detailed in the February complaint that is being reviewed by the Dauphin County District Attorney's Office.

A response to Miccarelli's statement shared with lehighvalleylive.com by Toohil's attorney, Terry Mutchler, seeks to explain the years-long delay in airing the allegations.

Both of Miccarrelli's accusers are clients of the firm Mutchler started with Charlie Lyons, and are speaking out after Miccarelli on Facebook addressed the me-too movement targeting abusers, writing, "The me-too stuff is really hard to read. We must face this issue together."

"I was in a consensual relationship with Rep. Miccarelli," Toohil stated. "But there were terrible moments that were non-consensual at the hands of Rep. Miccarelli.

"It has taken me years and years to identify that I, myself, was a victim of this violence. This does not define me. It something that happened to me. And if I -- as a lawyer and a lawmaker -- could be this afraid of that individual, then I can only imagine how the other victims feel, which is why I am coming out publicly."

Toohil continued to Miccarelli's defense "just continued abuse of a victim."

Toohil has not alleged Miccarelli sexually attacked her.

She said in her request for the protection order that Miccarelli had attempted to blackmail her by releasing photographs and that he has harassed and stalked her since a relationship between them ended.

First elected in 2010, now in her fourth term, Toohil said she has been "in fear for my safety at work" since filing a complaint against him in the state House and that Miccarelli tried to intimidate her to "remain silent" after news of the allegations was first released.

Miccarelli, a 35-year-old Iraq war veteran, is in the middle of a fifth two-year term. He announced his recent marriage on Facebook last month.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers have both called on him to resign amid the allegations.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.He helped institute new rules for guardians to protect the elderly from fraud and abuse.

He presided over the trial of one of the Lehigh Valley's most notorious and outrageous killers.

And at the end of next month, he'll set down his gavel for good.

Northampton County Judge Emil Giordano is calling it a career.

"I have accomplished all I set out to when I took this job," said the 58-year-old from Hanover Township, Northampton County. "I've been fortunate to have 14 years of public service and I'm ready to move on and start a new career."

The judge's last day on the job will be April 30. He's joining a law firm in the Lehigh Valley and will focus on arbitrations and mediations around the state. He'll also practice in personal injury, wills, estate and trust cases. He declined to name the law firm until he's officially retired.

What he'll miss most about his days on the bench are the people who supported him.

"We have wonderful county employees who work very, very hard," the judge said.

When he started in 2004, he became the first judge assigned to oversee Orphans Court. In this capacity he instituted a new system where guardians over the elderly needed to be certified. The certification process weeds out individuals with criminal backgrounds or a history of bad credit who were looking to prey on vulnerable residents.

The standards he set in Northampton County are now getting traction across the state of Pennsylvania.

Giordano presided over the capital murder trial of Jeffrey Knoble, who was convicted of killing Andrew "Beep" White in Easton. Knoble brokered a deal after his conviction to forgo appeals so that prosecutors wouldn't purse the death penalty against him.

Knoble at times used foul language in court, complained about his lawyers and taunted White's family by sticking his tongue out at them.

"That had to be the worst case I ever handled," the judge said. He refused to allow Knoble to wrankle him and maintained decorum the best he could.

"It was hard to hold back but I had to be the professional. I had to be the judge," Giordano said.

Candidates can apply to run for Giordano's vacant seat in the next municipal election, according to Giordano. That election is coming in 2019.

State Senator Lisa Boscola can suggest a candidate to Gov. Tom Wolf. That nominee must be confirmed by the state Senate. If a candidate is confirmed, that judge will have to run in 2019 to keep the seat.

When he's not on the bench, Giordano plays guitar in a rock band that sometimes performs at charity fund raisers. The band has a new signer and has opened its repertoire beyond classic rock to include some contemporary tunes, soul and disco, including the song "Freak Out."

"I've been working on that one for a month," he admits.

Giordano unsuccessfully sought a seat twice to the Pennsylvania Superior Court. There's another job he'd love to have, but that one eluded him too: manager of his beloved New York Yankees.

"They went with Aaron Boone instead of me," Giordano joked.TURKEYS

A second nor'easter in five days was supposed to hit the Lehigh Valley with deep, wet snow and howling winds. Schools, towns and employers responded by shutting down everything but emergency services. The only accurate part of the forecasts -- some had predicted up to 18 inches of snow -- was "wet." While areas to the north and parts of New Jersey had significant snowfall, Lehigh Valley residents were left wondering why everything was shut down for a few inches of slush. Forecasters conceded they missed the mark. The National Weather Service chalked it up to higher than expected temperatures. The Eastern PA Weather Authority said the low pressure system fueling the storm took a last-minute turn toward the Atlantic coast. "We will own this one, but not much we could have done differently or foreseen coming, to be quite honest," said an EPAWA meteorologist.

TROPHIES

"A hundred gallons of blood" sounds like a movie to avoid, but to the Miller-Keystone Blood Center, it's an award on the scale of an Oscar. The center treasures its faithful blood donors, and gives special recognition to those who hit the century mark. This week Lou Algieri, 67, of Easton, was honored for reaching 100 gallons, pint by pint over 20-plus years. "Mr. Algieri has single-handedly saved the lives of hundreds of hospital patients in our community," blood center officials said. Others who have given that amount include LeRoy Sutton of Easton (122 gallons); Richard Lamson and Ronald Paff of Allentown; William DeLong of Whitehall Township; Joseph Veshinfsky of Catasauqua.

A day before Academy Awards were handed out, the Lehigh Valley was treated to local premieres of "Getting Grace," a film produced and directed by Bethlehem native Daniel Roebuck. The movie features local actors and showcases locations around the Valley. Roebuck said an outpouring of local support encouraged him to screen the film in advance of its March 23 nationwide debut. People with tickets were invited to walk the red carpet before viewings at three locations last weekend. The film's heroine is a 16-year-old girl dying of cancer -- played by Bethlehem Catholic High School graduate Madelyn Dundon -- who visits a funeral home and ends up transforming the life of a funeral director, played by Roebuck.

Students and support staff putting on "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" this weekend at Easton Area High School are raising funds for the mother of a cast member who is dealing with cancer. The idea originated with

, costume designer for the school's annual spring musical. Volunteers will be raffling off baskets at the performances at 7 p.m. tonight and 2 p.m. Sunday at the high school. Proceeds will go to the parent and and St. Luke's Cancer Center. Those who want to support the cause may send a check payable to "EAHS musical theatre" to Easton Area High School, 2601 William Penn Highway, Easton, Pa. 18045.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House of Clocks at a glance

Where: 208 S. School St., Lodi

Phone: 209-369-7961

Email: houseofclocks@sbcglobal.net

Website: thehouseofclocks.biz

House of Clocks opened in 1970, a few clocks from its current location. It was owned by Joe and Marie Hohn, who first became interested in clocks while Joe Hohn was in the military.

In 1954, Joe Hohn was stationed in Germany, and Marie went with him. They promised her father that they would visit the familys ancestral home in Luxembourg. When they did, they were given an antique clock that was in need of repair.

Joe Hohn got it working again and found he enjoyed the work. Soon, the Hohns had filled their home with clocks and opened their store.

Today, the shop is in Downtown Lodi, run by brothers Steve and Chuck Hohn as well as Chucks wife Sandy.Kozhikode: Hadiya, who made it into the media headlines for her conversion and marriage with Shefin Jahan on Saturday visited the Chairman of the Popular Front of India.

Hadiya along with her husband visited P Aboobacker, two days after the Supreme Court set aside the High Court order of annulling their marriage. They thanked him all his support he had extended during the case.

Both Hadiya and Shefin said that they approached several other organisations for help, but it was the PFI that stood with them throughout the crisis.More than 100 cities worldwide get at least 70 percent of their electricity from renewable sources, according to a new initiative. How did they manage and what can we learn from them?

Cities are responsible for 70 percent of manmade CO2 emissions, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency. Cars, heating, cooling and lighting systems work round the clock, consuming energy and pumping out emissions.

But more and more cities are aiming to source a growing share of that energy from renewables, to become more sustainable and, ultimately, combat climate change.

Around the world, 570 cities have reported their achievements to non-profit group CDP. CDP says over 100 of them get least 70 percent of their electricity from renewable sources, and more than 40 already have a 100-percent renewable power supply.

That might sound impressive. But, electricity isnt everything  cities also consume huge amounts of energy from heating and transport, for example.

Moreover, renewable doesnt always mean environmentally sound. Most of the 40 high achievers get their electricity from hydropower plants, which are controversial due to the environmental impacts of dams, and fears that hydropower generation is being hit by climate change.

Renewable cities, key for climate

Half the worlds human population lives in cities, and at least 90 percent of people in urban areas live with air quality that falls short of World Health Organization standards.

Theres clearly much to be done to reduce urban toll on human and planetary health. But CDP says the data cities have submitted show theyre making a start.

Cities have high ambitions and are taking big steps, Kyra Appleby, director of cities at CDP, told DW.

More than 80 cities and towns in the United Kingdom have pledged to go 100-percent renewable by 2050 as part of UK100, a local government leaders network.

Reykjavik already gets its electricity and heat from geothermal and hydropower; Basel, Switzerland, gets all its electricity from a 100-renewable city-owned supplier.

Many other European cities are moving towards renewables, not only for electricity but also for heating and transport, Eric Woods, research director with Navigant Research, a green energy tech consultancy, told DW.

Falling green power prices are helping drive this transition. In 2017, unsubsidized renewables were the cheapest source of electricity in 30 countries, and renewable energy is predicted to become far cheaper than energy from fossil fuels by 2020.

A US awakening

Despite US President Donald Trumps resistance to the energy transition  or perhaps, in part, because of it  US cities are redoubling their efforts, too.

Across the country, 58 cities have committed to going 100-percent renewable. Of these, 46, including big cities like Atlanta and San Diego, only pledged after Trumps election.

The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy has also been a major push for local urban energy transitions, seeing more than 7,000 cities and local governments around the world agree to act on climate change.

Three US cities, including Seattle, get at least 70 percent of their electricity from renewable sources  although again, hydropower is the main one.

Burlington, Vermont, gets all its electricity from a mix of biomass, hydro, solar and wind power, CDP data shows andaccording to the Sierra Club, its not alone. Aspen (Colorado), Greensburg (Kansas), Rock Port (Missouri) and Kodiak Island (Alaska) may be small, but they too have completely given up fossil-fueled electricity.

Lessons to learn

The road to renewables needs adequate governance. Some cities  for example those that own their own municipal utilities, like Basel and Copenhagen  have more power over where they get their energy from.

Cities need more control over their energy production and stronger support for local generation, Woods said. Local authorities are often more active than national ones, but they are also limited by national energy policy.

Different cities have different resources available to them. In Geneva, the citys lake is used to cool and heat around 400 buildings, including the United Nations headquarters, Alix Bolle, EU affairs manager with Energy Cities told DW.

But while not every 100-percent renewable city will look the same, their localized transitions are a chance to try out different solutions, and learn from each others experience.

Initiatives like the UK100 andRenewables Networking Platform , promoted by the European Forum for Renewable Energy Sources, encourage such exchange.

Cities are very much willing to learn from each other and replicate solutions or ways of overcoming risks, Bolle said.

Its also important that the energy transition is an inclusive process, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently stressed, bringing the public and local industry into decision-making to ensure everyone does their bit.

Carina Borgstrom-Hansson, responsible for WWFs One Planet City Challenge, told DW that involving the local private sector means the energy transition can stimulate entrepreneurship and job creation. She points to Vancouver, Canada, which she says included local businesses in a strategy that has seen the city achieve a 98-percent renewable electricity supply.

Reshaping the energy system obviously involves serious investment in infrastructure. But there are also simple things we can all do to decarbonize our cities.

Electrification of the transport system is very important, Borgstrom-Hansson said, but we can all make an effort to take more journeys by bike or foot.EASTHAMPTON -- A group of young constitutional scholars will travel to Washington in April to compete head-to-head with students from around the country.

Now a local Italian restaurant at 124 Cottage St. plans a fundraising dinner. On March 20, 10 percent of all proceeds at Nini's Ristorante will go to the students' travel fund.

Easthampton High School's "We the People" team won first-place honors at an academic competition in Boston in January, besting top Massachusetts schools. They were invited to the nation's capital to represent the Bay State.

"These young people are so incredibly knowledgeable about government and the Constitution," said teacher Kelly Brown. "It makes me hopeful for the future."

The national competition will take the form of a mock legislative hearing. Students will testify as constitutional experts before judges acting as members of Congress. Students will be tested on their knowledge, understanding, and ability to apply principles encoded in the U.S. Constitution.

Brown and her students have been raising money to pay for the trip. They need $35,000 and are about two-thirds there, according to an online fundraising page.

Nini's owner Aristide "Gianni" Danielle said he is proud of the local students.

"I'm just amazed that they won the state competition in Boston," said Daniele. "I'm not the only business owner helping out here. But I'm happy to do my part to send these kids to Washington."SPRINGFIELD-- Wine lovers from across the Pioneer Valley and beyond gathered in downtown Springfield on Friday to help kick off WGBY's 33rd Annual Wine, Beer & Food Tasting at the Tower Square Hotel.

The three-hour gala is billed as Western New England's largest benefit wine, beer and food tasting, featuring more than 300 wine, craft beer, and specialty foods filling three function halls in the hotel previously known as the Marriott.

A special guest spotted roaming the floor was Kevin Dundon, host of the popular PBS cooking show, "Modern Irish Food." Dundon traveled to Springfield from Ireland, and is Saturday's Wine Lovers Dinner guest chef.

Saturday night's Wine Lovers Dinner at The Log Cabin in Holyoke will feature a seven-course meal paired with carefully selected wines to demonstrate the many ways in which wine and food marry on the palate, according to the local PBS affiliate.

Tickets to the seven-course gourmet dinner are $175 each, available online here or at Table & Vine in West Springfield.



Proceeds from the event benefit public television and WGBY, specifically.One of three women killed during a daylong siege at a California veterans home was a Boston College graduate, the Associated Press reported.

The victim - Christine Loeber, 48 - earned her master's degree from Boston College's School of Social Work in 2008, according to Boston College Spokesman Jack Dunn. She was one of three people killed Friday by a former patient who had been kicked out of The Pathway Home in Northern California.

The suspect, identified as Albert Wong, 36, took three women hostage during a daylong siege at the veterans home, which ended Friday evening with the discovery of four bodies, including the gunman. Wong was a former Army rifleman who served a year in Afghanistan from 2011 to 2012, according to the AP.

The victims of the siege have been identified as Loeber, executive director of The Pathway Home; Clinical Director Jennifer Golick, 42; and Jennifer Gonzales, 29, a clinical psychologist with the San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

Dunn said Loeber distinguished herself at Boston College as a gifted student who was passionate about helping those suffering from mental illness, and went on to a successful career in social work serving veterans

"The prayers of the entire BC community are with the Loeber family in the wake of this senseless tragedy," the school said in a statement.

Police stormed the room where the women were being held after six hours of negotiations, where they found them and the gunman dead. The Pathway Home is located in Yountville, California.SPRINGFIELD - A 20-year-old city man was sentenced Friday to three to three and one half years in state prison after admitting robbing men at ATMs in Springfield and East Longmeadow.

Hampden Superior Court Judge Daniel A. Ford sentenced Amika Blake to two years probation after the prison sentence.

Ford accepted the agreed upon sentence recommendation from prosecution and defense.

Blake pleaded guilty to two counts of armed robbery for an April 24 incident outside a TD Bank cash machine on Cooley Street.

Assistant District Attorney James M. Forsyth said Blake approached two men as they walked out and demanded money. He took one man's cellphone. When the other man said he didn't have money, Blake made him go back to the machine and withdraw $500, which he took.

Blake pleaded guilty to another count of armed robbery related to a holdup at a Bank of America ATM on North Main St. in East Longmeadow on April 10 at about 6:25 p.m. Forsyth said when a man withdrew $200, Blake walked in with what appeared to be a gun and took the money.

Blake has 179 days credit on his sentence for time spent in jail awaiting trial.

Defense lawyer Joe A. Smith III pointed out Blake's parents and aunt in the courtroom in support of Blake.

He described Blake as "a very young man with a limited criminal history." Smith said Blake recently became a father.

Ford ordered Blake, as conditions of his probation, not to use drugs or alcohol and to undergo mental health evaluation and treatment. He then added the condition that Blake must make his best effort to find a job.

"He's going to need to support that child," Ford said.NORTHAMPTON - In the wake of the deadly school shooting in Parkland, Florida, a number of students at Northampton area schools are planning to participate in an upcoming national walk-out to advocate for stronger gun laws.

The National School Walkout has been organized by the Women's March Youth EMPOWER group and will take place on March 14 at 10 a.m. and is scheduled to last 17 minutes.

A number of students at Northampton High School and JFK Middle School will likely participate, according to the city's Superintendent John A. Provost.

Provost sent a letter to parents last week notifying them of the students' intention to participate in the walkout.

Provost's letter notes that it is possible that "some students at the elementary schools will want to participate as well."

Provost recommended that schools where students are considering walking out set up specific activities for students to participate in. "Students who participate in a school-authorized walkout activity and return to class at its conclusion will not be subject to discipline," Provost said. "Students who do not report to the designated area or do not return to school will be considered to be skipping class."

Students at other area schools have announced their intentions to participate in the walkout, including those in Easthampton and Amherst. Additionally, some colleges in Massachusetts have pledged to support students who may be penalized by their high schools for the walk out.

Officials from both JFK Middle School and Northampton High School declined to comment.WESTFIELD - Gov. Charlie Baker, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal praised the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base on Friday during a celebration of the newly renovated main hangar for its F-15 Eagle fighter jets.

The $12.2 million renovation included safety and energy efficiency upgrades to the 50,517-square-foot building. 104th Fighter Wing Commander Col. James Suhr said the renovations took three years and provide the facility with state-of-the-art technology.

"This building was built in the 1950s," said Suhr. "It was due for a renovation."

The ceiling remains intact with some updates and paint, and the floor received a skid-proof epoxy coating in a shade of white that reflects light. Suhr said bringing light into the building was a big part of the project.

"We added these new doors with transparent panels and a lot of windows," he said, noting that it is now one of the brightest hangars he has even been in and most of it is from natural light.

Tech. Sgt. Shane Morin of Southwick said the light makes a big difference when working on a plane inside the hangar.

"If something drops to the floor it is much easier to see now and all the natural light makes it so much easier to see - it was really dark in here before," said Morin.

The heating, ventilation and air conditioning was upgraded and new color-coded pipes were installed throughout the building. Large ceiling fans circulate air while the fire suppression system and can drop firefighting foam directly onto planes in case of emergency. An alert system with blue, yellow and white lights was installed. Depending on the emergency, a different color will flash.

Six planes can easily fit inside the hangar, and power units allow planes to be directly plugged in while being worked on.

Morin said one of the biggest advantages of being able to perform plane maintenance inside the hangar is simply being out of the elements.

"It's nice working in the heat instead of the cold," Morin said. "It makes it a lot easier to do your job when you're not outside in the cold and wind."

Additions on the sides of the hangar allowed several shops to be brought closer to the maintenance area, including hydraulics and electrical.

"It's a great day for the men and women of the 104th Fighter Wing," Maj. Gen. Gary Keefe, adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard, said in a statement. "The renovated hangar provides improved work space for the present day and positions the 104th Fighter Wing to be ready to accept the next generation of Air Force fighter jets to ensure that the Massachusetts Air National Guard remains an indispensable component of America's air defense well into the twenty-first century."

The unit defends U.S. airspace, protecting a quarter of the nation's population and more than one-third of its gross domestic product, according to the 104th Fighter Wing. It also deploys people and equipment globally and in Massachusetts as part its mission to respond to natural disasters and civil emergencies.

Other local and state officials, including Mayor Brian P. Sullivan, state Sen. Donald F. Humason and state Rep. John Velis, attended Friday's celebration.

Neal thanked Baker and Warren for spending a late Friday afternoon in the western part of the state. In addition to what the 104th does for the country's defense, he said, it is vital to the local economy.

"Between Barnes and Westover (Air Reserve Base in Chicopee) there are more than 6,000 employees," he said. "Every single day what happens here contributes to the defense of our nation and the economy of Western Massachusetts."

Baker said he was honored to be with the 104th and noted it is considered a "premiere unit of the U.S. Air Force."

"It is the best collection of men and women doing this in the United States," he said of the 104th's 1,000 airmen and guardsmen.

Baker said members of the 104th could not do what they do without support at home.

"There's no doubt that when you serve, your family serves alongside you," he said.

Warren echoed that sentiment and spoke of her brothers who served. Warren spoke of the mission of the 104th Fighter Wing and its "commitment in defense of Massachusetts, New England and the entire country."

Warren then made a promise to the base.

"I commit to you that I will keep fighting for you down in Washington," she said.Power was restored to more than 20,000 Massachusetts homes Saturday after the state was hit by two powerful storms that knocked out power throughout the region.

According to a power outage map from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, the number of homes without power fell from 55,096 Saturday morning to 34,464 by 3:30 p.m. The majority of outages are located in the eastern part of the state.

Two nor'easters slammed New England over the past week, bringing with them heavy, wet snow that took down power lines and caused severe coastal flooding.

In a tweet Friday, Eversource wrote that line workers, tree crews and out-of-state utilities have been working nonstop since Wednesday's storm. The power company expects power to be restored state-wide by Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, MEMA and the American Red Cross have opened two regional Resource Recovery Centers to support those impacted by the storms.

Resource Recovery Center opening today in #Marshfield

Schedule: Sat 3/10 & Sun 3/11, 11 AM  6 PM

Address: Martinson Elementary School, 167 Forest St., Marshfield

Those impacted can also call 2-1-1 to access disaster recovery resources.@MarshfieldPD

https://t.co/FnJCifcDdB  MEMA (@MassEMA) March 10, 2018

One center opened in Marshfield Saturday to serve the greater Scituate, Marshfield and Duxbury area, while another center opened Thursday in Quincy to serve the greater Quincy/Hull area.

Residents from any of the communities along the Massachusetts coastline are welcome in these regional centers.

In a tweet Saturday afternoon, National Grid wrote that it had 540 line crews and 201 tree crews in the Merrimack Valley, which was among the places hit hardest by the storms.

According to National Grid, 189 wires were down in the area.

"We'll work until all customers are restored," the power company wrote.

Haverhill Mayor Jim Fiorentini had previously slammed National Grid in a Facebook post Friday afternoon, writing that the power company needs to bring in more crews and do whatever is necessary to restore power.

By Saturday afternoon, only 2 percent of Haverhill customers were still without power, according to MEMA's outage map, but one town over in Boxford, 63 percent of homes remained in the dark.SPRINGFIELD - Following an 18-month spree marked by drug arrests, police chases and one memorable fashion statement, Jason C. Santiago sounded like a changed man Friday.

Santiago, 30, of Springfield, pleaded guilty in Springfield District Court to charges from six cases that he picked up between May 2016 and October 2017.

Rejecting a prosecution request for a three-and-a-half-year jail term, Judge Robert Santaniello said the defendant had avoided violence while selling drugs and leading police on high speed chases through crowded neighborhoods.

"But you were doing something just as bad a violence - you were selling fentanyl, a lethal drug" to addicts, Santaniello said. "You preyed on these people. You're lucky you are not looking at a manslaughter charge."

A 30-month sentence, with 18 months of direct jail time and 12 months suspended, will give Santiago time to reflect on his future and the needs of his young family, the judge said.

Santiago thanked the judge and apologized to city police and court officials.

"I'm very sorry for my immature and disrespectful behavior," Santiago said. "I have ... learned a lesson."

Dressed in a black suit, Santiago stood handcuffed and shackled in the prisoner's dock as the judge and lawyers spent more than 90 minutes reviewing his six open cases.

On May 10, 2016, Santiago left home wearing a T-shirt showing a cartoon figure urinating on a police logo. He made the shirt to lampoon the Springfield C-3 Police Unit, a team of city and state police working in high-crime neighborhoods.

Later that night, C-3 officers arrested Santiago, charging him with selling cocaine mixed with fentanyl to seven customers in the North End. Six days earlier, the same unit had arrested Santiago on motor vehicle charges after a chase in the same neighborhood.

The arrests brought attention to Santiago's criminal record -- and his taste in T-shirts. "Jason is obviously a huge fan of the C-3 Unit. It was the highest compliment to the officers assigned to this unit," Springfield police spokesman Sgt. John Delaney said at the time.

Santiago had nine aliases listed in court records, including Ace, Sincere and Pill Cosby, according to court records. He also described himself as a hip-hop artist who performed under the name Petty Guap and recorded for Bottom of the Barrel Records.

As months passed, Santiago kept picking up charges -- and provoking the police. By last September, he was wanted on warrants for six cases, and was bragging on Facebook about his ability to elude city police.

"Apologies to my city. They Got Half the Dept. looking 4 me," Santiago wrote on Sept. 22, according to court records.

"Dear Springfield Police Department - Stop Tryna CATCH ME. Y'all Too SLOW!" he wrote the next day, before adding: "They Almost Got Me Tonight."

He wrapped up a Sept. 23 post with an obscene suggestion for city narcotics detectives and Judge William Boyle.

"Stupid F---- Keep Letting Me See All The Cars They In," he wrote on Oct. 10, hours before he saw detectives waiting for him outside Mercy Medical Center's birthing center, where his girlfriend had just given birth to their child.

Santiago attempted to flee, but was arrested after a chase that forced hospital officials to place the birthing center on lockdown.

On Friday, Assistant District Attorney Collen Monroe said Santiago's drug sales and reckless attempts to escape arrest threaten the safety of police and neighbors in the North End.

In addition to bragging about his criminal exploits on Facebook, Santiago has posted photos of undercover police officers and their vehicles, Monroe said.

"Mr. Santiago has taken it to the next level. This is unacceptable behavior in Springfield," said Monroe, who recommended a 42-month term at the Hampden County Correctional Center.

Defense lawyer Joe A. Smith III said imposing such a sentence would be tantamount to "incarcerating the man and throwing him away." A 42-month sentence is warranted in cases involving shootings, stabbings and sexual violence, not the nonviolent crimes Santiago is charged with, Smith said.

Born to a crack-addicted mother, Santiago grew up in foster homes in Massachusetts and Florida, his lawyer said. Despite suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other mental aliments, Santiago graduated from high school and has started a family, according to Smith, who said the mother of Santiago's young child was present in the courtroom.

"There is no love lost between Mr. Santiago and the Springfield Police Department," Smith said, adding that social media had exacerbated his client's relationship with the police.

"Not excusing what he's done, but what we're talking about here is cursing, insults; we're not talking about violence," Smith added.

Smith recommended a 12-month jail term, followed by a 30-month suspended sentence, with any additional conditions the judge considered necessary.

Under the sentence eventually imposed by Santaniello, the defendant must remain drug free, submit to a mental health evaluation and comply with any recommendations. He also receives credit for four months spent in custody awaiting trial.

"You have some bright things in your future," the judge told Santiago before adding that his criminal history "is not the police's fault. It's your fault."SUFFIELD -- Connecticut State Police swept Suffield High School Friday after an emotionally distraught student claimed he set a bomb in the school.

Suffield police said in a press release that the building was emptied and students sent home shortly after the 9:22 a.m. threat was made.

According to police and school officials, a 17-year-old male student became distraught and combative with adults at the school Friday morning. The student ran from the building but was stopped by police near the front door. As officers tried to calm the boy, he made verbal threats including claims that he placed a bomb in the school.

Rather than risk the safety of faculty, staff and students, school officials ordered an early release and cleared the building. Suffield police requested the aid of state police, who sent bomb-sniffing dogs to conduct a search.

Nothing suspicious was found and the building has been reopened for evening activities, police said.

The distraught student was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment, and his family, who are out of state, were contacted.NORTHAMPTON - A Vermont man denied drug dealing charges in Northampton District Court Friday.

Adam Currier, 24, of Cavendish, Vermont, pleaded not guilty to possession and distribution of a class A drug, court papers show.

Currier and three other people were pulled over on Interstate 91 in Hatfield by state police on Jan. 29, after a Trooper noticeed that the driver of the vehicle, Rachael Sanderson, 19, of Springfield, Vermont, had a suspended license, court documents show.

An investigation by police subsequently found that Sanderson, Currier and another passenger, Brandon Adams-Smith, 20, of Springfield, Vermont, were hiding heroin.

A fourth occupant of the car, Robert Worrall, 24, of Springfield, Vermont, was found with materials in his jacket that he admitted to police he used to snort heroin, according to the police report.

The police report further states Currier was "lethargic and appeared high" at the time of the traffic stop.

Altogether police found around 136 wax paper packets of heroin hidden in the vehicle and with the occupants of the car, according to the police report.

Adams-Smith provided police with a statement that claimed Currier is a heroin dealer and that he had bought heroin from him "about a dozen times" over the past year.

Worrall, Adams-Smith and Sanderson are all facing charges for heroin possession.

Currier was released on his own recognizance on Friday. He is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on April 18.Those driving through Worcester should expect a number of detours on Sunday as the city holds its annual St. Patrick's Parade and Guinness Celtic 5K road race.

The parade begins at noon and the route stretches just over two miles along Park Avenue. Drivers are asked to avoid the area and seek alternate routes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Worcester Police department is also taking a number of steps to make sure the festivities are safe, including using video feeds to monitor the parade and working with State Police to use bomb and explosive detection dogs to sweep the area.

The race begins at 11 a.m. at Elm Park and will be an "out and back" loop of the parade route, which takes place on Park Avenue, from Elm Street to Webster Square.

Park Avenue from Highland Street to Elm Street will be shut down beginning at 7 a.m.. Leading up to the road race, motorists traveling north on Park Avenue will be detoured onto Elm Street and directed around the park to reenter Park Avenue. Southbound traffic will be redirected around the park, as well, to reenter Park Avenue at Elm Street.

Beginning at 10 a.m., Elm Street will be closed from Russell Street to Park Avenue.

There will be intermittent traffic flow east to west across Park Avenue when possible. However, drivers are highly recommended to seek alternate routes during the parade.

Worcester police said they are making preparations for the event to ensure that spectators are safe.

Undercover and uniformed police officers will be positioned along the parade route and in the most populated areas focusing on the crowds that are expected to line the street. Officers will be on the lookout for people possessing open containers or drinking alcoholic beverages in public along with targeting underage drinking.

Command officials will monitor the parade from the department's Real Time Crime Center located on the third floor of Police Headquarters. The officials will view video feeds from cameras positioned along the parade route and will be communicating with officers on the street to alert them to specific incidents if necessary.

The police department has also been working with State Police to prepare for the parade. Massachusetts State Police bomb and explosive detection dogs and their handlers will be deployed before and during the parade to conduct a sweep of the area.

The department would like to remind the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report any suspicious activity.

People can utilize the department's text a tip service by sending an anonymous text to 274637 TIPWPD + your message or sending an anonymous web based message at worcesterma.gov/police. Calls can also be made to the Worcester Police Department at (508) 799-8466.Every American should be rooting for talks between President Trump and North Korea dictator Kim Jong-un to succeed. Not just out of patriotism, but self-preservation as well.

It's more likely a healthy percentage of Trump haters do not fear failure of these talks nearly as much as they fear success. That's because if somehow, two flame-throwing leaders ease tensions that threaten mankind, Trump is on the fast track to re-election.

The man frequently called the worst president in U.S. history (which would be quite a dishonor, considering some of the lemons we've had) would go down as a bold, non-political, unorthodox leader whose tough talk forced an unruly ruler and his rogue nation to come to terms with their responsibility to the world.

How do you think Kathy Griffin and the crew at "Saturday Night Live" would handle that?

Trump deserves credit for being open to talks. Period. It is the right decision. And it takes some guts.



Comments by Elizabeth Warren predictably cast doubts on the proposed meeting, but the senator's comments were reasonable for the most part. She's always supported non-military methods of calming nuclear tensions, so she couldn't very well oppose this one.

She said she is worried Kim will take advantage of Trump. That was a political statement by a Democrat who can't bring herself to a simple compliment over anything Trump does, and leave it at that. But it was not unpatriotic and not entirely unreasonable, regardless of the assumptions by Trump fans that their guy has never lost a deal or negotiation in his life.

Warren's concerns are based on the current disorganization in the State Department, our foreign information services and for that matter, the White House. She would feel better if our proven apparatus were functionally normally.

Unfortunately, our proven apparatus hasn't worked. Normal channels of foreign relations have led to zero progress and frightful tensions with North Korea for nearly 70 years.

Trump's habit of winging it is scary when you consider what's at stake here, as well as the erratic nature of the guy from North Korea. But the status quo that Trump ignores - a style more comfortable because we're used to it - has been a complete bust.

The details and preconditions are such that this meeting may not happen, but at least Trump has swung the responsibility of world peace to Kim. This combats the growing global perception that for as reckless and dangerous and Kim might be, the President of the United States was - incredibly - worse.

Some sources describe these meetings as "talks," not negotiations. It's a huge difference that should not be overlooked.

Negotiations imply a solution or agreement will be reached at the end. If that doesn't happen, the exercise is labeled a failure and probably worse than not meeting at all.

Talks are dialogue and the first step to an agreement, not the last. It's hard to see these two bombastic leaders succeeding at that, but it's hard to see a lot of things that wind up happening, starting with the 2016 election result.

Trump and hopefully Kim know the nuclear future of the world and our very survival is at stake. That's a motivator because, let's face it, the God-awful nuclear threat is probably the only reason these two countries haven't gone to war already.

Trump and Barack Obama are viewed as polar opposites, but one trait they've both shared is overwhelming confidence in their own abilities to win the day by the sheer power of their personalities and persuasion. With no foreign policy background and a staff whose advice is anecdotal to his decisions, that's what Trump is betting on now.

It didn't work for Obama. The world will be a better place if it works now. Where the two presidents differ is that Obama wanted to believe that deep down, the world could live as one big,happy family under the big tent, and Trump treats such faith in humanity as delusional.

Nobody preaching peace can honestly criticize Trump for stepping into these talks. Had Obama done the same thing, he'd have probably won a second Nobel Peace Prize, adding to the honor he won in 2009 before ever actually doing anything.

Obama's rational rhetoric was comforting to people who think the world is run by intellectuals and profound thinkers, of which he was one. (That's a compliment, by the way). Trump's way is Ronald Reagan on steroids - a tough-talking, confrontational method that scares the hell out of people by sounding like the kid who points to his chin and says "here, I dare you, hit me."

But Reagan's style worked and Obama's did not. The North Korean nuclear buildup was inherited by Trump, which meant the world was not safer with Obama, only quieter.

That doesn't mean I don't share Warren's concerns that in these talks, something could go wrong. But something is very wrong now, the world is on edge because it might be on the edge, and Trump is willing to face a hated adversary to talk about making it better.

I give him credit for that, period. I'm rooting and even praying these talks at least point us in a meaningful direction we are not facing now.

Anyone who hates Trump so much that they can't bear to see him succeed is playing politics and disregarding the dream of world peace - the same dream so many of them preach to the rest of us. It sounds unpatriotic to me, but whether it is or not, I know it's incredibly small-minded and shortsighted, and makes no sense at all.SPRINGFIELD -- Although questions over her claims of Native American ancestry have continued to dog U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren in the years since her 2012 campaign, the Massachusetts Democrat this week said she doesn't plan on proving her heritage with a DNA test.

Warren, during an interview on WGBY-TV's "Connecting Point," largely dismissed a Berkshire Eagle editorial's call for her to "take the spit test" and set the record straight on whether or not she has Native American ancestry.

The senator said she believes the issue was "fully litigated" during the 2012 campaign when her opponent then-Sen. Scott Brown continuously questioned her claims of Native American heritage.

Warren added that while the issue has continued to pop up in her 2018 re-election bid, she doesn't see it as being a major concern to most Massachusetts voters.

"The way I see it, at the end of the day, what the people of Massachusetts said is they cared a whole lot more about their families than they did about my background," she said. "My brothers and I, we grew up in Oklahoma, we know our story from our mom and our dad, and our grandmothers and our grandfather, and from our aunts."

Warren further said she believes her family member's claims of Native American ancestry have been sufficient, at least for her, in addressing any questions that could be raised on the issue.

"It's been just fine for my brothers and me," she said.

Warren has faced questions about her Native American ancestry since the Boston Herald reported in 2012 that a Harvard Law spokesman had referred to her as Native American.

The Democrat, who had reportedly claimed family ties to Cherokee and Delaware tribes, said she was unaware that the university had promoted her as a minority professor, according to the Associated Press.

Despite winning the 2012 election, Warren has continued to address questions raised about her heritage in 2018.

She told the National Congress of American Indians last month that she understands why some think "there's hay to be made" over questions surrounding her Native American ancestry claims, noting her family members won't be found on any rolls and she's not enrolled in a tribe.

"I want to make something clear. I respect that distinction. I understand that tribal membership is determined by tribes -- and only by tribes. I never used my family tree to get a break or get ahead. I never used it to advance my career," she reportedly told the organization.

Those on both sides of the political aisle, however, have criticized Warren's ancestry claims, including President Donald Trump and a group of Cherokees, who called them "harmful and offensive" during her 2012 campaign.

Republicans running against Warren in 2018, have also questioned the Democrat's efforts to defend her heritage in the speech to the Native American group.

Several Republicans have announced bids to unseat Warren in 2018, including: Beth Lindstrom, a former aide to Mitt Romney and manager of Scott Brown's 2010 Senate bid; John Kingston, a Winchester businessman; State Rep. Geoff Diehl, R-Whitman; Allen Rodney Waters, of Mashpee, Darius Mitchell, of Lowell, and Heidi Wellman, of Braintree.

Shiva Ayyadurai, an entrepreneur who filed to run as Republican, meanwhile, announced in November that he would cut ties with the GOP and run as an independent.The Massachusetts Department of Correction has reached a settlement with prisoners' rights groups over its medical treatment of prison inmates with hepatitis C.

"When we sentence people to prison, we don't sentence them to a death sentence, which it would be if you're not treated for a life-threatening illness," said Jonathan Shapiro, an attorney with Shapiro, Weissberg and Garin, who represented the prisoners.

The settlement requires prisoners with the most serious cases of hepatitis C to be treated within 12 months. Prisoners with less serious cases will have to be treated within 18 months. Every new prisoner will be tested for hepatitis C, and those who have the disease will be treated.

Attorneys for the National Lawyers Guild and Prisoners' Legal Services filed a class action lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Boston in 2015 on behalf of prisoners who have hepatitis C.

The groups argued that the state had reduced the number of patients treated for hepatitis C and delayed evaluating patients in order to avoid being responsible for treatment. The delays came as new treatments for hepatitis C were coming on the market that were more effective but expensive.

Hepatitis C is prevalent among the prison population, primarily because it is spread through intravenous drug use. It is also spread through bodily fluids. The virus can remain dormant for years, but can result in severe liver problems and death if left untreated.

State documents in 2015 showed that around 1,500 state prisoners had hepatitis C, although not all of them needed treatment. Only three were being treated.

The settlement, which must still be approved by a judge, lays out protocols for testing and treating patients. Corrections officials will have to identify how many patients have different stages of the disease.

Going forward, all new inmates will be tested, and those who need treatment will be treated within nine or 12 months, depending on the severity of their illness. Inmates with less advanced stages of the disease will be retested every six months.

Corrections officials will not be allowed to deny treatment to an inmate based on their drug use, the amount of time they have left in prison, or for disciplinary infractions.

An independent monitor will ensure the Department of Correction is complying with the settlement.

The Department of Correction is also responsible for paying $270,000 in legal fees to the prisoners' rights groups.

The Department of Correction will have to treat prisoners with direct-acting antiviral drugs, which are seen as the standard of care for treating hepatitis C.

According to the settlement, approximately 280 prisoners are expected to fall into priority categories and require treatment within the next 18 months. In comparison, in the first three and a half years that these medications were on the market, the Department of Correction treated 130 patients, according to attorneys for the prisoners.

Shapiro said the cost of the drugs is approximately $30,000 to $50,000 for a full course of treatment - which is less than it was when the lawsuit was filed. Patients are generally given medication for two to three months.

Joel Thompson, an attorney with Prisoners' Legal Services and the lead attorney on the case, said these drugs have high cure rates, and treating prisoners in prison will lead to less transmission of the disease once prisoners are released, and lower health care costs and complications later on.

Thompson said someone in prison is sentenced to loss of liberty. "It shouldn't be the loss of liberty and substandard health care and liver cancer or cirrhosis," Thompson said.SHELBURNE FALLS -- Massachusetts' rural school districts are caught in a spiraling fiscal crisis, according to a recent report. With rising fixed costs, dwindling state reimbursements and population flight, the districts are struggling.

State Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield, will convene a public forum Monday at Mohawk Trail Regional High School to examine rural school funding issues and look for solutions.

Top leaders from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will provide an overview of their report, released to the Legislature in January. Rep. Stephen Kulik (D-Worthington) and Sen. Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst) plan to join Hinds at the Shelburne Falls event. Mohawk Trail Superintendent Michael Buoniconti will outline fiscal hardships facing rural school districts.

Declining enrollments are part of the problem.

"It becomes a diseconomy of scale," said state education secretary Wulfson last month. "You still need some basic services -- you need a principal, you need a school nurse, you need a geometry teacher. You're basically spreading those costs over fewer and fewer students."

Hinds said the conversation is timely because legislators are now preparing to deliberate fiscal 2019 state budget spending recommendations. Hinds, co-chairman of the Legislative Rural Caucus, said he plans to stream the March 12 event on Facebook Live.

If you go:

What: Public Forum on the Fiscal Conditions Challenging Rural School Districts in Massachusetts

Where: Mohawk Trail High School, 26 Ashfield Road, Shelburne Falls

When: March 12, 6-7:30 p.m.2018 Mid-Century Modern Tour and MIX:MOD After Party

Restore Oregon will celebrate the unique perspective architect John Storrs brought to the regions architectural landscape at its annual Mid-Century Modern Home Tour.

Through education initiatives like the Mid-Century Modern Home Tour, Restore Oregon raises awareness for preservation and fosters greater appreciation for the historic structures and cultural heritage that contribute to the beauty of Oregon. Now in its 8th year, the 2018 Mid-Century Modern Home Tour has grown into a two-day, three-part design event:



 Part IAn Architecture & Design Lecture: Participants will learn about Pacific Northwest Modernism, John Storrs unique design perspective, and take a self-guided tour of the Oregon College of Art and Craft (OCAC), one of Storrs well-known commercial designs.

Friday, May 11, lecture at 7pm at the Jean Vollum DPP building on the campus of OCAC.

Self-guided campus tour from 5:30-7pm. $10 for general admission.



Part IISelf-Guided Home Tour: This self-guided, driving tour allows participants to explore five of Storrs-designed residential homes at their own pace. Participants discover unique interiors, explore imaginatively designed outdoor living areas, and have a rare chance to gain an intimate view of Mid-Century Modern living as envisioned by a master.

Restore Oregon | 1130 SW Morrison Street, Suite 318 | Portland, OR 97205 | 503 243-1923 | www.RestoreOregon.org



Saturday, May 12, 10am4pm. Tickets: $40 for Restore Oregon member/donors, $50 for non-members. Tour check-in begins at 9:00am at the Oregon College of Art and Craft.



 Part IIIExclusive free MIX:MOD After Party at Rejuvenation: Participants are invited to join the party and enjoy vintage cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, DJ, and dancing at Rejuvenations Flagship store in Southeast Portland. Mid-century attire encouraged. Prizes for best dressed.

Saturday, May 12, 6pm at Rejuvenation. Free to lecture and/or tickets holders

Arkansas guard Jaylen Barford (0) was a tough cover for Jalen Hudson or whatever Gators ended up on him.

UF forward Keith Stone had one of his finest games as a Gator, scoring 22 points on 8-for-10 shooting, including 4-for-5 from the 3-point line, to go with five rebounds.

 After exiting the regular season on a run of three impressive victories, and with oodles of momentum and confidence heading into the postseason, coachseveral times reminded anyone paying attention during the last six days that his Florida basketball had not handled prosperity very well over the course of the year.And the Gators still don't.Arkansas guard Jaylen Barford scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, center Daniel Gafford had 16 points and 12 rebounds, and the Razorbacks sizzled to nearly 54-percent shooting in the second half in delivering an 80-72 defeat that knocked No. 23 UF from Friday's quarterfinal round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament at Scottrade Center.For Florida (20-12), it was the second straight one-and-out exit from the league tournament, and marked the fourth straight year the Gators failed to stick around for the Saturday semifinals. Now, all they can do is wait for Sunday night when the NCAA Tournament will announce its field of 68 teams, with UF likely falling between a No. 6 or 8 seed.That number could have been so much better, but the Gators needed to be a lot better than they were against the Razorbacks (23-10), who clearly had grown weary of losing so often in the series (eight straight and 13 of the previous 14 coming in), and did something about it."It wasn't our best effort," White said. "We took a step backward."On both ends of the floor.The ball movement and confident shooting strokes that helped fuel consecutive wins over league co-champion Auburn, at Alabama, and against Kentucky six days earlier weren't there. Leading scorer, who combined for 49 points the previous two games, made just two of nine shots and finished with six points, three of which came with five seconds to go in the game. Forward, the team's No. 2 scorer, hit his first two 3-point attempts, then missed his remaining nine shots to finish with only eight points., who had 28 points when UF defeated Arkansas 88-73 in the regular-season meeting Jan. 17 at Gainesville, never got on track, either, on his way to 11 points. Instead, it was forward's 22 points, including four 3-pointers, and senior point guard's 16 points and six assists pacing an offense that was out of sorts against Arkansas's multiple defensive adjustments, including a matchup zone that really affected UF's rhythm.And speaking of defense, the new-found commitment to that end of the floor the Gators had been talking about went missing. From the game's outset, it was more like a new-lost commitment. Barford and the Razorbacks found straight-line allies to the rim (30 points in the paint) and destroyed the Gators on the glass (43-28 rebounding margin, including 14-8 on the offensive end).Down seven late in the first half, the Hogs hit four of their last five shots of the period to close on an 8-0 run that gave them the lead, the momentum and a ton of confidence that carried over into the second period."We didn't defend very well, and they just  they made some shots and got playing out in transition," senior point guardsaid. "We didn't get any stops for a couple minutes there, and they went on a nice little run."Added Stone: "We had a couple breakdowns, but still we should have fought like we did in [these] past games. We should have tightened on defense. Just because we didn't make shots doesn't mean we shouldn't have played defense."Once again, the Gators allowed the sights of missed shots impact their focus on the other end. Sound familiar?"Chris was pretty good, andwas fantastic for us. After that, we just  in terms of our personnel  we've got to be better. We've got to play with more energy. We've got to get stops," White said. "Their matchup zone gave us issues, but our biggest strength is getting out in transition and scoring off of stops, and scoring off of some turnovers."Arkansas, though, only turned the ball over six times, and wasn't at all accommodating as far as allowing Florida to get the stops it needed. Barford, the first-team All-SEC selection who had 28 in the loss at Gainesville two months ago, hit nine of 17 shots, including four 3s, to go with his 10 boards and three assists. Gafford went 8-for-11, with five of his 12 boards on the offensive glass."Barford? This guy is capable of just going off, just going on runs by himself," Hogs coach Mike Anderson said. "That's the beauty of this team here. I always tell those guys [that] they don't have to go get the game. It will come to them. They know when to take advantage of that moment."In this case, it happened with about 10 minutes to play. That's when the Razorbacks blew open a game they led by just two, at 50-48, by taking off on a 16-2 run during which Barford scored eight. That took the lead out to 14 at the 5:58 mark and the closest the Gators closed thereafter was seven.Defensively, Anderson said his team's focus was to wall up on Chiozza and not let a combination of UF's big three scorers beat them. None of them got close to heating up."Some of us were ready to play. Some of us weren't," Stone said.Obviously, that can't be the case the next time the Gators take the floor. If it is, it'll be the last time they do so as a team."It's never a good feeling to lose," Chiozza said. "Hopefully, this gives us the edge back that we had. I don't really know what else to say about it."Which pretty much said everything. :     ,     ,    

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CALEDONIA TOWNSHIP - The Community Green, a project long in the making in Caledonia, has taken another step forward after members of the Township Board agreed to go ahead with a development grant application this week.

The grant, available through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund, could help the township with upwards of $300,000 toward the project, which is expected to cost around $1.7 million in total.

The township must submit its application to the DNR by April 1, according to Township Treasurer Richard Robertson. If Caledonia is awarded funds, Robertson said they would likely be notified toward the end of the year, but construction on the project would not be able to start until 2020, after all the paperwork has been completed by the state.

For that reason, Robertson said the township has decided to divide the project up into two different parts. Land in front of the Caledonia Township Branch of the Kent District Library on Dobber Wenger Memorial Drive represents one portion of the project, while the section of land behind the U.S. Post Office down the road, which will have access to Emmons Lake, represents the other portion.

"The element behind the post office is the area that we're going for the grant on because that's more consistent with what the grant is there for, which would be connection to trails, lake and water access, preservation of natural space - that's how you're awarded points for the grant," Robertson said.

"And then the area in front of the library we're going to ... move forward with a project, which would be the band shell, the pavilion, restrooms, things like that."

The township tentatively plans to move forward with construction on the northeastern section in 2019, he said.

Caledonia plans on using its own funding for that section, but Robertson said the township has heard from individuals interested in making donations to help the project along, as well. Township officials are not planning a full-blown fundraising effort, he said, but will use a "soft-glove approach" to see what potential donors may be out there.

Donations will become more important if Caledonia is not successful in obtaining the DNR development grant. But township officials were ready to give the project a green light before the option of applying for a grant had even been brought to the table toward the end of last year.

"If we're not successful in the grant, we'll just take the (area that had been set aside) and ... make it all one project and do that all in 2019," he said.

Township Planner Lynee Wells and Tiffany Kline, a landscape architect with Progessive AE, a consultant on the project, will take the lead on ensuring the development grant application gets into the DNR on time.

"(Kline) is going to do certain elements of the grant application which just need some more technical input," Robertson said. "And the rest of us around here are going to try to help out the best we can."

As part of the process, the Township Board had to review its Five-Year Parks and Recreation Plan and approve a resolution outlining its intent to submit a grant application, both items the board took care of during its meeting on Wednesday, March 7.

Community input was a key component of the township's eligibility to apply for a grant, as well, Robertson said, and the public had numerous opportunities to provide their opinions on what the Community Green should look like over the last year.

"We put a committee together with a consultant from an outside firm and we had participation both from the village and from township people (to come) up with a concept," he said.

Residents also offered input at a community open house.

Along with the picnic pavilion, band shell and restrooms, the northeastern section of the Community Green will feature a splash pad, a playground area and event space.

The southwestern section, whether completed in 2019 or 2020, will have a dog park, an elevated boardwalk leading to an overlook of Emmons Lake and a natural walking trail, among other features.ANN ARBOR, MI - As a student at the University of Michigan in 2004, Garlin Gilchrist enjoyed spending some free time on an embryonic social network called Facebook.

Little did Gilchrist know at the time that the social media network would go on to have 2.2 billion active monthly users, while a new latest Pew Research Center poll shows 67 percent of Americans get at least some of their news from social sources.

"It is insane when I think about that experience then to now," Gilchrist said, citing the Pew research poll. "I can't say that I saw that coming."

While Gilchrist didn't forecast the overwhelming role social media has come to have in the lives of Americans, he has witnessed its evolution, serving as the leader of President Barack Obama's social campaign in the state of Washington leading up to the 2008 election, while more recently serving as director of innovation and emerging technology for the city of Detroit.

Gilchrist has returned to his alma mater for the launch of the School of Information's Center for Social Media Responsibility, where he is the executive director.

With the proliferation of "fake news" being spread across social networks like Facebook and Twitter, the center will build upon the school's leadership in social media research, with the goal of making studies on social media use more available and applicable to its users.

Specifically, the center will feature working groups that will monitor progress, articulate principles and create metrics and tools that empower technologists to find ways to influence responsibility on the part of those who own social media organizations, and increase social media user savvy, according to UM.

"One of the things we have researchers working on is a set of ways to think about how do we measure silencing? How do we measure conversation quality? How do we measure the level of aggression and personal attacks that are happening in a given interaction?" said Gilchrist, a UM graduate with degrees in computer science and computer engineering.

"There are a lot of things that can be explored here, and we're taking a wide-eyed approach," he added. "We want to look at what questions we can answer with research and how we can activate that research."

Gilchrist said UM's School of Information is well-positioned to be an authority in this regard because of the research that already has been done. It was one of Thomas Finholt's top goals when he took the reigns as dean of the UM School of Information in 2016.

The work done there, he said, is intended to engage the public at large, as well as social media platform companies and media makers.

"I think there will be interest from news companies or news websites that have commenting and need help with those commenting systems, for example," he said. "This is absolutely not looking to do more research that will only be visible in the academic community. We want it to have an impact on the world."

As social media use continues to grow and new platform assert themselves, Gilchrist said new challenges arise, including determining whether information that flows through those networks can be trusted - and how to define trust. The "lens of truth," Gilchrist said, differs from user to user, depending on ideology and context.

Not only are there more consumers of social media, Gilchrist said, but more and more people are relying upon it as a lens through which people view the world. Making sure that lens is designed with care and well-understood is becoming increasingly important.

"With (social media) becoming one of the sole sources, if not the sole source of how they get information about the world, we need to think about how our information flows through that network," Gilchrist said.

"How can the information that flows through here be trusted and how do we define trust? Something that is trustworthy to one person may not be trustworthy to someone else," he added.EASTPOINTE, MI - Firefighters arrived early Saturday to find a home in Eastpointe, north of Detroit, engulfed in flames.

When they extinguished the fire, three children, ages 9, 8 and 4, were discovered in an upstairs bedroom in the 15600 block of Juliana Avenue, near E. Eight Mile and Gratiot Avenue, Deputy Chief Eric Keiser of the Eastpointe police department wrote in an email.

Emergency personnel first responded to a 911 call about 5 a.m. March 10, Keiser wrote.

A preliminary investigation indicates that there were no adults in the home at the time of the fire, Keiser reported.

"They were so smart, I'm gonna miss them...a lifetime isn't enough to get over this," the grandfather of the two older victims, both boys, told the Detroit News.

No other injuries were reported.

The Eastpointe fire marshal, along with fire investigators from Roseville, St. Clair Shores the Michigan State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, are working to determine the cause and origin of the fire, wrote Keiser, currently supervising the city public safety department.

"This is a joint police/fire investigation. We are interviewing family members as well as collecting physical evidence from the scene," he wrote when asked whether there was any accompanying criminal inquiry.

He reported the children were moved to the Macomb County Medical Examiner's Office for "that aspect of the investigation."William J. Pulte, who founded one of the largest homebuilding company in the U.S., died Wednesday.

He was 85.

Pulte started home building giant PulteGroup, Inc. in 1950, constructing his first home in Detroit when he was 18 years old.

A week after graduating from De LaSalle High School, Pulte and a group of friends built a five-room bungalow near Detroit City Airport and sold it for $10,000.

In 1959, Pulte built his first subdivision, and the company began expanding across the U.S. in the 60s. Pulte Homes would eventually build more than 600,000 homes around the country.

He retired in 2010, and the company moved its headquarters from Michigan to Georgia in 2014.

He is survived by wife Karen, 13 children, 27 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Pulte created the Angel Fund, an organization that provided shelter, heat and light for those in need in Detroit. He also supported Detroit's Cornerstone Schools.

He and his wife also donated thousands of housing units and shelters in some of Central America's low-income communities.

Pulte's grandson Bill Pulte founded the Blight Authority, a nonprofit that has sought to improve struggling neighborhoods by tearing down abandoned structures in large numbers in Detroit and Pontiac.

Bill Pulte described his grandfather as "An amazing family man and an American pioneer of the homebuilding industry. We will all miss him and celebrate his life."

My grandfather helped invent my blight removal program. We cleaned up this Detroit neighborhood. In this photo, we showed our work to Michigan Governor Snyder @onetoughnerd. Good times! pic.twitter.com/Vl6h8WJv7n  Bill Pulte (@pulte) March 9, 2018

Visitation is scheduled from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 14 and Thursday, March 15 at Lynch & Sons, 1368 N. Crooks Road in Clawson.

Funeral services area scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, March 16 at Holy Name Catholic Church, 630 Harmon St. in Birmingham.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests sending donations to the following organizations:

International Samaritan

Center for Interreligious Understanding

Guadalupe Soup Kitchen

Bill, I will never forget meeting your Grandfather and his commitment to helping the City of Detroit during the Bing Administration. His and your efforts are still evident today. This is my favorite photo of us touring the Eastern Market site. Prayers to you and your family! pic.twitter.com/wcdeK0FRNa  Karla Henderson (@K_D_Henderson) March 7, 2018CLAWSON, MI - The Troy city manager was arrested Friday night for domestic assault and battery after he allegedly took a woman to the ground, Clawson police reported in a statement.

Brian Michael Kischnick was returning home from dinner in an Uber vehicle when he and the woman got into an argument They left the vehicle and were walking down the sidewalk, police reported. Two witnesses said he tackled the woman and when she attempted to rise, "she was pushed down forcefully," reads the statement.

Police were called about 10:21 p.m. March 9 to the 700 block of S. Chocolay Avenue, in the area of W. 14 Mile Road and S. Crooks roads in Clawson, north of Royal Oak in Oakland County. They found a crowd of several people and interviewed the witnesses, Kischnick and the woman.

Kischnick spent the night in jail and was arraigned Saturday in Troy. He was given a $5,000 personal bond, meaning he pays nothing if he appears in court as ordered. He is not to have contact with the woman. Domestic assault and battery is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail and a $500 fine.

An attempt to reach the city manager on Saturday was not immediately successful.

Troy Mayor Dane Slater distributed a statement. He confirmed Kischnick's arrest and charge.

"Immediately upon receiving notification, the Troy City Council started the process to call a Special City Council meeting for the earliest available time." A meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday, March 11, in the City Council board room.

According to information posted on the city website, Kischnick has more than 22 years of experience in local government. He has worked at the county, township and city level in Florida and Michigan.

The Detroit Free Press reported the City Council in 2016 hired a labor lawyer to internally investigate rumors Kischnick was abusing his power. A limited public report revealed, among other findings, the manager charged the city for personal meals and cellphone accessories, according to the newspaper.FLINT, MI -- Delores Johnson decided she wanted to do something different to celebrate her 58th birthday Saturday afternoon.

With help from her sister, Vivian Gayles, she hosted a "Harriet Tubman Day" two-mile walk in honor of Tubman's passing 105 years ago. The walk started on the lawn of the Genesee County Circuit Court building by a historical marker that read "Resistance to Slavery."

In 1840s the courthouse was a location for many abolishment speeches and anti-slavery meetings.

The event is an extension of a nationwide movement started by GirlTrek, an advocacy organization promoting Black women's health and wellness. Today, its national team is honoring Tubman for Women's History Month by retracing her 100-mile escape route from slavery by way of the Underground Railroad. The team, consisting of 10 women, began their journey in eastern Maryland on Tuesday and will end on the Mason-Dixon Line into Delaware today.

Johnson along with over 30 women took a different route. The women made the round-trip from the Courthouse to Woodside Church.

This particular route was planned to bring awareness to the history of the site.

"It's great awareness for everyone," Johnson said.

And while the event is focused on one woman's efforts to save her life and many others, the idea behind the walk is to inspire women and girls to do the same by putting their health first and involving themselves in their community by walking. Most importantly, inviting others to walk with them.

"It's very important spiritually, mentally and physically to take care of ourselves," Johnson said. "Walking generates a lot of conversation and we are hoping what women come away from this is being more aware of the importance of taking better care of ourselves and our community."

The women who walked did just that, they talked. They talked about family, their communities, their jobs and much more. They encouraged each other to keep walking and waved fans and banners showing Tubman's face as cars passed by. Motorists honked and waved. Some residents came out of their homes to encourage the women on.

That encouragement was Natalie Brooks' favorite part. She and her ten-year-old daughter Noelani Moss drove from Detroit to participate in the walk with their friend and Flint resident Mary Busby.

"I thought it would be a good opportunity for Noelanie to come out and experience what Harriet Tubman did to help slaves get to freedom," Brooks said. "We are surrounded by positive women, so I thought it would be great to experience this."

As the women made their way back to the courthouse, Stephanie Abrams ran back and forth taking pictures of the women and making sure nobody was left behind. Abrams is a GirlTrek team leader in Flint. Every Saturday Abrams and other women meet up to walk.

Currently their Saturday meetups take place at Genesee Valley Center at 8:30 a.m. During the summer months the women meet at the Flint Farmers' Market. Abrams posts their walks, photos and experiences in their Facebook Group called "GirlTrek: Flint."

"We encourage women to get out and walk at least 30 minutes, five times a week," Abrams said.

According to the 2017 report "The Status of Black Women in the United States" for the Institute of Women's Policy Research, heart disease is the leading cause of death among Black women in the United States. That means more than 177 in 100,000 Black women die of heart disease each year. It also states over one in seven Black women have been told they have diabetes.

"We want to lower those numbers," Abrams said. "GirlTrek was formed so that they can get out and inform Black women to get out and be healthy, take walks and take back their neighborhoods."

The final stretch of the walk ended in a "victory bridge," which the group made by holding each other's hands forming a bridge while women made their way through. Everyone cheered and celebrated each one's success.

Johnson was one of the last to come through the "victory bridge." A smile was glued to her face as she adjusted a button on her shirt. It read "it's my birthday."

"It was awesome to be a part of this event today and seeing the women come out," Johnson said. "I can look forward to every birthday celebrating with Harriet Tubman."GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Founders Brewing Company was packed inside and out on Saturday as hundreds of beer-loving patrons flocked to the Grand Rapids taproom for a taste of the brewery's Kentucky Breakfast Stout.

The day-long event, which served as the culmination of KBS Week, marked the first time guests could get draft versions of the 2018 barrel-aged stout at the source of its creation. Founders' 2016 and 2017 varieties of KBS were also available.

Widely known as KBS, the beer is an 11.8 percent alcohol by volume beer brewed with coffee and chocolates before being cave-aged in oak bourbon barrels for an entire year.

Founders 2016 version has an ABV of 12.4 percent while the 2017 brew as an ABV of 11.8 percent. All three batches are available in eight once pours for $7.

Guests who bought tickets to pick of bottles of the elusive brew were also on hand to pick up their bottles.

Not to be confused with Canadian Breakfast Stout, which also incorporates maple syrup, KBS is one of the most sought-after beers in Michigan.

Founders will celebrate the release of KBS with a free parties in Grand Rapids and Detroit that will take place throughout the day. Sons of FUNK will perform in the Grand Rapids taproom beginning at 9:30 p.m.

Here is a closer look at what some people had to say about KBS.

More from MLiveGRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A man once considered a "juvenile lifer" for the 1993 slaying of a pregnant woman could get less prison time after he won an appeal for re-sentencing.

Gregory Wines, 41, already had been re-sentenced in December 2016 to 40-60 years in prison following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that said mandatory "life" sentences for juveniles was cruel and unusual punishment.

But on Thursday, March 8, a state Court of Appeals panel ordered Wines be re-sentenced again.

According to the ruling, Kent County Circuit Court Judge Donald Johnston should consider whether the 40-year minimum term was too high. State law allowed him to go as low as 25 years in re-sentencing a "juvenile lifer."

The Court of Appeals said Johnston, in the 2016 sentencing, failed to consider such factors as whether Wines still posed a threat to society, whether he was capable of reform and whether a lesser sentence would have any significant impact on crime deterrence.

Wines was a co-defendant in the 1993 killing of 22-year-old Kristy Couch, who was four months pregnant when she offered Wines and 16-year-old Stephen Launsburry a ride to a gas station. They had feigned car trouble in Northeast Grand Rapids.

Launsburry soon after pulled out a gun, ordered Couch to drive to an isolated area, then shot her in the head out of Wines' sight.

They drove the car south to Indiana with a 14-year-old girl and stopped at a hotel to rest. Their plan, even before the carjacking, was to drive to Mexico and start a new life with the girl.

At the hotel, Wines told the girl about the shooting and she convinced him to call police.

Wines showed police the money that Launsburry took from Couch and showed them where he disposed of the firearm shells.

Both teens later were convicted of felony murder.

At the 2016 sentencing, Johnston reasoned that it was Wines' idea to leave the state and he started the series of events in motion. Wines also participated in the carjacking, knew Launsburry was armed and knew he planned to kill whichever driver they could carjack.

No date for the second re-sentencing has been set.

Wines's felony murder conviction dates to 1994, along with convictions for kidnapping and armed robbery. Any re-sentencing would not affect the 1994 sentences of life, with the possibility of parole, on the kidnapping and armed robbery charges.PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI -- A Northview Schools middle school student has been charged after leaving a voicemail on another student's phone that included "broad threats" against the high school.

Kent County sheriff's deputies said a juvenile court petition was authorized against the eighth grader for making a false report or threat of terrorism.

Deputies said they received a call from Grand Rapids police on Sunday, March 4 about a threat investigation in the sheriff's department's jurisdiction.

Police said a Crossroads Middle School student allegedly left a threatening voicemail on a Northview High School ninth-grade student's phone. The message also involved a "broad threat" against the high school, police said.

Investigators quickly tracked down the eighth-grade student and determined he did not have the means or intent to carry out the threat. However, he was prohibited from attending school as of Sunday pending an investigation by school administrators.

Kent County prosecutors on Wednesday, March 7 authorized the juvenile petition against the boy.JACKSON, MI -- Lyman Robertson called it Friday night craft night for men.

He and friends Brian Aldrich, Jon Ferguson, Ron Howell and Matt Laura, all of Jackson, got together to make food necklaces for the Southern Michigan Winter Beer Festival.

The group put together necklaces that included pretzels, cheese sticks, beef, and even pigs in a blanket for the Saturday, March 10 event at the Jackson County Fairgrounds and American 1 Events Center.

Southern Michigan Winter Beer Festival in Jackson 10 Gallery: Southern Michigan Winter Beer Festival in Jackson

Kelly Heyink of Eaton Rapids along with a group of friends also put together necklaces.

"You got to have something to cleanse your palate in between each beer," she said.

Jessi Crowden of Michigan Center crafted a pretzel scarf and necklace for her snacks at the beer festival.

Jackson County Fair Manager Denise Owens welcomes the necklaces at the event.

"We love seeing them," she said.

Owens said the event was an overall success with more people in attendance than in previous years. There were 204 beers available for tasting, she said.SAGINAW, MI -- Malcom X's third daughter will visit Saginaw to speak to Saginaw High School students about a book she co-authored, which details the fictionalized account of the early years of her father.

Students at Saginaw High School will get the chance to hear IIyasah Shabazz discuss a book she co-authored with Kekla Magoon at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 23.

"X: A Novel," is a fictionalized account of the early years of Malcolm X. Malcolm X was a young man with boundless potential but with the odds stacked against him. After losing his father under suspicious circumstances and his mother to a mental health hospital, Malcolm X fell into a life of petty crime and eventually went to prison. Instead of letting prison be his downfall, he found a religion, a voice; and the podium that would eventually make him one of the most prominent figures in the burgeoning Civil Rights movement, according to the book synopsis on the Michigan Humanities Council webpage.

Shabazz's visit is in partnership with Saginaw Public Libraries and Michigan Humanities Council's Great Michigan Read.

Author Connie Schofield-Morrison and illustrator Frank Morrison who collaborated on the book "I Got the Rhythm," will be hosted by Henry Doerr Elementary at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 22.

For more information about the Great Michigan Read, visit here.The chronicle of a life split between urban Manhattan and rural Montana.March 09, 2018

Trump Threatens Peace In Korea

The mainstream commentariat:

Then: Trump is a madman who wants to lead us into war against North Korea. Now: Trump is a madman who wants to lead us towards peace with North Korea.

Rory Yeomans

I welcome the announced meeting of Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump.

The imperial military-industrial complex will do its best to sabotage it. Billions of dollars of planned revenue may soon evaporate.

Kim Jong Un has so far shown himself as an excellent strategist. He offered direct talks at the exactly right moment. Trump blindsided all the hawks, worrywards and bureaucrats in his staff by suddenly agreeing to them. If this brinkmanship succeeds the South Korean President Moon deserves a peace price for arranging it.

The best venue for the meeting is?

Posted by b on March 9, 2018 at 20:55 UTC | Permalink

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next page Low-cost, broadly diversified, index-tracking funds have historically produced outstanding outcomes for investors. Many of these funds across various Morningstar Categories receive our highest Morningstar Analyst Ratings, as we expect they will continue to deliver superior risk-adjusted outcomes. At present, the application of a market-cap-weighted approach to emerging markets results in a quirk. All of these cap-weighted index trackers have roughly one third of their assets parked in stocks from China, which disrupts their geographic diversification. As a result, low-cost, cap-weighted emerging-markets funds from Vanguard, iShares, and Schwab all carry Bronze ratings--an indication that we still have a favorable of view these strategies but have less confidence in their ability to perform well against their peers.

A bias toward China, or any country for that matter, ties a larger portion of these funds to stocks from a single region and denominated in a single currency. But there are a few funds in the emerging-markets category that stand out for controlling this country/currency concentration or take a long-term focus on reducing risk.Vous etes confrontes a une infestation par la puce, la punaise de lit ? Voici plusieurs actions qui sont a mettre en uvre pour faire []Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Friday signed a school safety and gun reform package passed by the Florida Legislature in the wake of the Parkland mass shooting.

The National Rifle Association responded with a federal lawsuit.

Families of the victims of the shooting met with Scott in Tallahassee earlier Friday to demand he swiftly sign the $400 million package into law.

It raises the minimum age to buy an assault-style weapon from 18 to 21, implements a three-day waiting period on those purchases and includes new checks to prevent guns from falling into the hands of the mentally ill.

The National Rifle Association opposes the bill. The lawsuit the NRA filed in federal court Friday in particular takes issue with the minimum age requirement on rifles.

"Preventing a responsible 20-year-old from purchasing the best tool for self-defense will not stop a deranged criminal intent on committing a crime," the NRA said in a statement.

The NRA says the measure violates Second and 14th Amendment rights.

Some school staff can get firearm training

Critically, the bill also includes a program to allow certain highly qualified school personnel to carry guns on campus, called the "guardian" program. Scott said he doesn't support a number of items in the bill, including arming teachers.

"There are things in this bill that I oppose and I've been pretty open about that," Scott said. "I still think law enforcement officers should be the ones to protect our schools. I've heard all the arguments for teachers to be armed, and while this bill was significantly changed on this topic, I'm still not persuaded."

"I'm glad however, the plan in this bill is not mandatory," Scott continued, adding that the program will be up to local officials to implement. "If counties don't want to do this, they can simply say no."

At a packed media avail, flanked by parents of #ParklandShooting victims, @FLGovScott announces he's signing a gun violence prevention bill opposed by the @NRA, conceding "I'm still not persuaded" that teachers should be armed. Also says he won't veto funding. #guncontrol #flsen  Troy Kinsey (@TroyKinsey) March 9, 2018

Many Democrats are continuing to call the guardian program a poison pill that could lead to deadly racial profiling.

Meanwhile, the National Rifle Association isn't happy about Scott's move. Powerful NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer sent an email to her group's Florida supporters, saying lawmakers have given into "bullying and coercion" in passing the package.

For the students of Stoneman Douglas High School, the focus will continue to be what's not in the law: a ban on assault-style weapons like the AR-15 used in Parkland.

Chris Grady, a senior at Stoneman Douglas, called the signing of the legislation a "baby step."

"Obviously, this is what we've been fighting for. It's nowhere near the long-term solution,'' said Grady, an organizer of the March for Life later this month in Washington, D.C. "It's a baby step, but a huge step at the same time. Florida hasn't passed any legislation like this in God knows how long. It's nowhere near what we want, but it's progress and uplifting to see," he told the Associated Press.

The shooting at Stoneman Douglas happened on Valentine's Day. Former student Nikolas Cruz is charged with 17 counts of first degree murder.



The Associated Press contributed to this report. Check back for updates on this breaking news story.BERLIN  After over a year without a permanent town manager, some officials are questioning the search process.

We need to have a permanent solution, said Town Council member Karen Pagliaro, a Democrat, on Thursday. Personally I dont think Ive seen a timeline or an end in sight.

Others also questioned the process during a recent Town Council meeting.

Weve used almost every word in the dictionary to describe temporary, said Board of Finance Chairman Sam Lomaglio, a Republican. This should not be a (partisan) issue, it should be a Berlin issue.

Public Works Director and Town Engineer Jack Healy, a Litchfield resident, was appointed the temporary town manager in February 2017 after the council agreed to a separation agreement with Town Manager Denise McNair in January 2017.

After 90 days, Healy was made interim town manager. When the interim status expired after 180 days, Healy went back to being the temporary manager. In November 2017, the council agreed to appoint Healy as acting manager when his

temporary title expired.

A search committee was established last year consisting of all members of the Town Council and Denise Parsons, human resources director.

Parsons did not immediately return a request for comments on the search.

Since it was formed, according to town records, the search committee has met three times in closed-door executive sessions.

We do have a town manager, in place for over a year, I understand hes acting but hes doing a fine job, said Mayor Mark Kaczynski at the Tuesday council meeting. Its actually on our agenda tonight in executive session to bring our new council members up to speed.

Republican councilor Alex Giannone said Friday the committee discussed the town manager search in executive session.

Im not trying to play politics, Im trying to do whats best for the town, he said.

He said one of his long-term goals is to revise the Town Charter requirement that the manager live in Berlin. A previous attempt to change the town manager residency requirement failed at referendum.

Kaczynski said a couple candidates are still interested in the position.

Weve always had a plan, he said. The last council decided they didnt want to spend money on a search firm.

Healys acting status expires on April 25.

When asked if a permanent town manager could be in place by then, Kaczynski said its always a possibility.

Healy is in the running for the permanent position as well as two other candidates.

akus@record-journal.com

203-317-2448

Twitter: @KusReporterMERIDEN  City Councilors will spend the coming weeks combing through the acting city managers budget proposal for additional cuts.

Councilor Cathy Battista said there is no easy solution to balancing a budget, adding that cuts and revenue are part of the equation.

Sometimes you think just one thing will fix the budget, Battista said during a City Council Finance Committee meeting Tuesday. It wont. Theres either cutting or revenue.

Any time there's an increase its a concern, but we do our best, said Councilor Brian Daniels, Finance Committee chairman. Were all taxpayers up here and we want it as low as possible.

On Monday, Morgan released his $197.4 million spending proposal for the 2018-19 fiscal year, about a 2 percent increase over the current fiscal year.

Without affecting services, this was about as low as we can get it, Morgan said.  We spent a lot of hours back and forth shaving little items here and there trying to keep it as low as possible.

Morgans proposal would require a tax rate of 42.76 mills and an inner city tax rate of 44.94 mills. It includes cutting the director of facilities and technology management position and adding several other positions, including an information technology systems administrator and a clerk position in the legal department. Those issues will be referred to newly created City Council Personnel Committee, chaired by Councilor Sonya Jelks.

Morgan said he initially hoped to retain the director of facilities and technology position.

With the new facilities position, we were fortunate enough to have someone to focus on those essential systems so keeping the facilities focus was important, Morgan said. By eliminating that position, moving that department back under Parks (and Recreation Department), it aligns it with some of the other personnel they have  they have a carpenter and plumber that allows us to do some of those functions.

Mayor Kevin Scarpati emphasized that the proposal is not the final budget and more changes are inevitable. His main concern was the impact a health insurance increase would have on the Board of Education, which does not receive an increase in Morgans budget.

I dont think its so much flat-funding them as it is flat-funding them and drastically increasing their heath insurance payments, Scarpati said. I think something has got to give. Theres got to be middle ground.

Residents will have the opportunity to voice their concerns about the proposal at an April 13 public hearing. The full City Council is expected to adopt the budget May 7.

ltauss@record-journal.com

203-317-2231

Twitter: @LeighTaussRJThe Midstate Chamber of Commerce announced the award recipients that will be honored at its 122nd Annual Meeting, Dinner and Silent Auction next month.

We have many nominations from members that kind of starts the selection process, Midstate Chamber of Commerce president Sean Moore said. We also have real solid committee that knows what's happening in the area (to help). Most awards are more like lifetime achievement awards rather than those that just had a good year.

The dinner is scheduled for April 12 at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington.

Masonicare, which provides senior healthcare, senior living, homecare and hospice, will receive the 22nd Annual Large Business Leadership Award. The winners of the Annual Small Business Leadership Award are Triple Springs and MembersFirst CT Federal Credit Union.

These businesses continue to change and morph and improve and try different things, Moore said. I like the spirit of their growth, constantly moving and changing. They teach an honest lesson in business with the way they work.

The Fifth Annual Innovation Award will go to Trifecta Ecosystems, Inc., which is a sustainable agriculture brand that uses aquaponics systems to provide fresh food, education, soft skill training, and community integration programming to cities across CT, according to its website.

George McGoldrick will take home the 26th Annual Community Partnership Award for his lifelong service dedication to the chamber. McGoldrick has served with the chamber since the 1990s and is still active in the community today.

The Tri-Town Collaborative, a program that offers Meriden, Wallingford and Middletown youths ages 17 to 24 support to explore career opportunities and strengthen academic skills, is set to be awarded the Fifth Annual Excellence in Education Award.

The people working in this program do very strenuous work, Moore said. They are doing an amazing job. They have the enthusiasm that we love to see out of a partner.

The William Sears Rice Award winner will be Meridens Gallery 53, which is one of the oldest arts organizations in Connecticut, according to its website. The namesake of the award, William Rice, was a friend of the chamber and an active chamber volunteer who passed away a few years ago.

The event will take place from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. and will cost $65 per person for dinner or $600 for a table of 10.

After hosting just under 300 people last year, Moore expects to easily exceed that number next month. Last years event was held in the Wagon Room at the Aqua Turf Club, but this year they are expanding to Kays Pier South, a larger room in the facility.

Its really a feel-good event from start to finish, Moore said. I hope as many businesses as possible come out.

203-317-2232

Twitter: @LoganReardon20The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote Monday on Gov. Dannel P. Malloys nomination of Justice Andrew McDonald as the new state Supreme Court chief justice.

The vote will come two weeks after the legislatures Judiciary Committee voted 20 to 20 on the nomination, meaning it will advance to the House with an unfavorable report.

Despite the split vote, which came after Republicans grilled McDonald during a 13-hour hearing, Rep. William Tong, D-Stamford, said lawmakers should recognize McDonalds ability to head the Judicial Branch.

Justice McDonald is, I think, one of the most qualified people for this job, Tong said. The job of chief justice is very different from that of an associate justice or a judge of any court in our state.

Along with being the head of the Supreme Court, the chief justice also oversees the entire Judicial Branch, including all courts and diversionary programs run by the Court Support Services Division.

The committee vote hints at a difficult path to confirmation. No Republicans on the committee supported McDonald, and neither did Rep. Minnie Gonzalez, D-Hartford.

Tong and Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven, both expect the House to approve the nomination, but the Senate, which hasnt scheduled a vote, poses a much bigger obstacle.

Sen. Gayle Slossberg, D-Milford, has announced that she will recuse herself from the vote, meaning Republicans will have an 18-17 majority on the issue. Without a single Republican vote, Democrats would need all their members to force a tie for Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, also a Democrat, to break.

Fasano said he has not taken a vote count and has no formal position, but more GOP senators are against it at this point.

During a visit with the Record-Journals editorial board on Tuesday, Fasano said that he has concerns about the nomination, but was planning to meet with McDonald late in the week before forming an opinion.

Armed with binders of decisions, Fasano pointed to four during the editorial board meeting. Among those cases were State v. Santiago, the 2014 cases that overturned death penalty sentences, and one that saw McDonald refuse a request from Slossberg to recuse himself.

Fasano said the cases showed a pattern of McDonald providing his own information to support a decision and engaging in fact finding, something the Supreme Court usually leaves to lower courts.

Tong said some of the criticism against McDonald, particularly from those outside the legislature, are motivated by McDonalds being gay.

Tong said McDonalds track record, meanwhile, makes him uniquely qualified because of his vast experience in government. Prior to being appointed to the Supreme Court in 2013, McDonald served in the state Senate before leaving the post to become Malloys legal counsel.

He also previously served as Stamfords legal director, held various municipal elected positions, and worked as a private practice attorney.

msavino@record-journal.com

203-317-2266

Twitter: @reporter_savinoRep. William Tong and Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano join the Morning Record to debate whether the legislature should accept Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's nomination of Andrew McDonald as chief justice of the state Supreme Court. McDonald would replace former Chief Justice Chase Rogers, who announced her retirement in January.

Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or on Stitcher

msavino@record-journal.com

203-317-2266

Twitter: @reporter_savinoA Plainville man and two juveniles have been charged with leading police on a pursuit and ramming a cruiser in a stolen vehicle on Interstate 91, Route 9 and Route 372 early Friday morning.

James Brown, 18, of 5 Kent St., Plainville was charged with second-degree larceny, criminal impersonation for providing a false name upon arrest and resisting an officer.

An unidentified 17-year-old was charged with reckless driving, disobeying the signal of an officer, engaging in police pursuit, risk of injury to child, second-degree larceny, third-degree assault and first-degree reckless endangerment.

A 16-year-old was charged with second-degree larceny.

On Friday about 2:30 a.m., a state trooper observed a silver 2005 Acura TL on traveling south on Interstate 91 Hartford. The vehicle was reported stolen by Simsbury police.

The trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the Acura engaged the trooper in pursuit, state police said. Troopers pursued the vehicle on I-91, Route 9, and Route 372 in Middletown and Cromwell.

While pursuing the vehicle on Route 372 in Cromwell, the Acura intentionally rammed one of the police cruisers. No one was injured and the officers were able to stop the car using stop sticks on Route 9, prior to exit 19.

Brown appeared in New Britain Superior Court Friday and was held on a $50,000 bond. The 16-year-old is scheduled to appear in Middletown Juvenile Court on March 14 and the 17-year-old in New Britain Juvenile Court on March 16.

bwright@record-journal.com

203-317-2316

Twitter: @baileyfaywrightBrad Barket/Getty ImagesFans can watch Azealia Banks' feature-length acting debut in the Netflix film Love Beats Rhymes.

But, the artist has some director's notes about the film -- and its soundtrack -- which she shared Thursday via Instagram.

Regarding her song on the soundtrack, "Movin' On Up," she writes, "This song was originally intended to be CoCo's big finale in Love Beats Rhymes... there was a scene where, after she got her big record deal, she became a big star and had a number one hit on Billboard."

She explains, "I wanted the credits to roll during bloopers and behind-the-video-style scenes of her on set. And to have the DVD have the actual video in the extras section. And have this be the lead single from the soundtrack."

Azealia then calls out the movie's director, RZA, with whom she had a falling out in 2016 following an alleged altercation between herself and actor Russell Crowe.

The Wu Tang Clan member reportedly brought Azealia as his plus one to a party Crowe was hosting at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

She adds, "Too bad RZA didn't listen to me. Instead of bringing [me] to LA to sleep with Russell crowe he should have been putting me on studio to finish this soundtrack. This is legit the song I thought I was coming to LA to finish the night I ended up at Crowe's crib."

Azealia finishes her rant by writing, "I'm still down to shoot an additional ending and finally give this movie a soundtrack...Have no clue how rza couldn't forge a soundtrack whilst having myself common AND jill Scott in cast. Legendary producer MY A**! Im better than the veterans. A dope soundtrack would have had this movie in the SKY."

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.By IANS

KOZHICODE (CALICUT), KERALA: On her first visit to her home state Kerala after the Supreme Court upheld her marriage with Shafin Jahan, Hadiya on Saturday said "all this happened as I embraced Islam".

"The Constitution gives all the freedom to choose their religion, which is a fundamental right of every citizen and all this happened because I embraced Islam," said Hadiya while interacting with the media.

Hadiya and her husband arrived here on Saturday from Salem and drove to the office of the Popular Front of India (PFI) where she briefly interacted with reporters.

"With the Supreme Court upholding our marriage, we feel we have got freedom," Hadiya said here. The top court on March 8, set aside an order of the Kerala High Court that annulled their marriage.

Hadiya, 24, earlier Akhila Ashokan, embraced Islam and married Shafin Jahan, a Muslim. Hadiya's father alleged that she was forcibly converted by groups with links to terrorist outfits.

"It was only the PFI that supported us all through our troubled times and what's more surprising is that two Muslim organisations whom we approached refused to help us," added Hadiya who will be in Kerala for three more days before returning to Salem in Tamil Nadu where she is studying.

READ: Only Popular Front of India stood by my side, says Hadiya on first visit to Kerala after Supreme Court verdict

A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud on Thursday said: "Hadiya alias Akhila Asokan is at liberty to pursue her future endeavours according to law."

However, the court also said the National Investigation Agency (NIA) would continue its probe into the criminal dimension of the case, if any.

Hadiya's father has said that he will go ahead in the case seeking legal recourse to the apex court's latest judgement.By ANI

NEW DELHI: French President Emmanuel Macron met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Hyderabad House here on Saturday.

Earlier in the day, Macron met External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar took to Twitter and shared the moment of the two leaders.

"A strategic partnership since 1998! EAM @SushmaSwaraj called on President of France @EmmanuelMacron and exchanged views on further enhancing our strategic partnership in trade & investment, defence & security, culture, education and people-to-people ties," he wrote on the micro-blogging site.

Macron visited Rajghat while being accompanied by his wife, Brigitte Macron and M.J. Akbar, the Minister of State for External Affairs, and paid his tribute at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi.

WATCH VIDEO: We have good chemistry, our democracies have historic relationship: French President Emmanuel Macron

President Macron signed the visitor's book and was presented with a bust of Mahatma Gandhi.

Many foreign leaders have visited Rajghat and have paid their tributes to the 'Father of the Nation'.

Earlier, President Macron arrived at the Rashtrapati Bhawan and inspected a guard of honour.

He met with his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind, his wife Savita Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi respectively.

Prime Minister Modi and President Macron will hold delegation level talks in Delhi later in the day.

During the talks, both the leaders are expected to review the progress achieved in bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. Several agreements are expected to be signed in various areas.

Prime Minister Modi and President Macron will co-chair the International Solar Conference (ISA) on Sunday.

The ISA, an alliance of more than 121 countries, was initiated by Prime Minister Modi in January 2016. The primary objective of the alliance is to work for efficient exploitation of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

The French President arrived here on Friday and was received at the airport by Prime Minister Modi in a special gesture.

The visit aims at strengthening the bilateral economic, political and strategic dimension of engagement between the two countries. Besides, the visit is also aimed at forging not only strong manufacturing and technology partnerships but also greater people to people contacts.

The last visit of President Macron to India was in January 2016, when he was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. Prime Minister Modi had last visited France in June last year.By ANI

NEW DELHI: French President Emmanuel Macron arrived at the Rashtrapati Bhawan and inspected a guard of honour here on Saturday.

President Macron, who was accompanied by his wife Brigitte Macron, met with his counterpart Ram Nath Kovind, his wife Savita Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi respectively.

After inspecting a guard of honour and meeting with other officials, Macron said, "I am very happy and proud of this visit. I thank the President (Kovind) and Prime Minister (Modi) for this welcome. I think we have a very good chemistry and our two great democracies have a historic relationship."

The French President stated that the visit would open a new era of strategic partnership in the coming decades.

Delhi: French President #EmmanuelMacron and wife Brigitte Macron pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat pic.twitter.com/GQhc1CEG6z  ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018

"Our two democracies have common channels like terrorism, lots of common risks and common threats. But we have to protect this history and the state for freedom," President Macron added.

Delving into the details during the visit, the French President said that Prime Minister Modi would host a dinner for the French delegation at the International Solar Conference (ISA) and the latter would chair the conference on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hand with French President Emmanuel Macron before their meeting in New Delhi on Saturday. | (Shekhar Yadav | EPS)

The ISA, an alliance of more than 121 countries, was initiated by Prime Minister Modi in January 2016. The primary objective of the alliance is to work for efficient exploitation of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

President Macron said that both India and France were committed to addressing climatic change and termed it as a 'critical battle' not only for the two countries but for the other countries as well.

The French President called for his country to be India's best partner in Europe.

Several agreements are expected to be signed in various areas.

French President #EmmanuelMacron inspects guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhawan pic.twitter.com/qdc8LXNwoI  ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018

"I want my country to be the best partner in Europe. This is a strong message. I want Indian citizens coming to France for studying, becoming entrepreneurs and opening start-ups."

Prime Minister Modi and President Macron on Saturday will hold delegation level talks in Delhi.

During the talks, both the leaders are expected to review the progress achieved in bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. Several agreements are expected to be signed in various areas.

The French President arrived here yesterday and was received at the airport by Prime Minister Modi in a special gesture.

The visit aims at strengthening the bilateral economic, political and strategic dimension of engagement between the two countries. Besides, the visit is also aimed at forging not only strong manufacturing and technology partnerships but also greater people to people contacts.

The last visit of President Macron to India was in January 2016, when he was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. Prime Minister Modi had last visited France in June last year.

The India-France CEO's Forum will also take place during the visit.

The bilateral trade between India and France from April 2016 to March 2017 reached 10.95 billion dollars.

France is the ninth largest foreign investor in India with a cumulative investment of over six billion dollars from April 2000 to October 2017.By ANI

GENEVA: India has lambasted Pakistan for harbouring the United Nations-designated terrorists like Hafiz Saeed.

Speaking at the 37th session of UN human rights council (UNHRC), Mini Devi Kumam, Second Secretary, India's Permanent Mission, said, "In gross violation of UN Security Council resolution 1267, the UN designated terrorists like Hafiz Mohammed Saeed are freely operating with State support, and the UN designated entities are being politically mainstreamed in Pakistan."

"They are raising funds in flagrant violations of Pakistans international obligations," she added.

She further asserted that Pakistan continues to support cross-border terrorism in India.

ALSO READ: JuD chief Hafiz Saeed's political party to get recognition in Pakistan?

"We await credible action by the Government of Pakistan to bring all those involved in the 2008 Mumbai attack and the 2016 Pathankot and Uri attacks to justice," she said.

WATCH VIDEO: India lambasts Pakistan at UNHRC for harbouring UN-designated terrorists

"Even as terrorists thrive in Pakistan and roam its streets with impunity, we have heard it lecture about the protection of human rights in India. The World does not need lessons on democracy and human rights from a country whose own situation is charitably described as a failed state," Kumam added.

Kumam also demanded that Pakistan should end forced conversions and marriages of minorities; including Hindu, Sikh and Christian women, and prosecute all such cases.

India also highlighted enforced disappearances and unlawful killing of political dissidents by the Pakistani security forces.

ALSO READ: Hafiz Saeed, other JuD leaders still freely using group's offices despite ban in Pakistan

"We urge the Council to call on Pakistan to stop targeting political dissidents and legitimate criticism in Sindh, Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and to stop torture, enforced disappearances and unlawful killing, including that of journalists and activists by its security agencies. Pakistan should also prosecute all perpetrators of such crimes," Kumam said.

India also demanded the end of sectarian violence, systemic persecution and attacks on Muslim minorities, such as Shia, Ahmadiyas, Ismailia and Hazaras in Pakistan.JR Prasad By

Express News Service

HYDERABAD: Theres an intense debate going on in political circles about TDPs decision to make two of its Union Ministers resign from Modi government. Questions are being raised about the impact this development could have on the course of politics, in the coming days, in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Senior politicians who have been closely watching the strategies of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu for the past several years see this as a gambit aimed at encashing on the growing resentment among people towards BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, ahead of the election year.

TDP MPs protest in front of Gandhijis statue in Parliament in New Delhi | PTI

A senior politician said there was immense pressure on Naidu as the principal opposition party in Andhra Pradesh, YSRC, has been vociferously accusing the TDP of compromising APs interest while sharing power with the BJP. Now as the general elections are nearing, Naidu has no other option but to withdraw his ministers from Modis Cabinet. He is likely to project the Centre as the villain, like he did with the Congress-led UPA in 2014 by blaming it for bifurcation of the State, the veteran politico added.

The argument within the political circles is that the TDP boss had successfully defamed the Modi government among the people in Andhra by repeatedly claiming that the Centre had not implemented promises made to the truncated State during bifurcation. None other than AP BJP leader P Vishnu Kumar Raju openly said this. By attacking the Centre for its failure in according the Special Category Status, Naidu seems to have killed two birds with one stone. One, he has successfully stolen the thunder of YSRC chief Jagan Mohan Reddy, who had been banking on the issue to improve his partys electoral prospects. Two, he has successfully disrupted the plans of the BJP to get a foothold in the state as even YSRC cannot ally with BJP at this juncture.

Further, given the 3 per cent vote share difference between the victor TDP and the loser YSRC in the 2014 polls, the view being expressed in the political circles is that Naidu might opt for joining hands with Pawan Kalyans Jana Sena this time too, as the actor belong to influential Kapu caste in the State, a community with considerable presence in Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema districts. It was a political necessity for the TDP to pull out of the NDA government as the polls are nearing. After enjoying power at the Centre for four years, the yellow party leaders are now simply blaming the Centre. It reflects TDPs inability in extracting APs due, said YSRC MP Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy.

Will this impact TS?

Will this pave way for Naidu to join hands with his Telangana counterpart K Chandrasekhar Rao in strengthening the proposed third front? Or will he prefer going with other regional parties?

Naidus decision may not have any impact on Telangana as he himself announced that the BJP had moved away from the TDP in Telangana. Further, since Naidu played a crucial role in forming the anti-Congress government at Centre, he might not show interest in working with KCRs proposed third front, said a TDP leader from Telangana.

Naidu targeting BJP for electoral gains: K Laxman

Sangareddy: Finding fault with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidus decision to pull out of the NDA government at the Centre, BJP State unit president K Laxman said Naidu was targeting the Modi government only to get political mileage in the Assembly polls. TDP is making an issue out of according Special Category Status to AP for the sake of electoral benefits in the next polls. This is not fair for the Naidu government in AP, which has extracted maximum funds from Centre in the past four years, Laxman said.

Film fraternity lends support to AP

Hyderabad: The Telugu film fraternity has raised its voice in support of the demand for special category status for Andhra Pradesh. Actor and politician Mohan Babu, director Koratala Siva, writers Kona Venkat and BVS Ravi took to Twitter to take on the NDA government for its failure to do justice to the post-bifurcation residual state. Targeting the PM and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the celebrities said that AP could not progress if special status was not accorded to it. Mohan Babu tweeted, Why this step-motherly treatment to Andhra Pradesh?When we thought of starting a News Website two decades back, our friends in the media industry discouraged us pointing out the difficulties of competing with traditional news medias. But, the strong enthusiasm, determination and motivation of our team to start an informative portal led to the foundation of newkerala.com. It is growing day-by-day clearly due to the quality of services, innovative work force and timely execution of tasks.

newkerala.com has collaboration agreements with several foreign and Indian news agencies, whose selected stories are published on our website just for satisfying reader's thirst for more fresh information.

The secret of our growth is nothing other than providing current affairs in an easy to read format in simple language that anyone can understand and we have always adopted an innovative approach.

We are thankful to the support of our well wishers and advises of experienced professionals from the fields of Information Technology, Business Management and Media Industry.

Our commitment to our visitors is to provide one-stop solutions for all their requirements.A 10-century ivory relief icon of the Forty Martyrs, made in Constantinople, now in the Bodemuseum in Berlin. (Public domain image from Wikimedia Commons .)

I

I

An icon of the New Martyrs of Libya, by Tony Rezk. Matthew Ayariga is represented in the middle of the group.

The Forty Martyrs were a group of soldiers from the Roman Twelfth Legion, who died for the Faith at Sebaste in Armenia in the year 320. This was seven years after the Edict of Milan and the Peace granted to the Church by Constantine, whose brother-in-law Licinius at that point ruled in the East, and after a period of tolerance, renewed the persecution of Christians. When the Forty had been called to renounce the Faith and refused, they were sentenced first to various tortures, and then condemned to die a particularly horrible death, stripped naked and left to freeze on the ice of a frozen lake. The governor who supervised this execution ordered that a hot bath be prepared at the edge of the lake, by which any one of them who would apostatize might save himself from freezing to death.The Breviary of St Pius V represents the martyrs praying as their sufferings began, Forty we have entered into the stadium, let us receive forty crowns, o Lord, lest even one be lacking from this number. This number is held in honor. You adorned it with a fast of forty days; through it the divine Law entered into the world. Elijah, seeking God, obtained the vision of Him by a fast of forty days. This is a very ancient motif, by which the fast of forty days observed in the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah) is associated with that observed in the Gospel by Christ. (For this reason, on the first Sunday of Lent the Roman Rite reads the account of Christs fast, and on the second, that of His Transfiguration, at which Moses and Elijah appear as witnesses to the divinity of Christ. On the Ember Wednesday between them, there are two readings before the Gospel, Exodus 24, 12-18, which tells of the forty day fast of Moses, and 3 Kings 19, 3-8, the forty day fast of Elijah.)One of the forty, however, did abandon the company and enter the hot bath; in some accounts it is said that he died immediately from the shock. In the meantime, one of their guards had a vision of Angels descending upon the martyrs, bearing thirty-nine crowns; he was inspired by this to become a Christian, take the place of the one who had left, and so fulfill the mystical number of forty. Seeing the martyrs constancy, those who were in charge of their execution decided to finish them off by breaking their legs, as was done to the thieves crucified alongside the Lord. Only one of them did not die from this, a young man named Melito, but he was mortally wounded and could not live. His own mother then carried him to the place where the rest of them were taken to be cremated, walking behind the wagon; during the journey he died in her arms, and was laid by her on the pyre among the bodies of his comrades.Their ashes were scattered to prevent the veneration of their relics, but the Christians were able to recover some of them. St Basil the Great tells of the presence of the relics at Caesarea; his brother, St Gregory of Nyssa, says that their parents, Ss Basil the Elder and Emmelia, were buried in a church at a place called Annesis, which they themselves had built, and for which they had obtained some relics of the Forty. Portions of them were later taken to Constantinople and elsewhere, and devotion to them was brought to the West by St Gaudentius of Brescia, who received a part of the relics from St Basils nieces while passing through Caesarea on his way to Jerusalem.Their feast was originally kept in the West on March 9, the same day it still has in the East. St Frances of Rome died on that day in 1440; when she was canonized in 1608 (together with St Charles Borromeo), she was assigned to that day, and the martyrs moved forward to the 10th. In the rubrical reform of 1960 , ferias of Lent were given precedence over the majority of feasts, and the Forty were permanently reduced to a commemoration, since March 10th cannot occur outside Lent; notwithstanding the great veneration in which they are held in the East, and the antiquity of the feast, it was abolished from the calendar of the Novus Ordo.n the Byzantine Rite, certain features of the liturgy which are reserved for the more important Saints are included on their day. The very strict Lenten fast is relaxed, so that wine and oil may be consumed. A Gospel is read at Orthros, John 15, 17  16, 2, in which Christ speaks of Himself as the model of martyrdom, and the martyr as the most perfect imitator of Him. If the world hate you, know ye, that it hath hated me before you. If you had been of the world, the world would love its own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. ... If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you: if they have kept my word, they will keep yours also. ... Yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you, will think that he doth a service to God.If the Vespers of the Presanctified Gifts are celebrated, an Epistle and Gospel are added to the rite, sung as they would be at the Divine Liturgy. The Gospel is that which the Roman Rite reads on Septuagesima Sunday, Matthew 20, 1-16, the parable of the workmen in the vineyard; this was clearly chosen in reference to the guard who joined the martyrs at the last minute, and received the same crown with the rest of the company, just as the workmen who came at the eleventh hour received the same wage as the rest.n the annals of Christian hagiography, there are many stories of people who were spontaneously converted to the Faith by seeing the constancy of the martyrs in the midst of their torments; it is not rare for such persons to become martyrs themselves, even joining the suffering Christians of their own will right on the spot, like the guard among the Forty. This phenomenon was realized again three years ago in the person of one Matthew Ayariga, a Ghanaian who was seized in Libya by Islamic fanatics, along with a group of twenty Egyptian Copts. Although he was not a member of the Coptic Church, he refused to embrace Islam, even at the threat of being beheaded; seeing how the others prayed and called upon the Holy Name of Jesus as they died, he said of them, Their God is my God, and was slain in their company.What did crime in Portsmouth look like this summer? Here's a breakdownChampaign, IL (61820)

Today

Cloudy early with isolated thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 81F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening. Showers and a possible thunderstorm developing after midnight. Low 67F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%.PETER OBORNE: It's time Mrs May took a leaf out of Trump's book

By Peter Oborne For The Daily Mail 10 March 2018

Donald Trump and Theresa May could hardly be further apart in their character as national leaders.Whereas Trump is seen to be decisive, Theresa May dithers. Trump is flamboyant and May is dull. While the British Prime Minister tends to seek out compromise, a headstrong U.S. President wants everything on his own terms.And recently these huge differences in personality and style have been more evident than ever.While Mrs May has inched forward very carefully with Britains negotiations to leave the EU, Mr Trump has ripped up the rulebook by arranging a meeting with North Korean despot Kim Jong-un The move is pure Trump  a bombastic, boastful and arrogant man who conducts high-stakes diplomacy by Twitter and is contemptuous of the advice of the Washington establishment, which despises him and is determined to destroy him.Yes, its very early days, but the dramatic news that Trump is to meet Kim brings hope of an end to the threat of nuclear war which has hovered in that part of the globe for years and defied the best efforts of the worlds best diplomats.If a deal is struck, it will be an extraordinary vindication of The Donalds way of doing politics. His bravado, aggression and brinkmanship will have paid off.Remember that when Barack Obama was in the White House, the liberal media applauded his judicious approach to North Korea. But it did absolutely nothing to stop the Pyongyang regime building missiles with the reported capability to reach California.Im not suggesting in any way that Mrs May copies Trump, but there are lessons from his leadership style.Generally, the consensus has been that the Prime Ministers calm and self-effacing approach has been the right one for a Government with a wafer-thin majority to handle historic negotiations.Nevertheless, its time to ask whether, in her dealings over the EU, Mrs May ought to take a leaf or two out of The Trump Book Of International Diplomacy. To date, shes behaved in the opposite way to Trump.Shes played by the rules. Shes been careful not to cause offence to Brussels. Shes always ready to offer compromise. She habitually does what Whitehall civil servants tell her.In the early days of her premiership, Mrs May was tougher, saying about Brexit that no deal is better than a bad deal. She was right.However, she has backtracked and there has been none of that resolute language recently. Quite the reverse, in fact.True, her measured speech at Londons Mansion House eight days ago was pragmatic and sensible  setting out her governments position while also handing out olive branches to Brussels.So what was the result of being reasonable? The Prime Minister was put down by contemptuous EU leaders. They made clear that they have no intention of striking a deal with Britain except on their own terms.The European Parliaments Brexit chief, Guy Verhofstadt, with leaden sarcasm, insultingly spoke of Mrs Mays goals as vague aspirations and said he hoped that serious proposals have been put in the post.The preening Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, sneeringly said it was not in the EUs interests to give way to what he called her pick-and-mix approach.And with his own bucket of cold water was the EUs chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, whose office lectured the British Government that it should not be allowed to cherry-pick a bespoke Brexit deal. Its easy to guess how Trump would respond to such pipsqueaks. This is the man, remember, who called the North Korean leader Little Rocket Man and who tweets scathing ripostes to his critics at 5am.Mrs May, of course, disdains Twitter  unlike her predecessor in No. 10, David Cameron, who was an oh-so trendy social media obsessive.(Indeed, on the evening of the EU referendum he was foolishly busy tweeting: Just 1 hour left to #VoteRemain  and keep Britain stronger, safer and better off in Europe.)Without resorting to such gimmicks, Mrs May could start tearing up the diplomatic textbook and making her own ultimatums.For the truth is that Britain has aces to play. If the Brussels bully-boys try to pull up the drawbridge, we must retaliate.A bankrupt Brussels is desperate for the billions we have offered as a divorce settlement. If they cut up rough, we should threaten to withdraw our offer.These Eurocrats need to be forcefully reminded that German and French manufacturers would be severely damaged if there was no deal.Certainly, an area where Mrs May ought to be more Trump-like is on UK fishing rights.In recent days, two ministers  Philip Hammond and George Eustace  shamelessly signalled to EU negotiators that Britain might be happy to sell out this countrys fishermen and allow boats from the remaining 27 EU nations into our coastal waters if we can secure a better deal for some sectors of our economy such as the City.What a shabby betrayal of the democratic wishes of the 17 million who voted for Brexit (and, I wager, of many who voted Remain who also care for the protection of British fisheries).Fishing rights are a deeply emotive issue, like immigration. Mrs May would be justified to do a Trump and threaten to walk away from the negotiating table if Brussels tries to con us on that issue.She needs to make absolutely clear that any border arrangement between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic cannot be allowed to damage the constitutional integrity of the UK, and if she needs to use brinkmanship to secure this, so be it.Lets never forget that it was the unequivocal resolve of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan  another leader unconscionably sneered at by the liberal classes  who out-stared the Russian bear, resulting in the collapse of Communism.Timidly and limply following the advice of diplomats never achieves much in the face of obdurate foes.Its time for Theresa May to be bolder, put EU negotiators in their place  and win a really good deal for Britain.UK'S 'NEW COLD WAR' Theresa May threatens military and economic retaliation against Russia if Vladimir Putin is proven to be behind poisoned spy attack

Such measures proposed include the immediate expulsion of Russian diplomats and pushing for a Nato-wide reinforcement in Eastern Europe

The immediate expulsion of senior Russian diplomats and spies, as well as potentially cancelling Kremlin-linked oligarchs' visas to London, plus asset freezes and travel bans.

A statement of joint international condemnation from Britains closest allies - Frances President Emmanuel Macron and German leader Angela Merkel.

In the longer term, boosting Britains military deployments in Eastern Europe with more jets and troops, as well as a pushing for a NATO-wide reinforcement at the alliances summit in July.

ExclusiveBy Tom Newton Dunn, Political Editor9th March 2018The SunTHERESA May is drawing up a full spectrum retaliation against Vladimir Putin for the nerve agent hit on spy Sergei Skripal, The Sun can reveal.The PM has told ministers to prepare a powerful response across diplomatic, economic and military fronts to punish the Salisbury outrage - dubbed by Home Secretary Amber Rudd as a brazen and reckless act.Intelligence chiefs are just a few days away from establishing hard proof that the poison plot was ordered by Moscow.Senior Whitehall sources said Mrs May accepts she must then initiate a response to match the public uproar that will meet the revelation that another state was behind a chemical weapons attack on British soil.It will include:Military scientists at Porton Down expect to be able to soon say beyond any doubt that the rare poison was devised in the SVR Russian foreign spy services notorious Yasenevo labs in Moscow.One senior minister told The Sun: We are in a new Cold War with Russia that is beginning to get hot.We need to completely overhaul our posture to reflect that.This is all about debilitating the West, so we have to reverse the psychology and make Putin look weak.The minister added: Putin doesnt dare attack the US, so he goes for us instead because of all the governments current troubles. It is crucial we are seen to stand up to that.Spy bosses are also scrambling to work out the Kremlin masterplan behind the attempted murder of Colonel Skripal and daughter Yulia, The Sun has also been told, amid fears more mayhem is planned.MI5 and MI6 were left startled by the audacity of the Russian presidents wet job order, which he knew would be swiftly traced back to Moscow because of the poison's complexity.Under Russian law, foreign assassinations can only be authorised by the President himself.A senior security source dubbed the nerve agent hit a seriously balls in your face move.The source added: Why have they done this? What is their next move?This is what were trying to work out now. Putin is without doubt a deluded individual, and that makes him dangerous.Activity across Whitehall was intense last night to prepare for the retaliation, with the MoD, the Treasury, the Foreign Office and Home Office all drawing up a series of options for No10.Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is preparing a major telephone lobbying operation for Britains European allies in a bid to sign up to a joint statement of condemnation, as well as potential action at the UN.Diplomats along with MI5 are drawing up an extensive list of Russian figures to expel, from declared SVR intelligence officers to oligarchs who back Mr Putin.The PM will take a final decision on how many to throw out once the full intelligence assessment is delivered to her  which could come as early as the weekend.And defence chiefs are looking at deploying another squadron of Typhoon jets to Estonia, and an extra army battalion to Poland or Romania to bolster defences against renewed Russian aggression.Pressure was mounting on Mrs May last night for the toughest response possible.Backbench Tory MP Sir Edward Leigh dubbed it a brazen act of war if Russia is behind the attack.Furious senior Tories even called for Russias ambassador to be ejected and his embassy closed down.Accusing Putin of behaving like a rogue state, former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcom Rifkind added: It is becoming progressively more difficult to contemplate normal diplomatic relations with such a government.Tory MP Sir Nicolas Soames (Sir Winston Churchill's grandson) tweeted: The West has been pretty pathetic in sticking up for Democracy in Moscow and weak on Russian interference in Ukraine, the Balkans and Syria #forgoodnesssakewakeupandgetagrip.The Home Secretary vowed to bring Colonel Skripals twisted attackers to justice, as she branded his poisoning a most outrageous crime.Addressing MPs in an emergency Commons statement, Ms Rudd also revealed the Governments outrage over the chemical weapons use, saying: The use of a nerve agent on UK soil was a brazen and reckless act.Home Secretary Amber Rudd updates MPs in Commons on nerve agent attack on ex-Russian spy Sergei SkripalSignificantly, she also repeatedly refused to dampen down mounting speculation about Moscows involvement.In a strong suggestion of the retaliation to come, Ms Rudd instead told MPs: There will come a time for attribution, and further consequences will then follow.Other MPs called for wider action, with Tom Tugendhat saying that Putin used "murder as an instrument of state policy" as he urged for a co-ordinated boycott of the World Cup.His call was backed by Labour's Chris Bryant, who suggested it would be "difficult" for England to take part if Russian state involvement in the attack was proven, according to The Daily Mail The PM called for the police to be given the time and space to actually conduct their investigation.But Mrs May added: We will do what is appropriate, we will do what is right, if it is proved to be the case that this is State sponsored.But Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson told ITV1s Good Morning Britain that President Putins regime posed an ever greater threat to Britain and the UK must be not be pushed around by another nation.The Russian embassy in London tried again to pour cold water on the frenzied speculation.It tweeted: When Boris Berezovsky and Alexander Perepilichny died in Britain, there was a lot of speculation in the media, then all the conclusions were classified, and no data provided to Russia."Same happening now, with MI6 agent Sergei Skripal poisoning.THE Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has denied raiding former President Robert Mugabes Blue Roof mansion on Wednesday, saying they did not send their men there.



ZNA spokesman, Colonel Overson Mugwisi denied reports that any of their soldiers had taken workers from Mugabes house for interrogation over the former Presidents political dalliances.





We have no men who did that, he said. It could have been other people, but it was not our men.

Mugwisi said the army had no reason to interrogate Mugabes workers.

South African media outlets late on Wednesday and Thursday morning reported that some of Mugabes workers had been taken in for questioning over Mugabes political activities, a story that was picked by NewsDay.





There was said to be panic in Zanu PF circles after Mugabe was pictured with former Cabinet minister, Ambrose Mutinhiri, who has since said he is leading National Patriotic Front, a party that has been linked to the former President. Newsday



A LONG, colourful scarf worn by President Emmerson Mnangagwa during his recent trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, has been a topic of discussion on various social media platforms, and now, a hot selling item in Zimbabwe.





Its been an overwhelming response, Celia Rukato, founder of the Harare-based textile company that has been selling the scarf for about three years, said.





In explaining how the scarf that is now referred to as the Presidential Scarf became part of the Zimbabwe delegation in Davos, Rukato of Chjaa Enterprises Private Limited, said: That was completely, to be honest, a surprise on our end.





Rukato said she simply delivered a few scarves to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ahead of the Davos trip for consideration, but it was not until word started getting around on social media about the President wearing the scarf, that she realised her efforts had paid off.





She said the scarf came about as an experiment to capture the culture and identity of Zimbabwe.





Our family spent a long time living in South Africa. Despite regular visits back home annually, we constantly sought ways of being reminded of Zimbabwe and ways of showcasing national pride outwardly.





We were also increasingly presented with opportunities that required us to showcase our Zimbabweanness when interacting with the global community across a series of platforms. A common go-to for showcasing culture for many people is through clothing, or traditional attire. In our case, this was often difficult because, beyond being able to perhaps wear clothing specific to a Zimbabwean ethnic group (Ndebele traditional attire, for example), there was little we could wear that would identify us as distinctly Zimbabwean.





It is in this context that we were inspired to create designs and an aesthetic that we believe showcases the dignity and pride we feel in being Zimbabwean, Rukato explained.





From the onset we firmly understood that the Zimrocks scarf had to be rooted in our history as Zimbabweans and had to present an overall aesthetic that is clearly not aligned to any one political party. The product had to be one that all/any Zimbabwean could identify with irrespective of race, tribe or political allegiance. It is for this reason that, when designing the scarf, we settled on the Zimbabwe national colours.





The colours of the scarf, black, green, white, gold and red, displayed as horizontal stripes, are all official colours of the Zimbabwe flag.





These colours represent our collective historical and cultural significance and are articulated by the Zimbabwean flag and coat of arms, said Rukato.





Celebrating being Zimbabwean, Rukato said, was a choice that every individual needs to actively make.





When we began this project, we chose to focus on how we could contribute towards pride and positivity about being Zimbabwean. The scarf, therefore, represents the embracing of what it means to be Zimbabwean with all the good and the bad; because this is who we are.





Since its debut in Davos, the scarf, which Rukato said her company never really marketed much outside Zimbabwes embassies in different countries, is literally selling itself. She said Zimbabweans are now contacting her company through various social media platforms, to place their orders. The scarf is being sold for $16.





Its really exciting to just see how people are reacting and are excited about it, Rukato said of her product which the Zimbabwe public overlooked since its creation three years ago.





Were thrilled by the gradual conversation that the scarf has been able to illicit. It is a powerful thing to see Zimbabweans from all walks of life, in both Zimbabwe and around the world, showing enthusiasm for being able to wear the Zimbabwean colours proudly.





She said the response from the public was quite encouraging considering that three years ago when the scarves were introduced, they did not receive such a reception.





Id say when we had initially put it out on the market, wed see, you know, the raised eyebrow, ok, whats this about? But I think thats really just the discussion that as Zimbabweans we need to have, said Rukato, adding that theres more to the scarf than what it appears to be on the surface.





Its not that the scarf is the answer, but I think its just a step toward in finding how we can express our identity and culture and I guess, what were about through our dress, so its just the beginning, I believe, said Rukato.





The scarf is now being worn by most Government officials when conducting national duty outside Zimbabwe as well as different ambassadors. People who have been spotted donning the scarf are British Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Catriona Lang, Tourism Minister Prisca Mupfumira and Finance Minister, Patrick Chinamasa.





Its been incredible to have the scarf being ordered and worn by Zimbabweans as far away as London.





But among them all, the biggest fan of the scarves is undeniably President Mnangagwa whose outfits are incomplete without the scarf. This is really one piece of clothing that somehow reminds him of the people of Zimbabwe who have their hopes of a better nation pinned on him.





On the President constantly wearing the scarf, Rukato said: For us, the donning of the scarf by President Mnangagwa is an invitation to all Zimbabweans and all those who appreciate the history and beauty of the country to join hands and contribute to the building of a Great Zimbabwe, whose future is as bright as the scarf. Through the scarf, were saying, let us be proudly Zimbabwean!.





In addition to the scarf, Rukato designs and prints a series of fabrics that are inspired by historical monuments and symbols across Zimbabwe.





In addition to the knitted version that is currently available, we are working on other versions of the scarf on printed cotton, printed silk and other varieties. Chronicle







Former President Mr Robert Mugabe for years received his salary in cash, and has demanded that the same arrangement apply to his pension lump sum of nearly half a million dollars and monthly pension payments of over $13 000, The Sunday Mail can reveal.



Documents in our possession show Mr Mugabe wants his pension lump sum of $467 200 and monthly pension of $13 333 in cash.



The documents show Mr Mugabe had been getting monthly cash payments of $20 000 while still Head of State and Government, even as ordinary Zimbabweans queued for days on end to access amounts as low as $20 from banks.





Though it could not be ascertained by the time of writing if the payments were done in foreign currency or bond notes, The Sunday Mail established that former First Lady Mrs Grace Mugabe is also getting a monthly payment of $2 170 from the State.





On March 1, 2018, the Chair of the Public Service Commission, Mr Mariyawanda Nzuwah wrote to Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr John Mangudya asking monetary authorities to avail the cash for Mr Mugabe.





The letter was copied to Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda, Secretary for Finance and Economic Development Mr Willard Manungo and the Secretary for the PSC, Mrs Pretty Sunguro.





Mr Nzuwah said Mr Mugabe was entitled to a pension in terms of the Presidential Pension and Retirement Benefits Act (Chapter 2:05).





Section 2 of the principal Act as amended states that the former President of Zimbabwe is entitled to a pension that is equal to salary and allowances payable to the serving President of Zimbabwe.

Section 10 of the principal Act as amended states that the former President of Zimbabwe can commute a portion of his pension not exceeding one-third of a pension payable to him.





The former President opted to commute one-third of his pension and he is therefore entitled to monthly pension of $13 333 and lump sum pension amounting to $467 200.





The former President was being paid his salary in cash and he has requested that the same arrangement be maintained.





We are kindly requesting you to avail cash amounting to $467 200 and monthly cash amounts of $13 333 for us to pay the former President of Zimbabwe his pension benefits, wrote Mr Nzuwah.

Since he resigned in November 2017, Mr Mugabe has received $80 000 in pension, while Mrs Mugabe has received $8 680.





The payments to Mr Mugabe were made on January 5, 2018 ($40 000), January 29, 2018 ($20 000) and February 28, 2018.





The two payments on January 5 were because Mr Mugabe had not received his pension for November and December 2017 due to administrative issues hence the double instalment to offset arrears.





He got a third instalment at the end of January as his pension for that month, with the fourth also coming as scheduled in February.

Mrs Mugabe received instalments of $2 170 in November and December 2017, and January and February 2018.

Our source at the Public Service Commission said the Mugabes should be pleased that their pensions are coming on time and in cash when under his (Mr Mugabes) administration civil servants and pensioners were never sure of when they would be paid.





The source also said they found the arrangement quite uncomfortable seeing as Mr Mugabe had preached plastic and electronic money use by day while leaning on bureacrats to give him cash at night.





Official comment could not be obtained from the PSC and the Office of the President and Cabinet.

However, when asked by a senior official in the Presidents Office if it was normal practice to pay Heads of State and Government in cash, more so in a country facing liquidity challenges, The Sunday Mail was told that President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who took over from Mr Mugabe, had been left bemused by the arrangement.





I can tell you for a fact, because I was there, that a lady (name withheld) from CBZ Bank came with a sack of cash to President Mnangagwas Office when his first pay day arrived. The President asked her what the money was for, and she pulled out a form and said it was his salary and he must sign for it.





The President said it was highly irregular and irresponsible, and the lady indicated that cash salary payments were standard for the old man (Mr Mugabe) and she assumed that was how things were done for the highest office in the land.





His Excellency gave her his bank account number and told her to do a transfer as is done for everyone else, and told her that if he needed cash he would queue for it like everyone else because the cash shortages affected all Zimbabweans and he would demand no such preferential and irregular treatment. Sunday MailPresident Emmerson Mnangagwa is living true to his pledge of free, fair and credible polling with his administration today opening unrestricted access for the first international election observer team.



A Sadc mission arrives today for a week-long pre-election assessment, and will meet officials from Government, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, political parties and civil society.



The visit, which is in line with the Sadc Principles and Guidelines Governing Conduct of Democratic Elections, will appriise the regional body of Zimbabwes plan for a credible poll.

Elections for the President, parliamentarians and councillors are due between July 21 and August 21, 2018.





The Sunday Mail understands that the arrival of the Sadc delegation is a precursor to other teams from the African Union and European Union, which are expected in Zimbabwe soon on similar missions.





President Mnangagwas administration is on an aggressive re-engagement drive with the international community and has pledged to invite international election observers, marking the end of the isolationist policies of the previous regime.





Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ambassador Joey Bimha said last week that, Both Sadc and the AU are coming for the pre-election assessment process.





It was decided that observing elections now entails long term observation and not just the polling process. The intention is that long-term observation guarantees stability and creates room for more thorough observation.

Observation is now being done at three stages. The first one entails observing the pre-election period, the second stage is the campaigns and the polling, before a final team is sent to assess stability and acceptability after results have been announced.





The Sadc Electoral Advisory Council is instrumental in this regards and will send a team. We will be having the Sadc team for the pre-election stage between March 11 and 17; they will be here to assess if the environment is conducive for holding a credible, free and fair election.

While here, they will have discussions with Government, the ruling party, opposition parties, civic society and the elections management body so as to ascertain what the situation is like before the elections are held.





For the AU team, we do not have a date as yet but they will be here in the coming weeks. Im not sure about the dates for the EU team, but off hand I think they will be around the same time we will be hosting the AU delegation.





According to the Sadc Principles, a Goodwill Mission should be dispatched for pre-election assessment, with the mandate to  among other things  evalate possible conflict and offer advice.

Sadc member states are required to invite a regional observer mission to observe their elections based on the provisions of the Sadc Treaty, the Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation and the Sadc Principles and Guidelines Governing Conduct of Democratic Elections.





The Sadc Executive Secretary will, in consultation with the country holding elections, constitute and send an assessment missions in the period prior to elections.





The guidelines read in part: In order to ensure the effective application of the Sadc Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, the SEAC shall undertake Goodwill Missions in line with Article 9.2 of the SEAC Structures, Rules and Procedures.





The mission is expected to: Reflect on possible conflict situations in respective countries on matters pertaining to electoral processes and render advise to the Ministerial Committee of the Organ on Polices, Defence and Security Co-operation on the development of mediation strategies, before, during and after elections;

Based on the findings of the Goodwill Mission, report to the MCO on whether the political environment is conducive to the holding of free, fair, transparent, credible, and peaceful elections in conformity with the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections;

Encourage the specific SADC Member State holding elections to adhere to international best practices in all elections;





Advise the specific Member State holding elections on strategies for enhancing and consolidating the capacity of the elections management body (EMB);

Encourage the specific Member State holding elections to uphold and respect the independence and autonomy of the (EMB);





Encourage the revision and improvement of electoral laws, codes of conduct and regulations in line with the Sadc Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections.

The AU, on its part, dispatches a pre-election observer mission upon receiving an invitation from the nation planning polls.





The mission will determine, among other things, the existence of a level playing field.

In advance of the election date, the Head of the AU Election Mission should advise the AU Commission whether the necessary conditions and environment for a free and fair election as agreed in the AU principles governing democratic elections, have been satisfied, read part of the AU guidelines on elections.





Whatever the advice received by the Commission should be confirmed in a public statement by the Chairperson of the Commission.





The assessment team will establish whether or not conditions for organising credible, legitimate, free and fair elections in accordance with the Durban Declaration are in place in the country.





More than 5,3 million Zimbabweans have registered to vote under a biometric voter registration programme.





Government is also amending the Electoral Act to include provisions giving a cut-off date for candidates to withdraw their candidature after being duly nominated.





Zimbabwe Election Support Network chairperson Mr Andrew Makoni said pre-election monitoring teams were crucial as issues that result in a contested election result usually arose before actual voting.





He said: If observers arrive on the eve of an election they are likely to miss out on things they ought to have looked at like whether there was an enabling environment before the elections were held. There is need to assess the environment at least four or so months before the elections. Sunday Mail(Newser)  After three years of searching, a family found their missing daughter when her remains were discovered Wednesday in a field in Texas, NBC DFW reports. "We promised Christina we would find her and bring her home," the Dallas Observer quotes Christina Morris' sister as saying. "We were determined to keep that promise." The 23-year-old Morris was last seen leaving a shopping center in Plano with her friend Enrique Arochi in August 2014, CBS DFW reports. Arochi was sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping after Morris' DNA was found in the trunk of his car. Police allege Arochi, drunk and high on Adderall, kidnapped Morris because he was upset a friend had declined his sexual advances. He continues to maintain his innocence.

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Skeletal remains were found Wednesday by a crew clearing a field in Anna for a new housing development. The field is less than a mile from a cellphone tower that pinged Arochi's phone a day after Morris' disappearance. Police announced the remains belonged to Morris on Thursday. "I know our daughter is in a better place. I know she's in heaven. I know she's proud of us for not giving up," says Morris' mother, Jonni Hare, who was seen placing flowers in the field Thursday. She also thanked police and public for their help searching for Morris. Officials didn't take questions or give a cause of death. "We will continue to investigate this case ... in our continuing effort to seek justice for the family and loved ones of Christina Morris," Plano police chief Gregory Rushin says. (Read more missing person stories.)(Newser)  Three people were being held hostage by a gunman Friday afternoon at the largest veterans home in the US, CNN reports. According to KCRA, shots were reported fired in the dining room of the Veterans Home of California in Napa Valley around 10:20am. Authorities say the gunman, who is armed with an unknown type of rifle, exchanged shots with police and took multiple hostages, eventually letting all but three go, the AP reports. California Highway Patrol assistant chief Chris Childs says the remaining hostages are employees of The Pathway Home, a nonprofit that treats veterans with PTSD at the facility. Their condition is unknown. The husband of a woman who works with the nonprofit says the gunman entered a going-away party and staff meeting Friday morning.

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Authorities say the gunman is confined to one room, which has been surrounded by police, and poses no threat to the public. Napa County Sheriff John Robertson says they know who the gunman is but aren't releasing his identity. They've been unable to contact him on his cellphone or facility phones and aren't sure of his motivation. Hostage negotiators are on the scene. A spokesperson for the California Highway Patrol says they are unaware of any injuries at this time. Both the FBI and ATF responded to the situation. About 80 high school students were rehearsing a play at the facility when hostages were taken, but Robertson says they were never in danger. A mom of two of the students says they were texting her to "chill." The Veterans Home of California was founded in 1884 and is home to around 1,000 veterans. (Read more hostages stories.)(Newser)  A hostage standoff at a California veterans home ended Friday with a grim discovery: four dead bodies, including the gunman's. Authorities say Albert Wong, 36, a decorated Army rifleman, crept into the Veterans Home of California-Yountville with a high-powered rifle and held three mental health workers hostage for hours before killing them and himself, the Press Democrat reports. The victims were Christine Loeber, 48; Jennifer Golick, 42; and Jennifer Gonzales, 29, who worked at a post-traumatic stress disorder program that had recently expelled Wong. "Three innocent souls gave their all and are no longer with us," says Vito Imbasciani, secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Wong slipped onto facility grounds at around 10am, exchanged fire with a sheriff's deputy, and then quietdespite the swarm of law enforcement officers that lay siege and tried contacting him, the AP reports. The bodies were found about eight hours later. As for Wong, he had served three years in the infantry and garnered four medals, including a campaign medal in Afghanistan with two campaign stars. "Like many of our young men (in the military), he did see some rough times," says a woman who became Wong's legal guardian. Now authorities are trying to digest what happened. "I feel sick to my stomach. I feel sick to my heart," says Rep. Mike Thompson of St. Helena. "Its just, its just really hard to think about it, talk about it. Its another senseless killing." (Read more hostages stories.)(Newser)  An investigation into the apparent poisoning of a Russian double agent and his daughter concentrated Friday on two grave sites in the once-quiet city of Salisbury, the Guardian reports. With some 200 military personnel supporting police efforts, hazmat-suit-wearing experts established tents around two graves: the wife and son of Sergei Skripal, 66, the agent found slumped over a Salisbury bench last Sunday. The wife, Liudmila, is said to have died of cancer six years ago at age 59, while 43-year-old son Alexander died in St. Petersburg last March for unknown reasons. In other developments:

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The British government is convening its emergency "Cobra" committee today, including foreign secretary Boris Johnson, to hear about the police probewhich official sources say is "moving quite quickly."

British Detective Sgt. Nick Bailey, sickened during the investigation, is in serious condition but able to speak with visitors, CNN reports. Officials want to know if he fell ill visiting the Salisbury bench or Skripal's home, where the agent's daughter Yulia may have unwittingly brought home a "Trojan horse" package of deadly nerve gas from Moscow, the Sun notes.

Skripal's main job as a double agent was to give MI6 a full list of Russian intelligence officersbut that doesn't include undercover spies in the West, the Times reports. He also siphoned information to the CIA and other British allies.

Investigators have identified the substance used to fell Skripal and his daughter, who remain in critical condition. (Read more Russia stories.)(Newser)  A baby in the newborn intensive care unit of a Wisconsin hospital was found with unexplained bruising last April, the Wisconsin State Journal reports. A investigation wasn't launched until 10 months later. In that time, investigators found, another four newborns suffered injuries ranging from bruising to bone fractures. Now the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is threatening to cancel its contract with UnityPoint Health-Meriter in Madison because the hospital didn't do enough to keep its patients safe, according to the BBC. A report from the federal agency concluded Meriter failed to develop and implement an effective policy to prevent, screen, identify, train, protect, thoroughly investigate, report, and respond to any allegations of suspected abuse related to injuries of unknown origin."

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An investigation into injuries to newborns at Meriter wasn't launched until last month. Babies with bruising on their arms were discovered Feb. 2 and Feb. 3. The second baby was found with bruising on its face Feb. 4 and a lump on its head Feb. 7. A CT scan Feb. 8 revealed skull and arm fractures, at which point a child abuse expert was called, WISC reports. Police were notified and an investigation finally launched Feb. 9. The investigation revealed two babies with unexplained injuries in 2017 and another in January. A nurse who had cared for the babies was suspended Feb. 8 and is being investigated by police. Meriter says it's implementing a new safety plan, including a security guard in the newborn unit, cameras in every room, and a decrease in the number of babies each nurse supervises. (Read more child abuse stories.)(Newser)  Many doctors in Quebec are upset about pay raisesthat is, about having them at all. With nurses complaining about their workload, nearly 740 doctors, medical students, and residents in the Canadian province are petitioning to reject pay raises and have the money given to nurses, the New York Times reports. "The system has to changeit will not survive much longer," says Isabelle Leblanc, a Montreal physician who helped organize the petition. "For a long time the system has revolved around physicians and hospitals." The doctors' movement gained traction this year when angry nurses told the media about six-day workweeks, pay cuts, and extra hours.

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"We have no life," a 36-year-old nurse with three children tells the National Post . "One day off in a week, and they call us four times to come in for extra work. I've had enough." Doctors, meanwhile, have seen their income rise by an average of about $125,000 to $315,000, with more raises guaranteed until 2023. But the petition's fate is unclear, with support coming from a minority of doctors and government officials having a possible conflict of interestafter all, Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard is a neurosurgeon and Health Minister Gaetan Barrette is a radiologist. Barrette, however, says he's open to changes: "If [doctors] feel theyre overpaid, they can leave the money on the table," he tells the Montreal Gazette . "I guarantee that I can make good use of it."

(Read more health care stories.)(Newser)  The Trump administration said Saturday it has taken the first step in the regulatory process to ban bump stocks, the AP reports. The move was expected after President Trump ordered the Justice Department to work toward a ban following the shooting deaths of 17 people at a Florida high school in February. Bump stocks, which enable guns to fire like automatic weapons, were not used in that attackthey were used in last year's Las Vegas massacrebut have since become a focal point in the gun control debate. The Justice Department's regulation would classify the hardware as a machine gun banned under federal law. That would reverse a 2010 decision by the ATF that found bump stocks did not amount to machine guns and could not be regulated unless Congress amended existing firearms law or passed a new one.

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A reversal of the ATF's earlier evaluation could be seen as an admission that it was legally flawed, which manufacturers could seize on in court. Even as the Trump administration moves toward banning bump stocks, some ATF officials believe it lacks the authority to do so. But any congressional effort to create new gun control laws would need support from the pro-gun Republican majority. A bid to ban the accessory fizzled last year, even as lawmakers expressed openness to the idea after nearly 60 people were gunned down in Las Vegas. Calls mounted for a bump stock ban after that massacre, and the Justice Department said it would again review whether they can be prohibited under federal law. The proposal still needs the approval of the Office of Management and Budget.

(Read more bump stocks stories.)Sorry!

This content is not available in your regionFairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Snow this morning will taper off and give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High around 40F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 80%. Snow accumulations less than one inch..

Tonight

Overcast. Low 27F. Winds light and variable.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.

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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.New Delhi:

The financial landscape of the country is on a downward spiral with cases a plenty surfacing on big corporate tycoons committing fraudulent business transactions and fleeing away from the country.

While billionaire diamantaire Nirav Modi and his associate Mehul Choksi duped the Punjab National Bank and other banking majors with fraudulent banking transactions, the Aircel-Maxis deal has once again caught the eye of financial and banking experts, who feel the telecom deal could potentially unearth as one of the biggest banking scams to ever hit the country.



Telecom company Aircel which recently filed for bankruptcy at the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) opens up a lot of questions as to how this entity which was a rising telecom player in the recent past went into a state of financial distress in no time whatsoever.

One question which racks every Indians mind is who could be the brainchild behind robbing Indian banks to the tune of Rs 15000 crores. Well the answer comes in the form of Maxis Communications' 79-year-old owner T Ananda Krishan, who is the third richest Malaysian with a net worth estimated at around 6.5 arab dollars.

To unearth all the fallacies behind the Aircel Maxis deal, News Nation has gone the distance uncovering some telling facts over a time span of twelve years.

News Nation ran an exclusive show with an expert panel on board discussing who was the brainchild behind the Aircel Maxis deal and what was his ultimate objective



Malaysian business tycoon T Ananda Krishnan owned Maxis Communications acquired Indian telco Aircel for a rathan paltry purchase considetation of only USD 1 billion dollar. Within one year of acquiring Aircel, Maxis sold off its 25 per cent stake to a Saudi Arabian telecom company for a staggering USD 3 billion. What was startling about this sell-off was that most of the assets sold to the Saudi Arabian telco were initially purchased by Maxis from Indian based Aircel.



Expressing his views on the nature of the deal from an ethical standpoint, News Nation's Senior Journalist and telecom expert Manoj Gairola made the following comments  It seems that Maxis owner T Ananda Krishnans whole idea of taking over Aircel were dubious from the very beginning and was built around the premise of saving his Malaysian company through fraudulent means and measures.

Highlighting the gaping holes in Indian bank's lending principle, Gairola added that in 2009, SBI and other banks issued Aircel loans amounting to Rs 10,000 crore by just keeping its 2G spectrum as a guarantee. The spectrums were allocated on a first come first serve basis and the value of Aircel's spectrum would have not been more than Rs 1000 crores.

Ananda Krishnan knew from the very beginning that he would never be able to pay off the humongous debt taken by his company from Indian banks so took to all unethical means to save his company from scanner of telecom regulatories and financial watchdogs.

Also read| PNB scam: Mehul Choksi refuses to return to India citing health reasons, questions CBI how he is a threat to country

Anand devised a master plan to execute his evil intentions. He delisted his telecom company Maxis from the Malaysian stock exchange. As an eye wash, he then split his telecom entity into two companies. One was deemed to look after the Malaysian operations while the other meant to take care of the Indian operations. He then got the Malaysian company re-listed on the stock exchange and left the Indian entity as a private player.



Ananda Krishnan was quite successful in hatching his plan to fool the regulatory bodies. When Aircels dwindling business went into doldrums in India, cases were filed and investigation was carried out against the Indian corporate entity while Maxis Communications remained safegaurded and never came under the scanner.

CBI goes hammer and tongs after Ananda Krishnan issuing summons and an arrest warrant - A timeline

The Central Bureau of Investigation filed a charge sheet in connection to the AircelMaxis deal on 29th August 2014. Ananda Krishnan was named as one of the prime accused in the fraudulent business acquisition.

In Oct 2014, a special court issued summons against Krishnan but he did not respond. On 16th March 2015, summons were again issued but Anand again remained close guarded, rendering no response.



On 3rd Aug 2015, summons were issued for a third time but once again Krishnan remained defiant and chose not to answer. On 7th Dec 2015, a fourth summon was issued but Ananda did not pay any heed to it. In Sep 2016, an arrest warrant was issued against him for not responding to the fifth summon in July 2016.



Despite all the summons and arrest warrant, Ananda could not be arrested. In Jan 2017, the Supreme Court of India proposed cancellation of Aircel's spectrum licence. However the lending consortium made a plea to the apex court that if Aircel's business ceases to exist, they would find it near to impossible to recover their crores of loan payments due from the entity.

As of now, the Aircel-Maxis deal case is in the jurisdiction of the Supreme court and to make things worse for the banks, Aircel has declared itself bankrupt.

For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.Bhopal:

Police arrested a 32-year-old man for allegedly murdering an ex-Air Force personnel and his wife on Saturday, less than 24 hours after their bodies were found by neighbours, officials said.

"We have arrested Raju Dhakad (32) for the killing of GK Nair (70) and his wife Gomti (68). He was employed withthem. He was arrested from Gopal Nagar slums and has confessed to the murder," Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Dharmendra Choudhary said.

The couple were found dead in their Narmada Green Valley residence, with their throats slit, by neighbours on Friday morning. Choudhary said that Raju, who used to work for the Nair couple, had borrowed money from them for his sister's marriage and was not returning it.

"Later Nair had removed him from the job and also from a PSU company where he was working as a contract labourer. Enraged, Raju killed them on the night of March 8," the DIG said.

The accused fled the scene after stealing a gold chainand eight yellow bangles, all of which were recovered, police said. Officials said that they had obtained crucial evidence in the form of the accused's blood-stained clothes. A case under section 302 (murder) and 394 (voluntary causing hurt in committing robbery) of the IPC was registered against him, he added.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

The AAP government on Thursday accused the BJP of hoodwinking traders by not bringing in an ordinance to end the sealing drive here.

It (sealing drive) was a conspiracy to collect money from Delhi businessmen, Saurabh Bharadwaj, the chief spokesperson of the partys Delhi unit, alleged.

He alleged that the BJP leaders in Delhi were swindling crores of rupees from traders after civic bodies started the drive on the directions of Supreme Court-appointed Monitoring Committee

Bhardwaj alleged that the saffron party was hoodwinking traders by not bringing in an ordinance to end the sealing drive. He said the issue would be addressed only after the BJP-led Centre brought in an ordinance.

Referring to a decision of the apex court, which stayed the amendments made by the DDA in Delhi Master Plan 2021 to give relief to the traders, the party chief Brijesh Goyal said, We are helpless after the SC rejected the amendments by the DDA that could have brought relief to the traders.

Due to the negligence of the central government, the people of Delhi and businessmen were in trouble, Goyal said.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Friday said he will fight with BJPs "nasty form of politics" of dividing people and defeat the saffron party in 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Rahul Gandhi was speaking in a panel discussion on IndiaAt70 at the prestigious Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore.

He said there is a challenge to Indias idea of plurality and peoples freedom is being challenged under the ruling regime.

"If you ask me what am I proud about my country...it is the idea of plurality. It's the idea that people in India can say anything they want, do anything they want and they won't face any problem and that is being challenged...,"

He accused the ruling BJP of doing the politics of anger to win elections.

News Nation Exclusive: Aircel files to bankruptcy; SBI, other banks could be robbed off staggering Rs 15000 crores

"There is a particular type of politics that's not only happening in India but in a number of places - of dividing people, of using (their) anger to win elections and that's what is happening in India," the Congress President said.

Rahul also hit out at BJP president Amit Shah over the first of its kind press conference by four senior Supreme Court judges and said there is a challenge to Indias institutional structure.

"For the first time in my life, I saw four Supreme Court judges actually go to the people for justice. They went to the press and said that they need the people to hear their voice as there is something that is fundamentally wrong. I don't know if you know the details about the comments they were making but the centre of the issue is the case of Amit Shah. So, there is a challenge to the institutional structure of our country," he said in a veiled reference to the case of mysterious death of CBI Judge Loya, who was hearing a case in which Amit Shah was an accused.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived New Delhi on Friday night on a four-day India visit and was received at the airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a special gesture.

Macron was accompanied by his wife Brigitte Marie-Claude Macron, besides senior ministers from his Cabinet.

During the visit, the two countries would look to boost ties, especially in the areas of maritime security and counter-terrorism.

An agreement on the Jaitapur nuclear power plant, which is being built with French assistance, is expected to be signed during the visit, sources here said.

Stepping up cooperation in the Indian Ocean region will be one of the top issues that will be discussed by Macron and Prime Minister Modi during delegation-level talks on Saturday.

France has particularly supported Indias perspective on terror in South Asia. We are seeing convergence in new areas, particularly maritime security, counter-terrorism and renewable energy, K Nagraj Naidu, joint secretary (Europe-west), told reporters.

Besides defence, cooperation in the areas of nuclear energy and space are the other pillars of the strategic partnership between India and France.

Also Read | US announces USD 5 million bounty for Pak Taliban leader Maulana Fazlullah

In the area of space, India and France have a matured engagement and we would like to take it to a new level, Naidu said.

The Indo-French cooperation in the area of space is more than five-decades-old.

Besides conventional areas, thrust would also be on renewable energy, high-speed train and stepping cooperation in trade.

After holding delegation-level talks with Modi tomorrow, Macron will take part in a Town Hall and have an interactive session, in which nearly 300 students from different levels and institutions are expected to participate.

On the same day, he will also take part in a Knowledge Summit which will be attended by more than 200 academicians from both sides.

On March 11, President Macron will attend the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Summit, an initiative mooted by France and India.

The ISA Summit, expected to be attended by several heads of the states and governments, is likely to focus on concrete projects. On the same day, he will also visit Taj Mahal in Agra.

President Macron will also visit Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Modi, on March 12.

He, along with Modi, will inaugurate a solar plant in Uttar Pradeshs Mirzapur.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday received ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

During the ceremonial welcome, Macron said, I think we have very good chemistry, our two great democracies have a historic relationship.

Earlier on Friday night, Macron arrived in India on a four-day state visit and PM Modi himself reached Delhi Airport to receive him.

During the visit, the two countries are likely to boost ties in several areas including maritime security and counter-terrorism.

An agreement on the Jaitapur nuclear power plant, which is being built with French assistance, is expected to be signed during the visit, sources here said.

Stepping up cooperation in the Indian Ocean region will be one of the top issues that will be discussed by Macron and Prime Minister Modi during delegation-level talks on Saturday.

Also Read | French President Emmanuel Macron arrives in India, gets PM Modi's welcome hug

France has particularly supported Indias perspective on terror in South Asia. We are seeing convergence in new areas, particularly maritime security, counter-terrorism and renewable energy, K Nagraj Naidu, joint secretary (Europe-west), told reporters.

Besides defence, cooperation in the areas of nuclear energy and space are the other pillars of the strategic partnership between India and France. Besides conventional areas, thrust would also be on renewable energy, high-speed train and stepping cooperation in trade.

Here are the live updates:

#07:59 PM: President of France Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron received by President Ram Nath Kovind, First Lady of India Savita Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and PM Narendra Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan. They will take part in International Solar Alliance.

President of France #EmmanuelMacron and his wife Brigitte Macron received by President Ram Nath Kovind, First Lady of India Savita Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and PM Narendra Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan. #InternationalSolarAlliance pic.twitter.com/oV5l5evVfB  ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018

#05:44 PM:

French President #EmmanuelMacron after concluding the interaction with students at #Delhi's Bikaner House. pic.twitter.com/zvqHkOKHzE  ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018

#05:22 PM: I want to double the number of Indian students coming to France and also want to increase the number of French students going to India: French President Emmanuel Macron

#05:00 PM: Most of the issues we have today, on climate, on terrorism are because of the short term vision of most of the leaders. They were greedy: French President Emmanuel Macron

#04:58 PM: We're in middle of revolution on digital era & climate change. We need more speediness. What we need is change in mindset, facilitate entrepreneurship, increase risk takers' numbers.Artificial Intelligence is big game changer but you need to start it from ground: French President

#04:50 PM: I think we need more exchange between our people, our students. I want most of the researchers to come to France and I am happy to be here today: French President Emmanuel Macron.

I think we need more exchange between our people, our students. I want most of the researchers to come to France and I am happy to be here today: French President #EmmanuelMacron pic.twitter.com/2AZnXxw3Ul  ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018

#04:45 PM: President of France Emmanuel Macron interacting with students at Delhi's Bikaner House

#04:00 PM: French President Emmanuel Macron met President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

# 03:19 PM: PM Narendra Modi and President of France Emmanuel Macron at CEOs' Forum in Delhi.

PM Narendra Modi and President of France Emmanuel Macron at CEOs' Forum in #Delhi. pic.twitter.com/kXLHG4z9m6  ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018

# 01:36 PM: We want our (India & France) youth to know each other's countries, in this direction we have signed two agreements today. We believe our people to people relations are significant for the bright future of India-France bilateral ties: Modi

We want our (India & France) youth to know each other's countries, in this direction we have signed two agreements today: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/d4yOZx27sX  ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018

# 01:35 PM: Liberty, equality and fraternity not only echo in France, but are also deeply embedded in India's constitution: PM Modi

# 01:26 PM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron to explore ways to deepen bilateral cooperation, including in the fields of defence, security, trade and investment. 14 agreements signed

# 01:25 PM: WATCH PM Modi and French President Macron issue a joint statement

#WATCH PM Modi and French President Macron issue a joint statement https://t.co/XyMamvNxL9  ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018

# 11:40 AM: French President Macron and PM Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in Delhi

Delhi: French President #EmmanuelMacron and PM Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House pic.twitter.com/sztCMbslqE  ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018

# 10:30 AM: French President Emmanuel Macron meets External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in Delhi.

# 10:00 AM: Tomorrow, PM Modi will co-chair the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance with President Emmanuel Macron on 11th March. The ISA is a unique effort that brings the world together to harness solar energy and create a cleaner as well as greener future.

#9:45 AM: French President Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte Macron pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.



Delhi: French President #EmmanuelMacron and wife Brigitte Macron pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat pic.twitter.com/GQhc1CEG6z  ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018

#9:30 AM: French President Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte Macron with President Kovind, Savita Kovind and PM Modi at Rashtrapati Bhawan

French President #EmmanuelMacron and wife Brigitte Macron with President Kovind,Savita Kovind and PM Modi at Rashtrapati Bhawan pic.twitter.com/kPsmaxtXjk  ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.Mumbai:

With the Congress attacking the Centre on the Rafale deal, Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said it is "irresponsible and anti-national" to allege corruption in the Euro 7.5 billion fighter aircraft contract with France.

His remarks came a day after the Congress accused the Narendra Modi government of "compromising" on national security and causing a loss of Rs 12,632 crore to the state exchequer on account of purchase of 36 Rafale jets under the inter-governmental deal.

"Where is the corruption? It is irresponsible and anti-national to make such allegations," the minister for shipping, ports, road transport and Ganga rejuvenation said.

Gadlkari asked if the country did not require a front line fighter plane such as the Rafale and took potshots at the previous Congress government questioning if the procurement of critical defence assets could be postponed for five-six years over fear of corruption.

Citing the annual report of Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the fighter aircraft, the Congress alleged that the company sold each jet to India at a price which was Rs 351 crore higher than those sold to Qatar and Egypt 11 months ago.

On the nearly Rs 13,000-crore Punjab National Bank fraud case involving Nirav Modi, Gadkari said the BJP has nothing to do with the gems and jewellery businessman and added that it was unfair to "bill" the blame on it.

"Who was in power when he was given loan?" the BJP leader countered, without naming the Congress or the UPA.

Gadkari said the NDA government will take appropriate action against people wanted by India and who are holed up abroad such as Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya.

However, he sought to underline that every NPA (non-performing asset) is not a scam or involves criminality, as businesses go through various cycles and have to be supported during the tougher times.

"There are two kinds of intentions, bonafide and malafide. We will act strong against malafide intentions," he said.

The government has helped save Rs 3 lakh crore in NPAs through 22 Cabinet decisions which helped revive stalled projects that helped companies engaged in road building and also the banks, Gadkari claimed.

On the logjam in Parliament, Gadkari alleged that it was due to the opposition's desire to hog the limelight, and therefore, no business got transacted in the two Houses.

The government, he said, is ready to conduct a debate on any issue, including the Rafale deal or the PNB fraud, he said, adding that only one debate can happen at a time.

Gadkari said the BJP's win in northeastern states such as Tripura signified the prevailing mood in the country about the NDA rule and exuded confidence that the alliance would return to power after the next general elections.

He said barring Gujarat, where the Congress has increased its seat tally, the principal opposition party has seen a steady decline in elections.

Gadkari claimed that his ministries alone have helped create 50 lakh jobs because of the works of over Rs 8.5 lakh crore that it has undertaken and referred to a IIT-Bombay study which has a ratio of job creation to the amount of money invested.

He, however, said that even though there has been progress on the job creation and skill development fronts by the government, the population continues to grow and the aspirations of the people are also growing faster which may make some people discontented.

Gadkari also expressed his reservation over driver-less cars, saying the government would rather protect the jobs of drivers.

On the Ganga rejuvenation front, he said the government will be awarding over 140 remaining projects by the end of this month, while conceding that only 47 projects have been awarded till now.

Admitting that the government has more work to do in the rural and agricultural sectors, Gadkari said specific measures are being taken on these fronts.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

Former Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi on Friday said that someone from outside the Nehru-Gandhi family could be the party president in near future.

Sonia Gandhi, who was speaking at the India Today Conclave, was asked if there are any chances of someone from outside the family heading the Congress.

Replying to the question, she said, "Why not? In future, there may well be.

After Rahul Gandhis elevation as party president, Congresss rival and countrys ruling party BJP has been criticising Congress for being a party of one family.

Choosing its leader democratically has been Congress partys old tradition, Sonia said.

Also Read | Congress will fight nasty politics in India, defeat BJP in next polls: Rahul Gandhi in Singapore

On being asked if the Congress party, which is already hitting the deck, will survive without a leader from Gandhi family, Sonia said, the question should be put to Congress workers.

Sonia, the wife of former PM Rajiv referred to the Bush and Clinton dynasties of the US and also to dynasties in several states of India.

Reacting to a question that there is a common political perception among Congress rivals that Sonia Gandhi was in actual power at the time of UPA government when Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister, she said, "I don't think it was that kind of a situation."

Gandhi also revealed that reason why she sacrificed Indias Prime Ministership, a post many leaders strive for.

"I thought Dr Manmohan Singh would be a better Prime Minister than myself. I knew my limitations, the UPA chairperson replied.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

Campaigning has already come to an end for the high stakes bye-elections to the Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha seats, with the ruling BJP, the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress leaving no stone unturned to drum up support for their candidates ahead of polling on Sunday.

On the other hand, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has forged a grand alliance with its decades-old enemy SP and is supporting a common candidate in order to defeat who they see as a common enemy.

Voting will take place on March 11 and counting is scheduled to be held on March 14. The ruling BJP, which won over 300 seats in the 403-member UP assembly last year, expects a walkover.

The by polls were necessitated after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya vacated the Gorakhpur and Phulpur seats respectively, following their election to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council.

For the BJP, Gorakhpur is significant as it is the bastion of the chief minister, who has represented the seat in the Lok Sabha five times. Prior to Yogi Adityanath, the seat was thrice represented in Parliament by his mentor Yogi Avaidyanath.

Phulpur, once the bastion of the Congress and represented by India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, witnessed a saffron surge in the 2014 Lok Sabha election, when Maurya won the seat.

Visuals of preparation for by-poll in Gorakhpur; Phulpur and Gorakhpur to undergo voting tomorrow. #UttarPradesh pic.twitter.com/MSbh8ouNEN  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 10, 2018

The saffron party has fielded Kaushalendra Singh Patel from Phulpur and Upendra Dutt Shukla from Gorakhpur against the SP's Pravin Nishad and Nagendra Pratap Singh Patel respectively. Sureetha Kareem is the Congress candidate from Gorakhpur. The party has fielded Manish Mishra from Phulpur.

Also Read | Madhya Pradesh Bypolls: 77.05% voter turnout in Mungaoli, 77.40% in Kolaras

There are ten candidates in the fray from Gorakhpur, while there are 22 candidates contesting from Phulpur.

"The lotus (BJP's poll symbol) will bloom in both the seats. I have no doubt. The very fact that people are talking mostly about BJP's victory margin is itself an indicator that the party is going to win. You can rest assured that we are going to improve our margin in both the seats," Deputy Chief Minister Maurya told PTI.

Maurya said that as far as the vote-share was concerned, "60 per cent is ours and the rest is for others to share".

Adityanath has termed the bye-elections a rehearsal for the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

Speaking at a public meeting in Pipraich, he said, "The bypolls are a rehearsal for the 2019 parliamentary election. Work for the present election and also work for 2019 (Lok Sabha election) and win all 80 seats of the state for Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

According to the Election Commission, there 19.61 lakh voters in Phulpur parliamentary constituency, while there are 19.49 lakh voters in Gorakhpur parliamentary.

Also Read: Mayawati denies reports of alliance with Samajwadi Party, BSP won't contest Lok Sabha Bypolls in UP

The ruling BJP did not only win both the seats in the 2014 general elections but also swept the state Assembly polls last year.

However, this time the party will face a new challenge as the SP contestants have the backing of BSP.

(With inputs from PTI)

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.Another eruption at a volcano in southwestern Japan sent smoke soaring to a height of 4,500 meters, the highest altitude reached since volcanic activity began 9 days ago.

The Meteorological Agency says the eruption occurred shortly before 2 AM Saturday at Mount Shinmoe, which straddles Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures. Volcanic rocks landed 1.8 kilometers away from the crater.

Agency officials say lava is still moving down the northwestern slope.

The agency is keeping the volcanic alert level at 3, on a scale of 1 to 5. This means people should stay away from the mountain.

The agency is warning that eruptions could send large rocks flying up to 4 kilometers from the crater, and that pyroclastic flows could travel 4 kilometers from the crater, as well.A Japanese court on Friday sentenced a Peruvian man to death, as sought by public prosecutors, for killing six residents, including two girls, of Saitama Prefecture, north of Tokyo, in September 2015.

Naoto Sasaki, presiding judge at Saitama District Court, recognized that the 32-year-old Peruvian, Vayron Jonathan Nakada Ludena, had full competence to take criminal responsibility for the murders, dismissing the defense side's claim that he did not on the grounds of insanity.

Sasaki also acknowledged Nakada's murderous intent, pointing out that the suspect stabbed the victims in the chest or stomach when he broke into their houses to steal money and valuables.

In the lay-judge trial, public prosecutors claimed that Nakada was mentally competent to take full criminal responsibility, as his actions were apparently backed by deliberate intent, such as changing into different jackets after the murders and hiding some of the bodies in closets.

The defense side pleaded Nakada's innocence by reason of insanity, claiming he suffered from schizophrenia and that hallucinations from the illness made him unable to tell right from wrong.

201526Broome County officials are demanding a New York City agency to stop sending its homeless to the Binghamton area.

New York City's Human Resources Administration has been relocating homeless people through a Special One Time Assistance program (SOTA) that provides a year's rent up front. However, local municipalities are forced to pick up the rest of their living expenses.

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar held a press conference Thursday. He said the process is illegal and needs to stop immediately.

"New York City is avoiding their responsibility to provide these people assistance and transferring their government responsibilities right here to Broome County taxpayers," Garnar said. "One year rent is paid up front by New York City, then New York City abandons them and they now become the responsibility of Broome County."

The Broome County Department of Social Services have identified five cases where New York City transferred its responsibilities by paying a local landlord one year's rent in advance. DSS discovered the situation when the families arrived to apply for SNAP food stamps, Medicaid, and utility benefits, all of which they're now legally entitled to.

Broome's Deputy County Attorney Howard Schultz believes it's happening throughout Upstate New York.

Schultz is asking New York City officials to cease the SOTA program, compensate Broome for the additional benefit costs, and take the families back.

"These families should have never been basically excommunicated from New York City," said Schultz. "New York City has a homeless problem. Broome County, and every county to some degree, has a homeless problem. Broome County takes its homeless problem seriously and not cynically like New York City does."

Schultz said he expects answers from New York City officials by early next week.The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has insisted that the new minimum wage must come into effect in July this year.President of Congress, Ayuba Wabba, who told The Guardian in an exclusive interview in Abuja, yesterday, added that Congress would reject any date that is beyond July.Wabba highlighted that arrangements have been finalised to sign the agreement in Kigali, Rwanda on March 21, this year.He said: Going by all the data submitted so far to the negotiation committee, we believe that a new wage is possible in July. Labour will reject any date that is beyond July and we have made that known to the government.The NLC chief also accused the Minister of Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah, of seeking to sign the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement, without consulting labour, manufacturers and the National Assembly.He stated: Admittedly a free trade agreement is not a customs union in the sense that Member States abolish only tariffs between them, while maintaining their own tariffs on third world countries, but this would already be impossible.Far from promoting regional integration of the continent, it will disintegrate it strongly in opening wide the doors to multinationals already well implemented in most African countries and which would concentrate their activities in the most competitive countries from which they would export to the others.Wabba explained that the trade agreement, which is being pushed by the European Union and World Trade Organisation (WTO), would damage Africas economy and promote massive unemployment.On his part, the Executive Secretary of the Organisation Trade Union of West Africa (OTUWA), John Odah, while faulting the agreement, said only Nigeria and The Gambia and other few countries in the continent are yet to sign the document.He added: Indeed, the new acronym is a new one. The old one was the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) they have been pushing, which has failed. The agreement is a bad move for the labour and manufacturers in the continent and will further subject Africa to the negative effects of the neo-liberal policies on the West.Meanwhile, the Presidency has launched a discreet investigation into employment of 350 new staffers into the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige.The Guardian gathered in Abuja that the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, is leading the investigation.The investigation team was also given the task of unraveling the alleged N200 million spent on staff induction and training approved by the minister.A source said: The presidency has directed that a team investigate the employment scam going on in NSITF. It was learnt that some senior members of the ministry got about 300 employment letters of senior new employees ready for distribution.The investigation team is also expected to examine the appropriation of N200million approved for the training and induction of staff.The time frame for the submission of the report was not made known yet as at the time of filing this report.Ten persons have been confirmed killed by gunmen that invaded rural settlements in Daffo District of Bokkos Local Government, Plateau St...

Ten persons have been confirmed killed by gunmen that invaded rural settlements in Daffo District of Bokkos Local Government, Plateau State, on Friday.Mr Danjuma Wabas, Councillor representing Daffo District told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), that the deceased, including five women, four men and an infant, have been burial.Many of the fear-stricken villagers had fled to some other settlements.Among the houses destroyed in the attack was that of a former Deputy Governor of Plateau.Worst hit villages are Ngakudung, Farunhai, Mhorok, Ganda and Warrem-Hotom.Also hit were Maidunna and Josho, where Sen. Joshua Dariye (APC/Plateau Central), took relief materials last week, following an attack on the village in February.Some of the villagers, who spoke to NAN, said that the attackers wore black uniform and had sophisticated guns.The attackers wore black uniforms and with scarfs tied on their heads, Mr. Malo Mafulul, said at Ganda village.Among those who died in the hospital was Mrs. Naomi Zakaria, who was shot in the stomach, he said.We rushed her to the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos but she died shortly after we arrived there, he said.Major Umar Adams, spokesman of Operation Save Haven (OPSH), the security outfit in- charge of the state, confirmed the attack also.Yes, we are aware of the attacks, but we are yet to ascertain the number of casualties.When the report came to my officers, the first four women that were shot were rushed to the hospital for medical attention. As at that time, only one infant, who is less than one year old, was confirmed dead.The situation only got worse when some youths mobilized to confront the attackers, he said.He, however, said that calm had returned to the affected areas, adding that five persons had been arrested in connection with the attacks.Adams said that most of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), were taking refuge in some worship centres in Bokkos town, while some of those injured were being treated at Bokkos Cottage Hospital and Plateau Specialist Hospital in Jos.The STF spokesman urged the people to exercise restraint and allow the security agents to deal with the situation.The youths should exercise restraint and support the security agencies to restore sanity to Daffo District and Bokkos Local Government, he said.Mr Simon Angyol, the Chairman of the Interim Management Committee of Bokkos Local Government, also confirmed the attacks and described it as very sad.The attacks are getting too many. It is a very difficult situation for the entire Bokkos Local Government, he said.He called on the federal and Plateau governments to come to the aid of the victims, saying that most of them were women and children whose situation had gone beyond the capacity of the local government.Angyol, however, commended the security agencies for their quick response which restored calm to the affected areas.The Federal Government on Friday announced that it would be forwarding loan request documents to the China Exim Bank for the release of funds in order to commence construction work on the Ibadan-Kaduna railway project.According to the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, the government is optimistic that China will release the loan this year so that work can commence on the project.Amaechi disclosed this on the sidelines of an event in Abuja where he inaugurated the boards of five agencies under the Federal Ministry of Transportation.The minister said, We are currently working on the Lagos-Ibadan railway and weve completed the spur from Kaduna to Abuja. Weve awarded the contract from Ibadan to Kaduna and from Kaduna to Kano. We will be forwarding our documents for the loan to the China Exim Bank, hoping that they will give us the loan this year for us to commence construction.We are negotiating for the contract from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, which is about 2,000km, because we had to take a spur from Port Harcourt to Owerri, and from Owerri passing through Nnewi to Awka, and then from Awka to Abakaliki, while proceeding on to Gombe. From there, we will take a spur to Yobe, Yola and Borno.The minister had earlier tasked members of the boards he inaugurated to live up to expectation, as Nigerians would hold them responsible if they failed to take the agencies to greater heights.This is coming as the Nigeria Railway Corporation on Friday assured passengers travelling on the Abuja-Kaduna train service of safety while onboard the trains and at rail stations.The Deputy Director, Public Relations, NRC, Yakub Mahmood, said it had become expedient to allay the fear of the passengers.The NRC management wishes to allay the fear of our passengers after the reported incident where miscreants along the Abuja-Kaduna railway corridor engaged in an unwholesome act of stoning our passenger trains as against the unsubstantiated and purported report of an attack by gunmen, he stated.Mahmood said this did not constitute a security threat to the operations of the train service but was a deliberate attempt by unpatriotic individuals to damage the assets of the Federal Government.He added that the NRC had deployed additional security equipment and personnel to check such acts.There was palpable tension on board an Arik Air Dash 8 Q400 aircraft on March 6, 2018 as undetected source of smoke in the aircraft cabi...

There was palpable tension on board an Arik Air Dash 8 Q400 aircraft on March 6, 2018 as undetected source of smoke in the aircraft cabin forced the pilot in command of the flight to declare emergency 81 nautical miles to the Kotoka International Airport, Accra , Ghana.The confusion that enveloped passengers on board was triggered by failure of the oxygen masks to deploy after the crew on board tried to calm down passengers, who had gone into prayer sessions as the smoke escalated.A passenger, who sent the incident message on social media said the cabin crew issued them serviette to cover their noses to avoid being choked by the smoke.The passenger recounted his experience thus : I boarded Arik air flight W3304 to Accra on Tuesday 06/03/2018. The name of the aircraft is STEPHEN. It was a Dash 8 NextGen propeller aircraft. The flight took off precisely 7.20pm (Lagos time) 35 minutes into the 55 minutes flight, I started perceiving something smelling like a burning stuff.Shortly after the guy sitting next to me asked if I perceived any smell of burning stuff and that confirmed my worst fears. Before you could say jack, smoke had filled the cabin. The air hostesses were busy scampering around opening the cabins and the lavatories to check if they could trace the source of the smoke without success.While that continued, the oxygen masks that were always being advertised during the safety demo prior to take-off couldnt be released instead we were handed tissue papers (otherwise called serviets) to use to cover our noses to minimize and filter out possible carbon monoxide inhalation.About 5 minutes after, precisely with 15 minutes of flight time remaining, the pilot came on the public address system to inform us that they have smoke coming into the cabin and that they dont know the source and that they have DECLARED EMERGENCY.At that point we knew that our lives were only in Gods hands. Everyone prayed to his/her Gods.To the glory of God, the flight successfully landed by 8.15pm (7.15pm Accra time) to the waiting of several fire service trucks at Kotoko International airport, Accra.We were evacuated into a waiting bus with instruction to leave everything behind in the cabin. Sadly there was no Arik official to address us neither was there any manner of first aid attention given to the passengers to manage stress and possible elevated blood pressures.After a while our cabin luggage were brought to us and we had to leave from there to go through the Ghana immigration to our individual destinations.Im highly discouraged that this near crash major incident was not reported in the media 2 days after (today is 08/03/2018) and I suspect a cover up by Arik and the authorities. So I have chosen to use the social media to ensure this news gets out.Kindly keep forwarding this message till everybody is made aware of the quality and kind of services Arik air gives and the possible cover ups before something terrible happens.If anyone is in doubt, I can be reached through chymexus@yahoo.com and I can provide my phone number for further verification.While confirming the incident ,Arik Air on Friday gave clarifications on how unknown source of smoke was detected in the cabin of its Dash 8 Q400 aircraft that was on flight W3 304 from Lagos to Accra on March 6, 2018 forcing the pilot in command to declare an emergency 81 nautical miles to airport of disembarkation.According to its Public Relations and Communications Manager, Adebanji Ola, the pilot took the safety step in line with standard operating procedures .Ola said the captain of the flight briefed the passengers accordingly assuring them that the aircraft was under control and safe for landing in Accra.The aircraft, he said landed safely in Accra without further incident and all passengers disembarked normally.He said : The aircraft is currently parked in Acrra and our team of engineers are conducting comprehensive inspections on the aircraft to ascertain the cause of the smoke, after which the aircraft will be flown without passengers to a maintenance facility for rectification and testing. The relevant aviation authorities in Ghana and Nigeria have been briefed appropriately on the incident.President Donald Trump of the United States of America (USA) is set to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a man he once dismissed as ...

President Donald Trump of the United States of America (USA) is set to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a man he once dismissed as Little Rocket Man.The high level talks are scheduled for May as part of the effort to free the Korean peninsula of nuclear arms, a South Korean official said outside the White House on Thursday.It would be the first face-to-face meeting in history between a U.S. president and a North Korean leader.The opening came through shuttle diplomacy by a South Korean delegation that arrived in Washington on Thursday. Trump heralded the development as a major announcement after speaking with the South Korean president.I told President Trump that in our meeting, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said hes committed to denuclearization. He pledged that North Korea will refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests, South Korean national security adviser Chung Eui-yong told reporters after meeting with Trump at the White House.Chung met with Kim earlier this week, and came to Washington on Thursday to relay the message from the North Korean leader.I explained to President Trump that his leadership, and his maximum pressure policy, along with international solidarity, brought us to this juncture, he said.The Trump administration has rallied the United Nations to impose ever-tightening sanctions against North Korea following a battery of missile tests.A Mount Olive police officer granted clemency from an obstruction of law conviction by Gov. Chris Christie during his final days in office has been hired back by his former department.

Ryan Eastridge, 33, of Oxford, has a conditional job offer to start June 30.

He has to graduate from the Morris County Police Academy, which he's scheduled to start on July 16, Mount Olive Police Chief Stephen Beecher said Friday.

"Ryan had a lot of friends on the department and was a valued member of our force, so were happy to bring him back," Beecher said in a phone interview.

Eastridge previously paid his own way through the police academy after deciding at the age of 15 that he wanted to work in law enforcement, then was hired by Mount Olive.

He served seven years on the department before having to resign on July 29, 2014 as a component of his guilty plea to a charge of obstruction of the administration of law enforcement.

The charge was a disorderly person's offense and resulted in a $625 fine, which the ten Mount Olive Police officers who attended court with him that day helped him pay immediately. He had to forfeit his job and any future employment in law enforcement -- until Christie granted him clemency this past December.

The charge had to do with Eastridge's neighbor, who asked the officer to see if an employee at the neighbor's landscaping company had an active warrant because the man was not showing up for work, Lee Vartan, Eastridge's attorney said Friday.

"That information is technically not confidential," Vartan said. "If you walk into a police department a duty officer could tell you."

Eastridge, though, looked it up on a police database.

Eastridge should have called Warren County and told authorities that his neighbor had inquired about the fugitive and might have information about his whereabouts, Vartan said.

"He made a mistake, but it's not something that should be criminally prosecuted," Eastridge's attorney said.

The warrant search resulted in the worker, who awaiting trial for sexual assault, to flee to San Diego, where he was eventually captured.

Beecher, who was a captain when the incident occurred, said he had a difference of opinion with prosecutors about Eastridge being charged criminally.

"It was a situation where I thought he should've been disciplined," Beecher said Friday. "But I didn't think should've risen to him having to forfeit his job."

Eastridge was a 'participatory and proactive" patrolman in the department, the chief said.

He has to go through the police academy again because an officer can't be off the job for more than two years or he loses his Police Training Certificate, Beecher said.

Eastridge will be brought back near or a little higher than his salary when he left the department, because adjustments to department salaries have been made over the years. And he will be one step lower on the pay guide.

He also will lose seniority for overtime and outside details. His badge number will also change.

But his former locker, Vartan said, is still vacant at headquarters and he'll get that back.

"It was really unprecedented how all of this happened," Vartan said. "It was due as much to him as to everyone who supported him."

Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AllisonPries. Find NJ.com on Facebook.Eileen McCay is hoping change will come from tragedy.



Her close friend Colleen Brownell and Brownell's stepsister, Alysia McCloskey, deserve it, she says.

The two were at McCloskey's home in Collingswood on Dec. 30 when they were stabbed to death, prosecutors say.

Brownell's ex-fiance Mark Lyczak, 45, of Burlington City, is charged with their murders and the attempted murder of a third woman. He has been in the Camden County Jail ever since.

Brownell moved in with McCloskey, a county away from her ex, as she made plans to move to Florida. She had gotten a restraining order against Lyczak about five months before the incident and he'd been involved in a previous domestic incident at the home, prosecutors say.

Step-sisters Colleen Brownell, 48, left, and Alysia McCloskey, 41.

"She did everything she could to keep him away, and it wasn't enough," McCay told a reporter after Lyczak's detention hearing in Camden on Friday.

Now, McCay is hoping that Brownell's story will bring attention and finally lead to the passing of a long-discussed domestic violence law that she says could have prevented their killings.

Lisa's Law, named after Letizia "Lisa" Zindell of Toms River, would require domestic violence offenders who violate a restraining order to submit to electronic monitoring that could alert authorities if they were headed toward violating their restraining order again.

Zindell was beaten and strangled to death on Aug. 13, 2009 by her ex-fiance Frank Frisco, just one day after he was released from jail for violating a restraining order Zindell had filed against him.

He regularly violated the restraining order prior to that, according to previous reports.

The bill would establish a four-year pilot program monitoring domestic violence offenders first in Ocean County, and the state Attorney General would evaluate the program each year in reports to the Governor and the Legislature. Those reports could also recommend whether the program should be expanded to other counties.

The bill was initially sponsored by Assembly Democrats Troy Singleton, Daniel R. Benson, Thomas P. Giblin and Gabriela Mosquera. But former Gov. Chris Christie vetoed the bill twice during his tenure.

Singleton, now a state senator, told McCay that he would re-introduce the bill now that Gov. Phil Murphy is in office. The bill was approved by the Judiciary Committee and will go before the Appropriations Committee and then the General Assembly, according to the senator's website.

"My hope is that we waste no more time and have this placed on the agenda ASAP," McCay wrote in a letter to senators who sponsored the bill. "I am fully convinced if this law was passed a couple of years ago, both of the victims would be alive today."

At the detention hearing, which would determine whether Lyczak could remain free before a trial or plea, public defender Meg Butler said that Lyczak denies all charges. She advocated for him to be released to the care of his relatives, who live in South Jersey.

But Assistant Camden County Prosecutor Peter Gallagher told the court that with the length of time Lyczak could face in prison -- as much as two life terms for two counts of murder and 20 additional years for the attempted murder -- the court should ensure that he cannot flee the jurisdiction.

"He is facing about as much time in prison as a criminal defendant can face," Gallagher said. He later added that the third woman nearly did not survive her injuries.

Judge Edward McBride ruled that Lyczak will remain in jail during his court proceedings due to the severity of the charges and the weight of the evidence -- police and neighbors witnessed him wielding a knife at the home in Collingswood.

The restraining order also came up during the proceedings.

"He disregarded two provisions in that order in his quest to end the life of several people. Two of which he achieved, and the third of which he nearly achieved," Gallagher said.

- Reporter Rebecca Everett contributed to this story.

Joe Brandt can be reached at jbrandt@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JBrandt_NJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tipsPhoto courtesy of JDate

By Jeremy Schneider | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Bea Slater is a grandmother of six, great-grandmother of four and now, a billboard star with ads all over New York City.

Can you guess why the 90-year-old Springfield resident has her grinning face plastered all across Manhattan?

No, you probably can't  Slater is featured as the face of JDate's new "Powered By Yentas" campaign, of all things: a new marketing strategy for the dating website that for 21 years has been aimed specifically at Jews looking for love online.

Don't Edit

"Yenta" is Yiddish slang for a busybody, and Slater  a Philadelphia native, who has lived in the same Union County house for 65 years  was overjoyed to appear as one of the older women used in the campaign.

"It was fun. It was very nice. If (the ad) never happens again, that's it. But it was a lot of fun. A lot of people enjoyed it, which made me happy," Slater said in a recent interview.

If you're one for viral videos, you may remember a clip of Slater posted by her son last September of her getting hyped up before attending a Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul concert. E Street Band member Steven Van Zandt even asked her to introduce him at the show and she was a hit.

Don't Edit

When video of that moment also went viral, a neighbor suggested she apply to a casting call for older women that she noticed.

"The first thing that I did with Steven Van Zandt was exciting," Slater said. "And I thought, 'Well, if I can do that, maybe I can do something else.'"

Slater's son, Mitch, describes the audition as a scene plucked from a Woody Allen movie, with 50 or so Jewish grandmothers pacing and practicing lines.

Every woman was given a joke to tell as part of their audition, but Slater forgot hers.

"I tried to memorize it, and I said, 'You know what? I screwed this up. But I have something, it's not really a joke, but it was funny," Slater said. "When I went to my doctor for my physical, when the assistant came in to take your pressure and check everything, ask questions ... I live in a house, she says what kind, I say I have a ranch house. Oh, she says do you have horses? I said no, I don't have horses, it's a ranch house! One floor. But the girl, she didn't understand, and they all laughed."

Don't Edit

It took JDate less than 24 hours to tell Slater  who had never auditioned for anything before  she had booked the ad.

The ads are all over New York and Chicago, with potential placement in Miami and Los Angeles next. Slater's favorite billboard may be right above Junior's Restaurant in Brooklyn, which gave her one of its famous cheesecakes after she told them who she was.

Don't Edit

Photo courtesy of JDate

Slater isn't on the app herself, however. She was happily married for more than 60 years before her husband passed away in August, 2009. He was a South Orange native, and she met him at the Colony Surf Club in Deal.

"We got married in 1948," Slater said. "He graduated the University of Pennsylvania one week, and we got married the next."

Slater was actually a photographer herself back in the 1940s, working for her father who was a commercial photographer. More than 70 years later she's stepped in front of the camera for the first time, and she's open to doing it again.

"I can't say more is going to happen, I never know. But if I get called for something and I'm up to it, I would go in," Slater said. "But right now I'm just enjoying my family, I have wonderful family."

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Photo courtesy of Mitch Slater

Jeremy Schneider may be reached at jschneider@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Schneider. Find NJ.com on Facebook.Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop wants to add a special tax for ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft to help pay for traffic calming and promotion of local tourism and arts.

The mayor made the announcement on Twitter Tuesday morning, saying the city's legal department is beginning to explore the idea.

There is one little problem: New Jersey law prevents towns from adding a local Uber tax.

Lawmakers last year struck a deal with Uber and Lyft that licenses and regulates the ride-hailing industry, a deal that came after three years of negotiations and an Uber threat to leave New Jersey. The law requires background checks for drivers, allows the companies to keep rider data secret and mandates insurance coverage for passengers.

The law also bans counties and municipalities from levying any taxes or fees specifically on a "transportation network company" or its drivers. A source with knowledge of negotiations said that restriction was sought by Uber, which feared Hoboken would start taxing fares.

Ride-hailing taxes are not uncommon in big cities. Chicago adds a 67-cent fee per ride, Philadelphia pays for Uber and Lyft enforcement with a 1.4 percent tax and each trip in Massachusetts sets riders back an extra 20 cents.

City spokeswoman Hannah Peterson declined to elaborate on Fulop's tweet, which said an Uber/Lyft tax would "be dedicated $ source towards traffic calming plans w/@SafeStreetsJC @bikejc + needed $ toward tourism/Arts Council."

Uber declined to comment. A request for comment from Lyft was not returned.Five schools in Hopewell Township were locked down Friday afternoon while police tracked down a male trespasser who ran from a staff member at Hopewell Valley Central High School, police said.

Officers located the man, 19-year-old Foster Krupa, at his home in Lawrence and arrested him on criminal trespassing and causing or risking widespread injury or damage charges. Hopewell Township police said another student, trying to polite, let him inside.

Krupa appeared in the school in the afternoon, near dismissal time, and was confronted by a staff member who did not recognize him as a student, police said in a statement.

The man gave the staffer his name, and said he lived in Lawrence, then ran from the school, with the staffer in pursuit. Another staffer called 911, at 2:45 p.m., police said.

As police searched for Krupa, officials locked down Toll Gate elementary, Timberlane middle, the high school, as well as the private Pennington School and the Pennington Montessori School.

With the help of Lawrence police, and Lawrence Detective Dave Burns, who is familiar with Krupa, they located Krupa at his Lawrence home, and the lockdowns were lifted at 3:15 p.m.

Burns drove Krupa back to Hopewell, where he was charged, and was expected to be set free with a court date Friday night.

Police pulled footage from the high school's security cameras and found that a student opened a door for Krupa. "It is believed that the student didn't know the man but was trying to be polite," police said in the statement.

"It is also believed that Mr. Krupa entered the school in an effort to visit a friend," police said.

The case will eventually be sent to the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office for review following an investigation by Detective Joseph Maccaquano.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.The man found dead in Spring Lake in John A. Roebling Park recently lived a few houses away from the park.

Authorities identified the man as Stephen McLeon, 56, of New Cedar Lane, a street that runs off South Broad Street and dead-ends at the marshy park.

Birdwatchers found his body, partially submerged in the water near the Sewell Avenue entrance, on Feb. 28.

An autopsy on McLeon is complete, but his cause of death remains undetermined pending additional testing, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office said.

A prosecutor's office spokeswoman declined to elaborate on McLeon's death, which the office has since taken over investigating from Hamilton police.

Hamilton police declined to discuss the case Friday. Police had previously said they had no indication that foul play was involved.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.An Essex County felon struck a deal with authorities Friday for more than a decade in prison over the shooting of a man during a failed carjacking in Hillside two years ago.

John Cottle, 47, pleaded guilty in Camden federal court to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of violation of supervised release for a previous felony, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said in a release Friday.

John Cottle (Photo: Dept. of Public Safety)

As part of the plea agreement, Cottle agreed to 12 years in prison, the maximum sentence for the charges, Carpenito said.

Police say in December 2016, Cottle surrendered in Hillside after an attempted carjacking where he got in a man's vehicle and ordered him to drive away.

Cottle then ordered the man out of the car and shot him near South 13th Street and Avon Avenue, according to authorities.

Cottle was carrying a handgun and the victim's belongings when he was detained, according to authorities.

Cottle was originally charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault, carjacking, possession of marijuana, gun possession offenses and having a gun while being barred from having a weapon due to past convictions.

According to state corrections records, Cottle served prison time for death by auto from 1990 to 1998 and a separate robbery sentence from 1999 to 2007. Essex County jail records also show his arrest history included additional various weapons charges.

Taylor Tiamoyo Harris may be reached at tharris@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ladytiamoyo.

Find NJ.com on FacebookNew Jersey's top medical examiner this week upheld a controversial ruling from his office which found a Mays Landing teenager who went missing in 2015 killed herself by jumping in front of a train.

Tiffany Valiante, 18, died after being struck by an NJ Transit train, and investigators quickly determined she had committed suicide. But Valiante's family alleges the evidence doesn't add up, and last year filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the cause of death ruling and reopen the probe.

Valiante's case was featured in a December NJ Advance Media investigation that revealed decades of dysfunction and neglect had turned New Jersey's medical examiner system into one of the worst in the country.

State Medical Examiner Andrew Falzon agreed to reopen the case last year and reviewed new evidence including reports from the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office and a death investigator hired by the Valiante family, according to a March 5 letter Falzon sent to the family's attorney, Paul D'Amato.

"My examination supports the investigation's original conclusion that the manner of death be deemed a suicide," Falzon wrote in the letter.

D'Amato said in a telephone interview Friday evening that the Valiante family was frustrated and angry with the decision. He said they were seeking a meeting with Gov. Phil Murphy -- who has called for "wholesale reform" of the troubled state system -- and were considering a challenge in federal court.

When Valiante died in July 2015, investigators determined she a graduation party near her home, dropped her phone at the end of her driveway and walked more than 4 miles before eventually jumping in front of an NJ Transit train in a desolate and heavily wooded section of Galloway Township.

Her family maintains the teen was likely kidnapped and murdered. At the least, D'Amato said, their experts have determined the investigation into her death was so shoddy and incomplete that "the possibilities are all over the place."

"All the family is looking for is a declaration from the state of New Jersey to say their daughter didn't commit suicide," D'Amato said. "The next step, which is going to be the endless journey, is to find out how she was killed."

NJ Advance Media staff write Stephen Stirling contributed to this report.

S.P. Sullivan may be reached at ssullivan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter. Find NJ.com on Facebook.Some things are so right, so just, you marvel that someone hasn't come along to screw them up.

That's how we'd categorize a 70-year-old law that provides a property-tax exemption for disabled veterans in New Jersey, where residents pay the highest property taxes in the country.

It's a way to say "Hey, thanks," to the men and women who put their lives on the line for us. And the beauty of it lies in the fact that the veterans' exemption is not a burden on the state, but rather is absorbed the other taxpayers in a municipality - at a surprisingly low cost.

The state's Division of Local Government Services says the amount others pay to cover the exemption is roughly 3/10 of 1 percent on average across the state - a relatively painless way to express our gratitude to our vets.

That was the thinking just after World War II, when state leaders were looking for a way to recognize the sacrifice of the weary warriors as they returned from service.

Although the law has been amended 11 times, its basic outlines remain the same: If you are a homeowner and permanent resident of the state, if you've seen active duty during a war, if you are permanently and totally disabled, you qualify for the tax break.

In cases where a service member has died while serving, his or her spouse (if not remarried) is entitled to the exemption. Since 2007, the relief for property taxes has also been offered to the surviving spouse of any veteran whose disabled status was granted after death.

A survey of the municipalities with the largest number of exempt households reveals that the vast majority are within 20 miles of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

Leading the list with 310 exemptions is Willingboro, followed by Pemberton Township, with 218. Both townships are in Burlington County. Mercer County's Hamilton checks in at 8th, with 135 exemptions.

In total, 10,163 households throughout the state qualified for the break last year, with the average exempt home averaging $250,000.

Sadly, our veterans have not always been greeted with open arms or compassion when they are discharged.

Facilities run by the Department of Veterans Affairs are subject to long waits, shortages of personnel and lack of resources. All too many vets, plagued by post-traumatic stress disease and other woes, struggle with finding jobs and resuming relationships. Many wind up homeless.

While a perfunctory "Thank you for your service" would be nice, and a welcome home parade even nicer, the best way for us to acknowledge those who come home from war disabled is to make their lives more tolerable.

It's the least we can do for a neighbor.

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.It's alarming to hear leaders of the Woman's March, preachers of inclusivity and equality, defend ties to Louis Farrakhan, a notorious conspiracy theorist with a Nazi-like hatred of Jews and gays.



Either denounce the man or step down. The choice is simple. But not to these seasoned activists, apparently - starting with Tamika Mallory, the one in attendance at Farrakhan's speech in Chicago last month.



This was where the Nation of Islam leader went on another of his vile rants. The outlandish anti-Semite, who calls Hitler "a very great man," once again blamed "the Satanic Jew" for Hollywood's "filth and degenerate behavior," which he said is "turning men into women and women into men."



"The powerful Jews are my enemy," he declared. On this, he is in perfect sync with David Duke of the Ku Klux Klan, who also accuses Jews of controlling Hollywood, the media and the world.



Like Duke, Farrakhan can't be dismissed as irrelevant at a time when neo-Nazis are on the march and anti-Semitic attacks are spiking. Now, thanks to Mallory, he's in the headlines again.



Farrakhan gave her a shout-out at his speech, and she posted about the event on social media. After getting slammed by critics, she said she was being "bullied," and denounced anti-Semitism and homophobia, but not Farrakhan.



Two other Women's March organizers, Linda Sarsour and Carmen Perez, took to Twitter to defend Mallory, and in the past, have also defended Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam. None have apologized or rejected him or his designated hate group.



Perez has said people need to understand the "significant contributions" he's made to people of color: "There are no perfect leaders." No. These women are the perfect example.



But they, of all people, should know better. Sarsour raised thousands of dollars last year to repair Jewish cemeteries damaged in anti-Semitic attacks, yet has complimented Farrakhan on social media - along with Joanne Chesimard, famous for murdering a New Jersey State Trooper during a traffic stop in 1973.



Mallory says she has attended Nation of Islam events since childhood, so she should know exactly what to expect. She cites the group's support after the murder of her son's father and her work on the 20-year anniversary of the Million Man March that Farrakhan led. So what?



None of this is an excuse for disgracing the anti-Trump movement they helped build by refusing to cut ties with this hateful man. If they cannot embody one of its most basic principles - calling out the bigots - then they should step aside.

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.New York City just filled an unusual position: Nightlife Mayor.

The quality of life position, which comes with a salary of $130,000 a year, was created by Mayor Bill de Blasio in September to help ease relations between the city and the nightlife spots and the neighborhoods that "complain about their merriment."

The new "Mayor of the Night" has promised to go on a series of listening tours to hear from residents who are sick of vomit on their properties and the loud noises produced by the city's nightlife.

In Hudson, Hoboken, which is known for its plethora of bars, especially along its main drag of Washington Street, cracked down on bars for over-serving patrons and violent incidents. Bar-hoppers participate every year in the SantaCon and LepreCon bar-crawls that often become rowdy or violent, as is the case of December's SantaCon.

With New York's solution to problems with nightlife, do you think cities like Hoboken and Jersey City should do the same?

Vote in our informal and unscientific poll and tell us why in the comments section.

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.DERMAPACE TECHNOLOGY SUGGESTS PROMISING OUTCOMES OF ACOUSTIC PRESSURE SHOCKWAVE TREATMENT FOR VENOUS LEG ULCERS (VLU)

GLOBAL VLU MARKET SIZE SIMILAR TO DFU

SUWANEE, GA, March 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SANUWAVE Health, Inc. (OTCQB: SNWV), an emerging medical technology company focused on the development and commercialization of noninvasive, biological response activating devices in regenerative medicine, announces the publication of research that investigated the use of the dermaPACE System in the treatment of Venous Leg Ulcers (VLU) in a case study series. The study, titled Treating venous leg ulcers with Extracorporeal Shockwave Technology (ESWT) by Charne Miller (LaTrobe University), Suzanne Kapp (University of Melbourne), Jade Green (LaTrobe University), William McGuiness (LaTrobe Alfred Health Clinical School), and Michael Woodward (Austin Health/University of Melbourne), appeared in Wounds International 2017, Volume 8 Issue 3. The case series was implemented at a medical professional lead, multidisciplinary outpatient wound clinic in Melbourne, Australia.

The case study series consisted of 6 patients, meeting eligibility criteria, presenting with venous leg ulcers (VLU) and who agreed to receive the dermaPACE treatment. In order to better understand wound response to dose and energy, treatment selection used the two highest energy settings on the dermaPACE System, delivered at a frequency of 240 pulses/min. The shockwave pulse count was a function of wound area (cm2) with larger wounds requiring more shockwaves for treatment and thus longer time per therapy session than smaller wounds. The protocol used recommended one treatment delivered each week for 10 weeks.

Positive wound healing effects were observed for the majority of patients receiving ESWT. At the conclusion of the case series the majority of wounds were either healed or healing was anticipated in a subsequent visit.

Patient 1 received 5 treatments over the course of 5 weeks, the wound reduced in size from 7 cm2 to 1 cm2 at the final treatment.

Patient 2 received 8 treatments over the course of 11 weeks, the wound, with an initial area of 2.5 cm2 at the time of the first treatment, was completely closed by week 16.

Patient 3 received 4 treatments over approximately 2 months. Within 2 weeks of the first treatment, the wound had new areas of epithelialization tissue. By the end of two months, the wound had epithelialized 100%.

Patient 4 received 4 treatments over a 6 week period. By seven weeks post-initial treatment, the wound was documented as near-closure.

Patient 5 received only 1 treatment but continued to receive alternative modalities for treatment over a 5 week period. In this time, the wound reduced in size from 2.5 cm2 to 1.5 cm2.

Patient 6 received a total of 3 treatments over a 3 week period. The wound size at the first treatment was 1.5 cm2 and increased to 2.5 cm2 in the first two weeks. By the last treatment, the wound presented with a reduction in the extent of hypergranulation and healthier wound margin.

The purpose of this case series was to expand evidence regarding the viability and the concurrent healing outcomes when using ESWT to treat venous leg ulcers. The capacity to deliver the scheduled weekly treatments was not, however, achieved in any instance. Participants did find the treatment to be acceptable. Pain was reported only twice and was concurrent to reports of wound pain.

The active treatment itself would typically last for only 2-3 minutes with preparation and clean up also requiring only approximately additional five minutes of time, making ESWT an extremely practical therapy to implement in a busy clinic environment. However, the capacity to see patients weekly was difficult to realize for a variety of reasons. This case study series is one of the first to document the use of dermaPACE in real-life conditions and not under the controlled settings seen in typical clinical investigations. This study represents a low level of evidence regarding the viability and effect of ESWT in treating venous leg ulcers. The method which is characterized by a small sample and the absence of a comparison group represent limitations in comparison to more rigorous research methodologies. However, the case series is an appropriate research design for a burgeoning area of clinical enquiry, where questions regarding feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness remain.

Suzanne Kapp (Visiting Academic, The University of Melbourne/ Honorary Clinical Study Coordinator, Wound Clinic Austin Health) commented, The treatment can be easily implemented for clinicians, and was generally acceptable for patients. We were pleased to see positive wound healing outcomes for the majority of participants. We see the results from this small sample study as the first step in an evolving program of scientific study that will refine the treatment regimen and adopt more rigorous research designs. Adds Charne Miller, Senior Lecturer, LaTrobe University, The results from this small sample are very encouraging. It is one of the most promising case series we've conducted in terms of wound progress and feasibility. dermaPACE certainly warrants further investigation.

Kevin A. Richardson II, CEO of SANUWAVE, stated, We initiated this small case series study to attempt to better understand the response of VLUs to varied energy and shock count delivery. The results were much better than anticipated, especially where adherence to the defined protocol was limited. This small example is the first to document the vast series of issues clinicians face in real-life clinical settings. This furthers our strong belief that dermaPACE will fill an unmet need in the wound care community to provide safe, effective, and fast treatment of wounds. Enhancing wound management will help to improve the patients quality of life, reduce the medical risks associated with uncontrolled wounds, and also reduce health management costs. SANWUAVE is excited to work with Dr. Kapp and the rest of the team in Melbourne to determine the next steps in developing a full treatment regimen.

The dermaPACE System received US FDA clearance in late December for the treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU). The DFU market is 1.5 million cases per year in the US. The VLU market is larger at 2.5 million cases per year, but the overall costs are similar to the market size of DFU. This is a natural extension as SANUWAVE expands its indications in the wound category. This is a first step in preparing clinical work to expand our indication into VLUs. We are looking forward to expanding our clinical work with the folks in Australia and launching some work in the US later this year.

About SANUWAVE Health, Inc.

SANUWAVE Health, Inc. (www.sanuwave.com) is a shock wave technology company initially focused on the development and commercialization of patented noninvasive, biological response activating devices for the repair and regeneration of skin, musculoskeletal tissue and vascular structures. SANUWAVEs portfolio of regenerative medicine products and product candidates activate biologic signaling and angiogenic responses, producing new vascularization and microcirculatory improvement, which helps restore the bodys normal healing processes and regeneration. SANUWAVE applies its patented PACE technology in wound healing, orthopedic/spine, plastic/cosmetic and cardiac conditions. Its lead product candidate for the global wound care market, dermaPACE, received US FDA clearance in December 2017 for the treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers. dermaPACE is the only Extracorporeal Shockwave Technology (ESWT) device cleared or approved in the US for the treatment of DFUs. Internationally, dermaPACE is CE Marked throughout Europe and has device license approval for the treatment of the skin and subcutaneous soft tissue in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and South Korea. SANUWAVE researches, designs, manufactures, markets and services its products worldwide, and believes it has demonstrated that its technology is safe and effective in stimulating healing in chronic conditions of the foot (plantar fasciitis) and the elbow (lateral epicondylitis) through its U.S. Class III PMA approved OssaTron device, as well as stimulating bone and chronic tendonitis regeneration in the musculoskeletal environment through the utilization of its OssaTron, Evotron and orthoPACE devices in Europe, Asia and Asia/Pacific. In addition, there are license/partnership opportunities for SANUWAVEs shock wave technology for non-medical uses, including energy, water, food and industrial markets.

For additional information about the Company, visit www.sanuwave.com.WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sen. Cory Booker's voice was rising.

"The question is not what they are going to do, it's what we are going to do," he said at a Democratic fundraiser here. "We in this nation have work to do. Let us march. Let us march to organize. If we go together, we will bring this country forward,"

"America, marching onward!" he concluded as the crowd rose to its feet.

Booker's address rallied the Democratic troops Wednesday night in a way that two other potential 2020 Democratic presidential candidates failed to do at the event.

Neither U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts -- clearly the crowd favorite at the start -- or U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York stirred up the 600 people in the audience the way Booker did.

For Booker, the speech was reminiscent of his well-received address at the 2016 Democratic National Convention for its oratory.

This time around, Booker invoked the demonstrations of the past, against slavery, for a woman's right to vote, for civil rights, for the ability of workers to organize, and said such activism is needed again this November.

"We have a lot of marching to do in this country," Booker said. "We, the good people, are going to stand up. We, the good people, have to be ready to march."

The Democrats' IWillVote effort aims to reach 50 million voters, and Wednesday's dinner was the first of several events scheduled to raise money for the campaign.

Such efforts take on added importance in off-year elections, when Democratic turnout traditionally declines compared with presidential years. That helped Republicans win control of the U.S. House in 2010 and the Senate four years later.

This time around, strong Democratic turnout last year led to the party winning a U.S. Senate seat in deep-red Alabama and gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia, and capturing several Republican-held seats in New Jersey's legislature and its municipalities.

The party is counting on a similar surge in 2018 with control of the Senate and House is at stake. Democratic hopes have been fueled by the continuing unpopularity of President Donald Trump.

All of the candidates delivered lines guaranteed to receive applause from the partisan crowd, talking about issues such as health care, women's rights, gay and lesbian rights, and the rights of unauthorized immigrants brought to the U.S. as children to remain in the U.S.

Warren, welcomed with the loudest ovation of the three potential 2020 candidates, said she has contributed to every state party in order to help them get out the vote this fall.

She talked about the need for Democrats to reach out to people who are hurting economically, many of whom backed Trump in 2016.

"These folks are hurting and they're angry," Warren said. "I want us to be the party that picks the fights on their behalf. Let's kick some butt."

Gillibrand received the least enthusiastic response, even as she talked about the importance of black women voters, whose turnout helped deliver the Alabama Senate seat to Democrat Doug Jones, and how Texas is about to send two Hispanic women to the U.S. House.

"It is the women who are holding our democracy together in these dangerous times," she said.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump's new-found opposition to funding the Gateway Tunnel project is just the latest example of how he's championed policies that punish New Jersey, where he has long ties and spends his spring weekends and summer vacation.

The Trump-backed tax plan targeted New Jersey and other high-tax states by curbing the federal deduction for state and local taxes, and he backed Affordable Care Act repeal efforts that disproportionately cut funding from those states, which expanded Medicaid in order to expand coverage.

Meanwhile, New Jersey taxpayers send billions of dollars more to Washington than they get back in services, and his policies would only make that discrepancy worse.

"It seems very clear that a guiding principle of the Trump administration is to punish people who didn't support him," said Matthew Hale, a political science professor at Seton Hall University.

In the case of Gateway, lawmakers and officials from New Jersey and New York left last September's meeting at the White House optimistic that the president eventually would support the project, as the Obama administration did.

The spending bill now being written includes the $900 million for Gateway previously approved by the House, said Matt Hadro, a spokesman for Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th Dist.

Trump first lobbied House Republicans to kill the allocation, and then threatened to veto the entire spending bill, shutting down the government, if the Gateway money was left in.

"His actions just seemed to counter everything he has been a part of," said Rep. Donald Norcross, D-1st Dist., who attended the White House meeting. "He was a New York City guy. He has Atlantic City casinos. He knows how the Northeast works."

Nor was it lost that Trump supported spending billions of dollars on southern states hit hard by last summer's hurricanes, while opposing funding for Gateway, which would allow the existing train tunnels to be closed to repair the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.

"New York and New Jersey didn't support him and he tries to crush the most important infrastructure improvement needed for both states," Hale said. "President Trump seems to take it as a personal affront that two of his three homes states didn't vote for him. He seems to love Florida."

Norcross said it appeared that Trump was using Gateway to get back at Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, who has opposed all of the president's major initiatives, including his infrastructure plan that spends just $200 billion, much of it taken from other federal transportation accounts.

"What we're watching is somebody making government decisions based on a political payback," Norcross said.

Schumer declined to discuss whether he thought Trump's action was retaliation against him.

"I'm not going to get into the politics of it," he said.

Republican consultant Alex Conant, who worked on Florida Sen. Marco Rubio's presidential campaign in 2016, said Trump's motives remain a mystery.

"It's hard to guess why President Trump opposes this project," Conant said. "It could literally be anything from a strategic move to pressure Schumer to because he saw a segment on Fox News."

It also could be a negotiating tool.

"I am hopeful it's a bargaining chip and part of a larger negotiation," Republican consultant Chris Russell said. "This is a critical project for New Jersey and the region, north Jersey in particular."

Indeed, Ben Dworkin, director of Rowan University's Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship, said the Trump is simply in deal-making mode.

"He's looking for additional leverage against Chuck Schumer, for whom the Gateway project is a priority," Dworkin said. "Assertively trying to kill the project doesn't mean it's dead. It means somebody has to give the president something in order to have him say yes."

Schumer said the Gateway project is key to a region of 50 million people that accounts for 25 percent of the nation's economy.

"Gateway is one of the very most important infrastructure programs in our country," Schumer said.

"If those two tunnels that are now under the Hudson River are no longer functional, there will be a recession in the entire country. We have bipartisan support for geting it done. From eveything I hear, it's all systems move ahead despite what the president had to say."

Trump may know his efforts are futile and simply seeks to put a marker down in support of his call for states, localities and the private sector to start picking up most of the tab for transportation projects.

While the states of New York and New Jersey have agreed to pay half the project's cost, they hope to borrow most of their share from a federal transportation loan program and then pay it back over 35 years.

"If the Congress has the votes, and it sounds like this is a very much bipartisan arrangement, there's not much he can do," said Krista Jenkins, a political science professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University and director of its PublicMind survey research group. "It basically can be seen as an act of political symbolism."

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.A Hackettstown teenager was arrested Friday over an alleged made-up report that she'd been abducted, which led to a manhunt and a nearly weeklong investigation, authorities said.

The 17-year-old allegedly told Hackettstown police on March 1 that she'd been taken against her will by an unknown man after leaving Hackettstown High School and released a short time later in town, police said previously.

The report led to added security staff at its buildings and spurred an investigation by local and county authorities.

"A week later, after a significant amount of resources were expended during this investigation, it was determined that the allegation about the abduction was false," Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke said in a news release Friday announcing the arrest.

Police had said on Wednesday the teen was not abducted and the investigation was continuing.

The girl, who authorities have not identified because she is a juvenile, was released to her family pending further court proceedings, Burke said. She is charged with providing a false report to law enforcement.

If convicted of the fourth-degree crime, the girl could face up to 12 months at a New Jersey State Juvenile Facility, Burke said.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.Investigators are searching for two men accused of threatening someone with handguns during an argument Wednesday night (March 7) in Algiers, according to New Orleans police.

Noel Carter, 25, and Corey Jones Sr., 36, are wanted on charges of aggravated assault with a firearm.

Update: Carter, who turned 26 on Sunday (March 11), and Jones turned themselves in Monday (March 12) to the NOPD's 4th District station in Algiers, police said.

According to the NOPD, Carter and Jones took out guns and threatened the victim about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, during an argument in the 1300 block of Southlawn Boulevard.

The victim fled to safety, police said.

Anyone with information on the location of Noel Carter or Corey Jones Sr. is asked to call any NOPD 4th District detective at 504-658-6040 or 504-658-6045. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 1-877-903-STOP.Thirteen-year-old Isaiah Butler's favorite scene from "Black Panther" is a tie between the moment when the titular character "came back to life," and when Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa put an end to the short-lived tyranny of Michael B. Jordan's Erik Killmonger.

Butler Friday (March 9) called the Marvel superhero film "awesome," and added that it was the first time he ever saw a movie with a majority-black cast. "I would definitely want to see this multiple times," the 8th grader said.

Butler was just one of the 280 students from the ReNEW Cultural Arts Academy who filled the Elmwood Theater in Harahan to watch the smash-hit film. The students received a complimentary screening thanks to Matthew Kincaid, an educator and founder of the Overcoming Racism organization.

"It was really important for me give these young people an opportunity to see themselves represented in a positive light, and to understand that in their educational pursuits that they can be the hero of their own story," Kincaid said Friday.

Kincaid's organization provides comprehensive race and equity training through workshops in order to build more equitable institutions. Drawing attention to how black people in media often get portrayed in a negative light, Kincaid said he hopes the images of Black Panther  along with co-stars Lupita Nyong'o (Nakia) and Danai Gurira (Okoye)  inspire students to create their own institutions and dreams.

The gift from Kincaid also serves a much-needed lift for ReNEW's students this week: The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Dec. 11 agreed not to renew the charter for Cultural Arts Academy because its performance score dropped from a C to a D in 2017. As a result, the Orleans Parish School Board in January selected Firstline Schools to operate from the 3128 Constance Street building.

A Firstline spokeswoman stated Tuesday that Cultural Arts Academy students will be automatically re-enrolled unless their parents choose otherwise. Heather Muntzer said they are in their initial phase of parent outreach, which culminated this week with Firstline's final two of seven parent meetings at the Constance Street building.

Kincaid's organization works with several schools in the city. He said he selected Cultural Arts Academy for the screening because he decided those students needed a break from all the hard work they've done at school.

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"It's easy for us to talk about the schools that are doing well across the city and celebrate kids for their hard work, but who thinks about the kids who have worked incredibly hard in the school for multiple years, and then the following year (the school) no longer exists," Kincaid asked.

"Of all the things that they're worried about, I wanted them to just have a Friday where they can be kids without thinking about all of the other circumstances they face," Kincaid added.

Kincaid's efforts appeared to pay off Friday afternoon in Harahan, where more than five yellow school buses waited in front of the theater to bring students back to school. Some students exiting the theater screamed "Wakanda" while others crossed their arms over their chest, which represents the salute from Marvel's fictional African nation.

Other students present sported white face paint designs that mimicked the makeup worn by Letitia Wright's Shuri. Among those wearing face paint, five female students commented on Jordan's "awesome" portrayal of Killmonger.

"Just seeing a black superhero, like we never see that," said 8th grader Elaina Carter, 15.

. . . . . . .

Wilborn P. Nobles III is an education reporter based in New Orleans. He can be reached at wnobles@nola.com or on Twitter at @WilNobles.Madewood Plantation House, the 172-year-old National Historic Landmark in Napoleonville, has sold to new owners, changing hands for the first time in more than half a century. Keith Marshall, whose family has owned the property since 1964, sold the famous house to New York artist Hunt Slonem on Thursday (March 8).

Listed at $2,650,000, the property sold for $1,750,000 after extended negotiations, Marshall said.

Slonem, a native of Maine who graduated with a degree in art history and painting from Tulane University, owns two other plantation homes in Louisiana: Albania Plantation House in St. Mary Parish and Lakeside Plantation in a rural area about one hour north of Baton Rouge.

Madewood is considered one of the finest examples of Greek Revival plantation architecture in the country. Renowned architect Henry Howard designed the house for Colonel Thomas Pugh. It was completed in 1846.

More than a century later, Keith Marshall's mother, Naomi Marshall, bought the property in 1964 for $75,000 and oversaw a total restoration, working with the late preservation architect F. Monroe Labouisse and others.

Keith Marshall, and his wife, former Times-Picayune travel editor Millie Ball, have been the stewards of Madewood for decades, overseeing the property as a bed and breakfast as well as a popular location for film, television and video productions. It featured prominently in the film "The Beguiled" and in Beyonce's "Lemonade" video. The house also has been featured in photo shoots in Vogue magazine, countless travel publications and books on the architecture of Louisiana and Henry Howard's career.

During the Marshalls' ownership, Madewood was the site for several music and cultural arts events, including the Madewood Arts Festival, Music at Madewood and the Birdfoot Music Festival.

Keith Marshall said the sale was bittersweet. "There are two Madewoods: the landmark mansion itself, and the ambiance my family created and nurtured in the house for 54 years," he said. "We've maintained it as a family home, not a tourist destination. Guests have told us that Madewood was the highlight of their trip to the US -- that we've made them feel like family.

"And how many people can say that they've produced 16 operas in their home, thanks to the contributions of the New Orleans Opera Association," he added.

"Millie and I may physically have left Madewood, but what we achieved there will remain with us forever," Marshall said.New Zealand-born country superstar Keith Urban is bringing his "GRAFFITI U WORLD TOUR 2018" to New Orleans on Friday, November 2 at the Smoothie King Center. Urban, a four-time Grammy Award winner, who was a former American Idol judge and is married to actor Nicole Kidman, will be in the home stretch of a 58-stop tour when he reaches the Crescent City in the fall.

His last New Orleans performance was in 2016.

Tickets will go on sale March 16 at 10 a.m. at Ticketmaster.com.

Doug MacCash has the best job in the world, covering art, music, and culture in New Orleans. Contact him via email at dmaccash@nola.com. Follow him on Twitter at Doug MacCash and on Facebook at Douglas James MacCash. As always, please add your point of view to the comment stream.Anthony Fontana was determined to give a raise to Jerome Puyau, the superintendent of schools in Vermillion Parish. And when a Vermillion Parish School Board member who was opposed to a raise died, Fontana, the board president, ignored calls to allow the deceased member's wife to fill out his term but pressed his bloc on the board to fill the vacancy with somebody who would vote for the pay raise for the superintendent.

To be clear, that's what Fontana told Vermilion Today that he was doing. He was setting up the board in the way he felt it needed to be set up to break the stalemate and give Puyau more money.

The whole world saw the extreme lengths to which Fontana went to push through the pay raise. He refused to hear from a teacher who asked how the board could be giving the superintendent a raise when teachers hadn't been given a raise in years. He said her comments weren't "germane" to the topic of the superintendent's pay raise. Not only was teacher Deyshia Hargrave forced out of the meeting, but she was arrested and frog marched out of the building where the meeting was being held.

Everybody with good sense was outraged, and sympathy for Hargrave poured in from all over.

Fontana resigned soon after that meeting. He didn't resign because he was embarrassed at the negative attention he helped bring upon the parish and school board. He resigned because -- that embarrassment notwithstanding -- he'd done what he'd set out to do.

"I made a promise to several board members and to our system that I would stay in office until the superintendent received a contract. I kept my promise," he wrote in a letter to The Abbeville Meriodonal.

The best part of Thursday's news that Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is suing the Vermilllion School Board for violation of the state's Open Meetings Law is Landry's request that a state court nullify all the actions the board took at the meeting where Hargrave was arrested.

Because it's Landry's assertion that the meeting itself was illegal, he wants a court to make the superintendent reimburse the portion of the raise he's received already.

It will be hilarious if that's how it all plays out -- if the superintendent is stripped of his raise -- because Fontana has resigned and wouldn't be able to do anything to stop it. His triumphant resignation would have been for naught.

"Every community has a stake in the performance and the governance of its public schools, and the community's views and thoughts should be taken into account before any action or discussion on an agenda item occurs," Landry's suit says.

State law governing most school board meetings is plain: A school board "shall allow public comment at any meeting of the school board prior to taking any vote. The comment period shall be for each agenda item and shall precede each agenda item."

I write "most school board meetings" because, unfortunately, the Louisiana Legislature carved out an exception for the Orleans Parish School Board in 2003. That School Board "shall provide an opportunity for public comment subject to reasonable rules, regulations, and restrictions as adopted by the school board."

That board begged the Legislature for permission to restrict comments after some regulars at those meetings routinely acted in a disruptive manner. It was an unnecessary addendum to state law, though, and it wouldn't have been enacted if board members here weren't animated by the same imperious attitude that Fontana displayed in Abbeville.

What is it about school board members? Why do they so often have such an elevated opinion of themselves and such a condescending attitude toward the public?

Why does the thought of people freely speaking their minds frighten them so?

Thursday (March 7) the ACLU of Louisiana sent a strongly worded letter to the Jefferson Parish School Board, criticizing its proposal "prohibiting political and/or election comments at meetings of the board, having deemed that such comment is disruptive, inflammatory, self-promoting, threatening and/or interferes with the conducting of the business of the board and the school system."

Jane Johnson, interim director of the Louisiana ACLU, wrote, "This proposal is patently unconstitutional." She described it as "an unlawful, content-based restriction on protected speech" and called it "unconstitutionally overbroad." There's no reason, she wrote, to automatically think of "political and/or election comments" as "disruptive or inflammatory."

A person who promises the public will remember board members' vote or reminds board members of previous campaign promises could be gaveled out of order.

It's surprising to see Landry filing a lawsuit defending the right of free speech. In federal court, he has taken the side of two Louisiana sheriff's departments that booked suspects for promising to get the deputies fired. One federal judge has said Louisiana's public intimidation law unconstitutionally prohibits speech; but Landry sees nothing wrong with the law and has filed an appeal.

But the concept is the same. We've got a right to talk back: to the police, and ,yes, even to a school board.

Jarvis DeBerry is deputy opinions editor for NOLA.COM | The Times-Picayune. He can be reached at jdeberry@nola.com or at twitter.com/jarvisdeberry.Presented at ACC.18, Five-Year Follow-up from the CoreValve Extreme Risk and NOTION Studies Show Sustained Valve Function and Durability Over Time

DUBLIN and ORLANDO - March 10, 2018 - Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT) today unveiled outcomes from the CoreValve U.S. Pivotal Extreme Risk Study and the real-world NOTION trial (Nordic Aortic Valve Intervention Trial), both of which examined patients with the CoreValve(TM) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system at five years post-implant. Presented at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 67th Annual Scientific Session, results from the studies demonstrated that patients implanted with the CoreValve TAVR system showed strong hemodynamic performance (blood flow) and improved quality of life out to five years.

The physician-initiated NOTION trial studied an all-comers population of 280 patients at least 70 years old who were randomized to surgical (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve replacement using the CoreValve System. Results at five-year follow-up showed similar rates of all-cause mortality (27.7 percent for TAVR versus 27.7 percent for SAVR) and superior hemodynamic performance for TAVR (mean aortic valve gradient of 8.22 mm Hg) compared to surgery (13.71 mm Hg).

"These five-year outcomes of the NOTION data add to the mounting body of longer-term evidence supporting the effectiveness of TAVR, said H. Gustav Thyregod, M.D., Ph.D., cardiac surgeon in the department of cardiac surgery at The Heart Center, Rigshospitalet, in Copenhagen, Denmark, and presenter of the NOTION data at the meeting. "We're pleased to see the strong hemodynamic performance maintained over time without any indication of valve deterioration."

Also presented at the meeting were the final five-year results from the CoreValve U.S. Pivotal Extreme Risk Study, which enrolled the first US IDE cohort of patients ever to be treated with the self-expanding CoreValve TAVR system. Results from the study continued to show positive outcomes at five years for the surviving patients - all of whom were deemed to be facing considerable harm or mortality with a surgical valve replacement. Patients implanted with the CoreValve system maintained a notable improvement in quality of life (mean change from baseline in KCCQ of > 20 points at 5 years) and sustained low mean gradients (7.63 mm Hg).

"It is remarkable to see patients, whose only aortic valve replacement option was to undergo a TAVR procedure, continue to live an improved quality of life five years later," said Pieter Kappetein, M.D., vice president and chief medical officer of the Heart Valve Therapies business, which is part of the Cardiac and Vascular Group at Medtronic. "While the TAVR therapy continues to show promise in less sick patients, it's important to acknowledge that the early pioneers of this therapy were those who truly had very limited treatment options. It's satisfying to see that many of these early patients continue to do well with the self-expanding TAVR platform, especially as the therapy expands to lower-risk patients who are expected to live longer."

Following the launch of the self-expanding CoreValve System in the U. S. in 2014, the CoreValve Evolut R System became the first-and-only recapturable and repositionable TAVR device approved in the U.S. for severe aortic stenosis patients at a high or extreme risk for surgery in 2015. The Evolut R system received CE (Conformite Europeene) Mark for high- and extreme-risk severe aortic stenosis patients in 2015, and for intermediate-risk patients in 2016. In 2017, the third-generation Evolut PRO TAVR system was approved in the U.S. and Europe for extreme-, high- and intermediate-risk patients.

In collaboration with leading clinicians, researchers and scientists worldwide, Medtronic offers the broadest range of innovative medical technology for the interventional and surgical treatment of cardiovascular disease and cardiac arrhythmias. The company strives to offer products and services that deliver clinical and economic value to healthcare consumers and providers around the world.

About Medtronic

Medtronic plc (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is among the world's largest medical technology, services and solutions companies - alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world. Medtronic employs more than 84,000 people worldwide, serving physicians, hospitals and patients in more than 160 countries. The company is focused on collaborating with stakeholders around the world to take healthcare Further, Together.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

-end-This is how Nita Hemeter once described the problem of feral kittens in New Orleans: "Imagine you're standing on the banks of a river and you see these babies floating down the river and they're drowning. You're jumping in, trying to save the babies, but, oh my God, there's more and more and more babies floating down the river. You need to go up to the top of the river and find out where the babies are coming from."

Four years ago Hemeter went "to the top of the river" when she joined other volunteers who trap feral cats in New Orleans and help stop the endless flow of kittens.

"Lots of people are doing this," she says. "There are trappers in Jefferson Parish, in St. Bernard, in Plaquemines. They're all over."

Feral cats are homeless. Maybe they were born under a house, or maybe they were abandoned and then reverted to a more wild state. They are resourceful, and they are everywhere. They set up colonies in neighborhoods and help keep the rodent population down. They have a place in the urban landscape, but left alone they can reproduce at a mind-boggling rate.

"TNR (for trap - neuter - return) is the only way we're going to solve the problem of too many cats," Hemeter says.

The idea is to humanely trap the cats; have them sterilized, vaccinated and ear-tipped (a universal sign meaning a cat has been neutered); and then return them to the neighborhood they came from, where someone feeds and waters them.

Cats can have three litters a year, and kitten season is already well underway in south Louisiana.

"We're in cat-trapping frenzy now," Hemeter says. "Last week we got two who were pregnant with 10 kittens, and another one delivered three babies when she was in the trap."

Hemeter, who lives in the Carrollton area, volunteers for the Louisiana SPCA and traps in various New Orleans neighborhoods. One day last week when we were talking on the phone, she was working with Pat Barconey, who lives in Central City.

"Here's the wonderful thing about Pat," she says. "She's a feeder. She knows the cats. She calls them and they come. It's easy for her to get the cats, so we can get them taken care of."

A big frustration of the volunteers is people around the city who feed the cats but don't keep them from reproducing. Recently, Hemeter and other volunteers she works with caught 10 cats on North Rampart Street that were being fed and another 15 in Lakeview.

"I'll go into a neighborhood and there's somebody who feeds the cats and tells me their lineage and how many kittens they've had," Hemeter says. "But then they'll say, 'They're not my cats.'" There are even what the volunteers call "roving feeders."

"They go all over town feeding cats, but they don't fix them," she says. "It just makes the problem worse."

Most parishes provide low-cost or free spay-neuters for feral cats, and anyone can bring a feral cat to the LA/SPCA Community Clinic and use the Feral Cat Grant.

"Although the program is free, I ask the people I help to pay if they can because when the grant runs out, that's it," Hemeter says. "So I generally ask for $25 per cat or whatever they can afford. The important thing is to get the cats fixed."

The Jefferson Parish SPCA offers residents the free "Fix A Feral" program that lets them take feral cats to the LA/SPCA Community Clinic or to various veterinarians in Jefferson Parish that work with the program.

The programs are a godsend to the dedicated volunteer trappers who may deliver as many as 25 or 30 cats per week to be spayed or neutered and returned to the neighborhoods they came from.

Although they don't have to pay for the sterilizations and vaccinations, they spend their own money on traps, gas, and food. And their time-consuming adventure can take place late at night or early in the morning.

"Kristy Bensko, a volunteer I work with a lot, started out at 9 p.m. the other night and was out until 4 a.m.," Hemeter says.

In late February, while Hemeter and Bensko were out trapping, they got a call from a woman who ran a demolition company. She had discovered three friendly cats at a warehouse that was about to be demolished. When they were picking up the cats, a man drove up and told them there were more cats living in an area where the city had come through and broken up a homeless encampment.

"This man named Freddie, he's living in his truck and looking for a job. He's thrilled that we're taking the cats and he says he'll see how many more he can find," Hemeter says.

The next day the man called and told her he had spotted seven more cats."We ended up getting 18 cats," she says.

"These cats were all friendly. Freddie had tamed them. He could catch them. We almost started crying." Some were so tame they ended up getting adopted at the LA/SPCA shelter. Others were returned to their neighborhood along with a big bag of food, and the homeless man watches over the homeless cats.

"I'll continue to check on him," Hemeter says. "Freddie understands the need for spay-neuter. He loves those cats."

Hemeter, 65, a New Orleans tour guide by day who also plays drums in the jazz band Some Like It Hot, began her cat-trapping odyssey where she was leading a tour of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 and discovered some feral cats living among the above-ground tombs.

Now, she figures she spends close to 20 hours a week trapping cats, delivering them to the SPCA Community Clinic on Mardi Gras Boulevard in Algiers, and then returning them to their neighborhoods. And she doesn't regret a minute of it.

"I love cat-trapping," she says. "You really get to know your way around town. I've been to the finest houses in this city, and I've been to impoverished neighborhoods where people are so nice and appreciative and can follow directions better than college professors."

And she knows that for every cat that gets trapped and neutered, that's potentially thousands of kittens that won't be floating down that river.

She remembers the cat area of the LA/SPCA on Japonica Street back in the '80s.

"Every cage would have a mama cat and kittens, and if they got 10 adoptions, that would be huge," she says. "So when I start feeling sad about it all, I think about how far we've come. It takes a community to solve community problems."

Hemeter grew up in a little town in Arkansas near Memphis, Tenn., but she knew she would somehow find her way to New Orleans from the time she was 8 when her parents brought her for a visit.

"I remember standing on Royal Street and seeing the people and hearing the music," she says. "I couldn't articulate what was different. I just knew that this was my home."

So after she graduated from Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss., she moved to the city. "And here I am," she says. "Playing in a jazz band and trapping cats."

For more information about TNR, check out the

page.

If you have a feral cat problem in your own neighborhood, check with your parish shelter or the shelter website forThe people of Louisiana should know that when the Zombie apocalypse comes, Baton Rouge offers the best chance of survival in this state, according to an analysis of a report by the federal Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.

China: Herding Rivals and Rhinos



By Phillip Orchard





Chinese President Xi Jinping made a string of moves over the weekend that reflect the extraordinary power hes wielding from atop the Chinese system  but also the threats to both his position and his country that are keeping him up at night.



On Feb. 23, the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party proposed that the rule limiting the president and vice president to two terms be removed from the Chinese Constitution at next weeks National Peoples Congress. The proposal is certain to be implemented. On the surface, the move confirms what we already knew: Xi has no intention of sticking with recent precedent and stepping down when his second term ends five years from now. This was made abundantly clear at the epochal 19th Party Congress last fall, when Xi Jinping Thought was added to the party constitution. There, Xi declined to name a successor to replace him as party secretary in 2021. Xis intentions have been further underscored by a string of high-profile anti-graft purges of rising stars (generally from rival factions) seen as potential challengers to Xi.



Xi is motivated by more than mere lust for power. Rather, with China trapped between conflicting political and economic forces as it enters a prolonged period of slowing growth, Xi has launched a wildly ambitious slate of reforms intended to put the economy on solid footing and safeguard party legitimacy amid the coming storms. This reform drive will not be completed by the end of Xis second term.



Meanwhile, a growing consensus has emerged among Chinese elites that a strongman is needed to see these painful reforms through and respond decisively to a crisis. The previous model, which emphasized consensus and spreading powers among elite factions, is seen as having left Xis immediate predecessors, Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, too weak to tackle threats to party legitimacy such as unchecked corruption  and prone to paralysis in a crisis.



This doesnt mean Xi is immune to resistance, though. There will be winners and losers with every reform, and massive amounts of money and power will be at stake. The risks of a destabilizing power struggle will only grow during times of heightened economic duress. Thus, power consolidation is a never-ending endeavor for Xi, however successful hes been in sidelining rivals and tightening his grip over critical levers of power.



Why the Presidency?



Still, Xis decision to spend political capital on the presidency is a bit curious. In nearly all aspects of the Chinese system, positions of party leadership supersede those of the state, including the presidency. Its largely a symbolic office, with few formal powers. Indeed, under the rule of paramount leader Deng Xiaoping from the 1980s until the early 1990s, the position was always held by a figurehead. It only began to be held concurrently by the Communist Party secretary when Jiang Zemin took power in 1993.



There has been some thought that Xi would eventually step aside rather than down and try to wield power more from behind the scenes in a manner akin to Deng, who was Chinas most powerful leader since Mao, despite never holding the titles of president or party secretary. If Xi were looking for a way to deflect pressure over his apparent disregard for party norms and precedent, one possibility would be to install a figurehead as president five years from now, with Xi continuing to serve as party secretary and chairman of all-powerful bodies such as the Central Military Commission. Xi, of course, could still choose to go this route. But evidently he wants the ability to stick around in the role if necessary.



There are practical reasons for Xi to hold on to the title of president. For one, the president is the official face of China internationally. At a time when China is becoming increasingly active across the globe, theres political value at home to being the one consistently in the spotlight abroad.



Allowing someone else to be the one rubbing shoulders with fellow heads of state could also conceivably threaten Xis control over Chinese foreign policy. Second, even though the office of the president matters little today, power in the Chinese system is fluid. Its not hard to see a scenario in which the office is imbued with powers by rivals attempting to contain or challenge Xi outright. So, Xi is acting now  while hes strong  to give himself options in a future when socio-economic and political winds are highly likely to be blowing less in his favor.



Containing the Gray Rhinos



The complexity of the economic and political challenges facing Xi during his second term was reflected in two other moves over the weekend. On Feb. 23, Chinese regulators seized control of Anbang Insurance Group, a vast but heavily indebted conglomerate known for its overseas acquisition binges, and charged its chairman, Wu Xiaohui, with economic crimes. (Wu has been detained since June.) And on Feb. 24, State Councilor Yang Jing was sacked  just a month ahead of his scheduled retirement  for colluding with law-breaking businessmen and society people. According to the South China Morning Post, Yang is believed to have taken bribes from another disgraced tycoon, former Tomorrow Group chairman Xiao Jianhua.



Chinese authorities reportedly snatched the billionaire from a Hong Kong hotel more than a year ago, and he has remained in detention ever since.



Since the beginning of Xis first term, his administration has been gradually intensifying pressure on debt-fueled Chinese conglomerates known as gray rhinos, with several over-leveraged firms such as HNA, Fosun and Dalian Wanda being forced to sell off newly acquired overseas assets over the past year and scale down their financial services offerings. This crackdown demonstrates just how tightly intertwined Xis economic and political concerns are.



Power politics is certainly playing a part in the effort. Yang, for example, was also the top aide to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who has been largely sidelined by Xi but remains a potential challenger to the president. Both men hail from one of the two major factions Xi has tried to dismantle via his anti-corruption campaign. Wu, meanwhile, is also believed to be highly politically connected. (He married Deng Xiaopings granddaughter.) Allowing such deep-pocketed figures to try to forge independent bases of political power or resist Beijings reform agenda would be a direct threat to Xi and to party stability.



Broader economic risks are also at play. Perhaps the foremost policy focus of the Chinese Communist Party this year is eliminating financial risk, which Xi elevated to the level of national security last year. This requires a herculean effort, given the scale of the Chinese economys reliance on debt-fueled growth. And its forcing Beijing to take on the countrys weak regulatory agencies, state-owned enterprises, the banking sector, sources of capital outflows, provincial and local governments, and more  all at once.



Large financial holding companies like Anbang and Tomorrow Group, among their other problems, are seen as contributing to a boom in shadow financing that, according to regulators, poses a systemic threat to the Chinese economy. Indeed, its hard to see how Anbangs business model, which was raising money for overseas acquisitions by selling extremely high-yield investment products thinly disguised as insurance policies, can be sustainable without implicit guarantees of state backing during a downturn. (Anbang has some 2 trillion yuan, or $316 billion, in assets.) This raised the specter of tens of thousands of ordinary investors taking to the streets after being left empty-handed should any of these firms default. And mass unrest is what Beijing fears most. Meanwhile, the private conglomerates, which have notoriously opaque ownership structures, have also been accused of serving as vehicles for Chinese elites to move ill-gotten wealth offshore, potentially undermining Xis anti-graft campaign.



Beijing is moving forcefully to shore up the private conglomerates and clip the wings of their ambitious tycoons while the economy is reasonably stable and Xi is unassailable. But its unclear how easily the government will be able to do so without overburdening state banks already trying to shed toxic assets, or without furthering a liquidity crunch that ripples into other parts of the economy, or without bilking everyday Chinese investors whove been promised the world. As with most of Xis reform agenda, this effort is riddled with unsavory trade-offs. However long Xi decides to stick around, heavy will be the head that wears the Chinese Crown.Curr: Long Looking to: Sell @ 63.50



As of 3/21/21 @ 8:46pm EST: $60.85



LAST WEEK: We suggested shorting from $66.28 up to $67.98 with stops on a close above $68 and with a target for covering and getting long at $59.65.



UPDATE: Crude oil bottomed in the very short-term and should bounce to around $63.50 before heading lower once again.



We would hold longs until $63.50 and would then sell those longs and get short. Stops should be honored on a close above $64 and the downside target for covering shorts and getting long will be $53.83.Mishal Hamed Kanoo is a UAE business magnate and currently serves as the Chairman of The Kanoo Group based in UAE and Oman. Kanoo was listed as one of the Top 100 Powerful Arabs 2017, Power 100, Rich List 2009, and The World's Richest Arabs. Mishal Kanoo is the 4th generation to run the Kanoo family business. Established in Bahrain in 1890, The Kanoo Group's parent company grew from its early trading and shipping enterprise into a diversified conglomerate across the Middle East. From Bahrain, the business spread to Saudi Arabia in the 1930s. In 1967, Kanoo's father came to the UAE to expand the family business. In 2015, Kanoo took over his role as the Chairman of The Kanoo Group. As visiting lecturer at the American University of Sharjah School of Business Administration, he is an advocate of education and has been integrating corporate philanthropy in one of his missions to foster community-based sustainable developments. He is also an influential figure in the progress of Dubai's art scene and a great lover of books, especially about arts, literature and philosophy genres. Matthias Knab: Mr. Kanoo, what were some of the books you recently read that left a lasting impression? Mishal Kanoo: Two books come to my mind, the first one "Lords of Finance: The Bankers Who Broke the World" by Liaquat Ahamed. While somehow The Great Depression is in a way part of the collective memory of humanity, when reading this book I found that we still know way too little about this period that brought so much misery to so many people. Lasting for about ten years - 1929 until 1939 - The Great Depression was the worst economic downturn in the history of the industrialized world. By 1933, when the Great Depression reached its lowest point, the unemployment rate reached 25 percent with some 15 million Americans unemployed and nearly half the country's banks failed. While it started in the US, depression-era hardships quickly spilled over to other economies. Lords of Finance recalls the events leading up to and culminating in the Great Depression as told through the personal histories of the heads of the Central Banks of the world's four major economies at the time: Benjamin Strong Jr. of the New York Federal Reserve, Montagu Norman of the Bank of England, Emile Moreau of the Banque de France, and Hjalmar Schacht of the Reichsbank. We can see that despite of their best intentions, the central bankers' actions which of course were based on the economic orthodoxy of their time were exacerbating and prolonging the catastrophe that in the end would even lead to World War II The second book that I read with great joy was The Lost City of the Monkey God by Douglas Preston. What is interesting about this book is that at this point in time and age, we've reached to a point where we really think we know everything. But then something happens and comes up which can totally change the lay of the land. So here, in 2012, the author Douglas Preston joined a team of explorers searching for Ciudad Blanca (The White City), a legendary ruin hidden in the jungle of Honduras also known as "the Lost City of the Monkey God". This team had an advantage that previous searchers had lacked: LIDAR, the advanced laser-imaging technology able to penetrate the dense jungle and eventually leading to the discover of major sites whose scale and architecture indicated a civilization to rival the more famous Maya. But apart from technology, I would say the even more fascinating dimension of this book deals with the changes that happen in the mindset of humanity where you also realize how greedy people can get. There were several things about the book that had nothing to do with business but they are all business-related in some way For example, we come across the issue of the theft of artifacts. That's a huge global business that is also happening right here in the Middle East in Syria or Iraq. Now, some people may think artifacts are just pieces of some old pottery, but we should all acknowledge and be aware that there is a strong relationship between these artifacts and the people and that they can form part of their cultural identity. But then you always have those people who don't care about anything, they just see the a financial aspect or personal benefit, and so it's just business for them they don't care about a whole nation getting robbed. And then in the book you see how at some point even politics comes into play where there is a rift between the current president and the new president. None of them had to do with the discovery itself, but you could see how they were tearing each other down because one guy doesn't want the other take the credit. Well, let's think for a moment how many times have you had this in business where someone may want to move on with a great idea and just because it happens in the wrong division with bosses of one divisions fighting with the head of another one, so that great idea is killed. We really all have to be aware not to fall prey to those things. And then another thing that happened is that the author and others in the scientific group contacted the horrifying disease leishmanias (leish) through sand flies in the forest. This is "neglected tropical disease" that kills 50,000 people a year but it is not really talked about because it's a disease of the poor rather than disease of the rich. Excuse me for saying this, but things like not being able to have sex because you can't have an erection gets so much funding because there's a huge captive audience willing and able to pay for it, but here we deal with something that is affecting people lives and a disease that can literally eat people's face, but this disease doesn't get any attention because it affects the poor and they may not be able to afford the treatment. Apparently 4 to 12 million people are currently infected in some 98 countries. Risk factors include poverty, malnutrition, deforestation, and urbanization, and about 2 million new cases and between 20 and 50 thousand deaths occur each year. About 200 million people in Asia, Africa, South and Central America, and southern Europe live in areas where the disease is common, so I credit this book for raising awarenes about this neglected and terrible disease. Matthias Knab: Before we finish, allow me to ask you another personal question One thing that struck me was reading a study from 2015 that said more than half of GCC's family businesses are in the midst of the transition from the second to third generation (between 1.2 trillion and 1.3 trillion without considering offshore assets are set to pass from parents to their millennial heir within the next decade), and that just around 15% of those businesses are likely to succeed. 15% success rate is obviously very low. You are now the 4th generation running the Kanoo family business, and your firm has thus already gone already through a number of these generational changes. What would be your recommendation to increase the odds and have a better chance to secure the longevity and sustainability of a family business? Mishal Kanoo: Well, I understand that people always want to have a panacea that solves everything, but the reality is of course that every family is different and so you really need to have a focused, custom-made approach. It depends on the type of family, the types of mentality within the family, the type of interaction with the members of the family, all these things have an effect in terms of how a com pany will succeed or not succeed. So there is no one single way of resolving everything, there simply isn't. But surely a lot if not everything will depend on the people. Now, actually the more educated - and I don't mean a formal education in terms of having a degree or not - person who is managing the business or heading the family, the more enlightened the person is in terms of really being open to ideas or suggestions and willing to bring in others to be part and parcel of the decision-making process, then there is a better chance of it succeeding for one generation to next. Matthias Knab: This is very interesting. I know that you worked as an auditor for Arthur Andersen in Dubai before returning to The Kanoo Group as the Deputy Chairman in 1997. I would have thought that this formal training as an auditor would have built you in having a strong foundation and skill set to successfully lead your firm? Mishal Kanoo: I don't think any business degree plays that role. I rather think that communication is the real issue. If you look around, how many people and organizations have issues or challenges around that issue of communication. If I am willing to communicate, if I am willing to listen to the other party - and I say listen, not not just hearing them, so meaning to actively listening and understanding what the other person is saying - if I am willing to do all of these things and potentially also willing to give up some of my preconceived notions and thoughts, then again there is a good chance that there will be a success in terms of a successful transition If on the other hand it's a very rigid, hierarchical structure, the chances of a successful transition and long term success is really much smaller. Now, the worst ones or the most challenged are those who think that they are benevolent, but they are really draconian, but nobody is willing to tell them that they are draconian or a tyrant. If you scare people, who is willing to come and tell you what you are thinking or doing may be wrong? If you don't have that open communication where you are willing to accept what other people are saying to you - and again, this is why communication and certain basic skills are so important: ,No one actually likes to be told you are wrong, but you could say things like "Have you considered this? Here is something we found that we like.... This is another way of looking at it..." Matthias Knab: This is extremely interesting because what I think you are saying is that soft skills trump those formal degrees and formal education in the end. Mishal Kanoo: How many people have you seen with a degree when they come to work? And then, everything they have learnt goes out the window, because they think theirs is the only way? Such an attitude can be very detrimental, no matter at which level you work, but of course the consequences can be much harsher the higher you are in an organization. So again, each family and every business will be different, but I would say all will benefit by focusing on this skill or culture of having an active, open and engaged communication.By James Bash | For The Oregonian/OregonLive

March Music Moderne, Portland's annual quirky festival of new music, will celebrate Claude Debussy this year with a series of events inspired by the influential French composer, who died 100 years ago this month.

On tap are three concerts, featuring many of the best professional musicians in the Northwest, plus a film on Debussy by British film director Ken Russell. To top things off, all of the programs are gratis.

Discovering Debussy's music was a life-changing force for the festival's founder, Bob Priest.

"I was a rock/blues player as a kid in L.A. with strong psychedelic leanings," said Priest, "when Debussy's altered-state 'Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun' crossed my sex and drugs and rock-and-roll path in 1968. I was instantly smitten and became interested in classical music."

Priest studied composition with French organist and composer Olivier Messiaen in Paris and conductor and composer Witold Lutoslawski in Poland as a Fulbright Scholar. After experiencing Warsaw Autumn, an international festival of new music, he started similar festivals in Seattle and Victoria, British Columbia, got a doctorate in composition, moved to Portland and launched March Music Moderne in 2011.

A major thematic thread of each festival has been the interconnection between music and other aspects of culture, such as movies and literature. So this year's edition of March Music Moderne includes "The Debussy Film," which Russell made for the BBC in 1965, and which will be screened Thursday, March 22.

Three evenings of concerts at the Community Music Center follow.

In addition to works by Debussy, Lutoslawski, Maurice Ravel, Igor Stravinsky, Thomas Daniel Schlee and R. Murray Schafer, the Friday, March 23, program will premiere Priest's "Petite Berceuse pour Chouchou" ("Little Lullaby for Chouchou") for piano trio.

"Chouchou was the nickname of Debussy's daughter, Emma," said Priest. "She died a year after Debussy died. She was a victim of a diphtheria outbreak. So I have based my piece on five notes related to Debussy's name. It sounds like bells tolling."

Another world premiere on the program is "Mr. Quaver's Slight Return" by Portland composer Robert McBride, who recently retired as senior announcer for All Classical Portland.

"The only Debussy piano piece I've played is 'Canope,' in the second book of 'Preludes,' " said McBride. "The title refers to a type of jar used for storing human remains in ancient Egypt - Debussy owned one - and since MMM is noting the 100th anniversary of Debussy's death this year, it occurred to me to do something based on 'Canope.' I kind of, but not literally, wrote that piece backwards, scoring it for viola and harp. It's like an incantation. Maybe we can bring Claude back to life, in a way."

"Debussy wrote music reviews using the pen name Monsieur Croche," added McBride, "alluding to the English term for a quarter note: crotchet. And since Dr. Bob is a big Jimi Hendrix fan, my title also alludes to a song title from (the Hendrix album) 'Electric Ladyland': 'Voodoo Child (Slight Return).' "

The Saturday, March 24, concert has the intoxicating theme "Music in the time of Absinthe" and will interweave pieces by Debussy with new works by local composers Linda Woody and Jennifer Wright.

Woody's "Absinthe Minded" for flute, viola and harp is based on a piece by Spanish composer Manuel de Falla that he wrote as a tribute to Debussy.

"Debussy was the first composer who used the flute, viola and harp ensemble in chamber music," said Woody. "A wind instrument, a bowed instrument and a plucked instrument provide a beautiful, sensual and contrasting combination of timbres and techniques."

Wright's new piece for gamelan will be played by Portland's Venerable Showers of Beauty gamelan ensemble. The piece reflects when Debussy first heard a Javanese gamelan at the Paris Exposition of 1889. It was a watershed moment for him, opening him to sounds from other cultures.

Wright's "Relatively Minor Infractions" for baritone sax and two amplified harpsichords touches on the fact that Debussy was interested in the newly invented saxophone. The sax theme will also be reflected in the playing of a Debussy piece by The Quadraphonnes, Portland's all-female saxophone quartet.

The final evening of concerts on Friday, March 25, will contain 10 new pieces by members of Cascadia Composers as a tribute to Claude Debussy. Their homage reflects the 10 works that were published in 1920 to commemorate Debussy's death. The program will conclude with mezzo-soprano Hannah Penn singing Debussy's evocative "Chansons de Bilitis."

"MMM pays homage to a composer who managed to synesthetically expand our artistic vision," said Priest, "as the 21st century more inclusively melds music, arts and cultures from around the world and within our very own Global Village PDX."

March Music Moderne

When: "The Debussy Film," 7 p.m. Thursday, March 22 (includes poetry reading and flutist Amelia Lukas playing Debussy's "Syrinx"); concerts, 7:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday, March 23-25

Where: Film screening, Cinema 21, 616 N.W. 21st Ave.; concerts, Community Music Center, 3350 S.E. Francis St.

Tickets: Free; marchmusicmoderne.orgA woman killed in an apparent murder-suicide Wednesday near West Linn was granted a restraining order last year against the man suspected of shooting her, but the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office said it was unable to find him and never served it, records show.

David Cote

David Cote had "moved to an unknown location."

Bethany Noelle Schuch and Cote were found dead outside a home in the 400 block of Southwest Alderwood Drive. Schuch had lived in the area, records show, but it's unclear if she had been living at that address.

The restraining order petition, obtained Friday by The Oregonian/OregonLive, paints a picture of a relationship gone bad. Schuch reports she was fearful of imminent bodily injury, details threats and refers to Cote as mentally unstable.

He had access to a gun and "fixated on my life, family (and) business," Schuch wrote. "He knows where I live and work."

Cote was also previously convicted for stalking and menacing in Deschutes County, court records show. That case involved a different woman.

Schuch, who was 35 at the time of her death, wrote in the mid-November restraining order petition that Cote told her some of his friends "had gotten out of control" and wanted to kill her. Cote said he "couldn't stop them" because he was also mad at her, she wrote.

He told her that her house was unsafe, especially her bedroom.

"He stated I should move to California because Oregon was ruined for me now (and) I would not be safe living here," she wrote.

Schuch also wrote that Cote said people "would come to my first date with a new guy (and) blow his head off."

Records indicate Schuch and Cote had been in a relationship that spanned more than a year and had lived with one another for some amount of time. They don't detail the extent to which the pair associated with one another after the restraining order petition was filed, but the records indicate they had broken up before the petition being filed.

A judge granted the restraining order in mid-November. A document was filed later that month stating that the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office wasn't able to find Cote within the county despite "due and diligent search and inquiry."

Neither the county sheriff nor a spokesman immediately responded to requests for comment.

Court records show Cote in 2014 was sentenced to 45 days in jail after he pleaded guilty to stalking and menacing a woman in Deschutes County.

Shannon Schilpp, the victim in the case, recounted a pattern of harassment that began after a few months of a friendship that consisted mostly of text messaging.

They met at a party, and she thought he was a nice, funny person with an outgoing personality. She moved from Beaverton to Bend shortly thereafter and eventually rebuffed his interest in dating.

She said his demeanor took a turn when she told him she was interested in dating someone else: He called her nasty names, threatened her and told her she was a terrible person and mother.

A few months passed, and the harassment continued, she said. He eventually asked to meet and said he would stop threatening her if they got together. She agreed to meet at a Portland-area golf course while she was visiting her brother in the city.

He told her he just wanted to be friends and didn't want to hurt her. And when they went to part, she said, he asked for a hug. At the same time, he grabbed onto her, held her tight and kissed her forcefully.

She said he told her there was a gun in his SUV and that he'd thought about killing himself, her or both of them.

Then a security guard arrived.

"I believe if it were not for that security guard pulling up that I would be dead," Schilpp said. "Absolutely that I would be dead."

She said the Portland incident spurred her to contact Bend police.

Cote was ordered to not contact her or her family or post things about them on the internet, records show. A judge also ordered him to attend a drug and alcohol treatment program.

Cote was later accused of violating the terms of probation, according to court documents.

Cote had cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. It coats the person's lungs with thick, sticky mucus and limits their ability to breathe over time. According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the median predicted survival age is close to 40.

In 2012 and 2013, Cote was one of the faces of the Battle for the Bridge football game, an annual cystic fibrosis fundraiser between West Linn High School and Oregon City High School alums.

Cote told The Oregonian/OregonLive in 2012 that he hadn't played football since seventh grade but felt compelled to participate in the charity game to inspire others with cystic fibrosis to still be active. He said in 2013 that he played baseball at West Linn High School until his junior year but was forced to stop because of his disease.

David Nelson, co-chairman for the Battle for the Bridge, said the group's board cut ties with Cote after his arrest in Deschutes County in 2014.

Nelson said he graduated from West Linn High School with Cote and Schuch in 2001 but didn't know either of them very well.

"Dave was passionate about the game, very passionate about the event, but obviously his actions this week erased any help and good he did," Nelson said. "What he did was absolutely terrible and we all feel absolutely terrible for the families affected."

Janet Cote, Cote's mother, said she'd be putting out a news release in the next few days. "More than anything I want Beth's family to know we are so devastated for them," she wrote to The Oregonian/OregonLive. "There are no words but we are so very sorry for their loss! The only thing more devastating than losing a child, is knowing that your child took an innocent life."

In a public post of her Facebook page early Thursday, she wrote:



"The wrath of mental illness has struck our family and another family once again. We are devastated and broken hearted. We are praying for all of those that this tragedy has touched. Thank you to our family and friends that came to hold us in our grief."



As of 10 p.m. Friday, the post had received scores of comments.

The Sheriff's Office urges anyone who has information about Cote or events before the shooting to contact the agency by calling 503-723-4949 or using an online form. Tipsters should reference case No. 18-006507.

-- Jim Ryan

jryan@oregonian.com

503-221-8005; @Jimryan015

Shane Dixon Kavanaugh and Everton Bailey Jr. of The Oregonian/OregonLive staff contributed to this reportLast year, The Oregonian/Oregonlive retraced our footsteps, revisiting a dozen of our favorite barbecue joints and throughout the metro area, plus a few newcomers for good measure. We found something fascinating. A reedy Long Island kid whose previous meat-smoking experience came in Australia was suddenly making the best of Texas-style barbecue in Portland from the parking lot of a pawnshop on Northeast Martin Luther King Blvd.

And now Matts BBQ is on the move. In a text message Friday, owner Matt Vicedomini said he planned to move his food cart from its current home to Prost! Marketplace, the pioneering cart pod surrounding German beer bar Prost!

Yes, that means youll be able to eat Matts BBQ while drinking good German beer on the patio at Prost! And here is some more good news: Vicedomini plans to expand his hours seven days a week with a set menu of tacos and grilled pork steaks served until 9 p.m. once he gets settled into the new space this spring.

The move comes a few weeks after Vicedomini announced on Twitter he had lost his lease and would have to move by April 1.

Matts BBQ is another jewel in the crown of Prost! Marketplace, which has slowly been rebuilding its food cart roster with smart additions such as Pastrami Zombie and Desi PDX since it was taken over by Prost! owner Dan Hart last year. And its a recommitment to the cart life for Vicedomini, who had explored several brick-and-mortar possibilities over the past year, including a restaurant supergroup with Joshua McFadden of Ava Genes and Tusk and Earl Ninsom of PaaDee and Langbaan.

Look for Matt's BBQ to set up shop next to Prost!, 4237 N. Mississippi Ave., in early April.

 Michael RussellWhen each of us recites the Pledge of Allegiance, we place our hand over our heart and promise, "liberty and justice for all." I accepted the challenge as Secretary of State to promote liberty and justice for all Oregonians. One way I'm doing this is by bringing awareness to Oregon's current racial barriers and by exposing our sordid past.

Obtaining liberty and justice for all Oregonians requires recognizing and understanding the minority populations who have suffered repression, discrimination and persecution throughout our history. This is why, for the first time in Oregon history, the Oregon State Archives has unveiled an exhibit written through the eyes of black Oregonians, for the education of all Oregonians.

"Black in Oregon, 1840-1870" focuses on African-American families who are part of Oregon's pioneer heritage. It features stories, photos and documents of early black pioneers in the Pacific Northwest. The Oregon State Constitution is also on display, turned to the original exclusionary language that sought to bar African-Americans from Oregon.

With Oregon's long history of racial inequality and prejudice, this exhibit uses authentic records to uncover the truth. It gives voice to the brave and resilient black pioneers who overcame incredible barriers to make a life for themselves and their families in Oregon. And it seeks to challenge the rising generation to be aware of the racism that still exists today.

"Black in Oregon" is open for special hours this Saturday, May 10th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and is located at the Oregon Archives Building in Salem. It is also open to the public weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. through Aug. 24.

I believe it is something every Oregonian should see.

-- Dennis Richardson is Oregon's Secretary of State.It's easy to focus on how Portland's housing crisis is hurting adults. We hear regularly how they can't find affordable first homes. They struggle to secure reasonable rents close-in, settling for lengthy commutes or multiple jobs to pay the bills. They end up couch-surfing, living in cars or on the street.

But in The Oregonian/OregonLive's recent series, "Reading, Writing, Evicted," we were shown in vivid, heartbreaking detail how Portland's ongoing housing emergency is scarring the next generation of Oregonians. Through stories, graphics and video, reporter Bethany Barnes described the trauma for the increasing number of students transferring in and out of Portland schools midyear. But they're not the only casualties. She found the constant state of flux also detracts from the learning of those classmates they leave behind.

Barnes found a 1996 study that showed how students who switch schools often fall behind their classmates by several months, leaving them more likely to drop out. The research alsodetermined that in schools where more children come and go, the average academic achievement for all students can be as much as one grade level lower.

That's especially disturbing considering that schools with more constant churn predominately serve poor and minority families in Portland Public Schools, a district with an already shameful record of providing an equitable education for all students.

Take Cesar Chavez K-8 in North Portland, where Ordella Reynolds teaches fourth grade. She's lost six students and gained seven new ones since the fall. As Barnes reported, Reynolds finds that students living with the specter of regular transitions may be shy, sad or scared about their next move. Those students may need more of her help to catch up and may disrupt the class when they feel frustrated or mad that they're behind.

There is some hope, however. Barnes highlighted work in one school district in Austin, Texas. There, officials aim to break these cycles by using a computer program to link families who need housing with options that fall within their school's boundaries. That way students don't lose academic gains they've made. They don't lose the teachers and other school staff who invested in their progress and care about their futures. And they don't lose the friends who can provide the support and stability that makes showing up at school every morning that much more appealing.

A private business owner and former school board member created the program in Austin. But public agencies should be able to provide this type of solution. In fact, some already do. Officials in many cities, from small (nearby Gresham) to large (Los Angeles), track commercial rental units - in some cases with helpful inspection data that determines whether they're actually habitable.

Unfortunately, the City of Portland lacks such a fundamental tool. It's unbelievable, really, considering city leaders have made annual declarations since 2015 that we're in a "housing emergency." We know we don't have enough housing, but we also don't know exactly how much we have.

Past Portland housing leaders have called for such a rental inventory, but it's never been created. Numerous city memos outline explicit plans to implement a rental registration. It's never happened.

While Mayor Ted Wheeler campaigned on the need for a rental registry, there remains a disturbing lack of urgency in the work to get it up and going. Interim Portland Housing Bureau Director Shannon Callahan confirms the registry is a relatively simple set-up, as far as city tech projects go. That being said, a "beta" version with basic information - units and addresses - won't be ready to test in-house until June.

In the meantime, members of the new rental services commission will discuss what kind of information should be included in the database. Callahan said she's hoping to bring the full project to the council for a vote by the summer or fall.

And all the while, the students come and go.

Portland leaders should speed up this process. They should approve the registry as soon as possible and roll it out with the critical information first: rental units' addresses, size and approximate cost. It's critical that such a registry also identify which school district the unit is within and, specifically, which elementary, middle and high schools tenants would attend.

City councilors can and should vote to add more data points later. Indeed, information from random inspections would surely be helpful in the future. But now, Portland's leaders must move quickly to create a tool that could help bring some small amount of stability to families and children in need.

We've got a long way to go before Portland will have a roof for everyone. But we can more easily provide a consistent, safe and supportive place for children to learn. For some kids, that may be the next best thing to home.

-- The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board

Oregonian editorials

Editorials reflect the collective opinion of The Oregonian/OregonLive editorial board, which operates independently of the newsroom. Members of the editorial board are Laura Gunderson, Helen Jung, Mark Katches and John Maher.

To respond to this editorial, post your comment below, submit an OpEd or a letter to the editor.

If you have questions about the opinion section,

, editorial pages editor, or call 503-221-8378.If Martha Stewart and Bill Nye created a kids show, they might come up with something like Crazy Aunt Lindsey's Fab Lab.

Wearing her signature, oversized hair bow and bursting with energy, Portland's Crazy Aunt Lindsey  aka Lindsey Murphy  leads kids on science-based projects from making lemon batteries to building bird feeders.

The Fab Lab YouTube series is about "bringing your everyday into the science world," Murphy said. Her most recent episode on the science of baking features a field trip to Blue Star Donuts, where she explains rising dough as the product of "yeast farts."

Murphy isn't a scientist. Her background is in marketing and communications, so she understands the importance of knowing your audience and the power of media images. And as a black woman leading lessons about science and math, she knows she's making an important imprint on young minds.

"(Children) need to see a lot of different faces doing science," said Danielle Lee, an African-American biology professor at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and supporter of Murphy's work. "They need to understand that it's accessible and they can do it, and she's the perfect facilitator. Her personality is so engaging."

Murphy has always been driven. As a kid growing up in New Jersey, she was transfixed by her older sister's copies of Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. At age 12, she applied (on her own) to New York's Fashion Institute of Technology.

"Neither of my parents went to college ... so I didn't know how it worked," she said. "I was like, OK, I'm going to be Anna Wintour and my life starts now."

It didn't exactly work out that way. Murphy graduated from community college in 2005 after studying television and landed a job with MTV's new video-on-demand division. That led to jobs in marketing and advertising, but by age 25, Murphy felt burnt out.

"I just woke up one day and realized, oh my God, I hate my life," she said. "I quit, and I moved out of my fancy apartment into a friend's pool house and babysat to pay my bills."

Murphy, it turns out, was a natural with kids. She led nature walks, craft projects and cooking experiments. The children lovingly dubbed her Aunt Lindsey.

"She doesn't talk down to them," said Emily Weltman, whose 8-year-old daughter, Arianna, appeared on a recent Fab Lab episode. "She's genuinely interested in what they are saying."

About eight years ago, Murphy was moving out of the pool house and cutting back on babysitting. During her going-away party, one of the kids' parents suggested she film some of her "Aunt Lindsey projects" for YouTube. The kids were going to miss her and the videos would be a great way to stay in touch, he said.

The first few videos were titled "Doing Stuff with Crazy Aunt Lindsey," and were intended for the 11 families on Murphy's email list.

But they found an audience of thousands. Murphy's bubbly personality and the authentic reactions of her unscripted young wards gained a following.

In 2011, Murphy was invited to become a blogger with Scientific American magazine, and the videos took a more pointedly scientific bent. She renamed her show the Fabulous Laboratory, or Fab Lab for short.

Murphy moved to Portland in 2013 and continued the Fab Lab on the side. A year ago, she decided to leave her job at Wieden+Kennedy advertising agency to become Crazy Aunt Lindsey full-time.

"I was just going to do it for a year," she said. "Just go all in, and if nothing happens  because I was expecting nothing to happen  I'd have no regrets."

But plenty happened. Blue Star Donuts is the first of several sponsor partnerships she's secured for upcoming episodes. And in August, Murphy won the $10,000 top prize from PitchBlack, a live Portland event which awards funding to black entrepreneurs.

"It's important that a young, black woman is the face of science and technology in a day and age where you don't see that portrayed very often," said PitchBlack organizer Stephen Green. "When people step back and think about who are the ones historically telling stories to our kids, it's generally an older white dude. Bill Nye the Science Guy. Mr. Rogers. So, here she is saying, 'They did a great job, and now I'm going to put some swagger on it.'"

The National Science Foundation, a federal agency, reports that white and Asian men represent about 34 percent of the U.S. working-age population but hold 63 percent of the country's science and engineering jobs.

"I've had people introduce me in professional settings where we're all at the same professional meeting and ask me how I got there," Lee said. "That still happens. 'How did you get here? Why are you here?' Now, imagine that happening to undergraduate students who are just getting on track, or high school students who want to shadow someone in a lab."

And that's why Murphy's show is so important. When she considered giving up on the Fab Lab a few years ago, Lee encouraged her to keep going and crowdfund the money necessary to produce another season of episodes. She raised $2,000 more than her $10,000 goal.

"I love that she interacts with a diverse cast of children who all equally look up to her with glee in their eyes," Lee said. "They don't have any problem accepting her as their teacher, as their knowledge facilitator, and I think that's a really important soft skill. So when they show up in my college classroom 10 years later, and I'm at the front of the class, they're not asking me who's the real professor, because that happens."

-- Samantha Swindler is a columnist for The Oregonian/Oregonlive



@editorswindler / 503-294-4031

sswindler@oregonian.comAs Broadcom continues its difficult pursuit of communications chipmaker Qualcomm, The Wall Street Journal suggests Intel might get involved.

The paper reported late Friday that Intel is considering a range of options in response to a potential Broadcom takeover of Qualcomm, including a huge deal to buy out Broadcom itself.

Singapore-based Broadcom has a market capitalization of nearly $110 billion, and Qualcomm's value is nearly as great. So if Intel bought Broadcom - before or after its prospective acquisition of Qualcomm - it could be the largest corporate combination of all time. (Intel's own market cap is $243 billion.)

The deal would also face all manner of regulatory scrutiny. And in its own report, the Journal itself said one of its sources considers a deal unlikely.

But if Intel were looking to disrupt Broadcom's pursuit of Qualcomm, an Intel rival, then the notion that Intel might somehow get involved might just do the trick.

"It could well be disinformation designed to disrupt the deal," said Kevin Krewell, a veteran chip industry insider who follows the market for TIRIAS Research. "I would bet that's the most likely scenario at this point in time."

In a statement, Intel said it cannot comment on merger and acquisition talk. But the company suggested its attention is elsewhere.

"We have made important acquisitions over the past 30 months -- including Mobileye and Altera," Intel said. "Our focus is on integrating those acquisitions and making them successful for our customers and shareholders."

Qualcomm has been resisting Broadcom's $117 billion takeover bid and the deal has drawn a skeptical eye from federal regulators, who have warned they might block the deal on national security grounds. Last year, the Trump administration shut down a Chinese deal to buy Portland-based Lattice Semiconductor over national security concerns.

It's possible Intel sees a combination of Broadcom and Qualcomm as a potential threat, according to Krewell. He said it's not obvious that another acquisition, whether Broadcom or another chip company, would improve Intel's position, but said it's not surprising Intel would explore a variety of possibilities.

"It is a soap opera, isn't it?" Krewell said.

-- Mike Rogoway; twitter: @rogoway; 503-294-7699For the moment, at least, it appears to be a clear-cut victory - the biggest foreign policy win of his young administration. President Donald Trump has brought his arch-nemesis, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a.k.a "Little Rocket Man," to the table to negotiate away his nuclear arsenal.

Optimists declared a major breakthrough. Even pessimists acknowledged that Trump's hard line against Pyongyang, after decades of less forceful U.S. effort, played a significant role in moving one of the world's most vexing and threatening problems in a potentially positive direction.

But in the afterglow of the surprise announcement - hinted by Trump in a teasing visit to the White House press room and soon confirmed by South Korea's national security adviser, standing in the West Wing driveway - questions were fast and furious.

Were direct talks between Kim and Trump, two notably volatile leaders who have traded public insults for more than a year, the best way to start what are sure to be complicated negotiations? Was the administration, whose thin bench of experienced experts seems to be growing slimmer by the day, ready to face those wily and untrustworthy North Koreans? The talks, U.S. and South Korean officials said, would take place before the end of May.

By some assessments, this is really a victory for Kim, who for years has sought proof of his status and North Korea's power by dangling the offer of leader-to-leader talks with the United States.

Some analysts said it remains unclear what Trump is prepared to put on the table opposite Kim's apparent offer to stop testing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles and discuss denuclearization. "Sanctions? Normalization? Peace treaty?" tweeted Victor Cha, the expert who was once Trump's choice as ambassador to South Korea, before he voiced concern that the White House was contemplating a pre-emptive military strike against Pyongyang.

According to a senior administration official, who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity, the answer is not very much.

There would be no reward for talks themselves, the official said. Trump would expect a dismantled nuclear weapons program, with complete "verification," and "will settle for nothing less."

But "President Trump has a reputation for making deals," the official added. "Kim Jong Un is the one person able to make decisions in their uniquely totalitarian system and so it made sense to accept the invitation with the one person who can make decisions instead of repeating the long slog of the past."

Trump has a vibrant track record of surprise announcements that have distracted attention, at least temporarily, from concern over tariffs and border walls and the growing threat to his presidency posed by the special counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

At the same time, he has claimed a long string of successes over the past 14 months that others have challenged as lacking a strategy for long-term sustainability, from the currently robust economy to the defeat of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

The North Korea gambit may be his highest-wire act of all.

"A Trump-Kim summit is a major diplomatic gamble," tweeted Richard Fontaine, president of the Center for New American Security. "But let's see if it actually comes off. Recall that yesterday, we were set to impose steel tariffs on Canada."

Among experts, there were widely divergent views of what had happened, and why, and what the risks were.

"Beyond the initial shock value of the invitation from Kim Jong Un to Trump," and Trump's acceptance, "I think the real underlying questions are still what are they going to negotiate," said Lisa Collins, a fellow with the Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "Two months doesn't give working-level officials much time to pull things together."

"It's certainly the start of talks. Whether or not it's a true breakthrough in terms of change in North Korea's calculus, I'm still a little skeptical," she said. "I tend to be more of a pessimist.

Adam Mount, a senior fellow at the Federation of American Scientists, said it was "absolutely right to extend the nuclear and missile test pause" declared by Pyongyang during talks last week with the Seoul government. "It will help repair ties with South Korea and keeps us back from the brink of war."

"Unfortunately," Mount said, "denuclearization is a distant fantasy." The administration "has not equipped itself for success. They have not laid the groundwork for credibility in talks [and] lack leadership with experience in international negotiation. . . . In accepting the invitation outright, Trump has already lost much of his leverage over the terms and agenda of the talks."

The "better play," he said, "is to start by offering a credible plan to stabilize the peninsula and halt nuclear and missile tests sustainably, and then build out to a more ambitious agreement."

Others were less skeptical. Robert Carlin, who led numerous U.S. delegations to North Korea and served in various senior intelligence and diplomatic roles during previous outreaches to Pyongyang, cited North Korean statements over the years that indicated its nuclear weapons program was largely developed as leverage to gain economic stability.

In a seminal statement in March 2013, Carlin recalled, Kim said that North Korea's nuclear policy would proceed rapidly to "blunt the American threat and create a peaceful environment so that we can concentrate on the economy," he said. "This is his victory. It's really important for him and they probably believe it."

"We can't push them around. They do have nuclear weapons," Carlin said. But "they do have a leader who wants to pivot to the economy. Let's test that. Let's see if we can use [Kim's] own momentum, like jujitsu, to help accomplish what we want."

--The Washington PostA 20-year-old Washington County man filed lawsuits Friday against Fred Meyer and Bi-Mart, claiming their new policies to keep guns and ammunition out of the hands of people under 21 amounts to age discrimination.

Airion Grace's lawsuits follow two others filed Monday by a southern Oregon 20-year-old, Tyler Watson, who says he couldn't buy a .22-caliber Ruger rifle at Walmart and Field & Stream, which is owned by Dick's Sporting Goods.

The two men are fighting new policies instituted by the four retailers in the wake of a 19-year-old gunman's rampage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida that killed 17 people on Feb. 14. The gunman, Nikolas Cruz, had legally bought at least seven guns, including an AK-47-style rifle, before the massacre.

Watson's suits gained national attention, believed to be the first in the country challenging the new policies.

On Tuesday, Grace went into the Hillsboro Bi-Mart on Tualatin Valley Highway and tried to buy shotgun ammunition. A clerk told him he needed to be 21.

Grace then went into the nearest Fred Meyer, about three miles down Tualatin Valley Highway, and was again refused when he tried to buy shotgun ammunition.

Neither Fred Meyer or Bi-Mart could be reached for immediate comment. Fred Meyer is owned by Kroger.

Oregon law allows residents age 18 and older to buy shotguns, rifles and ammunition for them.

The lawsuits say Fred Meyer, Bi-Mart, Dick's and Walmart violate Oregon statutes protecting residents against discrimination based on race, religion, sexual orientation or age, among other things. The law specifically says that the state can ban the sale of alcohol or marijuana to minors but doesn't mention guns.

Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian said this week that he thinks adding gun sales to the list of items exempt from the state's discrimination laws would be "appropriate." He said his agency would accept complaints from people who feel they have been discriminated against by the policies.

Federal law bans firearms retailers from selling handguns, but not rifles or shotguns, to anyone under 21.

Grants Pass attorney Max Whittington and Lake Oswego attorney Kristian Roggendorf are representing Grace. Whittington said in addition to the Oregon lawsuits, he knows of a similar lawsuit filed in Michigan by an 18-year-old man against Dick's for allegedly refusing to sell him a rifle.

Grace and Watson are asking judges to rule the retailers' policies unlawful and to award punitive damages and attorneys fees.

-- Aimee Green

o_aimeeA Washington County Circuit Court jury on Friday found Portland activist Micah Rhodes guilty of second-degree sexual abuse of an underage girl.

The jury's 10-2 verdict came after a 1.5-day trial. Rhodes, once a prominent organizer of Portland's Resistance, is now 24.

He was 20 at the time he had sex with the girl in January 2014. Her age isn't listed in court papers, but investigators said she was younger than 18 then and unable to consent because of her age.

Rhodes will be sentenced in May. Oregon sentencing guidelines recommend a prison sentence ranging from about two to two-and-a-half years, said Deputy District Attorney Andy Pulver, who tried the case.

He could face as many as five years in prison if the prosecution successfully argues that Rhodes' felony was particularly egregious. Judge Janelle Wipper also could decide to give him probation.

Rhodes was frequently seen at marches and sitting in on meetings at Portland City Hall. He also was a leader of Portland's Resistance, a group that formed after Donald Trump won the presidential election in November 2016. He helped organize people during night after night of protests immediately after Trump's victory.

He was charged in the Washington County in February 2017.

He is scheduled next week to go to trial in Multnomah County Circuit Court in a separate case.

Rhodes faces accusations that he had sexual contact with a 17-year-old boy when Rhodes was 20 or 21 in Gresham and in Troutdale.

Court papers say Rhodes met the boy on a gay dating app and that the boy wasn't able to consent because of his age.

Rhodes faces four counts of second-degree sexual abuse and one count of third-degree sexual abuse.

Rhodes was on supervision by the Oregon Youth Authority for sexual abuse and sodomy at the time he was charged for alleged abuse in both counties, authorities say. Juvenile records aren't public, so details of the earlier case aren't available.

Rhodes had been required to register as a sex offender at the time he was charged in the Multnomah and Washington county cases.

-- Aimee GreenBy Mher Yenokyan: Hetqs Correspondent at Nubarashen Prison

Im set to graduate Yerevans Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University in three months. Im now writing my diplomatic work. My friends and family are sending me all sorts of books and other material culled from bookstores, libraries and the internet.

Im writing about the theoretical and practical aspects of reopening criminal cases.

When I entered university five years ago, my relatives brought me a computer. I was allowed three hours a day to use it; first as a student, and then as a special correspondent for Hetq.

But, I must confess, I had no clue how to use the machine. I set it up  the monitor, keyboard, mouse and processor  by following the instruction manual. I then experimented with the keys, seeing what each one did. From zero, I was slowly learning what each first grader takes for granted today.

The world moves forward every day. Computer technologies advance at a fast clip. Computer skills are a must for job seekers in almost all sectors.

In our prisons, however, you can encounter people still living in the 19th century. When they stripped me of my freedom, the computers were rudimentary and not widely used. Computers today can be found in all households, just like TVs. Those of us behind bars, especially those still living in the past century, must be given the chance to catch up with the modern world.

I follow the case of Arsen Artzrouni. Hed been imprisoned for 23 years. He could have been conditionally released three years ago. But like the other thirty prisoners originally sentenced to death, he wasnt released. The case is now at the appeals court.

I lived with Arsen in the same cell for six months. I saw how he lived. He read from dawn till dusk, taking notes. He used his time wisely.

Arsens relentless struggle with the Nubarashen prison administration paid off. In 2006, he was allocated a room where he would teach English to the lifers; including me. Sadly, those lessons only lasted a few months.

Arsen was the first to be acted to university and served as a great example to us future students. Today, in Nubarashen, there are four lifers enrolled in a university course.

Arsen was studying psychology and was interested in studying how prison conditions affected the longevity of those serving life sentences. One of the four lifers has followed Arsens example and is majoring in psychology.

Im the first in my family majoring in law. I hope that others will follow my example and pursue law degrees.

In my articles I periodically write about the objectives of punishment, stressing the importance of an education and having a job. This isnt just my opinion. People must be given these opportunities, and these things must be our governments paramount concern.

I have written about all this in my course work, presenting the track record of developed states. From the first day of imprisonment, in the U.S, Japan, Canada or Europe, the state offers convicts some type of work and the chance to acquire job skills.

In Germany, a large part of a convicts salary is deposited in a bank account. When released, the convict will have an emergency fund to live on until finding permanent work.

In Armenias jails and prisons, thousands of grown men mostly drift through the hours and the days with little to do.

Learning is an expensive luxury and work doesnt exist.Today David Harrelson started off his Salem City Club talk about the Kalapuya tribe by asking how many people in the audience considered themselves native Oregonians.

A bunch of hands went up from those, I assume, who were born in this state. Harrelson then pointed out the difference between the First People, genuine native Americans, and native Oregonians.

The former, he said, could count at least 500 generations in their family history. So when people talk about being a 5th generation Oregonian, that doesn't impress him.

Harrelson is the Cultural Resources Department Manager for The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. He's a Grand Ronde tribal member. His talk, "The Life and Times of the Kalapuya: First Peoples of the Willamette Valley," was highly informative and entertaining.

I liked Harrelson's style.

He was firm about the entirely justified claim that the Native American people who were living in the Willamette Valley before the settlers arrived are the true Oregonians, and were treated horribly unjustly.

But Harrelson wasn't into guilt-tripping. He didn't need to, because the facts he presented made us non-native City Club attendees feel bad about what happened to the Kalapuya and other western Oregon tribes without any extra dose of chastising.

As hard as it is to believe, he told us that in 1750 an estimated 30,000 Native Americans were living in the Willamette Valley. But by 1850 about 98% of them had been lost, largely to diseases, I'm guessing. So by the time settlers arrived in large numbers, there weren't many tribe members left to resettle.

Early on in his talk Harrelson showed a slide with a "natural" image of the Willamette Valley next to an image showing how it looks now, with crops being raised in tidy square parcels of farmland.

He then said that actually the Kalapuya managed the land for abundance in their own fashion. For example, they set cold burn fires that weren't hot enough to sterilize the soil, but killed fungus, bugs, dead parts of plants, and such. Fresh grasses then would shoot up that attracted deer and elk, who prefer "baby grass."

It also was interesting to hear that lighting a fire under an oak tree at the proper time would burn up the buggy acorns that fall first from the tree. Then the acorns that fell afterward could be harvested without having to sort out the good acorns from those that had bugs in them.

Camas bulbs were another example of how Native Americans managed for abundance.

Harrelson said that the big bulbs would be dug up and kept, while the smaller ones would be left to spread out, producing a denser patch of Camas in future years. Deer and elk would eat the flowers, helping to spread Camas since the seeds were more likely to germinate after being passed through an animal's digestive tract.

He objected to the common notion that Native Americans had some sort of mystical relationship with nature. No, he told us, it was science, figuring out the best ways to manage nature for long-term human requirements. There's no need to romanticize Indians, Harrelson said.





I'm fascinated by the Missoula Floods that inundated the Willamette Valley between 15,000 and 13,000 years ago. Harrelson said that the lake formed by the floods was up to 400 feet deep. Until the history of the floods was determined fairly recently, tribal legends about gigantic flooding were considered to be fiction.

But stories of how Native Americans found shelter on Mary's Peak near Corvallis and other high ground now are considered to have grounding in reality.

The image on the right side of this slide shows where different tribes were located in the Willamette Valley. There were five different language families, with the differences between them being as great as the difference between French and Chinese, Harrelson told us.



This slide explained the origins of the word, Chemawa, which is a "place of low-lying, frequently overflowed ground."

Harrelson gave us some of the history of treaties that forced the removal of Native Americans to steadily shrinking territory in western Oregon. A forced march to Grande Ronde from Medford was one of the atrocities inflicted on tribe members. He gave us a link to a web site, www.ndnhistoryresearch.com, which has documents and other information relating to the history of Oregon tribes.

Here's a link to descriptions of treaties with the Kalapuya and other tribes in the 1850's. Disturbing reading, for sure.

Lastly, Harrelson gave us a new word, "Landcestor." This is contrasted with "Ancestor." Most of us aren't ancestors of the Native Americans who inhabited Oregon before the settlers arrived. But Harrelson said we are part of the story of the land that is Oregon at this point in time.

Hopefully we'll live up to our responsibility to take care of the land that now is almost entirely under the control of non-Native Americans.Call Me By Your Name (2018) is a work of art in and of itself, with its stunning cinematic capture of the Italian countryside, its enchanting soundtrack featuring songs from Sufjan Stevens, and of course the centerpieces: Timothee Chalamet and Armie Hammer. But imagine if Elio and Oliver weren't just sitting by the hill where Claude Monet used to paint. What if they were frolicking around in the beautiful landscapes painted by the French artist . That's exactly what Mika Labrague did when she created "Call Me By Monet."

Art meets art when 22-year-old Filipino creator decided she wanted to set the scenes from the film in some of Monet's 19th century masterpieces. She tells WIRED Italy that her mixed media project was born out of intuition, seeing that a lot of the scenes and the "spirit of the story" fit seamlessly into Monet's creations.

Related | Someone Edited 'Call Me By Your Name' Into an '80s Rom-Com

She also includes short, one-liners from Elio and Oliver (and some from poor BB girl Marzia) in the captions, which really makes all the difference and just adds that much more to its *artistic* quality.IKEA finally figured a way to get teens to stop throwing impromptu house parties in their demo rooms. The Swedish affordable furniture retailer announced that they will be releasing a line of party and DJ equipment, reports Pitchfork. If the cost of creating your own rave venue in your loft seemed prohibitively out of reach, IKEA is here to bring it within your budget, the way it did with bookshelves and bathroom cabinets.

The gear was created in partnership with Teenage Enginering, makers of tiny synthesizers, and the full line will be called FREKVENS. It will consist of a vinyl record turntable, an electronic choir, and party spotlights. No word on if the lights have strobing capabilities, but if they do, you can bet we're hooking that up at our next bloghouse-themed loft party. The products will also presumably include wall and/or ceiling attachment hardware, so you don't accidentally bump it while you're in the throes of Shiny Toy Guns.

According to their press release, IKEA really wants us to party, Like, they really really want us to party. "We know that for younger people spontaneity is key. The idea of gathering some friends could become a reality in minutes," said Michael Nikolic, IKEA's Range & Supply Creative Leader. " What is then needed at home? Or maybe you want to bring along the party somewhere else? Together with Teenage Engineering we want to explore the possibilities of bringing the party with you and what else you need for a great party." Okay, sure!

You can peep the first images of the gear below. The collection will be available worldwide beginning February 2019. Maybe if FREKVENS does well enough, they'll expand the line to include a dirty bathroom stall with no toiler paper and a bar that sells $10 bottles of beer.We're in the midst of a female uprising, and Poster Girl wants to call you to arms, and dress you for battle. The one-year-old British brand has already gained a fast following for its Studio 54-inspired styles, which have inarguably become the party staple of 2018.

Central Saint Martins graduates Francesca Capper and Natasha Somerville are natural rule breakers, creating four collections per year, using just one fabric for each line: chainmail. Their designs already have fans like Dua Lipa and Halsey, as well as Instagram superstars Joanna Kutcha and Sita Abellan, and are intended to be layered, accessorized and deconstructed to high heaven.

In Poster Girl's new collection, "Series 1.2," the brand departs from their candy-colored couture (that might have clad Paris Hilton at one of her many 21st birthday party celebrations) to explore a new look that is as animalistic as it is apocalyptic. For the lookbook premiere, PAPER caught up with the wildly talented creatives to chat Poster Girl's role in propelling fashion into the future.

Poster Girl privileges deconstructed pieces that really evoke the '90s party scene. What do you think our obsession with nostalgia says about us?

It's an interesting cross-over of nostalgia from the generation growing up and partying in the '90s, combined with this newfound appreciation in the millennial scene  it's almost like an amalgam of admiration of the trend from all angles. It's also reminiscent of a carefree, trashy-but-extravagant lifestyle that seemed like a fun escape from seriousness and pressure. Maybe right now people are looking to find that escape again by adding a bit of fun into fashion? Wearing Poster Girl, you can definitely re-live that with a touch more luxury.

You're also famous for your glittery evening wear. What would you love to see the brand expand into?

Unconventionally our idea with PG is to choose a specific fabric each year and run with that for four "Series," updating as we go. Chainmail became a natural starting point for us, realizing no other brand were really pushing what this incredible fabric was capable of. We have one Series left working with chainmail, and then our new fabric will begin.

It seems many designers are becoming "seasonless," and forgoing shows or formal campaigns. What direction do you think fashion should be taking?

"Seasonless" is a word that gets thrown around so much these days in fashion. For us it is definitely important to break rules, both coming from Central Saint Martins, this was all we were taught to do. But at the end of the day you have to fit around the buying seasons. So we came up with a strategy for Poster Girl to stay rebellious yet follow some traditions. Instead of two collections per year, we do four. I know we think we're crazy too! But at the pace fashion is moving these days you have to keep up. People are needing constant wardrobe updates, so refreshing our pieces is crucial. Longevity and quality in the clothing goes hand in hand, so although we are setting the pace we want to also set the bar high.

So many incredible women have worn Poster Girl, how do those collaborations come to be? Who would be your dream to be seen in your designs?



It's crazy for us to see so many amazing women wearing the label, especially as we only launched last summer! Knowing how the dresses make you feel  bringing out this inner sexiness and confidence  we had a premonition the pieces would be popular between our friends, but seeing the dresses on so many girls on stage, in magazines, on Instagram is mind blowing. It would be a dream for us to see our garments in a sci-fi movie by director's like Luc Besson or Ridley Scott. They generally happen to be a huge influence in our design process.

Describe the Poster Girl girl.

The modern day Poster Girl is a tough heroine, independent and mysterious. She also has a very good sense of humor.

What impact has social media had on Poster Girl's exposure?

It has been so great in helping us reach out to people as a young label, spreading the word and letting it be seen by everyone means we can extend to so many new customers and fans. It has really helped connecting us with them and the best part is seeing people out, having fun and looking incredible in our pieces.

How would you love to hear one of your consumers describe Poster Girl?



Well our motto has always been "we make it easy for you to stand out" and this generally is the rule when we hear back from our customers about how they felt wearing the clothes  they spotlight you in all the best ways. On the flip-side, it's still very wearable if you want to be more low key, like when Winnie Harlow styled our Trinity Dress with a simple hoodie.

How would you describe the fashion landscape for emerging designers right now?

We feel a lot of the trends these days are coming from the bottom up. Plagiarism has become far more common for top-end luxury designers, and it's usually the young emerging talent that become the victims. But maybe a large reason for this is because we are the target market, so who better to design for us than us? There's always been a lot of pressure to break through creatively and make a mark.

What would you love to see more of, from yourselves and fashion as a whole, in 2018?

We'd love to focus on the accessories around the clothing with our upcoming Series': footwear, eyewear, jewelry. We think there is such a strength in collaborations these days, especially exposing hidden talents that are sometimes left in the dark. We were really excited to be working with Kazutosh Shimizu this Series, who is Jeremy Scott's right hand man and gifted graphic designer. With this in mind, 2018 should be about bringing new talent to the surface.

Check out Poster Girl's 1.2 Series look book, below.

Photos Courtesy of Poster GirlIn the city of Saskatoon, the largest city in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, a billboard campaign wreaked havoc among the city's white residents. What was the offense, you ask? Why, daring to call out white privilege, of course! *eyes roll so far back into my skull I look possessed*

One billboard in particular featured a white man standing alongside the quote: "I have to acknowledge my own privilege and racist attitudes." And of course the chorus of NOT AWWWLLLL WHITE PEOPLE rang loudly through the province. So yes, my friends, white fragility deeply afflicts pressed and stressed white people everywhere  and is not just an American issue, as illustrated by the fuckery that went down this week in two Canadian educational institutions, according to a story by Edmonton Journal.

Let's make this long story short, because I'm exhausted and will start accepting Venmo payments from white folk who still need it broken down just how they directly and indirectly benefit from privilege simply because they are white, regardless of what their personal views around race and oppression are.

'Privilege' posters draw criticism to B.C. school district from some concerned parents https://t.co/5uBzqSq9vt pic.twitter.com/sPYvNrmetY

 Yahoo Canada News (@YahooCanadaNews) March 9, 2018

British Columbia School District 74 administrators were justifiably inspired by Saskatoon's city-wide outreach concerning white privilege, and created a campaign of posters encouraging students of the district to check their privilege, featuring school administrators highlighting their own experiences of racism and privilege. In one poster, district superintendent Teresa Downs stands next to a quote reading, "I have unfairly benefitted from the colour of my skin. White privilege is not acceptable."



Other posters, made by the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, listed cultural identifiers explicitly associated with whiteness, like "Christian," "Heterosexual," "Male" and  the worst one of all dun dun dunnnn: "WHITE."

Of course, this was qualified by a statement on a poster literally next to this one reading: "Becoming aware of privilege should not be seen as a burden or source of guilt, but rather, an opportunity." This led to people screaming about "divisiveness in the school systems" online and in rude private messages where people say things to strangers that they would never say to someone's face, such as "it's hilarious when you talk about white privilege when you walk around with a status card." You can read the story for the full tea, because like I said earlier: y'all I'm tired.

But goddess as my witness, I swear the word "WHITE" is so triggering for people who are white, and who benefit from being white, and who don't want to be white but are white anyway, and who hate being called white because "omg reverse racism." All those posters were correct, you know: White people talking to white people in public and private spaces about this stuff, no matter how uncomfortable, is an opportunity to affect real change. From the rooftops!

If you are white and reading this and your feelings are hurt, welcome to how many non-whites feel on a daily and constant basis. A little discomfort is bad for the skin, but it's good for the soul  and what's more important?

Photo via GettyThis service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questionsThis service is a courtesy for our print subscribers to give them access to our online edition at no additional cost. If you haven't registered on the new site, you must do it now before you do anything else.The Bank of Ghana (BoG), on Friday said measures had been rolled-out in collaboration with government, to generate a comprehensive reform programme to address the challenges faced by the microfinance sector.



The BoG said it has noted the challenges in the microfinance sector and would like to assure the public and institutions that it is taking steps to remedy them.



A statement issued by the BoG and signed by Mrs Caroline Otoo, the secretary of the bank, said the bank has been monitoring microfinance institutions through offsite surveillance and onsite examination and has also held a number of meetings with shareholders and management of these affected institutions.



It said the bank was working on a comprehensive reform programme that would strengthen regulatory and supervisory oversights in the microfinance sector.



The Bank of Ghana said there are 319 licensed microfinance institutions in general compliance with the BoG guidelines across the ten regions of Ghana as at December 31, 2017.

Source: GNA









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Featured VideouniBank says there is no arrangement for it to take over another indigenous bank, adb despite reports to the contrary.



The bank in a statement Wednesday said moves to make it the majority shareholder of adb does not amount to a complete takeover of the bank.



Read the full statement below:



On the back of the newspaper publication this morning concerning the purported takeover of ADB by uniBank, we wish to state emphatically that we are NOT taking over ADB.



We wish to provide clarification for the benefit of the investing public and our esteemed clients as follows:



In November 2017, we reached an agreement with the Belstar led a consortium to sell their entire holding in ADB and, to subsequently invest the proceeds into uniBank.



This led to an agreement between both parties with a set timeline for closure of the transaction which would culminate in uniBank raising a minimum of GH600 million in capital and with Belstar acquiring a stake in uniBank.



Due to the delayed timeline of the equity investment, uniBank has taken the additional precaution of committing Belstar Capital to their obligation under the share subscription agreement by pledging all shares held by the Belstar led consortium in ADB to ensure that the transaction will be consummated and the proceeds from the sale of shares paid directly to uniBank.



It is against this background that Belstar Capital Ltd and other members of the consortium of shareholders have pledged their shares in ADB to uniBank to demonstrate their commitment to the agreement and the strategic direction of uniBank.



We wish to put on record that the pledge by members of the Belstar led consortium does not constitute a sale of shares to uniBank. It is only a demonstration of commitment by our capital raising partners and must be considered as such.



uniBank Ghana Ltd, as a leading indigenous bank, is still committed to the stability and development of our banking industry and will continue to play its part in propagating the necessary growth of the industry for the benefit of the good people of Ghana.



The Chief Executive Officer, uniBank (Ghana) Ltd









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 Vatican has been sent a 1,200-page dossier compiled by a male escort identifying 40 actively gay priests and seminarians in Italy.



The file, containing WhatsApp chats and other evidence, was created by a self-proclaimed gay escort named as Francesco Mangiacapra.



He has told Italian media that he outed the priests because he couldn't stand their hypocrisy any longer.



The archdiocese of Naples says it has sent the Vatican a 1,200-page dossier compiled by a male escort identifying 40 actively gay priests and seminarians in Italy.



The archdiocese of Naples says it has forwarded the dossier to the Vatican. In a statement on the diocesan website, Archbishop of Naples Cardinal Cresenzio Sepe said none of the identified priests worked in the city.



But he said he decided to pass on the file because 'there remains the gravity of the cases for which those who have erred must pay the price, and be helped to repent for the harm done.'



None of the 34 priests or six seminarians was accused of having sex with minors, Mangiacapra was quoted as saying in the diocesan statement.



'We're talking about sins, not crimes,' the escort was quoted as saying in the statement.



It's the latest sex scandal to convulse the Italian church and the Vatican.



Last month, a Vatican judge pleaded guilty in a Rome tribunal to having child porn on his computer after police were brought in when he allegedly tried to fondle an 18-year-old man.



Monsignor Pietro Amenta was a judge on the Roman Rota, the Holy See tribunal that hears marriage annulment cases, as well as a consulter to various Vatican congregations.



He resigned after the plea deal, the Vatican said.

Source: dailymail.co.uk









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 opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is fighting against the recent reductions in electricity tariffs by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.



Some NDC Members of Parliament (MPs) have argued that the measures put in place by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to bring down electricity tariffs, effective March 15, are counter-productive and will bring back erratic power supply, known in local parlance as dumsor  which reigned supreme when the NDC was in office.



Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko, has denied that the tariff cut will bring back dumsor, saying dumsor is gone with NDC.



NDC believes that the electricity tariff reduction was political because the NPP had promised to reduce tariff of power when elected.



Strangely the same NDC had accused the NPP of not fulfilling its campaign promise of reducing tariff and other promises.



One of those opposed to the tariff cuts is Edward Bawa, NDC MP for Bongo in the Upper East Region, who worked at the Ministry of Energy as a communication specialist.



Reduction Fears



He said after the PURCs announcement, he feared the reduction in tariffs was going to bring about power crisis because it was going to compromise the revenue projections of the utility providers and power generators and expose them to debts.



If you look at the challenges that brought us into dumsor, apart from the capacity and fuel security, it also had to do with the financial health of the utilities, Bawa, who is a ranking member of the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament, said on Citi FM.



The current move, the reduction is on the energy charges, it is an encroachment on their revenues because energy charges are one of the accruals that the utilities will make, he noted.



He insisted that the NPP government is risking the energy security of the country in the name of promises it made during the 2016 electioneering campaign.



I know the factors that took us to dumsor. Those factors are still lingering. My fear is that if we dont consolidate and make this system robust, and just because of the fact that we want to satisfy electoral promises, we go into situations like this, we may expose ourselves to yet another dumsor, Mr. Bawa posited.



Taxes & Levies



He proposed that President Akufo-Addos government should be focusing on the burden it puts on the tariffs in terms of taxes and levies. For example, you have a VAT of 17.5 percent on it. In all these arrangements, the take that goes to the state and the take to the government have not been touched.



According to the MP, Industry will expand; they will make profits; you tax those profits. They expand; they employ people and you still tax incomes. This is how you will get it (revenue). It is an indirect road but you will eventually get the money. That is the proposal I am making, the MP said.



The PURC announced a general reduction in electricity tariffs and in the announcement, residential customers will enjoy 17.5% reduction, while non-residential customers will see tariffs cut by 30%.



Those in the mining sector were given a 10% tariff cut, and 25% cut for Special Load Tariff Customers (LV, MV & HV).



Ahead of the PURC announcement, the NDC had lambasted President Akufo-Addo for announcing some average power tariff cuts of 14% in January, claiming the president was usurping the powers of the independent regulator (PURC).



Energy Minister



In January, Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko exposed the minority spokesperson on energy, Adams Mutawakilu, who had claimed that the ministry did not make any proposal to the PURC to be factored into the calculation that led to the reduction of tariffs as captured in the 2018 budget.



The ministry sent a proposal to the PURC on the 17th of November, and he is welcome to see copies of these matters. Indeed, it is within his power as the ranking member to summon me to the Mines and Energy Committee (of Parliament) for such a verification, the minister rebutted, adding, We have submitted our proposal and I can say that without fear of contradiction, because I know that is what the truth is.



NDC Cynicism



The NDC has always been cynical about the governments plans to reduce electricity tariffs in the budget.



In November last year, they rejected moves by the Akufo-Addo administration to reduce the cost of electricity when the budget was read by Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.



Adam Mutawakilu, NDC MP for Damongo in the Northern Region, had told Joy FM that the government had no power to reduce the cost of power.



Majority Leader Haruna Iddrisu was also skeptical about the governments ability to cut energy tariffs.



He had said Hallelluya! after the budget had been read and the proposed reduction was made.



He had said sarcastically, We look forward to the proposed reduction.



Paradox



Bizarrely, the NDC is the same political grouping whose members are on the neck of the government to reduce the economic burden of Ghanaians.



Recently, the Energy Minister revealed how NDC appointees during the Mahama administration padded the cost of power purchasing deals, forcing electricity tariffs to skyrocket and the NPP government had to re-negotiate with the power producers to bring the cost of producing power down, thereby enabling the government to make proposals to the PURC to cut down tariffs.



The NDC, although claiming to be a social democratic party, has been against every pro-poor policy and social intervention that has been introduced by the NPP government and its hatred for the Free Senior High School initiative is a classic case.



DAILY GUIDE learnt that the NDC would soon come out with a robust response to the tariff cuts and it is going to be in defence of the power producers as against the public.

Source: Daily Guide









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Featured VideoA franchise that offers wood sign workshops will open in Mechanicsburg. Board & Brush Creative Studio will open on March 18 at 54 W. Main St.

Board & Brush Creative Studio offers workshops where participants can create wood decor projects from scratch. Board & Brush offers instructor-led wood sign workshops, and participants are provided materials, tools and stencils, and can choose their design from more than 200 options.

No experience is necessary for attendees but, things can get a little messy. The company's website advises future attendees not to wear designer jeans, and other items of value to their workshops.

The BYOB studio hopes to host special events including private parties, fundraising and community events, and corporate and team building events. The studio will also host children's birthday parties.

This is the second Board & Brush Creative Studio franchise for Zack and Ericka Lease who opened a franchise at 100 Buford Ave. in Gettysburg in July.

A ribbon-cutting celebration was recently held with the Mechanicsburg Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the new location. The studio will hold a grand opening celebration from 2 to 4 p.m. March 18.

Board & Brush Creative Studio was founded in Wisconsin and has more than 150 franchise locations. There are six locations in Pennsylvania with three more on the way including the location in Mechanicsburg.

--Business BuzzThere's more than one way to cook corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick's Day.

With the popularity of the Instant Pot, many will likely be preparing the traditional dish this year in their programmable pressure cookers.

Of course, there's the old-fashioned way of simmering the meat stovetop in an oversized pot with potatoes, carrots and cabbage. Or you can bake it in the oven or stick it in the slow cooker.

The hearty dish has its roots in Ireland but the recipe has been slightly altered. It's actually the creation of Irish immigrants who, in search of "bacon joints" to simmer with cabbage, turned to cured beef.

The corned beef was accessible and plentiful in New York's Jewish delis and markets where many of the immigrants first lived.

Whichever method you choose, be sure the beef reaches an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees to ensure it is safely cooked. Here are the different cooking methods:

Oven: Set the oven for 350 degrees or no lower than 325 degrees.Place brisket fat-side up. Barely cover the meat with water --about one inch -- and keep the container covered throughout the cooking time. Allow about one hour per pound.



Stove top: Place brisket fat-side up in a large pot and cover it with water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, allowing about one hour per pound. Vegetables may be added during the last 20 to 30 minutes of cooking. Cook to desired tenderness.



Slow cooker: If using root vegetables, put them in the bottom of the slow cooker. Cut brisket into pieces of like size to ensure thorough cooking. Place brisket on top of vegetables (if using) or in bottom of cooker. Add about 11/2 cups of water or enough to cover meat. Cover and cook on high setting for one hour. Then cook for 10 to 12 hours on the low setting or 5 to 6 hours on high.Cabbage wedges may be added on top of the brisket during the last three hours.

From United States Department of Agriculture.

Corned Beef and Cabbage, Instant Pot

Ingredients:

2 pounds corned beef 1.5 inches in thickness

4 cups Water cold

1 medium onion quartered

4 garlic cloves crushed

1 teaspoon yellow mustard seeds

1 teaspoon black peppercorns whol

1 teaspoon coriander seeds

1/2 teaspoon allspice whole

3 cloves whole

3 bay leaves

1/2 teaspoon ginger ground, optional

6 carrots peeled, cut to 2.5 inches length

4 red potatoes quartered

1 cabbage cut into 8 wedges

Instructions

Rinse corned beef under cold tap water. Rinse well and pat dry with paper towel. Add rinsed corned beef, quartered onion, crushed garlic cloves, pickling spices seasoning, and 4 cups of cold water into the Instant Pot.

Close lid and pressure cook on Manual at High Pressure for 70 minutes followed by Natural Release for about 15 minutes. If the floating valve doesn't drop after 15 minutes, release the remaining pressure by turning the venting knob from sealing position to venting position. Open lid carefully.

While the pressure cooker is natural releasing, prepare the vegetables as described.

Set aside cooked corned beef and 3 cups of the hot liquid in a large serving bowl. There should be about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of liquid left in the pressure cooker. Add quartered red potatoes, carrots, and cabbage wedges in the pressure cooker.

Close lid and pressure cook on Manual at High Pressure for 2 - 3 minutes, followed by a Quick Release. Open the lid carefully.

On a chopping board, cut Corned Beef against the grain into 1/8 inch slices. Serve with cabbage wedges, red potatoes and carrots.

Corned Beef and Cabbage

Makes 8 servings.

Ingredients:

1 (3-pound) corned beef brisket, trimmed of excess fat

10 baby carrots, peeled and trimmed

12 small new potatoes or 5 baking potatoes peeled and halved

1 head green cabbage, cut into 6 wedges and core remove

Instructions:

The pot you use needs to be big enough to hold meat, vegetables and simmering water without crowding and overflowing. This is especially important if you're adding more vegetables. You can add more cabbage, potatoes or baby carrots.

Mustard and Horseradish Sauce makes a tangy accompaniment. To prepare it, combine 2 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard, 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish and 2 tablespoons sour cream.

Place beef in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add enough cold water to cover the meat by 2 inches. Bring just to boil on high heat, then reduce heat to a simmer. Skim and discard froth that rises to the top. Cover and simmer for 2 hours and 35 minutes.

Add vegetables and simmer, covered, until vegetables are tender, about 25 minutes. If you want the cabbage cooked tender-crisp, cook the potatoes for 10 minutes, then add the cabbage for about 15 minutes of cooking.

Transfer beef to a cutting board and allow to stand for 5 minutes. Slice across the grain into 1/4-inch slices.

To serve, arrange beef slices on serving platter. Remove vegetables from pot with slotted spoon and surround beef on platter. If desired, serve with Mustard and Horseradish Sauce on the side.Two Philadelphia men pleaded guilty Friday morning to charges tied to the beating of an off-duty FBI agent who was on a family outing at Hersheypark.

The victim of the April 2017 attack suffered neck injuries that forced his reassignment from a unit that rescues hostages overseas, Senior Deputy District Attorney Jack Canavan said.

Dauphin County President Judge Richard A. Lewis accepted the guilty pleas from Roberto Gonzalez, 40, and Aramis Rivera, 32, just before the two were to go to trial. Lewis characterized the assault on the agent as a major overreaction to a minor dispute.

Canavan said the agent was in the waiting line for a ride when Gonzalez's son tried to cut in. The agent told investigators he merely put his hand on a rail to prevent the boy from doing so, Canavan said.

Gonzalez told Lewis he thought the interaction between his son and the agent was more severe.

According to Canavan, Gonzalez and Rivera then attacked the agent. The agent didn't fight back, but instead took pictures of his assailants with his cell phone and called park security, the prosecutor said. He said Derry Township police arrested the men as they left the park.

Both men entered open guilty pleas, which means they have no agreements on sentencing. Canavan said he doesn't plan to object if they seek probation sentences. He said he warned them he would have lobbied for jail time had they taken the case to trial and been convicted.Cumberland County commissioners have, in an unusual move, asked the Cumberland Valley School Board not to take a preserved farm in Silver Spring Township by eminent domain.

The school board filed a formal declaration of taking in county court this week for 108 acres of the so-called "McCormick Farm" property off Carlisle Pike.

"While we can understand the district's need to plan for the future, we are, nonetheless, deeply concerned that the school district's proposed action appears to unnecessarily pit one public purpose, or interest, against another," the commissioners' letter states.

"As stewards of one of the finest school districts in the state, one that we as your county commissioners are extremely proud to say we also represent, we would ask that you seriously consider other properties or alternatives for the district's school expansion needs," the letter concludes.

The commissioners have no legal authority over the school board, but their decision to go public with concerns adds a new layer of public pressure on the district about the taking.

The school board's resolution authorizing the condemnation refers to securing the land for the future construction of a new middle school, access drives, parking lots and related facilities.

District officials, to date, have not provided detailed more information about those plans.

The McCormick farm was one of the first in the Harrisburg area to be entered into any kind of preservation program, and conservation easements on it are currently held by the Delaware County-based Natural Lands Trust.

The trust, in a statement released earlier this week, said it has "retained legal counsel and intends to do everything in our power to protect the integrity of the easement."

The farm is currently owned by Ui Ung and Pyong Sung Lee, who have had it up for sale for several years.

It is important to local history lovers as the homestead farm for a family that, for many generations, produced members who were among top business and political power brokers in the Harrisburg area and beyond.

It was also, the county commissioners noted, designated as agriculture/prime farmland as recently as in the 2017 update of the county's future land use map.

The land itself sits as a kind of symbolic line of demarcation between Cumberland's intensely-developed eastern end, and central and western sections where a viable agricultural economy can still be permitted to flourish.

The commissioners' letter spoke directly to that point, too.

In a county where nearly 19,000 acres of farmland has been preserved to date, it asserted such easements are an "important component of our county's overall need to balance... population and economic growth with the preservation of some of the most fertile farm land and soils in the world."

Cumberland Valley - which has historically straddled that line - has seen significant growth in its student populations in recent years.

The district is already in the process of building a new middle school and elementary school in neighboring Hampden Township, both of which are scheduled to open with the 2018-19 school year.

The McCormick farm would presumably give the board land for its next set of building projects.

PennLive's attempts to reach district officials Friday for comment on the commissioners' letter were not immediately successful.

The county's letter, sent Thursday to Cumberland Valley school board president Michael Gossert, was is signed by all three commissioners: Vince DiFilippo, Jim Hertzler and Gary Eichelberger.The National Center for Missing and Exploited has issued an alert for a15-year-old boy who has been missing since Dec. 10, 2017.

Authorities are asking for help to find Jonathan Olson, who may have traveled to Maryland, according to the alert.

Jonathan is 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds. He has a diamond tattoo on the inside of his right forearm.

Anyone with information as to Jonathan's whereabouts is asked to contact Lower Allen Township police at 717-238-9676.Terrel Jordan

LEWISBURG - A fatal stabbing in Lewisburg a year ago could keep the perpetrator in prison for up to 40 years.

Terrel Ralick Jordan, 33, of Mifflinburg was sentenced Friday to 8 to 40 years in state prison for killing Aaron David Boone, 28, on March 4, 2017.

Snyder-Union County Judge Michael T. Hudock rejected a defense plea for a shorter maximum term citing Jordan's history of violence that includes aggravated and simple assault charges.

If the past is any prediction, Jordan will continue his violent behavior, the judge said.

Jordan, when he pleaded guilty in January to third-degree murder, admitted fighting and stabbing Boone in the 100 block of South Seventh Street.

He chased Boone into the street and stabbed him again. A Bucknell University student's dash cam video that was played in the courtroom captured the chase.

Prior to the imposition of the sentence Boone's father and girlfriend gave inpassionate presentations.

He didn't deserve to die, said the girlfriend, Tina Parrilla. She accused Jordan of setting him up in reference to text messages he sent her challenging Boone to a fight.

Jordan claimed Boone had the knife but dropped it. he picked it up and used it to protect himself, police said.

Jordan initially claimed self-defense, but District Attorney D. Peter Johnson said the dash cam video showed that was not the case.

"I'm sentenced to death," Parrilla said asking Hudock to impose the maximum sentence. "It will never be over for us," she said, noting the impact the death has had on Boone's daughter, now 8.

"I can't go to my son and say 'I love you,' " his father, Herbert Boone, told the judge.

Turning toward friends and family of the defendant, he said that if Jordan was so afraid of his son he should have called the cops.

Jordan remained silent except for apologizing to everyone affected by the slaying.

Defense attorney Brian Ulmer said his client has agonized over what he did.

Ulmer argued for a 20-year maximum claiming his client acknowledged from the beginning what he had done.

He had no issue with the plea agreement but had difficulty realizing he now would be labeled a murderer, he said.

In reviewing what occurred that March evening not far from the Bucknell University campus, Ulmer said after Jordan had the knife he should have stopped.

Boone was stabbed in the back, abdomen and upper chest with the latter wound damaging his heart, the autopsy report states.

He identified his assailant before he died, police said.HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- A Pennsylvania state lawmaker who got a restraining order against a fellow lawmaker she accuses of threatening to kill her says she has come forward to help others.

State Rep. Tarah Toohil said in a statement released Saturday by her lawyers that she was in a consensual relationship with fellow Republican Rep. Nick Miccarelli six years ago "but there were terrible moments that were non-consensual."

He hasn't been charged with any crime and has denied the accusations.

He is under investigation by the Dauphin County district attorney's office.

Her protection order request alleges that he pointed a gun at her at one point and has harassed and stalked her since their relationship ended, and she has been "in fear for my safety at work" since filing a complaint against him in the state House. A Luzerne County judged granted the restraining order Friday, barring Miccarelli from contacting Toohil and prohibiting him from possessing firearms.

Pennsylvania state Rep. Nick Miccarelli, R-Delaware

"As a public official, I believe that I have a duty to step forward to protect other women," Toohil said, adding that it had taken her years to identify that she was a victim of violence.

"This does not define me. It's something that happened to me," she said. "And if I -- as a lawyer and a lawmaker -- could be this afraid of that individual, then I can only imagine how the other victims feel, which is why I am coming out publicly."

PennLive's policy is not to identify victims of sexual abuse. Toohil, however, gave permission to be identified through her attorney.

In a separate allegation against Miccarelli, a political consultant claims that after she ended their relationship in 2014, Miccarelli came to her house and forced her to have sex, holding her neck during part of the alleged attack. Miccarelli has denied those allegations, too.

Their attorneys said both women came forward after Miccarelli posted comments on Facebook on the national furor over sexual misconduct allegations.

#TBT to the time Nick Miccarelli pledged to stand by women bravely coming forward to face sexual assault. Posted by United for Ridley Park on Thursday, March 1, 2018

Miccarelli, 35, who got married last month, is serving his fifth two-year term representing a district just outside Philadelphia. Spokesman Frank Keel called them outrageous and baseless, part of a smear campaign, and questioned why Toohil would wait "six long years" to take legal action.

The women's attorneys criticized Miccarelli's statements as "really just continued abuse of a victim."

Republican and Democratic lawmakers have both called on him to resign amid the allegations.Rick Rovegno didn't talk about himself or his own accomplishments when he took the podium Friday night to accept the Exchange Club of Carlisle's 2017 Molly Pitcher Award.

Instead, he spoke about a man he barely knew, yet greatly admires.

That man, his grandfather Eugene "Butch" Rovegno, was something of a 20th century legend, a military aviator who flew and fought in both world wars.

It was evident from the occasional frog in his throat that Rick Rovegno, a former Cumberland County commissioner who with the Pitcher Award has become the Carlisle Area's de facto citizen of the year, is more than grateful to have Butch in his family tree.

He spoke of how Butch, despite being in his late 40s at the time, volunteered to fly on dangerous missions with the crews of the Army Air Force's 100th Bombardment Group as they pounded Nazi Germany into submission during World War II.

His grandfather didn't have to go into that cauldron. He was the engineering officer, in charge of making sure the planes were fit to fly and fight. He went anyway for the sake of his men, Rovegno said.

And then Rovegno, a South Middleton Township resident, dropped a bomb of his own. He said he has spoken with a writer for the latest World War II saga planned by the team of Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. That installment, which would follow "Band of Brothers" and "The Pacific," is to focus on the 100th Bomb Group, a.k.a. the "Bloody 100th" , he said.

And, Rovegno said, he has been told that Butch is being written into the script for that series, "Masters of the Air." So, another generation will learn about his grandfather.

It is his predecessors, like Butch and his own parents, Evelyn and Rick, who set the standard for his community service, Rovegno said.

"Our strength comes from our families," he said.By Megan McArdle

In the 1960s, after some prodding from Ralph Nader, government regulators began a major push for safer cars. Which made University of Chicago economist Sam Peltzman wonder just how much safer these innovations made us.

Megan McArdle (Washington Post photo)

Specifically, he wondered about what economists call "moral hazard" - our tendency to take more risks when we're insulated from the costs of that risk-taking.

In 1975, Peltzman published an article innocuously titled "The Effects of Automobile Safety Regulation." His conclusion, however, was explosive: "Data imply some saving of auto occupants' lives at the expense of more pedestrian deaths and more nonfatal accidents."

Less fearful of accidents, drivers were piloting their vehicles more recklessly, substantially reducing the lifesaving benefits of the regulation. Economist Gordon Tullock suggested that if regulators really wanted people to drive more safely, they'd require automakers to mount a spike in the middle of each steering wheel, pointed toward the driver's breast.

The "Peltzman Effect" doesn't mean, however, that auto safety is useless. Drivers may be a little more reckless, but there's still been a steady decline in deaths per 100 million miles of driving. In 1965, that number stood at 5.3. It is now 1.2.

But it seems there may be one area where the Peltzman Effect not only exists but is large enough to completely erase the benefits of a safety measure: opiate use. A chemical called naloxone acts as an "opioid antagonist" - which is to say, it reverses the drug's effects on the body. It can thus save people who have overdosed.

As opioid usage has worsened in the United States, more and more jurisdictions have acted to increase access to naloxone.

Not only first responders but also friends, family and even librarians have started to administer it. These state laws were passed at different times, giving researchers Jennifer Doleac and Anita Mukherjee a sort of a natural experiment: They could look at what happened to overdoses in areas that liberalized naloxone access and compare the trends there to places that hadn't changed their laws.

Their results are grim, to say the least: "We find that broadening Naloxone access led to more opioid-related emergency room visits and more opioid-related theft, with no reduction in opioid-related mortality."

You can never assume that the results of one study, however well done, are correct. But these results look pretty robust. If they hold up, they would mean that naloxone is not saving lives; all we're doing is spending a lot of money on naloxone to generate some increase in crime.

It makes a certain amount of sense that the Peltzman Effect would show up particularly strongly in drug users; after all, drugs hijack the brain's reward system, redirecting it toward drug-seeking even at high personal risk.

Drug users, one would think, would be highly likely to recalibrate their risk-taking so that the risk of death remains constant, while the frequency and potency of drug use increases.

The coldly logical response to this would seem to be to discontinue naloxone use. But there's something repulsive about that conclusion, and Doleac and Mukherjee can't bring themselves to go there. "Our findings do not necessarily imply that we should stop making Naloxone available to individuals suffering from opioid addiction," they write, "or those who are at risk of overdose. They do imply that the public health community should acknowledge and prepare for the behavioral effects we find here."

Sally Satel echoes Doleac and Mukherjee, both on the moral hazard of naloxone and on whether access to it should continue. Satel, a psychiatrist who is also a drug policy scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, says the paper's findings reinforce what she has heard from patients: "Patients occasionally tell me that having naloxone on hand has served as insurance against overdose. So, in some instances, it enhances risk taking."

"That said," she emphasizes, "we must use it to save people in the immediate term."

So how can public policy prepare for those "behavioral effects" found by Doleac and Mukherjee? Satel suggests we look at civil commitment for patients who overdose multiple times in a short period. But she also notes that civil commitment can't work without good treatment options - and in a lot of places, those aren't available.

Which brings us back to something that's easy to forget about the Peltzman Effect: It can be used to argue as much for more regulation as for less. Insurance companies, after all, have been fighting moral hazard for centuries, which is why they reward people who install burglar alarms or fill in their swimming pools (or punish people who don't do those things).

And so, too, can the government - for example, by aggressively ticketing speeders, passing tougher drunken driving laws, or using a combination of carrots and sticks to help addicts get clean. There are better policy responses to moral hazard than mounting a spike on the steering wheel - or depriving addicts of a second chance at life.

Megan McArdle is a Washington Post columnist and the author of "The Up Side of Down: Why Failing Well Is the Key to Success."Pennsylvania's Republican leaders threw what is likely their last legal Hail Mary Friday in an effort to resurrect Pennsylvania's current Congressional districts for the looming 2018 election cycle.

Attorneys for Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman and most of the state's incumbent GOP Congressmen argued a replacement map handed down by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court last month is an abuse of the court's discretion that stands in violates the U.S. Constitution's elections clause.

That clause, they maintain, requires the General Assembly get a full and fair opportunity to set district lines for the state's congressional seats. That opportunity was not given when the state court invalidated Pennsylvania's existing maps on Jan. 22.

In its decision, a 5-2 majority on the court found that the old maps violated the Pennsylvania Constitution's guarantee to "free and equal" elections by unfairly diluting Democratic votes through high-tech gerrymandering.

A narrower, 4-3 majority then imposed new district lines on Feb. 19, working with the assistance of Stanford law professor Nathan Persily.

GOP leaders have now asked two separate courts to weigh in as they seek to block a map that many independent analysts say - based on 2016 election results - give Democrats an enhanced chance to pick up seats in the U.S. House.

The issue has the riveted the nation's political set, all the way to the White House.

Consider:

When vote results from all five statewide contests in 2016 are applied to the old map's lines, Democrats won in an average of 5.4 House districts; under the new lines, the party's haul rose to 8.4 seats, a swing of three seats.

That kind of swing is especially nerve-racking to Republicans on the cusp of a mid-term cycle in which five of Pennsylvania's 13 GOP incumbents have either already resigned, announced retirements or are seeking higher office.

Legislative leaders already have asked U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito to impose an emergency stay on the state court's map. Alito is expected to rule any day on that request.

Ironically, that petition was one of the major topics of Friday's argument before a panel including U.S. Circuit Court Judge Kent Jordan, and District Court Judges Christopher Connor, of Pennsyvania, and Jerome Simandle, of New Jersey.

Attorneys for the Democratic voters who carried the day before the state court this winter argued Friday that with a very similar appeal pending before the Supreme Court, Corman's case should be dismissed.

The gist of that argument is Speaker of the House Mike Turzai and Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati are already litigating these claims on behalf of the General Assembly.

Friday's case, argued attorney Stanton Jones, is "a carbon copy" of the appeal that's been made to Alito. Corman and the congressmen should not be permitted to launch a duplicate track.

If the panel gets past that point and grants Corman and the Congressmen standing, the second major issue of the day was whether the state court's map - handed down Feb. 19 after the legislature and Gov. Tom Wolf failed to reach agreement on any remedial proposal - should be stayed while appeals that it breached the federal constitution's assignment of election powers to state legislatures are heard.

On that question, attorney Mark Aronchick, representing the Wolf Administration, argued the state court's decision has been validated on the streets by large numbers of potential candidacies for the 18 House seats.

"There is a burst of civic engagement - democracy - that has been pent up because of this gerrymandered map" under which elections were run in 2012, 2014 and 2016, Aronchick said.

More than 180 prospective candidates have picked up paperwork to gather the voter signatures necessary to qualify for the May 15 primary. Nominating petitions for the congressional races are due on March 20.

That number is almost certainly inflated given that some candidates picked up multiple packets given the uncertainty over the district lines. Others will likely bow out along the way.

This is also a mid-term election and both parties, after the surprising election of President Donald Trump in 2016, are motivated to either secure their hard-won victories or flip the script.

But for comparison purposes, in the last mid-term cycle, the number of candidates running across all 18 Pennsylvania districts was 46.

The Republicans, as they have in previous challenges, hung their argument on the premise that the state court ran roughshod over federal constitutional provisions delegating Congressional map-making to state legislatures.

In this particular case, they argue, the court did that by not publishing opinions in support of its Jan. 22 order calling for a replacement map until two days before a Feb. 9 deadline.

Lawmakers, attorney Jason Torchinsky said, had no idea if they could consider the hometowns of the incumbents in drawing new lines, or whether they would be permitted to consider past year's election results.

"There's a line between what is interpretation of the law, and what is judicial writing of the law," Torchinsky said. "And that line has been crossed."

Attorneys for the Democrats countered the Jan. 22 order did set out enough basic parameters for a rememdial process to launch.

The Republican leaders, they argued, simply never engaged in serious negotiations with either Wolf or Democrats in the legislature.

That lack of effort, attorney Colleen Sinzdak argued, should be a fatal blow to this request.

"You can't sit on your hands before the state court... and then run into federal court in an attempt to unwind what the state court has done," she said.

The judges made no rulings Friday.

But acknowledging that time is of the essence, Jordan said they will issue decisions "as promptly as possible."Update: Toohil says she came forward to help other women.

This story has been updated to include information found in the complaint filed with the court.

State Rep. Tarah Toohil on Friday obtained a protection-from-abuse order against a fellow Republican House member who she has alleged in a complaint pointed a gun at her in 2012, threatening to kill her and himself by crashing his car while driving 100 mph.

Toohil, R-Luzerne County, obtained the order from a judge in her home county against sitting five-term incumbent Rep. Nick Miccarelli of Delaware County, with whom she once had a dating relationship, confirmed Terry Mutchler, who along with law partner Charlie Lyons, is representing her.

"From the beginning, she was in fear for her life and it was on that basis that the judge issued the temporary order," Mutchler said. "A hearing will be held next week to determine whether the temporary order will stay in place."

PennLive's policy is not to identify victims of sexual abuse. Toohil, however, gave permission to be identified through her attorney, who said she had been planning to go public on Monday.

A spokesman for Miccarelli, who is under investigation by the Dauphin County District Attorney's office as well as House of Representatives, denounced the order as part of "an ongoing smear campaign" by a jilted partner who is attempting to destroy his life.

Toohil, along with a political consultant who had dated Miccarelli from 2013 to 2014, last month filed a complaint with the House of Representatives, accusing the 35-year-old lawmaker of violating the House's workplace harassment policy.

In her complaint to obtain the restraining order, Toohil alleged after they broke up, Miccarelli continued to harass and stalk her. "I had to hide my family and staple a note to my life insurance policy that in the event of my death he should be investigated," the complaint states.

In a story about a complaint she and the political consultant filed with the House that was first reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer and The Caucus on Feb. 28, the women alleged Miccarelli had sexually or physically assaulted them and engaged in other abusive behavior over the past six years.

Miccarelli, who got married on Feb. 17, has denied the allegations and has issued subsequent statements proclaiming his innocence.

The statement from his spokesman Frank Keel said, "It's shameful that Toohil would make this move for a PFA without any notice to Nick or any opportunity for him to be heard. The allegations Toohil trumpeted to secure the PFA supposedly occurred six long years ago, yet she never decided to seek any legal relief until now?

"She knew Nick was recently married. It's unconscionable that Toohil would abuse the PFA process in this way at this time, knowing the shame and embarrassment it would bring to Nick and his new family. The only minimal contact the two even have at this point in time is when they're carrying out their official duties at the State House.

"This stunt provides further evidence that political forces beyond Toohil and Nick's other female accuser are pulling out all the stops to destroy Nick's good name and end his political career. Nick Miccarelli maintains his innocence. He has done nothing wrong and will continue to fight these outrageous and baseless allegations against him."

The women have been reported as saying they didn't come forward until now out of fear for putting their careers or lives in jeopardy.

In the complaint, Toohil states, "I have been silent for fear that when this story is released he will kill me, himself and others."

She later says, "Threats, intimidation and his obsession with violence and firearms causes me great concern for myself and my entire family and coworkers."

The women were emboldened to have their story made public by the #MeToo Movement to try to hold Miccarelli accountable for the alleged behavior, particularly after Miccarelli put a post on his Facebook page saying "The me too stuff is really hard to read. We must face this issue together," Mutchler has said.

The restraining order bars Miccarelli from having any contact with Toohil or being where she lives or works, according to a story that appeared late Friday afternoon in the Citizens Voice.

It was unclear on Friday evening how that will impact his ability to participate in next week's House session or caucus discussions. House Republican spokesman Steve Miskin said, "We've not seen the order yet. There's nothing we can comment on."

Mutchler confirmed that as part of the order, Miccarelli, who is a staff sergeant in the Army National Guard, will have his firearms confiscated. One of the women confirmed to PennLive that Miccarelli did occasionally carry a concealed firearm. In the complaint for the restraining order, Toohil said he has carried a weapon on the House floor.

Sources close to the House investigation who are not authorized to speak publicly about it confirmed that both women told House investigators looking into their complaint that Miccarelli had an obsession with former state Treasurer R. Budd Dwyer's public suicide in 1987 and that fact sparked concern for House investigators. Toohil mentions the alleged obsession with the Dwyer suicide in her complaint for the restraining order as well.

All eight House Republican leaders have called on Miccarelli to resign from his House seat as did Gov. Tom Wolf and some House Democrats.

Mutchler said on Friday evening Toohil was planning to go public with her name "because she feels very strongly as a public official that she has a duty to protect other women and wanted to underscore the complexities and the issues that go along with women and families involved in situations of domestic violence or sexual violence. Obviously with the protection order her name came out sooner."Richard Armstrong of the Penticton Indian Band recounts the history behind the monument built to commemorate residential school survivors to federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, who visited the En'owkin Centre Friday. Singh made multiple stops in Penticton including Okanagan College and Tin Whistle Brewing.Fernando Juarez, 36, of Napa, center, embraces his 22-year-old sister Vanessa Flores, right, at the Veterans Home of California on Friday March 9, 2018. in Yountville, Calif. Flores, who is a caregiver at the facility, exchanged texts with family while sheltering in place. A gunman took at least three people hostage at the largest veterans home in the United States on Friday, leading to a lockdown of the sprawling grounds in California, authorities said. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)Perryville football coach Brent Roth is already trying to erase the game from his memory. It is probably for a good reason, too.Perryville struggled to do anything well as Park Hills Central handed 

The Pirates finally put together what Perryville softball coach Lilly Pecaut called a complete game.Everything came together as Perryville got the offense and pitching to come away with 

The Perryville boys soccer team was able to show its resiliency in multiple ways as it got back into the win column. The Pirates bounced back from a lopsided loss to Notre Dame the week before, to 

St. Vincent makes Valle Catholic play in loss St. Vincent football coach Tim Schumer didnt want his team to look at the scoreboard following the game. The score may have said that the Valle Catholic Warriors won in a lopsided game, but 

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. 

Click Here For Our Local Sports PageOpinion



Nick Cunningham: OPEC in nightmare scenario predicts IEA

Megan Pendergrass/CNN Money





A new report from Verisk Maplecroft says that Latin America's election super-cycle

presents a series of potential obstacles for ongoing oil and gas development.

The energy reform has a lot of benefits to the country, to the people, so the worst case scenario in my point of view is that the speed that we are implementing the energy reform will be reduced, the CEO of Mexico's state-owned oil company, Pemex, told the CERAWeek Conference this week. Carlos Trevino was referring to the upcoming presidential election in Mexico, in which the frontrunner, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (aka AMLO), has hinted that he might roll back the historic energy reform passed a few years ago that opened up the country's energy sector to the private sector. Someone who doesn't believe in the energy reform may reduce the speed very much and I think that would be a shame in Mexico, Trevino said, clearly referring to AMLO. AMLO was originally against the privatization effort, which has allowed the participation of international oil majors after decades of state-owned monopoly over energy. More recently, however, he has softened his tone, voicing skepticism rather than outright opposition. Still, AMLO says he will slow down the pace of auctions, perhaps halting them until success can be demonstrated from all of the offerings already awarded to international companies. There won't be new oil auctions until we assess the results delivered by the first auction, Rocio Nahle, a Congresswoman and expected pick to be AMLO's energy advisor, told the WSJ in a recent interview. But the AMLO administration would not cancel contracts as some in the oil industry fear. Investors can be calm, we'll respect the law, she said. According to Bloomberg, more than 90 contracts have been inked with companies such as Royal Dutch Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Eni and others. The most attractive assets, as of now, are in Mexico's deepwater in the Gulf of Mexico. However, it will be several more years before the fruits of this effort can be realized, which raises questions about what the AMLO administration might do in the meantime. Pemex's Trevino says rolling back the energy liberalization would be almost impossible because to change the energy reform you will need to change the constitution. Still, AMLO could slow the effort and put an end to new auctions. Moreover, his administration has sent signals that it would focus on increasing downstream capacity while curtailing crude oil exports. Slumping refining output has forced the country to step up imports of gasoline and diesel. Public investment in refineries could reverse that trend, his campaign argues. In a three-year period, at the latest, we need to try to consume our own fuels and not depend on foreign gasoline, Nahle told Reuters . Ultimately, an AMLO election, as seems the most likely scenario at this point, raises a lot of questions in regards to what happens with Mexico's energy policy. However, Mexico isn't the only country in Latin America that presents some political risk to oil and gas. A new report from Verisk Maplecroft says that Latin America's election super-cycle presents a series of potential obstacles for ongoing oil and gas development. Mexico may top the list, but voters are also heading to the polls in Colombia, Brazil and Venezuela this year. A common thread that runs through all of these countries is a growing impatience on the part of voters with traditional establishment political parties. Unconventional candidates pledging to clean up corruption are resonating. In Colombia, [o]il output will continue to slip and new investment will dampen if the incoming administration fails to provide greater legal certainty surrounding permits, Verisk Maplecroft said. Colombia's extractive sector has been under unusual stress over the last two years, the global risk firm said, pointing to environmental opposition to oil and gas drilling. A large number of candidates outside major political parties makes it difficult to predict the outcome. Meanwhile, there is just as much uncertainty regarding the upcoming election in Brazil. The deeply unpopular current president is not running, while the candidate leading in the polls  former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva  might be barred from running. Verisk Maplecroft says that the oil and gas sector would face greater risk if Lula were to win. Absent his candidacy, his former environment minister Marina Silva could prevail, who has trumpeted a greater focus on renewable energy and environmental protection. Still, the risk in Brazil is lower compared to elsewhere. "We do not expect either of them to have the congressional support required to undo Temer's reforms," says Jimena Blanco, Head of Americas Research at Verisk Maplecroft. "Given the scale of the investment needed to fully develop the pre-salt, no government is likely to stray too far from the current trajectory." No country presents more supply-side risk than Venezuela, where increasingly autocratic President Nicolas Maduro is hoping to kill off the last vestiges of democracy. He is expected to win out, despite the dramatic economic meltdown, although [s]ocial turmoil could force the military to assume a caretaker role if things take a significant turn for the worse though, Verisk Maplecroft says. The past few years have seen business-friendly governments court oil and gas companies in many parts of Latin America (aside from Venezuela), but the tide now seems to flowing in the other direction.



By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com



Nick Cunningham is a freelance writer on oil and gas, renewable energy, climate change, energy policy and geopolitics. He is based in Pittsburgh, PA. Petroleumworld does not necessarily share these views. Editor's Note: This commentary was originally published by Oilprice.com , 03/08/2018. Petroleumworld reprint this article in association with OilPrice.com.



Link to original article. Petroleumworld reprint this article in the interest of our readers and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg LP and its owners. All comments posted and published on Petroleumworld, do not reflect either for or against the opinion expressed in the comment as an endorsement of Petroleumworld. All comments expressed are private comments and do not necessary reflect the view of this website. All comments are posted and published without liability to Petroleumworld. Use Notice:This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of issues of environmental and humanitarian significance. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml.



All works published by Petroleumworld are in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.Petroleumworld has no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of this article nor is Petroleumworld endorsed or sponsored by theoriginator.Petroleumworld encourages persons to reproduce, reprint, or broadcast Petroleumworld articles provided that any such reproduction identify the original source, http://www.petroleumworld.com or else and it is done within the fair use as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law.



If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Internet web links to http://www.petroleumworld.com are appreciated. Copyright 1999-2018 Petroleumworld or respective author or news agency. All rights reserved.



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Lagniappe





Margaret Brennan: Rex Tillerson secretary of state

in 60 minutes-interview

Kylie Atwood



Rex Tillerson speaks with contributor Margaret Brennan The normally private secretary of state talks with 60 Minutes about his life, his relationship

with the President, and his efforts to bring North Korea to the bargaining table Rex Tillerson admits he was an unconventional choice for secretary of state. He had no prior government experience, but as CEO of Exxon-Mobil, he had crisscrossed the globe striking deals with foreign leaders. Secretary Tillerson - a man who still considers himself a Boy Scout and follows what he calls "the Code of the West" - is fiercely private and has shied away from interviews. But he agreed to do a rare, wide-ranging one with us. With the Olympics underway and North Korea very much on his mind, he talked to us about what may be the toughest deal he will ever work on. Margaret Brennan: In his New Year's Day speech Kim Jong Un said the entire area of the U.S. mainland is within our nuclear strike range. That's gotta make you nervous. Rex Tillerson: It does make us nervous. It-- it also-- it also stiffens our resolve. That kind of a threat to the American people by a regime like this is not acceptable. And the president's meeting his responsibilities as commander in chief of asking our military, Secretary Mattis at the Defense Department, to ensure we are prepared for anything. "We're not using a carrot to convince them to talk. We're using large sticks." Margaret Brennan: And those military options are there in case you fail. Rex Tillerson: In case I fail. I say to my Chinese counterpart, "You and I fail these people get to fight. That's not what we want." Margaret Brennan: But you are willing to work with and potentially negotiate with Kim Jong Un. Rex Tillerson: Well, that's who we will have to work with to achieve this diplomatically. What we have to determine now is are we even ready to start? Are they ready to start? And if they're not, we'll just keep the pressure campaign underway and we will increase that pressure. And we are doing that every month. There are new sanctions rolled out. The world wants North Korea to change. Margaret Brennan: Well, there's some questions about how badly China wants them to change. You've really needed their help to put economic pressure on Kim Jong Un. What reassurances have you given to China so that they actually follow through? Rex Tillerson: What I think-- we got a common understanding with China is that North Korea represents a serious threat to China as well. And we've been very clear with them that they are going to have an important role to play once we get to the negotiating table. Margaret Brennan: So I-- I hear you saying there-- these wouldn't be one on one talks. China would be at the table. Rex Tillerson: Early on they might be one on one discussions for the U.S. first and North Korea to determine is there a reason to begin to put the construct for negotiations in place. Margaret Brennan: What is the carrot that you're dangling for North Korea to convince them to talk? Rex Tillerson: We're not using a carrot to convince them to talk. We're using large sticks. And that is what they need to understand. This pressure campaign is putting-- is having its bite on North Korea, its revenue streams. It's having a bite on its military programs. Margaret Brennan : But to say full denuclearization, why would they agree to give up something they've already got that they think is an insurance policy? Rex Tillerson: Because it buys them nothing. It buys them more of being the hermit kingdom, isolated, isolated from the world diplomatically, isolated from the world economically. Margaret Brennan: Senator Bob Corker, chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee said "Every one of us should pray Rex Tillerson and Jim Mattis are successful over the course of the next eight to ten months, diplomatically, or our nation is going to be facing one of the greatest military decisions that we face." Eight to ten months. That's how much time you have to get this done? Rex Tillerson: I'm gonna use all the time available to me our diplomatic efforts will continue until that first bomb drops. My job is to never have a reason for the first bomb to drop And we don't know precisely how much time is left on the clock. Margaret Brennan: You seem to have convinced the president that diplomacy is the way to go on this. But it wasn't always so clear. Back in October, you said you were working to get a dialogue going with the North Koreans and the president tweeted, "Rex, stop wasting your time trying to negotiate with little rocket man." Have you asked him not to call him little rocket man? Is that a diplomatic term? Rex Tillerson: The president's going to-- the president's gonna communicate the way he communicates. My job as chief diplomat is to ensure that the North Koreans know we keep our channels open, I'm listening. I'm not sending a lotta messages back 'cause there's nothing to say to them at this point. So I'm listening for you to tell me you're ready to talk. Margaret Brennan: How will you know? Rex Tillerson: They will tell me. They will tell me. Margaret Brennan: That explicitly? Rex Tillerson: We-- we receive messages from them And I think it will be very explicit as to how we want to have that first conversation. As we saw during a meeting with top aides about the crisis in Yemen, the whole world is now his portfolio, but Rex Wayne Tillerson comes from a family of modest means in North Texas. He was named after actors Rex Allen and John Wayne, because his parents loved Westerns. Margaret Brennan: We actually have a photo of you back in your Boy Scout uniform. I understand you rose to Eagle Scout? Rex Tillerson: Yes. Margaret Brennan: So how old were you here? Rex Tillerson: I think I was 14 when that was taken. Margaret Brennan: You look very proud. Rex Tillerson: I am very proud. And was very proud. I still am. Margaret Brennan: I can tell-- I mean, Boy Scouts, you reference it a fair amount. That played a big, formative role in your life. Rex Tillerson: It really shaped who I am. Margaret Brennan: You still think of yourself as a Boy Scout? Rex Tillerson: Yes. Margaret Brennan: Really? Rex Tillerson: Absolutely. Margaret Brennan: You don't get to be the CEO of Exxon Mobile as a Boy Scout. Rex Tillerson: I did. Margaret Brennan: You talked a lot about something that you call the Code of the West. What does that mean? Rex Tillerson: Well, you know the Code of the West, as the West was unfolding there wasn't a lot of law enforcement. And people basically relied upon each other's word. And "My word is my bond." And I've used that throughout my life as well, even at Exxon Mobil. I would sit down with the head of state for that country or the CEO of that company and we'd look each other in the eye. And I'd say, all I need to know is that you're gonna live up to your side of this deal. And I give you my word I'll live up to my side of this deal. And then a lotta the Code of the West was people were very loyal to their organizations. And the phrase, "Riding for the brand" is a phrase that's always stuck with me that-- Margaret Brennan: Riding for the brand? Rex Tillerson: Riding for the brand. When a cowboy signed on to a ranch or-- or to that organization, he was committed to that organization. Margaret Brennan: And what is the brand for you now? Rex Tillerson: The State Department of the United States government. The American people are my brand. Margaret Brennan: So one leader you hadn't met before December of 2016 was Donald Trump. Tell me what that first encounter was like. Rex Tillerson: We met in his office in Trump Tower. And-- he just began by askin' me, you know, "I want you to just kinda talk about how-- how you see the world." So we just-- we walked around the world for about an hour. And then after that-- He kinda went into a little bit of a sales pitch with me and said, "I want you to be my secretary of state." And I was stunned. Margaret Brennan: You didn't know it was a job interview? Rex Tillerson: No, I didn't. I didn't. I-- I thought it was just-- I was goin' up just to talk to him and share with him, which I've done with previous presidents. I did with President Obama, I did with President Bush. So I really thought that's all it was. Margaret Brennan: Do you have any sense of what you were getting yourself into? Rex Tillerson: By and large-- I did. "You know, the only person that knows whether I'm resigning or not is me." Margaret Brennan: You've won some policy arguments. When it came to keeping troops in Afghanistan. You prevented the president, in some ways, from tearing up the Iran nuclear deal, like you said he was going to do. You lost a few arguments too. The Paris Climate Agreement, the president exited. The Trans-Pacific Trade Partnership, you cautioned against ripping up a deal America had committed to, and you cautioned against moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem on the timeline they laid out. Do you think that's a fair accounting of your record? Rex Tillerson: I think the American people have won with the decisions the president has taken. And it's not about agreeing or disagreeing. Because he's-- he's the decision maker. Margaret Brennan: Tell me what it's like to work in an administration where the U.S. has walked away, or threatened to walk away from a number of commitments. That has to be hard for someone who believes in the Code of the West. Rex Tillerson: Well some of those, I think it's important to keep in mind what the level of commitment was. We have agreements that the Congress never had the opportunity to weigh in on. And so President Trump was elected by the American people, and many of these were issues that he ran on. In the past year, Tillerson spent a lot of time denying that he was being outflanked by others in the president's inner circle, and that he was either going to resign or be fired after reports he called the president "a moron." Margaret Brennan: Why didn't you deny calling the president a moron? Rex Tillerson: You know, that's a really old question. Margaret Brennan: You understand that by not answering the question, some people thought you were confirming the story. Rex Tillerson: I think I've answered the question. Margaret Brennan: You think you answered the question. Rex Tillerson: I've answered the question. Margaret Brennan: Did you call the president a moron? Rex Tillerson: I'm not gonna dignify the question. We got so many bigger issues that we could be talking about. I'm not from this town. I understand this town likes to talk about a lot of things that are really not important. Margaret Brennan: Do you think you have enemies in this town? Rex Tillerson: I don't know. Margaret Brennan: Where do you think those reports came from? That you were resigning, or being fired? Rex Tillerson: I-- I-- I have no idea where they come from. I really don't. And I don't give it much thought. Margaret Brennan: I mean, you walk into ministry meetings and reporters are shouting, "Sir, when are you resigning?" Rex Tillerson: I never hear those questions. You know, the only person that knows whether I'm resigning or not is me. Margaret Brennan: So one of the other challenges that you have here-- is sometimes the president's message doesn't jive with your own. I think you'd acknowledge that. Rex Tillerson: Well, as I said, the president communicates in his own style, his own way, his own words. And from time to time I will ask him, "Are you changin' the policy? Because if we are, obviously I need to know, and everyone needs to know." Margaret Brennan: Well you would've thought he'd talk to you about changing the policy before he tweeted. Rex Tillerson: And-- and to finish the thought, that has never happened. Every time I've talked to him he says, "No, the policy hasn't changed." And I say let-- then I'm good. That's all I need to know. Within the ranks of the State Department, there have been complaints Secretary Tillerson is dismantling American diplomacy by embracing major budget cuts, and being slow to fill crucial jobs. Margaret Brennan: There are 41 embassies without confirmed ambassadors and that's even in places where there are crises. No ambassador in South Korea, Saudi Arabia, in Turkey. How do you explain that? Rex Tillerson: Well, there's been no dismantling at all of the State Department. We've got terrific-- people, both foreign service officers, civil servants, that have stepped into those roles around the world-- Margaret Brennan: On an interim-- Rex Tillerson: --and have stepped in-- Margaret Brennan: --basis. Rex Tillerson: --here. It is an interim basis. So clearly, it is not with the same kind of support that I wish everyone had. But our foreign policy objectives continue to be met. Margaret Brennan: But some of these don't even have nominees. I mean 41 embassies without ambassadors in them. Rex Tillerson: Well, some of these are in the process. It's not a question of people being are neglecting the importance of it. It's just the nature of the process itself. "I'm here to serve my country. I committed to this president. My word is my bond." Margaret Brennan: You've said you had a very close relationship with Vladimir Putin. You've done huge deals with him. Photos of you toasting him with champagne. And all that closeness raised eyebrows It even inspired a Saturday Night Live skit. Did you ever see that skit? Rex Tillerson: I did. My kids pointed me to it. Margaret Brennan: Did you laugh? Rex Tillerson: Absolutely. Absolutely. I laughed out loud. Margaret Brennan: What-- it-- it made light though of-- of this concern that you have-- a friendship with Vladimir Putin and that because of that you and the president aren't going to hold him to account. Rex Tillerson: The relationship that I had with President Putin spans 18 years now It was always about What could I do to be successful on behalf of my shareholders, how Russia could succeed. Margaret Brennan: How different was it walking into the Kremlin as secretary of state? Rex Tillerson: It was different-- because-- and I had to think very, very h-- carefully about that, And the only thing I said to him was "Mr. President, same man, different hat." Margaret Brennan: But the dynamic changed. Rex Tillerson: The dynamic changed because the issues were different. What he is representing is different than what I now represent. And I-- and I said to him, "I now represent the American people." And-- and I think it was important that that be said right up front. And he clearly got, I mean, he clearly understood that as well. Margaret Brennan: But since you're secretary of state now you've accused him of violating nuclear arms control agreements, of cheating on North Korea sanctions, letting Assad continue now to use chlorine gas chemical weapons on civilians. He doesn't seem to be particularly concerned about the warnings you're giving him. Rex Tillerson: Well, I don't know. We'll see if he's concerned or not. Margaret Brennan: There were six chlorine gas attacks in the past 30 days. Rex Tillerson: That's correct. And we have called them out for the fact that Russia has special responsibilities, in our view, because of commitments they made, to destroy chemical weapons and ensure they knew that there were none. Margaret Brennan: That sounds a lot like the last administration. That doesn't sound very different. Rex Tillerson: Well, when it comes to killing people with chemical weapons It shouldn't look any different. I think the only difference is the consequences for it. And President Trump has already demonstrated there will be consequences. Margaret Brennan: Does that mean military action is still on the table for chlorine gas attacks? Rex Tillerson: As it was in April last year, we are serious about our demands that chemical weapons not become regularized or normalized as a-- as a weapon in any conflict. Margaret Brennan: Why not implement the sanctions that Congress overwhelmingly says they wanna see put on Russia? Rex Tillerson: We have and we are we've taken steps that have already prevented a number of Russian military sales as a result of the legislation. And we are evaluating additional individuals for-- for-- possible sanctioning. Near the end of our interview, we were interrupted by a phone call from the president. Afterward, the secretary took us out for a brief stroll on his terrace before heading to the White House. Margaret Brennan: How often do you talk to the president? Rex Tillerson: We typically'll try to talk every day, even if it's only for a few minutes. A lotta times, I'll call from the-- the road when I'm on a trip just to let him know how it's going. Rex Tillerson enjoys the view from the top of the State Department, he seems to be one of the few people in Washington not surprised he's still here. Margaret Brennan: If I believe the press reports that came out about you in the past year, you would not be sitting here talking to me as the secretary of state. It seems like reports of your political death were premature? Rex Tillerson: Well I hope with this little bit of exchange we've had you understand the man better. That's why I'm still here. Those things don't bother me. I'm here to serve my country. I committed to this president. My word is my bond. I ride for this brand. That's why I'm here. And nothin' anybody else says is gonna change that.



Margaret Brennan is the White House and senior foreign affairs correspondent for CBS News based in Washington, D.C. and moderator of Face the Nation. . Produced by Andy Court, Evie Salomon and Kylie Atwood. Petroleumworld does not necessarily share these views. Editor's Note: This commentary was originally published by CBS News , on Feb 18, 2018. Petroleumworld reprint this article in the interest of our readers and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Petroleumworld and its owners. Link to the original article All comments posted and published on Petroleumworld, do not reflect either for or against the opinion expressed in the comment as an endorsement of Petroleumworld. All comments expressed are private comments and do not necessary reflect the view of this website. All comments are posted and published without liability to Petroleumworld. Use Notice:This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of issues of environmental and humanitarian significance. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml.



All works published by Petroleumworld are in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.Petroleumworld has no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of this article nor is Petroleumworld endorsed or sponsored by theoriginator.Petroleumworld encourages persons to reproduce, reprint, or broadcast Petroleumworld articles provided that any such reproduction identify the original source, http://www.petroleumworld.com or else and it is done within the fair use as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law.



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Alirio Parra: a true OPEC icon, dies aged 90

OPEC



In 2017, OPEC honoured HE Dr. Alirio Parra (seond r), with a lifetime achievement award for his distinguished career and life achievements. He was the last surviving witness of the Baghdad declaration that birthed OPEC.

By Petroleumworld



CARACAS

Petroleumworld 03 09 2018

Alirio Parra, a Venezuelan oil official who helped found the OPEC and remained influential at its meetings, has died, aged 90.

Born in New York July 20 1927, -Died in London March 9 2018 , grew up during World War 2 in London and Liverpool, England. Captain of the Rugby Team at Ruthin School in Wales. Attended Cambridge University, Magdalene College, BA Economics. MA, George Washington University.

At the time of OPEC's founding, Alirio Parra was an assistant to Venezuela's legendary Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons, Juan Pablo Perez Alfonzo. It would prove to be the beginning of a long and distinguished career; one with many great accomplishments spanning several decades.



Early in his career, as a member of the Presidential Commission on Oil Nationalisation in 1975, he participated in the creation of Petroleos de Venezuela S.A., or PDVSA. In fact, as a founding Board Member of PDVSA, he spent 15 years helping to shape the company into an efficient, global commercial enterprise.



In this, he modernised PDVSA's downstream sector and revamped the entire refinery sub-sector, while also making sure the company was more efficiently integrated into world markets. He also initiated and facilitated the development of Orinoco heavy crude.



Dr. Parra was Venezuela's Minister of Energy and Mines from 199294 and during this period he also served as President of the OPEC Conference.



These eminent achievements alone are venerable but over the years Dr. Parra was involved with many other professional activities.



He was a former President of the International Association of Energy Economists (1988), Chairman of the British Institute of Energy Economics (1997) and the Oxford Energy Policy Club (1984-95). He was also a former President of the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE) and a Member of the International Advisory Board of the French oil company, Total.



In October 2006, he was elected an Honorary Fellow of the British Institute of Energy Economics.



He was also Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Energy Intelligence Group in Washington DC, and Vice-President of the Anglo-Venezuelan Society in London.



From 1997, he served as a Member of the Board of CWC Associates Limited, the famous energy consultancy in London.



OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo paid tribute to one of the great men of the industry. In 2017, at a gala dinner among OPEC and non-OPEC participants which commemorated the landmark Declaration of Cooperation', the Organization honoured his distinguished career and life achievements. In receiving the award, Dr. Parra said: I am humbled, surprised, but delighted to be the recipient of this tremendous and incredible honour.

OPEC in a press release said " His Excellency, Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, OPEC Secretary General, said: This is an extremely sad day, not only for his family, his wife Sally and their children, who are in our thoughts and prayers, but for the entire OPEC family which Dr. Parra was a founding member and remained a treasured part of his entire life. But we should also recall the great life of this quintessential gentleman: one of the great men of the industry, a proud son of Venezuela and a citizen of the world, a scholar, a real oil man  and, to many of us, a very dear friend.



Dr. Parra was a true OPEC pioneer, an oil industry innovator, a man who was always willing to share his great wisdom with others, and a witness to many historic OPEC moments, including the establishment of the Organization at the historic Baghdad meeting in 1960.

In later years, he played an influential, unofficial role at the exporter group's meetings to set oil policy, sometimes helping the fractious group to reach agreement, sources said , Reuters reported.

He would always go to Vienna for the meetings, an industry source who knew Parra said. He did not go to the OPEC Secretariat but people would come and see him. He was quietly influential.

He attended the vast majority of OPEC's 173 meetings since 1960 in various capacities, since 1997 as a member of the board of CWC Associates, an energy consultant and conference organiser.

He was not only instrumental in founding OPEC but continued to be associated with the organization throughout his eventful life, an OPEC source said.



Dr. Parra also noted that back in 1960 there were many people who believed that OPEC would not last long; but it is still here today and I believe its best days are yet to come.



To the last, he was true to his modest and respectful nature, always there to listen, offer guidance and show leadership; a genuine OPEC icon.

Sources: OPEC, Reuters.



A number of Philadelphia-area pain-management doctors, pharmacists, and related entities have been sued for prescribing $4.7 million in allegedly fraudulent pain creams  some costing nearly $8,000 per tube.

Liberty Mutual Insurance filed the lawsuit Sept. 14 in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, claiming that 18 doctors have been sending workers' compensation patients to pharmacies in which the doctors have a financial interest. The pharmacies would then bill employers' insurance carriers for "vast quantities" of compounded pain creams at inflated prices, the suit says.

The suit alleges the doctors and pharmacists formed "illegal, collusive relationships" that exploited weaknesses in Pennsylvania's workers' comp system. It contends they created and prescribed compounded creams that are not included in the system's fee schedule, leading to "highly inflated" bills of $5,000 to $8,000 per tube of cream.

Liberty Mutual also alleges that compounded creams were not tailored to individual patients, but rather "manufactured in batches," in violation of Food and Drug Administration regulations. Many medical experts say there is little evidence that such creams are safe or effective.

Dr. Rishin Patel, of Allentown, was the top prescribing physician in the lawsuit, writing $506,163 worth of prescriptions for compounded pain cream that were filled at 700 Pharmacy then billed to Liberty Mutual, according to the complaint. One prescription claim from May 19, 2014, came to $14,447, of which Liberty paid $12,956.

Patel owns 12.25 percent of 700 Pharmacy, records show.

Liberty Mutual says that it has fought many of the bills but that the state's workers' comp insurance and automobile insurance coverage regulations "limit the ability to refuse coverage of compounded creams." An attorney for Liberty Mutual declined to comment on the lawsuit.

The suit names two other doctors who are co-owners of 700 Pharmacy who have sent prescriptions to the pharmacy: Miteswar Purewal ($312,966) and Shailen Jalali ($121, 657). Each of those doctors also owns 12.25 percent of the pharmacy, records show.

Of the eight pharmacies named in the suit, 700 Pharmacy's bills account for nearly one-third of the $4.7 million First Mutual is seeking to recover.

Patel, Purewal, and Jalali are founders of Insight Medical Partners, a Conshohocken consulting firm that operates area pharmacies. Principals of the company own portions of three of the pharmacies named as defendants: Empire Pharmacy, Omni Pharmacy, and Armour Pharmacy. Insight Medical Partners is not a defendant.

At least six of the 41 defendants are either part owners, managers, or, in one case, a former employee of Workers First, a pharmacy principally owned by three name partners at Pond Lehocky Stern Giordano, a major workers' comp law firm in the area.

Last week, the Inquirer and Daily News reported that Pond Lehocky has been referring clients to doctors, then asking the doctors to send the patients to Workers First, which has charged upward of $4,000 per tube of compounded pain cream. Workers First is not named as a defendant in the Liberty Mutual lawsuit, nor is Pond Lehocky or any of its lawyers.

Insight Medical Partners manages and owns a portion of Workers First.

Jeff Jubelirer, a spokesman for Insight as well as for Patel, Purewal, and Jalali, said it was premature to comment because attorneys were still reviewing the lawsuit.

In addition to Patel, Purewal, and Jalali, the defendants in the lawsuit include pharmacy consultant Phil Shin, pharmacist Stephen Katsarakes, and Dr. Gerald Dworkin.

Shin, of Villanova, is listed as the contact person on Workers First's state pharmacy board application.

Katsarakes, of Chalfont, is the former pharmacist at Workers First, according to pharmacy board records.

Dworkin, chairman of the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, has testified in a deposition that he owns 3 percent of the pharmacy. Records show that Dworkin has sent patient scripts to Workers First.

Reached Thursday at his Bryn Mawr home, Dworkin said that physician-owned pharmacies are necessary to get medications quickly to his patients. He described the compounded creams as "extremely efficacious."

"Liberty Mutual needs to look at their actions in not supplying medically necessary treatment to injured workers," Dworkin said.

The defendants have not yet filed a response to the suit in Common Pleas Court.

Pond Lehocky declined to comment. Sam Pond, a founding partner of the law firm and co-owner of Workers First, released a statement Tuesday responding to the original Inquirer and Daily News story.

"We are proud of the alliance between attorneys and the medical community that works together to protect our clients from a very strong and determined opponent: the insurance industry," Pond wrote.

Staff writers Mark Fazlollah and Dylan Purcell contributed to this article.Utility workers install underground power lines to Pepco utility, which serves Washington, D.C, and parts of Maryland. The utility is embarking on a six-year $500 million effort called DC Power Line Undergrounding (DC PLUG) to bury some of the more vulnerable aerial power lines in the capital. Read more

The two powerful winter storms that knocked out electric power to a total of 750,000 Peco customers last week have demonstrated once again the vulnerability of overhead power lines to heavy snow and high winds, prompting calls for the Exelon Corp. subsidiary to bury its lines.

"The problem is not storms," said Arthur Alan Wolk, a lawyer who lost power for six days last week at his Gladwyne home. "The problem is that Peco, which is just a money profit center for Exelon, still strings wires from poles like they did in the 1800s."

The Philadelphia utility, with the assistance of 2,800 workers from other utilities that rushed in to aid recovery efforts, said Friday it expects to restore service by Sunday to the last customers knocked out by the nor'easters. About 3,000 were still without power Friday evening.

But another storm could come as early as Monday as the debate over storm-proofing the distribution system rages on.

Consider the experience of Pepco, the Washington-area utility, which is also owned by Exelon.

Pepco embraced an "undergrounding plan" several years ago after the nation's capital suffered through several prolonged storm-related outages from 2010 to 2012. The District of Columbia Council in 2014 approved legislation calling for a $1 billion plan to bury power lines. The cost would be shared by Pepco and the city, but almost all of it will be passed on to ratepayers.

The plan was challenged in court by the Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington, which forced the district to rewrite the law last year and scale it back to $500 million over six years. The first power lines will finally be buried this year.

"It's a fairly complex plan," David M. Velasquez, the president and chief executive of Pepco Holdings, said Friday. The first two-year phase of the project will bury primary distribution lines on six "feeders," or about 47.5 miles of trunk lines, at a cost of $134 million, according to the company's filing with the district Public Service Commission.

That's about 3.3 percent of the city's 1,430 miles of aerial lines, affecting 7,858 customers. The project will initially increase monthly bills by $1.19 for customers using 675 kilowatt hours a month.

Underground power lines are generally more reliable than overhead wires, according to a 2012 study by the Edison Electric Institute. But they cost five to 10 times as much to install as overhead wires, and are more expensive and time-consuming to repair when they fail. They also have a shorter expected lifespan than aerial wires.

Peco says 9,322 miles of its 22,278-mile system of power lines, or 42 percent, is already underground. Many commercial areas, such as Center City, have underground systems, as do developments built in the last 50 years.

But regulators like the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission are reluctant to approve utility requests to pay to bury power lines unless they can be shown to be "prudent" investments. The rationale is that other customers shouldn't be compelled to pay for an upgrade that benefits only a few customers, unless it can be demonstrated to be cost-effective.

"Burying power lines comes at a substantial cost, and those lines could still be vulnerable to flooding and other hazards," said Nils Hagen-Frederiksen, the PUC spokesman. "Utilities do have infrastructure improvement plans, which are carefully reviewed and considered by the commission."

About 70 percent of the Pepco system in Washington is already underground, but studies the company conducted a few years ago estimated that putting all of its system underground would add $107 to the typical residential monthly bill if the utility recovered the cost in 30 years.

"When we looked at the cost of the remainder of the city, the other 30 percent, it was billions and billions of dollars, completely, I'd say, cost-prohibitive," said Velasquez.

The utility and district officials instead decided to focus on the most critical aerial lines that had histories of outages. Only primary feeders are getting replaced, not the secondary lines that feed most residential streets, which will still be vulnerable to storm events.

But Velasquez said the utility is making other improvements to harden its distribution system, such as installing tree-resistant insulated cables, modern switching equipment, and more robust poles.

The Washington initiative, dubbed DC PLUG for DC Power Line Undergrounding, calls for the city to build the underground civil infrastructure, after which Pepco will install its equipment. It is a massive undertaking, requiring coordination with local residents and businesses that will be disrupted by street excavations.

"This is being done for the community," said Velasquez. "It's critical for us that we're mindful of how it impacts the community during the construction period."

The plan to bury power lines in densely populated Washington may not be the best approach in more lightly developed areas, said the Pepco CEO. For instance, he also oversees Exelon's Atlantic City Electric utility, which recently submitted a $338 million infrastructure improvement plan to New Jersey regulators that includes very few proposals to bury power lines.

"Once you get out of such a dense area, when you look at the cost-benefit, there are very often other ways of improving resilience," he said.

Unfortunately, no system is completely storm-proof.A small group of mourners met Nov. 14. 2015 at the St. Miriam Cathedral in Flourtown to pay their final respects and lay to lay to rest Diamond Williams, a transgender woman murdered in 2013. Monsignor James St. George offered his church and cemetery for the funeral. Read more

Dawn Munro has a vague recollection of bumping into Diamond Williams. Maybe eight or nine years ago  she isn't sure. The meeting was fleeting, at best.

And yet, there Munro sat, in a Philadelphia courtroom every day of the weeklong trial against the man accused of murdering Williams, a transgender woman.

Sometimes, other than court employees, Munro was alone in the gallery. Usually she sat on the left side of Courtroom 807, a few rows from the back after someone said that was the side for people supporting the deceased. There was always plenty of room.

Williams, 31, was killed in 2013, butchered by Charles Sargent after he picked her up for sex, her body parts scattered in an empty, trash-strewn North Philly lot. Her pelvis was found in the Schuylkill.

"One of the things that moved me deeply was the fact that she died alone," said Munro, a well-known and respected trans woman who has advocated for trans issues in Philadelphia for decades.

"She had been homeless, she hadn't been able to take good care of herself, and then the final act of utter disrespect was to dump parts of her all over the place and then blame her for what happened to her."

One of Sargent's many outrageous claims as he represented himself during his trial was that he killed Diamond in self-defense after he realized she was transgender and they got into a violent argument.

That sickened Munro, who knows all too well the harrowing reality of discrimination and death for many trans people.

"I felt that someone ought to be there and I kind of elected myself to go," she said. "Just as one trans person turning up for another who couldn't speak for herself."

The case stuck with Munro from the very first she heard of it. She read everything she could about Williams' slaying; she went to a vigil at LOVE Park shortly after her death.

When the crowds moved on, Munro didn't.

"I couldn't let it go," she said.

I could relate. I never met Williams, but Williams stuck with me, too.

After she was killed, I spent hours at her grandmother's Center City apartment trying to learn anything I could about her that wasn't in the crude early coverage that often stumbled over the proper pronouns to accurately and respectfully identify her. I tried to persuade her grandmother to claim Williams in death in a way that the family couldn't or wouldn't in life.

After the Rev. James St. George of St. Miriam Cathedral in Flourtown opened his church and its cemetery to bury Williams, I stood over her grave alone in the November dusk and whispered a belated rest in peace.

Williams deserved some peace. She also deserved justice.

"To die alone in the way that she died is one thing, but to have nobody there in the quest for justice for her would have been horrible," Munro said.

So she sat there, bearing witness, as Sargent claimed it was self-defense how he punctured her skull with a screwdriver and dismembered her with an ax.

She watched in awe as prosecutor Kristen Kemp passionately defended the life of someone many treated as a throwaway.

In closing, Kemp pounded on the table to demonstrate the sound of Sargent chopping up Williams' body.

"This was a person who mattered, who still matters," Kemp told me a few days after the trial ended. "Despite what the defendant attempted to do, to silence her, he didn't."

As Munro and a handful of people watched and waited on Tuesday, a jury found Sargent guilty after just 28 minutes.

Justice, finally. And yet, I confided in Munro that I had always hoped that Williams' family would come around.

"One of the things many trans people have to live with," Munro said, "is that living their truth means they also have to face the truth that they can lose their family."

I called Williams' grandmother to let her know about the verdict. I got her voicemail, so I left her a message. The man who was accused of killing Diamond was guilty, I said, sentenced to spend the rest of his life behind bars.

That detail of Diamond Williams' truth, at least, can no longer be denied.It's been two years since Ethan Okula died a wholly preventable death  since the 10-year-old foster child with thick glasses and special needs and a squinting, heartbreaking smile was sent home by his school officials. He was already in mortal peril from a serious stomach blockage. A caretaker who was not approved to look after him did nothing as he lay dying.

A little boy in the city's charge, failed by nearly everyone assigned to protect him.

And now, finally, the city has decided that the death of the third grader at Julia De Burgos Elementary School merits a day in court. Now, an assistant district attorney will enter a courtroom and argue for the significance of Ethan Okula's life.

Last month, without fanfare, involuntary-manslaughter charges were filed against his foster mother, Denise Alston, and her wife, Carol Fletcher. According to an initial city report on the death, Fletcher picked him up from school as he was dying from a stomach ailment he'd had since birth, and told school officials she was worried he would soil her car. She allegedly pulled the agonized boy up by his shirt when he couldn't stand up from the pain and left him on the couch until it was too late. Alston, whose foster-mother licensing lapsed because she had fallen behind in training, had left the dying child with Fletcher, who was not authorized to care for him. By the time anyone called 911, Ethan was dead.

In life, Ethan was ignored. In death, he captured the attention of a city. The charges in his case come after the firing of the school nurse and four social workers who bungled his case. Readers responded. A cemetery owner paid for a headstone for Ethan, so he wouldn't rest in a pauper's grave. Strangers came by the dozen to the unveiling of his tombstone, which reads "God's Special Child." They left flowers and toys. Some visit still.

Ben Waxman, a spokesman for the district attorney, said he could not delve into the case because it is subject to a grand jury investigation. No one else has been charged, including the school nurse, who did not call 911 even as Ethan writhed in a wheelchair, and other school employees and social workers who let Ethan slip through the cracks.

"A 10-year-old boy lost his life because two adult women who were responsible for his care neglected him to such a degree that criminal charges were warranted," Waxman said of the charges against Alston and Fletcher.

No one answered the door of Alston's North Philadelphia home when I knocked Friday. She's out on house arrest. Fletcher's lawyer, Troy Crichton, said that the city was going after the wrong people. That Fletcher and Alston  two African American women  are shouldering the blame that should be foisted upon the social workers who did not do their jobs and the nurse who did not diagnose him.

In April, in Courtroom 306, that's for a judge to decide. And indeed, in this case, criminally or not, everyone failed this child.

DHS Commissioner Cynthia Figueroa was the head of a North Philadelphia child welfare provider when news of the case crossed her desk in 2016. A few months later, Mayor Kenney would appoint her to run the department. She told me this week that when she read the early reports on Ethan's death  rife with proof of social workers falsifying case records, the kind of misconduct the agency was supposed to have worked past  she felt called to step up, to do more. And now she'll be held accountable for whether she does.

"There are no words to express how devastating his death was," Figueroa said. She says the agency is working to put the lessons of his death into practice. It has increased training and compensation for foster parents and begun monthly meetings with parents and children to better respond to concerns  and strengthened communication with the School District. They are recruiting new parents  300 more  and trimming caseloads for overworked social workers.

We've been here before. I have written about this cycle of a child's death and the ensuing outrage, apology, and reform. Each case is depressing in its familiarity and unique in its horror.

When I think about Ethan, I think of something I read in his file that had nothing to do with his death. It was a story from a former foster placement. One day, his caretakers decided they'd had enough of him. They put him out on the step with all his belongings  his glasses, his hearing aids.

No one stood up for him then, and no one stood up for him a year later, when he was dying. Now someone is. Now his case will be heard. That means something, for all the children who come after him and who should benefit from the change that he inspired.

But that's the heartbreaking irony of all of these reforms: They are built on the graves of children we failed.Jared Wetzel of Lancaster, Pa., spreads straw for cows at the 102nd Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. Read more

Pennsylvania's largest farm organization says it is concerned that President Trump's new tariffs could ignite a trade war that results in retaliation against U.S. agricultural products, hurting the state's $2.2 billion in annual revenue from farm exports.

"The concern here has been basically that there's a tit-for-tat, or whatever you want to call it, if we impose these tariffs," said Mark O'Neill, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, which has 62,000 member farms and families. "If there is retaliation in other products, it comes down to food."

For now, however, the bureau is relieved at the administration's current call for Mexico and Canada to be exempt from the tariffs on steel and aluminum.

On Thursday, Trump ordered steep new tariffs on aluminum and steel, but exempted Canada and Mexico as "a special case" while negotiating for changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement. The 25 percent tax on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum will take effect in 15 days. The president calls the excess of imported steel and aluminum a "travesty" that hurts American workers and industry.

But the farm bureau said the U.S. economy is interconnected and any trade war could ripple through its membership.

Nearly 60 percent of Pennsylvania's agricultural exports are to aluminum-producing nations and 17 percent go to steel-producing countries, the bureau says. Retaliation by those nations could hurt exports of beef, pork, cheese, hay or powered milk, for example.

Exempting Canada and Mexico is a big help, said the bureau's president, Rick Ebert. However, the president issued no assurance that would last. In the meantime, farmers remained concerned about a European response. Even though Pennsylvania farmers might not export products directly to Europe, many products grown here end up in food products shipped overseas.

"Higher tariffs make our products more expensive and less competitive," Ebert said, "which opens the door for other countries to replace the U.S. as a supplier of food overseas."

The state's dairy farmers are already hurting with a national milk glut that's been dropping prices for years. A trade war could push some over the brink, the bureau says.

Farmers were already on edge after Trump pulled the U.S. off the Trans Pacific Partnership, a large free trade agreement, soon after taking office. But since then, 11 other nations worked toward a new agreement they signed just this week, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

"Our farmers need a break," said O'Neill, adding that the tariffs "look like another negative."Freddie Ramirez, the CEO of Pan-American Mental Health Services, was kicked off the ballot last year in the 197th District race. Hes running for the seat again this year. Read more

When Democrat Frederick Ramirez ran for the Pennsylvania House in a special election last year, he was removed from the ballot when a judge found that he didn't live in the 197th District, as he claimed. One reason: He didn't flush his toilet enough.

That didn't scare him from politics, however.

Ramirez, CEO of Pan-American Mental Health Services, has filed paperwork to run for the same seat in 2018.

A piece of evidence used in the 2017 case was that Ramirez had only been billed for using 95 gallons of water from March to January  the amount of H2O needed to flush a toilet less than twice a month.

Linda Kerns, the then-attorney for the city Republican Party who filed the complaint against Ramirez last year, called him "a candidate who cavalierly dismisses the law of this commonwealth to the detriment of the voters in order to advance his own interests."

Gregory Harvey, a Democratic elections lawyer representing Ramirez, said on Thursday that his client last year "relied upon a lawyer provided to him by the Democratic City Committee, which means he did not receive competent representation."

He added, "Dr. Ramirez not only lives in the 197th Legislative District, but he also provides desperately needed mental health services to that community. We anticipate no difficulty in establishing conclusively that his legal domicile is in the district."

Adam Bonin, Ramirez's former attorney, said he "worked aggressively with Dr. Ramirez to defend him." He said he represented Ramirez on behalf of the Pennsylvania House Democratic Campaign Committee, not the City Committee.

"Like Dr. Ramirez, I was deeply disappointed" by the judge's decision, said Bonin, whose clients have included Democratic candidates for Congress and governor.

Ramirez listed as his address this time the same Hunting Park home where he allegedly didn't live last year. Though he owns the property, Ramirez has acknowledged that he has spent three or four days a week elsewhere, at his girlfriend's apartment in Bucks County as well as at a Roxborough apartment to spend time with his daughter.

The ruling against Ramirez in 2017 left the city's Democratic Party in an embarrassing position: No Democrat ended up being on the ballot in the special election to replace Democratic State Rep. Leslie Acosta, who resigned months after pleading guilty to a federal felony charge, even though 85 percent of voters in the district are registered Democrats.

Despite that obstacle, a Democrat won the race: State Rep. Emilio Vazquez. He is running for reelection. Another candidate, former City Council aide Danilo Burgos, also is trying to unseat him.

If Ramirez's residency is challenged again this year, we'll keep you posted on what everyone is dying to know: whether Ramirez is flushing his toilet more often these days.HARRISBURG  A Republican state lawmaker from Luzerne County on Friday obtained a restraining order against State Rep. Nick Miccarelli, asserting that he could be a danger to her, himself, or others.

"He has threatened to kill me and kill himself before," Rep. Tarah Toohil wrote in her application.

The court order came as Toohil publicly disclosed for the first time that she was one of the two women who last month leveled physical or sexual misconduct allegations against Miccarelli in a confidential complaint to House lawyers. In it, Toohil accused the five-term Delaware County legislator of brandishing a gun and threatening to kill them both when they dated in 2012.

"There were terrible moments that were nonconsensual at the hands of Rep. Miccarelli," Toohil said in a statement Friday to the Inquirer and Daily News and the Caucus. "And if I  as a lawyer and a lawmaker  could be this afraid of that individual, then I can only imagine how the other victims feel, which is why I am coming out publicly."

Miccarelli, a GOP lawmaker from Ridley Park, vigorously denied what he called "outrageous and baseless allegations," and contended the application for a court-sanctioned protection order was part of an ongoing campaign to smear his reputation.

"This stunt provides further evidence that political forces beyond Toohil and Nick's other female accuser are pulling out all the stops to destroy Nick's good name and end his political career," said a statement released by his spokesman.

The filing of the order, signed by Luzerne County Judge Michael Vough, was first reported late Friday by the Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice. A copy was obtained by the Inquirer and Daily News and the Caucus, a publication of LNP Media Group in Lancaster.

According to Toohil's lawyer, Terry Mutchler, the lawmaker sought the order because the House is set to reconvene on Monday and Toohil is fearful of returning to the Capitol when Miccarelli is there. The lawyer said Toohil told her she decided to publicly come forward because "as a public official, I believe that I have a duty to step forward to protect other women."

The allegations that Toohil and the second woman leveled in their Feb. 8 complaint  first reported last month by the Inquirer and Daily News and the Caucus  are under review by the Dauphin County District Attorney's Office and House GOP lawyers.

In that complaint, Toohil contended that Miccarelli kicked, pinched, or hit her when they dated, including at legislative events they attended. And she described him wielding a gun during an argument while driving at high speed. The second woman, a private consultant who has not made her name public, accused Miccarelli of forcing her to have sex after they stopped dating in 2014.

The women decided to file their complaint after Miccarelli posted comments on Facebook related to the #MeToo movement, according to Mutchler. They asked House lawyers to investigate and take action against him. Even as that inquiry continues, House Republican leaders have called on Miccarelli to step down.

Toohil, a 38-year-old from Butler Township, has been a legislator since 2011. Her complaint said she stopped dating Miccarelli after the gun incident in 2012.

"It has taken me years and years to identify that I, myself, was a victim of this violence," she said in her statement. "This does not define me. It something that happened to me."

Miccarelli, 35, a veteran of the Iraq War and a member of the National Guard, has denied any wrongdoing and called the women's accusations "one thousand percent lies." He also has pledged to run for reelection.

The statement Friday, released by spokesman Frank Keel, said it was "shameful" that Toohil sought the court order without giving him notice or a chance to be heard.

"Romantic relationships often end, and Nick ended his relationship with Ms. Toohil years ago. Ending a relationship, however, does not permit the jilted partner [to destroy] the other person's life," it read. "The allegations Toohil trumpeted to secure the PFA supposedly occurred six long years ago, yet she never decided to seek any legal relief until now? She knew Nick was recently married. It's unconscionable that Toohil would abuse the PFA process in this way at this time, knowing the shame and embarrassment it would bring to Nick and his new family."

Toohil's relationship with Miccarelli has once before come under scrutiny.

In 2013, the Inquirer reported that then-House leaders asked the state police to investigate anonymous videos that disparaged Toohil. One was sent by email to every member of the House and contained a picture of Toohil when she was younger. In the photo, she is seated at a table with a smoking device and what appears to be marijuana.

Soon after, a Democrat trying to unseat Toohil that year briefly ran a campaign ad that featured a photo of Toohil and a man atop a camel during a trip to Israel. In the photo, the man had his arms wrapped around her waist.

The man was Miccarelli, and the two were in Israel for an educational trip sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. Her hometown newspapers pounced on the trip, as well as her relationship with Miccarelli.

At the time, state police officials questioned at least a half-dozen people  including legislators  with several being asked about Miccarelli's relationship with Toohil and how it ended.

Miccarelli declined repeatedly to discuss that investigation, which ended without any charges being filed.

Toohil also declined comment about the probe. At the time, House leaders relocated her office to a different part of the Capitol because she told them she felt unsafe.

After the House lawyers began their inquiry last month, Miccarelli was stripped of his security privileges at the Capitol, meaning he is no longer permitted to park his car in a garage reserved for lawmakers and must enter the building through manned security stations at doors used by members of the general public.This product image released by Barbie shows the Frida Kahlo doll (center) flanked by dolls in the image of pilot Amelia Earhart (left) and mathematician Katherine Johnson. Read more

A new line of Barbies released this week to honor International Women's Day was meant to recast popular images of female role models.

But one of those newly unveiled dolls  that of the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo  has kick-started a dispute over who gets to use her image in the first place.

In interviews with Mexican media outlets, as well as the BBC, Kahlo's great-grandniece insists she is the sole owner of the rights to Kahlo's image. That contradicts the stance of the Florida-based Frida Kahlo Corp., which says it bought the rights to Kahlo's image from another relative 13 years ago. The corporation worked on the new doll with Mattel, whose brands include Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Fisher-Price.

"We're talking about a woman that was so ahead of her time and transcended the generations, and we will do anything to bring that message to the world," said Beatriz Alvarado, a spokeswoman for the Frida Kahlo Corp. "The collaboration with Barbie was in that sense."

A family statement given to the BBC said that Kahlo's great-grandniece, Mara de Anda Romeo, was the "sole owner of the rights of the image." The family has also called for a more authentic redesign of the doll.

In a pivot away from Barbie's iconic, bleach-blonde roots, the company has marketed new dolls under the hashtag #MoreRoleModels, including those modeled after film director Ava Duvernay and ballerina Misty Copeland. While many embraced the nod to a female, Latina painter who often explored issues of race and gender in her work, others questioned what Kahlo  a communist and feminist  would have thought about being immortalized in Barbie plastic.

Alvarado said the Frida Kahlo Corp.bought the rights to Kahlo's image from Kahlo's niece, Isolda Pinedo Kahlo, in 2005, and that other family members had long been aware of the deal. Alvarado declined to comment on how much the deal cost the corporation, which licenses rights to a variety of products  from tequila to Converse shoes  to educate the public on Kahlo's story.

Dressed in a billowing blue, red, and black dress with a fringe shawl and floral headpiece, the Frida Kahlo Barbie sells for $29.99. But Kahlo's signature facial hair, critics quickly noted, was missing from her stick-thin incarnation.

"The Frida Kahlo Barbie doesn't have a unibrow and in a shocking turn of events Barbie wants to add feminism to its brand while still aggressively adhering to western beauty standards," wrote one Twitter user.

"I can't help but feel that it would've been even more impactful to see the artist depicted in a way that was more true to herself  not to mention her own self-portraits," wrote an editor at Teen Vogue.

In a statement, Mattel said the company worked in close partnership with, and secured permission from, the Frida Kahlo Corp. to create the doll.

The Frida Kahlo Barbie went on sale along with two other historical doll figures: Katherine Johnson, a pioneering African American mathematician whose calculations for NASA helped drive the first American-manned venture into space, and Amelia Earhart, the first female aviator to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.

Other Barbies unveiled this week and modeled off contemporary female figures are one-of-a-kind and not available for purchase. They include Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim, Australian conservationist Bindi Irwin, and American filmmaker Patty Jenkins. A champion windsurfer, a chef, and a journalist also joined the roster of new dolls.

The doll "is a very important reminder than I can be anything I want to be, that I can be my own muse," Alvarado said.

Whether the actual Frida Kahlo would have found her muse in Barbie form will never be known. She died five years before the first Barbie appeared on shelves in 1959.Philadelphia has a long and troubled history of elected officials being conflicted between their official duties and lucrative side interests. Sometimes, those conflicts are obvious and criminal.

For example, former District Attorney Seth Williams was sent to federal prison on a bribery charge. Before him, former U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah was packed off to prison for bribery. City Council members, state representatives and senators  the list of Philadelphia politicians who found disgrace through greed is extensive.

And then there's former Sheriff John Green, who is currently standing trial in federal court, accused of trading big-payday contracts to a businessman in return for hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts and loans.

But sometimes those potential conflicts are legal and yet still raise eyebrows, if not questions. For example, Green's successor, Sheriff Jewell Williams, made $34,000 last year as a political consultant for three judicial campaigns.

That's perfectly legal. But since one of the sheriff's jobs is to protect judges in courtrooms, this side job is troublesome  and not just for the implications of the sheriff's interaction with judges who might have paid him to help them get elected. There's also the ones Williams has to interact with who might have beaten his clients.

Politicians run for office promising honest and efficient public service. But when they take on a side job, they raise the question: Whom do they really serve  the taxpayers who fund their salaries or the clients who supplement it?

The sheriff's consulting salary was less that a quarter of the $129,760 that he earns in his public post  but also fairly close to what the U.S. census reports as the median income for a household in the city, $39,770.

Williams isn't alone is supplementing a healthy six-figure taxpayer-fed salary with additional income.

Statements filed last May of financial interests for 2016 show that City Councilman Bobby Henon continues to work for the union that launched his political career, Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. This is especially troubling since it is clear federal investigators are probing Henon and his union.

Councilmen Brian O'Neill and Derek Green both have side jobs at Center City law firms.

Councilman Allan Domb still owns his vast real estate firm with, at last count, ownership in 89 different properties. Councilman Al Taubenberger also has a side gig with a real estate company.

Again, they are all acting legally, but the potential for conflicts  or the appearances of conflicts  is still troubling.

As we've suggested before, voters should have a say in whether local elected officials can supplement their pay with side jobs. That might happen if a member of Council  where salaries range from $129,760 to $162,862  would introduce language to bar full-time local elected officials from profiting from side jobs.

Such legislation would require public hearings, where elected officials wishing to continue the current practice could go on record to defend it. Anyone opposed to the practice could also sign up to make a public comment. We're betting that the taxpayers opposed to side gigs would far outnumber the politicians cashing in.Roundly vilified for not entering a Parkland high school during a mass shooting, Broward Deputy Scot Peterson insisted publicly that he believed that gunfire was happening outside on campus  not inside the building.

But internal radio dispatches released by the Broward Sheriffs Office Thursday show Peterson immediately fixated on Building 12 and even radioed that gunfire was happening inside, reports the Miami Herald.

And, just as school shooter Nikolas Cruz was fleeing the building after killing 17 people, Peterson warned his fellow officers to stay away  even as wounded students and staff lay inside.

BSO policy calls for deputies to engage an active shooter and eliminate the threat.

Do not approach the 12 or 1300 building, stay at least 500 feet away, Peterson shouted as people screamed in the background.

The second-by-second timeline and audio recording of police radio chatter sheds new light on the chaotic and much scrutinized law enforcement response to the bloodshed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High on Feb. 14, the states worst school shooting.

The records appear to support Broward Sheriff Scott Israels contention that Peterson, a longtime school resource officer, should have entered Building 12 to engage Cruz and try to prevent deaths. They also appear to show that other deputies may have refrained from rushing into the school at the direction of Peterson and a Parkland captain. The response by the agency has been the subject of national scrutiny, and is currently under review by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.New Jersey Trooper Kenneth Minnes applied used a makeshift tourniquet to save a crash victim. (Photo: NJ State Police)

A rookie New Jersey state trooper is being credited with saving an accident victim by using part of a tree branch and a T-shirt to make a tourniquet, reports the Courier Post.

Trooper Kenneth Minnes was off duty when he came across a serious one-car crash on the Atlantic City Expressway in Gloucester Township around 2:30 Monday, according to a report.

With the assistance of others who stopped to help, Minnes moved the injured pair away from the car before it became fully engulfed in flames. He then tended to the car passenger's bleeding, injured arm by applying a makeshift tourniquet using a shirt and branch.

A description of the incident on the NJ State Police Facebook page offered praise for Minnes: "Despite just graduating the State Police Academy last year, Tpr. Minnes displayed the poise of a veteran and his decisive actions helped save the victims' lives."A driver who was wounded in an officer-involved shooting Monday on Interstate 94 tried to shoot a Minnesota State Patrol trooper in the head before being shot herself in the arm, according to the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Clay County District Court documents filed in the case of a male passenger.

Trooper Mark Peterson stopped Monday morning to help the woman, identified as Melody Victoria Gray, 30, and her male passenger, Domonique Maurice Crayton, 29, both of Milwaukee, who were in a car that had slid into the median a few miles east of Moorhead, the BCA said.

While Peterson worked to verify the apparently false information given by the cars occupants, he learned the car had been reported stolen in Germantown, Wis., so he positioned his squad car to prevent the disabled car from driving away. Peterson then asked Crayton to get out of the car, the BCA said.

As Peterson tried to handcuff Crayton, Gray got out of the drivers seat and, with her right arm extended, pointed a 9mm handgun at the troopers head and appeared to pull the trigger, court documents said. The gun, however, did not fire, reports the Pioneer Press.

Meanwhile, the woman tried to manipulate the handgun to chamber a round and raised the gun again toward the trooper. The trooper then fired his weapon and hit her in the right arm, court documents said.

The woman then dropped the gun and ran across I-94 and north into a field, court documents and the BCA said. She reportedly dropped a gun that Peterson then recovered.

Gray was taken into custody and transported to the hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound, the bureau said.

Peterson was not injured, the BCA said.

Both Gray and Crayton had warrants out for their arrest on multiple charges.

Crayton appeared in court Wednesday and kept insisting his name was Donald Moor El. Im of a sovereign nation, Crayton declared, saying he was of a Moorish Nation of Islam. How can I conduct business with you?Jane Mayers 15,000-word New Yorker profile of Christopher Steele is a sort of mash note to the man Mayer views as an intergalactic hero. One doesnt need to be a sophisticated reader to see that she has fallen for the guy big time or that she reveals herself to be an unreliable narrator.

For reasons I suggested yesterday in part 3, I think Steele made himself a willing dupe of Russian disinformation. I think it highly unlikely that the Steele Dossier constitutes good intelligence on Vladimir Putins intentions, operations, and the related matters taken up in the dossier. One would have to be something of a sap to believe that it does. From the evidence of the Mayers text, Mayer is such a sap. In this installment of my series I would like only to pluck a few quotes illustrating the peculiar qualities of Mayers profile.

Mayer seeks to build up Steele based on his past service as an agent of Britains MI-6. Mayer turns to a former CIA guy to vouch for MI-6: Steve Hall, a former chief of the C.I.A.s Central Eurasia Division, which includes Russia, the former Soviet states, and the Balkans, told me, M.I.6 is second only perhaps to the U.S. in its ability to collect intelligence from Russia. He added, Weve always coordinated closely with them because they did such a great job. Were playing in the Yankee Stadium of espionage here. This isnt Guatemala. Impressive, no?

But Steele left MI-6 in 2008. Mayer tells us that Steele left on good terms with the service, but Mayer cites no source for the proposition. I take it Steele told her that. Other than Mayers boundless love for the man, why should we believe him? I can tell you that we shouldnt believe her because of her obvious investment in him.

The question is whether Steeles purported Sources A, B, C, D, E, F, and G provided him bona fide intelligence, unverified gossip, or Russian disinformation. Mayer isnt much help in sorting it out. In the story recounted by Mayer, however, no reasonable reader would conclude the stuff bona fide intelligence.

And to reiterate a point, Mayer asserts that Steele didnt know the identity of his ultimate client when he went to work on Trump. Super spy that he is, however, he figured it out several months into his work ([s]everal months after Steele signed the deal with GPS Fusion, as Mayer puts it). One might reasonably observe that in the Yankee Stadium of espionage, the players know what team theyre playing for. If one takes Mayers account at face value, Steele and Orbis are playing in Guatemala  not in the major league of espionage.

Mayers treatment of the referral of Steele for possible criminal prosecution by Senators Grassley and Graham is full of indignation. According to Mayer, the referral derives from Graham and Grassleys rank partisanship. I hear the clock beginning to strike 13.

One would never get from Mayers profile any sense of the substance of the referral. In the world according to Mayer, the referral itself is evidence of Grassleys and Grahams partisanship. To prove this point, Mayer cites  the Democrats! Why, the referral enraged Democrat Dianne Feinstein. Feinstein said that Grassleys and Grahams goals were undermining the F.B.I. and Special Counsel Muellers investigation and deflecting attention from it. Mayer also notes that Feinstein said that the referral provided no evidence that Steele had lied and, according to Feinstein, not a single revelation in the Steele dossier has been refuted.

Mayer treats the sayings of Democrats like Feinstein as gospel. It is sufficient for her purposes that Feinstein said something to prove the point. But this is yet another matter with respect to which the interested reader must review the relevant documents with his eyes. I am reposting the less redacted version of the referral at the bottom of this post.

The referral is based on Steeles misrepresentations to the FBI. Steele told the FBI he was not meeting with the press about his dossier and the related FBI investigation. In reality, Steele was meeting with Michael Isikoff, David Corn, Jane Mayer and others. It has been widely reported that the FBI terminated its relationship with Steele as a result of his misrepresentations.

Mayer (again) channels Steele and quibbles on his behalf. Mayer writes: The F.B.I., which had hoped to protect its ongoing probe from public view, was furious. Nunes, in his memo, claimed that Steele was suspended and then terminated as a source. In reality, the break was mutual, precipitated by Steeles act of conscience (i.e., going to the press).

Mayer turns the scene into classic comedy. Her Steele tells the FBI at the climactic moment: You cant fire me, I quit! As I say, you dont have to be a sophisticated reader to see that Mayer is an unreliable narrator. Its what Steele told her and thats good enough for her. She turns it into another sign and token of his heroism (an act of conscience). This is enough to make me question Mayers (i.e., Steeles) account of Steeles voluntary departure from MI-6.

Grassley Referral (Less Redacted Version) by Scott Johnson on ScribdThe news on the economic front continues to be excellent. The Labor Departments February jobs number came in at 313,000, smashing all forecasts. In addition, jobs numbers for both December and January were upgraded. The number of those employed surged in February by 785,000.

The sectors where jobs increased the most are significant, too:

Construction jobs led the way, with 61,000 new positions, followed by retail and professional and business services (50,000 apiece), manufacturing (31,000) and financial activities (28,000). Health care added 19,000 while mining saw 9,000 new jobs.

The Dow closed today up 440 points. The market obviously has gotten over the minor vapors caused by President Trumps announcement that he intended to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

I dont believe we have commented on Trumps steel and aluminum tariff orders since they were issued yesterday. At risk of immodesty, I think my reaction to Trumps initial announcementOn Tariffs, Hold the Hysteriahas been borne out. Trump excluded Canada and Mexico from his orders, referring such discussions to the NAFTA process. He also left room for any other country to negotiate its own exclusion from the order.

My guess is that Trump will use this procedure to redress trade wrongs that he thinks are being committed by countries like China as the price of resuming tariff-free shipments of steel and aluminum products to the U.S. And there are, indeed, grievances to be addressed, after eight years of an administration that was uninterested in looking out for American interests. Deals will be made, and America will benefit. How much will remain of the tariffs at the end of this process, and how much benefit will accrue to the U.S. steel industry, remains to be seen. I suspect Trump sees this as a win-win: if he can make a deal with a country like China that brings consideration in exchange for tariff relief, great. If not, so be it: the tariff will remain in place, and to that extent, the domestic steel or aluminum industry will benefit.

I find this approach hard to criticize, and apparently the stock market does, too.

UPDATE: This tweet by President Trump adds support to my view of his approach to trade:Facebook has come under heavy fire from the New York Times and the Washington Post for uncritically spreading Russian misinformation. But Lee Smith makes a strong case that the Times and the Post are guilty of the same offense on a larger scale.

These organs spread Russian propaganda via Russia Beyond the Headlines, a multi-page full-color broadsheet laid out just like a newspaper and distributed for newspapers like the Times and the Post to insert  for a fee. Russia Beyond the Headlines was produced by the state-owned publisher Rossiyskaya Gazeta. According to Smith, it serves not only Russian national interests but, inevitably, also the personal interests of Vladimir Putin. The Institute of Modern Russia, a New York think tank run by Pavel Khodorkovsky, found that a Russia Beyond insert in the largest German newspaper, Suddeutsche Zeitung, featured an article attacking Khodorkovskys father, a onetime oligarch imprisoned and later pardoned by Putin.

The Washington Post inserted Russia Beyond the Headlines into its newspaper until 2015, according to Smith. The New York Times still does.

What is the nature of these inserts? Says Smith:

Russia Beyond paints a picture of a normal country, with normal concerns, including reviews of Moscows trendy restaurants and reports from the latest ComiCon. The Russia depicted in its pages isnt working with Iran and the Syrian regime to slaughter civilians and gas children. Rather, its a global actor in good standing, whose citizens dont understand why the United States and European Union placed sanctions on their country in response to the invasion of Ukraine and annexation of Crimea.

The insert contains only a small disclaimer right below the masthead, in light typeface, explaining that its an advertising feature. From personal experience, I can say the disclaimer is easy to miss.

Thus, as Smith says, it turns out that, like Facebook, the New York Times and Washington Post were among those taking money to distribute Russian propaganda. Neither paper will say how much money it received, but Smith believes the amounts were significant and, in all events, far greater than what the Russians paid Facebook:

In 2008 the Daily Telegraph was reported to have earned nearly 40,000 pounds a month (perhaps $57,000 to $80,000) to distribute the insert. Russia Beyond likely paid several million dollars to the Times and Post combined over more than a decade. By comparison, Facebook was paid roughly $100,000 by Russian-linked disinformation sources during a nearly two-year period.

The standard defense of newspapers using these inserts is that readers are smart enough to see the material for what it is  propaganda. I think thats generally true.

But the same can be said, probably with greater plausibility, about Russian propaganda on Facebook. As Smith says, Russias Facebook ads appeared in a medium that even minimally savvy news consumers treat with deserved circumspection.

By contrast, being bundled within the pages of the countrys two top newspapers gave Russia Beyond at least the patina of respectability. Indeed, the very fact that the Post and the Times would use the insert signaled that they didnt (and in the Times case, still doesnt) consider Russia beyond the pale.

Yet, Russia invaded Georgia in 2008. It annexed Crimea in 2014. That year, it also initiated an armed conflict in the Donbas region of Ukraine.

Since 2011, it has backed the murderous Assad regime in Syria. And in 2015, it began murdering Syrians on Assads behalf.

Somehow, though, the Post saw nothing wrong, until 2015, with taking money to promote the menace that is Putins Russia. The Times still sees nothing wrong with this.

I consider the distribution of Russia Beyond to be actual collusion with Russia on the part of the Times and the Post, not the fanciful kind of collusion these left-wing resistance organs imagine Donald Trump has engaged in.The Democratic Party New York Times headlines: The Stormy Daniels Scandal Gets Serious. Lets just pause on that. President Trumps alleged dalliance with Ms. Daniels occurred, if it occurred at all, 12 years ago. Long before he was a presidential candidate, let alone president. How much interest has the Democratic Party New York Times shown in sexual relationships entered into by John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, or any other Democrat more than a decade before entering public life? Nevertheless, the Times argues that this is somehow a big deal:

As this drama unfolds, its becoming clear that, for all its sordid details, it isnt really a sex scandal. Its a campaign finance scandal, a transparency scandal and potentially part of an ongoing national security scandal. Its salacious and absurd, but we should take it seriously.

But the Timess explanations of why Stormy Daniels is suddenly relevant are laughable, e.g., the payment that Trumps lawyer supposedly made to Ms. Daniels should have been reported as an in-kind contribution to his campaign. Right. The Times soon goes around the bend:

Finally, the Daniels story is germane to the overriding scandal of the Trump administration, the one involving Trumps relationship with Russia. Christopher Steele, the British ex-spy who compiled an infamous dossier of opposition research on Trump, wrote that Russia could blackmail Trump with evidence of his sexual perversion. Nothing we know of Daniels confirms the dossiers outre claims about what such perversion entailed. The NDA does, however, show that Trump was susceptible to blackmail.

Earth to the New York Times: Donald Trump doesnt have a relationship with Russia! This is a bizarre fantasy that makes the Times and other Democrats look stupid. In any event, Stormy Daniels has nothing to do with Russia, one way or another. And for the Times to accuse our president of sexual perversion, on the basis of absolutely zero evidence, is a low blow even by the standards of the Democratic Party press. (On a positive note, it is good to see that the Times thinks there still is such a thing as sexual perversion. That seems like an old-fashioned notion in todays era of let a thousand gender identities bloom.)

The left-wing press is working overtime today to make the 12-year-old Stormy Daniels story into news. Why? I dont think the answer is hard to find. President Trumps administration, so far, has been remarkably successful. At home, the rate of economic growth has doubled, millions more are employed, wages are rising, the stock market is soaring, moribund industries are coming back to life. Abroad, American interests are being asserted; NATO allies have increased their contributions to mutual defense; the administration is standing up to Russia and China; after many years of inaction, the menace of North Korea is being confronted; and so on. The Democratic Party is trying to distract voters from these accomplishments with irrelevant stories about a former porn star.

Dont let them get away with it.( Read 9194 Times)

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Mumbai: The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), the nodal body for all cine employees hosted a formal get-together and benevolence meeting with the leaders of the 22 crafts unions associations affiliated to it on 7th March 2018 at Pathare Prabhu Hall, Andheri (West), Mumbai.FWICE President B.N. Tiwari and General Secretary Ashok Dubey with their office bearers representing the rights and privileges of cine workers had initiated this meeting over sumptuous food to discuss to the key policies pertaining to the welfare of the cine artistes, technicians and workers with film and television producers union leaders too.The gathering even witnessed union that had separated from the federation earlier like Asias largest film labor union, Film Studios Setting & Allied Mazdoor Union (FSSAMU) whose ex-chairman was veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty and now is chaired by the dynamic and dashing MLA Ram Kadam. Gangeshwarlal Shrivastav a.k.a. Sanju, the brave and undaunted General Secretary of FSSAMU attended this meeting which was well received.T.P. Aggarwal  filmmaker and President of Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association (IMPPA), Ashoke Pandit - a filmmaker and social activist and the Vice President of (IMPPA) and ex-president of Indian Films & Television Directors Association (IFTDA), Sushant Singh  actor and General Secretary of Cine & TV Artistes Association (CINTAA), Gajendra Chauhan  actor and ex-chairman of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Prabhat Pandey  secretary of Western India Film Producers Association (WIFPA), actor Abhimanyu Singh, Mahamandelshwar Sanjay Giri Maharaj, Ashfaque Khopekar  President of Dadasaheb Phalke Film Foundation Awards, Sharad Devram Shelar  filmmaker and hotelier and many other prominent office bearers of the association were also present on the occasion.The threesome viz B.N. Tiwari, Gangeshwarlal Shrivastav, and Ashok Dubey took turns in felicitating and honoring all the union leaders and guest with bouquets and glory. The combination of these three men looked like a power of strength who together will successfully maneuver the herculean task of providing the rights and welfare of cine employees of FWICE and taking it to greater heights by leaving no stone unturned.Speaking on the occasion, B.N. Tiwari, the President of FWICE said, We all are like a family and stay bonded. Together we have organized this mammoth gathering for harboring proper and effective communications like a joint family and help each other in their needs. He further added, We do not intend to harass any film or television producers. We would like to co-operate and work in hands like a team. We would not stop the shooting, but will negotiate our cine workers genuine demand and work conditions. Thus we should think of each other and come to terms.Apart from the President and General Secretary of FWICE, their Senior Vice President - Raja Khan, Vice President Sangam Upadhyay, Joint Secretaries  Stalin Dsouza and Rajan Singh, Treasurer  Wasim Quresh and all the respective heads of all the affiliated 22 unions came together under one roof to make the event a grand and memorable one.( Read 18604 Times)

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As the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) examination for Class X and XII begin, Mirinda announced its association with the Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Healthcare to help provide practical solutions for students to overcome exam-related stress. The collaboration comes as a part of Mirindas Release The Pressure campaign, which addresses the issue of parental pressure as well as fear, stress and anxiety among students during exams.At the heart of this associationis the fact that students are under extreme exam stress and it is important to release them off this pressure. #ReleaseThePressure focusses on the philosophy of 45/15, one which encourages them to take a break of 15 minutes after every 45 minutes of studying. This philosophy counters the common belief that studying for long stretches helps retain more.In addition to raising awareness about 45/15 philosophy, the two entities have set up a 24*7 helpline number, +91 83768 04102, for parents and students to gain instant access to expert psychologists.Through this helpline number,which is also printed on all Mirinda bottlelabels, trained counsellors are interacting and counselling parents and students to help them deal better with exam stress. The helpline has been receiving over 500 calls per day from over 70 cities in India, including Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Chennai, Latur, Jammu, Faizabad, Jalandhar, Moradabad, Kanpur, Pune, and Varanasi. The trained experts will also help callers learn constructive ways to study better, retain what they have learnt and manage their stress.Dr. Samir Parikh, Director, Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Healthcare said, Exam stress is a far more prevalent problem in our nation than we realize. Society as a whole needs to acknowledge the intensity of the problem and take effective measures to help students cope with the pressure. Through Fortis and Mirindas partnership, we want to encourage students to incorporate effective study habits, especially those that include following the 45/15 minutes schedule. Following the 45/15 philosophy will help students not only maximize their attention and concentration span, but also optimize retention. We are proud to be a part of an initiative such as Release The Pressure, which acknowledges an increasingly dominant problem and aims to bring about a change through its initiatives.Speaking about the partnership, Mr. Gaurav Verma, Associate Director, Flavors Marketing, PepsiCo India said, With the second edition of Mirindas Release the Pressure campaign, we want to take a solution driven approach. With a credible partner like Fortis, our aim is to provide a holistic solution to the problem of exam pressure. Seasoned psychologists at Fortis are available 24*7 to speak to both, parents and students, and provide them with real-time solutions for constructive learning. We are glad that people are seeking help and reaching out to experts to provide them with solutions to beat the exam stress, and are hopeful that in years to come people will be more equipped to manage the exam stress.SAFETY FIRST

( Read 13205 Times)



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Kalpesh Chand Rajwar belongs to Rajput family from RawlaNogava, Chakkarpur, Uttarakhand. He married to Lalita Rajya Lakshmi Chand she belongs to Rajput family from RawlaKanchanpur, Nepal, He is caring 15 years of rich healthcare experience in Sales & Marketing. Earlier he worked with Max Healthcare Delhi, Fortis Healthcare Delhi, Apollo Hospital Ludhiana (Punjab) and presently associate with Fortis JK Hospital, Udaipur as Head-Sales & Marketing. As per him - is a state of being protected from potential harm or something that has been designed to protect and prevent harm. Patient safety is an attribute of health care systems that minimizes the incidence and impact of adverse events and maximizes recovery from such events. In this unpredictable work environment safety is essential to both the care provider and the receiver. To develop and maintain a safe, healthy and accident free environment, the management of Fortis JK Hospital Udaipur, has established a Safety & Health Management System which incorporates a full range of control measures and processes that may be used to limit, reduce, or eliminate the probability that an undesirable outcome will occur.

Hospitals are hazardous workplaces and face unique challenges that contribute to the risk of injury and illness. Fortis JK Hospital provides safe services not only to the Patients, but also to the attendants/visitors of the patient & staff working in the hospital.

Safety can be achieved with initiatives such as  Early detection of the problems, containment of the aforementioned problem, rapid and effective response and preventive planning so as to maintain a safe environment in future. To ensure such continuity in this methodology various process is kept in place such as SAFETY CODES & Mock Drills for Disaster Management, Routine Facility Safety Rounds, Patient Safety Program & Continuous Staff & Visitor Education and Training Programs. The whole process is overlooked by the Quality & Patient Safety Committee and they formulate the rules and guidelines for maintaining a safe and secure environment as well as promoting an attitude of patient centricity and safety-first culture among all. The Hospital ensure that safety activities are carried out by sub entities such as Patient Safety Officer, Radiation Safety Officer, Infection Control Officer, Chief Security Officer & Fire Safety Officer. Each of them are assigned a separate role and designated specific work in such a way that no aspects of Hospital Safety are left unattended.

Why Safety Program? The answer to it lies in the improvement in Care and the increase in Patient & Employee satisfaction at workplace. Safety program encourages the staff as well the patients to report incidents that cause harm or has the potential to cause harm. Such reported incidents undergo a Root Cause Analysis which helps the Safety Team to prevent such occurrences in future. Though it is a tedious and difficult process but the fruits bore from it helps in making healthcare a more satisfying and rewarding profession. This is still a new path and has a long way to go and if all adapt to it then in near future SAFETY WILL NOT BE A VISION BUT A REALITY.



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Your Comments ! Share Your OpenionGiven this background, the 2018 Global Blockchain Investment Summit jointly hosted by GBIB (iBankey), HYSTA, and Influence Chain will take place in Silicon Valley on Friday, March 30. The event will bring together blockchain technical experts, top investors, successful entrepreneurs, and seasoned lawyers to hold discussions on the frontier topics related to blockchain technologies as well as business startup and investment opportunities, aiming to promote interactions and resource sharing among industry leaders as well as to explore cooperation opportunities.

Some topics to be discussed during the summit include:

Blockchain Primary Market Investment;

Identity Token Value;

Trading or Investing;

Blockchain Technology Development; and

Diversified Blockchain Applications.

Meanwhile, the Blockchain Investment Business College created by GBIB in cooperation with leading Silicon Valley organizations will also be officially inaugurated on March 30, 2018. The first cohort of students will take a 7-day investment course delivered by top ten investors in the world. They will also take a study tour to nearly 20 companies.

This will be a major event for the world's top blockchain experts and investors to hold discussions about a phenomenon that is overwhelming the whole world!

Official website and gateway to sign up for the event:

https://www.blockchain-summit.org

GBIB (iBankey) is a boutique investment bank focusing on the blockchain industry. The company sees a promising future in the new economic systems created by the vertical ecosystems such as blockchain technologies, digital currencies, and exchanges, and hopes to provide help for investors and projects today in the rapidly developing blockchain industry by leveraging its expertise and global team. GBIB serves both investors and projects. Its investor services mainly include due diligence and consulting; and its project services mainly include financial consulting, strategic analysis, financing, and global market development. GBIB has a team of professional investment analysts and a large number of high-net-worth LPs. Most of its founding team members are from professional investment banks such as Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and CICC. They have a lot of experience in finance and investment. Headquartered in Singapore, GBIB has partner investment organizations in Silicon Valley, New York, London, Toronto, and Tokyo.

Influence Chain is the world's first decentralized data engine for the value of influence. It is dedicated to using blockchain and distributed storage technologies to create a global ecosystem focusing on the value of influence. Registered in 2017, the Influence Chain Foundation is an influence platform spontaneously organized and operated by developers and enthusiasts from multiple countries around the world. Its goal is to uncover people with a public visibility or social influence in various industries and sectors, and demonstrate their value on the new dimensions through blockchain technologies. Influence Chain has created an ecosystem based on tokens as well as a value trading platform designed to serve the influence economy by leveraging the features and advantages of blockchain, so as to convert influence (personalized intellectual property right) into the digital asset of token holders. Among them, Influence Exchange (INEX) is a global application platform focusing on digital assets built by Influence Chain based on the conversion of the value of celebrity's influence. Today, Influence Chain has been successfully established in Asia and Europe. It has strategic partner organizations and teams in countries including South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Austria, and Switzerland.

HYSTA was created by Silicon Valley's first-generation Chinese tech entrepreneurs in 1999, aiming to promote the interactions between China and the United States through technology and cultivate the next-generation tech innovators with a global vision. Leading Silicon Valley Chinese entrepreneurs Chen Hong, Deng Feng, and Zhu Min used to serve as the chairman of HYSTA. The current chairman is David Chen, the former president of Pactera. As the most influential non-profit organization in promoting the technology exchange between China and the United States today, HYSTA already has tens of thousands of members, and its annual conference has attracted speakers who are celebrities in the United States such as former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. HYSTA has played a major role in helping increase the visibility and influence of Chinese Americans in the United States as well as in promoting the in-depth interactions between China and the United States in the technology industry. In 2002, the Businessweek magazine called HYSTA "a bridge connecting China's business stars to the United States".

More information

Official website: www.influencechain.org

YouTube: https://youtu.be/j15Upq7JW2k

Facebook: www.facebook.com/influencechain

Twitter: twitter.com/InfluencerChain

Instagram: influence_chain

Media Contact:

Ricky Li

+65-6708-8200

[email protected]

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/652301/2074037_1_1.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/650963/WechatIMG208.jpg

Related Links

http://www.influencechain.org



SOURCE Influence ChainGANTERSCHWIL, Switzerland, March 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

The Board of Directors of Berlinger Special AG has resolved that the company will cease production of its doping control kits in the medium term. To avoid jeopardizing current anti-doping activities, the company will continue to supply its present customers at their request for a transitional period, in agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Eastern Swiss technology company Berlinger Special AG has been manufacturing doping control kits featuring special security containers since the 1990s. The kits are used all over the world, and Berlinger's involvement reflects a long-standing commitment to ensuring fair and clean sporting competition.

Increasingly institutionalized forms of doping malpractice have steadily raised and changed the demands on these anti-doping kits over the years. "These developments are not only damaging to sport: they have become increasingly incompatible with our corporate values and core competencies," says Chairwoman of the Board Andrea Berlinger. "And in view of this, we have taken the strategic decision to make an orderly withdrawal from this business segment over the next few months, and to focus on the high-tech core business of Berlinger & Co. AG."

No doping control vacuum

Berlinger Special AG recently ceased supplying its doping control kits, following cases of breakages of the glass bottles used at a small number of laboratories and in materials tests conducted by the bottle supplier and the EMPA Swiss federal materials testing institute. The test results confirmed, however, that the risk of such breakage is a manageable one.

In view of this, in agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (as the regulatory body) and at the request of existing customers, Berlinger is willing to meet the continued demand for the BEREG-Kits used at the recent PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games for as long as stocks last. This will ensure - in as much as Berlinger is able to do so - the continued conducting of doping controls in the immediate future, and the avoidance of any gap therein.

The Board of Directors of Berlinger Special AG will decide on the concrete arrangements for the company's withdrawal from the doping control kit segment in due course. Toggenburg-based Berlinger & Co. AG will in future specialize on its core high-tech cold chain monitoring business activities.

Further information:

Berlinger Special AG

c/o KMES Partner I Klaus

Hans Klaus

Basteiplatz 7

8001 Zurich

Switzerland

Phone: +41-43-544-17-44

eMail: [email protected]

SOURCE Berlinger Special AGWorld's Most Famous Building Unveils Dynamic New Lighting Tradition on Daylight Savings

NEW YORK, March 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Empire State Building (ESB) today announced it will sparkle its world-famous LED lights daily for five minutes every hour between sunset and 2:00 a.m. ET. The hourly sparkle will commence on Sunday, March 11, 2018, to mark setting the clock forward by one hour to celebrate warmer and sunnier days ahead. New Yorkers and visitors alike can now use the Empire State Building not only as a compass in New York City but also as a clock.

ESB celebrates many cultures and causes in the world community with iconic lightings. Its tower lights recognize key milestones, events, charitable organizations, countries and holidays, a tradition which began in 1932 when a simple searchlight was used to announce the election of New York-born Franklin Delano Roosevelt as President.

In 2012, ESB upgraded its tower lighting system from floodlights to LED tower lights, which allows customized light capabilities from a palette of over 16 million colors in limitless combinations along with effects. Since then, ESB has debuted iconic music-to-light shows designed by world-renowned lighting designer Marc Brickman, featuring music from such stars as Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Zedd and Taylor Swift.

"Just as the world defines the New York City skyline by our famous silhouette, our iconic tower lights are the globally recognized icon of the New York City skyline at night," said Anthony E. Malkin, Chairman and CEO of Empire State Realty Trust. "We are excited to unveil the new sparkle effect which will permanently enhance the New York skyline."

Visitors and locals are encouraged to share pictures and videos of the sparkling lights and share on their social channels with the hashtag #ESBsparkle.

About the Empire State Building

Soaring 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan (from base to antenna), the Empire State Building, owned by Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., is the "World's Most Famous Building." With new investments in energy efficiency, infrastructure, public areas and amenities, the Empire State Building has attracted first-rate tenants in a diverse array of industries from around the world. The skyscraper's robust broadcasting technology supports major television and FM radio stations in the New York metropolitan market. The Empire State Building was named America's favorite building in a poll conducted by the American Institute of Architects, and the Empire State Building Observatory is one of the world's most beloved attractions as the region's #1 tourist destination. For more information on the Empire State Building, please visit www.empirestatebuilding.com, www.facebook.com/empirestatebuilding, @EmpireStateBldg, www.instagram.com/empirestatebldg, www.youtube.com/esbnyc or www.pinterest.com/empirestatebldg/.

About Empire State Realty Trust

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT), a leading real estate investment trust (REIT), owns, manages, operates, acquires and repositions office and retail properties in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area, including the Empire State Building, the world's most famous building. Headquartered in New York, New York, the Company's office and retail portfolio covers 10.1 million rentable square feet, as of December 31, 2017, consisting of 9.4 million rentable square feet in 14 office properties, including nine in Manhattan, three in Fairfield County, Connecticut, and two in Westchester County, New York; and approximately 700,000 rentable square feet in the retail portfolio.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/652613/Empire_State_Realty_Trust_new_sparkle_light_display.jpg

Related Links

http://www.esbnyc.com



SOURCE Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.Hon'ble Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh felicitated the winners of HCL Grant 2018 at a ceremony held today at HCL Technologies Campus, Noida. Three NGOs across the categories of Education, Healthcare and Environment won a grant of up to INR 5 crores each.

(Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/652559/HCL_Grant.jpg )



The occasion was also graced by Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Hon'ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture and Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, diplomats, dignitaries, senior bureaucrats, Shri Shiv Nadar, Founder & Chairman, HCL, Smt. Roshni Nadar Malhotra, CEO, HCL Corporation and Chairperson of the CSR Committee for the HCL Technologies Board, Shri C Vijayakumar, President & Chief Executive Officer, HCL Technologies and HCL Group leadership.

Recipients of HCL Grant 2018 are:

Health - Eleutheros Christian Society

Environment - Keystone Foundation

Education - Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind (Sightsavers)

Shri Rajnath Singh, Honorable Home Minister, Government of India said, "I congratulate the HCL Grant winners and HCL for the work they are doing. It is my hope that in the years to come the social value of HCL Foundation will continue to increase."

"It is an innovative step towards re-establishing the value of strong governance in the world of civil society and providing an international visibility to Indian NGOs that are doing path breaking work in the arena of rural development," said Ms Robin Abrams, Former president of Palm Computing and longest-serving Board member of HCL Technologies.

The third edition of HCL Grant witnessed an overwhelming response from around 3,500 applicants out of which nine NGOs were identified for the final Jury evaluation.

Ms. Nidhi Pundhir, Director - CSR and Head - HCL Foundation, said, "The overwhelming response of the development sector to HCL Grant reinforces our commitment to empower the NGOs working towards rural development. We remain committed to supporting organizations that are reaching out to marginalized and underdeveloped rural communities"

HCL Grant supported projects cover 22 Districts with approximately 2450 villages, reaching out to over 6 lac rural beneficiaries. These projects are operational in many states of India, including Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Maharashtra.

For more information please visit http://www.hclfoundation.org/hcl-grant

About HCL Grant

http://www.hclfoundation.org/hcl-grant

About HCL

http://www.hcl.com

SOURCE HCL FoundationNEW DELHI, March 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Vikram Solar, one of India's leading module manufacturer and a prominent rooftop solar & EPC solutions provider signed a Collaboration Agreement with the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), a key player in research, development and innovation. The agreement was exchanged today during Honorable French President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron's India visit . A high efficiency heterojunction module manufactured using both organisations' know-how and technological expertise will be showcased at the Rashtrapati Bhavan during the ISA Founding ceremony on 11th March.

The association will look to enhance research and developments on high efficiency crystalline silicon cells, modules, systems and a host of high efficiency generation and storage technologies for French and Indian markets.

Under the MoU, CEA will share their know-how and technologies in the field of solar energy, storage, smart grid and thermal efficiency while Vikram Solar will apply these technologies in large volume manufacturing with a wider objective of improving solar photovoltaic cells and modules to perform at record-efficiency in energy conversion and simultaneously developing battery solutions by increasing their energy storage capacity. Other advanced research and development areas of collaboration will include crystallization and wafering, mono and bi-facial modules, Agri-photovoltaics, Solar mobility etc. as well as exploring new competitive materials in order to reduce costs.

Mr. Gyanesh Chaudhary, MD & CEO, Vikram Solar Limited, shared on the occasion, "Vikram Solar has always been at the forefront of innovation through research and development that helps India grow and develop and be a more sustainable nation. Our association with CEA will strengthen our focus on newer technology and in turn increase opportunity for both parties to work towards a more sustainable and efficient ecosystem."

Mr. Christophe Gegout, Deputy Chairman of the CEA, commented, "Our association with Vikram Solar comes at a time when the need for renewables is at an all time high in India as well as globally. This is a perfect time for us to leverage our strength in research and development and fuse it with Vikram Solar's long standing position as a leading global solar module player with key focus on quality, technology and innovation."

The CEA carries out research on thermal and photovoltaic solar energy, in support of industrial companies in the sector. In the field of solar thermal energy, the CEA has, within the National Institute of Solar Energy (INES), an R&D platform dedicated to the optimisation of solar thermal systems. The CEA also carries out research on the production of electricity using a thermodynamic process known as concentrating solar power technology. In the field of photovoltaics, the CEA's research is focusing on improving the output and reducing the costs of photovoltaic modules, and also anticipating the problems of integration in the grid which will arise following a massive insertion of renewables in the energy mix. This work, carried out at INES, makes use of its technological platform to manufacture cells and modules and its software platform to simulate the behaviour of a future grid with renewable energy sources, as well as storage and consumption equipments.

About Vikram Solar Limited: Vikram Solar Limited (formerly known as Vikram Solar Pvt. Ltd.) is a leading solar energy solutions provider, specializing in efficient PV module manufacturing and comprehensive EPC solutions. With international presence in 5 continents, the Company is an active contributor in shaping the solar revolution across continents. Carrying forward the extensive manufacturing experience of the Vikram Group, Vikram Solar, since 2006, is building on a 4-decade-old success story.

Vikram Solar's annual PV Module production capacity stands at 1 GW. The Company's products comply with the international standards of quality, reliability and performance. As a fully forward- integrated Solar EPC solutions provider, Vikram Solar deploys world- class technology to design, install and commission solar projects worldwide.

About CEA: The French Atomic Energy and Alternative Energy Commission (CEA, Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives) is a public research agency involved in four major fields: defence and security, nuclear and renewable energy, technological research for industry and fundamental research. With 16,000 researchers and employees, it is a major player in European research and enjoys a growing presence on the world scene.

The activities of CEA-Liten, the technology research institute at CEA Tech dedicated to new energy technologies, are focusing on four key areas: solar energy, batteries, hydrogen and fuel cells, and advanced materials, addressing electricity production, building, transport and mobile electronics as main markets. Its R&D activities for solar technologies are the heart of INES, a major European center dedicated to research, innovation and training on solar energy

Find out more www.cea.fr

SOURCE Vikram SolarIf you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found hereBeijing, March 5 : China on Monday hiked its defence spending to 8.1 per cent of its GDP, pegging its economic growth at 6.5 per cent in 2018.

China's defence budget in 2017 was 7 per cent of the country's GDP and has been in single digit since 2013, but this year's military spending is the highest in three years. The budget of $175 billion is three times higher than India's defence spending.

China's economy, which grew in double-digit for three-decades, has slowed down over the years.

The economic target was announced by Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang when he delivered the work report to the National People's Congress (NPC), China's Parliament which opened on Monday.

China has the world's largest standing Army and spends the most on defence after the US in the world. President Xi Jinping has vowed to make the Chinese Army a modern force by cutting down its troops.

This was mentioned by Li while delivering the work report at the Great Hall where nearly 3,000 Chinese lawmakers had gathered.

"We have completed the task of reducing the armed by 300,000 troops," Li said at the opening session of the NPC.

The two-week Parliament session will be a historic one as the rubber-stamp legislature will remove the two-term cap on the Chinese presidency, giving Xi unfettered power and license to rule until he retires or dies.

The party's powerful Central Committee in February passed a proposal to remove the two-term cap on Chinese presidency -- a move that has startled the world.

China's revered leader Deng Xiaoping in 1980s had restricted the presidential five-year tenure to two to avoid the perils which the cult around Mao Zedong had brought.

In 2017, at the Communist Party's once in a five-year meet, Xi began his second five-term without announcing his successors, a convention his predecessor Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin had followed.

The move was widely speculated as Xi's desire to rule the country of 1.4 billion beyond the customary 10 years.

Xi is China's most powerful leader since Mao. He has been conferred with the status of "core", an honorific given only to Mao and Deng.Washington, March 8 : The attorney representing a porn star who is suing Donald Trump has said that the US President's personal lawyer had a restraining order issued against her and continues to pressurize her to keep silent, a media report said.

Stephanie Clifford, also known as Stormy Daniels, has filed a lawsuit against Trump in which she cites multiple instances of the President's legal counsel, Michael Cohen, working to keep her from speaking out about an alleged sexual encounter, the CNN report said.

Clifford's attorney Michael Avenatti said a private mediator issued the temporary restraining order against her on behalf of Cohen on February 27, and has cautioned Clifford to keep quiet as recently as Wednesday.

"Earlier today (Wednesday), Cohen through his attorney, (Lawrence) Rosen, further threatened my client in an effort to prevent her from telling the truth about what really happened," Avenatti told CNN on Wednesday night.

"We do not take kindly to these threats, nor will we be intimidated."

According to the legal complaint filed in California state court, Clifford is claiming that a non-disclosure agreement is void because Trump never signed it himself.

The "hush" agreement allegedly regards an affair involving the two several years before Trump was in office.

Just weeks before the 2016 election, Cohen paid Clifford $130,000, an admission he made in a statement last month.

"Despite Trump's failure to sign the Hush Agreement, Cohen proceeded to cause $130,000.00 to be wired to the trust account of Clifford's attorney. He did so even though there was no legal agreement and thus no written nondisclosure agreement whereby Clifford was restricted from disclosing the truth about Trump," the document stated.

On Wednesday, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders fielded questions about the payment and said Trump did not know about it, reports CNN.

"Not that I'm aware of," Sanders responded when pressed on whether Trump knew about the payment.

"Anything beyond what I've already given you, I would refer you to the President's outside counsel."

Sanders also said that "the arbitration was won in the President's favour", admitting for the first time that a non-disclosure agreement did exist, and that the President is involved.

When asked about the comments Sanders made regarding the arbitration, Avenatti told CNN: "President Trump hasn't won anything relating to Clifford."London, March 10 : London Mayor Sadiq Khan on Friday published his strategy to tackle violence against women and girls in the British capital, as he promised a record $61.03 million investment up to 2020.

The mayor urged Londoners "to call out sexist and misogynistic attitudes" in his efforts to tackle crimes such as rape, harassment and female genital mutilation (FGM), Xinhua reported.

More funding will be made available for programmes including a new Stalking Threat Assessment Center and a project to rehabilitate perpetrators.

An extra 13 million British pounds will go into sexual violence services. Domestic violence services will get a boost of five million pounds, some $6.93 million.

The mayor's new wide-ranging strategy follows the biggest in-depth consultation with survivors as well as Londoners, police and partners.

It includes measures to tackle rape, sexual assault, trafficking, controlling behaviour, forced marriages, stalking, harassment and misogyny, building on the recent international #MeToo and #TimesUp campaigns.

Latest crime figures showed that on average, 11 women and girls are raped or sexually assaulted in each of the British capital's 32 boroughs every single week, while domestic abuse accounts for a tenth of all crimes reported to the Metropolitan police.

"My new strategy puts forward a comprehensive package of measures to intervene and prevent violence against women and girls, to tackle dangerous individuals who pose a risk in our communities, and to improve services for victims who have already suffered so much," said the mayor.

The new plan for a safer city for women and girls includes prevention, tackling perpetrators and protection of victims.

The prevention efforts cover a wide-ranging program to improve safety in public spaces at all times of day and night including a new Women's Night Safety Charter, partnership to tackle unwanted sexual behaviour on the transport network and a new campaign to tackle attitudes of everyday sexism and misogyny.

On tackling perpetrators, $5.54 million will be earmarked for programs to tackle stalking.

"The safety of all Londoners is my first priority and as a proud feminist I find it simply unacceptable that any woman or girl in our city should experience these devastating crimes," the mayor said.

"I want every woman and girl to be safe and to feel safe wherever they are in our great city -- and will use all the levers available to us at City Hall to make this a reality," he added.Washington, March 10 : A rare signed photo of Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi fetched nearly $42,000 at an auction in US, while more than $53,000 was paid for an extremely rare letter penned by 19th-century German philosopher and communist theorist Karl Marx.

The September 1931 photo, in which Gandhi is seen walking alongside Indian politician Madan Mohan Malaviya after the second session of India's Round Table Conference in London, is signed "MK Gandhi" with a fountain pen, Efe reported.

Gandhi who died in 1948 attended the conference, a British initiative aimed at discussing constitutional reforms in India, as a representative of the Indian National Congress party.

"We are not surprised that this giant of the 20th century still resonates today," RR Auction Executive Vice President Bobby Livingston said of the photo, which was sold on Thursday for $41,806 in Boston.

Marx's letter, dated October 1, 1879, fetched $53,509 at the same auction.

In the letter sent from London, Marx requests copies of his book "Revelations" from noted radical English editor Collet Dobson, the auction house said.

"On my return from the seaside I found your letter d'd 23 September. You will much oblige me by being so kind as to forward me some of the copies of the 'Revelations,' as I have none left," Marx wrote.

"Marx letters are extraordinarily rare and virtually nonexistent outside of institutions -- in almost forty years of business, this is the only one we have ever encountered," Livingston said.United Nations, March 10 : Responding to Islamabad's bid to raise the Kashmir issue for a second day on Friday at the UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva, India denounced Pakistan as a "failed state" where terrorists thrive and Osama Bin Laden received protection, and demanded that it bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai, Pathankot and Uri attacks to justice.

"Even as terrorists thrive in Pakistan and roam its streets with impunity, we have heard it lecture about the protection of human rights in India," Mini Devi Kumam, a Second Secretary at the India's UN Mission in Geneva, said.

"We await credible action by the Government of Pakistan to bring all those involved in the 2008 Mumbai attack and the 2016 Pathankot and Uri attacks to justice," she said.

"The world does not need lessons on democracy and human rights from a country whose own situation is charitably described as a failed state," she added.

Kumam was responding to Tahir Andrabi, Pakistan's UN Deputy Permanent Representative in Geneva, who earlier on Friday invoked Jawaharlal Nehru to make his case for a plebiscite in Kashmir.

Andrabi said that at the heart of the Kashmir problem is the right to self-determination which was conceded by "the first Prime Minister of India, one of the founding fathers of India" and by the UN Security Council through a plebiscite.

Kumum said, "Pakistan keeps referring to UN Security Council Resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir. However, it very conveniently forgets its own obligation under these resolutions to first vacate the illegal occupation of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. It has also blatantly disregarded its other commitments, be it under the 1972 Simla Agreement or Lahore Declaration of February 1999."

Instead, "they continue to support cross-border terrorism in India," she said.

In the Simla Agreement signed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and then-Pakistan President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the two countries agreed that the Kashmir issue is a bilateral issue that has to be resolved without third party involvement.

The Lahore Declaration by Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee of India and Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan commits the two nations to avoid a nuclear arms race.

"It is extraordinary that the state which protected Osama Bin Laden and sheltered Mullah Omar should have the gumption to play the victim," she said.

In "gross violation" of a Council, the UN-designated terrorists like Hafiz Mohammed Saeed are "freely operating with State support, and the UN designated entities are being politically mainstreamed in Pakistan," she added.

Andrabi also accused India of "crimes against humanity" in Kashmir and of escalating ceasefire violations along the line of control and the border with his country as a diversionary tactic.

On Thursday, he said that the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner "must not falter in documenting human rights abuses by India and recognise that root of the problem is illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir."

But "the real problem in the State of Jammu and Kashmir is terrorism, which has constantly received sustenance from Pakistan and territories under its control," Kumam said in reply. "We urge the Council to call on Pakistan to end cross border infiltration; to dismantle special terrorist zones, safe havens and sanctuaries."

"Terrorism is the grossest violation of human rights," Kumam added.

She listed the various human rights violations against minorities in Pakistan and demanded remedies for them.

She said there should be "procedural and institutional safeguards to prevent misuse of blasphemy law; to end forced conversions and marriages of minorities, including Hindu, Sikh and Christian women, to prosecute all such cases; to stop targeting political dissidents and legitimate criticism in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; to stop torture, enforced disappearances and unlawful killing; including that of journalists and activists by its security agencies and prosecute all perpetrators; to stop sectarian violence, systemic persecution and attacks on Muslim minorities, such as Shias, Ahmadiyas, Ismailia and Hazaras."

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in)London, March 10 : Around 180 British troops have been deployed to the English city of Salisbury to aid in the investigation of a nerve agent attack on a former Russian double agent and his daughter, the media reported.

Personnel from the Royal Air Force, British Army and Royal Navy were among those sent to Salisbury on Friday, a Defence Ministry spokesman told CNN on Friday.

Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, were still hospitalised in "very serious condition" after they were poisoned earlier this week, UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd said as she visited Salisbury on Friday.

The pair -- believed by authorities to have been deliberately targeted -- were found slumped on a bench near a shopping centre on the afternoon of March 4.

Rudd visited several of the sites cordoned off by investigators before heading to Salisbury District Hospital.

Detective Sgt. Nick Bailey, a policeman who also fell ill, is in serious condition, but is "conversing and engaging" with visitors, Rudd added.

Authorities earlier revealed 21 people had received medical attention in the aftermath of the incident, but only three people were still being treated Friday, reports CNN.

Identifying the source of the nerve agent continues to be central to the probe but so far, Rudd has refused to name any potential culprits.

"We will have to wait until we're absolutely clear what the consequences could be, and what the actual source of this nerve agent has been," Rudd said.

On Friday, Russian Foreign Ministry Sergey Lavrov said Russia was ready to assist "any investigation" but that it was "not necessary to hurl unfounded accusations on TV".

Skripal is considered a traitor in his native Russia after a 2006 conviction for spying for the UK, for which he was sentenced to 13 years in prison, CNN reported.

He arrived in the UK in 2010 as part of a spy swap between the US and Russia, when the two countries exchanged agents on chartered planes on a runway at an airport in Vienna, Austria.Washington, March 10 : US President Donald Trump will not meet with his North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, until concrete, verifiable actions are taken by North Korea, the White House press secretary said on Friday.

"This meeting won't take place without concrete actions that match the promises that have been made by North Korea," Sarah Sanders said in her daily press conference.

Nor did the spokesperson wish to confirm any place or date when the meeting between Trump and Kim would take place, though the South Korean government had announced that the two leaders would meet before the end of May, Efe reported.

"The president has accepted that invitation on the basis that we have concrete and verifiable steps," she said.

Should it take place, the Trump-Kim meeting will be the first face-to-face meeting in history between the leaders of North Korea and the US.

Sanders said Kim's invitation is the result of the "maximum pressure" campaign waged by Trump, and that as a result, "the president is getting exactly what he wants."

Following the briefing, the White House released a summary of a telephone conversation between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"The two leaders welcomed the prospect of dialogue between the US and North Korea, and committed to maintain pressure and sanctions until North Korea takes tangible steps toward complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearisation," the White House said in a statement.

According to the note, Trump expressed his hope that "Kim Jong-un might choose a brighter path for North Korea's future."

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said earlier on Friday that it would take a few weeks to arrange the meeting between Trump and Kim.

"Now it's a question of agreeing on the timing of the first meeting between the two of them, and that will take some weeks before we get all that worked out," Tillerson said.

The secretary said Trump himself had made the decision to meet with Kim despite their well-publicised trading of insults in recent months, adding that he was not surprised in the least and that his boss had the matter "on his mind for quite some time."

On Thursday at the White House, the head of South Korea's National Security Office, Chung Eui-yong, delivered Trump a message that he had received from Kim during a high-level meeting in Pyongyang.

In an offer aimed at kick starting the negotiations, Kim has pledged to freeze ballistic missile tests and embark upon a denuclearisation process provided his regime is given security guarantees, the South Koreans said.Washington, March 10 : Donald Trump before becoming the US President, personally wrote a letter inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the 2013 Miss Universe pageant which was held in Moscow, a media report said.

At the bottom of the typed letter, Trump scrawled a postscript adding that he looked forward to seeing "beautiful" women during his trip, informed sources told The Washington Post.

Trump, the real estate magnate who owned the Miss Universe pageant, wrote the note at a time when he was looking to expand his brand to Russia.

The letter has been turned over to investigators probing Russia's interference in the 2016 campaign. It is unclear whether Trump's missive was ever delivered to the Russian President - and if so, whether Putin responded.

Meanwhile John Dowd, an attorney for President Trump, said he was not familiar with the letter.

"It's all nonsense," he said.

The White House and attorneys for the Trump Organisation have declined to comment.

At the time, Trump made no secret that he hoped Putin would attend the Miss Universe pageant, which was being held in Russia for the first time, The Washington Post reported.

In a June 18, 2013, tweet, Trump wrote: "Do you think Putin will be going to The Miss Universe Pageant in November in Moscow - if so, will he become my new best friend?"

However, Putin did not attend the pageant and instead sent Trump a "friendly" letter and a gift of a Russian lacquered box.

Over the years, Donald Trump has offered inconsistent stories about whether he met Putin before he became president.

In October 2013, a month before the Miss Universe pageant, he told late-night host David Letterman that Putin was a "tough guy" and that he had "met him once", reports The Washington Post.

During a Republican primary debate in November 2015, Trump said that he knew Putin "very well".

But in July 2016, he told a CBS affiliate in Miami: "I have nothing to do with Russia, nothing to do, I never met Putin, I have nothing to do with Russia whatsoever."Hyderabad, March 10 : Scores of activists were taken into preventive custody across Telangana as a Joint Action Committee (JAC) is gearing up to stage the "Million March" on Saturday to expose the failures of the K.Chandrasekhar Rao government.

The Left parties have supported the JAC's call. However, the city police has denied permission for the rally.

The JAC chairman professor M. Kodandaram announced that the march would be held defying the police order.

A total of 6,000 police personnel have been deployed across the state.

Hyderabad Central zone police imposed restrictions on vehicular movement on Tank Bund.

The police have surrounded Kodandaram's house in Secunderabad's Tarnaka area.

Special police forces, including rapid response teams, have been deployed at the Osmania University, the hotbed of the Telangana movement till 2014.

The first "Million March" was held on March 10, 2011, to highlight the demand of the people of Telangana for a separate state.

As crusader of the movement, Chandrasekhar Rao supported the event.

But, this time, the event is against his rule.

"Just because they have the power, they cannot suppress the right of the people to protest", Kodandaram had said.Seoul, March 10 : Pyongyang on Saturday kept up its usual war rhetoric against Washington in its official media, despite Kim Jong-un's invitation to the US President Donald Trump for a meeting, which has not been mentioned yet in any North Korean state media outlet.

Official North Korean daily, Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the ruling Workers' Party carried an opinion piece which lashed out at the latest US sanctions and said the country would not bow down to pressure by Washington, Efe news reported.

The article said that North Korea would not let the US "determine good and evil" according to their leader and "trample upon justice and truth".

The piece also said that the latest sanctions, announced by Washington on March 7, against the regime for the alleged use of chemical weapons in 2017 to assassinate Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of Kim Jong-un, were "very dangerous" and "might provoke a war".

The text further said that Pyongyang would not bow down to the military power, sanctions and blockades of Washington.

No North Korean media outlet has reported the announcement made by the South Korean delegation that met Kim in Pyongyang this week, which said that the North Korean leader had offered to hold a meeting about denuclearisation with Trump.

Although Trump almost immediately accepted the offer to hold a meeting in May, the White House on Friday tried to tone down the hype and said that the meeting would not take place without "concrete actions" by Pyongyang that prove its will to abandon nuclear arms.

If the encounter materialises, it would be the first meeting between leaders of North Korea and the US after almost 70 years of confrontation that began with the Korean War (1950-53) and 25 years of failed negotiations and tensions due to Pyongyang's nuclear program.Farmers marching under the banner of Maharashtra Rajya Kisan Sabha reach Bhiwandi on March 10, 2018. 30,000 farmers had started marching against failure of the BJP-led government to address ... Image Source: IANS

Farmers marching under the banner of Maharashtra Rajya Kisan Sabha reach Bhiwandi on March 10, 2018. 30,000 farmers had started marching against failure of the BJP-led government to address ... Image Source: IANS

Mumbai, March 10 : A protest march by 30,000 farmers against the failure of the BJP-led government to address agrarian distress, that started from Nashik, reached Bhiwandi on Saturday.

The march led by All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), that started on Tuesday, is expected to reach Mumbai on Sunday.

The farmers plan to stage a protest outside the legislative assembly on March 12, demanding fair remuneration and loan waiver.Before I lose all memory or record of these darkening and disappearing blogs, here are SOME of them (listed by last known year of frequent activity, dead l...

54 minutes agoSan Francisco, March 10 : Microsoft has started selling a customised version of the newly-launched Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ on its store.

The "Microsoft edition" smartphones will give users access to a range of Microsoft's apps such as Excel, Skype, Cortana, OneNote, PowerPoint, Word and Microsoft Launcher after setting up the phone.

"The phones look the same as the standard version at first glance and the hardware is exactly the same. The Operating System (OS) will be the same too. It's the apps that are different," Digital Trends reported late on Friday.

However, the apps will not come pre-installed.

"A Microsoft customisation is applied to the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ 'Microsoft Edition' when the devices are unboxed and connected to Wi-Fi," a Microsoft representative was quoted as saying by Trusted Reviews.

Prospective buyers can pre-order a unit but delivery will begin on March 16.

Microsoft has reportedly said that quantities of the devices are limited.New Delhi, March 10 : External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday called on French President Emmanuel Macron here and discussed ways to further enhance the India-France Strategic Partnership that was forged in 1998.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted that Sushma Swaraj and Macron "exchanged views on further enhancing our strategic partnership in trade and investment, defence and security, culture, education and people-to-people ties".

Earlier in the day, Macron was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here following which he told the assembled media that France should be the best partner for India and the entry point to Europe.

Later in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Macron will hold a bilateral summit after which a number of agreements across multiple sectors are likely to be signed.

Macron arrived here on Friday on a four-day visit to India during the course of which he will co-chair the founding conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) with Modi on Sunday.

The ISA is conceived as a coalition of solar resource-rich countries to address their special energy needs and provide a platform to collaborate on dealing with the identified gaps through a common, agreed approach.

During the course of his stay in India, Macron will also visit Agra and Varanasi and have a town hall interaction with students in New Delhi.

During his visit to Varanasi on Monday, he will inaugurate a 75 MW solar plant built by French firm Engie Solar in Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh.

This is Macron's first visit to India after he assumed office in May in 2017.New Delhi, March 10 : A Nigerian was stabbed to death during a clash between two African groups here, police said on Saturday.

Around 10.30 p.m. on Friday, two groups of people, reportedly from Africa, fought with each other near Chattarpur area in south Delhi. Harry, 30, who was attacked with a knife, was taken to AIIMS, where doctors pronouned him dead.

"The victim was sitting near a tea stall when he was stabbed," police said.

Harry had been staying in a rented accommodation in Rajpur Khurd village in Mehrauli, said police, adding it is ascertaining the reason behind the scuffle.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (south) Romil Baniya said: "We have detained one (Nigerian) suspect, who is being interrogated."New Delhi, March 10 : India and France on Saturday agreed to work together in the Indian Ocean region, strengthen defence cooperation and add new momentum to the fight against terrorism as the two sides signed 14 agreements, including in the areas of space cooperation and high speed railways, following bilateral talks headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron here.

"Both of us agree that the Indian Ocean region will play a significant role in the future for the peace, prosperity and development of the world," Modi said in a joint address to the media along with Macron following the talks.

"Whether it be environment, maritime security and resources, freedom of navigation or overflight, we are committed to strengthen our cooperation," he stated.

Modi said the two countries were releasing a Joint Strategic Vision for cooperation in the Indian Ocean region in what can be seen as a strong China given Beijing's increasing influence in the region.

On his part, Macron said that both France and India are giving a new momentum in their strategic partnership against terror.

Stating that there is a long history of cooperation in defence, security, space and high technology, Modi said that there bipartisan support in both countries on the bilateral relationship.

"We share a deep defence relationship and we see France as one of our most trusted partners in this area," he said.

"All services of our defence forces regularly hold discussions and conduct joint exercises. We have strong ties in defence equipment and production. We welcome France's commitment to Make in India in the defence sector."

The Prime Minister said that an agreement for provision of reciprocal logistics support between the armed forces between the two countries signed on Friday was a golden step towards close defence cooperation.

Modi also said that people-to-people ties, especially the youth, is the most important dimension for the bright future of the bilateral relationship.

"We want our youth to know, see, understand, live, and work in each other's countries so that thousands of ambassadors emerge in the process," he said.

For this, he said, two agreements were signed following Saturday's talks - one on mutual recognition of academic qualifications and the other on mobility and migration partnership.

Modi said that the India-France relationship extends to all areas, including railways, urban development, environment, security and space.

Among the agreements signed were those on cooperation on high speed and semi-high speed rail, sustainable urban development, credit facility of 100 million for funding of smart city projects, exchange of information between the governments and technical experts of the two countries in the field of environment and climate change and provision of end-to-end solution for detection, identification and monitoring of vessels in the regions of interest for France and India.

Macron arrived here on Friday on a four-day visit to India during the course of which he and Modi will co-chair the founding conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) which was launched by the Indian Prime Minister and then French President Francois launched during the Paris climate summit in 2015.

The ISA is conceived as a coalition of solar resource-rich countries to address their special energy needs and provide a platform to collaborate on dealing with the identified gaps through a common, agreed approach.

It is open to all 121 prospective member countries falling between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.

Some 60 countries have signed the framework agreement of the ISA and 30 submitted the instruments of ratification.

The founding conference on Sunday will be attended by 23 of those who have submitted the instruments of ratification and 24 of those who have signed the framework agreement.

Modi said that a number of heads of state and government and ministers from other countries would join him and Macron at the conference.

"We are committed to the success of the International Solar Alliance," he stated.

Earlier on Saturday, Macron was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan following which he told the assembled media that he had three purposes for this visit.

He said the first one is to open a new era in the India-France Strategic Partnership "in terms of defence and security, in terms of research and science, especially in terms of our youth, higher education and science".

"It is absolutely critical because our two democracies have common challenges regarding terrorism, a lot of common risks, a lot of threats," Macron said.

"The second purpose of this trip is to organise this International Solar Alliance (conference)," he said.

"The third objective of this visit is to deliver the message that France should be the best partner for India, especially in Europe, the entry point for Europe.

"And I aim to have more and more Indian citizens coming to France studying, becoming a partner, creating start-ups and I want my country to be your best partner in Europe."

Following the ceremonial reception, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on Macrn discussed ways to deepen the Starteguc Partnership the two countries share.

During the course of his stay in India, the French President will also visit Agra and Varanasi where he will inaugurate a solar power plant built by a French company.Thiruvananthapuram, March 10 : Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala on Saturday urged Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to start the Light Metro project at the earliest, two days after Metroman E. Sreedharan announced that the DMRC was exiting it.

On Thursday, a peeved Sreedharan went public to say that the government failed to sign an agreement with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) even 14 months after it was awarded the project.

Chennithala, in an open letter, said the people of Kerala are "sad to hear that Sreedharan and DMRC had no option but to exit the proposed Light Metro projects" at Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode as the government was silent to repeated demands on going forward with the project.

He said the projects would have ended the traffic woes.

"It should be noted that when Kochi Metro continued to remain a dream, it was Sreedharan who made that into a reality... it beceme the fastest completed metro project in the country.

"It's unfortunate that Sreedharan had to withdraw from a project in his own state and it's a shame for our state... in all fairness to him, you should ask Sreedharan and the DMRC to return and take up the work at the earliest," said Chennithala in his letter.

State Finance Minister Thomas Issac told the media in Delhi on Saturday that no one has any doubts on the credentials of Sreedharan and the only issue was that one has to be extremely cautious on major infrastructure projects.

"We have seen in the past that investment-heavy projects later become a burden to the state exchequer with regards to its sustainability and this has been even pointed out by the courts. Vizhinjam port project is one such case. The state and the Centre are presently reviewing the metro projects and once that is done, further action would be taken," said Issac.

The Light Metro project was budgeted at Rs 6,728 crore, with 60 per cent of the funds to come from foreign funding agencies at a low rate of interest, and 20 per cent each from the state and the Centre.Beijing, March 10 : China is set to scrap the two-term limit for the presidency and vice-presidency on Sunday, giving Xi Jinping the licence to rule the country for life.

With China's largely ceremonial parliament stamping the proposal by the Communist Party, the Middle Kingdom could well be headed for a one-man rule.

Fearing the repeat of excesses of power if anyone again was allowed to rule China indefinitely like Mao Zedong, country's revered leader Deng Xiaoping slashed the term limit for President and vice-president to two -- 10 years.

It is the same restriction, which nearly 3,000 lawmakers -- called deputies of the National People's Congress -- will lift when they vote on Sunday to amend the country's Constitution in a highly choreographed fashion.

Never has China's parliament said no to a diktat by the Communist Party, the country's real boss. The Party is above all.

But it would be interesting to see how many vote against the proposed amendment.

Xi, who came to power in 2013, has emerged as the most powerful leader in China after Mao. He is the General Secretary of the Communist Party and the Chairman of the Central Military Commission -- the top nodal body of the Chinese army.

Although the post of General Secretary is more powerful than that of the President in China, the latter is used to deal with the outside world.

Mao set up the President's office in 1954 and quit the post after five years, giving it to Liu Shaoqi, handpicked by him. Liu was a puppet President and fell out of favour during Mao's Cultural Revolution.

Mao did away with the President's post in 1975 only to for it be revived by Deng in 1982 with a two-term cap after his death.

With the term-limit gone, Xi, who already has a larger than life image in China, can rule the country of 1.4 billion until he retires, dies or is toppled.

There seems no one who could challenge the towering Xi as the potential successors are behind bars apparently on graft charges.

There is no room for dissent in Xi's era, with a heavy censor on the media and civil society.

Xi had made his intention to stay in power beyond 2023 sort of known when he did not name his successor at the party's key once-in-five-years meet last October.

His predecessors, Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin, had conventionally announced their successors.

Xi's move was widely speculated as his desire to cling on to power beyond 10 years, but little was anticipated of the proposal in this regard that came like a bolt from the blue in February 2018.

This has even startled the global community.New Delhi, March 10 : With China's increasing presence in the Indian Ocean Region, India and France on Saturday announced broadbasing of their ties through a joint strategic vision for cooperation in the region that agreed on the need to establish an open, inclusive and transparent cooperation architecture for peace, security and prosperity there.

After talks between visiting French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two sides also signed 14 agreements, including one that prescribes the way forward for the implementation of the Jaitapur nuclear power plant.

In a nine-page joint statement issued after the talks, the two countries reiterated their strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism and terror incidents in France and India.

They also called upon all countries to work towards rooting out terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, disrupting terrorist networks and their financing channels and halting cross-border movement of terrorists like Al Qaeda, Daesh/ISIS, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-eTayabba and their affliates as well as terrorist groups threatening peace and security in South Asia and the Sahel region.

With Modi by his side, Macron told media persons that both France and India are giving a new momentum to their strategic partnership against terror. "We will fight together radicalism and terrorism," he said.

According to the joint strategic vision document, India and France shared concerns over the emerging challenges in the Indian Ocean Region that include maritime traffic security in the face of the threats of terrorism and piracy, especially in the Horn of Africa, and respect of international law by all states, in particular freedom of navigation and overflight, among others.

This can be seen as a strong signal to China given its attempts to increase its footprint in the region.

"Both of us agree that the Indian Ocean region will play a significant role in the future for the peace, prosperity and development of the world," Modi said while addressing the media along with Macron after the talks.

"Whether it be environment, maritime security and resources, freedom of navigation or overflight, we are committed to strengthening our cooperation," he stated.

Though France is not against the recently revived quad of India, the US, Japan and Australia that seeks to work for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, Paris would rather like to work with New Delhi bilaterally in the Indian Ocean Region given that there are around two million French citizens in its territories in the region.

According to the joint strategic vision document, such cooperation between the two sides will help in harnessing the opportunities and meeting the challenges together in the Indian Ocean Region.

"The two leaders are desirous of associating other strategic partners in the growing cooperation between India and France, as and when required and, in this regard, would establish trilateral dialogues," the document stated.

"They also agreed on the need to establish an open, inclusive and transparent cooperation architecture, with the aim of delivering to all associated with the region, peace, security and prosperity."

Modi and Macron decided that both countries would strengthen coordination in existing regional and international bodies to carry out this objective.

"India welcomes the prospect of France's enhanced participation at the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). France congratulates India on its leadership at IORA and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)," document said.

It stated that both countries will be open to inviting strategic partner countries in the region to participate in Indo-French exercises.

Among the agreements signed was a memorandum of understanding between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) of France aimed at co-developing a maritime surveillance satellite system focused on the Indian Ocean and related data fusion mechanisms. This system would significantly strengthen maritime domain awareness in the Indian Ocean region.

The two countries also released a joint vision on space cooperation which envisages, among others, addressing global challenges, including climate change and exploring the solar system and beyond.

According to the joint statement, both sides "agreed to enhance operational cooperation between the Indian and French counter-terrorism agencies and launch a new cooperation effort to prevent and fight radicalisation, in particular online".

With the Nuclear Power Corporation of India and French firm EDF signing the agreement on the way forward for implementation of the Jaitapur nuclear power plant, the joint statement said that the two leaders welcomed the understanding shared by the two parties on the enforcement of India's rules and regulations on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damages applicable to the Jaitapur project.

Stating that there is a long history of cooperation in defence, security, space and high technology, Modi, in his address to the media, said there is bipartisan support in both countries on the bilateral relationship.

"We share a deep defence relationship and we see France as one of our most trusted partners in this area," he said.

"All services of our defence forces regularly hold discussions and conduct joint exercises. We have strong ties in defence equipment and production. We welcome France's commitment to Make in India in the defence sector."

Modi also said that people-to-people ties, especially among the youth, are the most important dimension for the bright future of the bilateral relationship.

"We want our youth to know, see, understand, live, and work in each other's countries so that thousands of ambassadors emerge in the process," he said.

For this, he said, two agreements were signed following Saturday's talks -- one on mutual recognition of academic qualifications and the other on mobility and migration partnership.

Among the other agreements signed were those on cooperation on high speed and semi-high speed rail, sustainable urban development and credit facility of 100 million euros for funding of smart city projects.

Earlier on Saturday, Macron was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan here following which he told the assembled media that France should be the best partner for India and the entry point to Europe.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also called on the visiting dignitary and discussed ways to deepen the Startegic Partnership the two countries share.

Following the bilateral talks, Modi and Macron interacted with CEOs of India and France to take the partnership forward at the CEO's Forum.

There are around 1,000 French companies operating in India with over $7 billion in investments.

Macron, who arrived here on Friday on a four-day visit to India, will on Sunday co-chair with Modi the founding conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) that was launched by the Indian Prime Minister and then French President Francois Hollande during the Paris climate summit in 2015 The ISA is conceived as a coalition of solar resource-rich countries to address their special energy needs and provide a platform to collaborate on dealing with the identified gaps through a common, agreed approach.Gandhinagar, March 10 : Unlike in developed countries, start ups in India do not grow due to lack of enthusiasm from angel investors, Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan said here on Saturday.

"In countries like the US, there are almost five angel investors per start up. In India, however, there is hardly one angel investor for five start ups. I am hopeful this will change."

Also, the current turmoil in the banking system will not affect the start ups, Gopalakrishnan told the media on the sidelines of two-day Empresario StartUp Summit 2018, an annual event by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India.

"As far as community investing is concerned, India is good. But community investing is not in the form of equity investments, but more like debt. We need more equity investments from communities for the start ups in the country to grow."

Gopalakrishnan said he believes India FinTech start ups are one of the best in the world, adding that the country needed a robust ecosystem for the start ups to be successful.Patna, March 10 : Much is at stake at Sunday's by-elections to three Bihar seats -- one Lok Sabha and two assembly seats -- for both ruling BJP-led NDA and opposition Grand Alliance comprising RJD, Congress and HAM-S, barely a year ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Both National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Grand Alliance are using the bypolls as an opportunity to prove their superiority over the other in terms of popularity among the masses.

While the NDA leaders are confident that they will win all the three seats, the Grand Alliance leaders have repeatedly claimed to pull out victory even in the absence of their star campaigner and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad -- behind bars in connection with two fodder scam cases.

The by-elections are set to see direct contests between the NDA led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Grand Alliance, which got its third constituent in the Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular (HAM-S) of Jitan Ram Manjhi, who quit the NDA to switch sides.

The bypolls to Jehanabad and Bhabua assembly seats are being held following the death of sitting legislators from the RJD and the BJP, respectively. The Araria Lok Sabha seat became vacant after the death last year of Mohammad Taslimuddin, the sitting RJD MP.

No matter which way the results go, this by-election provide both BJP and RJD an opportunity to take on each other directly in Bihar, as a precursor to parliamentary polls next year when they will also, most likely, be the main opponents. Ever since the Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal-United (JD-U) joined the NDA back, the BJP has virtually replaced the former as the main rival to Lalu Prasad's RJD.

This has triggered a debate in the political circles whether Nitish Kumar has accepted the role of a junior partner in state politics. By accepting the BJP offer to contest from Jehannabad, after announcing publicly not to fight the by-elections, the JD-U has given an opportunity to the BJP to prove that it is number one in Bihar NDA.

The BJP also ignored the demand of its other smaller ally in the state, Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) of Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha who was also keen to field his candidate from Jehanabad.

A senior BJP leader said that party has decided in favour of the JD-U to contest from Jehanabad to send a political message that the NDA can accommodate its allies to keep the alliance stable.

"BJP has decided to strengthen NDA to defeat RJD and we will win all three seats," said state BJP spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan.

In a similar fashion, the RJD offered Bhabua seat to the Congress at the last moment "to strengthen the Grand Alliance" as the Congress leaders made public their keenness to contest against the BJP from there.

In Araria Lok Sabha seat, the RJD has fielded Sarfaraz Alam -- son of Taslmiuddin -- who was a sitting legislator of the ruling JD-U. Last month, he left the party, and the assembly, to join the RJD. He is also a former legislator from Jokihat in Araria district.

RJD is hopeful of its traditional support base among Muslim-Yadav (MY) combine along with Dalits, which forms a major chunk of the electorate in Araria. The party is also hoping that Alam would get a chunk of sympathy votes for his father.

On the other hand, BJP nominee Pradeep Kumar Singh is hopeful of support among the upper castes and the extremely backward castes, as he had secured 2.61 lakh votes in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, losing to Taslimuddin who had got 4 lakh votes.

"RJD won last time despite the Narendra Modi wave. But this time, there is no such wave. So, we are sure to post a still bigger voctory this time," RJD spokesperson Shakti Yadav said.

The current bypoll equations are also likely to reflect in the seat-sharing between the BJP and the JD-U for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, said a senior JD-U leader who did not want to be named.

"Nitish Kumar is no more what he used to be, as he has lost his bargaining power after returning to the NDA last year," the JD-U leader said.

(Imran Khan can be contacted at imran.k@ians.in)Cairo, March 10 : An Egyptian court on Saturday sentenced 10 persons to death for forming a terrorist cell, the media reported.

Citing MENA news agency, Xinhua reported the Giza Criminal Court said the defendants were found guilty of establishing a terrorist cell that is meant to target public figures, disrupt public security and attack public and private facilities.

Two of the defendants were sentenced in absentia, according to MENA.

The court also sentenced five other members of the cell to 25 years in prison.

Terrorism prevailed in Egypt since the military ousted former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in early July 2013 in response to mass protests against his 12-month reign and his currently outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group.

Terrorist attacks killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers in restive North Sinai province before they gradually spread to other provinces and started to target dozens of Coptic minority with church bombings.

Most of the attacks were claimed by the so-called Wilayat Sinai (Sinai State or Province), a Sinai-based group affiliated with the regional Islamic State (IS) terrorist group.Ichabod explores the Age of Apostasy, predicted in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, with an emphasis on UOJ, Church Growth, and Emergent Church heresies. The antidote to these poisons is trusting the efficacious Word in the Means of Grace. John 16:8. Most readers are WELS, LCMS, ELS, or ELCA. This blog also covers the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, and the mainline denominations.Dharamsala, March 10 : Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama says he doesn't care about how Chinese pressure forced the cancellation of the events of the Tibetan government-in-exile in Delhi to mark 60 years of its exile in India.

Speaking to journalist Vir Sanghvi for CNN News18, the Dalai Lama in a wide-ranging interview said it was more about how you feel for Tibetans and how Tibetans feel for India.

He also spoke about how he was originally influenced by Chinese Marxism and he felt he was a Marxist "as far as social economy is concerned".

The Dalai Lama escaped from Tibet to India in March 1959. The Tibetan government in exile is about to complete 60 years in the country. Amidst the recent tensions with China, the Indian government was reported to have cautioned its senior officials to stay away from events aimed at marking the start of the Dalai Lama's 60th year of exile.

He was asked about the Chinese government's reported indication to India that any official celebration of the 60 years of Tibetans coming to the country would upset it and how he himself was not hurt by New Delhi's decision not to do anything about.

The Dalai Lama said: "I don't care about the formalities, have a formal function and deliver a speech. It doesn't matter, what is important is here (in heart).

"Tibetan people, whether they are at home or away, they have the Tibetan spirit that is wonderful. And I think, a majority -- about 99 per cent of them -- are Buddhists and about 1 per cent comprise Muslims, Christians etc."

Pressed further on how it didn't matter to him, the Dalai Lama replied that the Tibetan knowledge of Buddha dharma teaches "a good self-confidence".

"You see the totalitarian Marxism... very narrow-minded and short-sighted. I must make it clear that as far as Marxism is concerned, as far as social economy is concerned, I am Marxist. Marxist economy emphasises on equal distribution. That's very good. The emphasis and special right is given to the working class people, it's so wonderful."

He said he was originially impressed by Chinese communism that nourished during the time of Mao Zedong.

He also spoke about his demands for autonomy and recalled how in 1974 the Tibetans gradually decided to talk with the Chinese government and gave up their demand for separation or independence "but at the same time not satisfied with the present condition".

"Every Chinese knows that we are not seeking separation... we are simply seeking the right which is mentioned in Chinese constitution ... regarding preservation of our culture, including Tibetan language."

He said the Tibetans established some contacts with successive Chinese governments without any major headway.

"In 2001 or 2002, there was a revival or direct contact under the leadership of (then President) Ziang Zemin. There was a meeting with Chinese officials in 2010 that was the last time. Since then, there has been no direct contact."

Asked about what severed the communication, he said he didn't know but "I think some of them are hard-liners".

He was asked about why he may be the last Dalai Lama and if there would be another Dalai Lama after him.

"As early as 1969, I've mentioned that the very institution of Dalai Lama should continue or not is up to the Tibetan people to decide."Jaipur, March 10 : NPP MLA from Rajasthan Kirodilal Meena has joined the BJP, informed sources said on Saturday. An official confirmation is yet to come.

This will lead to the merger of the National People's Party (NPP), formed by former Lok Sabha Speaker P.A. Sangma, with the BJP in Rajasthan.

BJP media chief Anand Sharma told IANS that an official announcement in this regard will be made soon.

New political equations will be formed in the state with Meena rejoining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after nine years. He will bring four other MLAs with him, the source said.

The BJP will benefit from Meena joining it as he will bring the support of the Meena community.

Meena's brother Jagmohan Meena, sources said, is likely to be the BJP candidate for the Rajya Sabha polls.

Kirodilal Meena left the party in 2008 owing to differences with then Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

In 2008, he contested elections as an independent candidate and supported Ashok Gehlot who became the Chief Minister. His wife Golma Devi Meena served as a state minister under Gehlot's tenure.

In 2013, Kirodilal Meena joined the NPP. During 2014 elections, the NPP declared 200 candidates but got only four seats.

Those who will join the BJP with Meena include his wife Golma Devi, MLA Geeta Verma, Naveen Pilaya and another legislator.Kolkata, March 10 : Congress Rajya Sabha candidate from West Bengal Abhishek Manu Singhvi on Saturday thanked Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee for backing him and said he was happy to be nominated from a state which has an "anti-BJP political space".

Addressing reporters after a meeting with state Congress legislators, Singhvi said: "The arithmetic, history and geography of this state politically shows a huge anti-BJP commonality.

"I am from Rajasthan. But if I am requested to move out of Rajasthan, then I will always want to contest from a land which is the birthplace of Aurobindo, Tagore, Ram Mohan Roy."

"I would like to thank the state's ruling party, and, specially its president and (West Bengal) Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee," he said.

Singhvi said he would "definitely call on her to thank her".

"When I go to meet her will be decided later. But since she has extended support to me, it is my duty to call on her and thank her," he said.

Announcing the names of Trinamool Congress candidates for the elections, Banerjee on Friday said her party would support Singhvi for the fifth seat from the state.

"We will support Abhishek Manu Singhvi of the Congress for the fifth Rajya Sabha seat from Bengal. He fought many cases for us," she had said after the party's extended core-committee meeting here.Kolkata, March 10 : A life-size statue of Michael Madhusudan Dutt, a prominent poet during the 19th century Bengal renaissance, was found defaced in Raniganj of West Bengal's Purba Bardhaman district on Saturday, police and eye-witnesses said.

Dutt's face was smudged with red colour by unknown miscreants, triggering condemnation in the political circles as also among the locals.

The act was discovered by morning walkers, who reported to the police .

The Asansol municipality workers then washed and cleaned the statue.

Dutt was one of the first Indians to write poems in English, and converted to Christianity in his young age. A scholar -- he knew a number of languages, including Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, Dutt was also a playwright.

The attack on Dutt's statue is only the latest in a series of acts targeting statues of political icons and country's leaders.

Communist revolutionary Vladimir Lenin's statues were vandalised in Tripura amid post-poll violence earlier this month.

Statues of Mahatma Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, E.V. Ramaswamy, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Syama Prasad Mookerjee have been attacked at various places in the country since then.Accra (Ghana), March 10 : Indian universities have embarked on a recruitment drive to attract African students into their institutions.

The Indian universities, through expos, with promises of affordable fees and high educational standards compared to those in Europe and America, are trying to attract African students, Nitesh Mahajan, Assistant Director of international admissions, Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, has told IANS.

Mahajan, who was in the Ghanaian capital Accra, along with other representatives of Indian universities at this year's Indian Education Expo with over 100 Indian universities, said, African students enjoy the freedom that they expect in any institution outside their country and said: "Indian universities provide much more for the African students in addition to the fact that the fees are affordable."

He said, Indian higher institutions face a stringent quality assurance mechanism from the statutory bodies including the University Grant Commission (UGC) and the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) as well as the various professional councils.

Organisers of the Expo, the second to be held in Accra said, the studies in India has a personal approach through the Gurukul system where a teacher interacts on one-on-one basis with students in order to help them find solutions to difficulties they faced.

"In addition, India has a large number of international students coming from all parts of the world to pursue their desired careers in Indian institutions. India also make the efforts to help foreign nationals feel at home and help them to integrate with the rest of the students community," the organisers said.

"India's higher education is third largest in the world, after China and the US," the organisers said, adding: "The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) has been globally acclaimed for their student of undergraduate education in engineering."

What has turned India into a hub for international higher education is the fact that the universities also provide opportunities for continuing education to those who missed completing school education and higher education.

The organisers said, there about 1.4 million students enrolled at secondary and higher secondary education through open and distance learning.

"At the higher education level, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) co-ordinates distance learning and has a cumulative enrolment of about 1.5 million, serviced through 53 regional centres and 1.400 study centres with 25,000 councils," the organisers said.

"The Distance Education Council (DEC), and authority of the IGNOU is co-ordinating 13 state open universities and 119 institutions of correspondence courses in conventional universities."

Another feature of Indian education is the fact that, the courses as well as professionals trained in Indian educational institutions are recognised the world over with over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies regularly participate in campus placements in Indian institutions.

(Francis Kokutse can be contacted at fkokutse@gmail.com)Patna, March 10 : Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav and former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi are likely to attend the dinner hosted by former Congress President Sonia Gandhi in Delhi on March 13, an RJD leader said on Saturday.

Tejashwi Yadav, who is also a former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and younger son of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad, has been invited to the dinner by Sonia Gandhi, the party leader close to him said here.

In the absence of Lalu Prasad, Tejashwi Yadav would be the main player for RJD, an ally of the Congress party.

Lalu Prasad is currently lodged in a jail in Ranchi in connection with two fodder scam cases.

Danish Rizwan, the spokesperson of Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular (HAM-S), said Sonia Gandhi had invited the party chief to the dinner. "Manjhi will attend the dinner," he said.

Manjhi's HAM-S on February-end formally joined the Grand Alliance of RJD and Congress, hours after he announced its exit from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Sonia Gandhi is understood to have invited the opposition leaders for the dinner to discuss the political situation in the country, ahead of the next Lok Sabha polls likely early next year.New Delhi, March 10 : UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi has invited DMK working president M.K. Stalin for dinner on March 13, which will be attended by leaders from various parties from different states, who are not part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Congress sources said on Saturday.

However, Stalin will not be able to attend the dinner as the assembly session in Tamil Nadu is beginning from March 15, said a DMK leader.

"Yes, he (Stalin) has been invited, but since the assembly session in Tamil Nadu is starting March 15, he may not be able come. Kanimozhi will be attending the dinner," DMK leader T.K.S. Elangovan told IANS.

Gandhi is going to host the opposition leaders over dinner amid suggestions to forge a common front against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the run-up to 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Bihar Leader of Opposition and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, and former state Chief Minister and chief of Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular Jitan Ram Manjhi have also been invited to attend the dinner, leaders of the two parties said.

In the absence of Lalu Prasad, Tejashwi Yadav is the main player for Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) -- an ally of the Congress party and the lead constituent of the three-party Grand Alliance in Bihar.

Lalu Prasad is currently lodged in a jail in Ranchi in connection with two fodder scam cases.

The latest entrant to the Grand Alliance and its third constituent is Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular (HAM-S).

The dinner, which the sources described as "customary", comes amid renewed push by opposition parties to take on the Narendra Modi government on several issues including the Rs 12,600-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.

Congress and 17 other opposition parties have been holding meetings since the presidential and vice presidential elections last year to take similar stance on common issues against the BJP.

Sonia Gandhi had last month said that she will work with like-minded political parties to defeat the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha election.Kuala Lumpur, March 11 : Congress President Rahul Gandhi said on Saturday that he and his sister Priyanka Gandhi had "completely forgiven" their father Rajiv Gandhi's killers.

LTTE, a militant organisation from Sri Lanka, led by Prabhakaran was blamed for plotting and executing the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

When asked during an interactive session here if he and his sister Priyanka Gandhi had forgiven his father Rajiv Gandhi's killers, Gandhi said: "We were very upset and hurt and for many years. We were quite angry. But, somehow, completely...in fact, completely (forgiven).

"When one realises that when these events take place, its collision of ideas, forces, confusion. That's where you get caught. When I saw Prabhakaran lying dead on TV, I got two feelings - first was why they are humiliating this man in this way.

"And second was...I felt really bad for him and for his kids," said Gandhi during the interactive session.

"We have been through this experience, so we understand. I literally find it difficult to hate people, even my sister does. I don't like any kind of violence."

Gandhi also said: "We knew that my father was going to die. We knew that my grandmother was going to die. In politics, when you mess with the wrong forces, and if you stand for something, you will die. That's pretty clear.

"My grandmother told me she was going to die and my father...I told him he was going to die."

"In politics, we deal with forces, big forces, which are normally not visible. You are dealing with structures that are powerful. Those are not visible but they can hurt you," he added.Kuala Lumpur, March 11 : Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that internal bickering and generational fight within the Congress party and issues relating to corruption led to its defeat in the 2014 general election.

"Internal fight in the Congress party, generational fight in the Congress party, an older vision, a newer vision...and those just collided. We were fighting an election (2014 general election), but we had this internal conflicts going on.

"We had issues with corruption. And that just came together," said Gandhi during an interactive session here.

"We fired the guys in pretty much every single case. We believe in zero tolerance against corruption. 100 per cent," he added.

He said the Congress party is an ideology. "When you move away from the ideology, the party weakens. The Congress has to stand up to certain ideals. People get confused if we don't stand by these ideals. We have to place an alternative vision."

Talking about women representation in his party, Gandhi said: "I have already told my party colleagues that I want to see at least 50 per cent representation by women within the party. It is a huge ask in a political environment, but this has to be done."

Attacking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, he said it does not listen to the opposition parties on important issues like GST and land acquisition.

"When we approached the BJP on key issues, like land acquisition and GST, they didn't want to listen to us. Even BJP leaders have this issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They don't believe in taking along everyone," said Gandhi.

He also said that the BJP is dividing people in India, but it is going to cost the party in future.

"In my experience, if you don't carry people together, you will not be able to get things done. You need to build consensus," he added.

He also said that an anger is rising in India because of not enough jobs being created. "To my mind, jobs are going to come from SMEs, from farm mechanisation, from cold chains, from financing small and medium enterprises."

"Small and medium enterprises are the biggest job creators. Today in India, they are like orphans, with no protection or government support. GST and demonetisation have just finished this sector."

"We believe that there is space for public educational institutions. Scaling them up, and giving them much more autonomy is the next step. I would put in significantly more money. The BJP has reduced the allocations for education," he added.

He said: "It is pretty much impossible to make money being a farmer in India today. So the central idea is that without government support and protection, farmers cannot survive.

"Farms are not profitable and the manufacturing sector is not firing up. 'Make In India' is badly conceptualised. It is not connected to the existing skill base in India," he added.

Gandhi also said that healthcare, diagnostics, health data, genetics and the hospital system need to be connected. "A strategy has to be put in place, and we can dominate global healthcare."

Latest updates on Gandhi Jayanti 2019Damascus, March 11 : Syrian government forces have split the rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta, cutting off the largest city Douma, media reports said on Saturday.

Pro-government forces isolated the cities of Douma, Harasta and the al-Rihan farms from the rest of Eastern Ghouta's rebel-held network of satellite cities and agricultural areas on the outskirts of Damascus, Efe quoted the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as saying.

The SOHR said the government's advance also managed to cut communications between Douma and Harasta after effectively taking much of the territory that separates both locations.

Other Syrian media outlets also reported that the army had made progress against the rebels.

Since February 18, the Syrian government has used aircraft and artillery to heavily bomb Eastern Ghouta, killing a thousand people, according to the SOHR.

According to the UN, some 400,000 people remain trapped in the area, which has been under siege for several years."Jungo has seen astounding organic success and is uniquely poised for exponential growth. Im thrilled to join such an innovative organization, Cohen says. I see immense opportunity at Jungo and Im very grateful to be working with such a talented team."

Phils background includes numerous senior-level positions at companies such as The Cobalt Group (now CDK) and FortuneBuilders. Most recently, Phil served as the Director of Sales & Support at DecisionLogic, an advanced bank verification system enabling lenders to instantly verify a potential borrowers banking information online and in real-time. There, Phil proved to be instrumental in the companys growth, leading the penetration of new sales channels.

Phils extensive knowledge of API integration and cloud-based business solutions makes him a great fit with Jungo, says CEO Mike Gulitz. I believe his expertise in these areas will be a remarkable benefit to our Enterprise clientele.

About Jungo

Jungo provides financial industry experts with marketing, co-marketing, compliance, and CRM solutions from one login. It is a one-stop-shop solution, integrating with thousands of leading platforms to give clients the ability to track, interact with and market to all of their contacts.

With more than a decade of experience creating and integrating solutions for the financial services industry, Jungo is the preeminent expert in the field. Jungo's ease, accessibility and various capabilities help businesses connect with customers and drives sales every day. To schedule a live demonstration of Jungos products and services, visit http://www.ijungo.com.

Visit our blog for more news & productivity tips from Jungo.

CONTACT INFO:

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619. 727.4600| 1230 Columbia Street, Suite 1120, San Diego, CA 92101Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Realty was recently recognized with the Berkshire Elite Circle Award as one of the Top 50 companies in the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network.

The company, which ranked No. 45, was recognized during special awards ceremonies at Sales Convention 2018, held in San Antonio, TX, March 4-7. Real estate professionals from over 1400 offices across North America attended the annual business and educational event.

We are proud to have received this honor and be recognized along side some of North Americas most prestigious real estate brokerages. Our company is committed to service excellence and client satisfaction, as well as being innovators in our industry, Dan Lesher, Broker/Owner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Realty.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Realty became a member of the network in February 2015. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Realty was founded in August 2007. Since that time it has earned a host of honors, and has remained a consistent top company in its market.

About BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES Select Realty

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Realty has locations in Fredericksburg, Stafford and Prince William county and serves all surrounding areas throughout Northern/Central Virginia. Specializing in Residential Sales, New Construction, Relocation and Property Management Services.Nicole Peel, WHNP

BIRMINGHAM Women's Excellence welcomes Nicole Peel, a Board Certified Women's Health Nurse Practitioner to their team.

Nicole is very passionate about being a women's health advocate and educates patients in all areas of women's health and wellness throughout every stage of their life  from the teenage years through menopause. Special interests include: family planning and contraception, preventive health, well-woman and adolescent health, sexual health and prenatal and postpartum care.

Prior to joining Womens Excellence, Nicole practiced as a Womens Health Nurse Practitioner Saginaw, Flint and Owosso for the past 7 years. As an RN, she worked as a Labor and Delivery nurse for 10 years and as a Neonatal Intensive Care nurse for 5 years. She completed extensive training during her clinical internship to become a Nurse Practitioner, though 18 months of training centered on womens health, gynecological conditions and maternity care. She has had the opportunity to be involved in over 500 prenatal care experiences during her career.

To schedule an appointment with Nicole Peel, please visit us online at https://www.womensexcellence.com/contact/. We are available via Live Chat Monday through Friday from 8:30am - 5pm.

Womens Excellence is the most comprehensive obstetric and gynecologic office in Michigan. Additionally, they specialize in menopause, weight control, bladder control, endometriosis, robotic surgery, oncology and midwifery services. Womens Excellence is committed to staying at the forefront of innovation with cutting edge technologies utilizing robotic surgery and minimally invasive surgical options when possible. The knowledgeable, compassionate physicians and healthcare providers of Womens Excellence focus on patient-centered processes to deliver the highest quality of care. They are affiliated with most insurances. They offer seamless medical record access via a state of the art patient portal and use the latest technology for record keeping and sharing, making the patient experience easier and more efficient. Womens Excellence is taking new patients and is conveniently located in three locations throughout southeastern Michigan, Birmingham, Lake Orion, Clarkston, Rochester, and West Bloomfield. For more information, visit http://www.WomensExcellence.com.Dr. Rod J. Rohrich at the Dallas Cosmetic Meeting The Dallas Cosmetic Surgery and Medicine Meeting offers an unprecedented opportunity for surgeons and cosmetic physicians to enhance their skills and understanding of advances in cosmetic medicine and cosmetic surgery.

Dallas plastic surgeon and meeting Chairman, Dr. Rod J. Rohrich, recently hosted the 21st annual Dallas Cosmetic Meeting held at the Westin Galleria, February 28 to March 1, 2018. This annual meeting, along with the Dallas Rhinoplasty Meeting which takes place immediately afterwards, draws plastic surgeons and cosmetic physicians internationally to learn about the latest advances and trends in cosmetic surgery.

Key topics at this year's two day meeting include a day of cosmetic medicine filled with innovations in nonsurgical skin tightening and fat removal devices as well as the hot emerging topics in lasers, advances in skin care and the latest in cosmetic fillers and neuromodulators. The second day focused exclusively on efficacy and safety of innovative and emerging cosmetic surgical treatment options in breast augmentation, buttock and body sculpting, and safe, modern treatments for the aging face.

"The Dallas Cosmetic Surgery and Medicine Meeting offers an unprecedented opportunity for surgeons and cosmetic physicians to enhance their skills and understanding of advances in cosmetic medicine and cosmetic surgery," says Dr. Rohrich, the meeting Chairman. "The unique aspect of this course is the focus on a hands-on interaction and learning directly with world experts who are innovators in these frontiers of cosmetic surgery."

The meeting includes panel discussions, video feeds with expert commentary and a unique cosmetic anatomy lab which gives participants a direct, hands-on experience. Presentations are delivered by highly experienced plastic surgeons and cosmetic experts and will cover the latest trends and offer expert guidance on controversial applications of cosmetic treatments with an emphasis on evidence-based medicine which is changing how cosmetic surgery is practiced.

"The movement toward evidence-based plastic surgery is ongoing and improves and supports what we do in cosmetic surgery," explains Dr. Rohrich. "This is truly a change in the way we practice our profession - a change that sets the stage for continuous improvements, with an awareness to assure the safety and satisfaction of our patients."

About Rod J. Rohrich, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Rod Rohrich is a Dallas, Texas board certified plastic surgeon, Distinguished Teaching Professor and was the Founding Chair of the Department of Plastic Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Rohrich graduated from Baylor College of Medicine with high honors, and completed residencies at the University of Michigan Medical Center and fellowships at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard (hand/microsurgery) and Oxford University (pediatric plastic surgery). He has served as president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the largest organization of board certified plastic surgeons in the world. He repeatedly has been selected by his peers as one of America's best doctors, and is the only plastic surgeon to receive one of his profession's highest honors three times in his career-the Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes his contributions to education in plastic surgery. Dr. Rohrich participates in and has led numerous associations and councils for the advancement of plastic and reconstructive surgery.Welcome Guest! You Are Here:

Home Regional News EastWelcome Guest! You Are Here:A gunman and three hostages were found dead on Friday night after a daylong standoff with police at a Northern California veterans' home, law-enforcement officials said.

The male suspect, armed with a rifle, exchanged fire with a sheriff's deputy and kept the three female hostages detained in a room at the Veterans Home of California-Yountville throughout the afternoon.

Police breached the room shortly before 6:00 p.m. local time, according to California Highway Patrol assistant chief Chris Childs.

"This is a tragic piece of news, one that we were really hoping we wouldn't have to come before the public to give," Childs said.

Law enforcement officials reportedly identified the victims as executive director Christine Loeber; Dr. Jen Golick, a therapist; and Dr. Jennifer Gonzales, a psychologist.

The Napa County Sheriff-Coroner's office identified 36-year-old Albert Wong of Sacramento as the suspected gunman.

The husband of one of the workers at the home told the Associated Press that the gunman took the hostages after he slipped into an employee going-away party in the building, detained certain people, and allowed others to leave.

"There was a going-away party for a couple of the staff who were leaving today. Today was their last day. They were having cake and toasting and apparently he just walked in with this rifle," Larry Kamer, a former employee, said.

Local media outlets reported that the gunman was a veteran and a former member of The Pathway Home program, which says on its website that it helps veterans "cope with the effects of their deployment."

The suspect was believed to be in his 30s and had been discharged from the treatment program two weeks ago, according to The Napa Valley Register. The gunman was asked to leave the program after he broke certain rules, NBC Bay Area reported.

The initial reports of an active shooter at the Veterans Home of California-Yountville came in around 10:30 a.m., local time, a spokeswoman for the department told the San Francisco Chronicle.

"We are deeply saddened and affected by the tragic outcome of the hostage situation at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville and extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones involved," the US Secretary of Veterans Affairs, David Shulkin, said on Twitter. "We ask for patience as we continue to monitor emerging details."

Authorities set up a hotline at (707) 948-3331 for people to call for information on their loved ones at the veterans' home.John Feeley, a longtime diplomat who resigned last year as the US ambassador to Panama in opposition to President Donald Trump, explained his decision in an op-ed in The Washington Post on Friday.

"I resigned because the traditional core values of the United States, as manifested in the presidents National Security Strategy and his foreign policies, have been warped and betrayed," Feeley wrote. "I could no longer represent [Trump] personally and remain faithful to my beliefs about what makes America truly great."

Feeley went on to criticize many of Trump's signature national-security and foreign policies, including the travel ban, plans to build a wall along the US-Mexico border, decision to end legal protections for the children of people living in the US illegally, and withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement and the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

"As the grandson of migrant stock from New York City, an Eagle Scout, a Marine Corps veteran and someone who has spent his diplomatic career in Latin America, I am convinced that the presidents policies regarding migration are not only foolish and delusional but also anti-American," Heeley wrote.

Despite his harsh words, Feeley said he is willing to have "respectful and nonconfrontational dialogue" with those who support Trump's immigration policy.

Feeley is reportedly set to begin working with Univision, an American TV network that caters to Hispanic-Americans, according to The Post.

Feeley's last day as US ambassador to Panama is Friday. He submitted his letter of resignation to State Department officials last December 27. Much to his chagrin, the letter was leaked to the press in January, which Feeley said was an indication "that the current administration has little respect for those who have served the nation apolitically for decades."

After serving in the US Marine Corps, Feeley joined the State Department in 1990. He has served under both Republican and Democratic presidents, and in 2015, he was appointed the ambassador to Panama by President Barack Obama.Mr Amidu assumed office last month after securing parliamentary endorsement after his nomination for the job by President Nana Akufo-Addo.

Speaking to Qatari-based Aljazeera in a yet to be aired interview, Anas, known for his undercover works, said despite his differences with Mr Amidu, he will work with him to "ensure that the bad guys go to jail."

The former Attorney-General has not always been on the same page with Anas, having once criticized the undercover journalist.

Back in 2015, Mr. Amidu called into question the integrity of Anas, suggesting the investigative journalist picks and chooses which exposes to bring to the public.

"You have Uncle Martin sitting on that seat and I am collaborating with him, then there is really going to be heat on those corrupt officials in Ghana, Anas said.

I mean we have spoken, We have looked at our differences, we have looked at our books and I can only assure the sceptics- those corrupt people in Ghana- that if it is about the two of us, we will definitely get together to ensure that the bad guys go to jail.

He added that: When he [Martin Amidu] was being vetted you would hear what he said about me. The good thing about the two of us is that we all fight against corruption.

"We basically do the same thing. And we have sat down and looked at our books and I should warn people in Ghana, the corrupt officials."

During his vetting in parliament, Mr Amidu expressed his readiness to work with Anas to fight corruption.

According to him, the Office of the Special Prosecutor will be open to all who want to help in the fight against corruption.

Im prepared to work with anyone who will help us achieve the objective of the Office.

You need to fight crime with those who want to fight crime and are genuine about it, you cant do it alone, he stated.READ MORE: Police warn against fake robbery reports on social media

He is also said to have led a robbery attack on a company at Community 9, Light Industrial Area in February and took away a colossal amount of money from his victim.

The suspect is 29 years old, about 5ft inches tall, slim in stature with tattoo marks on both shoulders, a statement from the police said. He was last seen at Tashie wearing a pair of jeans trousers over a T-shirt.

Police are suspecting he is hiding in Tashie, Spintex Road, Tema, Afloa or his home country Nigeria.Bannon, a formerly powerful figure in the Trump administration who used to head Breitbart News, was expected to encourage delegates "that victory is possible, and how to obtain it," said FN spokesman Sebastien Chenu.

But the visit of the shaggy-haired agitator has raised eyebrows in the government of French President Emmanuel Macron.

"The king of fake news and of white supremacists at an FN summit... why am I not surprised? Change of name but not of the political line," remarked the head of Macron's centrist Republic on the Move party, Christophe Castaner.

Nine months after Le Pen was defeated by Macron for president in a bruising battle between nationalists and globalists, the FN is struggling to rebound.

She goes into the conference weakened by her poor performance in a final TV debate against Macron, which raised questions about her fitness to lead the world's fifth-biggest economy.

"Failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts," she told reporters recently, quoting British wartime leader Winston Churchill.

New name, old face?

The trained lawyer, who took over the FN leadership from her father Jean-Marie Le Pen in 2011, is running unopposed for a third term at the helm at the conference starting Saturday in the northern city of Lille.

The high point will come Sunday when Le Pen will announce a proposed new name for the party, turning a page on the anti-Semitic, openly racist Front of her former paratrooper dad.

"Without a name change we will not be able to forge alliances. And without alliances we will never be able to take power," she told a party gathering last month.

Further humiliation is in store for the 89-year-old Jean-Marie Le Pen when the party votes to strip him of his role as honorary president, severing his last formal link to the movement he led for nearly four decades.

Since the presidential campaign and June general election in which the FN bagged only eight seats, the party and its leader have appeared deflated.

Upstart niece

This week Le Pen appeared heartened by the strong gains made by the allied anti-immigrant League party in Italy's general election, hailing it as a "new stage in the awakening of the people".

But despite her fighting rhetoric, her appetite for battle appears dented.

The 49-year-old mother of three told French radio recently that she would gladly step aside before the 2022 presidential election if another candidate was "better placed to unite people and help our ideas triumph".

All eyes instantly turned to her glamorous niece, 28-year-old former MP Marion Marechal-Le Pen.

The Catholic hardliner and darling of the FN old guard withdrew from politics last year.

She made a high-profile appearance last month at a conservative jamboree in the US, fuelling speculation about a comeback.

Marion "doubtlessly has more going for her than me, starting with youth", her aunt told RTL in unusually frank comments.

Family soap opera

The soap opera squabbles of the Le Pen dynasty have kept French media in thrall.

Jean-Marie Le Pen has accused his daughter, who threw him out of the party in 2015 for repeatedly downplaying the Holocaust, of being an ingrate.

He also slammed her over her undoing by Macron in the presidential debate, saying she had "not been equal to the challenge" -- a sentiment echoed by many FN members.

Others woes have stacked up since.

Le Pen has been charged over her party's alleged misuse of EU expenses, and for tweeting gruesome images of Islamic State atrocities.

She also fell out with her former right-hand man Florian Philippot, who went on to form the rival Patriots party.

One of the FN's two senators Claudine Kauffmann resigned, denouncing "nepotism" in the party in a letter to Le Pen made public Friday. She had earlier been suspended for comparing migrants to "vermin".

FN members nonetheless give Le Pen credit for massively expanding the party's support, doubling its score from 5.5 million votes in the 2002 presidential election to 10.6 million, or 33.9 percent, in 2017.

Rematch in Europe?

Le Pen is hoping to set up a rematch with Macron in next year's European elections, by forming alliances with other eurosceptic parties around the bloc.

At home, she hopes to form pacts with rightwing rivals that have in the past banded together with the left to bar the FN's path to power."Regime forces have therefore divided Eastern Ghouta into three parts -- Douma and its surroundings, Harasta in the west, and the rest of the towns further south," the Britain-based war monitor said.

An AFP correspondent inside Douma said shelling and air strikes were rocking the town on Saturday.

Besieged by government forces since 2013, Ghouta is the last remaining rebel-held area near the capital.

Keen to secure Damascus, government troops and allied militia have been closing in on the enclave since February 18 and have overrun more than half of it.

More than 975 civilians, over 250 of them children, have been killed and hundreds more wounded, according to the Observatory.Their employer, one of the worlds largest cement makers, Lafarge, didnt want to abandon the plant, but aimed to keep it running so it would be well positioned when the civil war ended. And the men, all local workers, had few other options for employment in a country where conflict was ravaging the economy.

Security managers urged the workers not to worry. Safety was a priority, they insisted. If the fighting got too close, Lafarge had an evacuation plan that included buses to get them out in case of danger.

As the men gathered that morning in a sweltering hall, Mohamads supervisor, the factorys doctor, called with a frantic warning. Islamic State fighters had just taken the village closest the factory. Youve got to get out of there, the supervisor said. ISIS is coming!

Mohamad and the rest of the employees ran outside. The evacuation buses were not there.

So they piled, one on top of the other, into two small cars and a delivery van. Mohamad jumped onto a rickety scooter and puttered nervously across the desert as explosions rang out.

They all got away. By nightfall, the Islamic State had captured the factory.

What I want to know, Mohamad said of Lafarge in an interview, is why did they leave us there to face our deaths?

While other multinational companies pulled out of Syria in the midst of the civil war, Lafarge made a calculated decision to stay, pushing the limits of international law to keep its operations running. Lafarges actions, reconstructed from sealed French court documents reviewed by The New York Times as well as interviews with former employees, provide rare insight into the costs and complexities of doing business in a war-torn country, trade-offs that have left a large company exposed to a French criminal investigation as well as a lawsuit.

To move supplies and employees through dangerous areas, and to secure raw materials, Lafarge funneled money to intermediaries who conducted negotiations with the Islamic State, as well as al-Qaidas affiliate in Syria and other armed factions. All told, Lafarge agents shelled out more than $5 million to armed groups, according to the documents, which include testimony to investigators by former Lafarge officials, testimony and witness accounts of former employees, company correspondence and a confidential internal review of Lafarges Syria operations by the global law firm Baker McKenzie. The broad accounts of the former workers experience were backed up by the documents, including the executives and employees testimony.

But the money didnt always ensure the safety of Lafarges workers or its operations. Between 2012 and the end of 2014, at least a dozen workers were kidnapped, according to testimony and witness statements of former employees, company documents and the internal review. Employees faced gun-toting militants when they went to work. And the factory  one of the biggest foreign investments in Syria  was captured anyway. It has been shuttered ever since.

A panel of French judges appointed by the Paris High Court, which oversees criminal investigations, is looking into whether Lafarge put workers at risk and violated international sanctions by paying the Islamic State and other armed groups to keep operating as war bore down. Six former top Lafarge officials, including two former chief executives, are being formally investigated under charges of financing terrorism.

The judges, who decide whether cases go to trial, are also examining a lawsuit by Sherpa, a French anti-corruption organization that pursues humanitarian abuses by corporations, on behalf of former employees alleging Lafarge was complicit in war crimes. The employees, in the lawsuit, claim that the company ignored the dangers they faced, and pressured them to keep working.

Lafarge acted as if it was above the law, said Marie-Laure Guislain, head of litigation at Sherpa. But it played a role in an armed conflict, as well as in the violation of human rights, and must be held accountable.

The Sherpa lawsuit helped prompt the French investigation, as did reports on Lafarges activities by the French newspaper Le Monde.

All of the former Lafarge executives have denied the charges against them, which could be dropped if judges find the evidence insufficient. If prosecuted, the executives could face penalties of up to 10 years in jail and fines of 225,000 euros (nearly $277,000). Authorities will also determine whether the company itself can be held liable. The activity occurred before Lafarge merged with the Swiss cement giant Holcim in 2015.

Eric Olsen resigned as chief executive last year after the internal inquiry, although Lafarge concluded that he was not responsible for, or aware of, the activity. In the United States, the company, now called LafargeHolcim after the merger, dropped plans to supply building materials for President Donald Trumps proposed wall on the border with Mexico amid criticism in France over the Syria affair.

LafargeHolcim, in a statement to The Times, insisted that the No. 1 priority of Lafarge executives was to guarantee employee safety, and pinned the decisions on local managers who wrongly believed they were acting in the interests of the company and its employees. The company acknowledged unacceptable errors committed in Syria, and said that it deeply regrets what happened.

It also said that while the use of an intermediary was a serious concern, its internal review could not establish with certainty the ultimate recipients of the funds.

LafargeHolcims chief executive, Jan Jenisch, said the company is cooperating with French authorities. I am the most interested person that truth comes out and we can close this chapter, which we are very sorry about, he said during a presentation of the companys results last week.

In its statement, LafargeHolcim added it had put in place extensive reviews and controls to ensure that LafargeHolcim today is a different company with further enhanced compliance.

Mohamad and the other workers, all of whom survived, are trying to rebuild their lives. Many had to flee Syria, becoming refugees in Turkey and Europe. While some managed to get jobs, others struggled.

For a while, Dr. Adham Basho, the Lafarge employee who warned Mohamad, lived with his wife, children and 18 other families in a Turkish refugee facility after leaving Syria. He has found only odd jobs to support his family. Hisham Haji Osman, an information technology specialist, made it to Germany and is still trying to land permanent work. Mohamad is living as a refugee in Turkey, unable to return home while war persists.

We Kept Going

When Lafarge bought a dilapidated factory in northern Syria in 2007, one of the biggest advantages was a local partner with ties to President Bashar Assads government. The partner, Firas Tlass, an influential tycoon, could navigate back channels in a country with murky rules and bureaucracy. He arranged an operating license and other permits for Lafarge.

Founded in 1833 as a family business in France, Lafarge had a history of landing big and complicated projects. In the mid-19th century, it won a contract to build the Suez Canal in Egypt. During World War II, it helped furnish cement for the construction of a massive coastal wall of bunkers for the Nazis, known as the Atlantic Wall, that stretched from Scandinavia to the Spanish border.

In Syria, Lafarge saw a new opening to the Middle East. After a three-year renovation of the 680 million-euro plant, Lafarge Cement Syria opened in October 2010, employing hundreds and generating thousands of related jobs. Trucks and vans crisscrossed the desert, transporting employees, delivering Lafarge cement and bringing in fuel and raw materials from nearby quarries.

As operations ramped up, a wave of revolutionary fervor from the Arab Spring movement swept the region. Anti-government protests spread to Syria, and were brutally suppressed in March 2011 by government security forces.

Soldiers from Syrias army defected and, along with civilians who took up arms, formed rebel groups to battle the government, some of them loosely organized as the Free Syrian Army. The government responded by attacking rebel-held areas, in an increasingly complex and bloody conflict that continues to batter the country.

While the fighting took root in the south, the security around the Lafarge plant in the north slowly began to deteriorate. Free Syrian Army groups moved into the area, long controlled by Assads government, along with the militia of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party, or PYD. By the end of 2011, the United Nations declared Syria in a state of civil war, and the European Union placed an embargo on arms and oil purchases in Syria.

After that, Total, the French oil giant, halted its Syrian operations. Other French multinationals followed, including Bel Group, the maker of Babybel cheese, and Air Liquide, Frances largest gas company.

Not Lafarge. Bruno Lafont, the Lafarge chief executive at the time, saw no reason to leave. Company security advisers assured bosses at headquarters in Paris that the plant was not in a combat zone and remained safe. So we kept going, Lafont told investigators, according to the court documents. Lafarge has never run away.

By summer 2012, the situation in Syria had grown increasingly uncertain, and Lafarge decided to move hundreds of foreign employees out of the country for their safety. Senior managers, including Bruno Pescheux, chief executive of Lafarge Cement Syria at the time, relocated to Cairo to oversee operations remotely. The Syrian employees kept working. Their job was to keep the cement flowing  and to make the factory appear occupied as a way of discouraging militants from raiding it.

Lafarge said it wanted to keep providing jobs for locals who eagerly wanted to work. The company relocated employees to Manbij, a town near the plant, and provided lodging for others inside the factory compound so they could keep working as road travel grew more risky, according to testimony by former executives and employees. When the civil war ended, wed at least have an operation that could furnish cement for the reconstruction of Syria, Pescheux told French investigators.

Workers felt fortunate to be employed by a major French multinational that offered good salaries to support their families in a region with few opportunities. Yet as the situation grew starker, Lafarges local managers, the employees said in interviews, witness accounts and testimony, turned up the pressure, threatening to dismiss or cut the pay of those who balked at the worsening safety environment.

Before the war, the management practices were very good, said Jarir Yahyaalmullaali, a former warehouse keeper. But later, he added, they would force you to go to work and threaten to dismiss you even if there were problems and the roads were dangerous.

After their foreign colleagues were evacuated, the Syrian employees discussed forming a union or striking to protest deteriorating work conditions. They were especially upset about being ferried in Lafarge-contracted vans through checkpoints held by a rotating cast of armed militants, the employees said in interviews, testimony and accounts submitted to the court.

Imagine the journey, said Nidal Wahbi, a former Lafarge human resources manager in Syria who is part of the lawsuit. You could be stopped at any time, and either they let you go, or they could take you from the car for questioning. When sniper bullets grazed his vehicle one morning, I realized for the first time how unsafe it was, he said. But the next day, you had to go through the same road, because Lafarge would ask why you didnt go to work.

A Growing Threat

When the fighting got too close, the payments to the Islamic State started to flow.

In mid-2012, local Lafarge executives provided the Syrian partner with a monthly budget of around $100,000. They gave him instructions to act as an intermediary with local groups to ensure safe passage around the factory, Pescheux told investigators.

The partner, Tlass, according to the law firms review, steered large sums to the Free Syrian Army, which occupied Manbij, where Lafarge had relocated employees. More money flowed to the Kurds, who had worked with the Free Syrian Army and promised military-style protection for the factory, which they considered to be in their territory.

The payoffs didnt guarantee safety. In autumn, the Kurds kidnapped nine Lafarge employees and transferred them to local militias. Lafarges local managers reported the kidnappings to Paris and spent around 200,000 euros to secure their release, according to the internal inquiry and testimony of former executives.

The troubles worsened in 2013, when the Qaida affiliate in Syria, the Nusra Front, and other Islamic groups seized Raqqa, a strategic city about 56 miles south of the factory. In the ensuing months, a schism within al-Qaida split the Nusra Front from the Islamic State group, which took control of Raqqa. The Islamic State began a slow but steady push toward the region around the Lafarge plant.

Soon, the fixer, Tlass, was funneling around $20,000 a month to the Islamic State, and additional funds to the Nusra Front, to ensure that they, too, wouldnt interfere with Lafarges employees and supplies, according to the court documents.

Money was also paid to obtain raw materials from Islamic State-held areas. By steering the payoffs through the fixer, there were never any direct links with ISIS, Christian Herrault, a former Paris-based deputy chief executive responsible for Syria, told the investigators in France. When investigators asked if Lafarge had paid Islamist groups, he replied, Indirectly, yes.

Local managers tried to mask the payments with fake invoices signed by Herrault. Yet the payments were telegraphed in monthly security committee meetings between officials at Lafarge headquarters and the Syrian affiliate, according to the internal inquiry and testimony by former executives. Minutes of the meetings were distributed to other Lafarge officials, including the chief executive, Lafont.

One memo dated Sept. 11, 2013, which was part of the court documents, described how the Islamic States growing presence had become a main threat to business. It becomes more and more difficult to operate without being required to directly or indirectly negotiate with these networks classified as terrorist networks by international organizations and the USA, the memo concluded.

Another security meeting memo, dated Oct. 15, 2013, described more blockages by the Islamic State, the Nusra Front and the Kurds, before noting that negotiations with the various actors had allowed the flow of supplies and employees to resume.

At checkpoints now held by the Islamic State and the Nusra Front, the factorys suppliers had only to mention Lafarge to pass, two employees told The Times, an account also given in their lawsuit. But workers still had to endure nerve-racking checks. You were asked questions like, Do you pray?' said Osman, the former information technology specialist. It was a check to see if they will keep you alive, kill you or arrest you.

On June 29, 2014, the Islamic State declared a caliphate in Syria and Iraq. The same day, the factorys senior risk manager alerted his superiors in an email to a meeting he had set up with a head of the Islamic State. He wanted to ensure that Lafarges deals with the group would be maintained, according to the court documents.

Soon after, drivers ferrying plant materials were handed new passes at Islamic State checkpoints. At first, it was a simple note from ISIS, written by hand, said Osman, an account he also gave in accounts submitted to the court. And then it became an official document that was already printed and had to be renewed and stamped every day, he added. The deal between ISIS and Lafarge became systematic.

Into the Tunnels

Two weeks after the Islamic State declared its caliphate, the air rumbled from the sound of a distant blast. Islamic State militants had detonated a truck bomb at a Turkish-owned cement plant.

Lafarge temporarily halted production and told most workers to stay home, according to testimony by the former employees and executives. But local managers ordered an essential team of around 30 people, including Osman, to remain. By early August 2014, the Syrian partner, Tlass, claimed he had negotiated a new agreement with both Islamic State and Kurdish militants that would allow the factory to resume production.

Lafarge continued the payments to the Islamic State through Tlass until the United Nations banned commercial and financial dealings with the group on Aug. 15, according to the internal review. Without the protection afforded by the payments, Lafont advised the executive board that the plant would need to close, probably in September.

It was still operating in the middle of September, as fighting in the region intensified. When Islamic State assaults against Kurdish forces became more violent, villages near the plant began to empty.

Local executives again ordered an essential team of about 30 workers to keep the plant running, and began sending others home. On Sept. 17, 2014, evacuation buses, a crucial piece of the companys security plan, took nonessential workers back to Manbij.

But the buses never returned to the factory, as planned. Kurdish forces, occupied by the battle with the Islamic State, would not let them pass, according to testimony by Jean-Claude Veillard, head of safety operations at Lafarge in Paris.

The next day, Frederic Jolibois, a new chief executive of Lafarge Syria who had recently taken the helm, emailed the plants supervisors a security plan that he had devised, according to a copy of the message included in court documents.

The plan instructed plant managers to hide employees in a warren of tunnels beneath the factory if attacked. Prepare mattresses, food, water, sugar in the electric tunnels of the factory, Jolibois wrote in the email. If attackers enter the factory, move the team into the tunnels and wait.

The following morning, as the team gathered inside the plant, the factorys doctor called to warn that the Islamic State was close. Basho said he had heard from the factorys manager, who was supposed to be at the plant, but had fled to take his family to safety in Turkey. If we had waited there, we would be dead by now, said Yahyaalmullaali, the former warehouse keeper.

LafargeHolcim, in its statement, said its internal investigation showed that the safety of those on site was a constant concern of management and there was an evacuation plan in place.

Amid the chaos, Islamic State militants kidnapped two of Lafarges Christian employees, according to internal Lafarge documents and the internal review. They were released only after they agreed to convert to Islam and to attend religious courses.

Publicly, Lafarge painted a better picture of the dire event. The factory had been seized by the Islamic State, the company announced in a news release at the time, but Lafarge had succeeded in evacuating all of its remaining people.

But officials acknowledged to French investigators that the remaining Syrian employees had to flee on their own. Jolibois said Lafarge did not expect the situation to deteriorate so rapidly. For what its worth, in another cement factory that didnt belong to Lafarge, ISIS beheaded about 50 employees, he told investigators.

In its statement to The Times, LafargeHolcim said Lafarge Syria maintained its operations as long as the plant and its employees could remain secure. It added that former employees were put on paid leave for more than 12 months after the closing of the site.

The money has not assuaged the Lafarge employees who believed they were scrambling to save their own lives in those final hours at the factory.

Many were angered when Jolibois sent them an upbeat message shortly after the evacuation.

Probably the things did not run perfectly or as good as planned, but nevertheless we achieved this key goal, he wrote, according to an internal Lafarge email seen by The Times. Lafarge Cement Syria is not dead. I am convinced that we will win the final battle.

As a response, one of the survivors sent a follow-up email to Lafarge officials on behalf of other employees, denouncing Jolibois message as full of lies.

In it, the employees asked Lafarge to carry out an internal investigation into why workers were left to fend for themselves as the Islamic State advanced.

The employees said Lafarge officials never responded. The factory was the only thing they cared about, Mohamad said. But Lafarge should be a lesson for Western companies in foreign countries: They should treat people working for them like human beings.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.But in a single day, President Donald Trump managed to unsettle the region on not just one front but two.

Hours after he signed orders to impose stiff and sweeping tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, including from key allies like Japan and South Korea, he accepted an invitation to personally meet North Koreas leader, Kim Jong Un, for negotiations over the Norths nuclear program.

For allies who have long looked to the United States to provide security and stability, it was a dizzying jolt of drama that injected fresh uncertainty into strategic calculations in the region, where China is seeking to supplant the United States as the major power.

This is without question a big opportunity for China, said Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group, a New York-based research firm that forecasts global risks. The United States has become a less certain partner for a while now.

By all accounts, Trump made improvisational decisions about both the tariffs and the talks, either against the advice or without the knowledge of key administration officials and advisers.

The abrupt decision on steel tariffs and now the summit with Kim Jong Un will inevitably raise questions in Tokyo and other allied capitals about how decisions are made by this administration that affect their interests, said Michael J. Green, a former Asia adviser to President George W. Bush who is now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, and who met with Japanese officials in Tokyo on Friday.

The news that Trump wanted to meet with Kim did provide relief, at least in the short term, from months of growing fears that military conflict would break out on the Korean Peninsula.

On the one hand, were buying time, and Trump is not going to bomb in the spring, said Gordon Flake, chief executive of the Perth USAsia Centre at the University of Western Australia. Thats good.

But, Flake added, Trump demonstrated extreme capriciousness on something like tariffs. This is why everyone in the region is having the same reaction: equal parts relief and alarm.

Trumps seemingly unstoppable series of erratic moves has helped cast China as the more stable power in Asia. But it has also diverted attention from Chinese actions that would otherwise have raised much more alarm.

One of the most underreported consequences of the last 18 months is that China has gotten a free pass, said Flake, citing the countrys military buildup on islands in the South China Sea, its economic punishment of South Korea for cooperating with the United States on a missile defense system and, most recently, President Xi Jinpings power grab, persuading the Communist Party to abolish limits on his time in office.

Under any other U.S. administration, the dominant narrative would have been Chinese overreach and internal crackdowns, Flake said. But that narrative has been completely washed away by the chaos that is Trump.

The most recent announcements out of Washington, particularly the tariffs, could hurt China. Clearly, a trade war would be painful. And as Trump plans his meeting with Kim, Beijing is forced to sit on the sidelines awaiting the result.

The downside risk for them is that they are not in the room, said Mira Rapp-Hooper, a scholar of Asian security issues at Yale Law School. Being completely cut out of a genuine relationship between the U.S. and North Korea is not in their interest.

Still, lengthy talks between the United States and North Korea, even if they do not produce an agreement, would serve to delay some unpalatable decisions for China, analysts said.

North Korea has become increasingly disgruntled with China since Kim took charge, particularly as Beijing has backed economic sanctions against it. That has complicated Chinas efforts to diminish U.S. influence in the region.

China wants the nukes removed, but not at too high a geostrategic cost, in the form of North Korea becoming Chinas permanent enemy or falling into enormous domestic chaos or sliding into the American fold, said Shi Yinhong, a professor of international relations at Renmin University of China in Beijing.

From Chinas perspective, the Trump-Kim talks, by cooling the bellicose rhetoric between the United States and North Korea, would reduce the need for intense cooperation between the United States, Japan and South Korea.

It suits Chinas long-term strategic interest perfectly, because what they dont want to see is pressure on North Korea leading to the strengthening of American alliances, Green said. Chinas strategy is to start pulling apart those alliances incrementally.

Increasingly, Asian allies that once viewed the United States as an anchoring force in the region now worry about being played off against each other. Japan and South Korea in particular, whose relations have recently deteriorated over long-standing historical disputes, find themselves jockeying for Washingtons favor.

In Japan, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has worked hard to cultivate a warm relationship with Trump. So even as Trump withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a multilateral trade deal centered in Asia, and imposed the new steel and aluminum tariffs, government officials have tempered their criticism.

Japan and the United States are allies, so the Japanese government doesnt want to be too negative toward the Trump government, said Kazuhiro Maeshima, a professor of politics at Sophia University in Tokyo.

South Korea, meanwhile, lobbied for an exemption to the tariffs, citing the importance of the alliance. The envoys who visited the White House to brief Trump on their meeting with Kim made personal appeals to the defense secretary, Jim Mattis, and the national security adviser, Gen. H.R. McMaster, on the tariff issue, according to Kim Eui-kyeom, a spokesman for President Moon Jae-in.

The tariffs prompted harsh words in some South Korean news outlets for the leader of the countrys most important ally. His style of governing, marked by disconnectedness and arrogance, is just mind-blowing, a liberal daily newspaper, Hankyoreh, said in a Saturday editorial.

For Asian allies, perhaps the most difficult task in dealing with Trump  one that is hardly unique to foreign governments  is scrambling to discern his true intentions.

Trump often is saying one thing in Japan and another thing in Seoul, said Mine Yoshiki, a former Japanese Foreign Ministry official who was involved in past talks between Japan and North Korea, and who now runs a think tank, the Institute of Peaceful Diplomacy.

Moon, after being sidelined by Washington in its approach to North Korea a few months ago, would now seem to be in favor, having effectively brokered Kims invitation to Trump. But analysts warned that the talks could go in directions South Korea might not welcome.

We quickly get to the question of what is going to be talked about here, said Rapp-Hooper. Kim Jong Un is clearly not ready to give up his nuclear weapons. If it gets to that, he will make extreme security demands, not only a security guarantee, but demanding that we end our alliance with South Korea and withdraw our troops from the peninsula.

If Trump offered to significantly reduce Americas presence in South Korea in exchange for limits on the Norths nuclear program, it would be a setback for South Korea and Japan and a long-term win for China.

U.S. allies in the region, along with many developing countries in Southeast Asia, want the United States to maintain a strong presence, as much to counterbalance China as to promote democratic values, said Kristi Govella, an assistant professor of Asian studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Most countries would prefer not to be dominated by anybody  whether it is the U.S. or China or Japan, Govella said. Especially for the smaller countries, they want to hedge a bit and have different options, and not be subject to the will of any particular country.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.Mo Ibrahim said this during a panel discussion in Kigali, Rwanda alongside Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Ex-Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, William Ruto and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

Look at the average age of our presidents, its about 63/64 years oldwe are the only continent in the world where we have presidents at 90 years old starting new terms. You guys are crazy or what? (audience laughs), said Mo Ibrahim.

Mr Mohammed Ibrahim is the Founder and Chairman of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.

The renowned businessman and philanthropist also condemned the sit-tight attitude of many African leaders while encouraging young Africans to emulate happenings around the world.

We see people in wheelchairs unable to raise hands standing for election. This is a joke; you are free to a laughthe whole world already laughing at us.

The US, the most important country in the world, like it or notObama who is half African anyway was 46, 47 years. If Obama was in Kenya, what would he be doing? He would be driving bus maybe.And he was not the youngest president. (Bill) Clinton and (JF) Kennedy were even younger. Why these big countries lead men in their 40s entrust their nuclear weapon, economies, all resourcesAnd we only pick up men at 90s to lead us. To lead us where? To the grave?"With this, non-card holders can now pay for games and apps using the Safaricom backed mobile money.

Mahir Sahin, head of Android partnerships in Africa for Google said about the partnership: "With this partnership, M-Pesa will play a critical role in the app ecosystem.

Carrier billing is very important to the developer ecosystem in markets where a credit card is very low.

Safaricom is the home of M-Pesa, which is a mobile money platform in Kenya that facilitates easy money transfers and bill payments through your mobile phone. M-Pesa currently has 27,8 million users in a country of 45 million people.

For Google, this deal is strategic as there is low credit card user penetration in Africa thus limiting the purchase of games and apps on the Google Play store by Android users on the continent.

This deal also involves DOCOMO Digital, a London-based global payment provider, which facilitate real time conversion of transactions initiated through M-Pesa.

Hiroyuki Sato, the CEO of DOCOMO Digital, said its biggest goal is to break down barriers and develop ways in which the 5 billion global adult population can engage with the digital ecosystem.Rahmatulloh Saifutdinov, the chief imam of Mirzo Yusuf Mosque in Tashkent, says homosexuality will end once couples stop fantasizing about other people during sex.

RFE/RL reports that he shared this during a sermon on marriage and family values delivered on March 2, 2018.

How to stop homosexuality

After Friday prayers, Saifutdinov suggested that having this kind of thoughts during sex could lead to the birth of a homosexual child.

He explained, For example, women are fantasizing about handsome Turkish soap opera actors. There are many such posts on social media by some married women. Its like having three people taking part in the [sexual] intercourse.

According to the cleric, this kind of sexual activity could result in the lady potentially becoming pregnant with a homosexual baby boy.

To the men, the Imam warned, Men, too, are not allowed to imagine another beautiful woman when they are having sexual intercourse with their wives, because this may lead to the birth of a lesbian child.

On controversial Imam

The Imams comments come as no surprise as he is known for making controversial statements that align with the predominantly Muslim countrys anti-gay and LGBTI views.

In 2017, he warned men not to study and practice obstetrics because being Muslim is not compatible with being a male obstetrician.

Its an embarrassment [to allow male obstetricians]. We should stop it, the imam said.New York Times reports that it is going to be a series of high-profile shows which will provide him with a global platform following his departure from the White House.

ALSO READ:Watch trailer for a Barack Obama biopic

The reports revealed that although the terms of the deal are not yet set in stone, under the terms of the proposed deal, Netflix would be paying Obama and his wife, Michelle, for exclusive content that would be available only on the streaming service.

Netflix has nearly 118 million subscribers worldwide.

According to people familiar with the discussions about the show, Obama does not intend to use the shows to respond directly to the present president of the United State, Donald Trump or conservative critics.

However, the number of episodes and the formats for the shows have not been decided.

Sources also say that the Obamas have spoken about producing shows that will highlight inspirational stories.

The Netflix deal will reportedly give Obama an unfiltered method of communication with the audiences he already reaches through social media.

Obama boasts 101 million Twitter followers and 55 million people who have liked his Facebook page.

We certainly cannot wait for this new development.

Barry: Barack Obama biopic

You would recall that Netflix has released the first full-length trailer for "Barry," a film about US president Barack Obama and his time as a student at Columbia University.

About film

A young Barack Obama, known to his friends as Barry, arrives in New York City in the fall of 1981 to begin his junior year at Columbia University.

In a crime-ridden and racially charged environment, Barry finds himself pulled between various social spheres and struggles to maintain a series of increasingly strained relationships with his Kansas-born mother, his estranged Kenyan father, and his classmates.

Barry is the story of a young man grappling with those same issues that his country, and arguably the world, are still coming to terms with 35 years later.

Directed by Vikram Gandhi, the biopic follows Obama questioning race and identity in America in the early 1980s.

"Barry" stars Devon Terrel as a young Obama. It also stars Anya Taylor-Joy, Jason Mitchell, Ellar Coltrane among others.Read his reaction to the actress' controversial statement below:

"AN APPEAL TO #RITA_DOMINIC - From Don Pedro Obaseki.

"My dear star, sister & colleague', Rita Nwaturocha (aka Rita Dominic & once upon a time, Rita Lamb), I've had the inglorious privilege of reading about your "Table Shakings" and the reactions they've elicited.

"Ma, humility is a virtue, and caution ain't cowardice! I remember a few times around 2003-2006, when you used to "sweat" at Chico's in Bank Olemoh, roaming from one set to the other, while recording TWO or THREE movies at the same Time!

"Don't be like Chichidodo, the proverbial Ghanaian bird in Ayi kwe Armah's novel. Chichidodo was the bird that hated shit, but feeds only on the maggots from Shit.

"Please dearie. Leave that Table alone. It is fragile and you are right atop it dressed in your Sunday Best! But the table floats on the Lagoon of filth and jaded black trash. You may slip headlong into the murky lagoon, and because you've maligned all that may be willing to lend you a helping hand, you may be left to drown with no one to help pull you ashore.

"Life is a trickster. Let it not prank you. Learn that there's nobility in humility. No, be beans, my dear. As a free-spirited "young man", I offer this " small advice", albeit with NO PREJUDICES. Your journey from Choba & Delta Park in Uniport to where you are now is worthy of commendation. Don't waste it on an ego-trip.

"Please remain assured of my most esteemed regards.

We still love you.

-Don Pedro Obaseki, MBA, PhD."

Rita Dominic and the harsh reality of Nollywood movies

As earlier reported, Rita Dominiccommented on the quality of Nollywood movies that show in the cinemas.

The actress took to her Instagram page to share a quote on why there are bad films.

She also said that not all Nollywood movies should be in cinemas, advising filmmakers to ensure that the quality of their work matches the hype they create for it.

Dominic isn't the first filmmaker to talk about the quality of films in the cinemas.

Earlier this year, Nigerian filmmaker and critic, Charles Novia criticized the state of cinema in 2017, saying that the artistic quality and dramatic value of movies were horrible.

Novia took to social media to reflect on how and why Nollywood has failed to produce a hit in the past three years.

In 2017, veteran filmmaker Ego Boyo called out Nollywood for the quality of films being produced.

In series of tweets, Boyo implied that some Nigerian filmmakers focus more on technology than quality storytelling.The mother paid tribute to her 19-year-old child who visited Wood Green, an environment known for widespread violence.

Odunuyi met his end at the Vue Cinema located in the area on Thursday, March 8, 2018 according to the Evening Standard.

"He was a lovely jovial boy. He was clever and loved by all who knew him. He had everything going for him.

"I have always lived in London but when we moved to Wood Green for a short time I got scared for my family. We now live in Harrow and I told him not to go back to Wood Green to see friends.

"But he did and now he is dead after being shot dead in a random attack. Police said it was wrong place at wrong time. I am devastated. I knew he would be safe at home with me but he went there and now he is dead.

"Another mother is grieving, enough is enough, the government needs to act to stop the bloodshed," says Afishetu Oniru, the mom of the departed youngster.

According to reports, no arrest has been made in connection to the killing of Kelvin Odunuyi who had aspired to become an expert in oil services.

To help him achieve this goal, his parents reportedly enrolled him at the Fulneck School situated in Pudsey, West Yorkshire, a prestigious school where a sum of N12m was paid as tuition fees.

London police investigate killing of Nigerian teenager, Oluwadamilola Odeyingbo

Policemen in the south-east of London, England have launched an investigation into the murder of a Nigerian teenager, Oluwadamilola Odeyingbo, who was murdered in Chislehurst, Kent.

The Evening Standard News confirmed that the deceased died in a fight which occurred at Empress Drive, on Tuesday, January 9, 2018, but his killers are yet to be identified.

Police are looking to indulge in the assistance of the witnesses in a bid to uncover those responsible for the death of the teen who died at a hospital a day after the attack.

"We understand that neighbours and people passing through the area witnessed the incident on Tuesday evening.

We are keen to speak to all witnesses and would encourage them to come forward as soon as possible.

"A young man has lost his life and we are doing everything we can to piece together what took place," says Detective Chief Inspector Tim Wright.

While the law enforcement officers are working on apprehending those connecting with the murder, the family are the victim Oluwadamilola Odeyingbo, are dealing with the loss in an angry way.

A Twitter user, identified as Femo of London, who described himself as a cousin to the deceased has lamented the passing of the latter.According to the reports, the military man was killed while the bike he had boarded tried to overtake the truck that ended his life.

Instablog9ja did not report the demise of the bike rider but the photos show only the corpse of the soldier, suggesting that the rider may have survived the fatal accident.

May the soul of the deceased rest in peace.

Two students crushed in fatal accident

Earlier, we reported the tragic death of two students of Our Lady of Fatima School, Kuru, near Jos in Plateau State.

The victims were reportedly killed in a fatal accident involving their school bus.

An official of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) at the scene of the accident, told the News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) that the incident occurred due to brake failure.

A total of 100 children and seven staff were on the bus; two children were killed instantly, while those injured have been taken to hospitals, the official said.

According to him, a boy and a girl was killed in the accident.

He also added that 18 kids were taken to Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, Jos, 76 to the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos, while four others were rushed to Bukuru Specialist Hospital.

ALSO READ: Woman crushed to death by trailer in Ikorodu

Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, has visited some of the injured students who were taken to the Plateau Specialist Hospital.

Lalong, while visiting the kids on their individual beds, spoke to them in whispers, urging them to be strong.Gwinnett County sheriff deputies said they found stolen microscopes, medical equipment and electronics in a Snellville warehouse in Atlanta.

The suspects identified as Gregory Bland, 55; Temitayo David, 55; and Toyosi Ogunleye, 43, have reportedly been charged with theft by receiving.

Instablog9ja reports that the deputies began investigating the case after a California company was defrauded of an order of 40 microscopes totalling $11,555.20 that was shipped to the warehouse on Eastgate Place in Snellville.

According to the reports, the order seemed to have come from an existing customer, but investigators later discovered that the microscope company had been a victim of a business email compromise scheme, which is a type of phishing scam.

Investigators reportedly stormed the warehouse on February 23 and encountered Bland, who said he was allowed to live at the building in exchange for accepting packages for the owner, David.

A statement released by the Sheriff's office revealed that during a search, investigators found the microscopes and other stolen items, including medical equipment and construction equipment.

All three suspects were arrested at the warehouse and David is being held without bail at the Gwinnett County Detention Center while Bland and Ogunleye have been released on $11,200 bail.

Nigerians turning to crime overseas

Every other day there seems to be a story of Nigerian arrested or locked up for fraud or scam.

In the UK or in America, young Nigerians are going to jail for credit card scams and fraud. In August 2017, arrested a 22 year old Nigerian by the name of Abramson Abdullah Adekola for forgery.

Upper Michigan Source reported that the suspect was apprehended on Thursday, August 24, 2017, by police deputies.

The news site also disclosed that he was being "charged with receiving and concealing stolen property over $1,000 but less than $20,000", an offence expected to earn him five years behind bars.

Adekola was arrested following an investigation into an identity fraud and stolen property processing operation, the report says. This is one of many stories of Nigerians involved in fraud overseas.

According to The Independent, Nigerians and our neighbours in Ghana are responsible for almost half of the fraud in the UK.

The (NCIS) estimates that Nigerians and Ghanaians swindle pounds 3.5bn from individuals, businesses and the Government, out of annual frauds totalling pounds 8bn, writes the British news website. This report was published in 1997.

The 80s and 90s saw millions of Nigerians leave the country in search of a better life in Europe and in America. These two decades saw a huge increase in advanced fee fraud cases coming from Nigeria.

As part of a new class of migrants in the UK and America, a lot of Nigerians found themselves in the lower class of their host country.

ALSO READ: Nigerian man gets jailed 4 years in UK jail for fraud

While some did menial jobs like cleaning and sweeping, others gravitated towards more illegal ways of making money.

As Internet fraud blossomed in Nigeria after the turn of the millennium, credit card scams started to rise in the Nigerian community overseas.

A decade or so later, cases of fraud havent stopped both back home and in countries where there are strong communities of Nigerians.The celebrations may vary, but the emotion and love that ties families together are the same the world over. Mother's Day, no matter how or when it is celebrated, simply serves as a reminder of all moms do for their families every single day and the honour they deserve because of it.

Here are fun Mother's Day traditions in 10 other countries.

1) The United Kingdom and Nigeria

In the UK, Mother's Day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent and is called Mothering Sunday. Same time Mother's Day is celebrated in Nigeria.

During medieval times, poor families often sent their children off to work as domestic servants or apprentices to rich families. Their rare day off was traditionally granted during the Lenten season, so they could worship the Virgin Mary and visit their home, "mother church" and their families.

The children would often pick flowers to give to their mothers and bake special cakes called Mothering Cakes or Simnel Cakes (the holiday even used to be known as Refreshment Sunday because the strict Lent fasting rules were put aside for the holiday).

Today, Mother's Day in the UK is celebrated in the same way as it is in America, Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries with flowers, cards, gifts and family meals.

2) Brazil

In Brazil, Mother's Day is second only to Christmas,

Brazil commemorates this special day on the second Sunday in May with special children's performances and church gatherings, which often ends in large, multi-generational barbecues.

3) Germany

"Muttertag" takes place on the second Sunday in May.

In Germany, the giving of Mother's Day cards is extremely popular. During WWII, Mother's Day traditions took on political significance as the day to acknowledge women for producing children for the Vaterland, or Fatherland. Medals were awarded in gold, silver or bronze, based upon how many children were in the household. After the war, it assumed a softer feel, with the giving of gifts, cards and flowers, as well as festive meals earmarking the day.

4) Japan

In Japan, Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May and is symbolized by beautiful carnations which represent the gentle strength of mothers who are revered in Japanese culture.

Children draw pictures of their mothers in school and sometimes enter them in art contests. Like most other countries, Mother's Day is a day of pampering for moms -- kids help take over the household chores, have a special family meal, like sushi or eggs, and give their mothers red carnations or roses and cards."

5) Australia

Another country which relies heavily on the giving of carnations and other flowers is Australia, where Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May. Chrysanthemums are also a very popular floral choice because mothers there are called Mum. Aunts and grandmothers are also acknowledged with gifts.

ALSO READ: 5 shocking ways of becoming a woman in different cultures

6) Peru

Where Mother's Day is celebrated in some countries on the second Sunday of May with gifts, chocolates and joyous family meals. In Peru, children often give their moms handmade items, which are reciprocated with gifts from them, in turn.

Peru's indigenous Andean population, however, also celebrates the gifts of Mother Earth, or Pachamama, in early August.

Pachamama is an ancient mythological goddess beloved by many indigenous Andean populations. Mythology cites Pachamama as the cause of earthquakes and bringer of fertility. Her special worship day is called Martes de Challa.

7) France

Fete des Meres takes place in late May or early June, based upon Pentecost. It didn't become an official day of celebration until 1950 but was originally declared a holiday by Napoleon. On this day, moms relax, relying on their children to cater to their needs and do the chores. Gifts are given and sometimes short, original poems are recited. A large, celebratory meal ends it.

8) Ethiopia

Mother's Day is celebrated at the end of the rainy season, as part of the three-day Antrosht festival, dedicated to moms. When the weather clears up and the skies empty of rain, family members come home to celebrate with a large feast. Daughters traditionally bring vegetables, butter, spices and cheese, while the sons bring meat of various types, including lamb or bull. These will be included in a traditional hash recipe. Singing and dancing follow and all family members participate in this.

9) Serbia

Another country which needs three days to fully acknowledge their mothers and the spirit of family is Serbia, where Mother's Day takes place in December and is part of a series of holidays including Children's Day and Father's Day. All three holidays take place on consecutive Sundays and require lots of rope!

On Children's Day, children are tied up and must agree to behave before they are unbound. On Mother's Day, it is the mom's turn to be tied up, where she will remain until she supplies yummy treats and small gifts to her children. Finally, it is father's turn. The dads are tied up with rope until they give their families Christmas gifts. At that point, everybody feasts.

10) India

In culturally diverse India, a westernized version of Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May, when Indians reflect upon the importance of mothers in their lives and the sacrifices they have made.

However, Hindus in India celebrate the goddess Durga, or Divine Mother, during a 10-day festival called Durga Puja in October. Durga Puja celebrates the triumph of good over evil and is earmarked by gifts given to friends and family, as well as feasts and celebrations.According to the time table of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Ekiti state governorship election is scheduled to hold on July 14, 2018.

Ojodu also said that he will bring better jobs to the state if he is elected as Governor.

He also said Today, I declare my desire to be the next governor of our state. Today, I ask you to join me in bringing sense back to our government house. Today, I ask you to join me in bringing better jobs to the state.

I call on you indigenes and residents to join me aboard our train of progress. If you want a better life for your children, join us and let us make our state a pacesetter state. I know that the journey cannot be easy because we will have to climb mountains but our work will not be in vain.

Its time to vote out corrupt leadership in the state; its time to say bye bye to Fayose and his useless government.

Ojodu promised to pay the salary of workers and allowances of pensioners promptly.

With the resources that this state is endowed with, why are we so poor? Why are we this broke and have become a laughing stock? Why has our land become a land of grief and pains? Can we continue like this? No, we cannot. This is the reason why I am telling you that the time has come to rescue our state from the oppressors and the time has come for the voices of our people to be heard, he added.

Fayose aiming higher

Meanwhile, Governor Ayodele Fayose expressed confidence that he will become the president of Nigeria in the future.The men and women being trafficked in the state are usually made to swear to oaths and some of their body parts are collected as collateral to make them pay back the money used to sponsor them.

Following the revocation of the curses on Friday, March 9, 2018, Oba Ewuare II declared that trafficked persons are now free from their traffickers and whatever oaths they were placed on.

The monarch also placed a curse on human traffickers and those aiding and abetting human trafficking in Edo state, which is the hub of human traffickers in Nigeria.

The king also cursed the native doctors who subject victims to oath of secrecies and banned the violators of the Community Development Associations and others whose business is to initiate the sons and daughters of the land into various cult groups.

Those who took part in the swearing exercise were priests from various shrines in the state such as the Ohen Okhuae, Ohen Ovia, Ohen noriyekeogba, Ohen Ake, Ohen Niwuo, Native Doctors, Ohen Sango, Odionwere, Iwueki and the Enigies.

The monarch said, "you native doctors whose business are to subject people to the oath of secrecies and encouraging this evil act on the land, you have to repent, stop doing it. This is not a joking matter and if you do not repent, you have to wait for the repercussion.

"The palace is not against those practicing the act of native doctors but those who use it to perpetrate evil in the land through aiding and abetting human trafficking in the state.

"We want to use this medium to tell those who are under any oaths of secrecies that they are now free. We revoke the oath today.

"What the Palace stands for is peace and the development of the state. I want to use this medium to tell you that the act of using charms to aid trafficking, the palace seriously frowns at it.

"We want us to join hands together to fight against human trafficking in the land."

ALSO READ: 42-yr-old woman arraigned for allegedly trafficking teenage girls for prostitution

He added that the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, pleaded with him to help curtail the spate of human trafficking in the state.

According to the United Nations, nine in 10 of the Nigerian women trafficked to Europe come from Edo State, a predominantly Christian state with a population of about 3 million.

Edo capital city, Benin is known to be a hub for human traffickers and young women who travel to Europe for prostitution.

Some embark on the perilous trip knowing they would trade their bodies for money in Europe while others were made to believe they would get a decent job and make enough money to send back home to their poor families.

Either ways, their first assignment is to make money to cover the exorbitant cost of their trip which is usually sponsored by a trafficker.Ovueraye, who was elected unopposed, will head the new supreme board of 12 members for four years.

The election took place at a special KSM Supreme Convention held at the Madonna Retreat Centre, Nkpor, near Onitsha.

In his acceptance speech, Ovueraye, commended the amity that prevailed during and after the conduct of the election.

He urged the newly elected officers to dedicate themselves to the enabling canons of the Order and pledged to provide purposeful leadership at all times.

He said the board would pursue and ensure increased spirituality of members, positive impact and growth of membership and sub-councils.

We will pursue advocacy, deepening relationship with all organisations in the church, streamlining and fine-tuning of administrative channels, rekindling of true brotherhood, internal charity and maintaining discipline, he said.

According to Ovueraye, as knights they must all strive to be change agents in the various families, offices, businesses, communities and the church.

 This way, our light will dispel the pervading darkness and then we can really be said to be good soldiers of Christ.

Earlier, the Rev. Fr. Francis Nwaiwu, the Supreme Chaplain, urged the delegates to ensure that the interest of the Order was paramount by electing a very competent Supreme Executive board to run its affairs.

He also told the delegates to eschew base consideration in their choice of candidates and admonished those to be elected to be exemplary.Adeolu, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja, advised people to always seek professional advice or medical check-up instead of self medication.

He warned that self-treatment of headache and fever, especially during the hot season, could be fatal as meningitis also presents similar symptoms.

According to him, prompt medical care is very important in any situation where one is having symptoms that usually start with fever, headache and neck stiffness.

Some persons loose sense of themselves and they begin to talk irrationally; this is not the time to be taking paracetamol or any anti-malaria drug.

They should be taken to the hospital because the earlier treatment commences the better the chances of individual survival.

So any symptom that seems to extend beyond the common fever should be presented at the hospital, Adeolu advised.

He said that during the hot season in Nigeria, people who lived in the Northern part of the country usually faced an increased incidence of meningitis.

The medical expert, therefore, urged the people to take vaccination against meningitis, pointing out that it was the best preventive measure.

He said that immunisation would ensure protection against the condition.

The doctor advised those hoping to receive immunisation against meningitis to ensure they were immunised against all strains of the bacteria, which causes the condition.

He also advised the public to avoid crowded places as the disease was airborne.It had been reported on Friday that five persons were killed by the herdsmen shortly after President Muhammadu Buharideparted the state.

But according to Punch, the attacked was actually carried out in two villages, and over 50 houses were burnt.

Two twins were said to be part of the 11 people who were murdered by the herdsmen.

The attacks took place in Ganda village of Daffo District in Bokkos Local Government Area and Miango village in Bassa Local Government Area of the state.

The communities were said to have been invaded by the killer-herdsmen a few hours after the inauguration of Plateau State Peace Building Agency by President Buhari.

The President was in the state capital, Jos, on a working visit, after weeks of being criticised for not visiting states that have experienced bloodbath as a result of the herdsmen crisis - he was more berated for not visiting Benue where the herdsmen have massacred over 100 people.

The Spokesperson for the Miango Youth Development Association, Lawrence Zongo, identified the five persons killed in the village as Emmanuel Joseph (16), Christopher Joseph (16), Peace Joseph (6), Henry Audu (25), Illa Isa Peter (52) - three of them were said to be siblings, out of which two of them were a set of twins.

He said, "What happened to us is very bad, (it happened) despite the presence of President Muhammadu Buhari. The state government has been preaching peace but Plateau State went up in flames. Five persons, including a set of twins (Emmanuel Joseph and Christopher Joseph) and their brother, Peace Joseph, were killed.

"We have been devastated and shocked. Despite all the peace meetings with the Fulani people, the assailants keep killing our innocent people without provocation. It is sad that the military cannot arrest the Fulani persons behind the killings. The government has failed in protecting lives and property of citizens. Our demand is that the perpetrators should be arrested and prosecuted."

The National President of Irigwe Development Association and a former member of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Sunday Abdu, also confirmed the casualty figure of the Bassa attack.

"Yes, it is true that five people were killed in Miango by Fulani herdsmen in an attack which took place on Thursday night and lasted till the early part of Friday. Others were wounded in the unprovoked attack. The bodies of the five slaughtered people have been deposited at the hospital morgue. We are no longer in a hurry to bury our dead. Whenever we are going to bury them, we will let you people know.

"The Fulani herdsmen are killing us but they are the ones crying. What kind of pretence is that? I still appeal to the security personnel not to relent, but to step up vigilance and surveillance to stop this pogrom and unwarranted carnage," Abdu said.

The Spokesperson for Bokkos Local Government Area, Jerry Datim, also confirmed the attack in Ganda.

Datim said that "over 50 houses were burnt, six persons killed at Ganda, while several persons were also injured and rushed to the hospital."

The report also quoted a survivor named Matawal Mangut, who lost five brothers to the attackers in Ganda.

Mangut reportedly lamented that their house was burnt completely and that everything they ever worked for was gone.

He called for "assistance from the federal and state governments" to help protect them from the persistent Fulani herders' attacks in the area.

Confirming the killings, the spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Matthias Tyopev, described the incidents as "culpable homicide and grievous hurt."

Tyopev said, "Yesterday (Thursday), March 8, 2018, at about 8 pm, some unknown gunmen attacked and killed four Irigwe people at Datanko village and one Fulani Christian at Nzharuvo village in Miango District.

"The deceased persons were identified as Emmanuel Joseph (male, 16 years), Christopher Joseph (male, 16 years), Peace Joseph (male, six years), Henry Audu (male, 25 years) and Samuel Isah (male, 48 years).

"Meanwhile, Samuel Isah has been buried, while four other corpses have been deposited at the Jos University Teaching Hospitals mortuary. Chenka Amos, four, is still lying unconscious at Enos Private Hospital, Miango.

The investigation is in progress; intensive patrol is being sustained."

The herdsmen began the deadly attacks on December 31, 2017, in Benue, where about 50 people were killed.He was received at the airport by the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, and other top government officials in the state.

Obasanjo also visited and laid a wreath at the graveside of the 73 persons killed by the herdsmen.

On January 11, 2018, the state government held a mass burial for the victims who were massacred in Guma and Logo Local Government Areas of the State on New Year day.

There have been more herdsmen attacks in the state since then and the death toll has been estimated at no less than 158.

Obasanjo is also expected to visit the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp located in Agan Toll Gate, where displaced residents of the state are taking refuge.

President Muhammadu Buhari is also billed to visit the state early next week, the visit critics described as an afterthought.

Buhari has been heavily criticised for failing to visit the troubled state despite the bloodbath but deemed it fit to attend a wedding ceremony between children of two governors last weekend.The high cost of cement and building materials will only translate to high cost of building, Mr Taiwo Ogunbodede, the National Vice-President of REDAN said.

Ogunbodede, who is also the Group Chief Executive Officer, of Cross and Churchhill Developing Company, spoke at the launch of West Land Meadows Park situated at Elebu, Oluyole GRA Extension, Ibadan.

He said it was imperative for the government to collaborate with estate developers in the country in a bid to provide affordable houses for its citizens.

Government alone cannot provide adequate housing and Shelter for its citizens. They need to collaborate with estate developers to assist in building and developing the urban areas.

The 11th Sustainable Development Goal says we should ensure that cities and human settlements inclusive, are safe, resilient and sustainable.

Target 11.1 says by 2030 we should ensure access for all adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.

These are the primary goals of our company and the major reason we have been in business for the past 10 years, he said.

Ogunbodede disclosed that the first phase of their project would start with 100 acres of land which would include building and selling plots of land.

The first phase of the project is starting on 100 acres of land. We are also selling plots of land where people can build houses according to the prototypes of our company.

Within this first phase, we have various land specifications affordable and easy payment options for our target class of middle level civil servants and private people.

Infrastructure like good roads, water, light, and drainage system will be part of amenities that will make the estate unique.

We are working in collaboration with stakeholders like the original land owners, local governments from the onset so that buyers would not be faced with issues of original land owners molesting them in future.

The land had been bought from genuine owners and due diligence done on them. All the baales (chiefs), families and local government have been carried along, he said.

Ogunmodede urged federal and state governments to always fast-track land processing, acquisition and documentations to make land affordable for the people.

He, however, expressed the hope that with Dangote Cement Company expanding its scope of operations and more stakeholders joining the cement business, the cost of cement and other building materials would go down.While Kurds hold most of the leadership positions, the SDF is a majority Arab force now, engaged with the United States in the fight against the Islamic State group, mostly in Arab rather than Kurdish areas of Syria.

Arabs love Abdullah Ocalan too, Kobani said, casting a glance at the portrait. Theres nothing hidden from our side. Everything we do is obvious and clear to the world.

Many Arabs would probably differ about their love of Ocalan, whose socialist, radically egalitarian philosophy of governance holds sway throughout the autonomous region, known as Rojava, that the Kurds have carved out in Syria, with the help of the U.S.-led international coalition. Their uneasy alliance, held together by the fight against the Islamic State, could be severely tested as the Kurds expand their control.

Kurdish aspirations will also come up against an implacable Turkey, which regards a self-governing Kurdish region across its southern border, and controlled by the PKK, as nothing short of an existential threat. Those fears led to the offensive against Afrin, the eastern region of Rojava, and Turkey has even talked about attacking farther east, which would put it in conflict with U.S. forces.

In the face of those daunting obstacles, the Kurds have been slowly and systematically building Rojava, knowing that eventually the war would end and the truly difficult job of managing the peace would begin.

For six years, they have been establishing local and regional governments, sending foreign affairs representatives abroad, collecting taxes, organizing socialist communes and raising militias. They often describe their revolution as the project or the experiment, the implementation of local self-governing democracy, freedom and equality for women and a socialist system inspired by anarchist and Marxist philosophies.

As the Islamic State has crumbled in the eastern part of Syria controlled by the United States and the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Kurds have moved into what had been majority Arab areas, bringing Ocalans principles and governing philosophy along with them. Self-administration governments, after the Kurdish model, have been established in the city of Manbij since the Islamic State was defeated there in 2016, and recently even in Raqqa, after the coalition and their Kurdish-led allies drove the extremists from their self-declared capital in 2017.

On a recent visit to the predominantly Arab city of Manbij, outside Rojava, strains between the Kurdish leadership and the Arab populace were clearly visible, despite official efforts to deny the problem. But there were also signs of acceptance.

An Arab schoolteacher said most Arabs in the town were unhappy with what they see as a Kurdish government, but were afraid to speak out. For visiting journalists, it was difficult to speak to Arab residents without government minders insisting on being present.

Many Arabs, the schoolteacher said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he feared detention, have been particularly unhappy since the reported arrests in early January of two Arab men, whose bodies were found 17 days later, dumped on the highway outside town.

Government officials at first promised journalists that they could visit family members of those who were killed, and also meet with a committee of Arab elders, set up to investigate the killings. The officials said both groups had absolved the Kurdish authorities of blame.

But the visit to the families was denied, and while the meeting with the committee did take place, it happened only in front of half a dozen Kurdish officials. Reached independently later, at the village of Kabor Emo outside Manbij, the father of one of the victims had a different story.

It was the democratic government, I blame the democratic government, said the father, Muhammad Omar al-Masri, but then he broke off the interview as villagers became angry and agitated at visitors.

Dealing with Arab populations is not the only problem that Ocalan presents for Kurdish aspirations. The group he leads from prison, the PKK, is a designated terrorist organization to Western countries, including the Kurds U.S. allies. The Syrian Kurds claim they have nothing to do with the PKK, but Ocalans cultlike popularity in Rojava argues otherwise.

Washington does not consider the Peoples Protection Units, or YPG, the Kurdish militia that is the dominant partner in the Syrian Democratic Forces, a terrorist outfit. They fight alongside U.S. Special Operations troops in Syria, and U.S. military leaders praise them for bringing stable government to the areas they control. That includes areas that are largely Arab, as the Kurds have expanded their writ in the north and the Islamic State has been reduced to small pockets mostly near the Iraqi border in the south.

Theres a lot of people that do equate them with the PKK, but I have not seen any indication of that in my dealings with them, said Maj. Gen. James B. Jarrard, the U.S. Special Operations commander in Syria and Iraq.

The Kurdish forces have set up civilian governments that are often run by Arabs in areas where they predominate, and have successfully turned the SDF into a majority Arab force, Jarrard said. The result has been stable government, which has helped to turn sympathies away from the extremists, the general said, during a recent visit to the front lines near Manbij.

Many independent observers disagree about the YPG. Everybody knows with a wink and a nod that its the PKK, said Joost Hilterman, a longtime observer of the Kurds with the International Crisis Group. The YPG is an integral part of the PKK command structure. They may be mostly Syrians, though not exclusively, but all are part of the PKK.

Salih Muslim, the foreign affairs representative for the coalition representing the civilian side of the Kurdish movement, denied that. We belong in Rojava. We have organized our people in Rojava, but it doesnt mean we are PKK also, he said. We decide for ourselves.

But he also defended the PKK and refused to describe it as a terrorist organization, one implicated in attacks that killed civilians. That is not true now, maybe during the 80s or 90s, but then they agreed internationally to protect civilians, and since then I didnt hear of any attack on civilians.

For now, Syrias Kurds and their U.S. allies are doing their best to manage an awkward situation, and not all signs are bleak for the future of Rojava. Many Arabs say they are happy with the new authority, even in Arab areas. Younger Arab women have eagerly joined gender equality initiatives and even volunteered for the YPJ, the Kurdish womens military force.

At the Hassan al-Amin High School in Manbij, a group of Arab teenage boys gathered outside after classes were dismissed, so that people could join demonstrations in town against the Turkish attack on Afrin. All of them said they looked forward to joining the Manbij Military Council as soon as they were old enough to fight. While the council is majority Arab, its leadership is Kurdish and it is under the ultimate control of the Kurdish military and part of the Syrian Democratic Forces.

Ali, 14, said his father had joined; Thebet, 13, said the same of two of his brothers. I will be the first to join, as soon as I graduate, said Ahmed, 16, the tallest, while several of the other boys objected that they would be. We will go and fight the Turkish colonizers.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.She was lying on the floor of the kitchen with her head resting on the oven, according to a local paper, the St. Pancras Chronicle.

Plath had killed herself. She was 30.

Because the death was a suicide, Plaths family did not much advertise it, said Peter K. Steinberg, an editor, with Karen Kukil, of The Letters of Sylvia Plath, the second volume of which is to be published this year. And although she was a published poet who had received good reviews, and had determinedly made her way in a literary world dominated by men, the press did not pay much attention.

There were eight-line death notices in tiny print in The Boston Globe and The Boston Herald. To find them, a sharp-eyed reader had to look under H, for Plaths married name, Hughes. The notices were almost as terse as a headstone: of London, England, formerly of Wellesley, Massachusetts, wife of Ted Hughes, mother of Frieda and Nicolas (her sons given name mysteriously missing its h), daughter of Aurelia, older sister of Warren.

Plaths hometown paper, The Townsman of Wellesley, falsely reported that she had died of virus pneumonia. It nodded toward her literary career, as poet and author. But it did not name her poetry collection, The Colossus, first published in 1960 to positive reviews in the British press, or say that her poems had been printed in prestigious magazines like The New Yorker.

In its Fleet Street sensationalism, the St. Pancras Chronicles report was more satisfying, and more truthful.

Tragic Death of Young Authoress, the headline blared, before subordinating her reputation to that of her husband. Found with her head in the gas oven in the kitchen of their home in Fitzroy-road, N.W. 1, last week was 30-year-old author Mrs. Sylvia Plath Hughes, wife of one of Britains best-known modern poets, Ted Hughes, the article said. It went on to say that her doctor had arranged for her to see a psychiatrist, but the letter was delivered to the wrong address. It ended with the coroners verdict that Plath had died of carbon monoxide poisoning and, to leave no doubt in the matter, that she killed herself.

At that moment in time, it was easy to see why she might have wanted to. She was estranged from Hughes after discovering that he was having an affair with another woman, Assia Wevill. On Dec. 28, 1962, just weeks before her death, Alfred A. Knopf, which had published her poetry, had rejected her novel The Bell Jar. Judith B. Jones, the editor who sent Plath the rejection notice, did not try to soft-pedal it.

To be quite honest with you, we didnt feel that you had managed to use your materials successfully in a novelistic way, wrote Jones, who has been credited with rescuing the diary of Anne Frank from the reject pile and with discovering Julia Child. Jones said she had found the attitude expressed in the first half of The Bell Jar, about the young heroines adventures as a magazine intern in New York, perfectly normal, and had liked it well enough. As for the second half, Jones wrote, I was not at all prepared as a reader to accept the extent of her illness and the suicide attempt.

An editor at Harper & Row concurred with Jones assessment. In a letter addressed to Mrs. Ted Hughes, this editor wrote, a little more charitably, that the first part of the novel was arresting, a fresh and bright recreation of a girls encounter with the big city  universal and individual. But she added, With her breakdown, however, the story for us ceases to be a novel and becomes more a case history.

As she grappled with the rejection of editors and her husband, Plath spent her last months writing the poems that would secure her literary reputation.

Six days after she died, her friend, the literary critic A. Alvarez, predicted in The Observer that those poems, many of which were later published in her best-known collection, Ariel, would establish her as the most gifted woman poet of our time.

Thus it was in death that Plath found her literary due.

The public fascination with her death has hovered over her family. One of Warren Plaths two daughters, Susan Plath Winston, recalled the surprise that she and her sister would feel when their aunts name appeared, for instance, in a snippet of The Simpsons.

Worse was when Plaths son, Nicholas, a fisheries biologist in Alaska, hanged himself in 2009, at 47. Because of who his mother was, his death received front-page treatment. Your family pain being literary/celebrity news is a bizarre place to be, said Winston, a lawyer in Oklahoma City who represents victims of domestic violence.

Sylvia Plath was born in Boston on Oct. 27, 1932. Her father, Otto Emil Plath, a German-born professor at Boston University, died when she was 8, and her mother, the former Aurelia Schober, made ends meet teaching in a university secretarial program. Biographers have linked Plaths bouts of depression to the childhood trauma of losing her father, as well as to her own perfectionism and her mothers smothering nature.

As a student at Smith College, Plath won a guest editorship at Mademoiselle magazine in New York in 1953, an experience that became the basis of The Bell Jar. Later that summer, she had a breakdown after being rejected from a writing course at Harvard. She received shock treatment, and then swallowed most of a bottle of sleeping pills.

She met Hughes, a future British poet laureate, at a party in 1956 while studying at Cambridge University on a Fulbright grant. (In describing the encounter in her journal, she wrote of biting his cheek so hard she drew blood; he pocketed her earrings.) They married within four months, a romantic union that was also a literary partnership.

It was after their separation in fall 1962 that Plath  jealous, feverish, addicted to sleeping pills and writing at dawn while her children slept  produced poems like Lady Lazarus and Daddy that helped make Ariel an exemplar of confessional poetry.

The Bell Jar was not published in the United States until 1971. (It had been published in England a month before Plath died, under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas, for fear, Kukil said, that its resemblances to real life would attract libel suits.) In 1982, she was awarded a posthumous Pulitzer Prize.

Lady Lazarus has been quoted so often it has become a kind of epitaph for Plath.

Dying

Is an art, like everything else.

I do it exceptionally well.

I do it so it feels like hell.

Gloria Steinem, who was a year behind Plath at Smith College, published Plaths BBC radio play, Three Women, in an early edition of Ms. magazine  probably one of the reasons she was taken up by second-wave feminism, said Kukil, the associate curator of special collections at Smith. The Bell Jar has risen from the ashes of rejection to become a perennial favorite of high school and college students. It spent 24 weeks on The New York Times best-seller list in 1971, and had sold nearly 3 million paperback copies by the 25th anniversary of its publication in 1996.

I like to think she somehow helped to open up and legitimate female anger, said Gail Crowther, author of The Haunted Reader and Sylvia Plath, among other books about the writer.

Plath made the object of much of that anger clear elsewhere in Lady Lazarus.

Out of the ash

I rise with my red hair

And I eat men like air.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.Opinion

Ryan Bridge: The Govt's COVID-19 messaging is all over the shop - do lockdowns stop when enough Kiwis are vaccinated?Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale

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Nearby Residential, AgriculturalCarson Daly says he feels like he's "dying" during a panic attack.

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The 44-year-old television personality and "The voice" host discussed his longtime struggle with anxiety disorder and panic attacks on Friday's episode of "Today."

"Looking back on my life, I was a worrywart kid. I was always worrying," Daly recalled. "My father died when I was five. I had an ulcer when I was in high school. I've been nervous my whole life."

"My very first panic attack happened -- and, by the way, I didn't know what it was at the time -- when I was a host at MTV," he said.

"The success of my career -- I flew to New York and my life changed overnight. I had a hard time breathing. I was terrified for no apparent reason."

Daly said his panic attacks became so severe that he once checked himself into a hospital.

"You feel like you're dying," he shared.

"In fact, I went to the hospital. I've got leads [for heart monitoring] on my chest, and I'm like, 'My heart is going to stop or I'm going to have a heart attack,' and of course you're perfectly fine."

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Daly came to fame as a VJ on MTV's "Total Request Live," and joined "Today" in 2013.

He denied his anxiety stems from being on television, although he often experiences symptoms while he's at work.

"To this day, whenever I'm on television ... I'm never still," the star said. "Some days I'm just a little anxious. And you'll see me, you'll be able to tell. I'm fidgeting."

Daly's wife, Siri Daly, and his fellow "Today" correspondent Jenna Bush Hager were among those to praise Daly for going public about his struggle with anxiety.

"More people should talk about this stuff. Proud of you for breaking down a wall this morning @CarsonDaly," Siri tweeted.

"So proud to be your friend @CarsonDaly for so many reasons. Today -- was just one example of your character and courage," Hager wrote.,



We're sorry, this article is not currently availableHOME > Home Town 'Home Town' star Erin Napier announces show producer's "devastating" and "sudden" death

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 03/09/2018



star Erin Napier has announced the shocking death of her close friend and a producer on the show.



ADVERTISEMENT Erin took to Instagram on Thursday night to reveal and mourn the death of Brandon Davis, who contributed to her HGTV home renovation series with husband Ben Napier in their small Mississippi town.



"Today our hearts are broken in downtown Laurel after suddenly losing our friend, colleague and #HGTVHomeTown crew member Brandon Davis. We are all reeling, each one of us, and I am most devastated for his wife, baby boy, mama, brother and sister," Erin wrote.



"As believers we are all part of the body of Christ and as lovers of our little town working all together in the revitalization of downtown Laurel, we are all part of the body of our community, using our gifts to do the best we can for where we live."



Erin added, "His role as our own world class videographer and producer leaves a wound that won't heal for a long while."



Erin posted her message alongside a video that was created by Brandon last year to promote the reality TV stars' downtown home goods store, the Laurel Mercantile.



Narrated by Ben, the video introduces hometown heroes and their families, who each contribute a unique way of revitalizing and bettering their small town. Jerry, for example, holds the record for anvil shooting, and Charlotte makes the best "punch bowl cake" around.



"I hope you will watch his work at @blackhornproductions like this piece he did for our store last year and appreciate his talent that told all of our stories so beautifully, better than any of us ever could," Erin continued in her Instagram post.



"I know Camp will miss him sorely. We are all better for getting to work with him and know him as a dear friend for as long as we did."



's second season is currently airing on HGTV.



The couple just





About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON GOOGLE NEWS star Erin Napier has announced the shocking death of her close friend and a producer on the show.Erin took to Instagram on Thursday night to reveal and mourn the death of Brandon Davis, who contributed to her HGTV home renovation series with husband Ben Napier in their small Mississippi town."Today our hearts are broken in downtown Laurel after suddenly losing our friend, colleague and #HGTVHomeTown crew member Brandon Davis. We are all reeling, each one of us, and I am most devastated for his wife, baby boy, mama, brother and sister," Erin wrote."As believers we are all part of the body of Christ and as lovers of our little town working all together in the revitalization of downtown Laurel, we are all part of the body of our community, using our gifts to do the best we can for where we live."Erin added, "His role as our own world class videographer and producer leaves a wound that won't heal for a long while."Erin posted her message alongside a video that was created by Brandon last year to promote the reality TV stars' downtown home goods store, the Laurel Mercantile.Narrated by Ben, the video introduces hometown heroes and their families, who each contribute a unique way of revitalizing and bettering their small town. Jerry, for example, holds the record for anvil shooting, and Charlotte makes the best "punch bowl cake" around."I hope you will watch his work at @blackhornproductions like this piece he did for our store last year and appreciate his talent that told all of our stories so beautifully, better than any of us ever could," Erin continued in her Instagram post."I know Camp will miss him sorely. We are all better for getting to work with him and know him as a dear friend for as long as we did."'s second season is currently airing on HGTV.The couple just welcomed their first child together, a baby girl named Helen, in early January. Erin and Ben had announced the pregnancy in October 2017, but Erin discovered she was pregnant on May 13 of last year, which ironically happened to be Mother's Day. HOME TOWN MORE HOME TOWN NEWS << PRIOR STORY

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Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos.The Alta Mira Chapter National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution recently awarded 11 students from nine different schools. Six students wrote winning essays for the American History Essay Contest. Five students won the distinction of being named the DAR Good Citizen for their respective high schools. Chapter winners in each category advanced to the District level of competition. Pictured from left to right are Brandi Borba of Harmony Magnet Academy; Garrett Keller of Monache; Savannah Banuelos of Granite Hills; Ricardo Lozo of Tipton Elementary; Garrett Bower of Sequoia Middle School; Kayla Veleta of Strathmore Middle School; Thalia Bettencourt of SMS and Alondra Rocha from SMS.'Google has a special responsibility to ensure that it does not distort competition.'

'CCI has asked Google to alter the way it does business in India.'

Five years after a complaint by BharatMatrimony.com, the Competition Commission of India recently imposed a Rs 136-crore fine on Google for abuse of its dominant position in the market.

Naval Satarawala Chopra, below, a partner in law firm Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, led the team that represented BharatMatrimony.com in its battle against Google in the competition commission.

Chopra shares with Sudipto Dey his perception of the implications of the CCI order on the competitive landscape and the start-up ecosystem among others.

From the competition law perspective, what is the significance of the CCI order?

This is a significant order for many reasons.

First, from a policy perspective, it sets out the way the CCI will approach cases in high technology markets.

The CCI will exercise restraint in intervening in these markets but will take a stand when required.

Second, the CCI has expressed a deep understanding of multi-sided markets and importance of big data and consequently rejected Googles claim that it is a free service, and therefore, should not be regulated by competition law.

Third, unanimously the CCI finds Google to be dominant in the relevant market.

This implies that Google has a special responsibility to ensure that it does not distort competition.

In other words, it is held to a higher standard than its competitors.

Fourth, the CCI has laid down the principle that Google by unduly giving prominent placement and real estate of its product on its search engine result page for directing traffic to its own specialised search service is abusing its dominance.

This has an impact beyond shopping and may be considered for other verticals of Google.

Finally, the fine and the remedy imposed are significant, as the CCI has asked Google to alter the way it does business in India.

What could be its implication for the Indian start-up ecosystem?

The order is a shot-in-the-arm for Indian start-ups.

Google is an unavoidable trading partner for start-ups and a gateway to the internet for users.

Placement on Googles search engine result page can make or break a company.

The CCI order not only requires Google to desist from any form of search bias but informs start-ups that they can question Googles act of favouring its own products.

Do you expect this order to encourage more companies to raise anti-competition issues against the dominance of a few social media and internet search players?

This order clearly sets out that Google is dominant in the markets for search and search advertising, which will make any further case against it simpler and therefore, may encourage such cases.

However, the order repeatedly affirms the CCIs view that intervention in high technology markets should be limited.

So, as far as other large players are concerned, complaints may not follow in the same manner.

One critique is that the order is based more on public perception than economic data. Do you agree?

This is not true.

The CCI has relied on a detailed report that was prepared by its investigation arm.

The CCI has carefully examined the evidence and repeatedly called out the report where a finding was, in its view, not backed by evidence.

An interesting point to be observed, however, is that tough economic evidence of search bias is often impossible to find.

This is a fact recognised by the founders of Google, almost 20 years ago, in a paper they wrote while at Stanford University.

The dissent note is contradictory in parts.

It rejects the finding of the majority and suggests that more evidence was required to arrive at such funding.

Instead of ordering the DG (director-general) to collect such additional evidence, a power that the CCI possess even after the DG report is submitted, the minority members found Google not guilty.

It is contradictory because rather than relying on various forms of evidence and theories of harm outlined by the DG and the majority members, they relied on data provided by Google.

How does this order compare to similar such orders against Google?

The order of the CCI is consistent with the European Commissions order in terms of its finding.

Of course, the fine and the remedy imposed in Europe were more severe.

The reasoning in India follows similar lines as in Europe.

There are other findings against Google, for example in Russia, but India and Europe are more similar in the content of the violation.

Photograph (Google): Adnan Abidi/Reuters.MotorBeam reviews the top-end diesel trim of the compact sedan, which in this Ruby Red colour, looks stylish and sexy.

The Ford Aspire is a sub-four-metre compact sedan that is based on the Figo hatchback.

Sharing almost every mechanical and cosmetic bits from the Figo, the Aspire promises to be more than just a Figo with an added boot.

Launched back in 2015, the compact sedan hasn't been able to set the sales charts on fire, though, being a capable contender in its segment.

To start with the exteriors, the Aspire's front fascia wears the latest design language and is adorned with the large wraparound headlights and the signature Ford grille with chrome finishing while the muscled bonnet adds some character.

The 14-inch alloy wheels look small for the Aspire's size. The American automaker has done a brilliant job of integrating the boot so well and thanks to this, the car doesn't look disproportionate.

At the rear, you get smart-looking tail-lights and a chrome strip running across the boot lid of the car.

The interior looks contemporary with the beige and black dual-tone theme and the cabin might remind you of the pre-facelifted EcoSport.

The beige and black dashboard adds some airy feel to the cabin.

There is a 3-spoke steering wheel, an instrument cluster with a tiny MID display and a 4.2-inch screen for the infotainment.

The piano black finish in the centre console and the steering wheel adds to the upmarket feel of the cabin.

Ergonomics are sorted, as everything is within the reach of the driver.

Our only complaint with respect to the cabin would be the modest-looking instrument cluster.

The compact sedan draws power from a 1.5-litre TDCi diesel motor that punches out 100 PS of power and 215 Nm of torque.

Power is delivered in a linear fashion (with no turbo lag) and there is a kick in the pants feeling.

The powertrain is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. 0-100 km/hr comes in just 9.72 seconds and that's pretty quick.

The drive experience is further enhanced by the smooth and slick-shifting gearbox and the light clutch.

The car is returning us 16 km/l mileage with a heavy foot and out on the highway the vehicle can easily deliver up to 20 km/l.

Response from the steering is adequate as it feels light at city speeds and weighs up just right at highway speeds.

The thin tyres contribute to the mileage but on the flip side take the Aspire around a corner and you will notice the screeching from the rubber.

It is only around the corners that you miss fatter rubber. The car stays composed at high speeds.

Ford cars are known to be dynamic handlers and the Aspire is no different.

The suspension is on the stiffer side but the car still handles bad roads with ease.

Overall, the Ford Aspire has managed to impress us with its mind-blowing performance, driving dynamics and even on the fuel-efficiency front, it keeps us smiling.

The car looks good, interiors are sorted out and comfortable and there is enough space at the rear.

Factor in the fact that Ford cars today are as easy and light on the pocket to own and maintain as Maruti cars, what more could an entry-level sedan buyer ask for?

Powered byThe case goes back to 2014, where the diamond merchant had pleaded guilty, though indirectly, for mis-declaration of exports of diamonds.

Among the plethora of charges stacked up against fugitive businessman Nirav Modi, there is one that could stick with the foreign courts to compel his extradition.

A top officer of an investigative agency said the case dates back to 2014, where the diamond merchant had pleaded guilty, though indirectly.

The problem with the main charges against Nirav in all the other cases of buyers credit is that they can be demonstrated as crimes only if it can be proved that he would have not met his obligations. It is a charge his lawyers are expected to contest vigorously.

The exception is a case where Niravs three companies -- Firestar Diamond International, Firestar International and Radhashir Jewellery Company -- were hauled in for mis-declaration of exports of diamonds from their units at Surat SEZ. It was a case that made no waves then, yet it could prove to be the lynchpin to the successful prosecution of the Rs 127 billion fraud.

In that case, the duty with the penalty amounted to Rs 480 million, which Niravs three companies paid up. The rules under which they paid the penalty were the result of a set of changes made by the customs department to make life easier for traders.

But it has had the opposing effect on the diamantaires fortunes. One of the clauses said the department would only prosecute companies above a threshold of Rs 10 million for deliberate mis-declaration in value. Here, too, the companies could use an escape route. Before a prosecution is launched, the company can decide to plead guilty and pay the dues with the penalty.

The three companies used this escape clause in response to the charge sheet from chief commissioner of Surat SEZ. But since they came clean only after a seizure of their diamonds at the Mumbai airport, they fell foul of penal provisions in the Indian Customs Act.

The provision said that the exemption from prosecution would be available only to the three companies. Nirav or any other person associated with the companies as directors or otherwise could not get any exemption from the states right to prosecute them.

This year, the government has revived the case. Since those charges against Nirav are live, the case is the only weapon available with the government now to base its extradition request against him. That the sum is puny is not important, say Directorate of Revenue Intelligence officials.

It also has an advantage since the companies had pleaded guilty without the customs department having had to prove the charges in a court of law.

It now gives the government the fuel to prove in foreign courts that Nirav is a criminal under the Indian Customs Act. Those courts which might look askance at cases that are under process will be far more willing to support the Indian government on a case where the verdict has been pronounced. Also, the party in question has admitted his guilt.

There is an advantage, too, as unlike other tax laws, Customs laws are recognised by most countries because they come under the rubric of the International Customs Union. So, they have an automatic validity under double taxation treaties even where the extradition rights of India are liable to be contested.

For this, the tax department for once can feel satisfied that the usual delay in signing off on cases has come to its advantage.

Photograph: Courtesy, Nirav Modi on Facebook.Telugu Desam Party, which pulled out of the Modi government this week, on Saturday said its alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party was still on, though it was severely hurt by Finance Minister Arun Jaitleys remarks on assistance to Andhra Pradesh.

It also described as unethical, the demand by YSR Congress asking the TDP to move a no-confidence motion against the NDA government at the Centre.

State Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu also told reporters that TDP has decided to expose the Centre on what it has done or not done to the state -- as promised in the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014 -- by putting out relevant facts and figures before the people.

He said this after a meeting Chief Minister and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu held with him, senior minister K Kala Venkata Rao and others.

For the record, Yanamala said TDPs alliance with BJP was still on.

Withdrawing from the Central government was the first step... we have to see what the second step will be. Our alliance is on but we will still fight (for securing the

states rights from the Centre), he said.

We are hurt severely by Jaitleys remarks. Not only us, entire people of AP are hurt, except (leader of opposition) YS Jaganmohan Reddy and the like, the minister added.

Asked about the YSR Congress demand that TDP either move or support a no-confidence motion against the Modi government, he said that moving such a motion against an ally would be unethical.

We are an alliance party, we have some ethical values. Moving or supporting a no-confidence motion will be unethical, he noted, adding that was the difference between TDP and YSRC.

Yanamala and Rao lashed out at the YSRC chief, saying he was only trying to get the criminal cases against him quashed by planning to go under the BJP umbrella.

The TDP ministers alleged that YSR Congress had mortgaged the interests of the state. Their talk about a no-confidence motion is ridiculous, they said.

Meanwhile, a TDP source said the party would take up campaigns from the mandal level by publishing pamphlets and other material, listing facts and figures on the assistance the Centre rendered to the state since bifurcation.

We will tell people why we could not achieve more progress in these four years despite best efforts, the source added.Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on Saturday that demonetisation was not a good initiative and if he were the prime minister he would have thrown the proposal in the dustbin.

Gandhi is on a five-day trip to the Southeast Asian countries. He began the Malaysia leg of his visit on Saturday and interacted with an enthusiastic gathering of the Indian diaspora in Kuala Lumpur.

Asked how he would have rolled out demonetisation differently, Gandhi said, If I was the prime minister and somebody would have given me a file with demonetisation written on it, I would thrown it in the dustbin, out of the door and into the junkyard.

That is how I would have rolled it out, because that is what I think should have been done with the demonetisation which was not good at all, he said in a video shared by the Congress party on its Twitter handle.

The demonetisation initiative was rolled out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8, 2016, announcing the invalidation of high-value currency notes currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.

The Congress strongly criticised demonetisation, saying the move has led to economic slowdown.

Earlier at the University of California, Berkeley Gandhi had said that Modi had caused tremendous damage to Indias economy with his reckless and dangerous decisions like demonetisation and hastily-applied GST.

Responding to a question on women empowerment, Gandhi also said equality was not good enough for women empowerment and asserted that women have to be given more support than men to end the bias against them.

I dont treat women equal to men, but better than men. I think there is a bias in all societies, including in western society and that bias needs to be corrected. And to correct that bias, equality is not good enough, you have to be partial to women and give them more support than you give men, he said.

Gandhi also addressed a gathering of young professionals at IYCON in Kuala Lumpur.

Met Mr Subramaniam Sathasivam, President of the Malaysian Indian Congress in Kuala Lumpur. Originally a part of the AICC until 1946, the MIC has played a major role in the Malaysian Independence Movement, he wrote on his Facebook page.

Gandhis trip is part of the Congress partys efforts to connect with the diaspora.

He called on Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday and discussed a wide range of topics related to India-Singapore ties.

The trip is being organised by the AICC Overseas cell headed by technocrat Sam Pitroda, who helped former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi lead the IT revolution in India.

Pitroda had earlier successfully organised Rahul Gandhis visits to the US and West Asia.

Later in the year, the Congress president is also expected to travel to Dubai and Canada.

Photograph: Thomas White/ReutersIndia and France on Saturday inked 14 pacts, including in key areas of defence, nuclear energy and protection of classified information besides resolving to boost cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that the synergy between the two sides was from land to sky.

The agreements were signed after extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, including on ways to intensify counter-terrorism efforts.

The two leaders strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, and terror-related incidents in France and India.

Reaffirming their commitment to further Indo-French ties, the two leaders decided to take it to a new level by agreeing to hold biennial summits between the Prime Minister of India and the President of France, a joint statement issued after Modi-Macron talks said.

Addressing a joint press event with Macron, Modi said France is among the most trusted defence partners and that todays pact on reciprocal logistic support between the armed forces was a golden step in defence relations.

On his part, Macron, who arrived here yesterday on his maiden visit to India, said defence cooperation between the two countries now has a new significance.

Macron also said, We want India as our first strategic partner here, and we want to be Indias first strategic partner in Europe, and even in the western world.

Apart from issuing India-France Joint Vision for Space Cooperation, the two countries also released the Joint Strategic Vision of India-France Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region, with Macron maintaining that both the countries will have unprecedented level of cooperation to ensure peace and stability in the Indian Ocean and Pacific.

Modi said both sides have agreed to strengthen cooperation in ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight, as the Indian Ocean will play a key role in ensuring regional peace and stability.

The pacts signed included reciprocal logistic support between the armed forces of the two countries and another on protection of classified or protected information, an agreement that comes in the backdrop of the Indian government refusing to divulge details of the multi-billion dollar Indo-French Rafale fighter jet deal.

India had made a sovereign decision in this respect (Rafale fighter jet) and we are monitoring the progress in the field. We very much want to continue the programme. It is a long-term contract which is mutually beneficial. I personally consider it as the heart of the strategic partnership, Macron said.

India had signed a government-to-government deal with France in 2016 to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of about the Rs 58,000 crore. The Congress has been demanding details of the deal, alleging that the deal negotiated under its rule was much cheaper then the contract signed by the Modi government.

Officials said the French side pushed for procurement of another batch of 36 Rafale jets by India during a meeting between Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her French counterpart Florence Parly. The Indian Air Force has also been pressing for acquiring 36 more Rafale jets.

Macron also talked about the Scorpene submarine project for the Indian Navy.

On maritime security, Macron said space agencies of both countries will have joint monitoring mechanism for developments in the maritime sphere, while navies of the two nations will share intelligence and call their respective military bases for any requirement.

In his statement, Modi said the strategic partnership between the two countries may be just 20 years old, but the cultural and spiritual partnership was even older.

The values of liberty, equality and fraternity echo not just in France but are also deeply enshrined in Indias Constitution as well, the Prime Minister said.

Whether it is the environment, or maritime security, or marine resources, or the freedom of navigation and over flight, we are committed to strengthening our cooperation in all these areas...Railway, urban development, environment, security, space, means, from land to sky there is no such topic where we are not working together with each other, Modi said.

Macron also said effectively containing threats of terrorism and radicalisation are going to be key elements in the strategic cooperation between the two countries. He particularly also talked about threat of Islamist terrorism.

The trust that we share is protecting us as our interests are aligned, said Macron.

The agreement on protection of classified information defines the common security regulations applicable to any exchange of classified and protected information.

Another pact provides for a way forward for the implementation of the Jaitapur nuclear power project.

The two countries also inked pacts for cooperation in other areas, including railways, environment, solar energy, maritime awareness and checking trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

Talking about the past, Modi said, From 18th century till now, French thinkers have got an insight into the soul of India through the stories of Panchatantra, Vedas, Upanishads, Epics and great men like Shri Ramkrishna and Sri Aurobindo. Numerous trailblazers like Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Romain Rolland, Rene Daumal, Andre Malraux have found Indian philosophies to be motivating and supplementing their ideas.

Image: French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi hug each other after attending a signing of agreements ceremony at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. Photograph: Cathal McNaughton/ReutersFrench President Emmanuel Macron, accompanied by his wife Brigitte Marie-Claude Macron, besides senior ministers from his Cabinet, began their four-day visit to India by meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind and his wife.

On Friday night, Macron was received at the airport Prime Minister Modi in a special gesture.

Here are glimpses from Macrons visit.

French President Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte Marie-Claude Macron were accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday. After inspecting a guard of honour and meeting with other officials, Macron said, "I am very happy and proud of this visit. I thank the President (Kovind) and Prime Minister (Modi) for this welcome. I think we have a very good chemistry and our two great democracies have a historic relationship." Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

All smiles! President Kovind and his wife along with France's Macron and his wife along with PM Modi. The French president stated that the visit would open a new era of strategic partnership in the coming decades. "Our two democracies have common channels like terrorism, lots of common risks and common threats. But we have to protect this history and the state for freedom," President Macron added. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Macron called for his country to be India's best partner in Europe. "I want my country to be the best partner in Europe. This is a strong message. I want Indian citizens coming to France for studying, becoming entrepreneurs and opening start-ups." Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Macron inspects the Guard of Honour accorded to him at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Photograph: @MEAIndia/Twitter

French President Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron pay their respects at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial at Rajghat. Photograph: Altaf Hussain/Reuters

Macron's busy day schedule includes delegation-level talks with Modi, a Town Hall and an interactive session, in which nearly 300 students from different institutions are expected to participate. Photograph: Altaf Hussain/Reuters

Modi and Macron at Hyderabad House for delegation-level talks. Besides defence, talks in the areas of nuclear energy and space will also be discussed. Photograph: Cathal McNaughton/Reuters

Macron greets External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during a meeting at Alliance Francaise cultural centre in New Delhi. Photograph: Chandan Khanna/Pool/Reuters

French President Macron takes a selfie with students at Delhi's Bikaner House. During his interaction with students, the French president said, "I want to double the number of Indian students coming to France and also want to increase the number of French students going to India." Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

The French president had a very engaging discussion with the students during which he doled out some advice, including, "When facing difficulties: accept to go to sleep with doubts but always refuse to wake up with them." Photograph: Adnan Abidi/ReutersThe Shiv Sena has extended support to the farmers long march currently underway against the Bharatiya Janata Party government, organisers said.

Ajit Nawale of the All India Kisan Sabha, which has organised the march said that senior Sena leader and PWD Minister Eknath Shinde met protesting long march leaders when it entered neighbouring Thane earlier on Saturday.

The march, which commenced from Nashik on March 6, will culminate in Mumbai on Monday and protestors plan to gherao the Vidhan Bhavan where the Budget session of the state legislature is underway, said organisers.

Nawale said, Shinde welcomed the protestors in Thane district and extended support to the demands of the farmers. He said he was conveying the message of Sena president Uddhav Thackeray. Similarly, Abhijit Jadhav, an emissary of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, also met us and got me in touch with the MNS chief over phone. The MNS too has extended support to our demands.

The march has been organised to protest the failures of the state BJP government on the farm front, including issues like farm loan waivers, remunerative prices for

produce, non-implementation of the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission as well as the Forest Rights Act, he said.

Protesting farmers have demanded a change in the plan to link rivers in Nashik, Thane and Palghar to ensure that tribal lands are not submerged and water from the scheme be made available to these areas as well as other drought-prone districts, organisers said.

They said that farmers were also protesting against the state governments land acquisition for projects like high speed rail and super highways.

We are demanding an increase in pension schemes for poor peasants and farm workers, compensation for losses due to bollworm and pest attacks and rehauling of the public distribution system, he said.

Police said that traffic diversions and alternate routes had been set in place for motorists on the Eastern Express Highway through which the march will enter the city

on Sunday morning.

The march will be attended by AIKS national president Ashok Dawale, CPM MLA J P Gavit, state president Kisan Gujar and working president Arjun Ade among others.

Image: Farmers of All Indian Kisan Sabha march from Nashik to Mumbai to gherao Vidhan Bhawan on March 12 demanding a loan waiver, in Thane. Photograph: PTI PhotoThe United States Department of Defense is all set to fulfil President Donald Trumps dream of carrying out a military parade in Washington DC. The route will be from the White House to the US Capitol Building.

According to a guidance memo from the Office of the Secretary of Defense obtained by NBC News, the event will include no tanks.

However, it will play the host to a heavy air component at the end of the parade, to include older aircraft as available.

Earlier it was reported that Trump had asked for a military parade and the Pentagon was reviewing potential dates.

The White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement that Trump had asked the Defense Department to explore the idea.

President Trump is incredibly supportive of Americas great service members who risk their lives every day to keep our country safe. He has asked the Department of Defense to explore a celebration at which all Americans can show their appreciation, CNN had quoted Sanders as saying.

The parade, as per NBC News, is to take place in November, most likely on Veterans Day (November 11).

It will focus on the contributions of our veterans throughout the history of the US military, starting from the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 to today, with an emphasis on the price of freedom, according to the guidance memo from the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

In September 2017, US President Trump had shared how impressed he was by the Bastille Day celebrations in Paris.

He had visited French President Emmanuel Macron and concluded to a large extent, because of what I witnessed, we may do something like that on July 4 in Washington, down Pennsylvania Avenue.

And, Trump had told the Washington Post in January 2017 that he wants to put the military on display.

The cost of the parade, however, remains unclear.

Image: The idea of Trump's military parade comes after he saw the Bastille Day celebrations in Paris in 2017. Photograph: Yves Herman/ReutersUnited States President Donald Trump on Friday said that a deal with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is "in the making" and it would be a "very good one" for the world.

"The deal with North Korea is very much in the making and will be, if completed, a very good one for the World. Time and place to be determined," tweeted Trump.

Earlier, the White House said that the meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would not take place without "concrete actions" that match the promises made by the reclusive nation.

It, however, maintained that the time and place for the meeting has not been determined, a day after Trump said he has agreed to meet Kim by May, setting the stage for a historic summit between the two leaders who have repeatedly traded insults amid spiralling tensions over Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programmes.

"This meeting would not take place without concrete actions that match the promises made by North Korea," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily news conference, adding that the time and place for the meeting is yet to be determined.

Sanders reiterated that the Trump administration will continue with its "maximum pressure" campaign on Pyongyang.

Trump has had a series of telephonic conversations with a number of world leaders, who have been involved with the US on the North Korean issue.

Sanders said the US has accepted the invitation to talk based on the commitment made by North Korea.

"We are making no concessions. We are not going to move forward until we see concrete and verifiable actions from North Korea," she said.

The President, she said, is committed to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

"The US is speaking from a position of strength and North Korea is on a weak wicket," Sanders added.

With inputs from PTIInside you will learn about each Rental Hall of Fame inductee and find details on how the award got its start. February 2020

This annual new product supplement features products from those companies exhibiting at The ARA Show that are new to the rental industry. September 2021

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The sourcebook is your guide for rental-specific business-management resources, and your directory for associate members services. It contains an index of products and brand names, and features corporate profiles to give you an additional dimension of information about the suppliers featured.Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.This time we have to get it right with SK facilitiesA Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.Conflicting stories have emerged from Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaois Government over the performance and profitability of Samoa Airways.

While the Airlines Minister, Lautafi Fio Purcell, had abruptly rejected reports that it was already running at a substantial loss, the Prime Minister has taken a different position.

While he would not say whether the reports are true, Tuilaepa said the Airline is going through a predicament most new airlines experience when they start.

He said it is unreasonable to expect a new airline to make a profit immediately.

You cannot expect a new Airline to fill up the Airplane with passengers at initial stages of operation, Tuilaepa said.

Samoa Airways was launched last November.

A few months into its operations, sources told the Sunday Samoan the losses are mounting and they are significant.

The Sunday Samoan understands that Cabinet had appointed a Special Committee comprising of senior Government officials to monitor the Airlines performance. They are to submit a report to Cabinet on a monthly basis.

A Cabinet Minister, who asked not to be named, told the Sunday Samoan that figures given to Cabinet during one of our meetings shows that the loss has accumulated to more than $2 million.

That was at the beginning of the year.

Asked if this was true, Tuilaepa was circumspect.

Look, every new Airline goes through that same predicament, he said. You cannot expect a new Airline to fill up the airplane with passengers at initial stages of operation.

Even if there were losses, Tuilaepa said the Airline should have enough and that it would be covered under their budget.

So there is nothing to worry about, Tuilaepa assured.

We will know at the end."

But this issue transpires for every new Airline, whether it is local and overseas. There will always be that anticipation during the first year. There are teething problems as in everything, and there are teething problems during the first stages of any operation.

The Prime Minister added that it doesnt make good business sense to expect a profit right away. If you expect profits at the beginning, it will never work, he said. Just like everything. When you came into this world, you are a newborn. Then you crawl, walk and then run.

The Prime Minister confirmed that an independent Committee had been appointed to independently follow up and advise the Cabinet on issues pertaining to the Airline.

He added that there is a request from the Airline to waive landing fees imposed by the Samoa Airport Authority for a whole year.

I dont believe that a decision has been made on that specific issue but there has been a request, Tuilaepa said.

At the same time, it is not easy for the Authority to make such a difficult decision. It is a decision that has to be looked into by Cabinet, but that has not reached Cabinet.

Tuilaepa said the Government has to be careful and weigh up its options.

If the request is granted other (Airlines) will object, so the decision comes from Cabinet and not the Authority on such matters.

Earlier this week, Lautafi strongly rejected claims the national airline is already running at a loss.

That is not true, he said.

Where did you get your figures from? Thats not true.Four men have been arrested and charged with aggravated robbery in connection with the taxi driver who was threatened and stuffed in the trunk of his taxi last weekend.

One is 19 years old, while the others are in their 20's.

This was confirmed by Police Superintendent Auapaau Logoitino Filipo.

They were arrested and charged today (yesterday) with aggravated robbery and that is all I can say.

Last week, Auapaau said the taxi driver picked up four men from Malifa to take to Vaoala.

When they reached Vaoala, the four men assaulted the complainant and put him inside the boot of the taxi."

They then roamed around the whole night in the complainants taxi.

This was while the elderly driver was in the boot of the vehicle.

The taxi was found at Toamua by a young man, said Auapaau.

The young man opened the boot and found the 64-year-old inside. The four men were nowhere to be found.

The victim has been identified as Ioasa Moors. Last week, the Samoa Observer visited Mr. Moors home at Vaivase-uta, he wasnt home.

His niece, who gave her name as Sila, said her uncle had his phone stolen on the night of the incident.

She said the family is grateful that Mr. Moors is alive.

He usually comes home around midnight but on that night, he didnt come home, she said. My mother was waiting for him and we kept calling his mobile phone but it just went straight to voicemail."

Our family couldnt sleep because its so not him to not come home. We waited but he never showed up until Sunday morning, about 7 oclock thats when he came home.

Sila said her uncle came home and they could see he was exhausted. Thats when he told them what had happened.

My uncle said he picked up four men and they looked young at around 7pm on Saturday. They told him that they wanted to go to Vaoala."

He said when they got to Vaoala, thats when these four men threatened him and told him to get inside the boot. So he did exactly what he was told because he was scared for his life."

He said when he was inside the boot, the whole time all he could think of was his family and his children.

Sometime later that night, he heard that the car had stopped.

Thats when he started knocking on the boot with the hope that a Good Samaritan will help him and it did happen."

My uncle said when the boot of the car opened, he saw a young man and so he got out and he saw the time was 5 oclock in the morning.

According to Sila, her uncle was very lucky.

The men didnt ruin anything in the car but they took his phone as well as the taxis turn in of more than $300.

Sila said the taxi does not belong to his uncle. He works for the Owner.

She said his uncle is working again.

Hes not here because he went to drive around because he needs to make up for the money that was stolen last week.

In the meantime, Sila said they are just happy her uncle is okay.

Incidents such as this end badly, but we are very thankful that my uncle is okay, she said. Hes just doing his normal duties now because he also helps out with our family in terms of financial support. We told him that he has to stop what he does, but he said no because he has been a taxi driver for so long."

Its what he is good at and despite his age, he is the kind of person who does not want to stay home. He believes staying home will only make him sick and that he is not old."

The people who behave like this are cowards, they are good for nothing, she said.1. Comments must not be racist, misogynistic, homophobic, or otherwise bigoted.

2. Comments must not involve little more than name-calling and insulting remarks.

3. Comments must not be made by "anonymous" or "unknown".

4. Comments must not try to sneak in some free advertising for themselves (like spam).

I invite anyone who wishes to comment on this blog to do so. I enjoy the comments, whether you agree with what I have said or not. But some people want to abuse the right to comment, and since this is my blog, I have decided to lay down the following rules. If your comment violates these rules, it will not be published.A former Samoa College student, Teariki Yandall, who wants to become a Civil Engineer in the future, created Samoa School Leaving Certificate (S.S.L.C.) history last year.

He scored full marks in Physics, an achievement the young man, his family and even the Chairman of the Samoa College School Board, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, are extremely proud of.

For the 17-year-old son of Faumuina Hillary and Natasha Betty Schuster-Yandall, of Vaiala and Afega, he said the full marks came as a bonus.

Mr. Yandall scored a hundred percent in internal assessments and the final exam.

I never expected to get a perfect score, he said. I put a lot of work into the subject, and it has been one of my main strengths together with Math. I expected to get a high 90 percent, but a full 100 percent was a bit unexpected.

Mr. Yandall was second to Dux in last years Samoa College prize giving.

I studied hard and answered each question carefully in the exam, making sure to think deeply and critically on every question and applying all my knowledge of Physics.

Asked about his future goals, Mr. Yandall said to have a job and be happy.

Job wise, Im not too sure right now, but I will most likely do something that involves Calculus and Physics, he said. Also, I want to be a part time filmmaker when Im older and more financially stable.

As with any achievement, there are always challenges.

The major challenge for me is focusing and driving myself to do more, Mr. Yandall said.

Understanding concepts and theory isnt the hard part, its putting in the extra work.

He also gave a strong message to all the students.

All I can say is enjoy school.

It may seem dull and nullifying, but once you start understanding things in class and getting the answers, you get this buzzy feeling and a momentum that just pushes you to achieve better.

School can be hard, but the honest truth is that without a proper education, life will be even harder.

At the moment he is studying in New Zealand.

Im currently studying National Certificate of Educational Achievement (N.C.E.A.) Level 3 here in New Zealand with the aim of getting a scholarship for engineering. Im also doing Poly Fest next week and Film Academy, as well as a work experience at Air NZ next term.

I just want to say a massive shout out to my friends back in Samoa, Catherine, Tufi, Venus, Sharn, John, Penny, Jonathan, Tamara and all the others whose names would be too many to list.

Thank you all for the support through an awesome year last year, and I know you will succeed this year.

For Lealailepule, he said Mr. Yandalls result is a proud achievement for Samoa College and everyone involved with the school.

Ninety-seven percent of the Year 13 students last year made it to the National University of Samoa, but you know there is always room for improvement, he said.

But overall we are happy with the results because there was one student who had 100 percent on his Physics. This is a great result for not only the school, but for S.C.O.P.A. as well ever since we took over and it goes to show that the college is moving forward.

Samoa College topped most of the subjects in the S.S.L.C. and I commend the teachers as well as the Principal for their hard work.

But there are still issues that need to be addressed and as we all know the issue of shortage of teachers, especially the Science teachers and there are not enough resources for the students to use.

But despite these issues, the school managed to keep its reputation with the results of the S.S.L.C. So its great news for us all and we intend to keep it that way.The village of Moataa will soon enjoy a new walkway that links the coastal and inland sides of the village.

It follows an agreement between the Moataa Village Council and All Electrical and Construction Limited, promising the construction of a $116,380 walkway.

The agreement was signed yesterday. Construction is scheduled to begin on 19 March 2018 and is expected to be completed on 30 April 2018.

The village applied for funding in 2017 and was granted US$50,000 ($128,176) for the Moataa Mangrove Ecosystem Management Planning and Sustainable Community Walkway Project.

The total length of the walkway is 190.5 meters with a width of 1.3 meters and will be elevated approximately 0.92 meters above the existing structure.

High Chief of Moataa, Asi Tuiataga Blakelock, signed the agreement on behalf of the village and assured the contractor of the support of Moataa in the works.

Asi explained the walkway has been in the pipeline for a long time because of the vulnerability of the community to rising sea level.

He is thankful to God for the opportunity that was offered through U.N.D.P. Global Environment Facility/Small Grants Programme.

Speaking to the Sunday Samoan, Moataa Member of Parliament, Lenatai Victor Tamapua shared the same excitement about the project.

Its been ages since our village has been using this walkway to go to the other side of the village, said Lenatai. We also have many requests for this pedestrian walkway and we would like to thank this programme and everyone for their support.

To our whole village, we just cant wait to see the completion of this project.

He further states it will help a lot of families, especially the elderly, children, women and disabled who use the pathway on a daily basis.

The project will also produce an updated Biodiversity Audit of the mangroves and Mangrove Management Plan that will be enforced by the Village Council in order to protect the wetland from cutting of mangroves, littering, water pollution from wastewater and other hazardous substances, reclamation and unsustainable fishing practices.

The design, planning, supervision and project management are undertaken by Isikuki Punivalu and Associates Limited and funded under the Civil Society Support Program Samoa office.

The Special Development Committee is made up of professionals employed in the public and private sectors and residents of the village.A 27-year-old male is fighting for his life at the Motootua Hospital after he was hit by a car on Friday night.

The victim is Murphy Jonpalar Curry.

Police Superintendent, Auapaau Logotino Filipo confirmed the driver has been charged for negligent driving causing injury.

Auapaau added the driver will appear in Court on 27 March, 2018.

Speaking to the Sunday Samoan about the incident, Mr. Currys brother-in-law, Taaiseuga Warren, said the incident occurred in front of Apia Park.

At the moment he is in a coma, said Taaiseuga. It was past 12 midnight when he was dropped off by his colleagues after work. He was drinking with them so they dropped him off home."

Our house is opposite from the Apia Park and his friends dropped him off on the other side of the road and so he tried to cross the road."

While he was crossing the road, a small private car that looks like a taxi was heading from Moataa to Apia; it was coming really, really fast."

He didnt stop after he struck my brother in law and his body was found 20 meters away from where he was hit."

And thats how far we had to run to him, the car was coming really fast.

Taaiseuga said it was a sad scene seeing his brother in law in that condition.

The Police were called and they came and took my brother to the hospital, we had to rush him because his wounds were so severe, said the family member.

We were at the hospital the whole night, at this very moment he is in the operation room because he has broken collar bones, broken ribs, his chest as well as internal bleeding."

He is fighting for his life at the moment and we are praying that he will be able to make it given the severe injuries he sustained."

We have lodged a complaint to the Police and they are investigating matter."

My brother is a single young man and he is an engineer and good at laying tiles."

But its very sad to see him fighting for his life, hopefully he will pull through.Island Rock Company is helping some of their loyal customers with the faamati.

The faamati is an annual event where church members, mainly mothers, contribute appliances and anything else that is needed by the church.

At Island Rock yesterday, people were seen lining up in front of the shop waiting patiently for it to open its doors.

The occasion was their faamati early bird specials.

Owner, Tuaopepe Asiata Wallwork, said this is their way of giving back to the community, especially their loyal consumers.

We all know that during the Faamati, people would look for some home appliances at very low prices, he said.

So for this year we thought we will be giving away most of our expensive home appliance at a very low price.

These items include washing machines and fridges of the media brands with a 50 percent off from their original prices which is a big help for the customers.

This is how much we care about our customers that we are willing to put the prices very low just as long as they are satisfied with our brands.

Asked if they are making profits, Tuaopepe said no.

Honestly we are at loss here, he said. But it doesnt matter, we have already negotiated with our partners and they are happy to help out the people of Samoa.

As you know, washing machines and fridges are very expensive, so for today (yesterday), only we have put the price very low just for the people so that they could get some help in terms of spending money on these items.

He said people came in as early as Friday afternoon.

I told them that it wont be until today (yesterday), but they said they were willing to wait so we had to put up a tent for them and gave them some food as well while they waited.

Some people came at around 3am (yesterday) and that goes to show that people are very eager to get these products.

The first customer was a family from Faleula, they wanted the Comfee 278L upright fridge freezer, the original price was $1,299 but its going for $649.50 as well as the Comfee 9.5kg washing machine that went for $1,499 and is now $749.50.The behaviour of a Police officer has been referred to the Police Professional Standards Unit (P.S.U.) for an investigation. This was confirmed by Police Superintendent and Media Spokesperson, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo.

The investigation follows a complaint lodged by a family in Nuu, who claimed that he trespassed on their property.

A family member, who goes by the name Sarah, told the Samoa Observer that Police officer visited their house Friday last week.

He was after one of their female relatives. Sarah said the girls father instructed him never to come near his daughter again. She claimed the officer was drunk.

He allegedly removed a light bulb and stood there in the dark.

It was one 1am while the young ladys brother was lying down using Facebook when the lights suddenly went out, Sarah said. He got up only to find that the bulb had been removed from its socket and was surprised to notice the officer there."

He was told to leave because he shouldnt be there at that time of the morning.

The young ladys brother thought that he left, but was surprised to find him again standing by the closet in the corner of the house where the alleged victims room is located."

A chase soon followed and police were called many times.

Sarah claimed that despite being chased off the property, the officer kept calling out the young ladys name and to come out of the house.

One of our relatives informed the Police of the directions to our place that night, but they didnt know where it was, its as if our familys house was somewhere in America."

When they (police) were contacted again, they told the caller from the family that they could not find the road to their location.

Sarah said the family waited, but there was still no Police team.

The Police told our family that the hard thing is that they didnt know the area, thats laziness and a dishonest response from police. Imagine if someone got killed."

The Police should study the places at Nuu and Vaitele-Fou because I believe thats where most incidents happen, especially during the weekends."

Its just not right, trespassing in someones home in the middle of the night and behaving badly is something that we cannot ignore these days."

He has a wife and now hes trying to get this young lady to be part of his problem is not a good idea.San Diego resident Sanjay Jha, a high-profile technology executive, is stepping down as chief executive of privately held Globalfoundries.

Jha, former CEO of Motorola Mobility and ex-chief operating officer of Qualcomm, will hand over duties to Thomas Caulfield  a semiconductor veteran and current senior vice president of Globalfoundries. The transition is effective immediately, said a company spokesman. Jha was not available for an interview, the company said.

Based in Santa Clara, Globalfoundries is a contract chip manufacturer for semiconductor companies such as AMD, Broadcom, Qualcomm and others. Its owned by Mubadala Investment Co. of the United Arab Emirates.

It has been an incredible four years, said Jha in a statement. We have transformed Globalfoundries into a trusted, reliable foundry for our global customer base.

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Jha headed Qualcomms CDMA Technologies arm and was chief operating officer before leaving in 2008 to become co-CEO of Motorola.

When Motorola split into two companies, Jha landed as CEO of Motorola Mobility, which was sold to Google for $12.4 billion in 2012.

Through his career moves, Jha continued to live in San Diego. Globalfoundries said Jha intends to work closely with Mubadala Investment Co., to explore the development of potential future businesses.

Sanjay delivered on strategic milestones which set the company on the right path and we would like to thank him for his significant contributions, said Ahmed Yahia Al Idrissi, chairman of the Globalfoundries board of directors.

Caulfield is a 25-year semiconductor industry veteran, including spending 17 years at IBM in a variety of senior leadership roles. He came Globalfoundries in 2014 as the company acquired IBMs semiconductor manufacturing arm.

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mike.freeman@sduniontribune.com;

Twitter:@TechDiego

760-529-4973Lemon Grove City Councilman David Arambula may be facing a federal civil rights lawsuit and potential criminal charges because of a fight he had last summer at his home with a San Diego businessman who is trying to open at least two marijuana dispensaries in the East County city.

The details surrounding the alleged assault first came to light this week when the Lemon Grove City Council rejected a claim filed by Christopher Williams, who was seeking damages and costs for medical care arising from injuries suffered during the altercation with Arambula, including a bite to the torso.

Arambula does not dispute he and Williams exchanged punches, but there are differing accounts about what happened the night of July 14 and early into the morning of July 15.

Williams says he was invited to Arambulas home by Taisha Brown, a member of the executive board of the San Diego County Democratic Party. Brown also invited Lemon Grove Mayor Racquel Vasquez.

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Williams said he accepted the invitation because he wanted to discuss his frustration over delays in getting the businesses off the ground. Williams says he has invested thousands trying to open the businesses.

Arambula, Brown and Vasquez said the intent of the evening was to socialize and brainstorm ways to improve Lemon Grove, not to discuss business. Arambula and Vasquez both said Williams repeatedly tried to raise the subject of his dispensaries and they repeatedly warned Williams that city protocol prohibited them from giving him any indication how they might rule on his planned businesses.

I told him that I couldnt hear his pitch about dispensaries in the city, Arambula said. I told him he had to follow the protocol and process.

The fight reportedly began around midnight.

In his claim, Williams accuses Arambula of drinking heavily and hitting him on the head with a beer bottle just after midnight. The claim goes on to say that Arambula allegedly bit, kicked, punched and choked Williams. Williams said he was taken to Alvarado Hospital by his wife, Kathleen, where he said he had to get a tetanus shot. The claim says witnesses to the event include Vasquez and Brown. Both deny being present during the physical altercation.

Arambula refutes Williams story of what happened, and said that neither Vasquez nor Brown were there when the incident occurred. Vasquez says she was unaware Williams would be present at Arambulas house.

Vasquez and Brown went home around 11:30 p.m. and Arambula said that soon after the two left, a frustrated Williams said to him, Youre going to do what I need you to do. He said Williams then grabbed his shirt with both hands and would not release his grip.

Arambula, who is 5-foot-7, 190 lbs., said after that, the two traded punches and wrestled and that Williams, 36, who is taller but weighs about 30 lbs. less, tried to choke him. Arambula said he bit Williams to break his hold.

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After that, he basically got subdued, so I grabbed the back of his belt loop and dragged him outside to the sidewalk and locked the gate, said Arambula, 43. I called Taisha and told her that someone needed to come get him.

Brown said she did not want to comment on the events of the evening.

Photo of Christopher O. Williams after the fight with Lemon Grove City Councilman David Arambula (Courtesy photo )

Williamss injuries were reported to authorities while he was being treated at the hospital, but he declined to press charges at that time, saying he feared retaliation from the city.

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Arambula said he did not contact authorities because he didnt feel he was in imminent danger and was trying to protect the mayor and the citys best interests.

I was thinking it would not look good for anyone, Arambula said.

Williams attorney, Cory Briggs, announced Friday he would be filing a federal civil rights lawsuit against Arambula and the city on behalf of Williams. He also said he and Williams would be requesting a meeting with the Interim District Attorney.

The incident has left some members of the council wondering why Arambula would put himself in the position of even appearing to decide city business in a private setting. While a meeting involving city officials itself isnt a violation as long as three council members arent there, City Council members are not supposed to decide city business or appear to decide city business that will later come before them for a vote.

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City Councilwoman Jennifer Mendoza said she understood why Arambula didnt report the incident to the Sheriffs Department.

I think maybe he thought he didnt do anything wrong, protecting himself, she said. It was on his property, he asked the guy to leave and he didnt go. I think David might have thought he did what he needed to do to defend himself.

City Councilman Jerry Jones said he wasnt sure why Williams was visiting Arambula at his home late at night instead of in a public venue by day.

I hope that in this case both parties have learned a lesson and that professional conversations are kept professional and in a professional setting, Jones said.

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karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.comFreedom lay on the ground in a pen about 100 feet from where his life would end a short time later. Hobbled by a crippling leg injury suffered years earlier, the 25-year-old thoroughbred had been removed a day earlier from a life of neglect.

Michelle Cochran, the owner of HiCaliber Horse Rescue in Valley Center, and another volunteer coaxed the animal to its feet. They stroked his head and body, fed him carrot bits, and hung a small bucket of grain near his mouth.

They walked him toward a path that leads to an area where the other horses couldnt see what was about to happen. Freedom stopped at one point, unable to continue because of the pain. Cochran gave the horse an injection of pain killer, then led him a few feet further down the path.

Im sorry, Cochran told the horse. I love you.

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She then fired a .22-caliber bullet into Freedoms head. The horse jumped and then fell dead to the ground.

I dont think that was a traumatic death at all, Cochran, 37, said. I dont think that was a violent death. I think it was a very quick and relieving death for an animal that has been in pain for far too long.

Cochran and HiCaliber are at the eye of a gathering storm. Critics, and there are many, contend she is killing horses at far too high a rate and the Internet has been abuzz for months about what many think is animal abuse.

Numerous investigations are ongoing into the operation ranging from animal cruelty to financial fraud to lesser code violations, such as the presence of a large manure pile, inadequate disposal methods for hypodermic needles, and permitting irregularities.

The day before Freedom was put down, the horse had come to HiCaliber as part of the operations Bad Backyard program, which pays for abused or neglected horses. A middle man will make contact with an owner, in this case one in San Bernardino County, and offer to remove the distressed animal from their care.

1 / 14 These are some of the rescued horses at HiCaliber Horse Rescue. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune) 2 / 14 Horses at HiCaliber. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune) 3 / 14 Horses at HiCaliber Horse Rescue. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune) 4 / 14 Another pen with horses. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune) 5 / 14 Volunteer Jenny Purtteman works with other volunteers to repair some fencing at HiCaliber. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune) 6 / 14 This is the remnants of an Auction Tag on the tail of a horse. The tags, glued on with a permanent cement, can harm the horses if removed so they are left to wear off naturally. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune) 7 / 14 Horses at HiCaliber Horse Rescue. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune) 8 / 14 Volunteer Robyn Armstrong spends some last moments with a horse named Freedom before he was euthanized at HiCaliber. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune) 9 / 14 Founder Michelle Cochran spends some last moments with Freedom before the horse was euthanized. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune) 10 / 14 Volunteer Robyn Armstrong spends some last moments with a horse named Freedom. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune) 11 / 14 Founder Michelle Cochran with Freedom. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune) 12 / 14 Volunteer Jenny Purtteman feeds carrots to Freedom. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune) 13 / 14 Founder Michelle Cochran (left) narrates a video for posting to Facebook. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune) 14 / 14 Founder Michelle Cochran feeds some grain to Freedom in the last seconds before he was euthanized at HiCaliber Horse Rescue. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune)

A small fee is given to the owner and then the horse is taken to the Valley Center ranch, where the middleman receives cash for bringing them the distressed animal.

The program is just one of several ways horses come to HiCaliber. The majority are purchased at an auction in Ontario where HiCaliber competes with other rescues and buyers who want to take the horses to Mexican slaughter houses.

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The controversy surrounding Cochran and HiCaliber appears to be based primarily on a fundamental difference of opinion about what a horse rescue should be.

Cochran believes putting a sick horse out of its misery is a viable, even sacred duty. Others are opposed to all horse deaths, or say Cochran is out of control with her euthanasia practices. They say she collects donations of rescue horses only to kill them a short time later, then pockets excess money.

I know this is not an easy task, Cochran said minutes after Freedom was put down. This is the deepest and darkest side of a labor of love. Its not pleasant to do this. It tears me apart. It never gets easier. But I hate the suffering more than I hate doing it.

She said her compassionate cause, as well as her abrasive personality that rubs many people the wrong way, have led to a cyber-bullying campaign so big that she worries her rescue wont survive.

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I never thought I was going to be the angel of death, but sadly this is one of the most underserved needs in the horse community, she said. There is no affordable euthanasia alternative for these people.

Rescuers dont usually do this, she continued. Im a tough girl. I saw a need in rescue and I said I can do it. I will do it. And I do it. And Ive been turned into a monster. They call me (Charles) Manson. Its horrible. And all Im trying to do is stop this poor guys pain.

HiCaliber has operated out of its 16-acre ranch located a few miles west of Interstate 15 near Lilac Road since 2015. Before that, the rescue was located on a much smaller property in northern Escondido. In the past few years, it has become one of the largest rescues in the United States and has enjoyed financial support from many donors.

All of the bad publicity, however, has crippled fundraising. In fact, at the moment HiCaliber is forbidden from fundraising because the state Attorney Generals office recently informed them there were problems with tax filings. Cochran admits the rescue failed to fill out certain forms and says accountants are now working to rectify the problem.

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The County of San Diego asked the Los Angeles Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to investigate the rescue. A county spokesman said the SPCA determined the allegations of animal cruelty were unfounded.

Various other county agencies also are investigating the operation. Many conducted a surprise inspection a month ago, which led to code compliance issues the county said can be corrected. None were of the sort that would likely lead to the nonprofit business being shut down.

A recent report by the nonprofit news organization inewsource.org said a number of former HiCaliber volunteers say that many of the more than 150 horses housed at the rescue are infected with a highly contagious, but manageable equine disease called strangles, and that the rescue is not disclosing the problem to people, including those who have adopted horses from HiCaliber over the past few months.

Cochran and others at HiCaliber say the accusations are baseless and partly a result of miscommunication.

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Cochran said only two horses have come back with positive cultures for strangles in the past 18 months, which she says is remarkable considering all of the mistreated and ill horses that come to the rescue.

Mike Workman, spokesman for San Diego County, said the county received its first complaint about strangles at HiCaliber on Thursday and will be conducting a joint investigation with health officials.

In response to a public records act request, the county has made public emails from people wanting HiCaliber to be investigated. The complaints cover a gamut of issues with many pointing to video posts made by Cochran or others connected to the rescue as evidence of wrongdoing.

One email sent to the county last month  the name of the sender has been redacted  urges the District Attorneys office to get involved.

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...The horses are being purchased, fees for responsible rescue raised, and a majority of the horses purchased are being shot within one to two days without being seen by a vet. The email continues saying Cochran claims to have no income coming in yet she continues to take multiple vacations out of state, drives a BMW, and proudly discusses her cosmetic procedures such as Botox, hair extensions, interior decorators, etc.

An owner killing a horse on their own property is not illegal though many question whether a veterinarian is always consulted first at HiCaliber. Critics contend some of the horses that have been euthanized could have been saved.

Cochran doesnt disagree. She said occasionally a horse will come to HiCaliber that if given expensive treatment could likely go on to live a quality life, but there is a point that comes when business decisions have to be made. Should $25,000 be spent to save one horse or should that money be used to rescue 20 other horses, she asks?

Mary Hirsch, who lives in Texas and says she has never been to the rescue, is a frequent Internet critic. She said she bases her observations of whats going on at the rescue on videos that HiCaliber itself posts and other information online

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Im concerned about the care of the horses and the number of the horses and where this is going in the future, she said. From my personal involvement with horses over many, many years, when you have that many horses on that small a space, it gets bad really, really fast. Horses are an overwhelming animal to care for because they are so large.

There are more than 150 horses at HiCaliber now. Cochran is working with the county to reduce that number to a permitted 100, and that number may be decreased in the future, the county and Cochran have said.

Hirsch said shooting horses is a humane form of euthanasia, if it is done correctly. Horses dont have an intellect. They cant read books or think about great spiritual thoughts. They just sit there and suffer. I dont have a problem with that. But (HiCaliber) doesnt know enough about horses to know if horses are savable or not. They are euthanizing horses that could be saved if they were in the right hands. They dont make good choices.

Cochran and others connected to the rescue say the real story that is being ignored should be about cyber bullying.

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We think the focus on this is how Internet bullying can be so detrimental and harmful to an organization like this  and how quickly it can snowball, said Michelle Parsons, a HiCaliber volunteer.

People who are not even in this country are feeding this hatred.

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jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjonesBeginning today, beer drinkers around the county can raise a glass for Sarah Loza, a 9-year-old Rancho Penasquitos girl battling cancer.

This afternoon, 15 local bars and restaurants will tap kegs of #cheers4sarah, a session IPA beer that could raise as much as $9,000 for the family of Miguel Loza Brown and Maribel Loza. The money will go toward Sarahs medical bills.

On Oct. 10, the Deer Canyon Elementary fourth-grader was diagnosed with stage 4 Burkitts lymphoma. In the months since, she has undergone an extreme regimen of chemotherapy in a St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital-sponsored clinical trial that has fortunately pushed her cancer into remission.

#Cheers4sarah is the latest outpouring of support for the family by San Diego brewers. Loza Brown is a much-loved member of San Diegos QUAFF, a 400-member homebrewers club named Quality Ale and Fermentation Fraternity.

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Nick Corona, a QUAFF member who spearheaded the #cheers4sarah campaign, said this is the first time the club has done a project like this, and it couldnt help a nicer guy.

When I met Miguel, it only took me a short time to recognize hes one of the most modest, kind and humble individuals Ive ever known, Corona said. The way the community came together for his family  its a lovely thing.

Sisters Sarah Loza, 9, and Ariana Loza, 13, help their father, Miguel Loza Brown, start a batch of home-brewed beer at their Rancho Penasquitos home last week. (Miguel Loza Brown )

Loza Brown, 41, and his wife, Maribel, 37, have three daughters: Ariana, 13; Sarah, 9; and Julieta, 5. He has worked for the past 20 years as a network project manager for AT&T. She ran a home daycare business for 12 years, until Sarah got sick.

For nearly a year before her diagnosis, Sarah was experiencing shock-like pains in her forehead, aches in her arms, legs and jaws, and seizures. Doctors misdiagnosed it as growing pains, epilepsy and dental problems.

By the time Sarah got a full body MRI on Oct. 5, there were tumors in her abdomen, legs, arms, cheeks, neck and behind her eyes.

Because the disease was so widespread and close to her brain, Sarah was immediately put on an aggressive chemotherapy program of eight to 11 drugs, 24 hours a day for 14 days a month. Although it killed off the active tumors, it may have done irreversible damage to her heart, lungs, brain and other organs.

Maribel said her daughter has been strong and positive throughout her treatment, which is now in the maintenance phase. One reason is Sarahs strong Christian faith. Another is the preparation she had last year when Maribels cancer-stricken mom spent the last three weeks of her life on hospice in their home.

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She taught the girls how to be strong, Maribel said. I dont know how we wouldve gotten through this as a family if she hadnt prepared them.

In October, one of Sarahs aunts started a Gofundme campaign (Sarahs Miracle), which has raised nearly $20,000. And the beer community has stepped up in a big way.

In mid-January, Brian Trout and Roleur Brewing in Carlsbad released a golden ale called Cancer Fighter that raised $2,100 for the campaign. That same week, Savagewood Brewing Co. in San Diego raised $600 with Oh, Sweet! an IPA that Sarah named herself.

But the biggest collaboration was yet to come.

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Loza Brown is a five-year member of QUAFF, and he serves on the board for the craft beer-making program at San Diego State University.

He got serious about homebrewing in 2012, when he planted his own hops farm in Mexicos Valle de Guadalupe. A few years ago, he also launched a homebrew club in his native Ensenada. Last year, he was invited to speak about Bajas fast-growing homebrew community at 2017 Homebrew Con, a national homebrew conference in Minneapolis.

Verona said it was a no-brainer when the QUAFF membership voted to surprise Loza Browns family with the #cheers4sarah brew.

In 2017, QUAFF was named the National Homebrew Club of the Year, a prize that came with a years supply of malt. It didnt make sense to divide the small amount of grain among so many members, so instead they decided as a group to use the malt for a special cause.

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Vistas Indian Joe Brewing offered its brewery space for free as well as some hops, and Savagewood, The Lost Abbey and Green Flash Brewing threw in some additional hops. The beer was brewed on Feb. 13.

Over the past week, Loza Brown has been driving the kegs around to various locations that will sell the beer. They include Indian Joe Brewing in Vista; Notorious Burgers in Carlsbad; Next Door Craft Beer & Winebar in La Mesa; Hoboken Pizza & Beer Joint in Pacific Beach; Brazil by the Bay in the Midway district; The Ugly Dog Pub in Rolando; Draft Republic in La Jolla and Carlsbad; Cocina del Charro and Old California Mining Co. in San Marcos; Monkey Paw Brewing in East Village; Whisknladle Bistro, Catania Italian Restaurant and Bella Vista Social Club in La Jolla; Phileas Foggs Bar in Poway; and Provisions Market in Orange.

Still to come is a party to celebrate Sarahs remission from 1 to 5 p.m. March 17 at Second Chance Beer Co., 15378 Avenue of Science, No. 222, San Diego. Organized by Joey Jubran of Hoppy Beer Gear, the event will raise money through sales of beer and custom-made Remission Accomplished T-shirts and hoodies. More details are available at sarahsmiracle.com.

Maribel is also organizing a bake sale that afternoon to help the family give back to the community for all the kindness theyve received, including a meal train organized by neighbors.

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With pro bono help from HechtSolberg law firm, the Loza Browns are launching a nonprofit called Chat With Friends, which will supply free walkie-talkies to children in isolation in hospital oncology wards.

When Sarah was undergoing treatment last fall, her immunity to germs was so suppressed that she couldnt leave her hospital room for weeks at a time. Maribel bought her a set of walkie-talkies to talk with other shut-in children on the ward at Rady Childrens Hospital.

It was such a boost to her spirits that Maribel has since purchased a dozen more walkie-talkies and donated them to the hospital. She would like to offer the same for childrens hospitals everywhere.

Loza Brown said he was raised to never take charity from others, so accepting the gifts of meals, beer and donations has been humbling.

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Its been hard, he said. Ive tried to thank everyone, but maybe Ive missed some. The community has been so kind and generous to us, we just want to give back.

#cheers4sarah will be available March 10 at:

Indian Joe Brewing, 2123 Industrial Ct. Vista.

Notorious Burgers, 6955 El Camino Real Suite 107, Carlsbad.

Next Door Craft Beer & Winebar, 7235 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego

Hoboken Pizza & Beer Joint, 1459 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach

Brazil by the Bay, 3676 Kurtz St., San Diego

The Ugly Dog Pub, 6344 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego

Draft Republi, 4282 Esplanade Ct., La Jolla

Draft Republic, 5958 Avenida Encinas Carlsbad

Cocina Del Charro, 1020 W San Marcos Blvd. #50, San Marcos

Monkey Paw Brewing, 805 16th Street, San Diego

Whisknladle Bistro & Bar, 1044 Wall St. La Jolla

Catania Italian Restaurant, 7863 Girard Ave. #301, La Jolla

Old California Mining Co., 1020 W. San Marcos Blvd., #118, San Marcos

Phileas Foggs Bar & Restaurant, 11385 Poway Road, Poway

Bella Vista Social Club & Caffe, 2880 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, La Jolla

Provisions Market, 143 N Glassel St., Orange.

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pam.kragen@sduniontribune.comJesus seems to be a constant in the music of Jim White, a former surfer, fashion model, drug addict and born-again Christian-turned-self-described-heretic from San Diego who grew up mostly in Florida.

He named his 1997 debut album Wrong-Eyed Jesus, while his 2004 album, Drill a Hole in That Substrate and Tell Me What You See, features the song If Jesus Drove a Motor Home.

In 2003, White  who performs here Wednesday at Java Joes on a double-bill with San Diego music treasure Gregory Page  starred in the film documentary Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus.

Last year, White released his seventh album, Waffles, Triangles and Jesus.

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His down-home blend of country, folk, rock, bluegrass and other American roots-music styles is a rustic delight. So is the wry touch he brings to such songs as Paranormal Girlfriend, Ghost Town of My Brain and God Was Drunk When He Made Me.

Jim White, with Gregory Page: 8 p.m. Wednesday. Java Joes, 2611 Congress St., Old Town. $20. (619) 274-9989. javajoessd.com/

george.varga@sduniontribune.com

Twitter @georgevargaMarine Lance Cpl. Terris J. Strickland has been charged with gun charges, theft and other violations of military law.

He initially was held in pretrial confinement, pending a court-martial hearing, but has been released to his unit.

Hes assigned to 9th Communications Battalion, part of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.

A Camp Pendleton Marine is awaiting a court-martial trial on multiple firearms charges.

Lance Cpl. Terris J. Strickland was set for arraignment Monday for allegedly receiving stolen property, showing disrespect to a Marine sergeant major, getting an outlawed tattoo and for gun charges, according to the military court docket.

He had been in pretrial confinement since Feb. 1, according to charge sheet records released to The San Diego Union-Tribune following a Freedom of Information Act request.

But now hes back with 9th Communication Battalion, part of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.

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We take these allegations seriously and this case has been referred to a special court-martial, said 1st Marine Expeditionary Force spokeswoman 2nd Lt Tori S. Simenec. However, it is important to note that he is innocent until proven guilty. He has been detailed defense counsel and is with his unit awaiting the outcome of his case."

Military prosecutors accuse Strickland of receiving more than $500 worth of stolen DeWalt power tools on Jan. 26, the records state. On the same day, authorities allegedly discovered that he unlawfully brought two personally-owned firearms and ammunition into Camp Pendleton.

Base orders issued in 2011 mandate that all troops register their weapons with base officials and store them in a secured armory, not inside their private vehicles like Strickland allegedly did.

Strickland also is accused of showing disrespect by refusing to properly address an unnamed sergeant major, the most senior enlisted rank in the Corps. Insubordination to enlisted or commissioned leaders is outlawed in the military because it erodes unit discipline.

The battalion lists Sergeant Maj. Keith D. Hoge as its top enlisted Marine. Highly decorated for both combat and peacetime service, Hoge assumed the post on Aug. 4, 2017, according to his unit biography.

Strickland also faces charges for violating the Corps tattoo policy.

Issued in late 2017, the order bans tattoos anywhere on a Marines body that are prejudicial to good order and discipline, or are of a nature to bring discredit upon the naval service, including images that glorify drugs or street gangs or appear extremist, obscene or indecent, sexist, or racist.

The Corps also bars tattoos on the head, neck. knee and mouth. Several pages of regulations guide where images lawfully can be displayed on the body.

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By regulation, Marines must bring questionable tattoos to commanders for review, something prosecutors also claim Strickland failed to do.

Stricklands gun charges come in the midst of a nationwide debate about allowing troops to carry privately-owned firearms on bases following the Feb. 14 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and spree shootings at military installations in recent years including Fort Hood in Texas and the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C.

Although Pentagon regulations issued in late 2016 allow commanders to ease traditional restrictions on carrying personal firearms on base, military leaders have been reluctant to do so. Installations like Camp Pendleton continue to require personnel to register and surrender guns to military police or armories for storage.

Stricklands commander in chief, President Donald Trump, has vowed to address those rules.

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Were going to look at that whole military base gun-free zone, Trump said in a Feb. 23 address to the Conservative Political Action Committee conference in Maryland. If we cant have our military holding guns, its pretty bad.

Strickland enlisted on Aug. 8, 2016, and has never deployed overseas, according to the released records.

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Military Videos  On Now D-Day paratrooper from Coronado jumps again in France  at age 96 On Now Remembering war's fallen, one name at a time On Now In Ramona, an airplane and an aviator provide living lessons on World War II 1:43 On Now Video: Navy's newest vessel sails into San Diego and a new future in surface warfare On Now Video: U.S. Navy files homicide charges over warship collisions On Now Stopping Marine hazing On Now Video: U.S. Navy Air Crew Grounded After Creating Vulgar Sky Drawing On Now Navy says Asia Pacific ship collisions were avoidable On Now Hundreds of recruits get sick at Marine boot camp On Now Cutler Dawson Talks Navy Federal

cprine@sduniontribune.comFormer President Obama and Michelle Obama are negotiating a potential programming agreement with Netflix Inc., according to media reports.

The negotiations, first reported by the New York Times, are for original content that could focus on the topics that were important to the Obamas during their time in the White House, such as healthcare, nutrition and childrens health.

Netflix and Eric Schultz, senior advisor to President Obama, declined to comment on the reports.

President and Mrs. Obama have always believed in the power of storytelling to inspire, Schultz said in a statement. Throughout their lives, they have lifted up stories of people whose efforts to make a difference are quietly changing the world for the better. As they consider their future personal plans, they continue to explore new ways to help others tell and share their stories.

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Its unclear what the Obamas would be paid for any potential project.

Netflix is expected to spend a projected $7.5 billion to $8 billion on content this year, up from $6 billion in 2017.

In early February, the Los Gatos, Calif., company announced a multimillion-dollar deal with TV producer Ryan Murphy, whose shows include American Horror Story and Glee. Last August, the streaming service snagged producer Shonda Rhimes, the woman behind Greys Anatomy and Scandal, from ABC.

Netflix shares jumped Friday, climbing 4.6% to $331.44.

jaclyn.cosgrove@latimes.com

Twitter: @jaclyncosgrove

UPDATES:

2:25 p.m.: This article was updated with Netflixs stock movement.

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This article was originally published at 7:35 a.m.Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and key members of the City Council have agreed to give police officers raises of up to 5% with no change to a controversial retirement program that pays veteran cops and firefighters nearly double at the end of their careers.

A new, one-year contract overwhelmingly approved by police union members this week gives pay increases of up to 5% for patrol officers and up to 4.5% for detectives, city officials acknowledged.

Robert Harris, one of the police unions directors, said the raises are necessary to ensure the LAPD remains competitive and can fill all of its open positions.

The deal places no new conditions on the Deferred Retirement Option Plan, which allows veteran officers to collect their salaries and pensions simultaneously for up to five years before they retire.

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The DROP program was approved by voters in 2001 with a promise that it would keep veteran officers on the job a few years longer with no additional cost to the city.

A Times investigation published last month found the program had issued more than $1.6 billion in early pension payments since 2002, and nearly half of DROP participants in the last decade entered the program and then took injury leaves at twice their usual pay; typically for bad backs, sore knees, carpal tunnel syndrome and other ailments that routinely afflict aging bodies.

More than 1,200 police and firefighters took such leaves, the Times found; their average absence was 10 months, and hundreds stayed out for more than a year.

Among them were two married LAPD officers who joined DROP, then went out with carpal tunnel syndrome and other cumulative injuries. They missed about two years and spent some of that time starting a family business and vacationing at their condo in Cabo San Lucas, The Times found. They collected nearly $2 million in salary and pension while in the program.

A firefighter in DROP who filed a claim for a bad back and a sore knee worked part-time as a longshoreman at L.A. Harbor while on injury leave from the department, according to one of the doctors who examined him in the course of his workers compensation case.

On Thursday, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck announced the first arrest for workers compensation fraud in the history of the program. Former officer Terry Johns joined DROP in July 2014 and filed a claim for cumulative trauma to his back a month later, public records show.

He received nearly $250,000 in salary and pension payments for the time off, but internal affairs investigators observed him engaged in activity inconsistent with his claimed injuries, Beck said. He declined to offer further details.

Johns could not be reached for comment. Records show he retired in 2016.

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Days after the Times published the first story Feb. 3, Garcetti joined City Council members Mitch Englander, Paul Krekorian and Paul Koretz  all members of the committee that negotiates contracts with the citys politically powerful employee unions  in demanding a thorough investigation of the DROP program.

Two weeks later, on Feb. 23, the committee voted behind closed doors to approve the new contract for police.

While they did not demand any changes to DROP as part of the contract, Garcetti asked Los Angeles Police Protective League president Craig Lally for a letter promising to meet and confer about the program after the investigation is complete.

The letter, which a Garcetti aide speaking on background said was a condition of the contracts approval, arrived on Feb. 20.

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In it, Lally thanked Garcetti and others for their continued support of DROP and indicated the union might be willing to consider potential amendments to ensure there is no abuse of the program in the future.

Police union director Harris said the organization has been open to reform of the program since the publication of The Times investigation and denied that the letter was a requirement for the contract extension.

Obviously these two issues are occurring simultaneously, but one doesnt inform the other, Harris said. Everybody on all sides is invested in sitting down to make sure that DROP is doing what DROP is supposed to do, and rooting out anybody who abuses that system.

The unusually short one-year agreement will allow for negotiation of a multiyear contract in 2019, at the same time that the firefighters union will be negotiating its own deal, Harris said.

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Garcetti has said he still supports the DROP program but that hed be willing to suspend pension payments to employees while theyre out with injuries. In that case, they would receive only their salaries until they returned to work.

Under state law, salaries for police and firefighters are tax-free while they are on injury leave.

Nothing will change until the new study is complete, Garcetti said.

Garcetti and the council ignored a report from former City Administrative Officer Miguel Santana in 2016 warning the program was not, and never had been, cost neutral as promised to voters.

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Santanas report also said DROP was no longer necessary to retain veteran police officers and had never been needed to retain firefighters.

Santana urged city leaders to eliminate the program, as had dozens of other government agencies across the country, including San Francisco and San Diego.

Instead, city leaders did nothing.

Koretz, who received more than $98,000 from the police and fire unions for his successful March 2017 reelection, including expenses incurred for mailers and telephone calls on his behalf, said he disregarded the reports recommendations partly because Santana wasnt a particularly pro-labor CAO.

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This week, Koretz praised the new police union contract, calling it good for both the rank and file officers as well as for the city.

In addition to the bumps in salary, the new contract provides an increase of more than 8% in the monthly subsidy officers get for healthcare and a 2.5% increase in subsidies for dental care.

The union agreed to zero takeaways  zero concessions in the deal, according to a flyer distributed to members outlining the terms of the deal.

The previous police contract covered four years with an average raise of 2% per year.

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gus.garcia-roberts@latimes.com

Twitter: @GGarciaRobertsAbout half a dozen protesters were arrested Friday in downtown Los Angeles after they blocked traffic as part of a demonstration against proposed street vending rules.

Several hundred demonstrators took over Main Street near City Hall shortly after 10 a.m. to protest a vending proposal that they say favors businesses over local vendors. The group shouted Si se puede  Yes we can  and carried signs that read Opportunity, Dignity and Safety.

Police detain a street vending protester who refused to leave after a dispersal order. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times )

Police arrested seven people who refused to leave after a dispersal order, LAPD Officer Rosario Herrera said.

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The L.A. City Council is crafting new rules for the thousands of unlicensed street vendors who sell fruit, clothing and CDs on the citys sidewalks.

As part of those rules, lawmakers are considering requiring vendors to get permission from neighboring properties to sell their goods. Brick-and-mortar businesses say they are worried about how legalizing vending will affect them, and they cite concerns about trash, blocked walkways and what they see as unfair competition from street vendors.

About an hour before the arrests, a group of vendors  many of them women  and their supporters gathered outside City Hall to criticize the proposed business permission requirement.

The demonstration was held a day after International Womens Day, and the organizers said women make up about 80% of the street vendors in Los Angeles.

It is time to be bold, said Rosemarie Molina, an organizer with the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. We must stand against the business veto, which would give private business owners the governing power over public space.

dakota.smith@latimes.com

Twitter: @dakotacdsmithRising tensions between the United States and Russia have triggered cancellation of an eight-city music tour by a local jazz quartet.

Each new day brings me some new worries, said an email from the Russian promoter. The connections between our two countries become worse and worse every day, and now it is just terrible.

He had engaged San Diegos Rob Thorsen Quartet for performances in eight historic cities on the Crimean peninsula. The tour, originally set for March 11-21, was previously postponed to April 15-22 to avoid any conflicts during Russias presidential election on March 18.

This week, however, Thorsen got word that his tour was being scuttled. He was advised, though, that it could be revived at a more peaceful time and in a less politically charged location in Russia.

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Publicity about the American music group was starting to become politicized and used for propaganda purposes, said the Russian organizer. He expressed fear that the quartets music would be overtaken by a media circus of interviews with the U.S. musicians. Questions and press conferences would give rise to speculation, distortions, rumors and gossip.

I am extremely concerned that this can damage the reputation of artists and have the opposite result to the one I was counting on when I conceived this project.  I will never forgive myself if something is used against them  after the concerts in the Crimea, the promoter informed Thorsen. I hope you understand what I mean.

The four musicians  bassist Thorsen, trumpeter Curtis Taylor, pianist Hugo Suarez and drummer Richard Sellers  had gotten their visas but didnt suffer out-of-pocket losses because their travel and expenses were being underwritten by the tour sponsor.

I was disappointed, said Thorsen, referring to the tour as a dream come true.

It paid well, he added. Everybody was bummed.

Its off for now, but there is plenty of work so Im thankful for all the performing opportunities right here at home, Thorsen posted on his online site.

He had not looked at the U.S. State Departments travel advisory to Americans traveling to Crimea saying that Russias occupation and attempted annexation of this part of Ukraine, which was not recognized by the international community, has led to arbitrary imprisonment of foreigners and locals  especially those perceived as challenging Russian authority. That is a grim warning.

San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Cindy Marten, shown here during last falls State of the District speech, praises Qualcomm for its volunteer involvement in city schools STEM education. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune )

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All calm: The federal governments temporary hold on Broadcoms takeover of Qualcomm was welcome news in many San Diego quarters.

One of the tech giants less visible impacts on the San Diego community is its commitment to public STEM education.

San Diego City Schools Superintendent Cindy Marten doesnt know what effect the high-tech takeover might have on the school districts education programs with Qualcomm, but she is relieved to know that it will be business as usual for the time being, at least.

If somebody, such as Broadcom, comes in from outside, would it have the deep roots to give San Diego kids engineering experiences that are really relevant and meaningful like Qualcomm is doing? she said.

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That was a big question mark for us, and we didnt know whether they would or they wouldnt. Im happy to say, and to know, that these partnerships are going to continue to be strong because that decision is being put off.

As many as 8,000 middle school students learn robotics, coding, engineering and get hands-on experience in the Qualcomm-supported Thinkabit Lab program that began in 2014-2015, Marten estimated. High school students get work-based learning experience through internships, and Qualcomm professionals come to the schools to work with them.

While this education partnership might continue under Broadcom, the Singapore-based company, in the process of moving its headquarters to San Jose, has a reputation for cost-conscious management and maximizing profit.

St. Patricks Day is coming, and green drinks, like these from PB Shore Club, are all the rage. (Courtesy photo )

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Priorities: St. Patricks Day is next Saturday. So San Diego Rotary Club President Bob Russell thought it prudent to remind the incoming membership class of the holiday when inviting them to participate in the clubs annual Camp Enterprise for high school students over the weekend.

The camp is a Rotary-run retreat for business-minded student entrepreneurs. St. Patricks Day drinking would have to be postponed until after the Saturday session ends at 4 p.m., Russell warned. With that, he learned a lesson about whats important in life: None of the incoming members signed up to participate.

Its not your usual Costco staple, but the Mission Valley store is selling a rare 50-year-old Glenlivet scotch from the Winchester collection for the bargain price of $19,999. It actually is a deal. An online check of Wine-Searcher showed prices from $23,000 to $35,000. (Courtesy of Vicki Estrada )

Say what? Vicki Estrada was taken aback to spot a bottle of cognac at the Costco in Mission Valley selling for $4,999 and a bottle of Glenlivet 50-year-old single malt scotch for $19,999.

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Seriously? she posted online. It would seem if you could afford these, you dont shop at Costco.

Right on, Vicki. But a response quickly shot back from Niles Richman (no pun intended) that put things in perspective: Ive never found a decent bottle of cognac for less than $100,000.

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diane.bell@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1518

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Facebook: dianebell.newsA man accused of punching a police officer  an encounter caught on camera  near a protest at Chicano Park in February must face trial on felony charges including assault on a police officer, a judge ruled Friday.

But in making her ruling, San Diego Superior Court Judge Sharon Majors-Lewis also said that the defendant, Frederick Jefferson, may have a good argument for self-defense.

The court cant believe it escalated to the level that it did, Majors-Lewis said. The man is walking down the street  not supposed to be walking down the street  but that walking down the street resulted in a beat down.

It is case, she said, that should go to a jury.

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Her comments came at the end of a short preliminary hearing for Jefferson, who also faces three charges of resisting arrest. Conviction on all charges could land the 39-year-old in custody for more than nine years.

Initially, police said the confrontation with Jefferson came as part of an event dubbed the Patriot Picnic by a group of critics who question the parks murals and oppose flying the Aztlan flag on the main flagpole. Several hundred counter-protestors showed up.

Jefferson, however, told 10News in a jailhouse interview last month that he was leaving a pancake breakfast and was not part of the protest, which was perhaps 200 to 300 yards down the road from his encounter with two police officers.

The confrontation between Jefferson and the officers attracted a crowd, and prompted one onlooker to film it as he cheered on Jefferson. The video was shared and viewed multiple times online.

The bystanders video does not capture the moments before encounter turned physical. But those moments were caught on the body-worn camera of one of the officers.

Deputy District Attorney Michael Reilly played both videos in court.

Around 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 3, Jefferson was walking in the middle of Logan Avenue near Cesar Chavez Parkway, headed toward Chicano Park.

Jefferson was wearing red and black clothing  the same colors worn by one of protest groups at the park, Officer Justin Tennebaum testified Friday. That group, he said, was the anti-facist group known as Antifa.

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Tennebaum and his partner drove past Jefferson and told him to get out of the street. Jefferson blew them off.

Tennebaum and Officer Matthew Ruggiero got out of the patrol car and approached him.

The footage from Tennebaums body-worn camera  at points shown in slow motion or in freeze frame during his testimony  shows Tennebaum reaching out toward Jeffersons left arm from behind.

At the same moment, the officer said, Ruggiero had grabbed Jeffersons right arm, also from behind.

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Jefferson forcefully yanked away from Ruggiero and backed up. That, Tennebaum testified, is when Jeffersons behavior quickly turned assaultive, including pushing away Ruggiero, who then grabbed Jeffersons T-shirt by the collar.

Tennebaum said he pulled out his stun gun, but didnt fire because he didnt have a clear shot.

Ruggiero swung his baton at Jefferson at least twice, the video shows. Jefferson punched at him.

Soon, a handful of other officers arrived and took down Jefferson. It took more than two minutes to get him in handcuffs, one of the officers testified.

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Jeffersons punch left Ruggiero with a broken nose and a cut over his eye that required eight stitches. His jaw was so badly damaged he had to have reconstructive surgery to put in six plates, the prosecutor said.

Majors-Lewis dismissed a defense request to dismiss the case on a claim of self-defense, citing the seriousness of the officers injuries among other reasons.

The judge also chided the prosecutor for showing the video in slow-motion.

Its not a fair and accurate representation of what happened, she said. It happened very quickly.

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Jefferson remains jailed in lieu of $250,000. His attorney asked the judge to order his jailers to get him medical treatment for ribs that may have been broken during the February fight.

After the hearing, Ruggieros parents said their son is continuing to heal.

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Officer punched, tensions flare at Patriot Picnic

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teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com

(760) 529-4945

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Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUTA man charged with murdering his toddler stepson, whose body has never been found, admitted in court Friday that he lied to police several times about the boys disappearance nearly 16 years ago.

Tieray Jones testified that he took 26-month-old Jahi Turner to a Golden Hill neighborhood playground about two hours earlier than what he originally told San Diego police.

He lied, he said, partly because he felt shame for having lost him. A shame I placed on myself.

He said he also wanted to delay any contact with police who might arrest him for a Maryland misdemeanor marijuana warrant, taking him away from his family.

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You wanted to cooperate with the police, didnt you? a prosecutor asked. You called them for help.

I dont know if I wanted to cooperate with them, but I needed them, said Jones, now 39, adding that when he grew up on the streets in Maryland, his contacts with police were not friendly.

He called 911 at 2:36 p.m. on April 25, 2002.

Jones testified that he told the truth when he said he had left Jahi playing near other children in the playground at 28th and Beech Street while he walked away to a soft drink machine.

He said when he returned 15 or 20 minutes later, all the children, including Jahi, were gone.

Police, search and rescue volunteers, the Sheriffs Department and FBI coordinated an extensive hunt for Jahi. They canvassed the neighborhood and even searched Miramar landfill for the childs body, based on neighbor reports that Jones took large bags of trash to his apartment trash bins.

Jones then-wife, Tameka Jones, the boys mother, was a Navy seaman on a week-long deployment at the time Jahi vanished.

The investigation stalled for years with no charges filed, but Tieray Jones was arrested in 2016. He is on trial on one count of murder.

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Prosecutors allege that he may have become irate over Jahi wetting their shared bed and over not being able to access funds on his wifes Navy bank account.

In trial testimony on Thursday, Jones said he would never strike Jahi or take out frustrations on the child.

Under hours-long cross-examination by Deputy District Attorney Bill Mitchell, Jones said he lied when he told the 911 police operator that Jahi went missing from the park 10 to 20 minutes earlier.

Jones said he actually walked the toddler from their Beech Street apartment to the playground around 10 or 11 a.m. He said when he returned from a vending machine and couldnt find Jahi, he walked back home.

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Mitchell asked if he called out Jahis name, or asked people in the park and along the streets if they had seen the child.

I did not run around frantically screaming, Jones answered.

He admitted he lied to investigators about feeding Jahi lunch and taking a nap that day, and about how far away he walked away from Jahi to reach the soft drink vending machine.

While Jones said the distance was about 15 yards, it was actually more than 100 yards, Mitchell said.

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What kind of dependable babysitter takes a 2-year-old toddler to the park, dumps him off at the playground and goes off to smoke a joint? Mitchell asked.

An irresponsible babysitter, Jones said. He noted that he had smoked marijuana every day for years at that point in his life.

The trial is to resume Monday, likely with more testimony from Jones and from his ex-wife.

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Twitter: @pdrepardHundreds of participants braved the rain Saturday morning to raise awareness about the toll brain injuries can take on survivors and their families.

The 11th annual Walk for Recovery at Mission Bay Park helped raise more than $40,000 for the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation. Founded in 1983, the nonprofit serves as a resource for survivors of brain trauma, their caregivers and their families, offering hope and support while supplying the best information about advances in medical treatment.

The charity estimates that more than 11,000 people are affected by brain injury each year in San Diego County, a figure that includes victims and their families but excludes active-duty military members who also face head trauma in accidents and combat.

Our support meetings are free. All of our resources are free, said Susan Hansen, the foundation director.

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She joined the foundation initially as a board member after her husband suffered a brain aneurysm in 1997.

Headquartered in Point Loma, the nonprofit operates on about $500,000 per year, so Saturdays walk was a key fundraiser  and people are still giving online.

Mariah Morrow (center), who previously suffered an aneurysm, has her photo taken with her mom, Monya Morrow (left) and her uncle Hugh Radcliffe before the start of the 11th annual surviveHEADSTRONG  Walk For Recovery on Saturday morning. (Nancee E. Lewis/U-T )

Donated dollars fund support meetings in Hillcrest and Encinitas. Theres also a hospital outreach program to reach case workers and trauma center physicians, a telephone hotline to link families with important agencies, a newsletter with more than 3,500 readers and Howard House, a care facility in Escondido for six survivors of severe brain injury who need 24-hour assistance.

Its definitely grown. Today were getting many more calls from parents who have kids who play sports, said Hansen. Theyre worried about concussions and other sporting injuries.

Kids like Ariana Khayamian, 16, a student at Charter School San Diego who was seriously injured in September of 2016 when a fellow cheerleader fell on her.

Migraines, nausea, dizziness, said Khayamian as she rattled off a list of ongoing symptoms.

People assume that every concussion will heal quickly, within a few weeks, and everyone will return to being completely normal, the teen said. But thats not always true.

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Although most athletes recover quickly from head trauma, some patients suffer post-concussion syndrome for months, even years, after the injury.

Researchers continue to probe the causes of the complex ailment but many of the problems are believed to be tied the initial blow jumbling neural connections inside the head or causing structural changes to the brain.

The trauma also can trigger depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, complicating the diagnosis and treatment of the condition.

Its important for people to get help and to find the resources that are out there, which is why were here now, said Khayamian, who was flanked by her mom Peggy and Miriam Allsop, both organizers for the Beyond Concussion Support Center, an initiative aided by Hansens foundation.

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Beyond Concussion hosts a public support group beginning at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the San Diego Chiropractic Neurology clinic at 2918 5th Ave.

A closed session for victims, family members and caregivers starts at 7 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month at the Foundations Liberty Station office.

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cprine@sduniontribune.comThe San Diego Housing Commission has chosen the nonprofit Mental Health Systems to operate a storage facility for homeless people to use, but a plan to open it in Sherman Heights did not get enough votes for the board to recommend it to the City Council on Friday.

Representatives of the Alpha Project, Father Joes Village, Veterans Village of San Diego and PATH Connections Housing were among about 15 people who spoke in favor of the storage center planned for 116 South 20th St.

About 20 people, many from Sherman Heights, spoke against the plan and said the 1,000-bin storage center would draw more homeless people to a neighborhood already experiencing public safety and qualify-of-life issues.

In the most visual presentation against the plan, Our Ladys School Principal Noel Bishop appeared before the commission with about 20 elementary students dressed in black or red school sweaters.

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Look at the faces of these kids, Bishop said. These are the kids who are going to be affected by this.

One student said she is afraid to go out in her own neighborhood because some of the homeless in the area are dangerous.

Housing Commissioner Margaret Davis voted against the plan, saying she couldnt endorse it after hearing complaints from residents about its close proximity to the school, and other issues.

Vice Chair Dorothy Surdi abstained while commissioners Stefanie Benvenuto, Ben Moraga and Tim Walsh voted in support.

With Chair Frank Urtasun and Commissioner Kellee Hubbard absent, however, the plan fell short of the four required votes for the commission to recommend it to the City Council. The council and Housing Authority still will hear the plan and vote on its funding in the near future.

The facility would operate under a one-year agreement and two one-year optional extensions for a total cost of $3.8 million over three years.

Operating hours would be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. If approved by the City Council, it could open by June 1.

Jonathan Herrera, Mayor Kevin Faulconers senior adviser on homelessness, said several good-neighbor policies would be in place at the center to address community concerns.

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Mental Health Systems and city Environmental Services crew would keep the area around the center clean, a waiting area inside would keep people from lining up outside, drugs and alcohol would be prohibited, quarterly meetings with the community would be held and a phone line would be established for people to call with complaints, he said.

Assistant Police Chief Paul Connelly said a new neighborhood policing division that will include homeless outreach team and quality-of-life officers also would help keep the area around the center peaceful.

The nonprofit Think Dignity runs a 400-bin storage facility on 16th Street in downtown San Diego, but it has a 90-day waiting list with about 150 people, which led to discussions of opening a second center.

Proponents of the plan said it would help keep sidewalks clear of tents and other makeshift structures while allowing homeless people to look for work or go to school without fear of losing their possessions by leaving them unattended.

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Alpha Project Chief Operating Officer Amy Gonyeau said some homeless people even refuse to go into shelters because they dont have a place to store their possessions.

Many opponents to the planned center said they are sympathetic to the plight of the homeless, but they object to the size and location of the facility.

Sherman Heights resident Randy Navarro called the proposed building the Costco of storage facilities, and Logan Heights resident George Blackwood said the 1,000-bin center was more than was needed since there are only 150 people on the Think Dignity waiting list.

Blackwood and several others said they believed the new center would attract more homeless people to their neighborhood.

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Father Neal Jose Wilkinson of Our Lady of Guadalupe, where he is known as Father Pepe, suggested there was a racial motive in putting the center so near the church and its school.

The city is making a very loud statement  Poor Mexicans dont count, he said.

Wilkinson also suggested the city attempt to put the facility next to La Jolla Country Day School to see the reaction it would get from that community.

While many speakers objected to the proposed location, they agreed with proponents that there was a need for a storage center. Several people suggested it should be scaled down, with smaller storage centers in different areas of the city rather than one large one in Sherman Heights.

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Twitter: @GaryWarthUT

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760-529-4939A video of Border Patrol agents arresting a mother on Saturday in National City, leaving three distraught daughters on a street corner, has sparked widespread outrage.

Perla Morales-Luna, 36, was arrested just after 4 p.m. on Saturday while walking with her three daughters in front of her apartment complex. Two officials in plainclothes were involved in the arrest as well as several uniformed Border Patrol agents.

Two videos of the arrest went viral on social media on Thursday after a teacher of one of the daughters shared them on Facebook. They have been viewed more than 9.4 million times.

In the videos, the agents push the woman, who tries to stay with her daughters, along the sidewalk and into a waiting SUV. The daughters scream and cry in piercing tones.

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Jessica Carrillo, who lives in an apartment complex across the street from Morales-Luna, saw the Border Patrol SUV pull up for the arrest.

That was something I wont forget, Carrillo said. It was pretty shocking.

She turned her car around to check on the girls. They ran into one of the buildings before she could talk to them, she said.

Border Patrol said that the woman was arrested as the result of a targeted operation on March 3, 2018, in National City for being in the country illegally.

The statement said that the agency had identified Morales-Luna as an organizer for a transnational criminal smuggling organization operating in East County, San Diego.

When pressed for more details, Border Patrol issued a second statement late Friday saying, Perla Morales-Luna was identified as a human smuggling facilitator who recruited drivers to transport illegal aliens from a remote border area in eastern San Diego County to a stash house in National City as part of a larger transnational criminal organization. Other individuals associated with this criminal organization were arrested shortly after a smuggling event transpired in January of 2018 near Boulevard, California. Ms. Morales-Luna eluded arrest at that time, and despite direct phone conversations between her and U.S. Border Patrol agents, she refused to self-surrender to authorities.

The statement added that Morales-Luna didnt comply with agents commands.

The video clearly shows the arresting agents carried out their duties appropriately, even when faced with a barrage of insults and confrontational agitators, Border Patrol said.

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Andres Moreno II, one of the attorneys representing Morales-Luna, said earlier on Friday that his client has no criminal history and that there is no evidence that shes part of a smuggling organization.

She insists she has no knowledge why theyre associating her with a smuggling operation, Moreno said.

Morales-Luna has been in the U.S. since she was 15, he said, and is a single mother.

National City activists are outraged over the video.

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Mark Lane, who worked with another National City family, the Duartes, when both parents were arrested by CBP last year, said there are concerning similarities between both arrests. In both instances, Lane said, Border Patrol suggested the arrestees were criminals after the cases received media attention.

Border Patrol puts out these statements to smear people they arrest when it turns high profile, Lane said. Its almost a word-for-word statement.

But Border Patrol officials insist Morales-Luna is involved with a criminal enterprise.

The United States Border Patrol is committed to dismantling transnational criminal organizations who profit from cross-border smuggling of humans, dangerous narcotics, weapons and other illicit contraband, Border Patrols second statement said. Anyone that the U.S. Border Patrol can identify as part of these criminal organizations will be arrested and presented to the U.S. Attorneys Office for prosecution. In the case of an illegal alien, they may be processed for removal from the United States in lieu of prosecution.

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Francisco Duarte, who worked as an ice cream vendor, and Rosenda Perez-Pelcastre, a house cleaner, were never charged with a crime. The parents of four children still have open deportation cases.

After the arrests their oldest son, also named Francisco Duarte, dropped out of San Diego City College and worked full-time to support his three younger siblings. The younger Duarte said criminal accusations against his father made it difficult to get help from the community.

On top of taking my parents, they branded them as criminals, Duarte, 20, said. We proved they are not criminals. Its just really horrible because when you go out into the community to ask for help now they are calling your parents criminals.

National City residents similarly rallied for the Duarte family, calling on council members to designate the city as a welcoming city and to support state legislation limiting local police cooperation with federal immigration officials.

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This time, activists called on National City to have an Immigrant Relations coordinator who can help support families who have been separated by immigration enforcement. Lane asked the city to create this position last year but was told the city didnt have enough money.

Lane accused council members who voted to allocate $65,000 for a June special election on extending term limits for the mayor of being hypocrites when they claimed they didnt have enough money last year.

We want to take them to task for that because we couldve already has a resource in place for this family before this ever happened, he said.

Mayor Ron Morrison said he knows the Morales-Luna family. He said they have been to his annual holiday party.

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This is the kind of thing that tears your heart out when you see that video, Morrison said.

According to Morrison, the decision not to create an immigrant relations position had more to do with not duplicating services already offered in San Diego than lack of funding.

We said, Why are we going to duplicate on a small level what is already being provided to the community by other organizations? he said.

He criticized the activists who organized the rally saying they didnt tell the city this was happening and are using the arrest as an opportunity to talk about the repeal and replace ballot measure.

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Morrison said the city is looking into training staff so that when people have concerns, staff can connect them with existing service providers.

Morales-Lunas daughters  17, 15 and 12  are all U.S. citizens, according to her attorney. They have not spoken to the media about their mothers arrest. They are staying with another family member.

They could have easily picked her up, processed her, released her and not created the traumatic emotional impact of having law enforcement stripping a mother from her U.S. citizen children, Moreno said. Its going to have a lasting effect on them.

On Friday morning, Moreno said, the mother was transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement to go to a long-term detention facility in Otay Mesa.

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He hopes to win her release either through parole or bond and said she should qualify for several forms of relief from removal.

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Follow me on Facebook for live updates about immigration news

kate.morrissey@sduniontribune.com, @bgirledukate on Twitter

UPDATES:

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4:39 p.m. This article was updated with additional comments from the U.S. Border Patrol.Former San Diego Councilman Carl DeMaio on Friday put out an announcement that he wont run for Congress again, instead focusing on an initiative to repeal a state gas-tax increase.

As you know, Ive spent the last few weeks listening to supporters who wanted me to run for U.S. Congress  and I want to share my decision with you, he said in an email to supporters. While I, too, am frustrated with the lack of results and the double-standards for Washington politicians, I believe the Gas Tax Repeal Initiative campaign and our plans for subsequent reform initiatives in California are so much more important.

His efforts to repeal last years 12-cents-per-gallon gas tax increase, a hike that helps pay for transportation projects, is close to qualifying for the statewide ballot, he said.

And we wont stop there! With the success of the Gas Tax Repeal, we will then launch two new reform initiatives in California  focused on repealing the Sanctuary State law and reforming government pension abuses, DeMaio wrote.

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He had been considering a run for the 50th District, an inland seat that includes eastern and northern San Diego County and a part of Temecula. Its currently represented by Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine.

While serious intra-party challenges are rare in primaries and are often rough and costly, Hunter, who is running for re-election, has been fighting a campaign finance scandal for more than two years as well as a related FBI investigation for more one year. Records show that some of Hunters campaign contributions were spent on vacations, airfare for a pet rabbit, dental work, and other uses. Hunter said that the purchases were honest mistakes and that he repaid his campaign with personal money.

Hunter is facing two Republican challengers, El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells and businessman Shamus Sayed. There are two Democratic front-runners  former Department of Labor spokesman Ammar Campa-Najjar and Jamul-Dulzura Union School District board member Josh Butner, a retired Navy SEAL.

The district is one of the most conservative in California. The top two candidates in the June 5 primary, regardless of their party, will face each other in the November general election.

DeMaio, 43 and a conservative talk radio host on KOGO-AM (600), had gone as far as to retrieve nomination papers from the San Diego County Registrar of Voters earlier this week. Friday was the deadline to return the paperwork to qualify for the ballot.

DeMaio served on the San Diego City Council from 2008 until 2012, when he ran for mayor. He finished with 47.5 percent of the vote, losing to Democrat Bob Filner in the general election.

He ran for Congress in 2014 in the 52nd district and lost to now-Rep. Scott Peters, D-San Diego, after receiving 48.4 percent of the vote.

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joshua.stewart@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1841Antonio Villaraigosa is best known as the former mayor of Los Angeles. But that title will not be on the ballot when voters choose the next governor of California.

Instead, Villaraigosa will be listed as a Public Policy Advisor, a reference to his most recent profession.

The words that appear next to candidate names are governed by state regulations. Since Villaraigosa left office nearly five years ago, after serving from 2005 to 2013, he cant use his mayoral title. He formed a public consulting firm that advised companies such as Herbalife, Banc of California and Cadiz from 2013 to last year.

Candidates spend time and often money on polling to determine a ballot title that paints them in the best light to voters while complying with the states regulations, even though in prominent races for governor or U.S. Senate, ballot designations arent typically a deciding factor.

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State Treasurer John Chiangs campaign protested the designation. (He will be listed as California State Treasurer on the primary ballot.)

Lets be real, the only thing Antonio Villaraigosa can currently advise on is how to best target innocent Californians, said Chiangs spokesman, Fabien Levy, pointing to work Villaraigosa has done for Herbalife, Cadiz and Edelman.

Critics accuse Herbalife, a nutritional supplement company, of being a pyramid scheme. Cadiz is trying to pump groundwater out of the Mojave Desert and sell it to Los Angeles consumers, a project opposed by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and public lands advocates. Edelman is a public relations firm that counts oil-industry groups among its clients.

Levy said Chiangs campaign has no plans to back up the rhetoric with a formal challenge to Villaraigosas ballot designation, but he left open the possibility of going to court later.

Ballot designation rules are so picayune that they dictate what types of punctuation are acceptable (commas, slashes and occasionally hyphens). Company names are verboten, as are words such as reformer, activist, patriot and taxpayer. The word retired cannot be abbreviated.

Learn more about the race for governor 

That has left room for some colorful ballot designations, such as Mary Carey Cook, who was listed as an Adult Film Actress, and Kurt E. Tachikaze Rightmyer, who was listed as a Middleweight Sumo Wrestler in the 2003 recall election. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was elected governor in that race, was listed as Actor/Businessman.

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Some titles, such as businessman or teacher, are more popular than others, such as lawyer or the persons political title in Congress or the Legislature.

In 2016, five congressional and legislative incumbents did not use their elected titles for ballot designations, including Rep. David Valadao. The Hanford Republican called himself a Farmer/Small Businessman.

In 2014, David Evans, an obscure Mojave Desert accountant who spent just $600 on his campaign to be California state controller nearly placed in the second spot in the primary. His ballot designation of Chief Financial Officer probably had something to do with it.

Eric Jaye, Villaraigosas political advisor, said that while the campaign considered other ballot designations, they went with Public Policy Advisor because it most accurately reflected Villaraigosas work after leaving City Hall.

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The company has advised a wide-range of for-profit and nonprofit companies around issues such as economic development, investment strategy, community reinvestment, healthcare, and education, according to Villaraigosas filing documents. As a public policy advisor, Mr. Villaraigosa guides clients through turning policies into action.

Whether it matters is up for debate.

How important ballot designations are diminishes the further up the ballot you go. So in the governors race, voters are going to have a wealth of information about the leading candidates from news coverage, from advertisements, etc., said GOP strategist Rob Stutzman. Where ballot designations become important information is races where voters dont know much else. Frankly, theyre most valuable at the sanitation and water district level, and then the value starts to decline the more you move up.

seema.mehta@latimes.com

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Californias candidates for governor react to Trump administration lawsuit over immigration policy

California Democratic Party offers no endorsements in U.S. Senate or governors races

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Live coverage of California politicsMarjory Stoneman Douglas, known as the Grand Dame of the Everglades for her defense of it, was a relentless advocate for womens suffrage, civil rights and the environment before her name was entrusted to a high school in Parkland, Florida, for safe keeping and posterity. Then last month, a former student shot and killed 17 people there, and now her name is associated with all that bloodshed and heartbreak and gun violence instead of how she stood up to politicians and lobbyists for many years.

The context of her name has already changed again. Students at her namesake are living up to it, squaring off with President Donald Trump and Dana Loesch of the National Rifle Association, organizing a March for our Lives in Washington, D.C., for 500,000 people on March 24, refusing to accept a world without common-sense gun regulation. And now theyre inspiring students elsewhere.

Hundreds of students walked out of classes to protest school gun violence in both Baltimore and Boston last week. Far more are expected to walk out coast to coast this coming Wednesday to call on Congress to pass sensible gun legislation as part of an organized effort that will involve dozens of San Diego County schools and thousands nationwide.

The National School Walkout is drawing comparisons to Los Angeles protests in 1968 when 22,000 students stormed out of class and committed what the Los Angeles Times called the first act of mass militancy by Mexican Americans in modern California history. Thats some historic company.

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Fifty years later, these Florida shooting survivors have already changed the conversation on guns more than anyone thought possible  and moved Florida to bar those younger than 21 from buying guns, require a three-day wait for most gun purchases and ban the sale or possession of bump stocks. These gun-control measures, signed into law Friday, are the first in 20 years of GOP state control.

Nationally, Dicks Sporting Goods and Walmart have both stopped selling guns to anyone under 21, amid blowback. The retailers have already been sued, and likely face more lawsuits but arent backing down. Neither are the Florida students whose efforts to keep guns in the news have fallen prey in recent days to steel tariffs, Stormy Daniels and Kim Jong Un but whose determination is infectious.

Douglas herself can help explain the tireless mindset of these students, so ridiculously vilified last month by conspiracists as paid crisis actors.

In 1983, Douglas was booed at a public hearing. Cant you boo any louder than that? came her retort. Ive been here since 8 oclock. Its now 11. Ive got all night, and Im used to the heat.

With Congress unable to act on its own, tougher gun laws may take hundreds of thousands of high school students. So its reassuring to hear they wont be punished for walking out in many school districts or when applying to numerous colleges  and that teachers are being reminded to respect students who stay in class. A massive peaceful walkout will send a strong message to Congress. Well soon see how strong. Well soon see how many students follow in Marjory Stoneman Douglas footsteps.

Twitter: @sdutIdeas

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Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & OpinionWhen Brian Kelly took over as CEO of the California High-Speed Rail Authority in January, the veteran government executive showed a level of candor about the authoritys bullet-train project that went far beyond anything ever heard from Gov. Jerry Brown or other train advocates. Kelly said the project needed to establish credibility after years of cost overruns and missed construction deadlines being explained away with happy talk.

So much for that. The beleaguered projects new business plan, a draft of which was released Friday, doesnt live up to the expectations Kelly created. The plan deserves credit for acknowledging that the previous $64 billion estimate for the statewide project was far too low. The new estimated cost is $77 billion, and the report notes it could climb to $98 billion. The plan also merits praise for saying 2029 is the soonest that train operations might begin. Thats five years later than the last estimate.

But in three crucial ways, the business plan is as unrealistic as the authoritys previous plans.

The first is that it continues to presume that a huge influx of federal funding could help address a project funding shortfall of more than $50 billion. The plan noted that Washington paid for 90 percent of the cost of the interstate highway system. But its been more than eight years since the Obama administration and Congress provided $3.3 billion in federal funding to buttress the $9.95 billion in bond seed money approved by California voters in 2008 with the passage of Proposition 1A. Since then, federal domestic discretionary spending has plunged to historic lows as a share of the budget under both the Obama and Trump administrations, reflecting anxiety over a national debt that now tops $20 trillion. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities expects this decline to continue until at least 2027.

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The second is that the plan continues to assert that substantial private investment in the project is plausible. But as the Legislative Analysts Office pointed out way back in 2010 in critiquing the rail authoritys then-newest business plan, such investment can only be secured if the state government offers minimum revenue guarantees to investors. Such guarantees amount to a promise of operating subsidies, which are illegal under Proposition 1A. No wonder private investors have steered clear.

The third is that the plan breaks explicit promises made to voters in 2008 that construction would never begin on the projects initial segment unless enough funding was available to build a segment that would be economically viable in its own right  meaning there was no chance the state would spend billions on a white elephant. Yet the present plan anticipates the first segment ending in a remote agricultural community in the Central Valley.

These flaws are huge, and if the rail authority wont address them, heres who should: the people running to succeed Brown as governor. If they cant offer a credible way to deliver this project, then continuing to spend billions on the bullet train is an exercise in futility, absurdity and malfeasance.

Twitter: @sdutIdeas

Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & OpinionA presidential hopeful visited California earlier this month to slam President Donald Trump, assure immigrants he stood by them and meet with leaders like University of California President Janet Napolitano.

That presidential hopeful is running for high office in Mexico  not the U.S.

The visit by Ricardo Anaya, 39, to California has raised eyebrows in the U.S. where it is rare to see presidential candidates from a foreign country engaging in campaign activities with Americans. (It has happened before, but well get to that later.)

So who is Anaya and what did he do in California thats captured some attention? Heres what we know.

Who is Ricardo Anaya?

Anaya, whose full name is Ricardo Anaya Cortes, is a Mexican attorney who has had political ambitions from a young age. He ran for office in the state of Queretaro when he was 21, and over the years he has had various jobs in government, according to his website.

Anaya is running for president in Mexico under a political coalition called For Mexico in Front, or FMF. His opponents are Andres Lopez Obrador, of the left-leaning MORENA party, and Jose Antonio Meade from the current ruling party, PRI.

The election in Mexico is set for July 1.

What was Anaya doing in California?

During a visit in San Francisco on March 2, Anaya met with Napolitano to discuss Dreamers and the constant threats by President Donald Trump against these young people, according to his site. Anaya later shared a photo on Twitter of him and Napolitano shaking hands.

The next day, Anaya met with immigrant leaders in Los Angeles where he voiced his support for Dreamers  unauthorized immigrants who came to the U.S. illegally as children  and criticized Trumps visit to Mexico in 2016, according to a summary of his visit published by the pro-immigrant nonprofit Center for Immigration Studies, or CIS.

After Donald Trump had been insulting and revolting at the best that Mexico has in the United States, they dared to roll out a red carpet to receive him in Los Pinos, as if he were a head of state, Anaya said, according to his website, which published excerpts of the speech.

Anaya called that visit embarrassing. The candidate also told his audience that the Mexican government has disrespected itself and that the only way to improve U.S.-Mexico relations is through self-respect. He assured immigrants that he was on their side.

Do not forget that you are not alone ... all of Mexico is with you and when I am President I will always be on your side, he said.

Can a foreign presidential candidate campaign in the U.S.?

It remains unclear whether there are any rules that forbid Mexican candidates from campaigning in the U.S. Technically, he has not yet registered himself as a presidential candidate  he is considered a precandidate since campaign season officially starts on March 30.

Anayas campaign characterized his presence in California as a dialogue and a brainstorming visit. The pro-immigrant group CIS said Mexican immigrants in the U.S. may be a deciding factor in the elections in Mexico due to their ability to cross south of the border and vote.

It can be expected that over the next couple of months the presidential candidates will continue their appeals to Mexican migrants in the United States. Under Mexican law, Mexican citizens outside of the country can now sign up for voting credentials through their local consulates, the group wrote on its site.

Whats been the reaction to Anayas visit to California?

Anayas visit met some criticism, including from Daniel Horowitz, a senior editor for the Conservative Review, who characterized Anayas California visit as a dangerous case of stolen sovereignty.

There is something fundamentally wrong when a foreign presidential candidate can come here and urge American residents to vote for him so he can use his diplomatic tools to undermine Americas laws and sovereignty, Horowitz wrote.

Mexicans weighed in on his visit to California as well, some confused as to what he wanted to accomplish by coming to the U.S.

This dude wants to be president of the U.S.A.? one wrote in Spanish.

As a graduate of the University of California, it bothers me that its president, Janet Napolitano, receives and embraces the Mexican Trump, another Twitter user wrote. As a Mexican, it bothers me that a presidential candidate embraces the one responsible for the mass deportation of millions of migrants under Obama.

Have any other foreign candidates come to the U.S. before?

Yes.

In 2012, representatives for Mexican presidential candidates held a debate in San Diego, where they addressed binational issues such as energy reform, the economy, corruption, infrastructure and drug trafficking, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported. The candidates were not present in San Diego.

Last year in February 2017, one of Anayas opponents campaigned in Los Angels as well. Lopez Obrador, too, criticized Trumps anti-immigration rhetoric, Reuters reported.

And most notably in March 2015, Benjamin Netanyahu was days ahead of being elected for office in Israel when he came to the U.S. to address Congress. He was there at the invitation of then-Speaker of the House John Boehner, and at the time, Netanyahus visit was criticized as a breach of protocol because Boehner had circumvented the White House and the Obama administration.

Then-President Barack Obama did not meet with Netanyahu at the time as a matter of long-standing practice and principle for heads of state to see each other in close proximity to their elections, so as to avoid the appearance of influencing an election, then-National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said.

Now, its your turn to weigh in  should it be against the rules for a foreign president to campaign in the U.S.? Will you be following the Mexican elections? If so, what do you make of Anayas visit to California?

Have some thoughts to share?

Join me in a conversation: Shoot me a private email with your thoughts or ideas on a different approach to this story. As always, you can also send us a tweet.

Email: luis.gomez@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @RunGomez

Read The Conversation on Flipboard.

UPDATES:

Correction: This article erroneously stated that Mexican presidential candidates held a debate in San Diego in 2012. It was rather the candidates representatives who attended, not the candidates themselves.

This article was originally published Friday at 5:05 p.m.

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March 9, 2018 De Lima seeks Senate inquiry on GAD program implementation To ensure maximum participation of women in nation-building, Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has called for a Senate inquiry into the implementation of the Gender and Development (GAD) plans and programs under the present administration. In filing Senate Resolution No. 670, De Lima underscored the need to strengthen compliance in the execution of gender-responsive programs by GAD to bridge the gap between men and women, especially during natural and man-made disasters. "It is imperative for all government agencies and local government units to fulfill their obligation to efficiently utilize at least 5 percent of the appropriated budget towards implementing programs, plans and actions that contribute to gender mainstreaming," she said. Gender mainstreaming, she explained, is "a strategy which aims for the inclusion and prioritization of women's concerns and perspectives within agencies through the creation of gender-responsive programs tailored to positively impact both women and men." De Lima, who was recognized by Amnesty International as one of the notable Women Human Rights Defenders under Threat, cited that Section 36(a) of Republic Act No. 9710, or the Magna Carta of Women Act, provides for the planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation for GAD. The said provision stated in part that "the development of GAD programs shall proceed from the conduct of a gender audit of the agency or the local government unit and a gender analysis of its policies, programs, services and the situation of its clientele." "The cost of implementing GAD programs shall be the agency's or the local government unit's GAD budget which shall be at least five percent (5%) of the agency's or the local government unit's total budget appropriations," she cited. De Lima also pointed out a Commission on Audit report which revealed that out of 19 GAD programmed activities in the Office of the President, only six were implemented with a total cost of P532,406.00 - or 0.019% of the total appropriations of the agency. She also noted a resolution, approved by the Bacolod City Council, requesting Mayor Evelio Leonardia to create the Barangay GAD monitoring and evaluation team after observing that some GAD plans and programs are not being implemented. "Government agencies have the obligation to successfully integrate and implement gender mainstreaming in their respective appropriated budget and areas of development," she noted. De Lima also asked the Senate leadership to look into the pressing issues raised by several agencies during the 2017 GAD Budget Fora in November 2017, which include the needed clarifications regarding the types of programs and activities which can be charged to the GAD Budget, and the inclusion of work leaves especially for mothers of children with special concerns, among others. Under Section 2(2) of Republic Act No. 7192 or the Women in Development and Nation Building Act, it stated that "all government departments shall ensure that women benefit equally and participate directly in the development programs and projects of said department, specifically those funded under official foreign development assistance, to ensure the full participation and involvement of women in the development process." A known defender of women human rights, De Lima has filed and co-authored several pro-women bills and resolutions in the Senate. Among these were Senate Bill (SB) 1438 which seeks to protect women in state custody and PSRN 573 expressing the sense of the Senate affirming the state obligation of the Philippines to protect women human rights defenders from gender-based violence.Press Release

March 9, 2018 Dispatch from Crame No. 256:

Sen. Leila M. de Lima's statement on Government seeking terrorist tag for 600 individuals 3/9/18 Violence solves nothing. The latest move of the Duterte administration to declare 600 individuals including progressive legislators and a UN special rapporteur as "terrorists" would only instigate more violence in our country already reeling from the bloodbath incited by this government's war on drugs. Peace-loving Filipinos should remind the President that suspected drug addicts and political dissidents are not termites that he can "exterminate to save the house". These are human beings. He should address the root causes of the country's problems instead of harassing and killing people. One of the few positive steps of this administration was when it pursued peace talks with the rebels. But this radical policy shift of totally annihilating the insurgents puts in doubt its intention from the very beginning of the dialogue. This legal offensive launched by the DOJ, which is reminiscent of the IALAG mechanism adopted by the Arroyo administration, signals the return of heavy-handed tactics which are potentially violative of the Bill of Rights. President Duterte should understand that peace-building is a painstaking process and that there are legitimate grievances such as injustice, poverty and lack of economic opportunities fuelling insurgency in the country. It's not too late to go back to the negotiating table if this government is really sincere in looking for non-violent means to address the communist rebellion in the country. Unless, that is, Duterte's true intention is to establish an authoritarian regime that eliminates dissent and kills democracy.Press Release

March 9, 2018 Dispatch from Crame No. 257:

Sen. Leila M. de Lima's statement on President Duterte's attacks on ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard 3/9/18 Duterte's barbaric words for ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard shows that he has just recently emerged from a cave that has deprived him of civilization all his life. He might call his own son Paolo a "gangster" in the same speech, but anyone listening might as well call the President a caveman. For someone who is supposedly unperturbed by the ICC's conduct of a preliminary examination on the Philippines, Duterte gives an inordinate amount of public speeches to lambasting the ICC prosecutor and UN officials. It appears that the President is not entirely unaffected by the threat of an ICC investigation, indictment, and trial. He looks scared, and he is taking out his anxiety over his possible arrest by the ICC on "that black woman" from Ghana. However, even his worries has not made him study the procedure of the ICC. Duterte is under the impression that he has a say on any future indictment in The Hague, and that he can resist its jurisdiction. He is of course ignorant on what the Rome Statute is all about. When the time comes, he will just read from the papers that an international warrant of arrest has already been issued against him. He can resist it by hiding in a hole, like Saddam Hussein or Muammar Khaddafy. But the entire world will be looking for him and hunting him down, in the same way all international criminals indicted by the ICC were chased and hunted down. He won't be able to go out of the country without facing arrest, except of course in China where he will be warmly welcomed and lavishly rewarded as the man who single-handedly turned the Philippines into a Chinese province. Duterte will have no problem hiding in a hole once the ICC calls for his arrest. After all, he has been living in a cave his whole life.Press Release

March 9, 2018 Lacson seeks to upgrade measures to fight terrorism, national security threats https://pinglacson.net/2018/03/09/lacson-seeks-to-upgrade-measures-to-fight-terrorism-national-security-threats-2/ A bill by Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson seeks to upgrade the government's capabilities against insurgency, terrorism and other threats to national security via several measures, including streamlining the procurement process for defense equipment and prohibiting the sale of strategic defense real properties. In Senate Bill 1734, Lacson pushed for a stronger defense department that will implement a more credible national defense system to address inside and outside threats. "This bill is envisioned to update national defense policies, principles and concepts, to institutionalize needed improvements and to codify various laws on national defense, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the civilian bureaus, with the end in view of streamlining and further professionalizing our country's defense establishment," he said. Strategic defense real properties, specialized defense equipment Under the bill, the sale of strategic defense real properties is prohibited, unless recommended by the Defense Secretary and approved by the President with the consent of Congress. Income from the lease or development of defense real estate shall be remitted only to the AFP Modernization Act Trust Fund. Also, the bill exempts from the Government Procurement Law the acquisition by the AFP of special defense equipment. This is upon prior approval by the President; or when the Defense Secretary determined that the country's interests shall be protected by negotiating directly with a local or foreign supplier, "provided that such procurement contract shall be covered by a performance security." It also exempts from import and other licenses the acquisition of defense materiel by the Department of National Defense. On the other hand, the bill allows the DND to accept donations, contributions and grants for its functions. But donations from foreign governments or persons shall be subject to existing laws. SND in chain of command, WAC and warrant officers Meanwhile, the bill includes the Secretary of National Defense (SND) in the chain of command. The President will exercise authority over the Armed Forces of the Philippines via the SND, then AFP Chief of Staff. However, the President can still issue orders directly to the AFP. Also, the Women's Auxiliary Corps and the Technical and Administrative Service will be integrated into the AFP Component Services under Lacson's bill. The bill establishes Warrant Officers in the AFP. These will include highly technical experts, combat leaders, trainers and advisors who specialize in a specific technical area. On the other hand, the National Defense College of the Philippines will be transformed into the National Defense University of the Philippines. The Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) or its equivalent will be required for appointment or designation to key positions and promotions of AFP officers to the grade of O-7 (Brigade General/Commodore). The bill also provides for a two-year mandatory service to be rendered by Filipinos, both natural-born and naturalized.Press Release

March 9, 2018 Villanueva: More jobs created in 2018 Senator Joel Villanueva on Friday welcomed the results of the 2018 Labor Force Survey round conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority which showed that the employment rate of the country has improved to 94.7% in January 2018 from 93.4% in 2017. "The results of the survey show that increasing employment opportunities in the country is doable. The 1.3% increase of the employment rate from last year is most especially welcome, since our advocacy has been to improve job opportunities for Filipinos," said Villanueva, chair of the Senate committee on labor, employment, and human resources development. Villanueva also shared that out of the 2.4 million net employment generated in January this year, 841,000 jobs were created in the agriculture sector, 719,000 in the industry sectormostly from construction with 424,000 jobs and manufacturing with 269,000 while the services sector created 847,000 jobs. The senator further shared that there is a total of 2.320 million unemployed Filipinos. This accounts for 5.3% improvement from the 6.6% unemployment rate in January 2017. However, Villanueva noted that there is an increase in underemployment rate to 18% compared to 16.3% from January 2017. "The 1.7% increase in the underemployment rate shows that there is so much more that needs to be done to improve the quality of jobs to meet the needs of our citizens," Villanueva said. "In the Senate, we already passed on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 1431 or the proposed Tulong Trabaho Act which seeks to narrow the gap of unemployment in the country by providing free tech-voc training and improving the skills of Filipinos who chose not to pursue tertiary education," the senator added. "We hope that our counterpart in the House of Representatives will soon pass a similar measure which will address job-skills mismatch and guarantee decent jobs for every Filipino," Villanueva concluded.Press Release

March 9, 2018 Villar: Recommendation on Boracay is Consensus among Senate Committees' Members Senator Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, said the recommendation of not totally closing down the entire Boracay Island but only erring establishments there, is a consensus among senators. "We reached a consensus that it is really not fair to close all the establishments in the area, but only those who violated the rules or did not comply with the law. They should be penalized and the compliant ones rewarded," said Villar. Villar's committee, jointly with the Senate committees on Tourism and Local Government, conducted a public hearing in Boracay on March 2 to discuss the environmental woes plaguing the island. Prior to the hearing, Villar also went around Boracay and did an ocular inspection of its establishments and facilities. She added that it was also the clamor of the people in Boracay who are afraid that all of them will lose their sources of income or livelihood. The senators were greeted by banners and posters requesting them to save the island and not close it down. "We do not want our fellow Filipinos there to suffer unnecessarily by losing their livelihood. In any situation, we always try to come up with a solution that will minimize inconvenience and lessen adverse repercussions," Villar cited. The senator further cited that the fact that her family owns a property in Boracay does not in any way affect her role in the Senate inquiry into Boracay, as some has maliciously insinuated. Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. bought 50-room boutique hotel Boracay Sands in Station 3 in 2016. According to Villar, "It was never a secret that we have a property in Boracay, even my fellow senators know about it. Being an elected official, I am not part of the management of our business. I also think that the closure or non-closure of Boracay will not really affect Vista Land, which has projects in over 136 towns and cities in the Philippines." She added that she is more concerned about the state of the wetlands in the island than her family's business. Five out of nine wetlands in Boracay are already damaged because they were occupied by a mall, hotel and illegal settlers. "Wetlands play an important role in our environment. They are a natural flood deterrent and protection from storm surges. I have been a staunch advocate or wetland protection and conservation. The wetlands in Boracay have to be restored and preserved," she said. Villar leads the efforts in the protection of the Las Pinas Paranaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA), named as a Wetland of International Importance by Ramsar. The senator added that the Senate will still conduct hearings and she will also file a bill seeking the creation of a Boracay Authority to oversee the island's development.Press Release

March 10, 2018 Marine Corps as military's 4th service branch

ANGARA BATS FOR LAW EMPOWERING PH MARINES Senator Sonny Angara is pushing for the passage of a bill that seeks to transform the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) into an independent service branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Under the present set-up, the PMC is a naval infantry force under the command of the Philippine Navy. Under Senate Bill 1731, the PMC shall become the fourth service branch of the country's armed forces that is equal and mutually independent as the three existing branches of the AFP--the Philippine Army, the Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Navy. "Despite the lack of charter, the Marines Corps has provided seamless transition of military power between sea and land domains. After their heroism in Marawi and past battles, it's high time that we reward and recognize their achievements through its institutionalization," Angara said. The senator said the PMC could play a crucial role in terms of protecting the country's territorial waters amid the West Philippine Sea and the Philippine Rise disputes. "The country's archipelagic makeup necessitates the need for a comprehensive yet rapidly deployable amphibious force primarily mandated to conduct seaborne and on-shore tactical operations to protect the country's territories, communities, and inhabitants," he said. The PMC would include ground combat, combat support, combat service support, aviation component, and such other units as may be necessary for the pursuit of its mandate. "Just like the United States Marine Corps and the British Royal Marines, the Philippine Marine Corps is considered the shock force of the armed forces and is the first unit to be involved in any amphibious or seaborne clashes," said Angara, who is a member of the PMC Board of Advisers. To carry out the powers and functions of the PMC, the bill seeks the establishment of PMC headquarters in all three major regions of the country--with the command center in Mindanao serving as its national headquarters "All of the PMC headquarters shall be in strategic locations where it can sustain its deployed forces," he added. The PMC shall be headed by a Commandant, who would carry the rank of Lieutenant General. The Commandant shall be directly appointed by the President from among its Marine Corps Generals, upon the recommendation of the AFP Chief-of-Staff and the Secretary of the Department of National Defense.Press Release

March 10, 2018 De Lima seeks Family Code amendments for equal parental responsibilities Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has filed a measure seeking to guarantee equal rights and protection for husband and wife in their own homes, especially with their upbringing of children. De Lima filed Senate Bill (SB) No. 1730 amending Articles 14, 12, 124, 211 and 225 of Executive Order (E.O.) No. 209, or the Family Code of the Philippines, which illustrate inequality between spouses by providing more privilege, power and control to men. "This bill seeks to rectify the inequality in decision-making in the household by amending certain provisions in the Family Code of the Philippines," she said. "These provisions are deemed patriarchal and detrimental to establishing the status of married women as partners and equals in their own homes. Progressive amendments more apt with the current times are thus introduced in this bill," she added. In filing SB. No. 1730, De Lima said the abovementioned articles under E.O. No. 209 all gave preferential treatment for the father/husband, thus promoting gender inequality. As such, De Lima proposed under Sec. 4 Art. 211 that in cases of disagreement between the spouses on exercising parental authority over the persons of their common children, the spouses shall always resort to the courts to decide the case. Under Sec. 5, Art. 225, De Lima likewise proposed that the spouses shall also resort to the courts in terms of deciding the guardianship over the property of unemancipated common child, in case of disagreement. "These provisions are not to be taken for granted knowing that the woman's importance in nation-building starts from her role in the basic unit of society, the family," she said. In her proposed measure, De Lima also sought to revise Sec. 2, Art. 96 and Sec. 3, Art. 24 of the E.O. 209, which originally favor the husband's decision in terms of the enjoyment of the community property and conjugal partnership, respectively. De Lima explained that on matters relating to the disagreement, neither of the spouses shall unilaterally carry out acts of administration over the community property and conjugal partnership without first obtaining a proper judicial order. The Senator from Bicol also proposed revision for Sec. 1, Art 14 of the same measure to clarify the requirements needed for couples ages 18-21 who are planning to get married. De Lima, who was recognized by Amnesty International as one of the notable Women Human Rights Defenders Under Threat, vowed to continue fighting against injustices while in detention despite the vicious gender-based attacks against her by the President and his lackeys.Actor Bobby Simha has been confirmed to act in a web series which will be funded by Dream Warrior Pictures. To be directed by Guhan Sennaippan, Parvati Nair will be seen playing the romantic interest of Bobby Simha.





Touted to be a dark comedy, the web series will be aired on Amazon Prime, an official announcement will be soon made by the production house. Dream Warrior Picture has been producing a lot of quality films in Tamil cinema but for the first time, they are venturing into web series pace.



Because of the ongoing Tamil Film Producers Council strike against Digital Service Providers, small and big films will be equally affected. Sources say that known small and mid-budget films like Iravukku Aayiram Kangal, Echcharikkai, and Iruttu Arayil Murattu Kuththtu are ready for release.





As films like Vishals Irumbuthirai, Golisoda 2 and Arvind Swamys Bhaskar Oru Rascal are scheduled to release on March 29, many producers had planned to release their films in March second and third week but because of the TFPC strike, they have to wait to till May.





April is also overcrowded as Tamil New Year weekend (April 13-15) slot has already been taken by Karthik Subbarajs Mercury, Vijay Antonys Kaali and Venkat Prabhus Party (likely). After Tamil New Year weekend, there will not be any new releases because Superstar Rajinikanths mighty Kaala will hit the screens on April 27.





Meanwhile, the ongoing shooting schedules of various films will also be affected. Team Mr. Chandramouli was supposed to shoot the last song of the film in Bangkok but they have canceled their plans now.





Thala Ajith's Viswasams shoot got delayed because of various reasons but TFPCs strike will delay the project further. The other two Diwali biggies like Thalapathy Vijays film with Murugadoss and Suriyas NGK will also be affected because of the unexpected strike.



Gandhi was speaking to an audience in Malaysia, when someone asked how he would have rolled the note ban out, as opposed to how it actually was implemented.

: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday shared how he would have implemented demonetisation - and the answer may not be what you expected.

"If I was the PM, and someone had given me a file with demonetisation written on it, I would have thrown it in the dustbin," exclaimed Gandhi.

"Out through the door and into the junkyard, because that's what I think should be done with demonetisation," he added.

Gandhi and the Congress party have consistently been critical of the note ban, with the former even terming the move a "tragedy.": India and France on Saturday inked key pacts in the strategic areas of security, nuclear energy as well as protection of classified information after extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Agreements in the field of education, environment, urban development and railways were also signed in the presence of the two leaders.

Addressing a joint media event with Macron, Modi said the two countries have robust cooperation in the fields of defence and security.

On his part, Macron said India and France have decided to work together to deal with threats of terrorism and radicalisation.

Defence cooperation between the two countries now has a new significance, the French president said.

Both the leaders also talked about cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Macron, who arrived in India on Friday night, was given a ceremonial welcome on Saturday morning.

Another chapter in the glorious book of our friendship! PM Narendra Modi welcomes President of France Emmanuel Macron at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi ahead of the bilateral talks, ministry of external affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted along with pictures of the two leaders.: A row has erupted over a video in which Congress president Rahul Gandhi reportedly "dodged" a question by an economist about lower per-capita income of the country whenever his family was in power.

The controversial interaction took place on Thursday when Rahul began taking questions from the audience during an event organised by the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore.

"With political discourse hitting new lows everyday, Congress President Rahul Gandhi shows how to gracefully handle detractors and call their bluff," said the Congress, on its Twitter handle while referring to the economist's question.

However, Prasenjit K Basu, the economist who asked the question, claimed the Congress edited the video of the event and put out an unedited version which purportedly showed Rahul did not take the question.

In the video Basu asked, "Why is it that during the years that your family ruled India, Indias per capita income was growing less than the world average? And yet, in the years since your family relinquished the prime ministership of India, Indias per capita income has grown substantially faster than the world average."

The video then cuts to another member of the audience praising the Congress.

"I am a great admirer of you great-grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru and I think all the good things wherever India is today is because of the Indian Congress Party. And even in the Constitution your party has very successfully put the values of the Congress party into the Constitution."

In his response to both, Rahul Gandhi says, You are both going to extremes. I mean give me something in the middle. I mean he (Basu) is saying I am the cause of every single problem. And you (second speaker) is saying I am the cause of every single solution. I mean, this is crazy.

"This conversation shows you the polarisation. That gentleman (Basu) thinks that nothing has ever been done by the Congress party. This gentleman (second speaker) thinks that everything has been done by the Congress party. Let me tell you what the truth is. Indias success is hugely because of Indias people. However, anybody in this room who thinks that the Congress is not part of that success needs to write a new book," Rahul said.

I am a person who has been taught to love my opponents and people who might dislike me. So I have absolutely no animosity towards somebody who says I have achieved nothing. I respect even your opinion to be able to say that in this room I am proud to sit in a room and have a gentleman say this to me. Mr. Narendra Modi would never do that. You would never have the ability to say what you said to me in front of Mr. Narendra Modi. I am absolutely brazenly proud of that, Gandhi added.

At the end of the video, Gandhi even invites Basu for a hug.

Basu, however, contested the Congress's version of the events.

Replying to Congress's tweet, Basu said, "This is a classic fake-news video. You are using my image to falsely advertise your politician, showing a sequence of events that did not occur. Withdraw this false video, or prepare for prosecution in Singapores courts!"

Reacting to the development, Bharatiya Janata Party's Narasimha Rao said, "You have inherited the mantle as a dynast. So, you will be asked questions of your family's poor track record in office and its 'poverty perpetuating model' for promoting political interests. Post 2004, I'm glad you are admitting your role in scam-ridden governance."STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.- - A South Beach teen is accused of raping a 17-year-old female at a Sunnyside school last month, authorities said.

Patrick Januszewski, 17, allegedly attacked the victim on the campus of the Michael J. Petrides School on Ocean Terrace at around noon on Feb. 6, according to an NYPD spokesman.

The teen was arrested Feb. 8 and charged with rape, sexual abuse and forcible touching, police said.

Januszewski, of Arthur Avenue, was arraigned the following day and released on his own recognizance, according to online court records.

He is due back in court April 16.

Police could not say if the suspect is a student at Petrides.

Authorities are also investigating another rape at the school that was reported in January.

A 17-year-old male allegedly raped a 14-year-old female in the basement of the school on Jan. 18 at around 12:30 p.m., police said.

There have been no arrests in this incident and the case has been referred to the Special Victims Unit, the NYPD spokesman said.

Police said Januszewski is not a suspect in this case.

Attempts to reach Januszewski's lawyer Saturday were unsuccessful.

The Department of Education released the following statement to SILive: "We are treating these deeply troubling allegations with the utmost seriousness and are working closely with the NYPD as they conduct a thorough investigation. We are providing the school community with ongoing supports including additional counseling services and increased safety patrol."STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The landscape of Staten Island is shifting -- quite literally -- from the development of St. George to new businesses and housing on the South Shore.

Local community boards give residents an opportunity to offer input in the decision-making process for many of these long-term projects.

Community Board meetings are open to the public and afford a great way to learn more about what's going on in your neighborhood and to get involved.

If you have something you would like to speak out about, all you need to do is sign up -- before the meeting is called to order -- to speak in the public session.

The following meetings are scheduled for the week of March 12 to Mar. 16.

COMMUNITY BOARD 1

Arlington - Castleton Corners - Clifton - Concord - Elm Park - Fort Wadsworth - Graniteville - Grymes Hill - Livingston - Mariners Harbor - New Brighton - Port Richmond - Randall Manor - Rosebank - St. George - Shore Acres - Silver Lake - Stapleton - Sunnyside - Tompkinsville - West Brighton - Westerleigh

There will be a Land Use Public Hearing on Tuesday, March 13, at 6:45 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 2329 Victory Boulevard. On the agenda:

Board of Standards & Appeals Application - 1579 Forest Ave.: Amendment to a variance previously granted permitting construction of a new drug store (Walgreen's) without required parking to allow change in use to a food store (Top Tomato) with different parking requirement.

Board of Standards And Appeals Application - 61, 67, 69 and 71 Elvin St.: Variances requested to allow for the construction of four two-family attached homes (eight units) contrary to use regulations ZR 22-12 and to allow for a portion of the required parking to be located within the prolongation of the front building wall line contrary to ZR 21-622 - 61.

There will be a Public Services Committee Meeting on Tuesday, March 13, at 7 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 2329 Victory Blvd.:

There will be a General Board Meeting on Tuesday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 2329 Victory Boulevard. On the agenda:

Borough Commander Kenneth Corey will be in attendance.

A sertificate of Recognition will be given to P.S. 78 Physical Education Teacher Samantha Salvatore for saving a choking student.

Health and Hospitals Corporation has been invited to discuss the Gotham Health Center at Vanderbilt and Tompkins avenues.

There will be a Stapleton/Clifton/Concord Committee Meeting on Thursday, March 15, at 7:30 p.m. at Central Family Life Center, 59 Wright St.

The board office is located at 1 Edgewater Plaza, Suite 217, Stapleton. The office phone number is 718-981-6900. The board chairman is Nicholas Siclari; the district manager is Joseph Carroll.

COMMUNITY BOARD 2

Arrochar - Bloomfield - Bulls Heads - Chelsea - Dongan Hills - Egbertville - Emerson Hill - Grant City - Grasmere - High Rock - Lighthouse Hill - Midland Beach - New Dorp - New Springville - Oakwood - Ocean Breeze - Old Town - Richmond - South Beach - Todt Hill - Travis

There are no Community Board 2 meetings scheduled for the week of March 12.

All committee and full board meetings are in the board office, which is located in the Lou Caravone Community Service Building on the campus of Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center and Home, 460 Brielle Ave., Sea View. The office phone number is 718-317-3235. The chairman of the CB 2 board is Dana T. Magee; the district manager is Debra A. Derrico.

COMMUNITY BOARD 3

Annadale - Arden Heights - Bay Terrace - Charleston - Eltingville - Great Kills - Greenridge - Huguenot - New Dorp - Oakwood - Pleasant Plains - Prince's Bay - Richmond Valley - Richmond - Rossville - Tottenville - Woodrow

There will be a Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting on Tuesday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Board 3 office, 1243 Woodrow Rd. On the agenda:

There will be a guest speaker from the Greenbelt Conservancy.

There will be a Land Use Committee Meeting on Wednesday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Board 3 office, 1243 Woodrow Rd. On the agenda:

The Department of Transportation will present on an application is to authorize the removal of trees and modification of topographical features to facilitate construction of the proposed Amboy Road DEP Bluebelt MC-3 Best Management Practice that will be part of the Mill Creek Bluebelt System within the Special South Richmond Development District.

All committee meetings take place at the Community Board 3 office, located on the second floor of 1243 Woodrow Rd. All general board meetings take place at the Woodrow Methodist Church Hall located at 1075 Woodrow Rd. The office phone number is 718-356-7900. The CB 3 board chairman is Frank Morano; the district manager is Charlene Wagner.STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A Staten Island man didn't have visits to Fenway Park or Faneuil Hall in mind when he trekked up to the Boston area several times a month, prosecutors said.

Ilir Bregu, 46, journeyed those 225 miles to deliver oxycodone to a father and son team who peddled the illegal drugs on the street, said authorities.

But Bregu's traveling days are over.

A Massachusetts federal court jury has convicted him of conspiring to possess and distribute oxycodone, prosecutors said.

In a release, Andrew E. Lelling, U.S. attorney for the District of Massachusetts, said investigators in 2014 and 2015 spied foot and vehicle traffic around the Revere home of Mario Scata, 71, and his son, Manuele Scata, 45.

They observed similar activities about the younger Scata's business, D&M Auto Doctor, in East Boston.

Through surveillance and phone analysis, investigators determined Bregu supplied the Scatas, said authorities.

Bregu drove up to Revere or East Boston every two or three weeks to meet with one or both of the Scatas, said Lelling. He then returned to Staten Island.

Public records show West Brighton as Bregu's most recent address.

On July 16, 2015, authorities executed a series of search warrants after Bregu's phone was tracked from Staten Island to East Boston and he was seen meeting with the Scatas at D&M Auto Body, prosecutors said.

Investigators discovered a sophisticated secret compartment in Bregu's vehicle which contained $37,800 in cash, said authorities.

Also seized were 1,900 oxycodone pills, a loaded gun, and a machete from Manuele Scata's vehicle, was well as more pills, a hand-written drug ledger and nearly $12,000 in cash from the Scatas' home, prosecutors said.

Three months ago, Mario Scata pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess and distribute oxycodone and will be sentenced on March 22.

Last month, Manuele Scata pleaded guilty to the same crime, as well as use of a firearm during and in relation to a drug-trafficking offense. He will be sentenced on May 29.

Bregu is slated to be sentenced on June 7.

Conspiracy to distribute oxycodone carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, plus a period of post release supervision and a maximum fine of $1 million.

"We're very disappointed in the verdict," said Joseph B. Simons, Bregu's lawyer. "We intend to appeal the verdict. We had hoped the jury would have sided with Mr. Bregu."STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A New Brighton resident, accused of grazing an Italian tourist with a wayward bullet fired in a playground in his community last summer, was sentenced Friday to a year in jail on a weapon charge.

Henry DeGroat, then 19, was busted on Aug. 23, days after Marino Stocco's shoulder was nicked with a 9 mm bullet as the victim rested near Mahoney Playground on Jersey Street at about 1 p.m. on Aug. 20, said police.

Stocco, 57, had taken a wrong turn on exiting the Staten Island Ferry and walked about a mile. His intended destination was the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum in Rosebank.

Stocco told the Advance he saw kids running from the park, then heard gunshots and was hit.

Cops said Stocco was an unintended target caught in the crossfire at Mahoney Playground.

The frightened Stocco said he walked around the corner to Crescent Street where a neighborhood resident said she saw him bleeding.

Cops and emergency officials responded; Stocco was taken to Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton.

Two weeks ago, DeGroat pleaded guilty in state Supreme Court, St. George, to attempted second-degree criminal weapon possession to satisfy the charges against him.

Even with the plea, defense lawyer Anthony Katchen said DeGroat insists he didn't shoot Stocco.

"Mr. DeGroat has maintained his innocence from the beginning as to being involved in any shooting, and this plea should not be interpreted as anything but a confirmation of his innocence," said Katchen.

Prosecutors declined comment on the case.NEW YORK CITY -- As the seventh week of the New York corruption trial comes to a close, jurors have not yet reached a verdict.

The jury of seven women and five men has spent about 31 hours over six days deliberating the bribery charges against former top governor's aide Joseph Percoco and Syracuse businessmen Steven Aiello and Joseph Gerardi.

Three jurors earlier this week asked to be let off the case, but after a snow day Wednesday, the jurors came back with questions, requests for transcripts and even an occasional smile.

Today, the jurors' questions revolved around the part of the trial that does not involve the Syracuse defendants.

Jurors asked to hear read-backs of transcripts pertaining to the alleged Competitive Power Ventures bribery scheme. Percoco is accused of accepting bribe money from an energy company executive, through a "low-show" job for his wife in the company's education outreach program.

In a separate alleged scheme, Cor Development executives Aiello and Gerardi are accused of paying bribes to Percoco in exchange for favors in state government.

The jury will resume its deliberations Monday at 9 a.m.

Syracuse.com is covering the trial from Manhattan. Check back for updates.

Read our continuing coverage of the trial

Public Affairs Reporter Julie McMahon covers courts, government and other issues affecting taxpayers. She can be reached anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1992US, China agree to keep pressure on North Korea



Washington, March 9 (AFP) Mar 09, 2018



Donald Trump enlisted the help of China's Xi Jinping to keep sanctions pressure on North Korea Friday, amid fears that an audacious diplomatic gambit by the US president could lead to backsliding.

Trump and the ever-more-powerful Chinese president spoke by phone, the White House said, after the US leader stunned the world by accepting an invitation to meet Kim Jong Un before the end of May.

Trump and Xi committed to "maintain pressure and sanctions until North Korea takes tangible steps toward complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization," according to the White House.

As aides scrambled to catch up with Trump's decision -- which was taken before consulting key aides -- the White House sent mixed messages about conditions for the talks.

"They've made promises to denuclearize, they've made promises to stop nuclear and missile testing," White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said.

"We're not going to have this meeting take place until we see concrete actions that match the words and the rhetoric of North Korea," Sanders told reporters.

Officials behind the scenes said this did not constitute a change of heart.

A day after the bombshell announcement that the US and North Korean leaders would meet before the end of May, Vice President Mike Pence said the White House would keep "maximum pressure" on Pyongyang and claimed US efforts to isolate Kim had been vindicated.

There has been limited reaction from Kim's regime, but South Korean President Moon Jae-in said news of the summit -- announced by his national security advisor on a visit to Washington -- was "like a miracle."

For his part Xi urged the two leaders to begin talks as "soon as possible" and praised Trump's "positive aspiration".

China has long been North Korea's most important ally but has been on board with the sanctions agreed at the United Nations.



- 'Huge gamble' -



The UN Security Council has imposed tough economic sanctions aimed at choking off revenue to Pyongyang's military programs after Kim's regime carried out a sixth nuclear test and advanced missile launches.

China -- Pyongyang's sole ally -- and Russia argue that sanctions alone will not push North Korea to change course and have repeatedly called for stepping up diplomatic efforts to achieve a solution.

The summit announcement triggered a rise in global stock markets while world leaders voiced hope the meeting would deflate tensions that had been building dramatically in recent months.

Some observers questioned the US president's wisdom in granting Kim a long-standing wish for a meeting after only agreeing to temporarily halt nuclear tests.

Bill Richardson, former US ambassador to the United Nations, said it's a "huge gamble" but "worth taking."

"I worry about the president's unpreparedness and lack of discipline but I commend him for this very bold move in accepting the invitation," Richardson told AFP.

"This is not 'The Apprentice' or a reality TV event," he added. "It's a negotiation with an unpredictable leader who has at least 20 nuclear weapons and who threatens the United States."

Republican Senator Cory Gardner told AFP America's approach to North Korea still needs not just a drop "but a whole bucket of reality."

"The challenge here is there is no greater diplomatic tool or lever than the President of the United States. In terms of the length of the diplomatic runway, if this doesn't succeed how much is left of that diplomatic runway is a very good question"



- 'Little Rocket Man' -



Trump has previously ridiculed Kim as "Little Rocket Man", slapping wideranging bilateral sanctions on the Pyongyang regime and also leading a drive for international sanctions through the UN.

Vice President Pence stressed that the White House has made "zero concessions" to get Kim to the table and emphasized that the sanctions would remain in place.

"North Korea's desire to meet to discuss denuclearization -- while suspending all ballistic missile and nuclear testing -- is evidence that President Trump's strategy to isolate the Kim regime is working," Pence said in a statement.

"Our policy remains the same: all sanctions remain in place and the maximum pressure campaign will continue until North Korea takes concrete, permanent, and verifiable steps to end their nuclear program."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was among the world leaders to hail the announcement as a "glimmer of hope," saying North Korea's nuclear drive "has been a source of great concern for all of us."

The International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN's nuclear watchdog, voiced hope the summit would produce "concrete progress" and a resumption of long-suspended nuclear inspections.

Pyongyang's long race to develop a nuclear weapon capable has proved a problem for successive US administrations.

But the alarm bells have been ringing even louder since last July when Pyongyang conducted two intercontinental ballistic missile tests, declaring the entire United States now within range.

Trump threatened "fire and fury" if Pyongyang continued to threaten the United States only for North Korea to carry out its sixth nuclear test.

The United States and North Korea fought on opposite sides of a bloody war in the 1950s, and in the last two decades have been engaged in perhaps the world's most dangerous nuclear standoff, with 30,000 US military personnel stationed just over the border in the South.By clicking Agree, you consent to Slates Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and the use of technologies such as cookies by Slate and our partners to deliver relevant advertising on our iOS app to personalize content and perform site analytics. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information about our use of data, your rights, and how to withdraw consent.

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The reconstruction of Sagone Primary School will soon get underway thanks to a $285,778 grant from Japan.

The money comes from Japans Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (G.G.P.).

The agreement was signed between Japans Ambassador to Samoa, Maugaoleatuolo Shinya Aoki and the President of the Sagone Primary School Committee, Tapuai Faasalafa.

It was one of three projects signed at the Embassy of Japan in Apia, costing a total of $930,942.

For Sagone, the money will fund the reconstruction of a more spacious and safer new school building at a new location.

The project includes eight new classrooms, a staff room, a library, computer lab and a toilet block.

The project will improve the much needed renovation of its 6 years old current school building with its relocation area from the main road for a safer access of students and children of Sagone.

Ambassador Maugaoleatuolo acknowledged the importance of proper educational facilities in the learning process within the communities and reaffirmed the commitment and continuous support of the government of Japan towards improving basic education facilities at grassroots level.

He added that with these assistances will further build stronger relationship between Japan and Samoa. Japans Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects provides assistance to non-governmental organizations, primary schools, hospitals and other non-profit associations that have a direct impact on the well-being of communities.Canada military second in command charged with trust breach



Ottawa, March 9 (AFP) Mar 09, 2018



Federal police on Friday charged the former second in command of Canada's military with leaking cabinet secrets related to navy shipbuilding plans.

Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, 54, was relieved of his duty in January 2017 while an investigation proceeded.

In a statement Friday, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said he has been charged with breach of trust, a criminal offence.

"Norman is alleged to have illegally disclosed government information to unauthorized parties," it said.

He is to appear in court on April 10.

His lawyer Marie Henein said the charges are politically-motivated and would be answered in court, adding that Norman "has always acted in the best interests of this country" and should be "celebrated, not prosecuted."

"Not once has he ever been swayed by political or personal considerations," she said. "His love of this country and ensuring its military strength has been his only guiding principle."

The investigation was launched in December 2015 following a government complaint about the leaks.

In an affidavit used to obtain a search warrant of Norman's home last year, police said he had provided sensitive government information to a local shipyard.

The 97-page court document included expletive-laden emails from Norman to Spencer Fraser, head of Federal Fleet shipyards in Quebec.

Federal Fleet had been selected by the previous Conservative Party government to provide the navy with an interim supply ship.

In the emails, Norman appeared worried that the project would be delayed over concerns raised by rival shipyards about the lack of competition in awarding the contract.

He also described how the project was viewed by the incoming Liberal government.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals put the project on hold when they came to power in 2015, but eventually decided to proceed with it.

The MV Asterix was recently delivered to the navy to begin operations.

Norman was appointed vice chief of defense staff in 2016, after spending four years in command at the Royal Canadian Navy.Military vehicles to roll through Washington in parade



Washington, March 10 (AFP) Mar 10, 2018



Military vehicles will roll through Washington on November 11 in a salute to veterans, a Pentagon memo said Friday, detailing President Donald Trump's dream of hosting a military parade.

The White House announced a month ago that Trump had asked for a large-scale military parade, an unconventional call that immediately fueled comparisons with similar events in more autocratic countries.

"This parade will focus on the contributions of our veterans throughout the history of the US military, starting from the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 to today, with an emphasis on the price of freedom," said the memorandum for General Joe Dunford, who chairs the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Defense Department had earlier said it was planning for "around" that date, which is known in the United States as Veterans Day and in other countries as Remembrance Day marking the end of World War I.

Pentagon plans call for "wheeled vehicles only, no tanks," as they would tear up city roads.

There would also be "a heavy air component at the end of the parade, to include older aircraft as available," according to the memo.

The parade route will stretch roughly one mile (1.6 kilometers) from the White House to the Capitol, where Trump will review his troops surrounded by veterans and Medal of Honor recipients.

Female veterans will be highlighted, and marchers representing previous wars will wear period uniforms, including historical dress from the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.

As planning continues, the memo gave no more details on the type of weaponry to be featured in the parade.

Trump, the military's commander-in-chief, received deferments from service during the Vietnam War.

The last major parade in Washington was in 1991 after the Gulf War, when missiles and tanks moved through the streets of the capital.

Since taking office, Trump has frequently touted his support for the US military and placed high-ranking generals in top White House and cabinet posts.

The idea for a parade appears to have been rekindled when the president visited Paris for Bastille Day in July and made no secret of his awe for the pomp and ceremony of the occasion.

Military parades are also a highlight of the calendar in Moscow and Pyongyang but are rare in the United States, where displays of patriotism usually take the form of flag-waving, fireworks and grilled hot dogs.Trump says leaders of China, Japan supportive of Kim Jong Un meeting



Washington, March 10 (AFP) Mar 10, 2018



US President Donald Trump said Saturday he has received encouragement from the leaders of China and Japan as he moves toward a sudden, high stakes summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Trump said China's President Xi Jinping was appreciative of his decision to opt for diplomacy rather than "the ominous alternative," while Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was "very enthusiastic" about talks with North Korea.

Trump reached out to the Asian leaders in phone calls Friday after his stunning decision to accept an invitation to meet Kim before the end of May.

The turnabout -- a huge surprise after months of intensifying brinksmanship over the North's nuclear and missile programs -- caught even Trump's top aides off guard.

Just hours before Trump made his announcement Thursday, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had said direct talks with North Korea were "a long way" off.

Tillerson, who was traveling in Africa, cancelled his scheduled program in Kenya Saturday because he was "not feeling well after a long couple days working on major issues back home such as North Korea," Undersecretary of State Steve Goldstein said in a statement.

Goldstein later said Tillerson was feeling better and would resume his travel schedule Sunday.

White House officials initially waffled on the president's intentions.

"We're not going to have this meeting take place until we see concrete actions that match the words and the rhetoric of North Korea," White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters Friday.



- Emphasizing the positive -



But in a series of tweets late Friday and Saturday, a seemingly ebullient Trump emphasized the positive.

"North Korea has not conducted a Missile Test since November 28, 2017 and has promised not to do so through our meetings. I believe they will honor that commitment!" he said Saturday.

Trump praised a possible future agreement with the nuclear-armed North as "very good" for the international community as a whole.

"The deal with North Korea is very much in the making and will be, if completed, a very good one for the World. Time and place to be determined," he wrote in a Friday tweet.

On Saturday morning, Trump tweeted that Xi "appreciates that the U.S. is working to solve the problem diplomatically rather than going with the ominous alternative. China continues to be helpful!"

A White House readout of the conversation said the two leaders committed to keeping the pressure on North Korea until it takes "tangible steps toward complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization."

North Korea's ambassador to the United Nations, Pak Song il credited the turnabout to Kim's "broadminded and resolute" decision to contribute to peace and security in the Korean Peninsula.

"The United States should know and understand our position and should further contribute to the peace and security-building in the Korean Peninsula with [a] sincere position and serious attitude," he wrote in an email to The Washington Post on Friday.



- 'Diplomacy without diplomats' -



Not everyone was so sanguine about the prospects of a breakthrough, however, and some Democrats shuddered at the thought of such sensitive -- and potentially explosive -- negotiations in the hands of an impulsive, inexperienced president.

"If you want to talk to Kim Jong Un about his nuclear weapons you need experienced diplomats," Hillary Clinton, Trump's rival in the 2016 presidential elections, told Dutch tabloid Algemeen Dagblad in an interview published Saturday.

The former secretary of state said the State Department was "being eroded," and experienced diplomats on the North Korean issue were in short supply because many have left.

"You cannot have diplomacy without diplomats," she said, adding that "the danger is not being recognized by the Trump government."

Clinton's words echo those of veteran diplomat and former US ambassador to the United Nations, Bill Richardson, who warned that negotiating with North Korea was not "reality television."

"It's a real opportunity ... I worry about the president's unpreparedness and lack of discipline. But I commend him for his very bold move in accepting the invitation," Richardson told AFP on Friday.

"But this is not 'The Apprentice' or a reality TV event. It's a negotiation with an unpredictable leader who has at least 20 nuclear weapons and who threatens the United States," he said.

buro-jm/chAddressing school mass murders

By Chuck Klein. March 7th, 2018

First we tried posting signs forbidding guns on campus. That didnt seem to work very well as only the good guys complied. Next came lockdowns. When shots are fired in a school, all doors are locked; great except for the room where the shooter is. The third plan was to Run, Hide, Fight  only no one was allowed anything to fight with. Its past time to face reality: All the rules, statutes, restraining orders, 911 calls, hand to hand combat technics, aerosol spray Mace, run & hide or other pseudo protective measures will never equal the effectiveness of a firearm when faced with an unwarranted and deadly criminal attack.

Suggestions for addressing school mass murders:

1) Post in schools, signs with wording to the effect: School Employees and Others May be Armed while removing all No Guns Allowed and Gun Free Zone signs;

2) Allow vetted volunteers (parents and others), with special training, to roam the school campuses, while armed. Utilizing trained volunteers (who better than those with children in the school systems) will significantly reduce the cost and difficulty of hiring qualified security guards and/or police officers.

3) Encourage non-armed volunteers to also patrol the school campuses. All volunteers, armed or unarmed, should not be dressed different than the schools teaching/custodial staff. Unique uniforms not only allow a criminal to keep track of the volunteers, but would be akin to wearing a sign: shoot me first.

4) All of these volunteers must be required NOT to let-on whether they are armed or not. This, coupled with the posting of the suggested signage would, for all intents and purposes, substantially increase the perceived number of armed civilians on school grounds. Knowing there are armed persons about, but not knowing who they are will create a significant deterrent to anyone contemplating an attack on schools.

5) These parents and adult volunteers would be encouraged to mingle with and converse with the students which would be an added bonus of informal mentoring.

Chuck Klein is a former police officer, NRA Certified Firearms Instructor, active member: International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors, author of Guns in the WorkPlace and many other books, columns and articles.

Chuck Klein

Georgetown, OH

http://chuckklein.com

Back to Top

JAMMU: Social activist Talib Hussain, who is fighting for justice to Asifa Bano, the 8-year-old who was raped and murdered last month, on Saturday said that active member of the Hindu Ekhta Manch has turned out to be the mastermind behind the gruesome incident.



Hussain, who was arrested by police for protesting against the gruesome incident, also demanded action those violating section 144 CrPC by organizing large rallies. Hussain, who is also related to the victim family, also expressed satisfaction over crime branch investigation monitored by the high court even as he demanded the arrest of the mastermind sans any further delay.

We are satisfied with the investigations carried by the crime branch under the supervision of the high court, Hussain told news agency GNS.

He said Ekhta Manch was formed to prevent the arrest of its active member and mastermind of the crime.

The Crime Branch which has done a commendable job so far shall arrest the mastermind and should not fear any protests by Ekhta manch, he said.

He added: See the height of the things. The mastermind, being in-charge of a temple namely Devisathan temple, kept the victim inside the temple for few days. And fearing any protests by the Hindu Ekhta Manch, authorities should not bow before them and should arrest him. Law is equal for everyone and such people need to be punished.

Meanwhile, Hussain said that the Government should take serious action against people who according to him are defying the section 144 Crpc imposed by the government in Kathua district.

The members of the Ekhta manch are violating the law on the behest of few cabinet ministers and are openly terrorizing the people in Chadwal, Kotah, Hussain said and asked why no action was being taken against the people who defy the law.

He said Vijay Kumar Sharma, president of the Hindu Ekhta Manch, is openly issuing communal statements and terrorizing a particular community. Action should be taken against such people, he said. The investigation by Crime branch into rape-and-murder of the 8-year-old has revealed that the person claimed to be juvenile was actually an adult and that it was not an ordinary crime but was in consonance with a large conspiracy to dislodge Bakerwal (nomad) community from Rasana Village in the district. Asifa Bano had been missing since January 10 when she failed to return home from watering horses in her native Rassana forests, and her body was found on January 17.

The next day, after protests rocked the area, the Kathua police had said that a SIT under SDPO border, had been set up to investigate the case and a medical report of the murdered girl was expected within a couple of days.

On January 20, the government transferred the Station House Officer of the Hiranagar police station, ordering a magisterial probe, and three days later, on January 23, handed the case over to the Crime Branch. (GNS)A trail of tears

To satiate the demand for meat in the Valley, every day, 15 trucks full of live buffaloes make their way into the capital city. The buffaloes are mostly bought in the haat-bazaars on the Indian side of Nepal-India Border.Chief Justice Parajuli refuses to disclose academic certificates

Despite mounting pressure, Chief Justice Gopal Prasad Parajuli has refused to make his academic certificates public.Blog Archive Apr 2010 (22) May 2010 (25) Jun 2010 (8) Jul 2010 (12) Aug 2010 (18) Sep 2010 (19) Oct 2010 (29) Nov 2010 (30) Dec 2010 (18) Jan 2011 (13) Feb 2011 (21) Mar 2011 (23) Apr 2011 (19) May 2011 (31) Jun 2011 (36) Jul 2011 (46) Aug 2011 (26) Sep 2011 (12) Oct 2011 (15) Nov 2011 (17) Dec 2011 (7) Jan 2012 (18) Feb 2012 (4) Mar 2012 (12) Apr 2012 (18) May 2012 (10) Jun 2012 (21) Jul 2012 (8) Aug 2012 (15) Sep 2012 (7) Oct 2012 (17) Nov 2012 (20) Dec 2012 (10) Jan 2013 (58) Feb 2013 (59) Mar 2013 (60) Apr 2013 (98) May 2013 (135) Jun 2013 (204) Jul 2013 (293) Aug 2013 (351) Sep 2013 (363) Oct 2013 (348) Nov 2013 (374) Dec 2013 (442) Jan 2014 (547) Feb 2014 (476) Mar 2014 (526) Apr 2014 (527) May 2014 (469) Jun 2014 (408) Jul 2014 (472) Aug 2014 (522) Sep 2014 (443) Oct 2014 (472) Nov 2014 (497) Dec 2014 (536) Jan 2015 (539) Feb 2015 (520) Mar 2015 (582) Apr 2015 (658) May 2015 (679) Jun 2015 (673) Jul 2015 (728) Aug 2015 (803) Sep 2015 (923) Oct 2015 (924) Nov 2015 (802) Dec 2015 (791) Jan 2016 (782) Feb 2016 (835) Mar 2016 (929) Apr 2016 (866) May 2016 (947) Jun 2016 (1044) Jul 2016 (882) Aug 2016 (1035) Sep 2016 (967) Oct 2016 (918) Nov 2016 (854) Dec 2016 (885) Jan 2017 (880) Feb 2017 (777) Mar 2017 (896) Apr 2017 (872) May 2017 (850) Jun 2017 (851) Jul 2017 (971) Aug 2017 (1040) Sep 2017 (998) Oct 2017 (1144) Nov 2017 (1046) Dec 2017 (838) Jan 2018 (873) Feb 2018 (769) Mar 2018 (885) Apr 2018 (809) May 2018 (827) Jun 2018 (820) Jul 2018 (840) Aug 2018 (854) Sep 2018 (844) Oct 2018 (851) Nov 2018 (870) Dec 2018 (912) Jan 2019 (919) Feb 2019 (827) Mar 2019 (957) Apr 2019 (913) May 2019 (1007) Jun 2019 (935) Jul 2019 (950) Aug 2019 (936) Sep 2019 (910) Oct 2019 (920) Nov 2019 (874) Dec 2019 (908) Jan 2020 (941) Feb 2020 (849) Mar 2020 (898) Apr 2020 (848) May 2020 (822) Jun 2020 (789) Jul 2020 (819) Aug 2020 (858) Sep 2020 (841) Oct 2020 (873) Nov 2020 (812) Dec 2020 (780) Jan 2021 (765) Feb 2021 (716) Mar 2021 (819) Apr 2021 (805) May 2021 (815) Jun 2021 (824) Jul 2021 (830) Aug 2021 (832) Sep 2021 (516)Clipped wings

Every human being is a puzzle of need. You must intuit what is missing and become the missing piece, Dominika Egorova (Jennifer Lawrence) and her classmates are told by Matron (Charlotte Rampling) early on during their induction at Sparrow School.Digital system vital to reach the unbanked

A digital financial system is vital to bring Nepals large unbanked population into the formal financial sector so that they can have access to financial services like savings accounts, credit and insurance, stakeholders said Friday.KMC and Cimex to sign MoU for sky rail project

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is all set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cimex Inc company for the Detailed Project Report (DPR) on Sky Rail in Kathmandu on Sunday.Kolkata Port plans upgrade to stave off competition

Indias venerable Kolkata Port, which handles most of Nepals third country trade, is set for a major makeover to stave off competition.Lack of recognition for innovation in Sri Lanka By Raj Moorthy View(s): View(s):

While innovation appears to be one of the core strengths of some young graduates who pass out from national universities in Sri Lanka, there is lack of recognition for innovation by the industry experts and corporate heads. Sri Lanka ranks 90 out of 130 nations worldwide in terms of innovation, according to the global innovation index report of 2017.

Last week the Centre for Biomedical Innovation (CEBI) at the University of Moratuwa (UoM) organised an innovation day at the Institute of Engineers auditorium in Colombo. Biomedical industry experts from diverse institutions were present among the audience.

UoM Department of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering, Senior Biomedical Engineering lecturer, Dr. Pujitha Silva on the sidelines of the event, told the Business Times that countries in the world are revolving around an innovation economy, and this should happen in Sri Lanka too. The need for recognition of innovation is clearly not seen in the Sri Lankan context as industry experts are not willing to pay the price for high quality products or rather since its solely a Sri Lankan product.

The mindset of Sri Lankan corporate giants should change. Nothing comes cheap for a high quality product, he noted. Graduates who pass out from the UoM from the biomedical department are expected to work at cheap labour rates by most relevant corporate companies in the country, he added.

A few very interesting biomedical devices that were developed by the CEBI were demonstrated at the event. Devices that could bridge the gap between a patient lying on a bed to the kitchen to get his or her meals, were demonstrated in a video presentation.

UoM Head of Mechanical Engineering, Ruwan Gopura at the event stated that the vision of CEBI is to become South Asias premium research and development hub for biomedical devices. The mission is to develop biomedical devices by offering affordable and high quality solutions with keeping to national and regional healthcare needs, he added.

We want to create a collaborative environment within the university including several other departments that does research and development work in this area.

We also want to collaborate with external partners in the relevant industry. We have done a lot of research and developed several biomedical products. We want to develop those products as a working model for commercialization. The products will be targeted at the national level and (aimed at resolving) the issues of the nation, noted Mr. Gopura.Laugfs Gas PLC announces new restructure aimed at profitability By Raj Moorthy View(s): View(s):

Laugfs Gas PLC will be segregated with three out of its six subsidiaries to be individually listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) from April 1 this year.

Following the un-relatable existence of businesses within the conglomerate, the decision has been taken by the board of directors approving the restructuring initiative in a move towards profitability.

Laugfs Power Ltd, Laugfs Leisure Ltd and Laugfs Eco Sri will be separately listed on the CSE to maximise the valuation of each unit, Chairman of Laugfs Gas PLC, W.K.H. Wegapitiya told the media on Tuesday at a briefing held at the Hilton Colombo residencies.

Mr. Wegapitiya said, The restructuring of the company after strategically re-aligning the group will be beneficial to the shareholders and prospective investors.

When Laugfs Gas PLC was listed on the CSE, many local and foreign companies were eyeing to invest. Unfortunately we had our own legacy issues that discouraged foreign investors to associate with us. Within our group there were unrelated businesses. When energy companies approached they felt no interest about the other sectors such as leisure, power, emission, and so on. There were debates within them where we couldnt give the highest benefit to our shareholders. We looked at various options and we wanted to change the structure making it more attractive to others. The restructuring will maximise the valuation, he added.

He also mentioned that investors prefer to go into specific business streams particularly energy which has multiple earnings. Segregation will enable Laugfs Gas PLC to specialise in specific areas, not only in energy, but power, leisure and so on that will stand alone as separate entities. We are going to benchmark with other LPG companies in the region. The company will remain with its own synergetic and strategic businesses within it. After segregation, those who own shares of the holding company will equally have the same amount of shares in the individual companies as well. There will be more benefits to our shareholders, Mr. Wegapitiya noted.

The restructuring is advantageous to prospective investors and the value will be reflected in the CSE. The reason for this being so strategic and significant is because in the LPG business the value chain is from well to flame. Whoever has the strength and dominance in all these sectors will be competitive, stressed Mr. Wegapitiya.

He also noted that Laugfs Hambantota terminal will be commissioned by the end of April or beginning of May this year. Almost 80 per cent of the construction is completed, stated Mr. Wegapitiya.

Laugfs Gas PLC Director H.A. Ariyaratne during the briefing mentioned that Laugfs Leisure Ltd is not making great profits as of today. Leisure should become a profitable industry to the company from 2020 onwards. It will take some time for this sector to make profits while also there are few other properties in the pipeline apart from the existing Anantaya Resort and Spa in Passikuda and Chilaw.

Mr. Wegapitiya firmly stated that the holding company will not sell any of the shares. We have no plans to sell the shares of the company no matter how much of restructuring we have to go through.

He also noted that there will be a unified pricing formula for LPG in the next two to three months.

Mr. Wegapitiya stressed that renewable energy is a highly profitable business but a difficult market to enter. We have the largest solar power plant set up and commissioned in Hambantota. We are adding more in Sri Lanka and also in other Asian markets. We are now exploring and discussions are underway.Ravi Dadlani new MD at CEAT Kelani View(s):

CEAT Kelani Holdings has announced the appointment of Ravi Dadlani, a Sri Lankan, as Managing Director of the company with effect from March 1.

Previously Vice President Sales, Marketing and Exports at CEAT Kelani, a company he has already served for 11 years, Mr Dadlani succeeds Vijay Gambhire, who returns to CEAT Ltd India on completion of his term, the company said in a media release.

The first Sri Lankan Managing Director of CEAT Kelani Holdings, Mr. Dadlanis appointment comes at a time when the India  Sri Lanka joint venture tyre manufacturer is on the cusp of rapid expansion of its product range and manufacturing capacity. In January this year, the company announced a new investment of Rs. 3 billion in its manufacturing operations in Sri Lanka.

Ravi Dadlani has 25 years of multi-sector experience and has gained an encyclopaedic knowledge of the tyre industry over the last decade, CEAT Kelani Holdings Chairman Chanaka de Silva said. He is the ideal candidate to continue the momentum at this juncture when the company is venturing into new product categories and new export markets.

A marketer by profession, Mr. Dadlani joined CEAT Kelani in 2007 as General Manager Marketing and Sales and went on to become Vice President  Marketing, Sales and Exports. In this capacity he has interacted with policymakers at the highest levels to protect and enhance the contribution of domestic manufacturing industries.

He is also involved with initiatives for the development and sustainability of the rubber industry in Sri Lanka in the capacity of Deputy Chairman of the Sri Lanka Association of Manufacturers and Exporters of Rubber Products (SLAMERP), the apex body of the rubber industry.Seasonal flights from Cinnamon Air View(s):

Cinnamon Air has announced its seasonal schedules for April between Colombo and Nuwara Eliya from April 7 to 15.

The airline said it will be operating a daily scheduled flight from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya, departing Colombo City (Waters Edge) water aerodrome at 10:30 am and arriving in Nuwara Eliya (Lake Gregory) at 11 am.

Additionally, on April 14-15, Cinnamon Air will be operating daily scheduled flights from Nuwara Eliya departing at 9:30 am and arriving Colombo at 10 am. The flight time between Colombo and Nuwara Eliya is just 25 minutes, as opposed to a tiresome six hours of driving time, the airline said in a media release.Sri Lanka sets foot in cruise tourism with tariff changes By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s):

With the aim of capitalising on the ever increasing popularity of cruise tourism, the Sri Lanka government is mulling more concessions for travellers arriving in the island on ships.

Necessary changes are to be made to tariff system and voyage fees of passengers in accordance with the suggestions made by the Parliamentary Sectorial Committee on Transport and Communication, official sources confirmed.

The Committee considered the regulations under section 321 of the Merchant Shipping Act, No. 52 of 1971 and appreciated it since these regulations enhance the standards of the tourism sector.

Also, it has suggested that a voyage fees of US$8 charged per passenger per day be charged as local and foreign separately and the tariff system should be changed on a proportional basis instead of per day.

Sri Lanka attracts approximately 25,000 cruise passengers a year.

According to the Ministry of Ports and Shipping statistics, the country handles approximately 35 to 45 cruise ships for a year.

The Ministry of Tourism has been directed to take immediate action to create a cruise tourism promotion strategic plan to put forward the country in to the global height, a top official of the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs said.

While the overall increase in arrivals augurs well for the sector, the Tourism Ministry is also seeking to target the higher end of the tourism market including cruise tourism to boost revenue per visitor, a policy underscored by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe recently.

One way Sri Lanka is planning to achieve this target is through promoting the country as a cruise destination, he has said.

The target for this year is 50,000 tourist arrivals in the island via sea voyage; he said adding that it is essential to increase investments in port infrastructure, improvements in passenger and luggage handling and logistics.

Cruise tourism has seen a substantial growth in Sri Lanka with numbers going from 18 cruise line visits in 2011, 22 liners in 2014 and currently at 40 visits from liners. According to the recent Asian Cruise Trends Report already 52 ships are being deployed in Asia with over 1000 cruises and voyages being scheduled. Sri Lanka with its excellent geo strategic location, and being a maritime hub, must leverage on this development, the PM pointed out.Stocks: Foreign buying may slow down By Duruthu Edirimuni Chandrasekera View(s): View(s):

The Colombo Stock Exchanges (CSE) rally by foreign investors looks dicey now that a state of emergency has been imposed by the government on Tuesday, some stock analysts say.

From Tuesday onwards some funds were trying to book profits on selected blue chip blocks such as John Keells Holdings and Commercial Bank, an analyst told the Business Times. According to him JKH saw a Rs. 5 drop on Thursday to Rs. 160.50 and stood at Rs. 163 on Friday. He added that calls to sell certain blocks escalated on Tuesday after the unrest at Teldeniya on Monday.

A stockbroker strongly disagreed with this statement saying that foreign funds dont decide on short term incidents. They arent exactly panic retailers. He added that CSE has witnessed worse times during the war and when Galleon Fund of Raj Rajaratnam pulled out it was much worse.

Dimantha Mathew, Head of Research First Capital told the Business Times that foreign participation was on a worrying note. He said that foreign participation had significantly have come down since Monday, but they arent panicking essentially because they are positive on CSE. But they are cautious. By tomorrow theyll return.

By Friday, foreign buying had slowed down, another analyst added. They are taking a cautious stance. If this situation continuous they may adopt a wait-and-see stand.

These sentiments arose just after two major investor forums showcasing the CSE. Early this month Invest Sri Lanka investor forum was organised by the CSE in Singapore which saw leading Asiabased institutional funds and other investors across multiple industries. The other was CSE  Tundra Fonder Sustainability Forum which the CSE in collaboration with Tundra Fonder hosted on Monday in Colombo.Madame President

Madame Bidhya Devi Bhandari will once again become our President. Yes, our comrades have decided to stick with Bhandari and Pun as candidates for our President and Vice President, and they are more than likely to win the election for their respective offices.Tourists cancel visits to Kandy By Sunimalee Dias View(s): View(s):

Foreign travellers are calling up Kandy hotels to cancel their holiday plans for bookings already placed with most online visitors opting to stay clear of the violence that this week hit the hills.

At least 10 per cent of tourists scheduled to visit Kandy cancelled travel plans in the wake of the tension experienced in the district during the past few days.

Kandy Hoteliers Association President Samantha Ratnayake told the Business Times that a few hotels had reported 5-10 per cent cancellations by tourists scheduled to holiday in Kandy but noted that by Friday the city was returning to normal except for a few restaurants that remained closed.

In fact most of the travel agents issued instructions to their guests to move out of Kandy due to curfew being repeatedly imposed in the region.

Three cultural shows per day performed at the Kandy YMPA, Peradeniya Oak Ray hotel premises and the Cultural Centre close to the Dalada Maligawa were cancelled since Tuesday due to a night curfew. But to ensure the show goes on hoteliers continued to provide these shows at the respective hotels visitors were staying in.

Most visitors did not have travel disruptions within the city as they were provided special passes and even the armed forces that had moved in had allowed them to tour the Dalada Maligawa, Mr. Ratnayake said.

Shops and restaurants were closed from time to time while hotels remained open.

Guests were increasingly inconvenienced when access to social media was restricted by authorities, Mr. Ratnayake said adding that hotels provided their Internet services for use to get in touch with their families back home.

February to April is the peak season for the Kandy hoteliers and in this context most hotels continued to remain full, he said.

Some hotels had over 150 cancellations for March from a mixed market of Benelux and Chinese travellers in addition to future bookings upto April with about 40 more rooms amounting to about 80 guests.

Mahaweli Reach Resident Manager Rodney Armstrong said by Friday tourists were free to travel around the city and the city was calm.

Travel Agents Association Sri Lanka President Trevor Rajaratnam said on Friday that damage control was carried out and the government was doing their best under the current circumstances.

Private train service operators were impacted by the turn of events in Kandy with at least three cancellations. Santani Resort and Spa Operating Manager Mahesh Ekanayaka said they had not indicated to guests the acuteness of the problem and since most did not use mobile devices in this resort the restriction on social media access did not pose a problem at this resort.

Some guests that turned up at hotels based on online bookings and later cancelled their stay in Kandy returned to Colombo once they heard of the situation in the area. Online guests travelling from the UK, the Middle East and Benelux countries called off their stay in the country ahead of arrival.

Some MICE events have also been cancelled due to the curfew.

Most Kandy hotels have experienced confirmed bookings being cancelled especially from West Asia scheduled from May to August.

Roshan Fernando, General Manager at the Golden Crown, a new hotel, said that the situation was scary and they expect it would take about six months to overcome the current crisis.

Indian tourists have also deferred or delayed their plans to travel to Sri Lanka going by reports in the Indian media.

Some Indian travel agents advised their clients against visiting the country due to communal tensions. India is the generator of highest tourist traffic alongside China.

However, the Sri Lankan delegation at the ITB fair in Berlin seemed oblivious to the developments on the ground with some industry officials in Berlin saying there were no cancellations due to the crisis in Kandy.

Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga, speaking in Berlin, used the opportunity to reassure the international tourism community that the unfortunate events that affected a few outskirts off Kandy were now history and that normalcy had been restored in the affected areas.Wait and see from foreign investors By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s):

This weeks unrest in Kandy and the imposition of a state of emergency immediately led to tourist cancellations and triggered alarm bells in the economy, officials and economists at the Treasury and the Central Bank (CB) said.

As long as communal tensions persist, the country will be vulnerable to an economic crisis, a senior government official said adding that relations with West Asian countries could get affected and in turn impact on foreign remittance inflows.

A high-level CB official said political instability and racial unrest will affect market sentiment, investor confidence and result in a decline in foreign investments while stressing the need to enforce law and order and deal firmly with any future situation too.

Most investors are likely to follow a wait and see policy; see whether this crisis would persist and watch how the government is tackling the situation, an economist, involved in foreign investment negotiations, said.

The first, negative reaction came from tourism with Kandy hotels reporting cancellations and travel agents fielding calls seeking information. After the end of the war, Sri Lanka was the safest destination in the world and now we have lost that significant label, said the head of a travel industry body.

There was no panic in the money markets with the US dollar pegged at Rs 155.50  Rs.155.55 on Friday.

Business chambers pleaded for calm. The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) said that, A recurrence of such a conflict will impact adversely on the development of this country in many ways i.e. spiritually, socially and economically.

SLASSCOM, the IT/BPM industrys main body urged members to establish a zero-tolerance policy for any incident involving racial or religious discrimination and disrespect.

We have excelled in positioning Sri Lanka as a compelling destination for innovation and ingenuity. This credibility was earned by individuals from every community, race and religion collaborating as creative, highly-productive teams, it said.

What worried many professionals in government and the private sector was the delayed reaction of the Government to restore law and order in the trouble spots in Kandy. Capital flows into the stock market and rupee denominated Treasury bills and bonds will get affected if the situation isnt brought under control and the rule of law firmly established, another high-ranking government official noted.

The crisis comes on top of a drop in revenue collection at Excise and Customs Departments due to some administration issues and business disruption in some areas. Another reason for the decline was the drop in revenue from liquor and tobacco taxes as sales have come down following an increase in excise duty.

The economy had been settling down to a more comfortable path in 2018 until the results of the February local government poll, in which former President Mahinda Rajapaksas party made surprising gains, shocked ruling party politicians.

The reversal has led to decisions bordering on a return to subsidies and handouts to win public support, and at the same time, putting the brakes on tight economic reforms.

The latest crisis sparked by ethno-religious tensions is a further setback to plans to drive increased foreign investment this year, more tourist arrivals and cut government spending.

See below for details of the poll.

Restricted access was correct decision, BT poll reveals A quick poll on Friday by the Business Times to assess public response to the move to restrict social media websites found a large percentage of respondents acknowledging that it was a correct decision by the government. Asked whether the Governments action to restrict access to social media websites was the correct decision, 71.4 per cent of the respondents said: Yes. Asked, whether it affected their business, 49 per cent said Yes while 38.8 per cent said No. What was interesting in the survey, which some 200 people from all walks of life including business professionals, academics, students and prominent civil society activists responded to, was that quite a few young people agree it was wise to restrict social media to prevent hate messages. On the other, there were older professionals who disagreed. According to comments received, one respondent said rather than blocking social media, tough action should be taken against perpetrators of hate messages on Facebook. This is okay so long as the restrictions arent permanent and used with the wrong intent, said another. A third respondent said hate speech should not be tolerated while social media must be regulated to ensure that it does not mislead people and does not infringe on the rights of another.Ministers who had gathered last Tuesday for their weekly cabinet session on the ground floor of the Presidential Secretariat, once the well of the House of Parliament, pondered. They had been asked by President Maithripala Sirisena to hurriedly assemble on the second floor conference room, just steps away from his office.

There, he announced, he had signed a proclamation under the Public Security Ordinance declaring a State of Emergency throughout Sri Lanka. It was in the interests of public security, the protection of public order and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the community. Except to say the emergency shall forthwith come into operation with effect from March 6 it was open ended. Sirisena said the weekly ministerial meeting would be held at 7 p.m. that night and went on to explain the reasons for the emergency, which has been imposed for the first time since the military defeat of Tiger guerrillas in May 2009.

Extremist groups, he declared, should not be allowed to run the country and announced he had got all the plans ready to deal with them. I would need your support, he appealed. He said hate crime and hate speech should be dealt with and added we have to be strong and decisive. Already posts on Facebook, websites and other social media platforms are being closely scrutinised by intelligence and investigative agencies. Those responsible for messages that incite or promote hate are to be arrested.

Sirisena was alluding to a string of incidents. The origins to these in the Kandy District was an attack by four drunken Muslim youth on a Sinhala lorry driver on February 22. The four were remanded. The victim later died in hospital and the funeral was held on March 7. He was a relative of an outspoken Buddhist monk from Ampara. Violence erupted first that day in the victims home town of Udispattuwa, a small hamlet nestled in the hills en route to Rangala, known for its colonial era tea plantations, forest cover and the chilly climate. The area is also home to various wildlife species. Shops, homes, vehicles and other valuables were set on fire. Places of religious worship were attacked. The violence spread to nearby Teldeniya along the road to Mahiyangana. Soon it had enveloped other towns like Katugastota and Balagolla. The incidents came in the aftermath of similar attacks in Ampara only the previous week. Detailed on-the-spot reports of how the incidents played out appear elsewhere in the Sunday Times.

In what seemed a rare show of unity, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe backed Sirisenas move. This was a marked turn of events particularly after many weeks of friction. Sirisena only last week urged Wickremesinghe to wind up the Cabinet Committee on Economic Development (CCEM). Yet, most of Wickremesinghes initiatives were from Colombo. Sirisena flew to Kandy for a meeting with representatives of the clergy. He later spoke to Police and armed forces top brass. Ministers were so consumed with the rising violence in the central hills and had no time to focus on the issue. Sirisena said extremism should be nipped in the bud. Rajitha Senaratne, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Rauff Hakeem, Rishad Bathiuddin and Mano Ganesan spoke. Most of the speakers were strongly critical of Police Chief Pujith Jayasundera. They claimed that if he had acted promptly, it would have been possible to prevent the situation snowballing into a bigger crisis. One is not sure whether all the blame can be fairly and squarely laid on the doorstep of the Police Chief alone. Premier Wickremesinghe flew yesterday to Kandy. He held a meeting at the District Secretariat in Kandy and later visited Digana where he inspected some of the damaged buildings.

The discussion on issues continued just after ministers had finished items on the agenda beginning 7 pm. Some ministers chose to leave but more than 20 remained. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Admiral Vajira Wijegunaratne and Police Chief Jayasundera were summoned for the meeting. A string of Q and As followed. There was clearly anxiety on the part of the ministers on how long it would take to end the clashes.

Premier Wickremesinghe told Parliament the state of emergency would remain only for a week. The Presidential Media Division also declared that the the President has declared a state of limited emergency for a period of one week. This would only mean another proclamation rescinding the declaration of emergency is due coming Tuesday. How this would be done is not clear since the President is now overseas. Five reasons were given by the Presidential Secretariat  (1) The acts of violence and criminal activities that took place in the last two weeks. (2) The deaths and distruction of properties as a result of those violent acts. (3) The resulting religious disharmony and unrest due to those acts. (4) Attacks on properties, religious places and transport vehicles causing damages, and (5) Continuation of these criminal acts unabated.

These five reasons for the unrest in the central hills seemed the Governments mea culpa. It not only acknowledges that violence and criminal activities took place in the last two weeks but also the fact that it was continuing unabated. Here in lay the main problem. Law enforcement at the ground level has obviously failed and that has been clearly diagnosed by the Presidential Secretariat as the cause for the continued escalation. Like in similar incidents, whether there would be accountability and those responsible taken to task for their inaction will remain a critical question in a nation that unmindfully buries one issue to move to another new one.

From early this week, plans have been on the drawing boards for measures to deal with growing violence. There is no gainsaying that a spread of ethnic strife has to be curbed with whatever legal measures a situation warrants. However, a close look at some of the measures, in hindsight, lays bare a string of inadequacies. Firstly, those responsible for the declaration of the State of Emergency and the blocking of different internet programmes including Facebook and WhatsApp. Quite clearly those involved in persuading the decision makers have had little or barely no experience in dealing with a crisis situation. So they made across-the-board recommendations to ensure they erred on the right side. That is being charitable. Of course, there were also those who ignored realities and brought in their own personal philosophies.

One such instance is the declaration of the State of Emergency. The perceptions of such a situation, at least in the outside world, is quite different if one compares it to past occasions. They were always accompanied by allegations of fundamental freedoms, human rights and a host of other issues of abuse. More so, in the case of western nations which are supportive of the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe Government. A statement from the US Embassy in Colombo underscores this situation. It said, Rule of law, human rights, and equality are essential for peaceful coexistence. It is important that the Government of Sri Lanka act quickly against perpetrators of sectarian violence, protect religious minorities and their places of worship, and conclude the State of Emergency swiftly, while protecting human rights and basic freedoms for all. There were also travel advisories from the US, Britain, Canada and several other countries to their citizens.

What made matters worse for the Government was the fact that no one thought it fit to articulate why a State of Emergency was necessary. By their own admission, it was to give legal clout to deploy troops and to confer those powers of arrest. The Colombo based diplomatic community jammed the switchboards at Presidents home and his Secretariat seeking reasons. Here again, the Governments slip was showing. Why then declare a State of Emergency in the Northern Province? That naturally gave rise to fears outside Sri Lanka. In the past years, there have been examples of a State of Emergency being confined to a particular province or even a district. Like the Police curfew, one could argue, it could have been made effective in the administrative District of Kandy. After all, troops and Police were deployed there and the violence was later contained.

Yet, the countrywide state of emergency sent the wrong message and drew the undesired results is one thing. Another aspect was the reluctance of troops and Police to open fire at arsonists though the State of Emergency empowered them. There was fear that in doing so, they were opening themselves for punitive action. Such fears may be unfounded but prevalent, as one senior Police officer in Kandy pointed out. He said they were conscious of the images on television and reports in newspapers of senior colleagues being penalised. For different reasons. Though misguidedly they feared they too could become victims, he added.

One may say, then how do you move troops or confer them powers to arrest miscreants say for example in Colombo or for that matter in Jaffna? The answer lay in the difference between having people who are knowledgeable in the jobs they hold. This includes those in intelligence services who should be endowed with enough intelligence (the human kind) to assess a situation, to identify what the trouble prone zones are and what are not. In hindsight, is it not clear other than a handful of areas in Kandy, there was no major outbreak of violence anywhere else? This is by no means to say the other areas are to be ignored. It only underscores the fact that those who advised the decision makers, unlike in the past, did not make a proper assessment. Obviously, some operatives felt there was an enemy hiding everywhere behind a bush in every part of the country and blanket measures were the only answer.

For example, during racial tensions in Dharga Town, where deaths and destruction were higher, there was no State of Emergency. Nor was it enforced when similar disturbances occurred in Ampara or for that matter in Gintota last year.

That such an approach has not been carefully balanced is reflected in the enormous damage done to the countrys economy. Ask those in the travel trade about the cancellations of bookings for current tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka at the ongoing International Travel Mart in Berlin this week? A Colombo hotelier complained that they had lost 2,000 room nights. This is at a time when there has been no acts of violence in any of the tourism related areas outside Kandy. It will take many more weeks before we can assess the damage caused to the tourist industry, said a top official dealing with the subject. He said they were not consulted on the measures being adopted and were taken completely by surprise. The Government just could not tell its story. What of Foreign Direct Investment? There were queries from Sri Lanka diplomatic missions over how long the State of Emergency would last and whether it would affect FDI? All in all, it was easily the most damaging week for the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe coalition.

Then comes the blanket ban by the Telecom Regulatory Commission on the use of Facebook, WhatsApp and other applications. The formal reason given was that these internet facilities were used to incite violence and to post highly inflammatory material. True, there were heaps of such material. In reality the move came as a windfall for the United National Party (UNP), whose leaders were featured in caricatures and comedy skits after the political stalemate. Telecommunication Minister Harin Fernando said that the ban was only for three days but it continues. Would it not have been easier for the authorities to have identified the inciters if the facilities were operational? At least in one instance, the periodic statements by an extremist exhorting people to violence was prominent in his Facebook. However, a politician did not want him arrested since it would make him a hero.

The flipside of this ban is how it affected budget tourists. Most of them who were trapped in Kandy and its environs due to the Police curfew could not use their smart phones to speak to their friends or relatives overseas through WhatsApp. It would become imperative for the Government, if it is serious about not repeating some of the blunders caused through sheer ignorance, to engage in some soul searching. At least, the Government could prevent them from recurring.

On Friday, President Sirisena and Premier Wickremesinghe briefed the Colombo-based diplomatic community about the incidents in the Kandy District. Both declared that normalcy was fast returning to the area and the State of Emergency would end. Sirisena left yesterday for India to attend the International Solar Alliance conference. He will leave on Monday directly from Delhi to Tokyo for a six day state-visit. Yesterday, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya led an all-party delegation to Kandy. They will call on religious leaders, meet Police, security top brass and visit areas affected by the recent incidents.

The Kandy violence came as a diversion to the political tussles between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the United National Party (UNP). The Joint Opposition which had embarked on a campaign to move a Vote of No Confidence on Premier Wickremesinghe slowed down its efforts after realising it did not have adequate numbers. This week, the movers were active and were lobbying different political groups for their support. Yet, they were unable to say when the motion would be handed over.

This is whilst a reshuffle of ministers of the SLFP has been further delayed. President Sirisena declared when he effected the marginal reshuffle of UNP ministers on February 25 that he would carry out the second phase of the reshuffle within two weeks.

It is not only political issues that are affecting the country. The Planning Branch of the Ceylon Electricity Board, which suffered a loss of more than Rs 94 billion last year, has warned that uninterrupted power supply in the island cannot be ensured due to decrease of hydro storage of the reservoirs associated with hydropower stations during the next six months. This gloomy forecast covers even the National New Year season and once again highlights the ad hoc plans to procure power when a shortage is projected.

In September last year, the Cabinet gave approval to procure 100 Megawatts (MW) of supplementary power through a short-term power purchase agreement by adopting open international Competitive bidding. The proposals were:

To select a suitable supplier to purchase electricity generators of 100 MW capacity on lease basis through a short-term power purchase agreement by adopting the international competitive bidding proceure to avoid the shortage of power generation due to the insufficient rainfall.

To authorise the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to extend the power purchase agreement for a period of further six months upon the purchase of power for six months, if the power shortage is continuing and include the required condition in to the tender documents for such extension.

To authorise the Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee (SCAPC) to award the tender, subject to the covering approval of the Cabinet of Ministers as this tender has to be awarded immediately to ensure uninterrupted power supply considering the emergency situation that has arisen.

The Public Utilities Commission granted approval for the above procurement. The total of 100 MW was to be procured from Pallekele (22 MW), Hambantota (24 MW), Galle (10 MW), Matugama (24 MW) and Habarana (20MW). Three companies had submitted bids which were called through Request for Proposals (RFP) approved by the SCAPC.

Power and Energy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya now says that non-cooperation of TEC (Technical Evaluation Committee) members following trade union action delayed, among other matters, the completion date of February 26. He does not say what action he took, if at all, to even have another Committee study the matter.

Now, he has said that the TEC and the Cabinet Appointed Negotiating Committee have placed three sets for ministerial approval. They are:

To authorise the CEB to award the tender and enter into a power purchase agreement with Aggreko International Project Ltd to procure electrical power from 22 MW power plant at Pallekele, 24 MW power plant at Hambantota and 10 MW power plant at Galle for a period of six months with the option of extending it further for six months if the requirement arises.

To authorise the CEB to award the tender to enter into power purchase agreement with Heyleys Aventura (Pvt) Limited and SES Smart Energy Solutions Fzco to procure electric power from 24 MW power plant at Matugama and 20 MW power plant at Habarana for a period of six months with the option of extending it further six months if the requirement arises.

According to Power and Renewable Energy Ministry sources the power deficit for which purchases are being made is for the priod 2017. A similar request was also expected for the current year, they said.

Thus, the political stalemate between the two coalition partners, the SLFP and the UNP is now on hold. That it was obscured by the incidents in the hill country is a temporary phenomenon. Issues like the No Confidence Vote on the Premier, the winding down of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM), the proposed reshuffle of SLFP Ministers and a host of other political issues are sure to re-surface in the coming weeks and months.

Making matters worse for the coalition would be issues on the economic front. Fuel prices in the world market are on an upward trend. The Ceylon Electricity Board has painted a gloomy picture about power supply and blamed it, once more, on the drought situation. Economic losses due to the recent incidents in the hill country will total a neat sum not to mention reconstruction costs. For a Government that has two years more to complete, the road ahead is studded with more obstacles. It is some of the basic foundations of yahapalanaya or good governance that is crumbling. One such is the law and order situation, most essential to ensure there is justice, fair play and development. The biggest challenge is whether the Government could meet up to them. The task has been made even more difficult by the two coalition partners losing the local polls badly.An unhappy Lanka and an unfortunate people View(s):

Some months ago, I happened to have a chance conversation with a fellow traveller en route when returning to Sri Lanka. Highly educated in the engineering sciences, he hailed from Mawanella (a town close to Kandy) and after a while, the exchange turned to a discussion on how his village had changed with the passing of time.

Coming into being of hostile communities

I remember when we were children, he said our Muslim neighbours and their children would treat our houses as if it was theirs and we did the same with them. We celebrated during festivals but not only that, the pace of ordinary life was punctuated with constant interactions. But now it has all changed. Everywhere we see people dressing more conservatively and there is a clear difference now in the way the communities live. They are distanced and more hostile. We are also separated and we do not want to engage with them.

That passing exchange summarised in a nutshell, the breakdown of community relations in one village and symbolising a similar breakdown all over this unfortunate country with the passing of the decades.

It is from this gradual paralysing of trust that a single mundane sequence of action and reaction between a few human beings, which would ordinarily have been just one of many other similar incidents on a given day, spiraled into the communal violence that took place in Kandy within the space of one short but calamitous week.

Duty to enforce law and order

My conversationalist was only cognizant of the hostility of the other in that exchange. But as I tried to point out to him at the time, that was just part of the problem. The entrenching of the Sinhala Buddhist majority mindset has played a devastating part in the deficit of trust between communities in this land. That must be acknowledged as a core truth.

And as pointed out in these column spaces last week, the Governments duty to enforce law and order in these situations must be properly exercised. There is little point in the President and the Prime Minister visiting the affected or the Government trumpeting the fact that Kandy has returned to normal.

This week was a good reminder of how fragile the balance is where community relations are concerned in villages and towns all around the country. Both in Ampara and in Kandy, the law enforcement authorities should have been far quicker and more effective in their initial responses.

Abstaining from superficial solutions

What the Government needs to recognise is that superficial solutions to community grievances is like a bandage that does not treat the aching and festering wound. This is true in other respects as well. Where Sri Lankas Tamil communities are concerned for example, the long awaited Office of the Missing Persons (OMP) has finally been established but Sri Lankas disappeared from the North to the South need far more than reparations or indeed, to be told categorically that their loved ones are not among the living any more.

It is the failure to realise this fact that has resulted in a morass of unfulfilled promises out of which the OMP emerged three years later. But the OMPs agonising gestation and contested process of coming into being has dramatically reduced the confidence of victims in the mechanism.

Great incoherence in reforms

To put the matter in context, it must not be forgotten that pronounced doubts arose even at the point at which the OMP Bill was passed into law. In a column that I wrote at the time titled Cheers in Colombo, apathy in Jaffna (August 28th 2016)I questioned the manifest reluctance of the Government to address the problems of flawed justice institutions and pervasive systemic impunity which undermined the legitimacy of Sri Lankas proposed transitional justice reforms of which the OMP is one.

At that time, I referred to the phenomenon of great incoherence in government in the formulation and strategising of transitional justice reforms which words have unfortunately now been proved to be prophetic. A compartmentalised transitional justice package which leaves systemic impunity unaddressed was bound to falter as indeed it did. The callous ignoring of the criminal justice process in the emblematic cases of gross human rights violations such as the executions of Tamil students in Trincomalee and the Tamil/Muslim Action Contra L Faim aid workers in Mutur during 2006 were examples in point.

Meanwhile experiments with new counter-terror legislation became unmitigated disasters. This was what best summed up the indictment of great incoherence in government as each embarrassment succeeded the other.There was no national effort to bring about local consensus to effect changes in laws, practices and policies that guard against enforced disappearances. Useful strategies in that regard would have been reforms in the criminal justice system and the strengthening of the legal remedy of habeas corpus which is the most powerful weapon to deter enforced disappearances.

A perilous future

Indeed as extensive studies in Sri Lanka have stressed, the remedy of habeas corpus is largely unfamiliar to both lawyers and judges. With the setting up of the OMP, a long standing demand that an independent body mandated with the task of investigating all cases of disappearance has now come to pass. That must be celebrated, warts and all. Reforming law and practices in order to deter enforced disappearances, (including a Habeas Corpus Act), and ensuring a well-balanced counter terror law are two vital accompanying steps that must now be taken.

Helpless and hapless human beings should not be permitted to vanish into the legal black hole of the enforced disappeared any longer in Sri Lanka. That is the very minimum that needs to be ensured.

In the meanwhile, this country is heading towards an uncertain future as the communal violence of this week demonstrated. This is undoubtedly unfortunate.Army engineers to rebuild damaged houses in Kandy View(s):

Army Commander Lt Gen Mahesh Senanayake, in battle fatigues, appeared before television cameras after meeting representatives of Sinhala and Muslim business community in Kandy on Friday.

He lost little time in blaming the Police for the escalation of violence in the area and declared they should take the responsibility.

The remarks came as the Presidential Secretariat announced that a Committee of retired judges would probe the incidents which left at least two killed. The destruction caused to houses, business premises, offices and other buildings was estimated to be many millions. The Army has said its engineers will rebuild the damaged houses.

Why are the Police hiding?

Police have been getting flak in the past few days for their failure to control the situation in Digana, Theldeniya and surrounding areas.

Two days after the incidents, journalists were hoping that a police officer would be present at the post-cabinet news conference on Wednesday to brief them about the current situation. But they did not find anybody.

Again on the same day evening, Presidential Secretary Austin Fernando presided over a news conference to brief journalists regarding the state of emergency regulations and about the implementation, but again no representative from the Police Department.

In contrast, Defence Secretary Kapila Waidyaratne, PC, Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy, Navy commander Vice Admiral S.S. Ranasinghe and a senior officer from the Army were present.

Journalists raised several questions regarding the security situation and the arrest of suspects, among other matters, and needless to say the panel was not fully informed to answer.

In a desperate attempt, Additional Solicitor General, Yasantha Kodagoda offering to help tried to call a Police officer, but was not successful. We have the same problem, as you just experienced, a journalist quipped.

UNP MP sleeps on pedestrian crossing

A few weeks ago, it was UNP Deputy Minister and Kalutara district Parliamentarian Palitha Thevarapperuma who was protesting against the Police for their failure to act regarding an issue of violation of election laws.

Yesterday, it was the turn of Kandy District UNP MP Ananda Aluthgamage to sleep on a pedestrian crossing in front of the Nawalapitiya police station  this time demanding that the Officer-in-Charge of the station be transferred.The MP sleeping on a pillow on the pedestrian crossing was witnessed by those passing by.

Some of them questioned, as to why ruling party members have to stage protests of this nature to get a job done. Is it because the Police Commission no longer acts on the whims of MPs?

The OIC should have arrested the MP for obstructing traffic.

Mandela in Jaffna: Statues without statutes

Erecting statues of prominent late leaders and noble personalities has become a norm in most countries but it is rare to see how many of such democracies adopt such wise ideas preached by those noble people in their governance and rule of law.

This week, it was decided by Northern Governor Reginald Cooray to erect a statue for the late South African President Nelson Mandela in the city of Jaffna as a symbolic mark of Sri Lankas ongoing peace and reconciliation process currently under way.

The proposal to erect the statue was put forward by South African High Commissioner Robina P. Marks during a meeting he had this week in Jaffna. Governor Cooray, who accepted the request immediately noted that Sri Lanka could learn many lessons from South Africa which ended racist apartheid regime and which is building reconciliation, peace and ethnic harmony among its various ethnic groups. Accordingly, the statue will be erected in the city of Jaffna but the location is yet to be decided.

Locals in Jaffna were sceptical asking whether it has become a fashion to erect statues of noble persons alone rather than following the noble ideologies they preached on humanity, non-violence and peace while noting the statue of iconic Indian non-violence leader Mahatma Gandhi erected near Jaffna hospital commemorating his visit to Jaffna in 1927.

In India, the whole week saw statues of such world figures being pulled down and vandalised. In Nagaland where the BJP ousted the Communists after decades, the party started off its rule by pulling down the statue of Vladimir Lenin. This drew angry protests in West Bengal by leftist groups and in Chennai they vandalised a statue of no less an icon as Mahatma Gandhi and broke the spectacles on his face.

Hope the trend doesnt spread here, where almost every street corner now seems to have someones statue or bust.Hot air, as usual, to douse fires of communal violence By Chandani Kirinde- Lobby Correspondent View(s): View(s):

As the fires of communal violence burned across several areas in the Kandy District, Lawmakers attempted to put up a united front in Parliament this week.

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya led the call for unity and called upon religious leaders to raise their voices against racism, and condemn those bent on dividing the country on communal lines.

The scheduled business of Parliament for Tuesday was put on hold for an adjournment Motion to discuss the incidents of violence targeting members of the Muslim community.

Chief Government Whip and JVP leader Anura Kumar Dissanayake moved the adjournment Motion to discuss the incidents in Kandy. These incidents have shattered the unity among members of the different communities in the country, We have, as a country, failed to stop the rise of communal disharmony, but who has triumphed today, they are those who seek to sow the seeds of disunity in our country, he said.

He also said these incidents cannot be taken in isolation, as there is a political agenda behind such incidents. We have seen those in power use communal politics to consolidate their positions, while it is also used by those out of power, to capitalise on such incidents to seize power, he said.

Leader of the Opposition Rajavarothiam Sampanthan who seconded the Motion, said the occurrence of such incidents are clearly unacceptable and are indicative of a sense of impunity. People seem to have the confidence that they can engage in such acts and think the arm of the law would not reach them, and that, the rule of law would not be enforced against them, he said.

The Opposition Leader also pointed out the State must ensure that the system of governance in this country is altered in such a way as to ensure that all people of this country feel equal.

We have brought this situation upon ourselves by not doing what we needed to do at the right time. If what had to be done was done at the right time, this country would not have come to this situation. This country would have been a very advanced, developed country like Singapore or Thailand. Other countries are moving forward. We are moving backwards. This situation must change, and one of the primary changes that we need is that, there must be a change in the structure of governance he said.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe strongly condemned the incidents in Kandy and said he would not allow racism to succeed. There has been a systematic buildup of incitement against members of the Muslim community, using social media to propagate such ideas. There has been an exchange of many extremists ideas through these sites. While this is a Sinhala Buddhist country, we are bound to safeguard all other communities living in the land and safeguard their right to live in peace and freedom, he said.

The JO Parliamentary Group Leader MP Dinesh Gunawardena too condemned the incidents and said the incidents were a black mark on the whole country. We have to safeguard all people, irrespective of which community they belong to. Its the duty of the government to do so, without trying to point fingers at others, he said.

Leader of the House Minister Lakshman Kiriella said he regrets the incidents as there has been a lapse on the part of the intelligence agencies, and a proper investigation must be held regarding these lapses. . There are many cheering this turn of events. They may escape prosecution in this life, but will have to pay for it to a higher authority one day, he said.

Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Faiszer Musthapha said that everyone needs to work towards a Sri Lankan identity. If you incite racial hatred, it is a non bailable offence. No government has had the guts to enforce this regulation to which we are bound under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCP). This country has suffered continuously because politicians use private incidents for their political gain. Religious hatred is the easiest political tool for politicians to use to achieve their political objectives. Our government could have acted more swiftly in this instance, he said.

During the adjournment debate, several Muslims MPs also engaged in a protest in the Well of the House, seeking adequate security for those affected by the violence in Kandy. These included MPs Rishard Bathuideen, H.M. Hariz, Ameer Ali, Faizal Casim, Mujibur Rahuman, M. Thowfeeq, Imran Mahroof, Ishak Rahman, M.N. Mansoor, A.L. Nazeer and M. Navavi .

However. after assurances from the Prime Minister that investigations are being conducted to ascertain the lapses on the part of the Police, that led to an escalation of the situation, they returned to their seats.It is nothing but the tooth View(s):

Would you believe this! That loquacious Cabinet spokesman seems to have gone into hibernation or some kind of sleep mode in the last three year or so. Replying to a media query at a recent cabinet briefing Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, known to some if not many as Dath dosthara made the astonishing claim that Sri Lanka was not a co-sponsor of UNHRC Resolution 30/1 of 1st October 2015 and in fact did not join some other member states in sponsoring it.

That is truly a hell of a thing to say, if you will pardon the lingo. Since that day in October when Sri Lanka decided to condemn itself and commit hara kiri in an unwanted self-sacrifice planned by UNP foreign policy makers who were ready, and willing to pay homage to the wild west, there was widespread condemnation in Sri Lanka at the new governments eagerness to cut its own throat.

Last month our defence attache in London drew two fingers across his own throat and paid the price of being hanged by his neck, so to say, by a cabal of pro-western elements forcing foreign policy decisions from outside and the foreign ministrys own western torch bearers.

Our political lickspittles who find imitating the west the height of ideological achievement and moral ascendency had already been bowing to their western deity long before they came to office nearly three years ago. So it was no great shakes to prostate themselves before the mighty and sell their country enjoying the scenery from the banks of Lake Geneva that autumn day.

What sticks in the craw is the dath dostheras contention that Sri Lanka did not co-sponsor the resolution even after our UN Representative in Geneva and ambassador, Ravinatha Aryasinha had strongly objected to certain clauses in the resolution which were clearly inimical to Sri Lankas interest.

Everybody interested in the issue from academics, foreign affairs commentators, legal experts and others in the know not to mention kussi amma sera were well aware that the Sri Lanka delegation had notified its intention of co-sponsoring the resolution which indeed took some Asian countries by surprise.

If Sri Lanka was not co-sponsoring it, then the resolution would have been put to a vote. That did not happen because Sri Lanka had agreed to go along with our western accusers, particularly the US and UK. Having shown its willingness to do so, it also accepted the responsibility of implementing some of the provisions of that resolution that tied us up in knots including the setting up of judicial mechanisms for accountability trials in hybrid courts with foreign legal and investigative participation.

The acceptance of this resolution with all the attendant commitments that Sri Lanka promised the international community it will implement came in for analysis and harsh criticism and condemnation.

Then what do our foreign policy minders, such as then Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera do? He goes before the Human Rights Council and pleads for time to carry out its commitment to implement some of the recommendations in the resolution. Does he beg for time, once? Oh no, he does not do his begging in ones and twos. He does these things in such a manner that Sri Lanka becomes an embarrassment to friend and foe.

But not to Samaraweera who seems to be quite accustomed to and content with going round with a foreign policy begging bowl. Like Oliver Twist he asks for more-time not food. Another ruse this government employs is so obvious. It appears to believe that it can fool the world by announcing a single move towards implementation a few days before the case of Sri Lanka comes up for discussion in Geneva.

So the much publicised Office of Missing Persons (OMP), one of the four legs of a very impressive transitional justice programme that the government announced in 2015, at last had its officials appointed by President Sirisena a few days ago before Sri Lanka was put in the dock in Geneva.

Interestingly the OMP Bill was passed by Parliament in the latter months of 2015. It was made operational on September 15, 2017, shortly before President Sirisena was to address the UN General Assembly.

Now before the Sri Lanka issue comes up in Geneva for discussion and the country is torn to pieces by international and local NGOs, especially the Tamil lobbies and the human rights activists trying to justify the donations they receive and use to lead a comfortable life, the same President Sirisena appoints the members of the OMP hoping to impress critics of Sri Lanka that it is surging forth at considerable speed to implement the promises made to set up the mechanisms for transitional justice.

One of the most controversial of the four structures promised by Sri Lankas dream team that handled-or should it read mishandled  was by far the one concerning accountability trials against those who are alleged to have committed human rights abuses and war crimes under international law.

Shortly after Sri Lanka acceded to the US and UK driven Resolution, President Sirisena who was probably not briefed properly on what Sri Lanka had let itself into, refused to allow hybrid courts or have foreign judges be a part of such courts.

By and by the president seemed to acquire enough courage to say that he will not allow even an army corporal to be touched thus saying he will not allow even those in the lowest ranks to be hauled before a judicial set-up that is tainted with a foreign presence.

President Sirisena did not, of course, say what would happen to the ordinary foot soldier that makes up the most numbers in the army. Would he permit them to be judicial cannon fodder while those with pips (not to mention chips) on their shoulders ride around free like conquering heroes or sit down to pen their battled field heroics that would make Genghis Khan look like a boy scout on a camping holiday.

The fact is that in the last three or so years, those who directed Sri Lankas foreign policy, especially this fiasco over the UNHRC resolution, have been at the butt-end of criticism by a whole cross-section of people of different disciplines.

These issues have been discussed at the Cabinet too according to information that has been in the air for some years now.

Yet strange as it may seem our good doctor who is mandated to look after the nations health appears to suffer from a fading memory. Not only is he supposed to listen to what is going on at cabinet discussions and regurgitate some at the media briefing and do so accurately, he is also expected to provide the truth.

That lucrative slogan nothing but the tooth might well serve the dental fraternity of which spokesman Rajitha Senaratne is a long standing member. Perhaps our tooth-extracting community lives in the hope that the common man will approach every subject with an open mouth.

Yet when it comes to performing his task as cabinet spokesman it is his duty to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Yet here is a spokesman who not only shies away from telling the truth but is even ready to twist and turn fact and spin out a story that most people know is a yarn.

What is worse is that he is a cabinet minister who would have regularly attended cabinet meetings. Surely it cannot be that the cabinet never discussed the US and UK resolution over a three-year or so period.

If so it surely cannot be that he did not know of such cabinet discussions relating to this resolution. Even if he had passed into dreamland while his colleagues discussed the dirty that the US and UK combine did on Sri Lanka he would have at least read it in the media.

It has often happened at these cabinet briefings that the dosthara strays from cabinet decisions and comes up with Marxist shibboleths he probably learned in his youth, or some funny stories to keep the press entertained.

But that does not suffice. It is his bounden duty if he undertakes the responsibility of cabinet spokesman not to bury the truth at his convenience.

Now if spokesman Rajitha Senaratne claims that Sri Lanka did not co-sponsor that fateful resolution, as he is quoted in a local daily as saying and has not been denied, then he has fallen down on his job. That is not all  he has failed to tell the truth. That is a cardinal sin. The reason for this is yet to be disclosed. But dont bet on it.Kandy violence: Overall breakdown in law and order View(s):

The Government clamping a curfew and then a State of Emergency to quell the spread of orchestrated violence in and around the hill capital of Kandy was followed by the shutting down of social media networks like Facebook and WhatsApp.

There was some justification in all of this lest the Government, already reeling from an electoral setback, be accused of moving too slowly to put out the fires. Social media have long been abused by a few to spread havoc among the many. With no laws to control its abuses, and gullible folk willingly falling prey to its content, the only alternative seems to have been to shut it down, for a while, at least. If the Government could have got most of the politicians to shut up as well, it would have helped.

Politicians have something to say about anything; the media feed on them and they, on the media. Fortunately, this did not result in a full blown censorship of the mainstream media as that would have fuelled rumours to spread like wildfire making a bad situation worse.

The Government lost no time in indicating that the pro-nationalistic forces of the Joint Opposition were at work in Kandy to fan the flames, and the Opposition was equally quick to react, blaming the Government for its inaction and ineptness in bringing the situation under control faster. Unfortunately for the Prime Minister, he had only just taken control of the Ministry of Law and Order. As if he was bereft of problems, this too came crashing on his already burdened shoulders. In the midst of the violence, he appointed a dedicated Minister for the Police.

The fact that the Police had been pussy-footing when the initial spark occurred is now established. Evidence that the command and control from Police Headquarters is weak is clear. DIGs and SSPs are a dime a dozen, but unlike in the past, many of them leave situations to the OIC of a local station to handle.

The Police have the onerous task of being feared, and respected. But the people neither fear them nor respect them. The Police Service has earned for itself the notoriety of being the most corrupt government institution in the country. They have only themselves to blame. Just last week, people started pelting the Tambuttegama Police station with stones. Top brass are fearful of FR and HR cases against their name, because it could have a bearing on their promotions. Thus, they take the path of least resistance.

At the slightest hint of unrest, the para-military arm of the Police, the Special Task Force (STF), has to be called in and then in Kandy, the Army had to be called in by invoking the Public Security Ordinance and placing the whole country under a State of Emergency. This naturally triggered news flying across the world through international television channels that communal violence had exploded in Sri Lanka once again. The Governments so-called foreign friends the United States, Britain and Australia lost no time in issuing travel advisories against visiting Sri Lanka, while China did not want to be left out  it asked that its citizens in Sri Lanka, an ever increasing number, be protected.

There is an elephant in the room, so to say, in that there is a real problem of ethnic tension in this country below the veneer of normalcy. It is not much different to other countries that have similar issues. In the US, the African-American communities have its problems  for decades, and want their leaders to know that Black lives matter, quite apart from deranged people using firearms against innocent civilians. In Europe, anti-immigrant far right political parties are riding high on a popular wave as racism, Islamophobia and xenophobia sweep across the continent.

In Sri Lanka, sectarianism continues to throb. The end of the three decade-old northern insurgency saw heightened anti-Muslim sentiments on the march. This coincided with a surge in religious pride among the Muslim community, worldwide some of it reaching a crescendo with groups looking to carve out their own Caliphates in parts of West Asia. The local reaction to this has been by organised groups which had the tacit backing of the powers-that-be at the time for which they paid the ultimate price by being defeated at the Presidential election of 2015.

Whether these organised groups were instigated by external spy agencies remains a question. These are not fanciful theories given the regular reports that come out on how they work. The job of these agencies is to exploit racial, religious, tribal, sectarian, ethnic, whatever divisions and keep countries inimical to their interests on the boil. Political stability means they are not doing their job. How the Islamic world has been split in two is a textbook case.

Everyone blames a sitting Government when there is an eruption of ethnic violence, for not doing enough to bring people together. The fact is, that in Sri Lanka, many politicians are prepared to wade through slaughter to the crown. Ethno-religious parties, as long as they last, are a source of division in this country  not unifiers. When there is talk of Federalism there is talk of a state religion, and vice-versa; when there is talk of ethno-religious enclaves there is opposition to devolution of power and vice versa. When these issues are in the air, it is a tinder-box needing only to light a match and start a fire. Each blames the other, but refuses to see the beam in its own eyes. There is a major role for the clergy to play in reigning in their charges, at least in the use of hate speech and vituperative language. They are disgracing the religion they profess and embarrass those who follow its doctrines. We, as a nation must learn not to repeat the follies of contemporary history and no Sri Lankan citizen must feel insecure because of his or her ethnicity or religious or political or personal beliefs.

While the incidents in Ampara last week and the surroundings of Kandy this week turned out to be of a communal nature, the breakdown of law and order and the rise of violent crime, especially mob rivalry spilling on to the streets have to be serious problems. Last week this newspaper reported a series of shootings.

Passengers in a bus plying from Matara to Ampara had the harrowing experience of a man boarding the bus and shooting dead a passenger returning after giving evidence in a court case. A 39-year-old businessman was shot dead outside the Hulftsdorp courts last month. At Thalangama a man and his wife were shot dead in their sleep in a case of mistaken identity. At Colombo North on Thursday, there was another shooting.

When a bomb exploded inside a bus carrying military personnel at Diyatalawa recently, the soldier gave some weird explanation of why he had it in his possession. An army investigation pointed out to it not being a military issue  probably an old LTTE grenade now in unwanted hands. Military deserters are among those available on hire for contract killings.

It is not to digress from the communal fallout of the past fortnight, or lessen its importance, for the human cost of such violence passes down to the next generation. And yet, there is no escaping the fact that those events must be taken in the context of the overall decline and breakdown in the law and order situation in the country. That is both, an indictment and a challenge to a Government in office.King Rajasinghe harbours a suspicion This article is part of a continuing series on Sri Lankan history View(s): View(s):

The temporary Viceroy could not abstain from sending supplementary armies. So he sent an army under an inefficient commander. This army was seen by a convoy of Dutch ships. They were afraid of facing them.



The ships that carried the supplementary army stopped on the way at Thoothukudi (also known as Tuticorin). As a result the people of Colombo had to face a terrible time. The Dutch too lost hope as the Monsoon period was coming to an end. They spread wild rumours about the temporary Viceroy Mascarenhas.

Whilst spreading these rumours, the Dutch sent out shots from their cannon. But the Portuguese General sent word to the effect that he would not surrender at whatever cost. Finally, the Dutch decided to besiege the city of Colombo.

As things were progressing in this way, the king had a suspicion, that the Portuguese and the Dutch would come to a peace agreement without informing him. He had a wish to come to Colombo but did not come. He also had a fear that the Dutch would besiege Colombo without informing him.



He immediately sent word to the Dutch not to besiege Colombo without keeping him informed. But the Dutch acted otherwise.

On May 7, 1656, the Dutch struck the entrance of St. John so hard that it gave way.

By Halaliye Karunathilake

Edited and translated by Kamala Silva

Illustrated by Saman KalubowilaRestoring Sri Lankan cinema By Susitha R. Fernando Restored Rekava will be screened View(s): View(s):

The National Film Corporation (NFC) has initiated historic endeavour to preserve and restore Sri Lankas cinema productions of yesteryear.

Three renowned experts are now in Sri Lanka to share their knowledge of film restoration and conservation. David Walsh  Digital preservation Consultant, IWM Training and Outreach Coordinator, FIAF, Mick Newnham  Former Manager of Conservation service at the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) and Shivendra Singh Dungarpur  Founder Director  Film Heritage Foundation Director, Producer  Dungarpur Films will conduct workshops providing theoretical and practical knowledge of film preservation and restoration.

The first workshop will be held at 10 am today at the National Film Corporation, while two other workshops will be held for a selected group on March 12 and 13 at Sarasavi studio in Dalugama. A discussion on the film preservation (on invitation) will be held on March 14.

A project to restore and preserve Sri Lankan films was a repeated request and appeal by none other than countrys pioneering filmmaker, Dr. Lester James Peries, said National Film Corporation Chairman, Sithendra Senaratne.

Many films of yesteryear with golden memories are being destroyed forever due to a lack of a proper film restoration and preservation programme the NFC Chairman said. At the request of the leading filmmakers and other artistes, the government has allocated Rs 20 million for its budget and the project was initiated with the support of International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF).

Dr. Lester James Peries Rekava which was restored and converted to DCP technology will be screened at 6.30 pm and the seating will be on first come first serve basis.Nepali historical amnesia

Every few months, some member of the Nepali journalism fraternity writes an article lamenting the decline of the Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies (CNAS) as a think-tank that did great work during the Panchayat Era.THOMIAN CD TO CELEBRATE 100 YEARS AT MOUNT From MutWal to Mount View(s): View(s):

Among a host of jubilant activities to celebrate a century of Thomian spirit at Mount Lavinia, along with the 139th Royal Thomian battle, musician Priya Peiris has produced a CD comprising 20 nostalgic songs depicting schoolboy life at STC . All songs have been composed and musically arranged by Priya himself and sung by the Thomian alumni.

The first CD was officially handed over to the Thomian Warden, the Rev. Marc Billimoria on Monday, by Priya along wih Eranjanand Viranjan Perera and Mr. N. L. Perera of the College OBA in attendance .

The prime, topical and newsworthy song in this album is titled 100 YEARS AT MOUNT vocalised by the well known Thomian singing duo Rohan and Ishan De Lanerolle of Lanerolle Brothers fame along with the talented twins Eranjan and Viranjan Perera. It is a soul -stirring song depicting the obstacles the College had to face during the transfer from Mutwal in Colombo to Mount Lavinia. The rest of the Thomian songs from the CD are Those good old days at Mount, Battle of the Blues, Im a happy go lucky old boy of STC, Duck Pond and the Tarzan tree Image of the College, I still remember, My shoes keep walking back to STC, Blue drill shorts and little white shirts, Your kind and loving ways , I love my school , I love my country, Nine runs match, From Mutwa to Mount,Thrill of being a Thomian, We are the STC, School by the sea and more . A choral version of the College song, sung by a group of former students is also included .

The other Thomian celebrities featured in this CD are Sohan Weerasinghe (Xperiments), Arun Dias Bandaranayaka, Dr. Vijaya Corea, Jayantha de Silva(Pearl),Arith Rathnavibhushana(Ex-Kings), Hiran Fernando, Chandana Gurusinghe, Eshantha Peiris, Ranmal Peiris, Nishan Mendis and La Bambas members Brian Fernando, Lasla Fernando and Priya himself .

This CD is certain to evoke emotional memories of most of ours and especially the old Thomians and would be a unique souvenir to cherish for ever Priya remarked.An elderly Muslim kissing a Sri Lanka flag as a sign of ethnic unity during a demonstration held by civil society groups to call for unity in diversity. The demonstration was held outside the Fort Railway Station on Thursday. Pic by Sameera Weerasekera.Central Expressway bid winner Taisei official arrested for rigging in Japan View(s):

Japanese prosecutors have arrested an official of Taisei Corporationwhich is set to win a multibillion rupee contract for the third section of Sri Lankas Central Expressway (CEP III)in an ongoing bid rigging investigation.

On Tuesday, Japans Infrastructure Minister Keiichi Ishii told a news conference that he would consider excluding Taisei and other companies facing the charges from bidding for public construction projects ordered by his office, Japanese media reported.

Sri Lankas Cabinet has now approved the granting of the 100bn Japanese Yen (more than US$ 936 million) CEP III contract to Taisei Corp. It was earlier reported that the project would be implemented as a joint venture between Taisei and another Japanese firm called Fujita Corp which had offered a lower-priced bid.

But the decision now is to give the contract to Taisei, an authoritative source said. If Taisei then wants to enter into a joint venture with Fujita, it may do so and report the terms to the Cabinet. The Government is to secure a yen loan equivalent of around US$ 1bn from the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd (BTMU) for the project.

Takashi Okawa, a Taisei adviser and former executive officer, was seized last week in Tokyo alongside a former senior manager of Kajima Corporation. They and others are suspected of violating the Antimonopoly Act (AMA) by conspiring with industry competitors Obayashi Corp and Shimizu Corp to rig a bid for the construction of a new Nagoya station for the maglev line.

Shimizu, Kajima and Taisei tendered for the project, Japanese national television NHK reported. Taisei bid about a billion dollars (much higher than expected) while Shimizu and Kajima then presented even steeper bids. Prosecutors believe the three contractors rigged the bidding so Taisei could win the contract at a favourable price, the report said.

Bid rigging is defined as a form of fraud in which a commercial contract is promised to one party even though for the sake of appearance several other parties also present a bid. This is not the first time Taisei has fallen foul of regulators on the same charge.

Last year, Taisei Rotec Co Ltd, its road and infrastructure arm, was fined millions of dollars for violating the AMA by rigging a bid for restoration of paving works for the Great East Japan Earthquake. The Sunday Times first reported that the company was under investigation in November 2016. The latest Taisei Corp annual report acknowledges that the violation occurred.

Ironically, the tender process for the Japanese-funded CEP IIIone of the countrys most expensive road initiatives to datehas also been under question. Under instructions from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM), which is headed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lankas Highways Ministry eschewed transparent, competitive bidding from the outset. It opted for limited tenders from Japanese companies, saying this was a prerequisite to securing a concessional tied loan from BTMU.

Then, rather than open the project out to all Japanese firms, the Ministry instructed the Japanese embassy in Colombo to nominate contractors. The Embassy came back with just three: Taisei Corporation, Penta Ocean Construction Co Ltd and Wakachiku Construction Co Ltd.

It said they were recommended by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Sri Lanka. It is not clear why the embassy did not ask the Overseas Construction Association of Japan which, with 50 members and 43 associate members, promotes international cooperation and construction abroad.

In the first round, which took place in late 2016, only Taisei submitted a bid. This wasnt surprising as Penta Ocean Construction specialises in marine works and land reclamation, not road building; and Wakachiku Construction has mostly been involved with bridge work in Sri Lanka. But Taiseis bid was cancelled because it did not submit the mandatory bid bond.

Incidentally, Penta Ocean Construction was also investigated for bid-rigging in 2006 and slapped with a bidding suspension and other administrative penalties. But after the Taisei bid was rejected, Mr Wickremesinghes Secretary wrote to the Highways Ministry Secretary saying: Japanese authorities at the highest levels have forwarded a letter requesting that the third phase be awarded to a Japanese construction company and regretting the lapse on the part of the tenderer. It suggested direct interference in the tender process.

The Government then chose to float a two-week tender to allow the same three pre-selected Japanese companies to bid again while specifying that bid bonds must be provided. Officials claimed that this made mockery of the procurement process.

The Cabinet decided to include a fourth firm recommended by the Japanese Government, Fujita Corporation, in the process. Bids were invited from Taisei, Fujita, Penta and Wakachiku but only Taisei and Fujita responded. Taisei quoted a contract price of Rs 160bn while Fujita offered Rs 147.7bn, a difference of Rs 13bn.

In December 2016, the Finance Ministry recommended that the project be awarded to Fujita as it submitted the lowest offer under the competitive bidding process. He also proposed to negotiate with Fujita to bring the cost further down to an acceptable level.

But the Project Committee (PC) that evaluated the bid reported to the Cabinet Appointed Negotiating Committee (CANC) that Fujita did not satisfy required criteria, such as experience in similar works or key activities. It also could not provide insight on Fujitas financial capacity as the company had not submitted audited financial statements for 2015/2016.

The CANC consequently concluded that Fujita did not satisfy key criteria stipulated in the bidding documents and conveyed this to the Cabinet. It proposed that the next bidTaiseisbe evaluated to see if it complied with the technical and financial requirements. This was conveyed to Ministers via the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) and approved.

In March last year, the CANC recommended to the Cabinet that the contract be awarded to Taisei at a contract price of Rs 135b. Fujita was informed of the outcome but did not appeal before deadline. In April 2017, however, there was another twist to the story. Shigeru Kiyama, a Special Adviser to the Cabinet and Ambassador for Economic Cooperation on Quality Infrastructure Investment Promotion, wrote to Sri Lankas Highways Minister backing Fujita. He said the company was a prominent civil works contractor capable to construct a 32.5km long, 4 lane two way expressway.

The Government of Japan appreciates your favourable consideration to be given to Fujita along with other competent Japanese companies in this regard, it said, in documents seen by the Sunday Times. The CCEM subsequently instructed the Highways Ministry to revisit the evaluation criteria to see whether there was a disadvantage to Fujita; and to reconsider Fujita bid in view of strong recommendation of Japanese Govt.

In May 2017, the PC upheld the disqualification of Fujita. And Kenichi Suganuma, Japanese Ambassador, wrote to the Prime Minister saying, The Government of Japan fully respects the Sri Lankan rules and procedures for tenders carried out by the Government of Sri Lanka, including for the Third Section of the Central Highway and is in no position to raise objections to the results of a lawful tender procedure.

In July, Cabinet decided to grant the contract to Taisei and to obtain a loan from BTMU. Considering the recommendation of the Japanese Government and the CCEM, it also agreed to provide an opportunity to Taisei and Fujita (a company twice rejected by the PC and CANC) to form a consortium on terms agreeable to the two companies and the Government of Sri Lanka.

But the latest Cabinet decision has placed the contract firmly back in Taiseis hands, after more than one year of lobbying from various quarters (including a visit from a large delegation from Japan headed by an adviser to Prime Minister Shinto Abe). The Sunday Times saw documents related to the project including Cabinet memoranda, CCEM meetings, reports and other official letters.

There are other concerns about CEP III, which runs 32.5 kilometres from Pothuhera to Galagedara. The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) approved implementation of the project without waiting for the outcome of a series of vital geological surveys and tests. Consent was expedited due to the Governments focus on speed over caution.

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) clearly states that, while bore-hole tests were done during feasibility studies, further studies on geological and soil conditions around three proposed tunnels were necessary prior to implementation. There are 93 conditions attached to the CEAs licence.

CEP III will be four-lane carriageway with four interchanges, 12 main bridges and 17 viaducts across the floodplains of three major riversRambukkan Oya, Kuda Oya and Kospothu Oya. It will have 106 culverts, 23 underpasses, 14 overpasses and three tunnels. Certain sections run through steep mountain slopes while others run across paddy fields and low-lying areas.

More than 1,162.5 acres occupied by 2,069 households (8,465 people) in 97 villages will be hit, requiring permanent relocation for 857 of them. The CEA has instructed the RDA to compensate for the loss of buildings and private lands, and to determine the entitlements of persons on a project-specific entitlement matrix based on the National Involuntary Resettlement Policy. The RDA has not followed the NIRP in recent years, opting to take over lands under emergency procedures that leave affected parties without compensation for years.Facebook shut down till emergency is lifted By Namini Wijedasa Social media giant says it will not allow hate speech or incitement to violence; ready to respond to situation View(s): View(s):

The temporary blockade of access to the social media site Facebook could remain in place till the State of Emergency lapses, authoritative sources said yesterday.

The Government had initially conveyed to Facebook that the suspension was in place for 72 hours, the sources said. However, it has gone on for longer. Presidential Secretary Austin Fernando, who is also chairman of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC), told the Sunday Times that he could not say when the blockade would be lifted and that it would depend on the situation.

Yesterday, a spokesman for the social media site based in India told the Sunday Times that they were responding to the situation in Sri Lanka and are in contact with the Government and non-Governmental organisations to support efforts to identify and remove hate speech and incitement to violence.

The safety of our community is critical to us, the spokesman said, in response to questions sent via email. We have clear rules against hate speech or incitement to violence and work hard to keep it off our platform.

But Facebook also said it was concerned with the way access to the internet is being restricted and depriving people of important connections and expression. We hope that access will be restored soon.

The New York Times quoted a spokesman from President Maithripala Sirisenas office as saying that the Sri Lankan Government raised more than 100 items with Facebook. Harendra B Dassanayake, Director Research and International Media at Presidents Office, could not immediately divulge to the Sunday Times what these items were but he said they comprised certain pages and profiles on Facebook, including sites administered by Mahason Balakaya and Asura Sena.

A number of Facebook profiles and pages were reported as instigating violence and spreading hate speech and, in some cases, using the Facebook platform to organise crimes in real time, Mr Dassanayake said. For instance, one manwho is now in custodyposted a video on YouTube of him walking around Kandy, urging people to gather around mosques as Muslims were plotting to attack Buddhist temples.

He called on them to destroy all the mosques if even a single temple was attacked. The clip was circulated via social media.

Hatred and incitement to violence was also spread via messaging apps like Whatsapp and Viber, he said. There was a WhatsApp group called Muslim Media. It circulated voice clips with step-by-step instructions on how to manufacture petrol bombs, how to mix caustic soda, battery acid and flour to make an instant explosion, Mr Dassanayake said.

Meanwhile, during a meeting President Maithripala Sirisena hosted with the diplomatic community this week, the US Ambassador asked when the social media blockade would end. The President replied that it would be lifted once the situation cleared. But the sources said it could go on till the State of Emergency was lifted. Access to messaging apps is likely to be granted earlier.

It became clear that a considerable amount of misinformation, spreading of racial hatred and incitement was taking place using social media platforms including, in particular, Facebook, and communication networks such as Viber and WhatsApp, a senior legal source said.

Therefore, using Emergency Regulations that were promulgated on March 6, the Ministry of Defence requested the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) to take necessary steps to cause a temporary blockade of access to those sites and systems, he explained. The TRC requested digital data service providers to carry out the blockade and close down the relevant ports through which access was being obtained by users.

The blockade will be lifted soon and, in any event, will lapse no sooner Emergency is lifted, he said. The State of Emergency is valid for a maximum of 14 days after which it must be approved by Parliament.

The authorities felt that, with the suspension of access, spreading of misinformation and incitement stopped and that it definitely had a positive impact on de-escalation of violence.

I think, empirically, it can be shown that barring access did help in bringing the situation under control, the legal source said.

Some internet users started using proxy sitesvirtual private networks (VPN)to access social media. That VPN applications provide a bypass is correct, he accepted. However, I am advised that even with VPN accessibility, access to the blocked sites have come down to about 10 percent of the previous load.

The Facebook spokesman said the company would remove content that violated its community standards when reported to it. We carefully review each report and may consider things such as a persons physical location in determining whether a threat is credible, he explained.

We are concerned with the way access to the internet is being restricted and depriving people of important connections, and we hope that access will be restored soon, he added, providing a link to the negative economic impact of the internet shutdown. He also pointed to third party voices, such as the Committee to Protect Journalists Asia, that have publicly criticised the ban.

That it did cause some degree of restriction to peaceful communication and expression of freedom of mind is correct, the legal source contended. However, on a balance, I am firmly of the view that the blockade was reasonable and justified, and certainly lawful.HIV positive SriLankan steward loses Supreme Court battle to retain job View(s):

A SriLankan Airlines steward identifying himself as Citizen X who kept his HIV status undisclosed lost his bid to retain his employment as a cabin crew member.

The Supreme Court this week dismissed a Fundamental Rights petition filed by him on the basis that despite knowing he was an HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) positive person from 2013, he had not disclosed that he had a sexually transmitted disease when he applied for a transfer from Mihin Lanka to Sri Lankan Airlines in 2016 when the former airline wound up.

Justice Sisira J. De Abrew with Justices Priyantha Jayawardena and Nalin Perera concurring in his judgment, held that SriLankan Airlines Ltd and its Group Medical Officer Dr Anoma Jayasinghe had not violated the fundamental rights of the petitioner.

Citizen X had filed his FR application through Attorney-at-Law Kamani Madhya Jinadasa.

Sri Lankan Airlines, its Group Medical Officer Dr Anoma Jayasinghe, Transport & Civil Aviation Ministry Secretary Nihal Somaweera, National STD/AIDS Control Programme Director Dr Sisira Liyanage and the Attorney General had been cited as respondents in the petition.

In its judgment, the SC held that SriLankan Airlines initially wanted to transfer Citizen X as a Ground/Flight Attendant for two months beginning from November 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016, subject to terms and conditions stated in the second agreement entered into by SriLankan Airlines Ltd with Mihin Lanka Ltd. However, the respondents had failed to produce the second agreement along with their pleadings.

Counsel for the first and second respondents had submitted that when Citizen X filled up the medical form at the medical centre of the first respondent, he had declared in the said medical form that he did not have any sexually transmitted disease.

The counsel had further submitted that after the medical test of Citizen X, the first respondent had become aware that Citizen X was an HIV positive personthat information furnished by him in the medical form to the effect that he did not have a sexually transmitted disease proved to be false, and that the first respondent withdrew the contract of employment to Citizen X on the basis that he had provided false and dishonest information.

The petition was filed seeking an order from the SC to reinstate Citizen X as a cabin crew member of SriLankan Airlines as his employment had been terminated after it was found that he was HIV-positive. The SC held that the petitioner had failed to prove the allegation that SriLankan Airlines did not offer him employment based on his status as a person living with HIV.

The Court pointed out that the petitioner had become aware of his HIV positive status in 2013. However, while filling out the medical form for the post of cabin crew member for SriLankan Airlines on October 10, 2016, the petitioner had made a false declaration that he did not have any sexually transmitted disease.

Counsel for the petitioner had contended that in terms of National Policy of HIV and AIDS in the World of Work in Sri Lanka, it was wrong for the first respondent to request Citizen X to face a medical test including HIV test since Citizen X is an HIV positive person.

The court, though, observed that the first respondent could not be found fault with for subjecting Citizen X to the above medical test as the first respondent was unaware that Citizen X was HIV positive. Before the medical test Citizen Xs HIV status was known only to him.

Court observed that Citizen X, who knew he was HIV positive back in 2013, did not disclose his HIV positive status at least in a confidential manner. But, after the medical test discovered him to be HIV positive, Citizen X wanted protection provided in the National Policy of HIV and AIDS in the World of Work in Sri Lanka.

Justice Sisira J De Abrew, in his judgment, observed that Citizen X is blowing hot and cold. Such a person is not entitled to get relief from court, he held. By making a false declaration in the medical form that he did not have a sexually transmitted disease, Citizen X had breached the trust that an employee should keep with the employer, the court held.

I further hold that the petitioner has failed to prove the allegation that the 1st respondent terminated the services of the Citizen X or the 1st respondent did not give him employment on the basis that he (Citizen X) was a HIV positive person, Justic De Abrew has stated in his judgement.

Senany Dayaratne with T. Weragoda appeared for the petitioner. S. A. Parathalingam, PC with Nishkan Parathalingam appeared for Sri Lankan Airlines and its Group Medical Officer Dr Anoma Jayasinghe. Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Rajaratnam appeared for Secretary to the Ministry of Transport & Civil Aviation and the Attorney General.Important gestures by monks bring spirit of healing to Friday prayers View(s):

Security throughout the country was stepped up in the wake of the violence around Kandy, but it was assurances from the clergy as well as from the public in most areas that boosted public confidence as Muslims flocked to mosques for Friday worship.

More efforts at reconciliation are expected this coming week.

In several areas on Friday, scenes of Buddhist monks and other clergy coming out to ensure safety were witnessed.

Two monks who came to the Masjid Bilal Mosque at Abeysekara Road in Kawdana, Dehiwela on Friday were invited to speak to devotees on peace and unity among ethnic groups.

Monks also visited three other mosques on Friday, the trustee of the Masjid Bilal Mosque and treasurer of the Dehiwela-Mount Lavnia Masjid Federation, Siraj Ali, said.

The clergy also attended a meeting to improve communal harmony that was organised by the Assistant Government Agents (AGA) office in the area on Thursday.

The two monks who had pledged to protect the Masjid Bilal Mosque and the Muslims who worshipped there remained until Friday prayers were concluded.

Siraj Ali said the monks, the Ven. Bambarapanni Sugathananda Thera, who is also the Viharadikari of Galkissa Dharmendrarama Vihara, and Ven. Adinuwara Wijithasiri Thera, Chief incumbent of Dandovita Janrajananarama Vihara, had offered to stand guard outside the mosque while people were engaged in worship but we invited them inside to deliver a talk, he said.

He said 10 monks from temples in Ratmalana and Mount Lavinia had talked with Muslim leaders about their desire to ensure security in the area.

Addressing Muslims at the Masjid Bilal Mosque, Ven. Bambarapanni Sugathananda Thera stressed that if the religious leaders of each community had strong bonds and understanding no outside forces could harm anyone in the area no matter which religion they followed.

We, as Buddhist monks, especially in Buddhist philosophy, are taught that no-one likes to be harmed. Therefore, if I dont like to be hurt, others should not be hurt, he said.

Every religion teaches that like thouself, everyone likes to live: therefore anyone should not hurt another, the prelate said.

One bad person could ruin peace within communities. Therefore, as people of the area, we should join hands and create a movement to stop outside people destroying our unity, he said.

Ven. Sugathananda Thera said the monks planned to hold a peace march with Muslims in the area on Tuesday.Minister says Layards Road project was approved on justifiable grounds Right of Reply View(s): View(s):

A Development Plan drawn by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) is usually meant for ten years and shall not be regarded as static, Megapolis Minister Champika Ranawaka said this week, in a clarification to last weeks Sunday Times story titled Minister allows 14-storey Blue Ocean project despite legal disputes.

The minister says in his clarification: The current Colombo Development Plan was prepared in 2008 and amendments have been in preparation since 2017. Meanwhile, interim amendments are made to the existing Development Plan taking note of the requirements that emerge from time to time, and the overall revisions envisaged in the forthcoming plan.

At instances when owners of certain properties find the development of their properties are frustrated because of the prevailing regulations amidst changing market conditions and development needs, there is provision for them to submit appeals to the UDA.

These appeals are referred to the Planning Committee for consideration. When the Committee finds any submission that can be considered beyond individual developments, on reasonable grounds for a timely amendment in the existing Development Plan, its recommendations are forwarded to the Minister-in-Charge of the subject, who is vested with the authority to give effect to such amendments in the Plan, through a Gazette notification.

The minister says he has endorsed several amendments to the City of Colombo Development Plan in the past three years, all based upon justifiable grounds, in order to facilitate urban development. The context of the particular development referred to in the said news item, too, was one of that nature.

In all these situations, I have endorsed the gazette notification only having thoroughly considered the grounds on which the amendment to the plan were proposed, and I had no reason to consider who the developers could be. Therefore, it is not appropriate to give the impression that Minister allows 14-storey development as I do not interfere in providing approvals for individual developers.

The minister maintains that the process was initiated long before the case was brought before courts.

Reporters response: Many of the details contained in the ministers clarification are reflected in our original story which gave fair and equal representation to the UDAs position. We are not in a position to comment on whether the process was initiated long before the case was filed by Layards Road residents. We can only state the obvious: that the Ministers decision published in the gazette is dated shortly after legal proceedings were initiated.Officialdoms dereliction of duty caused avoidable disaster: Report By Sandun Jayawardana Probe on Meethotamulla Garbage Dump Collapse View(s): View(s):

A number of government authorities and their senior-most officials were aware of the imminent danger posed by the Meethotamulla garbage dump, to area residents, but through their negligence, they failed to take whatever immediate steps necessary to avert the imminent disaster, states the one-man Presidential Committee chaired by Retired Appeal Court Judge Dr Chandradasa Nanayakkara, appointed to probe the Meethotamulla tragedy.

Following are the findings of the Committee:

Senior officials of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), the Kolonnawa Divisional Secretariat and the Western Province Solid Waste Management Authority (WPSWMA) were well aware of the danger posed by continued dumping of garbage at the site, and had ample time to avert the disaster which occurred on April 14, 2017. More than 30 people died that day when the garbage dump collapsed on them, whilst most were celebrating the Sinhala and Hindu New Year.

The controversy surrounding the dump site had led to protests and actions by civil society organisations, creating a dialogue surrounding the issue, within society.

This had led to the matter being given extensive coverage in the media.

In such a scenario, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) had a legal obligation to intervene, to identify the danger posed by this site and the solutions that could have been effected. The two agencies failed in their legal obligations in this matter.

Dumping of garbage had initially begun at the site in 2009. At that stage, garbage was only being dumped over a 2-acre area. By 2017, however, this had expanded into an area of 18 acres. At the time of its collapse, the dump was almost 150 feet high.

CMC Commissioner V.K. Anura and Kolonnawa Divisional Secretary (DS) Sugath Sisira Kumara are named for not taking necessary steps, despite possessing prior knowledge of the danger.

Mr Anura was last week removed as CMC Commissioner, by WP Governor K.C. Logeswaran, based on recommendations made in the Committees report.

On April 7, 2017, the Kolonnawa DS had issued evacuation notices to 8 households in the vicinity of the Meethotamulla garbage dump, through the area Grama Niladhari, following a site inspection. The inspection had been conducted following a report made by the Grama Niladhari, regarding changes to the physical characteristics of the ground in the area. This was a full 7 days before the disaster struck. There was ample time between April 7 and April 14, the day of the disaster, for the DS, as the governments topmost official in the area, to take appropriate steps to identify the danger posed to the vicinity, and to initiate steps to determine technical solutions. This had not been done. Meanwhile, the CMC, which managed the site, even after being notified by the Kolonnawa DS regarding the notice issued to the residents, had continued its practice of awarding Rs 15,000 for each household willing to relocate from the area, but not taken any measures beyond that.

During the period between April 7-14, when continued dumping of garbage at the site was resulting in visible changes to the grounds physical characteristics and, whilst buildings were developing cracks, no government official had attempted to intervene and immediately evacuate the area residents.

Aside from the CMC Commissioner and the Kolonnawa DS, the CMC, Kolonnawa Urban Council, DMC, WPSWMA, and CEA failed to properly regulate the dumping of garbage at the site, thereby being remiss in their duties vested with these authorities.

Several warnings regarding the danger had been ignored over the years. Garbage had been dumped at the site from 2009, but danger signs had started to appear as far back as 2013, with the area being designated a potential disaster zone. A circumference of 200 metres from the dumps centre had later been designated as a danger zone. On June 13, 2016, the WPSWMA presented a report at a meeting attended by representatives of the CMC, Urban Development Authority (UDA) the CEA and others, recommending short term and long term measures to manage the dump site properly. The CMC did not implement any of these recommendations.

About 850 metric tonnes of garbage were dumped daily at the site, by the CMC. The Kolonnawa UC too had been dumping at the site. Private companies and individuals had also been dumping garbage at Meethotamulla, and earned undue profits. This practice had been facilitated by the CMCs irregular management of the site.

Given this situation, there are enough grounds to determine that between 200 to 300 metric tonnes of additional waste was being illicitly dumped daily at the site.

On the intervention of the CEA, the Government had spent almost Rs 90 million on a project to produce compost from biodegradable waste brought to the site.

This project was never implemented and, due to the irregular waste disposal of the CMC, the projects buildings and equipment now lie buried under garbage.

As for the tender to award waste management within the CMC limits, to outside parties, since 2011, parties with locations for waste disposal, had bid for this tender from time to time. The relevant technical committees which assessed these bids, had also recommended they were suitable. However, the CMC had continually decided to reject these bids, and award the tender to parties who dumped garbage at the Meethotamulla site.

Had the tender been awarded to bidders who had disposal sites of their own, it would have controlled / minimised the garbage sent to Meethotamulla. But the CMC had chosen to disregard all such bids.

Given all these facts, it is the determination of the Committee that the CMC had ample opportunity to implement a programme which would have prevented garbage from piling up at Meethotamulla, and prevent the disaster, the Report concludes.

CMC stinks of waste Among the many issues concerning Meethotamulla are the alleged steps taken by the then CMC Commissioner and senior officials, to abuse their powers regarding many decisions taken about the dump site. One such example is an alleged attempt to procure an odour control chemical to control the smell that emanated from the garbage dump site. On March 13, 2017, a month before the Meethotamulla dump collapsed, a company named United Glass Lanka (Pvt) Ltd (UGLPL), based in Nugegoda, had approached the CMC with a proposal to use their product Rydall OE to control the odour from the dump. The Director of the CMCs Waste Management Division had presented the project proposal to the CMCs Finance Committee. UGLPL had allegedly cited the names and contact numbers of 4 University lecturers as recognised experts in this field, who can be contacted to vouch for the efficacy of the product. The Sunday Times is in possession of an internal document signed by CMC Treasurer K.D. Chitrapala, which notes that, when he contacted the lecturers, they had all stated they were unaware of such a product and had not endorsed it, nor given permission to UGLPL to use their names in the proposal. The CMC Treasurer had also observed that, UGLPL had stated in its proposal, that it was up to the user to determine the suitability of the product and that, UGLPL would not take any responsibility for it. As such, he had recommended the proposal be rejected on the grounds that UGLPL had provided false information. UGLPL, however, had written to the CMC Commissioner on March 23, 2017, withdrawing its proposal on ethical grounds. Nevertheless, the CMCs Finance Committee had still decided on March 28, 2017, to call for tenders to purchase the product. On April 25, 2017, soon after the dumps collapse, the proposal had been taken up again by the Director of the Waste Management Division and the CMC Commissioner, claiming that, both the President and Prime Minister were making inquiries about the product. Again, it had been decided to purchase the product from UGLPL. The Commissioner had allegedly overruled the Treasurers protests. Nevertheless, the product had not been purchased. Meanwhile, the Chief Accountant (Procurement) had subsequently purchased the product from UGLPL, in clear violation of government procurement guidelines. At that stage, UGLPL was not even a registered supplier with the CMC, the document claims. When contacted, UGLPL Managing Director Bandara J. Batuwewegedara, acknowledged they had initially made an unsolicited proposal and used the names of the lecturers in their original proposal without their consent, but insisted that UGLPL had only stated that the CMC could utilise their knowledge to get an independent opinion on the products effectiveness. He further claimed the product had been successfully used at several dump sites, including the Balangoda Urban Council and at the Karadiyana dump.PM visits Kandy, pledges speedy compensation to victims By L.B.Senaratne View(s): View(s):

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday assured victims of this weeks violent incidents in Digana, Teldeniya, Kundasale and surrounding areas that they would be compensated as soon as possible.

The Prime Minister made this statement at a meeting he chaired at the Kandy Secretariat to discuss compensation for the victims. Among those who attended the meeting were community leaders from the affected areas.

Calling on the Divisional Secretaries of the affected areas to assess the damage and report back by Friday, the Premier said that Rs. 100,000 would be made as an initial payment and the Cabinet would decide on further compensations after assessing the individual needs. He said those whose business establishments had been fully damaged, an initial payment of around Rs. 500,000 would be made.

Mr. Wickremesinghe said the compensation scheme would be worked out on the basis of damage caused to the properties.

The Prime Minister called on banks to grant a grace period to businesses which had obtained bank loans until they became stable.

Several participants blamed the police for not acting swiftly to curb the violence. They said if the Police had acted without delay, the incidents would not have arisen.

In response, the Prime Minister said this was not the time for blame games, because the priority should be paying compensations to the victims, helping them rebuild their lives and restoring normalcy in the affected areas.

Stating that all communities in Sri Lanka need to live in peace, the Premier said all measures would be taken to prevent any recurrence of what happened this week in the Kandy district.

He called upon the Grama Niladaris and Divisional Secretaires to asses the damage with the help of the Valuation Department and submit a report to him before Friday.

Speaker Karu Jaysasuriya also visited Kandy yesterday.

The Speaker presided over a conference attended by Ministers, Police Chief Pujitha Jayasundera, Army Commander Mahes Senanayake, civil society activists and Sinhala and Muslim community leaders. The meeting took place at the Governors Auditorium in Kandy

The Speaker said the Police and Armed services had done their best to maintain peace though there were lapses.Three-judge committee to probe Kandy district violence View(s):

A three-member committee of retired judges to inquire into the incidents of Digana, Teldeniya and the outlying areas will be appointed after the return of President Maithripala Sirisena, Presidential Secretary Austin Fernando said. He said the retired judges were yet to be selected. Mr Fernando said that during a briefing given to the diplomatic community regarding the situation they too were of the opinion that a probe should be conducted into the incident.

President Sirisena left for India yesterday and he will from there leave for Japan on an official visit. Meanwhile, for the first time since last Monday, a police curfew was not imposed for any part of the Kandy administrative district yesterday. A curfew imposed on Friday night was lifted at 5 a.m. yesterday. While a heavy security presence prevailed in the district, no major incidents had been reported, leading to the decision not to re-impose the curfew last night.

Although the curfew in the Kandy district had been lifted, there will be no withdrawal of troops just yet, Military Spokesman Sumith Atapattu said. Troops deployed to maintain order under the State of Emergency would remain in Kandy to provide confidence to the people so that they could go about their day-to-day affairs without any fear of further violence, he said.

A decision on reducing troop numbers would be taken later after a security assessment, he added. Kandy administrative district schools, which had remained closed since Tuesday, would be reopen tomorrow, Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayaka said.Parliament has to endorse over 40 new Acts

The federal parliament will have busy sessions this year. It must endorse around 40 new Acts necessary for the full-fledged implementation of the Constitution of Nepal, latest by next year.Veggies trashed and thrown to jumbos By Nadia Fazlulhaq Public, farmers losers as prices drop View(s): View(s):

Gunny bags full of vegetables being thrown in corners to rot, wild elephants gorging on discarded vegetables, piles of produce discarded at economic centre garbage dumps  these have been common sights over the past weeks.

A glut in vegetable supply raised hopes of a drastic price drop in cities and towns but, unfortunately, both farmers and retail shoppers have not benefited.

The Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute (HARTI) said the wholesale prices of most varieties have dropped due to increased supplies from Jaffna to markets during the peak Maha season.

All vegetable prices at the Dambulla Economic Centre dropped, with brinjals sold for Rs, 50-60 per kilo, beans for Rs. 70-90/kg, carrots for Rs. 90/kg, cabbage for 15-25/kg, radishes for Rs. 10-15/kg and tomatoes for Rs. 20-25/kg to 25 rupees. Leeks, the only vegetable that saw an increase in price, went for Rs.140-160/kg.

The Sunday Times learns some desperate farmers were even selling off low-priced vegetables for Rs. 10 a kilo.

Diminished prices for vegetables grown in the low country at the Economic Centre included ladies fingers at Rs. 40-50/kg, capsicum at Rs. 80-100/kg, long beans at Rs. 40-60/kg, luffa at Rs. 50-60, cucumber at Rs. 40/kg and snake gourd at Rs. 40-50/kg.

Unfortunately, these low rates did not have a substantial impact on prices in Colombo and other main towns where a kilo of carrots  which fetched about Rs. 90 at Dambulla, went for Rs. 120-200/kg at retail shops, with most supermarkets selling them for Rs. 190.

Green beans, which only went for Rs. 70-90/kg at the Economic Centre, were sold for Rs. 120-200/kg at retail markets and Rs.170 at supermarkets.

Luffa was also sold between Rs. 120-200 in markets, with brinjals and snake gourd at a similar price. Capsicum was available for Rs. 160-240/kg in markets and cucumber for Rs. 100-160/kg. Long bean prices varied from Rs. 100-240/kg depending on quality and so was bitter gourd.

As vegetables are perishable consumers and farmers are being given step-motherly treatment and the businessmen in between are earning big profits, charged Ranjith Vithanage, convener of the National Movement for Consumer Rights Protection.

The government needs to serve as a middleman in the vegetable trade. There is so much political involvement. We need to give the farmer a fair price and the consumer good vegetables at a reasonable rate, he said, adding that consumer advocates were determined to meet the President and the Prime Minister over the high vegetable prices and wastage of vegetables in economic centres and remind the government it had a duty to ensure the public had access to nutritious vegetables at affordable prices.

The vegetable trade should be void of political influences. When we first complained to the Ministry of Trade, it said military and agriculture kiosks would be used to sell vegetables but this proved to be a failure and did not continue, Mr. Vithanage said.

Mr. Vithanage said with children suffering from nutrition deficiency the government should intervene to bring down vegetable prices and making produce accessible to all instead of being thrown away or given to wild animals.

Thilani Munaweera, a research officer in agro-economics attached to the Hector Kobbekaduwa Institute said despite research and suggestions by the institute there was a lack of policy and planning by state authorities and farmers.

Most farmers made their own decisions on what to cultivate.

If tomato prices were high last year all farmers decide to cultivate tomatoes and this results an excess in the market. There is a lack of field-level coordination and a lack of information from agrarian services, Ms. Munaweera said.

Praising the states decision to establish economic centres to help farmers sell their produce she said more was needed. Similarly, the government should come up with a plan on transportation to retail markets and provision of storage facilities as price variations from economic centres to retail markets are very high, she said.

Professor M. Abeywickrema, Professor in Agriculture Economics at the Ruhuna University, said governments had failed to come up with a marketing strategy for vegetables.

There is zero involvement from the government, unlike in the case of paddy. This has resulted in increased middlemens margins. The Trade and Agriculture ministries should work together for a solution. We are yet to have a strong seasonal plan. This has resulted in extreme price hikes and drops, Prof. Abeywickrema said.

A number of attempts made by The Sunday Times to obtain an official comment from senior agriculture officials failed.Appreciations View(s):

His youthful fragrance will remain in our memory

Adhil Bakeer Markar

According to astrology, a child whose zodiac sign and planetary positions align perfectly is said to bring immense fame and glory to all those related to him. His reputation, virtuousness are a distinction to his forefathers and an honour to the future generation.

Adhil, who would have turned 27 today, was the epitome of the highly principled, humane and well-respected Bakeer Markar generation. He was blessed with multiple talents, his knowledge demonstrating a maturity far beyond his young age. He served as the head of the International Division of the National Youth Council and together with his brother made a significant contribution to the Youth Parliament of the United Nations.

Adhil was awarded a prestigious Chevening scholarship given to young people with the potential of becoming future leaders. Well versed in English, Sinhala and Tamil languages, Adhil like his father was an eloquent speaker with excellent communication skills. Every word spoken by Adhil was filled with love, care and compassion. Adhil never lost his temper. Anger and hatred were emotions unknown to him; he only knew how to love people. Conversations with him were such a pleasant experience because of the soothing effect his words had on others. He always used a friendly term such as aiya, malli, akka, nangi to address those around him.

I can vividly remember how resplendently smart he looked in the traditional Kandyan Nilame attire when he was the best man at the wedding of the Chairman of the National Youth Council, attorney-at-law Eranda Weliange. Everyone who congratulated the newly married couple also congratulated Adhil rather teasingly on his good looks.

His knowledge on domestic as well as global politics was comprehensive. Among his peers were children of contemporary world political leaders. But he saw no difference between them and ordinary village youth. He was willing to listen to all and ensured that no one was left unheard. Even at the busiest of times, Adhil, like his father, had at least a few minutes for everyone. It is no secret that Bakeer Markar Snr endeared himself to anyone who met him for the first time within a few minutes and it is no exaggeration to say that Adhil needed just a few seconds.

Adhil was well aware that his fathers promising political career was cut short because of his unquestionable integrity and unshakable principles. Rather than be in the shadow of his more illustrious father and grandfather, Adhil was willing to accept the challenge of carving a niche for himself. Many are the lessons to be learnt from Adhil by the progeny of seasoned politicians intoxicated with power.

When the shocking news of his demise was conveyed to us, we were in Shanghai, China having our breakfast. It was the sombre looking Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, a close associate of the Markar family who broke the tragic news. I personally knew of his deep attachment to Adil. Minister Gayantha Karunathilake who was seated next to us seemed shell shocked and took more than a few minutes to regain his composure. After a long silence he managed to say, Minister Imthiyaz is such a sensitive person. If this is so shattering for us, how is he going to take this? I just cant imagine. We felt utterly helpless and saddened for not being able to be closer to the grieving Bakeer Markar family. We found some comfort recalling the boundless humility and humanity of Adhil and his father.

The following Sunday at the burial grounds of Jawatta Mosque, Adhil who touched the lives of everyone he met, left us forever. Adhil means honesty, the word that symbolizes the Bakeer Markar family.

At the Jawatta burial grounds, I was in the company of Navaratne Gamage, Saman Wagaarachchi, Lal Hemantha Mawalage and several others and as we were talking about the promising career of Adhil so tragically cut short, a question posed by emotionally charged Lal aiya rendered me speechless. Malli, when people want to pick flowers they choose the most beautiful, why does God also pick the most beautiful flower? Adhil no doubt was the most beautiful flower of the Bakeer Markar family. An enchantingly beautiful flower that was to bloom in the field of politics with the love of young men and women, Muslim society and people of all walks of life of the Kalutara district. The fragrance of that flower will remain with us until we depart from this world.

Dear Adhil, with that glint in your eyes and radiant smile you will live in our memory forever.

Chaminda Gamage

Good friend and discoverer

A.Denis N.Fernando

It is now three months since my friend A.Denis N.Fernando passed away, having lived life to the Biblical age of four score and four more. A simple man despite all his many accomplishments, his last wish was to have a modest funeral. In a leaf of paper he had instructed his family to bury him within 24 hours and to use, in his own words a cheap coffin.

This was no man of small means or little achievement. This was Denis Fernando, Director of Planning, Mahaweli and Discoverer of Sri Lankas oldest city of Vijithapura; the man who resolved some of the countrys oldest historical problems such as the location of Nagadiba and the fall of the Rajarata civilisation.

I got to know Denis when he was well past 60 years. He was then President of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka and I was probably its youngest member in my late 20s. Yet, he never showed any pretence of superiority based on his greater age or qualifications, in short, he was more like a brother to me, loyal and steadfast to the last. I still recall the time he stood by me when I was accused of abusing my membership of the society by calling for tome upon tome of old volumes of books housed in its large library while I was doing my anthropological research. He stood by me and asked the honourable members, what the books were meant for, if not to be used.

Many were the times he regaled us younger members with his interesting theories, some of which I found quite far-fetched like his theory that the Yakkhas of ancient Lanka were Persians. However, some of it was pretty convincing, like this theory that the Avukana Buddha statue was based on a prototype in Afghanistan, a view I was able to corroborate when I found out that the old name of the Afghans was Aughan and that in its passage to Sinhala it could have well become Avukana.

However it was in his younger days in the Mahaweli Ministry where he served as both Secretary and Director of Planning, that Denis made the most astounding discoveries, findings that would change the course of historical research in Sri Lanka. In the course of his duties in the Mahaweli Ministry in 1965, using newly introduced aerial surveying techniques, he was able to locate the dried-up old course of the Mahaweli River whose copious waters once fed the ancient Sinhalese hydraulic civilization of the Rajarata in the North Central Province. What was so interesting was the large number of Buddhist temples including Somavati Chaitya that lay beside the old course of the river while there were none beside the present river, showing that these religious edifices were built near the banks of the river, which then followed a course quite different from the present one. He held that following some remote geological cataclysm, probably an earthquake, the river changed course to its present state. By this means, he discredited the old theory that the downfall of the Rajarata civilization was brought about by Dravidian invasions whereas in reality it was a natural disaster that diverted the course of the river that had for long fed this great civilization, resulting in Sinhalese settlements drifting southwards.

It was also Denis who stumbled upon the ruins of the ancient city of Vijithapura, the first city of the Sinhalese at a time when Anuradhapura was a mere village called Anuradhagama. That was in 1979. He was aerially surveying the area around the ancient capital of Polonnaruwa when his eye caught the dried-up vestiges of three moats surrounding a large square area, which fitted with the description of the city in the ancient chronicles of the Sinhalese.

Another trailblazing area was his study of ancient maps of Sri Lanka, which led him to redraw Claudius Ptolemys map of Taprobane of 150 AD based on the co-ordinates given by him to show where settlements in the island existed in ancient times. Nagadipa hitherto believed to have been Jaffna was shown by him to be in the Eastern Province between the Mahaweli Ganga and Gal Oya.

Such discoveries place him in the league of other great discoverers who contributed so much to understanding our long and illustrious history better. So let him be remembered for all the good he did, to his friends and to his country. Though he has passed on to the Mercy of God, may he live long in our hearts that Great Man, that Great Discoverer!

Asiff HusseinCMF helps set up oriental band at Mahawilachchiya school View(s):

The not-for-profit Country Music Foundation (CMF) continued into 2018 its donations for childrens causes from the March 2017 Country Roads concert, this time providing musical instruments to set up a school oriental band.

On February 5, the CMF presented Rs. 160,000 worth of instruments to the Gamini Public School in Mahawilachchiya, Anuradhapura upon a request by parents and children from the area.

At a simple ceremony, the students, teachers and the Principal Pathmasiri Wanninayaka welcomed the donation. Mr. Wanninayake said the dance teacher has already begun creating a school band while the school was awaiting a music teacher too to join the staff. Parents said the main reason for the donation was the principals dedication and commitment to improve the quality of education in this small school.

The instruments were made up of a Sitar, Esraj, Violins, Tabla, Seraphina, Flutes, Udarata drums, Pahatharata drums, Pantheru, Thalampota, Kombu nala, Hak kombu nala, cymbals, Bass drum, Dawul and Thammettam.

The combined total so far from the 2017 concert proceeds now stands at Rs.1.13 million. These donations were to Horizon Lanka, Mahawilachiya  Rs. 130,000 (cost of 5 Dialog Winpad computers to improve IT skills of village children); PREDO, a community service NGO in Hatton  Rs. 150,000 for a project supporting the children of migrant workers; ESCO Batticaloa  Rs. 150,000 (childrens project organized by this NGO working to support migrant workers and their families); Pimbura Primary School, Agalawatte Rs. 136,000 (360 school bags for the 2017 Avuruddu celebrations) with support from Ceylon Biscuits and Nestle, and the Kiula Kiyawana Gunaya Free Classical and Folk Music Class, Hambantota  Rs. 205,000 for the purchase of an Esraj instrument and provision of scholarships for nine of the brightest students in this music class. They are each receiving Rs. 2000 per month for 12 months ending in May 2018. Additionally Rs.200,000 was presented to Give2Lanka for a Batticaloa water project operated by Berendina Sri Lanka with the National Water Supply and Drainage Board. This project involved providing pipe water connections to low income families, according to CMF officials.

The CMF thanks all its sponsors, well-wishers and supporters in 2017 and throughout its enlightened decades-long journey since 1988 of lighting up the lives of children. Await the 30th anniversary edition of Country Roads in late 2018.Fashion Week @15 adds a new note By Tera Jayewardene View(s): View(s):

HSBC Colombo Fashion Week has contributed immensely to the growth and expansion of the Sri Lankan fashion industry by providing local designers with a solid platform as well as international exposure. 90% of designers we see in Sri Lanka are a product of Colombo Fashion Weeks design development system, AjaiVir Singh, Founder and President of Colombo Fashion Week (CFW) told a press conference held at the Colombo Hilton last week announcing the launch of its 15th edition.

Scheduled to take place from March 19  25 at the Colombo Hilton the HSBC Colombo Fashion Week will see an exciting collaboration between fashion, design and art, film, food, and music. In addition, there will be knowledge workshops, a focus on ethical fashion and emerging designer showcases. More than 30 designers will be taking part in this edition of HSBC Colombo Fashion Week.

The designer line-up features both local and international talent and includes many familiar names. Bibi Russell, Eymeric Francois, Urvashi Kaur and Tarun Tahiliani are the visiting designers while from Sri Lanka, we will see Darshi Keerthisena, Upeksha Hager, Charini Suriyage, Maus, Dimuthu Sahabandu, Conscience, Meraki, Sonali Dharmawardena, Fouzul Hameed, Jaishree, Amilani Perera, Catherine Rawson, Lovi Ceylon, Nilanka Silva, Aslam Hussein, Indeevari Yapa Abeyagunawardene and Gihan Ediriweera among those presenting their collections.

The Responsible Fashion Summit, will take place on Monday, March 19. The Responsible Fashion movement is a value system founded on the basis of the CEW founders wish for fashion-for-good, or good fashion. A panel of local and international experts will look at various aspects of the subject.

Knowledge Workshops by the industrys most sought after exports are conducted to enhance the knowledge of young designers. This year a workshop on Fashion and Lifestyle in Social Media and Blogging, by Indian blogger and photographer Naina Redhu will take place on March 21.

Food and fashion are a complementary pairing and HSBC CFWs food extravganza takes its inspiration from the fashion weeks of the world: London, New York, Tokyo, Milan and Paris. The Hiltons LAB, Ikoi Tei and Il Ponte, Cafe Francais and Uga Residence tie up with the HSBC CFW to create fashion capital menus offering a gourmet feast all week.

This years HSBC Colombo Fashion Week is also launching new creative initiatives. The Music Design initiative sees independent artists Naomi Wijemanne, Julius Mitchell and Sankha B creating original tracts for selected designers. The launch of Music designed will be on March 19 at the Sooriya Village.

Previous creative elements such as Art Connect which brings together art and fashion, this year under the theme, co-liberate will also be featured as artists gather inspiration from the designers for their art. Art Connect will be open to the public on March 20 at Laksala Fort with young artists Pala Pothupitiya, Mahen Perera. Sujeewa Kumari, Pradeep Chandrasiri, Koralagedhara Pushpakumara and Kavan Balasuriyas work on display.

The Fashion Film Initiative, which is a collaboration between film directors and designers will also take place during CFW. 1-Minute-Fashion-Films shot on smartphones feature the designers development of concepts and ideas that inspired their works. The goal is to bring the designersinspirations to life through film.

Wrapping up a packed programme, the Emerging Designer Showcase will see 12 selected designers present their collections on the ramp on March 25.

The HSBC Colombo Fashion Week aims to showcase Colombo as a hub of tourism and as a city that is vibrant and creative, and this is echoed in its theme - Celebrate Colombo. The HSBC Colombo Fashion Week has atracted foreign visitors in the past and Ajai Vir Singh believes it is a perfect event platform for tourists and visitors to the city to enjoy, moreover completely ready to be offered as a tourism product.

Its a good milestone for the fashion design industry of Sri Lanka, by Gods grace and support of all the stakeholders we have consistently climbed the steps. Today when we look back, the humble step that was taken in 2003 has created and revived the fashion design industry of Sri Lanka, it has built pride in Sri Lankan labels, opened the way for young Sri Lankans to become designers and created commerce, said Ajai  looking forward to the next 15 years.In defence of SL armed forces By Chandani Kirinde View(s): View(s):

In the aftermath of the defeat of the LTTE in May 2009 by Government forces, many books have been written both in praise of the role of Sri Lankas security forces during the war as well as criticism of them. The latest book that tries to put the record straight on the role of the military personnel during the war is by J.F. Ranjith Perera, a former Director General of the Ceylon Tourist Board who is also the author of several other books.

Titled Should Sri Lankan Security Forces Apologize for Eradicating Terrorism? the author in his book makes a case in defence of the armed forces detailing in depth the atrocities committed by the LTTE over the decades in which thousands of civilians were killed and political leaders of all communities assassinated and how the security forces personnel eliminated a deadly menace that had plagued people of this country for years.

The book takes the reader through the military operations which were done with minimum causality to civilians by creating no fire zones with the security forces operating under internationally accepted military laws despite the type and nature of the enemy they were up against.

On the contrary, he notes, that the terrorists were not governed by any military laws or practices and were only governed by the law of the jungle.

Mr. Perera says that it is regrettable that the Sri Lankan forces who deserve global praise for eradicating a deadly terrorist group are being unfairly accused of human rights violations with enormous amounts of funds of the LTTE used to dilute this achievement .

The author says the objective of his book is to place before the readers the sequence of events and the authentic facts relating to the final stages of the war against the LTTE terrorists and highlight how the security forces conducted themselves in discharging their duties.

Mr. Perera says he hopes the book will catch the attention of readers particularly in European countries as well as the USA, Canada, Australia etc. as well as Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora as well as senior officials in Human Rights organizations and they will begin to appreciate the role played by the Sri Lankan forces in eliminating a terrorist group and setting an example by their conduct.

There is no doubt this will not be the last word on the events that led to the defeat of the LTTE in 2009 but different views on the subject will enrich the readers and enable them to come to their own conclusion about this issue.

The book is published by Sarasavi Publishers (Pvt) Limited.

Book facts Should Sri Lankan Security Forces Apologize for Eradicating Terrorism? by J.F. Ranjith PereraLooking back with pride and looking to the future with optimism Theres much to celebrate as Sri Jayewardenepura Universitys Faculty of Medical Sciences marks 25 years. Kumudini Hettiarachchi reports View(s): View(s):

Let alone rooms, they had no chairs to sit on. Trials and tribulations were the order of the early days, with not many teachers, no lecture halls and no hospitals for clinical training.

A common sight would be knots of fresh-faced students from the first batch of 139 of the very first Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS) in the country sitting under trees at Gangodawilas sprawling Sri Jayewardenepura campus, the Vidyodaya pirivena-turned-university, poring over their books.

The Vice Chancellors Lodge set amidst coconut groves had been turned into the teachers abode, where they sat, brainstormed and decided on the curriculum.

Twenty-five years on, many are the challenges, ordeals and hardship that the academic staff as well as the students have overcome in those early days of March 1993. Today, however, the graduates of the Sri Jayewardenepura FMS are seated in high-level chairs across the country and the world. Talk of innovation in the medical field and often behind it would be FMS graduates.

While bright sunlight engulfs Battaramulla last Saturday, we walk into the darkened packed ballroom of the Waters Edge Hotel elegantly lit by flickering flames from candles on each table, to hear the pioneering teachers go back 25 years to the beginnings of a nascent institution.

MerrimentZ 2018, the Silver Jubilee celebrations that day, have been organized by the Society of Pioneer Doctors of the Sri Jayewardenepura University, the firstborns not only to pay tribute to their gurus who battled through thick and thin to make them what they are, but also to pat themselves on the back for being trendsetters.

Then on Monday, we are at the hub of the FMS, now home to 250 students under the tender but firm guidance of its current Dean Prof. Surangi Yasawardene who too has grown with this fledgling institution, starting as a Probationary Lecturer in Anatomy from its birth. She is fully supported by Vice Chancellor Prof. Sampath Amaratunge.

And unlike its bigger sisters, Colombo, Peradeniya, Jaffna, Ragama and Karapitiya which are just medical faculties, the Sri Jayewardenepura FMS, the sixth, has under its spreading wings medical sciences.

Seated in her office on the 7th Floor of the Administrative Building of the FMS, Prof. Yasawardene talks of the rapid progress of this institution begun amidst a lot of uncertainties.

Now FMS is one of the most sought-after faculties in the country, she says.

Detailing how we are different to the others, Prof. Yasawardene says that they had the first Department of Medical Education; the first Department of Family Medicine; and they started the first undergraduate nursing degree programme and medical laboratory sciences degree programme in Sri Lanka.

Starting with two degree programmes in 1993, the MBBS and the B.Sc in Human Biology, now it has expanded to five degree programmes, with the addition of B.Sc Nursing (in 2005), B.Pharm (in 2006) and B.Sc Medical Laboratory Sciences (in 2007).

There has also been a parallel development of academic departments to 17 and three paramedical units from the three departments at the beginning. Currently, the academic staff includes 27 Professors, 73 Senior Lecturers and 44 Lecturers in addition to an extended faculty consisting of Health Ministry Consultants.

Clinical teaching is at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Kalubowila, the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital and the Homagama Base Hospital, while the students also go to the National Institute of Cancer, Maharagama, the National Institute of Mental Health, Angoda and some special units of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka.

The FMS has not stuck to the straight and narrow of tradition but widened its horizons to produce doctors who can meet the rapidly changing health needs. Although we started our medical curriculum as a traditional curriculum, we have changed it to a hybrid curriculum encompassing a system-based integrated delivery and subject-based assessments, says Prof. Yasawardene, reiterating that they were the first to adopt this innovative approach, with Wayamba and Sabaragamuwa looking at this model now.

It is also the first to launch a novel, state-of-the-art, purpose-built Family Practice Centre where testing and treatment are offered to thousands of men, women and children living around the faculty.

Several research centres, a must in the modern world, are being nurtured within the FMS. They include the Dengue, Cancer, Kidney and Primary Care and Allergy Research Centres where groundbreaking studies are being carried out, with the worlds eyes being riveted here and many international conferences being initiated by them. Collaborations have also been established with key international research groups and laboratories such as the University of Oxford and the University of York in the United Kingdom; the National University of Singapore; the Faculty of Medicine, University of Trondheim in Norway; the Gothenburg University and the University of Uppsala in Sweden; and the James Cook University in Australia to address national priorities and current global issues.

Meanwhile, in the past five years, there has been a vibrant student-teacher exchange programme under the Linnaeus-Palme Programme between Swedens Kristianstad University and the FMS.

Looking to the future, Prof. Yasawardene says that the FMS hopes to launch another first next year  a degree programme in optometry.

Humble, however, were the beginnings of the FMS, when the University Grants Commission (UGC) granted permission for its establishment in July 1992, with academics of other universities having serious doubts about its viability.

With the appointment of Dr. H.H. R.Samarasinghe as Coordinator, a Curriculum Committee cobbled together with eminent persons such as the late Prof. S.R. Kottegoda, the late Prof. T.W. Wickramanayake, the late Prof. N. Kodagoda, Dr. Saroj Jayasinghe and Prof. Leela De A. Karunaratne had sat down to thrash out a medical curriculum.

Initially, the government had given an acre of land from the Methsevana Detention Centre, which still lies adjacent to it, with the FMS now having around 10 acres.

It is through the eyes of veteran Family Medicine teacher, Prof. De A. Karunaratne that we get a glimpse of those early years when on March 1, 1993, 139 students registered for the MBBS course..the faculty had no buildings of its own and was housed in several borrowed locations on the campus. The administrative section was accommodated on the second floor of the library building and the spacious Vice Chancellors Lodge, a two-storey house, was made available for the staff rooms and offices of the academic divisions..Arrangements were made for the temporary use of lecture halls of the Faculty of Sciences.

The pre-medical course had begun on schedule, despite all the shortfalls, supported by the English Unit especially the Coordinator of the English Teaching Programme, Orani Jansz, with the FMS reaching another milestone in August 1993 with Dr. E.R. Jansz and Dr. I. Jayawardane setting up the Division of Biochemistry.

From strength to strength it has grown, under the able and dynamic leadership of Coordinator Dr. Samarasinghe, followed by the Deans, the late Prof. M.T.M. Jiffry, the late Prof. Dayasiri Fernando, Prof. Narada Warnasuriya who later went onto become the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Prof. Jayantha Jayawardena, Prof. Mohan de Silva who later took up the mantle of UGC Chairman and Prof. Yasawardene.

With a strong and unshakable foundation being set by those early teachers who included Dr. Fred Perera, Dr. D.K. Ruberu, Dr. S. Sivayogan et al, the Sri Jayewardenepura Faculty of Medical Sciences is now reaching for the stars  to be the best medical faculty in Sri Lanka and to be on par with the best medical faculties in Southeast Asia.

Its not all medical sciences only Long before they took the Hippocratic Oath, the first batch of the Sri Jayewardenepura Faculty of Medical Sciences was once again the first to come with a Code of Conduct. Among other things they resolved to treat those who followed with kindness and concern. Not content with burying their noses in medical tomes or burning the midnight oil to pass examinations, meanwhile, they also set up the Medical Faculty Arts Circle, two years into the formation of the FMS, under the guidance of Dr. Ranil de Silva.

Events and publications It is celebration time at the Sri Jayewardenepura Faculty of Medical Sciences with a three-day International Research Conference scheduled for October 7-9 and a wide-ranging Medical Exhibition from December 12-16 at the BMICH. In the pipeline, is a commemorative volume depicting the facultys 25-year history through photographs. January and February saw religious ceremonies being held to invoke blessings on the FMS, starting with all-night pirith chanting followed by a dana the next day. Thereafter, were held Hindu, Christian and Muslim religious activities. Meanwhile, MerrimentZ 2018 on March 3 was organized by the Society of Pioneer Doctors of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura headed by Consultant Surgeon Dr. Bawantha Gamage, a well known name in laparoscopic procedures, along with a very active team.Rasa Sayang by Mabole Malay Association View(s):

The Mabole Malay Association (MMA) will hold a musical and cultural show titled Rasa Sayang 2018 on May 6 at the Bishops College auditorium in aid of its social service projects. This project is being organized with the Indonesian Embassy in Colombo.

The event will comprise drumming, song and dances depicting the rich culture of the Javanese with dances choreographed by Muhammad Febrian (Rian) of the Indonesian Embassy  Cultural Section. Practice sessions are currently being held at the Riptaloka Hall of the Indonesian Embassy in Colombo.

The Project Chairperson is Dr. Romola Rasool, MMA Vice President and the show will be supported by popular band FLAME. For further details, see

www.mabolemalay.comRape of this my own, my native land By Carmel L Corea View(s): View(s):

The Arahat Mahinda in 307 BC advised the famed deer hunter king of Sri Lanka, Devanampiyatissa:

O Great King, the birds of the air and beasts have an equal right to live

And move about any part of this island as thou. The island belongs to the people and all other beings and thou art only the guardian of it.

This king accepted his wise counsel, protected the flora, fauna and environment and made the country into the pearl of the Indian Ocean.

Sadly this island is now a biodiversity hotspot in Asia. Realising clean water was essential for sustaining life, our ancestors built and maintained more than 20,000 tanks and reservoirs to harvest rain water. This island flourished as one of the finest hydraulic civilisations in the world before it was subjected to colonisation for some 450 years.

Since Independence in 1948, shortsighted policies have led to the overexploitation of resources and done much damage to the countrys environment.

Despite warnings from academics and patriotic citizens, the 575 acre land reclamation from the sea adjacent to Colombo is now underway for an unsolicited project renamed as the Colombo International Financial City (CIFC).

Academics and experts pointed out that this project was a health hazard to the people and an environmental disaster waiting to happen.

Air pollution

They expressed concern that the toxic PM2.5 particulate matter emitted due to the Port City construction over the stated 15 -20 year period is a serious health hazard and it may dissuade investors from coming to Colombo.

Dr. Ranil Senanayake at a public seminar on February 28 in Colombo said, The level of PM2.5 toxic particulate matter in the city of Colombo is three times higher than what is safe for humans. These toxic particles are produced by construction activities, vehicle pollution and industrial pollution.

The Port City (CIFC) construction of high-rise buildings, over the stated period of 15-20 years will continuously produce PM2.5 particles that will be blown over Colombo by the sea breeze. It is estimated that the toxin levels could reach 25 to 30 times the safety levels for humans. WHO reports state that these toxic particles could cause respiratory diseases including lung cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. The reports state that children and old people are particularly vulnerable.

In response to this health hazard posed by the Port City construction, Nihal Fernando, the Port City Project Director, stated in the Sunday Times (10-12-2017), Good site practices minimise particle pollution  the wind is an important factor which determines the dilution and distribution of pollutants. Since Colombo is situated on a flat terrain close to the sea it helps disperse pollution over a large area and this is well established

The basic flaw in his argument is that he has not taken into consideration the changing topography of the city with high-rise buildings. These buildings will trap toxic particles in between them, creating toxic pockets and posing a health hazard to city residents.

We request the Environment Minister, who is also the President of Sri Lanka, to investigate this looming health hazard.

Impact on ground water levels

Addressing a public lecture, Dr. G. P. Karunaratne, an international land reclamation expert who has done research on the subject, said large-scale land reclamation adjacent to the mainland was causing the water table to rise in the Fort area, destabilising the foundations of old and historic buildings. These buildings would need stabilisation to avoid their collapse. President Sirisena commented on TV that he had witnessed this destabilisation effect.

Archaeologically valuable old buildings and heritage sites will be endangered if this destructive land reclamation project continues. This important detrimental aspect was not mentioned in the Environmental Impact Report or the Special Environmental Impact Report carried out for the project.

A few issues need to be highlighted:

(a) Loss of livelihood

It is also said large-scale sand dredging for the Port City project is causing loss of livelihood of fisherman

Fisher community leaders Anura Fernando and Herman Kumara have said that massive scale sand dredging for the Port City has stirred up sediment and destroyed the coastal feeding and spawning grounds of fish.

These fishing communities, who for generation have depended on the sea, have now lost their livelihood as a result of this project. This is a clear Human Rights violation.

The coastal fishing industry provides cheap fresh fish for the people of this country where 17% of the population suffer from malnutrition.

The majority of the poor people in this country cannot afford to purchase expensive deep water fresh fish and will thus suffer further malnutrition.

The National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) Chairman, Dr. Anil Premaratne, reported to the Ocean Conference (06-06-2017) that coastal fishing in Sri Lanka amounted to 51.6% of marine fish caught and 27,578 boats were used by coastal fisherman.

This clearly establishes the importance of the coastal fishing industry in Sri Lanka.

Exploitation of Independent Fisherman

The Government has now advised fishermen that they should not use their normal 30ft boats (a boat costs about Rs 500,000), for coastal fishing and should instead buy refrigerated deep sea vessels. The Government is offering a vessel for Rs. 7.5 million though it costs Rs15 million. The Government has also stated that fishing should be done at a depth of 55ft or more in the ocean, thus prohibiting coastal fishing.

Fisher community leaders say they are poor, but independent fishermen. They say they cannot afford such expensive vessels for deep sea fishing. They believe the Government policy is favouring rich businessmen who could buy the Rs. 15 million vessel at the subsidised price of Rs. 7.5 million and then employ jobless fishermen for a pittance in their trade.

The coastal fishing community is deeply distressed by this unfair Government policy, which enables the exploitation of a vulnerable community.

(b) Serious environmental destruction

Sand dredged and dumped in the sea  around 100 million cubic metres of it  forms clouds of particles which are transported by sea currents. They smother delicate corals destroying them.

Turbid waters caused by large scale dredging reduce essential light for corals and marine flora and fauna.

Coral reefs are an important component of the marine ecosystem and spawning and nursery grounds for economic fish. They directly or indirectly provide edible sea life for human nutrition and also a source of medicine.

Coral reefs are natures filtration system providing clear water for beautiful beaches vital for this countrys foreign income generating tourism industry.

(c) Marine pollution destroys corals

Dr, Stephanie Wear, Nature Conservancy (USA) lead scientist for coral conservation stated: Climate change and over fishing are the more familiar hazards, but untreated sewage is a serious threat to reefs .. greatest sewage pollution in the world occurs in developing countries, where coral reefs exist.

Port City Project Director Nihal Fernando stated in the Sunday Times (19-06-2016),  Thousands of metric tonnes of raw sewage are annually discharged to the sea  the situation will continue for the next 5 to 7 years.

Raw sewage from Colombo and suburbs including the National Hospital is pumped daily through two 1.2 km long pipes at Modera and Wellawatta.

(d) Need to protect coral reefs

Professor Harendra Fernando and his team from the University of Notre Dame, Illinois, US, researched tsunami-affected areas in Sri Lanka. At Peraliya 30ft high tsunami waves surged inland about a mile, causing extensive damage and massive loss of life.

However, the tsunami wave at Hikkaduwa was about 9ft and barely grazed the beach.

Underwater research indicated that coral reefs buffer this island from devastating storms and tsunami.

It is thus essential that coral reefs are protected from sand smothering and sewage. The coral reefs are proven protectors of this islands marine environment and coast line.

Granite for Port City

It is estimated the construction will extract more than 3.45 million cubic metres of granite from the central hills. According to Professor Jinadasa Katupotha it is equivalent to two thirds of the Sirigiriya rock and two thirds of the Piduruthalagala Mountain; this volume of granite is obtained using explosives and then transported and dumped in the ocean opposite the Galle Face Green.

Dr. Gamini Jayatissa (NBRO) in the Sunday Times (02-11-2014) stated, Brace for more landslides with climate change. The risk of landslides must be taken very seriously and all projects need Environmental Assessment. About 20% of Sri Lanka is mountainous or rocky and one third of our population lives in these areas.

The current situation

Landslides are occurring in water catchment areas affected by large scale granite quarrying, while flora and fauna habitats are destroyed, with drinking water catchment areas destroyed or altered, causing water shortage.

Artificial rain

The Government is now planning, at considerable cost to the taxpayer, to create artificial rain using chemicals.

It is reported that the Government has signed the Paris Environmental Accord to cut down carbon emissions. In view of this agreement, can the Government now in honesty, spray carbon dioxide into the atmosphere to create artificial rain? After careful research some countries use safer alternatives to obtain water.

Constructive suggestions

1. Stop the destructive sand and granite mining immediately for the Port City project and save the environment from further destruction.

2. Convert the reclaimed land into an attractive park, an essential air lung for the congested expanding City of Colombo.

3. If off-shore banking is required, establish the banks on the island of Mannar, 15 minutes flying time from Colombo which has been also an offshore trading city since 1987

4. Establish and invest in a national water conservation policy (not investing in the expensive activity of artificial rain pollution)

(a) Introduce countrywide rainwater harvesting

(b) Invest in sewage processing, thus saving water and producing fertilizer and not polluting the sea and destroying coral reefs.

5. Invest in desilting our ancient tanks and use them for water storage and flood control.

Addressing the 9th Annual Summit of the Institute of Environmental Professionals of Sri Lanka in October 2015, President Sirisena said, The Government will take legal action against those who destroy the environment irrespective of their status. We trust President Sirisena will stand by his assurance.

(The writer is is a Honours Graduate in Marine Zoology from Queen Mary College, University of London)Russia without Putin: Its inconceivable By Somar Wijayadasa View(s): View(s):

Russias President Vladimir Putin seeks re-election in the upcoming Presidential election on March 18, 2018. In Russia, a president is elected for six years with a two consecutive term limitation. Putin held the office of president for two terms from 2000 to 2008, served as prime minister from 2008 to 2012, and won a third term as president in 2012. Terms were extended from four to six years in 2008.

There are eight mediocre candidates seeking the presidency including three candidates who have previously contested against Putin.

A newcomer, Ksenia Sobchak, a 36-year-old media mogul, is the daughter of Anatoly Sobchak, a former St. Petersburg Mayor, who brought Putin from obscurity into politics. She criticises corrupt cronies around Putin and calls the annexation of Crimea illegal.

Putins most vocal critic, Alexei Navalny, who has staged many demonstrations against Putin and those in power has been barred from running for president over a criminal conviction that he says is politically motivated. Navalny is asking his supporters to boycott the election.

All candidates complain about government corruption, lack of economic growth, low living standards, rising poverty levels, and high cost of living. Some complain about Putins efforts to glorify Stalin, declare the Czars family as martyrs, and for unduly suppressing dissent.

But none can defeat Putin who enjoys an approval rating of over 80 percent. If reelected, hell be Russias second longest serving leader, trailing only Joseph Stalins 30-year reign.

Putin is a master strategist who has selected March 18 (the anniversary of the annexation of Crimea) for his re-election. Also, on March 1, he delivered his annual State-of-the-Nation address to the Federal Assembly, in which he passionately outlined his domestic and foreign policy priorities.

The chaotic downfall of Russia

When I first visited Moscow in 1962, the former Soviet Union was a proud nation with a thriving economy, marvels of industrialisation, advances in science, technology and medicine, escapades into outer space, and basking in the glory of a superpower.

Later as a frequent visitor to Russia every two years, I witnessed the dramatic sea-change of its political leadership and their successes and failures.

The downfall of the former Soviet Union began in the 1980s as its social, political, and economic problems began to accumulate.

After years of stagnation under sclerotic leaders, the situation worsened as Mikhail Gorbachevs political freedoms openness and restructuring paved the way for open criticism of the communist regime.

That caused the disintegration of the Soviet Union on December 25, 1991. Putin described the collapse as the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century.

Later, Boris Yeltsin (1991-1999) embraced free market principles, and eliminated price controls, privatised major state assets, and allowed for the ownership of private property.

That resulted in a few well-connected people grabbing State properties and becoming wealthy oligarchs. The reforms failed and drove Russians deeper into poverty.

When I visited Moscow in 1996, it was heartbreaking to see the downfall of Russia. I noticed that bribery, corruption and criminality had penetrated the entire state apparatus and businesses. Foreign investors were fleeing the Russian market.

There was food rationing; unpaid salaries and pensions, rampant crime and gang rivalry were the norm. Russian politics, economy, military and society were in disarray, and by 1998, a third of Russias population was below the poverty line.

Western countries vilified Yeltsin for his antics and slurring on television, and his regime brought outright disgrace to Russia. In August 1998, Russian government was officially bankrupt having devalued the ruble, and defaulted on its debts.

Finally, on December 31, 1999, Yeltsin resigned, and handed over to Vladimir Putin a run-down military and a bankrupt Russia in a deep recession and complete chaos.

Make Russia great again

Election of Putin as President in 2000 was Russias first democratic transfer of power.

Making economic stability a cornerstone of his leadership, Putin gradually began to inject law and order into the society; signed into law a series of liberal economic reforms; developed the economy with new industries and investments; decreased poverty by boosting agricultural production and construction; and increased workers salaries and pensions of poor pensioners who had silently suffered for decades.

To stabilise the economy, he introduced a flat tax rate, reduced corporate taxes, and established a stabilisation fund to accumulate oil revenue to repay all of Russias debts. Later the fund was split into the Reserve Fund to protect Russia from future financial crisis, and the National Welfare Fund to enhance pension reforms.

But the last 17 years of Putins rule have been an unprecedented balancing act of consolidating his own power while reviving Russias economy, and protecting the country from foreign interference.

During his previous election in 2012, there were hundreds of massive anti-Putin political protests all over Russia.

Fearing that foreign-funded NGOs were fomenting revolution in Russia through the distribution of grants to political groups, the Russian government adopted stringent NGO legislation such as the Foreign Agents law, the Undesirable NGOs law, and ousted from Russia several foreign NGOs including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Putin once said: The path towards a free society has not been simple. There are tragic and glorious pages in our history.

External pressures

Having failed to fulfil the eternal desire to capture Russia and its vast resources  a dream that Napoleon and Hitler unsuccessfully cherished  the West now wants at least to destabilise and dismantle Russia into several parts as it did in Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia.

Since the annexation of Crimea in 2014, the United States and the European Union imposed on Russia a barrage of sanctions that continue to date  too many to describe.

On alleged interference in the 2016 US election, there have been several reciprocal diplomatic reprisals in the closure of compounds and expelling diplomats.

Last month, Washington released a list (that looks like a whos who book) of 114 senior politicians close to Putin, and 96 Russian oligarchs with a net worth of more than $1 billion though without specific sanctions on them.

These destabilising actions have inflicted an economic toll on Russia even though Putin said that these have failed to defang and declaw Russia.

Perhaps aimed at the hostile West, Putin once said, Russia will continue moving forwards, and nobody will ever be able to stop this forward movement.

Unrivalled military power

Russias unrivalled military complex that has been a great power for centuries thanks to its once-mighty Russian army has been revamped to its former glory.

In his speech last week, Putin revealed that the Russian Armed Forces adopted more than 300 new pieces of military equipment over the last six years.

Among those are a number of invincible defence systems including a new prototype missile that can reach any point in the world, a supersonic weapon that cannot be tracked by anti-missile systems, and a new hypersonic aviation and missile system.

Insisting that Russia should build new weapons to counter the potential threat posed by the US missile defence system, Putin said, No one has listened to us. You listen to us now.

Putins foreign policy

Putin has been critical of foreign policies of the United States and other Western countries.

In a 2014 speech, Putin said, Our Western partners, led by the United States of America, prefer not to be guided by international law in their practical policies, but by the rule of the gun. They have come to believe in their exclusivity and exceptionalism, that they can decide the destinies of the world, that only they can ever be right.

Putin abhors external pressure and would not change his foreign policy to please the United States or Western countries. He advocates a multipolar world and a bigger role of the United Nations to enhance global security.

He has often said that we do not want confrontation: we want to engage in dialogue but a dialogue that acknowledges the equality of both parties interests. This could be the premise for United States and Western nations to form better relations with Russia.

Russia and Putin would prevail

Contrary to the criticism of Putins opponents, the Russian economy is improving again  thanks to Russias increasing oil production, stabilising oil prices, improvements in the military-industrial complex, and growth in its agricultural sector.

During my visits to Moscow and its suburbs during the last few years, I found that the quality of life is even better than in the 1960s.

The streets and parks are clean and safer than ever; there are massive department stores, cafes and restaurants, indicating that the private businesses and the middle class are thriving, and that people are prosperous and happier.

In his impressive speech last week, Putin promised to further diversify the Russian economy, improve education, healthcare, agriculture and infrastructure, and attract more foreign investment.

Russians love their country more than anything else, and they love a strong leader who would not only develop the country but also zealously protect Russia from foreign intervention.

(Somar Wijayadasa, a Moscow educated international lawyer, was a UNESCO delegate to the UN General Assembly and was Representative of UNAIDS at the United Nations)What boosts gender equality in developing countries? By Bobbi Gray, Exclusive to the Sunday Times in Sri Lanka View(s): View(s):

WASHINGTON, DC  On March 8, the world will celebrate International Womens Day, an annual opportunity to recommit to gender equality. This years observance comes at an important time for womens rights, as global movements like #MeToo and #TimesUp are refocusing attention on the discriminatory practices that women confront in their social and professional lives.

But while women in the developed world are waging big battles over gender bias, women and girls in developing countries remain focused on smaller victories. On this International Womens Day, we must not forget that in the worlds poorest communities, poverty, hunger, domestic violence, and discrimination remain endemic obstacles to gender parity.

I have studied gender and development in the Global South for 15 years. My research, which has included thousands of interviews with women from India to Burkina Faso, has centred on one question: How can the international community improve the welfare of the worlds poorest women? The answer, it turns out, is to help them do what they are already doing on their own.

One of the most effective ways to empower women anywhere, but especially in the developing world, is by promoting financial independence. In many areas, that means supporting informal savings groups, networks of like-minded women who pay dues to build a shared pool of resources. This money can then be drawn on to fund any number of items, such as small business expenses, school fees, or health-care costs.

Community-based savings groups  there are millions in Asia and Africa alone  are changing lives every day. I once met a woman in Burkina Faso whose son owes his life to the financial resources of a savings network. One evening, when the boy was violently ill with diarrhoea, his mother called a taxi to take him to the nearest clinic. But taxis, like ambulances, must be paid for in advance, and the woman had no money. Fortunately, a neighbour who belonged to a health savings group was able to contribute and pay the fare. That immediate access to cash very likely saved the boys life.

Most savings group loans are similarly small. In Benin, for example, the average loan size in one group is just $9. But, in a country where the average annual income is less than $800, small amounts can make a huge difference.

Unfortunately, many savings groups, as important as they are, do not scale; most operate in isolation from official services, which weakens their effectiveness. Women in poor communities must rely on one another, but they also need access to government and international agencies if they are ever to escape from hunger and poverty. That is why my organisation, the Grameen Foundation, is using digital technology and mobile phones to connect savings groups with other service providers.

One of our largest projects is in Burkina Faso, a desperately poor country in West Africa where an estimated 55% of the population is food insecure for at least a portion of the year. Since 1993, we have worked with more than 73,000 women in nearly 3,300 savings groups, bringing services directly to the women who need them. Our average participant is 40 years old, illiterate, and earns just $7 a week selling crops like sesame and peanut. When we began the program, only about half of the women we worked with said they felt empowered in their homes; many feared their husbands.

Today, those sentiments are slowly changing. By serving as a bridge between informal savings groups and banks, health centres, schools, and agricultural extension services, we are helping women make better decisions about food use, nutritional practices, and spending. Our goal is to reduce poverty rates by strengthening asset-management skills, which would give women a greater voice in their communities. Gender dialogue sessions that we host are also strengthening family bonds.

During each of my field visits, I have been amazed at how these efforts are affecting womens lives. On one recent trip, I met Rasmata, a young mother who told me that thanks to the safety net of her savings group, she was managing to support her family despite her husbands emigration abroad, her fathers recent death, and a lingering drought. She was diversifying her income, managing her finances, and even adopting climate-smart farming techniques. The best part was that she described herself as a hard-working, respectful, rigorous, and ambitious woman.

Those are adjectives that women everywhere, regardless of their financial situation or education, deserve to ascribe to themselves. So this week, as the world celebrates the incredible progress that women have made on the long march to parity, I will be thinking about women like Rasmata, who have accomplished so much despite having so little.

(The writer is Research Director at the Grameen Foundation, a global nonprofit dedicated to ending poverty and hunger.) Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2018. www.project-syndicate.orgPeriod Paranoia-II

I sat on the commode, dripping like a tap for what felt like an eternity. And Im not making this up. I was dripping blood, a couple of drops per second.PM Oli to take vote of confidence at 3 pm tomorrow

Prime Minister KP Shama Oli will take the vote of confidence on Sunday.Police are investigating the death of a Binghamton University student from Westbury, Long Island.

According to the Press & Sun-Bulletin, Binghamton police responded to a welfare complaint at 23 Oak St., around 12:53 p.m. Friday and discovered Haley Anderson's body.

Anderson, 22, was a nursing student in her senior year.

Binghamton police here at 23 Oak Street. Crime scene unit was here earlier today. I spoke to some residents who say college students live there, and they are always friendly. They also say this is an unexpected scene for the neighborhood. pic.twitter.com/edVqjqGfC6  Briana Smith (@brianasmithnews) March 9, 2018

Binghamton police say Anderson's death is suspicious. They are working with Binghamton University Police and the Broome County District Attorney's Office.

Officials say there is no threat to public safety. Anyone with information, call 607-772-7080 or 607-772-7082.

Binghamton University's Facebook page offered a message of sympathy to her loved ones.

Binghamton police offered no other details on Anderson's death.SARATOGA SPRINGS -- The City Council unanimously voted Friday to ban sales of guns and ammunition at the Saratoga Springs City Center.

The next New Eastcoast Arms Collectors Associates (NEACA) gun show in Saratoga Springs is scheduled for May 25-27 at the City Center.

"The amendment was unanimously approved by the City Center Authority on Wednesday to prohibit the sales of guns and ammunition within the venue," said Mayor Meg Kelly. "The arms fair in May will go on as contracted.

"This is merely one step in addressing safety in city facilities."

The special meeting was attended by a large crowd.

Saratoga Springs resident Sam Brewer was one of the more than 10 people who spoke at the meeting.

"The Second Amendment is an individual right and is not able to be restricted," he said. "I don't think the city has the authority to limit gun sales -- it's an infringement on Second Amendment rights.

Brewer, who served in the United States Air Force for 10 years, said there are other ways to address gun violence.

"I hope they look deeper at the causes of violent crimes," he said. "They need to look at mental health issues instead of restricting firearms."

Rev. Joe Cleveland, of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs, thanked City Council members for taking the step to prohibit guns sales on city property.

"Saratoga Springs is about health, history and horses, but they left the most important 'H' out, and that's hospitality," he said. "We don't want to celebrate trading instruments of death and terror. We don't want to bring those instruments into the center of who we are."

Community member Randall speak during public comment at #Saratoga City Hall for amend of lease of city center for gun show. pic.twitter.com/fNOpmx2abV  Erica Miller (@EricaPhotog) March 9, 2018

City Center Executive Director Ryan McMahon said the New Eastcoast Arms Collectors Associates gun show was the first contracted event at the venue, more than 30 years ago.

"It's been around a long time," he said. "The show will go on in May, but anything after that would be a violation of our lease. This action reflects the spirit of cooperation between the City Center and the City Council."

Don Hall, former principal of Dorothy Nolan Elementary School in Saratoga Springs, said the city is stopping a legal business.

"Guns aren't the killers -- why don't you look more at mental health and closing the bars before 3 a.m.," he said. "This is going in the wrong direction. This is a man's livelihood."

David Petronis, owner and operator of New Eastcoast Arms Collectors Associates, said the city's action puts his show out of business in Saratoga Springs.

"By banning guns from the City Center, they're picking me out, so they have to ban them from Saratoga Springs entirely," he said. "They can ban whatever they want until the cows come home, but it's not going to stop anything."

Petronis said he took several calls from business owners who exhibit at his gun show in Saratoga Springs.

"They're saying this will drive them out of business," he said. "The City Center show is 25 to 30 percent of their business."

Those who choose to buy guns at his gun show must have money to purchase them and pass background checks, Petronis said.

The May show marks the 108th gun show for Petronis, who said he is exploring options.

"I have three choices," he said. "I can fold up shop and go home, fight them or file a lawsuit. I might have to build my own place. It might come down to that, but we'll see."

- By Ann Friedman, The Daily Gazette, Schenectady, N.Y.Police arrest gang of scooter thieves in Kathmandu

The Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Crime Division (MPCD) has arrested three people on the charge of stealing scooters from various parking lots in Kathmandu.STC musical to be featured at Iowa Thespian Festival

Into the woods, its time, and so I must begin my journey. Into The Woods by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. And so, the STC Music ...SJVN Arun-3 set to get generation licence

SJVN Arun-3 Power Development Company (SAPDC), the developer of 900MW Arun-3 Hydroelectric Project, is all set to get the generation licence.Bones discovered on a Pacific Island in the 1940s, which are most probably those of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, went unidentified for decades because researchers thought they were of a man, an anthropologist has claimed in a new paper.

Misidentification Of Bones

Around three years after Earhart disappeared, in the course of which she was declared lost at sea, human bones were found on the Nikumaroro Island, which is a part of Kiribati's Phoenix Islands. In 1941, Fiji's Central Medical School Principal Dr. D.W. Hoodless, examined the bones and came to the conclusion that they belonged to a male.

A forensic analysis published in Forensic Anthropology has, however, concluded that Hoodless's conclusion that the mysterious bones were those of a stocky, middle-aged male with a height of about 5 feet, 5.5 inches is most probably incorrect.

Why Is New Forensic Model Better Than The 1941 Model

Richard Jantz, who is a professor emeritus of anthropology at the Forensic Anthropology Center, University of Tennessee, used a new forensic model to find out who the mysterious bones actually belonged to.

Forensic osteology was not a discipline that was well-developed when Hoodless carried out his analysis, according to Jantz. The professor, therefore, added that Hoodless's identification methods should not be blamed because it was a case of misidentification, in addition to the science of humans being a field of poor understanding at that point.

Jantz said comparing the methods of Hoodless with reference to modern methods and data indicates that they were inadequate for the task at hand, especially where gender identification was involved. Hoodless's assessment of the Nikumaroro bones as being those of a man, therefore, cannot be assumed to be correct, according to the professor.

"To address the question of whether the Nikumaroro bones match estimates of Amelia Earharts bone lengths, I compare Earharts bone lengths with the Nikumaroro bones using Mahalanobis distance," said Jantz.

"The Mahalanobis distance is one of the most common measures in chemometrics, or indeed multivariate statistics," according to a paper in the Journal of Chemometrics. "It can be used to determine whether a sample is an outlier, whether a process is in control or whether a sample is a member of a group or not."

There is, however, no doubt that conspiracy theories regarding the disappearance of Earhart will continue to gain momentum in spite of the new evidence.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.A new study looks at the evolution of various spider species scattered across Hawaii. While they bear significant differences in appearance and methods of hunting, they aren't actually related, and this could shed light into the factors that constrain evolutionary change.

The study was led by University of California, Berkeley biologists. In a nutshell, what they discovered was that it's possible for different species to evolve in similar ways despite being far away from each other.

Hawaiian Stick Spiders

About 2 to 3 million years ago, stick spiders came to Hawaii. Each time a spider traveled to a different Hawaiian island, it evolved into various species  one species found a way to survive on rocks. Another found a way to live under leaves. This is one of the characteristics of adaptive radiation, and understanding it enhances our grasp of the evolution theory. It remains largely a mystery, and it is what caused the said spiders to evolve into 14 different species when they came to Hawaii.

While the spiders in question share a similar body type, each is its own unique species, complete with different traits and hunting methods. However, there's an odd phenomenon. There are stick spiders of the same color  red and yellow, for example  on different islands, yet they're completely different species. How so?

Evolution has led these spiders to evolve in predictable and programmed ways.

Ecomorphs

To published March 8 in Current Biology, the study suggest the spiders in question are ecomorphs, or animals that bear aesthetic similarities and habitat but aren't actually closely related. Ecomorphs, as the study claims, have a special element in their DNA that enables them to evolve quickly but at the same time places a limit on what they can evolve into.

Meaning, some species may be programmed to evolve in certain ways and repeat the process over and over, which explains why, in all the islands, yellow and red stick spiders evolve independently despite their different genetic makeup.

"Such outstanding predictability is rare and is only found in a few other organisms that similarly move around the vegetation," said the study's lead author, Rosemary Gillespie.

Gillespie hopes her team's research encourages other scientists to delve into the diversity of Hawaii's animal landscape.

"Often, I hear people saying, 'Oh, Hawaii's so well studied. What else is there to look at?' But there are all these unknown radiations that are just sitting there, all these weird and wonderful organisms," she said. "We need everyone to understand what's there and how extraordinary it is. And then we need to see what we can do to protect and conserve what still waits to be described."

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.Climate change is threatening the Mesoamerican Reef and its surrounding coastal areas and because of this, Nature Conservancy and its partners obtain a special insurance policy for these endangered areas against hurricanes, storms, and other natural disasters.

This marks the first time a coral reef will be receiving its own insurance coverage, although providers have long encouraged governments around the world to make such an investment in their natural assets.

Global insurer Swiss Re, the policy provider, guarantees quick disbursement should a natural disaster occur, allowing immediate repairs such as reef elevation and reattachment of broken corals.

"If you cut any place of your body, and you have attention very quickly, you have more possibility for getting healthy," says Maria del Carmen Garcia Rivas of the National Reef Park of Puerto Morelos which encompasses the endangered reef.

Private Investors To Pay For Coral Insurance

Instead of passing the bill for the policy to the state's taxpayers, it will be footed by hotel companies operating along the MAR's nearby coasts. After all, the tourism industry has been listed as one of the reef's major threats.

The money collected from these private entities combined with some government funds is going to the "Coastal Zone Management Trust," which was just announced by Nature Conservancy and Quintana Roo's state government on March 8.

Design and establishment of such trust fund took over one year, with assistance from the Innovative Finance Group under The Rockefeller Foundation.

Unfortunately, it will not cover the reef's entire 625-mile stretch. The money is only to be spent on the insurance and conservation of the portion located along the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.

Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Protects Significant Tourist Destination

According to Nature Conservancy, MAR is the habitat of over 500 fish and 60 coral species, as well as various kinds of mollusks, mammals, and aquatic plants. It serves as a refuge for endangered marine animals, including green sea turtles and saltwater crocodiles.

Additionally, being the Western Hemisphere's longest barrier reef, it protects the coast of Quintana Roo, which is one of Mexico's largest and most popular tourist destinations. Millions of tourists are visiting it annually, generating an estimated $9 billion each year.

The environmental organization notes that when healthy, a barrier reef can reduce the amount of wave energy during storms by up to 97%. If it loses even just a single meter of its height, it will cause twice the damage to coastline structures.

"The Mesoamerican Reef plays a critical role in protecting residents, tourists, and businesses from storm surge and sea-level rise. This announcement is a win-win-win: for conservation, for the community, and for Mexico's economy," says Nature Conservancy president and chief executive Mark Tercek.

The organization and its partners, including tourism industry associations and local institutions, are still raising funds for the Coastal Zone Management Trust and by extension, the reef's insurance. Swiss Re prefers immediate payment but it also believes that the unique funding approach for MAR will also work and can be implemented in other countries.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.The Milwaukee Health Department confirms an increase in new cases of HIV and syphilis in 2017. Among those infected are teenage children and infants.

In a period of 12 months, a total of 125 new cases of HIV and syphilis were recorded in the city that has a population of almost 600,000.

Alarming Incidence Of Infections

"This is an epidemic people are not talking about enough, and it leads to people taking unnecessary risks," says Melissa Ugland, a public health consultant working local nonprofit organizations focusing on public health.

The city health department informed the district of the alarming increase in sexually transmitted infections among young people aged 15 to 24. The high rate of infection is categorized as a cluster outbreak or a group or cluster of people discovered either living with HIV or other STDs by the AIDS Resource Center.

"Certainly, this is an HIV and syphilis cluster," says Michael Gifford, president of ARCW.

According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention's guideline for investigating clusters of health events, the term "cluster" is an unusual aggregation, real or perceived, of health events that are grouped together in time and space and that are reported to a health agency.

Ugland said the cluster infection is still ongoing and the number could increase further.

Teens And Babies

Majority of those who got tested were men, and 45 percent of them were declared HIV positive. Local authorities withheld information on what school or schools are affected by the cluster infection.

However, the Milwaukee Public Schools stated that they are coordinating with the local health department to prevent the cases from increasing.

"Because schools have a significant number of students in the 15-18 age group, we are working with the Milwaukee Health Department in a collaborative and preventative effort to share information with young people in middle schools and high schools to keep them healthy and protect their health," reads a statement from MPS.

The health department confirmed that at least three local babies were born with syphilis.

The confirmation of rising STI cases is followed by a commuter ad campaign with the Milwaukee City Transport Service. The campaign aims to raise awareness about sexually transmitted diseases.

Syphilis And HIV

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause serious health problems if left untreated. Symptoms of the disease include sores around the genitalia, skin rashes, and swollen lymph nodes.

Syphilis has three stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. Different signs and symptoms are associated with each stage.

Primary and secondary syphilis have mild and unnoticeable symptoms. The latent stage has no signs or symptoms. Tertiary syphilis is associated with medical problems and can affect the heart, brain, and other organs of the body.

In 2016, the United States almost has 28,000 cases of primary and secondary syphilis, the most infectious stages of the disease.

The Human immunodeficiency virus or HIV is an infection that attacks the immune system. If left untreated, HIV can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS. HIV can make a person more susceptible to other infections.

Based on CDA data, annual infections and diagnoses have increased among some groups. The rate of infection among gay and bisexual men is at a high 70 percent while infection among heterosexual registered at 23 percent.

In 2015, the number of people diagnosed with HIV in Milwaukee is 2,974, a majority of which are men. The highest transmission category was through male-to-male sexual contact at 68 percent of the total infections. In 2016, Wisconsin documented almost 7,000 people living with HIV.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.The lives of others

The iconic Nepali writer from Darjeeling, Indra Bahadur Rai, passed away at the age of 91 a few days ago. He leaves behind an enormous literary legacy encompassing both fiction and non-fiction.The discovery of Ice VII in mantle diamonds suggests the possibility of the Earth having water pockets in the mantle. What could this mean, and why is this important?

Diamond Ice Discovery

Recently, scientists discovered ice crystals in deep mantle diamonds which suggest that there are actually pockets of water in the Earth's mantle. It was found in the form of Ice VII, a high-pressure form of water inside the diamonds. Results of the scientists' analysis show that while Ice VII is solid while it is on the surface of the Earth, inside the mantle, it is actually liquid.

As such, the results of the study show that perhaps the mantle may not be quite as solid as previously believed. Amazingly, the discovery was merely accidental, as Ice VII was found while the scientists were looking for evidence of carbon dioxide.

The Earth's Mantle

The Earth's mantle is the layer of mostly solid bulk of rocks, silicates, and elements that separate the planet's crust and its superheated core. It is about 2,900 kilometers thick and comprises 84 percent of the Earth's total composition.

As mentioned, it is believed that the Earth's mantle is mostly solid and made up of solid rocks and elements such as potassium, iron, and aluminum. However, even before the discovery of Ice VII in a deep mantle diamond, some mantle maps have helped scientists identify "hidden reservoirs" of water in it. The discovery of Ice VII inside the diamonds is yet another evidence of a differently composed mantle.

Why This Is Important

The diamonds analyzed in the study were actually the diamonds that surged up from deep inside the Earth and found in China, South Africa, and Botswana, showing that this is not a regional occurrence but a global one. This means that scientists have found evidence of something that could potentially change the way we look at and try to understand the planet.

For instance, the presence of water on the mantle could influence the long-term rates at which heat escapes from the planet's exterior, and the varying composition of the mantle from being mostly solid to one with water pockets could give scientists a completely different understanding of its very mechanisms. Simply put, the discovery of water pockets in the Earth's mantle could lead to more precise models of how exactly the planet works on the inside.

"These discoveries are important in understanding that water-rich regions in the Earth's interior can play a role in the global water budget and the movement of heat-generating radioactive elements," said Oliver Tschauner of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, coauthor of the study.

The study is published in the journal Science.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.Three NA members take oath of office

Three National Assembly (NA) members Yubaraj Khatiwada, Bimala Poudel Rai and Ram Narayan Bidari took their oath of office and secrecy at the NA meeting hall around 11 oclock Friday morning.Villagers thrash girl, 18

Villagers thrashed an 18-year-old girl on allegations of witchcraft at Deukali, Ghodaghodi Municipality-5 in Kailali district on Thursday.GONZALES  The four remaining defendants in an April 2014 shootout in Ascension Parish that left one man dead and another injured will be tried by a jury in New Orleans amid concerns they wouldnt be able to get a fair trial in Ascension.

Judge Alvin Turner Jr. ordered that the four defendants  Demitoris "Big Tachi" Alexander, his son, Tachi "Little Tachi" Williams, Clarence Ruth and Bruce James  be tried by jurors in New Orleans rather than Ascension, prosecutors said.

The move to change the venue for the trial comes after issues were raised in picking jurors for a fifth defendant in the shooting, Cprien Nicholas, last July. Prospective jurors told attorneys then that they were aware of the shooting and of Nicholas and didn't want to participate in his trial, Assistant District Attorney Shawn Bush said.

None of the attorneys remaining in the case disputed Turner's order that came during a status conference in Gonzales earlier this month, minutes show.

"I agreed that it could be problematic to pick a fair and impartial jury," Bush said Friday.

Before jury selection was completed last year, Nicholas, 32, of Gonzales, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of being a principal to manslaughter and was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Behind closed doors, defendant in Ascension Parish shootout apparently pleads guilty GONZALES  Cprien Nicholas, already convicted in a multi-state drug distribution scheme and awaiting sentence in federal court, pleaded guilt

Attorneys for Williams and Alexander could not be reached for comment by deadline Friday. Public Defender Susan Jones, who represents Ruth, has a policy of not speaking to the media. Chief Public Defender Alan Robert, who is representing James, said his client didn't seek the change of venue but didn't oppose it.

Turner's order is another twist in a high-profile case over the shooting in Darrow that Ascension Parish Sheriff Jeff Wiley once called the "OK Corral" due to the number of gunmen involved.

+3 2 of 5 defendants set for trial in 2014 killing in Darrow 'OK Corral' shoot-out GONZALES  A key figure convicted and awaiting a federal sentence for his role in a sprawling drug distribution conspiracy goes to trial Monda

Sheriff's deputies have said that two groups of men fired 50 bullets from high-capacity weapons of seven different calibers near a church in a rural part of southern Ascension off La. 22. Isaac "Ike" Prestley, 23, of Darrow was killed in the shooting.

Federal prosecutors accused Nicholas, Alexander and Williams in 2015 of involvement in a drug distribution conspiracy stretching from Houston to Gonzales and Baton Rouge. Nicholas and Williams have since accepted guilty pleas to federal drug and other charges.

+3 Ascension Parish murder suspect sentenced to 9 years in federal prison in drug case A Gonzales man with a pending murder charge in Ascension Parish was sentenced to nine years in federal prison Thursday for his role in a drug 

Alexander and another co-defendant unrelated to the Ascension murder case were on trial this week in Baton Rouge on cocaine distribution conspiracy and other counts before U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick. The defense rested Friday, and Alexander is expected back in federal court Monday.

The second-degree murder case before Judge Turner of the 23rd Judicial District Cour has been the subject of publicity and security concerns. Turner had previously ordered the case moved to Lake Charles over pretrial publicity, then brought it back to Gonzales over security concerns shortly before Nicholas entered his plea in July.

At the time, jury selection had opened for Nicholas with a heavy law enforcement presence and restricted access for the public. Nicholas' guilty plea occurred in the judge's chambers, not in open court. The plea agreement remains under seal and attorneys are barred from speaking about it.

Bush said that Williams, 32, of Gonzales, and Ruth, 23, of Darrow will be tried together first in New Orleans but a date has not been set. Alexander, 52, of Reserve, and James, 29, of Gonzales, will be tried second.

The case also gave rise to early accusations that sheriff's deputies stole $175,000 in cash in vacuum-sealed bags from Nicholas' sport utility vehicle after it was pulled over following the shooting.

The results of a Louisiana State Police probe into the accusation have never been made public. The Advocate filed a public records request for the case report after Nicholas plea last year. State Police denied the request, saying in an emailed response last August that the information in the report related to an ongoing criminal investigation.You have permission to edit this article.

Edit CloseST. AMANT  St. Amant High School band members who have been making music in large, temperature-controlled tents on their school campus for about a year, put there after the 2016 flood, will be returning to their restored band hall this month.

On March 19, they'll be back in their old space, where the acoustics should be better for the musicians. They will no longer find themselves playing above, or along with, the sound of rain drumming on the canvas roof, Principal Beth Templet said.

Also re-opening on March 19 are two other high school buildings on the campus with a total of 23 classrooms, where 10th, 11th and 12th-graders will now go for their math and science classes, finally leaving behind classroom space in temporary buildings.

"I think it really means something, particularly for the seniors," Templet said of students' return this month to the first of the permanent St. Amant High School buildings to be restored.

Nearly every building on the campus except a new freshman academy building that had just been completed, were damaged in the August 2016 flood.

"It will give them a part of their old school back before they graduate," she said.

With the help of temporary classroom buildings, as well as the new freshman academy building, which has a new, large cafeteria, the 1,970 students were able to return to their campus in February last year.

+14 Video: Excited St. Amant students stream into school for first time since flood ST. AMANT  For the past six months, St. Amant High students have carried on the school year at Dutchtown High School, beginning their classes

For six months before that, they had gone to class at Dutchtown School in the afternoons, while students of the host school went to class in the mornings.

The $9.6 million restoration of St. Amant High's flood-damaged buildings has been broken up into three phases, Chad Lynch, director of planning and construction for the school district, said last week.

+4 Sharing a campus: St. Amant students settle in at Dutchtown High Griffins and Gators shared a campus Monday as the Dutchtown High School campus became the temporary new home for St. Amant High School student

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 first phase was for those buildings that could be brought back the quickest, the ones with concrete block walls, like the band hall and the two classroom buildings, Lynch said.

"St. Amant High had so many buildings that flooded, made of different materials. Some come back quicker," he said.

Phase 2, due to be completed by the end of June, will be the repair of the school's "Gold Dome" gym, known by its distinctive roof, as well as the completion of repairs to the school's auxiliary gym.

Phase 3, which will start when the Gold Dome is open and continue into the new school year, will focus on the school's main building, which houses the administration, old cafeteria, library and classrooms.

Flooded classrooms there will be repaired with expected FEMA reimbursement, Lynch said.

The rest of the building will be renovated, with funds from a 2016 bond issue, he said.

Three other flood-damaged schools in the district, now relying on additional temporary buildings, should be restored by the start of next school year, Lynch said.

The repairs of Galvez Primary and Galvez Middle are expected to be complete in June. Lake Elementary's repairs will be completed by the end of June or early July, Lynch said.

Another flood-damaged school, St. Amant Primary was restored and opened before the beginning of the current school year. Repairs at St. Amant Middle, which shares a campus with the primary school and had some flood damage, were completed at the same time.

The school district is anticipating 90 percent reimbursement from FEMA for the restoration of the flood-damaged schools.

"We did work hard to make sure the work we're doing was reimbursible at 90 percent," Lynch said.When it comes to Baton Rouge drinking water, the foxes are guarding the hen house, according to environmental groups that want to shake up the groundwater commission and kick out several members.

Industrialists have pointed to several water conservation measures they've undertaken, and the chairman of the board said he believe that good-intentioned but misguided activists are inventing a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

Baton Rouge sits atop a geological fault line that runs roughly along interstates 10 and 12. The ground under south Baton Rouge is contaminated with salt water, but north of the fault, freshwater is pumped to the surface for drinking and industrial use. Over the decades, saltwater has steadily leached across the fault line, contaminating the aquifer.

+2 New member 'stunned' groundwater commission not further along in fight against saltwater intrusion The Capital Area Groundwater Commission had a feisty, three-hour meeting Monday morning, the first full gathering since it came under increase

The Capital Area Groundwater Commission manages the aquifer and draws its 16 members from local and state government agencies, industrial companies, utility businesses and farmers.

State Rep. Denise Marcelle, D-Baton Rouge, has introduced legislation that would restrict commission membership. Anyone who works for or contracts with one of the companies that regularly draws groundwater would be barred from serving on the board.

At the same time, the bill would introduce a new seat for environmental groups and allow the governor to appoint the board chair, who is currently elected from among the commissioners. Finally, it would officially declare the aquifer under Baton Rouge to be an area of critical concern, which could lead to pumping restrictions.

"There has been inaction in the Capital Area Groundwater Commission ... because Exxon and Georgia-Pacific dominate it," said Andrew Jacoby, the attorney who helped draft the legislation on behalf of several environmental groups, including the Green Army.

"It's sort of your quintessential fox guarding the hen house. ... It's such a clear conflict of interest," he said.

It may appear that commissioners' hands are tied if they have to make decisions that affect their employers' bottom line, Marcelle said.

"It's kind of a no-brainer for me," she said.

"Everybody should come to the table with the mindset of 'What's the best for the water system?' ... Just do what's right. Sometimes what's right costs us."

The overall goal of altering the membership, adding a conservation seat and allowing the governor to appoint the chair is "to get some independent voices who feel like they're empowered to make policy decisions," said Kathy Wascom, lobbyist for the Louisiana Environmental Action Network. Her group along with the local chapter of the Sierra Club would appoint the new commissioner should Marcelle's bill pass.

Exxon and Georgia-Pacific, meanwhile, have defended their performance and pointed out that they each control only one of the 16 commission seats.

"We believe that industrial user representation on the Capital Area Ground Water Conservation Commission gives the state a balanced viewpoint when combined with representation from public water suppliers, local governments and the general public," Georgia-Pacific officials wrote in a statement.

"Industry representatives also bring expertise about ground water engineering to the discussion and often are the ones who can implement changes to protect public water supply. Most professional statewide boards are made up of a mix of professional and independent members. Once again this brings an important balance for decisions to be made."

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Exxon has already invested in projects to reduce its groundwater use and draws about half the water it needs from the Mississippi, the company wrote in a statement. Furthermore, Exxon is supportive of the scavenger wells being planned by the groundwater commission.

Scavenger wells suck salt water away from freshwater wells. Groundwater commission Chairman Barry Hugghins would eventually like a row of scavenger wells along the fault line to protect the fresh water. However, there is disagreement over whether that is an adequate response. Marcelle compares the scavenger wells to "a band-aid on a stab wound."

In bid to preserve aquifer, commission considers injecting saltwater deep underground The new solution for saltwater creeping into the drinking supply: push it down where it won't be a threat.

Hugghins accused Marcelle of engaging in political grandstanding to sincere but misguided environmental groups who ignore the facts.

"This is sort of a solution in search of a problem," he said of the new bill. "The sky is not falling."

Hugghins, who represents West Baton Rouge Parish, tried to game out how the bill would work if it passes.

Should the industry employees be kicked off the board, companies are likely to replace them with lobbyists from the oil and chemical associations, further politicizing a board that should be run by scientists and engineers, he said.

He's wary of an environmental appointee as well. Hugghins said he'd like to welcome conservation groups to the table; he just wants to make sure they have a technical background.

Hays Town is at that intersection. A retired architect who turned to engineering later in life, environmentalists say he's responsible for getting groups like the Green Army to pay attention to the aquifer. He has been nominated to serve on the commission, not by the conservationists but by East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome. He is to take the seat currently held by a city-parish public works engineer.

Attempts to reach Town for an interview in the past week were unsuccessful, though in past interviews, he has called on industrial water users to switch over to using the river so the aquifer can be retained for public consumption.

+3 Baton Rouge Water Company says industry needs to stop drawing water from aquifer As the water supply under Baton Rouge slowly fills with salt, some officials have called on companies like ExxonMobil and Georgia Pacific to s

Town's appointment must still be approved by the Governor's Office, which has ultimate authority over who serves on the board. That fact, as well as the fact that the state Office of Conservation hasn't imposed the sort of pumping restrictions that could come from Marcelle's bill, show that the groundwater commission is operating with the state's tacit approval, Hugghins said.

The commission or the conservation office could take steps like pumping restrictions, but professionals with both groups have determined they aren't necessary, and they don't need the Legislature to come meddle in their business, Hugghins said.

"I don't understand why they want to go down this road," he said.As New Orleanians, we are too familiar with shootings and gun violence in our community and similar incidents around the country. The constantSen. Jay Luneau, D-Alexandria, responds to debate critical to his SB110, which would generally require many TOPS graduates to repay half of their college scholarship amount, if they leave Louisiana sooner than four years after graduation, Thursday, April 20, 2017 in the Senate Education Committee. The bill was shelved by the committee, after lengthy debate, effectively defeated.David Scotton, who was adopted as an infant, with his birth mother Melissa Coles and a sister, Courtney, he never knew he had.Following recent revelations that Newell Normand enjoyed two lucrative side gigs while serving as Jefferson Parish sheriff, both candidates vying to fill Normand's unexpired term have promised to avoid any form of secondary employment if they win the seat.

UNO poll: John Fortunato holds commanding edge over Joe Lopinto in Jefferson sheriff race A new poll shows John Fortunato leading interim Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto by 16 points with about two weeks to go before the March 

But records released this week show that both interim Sheriff Joe Lopinto and his challenger, John Fortunato, earned income from outside sources during their tenures with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office.

Lopinto, while serving as an attorney for the Sheriff's Office, received approval from Normand last year to work for Lexipol, a company that provides policies on an array of topics  such as use of force and immigration  for law enforcement agencies around the country.

Lopinto said he earned $3,200 to review and amend hundreds of policies that the California company sold in Louisiana, but he added that he has not served in that capacity since taking over for Normand last summer. Aside from his inactive law firm, he said, he has no ties to outside businesses or outside sources of income.

Fortunato, meanwhile, had a business relationship with Mark A. Pregeant, the president and chief executive officer of Grand Isle Shipyard. Pregeant is a longtime friend and Fortunato's most prolific donor. He, several relatives and companies they own account for at least $65,000 in contributions to Fortunato's campaign for sheriff.

Documents released in response to a public records request show that Fortunato's arrangement was approved by former Sheriff Harry Lee in 2005. Fortunato acted as a part-time project coordinator for Grand Isle Shipyard "on an as-needed basis," the documents show.

He also entertained Pregeant's clients and provided "public relations."

Exclusive: Fortunato violated Sheriff's Office policy in handling of Superdome details, records show Last spring, six months before John Fortunato kicked off his campaign for sheriff, Jefferson Parish deputies received a two-line email about F

"I would travel from Gretna to satellite locations, including Galliano, and assist with whatever there was I needed to do," Fortunato said. "I would help promote the company."

The arrangement ended shortly after Hurricane Katrina, Fortunato said, adding he could not recall when, exactly, he last worked for Pregeant.

Fortunato said he recalls making approximately $30,000 a year from Pregeant. He said he is no longer on Pregeant's payroll and has no intention of working for him again if elected sheriff.

"We don't have a business relationship any more  we have a friendship," Fortunato said. "My sole purpose, if elected, will be focused on the safety and well-being of the citizens of Jefferson Parish. I do not want to be distracted by outside concerns because I would never compromise the safety of the people of Jefferson Parish for my own personal gain, nor would I do it for political reasons."

Grand Isle Shipyard has been the subject of controversy in recent years and remains under federal indictment in New Orleans  charged with three counts of involuntary manslaughter and violating the Clean Water Act  in connection with the 2012 explosion of a Black Elk Energy platform off the coast of Grand Isle.

Pregeant's company is accused of "gross negligence," court records show, and it also employed a construction superintendent who was charged in the same indictment in the deaths of three offshore workers.

Before those charges were filed, in 2011, Grand Isle Shipyard was sued by a group of skilled workers from the Philippines who claimed the company exploited their labor and required them to pay exorbitant housing fees under threat of deportation. The laborers agreed to dismiss the lawsuit several years later after reaching a confidential settlement, federal court records show.

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+2 Records: Jefferson Sheriff Joe Lopinto told deputies to get cafe video, contrary to claims A newly released internal probe says Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto asked one of his deputies to obtain surveillance footage of a coffee

Pregeant did not return a phone message from The Advocate seeking comment.

Fortunato's campaign has called attention in recent weeks to the generous contributions Lopinto has received from Shane Guidry, a wealthy and influential Republican donor who has given Lopinto $75,000 through his various companies and raised another $50,000 for him.

But the Lopinto campaign has similarly pointed to Pregeant's backing of  and bundling of contributions for  Fortunato.

Under state law, an individual may contribute no more than $5,000 to a candidate per campaign cycle. But state law treats corporate entities as individuals, so a person who owns or controls multiple firms may donate up to $5,000 in the name of each one.

Fortunato said he was not certain exactly how much money Pregeant has contributed to his campaign. But campaign finance reports show Fortunato has received at least $65,000 from Pregeant, his relatives and their firms  a significant percentage of the approximately $400,000 he has raised during the campaign.

Pregeant previously has made numerous contributions to other political candidates, including former Gov. Bobby Jindal, Gov. John Bel Edwards and former U.S. Sen. David Vitter.

"Fortunato's close ties with his largest donor, a company accused of shocking behavior, are very troubling," said Kevin Stuart, a Lopinto campaign spokesman.

Asked why Pregeant had taken such an interest in his campaign, Fortunato said that Pregeant has been "a personal friend for many years, and he's in a position to help raise money for my cause."

"I will owe no one any favors if elected," Fortunato said. "I will be in no one's pocket."

+3 In Lopinto vs. Fortunato, one candidate holds major edge in key area: war chest Like any seasoned politician, Vinny Mosca relishes the homestretch of a hard-fought election. And if for no other reason, the former Harahan m

The question of outside employment emerged earlier in the campaign after The New Orleans Advocate reported that Normand, the former sheriff, had been paid $3,000 a month over a period of years by developer Joseph Georgusis for advice on real estate deals. Georgusis also contributed $56,000 toward the education of Normand's daughter in 2014 and 2015.

Federal agents asked Normand about his relationship with Georgusis while they were investigating Craig Taffaro, Normand's former chief deputy who was found guilty of tax evasion earlier this year.

That case centered around a second source of outside income that Normand received from the company he ran with Taffaro, CTNN, which operated as a broker between the grocery supplier Pelican Marine and Harvey Gulf, an offshore oil services company led by Guidry, the major Lopinto backer.A 23-year-old man stabbed both of his parents at their home in Metairie after his mother told him to quiet down early Friday, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office said.

Deputies arrested Travis Tyler after a short car chase, and his parents were taken to a hospital, Sheriff's Office spokesman Lt. Jason Rivarde said.

The agency learned of the situation about 3:40 a.m., when someone called 911 to report that a neighbor in the 4600 block of Wilson Drive had been stabbed.

Deputies found a 62-year-old woman and 59-year-old man at the home had been cut multiple times, Rivarde said. They said their son, Tyler, had attacked them and taken their car.

Rivarde said deputies spotted Tyler driving the car in the area within about a half-hour. He took off when deputies tried to stop him but was captured after a brief pursuit.

Rivarde said Tyler confessed to attacking his mother during an argument that erupted after she told him she wanted him to be quiet. The son said his mother ran into her bedroom and woke up her husband, who was then attacked as well.

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The Sheriff's Office didn't identify the victims. But William Tyler, who described himself as a relative, confirmed when asked if the victims were Glenda Collins and Tim Tyler. He said he understood both were in stable condition. He declined to comment further.

Travis Tyler is facing counts that include attempted murder, aggravated flight from police, resisting arrest and battery on an officer, Rivarde said. His bail had not been set as of Friday afternoon.

He was wanted on an arrest warrant issued by 1st Parish Court of Jefferson after he missed a hearing there in February.

In that case, which is unresolved, Tyler is charged with disturbing the peace by public intoxication, battery on a deputy and resisting another deputy during an incident Sept. 9 at a bar and grill on West Esplanade Avenue in Metairie.

He was also wanted on another warrant accusing him of failing to appear in 1st Parish Court for a probation hearing last month after previously pleading guilty to a 2016 drunk-driving charge, records show.When Ricky Steinert went job-hunting at the Red River Parish Sheriff's Office last summer, he didn't tell his prospective new employer that he left his old job with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office amid an internal investigation into accusations that he falsified a DWI report.

In fact, just weeks after Steinert, a patrolman, admitted cutting and pasting incorrect information into a DWI arrest report, he filled out an application in Red River Parish saying he had left St. Tammany in search of a better-paying job. That's the same thing he told reporters months later when he denied knowing anything about an internal affairs investigation.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office would not provide information Friday on the amount of money Steinert made in his last full year there, saying a public records request would be necessary. One has been filed.

Steinert said on his Red River application that he earned $44,000 a year  an amount that did not include overtime pay provided by Louisiana Highway Safety Commission grants aimed at getting drunk drivers off the road.

He was working such a detail when he arrested Christopher Heyd and said that he flunked a field sobriety test, a claim that was contradicted by a cell phone video.

Red River Parish offered Steinert a salary of $51,300, in part because of his prior experience, Sheriff Glenn Edwards said.

But last Friday, after learning why Steinert had resigned from his last post, Edwards put him on administrative leave.

Steinert wasn't the only one who didn't tell his new boss the whole story. The former St. Tammany deputy of the year, known for aggressively pursuing DWI arrests, listed two references on his application: Lt. Donny Palliser, his immediate supervisor, and Capt. Wayne Wicker.

Wicker never returned calls from the Red River Sheriff's Office, Edwards said. But Palliser was interviewed by phone and did not say anything about the investigation.

"Nothing was divulged to tell me he was anything but a stellar employee," Edwards said.

Palliser's name appears on Steinert's termination papers. The internal affairs report on Steinert redacted the names of Sheriff's Office employees who looked into the accusations that Steinert had falsified a report.

But it refers to a lieutenant, described as Steinert's supervisor, who contacted the deputy to say he had to meet with internal affairs. Palliser declined to comment, citing the fact that the Steinert issue is now under investigation by the state Attorney General's Office. He said that he has spoken to the AG's Office.

According to Sheriff Randy Smith, when Steinert came in to be notified of the internal investigation, he immediately resigned.

"He resigned before I had a change to terminate him," Smith said. "He beat me to the punch."

Smith refused to comment on the Steinert matter for this article. Nor would he answer questions about whether Palliser is now under investigation for failing to tell the Red River Sheriff's Office the facts about Steinert's departure.

But Rafael Goyeneche, president of the watchdog Metropolitan Crime Commission, said what happened is a problem.

"If that supervisor didn't report (negative information) to a sheriff considering hiring (someone) ... that needs to be investigated," he said. If information about a deputy's integrity and status at the time he left is omitted, "that is the same as a lie," Goyeneche said. "It can and should be administratively investigated by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office."

While it's unclear whether Smith knew Steinert had gone to work for the Red River Sheriff's Office, "if he did know, he had an obligation to call his counterpart," Goyeneche said.

Resigning to avoid facing disciplinary action or being fired is a common practice, Goyeneche said. But when it happens, the file should reflect that the deputy left while under investigation. However, Steinert's termination paperwork says he resigned for "personal reasons."

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If the St. Tammany Sheriff's Office doesn't keep a paper trail showing when an employee left under investigation, Goyeneche said, "then it's long overdue."

Smith said previously that Steinert's resignation would not allow him to be hired by any other law enforcement agency because sheriffs must alert the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice when a deputy leaves under investigation. And that would be true if Steinert resigned today.

But it was only during the last legislative session that the state adopted the law requiring such disclosures, and it didn't go into effect until after Steinert left the St. Tammany agency. According to the commission, the paperwork submitted by the agency simply said that he resigned, which complied with the law at the time.

Edwards, the Red River Parish sheriff, said that Steinert "slipped through the cracks" but cited the legislation as a solution to the problem. "If I had known about this on the front end, I would have investigated that," he said.

Smith's investigation into Steinert, on the other hand, ended when the deputy resigned, and last month the sheriff said he did not believe Steinert had committed a crime.

In a letter Wednesday to The Advocate, he continued to defend that belief, saying that the video that appears to show Heyd passing the sobriety test is not "fail safe evidence." A deputy must consider a number of factors, he wrote, including whether the driver smelled of alcohol, had slurred speech or failed a horizontal gaze nystagmus test.

Those considerations, and the fact that the driver had a previous DWI and refused a breathalyzer "led me to determine that Steinert made a valid arrest but foolishly got lazy by cutting and pasting a narrative from a prior arrest, while failing to note parts of the field sobriety test that the individual passed," Smith wrote. "Poor judgment and inappropriate behavior on Steinert's part? Absolutely. Criminal behavior? Not in my opinion."

Smith also defended a decision not to open a criminal investigation into former Deputy Nathan Stokes' alleged theft and sale of a department taser  the subject of another report by The Advocate and WWL-TV  saying that the deputy claimed he sold it by mistake. "I did not believe there was enough evidence to charge him with a crime, but I did believe this was a valid reason for subsequent termination," he wrote.

Since the reports, the sheriff said he and 22nd Judicial District Attorney Warren Montgomery have asked state Attorney General Jeff Landry to look into the matter.

In his letter this week, Smith said he has put in place a new policy asking the AG's Office to investigate "any and all staff resignations or termination that may be under a cloud of suspicion for criminal behavior."

Goyeneche said that a criminal probe into Steinert's actions should have been done already. "They could have and should have proceeded on a parallel investigation," he said. "It should have resulted in a felony arrest long ago. There are a lot of unanswered questions as to why the Sheriff's Office didn't proceed with a criminal investigation when there was ample evidence." He called it a "rather simple" case.

"We have to wait and see now that it has been referred to the AG," he said.

The Sheriff's Office has refused to provide reporters with records on other arrests made by Steinert, after having earlier agreed to do so. The deputy had made more than 100 arrests in the last few years.

The office is citing the attorney general's investigation as the reason. Neither Smith nor the AG's Office would answer questions about which reports were turned over to Landry's office.

But Montgomery, whose office dropped the drunken driving case against Heyd, has said several dozen cases in which Steinert's testimony figures are now under review because of questions about his truthfulness.

Now, Goyeneche said, another agency in another parish will be faced with having to re-examine everything that Steinert has done since he was hired in July.

Edwards said he can't say for sure whether Steinert has made a DWI arrest since working there, but he noted that his agency has body cameras, unlike St. Tammany Parish. He's notified District Attorney Julie Jones that they will have to review the cases Steinert has worked on since he was hired last year.

"What you don't want to see is a cancer from one department expand into another," Goyeneche said. "We've seen that too often in Louisiana."Venezuelan TV actress and model Marjorie de Souza To 41 years You see more of it Glowing Never. He is best known for his performances in various Latin American productions, especially in Mexico. "Heartless ". The actress became more popularA cafe that sells Indonesian coffee has opened its doors at a mall in Abu Dhabi.

Named Kopi Ketjil, the on-the-go cafe is owned by Oktaviana Rombe, who hails from Toraja, South Sulawesi.

"Hopefully, this cafe can inspire other Indonesians to open their business in [the United Arab Emirates]," Indonesian Ambassador to the UAE Husin Bagis said in a statement on Wednesday as quoted by Antara.

Read also: Five must-try legendary coffee shops around Indonesia

The cafe, which had its soft opening last Friday, reportedly attracted many coffee enthusiasts, both residents and foreigners.

Oktaviana said Kopi Ketjil used coffee beans that come from its own farmers.

"We roasted the beans ourselves, so we can 100 percent guarantee its origins and quality," she added.

Other than coffee, the cafe provides traditional Indonesian snacks like lapis legit (layer cake), kue sagu (sago cookie), nastar (pineapple tart) and kastengel (cheese snack), as well as an array of Indonesian handicrafts. (kes)No longer seen as just a spot for a vacation getaway, Bali is fast becoming the hottest place for millennials to live.

Thriving with startups, with a relatively low cost of living, Bali is a prime location for millennials who are always on the look out for something different and exciting. The flourishing startup industry is supported by an abundance of co-working spaces and an environment that encourages creativity.

Businessman Andrew White who has lived in Bali for 10 years agrees. Previously an actor in several local television series, he, along with his wife and two children, chose to leave Jakarta to enjoy life.

I want my children to be in nature; soaking up the sun, playing at the beach, enjoying space that is not a mall, he said.

I can go straight to the beach after I get home. I can take my children and spend two hours there. Imagine trying to get home in Jakarta; the two hours it would take to beat the traffic is what I could spend leisurely at the beach, he added.

Read also: Monthly destination: Bali

The Sadana cluster at Ciputra Beach Resort, Bali. (PT Ciputra Balai Property/-)

He stated that Balis infrastructure was improving, with an abundance of international schools, proper public facilities and daily flights to and from big cities in Indonesia.

White was present at the Ciputra Beach Resort media gathering in Tabanan, Bali on Tuesday.

Helen Hamzah, associate director of marketing and sales for PT Ciputra Balai Property, acknowledged the millennials desire for freedom and a liberated lifestyle.

Our targets are young families and millennials who want to get away from crowded places. It can also be a good investment for first time investors, she said.

She added that millennials were also not particular about the materials used in the houses. More mature buyers would prefer marble, for instance, but millennials are more interested in owning something unique that has a strong concept, she said.

Read also: Six hotels in Bali to enjoy Nyepi

Currently, Nivata and Sadana clusters are on the market at the Ciputra Beach Resort. With views of the ocean, paddy fields and mountains, the area is located on 80 hectares of land, which in the future will also host Rosewood Residence and Rosewood Hotel & Resorts.

Tabanan itself is famous as the site of Tanah Lot, a large offshore rock formation known for its sunset backdrops.

Open-plan living in a Sadana home is considered perfect for millennials, with land sizes of 105 square meters, house sizes of 69 square meters and a bedroom located on the mezzanine. While houses in the Nivata cluster come in two types, 197/250 square meters and 238/300 square meters.

As of early March, 70 percent of houses in the Nivata and Sadana clusters had been sold. Helen said that most buyers came from Jakarta, Surabaya and Medan. (kes)The Jakarta Post arrived at the Chinese Indonesian Literature Museum on Tuesday mid-morning. Its white facade was graced with a small red signage and the museum is easily identified among a rather quiet shop house complex in South Tangerang, Banten.

Azmi Abubakar, the founder of the museum, later arrived to unlock the building and welcome The Post himself. Although unheard of by most people other than researchers and those with concerns over Chinese Indonesians, the museum can be easily found by Google map. The destination is even listed in the ride-hailing app Go-Jek.

Thats because we often order food using Go-Food, said Azmi with a smile.

We entered the museum through a double door decorated with old signages, pin-ups and vintage posters related to the Tionghoa (Chinese) culture. Azmi immediately showed us around.

Museum Pustaka Peranakan Tionghoa (Chinese Indonesian Literature Museum) is located in South Tangerang, Banten. (JP/I Gede Dharma JS)

The May 1998 riot was so unimaginable to me, as there had been no significant signs of hatred toward the Chinese Indonesians beforehand, Azmi said as he explained why he was moved to establish the museum.

He recalls how the 1998 student demonstrations were initially conducted in harmony among activists from different backgrounds, including the Chinese Indonesians. But in May that same year, property and businesses owned by Chinese Indonesians were targeted by mobs, and more than 100 women were sexually assaulted. Azmi said that it was a terrible blow for him.

What happened in 1998 was a very bad memory for Indonesians, but it was so much worse for the Chinese-Indonesians, he said.

Wondering why there had to be ethnic violence toward Chinese descendants, Azmi started to consult various books. He had always loved books and reading, and since that 1998 riots, his interest in books about the minority group only grew.

He started collecting books, magazines, newspapers and other printed materials related to the Chinese Indonesians in the early 2000s and kept them to himself. Meanwhile, he opened a secondhand book store in 2001 to sell his other collection of books.

From the books he read, Azmi discovered that many Chinese figures had contributed to Indonesias history, and its struggle for independence in particular.

Azmi concluded that what happened in 1998 was similar to what the Dutch colonizers did across the archipelago for hundreds of years: divide et impera (divide and conquer), a strategy used to separate the Chinese descendants from native Indonesians. The separation was intended to break a large concentration of power into pieces with less power.

The archipelago is more vulnerable when the Chinese descendants and Indonesians are divided, and some parties who see the benefit of this vulnerability will continue to keep the two groups separated.

There seems to be a systematic effort to halt the spread of positive information about the Chinese Indonesians, said Azmi, who felt he finally had a large enough collection of books and other items to open the Chinese Indonesian Literature Museum in 2011.

The museum aims to deliver information to create understanding between the Chinese descendants and so-called native Indonesians. Azmi is sure that a mutual understanding would prevent Indonesians of different backgrounds from attacking each other.

Read also: Pasar Lama Tangerang: Witness to history

In between sharing his stories with The Post, Azmi showed some of his most prized collections. There were series of comic books in the Malay-Indonesian language written by Chinese-Indonesian authors, an album filled with photos of Chinese Indonesian body builders, and a book about a journey to Bali written by Soe Lie Piet, a journalist and author who is the father of Soe Hok Gie, a renowned Chinese-Indonesian activist.

A collection of Museum Pustaka Peranakan Tionghoa (Chinese Indonesian Literature Museum) in South Tangerang, Banten. (JP/I Gede Dharma JS)

There are tens of thousands more items in the 100-square-meter museum, and if a visitor is not into reading, Azmi will be more than happy to explain some of his collections. There are no catalogues yet, but visitors can simply tell him what he or she is looking for. Azmi always knows which item to show visitors.

The Post was fortunate to be Azmis only appointment that day, and he was not expecting any walk-ins. The museum usually caters to appointments every day. On his days off, Azmi can be found tending to his small property business.

One of Azmis missions is to visit local youth communities and share with them his knowledge about Chinese Indonesians.

That is the only way to make them understand about the minority group, as their access to information is limited, Azmi said.

It is important for the information to be delivered by a non-Chinese descendant, otherwise the response would be much different, according to Azmi, who hails from Aceh.

The civil engineering graduate turned cultural activist then told The Post about his greatest joy from running the museum.

I am happiest when people find their roots and identity in this museum. They may discover their family history and ancestors here and leave this museum with priceless knowledge.

On the other hand, Azmi and the museum are racing against time. As the sound of hatred is so often heard lately, the information stored within the museum needs to be spread more quickly and efficiently.People brought a record 3.75 billion yen ($35.3 million) in cash to Tokyo police as lost and found items in 2017, up 2.1 percent from the previous year, the police said Friday.

Of the sum, 2.7 billion yen, or more than 70 percent, was returned to the money's owners.

Some 510 million yen was handed over to those who reported the findings, while 480 million yen went into the coffers of the Tokyo metropolitan government.

Read also: Japan struggles to store surging number of lost items

People who find cash and report it to police can receive up to 20 percent of the money as a reward from its owner. If no one comes forward as owner after three months, those who found the cash can claim the whole amount.

In case the finders decline to own the money even if its owner is not found, the sum will become part of local government revenues.Thomas Yamamoto had only seen it in a photograph, but the retired corporate finance executive was so enthralled by Mary Corses monochrome white canvas that he bought it first and then hopped on a plane to New York from Shanghai to inspect his newest treasure.

He glimpsed the $350,000 work up close for the first time Wednesday in the booth of Kayne Griffin Corcoran gallery at the Armory Show, the largest modern and contemporary art fair in New York.

Normally, wed put it on reserve, come here, see it and then buy it, said Yamamoto, 69, who began collecting art with his wife seven years ago. We were a little afraid that if we didnt commit to it, it would go away.

Such is the competitive nature of the global art market, with demand from new collectors, especially in Asia, driving up prices. As certain areas of the market become overheated, dealers and collectors are looking for value -- and finding it among overlooked artists, many of whom are women.

Dirt road

Thomas Yamamoto and the work by Corse. (Bloomberg/Katya Kazakina)

Thats the case with 72-year-old Corse, a pioneer of the West Coast Light and Space movement in the 1960s. Corse treats light as a subject and material of her paintings, activating them by using refractive glass microspheres that are common in highway paint. Working in the same studio off a dirt road for 50 years, she has been overshadowed by male peers such as James Turrell and Robert Irwin. Thats quickly changing.

The Whitney Museum of American Art in New York will stage Corses first solo museum survey in June. The artists paintings from the 1960s to the present will be on display starting in May at Dia Art Foundation in Beacon, New York. That same month, blue-chip Lisson Gallery will show her work in London.

Read also: Controversial Da Vinci is New York auction season star

Corse is a prime example of the rediscovery of a senior artist who worked below the headlines and hasnt gotten her due because she was a female artist, said Benjamin Godsill, a private art adviser.

Corses auction record, set in November, is $137,500 (auction prices for Irwin exceed $1 million). Only 40 of her works have appeared at auction, according to the Artnet database of global public sales. In 2010, one of her large paintings sold for just $10,625.

Shimmering paintings

But her gallery prices are rising quickly, with color works at the Armory ranging from $325,000 to $450,000. A set of five small drawings is priced at $110,000.

By the end of the first day of the fair, which runs through Sunday, three of Corses shimmering paintings were reserved by museums and all other pieces in Kayne Griffin Corcorans booth were sold, according to a spokesman for the gallery.

Yamamoto, an American based in Shanghai, learned of Corse three weeks ago during a trip to Los Angeles with his wife, venture capitalist Marietta Wu, to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The couple visited Kayne Griffin Corcoran and fell for one of Corses works, but it wasnt available. The gallery later contacted them with information about a larger piece, Untitled (White Inner Band, Beveled) from 2011 that was heading to the Armory. They pounced.

This work is so characteristic of her oeuvre and it has this scale and beauty, Yamamoto said. Later, it might be out of our range.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, March 10, 2018 08:00 1290 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9c9379d3 1 Business Franchise-expo,business,innovation Free

Indonesian Franchise Association (AFI) chairman Anang Sukandar has called on entrepreneurs to stop playing it safe and to innovate to find success and help the country to develop its franchise industry.

Our country has a lot of things to explore. Lots of people run lobster and milkfish businesses, or even napoleon fish [businesses]. But rarely do entrepreneurs consider the franchise business as an opportunity, Anang said during the 2018 Franchise and Business Concept Expo at the Balai Kartini convention center in Jakarta on Friday.

Without going into specifics, he said the franchise industry contributed little to the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) because, despite the great business opportunities, there were few franchise companies in Indonesia.

The Trade Ministry recorded that, as of 2016, there were 600 franchises operating in the country, 400 of which were foreign-based companies.

Led by exhibition organizer Neo Expo Promosindo, the Franchise and Business Concept Expo has taken place annually since 2005. At this year's event, entrepreneurs seeking funding and franchising opportunities presented their ideas to investors. The event was organized in 18 cities across Indonesia. (dpk/bbn)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, March 10, 2018 08:30 1290 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9c93918a 1 Business ikea,store,Cakung,North-Jakarta,anies-baswedan Free

Swedish flatpack furniture maker IKEA plans to open a second store in Indonesia in Cakung, East Jakarta.

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said that he met with IKEA Indonesia director Patrick Lindvall and the Swedish Ambassador to Indonesia Johanna Brismar Skoog on Friday morning to discuss the expansion plans.

I emphasized to them that they should follow the regulations first and foremost. I also wanted them to make sure the employees are Indonesians, especially Jakartans, said Anies, adding that around 1,400 workers would be needed to construct the building, while approximately 400 employees would be needed for daily operations.

IKEAs only store in Indonesia is located in Tangerang, Banten, with three distribution points in Sentul, Bekasi and Surabaya.

According to Anies, construction would begin after the building permit was issued, with the location still being measured by the National Land Agency (BPN).

Anies also said that the discussion covered partnerships with Nordic countries, including Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway.

Representatives from the four countries will visit us on April 26, when we will discuss matters concerning Jakarta, such as infrastructure, education, family prosperity, garbage management and the like, he said (jlm/bbn)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, March 10 2018

A motorcyclist named Sakhiun has been given a stern warning from the Jakarta Police for dancing on his moving motorcycle in Glodok, West Jakarta.



After being detained, Sakhiun confessed to being a racer in his youth and has done the act six times to entertain people.



I love to do freestyle [while riding my bike]. Lots of people have recorded me dancing, so they get entertained as well, said Sakhiun who did not realize he was breaking traffic laws because he performed on the side of the road.



A video of the dancing motorcyclist went viral on Thursday, with netizens comparing Sakhiun to characters from the Japanese anime Nanatsu no Taizai.



West Jakarta Police traffic division head Adj. Sr. Comr. Sudarmanto said dancing while driving was considered a violation of the law.



Motorcyclists are absolutely not allowed to dance while on the r...Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, March 10, 2018 14:21 1290 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9c93de06 1 City Matahari-Department-Store,death,hari-darmawan,Ciliwung-river Free

Hari Darmawan, the founder of retail firm PT Matahari Department Store, was found dead in the Ciliwung River in Bogor, West Java, on Saturday morning after being declared missing the night before, media reports said.

The 78-year-old businessman was last known to be at his villa in the Matahari Recreational Park (TWM), which he owned, in Puncak when he was reported missing at around 9: 30 p.m.

According to Bogor Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Andi M Dicky, Haris body was found the next morning by TWM employees, who had gone searching for him on Saturday morning.

Five employees formed a search party and navigated the river with a raft. They found Haris body approximately 100 meters from his last known position at 6:30 a.m., said Andi as quoted by tribunnews.com, adding that the body was found among the rocks between Leuwimalang and Jogjogan village.

TWM public relations Teja Purwadi confirmed Haris death, however said the cause had not been determined.

His body has been taken to Ciawi General Hospital for an autopsy.

Matahari is one of the oldest and largest department stores in the country. The story of Matahari began when Hari bought a small retail shop in the late 1960s. The store, named Matahari, quickly turned into an iconic department store with branches in major cities across the country and was widely popular in the 1990s.

Matahari is now owned by the Lippo Group. (jlm/ahw)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani and Margareth S. Aritonang (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, March 10, 2018 16:45 1290 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9c93fd70 1 Politics Jokowi,Yudhoyono,presidential-election Free

Former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has told his successor, Joko Jokowi Widodo, that they could form an alliance ahead of the 2019 presidential election, but only if the "framework" of the alliance was right.

In a sign of support for Yudhoyonos Democratic Party, Jokowi attended the partys national meeting in Jakarta on Saturday. It was Jokowis second appearance at one of the partys high-level meeting since 2015, when Jokowi opened its fourth national congress in Surabaya, East Java.

In his opening speech, Yudhoyono gave his strongest signal yet that he is ready to back Jokowis re-election bid.

If God wills it, it is very possible for the Democrats to fight together with you, Mr. President. As you can see from my experience in 2004 and 2009, a collective struggle, an alliance [of parties] could only succeed and triumph if the framework of the alliance is right, he told the meeting, which was held at the Sentul International Convention Center in Bogor, West Java, and attended by more than 11,000 party cadres from across the country.

The Democratic Party is among the few political parties that have yet to decide whether to join Jokowis coalition or form its own.

The party has been seen to be moving closer to joining Jokowis coalition, following a series of meetings between Yudhoyono and Jokowi, as well as several visits by Agus Harimurti, Yudhoyonos eldest son, to the State Palace.

However, the party has also toyed with the idea of creating a third axis offering an alternative candidate to the two presumed contenders: Jokowi and his old rival, Prabowo Subianto. Its officials have intensified lobbying with the executives of two Muslim-based parties: the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the National Awakening Party (PKB).

But despite the partys attempt to create a third axis, Yudhoyono has refused to burn bridges with Jokowi, wishing him great success as national leader.

This is your second time [attending a Democrat's event]. Youre not only the leader of Indonesia, but also the leader of all of us, Yudhoyono said, receiving a standing applause from the audience.

At the end of my speech, I want to express my hope to the President. I wish that you can complete you duties and responsibilities until the end of your serving time. And I hope in the 2019 presidential race, you will succeed as you wish.

In his speech, Jokowi compared himself to his predecessor, saying that there was little difference between the two of them. I am a democrat, while Pak SBY is a chairman of the Democratic Party. So, little difference, he said.

While his attendance at the event could be perceived of as sign of being open to forging a coalition with Yudhoyono, the President stopped short of saying that he accepted the former's coalition offer.

It appears that the two political leaders have yet to agree on the terms of the alliance. The Democratic Party may have insisted on Agus being Jokowis running mate or being granted a senior position in the next Cabinet. But Jokowi, who has already secured the support of five political parties, is not in a position to easily agree to such terms.

Jokowi, who has enough support to contend in the election without the Democratic Party's backing, spent the rest of his speech focusing on the problem of fake news.

Jokowi said the country was struggling to fight against rampant fake news on social media, which he said had weakened democracy.

Democracy must be followed by good and efficient governance. It must inspire innovation and empower policies that will push the country to reduce poverty and uphold social justice, and enable it to compete in the global community, Jokowi told his audience.

I want to ask the Democratic Party, as a family, to realize this together, he said. (ahw)Located in Central Jakarta, Jl. Pejompongan Raya is a main road that can be divided into two distinct halves. The southern half is a double-lane road that mainly serves as a transition onto Jl. Penjernihan 1. On one side, the road is filled with stalls selling mirrors.

The northern half of the road is tucked in a leafy, well-to-do neighborhood filled with food stalls and restaurants that mostly serve the surrounding residential area. There are also several standout eateries that are worth visiting for those who live outside Pejompongan.

How to get there

Palmerah train station is located approximately a 15-minute walk from Jl. Pejompongan Raya. The station is a stop along the Maja line, or also Parung Panjang and Serpong - which are essentially the same line but with different route lengths. Passengers on the Bogor-Kampung Bandan line can change trains at Tanah Abang station.

But be aware that the sidewalk stretching from Palmerah station to Pejompongan is currently under construction. Travelers may want to consider continuing their journey by taxi or ride-hailing service.

A new four-wheeled taxi, called the Bajaj Qute, is to replace the old three-wheeled bajaj and bemo in Jakarta. (JP/hol)

Once in Pejompongan, there are also small four-wheeled taxis called Bajaj Qute, which operate as the updated version of the bemo, which are no longer allowed to operate in Jakarta. The Bajaj Qute, however, only travel around the Pejompongan area and as far as neighboring Jl. Bendungan Hilir. A trip costs approximately Rp 20,000 (US$1.45) and can fit up to three passengers.

Read also: Jakpost guide to Jl. Bendungan Hilir

What to wear

As it is a residential area with relaxed eateries, casual clothes are suitable for exploring Jl. Pejompongan Raya. Wear sandals or comfortable shoes to walk in.

Casual clothes are appropriate to hang-out in casual cafes. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

What to eat

Tucked in a corner just behind the main road is Sate Djono Jogya Pejompongan, which has gained popularity among locals for serving delectable goat-based dishes.

Sate kambing is a popular dish at Sate Djono Jogya Pejompongan. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

Sate kambing (goat skewers) and kambing soup (goat soup) are among the most popular dishes at the restaurant. Sate Djono also serves refreshing coconut beverages, while their orange coconut drink is a generous serving that comes with a heap of coconut flesh. A serving of sate kambing with lontong (rice cakes) costs Rp 78,000, while an orange coconut drink is Rp 15,000.

Around the corner from Jl. Pejompongan Raya, is another popular eatery called Bebek BKB (Bebek Kepahiang Babase). As its name suggests, 'bebek' meaning duck, the restaurant's highlighted dish is fried duck doused in black sauce.

A post shared by JAKARTA FOOD BANGERS (@jktfoodbang) on Apr 25, 2017 at 1:13am PDT

The duck is cooked thoroughly to give it a tender texture and flavored with various herbs and spices. A fried duck combo dish, which comes with rice, fried tempe (fermented soy bean) and green chili costs just below Rp 40,000. The restaurant also serves sweets and snacks, such as es pisang ungu (purple banana ice) and various sweet-flavored toasties.

Those who are not particularly looking for a proper meal could head to Khayal Coffee Studio, a cozy cafe located inside the LeGreen Suite Pejompongan accommodation building.

Drinks at Khayal Coffee Studio in Pejompongan. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

Its signature drink is the es kopi susu Khayal, which is iced coffee with milk and sweetened with palm sugar, a typical coffee beverage that has gained popularity in Jakarta recently. Those feeling adventurous could also try their es kopi susu pisang (banana flavored iced coffee).

Not in the mood for coffee? Khayal also serves other drinks, such as iced chocolate and green tea latte. Prices range from Rp 13,000 for an espresso.

Read also: Jakpost guide to Rawa Belong

Where to stay

Pejompongan is located near Gelora Bung Karno stadium (GBK), and a short drive from the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, a shopping precinct that is home to the Grand Indonesia and Plaza Indonesia shopping centers.

With its strategic location and ample budget accommodation, Pejompongan is a great alternative area for those visiting central Jakarta to stay in.

Sawana Suites is located in the Pejompongan area. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

Among the choices include LeGreen Suite, which has several branches in the area, including LeGreen Suite Senayan and LeGreen Suite Pejompongan. Nearby, there is also Sawana Suites located on Jl. Danau Limboto, just a hop and a skip from Jl. Pejompongan Raya.

TipsAt least nine kampung are currently being developed by the Surakarta administration in Central Java to be turned into new tourist destinations.

Among the concepts planned for the thematic kampung program are history, art, ecotourism, gems and batik. Meanwhile, the nine kampung involved are Kampung Mural Joho in Manahan, Kampung Sayur in Mojosongo, Kampung Batik Kauman, Kampung Batik Laweyan, Kampung Ekowisata in Bumi subdistrict, Kampung Blangkon in Serengan, Kampung Permata in Jayengan, Kampung Kepatihan and Kampung Kemlayan.

"We will kick off this urban tourism program with the Urban Kampung Tourism Festival in mid-March, where visitors will be able to explore the different kampung," Surakarta Tourism Agency head Basuki Anggoro Hexa told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

Kampung Kemlayan, he added, is of particular historical significance as it once served as a home to gamelan (traditional Javanese orchestra) artisans during the era of King Surakarta Pakubuwono X. It was also known as a center of music and dance.

"Meanwhile, we also want to introduce Kampung Kepatihan as one of the centers of administration, besides the Kraton Kasunanan Surakarta area. The officials of the palace, including the patih [governor], used to live there," he added.

Read also: Eight places to visit in Surakarta

Kampung Batik Laweyan in Surakarta, Central Java. (JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi)

Both kampung are said to still house historical buildings and items. A mini museum is currently being prepared by the Surakarta Tourism Agency to be added to the kampungs' tourism program.

"The city administration will serve as a facilitator; all the [destinations] will be managed by local residents. We held several workshops for tourist guides, handicrafts and tourism management last year," Basuki said.

This new tourism concept of blusukan kampung (exploring kampung) aims to boost the local economy as it offers both historical values and art performances, like contemporary ketoprak (traditional Javanese theater), wayang orang (human puppet show) and traditional handicrafts.

"Surakarta doesn't only have beautiful landscapes; we also want to offer cultural, historical and art destinations. Kampung Batik Kauman and Laweyan, for example, have succeeded in attracting tourists," said Basuki.

Tourism official Fafa Utami said that the various kampung in Surakarta have tremendous tourism potential, but only Kampung Batik Kauman and Laweyan are currently well-developed.

"The interest of tourists continues to grow. They no longer seek to visit mountains or beaches; they now long for traditional, art and cultural tourism, and places that are developed creatively," Fafa said. (kes)ABC/Heidi GutmanGreen Day's Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt have a new band called The Coverups, and they played a secret show in San Francisco Thursday night.

As their name suggests, The Coverups play only covers. According to Billboard, the group, which also includes Green Day's touring guitarist Jason White, played songs by artists including Tom Petty, David Bowie and The Replacements for the 100-person capacity crowd at SF dive bar Thee Parkside.

Billboard reports that Green Day drummer Tre Cool was in attendance at the show, but he's not an official Coverups member. Still, Armstrong cajoled him into playing drums on a cover of The Ramones' "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker."

The Coverups have previously played two similarly intimate shows, so maybe they'll stop by a dive bar near you.1. Yes. Several other districts factor them in. It would provide a more complete picture.

2. Yes. Theyre not as accurate, but they can be useful in spotting a trend in infections.

3. No. The district is keeping tabs on those numbers, so the public doesnt need to.

4. No. As long as the public health district is aware of those stats, thats all that matters.

5. Unsure. The district isnt obligated to include them, but it might be helpful.

Vote

View ResultsMary Magdalene (2018) is a retelling of Jesus life story through the eyes of the forgotten apostle: Mary Magdalene, who is often wrongly cited to have been a prostitute. We caught up with Jesus himself, aka the legendary Joaquin Phoenix, who has 2 hotly anticipated films coming out this month: both Mary Magdalene and Lynne Ramsay's You Were Never Really Here.



Don't forget to read our interviews with the director Garth Davis & writer Philippa Goslett, and with stars Chiwetel Ejiofor & Tahar Rahim too.

When you're offered the role of Jesus, is there any hesitation at all?

I definitely hesitated, and I think at first I started reading it and then I put it down, and I think it was like a month later I was asked if Id read it and I said Oh, nah, I dont know, so I read it again. And the second time I started reading it I found i tot be really emotional. I dont know why I wasn't picking it up the first time. When I actually finished it, I thought it was really beautiful. I dont know how, but Id never heard of the book of Mary - I didnt know about that discovery. I thought that was really interesting, and it was a perspective about this movement that hadnt been explored, and that seemed like a mistake to me.

So I became interested in it, but I still wasnt sure of course. Then I met Garth [Davis, the director] and he talked about astral projection, and I thought I have to work with this guy! Hes really sincere. I really dont know why but I felt that this is an experience I really had to have. I just have to be a part of this.

How do you prepare to play Jesus?

Of course you approach something like this and you feel everybodys expectations, and thats really daunting and overwhelming, but then I just had to remind myself that he was a man. And I had to try to find some personal connection in some way to feel that. I suddenly realised, and its probably very obvious to you all, but I realised for the crucifixion to be a real sacrifice and to mean something, it means that hes human and he has these human feelings. He didnt want to die, but he was willing. And I think thats how we approached some of these ideas.

When Garth and I talked about the healing scene on the beach - it was a time when if you were physically or mentally disabled, people thought you were possessed by demons, and you were on the fringes. The power of what we were exploring was saying, here was this man that really saw you, and would touch you and look at you and validate you when everyone in your community would shun you. And I thought that was such a beautiful idea, instead of literally curing blindness. It was a curious thing because I didnt really think about it until we started shooting the scene: the famous part where Jesus pulls sand from the ground and spits in it and rubs it in their eyes, and it says they open their eyes and they could see. And I was like, if you rub sand in somebodys eyes that would suck! The first time that you see, youre like What the fuck! So I though, wait a minute, this doesnt make sense. Until I was doing it, I never questioned that. So then when we were there on the sand, I was like, Garth, I cant rub this sand in her eye! Thats crazy! So it was something we discovered in that moment, and realised it was more about touching her and seeing her, and thats what the healing was.

How many of Jesus more introspective moments were in the script, and how much did you bring to it as an actor?

A lot of that is in the script, and in the biblical text. Its full o this struggle and those moments of not wanting to die. Its the struggle between the spirit and the flesh, and thats something thats all over the bible. He was actually sweating blood at the crucifixion - its fucking unbelievable, right? An unbelievable description. Its amazing. Its a really powerful image, isnt it?  But we didnt do that.

The biggest challenge playing this role, Id imagine, is balancing the human with the divine. Its such an abstract thing to play. How did you do it?

I think Jesus was saying that we all have access to the divine, and I do believe that as well. I think part of his teaching was that you dont have to be a leader of a synagogue or a man or a church leader to connect with that thing, whatever it is that you want to call it. We all have access to it, we all are flesh and spirit. So it just confirms in some ways what Ive always naturally felt.

Part of it is finding contemporary figures as well that lived those values. When I think about Sister Helen Prejean who goes and sits with death row inmates and forgives them  thats so powerful. And theres a man, Reverend James Lawson, who was active in the civil rights movement and worked with Dr. King and he still teaches a workshop on non-violence in Los Angeles that I attend. And hes somebody who actually experienced people trying to kill him, and found the power not to react with violence. So I think people like that were a real inspiration for me.

Why do you attend that workshop that you just mentioned? What is it that interested you in that?

In a way, finding ways to not be reactive emotionally. I think that a lot of our aggression and violence are things that are learned, and we can train ourselves to react to things differently and to find a way to communicate non-violently. And when I say non-violently sometimes I dont mean literally, physically violently, sometimes just verbally violent. My mom has a peace-building organisation and she worked in restorative justice for years, and when you start learning about restorative justice and you see the effects of it, and you learn about peace-building  and not just this hippie idea of Oh, everything is cool, peace, but actually putting in work and developing techniques  theres something really appealing about that to me.

Whether its as small as how you treat your friend, or whether its a bigger world stage. And I think oftentimes we have this expectation that politicians, world leaders are supposed to figure it out. Sometimes it feels very frustrating when you see the state of the world and you feel overwhelmed: Well, fuck, everywhere I turn theres violence and theres hunger and disease and its overwhelming. In that case, you think Well, what can I do in my own life? How can I behave in my life? I have this expectation that other people are going to solve these problems. And theres nothing wrong with encouraging that and being active politically, but theres something that I can do right now that is certainly going to affect the world, or affect my world. And so I want to try and learn how to do that.

That almost reflects Marys interpretation of Jesus teachings, which is different to Peters more revolutionary interpretation. So do you agree more with her, that the power is inside us?

I do believe that. In religious or spiritual practises I think that sometimes we put the effort in for something thats going to happen in the future  this idea of going to heaven, or finding enlightenment. Like, Im going away for five years and Im going to meditate on this mountain, and then Ill be enlightened. And the thing is, every moment in every day you have the opportunity to be enlightened. Being enlightened is being willing to constantly work at your life, and try to be the most considerate, empathetic, thoughtful person that you can be. Its not about achieving this one state, and then youre fucking zen and everythings groovy and you just float through the fucking air.

Every day you are going to have challenges, and you have the opportunity every day to be the most enlightened person that you can be. So what I loved about the book of Mary and the idea behind this film: that the kingdom of Heaven is within you  its about accessing that, and I thought that was beautiful and a necessary way of looking at things. Or at least, thats my philosophy.

How do you think the Mary Magdalene of this movie fits in to our present cultural context, when we are living such an important moment for feminism?

Yeah, its un-fucking-believeable that it is still happening. That Pope Gregory issued a statement saying that all the Marys in the bible represent the same Mary, and came up with that she was a prostitute. In the bible youve got two options for women: either youve got the virgin or the prostitute, the sinner. And here was the story of Christs ministry through her eyes, and it was excluded from the official books. Somebody made that decision to exclude her observations and feelings about the life of Christ and her experience.

Clearly, she was an integral important part to the movie  she was the only disciple that we know of that was there at his crucifixion and his resurrection. Clearly, obviously a very important figure. Theres no mention in the bible of her being a prostitute at any point. So these were the things that were created, I assume, as the church became more formed and clear in its vision of what it wanted to be. There seems to be an overt intention to exclude women from that process. And so I think its totally relevant to what we still see today.

Mary Magdalene arrives in cinemas March 16th.Unfortunately, The Content Is Not Here

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Home PageI review Norah- a sci-fi indie comic from the incredible Kasey Pierce

Source: Kasey Pierce

Last year I reviewed Norah #1 and also covered the Kickstarter. I decided to revisit Norah now that Kasey is up to issue #3, with #4 releasing next month, and let me tell you- this woman delivers.

The comic is about a husband (James Seizhelm) and wife (Norah) who work for a top secret branch of the government, developing biological warfare weapons. Weapons that spread disease to consume flesh and organs. Thousands wiped out, decimating the enemy population. They're super scientists- though some may consider them super villains. The interesting thing to me is the fact that they're not into the killing. At different points through the story, you can see the visible disgust in Norah. The story switches between past and present, slowly unfolding what exactly happened at the military base they were stationed at...

"Project Warlock", an experiment Norah and James were working on together, this experiment was tucked away as it had not yet been perfected. When an alien invasion took over, the military demanded they bring back this project and finish it quickly. When playing with genetic modification and brewing up a volatile concoction- things are bound to go wrong when it's rushed. Norah is left picking up the pieces from her livelihood, while inheriting some interesting abilities.

Norah has gained the power to enter minds. She uses this to save people in comas... those lingering between death and life. While she carries a certain amount of guilt from the many deaths she and her husband brought about- she is adamant that she doesn't do this as a means of seeking redemption. She is here on her own terms. She carries a chip on her shoulder and doesn't have much in the way of bedside manner. I get the sense that while she is out to help people, she feels as if they can't relate to her. She goes in, does the job, and walks away. Having suffered massive losses- it is easy to see why she keeps people from getting attached. I think a lot of us can relate to that at some point or another- I know I do, and that's a lot of why I love her.

For me, what is so great about Norah is that there isn't anything else like it out there. I've read a lot of comics, and sometimes they feel the same after awhile. The same tropes, taglines, costumes, etc... I love comics, in all shapes and forms. What I don't love is being bored with the same stories regurgitated a thousand times. Norah doesn't make me feel that way. It's the breath of fresh air that comics needed so desperately. It is a story that I was tripping over myself to quickly turn the pages and get to the next set of panels, and left me in a haze- wishing I had more. Not only is the story incredible, the art is something else entirely on its own.

Sean Seal is the illustrator for the series issues 1-4. He digitally paints the issues- which is just mind blowing to me. Painting is a completely different animal, especially when talking sequential art. Sean really killed it. I think he set the mood well in every panel. Something I really admired about the work he did was the way he shifted lighting several times. There's one scene in particular where Norah is in her car and there is a street lamp over it. Sean really nailed that, and so many other parts. I believe that proper lighting is crucial to setting the overall tone. Kudos to you, Sean!

Norah will have a new artist beginning issue five, Kelly O'Hara-Nemzek! Kelly is an artist that has done some amazing work with painting as well, and I am excited to see the collaboration between Kasey and Kelly. Continuing covers will be Jason Westlake- who is also an amazing artist, and graphics designer. I really love the way he has designed the covers for Norah so far, particularly issue #3. His use of bold colors brings forth a certain intensity that pairs well here.

I have included a quick interview with Kasey on Norah. If you'd like to check out Norah, you can find it on ComiXology, order it through Source Point Press website, check with your local comic shop, or find Kasey at a comic-con near you!

What exactly was the experimental drug Norah and her husband took?

We reveal Project Warlock in Vol. 2.

The absorbed twin totally killed me. It reminded me of Jonas Venture. Medically speaking, does this actually happen?

I love the Jonas Venture comparison.

The fetal tissue is absorbed by the other twin, multiple, placenta or the mother. The cause is unknown. However, I'm apt to believe that it's an act of nature. The body knows there's something wrong with the fetus. Like a dog that won't let one of her pups feed from her teat. It just knows.

This is just mere speculation on my part, though.

Can you explain how Norah is able to crossover without going into a coma/dying? What do you call that area between alive and moving on, is it limbo?

I don't have a name for it but I've always seen a coma as a metaphysical house in space; somewhere cold and desolate between life and death. Norah is delving into the subject's mind's eye. She's projecting her soul whereas the subject's soul is actually in limbo. Think astral projection.

Is Norah immortal?

No.

Do you believe that genetic modification could open up the possibility of special abilities?

Absolutely. I believe it's already been done and being done. Tampering with human genome isn't anything new. Ask me over a beer. I get crazier.

When will issue four come out?

March 2018

Where will you be at for signings and other appearances in the coming months?

Great Lakes Comic Con is the next one with Source Point Press. I'm honored to say that I'm a guest at this year's Fantasticon Toledo, Toronto Comic Con, Motor City Comic Con, and Boston Comic Con-(later this year). I'll be with Source Point Press for Indiana Comic Con, C2E2, and Tulip City Comic Con.

Will SPP be launching a trade collecting issues? Or will they continue to be singles?

Oh yes! I'm so excited we'll be launching the Kickstarter for the trade this summer! Most likely in mid-June but I'll keep everyone updated on all my social media platforms.

You can check out the entire team by clicking their names here:

Kasey Pierce Facebook

Sean Seal

Kelly O'Hara Facebook

Jason Westlake Facebook

Source Point Press FacebookSen. Heidi Heitkamp wants the government to be able to deny you constitutionally-protected rights not because youve been convicted of a crime, or found to be incompetent or dangerous through some legal process, but rather because the government has decided to put you on a list.

Im not exaggerating.

In 2016 Heitkamp backed legislation, along with Maine Sen. Susan Collins, which would allow the federal government to deny Americans their Second Amendment rights if theyre on a watch list of people who are suspected to be dangerous.

In 2018, in the wake of the horrific school shooting in Florida, Heitkamp and Collins have introduced the legislation again.

Our bipartisan bill is based on one simple principle: if you are considered to be too dangerous to fly on an airplane, you should not be able to buy a firearm, Collins said during a floor speech this past week.

That sounds reasonable enough, until you realize you could be on a government watch list right now and not even know about it.

The government contends that it can place Americans on the No Fly List who have never been charged let alone convicted of a crime, on the basis of prediction that they nevertheless pose a threat (which is undefined) of conduct that the government concedes may or may not occur,' the ACLU wrote in a letter opposing this legislation in 2016.

The mechanisms for ending up on the no-fly list are a secret, though there has been informed speculation about the criteria. Controversial social media postings can land you on it, as can travel to certain parts of the world or even just having a name similar to someone the government thinks should be on the list.

If all this sounds like something out novel about a future dystopian police state, youre right. Author Phillip K. Dick coined the term precrime for it in his short story The Minority Report (you may have seen the movie version of it starring Tom Cruise). Dicks formulation of the concept has a government agency tasked with identifying and capturing people before they commit crimes.

If we start using government lists of people who might commit a crime to deny the people on those lists their rights, were essentially punishing them before they break the law.

Heitkamp has tried to explain away these concerns. In a 2016 op/ed defending the legislation she said that due process rights are preserved by the legislation because those denied their rights could appeal.

But thats not how due process works. Can you imagine being told you couldnt vote, or exercise your freedom of speech, or be protected from unwarranted search and seizure until you proved to the government that you deserve to be able to exercise your rights?

Its shocking that Heitkamp, who has in her background a stint as North Dakota Attorney General, would have such little respect for our constitutional rights.Throughout the history of our nation, women have greatly contributed to the support of our military. However, their contributions are often overlooked and their service under appreciated. Looking back, statistics indicate 359 women in the military died in WWI, 543 in WWII, two in Korea, and eight in Vietnam. As their role in different military classifications has continued to increase, so have the deaths. To date, over 200 women have died while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 200,000 women are serving in our military today. Of that number, 2.7% are serving in front line duty. The number of U.S. female military veterans has grown to 1.6 million. Yet, they often seem to receive less honor and recognition compared to their male counterparts. This is not the way it should be.

We have several female veterans living in Pierce County. Clarence Larson Legion Post #23 is fortunate to have one long-standing and active female veteran on our roster. Her name is Sheila Ostrem. Speaking on behalf of our Post, we feel honored to have her as a comrade with us. Sheila grew up on a farm southwest of Rugby. She is the second of six children. After graduating from Rugby High School in 1973, she enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on active duty for two years. She received her basic training in Orlando, Florida and was then sent to a Naval Air Station at Beeville, Texas. There she served her remaining active duty service time performing administrative and pilot logging duties. I asked her why she enlisted. She responded by saying she was young, and had some career goals in mind, but college was not affordable. The Vietnam War was winding down and the military was recruiting females and offering good benefits. Looking back, Sheila feels she joined the military for the right reasons which helped to sustain and motivate her during her active duty time.

After leaving the Navy and returning home, she joined the Rugby American Legion. She told me she is proud to be a veteran and joining the Legion was her way of continuing to serve her country and her fellow veterans. As she said, The training one receives in the military never goes away. She hopes the example she is setting will encourage other women who have served to become more actively involved, also. Sheila has served in several offices as a member of the Rugby Legion including Adjutant, and is presently the financial secretary. Sheila was also instrumental in organizing the chartering of our Rugby Sons of the American Legion Chapter. Several years ago, she felt the need to step up again and became a member of the Color and Honor Guard. Again, she wanted to continue finding new ways to support the American Legion, veterans, and their families. By being present as an Honor Guard member at a veterans funeral, she can help give them the honor and respect they deserve.

For Sheilas service to our country and her continuing support of veterans, I salute and thank her. She is an exemplary role model of not only what a female veteran can be, but a role model for all veterans. So, let us truly appreciate all our female veterans for their service and sacrifices they have made for this great land of ours. Let us give them the respect and honor they have earned and deserve.On March 5, the Job Development Authority held a special meeting to re-address several items from last weeks elections at the JDA, discuss the executive director search, and review a request from the hospital for daycare support.

Rob St. Michel has declined to be the president/chairman after reviewing his responsibilities to his businesses, and other involvements in the community. Father Tom asked for other nominations, and Tanner Johnson was nominated, he accepted, and the motion was passed.

In other items, the executive search team announced that everyone had removed themselves from seeking the executive director position. The JDA is still without a director, and the board will resume the search for a new candidate. A discussion was held on various options for pursuing someone possibly from the universities.

The several open board positions were discussed. Father Tom Graner reported there is one person that is considering, but since they were not present at the meeting, could not be nominated at this time. Please refer interested candidates to a board member.

There was a request from the hospital to have the JDA possibly partially fund Kids Next Door, the daycare center at the Heart of America Medical Center. Jennifer Stewart said they needed more financial data to make any decisions. Stewart took on the tasks of reviewing the financial data and will report back at the next meeting of the JDA, and the board can decide a direction at that time.

In other news, several lots at the Chambers addition have an offer pending, but none have been solidified yet. The next regular meeting of the JDA committee will be on the fourth Thursday, March 22 at noon in the JDA offices.During a regular meeting Monday evening, the Rugby City Council heard a presentation regarding the local hospitals financial status.

Heart of America Medical Center CEO Patrick Branco said in a presentation that since Dec. 1, 2017, the hospital has been undergoing a painful struggle.

One of those struggles was an $800,000 cash hit from Medicare at the end of October 2017. Branco said that the way the hospital had been documenting care in 2016 was considered appropriate that year, but the next year it wasnt.

[It] did come as a total surprise to us, Branco said.

Branco said from Dec. 1, 2017 to today, the hospital has cut expenses where it could, and an estimated 50 positions have been cut due to layoffs, terminations and resignations.

Branco also denied rumors of the hospital being purchased by Sanford Health.

Ward 4 Councilwoman Sue Steinke questioned Branco on the move to open Kids Next Door the hospitals on-site daycare center to the public. Steinke asked what the outlook is on the daycare center and whether hospital employees would pay at the same rate as non-employee clients. On the first question, Branco said the hospital looks day-to-day at the daycare and opening it up keeps it full. On the second question Branco said employees would receive discounted rates.

Other actions

 The council discussed the raw water line replacement and water plant improvement projects in a conference call with Wade Senger, of Interstate Engineering.

 The council approved Ordinance No. 410, which makes purchases of and contracts for supplies and services with costs exceeding $150,000 to be subject to competitive bids; purchases more than $500 but not exceeding $2,500 can be done by department heads making requests through committee chairs who can approve or deny; purchases more than $2,500 but not more than $150,000 must require council approval; and makes purchases over $500 part of the citys fixed asset records.

 The council approved a call for gravel bids.

 The council approved Job Development Authority board minutes and board membership, but tabled approval of financials.

 The council approved a raffle permit request for Pierce County Relay for Life.

 The council approved National School Breakfast Week (which ended Friday) and City Government Week (which takes place April 2-6) proclamations.

 The council approved February meeting minutes, bills, financial statements, and the Municipal Judges report.Southern Pines, NC (28387)

Today

More clouds than sun. High 86F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 68F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.Watertown's game-winning kicker leads the Week 5 list of top area football performers

Kickers need love too. Dont be shocked that the player leading the Public Opinions Week 5 list of top area high school football performers is kicker Andrew Czech.Posted Friday, March 9, 2018 7:56 am

On the final day of the legislative session, lawmakers approved a last-minute supplemental budget deal that funnels roughly $1 billion to K-12 public education and a $400 million one-time reduction in state property taxes.

For theentire 60-day legislative session, lawmakers had two issues looming over them stemming from the over $7 billion K-12 education funding reform package they passed last summer to meet the state Supreme Courts 2012 McCleary ruling that the state fully fund Washingtons public school system.

One issue was a November 2017 follow-up mandate from the court that lawmakers speed up funding for public school staff salariesto the tune of $1 billionand the other was constituent backlash to the statewide property tax increase they passed last year.

But with an optimistic revenue forecast from state economists released last month projecting over $1 billion in additional unforeseen revenue flowing into government coffers over the next four years, lawmakers began angling for using the money to both meet the most recent court ruling and cut taxes.

The budget, which was unveiled in the early evening on March 7 by House and Senate Democrats, includes not only the $1 billion to K-12 public education for school staff salaries, but also $306 million for mental health and $116 million to help low-income students pay for college tuition. Additionally, the budget agreement sets aside close to $150 million for in-contempt-of-court fines lawmakers incurred by both the state Supreme Court following the McCleary ruling and a federal court after a 2015 mandate that the state improve mental health services, known as the Trueblood case.

We comply with our court obligation, we fully fund our K-12 responsibilities  we invest a lot more money in mental health in general, said Senate Democratic budget writer Sen. Christine Rolfes, DBainbridge Island at a March 7 press conference.

Additionally, Democrats are rallying around the Senates proposal for reducing property taxes. Their plan, SB 6614, would lower state property taxes one-time from $2.70 per $1,000 in assessed value to $2.40 in 2019. The reduction would be funded by redirecting excess tax revenue that would otherwise flow into the states Budget Stabilization Account or rainy day fund, which is intended to buffer the state in economic downturns.

Two weeks prior, House and Senate Democrats unveiled conflicting budget proposals: the Senate wanted to meet the most recent McCleary mandate while using the excess tax revenue to reduce property taxes, while House budget writers effectively ignored the court mandate and wanted to pass a capital gains tax to pay for future property tax cuts.

However, House Democrats have since reversed their position. Everything that is in this proposal is agreed to, said House Appropriations Committee Chair Rep. Timm Ormsby, DSpokane, at the March 8 press conference.

Ormsby said that House Democrats dropped the push for a capital gains tax because it would have been a difficult path, he said. Our number one priority was to get done on time, Ormsby added.

While Democrats may be in agreement, Republicans were salty about both the budget proposal and the proposed property tax reduction. At the March 7 press conference, Senate Republican budget-lead Sen. John Braun, RCentralia, said that the Democrats budget features a tremendous amount of spending and that it could have been more disciplined.

At the March 8 floor vote on the budget, Republicans were unanimous in their opposition to the budget proposal. This budget relies on a diversionary raid on the rainy day fund, said Sen. Sharon Brown, RKennewick. Sen. Doug Ericksen, RFerndale, said that the legislature has to recommit itself to fiscal sanity.

Democrats argued that the budget is balanced and will clear the Legislature of its legal obligations. Sen. David Frockt, DSeattle, said at the March 8 floor vote that the fact that the budget meets the most recent McCleary mandate and pays the Trueblood court fines is enough to call it terrific, adding that those cases have been roiling this body for the past few years.

The budget passed the House 54-44 and along party lines in the Senate 25-24.

As for the Democrats proposed property tax reduction, Republicans are also largely uniformly opposed. Senate Republicans argued that the plan will drain state reserves and is a way for Democrats to get around rule in the state constitution that withdrawals from the rainy day fund require a 60-percent majority vote in the Legislature, rather than a simple majority.

Braun called the maneuver an accounting gimmick. Fundamentally, this is a constitutional issue, he said on the Senate floor on March 7. I think that this will ultimately be seen as a unconscionable breach of the public trust.

Republicans also pointed to a March 7 statement from state Treasurer Duane Davidson who said that the Senates attempt to divert funds from the rainy day fund sets a dangerous precedent.

Choosing to not save today when were experiencing extraordinary revenue growth guarantees that our budget problems will be much greater when the next recession hits, Davidson said in the statement.

Democrats countered that state reserves will still be substantial after the diversion, and that providing property tax relief should be the immediate priority. We are cutting property taxes. We are doing a $400 million property tax relief for residents of Washington state, said Sen. Mark Mullet, DIssaquah, on March 7. Taking $400 million before it goes into the rainy day fund does not put the state at risk.

Sen. Reuven Carlyle, DSeattle, called the property tax reduction a extraordinary accomplishment.

SB 6614 passed the Senate on March 7 along party lines 25-23 with one excused.MBABANE  There is no country where double taxation is legal. This was the assertion of an economist after analyzing the Finance Bill, 2018, tabled by the Minister of Finance, Martin Dlamini.



The economist, who will not be named as he is not mandated to address the media, made the comment after analyzing the proposed schedule when it comes to Graded Tax.



He said it looks more like a pay-as-you-earn schedule mainly because the amount to be paid was broken down into different income brackets.

Under the proposed schedule those earning less than E8 333.34 per month would pay E20.85 in grade taxes per month or E250.20 per year, while those earning between E8 333.33 and E16 666 per month would have to pay E31.25 per month or E375 per year.



This is an increase of E18, which he said should have been scrapped a few years back while the current Central Bank Governor, Majozi Sithole, former Finance Minister, who said collecting the tax was expensive and tedious for government as it turned out to be more expensive than what they collected.



Ideally



He explained that ideally Graded Tax has been defined as a tax that is paid by everyone who is above the stator limits and is a resident of a country, whether in receipt of income or not.



This form of tax is used to cater for some of the necessary amenities needed by citizens on a daily basis, including having a government in place.

Locally one of the means of detecting if someone was paying income tax was through the use of a graded tax number, which-in the past-was a requirement for a number of things including getting a passport, a licence and employment.



The new graded tax system will be based on salary, the higher you earn the more you pay. This is no different from the pay-as-you-earn (PAYE). This becomes double taxation because income taxes are paid on the same source of earned income. Given the financial challenges the country is faced with, government is desperate to raise funds and has done this through reviewing Graded Tax, which unfortunately comes in the form of pay-as-you-earn.



He noted that had government directly proposed an increase to pay-as-you-earn, there probably would have been protests thus opted for other means, thinking the public would not notice.

The repercussions of this decision of increasing taxes will dire effects on the country at different levels.



But before I get into that, what I find strange is that the challenges to be addressed by the increase and implementation of taxes were not presented by the ministry. This makes it difficult to understand why the taxes are being increased if the status quo remains. We need to know where the money is going.



With over 200 000 people said to live in poverty, the economist said the proposed Graded Tax schedule would worsen the situation. This, he said, would be because low earners would now be subjected to paying large amounts of taxes even though they earn very little and could sometimes be outside the PAYE tax bracket.



The E250.85 per year that they have to pay will be high for them exposing them, to poverty in different ways.

Increase

The increase coupled with the increase in value added tax will expose people to more poverty as they will be faced with the burden of over taxation. The money that could have been used to support families, purchase food, provide for the necessary needs will now be diverted into the payment of taxes, PAYE, graded tax and VAT.MBABANE  It is going to be an expensive walk to freedom for Simeon Makhubu. The former Mhlatane High School Head teacher was released from prison yesterday at 3:40pm and left in the company of his wife, among other relatives.



However, he has to part with a whopping E474 000 in order to remain outside prison.

This is the fine that has been imposed by Judge Mbutfo Mamba after sentencing him to 19 years and nine months imprisonment for contravening 79 counts under the Prevention of Corruption Act and committing one offence of theft.



The theft is in relation to the charge in which Makhubu (58) was found guilty of diverting a sum of E3 750 from the school coffers to pay for concrete blocks, which were delivered at his homestead in Nkhaba.

Before Makhubu could be released yesterday, Judge Mamba ordered that he should first repay the sum of E3 750 to government or to Mhlatane High School and he did.



To maintain his status as a free man, Makhubu is to pay the entire fine in six months, failing which he would be thrown back to prison.

For each of the 79 counts in respect of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Judge Mamba sentenced the former head teacher to three months imprisonment with an option of a fine of E6 000.

The judge ordered that he should serve each of these sentences independently.



The court also sentenced Makhubu to 37 days in prison without an option of a fine for stealing E3 750 from the school.

However, this sentence was backdated to January 31 which is the day on which he was convicted. Yesterday was the 37th day he spent in custody since his conviction, meaning that he will not have to go to jail to serve this sentence.MBABANE  Senator Sibusiso Shongwe may be fighting his personal legal battles against the Anti Corruption Commission, which he argues is illegal but over 40 people believe their lives are dependent on his success.



These are the people who claim to be praying for him on a daily basis and are closely following his case as it unfolds before court.

They have one thing in common with him; they are also out on bail after being arrested on alleged corruption charges.



According to the ACC 2016/17 annual report, the number of cases pending in the courts stood at thirty-five (35), with one (1) acquittal.

Some of the suspects believe that should Shongwe succeed, it would open the door for them to challenge their arrests, as they would have also been arrested by an illegal institution.



Shongwe, in one of his prayers, is arguing that the Anti Corruption Commission is illegal and unconstitutional in law because the only person who can investigate and process complaints in the public and private interest in the country, is provided in the Constitution.

He avers that it is only the Commissioner for Human Rights and Public Administration as per section 164(f) of the Constitution, who has such rights.



He contends that ACC Commissioner is illegally in office, in that the provisions of Section 173(4) of the Constitution and therefor the said office is vacant.



Victory

The suspects backing Shongwe for victory, albeit behind the scenes hold this premise on a ruling issued by the Judge of the High Court, Thomas Masuku in the matter between Mandla Albon Dlamini vs. The State, in May 2003.LOBAMBA  If the words of the Minister of Public Service, Owen Nxumalo are anything to go by, then civil servants would have something to smile about this year.



The minister has given assurance that civil servants would definitely get something regarding the cost of living adjustment (COLA) that they have been fighting for.



Nxumalo made the assurance during the portfolio committee debate of his ministry in Parliament yesterday after MPs demanded to know what government was doing about the issue.



During the debate, Hosea MP Thulani Masuku demanded to know as to how and why government arrived at the decision that the COLA should go to the negotiations table.



Masukus argument was that the COLA was different from a salary review of civil servants, which he said meant there was no need to take it to the negotiations table.



Government did this on purpose because it knew that at the negotiations table, it would be able to do as it pleases and eventually win over the civil servants, said Masuku.

Joining the debate, MP Jan Sithole said government needed to understand that there were cost implications for the action of not taking the COLA seriously.



According to Sithole, whenever the salary review was done every five years, it was bound to be costly so long as the cost of living adjustment was not being

considered prior.



In response, Nxumalo told the legislators that last year there were financial challenges, which was the reason the wishes of the civil servants were not fulfilled.

I cannot commit myself to a figure but I can safely say that it is being considered this year. Something will be done for civil servants. I will return to give MPs a full report.



Nxumalo did not elaborate much on the issue to offer clarity on where the money to implement the process would come from.

Principal Secretary, Evart Madlopha could also not shed light on where the money would come from as he only stated that government got money from sources such as taxes.Vonage Business Cloud is Here

By Maurice Nagle , Web Editor

Business VoIP solutions are transforming collaboration. Riding the wave of innovation in the cloud, there is a new generation of scalable, flexible, reliable and high-performing solutions. Across the board, a revolution is taking place with cloud computing leading the charge.

This week, Vonage announced the arrival of the Vonage Business Cloud. The cloud-native solution was three years in the making, designed to replace the retired Vonage essentials and serve mid-market businesses.

Bringing together communications APIs and unified communications, Vonage Business Cloud touts the ability to deliver a seamless communications experience. A platform capable of providing rich messaging, network optimization, increases mobility and more, Vonage is addressing a market ready to spike with a formidable offerings.

"With an eye on the future, we've ensured that the ever-evolving and real-time nature of our next-gen mobile app provides customers with the latest features and best user experience," said Omar Javaid, Chief Product Officer. "The Vonage Business Cloud app puts the power of advanced business communications in the palm of your hand."

Promising new features like a Business Inbox, Desktop Application, Spam Shield as well as a more intuitive mobile experience, those migrated from Vonage Essentials to the newly released platform are taking full advantage.

"We are in a strong position to address the needs of larger businesses with the launch of the Vonage Business Cloud," said Alan Masarek, Vonage Chief Executive Officer. "Vonage is redefining how businesses communicate and our new platform will enable us to deliver innovative solutions to drive better business outcomes for our customers."

Communication is a key ingredient to a successful business. From the mom and pop shop to the Fortune 500, the phone system matters. Business VoIP, virtual PBX, UCaaS, whatever flavor you choose, choose wisely.

Are your business communications in the cloud?

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Edited by Mandi Nowitz[March 10, 2018] Vikram Solar Ties up with France's CEA to Drive Innovative Technology Research and Development

NEW DELHI, March 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Vikram Solar, one of India's leading module manufacturer and a prominent rooftop solar & EPC solutions provider signed a Collaboration Agreement with the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), a key player in research, development and innovation. The agreement was exchanged today during Honorable French President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron's India visit . A high efficiency heterojunction module manufactured using both organisations' know-how and technological expertise will be showcased at the Rashtrapati Bhavan during the ISA Founding ceremony on 11th March. The association will look to enhance research and developments on high efficiency crystalline silicon cells, modules, systems and a host of high efficiency generation and storage technologies for French and Indian markets. Under the MoU, CEA will share their know-how and technologies in the field of solar energy, storage, smart grid and thermal efficiency while Vikram Solar will apply these technologies in large volume manufacturing with a wider objective of improving solar photovoltaic cells and modules to perform at record-efficiency in energy conversion and simultaneously developing battery solutions by increasing their energy storage capacity. Other advanced research and development areas of collaboration will include crystallization and wafering, mono and bi-facial modules, Agri-photovoltaics, Solar mobility etc. as well as exploring new competitive materials in order to reduce costs. Mr. Gyanesh Chaudhary, MD & CEO, Vikram Solar Limited, shared on the occasion, "Vikram Solar has always been at the forefront of innovation through research and development that helps India grow and develop and be a more sustainable nation. Our association with CEA will strenghen our focus on newer technology and in turn increase opportunity for both parties to work towards a more sustainable and efficient ecosystem."



Mr. Christophe Gegout, Deputy Chairman of the CEA, commented, "Our association with Vikram Solar comes at a time when the need for renewables is at an all time high in India as well as globally. This is a perfect time for us to leverage our strength in research and development and fuse it with Vikram Solar's long standing position as a leading global solar module player with key focus on quality, technology and innovation." The CEA carries out research on thermal and photovoltaic solar energy, in support of industrial companies in the sector. In the field of solar thermal energy, the CEA has, within the National Institute of Solar Energy (INES), an R&D platform dedicated to the optimisation of solar thermal systems. The CEA also carries out research on the production of electricity using a thermodynamic process known as concentrating solar power technology. In the field of photovoltaics, the CEA's research is focusing on improving the output and reducing the costs of photovoltaic modules, and also anticipating the problems of integration in the grid which will arise following a massive insertion of renewables in the energy mix. This work, carried out at INES, makes use of its technological platform to manufacture cells and modules and its software platform to simulate the behaviour of a future grid with renewable energy sources, as well as storage and consumption equipments.

About Vikram Solar Limited: Vikram Solar Limited (formerly known as Vikram Solar Pvt. Ltd.) is a leading solar energy solutions provider, specializing in efficient PV module manufacturing and comprehensive EPC solutions. With international presence in 5 continents, the Company is an active contributor in shaping the solar revolution across continents. Carrying forward the extensive manufacturing experience of the Vikram Group, Vikram Solar, since 2006, is building on a 4-decade-old success story. Vikram Solar's annual PV Module production capacity stands at 1 GW. The Company's products comply with the international standards of quality, reliability and performance. As a fully forward- integrated Solar EPC solutions provider, Vikram Solar deploys world- class technology to design, install and commission solar projects worldwide. About CEA: The French Atomic Energy and Alternative Energy Commission (CEA, Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives) is a public research agency involved in four major fields: defence and security, nuclear and renewable energy, technological research for industry and fundamental research. With 16,000 researchers and employees, it is a major player in European research and enjoys a growing presence on the world scene. The activities of CEA-Liten, the technology research institute at CEA Tech dedicated to new energy technologies, are focusing on four key areas: solar energy, batteries, hydrogen and fuel cells, and advanced materials, addressing electricity production, building, transport and mobile electronics as main markets. Its R&D activities for solar technologies are the heart of INES, a major European center dedicated to research, innovation and training on solar energy Find out more www.cea.fr

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][March 09, 2018] Florida Agency Network Closes Florida's First Fully-Digital Real Estate Transaction

TAMPA, Fla., March 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Agency Network announced the completion of Florida's first 100 percent paperless, fully-digital real estate closing transaction. The closing was completed by Paramount Title, a member of the Florida Agency Network, on March 7 in the Century 21 Beggins' Madeira Beach office. All closing documents were executed electronically, and the Electronic Notarization of deeds and affidavits was performed by Notarize via an app interface utilizing a Notary in the state of Virginia. "This is a historic transaction not just for Paramount Title and the Florida Agency Network, but also for the State of Florida and the real estate and settlement industry. We have long dreamed of the day of having a truly paperless closing, including the documents requiring notarization. We literally prepared, closed, and recorded an entire transaction digitally, without printing anything on paper. Our goal is to make this an option for all our clients. Not only does it streamline the process, but now reduces our industry's impact on the environment. Paperless, digital closings offer many advantages versus the slower, traditional paper-based system. The paperless era has officially arrived!" said Aaron M. Davis, CEO of Florida Agency Network. Paramount Title partnered with Notarize, the first notary public platform allowing any person or business to get their documents legally notarized online. Notarize's propriety software system enables a completely paperless process via any mobile dvice. The Notarize platform saves time and money, reduces fraud, and provides a better customer experience by improving efficiency and convenience.



"In keeping with the culture of Century 21 and our focus on technology and the consumer experience, it was exciting to be a part of history. Innovation is key to success in the real estate business. As an industry, we must develop a speedier and more efficient closing process. This was a strong step in the right direction, and we look forward to many more," said Craig Beggins, the Broker/Owner of Century 21 Beggins. About Paramount Title

Paramount Title is a consumer-focused independent title agency. Its goal is to deliver superior title services with exceptional competence, communication, professionalism and service. Paramount Title has multiple national underwriter relationships and works with the largest real estate companies, developers and banks in the country, and closes transactions statewide. To learn more, visit http://ptitlefl.com.

About the Florida Agency Network

The FLORIDA AGENCY NETWORK (FAN) is a conglomerate of independent title agencies, settlement service providers, and innovative technology companies within the State of Florida. FAN has formed a strategic alliance amongst members and vendors, in addition to creating proprietary technologies, to better serve its clients, allowing it to provide customized solutions to protect and streamline the closing experience. Members share back office services, pooled resources, access to industry-leading technology, improved efficiencies, and the ability to offer their clients greater geographic coverage throughout Florida with SOC 1 Type 2 and SOC 2 Type 2 security compliance solutions available. For more information, please visit http://www.FLagency.net. About CENTURY 21 Beggins Enterprises

CENTURY 21 Beggins is a special and diverse place driven by passion and integrity to empower, educate, and encourage our Agents, Staff and Clients to live the lifestyle of their dreams. We service West Central Florida with 10 locations from Clearwater to Sarasota. To learn more, visit http://C21Beggins.com. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/florida-agency-network-closes-floridas-first-fully-digital-real-estate-transaction-300611728.html SOURCE Florida Agency Network

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]The father of a 19-year-old Shawnee Mission South student says his daughter was sexually assaulted last April on a school bus as she was returning home from school. The allegations are detailed in a lawsuit filed this week against First Student Inc., which last year lost its transportation contract with the Shawnee Mission School District.Man charged with threatening to 'shoot up' school KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A 40-year-old Kansas City man is facing charges for threatening to "shoot up" his child's elementary school. Prosecutors Friday charged Samnang Duong with one felony count of making a terrorist threat. On Jan.

Serious consequences confront this dude after tough talk during a tense situation . . . Read more:Parade Founder Mickey Finn tells the story of how Snake Saturday came to life in 1983. The concept started as a promotion for Rodeway Inn, with four floats, a Grand Marshal and co-founder, Bill Grigsby. It was cold outside, only about ten degrees. The parade took place in the motel parking lot, allowing people to view from their hotel rooms and the coffee shop.

Parade Founder Mickey Finn and co-founder Bill Grigsby





And what would a parade be without a winner of Best of Parade? A young lady on the back of a Harley Davidson motorcycle wearing a bright green bikini took home the honor. After the parade, the North Kansas City mayor turned to Mickey Finn and said, We might as well take it to the street next year. And as they say, the rest is history. The parade has celebrated every year since, regardless of weather conditions and always on the Saturday before St. Patricks Day.

Like it or not, Kansas City St. Paddy's Day has become increasingly rough, violent, sometimes depraved and an altogether unseemly affair whilst Snake Saturday has essentially has served as a boozy family retreat.

Let's start with a caveat . . . Most of the plebs attending today's parade have pure hearts and merely desire a fun family time where drinking in public with a baby in tow is widely accepted - We wouldn't dare want to ruin their fun and a well-deserved respite from the ongoing war against the American working-class.However . . .There's no denying that the popularity of thehas exploded over the past few years . . . The inquiring minds of our blog community want to know why!!!A bit of history about the parade from theirThat's actually a pretty great story that might not speak to Irish heritage but still reveals that gawking at hot chicks is a Kansas City tradition.But back to the recent rise of Snake Saturday . . .Reactionaries and bitter old men will automatically blame Black youngsters for KC Parade vice but those same old codgers have seemingly never witnessed the off-putting sight of a fat sorority broad puking up green beer in the middle of Westport.To be fair, over the past years gun play has been part of St. Paddy's festivities in KC proper. LGBT party-goers dominate the midtown "Irish" scene and tranny leprechauns sometimes scare prudish suburbanites, local Latino devotees to San Patricio always love to throw hard looks at each other and everyone else and politicos desperate for any advantage have also mired the parade.Meanwhile, the Snake Saturday warm-up is a much more wholesome affair by comparison.The minor tragedy here is that KCMO like the rest of the nation is having a hard time uniting people in the same public space. On the bright side, more drunken "family" public partying is always good for biz and the local bottom line.You decide . . .Sprint will cut 500 jobs at its headquarters - Kansas City Business Journal Sprint Corp. will cut 500 jobs from its Overland Park headquarters in the coming weeks. The cuts are part of a broader restructuring effort by the company to reduce internal costs and free up money for its network and sales.

It's not even the beginning of the end . . . But more like death rattle of a company that's desperately looking to merge with a more successful operation and totally lacking interest in this flyover country outpost. Take a look:KC NoVA Media Advisory: Police, community to canvas NE neighborhoods Saturday

Partners in the Kansas City No Violence Alliance (KC NoVA), including law enforcement, prosecutors and community leaders, will be canvassing residences and businesses in Northeast Kansas City on Saturday, beginning about 10 a.m. and ending about 2 p.m. The partners will spread information about KC NoVA's new efforts to reduce crime in that area. Last Saturday, dozens of Northeast community members were briefed by police on the new effort in their neighborhood.

MEANWHILE, THE RATE OF KANSAS CITY HOMICIDES IN 2018 OUTPACES LAST YEAR'S HISTORIC MURDER SPIKE!!!

Here's a note on local politicos, po-po and bureaucrats going out into neighborhoods and talking with residents who aren't really part of the problem about rising crime . . .Checkit . . .More to the point . . .And so the question goes out to our blog community . . . As Northeast copes with an ongoing spike in violence, shootings and homicides . . . Will this effort prove effective???You decide . . .The Philoxenia Program College Student Trip is programmed to take place between July 9 and July 18

Twenty lucky students of Greek descent in Canada and the United States are being invited to apply for a 10-day trip to Greece this summer.

The Philoxenia Program College Student Trip is programmed to take place between July 9 and July 18. The General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad is accepting applications for its 2018 program

The itinerary features meetings in Athens with government officials which focus on national and economic issues. Also included in the program are visits to the Acropolis and museums, attendance to lectures, participation in cultural events and two daily excursions; one in the Peloponnese region which includes the archaeological site of Mycenae, the ancient theater of Epidaurus and the city of Nafplion. The other excursion is a cruise to Hydra.

At some point during their trip, the students will also have the opportunity to visit the Presidential Mansion and the Hellenic Parliament.

Applications can be submitted up until April 20 to: the Consulate General in Montreal 1002 Sherbrooke Ouest, Suite 2620, Montreal, QC, Canada H3A 3L6 Tel. 514 8752119.

Read more here.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Christophe Meneboeuf License: CC-BY-SA

Source: greekreporter.comuttara@tribuneindia.com

Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, March 10

With banks wary of lending money to diamond merchants in the wake of Rs 12,000 crore Nirav Modi scam, a section of the trade fears that cutting and polishing units, which employs lakhs of people, may move out of the country.



According to those in the trade, China has been aggressively wooing Indian diamond cutting and polishing units to set up facilities in the country.

Apart from cheaper labour the Chinese are offering better infrastructure, says the owner of a mid-sized diamond polishing company with units in Mumbai and Surat.



Though the Chinese began laying out the red carpet for Indian diamantaires several years ago, few had taken the bait so far.

The diamond industry in India operates on trust and word of mouth. The business is dominated by members of the Palanpuri Jain community whose entire families are in the trade, says another diamond merchant.



Most of the smaller diamond merchants also access funds from the grey market or from members of their community.

Only some of the biggest names in the business borrow from the banks. The smaller companies depend on private financiers for funds, says Dinesh Nevadiya, an office-bearer of the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council.



However, the big players with operations in Antwerp, Israel and other places may be wooed by the Chinese, who are even setting up cutting and polishing facilities in African countries like Zimbabwe, where the cost of labour is much cheaper than in India.



Some diamond merchants however feel that the bulk of the trade will continue to remain in India and the crisis sparked by the Nirav Modi scam will blow over.editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 10

Yet another woman in the city became a victim of Motorcycle-borne snatchers today.

A resident of Kharar, Samita, informed the police that she was standing at the Sarangpur barrier when two youth, who were on a black motorcycle, snatched her purse and fled the spot.

Soon after the incident, the police set up nakas in the city to catch the snatchers, but to no avail. There has been no respite from snatchings in the city for the past many days.editorial@tribune.com

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 10

After having spent lakhs on building open air gyms in green belts, city Municipal Commissioner Jitender Yadav has now realised that the equipment purchased for these are not fit for outdoor activity.

When councillors told him about the poor quality of equipment at these gyms in the last House meeting, Jitender Yadav said, Actually these equipment are not fit for outdoor activity. They will also have the issue of maintenance. The equipment used at Sukhna Lake are the best for it. When I joined, the work had already started, so we will take care of it in future.

As per MC officials, around 20 to 25 open air gyms have been set up in different green belts of the city. Around Rs 3 lakh has been spent on each of these.

Senior Deputy Mayor Gurpreet Singh Dhillon said, An open air gym was installed in my ward, but in four months, it needed repair. The equipment installed at the gym are of substandard quality. Former Mayor Asha Kumari Jaswal too felt the quality of machines was bad and there should be a set specification for it.

An open air gym in Sector 29, which was built last year, is also facing the similar issue as the equipment installed there started breaking down in the first month of its installation. I had intimidate officials concerned about this. I have also written to the Mayor to ensure proper utilisation of every single penny spent from the public exchequer, said councillor Shakti Devshali.

Earlier, all equipment of an open air gym at the Sector 15 green belt were removed as these were of poor quality. Such complaints were received from Sector 38 and Mani Majra too.

Two more gyms opened

Mayor Davesh Moudgil on Saturday inaugurated open air gyms at two green belts at Sector 47 C-D, opposite the Community Centre, and Sector 48 A-B, near Banyan Tree School, in presence of councillors and officials of the Municipal Corporation. While addressing the gathering, the Mayor said the aim of the MC is to provide open air gyms in each and every big park. He said keeping in view the health of the general public, the local Municipal Corporation was committed to provide the best possible facilities and infrastructure on their doorstep. The total cost of both open air gyms was around Rs 7 lakh.

10 safai sewaks honourededitorial@tribune.com

Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Hathin (Palwal), March 10

Randeep Surjewala, national media in charge of the Congress, today said that his party, if voted to power in the state in the next elections, would get probed all violence incidents that took place during the present BJP regime. He claimed that the people of the state would vote out the BJP for its failure to pursue pro-people policies.

Surjewala was addressing a Parivartan Rally organised by the district Mahila Congress cell at Anaz Mandi here. He criticised the Manohar Lal Khattar government for its alleged failure to address issues of farmers, youths, employment and the states financial health. He said the state was today under a record debt of Rs 141,792 crore in just four years of the BJP rule. The debt was Rs 60,000 crore in 2014 and it has swollen by 136.32 per cent in the past four years of the BJP rule.

Surjewala said that the debt on the state was rising by a whopping Rs 93.13 crore each hour and criticised the government decision to borrow Rs 20,367 crore more.

He said it was unfortunate that caste violence took place in the state for the first time in 2016 and the culprits ought to be punished. The Congress if voted to power would probe such incidents and ensure the culprits were punished, he added. Almost all speakers projected Surjewala as next Chief Minister.

Surjewala flayed the Central and state governments for not addressing the issues of farmers. He said that against the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 4,000 per qunital for mustard, which has started arriving at mandis in the state, farmers were forced to sell it for Rs 3,500 per quintal. The BJP government had fooled people during the last elections by promising that it would ensure a 50 per cent profit on crops but gave an affidavit in the Supreme Court on February 22, 2015, saying it was nonviable.

Surjewala said the imposition of tax on fertilisers was an assault on farmers interests. Around 47,000 farmers committed suicide in one year.

The Congress will make a strong comeback by winning more than 67 seats. It will ensure that the state is put back on the development path, he added.editorial@tribune.com

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, March 10

Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh today exhorted budding scientists to be connected with farmers and take research to the fields so that farmers could avail benefits of research work.

He was chairing the 16th convocation of the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), a deemed university, in which degrees were conferred on 278 passouts  105 PhD (including a foreigner), 146 masters and 27 BTech. Singh lauded the contribution of the NDRI and said it had been providing a large number of trained young professionals in dairy production, processing and management to the nation.

He said with the contribution of such institutes, India continued to be the largest milk producer in the world for the last 20 years. In the last six years, milk production had increased from 121.8 million tonnes in 2010-11 to 165.4 million tonnes in 2016-17, he said.

In the first three years of this period up to 2013-14, the increase in milk production was 13 per cent, after which the increase was over 20 per cent, he said. He added that the per capita availability increased by only 9 per cent from 2010-11 to 2013-14 while it increased by 15 per cent from 2013-14 to 2016-17.

Singh emphasised the commitment of the government to the dairy sector. He said that the national mission on bovine productivity with allocation of Rs 825 crore was initiated for genetic upgrade of cattle and buffalo population through delivery of breeding inputs at the farmers doorstep.

He emphasised that there was a need for developing and commercialising value-added products prepared by using cow urine and dung.

Dr RRB Singh, Director, NDRI, presented the progress report and expressed satisfaction over the placement of students. He said that in 2016-17, the average salary offered to the NDRI passouts was Rs 4.8 lakh and Rs 6 lakhs per annum for graduates and postgraduates, respectively.

The minister presented the best teacher award to Dr Rajan Sharma, principal scientist, in recognition of academic excellence. Dr Singh presented gold medal for highest marks during PhD in production, processing and management groups to Dr Sunil Kumar, Dr Ritu Chakravarty and Dr Showkat Ahmad Bhat, respectively.editorial@tribune.com

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, March 10

Tamil superstar Rajinikanth today visited Palampur amidst rumours that he was joining politics and contesting the next Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. Rajinikanth arrived here by the Delhi-Dharamsala flight this afternoon and headed for Kandwari, a small village near Palampur. He was received at the airport by former CM Prem Kumar Dhumal who accompanied him to the ashram of religious guru Amar Jyoti Baba in Kandhbari.

Sources in the ashram said that Rajinikanth had sought appointment with the guru two months ago and would be staying there for a few days. He was, however, not available for comments.

Rajinikanth announced his entry into electoral politics on December 31, 2017. It was said that his party would contest all 234 seats in the next Assembly election.

Rajinikanth has termed his forming of a political party as the need of the hour that will strive for honest governance to uproot corruption and practice spiritual politics.editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Mandi, March 10

To end the protest over the shifting of the SDM office, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today asked residents of Janjehli to have a dialogue and resolve the matter.

Thakur is on a two-day visit to his Assembly segment Seraj to lay stones of various development projects.

Addressing a gathering at Bagsaid, Thakur said he was deeply hurt and saddened by the unrest created by a few people in the name of SDM office at Janjehli.

The SDM office was shifted to Thunag following the court orders. The government has nothing to do with it. The residents will soon realise it and work unitedly for the development of Seraj, leaving behind petty politics, he said.

He added: For me, Janjehli and Thunag are the same and the people residing at these places are like a family. I invite them to have a dialogue and resolve the issue. My government is open to talks, Thakur said.

He laid the foundation stone of a civil hospital at Bagsiad, which is to be completed with an outlay of Rs 27 crore. The Chief Minister also performed the bhoomi poojan of the 7.6 km-Bagsaid-Tikker road to be constructed at a cost of Rs 3.46 crore.

He said the work would be started soon, adding that the Pandoh-Kanda road would be developed as a major district road to be constructed under the Central Road Fund (CRF) for which he announced a sum of Rs 26 crore. Thakur also announced Rs 5 lakh each for the Thatch Kainchi-Harnala road and Sunaas-Khanagi road. A sum of Rs 3 lakh for the Bagsiad road, Rs 2 lakh for the Raingaloo-Lot road, Rs 10 lakh for the Naga-Keoli road in GP Saran and Rs 2 lakh for the Bajehi-Lower Ghulach road in GP Kandh Bagi. He announced a sum of Rs 15 lakh for the development of Thunag panchayat, Rs 10 lakh each for Shikavari, Behlidhaar and Pakhrer panchayats, Rs 1 crore for the construction of the third storey of the ITI building at Bagsiad.

The office of the IPH division at Thunag and the camp office of the Chief Ministers Constituency Cell were also inaugurated. The Chief Minister said now the people would not have to travel to Shimla for getting their works done as the constituency cell established at Thunag would cater to their needs.

A sum of Rs 100 crore will be spent on tarring and metalling of roads, Rs 1 crore on the bus stand at Thunag. Road projects worth Rs 68 crore under the PMGSY and NABARD are being executed in the constituency, besides a huge sum is being spent on the renovation of a 45-km road in Seraj. Helipad would be developed, the Chief Minister added.editorial@tribune.com

Tribune Reporters

Jammu/Doda, March 10

A complete shutdown was observed in Kishtwar town today to protest the killing of a local businessman by unknown gunmen on Friday night.

Traders of both communities shut their business establishments and demanded a free and fair inquiry into the killing of Ishtiaq Ahmed Dar (in pic).

While the town remains on the edge following the killing, the situation remained under control today.

A special investigation team (SIT), constituted by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Kishtwar, Abrar Choudhary, started investigation into the case on Friday night.

The SIT team is headed by Additional Superintendent of Police (SP) Parbeet Singh. Deputy SP, Operations, Kishtwar, Nissar Ahmed, Inspector Sameer Jillani, Station House Officer, Kishtwar police station, Mansoor Ahmed and Inspector Haji Mohammad Bashir, Station House Officer, Chatroo police station, are its members.

This case is challenging for us but we are hopeful of positive results. In such cases, the police round up suspects for questioning. We have also rounded up a few suspects but no one has been arrested, the Kishtwar SSP told mediapersons at Kishtwar today.

Sources, however, said the police had got some leads and they were close to cracking the case.

It has been observed in the preliminary investigation that Dar had some personal animosity with some people living in the area. Before being shot from a close range, Dar had received a phone call and was asked to meet in a lane, said a source.

The police have found that a Chinese pistol has been used in the crime and Dar was shot in the head from a close range, the source said.

Dar was shot by unknown gunmen around 9 pm on Friday near Islamia Faridiya College, Kishtwar. He was rushed to District Hospital, Kishtwar, where doctors declared him brought dead.

Meanwhile, general secretary, Beopar Mandal, Kishtwar, Arshad Giri said: This is the first-of-its-kind incident in Kishtwar where a businessman has been shot dead. Traders unanimously decided to close their establishments to protest the killing.

We are satisfied with the way the administration and the police have handled the case and initiated an inquiry by constituting a SIT, Giri said.

Traders seek fair proberchopra@tribunemail.com

Poonch, March 10

The Pakistan Army on Saturday initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing in Jammu and Kashmirs Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch along the Line of Control (LoC).

The troops resorted to firing of small arms, automatics and mortars; while the Indian Army is retaliating strongly and effectively.

Further details are awaited.

This comes a day after Pakistan resorted to ceasefire violation in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch sector. ANIshalender@tribune.com

Rifat Mohidin

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 10

After over three months of winter break, Valley schools opened today.

The winter vacation began on December 3 and schools were scheduled to open on March 1. However, the government extended the break till March 9 to prevent law and order problems arising out of civilian killings in Shopian.

In south Kashmir districts which have been witnessing protests for a week, schools are scheduled to open on Monday, officials said.

The rush of school vans and buses caused congestion on roads, particularly in Srinagar. We were waiting to come to school for two months and I am happy to meet my friends, said Anfa Jan, a class V student.

Parents and students have expressed concerned as there has already been a delay in the commencement of the new session.

The political uncertainty in the Valley due to protests and shutdowns has pushed the education of children to the edge. In the 2016 unrest, students lost five months of education. In 2017 again, widespread student protests caused another setback and schools were closed for more than a month.

We hope the situation remains peaceful and our children do not have to suffer again, said Abdul Ahad, a parent.

The government has announced school timing from 10 am to 3 pm within the municipal limits of Srinagar. However, parents have appealed to the government to change the timing to 9 am, so that students do not have to face traffic jams.

All government and private schools witnessed good attendance on the first day, which was observed as 'welcome day'.

Extended vacationROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Of toned bodies and stunt scenes

Tiger Shroff and Disha Patani

Hardcore fitness enthusiasts Tiger Shroff and Disha Patani have often been spotted heading out of the gym together. The duo wowed us with their toned bodies in their respective movies and now the two will be seen sharing screen space in Baaghi 2. We hear they have performed some high octane stunts in the movie.

Till the trainer do us part

Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif -

Alia and Katrina are often seen working out together as they share the common trainer - Yasmin Karachiwala. Videos of the two working out together definitely make us want to dust off that long-forgotten gym bag.

Proper gym buddies

Kareena Kapoor and Amrita Arora -

The two ladies are spotted together not just in parties but also at gym, burning calories. The yummy mummies perform kettle bell squats, strength training like heavy rope workout, a solid core workout and much more. Its always inspiring to watch them.

The ballet girls

Anusha Dandekar and Lauren Gottlieb -

Its hotness overloaded when Anusha and Lauren pose together. The duo was brought together for their love of dance by renowned Ballerina, Cindy Jourdain, who danced for the English National Ballet and the Royal Ballet Company in London. The girls were seen sweating it out by learning ballet

When hobby plays Cupid

Karan Singh Grover and Bipasha Basu -

The two are often seen working out together with the same trainer. Bipasha is known for being a fitness freak and Karan, too, is known for his physique. Thats also how they bonded on the sets of their film talking about fitness!ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Amarjot Kaur

A rather splendid historical account of Sikh heritage in the form of an exhibition on Guru Gobind Singhs journey from Patna to Nanded, stands open for both interaction and interpretation at Panjab Universitys Law Auditorium, which is hosting the sixth edition of the two-day long World Punjabi Conference.

Organised by National Institute of Punjab Studies, Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan, New Delhi, the insightful exhibition has been curated by Mohinder Singh, who is the professor and director of the institute. For the last three years, Singh had been travelling extensively in Punjab to trace the material remains of Sikh heritage. We wanted to put up this exhibition to mark the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh, he says, while sharing the course of the exhibition and its execution at Universitys Coffee House.

The first frame of the exhibition, which has some 20 panels of photographs with reference text, is a newspaper clipping of The Tribune. This was the time when six relics of Guru Gobind Singh were brought from London in a special carrier, called Meghdoot, in 1966 from the decedents of Lord Dalhousie, explains Mohinder Singh. A miniature painting, titled Sahib-e-Kamal, which is at the Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata, depicts an image of Guru Gobind Singh on his steed.

This painting is believed to have captured Guru Gobind Singhs looks with much precision, he says. In the next painting, he introduces the viewer to the evolution of Sikhism as Guru Gobind Singh introduced the practice of beating the Nagada. We moved from Guru Nanaks Rabab to Guru Gobinds Nagada. Nagada marked a defining change in the identity of Sikhs; they were no longer the low-laying simplistic folk. They were announcing their arrival and the arrival of their religion, Singh elaborates. Guru Gobind Singh introduced the practice of beating the nagada at the sovereign city of Anandpur as culmination of Guru Nanaks mission.

Heritage call

There are also pictures of gurdwaras, pointing at the spread of Sikhism through early Sikh sangats. These pictures are of Gurdwara Khalsa ji at Kabul, Gurdwara Rori Sahib in Pakistans Eminabad, Gurdwara Dhubri Sahib in Assam, and Gurdwara Nanakshahi in Dhaka. Courtesy Anurag Singh, a historic painting of Guru Teg Bahadur in Dhaka, which according to Dr Trilochan Singh was painted by Ahsaan, royal painter of Shaishta Khan, Mughal Governor of Bengal, also makes it to the one of the panels of the exhibition. It also shows the hukamnama of Guru Tegh Bahadur to sangat of Patna from rare Guru Granth Sahib Manuscript at Takhat Sri Patna Sahib and a painting by Amolak Singh, depicting child Gobind Rai meeting his father Guru Tegh Bahadur in Patna.

Along with the glimpses of Gurus childhood, the exhibition also shows the relics associated with Gurus childhood in Takhat Sri Harmandir Sahib, Patna. Pointing at a picture of Takhat Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Mohinder shares, This is the birthplace of Khalsa.

The exhibition paints a vivid description of Sikh warrior saints and their tales of valour that described the course of Sikh history through compelling photographs of Mai Bhago, Bhai Bachittar Singh and the historic Baisakhi of 1699.

amarjot@tribunemail.com

(On till March 11 at Law Auditorium of Panjab University)rchopra@tribunemail.com

Mumbai, March 10

Actor Rahul Roy, who starred in the original Aashiqui, is looking forward to his return to the big screen with Welcome To Russia.

Im happy with the production. It is being shot very well technically and has a good love story and good music, Rahul said in a statement.

Rahul plays Arsan in the movie, directed by Nitin Gupta and produced by Neole Films.

The character is half Russian, half Indian, a high-ranking cop in Russia, also a marksman, a thoroughly corrupt cop who is involved with the Russian mafia. My look and role is very different and exciting. This film will be released this year and I am looking forward to it, he added.

Rahul had last year said he hoped to explore different arenas of Indian cinema.

He said he had not worked in India for a long time as he was in Australia for nine years before deciding to come back in 2015.

During the peak of his career, Rahul featured in Hindi movies like Junoon and Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee. Much later, he won the first season of TV reality show Bigg Boss in 2007. IANSmonicakchauhan@gmail.com

Kozhikode (Kerala), March 10

On her first visit to her home state Kerala after the Supreme Court upheld her marriage with Shafin Jahan, Hadiya on Saturday said "all this happened as I embraced Islam".

"The Constitution gives all the freedom to choose their religion, which is a fundamental right of every citizen and all this happened because I embraced Islam," said Hadiya while interacting with the media.

Hadiya and her husband arrived here on Saturday from Salem and drove to the office of the Popular Front of India (PFI) where she briefly interacted with reporters.

"With the Supreme Court upholding our marriage, we feel we have got freedom," Hadiya said here. The top court on March 8, set aside an order of the Kerala High Court that annulled their marriage.

Hadiya, 24, earlier Akhila Ashokan, embraced Islam and married Shafin Jahan, a Muslim. Hadiya's father alleged that she was forcibly converted by groups with links to terrorist outfits.

"It was only the PFI that supported us all through our troubled times and what's more surprising is that two Muslim organisations whom we approached refused to help us," added Hadiya who will be in Kerala for three more days before returning to Salem in Tamil Nadu where she is studying.

A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud on Thursday said: "Hadiya alias Akhila Asokan is at liberty to pursue her future endeavours according to law." However, the court also said the National Investigation Agency (NIA) would continue its probe into the criminal dimension of the case, if any.

Hadiya's father has said that he will go ahead in the case seeking legal recourse to the apex court's latest judgement.

IANSuttara@tribuneindia.com

Mumbai, March 10

An Indian Coast Guard helicopter on a routine patrol crash landed in Raigad district of Maharashtra this afternoon, injuring a woman pilot, the Navy said.

All the four crew members of the Coast Guard in the chopper were rescued from the scene of the accident by the Navy and flown to naval hospital 'Asvini' at Mumbai, a Navy officer said, without elaborating.

"A Chetak helicopter of the Indian Coast Guard, during a routine patrol off the coast south of Mumbai, crash landed six nautical miles north of Murud near Alibaug at 1448 hours today," the Western Naval Command said in a statement.

The incident took place near Nandgaon village in Murud area.

"One ICG woman pilot has suffered injuries and is being treated at the naval hospital in Mumbai," it added.

The officer said the Navy launched two Chetak helicopters and a Seaking 'C' chopper on a search and rescue mission and located the ICG helicopter.

One ICG Chetak helicopter and an Air Force Mi 17 chopper were also part of the search operation, the officer said. PTImonicakchauhan@gmail.com

Smita Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 10

Two decades since India -- then facing heat from western nations in the aftermath of nuclear tests -- signed its first strategic partnership with France in 1998, the partners on Saturday stepped up cooperation in the Indian Ocean significantly.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in restricted and delegation-level talks agreed upon a reciprocal logistics agreement between the respective armed forces as well as a separate joint strategic vision document on the Indian Ocean region. This is along the lines of a vision document announced with US in 2015 on the Indo-Pacific.

The agreement with France will facilitate authorised port visits by naval vessels, and reciprocal logistics support during joint exercises, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

"I consider today's agreement of the reciprocal logistics support between our armies as a golden step in the history of our close defence cooperation. Second, both of us believe that in future the Indian Ocean region will play a very important role in the happiness, progress and prosperity of the world," said PM Modi.

With China expanding military bases in Indo-Pacific from Hambantota to Djibouti , the two countries shared their concerns on respect of international law by all States, in particular freedom of navigation and overflight. India has a coastline of 7,500 km, more than 1,380 islands and 2 million sq km of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the region. While France has a military base in Reunion island and 1.6 million of its citizens reside in territory owned in the Indo-Pacific, including 9.1 million sq km of EEZ. Indian and French space agencies will also now provide end-to-end solution for detection, identification and monitoring of vessels in the region.

"We do not want militarisation of the region but our partnership will add to the stability of the region," remarked Macron.

Overall 14 agreements were exchanged between the two sides, including exchange and reciprocal protection of classified or protected information and finding a way forward to expedite the stalled Jaitapur nuclear power plant contract to be built by French state controlled company EDF. Once installed, it will be the largest nuclear power plant in the world, with a total capacity of 10,000 MW. Transfer of technology, guaranteed fuel supply for the plant and liability issues have remained sticking points in negotiations that began in 2009.

On counter terrorism, the joint statement names groups, including Al Qaeda, Daesh/ISIS, Jaish-e-Mohammed,Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Toiba, with an agreement to strengthen counter-terrorism efforts in multilateral fora such as UN, FATF (Financial Action Task Force) and G20 among others.Channi, Sidhu both will be faces of Congress in Punjab polls, says party

Party seeks to control the damage done by AICC general secre...amansharma@tribunemail.com

New Delhi, March 10

France on Saturday pitched for starting negotiations over procurement of another batch of 36 Rafale jets by India with French President Emmanuel Macron describing the fighter jet programme as a key aspect of the bilateral defence cooperation.

Sources said there was a communication from the French government recently indicating its eagerness in making an announcement by the two sides favouring additional procurement of Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force.

They said the issue of Rafale deal figured in the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Macron.

"India had made a sovereign decision in this respect (Rafale fighter jet) and we are monitoring the progress in the field. We very much want to continue the programme.

"It is a long-term contract which is mutually beneficial. I personally consider it as the heart of the strategic partnership," Macron said in a statement to media after talks with Modi.

India had signed a government-to-government deal with France in 2016 to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of about the Rs 58,000 crore. The Congress has been demanding details of the deal, alleging that the deal negotiated under its rule was much cheaper than the contract signed by the Modi government.

Officials said the French side pitched for procurement of another batch of 36 Rafale jets by India during the talks between French Defence Minister Florence Parly and her Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman.

In the meeting, Parly said extending the current deal will further bolster defence cooperation between the two countries, they said. The Indian side conveyed that no decision has been taken yet on the issue.

The Indian Air Force has also been favouring procurement of more Rafale jets from France. It had communicated to India earlier too, seeking additional orders of Rafale jets.

In the talks, Modi and Macron noted with satisfaction the "on-schedule" progress in the implementation of acquisition -- related agreements, including the Rafale aircraft deal, a joint statement issued after Modi-Macron talks said.

"They looked forward to continue their discussions to expand and deepen the ongoing defence manufacturing partnerships," it said. - PTIvinaymishra188@gmail.com

Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 10

The man behind the multi-crore fake GST bills scam, Manish Aggarwal, a small-time accountant, has been nabbed by the Ludhiana police. The accused also had a role in the VAT refund scam in Mandi Gobindgarh and Ludhiana two years ago.

He has been booked for cheating, fraud and criminal conspiracy as well as under the Goods and Services Act.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

According to the police, Aggarwal worked hand in glove with a clerk (under suspension) in the Excise and Taxation Department, Rajiv Kumar, who is yet to be traced. They set up fake firms, registered these under GST and purchased bills from small retailers which they sold to exporters and large manufacturers in Ludhiana and Mandi Gobindgarh, SHO Jatinder Singh told The Tribune.

The firms bought GST bills at 2-7 per cent of the GST levy on goods sold from retailers. They then sold these bills at 5-14 per cent to exporters and large manufacturers, who took input tax credit by submitting these bills while there was no actual sale/export of goods. Aggarwal was tracked through the IP address of a computer used by him to register a company.rchopra@tribunemail.com

United Nations, March 10

Responding to Islamabads bid to raise the Kashmir issue for a second day on Friday at the UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva, India denounced Pakistan as a failed state where terrorists thrived and Osama Bin Laden received protection, and demanded that it bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai, Pathankot and Uri attacks to justice.

Even as terrorists thrive in Pakistan and roam its streets with impunity, we have heard it lecture about the protection of human rights in India, Mini Devi Kumam, a Second Secretary at the Indias UN Mission in Geneva, said.

We await credible action by the Government of Pakistan to bring all those involved in the 2008 Mumbai attack and the 2016 Pathankot and Uri attacks to justice, she said.

The world does not need lessons on democracy and human rights from a country whose own situation is charitably described as a failed state, she added.

Kumam was responding to Tahir Andrabi, Pakistans UN Deputy Permanent Representative in Geneva, who earlier on Friday invoked Jawaharlal Nehru to make his case for a plebiscite in Kashmir.

Andrabi said that at the heart of the Kashmir problem is the right to self-determination which was conceded by the first Prime Minister of India, one of the founding fathers of India and by the UN Security Council through a plebiscite.

Kumum said, Pakistan keeps referring to UN Security Council Resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir. However, it very conveniently forgets its own obligation under these resolutions to first vacate the illegal occupation of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. It has also blatantly disregarded its other commitments, be it under the 1972 Simla Agreement or Lahore Declaration of February 1999. Instead, they continue to support cross-border terrorism in India, she said.

In the Simla Agreement signed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and then-Pakistan President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the two countries agreed that the Kashmir issue is a bilateral issue that had to be resolved without third-party involvement.

The Lahore Declaration by Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Nawaz Sharif commits the two nations to avoid a nuclear arms race.

It is extraordinary that the state which protected Osama Bin Laden and sheltered Mullah Omar should have the gumption to play the victim, she said.

In gross violation of a Council, the UN-designated terrorists like Hafiz Mohammed Saeed are freely operating with state support, and the UN-designated entities are being politically mainstreamed in Pakistan, she added.

Andrabi also accused India of crimes against humanity in Kashmir and of escalating ceasefire violations along the line of control and the border with his country as a diversionary tactic.

On Thursday, he said the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner must not falter in documenting human rights abuses by India and recognise that root of the problem is illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.

But the real problem in the state of Jammu and Kashmir is terrorism, which has constantly received sustenance from Pakistan and territories under its control, Kumam said in reply. We urge the Council to call on Pakistan to end cross-border infiltration; to dismantle special terrorist zones, safe havens and sanctuaries. Terrorism is the grossest violation of human rights, Kumam added.

She listed the various human rights violations against the minorities in Pakistan and demanded remedies for them.

She said there should be procedural and institutional safeguards to prevent misuse of blasphemy law; to end forced conversions and marriages of minorities, including Hindu, Sikh and Christian women, to prosecute all such cases; to stop targeting political dissidents and legitimate criticism in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; to stop torture, enforced disappearances and unlawful killing; including that of journalists and activists by its security agencies and prosecute all perpetrators; to stop sectarian violence, systemic persecution and attacks on Muslim minorities, such as Shias, Ahmadiyas, Ismailia and Hazaras. IANSrchopra@tribunemail.com

Washington, March 10

The US-based Muhajir community has welcomed Indias statement in the UN human rights session on state atrocities committed by Pakistan in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

The inclusion of the name of Sindh in Indias statement on human rights violations is an important and encouraging development for 70 million Muhajirs, Nadeem Nusrat, a US-based Muhajir leader and former convener of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), said.

Appreciating the Indian government for raising its voice on the plight of Muhajirs in Pakistan, Nusrat said Sindh, especially Karachi city and urban centres of Sindh province, had been neglected previously by the world community while highlighting persecution of ethnic groups in Pakistan.

Earlier this year, MQM had launched Free Karachi campaign aimed at highlighting the alleged state-sponsored atrocities on the Muhajirs and other ethnic minority communities in the port city of Pakistan.

The Free Karachi campaign, he said, had been drawing the worlds attention towards the state atrocities of Pakistan on Muhajirs, Baloch, Pashtuns and other religious minorities.

The campaign is approaching international community, lawmakers, decision-making bodies, human rights groups and is getting support from all quarters, he said.

In a statement, he urged all major regional powers of South Asia and international powers to put pressure on Pakistan to end crimes against humanity in Karachi and other urban centres along with Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA tribal areas.

Digital ads of Free Karachi are also running on the website of the New York Times in the latest phase of the campaign. PTIamansharma@tribunemail.com

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 10

Asserting that it was a classic case of pot calling kettle black, Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar on Saturday dismissed Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal's allegations about the Congress legislators interfering in the functioning of the government or being involved in illegal sand mining.

He also rejected Sukhbir's charge that the officers were not under control of the Chief Minister, saying Capt Amarinder was known for his administrative ability and efficiency and in providing better governance and he needed no lessons from someone like Sukhbir.

Moreover, it ill behoves Sukhbir, who himself subverted the bureaucracy and the police hierarchy in the state by superimposing jathedars on them, to accuse Capt Amarinder of something he (Sukhbir) is himself guilty of, the PCC president said.

Questioning the moral authority of the SAD president to accuse the Congress legislators of indulging in illegal sand mining, Jakhar remarked, it is an irony that the person who presided over the loot and robbery of the state resources for ten years was now trying to shift the blame on the Congress.

The PCC president dared the Akali leader to quote one instance that could match the bold and daring step of Capt Amarinder in curbing the illegal activities in the state, whether it was illegal sand mining or the scourge of drugs, all inherited from the Akali-BJP regime.

Advising Sukhbir not to bother about the working of the Congress government, Jakhar assured him that he would soon see the promises being fulfilled as the beginning had already been made in the first year itself.

"We have already done in one year what you could not do in 10 years whether in terms of providing jobs, waiving loans or curbing the drug peddling and we are resolved to take it to the logical conclusion," he asserted.editorial@tribune.com

Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 10

As Punjab gears up for a job fair in Ludhiana on Sunday, a latest study reveals that there has been no public sector employment in the past 20 years. And, in private sector too, jobs are only in informal sector where the quality of work culture and earnings are not standardised.

The study by Ranjit Singh Ghumman of the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID) has revealed that of the total population of 2.77 crore in Punjab, the workforce is 98.97 lakh, 22.22 lakh are totally unemployed, 15.55 lakh are seeking work and 14.46 lakh (14.61 per cent of the workforce) are marginal workers  those who work between 3-6 months a year.

Officially, the government claims that it has given jobs to over 1 lakh people in the past one year. In reality, many of those given letters in job fairs have decided not to opt for the jobs on account of low salary, while others feel they are being under employed in small companies.

The Ludhianas mega job fair, where the CM proposes to hand over letters to 9,000 youth as part of his governments Ghar Ghar Naukri, is expected to be no different, even if it commemorates the Congress first year in office.

While officers argue that the government is making its bid to ensure employment in each house through job fairs, the youth feel that at least some MNCs should be involved.

Data available from the State level Bankers Committee of Punjab shows that only 954 cases have been sanctioned under Stand-Up India programme (till December 2017) and under the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana, 71 per cent of the target has been met.

Technical Education Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, who is overseeing job fairs, told The Tribune that these fairs have led to employment of 54,000 youth. The Congress government has helped create over 1 lakh jobs so far. Agreed that the youth think they can have better employment opportunities, but the effort made by the government should be appreciated, he said.editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, March 10

Two groups of truck operators of Dhuri clashed with each other over the charge of the union today.

The turban of a former minister of the Shiromani Akali Dal was removed in the melee. One group of truckers accused the Dhuri police and local Congress MLA of favouring Jagjit Singh, who tried to take over as president of the union. A woman transporter was also injured and admitted to the Civil Hospital.

Former Akali minister Surinder Singh Dhuri alleged: "Truckers wanted to form a committee to run the union, which was disbanded last year. But local cops at the behest of Congress MLA Dalvir Singh Goldy tried to announce Jagjit Singh as president. When truckers opposed, the policemen and Jagjit's men attacked us and removed my turban and of others as well."

The woman transporter, Parmjit Kaur, alleged that the police were not recording her statement and pressuring her to leave the hospital.

Dirba AAP legislator Harpal Singh Cheema with other leaders and transporters later blocked the Ludhiana-Sangrur road and raised slogans against the government.

Former Congress MLA from Dhuri Dhanwant Singh, also joined the protest and demanded action against accused. "Strict action must be taken against the erring cops and others," he said.

Cheema said: "Congress workers with the help of local cops attacked truckers. We demand immediate action against them."

Goldy, however, denied the allegations and said he had no role as both groups clashed with each other.

Akashdeep Aulakh, DSP, Dhuri, said: "It was a clash between two groups who wanted to get their men elected as president of the union. The police only took some action to maintain law and order. Both groups have been called by the SDM on Monday to sort out the issue.editorial@tribune.com

Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 10

Just about a fortnight after the Punjab Police found itself in dock for putting under arrest an entire family in a drugs case, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has questioned the special task force on investigations so far carried out by it to expose the roots of drug trafficking in Punjab.

Justice Rajan Gupta has also asked the STF to specify whether a composite report has been prepared by it. The developments took place on a petition filed by an Amritsar-based post-graduation student.

As the case came up for resumed hearing, Rachhpal Singh, AIG, STF, Border Range, Amritsar, appeared before Justice Guptas Bench. The state counsel, on instructions from the officer, submitted that the entire family was involved in the drug racket.

The Bench was also told that the STF had been investigating matters pertaining to the crimes under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, as it was specially constituted for the purpose.

Responding to Justice Guptas query on investigations so far conducted by the STF and preparation of composite report, the state counsel submitted he would seek instructions and apprise the court on the next date of hearing.

In her petition against the Punjab Government, Roshni was seeking regular bail in an FIR registered under the provisions of the NDPS Act at the Cantonment police station in Amritsar in December last year.editorial@tribune.com

Monica Arora

As a hub for creative and artistic activities, be it the International Film Festival of India held in November every year to hosting Serendipity Art Festival for two years in succession, in the month of December, since 2017, the tiny state of Goa is not just attracting tourists for its scenic beauty and pristine environs but has also emerged as a hotspot for art aficionados and young artists.

Among the many venues is Sunaparanta  Goa Centre for the Arts. Golden sunsets, breezy ambience and the susegad way of life get amply reflected in its pristine environs. A non-profit, education-based arts initiative by Dipti and Dattaraj V. Salgaocar, it is situated amidst the picturesque Altinho hills of Panjim. The Centre has an artistically designed cafe in the central courtyard and overlooks several exhibition galleries, a large space for workshops and lectures, studios, residency rooms for visiting scholars, artists and faculty, a majestic open-air amphitheatre, all amidst the swaying coconut trees and verdant flora and fauna that Goa is known for. The gallery also hosts Sensorium for three months every year where active participation from leading artists from India and abroad is witnessed. It is a culmination of events created around visual arts, cinema and music and is a virtual celebration of this creative juxtaposition.

Cultural melange

Bringing world-class musicians to the city are Rudolf Ludwig and his Goan wife Yulanda Kammermein, who run the Art Chamber in Goa. Elsewhere, there is the One School for photography, which was set up by Bollywood and advertising guru Shantanu Sheorey a few years ago when he relocated to Goa with his wife, erstwhile Bollywood actress Kimi Katkar, with their son from Pune. With labs boasting of the latest equipment, this institute conducts a three-year degree course and has also hosted the Goa International Photography Festival. Interestingly, the tourism department chose 41 frames shot by its students to be displayed at Dabolim airport.

A potpourri of live art, installations, videos, sculpture, theatre and painting is Heritage Studio. It is an artist-in-residence facility created by Nikhil Chopra, a performance artist. The premises facilitates the coming together of painters, authors, musicians, sculptors and theatre artists. Likewise, there is Gallery Gitanjali that has been associated with the Goa Photography Exhibition, whilst the bustling Kala Academy routinely conducts performance acts by artistes from various corners of the globe.

More in store

The third edition of Sensorium 2018, which concluded recently, was centred around the premise The end is only the beginning, conceived by the Sensoriums co-founder and author Siddharth Dhanvant Shanghvi. It boasted of 28 prolific artists from different corners of the globe. The list of artists and galleries that came together under the eight galleries at Sunaparanta was awe-inspiring and reflected how arts can thrive and blossom given the right impetus and momentum.

Vincent van Gogh remarked, ... and then, I have nature and art and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough? In Goa, there is all this and perhaps a little more....editorial@tribune.com

Nonika Singh

The sky that used to shine with stars seems to have faded. Few and far between, a volley of hot pellets lights up a patch of dull sky, but it doesnt spread a cheer. Its a Valley on fire, dripping with voices of anguish, pain and angst. So how could Neeraj Bakshy, who was born and brought up in Kashmir, escape the trail of violence that led to his exile? But as the noted artist sits down to paint, its not just the turmoil that finds form and colour.

For him, displacement is not just a state of his physical being, but also an acutely gnawing mental condition. The childhood years of catching up with dragon flies, watching owlets come out of their hiding and the breathtaking panoramic vision of the Valley remain indelibly etched on his mindscape. With a deep sense of pride, he shares how his home state is replete with rich visual imagery, folklore and mythological tales. One particular fable that he can never ever forget is a love tale. Elements of the fatalistic love legend often creep into his works along with the other memories.

Back in time, while studying art at Kashmir University, he wanted to be a landscape painter. In fact, till he moved to Jammu and met artists such as the renowned sculptor Rajinder Tiku, he never thought art was a serious vocation. More recently, he exhibited along with senior artist Tiku and a Japanese artist Norio Takaoka at India Art Fair. The collaborative effort, titled Lets Meet in A Dream, once again bought alive magic realism, a constant in his creativity.

If Jammu was the much-needed platform, Delhi proved to be the perfect launch pad. The countrys art capital might be perceived as a cut-throat world where artists never see eye to eye, but he brims with heart warming anecdotes of how senior artists helped him all the way. Legendary MF Husain would nudge buyers to bid for his works. Sakti Burman would get him brushes from Paris. And many a significant artist, such as Anjolie Ela Menon, continue to admire his compositions that are subtle yet powerful, evocative yet intriguing.

Water colour, the volatile medium that is not easy to tame otherwise, captures his flight into surrealism most suitably. Bakshy being an ardent admirer of wildlife, leopards, wolves, snakes make a dominating presence in his creative odyssey firmed up by frequent trips to East Africa where he studied African art. Egyptian and Haitian civilisations, the monumentality and strength of their figures too influence him deeply, but not directly.

Saying it in the face is certainly not an artists wont, so his works are no socio-political statements. Nor does he believe that artists ought to be raconteurs. If you get too much into narration, you lose mystique and ambiguity  the two important threads of art, he says. Even in his recent book, Premonitions: A Graphic Memoir on Kashmir, he has relied simply on line drawings to depict the desolation of the Valley.

Art is his catharsis, indeed. However, looking back is not always a pleasurable journey. For instance, bringing out the book was not in the least bit therapeutic. The walk down memory lane made him remember his friends, long for those carefree days in Anantnag and ache for the beauteous Kashmir.

Ever since he moved away, he hasnt got a chance to exhibit in the Valley. And this is a dream he sees each day with eyes wide open. Till that eventful day, Kashmir will live and breathe in subtle hues in his works... The incertitude of displacement making him plumb deep within from where springs an imagery, rooted and fragmented, lyrical yet haunting, real and metamorphical; his gaze as much of an insider as that of the dispossessed. Pain and loss connect the dots between memory and nostalgia. In the theatre of the absurd, which he creates and recreates, he finds the Kashmiri sense of humour, ominously strange yet uniquely human. I silently immerse in the world where I lived and tend to live in absentia.editorial@tribune.com

Shelly Bhoil

This Earth Dog year, the exiled Tibetans observe the 59th anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising that had taken place in Lhasa on March 10. The world over, the day is commemorated through protests, mainly outside the Chinese embassies, shouting anti-Chinese slogans, unfurling the snow lion flag and Free Tibet banners, getting lathi-charged and jailed  everything that amplifies their Tibetan identity and right to self-determination.

Surprisingly, most of these freedom activists are youngsters who have never been to Tibet. What drives the political orientation of the second- and third-generation Tibetans-in-exile is the fact that they are born to refugee parents and inherit but a ruptured history. Nyima Nanchung, a third generation Tibetan-in-exile who works for the Central Tibetan Administration, is vocal, We do not have the luxury of being an independent nation, and therefore, we are born with the responsibility to work for our cause. I am proud to be a Tibetan because that gives me a purpose in life, and the fact that I am a woman means that I have an inherent capacity to make a difference.

Being born as refugees also means that Tibetans are in a complicated relationship with their host country. Though Tibetans in India can gain state citizenship under Indian Citizenship Act of 1955, the rigor of bureaucratic process is discouraging. Lobsang Wangyal, born in the Tibetan settlement of Orissa in 1970, had to fight two legal battles in Delhi High Court to attain his Indian passport. Our sense of belongingness has broadened over the years. We may be prompted to seek citizenship of host countries because of our practical needs of survival such as the lack of employment opportunities for refugees, however, our allegiance remains to our exiled government in Dharamsala, says Tsering Gyalpo, a student at Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Several Tibetans introduce themselves as Tibetan-Indians to outsiders because of their sense of filiation with their ancestral homeland, Tibet, and affiliation with India where they have been born and bred. What then explains the tensions that brew between Indians and Tibetans across Tibetan settlements? A Tibetan youth from the Clement Town in Dehradun, worried about the recent scuffle that took place in Sataun village of Sirmaur district, vents, Our leaders hobnob with Indian ministers but forget to work on our relationship with common Indians with whom we interact on a daily basis! A third-generation youth, who grew up in Dharamsala, says Tibetans in India broadly live a secluded life. Our interaction with India is limited to Nalanda and Bollywood, or it is necessity-based with taxi drivers, storekeepers, traffic police, bus conductors, and the like. We have little understanding of our Indian counterparts.

At the root of this limited interaction has been the precarious situation of Tibetans  an urgent need to preserve their culture that is being sinicised under Chinese occupation  which makes them adopt a policy of strategic assimilation. Indians, by and large, seem to lack an understanding of Tibetans peculiar circumstance because of which the two enter into altercations unawares. While we can visit their temples, shops, restaurants and even hospitals, its very hard to have access of the Tibetan community. They are very selective about their engagement with the locals, a doctor from Kangra says.

For young Tibetans, the challenges are various. Not only do they deal with the indignation of Indians but also the conflicts of political goals among their leaders. The chasm of ideology between the rangzen or freedom activists of Tibet and the supporters of what is called the exile establishments Middle Way Approach of seeking genuine autonomy within the Chinese state, brings disenchantment among the present youth. A Tibet-born exiled youth in New York expresses, If there is one challenge before Tibetan youth today, it is what exactly are we are fighting for  a piece of land, religion, culture, racial entity, what else! He is resentful of the extreme religiosity of the Tibetan government, which, he says, has replaced the hardcore issue with a sentimental one.

Given the challenges of belonging, leadership and Chinas hardline policy on Tibet, the road ahead is trying for the Tibetan youth. But their resolve to be rooted in their identity, despite three generations in exile, is where they invest hope as they commemorate another anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising.Harish Khare

Harish Khare

As a nation, we are blessed with the managers of a New India who are persistently innovative in keeping us, the citizens, at each others throats. The new rulers of our New India are gifted disruptors; they can come up with easy, simple formulations and symbols which divide and generate passions and animosities  and, keep attention away from the rulers failures and flaws.

They cleverly, first, picked the National Flag, the ultimate symbol of national unity, and made it into a standard-bearer of divisiveness. Then, the cow was brought into play. Suddenly, there was a licence to kill, in the name of cow protection. And, now, they have come up with a simple but exquisitely explosive trick  the statues. Tear down a statue and set the social relations afire.

First, Lenin statues were brought down in Tripura; that was a signal for the new disruptive managers of the New India to give vent to their dormant prejudices. And, while the demolition mobs were at work in Tripura, a statue of the Dravidian icon, EV Ramaswamy Periyar, was vandalised at Vellore in Tamil Nadu. Statues of Ambedkar, Gandhi, etc were also vandalised.

A poisonous mindset is at work, and it got unwittingly revealed when the Governor of Tripura took to Twitter to condone the vandalism: What a democratically elected government can do, another democratically elected government can undo. And vice versa.

Here is a constitutional functionary, a man sworn to uphold law and order, and, that very man is rationalising the mob and its handiwork. Another time and another day, the President of India would have withdrawn his pleasure and recalled the Governor. But now, we live in a different India.

The managers of New Delhi must be having their own calculations in this organised disruptive strategy, unsettling settled social relations. Politics was never as poisonous as now.

Almost 30 years ago, we all got very angry when VS Naipul suspected that a million mutinies were lurking round the corner, with lesser loyalties awaiting to make India into an ungovernable place. Almost 30 years later, the champions of New India seem hell bent upon proving Naipaul right.

* * * * * *

WHENEVER I had occasion to meet the then Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal, he would urge me to find time to visit Anandpur Sahib. A visit to the nearby Virasat-e-Khalsa museum was also recommended. Each time I would make a promise to Mr Badal to visit the sacred shrine; only this week was I able to redeem that promise. A couple of old friends from my Yale days were in town and it seemed like a good idea to tag along with them on a visit to Anandpur Sahib.

And, what a wonderfully rewarding experience! The shrine sparkles in the sun, radiating a blissful purity. Without the throng that congregates at the Harmandar Sahib, the unhurried ambience at Anandpur Sahib invites you to linger on, soak in the mellifluous Gurbani. The karha parsad, the langar, the siropa, all made the visit a fulfilling experience. The view from atop the gurdwara suddenly forces the visitor to mentally revisit the historic struggles the Gurus and the Panth had had to wage to save the Khalsa.

No less satisfying was the visit to Virasat-e-Khalsa. The story of the early Gurus is very vividly, very movingly told. The aesthetics is simply overwhelming. Guru Nanaks message of the oneness of God is told so tellingly and so clearly that one wonders how the present overseers of the Sikh Panth have managed to move so far away from that saints wise advice. I am inclined to believe that Guru Nanaks egalitarian teachings are at the core of our constitutional undertakings.

In terms of architectural richness, the Heritage Complex is an imaginative essay in stainless steel. That the architect was allowed to depart from the traditional Sikh shrine designs is a very sobering thought. Innovation is possible.

* * * * * *

COPY editors love to prefix the adjective controversial before Dr Subramanian Swamy. And, undoubtedly, he is always assiduously seeking to manufacture a controversy. But it is also a fact that he is one of the most intelligent men in public life in India today; plus, it is a matter of shame that except during Chandra Shekhars brief prime-ministerial innings, he has not been inducted in any Central Cabinet. And, that has to be a matter of national loss because Dr Swamy does have the guts to say what everyone else feels ought to be said but is too afraid or too circumspect to say.

Take, for example, his social media comment on the Gautam Adani group, in the context of the unending bank frauds scam. While politicians are busy blaming each other, it is the taxpayers money that is going down the drain with high-profile entrepreneurs running up huge debts. The Adani group has built for itself a reputation of being close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Dr Swamy openly suggested that the biggest NPA trapeze artiste in PSUs in Gautam Adani. Of course, the Adani group had its own views and justifications for its dependence upon the public sector banks. So powerful is the Adani group that most newspapers chose not to take note of Swamys concern.

The Nirav Modi bank fraud has to be seen as part of a continuing phenomenon called crony capitalism. The politician-fraudulent businessman nexus thrives and thrives gloriously, irrespective of who does the chowkidari in New Delhi. It requires the intelligence and the clarity of a Subramanian Swamy to call a spade a spade. The only regret is that he does not speak up enough.

* * * * * *

THE week began on a very happy note when on Monday morning we learnt that one of our oldest family friends, James Ivory, had won an Oscar for the best adapted screenplay for Call Me by Your Name, a gay coming-of-age romance, based on a novel by the same name by Andre Aciman. Jim would be 90 this coming June (and I hope to join him for the celebrations in upstate New York). It was mentioned that Jim is probably the oldest Oscar recipient in history. In any case, it was a wonderful crowning of a gloriously creative career in Hollywood. An honour thoroughly deserved.

James Ivory and Ismail Merchant have been household names for me because together with my mother-in-law, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, they constituted, perhaps, the most enduring film-making team in Hollywood. It was so thoughtful of Jim to remember both of them in his Oscar acceptance speech.

Before he scripted Call Me by Your Name, Jim had directed and screen-adapted EM Forsters Maurice, a novel about a man falling in love with another man. Forster had written the novel in 1913-14, but it was published only after his death in 1970 because the great writer thought that the English society was still in thrall of a kind of Victorian morality and would not approve of the idea of a man finding happiness with another man.

Being gay was not all that easy in the West till very recently, and it was very, very brave of James Ivory, in 1987, to direct Maurice. Writing the screenplay for Call Me by Your Name was a natural evolution for Jim, but it was still a bold step for the Academy to honour him for a screenplay for a gay film. Alas, we may never be able to watch the film in India.

So, do join me as I raise my cup of coffee in salute to James Ivory.

kaffeeklatsch@tribuneindia.comManmeet Singh Gill

Manmeet Singh Gill in Tarn Taran

The Punjab School Education Boards first exam was on Feb 28. Of all the districts in state, Punjab secretary education, Krishan Kumar, chose to remain present in Tarn Taran. His mission: check mass copying. The senior IAS officer faced sloganeering by parents of students at Khemkaran girls school. The parents virtually took over the centre and forced invigilators out to help their wards copy in English language exam, the most dreaded subject for rural students.

The parents had a straight explanation: that the government did not provide teachers. So, there is no point in preventing copying. For government file-holder officials, this sounded as if the students had a right to cheating!

On March 7 hundreds of students didnt appear in the physics exam. Reason: the education department has changed 20 exam centers and shuffled their superintendents and other staff. The procedure to cancel affiliation of six private schools has also begun. Also, the department has ordered reexamination of English language subject for 3,257 students of eight schools.

Insiders in the education department say that for years, certain schools have offered a deal of a guaranteed 80% marks for a certain amount of money. In some cases, these schools have charged Rs 80,000 this year, confirmed a senior education department official. There were hints of cancellation of affiliations ever since the department acted in Valtoha area around a month ago. Yet the education entrepreneurs blinded by greed did not bother.

The schools in the district have acquired the notoriety of being the most cheating-friendly. A distant second in the cheating friendly category is Gurdaspur district. So, students from the nearest Amritsar district and as far as Moga, Mansa, Ferozpur and even Abohar (a good five-hour drive from Tarn Taran) prefer to take exams in Tarn Taran to get higher percentage of marks. Education department officials say those who skipped exams came mainly from outside the district.

In the 20 centres, which have been changed so far, most students have submitted almost blank sheets during subsequent exams after English, says district education officer (secondary) Nirmal Singh Jaitosarja. The shifting of examination centers has affected around 6,800 students.

Sources in the district administration say there are large-scale violations of rules in all schools. The open schools cannot admit students from outside the district, but this is widely violated. In case of regular schools, large-scale dummy admissions have reportedly been made.

Patti is a sub-division of Tarn Taran district. The education department has asked Pattis sub-divisional magistrate Surinder Singh to inquire into cheating and mass copying in the area. He is yet to submit his report. A thorough investigation is being conducted. No one will be spared, he said.

Copying is a necessity for academically weak rural students who have to pass somehow and be eligible for Army recruitment. But cheating is equally prevalent among students admitted at costly tuition academies to prepare for medical and engineering competitive exams. A government school teacher with 30-year experience said: The competitive exams have an objective-type format, while board exams offer a detailed format. Private academies target competitive exams and teach students accordingly. For students studying in such academies, preparing for board exams is a distraction. So, they often take the easy route. These students take dummy admissions  they dont attend classes and appear for only board exams at their preferred centers.

Even for students with foreign dreams, an aggregate of 70% marks increases their chances of getting a student visa. This is despite the fact that in 2016, Australia had reportedly rejected applications of students clearing Class 12 through the PSEB. Later the Punjab government had issued a press release and claimed as per PSEBs correspondence with education and training department of Australian government, no visas have been denied on such grounds.

For students with purely rural background and no big dreams, the absence of adequate number of teachers leads them to cheating. In Tarn Taran, of the total 132 sanctioned posts of science teachers; physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics, 69 (52%) remained vacant for most part of the year. Residents in these areas say the education system in district has almost collapsed, and that petty criminals are being roped in cheating.

But what worries is the fact that as state returned to normalcy, no serious efforts were being made to set the things right. A testimony to the neglect and apathy is huge shortage of teachers. Even in primary sections, ad hoc and unqualified teachers hired through employment guarantee scheme (EGS), alternative innovative education (AIE) and special trainer (STR) programmes are holding the fort.Sumit Hakhoo

Sumit Hakhoo in Jammu

Labeled as enemies of Azadi movement, nearly 2,000 displaced Muslim families who were forced to leave the Valley in the 1990s have lost all hope of a return.

Like 3.50 lakh displaced Hindus, these Muslim families left their homes after militancy erupted in 1989-90. The reason was their political affiliations or they were deemed too modern by extreme elements.

While Pandits were selectively targeted, a section of liberal, Left-leaning Muslims who opposed militancy was brutally killed by Hizbul Muhajideen and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) cadres. The killings forced many to abandon their villages and properties.

Many Muslim families who escaped to Jammu are living along with Pandits at Muthi, Buta Nagar and Jagti migrant camps. Sometime people dont believe that a Muslim, too, was forced to leave his village or town. We are living with Pandit families in Jagti camp with peace, says Ghulam Qadir Bhat, originally from volatile Tral town of South Kashmir.

Many like him had defied the boycott call of terrorists in the 1989 parliamentary polls. After a few families in our village had voted, a mob charged at our homes in the evening. Somehow we managed to save ourselves. After that came threats from militants. It was tough to travel to Jammu along with ones family, says Bhat who lives in Jagti camp township housing 4,000 families, mostly Pandits.

Similar is the story of Mohammad Ramzan Sheikh, whose family escaped from Handwara after militants killed his father for opposing the gun culture and actively participating in the political process in 1996. Still afraid to visit his native village, Sheikh along with his family also lives in Jagti camp.

Apart from Jammu, nearly 132 families also live in a security zone, comprising hotels and government buildings in summer capital Srinagar. Their houses had either been set ablaze or they were advised by fellow villagers fearing reprisals from militants to leave.

People like me have given life for watan (nation) but our watan parasti (nationalism) has been forgotten. Most families live in inhuman conditions in Srinagar, says Mohiudin Shabnam, chairman J&K Political Migrants Front (JKPMF).

Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner (Migrants), ML Raina says there are 2,000 Muslim families getting cash relief. Most of these families left Valley following militant threats. We have nearly 600 Muslim families registered in the non-relief category.

According to government figures, there are about 62,000 registered displaced Kashmiri families who migrated from the Valley. They are mostly Hindus. There are about 1,700 Sikh families registered with the relief organization.

As per government data, about 38,119 registered Kashmiri migrant families are living in Jammu and 19,338 families in Delhi. Around 2,000 families are settled in other states.monicakchauhan@gmail.com

Ottawa, March 10

For the first time in its storied history, a woman has been appointed to lead the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on a permanent basis.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced at the federal police force's training academy in Regina, Saskatchewan on Friday that Assistant Commissioner Brenda Lucki will succeed Commissioner Bob Paulson, who announced his retirement last year.

Another woman held those reins on an interim basis for six months from December 2006 to June 2007. But Lucki is the first woman to be named to the post on a permanent basis.

"When she takes her new post this April, she will be the 24th commissioner in the RCMP's history and the first woman to serve as commissioner in a permanent role," Trudeau told a news conference.

I'm very, very excited about being able to appoint the absolute best person for the job to be commissioner of the RCMP, who just happens to be a woman, he said.

Since joining the RCMP at age 20 in 1986, Lucki has been posted across Canada as well as with the United Nations in the former Yugoslavia.

More recently, she was in charge of training cadets.

I plan to challenge assumptions, seek explanations, and better understand the reasons how we operate, she said.

This means that no stone will be left unturned and if what we find works, then we carry on until we unearth the issues that need addressing.

I am confident that together we will meet our challenge head on and move forward to continue to modernize our organisation.

Lucki's appointment comes as the RCMP is grappling with an underrepresentation of women and sexual harassment within its ranks.

According to the government data, only 22 per cent of RCMP officers are female.

Outgoing commissioner Paulson last year gave an official apology and offered an estimated Can$100 million compensation to settle two sexual harassment class action lawsuits launched by former policewomen.

About 25,000 women who worked for the RCMP since 1974 -- when the force started hiring women -- qualified for the payments.

The new commissioner will face calls for higher pay from members who recently won the right to unionize, and will soon have to face a new civilian oversight board.

Lucki will also have to work to improve soured relations with Canada's indigenous communities. Ottawa has also tasked the RCMP with improving Canada's cybersecurity and leading efforts to tackle an increase in gangs and gun violence. AFPrchopra@tribunemail.com

Washington, March 10

A deal with North Korea is very much in the making, and if completed, it would be a very good one for the world, US President Donald Trump has said, a day after he stunned the global community by accepting an invitation to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The Washington Post said Trumps personal involvement in the White Houses deliberations over the worlds most serious and vexing security situation has placed a president who considers himself a master dealmaker into the most fraught faceoff of his 71 years.

The deal with North Korea is very much in the making and will be, if completed, a very good one for the world. Time and place to be determined,: Trump said in a tweet, as experts and analysts scrambled to decipher the unexpected and surprising decision of the president.

A breakthrough that would reduce Pyongyangs nuclear threat would be a legacy-defining achievement. A stalemate that gives Kim a photo-op for nothing in return could fracture US alliances and be seen as a devastating embarrassment, the daily said.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump has stood the traditional diplomatic model on its head.

Casting aside years of protocol, the president agreed to a summit with Mr Kim before any of his aides had even sat down with a North Korean representative to clarify precisely where Pyongyang stands on fundamental nuclear issues, it said.

And for the New York Times, the high-level diplomatic encounter is so risky and seemingly far-fetched that some of Trumps aides believe it will never happen.

Several officials said on Friday that the United States still needed to establish direct contact with North Korea to verify the message from Mr Kim that was conveyed by South Korean envoys to Mr Trump on Thursday. They warned that Mr Kim could change his mind or break the promises he made about halting nuclear and missile tests during talks, the daily said.

Senator Dan Sullivan, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said it is clear that the maximum global pressure campaign the US has been focused on for months under the leadership of the Trump administration - US sanctions mandated by Congress, additional sanctions authorised by the UN Security Council, the development of credible military options, and pressing China to do much more regarding North Koreais having a real impact and clearly starting to bite.

As we move forward with the objective of the complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, staying very closely aligned with our allies in the regionespecially the Republic of Korea and Japanwill be critical, along with the continuation of the maximum pressure campaign, US-Republic of Korea joint military exercises, and importantly the stationing of US military forces on the Korean Peninsula, Sullivan said.

House Democratic Whip Steny H Hoyer welcomed the initiative from South Korea and hoped it could lead to a peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear crisis.

However, we have to be very careful and skeptical of any overtures by North Korea, given its history of failing to deliver on its commitments. The president and our negotiators must approach this development with due caution and openness, and any talks should be based on realistic expectations of what can be negotiated and verified, he said.

Senator Mark R Warner, vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said diplomacy is the right path forward to deal with North Korea, but at the same time, due to Pyongyangs history of obfuscation and international defiance, the United States must proceed with caution.

I am deeply concerned that the White House has not laid the necessary diplomatic groundwork and coordination for direct talks with North Korea. Even President Trumps own secretary of state appeared to be taken aback by this announcement, he said.

Trumps record of cosying up to authoritarian governments, his consistent failure to appoint, empower or value the expertise of professional diplomats, and his overall lack of focus on critical details also give me pause. The administration must go into any meeting with a plan to ensure that negotiations with Kim Jong-un produce real results, not a photo-op that lends legitimacy to North Koreas murderous regime, Warner said. PTIROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Beirut, March 10

The Syrian army intensified its onslaught in eastern Ghouta on Saturday with advances that a war monitor and state media said had splintered the enclave, though a rebel official denied this.

Syrian state television broadcast from inside the town of Mesraba, a town lying along the road connecting the northern and southern halves of the rebel-held enclave, after reporting that the army had taken it earlier on Saturday.

The capture of Mesraba and advances into nearby farmland brought important roads directly under fire by the army, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

That has in effect cut the large towns of Harasta and Douma off from each other and the rest of the enclave, it added.

However Hamza Birqadar, a spokesman for Jaish al-Islam, one of the two main insurgent groups in eastern Ghouta, said rebels had repelled the attack on Mesraba and neither Harasta nor Douma were cut off.

The relentless three-week assault on the last major rebel stronghold near Damascus has captured about half its area and killed 976 people, according to the Britain-based Observatory.

State television showed a massive plume of dark smoke rising behind houses and trees in eastern Ghouta, with the sound of blasts in the background. Live footage it said was filmed in Mesraba showed battered buildings and bullet-pocked walls.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russia, his main ally, say the campaign is needed to end rebel shelling of Damascus and to end the rule of Islamist insurgents over the areas civilians.

The offensive follows the pattern of previous assaults on rebel strongholds, deploying massive air power and tight sieges to force insurgents to accept evacuation deals. These involve rebels surrendering territory in exchange for safe passage to opposition areas in northwest Syria, along with their families and other civilians who do not want to come back under Assads rule.

Capturing the enclave would represent Assads biggest blow against the rebels since they were driven from Aleppo in December 2016. It would seal a string of military victories for the Syrian leader since the entry of Russian jets into the war on his side in 2015 turned the course of the conflict against the insurgents.  Reuters

Rebel-held enclave is besieged since 2013ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Washington, March 10

A meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would not take place without concrete actions that match the promises made by Pyongyang, the White House said today.

Trump also confirmed that a deal with North Korea is very much in the making, and if completed, it would be a very good one for the world, a day after he stunned the global community by accepting an invitation to meet Kim.

This meeting would not take place without concrete actions that match the promises made by North Korea, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said.

The deal with North Korea is very much in the making and will be, if completed, a very good one for the World. Time and place to be determined, Trump said.  ReutersMarcus Foo asked: Hi Pastors, hope that you all and Kechara are doing well. I have a question regarding the Lama Chopa puja. As in, when is the right time to perform the puja? And can it only be recited by those who have the appropriate Je Tzin Sin Ma (Tsongkhapa) initiation to perform the puja properly? I also understand that Tsog offering is performed within the puja which can only be done by those who have the high Tantric initiation but if the Lama Chopa puja can be done by those without initiation we can just recite Migtsema a number of times instead of Tsog right? Also, when is the most appropriate time to chant this kind of puja as well? Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. pastor answered: Hi Marcus! Thank you for your question. Lama Chopa is a very, very powerful puja. It calls upon the energies of your guru, the lineage lamas, all the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Dharma Protectors. It generates a lot of merit. It can be recited by anyone, however if you receive tantric initiation you can engage in the associated visualisations and ritual. The puja can be done any time to generate a lot of merit. In fact it is done daily in the monasteries. It can be recited any time. Yes, if you do not have an appropriate initiation, you do not perform the Tsok section. You just recite Migtsema at this point. I hope this helps.

Lara asked: Hello Pastors, Few months ago, I've been a buddha Dorje Shudgen chapel near my house, and there have a picture of Buddha Yamantaka. I was looking at the picture and then suddenly it fell face forward right infront of my face eventho the picture is leaning backwards. Did I did something that offended the Buddha? Or did I just think too much hahahaha. pastor answered: Dear Lara, There is nothing to worry about if something like this happens. The Buddhas are never offended. Buddhas do not have an ego to be offended. They operate from true and boundless compassion. I hope this helps. Thank you.

Lucian asked: Hello my name is Lucian i am a vipassana practiciner.a few mounths ago i sufferred a psychotic episode after a course of vipassana meditation. Why this happend to me?there is a special meditation or practice for those who have hallucinations? Please help me? pastor answered: Dear Lucian, I am very sorry to read that you had this experience. Vipashyana is a very powerful meditation technique and depending on the sorts of topics we are concentrating on, some people can have these types of experiences. Following Tsem Rinpoche's advice on these sorts of experiences, the first thing to do is to seek guidance from a qualified mental health professional, to rule out any underlying conditions that could have led to this episode. This is the first step that Rinpoche advised when these sort of things happened. The next thing that Rinpoche advised was to engage in purification practice. Such as the 35 Confessional Buddhas or Vajrasattva practice. You can read more following the links below: 35 Confessional Buddhas: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/the-35-confessional-buddhas.html Vajrasattva: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/an-important-purification-practice.html [Please note, if you have not received Vajrasattva initiation, you only visualise Vajrasattva and not his consort] The purification practice should be engaged in with full use of the Four Opponent Powers (discussed in the articles). The reason why purification practices are important are because when we are engaged in meditational practices our negative karma can manifest. This is because the methods we are engaged in are a direct counter to our habituated ways of think and interacting with the world, which is actually what keeps us bound to samsaric cyclic existence. The next step is to make sure that all the conditions are met to be engaged in the particular type of meditation you are practicing. This stems from knowing and understanding the most basic and fundamental teachings, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, death and impermanence, 12 Links of Dependent Arising and understanding of karma. Within the Gelug lineage, Vipashyana is actually an advanced practice, one that needs a very firm grounding of other foundational teachings. In addition, you should have studied the Vipashyana technique intellectually first so you know how to overcome certain situations when they arise. If you would like more advice, you should contact the teacher of the Vipashyana course, as they will be able to guide you more according to the tradition that you are practicing. I hope this helps.

Annonamous. asked: Hi pastors I blessed my statue's using Rinpoches blessing method from this website however my statue's are not filled as I can't afford to buy all the necessary items as of yet. Is it bad to leave statue's unfilled? Thankyou pastor answered: Dear Annonamous, We are very happy to read that you have followed Tsem Rinpoche's advice to bless your statues. Rinpoche has also advised not to leave Buddha statues un-filled. Since you cannot afford to fill them traditionally yourself, what you can do is print off the Om Ah Hum mantra, which I will attach here. Roll the mantra vertically and then place inside the statue. Repeat for each statue that you have. This will be suitable for now. For the future, perhaps you can plan to have the statues filled in the traditional manner. I hope this helps. Let us know if you have any other questions.

Andrew asked: Hello, My name is Andrew. I have a question that has been bugging me for a long time. I am a Buddhist. I consider myself an independent Buddhist. I enjoy watching the YouTube videos you guys have. My meditation practices only focus on breath or mantra. I do not have the ability to visualize. Does that mean I can never advance in my meditation practice? I can get feelings in meditation but never visualization. What can I do? Thank you for taking the time to read my message. A thousand blessings to you! pastor answered: Dear Andrew, Thanks for posting your question here. As a practicing meditator, I am sure you are aware that there are many variations of meditation, especially between various Buddhist schools and lineages. However, they all include breathing meditation or more specifically Shamatha meditation. In all traditions, the 'object' that is used for this type of meditation is breathing. However within the Tibetan Buddhist traditions, visualisation is used as the 'object' or the 'device' of meditation instead. This is because of the power of the object, which in this case is the visualisation of the body of an enlightened being. You can also actually focus on the sound of mantras as an object of this type of meditation too. According to the Lamrim teachings of the Gelug tradition, which we practice, the reason why visualisation is used, is because when you visualise or recall the body of a Buddha during your meditations, you are not just meditating, you are also generating merit. This occurs due to the power of the body of the Buddha figure you are visualising. Within our tradition, that is why visualisation or concentration on the sound of mantra recitation is focused on. That is not to say that using the breath is not a powerful technique. It most definitely is and can lead to great spiritual advancement. There are many practices in Tibetan Buddhism that just focus on the breath as the object of meditation. Utilizing visualisation boosts our meditation, because it has the added benefit of generating merit. This is especially beneficial for those who aspire to engage in tantric practice, in which the visualisation process is quite extensive. Visualisation however is not something that all people can do, but the Lamrim advises that it can be learned, slowly but surely, just like any other ability, whether secular or spiritual. We are advised to first learn the visualisations intellectually and slowly through our meditations to apply them. It will be hard at first but over time we can work on it. Alternatively, if you are looking for another object to focus on, you can focus on the sound of mantra recitation if you engage in mantra recitation, this has the same effect to generate merit, as mantras are the energies of the enlightened beings in the form of sound. I hope this helps. If you have any further questions, please feel free to post here. Thank you.

diwa asked: Good morning Pastors! I hope you are all healthy and doing great. I just have a question and hope that you can help me. My family and I are born Catholic so it is impossible for me to set up an altar for dorje shugden, not even in my room. My Parents will be very very angry. So my question is, Is it okay for the meantime to visualize dorje shugden then say his mantra many times? I swear this is the easiest way for me not to get caught by my parents. So by just saying dorje shugden mantra can he be my dharma protector or altar is really needed? Thanks, hope you helps me. stay safe you all. pastor answered: Dear Diwa, Thank you for your question. Yes it is permissible just to visualise Dorje Shugden if it is not feasible for you to have an altar. Dorje Shugden is an enlightened being and as such would not want you to have negative experiences with your family. On the contrary, when we practice Dorje Shugden, we should have more harmony with our family, even if their faith differs from our own. That being said, please remember to respect the wishes of your family. They practice their religion in a certain way, and as Buddhists, we are taught to respect the beliefs and faith of others even if it does not match our own. At the core of all religions is compassion hence we should be respectful. Though you cannot set up an altar to Dorje Shugden since you engage in his practice, there is nothing wrong since it is due to your current circumstances. Perhaps in the future, if your circumstances change, you will be able to set up an altar as you wish to do. Reciting his mantra and engaging in his practice without an altar is still beneficial. If you consider him to be your Dharma Protector, then he will be. Even just thinking about Dorje Shugden calls upon his enlightened energies. So simple visualising and engaging in mantra recitation is still beneficial, even if you don't have a physical altar. I hope this helps.

Marcus Foo asked: Hi Kechara, Its me again. Thank you for your reply to my first question, I greatly appreciated it. But in regards to my numbers of Sadhanas should I just cut them down and just focus on Dorje Shugden and Lama Tsongkhapa Sadhanas instead? Maybe just follow the Diamond Path? Thank you so much Pastors. Sorry to bug you again. pastor answered: Hello again Marcus! The key to success for sadhana practice is to do them consistently everyday with focus. As such, it can and does get a little overwhelming if we try to practice too many sadhanas in a day, especially when we have other commitments that we need to fulfill, such as work, studying, family life, etc. Since this is the case, it would be best just to concentrate on one sadhana. Since you have strong faith in Dorje Shugden, we would recommend that you follow the Diamond Path sadhana daily. However, if you would like, you can include the mantras of other deities you like, between the sections of Lama Tsongkhapa's Guru Yoga and the Invocation to Dorje Shugden. This way, you do not need to recite the full sadhana of these deities, only their mantra recitation, and you still get the benefits of their practice. But again, it would be best to keep your practice consistent daily. Therefore, most people opt not to include additional mantra. This is however, dependent on your own timing and other commitments. I hope this helps!

Marcus Foo asked: Hello Kechara! Firstly I want to say thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for providing us all with the prayer texts for the beautiful Pujas during this years Ullambana and Dorje Shugden festivals, it was a privilege to chant along with the pastors via the Kechara FB livestream. My question for the lovely Kechara pastors is that for a couple of months now, Ive been doing the Dorje Shugden daily practice (as composed by the late H.E Tsem Rinpoche-months before he passed into clear light) alongside Lama Tsongkhapas Guru Yoga and have also picked up Red Tara & White Taras Sadhanas alongside Manjushri Arapacanas Sadhana as well and have been doing it in my bedroom (dont have anywhere else to do it). I have printed out their respective images via this blog but despite using my bedroom table as a mini altar, my parents have told me off for doing so and not to put up the images of these enlightened Buddhas since we already have our own Chenrezig altar at the front of the house and that I should just do my prayers there but its only Chenrezig and so I may have to just do my Sadhanas without the images. Pastors, what do I do? Im devoted to the Sadhanas especially with the Dorje Shugden one and dont ever want to give them up. I also dont want to continuously make my parents upset and so I feel a bit stuck. Ive been doing them continuously ever since Ive picked them up and theyve helped me to deal with my anxious mind among other things. Thank you for reading this and may the late H.E. Tsem Rinpoche will return soon in his swift and unmistaken reincarnation . -Marcus Foo pastor answered: Dear Marcus Foo, First let us say that we are very happy to hear that you are engaged in daily sadhana practice. This is a very good thing to do and creates a strong connection to the Buddhas, which is very beneficial for the transformation of the mind. You have listed quite a number of sadhanas. Usually we don't engage in so many sadhanas in one day, because we actually focus quite strongly on one or two practices. This is done with as much visualisation associated with that sadhana as possible. In regards to your altar, it is permissible not to do your sadhana in front of your altar. For example, you have a family altar outside, but you can still do your sadhana in your room, in the case your parents do not allow you to keep your mini-altar in your room. Alternatively, you can gently explain to your parents who these enlightened beings are that you have on your altar. If they are willing, then you can ask them if you place these images on the family altar, together with Chenrezig. In this way, you will have one nice family altar, and then you can do your practice in front of the altar outside. Ultimately, all the Buddhas are of one mind, they just appear differently. If however, they do not let you keep your mini-altar and do not allow you to put the images on the family altar, you can do either one of two things. Simply continue to do your practice in your room, or do in front of the family altar anyway. Chenrezig is the main image on your altar, but that doesn't mean you can do your other practice in front of the altar as well. He is an enlightened being, as are the other Buddhas you are practicing. There is no different. In this case where you don't do your daily practice in front of the altar, what is most important is that you make sure the altar is properly maintained wherever it is. That means it is clean, tidy, respectful and that you also make offerings everyday. I hope this helps. Do let us know if we can help you with anything else.Hi, my name is Scott C. Waring and I wrote a few books and am currently a ESL School Owner in Taiwan. I have had my own UFO sighting up close and personal, but that's how it works right? A non believer becomes a believer when they experience their first sighting. You witnessed it, your perceptual field changes, so now you need to share it.





I created this site to help the UFO community get a little bit organized. I noticed that there was a lot of chaos when searching for UFO sighting reports, so I hope this site helps. I wanted to support those eyewitnesses who have tried to tell others about what they have seen, yet were laughed at by even closest of friends.





More and more each day the governments of the world leak bits and pieces of UFO information to the public. They have a trickle down theory in hopes of slowly getting citizens use to the idea that we are not alone in universe and never have been. The truth is being leaked drop by drop until one day we look around and find ourselves neck high in it.





The discovery of alien species in existence is the most monumental scientific event in human history, suppression of that information is a crime against humanity.





About me:

I live in Taiwan. I OWN MY OWN ENGLISH SCHOOL, AND ONCE HAD 5 SCHOOLS.

Am Former USAF at SAC base (flight line).

Age: 42

Educ: BA in Elem ed. Masters in Counseling ed.





I had two UFO sightings, (30+bus size orbs) in military and in 2012 personally saw the UFO over Taipei 101 building on New Years Day (and recored it).Angelique M. Crumbly

UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of the Bureau for Management Services

Ms. Angelique M. Crumbly is the UN Assistant Secretary-General and Assistant Administrator and Director of the Bureau for Management Services (BMS). Ms. Crumbly is also UNDPs Chief Procurement Officer and a member of UNDPs Executive Group responsible for shaping and monitoring UNDPs overall corporate strategic directions.



Ms. Crumbly leads the bureau responsible for providing advisory and support services to UNDP and UN agencies in its core functional areas which are: Financial Resources Management, including budget; Human Resources; Procurement; Information Technology; Legal Affairs; Security; General Operations and Multi-Partner Trust Funds, with each of these offices reporting directly to Ms. Crumbly. Ms. Crumbly also manages the Organizations compliance and risk management, development of management policies, regulations and rules, information networks, while ensuring the development of corporate services that are customer focused. Since joining UNDP, Ms. Crumbly has overseen the development and implementation of strategic Organizational priorities, including a new People Strategy and a new Information Technology Strategy, while also undertaking the review of UNDPs procurement and legal practice.



In building her public service career, Ms. Crumbly has served in several key positions at the U.S. Agency International Development (USAID). Prior to joining UNDP, she served as the Performance Improvement Officer (PIO) and Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator in the Bureau for Management (M) at USAID. She has served in a variety of areas including as a Procurement Analyst and Contract Specialist in the Office of Acquisition and Assistance, as Chief of the Policy and Technical Division in the Office of Food for Peace, as Senior Advisor to the Agency Counselor and Officer-in-Charge of the Bureau for Management, Director of the Office of Management Policy, Budget and Performance and as the Presidentially Appointed Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Management. As such, she had oversight of five offices with Agency-wide responsibility for financial management, information technology, management services, acquisition and assistance, management policy, operational budget and management performance, as well as staff totaling more than 1,100.



In addition to outstanding success in the fields of procurement, information technology and budget, Ms. Crumbly has led management reviews, cost savings, and streamlining initiatives resulting in the creation of sound business policies and management systems. She was responsible for managing the formulation of the Agencys operational budget and execution of the agencys programmatic budget totaling approximately $17 billion. Her leadership at USAID produced effective business solutions, resulting in streamlined and innovative humanitarian assistance and development programs. She holds a Bachelors Degree in International Politics from The George Washington University and a Masters Degree in Public Policy Management from Georgetown University.New York, March 9- Programmes aiming to prevent violent extremism need to be grounded in the context in which they are intervening, be based on evidence and have a realistic monitoring framework, according to a new toolkit published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with International Alert.

The toolkit, published today, provides guidance to development practitioners and specialists to improve the design, monitoring and evaluation of programmes that focus on Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE).

The first of its kind, the toolkit provides a comprehensive set of tools on all stages of PVE programming, responding to an urgent need to improve efficiency, targeting and design of such programmes to ultimately have the highest impact.

Prior to publication, the toolkit was tested in several countries supported by UNDP. In response to demand among Member States, and in coordination with the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism and UN Country Teams, UNDP has supported national efforts to prevent violent extremism through evidence-based research, policy support and programme delivery. As a result, there is a growing repository of cutting-edge research findings, and lessons learned on the implementation of a range of PVE interventions. This has helped to accumulate knowledge and garner the interest of more partners to join hands with UNDP to tackle the root causes behind violent extremism.

H.E. Sima Bahous, Permanent Representative of Jordan to the United Nations, chaired the meeting and thanked UNDP for taking the lead in developing the toolkit and expressed that Jordan will continue to advocate for systematic efforts to prevent violent extremism and work closely with UNDP to devise innovative tools to increase and ensure impact on the ground. Co-host H.E. Tore Hattrem of Norway expressed the vital importance of understanding that violent extremism affects all countries, North and South, and persons of any national origin can potentially become a violent extremist.

Mr. Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, UN Assistant Secretary General and Director of UNDPs Bureau for Policy and Programme Support stated, Violent extremism is responsible for approximately 100 deaths a day; in 2016 it costed the global economy an estimated $ 14.3 trillion equivalent to 12.6 percent of the Global GDP. This is a global call to action, a reason to act with a sense of scale and a sense of urgency. He further stated, In the face of these global threats, we need to foster our ability to counter terrorism and violent extremism, and build peaceful, just and inclusive societies in the spirit of SDG 16 and the broader Agenda 2030.

On behalf of the UNDP Regional Burau for Arab States, Deputy Director Sarah Poole said, We are delighted that the toolkit has expanded to a global reach, not only as a means to strengthen the quality and impact of PVE related programming, but also to connect and generate knowledge and learning about what works in different contexts and regions, and improving the impact of our work.

Participants at the launch including representation from over 30 United Nations Missions discussed the challenges and different contexts in which extremism occurs and the approaches taken by national and international actors in developing tools, suitable to country context and taking into consideration international factors.

A community of practice is developing to better inform PVE programming. But the systems and tools for understanding the suitability of PVE as an approach and the impact PVE interventions have in different contexts are not yet available. This toolkit is designed to close this gap, said Ruth Simpson, co-author of the toolkit and Senior Lead  Development, Impact and Learning, Middle East and North Africa at International Alert.

The vast body of current research on Violent Extremism, and particularly UNDPs recent, ground-breaking report Journey to Extremism in Africa: Drivers, Incentives and the Tipping Point for Recruitment, emphasize that a comprehensive model for PVE should integrate responses across the security and development pillars of governments, engage security actors and communities to reduce distrust and mutual suspicion; and seek the active involvement of faith-based, youth and womens organizations.

Media Queries

Theodore Murphy, Policy and Communications Specialist, UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States, email: Theodore.murphy@undp.org, Tel: +1 718 915 2097

Sangita Khadka, Communications Specialist, UNDP Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, Email: sangita.khadka@undp.org, Tel: +1 212 916 5043Charges of terrorism by Duterte against UN expert denounced

United Nations, Mar 10 (UNI) Flinging terrorism charges at a United Nations human rights expert is just one act in a litany of profane and inflammatory comments made by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte against the rapporteur, prompting the UN rights chief to questions the leaders mental stability.

He needs to submit himself to some sort of psychiatric examination, Zeid Raad Al Hussen, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, told reporters on Friday during a press conference in Geneva, which covered a range of other issues, including the situations in Venezuela and Myanmar.

Mr Zeid said the Philippine Government had added UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Victoria Tauli-Corpuzs name to the alleged membership of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People's Army, which has been designated a terrorist organisation.Kathmandu, Mar 10 (UNI) As many as 35,000 people lose their lives due to air pollution in Nepal every year, a report in The Himalayan Times has said.

This data was made public at a seminar organised by Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) on Friday.

It was informed at the seminar Air Pollution Control that there are various factors contributing to air pollution, which has become a major cause behind increasing number of deaths in the country.

Province 1 Governor Govinda Bahadur Tumbahang underscored the need to address the all-pervasive problem of air pollution, giving it high importance than the regional, ethnic, religious and political issues.

NAST Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Jeevraj Pokharel shared that they are setting up pollution measurement centre in each province for the control of air pollution.

Likewise, Purbanchal University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Ghanashyamlal Das and Biratnagar Metropolis Mayor Bhim Parajuli said that the menace triggered by air pollution is on a rise due to carelessness on part of people.

Presenting a working paper, NAST Academician Madan Lal Shrestha informed that globally air pollution is the cause behind lung cancer (36 percent), heart attack (34 percent) and other cardiac diseases (27 per cent).

Meanwhile, Nobel Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar has provided free health treatment worth Rs 45.47 million.

As many as 764 patients from low economic background were provided free health treatment, equivalent to the above amount, during the past ten months, said Hospitals Director Dr Rajesh Nepal. The service was provided under Disadvantaged Citizens Treatment Fund, he further shared.

UNi XC-SNU 1219United Nations, Mar 10 (UNI) The United Nations and partners have reached the Syrian city of Douma in Eastern Ghouta to complete distribution of food aid after intense shelling cut short deliveries to the war-torn enclave earlier this week.

The United Nations and our partners were able to go back into Douma on Friday to deliver the remaining food assistance, said Marwa Awad, Communications Officer of the World Food Programme (WFP), from the conflict-ravaged countrys capital, Damascus.

The assistance consisted of food baskets and wheat flour bags prepared by the WFP and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).On 26 February, Pope Francis appointed Monsignor Alfred Xuereb as apostolic nuncio to Korea and Mongolia. The 59-year old Maltese monsignor is expected to help bring the two Koreas even closer.

By Robin Gomes

The newly-appointed apostolic nuncio to South Korea, Monsignor Alfred Xuereb is expected to encourage the warming relations between the two Koreas and play an active role in peace initiatives in the region.

Msgr. Xuereb, good news for Korean reconciliation



According to Monsignor Marco Sprizzi, who has been in charge of the Nunciature in Seoul since the retirement of Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Osvaldo Padilla on 15 September, 2017, the appointment of Monsignor Xuereb by Pope Francis bodes well for inter-Korean reconciliation.

On 26 February, Pope Francis appointed Monsignor Alfred Xuereb as apostolic nuncio to Korea and Mongolia, while at the same time raising him to the rank of archbishop. The 59-year old Maltese monsignor is scheduled to take up his new assignment after his episcopal ordination in Rome on March 19.

"Monsignor Xuereb is one of the closest allies of Pope Francis and reads the pope's thinking very well," Monsignor Sprizzi told UCANEWS. He said that since the Pope continually shows his concern for the reconciliation of the two Koreas and [prays for] peace on the Korean Peninsula, the new nuncio will play an active role in bridging the gap between the two Koreas and work for peace in the region.

Popes 2014 Korean visit

Pope Francis has been closely following developments in the Korean peninsula. He visited South Korea, 13-18 August 2014, for the 6th Asian Youth Day, in what was the 3rd foreign trip of his pontificate and his first to Asia.

He dedicated his Mass on the final day to reconciliation on the Korean peninsula. During the Mass in Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul he urged all Koreans to reject a "mindset of suspicion and confrontation" and find new paths to build peace.

Close to two popes



Monsignor Xuereb began his service in the Vatican Secretariat of State in 1995, before his transfer to the Pontifical Household in November 2000. He returned to the Secretariat of State, serving as secretary to Pope Benedict XVI from 2007.

After his election in 2013, Pope Francis made him his first secretary. And from March 2014 he served as the first prelate secretary of the Secretariat for the Economy. In November that year, he was named as delegate on the Pontifical Commissions for both the Vatican bank (Institute for Works of Religion) and the re-organization of the economic structures of the Holy See.

Encouraging signs from Korean peninsula



Monsignor Xuereb is taking up his diplomatic amid improving relations between the two Koreas, who are technically at war since the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended in an armistice and not a peace treaty.

Under a rigidly totalitarian regime, North Korea has exacerbated its closely maintained isolation from the rest of the world with its nuclear ambitions. Washington and Pyongyang have been at loggerheads for months over the North's nuclear and missile programmes, with US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un trading insults and threatening war.

However, since last November, North Korea has not carried out any nuclear and missile test, and some very dramatic positive developments have been taking place between the two neighbours.

In an unexpected New Year offer, Kim offered to send a team to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in South Korea, where the two Koreas marched under a united flag in the opening ceremony.

A 10-member South Korean delegation on a visit to North Korea met Kim on 5 March, making them the first South Korean officials to meet the young leader.

Following the visit, the Souths presidential office said on Tuesday that the two Koreas will hold their first summit in more than a decade in late April in the border village of Panmunjom.At a private audience in the Vatican, Pope Francis and the Austrian Chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, discuss the two countries bilateral relations and the importance of the protection of life, the family, and the weakest members of society.

Pope Francis on Monday held a private audience with Mr. Sebastian Kurz, Chancellor of the Republic of Austria, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace.

A communique from the Holy See Press Office said their discussions were cordial and that they spoke about the fruitful collaboration existing between the Holy See and Austria.

The Pope and the Austrian Chancellor also underlined importance of the protection of life and the family and the promotion of the common good of society, especially with regard to the weakest sectors of the population.

Pope Francis and Mr. Kurz, the press statement said, went on to talk about various current international issues, including peace, nuclear disarmament, and migration.

Afterwards, Mr. Kurz met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, and Msgr. Antoine Camilleri, under-Secretary for Relations with States.Personnel in protective coveralls work at the site of the incident in Salisbury, England (AFP or licensors)

Russia has denied its involvement in the attempted murder of a former Russian double agent, Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, in Britain using a rare nerve agent.

By Stefan J. Bos

British government officials were holding an emergency meeting as security forces, and other agencies continue to investigate the attack. They gathered Saturday after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov condemned British allegations that Moscow was to blame.

The 66-year-old Sergei Skripal and his adult daughter Yulia, who is 33, remain critically ill in hospital after being exposed to a nerve agent.

Some 21 people were injured in the incident which took place in the sleepy southwestern English city of Salisbury where Skripal was found last Sunday, slumped on a bench with his daughter Yulia.

British warning



British Prime Minister Theresa May warned that her government would respond if evidence shows Moscow was behind the attack on Skripal, who served time in a Russian jail for spying for Britain before being released in a spy swap.

But Russian Minister Lavrov told reporters there was no evidence that Russia was involved in the attack and that the allegations are part of Western propaganda against Russia. "This is not the only accusation they have against us. They're leveling accusations against us for everything that goes wrong, according to our Western partners, on this very planet," he complained.

And he claimed that Russia had not "heard any single piece of concrete evidence" regarding Moscow's alleged involvement in the attack. "In fact, what we see is only news reports saying 'if it is Russia than a response will be given to you'," Lavrov said.

"But Russia is going to remember forever. It is propaganda fair and square, and it is trying to raise tension," the top diplomat added. However, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the attack "echoes" the 2006 poisoning in London of former Russian spy and Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko.

Rising tensions



London blamed Moscow for that attack, but Russia has denied wrongdoing.

With tensions rising, Britain's Home Secretary Amber Rudd was to lead a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee, comprising senior Cabinet ministers, as investigators continue to probe the attempted murder of former double agent Skripal.

Some 180 military personnel have arrived in Salisbury in southern England. They help police investigate several sites amid concerns over potential contamination, interrupting the peace in this usually quiet cathedral city.Visitors learn about the nations sovereignty over the Spratly Archipelago through an exhibition of sovereignty rocks and landmarks of the area.

The event is taking place at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism, Son Tay town in Hanoi during March.

The programme draws the participation of 11 ethnic communities, who will introduce visitors to their cultural practices, traditional songs and dances, as well as folk games.

Representatives from 11 cities and provinces, including Thai Nguyen, Ha Giang, Son La, Hoa Binh, Thua Thien  Hue, Ninh Thuan, and Soc Trang, will also participate in the programme.

A highlight of the event is an exhibition showcasing replicas of sovereignty rocks from the Spratly Archipelago, documents, documentaries, and artefacts on Vietnams sea and islands. Journalist Nguyen My Tra, who has visited the Spratly Archipelago many times, is also showcasing her photos taken during the trips.

A bilingual book comprising these photos will be released on March 12 in Hanoi.

Visitors will have the chance to meet and talk with veterans, families of fallen soldiers, and journalists, who will share their stories on their love for the national sea and islands.

In addition, the Xen Lau No festival of Thai ethnic people from the northern province of Son La will be reproduced on March 24. Its an occasion to pay gratitude to the gods, ancestors and herbalists of the community who cure people of disease.

The festival will include a gong performance, folk dancing and games. Additionally, the Thai people will introduce their unique cuisine including dishes made from hoa ban (orchids) and specialities of Son La Province.

The programme aims to preserve and uphold the traditional cultural values of Vietnamese ethnic communities, enhancing national unity while advertising the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism as an attractive tourist destination for visitors from home and abroad, said Lam Van Khang, head of the management board of the village.200 volunteers joined the sakura planting process

Specifically, the saplings were grown from seeds using a variety of cherry trees from the city of Fukuoka, which shares a similar climate with Hanoi. With the intent of ensuring the saplings can adapt to the local environment in Hanoi, 200 volunteers planted 500 saplings at the event.

Kunio Umeda, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam, gave a speech at the sakura planting event

Additionally, the planting event was designed as a certified commemoration project by the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, celebrating the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan.

Iwamura Yasutsugu, general director of AEON Mall Vietnam, stated that with the vision of faciliating a dynamic and exciting community in Vietnam, AEON Mall Vietnam is committed to harness their capabilities and experiences to create a modern and green lifestyle for Hanoi residents.

Volunteers and their children learnt how to plant a sakura sapling

Yasutsugu further added that "having brought Japan's most iconic plant to Hanoi, we hope to make the city more beautiful with the elegance and purity of sakura flowers."

Previously in March 2017, the Japanese shopping mall developer also planted 200 sakura trees at Hoa Binh Peace Park.

AEON Environmental Foundation, founded in 1990, has conducted numerous environmental and social conservation activities, including supporting and funding groups which undertake environmental activities like tree planting in Japan and overseas.According to London-based chief trade economist Doug Lippoldt of HSBC Bank plc., the newly-signed trade agreement has marked a significant step for the development of trade in the Pacific Basin, encompassing a region with a GDP of $10 trillion and a population of 500 million.

Lippoldt breaks down the implications and the impacts of such a trade pact.

It does what?

Across 30 chapters and multiple annexes, the CPTPP delivers deep liberalisation in goods, services, and trade-related investment. Duties are tackled across the board, with most being reduced to zero.

A deal that connects 11 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Source: New Zealand Foreign Affairs & Trade

Non-tariff barriers are addressed to reduce customs and regulatory impediments to trade, providing for improved alignment going forward. Services are liberalised, except where specific exceptions were negotiated. Investors are assured national and most-favoured nation treatment, with an opportunity for recourse in the event the agreement is not respected.

The agreement addresses 21st century technology issues, with standalone chapters on e-commerce, telecommunications, and data issues (including privacy and the free flow of data). Also, the agreement tackles social concerns that have been raised about trade, setting comparatively high standards to address issues like environment, labour, inclusive trade (e.g., for small- and medium-sized enterprises), and unfair competition (including the imposition of financial discipline on state-owned enterprises).

Economic gains to be had

Table 1 presents estimates of gains to be had by the CPTPP countries using two alternative models to assess the accord. Estimates from a team of the Peterson Institute for International Economics (2017) point to solid gains in exports across the board for members.

On average, CPTPP (TPP-11) exports would be boosted by more than 6 per cent by 2030, raising the base going forward. The expected export gains for developing countries are more substantial. For example, Malaysia, Peru, and Vietnam are all expected to see export growth of more than 8.5 per cent from the baseline. The PIIE team also anticipates an improvement in real incomes for the region of 1 per cent by 2030, again with the biggest increases accruing to the developing country members.

Table 1

Estimates from a team at Ciuriak Consulting point to smaller gains in real GDP (0.1 per cent on average), but the results are still positive across the board for all members. The results for exports are generally lower than those found by the PIIE team (2.4 per cent overall), with a bit more variability.

Overall, the modellers find that the CPTPP would strengthen the economies of members. The deal would broadly boost CPTPP trade, real incomes, and GDP in an on-going fashion.

This may be due partly to the modelled impacts of preference erosion for countries that have existing preferential trade agreements. Chile, for example, is expected to see its exports contract slightly, with only slight gains in welfare. It may be that other CPTPP members gain at Chile's expense in areas where Chile currently enjoys a preference advantage (e.g. with Canada).

Overall, the modellers find that the CPTPP would strengthen the economies of members. The deal would broadly boost CPTPP trade, real incomes, and GDP in an on-going fashion.

The improved competitiveness from increased market openness under the CPTPP framework may help position the members to benefit more fully from engagement in other trade initiatives in the region: i.e. the Belt and Road Initiative and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership under negotiation between the ASEAN and six of its free-trade agreement partners.

Non-CPTPP members such as China, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and the US could face modest net losses as some trade in the region is diverted to CPTPP members (Table 1). However, some of these countries are reconsidering their positions on membership. Press reports indicate that China and Thailand, for example, have not ruled out joining the CPTPP. Also, at Davos this year, President Trump reportedly said, I would do the TPP if we made a much better deal than we had.ICAEW and Partners in Learning in Singapore and Vietnam signing the document

For the first time, three independent PiLs of ICAEW in Vietnam, including UHY Training Center AFA Research & Education (AFA) and Vietsourcing Education Group (Vietsourcing), are joining forces to partner up with City Academy, an international PiL in Singapore with experienced Chartered Accountant tutors from the UK, Singapore, and Malaysia.

ICAEW will connect these PiLs and support them to deliver a collaborative project of training students for the professional level of the Chartered Accountancy qualification in Vietnam.

The project aims to enhance and monitor training quality and support PiLs of ICAEW in Vietnam in training the trainers for professional and advanced levels in the future. Ensuring a high-quality learning environment for students and supporting Chartered Accountants fully trained in Vietnam is one of the top priorities of ICAEW.

By nurturing such highly qualified Vietnamese finance, accounting, and business professionals, ICAEW hopes to contribute in a practical way to the development of the Vietnamese accountancy and finance sector.

Mark Billington, ICAEW Regional Director, Southeast Asia, said: "The foremost objective of this collaborative project is to ensure the high training quality and good learning outcomes for our ICAEW ACA students trained in Vietnam. We look forward to welcoming the first Chartered Accountants to be fully trained here in the near future. By nurturing such highly qualified Vietnamese finance, accounting, and business professionals, ICAEW hopes to contribute in a real practical way to the development of the Vietnamese accountancy and finance sector.

The project has a duration of three years with a specific roadmap for enrolment and training of ICAEW ACA students. In parallel with training students, City Academy will support the PiLs by providing teaching resources with the ultimate goal of the PiLS taking on teaching the ACA in their respective countries.

PiLs of ICAEW in Vietnam and ICAEW Vietnam will be in charge of the enrolment and organisation of courses. City Academy will provide tutors, develop curricula, and enable students to access and use the reference materials of City Academy. The tutors of PiLs in Vietnam will support their foreign counterparts in providing instructions, reviewing, and marking tests for students during their learning process. The Vietnamese tutors also have full use of the training materials of City Academy for reference. The first course is expected to be launched in July 2018.

This cooperation will help improve the state of the Vietnamese accountancy and finance sector

Founded in the UK in 1880, ICAEW is a world-leading professional membership organisation connecting over 149,000 chartered accountants worldwide, providing this community of professionals with the power to build and sustain strong economies. By training, developing, and supporting accountants throughout their career, ICAEW gives them the expertise and values to meet the needs of tomorrows businesses.In 2017, Japan has replaced the Republic of Korea as the largest foreign investor in Viet Nam in general, and in the real estate market in particular. - Photo tapchitaichinh.vn

According to real estate company Savills Viet Nam, over the past years, Asian investors, including Japanese ones, were only involved in commercial real estate like commercial centres, serviced apartments or office buildings. However, at present, these investors are increasing their activity in the residential segment due to the countrys young population and an increasing middle class, presenting an extremely attractive opportunity.

Presence of big investors

Shinichi Sakaki, deputy general director of the City Bureau, at Japans Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, said the Japanese Government now has policies to support real estate developers promoting investment abroad. In addition, Japan has the experience of developing large-scale satellite towns, so it is trying to export that technology abroad.

One of the projects attracting not only investors but also the governments of Viet Nam and Japan is the cooperation agreement for the development of Nhat Tan  Noi Bai, aiming to build a smart city north of the Red River.

The project was signed between Viet Nams BRG Group Joint Stock Company, Japans Sumitomo Corporation Asia and Oceania Group and the Peoples Committee of Ha Noi.

With total investment of nearly US$4.2 billion, this project is considered Japans largest foreign investment.

Prior to that, another large Japanese investor, Mitsubishi Corporation, had co-operated with Vietnamese property developer Bitexco, to develop 240 low-rise housing units and two high-rise condominiums among a total of more than 1,000 low-rise and 17 high-rise condominiums at Ha Nois The Manor Central Park project.

Bitexco and Mitsubishi established a joint venture company, of which Bitexco holds a 55 per cent stake and Mitsubishi holds the remaining 45 per cent.

Recently, Nidec Group, one of the worlds leading hi-tech corporations and the second largest Japanese corporation on the Tokyo stock exchange (2017), joined forces with escalator firm Alpec to conquer the Vietnamese elevator market.

With many years of experience in the field of high technology as well as research and development of lifts, Nidec will send foreign experts to support Alpec in quality management, labour safety, as well as the research and development of elevator equipment. The cooperation between the two sides promises to launch modern and environmentally-friendly elevator products, in accordance with the aesthetics and economic conditions of the Vietnamese people.

Regarding potential cooperation between the two countries, Le Hoang Chau, president of the HCM City Real Estate Association (HoREA), said, in 2017, Japan replaced the Republic of Korea as the largest foreign investor in Viet Nam in general, and in the real estate market in particular. Many Japanese enterprises have participated in the implementation of major urban infrastructure projects funded by the Japanese Government, such as Obayashi, Shimizu, Hitachi, Sumimoto Construction, Mitsui and Maeda.

In addition, there are enterprises that have invested in developing big projects such as Nomura Hai Phong Industrial Zone, or Idemitsu Kosan Company Limiteds investment in Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical. Especially, in the past five years, some Japanese investment funds and enterprises have cooperated with real estate companies in Viet Nam in the form of buying shares, contributing to investment or lending for developing real estate projects in accordance with Japanese standards and suitable to consumers needs.

The potential for investment and business cooperation among real estate companies in Japan and Viet Nam is very large, with 1,200 real estate development projects of Vietnamese enterprises in need of cooperation, joint ventures or teaming up with domestic and foreign businesses, especially Japanese ones.

Potential cooperation

The cooperation between Viet Nam and Japan will bring benefits to both sides, especially in creating opportunities for Vietnamese consumers to access high quality Japanese housing products, according to Chau.

Meanwhile, regarding cooperation with Japanese units in the field of building management, Nguyen Quang Huy, deputy general director of Property and Management Company (PMC), said cooperation with Japanese businesses brought benefits such as giving motivation to develop service standards and customer service strategies in a Japanese style, improving the prestige and companys brand name, and being able to improve the foundations of implementing management, training or improving the quality of human resources.

"However, we also face many challenges; the most fundamental difficulty is the different approaches between the two sides. Vietnamese people tend to focus on a short-term approach, expecting to see results quickly. Japanese people, on the other hand, appreciate the importance of long-term planning, so they start with the smallest things," Huy told Viet Nam News.

"For example, in the field of building management, they teach staff how to cut nails, wash toilets, walk and serve customers. Therefore, Vietnamese businesses intending to cooperate with Japan should also pay attention to differences in the approach and find ways to create a workforce that loves the job, accepting career development on a long-term basis rather than short-term, he said.

According to the HoREA chairman, there is enormous opportunity for co-operation between HCM City and Japanese property developers and construction companies since the city now has some 1,200 projects, including infrastructure upgrades and beautifying works,

Speaking at a meeting with a delegation of executives from 40 Japanese companies, Chau said the projects had been undertaken by local firms who want to tie up with foreign partners.

Additionally, from 2018, the city was set to implement the National Assemblys resolution No54 on special mechanisms and policies, which would give it almost complete autonomy in deciding and awarding projects.

The city had already planned 21 programmes including removing houses along canals and giving itself a facelift.

He cited the examples of Tokyu investing in Hung Thinh Corporation and Becamexs projects and Hankyu and Nishi Nippon Railways tying up with Nam Long, Misubishi Corporation with Phuc Khang Corporation, and ACA with Son Kim Land.

Concurring, Le Tran Kien, deputy director of the citys Department of Construction, said the city aimed to relocate 20,000 people living along canals and in old apartments by 2020.

"Some 21,850 houses are located along canals and need to be moved, mostly in Districts 8, 4 and Binh Thanh," he said.

The city was considering ways to attract more foreign investment in public-private partnership projects (PPP), he said, adding that six PPP projects were underway to upgrade the city.

HCM City is now soliciting Japanese investment in a project to upgrade the Cau Dua Canal in District 4.

Speaking about the potential of co-operating with city-based companies, Keiji Kimura, chairman of J-CODE, said Viet Nam was set for rapid modernisation like Japan achieved 50 years ago.

So Japanese companies would like to share their experience with HCM City partners in handling problems like traffic jams and pollution, he said.

They were committed to apply modern technologies to develop HCM Citys infrastructure, he assured.Germany's second biggest party, the Social Democrats, on Friday (Mar 9) named their ministers in Chancellor Angela Merkel's next government, completing a cabinet lineup in which they snatched the trophy finance and foreign affairs portfolios.

Olaf Scholz, 59, the interim leader of the Social Democrats (SPD), will take over the powerful finance ministry which in recent years was led by fiscal hawk Wolfgang Schaeuble of Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU).

Heiko Maas, the SPD's outgoing justice minister, will take the prestigious post of running the foreign ministry, according to the party's designated next leader Andrea Nahles.

Both Merkel's conservative CDU/CSU bloc and the SPD, the two mainstream parties in Europe's biggest economy, lost millions of votes to far-right populists in last September's election.

This has forced them, after six months of torturous negotiations involving multiple parties, into another unhappy marriage of convenience dubbed a grand coalition or "GroKo".

Merkel, aged 63 and in power for 12 years, is due to formally launch her fourth-term government next Wednesday.

But unrest is brewing within her party following a historically poor election result and Merkel's decision to give up key cabinet posts as the price of holding onto power.

Given the mutual distrust between the two big parties, "it's possible that this coalition won't last four years," one senior CDU source has told AFP. "Unlike in the past, I'm not sure this time."

"EYE ON FINANCES"

The SPD, demoralised by plummeting poll figures and damaging infighting, on Friday celebrated rare good news - the key ministries they have wrested from Merkel's team in tough coalition haggling.

Scholz said the SPD's ministers, three men and three women, were "a good team of people with a high level of expertise and the ability to run large organisations".

Nahles then formally announced that Scholz, the mayor of the city-state of Hamburg, would take over the finance ministry, which has been led in recent months by Merkel's deputy Peter Altmaier, 59.

She said Scholz had led the wealthy river port "with a keen eye on finances, with budgetary discipline on the one hand and future-oriented investments in education, research and infrastructure on the other".

Nahles then introduced incoming foreign minister Maas, 51, praising his "endurance" as a triathlete and the "diplomatic finesse, backbone and clear stance against racism" he had shown as justice minister.

She said this would help Maas, who has little international experience, in a job where Germany increasingly acted "as a mediator in a disorderly world".

Taking over the justice portfolio will be Katarina Barley, 49, a former judge, while Hubertus Heil, 45, becomes labour minister and Berlin local politician Svenja Schulze, 49, takes on the environment post at a time Germany is on course to miss its ambitious climate targets.

"COLD REVENGE"

Absent from the SPD line-up were the two men who have dominated the party in its tumultuous past year - election loser Martin Schulz, who bowed out weeks ago, and outgoing top diplomat Sigmar Gabriel, whose go-it-alone style has long angered Scholz and Nahles.

Nahles - soon to become the 153-year-old labour party's first female leader - has shown, by sending her nemesis Gabriel to the backbenches, that she knows "revenge is a dish best served cold", judged Spiegel Online.

Among Merkel's conservatives, Ursula von der Leyen, 59, stays on in the defence ministry and the chancellor's loyal right-hand man Altmaier is rewarded with the economy and energy ministry.

In a nod to a new generation, outspoken Merkel critic Jens Spahn, 37, becomes health minister while two women, Julia Kloeckner, 45, and Anja Karliczek, 46, take over the agriculture and education portfolios respectively.

Andreas Scheuer, 43, of Merkel's conservative Bavarian sister party the CSU, will become transport minister, wresting with Germany's auto pollution scandal, while Gerd Mueller, 62, stays on as development minister.

Crucially, the embattled outgoing CSU chief Horst Seehofer, 68, as Germany's next interior minister in charge of security takes over a rebranded "homeland" ministry in a bid to answer the challenge of the new far-right.According to the credit rating agency, compared with the TPP, lost trade opportunities will be felt most in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Japan, because these countries stood to gain the most from greater access to the US market, given the scope of current trade agreements.

The CPTPP was signed on March 8 in Santiago, Chile

Nevertheless, Malaysia will prove the biggest winner from the revised agreement, because the deal will provide export access into new markets, including Canada, Peru, and Mexico, and will benefit palm oil, rubber, and electronics exporters.

Meanwhile, real incomes in Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, and Peru will also rise compared to a case without the CPTPP.

The ongoing reform efforts should boost competitiveness and investment, and strengthen institutional quality over time for member nations. Also, the benefits would be greatest for sovereigns with relatively low governance and competitiveness scores, such as Peru, Vietnam, Mexico, and Brunei.

On the issue of reforms, Moodys noted that because the lower trade and non-trade barriers under the CPTPP are conditional on country-specific reforms, the agreement will help sustain domestic reform momentum.

The ongoing reform efforts should boost competitiveness and investment, and strengthen institutional quality over time for member nations. Also, the benefits would be greatest for sovereigns with relatively low governance and competitiveness scores, such as Peru, Vietnam, Mexico, and Brunei.

Moodys added that if the CPTPP expands its membership to include other large Asian economies which have expressed interest in joining the deal, including Indonesia (Baa3 positive), Korea (Aa2 stable), the Philippines (Baa2 stable), Taiwan (Aa3 stable), and Thailand (Baa1 stable), real income gains for members would be much greater than the current CPTPP deal and higher than the original TPP pact, according to estimates from the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

The CPTPPs members now consist of Australia (Aaa stable), Brunei (not rated), Canada (Aaa stable), Chile (Aa3 negative), Japan (A1 stable), Malaysia (A3 stable), Mexico (A3 negative), New Zealand (Aaa stable), Peru (A3 stable), Singapore (Aaa stable), and Vietnam (B1 positive).Ivonne Bojoh, chief experience officer and co-founder of GoBear

Headquartered in Singapore, one of the most alluring technology havens where top talents from all over the world reside, GoBear did have the option to setup its software development team in the Lion City instead of Vietnam. GoBears chief experience officer and co-founder Ivonne Bojoh discussed the companys strategic choice and how it may benefit the local technology startup community.

How would you compare the technical capacity of Vietnamese software engineers to their counterparts in Singapore? Why did GoBear choose to setup the regional in-house software development team in Ho Chi Minh City?

The interesting thing is that across Asia, there are many technology talents, but each country has a different focus. Some countries may be more advanced in front-end skills, while those in other countries might be well-experienced in back-end skills. At Singapore, there is also a large pool of highly-skilled international professionals who are working for big brands like Facebook or Google.

I believe GoBear and many other technology companies are actually looking at Ho Chi Minh City as the Silicon Valley of the East, because there is a rise in the quantity and availability of Vietnamese talent.

When comparing Singapore and Vietnam, what I appreciate the most in both countries is the governmental effort to boost their technology capabilities. There are many good quality technical universities in Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City, and both governments focus on developing technical competitiveness to support the rising internet industry and the growing demand for engineers.

I believe GoBear and many other technology companies are actually looking at Ho Chi Minh City as the Silicon Valley of the East, because there is a rise in the quantity and availability of Vietnamese talent. After interviewing candidates here, I noticed that there is a strong sense of pride in Vietnamese people. They want to make a significant difference and build something special for their fellow citizens, which is something I truly appreciate and can relate to. This personal motivation fits GoBear perfectly because our product is made by consumers for consumers.

GoBear chose Ho Chi Minh City instead of Singapore for its new GoBear Code Unit

Talent retention is a never-ending topic. What makes you believe that GoBear can attract and retain the top talents for this new team?

It is true that talent retention is a huge challenge for many companies, especially in the technology industry where there is always a shortage of good engineers and so there are many great employment opportunities.

Firstly, we at GoBear always believe that remuneration is important to talents. Those who choose to join us have to be able to sustain their family and build their future at the same time. Secondly, when you spend most of your daytime at the workplace, that workplace should be a happy place and you should be able to like the people that you work with.

So it is very important for us to promote a sense of community around the team where people can learn from others, understand that it is fine to make mistakes, and have the opportunity to choose to work on projects that they like. Last but not least, we believe that empowering people with a sense of contribution and accomplishment is key to retaining the best talents.

How will GoBear contribute to the development of local technology startups with the launch of GoBear Code Unit in Ho Chi Minh City?

The reason why we set up the GoBear Code Unit at The Hive co-working space in District 2 in Ho Chi Minh City is that we want to immerse ourselves in the dynamic environment of the local technology startup scene. By choosing the co-working space, we can also use their facilities for the social and educational activities we have planned for our team and the citys tech community.

One of the events we are going to organise this year is a monthly tech meetup. This is a common type of event in our industry where software engineers and people who love technology can socialise and talk about topics of interest. For our monthly meetup in Ho Chi Minh City, we will have our team members present or we will invite industry leaders to talk about their respective subjects. Anyone who has an interesting angle can also talk to us and lead one of the meetups.

In addition, we will encourage senior members of the GoBear Code Unit to reach out to their professional network. We will also connect with universities in Vietnam and offer to share our experience and knowledge with technology students.

I believe this will be very beneficial for Vietnamese students because they will have an opportunity to look into the actual working industry, which can be very different from studying in a classroom. In the near future, we will arrange other events like hackathons, a competitive and challenging event for enthusiastic, young developers to showcase their talent for a good cause.

GoBear Vietnam announces new country director GoBear, Asias first and only metasearch engine for insurance and financial products, has just appointed Bao Nguyen as its new country director in Vietnam, effective ...

GoBear launches new fixed deposit comparison feature GoBear, Asias first and only meta-search engine in insurance and financial products, has launched a new product comparison category on its website. Accordingly, fixed deposits ...

GoBear opens regional Code Unit in Vietnam in February 2018 GoBear will commence its new regional software development team known as the GoBear Code Unit in Ho Chi Minh City on February 1.

GoBear Vietnam receives one million online visitors within first year of operation GoBear Vietnam was today closing on the 1,000,000 visitor mark after a single year of operations in Vietnam. GoBear keeps improving and will add an ...Lanterns displayed at a night market in Hoi An.

Vice chairman of the citys Peoples Committee Nguyen Van Son said the night market with 56 pavilions will open daily from 6 p.m to 11 p.m.

He said the newly-launched night market will offer more shopping options for tourists at night, easing the crowding of tourists in the old quarters of the west side.

The city has previously launched two night markets  souvenir pavilions in Nguyen Hoang street and cuisine corner along Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa street on the Hoai River bank.

Hoi An, a UNESCO-recognised world heritage site, also allocated new pedestrian areas on streets of Tran Phu, Nguyen Hue (in front of Hoi An market), Phan Chau Trinh, Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa and the Hoai River Square last year.

The vice chairman of the city said the pedestrian area in the old quarter is currently overloaded with tourists, which creates a burden on traffic, trading, shopping and tourism service, while streets in the citys western region, near Hoi An market and outside of the old quarter, are still quiet.

Hoi An began its pedestrian project in 2002 to help create more space for tourists and ease busy traffic in the old quarters.

As scheduled, the expanded walking streets open from 9 a.m to 11 a.m in the morning and from 3 p.m till 9.30 p.m in the rainy season or 10 p.m in summer. Motorbikes or engine vehicles are allowed access for four hours per day and at night time only.

In 2015, Hoi An, a UNESCO heritage site, designated Nguyen Phuc Chu street a walking street where only pedestrians and non-engine vehicles are allowed.

The ancient city has made efforts to build a green and clean city based on sustainable development.

Hoi An was the first city in Vietnam to host a Car Free Day and the first location in the central province to launch the 3-Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle) programme while promoting the use of reusable bags and the operation of a solar-powered lighting in the citys square.

According to the city, it plans to promote bicycle use among public agencies, as well as boost bicycle use among local residents, with a goal of 100,000 local bicycles in use.

Most foreign tourists use bicycles while touring the city, beaches and villages during their visits to Hoi An.

Hoi An was chosen for the 2013 Townscape Award by the UN-Habitat Regional Office in Asia . It was also listed among the top 10 Asian cities in US magazine Conde Nast Travelers Readers Choice Awards in 2012.

Located in the central province of Quang Nam province, the ancient town has many temples, pagodas and old houses. Hoi An was a leading trading port in Southeast Asia in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Souvenirs are on sale at Nguyen Hoang night market on the Hoai River bank of Hoi An city.

Tourists walk peacefully in an old street in Hoi An city. More pedestrian streets were opened for tourists exploring the city at night.According to Do Nhat Hoang, director of the Foreign Investment Agency, the region should take the initiative to develop its infrastructure and quality of human resources in order to take advantage of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Agreement which Viet Nam and 10 other member countries signed on March 8 in Chile.

Nghe An lures investments

Viet Nam, with low cost labour and competitive advantage, is among three ASEAN countries which are on the investment radar.

Meanwhile, Nghe An Province has enjoyed significant growth in investment inflow in the past 10 years thanks to its enormous efforts in building infrastructure and improving the investment climate and business conditions.

The north central coastal province has drawn 980 investment projects (927 domestic and 53 foreign direct investment projects) with total registered capital of VND276 trillion (US$12.1 billion) in the last 10 years, a record high compared to the previous periods, a provincial Peoples Committees report showed.

Nghe An lures investments

In 2017 alone, the province inaugurated 176 new projects with combined registered capital of over VND14.5 trillion.

Dairy firm TH Group has invested a total of VND65 trillion in this region, including a $1.2-billion hi-tech concentrated dairy and fresh milk production project. Sabeco has two projects worth a combined VND2.4 trillion. PetroVietnam has four projects with total investment capital of VND7.5 trillion. Hoa Sen Group has two steel projects worth VND7.3 trillion. Vingroup invested in a resort complex worth VND900 billion.

Many foreign companies have also opted to invest in Nghe An, such as WHA Groups $1 billion industrial park construction, the $30 million Hitech BSE telecommunications electronic equipment factory and Mavin AustFeeds VND325 billion cattle feed plant.

Increasing investment has helped the province shift its economic structure towards modernity, contributing to the growth in local budget revenue, from VND4.44 trillion in 2009 to VND12.03 trillion in 2017, creating tens of thousands of jobs for local workers. The provinces per capita income has increased to VND29 million ($1,272) per year.

Strongly improving investment climate

Nghe An is one of the few provinces which have established an investment promotion and support centre under the provincial Peoples Committee. This one-stop agency has helped reduce procedures for investors. The authority has also actively engaged in direct dialogue with the business community to listen to solve problems quickly.

In 2009, the province initiated the first investment promotion conference with the participation of three parties (authority, investors and creditors) which aimed to resolve problems for businesses, enhancing the business environment and attracting more investment.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will attend the 10th investment promotion conference in Nghe An Province on March 10. The provincial authority will present its achievements in investment attraction in the province in the past 10 years, as well as introduce its socio-economic issues and investment environment and policy. The Government leader will deliver a speech, giving direction for the provinces investment and socio-economic development in the coming years. The conference opens investment opportunities for businesses in the region. It is expected to draw 1,000 delegates this year, including state management agencies, embassies, international financial organisations, big domestic and foreign corporations and potential investors.

The Meeting Investors, with the participation of the Prime Minister and representatives of leaders of central and local ministries and sectors, has become Nghe Ans iconic annual event with entrants increasing from 200 to about 1,000 visitors this year.

Along with attracting investment by the red carpet and support policies, the provincial authority has been accelerating the planning for infrastructure development, especially transportation, to ensure the favorable movement of goods and services.Phoenix Legendthe next gem in Halong Bay

Phoenix Legend Halong Bay Villas and Hotel is situated at the heart of the "economic triangle" (Hanoi-Haiphong-Halong), with quick access to surrounding cities to the south and north through several highways.

In addition, the hotel and villa complex is perched 86 metres above the sea level, overlooking the spectacular landscape of the bay.

The balanced coordination of Oriental architecture and modern and trendy design patterns results in an exceedingly sophisticated ambiance. Salvador Perez Arroyo, the representative of SDesign, the business in charge of the complex's architectural design, highlighted that the two towers of the complex were strongly inspired by the mental image of the Oriental phoenix motif, and the two buildings were constructed as the two wings of the majestic beast taking off towards the East Sea."

Salvador went on to explain the design concept by saying, "Underneath the two wings are 26 villas, representing 26 phoenix eggs, surrounded by Japanese cherry flowers. The complex not only carries an avant-garde vibe, but is also functional and resonates with the inner artist in visitors soul."

Lauded as one of the most promising projects in the high-end real estate market in Halong Bay, Phoenix Legend Halong Bay Villas and Hotel shall be the first complex to offer exquisite experiences for residents of the complex as well as tourists staying at the hotel area of the complex once its construction is completed, including access to wine cellars, cigar rooms, art galleries, rooftop bars, and five-star restaurant chains.

Nguyen Quy Tuan, head of project development at AccorHotels, noted that "As a world cultural heritage, Ha Long Bay needs an iconic project to match world real estate developments and the country's cultural depth. The Phoenix Legend is expected to be not only a top-class real estate resort complex, but also a heart-and-soul addition to the bay, created by people who truly love the location."

As planned, the complex will be available for sale in late June 2018. Additionally, the hotel and villa construction are anticipated to be completed to be ready to welcome the first residents and guests in the third quarter of 2019.

Phoenix Legend, Halong Bay's next five-star complex

The hotel and villa complex offers a breathtaking view on the bay

The phoenix-inspired project was lauded as one of the most promising high-end real estate projects in the bay areaSingaporean healthcare giant eye $200 million in Vietnam

Singaporean William Chu, a representative of the Singaporean firm, which requested to be unnamed, said that the investor plans to pour $200 million into Vietnam's lucrative healthcare industry, including idle-sitting Hanoi-American International Hospital in Hanoi

"The investor is interested in partially investing in the project or forming a joint venture or buying 100 per cent of the project," he added.

Located in Cau Giay district, Hanoi-American International Hospital was licensed in 1997 with total investment capital of $50 million by US-based Keystone Global Group. The project was planned with have 300 international quality beds and a modern helicopter landing pad.

Due to site clearance difficulties, the project was only kicked off in 2006 and the raw building was completed in 2011, since when the project has been left desolate.

Due to site clearance difficulties, the project was only kicked off in 2006 and the raw building was completed in 2011, since when the project has been left desolate.

Amid rising local spending on healthcare, Vietnam has been on the radar of international groups.

Together with growing interest among European investors, more influential Japanese firms have expanded into the lucrative Vietnamese pharmaceutical market, anticipating its growth amidst rising spending power.

In March 2017, Toho Pharmaceutical, one of Japan's leading pharmaceutical wholesalers, signed a memorandum of understanding with Hanoi authorities to build a drug production factory, marking its entrance to Vietnam.

Nipro Pharma CorporationJapans biggest prescription drug contract manufactureris also expanding its operations in Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City.

Japanese pharma firms are also expanding via strategic partnerships with local drug firms. In 2016, Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings, one of the five biggest pharma firms in Japan, acquired a 24.5 per cent stake in Hau Giang Pharmaceutical JSC (DHG), Vietnams biggest publicly traded drug maker, to strengthen the market share of its products in the country.

In line with the Japanese moves, European pharma firms have also been expanding in Vietnam, to position themselves for the upcoming European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement.

According to EuroCham's Pharma Group, the successful conclusion of international trade agreements (FTA) (in particular the Vietnam-EU FTA) and Vietnams regional integration through the ASEAN Economic Community has put Vietnam in the spotlight.

Domestic developments, such as the approval of the Ministry of Healths patient-focused Pharmaceutical Law by the National Assembly last year, sends positive signals to multinational corporations and helps pave the way for a new era for Vietnams healthcare landscape. This strategic opportunity is time sensitive with EU FTAs scheduled for the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia over the next two to three years.

Currently, about 800 foreign firms are allowed to provide, but not directly distribute, pharmaceuticals in Vietnam. The pharmaceutical market in Vietnam will expand in value from $3.5 billion in 2015 to an estimated $6.6 billion by 2020, according to research and consulting firm GlobalData.

Hanoi American International Hospital idle 17 years 17 years after its investment certificate was issued, Hanoi American International Hospital project is still a desolate construction area in Hanois Cau Giay district.

VK Architects & Engineers to shape an international hospital in Vietnam Belgium-based VK Architects & Engineers has recently partnered with Rang Dong Medical Joint Stock Company (Rang Dong JSC) to develop new VietSing International Hospital, one ...Politicians use fake news to discredit their opponents, says EU Digital Commissioner Mariya Gabriel AFP/Emmanuel DUNAND

Brussels is working on a Europe-wide plan to deal with fake news online, with an expert group to issue a report on Monday (Mar 5) and first strategy outlines due to be unveiled next month.

Moscow has been accused of interfering in several recent European votes by using social media to spread bogus news stories and sow discord. In January, French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans for laws to stop such material spreading in the run-up to elections.

Mariya Gabriel, European commissioner for the digital single market and society, told AFP in an interview that the question of fake news during election campaigns was a key part of the expert group's study.

"We must redouble efforts against fake news during election periods," said Gabriel, who took over as commissioner when fellow Bulgarian Kristalina Georgieva was appointed to the World Bank last year.

"It is at election time when we really see how big an effect this phenomenon can have on voters."

The expert group includes a representative from AFP, as well as other major media companies, campaign groups and web giants Google, Facebook and Twitter.

Part of the project is to define clearly what is meant by fake news and Gabriel said she would even prefer to drop the term in favour of "disinformation online".

"Today we are seeing the perverse effects of the term 'fake news', which can be used by politicians to discredit their opponents and attack freedom of expression," she said.

BROAD APPROACH

In January the EU accused Russia of pumping out thousands of pieces of disinformation in an "orchestrated strategy" aimed at destabilising the bloc in an unusually blunt assessment.

This was based on two years' work by the EU's Stratcom East taskforce, which runs a "myth-busters" website and social media feeds to debunk false news reports, most of them promoting Russian government agendas.

But Gabriel said she wants the EU to develop a strategy that looks beyond individual countries to build resilience across Europe to fake news by educating citizens and encouraging web platforms to be open about the source of their content.

"We are aiming for a much larger scope - I don't want to stop with one country or one aspect," she said.

"That's why I talk about a multi-stakeholder approach, a multi-dimensional solution - there is no miracle solution."

Germany took the lead in trying to tackle fake news with legislation last year, threatening social networks with fines of up to 50 million euros (US$60 million) if they do not remove bogus reports and hateful posts promptly.

The EU has so far taken a more collaborative approach with the big web players, encouraging self-regulation, and Gabriel said it was not planning to follow Germany and France down the road of trying to legislate against fake news.

"I don't start with the idea that an attack comes from this country or region, I start with the need for transparency to identify sources, where the information is coming from," she said.

"For example during election time to have a clear indication of adverts paid for by political parties to show citizens clearly that something is part of a planned campaign."

And Gabriel, 38, stressed the need to better equip young people - and their teachers - to identify reliable information and spot bogus news.

"Today this has become urgent. The key word is education - media education must become part of courses at universities and schools," she said.

"For this we must pay attention to teachers - we don't think of this often enough ... but it is really teachers who need to master this technology to pass it on to their students."US President Donald Trump (R) vowed to work "very quickly" on a security agreement with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to spare Canberra steel and aluminum tariffs AFP/SAUL LOEB

Major US trading partners have condemned Trump's decision to impose the punitive tariffs as protectionism and an affront to allies, amid growing fears of a global trade war.

After a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Trump said the Australian leader "is committed to having a very fair and reciprocal military and trade relationship."

"Working very quickly on a security agreement so we don't have to impose steel or aluminium tariffs on our ally, the great nation of Australia!" the American president added.

There were no immediate details on what such a "security agreement" would entail.

Australia and the United States have been joined in the ANZUS Treaty security alliance since it took effect in 1952.

Turnbull told reporters that Trump "was able to confirm that he would not have to impose tariffs on Australian steel and aluminium," and that now the paperwork will be done "to put that direction into effect."

Australian steel and aluminium account for just a small percentage of the US import market, but Canberra has warned the tariffs would distort trade and lead to job losses.

"That was a very good and productive discussion with the president," Turnbull said.

Trump had indicated he would be flexible toward "real friends."

During Thursday's signing of the tariffs, 25 per cent on imported steel and 10 per cent on aluminium, he confirmed Canada and Mexico would be exempted permanently if the ongoing renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement is successful.

But both Mexico and Canada rejected Trump's linkage of the levies to ongoing NAFTA talks.

The US leader had also added Australia to a list of likely exemptions.

"We have a very close relationship with Australia, we have a trade surplus with Australia, great country, long-term partner, we'll be doing something with them," he said.

But Trump took aim at Germany - the biggest economy in the European Union trade bloc - as a bad actor likely to face tariffs.

Railing against countries that had "taken advantage" of the United States, Trump accused Germany of behaving unfairly by contributing much less than the US towards the funding of NATO.VASEP requested DoC to re-calculate the anti-dumping tax on Vietnamese shrimp

DoC has put the preliminary rate at 25.39 per cent, which was calculated for Sao Ta Seafoods JSC (FIMEX), much higher than the previously estimated rate of below 2 per cent. FIMEX was the only mandatory respondent in the proceedings, and its rate was deemed appropriate for all other Vietnamese companies that export shrimp to the US.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) and Vietnams shrimp exporter community, there was considerable confusion in the calculation of this amplitude. During the earlier administrative review of anti-dumping lawsuits in the US, no enterprise has ever received double-digit rates. Particularly, FIMEX was examined in POR9 and received a rate of zero per cent.

FIMEX said DoCs analysis showed that it applied an incorrect conversion factor from headless to head-on shrimp. If the conversion had been applied correctly, the margin would only be 1.19 per cent instead of 25.39 per cent.

VASEP has requested DoC to quickly review the preliminary results to adjust it reasonably and in a timely manner to be fair with FIMEX and Vietnamese shrimp exporters.

According to VASEP, although the preliminary results have not yet been applied and may change in the final round, they may have a significant impact on importers psychology in the US as well as on the shrimp export activities of Vietnamese enterprises, affecting trading transactions between the two parties, especially while waiting for DoCs final results.

Based on the above factors, VASEP has requested DoC to quickly review the preliminary results to adjust it reasonably and in a timely manner to be fair with FIMEX and Vietnamese shrimp exporters.

Vietnams shrimp exports increased sharply with higher export prices, but exports to the US decreased by 7 per cent to $659 million, according to VASEPs report in 2017. The primary reason for this decline is the impact of the anti-dumping tax. The US currently ranks fourth among Vietnam's shrimp export markets, instead of the leading position that it took in previous years.Techcombank tranferred its entire stake at Techcom Finance to Lotte Card Co., Ltd.

According to newswire The Investor of South Korea, Mirae Asset Global Investments, the financial arm of Mirae Asset Financial Group, reported purchasing 100 per cent of the shares of Tin Phat Fund Management Company, then selling off 30 per cent of its shares at Tin Phat to State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC) with the intention of forming a Vietnam-based joint venture.

Park Hyeon-Joo, founder of Mirae Asset, pointed out that the new joint venture would be Mirae's financial arm in the Southeast Asia region. Apart from the previous inflows of capital injected into Vietnam-based enterprises and other enterprises in the region, Mirae expected to introduce new funds and diversify its portfolio in Vietnam, initiating investment in various sectors such as real estate, infrastructure, and private investment.

Previously, Mirae Asset Venture Investment and Korea Invesment Partners (KIP) poured $10 million into a Vietnam-based startup specialising in building and developing technological platforms for smartphones.

Mirae Asset Global Investments is present in Vietnam with the purpose of investing in and purchasing stakes from Vietnam-based enterprises.

Pham Hong Hai, CEO of HSBC Vietnam, asserted that foreign investors are currently fairly optimistic about the prospects of the Vietnamese economy and its expansion in the short run, from which the finance sector could tremendously benefit.

Recently, Lotte Group (Korea), through its subsidiary Lotte Card Co., Ltd., completed the transfer of 100 per cent of Techcombank's contributed capital at Techcom Finance, becoming the first licensed South Korean credit card provider in Vietnam. The deal value was claimed to mount up to dozens of billion South Korean wons (KRW1 billion = $940,000).

In 2016, M-Service, the electronic wallet service of Vietnam-based mobile payment firm MoMo, landed $28 million capital from Standard Chartered Private Equity and Goldman Sachs.

Additionally, Champion Crest Investment Fund of Credit China Fintech Holdings Ltd., a Hong Kong-headquarted fintech service provider, injected roughly $12.73 million to gain ownership of a majority stake in Amigo, a Vietnam-based provider of IT services and solutions for personalised financial services.

In July 2017, Samsung Securities announced its partnership with Caldera Pacific, an investment fund focusing on investing in private firms based in Hong Kong, securing a 40 per cent stake at Dragon Capital.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ST. PAUL  The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) today released the name of the trooper who discharged his weapon during an officer involved shooting incident earlier this week just east of Moorhead in Clay County. Trooper Mark Peterson has been with the Minnesota State Patrol since 1999. He remains on standard administrative leave.

The two occupants of the vehicle have also been identified.

 Domonique Maurice Crayton, 29, of Milwaukee.

 Melody Victoria Gray, 30, of Milwaukee.

Crayton and Gray were driving westbound on I-94 shortly before 10:30 a.m. Monday when Gray lost control of the vehicle and spun out just east of County Highway 336. The vehicle came to a stop facing east against the median barrier. Trooper Peterson came upon the vehicle in his squad and stopped to assist. When he learned that the vehicle had been reported stolen in Germantown, Wisconsin, he positioned his squad to prevent the disabled vehicle from driving away. Trooper Peterson then asked Mr. Crayton to exit the vehicle.

According to the BCAs preliminary investigation, as Trooper Peterson attempted to handcuff Crayton, Ms. Gray exited the vehicle and pointed a handgun at the trooper. Trooper Peterson pulled Crayton behind the vehicle, put him to the ground, and then fired at Gray, striking her in the right arm. She fled across north the westbound lanes of I-94 into a field.

A snowplow clearing the westbound lanes stopped approximately 50 yards past the incident scene. Trooper Peterson handcuffed Crayton and left him on his stomach behind the car. The trooper ran to the snowplow and recovered a gun, which was under the plow.

Mr. Crayton got back onto his feet just as an off-duty 911 dispatcher came upon the scene. She ordered Crayton back to the ground and prevented him from getting up until the trooper could return.

Gray collapsed in the field. Additional responding officers from the State Patrol, the Clay County Sheriffs Office and the Moorhead and Dilworth police departments arrived at the scene and secured Gray. They removed her from the field and provided medical attention until the ambulance arrived.

Ms. Gray was taken by ambulance to Essentia Health Hospital in Fargo for treatment of a gunshot wound. She remains hospitalized. Charges against Ms. Gray related to the incident are pending with the Clay County Attorneys Office.

Mr. Crayton was charged earlier today in Clay County District Court with felony damage to property, receiving stolen property, and other charges. He is in the Clay County Jail.

Trooper Peterson was not injured. The shooting incident was captured on squad video. There is no body camera video of the incident.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation. When the investigation is complete, the BCA will present its findings to the Clay County Attorneys Office for review.Minister for Equality Hosts International Womens Day Reception

Minister for Equality, the Hon Samantha Sacramento MP, hosted a reception to mark International Womens Day. The reception at the University of Gibraltar celebrated Gibraltarian women who were the first to make significant achievements and pave the way for other women.

In her address, Minister Sacramento highlighted the Ministry of Equalitys ambitious work programme of initiatives and training opportunities planned for the next year. Whilst the progress made in womens rights locally has been ground breaking, evidence indicates that there is still work to be done. Whilst Gibraltar has statutory protection for equal pay, the Ministry has analysed the statistical information available to investigate Gibraltars gender pay gap.

The Ministry has been able to distil the gender overall earnings gap: the difference in average annual earnings between men and women. Further work will be undertaken on the collection of data in more detail to continue the analysis but the preliminary findings show that:

The average gender overall earnings gap in the EU is 39.6%.

The average gender overall earnings gap in Gibraltar is 23.08%.

Not only does this stand well below the EU average, but is also below the figure of 2011 when it stood at 24.25%.

Minister Sacramento has made a call to action, and invited the private sector to work with Government on plans for a womens mentorship programme. This will aim to narrow the gender pay gap by providing real support to women looking to progress their careers and achieve their goals.

The Ministers address ended with a video clip, which celebrates women firsts. The video is available on the HM Government of Gibraltar Facebook Page: http://bit.ly/2oZ0Ct5Atlanta. Photo: Guy DAlema/FX/Copyright 2017, FX Networks. All Rights Reserved.

At its core, Atlanta is a show about a rapper and his manager/cousin hustling their way up the Atlanta hip-hop food chain, or at least thats the idea. That narrative often gets sidetracked, as it does for plenty of rappers, by family duty, legal hiccups (justified or not), and the daily grind to survive. In its first season, we walked with Alfred (Brian Tyree Henry)  who raps as Paper Boi  through the Atlanta streets as he navigated how to open music-industry doors without compromising his drug-dealing day job. With Earn (Donald Glover) handling his music, the two made small strides  Paper Boi got a song on the radio and local clout, but hadnt become a national success story. But now that the looming winter of Robbin Season has arrived, the stakes are raised: Everybodys gotta eat and Paper Bois got more mouths to feed than we were initially aware of.

In Thursday nights episode, Sportin Waves, Paper Boi and Earn take a meeting at a streaming start-up to tap into a new cash flow. Rap dominates streaming and streaming dominates music, so Earn figures itll be a quick buck. Youre gonna be happy you did this, he reassures Paper Boi once theyre there. The companys walls are covered in Sharpied cartoons; theyve got a personal chef and fully stocked kitchen (Its all organic, you know, gluten-free); theres an abundance of green and white (both the people and the decor); people are playing ping-pong instead of working. Theyve entered an adult playground.

Paper Boi and Earn are brought into a conference room where a white man in charge of music outreach who goes by 35 Savage talks up Paper Bois brand. The word reach comes up again  so does platform. Theyre meaningless to Paper Boi, but Earns already sold. He naively hands the guy a CD and gets hit with the first whiff of privilege. Hes told, Uh, we dont have any disc drives. Its a new state-of-the-art system, all wireless and fully integrated into the platform. 35 Savage asks Earns to email the song to his Hotmail address (very state of the art), but, theres a glitch and it just wont play. That doesnt make sense, 35 Savage tells some other white guy. A different white guy panic-smiles in the background while IT has to be fetched. One white guy stalls: So, uh, I started writing some music  By now, the odor of fraudulence gets to Paper Boi.

The whole scene is a parody, but the embarrassing disconnect between the gatekeepers of art and art itself should feel painfully familiar to anyone whos ever stepped inside a music company: In this industry, nothings working and everyones just buying time until a fix. The particular mishap with 35 Savage was born from truth, inspired by a publicity visit the Atlanta team had at Apple Music where no one there could figure out how to work the Apple TV. So much of the music business is political. You would think its about putting all your energy into the music, but the reality is you have to show face, Atlanta writer Jamal Olori tells Vulture. If youre authentic, like Paper Boi, it can start to feel like prostitution. Everythings being used to create content. Paper Boi, being the more intuitive of the duo, picks up on that exploitation faster than Earn when hes repeatedly asked, in so many words, to sound more gangster recording a radio drop for the platforms rap playlist. Earn, watching another rapper put on a modern-day minstrel show by dancing on a table for white executives, shrugs off the racial profiteering as a vibe. Paper Boi, who later walks out on his own performance, unwilling to be another circus act, would more accurately call it bullshit. Hes right: They end up earning less than expected from the platform in future episodes, but just enough to not feel robbed.

The shows relationship to the music industry is, of course, complicated by the fact that its star and creator is himself a part of it. Glover raps as Childish Gambino, and has said he will continue making music for the foreseeable future. Though his music was once ruthlessly mocked, his last two albums were Grammy nominated. That attitude shift took less than two years, with seemingly little effort or intent on Glovers part to change it. Perhaps its why so much of the legwork done to further Paper Bois career, on his part, happens offscreen. Weve never seen him physically rap in the studio or spit a single bar, save for the brief ad-libbing he does before walking off the streaming platforms stage. When recently asked if this season is meant to puncture the fantasy of the quick come-up, Glover said he prefers not to be preachy.

We witnessed in Atlantas first season the instinctive distrust Earn has for the people who stand in the way of getting Paper Bois music to the masses, but also saw him betray that instinct and bribe a radio stations music supervisor in order to cheat the rules of the music game. Earn never really knows what hes doing as manager  costing Paper Boi some major opportunities this season to chase smaller ones  because no one in this business does. How do hits happen anymore? And how, exactly, does one secure the bag when so few have access to the money? Last season, an old college acquaintance at that radio station warned Earn that the music business is gross. This season, the show isnt shying away from its disdain for the grossness of the industry.Photo: Pete Souza/Flickr

The next show to auto-play after your Queer Eye binge might star the Obamas. The former president and first lady are in talks to produce a series of shows for Netflix. These wont just be fireside chats responding to the news of the day, or an Obama-style Keeping Up With the Kardashians. Mr. Obama does not intend to use his Netflix shows to directly respond to President Trump or conservative critics, sources close to the programming discussions told the New York Times. Instead, the family wants to highlight inspirational stories. But if the former first family is going to crash your Netflix and chill session, theyre not going to do it with just any show. Weve got some ideas for the Obama-Netflix collaboration.

Girl Talk With Michelle and Miss Tina

Its a sunny early afternoon in Kalorama, and Michelle Obama welcomes us into her postWhite House home. The Phantom Thread score is playing softly. There are bagels on the kitchens granite island. Barack has left his old iPod on the counter again. Michelle rolls her eyes, inviting us out onto the lush patio. Bey and Miss Tina are on their way, she says. Sasha Obama comes down the stairs. This is Girl Talk, where Michelle Obama and Tina Knowles-Lawson talk about black art and hair. This time theyre joined by two of their daughters  Sasha and Beyonce. Blue Ivy is directing, Sir and Rumi are waiting at home to edit.

Beats With Barack

Barack Obamas curated playlists became an annual treat during his time in office. From DAngelo to SZAs Broken Clocks, President Obama has better taste in music than the entirety of D.C. On Beats With Barack hell try his own hand at the rap game, spotlighting up-and-coming emcees, and getting into the studio with Kendrick Lamar, Vince Staples, and Noname.

Southside With You

This is a serious one. Barack and Michelle alternate episodes, going on long walk and talks with select guests. For the first episode, they recreate their first date through the south side of Chicago. In the following episodes, they walk with writers, artists, and activists through Chicago. Baracks first guest is Chance the Rapper. Michelles first guest is Carrie Mae Weems.

Malia Bird

A short that autoplays at the end of her parents solo shows. The older Obama daughter, currently studying at Malia Obama University (some refer to this school as Harvard) calls her parents. Shes standing outside of the library or a final club or a church, and takes out her phone, which is already glowing with the latest push notification about Trump and Stormy Daniels. Hi mom and dad. Its me, Malia. Its the name you gave me. Its a good one. She tells them she loves them, thanks them for running our country, and for raising her.

A Junot Diaz Adaptation

Obama spoke highly of Diazs prose in a New York Times interview before the end of his presidency saying that Diaz, and novelist Jhumpa Lahiri, speak to a very particular contemporary immigration experience, while longing for this better place but also feeling displaced. Either of his short story collections  Drown or This is How You Lose Her  would make for an interesting anthology series. Both texts are full of harsh, brief observations about twisted romances, Dominican machismo, and the immigrant experience. The Obamas could empower Latinx creators to tell this story with a Netflix budget.

For the Hungry Boys!

Three one-hour specials of Antoni from Queer Eye and Barack Obama cooking. Here is exactly all you need to see to understand that this will be an instant classic:

respect the nyt, but not buying peas in guac. onions, garlic, hot peppers. classic. https://t.co/MEEI8QHH1V  President Obama (@POTUS44) July 1, 2015

Barack Obama loves guacamole. Antoni, we know, loves healthier guacamole, and even avocado and grapefruit sliced and plated, drizzled with dijon mustard (avocado grapefruit salad). Barack teaches Antoni how to make his guacamole. Antoni smiles and magically conjures up some chili. Paul Thomas Anderson, lingering in a corner, has brought his own omelette in Tupperware.

Fleep

This is just a weekly livestream of the Obamas  Barack, Michelle, and Sasha  gathering together on a sectional sofa in the TV room to watch Veep. Joe Biden is watching too, via FaceTime. (They prop an iPad up on some pillows.) Barack shushes him when he laughs too loud. Sasha excuses herself to the kitchen for some snacks, but really sneaks out to meet up with her friends. theyre watching veep again omg im a celebrity get me OUT of here, she texts Malia.Police investigating newspaper thefts from a person's home in southeast Decatur ending up arresting their suspect on a more serious charge.

Police said they determined William Mathis Harville, 46, was stealing the newspapers and when they went to speak with him, discovered he had a pistol and several other firearms.

Harville has been arrested and convicted on multiple domestic violence charges, police said, and he is not allowed to possess a pistol.

Harville was arrested on a charge of illegally possessing a pistol Thursday.

Because of his criminal history, police consulted Morgan County Circuit Court Judge Steven Haddock, who set Harville's bond at $10,000.

Harville was still in jail Friday afternoon, according to online jail records.A group of Madison City school students are working to keep their fellow students safe.

WAAY 31 learned the group took their ideas on how to keep the school safe straight to the superintendent.

"I heard about the shooting down in parkland and it made me very sad. So I thought about it and I thought about it and I thought I should do something about this to keep my whole school," said Olivia Jose a 5th grader at Rainbow Elementary school.

She told us she's thinking about what she and her friends could do to help.

The students sent an email to Superintendent Robby Parker about a safety plan, and he set up a meeting to talk about it with them the next day.

"I walked down the hall and Olivia approached me and said Mr. Givens, Mr. Givens!! Mr. Parker is coming to our school tomorrow at 11 a.m. to talk to me," said Brian Givens the principal.

The school principal explained that's the first he heard of the meeting, and listened to his passionate students present their plan to Robby Parker.

"I think school safety is important to not only keep my life but other lives alive," said 5th grader Jiselle White.

The plan includes adding a school resource officer to every school in the city and locking and closing all classroom doors.

The students told me they think safety goes beyond just locking doors, and includes putting a stop to bullying.

"I don't like being treated bad other people don't like being treated badly..So if we just have that nothing will happen," said 5th grader Stuart Walker.The short term pain of the George Street redevelopment has led to longer term gains with a plethora of new retailers opening flagship stores.

With the completion of the new George Street boulevard due late 2019, the once renowned grid-locked strip is fast becoming a retail powerhouse. There has also been a subsequent rise in rents of about 10 per cent.

It is expected that when the street is all completed up to Hunter Street, it will rival Pitt Street Mall for the premier strip in Sydney moniker.

An artist's impression of George Street once the cars are removed, the light rail moves in and pedestrians walk to their favourite routes.

Included in the new offerings are two new flagship stores of Vodafone and Optus, which sit next to the Apple store, further cementing the area between King and Market Streets as a technology hub. They join Telstra and Samsung in the same strip.Martin Shkreli, a former pharmaceutical executive notorious for sharply increasing drug prices, mounting sneering defences of his actions and even issuing a bounty for one of Hillary Clinton's hairs, was sentenced on Friday to seven years in prison after being convicted of fraud last year.

Prosecutors had sought a sentence of at least 15 years; the defence had pushed for 12 to 18 months.

Shkreli, 34, is best known for raising the price of a drug, Daraprim, by 5000 per cent in a move that was widely condemned by the public and politicians. His fraud convictions were unrelated to that episode, stemming instead from his involvement with Retrophin, a pharmaceutical company he founded in 2011, and two hedge funds he ran.

In August, a jury convicted Shkreli, nicknamed Pharma Bro, on three of eight counts, concluding that he had lied to investors about, among other things, how the hedge funds were managed, what they invested in and how much money they had. The jury found that he had also secretly controlled a huge number of Retrophin shares.Ongoing heatwaves rocked NSW and stretched its energy grid to a breaking point, forcing the state to lean on Victoria for power, a situation which also put the state at risk and shared the pain. These concurrent events caught the NEM by surprise. The situation was expected to be worse in 2018. The east states were forecast to be hit once again with record temperatures. Then one of the largest power generators in the country  Victorias Hazelwood brown coal-fired power station  was closed, immediately pulling 1600 megawatts from the system. This put an already strained grid under more pressure and forced various energy bodies to build a plan to ensure the 2017 blackouts didn't happen again.

In September, the Australian Energy Market Commission unveiled what it called the "last line of defence" against blackouts, a new series of rules designed to address "risks to energy security created by the power system's changing generation mix" with its rising proportion of renewable energy such as wind and solar power. Two months later, the Australian Energy Market Operator launched its own plan, adding another 2000 megawatts to the system. "AEMO is confident that we have taken all the necessary actions  and then some  to make sure we are ready," AEMO chief executive Audrey Zibelman said at the time. But how well did their plan to stop a repeat of 2017 actually work? Energy in action

Some energy industry heads believe they were lucky and their plan too bullish, yet they did pull it off. In the face of heatwaves and multiple power station generator failures, the system managed to continue pumping out power. However, AEMO says that while it kept the lights on, more could have been done. "Our experiences so far in 2017-18 have revealed that there have been a number of events where lack of reserve (LOR) conditions have been forecast due to higher than average temperatures," an AEMO spokesman said. AEMO prepared to call on smelters and other large energy consumers to reduce their electricity demand. Credit:Yusuf Ahmad / Reuters

Over the summer it twice activated the Reliability and Emergency Reserve Trader (RERT) mechanism, leaning on major energy users to reduce their consumption to ease pressure on the grid demand, however, at no point did it bring the reserve diesel generators online, finding extra energy available within the system itself. "The ongoing challenge for us and the opportunity that presents itself for industry and stakeholders is the need to continue to work collaboratively to identify the right resources to address the security and reliability requirements that will support the best economic outcome for consumers," an AEMO spokesman said. Networks  the poles and wires  were under significant strain during the heat and one of the main pressure points during summer. Yet, the only major failure which almost mirrored 2017s blackouts, was in Victoria when a network failure led to thousands of homes losing power. Despite this one-off in Victoria, NSW network company Ausgrid experienced its best performance over the last five years.

Loading "Recent network reliability over the past five years has seen a stabilisation of the average number of interruptions per year to approximately 0.7 outages per year per customer, from previous figures of more than one," an Ausgrid spokeswoman said. NSW Energy Minister Don Harwin, who experienced the 2017 blackouts during his very first week in the role, said the state took the experience to heart. "Summer brought with it some extreme temperatures and NSW remained in good shape because we learned the lessons of last year and acted to ensure energy stability for our state," Mr Harwin told Fairfax Media. "After establishing the Energy Security Taskforce we acted on the recommendations received to put our state on the front foot heading into summer."

However, it wasnt just government and energy groups making a change. Beyond the NEM Households taking their energy into their own hands also helped to flatten afternoon peaks, as increased solar generation dropped demand at key times. Green Markets director Tristan Edis said both residential and commercial solar have grown significantly over the last 12 months, contributing more energy to the grid. A swift growth in the level of solar PV installations helped to flatten peak demand periods. Credit:Tristan Edis/ Green Markets

"The market is well above where it was the same time last year and that ultimately turned into a record year for capacity," Mr Edis said. The weather also played its part. While there were myriad hot days, with the east coast recording the second highest mean temperatures since records began, there were fewer prolonged periods of heat, with many during the weekend whe demand is lower. The Australian Energy Council believes the NEM got off lightly, thanks to the weather. "The power supply system held up well over this summer, but had not been fully tested by a prolonged and extensive heatwave this year," an AEC spokesman told Fairfax Media. However, it wasn't a completely pain-free period. The Grattan Institute's Tony Wood said the system made the grade in terms of reliability but we paid the price in terms of energy costs.

"In looking at reliability, we did quite well, but when it comes to the cost perspective we didnt do well at all," he said. "The only state that did much better on price was Queensland, and that was only because the government forced generators to drop prices." Whether the system barely eked by or performed above expectations is open to interpretation, the fact is the summer passed without too many major blackouts albeit with high power prices. However, while the system held the line and experienced very few failures, Federal Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg said the nation cant halt its progress in reforming our energy sector.Australia will urge its Asian neighbours to redouble their sanctions against North Korea in a bid to intensify pressure on dictator Kim Jong-un after an apparent breakthrough in the global effort to stop his nuclear weapons program.

The regional show of force will be on the agenda when Asian leaders fly into Sydney within days for a summit with Malcolm Turnbull, with Australia preparing to enforce tougher sanctions and hoping others do the same.

Mr Turnbull is also hoping to speak to Donald Trump by telephone this weekend to offer Australian support on dealing with North Korea, while also thanking the US President for offering special treatment for Australia on steel tariffs and possibly discussing regional security in the South China Sea.

The Prime Minister has backed new US sanctions that seek to halt oil shipments to the rogue state, amid fears that Chinese and other vessels are transferring goods between ships at sea to evade earlier trade barriers.Tim Winton in Lake Dundas, in WA: "The thing about West Australia is that there is nothing between us and Antarctica. The swell and the trade winds come pouring up, really raw and nasty." Credit:Lynn Webb Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size In 1965, when the author Tim Winton was five, his father, John, a motorcycle cop, was riding through Perth when a drunk driver ran a stop sign and collided with him. The impact sent John flying into a brick wall, crushing his chest, shoulder and hip. His ribs were shattered, and his lungs collapsed; when the paramedics got to him, they had to perform an emergency tracheotomy in the street. He'd also suffered massive concussion, and lay comatose for days in the resuscitation room at Royal Perth Hospital. When he returned home, he was a physical and emotional wreck. He'd gone from being the family's sole breadwinner to being bedridden, unable to move or shower himself. It was up to his wife, Bev, to manage the house and cope with the kids: Tim and his three younger siblings, Andrew, Michael and Sharyn. A week or so after John came home, a stranger showed up on the doorstep. His name was Len Thomas. Thomas said he'd heard about the accident, and that Bev was having a tough time, and that he wanted to help. "It was so weird," Winton says, when we meet in Fremantle, Perth's port city. "We had never met this guy before, and here he was, turning up, unannounced and uninvited, offering to give us a hand." Almost every day for the next few weeks, Thomas came to the house, where he carried Winton's father from his bedroom to the bathroom and gently washed him. Tim didn't know what to make of it: a stranger, in the bathroom, with his father? Now all he could do was sit outside the door, listening to the tap water running, and the two men talking in low, soft voices. As it soon became apparent, Thomas was an evangelical Christian: apart from washing John, he'd been laying hands on him, and anointing him with olive oil. Thomas's intercession, what Winton now calls "an act of grace", changed the family forever. Soon after his father's recovery, Winton's parents became devout and lifelong Christians. Every Sunday morning, and in the evening too, the family went to church, where they would listen to sermons on degradation and redemption. In Perth's blithely secular suburbs, the Wintons' conversion marked them as outsiders and oddbods. "At the same time, the church community was incredibly unifying and nurturing," Winton tells me. "Your life had meaning and you belonged, and you had this amazing connection with people who weren't blood relatives but who treated you like family." Winton lost his faith in his early 20s. "At one point I reached the limits of the educational and cultural experience of the people around me," he says. "I just wasn't getting any answers, no real feedback. And sometimes the feedback was negative because they felt threatened." It was hard for his parents, who remain religious. "It was a struggle for them to understand. And I didn't want to disappoint them."

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Yet there was another part of Thomas's legacy that has never left him. "Len showed me that there is another way of being a man, that you didn't have to get a double century at the MCG or mow down a machine-gun post and get a Victoria Cross. You could be just decent and gentle and kind. For me, that was incredibly revelatory." Tim Winton (at rear) with brother Michael and father John in Karrinyup, north Perth, circa 1965, not long before his fathers accident. Credit:Courtesy of the Winton family With 29 books to his name, including four Miles Franklin winners and two Booker Prize nominations, Winton is, as American poet and critic Ron Rash puts it, "one of the world's great living novelists". Yet he dresses as if he's sneaking out the back door on his way to a spot of beach fishing. The day we meet, he's wearing thongs and boardies, a peak cap with "Challenger Marine" written on it, and plastic wrap-around 7-Eleven sunnies. At 57, there is something about him that is reassuringly grounded, deeply earthed, like a wharf pylon; in the event of a cyclone, he is exactly the sort of thing you'd tether yourself to. As it's too late for lunch and too early for beer, Winton gives me an impromptu tour of Fremantle, where he is spending time in the lead-up to Perth Festival Writers Week. Situated just south of the Swan River, Fremantle was where Perth's first settlers arrived, in 1829, "dumped right here on the beach", as Winton puts it, "with their trunks of clothes and grand pianos". Large parts of the town are heritage-listed, and their sandstone facades have been carefully restored. In the 1970s, though, central Fremantle was largely derelict, its rotted-out terraces home to squatters and hippies. "We used to come here to play music and jam in the basements of some of these buildings," Winton says. "The whole area is built on salt marshes, and it's only a metre above sea level, so when the tide came up the water would seep through the floorboards." Fremantle's contingent nature, the feeling that it's just hanging on, is typical of Western Australia as a whole, the majestic, sun-scorched immensity of which induces in the visitor a sense of dizzying oblivion. "It's a pretty singular place," he says. "It's saying to you: like it or lump it." In Winton's fiction, this landscape is the ultimate crucible, invariably bringing out the best in women and the worst in men, from the feckless gamblers in his 1991 breakthrough novel, Cloudstreet, to Fred Scully, the protagonist in his 1995 Booker Prize-shortlisted novel, The Riders, whose search for his headstrong wife leads to a kind of psychological disintegration. To be a male lead in Winton's world is, more often than not, to be nursing some pretty deep wounds. Jaxie Clackton, the teenage anti-hero of his new novel, The Shepherd's Hut, is wounded deeper than most. Jaxie lives in a one-pub town north of Perth. His mum is dead, his dad is a violent drunk; Jaxie calls him Captain Wankbag, or the Cap, for short. "He wouldn't give you the sweat off his balls, the old Captain, but when it come to dishing out a bit of biff when you weren't looking, well, then he was like fing Santa." Everyone in town knows Jaxie hates the Cap. Then, one afternoon, Jaxie comes home to find his father dead, squashed under his ute in the garage  he'd been repairing the engine when the jack collapsed. Afraid he'll be blamed for it, Jaxie takes off north, trekking across the vast, bare West Australian wheat belt, hiking at night, napping when he can, en route to the goldfields, and then further north to meet his cousin Lee, the only girl he's ever really known or loved. On the way, however, he comes across a saltpan, in the middle of which is a shepherd's hut and a defrocked old priest named Fintan MacGillis.

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The Shepherd's Hut is vintage Winton, not only in its sense of place  the saltpan, the scrub, the withering heat  but also in its language. The story is told solely through Jaxie's voice, which is the prose equivalent of a good long slug of room-temperature rum, a mongrel vernacular that is profane, funny and implausibly prideful. Jaxie knows he's a "dirty fup" and a shitkicker: all he dreams of is a "normal" life with Lee, of escaping together and getting a room of their own, "like something off TV". In the meantime, he's running like a "chased rabbit", so afraid and full of hate that he can barely string two words together. "Jaxie is hyper vigilant," Winton says. "He's basically a very damaged person. He's been beaten; he's witnessed his mother being beaten." He has become suspicious of tenderness and empathy; all instinct, no insight. He is a danger to others as well as himself, the very embodiment of what Winton calls "toxic masculinity". "The thing is that he doesn't want to be like that," Winton tells me. "He wants to find peace, he wants to be a better person, to grow up to be a proper man. But he doesn't know how to, because he's never had anyone to show him." Tim Winton. Credit:Lynn Webb After our little walk through town, we station ourselves in a deserted seaside cafe that has been fitted out to look like a Greek taverna but which actually resembles a hastily retiled 1960s surf club that has been painted blue and filled with wobbly formica tables. Seagulls scour the floor, gorging on a rich bounty of dropped chips. It is so strangely, so inimitably Australian that I feel like applauding. I also feel a little confused. Somewhere along the line Winton got a reputation as something of a recluse; a bit reticent, reserved  gruff, even. Long on ponytail and short on words. I don't know if I've got the wrong Tim Winton, but the guy I meet in Fremantle quite literally will not shut up. No sooner has he settled into his chair than he embarks on a long, leisurely, free-ranging riff on his favourite writers (Flannery O'Connor, William Faulkner, Donal Ryan, Anne Enright), the history of Perth (basically it was founded as a real-estate scam), parochialism in Australian publishing (with his first few books his editors suggested he put in a glossary, to explain Western Australia's wildlife to east coast readers), and his picaresque family background, which includes the fact that for 30 years his paternal grandmother, Olive Winton, lived in a tent in the backyard of her suburban Perth home, in an effort to escape her seven children. Olive was a fearsome creature: terrifyingly organised and relentlessly industrious. Having walked off their farm at Margaret River between the wars, she and her husband started a smallgoods store, called Wintons, in inner-city Perth. "They sold everything," Winton tells me. "Fish, ice-creams, you name it. They also did deliveries. Her husband was a frustrated musician and songwriter and vaudevillian. As she saw it, all the men in her life were dreamers. And so it was Olive who really ran the business, from this old Boer War army tent in the backyard."

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His maternal grandmother, Sadie Mifflin, couldn't have been more different. "Olive was all about discipline and delayed gratification. Sadie and her family were all about instant gratification: horses, the booze, the fags." Sadie regarded Olive's side of the family as insufferable bores and wowsers. One day, when Tim was about nine, she bailed him up in the kitchen of her house, and, overcome with disgust, gave it to him with both barrels. "We were Jesus-creepers, fing idiots, and why in God's name couldn't we have any fun?" he wrote in his 2016 memoir, The Boy Behind the Curtain. Later, piqued by conscience, she gave him a half-melted Cherry Ripe from her mildewy handbag. The upcoming film adaptation of Wintons novel Breath stars and was directed by Simon Baker (at left). Credit:Nic Duncan Winton was born in the Perth suburb of Karrinyup, where he grew up in social housing, but the family moved from time to time, with each of his father's postings, including to Albany, a port city in the state's far south. He returned to Perth to study arts at what is now Curtin University, where he wrote his first novel, An Open Swimmer, which won the Vogel Literary Award in 1981. Not long after, he moved with his wife, Denise, then a nurse, to a small coastal town a couple of hours' drive north of Perth. It was here that they raised their three children, Jesse, Harry, and Alice  all of whom are now adults. He keeps the name of the town secret to protect the family's privacy. "It's a real issue," Winton says, a little sheepishly. "When the kids were young we would walk separately in public, in the city, anyway, just so they weren't bothered or gawked at." The coast and the ocean have shaped much of Winton's fiction, particularly his 2009 Miles Franklin-winning book, Breath, a coming-of-age tale about two boys who grow up under the tutelage of an older surfer, Bill "Sando" Sanderson. (A film adaptation, starring Simon Baker as Sando, is being released in May.) "The thing about West Australia is that there is nothing between us and Antarctica," Winton says. "The swell and the trade winds come pouring up, really raw and nasty, and there's very little to break them down." Some of his most memorable moments have been spent out on WA's reefs and rock shelfs and outer bommies, remote breaks which are renowned, in surfing circles, for their numinous beauty and potential for grievous bodily harm. These days, Winton does most of his surfing closer to home. "I'd be out there five days a week, pretty much whenever I can," he says. "Really, surfing accounts for almost the entirety of my social life." It also amounts to a type of incidental ethnography, an opportunity for Winton to observe what he describes as the increasingly "florid behaviours" of the young men sitting with him in the line-up.

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It was in the surf, for example, that he first began noticing something "less than lovely" about the local boys: a spiky nihilism, a contempt for gentleness and decency, and, most worryingly, a reflexive misogyny. It was mainly the things they said to one another. About women, and girls. About other races, too, and even about nature. "Some of these guys were the full Dickhead Package," he says. "They were rednecks. But there was also a script there. It was almost as if they were rehearsing what they thought a real man should be like." That "script", the abiding notion of men as invulnerable, flinty, emotionally distant, is as destructive as it is resilient, a kind of prison where the best parts of boys  the sensitive parts, the nurturing parts  go to die. "It's so impoverishing," Winton says, wincing. "It stops men from growing. They become emotional infants, little man-boys who despise women and lean on them in equal measure." He pauses. Nods. "Wow," I say. "So how did we get here?" "I dunno," says Winton. He wriggles in his chair, stares out the window. It's a murky area, this gender and culture stuff, and I get the feeling he's thinking his way through it as we sit here. "Maybe it was the '60s, you know? The whole Aquarius thing, everyone being encouraged to 'follow their own bliss'. They were given this dud message that they were somehow absolved of responsibility." All the "self-actualising" was good news for women, since they had for so long been denied any "self". But the benefits for men were less clear. Sure, all those tired old models, the traditional pathways to manhood, were swept away, but they weren't replaced with anything, or at least nothing especially solid or coherent. "It's a little bit like what has happened with the modern economy," he adds. "Like neo-liberalism. It has reduced us all to players in the market. What is 'the market' anyway? Like, what the hell? "These days nothing is expected of you, and nothing is given to you. But your journey to maturity is wrapped up in a sense of deeper culture, of spirituality even. Without that, all that's left is sex, money and alcohol." And so here we are, untethered by narcissism, fractured by the market, all floating in space, yearning for connection. A bit of a downer, I say, to which Winton laughs, almost apologetically. I say it reminds me of a scene in The Shepherd's Hut, where Jaxie is at a Christmas get-together with Lee. All the aunts and uncles are there, plus, of course, Wankbag, reeking of rum and scratching his beard. They're playing happy families. No mention of the abuse, the beatings. Jaxie can't stand it, and runs out of the room, into the bush.

AdvertisementThe Catholic Church has failed to fully accept the horrific impact of child sexual abuse and its own role in a tragedy of epic proportions, a member of the royal commission has said.

In a surprisingly frank speech, Robert Fitzgerald - one of the six commissioners that oversaw the recently completed, five year inquiry - has slammed the churchs approach to abuse survivors, and its failure to tackle practices that contributed to the scourge of abuse and the secrecy around it.

Speaking at a Catholic Social Services Conference in Melbourne late last month, Mr Fitzgerald highlighted the disease of clericalism - the belief that the churchs male-only clergy are mystical beings, accountable to the Pope and to God, not to civil society or church laity.

Robert Fitzgerald said clericalism was a ''disease''. Credit:Kylie Pickett

Mr Fitzgerald, a practising Catholic, described the leadership of the church as "arrogant:At least Grounds can console himself with the fact that he is in good company. Plenty of other confidantes have been removed from the inner circle since what can now be considered ground zero for Packers current personal and professional turmoil: October 2016. This was the month when Packer broke up with Carey and Crown employees were detained in China. It triggered a complete upheaval of his personal life and corporate kingdom. Packer has been as unmerciful with the purge of his confidantes as he was with the abandonment of his global ambitions, which included the sale of Crowns Macau interests and junking the casino operators latest plan to conquer Las Vegas. Loading The end of Packers flirtation with Hollywood has seen him cut ties with his former movie pal, Brett Ratner, and sell his investment in RatPac at a considerable loss.

The trouble in China led to the removal last year of another investment banker friend, Rob Rankin. He was Crown Resorts' chairman and chief executive of Packer's private company, Consolidated Press Holdings. Packer has made no secret of the fact he was unhappy with Rankin's performance. Former Crown chief executive Rowen Craigie was also given his marching orders after Crown became embroiled in its self-inflicted China crisis and an underperforming Australian casino business. Personal friendships were also discarded in the furious reinvention of Packer's newly simplified, and healthier, life. This included his old school chum Matthew "Ched" Csidei, who was overseeing the build of Packers new superyacht - also named Arctic P - which has been hit by expensive delays. His relationship with another close friend, former Nine boss David Gyngell, never recovered from that famous Bondi brawl.

Packer's relationship with former Nine boss David Gyngell never recovered from that famous Bondi brawl. Credit:Andrew Quilty And it is safe to say that Packers love affair with Israel and its Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has cooled since revelations of lavish gift-giving led the Israeli police to recommend that Netanyahu be charged with corruption. There was no suggestion of wrongdoing by Packer and he does not face any charges, but it must have been a nervous time. While Packer was known to have bunkered down at his Argentinian polo farm Ellerstina after the China and Carey blow-ups, the word is he also spent a lot of time on the Arctic P in Mexico. It was moored off the resort town of Cabo San Lucas with more than a hint that the countrys lax extradition treaties were as much of an attraction as the beaches and nightlife. It is safe to say Packers love affair with Israel and its Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has cooled since revelations of the lavish gift-giving led Israeli police to recommend that Netanyahu be charged with corruption. Credit:AP

Inheritance fight Also on the outer is his big sister, Gretel Packer. Their relationship has become strained following the split of their fathers inheritance. Gretel has emerged as a billionaire in her own right, and has taken ownership of the Arctic P, but

James made no bones about the financial stress he was put under as a result of the financial carve-up, which forced CPH to take on more debt. The financial consolidation needed to ease his nerves has seen the billionaire rely on a small group who have served the family since Kerry Packer was in charge. This includes former Sydney Morning Herald publisher John (JA) Alexander, who is now executive chairman of Crown Resorts. Alexander's job is to ruthlessly cut the fat from Crown's operations, much like he did with the Packers' media empire nearly two decades ago.

Gretel Packer is also on the outer. Another Packer veteran, corporate lawyer Guy Jalland is now in charge at CPH. Guy is smart and loyal and an asset to any business he is involved in, Packer said last year after appointing Jalland to the chief executive role at CPH, replacing Rankin. Behind the scenes, James relies on former Labor power broker Mark Arbib. And the last key player in Packers inner circle is a personal one. His old school chum Ben Tilley is the person who has been at Packer's side in recent months as he flitted between his homes in Buenos Aires, Aspen Colorado and Los Angeles. Despite the fact that Packer's fortunes are now completely tied to his casino operations in Australia, including the $2 billion Sydney casino at Barangaroo, there are no plans to return home.The threat from a bushfire raging in the Bunbury suburb of Picton has been downgraded to advice after people were told to flee the blaze that was threatening lives and homes on Saturday afternoon.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services downgraded the fire threat at 10am on Sunday morning, after the blaze sparked an emergency warning about 4:40pm on Saturday.

Smoke from the Picton fire. Credit:Bunbury Mail

The new alert advises there is now no threat to lives or homes, and there is a lot of smoke in the area.

While the fire intensity has reduced emergency services have warned locals to remain alert and keep up to date with relevant warnings.WA Police have charged a 27-year-old man with lighting two bushfires in Perth on Thursday and Friday.

The man, from the Wheatbelt town Narembeen, allegedly lit a small scrub fire near the entry to the Graham Farmer Freeway on March 8 between 6:30pm and 7pm before setting fire to bushland on Great Eastern Highway in Darlington on March 9.

Police have charged a 27-year-old man with willfully lighting two bushfires. Credit:Katherine Griffiths

The Darlington fire spread and burnt two acres of bushland.

He is due to appear before the Perth Magistrates Court today.Kabul: A suicide bomber killed 10 people when he set off explosives in a crowd of Shiite Muslims near a mosque complex in Kabul on Friday, the latest attack to target ethnic and religious minorities in the Afghan capital.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the strike, which also wounded 22 people, but a government spokesman blamed another terrorist group, the Haqqani network, a Pakistani-based organisation affiliated with the Taliban.

Sunglasses covered in blood are left at the site of a suicide attack in Kabul targeting Afghanistan's minority Hazaras. Credit:AP

The Hazaras are a long-oppressed minority in Afghanistan whose members tend to be Shiite, and the blast prompted a group to take to the street in protest of the security failures.

President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack in a statement, saying Afghans would not be cowed by terrorism, but his words were likely to ring hollow with the Hazaras.You can see Albert Castiglia live around the South Florida Blues scene when he's not touring or recording and he was interviewed by Blues Blast Magazine recently.

Here's a snippet:

Listen, man. I work in a welfare office, and Ive had knives pulled out on me, and Ive seen all kinds of shit.

"Albert Castiglia may have been sitting in with Chicago blues master Junior Wells, but he wasnt about to be intimidated by the prospect.

"After all, his day job was that of a Miami social service investigator. Michael Blakemore, Junior Wells manager, had given him fair warning: I heard you play some guitar. Well bring you up, but you better be good cause if Junior doesnt think youre playing very well, hes gonna ride you pretty hard in front of all these people.

Read the entire article here...



More importantly, visit Albert Castiglia's web site here... and buy some of his music. You won't regret it.

By Feb. 24, 2018

This year's Real Woman's Expo is another full day of all the things girls like to do - TODAY from 9 am - 4 pm at the Schroeder Expo Center in downtown Paducah.

Its a girls' day out so gather your girlfriends for a day of serious fun at the Expo Center on the riverfront in downtown Paducah. Therell be dozens of exhibitors, thousands of dollars in door prizes, cooking demonstrations, craft demonstrations, manicures, jewelry, handbag heaven, the Caterer's Cafe and so much more.





Enjoy the free Cooking Demonstrations, with executive chefs of Artisan Kitchen & Shandies plus other celebrity chefs throughout the day.



Pamper yourself with a FREE manicure, provided by the Cosmetology Department at West Kentucky Community and Technical College.



Create something during the craft demonstrations that Michaels will be conducting all day.



Shop for gently used handbags - all under $20 in Handbag Heaven.



Shop for jewelry, fashions, home decor, cosmetics, glamour products and services at dozens of exhibitor booths.



Dine on Paducahs tastiest cuisine offered in small portions at small prices at the Caterer's Cafe.



Purchase tickets in advance for $3 or at the door for $5.



David Jones & Karla Lawrence, owners and executive chefs at Artisan Kitchen and Shandies, are dreaming up and preparing recipes for all kinds of occasions. David and Karla will be joined by local celebrity chefs highlighting your favorite recipes.

Cooking Demos All Day:

10 am

Casey Broussard for AVI Foods

11 am

Ro Morse & Katelyn Higdon with Karla Lawrence for Banks Market

Noon

Karla Lawrence & David Jones for Shandies, Artisan Kitchen

1 pm

Joan Manganaro & Rob Khourie for Italian Grill on Broadway

2 pm

Gabby & Daniel Dodd for Branch Out

3 pm

Ann & Dan with Ashley Lozano for Pattis



2018 Exhibitors:

27 Haute Ave Boutique

Achieve Medical Weight Loss

ADS Security

Air Evac Lifeteam

Audibel Hearing Center

Between Friends Consignment

Chi-High School Exchange Student Program

Clear Window Solutions

Dippin Dots

doTERRA Essential Oils

Elevation Dentistry

Health and Wellness Specialists

Heartland Vacations

IMAC Regeneration Centers

J Michele

JCCB Gifts

Jones Burch Boutique

Keep MOVN Financial Educator

LuLaRoe  Andrea Austin

LuLaRoe  Kim Clapp

Make Magic Vacations LLC

Mary Kay Cosmetics

NCA Group

Old Crow Boudoir

Pattis 1880s Settlement

Pampered Chef

Perfectly Posh  Shannon Bomar

Picket Fence

Plunder Design Jewlery

Poppys Chocolate Shop

Reel Southern Boutique, Custom Apparel, & Gifts

Scents n More Boutique

Senior Medicare Patrol

Shaklee KY Life Improvement

The Silver Chics

Sylvan Learning Center

Tupperware

TRC Home Inspections

Universal Window of Paducah

West Kentucky Community & Technical College

Woodmen Life-Gary Polete

Zilis

Zilis Ultra Cell CBD Oil







PADUCAH, KY -Friends of Land Between the Lakes to hold clean up project SaturdayClose Get email notifications on Lisa Neff daily!

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Digital Issue Would you like to receive our Digital Issue? Signup today!WHITESBORO  Foreign exchange students were celebrated at Whitesboro High School today.

This is the 43rd year the district has held Foreign Students Day to promote cultural awareness. The hallways were lined with flags and signs, and the Bhangra Dancers, who performed on NBCs Americas Got Talent, performed for students.

The keynote speaker for Fridays event was born in Bosnia and survived life in a Pakistan refugee camp before coming to the U.S. in 1995.

I think its amazing. I love meeting new people and cultures and everything, just getting to know more people from around the world, said Sydney Henderson, vice president of the students Public Relations club at Whitesboro. You to see new backgrounds; its like a new way of life and I think its a really unforgettable experience to get to experience that kind of thing."

Foreign Students Day ends with a dinner dance Friday evening for club members and exchange students.BROWNSBURG, Ind. (WLFI) - Thousands of people paid their respects Friday as Boone County Deputy Jacob Pickett was laid to rest. Law enforcement from several Indiana counties stood shoulder to shoulder as they said their final goodbye.

Pickett was shot and killed in the line of duty of week ago.

Law enforcement including West Lafayette police, Lafayette police and Tippecanoe County Sheriffs Office were part of Picketts funeral, and the 52-mile procession following it.

During the procession, dozens of neighbors in Brownsburg showed their support for Picketts service and sacrifice.

We can feel helpless at times like this so youre really not sure what you can do, said Matt Dziadosz. We cant do anything tangible necessarily, but we can come out to support the family and friends and the community will support that.

Purdue graduates Matt Dziadosz and Anne Kender showed support for fallen Deputy Jacob Pickett at the entrance to their Brownsburg neighborhood.

We just wanted to come out and show support for Deputy Pickett and his family and really all of the law enforcement officers around the state that are here today, said Kender.

Kender, Dziadosz and their neighbors waved a flag as the procession passed by their house. They also pitched in to buy a sign which reads, Fallen but not forgotten. Rest In Peace Deputy Pickett. The sign is posted right outside their neighborhood.

A small act, but a powerful one.

It takes a very special person to do what they do, said Dziadosz.

Dziadosz and Kender werent alone. Dozens of others stood outside for hours, waving flags from their driveways and doing their part to pay final respects to Pickett.

He was doing his job, said Dziadosz. These guys put themselves in danger daily and just that sacrifice they do everyday, its very sad, but hes going down with honor and hes going to always be a hero.

Pickett will be buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in the heroes of public safety section.



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Sorry, the page you requested was not found. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Womenofchina.cn, try visiting the Womenofchina Home pageSebastien Loeb withstood a determined fightback from Dani Sordo to hold a narrow lead at Rally Guanajuato Mexico at the midpoint of Saturdays second leg.

Stage info: SS12/13 SS12: Otates 1, 26.37km

Otates was driven last year under a different name and starts 6km later. It climbs and descends throughout, mixing fast open sections with tighter parts. There are many surface changes that blend smooth gravel with bumps and compressions. SS13: El Brinco 1, 9.98km

El Brinco is famous for its big jump close to the finish. The test is wide open and fast from start to end, with several washaways. Identical to 2017 apart from the start being moved forwards by 100 metres.

After overhauling Sordo in the opening Guanajuatito speed test, Loeb edged further clear in the following Otates. The Spaniard retaliated with second fastest time in the short El Brinco to cut the margin to 2.9sec.

Its a good surprise to be in a fight like this. Im leading this morning but it wont be easy in the second pass. It will be difficult to maintain the gap because I lost time in the last two stages, but well try to stay in front, explained the 44-year-old Citroen C3 driver.

A rejuvenated Sordo was buoyed by his El Brinco drive. The balance of the car was much better. We were struggling with the traction in the slower stages this morning but this was much faster and better. Im happy to come back a little bit, he said.

Both must keep a wary eye on Kris Meeke and Sebastien Ogier, tied in third and 15.5sec off Loebs pace.

Briton Meeke won Otates in his C3 by 2.4sec from Ogier, before the Frenchman went fastest in El Brinco in a Ford Fiesta to end a strong morning.

I made some mistakes in here. The car stalled on me braking into a corner and then I ran wide on another corner near the finish. It was a bit scrappy, to be honest, Meeke said at the end of El Brinco.

Andreas Mikkelsen was a further 49.7sec back in fifth, the Norwegian at a loss to explain his lack of speed. His i20 was more than three minutes clear of team-mate Thierry Neuville, the Belgian resigned to the fact this will not be his weekend after a catalogue of problems.

WRC 2 leader Pontus Tidemand was seventh ahead of Jari-Matti Latvala, the Finn climbing back after retiring yesterday with alternator issues in his Toyota Yaris. Gus Greensmith and Pedro Heller completed the leaderboard.

Head to WRC+ to watch WRC All Live from Rally Guanajuato Mexico

VIDEO

More NewsKris Meeke closed on Rally Guanajuato Mexico leader Dani Sordo after repeating his earlier victory in Friday afternoons Duarte - Derramadero speed test.

Stage info: SS6 Duarte - Derramadero 2, 26.05km

Friday afternoons opener mixes familiar roads from various stages down the years, including an opening section last used five years ago, when it was driven in the opposite direction. After beginning on a double width road, it climbs quickly before becoming narrower and more technical. It is fast throughout, with many bumps and jumps sure to test drivers.

The Citroen C3 driver stopped the clocks 4.3sec ahead of a cautious Spaniard to cut his deficit to 12.3sec with four more speed tests remaining of this long opening leg.

Its more enjoyable on the second pass, a bit more grip and were on the right tyres, said the Briton, who eased away from new third-placed driver Ott Tanak.

In contrast to Meekes choice of hard compound Michelin tyres, Sordo opted for a mix of hard and soft rubber. He was quickly out of his Hyundai i20 at the end of the stage to examine the wear.

I tried to drive not so aggressively because I have soft tyres at the rear and the car was moving a little bit, explained Sordo, who encountered dust kicked up by the delayed Teemu Suninen in the final 2km.

Fourth was sufficient for Toyota Yaris driver Tanak to claim third place from Sebastien Loeb, who conceded a few seconds after an overshoot in his C3.

I didnt see the junction because I was looking further ahead and I was too late on the brakes, explained the Frenchman, who is just 0.5sec behind the Estonian.

Second fastest for Sebastien Ogier gave the Ford Fiesta driver more breathing space over Andreas Mikkelsen in fifth, while Jari-Matti Latvala appeared satisfied his Yaris morning overheating problems were resolved.

Suninen dropped almost 2min 30sec after sliding wide and clouting a barrier with his Fiestas rear. The Finn thought he had a puncture, but the tyre remained inflated and suspension damage was his concern.

Elfyn Evans did not restart after his morning roll. Co-driver Dan Barritt was taken to hospital for a check-up and the pair will play no further part in the weekend.

Head to WRC+ to watch WRC All Live from Rally Guanajuato Mexico

VIDEO

More NewsPraise for innovative training provision at Coleg Cambria

This article is old - Published: Saturday, Mar 10th, 2018

Coleg Cambria has been lauded for its innovative training provision at a prestigious St Davids Day awards ceremony.

The Wrexham and Deeside-based group was a finalist in the Training Partner of the Year category at the Semta Skills Awards.

Student Ethan Davies was also shortlisted for Technician of the Year thanks to his work at Broughton aircraft assembly company, Electroimpact.

The prizegiving was hosted by BBC journalist and presenter Steph McGovern, with Minister of State for Apprenticeships and Skills, Anne Milton.

Coleg Cambria CEO David Jones said the event  held at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London  has become a key date in the calendar given their involvement over the years.

It was an honour to once again be nominated in key categories of the Semta awards, and a tribute to the students and staff who put so much into the development of our training and apprenticeships, he added.

For it to be held on St Davids Day made it an even more of a special occasion.

Coleg Cambria was chosen among the elite colleges in the UK for its delivery of training, notably in engineering, complementing its Queens Anniversary Prize for further and higher education provision in 2014.

Success was also measured in the increasing supply of skilled employees in the region, with more than 450 Semta apprentices plying their trade and learning with the institution and global giants such as Airbus.

The launch of a new 10 million Engineering Technology Centre in September reinforced the groups focus on training the next generation of industry out of north east Wales.

Nick Tyson, Assistant Principal and Director of Curriculum for Engineering and Construction at Coleg Cambria said: We have worked hard to secure and build on partnerships with industry, locally and on the national and international stage.

To be recognised by Semta is a huge honour for Coleg Cambria, and drives us to improve even further  to inspire, innovate and succeed are a key focus for all of us.

The Semta Awards cap an outstanding 12 months for the college which included its best ever A level results, glowing staff satisfaction rates and an annual turnover of 60 million.

For more information, visit the Coleg Cambria website.Alarmed by the prospects of a devastating global trade war, Australias government anxiously sought exemptions from US President Donald Trumps punitive steel and aluminium tariffs on the grounds of national security.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbulls government put its case in terms of preparations for war, echoing the militarist rationale that Trump gave for proposing the tariffs. Last week, Trump told members of Congress: If we ever have a conflict we dont want to be buying steel [from] a country we are fighting.

Today Trump tweeted that he would exempt Australia on this basis: Spoke to PM @TurnbullMalcolm of Australia. He is very committed to having a very fair and reciprocal military and trade relationship. Working very quickly on a security agreement so we dont have to impose steel or aluminium tariffs on our ally, the great nation of Australia.

The Turnbull government argued that retaining steel production in Australia was vital for its $200 billion military spending program, which includes the construction of new submarines, frigates and patrol boats. It also emphasised the intensifying integration of Australias armed forces into those of the United States.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told Sky News on Thursday: We have made the point very clearly that no two countries could claim to be closer than Australia and the US in terms of our defence and security and intelligence sharing and the interoperability between our militaries.

A March 7 letter to Trump from the American Australian Business Council was even more explicit. Australia is increasing the size of its defence budget by 4.7 percent every year until 2025, it said. This will see Australias defence spend reach 2.2 percent of GDP in 2023, above the level the United States is requesting of our allies.

The majority of Australias military equipment is imported, providing substantial opportunities to US companies, and over the past decade, Australia has been the fourth largest importer of US military equipment, ahead of Japan, Israel or any European nation.

The letter said Australias steel and aluminium industries were essential to Australias own national security and defense and crippling these industries in our critical Pacific ally could seriously jeopardise our own power projection, readiness and repair capabilities in the Southern Hemisphere.

The document was signed by the CEOs of powerful corporations, including Rupert Murdochs News Corp, Dow Chemical and Northrop Grumman, a major weapons supplier, as well as JP Morgans global chairman of investment banking.

More broadly, Trumps trade war moves have sent shockwaves through Australias ruling establishment for both political and economic reasons. Any US-China trade war would have shattering consequences for Australian capitalism, which depends heavily on exports to China. It would also heighten the dangers of war, with Australia directly involved.

Just a week before Trump outlined his measures, Turnbull had led the countrys largest-ever corporate delegation to Washington to commit to even-closer strategic, military and economic ties, and plead for protection from any US trade barriers.

Turnbulls government, which is increasingly unstable, had also claimed it had a previous guarantee from Trump that Australia would be exempt from any such tariffs. Journalists were told the understanding came after a meeting between Turnbull and Trump at the G20 summit in Hamburg, last July.

In a sign of the concerns wracking Australias corporate elite, Reserve Bank of Australia governor Philip Lowe this week condemned Trumps tariff plan as highly regrettable and bad policy.

Addressing an Australian Financial Review business summit, Lowe warned that the steel and aluminium tariffs could turn very bad if other nations retaliated, leading to counter retaliations [that] could turn into a very big shock to the global economy.

According to modelling by Deloitte Access Economics, a US-China trade war would eliminate 20,000 jobs in Australia, wipe $5 billion off national income within a year, and cut business investment. The impact would double to $10 billion within a decade.

Moreover, these calculations were premised on the unlikely prospect that such a conflict would not spread wider throughout the world economy. Already, European Union members have warned of retaliation against Trumps tariffs.

Because of its reliance on raw material exports, overseas students, tourism and foreign investment, Australian capitalism is extremely vulnerable to any wider trade war.

Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox told Sky News a trade war would quickly escalate. We dont want to get caught up between the stampeding elephants of the US, China and Europe in a global trade war, he said.

Because we are such a huge export nation we stand to be among the biggest losers from a global trade war so we have to be the ones trying to pull the elephants together.

Already, one company has fallen victim to US protectionism. Perth-based Simcoa, which employs about 170 people and in 2016 sold $US34 million in high-grade silicon to the US, was among several firms targeted by Washingtons anti-dumping measures.

Simcoa was hit by a 51 percent tariff because the US alleged that tax breaks by the federal and Western Australian state governments for research and development, as well as differential resource royalties between states, undercut American rival Globe Specialty Metals.

Australian companies are small players in US steel and aluminium markets, annually exporting about $274 million worth of steel and $276 million in aluminium. However, the tariffs could threaten BlueScopes steelworks at Port Kembla, near Wollongong, which still employs about 3,000 workers despite massive cuts over the past three decades.

BlueScopes US subsidiary, Steelscape in California and a Washington state plant, import steel from its Australian and Asian operations to manufacture metal-coated steel and painted steel coils for non-residential buildings and construction in the US.

The trade war fears have added to concerns in ruling circles about the fragility of the Australian economy. Trumps tariffs and another America First policyhuge corporate tax cutscould see investment withdrawn to the US.

This is under conditions where the systemic lowering of wages and record household debt levels could burst a housing price bubble that has largely kept Australian capitalism afloat since the mining boom imploded in 2011.The Berlin Film Festival has a reputation for taking up contemporary political issues and debates. This years festival (February 15-25) featured a number of films dealing with important issues such as the fate of refugees.

The media circus at this years Berlinale, however, was all centred on one topic: the #MeToo sexual misconduct witch-hunt. Virtually every interview, meeting and media report mentioned #MeToo in one way or another. In fact, the campaign against sexual harassment in the cultural industry deliberately distracts attention from the political and social developments that should motivate artists, cultural activists and the public.

The conservative Union parties (Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), which are preparing to form an extreme anti-working-class and militaristic government, played an integral role in promoting the #MeToo campaign at the Berlin film festival. At the opening gala, the Commissioner for Culture and the Media Monika Grutters (CDU) declared: We are rolling out the carpet for #MeToo as well.

SPD minister Katarina Barley

At the start of the festival, the SPDs Katarina Barley, both Minister of Labour and Social Affairs and Minister of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, was the main speaker at the #MeToo event Culture Wants Change: A Round Table on Sexual Harassment and Violence in the Film and Television Industry. The February 19 meeting was organized by the federal Anti-Discrimination Agency, the ProQuote Film Initiative and the federal theatre union and took place in the cabaret tent of the Tipi Theater, right next to the Chancellery.

Barley emerged last year as a leading figure in the #MeToo movement in Germany. The minister now welcomed the earthquake that had unleashed #MeToo and told a few hundred visitorsincluding many women from the film and culture industrythat it was good that no report from the Berlinale could fail to address the topic. Women experienced sexual violence every day and therefore we have to change something here and now.

Barley complained that power was structurally male in our society and called for the introduction of a quota system. It was important to bring women into responsible positions. In this context, she praised the coalition agreement between the SPD and CDU-CSU, which had set the goal of equality of women. The coalition paper states: Women are still under-represented in leadership positions. In the past legislature period we set a milestone with the law providing for more women in leadership positions. We will continue on this path.

The mere fact that Barley referred to the coalition agreement in her embrace of #MeToo shows the reactionary character of the campaign. The grand coalition currently being formed will be the most right-wing government in the history of the German federal republic. It plans militarization both at home and abroad on a scale unknown since the end of World War II. The coalition paper, which Barley praised on numerous occasions, advocates a huge increase in the defense budget and a brutal refugee and deportation policy that parallels demands raised by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Barley is preparing to play a leading role in the new government. In a speech in mid-February, she raised the prospect of becoming Germanys foreign minister, referring to herself as the universal weapon of the SPD. Barley currently fills the posts of family and labor minister, and is intimately associated with policies that have plunged thousands of female workers and their families into poverty via the Hartz IV laws and brutal cutbacks across the entire social sectorfrom child care to retirement.

Barley has the audacity to talk about structural violence? She is a leading member of a party that creates the conditions on a daily basis for sexual and other forms of violence under capitalism. Insecure family relationships, often characterized by violence, alcoholism and drugs abuse, insecure living conditions for many young people, stress at work, housing shortages, depressionall these conditions are the result of decades of SPD rule with Barley playing a leading role, as former SPD general secretary and as government minister.

Bourgeois politicians such as Barley are living proof that the demand for women in positions of authority has no progressive content whatsoever. Chancellor Angela Merkel not only led the shift to the right in Germany, but also helped impose austerity measures in Greece and other European countries that have decimated those countries social fabric.

Germanys defence minister Ursula von der Leyen is equipping the German army to carry out wars across the globe and recently gave a speech at the Munich Security Conference arguing for war. Internationally, the situation is no better: International Monetary Fund head Christine Lagarde and Democratic Party presidential candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clintontwo despised representatives of the global financial elitehave also pledged their allegiance to #MeToo and identity politics.

Should Barley take over at the foreign office she will press forward with the program of reviving German militarismas did previous Social Democratic foreign ministers Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Sigmar Gabriel. The coalition is planning a massive escalation of its war plans and the fortification of Europe. It is precisely such policies that force millions of people to become refugees, exposing them to sexual violence and repression in the process.

With their support for the #MeToo movement, Barley and the SPD are pursuing deeply reactionary goals. On the one hand, the SPD wants to divert attention at all costs from the anti-working class agenda and war program of the government. On the other hand, the government parties use #MeToo as a vehicle to mobilise layers of middle class women, especially in the spheres of media and culture. In return, the latter are given funds and new career opportunities. Hysterical media campaigns concentrating on sexual harassment are well suited to strengthening the state apparatus, introducing new laws and censorship.

Barley herself has used the #MeToo question from the start to promote harsher laws. At the February 19 meeting, she boasted that the grand coalition, under the slogan No means no, had tightened up criminal law for sex offences. Finally, groping could be punished as a crime.

The far-reaching ratcheting up of criminal law for sex offences in the summer of 2016 was preceded by a months-long racist media campaign based on the events alleged to have taken place in Cologne on New Years Eve. At the time, it was claimed that a mob of Arab men had massively harassed and raped women. Although it soon turned out the media campaign was largely baseless and that what happened on New Years Eve was no more than what unfortunately took place at other major events, the campaign had achieved its desired consequences: a strengthening of right-wing forces such as Pegida and AfD and the public mood necessary to tighten up the law and strengthen the powers of the police.

In the course of the incitement against Muslim men, which filled the pages of newspapers after Cologne, feminists like Alice Schwarzer allied with openly right-wing forces. This alliance was no coincidence. The #MeToo movement, which draws from anti-democratic and reactionary traditions, also emboldens the most right-wing tendencies.

This was evident at the February 19 meeting when a group labelling itself #120dba part of the far-right German Identity movementstormed the podium. The extreme right-wingers threw flyers into the audience to the sound of a siren and unrolled a poster with the text The voice of forgotten women. The words refer to women who are allegedly victims of imported violencei.e., sexual assaults committed by immigrants.

The fact that this racist rabble could show their faces is a result of the policies of the establishment parties, especially the SPD. They have created the basis for the growth of far-right forces such as Pegida and the AfD. Now they are integrating the AfD into official politics.

Actress Hanna Schygulla in 2013

The reaction of the podium to the short appearance of the far-right crowd was also significant. Cries of Nazis out! were heard from the audience, but from the podium, Barbara Rohm, co-founder and chair of the ProQuote Film Initiative, declared one must also talk to these young women. None of the podium speakers countered or criticised the extreme right provocation. Instead, the moderator and FAZ journalist Verena Lueken continued the superficial conversation as if nothing had happened.

Although many artists supported the #MeToo movement during the Berlinale, there were also critical and skeptical voices. Some expressed weariness over the endless questions from journalists about #MeToo. The demand for a black carpet instead of a red carpet at the Berlinale to give a signal for #MeToo also met with widespread incomprehension. Austrian film director Michael Haneke had sharply disparaged the sexual witch-hunt before the Berlinale, and German actresses Heike Makatsch and Hanna Schygulla also criticized the movement.

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[19 January 2018]A hostage situation in Northern California ended Friday evening with the discovery of four people dead, after a gunman armed with a rifle entered an employee going-away party at a state-run veterans home and took three staff of a private nonprofit hostage earlier in the day.

Police told reporters that the bodies of the gunman and three women were found when law enforcement entered the room where the hostages were being held. Repeated attempts to make contact using the cell phone number of the suspect did not yield any results in the hours leading up to the discovery of the bodies.

Around 10:20 a.m. local time, law enforcement responded to a report of shots fired in the small, affluent Napa Valley community of Yountville, in Northern California. Napa County Sheriff John Robertson told a press conference that a deputy responding to the incident exchanged many shots, though he said that no injuries had been sustained. Police radio transmissions indicated that as many as 30 shots were fired during the exchange between the gunman and the deputy.

The hostages were employees of the nonprofit organization Pathway House, which provides services to veterans of the so-called War on Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Pathway House operates as a private entity on the campus of the Veterans Home of California-Yountville, which is a public housing facility administered by the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet).

According to the CalVet website, the Veterans Home of California-Yountville was opened in 1884 and is the largest veterans home in the United States, with 300 employees and approximately 850 residents who are veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

The facility is funded in large part through grants from the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which in recent years has faced numerous scandals over long wait times for medical treatment, decrepit facilities, and poor services.

Local resident Larry Kamer told the Associated Press that his wife, Deveraux Smith, was attending a going-away party for a coworker when the gunman arrived, armed with a rifle. The suspect allowed most of the staff in the room to leave but refused to release three of the employees. Smith, a fundraiser for Pathway House, was among those who were not permitted to leave.

By the afternoon, hundreds of police and federal agents had descended on the area, including a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) tactical unit and agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Police radio communications described the suspect as five feet and six inches tall and armed with a rifle with an attached scope and a stash of bullets around his neck. Law enforcement told the press that the identity of the suspect is known, though they have not released any additional information on the identities of either the suspect or the hostages

While the identity and motive of the suspect have not been released to the public, California state senator Bill Dodd told local news station NBC7 that the gunman was a veteran of the wars in the Middle East who was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Dodd also reported that the suspect had been asked to leave the home earlier in the week.

This tragic incident again highlights the deep psychological trauma suffered by those recruited to fight in Americas imperialist wars. A 2008 study by the US government-funded RAND Corporation found that nearly 20 percent of veterans who had returned from deployments in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan suffered from PTSD or depression. According to the latest government figures an average of 20 veterans take their lives every day, adding up to more than 7,000 suicides per year.A video of border Patrol agents dragging a woman into a van as her three traumatized daughters scream and cry for their mother has gone viral on social media. Last Saturday, 36-year-old Perla Morales Luna stepped out to pay her rent in National City, a suburb of San Diego, California. She was accompanied by her three daughters one of whom is believed to be a minor. Still close to her house, she was grabbed by two plainclothes men and one uniformed Border Patrol agent, and hustled off to a Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) van.

Cell phone video footage shows the agents ripping Morales Luna from the hands of her children as they scream and wail, while in the background the officers can be heard demanding that she Get in the car. As the car is seen leaving, one of the daughters can heard asking where her mother was being taken.

The video has been viewed over 10 million times after being shared on social media by Judith Castro-Gonzalez, a teacher for one of Morales Lunas children.

Detention of Perla Morales Luna

Explaining why she shared the video, Castro told NBC7 that she could not believe that a mother could be dragged away from her children in that manner, and was horrified at the injustice: Honestly I couldnt watch the whole thingJust seeing a mom being approached by agents who are dressed in civilian clothing, with no badges to be seen, and just literally dragging the mom away into the border patrol truck.

As Pedro Rios, director of the American Friends Service Committee in San Diego told the Washington Post, If there weren't uniformed agents, it would resemble a kidnapping.

In a tweet released after the arrest, CBP declared that Morales Luna, who was in the United States without the required documents, was arrested in a targeted operation, since she had been identified as an organizer for a transnational criminal smuggling organization operating in East County, San Diego.

When asked whether she would be charged with any smuggling-related crime (whether drugs, humans or something else altogether), CBP merely responded by saying Morales Luna was in the country illegally, which is also a crime. As of Friday, no charges had been filed against her in any federal court.

A rally press conference was held Friday by community and family members to demand the return of Morales Luna and draw the connections between the Border Patrols accusations and those that had been leveled against Francisco Duarte and Rosenda Perez last May when they were abducted by ICE agents outside their home in National City, leaving their four children behind.

WSWS reporters spoke to 20-year-old Francisco Duarte, Jr., who reported that during the abduction of his parents last year [The ICE agents] asked me, Okay, who here is over 18 years old? I told them that I was. All they said was Okay, now you have to take care of the family. It was completely unimaginable I had to stop my studies and go to work full time...The same language that they used to slander my parents they used to slander this woman, that they were involved with some sort of smuggling operation. On top of destroying families, they want to try to portray us as criminals...I dont think the government would listen [to a proposal to reform immigration policy]. They listen to rich people, the people that have the money.

Speaking to the crowd at yesterdays rally, Duarte, Jr. pointed out that it was only after the video went viral that accusations began. As soon as our story gets out there, now they are saying my dad is involved in smuggling organization and my mom is part of it to. My dad is an ice cream man since he came to this country... and they say hes involved in a criminal people smuggling organization...the exact same statement they put out for [Morales Luna] is what they put out for my dad and my mom, and it turned out to not be true...On top of taking my family they are branded as criminals.

Castro-Gonzalez, the teacher who shared the viral video, spoke at the rally about similar experiences when her parents were deported, I myself experienced that. I didnt see my parents get taken away like these girls did. But my parents were deported. I was only 15 years old and did any care? What is wrong with these kids?! Do they have food?! Do they have somewhere to live?! Do they have someone to take care of them?!...This is not a cry to just point out what is being done to Latinos it is not only affecting us. We need to stand up against injustice...not just about immigration.

The case was made throughout the press conference that immigration enforcement agencies are developing a modus operandi where they detain undocumented immigrants and for public consumption fabricate claims about supposed involvement with human trafficking, although they of course present no such charges formally.

Francisco Duarte, Sr. told WSWS reporters, I want for the nightmare that I lived through not to happen to other people. I don't want other people to go through the same thing, so thats why were to show our support.

I was detained for seven months and was released on December 22nd, and Ive been without work since then because my permit to work hasnt gone through yetsupposedly it takes four months to go through the process. So right now Im not receiving any support outside of what my family can send from Mexico, and what my son is bringing in right now that hes working. The whole thing has been a nightmare.

Andres Moreno II, the attorney representing Morales Luna told the press conference, I want to address the ICE statement yesterday in regard to their claim that she was involved in some kind of immigrant smuggling organization. I talked to my client about that, she has no idea what theyre talking about. We dont have any information at all that shes ever been arrested for any of those allegations that shes charged with. At this point were trying to get information from Border Patrol and ICE as to why theyre making these claims.

I can say shes been here since she was 15 years old. Shes got three United States citizen children. As far as we can tellweve checked all the court recordswe dont see any criminal charges filed against her in any capacity. She has never been arrested for anything as far as we can tell, so were at a bit of a loss as to why theyre alleging her in involvement in a smuggling ring.

Mark Lane an organizer of the press conference and community activist noted, She was arrested for being undocumented, [Border Patrols] statement clearly said that. First they sensationalize it with a beautiful salacious statement and then when you ask them to expand on that they say We cant, its an ongoing investigation. Its out there in public and shes been smeared. She has not been arrested on any criminal charges.

The tactics used by the CBPwhether it is the brutal separation of parents from children, or smear campaigns, particularly the unsubstantiated and unclear charges of smuggling leveled against undocumented migrantshave become routine in the ramped up anti-immigrant drive of the Trump administration.

National City, with a mostly Latino and working-class population, has not as of yet proclaimed itself to be a sanctuary city. However, in June 2017, the Democratic Party-dominated City Council unanimously passed an empty resolution declaring that National City was a compassionate community committed to ensuring that residents can access services regardless of immigration status.

The 2017 resolution expressed support for the California legislatures Sanctuary State bill and prohibited city police from involving themselves in immigration enforcement. As the recent incident shows, such resolutionseven if they are unanimousare not only toothless, but work to cover up the collusion of the Democratic Party in facilitating deportations and other anti-immigrant measures.Last week, Google confirmed that it has provided artificial intelligence software to assist the United States military and intelligence apparatus in analyzing data as part of its drone war and assassination program in the Middle East and beyond.

The website Gizmodo, which first broke the story, reported that the military program using Google is called Project Maven. A military report announcing the project last year said it focuses on computer visionan aspect of machine learning and deep learningthat autonomously extracts objects of interest from moving or still imagery.

Marine Corps Col. Drew Cukor, identified as the chief of the Algorithmic Warfare Cross-Function Team in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Operations Directorate-Warfare Support, said at the time that the US is in an AI arms race, and noted that Eric Schmidt [executive chairman of Googles parent company, Alphabet] is calling Google an AI company.

The revelations directly implicate Google in the criminal activities of the US government all over the world. They also further expose the intimate relationship between the giant internet and telecommunications companies and the repressive apparatus of the state.

A revolving door has been established between the workforces of the technology monopolies and military and intelligence agencies. At a hearing in January, a spokesman for Facebook bragged that, in doubling its army of censors, which will hit 20,000 at the end of this year, the company is prioritizing hiring former intelligence and law-enforcement officials who had previously worked in the area of counterterrorism.

Schmidt himself has become an advisor to the Pentagon and the chair of its Defense Innovation Advisory Board. A private/military joint partnership called the Defense Innovation Unit Experimental (DIUx) has been established just minutes from Googles main headquarters.

These developments have the most far-reaching and sinister implications for democratic rights within the United States. Imperialist war and domestic repression are two sides of the same ruling class policy.

Over the course of the past two years, Google, Facebook, Twitter and other tech companies, in close coordination with the government, have moved extremely rapidly to censor content online through the manipulation of search results and news feeds. Carried out within the CIA-Democratic Partys campaign over fake news and Russian meddling, the purpose of these measures is to silence, suppress and criminalize domestic opposition.

Googles censorship of its search algorithms, first unveiled last April, was followed by alterations in Facebooks news feed to promote trusted news outletssuch as the New York Timesover independent news organizations that advance alternative viewpoints. More aggressive measures are being planned and implemented.

The World Socialist Web Site has been a principal target of a campaign that has affected a wide array of left-wing, anti-war and progressive web sites.

The corporate and financial elite is terrified of the growth of working class struggle, which poses the greatest threat to its drive to control the world and its preparations for a global conflict with large powers, including Russia and China.

This mortal threat is evident in the spreading wave of social unrest in the United States, which is beginning to break free of the institutions of the capitalist stateincluding the trade unions. The strike by West Virginia teachers, which took the form of an incipient rebellion against the unions, has been followed by demands for strike action from teachers and other sections of the working class throughout the country.

Social media is playing a critical role in allowing workers to communicate with each other within the United States and beyond its borders. The corporate media is taking note. The New York Times commented worriedly earlier this week that West Virginia teachers found ways to organize and act outside the usual parameters of traditional unionism. Teachers and service workers across the state aired their frustrations in an enormous Facebook group.

The Los Angeles Times warned of social medias influence on the labor unrest, pointing to the fact that teachers throughout the country, from West Virginia to Oklahoma, were using Facebook to coordinate their struggles.

What the ruling elite fears above all is the emergence of a revolutionary socialist movement that will challenge the two-party system and the financial oligarchy that it represents. It is highly cognizant of the role of the WSWS, which is seeing a rapid growth in readership with the escalation of the class struggle. The ruling class already had in 2015 the experience of the rebellion of auto workers against the UAW, with tens of thousands of workers reading and sharing WSWS articles on social media.

Standing upon a social powder keg, the ruling class is desperately seeking to gain control of information. Whatever tools the military develops for use abroad, moreover, will be extended to the total army of police and intelligence agencies at home. And capitalist ruling elites throughout the world are taking similar measures.

The alarm must be sounded! Opposition to censorship must be connected to the fight against imperialist war and the mobilization of the working classin the United States and internationallyagainst inequality and exploitation. The fight against the assault on free speech and a free internet is at the same time a fight to overthrow the capitalist system, abolish the military-intelligence agencies and transform the giant telecommunications companies and other major corporations into publicly-owned and democratically-controlled utilities.

To expose the growing drive toward censorship, and to organize resistance, the World Socialist Web Site, International Youth and Students for Social Equality, and the Socialist Equality Party are holding a series of meetings throughout the US, Organizing Resistance to Internet Censorship. We urge all of our readers to attend these meetings, publicize them as widely as possible, and contact the WSWS to take part in the fight against war, inequaliy and internet censorship.Nearly 30,000 school workers are set to vote on strike authorization this month in the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nations second largest.

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 99 announced the vote last week after the school district proposed a paltry 2 percent raise for the 2017-2018 academic year with an option to reopen salary negotiations should the districts financial health improve.

LA Unifieds chief negotiator, Najeeb Khoury, said the districts latest offer was solid and that it was the best it could do given rising pension costs and declining enrollment due to the proliferation of private charter schools.

The fact that charter schools are a significant contributor to the districts deficit indicates the financial elites motivation for funding and advocating for charter schools in the first place. That is, the schools were meant to serve as a mechanism not to improve childrens educational outcomes, but to attack public education and promote privatization schemes. The promotion of charter schools was a major component of the education policy of the Obama administration, backed by the teachers unions.

We encourage SEIU Local 99 to continue working with us at the table to find solutions that take into account our economic reality, Khoury said. We trust that SEIU Local 99 will follow the law and will not declare a strike before going through all the statutory mandated procedures, including mediation and fact-finding.

In other words, the district is expecting underpaid and overworked school employees to accept all the time-honored tricks, including government-appointed mediators whose role it is to side against the workers.

In calling the strike authorization vote, the SEIU is responding to deep anger among school bus drivers, teachers aides, clerical workers, custodians and other classified employees. Its aim is to tamp down this opposition, direct it behind the Democratic Party and prevent their struggle from uniting with the growing mood of anger and unrest among school employees throughout the country.

Should strike authorization pass in a vote between March 12 through 24, this will be followed by ongoing negotiations with the school district.

The other major school worker union, the United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA), is also in the midst of contract negotiations with the district via a series of contract openers scheduled over a period of several months. The UTLA has said that its members have a right to engage in sympathy and solidarity activities with SEIU workers should they go on strike.

However, the UTLA and the SEIU deliberately complete their negotiations separately so that no chance exists of united actions by both sections of school workers.

The suppression of workers resistance by the Los Angeles unions is seen as particularly critical now in the aftermath of the nine-day strike of West Virginia Teachers along with strike preparations by Oklahoma teachers this week. With the Janus vs. AFSCME case on the constitutionality of agency fees pending before the Supreme Court, unions throughout the US are eager to demonstrate their role in suppressing the class struggle, as expressed by a union lawyer in oral arguments last month: Union security is the tradeoff for no strikes.

LAUSD workers should reject the claim that there is no money for decent wages and benefits, or that wage increases and improved health care benefits must be paid for through cuts to pension benefits and decreased funding for class offerings.

There is more than enough money to provide children with high quality affordable education while providing teachers and support staff with a decent standard of living. Just last year, the number of billionaires in Los Angeles County alone increased from 50 to 58. These individuals had a combined net worth of $203 billion at the end of 2017.

By comparison, LAUSDs projected deficit for the 2018-2019 academic year amounts to only $1.6 billion, using the highest estimate provided by the district. In other words, the districts financial woes, which will be used as pretext to deny decent wages and benefits to school employees, amount to, at best, a little more than half of a percent of the wealth of these 58 individuals alone.

The fight by school workers and teachers in Los Angeles, as with workers throughout the US, is a political struggle that places them in direct conflict with both the Republican and Democratic parties. The unions in LA have promoted illusions that the Democrats will fund public education, but school systems throughout the state have been underfunded under the leadership of Governor Jerry Brown.

With the support of the unions, Brown has overseen the vast expansion of charter schools in the state, which now has the largest number of charter school students in the country.Almost a week since the former Russian/British double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were hospitalised, the facts of their apparent poisoning remain unexplained and undetermined.

That has not prevented the media and sections of the government from hysterical accusations against Russia for attempted murder on British soil.

Skripal and his daughter are in a critical condition after allegedly being exposed to what has been described only as a nerve agent. They were found last Saturday afternoon unconscious on a bench near a shopping centre in the small cathedral city of Salisbury.

The 66-year-old Skripal is a former colonel in Russias GRU, the military intelligence service. He spent four years in a Russian jailout of a 13-year prison sentenceafter being found guilty in 2006 of passing secrets to MI6, the UKs foreign intelligence service. He was released in 2010, when he was pardoned by Russia as part of a well-publicized 10-person spy swap between the US, the UK and Russia. He then moved to the UK.

Details of Skripals activities in Britain are murky to say the least. Nor is there any serious attempt to explain why he and his daughter would be targeted for murder in such a public fashion after more than seven years.

Nonetheless, on Friday Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson announced that military personnel have joined counter-terrorist police in investigating the case, with up to 180 people mobilised. This was after it was claimed that 21 people had been treated as a result of the incident, and the cemetery where Skripals wife is buried was cordoned off.

Contradictions in reports as to the source of the substance to which Skripal and his daughter were allegedly exposed continue to pile up. Initially it was asserted they were exposed at a restaurant or public house. Now there are suggestions it may have been in Skripals home. It is also suggested that Yulia brought the nerve agent into the UK from Russia, contained in what she was told was a present from friends.

There are also conflicting reports as to whether Skripal was still involved in espionage activities for private contractors attached to the British security forces.

The Times said he had given lectures on the tactics used by the intelligence agencies in the Soviet era and its successor, the Federal Security Service. Valery Morozov, a Russian exile, told Channel 4 News that Skripal remained in contact with military intelligence officers at the Russian Embassy.

The Independent reported that Skripal may have become a target after using his contacts in the intelligence community to work for private security firms 

Citing a security source, the newspaper said Skripal could have come to the attention of certain people in Russia by attempting to freelance for companies run by former MI5, MI6 and GCHQ spies. The article claimed Skripal had kept in touch with members of the intelligence community, past and present 

Many private security firms in the UK are headed by former MI5 and MI6 spies. The Daily Telegraph noted last year that the intelligence industry is thrivingat least in terms of the numbers of companies providing these services. It noted that research firm Gartner estimated the the worldwide industry is expected to make around $20bn (15.87bn) in revenue this year.

One possible link Skripal had with British intelligence was via the security firm Orbis Business Intelligence. According to a Telegraph report, an unnamed intelligence consultant employed by the firm said he was close to Skripal as they both lived in southern England.

Orbis was founded by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, after he left MI6 in 2009. It was Steele who authored the 35-page report, paid for by the Democrats in the US, and used to paint US President Trump as a Russian stooge.

Steele sold his document, based on unverified material supplied by his Russian contacts, to the Washington-based Fusion GPS, for which he reportedly received 130,000.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov rejected any Russian involvement in the attack on Skripal, stating, What we see is only news reports ... saying that if it is Russia, then a response is going to be given that Russia is going to remember forever. That is not serious. This is propaganda fair and square and it is trying to raise tensions, Lavrov said.

He said that Russia will be willing to contemplate assisting with the investigation, if we have the necessary data and facts.

The reaction of the UK media and politicians suggest little interest in getting to the truth of the affair. For some time now, there has been a campaign, led by defence chiefs, to demand a stepped-up military campaign against Russia, which the Skripal affair is being used to accelerate.

Tom Tugendhat, Conservative chairman of parliaments Foreign Affairs Select Committee (FASC), told a Spectator magazine podcast that the case was remarkably similar to the death of Alexander Litvinenkowho died from radioactive polonium-210 poisoning in 2006.

Tugendhat went on to assert, It looks likely that his [Skripals] wife was murdered a year or so ago. His son was also murdered in 2017.

Skripals wife died of cancer in 2012 according to her death certificate, while his son was killed in a car crash in St. Petersburg last year.

On this basis Tugendhat asserted there was a very strong pattern, at the centre of which appears very strongly to be the Kremlin.

Another Conservative FASC member, Bob Seely, said, Regardless of whether the Russians are involved in this case, they are fighting a new Cold War against us and you need to wise up to that fact. They have form in this, they have malign intent. It is very, very unlikely to be someone else.

Seely was previously a reporter on the Soviet Union for Murdochs Times, which is at the forefront of the anti-Russian campaign. Earlier this month the Times interviewed senior armed forces figures calling for UK military spending to be escalated, with Russia singled out as the enemy.

Murdochs Sun reported that Prime Minister Theresa May is preparing full spectrum retaliation against Vladimir Putin for the nerve agent hit on spy Sergei Skripal  across diplomatic, economic and military fronts to punish the Salisbury outragedubbed by Home Secretary Amber Rudd as a brazen and reckless act.

A comment in the Telegraph by Fraser Nelson typifies the brazen and reckless disregard for truth animating this latest anti-Russian campaign. Headlined Britain cant prove that Putin was behind the Skripal poisoningbut we must act nevertheless, Nelson complained that while Rudd had said she would respond as soon as she has proof  the whole point of such murders is that proof never arrives. This is a new kind of conflict, and deserves a new kind of response.The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) in Sri Lanka strongly condemns the brutal violence being unleashed by Sinhala-Buddhist racist mobs against the countrys Muslim people.

Sri Lankas ruling elite ended a 26-year-long war against the countrys Tamil minority just nine years ago. While continuing the anti-Tamil campaign, it is now preparing a bloodbath against another minority community.

The SEP urges workers, youth, the rural poor and progressive intellectuals to oppose this mayhem, and take a sharp warning from it. Facing a deep political crisis created by mounting social opposition, the government and the ruling class are using anti-Muslim communalism to divert and divide the working people as it prepares for dictatorial rule.

The perpetrators of this violence have been nurtured and backed by the government of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, as well as the opposition parties, including former President Mahinda Rajapakses Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).

The latest violence, which began last Sunday in the Teldeniya-Digana area of the central Kandy district, immediately spread to nearby small towns and villages. On that day, the funeral was held of an ethnic Sinhala lorry driver, who died as the result of injuries he received in an altercation after a simple road accident on March 3. Sinhala Buddhist extremist groups exploited this incident to incite violence against Muslims.

The presence of leaders of the fascistic outfit, Bodu Bala Sena (BBS or Buddhist Brigade), at the funeral house before the violence started is indicative of the involvement of extremist groups that have enjoyed the blessings of the government and opposition parties.

Attacks on Muslims have continued unabated since the governments declaration of a state of emergency, imposition of curfews, and deployment of around 7,000 military and police personnel in a relatively small area. The well-organised and coordinated character of the mobs could not be conducted without the collusion of the security forces, police and sections of the ruling elite.

A police curfew has been imposed repeatedly in the Kandy district since Monday evening. Shops have been closed and vehicle movements in Kandy and nearby areas curtailed or halted. People have been left in fear that the violence could spread into other parts of the country.

The latest attacks are part of intensifying propaganda, provocations and violent assaults carried out against Muslims, which began under Rajapakse and have continued under the present government.

Senior government minister Sarath Amunugama was forced to admit on Wednesday that mobs were transported from other areas and that there was evidence of the involvement of retired and active security personnel. Social media posts showed videos and photos of police special task force (STF) officers watching mobs carrying out attacks on shops and houses. Eyewitnesses confirmed this.

Under the emergency declared by President Sirisena on Tuesday, the police and security forces have a wide range of repressive powers, including to arrest and detain people without warrants. Those arrested can be sentenced to imprisonment for 20 years, or up to life. The government has also imposed restrictions on social media, WhatsApp and Viber since Tuesday.

Police and security forces have arrested 146 people so far, some of whom are said to be leaders of organised attacks. Some of the arrested leaders were reportedly hiding in Buddhist temples. The government is in a hurry to claim that the situation is becoming normal.

Government leaders, the opposition, and the media, as well as the UN and US, have urged people to desist from violence and to be calm. There is a stench of hypocrisy in these statements. It is an insult to the working class and poor, who are not in any way responsible for these crimes and, in fact, are expressing outrage at the communal carnage.

In a special statement after declaring the emergency, Sirisena said: Those elements involved will be dealt with severely. However, he flew to Kandy on Wednesday to meet the Buddhist hierarchy that patronises extremist Sinhala-Buddhist groups.

Likewise, Wickremesinghe declared in parliament that the government condemns all racist and violent acts. He accused sections who were greedy for power of planning various acts of sabotage. Yet he did not name anyone.

Sirisena and Wickremesinghe came to office in 2015, promising improved living and social conditions, reconciliation and democratic rights. They exploited the mass anger against Rajapakses repressive rule. However, over the past three years the governments continued attacks on living conditions, implementing the IMF-dictated austerity program that has provoked deep hostility among working people.

Along with brutal police attacks on protests and striking workers, the government has given free rein to extremist groups such as BBS, Sihala Ravaya and Ravana Balakaya, which have conducted systematic anti-Muslim and anti-Tamil provocations. These groups have enjoyed immunity after attacks on mosques, and shops and houses owned by Muslims. Sirisena has even met with these extremists, including BBS leaders, to appease them. Sirisena and Wickremesinghe have repeatedly declared they are committed to protecting the Sinhala Buddhist character of the country, thus boosting these chauvinist forces.

Deep political crisis

It is no accident that the anti-Muslim violence has been provoked amid an extreme crisis of the government and the ruling class. The government is facing mass opposition to its austerity program. During the past months almost all public sector workers have participated in struggles for higher wages and better working conditions. Farmers and students of all communitiesSinhala, Tamil and Muslimhave joined protests demanding social and democratic rights.

The intensifying popular opposition resulted in heavy defeats for the ruling coalition partnersSirisenas Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and Wickremesinghes United National Party (UNP)in last months local government elections. Many people voted for Rajapakses SLPP, not because they support it, but to express their anger against the government.

These defeats brought the government to the brink of collapse, with the ruling parties blaming each other for the political disaster. The government was patched up temporarily as a result of the intervention of US and Indian diplomats, who sought to avert the breaking up of the pro-US government, which has slavishly aligned itself with Washingtons geopolitical strategy against China.

The political upheavals and deepening economic problems in Sri Lanka have been intensified by the crisis of world capitalism. Central Bank chief Indrajit Coomaraswamy has declared the country is on the edge, because of declining economic growth, mounting debt payments and international monetary turmoil.

Rajapakse has called on the police to use the full severity of the law on those responsible for violence. However, he cynically blamed Muslims for gravitating toward communal political parties. He said this enabled conspiratorial forces both local and foreign to use agents provocateurs to create clashes between Sinhalese and Muslims.

Rajapakse is claiming that Buddhist and Sinhala extremist groups emerged only in response to Muslim communalism. In fact, BBS emerged in 2012 with the open blessing of his regime. By defending and backing these forces, Rajapakse is seeking to build a right-wing movement to come to power and crush the working class opposition.

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, speaking in parliament, blamed the government and the opposition for inciting racism to continue their rule. The JVP leaders are bogusly posing as fighters against Sinhala chauvinism. Since its inception the JVP has defended Sinhala patriotism, backed the communal war against Tamils and accepted the designation of Buddhism as the state religion in the constitution.

On Wednesday, Dissanayake visited the leading Buddhist priest of the Malwatthe Chapter to plead for advice on the crisis, nakedly displaying his partys communal credentials. The JVP is demanding that the government implement laws against racists. This would only strengthen the hands of the government and the state forces that would be used against the working class.

The Muslim bourgeois parties, including the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, also insist that the government must use police state powers, including to shoot at sight to protect Muslims. These parties fear the exposure of their rotten alliances with successive governments to defend the interests of the Muslim elite, not the democratic rights of ordinary workers and poor.

Immediately after so-called independence in 1948, the UNP government abolished the citizenship rights of Tamil-speaking plantation workers. Since then, in every crisis of capitalist rule, governments have used communalism to divide, weaken and repress working people.

Intensified anti-Tamil discrimination, such as making Sinhala the only official language and Buddhism the state religion, created the conditions for a full-blown communal war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) from 1983. The great betrayal of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP), then the main working class party, by entering a bourgeois coalition government in 1964, facilitated this reactionary trajectory.

The attacks of the ruling class and the government can be defeated only by building a united socialist movement, unifying workers across the Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim ethnic divide as part of the fight for the international unity of the working class. The basic democratic rights of all people can be achieved only in the struggle to overthrow capitalism, which is the source of racism, discrimination and oppression.

The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) calls upon workers to build action committees to unite the working class on a socialist program and win the support of the rural poor and youth for this struggle.

The recent developments have revealed, once again, that working people of any community cannot rely on the forces of the capitalist state for their defence. They must establish such committees, with democratically-elected delegates, to defend themselves in their struggle to win their rights.

Through this struggle, the working people must be united to bring to power a workers and peasants government to implement socialist policies, as part of the fight for international socialism. The SEP urges workers, youth and progressive intellectuals to join our party and fight for this program.US strategic allies around the world are seeking ways to have their countries excluded from the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on steel and aluminium, invoking national security considerations.

Attention will be directed to Europe over weekend where the European Unions chief trade negotiator, Cecilia Malmstrom, is meeting with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in Brussels today.

The meeting was not called in direct response to Trumps measuresit was scheduled 10 months ago to discuss, among other things, overcapacity in global steel markets. But it is now shaping up as an indication of how both sides will proceed.

Last Wednesday, the EU threatened to impose counter-tariff measures against US exports into Europe, including on bourbon and various foodstuffs amounting to around $3.5 billion, if the US measures go ahead.

Speaking at a panel discussion yesterday in Brussels, Malmstrom again took issue with the Trump administration, emphasising the strategic relationship between the EU and the US.

We had been in talks with our American friends for quite some time to explain to them that whereas we share the concerns over overcapacity in the steel sector, this is not the right way to deal with it, she said.

And it is certainly not the right way to include Europe in that because we are friends, we are allies, we work together, we cannot possibly be a threat to national security in the US so we are counting on being excluded.

The indications so far, however, are that the EU will get short shrift. White House National Trade Council director Peter Navarro, who was among the leading proponents of the measures, is a strident opponent of both China and Germany on trade. Trump earlier responded to threats of EU retaliation with a warning that tariffs could be imposed on imports of European cars.

Malstrom said she hoped the EU would obtain an exclusion. If not, the EU and other countries would take up the case in the World Trade Organisation (WTO). We are also preparing with member states a list of rebalancing measures [the imposition of tariffs on US goods] that could possibly enter into force, she said. We hope that will not be the case of course, because nobody has an interest of escalating this situation, but if we have to do that, thats what we will do.

The battle for exemptions threatens to deepen the rift between Britain and the rest of the EU, of which the UK is still formally a member, despite the Brexit vote. Divisions have emerged over the announcement that British international trade secretary Liam Fox will travel to Washington next week to maximise the UKs case for exemption.

According to one press report, EU sources said that if Britain secured favourable terms, Brussels would regard this as a breach of trust and against the rules of the EU.

In television comments, Fox emphasised that Britain was not in the same position as the EU. We produce very high-value steel, some of which cant be sourced in the United Statesand so these tariffs will simply push up the price of steel there. We also make steel for the American military program, so its doubly absurd.

However, the European Commissions position is that it will not tolerate special treatment for the UK or any other EU member that seeks to cut a separate deal.

The commission vice-president in charge of trade policy, Jyrki Katainen, said yesterday: We cannot accept that the EU is divided into different categories. We dont want to see the division between the member states.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she would leave negotiations on the tariffs to the EU but Germany viewed the measures with concern. She backed the EU plan for counter-measures but the preference should lie with talks.

Japan, which is an ally of the United States, is also seeking an exemption, as is South Korea, which could be hard hit.

At a press conference yesterday, Hiroshige Seko, Japans minister for trade and industry, said: Its extremely regrettable and Id like to work on the Americans to exempt us. Tit-for-tat retaliatory measures dont profit any country. Id like to consider the necessary response in the WTO framework.

South Korea has virtually no chance of an exemption because the US regards it as a conduit for cheap re-processed Chinese steel.

Hopes that the WTO and its so-called rules based order can prevent a drive toward open trade war are based on a failure to recognise the implications of the shift being undertaken by the United States.

The dominant position in the White House is that the WTO system has worked against the interests of the US. This view is not an invention of Trump and his America First supporters. It was emerging under the Obama administration, which sought to develop new arrangements to place the US at the centre of a network of economic pacts, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Speaking at yesterdays Brussels panel on trade, Robert Zoellick, who served as US trade representative under President George W. Bush, pointed out the far-reaching implications of any WTO ruling on the Trump measures.

Heres the risk: The WTO decides, well, the EU, or whoever brings action is right, this isnt national security, he said.

But then what happens when [commerce secretary] Wilbur Ross or somebody else says wait a minute. Those people in Geneva can decide what is in Americas national security. Should we be part of the WTO?

Or, the reverse, the WTO says well, we let countries decide their own national security. Then youve created a very big loophole.

In other words, the objective logic of the US move, based on the invocation of national securitythe tying of trade to military considerationsleads to a breakdown of the entire post-war trading system. In its place, there is a return to dog-eat-dog relations that had catastrophic consequences in the 1930s, playing a major role in creating the conditions for World War II.

Opposition to Trumps measures in US ruling circles is not grounded on their disastrous global implications. The objection is that they have been misdirected and should be more clearly focused on securing allies for a conflict with China.

US Business Roundtable president Josh Bolten, who was White House chief of staff under President George W. Bush, summed up this position in an interview with the Financial Times.

They are offending and damaging the very people who we need to help us with the China problem, he said. Exemptions just make a very bad decision slightly less bad. All the major problems with the decision remain.On March 3, right-wing radio host Alex Jones, publisher of the conspiracy theorist website Infowars, tweeted that his YouTube profile, called the Alex Jones Channel, had been frozen and received warnings that all 33 thousand videos would be erased within 24 hours.

The next day, a YouTube spokesperson confirmed that the company had removed advertisements from the channel, in a move known as demonetization. Several videos posted by the channel have already been removed.

Infowars is a clearinghouse for right-wing conspiracy theories and a gathering place for neo-Nazis and white supremacists. Jones, who has his origins in the far-right militia movement, declared on his program last year that Democrats and communists were planning to unleash white genocide. He was also one of the main proponents of Pizzagate, claiming that Hillary Clinton was running a child sex ring out of a pizza parlor. Jones has been praised by the editor of the Daily Stormer and other far-right figures around the world.

Notably, censoring Jones channel has only brought more attention to the right-wing demagogue. Jones, whom claims to be anti-establishment, announced that his account was facing the biggest censorship we have ever seen. YouTube targeting his channel serves to confirm his allegations, garnering him more support among layers of the population who are opposed to the status quo.

In bringing attention to the implications of YouTube censoring the Alex Jones Channel, the WSWS remains resolutely opposed to the retrograde politics of Jones and those who associate with him. However, the WSWS defends the democratic right to free speech on the Internet and systematically opposes censorship of any kind.

The impetus for suspending the channel came from a video following the Parkland school shooting which suggested student protesters were not victims of the attack but crisis actors. Jones channel received a strike for the video and a second strike a few days later when it posted a video titled, David Hogg Cant Remember His Lines In TV Interviewwhich similarly questioned the authenticity of the 17-year-old student activist.

YouTubes policy states that any account given three strikes faces deletion: the first strike is a warning, the second a temporary suspension and the third a termination. Strikes expire after six months but can also be appealed, YouTube said.

According to YouTube the videos were flagged for violating the sites community guidelines. However, YouTubes policies are vague common-sense rules thatll help you steer clear of trouble, according the company itself, and it was never clearly stated what policies the videos Jones posted violated.

In reality, censoring the Alex Jones Channel has nothing to do with a violation of policies, but represents an incremental step in the broader campaign to censor the Internet. By targeting an ultra-right-wing figure that a vast majority of the population reviles and ridicules, those behind the campaign rely on the population dismissing the targeting of Jones as a good riddance.

The attacks on Jones have parallels to the moves in France against National Front leader Marine Le Pen, who was indicted last Thursday for having posted three images of executions by the Islamic State (IS) group on her Twitter account in December 2015. The targeting of low-hanging fruit like Jones and Le Pen is an attack on democratic rights, and a precursor to more censorship.

Since the tales of Russian meddling began to circulate in 2016, social media and technology giants, in partnership with the US government and intelligence agencies, have been engaged in a concerted effort to silence voices of opposition. Over the past year, under the banner of combating hate speech and fake news, Google has cut off search traffic to left wing, progressive and socialist websites and de-monetized YouTube accounts which have been flagged or dont meet newly enforced and vaguely defined criteria.

Google, Facebook, and Twitter have all implemented measures aimed at diminishing content not deemed authoritative, or acceptable within the circumscribed margins of the corporate media. Facebook altered its algorithms to reduce the visibility of certain news stories, and Twitter has banned the Russian-funded media outlets RT and Sputnik from advertising on the platform. For its part, Google-owned YouTube hired 10,000 reviewers to censor YouTube content and has become more aggressive in implementing its content rules.

Last year, YouTube openly admitted on Twitter that it is censoring videos based on content, stating, if the video is also not suitable for a wider audience  then it might see poorer performance.

Undoubtedly, the censorship of YouTube videos has a significant impact on political discourse. YouTube enjoys a virtual monopoly on pre-recorded video sharing and monetization, with approximately 1.5 billion viewers who watch 1 billion hours of video per day, and hundreds of hours of video uploaded each minute. Furthermore, videos are expected to account for 80 percent of all consumer-based internet traffic in 2019, indicating the far-reaching consequences of censorship measures.

Beneath all the noise about fake news, the internet is being turned into a tool and weapon of the ruling classes. It is being sold under the guise of fighting Russian disinformation, and any focus on Jones and Infowars conveniently deflects attention from the larger implications of this shift.TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI)- Dozens of concerned citizens came to the Vigo County Public Library one last time to discuss important topics with their lawmakers. This included Leonard Akers who has been attending these events for 15 years to get his voice heard.

"Well, I like to know the things that affect my daily life or my sons, or my family's daily life and the citizens around me," said Akers.

With it being so close to the end of the Indiana session there weren't any major topics. Instead, Representative Clyde Kersey and Senator Jon Ford discussed a multitude of topics, especially those that have come to light in recent weeks.

"Its not been a really dramatic session we've dealt with guns and we've dealt with CBD oil and some of those things that are important but we haven't had those bills that breed a lot of controversies," said Representative Kersey.

This also served as a very special session for Kersey. This was his last cracker barrel session before leaving office.

In Kerseys 22 years of serving, he has only missed one of these gatherings but he says it has been a great run serving his community in the state house.

"Its been really gratifying from my standpoint because seems to realize that Im leaving and they've been so great in talking about what we've done over the past 22 years and being a part of the process," said Kersey.

At the end of the session, the crowd gave him one last goodbye thanking kersey for his hard work serving not only the state but also his community.

"I consider him a friend, hes not even my legislator. Im not even in his district but hes a super good guy. Hes just been super and I wanted to be here for that," said Akers.

The states session will wrap up March 13th. Then elections for available offices will take place November 6th.A former youth counselor at Four Oaks juvenile facility was arrested after she allegedly helped three juveniles escape and had sexual relations with one of them in Davenport.

Hannah Rose Fitzpatrick, 19, of Marion, Iowa, is charged with sexual misconduct with a youth offender in her custody. The charge is an aggravated misdemeanor under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of up to two years.

Fitzpatrick had been employed by Four Oaks as a youth counselor. On Feb. 2, she helped three juveniles escape the facility by driving them to 2318 W. 3rd St. in Davenport, according to an affidavit by Davenport Police. She then engaged in a sexual act with one of them.

According to the affidavit, Fitzpatrick admitted to Marion Police detectives that she had sexual relations with the victim.

Fitzpatrick was released Thursday from the Scott County Jail after posting a $2,000 cash-only bond.VALDOSTA, Ga. (AP) - A group of student musicians from Georgia have gone overseas to bring jazz to China.

The seven-member honors jazz combo from Valdosta State University is on a weeklong trip to perform a series of concerts in China, give a seminar on innovation and creativity in music and collaborate with Chinese musicians.

The Valdosta Daily Times reports the trip comes after Valdosta State and the Business College of Shanxi University in Taiyuan, China, were recently awarded a grant to establish an American cultural center at the Chinese campus.

David Springfield of Valdosta State's jazz studies program said the traveling group is made up of the most talented jazz students at the school.

(Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)YOUNTVILLE, CA (RNN)  A gunman and three hostages are dead after a standoff at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville.

Authorities have identified the victims as 42-year-old Jennifer Golick, 48-year-old Christine Loeber and 29-year-old Jennifer Gonzalez, according to the Associated Press.

Authorities have identified the gunman as Albert Wong, a 36-year-old former soldier and patient of the victims.

The victims worked for the nonprofit group The Pathway Home, which serves veterans with PTSD and head injuries who are working to transition back into society.

Police and hostage negotiators had surrounded the building for several hours Friday before entering in the early evening and finding the bodies.

Department of Defense officials said Wong was a decorated veteran of the U.S. Army and was in the infantry for three years of active service, including one year in Afghanistan, according to the AP.

Golick and Gonzalez were counselors for The Pathway Home program. Loeber was the program director.

Jennifer Golick's father-in-law, Bob Golick, told the AP that Golick had recently kicked Wong out of the program.

California Gov. Jerry Brown has released a statement on the killings, saying he and his wife Anne are "deeply saddened by the horrible violence" at the home:

The situation leading to the killings began Friday around 10:20 a.m. PT (1:20 p.m. ET), when police received reports that a man dressed in black, wearing body armor and armed with an automatic weapon entered the grounds of the facility, according to the Napa Valley Register.

Larry Kamer told the AP a gunman quietly came into a going-away party and staff meeting at the home and let some people leave while keeping others hostage. Kamer's wife, Devereaux Smith, was one of the people not allowed to leave.

She was able to speak with her husband by phone, saying she was in the home's dining hall, according to the AP.

CNN reported that Kamer said Smith and some other employees managed to escape, though Kamer didn't specify how.

During the situation, Napa County Sheriff John Robertson said the gunman held three people hostage. Investigators knew the identity of the gunman early on, but did not release his name until his next of kin was notified after his death. Authorities have not yet named a possible motive for the killings.

Employees and residents sheltered in place during the hostage situation. The lockdown was in a section of the property that houses The Pathway Home treatment programs, according to KGO.

Chris Childs with California Highway Patrol had identified the gunman's three hostages as Pathway Home employees earlier in the day, according to the AP.

Hostage negotiators from at least three different agencies, including the FBI, were on site to make contact with the gunman on his cell phone, Childs said.

CHP responded with aerial resources and sending a SWAT team to assist the Napa County Sheriff's Office on scene. The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office also dispatched a SWAT team.

There is an active shooter and hostage situation at the Veterans Home in Yountville. CHP is working with Napa County Sheriffs Office to establish a perimeter and clear buildings.  CHP Golden Gate (@CHP_GoldenGate) March 9, 2018

The situation leading to the killings began Friday around 10:20 a.m. PT (1:20 p.m. ET), when police received reports that a man dressed in black, wearing body armor and armed with an automatic weapon entered the grounds of the facility, according to the Napa Valley Register.

Larry Kamer told the AP a gunman quietly came into a going-away party and staff meeting at the home and let some people leave while keeping others hostage. Kamer's wife, Devereaux Smith, was one of the people not allowed to leave.

She was able to speak with her husband by phone, saying she was in the home's dining hall, according to the AP.

CNN reported that Kamer said Smith and some other employees managed to escape, though Kamer didn't specify how.

During the situation, Napa County Sheriff John Robertson said the gunman held three people hostage. Investigators knew the identity of the gunman early on, but did not release his name until his next of kin was notified after his death. Authorities have not yet named a possible motive for the killings.

Employees and residents sheltered in place during the hostage situation. The lockdown was in a section of the property that houses The Pathway Home treatment programs, according to KGO.

Chris Childs with California Highway Patrol had identified the gunman's three hostages as Pathway Home employees earlier in the day, according to the AP.

Hostage negotiators from at least three different agencies, including the FBI, were on site to make contact with the gunman on his cell phone, Childs said.

CHP responded with aerial resources and sending a SWAT team to assist the Napa County Sheriff's Office on scene. The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office also dispatched a SWAT team.

The Veterans Home of California opened in 1884 and is the largest veterans home in the country.

Yountville sits about 56 miles north of San Francisco and is in the North Bay portion of the San Francisco Bay area.

Copyright 2018 Raycom News Network. All rights reserved.

(RNN)  A gunman has taken hostages at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville.

At 10:20 a.m. PT, reports came into police that a man dressed in black, wearing body armor and armed with an automatic weapon entered the grounds of the facility, according to the Napa Valley Register.

It is not known the number of people the gunman is holding hostage.

Shots have been fired at officers, but currently there no reports of injuries.

NAPA CO SHERIFF: Police activity at the Veterans Home in Yountville. Please avoid the area. No action required. https://t.co/DAGVsOILnV  County of Napa (@CountyofNapa) March 9, 2018

Employees and residents are sheltering in place. The Veterans Home posted on their Facebook Page that emergency response protocols were activated and they are working with law enforcement.

The Veterans Home of California opened in 1884 and is the oldest veterans home in the country. It will celebrate 134 years on April 1. Yountville sits in the North Bay portion of the San Francisco Bay area.

The California Highway Patrol is also responding with aerial resources and sending a SWAT team to assist the Napa County deputies on scene.

The CHP is aware of the incident at the Yountville Veterans Home and has officers and aerial resources on scene working with Napa County Sheriffs deputies and others to bring the situation to a safe conclusion. A CHP SWAT team is also enroute. More details as info is available.  CHP Headquarters (@CHP_HQ) March 9, 2018

Copyright 2018 Raycom News Network. All rights reserved.TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Conner Ravelo, one of the fraternity members being sued by the Coffey's, has responded to the civil suit.

Ravelo says that Andrew knew about the dangers of drinking and details a history of hazing rituals at FSU Pi Kappa Phi that have been overlooked by the National Chapter.

Raveleo states that because Coffey drank alcohol at an excess of the legal limit he is at least 50-percent liable for his own death.

It is unsure whether this was Coffey's 'Big' in the fraternity.

This is a developing story. Stay with us for more details.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Attorneys representing some of the Florida State University students charged in the hazing death of Andrew Coffey are speaking out after the state attorney's office offered their clients plea deals this week.

The attorney for Brett Birmingham said he and a few others met with State Attorney Jack Campbell on Thursday.

As of right now, five students are set for trial in June. The other four waived their rights to a speedy trial.

Campbell set a deadline of April 1 to accept the plea offers, but the lawyers WTXL talked to said they have only gotten a portion of the discovery and will need more time.

That was the reason for Thursday's meeting.

Fred Conrad, the attorney for Brett Birmingham, said: "We're still not equipped to make a decision as to whether we should accept that or not. I still believe my client is not guilty of third-degree felony hazing, causing the death of Mr. Coffey, and I haven't seen evidence to convince me otherwise."

Neither attorney would go into specifics about their client's case.

Campbell also declined to comment.

One of the attorneys did say, however, the plea negotiations are a process.CHEYENNE (AP)  The state Legislature has approved a measure that would require Wyoming K-12 schools to provide all students with computer science instruction.

CHEYENNE (AP)  The state Legislature has approved a measure that would require Wyoming K-12 schools to provide all students with computer science instruction.

Senate File 29 now heads to Gov. Matt Meads desk for his consideration.

Under the bill, schools would be required to provide computer science instruction to all students in each grade and provide standards on what students at each grade level are expected to master in computer science. The new course will be offered by the 2022-23 school year.

State schools Superintendent Jillian Balow supports the bill, saying it will help prepare Wyoming students for the well paid technology jobs of the future.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 05:08:47|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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NEW YORK, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices rebounded on Friday as U.S. rigs drilling for oil dropped for the first time in seven weeks.

The number of rigs operating in U.S. oil fields decreased by four to a total of 796 rigs this week, snapping a six-week winning streak, oilfield service firm Baker Hughes said in its weekly report on Friday.

Traders were also encouraged by a planned meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), which could ease geopolitical tensions and support demand for oil.

Trump on Thursday agreed to meet Kim by May at Kim's invitation. Trump could be the first sitting U.S. president to meet the DPRK's top leader, which observers say would be a big step toward resolving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

The West Texas Intermediate for April delivery jumped 1.92 U.S. dollars to settle at 62.04 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent crude for May delivery added 1.88 dollars to close at 65.49 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.NEW YORK, March 9 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese man who has been living in the United States for 17 years faces deportation after he was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on the day he had his green card interview.

The undocumented man, surnamed Zhu, 58, has been in ICE custody since he was arrested after he had his green card interview at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Manhattan, New York, during the Lunar New Year, said Chen Shanzhuang, Chairman of Brooklyn Asian Communities Empowerment (BACE), in an interview with Xinhua.

Zhu's wife, who has asked BACE to help keep their family united, said her husband had been working in a local restaurant as an undocumented immigrant since he came to New York 17 years ago, and he had no criminal record. The couple has two daughters who are all U.S. citizens.

Zhu's case is not exceptional as President Donald Trump's administration has started crackdown on undocumented immigrants, Chen said.

Yet it would be inhumane if the man is deported as he has made his due contribution to the society through all these years of hard work, he added.

The community leader said they have sent SOS letters to their legislators at the state and federal level and BACE will hold a rally to be joined by local community and elected officials on April 26 in front of the Town Hall of New York to bring public attention to the ordeals those undocumented immigrants are experiencing.WASHINGTON, March 9 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump has pardoned a Navy officer sentenced to prison for taking photos inside the classified engine room of a nuclear submarine, the White House announced on Friday.

Petty Officer First Class Kristian Saucier pleaded guilty in May 2016 to two felony charges for taking cellphone pictures inside the Navy vessel and later destroying his own equipment upon learning he was under investigation. He was sentenced to 12 months in jail.

"The president has pardoned Kristian Saucier, a Navy submariner," White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said at a press briefing.

It's the second pardon Trump has granted since taking office, with the first extended in August to Joe Arpaio, the former Arizona sheriff who was convicted of criminal contempt of court over immigration.CHICAGO, March 9 (Xinhua) -- A grand jury has formally charged an American with 56 counts in killing of local police commander Paul Bauer in downtown Chicago last month.

Court records show that prosecutors intend to seek a life sentence for 44-year-old man Shomari Legghette, who is a four-time felon. He appeared briefly in court on Friday.

The indictment included 24 counts of first-degree murder, six counts of armed violence, two drug charges and various weapons violations.

Bauer, 53, a veteran high-ranking officer, was chasing the suspect when he was fatally shot on Feb. 13. His death once again highlights the serious security situation though progress has been made to fight gun-related violence in Chicago.A law enforcement officer checks a vehicle outside the Veterans Home of California in Napa County, Califonia, the United States, on March 9, 2018. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

SAN FRANCISCO, March 9 (Xinhua) -- A gunman on Friday took three people hostage at a veterans home in the U.S. state of California and the standoff was still continuing, local media reported.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said via Twitter that it was responding to an active shooter and hostage situation at a veterans home at Yountville.

Local TV KRON4 reported the suspect is believed to be a 36-year-old man who was a member of The Pathway Home, a privately run program for military veterans with emotional trauma.

There were preliminary reports of 30 shots fired outside the main dining area of the Veterans Home of California in Napa County, about 84 km north of San Francisco.

The sheriff's office said that multiple shots had been fired at officers, but there were no reports of any casualties.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 08:14:20|Editor: Chengcheng

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NEW DELHI, March 10 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in New Delhi late Friday night on a four-day state visit to India.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Macron are slated to hold bilateral talks Saturday, following which a number of pacts are expected to be inked between the two countries, according to India's External Affairs Ministry.

"The visit of President Macron is aimed at strengthening the bilateral economic, political and strategic dimension of our engagement," the Ministry earlier said in a statement.

Modi and President Macron will Sunday co-chair the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), a flagship Indian initiative launched by the two countries on sidelines of Paris Climate Conference in 2015.

Bilateral trade between India and France touched nearly 11 billion U.S. dollars during April 2016 to March 2017. France is the ninth largest foreign investor in India.VIENTIANE, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will attempt to destroy the eggs laid by yellow-spined bamboo locusts in northern provinces after eggs were found in 906 places in 553 villages, officials said.

The issue was discussed at a ministry meeting held in Lao capital Vientiane on Friday to summarise the work plan to prevent a repeat plague of locusts before their eggs hatched, local media reported Saturday.

Director General of the ministry's Department of Agriculture, Vilaysouk Khennavong, reported the findings of a survey conducted at the end of last year. Locust eggs were found in 906 places in the five provinces of Luang Prabang, Huaphan, Phongsaly, Xieng Khuang and Oudomxay.

"We will soon start to destroy these eggs to ward off another outbreak of yellow-spined bamboo locusts," local daily Vientiane Times quoted Vilaysouk as saying.

"In 2017, some 13,776 hectares of crops in these provinces were affected by locusts, of which 270 hectares were damaged. In 2016, locusts invaded 10,388 hectares of crops and 4,129 hectares were damaged," the director general said.

"We can protect 13,506 hectares of farmers' crops worth at least 53 billion kip (some 6.4 million U.S. dollars). Most of these crops are rice, sweetcorn, Job's tear, and grass grown to feed livestock."

Authorities have received cooperation, technical assistance, equipment and funding from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and from Chinese government to help control the locust outbreaks, said the report.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 10:44:38|Editor: Lifang

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Photo taken on March 9, 2018 shows a ship at a dock in the Arctic town of Kirkenes, Norway. Envisioning a new port on the Barents Sea coast and a railway that goes all the way southward to the Baltic Sea, Norway's Arctic town of Kirkenes sets its sight on a major European hub on a Polar Silk Road with link to China. (Xinhua/Liang Youchang)

by Liang Youchang, Zhang Shuhui

KIRKENES, Norway, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Envisioning a new port on the Barents Sea coast and a railway that goes all the way southward to the Baltic Sea, Norway's Arctic town of Kirkenes sets its sight on a major European hub on a Polar Silk Road with link to China.

Finland and Norway announced on Friday plans to explore building an Arctic railway between Finland's northern city of Rovaniemi and Norway's ice-free port of Kirkenes.

This agreement came after Norway plans to develop new harbor and terminal areas near Kirkenes, a town in the Sor-Varanger municipality in Norway's northeastern county of Finnmark.

A MAJOR ARCTIC HUB

"This project with railway connected to the Belt and Road Initiative through the Northern Sea Route and the Arctic strategy of China fits very well into all the plan for the huge 'Barents Harbor'," Rune Rafaelsen, mayor of the Sor-Varanger municipality, told Xinhua.

"Regarding logistic transport in the Arctic in the future, you are dependent on having a good railroad that could reach Europe fast and Kirkenes is the first (Western) port when you come from China," he said.

According to a study by the Finnish and Norwegian governments, the 520-km railway between Rovaniemi and Kirkenes would cost about 2.9 billion euros (3.6 billion U.S. dollars) and open in 2030.

It will form part of the proposed Arctic Corridor, which envisions cargo from Asia would be offloaded in Kirkenes and sent southward by railway to Finland, the Baltic states and the rest of Europe.

Local planners in Kirkenes have been lobbying the Norwegian town of Barents, 15 km west of the border with Russia, as the perfect site for a major hub linking the Arctic shipping route and the Arctic Corridor.

"The vision for The Arctic Railway is to be able to offer an environment-friendly and faster transport alternative for goods between Northeast Asia and Northern Europe via Finland by utilization of the Northern Sea Route and development of Kirkenes as a hub port," said a Norwegian report published in January.

The report titled An Arctic Railway Vision was a result of work between the development company Sor-Varanger Utvikling, the Kirkenes Business Park and the Finnmark County Council.

The voyage could be cut back 40 percent via the Northern Sea Route, the Arctic shipping course also known as the Northeast Passage, compared to the current route through the Suez Canal between Northern Europe and Northeast Asia, according to the report.

It would result in a 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption, it added.

POLAR SILK ROAD TO CHINA

The report, which said the Arctic railway is potentially a new "maritime silk route in the north," was released just a few days before China published a white paper elaborating on its vision of a Polar Silk Road, an extension of the Belt and Road Initiative it proposed in 2013.

The Initiative's overland Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road are expected to promote the connectivity of policy, infrastructure, trade, investment and people in areas involved to seek common development and prosperity.

The Initiative brings opportunities for parties concerned to jointly build a Polar Silk Road, and facilitate connectivity and sustainable economic and social development in the Arctic region, the white paper noted.

People in Kirkenes believe that China's interest in the development of the Arctic and its economic prospect are "very important" factors for the town's dream to come true.

"To realize these plans, we need lots of investment, and we also need cargo. So, without a good connection and a good cooperation with China, this project will never be done," Rafaelsen said.

"Cooperation between Norway and China is extremely important for transport and logistics in the Arctic," he said, citing the fact that seven of the world's top 10 container ports are now in China.

Kenneth Stalsett, CEO of the Sor-Varanger Utvikling company, said Sor-Varanger, a municipality of about 10,000 with 6,000 of them in the Kirkenes area, cannot itself suffice for a railroad.

"We are...basically nothing in the big picture," Stalsett said. "So we need to connect the world globally if this is going to happen."

He noted that the Arctic railway is dependent on an international interest in using the Arctic shipping route.

"The Chinese are sending ships. They are developing ships and talking about the Northern Sea Route in a positive way and the Arctic in a positive setting," Stalsett said.

"So I think without this the railroad will just be a dream in the future, but with it, it's absolutely doable and important," he said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 10:49:39|Editor: Liangyu

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MBALE, Uganda, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni launched on Friday an industrial park jointly developed by Chinese investors in the African country's eastern district of Mbale.

The park, covering an area of about 2.51 square km, stretches into three villages in Bukasakya sub-county.

The Chinese involvement in the Mbale Industrial Park will promote the industrialization process of the country, boost its economy and improve the living standards of local citizens, Museveni said.

Calling upon Ugandans to provide amiable hospitality towards Chinese investors, the president said the project will employ people in neighboring and far-off areas.

Zhang Zhigang, chairperson of Tian Tang Group, a Chinese firm with 16 years of existence in the country, said he believes the park will create more than 15,000 local jobs after its completion.

"We plan to bring in 50 companies to the park, dealing in glass, furniture and machine manufacturing, food processing, smart phone and car assembly, new energy and so on," he said.

Uganda's good governance has facilitated investment of Chinese firms in the nation, Zhang said, adding that they expected to "make the park a manufacturing center for Uganda and export the products to the whole of Africa and even the world."

Evelyn Anite, state minister for investment, said that the launch of the park was a defined strategy to develop Uganda's manufacturing industry, adding that the nation launched 11 industrial parks in the last two years.

Finance Minister Matia Kasaija called on those working on the development of the parks to learn from the Chinese investors.

"The Chinese have a culture of diligence, insistence on accuracy and strict time management. Acquire some of these skills and work ethics as you work with them, so you can use these skills to develop our economy," Kasaija said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 11:38:42|Editor: Liangyu

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Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang, He Defang, director-general of the Policies, Regulation and Supervision Department of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), and Xu Jing, director-general of the ministry's Innovation and Development Department, take questions at a press conference on speeding up the construction of innovative country on the sidelines of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2018. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)HOUSTON, March 9 (Xinhua) -- A "good relationship with China" is beneficial for the economy of Alaska, said state senator Lisa Murkowski on Friday.

Murkowski, also chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, said during the CERAWeek energy meeting in Houston that Alaska "has an interest in making sure that we have a good relationship with China."

CERAWeek is an annual energy meeting sponsored by the London-based information company IHS Markit, featuring prominent speakers from the energy, technology and financial sectors.

"China is our big trading partner in Alaska, whether it's with seafood or other materials. China has been developing that trade relationship a lot. That is a real relationship," she said.

Last year, China and the United States signed a number of energy deals, including the memorandum of understanding on a deal on Alaska's lignified natural gas (LNG) exports to China worth 45 billion U.S. dollars.

Although there is a great deal of work to do, both sides are actively working together to fully implement the deal, she added.

This year's CERAWeek meeting attracted more than 3,000 political and industrial leaders from some 50 countries and regions for an exchange of views on global energy policy and market.

The meeting reached a consensus that more effort is needed to develop technologies to increase energy efficiency. Participants also agreed that although fossil fuels will remain a major source of energy in the foreseeable future, the development of renewables is an inevitable trend.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 12:09:50|Editor: Yamei

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RIO DE JANEIRO, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's most populated state Sao Paulo has registered 326 cases of yellow fever and 116 deaths since the current outbreak began, the local health authority said Friday.

The number of deaths increased by 14 in only one week, and the total number of cases was up 40 in the same period.

Infections are so far confined to rural areas in Sao Paulo, with 59.1 percent of the total cases registered in the towns of Maripora and Atibaia.

In order to halt the advance of the disease, local authorities launched massive vaccination campaigns.

Since the beginning of the year, 7 million people were vaccinated against yellow fever in Sao Paulo state, a sharp increase from 2017, when 7.4 million people were vaccinated during the entire year.

Sao Paulo is among the top states with yellow fever cases, second only to the Southeastern state of Minas Gerais, which has so far registered 384 cases.

The latest national tally released on Wednesday showed that there are 846 confirmed cases and 280 deaths related to the disease, making the current outbreak the largest in decades. In the 2016-2017 outbreak, Brazil saw 777 cases and 261 deaths.

The mosquito-borne disease is endemic in tropical areas in Africa and Central and South America, according to the World Health Organization.

Symptoms of the disease are similar to that of the flu, which include fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, among others.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 12:19:53|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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CARACAS, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said Friday that the presale of the country's cryptocurrency "Petro", which will finish on March 20, has already raised over 5 billion U.S. dollars.

"I was looking at the numbers of the Petro and there are thousands of offers. We have in our hands over 5 billion U.S. dollars, offered in the presale of the Petro in barely a week," he said.

Upon offering assurances that the price of Venezuelan oil, the main backer of the cryptocurrency, is "stable", Maduro said that "this will allow us to stabilize international purchases, and to grow and strengthen international reserves."

"The Petro is part of the path of economic solutions from here to the future," said Maduro, adding that he felt "very happy, very hopeful, very optimistic."

In late February, Venezuela launched the presale of its own cryptocurrency, a type of digital or virtual currency, backed by its crude oil reserves, as a new financing option against financial sanctions imposed by Washington, which forbid U.S. businesses from lending to the Venezuelan government or the state-run oil and gas company PDVSA.

On Thursday, Venezuela's executive vice president, Tareck El Aissami, announced that the cryptocurrency would be supplied to national producers through official currency exchanges.

"A special discount" would be offered during a negotiation phase to national and international firms who participate in the first presale of the Venezuelan cryptocurrency.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 12:29:54|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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RIO DE JANEIRO, March 9 (Xinhua) -- The Brazilian government is seeking negotiations with the United States concerning the latter's tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, Brazilian Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles said on Friday.

"The U.S. government signed it, but they said they were open to negotiations," Meirelles told the Brazilian press in New York, where he was on a trip to promote foreign investment in Brazil.

"We need to know what negotiation they (the U.S.) want to do. We are analyzing everything from the perspective of what Brazil has to win or lose," he added.

The Brazilian minister said that the U.S. tariff measure was negative for all involved.

The Brazilian government on Thursday expressed its "great concern" over the tariffs and warned of "severe damages" that the measure would have on Brazil and the impact it could have on the commercial and investment ties between the two countries.

Brazil, one of the world's major steel producers, sells 32 percent of its production to the United States.

In 2017, Brazil sold 4.7 million tons of steel to the United States, earning 2.6 billion U.S. dollars, according to official data.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday formally signed proclamations to impose a 25 percent tariff on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminum.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 12:39:56|Editor: Liangyu

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Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang answers questions at a press conference on speeding up the construction of innovative country on the sidelines of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2018. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

BEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese market welcomes global electric vehicles (EV) so that customers can enjoy diverse products and services, the minister of science and technology said here Saturday.

The transition from traditional cars to electric ones is a global trend and the development of China's EV sector forms a key link of global EV industrial transformation and upgrading, Wan Gang told a press conference on the sidelines of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress.SAN FRANCISCO, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Three female hostages and a suspected gunman were found dead after police entered a veterans home in the U.S. state of California, said local police late Friday.

More than a dozen troops were deployed at Veterans Home of California in Yountville Friday morning, local media reported.

The 36-year-old gunman, who dressed in black armor and was armed with an automatic weapon, broke into the veterans home and took three women hostage.

The hostages were employees of the Pathway Home, a privately-run program on the grounds of the veterans home, which treats U.S. veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars with post-traumatic stress disorder, said California Highway Patrol officer Chris Childs at an earlier press conference.

The gunman, whose identity has been known to the police but not released, was believed to be a member of Pathway Home, local TV outlet KRON4 reported.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 12:49:59|Editor: Liangyu

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BEIRUT, March 10 (Xinhua) -- China's anti-corruption experience sets an example for the wider world, and its new legislative efforts are key to securing greater development, say analysts in Lebanon.

Mahmoud Raya is the director of "China in Arab Eyes" news website.Commenting on a draft supervision law being deliberated at the ongoing annual session of China's top legislative body, he noted that corruption is a phenomenon seen almost everywhere in the world, adding that there is no greater a disease to a state and to its development and progress than corruption.

He hailed Beijing's anti-graft efforts in recent years, saying that "such a successful experience in fighting corruption could be an example for all countries willing to get rid of the corruption disease spread all over."

Zafer Nasser, general secretary of the Progressive Socialist Party of Lebanon, echoed Raya, saying that "there is no way that a country would develop without reforms and anti-corruption (efforts)."

"It is worthy to note that the reforms being applied along with the anti-corruption measures taken is a strong message to all countries and peoples that building a strong state starts by reforms and eradicating corruption," said Nasser.

The analysts also believe China's fresh legislative drive, including the constitutional amendments and institutionalization of anti-corruption practices, are efforts necessary to make sure the country adapts to new conditions.

"In my opinion, any constitutional amendment today is only made to keep up with the fast development China has witnessed," said Nasser.

"In general a constitutional amendment is needed to protect and safeguard the developments achieved," he said.

"The aim of reforms is to protect the rights of the people," and to make reforms a success, the most important factor is the trust of the people in its leadership, said the Lebanese party leader.

Raya believes that constitutional changes and other laws are needed to suit new conditions in a society.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 12:55:00|Editor: Liangyu

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Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang answers questions at a press conference on speeding up the construction of innovative country on the sidelines of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2018. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

BEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- China will soon publish a guideline and detailed regulations on artificial intelligence (AI) development to make breakthroughs in critical technologies in this industry, Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang said Saturday.

China is speeding up the research of key technologies for the new generation of AI, Wan told a press conference on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress.by Evan Duggan

VANCOUVER, March 9 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. tariffs on imported steel and aluminum announced Thursday would benefit Canada temporarily but almost surely draw retaliatory measures from producers everywhere else, Canadian trade experts have said.

U.S. President Donald Trump signed two proclamations Thursday in Washington to implement a 25-percent levy on steel imports and a 10-percent charge on aluminum, doubling down his efforts against what he said were cheap imports hurting American industries.

However, the president exempted Canada and Mexico from the tariffs as the three North American nations continue their contentious renegotiations of the 24-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Trump said other nations could also win exemptions as long as "their products no longer threaten our security." The tariffs will take effect in 15 days.

Commenting on the U.S. policy, Canadian experts said while the temporary exemption granted to Canada will render Canadian-made steel and aluminum products a lower-price advantage, it is also a clear bargaining tool for Trump to pressure Canada in the ongoing NAFTA talks.

"Because other countries are subjected to these tariffs, it should actually increase demand for steel and aluminum from Canada," said James Brander, a trade expert at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada.

"Trump is using this (as) a tactic to try to put more pressure on Canada and Mexico to go along with some of the things the U.S. wants in the NAFTA negotiations," he added. "If it doesn't work, they will be included in the tariffs."

According to the Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA), Canada and the United States "evenly" traded 12 billion Canadian dollars (8.5 billion U.S.dollars) worth of steel in 2017.

The association said Canada is the top destination for U.S. steel exports, representing half of all its total exports. And the United States is the number one destination of Canadian steel exports.

"Trump is basically thumbing his nose at the rest of the world," Brander said. "That is of concern obviously everywhere."

"I think everybody else really doesn't want a trade war with the U.S., and they don't want a sharp decline in international trade," he said, predicting that the countries affected will make efforts to de-escalate the trade disputes.

John Ries, another trade expert at UBC, said the tariffs will affect about 25 percent of steel and aluminum products entering the U.S. market, according to his own calculations.

He said that in the long term, countries that have been slapped with the tariffs will likely seek recourse through the World Trade Organization, which he expected to rule against the United States.

"The U.S. would be in the position of having to eliminate the tariffs, or they could ignore the WTO ruling," Ries said.

Discarding certain WTO rulings viewed by Washington as infringing on U.S. sovereignty was exactly what the Trump White House proposed in a new trade approach sent to the U.S. Congress on Feb. 28, breaking away from its long-time commitment to the global trade regulatory body.

Ries predicted a worst-case scenario where the affected countries also bypass the WTO and take retaliatory measures outside the global free trade framework.

"Then it gets a little scarier because then we don't have a framework for maintaining fair and open trade," he said.ASUNCION, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Canada and the Latin American trade bloc Southern Common Market (Mercosur) on Friday began negotiations for a free-trade agreement at a meeting of foreign ministers in Asuncion, Paraguay.

Paraguayan Foreign Minister Eladio Loizaga said that "the decision we are celebrating today sends a very important political message to the international community, as we see today a comeback of protectionism we thought had been overcome. This is a trade relationship governed by norms, international legal rules, pacts made within the WTO."

Mercosur and Canada will be negotiating terms on topics such as access to goods and services, labor, the environment, trade, gender issues, and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, according to a joint statement.

Mercosur, the bloc made up of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, has high potential in the "agricultural and manufacturing sectors" which will deepen the relationship with Canada, and increase the volume of trade and investment between the two sides.

Loizaga vowed that the free trade agreement (FTA), once agreed upon, would be inclusive, bringing more benefits to the citizens of all countries involved.

The foreign ministers slated the first round of talks for the Mercosur-Canada FTA from March 20 to 23 in Ottawa, Canada.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 13:15:05|Editor: Liangyu

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KUNMING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- A villager died and another injured after being attacked by a wild elephant in southwest China's Yunnan Province, local authorities said Saturday.

The tragedy occurred on Friday morning in Mengla County, Dai Autonomous Prefecture of Xishuangbanna, when a woman was working at her vegetable plot, according to the statement released by the county's publicity department.

She died at the site after she was attacked by an elephant that intruded into the village. The elephant injured another villager and damaged several houses as it fled.

In recent years, there have been frequent reports of attacks by wild elephants causing casualties and property losses in Yunnan.

Yunnan has purchased commercial insurance for people in some regions. The government pays the premiums, and the insurers compensate people when animals cause trouble.

Wild Asian elephants are placed under top state protection in China, with a population of about 300, mainly scattered in Xishuangbanna, Pu'er and Lincang in Yunnan.WASHINGTON, March 9 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that the deal with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is "very much in the making" and will be good for the world.

Trump's remarks came one day after the White House confirmed that he agreed to meet Kim Jong Un, the top leader of the DPRK, in a couple of months, signaling a big step toward resolving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

"The deal with North Korea (the DPRK) is very much in the making and will be, if completed, a very good one for the World. Time and place to be determined," Trump tweeted Friday evening.

Earlier in the day, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said at a briefing that Trump will meet with Kim after seeing "concrete steps" taken by Pyongyang.

Signs of a thaw on the Korean Peninsula emerged earlier this year since working-level talks between the two Koreas were held at the truce village of Panmunjom and the DPRK participated in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. In addition, the two Koreas agreed to hold the third inter-Korean summit in late April.

China welcomes the positive news on direct dialogue between the United States and the DPRK, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Friday.WASHINGTON, March 10 (Xinhua) -- A malfunction in a storage bank at an Ohio fertility clinic may cause damage to more than 2,000 frozen eggs and embryos, according to media reports.

"We are investigating a recent incident at our Fertility Clinic involving an unexpected temperature fluctuation with the tissue storage bank where eggs and embryos are stored in liquid nitrogen," said University Hospitals of Cleveland in a statement released Thursday.

"At this point, we do not know the viability of all of the stored eggs and embryos, although we do know some had been impacted," said Patti DePompei, president of University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital and MacDonald Women's Hospital, in a video posted on Facebook.

The incident happened last week between Saturday night and Sunday morning when the storage facility was not staffed, hospital administrators told the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

"We are so very sorry this happened, and we want to do all that we can to support our patients and families through this very difficult time," DePompei said.

The hospital has consulted with a number of experts to better understand the cause of the temperature fluctuation and "ensure it doesn't happen again," she added.

University Hospitals has initiated contact with all of the affected patients to respond to their questions, according to the hospital's statement.

A call center has also been set up to arrange personal meetings or calls with physicians.

About 700 fertility patients and their families have been notified of the situation, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported.

After the incident, the eggs and embryos were moved to another storage bank at the same facility, which is being monitored around the clock by staff on site, it added.WASHINGTON, March 10 (Xinhua) -- U.S. National Rifle Association (NRA) filed a federal lawsuit against Florida on Friday immediately after its governor signed into law a gun-control bill raising the minimum age of a gun purchase from 18 to 21.

In a federal court, the NRA, the most influential anti-gun control group in the United States, accused Florida of violating the U.S. Constitution.

"We filed a lawsuit against the state for violating the constitutional rights of 18- to 21-years-old," said Marion Hammer, a lobbyist for the NRA in Florida.

The NRA added that the blanket ban violates the fundamental rights of thousands of Florida citizens and is thus invalid under the Second and 14th Amendments.

Final passage of the bill by state lawmakers came about three weeks after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which killed 17 people and injured 14 others.

The bill, the first major gun-control state law in Florida in decades, narrowly passed the state Senate in a 20-to-18 vote on Monday before sailing through the House of Representatives on Wednesday in a 67-50 vote. Both the state House and Senate are controlled by Republicans.

"I am going to do what I think are common sense solutions," Florida's Governor Rick Scott said after the signing.

"I have not spoken to anybody in the NRA since this happened," said Scott, who previously received an A-plus rating from the NRA.

Meanwhile, he criticized the inaction in the White House and Capitol. "If you look at the federal government, nothing seems to have happened there," he said.

Currently, the U.S. Senate has no gun control bill scheduled for debate, and the only measure moving in the House of Representatives is a bill seeking for more training for students and teachers to address school shootings.

According to the new Florida state law, the buyers need to wait for three days before receiving a firearm in most cases.

The new measures also include banning the sale of bump fire stocks that can make semiautomatic rifles perform like fully automatic ones, investing 400 million U.S. dollars in improving mental-health services and boosting physical security of school buildings, as well as a controversial "guardian" program to train and arm some voluntary school personnel.

The legislation also excludes proposals to ban assault weapons like AR-15 assault-style and other semiautomatic rifles.

On Wednesday, Nikolas Cruz was formally indicted on murder charges over the Parkland shooting on Feb. 14.

Cruz, who is 19 years old now and purchased his gun at 18, had a history of mental issues, numerous encounters with police and was expelled from school last year for disciplinary problems, said authorities.BANGKOK, March 10 (Xinhua) -- A light aircraft crashlanded in Thailand's Phuket Saturday, killing two people and seriously injuring two others, police said.

The trainer aircraft of Siam Aviation Association crashlanded in a rubber plantation in Thalang district of the island resort province, about 840 km south of Bangkok, at about 10.20 a.m. local time Saturday.

Two of the four unidentified people aboard were reportedly killed on the spot while the injured were rushed to hospital.

Police are yet to investigate the cause of the incident.SAN FRANCISCO, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Three female hostages and a suspected gunman were found dead after police entered a veterans home in the U.S. state of California, said local police late Friday.

It appeared that the gunman killed himself, law enforcement officials said, adding that the names of the dead could not be released by the Coroner's office of Napa County, about 85 km north of San Francisco in the western U.S. state of California.

"This is a tragic piece of news, one that we were really hoping we would not have to come before the public to give," said California Highway Patrol (CHP) Assistant Chief Chris Childs.

The bodies of the four were discovered nearly eight hours after the gunman entered the Veterans Home of California, Yountville, which housed the Pathway Home, a nonprofit organization running a program that treats U.S. veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The three females were employees of the Pathway Home, who were taken hostage shortly after the 36-year-old gunman, who dressed in black armor and was armed with an automatic weapon, broke into the veterans home Friday morning.

Local TV outlet KRON4 reported that the gunman is believed to be a member of Pathway Home.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 14:35:20|Editor: Liangyu

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BEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- A revised regulation on investment in insurance companies will come into effect on April 10, a proactive approach by the Chinese government to financial risk.

Comprising 94 articles in nine sections, the revised Ownership Management Method for Insurers is wider in scope and more specific in its stipulations than the 2010 version.

The instrument has been revised to cover more possible challenges facing the industry, according to He Xiaofeng, director of the Development and Reform Department of the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC).

A CIRC statement explained that the new regulation puts potential investors in insurers through tighter scrutiny, including review of qualifications, background checks and business track records.

A negative list will prevent problematic investors entering the insurance industry as well as improper transfer of interests.

The regulation also divides shareholders to categories including financial investors, strategic investors and controlling investors, and sets clear requirements on the isolation of risk, connected transactions and information disclosure.

The upper limit of ownership by a single shareholder has been reduced from 51 percent to one-third.

"If shares are too concentrated, checks and balances will be difficult, while minority shareholders' interests can easily be ignored," said He Xiaofeng.

If ownership is too scattered, a company may face the danger of insider control while shareholders may prefer to be free riders, which will restrict the company's development, he explained.

Cao Xiaoying, deputy chief of the Institutional Management Bureau of the CIRC Development and Reform Department, said that in principle, no retroactive adjustment will be required by most existing insurers, but for those with risky ownership structure, specific guidance will be granted.

All new insurers must follow the regulation, Cao said.

The CIRC also requires a check of the authenticity of the investment by any shareholder. The source of an investment must be confirmed to prevent the use of non-equity funds.

Investors attempting to invest in an insurer with non-equity funds will be required to transfer their ownership, risk losing their administrative licenses or be restricted from investing in the sector.

Although China's insurance industry has advanced in its overall competence, a few insurers are running their business recklessly.

The typical problems identified by the CIRC include complex ownership structure, actual controllers gaining mastery in corporate governance, fraudulent investment, misusing insurance premium as investment or running an insurer as a financing vehicle.

Further documents will be released on subjects including management of independent directors and corporate governance.SAN FRANCISCO, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Three female hostages and a suspected gunman were found dead after police entered a veterans' home in Yountville in the U.S. state of California, local police said late Friday.

It appeared that the gunman killed himself, law enforcement officials said, adding that the names of the dead could not be released by the Coroner's Office of Napa County, about 85 km north of San Francisco.

"This is a tragic piece of news, one that we were really hoping we would not have to come before the public to give," said California Highway Patrol Assistant Chief Chris Childs.

The bodies of the four were discovered nearly eight hours after the gunman entered the Veterans Home of California in Yountville, which housed Pathway Home, a non-profit organization running a program that treats U.S. veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Childs could not confirm whether the hostages were chosen at random or were targeted.

He said police have searched the gunman's rented vehicle in the parking lot for bombs, but ultimately found nothing.

Local media quoted police sources as saying that at least one police officer had exchanged fire with the suspect, but no one was injured in the shooting.

The three females were employees of Pathway Home, who were taken hostage shortly after the 36-year-old gunman, who was dressed in black armor and was armed with an automatic weapon, broke into the veterans' home Friday morning.WASHINGTON, March 10 (Xinhua) -- American democracy has been corrupted by money and it has disappointed Americans, a U.S. expert has said.

"The American people were not happy with politics as usual," said William Jones, the Washington Bureau chief for Executive Intelligence Review news magazine, during a recent interview with Xinhua.

He said the people believe that the political elites in Washington are not representing their interests, adding that "they saw that because most Americans today feel that they probably had a better economic situation 10, 20 years ago than they have today."

"Things are more expensive. Their wages have declined. Their pensions are not enough to meet their needs when they retire," said Jones.

The United States has a system as set forth in the Constitution which makes the government responsible for the common welfare, but it's all been corrupted due to "the growth of the money" and "moneyed interests," he said.

In the United States, politicians are elected not because they have everybody's votes; they are elected because they have a lot of money behind them, Jones said.

"They have the Wall Street crowd behind them. They have the NRA (National Rifle Association) behind them ... so that when they get into the office, they get in and they're told, well, you got to do this and you got to do this because Wall Street wants ... they pay for your way or the NRA wants it because they pay for it," he said.

The system has collapsed, Jones said.

The expert said that some politicians who want to "do things" have to follow the "hidden rules" in U.S. politics.

Taking the U.S. Congress as an example, he said, one will not have a chance to get a post in sub-committees if one fails to learn how to get along with others.

"It's a corrupt system. We need an anti-corruption campaign here," he said.

These have affected U.S. politics and society and led to a widespread disgust over politics, he added.

"It has led in many cases to people not voting, people not thinking that their vote counts, you know, which may be the case," Jones said.

It has a negative effect on people and demoralizes them, and is a serious problem, he said, warning that society cannot develop without the enthusiastic participation of the public.

Washington could move ahead better with its agendas, including the improvement of its infrastructure and others, if its people unite, Jones said. But currently it seems very difficult due to the intense disagreements between the two major political groupings in the country, Jones said.

Besides Americans presenting a united front, the expert suggested that what was needed in sum was a "house-cleaning of the system" and an "anti-corruption" campaign to solve Washington's ills.JAKARTA, March 10 (Xinhua) -- A boat carrying Islamic boarding school students capsized Saturday in waters off Indonesia's East Java province, leaving at least 1 person dead and 4 others missing, rescuers said.

Huge waves caused by poor weather conditions hit the boat when it was passing waters of Pulau Sepekan of Sumenep in Madura district, leading to the tragedy, said Johar Satrio, a rescuer at search and rescue office in the province.

"Search for missing is underway now, involving rescuers from our office and volunteers," he told Xinhua by phone from the province.

The boat was heading to Tanjung Geok village where the students were to attend a sermon, said Satrio.

About 12 students who survived the incident have been transferred to a nearby hospital for treatment, he said.BANGKOK, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Many parts of Thailand are declaring wars against rabies after 13 provinces around the country have been announced rabies red zones, local media reported Saturday.

Provinces in the northeast, east, north and south have been speeding up vaccination as well as transferring stray dogs and cats with suspected rabies infection to sanctuaries.

Thai prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has urged related bodies to produce sufficient medicines and vaccines.

The department of disease control announced in early March that rabies has claimed three lives in Thailand in the past two months. It also announced rabies-prone areas in 42 other provinces.

The number of infected animals around Thailand has surpassed 250 since January, doubling from last year, local media reported.

Data from the department shows that more than 50 percent of infected animals have owners, the majority of which did not have vaccination records or only had vague records. The department has recorded nearly 40,000 dog bites around the country since this January.

Suvannachai, director of the department, attributed the increase of rabies infections to the government's winding down of vaccination around Thailand during the past two years, adding that pet owners' negligence in vaccinating their pets also lead to the surge of infection.

Thai people tend to let their pets roam free, which increases the risk that they could be bitten by rabid animals, said the department.

Rabies is a deadly virus spread to people from the saliva of infected animals. The rabies virus is usually transmitted through a bite. It can be controlled in animals through the rabies vaccination.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 16:20:37|Editor: Mengjie

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BEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese market welcomes electric vehicles (EV) from overseas so that customers can enjoy a wider variety of products and services, the minister of science and technology said Saturday.

The transition from traditional cars to electric is a global trend and the development of China's EV sector is a key link, Wan Gang told a press conference on the sidelines of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress.

Over 770,000 new energy vehicles were sold in China last year, up 53.3 percent year on year. The country's stock of new energy vehicles reached over 1.6 million, about half of the world's total.

Promotion of electric cars reduces fossil fuel consumption, address air pollution and establishes a role of frontier technology like artificial intelligence to improve traffic management, Wan said.

Many overseas EV brands have entered the Chinese market like Germany's Audi, formed joint ventures with Chinese counterparts and enjoy equal policy treatment with local peers.

Wan pointed out that China and the United States have close cooperation in the EV sector, high on the agenda of a united research center set up by the two countries.

"There are no barriers for bilateral cooperation on science and innovation in EV and other fields. If problems arise, we can solve them through dialogue," Wan added.NAIROBI, March 10 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson canceled a day of events scheduled here for Saturday because of illness, the U.S. State Department said.

Tillerson fell ill after having gone two days without sleep and worked on major issues such as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Undersecretary of State Steve Goldstein told reporters travelling with Tillerson.

Goldstein said some events may be rescheduled for later during his trip, including a wreath-laying ceremony at the site of the 1998 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in downtown Nairobi.

Besides, Tillerson had also planned to attend an event Saturday organized by the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, which went on without him.

He plans to spend another day in Nairobi before heading for Chad's capital N'Djamena and Nigeria's Abuja next week.

The top U.S. envoy on Tuesday kicked off his visit to five African countries, namely Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Chad and Nigeria. The five-stop trip has so far coincided with two major events in Washington: One is President Donald Trump's decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum; the other is Trump's announcement that he is ready to meet with the DPRK's top leader Kim Jong Un by May.

Tillerson has been engaged with all these issues in real time, Goldstein said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 16:30:39|Editor: Mengjie

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CHANGCHUN, March 10 (Xinhua) -- If banknotes lie forgotten in a corner and end up ruined by mice or damaged in a fire, an eagle-eyed note checker may minimize your losses.

With a magnifying glass and a long needle in his hands, Liu Tiefeng, 60, buries himself in a pile of burnt banknotes, searching for any clues that can help determine their authenticity and value.

As a currency examiner in a bank in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, Liu is believed to be the best "detective" who can verify the authenticity and face value of badly damaged notes.

The notes Liu is working on belong to He, a fruit vendor from a remote village. He hid 30,000 yuan (around 4,700 U.S. dollars), the family's entire savings, in an aluminum case under bed because the nearest bank was far away and he thought it more convenient to keep the cash at home.

But the house caught fire and he risked his life to save the case, but the notes were so badly damaged that most banks were unable to verify them.

In China, banks must reimburse people with accidentally damaged or defaced banknotes, free of charge.

As a general rule, at least three quarters of the original bill needs to remain to receive full value, and for a banknote with half or more but less than three quarters of the original remaining, half the face value will be given.

The banknotes that has been damaged but not mutilated can usually be redeemed at a bank, while truly mutilated bills require special handling.

He at last came to Liu. "Burnt banknotes are extremely difficult to handle," said Liu. "they are very fragile and may fall apart when I touch them."

Liu's tools include scissors, a magnifying glass and a long needle. He tries to separate the burnt banknotes and examine anti-fake labels and printed pattern.

"Making money is not easy in the countryside. If they can't exchange the money, the family may be destitute. Helping them is my job and makes me feel good," said Liu.

A large amount of banknotes are damaged each year due to improper storage, causing heavy losses.

Over the past 15 years, Liu has helped people swap more than 17 million yuan. Most of them were elderly farmers and migrant workers who live in remote corners or have the habit of keeping cash at home.

He has seen cases that make him laugh and cry. Banknotes were gnawed by mice, burnt under a heatable brick bed, or buried underground to rot.

Years ago, a man at his fifties hid more than 70,000 yuan in a wall when he built his house. The money was for his son's marriage.

Five years later when his son was ready to marry, he found the money rotted by the rain. Liu helped him claim 44,000 yuan back, allowing the wedding ceremony to go ahead.

Determining the authenticity and value of money is a complicated and time-consuming process. Liu's skills, meticulous attitude and perseverance have attracted a lot of customers from afar and, of course, a number of crooks.

"My job seems to be ordinary, but it isn't. It's related to the interest of the country and people. If my reckoning is too high, the country suffers losses, too low and it's the people who suffer."

Liu will retire next month. He has trained many young bank staff over the years, hoping they will carry on his work.

"Advice for rural residents?" Liu laughed. "Keeping money in banks is safer than keeping it at home."SAN FRANCISCO, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Three female hostages and a suspected gunman were found dead after police entered a veterans' home in the U.S. state of California, local police said late Friday.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) Assistant Chief Chris Childs said in a statement Friday evening that the three women who died in a hostage-taking crisis early in the day were all employed by Pathway Home, a non-profit organization running a program that treats U.S. veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars with post-traumatic stress disorder.

"This is a tragic piece of news, one that we were really hoping we would not have to come before the public to give," he said.

The gunman who killed the three female hostages was identified as a former U.S. soldier who served on active duty from May 2010 to August 2013 and spent a year in Afghanistan.

Childs disclosed that the three victims are a 29-year-old clinical psychologist, a 42-year-old clinical director and a 48-year-old executive director of Pathway Home, which was housed on the campus of the Veterans Home of California, Yountville, in Napa County, about 85 km north of San Francisco.

"Shortly before 6 p.m. (0200 GMT, Saturday) this evening, law enforcement personal made entry into the room where the hostages were being held by the suspect and unfortunately made the discovery of three deceased females and one deceased male (suspect)," Childs said in the statement.

He said a deputy from Napa County Sheriff's Office exchanged gunfire with the suspect that eliminated "the ability for the suspect to go out and find further victims" at the venue of the veterans' home.

Childs did not confirm whether the hostages were chosen at random or were targeted.

CHP special police team and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit were called in to search for possible bombs in the gunman's rented vehicle, which was discovered by police in the parking lot.

They found nothing and cleared the car, which poses no threat to public safety, Childs said.

On Friday morning, the 36-year-old gunman, who was dressed in black armor and was armed with an automatic rifle, entered the veterans' home and took the three women hostage.

The Yountville home, which opened in 1884 and is the nation's largest veterans' home, houses about 1,000 elderly and disabled residents, according to the California Department of Veterans Affairs.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 17:24:24|Editor: Lifang

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A visitor takes a look at the portrait of Albert Einstein that built by bread toasts at the "Science of Ripley's Believe It or Not!" exhibition at Science World in Vancouver, Canada, March 9, 2018. As part of its North American tour, the exhibition showcases all kinds of curious objects, artifacts and science findings that people can learn and question about. (Xinhua/Liang Sen)MOGADISHU, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The African Union mission (AMISOM) Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) officers should help speed up Somalia stabilization process by facilitating the implementation of quick impact projects, the mission's military official said on Saturday.

Naboth Mwesigwa, AMISOM Chief Military Intelligence Officer, also called on CIMIC officers to help facilitate programs that can improve the socio-economic lives of residents.

Mwesigwa who closed a one-week training course for AMISOM officers urged CIMIC officers to engage more with communities to help strengthen relations between the Mission and the local population.

"The image the population gets should be through you. So if you the CIMIC activist don't reflect a good picture on our side, then the civilians will get a negative attitude or impression about the forces," he said in a statement released in Mogadishu.

He said closer collaboration between AU mission CIMIC officers and their Somali National Army (SNA) counterparts was also needed to help win the hearts and minds of the local communities in the fight against terrorism.

Mwesigwa said the AMISOM leadership has implemented measures aimed at improving relations between the military and civilians and also reviewed its CIMIC structures to improve understanding between the military and humanitarian actors.

The pan African body's mission has also adopted Somalia Country Specific Humanitarian Guidelines which stipulates the rules of engagement between AMISOM and humanitarian actors working in different parts of the country.

Constance Sikalumbi, the AMISOM Head of CIMIC, said the training was intended to enhance the capacity of CIMIC officers to help improve civil-military relations, so as to enable the Mission achieve its mandate.

"Civil-Military Cooperation is an art of warfare which is used to win hearts and minds of the civilian population in conflict regions. This is employed during peace resolution be it peacebuilding, peacekeeping or peace enforcement," Sikalumbi said.

Major Beccy Graves from the UK MST (Mission Support Team) noted that other than training, the workshop was meant to enhance synergy among the officers and bolster their understanding of the importance of CIMIC.

"We decided that it was necessary to put this course together so that we are able to gather all the sector CIMIC officers and spend a week with them going through CIMIC activities, some of the wider stabilization activities and see how that fits into their roles within Somalia and the AMISOM mission," said Graves.

The Horn of Africa nation has been facing security and political challenges for more than two decades. Al-Shabaab militants have been battling the Western-backed government for years.

The African Union mission has been engaged in the provision of quick impact projects in liberated areas, to alleviate suffering and hasten stabilization for populations in those areas.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 17:50:52|Editor: Lu Hui

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Xiao Yaqing, head of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), answers questions at a press conference on reform and development of state-owned enterprises on the sidelines of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

BEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- China's top state-owned enterprises (SOE) regulator Saturday called on other countries to treat Chinese investment fairly and equally.

"It's understandable that all countries conduct investigations into foreign investment, but they should give equal treatment to all foreign investors, not discriminate," Xiao Yaqing, head of State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), told a press conference on the sidelines of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress.

Globalization is here to stay, and free trade and investment will benefit the people, Xiao said, adding that foreign investment by Chinese SOEs is market driven.

China's central SOEs had 9,112 overseas branches by the end of last year, in 185 countries and regions with a total asset volume of about 7 trillion yuan (about 1.1 trillion U.S. dollars).

China will encourage SOEs, especially central SOEs to expand their business overseas.

"In going global, it's not just about competition. There should be more cooperation to seek win-win and mutual beneficial outcomes," Xiao said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 18:05:58|Editor: Lifang

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BEIRUT, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The Lebanese Internal Security Forces (ISF) announced Saturday the arrest of two wanted drug dealers after thorough follow-up and monitoring.

In a statement by its media department, the ISF said that "a patrol of the Anti-Narcotics Bureau arrested one of the suspects on Thursday. He was identified as a Palestinian and is wanted on multiple drug and arson charges."

The ISF added that the Palestinian N.H is also "Red Noticed" by the INTERPOL on arms possession and armed robbery charges in Cyprus.

The ISF has also traced the whereabouts of the suspect's accomplice. He was arrested in the Dora area and was identified as a Syrian.

He assisted the Palestinian suspect in delivering large amounts of drugs to dealers in Mount Lebanon district.

Large amounts of narcotics in their possession were confiscated. The suspects were referred to the judiciary for prosecution.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 18:11:01|Editor: Lifang

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BEIRUT, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The United States Embassy in Beirut delivered six new prisoner transport vehicles to the Lebanese Internal Security Forces (ISF), the U.S. embassy said in a statement.

"With the delivery of the six new vans, the embassy, working through the Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) has provided the ISF with a total of 29 prisoner transport vehicles for use in the Lebanese Corrections System valued at 1.4 million U.S. dollars," the embassy added.

It stressed that the U.S. "is committed to supporting the Lebanese Corrections System, as it works to ensure the safety of inmates and prison staff while contributing to the efficiency of the judicial system."

The provision of the equipment is part of the U.S. government's long-standing partnership with the government of Lebanon as it works to provide security and stability for the citizens of Lebanon.

Since 2006, the U.S. has provided more than 178 million dollars in training and equipment to the ISF to enforce the rule of law and protect the Lebanese people.15 soldiers killed in western Afghan attack Source: Xinhua 2018-03-10 18:21:02 KABUL, March 10 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 Afghan soldiers were killed after Taliban attacked their outpost in western province of Farah overnight, reported local media Ariana News TV on Saturday. Editor: LifangSource: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 18:26:03|Editor: pengying

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PARIS, March 10 (Xinhua) -- China embodies the essence of innovation and opportunity, said former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin in a recent interview with Xinhua.

"In the book written by (Chinese) President Xi Jinping on the governance of China, the most common word is innovation among all the big strategic words," Raffarin said.

The importance of China is due to its commitment to innovation, which allows it to be a very important partner in this sector, said Raffarin, adding that China and France can do a lot together in this field.

With respect to international relations, Raffarin said China is "defending multilateralism, defending cooperation against tensions, and defending trade against military confrontations" in a world that is increasingly complicated.

The former French leader took the Belt and Road Initiative as an example, saying that it "is not only good for growth and jobs, but also good for the balance of the world, and the balance of the world is the number one goal of foreign policies in France and China."

Raffarin has always spoken highly of the initiative. On the occasion of the Chinese Lunar New Year, he expressed his wishes in Chinese on his Twitter account that read: "May the new silk road become a new link of our friendship."

In addition to improving global governance, China is also creating opportunities, said Raffarin, noting the first China International Import Expo scheduled for November this year in the Chinese mega city of Shanghai.

"This is a very important meeting on a commercial level, (and) we have exchanges to balance, companies to meet," Raffarin said.

The former French prime minister also marveled at the enormous size of the Chinese market.

"The Chinese provinces are very powerful. For example, Sichuan (Province), with a very high growth rate, is a market as big as Germany," he said.WASHINGTON, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has frequently recommended drugs beyond Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved indications, with weak evidence to support the recommendations, according to a new study.

The network, an alliance of 27 leading cancer centers in the country, was seriously questioned in the study published in the British Medical Journal earlier this week.

The study raised concerns that the NCCN, which often publishes clinical practice guidelines for American oncologists, "justifies the coverage of costly, toxic cancer drugs based on weak evidence."

A total of 47 drugs approved by the FDA between 2011 to 2015 were examined, and comparison was made of FDA approved indications and NCCN recommendations as of March 2016.

These drugs were authorized for 69 FDA approved indications, but the NCCN recommended these drugs for 113 indications, with nearly 40 percent additional recommendations. During 21 months of follow-up, the FDA only granted approval to 14 percent of the additional recommendations.

The study also cited previous research saying that 84 percent of NCCN members involved in making guidelines have received personal payment from the pharmaceutical industry.

Dr. Vinay Prasad, assistant professor of medicine at the Oregon Health and Sciences University, who led the study, was quoted by CNN as saying that cancer patients could be paying more than necessary for treatments.

"What is the evidence supporting those recommendations? In this study we find unfortunately it is weak or lacking in many cases and I think that is of some concern," Prasad said.LOS ANGELES, March 9 (Xinhua) -- The tariffs on steel and aluminum imposed by the Trump administration will increase costs for local producers and raise prices for American consumers, an international trade specialist said Friday.

Brian Peck, director of the Center for Transnational Law and Business at the University of Southern California, said the executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imported from foreign countries will "have a significant negative impact on American consumers and the economy."

"A large number of U.S. manufacturers use imported steel and aluminum to produce items such as appliances, autos and beverage cans," he told Xinhua.

"The 25 percent tariffs on steel and 10 percent tariffs on aluminum will increase the cost of production for goods and items that use these materials," he said.

Peck used to hold multiple positions in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative from 2001 to 2005 and once served as deputy director of international affairs and business development at the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development in 2014.

He predicted that the cost rise will lead to a price hike for American consumers, and meanwhile U.S. goods will become more expensive and less competitive in the global market.

"These tariffs also run the risk of costing jobs in manufacturing sectors that use imported steel and aluminum. The last time that the United States imposed tariffs on steel imports in 2002, 200,000 jobs were lost," Peck said.

Despite mounting dissensions amid trading partners around the world, Trump formally signed proclamations to impose the tariffs, vowing to protect the U.S. steel and aluminum industry in the name of national security.

However, a recent study by the Trade Partnership, a Washington D.C.-based consulting firm, estimated that Trump's new tariffs would result in a net loss of 146,000 jobs in the United States after accounting for positive impacts on U.S. steel and aluminum producers.

"In addition, the tariffs if imposed on steel and aluminum from key trading partners will likely lead to retaliation in the form of higher tariffs on U.S. exports which could escalate into a trade war that almost all economists agree would have a very negative impact on the global economy," Peck said.ABUJA, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Ten people were killed and dozens of others maimed following an attack by gunmen in Nigeria's central state of Plateau, local officials said on Saturday.

A mass burial was held for victims on Friday, a few hours after some unknown gunmen invaded rural settlements in Daffo district of the state, Danjuma Abbas, a local government official, told Xinhua.

Abbas said those killed included five women, four men, and an infant.

Another official said many houses were razed during the attack.

The gunmen fled after wreaking havoc on the rural settlements, according to the official.

The attack occurred barely 24 hours after Nigerian leader Muhammadu Buhari departed Jos, the state capital, on a day visit.

Local police said an investigation has been launched to apprehend the gunmen.PYONGYANG, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Official media of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Saturday condemned the massacre of Korean sex slaves by Japanese troops in World War II as shown in a recently published video.

A video depicting the massacre of sex slaves by the Imperial Japanese Army in 1944 was recently published, with the 19-second footage filmed in China's Yunnan Province showing the shooting of 30 Korean women.

The official Rodong Sinmun said in a commentary that this has brought to light once again the barbarity and cruelty of the Japanese imperialists.

"Japan's right-wing conservative forces including (Prime Minister) Shinzo) Abe and his group are making a far-fetched assertion that there has never been such a thing as the sexual slavery for the Imperial Japanese Army and insulted the victims of the sexual slavery as 'prostitutes,'" said the commentary.

The recently disclosed video proves that the sexual slavery system created by the Imperial Japanese Army did indeed exist, it said.

The commentary accused the Japanese government of trying "to deny the history of crimes, bring back the past history of aggression and crimes."Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 19:21:12|Editor: Lifang

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Krishna Bahadur Mahara (C), a leader of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center), waves as he was elected as the speaker of the House of Representative at the Parliament in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 10, 2018. Krishna Bahadur Mahara was elected as the speaker of the House of Representatives, or the lower house of the parliament, on Saturday. (Xinhua/Sunil Sharma)

KATHMANDU, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Krishna Bahadur Mahara, a leader of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center), was elected as the speaker of the House of Representatives, or the lower house of the parliament, on Saturday.

A parliament meeting held Saturday afternoon elected Mahara as the speaker of the lower house of the Nepalese Federal Parliament.

Mahara was elected unopposed as he was the only candidate to file nomination for the post, a spokesman at the Federal Parliament said.

The new parliament speaker will be sworn in on Sunday.

Mahara served as the country's deputy prime minister with the in-charge of foreign affairs in 2016.

Last week, the first session of the Federal Parliament was held, more than three months after the Himalayan nation held provincial and federal parliament elections simultaneously in two phases in November and December last year.JOHANNESBURG, March 10 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday called on his compatriots to register to vote in next elections.

Ramaphosa visited various places in Soweto on Saturday encouraging South Africans to exercise their democratic rights to vote. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on Saturday and Sunday opened offices to register people to take part in 2019 elections.

"I urge all of us to take responsibility as citizens of this beautiful and wonderful country seriously and contribute to deepening and improving our democracy by registering to vote," said Ramaphosa while speaking to the media in Soweto.

Ramaphosa said all national and provincial executive members were deployed in various parts of the country to encourage people to register to vote.

The IEC said over 22,000 voting stations throughout South Africa will be open on Saturday and Sunday for people to vote. The IEC also stated that they deployed over 73,000 in the voting stations around the country. South Africa is expected to have parliamentary and presidential elections between May and August 2019.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 20:11:18|Editor: Lifang

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Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army women fighters take part in a training in Afrin, north Syria, on March 9, 2018. The Turkish forces and allied Syrian rebels were 4 km northeast of the Kurdish-controlled Afrin city in northern Syria, a monitor group reported on Saturday. (Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish forces and allied Syrian rebels were 4 km northeast of the Kurdish-controlled Afrin city in northern Syria, a monitor group reported on Saturday.

Four kilometers separate the Turkish forces and allied Syrian rebels from the northeastern rim of Afrin city and 6 km from its northern border, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The Turkish military campaign succeeded in capturing three towns on Saturday, becoming thus in control of 221 towns and villages since the "Olive Branch" operation launched on Jan. 20, the Observatory said.

With this progress, a total of 35 percent of the villages and towns in the countryside of Afrin have been seized by the Turkish forces, said the Britain-based watchdog group.

The Observatory, which claimed it relies on a network of activists on ground, said the civilians in Afrin have been severely suffering from the ongoing military showdown in that large area in the northern countryside of Aleppo province near the Turkish border.

A day earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey's military forces have besieged Afrin and are ready to enter the city "at any moment."

"We have besieged Afrin. We can enter Afrin at any moment," Erdogan said as Turkish forces were just 6 km away from the city.

"Turkey will make sure the east of the Euphrates to the Iraqi border is cleansed of any terrorist groups after operations in Syria," he said.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Thursday Turkish forces would complete the Afrin offensive by May and would carry out a joint operation against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants in Iraq with Baghdad.

Turkey launched the operation to wipe out the People's Protection Units (YPG), which Ankara considers as a terror group affiliated to the PKK, from northwestern Syria.BANGKOK, March 10 (Xinhua) -- A light aircraft crashlanded in Thailand's southern Phuket island, killing two people and seriously injuring two others on Saturday, police said.

The trainer aircraft of Siam Aviation Association crashlanded in a rubber plantation in Thalang district of the resort province, about 840 km south of Bangkok, at about 10:20 a.m. Saturday (0320 GMT).

According to Krissana Patanacharoen, deputy spokesman of the Royal Thai Police, the dead victims were identified as pilot Wattana Thinphang-nga and Narin Thaveewat, a teacher at Thalang Technical College. The injured were two students from the college, Thai media reported.

The two students, who suffered severe injuries, were rushed to a local hospital.

Krissana said the aircraft encountered strong wind when it tried to land after something went wrong with its engine, according to the initial investigation.

Police were still investigating the cause of the incident.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 20:16:19|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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A Syrian soldier flashes a victory sign in Damascus' Eastern Ghouta countryside, Syria, on March 10, 2018. The Syrian government forces on Saturday captured the strategic town of Mesraba and encircled the city of Harasta in Damascus' Eastern Ghouta countryside, according to War Media, the media wing of the Syrian army. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani)

DAMASCUS, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian government forces on Saturday captured the strategic town of Mesraba and encircled the city of Harasta in Damascus' Eastern Ghouta countryside, according to War Media, the media wing of the Syrian army.

The rebel-held city of Harasta in the capital Damascus' Eastern Ghouta countryside has become encircled by the fire of the Syrian army, following the military progress in Eastern Ghouta, said the report.

The achievement of exposing the entire surrounding of Harasta to the fire of the Syrian army comes after the Syrian government forces captured areas near the road between Harasta and the Douma district in Eastern Ghouta, said the report.

Harasta was one of the earliest rebel-held cities in Syria and was reported under rebel control by early 2012.

The rebels in that city have also triggered the recent wide-scale military offensive in Eastern Ghouta, when the attacked a key military base in Harasta in January of this year, prompting the Syrian forces to start preparing a massive offensive to eliminate the rebels' threats in Ghouta.

Also Saturday, the Syrian forces captured the town of Mesraba, a strategic area in the central part of Eastern Ghouta, which enables the Syrian army to tighten its recent move of splitting Eastern Ghouta in half as it links several towns and areas in Eastern Ghouta with one another.

The Syrian army has captured 52 percent of Eastern Ghouta in recent days, as part of an ongoing wide-scale offensive to dislodge the rebels from that key area on the eastern rim of Damascus.

Eastern Ghouta, a 105 square km agricultural region consisting of several towns and farmlands, poses the last threat to the capital due to its proximity to government-controlled neighborhoods east of Damascus and their ongoing mortar attacks that target residential areas in the capital, pushing people over the edge.

Four major rebel groups are currently positioned inside Eastern Ghouta, namely the Islam Army, Failaq al-Rahman, Ahrar al-Sham and the Levant Liberation Committee, otherwise known as the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front.

The UN humanitarian agencies have sounded the alarm about the worsening humanitarian situation for 400,000 people live in that region, where activists said over 800 people have been killed since late last month by the heavy bombardment and military showdown in areas of Eastern Ghouta.

The Russians have backed a daily five-hour-long humanitarian pause to allow civilians to leave rebel-held areas in Eastern Ghouta toward government-controlled ones, with Syrian helicopters dropping leaflets over that area to guide the people out.

But since entering into force late last month, no major evacuation took place in Eastern Ghouta, with the Syrian government accusing the rebels of targeting the civilians who are attempting to leave.

A day earlier, 13 rebels of al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front left Eastern Ghouta, marking the first rebel group to leave that area, just two days after the Russian side pledged to secure a safe exit for the rebels and their families from Eastern Ghouta.THIMPHU, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Bhutan was awarded the Sustainable Destinations' Earth Award at the International Tourismus-Borse Berlin, Germany, this week. This was Bhutan's first win at the world's leading travel trade show.

The award was in recognition of Bhutan's commitment to responsible tourism and preservation of nature. Bhutan's approach to tourism development and management is also in line with its philosophy Gross National Happiness.

The destinations were recognized and chosen by Green Destinations - an agency recognizing destinations around the world for championing sustainability in terms of nature and culture.

For the first time, Bhutan has made it to top three finalists among 100 tourist destinations, including Spain and Iceland. More than 28 tour agencies and officials from the Tourism Council of Bhutan attended the award event.File photo shows a woman prepares food outside her temporary house at Konyo Konyo burial ground in Juba, capital of South Sudan, Nov. 5, 2017. (Xinhua/ Gale Julius)

JUBA, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The UN senior relief official in South Sudan on Friday called for urgent action to help avert a worsening food crisis in the world's youngest nation.

Alain Noudehou, the UN humanitarian coordinator, said although a famine was stopped due to intensive humanitarian intervention, the situation remains fragile, with about 85 percent of the population predicted to reach crisis and emergency food insecurity conditions by the end of April.

"Due to seasonal time pressure, we need early funding now to reach millions of people with multi-sectoral assistance during the dry season through road transport and prepositioning of life-saving aid supplies," Noudehou said in a statement issued in Juba.

"These same activities will be many times more costly if done by air transport during the rainy season," Noudehou added.

He was speaking after leading a high-level delegation of donors, heads of humanitarian agencies and partners to Leer, in the Unity region of South Sudan, to see first-hand the plight of the 90,000 people living in the area.

The delegation met with the governor of Leer, community leaders and aid agencies operating in the region. Leer was one of two counties affected by famine in 2017.

According to the UN, at least 4.3 million people have been displaced, including more than 1.8 million who are internally displaced and about 2.5 million who are in neighboring countries.

"Once again, I strongly urge all parties to the conflict to stop the fighting and to ensure that humanitarian agencies are given free, safe and unhindered access to all areas of South Sudan, and for all bureaucratic impediments to be removed," said Noudehou.

A recent report analyzing food security in the conflict-affected country projected that more than seven million people -- almost two-thirds of the population of South Sudan -- could become severely food insecure between May and July without sustained humanitarian assistance and access.

Civilians across South Sudan are continuing to suffer from hunger, disease and displacement with the conflict now in its fifth year.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 20:31:03|Editor: pengying

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Tourists view cherry blossoms at Duanjiahe Township of Xunyang County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, March 10, 2018. Cherry flowers here are in full bloom recently, attracting many visitors. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 20:51:24|Editor: Mengjie

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BEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese political advisors gathered here Saturday to offer suggestions for the nation's economic and social development.

Fourteen members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) addressed a plenary meeting of the first session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People.

Their proposals cover areas including the CPPCC, employment, fight against bureaucracy, education, judicial reform, targeted poverty reduction, social etiquette in rural areas, disease prevention, cultural communication, maritime assistance, religion, and exchanges across the Taiwan Strait.

Wang Yang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and host of the presidium meeting of the session of the political advisory body, was present at Saturday's meeting.

The CPPCC is an important organ for multiparty cooperation and political consultation led by the CPC.

The session, which opened on March 3, will run until March 15.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 21:11:26|Editor: Zhou Xin

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Tourists take photos of Chinese lanterns at an exhibition in Dinant, southern Belgium, on March 9, 2018. Two exhibitions dedicated to China: an exhibition of giant luminous lanterns and another exhibition of Chinese masks named "Happy Heads" opened in Dinant, a tourist town in southern Belgium. (Xinhua/Wang Xiaojun)

DINANT, Belgium, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Two exhibitions dedicated to China: an exhibition of giant luminous lanterns and another exhibition of Chinese masks named "Happy Heads" opened in Dinant, a small tourist town in southern Belgium.

The two exhibitions aimed to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year of Dog, which fell on Feb. 16 this year, and mark the 2018 China-EU Tourism Year, would run from March 9 to April 2.

"The all-round partnership of friendship and cooperation between China and Belgium is developing rapidly and cultural communication is one of the most important parts," said Zhang Chi, charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy in Belgium at the opening ceremony on Friday.

"'EU-China Light Bridge' activities will further promote Sino-Belgian relations and make Chinese New Year culture known to the world," he added.

Mayor of Dinant Richard Fournaux told Xinhua that he hoped to strengthen the ties between China and Dinant and attracts more Chinese tourists.

"Last year, we invited Chinese New Year celebrations (parade) to Dinant. This year, the European Commission has proposed Dinant to participate in the 'EU-China Light Bridge' activities, to build a bridge of light with China," he noted.

"We will do our best to ensure our cooperation is not temporary and we decided to completely renew the tourist facilities of Dinant to attract Chinese tourists and to show the hospitality of Dinant as a host city for Chinese tourists," he said, "It is also a way to tell Europeans that visiting China can be interesting and amazing."

During the exhibition period, giant luminous lanterns of symbolic features in animals, or characters of Chinese traditional cultures, will light up various places of Dinant, such as the Croisette, the train station and the St Nicholas Square.

Meanwhile, there are a series of unpublished and amazing photo portraits by Belgian-Chinese artist duo Benoit + Bo unveiled on Friday in the salons of the Hotel de Ville in Dinant.

This exhibition is about the ancient tradition of Chinese masks. It will be presented in the form of contemporary works and decorated with giant masks in several places of the city.

These two exhibitions are part of a series of events celebrating the Chinese Lantern Festival, which is the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese lunar month and marks the end of the Chinese New Year.

As part of the 2018 China-EU Tourism Year, 25 major European tourist sites, including Dinant, will light up in red, the representative color of China. And major tourist sites in China will also light up in blue, the representative color of Europe on May 9, the Europe Day.NAIROBI, March 10 (Xinhua) -- After struggling with diseases, pests, erratic rains and low prices for the last three years, a rising number of Kenyan farmers are giving up on maize.

The farmers, in particular those who have been growing the crop on large-scale in the breadbasket regions of Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia and Bungoma, are turning to other crops, among them sugarcane and horticulture.

It is a new trend that is threatening production of maize, the staple food of the East African nation.

Last year, armyworms and low rains were the biggest threat to the production of the crop.

The large farmers had to spend more money on spraying the crop to eradicate the past, pushing up production costs.

Small farmers were lucky because chemicals received from county government catered for most of their needs, thanks to their small acreages.

On the other hand, Kenya suffered a short rain season, with crops drying in several parts of the country. Consequently, overall maize production declined to some 33 million bags in 2017, down from at least 40 million bags a year ago.

"I have had enough of maize problems that I am not ready to plant the crop again," Japheth Omose, a farmer in Trans Nzoia, said on Friday.

Omose is this season growing French beans and sugar snap peas for export. "For the last two seasons, I have been growing the two crops on half-acre on trial basis, selling to an exporter and they have done well," he said.

From the half-acre, Omose harvested produce that earned him 600 U.S. dollars, with maize from his ten acres earning him nearly the same amount.

"I looked at the earnings and did not even think twice. It was time to hang my boots on maize," he said, capturing sentiments of farmers who are shifting to other crops in the region.

While he has been growing maize once a season because the crop takes eight months to nature, he now grows French beans twice a year.

He sells a kilo of the crop at 0.6 dollars, with first grade produce offering a premium price. Those farmers abandoning maize for cane are mainly in Trans Nzoia, having gotten contracts from a miller in western Kenya.

"With cane, I am assured of the market," said Stephen Kemoi, 58, who has been growing maize for 20 years on 60 acres.

The farmers are offered planting materials and fertilizer by the miller who in turn visits farms when the crop is ready at 16 months and harvests the crop.

However, the shift from maize is not only a threat to the East African nation's food security but also to the entire maize sub sector.

Seed producers, traders and fertilizer makers are among those to be hit harder by the new trend.

Kenya has at least 50 registered seed companies mainly dealing in seeds of cereals such as maize, wheat and barley. The companies employ thousands of people directly and indirectly, including agro-dealers.

Government incentives like the offering of subsidized fertilizer, which has been supplied to mainly small farmers in breadbaskets at a low price of 18 dollars instead of 30 dollars had helped to cushion and entice farmers to grow the crop.

Another initiative that involves buying the produce from farmers at premium price of 32 dollars per 90kg bag had helped boost growers, but adversities that include pests, diseases and low rainfall have washed away the gains.

Rise in cheap imports from neighboring Uganda, Tanzania and even Mexico have worsened the plight of the Kenyan farmers too for years.

Being a staple, maize is consumed by millions of Kenyans, with citizens of the East African nation gobbling up to 4 million bags a month.

"Decline in maize farming means less production and the country cannot rely solely on imports. The new trend should worry policy makers greatly and government should move to give more incentives to farmers like those in Uganda and Tanzania to enable them compete favorably," said Henry Wandera, an economics lecturer.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 21:26:28|Editor: Yurou

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Illegal immigrants arrive at a navy base from a Libyan Coast Guard vessel in Tripoli, Libya, on March 10, 2018. Libyan navy on Saturday rescued 125 illegal immigrants off the coast of the western city of Zawiya, some 45 km west of Tripoli. (Xinhua/Hamza Turkia)

TRIPOLI, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Libyan navy on Saturday rescued 125 illegal immigrants off the coast of the western city of Zawiya, some 45 km west of the capital Tripoli.

"A Coast Guard patrol rescued 125 illegal immigrants, including 14 women and 4 children," Navy spokesman Ayob Qassem told Xinhua on Saturday.

"The rescue operation took place 16 miles off the coast of Zawiya, after the (immigrants') boat's engine broke down," Qassem added.

The rescued immigrants were taken to Tripoli naval base. They were provided with medical and humanitarian assistance, and will later be handed over to the anti-illegal immigration department of Tajura in eastern Tripoli, he said.

Libya is a preferred point of departure for illegal immigrants wanting to cross the Mediterranean towards European shores, due to the state of insecurity and chaos that followed the 2011 uprising.

Improved weather conditions increase the flow of migrant boats from Libya towards Europe, particularly off western coasts.Source:Xinhua| 2018-03-10 21:34:57|Editor: Mengjie

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Ma Huijuan arrives at the airport in Beijing, capital of China, March 2, 2018. Ma Huijuan, a deputy to China's 13th National People's Congress (NPC), comes from Hongsibu Township of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. A middle-school graduate in her 30s, Ma transformed her own life as a farmer into that of an author and a national lawmaker through writing on her phone for six years, telling the stories of Hui women like herself from northwest China. Since 2010, Ma has written essays and proses of over 400,000 words on her phones during her spare time of farming and part-time jobs. Her hard work pays off at the cost of 7 phones. Her works attracted a good many online readers and some were published on literature magazines. Ma since then became not only a well-known grassroots writer but also head of local cultural center. Ma attributed her success to the national poverty relief project that helped her move from an arid mountainous village to a richer place by the Yellow River and the technology that enabled her to write on her cellphone and publish her work online. As a newly-elected deputy to China's top legislature National People's Congress, Ma came to the NPC with proposals to put more efforts into the building of libraries and cultural centers in rural areas so as to improve rural cultural development. "The position gives us a chance to make changes and we should use this opportunity well. I keep myself up-to-date and I made my proposal after a thorough investigation," Ma said. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)Photo taken on March 9, 2018, shows a ship at a dock in the Arctic town of Kirkenes, Norway. (Xinhua/Liang Youchang)

by Liang Youchang, Zhang Shuhui

KIRKENES, Norway, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Envisioning a new port on the Barents Sea coast and a railway that goes all the way southward to the Baltic Sea, Norway's Arctic town of Kirkenes sets its sight on a major European hub on a Polar Silk Road with link to China.

Finland and Norway announced on Friday plans to explore building an Arctic railway between Finland's northern city of Rovaniemi and Norway's ice-free port of Kirkenes.

This agreement came after Norway plans to develop new harbor and terminal areas near Kirkenes, a town in the Sor-Varanger municipality in Norway's northeastern county of Finnmark.

Photo taken on March 9, 2018, shows a ship at a dock in the Arctic town of Kirkenes, Norway. (Xinhua/Liang Youchang)

A MAJOR ARCTIC HUB

"This project with railway connected to the Belt and Road Initiative through the Northern Sea Route and the Arctic strategy of China fits very well into all the plan for the huge 'Barents Harbor'," Rune Rafaelsen, mayor of the Sor-Varanger municipality, told Xinhua.

"Regarding logistic transport in the Arctic in the future, you are dependent on having a good railroad that could reach Europe fast and Kirkenes is the first (Western) port when you come from China," he said.

According to a study by the Finnish and Norwegian governments, the 520-km railway between Rovaniemi and Kirkenes would cost about 2.9 billion euros (3.6 billion U.S. dollars) and open in 2030.

It will form part of the proposed Arctic Corridor, which envisions cargo from Asia would be offloaded in Kirkenes and sent southward by railway to Finland, the Baltic states and the rest of Europe.

Local planners in Kirkenes have been lobbying the Norwegian town of Barents, 15 km west of the border with Russia, as the perfect site for a major hub linking the Arctic shipping route and the Arctic Corridor.

"The vision for The Arctic Railway is to be able to offer an environment-friendly and faster transport alternative for goods between Northeast Asia and Northern Europe via Finland by utilization of the Northern Sea Route and development of Kirkenes as a hub port," said a Norwegian report published in January.

The report titled An Arctic Railway Vision was a result of work between the development company Sor-Varanger Utvikling, the Kirkenes Business Park and the Finnmark County Council.

The voyage could be cut back 40 percent via the Northern Sea Route, the Arctic shipping course also known as the Northeast Passage, compared to the current route through the Suez Canal between Northern Europe and Northeast Asia, according to the report.

It would result in a 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption, it added.

Photo taken on March 9, 2018, shows the area of Hoybukta vest near the ARctic town of Kirkenes, Norway. Hoybukta vest is the site where Norway plans to develop new harbor and terminal areas. (Xinhua/Liang Youchang)

POLAR SILK ROAD TO CHINA

The report, which said the Arctic railway is potentially a new "maritime silk route in the north," was released just a few days before China published a white paper elaborating on its vision of a Polar Silk Road, an extension of the Belt and Road Initiative it proposed in 2013.

The Initiative's overland Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road are expected to promote the connectivity of policy, infrastructure, trade, investment and people in areas involved to seek common development and prosperity.

The Initiative brings opportunities for parties concerned to jointly build a Polar Silk Road, and facilitate connectivity and sustainable economic and social development in the Arctic region, the white paper noted.

People in Kirkenes believe that China's interest in the development of the Arctic and its economic prospect are "very important" factors for the town's dream to come true.

"To realize these plans, we need lots of investment, and we also need cargo. So, without a good connection and a good cooperation with China, this project will never be done," Rafaelsen said.

"Cooperation between Norway and China is extremely important for transport and logistics in the Arctic," he said, citing the fact that seven of the world's top 10 container ports are now in China.

Kenneth Stalsett, CEO of the Sor-Varanger Utvikling company, said Sor-Varanger, a municipality of about 10,000 with 6,000 of them in the Kirkenes area, cannot itself suffice for a railroad.

"We are...basically nothing in the big picture," Stalsett said. "So we need to connect the world globally if this is going to happen."

He noted that the Arctic railway is dependent on an international interest in using the Arctic shipping route.

"The Chinese are sending ships. They are developing ships and talking about the Northern Sea Route in a positive way and the Arctic in a positive setting," Stalsett said.

"So I think without this the railroad will just be a dream in the future, but with it, it's absolutely doable and important," he said.NAIROBI, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The international community should rally behind efforts to revitalize the war against Al-Shabaab militants in order to hasten Somalia's reconstruction, a senior AU official has said.

Francisco Madeira, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, told Xinhua Friday that a mixture of diplomatic, military and economic tools is required to boost the war against terrorism in the Horn of African state.

"Liberating Somalia from the crippling influence of Al-Shabaab and violence is the first step to stabilize the country," Madeira said during an interview in Nairobi.

The veteran Mozambican diplomat who is also the head of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) noted that military assault against Al-Shabaab fighters has paid dividends but warned the Al-Qaida linked terror network remained a huge threat to peace and stability in the greater horn of Africa region.

"It is the responsibility of Somalia government and armed forces, neighbors and other partners far afield to root out terrorism and insecurity," said Madeira.

The AU envoy noted that targeted airstrikes and enhanced intelligence gathering has dealt a huge blow to Al-Shabaab as evidenced by deaths and defections of senior commanders.

At the same time, Madeira noted that enhanced collaboration between African Union troops and Somalia armed forces has dislodged Al-Shabaab in key strongholds.

"Our anti-terrorism strategies are yielding results and there has been destabilization within Al-Shabaab. The day this armed group denounced violence, it will create a conducive environment to work for peace in Somalia," Madeira told Xinhua.

He stressed that enhanced coordination coupled with empowering Somalia's disciplined forces is key to salvaging the country from the grip of terror and civil strife ahead of exit of AU troops that is expected to end next year.

He said military interventions to root out terrorism in Somalia have ushered in some levels of stability in the country hence attracting foreign direct investments.

Madeira noted that the AU troops in collaboration with Somalia National Army have managed to bring stability in regions that were terrorism havens.

"We will continue to fight alongside Somalia troops to eradicate terrorism in the country," said Madeira.

He added that the African Union is also keen on strengthening cooperation with China to help address Somalia's endemic challenges like terrorism, civil strife and natural calamities.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 21:46:32|Editor: Mengjie

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BEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- More than 5,300 pieces of Dunhuang manuscripts have been "returned" from France in digital form and are available online, according to the National Library of China.

These digital resources are provided by France's national library, which holds more than 7,000 original copies of Dunhuang manuscripts.

The Dunhuang manuscripts are documents discovered in the Mogao Grottos in China's Gansu Province in the early 20th century. There are more than 50,000 of them, featuring history, linguistics, art and religious documents.

Dating from the 5th to 11th centuries, the majority are in Chinese, but some are represented in other languages such as Khotanese and Hebrew.

At present, around 16,000 Dunhuang manuscripts are in the National Library of China., while the rest are scattered overseas in Russia, Britain, France and Japan.

In 1908, French sinologist Paul Pelliot took 7,000 Dunhuang manuscripts to France and they are widely recognized as the most important parts.

China launched Ancient Books Preservation Project in 2007, and began to investigate and retrieve millions of overseas Chinese classics. In 2015, the National Library of China launched a digital cooperation project, using digital content or high-definition print to popularize Chinese ancient classics.

According to Lin Shitian, director of the National Center for Preservation and Conservation of Ancient Books, France's national library donated digital documents of the painting series "Forty Scenes of the Yuanmingyuan," the Old Summer Palace, to the National Library of China in 2015, and suggested further cooperation on Dunhuang relics.

More than 50 volumes of "The Yongle Canon," an ancient encyclopedia, were also retrieved in digital form from Harvard University, Oxford University, the British Library and other organizations abroad, Lin said.

Zhao Wenyou, also from the National Center for Preservation and Conservation of Ancient Books, said that unless some private collectors donate or sell, most of the hard copies of Chinese ancient books scattered overseas are hard to retrieve.

"Digitization may bring back ancient works in digital form, which is a more realistic and feasible solution," Zhao said.

According to Zhao, they are investigating significant ancient books overseas and setting up bibliographic databases. They are also cooperating with other countries to "bring back" precious documents using digitization or photocopying.

"These paper collections are brittle and prone to acid. We have to race against time to do these jobs," Zhao said.

The 5,300 pieces of Dunhuang manuscripts are not just for researchers, the general public can also log in the website of the National Library of China for retrieval and full-text browsing, said Liu Bo, the project leader of Dunhuang documents.

"These documents will be the window for people from all walks of life to understand and study the history of China. Only in this way can we make these precious ancient books live," Liu said.CAIRO, March 10 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian court sentenced on Saturday 10 defendants to death over forming a terrorist cell, official MENA news agency reported.

The Giza Criminal Court said the defendants were found guilty of establishing a terrorist cell that is meant to target public figures, disrupt public security and attack public and private facilities.

Two of the defendants were sentenced in absentia, according to MENA.

The court also sentenced five other members of the cell to 25 years in prison.

Terrorism prevailed in Egypt since the military ousted former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in early July 2013 in response to mass protests against his 12-month reign and his currently outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group.

Terrorist attacks killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers in restive North Sinai province before they gradually spread to other provinces and started to target dozens of Coptic minority with church bombings.

Most of the attacks were claimed by the so-called Wilayat Sinai (Sinai State or Province), a Sinai-based group affiliated with the regional Islamic State (IS) terrorist group.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 22:06:36|Editor: Lifang

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File photo taken on June 1, 2017 shows that China's manned submersible "Jiaolong" is despatched on its fifth, and last, dive of the year in the Mariana Trench. China is taking a leading position in strategic hi-tech sectors. It will enhance strength in science and technology in the coming years to create more opportunities for itself and the world. (Xinhua/Liu Shiping)

BEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- China will enhance strength in science and technology in the coming years to create more opportunities for itself and the world.

"China will do more to implement the innovation-driven development strategy", Premier Li Keqiang said Monday when delivering a government work report at the first session of the 13th National People's Congress.

Li said that application-oriented basic research would be strengthened, a number of science and technology innovation programs be launched, and a number of top national laboratories be set up this year.

During the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in October, President Xi Jinping said innovation was the primary driving force behind development and the strategic underpinning for building a modernized economy.

China aims to make itself a country of innovators, according to Xi.

At a press conference held Saturday on the sidelines of the session, Wan Gang, minister of science and technology, said China is taking a leading position in strategic hi-tech sectors.

Major achievements include the launch of the Tiangong-2 space lab, the Jiaolong deep-sea manned submersible, the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST), launch of dark matter probe satellite Wukong and the quantum science satellite Mozi, and the test flight for airliner C919.

China has also been the world leader in applications for invention patents for seven consecutive years. China's mainland held about 1.36 million such patents by the end of 2017, meaning on average 9.8 invention patents per 10,000 people, according to the State Intellectual Property Office.

Technological innovation has provided strong support for the nation's supply-side structural reform and significantly improved people's lives, Wan said, citing its role in mobile communication, pharmaceuticals, epidemic prevention, new energy vehicles as well as air pollution control and poverty alleviation.

In addition, hi-tech will be applied to judicial organs.

"China will speed up the construction of smart courts," said Chief Justice Zhou Qiang when delivering a work report of the Supreme People's Court to the session.

Courts will better use artificial intelligence, voice recognition, big data and other digital technologies to improve trial and social governance, Zhou said.

Meanwhile, China also shares its scientific and technological achievements with the world.

China has sent experts and medicine to Africa to help locals fight against Ebola and Zika virus, offering Chinese wisdom and strength to tackle infectious diseases globally, Wan added.

"The technological advancement in China serves the world and benefits all human beings, rather than posing a threat to others," said Yang Changfeng, a member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Yang, also the chief designer of the BeiDou system, said China plans to send 18 BeiDou-3 satellites into space in 2018. The system is expected to provide navigation and positioning services to countries along the Belt and Road by late 2018.

Named after the Chinese term for the Big Dipper, the BeiDou project was formally launched in 1994, and began to serve China in 2000 and the Asia-Pacific region in 2012.

"The BeiDou system not only belongs to China, but the whole world," Yang said, noting that China has been promoting cooperation with Asia-Pacific nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Arab League in the construction of BeiDou system.

The system plays an important role in telecommunications, transport, forest fire prevention and disaster prevention and relief. "We've been improving our services for our global users," Yang said, adding that they are promoting the system in international organizations.

Wang Shoujun, chairperson of China National Nuclear Cooperation (CNNC), a leading nuclear power company, said its nuclear projects in Pakistan had reached 4.63 million kilowatts, while installed capacity in operation exceeded 1.3 million kilowatts.

"These projects have effectively alleviated local power shortages, boosted the country's economic development, and improved the locals' living quality," said Wang, also a member of the National Committee of the CPPCC.

China's utility giant State Grid has already built up power supply facilities in countries along the Belt and Road routes, and exported advanced electricity supply equipment to 83 countries and regions across the world.

In December 2017, an ultra-high voltage power transmission project of the State Grid was put into operation in Brazil. The project helps transmit clean energy to southeastern load regions from northern Brazil, meeting the power demands of 22 million Brazilians each year.

From 2003 to 2017, the State Grid Jilin Province Electric Power Supply Company, a subsidiary of State Grid, built more than 2,000 kilometers of power lines and built or expanded more than 10 power stations in Ethiopia.

"There was severe power shortages in Ethiopia. Our power supply projects have solved the problem now," said Wang Jinhang, an NPC deputy and chairman of the company.

Wang said they also provided training for local workers, who would be able to do relevant work in their countries or other countries, which also helped create more jobs for locals.

"The rapid development of China boosts the flow of global labor. More Chinese companies have gone global, while more foreign workforces have come to China," said Hu Keyi, chief engineer of Jiangnan Shipyard Group.

"Don't be surprised when you see European employees in a Chinese shipyard today. They love their jobs and Chinese food, and also enjoy life in China," said Hu, a member of the National Committee of the CPPCC.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 22:31:41|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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DUBAI, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The number of Chinese tourists staying in the hotels of Abu Dhabi increased by 10.7 percent in January from the same month last year, said Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism on Saturday.

Hotels in the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) biggest emirate have registered a total of 437,228 visitors in January, an increase of 7.4 percent compared with the same month last year, said the department in an emailed statement.

"Multiple countries provided double-digit year-on-year growth in January, notably China (up 10.7 percent), Britain (up 19.1 percent), Saudi Arabia (up 15.4 percent) and the United States (up 36.1 percent)," said the statement.

The surge was due to the warm climate and the opening of the first overseas branch of the French Louvre Museum in the Gulf country last November, it added.

The tourism body said the increase in Chinese tourists, which reached more than 35,000 in January, sustained a remarkable growth momentum in 2017 when the number rose by 61 percent to a total of 374,000 people.

China has become the largest source country of tourists for the UAE, the statement noted.

"Our Tier One markets China, India, Britain, Germany, Saudi Arabia and the United States are performing particularly well. All of those countries have recorded more than 10 percent growth in January," said Saif Saeed Ghobash, director general of Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism.

"We are confident to bring the number of tourists to 8.5 million people by 2021," Ghobash added.FREETOWN, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) N'Ali Koroma on Saturday announced partial presidential results based on 25 percent of the total votes counted after the March 7 general election.

Presidential candidate of the ruling All Peoples Congress is leading with 44.6 percent, followed by the presidential candidate of the main opposition, Sierra Leone People's Party with 42.0 percent. Presidential candidate of the National Grand Coalition is in the third position with 6.6 percent of votes counted.

According to the NEC chairperson, the 25 percent is a partial result and does not represent the complete result.

He said that they would also announce 50 percent of the total result before the day ends.

Over three million registered voters cast their ballots on March 7 to elect a new president, members of parliament and local councils.ADDIS ABABA, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia announced on Saturday that 250,000 people displaced by conflict along the boundary of the Oromia and Somali regional states have been repatriated.

Speaking to the state-owned Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation, Mitiku Kassa, Commissioner of Ethiopia National Disaster Risk Management Commission, said the displaced were able to return after a conference of officials and elders from both regions was held in February.

He further said the government is working to repatriate the rest 600,000 people displaced by the conflict by April at the earliest.

Kassa also said 86,000 of those who returned to their homes is being rehabilitated with the help of federal and regional states officials.

Oromia and Somali regional states have been locked in a dispute over the delineation of their common boundary for almost two decades.

A referendum in October 2004 was supposed to demarcate the boundary, but its implementation has been stalled with both sides accusing each other of non-compliance with the referendum results.

Fierce clashes along the Oromia-Somali boundary since September has escalated into ethnic violence, leaving scores of people dead and hundreds of thousands displaced.

The unrest is fueling fears about security in Ethiopia, east Africa's biggest economy.The green line on the map denotes the planned railway route linking Norwegian port Kirkenes with Finnish city Rovaniemi. (Courtesy to Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications)

HELSINKI, March 9 (Xinhua) -- The idea of an Arctic corridor took shape on Friday as a Finnish-Norwegian working group unveiled the plan to extend the existing Finnish railway system to the Arctic Ocean via Norway.

The envisioned route would link Rovaniemi, a Finnish town located on the Arctic Circle, to the port of Kirkenes in northeastern Norway, Finnish Minister of Transport and Communications Anne Berner announced in Helsinki.

At the press conference jointly held with her Norwegian counterpart Ketil Solvik-Olsen through remote video connection, Berner said a task force will continue to work on the details of plan as well as financing of the project.

On his part, Solvik-Olsen assured that Norway wants to continue the "excellent cooperation" with Finland on the railroad plan.

The route was chosen out of five options. Others included more westerly routes crossing Sweden to the Norwegian ports of Narvik or Tromssa, and an easterly route from the Finnish town of Kemijarvi to Russian port of Murmansk.

Berner said Kirkenes was selected as it served best the needs of the logistical position of Finland and the improvement of the supplies safety of Finland.

The cost of the project would be around three billion euros. If the railroad becomes a reality, it could be operational in the 2030s. Berner underlined that the railroad would be a European project.

The working group also investigated the possibility of using high capacity trucks for transport instead of building a railroad along the corridor.

Coupled with a vision to built a tunnel between Helsinki and the Estonian capital of Tallinn, the Arctic corridor would place Finland at the center of an emerging Euro-Asia transportation route that amounts an alternative to the current busy shipping line through the Suez Canal.

Martti Levomaki, director of the Finnish Transport Authority, told the press conference on Friday that current development in the area was not enough to make the Arctic railroad financially profitable, "but even one more mining operation starting could change the situation."

He also noted that tourism in Lapland may develop from the current seasonal business to all-year operation, and the new railway could be utilized by passenger trains. (1 euro = 1.23 U.S. dollars)Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 23:31:48|Editor: Yurou

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Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad addresses a press conference at the foreign ministry in Damascus, capital of Syria, on March 10, 2018. Faisal Mekdad on Saturday denied his government's possession of chemical weapons or chlorine gas. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani)

DAMASCUS, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad on Saturday denied his government's possession of chemical weapons or chlorine gas.

In a press conference held Saturday at the foreign ministry, Mekdad renewed the government's stance regarding the recent accusations against Damascus of using chlorine gas in the battles against the rebels in the Eastern Ghouta countryside of Damascus.

"We completely deny any presence of chemical weapons including the chlorine gas and we condemn any use of such weapons. We think that there is no reason for any country in the world to threaten Syria as some have done or to use their weapons to target Syria," he said.

Mekdad warned against the possible move by foreign powers such as the United States and Britain to carry out military actions against Syria over the use of chemical weapons.

He also said that the rebels have been staging chemical attacks to frame the Syrian government, adding that intelligence information indicated that the rebels were planning a new chemical attack in Eastern Ghouta soon.

"We suggest everyone not to take any risk of military actions because the international situation is incapable of handling such aggressive practices at a time we look forward to seeing peace prevailing all over the world," he added.

In January, activists claimed the Syrian forces used chlorine in an attack on the rebel-held Eastern Ghouta, causing 21 people to suffer from breathing difficulties.

Last April, the U.S. struck a military base in central Syria with more than 50 Tomahawk missiles, in retaliation to an alleged chemical attack by Syrian government forces on a rebel-held town in the northwestern province of Idlib.

The Syrian government denied the accusations, saying it is the rebels who mounted the attack to frame the government and draw in a military action from the United States.SAN FRANCISCO, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Three women taken hostage at a veterans' home in California and the suspected gunman who held them captive were found dead, local police said late Friday.

The three women were all employed by Pathway Home, Chris Childs, California Highway Patrol (CHP) assistant chief, said in a statement Friday evening.

Pathway Home is a non-profit organization located at the Veterans Home of California, Yountville, in Napa County, about 85 km north of San Francisco. It runs a program that treats U.S. veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars with post-traumatic stress disorder.

"This is a tragic piece of news, one that we were really hoping we would not have to come before the public to give," Childs said.

The three victims were identified as Pathway Home Executive Director Christine Loeber, 48; Clinical Director Jennifer Golick, 42; and Jennifer Gonzales, 29, a clinical psychologist with the San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

The suspected gunman was identified as Albert Wong, a former U.S. soldier who served on active duty from May 2010 to August 2013 and spent a year in Afghanistan.

On Friday morning, the 36-year-old, dressed in black body armor and armed with an automatic rifle, entered the center during a going-away party for some employees, and took the three women hostage.

Four gunshots were heard from the when some 80 students were at a theater rehearsing a play "a distance away from the shooting situation," Napa County Sheriff John Robertson said, adding that the teens were safely evacuated.

Childs said it was a deputy from Napa County sheriff's office that exchanged gunfire with the gunman that eliminated "the ability for the suspect to go out and find further victims," after which the police failed to make contact with the gunman.

"Shortly before 6 p.m. (0200 GMT, Saturday) this evening, law enforcement personal made entry into the room where the hostages were being held by the suspect and unfortunately made the discovery of three deceased females and one deceased male (suspect)," Childs said.

"These brave women were accomplished professionals who dedicated their careers to serving our nation's veterans, working closely with those in the greatest need of attention after deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan," Pathway Home said in a statement.

Jennifer Golick's father-in-law said in an interview that she had recently expelled Wong from the program. Childs did not confirm whether the hostages were chosen at random or were targeted, since investigators had not yet determined a motive.

The gunman's rented vehicle was later discovered in the parking lot. The CHP special police team and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit were called in to search for possible bombs and found nothing. They cleared the car, which posed no threat to public safety, Childs said.

The Yountville home, which opened in 1884 and is the nation's largest veterans' home, houses about 1,000 elderly and disabled residents, according to the California Department of Veterans Affairs.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 23:51:52|Editor: Yurou

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Iraqi army officials visit the sixth edition of International Defense Exhibition in Baghdad, Iraq, on March 10, 2018. The four-day exhibition was held on the spot of Baghdad International Fair in the west-central part of the capital, with the participation of 18 countries and more than 70 weapons production companies. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

BAGHDAD, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Saturday that his government is seeking weapons to defeat the remnants of the Islamic State (IS) in the country.

Abadi made the remarks during his speech at the opening ceremony of the sixth edition of International Defense Exhibition held in the capital Baghdad.

"Terrorism has ended militarily, and we must eliminate its ideologies and its sectarian methodology. The weapons that we need now is not for war, but for peace and reconstruction," Abadi said.

He also vowed to support Iraqi security forces so they can continue their mission to uproot the sleeper cells of IS terrorists.

"Iraq has special needs for its security, and we have expertise in combating terrorism and eliminating it," the Iraqi prime minister noted.

The four-day exhibition was held on the spot of Baghdad International Fair in the west-central part of the capital, with the participation of 18 countries and more than 70 weapons production companies.

The exhibition showcases products such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), missiles, associated airborne equipment, and different ground support equipment.

On Dec. 9, 2017, Abadi officially declared full liberation of Iraq from IS militants after Iraqi forces recaptured all the areas once seized by the extremist group.

However, small groups and individuals of IS militants have since melted in urban areas or turned to deserts and rugged areas for safe havens, carrying out attacks from time to time against security forces and civilians.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-10 23:51:54|Editor: Zhou Xin

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Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, joins a panel discussion with the deputies from southwestern municipality of Chongqing at the first session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2018. (Xinhua/Sheng Jiapeng)

BEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Saturday underlined a "clean and upright" political ecology and urged leading officials to uphold rule of law.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, compared political ecology to natural ecology that can be easily polluted and, if damaged, will cost a huge price to be rehabilitated, at a panel discussion with deputies to the 13th National People's Congress from southwestern municipality of Chongqing.

Xi stressed that a clean and upright political ecology is an essential requirement for safeguarding the authority and centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, an urgent need for ensuring full and strict governance over the Party, and a vital guarantee for fulfilling reform and development targets.

Leading officials should demonstrate leadership and set an example, he said.

Xi urged them to uphold rule of law, oppose rule of man, hold in awe of the Constitution, and exercise their duty within the boundaries of the Constitution and laws.

They were asked to abide by political rules, safeguard the authority and centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and absolutely implement the Party's lines, principles and policies, and decisions by the CPC Central Committee.

Leading officials should also promote core socialist values and prevent relapse of negative elements in traditional values, he said.

Xi emphasized the need for three virtues.

The first and foremost is setting the political virtue. Officials should stay firm with their political ideals and convictions, enhance Party consciousness, and make a clear stance on key issues, Xi said.

He said the officials should also maintain good public virtue. They should commit themselves to serving the people whole-heartedly and deliver the promise of striving for the people's needs for a better life.

Xi continued to say that the officials should strictly guard the individual virtue by restraining themselves from corruption and pleasure-seeking.

He warned that an official should keep both himself and the whole family "clean".

"Don't let pillow talk lead you down to corruption. Don't let your children engage in self-dealing using your name. Don't be dragged into the 'muddy water' by people around you," Xi warned.

He said officials should strengthen self control, not to be tempted by even the slightest profit and not to be confused among all sorts of seduction.

"Officials should never indulge themselves, never cross the line, never break the rule, and improve immunity to corruption," he said.

Other Chinese leaders Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu and Zhao Leji also joined panel discussions with NPC deputies.

Speaking to deputies from Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Li Keqiang called for implementation of the country's "go west" strategy to make the region an inland pioneer in reform and opening up. He also asked the region to improve business environment by consistently deepening reforms, improve living standards, and resolutely secure a victory in poverty alleviation.

Meeting with deputies from Yunnan Province, Li Zhanshu said he hopes the province will build itself an exemplary region in promoting ethnic unity and progress, ecological development, as well as a center of opening up towards South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Joining deputies from Tibet Autonomous Region, Zhao Leji said the campaign against the mentality and action of privilege seeking should be continued. He called for actions against formalities for formalities' sake, bureaucratism and various kinds of misconduct, so as to keep the pressure on conduct problems.LONDON, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Britain's culture minister said Saturday the government is looking at imposing a legal limit on the time children spend on the internet.

It follows a report by the country's children's commissioner Anne Longfield, showing that 12 to 15 years olds spend more than 20 hours a week online.

Teens aged under 18 face being cut off from social media sites after a few hours' browsing under proposals being drawn up to tame the "wild west" of the internet, the Times newspaper in London reported Saturday.

Ministers are looking at imposing a limit on time spent by children on social media platforms amid concern that overuse damages mental health.

Matt Hancock, secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport, told the Times he wants varying time cut-offs for different ages on sites over concern that overuse of the internet by children can damage their mental health.

Hancock told the newspaper: "There is a genuine concern about the amount of screen time young people are clocking up and the negative impact it could have on their lives. It is right that we think about what more we could do in this area."

Time limits would be enforced using a new legal requirement for social media companies to ensure that anyone setting up profiles is aged above 13. Details of how such a scheme might work are yet to be developed but they are likely to extend a law requiring pornographic websites to ensure that users are over 18, by means of a credit card, says the report.

In her report Longfield says a third of Britain's internet users are aged under 18, while a separate report claims 75 percent of children aged 10 to 12 have social media accounts.

The moves come just weeks after Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, warned that excessive social media use posed as big a threat to children's health as smoking or obesity.

Hunt said he wanted to ensure children accessed only age-appropriate material online, with government ministers likely to place responsibility for implementing age checks on internet site companies. Hunt warned that if an age verification scheme is not robust the government may legislate further.

The Times comments that some will see Hancock's proposal as heavy handed, adding the minister wanted to start a debate over the extent to which the state should regulate activity on the internet.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-11 00:11:56|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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DAMASCUS, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army on Saturday secured the evacuation of a number of families from the recently captured town of Mesraba in the capital Damascus' Eastern Ghouta countryside, the state TV said.

The families were hiding in basements in Mesraba when the army entered, with a video footage showing the time the Syrian soldiers found them.

The TV said the families, 60 people in total, will be taken to medical centers and shelters.

Earlier in the day, the Syrian government forces captured Mesraba and encircled the city of Harasta in Eastern Ghouta countryside.

The capture of Mesraba enabled the Syrian army to tighten its recent move of splitting Eastern Ghouta in half as it links several towns and areas.

The Syrian army has captured 52 percent of Eastern Ghouta in recent days, as part of an ongoing wide-scale offensive to dislodge the rebels from that key area on the eastern rim of Damascus.

Eastern Ghouta, a 105-square-km agricultural region consisting of several towns and farmlands, poses the last threat to the capital due to its proximity to government-controlled neighborhoods east of Damascus and ongoing mortar attacks that target residential areas in the capital, pushing people over the edge.

Four major rebel groups are currently positioned inside Eastern Ghouta, namely the Islam Army, Failaq al-Rahman, Ahrar al-Sham, and the Levant Liberation Committee, known as the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front.

The UN humanitarian agencies have sounded the alarm about the worsening humanitarian situation for 400,000 people in that region, where activists said over 800 people have been killed since late last month by the heavy bombardment and military showdown in areas of Eastern Ghouta.

A day earlier, 13 rebels of Nusra Front left Eastern Ghouta, marking the first rebel group to leave that area, just two days after the Russian side pledged to secure a safe exit for the rebels and their families from Eastern Ghouta.U.S. President Donald Trump addresses a press conference with visiting Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven (not in the photo) at the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, March 6, 2018. (Xinhua/Ting Shen)

WASHINGTON, March 9 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that the deal with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is "very much in the making" and will be good for the world.

Trump's remarks came one day after the White House confirmed that he agreed to meet Kim Jong Un, the top leader of the DPRK, in a couple of months, signaling a big step toward resolving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

A pedestrian walks in front of a huge screen flashing a news report relating to U.S. President Donald Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un agreeing to meet for talks in Tokyo on March 9, 2018. (Xinhua/ AFP PHOTO)

"The deal with North Korea (the DPRK) is very much in the making and will be, if completed, a very good one for the World. Time and place to be determined," Trump tweeted Friday evening.

Earlier in the day, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said at a briefing that Trump will meet with Kim after seeing "concrete steps" taken by Pyongyang.

Photo provided by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on April 24, 2016 shows a scene of an underwater test-fire of submarine ballistic missile in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). (Xinhua/KCNA)

Signs of a thaw on the Korean Peninsula emerged earlier this year since working-level talks between the two Koreas were held at the truce village of Panmunjom and the DPRK participated in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. In addition, the two Koreas agreed to hold the third inter-Korean summit in late April.

China welcomes the positive news on direct dialogue between the United States and the DPRK, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Friday.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-11 00:52:01|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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TEHRAN, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry on Saturday strongly condemned a Friday raid on the Iranian embassy in London.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi said in a statement that Iran has expressed its "strong protest to the British ambassador in Tehran and demanded that the British police fully protect our diplomats in London."

Iran also demanded punishment of the people behind the raid, said Qasemi.

On Friday, a group of four men raided the Iranian embassy in London and pulled down Iran's flag.

Local reports said they were supporters of a radial religious cult.

No one was hurt during the incident and the assailants were arrested.TRIPOLI, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Libya's Third Startups Expo, a micro enterprise exhibition supported by the European Union, kicked off here on Saturday.

The event, supported by the European Mission to Libya, hosted dozens of small enterprises and businesses, in an attempt to support small business owners, said Halima Al-Ghrari, event organizer.

"We exhibited 32 enterprises of medicine, art, health, and technology," Halima told Xinhua.

"The main goal is to establish a culture of investment and true lasting partnership between investors and successful entrepreneurs," she added.

EU mission on Friday said the Support to Libya for Economic Integration, Diversification and Sustainable Employment, a European Union program worth 7.8 million euros implemented by Expertise France, "gives strong support to the Third Startups Expo."

"This event aims at showcasing the new dynamism of entrepreneurship in Libya in particular also among youths who are a driving force today in taking forward small and medium-sized businesses," the EU mission said.KIGALI, March 10 (Xinhua) -- At least 16 people were killed and dozens of others injured after being struck by lightning in the past two days in southern Rwanda, an official said on Saturday.

Lighting hit 45 people who were praying around 11 a.m. on Saturday, leaving 14 of them dead, Nyaruguru district mayor Francois Habitegeko told a media briefing.

Some of the injured remain in critical condition, he said.

Two other people, including a primary school pupil, died early Friday after being struck by lightning, he added.

Sixteen others were injured in the lightning strike on Friday, the mayor said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-11 01:27:04|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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TEHRAN, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned the British ambassador to Tehran on Saturday over the attack on the Iranian embassy in London.

"Following an assault by a number of individuals affiliated to an extremist religious group on Iran's embassy in London, the country's ambassador was summoned by the director general for European affairs," Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi was quoted as saying by the state TV.

Qasemi expressed Tehran's "strong protest" over the incident and urged the British government to protect Iranian diplomats and diplomatic missions.

The British envoy in Tehran expressed his regret over the attack and said that he would inform his country of Iran's message.

On Friday, a group of four men raided the Iranian embassy in London and pulled down Iran's flag.

Local reports said they were supporters of a radical religious cult.

No one was hurt during the incident and the assailants were arrested.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-11 01:57:08|Editor: Yurou

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Relatives mourn beside the body of Palestinian young man Imayer Shehada at a hospital in the West Bank city of Nablus, on March 10, 2018. Twenty-year-old Palestinian young man Imayer Shehada of the village of O'urif near Nablus was killed and another one was injured during clashes on Saturday with Israeli soldiers, medics said. (Xinhua/Nidal Eshtayeh)

RAMALLAH, March 10 (Xinhua) -- A 20-year-old Palestinian young man of the village of O'urif near the West Bank city of Nablus was killed and another one was injured during clashes on Saturday with Israeli soldiers, medics said.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said in an emailed press statement that the young man was shot in his chest and died, and the other one was shot in the leg.

Eyewitnesses said that clashes broke out between Palestinian residents of the village and Israeli soldiers, adding that an Israeli army force intervened and opened fire to disburse the demonstrators.

The hospital recognized the 20-year-old young man as Imayer Shehada, resident of the village. There has been no immediate response from the Israeli army.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-11 02:12:09|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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AMMAN, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Jordan said on Saturday that it has put a project to build six solar or wind power plants out to local and international tender.

A total of 45 companies and consortia, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, European and Arab firms, will submit offers by the end of this month, Minister of Energy Saleh Kharabsheh said in a statement obtained by Xinhua.

The project consists of four solar power plants and two wind power plants, with a capacity of 50 megawatts each, according to the minister.

Jordan, which imports about 97 percent of its energy needs, is implementing a strategy to boost renewable energy contribution to the overall energy mix from 3 percent to 10 percent by 2020.MOGADISHU, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo on Saturday urged foreign countries and investors to follow legal procedures for investment in his country, in an apparent response to a dispute over a port deal in the breakaway region of Somaliland.

"I am warning companies and countries not to cross the line and put to question the sovereignty of Somalia," he told the opening session of parliament.

"Somalia is open for business and international partnerships, but those who want to invest here must get the approval of the respective state institutions," he said.

Farmajo said any trade agreements must be made within the dictates of the law, warning against infringing on the country's sovereignty and unity.

His remarks come amid what is escalating into a diplomatic tiff between Somalia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the March 1 deal.

In the agreement, UAE-controlled DP World and Somaliland announced they would cede part ownership of the port management to allow landlocked Ethiopia to get a 19 percent holding.

Somaliland parliament approved the Berbera Port concession in August 2016, granting DP World 65 percent stake in the 30-year concession.

Mogadishu has rejected the deal and declared it null and void.

Farmajo did not mention the issue of Berbera but his comments, coming one day after the Arab League called for respect of territorial integrity, added voice to his government's concerns over the concession.

Somalia submitted a petition to the Arab League on Friday seeking intervention over the port issue.

Somaliland has maintained it will proceed with the concession despite objections from Mogadishu.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-11 02:32:12|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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TEHRAN, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Iran is ready to allocate a credit line of 3 billion U.S. dollars for Iraq's post-war reconstruction, Financial Tribune daily reported Saturday.

The credit line will be given so that "Iranian companies and its private sector can have a more serious cooperation in rebuilding Iraq," Iran's first Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri was quoted as saying.

Jahangiri called for increasing economic relations between Iran and Iraq in oil, gas and power sectors, in addition to cultural ties and pilgrimage tours.

"We must make efforts to increase the level of bilateral economic trade to above 7 billion dollars," he said.

Jahangiri also demanded the removal of banking problems and bureaucratic barriers.

According to the report, Ali Salehabadi, the chief executive officer of Export Development Bank of Iran, announced in February that his bank would soon open a credit line of 18 million dollars with an Iraqi bank to expand Iran's exports to the Arab country.

"If other Iraqi banks meet the capital adequacy ratio, we are ready to allocate more lines of credit to the country," Salehabadi said.by Xinhua writers Xia Lin, Wu Xiaoling, Ye Zaiqi

SAN FRANCISCO, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Out of decades of hard work and dedication, Chinese engineers are well perched in Silicon Valley in the U.S. state of California to build their flourishing career and prosperous life.

Both Zhang Xiaodan and Zhao Yao feel that their high times in Silicon Valley are yet to come, as they mingle into the vibe of high-tech giants like Google, Facebook and Apple.

"The company I work for has a great sway in the world. New things happen each day, which is exciting," said Zhang, a software engineer working for a leading high-tech company, who came from Beijing and settled down in the Bay Area in 2015.

TOO LARGE TO BE NEGLECTED

Silicon Valley hosts a surfeit of high-tech companies and start-up enterprises, providing chances for Chinese engineers like Zhang to boost their careers, build a decent life and pursue wild ambitions.

"Chinese programmers are one of the mainstays in Silicon Valley. Many nutcrackers in many major corporations are Chinese," said the 38-year-old Zhao.

He came from Hunan province in southern China, won his bachelor and master degrees at the distinguished Tsinghua University in Beijing, furnished his doctorate at the Northwestern University in Illinois, served the Bell Laboratory and Google in tandem, and now is the director of data science at a high-tech start-up Shape Security.

Top brands attract to the valley top engineers and programmers, who innovate and create to earn their living, and those from China have already been a strong presence.

"You know, (when) I look back on my team's members, probably 80 percent of them were made up of either Chinese or Indians," said Steve Mansour, CTO of Accord Interest, who had been hired by Apple and PayPal as a senior manager.

It is hard to ascertain the exact number of the Chinese people working for the companies here, but it is no wrong to say that their presence is now too large to be neglected, either for traditional tech giants like Google, Apple and Cisco Systems, or for rising Internet powers like Twitter and Facebook.

A 10 percent share is always the baseline.

"The peak of my team's largest size I had (was) roughly 300 people at eBay, and probably about half of them were Chinese. So I would say, (they make) huge contribution," Mansour told Xinhua.

PROSPEROUS WITH TALENTS

Official figures said that the annual income for an average American family was 55,000 U.S. dollars in 2015, while the valley version stood at 76,000 dollars, let alone the 20 to 40 grand an engineer make a year at the several giants.

A yearning for promising future and the confidence to achieve it make Chinese engineers and programmers tether themselves tighter to what they have been accomplishing so far in Silicon Valley.

"Around me are amazing people. They fit in with the mechanism so well and dare to develop fancy ideas into real products," Zhang told Xinhua.

Diversity, innovation and good finance transform Silicon Valley into a pilgrimage that IT professionals have to make once and for all in their life time.

Chinese players come no later than the others. They help build the scenery and share the fruits, leaving a non-erasable mark in the city's high-tech landscape.

"Most of my friends think innovation as necessary and they intend to innovate. Our generation wants to take risk to tap our potentials," added Zhao.

ELITE EDUCATION

Chinese engineers and programmers are making their call in Silicon Valley, through elite education they received both in China and the United States as well as widely acclaimed work style featuring combining devotion and concentration.

Most of them share one thing in common: education in top universities in both China and the United States.

An outstanding resume and total immersion have enabled Zhang to achieve more out of life and career.

"I studied Olympic maths since very young and attended the Affiliated Middle School of the Renmin University. Mathematics has always been my favorite, which interests me a lot. After graduation from my middle school, I applied for colleges both in China and overseas," Zhang said.

With a decent salary and less financial concerns, she has become more daring in exploring new ideas in her career.

"Many people around me are devoted to their jobs. They are able to develop idea into reality. I think the Chinese people here become more daring to challenge themselves, which is a very good phenomenon," she added.

Education background and dedication give Chinese engineers a solid base, and earns them word of mouth as well as reputation.

"I found Chinese programmers to be highly reliable, very technically capable. Absolutely I can't imagine hi-tech without the Chinese people, without the Asians involved," said Mansour.

HIGH TIME YET TO COME

Zhao has a larger dream to chase. In regard of his start-up project, he is weaving his resources in China and the United States to carve out a larger domain in the field of Internet security and innovation.

"I had my bachelor and master degrees from Tsinghua University, where I gained a solid foothold of education. As we know, Tsinghua pays much attention to basic sciences, including mathematics and computer," Zhao said.

Looking back, Zhao palpably owes his success much to his school years. Later when he started his career in the United States, especially as he began to hammer out a professional track in Silicon Valley, such a perception or belief proved true and more worthy.

"When you come to the United States for study or work, you will find what you learned before (in China) can now help you process much more difficult problems, even problems that others can't get over with," added Zhao.by Lu Duobao and Chrispinus Omar

NAIROBI, March 10 (Xinhua) -- China's opening-up in the past 40 years has shown Africa there's an alternative way of modernization, said Anzetse Were, an independent development economist.

During China's economic boom, some African countries gained comprehensively from Beijing's policy of opening-up, she told Xinhua in an interview on Friday.

What's more important, Were said, it showed African countries that industrialization is central to development and it can be done in a different way.

She named Rwanda and Ethiopia as examples. The two east African nations, which follow a development path similar to that of China, have registered faster economic growth than the region's average, rising 5.9 percent and 8.0 percent respectively in 2016.

Beijing deserves praise for its effective business strategies, and African countries can learn much from China, Were said.

"Industrialization has to be deliberate. It won't happen on its own," she said.

Were said China plays an important role in the industrialization process of Africa. The infrastructure projects that China has helped African countries build lay a foundation for the integration of the continent, which is essential to forming a massive consumer market.

The Kenyan economist said the industrialization of Africa should start from using its commodities to make industrial products for its own people.

She observed that China plays a big role in developing industrialization capacity of African countries, as a lot of Chinese private companies have come to Africa to build industrial parks.

In the past few years, Chinese companies, many from the private sector, have built many industrial parks in countries like Ethiopia, Rwanda, Nigeria, creating jobs and transferring technical know-how and management expertise, Were said.

For the first time, African countries are gaining a first-hand understanding of how an industrial development model looks like through the industrial parks China has been constructing, she said.

Were said she likes the way China does business with Africa.

"China takes Africa much more seriously. It sees Africa as a serious economic partner, and there is money to be made through this partnership," she said.

Were said indigenous companies must learn how to tap into the massive market the continent will provide in the next 20 to 30 years.MOGADISHU, March 10 (Xinhua) -- At least four members of the Somali security force were killed and another injured in a remote-controlled improvised explosive device (IED) attack on the outskirts of Mogadishu on Saturday, police said.

The attack, which happened Saturday evening, targeted security personnel in Weydow village, a few kilometers outside Mogadishu.

"Four soldiers died in the IED attack as they were traveling along Weydow area," a police officer who demanded anonymity told Xinhua.

Locals said they heard a blast followed by gunfire.

"We heard a huge blast coming from an area Somali forces were passing. I also saw ambulance vehicle heading to the scene," Fos Ahmed, a resident, told Xinhua.

No group had claimed responsibility but al-Shabab has increased such attacks on government forces in the past few weeks.

The attacks came amid military offensives against the militant group in southern Somalia.ULAN BATOR, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia's parliament chairman Miyegombo Enkhbold met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara to boost bilateral ties and cooperation, Mongolian parliament said on Saturday.

Enkhbold said during the meeting that Mongolia is willing to work closely with Turkey to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation, the parliament said in a statement.

"Mongolia is ready to expand its cooperation with Turkey in fields of agriculture, tourism, light industry, urban planning, construction, education, culture, arts and health," he said.

For his part, Erdogan expressed his willingness to increase the flow of investment in Mongolia. He also said that Turkey would study the import of meat products from Mongolia.

In addition, the Turkish leader offered to cooperate in the fields of education, civil aviation, urban development and investment.

During the meeting, the two sides agreed to study the establishment of a tourism complex based in the Orkhon Valley.

Mongolia and Turkey are set to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2019.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-11 03:32:20|Editor: Yamei

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U.S. President Donald Trump is seen on a TV screen announcing tariffs on steel and aluminum, at the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on March 8, 2018. (Xinhua/Ting Shen)

BRUSSELS, March 10 (Xinhua) -- There is no immediate clarity on the exact U.S procedure for the exemption from steel and aluminum tariffs, and discussions will continue next week, EU's Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom tweeted on Saturday after a trilateral meeting with her U.S. and Japanese counterparts in Brussels.

"As a close security and trade partner of the U.S., the EU must be excluded from the announced measures. No immediate clarity on the exact U.S. procedure for exemption however, so discussions will continue next week," she tweeted.

"EU, Japan, U.S. agreed on further steps in our ongoing cooperation to tackle trade--distorting practices in sectors such as steel. Stronger rules on industrial subsidies, etc.," she added.

The trilateral talks between Malmstrom and Japanese Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer was followed by a bilateral meeting between Malmstrom and Lighthizer.

"I had a frank discussion with the U.S. side about the serious pending issue of steel and aluminium tariffs," she said.

The ministers agreed to meet again in the margins of the OECD ministerial meeting in Paris to discuss overcapacity issues.

U.S. President Donald Trump formally signed proclamations to impose 25 percent tariffs on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum Thursday, with initial exemptions for Canada and Mexico, saying exemptions could be made for other countries through negotiations.

The EU has threatened to take retaliation measures if it is included in the those tariffs. The EU has prepared a list of products including orange juice, bourbon, cranberries, peanut butter etc., for imposing reciprocal tariffs if needed.

European Commission vice--president Jyrki Katainen said Friday that the EU is ready to take the U.S. to the World Trade Organization (WTO) court if some worst scenario happens.Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-11 04:07:23|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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TIKRIT, Iraq, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi oil ministry said on Saturday that the first-phase rehabilitation of an oil field in Iraq's central province of Salahudin has been fulfilled.

The rehabilitation of Ajil oil field, some 30 km east of the provincial capital Tikrit, was fulfilled in a short time despite the huge destruction of the installation as well as its pipelines and pumping stations, Oil Minister Jabbar al-Luaibi said in a statement.

"The production capacity of the field after the first phase of rehabilitation reached 17,000 barrels per day (bpd)," Luaibi noted.

He also said Iraq's North Oil Company (NOC), which runs Ajil oil field, managed to increase the natural gas production capacity of the oil field to 100 million cubic feet (2.83 million cubic meters) a day.

According to an NOC oil engineer, efforts are being made to restore the oil field to its previous production capacity of 35,000 bpd.

Ajil oil field and the nearby oil field of Allas were seized by the IS in 2014 and became an important source of funding for the IS group, which extracted about 10,000 bpd from them.

The two oil fields were sabotaged by the extremist group before it was cleared from the area.CHICAGO, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Imposing tariffs may help U.S. steel workers, "but the potential damage to the overall economy might be greater than the benefit to the steel industry," a trade official in the U.S. state of Iowa has said.

"Iowa soybean farmers are very concerned about the potential impact" of imposing heavy tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, Kirk Leeds, CEO of Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) that serves more than 11,000 members across the agricultural state, told Xinhua.

Despite mounting dissensions amid trading partners around the world, U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed proclamations to impose a 25-percent tariff on imported steel and a 10-percent tariff on aluminum.

In an open letter to Trump on Wednesday, all six congressional lawmakers from Iowa warned that the tariffs "could set into motion a chain of retaliatory measures, hurting Iowans from the family farm to the family-owned manufacturing plant."

"As farmers have already faced several years of low commodity prices, any hit to demand would be devastating to their financial situations," the letter said.

Marina Whitman, professor emerita of business administration and public policy at the University of Michigan, echoed Leeds' word.

Trump's tariffs "are likely to raise prices of consumer goods containing aluminum or steel and, more important, will raise them for manufacturers whose products use aluminum and steel, making them less competitive."

"A lot more people are employed in the U.S. in companies using aluminum and/or steel in their products than in those making them," she said. Moreover, "it is a major step toward undermining the international rule of law in trade, which the U.S. took the lead in creating ever since WWII."

The American Soybean Association also responded forcefully to the tariffs. "These tariffs are a disastrous course of action from the White House. They may lead to retaliation by one or more of our valuable trading partners, which in turn will kneecap demand for soybeans in a time when the farm economy is struggling," it said in a statement.

Agricultural trade has been the ballast in the ships sailing in the sea of trade between the United States and China.

"The only way to maintain good trade relations between China and the U.S. is to make sure that both sides continue to fully engage in conversation, negotiations and open dialogue," said Leeds, which will soon pay a visit to China.

"Over the years, the ISA has developed very deep and meaningful relationship with many friends in China," he said. "We will continue to reach out to these friends as we navigate these unsettled times."

"China is an important customer of the Iowa soybean farmers and we look forward to working with our friends to overcome what we hope are short-term challenges," Leeds said.

"We need to make sure that these current waves of discontent in trade between our two important countries do not disrupt agricultural trade," Leeds added.WASHINGTON, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The White House said on Saturday that U.S. President Donald Trump will travel to Peru and Colombia next month in his maiden visit to Latin America.

In a statement, the White House said that Trump will attend the Summit of the Americas in the Peruvian capital city of Lima and meet with President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski.

In Colombia, Trump will meet with his counterpart Juan Manuel Santos.

In his first trip to Latin America, Trump is expected to participate in a series of bilateral, multilateral, and cultural engagements, according to the statement.

It added that Trump will take the visit to demonstrate his "resolve to deepen our historical ties with our partners in the region and to strengthen our joint commitment to improve security and prosperity for the people of the Americas," and to promote "strong democracies, fair and reciprocal trade, and secure borders."

The visit came after Trump reportedly called Latin American nations as "shithole countries" in an immigration meeting in January, sparking wide protests in the region.

The U.S.-Latin America ties have also been tested by Trump's proposal to build a wall on the Mexican border, his order to impose steep tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, and some Latin American nations' joining of a regional trade deal, from which Washington withdrew in January 2017.FRANKFURT, March 10 (Xinhua) -- A small aircraft crashed on Saturday afternoon in the western German city of Bensheim, leaving two people dead, local media Hessenschau reported.

The tragic accident took place around 3:40 p.m.local time, about 40 minutes after the aircraft had taken off from Worms for a round-flight, according to local police.

In addition to the pilot, a 18-year-old female passenger on board lost life too.

The cause of the air crash remained unclear so far.ALGIERS, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) has decided to launch the African Free Trade Zone, Moussa Faki Mahamat, the head of the AU Commission, said here Saturday.

"On the 31st summit in January in Addis Ababa, we took some very important decisions, particularly the African Free Trade Zone (AFTZ), which will be on the agenda of the next summit on March 21 in Kigali in Rwanda, in addition to the African passport and air transport in the continent," the visiting AU chief told reporters upon his arrival at Algiers International Airport.

All African heads of state and government have been invited to Kigali to sign AFTZ agreement, he added.

It is the first official visit of Faki Mahamat since he was elected as the chairperson of the African Union Commission.

He will hold talks with senior Algerian officials to exchange views on the current African issues and prospects of developing cooperation between AU and Algeria.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.JOE KUKLENSKI holds his International Field Champion Green Bay Paw King. Kuklenski said only one in 500 dogs can achieve the level of skill of Paw King. On the left is Bob Keene, from Vermont, and at right is Bob King, from lower Michigan. The photo is from 2010 and shows the yellow numbers the dogs are given during their trials and what an international champion beagle looks like. Such dogs are very valuable for breeding purposes.

By IAN MINIELLY

[email protected]

Ironwood - The Gogebic Range hosts five to six beagle trials per year, according to Joe Kuklenski, who has raised national and international field champion beagles.

The Gogebic Range Beagle Club site is north of the airport off Lake Road and the Borderline Beagle Club is in Iron Belt, Wis.

The clubs maintain 80 acres of fenced-off property for running beagles on snowshoe hares. Fencing off 80 acres keeps coyotes and bobcats from eating the hares and allows the members to improve habitat conditions for the rabbits to thrive, even closing down the pens in the spring so the rabbits can mate and have successful litters.

Kuklenski said during a trial, about 100 dogs will run across four different classes, with each run taking three to five hours, with 20 to 25 dogs per class. The dogs are given yellow numbers and usually never see a rabbit during the trial.

Human judges follow the dogs and judge them based on hunting standards and how they work and move. According to Kuklenski, a good dog should be able to run a trial on Saturday and go hunting on Sunday without missing a beat.

The dogs are judged based on their hunting traits, not confirmation, traits like the Westminster Kennel Club judges. The two types of beagles could not be further from each other.

Kuklenski said maybe one dog in 500 has the ability to be a national champion and they are in high demand for breeding purposes.

Kuklenski works his seven dogs in the Green Bay Kennels two to three times per week. He takes them out in groups of one to three for exercise, or just to clean their pens, and also command or signal work. Kuklenski said with all the training aids available now it is much easier to train a dog than it was when he first started 40 years ago.

When asked how the rabbits take to being kept in the 80-acre area, Kuklenski said the hares are safer than those outside as the fenced-in hares are well fed and taken care of, with excellent cover and only have to worry about airborne predators. The hares are not shot, only hunted for sport. Kuklenski said snowshoe rabbits do not dig like cottontails, so the three- to five-pound hares, compared to the two-to three-pound cottontails, stay within the fence to their advantages.

Butch Saari is contact person for the Borderline club and can be reached at 906-932-5979 and Chuck Bogetto leads the Gogebic club at 906-364-1312.

The next local trial is scheduled for Borderline over the May 12-13 weekend.News

Naco, Arizona - Border Patrol agents from the Brian A. Terry Station arrested a previously convicted sex offender Monday afternoon shortly after he illegally entered the United States near Naco.

Agents apprehended Cirilo Flores-Albino, a 46-year-old Mexican national, less than 20 yards north of the international border and transported him to their station for further processing.

During processing, agents conducted a records check and learned Flores was convicted in 2009 for indecent liberty with a child in Harnett County, North Carolina. He is in federal custody pending prosecution for re-entry as an aggravated felon.

All persons apprehended by the Border Patrol undergo criminal history checks using biometrics to ensure illegal immigrants with criminal histories are positively identified.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials welcome assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free.Arizona News

Wellton, Arizona - Wellton Station Border Patrol agents assigned to the I-8 Immigration Checkpoint seized drugs, a loaded handgun, ammunition, and a vehicle early this morning.

At approximately 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, a Border Patrol canine alerted to a white Volkswagen Jetta driven by a 27-year-old United States citizen. After a search of the vehicle, agents discovered four black packages, a loaded 9mm handgun, and 15 rounds of ammunition. The black packages tested positive as methamphetamine worth $16,500.

The driver, two passengers, contraband, and vehicle were processed and turned over to the Yuma County Sheriffs Department Narcotics Task Force for further processing.

Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents effectively combat smuggling organizations attempting to illegally transport people and contraband through Southwestern Arizona and California. Citizens can help the Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection by calling 1-866-999-8727 toll-free to report suspicious activity. Callers can remain anonymous.Arizona News

Douglas, Arizona - Douglas Border Patrol Station is hosting their first Coffee with a Cop event on March 12 at the Blueberry Cafe, 1113 G Avenue, from 7:30 to 10 a.m., to further strengthen ties and communication between agents and community members.

Coffee with a Cop is a national campaign which began in 2011 as a way for law enforcement to interact with the citizens and communities they serve. These informal gatherings help build trust and relationships between law enforcement and community stakeholders.

Participants will have an opportunity to meet the Border Patrol agents who work and live in their community. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions and discuss issues of concern.

The Border Patrol is dedicated to reducing criminal activity while also fostering and contributing to the betterment of the communities in which they live and serve.Border News

Ajo, Arizona - Ajo Station Border Patrol agents arrested two male U.S. citizens Sunday afternoon at the State Route 85 Immigration Checkpoint near Ajo after finding six bundles of marijuana in the trunk of their Volkswagen sedan.

An agent working the primary inspection lane directed the 19-year-old driver and 18-year-old passenger for a secondary inspection after a canine alerted to an odor it is trained to detect. As a result, agents discovered 138 pounds of marijuana worth in excess of $111,000.

Agents arrested the suspects for narcotics smuggling and seized the drugs and vehicle. The case was turned over to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigations.

Federal law allows agents to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of charges for criminal activity without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials welcome assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. Reporting illicit activity could result in saving someones life.Border News

Nogales, Arizona - Border Patrol agents from the Nogales Station arrested a previously convicted sex offender Wednesday afternoon shortly after he illegally entered the United States west of Nogales.

Agents apprehended Jesus Ojeda-Ricardez, a 32-year-old Mexican national, north of the international border and transported him to Nogales Station for processing.

During processing, agents conducted a records check and learned Ojeda-Ricardez was convicted in 2006 for sexual intercourse with a minor and domestic violence in Riverside County, California. He is in federal custody pending prosecution for re-entry as an aggravated felon.

All persons apprehended by the Border Patrol undergo criminal history checks using biometrics to ensure illegal immigrants with criminal histories are positively identified.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials welcome assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free.Border News

Tucson, Arizona - Nogales Station Border Patrol agents apprehended two Tucson residents and seized six bundles of marijuana Thursday morning in downtown Nogales after the teenagers attempted to flee in a vehicle.

Border Patrol agents witnessed two males loading several large packages into a minivan near the International Boundary Fence before traveling to a local grocery store parking lot. When agents attempted a vehicle stop, the driver fled, engaging in evasive maneuvers during the pursuit around downtown Nogales before coming to an abrupt stop in the outbound lane of the Dennis DeConcini Crossing where the two suspects bolted from the van.

The two juveniles attempted to flee the scene on foot and nearby Nogales CBP officers and Border Patrol agents worked together to capture and detain the teenagers.

A subsequent search of the minivan yielded more than 135 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $111,000.

Agents turned the 17-year-old driver and 16-year-old passenger, vehicle, and marijuana over to the Santa Cruz High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force for prosecution.

Federal law allows agents to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of charges for criminal activity without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials welcome assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. Reporting illicit activity could result in saving someones life.Latest News

Washington, DC - The revolution in information technology over the past few decades has often been called a great equalizer, offering a lifeline to crucial opportunities in education, civic engagement, and entrepreneurship that were once inaccessible to many people around the world.

Yet just as the impact from digital technology is accelerating, far too many women are being left behind. According to USAID, more than a billion and a half women in low- and middle-income countries today still do not own mobile phones. At the same time, the gap in internet use between men and women has grown steadily during the past three years.

Through closing the digital gender gap, women can help pull their families out of extreme poverty and serve as active participants and leaders in their societies, USAID reports.

Today, as the world recognizes International Womens Day, Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump joined with USAID Administrator Mark Green to launch USAIDs next womens empowerment initiative, the WomenConnect Challenge. The WomenConnect Challenge is a global call for solutions designed to close the gender digital divide. USAID will identify and test the promising pilot approaches, with technical assistance and financial support, and then scale proven solutions for maximum reach and result.

Todays announcement follows more than a year of work from the Trump Administration to empower women and expand their economic opportunities. A few highlights: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...At one point in this three-storeyed plot, we see a kindly Muslim patriarchal shopkeeper offering verbal comfort to an abused wife. Before we get a chance to suspect his motives the storytelling moves on in search of other manifestations of suppressed pain in an environment that breeds a stagnant disingenuity in anyone who cares to partake of the life on offer in this haven of hopelessness.

That moment comes back to bite the very hand that feeds the plot when we recognize that comforting look in the patriarchal shopkeeper's eyes as the beginning of lust. Yup, no one is what he or she initially promises to be.

3 Storeys tucks away little surprises like notes pinned on the refrigerator, to be pulled out at a later time when we least expect it. This is a film with a strangely unfinished look. Many of the chawl scenes are shot on the studio floor giving the character's resonant wretchedness a precariously stagey look.

But we really don't mind the leeway given to artifice. Even in the most contrived moments, the characters have a way of rising above the artificiality.

There are three stories here, interwoven into a plot by a seductive wet-dream queen of a narrator, played by Richa Chadha with smoking-hot mischief. Early in the narrative, I realized we can't trust Chadha to tell the truth. Just how much of the wool she pulls over our eyes is a surprise that the plot saves up for the last. By then we are beyond caring about the veracity of the goings-on. All we want is to know what happens to the characters.

Every character, big or small, is written into the plot as a vivid entity. This is not to say that they are all satisfying in their dramatic thrusts. Often the people who populate Althea Delmas Kaushal's chawl are chimeric deceptions. They flatter to deceive, as the brutalized wife (Masumeh Makhija trying hard, and succeeding, in fitting into the battered mold) finds her lost beloved (Sharma Josh, characteristically reliable) in the chawl next door.

It is a wildly improbable coincidence and one that could have destroyed our precious belief in the story's power to heal. Miraculously the film tiptoes across the landmines that it suicidally lays out in the plot, like a night-time reveler walking across sleeping figures in his chawl after a night of partying.

This is a film that makes us forget it steep trespasses, and that one shocker which the narrative saves for the last when a Hindu-Muslim alliance must be called off for reasons that have nothing to do with love-jihad is so sickeningly incriminating it makes our blood boil.

Again we don't abandon the plot for crossing limits. This is one audacious game plan to embrace lives in a chaal in a sweeping sighing clutch last seen in Mahesh Manjrekar's Pran Jaye Pal Chawl Na Jaye. Almost every character is tangible and tactile. My favorite is Renuka Shahane's Goan matriarch Mrs Mendonca.

Her coffee conversation with Pulkit Samrat is the film's most lively talk point, brimming over with significances that both the actors savor like pieces of raisin in a fluffy plumcake. Shahane seen after a long time portrays the Goan Catholic woman as a mixture of Jennifer Kapoor's solitary spinsterhood in 36 Chowringhee Lane and Nadira's boisterous rum-swigging iconoclast in Julie. Pulkit Samrat provides Shahane with fine cues. This is one interesting actor waiting for the Big Bang in his career.

There is tenderness and brutality, sometimes in the same frame, as director Arjun Mukherjee tightens the screw on our perceptions of how unhappy people generate their moments of joy. 3 Storeys with its languorous pace doesn't quite have the grip of other segmented films like Crash and Bombay Talkies. But it has something far more valuable than grip. It possesses the wisdom to know what goes down need not necessarily come up. Sometimes we just need to let sleeping dogs lie.Delhi: One person was killed following clashes between two groups of Nigerian nationals in Chhatarpur area.

One accused has been detained by police. More details awaited.

Last year, four Nigerian students were attacked by a group of Greater Noida residents who took out a candle-light march yesterday after a 17-year-old boy Manish died last week in the NSG Black Cats Enclave due to suspected drug overdose. The protest march was taken out after the police released some Nigerians detained for questioning in connection with death of Manish due to "lack of evidence".

With ANI InputsNew Delhi: Asserting that India can "stand tall in a trade war", Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra has said the world needs access to the country's fast-growing large economy amid the US hiking tariffs on certain steel imports.

"Not sure why Indian markets seem so perturbed by the threat of global tariff wars. Small, export focused countries stand to lose. Countries with large domestic economies can easily withstand tariff threats. The world needs access to the fastest-growing large economy-India," the noted industrialist said in a tweet.

Not sure why Indian markets seem so perturbed by the threat of global tariff wars.Small, export focused countries stand to lose. Countries with large domestic economies can easily withstand tariff threats. The world needs access to the fastest-growing large economyIndia.(1/3)  anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) March 8, 2018

The chief of the diversified Mahindra Group further said that MNCs wanting access to India's markets will have to manufacture locally, which they will.

"So, no danger of drifting back to a socialist, stagnant economy. I'm no believer in protectionism and enjoy competing globally but I believe India can stand tall in a trade war," the Mahindra Group chief added.

MNCs wanting access to Indias markets will have to manufacture locally,which they https://t.co/rPJwAij7qb no danger of drifting back to a socialist,stagnant economy.Im no believer in protectionism&enjoy competing globally but I believe India can stand tall in a trade war(3/3)  anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) March 8, 2018

The Donald Trump administration in the US recently imposed hefty tariffs on imported steel and aluminium, citing national security concerns and the need to protect American industries from "unfair" business practices, triggering fears of a global trade war.

US President Donald Trump signed two proclamations that levied a 25 percent tariff on steel and a 10 percent tariff on aluminium imported from all countries except neighbouring Canada and Mexico.

India will wait for the notification to see the impact of tariff hikes, Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia had said even as there has been a global outcry over the US' decision to increase duties beyond its commitment at the WTO.

If India retaliates with tariffs,the effect will be very different from what it was https://t.co/fbItr5dRAL,Indias a free-market economy&can access global technology&capital to fuel its own innovative https://t.co/KTEwTlNBtbs resource-rich&can import commodities it lacks(2/3)  anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) March 8, 2018

Anand Mahindra, in another tweet, said, "If India retaliates with tariffs, the effect will be very different from what it was post-independence. Today, India's a free-market economy and can access global technology and capital to fuel its own innovative start-ups. It's resource-rich & can import commodities it lacks".

(With PTI inputs)Geneva [Switzerland]: India on Friday lashed out at Pakistan for playing the victim card after providing safe haven to 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden and UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed.

It is extraordinary that the state which protected Osama Bin Laden and sheltered Mullah Omar should have the gumption to play the victim, said India's Second Secretary Mini Devi Kumam while responding to Pakistan's accusations of human rights violations at 37th session of UN Human Rights Council.

"In gross violation of UN Security Council resolution 1267, the UN designated terrorists like Hafiz Mohammed Saeed are freely operating with State support, and the UN designated entities are being politically mainstreamed in Pakistan," added Kumam.

Saeed, the mastermind of 2008 Mumbai attacks, is the founder of banned terrorists organisation Lashkar-e-Toiba and the Jamaat-ud-Dawa. Following his release from house arrest by a Pakistan court last year, there was widespread global outcry. Saeed went on to launch his political party, and announced his decision to contest polls in Pakistan.

Asserting that Pakistan continues to support cross-border terrorism in India, Kumam added, "Even as terrorists thrive in Pakistan and roam its streets with impunity, we have heard it lecture about the protection of human rights in India. The world does not need lessons on democracy and human rights from a country whose own situation is charitably described as a failed state."

"They are raising funds in flagrant violations of Pakistan's international obligations," she added.

"We await credible action by the Government of Pakistan to bring all those involved in the 2008 Mumbai attack and the 2016 Pathankot and Uri attacks to justice," she said.

Kumam also demanded that Pakistan should end forced conversions and marriages of minorities; including Hindu, Sikh and Christian women, and prosecute all such cases.

India also highlighted enforced disappearances and unlawful killing of political dissidents by the Pakistani security forces.

"We urge the Council to call on Pakistan to stop targeting political dissidents and legitimate criticism in Sindh, Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and to stop torture, enforced disappearances and unlawful killing, including that of journalists and activists by its security agencies. Pakistan should also prosecute all perpetrators of such crimes," Kumam said.

India also demanded the end of sectarian violence, systemic persecution and attacks on Muslim minorities, such as Shia, Ahmadiyas, Ismailia and Hazaras in Pakistan.

With Agency Inputs1. UP shocker: Doctors use accident victim's amputated leg as pillow in Jhansi, probe ordered

In yet another incident showing the pathetic state of health services in Uttar Pradesh, the doctors at a government medical college in Jhansi allegedly used the amputated leg of a man, who was seriously injured in a bus mishap, as a pillow. Read full report

2. Education in India to go hi-tech; digital board to replace blackboard soon, says Prakash Javadekar

Human Resources and Development Minister Prakash Javadekar on Saturday said that the government aims to replace the blackboard with the digital board in the next five years. "Our aim is to replace blackboard with digital board in the next 5 years," he said. Read full report

3. Kareena's shocking revelation  'Saif was ready to change Taimur's name'

Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan on Saturday made a stunning revelation on the controversy surrounding her child's name post his birth and said that her husband and actor Saif Ali Khan was ready to change his name from Taimur to Faiz. Read full report

4. Class 9 student who ran away from home after failing maths test gifted 'Exam Warriors'

Anais Josemon (14), a Class 9 student of a convent school here, today virtually became the face of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's book Exam Warriors  a book on how to deal with exams  as she was rescued by the railways after she ran away from home for failing a mathematics test. Read full report

5. Would have thrown demonetisation file in the dustbin if I was PM: Rahul Gandhi

In yet another attack on the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that demonetisation was not a good initiative as it caused huge damage to the country's economy. Read full reportNew Delhi: Indian soldiers learning Chinese language (Mandarin) has not gone down too well with security experts in Beijing who fear the added skill set could prove to be a tactical advantage in case there are skirmishes in the future.

In February, news agency PTI reported that a group of 25 jawans and officials of the ITBP will take up a one-year certificate course in the Chinese language at the Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies in Madhya Pradesh's Raisen district. While India maintains that this could help minimise chances of misunderstandings in border areas, several security experts in China are a little jittery. While they agree that miscommunication may be prevented if Indian troops learn their language, they also warn of consequences in case of skirmishes or war. "Language ability can boost communication in peacetime, but in wartime, it is a weapon," Hu Zhiyong, a research fellow at the Institute of International Relations of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, told China's state-controlled Global Times. "India could come up with effective and targeted strategies once their troops can correctly grasp what their Chinese counterparts mean during war."

Song Zhongping, a military expert, went a step further and warned that India could seize control of border areas during any confrontation and even during calmer times, monitor Chinese movement better through any intercepted message. Many of them have even suggested in the past that Chinese troops need to learn Hindi.

This undercurrent of flayed nerves among security experts and analysts in China is indicative of the fact that while peace indeed prevails on the Sino-India border currently, memories of the Doklam faceoff several months back are still fresh. And while India remains committed to co-operation with the Chinese in numerous fields, the possibility of 'what if' still echoes on the other side of the border.New Delhi: France on Saturday pitched for starting negotiations over procurement of another batch of 36 Rafale fighters by India with French President Emmanuel Macron describing the fighter jet programme as a key aspect of the bilateral defence cooperation.

Sources said that there was a communication from the French government recently indicating its eagerness in making an announcement by the two sides favouring additional procurement of Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force, reported news agency Press Trust of India.

Officials said that the French side pitched for procurement of another batch of 36 Rafale jets by India during the talks between French Defence Minister Florence Parly and her Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman, reported Press Trust of India.

In the meeting, Parly said extending the current deal will further bolster defence cooperation between the two countries, they said. The Indian side conveyed that no decision has been taken yet on the issue.

Sources said that the issue of Rafale deal figured in the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Macron.

"India had made a sovereign decision in this respect (Rafale fighter jet) and we are monitoring the progress in the field. We very much want to continue the programme.

"It is a long-term contract which is mutually beneficial. I personally consider it as the heart of the strategic partnership," French President Macron said in a statement to media after talks with PM Modi.

India had signed a government-to-government deal with France in 2016 to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of about the Rs 58,000 crore. The Congress has been demanding details of the deal, alleging that the deal negotiated under its rule was much cheaper than the contract signed by the Modi government.

The Indian Air Force has also been favouring procurement of more Rafale jets from France. It had communicated to India earlier too, seeking additional orders of Rafale jets.

In the talks, PM Modi and French President Macron noted with satisfaction the "on-schedule" progress in the implementation of acquisition-related agreements, including the Rafale fighter jet deal, a joint statement issued after Modi-Macron talks said.

"They looked forward to continue their discussions to expand and deepen the ongoing defence manufacturing partnerships," it said.

(With PTI inputs)New Delhi: The government has decided to provide full pension pay to armed forces personnel killed or injured guarding India's border with China. The decision comes eight months after the Doklam standoff which saw Indian Army and PLA troops almost coming to physical blows.

While families of soldiers were previously entitled to 30 per cent of the last emoluments, government officials have said that the 'liberalised family pension' allows for 100 per cent of the last-drawn emolument. This was previously applicable only for soldiers deployed along the international border with Pakistan. Security analysts and defence experts are underlining that extending it to Sino-India border is a sign of the government's renewed focus towards not just tightening security but to also boost troop morale. However, the Army's demand to implement the decision with retrospective pay from June of 2017 has been rejected.

According to a defence ministry notification, the family pension scheme for the armed forces personnel deployed along the Sino-India border came into effect from March 7. It said the cases which were settled prior to the issue of the notification will not be "reopened".

Ties between the two countries along the border - especially around the Doklam area - remains frosty. Although troops of both sides had already withdrawn from the disputed Doklam territory, and although the Indian government has maintained that peace prevails, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently did reveal that there is a lot of construction activity on the Chinese side in the region. China also recently increased its defence budget significantly - alarming not just India but several other countries as well.NEW DELHI: Inaugurating the National Legislators Conference Prime Minister in Parliament complex on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the lawmakers to work with a spirit of competitive and cooperative federalism which he said will be very good for the country. "It is essential to identify the areas where districts need improvement and then address the shortcomings. We have the manpower, we have the skills and the resources. We need to work in a Mission Mode and bring a positive change. Our aim is social justice," he said.

He also added that we need to learn from each other, develop all districts by learning what is good in the other. "Once we decide to change even one aspect in the districts, we will get the momentum to work on the other shortcomings. In every state, there are a few districts where development parameters are strong. We can learn from them and work on weaker districts," he said.

He also appealed to the lawmakers to make the public involved in the work that is being done in districts across the country. "Public participation always helps. Wherever officials have worked with people and involved in the development process, the results are transformative," he said.

The National Legislators Conference aims to work as a platform to allow lawmakers to learn from each other's success stories. The theme of the two-day event is 'we for development' which proposes to offer a special opportunity to those delegates whose constituencies have greater possibilities and aspirations of development.New Delhi: Western Railway recently installed a sanitary pad dispenser in the Mumbai-Delhi Rajdhani Express in an effort being hailed by women passengers. While the machine has been installed on trial basis, theire is a strong possibility of such dispensers being installed in several other trains as well.

The dispenser was installed in the Rajdhani to add to the convenience of women passengers at a time when the government is trying to promote and secure women's well-being and health. The train became the first in the country with such a machine. "It is useful for women passengers in long-distance train journeys. We will extend this plan in other trains as well," Western Railways Chief Spokesperson Ravinder Bhakar told news agency ANI. "This is the first train in India in which a sanitary pad dispensation machine has been installed."

In a country where studies like one carried out by The Neilson Company and NGO Plan India have shown that almost 88 per cent of Indian women do not use or do not have access to sanitary pads, the decision to install vending machines on a train can indeed be a big boon. While each pad in the vending machine costs Rs 5, the government - on International Women's Day - also launched biodegradable sanitary napkins at Rs 2.50 per pad.New Delhi: India and France signed 14 agreements on the sidelines of French President Emmanuel Macron's four-day visit which began from Friday night. Highlighting the need for a strategic partnership between the two countries, Macron said it was time for the two great democracies of the world to work even closer.

India and France signed agreements on civil nuclear cooperation, space cooperation, transfer of electric mobility for Indian Railways etc. Macron, 40, hailed it as a new era in ties between the two countries. "India has been France's first ally in the region. It is the entry point for France in the region, and my aim is to make France the entry point for India to Europe," he said in a joint statement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Analysts had already predicted Macron pitching France as India's gateway to Europe after UK's exit from the European Union. And this is not just limited to trade and commerce but even in terms of people-to-people contact. "I think our countries have a very good chemistry. Our two great democracies have a historic relationship," he said, adding that cultural ties to much reach newer highs.

President Macron, who arrived in New Delhi late Friday night with wife Brigitte and top French businessmen and officials, was greeted by PM Modi at the airport. The two shared a warm embrace. On Friday, Macron inspected a Guard of Honour, visited Raj Ghat and met Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj before holding a bilateral meeting with PM Modi. The two leaders will now co-chair the founding conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) on Sunday.New Delhi: Actress-turned-politician Jaya Prada on Saturday said senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Mohd. Azam Khan had harassed when she was seeking re-election from Rampur constituency in Uttar Pradesh in 2009. She then compared him to Khilji's villainous character in Bollywood film Padmaavat.

Jaya Prada in May of 2009 had accused Azam Khan of resorting to cheap tactics to bring her image down. She maintained her charges on Saturday. "When I was watching Padmaavat, Khilji's character reminded me of Azam Khan ji, how he had harassed me during elections when I was contesting," she told news agency ANI.

When I was watching #Padmaavat , Khilji's character reminded me of Azam Khan ji, how he had harassed me during elections when I was contesting: Jaya Prada pic.twitter.com/NVRi59aK8A  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 10, 2018

The veteran actress had previously said senior party leader Azam Khan was distributing CDs with morphed and objectionable photos of her. She had even threatened to complain to the Election Commission at the time before eventually managing to get herself re-elected. She would eventually be expelled from SP on charges of anti-party activities.

The 55-year-old has since repeated her accusations against Azam Khan on several occasions.Mumbai: Patel quota leader Hardik Patel on Saturday said regretted that not meeting Congress president Rahul Gandhi ahead of the Gujarat assembly elections was a mistake as it would have prevented the BJP from retaining power in the state.

The 24-year-old Patidar quota agitation leader said that Congress  the main opposition party - would have got an absolute majority had he met Rahul Gandhi.

Hardik Patel had pledged to support Congress in the Gujarat assembly polls held in December last year.

"I have said this before as well and I am saying it now. I did not meet Rahul Gandhi. If I can openly meet Mamata Banerjee, Nitish Kumar and (Shiv Sena president) Uddhav Thackeray, there was no issue in meeting Rahul, '' Hardik Patel said while speaking at a media event in the national capital.

"It was a mistake. Had I met him, the BJP would have won 79 and not 99 seats," he added.

The BJP retained Gujarat by winning 99 seats in the 182-member Assembly. The Congress improved its tally, but could not oust the saffron outfit from its stronghold.

After dilly-dallying for weeks, Patel had, in November-end, declared that his Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) would back the Congress in the Gujarat polls, after the latter accepted its demand for reservation to the Patidar community.

Patel also reiterated that he was offered a bribe of Rs 1,200 crore from a high-ranking bureaucrat of Gujarat to get the agitating Patels call off their quota stir.

Accusing the Gujarat government of slapping sedition charges against those who participated in the quota agitation, Hardik said, ''many innocent people were killed in Gujarat during the quota agitation and many who were charged with sedition had to make regular court visits now.''

"We also voted for (Narendra) Modi when he was the prime ministerial candidate. We had thought the youth of this country would get jobs...The farmers of the country would get a fair price for their produce, but all these things did not happen," he added.

The Patidar leader also said that the BJP ran a communal election campaign, but once it came to power, it started speaking about inclusiveness.

Top leaders of the saffron outfit were part of such campaigns, he alleged.

Referring to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's recent remarks on Eid celebrations, Patel said the political discourse needed to be more positive, so that people from different communities were encouraged to celebrate their respective festivals.

Speaking at the event, student leader Kanhaiya Kumar said there was a trend in the country of Congress leaders leaving the party, joining the BJP and turning virtuous individuals overnight.

"The BJP has become like a washing machine," he added.

(With PTI inputs)New Delhi: Travel by train has several perks over taking the aerial route even though the cost of flying in India has come down significantly over the last decade or so. Nonetheless, there is something that flight companies do not allow - transferring your ticket to someone else. But that is not the case with Indian Railways.

If, for any unforeseen reason, you have to transfer your confirmed train tickets to someone else, it is indeed permitted and the process is far simpler than what you may have thought before. Following are certain simple points to keep in mind when making such a transfer.

* A passenger can transfer his or her ticket to another member of his or her family by making a written submission 24 hours prior to departure of the relevant train. Father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, wife, and husband are relations accepted under this category of transfer.

* A government servant on duty can transfer his or her ticket with a written request 24 hours prior to departure of the relevant train.

* In case a student of a recognised educational institute wants to transfer his ticket, he or she will have to procure a written request from the head of the institution and submit it 24 hours prior to departure of the relevant train. In such a case, the transfer can only be made to another student of the same institution.

* Members of a marriage party can designate any one person as head of the group and he or she can make a written request for a transfer 48 hours before the departure of the relevant train. Such requests, however, would only be granted once.

* NCC cadets too can transfer their confirmed tickets to other cadets provided they submit a written request from an officer 24 hours before scheduled departure of the train.

* In case of student groups, NCC cadets and large groups for marriage, Indian Railways has announced that transfer can only happen for up to 10 per cent of the total members in the said group. The rule of granting change only once also applies here.New Delhi: Anais Josemon (14), a Class 9 student of a convent school here, today virtually became the face of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's book Exam Warriors  a book on how to deal with exams  as she was rescued by the railways after she ran away from home for failing a mathematics test.

Depressed for not being able to secure the pass mark in maths, Josemon left home on March 8 and boarded the Tamil Nadu Express from the Nizamuddin station here with a plan to go to Chennai and enrol for Bible classes, her mother Ivon Peters told Press Trust of India.

She was rescued from the Bhopal railway station yesterday. Today, the 14-year-old girl went to meet Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, who gifted her the book penned by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Peters (45), who works as a nanny, said her daughter was not good in maths and that she had performed well below par even in her last exam.

She also claimed that the school did not respond to her queries to discuss the matter.

"The schools just do not bother. They just refused to speak to us. I wish I had told the minister about this. This is a huge problem, which affects the students," Peters said.

She added that her daughter, who was rescued yesterday, returned home after being away for over 36 hours.

The 14-year-old girl would have remained as one of the many children rescued by the railways, if not for Goyal's tweet about her.

"Met Anais Josemon from New Delhi who ran away from her home due to exam pressure and now rescued promptly by Railways and reunited with her family. Also gave her a copy of the book @ExamWarriors penned by PM @NarendraModi and told her 'be an Exam Warrior, not Worrier' (sic)," the railway minister tweeted.

Met Anais Josemon from New Delhi who ran away from her home due to exam pressure and now rescued promptly by Railways and reunited with her family. Also gave her a copy of the book @ExamWarriors penned by PM @NarendraModi and told her 'be an Exam Warrior, not Worrier'. pic.twitter.com/txgfXdpTyf  Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) March 10, 2018

The railway ministry has brought all the major stations under the ambit of "Operation Muskaan", a campaign aimed at rescuing missing children.

According to data provided by the ministry, from 2014 to 2016, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) had rescued 20,931 children, including 1,317 (944 boys, 373 girls) trafficked children, who were found from across the railway network.NEW DELHI: French President Emmanuel Macron, who is on a four-day visit to India, on Saturday interacted with students at Delhi's Bikaner House. Inviting them to France he said, "I think we need more exchange between our people, our students. I want most of the researchers to come to France and I am happy to be here today."

"We are in the middle of revolution on digital era and climate change. We need more speediness. What we need is a change in mindset, facilitate entrepreneurship, increase risk takers' numbers. Artificial Intelligence is big game changer but you need to start it from the ground," Macron said.

The French President further said, "Most of the issues we have today, on climate, on terrorism are because of the short-term vision of most of the leaders. They were greedy."

"I want to double the number of Indian students coming to France and also want to increase the number of French students going to India," he added.

French President #EmmanuelMacron after concluding the interaction with students at #Delhi's Bikaner House. pic.twitter.com/zvqHkOKHzE  ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018

President Macron, who arrived in New Delhi late Friday night with wife Brigitte and top French businessmen and officials, was greeted by PM Modi at the airport. The two shared a warm embrace. On Friday, Macron inspected a Guard of Honour, visited Raj Ghat and met Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj before holding a bilateral meeting with PM Modi.

This is Macron's first visit to India after he assumed office in May in 2017.New Delhi: Congress President Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to meet French President Emmanuel Macron during his four-day India visit. According to sources, the meeting is slated for Sunday after Gandhi returns from his two-nation visit to Thailand and Singapore that is part of his overseas Indians outreach plan.

The Congress, which has launched a tirade against the government over the Rafale deal that Prime Minister Narendra Modi struck during his visit to France in April 2015, however, said that the issue would not be raised during the meeting.

"The Congress party will not discuss India's defence deal with the head of state of a foreign country. This is our internal matter and this discussion the government has to do with France and not the Congress. We are demanding answers from our government and not from the French government," Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said.

Alluding to the Rafale deal, he said that when one goes to buy something, the buyer has to ensure whether the product is good or not, as the seller will obviously say his product is good. The buyer has to decide looking at his pocket, Surjewala said.

"The government has to ensure that its money is not wasted and gets the best deal in the least money. There should be no loss to the state exchequer. It is not the responsibility of Mr Macron, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Defence Minister, on which they have failed," he alleged.

The Congress has been attacking the government on the Rafale deal and demanding answers from it over the price of the aircraft. The Congress on Friday alleged that the government has caused a loss of Rs 12,612 crore to the state exchequer by buying the aircraft from Dassault Aviation, the French manufacturer of Rafale fighter jets.

The party alleged that the company sold each jet to India at Rs 351 crore more than those sold to Qatar and Egypt 11 months ago.

The government has refused to divulge details of the purchase price of Rafale jets due to the "secrecy clause" in the agreement signed with the French government.

Surjewala said if a president or prime minister of any country come to India, "He is our guest and there are no differences between the government and the opposition".

The heads of state formally meet the opposition leaders, as they had been meeting Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley in the past, he said.

Gandhi, who is the leader of the principal opposition party in the country, has been meeting visiting heads of state and government after he took over as party chief. He recently met visiting Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen and Canadian Premier Justin Trudeau.

He was in Italy during Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang's visit, who met UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.New Delhi: The first Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in association with South Asian Region nations will be held off the coast of Kerala from March 12 to 17.

The multilateral exercise named Samvedna would involve representatives from air forces of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and the UAE, a Defence Ministry release said on Saturday.

Curtain Raiser #ExSamvedna : IAF gears up for a Multilateral AirForce Exercise,12-17Mar18. Being executed by SAC, It's a 1st composite HADR Air Ex in SouthAsianRegion focusing on HADR solutions in Multi-National Cooperative Disaster Management Environment.

Read: fb/IndianAirforce pic.twitter.com/nsdQEvoRzO  Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) March 10, 2018

The objective of the exercise is to galvanise all stakeholders in synergising unified HADR efforts, it said. The entire settings of the exercise are based on a scenario of a tsunami in the western coast of India originating from an earthquake in Makran subduction zone and resulting in post-tsunami disaster management along the western coast and western islands of India.

The exercise, spearheaded by IAF and conducted by Southern Air Command (SAC), will ensure better understanding and sharing of response procedures between a number of friendly neighbouring nations.

Samvedna, which means 'Empathy', would be focused on practising Air Force-centric HADR solutions in a Multi-national cooperative Disaster Management environment.

The exercise will provide a clear understanding of the scope, role and task, including challenges in air operations and ensuring better understanding and sharing of response procedures among the nations.

The broad format of the exercise will include ground training and flying exercise.

The first day of exercise would be dedicated towards pre-exercise ground training with an aim of getting all participants on a common platform. The Table Top Exercise on March 13 and 14 would be aimed at setting up a scenario of pre and post Tsunami disaster requirements and guide participants to work out Air Force Centric HADR solutions.

Flying cum Field Training Exercise on March 15 and 16 will be conducted from the dispersal area of Air Force Station Trivandrum to practice the flying/ field activities undertaken by Air Forces towards HADR under controlled conditions.

This exercise would help in putting in place a basic framework for the conduct of Joint Air HADR operations, which will be further refined during subsequent exercises. This exercise is expected to lead to more coordinated and efficient HADR Air operations in the entire South Asian region when the need arises.

(With Agency inputs)NEW DELHI: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Saturday re-elected Suresh (Bhaiyaji) Joshi as the Sarkaryawah (General Secretary) for a period of three years.

Maananeeya Sri Suresh ( Bhaiyaji) Joshi re-elected as #RSS Sarkaryavah (General Secretary) for a period of 3 years (2018-2021) by the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha at Nagpur. #RSSABPS pic.twitter.com/e8ul1iqhyr  RSS (@RSSorg) March 10, 2018

Joshi has been elected by Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha, the executive head of the organisation who looks after its day-to-day activities.

On Friday a crucial triennial meeting of the RSS took place to chalk out its agenda and course of action for the next three years.

The post of Sarkaryawah which is effectively the number two after Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat.

Joshi was unanimously re-elected as the RSS general secretary for a third time in March 2015. Joshi was re-elected by 1,400 delegates from across the country at the all-India Pratinidhi Sabha of RSS, the highest decision-making body of the Sangh, at its meeting in Nagpur.

The RSS elects its only general secretary every three years at the all-important meeting of its delegates from its branches across the country.

Reports suggest that Joshi had, however, expressed his desire to be relieved from his post.NEW DELHI: Commerce and Industry minister Suresh Prabhu will now hold the additional charge of Ministry of Civil Aviation.

"The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has directed that Suresh Prabhu, Cabinet Minister shall be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, in addition to his existing portfolio: Rashtrapati Bhawan," tweeted the President's office on Saturday.

As advised by the Prime Minister, #PresidentKovind has directed that Shri Suresh Prabhu, Cabinet Minister, shall be assigned charge of the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, in addition to his existing portfolio  President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 10, 2018

Earlier this week, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) pulled out from the National Democratic Alliance or NDA government, following which TDP lawmaker Ashok Gajapathi Raju resigned from the post of Civil Aviation Minister.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi temporarily held the portfolio for a day, before announcing Prabhu as the new Civil Aviation Minister.

Along with Raju, TDP lawmaker Y S Chowdary, who held the portfolio of Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, also resigned.

In 2017, Prabhu was moved out of the crucial railway ministry following a series of train accidents. During a cabinet reshuffle in September last year, he was given the charge of Ministry of Commerce and Industry.New Delhi: French President Macron on Saturday said defence ties with India had reached a new high after the two nations signed a key security accord for the Indian Ocean to counter China's growing influence in the region.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who is in India on a four-day state visit, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held delegation-level talks in the national capital on Saturday.

"Defence cooperation between the two countries now has a new significance," Macron said as a gushing Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood by his side.

Under the deal, India and France will open their naval bases to warships from each other, a move seen as an attempt to undermine China's territorial ambitions.

"A strong part of our security and the world`s stability is at stake in the Indian Ocean," Macron said.

"The Indian Ocean, like the Pacific Ocean, cannot become a place of hegemony," he added in an apparent reference to China.

Modi, who welcomed Macron with a bear hug on his arrival Friday, said the accord was crucial as the Indian Ocean region would play a "very significant role" in the days to come.

The comments from the leaders followed a slew of agreements signed by the two countries in the spheres of defence, space and clean energy.



"From the ground to the sky, there is no subject on which India and France are not working together," said Modi.

A technical agreement was also signed on the French-assisted nuclear power project at Jaitapur in western Maharashtra state.

Sources in the French presidency told news agency AFP they were optimistic of a final agreement being signed before the end of the year.

The $9.3-billion framework agreement for six nuclear reactors was signed during a visit to India in 2010 by then-president Nicolas Sarkozy.

But the project has since run into stiff opposition from environmentalists concerned about seismic activity in the area and fears about the safety of nuclear power in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan.

Earlier in the day, Macron talked about his personal rapport with Modi which was established after their meeting in Paris last year.

"I think we have very good chemistry, our two great democracies have a historic relationship," the French president said.

Modi broke protocol to receive Macron at the airport, exchanging warm hugs and robust handshakes.

"You welcomed me in Paris last year with an open heart and a lot of warmth. I am happy that I have got an opportunity to welcome you in India," Modi said at the start of his speech Saturday.

On Sunday, Macron will attend a solar power summit designed to showcase India and France's commitment to fighting climate change, which both leaders have made a priority.

Travelling with his wife Brigitte, France's 40-year-old president will also visit the monument to love, the Taj Mahal, a few hours drive from the Indian capital on Sunday.

On Monday, he heads to the chaotic Hindu holy city of Varanasi on the banks of the river Ganges, which the Indian premier has promised to modernise and clean up.

Macron's visit comes after a somewhat misstep-laden visit to India by Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.

Both he and Macron are often compared internationally because of their broadly similar political views, as well as youth and good looks.

But Trudeau's visit hit a series of embarrassing bumps and he received a fairly cool reception during his stay in India.

Trudeau was pilloried on social media and in the Canadian press for donning traditional Indian clothing at every opportunity.

And there were red faces when it emerged a former Sikh militant was invited to a dinner with him in Mumbai.

Macron has so far opted for more sober and predictable dress  a dark suit.

(With AFP inputs)Mumbai: A protest march by 30,000 farmers against the failure of the BJP-led government to address agrarian distress, that started from Nashik, has reached Bhiwandi on Saturday.

According to ANI, the protest march led by All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), which began on Tuesday, is expected to reach Mumbai on Sunday.

Thane: All India Kisan Sabha's protest march continues. Over 30,000 farmers are heading to Mumbai from Nashik, demanding a complete loan waiver among other demands. The march will reach Mumbai on 12th March. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/2o8sybpCPZ  ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018

The protesting farmers plan to stage a protest outside the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on March 12, demanding fair remuneration and loan waiver.

Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena has extended support to the farmers' 'long march' currently underway against the BJP government.

Ajit Nawale of the All India Kisan Sabha, which has organised the march, said that senior Sena leader and PWD Minister Eknath Shinde met protesting long march leaders when it entered neighbouring Thane earlier this morning.

Nawale said, "Shinde welcomed the protestors in Thane district and extended support to the demands of the farmers.

He said that Shinde was conveying the message of Sena president Uddhav Thackeray.

Similarly, Abhijit Jadhav, an emissary of MNS chief Raj Thackeray, also met us and got me in touch with the MNS chief over phone. The MNS too has extended support to our demands," he added.

The march has been organised to protest the failures of the state BJP government on the farm front, including issues like farm loan waivers, remunerative prices for produce, non-implementation of the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission as well as the Forest Rights Act, he said.

Protesting farmers have demanded a change in the plan to link rivers in Nashik, Thane and Palghar to ensure that tribal lands are not submerged and water from the scheme be made available to these areas as well as other drought-prone districts, organisers said.

They said that farmers were also protesting against the state government's land acquisition for projects like high speed rail and super highways.

"We are demanding an increase in pension schemes for poor peasants and farm workers, compensation for losses due to bollworm and pest attacks and rehauling of the public distribution system," he said.

Police said that traffic diversions and alternate routes had been set in place for motorists on the Eastern Express Highway through which the march will enter the city on Sunday.

The march will be attended by AIKS national president Ashok Dawale, CPM MLA J P Gavit, state president Kisan Gujar and working president Arjun Ade among others.

(With Agency inputs)Mumbai: Former Maharashtra chief minister Narayan Rane will contest the biennial Rajya Sabha polls from the state from the BJP quota, said reports on Saturday.

Rane will file his nomination papers on Monday.

Rane has accepted the BJP's offer of Rajya Sabha nomination and will file his papers on Monday," PTI quoted a source as saying.

However, there is no official confirmation in this regard.

March 12 is the last day for filing nominations for the March 23 election to the Upper House of Parliament.

The polls are being held for 58 Rajya Sabha seats across states, of which six are in Maharasthra.

Rane quit the Shiv Sena in 2005 and later joined the Congress.

He ended his over-a-decade-long association with the Congress in September last year.

The former Shiv Sena chief minister subsequently formed his own party, the Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksh, and allied with the BJP-led NDA.

The 65-year-old Konkan strongman, along with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, had met BJP president Amit Shah in New Delhi last week.

Rane had subsequently told reporters that the saffron party had offered him a Rajya Sabha berth.

The BJP can get three candidates elected to the Rajya Sabha, given its strength of 122 MLAs in the 288-member House.

Union Human Resource Development Minister and BJP leader Prakash Javadekar filed his nomination papers yesterday.

The BJP is yet to announce its third candidate. The source further said that Rane may also be inducted into the Fadnavis ministry when its expansion or reshuffle took place.

(With PTI inputs)Mumbai: Actress Kirti Kulhari, geared up for her upcoming 'Blackmail' with Irrfan Khan, says she was numb to see the speculation that followed her co-star's revelation about his health scare. She has urged the media to use its power responsibly.

Last week, after Irrfan took to social media to tell fans that he is suffering a "rare disease", some sections of the media started speculating about the health issue that he is facing.

It made Kirti upset.

"I was numb... Not by hearing the news because it was all rumour, but thinking about how can some people be so insensitive. The same thing happened after the demise of Srideviji. I think media should be little more responsible because it has a huge power," Kriti told IANS.

"Media is one of the key collaborators with people like us (actors) and we always give media THE right information. Speculations and tampering of facts are really immature, and in these kinds of situation, insensitive. As we all know that power comes with great responsibility, media should practice it accordingly," she said.

Of her experience of working with Irrfan, she said: "He has a great sense of humour, he is very well-versed in cinema and fun to chill out with. I also went to his place and met his wife. They are really good people."

'Blackmail' is releasing on April 6.

Having started her career in 2009, Kirti acted in some critically acclaimed films like 'Shaitaan', 'Jal', 'Pink' and 'Indu Sarkar'. However, she is hardly seen in the media apart from when the release of her film.

Considering how the media builds the image of an actor, asked about does she choose to remain out of the spotlight, Kirti said: "Well, I want to talk when my film is coming because people know me as an actress. It makes more sense, and therefore, I talk only about it rather than my beauty routine and other things.

"I want to be remembered as an actress. I am not saying there is anything wrong with what others are doing, but I am like this."

Her unusual thought also reflects in the choices that she has made in films -- whether it is that of a brat in "Shaitaan", a village girl in "Jal", an independent woman in "Pink" or a poet with speech disability in "Indu Sarkar".

Doesn't she want to play a quintessential Bollywood heroine?

"We have grown up watching those films where the female protagonist is dancing around the tree and lip-syncing. But we all know how cinema is changing and I get excited when I do a role that is out-of-the-box and very different. In my new film Blackmail' also, my character is much layered and there are little grey shades," said Kirti.

"In fact, I want to play a character that I cannot relate to, that is not me from any angle. That will excite me to perform," added the actress, who is also upbeat about her new web show and short films.

She has done a web show about four girls from south Mumbai. It is directed by Anu Menon.

That apart, she features in two short films 'Maya' and 'Popsickles', which she says are on "very beautiful subjects".Mumbai: After Nawazuddin Siddiqui's name cropped up for allegedly spying on his wife, the actor has dismissed these as "random allegations".

"Last evening, I was helping my daughter to prepare her school project Hydroelectric Power Generator and went to her school this morning for Project Exhibition. To my surprise, the media had questions about some random allegations on me. #Disgust," Nawazuddin tweeted on Saturday morning.

The acclaimed award-winning actor has been accused of spying on his wife. His name cropped up after the Thane police's Crime Branch nabbed 11 persons, mainly private detectives, who were involved in the Call Detail Records (CDR) scam.

According to statements by some of the accused, Siddiqui had allegedly acquired CDRs of his wife's phone through an advocate by hiring a private sleuth to keep an eye on her contacts and whereabouts.

The police on Friday said Nawazuddin has not responded to police summons in this matter.Mumbai: Actor Rahul Roy, who starred in the original 'Aashiqui', is looking forward to his return to the big screen with 'Welcome To Russia'.

"I'm happy with the production. It is being shot very well technically and has a good love story and good music," Rahul said in a statement.

Rahul plays Arsan in the movie, directed by Nitin Gupta and produced by Neole Films.

"The character is half Russian, half Indian, a high ranking cop in Russia, also a marksman, a thoroughly corrupt cop who is involved with the Russian mafia. My look and role is very different and exciting. This film will be released this year and I am looking forward to it," he added.

Rahul had last year said he hopes to explore different areas of Indian cinema.

He said he had not worked in India for a long time as he was in Australia for nine years before deciding to come back in 2015.

During the peak of his career, Rahul featured in Hindi movies like 'Junoon' and 'Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee'. Much later, he won the first season of TV reality show 'Bigg Boss' in 2007.New Delhi: The body of 23-year-old television actress Moumita Saha was on Saturday found hanging from the ceiling of her room in her residence in Kolkata.

The police told DNA that Moumita used to live alone at the rented place in south Kolkata. On Friday, unable to get through to her on phone, her parents called up her landlord who, broke open her room and found her hanging from the ceiling.

As per reports, the police have recovered a suicide note from the flat where the actress was staying alone.

"The house owner informed us today after the door of the flat was not opened since last afternoon," DNA quoted a police officer saying. "No foul play is suspected prima facie and there has been no complaint so far. The body has been sent for a post-mortem and a case of an unnatural death has been initiated," he added.

Police are looking into her mobile phone call list to ascertain if there was any abetment to suicide.

Meanwhile, it has also not been ascertained if she was in an inebriated state when she took the step. A probe has been initiated into the death of the actress, who police said could be under 'severe depression'.

As per DNA sources, Moumita had been trying to get a break in the film industry for quite some time.London: Tech giant Google announced that with the latest update on its web browser, Chrome, users can now export passwords stored in the built-in password manager.

The new update, Google said, will allow users to move to a third-party password manager, like 1Password or LastPass with ease, as per a report that appeared on expree.co.uk.

This essentially means that Chrome users will be able to export their saved passwords in a text file in a simpler way. While it was possible to do this earlier as well, but with the new feature that Google is planning, the process will get much easier.

To install the new functionality, users of the desktop and Android version of Google Chrome may type the command "chrome://flags/#PasswordExport" into the address bar and hit the Enter key.

After this, the user may head to the Manage Passwords tab in the Settings menu to find the all-new overflow icon just before the list of Saved Passwords.

Upon clocking this, the user will be presented the option to export passwords with prompt asking users to confirm the download. Passwords exported from Google Chrome are then saved in a .csv file.

While password managers are a great way to ensure users have a unique login for each account, Google cautioned users that their passwords can be read in plain-text by anyone who has access to the file.

Recently, Google rolled out the Chrome 65 for desktops and Android. The Chrome version 66 is expected to hit beta soon and then the stable version will arrive. Exporting should be available across the line on Mac, Windows, Linux, Chrome OS, and Android.

(With ANI inputs)Agartala: A senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader has asked Biplab Kumar Deb, the newly sworn-in Chief Minister of Tripura, to get septic tanks of his official residence cleaned before moving in.

Sunil Deodhar, the BJP's national executive committee member and the party's in-charge for Tripura, has also requested Deb to have the septic tanks of all state ministers official residences cleaned before they are occupied.

Though there is no direct link between the recovery of woman's skeleton and Deodhar's demand for getting all septic tanks cleaned, he appeared to be hinting at the possibility of more skeletons being hidden by the CPI-M ministers.

Sunil Deodhar, who is believed to closely associated with BJP's parent organisation the RSS, has claimed that a woman's skeleton was found in septic tank at former chief minister Manik Sarkar's house in 2005.

"These people lived there for 25 years and there have been political murderers, so I've requested Biplab Deb to get septic tanks of all ministers' quarters cleaned before they occupy them," Sunil Deodhar said on Saturday.

Woman's skeleton was found in septic tank at Manik Sarkar's house in 2005.These people lived there for 25 years&have been political murderers, so I've requested Mr. Biplab Deb to get septic tanks of all minister quarters cleaned before they occupy them: Sunil Deodhar,BJP #Tripura pic.twitter.com/oQkvufemAJ  ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018

Deodhar also took to Twitter and tweeted how the CPI-M government led by Manik Sarkar deliberately suppressed the matter.

I request @BjpBiplab, new CM of Tripura, to get septic tanks of all minister quarters cleaned before occupying them. It should be recollected that a womans skeleton was found in septic tank of Ex CM Manik Sarkar's quarter on Jan 4, 2005 but the case was deliberately suppressed.  Sunil Deodhar (@Sunil_Deodhar) March 10, 2018

Deodhar, who is widely credited for BJP's victory in Tripura assembly polls, hails from Mumbai.

He had shifted his base to Tripura a little over two years ago to build BJP's campaign against the ruling Left Front government.

52-year-old Sunil Deodhar, a former RSS man, was made the BJP state in-charge of Tripura ahead of the assembly elections.

Deodhar had also worked as a national coordinator of the North East India Communication Cell set up by Nitin Gadkari when the latter was the BJP's national president.

Importantly, Deodhar was also PM Narendra Modi's campaign manager in Varanasi during the 2014 General Elections.

Before that, he worked as BJP's poll strategist from Dahod district in Gujarat in 2013, under the then- CM Modi.

Deodhar had worked in Meghalaya as an RSS pracharak in the past.

Working as state in-charge in Tripura, Deodhar started a campaign named Modi Doot Yojana, which had BJP workers distribute booklets on Modi government schemes in local languages.

Deodhar made a decision to form a pre-poll alliance with Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) in January to contest in tribal majority areas.Jhansi: In yet another incident showing the pathetic state of health services in Uttar Pradesh, the doctors at a government medical college in Jhansi allegedly used the amputated leg of a man, who was seriously injured in a bus mishap, as a pillow.

The doctors at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College had allegedly put the amputated leg under the victim's head in order to help him.

However, the sight of a person's amputated leg being used as a pillow scared those present thee.

#UttarPradesh: Attendants of a patient allege that staff at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, Jhansi used his severed leg as a pillow for him after he was admitted there upon meeting with an accident, College Principal says 'We've set up committee to probe & will take action'. pic.twitter.com/lJFJ3SCjWf  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 10, 2018

The shocking incident came to light after a local TV channel aired visuals of the victim's amputated leg being used as a pillow as he lay on a stretcher inside the casualty ward of the hospital.

The man, who was a cleaner in a school bus, had sustained serious injuries when the bus carrying children of a private school turned turtle in a bid to avoid a collision with a tractor in Mauranipur area in Jhansi district on Saturday.

The cleaner was immediately rushed to the Jhansi medical college hospital where the doctors amputated his leg to prevent the infection from spreading, reports said.

The hospital officials, however, denied that the amputated leg had been used as a pillow but added that a probe had been ordered into the reports to this effect.

''He was given immediate medical aid. The doctor looked for something to raise his head. Patient's attendant used the leg for the same. We've set up a committee. Strict action will be taken if our staff is found to be at fault,'' Sadhna Kaushik, Principal, Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, said.

He was given immediate medical aid. Doctor looked for something to raise his head. Patient's attendant used the leg for the same. We've set up committee. Strict action will be taken if our staff is found to be at fault: Sadhna Kaushik, Principal,Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College pic.twitter.com/mLk6udOU1w  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 10, 2018

However, there are conflicting reports regarding the incident.

While some claimed that victim's leg was amputated at the hospital, some others said that the leg had been severed in the mishap and the family members had brought it to the hospital.

Later, Chief Medical Superintendent of the hospital Dr Harischandra Arya too confirmed that a probe had been ordered into the matter.

This comes in the wake of reports that sweepers and ward boys have been treating the patients and even performing minor surgeries in the district hospitals in UP.LUCKNOW: The Allahabad High Court on Friday directed the Uttar Pradesh government to postpone the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) Examinations which were to be held on March 12 for appointment of teachers in government primary schools in the state. The examination has been postponed till further notice by Allahabad High Court.

The decision was taken after the Examination Regulatory Authority has been asked to evaluate the answer sheets again of the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) which was conducted on October 15. Several applicants had filed petitions stating that filed 14 questions were wrong. The examination authority has been asked to delete the 14 contentious questions and prepare fresh results. The court has given the panel one month to announce the final results.

Teacher Eligibility Test known as TET is an examination to appoint primary and secondary teachers. It is conducted by the state government and central government. The TET is mostly conducted for the recruitment of lower and upper primary teachers in schools from Class 1 to Class 8. Most of the states conduct their own TET.

Candidates should have following qualifications as prescribed by the NCTE. The State governments may change the qualifications and eligibility requirements as per the GOs issued by them.

To qualify to appear for Uttar Pradesh TET, a candidates should have passed Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 45 per cent marks. Those appearing in final 2 year Diploma in Elementary Education / 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.) / 2  year Diploma in Education in Special Education are also eligible. Candidates with BA / B.Sc. with at least 50 per cent marks and B.Ed qualification can also apply.

The TET this year was held to recruit 68,500 teachers in primary schools. Over 3.5 lakh candidates had registered for TET, and 2.76 lakh had appeared for the examination which was held on October 15. In the result which was declared on December 16, only 11.1 per cent candidates were declared successful.COLUMBIA: US President Donald Trump said Saturday that China`s President Xi Jinping is being "helpful" as the United States moves toward a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Trump gave few details in a tweet about his telephone conversation with Xi Friday, but the White House had said the two leaders committed to keeping the pressure on North Korea until it takes "tangible steps" toward denuclearization.

Trump stunned the world this week by accepting an invitation to meet Kim before the end of May, an unexpected turnabout after months of intensifying brinksmanship that sent tensions soaring.

Trump tweeted that Xi "appreciates that the U.S. is working to solve the problem diplomatically rather than going with the ominous alternative. China continues to be helpful!"

The White House said the ever-more-powerful Chinese president committed to "maintain pressure and sanctions until North Korea takes tangible steps toward complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization."

In another tweet Saturday, Trump said Japan`s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also was "very enthusiastic" about talks with North Korea.

Trump praised a possible future agreement with the communist North as "very good" for the international community as a whole in a Friday tweet.

"The deal with North Korea is very much in the making and will be, if completed, a very good one for the World. Time and place to be determined," Trump wrote.

North Korea`s ambassador to the United Nations, Pak Song il credited the turnabout to Kimm`s "broadminded and resolute" decision to contribute to peace and security in the Korean Peninsula.

"The United States should know and understand our position and should further contribute to the peace and security-building in the Korean Peninsula with [a] sincere position and serious attitude," he wrote in an email to The Washington Post on Friday.

As aides scrambled to catch up with Trump`s decision, taken before consulting key confidantes, the White House sent mixed messages about conditions.

"They`ve made promises to denuclearize, they`ve made promises to stop nuclear and missile testing," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.

"We`re not going to have this meeting take place until we see concrete actions that match the words and the rhetoric of North Korea," she told reporters.

Officials behind the scenes said this did not constitute a change of heart.In the Hague, former secretary of state and Trump rival Hillary Clinton questioned the administration`s readiness for the diplomatic challenge ahead.

"If you want to talk to Kim Jong Un about his nuclear weapons you need experienced diplomats," Clinton told Dutch tabloid Algemeen Dagblad in an interview published Saturday.

She said the State Department was "being eroded," and experienced diplomats on the North Korean issue were in short supply because many have left.

"You cannot have diplomacy without diplomats," she said, adding "the danger is not being recognized by the Trump government."

Clinton`s words echo those of veteran diplomat and former US ambassador to the United Nations, Bill Richardson, who warned that negotiating with North Korea was not "reality television."

"It`s a real opportunity... I worry about the president`s unpreparedness and lack of discipline. But I commend him for his very bold move in accepting the invitation," Richardson told AFP on Friday.

"But this is not `The Apprentice` or a reality TV event. It`s a negotiation with an unpredictable leader who has at least 20 nuclear weapons and who threatens the United States," he said.Mauritian President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim will step down next week, the country's prime minister said on Friday, after she was accused of using a credit card issued by an international non-governmental organisation to buy clothes and jewellery.

Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauthrime told reporters Gurib-Fakim would resign after March 12, after the celebration of the country`s 50th anniversary. He did not comment on the row over credit card expenditure but he has previously said everyone should shoulder their responsibility, when asked about the issue by reporters.

Gurib-Fakim, a chemistry professor, was appointed to the largely ceremonial post in 2015, as the island nation`s first female president, has denied any wrongdoing and said she had refunded all the money in question. "I do not owe anything to anybody. Why is this issue coming up now almost a year later on the eve of our independence day celebrations," she said in a March 7 speech.

The local L`express newspaper reported that the President had shopped in Italy and Dubai, using a credit card issued by Planet Earth Institute. The organisation supports education by offering scholarships, and the President served there as an unpaid director. The newspaper reported that the card was to promote a doctorate programme named after the President.

Planet Earth Institute was not immediately available for comment.

-----------------------------

Zee News edit - Gurib-Fakim tweeted late Friday night that she is still the President of the country and that the inquiry set-up will absolve her of all charges.

It is being reported that I am resigning.. I am still in post..  Ameenah Gurib-Fakim (@aguribfakim) March 9, 2018

ALL ALLEGATIONS.... truth will come out when inquiry over... https://t.co/M6TkR7hsO9  Ameenah Gurib-Fakim (@aguribfakim) March 9, 2018

Mauritius is currently undergoing tremendous political turmoil with opposition leaders accusing the government of dictatorial leanings.Washington: President Vladimir Putin suggested in a US television interview that Ukrainians, Tatars or "Jews," could have meddled in the 2016 US presidential election - but not the Kremlin.

"Why have you decided the Russian authorities, myself included, gave anybody permission to do this?" Putin asked in the often-combative interview with NBC television.

The leading US intelligence agencies concluded last year that Putin personally directed an intelligence effort to influence the 2016 US presidential election to undermine Democrat Hillary Clinton's campaign and boost Republican Donald Trump.

Last month US Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is conducting a widespread probe into Russia's role in the campaign, indicted 13 Russian nationals and three Russian companies for allegedly backing Trump, maligning Clinton, and engaging in other election interference.

"So what if they're Russians?" Putin said of the allegations, according to transcripts of the NBC interview released late yesterday.

"There are 146 million Russians. So what?... I don't care. I couldn't care less... They do not represent the interests of the Russian state."

"Maybe," Putin said, "they are not even Russians but Ukrainians, Tatars or Jews, but with Russian citizenship, which should also be checked; maybe they have dual citizenship or a green card; maybe the US paid them for this.

"How can you know that? I do not know either." Despite Mueller's 37-page indictment, Putin said he has seen no evidence thus far that the alleged meddling broke any laws.

"We in Russia cannot prosecute anyone as long as they have not violated Russian law... At least send us a piece of paper... Give us a document. Give us an official request. And we'll take a look at it."

Trump has repeatedly denied any collusion with Moscow, and Putin laughed at the mere suggestion.

"Could anyone really believe that Russia, thousands of miles away... Influenced the outcome of the election? Doesn't that sound ridiculous even to you?" Putin asked.

On announcing the indictment on the Russians, US Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said the document made no judgment on whether the alleged Russian propaganda campaign altered the election outcome.

"It's not our goal to interfere. We do not see what goal we would accomplish by interfering. There's no goal," Putin said.

US intelligence chiefs last month said Russia still seeks to meddle in US politics, posing a threat to mid-term congressional elections in November, and the 2020 presidential election.

Trump has acknowledged that Russia and "other countries" meddled in the 2016 election, but insisted it had "no impact on our votes whatsoever" and vowed to make sure it wouldn't happen again.

"We'll counteract whatever they do. We'll counteract it very strongly. You don't want your system of votes to be compromised in any way," Trump said Tuesday. "And we won't allow that to happen."

Russian efforts, however, are said to go far beyond US elections: US General Curtis Scaparrotti, the commander of NATO forces in Europe, told US lawmakers on Thursday that Russia is working to break up the NATO alliance partly through its online operations spreading false information.

"Russia is carrying out a campaign of destabilisation to change the international order, fracture NATO and undermine US leadership around the world," Scaparrotti told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday.By VIJAI MAHESHWARI

KIEV  Welcome to Europes Wild East.

Forty-year-old Pavel Lerner, the CEO of Exmo Finance, a popular bitcoin exchange, was leaving his office on the day after Christmas when he was accosted and dragged into a black Mercedes-Benz by armed men in balaclavas. The leading Russian blockchain expert was released 48 hours later after paying a million-dollar ransom in bitcoins from his digital wallet.

News of his kidnapping shocked the global crypto-community and even caused bitcoins price to briefly plummet. But the abduction was just one in a rapidly growing list of developments that have shocked Ukraines burgeoning cryptocurrency industry, a scene that straddles a wide gray zone between legit and totally illegal.

In Ukraines winter of crypto-discontent, not a week goes by without news of another raid on a crypto-mining operation  a system where fast processors solve complicated mathematical equations before verifying transactions on blockchains and are rewarded in cryptocurrencies.

Early last month, Ukrainian police raided the Kvazar semiconductor plant in Kiev, seized more than $4 million of computer equipment used to mine cryptocurrencies, including 1,000 graphics cards and 1,500 hard disks. Authorities say the police found details of accounts in Russian banks during the raid. They claim profits from the mining operations were used to finance the separatist regions of Donetsk and Lugansk.

Currency that is officially banned in Ukraine has been used to buy military equipment, weapons and ammunition for the illegal armed groups, Ukraines Deputy Prosecutor General Anatoliy Matios said.

The raid came just one month after armed men from Ukraines SBU, or Security Service, stormed the Odessa offices of ForkLog, a leading Russian-language blockchain news site, and confiscated its computers and hard drives, claiming without proof that they were illegally sending cryptocurrencies to separatists in the Donbas.

Anatoly Kaplan, Forklogs chief editor, also claims that rogue agents transferred bitcoins worth a staggering $800,000 from his digital wallets into anonymous accounts. I was sure that Ukraine would become an Eastern European safe haven for block projects and cryptocurrencies, Kaplan wrote in an article. I was very naive and quickly have been proven wrong.

How did Ukraine, which prides itself on being one of the most progressive countries of the former Soviet Union, become cryptos Wild East?

One of the main reasons is that cryptocurrencies and their mining exist in a legal gray zone, and Ukraines distracted and paranoid government (which sees everything through the lens of its war with Russia) is dragging its feet passing the relevant legislation.

Neighboring Belarus  sometimes called the North Korea of Europe  legalized cryptocurrencies and ICOs (Initial Coin Offerings) in December, and has made mining tax-free for the next five years in a bid to boost its growing IT sector. Even authoritarian Russia  which has been hostile to an unregulated internet  has drafted a law, expected to be passed this March, that would legalize cryptocurrencies and gives miners special energy quotas and a two-year tax break.

Smaller former Soviet states are also jumping on the crypto bandwagon, with both Armenia and Georgia hoping to legalize cryptocurrencies, ICOs, and mining later this year.

In Ukraine, by contrast, some government officials see cryptocurrencies as a security threat rather than a possible boost to their economy. The countrys security services fear  without providing any concrete proof so far  that the digital currencies are being used to finance separatists in the east.

Lack of regulation means that cryptocurrencies are being used to finance terrorism, in particular, in the occupied territories of Ukraine, Ukraines interior ministry said in a recent statement.

Ukraine belatedly created a working group on cryptocurrency regulation in early January to study the blockchain space and propose the relevant legislation, including the legalization and taxation of mining. But no laws have been proposed to parliament yet. Unlike its neighbors, Ukraines cryptocurrency stance is still cryptic, at best. A much-awaited statement by the State Financial Monitoring Service of Ukraine in early March only stated that changes to the legal status of cryptocurrencies are expected soon.

The fuzzy legal status of cryptocurrencies has encouraged lawlessness and greed. With no fears of a government pushback, Ukraines security services are playing hardball with miners, confiscating their equipment, and allegedly stealing their cryptocurrencies as well.

In the latest outrage, Ukraines SBU in early February seized $4 million worth of mining equipment from the Kvazar semiconductor plant in Kiev.

With bitcoins price hitting $20,000 at its peak late last year  before a dramatic crash in early January  and government salaries in Ukraine stuck under $500 per month, its no wonder that some envious state actors now want to crash the party.

The SBU has released a video claiming that confiscated mining equipment would be sold at a government auction, but theres been no mention of the millions of dollars in cryptocurrencies miners say were stolen from them.

Organized crime groups and other nefarious characters, meanwhile, are also taking advantage of the legal vacuum and actively targeting the countrys lucrative blockchain industry.

It is open season on bitcoin in Ukraine now, the English-language Kiev Post warned in a recent editorial. The thousands of people who mine virtual money in Ukraine should either know they are protected by the law or seriously consider whether its worth the risk doing this kind of business here, it said.

This twin assault on the countrys burgeoning blockchain space sets a dangerous precedent and might throttle the countrys booming IT industry. Ukraine has more than 100,000 software developers, and is fourth in the world in the number of IT professionals, after the United States, India, and Russia. The countrys fast-growing IT industry had revenues of over $4 billion last year and accounts for almost 10 percent of Ukraines GDP.

Ukrainians are also on the forefront of the cryptocurrency revolution with hundreds of startups in the blockchain space. There are numerous conferences on blockchain technology and meetups of blockchain enthusiasts in the countrys major cities. Its now even possible to settle the bill at some restaurants in Kiev with cryptocurrencies.

There are also more than 5,000 BNK-24 ATMs across Ukraine, where people can exchange their cash for bitcoin. Meanwhile, even the Ukrainian government has talked about moving its notoriously efficient auctions of state property onto a blockchain, making them public and fully transparent.

President Petro Poroshenkos short-sighted government, which seems exclusively focused on ensuring its victory in next years presidential election, needs to step up its game or risk derailing the countrys cryptocurrency movement. Legislation legalizing cryptocurrencies and mining need to be passed in the near future to stanch the lawlessness.

Otherwise, Ukraine risks losing out to its less progressive neighbors. And not just to Russia and Belarus: Even the breakaway Donbas region of Ukraine recently announced plans to follow Russias lead and legalize cryptocurrencies and mining in the near future.

That would indeed be poetic justice: The war-torn and industrial Donbas, with its numerous coal mines, is also the heartland of Ukraines traditional mining industry.

Read original text here: https://www.politico.eu/article/bitcoin-ukraine-became-the-wild-east-of-cryptocurrencies-blockchain/Open source

One Ukrainian soldier died and one was wounded over past 24 hours in Donbas conflict zone. this was stated in the press centre of Donbas headquarters on Facebook.

"As a result of enemy's firing one Ukrainian soldier died. One more defender was injured. He was taken to the hospital to receive medical assistance," the message says.

Representatives of the press centre added that two shootings at Ukrainian positions were recorded over past 24 hours. It is noted that the terrorists were shooting at ATO positions near Vodyane and Avdiivka (Donetsk region) from small arms.

Earlier, another ceasefire, set by the Trilateral Contract Group came into force in Donbas at midnight on March 5. Later, it was reported, that the militants shot at Ukrainian positions in an hour after the ceasefire had started.

News from Ukraine on 112.internationalOn March 9, pro-Kremlin militants violated the ceasefire three times. One Ukrainian fighter deceased, another one sustained combat wounds. The HQ of the anti-terrorist operation reported that on Facebook.

In Luhansk region, the enemy fired small arms, attacking Ukrainian army emplacements near Stanytsia Luhanska.

In Donetsk region, illegal armed units used small arms to attack outposts near Avdiivka and Vodyane.

News about Ukraine at 112. internationalOpen source

From the beginning of the day on March 10, illegal armed groups carried out three shellings of Ukrainian positions. This is reported by the press center of the headquarters of Donbas conflict on its Facebook page.



It is noted that in the Luhansk direction, militants from grenade launchers and small arms fired at Ukrainian positions near the settlements of Novhorodske and Malynove.



"In the Donetsk region, the invaders from large-caliber machine guns and small arms fired at Ukrainian strong points near Vodyane, which resulted in the death of one Ukrainian soldier who was wounded and transferred to a military medical hospital. He was provided with the necessary medical assistance," the headquarters said.



As reported, over the past day, March 9, the militants violated the ceasefire regime One Ukrainian fighter was killed, another one was injured.

Related: Who is Sergei Skripal, ex-spy poisoned in the UK?Open source

A Russian-linked group of hackers, who recently attacked government websites, stole documents, among which were those that related to Ukraine. This is reported with reference to its own sources by the German Der Spiegel.



In particular, among the six files that were stolen, there were documents that related to negotiations between Britain and the EU regarding Brexit, as well as EU negotiations with Ukraine and Belarus.



At the same time, it is stressed that the leakage of documents concerning Ukraine and Belarus was controlled: it happened already after the security service learned about the cyberattack.

Related: New law on healthcare comes into force in Ukrainepresident.gov.ua

The decision "on raising the level of ambitions of Ukraine regarding the Alliance" became a recognition of the real state of relations between Ukraine and NATO. This is noted in the statement of the President of Ukraine in Facebook.



"I am grateful for the firm position of support of Ukraine, for which one of the key priorities of national security is to achieve the criteria for membership in the Alliance," Poroshenko said.



According to the president, Ukraine's next goal is the Membership Action Plan (MAP) for Ukraine. He added that in a letter to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in February this year he officially recorded Ukraine's desire to become a member of the Alliance.



We recall, today it became known that NATO has officially recognized the desire of Ukraine to become a member of the Alliance.

NATO admitted Ukraines aspirations to obtain full membership in the Alliance and gave it a NATO aspirant status. Relevant renewals were noted on the NATO official website in the section dedicated to organizations extension.

Four partner countries declared their aspirations to NATO membership: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, former Yugoslavian republic Macedonia, and Ukraine, NATO representatives reported on the website.

NATO aspirant status means that the state officially declared its interest in joining the Alliance and gets an invitation to join the Intensify dialogue with NATO concerning membership and reforms related to it.The UAV flew along the disengagement line in Donetsk and Luhansk region, never crossing it

RQ4A, the U.S. Air Force drone airliners.net

RQ-4B Global Hawk, the UAV of the U.S. Air Force conducted another reconnaissance flight over the division line in Donbas - the day after another drone hovered over the disputed Ukrainian territories in Donbas and Crimea.

Interfax-Ukraine reported that referring to the Western aviation sources.

The drone took off Sigonella airbase on Sicily and entered the airspace of Ukraine, having crossed the Romanian-Ukrainian state border. It flew over central Ukraine and then along the division line in Donbas, but never crossed it.

The UAV flew at the altitiude of 16 kilometers.

Since the beginning of this month, Global Hawk conducted at least five flights over the disputed Ukrainian terriroties.The Treaty is not applied to arrest or detention of any individual for the purpose of their release, including military crimes

Act on Ratification of Treaty with Thailand in terms of mutual legal support in the criminal investigation came into force in Ukraine.

The Treaty was concluded in Bangkok on June 5, 2017.

According to the Treaty, Ukraine and Thailand agreed to provide each other with legal support in the criminal investigation, prosecution and other criminal proceedings concerning criminal cases, whether the assistance is requested or provided by the court or another relevant authority.

The Treaty arranges actions within the legal support and the information on requests of one of the parties.

The Treaty is not applied to arrest or detention of any individual for the purpose of their release, including military crimes. The state may refuse to provide support in a political crime. Yet, the party has to inform another one about the reasons for its refusal.

The state does not refuse to meet the request referring to bank secrecy.

The Treaty stipulates that the information and evidence received can be used only for purposes indicated on the request. Otherwise, a state has to receive an assent from the partner country.

Either party may terminate the Treaty any time by sending a written notification. The document will become invalid in six months.

As we reported earlier, Pavlo Klimkin, Ukraines Foreign Minister, paid a working visit to Indochina, where he stated that Ukraine and Thailand agreed on mutual support in criminal investigation.This was a result of negotiations between Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze and Rose Gottemoeller

Open source

NATO admitted Ukraines aspirations to obtain full membership in the Alliance and gave it a NATO aspirant status. Relevant renewals were noted on the NATO official website in the section dedicated to organizations extension.

Four partner countries declared their aspirations to NATO membership: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, former Yugoslavian republic Macedonia, and Ukraine, NATO representatives reported on the website.

NATO aspirant status means that the state officially declared its interest in joining the Alliance and gets an invitation to join the Intensify dialogue with NATO concerning membership and reforms related to it.

Earlier, NATO officially denied Ukraines purpose to become a member of the organization, the website said that Ukrainian authorities did not claim their official aspiration to the membership. Besides, tensions between Ukraine and Hungary complicated the procedure of gaining a NATO aspirant status.

According to the EuPravda, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, Vice-Prime-Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine met with Rose Gottemoeller, Deputy Secretary General of NATO on Friday evening. As a result of negotiations, the Alliance agreed to admit aspirations, declared by Verkhovna Rada on June 8, which lead to NATO membership, one of the strategic aims of the country.

It is a long way from the declaration of aspirations to the membership. It consists of internal work, but we can make this way successful, if we purposefully introduce changes in compliance with democratic, social, economic, political and, of course, NATO military principles and approaches, Klympush-Tsintsadze said.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!)YEREVAN, MARCH 10, ARMENPRESS. As part of a visit to the United States, the Armenia-USA friendship group delegation of the Armenian parliament had meetings on March 9 at the White House and the Congress in Washington D.C.

The Armenian delegation was received by Catherine Croft, head of the European affairs department of the White House National Security Council.

During the meeting the Armenian MPs presented to the White House official several issues concerning regional security, namely they stressed the need for more targeted statements regarding ceasefire violations in the NK line of contact and the peaceful settlement of the conflict.

The Armenian-Turkish protocols and their termination was touched upon, as well as details of the recently signed agreement between Armenia and the EU.

The MPs noted that Armenia is the only country to have signed an agreement with the European Union while also being a member of the EEU.

Later on the same day the Armenian lawmakers had a meeting with experts of the Helsinki Foundation.

During the meeting the MPs briefed on the domestic reforms, anti corruption measures and other actions which are carried out in the context of transitioning to a parliamentary system.

Issues related to regional security, as well as the necessity of Armenias membership to the EEU were discussed.

English translator/editor: Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, MARCH 10, ARMENPRESS. Uruguay has agreed to extradite a notorious drug trader known as the "cocaine king of Milan" back to Italy, BBC reported.

Rocco Morabito was arrested last year in the Uruguayan resort town of Punta del Este, where he had been living under a false identity for about a decade.

The suspected head of the 'Ndrangheta crime gang has been one of Italy's most wanted fugitives since 1995.

Uruguayan media said that he was extradited on the basis of prior convictions for links to organised crime and drug trafficking - issued in absentia - rather than for a new trial.

Morabito's lawyer told the newspaper he plans to appeal the ruling on the basis that the extradition treaty between the two countries does not cover convictions issued in absentia.

The 'Ndrangheta gang controls about 80% of Europe's cocaine trade. Police say Morabito was behind the smuggling of hundreds of kilos of cocaine from Brazil to Italy.

English translator/editor: Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, MARCH 10, ARMENPRESS. Former US Senator Mark Kirk says he owes his life to an Armenian soldier. The American politician made the remark in his speech March 9 when the Armenian parliamentary delegation awarded Kirk with the Medal of Honor of the Armenian National Assembly in Washington D.C.

Many years ago when Mark Kirk visited Armenia as an ordinary staff member of the Congress, he went to the frontline to get acquainted with the situation, and if it werent for an Armenian soldier standing next to him, this couldve been the last visit of the US politician, Voice of America reports.

We were in a trench near Terter, we were looking at Azerbaijani positions. I mistakenly raised my head up and right at that moment I felt the hand of the Armenian soldier on my collar, who pulled me back. An Azerbaijani bullet passed through the very place were my head was seconds ago. The Armenian soldier saved my life, and it was a lesson for me that you cant raise your head from a trench, Mark Kirk said.

The Senator learned another lesson from this visit also. He emphasized that history has been unfair towards the Armenian people and that historic justice should be restored, firstly by recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Who remembers the Armenians  the Senator repeated the infamous statement of Adolf Hitler. Who remembers the Armenians? I remember the Armenians, and none of us should forget the Armenian Genocide, the Armenian people, the wonderful, creative people, Kirk said.

Bryan Ardouny, Executive Director of the Armenian Assembly of America, and Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee  two most important organizations of the Armenian community of the US, say that the volume of pro-Armenian work of Mark Kirk in the capacity of Senator was unprecedented.

Armenias Ambassador to the US Grigor Hovhannisyan thanked the US politician on behalf of Armenia.

You have captured your unique place in our hearts, and we hope that Armenia has its place in yours, the Ambassador said.

Upon bestowing Mark Kirk with the medal, Vice Speaker of Parliament Arpine Hovhannisyan said that many years ago when she was following Mark Kirks activities she couldnt imagine that she would be the one awarding the medal to him.

I couldnt even dream about having the honor to award the Senator with his medal, she said.

Upon knowing that Arpine Hovhannisyan is representing the Republican Party of Armenia, the party which holds majority in the parliament, the Senator, who is a Republican, immediately joked: If things go bad in the US and Donald Trumps Republican administration fails, we, US Republicans, will probably move to Armenia to request asylum.

English translator/editor: Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, MARCH 10, ARMENPRESS. Russian President Vladimir Putin says that regardless of age any president should work vigorously, RIA Novosti reports.

As far as I know there are numerous current presidents in the world who are older than me, and they are working very actively, Putin said in an interview to the American NBC, when asked about his age and work.

Putin says politicians should use their entire potential in their work.

There are many people like this in the world, in Europe and elsewhere. But when somebody becomes president, he must work like as it is the first and last time, Putin said, stressing that he will follow the Constitution.

He stressed that he has never violated or changed the Constitution.

English translator/editor: Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, MARCH 10, ARMENPRESS. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he has never read the tweets of his US counterpart Donald Trump.

Putin also mentioned that he doesnt have any social media account since he has other ways of expressing his opinions and realizing his decisions, RIA Novosti reports.

Donald Trump is a more modern man, Putin said jokingly.

English translator/editor: Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, MARCH 10, ARMENPRESS. Fishermen have discovered a strange fish-monster on the shores of Queensland, Australia. The creature weighed 150kg and was 2 meters in length, ABC reported.

Ive seen many kinds of fish of various sizes, but Ive never seen anything like this, Riley Lindholm, the man who discovered it, said.

A spokesperson for Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) said it had consulted with experts at the Queensland Museum to identify the species of fish, ABC reports.

Although, the "condition of the fish made a definitive identification difficult", it appeared to be a Queensland groper, the QBFP said.

"How the fish came to be washed up on the beach and its cause of death also could not be determined," the spokesperson said.

"The Queensland groper is a no-take species  in Queensland, catching and possessing this fish is prohibited.

"If accidentally caught, protected species should not be removed from the water  they should be immediately and carefully returned to the water."

English translator/editor: Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, MARCH 10, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), which spearheaded a decade-long Armenian American advocacy campaign leading up to the 2015 signing of the U.S.-Armenia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), welcomes the upcoming March 19th meeting in Washington, DC of the working council created by this bilateral economic accord, ANCA reported.

We look forward to the upcoming TIFA Council meeting in Washington and want to share our special thanks with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative  led by Ambassador Lighthizer  for hosting this constructive platform for the expansion of U.S.-Armenia commercial relations, said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. We also want to express our appreciation to all those who, in the years leading up the May 2015 TIFA signing, joined with the ANCA and other key stakeholders in making this accord a reality  every dedicated official at USTR or State Department, every Armenian official, every American legislator who weighed in, every activist who wrote a letter, every corporation that raised its voice. You made a difference then, and you will again, as we seek a new U.S. Double Tax Treaty, a long overdue next step in the growth of U.S.-Armenia economic relations.

The Armenian delegation to the TIFA talks will be led by the Deputy Minister of Economy, Hovhannes Azizyan. In recent weeks, senior U.S. and Armenian officials, including U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills and Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan have each underscored their commitment to taking the concrete steps needed to further expand the U.S.-Armenia economic partnership.

The ANCA began advocating for a TIFA a decade ago, working with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative during the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations.

English translator/editor: Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, MARCH 10, ARMENPRESS. Lt. General Levon Mnatsakanyan, defense minister and commander of the Defense Army of Artsakh, has summoned a consultation on March 10 involving deputy commanders of the military, heads of departments and units of the staff and commanders of military bases, the defense ministry of Artsakh told ARMENPRESS.

The consultation focused on ongoing and future processes of the armed forces. The defense minister issued relevant instructions to the officials concerning the discussed matters.

English translator/editor: Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, MARCH 10, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani central electoral commission has registered another three candidates for the upcoming presidential election, making the number of candidates 7.

Local media said the commission has registered Faraj Guliyev from the National Revival Party, Hafiz Hajiyev from Modern Musavat Party and Razi Nurgulayev from National Front.

The presidential elections will take place April 11.

Earlier the commission confirmed the candidacies of incumbent president Ilham Aliyev, independent candidate Zahid Oruj, Araz Alizade from Social Democracy and Hudrat Hasanguliyev from the National Unified Front.

A number of opposition parties, namely the National Council, Peoples Front and Musavat had announced they were boycotting the elections.

The campaigning period will start March 19 and will end April 10, a day ahead of the election.

English translator/editor: Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, MARCH 10, ARMENPRESS. Davit Babayan, spokesperson of the President of Artsakh, says the reports on subjecting Azeri citizens Dilham Askerov and Shahbaz Guliyev to physical and moral tortures in Nagorno Karabakh are absurdity.

Commenting on a recent statement attributed by Azerbaijan to an organization called International Human Rights Defence Committee, which said that the illegal border crossers Askerov and Guliyev are being subjected to physical and moral torture in Nagorno Karabakh, the presidential spokesman said: After studying the statement of this organization it becomes clear that it has been written in Baku, or in Sumgait, it isnt also ruled out that this organization is based in Azerbaijan. This statement is another propaganda mugham of Azerbaijan, which the Azerbaijanis are offering to its society.

Mr. Babayan says the statement is none other than information terrorism.

The International Committee of the Red Cross is regularly visiting Askerov and Guliyev and assesses their condition. They have never been subjected to any kind of violence, be it physical or moral, Mr. Babayan said.

The Artsakh presidential spokesman called on the international community to inquire on the conditions of Armenians who are jailed in Azerbaijan for some reasons, or the conditions of the political prisoners of Baku itself. In this case everyone will have an understanding on what the situation is like in Azerbaijan, he said.

Dilham Askerov is serving a life sentence in Artsakh, while Shahbaz Guliyev was sentenced to 22 years imprisonment for espionage.

The two saboteurs had infiltrated Artsakh and kidnapped a minor at gunpoint, who was later discovered dead in a forest.

English translator/editor: Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, MARCH 10, ARMENPRESS. Turkey is ready to respond to possible US sanctions, foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told Zeit, a German newspaper.

Asked how Turkey plans to respond to possible sanctions, which are being debated in the US Congress, the Turkish FM said: If they want to punish Turkey with sanctions, Turkey will react differently than Russia and other countries.

We will respond. You shouldnt threaten us. The US is threatening many, saying approximately dont buy gas from this or that country. You cant do that, Cavusoglu said.

English translator/editor: Stepan KocharyanNEW YORK CITYCockyBoys has released a new scene from their new popular content format CockyBoys: Fans Only! CockyBoys Exclusive Boomer Banks is back with a new scene shot for his CockyBoys' Studio imprint, BoomBoxxx. Fans will see Boomer as never before as he explores and experiments with a variety of men, boys and (boy)toys that he has relationships with both on and off camera. In the current scene, he is with longtime friend Adam Ramzi who makes his condom-free debut with Boomer in a chemistry-laden and passionate encounter that should delight any porn fan.

This "five star scene" shows that both men can give it as much as they can take it, as both guys flip each other in various positions with some serious intensity. When it's all said and done, they share a sweet, affectionate post-sex kiss, as natural as their longtime friendship and natural chemistry.

The goal of CockyBoys: Fans Only! is to help their many exclusive performers produce the best quality content, within industry standards, so that their hard work can also live beyond just the curated space of CockyBoys. Beyond being paid for their work and effort, the exclusive performers who produce content for CockyBoys will also be paid a percentage of gross revenue from all exploitation of their work in DVD, VOD, and licensing.

The company plans to present more new CockyBoys: Fans Only! content from Ricky Roman, Levi Karter, Taylor Reign, Cory Cane, Boomer Banks, and many more in the coming weeks.SAN FRANCISCOToday, NakedSword Originals announces that Berkeley: Sophomore Year, the follow-up to their 2016 hit DVD centered around their home town of Berkeley, California is now available on DVD via online and wholesale. Additionally, all individual scene downloads are for sale on the NakedSword and Falcon Studios Group Store at store.nakedsword.com.

Shot on location by NakedSword's acclaimed Director mr. Pam, the new series, Berkeley: Sophomore Year, is a love letter to the progressive and vibrant town nestled in the hills of Northern California. The first movie depicted the streets teeming with sexy young men, drawn to the area by the promise of higher education, a thriving arts community, rich cultural diversity, and the uninhibited liberal lifestyle that the bay area is famous for. But a lot can change in a year! In Berkeley: Sophomore Year, the campus is rife with protests and unrest that reflect the challenging social climate of today's politics. Berkeley: Sophomore Year centers around political dissent and addresses the free speech marches and ANTIFA protesters that have come about in the past year.

Berkeley: Sophomore Year features a talented and sexy cast including campus alumni recruiter Wesley Woods, who finds out how far potential freshman Timothy Drake is willing to go for his admissions. Worlds collide while preparing for a campus rally when Berkeley's Republican Club President, Leo Forte, butts heads with Democratic Club president Timarrie Baker. Their heated debate about "free speech" fuels hot sex between the ex-boyfriends. Meanwhile two hardcore ANTIFA protestors, Justin Brody and Teddy Bryce, enjoy a post-protest fuck-fest fueled by a violent political clash on campus. Back on campus, hung professor Dallas Steele fucks horny student David Emblem in the infamous psych-building gay cruising bathroom, only to be shocked when the boy says, "See ya in class, professor!" Will it be a masturbatory memory or a #MeToo moment? Find out in NakedSword Originals' new Berkeley: Sophomore Year!

NakedSword's award-winning director mr. Pam said of the new movie, "This movie was so amazing to make, in part due to the fact that our offices are in Berkeley which was ground zero for the Free Speech movement and protests over the last year. We literally had windows broken right in front of our office. Tim Valenti and I felt we should address it in the follow-up to Berkeley and make a movie that was both sexy and current. I feel we definitely did that and then some with this unique and super sexy DVD."

Berkeley: Sophomore Year is now available on DVD from retailers and e-tailers everywhere!

For DVD wholesale purchasing, contact John Gunderson ([email protected]). Contact Toby J Morris ([email protected]) for additional image assets, information and access to the Falcon Studios Group Media FTP.LOS ANGELESSix of iWantClips most popular artists will celebrate March with a Snapchat Takeover, offering fans a glimpse into their sexy lives.

Through our Snapchat takeover, fans will have a chance to get up close and personal with our beautiful and eclectic artists, said Alex Lecomte, Director of Marketing for iWantEmpire, which operates iWantClips. Its a great opportunity to explore the unique personalities that are behind each artistic vision. If you arent already on Snapchat, let our takeover schedule be your incentive.

Participating in the newest edition of iWantClips Snapchat Takeover are Katya Dovana, Miss Foxx UK, Callie Black, Molly Majesty, Spoiled Ivory and Goddess Erryn. To visit their stores, click on the links. Katya Dovana and Miss Foxx UK kicked of the month of sexy takeovers. The incredible lineup continues with the blonde vixen Callie Black on March 12, then sexy college coed Molly Majesty on March 14, femdom brat Spoiled Ivory on March 19, and the redheaded femdom beauty Goddess Erryn who will close things out on March 21.

As part of the Snapchat Takeover, each artist will share scenes from their lives with iWantClips fans all over the world. From pretty college coed and sexy webcam starlets to fetish enthusiasts eager to explore their sexuality with a worldwide audience, fans will see for themselves the diverse artistry iWantClips has to offer by visiting Snapchat throughout the month.

To join the fun, click Snapchat on your mobile device and add iWantClips.

For more info, visit iWantClips.com.LOS ANGELESWho wants to go to one of the most tourist-friendly cities in the world, meet with the top leaders in their industry, and learn all the latest tricks in the online trade?

Even more important, who wants to pay less than half price for this invaluable business opportunity?

Webmaster Access Amsterdam 2018 will take place September 7-10 at the Doubletree by Hilton, located near Amsterdam Centraal Station. It seems like thats way off in the future, but those who register now can take advantage of early-bird pricing that will be in effect only until April 1.

Thats less than a month away, so dont be foolish and let April Fools Day sneak up on you. Click here and pay only $199 to sign up for this gathering of top-level industry leaders.

Webmaster Access badge holders gain admittance to the shows insightful seminar program and busy speed networking sessions, its off-the-hook parties and other social events, and the swag-filled Meet Market.

Registration is sponsored by PussyCash. Visit WebmasterAccess.com/register to secure the early-bird rate of $199.

And heres a reminder for affiliates, talent and studios: You can attend Webmaster Access for no charge at all. Those who qualify for free registration can click here.Now that it is fully apparent, to all who have the ability to pay some modicum of attention, that Imposter President Biden has extreme cognitive issues, in addition to being an inveterate liar: Can OUR Republic continue with this Executive Office that has completely failed, so many times, on far too many issues here at this early date in this abysmal presidency?

No, Joseph R. Biden is completely unqualified, morally and cognitively, to represent real Americans, and lead this Republic of disparate peoples.

Yes, Joseph R. Biden has started whispering again, even softer now than before; so, I know he still cares, plus, OUR media will soon stop reporting on Afghanistan in favor of OUR Socialist issues.Hackers use emails and fake identities to infect school computer networks, personnel files

Cyber attackers are increasingly targeting K-12 schools, leading to an urgent need for more cyber security, says Phil Emer, director of Technology Planning and Policy at the N.C. State University Friday Institute.Emer informed legislators on the growing threat during a Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee meeting Tuesday, March 6.Emer said.In December 2016, the Department of Public Instruction released a report on cyber security, which shows most school districts aren't prepared for a cyber attack. Smaller school districts and charter schools are particularly vulnerable.The School Connectivity Initiative, which aimed to provide internet access to schools, was amended in the 2017 budget to include cyber security. The amendment tells the State Board of Education and DPI to work with the Friday Institute to assess cyber threats and provide cyber security training.Emer said the expansion includes continuous monitoring and risk assessments, security advisory and consulting services, and security training. Funding for continuous monitoring and risk assessments adds up to $200,000 for each year of the biennium.Emer said.Emer said dealing with malware infections can be costly and take up a significant amount of time, but practicing better cyber hygiene could prevent these infections.Cyber attacks come in many forms including ransomware attacks, phishing email scams, and session hijacking. Another form of attack, denial of service, happens when an attacker prevents the legitimate use of a website through a bombardment of fake requests.Emer said.Emer said emails are primarily used because they are cheap, and it's relatively easy to get people to click on a link in an email. Hackers use fake links to get behind corporate firewalls or other security measures to gain access to passwords and other devices in the system. Phishing emails can look like they are from Netflix, UPS, or Bank of America, when in fact they are a scam to gain sensitive information.In North Carolina, CFOs and school accountants have been getting emails from people masquerading as superintendents. These hackers establish a conversation first and then ask for the federal W-2 forms for employees at certain schools. Emer said at least one school district fell for this ploy last year.Emer warned.Emer said that security services are provided through SCI, but school districts and charter schools need more assistance to protect from and respond to cyber attacks.Other possible preventative steps include using cloud-based services to reduce exposure to cyber threats and closely monitoring networks and systems.State government is a $50 billion operation, the work never ends - and the public is welcome to witness much of it

The state legislature adjourned the 2017 long session June 29. They were done, right? Expected back all afresh and new in spring of 2018 after a long break of doing nothing? Not exactly.They've held special sessions in August, October, and January, when they passed a technical corrections bill, confirmed appointments to state boards, overrode five of the governor's vetoes, including two regulatory reform bills, and dealt with ongoing redistricting questions. Are these special sessions a devious plan by Republicans to hold secret sessions, as sometimes claimed by the left?Hardly. Since 1985, special sessions have been held after regular sessions in 17 years - three under Republican control and 14 under Democrats. Overall, including years with more than one special session, Republicans called nine special sessions, and Democrats called 16.This is how the General Assembly does its business.In the interim, numerous joint oversight committees, study committees, and task forces are held. They look more closely at issues introduced in the short session, make adjustments to keep state agencies working, review reports, ask questions, consider new ideas and review old ones. The interim committees are a good way to track legislative priorities, get more in-depth information and get an idea of what to expect in the short session.A new legislative research commission is looking at access to health care in rural North Carolina. Beginning with the (correct) assumption about a lack of access to health care in rural areas, experts and opinion leaders will discuss expanding the scope of practice for providers, such as nurse practitioners and optometrists. Other proven ways to increase access to care include telemedicine, direct primary care, and repealing outdated Certificate of Need laws.The Joint Legislative Education Finance Reform Committee is looking at alternative ways fund K-12 education, to which North Carolina appropriates about $9 billion annually. The current system allocates that money per student based on a convoluted, outdated, overly complicated and non-transparent funding formula. The committee will spend about two years studying and hearing from experts on how to simplify the funding formula and determine a system that's open, fair, and focused on better outcomes.The Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee meets regularly and has spent a good deal of time looking at reforms to occupational licensing regulations. Research indicates the state regulates more occupations than most states, requiring burdensome educational requirements, costly entrance fees and are a real barrier to entrepreneurs, particularly for trade professions. The committee will look at requiring additional scrutiny on agency rules that impose significant financial costs.A new study committee plans to look at deconstructing school districts. Wake County, with 159,549 students in 171 schools, is 15th largest district in the U.S., for example, with Mecklenburg County close behind. Has Wake and Mecklenburg become too big to most effectively serve students? Would breaking them into smaller, more manageable and accountable districts produce more opportunity and better outcomes?The Joint Legislative Commission on Energy Policy is following up on the implementation of the 2017 energy bill, ensuring provisions are implemented as the law intended, including mapping to ensure there's no interference from wind turbines on military operations. They also are looking at the impact of electric vehicles on infrastructure and the grid.The Joint Select Committee on Judicial Redistricting and Reform is looking at a House proposed redistricting map updating statewide judicial and prosecutorial districts for the first time since the 1960s. There's also discussion about how we elect judges, whether our current system of popularly election with partisan designation is the best way to elect judges, or if some kind of merit selection with a retention popular election would result in a better judiciary.Any changes to the maps could be enacted by the General Assembly. The governor's approval isn't required, while changes to the way we elect judges would be by constitutional amendment requiring a vote of the people.It may seem lawmakers never leave Raleigh, because they don't. State government is a $50 billion operation, and the work never ends. All of the meetings are open to the public, in many cases audio is available, and Carolina Journal and the John Locke Foundation report on many of these interim meetings. My friends on the left make accusations of secret meetings conducted behind closed doors on issues pulled out of nowhere. But they just aren't paying attention.Considering that ancillary investigations orbiting the Mueller investigation into possible Russia collusion by the Trump campaign (still unfounded), now discovering founded improprieties and probable corruption by many Democrats their sworn bureaucrats, and now stretching back over 9 years: Should a second Independent Prosecutor be appointed to fully discover, indict and convict those corrupt? No, it is a diversion from convicting President Trump. Yes, America needs to return to its lost status as a Nation of Laws, dictated by the Rule of Law. I have not yet received proper direction from late night talk show hosts. 77 total vote(s) What's your Opinion?



What a big week in news, and what a bad week for the core Democrat Resistance Movement, and their representatives in the Democrat Caucuses and in "hallowed halls" of the Fake News.To loath all things Trump, and those that put him in office, has been the foundation of the TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) Resistance Movement. The President's economy and foreign affairs successes notwithstanding, there was large news this week that the corruptible DOJ /FBI, which was ruined under the corrupt Obama administration, may get straightened out a bit, with the beneficiaries of their new found virtues being Lying Hillary Clinton, her "charitable" foundation, and many members of the Hussein Obama administration, possibly Hussein himself.Quietly, behind the scenes, a beleaguered AG Sessions found a big backbone. The Rule of Law may return to the DOJ /FBI after all.AG Sessions is also suing California for their government's aversion to being real Americans, and following United States laws and the the U.S. Constitution - Supremacy Clause. It was a good week for patriots, bad week for the Resistance Movement.And speaking of the TDS Resistance Movement, I mention the Movement again in the context of Senate Democrats' huge success in not approving President Trump's appointed nominees for positions within his administration. It has been 413 days, and the Democrat Senators that stand with the TDS Resistance Movement are keeping our government from functioning properly; for instance, the United States does not have a Senate approved ambassador to South Korea at this critical juncture.Now, it is very clear that the Hussein Obama administration did nothing substantive in regards to foreign affairs regarding the Korean Peninsula, but, the great irony of the core of the TDS Resistance Movement is to delay, obstruct, and obfuscate any directive this President seeks to accomplish to rebuild America / protect America, but, rather to the benefit of supporting Hussein's crumbling legacy, and their obvious disgust that known "Deplorables" elected Trump instead of the utterly corrupt L. Hillary Clinton.The general election of 2018 will be most pivotal for moving forward and rebuilding America - "to make it great again" - by the reality that 10 Democrat held senate seats must be defended in states that Donald J. Trump won. If the TDS Resistance Movement is not successful in this election, the senate could swing far more in the direction of Conservatives, and the obvious upside, these appointees to strategic positions in the Trump administration will be approved one the Senate Democrats can no longer threaten filibuster (Senate rules need only 40 senators to effect a filibuster).We shall see how American voters truly feel about the core Democrats concerted plan to delay, obstruct, and obfuscate all issues pertinent to re-building America, saving the Republic.In a detailed Washington Post piece at the end of a bizarre political week, David Nakamura writes, "The White House dumped its South Korean ambassador nominee, State's top North Korean expert resigned; the NSC's Asia director was on paternity leave for 2 weeks. One man swooped in to fill the vacuum: Trump."

"In Trump's decision on North Korea, the world glimpses a president who is his own diplomat, negotiator and strategist.

An excerpt from the story of how we arrived at this bizarre point of United States/North Korean diplomacy, without a single Dennis Rodman in sight:Donald Trump was so eager for Vladimir Putin to attend his 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow, he personally wrote the Russian President a letter inviting him. Robert Mueller's investigative team somehow got a copy of the document. It is the first known communication that shows Trump trying to establish contact directly with Putin.

Trump's handwritten postscript at the bottom of the letter said he looked forward to seeing "beautiful" women on his trip to Russia.

From the Washington Post, citing multiple people familiar with the document:

At the bottom of the typed letter, Trump scrawled a postscript adding that he looked forward to seeing "beautiful" women during his trip. Trump's letter to Putin, which was described by people with knowledge of its contents, shows how interested he was in attracting the personal attention of the Russian president. The real estate magnate, who owned the Miss Universe pageant, wrote the note at a time when he was looking to expand his brand to Russia. The letter, the first known attempt at direct outreach by Trump to Putin, has been turned over to investigators probing Russia's interference in the 2016 campaign. It is unclear whether Trump's missive was ever delivered to the Russian president  and if so, whether Putin responded. John Dowd, an attorney for President Trump, said he was not familiar with the letter. "It's all nonsense," he said. A White House spokesman and attorneys for the Trump Organization declined to comment.

Trump wasn't hiding his bromance ambitions back then.

In a June 18, 2013, tweet, Trump wrote: "Do you think Putin will be going to The Miss Universe Pageant in November in Moscow  if so, will he become my new best friend?"

When he arrived in Russia in 2013 for the pageant, he did an interview with MSNBC in which he was asked about his relationship to Vladimir Putin.

"I do have a relationship, and I can tell you that he's very interested in what we're doing here today," Trump told a reporter, while in Moscow.Business / Companies

by Staff Reporter

Honourable minister we are humbled by your concern for our welfare as workers of Hwange Colliery Company Limited. This you have demonstrated before through food aid and today you are with us in person. We are at a loss of words good enough to express our appreciation for your visit. Please receive the list of our concerns as workers of Hwange Colliery Company Limited.In engaging with management may it be on record that we come sincerely and we need to be assured that there will be no victimisation. All deliberations to be truthful in a bid to harmonize industrial relations1. The people in the tent are legitimate. They are our wives, brothers, sisters and represent our opinion, concern and a breakdown in industrial relations and money issues in Hwange Colliery Company Limited.2. We need commensurate remuneration timeously:2.1 .Outstanding half salaries from February 2017 to August 2017 like now.2.2 .Outstanding full salaries from September 2017 to February 2018 like now.2.3 .2018 Salaries going forward to be paid concurrently with the scheme of Arrangement instalments.2.4 . Statutory remittances: We humbly appeal to your office to ensure that HCCL remits statutory obligations like MIPF and Union contributions.3. All policies that were revised without having gone through works council or may have visited works council as undiscussable or directives must be suspended and referred back to works council e.g Medical Policy, Funeral Policy, Education Policy, Holiday bonus policy.4. The government as a major should intervene in the resolution of this impasse by way of financing and oversight management.5. The takeover of Hwange Coal Gasification Company should be expedited to allow HCCL to start making and selling coke. The Coke is not only our reason for being as a company and it is also our cash cow, selling at USD300.00/tonne as compared to HPS selling at USD27/tonne.6. HCCL should focus on Under ground Mining where the return on investment is high. Underground Mining production cost is at USD12/tonne selling at USD300/tonne compared to HPS that whose production cost is USD25/tonne and selling at USD27/tonne.7. Eliminate the use of hired trucks for trucking coal from Open Cast to processing and use our existing conveyor belt the WPC line.8. Contracts must be managed properly with a clear intention to benefit the company. Contracts like those of Chrome Base Mining, Mota Engine, TAF Security, Colbro, Pelhouse Mining should be investigated and regularised.9. There is need to establish a tender board to manage procurement irregularities e.g the Pelhouse Mining tragedy. Workers are wondering why the HCCL has abandoned the renowned CAT machines and settled for second hand machines from unknown manufacturers like BML from India.10. Retrenchment by nature has traumatising tendencies. It must be once and closed off to allow industrial relations to return to normalcy. HCCL has run the longest continuous Retrenchment period from May 2016 to date. After retrenchment HCCL created a ballooning management structure that cannot be sustained by the current levels of production. The positions of Executive Managers can not be justified under the circumstances.11. Middle managers to lower level employees were shrunk to unsustainable levels resulting in compromised efficiency, safety and more man hours that are difficult to compensate by way of off days since manning levels are inadequate. This over time is also not being paid for.12. Poor recruitment practices. Employment of people should be reflective of a clear succession plan. Advertisements should only be flighted where there are no chances for internal promotions. Head hunting should be for unavailable special skills not for jobs like that of Buyers and should have been sanctioned by works council. The current shipping of people from Kwekwe/Zimasco to occupy positions in Finance and Procurement has frustrated and caused animosity among the work force.13. Competent board appointees. It is the feeling of the workers that board appointees should have requisite qualifications and capable of adding value to the organisation. A deliberate effort must be made to appoint competent locals.14. Accountability and allegation of corruption: The MD and his executives must account for their failure to turn around HCCL as a national asset. Results of forensic audits should be followed up and people held accountable for bad decision. The conduct and relationship between the Executives and AVIM or Feel Cool Investment, Pelhouse should be investigated and people held accountable. AVIM or Feel Cool are being paid millions for services they did not provide and the Audit Manager is reported to be aware of this. HCCL Volvo equipment are cannibalised to fix Inducto Save a Contractor's equipment suite. Ollican from Kwekwe supplied a Crane that is not being used but are being paid for the hire.15. Withholding of contracts: Some employees are working without employment contracts for over one year. They went through all the required procedures but for reasons best known to himself the MD has withheld his signature on the contracts for the SHEQ Manager, Marketing Manager, Estates Manager, Audit Manager, Community and Commercial Services Manager and the Company Lodge and Clubs possibly waiting for some people from somewhere. These employees are clearly serving at the mercy of the MD and not the system.16. Use of houses to defray outstanding salaries : All HCCL employees to be accommodated in self-contained houses after which they should be issued with the right of first refusal to buy the house. The houses should be evaluated by an independent registered evaluator. All houses must be sold.17. Cost management: We need to run the Company lodge as a business where cost benefit analysis are done and also cost management put in place. Eg The Managers have overstayed at the company lodge some from October 2016 to date and they are being provided with food. These must move into houses that they have been offered because that is what the company can afford. Eveyone is making sacrifices in this Mine.18. Deceptive tendencies: With all due respect we regret to note as workers that we and the community are very disappointed that the MD has the temerity deliberately issue untrue statements in the print media and national television. E.g HCCL was last capitalised in 1985 yet we had Terex 2006, BELL phase 1 and 2 in 2007/8, Volvo trucks 2010/11, Sunny 2013, BELAZ and BML 2015 and recently the Scheme of arrangement. He is also on record for saying that the workers are being paid every month, and that service provision by the Estates Department was weighing heavily on the Mine.The MD has developed tendencies of diverting attention from the real issues at the Mine and this must stop forthwith. The truth is that everyone must be seized with the resuscitation of the Underground Mine, Open Cast Mine and the Coke Works. Estates was weaned off the HCCL under the Divisionalization turn around strategy. To date Estates is the only profit making division surviving without help from the parent company. Instead Estates had bailed out the main company on numerous occasions through set off arrangement with Main Company debtors.19. Realignment of the Human Resources Department: Our HR has become too partisan. Here are the people who have become champions of the destructions of worker rights. It has chosen to side with management and has relegated our otherwise vibrant works council to a forum for receiving directives. Workers want the restoration of our rich legacy in the area. HR must play its advisory role and stop this oppression of workers. They are stealing our leave days by forcing us to complete leave forms against our will.20. Loss of confidence in the leadership of the MD and his Executive Managers: The workers have supported this team even in times when salaries were not being paid at all. The painful truth is that this team has ran out of ideas to turn around this national asset. There is no coal coming out of the Mines and here they are opting instead to spend energy of service provisions an area that is not even a problem. what other indicators/evidence of failure do we want to see. This team is even thinking of selling a hospital that they did not even build. We are not sure if they understand the history of this hospital.News / National

by Staff reporter

Government has dispatched teams to inspect ready-to-eat cold meats, particularly those imported from South Africa, that are being sold in supermarkets and the informal sector following the ban on cold meat imports.The ban was necessitated by revelations from South Africa that particular brands of polony had traces of a bacteria causing a food borne poisonous disease, listeria, which has so far claimed 180 lives in that country since 2017.Deputy Director for communicable diseases in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Dr Isaac Phiri said inspection was taking place in food outlets and companies in risk areas and in border districts."We have dispatched teams to our local supermarkets, tuck-shops and even on the streets to monitor anyone selling this particular brand, Enterprise by Tiger brands," he said."So far we have not come across any of this brand."Dr Phiri said health teams were also monitoring the boarder post to ensure that the particular brand, together with Rainbow Chickens, were not smuggled.News / National

by Staff reporter

A LONG, colourful scarf worn by President Emmerson Mnangagwa during his recent trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, has been a topic of discussion on various social media platforms, and now, a hot selling item in Zimbabwe."It's been an overwhelming response," Celia Rukato, founder of the Harare-based textile company that has been selling the scarf for about three years, said.In explaining how the scarf that is now referred to as the "Presidential Scarf" became part of the Zimbabwe delegation in Davos, Rukato of Chjaa Enterprises Private Limited, said: "That was completely, to be honest, a surprise on our end."Rukato said she simply delivered a few scarves to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ahead of the Davos trip for consideration, but it was not until word started getting around on social media about the President wearing the scarf, that she realised her efforts had paid off.She said the scarf came about as an experiment to capture the culture and identity of Zimbabwe."Our family spent a long time living in South Africa. Despite regular visits back home annually, we constantly sought ways of being reminded of Zimbabwe and ways of showcasing national pride outwardly."We were also increasingly presented with opportunities that required us to showcase our "Zimbabweanness" when interacting with the global community across a series of platforms. A common go-to for showcasing culture for many people is through clothing, or traditional attire. In our case, this was often difficult because, beyond being able to perhaps wear clothing specific to a Zimbabwean ethnic group (Ndebele traditional attire, for example), there was little we could wear that would identify us as distinctly Zimbabwean."It is in this context that we were inspired to create designs and an aesthetic that we believe showcases the dignity and pride we feel in being Zimbabwean," Rukato explained."From the onset we firmly understood that the Zimrocks scarf had to be rooted in our history as Zimbabweans and had to present an overall aesthetic that is clearly not aligned to any one political party. The product had to be one that all/any Zimbabwean could identify with irrespective of race, tribe or political allegiance. It is for this reason that, when designing the scarf, we settled on the Zimbabwe national colours."The colours of the scarf, black, green, white, gold and red, displayed as horizontal stripes, are all official colours of the Zimbabwe flag."These colours represent our collective historical and cultural significance and are articulated by the Zimbabwean flag and coat of arms," said Rukato.Celebrating being Zimbabwean, Rukato said, was a choice that every individual needs to actively make."When we began this project, we chose to focus on how we could contribute towards pride and positivity about being Zimbabwean. The scarf, therefore, represents the embracing of what it means to be Zimbabwean with all the good and the bad; because this is who we are."Since its debut in Davos, the scarf, which Rukato said her company never really marketed much outside Zimbabwe's embassies in different countries, is literally selling itself. She said Zimbabweans are now contacting her company through various social media platforms, to place their orders. The scarf is being sold for $16."It's really exciting to just see how people are reacting and are excited about it," Rukato said of her product which the Zimbabwe public overlooked since its creation three years ago."We're thrilled by the gradual conversation that the scarf has been able to illicit. It is a powerful thing to see Zimbabweans from all walks of life, in both Zimbabwe and around the world, showing enthusiasm for being able to wear the Zimbabwean colours proudly."She said the response from the public was quite encouraging considering that three years ago when the scarves were introduced, they did not receive such a reception."I'd say when we had initially put it out on the market, we'd see, you know, the raised eyebrow, ok, what's this about? But I think that's really just the discussion that as Zimbabweans we need to have," said Rukato, adding that there's more to the scarf than what it appears to be on the surface."It's not that the scarf is the answer, but I think it's just a step toward in finding how we can express our identity and culture and I guess, what we're about through our dress, so it's just the beginning, I believe," said Rukato.The scarf is now being worn by most Government officials when conducting national duty outside Zimbabwe as well as different ambassadors. People who have been spotted donning the scarf are British Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Catriona Lang, Tourism Minister Prisca Mupfumira and Finance Minister, Patrick Chinamasa."It's been incredible to have the scarf being ordered and worn by Zimbabweans as far away as London."But among them all, the biggest fan of the scarves is undeniably President Mnangagwa whose outfits are incomplete without the scarf. This is really one piece of clothing that somehow reminds him of the people of Zimbabwe who have their hopes of a better nation pinned on him.On the President constantly wearing the scarf, Rukato said: "For us, the donning of the scarf by President Mnangagwa is an invitation to all Zimbabweans and all those who appreciate the history and beauty of the country to join hands and contribute to the building of a Great Zimbabwe, whose future is as bright as the scarf. Through the scarf, we're saying, 'let us be proudly Zimbabwean!".In addition to the scarf, Rukato designs and prints a series of fabrics that are inspired by historical monuments and symbols across Zimbabwe."In addition to the knitted version that is currently available, we are working on other versions of the scarf on printed cotton, printed silk and other varieties."News / National

by Staff reporter

ZIMBABWE is set to reduce the power import bill by 50 percent following the addition of another 150 megawatts to the national grid from the Kariba South expansion project today.In 2014, Government embarked on a $533 million Kariba South expansion project for Unit 7 and 8 with each unit producing 150MW upon completion.Unit 7 came on board last December while Unit 8 comes on board today after successfully undergoing a mandatory around the clock seven-day test run to monitor its performance and functionality.In an interview in Bulawayo yesterday, Zesa Holdings Group Chief Executive Officer Engineer Josh Chifamba said last year Zimbabwe spent an average of between $7 million and $12 million per week on electricity imports."In 2018, we are looking at halving the power import bill following the coming on board of Kariba South Expansion project. In 2017, we were spending an average of between $7 million and $12 million per week on electricity imports," he said."We could do more in terms of generation at Kariba if we had enough water at Kariba Dam. We now have the asset and we are waiting for the heavens to award us with water so that we definitely have a significant reduction in imports."Eng Chifamba said at present, power generation at Kariba was still at 500MW against an installed capacity of 750MW before the additional 300MW from Units 7 and 8.Following the installation of Kariba South Expansion project, the hydro power plant now has an installed capacity of 1 050MW."So we will not be able to generate 1 050MW for 24 hours but what is important is during peak times when there are shortages, we will now have Kariba stepping in."Previously, when we didn't have Kariba South, we were buying electricity at very expensive rates to the tune of about 45 cents per kilowatt hour and we are retailing at about 9.87c/kWh. So it's a good thing that Zimbabwe has invested in an asset like the Kariba South Expansion project," he said.Due to the power deficit of about 600MW, the country last year was importing an average of about 50MW and 350MW from regional power utilities."We always have 50MW that we import continuously from Cabora Bassa and I think from up to 2015, we were not importing from South Africa and when we did, it was on peak times," said Eng Chifamba.Towards the end of last year, Zimbabwe's power imports came under threat as the country struggled to pay its obligations owing to acute shortages of foreign currency.The coming on board of Unit 7 and 8 at Kariba is expected to go a long way in easing stress on meagre foreign currency resources available.News / National

by Staff reporter

A PLUMTREE man fatally stabbed a fellow Zimbabwean in Botswana on the chest using a wire, before skipping back into the country leading to his arrest.This came to light during the remand of Casper Moyo (23) of Bambadzi Village in Madlambuzi by Plumtree resident magistrate, Mr Taurai Manwere yesterday.Moyo was remanded to March 23 on $100 bail.The accused person and the late Mr Tawedzera Chimuti were employed as herdsmen in the neighbouring country when the incident occurred.In his warned and cautioned statement, Moyo admitted that he killed his colleague but said he acted in self-defence."I admit the allegations being levelled against me of killing Tawedzera Chimiti but I didn't intend to commit the offence. The deceased is the one who confronted me accusing me of having stolen his bicycle and he is the one who was carrying the wire."I managed to take away the wire and stabbed him once on the chest and ran away. I came back after sometime and I found him lying down and I took the woman I was walking with from Maitengwe to Bambadzi," he said."I received a call from an unknown person advising me that he had passed away. After receiving that message I then went to the police in Madlambuzi and advised them that I killed a person."Prosecutor, Mr Butholezwe Bhebhe told the court that in July last year in Koti village, Maitengwe, Botswana, Moyo stabbed the Chimiti with a wire on the chest after a misunderstanding and he died on the spot.Moyo escaped back to Zimbabwe and was subsequently arrested.News / National

by staff reporter

A SELF proclaimed prophet and bogus CIO spy who landed in the dock on allegations of taking a firearm to events attended by President Emmerson Mnangagwa has put the state on notice to challenge further placement.According to NewZimbabwe.com, Guthrie Chirodzero will be back in court on March 23 after the state indicated that his docket had been sent back to the Prosecutor General's (PG) office for further perusal.His lawyer, John Ndomene complained that the state was exhibiting that investigations are far from being finalised.He said it was unfair to keep his client on remand considering that he has been in prison since December.Chirodzero is on charges of taking a firearm to a public gathering, impersonation and forgery after he was caught in possession of fake Central Intelligence Officer's (CIO), Zimbabwe Anticorruption Commission identity cards and a fake driver's licence.According to the state, Chirodzero attended the swearing in of new cabinet ministers by Mnangagwa and positioned himself close to the President while pretending to be a CIO spy.On December 6, armed with the same fake cards and a pistol, Chirodzero went to Josiah Magamba Tongogara army barracks where the Zanu PF leader was officiating the renaming of the former KGVI facility.It is alleged that Chirodzero again positioned himself close to the President but was spotted by an army intelligence officer who became suspicious and confronted him.He was asked to explain his purpose at the venue and Chirodzero then produced a fake CIO ID.JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Canada's export credit agency sought in a Johannesburg court on Friday to have a Bombardier luxury jet grounded, saying South Africa's Gupta family had defaulted on repayments of the loan they used to acquire the plane. The Gupta brothers are at the center of graft and influence-peddling allegations around former president Jacob Zuma, who was forced from office last month by the ruling ANC party. Zuma and the Guptas have consistently denied any wrongdoing. "Export Development Canada (EDC), is petitioning the courts to ground the aircraft," said Phil Taylor, a spokesman for the agency, which provides Canadian exporters with trade financing. EDC wants the plane grounded until a legal dispute in the United Kingdom involving the EDC's efforts to recover the aircraft is settled, he said. Local news agency EWN reported that a lawyer representing EDC told the court the aircraft's tracking device had been switched off, making it impossible to ascertain its location. The proceedings were adjourned on Friday with judgment expected in a week or so, local media reported. Ajay Gupta, one of the three brothers alleged to have had a corrupt relationship with Zuma, has been declared a "fugitive from justice" in South Africa and family representatives could not be reached for comment. A South African lawmaker leading an investigation into accusations the Guptas used links with Zuma to win contracts said on Thursday he suspected prosecutors had delayed taking action over the case for political reasons. (Reporting by Ed Stoddard; Editing by Andrew Roche)The U.S.-Canadian border is rapidly becoming a bone of contention in Britain's gruelling Brexit debate  and a point of friction between Britain and Ireland.

British PM Theresa May made it official this week when she told the House of Commons that the U.K. is looking to the world's longest undefended border as a possible model for the border between the 26 counties of southern Ireland and the six counties of the north.

"There are many examples of different arrangements for customs around the rest of the world," said May, "and indeed we are looking at those, including, for example, the border between the U.S. and Canada."

The comment provoked a stunned response from the Labour Party's Brexit critic, Jenny Chapman.

"There are guns and armed customs guards on that border," she said.

"Surely that is not what she has in mind?"

But it appears that the British government is indeed intent on pitching the U.S.-Canadian model  even though the government of Ireland has signalled already that the idea is dead on arrival.

Hard border headaches

The border across Ireland first appeared in 1921 as a result of the British-Irish treaty that partitioned the island and ended the Irish War of Independence. It ran across farms and villages and, following the outbreak of hostilities in the North in 1969, was reinforced with British Army watchtowers and bomb- and mortar-proof inspection facilities.

All of that infrastructure was removed as a result of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement that saw the Provisional IRA disarm in exchange for a new power-sharing accord that was supposed to break down some of the barriers between south and north, including the physical barrier at the border.

Today, the border is all but invisible, marked only by road signs. Because both the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland were part of the same European common market, there was no need for customs controls.

Brexit has thrown that arrangement into disarray. It is now almost inevitable that one side of the border  the southern side  will be in the European Union, while the other side will not.

Story continues

Attempts to avoid the situation by suggesting that Northern Ireland might remain inside the EU customs union  which would put the jurisdictional boundary in the Irish Sea  have been flatly rejected by the hardline Democratic Unionist Party that holds the balance of power in Theresa May's coalition government.

Meanwhile, the Republic of Ireland government of Leo Varadkar, strongly backed by EU Council President Donald Tusk, has insisted that the land border must remain "frictionless," with no checkpoints or controls.

And as part of the manoeuvring, a growing number of Irish and British politicians have been showing up at Canada-U.S. crossings, including Taoiseach (PM) Varadkar himself.

'It worked very well'

It was the U.K.'s Brexit minister David Davies who first officially floated the idea of Canada's border as a model for Ireland after a visit in October.

"I went to the Canadian/American border at Windsor/Detroit," Davies told the U.K. Commons Committee for Exiting the European Union. "I went there because I knew it from running business across it myself."

"Their clearance time is 54 seconds on an average truck, but they also use a whole series of systems clearing things before they get to port and authorized economic operators. These things become very important in Northern Ireland as well.

"I watched as drivers went through and had to hand over their ID cards, so they knew that they had never been involved in smuggling. Even in the most difficult environment, it worked very well."

But Varadkar had already been there before him in August. The Irish government had heard rumblings about the idea and was determined to shut it down before it got started.

Varadkar tweeted from Windsor: "Make no mistake, it's a hard border."

This week, after the British PM again referred to the U.S.-Canada border as a possible model, Varadkar reminded reporters of his August visit.

"I saw an armoured border with physical infrastructure, customs posts and people in uniform with arms and dogs," he said, adding it was "definitely not a solution."

Not getting the hint

The British government has continued to pursue the idea, though. Last month, the Commons Committee on International Trade became the latest delegation to visit the border.

Pro-Brexit government MP Marcus Fysh was part of the delegation that toured both the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel.

He told CBC News that the British government is interested in how the U.S. and Canada handle commercial traffic through electronic solutions such as the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program.

"It obviously is a hard border. It has gates, it has lots of processes that occur at it, many of which are immigration-based," said Fysh, adding that the U.K. government believes it could dispense with immigration controls as it hopes to maintain a Common Travel Area with the Republic.

"We're more trying to see on the trade front what might be done given the fact that we've got two countries with different regulatory systems and different customs territories."

Fysh mentioned the possibility of inspecting commercial traffic at another location, away from the border itself. "It could end up being quite different from how the border looks and feels in the U.S. and Canada."

Border could be 'fair game'

Irish officials north and south have warned that any border that has buildings, lanes and barriers would be unacceptable to large constituencies on both sides.

Northern Ireland's top police officer recently warned that any physical infrastructure at the border likely would be seen as "fair game" by dissident republican groups in Ireland, and that his officers' lives would be put in danger if they were tasked with protecting it.

CBC News asked the British High Commission if the Irish government's rejection of the U.S.-Canadian model has put the idea to rest.

The High Commission's Trevor Kerr told CBC: "We would refer to what PM May said in the Commons earlier this week: There are many examples of different arrangements for customs around the rest of the world. Indeed, we are looking at those  including, for example, the border between the United States and Canada."

The Irish government continues to insist that the Windsor-Detroit crossing  including its expedited passholders' lanes  is a non-starter as a model for Ireland, and the British shouldn't waste time bringing it up.

"I was with the Taoiseach when he went to the border," Michael Hurley, Ireland's deputy head of mission in Canada, told CBC. "The U.S.-Canadian border is a hard border, and not one we want to emulate.

"This is not a proposal we are going to entertain."A judge in British Columbia has ruled that Canada's polygamy laws are constitutional, rejecting the argument from two B.C. polygamists who claimed the law violated their charter rights.

Winston Blackmore and James Oler were found guilty of having multiple wives in B.C. Supreme Court last July. They returned to court to argue their convictions were null because the law itself was unconstitutional under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. .

On Friday, the B.C. Supreme Court justice rejected that argument

Both men have been leaders in the small community of Bountiful in southeastern B.C. They argue that polygamy law infringes on their charter rights to freedom of religion and expression.

The convictions have not been entered pending the outcome of the constitutional arguments.

Last year, court heard residents are members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which condones plural marriage.

Blackmore was found to have married more than two dozen women, while Oler had five wives.

In December, Blackmore argued that he believed he was allowed to practice polygamy because he wasn't charged when police investigated allegations about his multiple wives in the 1990s.

His lawyer, Blaire Suffredine, argued that the unions were never legal marriages, but common-law relationships sanctioned by Blackmore's church, which carry no legal weight.

Special prosecutor Peter Wilson argued Blackmore was always at risk of prosecution, even though Canada's polygamy laws have in the past been constitutionally vague.

Wilson said the B.C. Supreme Court has already ruled that it is not unconstitutional to charge someone with polygamy, as noted in a 2011 reference case.

"The release of the polygamy reference was a sea change in the legal landscape,'' he said during legal arguments in December. "Nothing could have been more significant to a charging decision, in the circumstances of this case, than that.''

With files from CBC's Bob KeatingHealth-care practitioners say the lack of treatment options for provincial inmates with hepatitis C is creating inequities in health care and missing an opportunity to control the spread of the disease.

Treatment for non-incarcerated Nova Scotians is publicly available.

Dr. Lisa Barrett is an infectious disease doctor who sees inmates with HIV and hepatitis C at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Dartmouth, N.S.

She said when she sees an inmate with hepatitis C, she advises them about how to maintain a healthy liver and avoid toxins  and then tells them that she can't offer treatment.

"Even if you are ready, engaged and asking to be treated within the correctional setting right now, unless we have a compassionate access program from a drug company, we don't have access to care, in terms of treatment," said Barrett.

"And that's a difficult conversation to have  because I know that the patient, the person I'm trying to look after, in front of me, is not getting the same care that someone about five kilometres away potentially is getting."

There are a number of treatments for hepatitis C on Nova Scotia's drug formulary, including a breakthrough treatment that can cure most people with the disease through a 12-week daily pill regimen. The province covers the cost of several of these treatments for Nova Scotians  unless they're incarcerated provincially.

'Just live with it'

Hepatitis C is a progressive infection spread through blood-to-blood contact such as intravenous drug use or dirty tattoo needles. In its later stages, it can cause liver failure and cancer, although it may take decades to get to that point.

But even in its earlier stages, hepatitis C can cause nausea, a lack of motivation and fatigue.

Justin Curran, 28, said his fatigue makes him feel as though he could fall asleep at any time.

Curran was released from jail in February 2018 after serving a two-year sentence for robbery. Prior to being incarcerated, he contracted hepatitis C from intravenous drug use.

Story continues

While in jail, he said he asked for treatment twice  once at the Northeast Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Pictou County and once at the Cape Breton Correctional Facility in Sydney  and was denied both times.

"It made me pretty depressed, actually, that it was basically telling me, 'Here, just live with it.' It's letting someone know that it's hurting your insides, and you can get treatment, but they won't [provide it]. It doesn't make sense to me at all."

Curran said while he was incarcerated in Pictou, several other inmates in his unit were also seeking treatment for hepatitis C and were also turned down.

"I could count names off for probably 10 minutes of people I met with [hepatitis C] inside the institutions. I know a couple people in there, they were pretty sick. You could see the yellowing starting, and they don't do anything. It's crazy."

Disproportionate rates of infection

A disproportionately high number of inmates have hepatitis C. Research suggests that between 15 and 30 per cent of inmates in Canada are infected, and some estimates place that figure even higher. The prevalence of hepatitis C in the general population is roughly 0.6 per cent.

When so many people with hepatitis C are living in close quarters, that creates an opportunity for the infection to spread, said Barrett.

"These are the populations of folks who really would benefit from the  prevalence [of hepatitis C] going down. Meaning, the less there is floating around, the less likely you're going to run into it. And that's where treatment as prevention is very important. You're not treating one person, you're treating the four others who could get infected from that person."

In a statement, the Nova Scotia Health Authority said that there was a lack of clarity regarding coverage, which they are now looking to rectify, and that they are working with the group developing the province's Hepatitis C Elimination Program.

A missed opportunity

But the concentration of people with hepatitis C in correctional facilities isn't just a challenge  it's also an opportunity, according to health-care practitioners.

Jac Atkinson is a nurse practitioner with Mobile Outreach Street Health. She works with people who are homeless and insecurely housed, including those dealing with mental health and addiction issues  a population that's often in contact with the justice system.

She says a barrier to treating this population is the difficulty practitioners have in getting access to them.

"In corrections we have this extraordinary opportunity where  you have them hostage. So, they're not distracted, you know where they are, you can contact them, you can get blood work, you can do all those things," said Atkinson. "So we should be using that opportunity."By Clare Baldwin and Andrew R.C. Marshall CHAKMAKUL REFUGEE CAMP, Bangladesh (Reuters) - The Rohingya refugees who live in shacks clinging to these steep, denuded hills in southern Bangladesh pray that the sandbags fortifying the slopes will survive the upcoming monsoon. "They make it safer, but they won't hold if the rain is really heavy," said Mohammed Hares, 18. Cracks have already formed in the packed mud on which his shack is built. Nearly 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh since last August to escape a military crackdown in neighboring Myanmar. Most now live in flimsy, bamboo-and-plastic structures perched on what were once forested hills. Bangladesh is lashed by typhoons, and the Rohingya camps are clustered in a part of the country that records the highest rainfall. Computer modeling by the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) shows that more than 100,000 refugees will be threatened by landslides and floods in the coming monsoon. The rains typically begin in April and peak in July, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. In Kutupalong-Balukhali, the biggest of the makeshift camps, up to a third of the land could be flooded, leaving more than 85,000 refugees homeless, according to the UNHCR. Another 23,000 refugees live on slopes at risk of landslide. The UNHCR, International Organization for Migration (IOM) and World Food Programme are using bulldozers to level 123 acres in northern Kutupalong-Balukhali camp in an effort to make the area safer, said UNHCR spokeswoman Caroline Gluck. IOM is putting debris-removal equipment and work crews throughout the camps, it said, and trying to improve roads and stabilize slopes. It is also setting up emergency diarrhoea treatment centers and providing search and rescue and first aid training. Bangladesh Disaster Management Secretary Shah Kamal said the government was working with the UN to relocate 133,000 people living in high-risk areas. It is also launching a Rohingya-language radio station that will act as a natural disaster warning system, he said. Bangladesh government officials have also previously told Reuters they are pushing ahead with a controversial plan to turn an uninhabited island in the Bay of Bengal into a temporary home for the Rohingya and move 100,000 refugees there ahead of the monsoon. Flooding increases the risk of disease outbreaks. It could also threaten access to medical facilities, making them difficult to reach and restock, the modeling shows. Latrines, washrooms and tube wells may also be flooded. The risk of landslides has been exacerbated by refugee families needing firewood to cook. Trees were cut down to make way for the refugees, who also dug up the roots for firewood, making the slopes even weaker and prone to collapse. "This was a forest when I first arrived," said Arafa Begum, 40, who lives with her three children in a shack on a barren, vertiginous slope in Chakmakul camp. She said she wanted to move before the monsoon but must await the instructions of the majhi, or block leader. The majhi's name is Jahid Hussain. "I don't know what I'll do when the rain comes," he told Reuters. "It depends on Allah." For a graphic on the monsoon menace, click on: http://tmsnrt.rs/2DepYHD (Reporting by Clare Baldwin and Andrew R.C. Marshall in CHAKMAKUL REFUGEE CAMP; Additional reporting by Ruma Paul in DHAKA; Editing by Alex Richardson)Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said she's serious about a threat to cut the flow of oil to British Columbia if that province continues to block construction of the Trans Mountain pipeline.

She made the promise in her throne speech to the Alberta legislature on Thursday.

The fight over the project, which would carry Alberta bitumen through B.C. to the coast, has pitted the two NDP-led provinces against each other.

Notley earlier implemented a short-lived ban on B.C. wines in order to try to push the pipeline through.

"I think there's no question everybody here is pushing the envelope a little bit," she said Friday on Alberta@Noon.

Other means available

She also said the province has other means at its disposal to force the issue  ones that won't require legislative changes like halting oil exports would.

"You don't necessarily show your whole hand when you're engaging in this kind of process," she said when asked what those might be. "We'll roll those out if and when we need to."

Notley's government is eager to see the Trans Mountain project move forward, allowing industry to ship oil overseas through West Coast ports and funnel more resource money into the provincial treasury.

She said it's important to realize that even with a push to renewable energy, there is a significant number of Albertans who still rely on the oil and gas industry for their livelihood.

'They're a little bit nervous'

Notley said she's confident those in the oilpatch are supportive of the threat, but that no decisions would be made without first consulting industry.

"I think it's fair to say they're a little bit nervous about it, and that's no big surprise," she told CBC News after her radio appearance.

- OPINION | The Alberta vs. B.C. pipeline fight. Now it's war.

Mark Scholz, president of the Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors, applauded the move.

Story continues

"I think the premier is showing some pretty bold leadership on the part of the Alberta government. I think it's a necessary position to take from our perspective," he said.

'We lose as a country'

That said, Scholz doesn't want to see a trade war between the two provinces, or for the industry to take another hit in the form of reduced exports to B.C.

"I don't think it's in anybody's best interest. I think, at the end of the day, if that's the ultimate decision we get to, we lose as a country," he said.

Another industry group, the Explorers and Producers Association of Canada, was also cautiously supportive.

"The statement by the premier is useful to remind Canadians that the stakes for Alberta are very high and that the federal government needs to resolve this, and quickly," said president Gary Leach in an email.

"It also reflects the political currents in Alberta where the leader of the opposition has been taking a more aggressive tone on the pipeline and market access issue."

The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers was more circumspect in its reaction.

"The oil and natural gas industry appreciates and supports the Government of Alberta's commitment to ensure our natural resources get to tidewater so we can diversify our markets, but we encourage collaboration between governments rather than divisiveness  values shared among our industry's energy producers," it said in an emailed statement.

- MORE ALBERTA NEWS | WestJet CEO's sudden departure creates unexpected turbulence for Calgary-based airline

- MORE ALBERTA NEWS | Climate change causing Calgary to alter how it plans for the futureThe lawyer for Colten Boushie's family says an experience inside a different Saskatchewan courtroom this week gave him an idea about how Canada's jury system could be reformed.

Chris Murphy represented the Boushie family at a trial in Battleford, Sask. last month, in which Gerald Stanley was acquitted of second-degree murder in the shooting death of 22-year-old Colten Boushie.

Murphy is also representing the family of Jordan Lafond, whose death is the focus of a coroner's inquest in Saskatoon.

Lafond died after a stolen truck he was riding in crashed and the family has questions about the police involvement in his death.

While that inquest was delayed until June, jury selection took place this week in Saskatoon.

Murphy said the jury selection process at that inquest caught his attention  especially given his concerns about the way the jury selection was carried out in the Stanley trial.

Murphy said all the visibly-Indigenous prospective jurors were left off the Stanley jury. CBC cannot independently confirm whether or not any Indigenous people were on the 12-person jury that acquitted Stanley.

The system at the Lafond inquest ensured that at least half of the jurors were Indigenous  something Murphy said could be adopted to make the jury system more representative at criminal trials.

"I walked out of the Gerald Stanley process firmly believing that the system had to change," said Murphy.

"And I walked out of the jury selection process [at the Lafond inquest this week] believing that a very fair process had just occurred."

Sask. coroner has the right to insist jury half Indigenous

In that inquest, the coroner made it clear he wanted at least half of the inquest jury to be Indigenous. Under the province's Coroner's Act, the coroner has the right to ensure there was a separate, randomly-selected pool of Status First Nations jurors to select from, as well as another separate pool from the general public.

Story continues

The jury of six people ended up having four self-identified Indigenous people.

"We arrived at what everyone walking out of that room would agree was an impartial jury. I don't see the downside to it," Murphy said.

Kent Roach, a law professor and expert in law and public policy at University of Toronto, said Saskatchewan's inquest system may have something to offer the criminal system  especially as experts look at ways to get more Indigenous people involved in the jury process.

"The criminal justice system has to realize that we can learn from the experience of the coroner's system, and it may be that [is] something like the Saskatchewan coroner's system being adopted in the criminal system," Roach said.

Jurors questioned for bias by coroner, not lawyers

Not only did the two pools ensure there was Indigenous representation, each prospective juror was asked a series of questions by the coroner to see if they had a bias that would make them impartial. The questions at the Lafond inquest included whether or not they are related to Lafond or any police officers, or whether or not they had ever had an experience with police that would hurt their impartiality.

Roach said that's a good model, and those kinds of questions were never asked at the Stanley trial by the judge or even the lawyers.

"There can be a public interest in having Indigenous representation on juries, but there is never a public interest in having biased jurors or jurors that will be partial," he said.

Lawyer highlights differences between inquest and criminal trials

Drew Lafond, a Calgary-based lawyer who is from Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and is the Vice President of the Indigenous Bar Association, said it may be easier said than done to translate the coroner system into a criminal trial.

"It's certainly something that Sask. has done to be more proactive," he said. "(But) you can't ignore the differences between the criminal system and a coroner's inquest."

Unlike criminal trials, coroner's inquests are fact-finding, not fault-finding. No one is charged criminally in an inquest and they often result in non-binding and preventative recommendations. Criminal trials, of course, result in convictions or acquittals.

Lafond said he's waiting to learn the results of two separate reports on Indigenous representation in the justice system.

Some change underway

The Ontario government commissioned former justice Frank Iacobucci in 2011 to look into why Indigenous people aren't properly represented on juries in the province.

A committee has been struck and is looking into the recommendations of that report, and they are understood to be preparing their own report for that province's attorney general.

Lafond also said the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry in Manitoba offers insights into how to make the system more representative, and the federal government is looking into broad sweeping changes to the Criminal Code. There's indication those changes could include jury reform.

But Lafond said any change will not only have to come from the courts, but also First Nations communities themselves.

"You need to start working more collaboratively with First Nations," Lafond said.Saskatchewan's new diverging diamond interchange opened to traffic Friday as part of the province's largest transportation infrastructure project.

The Pilot Butte overpass  part of the Regina Bypass project  opened 20 months ahead of schedule on Friday.

"Improving safety through the corridor east of Regina is a priority of our government and we are pleased to be able to provide the residents of Pilot Butte with a safer access to their community earlier than expected," said Highways and Infrastructure Minister David Marit in a news release, adding that it was completed within the budget.

The interchange, located about 14 kilometres east of Regina, is the first of its kind in Saskatchewan and the second in Canada.

Now residents travelling the stretch of road will learn how to navigate the interchange design.

Pilot Butte Mayor Peggy Chorney said she's thrilled with the opening since collisions have been a contentious issue in the area.

"We recognize that the design is new to many drivers, but anticipate fewer collisions since turning vehicles no longer have to cross traffic," said Chorney.

According to the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure, the design allows for easier left turns and helps maintain traffic flow.

Traffic lights guide drivers to their preferred lane along the interchange, allowing them to cross back and forth safely.

The Government of Canada said it will be investing upwards of $200 million in the project through Public-Private Partnerships.The Nova Scotia Securities Commission is warning investors that Bitcoin Bank/Bitcoin-bank.io is not registered to sell securities in Nova Scotia, but that's only the first of many red flags the company is raising.

According to the company's website, it's in the midst of an initial coin offering for its digital currency.

"The highest red flag is they're not registered in Nova Scotia, so we have no confirmation about who they are, who's running this business and what they're offering is actually legitimate," said commission spokesperson David Harrison.

Some of the other red flags are that the company says it will accept Visa, MasterCard and wire transfer for payment.

"When you send the money that way, it's very difficult to get it back. It's not a way we would recommend anyone charge an investment," said Harrison.

The warning from the securities commission follows similar ones issued in New Brunswick and Manitoba.

Harrison said the company has been running ads online directed toward people in Nova Scotia.

He said the use of phrases like "fast," "no fees" and "simple" are worrisome because they give the impression the investment is one that will quickly make people money.

As well, the site touts that its "algorithms diversify the investments to eradicate risks."

"There's never an investment that involves no risk," said Harrison.

Digital currencies attractive to fraudsters

According to the Manitoba Securities Commission, the company does not operate from the California-based address that it lists on its site. As well, the images and biographies of its executive team are also fakes.

Harrison cautions that digital currencies are appealing platforms for fraudsters to take advantage of.

"It's really the hot new thing in the news when it comes to investing or money, so whenever that happens, a lot of the people that are involved in frauds or scams see that as the new thing and jump all over it," he said.President Donald Trumps lawyers are reportedly considering requesting specific conditions in order for their client to agree to sit down for an interview with the man leading the investigation into Russian election interference.

The presidents legal team may try to use an interview with Trump as leverage to gain certain considerations from Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigative team, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

Those parameters are said to include Mueller agreeing to an end date to the parts of the probe involving Trumppossibly 60 days after the date of the interviewand to create a clear scope or idea of what questions the special counsels team may ask the president.

Trending: Ivanka Trump Complained Jared Kushner Was Being Embarrassed By John Kelly: Report

Trumps legal team expects much of the questioning to involve the firing of former FBI director James Comey, which prompted Muellers appointment by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein last year, as well as the dismissal of former national security adviser Michael Flynn, according to The Journal.

The president, who has publicly and repeatedly denied any collusion took place between his campaign and Russia to win the 2016 election, has reportedly pressured his attorneys to bring an end to Muellers investigation.

GettyImages-929371668

Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla

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Mueller has shown interest in interviewing the president for several months now, but Trumps attorneys and allies have warned the billionaire that the meeting could be a perjury trap.

In January, Mueller, a former FBI director, reportedly offered Trumps legal team a number of topics he could question the president on, according to CNN, including Comey and Flynn.

Story continues

Trump had previously stated that he would be "love" to answer questions from the special counsel and would be prepared to do so under oath.

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Trump has often referred to the Russia investigation as a witch hunt drummed up by Democrats for Hillary Clintons defeat at his hands in the 2016 election. But Mueller has since reached plea deals with several people close to Trumps former campaign, including Flynn, former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and former campaign aide Rick Gates. Flynn and Gates are now cooperating with Muellers investigation.

Further spotlight was cast upon Trump's conduct during the investigation when The New York Times reported this week that he had asked House general counsel Don McGahn and former White House chief of staff Reince Priebus about what they told the special counsels team during their testimonies.

This article was first written by Newsweek

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New York, March 9, 2018South Sudanese authorities should allow the UN-backed station Radio Miraya to continue broadcasting, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The South Sudanese Media Regulatory Authority ordered Radio Miraya to suspend operations because the station had not acquired a broadcasting license, according to a copy of the suspension notice seen by CPJ and a report by the Dutch-backed Radio Tamazuj news outlet.

In the letter, the media authority, which oversees the press, requested that South Sudans National Communication Authority withdraw the frequency 101 FM, that was allocated to Radio Miraya. Additionally, the media authority cited Radio Mirayas persistent non-compliance and refusal to be regulated under South Sudans 2013 Media Authority Act as the reason for the stations suspension.

A spokesperson for the South Sudan UN mission (UNMISS), Francisca Mold, told CPJ that Radio Miraya has not stopped broadcasting.

South Sudanese authorities must ensure Radio Miraya is permitted to operate unhindered, CPJ Deputy Executive Director Robert Mahoney said. Journalists in South Sudan are too often faced with bureaucratic red tape or other tactics of government intimidation, which are incompatible with efforts to create conditions for sustaining peace.

Mold told CPJ that the UN is in discussion with the government.

Radio Miraya broadcasts information about UN activities and political programs meant to foster peace in South Sudan, according to a Reuters report.

In late October 2017, South Sudans media regulator suspended the Union of Journalists of South Sudan, a press association, until it applied for its operating license, according to CPJ research. The union resumed operation after the media authority approved its licensing application, according to media reports, and Sapana Abuyi, director general for information and media compliance of the South Sudanese Media Regulatory Authority.

CPJ has documented persistent government efforts to restrict journalists ability to operate freely in South Sudan.Dealing with captured ISIS members is no easy task for Iraqi authorities. Experts estimate that 20,000 suspects are being held in government jails and approximately 4,000 others are in prisons run by the Kurdistan Regional Government.





London - After declaring victory against the Islamic State (ISIS) in December, Iraq is facing a dilemma in dealing with captured members of the militant group amid domestic pressures and international expectations.





The domestic pressures include genuine security concerns about the resurgence of ISIS, whose threat to civilians cannot be overstated. Hence the need to set an example for would-be terrorists.





There is also the urge for the government to do something  even enact revenge  after a terror attack that left an angry public dismayed at apparent security shortcomings.





International expectations include demands by human rights groups that insist on due process, upholding the law and banning the torture or extrajudicial killing of both suspects and convicts. There is the security concern, expressed by US officials, that mistreatment of innocent people is a powerful recruitment tool for radicalisation and must be avoided.





There is also the wish by European countries for their ISIS nationals to be tried in Iraqi courts instead of being sent home but, for that to take place without risk of being involved in moral conflicts, they would like Baghdad to suspend the death penalty.





There are no official figures for detained ISIS members in Iraq but experts estimate that 20,000 suspects are being held in government jails and approximately 4,000 others are in prisons run by the Kurdistan Regional Government.





The number of foreign ISIS members in detention is also unknown but there are reports that about 500 women and 800 children are detained for alleged ties to the group.





Iraq insists that foreign nationals, including women, convicted of membership of ISIS must serve their sentences  including death  in Iraq. Female foreigners who have been convicted solely of illegal entry to Iraq have been allowed to return to France and Russia.





Traffic has not been one way. Iraq extradited Ismail Alwan Salman al-Ithawi, who was ISISs minister of religious affairs, from Turkey.





The threat of ISIS, nevertheless, continues in Iraq. Civilians, police and Iran-backed Shia militiamen have been killed in recent attacks by the group.





ISIS members are present in various areas in Iraq. They hide in the deserts of predominately Sunni Anbar province. They have sleeper cells in Shia-majority cities. They have formed alliances with predominantly Kurdish militants, such as the White Banners and Ansar al-Islam.





There is a continued threat of ISIS crossing into Iraq from Syria, especially after reports the militants made deals with some of their adversaries in Syria, including the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as well as the Assad regime and Lebanons Hezbollah.





A BBC investigation revealed in November that an SDF-ISIS agreement allowed hundreds of ISIS fighters, with around 3,500 of their family members as well as tonnes of weapons and ammunition, to leave Raqqa and spread across Syria. Some ISIS members, including foreign fighters, reached the countryside of eastern Syria, near the Iraqi border.





A similar Hezbollah-ISIS deal in August gave an estimated 400 armed ISIS fighters and their families passage from the Lebanese border to the Syrian border with Iraq. Many reportedly crossed into Iraq.





With a continued ISIS threat from within Iraqs borders and beyond, Iraqi courts appear to be engaged in a sentencing spree of suspected militants. The office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said Iraq executed more than 100 people last year, most of whom were convicted of terrorism charges.





Iraqs legal system has tough sentences for members of ISIS or those who have helped the militants, even if they were non-combatants. Membership in ISIS could warrant the death penalty. There are concerns that due process may have not been observed.





Courts continued to admit confessions that were extracted under torture as evidence. Many of those convicted after these unfair and hasty trials were sentenced to death, read a report by Amnesty International.





Iraq remained one of the worlds most prolific users of the death penalty. Scores of people were sentenced to death by courts after unfair trials and executed by hanging. The death penalty continued to be used as a tool of retribution in response to public outrage after attacks claimed by [ISIS], the report said.





The rights group accused Iraqi authorities of issuing arrest warrants for lawyers defending suspected ISIS members: These arrests caused concern among other lawyers that they could be arrested simply for defending [ISIS] suspects.





Iraq is also engaged in an ideological war on ISIS. Iraqi state TV airs a weekly programme in which ISIS convicts  many of whom have been sentenced to death  confess to crimes and express regret.





In Mosul, Islamic scholars are training volunteers to counter ISISs ideology with the messages of peace in Islam.





The volunteers are tutored on faith, Islamic jurisprudence and the Hadith (sayings of Prophet Mohammad) to allow them to counter the ideas of [ISIS] and its intellectual terrorism, Sheikh Saleh al-Obeidi, president of the Ulema Forum of Mosul, told Agence France-Presse.





However, such soft power is likely to be more successful if the government does not contradict the messages of justice and tolerance preached in the forum.





Source: The Arab Weekly , Mamoon Alabbasi, March 11, 2018. Mamoon Alabbasi is Deputy Managing Editor and Online Editor of The Arab Weekly. You can follow him on Twitter @MamoonAlabbasi.

 | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com



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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,

but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar WildeU.S. Ambassador to Iraq Douglas Silliman recently joined the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General and UN Development Program, or UNDP, Resident Representative Lise Grande for a visit to several sites in the Ninewa Plains of Iraq. The visit sought to highlight the U.S.-UN partnership in supporting the Iraqi governments efforts to help its most vulnerable people return home following the liberation of their territory from ISIS.

During his visit to the historically Christian towns of Al Hamdaniya and Karamless, home to Syriac Catholic and Chaldean Catholic communities respectively, Ambassador Silliman reaffirmed the U.S. governments commitment to supporting the UNDP Funding Facility for Stabilization. To date, the United States has provided 190.3 million dollars to this program. This includes a recent 75 million dollar contribution, portions of which the United States has specifically set aside for projects in the Ninewa Plains.The second tranche of an additional 75 million dollars is pending.

The U.S. government also plans to fund non-governmental and private organizations to help communities in the Ninewa Plains and western Ninewa, including ethnic and religious minorities.

Separately, the United States has contributed more than 1.7 billion dollars in humanitarian assistance since 2014 for conflict-affected Iraqis who were displaced by the ISIS threat.

UNDP Resident Representative for Iraq Lise Grande said, We are very grateful for the contribution of the U.S. government. UNDP is currently implementing more than 1,000 projects across Ninewa Governorate.

The visit also included meetings with Syriac Catholic and Chaldean Catholic religious leaders and a tour of the Karamless primary health care center, another UNDP stabilization project that the United States will be partially funding.

We are committed to supporting UNDP stabilization projects like these until all displaced Iraqis can return to their liberated, stabilized areas, said Ambassador Silliman at the reopening of the Al Hamdaniya Hospital, which was looted and vandalized during the ISIS occupation before its initial rehabilitation by UNDP.

The U.S. government recently approved 2.6 million dollars to fund UNDPs further rehabilitation of the hospital and the purchase of necessary medical equipment. Ambassador Silliman added, As I look at this facility, I see it as a symbol of hope that more peaceful and prosperous days lie ahead for the people of this community.After many meetings and debates, the Chicago delegation succeeded in working with the New York United Federation of Teachers, Local 2 (UFT) to push the AFT to take stronger stands on charter school accountability and school closings  though many delegates from Chicago would have liked the language to have been even stronger.

Generally speaking, the New York delegation represented organizing charters as the best model for handling their role in reshaping unions, despite the fact that according to many reports few charter schools in New York have been organized as is the case in Chicago. This logic is the same touted by the Progressive Caucus of the AFT. The few that have been organized are a part of the UFT local though they have separate contracts negotiated with the help of UFT. The Chicago delegation reflection the mindset that allowing new charters to continue to proliferate while attempting to organize existing charters is an end game in which public schools and the union lose.



Jen Johnson, CTU, Local 1 in Substance

By RFE/RL



The United States has called for the Taliban to "step up" and engage the Afghan government in peace talks to end the 16-year conflict.



Alice Wells, a U.S. principal deputy assistant secretary of state in charge of South and Central Asian affairs, said Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's offer of talks with the Taliban without any preconditions was the "most specific and forward-leaning proposal" for peace since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001.



Wells, speaking at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington on March 9, urged the Taliban to give Ghani's offer "serious consideration," adding that there were signs the militant group was "assessing the proposal."



On February 28, Ghani offered to allow the Taliban to establish itself as a political party and said he would work to remove sanctions on the militant group, among other incentives, if it joined the government in peace negotiations.



In return, the militants would have to recognize the Kabul government and respect the rule of law.



But the Taliban has continued to reject direct peace talks with the Kabul government and insisted it will only negotiate with the United States, which it calls a "foreign occupying force." The Taliban also says that NATO forces must withdraw before negotiations can begin.



The United States has refused to withdraw troops as demanded by the Taliban and has insisted that the Kabul government must play a lead role in peace negotiations.



Wells, who is leading the Afghan peace effort for the U.S. government, said Washington was supporting talks without preconditions to allow for "creative solutions and approaches."



She also said Washington had not seen "decisive and sustained changes from Pakistan," which Afghan and U.S. officials have accused of supporting the Taliban.



"But we won't walk away from Pakistan," Wells said, adding that Islamabad had a crucial role to play in bringing the militants to the negotiating table.



Russia and Iran have established contacts with the Taliban in recent years because of the common threat posed by the Islamic State (IS) militant group in Afghanistan.



But Wells said some regional countries were "exaggerating" the threat of IS militants in Afghanistan as a "pretext for hedging behavior."On the 11th anniversary of Robert A. Bob Levinsons disappearance from Kish Island, Iran, the FBI has called for his return.

In an official statement FBI said, Mr. Levinson disappeared on March 9, 2007, and as he was taken inside Iran, the FBI and the United States Government call on the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to return Mr. Levinson home to his family.

Referring to an agreement in recent years, between the Government of the Islamic Republic and the United Stated to cooperate in sharing information which would lead to Mr. Levinson, the statement noted, The FBI calls on the Government of Iran to uphold this commitment so that Mr. Levinson and his family can be reunited.

Robert (Bob) Levinson, who will turn seventy Saturday, March 10, has disappeared in Iran and presumed held there for eleven years.

A $5 million reward for information that could lead to his safe return remains unclaimed. The FBI has set up a website with information about Levinson and the reward.

Meanwhile, his family has also issued a statement on his eleventh anniversary of disappearance, lamenting, Despite years of promises by the government of Iran and by three U.S. administrations, Bob [father of seven] is still not home.

The Islamic Republic has repeatedly maintained it has no information on him, but the Levinson family is not giving up hope, For 11 years we have pleaded with too many Iranian and U.S. officials to count; we have asked countries around the world that have relations with Iran to help us; we have asked religious leaders of the world's leading faiths to help us; we have asked companies authorized to do business with Iran to help us. We have traveled to Iran. We have asked influential private citizens, foreign policy experts, and the UN for advice. We have written letter after letter after letter. Eleven years later, no one has been able to help us. How is this possible?"

In the meantime, the State Department press secretary Heather Nauert asserted in a statement that the United States "remains unwavering in our commitment to bring him home."

"We share our deepest sympathy with his family which has suffered from his absence for over a decade. We will not rest until the Levinson family is whole again," Nauert said. "Iran committed to cooperating with the United States to assist us in bringing Robert Levinson home and we call on Iran to fulfill this commitment."

Furthermore, Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) called the Islamic Republic regimes "continued denial of his whereabouts--- farcical." Levinsons live in Florida.

"Little occurs in the country without Irans Islamic rulers knowing about it," Rubio said. "Last year, Senator Nelson and I introduced a resolution in the Senate urging the president and our allies to press Iran on Bobs disappearance. I hope the Senate will pass this resolution soon and remind Tehran that we will never forget about Bob. I remain committed as ever to bringing Bob Levinson back home to his family.

Robert (Bob) Levinson, a former FBI agent, disappeared eleven years ago while visiting Kish Island, southern Iran. There are unconfirmed reports saying that he has died while in custody. Nevertheless, there are also reports insisting that he is still alive and kept somewhere in eastern Iran, near Afghanistan border.

Wall Street Journal last month reported that President Trumps administration had proposed creating a direct channel between Tehran and Washington for negotiating the fate of U.S. and the Islamic Republic citizens who are behind bars in the two countries. According to WSJ, Tehran has not responded to the proposal, yet.

Seven other U.S. citizens and permanent U.S. residents have been arrested in Iran over the past two years: Princeton doctoral student Xiyue Wang, art gallery owner Karan Vafadari and his wife Afarin Niasari, Robin Reza Shahini, an Iranian-American from California, Siamak Namazi and his 81-year old Baquer as well as Nizar Zakka, a Lebanese national with U.S. permanent residency.

at/msAmnesty International says two Iranian human rights activists are enduring "appalling treatment" in a prison outside Tehran.

In a statement on March 9, Amnesty International said Atena Daemi and Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee were being held in "unsanitary conditions" in the Shahr-e Rey prison, on the outskirts of Tehran, and their access to the outside world was being "severely restricted."

London-based Amnesty International called for the "women's immediate and unconditional release."

"We are extremely alarmed by reports from Shahr-e Rey prison about the targeting and escalating ill-treatment of Golrokh and Atena," said Philip Luther, Amnesty Internationals research and advocacy director for the Middle East and North Africa.

"They should never have been imprisoned in the first place, and now it seems the Iranian authorities are deliberately subjecting them to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment because of their outspoken activism and continued human rights work even behind bars," Luther added.

Iraee is serving a three-year sentence for writing an unpublished fictional story about the horrific practice of stoning.

Daemi is serving a sentence of seven years for distributing leaflets and writing posts on Facebook and Twitter that criticized Iran's use of the death penalty.Irans Parliament (Majles) is going to impeach the Rouhani administrations labor, roads and agriculture ministers within a week, Iranian TVs IRIB News agency quoted deputy speaker Ali Motahari as saying on Saturday March 10.

Motahari said the impeachments will be made on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

However, Another Iranian MP, Akbar Ranjbarzadeh, told reporters in Tehran that the Majles will impeach Labor Minister Ali Rabii Tuesday morning, while the impeachment of Roads and Transportation Minister Abbas Akhundi is on the agenda for Tuesday afternoon, and Agriculture Minister Mahmoud Hojatis impeachment will take place on Wednesday.

The call for impeachment of Roads and Transportation Minister Abbas Akhundi was made on February 19, one day after an Iranian Aseman Airline passenger aircraft crashed en-route from Tehran to Yasuj, killing all 65 passengers and crew members.

Experts have attributed frequent crashes and dangerous incidents such as crash-landings to the fact that Irans passenger fleet is too old and outdated. Most of the aircraft in use in Iran were manufactured in the 1970s, and in recent years, international sanctions imposed on Iran to make it comply with international regulations have hindered purchase of new airplanes.

While tabling the motion for impeachment of Akhundi, MPs listed incapability to deal with the crises in the countrys transportation system, failing to supervise the air and land transport fleets, not implementing Majles plans about transportation, and lack of motivation to run the affairs of their ministries as some of the reasons for his impeachment.

Akhundi was previously impeached three times but every time he managed to win the MPs vote of confidence.

Meanwhile, MPs listed ignoring the workers rights, failure in running the pension funds as well as poor performance in the area of entrepreneurship as some of the reasons for Labor Minister Rabiis impeachment.

The sinking of Irans oil tanker Sanchi on 15 January brought Rabii under a lot of criticism and the crash involving the Aseman airliner brought about further anger and frustration among members of Parliament, the media and the public as Rabiis ministry owned both the oil tanker and the crashed airplane.

The motion for impeachment of Agriculture Minister Hojati was tabled last week, stating incapability to regulate the market for agricultural products, bankruptcy of sugar factories and a drop in production of milk in Iran as some of his failures.

The Rouhani administration has not officially reacted to the multiple impeachments, however, Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri said: Impeachment is a right for the Majles, but some people tend to portray the administrations best achievements in a negative light, Iranian media reported last week.

It does not seem that the multiple impeachment initiatives are motivated by partisan politics; conservatives trying to destabilize President Hassan Rouhanis government. There are also reformists in the pro-impeachment camp.Baku, Azerbaijan, March 10

Trend:

Over the past 24 hours, Armenias armed forces have 90 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said March 10.

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, March 10

By Fikret Dolukhanov - Trend:

The traces of moral and physical torture could clearly be seen in the videos and photos of Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev, shot during the so-called trial process, France-based International Committee on Human Rights Protection (CIPDH) said in its article regarding the Azerbaijanis taken hostage in the occupied Azerbaijani territories by Armenians.

In the article, the human rights organization noted that more than 25 years have passed since the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict reached its military phase and Azerbaijan faced with the military aggression of the Armenian occupiers, ethnic cleansing policy against Azerbaijanis, and all other horrors of war.

The CIPDH described the Armenian occupation of 20 percent of the Azerbaijani territories and killing more than 20,000 Azerbaijani citizens, underlining that hundreds of citizens have been captured and taken hostage.

Among them are three Azerbaijani civilians taken hostage in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan in July 2014, with one of the hostages, Hasan Hasanov, being killed, and the other two  Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev  being subjected to severe physical and moral tortures, the organization noted.

The CIPDH criticized the trial process, which didnt have any legal basis and whose claimed verdicts had no legal effects whatsoever.

According to the information given to the families of the hostages through letters, both prisoners have serious health issues, the CIPDH noted.

The organization added that Armenia, which started the conflict, ignores the international instruments, such as the 1949 Geneva Convention on the Protection of Victims of War, and violates the provisions of international humanitarian law.

CIPDH called on all the international organizations to take immediate measures.

Further, the CIPDH added that Armenian occupation of the Azerbaijani territories was condemned by four UN Security Council resolutions and touched upon the Armenian attack on the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly, ultimately killing 613 people.

As can be seen from the contents of the article, Armenian government that constantly talks about the Armenian genocide and tries to create an image of a victim-nation will soon have to deal with the atrocities of those who currently rule Yerevan.

Even though current political establishment of Armenia continues fruitless efforts on denying all black and shameful deeds from the Khojaly genocide to the aforementioned Asgarov and Guliyev case, the discrepancy between the talks about democracy and human rights on the sidelines of the European conferences and the actual actions of the Armenian authorities is becoming more and more obvious.

It seems that the time for Armenia to enjoy one-sided biased support from international organizations is gradually running out.

Azerbaijans foreign policy aimed at informing the international community about the real situation inside and around the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is giving its results and Baku is nearing the desired outcome.Baku, Azerbaijan, March 10

By Samir Ali - Trend:

The facts of torture against Shahbaz Guliyev and Dilgam Asgarov, who were taken hostage while visiting their native lands in Azerbaijans occupied Kalbajar district, are posted on the website of the International Committee for the Protection of Human Rights, Dilgam Asgarovs lawyer Anar Bagirov said in an interview with Trend March 10.

They are constantly tortured, and this is not something new, Bagirov said. We have all the necessary information that we constantly send to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in order to speed up the process of considering the case.

During an operation in July 2014 in Shaplar village of Azerbaijani Kalbajar district occupied by Armenia, the Armenian special forces killed an Azerbaijani, Hasan Hasanov, and took hostage two other Azerbaijanis, Shahbaz Guliyev and Dilgam Asgarov. A "criminal case" was initiated against them. Afterwards, a "court" sentenced Asgarov to life imprisonment and Guliyev to 22 years in prison.Baku, Azerbaijan, March 10

By Elchin Mehdiyev  Trend:

Nobody can ever defeat the Azerbaijani state, Azerbaijani Presidents Assistant for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov told the 7th Congress of Azerbaijani Journalists in Baku on March 10.

"Nobody can demoralize the Azerbaijani state, no one can avert the state from national principles and ideas. We are stronger with the President of Azerbaijan and his will. We are stronger with our national army, which ensures the security of our state," he said, adding that Azerbaijan is stronger with journalists.

The 7th Congress of Azerbaijani Journalists is taking place in Baku.

Over 240 representatives of 166 organizations, which are members of Azerbaijans Press Council, are taking part in the congress.Baku, Azerbaijan, March 10

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

Azerbaijans Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mammad-Guliyev will represent the country in the ceremony of launching of the new institutional set-up of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) initiative in Brussels, Belgium, spokesperson of Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry Hikmat Hajiyev told Trend March 10.

The new institutional set-up of the Eastern Partnership will be launched March 12 in the presence of senior officials from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, Armenia and the EU member states.

The new structure was officially adopted at the Eastern Partnership Summit in November last year with the joint declaration.

The new structure for institutional cooperation between the Eastern Partnership countries and the EU member states focuses first and foremost on the efficient delivery of reforms that bring real results to the citizens.

The core elements of the renewed structure, the platforms and panels, are now aligned with the four priorities of the Eastern Partnership: stronger governance, stronger economy, stronger connectivity and stronger society.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_ZeynBaku, Azerbaijan, March 10

By Elchin Mehdiyev  Trend:

The influence of Azerbaijan's national information resources is growing worldwide, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in his letter to the participants of the 7th Congress of Azerbaijani Journalists in Baku on March 10.

The letter was read out by Azerbaijani Presidents Assistant for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov.

"After gaining independence in the 1990s, wide opportunities opened up for establishment of free and democratic press in our country," the president said in the letter.

The head of state underlined that thanks to the efforts of Azerbaijan's national leader Heydar Aliyev, the artificial barriers that restricted freedom of speech and press were eliminated, a strong legislative base was created for regulating media activities, consistent measures were taken to strengthen the material and technical base of editorial offices, and a foundation was laid for progressive traditions in media-state relations.

"The manifestation of the democratization process in Azerbaijan was the creation of the Press Council, which performs the function of self-regulation of the press, at the first congress of journalists in 2003. This can be regarded as completion of the transition period in relations of the media with the state and society, and the beginning of a qualitatively new stage. Over the past 15 years, the Press Council has made rational proposals related to development of freedom of speech and press in Azerbaijan, improvement of the media activities and strengthening of independence. The Press Council has also made serious efforts in regulating relations between state bodies, citizens and the media, protecting the rights of journalists, increasing their professionalism and eliminating negative phenomena in the media. Today, the Press Council, distinguished by its consistent and purposeful activity, has taken a worthy place among the leading public organizations of Azerbaijan and has won great prestige in the society," the address of the head of state reads.

President Aliyev noted that in the Republic of Azerbaijan, which today enjoys strong economic and financial potential, a comprehensive state support is provided to development of every sphere, including mass media.

"It is no coincidence that influence of national information resources is growing worldwide and its competitiveness is rising. I think that in the modern world, where the global network is expanding and transnational media have a serious impact on the domestic life and international prestige of different countries, Azerbaijani media should be more active and principled, keep our national interests above all, demonstrating high professionalism, and should not spare power and abilities for the progress of our society," President Aliyev said.

"I believe the 7th Congress will turn into an important platform for effective discussions on the current state and prospects of the Azerbaijani press, and important decisions will be made on the future development of our national journalism. In this regard, I wish each of you and all Azerbaijani journalists good health and success to the Congress," the president's message reads.Baku, Azerbaijan, March 10

By Elchin Mehdiyev  Trend:

Good environment of partnership between journalism and government has been established in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani Presidents Assistant for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov told the 7th Congress of Azerbaijani Journalists in Baku on March 10.

The democratic media traditions, the foundation of which was laid by national leader Heydar Aliyev, are successfully continued and developed in Azerbaijan, he added.

Hasanov emphasized that President Ilham Aliyev, who is a worthy successor of the national leader, continues to take care of journalists, fulfilling the states commitments.

Further, he added that representatives of parties, who have unknown financial sources and who live best of all, have no right to criticize and blame.

Today, a voting took place here, Hasanov said. Regardless of what was said and who said it, there will be some individuals isolated from the Azerbaijani media who will try to form a negative opinion about the Congress, the newly elected composition and your journalistic activity. One shouldnt be afraid of this and look at it as at something unusual. As long as there is society, humanity, life, there will also be opponents, so look at them simply as at opponents, no matter in what form they express their opinion or hatred towards you."

Try to act and respond according to the norms of journalism and the position of the Azerbaijani people, protect your rights, Hasanov said. Do not succumb to external pressure, be it from a state or your colleague willing to oppose you, or anti-Azerbaijan forces, both inside and outside the country.

If the Azerbaijani state uses the opportunities provided by taxpayers and national wealth of the country in order to finance, meet the material and spiritual needs of its creative people, academicians, representatives of art, journalists who form good examples in the Azerbaijani society, as well as representatives of other categories, whats wrong about that?, he noted. You can demonstrate your position in relation to those who intend to oppose it. Why should the support rendered by Azerbaijan at the expense of its national heritage be considered a mistake, while the external financing or the use of foreign grants turning you against Azerbaijan, with the purpose of carrying out anti-Azerbaijani activity, is a normal phenomenon?

Look at the financing sources of those who presently accuse you, he said. I appeal to the opposition parties: the parties that are elected to the Azerbaijani Parliament as part of the law and which receive legitimate funding from the state budget. Whats bad about it?Baku, Azerbaijan, March 10

By Elchin Mehdiyev  Trend:

Some people who fled Azerbaijan insult the symbols of the country, Azerbaijani Presidents Assistant for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov told the 7th Congress of Azerbaijani Journalists in Baku March 10.

After leaving Azerbaijan, they are deprived of their passports and are turned against the country, he noted.

Hasanov added that the Azerbaijani press must fight against such persons.

Even those persons' parents renounce them, he said. By using Facebook, those individuals are engaged in denigration of Azerbaijan. First of all, media representatives must counter them.

The presidential aide noted that Azerbaijan's Press Council has prepared a list in connection with the racketeer journalists.

"They threaten me, they allege Ali Hasanov prevents them from earning money. I invite those people to take the right path. Collecting compromising material and blackmailing people is not good. Put yourself in the place of those people who you threaten. I do not fight those people, but I urge them to take the right path," Hasanov said.

He added that members of media outlets, who are included in the blacklist of the Press Council, will not be included in the list of persons to whom apartments are provided.

The 7th Congress of Azerbaijani Journalists was held in Baku on March 10.Baku, Azerbaijan, March 10

Trend:

Forty-one polling stations will be set up outside Azerbaijan in connection with the upcoming presidential election in the country.

This was announced by Deputy Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Natig Mammadov at the CEC meeting in Baku on March 10.

At the meeting, Yasamal second Constituency No.16 and Yasamal third Constituency No.17 were determined to prepare the lists of voters, who will cast vote outside the country.

As many as 13,820 Azerbaijani citizens will vote in polling stations to be established outside the country.

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.Details added (first version posted on 14:07)

Baku, Azerbaijan, March 10

By Elchin Mehdiyev  Trend:

Good environment of partnership between journalism and government has been established in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani Presidents Assistant for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov told the 7th Congress of Azerbaijani Journalists in Baku on March 10.

The democratic media traditions, the foundation of which was laid by national leader Heydar Aliyev, are successfully continued and developed in Azerbaijan, he added.

Hasanov emphasized that President Ilham Aliyev, who is a worthy successor of the national leader, continues to take care of journalists, fulfilling the states commitments.

Further, he added that representatives of parties, who have unknown financial sources and who live best of all, have no right to criticize and blame.

Today, a voting took place here, Hasanov said. Regardless of what was said and who said it, there will be some individuals isolated from the Azerbaijani media who will try to form a negative opinion about the Congress, the newly elected composition and your journalistic activity. One shouldnt be afraid of this and look at it as at something unusual. As long as there is society, humanity, life, there will also be opponents, so look at them simply as at opponents, no matter in what form they express their opinion or hatred towards you."

Try to act and respond according to the norms of journalism and the position of the Azerbaijani people, protect your rights, Hasanov said. Do not succumb to external pressure, be it from a state or your colleague willing to oppose you, or anti-Azerbaijan forces, both inside and outside the country.

If the Azerbaijani state uses the opportunities provided by taxpayers and national wealth of the country in order to finance, meet the material and spiritual needs of its creative people, academicians, representatives of art, journalists who form good examples in the Azerbaijani society, as well as representatives of other categories, whats wrong about that?, he noted. You can demonstrate your position in relation to those who intend to oppose it. Why should the support rendered by Azerbaijan at the expense of its national heritage be considered a mistake, while the external financing or the use of foreign grants turning you against Azerbaijan, with the purpose of carrying out anti-Azerbaijani activity, is a normal phenomenon?

Look at the financing sources of those who presently accuse you, he said. I appeal to the opposition parties: the parties that are elected to the Azerbaijani Parliament as part of the law and which receive legitimate funding from the state budget. Whats bad about it?Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 10

Trend:

George Tsereteli, the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, arrived in Azerbaijan on an official visit.

George Tsereteli and his wife Eka Tsereteli were met by Deputy Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament Bahar Muradova at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport.

Tsereteli will attend the Silk Way Conference in Baku.

Tsereteli previously announced that his visit will focus on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and he will be accompanied by the PAs International Secretariat.Baku, Azerbaijan, March 10

By Elchin Mehdiyev  Trend:

During 15 years since its creation, the Press Council has served to regulate relations between the government, media and society, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Press Council Aflatun Amashov told the 7th Congress of Azerbaijani Journalists in Baku on March 10.

Amashov said many steps have been taken to ensure the media's material and technical base, as well as the provision of journalists with housing.

"The years after the 6th Congress of the Press Council have been successful in terms of state support to the media and we would like to thank President Ilham Aliyev for this," he said, further noting the need to increase the state support for the media.

Amashov noted that since the 6th Congress of the Press Council, it received 3,145 complaints, 2,213 of which were considered and resolved, while 932 were sent to various commissions of the Council.

He stressed that steps were taken to resolve the existing problems, the media is provided with material support at a high level.

However, modern media should earn more from advertising and sales, he said. For us, exemption of newsprint imports from VAT is very important. In the future, print media should play a reliable archival role. In this respect, it is necessary to create ample opportunities for the sale of print media, and, along with newspaper kiosks, these opportunities should be created in the subway as well.

He added that the Azerbaijani president should send an appeal that the arrested journalists would be released from serving the remaining term of the punishment.

This would be a humane step, Amashov said.Details added (first version posted on 11:56)

Baku, Azerbaijan, March 10

By Elchin Mehdiyev  Trend:

During 15 years since its creation, the Press Council has served to regulate relations between the government, media and society, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Press Council Aflatun Amashov told the 7th Congress of Azerbaijani Journalists in Baku on March 10.

Amashov said many steps have been taken to ensure the media's material and technical base, as well as the provision of journalists with housing.

"The years after the 6th Congress of the Press Council have been successful in terms of state support to the media and we would like to thank President Ilham Aliyev for this," he said, further noting the need to increase the state support for the media.

Amashov noted that since the 6th Congress of the Press Council, it received 3,145 complaints, 2,213 of which were considered and resolved, while 932 were sent to various commissions of the Council.

He stressed that steps were taken to resolve the existing problems, the media is provided with material support at a high level.

However, modern media should earn more from advertising and sales, he said. For us, exemption of newsprint imports from VAT is very important. In the future, print media should play a reliable archival role. In this respect, it is necessary to create ample opportunities for the sale of print media, and, along with newspaper kiosks, these opportunities should be created in the subway as well.

He added that the Azerbaijani president should send an appeal that the arrested journalists would be released from serving the remaining term of the punishment.

This would be a humane step, Amashov said.Baku, Azerbaijan, March 10

By Ilkin Shafiyev  Trend:

The Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) project will help promote regional cooperation and diversify gas import sources of several ADB member countries, Head of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Azerbaijan Office Nariman Mannapbekov said in an interview with Trend and Azernews.

"One of ADBs key mandates is to support the development of regional cooperation among its members, including those with energy security issues. The Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) project perfectly espouses this mandate, as it will help promote regional cooperation and will help diversify gas import sources of several ADB member countries. We believe that the project can generate additional revenue for the government. This can be used to implement social programs or new measures for economic diversification. It will also provide employment for many people  at least 1,800 permanent jobs are expected upon the projects completion," he said.

To date, the ADB has already approved funds in the amount of $1 billion for the Southern Gas Corridor CJSC.

The Southern Gas Corridor is one of the priority projects for the EU and provides for the transportation of 10 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas from the Caspian region through Georgia and Turkey to Europe.

At an initial stage, the gas to be produced as part of the Stage 2 of development of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz field is considered as the main source for the Southern Gas Corridor projects. Other sources can also connect to this project at a later stage.

As part of the Shah Deniz Stage 2, the gas will be exported to Turkey and European markets by expanding the South Caucasus Pipeline and the construction of Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) and Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP).

ADB was founded in 1966 and 67 states are its members. The banks headquarters is located in Manila, Philippines.

Azerbaijan became an ADB member in 1999. The country's share in the bank's capital is 0.5 percent.

Subscribers of Trend News Agency can read this and other exclusive materials before they are published in open access.

More information on Trends news products can be found here.Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, March 10

By Huseyn Hasanov - Trend

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has approved the draft state program on support to small and medium-sized businesses for 2018-2024, the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper reported on March 10.

This issue was discussed at a government meeting. "This program is aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the national economy, both regionally and globally, increasing the country's export potential, strengthening food independence, stimulating production, innovation and investment activity of the private sector," the report reads.

The head of state stressed that entrepreneurship plays an important role in the progressive development of the national economy, in the process of its transition to market relations. Approving the draft program, the head of state ordered to control the implementation of measures of the state support to the private sector.

In March 2017, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced that in this challenging external environment, maintaining strong, sustainable, and inclusive growth will require Turkmenistan to improve the business and regulatory environment to support further private sector development.

The IMF noted that the Turkmen authorities have been adjusting their strategy to the new reality of lower hydrocarbon prices. In the near term, the key policy challenge is to re-calibrate the policy mix to reduce the sizable external imbalances.

Options include gradual but significant cuts in public investment expenditures that remain among the highest in the world, combined with other policy measures which would help adjust domestic demand to a more sustainable level. The pace and composition of policy adjustment should be designed to reduce the adverse impact on economic growth and vulnerable segments of the population," the IMF said then.

According to the report of British Petroleum (BP), Turkmenistan ranks fourth in the world for its natural gas reserves and presently, the country has the opportunity to export it to China and Iran.

Meanwhile, Russia, a traditional buyer of Turkmen gas, stopped buying Turkmen gas in 2016. On the backdrop of this, Turkmen entrepreneurs began to experience difficulties due to currency conversion restrictions.

Turkmenistan seeks a gradual transition to a market economy, which is reflected in the Constitution. Presently, a relevant regulatory and legal framework is being created, while the commodity and raw materials exchange and the labor exchange are formed, and conditions are created for free wholesale trade. The goals were set for creation of a commodity market, a stock market, a securities market, information, advisory and audit centers in the country.Baku, Azerbaijan, March 10

By Ilkin Shafiyev  Trend:

Azerbaijan's legislation on appraisal activity needs to be renewed, Acting Chairman of the Azerbaijani Society of Appraisers Nusret Ibrahimov said during an extraordinary electoral conference in Baku on March 10.

He said a relevant bill was submitted to the Azerbaijani parliament back in 2013.

"Today, we need to update standards in the field of assessment, and the relevant legislative framework, the law adopted in 1998, does not meet the required standards," Ibrahimov stressed.

The Azerbaijani Society of Appraisers intends to maintain a registry of individuals and legal entities that are engaged in valuation activity, he added.

In the near future, the Society's budget for 2018 will be approved, and membership fees will be determined.

The Azerbaijani Society of Appraisers was registered in 1997. It is a public organization that unites all appraisers operating in the country.Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, March 10

By Huseyn Hasanov - Trend

Ashgabat hosted political consultations between the foreign ministries of Turkmenistan and Turkey, the Turkmen ministry said in a message March 10.

Turkey's delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister, Ambassador Umid Yardim, who arrived in Turkmenistan for a working visit.

The sides discussed topical issues of interstate cooperation, stressing mutual interest in further development of the high-level political dialogue.

Discussing the implementation of the earlier reached agreements, the sides exchanged views on development of the bilateral relations in the political and diplomatic spheres.

The sides further voiced interest in intensifying cooperation within international organizations, among which the parties noted the UN, UNESCO and OIC. The sides voiced proposals on integration of peacekeeping initiatives to fight such international challenges as terrorism and extremism.

Regarding the trade and economic areas of cooperation, the sides noted a need to activate Turkmenistan's export potential as well as increase the trade between the two countries, the ministry said.

The parties also discussed the possibility of organizing meetings at various levels.

Also, attention was paid to development of cooperation in transportation, energy and communications.The Fourth World Forum for conservation of snow leopard and its ecosystems is expected to be held for the third time in Kyrgyzstan, the UN headquarter in New York announced this, where the International Forum for Protection of Wild Cats was completed, Kabar reports.

Within the framework of the Forum, Head of the State Agency for Environmental Protection and Forestry Abdykalyk Rustamov held a meeting with Secretary General of CITES John Scanlon and the Executive Director of the Panther and with representatives of World Conservation Society Frederic Launay.

"The World Forum for conservation of snow leopard and its ecosystems held in Kyrgyzstan back in 2013 and 2017 allowed the countries of the snow leopard habitat to not only jointly discuss with the International partners the existing problems, but also to take agreed measures to preserve the population of these rare cats," Rustamov said.

Rustamov specifed that the International Forum on the UN fields will give an additional impetus to the activation of global efforts aimed at preserving wild cats, including the snow leopard population.

"The conservation and increase of the snow leopard population is one of the main tasks for all of us today. It is gratifying that the world community shares our concern about the threat of the snow leopard disappearance," Rustamov added and expressed Kyrgyzstan's readiness to adopt the Fourth World Forum for conservation of the snow leopard and invited the interested sides to take an active part in its work.

Current International Forum for Protection of Wild Cats is held with participation of the President of the General Assembly and the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, representatives of diplomatic missions of snow leopard countries, public figures, leaders and representatives of international and public organizations.Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, March 10

By Huseyn Hasanov - Trend

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov is slated to visit Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, the Turkmen State News Agency (TDH) reported March 10.

The visits were discussed at a government meeting.

"The head of state, noting with satisfaction [at the meeting] the constructive nature of relations with Kuwait and the UAE, pointed to an impressive potential and prospects for building up bilateral economic and trade ties, intensifying investment activities and business contacts, and deepening the traditional dialogue in the humanitarian and cultural areas aimed at strengthening ties of friendship between our countries and peoples," the report reads.

During each visit, it is planned to sign bilateral documents. Berdimuhamedov further stressed the importance of the upcoming high-level talks aimed at defining key cooperation vectors.

The UAE is already one of the five trade partners of Turkmenistan and the volume of trade between the two countries continues to grow. In December 2017, UAE Ambassador Hasan Abdullah Al-Adab told local media that in 2015 the total trade amounted to $1.33 billion, but in 2016 it reached $1.432 billion.

Turkmenistan is interested in discussing participation of large financial and investment structures of the Middle East in the transnational Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project.

Also, UAE companies are represented in the local energy market. Dragon Oil has been operating in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea since 1999 as part of a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA). The company is one of the largest foreign investors in Turkmenistan. Another company - Petrofac - took part in implementation of a major service project for development of the Galkynysh gas field.

Turkmenistan and Kuwait are interested in discussing opportunities for activating contacts in the fuel and energy sector. Particularly, Turkmenistan and Kuwait have the largest hydrocarbon reserves in the world, which is an important factor for mutual interest in cooperation on development and export of energy resources to international markets. Among the promising areas are investment, trade, construction, mining.Baku, Azerbaijan, March 10

By Fikret Dolukhanov  Trend:

The latest energy agreement between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan will help the countries solve both energy and water issues, Deputy Head of the CIS States Institute Vladimir Zharikhin said in an interview with Sputnik Uzbekistan.

According to the expert, the water issue has always been very sensitive for the Central Asian states, because there was no compromise between the countries that have plenty of water resources and the states that have problems in water supply.

Considering the common challenges and threats, such agreements serve as a stabilizer for the region. Finally, the problems glooming over interstate relations in Central Asia have been solved, Zharikhin stressed.

The main problem, according to the expert, is the inability of countries to achieve a compromise in the water use.

"However, progress is clear. By the example of the Uzbek-Tajik agreement one can see that countries involved in such agreements get mutual benefits. Tajikistan is now able to raise its power production and sell the excess to neighboring countries, while Uzbekistan may now implement more advanced irrigation methods, such as the drip irrigation, the expert concluded.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev commenced an official visit to Dushanbe on March 9. The Uzbek-Tajik heads of state discussed all points of cooperation, including economy, humanitarian issues, energy projects and border issues.

Earlier, Tajikistan announced that it will begin supplying electricity to Uzbekistan in late March or early April 2018. The total volume of export will be at least 1.5 billion kilowatt hours a year.Baku, Azerbaijan, March 10

By Fikret Dolukhanov  Trend:

Presidents of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan launched the restored part of the Galaba-Amuzang-Khoshadi interstate railway, which was closed back in 2011, Uzbek media reported.

The launch ceremony was broadcast live by the Tajik state TV channels.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon launched the train line by pressing a symbolic button on March 9. The heads of state observed the departure of the first train.

Up until today, the two countries were connected by the Kudukli-Bekabad railway. The Amuzang railway station will now become a new linking point. For that purpose, all the required conditions were created at the station for the border and customs service workers.

The railway will serve interests of the two countries and play an important role in development of transit traffic, creating new possibilities for access to Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. It will also promote development of passenger transit, opening new destinations.

The new railway line between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan will also help further increase the trade turnover, import and export, and strengthen the interstate relations.

The Galaba-Amuzang line, connecting southern provinces of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, was closed in November 2011, when the Uzbek side dismounted the railway tracks on its part, saying that the lines were heavily worn out.

Earlier, Uzbekistan completed work on rebuilding the Galaba-Amuzang railway line, through which Uzbek railways reach Tajikistan.

The first freight train was scheduled to arrive from the Uzbek station Termez in the Surkhandarya region of Uzbekistan to the Tajik station of Khoshadi on March 1.Baku, Azerbaijan, March 10

By Gazenfer Hamidov  Trend:

Iran imported 33.933 million tons of goods worth $47.657 billion during the first 11 months of the current fiscal year (started March 20, 2017).

The figure indicates a 23.61 percent increase in terms of value compared to the same period of the preceding year, the Iranian Customs Administration said in its latest report released March 6.

Car parts, worth $1.573 billion, topped the list of Iran's imported goods during the 11-month period, followed by corn fodder ($1.434 billion), rice ($1.03 billion), soybean meal ($838 million) and cars with 1,500-2,000 cc engines ($739 million) were the other goods mainly imported to the Islamic Republic in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year (March 20-Feb. 20).

China was the main exporter of goods to Iran in the mentioned period. Iran imported $11.534 billion worth of goods from China in the 11-month period.

After China, the UAE ($8.759 billion), South Korea ($3.292 billion), Turkey ($2.863 billion) and Germany ($2.641 billion) were other four biggest exporters of goods to Iran.Baku, Azerbaijan, March 10

By Khalid Kazimov  Trend:

Irans economy offers a promising outlook for the coming fiscal year (starts March 20), Government Spokesperson Mohammadbaqer Nowbakht said.

Irans economic prospect for the coming year is promising. In collaboration with National Development Fund of Iran and private banks, we have allocated over 126 trillion tomans ($36 billion) to development projects, IRNA news agency quoted him as saying on Monday.

Forecasting a bright outlook for Irans economy over the coming year, he said Iran sold oil below $40 per barrel, but its price has now surpassed $60 per barrel and the average price of Irans oil stands at about $51 per barrel.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) through its latest report has anticipated a real gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 3.8 percent for Iran in 2018.

The figure shows improvement from the international bodys announced outlook for 2017, which was 3.5 percent.

The IMF expects Irans inflation rate to decrease to 10.1 percent in 2018 from its previous 10.5 percent in 2017.Tehran, Iran, March 10

By Kamyar Eghbalnejad  Trend:

Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Abbas Akhoundi has said that the country needs to increase the length of the countrys freeways to 10,000 kilometers over the next eight years.

Putting the current length of the freeways of the country at 2,400 kilometers, he added that about 4,000 kilometer-long of freeways must be constructed by 2021.

The minister added that his organization inked deals for the construction of 1,013 kilometer-long of freeways over the last fiscal year (starting March 20).

In addition to the deals signed on Saturday to construct 440 kilometers of freeways across the country, he added that the officials are negotiating deals to ink 800 kilometers long of freeways.

The minister further touched upon the capability of the sector to create new job opportunities and said more than 17,000 workers are now involved in the construction of 1113 kilometer long of highways in the country.

Speaking about the significant role of private sector in the construction of roads in the county, he said that the government budget for the next fiscal year has envisaged allocating 5 trillion tomans (about $1.4 billion) to his ministry. However, the value of contracts for the construction of freeways in the country is more than 11 trillion tomans ($3.1 billion).

Construction and Development of Transportation Infrastructures Company of Iran concluded a deal worth of $714.2 million with the representatives of the private sector of the country to construct 439 kilometer-long of freeways on Saturday.Baku, Azerbaijan, March 10

By Gazenfer Hamidov  Trend:

Irans exports to the US witnessed fall in 2018, meanwhile the US increased its exports to the Islamic Republic significantly.

Trade turnover between Iran and the US stood at $13.5 million in the first month of 2018.

The figure is 28.6 percent more compared to January 2017, according to the statistics of the United States Census Bureau released March 8.

The US exports to Iran accounted to $8.8 million in the 1-month period, which is 79.6 percent more year-on-year.

Meanwhile Iran's exports to the US decreased by 16.7 percent to $ 4.7million in the same time span, according to the report.

In December 2017, Iran and the US had a trade turnover worth $24.5 million, $16.1 million of which accounted for the US exports to Iran.

The US exports to Iran in 2017 reached $137.7 million, which is 19.9 percent less year-on-year.

Iran's exports to the US decreased by about 27.9 percent to $63.2 million in in January-December 2017.

During 2016, the US exported $172 million worth of goods to Iran, mostly agriculture products and medical equipment, and imported $87.7 million worth of goods from Iran, mostly pistachios and carpets.

Removal of international sanctions against Tehran in 2016 only contributed to Irans imports to the US, which experienced a 700-percent rise year-on-year, while the overall trade stood at $260 million, 11 percent less than the preceding year.Baku, Azerbaijan, March 10

By Khalid Kazimov  Trend:

Government Spokesperson Mohammadbaqer Nowbakht has condemned a move by four individuals who climbed onto a first-floor balcony of the Iranian embassy in London on Friday and waved flags in an apparent protest against the government in Tehran.

This move is condemned and our colleagues at Foreign Ministry will follow up on the issue through diplomatic tools, he told reporters on Monday.

He further accused the British police of failing to properly fulfill its duty of protecting the building of the embassy under international regulations.

Following the incident, a spokeswoman for Londons Metropolitan Police said that four were arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage and being unlawfully on diplomatic premises.

No one was hurt during the incident and the four were arrested when they came down voluntarily after around three hours, Reuters reported.

Irans ambassador to Britain, Hamid Baeidnejad, tweeted that the assailants were advocates of the Shirazi cult and had replaced Irans national flag with that of their group. He said all staff at the embassy were safe.

Ayatollah Sadegh Hossein Shirazi, whose son was recently arrested for insulting Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been a fierce critic of Irans clerical leadership.

In the meantime, Iranian local media reported that Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has protested about the incident to the British ambassador in Tehran.Member of Indonesian parliament Fazel Mohammad expressed the hope for his country to develop relations in the field of oil and gas with Iran, IRNA reported.

Purchasing gas is among such cooperation, Mohammad said.

Referring to the fact that Iran and Indonesian companies still have cooperation in various fields, he said exchanges transaction is now over 300 million dollars.

The figure has the capacity to be increased to over 2-3 billion dollars, the Republica website reported.

An Iranian parliamentary delegation headed by chairman of Iran-Indonesia parliamentary friendship group Mahmoud Sadeqi arrived in Jakarta on March 5.

The meeting aimed at holding talks with Indonesian political and parliamentary officials.

Developing bilateral ties in parliamentary field, regional and international developments and issues of mutual interests were among topics discussed by both sides.Iran has summoned the British ambassador to Tehran over an attack on the Islamic Republic's diplomatic mission in London, Press TV reported.

"Following an assault by a number of individuals affiliated to an extremist religious group on the Islamic Republic of Iran's Embassy in London, the country's ambassador was summoned by the director general for Europe affairs [at the Iranian Foreign Ministry] today," Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Saturday.

He added that the Iranian official expressed Tehrans strong protest over the incident and called on the British government to fulfill its duties to protect diplomats and diplomatic missions and increase the security measures for the Islamic Republic's missions.

The British envoy, in turn, expressed his regret over the attack and offered a report on the British police's measures to arrest the attackers.

He said he would immediately inform his country of Irans message.

A number of attackers scaled the wall of Iran's Embassy building in London on Friday and took down the Iranian flag.The For the State of Armenia front is holding a public assembly at Liberty Square in downtown Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia, News.am reports.

The front, jointly with the Armenian Renaissance diaspora civil movement, is holding rallies in Strasbourg, London, Los Angeles, Paris, and Yerevan against the perpetuation of the [current] regime, for the freedom of political prisoners, for the state of Armenia.

Saturdays public meeting at Liberty Square is against the process of President Serzh Sargsyans becoming the next Prime Minister of Armenia.

The members of this front have not ruled out sit-ins and protest marches, and they have said todays rally can be continuous.The President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili has met with the EUs High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini in Brussels to discuss Georgia-EU relations and Georgias current security challenges, Agenda reports.

Margvelashvili paid particular attention to the death of Georgian citizen Archil Tatunashvili in the occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region and the de facto leaderships refusal to transfer the body in a timely manner.

"The sides highlighted that they are concerned by the death, by the delay of the body transfer process and depriving two other Georgian citizens detained with Tatunashvili of the right to leave the occupied region, the press office of the President of Georgia stated.

"The sides also touched upon the murder of Giga Otkhozoria in 2016 and stressed the importance of stronger international involvement to ensure the punishment of those who have committed crimes against Georgian citizens in the occupied territories, the press office added.

Margvelashvili praised the role of the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia and stated that through the efforts of the international community the mission should be allowed into the occupied territories.

Mogherini and Margvelashvili discussed Georgias "ambitious agenda for European integration.

For her part Mogherini gave a high assessment of Georgian reforms and stated that the EU continues to support Georgias further development.

Margvelashvili launched his meetings in Brussels yesterday.UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres "is encouraged" by a planned meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a spokesman said Friday, Anadolu reported.

The secretary general "commends the leadership and vision of all concerned and reiterates his support for all efforts towards peaceful denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions," Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

Trump agreed to meet Kim after the North Korean leader "expressed his eagerness to meet President Trump as soon as possible", South Korean National Security Adviser Chung Eui-Yiong told reporters at the White House on Thursday.

The meeting is planned for some time by May, but no time or place has been yet been agreed.French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in New Delhi late Friday night on a four-day state visit to India, Xinhua reported.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Macron are slated to hold bilateral talks Saturday, following which a number of pacts are expected to be inked between the two countries, according to India's External Affairs Ministry.

"The visit of President Macron is aimed at strengthening the bilateral economic, political and strategic dimension of our engagement," the Ministry earlier said in a statement.

Modi and President Macron will Sunday co-chair the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), a flagship Indian initiative launched by the two countries on sidelines of Paris Climate Conference in 2015.

Bilateral trade between India and France touched nearly 11 billion U.S. dollars during April 2016 to March 2017. France is the ninth largest foreign investor in India.The Israeli central bank has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation with New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS), said a statement issued by the Bank of Israel (BOI) Thursday, Xinhua reports.

The MoU enhances cooperation between the BOI and the DFS, including exchange of information and assistance on supervisory matters, said the statement.

The statement added that the agreement sets out a process for the transfer of information between the supervisory authorities.

The agreement also sets out cooperation and information sharing on suspicions of money laundering or terrorism financing, noted the statement.

"The Israeli economy, including the banking system, is greatly affected by the global economy, and it is very important to maintain international professional dialogue and cooperation," said Hedva Ber, supervisor of banks at the BOI.

"We derive great benefit from our close working relationships with major supervisory authorities around the world, and we view the professional esteem for the Banking Supervision Department in Israel as an important asset," said Ber.

"As one of the most dynamic and interconnected financial capitals of the world, New York serves consumers and regulated entities best when it is working and sharing regulatory knowledge with fellow supervisory authorities," said Maria T. Vullo, financial services superintendent at the DFS.

"Sustained success in global banking depends on international collaboration and effective supervision to safeguard our financial markets," said Vullo.

This MoU comes in addition to previous memoranda between the BOI and supervisory authorities around the world in recent years, including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in the United States, and the Reserve Bank of India, said the statement.New US tariffs on steel imports could cost Egypt $178 million in lost profits, Sputnik reported, citing Egyptian media.

Two Egyptian companies  Ezz Steel and Kandil Steel  export roughly 173,000 tonnes of steel products to the United States, sources told the local El Watan newspaper on Friday.

A source in the Egyptian Trade and Industry Ministry told the daily that Cairo was considering asking the United States for an exemption.

US President Donald Trump signed a policy on Thursday that imposes 25-percent tariffs on steel imports and 10-percent duties on aluminium. Canada and Mexico are excluded while a free trade NAFTA deal is being renegotiated.

US trade partners in South America, the European Union, Japan, and South Korea said they regretted the new policy, while China warned about damage to global trade rules. Argentina said it would seek a waiver.Brenda Lucki has been named the RCMP's new commissioner, the first woman to take on the top post permanently, CBC reported.

At a ceremony in Regina, at the RCMP's training depot, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale announced Lucki's new role, touting her as the leader the Mounties need as the national police force grapples with "internal challenges," including alleged abuses of power and racial bias.

"Lucki has made it her mission to serve the public. She's known for being a hard worker, a dedicated officer and as someone who is constantly looking for ways to improve the status quo," Trudeau said, adding Lucki is "absolutely the best person for the job, who just happens to be a woman."

The prime minister said Lucki will play a vital role in advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, promoting gender equality, addressing workplace harassment and protecting the civil liberties of Canadians.

Facing the prospect of a new union for RCMP members and the fallout from a class action lawsuit over harassment in its ranks, Lucki said she is prepared for the potentially bumpy road ahead.

"I plan to challenge assumptions, seek explanations and better understand the reasons how we operate. This means that no stone will be left unturned. And if what we find works, then we carry on until we unearth the issues that need addressing," she said.

Lucki, a 32-year veteran of the force, has been serving as the commanding officer of the RCMP's training academy in Saskatchewan, where she has focused on bolstering diversity in the ranks. She has served at divisions in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan, worked with United Nations in the former Yugoslavia and trained police units for the UN Civilian Police Mission in Haiti.

She has been awarded the United National Force Commander's commendation for bravery, two UN protection forces medals and the Canadian peacekeeping service medal.French and Indian companies signed contracts worth 13 billion euros ($16 billion) on the first day of President Emmanuel Macrons visit to India on Saturday, the French presidency said in a statement, according to Reuters.

The deals include a contract for Frances Safran (SAF.PA) to supply airline Spice Jet (SPJT.BO) with engines, water system modernization by Suez (SEVI.PA) in the southern city of Davangere and a contract between industrial gas company Air Liquide (AIRP.PA) and Sterlite.

Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi  addressing a news conference in New Delhi  also committed to strengthening their partnership on defense and security.

Whether its the environment, naval security and resources, or freedom of navigation and overflight, we are committed to making our partnership stronger on all these fronts, Modi said. We consider France one of our most reliable defense allies.

He also hailed Frances commitment to making defense and security equipment in India and contributing to Modis flagship Make in India plan to boost local manufacturing.

Macron said the countries had decided to do more together to fight terrorism and put together a strategy to share intelligence.

Our navies will be able to call our respective military bases ... we will also have our space agencies conducting some joint monitoring of the maritime area, Macron said.

The Pacific or the Indian Ocean cannot be places for hegemonic powers.

Macrons office said some 200 million euros of investment would be made India. It did not provide a breakdown of the value or details of the business contracts.The flights between Cairo and Moscow are expected to resume in late March, early April, Sputnik with reference to the Akhbar El Yom newspaper reported.

According to the sources quoted by the newspaper, the Russian authorities will issue permission allowing the EgyptAir airline company to carry out regular flights between Moscow and Cairo within the next week. The first flight is expected to take place in late March, early April.

Russia suspended civilian air traffic to Egypt in October 2015 after a bomb was detonated on a Russian charter plane from Sharm el-Sheikh, killing all 224 people on board.

On December 15, 2017, Russia and Egypt signed an agreement to resume passenger flights between their capitals, which was supposed to enter into force in February. However, the air connection between Moscow and Cairo remains suspended.U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson canceled scheduled events on Saturday on the second day of a visit to Kenya because he is not feeling well, a State Department spokesman said, Reuters reports.

The secretary is not feeling well after a long couple days working on major issues back home such as North Korea and has canceled his events for the day, spokesman Steve Goldstein said.Contemporary myriapod research presented in July 2017 in Krabi, Thailand, comprises 13 research papers by 35 authors from across the world

For the third consecutive time, a special issue in the open access zoological journal ZooKeys is hosting a collection of the research findings presented at the International Congress of Myriapodology.

The contemporary research on myriapods - millipedes, centipedes and their relatives - presented at the 17th International Congress of Myriapodology, held in July 2017 in Krabi, Thailand, and organised by Prof. Somsak Panha, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, contains 13 novel research papers by 35 authors from ten countries, namely Austria, Australia, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Georgia, Germany, Russia, Taiwan and the UK.

A dedicated Editorial written by zoologists Prof. Pavel Stoev, National Museum of Natural History, Bulgaria, and Dr. Gregory Edgecombe, The Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom, is also published along the collection.

Amongst the research comprising the collection, there is a study using molecular phylogenetics to investigate the diversity and biogeography of the well-known European Black Pill Millipede, and the taxonomy of its subspecies and colour morphs.

Another paper describes the online platform VIRMISCO (Virtual Microscope Slide Collection), which allows its users to access an archive of microscope slides of important type specimens.

A total of nine new myriapod species from East Asia and Australia are also announced in the collection, including two papers by a team from Hengshui University, describing two previously unknown stone centipedes discovered in the leaf litter or under rocks in conifer forests in China.

"We are delighted to again have ZooKeys as the forum for publication of our Congress, this one being the first time the global community of myriapod researchers has met in Asia", says co-editor Edgecombe, President of the Centre International de Myriapodologie.

###

Contacts:

Pavel Stoev

Email: projects@pensoft.net

Gregory Edgecombe

Email: g.edgecombe@nhm.ac.ukDigital Gov

States aren't shifting voting tech, despite ballot security concerns

In 2015, the Brennan Center for Justice conducted a major study on voting machine security that found most states were relying on dangerously outdated hardware and software, leaving them vulnerable to hackers while doing little to provide for accurate post-election auditing.

On March 8, 2018, the center released an update to that report and found that not much has changed.

Jurisdictions in 41 states are using voting systems at least a decade out of date going into the 2018 elections, barely an improvement from the 2015 study, when 44 states reported long-obsolete voting tech. The number of states in which election officials said they must replace voting equipment by 2020 actually increased, from 31 in 2015 to 33 in 2018.

The new findings underscore how -- despite the increased attention that election security has received from experts, the media and Congress following the 2016 election -- that buzz has not necessarily translated to substantive action.

Lawrence Norden, deputy director of the Brennan Center's Democracy Program and an author of both the 2015 and 2018 reports, told FCW that it's not all bad news.

The report cites the increasing role of federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security and the Election Assistance Commission as positive post-election developments. Norden and his co-authors say that trend will continue, whether state and local governments like it or not.

However, Norden was surprised the results around voting machines were so consistent across both reports. There are still approximately 40 million registered voters living in counties without paper ballots, including 6.5 million voters in critical swing states like Pennsylvania.

"I would have assumed that we'd continue to keep pace in the years since the 2016 election or maybe even move faster  because of all the attention to security," said Norden. "In fact, much more progress happened before 2016 than has happened since."

However, he noted that voting machine security is just one aspect of the election infrastructure. While policymakers rightly focus on it, it remains one of the more difficult aspects of the election system for hackers to meaningfully manipulate.

"There are a lot easier targets in the election system, whether it's registration system, election night reporting or tally serversattacks against those systems are actually probably a lot easier," he said.

President Donald Trump made waves during a March 7 press conference when he said "certainly there was meddling" during the 2016 elections and endorsed more widespread use of paper ballots, something many cybersecurity experts have long called for.

"It's old fashioned, but it's always good to have a paper backup system of voting," said Trump. It's called paper. Not highly complex computers, paper, and a lot of states are doing that, they're going to a paper backup."

However, there's been little movement on this front, according to the Brennan Center study. In 2016, 14 states reported using paperless voting machines in at least some of their districts, while five used them statewide. The 2018 update found that just one of those 14 states -- Virginia -- has moved to replace its paperless voting systems.

"While many paperless systems were replaced in the years before the 2016 election, since then, the country has made remarkably little progress -- even despite repeated warnings from intelligence officials and security experts that voter verified paper records are a critical backstop against cyberattacks," write the report's authors.

State election officials continue to cite a lack of dedicated funding to replacing voting machines. Following Trump's comments, Reps. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) and Robert Brady (D-Pa.), co-chairs of the Congressional Task Force on Election Security, released a statement expressing appreciation for the White House's endorsement of paper ballots but noted that "replacing state voting systems takes a great deal of time and money  and many states have neither."

A bipartisan effort in the Senate to include voting cybersecurity measures via an amendment to the Department of Homeland Security authorization bill was withdrawn because of objections from several states. Sens. James Lankford (R-Okla.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) plan to offer their bill as standalone legislation.

The lack of budget support has forced many state officials to look for alternative resources to update their voting infrastructure. Tech companies like Google and Cloudflare have started offering free 24-hour, year-round support services to states, counties and municipalities to protect election systems from denial-of-service and phishing attacks. Still other election officials have reported scrounging for spare parts on eBay.

During a January 2018 summit on election security, David Stafford, supervisor of elections for Escambia County, Fla., recommended that states partner with local organizations.

"Look in your own community. If you have a university, chances are there are some portion that are involved in cybersecurity," said Stafford.

Norden said it is too late to make a substantive dent in voting machine replacements or upgrades before the 2018 election. But he noted that there is plenty of time for other policies  such as instituting post-election audits for the 80 percent of the country that do have paper ballot machines  that could make a difference in ensuring election integrity.Banks in Finland are turning down business with a large Nordic cryptocurrency exchange.

Prasos, based in Finland, has now had four bank accounts closed and is now dependent on just one account. The platform exchanges cryptocurrencies for euros and relies upon banks for its service, but theyre becoming increasingly wary due to uncertainty regarding the legality of the operations.

Cryptocurrency regulation is currently unclear, but banks are erring on caution. Theyre particularly wary of involvement with money laundering, believing the anonymous or pseudo-anonymous nature of virtual currencies to be shaky legal ground. An agreement was reached at the European Union last year which we would see cryptocurrency fall under the same anti-money laundering regulation as fiat funds, and whilst this is not yet being enforced, banks are keeping well clear of involvement.

The Prasos platform has lost its connection with banks following a tenfold increase in volume since the prior year, with the $185m sum raising suspicions among institutions.

Founded in 2012, the Prasos team were united by the vision of a societal revolution using blockchain technology, stating their mission as to provide services that are easy to use to spread blockchain adoption.

We believe cryptocurrencies are a way of equalizing societal power structures as they allow regular people the chance to control their own money.

Prasos, in fact, hosts six separate services, and boast five years of expertise in blockchain technology, currently specializing in the development of Lightning Networks. The most well-known is Coinmotion, the investment platform, but investors an also access Bittiraha, a Bitcoin broker service. Alongside these services, the platform offers Coinmotion Instant, an instant cryptocurrency purchase platform, and merchant services are on the way.

Most interestingly of all, however, is Prasos Denarium service, which offers physical Bitcoins, available in brass, silver and gold.

Story continues

The company is also looking to the future with the Bittimaatti service, which is providing Bitcoin ATMs:

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

Whilst banks may be cautious, Prasos is confident that they are acting legally an here for the future. They told reporters of increasing Know Your Customer compliance, which came into effect this month.

Weve created identification practices, which we have taken into use in March, and they comply fully with anti-money laundering laws and regulations, even though authorities do not even require this from us as our business in not under regulatory obligations.

Featured image from Shutterstock.



The post Bitcoin Exchange Prasos Falling out of Favor with Finnish Banks appeared first on CCN.

LONDON, March 9 (Reuters) - Britain will keep up pressure on North Korea even as it welcomes progress towards talks between its leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump, a spokesman for British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Friday.

Trump said he was prepared to meet North Korea's Kim in what would be the first face-to-face encounter between the two countries' leaders and could mark a breakthrough in the standoff over the North's nuclear weapons.

"We have always been clear that we want Kim Jong Un to change path and put the welfare of his people ahead of the illegal pursuit of nuclear weapons," May's spokesman said.

"We will continue to work closely with the U.S, South Korea and the international community to ensure that pressure on North Korea continues and sanctions are strictly enforced until Kim Jong Un matches his words with concrete actions." (Reporting by William James, writing by Alistair Smout; editing by Stephen Addison)The 11 remaining members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement signed a revised pact on Thursday.

President Trump, who withdrew the U.S. from the TPP, signed off on steel and aluminum tariffs on the same day. But the proclamation said countries with a "security relationship" with the U.S. will be given the chance for exemption.

Australia is one country that likely qualified as having a "security relationship" with the U.S.

Thursday made for a somewhat uneven day for global trade after 11 countries signed a revised remaining Trans-Pacific Partnership countries inked a revised landmark Asia Pacific trade pact without the U.S., and on the same day U.S. President Donald Trump signed tariffs on iron and aluminum imports.

The revised trade agreement, called the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), cut tariffs between its member countries, although it suspended rules ramping up intellectual property protection of pharmaceuticals.

Trump withdrew the U.S. from the TPP last year although he subsequently told CNBC in January that he would consider joining the pact once more if it was "substantially better."

On Thursday, he signed off on tariffs of 25 percent and 10 percent on steel and aluminum, respectively.

"It's one step forward, one step back for the trading system overall today," said Heath Baker, chief policy officer of the Export Council of Australia, an industry body.

On the whole, Baker remained positive that the trade agreement was a step in the right direction.

"The TPP 11 is just the first step. Bringing more countries on board to the TPP will grow that value," he said, pointing to how the agreement would set rules for the region's trading system in the future.

The CPTPP will generate $147 billion in income, according to simulations conducted by the Peterson Institute for International Economics. In comparison, the original TPP would have resulted in $492 billion in global income benefits, the think tank said.

Story continues

'Tariff roulette'

Meanwhile, the steel and aluminum tariffs were seen by some as less severe than previously expected, as Canada and Mexico were exempt. The proclamation signed by Trump also noted that countries with a "security relationship" with the U.S. will be given the chance to make their case for exemption.

But the nature of that potential exemption was "less clear," one expert told CNBC.

"Think of it almost perhaps as a tariff roulette. You spin the wheel and you see whether maybe there's something else you can do to persuade the U.S. not to impose steel with respect to goods from your country," said Miriam Sapiro, a former deputy and acting U.S. trade representative.

Still, countries such as Australia would likely qualify under that criteria to make its case for exemption, given its military ties with the U.S., said Ray Attrill, head of FX strategy at National Australia Bank, in a note.

The U.S. also runs a trade surplus with Australia, Attrill pointed out. In 2017, that figure came in at $14.55 billion, according to U.S. census data.

"If you're open to being sympathetic to your close allies when it comes to national security, it would be hard to imagine a scenario where Australia wouldn't be exempted from that tariff," Baker said.

But he also noted that it seemed as though "nothing's ever decided until it actually comes into force" with the current U.S. administration.

And while the fact that the U.S. should have a stable and secure supply of steel was something people understood, tariffs  which angered allies and could result in retaliatory actions from trading partners  were not the right tool, said Sapiro, who is currently the managing director of public relations firm Sard Verbinnen & Co.

"Using this particular tool, these tariffs, to try to address concerns about Chinese capacity and underselling just doesn't make sense," she added.





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A Rhode Island doctor who took kickbacks from Insys Therapeutics Inc. officials for prescribing the company's highly addictive liquid version of the opioid painkiller Fentanyl was sentenced to more than four years in prison.

Jerrold Rosenberg, who lost his medical license and was ousted from his post as a Brown University professor, pleaded guilty to taking more than $188,000 in kickbacks disguised as speaker fees and creating false patient records to dupe insurers into covering Insys's Subsys pain medication.

"You in effect sold your medical license to a pharmaceutical company," U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. said Friday in federal court. "That's intolerable." The judge sentenced him to 51 months and ordered restitution of $754,000.

Rosenberg is the fourth doctor jailed over Insys bribes following a federal probe that resulted in the indictment of billionaire founder and Chief Executive Officer John Kapoor and six other executives. The group was charged with orchestrating an elaborate scheme to bribe doctors and defraud health-care providers.

Federal prosecutors told the court Rosenberg ignored and bullied patients who resisted staying on the powerful pain-killing spray. At least one of Rosenberg's patients suffered an overdose and was "near death" as a result of his wrongdoing, the government said in court filings.

'Grave Betrayal'

Rosenberg's son was an Insys sales representative for a year and made "substantial commissions" from his father's willingness to prescribe the drug, according to prosecutors. The son wasn't charged in the case.

"The doctor's conduct showed that he set his financial gain above his patients' interests," prosecutors said. "It represented a grave betrayal of the duty every physician owes to his or her patients.''

In a seven-page statement to the court, Rosenberg, 63, recounted his medical career and apologized for his crimes. "I have let a lot of people down including myself," the doctor said. "I committed errors in judgment and allowed my integrity to be compromised."

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In February, Michigan pain-clinic doctor Gavin Awerbuch was sentenced to more than two years in prison after admitting he took sham speaker fees from Insys for prescribing Subsys for no legitimate medical purpose.

Alabama pain clinic doctor John Couch was sentenced last year to 20 years for racketeering after a jury found he took kickbacks for prescribing Subsys. Couch's partner, Xiulu Ruan, also was sentenced to 21 years in prison for his role in the scheme.

The government contends that when Kapoor saw the bribes were generating more Subsys sales, he pumped more money into speakers' fees. Prosecutors claim that Kapoor "tightly controlled'' the scheme.

Kapoor, who is facing racketeering and conspiracy charges, is slated to go to trial in 2019. He and the other former Insys executives have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The cases are U.S. v. Rosenberg, 17-00009, U.S. District Court, Rhode Island, and U.S. v. Babich, 16-cr-10343, U.S. District Court, Massachusetts.

See original article on Fortune.com

More from Fortune.comLara Trump, the daughter-in-law of President Trump, ripped NBC for asking Ivanka Trump during an interview at the 2018 Winter Olympics if she believed her fathers denial of sexual harassment accusations.

I give her a lot of credit for going on NBC actually, because they havent been very kind to the president, Lara Trump told FOX Business Maria Bartiromo during an interview on Thursday. I think this was incredibly inappropriate to ask Ivanka, and she handled it with such class and such grace.

Trump, whos married to Eric Trump, also criticized the mainstream media for its double standard, pointing to a Chelsea Clinton interview with "Good Morning America." Hosts of the program did not ask the former first daughter about sexual misconduct allegations made against her father, Bill Clinton.

Its shocking, its ridiculous, its sad, Trump said. I could give you a million words to describe this, but its not surprising. The people who are in charge of the mainstream media in this country are out to get the president and our entire family at every turn. And then you see Chelsea Clinton, and nothing.

During the 2016 presidential election, Trump helped to advise her father-in-laws campaign and will do so again in 2020, now that the president has announced his plans to run again.

But what the president is focused on now, Trump said, is focusing on getting out his message ahead of special and midterm elections in 2018. Hell be campaigning in Pittsburgh ahead of Tuesdays special House election to replace Republican Rep. Tim Murphy, who resigned in the midst of several scandals.Whats important is that the president wants to get the message out, Trump said. If the American people want to move the message forward, want to see the president successful for this country, we need great Republicans in office who are going to make sure the presidents agenda moved forward.

Related ArticlesU.S. President Donald Trump agreed to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un by May, a South Korean official said Thursday in Washington.

Kim is committed to denuclearization and would refrain from nuclear or missile tests, South Korean National Security Council chief Chung Eui-yong told reporters at the White House. The North Korean leader also understands that routine U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises must continue, Chung said.

U.S. National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster will brief the UN Security Council on the latest developments on March 12, according to a European diplomat who asked not to be identified since the announcement isn't public. Trump earlier surprised reporters at the White House with news that South Korean officials would be making a "major" announcement at 7 p.m. local time.

A South Korean delegation is in Washington this week briefing administration officials about their recent talks in Pyongyang, which produced speculation that the U.S. and North Korea may enter talks over Kim Jong Un's nuclear weapons program. During their meetings in Pyongyang, North Korean officials indicated they would consider halting their nuclear weapons program if the U.S. can guarantee the safety of Kim's regime.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, traveling in Ethiopia on Thursday, had tamped down hopes for a breakthrough with North Korea, saying "We're a long way from negotiations, we just need to be very clear-eyed and realistic about it." South Korean President Moon Jae-in made similar comments, saying "This is just a start, and we can't be optimistic just yet."

The U.S. and North Korea have been at loggerheads since the Korean War ended without a peace treaty almost 65 years ago, and Kim's government has repeatedly said nuclear weapons were necessary to deter any U.S.-led military action. Over the years, the Kim dynasty has raised the prospect of abandoning its nuclear-weapons program if the U.S. gave up policies it considers hostile.

Story continues

Trump and Kim traded increasingly tense barbs after the U.S. president took office in January 2017. Trump vowed to bring "fire and fury" down on North Korea if forced to do so, while Kim derided the U.S. president as a "dotard" as he ramped up his missile and nuclear tests.

Tensions appeared to ease after South Korea agreed to let North Korean athletes participate in the Winter Olympic Games last month, though a meeting between Vice President Mike Pence and Kim's sister, Kim Yo Jong, never materialized.

See original article on Fortune.com

More from Fortune.comADDIS ABABA, March 9 (Reuters) - Britain's warnings of retaliation if it is proven Russia was behind the poisoning of a double agent are propaganda and not serious, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday.

Sergei Skripal, a former Russian intelligence officer now living in Britain, and his adult daughter, are critically ill in hospital after being exposed to a nerve agent in the British provincial city of Salisbury.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Thursday her government will respond appropriately if evidence shows Moscow was behind the attack on Skripal, who served time in a Russian jail for spying for Britain before he was released in a spy swap.

Speaking to reporters during a visit to the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Lavrov said Russian officials had not received a single fact or piece of concrete evidence about what happened to Skripal and his daughter.

"What we see is only news reports ... saying that if it is Russia, then a response is going to be given that Russia is going to remember forever. That is not serious. This is propaganda fair and square and it is trying to raise tensions," Lavrov said.

"If someone wants us to engage in an investigation, be that on the poisoning of the UK subject or the rumours about alleged interference in the electoral campaign of the U.S., if you really need our assistance, then we will be willing to contemplate this possibility if we have the necessary data and facts."

"But in order to have a serious conversation ... you have to use the official channels," Lavrov said. (Reporting by Aaron Maasho Writing by Christian Lowe Editing by Hugh Lawson)(Recasts with quotes from foreign minister)

By Anna Mehler Paperny and Allison Lampert

TORONTO, March 8 (Reuters) - Canada on Thursday hailed the news it would not immediately be subject to U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum while promising to continue lobbying Washington until the threat of duties had disappeared.

President Donald Trump announced the imposition of 25 percent tariffs on steel imports and 10 percent for aluminum on Thursday but said Canada and Mexico would be exempt as long as talks to update the NAFTA trade deal progressed.

"Today is a step forward. There's more hard work to do, and we will not let up," said Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, who led what officials called an aggressive lobbying campaign to persuade Trump to grant an exemption.

Freeland, speaking in Toronto, also told reporters that "this work continues and it will continue until the prospect of these duties is fully and permanently lifted".

Pressed repeatedly about Trump's decision to link the tariff exemption to progress at the talks on NAFTA, which are going slowly amid U.S. demands for major changes, Freeland said Canada considered the two tracks to be totally separate.

Canada is the largest supplier of both steel and aluminum to the United States.

Freeland, who last week threatened retaliation if tariffs were to be imposed, said Canada would protect its steel and aluminum industries.

"We will not stand by while Canadians' livelihoods are put at risk," she said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said earlier on Thursday there was a "level of confidence" that the country's close relationship with the United States would protect it from the U.S. tariffs.

Trudeau told CBC radio he believed there would be "a recognition that Canada is in a particular situation in our close relationship" with the United States.

Trudeau spoke separately by phone on Thursday with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan, prominent Republican critics of the tariffs proposal.

Trudeau called Trump on Monday to stress his concerns about the tariffs, officials said.

"We are continuing to push on getting the right deal for Canada, getting the right deal for Canadians, getting the right deal for everyone," Trudeau said in a separate interview on Breakfast Television. (Additional reporting by David Ljunggren in Ottawa Editing by Tom Brown and James Dalgleish)(Updates with context, note on news conferences in Djibouti and Kenya)

NAIROBI, March 9 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Friday in Nairobi that he had shared his concerns with Kenya's president about the importance of democracy and said the government should not stifle the media and threaten the courts.

The Kenyan government shut down three television channels in January on the day opposition leader Raila Odinga took a symbolic presidential oath, then defied a court order to switch them back on. The stations had planned to live-stream the oath.

"We believe that there are actions that need to be taken in Kenya and that they need to correct certain actions like shutting down independent TV stations and threatening the independence of the courts," Tillerson told a news conference in the Kenyan capital.

"I know Kenya takes these matters seriously. A free and independent media is essential for safeguarding democracy and giving all Kenyans confidence in their government."

Asked at the news conference with Tillerson if Kenya could call itself a democracy in light of restrictions appeared intended to stifle dissent, Kenya's foreign affairs minister, Monica Juma, said that "the notion that there is a restriction of the media is not backed by fact or reality.

She said that only "three of more than 10s" of TV stations were temporarily shut down. The three stations taken off air reach the majority of viewers in the country.

In September, after Kenya's Supreme Court overturned President Uhuru Kenyatta's election victory and ordered a new poll, Kenyatta dismissed the judges as "wakora", meaning "crooks" in Swahili. He also said the country had a "problem" with its judiciary that needed to be fixed.

Tillerson, the top U.S. diplomat, praised Kenyatta and opposition leader Odinga for meeting on Friday and pledging to bring their people together after last year's contentious and bloody elections.

"All the credit" for the meeting went to the Kenyan political leaders, Tillerson said, in response to a question as to whether the U.S. had a role in organising it.

Story continues

As expected, Tillerson also emphasised the U.S. security partnership with Kenya and what he called "our shared fight against terrorism". He said he would pay his respects on Saturday in Nairobi to victims of the 1998 bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. The bombings killed 224 people.

He also recognised the 4,000 Kenyan troops fighting al-Shabaab in Somalia as part of the African Union peacekeeping mission AMISOM.

Analysts say the Trump administration has focused mainly on security concerns in Africa at a time when China, Turkey and other nations are ramping up diplomatic and business links.

"The U.S. is no longer the dominant external actor in Africa, and must compete for influence not only with China, but a host of other, increasingly assertive, states pursuing their own agendas, such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Japan and India," said EJ Hogendoorn, deputy Africa program director at the International Crisis Group think tank.

At Tillerson's two news conferences on Friday, in Djibouti and Nairobi, the typical arrangement for news conferences involving the secretary and his counterpart in the host country were changed, American reporters travelling with Tillerson said.

Typically, reporters with Tillerson and from the host country get to ask the same number of questions. But at both news conferences on Friday, the U.S. journalists were allowed only one question while local journalists in the two countries asked multiple questions.

U.S. officials did not intervene to allow the U.S. journalists to ask questions, according to a Reuters witness. (Reporting By Maggie Fick, editing by Larry King)US's Tillerson warns African nations not to 'forfeit their sovereignty' by taking Chinese loans

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has warned against African nations accepting Chinese loans.

African countries must "carefully consider" their agreements with China, he said during a visit to Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa on Thursday.

"Amazing" demographics in Africa  and providing jobs for the continent's vast young population  is an area of opportunity, one Citigroup expert told CNBC.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has warned against African nations accepting Chinese cash in agreements which could "forfeit their sovereignty."

"We are not in any way attempting to keep Chinese dollars from Africa," Tillerson said at a press conference in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa on Thursday, as reported by Reuters.

"It is important that African countries carefully consider the terms of those agreements (with China) and not forfeit their sovereignty," he added.

Tillerson's trip is his first on behalf of the Trump administration, and will include stops at Djibouti, the tiny east African nation at which both the U.S. and China have a military bases, followed by Kenya, Chad and Nigeria.

Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda were among the top 10 recipients of U.S. foreign aid in 2016, according to website How Much using data from the United States Agency for International Development.

But, in recent years China has increased its influence on the African continent. According to Reuters, China surpassed the U.S. as Africa's largest trade partner in 2009, and has supplied billions for infrastructure projects.

Ethiopia and Djibouti, for example, are key tenets of China's Belt and Road Initiative, a massive infrastructure spending plan aimed at resurrecting the ancient trading routes centered on China.

Tillerson visited the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa Thursday, which had been built by China.

Chinese state news agency Xinhua has published articles which counter Tillerson's comments. The U.S. is "detached from reality," in its accusations of China-Africa collaboration, one expert on Ethiopia is quoted as saying .

Story continues

"Africa's concerns are China's concerns. Africa's priorities are China's priorities," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at the National People's Congress in Beijing on Thursday.

Africa opportunity driven by 'amazing' demographics

Investment in Africa will benefit from the unlocked potential of its youthful population, one financial expert told CNBC Wednesday.

"The main opportunity in Africa is driven by one single aspect, which is population demographics," Miguel Azevedo, head of investment banking for the Middle East and Africa at Citigroup, said. "Demographics are amazing in Africa."

The world's 10 youngest populations are in Africa. Niger, with its average age of 14.8 tops this list, according to the World Economic Forum , citing data from the United Nations. According to the World Bank , demographics could result in 11 to 15 percent gross domestic product growth in the continent between 2011 and 2030.

But, a massively young population "can easily become an issue if you don't create the jobs for them," Azevedo warned, citing this as a key area for opportunity. Companies "need to have access to global markets. Access to capital is the key."

"Over the last 3 weeks we have raised almost $6 billion of bonds for African issuers," he added.

Private equity currently does the most trades in Africa, Azevedo detailed.

Companies in Africa have emerged from the financial crisis with "very solid business models" that have mastered operating in the continent, he said. "They are now ready to go to the public market."

"The pipeline of IPOs (initial public offerings) out of Africa is massive," he added.





More From CNBC

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro claimed the pre-sale of the countrys oil-backed cryptocurrency, the Petro (PTR), has raised $5 billion and recorded over 186,000 certified purchases, according to local news source TeleSUR. The announcement came during a meeting with members of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), in Caracas.

During the meeting, Maduro explained that the money raised from the cryptocurrencys pre-sale will be used to service everything our country needs. Per his words, the money is part of a wider economic solution the Venezuelan government put together.

Additionally Carlos Vargas, the countrys cryptocurrency superintendent, revealed that over 83,000 individuals from 127 countries attempted to purchase the oil-backed cryptocurrency. Among them, were 3,523 entrepreneurs. As previously covered by CCN, the country had received 171,000 pre-registrations for the token sale, and Maduro claimed it raised $735 million in only a day.

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The Petro was created as a way to bypass US sanctions, while Venezuela deals with a steep recession, thats forced its citizens to rely on cryptocurrencies to survive. While Maduros words seem to show the Petros pre-sale has been a tremendous success, theres little to no evidence pointing that out.

A NEM wallet believed to belong to the Venezuelan government has yet to distribute any of the 100 million Petros the countrys president ordered. Nevertheless, Maduro recently stated that the Petro aims to improve the countrys monetary sovereignty, while also helping it make financial transactions and overcome the financial blockade.

Petro shrouded in controversy

While the Venezuelan leader claims the Petro is a step forward, various Venezuelan lawmakers seemingly dont agree. The countrys opposition-run congress has said the Petros sale is an illegal and unconstitutional instrument to mortgage the countrys oil reserves. The countrys National Assembly denounced it as a fraud and claimed it could be a risky investment.

Story continues

On the other hand, Chinese credit rating giant Dagong claimed the Petro may help the global currency system. To bolster adoption, Maduro has ordered the countrys airlines to accept the Petro and other cryptocurrencies for tickets.

Despite the controversy, Venezuela is set to auction the Petro to private companies via its Dicom foreign exchange platform. Last month, Maduro claimed a Petro Gold  a cryptocurrency backed by precious metals  was going to be launched next week.



The post Venezuelan President Claims Petro Pre-Sale Raked in $5 Billion appeared first on CCN.

A missing Pakistani activist has returned home more than one year after he was allegedly picked up by the countrys military spy agency for criticizing the army, fellow activists said on March 10.

Samar Abbas has returned home and he is safe, said Talib Abbas, the activists colleague at the Civil Progressive Alliance Pakistan, the organization they worked for.

Samar Abbas went missing mysteriously in January 2017 while visiting Islamabad along with four other activists and bloggers whose writing was critical of the armys interference in politics.

Television commentators thought to be close to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) spy agency later accused Abbas and others of being behind a Facebook page which they said had committed blasphemy.

Blasphemy is a highly charged allegation in Pakistan, where insulting the Prophet Muhammad is punishable by death and even being accused could lead to mob violence and lynchings.

The other bloggers returned home one by one nearly a month after their disappearance from different cities, and at least two of them said they were kidnapped and tortured by ISI agents. The military denied the accusations.

Several of them have since fled Pakistan, fearing for their lives.

Abbas's colleague Talib did not say exactly when he returned home, but The Express Tribune newspaper reported he was released on the outskirts of the southern city of Karachi on March 6.

The disappearance of civilians, especially those critical of the military, is common in Pakistan.

In December, social activist Raza Khan, whose organization worked for people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and rival India, went missing from the eastern city of Lahore. Khan has not been heard from since.

On the day of his disappearance, Khan had posted comments on Facebook critical of the military and its suspected link to Islamist hard-liners

Based on reporting by dpa and ReutersEarlier this month, Krishna Kumari Kohli and her family waited impatiently in front of a television in their small house in a remote corner of the southern Pakistani province of Sindh.

March 3 was a special day for the Dalit, or untouchable, Hindu family. A group of 168 lawmakers in Sindhs legislature were set to vote to elect 12 new members to the Senate, the upper house in Pakistans federal parliament. When Kohlis name flashed on the television screen, her family in the village of Nagarparkar were elated.

It was a dream come true, she told Radio Mashaal about becoming the first low-caste Hindu senator in the Muslim-majority country.

Her election as a representative of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in the 104-member house is being hailed as a good omen for Pakistans religious minorities, whose members often report discrimination and oppression.

The journey for Kohli, 39, from her time as a bonded laborer in Tharparkar to the corridors of power in Islamabad is remarkable. She says her parents, four brothers, and two sisters are peasants.

All of us, along with my uncles family, worked in the fields for a landlord, she said of her childhood. He falsely claimed we owed him money, so we had to work for him as bonded laborers.

Kohlis was a second-grader at the time. She says that after toiling in the landlords fields for two years, her family won back their freedom. She was married before she finished high school. But her husband, also a student, encouraged her to continue her education, and she went on to earn a masters degree in sociology.

After completing her studies, she became involved in activism by joining the PPP and providing free legal aid and counseling to victims of sexual harassment. The PPP has always helped the Hindu community and has a great history of upholding its secular beliefs, she said.

Kohli rose through the ranks of rural Sindhs politics, dominated by rich land holders, spiritual leaders, and businessmen. She was elected to a post in the local government in Tharparkar. Finally, we are seen as humans, she told The New York Times. It is like for the first time in history that we have been taken out of a ditch.

Kohli is ready to play a prominent role in Islamabads political arena, where she intends to speak up for Pakistans estimated 1.8 million Hindus and millions of others from religious minorities. Now, my community has a voice. Nobody wanted to listen to them even locally, but now I will raise their issues in the national parliament, she said.

Most of Pakistans Hindus live in Sindh, where their vulnerable members often face forced conversions. In some cases, young Hindu girls are reportedly abducted, forced to convert to Islam, and then married off to Muslim men. I want to work for womens rights, Kohli said. I will work for the prevention of child marriages.

She has made her father proud. She says he glowed with pride as her neighbors distributed sweets to celebrate her election. My father thinks I have landed a good job in Islamabad. He does not know what a senator does, Kohli said.Federal, state execs push for blockchain expansion

As blockchain technology continues to mature, some government leaders are calling for interoperable blockchain solutions from industry that can address various agency needs.

Representatives from the State Department, IRS and Illinois Blockchain Initiative spoke at the March 8 D.C. Blockchain Summit about what they are looking to see the in blockchain space.

There are going to be a lot of different players, Kaveh Abtahi, section chief of Enterprise Architecture and Design at the IRS, said. Interoperability is going to be huge.

The IRS has not developed any formal use cases or proofs of concept for operational blockchain applications, but the agency is keeping an eye on the work of digital standards organizations like the World Wide Web Consortium and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

The State Department wants private-sector help using blockchain as part of a solution to solve refugee identity issues. John Jordan, deputy director of the Refugee Processing Center for States Bureau of Population, Refugee and Migration, said public-private partnerships provide the best way to work at scale. There is a scalability issue from a business process and the policy side, he said.

The State Department is also looking for proposals that develop and pilot a blockchain solution for worker-rights challenges, such as non-payment or under-payment of wages, withholding of identity documents, reporting violations, access to remedy and lack of transparency in supply chains.

According to a Feb. 26 notice of funding opportunity, State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor anticipates awarding $500,000 to a single project to start this summer. Applications are due on April 13.

When it comes to human rights, we are looking at industry to help drive our use case. Jordan said. The scalability of standards and how to apply them to our mission creates challenges because we dont have a clean environment where can control everything.

The Illinois Blockchain Initiative has been working on five blockchain application pilots. Work has already been completed on with the Cook County Recorder of Deeds that consolidates property information spread across multiple government offices into one place. And the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation worked with Hashed Health on a blockchain-based health-provider registry that streamlined licensure and credentialing information sharing about health care workers.

Blockchain could be used to keep information on autonomous vehicles and public safety in a public record, IBI Business Liaison Jennifer ORourke said.

She called for horizontal work on blockchain that crosses health care, finance and other sectors. We need to determine the challenges with identity in private and public protocols, ORourke said. The first step is to begin these explorations and find [an] opportunity that cuts across your departments in a concrete way.

We want to make sure that we can leverage all of the learnings in the identity space that have already happened, she said. We have a slightly smaller jurisdictional purview than our federal partners, so it is easier to work with industry.March 6, 2018: Scatec Solar, KLP Norfund Investments and Electricidade de Mozambique (EDM) have closed debt financing and initiated construction of a 40 MW solar plant in Mozambique. The project debt financing is provided by IFC, the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, and the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund.

This is the first large scale solar plant to be built in the country and represents an important step in realizing Mozambique's ambition to increase renewable power generation in its energy mix.

The partners signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the solar plant in October 2016. The PPA secures the sale of power from the plant over a 25-year period to the state-owned utility Electricidade de Mozambique (EDM).

The 40 MW plant is located close to the city of Mocuba in the Zambezia Province, and is expected to deliver 79,000 MWh per year of much needed electricity to the northern regions of Mozambique. The plant will deliver power to the national grid and produce enough energy to serve about 175,000 households.

The project costs are estimated at US$ 76 million, funded through equity of US$ 14 million, a grant of US$ 7million and project debt of US$ 55 million. Equity partners are Scatec Solar (52.5%), KLP Norfund Investments (22.5%) and EDM (25%). Scatec Solar will deliver Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) services, as well as Operation and Maintenance (O&M) and Asset Management services to the power plant.

IFC provided project debt of US$ 19 million on its own account together with a concessional loan from the Climate Investment Fund of the same size and a syndicated loan of US$ 17 million from the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF), managed by Investec Asset Management, which is part of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG). In addition, EAIF is directly providing a US$7 million Viability Gap Funding grant for the project raised from the Technical Assistance Fund of the PIDG.

"EDM is very pleased that the Mocuba Solar IPP project has reached financial close through a well-structured public-private partnership between EDM, Scatec Solar and Norfund, and with excellent support from IFC and EAIF as lenders, as well as the Government of Norway", says EDM's Chairman and CEO, Dr Mateus Magala. "Experiences gained with the Mocuba project is invaluable in shaping Mozambique's renewable energy future."

"Closing debt financing for the Mocuba solar power plant is another great achievement for Scatec Solar and our partners", says Scatec Solar CEO, Raymond Carlsen.

"Norfund appreciates being a partner in this first solar power project in Mozambique. Access to reliable energy is a prerequisite for development. Clean energy is therefore a focus investment area for us", says Norfund Executive Vice President, Mark Davis.

Oumar Seydi, IFC Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, said: "IFC is committed to bridging Africa's infrastructure gap while promoting clean energy. This project is in one of the least developed provinces of Mozambique. It will diversify the country's power generation mix and help increase access to electricity. By supporting projects like Mocuba, IFC, EAIF and PIDG are helping to encourage the participation of other private investors in Mozambique's power sector."

Nazmeera Moola, Head of EAIF at Investec Asset Management, said: "Renewable energy and affordable energy is a key area of growth for the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund and PIDG. By supporting this project, EAIF was able to make the project bankable by providing long tenors. Furthermore, by facilitating a VGF grant from the Technical Assistance Fund of the PIDG, the PIDG group was able to contribute to reducing the cost of electricity for Mozambique."



Scatec Solar is a leading developer and owner of large scale solar in emerging markets.



For further information, please contact:





Scatec Solar:

Mr. Raymond Carlsen, CEO, tel: +47 454 11 280 raymond.carlsen@scatecsolar.com

Mr. Mikkel Trud, CFO, tel: +47 976 99 144 mikkel.torud@scatecsolar.com

About Scatec Solar

Scatec Solar is an integrated independent solar power producer, delivering affordable, rapidly deployable and sustainable source of clean energy worldwide. A long term player, Scatec Solar develops, builds, owns, operates and maintains solar power plants, and already has an installation track record of 1,000 MW.

Currently, the company is producing electricity from 322 MW of solar power plants in the Czech Republic, South Africa, Rwanda, Honduras and Jordan and another 434 MW are under construction.

With an established global presence, the company is growing briskly with a project backlog and pipeline of more than 1.5 GW under development in the Americas, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Scatec Solar is headquartered in Oslo, NorwayVANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Abattis Bioceuticals Corp. (the "Company" or "Abattis") (CSE:ATT) (OTC:ATTBF) is pleased to announce it has officially rebranded itself as a one-stop provider of downstream cannabis solutions for licensed producers (LPs) and manufacturers of cannabinoid-containing products. The Companys new focus on downstream solutions reflects several of its recent acquisitions and the success of its fully integrated services offerings. These offerings now include biomass production, federally-licensed research and development and analytical services, regulatory services, logistics support for the manufacture, sale, distribution and marketing of cannabinoid-containing finished products and cannabinoid delivery products and blockchain-based peer-to-peer payment technologies.

"We intend for the rebranding to consolidate our recent acquisitions and pave the way for exciting new partnerships in the future," stated Rob Abenante, President and CEO of Abattis. For example, our recent acquisition of Gabriola Green Farms will round out our supply chain, providing us and our partners with integrated services spanning from biomass production to the manufacture of high-end cannabis extracts, added Mr. Abenante.

While continuing to develop our in-house nanotechnology delivery platforms, we hope to support our partners in multiple aspects of their businesses, from helping them increase manufacturing and distribution capacity to, in the case of established brands, guiding their entry into the cannabis space. Our suite of integrated services will also address our partners future needs, providing comfort that they will be able to adapt once legalization arrives this summer, further stated Mr. Abenante.

"Abattiss wide range of downstream services allows it to add value and ensure regulatory compliance for its partners, while assisting the development of their functional foods and beverages, cosmetics, veterinary and over-the-counter health products, to name a few, added Dr. David Galvez, Senior Science Advisor at Abattis.

Recent Developments

Gabriola Green Farms

On March 2, 2018, the Company announced that it had acquired a 90% ownership interest in Gabriola Green Farms Inc. (Gabriola Green Farms), an LP applicant located on Gabriola Island, one of the gulf islands located in the Strait of Georgia off the coast of British Columbia.

By becoming the majority-shareholder of Gabriola Green Farms, Abattis intends to secure access to cannabis biomass for its extraction and manufacturing activities with respect oils, resins and isolates. These added value products could be used as stand-alone applications or as active ingredients for current and new finished products.

Green Tree Therapeutics

On January 25, 2018, the Company announced that it had acquired Green Tree Therapeutics Corporation (Green Tree), the owner of a successful brand of vaporizers sold in more than 130 medical and recreational stores across North America. Green Trees products will soon be available through Abattiss wholly-owned subsidiary Vergence Naturals Ltd. Abattiss acquisition of Green Tree will allow the Company to directly pair and distribute cannabinoid-containing oils and extracts with Green Trees line of vaporizers.

CannaNUMUS

On February 8, 2018, the Company announced that it had acquired a 49% stake in CannaNUMUS Blockchain Inc. (CannaNUMUS). Abattiss investment in CannaNUMUS has already reached two significant milestones by securing an investment agreement with Active Health Products Ltd. and acquiring a 10% stake in Gabriola Green Farms.

With this acquisition, Abattis has gained the ability to offer blockchain-based peer-to-peer payment services to cannabis merchants, a market segment not been currently served by traditional financial institutions. Abattis believes that its investment in CannaNUMUS will appreciate significantly in value as CannaNUMUS gets closer to an ICO (Initial Coin Offering) and enters into agreements with other LPs and late stage LP applicants.

Collaboration with UBC on Nanotechnology

On February 12, 2018 the Company announced the sponsorship of a research study in partnership with Mitacs to explore the development of nanoemulsified and liposomal platforms for transmucosal delivery of cannabinoid-rich hemp oil. The research and development work is being led by scientists from Abattis and the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia (UBC).

Through this collaboration, Abattis hopes to develop a proprietary technology that could be applied to the manufacture and distribution of high-end nanoemulsified cannabinoid-rich oils with enhanced absorption and bioavailability. These oils could be used to create safe and stable premium foods and beverages and could be used in cosmetics and veterinary applications.

About Abattis Bioceuticals Corp.

Abattis is a life sciences and biotechnology company which aggregates, integrates, and invests in cannabis technologies and biotechnology services for the legal cannabis industry developing in Canada. The Company has successfully developed and licensed natural health products, medicines, extractions, and ingredients for the biologics, nutraceutical, bioceutical, and cosmetic markets. The Company is also seeking to acquire exclusive intellectual property rights to agricultural technologies to be employed in extraction and processing of botanical ingredients and compounds. The Company follows strict standard operating protocols, and adheres to the applicable laws of Canada and foreign jurisdictions. For more information, visit the Company's website at: www.abattis.com

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF

ABATTIS BIOCEUTICALS CORP.,

"Rob Abenante"

Robert Abenante, President & CEO

For more information, please visit the Company's website at: www.abattis.com or www.northernvinelabs.com

For inquiries, please contact the Company at (604) 674-8232 or at news@abattis.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", intends, "should", "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding: the Companys intention for the rebranding to consolidate its recent acquisitions and pave the way for exciting new partnerships in the future; the Companys acquisition of Gabriola Green Farms rounding out its supply chain and providing Abattis and its partners with integrated services spanning from biomass production to the manufacture of high-end cannabis extracts; the Companys hope to support its partners in multiple aspects of their businesses, from helping them increase manufacturing and distribution capacity to, in the case of established brands, guiding their entry into the cannabis space; the Companys suite of integrated services addressing its partners future needs, providing comfort that they will be able to adapt once legalization arrives this summer; Abattiss intention to secure access to cannabis biomass for its extraction and manufacturing activities with respect oils, resins and isolates; Gabriola Green Farmss products potential use as stand-alone applications or as active ingredients for current and new finished products; Abattiss belief that its investment in CannaNUMUS will appreciate significantly in value as CannaNUMUS gets closer to an ICO (Initial Coin Offering) and enters into agreements with other LPs and late stage LP applicants; Abattiss hope to develop a proprietary technology that could be applied to the manufacture and distribution of high-end nanoemulsified cannabinoid-rich oils with enhanced absorption and bioavailability and that such oils could be used to create safe and stable premium foods and beverages and could be used in cosmetics and veterinary applications. Although the Company 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 the Company 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, including: that the rebranding will not consolidate the Companys recent acquisitions or pave the way for exciting new partnerships in the future; that the Companys acquisition of Gabriola Green Farms will not round out the Companys supply chain or provide it or its partners with integrated services spanning from biomass production to the manufacture of high-end cannabis extracts; that the Company will not be able to support its partners in multiple aspects of their businesses; that the Companys suite of integrated services will not address its partners future needs or will not provide comfort that such partners will be able to adapt once legalization arrives this summer; that Abattis will not be able to secure access to cannabis biomass for its extraction and manufacturing activities with respect oils, resins and isolates; that Gabriola Green Farmss products will not be useful as stand-alone applications or as active ingredients for current or new finished products; that Abattiss investment in CannaNUMUS will not appreciate as expected or at all, or that CannaNUMUS will not complete an ICO (Initial Coin Offering) or enter into agreements with other LPs or late stage LP applicants; that Abattis will not develop a proprietary technology that could be applied to the manufacture and distribution of high-end nanoemulsified cannabinoid-rich oils with enhanced absorption and bioavailability or that such oils may not be used to create safe and stable premium foods and beverages or may not be used in cosmetics and veterinary applications; that the Company will not be able to execute its proposed business plan in the time required or at all due to regulatory, financial or other issues; that the Companys competitors may develop competing technologies; changes in regulatory requirements; and other factors beyond the Companys control. Additional risk factors are included in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis, available under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements are made as at the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, where because of new information, future events or results, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDER HAS REVIEWED OR ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.English German

Sika is laying the foundation for further growth in Central America by establishing a national subsidiary in Honduras. With the new subsidiary customers will benefit from faster supply of Sika products and solutions as well as an expanding product range.

The new national subsidiary will enable Sika to broaden its range of solutions for the private and commercial construction sectors in Honduras and expand its position in the fast-growing market. Both segments are growing rapidly and several major projects are at the planning or implementation stages.

Christoph Ganz, Regional Manager Americas: "The new national subsidiary will enable us to optimize the way we procure and import products from the Sika network and continue to efficiently develop the market by providing competitive prices and greater customer proximity. Sika is already number one in Latin America and the new subsidiary in Honduras will consolidate this position."

INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS STIMULATE GROWTH

Honduras is the second-largest country in Central America, with a population of more than 9 million. Medium-term forecasts predict annual economic growth in excess of 4%. The country is investing heavily in its booming textiles sector, tourism, and infrastructure projects such as freeways, a new airport near its capital and new port facilities for container transshipment at Puerto Cortez on the north coast.

CONTACT

Dominik Slappnig

Corporate Communications &

Investor Relations

+41 58 436 68 21

slappnig.dominik@ch.sika.com

SIKA CORPORATE PROFILE

Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing and protecting in the building sector and motor vehicle industry. Sika has subsidiaries in 101 countries around the world and manufactures in over 200 factories. Its more than 18,000 employees generated annual sales of CHF 6.25 billion in 2017.

The media release can be downloaded from the following link:English French

MONTREAL, March 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For a limited time, coffee geeks will have the opportunity to try a truly unique cup of coffee at Cafes Saint-Henri.



The team of coffee hunters found the rare special lot in a coffee laboratory in Costa Rica, amongst several tables of blind coffee tasting.

The cup offers complex tasting notes from strawberry sirup, vanilla, orange zest to rhubarb, amongst others.

Each year, we travel to meet coffee producers and find their best lots. This year, we had the privilege to taste a coffee that was strikingly superior to anything we had tasted during our trip. The coffee came from the sub-region of San Lorenzo, Tarrazu. Right after our cupping session, we just knew we had to buy it and share this tasting experience with our customers, whatever the price tag.

 Jean-Francois Leduc, Coffee Buyer and Owner, Cafes Saint-Henri

The coffee is from a tiny lot on a parcel called Pie San, situated on La Lia micro-mill. The coffee buyers gave a total appreciation score of 89% (a first), based on the Specialty Coffee Association chart.

A myriad of factors, perfectly aligned, explain this years exceptional results: ideal meteorological conditions, the exotic varietal (SL-28), the meticulous harvesting, the process and the slow drying methods, amongst others, all contributed to achieve outstanding cup results.

Only 4 vacuum sealed boxes (120 kilos) of this elixir were produced, which qualifies as a nano-lot. Cafes Saint-Henri purchased half of it.

As the quantities are limited, it is estimated that no more then 200 cups will be served throughout the 6 locations of the Company, based in Montreal and Quebec City. Small whole beans packages of 45 grams ($20) or 90 grams ($40) will also be available through pre-orders in each Cafes Saint-Henri or through the online store.

Our customers are ready for this type of coffee experience. In any given restaurant, they will pay $10 and up for a glass of wine. Why not pay $9 to taste one of the best coffee coming out from Costa Rica?

Julie Audet, Director of Quality Control, Cafes Saint-Henri

The nano-lot Pie San SL-28, from micro-mill La Lia, will be available as long as the limited stocks last. The special coffee will be served in its unique receptacle: a handmade ceramic cup and saucer with real gold accents and SH markings.

About the Company

Cafes Saint-Henri micro-torrefacteur is a wholesale roasting business as well as a growing network of corporately owned specialty coffee shops. Since its opening in 2011, the Company has been recognized for exceptional coffees that are selected directly at origin, for coffees that are produced from Cooperatives with organic practices, and for exclusive private batches of coffees sourced through selected importers.

As of today, the Company operates 6 Cafes as well as 2 roasting facilities: in Montreal and Quebec City.

The Company is privately owned and managed by its sole owner, Jean-Francois Leduc.

Contact:

info@sainthenri.ca

Jean-Francois Leduc

(514) 267-0803

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at



http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ce3f5c0b-1f2f-4de1-9fe0-c8daa1562fe8

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/324f6975-84d8-4a1c-b556-bf928a35b75fNaidu To Send Envoy To Sonia's Dinner Meet?

If the reports coming from the Telugu Desam Party sources are to be believed, party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu might respond to the friendly hand extended by the Congress party to the TDP.

Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi called for a dinner-conclave of like-minded polticial parties in New Delhi on March 13 to discuss the possibility of forming a common front of all non-BJP parties to take on the saffron party in the 2019 elections.

Interestingly, Sonia also called the TDP to the dinner meeting, while ignoring the Telangana Rashtra Samithi which is also said to be a non-BJP outfit.

Though Naidu did not open up on this invitation from Sonia, party sources say he is evincing interest in this meeting.

However, he might not attend the meeting directly, but send a senior party leader to the meeting to know Sonia Gandhis mind.

Since the Congress doesnt have much stakes in AP now, the TDP president seems to have felt no harm from aligning with it, say sources.

Naidu might show some valid reasons to align with the Congress.

First, Sonia Gandhi had a chat with the TDP MPs in Lok Sabha and expressed her solidarity with their agitation seeking justice to AP.

Secondly, newly-elected Congress president Rahul Gandhi also declared that his party would grant special category status to AP soon after coming to power in 2019.

However, the TDP chief will politically weigh all options before taking any decision on joining the Congress camp.

He formed a strategy committee Naidu comprising state ministers Y Ramakrishnudu, Kala Venkat Rao, S Chandramohan Reddy, K Achen Naidu and K Srinivasulu, besides legislative council chief whip P Kesav, media advisor Parakala Prabhakar and AP state planning board vice-chairman Ch Kutumba Rao, to work out the party strategy to be adopted in the coming days.

Party MPs from Delhi informed Naidu that many political parties in the Parliament also appreciated the TDPs decision to come out of the NDA government was timely and wise.

The MPs also informed Naidu that they all promised support to the TDP in its fight for Special Category Status (SCS) for Andhra Pradesh.

Click Here for Latest Direct-to-OTT Releases (List Updates Daily)As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQNew York, Mar 10 (JEN): After seven years of brutal conflict in Syria, there are no clear winners, but the losers are plain to see, the United Nations refugee agency chief said Friday, describing the colossal human tragedy that has cost hundreds of thousands of lives, driven 6.1 million people from their homes and forced 5.6 million others to seek safety in neighbouring countries.

This seven-year war has left a colossal human tragedy in its wake. For the sake of the living, it is high time to end this devastating conflict, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi underscored.

The conflict  which broke in the wake of massive anti- and pro-Government street protests across the country in 2011  reaches a depressing anniversary this month.

The High Commissioner painted a grim picture of the relentless suffering of Syrian civilians and denounced the ongoing brutality as a shameful failure of political will and a new low in Syrias long-running conflict.

There are no clear winners in this senseless pursuit of a military solution. But the losers are plain to see  they are the people of Syria, he added.

With 69 per cent of civilians inside the country languishing in extreme poverty, conditions are worse than ever. Ninety per cent of families now spend more than half their annual income on food as prices are, on average, eight times higher than pre-crisis levels.

Moreover, some 5.6 million people lack security or basic rights and require humanitarian assistance.

While UNHCR and other humanitarian actors are making every effort to bring relief to hundreds of thousands of people in dire need inside Eastern Ghouta and other besieged parts of the country, access to these populations remains woefully inadequate.

On 5 March, a humanitarian convoy delivering aid to besieged Eastern Ghouta was cut short amidst ongoing shelling and subsequent attempts have been thwarted.

Humanitarian access to those in need must be guaranteed. People must be allowed to leave to seek refuge and civilians and civilian infrastructure including hospitals and schools must be protected at all costs, Mr. Grandi maintained.

Meanwhile, the hopes of millions of Syrian refugees living in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and Iraq who dream of returning home when conditions are safe are being dashed.

With fighting in parts of Syria as fierce as at any point during the conflict, refugees are understandably still too frightened to return, Mr. Grandi continued, noting that UNHCR is preparing to assist in returns for when the security situation improves.

As conditions for millions of Syrians in exile grow more desperate, the vast majority live below the poverty line and more than three-quarters sheltering in Jordan and Lebanon are unable to meet their basic food, shelter, health or education needs.

Although host countries lay on second shifts to accommodate the refugees, 43 per cent of 1.7 million school-aged Syrian are out of school.

While the focus is on the devastation inside Syria, we should not forget the impact on the host communities in the neighbouring countries and the effect that so many years of exile has had on refugees, Grandi reminded.

Turning to an upcoming international conference in Brussels on supporting the future of Syria and the region, he asserted that it must result in a boost of financial and development assistance.

As long as there is no political solution to the conflict, the international community must step up its investment in the host countries, the High Commissioner concluded.

UNHCR/Susan Schulman



Washington, Mar 10 (IBNS): The US on Friday said meeting between US President Donald Trump and Kim Jung-UN will not take place until North Korea takes 'concrete actions'.

" Look, thats something that were going to continue advocating for and pushing for. But lets not forget that the North Koreans did promise something: Theyve promised to denuclearize, theyve promised to stop nuclear and missile testing, and theyve recognized that were going to continue in our military exercises," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told during news briefing.

" Lets be very clear: The United States has made zero concessions. But North Korea has made some promises. And, again, this meeting wont take place without concrete actions that match the promises that have been made by North Korea," she said.

Trump himself tweeted to inform that the time and place for the meeting will be determined.

"The deal with North Korea is very much in the making and will be, if completed, a very good one for the World. Time and place to be determined," Trump tweeted.

In a significant development, US President Donald Trump has said he is ready to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Trump earlier tweeted: " Kim Jong Un talked about denuclearization with the South Korean Representatives, not just a freeze. Also, no missile testing by North Korea during this period of time. Great progress being made but sanctions will remain until an agreement is reached. Meeting being planned!"

The announcement over the meeting was made in Washington by South Korea officials.

They passed on a letter from the North Korean leader.

The meeting, which would be the first between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader, will happen by May, according to South Korea's national security adviser, Chung Eui-yong, who delivered the invitation to Trump after a visit by his delegation to Pyongyang earlier this week, CNN reported.

The move appears to be a major breakthrough after months of barbs exchanged between North Korea and the US.

Fresh development in the relationship between North Korea, South Korea and the US began recently when a North Korea delegation was invited to the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

Meanwhile, the White House also confirmed that Trump has accepted North Korea's invitation for a meet.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement: " I told President Trump that, in our meeting, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said he is committed to denuclearization. Kim pledged that North Korea will refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests. He understands that the routine joint military exercises between the Republic of Korea and the United States must continue. And he expressed his eagerness to meet President Trump as soon as possible."

" President Trump appreciated the briefing and said he would meet Kim Jong-un by May to achieve permanent denuclearization," said the statement.

However, the statement confirmed that: " The Republic of Korea, the United States, and our partners stand together in insisting that we not repeat the mistakes of the past, and that the pressure will continue until North Korea matches its words with concrete actions."

2017 witnessed US President Donald Trump slamming North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as the Asian nation continued to conduct several of its missile tests, teasing world peace and tranquillity and often threatening to trigger a war.

Situation became far tensed when North Korea tested an inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) that the nation said was capable of striking US mainland.

The United Nations Security Council imposed strong new sanctions against the Asian nation after its Nov 29 launch of a nuclear-capable weapon.

Trump and North Korea continued to exchange barbs earlier this year too.Le Drian flew to Tehran on Monday to reaffirm European support for the 2015 nuclear deal, and to discuss U.S. concern about Tehrans missile program and its influence in the region.

Khameneis official website quoted him as saying, European countries come (to Tehran) and say we want to negotiate with Iran over its presence in the region. It is none of your business. It is our region. Why are you here? He added that the Islamic Republic would only negotiate on that issue with other states in the region. Khamenei is Irans ultimate authority on all major matters of state.

During the seven year civil war in Syria, Irans Revolutionary Guards have sent weapons and thousands of soldiers to support the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. According to Israel, Tehran of seeking a permanent military presence in Syria. With one of the largest missile programs in the Middle East, that boasts precision-guided missiles have the range to strike Israel, Iran was the subject of discussions in Washington this week between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Ne

The presence of U.S. military forces in various regions of the world was called malicious and seditious by Khamenei, who also stated that Iran would not ask for permission from Washington to be active in the Middle East. We will negotiate with America when we want to be present in America, he said.

Meanwhile, unless three European signatories help fix the nuclear deal by forcing Tehran to curb its actions in the Middle East, as well as its ballistic missile program, Trump has threatened to pull out of the agreement. Also critical of the agreement, French President Emmanuel Macron has raised the possibility of new sanctions.

Tasnim News agency quoted Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatamias saying that Tehran is ready to offer military advisory and security help to Afghanistan in that states fight against terrorism. This is believed to be an allusion to the Islamic State fighters and also Sunni Taliban insurgents, as Iran has been aiding the Shiite-led government of Iraq in its fight against the Sunni militant Islamic State group.

On Wednesday, state media quoted President Hassan Rouhani as saying that Irans military might posed no threat to any country in the region. Our weapons are meant to promote peace, strengthen stability and security and to prevent others from invading our country. No one should be concerned about Irans weapons and missiles, Rouhani said.No previous official statistics have been published by Iran regarding the material and human cost of its intervention. However, on Tuesday, within events held on the occasion of Irans National Tree Planting Day, it was announced that 2,100 trees were planted by the mothers of Iranian militants killed in Syria and Iraq  equal to the number of those killed in those battles.

Photos of the tree planting beside Khomeinis shrine, and in the presence of Tehran municipality board members were circulated.

Mohammad Ali Shahidi, the head of Irans Martyr Foundation, announced similar data one year ago, but the results werent confirmed by official authorities at that time.

On Monday, on the sidelines of his meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drianon, Secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani described the Irans presence in these battles as costly. Le Drian had promised tough talk on Irans ballistic missile program during his visit, but met with stiff resistance from his Iranian counterpart, Hassan Rouhani, who said Western arms deals had turned the Middle East into a gunpowder depot.

Leading the pro-Iran multinational militias is the Quds Force, who have been in Syria for the past seven years, as well as in Iraq. Still, Iran claims that its presence followed an official request by Baghdad and Damascus, and is consultative in nature.

The soldiers who were killed in Syria are called Shrine Defenders by Iranian authorities, which seems to confirm the ideological motives that push them to fight there.

Vice president of intelligence in IRGC, Humaid Mohebi, revealed that support of Bashar Assad caused internal disputes among Iranian officials initially. He added that former Iranian President Ahmadinejad objected to Irans support of Assad, and quoted Ahmadinejad as saying that no costs should be paid in Syria because Assad ruling is over.

During the recent turn of the year uprising in Iran that began in the holy city of Mashhad and quickly spread across the country, the Iranian people shouted slogans against the intervention in Syria, Iraq, and Palestine, calling it meddling and warmongering. They also protested their governments corruption, and called for regime change as the only solution to the countrys problems.As Dr. Majid Rafizadeh, Harvard-educated Iranian-American political scientist, leading expert on Iran and US foreign policy, and president of the International American Council writes in his article for Arab News, When it comes to smuggling and supplying the Houthis with weapons, Tehran is engaged in four major categories:

 First is the supply, sale or transfer of short-range ballistic missiles (known as Borkan-2H ).

 Second is the supply of field storage tanks, which are utilized for liquid bipropellant oxidizers and developing ballistic missiles.

 Third is supplying unmanned aerial vehicles (such as Ababil-T and Qasef-1). Fourth is the provision of ballistic missile technology to the militias.

It is worth noting that these acts are in violation of UN resolutions 2216, that imposes an arms embargo on Yemens Houthi rebels, and 2231, that bans the Islamic Republic from transferring weapons and advancing its ballistic missile program in specific instances. In fact, the annual report of the United Nations revealed that the Islamic Republic of Iran is in non-compliance with paragraph 14 of resolution 2216 (2015). It added, The panel has now identified strong indicators of the supply of arms-related material manufactured in, or emanating from, the Islamic Republic of Iran subsequent to the establishment of the targeted arms embargo on April 14, 2015, particularly in the area of short-range ballistic missile technology and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Still, the UN has not taken measures to punish the Iranian regime. Dr. Rafizadeh writes that, One of the reasons for this is the veto power that Russia holds in the Security Council. Russia recently vetoed a resolution that would have simply applied

pressure to Iran over the transfer of weapons to Yemen. Therefore it is unlikely the UN will be capable of action as long as Russia supports the Iranian regime.

If the UN fails to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its violations, Dr. Rafizadeh says that the solution must be dependent on the power of regional organizations and coalitions. He says that, in some cases, a united regional front can be more effective than the international organizations to halt destabilization in the region.

A regional consensus could be more successful in establishing peace and halting destabilization than the UN, which has its hands tied by the Russian veto, writes Dr. Majid Rafizadeh.

He points out that a coalition of Arab states, as well as the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League, could play a major role, and outlines gradual steps that the Arab states can take:

 First is to impose targeted sanctions aimed at holding the Iranian regime accountable based on the UNs finding regarding Tehrans smuggling of weapons. Sanctions can be imposed on specific entities that the UN has found to be involved in supplying and transferring weapons to Tehrans proxies.

 Secondly, the Arab states can impose sanctions on those entities and individuals that the United States has sanctioned for violations of UN resolutions and international law, many of whom are affiliated with Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

 Third, a coalition of Arab states can utilize their economic power with regional economic sanctions that will impact the regimes revenues.

Arab states would then be simply following international law, and using the legal framework to impose penalties on the Iranian regime. Dr. Rafizadeh believes that but for Russias veto power, these are the penalties that the UN would impose.

However, while awaiting action from international institutions or global powers, Tehran is increasing its influence, power and further destabilization of the region.Multi-lingual IB World School



Concordian International School (CIS) is the premier school in Thailand offering a multilingual program in a full IB environment. We offer all divisions of the International Baccalaureate Program from Nursery to Grade 12.



In the IB Primary Years Program (PYP) from Nursery up to Grade 4, students are immersed in English and Mandarin, with Thai as an additional target language.



From Grad 5 to 12, classes are taught in English. The IB Middle Years Program (MYP) from Grad 6 to 10 offers the highest quality education available on an international level. It is excellent preparation for the rigorous IB Diploma program offered in Grades 11 and 12. Mandarin and Thai are offered as individual subjects along with other world languages such as French and Spanish.



Established in 2001, CIS is fully authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBOHome-grown reactionaries, not Russians, are greatest threat to our elections

This past weekend, we once again gathered in Selma, Ala., to commemorate Bloody Sunday, the March 7, 1965, march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge that was savagely put down by police.

That march  and the march from Selma to Montgomery that followed under federal protection  helped galvanize public support for the Voting Rights Act that President Lyndon Johnson signed into law that year.

Now the right to vote is under systematic assault once more. In Shelby County v. Holder, five activist right-wing Supreme Court judges in 2013 ignored precedent and the will of the overwhelming majority of Congress to gut vital enforcement mechanisms in the Voting Rights Act. Shelby rolled back some of what was won in Selma. Immediately, right-wing legislators in states across the country rolled out legislation setting up new barriers to voting.

ADVERTISEMENT

Before Selma, segregationists used a poll tax, literacy tests and often violent intimidation to keep African Americans from registering to vote. After Shelby, states used new tricks and traps: gerrymandered districts, photo ID requirements, purges of the voting rolls, reduced time for early voting, limiting the number of polling places, particularly in African-American neighborhoods, and more.

In 2010, those same activist right-wing judges had also overturned decades of precedent in Citizens United v. FEC, opening the gates for corporate money  often contributed in secret  to flood our politics. Much of that goes to negative ads designed to drive down the vote and drive up cynicism.

In the South before Selma  despite the 15th Amendment that prohibited states from infringing on the right to vote on account of race, color or previous condition of servitude  the campaign to lock African Americans out of the polling booth worked. It took the civil rights movement, marches and sit-ins, peaceful demonstrators suffering beatings, arrest and murders and many years to pass the Voting Rights Act and then to get it enforced.

The foes of voting rights never gave up. They never stopped trying to turn back the clock. Now, their unrelenting campaign against voting rights is bearing fruit. In response, we need a new movement to protect and extend the right to vote. Strategic litigation is needed to counter the rights legal maneuvers.

Legislators should replace the new restrictions on voting with legislation that makes voting easier, not harder: Automatic and same day voter registration, extended periods for early voting, longer hours for polling booths to stay open for working people, an end to political gerrymandering, an end to felony disenfranchisement, curbs on big money in politics and more.

We once more need reform to revive our democracy. That wont happen without a modern day peoples movement as courageous and as relentless as that in Selma nearly half a century ago.

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Much attention has been paid to the Russian interference in our 2016 presidential election. Surely it is bizarre that President Donald Trumps State Department has spent not one cent of the millions appropriated for countering Russian cyber subversion of our election. Steps to protect a true vote and to expose and limit foreign intervention in our elections are vital.

But we should be clear: The greatest attack on the right to vote comes not from the Russians but from home-grown reactionaries who want to make it harder for African Americans, Latinos, the young and working people to vote, and easier for big money to influence our elections.

The democratic revival that accompanied the passage of the 15th Amendment after the Civil War was met with a fierce reaction that ended up imposing segregation  legalized apartheid  across the South. The democratic revival that followed passage of the Voting Rights Act and the civil rights movement has similarly been met with a fierce reaction that is undermining voting rights in states across the country.

Now the question is whether that reaction will spark a new movement to protect the right to vote.

Voter suppression matters. The purge of the voter rolls in Florida surely cost Al Gore the presidency in 2000. The new laws that helped suppress black votes in Wisconsin helped cost Hillary Clinton the presidency in 2016. The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy, but it is neither explicitly guaranteed in the Constitution nor guaranteed in practice.

It is once more under attack, and once more must be defended and extended.American universities across the country are publicly supporting high school students who participate in peaceful protests against gun violence.

University admissions officials have posted on official websites and the social media service Twitter. The announcements are aimed at students who are applying for colleges and universities. They say students who are suspended for protesting gun violence will not be punished in the application process.

The statements come in response to a national discussion about how to fix the problem of gun violence in American schools.

Supporting the right to protest

On February 14, Nikolas Cruz shot and killed 17 people at his former high school in Parkland, Florida. Since then, high school-age activists have created a national movement calling on politicians to find a solution to gun violence.

The students have organized many peaceful protests, including a call for a national school walkout on March 14. A march in Washington D.C, called March for Our Lives, is also planned for later in the month. People participating in the events are demanding that U.S. lawmakers in Congress make changes to the countrys gun policies.

However, officials at some high schools have threatened to punish students if they protest during school hours.

For example, an official at the Needville Independent School District in Texas spoke about the issue last week. Curtis Rhodes sent a letter to families and wrote on the schools website. Rhodes said students who take part in protests during school hours will be suspended. That is, the students will not be permitted to return to school for several days, and they will not receive credit for any tests or work they missed during that time.

Rhodes was firm about the rule. He said the district would suspend high school students who protested during school hours no matter if it is one, fifty, or five hundred students involved." He added that parents who approved the students absences from school would not change the rule.

Representing university values

A suspension is a serious punishment in American high schools. It can hurt a students chances of being accepted into a college or university.

A high school counselor in the state of Washington, David Quinn, was concerned about how the suspensions would affect applicants. So he spoke admissions representatives from three schools: DePaul University in Chicago, Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and Smith College in Massachusetts.

The educators wanted to create a social media movement supporting students right to protest. They posted their support on Twitter.

The movement quickly grew. Now, more than 200 American universities have made public statements promising not to punish students in the college application process for any peaceful protest-related suspensions.

Hanna Hendlowitz is the senior assistant director of admissions for Yale University. She posted on the school website: We value student voices on campus and we encourage discourse and action. To punish our applicants for doing just that would go against the very beliefs that make Yale such a special place to study.

Stu Schmill is the dean of admissions for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or MIT. He posted on the schools website: We have long held that students should not make decisions based on what they think will get them into college, but instead based on values and interests that are important to them We believe that civic responsibility is something that is learned best by doing.

University of California San Diego student Alex Garcia created the website www.neveragaincolleges.com to list the U.S. universities that have made official statements supporting students right to protest.

Moving society forward

Angel B. Perez is the vice president of enrollment and student success at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. He told VOA he wasnt trying to make a political statement or to choose a side in the gun debate. Instead, he was supporting students participating in protests as a way to learn and express their ideas.

It was a representation of our values, what it is that we care about. We want students who stand up for what they believe in, who take controversial views and perspectives thats something we would admire in the college admissions process.

Perez also said peaceful protests are important to American society. Right now, Perez said, people are not constructively disagreeing with each other. He says speaking out on social media and holding debates can move society forward on difficult issues.

Part of what were trying to teach them in higher education is to mobilize and stand up for the issues that you believe in, but also learn to listen to the other side. If you are saying to students at the high school level that we are going to punish you for trying to do these things, that actually really disrupts the education process that we are trying to engage in, in higher education.

Other universities that have publicly supported high school students engaging in peaceful protests include Harvard, University of Virginia, Cornell, and Stanford.

I'm Alice Bryant

And Im Phil Dierking.

Phil Dierking reported this story for VOA Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor.

Do you think high school students should or should not be able to participate in protests during school hours for issues they believe in? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

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Words in This Story

admire - v. to feel respect or approval for

application - n. a formal and usually written request for something (such as a job, admission to a school, a loan, etc.)

constructive - adj. helping to develop or improve something

controversial - adj. relating to or causing much discussion, disagreement, or argument

discourse - n. the use of words to exchange thoughts and ideas

disrupt - v. to cause (something) to be unable to continue in the normal way

encourage - v. to make (someone) more determined, hopeful, or confident

engage - v. to get and keep (someone's attention, interest, etc.)

perspective - n. a way of thinking about and understanding something (such as a particular issue or life in general)

mobilize - v. to bring (people) together for actionA new study suggests bones found on a Pacific Island in 1940 were likely those of famous American pilot Amelia Earhart.

If true, the findings would end a long debate over what happened to Earhart. She disappeared in 1937 over the southern Pacific Ocean. At the time, Earhart was attempting to become the first woman to fly around the world. She was 39 years old.

Her navigator, Fred Noonan, was also on the plane that disappeared.

In 1940, a group of bones was discovered on the Pacific island of Nikumaroro. Some believed the bones belonged to Earhart. But a scientist who took measurements at the time concluded that they belonged to a man who did not match the description of Noonan.

The bones were later lost. All that survived were seven measurements. They showed the size of the skull and of bones from the arm and leg.

In 2015, researchers completed a new analysis based on the measurements. Those researchers said their findings confirmed the earlier conclusion  the bones did not belong to Earhart or Noonan.

But the new study  appearing in the publication Forensic Anthropology  challenges those findings. Richard Jantz led the study. He is an anthropologist from the University of Tennessee.

Jantz said his study provides evidence that strongly supports the bones belonged to Earhart. The bones are consistent with Earhart in all respects we know or can reasonably infer, he wrote in the study.

During his research, Jantz compared the bone measurements to photographs and examinations of Earharts clothing. He says that until new evidence is presented that the bones are not those of Amelia Earhart, the most convincing argument is that they are hers."

The mystery of Amelia Earhart

Ever since Earharts plane disappeared in 1937, people have sought to learn what happened to the plane and its crew.

The plane had left from what is now Papua New Guinea. The next goal of the flight was to reach Howland Island - about 4,000 kilometers to the east. But Earhart and Noonan never arrived there.



Flight experts decided the plane must have crashed in the sea after using up all its fuel. Searchers found no other explanation.

But observers have long shared rumors about what really happened. One unconfirmed report said Earhart had made her final flight while working as an American spy. The story claimed then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt had asked her to observe Japanese activity in the Pacific.

At the time, U.S. relations with Japan were tense. In 1941, Japan bombed the American military base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The attack led to Americas involvement in World War II.

Another report suggested Japanese forces or civilians had rescued Earhart and taken her to Japan. This rumor, or similar ones, said she died there.

Still another rumor claimed she was freed after the war ended. It claimed that she lived under another name in the United States.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse and other sources. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

_________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

analysis  n. a careful study of something to learn about its parts, what they do, and how they are related to each other

challenge  v. to say or show that something may not be true or correct

consistent  adj. always behaving or happening in a similar

infer  v. to form an opinion from evidence

convince  v. make someone believe something is true

rumor  n. information passed from person to person that is not proved to be true American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. All rights reserved.

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Stocks slumped in morning trading on Wall Street Monday in a broad sell-off that extends an already weak streak for major indexes. Worries about debt-engorged Chinese property developers  and the damage they could do to investors worldwide if they default  are rippling across markets. The S&P 500 fell 1.5% as of 10:03 a.m.

Read ArticleGenesee & Wyoming Inc. owns and leases freight railroads. It operates through three segments: North American Operations, Australian Operations, and U.K./European Operations. The company transports various commodities, including agricultural products, autos and auto parts, chemicals and plastics, coal and coke, food and kindred products, lumber and forest products, metallic ores, metals, minerals and stone, petroleum products, pulp and paper, waste, and other commodities. It owns or leases 122 freight railroads, including 105 short line railroads and 2 regional freight railroads located in the United States, 8 short line railroads located in Canada, 3 railroads located in Australia, 1 railroad located in the United Kingdom, 1 railroad in Poland and Germany, and 2 railroads in the Netherlands with a total of approximately 16,200 miles of track. The company also operates 6,200 additional miles of track that is owned or leased by others. In addition, it operates deep sea maritime containers and provides bulk haulage, including coal, aggregates, cement, and infrastructure services. Further, the company provides rail service at approximately 40 ports; rail-ferry service in North America, Australia, and Europe; and contract coal loading and railcar switching for industrial customers. Genesee & Wyoming Inc. was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Darien, Connecticut.

Read MoreConocoPhillips engages in the exploration, production, transportation and marketing of crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, natural gas liquids, and liquefied natural gas on a worldwide basis. It operates through the following geographical segments: Alaska; Lower 48; Canada; Europe, Middle East and North Africa; Asia Pacific; and Other International. The Alaska segment primarily explores for produces, transports and markets crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids. The Lower 48 segment consists of operations in the U.S. and the Gulf of Mexico. The Canada segment is comprised of oil sands development in the Athabasca Region of northeastern Alberta and a liquids-rich unconventional play in western Canada. The Europe, Middle East and North Africa segment consists of operations and exploration activities in Norway, the United Kingdom and Libya. The Asia Pacific segment has explorations and product operations in China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia. The Other International segment handles exploration activities in Columbia and Argentina. The company was founded in 1875 and is headquartered in Houston, TX.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Bristol-Myers Squibb: 1096271 B.C. ULC, 345 Park LLC, A.G. Medical Services P.A., AHI Investment LLC, AbVitro LLC, Abraxis BioScience Australia Pty Ltd., Abraxis BioScience Inc., Abraxis BioScience International Holding Company Inc., Abraxis BioScience LLC, Abraxis BioScience Puerto Rico LLC, Acetylon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Adnexus, Adnexus a Bristol-Myers Squibb R&D Company, Allard Labs Acquisition G.P., Amira Pharmaceuticals, Amira Pharmaceuticals Inc., Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Apothecon LLC, B-MS Generx Unlimited Company, BMS Benelux Holdings B.V., BMS Bermuda Nominees L.L.C., BMS Data Acquisition Company LLC, BMS Forex Company, BMS Holdings Sarl, BMS Holdings Spain S.L., BMS International Insurance Designated Activity Company, BMS Investco SAS, BMS Korea Holdings L.L.C., BMS Latin American Nominees L.L.C., BMS Luxembourg Partners L.L.C., BMS Omega Bermuda Holdings Finance Ltd., BMS Pharmaceutical Korea Limited, BMS Pharmaceuticals Germany Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals International Holdings Netherlands B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Korea Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Mexico Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Netherlands Holdings B.V., BMS Real Estate LLC, BMS Spain Investments LLC, BMS Strategic Portfolio Investments Holdings Inc., Blisa Acquisition G.P., Bristol (Iran) S.A., Bristol Iran Private Company Limited, Bristol Laboratories Inc., Bristol Laboratories International S.A., Bristol Laboratories Medical Information Systems Inc., Bristol-Myers (Andes) L.L.C., Bristol-Myers (Private) Limited, Bristol-Myers Middle East S.A.L., Bristol-Myers Overseas Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (China) Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (Israel) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (NZ) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Proprietary) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (Singapore) Pte. Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Taiwan) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (West Indies) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb A.E., Bristol-Myers Squibb Aktiebolag, Bristol-Myers Squibb Argentina S. R. L., Bristol-Myers Squibb Australia Pty. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Axia Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb B.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb Belgium S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Business Services Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada Co., Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada International Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Delta Company Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Denmark Filial of Bristol-Myers Squibb AB, Bristol-Myers Squibb EMEA Sarl, Bristol-Myers Squibb Egypt LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Epsilon Holdings Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Farmaceutica Ltda., Bristol-Myers Squibb Farmaceutica Portuguesa S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb GesmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb GmbH & Co. KGaA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holding Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings 2002 Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Germany Verwaltungs GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Ireland Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Pharma Ltd. Liability Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Ilaclari Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb India Pvt. Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb International Company Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb International Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Investco L.L.C., Bristol-Myers Squibb K.K., Bristol-Myers Squibb Kft., Bristol-Myers Squibb Luxembourg International S.C.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Bristol-Myers Squibb MEA GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Manufacturing Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Marketing Services S.R.L., Bristol-Myers Squibb Middle East & Africa FZ-LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Norway Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Nutricionales de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb Peru S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma (HK) Ltd, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma (Thailand) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Holding Company LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Ventures Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Polska Sp. z o.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Products SA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Puerto Rico Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Puerto Rico/Sanofi Pharmaceutical Partnership Puerto Rico, Bristol-Myers Squibb Romania S.R.L., Bristol-Myers Squibb S.A.U., Bristol-Myers Squibb S.r.l., Bristol-Myers Squibb SA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Holding Partnership, Bristol-Myers Squibb Sarl, Bristol-Myers Squibb Service Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Services Sp. z o.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Spol. s r.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Theta Finance Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Trustees Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Verwaltungs GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb de Colombia S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb de Costa Rica Sociedad Anonima, Bristol-Myers Squibb de Guatemala S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb/Astrazeneca EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Partnership, Bristol-Myers de Venezuela S.C.A., CHT I LLC, CHT II LLC, CHT III LLC, CHT IV LLC, CR Finance Company LLC, Cardioxyl Pharmaceuticals, Cardioxyl Pharmaceuticals Inc., Celem LLC, Celem Ltd., Celgene, Celgene A.B., Celgene AS, Celgene Ab (Finland), Celgene Alpine Investment Co. II LLC, Celgene Alpine Investment Co. III LLC, Celgene Alpine Investment Co. 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..The following companies are subsidiares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise: 3Com International Inc., 3PAR Inc., Apogee, Aruba Networks Inc., Aruba Networks International Cayman, Aruba Networks International Limited, BlueData Software, Cloud Cruiser, Cloud Technology Partners, Cloud Technology Partners Inc., Compaq Computer (Mauritius), Compaq Trademark B.V., Cray, Cray Inc., EDS World Corporation (Far East) LLC, EYP Mission Critical Facilities Inc., H3C Holdings Limited, HP Enterprise Services Australia Pty Ltd, HP Financial Services (Australia) Pty Limited, HP Financial Services (Chile) Limitada, HP Financial Services (Japan) K.K., HP Financial Services Arrendamento Mercantil S.A., HP Financial Services Company (Korea), HP Financial Services International Holdings Company, HPE Government LLC, HPFS Global Holdings I LLC, HPFS Global Holdings II LLC, HPFS Rental S.R.L., Hangzhou H3C Technologies Co. Ltd, Hewlett Packard Caribe BV LLC, Hewlett Packard Colombia Ltda., Hewlett Packard Enterprise (China) Co. Ltd., Hewlett Packard Enterprise B.V., Hewlett Packard Enterprise B.V. Amstelveen Meyrin Branch, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Canada Co., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Canada Co. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Canada Cie, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Costa Rica Limitada, Hewlett Packard Enterprise GlobalSoft Private Limited, Hewlett Packard Enterprise India Private Limited, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Ireland Limited, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Luxembourg SCA, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Polska sp. z o.o., Hewlett Packard Pathfinder LLC, Hewlett Packard Taiwan Ltd., Hewlett-Packard (Israel) Ltd., Hewlett-Packard (M) Sdn. Bhd., Hewlett-Packard (Nigeria) Limited, Hewlett-Packard (Schweiz) GmbH, Hewlett-Packard (Tanzania) Limited, Hewlett-Packard (Thailand) Limited, Hewlett-Packard ApS, Hewlett-Packard Argentina S.R.L., Hewlett-Packard Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Australia Pty Ltd, Hewlett-Packard Belgium SPRL/BVBA, Hewlett-Packard Bermuda Enterprises LLC, Hewlett-Packard Brasil Ltda., Hewlett-Packard Bulgaria EOOD, Hewlett-Packard Caribe B.V., Hewlett-Packard Caribe Y Andina B.V. LLC, Hewlett-Packard Chile Comercial Limitada, Hewlett-Packard Cyprus Ltd, Hewlett-Packard Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Hewlett-Packard Egypt Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Financial Services (India) Private Limited, Hewlett-Packard Financial Services Canada Company, Hewlett-Packard Financial Services Company, Hewlett-Packard France SAS, Hewlett-Packard G1 SPV (Cayman) Company, Hewlett-Packard Gesellschaft mbH, Hewlett-Packard Ghana Limited, Hewlett-Packard GmbH, Hewlett-Packard Guatemala Limitada, Hewlett-Packard HK SAR Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Hellas EPE, Hewlett-Packard Holdings Ltd., Hewlett-Packard International Bank Designated Activity Company, Hewlett-Packard International Bank Public Limited Company, Hewlett-Packard International Sarl, Hewlett-Packard Italiana S.r.l., Hewlett-Packard Japan Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Korea Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Leasing Limited, Hewlett-Packard Limited, Hewlett-Packard Luxembourg Enterprises LLC, Hewlett-Packard Macau Limited, Hewlett-Packard Manufacturing Ltd, Hewlett-Packard Marigalante Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Hewlett-Packard Middle East FZ-LLC, Hewlett-Packard Mocambique Limitada - Sociedada em Liquidacao, Hewlett-Packard Nederland B.V., Hewlett-Packard New Zealand, Hewlett-Packard Norge AS, Hewlett-Packard OY, Hewlett-Packard Operations Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Hewlett-Packard Peru S.R.L., Hewlett-Packard Philippines Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Portugal Lda., Hewlett-Packard SARL, Hewlett-Packard SIA, Hewlett-Packard Servicios Espana S.L., Hewlett-Packard Singapore (Sales) Pte. Ltd., Hewlett-Packard South Africa (Proprietary) Limited, Hewlett-Packard Sverige AB, Hewlett-Packard Technology Center Inc., Hewlett-Packard Teknoloji Cozumleri Limited Sirketi, Hewlett-Packard The Hague B.V., Hewlett-Packard Venezuela S.R.L., Hewlett-Packard Vision Limited, Hewlett-Packard d.o.o., Hewlett-Packard s.r.o., Limited Liability Company Hewlett Packard Enterprise, MapR Technologies, New H3C Technologies Co. Ltd., Niara Inc., Nimble Storage, Nimble Storage Inc., Nimble Storage Israel Ltd, Nimble Storage Japan GK, Nimble Storage UK Limited, Plexxi, RedPixie, SGI (Silicon Graphics), Sapphire Holding Co, Scytale, Shanghai Hewlett-Packard Co. Ltd., Silver Peak, SimpliVity, Sinope Holding B.V., Trilead, UAB ES Hague Lietuva, and Unis Huashan Technologies Co. Limited.The following companies are subsidiares of Exxon Mobil: AKG Marketing Company Limited, Aera Energy LLC, Al-Jubail Petrochemical Company, Ampolex (Cepu) Pte Ltd, Ancon Insurance Company Inc., Barnett Gathering LLC, Barzan Gas Company Limited, Caspian Pipeline Consortium, Celtic Exploration Ltd., Coral FLNG S.A., Cross Timbers Energy LLC, Ellora Energy Inc., Esmeroon Oil Transporta Imperial Oil Limited, Esso (Thailand) Public Company Limited, Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd, Esso Deutschland GmbH, Esso Erdgas Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 15) Limited, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 17) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Angola (Overseas) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Chad Inc., Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Deepwater) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Offshore East) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, Esso Exploration and Production UK Limited, Esso Global Investments Ltd., Esso Italiana S.r.l., Esso Nederland B.V., Esso Norge AS, Esso Petroleum Company Limited, Esso Raffinage, Esso Societe Anonyme Francaise, Exxo Holdings Inc., Exxon Azerbaijan Limited, Exxon Chemical Arabia Inc., Exxon International Finance Company, Exxon Luxembourg Holdings LLC, Exxon Mobile Bay Limited Partnership, Exxon Neftegas Limited, Exxon Overseas Corporation, Exxon Overseas Investment Corporation, ExxonMobil (China) Investment Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil (Taicang) Petroleum Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil Abu Dhabi Offshore Petroleum Company Limited, ExxonMobil Alaska Production Inc., ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., ExxonMobil Australia Pty Ltd, ExxonMobil B Resources Company, ExxonMobil Capital Finance Company, ExxonMobil Capital Netherlands B.V., ExxonMobil Central Europe Holding GmbH, ExxonMobil Cepu Limited, ExxonMobil Chemical France, ExxonMobil Chemical Gulf Coast Investments LLC, ExxonMobil Chemical Holland B.V., ExxonMobil Chemical Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil China Petroleum & Petrochemical Company Limited, ExxonMobil Development Africa B.V., ExxonMobil Development Company, ExxonMobil Egypt (S.A.E.), ExxonMobil Exploracao Brasil Ltda., ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Malaysia Inc., ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Norway AS, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Romania Limited, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Tanzania Limited, ExxonMobil Finance Company Limited, ExxonMobil Financial Investment Company Limited, ExxonMobil France Holding SAS, ExxonMobil Gas Marketing Europe Limited, ExxonMobil General Finance Company, ExxonMobil Global Services Company, ExxonMobil Golden Pass Surety LLC, ExxonMobil Holding Company Holland LLC, ExxonMobil Holding Norway AS, ExxonMobil Hong Kong Limited, ExxonMobil International Services SARL, ExxonMobil Iraq Limited, ExxonMobil Italiana Gas S.r.l., ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Inc., ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Ventures Inc., ExxonMobil LNG Services B.V., ExxonMobil Lubricants Trading Company, ExxonMobil Oil Corporation, ExxonMobil PNG Limited, ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical BVBA, ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical Holdings Inc., ExxonMobil Pipeline Company, ExxonMobil Production Deutschland GmbH, ExxonMobil Production Norway Inc., ExxonMobil Qatargas (II) Limited, ExxonMobil Qatargas Inc., ExxonMobil Ras Laffan (III) Limited, ExxonMobil Rasgas Inc., ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, ExxonMobil Russia Kara Sea Holdings B.V., ExxonMobil Sales and Supply LLC, ExxonMobil Technology Finance Company, ExxonMobil Ventures Finance Company, ExxonMobil Ventures Funding Ltd., Fujian Refining & Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Golden Pass LNG Terminal Investments LLC, Golden Pass LNG Terminal LLC, Gulf Coast Growth Ventures LLC, Imperial Oil Limited, Imperial Oil Resources Limited, Imperial Oil Resources N.W.T. Limited, Imperial Oil/Petroliere Imperiale, Infineum Italia s.r.I., Infineum Singapore Pte. Ltd., InterOil Corporation, Jurong Aromatics Corporation Pte Ltd, MPM Lubricants, Marine Well Containment Company LLC, Mobil Australia Resources Company Pty Limited, Mobil California Exploration & Producing Asset Company, Mobil Caspian Pipeline Company, Mobil Chemical Products International Inc., Mobil Corporation, Mobil Equatorial Guinea Inc., Mobil Erdgas Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Mobil Exploration & Producing Australia Pty Ltd, Mobil International Petroleum Corporation, Mobil Oil Australia Pty Ltd, Mobil Oil Exploration & Producing Southeast Inc., Mobil Oil New Zealand Limited, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Mobil Producing Texas & New Mexico Inc., Mobil SerLimited, Mobil Venezolana De Petroleos Inc., Mobil Yanbu Petrochemical Company Inc., Mobil Yanbu Refining Company Inc., Mountain Gathering LLC, Mozambique Rovuma Venture S.p.A., Palmetto Transoceanic LLC, Papua New Guinea Liquefied Natural Gas Global Company LDC, Permian Express Partners LLC, Phillips Exploration LLC, Qatar Liquefied Gas Company Limited, Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited, Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited (II), SPI Limited, Saudi Aramco Mobil Refinery Company Ltd., Saudi Yanbu Petrochemical Co., SeaRiver Maritime Inc., South Hook LNG Terminal Company Limited, Tengizchevroil LLP, Terminale GNL Adriatico S.r.l, Trend Gathering & Treating LLC, Wolverine Pipe Line Company, XH LLC, XTO Delaware Basin LLC, XTO Energy Canada, XTO Energy Inc., and XTO Holdings LLC.The following companies are subsidiares of Marsh & McLennan Companies: 8WORKS INC., 8WORKS LTD, A. Constantinidi & CIA. S.C., A.C.N. 000 951 146 Pty Limited, A.C.N. 001 572 961 Pty Limited, A.C.N. 076 935 683 Pty Limited, A.C.N. 102 322 574 Pty Limited, ACE Insurance Agents Limited, ACE Insurance Consultants Limited, ACE Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers Limited, AD Corretora de Seguros, AFCO Premium Acceptance Inc., AFCO Premium Credit LLC, Access Equity Enhanced Fund GP LLC, Admiral Holdings Limited, Agnew Higgins Pickering & Co. (Bermuda) Ltd, Aldgate Investments Limited, Aldgate Trustees Ltd, Alexander Forbes Group Holdings Limited, Alpha Consultants Limited, Alta SA, Altius Real Assets (GP) LLC, Amal Insurance Brokers Limited (in liquidation), Anda Insurance Agencies Pte Ltd, AssetVal Pty Ltd, Assur Conseils Marsh S.A., Assurance Capital Corporation, Assurance Services Corporation, Australian Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd, Australian World Underwriters Pty Ltd., BBPS Limited, Barney & Barney Orange County LLC, Beaumonts (Leeds) Limited (in liquidation), Beaumonts Insurance Brokers Limited (in liquidation), Beaumonts Insurance Services Limited, Beneficios Integrales Oportunos SA, Benefitfocus Inc., Blue Marble Micro Limited, Blue Marble Microinsurance Inc., Bluefin, Bluefin Insurance Group Limited, Bluefin Insurance Services Limited, Boulder Claims LLC, Bowring (Bermuda) Investments Ltd., Bowring Marine Limited, Bowring Marsh (Bermuda) Ltd., Bowring Marsh (Hong Kong) Limited, Bowring Marsh Asia Pte. Ltd., Bowring Marsh Corretora de Resseguros Ltda., Bowring Marsh Limited, Broderick Piller Pty Ltd, Broker 2 Broker Limited, BuildPay LLC, Burke Ford Trustees (Leicester) Limited, C.T. Bowring Limited, CMC-Belgibo NV, CPRM Limited, CPSG Partners LLC, Carpenter Marsh Fac Chile Corredores de Reaseguros Limitada, Carpenter Marsh Fac Colombia Corredores de Reaseguros S.A., Carpenter Marsh Fac Peru Corredores de Reaseguros S.A.C., Carpenter Marsh Fac Re LLC, Carpenter Turner Cyprus Ltd, Carpenter Turner S.A., Cascade International Holdings C.V., Cascade Regional Holdings Limited, Central Insurance Services Limited, Charter Risk Management Services LLC, Chartwell Healthcare Limited, Chronos Insurance Brokers Pty Limited, Claims and Recovery Management (Australia) Pty Limited, Clark Thomson Insurance Brokers Limited, Client Provide Limited, Colombian Insurance Broking Wholesale Limited, Consultores 2020 C.A., Cronin & Co Insurance Services Limited, DVA - Deutsche Verkehrs-Assekuranz-Vermittlungs GmbH, Dawson Insurance, DeLima Marsh S.A. - Los Corredores de Seguros S.A., Dovetail Insurance Corp., Dovetail Insurance Corp., Dovetail Managing General Agency Corporation, Dovetail Technology Service India Private Limited, Draw Connect Limited, Draw Create Limited, Draw Group London Limited, Eagle & Crown Limited, Echelon Australia Pty Limited, Echelon Claims Consultants Sdn Bhd, Echelon New Zealand Limited, EnBW Versicherungs Vermittlung GmbH, Encompass Insurance Agency Pty Ltd., English Pension Trustees Limited, Epsilon (US) Insurance Company, Epsilon Insurance Company Ltd., Eustis Insurance & Benefits, Evolution Management Ltd, Exchange Insurance Services Limited (in liquidation), Exmoor Management Company Limited, Faulkner & Flynn LLC, Freedom Trust Services Limited, GC Genesis LLC, GCube Insurance Services Inc, GCube Underwriting Limited, Gama Consultores Associados Ltda., Gem Insurance Company Limited, Global Premium Finance Company, GrECo International Holding AG, Gracechurch Trustees Limited, Gresham Pension Trustees Limited, Group Promoters Pty Limited, Guy Carpenter & Cia (Mexico) S.A. de C.V., Guy Carpenter & Cia. S.A., Guy Carpenter & Co. Labuan Ltd., Guy Carpenter & Company AB, Guy Carpenter & Company Corredores de Reaseguros Limitada, Guy Carpenter & Company Corretora de Resseguros Ltda., Guy Carpenter & Company GmbH, Guy Carpenter & Company LLC, Guy Carpenter & Company Limited, Guy Carpenter & Company Limited, Guy Carpenter & Company Ltd./Guy Carpenter & Compagnie Ltee, Guy Carpenter & Company Participacoes Ltda., Guy Carpenter & Company Peru Corredores de Reaseguros S.A., Guy Carpenter & Company Private Limited, Guy Carpenter & Company Proprietary Limited, Guy Carpenter & Company Pty. Ltd., Guy Carpenter & Company S.A., Guy Carpenter & Company S.A. (Uruguay), Guy Carpenter & Company S.A.S., Guy Carpenter & Company S.r.l., Guy Carpenter (Middle East) Limited, Guy Carpenter Bermuda Ltd., Guy Carpenter Broking Inc., Guy Carpenter Colombia Corredores de Reaseguros Ltda., Guy Carpenter Insurance Brokers (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Guy Carpenter Japan Inc., Guy Carpenter Mexico Intermediario de Reaseguro S.A. de C.V., Guy Carpenter Reasurans Brokerligi Anonim Sirketi, HAPIP GP 2009 LLC, HAPIP GP LLC, HSBC Insurance Brokers International (Abu Dhabi) LLC (in liquidation), Hamilton Bond Limited, Hansen International Limited, Hayward Aviation Limited, INSIA Europe SE, INSIA SK s.r.o., INSIA a.s., INSURANCE BROKERS OF NIGERIA LIMITED, IRC Asia Insurance Brokers Limited, InSolutions Limited, Industrial Risks Protection Consultants, Ingeseg S. A., Ingeseg S.A., Insbrokers Ltda., InsurTech Alliance LLC, Insure Direct (Brokers) LLC, Insure Direct (Brokers) LLC [BAHRAIN BRANCH], Insure Direct - Jardine Lloyd Thompson Limited, International Catastrophe Insurance Managers LLC, International Loss Control Services Limited, International Risk Consultants (Asia) Limited, Invercol Limited, Irish Pensions Trust Limited, Isosceles Insurance (Barbados) Limited, Isosceles Insurance Company Limited, Isosceles Insurance Ltd, Isosceles PCC Limited, J&H Marsh & McLennan Limited, J.W. Terrill Benefit Administrators Inc., JI Holdings Limited, JIB Group Holdings Limited, JIB Group Limited, JIB Holdings (Pacific) Limited, JIB Overseas Holdings Limited, JIB UK Holdings Limited, JL Marine Insurance-Brokers GmbH & Co. KG, JLM Verwaltungs GmbH, JLT (Insurance Brokers) Limited, JLT Actuaries and Consultants Limited, JLT Advisory Limited, JLT Affinity Colombia Solutions SAS, JLT Agencies Limited, JLT Asesorias Ltda, JLT Asia Holdings BV, JLT Asia Shared Services Sdn Bhd, JLT Belgibo, JLT Benefit Consultants Limited, JLT Benefit Solutions Limited, JLT Benefit Solutions SA (Pty) Ltd, JLT Bermuda Ltd, JLT Brasil Holdings Participacoes Ltd, JLT Chile Holdings SpA, JLT Colombia Retail Limited, JLT Colombia Wholesale Limited, JLT Consultants & Actuaries Limited, JLT EB Holdings Limited, JLT EB Services Limited, JLT Employee Benefits Holding Company (PTY) LTD, JLT Employee Benefits SA (Pty) Ltd, JLT Financial Planning Limited, JLT France Holdings, JLT Group Services Pty Limited, JLT Holdings (Barbados) Ltd, JLT Holdings (NZ) Limited, JLT Independent Insurance Brokers Private Limited, JLT Insurance Agencies Limited, JLT Insurance Brokers Co. Limited, JLT Insurance Brokers Co. Limited ( Shanghai Branch), JLT Insurance Brokers Co. Limited (Beijing Branch), JLT Insurance Brokers Co. Limited (Guangzhou Branch), JLT Insurance Brokers Ireland Limited, JLT Insurance Brokers SA, JLT Insurance Group Holdings Ltd, JLT Insurance Management Malta Limited, JLT Intellectual Property Limited, JLT Intellectual Property [UK Branch], JLT Interactive Pte. Ltd., JLT Investment Management Limited, JLT LATAM (Southern Cone) Wholesale Limited, JLT Latin American Holdings Limited, JLT Life Assurance Brokers Limited, JLT Management Services Limited, JLT Marine (Pty) Ltd, JLT Mexico Holdings Limited, JLT Mexico Intermediario de Reaseguro S.A. de C.V., JLT Netherlands BV, JLT Norway AS, JLT PLA, JLT Pension Trustees Limited, JLT Pensions Administration Holdings Limited, JLT Pensions Administration Limited, JLT Peru Reinsurance Solutions Limited, JLT Peru Retail Limited, JLT Peru Wholesale Limited, JLT QFM Services Limited, JLT RE Brasil Administracao e Corretagem de Resseguros Ltda, JLT Re (French Branch), JLT Re (Northern Europe) AB, JLT Re Argentina Corredores de Reaseguros S.A.U., JLT Re Labuan Limited, JLT Re Limited, JLT Re Pty Ltd, JLT Reinsurance Brokers GmbH, JLT Reinsurance Brokers Limited, JLT Reinsurance Brokers Limited [French Branch], JLT Risk Management Limited, JLT Risk Solutions AB, JLT Risk Solutions AB Branch - Germany, JLT SA IB Holdings Company (Pty) Limited, JLT SCK Affinity Administracao e Corretora de Seguros Ltda., JLT SCK Corretora e Administradora de Seguros, JLT Secretaries Limited, JLT Sigorta ve Reasurans Brokerlii A.., JLT Singapore Holdings Pte. Ltd., JLT Specialty France, JLT Specialty Insurance Broker A/S, JLT Specialty Limited, JLT Specialty Limited [DUBAI BRANCH], JLT Specialty Pte. Ltd., JLT Towner Insurance Management (Anguilla) Limited, JLT Trust Services (Barbados) Ltd, JLT Trustees (Southern) Limited, JLT Trustees Limited, JLT UK Investment Holdings Limited, JLT Vantage Risk and Benefit Consulting Private Limited, JLT Wealth Management Limited, JLT do Brasil Corretagem de Seguros Ltda, JLTPCS Holdings Pte. Ltd., JMIB Holdings BV, JSL Securities Inc., Japan Affinity Marketing Inc., Jardine IBR Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson (Proprietary) Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Asia Pte Ltd, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Australia Pty Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Canada Inc, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group Ltd, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc, Jardine Lloyd Thompson India Private Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson India Private Limited (UK Branch Office), Jardine Lloyd Thompson Insurance Consultants Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers Inc., Jardine Lloyd Thompson Ireland Holdings Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Ireland Unlimited Company, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Korea Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Limited [Macao Branch], Jardine Lloyd Thompson PCS (Dubai) Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson PCS Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson PCS Pte Ltd, Jardine Lloyd Thompson PCS SA, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Private Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Pty Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Sdn Bhd, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Valencia y Iragorri Corredores de Seguros SA, Jardine Pension Trustees Ireland Limited, Jardine Risk Consulting Co. Limited, Jardine ShunTak Insurance Brokers Limited, Jardine ShunTak Insurance Brokers Limited [Macao Branch], Jardines PF- Consultoria Em Gestao De Risco Limitada, Jelf, Jelf Commercial Finance Limited, Jelf Financial Planning Limited, Jelf Insurance Brokers Limited, Jelf Limited, Jelf Risk Management Limited, Jelf Wellbeing Limited, John Lampier & Son Ltd, Johnson & Higgins (Bermuda) Limited, Johnson & Higgins Limited, KESSLER & CO AG, Kepler Associates Limited, Kessler & Co Inc., Kessler Consulting Inc., Kessler Prevoyance Inc., Key Underwriting Pty Limited, Kroll, Lambert Brothers Holdings Limited, Lambert Brothers Insurance Brokers (Employee Benefits) Limited, Lambert Brothers Insurance Brokers (Hong Kong) Ltd, Laterlife.com Limited (in liquidation), Lavaretus Underwriting AB, Lavaretus Underwriting AB (BRANCH - Denmark), Libra Insurance Services Limited (in liquidation), Lloyd & Partners Limited, Local Government Insurance Brokers Pty Limited, Lomond Macdonald Limited, Lynch Insurance Brokers Limited, M&M Vehicle L.P., M.P. Bolshaw and Company Limited, MAG JLT SpA, MERCER ALTERNATIVES LIMITED, MM Risk Services Pty Ltd (for dissolution), MMA Mid-Atlantic Employee LLC, MMA Securities LLC, MMB Consultores S.A., MMC (Singapore) Holdings Pte. Ltd., MMC 28 State Street Holdings Inc., MMC Borrower LLC, MMC Brazilian Holdings B.V., MMC Capital Inc., MMC Cascade Regional Holdings LLC, MMC FINANCE (EUROPE) LIMITED, MMC FINANCE HOLDINGS LTD, MMC Finance (Australia) Limited, MMC Finance (Singapore) Limited, MMC France Holdings (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., MMC GP III Inc., MMC Group Services sp. z o.o., MMC Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd, MMC Holdings (New Zealand) ULC, MMC Holdings (UK) Limited, MMC International Finance (Barbados) SRL, MMC International Holdings LLC, MMC International Limited, MMC International Treasury Centre Limited, MMC Middle East Holdings Limited, MMC Poland Holdings B.V., MMC Realty Inc., MMC Regional Asia Holdings B.V., MMC Regional Caribbean Holdings Ltd., MMC Regional Europe Holdings B.V., MMC Regional LATAM Holdings B.V., MMC Securities (Europe) Limited, MMC Securities LLC, MMC Treasury Holdings (UK) Limited, MMC UK Group Limited, MMC UK Pension Fund Trustee Limited, MMOW Limited, MMRC LLC, MOW Holding LLC, MPIP III GP LLC, MPIP IV GP LLC, MPIP V GP LLC, MPIP VI GP LLC, Mangrove Insurance Europe PCC Limited, Mangrove Insurance Solutions PCC, Mangrove Insurance Solutions PCC Limited, Manoel Management Services Ltd, Marchant McKechnie Insurance Brokers Limited, Marine Aviation & General (London) Limited, Marsh & McLennan (PNG) Limited, Marsh & McLennan Agencies AS, Marsh & McLennan Agencies Limited, Marsh & McLennan Agency A/S, Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC, Marsh & McLennan Agency Limited, Marsh & McLennan Agency Pty Ltd., Marsh & McLennan Argentina SA Corredores de Reaseguros, Marsh & McLennan Colombia S.A., Marsh & McLennan Companies Acquisition Funding Limited, Marsh & McLennan Companies Acquisition Limited, Marsh & McLennan Companies Asia Pacific Treasury Center Limited, Marsh & McLennan Companies BVBA/SPRL, Marsh & McLennan Companies Finance Center (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., Marsh & McLennan Companies France S.A.S., Marsh & McLennan Companies Holdings (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc., Marsh & McLennan Companies Regional Holdings S.a.r.l., Marsh & McLennan Companies Services B.V., Marsh & McLennan Companies UK Limited, Marsh & McLennan Europe S.a.r.l., Marsh & McLennan GP I Inc., Marsh & McLennan Global Broking (Bermuda) Ltd., Marsh & McLennan Holding GmbH, Marsh & McLennan Holdings (Canada) ULC, Marsh & McLennan Holdings Inc., Marsh & McLennan Incorporated (for dissolution), Marsh & McLennan Innovation Centre Holdings II, Marsh & McLennan Innovation Centre Holdings S.a.r.l., Marsh & McLennan Innovation Centre Limited, Marsh & McLennan Insurance Services Limited, Marsh & McLennan Ireland Limited, Marsh & McLennan Management Services (Bermuda) Limited, Marsh & McLennan Risk Capital Holdings Ltd., Marsh & McLennan Servicios S.A. De C.V., Marsh & McLennan Shared Services Canada Limited, Marsh & McLennan Shared Services Corporation, Marsh (Bahrain) Company SPC, Marsh (Beijing) Risk Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Marsh (China) Insurance Brokers Co. Ltd., Marsh (Hong Kong) Limited, Marsh (Insurance Brokers) LLP, Marsh (Insurance Services) Limited, Marsh (Malawi) Limited, Marsh (Middle East) Limited, Marsh (Namibia) (Proprietary) Limited, Marsh (Pty) Ltd, Marsh (Risk Consulting) LLP, Marsh (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Marsh A/S, Marsh AB, Marsh AG, Marsh AS, Marsh Advantage Insurance Holdings Pty Ltd, Marsh Advantage Insurance Pty Ltd., Marsh Africa (Pty) Ltd, Marsh Argentina S.R.L., Marsh Associates (Pty) Ltd, Marsh Austria G.m.b.H., Marsh Aviation Insurance Broking Pty Ltd (for dissolution), Marsh B.V., Marsh Botswana (Proprietary) Limited, Marsh Brockman y Schuh Agente de Seguros y de Fianzas S.A. de C.V., Marsh Broker Japan Inc., Marsh Broker de Asigurare-Reasigurare S.R.L., Marsh Brokers (Hong Kong) Limited, Marsh Brokers Limited, Marsh Canada Limited/Marsh Canada Limitee, Marsh Company Management Services Cayman Ltd., Marsh Compensation Technologies Administration (Pty) Ltd, Marsh Corporate Services (Barbados) Limited, Marsh Corporate Services Isle of Man Ltd, Marsh Corporate Services Limited, Marsh Corporate Services Malta Limited, Marsh Corretora de Seguros Ltda., Marsh EOOD, Marsh Egypt LLC, Marsh Emirates Consultancy LLC, Marsh Emirates Insurance Brokerage LLC, Marsh Employee Benefits Limited, Marsh Employee Benefits Zimbabwe (Private) Ltd, Marsh Eurofinance B.V., Marsh Europe S.A., Marsh FJC International Insurance Brokers Limited, Marsh For Insurance Services S.A.E., Marsh Franco Acra S.A., Marsh GSC Servicos e Administracao de Seguros Ltda., Marsh GmbH, Marsh Holding AB, Marsh Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Marsh India Insurance Brokers Private Limited, Marsh Insurance & Investments LLC, Marsh Insurance Brokers, Marsh Insurance Brokers (Macao) Limited, Marsh Insurance Brokers (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Marsh Insurance Brokers (Private) Limited, Marsh Insurance Brokers AO, Marsh Insurance Brokers Limited, Marsh Insurance Consulting Saudi Arabia (in liquidation), Marsh Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers LLC, Marsh Intermediaries Inc., Marsh International Broking Holdings Limited, Marsh International Holdings II Inc., Marsh International Holdings Inc., Marsh Investment B.V., Marsh Ireland Brokers Limited, Marsh Ireland Brokers Limited (UK Branch), Marsh Ireland Holdings Limited, Marsh Israel (1999) Ltd., Marsh Israel (Holdings) Ltd., Marsh Israel Consultants Ltd., Marsh Israel Insurance Agency Ltd., Marsh Israel International Brokers Ltd. (in liquidation), Marsh JCS Inc., Marsh Japan Inc., Marsh Kft., Marsh Kindlustusmaakler AS, Marsh Korea Inc., Marsh LLC, Marsh LLC Insurance Brokers, Marsh LLC [Ukraine], Marsh Lda., Marsh Limited, Marsh Limited [Fiji], Marsh Limited [New Zealand], Marsh Limited [PNG], Marsh Ltd. [Wisconsin], Marsh Management Services (Bahamas) Ltd., Marsh Management Services (Barbados) Limited, Marsh Management Services (Bermuda) Ltd., Marsh Management Services (Dublin) Limited, Marsh Management Services (Labuan) Limited, Marsh Management Services (MENA) Limited, Marsh Management Services (USVI) Ltd., Marsh Management Services Cayman Ltd., Marsh Management Services Guernsey Limited, Marsh Management Services Inc., Marsh Management Services Isle of Man Limited, Marsh Management Services Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Marsh Management Services Malta Limited, Marsh Management Services Singapore Pte. Ltd., Marsh Management Services Sweden AB, Marsh Marine & Energy AB, Marsh Marine Nederland B.V., Marsh Medical Consulting GmbH, Marsh Mercer Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd, Marsh Nest Inc., Marsh Oman LLC, Marsh Oy, Marsh PB Co. Ltd., Marsh Philippines Inc., Marsh Privat A.I.E., Marsh Private Client Life Insurance Services, Marsh Pty. Ltd., Marsh Qatar LLC, Marsh RE S.A.C. Corredores de Reaseguros, Marsh Rehder Consultoria S.A. (MRC), Marsh Rehder S.A. Corredores de Seguros, Marsh Resolutions Pty Limited, Marsh Risk Consulting B.V., Marsh Risk Consulting Limitada, Marsh Risk Consulting Ltda., Marsh Risk Consulting S.L., Marsh Risk Consulting Services S.r.L., Marsh Risk and Consulting Services (Pty) Ltd, Marsh S.A. Corredores De Seguros, Marsh S.A. Mediadores de Seguros, Marsh S.A.S., Marsh S.p.A., Marsh SA [Argentina], Marsh SA [Belgium], Marsh SA [Luxembourg], Marsh SA [Uruguay], Marsh SIA, Marsh Saldana Inc., Marsh Saudi Arabia Insurance & Reinsurance Brokers, Marsh Secretarial Services Limited, Marsh Semusa S.A., Marsh Services Limited, Marsh Services Spolka z.o.o., Marsh Sigorta ve Reasurans Brokerligi Anonim Sirketi, Marsh Spolka z.o.o., Marsh Szolgaltato Kft., Marsh Takaful Brokers (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Marsh Treasury Services (Dublin) Limited (in liquidation), Marsh Treasury Services Limited, Marsh Tunisia S.a.r.l., Marsh UK Limited, Marsh USA (India) Inc., Marsh USA Borrower LLC, Marsh USA Inc., Marsh Uganda Limited, Marsh Venezuela C.A. Sociedad de Corretaje de Seguros, Marsh Vietnam Insurance Broking Company Ltd, Marsh Zambia Limited, Marsh Zimbabwe Holdings (Private) Limited, Marsh d.o.o. Beograd, Marsh d.o.o. za posredovanje u osiguranju, Marsh for Insurance Services - Jordan, Marsh i-Connect (Pty) Ltd, Marsh s.r.o., Matthiessen Assurans AB, Mercer (Argentina) S.A., Mercer (Australia) Pty Ltd, Mercer (Austria) GmbH, Mercer (Belgium) SA-NV, Mercer (Canada) Limited/Mercer (Canada) Limitee, Mercer (China) Limited, Mercer (Colombia) Ltda., Mercer (Danmark) A/S, Mercer (Finland) OY, Mercer (France) SAS, Mercer (Hong Kong) Limited, Mercer (Ireland) Limited, Mercer (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Mercer (N.Z.) Limited, Mercer (Nederland) B.V., Mercer (Norge) AS, Mercer (Polska) Sp.z o.o., Mercer (Portugal) Lda, Mercer (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Mercer (Sweden) AB, Mercer (Taiwan) Ltd., Mercer (Thailand) Ltd., Mercer (US) Inc., Mercer Administration Services (Australia) Pty Limited, Mercer Africa Limited, Mercer Agente de Seguros S.A. de C.V., Mercer Asesores de Seguros S.A., Mercer Asesores es Inversion Independientes S.A. de C.V., Mercer Broking Ltd., Mercer Career Unipessoal Lda, Mercer Consultation (Quebec) Ltee., Mercer Consulting (Australia) Pty Ltd, Mercer Consulting (Chile) Limitada, Mercer Consulting (France) SAS, Mercer Consulting (India) Private Limited, Mercer Consulting B.V., Mercer Consulting Group Inc., Mercer Consulting Holdings Sdn. Bhd., Mercer Consulting Limited, Mercer Consulting Middle East Limited, Mercer Consulting S.L.U., Mercer Consulting Venezuela C.A., Mercer Corredores de Seguros Limitada, Mercer Corretora de Seguros Ltda, Mercer Danismanlik Anonim Sirketi, Mercer Deutschland GmbH, Mercer Employee Benefits - Medicacao de Seguros Unipessoal Lda., Mercer Employee Benefits Limited, Mercer Financial Advice (Australia) Pty Ltd, Mercer Financial Services Limited, Mercer Financial Services Limited liability company, Mercer Financial Services Middle East Limited, Mercer Global Investments Europe Limited, Mercer Global Investments Management Limited, Mercer HR Consulting Borrower LLC, Mercer HR Services LLC, Mercer Health & Benefits (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Mercer Health & Benefits Administration LLC, Mercer Health & Benefits LLC, Mercer Holdings Inc., Mercer Holdings Inc. [Philippines], Mercer Human Resource Consulting Ltda, Mercer Human Resource Consulting S.A. de C.V., Mercer ICC Limited, Mercer Investment Consulting Limited, Mercer Investment Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Mercer Investment Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Mercer Investments (Australia) Limited, Mercer Investments (Hong Kong) Limited, Mercer Investments (Japan) Ltd, Mercer Investments (New Zealand) Limited, Mercer Investments LLC, Mercer Ireland Holdings Limited, Mercer Italia Srl Socio Unico, Mercer Japan Ltd., Mercer Korea Co. Ltd., Mercer LLC, Mercer Limited, Mercer MC Consulting Borrower LLC, Mercer Master Trustees Limited, Mercer Mauritius Ltd., Mercer Oliver Wyman Holding B.V., Mercer Outsourcing (Australia) Pty Ltd, Mercer Outsourcing S.L.U., Mercer Pensionsfonds AG, Mercer Pensionsraadgivning A/S, Mercer Philippines Inc., Mercer Private Investment Partners IV General Partner S.a.r.l., Mercer Private Markets AG, Mercer Private Markets Advisers (US) AG, Mercer Services Poland Sp. z.o.o., Mercer Sigorta Brokerligi Anonim Sirketi, Mercer South Africa (Pty) Limited, Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Limited, Mercer Switzerland Inc., Mercer System Services LLC, Mercer Technology Acquisitions Limited, Mercer Treuhand GmbH, Mercer Trust Company LLC, Mercer Trustees Limited, Mercer WorkforcePro LLC, Mercury Insurance Services Pty Ltd, Moola Systems Limited, Mountlodge Limited, Muir Beddal (Zimbabwe) Limited, NERA Australia Pty. Ltd., NERA Economic Consulting GmbH, NERA Economic Consulting Limited, NERA S.R.L., NERA SAS, NERA UK Limited, NERA do Brasil Ltda. (for dissolution), National Economic Research Associates Inc., NetComp Insurance Corp., Neuburger Noble Lowndes GmbH, Normandy Reinsurance Company Limited, Northern Alliance Brokers Limited (in liquidation), OWL Marine Insurance-Brokers GmbH & Co.KG, OWL Marine Verwaltungs GmbH, Oliver Wyman (Bermuda) Limited, Oliver Wyman (Hong Kong) Limited, Oliver Wyman AB, Oliver Wyman AG, Oliver Wyman Actuarial Consulting Inc., Oliver Wyman B.V., Oliver Wyman Consulting (Shanghai) Ltd, Oliver Wyman Consultoria em Estrategia de Negocios Ltda., Oliver Wyman Energy Consulting Limited, Oliver Wyman FZ-LLC, Oliver Wyman Group KK, Oliver Wyman Inc., Oliver Wyman LLC, Oliver Wyman Limited, Oliver Wyman Limited Liability Company, Oliver Wyman Limited/Oliver Wyman limitee, Oliver Wyman Ltd., Oliver Wyman Pte. Ltd., Oliver Wyman Pty. Ltd., Oliver Wyman S. de R.L. de C.V., Oliver Wyman S.A.S., Oliver Wyman S.L., Oliver Wyman S.r.l., Oliver Wyman SNC, Oliver Wyman SPRL/BVBA, Oliver Wyman Sdn. Bhd., Oliver Wyman Services Limited, Oliver Wyman Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Oliver Wyman sp. z o.o., Omega Indemnity (Bermuda) Limited, Organizacion Brockman y Schuh S.A. de C.V., Osbornes Insurances Oxford Limited (in liquidation), PFT Limited, PI Indemnity Company Designated Activity Company, PT JLT Reinsurance Brokers, PT Jardine Lloyd Thompson, PT Marsh Indonesia, PT Marsh Reinsurance Brokers Indonesia, PT Mercer Indonesia, PT Nexus Asia Pacific, PT Oliver Wyman Indonesia, PT Quantum Computing Services, PT Quantum Investments, PT Quantum Support Services, Pallas Marsh Servicos Ltda., Pavilion Alternatives Group (Singapore) PTE. Ltd, Pavilion Financial Corporation Holdings UK Limited, Pavilion U.S. Investments Holdco LLC, Pension Trustees Limited, Pensionsservice Benefit Network Sverige AB, Perils AG, Personal Pension Trustees Limited, Pet Animal Welfare Scheme Limited, Portsoken Trustees (No. 2) Limited, Portsoken Trustees Limited, Potomac Insurance Managers Inc., Premier Pension Trustees Limited, Premium Services Australia Pty Limited, Professional Claims Handling Limited (in liquidation), Profund Solutions Limited, Promerit AG, Promerit Hungary Kft, Promerit Schweiz AG, Pymetrics Inc., R G Ford Brokers Limited, R R B Beratungsgesellschaft fuer Altersversorgung mbh, R. Mees & Zoonen Holdings B.V., Renewable Energy Loss Adjusters LLC, Renewable Energy Loss Adjusters Limited, Resource Benefit Associates, Rightpath Reinsurance SPC Ltd., Risk Management Australia Pty Limited, Rivers Group Limited, Rockefeller Risk Advisors Inc., Rutherfoord International Inc., SAFCAR-Marsh, SBJ Holdings Limited, SCIB (Bermuda) Limited, SCM Global Real Estate Select GP LLC, SCM Infrastructure General Partner S.a r.l., SCM International Private Equity Select III GP LLC, SCM LT General Partner S.a.r.l., SCM PE General Partner S.a.r.l., SCM PE II GP Ltd., SCM PE II Scotland GP Ltd, SCM Strategic Capital Management (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., SICAR Marsh S.a.r.l., SME Insurance Services Limited, Sail Insurance Company Limited, Scalene Re Ltd, Seabury & Smith Borrower LLC, Seabury & Smith LLC, Secure Limited, Sedgwick (Holdings) Pty. Limited, Sedgwick Consulting Group Limited, Sedgwick Dineen Group Limited, Sedgwick Financial Services Limited, Sedgwick Forbes Middle East Limited, Sedgwick Group, Sedgwick Group (Australia) Pty. Limited, Sedgwick Group (Bermuda) Limited, Sedgwick Group (Zimbabwe) Limited, Sedgwick Group Limited, Sedgwick Internationaal B.V., Sedgwick Limited, Sedgwick Management Services (Barbados) Limited, Sedgwick Management Services (Singapore) Pte Limited, Sedgwick Noble Lowndes (UK) Limited, Sedgwick Noble Lowndes Group Limited, Sedgwick Noble Lowndes Limited, Sedgwick Overseas Investments Limited, Sedgwick Private Limited, Sedgwick Re Asia Pacific (Consultants) Pte Ltd (for dissolution), Sedgwick Trustees Limited, Sedgwick UK Risk Services Limited, Sedgwick Ulster Pension Trustees Limited, Settlement Trustees Limited, Shanghai Mercer Insurance Brokers Company Ltd., Shorewest Insurance Associates LLC, Sirota Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Sirota Consulting UK Limited, Smith Long Term Disability Management Group Inc., Societe d'Assurances et de Participation Guian SA, Software Underwriting Systems Limited (in liquidation), Southern Marine & Aviation Inc., Southern Marine & Aviation Underwriters Inc., Sudzucker Versicherungs-Vermittlungs GmbH, Sumitomo Life Insurance Agency America Inc., Sylvite Financial Services, TBX Solutions Limited, Talent Tech Labs LLC, The Benefit Express Holdings Limited, The Benefit Express Limited, The Carpenter Management Corporation, The Insurance Partnership Holdings Limited, The Insurance Partnership Services Limited, The Positive Ageing Company Limited, The Purple Partnership Limited, The Recovre Group Pty Ltd, Thomsons Online Benefits (HK) Ltd., Thomsons Online Benefits Inc., Thomsons Online Benefits Limited, Thomsons Online Benefits Pte Ltd., Thomsons Online Benefits S.R.L, Torrent Government Contracting Services LLC, Torrent Insurance Services LLC, Torrent Technologies, Torrent Technologies Inc., Tower Hill Limited, Tower Place Developments (West) Limited, Tower Place Developments Limited, U.T.E. AMG, U.T.E. Marsh - Caja Castilla La Mancha Junta de Comunidades, U.T.E. Marsh - Salvado Reus (in liquidation), U.T.E. Marsh - Salvado Reus 2012, U.T.E. Marsh - Salvado Vila-Seca 2010, UAD BB Marsh Lietuva, Vezina & Associes Inc., Vezina Assurances Inc., Victor Insurance Europe B.V., Victor Insurance Holdings Inc., Victor Insurance Italia S.r.l., Victor Insurance Managers Inc., Victor Insurance Managers Inc./Gestionnaires d'assurance Victor inc., Victor O. Schinnerer & Co. (Bermuda) Ltd., Victor O. Schinnerer & Company Limited, Victoria Hall Company Limited, Wellnz Limited, William M. Mercer (Canada) Limited/William M. Mercer (Canada) Limitee, William M. Mercer AB, William M. Mercer Comercio Consultoria e Servicos Ltda., Wortham Insurance & Risk Management, everBe SAS, and realright GmbH.

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High-altitude areasparticularly the US intermountain stateshave increased rates of suicide and depression, suggests a review of research evidence in the Harvard Review of Psychiatry.

The increased suicide rates might be explained by blood oxygen levels due to low atmospheric pressure, according to the article by Brent Michael Kious, MD, PhD, of University of Utah, Salt Lake City, and colleagues. Pending further research, the evidence may point to possible treatments to reduce the effects of low blood oxygen on mood and suicidal thoughts.

Altitude Linked to Variations in Suicide Rate - Further Study of Mechanisms Needed

The researchers reviewed and analyzed previous evidence linking higher altitude of residence to increased risk of suicide and depression, and considered possible explanations for these associations. "There are significant regional variations in the rates of major depressive disorder and suicide in the United States, suggesting that sociodemographic and environmental conditions contribute," Dr. Kious and coauthors write.

They analyzed 12 studies, most performed in the United States, including population-based data on the relationship between suicide or depression and altitude. While the studies used varying methods, most reported that higher-altitude areas had increased rates of depression and suicide. In general, the correlation was stronger for suicide than for depression.

The highest suicide rates were clustered in the intermountain states: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. (Alaska and Virginia also had high suicide rates.) In a 2014 study, the percentage of adults with "serious thoughts of suicide" ranged from 3.3 percent in Connecticut (average altitude 490 feet) to 4.9 percent in Utah (average altitude 6,100 feet).

Other key findings from previous research on altitude and suicide included:

Populations living at higher altitudes had increased suicide rates despite having decreased rates of death from all causes. Rather than a steady increase, the studies suggested a "threshold effect": suicide rates increased dramatically at altitudes between about 2,000 and 3,000 feet.

Suicide rates were more strongly associated with altitude than with firearm ownership. Other factors linked to suicide rate included increased poverty rate, lower income, and smaller population ratios of white and divorced women. However, the studies could not account for all factors potentially affecting variations in suicide, such as substance abuse rates and cultural differences.

While more than 80 percent of US suicides occur in low-altitude areas, that's because most of the population lives near sea level. Adjusted for population distribution, suicide rates per 100,000 population were 17.7 at high altitude, 11.9 at middle altitude, and 4.8 at low altitude. Studies from some other countries, but not all, also reported increased suicide rates at higher altitudes.

Why would altitude affect suicide rates? Dr. Kious and coauthors suggest the answer might be "chronic hypobaric hypoxia": low blood oxygen related to low atmospheric pressure. That theory is supported by studies in animals and short-term studies in humans. The authors suggest two pathways by which hypobaric hypoxia might increase the risks of suicide and depression: by altering the metabolism of the neurotransmitter serotonin and/or through its effects on brain bioenergetics.

If borne out by future studies, these mechanisms suggest some possible treatments to mitigate the effects of altitude on depression and suicide risk: supplemental 5-hydroxytryptophan (a serotonin precursor) to increase serotonin levels, or creatinine to influence brain bioenergetics. Dr. Kious and colleagues identify several areas in need of further research, including the effects of prolonged exposure to altitude on both serotonin metabolism and brain bioenergetics.

Explore further The curious relationship between altitude and suicide

More information: Brent M. Kious et al. Living High and Feeling Low, Harvard Review of Psychiatry (2018). Brent M. Kious et al. Living High and Feeling Low,(2018). DOI: 10.1097/HRP.0000000000000158Using artificial intelligence and bioinformatics, researchers can create a two-dimensional mapping that can read test results, creating an 'Instagram' of millions of blood cells. Credit: Dr. Carsten Krieg, Medical University of South Carolina

Being on the cutting edge of science and technology excites Hollings Cancer Center (HCC) researcher Carsten Krieg, Ph.D. Each day, he walks into his lab that houses a mass cytometry machine aptly labeled Helios. Krieg explains how it can heat plasma up to 6,000 degrees Celsius, levels comparable to temperatures found on the sun.

This allows the German native, who recently joined the faculty of the Medical University of South Carolina's departments of immunology and dermatology, to accomplish an interesting feat. He creates a sort of 'Instagram' of a person's immune system. For cancer patients on experimental immunotherapy treatments, the practical application is obvious and exciting, he said.

"What I use here is a very new and nerdy technology, which is called mass cytometry, that allows you with a very high sensitivity to make pictures of your immune system. And this is possible because there's artificial intelligence, machine learning combined with algorithms that can make a very complex system easy to visualize." ??Basically, how it works is that researchers stain cells using rare metal-conjugated antibodies that target surface and intracellular proteins. "Normally in biological tissues, there are no rare metals, so this technique offers greater sensitivity in detecting targets."

Inside the Helios, the cells are ionized using an inductively-coupled plasma. The ions derived from each stained cell are maintained in discrete clouds that can be detected in a mass spectrometer. The technique can potentially detect up to 100 markers per cell, although, due to practical restrictions, about 40 are more realistic, he said. Then researchers use artificial intelligence and bioinformatics to create a two-dimensional mapping that can read the results, creating an Instagram of millions of blood cells.

"It's an easy way to look at a complex response such as one you would find during immunotherapy."

This is critical as Krieg and other cancer researchers hope to advance the field of immunotherapy. Though immunotherapy has shown great promise, the vast majority of patients either don't respond, have adverse side effects or relapse. Krieg, who comes to HCC from the University Research Priority Program (URPP) in Zurich, Switzerland, wanted to know if the technology could be used to predict which patients might respond to certain treatments.

While in Zurich, he and his colleagues decided to use the technique to study melanoma. Research featured on the cover and in the February issue of Nature Medicine, titled "High-dimensional single-cell analysis predicts response to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy" identified biomarkers in the blood that can predict whether metastatic melanoma cancer patients will respond positively to immunotherapy. The goal was to see if a blood test for these biomarkers could identity those who are likelier to benefit, while allowing "non-responders" to begin other treatments without losing time, he said. "It's a decision instrument for physicians and for the health care system."

It's also a powerful research tool as it gets to the mechanisms behind what makes immunotherapy work. The recent study found an immune cell type known as classical monocytes in the peripheral blood may be a potential biomarker for patients who will respond to anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint therapy in metastatic melanoma. "Surprisingly, what we clearly found is that it's the frequency of monocytes that is enhanced in responders over non-responders before immunotherapy."

Krieg said he was eager to join HCC to work with immunotherapy researchers here and to take advantage of the synergy he feels across departments. He wants to continue his work in melanoma as well as look at using this technique for other cancers, including head and neck, gastrointestinal and lung cancer.

Dr. Krieg uses a mass cytometry machine aptly labeled Helios to heat plasma up to 6,000 degrees Celsius, levels comparable to temperatures found on the sun. Credit: Emma Vought, Medical University of South Carolina

Zihai Li, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and co-leader of the Cancer Immunology Program at HCC, said MUSC is fortunate to have recruited Krieg.

"He brings not only his wealth of knowledge in immunology but also his expertise in mass cytometry technology and its applications. This technique offers a powerful platform for high dimensional analysis of patients' blood on the single cell level."

Krieg's recent study in Nature Medicine demonstrates that the technique can be used in the clinics to profile patients' immune systems to better guide decisions about immunotherapy treatment. "Importantly, MUSC has already invested in this technology by obtaining a second-generation instrument," Li said. "Dr. Krieg's arrival will catalyze the rapid development and application of this technology to benefit the patients in the state of South Carolina."

Beyond looking for predictive biomarkers, Krieg said scientists can use this technique to closely examine how cells interact in the microenvironment of the tissue and the tumor. "We now have Instagram pictures, a picture before therapy and a picture during therapy. But you can make many more of these pictures, so you're looking after three months, after half a year, a year," he said. "This allows more of a Facebook approach, so every time you get a picture of the immune system, you're getting context."

Krieg sees the technology as ushering in a new era in cancer research. Looking back only a couple of decades, chemotherapy was the main course of treatment, he said. Then science advanced to sequence genomes and find mutations in the DNA for which specific inhibitors were developed.

"After DNA and the transcriptome, the exciting thing about this technology is the next step in evolution: we're now looking at the proteome."

The proteome is the complete set of proteins being expressed by a genome or cell at a certain time under certain conditions. "I am so excited about the work because it's the next step in science. This actually is what makes the interactions happen, where the immune cell interacts with an immune cell or a tumor cell. We're studying this whole networking of cells in your body and how they react toward your environment and in immunotherapy.

Doing real-time monitoring in patients based on their specific genetic make-up and the immunotherapy treatment they are receiving opens all kinds of research possibilities. This allows physicians to apply precision medicine to help patients and researchers to use systems biology to discover the mechanisms of disease, he said.

"I hope to make a difference in the clinic so that patients are on the right therapy from the start. Then on the research side, we want to understand how this works. Which elements do you need, when? Which element of the immune system needs to be kicked in?"

Explore further New biomarkers predict outcome of cancer immunotherapy

More information: Carsten Krieg et al, High-dimensional single-cell analysis predicts response to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, Nature Medicine (2018). Journal information: Nature Medicine Carsten Krieg et al, High-dimensional single-cell analysis predicts response to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/nm.4466When Ian Russell took the reins at BCX in May 2017, he inherited the lofty mandate to ensure the company is Africas premier digital solutions partner.

He was up to the task, and the company has shown a strong performance as an independent business unit in the Telkom stable.

His previous experience as a C-level executive at Telkom  and as an executive at Absa, SAB, and Barclays  helped him to ensure a successful transition for the company.

It was not always boardrooms, suits, and strategy meetings for Russell, however, who grew up in the United Kingdom.

His first job was assembling wooden fruit packaging crates on a factory production line, earning around R1,000 a week.

After completing a BSc Economics degree at Swansea University, he joined Ford as a buyer  and later moved to Barclays as a purchasing manager.

He then spent the next 13 years in the financial field before moving to SAB as the companys commercial head.

As technology has always been a passion of his, he jumped at the opportunity to join Telkom when the opportunity arose in 2014.

He loved working in the ICT field, and moved from chief procurement officer to chief administration office and then BCX CEO in only three years.

Russell said his career advancements are thanks to 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. The harder you practice, the luckier you get, he said.

His advice to people looking to advance their career is to be as clear as you can be on the end goal.

If you have a guiding long-term goal, building a portfolio of experience and leveraging each and every opportunity that comes along is so much easier, said Russell.

A bit of humour along the way can also help. I still ask myself what do I want to be when I grow up? he said.

Russells tech and business choices

MyBroadband asked Russell about his tech and business choices.

Which smartphone do you use?

iPhone X

Which laptop do you use?

Lenovo X1 Yoga

What is the best gadget you have ever bought?

A Swiss Army knife. I bought it in 1982, and still use it today. I can do just about everything, most importantly it has a very effective corkscrew on it.

What is the worst gadget you have ever bought?

A very fancy, expensive corkscrew with lots of levers and unnecessary engineering. It broke first time round.

What Internet connection do you have at home?

Telkom fibre. Obviously.

What is the best investment you have ever made?

A cup of coffee that created the first sit down moment to talk to the person that I now call my wife.

What is the worst investment you have ever made?

Any car that I have ever owned.

What is the best business book you have ever read?Digest: Armenian women die in the Netherlands shooting, Azerbaijan returns 2 Armenians

Relatives of deceased servicemen protesting in front of Armenia government building (LIVE)

Russian Expert Center: Russia is ready to offer Yerevan buses and new metro wagons

"High-Level Observer Day" held as part of "Three Brothers-2021" Azerbaijan-Turkey-Pakistan military drills

Flights to and from Gyumri and Moscow launched

Russia deputy PM: Development of new strategic document has started with Armenia

Armenian businessman: I would like for Armenia to have three official languages

Karabakh emergency situations service: Remains or relics of soldiers not found in Hadrut today

COAF and AMAA partner to revamp dairy production in Lori Province of Armenia

Gunshots heard in Armenia's Kut village again

Alexey Overchuk: Russia is ready to help Armenia overcome economic crisis and pandemic

Armenia economy minister: Unblocking of communication will help increase country's GDP by 30%

Armenia army's units to march on country's Independence Day

Armenia PM congratulates Vladimir Putin on United Russia Party's victory

Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sergey Smbatyan, performs at InClassica festival (PHOTOS)

Russian official: Bandwidth of Upper Lars checkpoint to grow by 6.5 times in 2022

Armenian Deputy PM: Armenia-Russia trade turnover made up $1.9 billion in first semester of 2021

Nursultan Nazarbayev congratulates Armenia President on 30th anniversary of Independence

Iran Ambassador to Armenia: We hope alternative road to Goris is built as soon as possible

Egypt President congratulates Armenia President on 30th anniversary of Independence

Erdogan to visit Russia on a working visit

Young Dutch man with mental disorder shoots at passers-by, kills 2 female members of AGBU Holland

Russia ambassador to Armenia: Innovative approaches needed to deepen bilateral relations

Greek MFA slams Turkey for illegal fishing in its territorial waters

PM: Armenia greatly interested in opening communications

Armenia-Russia cooperation agreement signed

Deputy PM: Armenia-Russia-Azerbaijan trilateral platform discusses issues I have spoken about many times

Armenia PM spokesperson: No contacts taken place so far with Turkey

North Korean MFA slams new defense alliance created by Australia, UK and US

20 Turkey citizens seek asylum in Armenia in past 3 years

Armenia economy minister on Goris-Kapan motorway situation: We are very actively rebuilding bypass road

Russia deputy PM: Issue of corridors not being discussed

Armenia deputy PM: Unblocking of roads will have positive effect

Deputy PM: Cooperation within EEU is main guarantee of Armenia's economic recovery

Azerbaijan FM heads for US

Iran sending sizeable military forces to Azerbaijan border

2 Armenian General Benevolent Union women die from stabbing (PHOTOS)

8 dead after shooting at Russia university

342 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia opposition MP: No security mechanisms on Goris-Kapan motorway to prevent abducting, getting lost

Yerevan hosting Armenian Business Forum 2021

Australia PM says France submarine deal not in his countrys interest

Half of Earth's coral reefs die out in last 70 years

World oil prices falling

Firefighting resumes at Armenia national park

Over 70% of ballots counted in Russia State Duma elections

Largest Armenia flag to be installed in Yeraskh village of Ararat Province (PHOTOS)

Azerbaijan returns 2 Armenia citizens

Women protest in Kabul in defense of their rights

Russia elections over

Those apprehended outside jewelry center in Yerevan are tourists from Iran, not Turks or Azerbaijanis

Frances Macron cancels Swiss counterparts visit

Manny Pacquiao to run for Philippine president

Yerkir.am: 2 Turks or Azerbaijanis apprehended outside jewelry center in Yerevan

Details of Iran nuclear physicists assassination by Israel intelligence are disclosed

France MFA announces crisis in US relations

UK lawmakers accuse Johnson of more casual approach to national security

Goris city deputy mayor: Azerbaijan military hit Armenian young man with handheld transceiver antenna

Khatibzadeh: Iran hopes Iranian truckers detained by Azeris in Armenia's Syunik will be released immediately

Turkeys Erdogan: Georgia premier conveyed Armenia PMs proposal to hold meeting

Australia plans to soon buy or lease submarines from US or UK

Protest being staged outside Armenia government building

Armenia ombudsman: National Security Service taking active measures to have our compatriots returned

Colorado killer sentenced to 1,282 years, in addition to life in prison

Armenia village mayor: Those who ended up in Azerbaijan-controlled territory are 20-, 21-year-old boys

Kazakhstan, Belarus to arm CSTO

Cement plant opens in Artsakh

Goris deputy mayor on probability of Armenia residents ending up in Azerbaijan: 4 people, they disappeared by car

Armenia National Security Service: 2 residents end up in Azerbaijan-controlled territory

Islamic State claims responsibility for Syria natural gas pipeline attack

507 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Final day of elections in progress in Russia

Birds dying en masse in New York

Armenia parliament to hold hearings on September 22

Drone mistakenly drops package of drugs into US schoolyard

Researchers uncover risk of mutated coronavirus

Several hundred people go on protest action at US Congress

France: One person dies in a fight with participation of 150 bikers

Nuclear Chief of Iran does not plan to negotiate nuclear transaction in Vienna

US Capitol is preparing for rally of Trump supporters

21 people detained in Yerevan protests

Armenia Parliament Speaker on yesterday's incident with children of Artsakh on Goris-Kapan road

8 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Artsakh

Karabakh President receives Deputy Director of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund

Presidents of Tajikistan and Iran sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Situation at Charles Aznavour Square in Yerevan is tense, police are apprehending demonstrators

Yerevan citizens hold demonstration demanding cancelation of Independence Day event

Veterans of 44-day Karabakh war awarded

Erdogan to visit discuss situation in Idlib with Putin during visit to Russia

Opposition "Armenia" faction says authorities are leading session devoted to Syunik situation to failure

Explosion in Afghanistan's Jalalabad leaves at least 3 dead

Russia citizen breaks window of Yerevan bank and enters, police disarm him (PHOTOS)

Armenia police chief signs orders

Displaced residents of Karabakh's Shushi discuss Artsakh status and other issues during consultation

1,011 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Karabakh Parliament Speaker receives acting Rector of Yerevan State University

US Embassy in Armenia: Former Ambassador John Ordway is in Yerevan

Mined car explodes in Kabul

Karabakh President receives acting Rector of Yerevan State University

The Taliban draft new Constitution of AfghanistanRussian President Vladimir Putin told NBC News that engaging in mutual accusations and insults between Russia and the United States is a road to nowhere, reported RBC news agency of Russia.

Lets sit down calmly, talk and figure things out, he noted speaking about normalizing Russian-American relations. I believe that the current [US] president wants to do that, but there are forces that wont let him do it.

In Putins view, US President Donald Trump is a businessman with vast experience and a quick study despite being new to politics.

The Russian president recalled that the US had included Russia among its enemies.

We are not the ones who labeled you our enemies. You made a decision, at the level of parliament, at the level of Congress and put Russia on your list of enemies, he said. Why did you do that? Are we the ones who imposed sanctions on the United States? The U.S. imposed sanctions on us.

And asked whether he was concerned about Russian citizens attacking US democracy, Putin stressed once again that he had yet to see any evidence that the alleged Russian interference in the US presidential election in 2016 had broken Russian law.Former United States Senator Mark Kirk, whom the visiting Armenian parliamentary delegation on Friday awarded with the Medal of Honor of the National Assembly of Armenia, in Washington, D.C., began his respective remarks by saying that he is indebted to an Armenian soldier for saving his life, reported the Voice of America Armenian Service.

Kirk said, arriving in Armenia many years ago as just a rank-and-file employee of the US Congress, he had visited the border with Azerbaijan to get familiarized with the situation. He added that if it had not been for an Armenian soldier beside the future senator, this visit could have been his last. He said the Armenian soldier had saved him from becoming the target of an Azerbaijani bullet in the trench.

Kirk said he had learned another lesson from that visit: History was unfair to the Armenian people, and historical justice needs to be restored; first of all, by recognizing Armenian GenocidePresident Vladimir Putin stated that after the expiry of the START III (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) between the United States and Russia, the latter is ready to continue dialogue on nuclear disarmament, but added that when they are acquiring weapons that can easily breach all anti-ballistic missile systems, they no longer consider the reduction of ballistic missiles and warheads to be highly critical, reported Interfax news agency.

Putin explained that they agree to a reduction or to retaining current terms, to a reduction in delivery vehicles and warheads.

The Russian president added that all the systems, which he mentioned in his message addressed to the Russian Federal Assembly, can easily breach the US missile defense, and said all the respective tests were successful.STEPANAKERT.  The allegations of subjecting Azerbaijani citizens Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev to moral and physical tortures are nothing but a deliberate fabrication.

Davit Babayan, Head of the Central Information Department of the Office of the President of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic/NKR) and Deputy Head of the NKR Presidents Office, told the aforementioned to Armenian News-NEWS.am. He noted this commenting on a respective statement by an organization called International Human Rights Defence Committee (CIPDH).

It can be assumed from the style of that statement publicized in Azerbaijani media that this organization is registered in [Azerbaijans] Sumgait [town], or [capital city] Baku, Babayan stressed. Its visible with the naked eye, too [that], the statement is false, absorbed with Azerbaijani oil or caviar.

The ICRC [International Committee of the Red Cross] conducts monitoring of the custody and health condition of the mentioned persons, and no trace of torture was found.

At the same time he recalled the numerous violations of human rights in Azerbaijan, especially toward national minorities, captives, and detainees.

Azerbaijani citizens Shahbaz Guliyev (born in 1968), Dilgam Asgarov (born in 1960), and Hasan Hasanovwho was killed by the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic/NKR) armed forces while rendering these saboteurs ineffectivehad illegally crossed the NKR state border on June 29, 2014, and they were armed with weapons and ammunition. The three had entered the territory of the Shahumyan Region of Karabakh, and as spies, to collect information and carry out espionage.

On July 4, 2014, they had kidnapped and subsequently murdered Karabakh citizen Smbat Tsakanyan, 17, whose body was found on July 15, 2014, and with gunshot wounds, in a forest at the Shahumyan Region.

In addition, on the evening of July 11, 2014, Hasanov had killed Armenia capital city Yerevan resident Sargis Abrahamyan (born in 1971), and severely wounded Armenias Dzoraghbyur village resident Karine Davtyan, on the Vardenis-Karvachar Highway. Hasanov was armed and he resisted arrest; as a result, he was neutralized by the NKR special forces. Guliyev and Asgarov, on the other hand, were detained, and they faced trial in the NKR.

Asgarov was charged with espionage; unauthorized border trespass; kidnapping and violence against a minor, committed by an organized group; murder committed by an organized group motivated by ethnic hatred; and attempt of murder of two persons, committed by an organized group, motivated by ethnic hatred.

Guliyev was charged with espionage; unauthorized border trespass; kidnapping and violence against a minor, committed by an organized group; and murder committed by an organized group motivated by ethnic hatred.

And on December 29, 2014, the First Instance General Jurisdiction Court of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic sentenced Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev to life and 22 years, respectively, in prison.Writing on Facebook, Temitope Aduroja recounted the dilemma of a struggling family in Minna, Niger State and the friction that emerged over the alleged payment necessary to meet Daddy GO.

The students of Redeemer Secondary School in Minna were told to pay N15,000 each to be able to see Pastor Adeboye and receive his handshake, Aduroja wrote, explaining that the respected Pastor is due to be at an event in Abuja on Sunday 11th March 2018.

Clearly disgruntled, the whistle-blower added that this information came from a work colleague who had three children in that particular school and was unwilling to pay such a fee.

His wife remained adamant that he must pay the money because his children must see Pastor Adeboye for the first time in their lives and receive his handshake and blessings, Aduroja continued.

It took the combined effort of a local Redeemed Pastor and his grandmother to finally bring settlement to the heated squabble which almost resulted in physical combat.

After serious pleading and begging from the pastor and family members, the husband agreed to pay for a child, the wife for the second child while the grandmother agreed to pay for the third child, he explained.

Aduroja proceeded to ponder on the craziness exhibited by Nigerian woman in the name of religion, as well as express scepticism on the actual impact of this handshake excursion.

Must we continue to waste money on something that doesn't mean much in the name of religion or a pastor, he whimsically concluded.

The post drew heated response, many rising to Adeboyes defence and stating the school was simply taking students on an excursion and such amount was to cater for the journeys costs. Others, however, corroborated the allegation.

Oyeyemi Ganiat wrote, That's how they always do. My children are attending Redeemer School here in Agege, Lagos. They will tell you Baba Adeboye is doing his birthday every March and that all children must pay N5,000 to be able to go and celebrate.

Akintayo Taiwo went deeper to suggest such behaviour stemmed from the unhealthy quest for position and power within the Redeemed Church.

In RCCG, promotion from Parish pastor to Area Pastor to Zonal Pastor to Provincial Pastor depends on your weekly remittance to the church Headquarters in Lagos. The more tithes and offerings - and other godly and ungodly charges you are able to remit to the Church - the faster your promotion, he alleged.

We may say that Baba Adeboye doesn't know about this but he is definitely culpable because he accepts the money coming from all these Parishes without questioning the source, Taiwo opined.

No matter how fast church growth is in Nigeria, as long as the Church makes money the centre of the gospel, morality will continue to decrease among believers, the commentator brazenly ended.

RCCG has yet to make any official statement on the matter.

SOURCEHome | News | General | NotTooYoungToRun bill: Over 50 youth groups to engage President Buhari

- The NotTooYoungToRun movement is going strong as the days go by

- The youth groups that make up the movement have planned a National Day of Action

- The initiative is geared towards engaging President Muhammadu Buhari on the #NotTooYoungToRun bill

Over 50 youth groups in the country have concluded plans to organise a National Day of Action, in solidarity with Nigerian youths to ensure that the #NotTooYoungToRun is passed into law.

NAIJ.com gathered that the initiative is geared towards engaging President Muhammadu Buhari on the age reduction bill and fulfill his promises to millions of Nigerian youth.

The event would hold on Wednesday, March 14 and kick-off at the popular unity fountain in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The movement clarified that the event is not a protest.

READ ALSO: Not Too Young To Run: It's time to payback the Nigerian youth - Rep to Buhari

The movement calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the constitutional amendment bill especially the age reduction bill as soon as the bills are transmitted to him for assent.

We therefore, also urge the National Assembly to without further delay transmit the constitutional amendment bills to the president for assent.

The National Day of Action is designed to demonstrate that the large youth population is in support of the age reduction bill being considered as part of the constitution amendment process, organisers of the event said at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, March 9.

They clarified that the National Day of Action is not a protest, but a peaceful citizen engagement with the president.

We hope to use the National Day of Action to emphasise the need for the constitution review process to be concluded speedily, they said.

In a related development, the British high commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, has urged President Buhari to assent to the #NotTooYoungToRun bill as soon as it is transmitted to him by the National Assembly.

Arkwright said this on Saturday, February 17, barely 24 hours after the #NotTooYoungToRun movement issued 30-day ultimatum to state assemblies, National Assembly and the executive to conclude the ongoing constitutional amendments process.

While congratulating the movement on the historic feat, he said, the next step is for young people especially women to present themselves as candidates.

READ ALSO: OPINION: Nigerian youth - The real third force by Itodo Samson

Like France, can Nigeria have a young president too? on NAIJ.com TV

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Loading...Home | News | General | Police confirm death of 5 people in Plateau attack

- Police in Plateau state have confirmed an attack by suspected herdsmen in which five people were killed

- Five people were reportedly killed in Dantako and Nzharuvo communities in Miango district of Bassa local government area of the state

- The police said investigations were ongoing to unravel those behind the dastardly act

Police in Plateau state have confirmed that gunmen suspected to be herdsmen killed five people in Dantako and Nzharuvo communities in Miango district of Bassa local government area of Plateau state, NAN reports.

NAIJ.com noted that ASP Terna Tyopev, the police public relations officer, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Jos on Friday, March 9.

According to him, the incident that occurred on the night of Thursday, March 8 left scores severely injured and many properties destroyed.

READ ALSO: Dasukigate: Dokpesi received N2.1 bn for doing nothing - EFCC

He said: Yesterday, gunmen suspected to be herdsmen attacked and killed four Irigwe persons at Dantanko and a Fulaniman at Nzharuvo communities in Miango district of Bassa local government.

The deceased persons are identified as Emmanuel Joseph, Christopher Joseph, Peace Joseph, Henry Audu and Samuel Isah.

The corpse of Samuel Isah has since been buried, but that of the remaining four are deposited at the Jos University Teaching Hospitals (JUTH) mortuary."

The spokesman explained that those injured, including a four-year old child were receiving treatment at Enos hospital, Miango.

He said investigations were ongoing to unravel those behind the dastardly act.

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Recall that NAIJ.com earlier reported that unknown gunmen on the night Thursday, March 8, reportedly killed five people in Nzharuvo community of Basa local government area of Plateau state.

The incident happened in less than 24 hours after the President Buhari officially launched a five-year road map for peace in the state.

A youth leader in the community, Danjuma Auta, on Friday, March 9, said that the victims were mostly children and a woman.

Southern Kaduna killings: part 1 - on NAIJ.com TV

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Loading...Home | News | General | Group blasts Senator Adeleke for dancing instead of contributing to national issues

- A socio political group, Movement For New Nigeria (MNN) has criticised Senator Ademola Adeleke, for taking the dignity of legislature for granted

- The group blasted the senator with his strong liking to burst into dancing at the sound of music at any given opportunity

- The group also berated Adeleke for dancing, instead of making meaningful contributions to national issues

The Movement For New Nigeria (MNN), has blasted Senator Ademola Adeleke, representing Osun west senatorial district, over his incessant display of dancing skills wherever he goes.

The socio political group, in a statement by Comrade Sunday Kelani, its national coordinator, noted that the senator has taken it as a tradition to dance at any event he attends instead of contributing meaningfully to national issues as a lawmaker of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Kelani criticized the Osun state senator for taking the dignity of legislature for granted, adding that he is no more a private person, but a public office holder of high echelon in Nigeria.

READ ALSO: Only zero hunger can completely defeat Boko Haram - Obasanjo

The statement reads: The routine dance of the Senator representing Osun West Senatorial District is becoming a big embarrassment for people of his constituency and Nigerians as a whole.

Instead of making appreciable contribution constructively to nation-building, Senator Adeleke is busy dancing across the country rather unabatedly.

The place of the legislature in a democracy is too important and serious for any of its member to resort to a mere entertainer and official dancer.

This attitude of the lawmaker is highly unbecoming of a man with that political stature; this must stop as a matter of importance and exigency.

There is a limit to how a politician could go to impress the people outside the specified statutory obligation through performance; the earlier the senator knows that his dancing step is no more catching the fancy of anyone the better for him.

NAIJ.com previously reported that many had thought that with his resuming duty as a serving senator in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Senator Adeleke will reduce his dancing skill.

He was called to present an award during the Silverbird Man of the Year Award held on Friday, February 23, at the Eko Hotel and Suites when he took to the stage to perform his dance steps to the admiration of the guests. When he was about leaving the stage, he also gave them another of his dancing steps.

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The SCOOP: Ademola Adeleke, Osinbajo vs Senate, HND vs Degree Certificate and many more on NAIJ.com TV:

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Loading...Home | News | General | Pete Edochie at 71: My dad is a true legend, says son

It was not a coincident when NTA started showing again the filmic adaptation of Chinua Achebes best selling novel, Things Fall Apart, several years after it was yanked off the air.

The showing of the all-time production collided with the celebration of Pete Edochies 71st birthday. He was born on Mrach 7, 1947.

Pete Edochie

on Wednesday and NTA like other Nigerians rolled out the drums to celebrate the man popularly known as Ebubedike following the role he played in the 1987 NTA adaptation of Achebes Things Fall Apart as Okonkwo. However, apart from NTA, many corporate organizations and individuals took time put to pay tribute to the screen icon. Also, some of his colleagues in the movie industry were not left out as they sent their congratulatory messages to him via social media. One of them was the President of Actors Guild of Nigeria, Ejezie Emeka Rollas. In his birthday message, Rollas prayed that God should grant the Ebubedike of Nollywood many more years of fruitfulness. The veteran actor turned 71and NTA like other Nigerians rolled out the drums to celebrate the man popularly known as Ebubedike following the role he played in the 1987 NTA adaptation of Achebes Things Fall Apart as Okonkwo. However, apart from NTA, many corporate organizations and individuals took time put to pay tribute to the screen icon. Also, some of his colleagues in the movie industry were not left out as they sent their congratulatory messages to him via social media. One of them was the President of Actors Guild of Nigeria, Ejezie Emeka Rollas. In his birthday message, Rollas prayed that God should grant the Ebubedike of Nollywood many more years of fruitfulness.

We cannot quantify the contributions of our father towards the continuous development of the industry. He is a great man and as a great man he has and still doing great things both individually and collectively. His fatherly role on and off screen cannot be over-emphasized. We pray that the Almighty grant him many years of fruitfulness in good health and in his lifetime will witness the greatness of the industry he strove to build. Happy birthday, he wrote.

Also, in his Instagram post, Pete Edochies son, Yul described his father as a  true legend, praying that God will continue to strengthen you, every new day.

Pete Edochie shot into prominence in 1987, when he played the lead role of Okonkwo in an NTA adaptation of Chinua Achebes bestselling novle, Things Fall Apart. He has since featured in over 200 movies and has won many national and international awards.

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Loading...Home | News | General | Dallas ready to host African film makers

 as TAFF 2018 hots up

Award-winning Tanzanian actress, Yvonne Monalisa and Sierra Leonean actor and Voice of America TV host, David Vandy have been announced as the hosts of this years edition of The Africa Film Festival,TAFF, which is billed to hold in Dallas, the United States,in June.

The festival director and founder, Kelechi Eke disclosed this, during the week, explaining that the two entertainers are selected based on their outstanding accomplishements as international stars.

The festival was hosted last years by veteran actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo,RMD, who brought his wealth of experience to bear, while the festival lasted.

Shielding more light on this years TAFF, Kelechi who was recently honoured with African Community Achievement Award by a North American group, AFRIFAMU, said the festival will open on June 29 , at the Dallas City Performance Hall and climaxes on July 3rd , with an awards night.

According to him, RMD will be teaching the Master Acting class again this year, while popular film director, Lancelot Imasuen will teach a class in directing. The classes, he said will be held at Southern Methodist University, one of the most prestigious universities in Texas, which supports TAFF initiative in promoting African Arts and Culture through motion pictures.

While the opening night of TAFF 2018, will be a folklore of storytelling sessions by Eclectic Vanessa Danso from Ghana; and Ruth Ndulu Maingi from Kenya, the festival director, however, revealed that the Association of Nigerian Physicians in America,ANPA, will be part of this years event, as the members will be having a convention in Dallas leading to TAFF 2018. ANPA partners TAFF to showcase the power of Medicine and Film. TAFF founder has been selected to speak at the ANPA convention.

Other notable film makers expected at TAFF 2018 include: veteran producer, Emem Esong, Uche Jombo, Stella Damasus, Charles Billion, Jim Iyke; Nigerian Film practitioners in the U.S.; Cameroonian Filmmakers Kang Quintus, Ruth Nkweti, Terence Limona, Tiana Bibish. Gambian Alhagie Manka; Sierra Leonian Winstina Taylor; Congolese Soleil Marie; Kenyan Hollywood-Based, Benjamin Onyango; and all the practitioners whose work were among the 40 selected films.

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Loading...Home | News | General | 10 killed, scores injured in attack on Plateau rural communities

Bokkos (Plateau)  Ten persons were confirmed killed by gunmen that invaded rural settlements in Daffo District of Bokkos Local Government, Plateau State, on Friday.

Mr Danjuma Wabas, Councillor representing Daffo District in the Bokkos Local Government Council, who confirmed the figure, said that the deceased were given a mass burial.

CRISIS in Nasarawa Gown area of Jos, the Plateau State residence flee for safety

He said that those killed included five women, four men and an infant.

A correspondent, who visited some of the affected villages, reports that many of them were burnt down while the fear-stricken villagers had fled to either Daffo, Bokkos or other areas of the state.

Among the houses razed down was that of a former Deputy Governor of Plateau.

Worst hit villages included Ngakudung, Farunhai, Mhorok, Ganda and Warrem-Hotom.

Also hit were Maidunna and Josho, where Sen. Joshua Dariye (APC/Plateau Central), took relief materials last week, following an attack on the village in February.

Some of the villagers, who spoke to NAN, said that the attackers wore black uniform and had sophisticated guns.

The attackers wore black uniforms and had something that looked liked a scarf on their heads, one Malo Mafulul, told NAN at Ganda village.

Wabas, who confirmed Mafululs claims, described the situation as scary, saying that more people were still unaccounted for.

As we speak, more people are missing while some of the injured persons taken to the hospitals have died.

Among those who died in the hospital is one Mrs. Naomi Zakaria, who was shot in the stomach.

We rushed her to the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos but she died shortly after we arrived there, he said.

Wabas, who said that the attackers were moving from one village to the other, disclosed that they destroyed crops and burnt down unharvested crops.

The councillor said that the entire Daffo District had been thrown into mourning, and urged security security personnel to help those taking refuge in places of worship and other areas in Daffo town.

Major Umar Adams, spokesman of Operation Save Haven (OPSH), the security outfit in charge of security on the Plateau, confirmed the attacks.

Yes, we are aware of the attacks, but we are yet to ascertain the number of casualties.

When the report came to my officers over there, the first four women that were shot were rushed to the hospital for medical attention. As at that time, only one infant, who is less than one year old, was confirmed dead.

The situation only got worse when some youths mobilized themselves to confront the attackers, he said.

He, however, said that calm had returned to the affected areas, adding that five persons had been arrested in connection with the attacks.

Adams said that most of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), were taking refuge in some worship centres in Bokkos town, while some of those injured were being treated at Bokkos Cottage Hospital and Plateau Specialist Hospital in Jos.

The STF spokesman urged the people to exercise restrain and allow the security agents to deal with the situation.

The youths should exercise restrain and support the security agencies to restore sanity to Daffo District and Bokkos Local Government, he said.

Mr Simon Angyol, Chairman, Interim Management Committee of Bokkos Local Government, who also confirmed the attacks, described the situation as very sad.

The attacks are getting too many. It is a very difficult situation for the entire Bokkos Local Government, he said.

According to him, many people have been killed with even more injured, while thousands had been rendered homeless.

He called on the federal and Plateau governments to come to the aid of the victims, saying that most of them were women and children whose situation had gone beyond the capacity of the local government.

Angyol, however, commended the security agencies for their quick response which restored calm to the affected areas. (NAN)

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Loading...Home | News | General | 10,623 poor persons receive FGs N5, 000 monthly grants in Kaduna

Kaduna  A total of 10,623 extremely poor and vulnerable persons in Kaduna State have been selected to receive N5, 000 monthly under the Federal Government Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme.



The beneficiaries, whose age range from 25-90 were selected from nine local government areas in the state.

Those selected represents 30 percent of the extremely poor and vulnerable persons in the selected local areas.

The scheme is part of the National Social Investment Programme of the Buhari administration and plans to reach 80 million poor Nigerians in the long run.

So far, 455,857 poor and vulnerable households have been uploaded onto the National Social Register, from which 297,973 households have been mined and are being paid stipends in 20 States.

The states are Jigawa, Bauchi, Kogi, Osun, Cross River, Anambra, Katsina, Kano, Taraba, Gombe, Adamawa, Niger, Nassarawa, Benue, Oyo, Ekiti, Kwara, Borno, Kaduna and Plateau.

Under the conditional cash transfer scheme, 2,495 community facilitator have been trained to assist the beneficiaries to form cooperatives and give them basic financial training, skills and support.

At the event in Kaduna, the state Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, Hassan Usman emphasised that the scheme would run for three years.

He said that the beneficiaries were selected from Ikara, Kubau, Lere, Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Kajuru, Kachia, Kauru and Sanga Local Government Areas.

One of the beneficiaries, Hauwa Musa, 80, expressed gratitude to the government for the support.

The beneficiaries were paid N10, 000 each as payments for February and March.(NAN)

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Loading...Home | News | General | Jonathan-led EISA declares Sierra Leonean elections peaceful but 

*Appeals for calm as results collation continues

The Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA)s election observation mission led by former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan on Friday in Freetown declared last Wednesdays general elections in Sierra Leone as peaceful and orderly, adding that they were conducted substantially in line with sub-regional, continental and international standards.

Jonathan-led EISA declares Sierra Leonean elections peaceful

Jonathan who stated this in EISAs interim report presented to the media also observed that voter turnout was impressive while the conduct of polling personnel was professional. He also appealed to the people of Sierra Leone and all stakeholders to remain as the electoral body continues to transmit and collate results of the elections.

The report however noted that there was room for improvement especially in the legal framework to further level the playing field.

Sierra Leones National Electoral Commission was yet to release official results as at Friday evening, as collation and tallying were still on going. However EISA in the interim report said it was well aware of this fact, adding that its findings only reflects the missions observations up to the conclusion of the counting process at polling stations.

The report said: The EISA Election Observation Mission commends the people of Sierra Leone for turning out in large numbers to register their will on 7 March 2018. In the absence of an incumbent in the presidential race, the presidential election seems to be one of the most keenly contested in the post-civil war period.

 The EISA EOM notes the efforts of the different institutions to guarantee the integrity of the elections. On election day, voter turnout was impressive and the conduct of polling personnel was professional. There were technical glitches that necessitated the postponement of elections in 18 polling stations. Election day proceeded in a largely peaceful manner albeit with isolated incidents that were immediately addressed.

 The EISA EOM is of the view that the process up until the end of the first day of tallying has so far been conducted substantially in line with sub-regional, continental and international standards although there is room for improvement especially in the legal framework to further level the playing field.

The EISA EOM urges the people of Sierra to remain calm while they wait to see the process through. We call on political leaders to show true leadership by respecting the rule of law throughout the results tally process.

Other observer groups which returned similar verdicts in their earlier presentations included Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), African Union (AU), The Commonwealth, Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA), European Union (EU), and The Carter Center (TCC)



Below is the text of preliminary statement as presented by former President Jonathan:

EISA Election Observation Mission to the 2018 Elections in Sierra Leone

Preliminary Statement

This statement presents the preliminary findings, conclusions and recommendations on the pre-election period and Election Day operations of the observation mission deployed by the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA). It is issued while the transmission and tallying of results are still on-going, and therefore only reflects the missions observations up to the conclusion of the counting process at polling stations. This statement therefore neither covers the transmission of results nor the finalisation of the results tally process, this explains why this statement is preliminary. A final report covering the entire process will be issued by EISA about three months after the close of this mission.

The EISA Election Observation Mission (EOM) is comprised of 12 Short Term Observers (STOs) who were deployed in Bo, Freetown, Kenema, Makeni, and Port Loko. The observers are now returning from their areas of deployment.

The EISA EOMs assessment methodology is guided by its commitments within the framework of the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation. Its assessment of the electoral process is based on the principles and obligations for democratic elections stipulated in the following international benchmarks: the African Union Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections; the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance; and the Principles for Election Management, Monitoring and Observation (PEMMO).

Our findings

The political context in the lead up to the election was shaped by a number of issues which, in some cases, raised concerns and in other cases created uncertainties about the elections. These issues include the uncertainties around the declaration of the date of the elections and the debate about the referendum to adopt constitutional amendments proposed by the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC); and the court case against the NGC candidate that is yet to be adjudicated.

Within this context, the EISA EOM notes the commitment of Sierra Leoneans to participate in democracy building in their country. The EOM also commends the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) for facilitating the process that led to the signing of the Freetown Declaration by presidential candidates on 28 February 2018. The signing of the declaration showed the commitment of the candidates to the conduct of peaceful elections. Cognisant of the fact that there were isolated incidents of violence in the tense pre-election period, the absence of widespread violence provided an atmosphere for Sierra Leoneans to freely show their support to their chosen candidates.

The legal framework broadly provides sufficient basis for the conduct of democratic elections. The EISA EOM notes the following areas where the legal framework could further be strengthened for more democratic elections:

The electoral system for presidential elections, which entails a 55% threshold and does not adequately address the issue of ethnic politics;

Absence of provisions for independent candidature in presidential elections;

Absence of provisions for affirmative action to promote the participation and representation of vulnerable and underrepresented groups such as women, youth and People with Disabilities (PWDs).

On election management, the EISA EOM notes that the National Electoral Commission (NEC) and the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) are constitutional bodies with their independence provided in the constitution. The EOM is however of the view that NECs accountability to the president could potentially compromise its independence.

Faced with the responsibility of conducting the first elections after closure of the United Nations Integrated Peace building Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) in March 2014, and the financial challenges due budgetary constraints, the NEC with government funding and the support of international technical and financial partners made reasonable efforts to deliver on the election calendar.

Based on its assessment of the process until the release of this statement, the EISA EOM is of the view that the commission carried out its responsibilities in a non-partisan and proactive manner. It endeavoured to promptly address the operational challenges it was faced with.

Voter registration was jointly conducted by the NEC and the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) for the first time.

We note the challenges experienced during the data transfer process and the steps taken to review the register to include the missing names. It is our hope that the civil registry will be finalised before the next elections. The EISA EOM notes the delays in the printing of voters cards and the steps taken by NEC to ensure that registered voters who did not have the cards were not disenfranchised.

While the legal framework recognises the right of Sierra Leoneans living abroad to participate in electoral processes, the NEC did not provide for registration and voting by citizens residing outside the country. While noting the operational and financial requirements for diaspora voting, the EISA EOM regrets that eligible voters living abroad remain disenfranchised.

On the candidate nomination process, similar to the situation in 2012, the bill tabled before parliament proposing a reduction of the stipulated candidate nomination fees was not passed and the president subsidised the fees on behalf of candidates. EISA EOM considers the failure to pass the proposed regulations on nomination fees as a stumbling block to inclusive participation in the electoral process. The current high nomination fees, if maintained, could discourage qualified candidates from vulnerable groups such as women, youth and PWDs from exercising their right to participate in the elections as candidates. In addition, the continuous subsidy by the government, which is not anchored in the legal framework could be misconstrued as an incentive to entice voters or rival candidates

On party and campaign finance, we note the provisions for mandatory disclosure of finances on annual basis. We note the challenges faced by the PPRC to effectively enforce these provisions. We also note that the law does not provide for ceilings on campaign expenditure which opens the electoral process up to undue influence of money.

On the role of the media, we acknowledge the efforts of the Independent Media Commission (IMC) to train journalists on conflict-sensitive reporting, towards mitigating election-related conflict. The IMC also developed a Media Code of Ethics. However, the EOM noted with concern that, despite a caution on cessation of promotion of any political interest 24 hours before the elections, four newspapers contravened this directive.

The EISA EOM notes the value added by the presidential debates to public information, it specifically commends the initiative to convene debates for female candidates and local council election candidates. The EOM however considers the criteria set for parties to participate in the debates to be quite stringent, thus, only six out of the 16 presidential candidates met the criteria.

On women and youth participation, the EISA EOM notes that while women constitute 52% of the voter register, overall less than 20% women contested in the parliamentary elections. This shows no improvement in womens representation. The 2018 elections however saw nomination of younger candidates.

Civil society actively participated in the process through advocacy for electoral reforms, voter education efforts, election observation as well promoting political participation of youth, women and PWDs through various interventions. We commend the CSOs for operating Womens Situation Room, Media Situation Rooms and Civil Society Situation Room as hubs for information sharing and real time monitoring. It is of the view that these initiatives greatly enhanced the transparency of the poll.

On election day procedures, the EISA EOM notes that overall, the stipulated procedures for opening, voting, closing and counting were largely complied with and that staff demonstrated competence in execution of their duties. The decision of the NEC to cap the number of voters per station to 300 voters made the management of the process easier. Each voter took an average of 6 minutes to complete the process. The secrecy of the ballot was guaranteed in most of the stations visited and election materials were available throughout the day.

As stipulated in the Elections Act, party agents who were present at the count consented to and signed the Reconciliation and Result Form (RRF) and a copy was posted outside the station by the presiding officers. The EISA EOM notes with commendation the presence of citizen observers at all the polling stations visited. The presence of citizen observers and party agents is an important indicator of the transparency of an election.

The Mission notes with concern the presence of heavily armed security personnel at the SLPP presidential candidates premises at Goderich in the late afternoon on election day. Thanks to the presence of high level international dignitaries, the situation was de-escalated. The EISA EOM urges the security forces to refrain from such acts of aggression which are a potential threat to the existing peace and security in the country.

On the tally process: EISA observers visited five regional tally centres. In its assessment of the early aspects of the results tally process, the EISA EOM notes that the process was off to a slow start as officials waited for materials to be transported from the different areas. The layout of the tally centres and the procedures stipulated by NEC did not facilitate direct observation of the procedures or easy interface between officials and observers. Observers depended on the figures projected on the screens. Tally procedures at the centre in Port Loko was interrupted for some hours due to technical problems with the generator.

At the time of writing this statement, tallying was ongoing. The mission will provide further detailed assessment of the tally in its final report.

Our recommendations

Based on its observations and findings, the EISA EOM offers the following recommendations:

Considering the importance of the result tally process and the tensions that attend this process, we urge the NEC to manage the process in a transparent and professional manner. Specifically paying attention to information management to avoid suspicions and misinformation.

In the short term, in the event of a runoff election:

Provide lamps and extra batteries that will cover both the opening and counting procedures.

Reconsider the ban on vehicle movement to ensure citizens are able to move freely to exercise their franchise.

Take steps to ensure that incidents similar to what happened at the premises of the SLPP candidate that involved interference by security agencies is not repeated.

In the long term:

Legal reforms:

Revisit the report of the CRC and begin the process of constitution review deliberations at the parliament early in the life of the incoming parliament.

Consider adoption of a lower threshold for determining the winner of presidential election. To also address the issue of ethnic politics, further criteria to ensure national spread of votes regionally for the winner of presidential election should be considered.

Review the legal framework to strengthen the regulation of party and campaign finance and also strengthen the powers of the PPRC to effectively regulate party finance.

In line with article 9(1b) of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, which Sierra Leone has ratified, the legal framework should be revised to provide affirmative action to promote the representation of women in elective positions.

The legal framework should also be revised to provide affirmative action to promote the representation of PWDs in elective positions

Election procedures

The NEC should consider simplifying the ballot reconciliation and counting procedures to make it less tedious and easier for polling personnel, observers and monitors.

The NCRA should finalise the civil registration process that started in 2017 and put appropriate steps in place to effectively register births and deaths. This will further strengthen the credibility of the voter register for future elections.

Reconsider the ban on vehicles movement as this creates unnecessary tension and suspicion.

CSOs and the media should consider a more inclusive criteria for participation in the presidential debates. All parties should be given equal opportunity to sell their agenda to the electorate.

The EISA EOM commends the people of Sierra Leone for turning out in large numbers to register their will on 7 March 2018. In the absence of an incumbent in the presidential race, the presidential election seems to be one of the most keenly contested in the post-civil war period. The EISA EOM notes the efforts of the different institutions to guarantee the integrity of the elections.

On election day, voter turnout was impressive and the conduct of polling personnel was professional. There were technical glitches that necessitated the postponement of elections in 18 polling stations. Election day proceeded in a largely peaceful manner albeit with isolated incidents that were immediately addressed.

The EISA EOM is of the view that the process up until the end of the first day of tallying has so far been conducted substantially in line with sub-regional, continental and international standards although there is room for improvement especially in the legal framework to further level the playing field.

The EISA EOM urges the people of Sierra to remain calm while they wait to see the process through. We call on political leaders to show true leadership by respecting the rule of law throughout the results tally process.

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Loading...Home | News | General | A lot of women who are HIV positive on their matrimonial beds  AHF

BY PETER DURU, MAKURDI

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, AHF, has pledged to partner the Wife of the Benue state Governor, Dr. Eunice Ortom and her pet project, the Eunice Spring of Life Foundation to better the lot of women in the state just as it said that a lot of women who are HIV positive on their matrimonial beds.

Women protesting female genital mutilation. File photo

The Advocacy and Marketing Manager of AHF, Steve Aborisa who stated this Thursday at the International Womens Day celebrated by the foundation in Makurdi themed Keeping the Promise to Women.

He said the global event stemmed from the reality of the condition of women all over the world and the need to check the marginalization of women in all spheres of live.

There is need to empower women to help them lead productive lives. So this effort is aimed at bring Benue women together to hear from them on the challenges they face daily.

Their health challenges, especially in the area of HIV/AIDS because women and girls are the population that are mostly affected. Women are the people who are unable to negotiate safe sex.

They are the people who most times are unable to take decisions regarding their reproductive rights.They must obtain permission from their husbands to access services. These have great impacts on their lives.

In Nigeria for instance, a lot of women who are HIV positive are positive on their matrimonial beds.

So this meeting and celebration today will avail us the opportunity of how we begin to look at these issues and we should we do as a people.

That is why we are here today on the occasion of the International Womens Day to look at what works for our women, how we can integrate that into the society to make our immediate environment safe, conducive and convenient to live in.

So, we are going to do dialogue today and in doing all that, we are also partnering with the NGO and pet project of the Wife of the Benue state Governor, the Eunice Spring of Life Foundation, and we shall be proffer solutions to some of the challenges.

Also speaking, the Prevention Coordinator, AHF Benue state, Amina Iyaji, said the days celebration would serve as an advocacy and campaign to put the plight of women on the front burner of national discuss.

She said the women participating in the programme in the state where representatives of women groups across Benue hence the outcome of the meeting would to a large extent impact positively on the generality of women in the state.

According to her, AHF is already working in 11 local government areas of Benue state, providing cutting-edge medical services and advocacy.

People have been hearing of the plight of women, but the time for change in the narrative of their lives is now. The time is now for women to own the totality of their lives.

We want women to take responsibility of themselves and improve themselves. That is why we are gathered here today.

We are also using this gathering as a point of advocacy, to speak to stakeholders to ensure positive change in the affairs of women.

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Loading...Home | News | General | Otunba Subomi Balogun: The life of an Icon and Pathfinder at 84

Otunba (Dr.) Michael Olasubomi Balogun (CON)is a personality of many parts and accomplishments beyond the ordinary meaning of the word Icon. Indeed, whenever and wherever his name is mentioned, what readily comes to mind are unparalleled greatness, commitment, resilience, excellence and success. He demonstrated his penchant to dare from childhood, the same character trait that has seen him succeed in everything he sets out to do  including where others failed.

Otunba (Dr.) Michael Olasubomi Balogun (CON)

It is, perhaps, the reason stakeholders in the financial sector, where Otunba Balogun has left his footprints in the sands of time, came up with the sobriquet, Grand Master, to describe him following his dexterity in conceiving, establishing, nurturing and building one of Nigerias biggest financial institutions, First City Monument Bank among other leading organisations. And he has steered these institutions to towering heights thereby further proving his rare entrepreneurial and managerial acumen.

Though in retirement, Otunba Balogun, who clocked 84 yesterday, March 9, 2018, remains unarguably a legend and deservedly so, the most celebrated banker. Considering he undertook a personal journey to run on a path which even angels could not tread by single-handedly establishing a bank independent of foreign partnership or government support. It is a true testimony and characteristic of his penchant for taking risks to which others would not even give a second thought. Indeed, that is what makes Otunba Balogun unique.

One would require more than one volume to fully chronicle the life and times of the iconic Banking Mogul who no doubt, has contributed so much, amidst personal sacrifices and challenges to the financial and socio-economic development of Nigeria. Not even his memoirs, The Cross, The Triumph and The Crown, has done enough justice to an entrepreneur whose kind is so rare to find. However, a peep into the life of one of Africas frontliners reveals a man who had a clear vision of where he wanted to go and what he wanted from childhood. It is apt, therefore, to say that nothing has come to him as happenstance.

Born on March 9, 1934 to the Fasengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode, in todays Ogun State, Otunba (Dr.) Subomi Balogun had his secondary education at Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos, from where he passed out with Cambridge School Certificate Grade One in 1952. He had a one-year stint as a secondary school teacher before proceeding to the prestigious London School of Economics (LSE) to study Law in 1956, armed with a GCE Advanced Level Certificate from the College of Arts, Science and Technology, Ibadan, where he was a pioneer student. He graduated in flying colours from the LSE with a Second Class Honours degree in June, 1959, and was called to the English Bar in December, 1959.

Otunba Baloguns first in the line of many firsts that would decorate his path was when he became the first Nigerian to receive special training in Legal Drafting at Whitehall and the City of London, with particular specialisation in financial legislation, instruments and agreements, on the sponsorship of the then Western Regional Government. Upon return to Nigeria, Otunba Balogun served as Crown Counsel in the Ministry of Justice of Western Nigeria and, later, as Assistant Parliamentary Counsel in the Federal Ministry of Justice. He cut his teeth in the world of banking at the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank (NIDB) where he was the first Principal Counsel and Company Secretary for nine years, from 1966 to 1975.

The extensive training he received at the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), also known as The World Bank, and its private sector affiliate, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), both in Washington DC, United States, equipped him for the intricate world of banking. And with the trainings he received from leading stockbrokers, as well as investment and merchant banks in London and New York, he became a unique revelation and pace-setter in the financial services sector.

Otunba Baloguns interest in the stock market was ignited in 1973 when he was appointed the director in-charge of operations of Icon Securities, a major subsidiary of NIDB. He teamed up with other colleagues during his tenure, under the direction of the then Managing Director of NIDB, to convert Icon Securities into a merchant bank, and also played a pivotal role in the establishment of Icon Stockbrokers Limited, a leading stock broking firm that he headed.

A major character trait of Otunba Balogun is the tendency to refuse to see any position he finds himself as the ultimate, no matter how comfortable or seemingly satisfying. He has always had his eyes fixed on the bigger picture. The establishment of Icon Limited (Merchant Bankers) and his secondment to the bank as an Executive Director could have been enough satisfaction for many a man, but not Otunba Balogun, who saw in the appointment an opportunity to know the nitty-gritty of merchant banking  for future use. Did he see a life in merchant banking outside the employ of Icon Limited? Later events would prove so.

Otunba Subomi Balogun began a solo journey in December, 1977, when he resigned from Icon Limited to set up his own company, City Securities Limited, again, scoring another first with an institution that combined issuing house and stock broking businesses under one roof. The success of City Securities did nothing to satisfy Otunba Baloguns burning desire to explore more opportunities in the financial sector, where he carved a niche for himself in the stock market sub-sector under a decade.

Within just two years of establishing City Securities, Otunba Balogun was able to manifest the experiences he garnered in his sojourn in some of the worlds leading stock broking firms, such that he bestrode the Nigerian capital market like a Colossus, prompting a leading and reputable financial journal to describe him as a most distinguished and leading baron of the Nigerian Capital market.

In 1979, Otunba Balogun scored his biggest first when he took the unprecedented gamble of single-handedly setting up First City Merchant Bank (FCMB), Nigerias first privately owned merchant bank, independent of foreign partnership or government participation. That bold step opened the floodgate of merchant banks that dotted the countrys financial landscape in the 1980s.

For two decades, FCMB, under him as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, flourished, with a steady and uninterrupted growth that earned the bank national and international recognition as market leaders in investment banking and capital market services. He became Group Chairman, First City Group Limited in October, 2002 with the financial behemoth comprising First City Monument Bank Limited, FCMB Capital Markets Limited, First City Assets Management Limited, CSL Stockbrokers Limited and City Securities (Registrars) Limited.

Otunba Baloguns Midas touch on the affairs of FCMB (which had transited from a merchant bank to a full-fledged commercial and retail bank under the name of First City Monument Bank) manifested in 2004, during the consolidation exercise in the banking industry, after he had retired from the bank. He came out of retirement to personally lead the campaign to raise capital to meet the recapitalization requirement of N25 billion. It was the period he was given the sobriquet of Grandmaster.

He caused the name to be written on T-shirts that were worn by everybody involved in the campaign  staff, friends, relatives, canvassers, etc. That did the magic. The bank did not only have its shares oversubscribed, it acquired six other banks, including a bank that was an amalgamation of four others.

The string of professional awards, honours and recognitions that have come the way of Otunba Balogun attest to his contributions to the growth and development of Nigerias financial sector in particular and the economy in general. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management; Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers; Council Member of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Life Vice President of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce. He is a recipient of the American Biographical Institute Incs Distinguished Leadership Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Development of Investment Banking.

Educational institutions have not been left out in the effort to honour a man who has contributed immensely to scholarship. He holds the University of Ibadan Doctor of Law degree (Honoris Causa) and the Olabisi Onabanjo University Doctor of Science Degree in Management Sciences. He has endowed a Professorial chair at the University of Ibadan for Capital Market Studies; a research fellowship in the Legal Department of the University of Lagos, as well as various commitments in other institutions such as Yaba College of Technology, African Leadership Forum, etc.

Otunba Balogun holds the National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). And from outside the shores of Nigeria, he is a holder of the title of Cavaliere dellOrdine Al merito della Repubblica Italiana (Knight of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy), conferred on him by the Italian President in January, 1994. There could not be a better moment to capture the life of an African front liner, entrepreneurial model and astute banker than the occasion of his 84th birthday.

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Loading...Home | News | General | Buharis signing of Peace Corps billll create millions of Jobs  Duntoye

Former President of the Pan African Youth Union, comrade Ben Duntoye, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to reconsider and retract his position on the Nigeria Peace Corps Bill, saying the signing of the bill will create millions of jobs.

At a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, the Executive Director, African Youth Support Centre Comrade Duntoye said the Nigerian Peace Corps is designed to be a vehicle for mass mobilization and engagement of the Nigerian Youth into regimental Community Development Services, Domesticated Para-Military Volunteerism for ad-hoc interventions like National Clean Up Exercise, Population Census, Voters Registration and Elections, Maintenance of Peace and Order in Schools and Public Places and general Neighbourhood Services, which is an existing gap in our national development efforts.He said to this end, that talking about overlap of responsibility with any existing structure is totally out of place.



Duntoye said his Centre, African Youth Support Centre, has done a careful study of the Bill before the Public Hearings organized by the National Assembly and discovered that the NPC is structured to be the most cost effective Agency of Government in Nigeria that will provide maximum services at most minimal cost to the National Economy, with great potentials of attracting International Funding and Support like its counterparts around the Globe.

He further reiterated that it did not come to AYSC as a surprise that out of the over 500 Memos received by the National Assembly, all except the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps and the Department of State Services supported the passage of the Bill.

The national outburst of jubilation across the country that followed the news of the passage of the Bill by both Chambers of the National Assembly was a clear and good Testimony that the NPC Bill was both People Oriented and commanded the general goodwill of well-meaning Nigerians and the Masses, Duntoye said.

Duntoye said his Center could not comprehend the rationale behind the rejection of the Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari, saying no technical or convincing reasons were offered except what he described as the vague and inexplicit assertion of economic constraints and security concerns which to us are inadequate and surmountable.

The NPC can be established without full salary, but sustainable subvention till the nations Economy improves. Again with proper legislative backings the Agency can on its own source financial support from the Organised Private Sector and Development Partners and be useful in nation building, without stringent financial burden on Government Purse.

Duntoye was disturbed that the same Mr. President and Federal Government that avowed to create millions of Jobs every year for the Nigerian Youth is the same Government turning down such a progressive Bill.

This is very irreconcilable. The Government should have more courage to get funds to employ young people through the Peace Corps Bill. Failure to do this will justify the Political Conspiracy Theory against the person of Amb. Dickson Akoh by some political actors in the country, Duntoye said.

He passionately appealed to the National Assembly to remain steadfast and committed to its resolve to better the lives of the Nigerian Youth and Masses by exploring all Constitutional Provisions to remedy this Presidential rejection of the NPC Bill.

While awaiting the news of positive response to this public outcry, we shall embark upon mass mobilization of millions of Nigerians to prove the popularity of the NPC Bill to the Local and International Community, he concluded.

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Loading...Home | News | General | How I Will Defeat Buhari In 2019  SaharaReporters Publisher, Sowore Declares Presidential Ambition

Omoyele Sowore, the publisher and publisher of popular online news platform, SaharaReporters, has declared his ambition to contest in the 2019 presidential election as he speaks on how hell defeat Buhari.

The Publisher of popular news website, Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, has thrown his hat into Nigerias political ring. He is now gearing up to run in the countrys forthcoming presidential election in 2019.

In this interview with PREMIUM Times Editor-in-Chief, Musikilu Mojeed, Sowore explains why he is joining politics, how he will defeat President Muhammadu Buhari, how he will run Nigeria if elected and what he will do with Sahara Reporters once he becomes President.

You have indicated you might run for president in the 2019 election. Why are you crossing into partisan politics?

Ive always been in the forefront of the agitation and struggle to move NIGERIA forward  first as a student and youth activist during military regimes. Since 1999, my focus has been on improving and sanitizing the democratic space. This is a natural progression of my commitment to moving Nigeria forward. This will not be politics as usual. I have always been a part of the movement to move Nigeria forward. I have always played a leading role in that movement.

This is a movement. It will be the largest mobilization of Nigerias ignored and dispossessed people. It will be the most direct engagement of a people in their own political future. Ive always offered Nigerians a platform for amplifying their concerns and dreams for Nigeria. I am continuing that struggle. Yes  we will be part of a coalition of parties. These will all be progressive parties  committed to nothing other than the advancement of the Nigerian nation. It is Nigerias moment to see revolutionary politics in action!

Are you not abandoning activism that way?

Activism is simply advancing a pro-people agenda. For too long we have focused on using borrowed voices in the political realm while weve focused on creating awareness. That has failed. Since 1999  the progressive movement has been disappointed by the actions and inactions of those we have left to handle the affairs of Nigeria while we reduced ourselves to election monitors, NGO leaders, and street protesters.

In the course of doing these, we have inadvertently supported some of the cruelest and mediocre to occupy political power. Sometimes the most revolutionary thing to do is to get into the ring. Obama was an activist who became president. Mandela was an activist who became president. Everyone will agree that their principled commitment to struggle continued even when they were in office. So it is possible to stay committed to an activist agenda even when in office.

Are you saying Buhari has failed and not worthy of being re-elected?

Just a little over a week ago  over 100 young girls were taken by Boko Haram in Dapchi. Buharis appeal was supposed to be a tough stance against corruption and an ability to address the security crises posed by Boko Haram. No single major victory has been notched in the anti-corruption fight. Boko Haram is still alive and kicking. And the presidents inaction and lack of leadership is causing the herdsmen-farmers conflicts to take on an even more dangerous dimension. The Nigerian state is in shambles.

Election is less than a year away. You are still holed up in your base in New York? When are you going to find a party, and then mobilise support for your candidacy?

I think it is incontrovertible that in and out of Nigeria, I have been an effective contributor to the struggle for the advancement of good governance in Nigeria. The efforts to mobilize progressives and to form a coalition of progressive parties and organizations is underway. I am using my time in the U.S. to mobilize diaspora Nigerians. This weekend, for instance, I will be holding a town hall in Maryland with Nigerians. I am also spending a great deal of my time meeting with my strategy and policy teams  members of whom include some really accomplished Nigerians. Unknown to many I have been on the ground Nigeria in the last two months.The work goes on. I will certainly be spending more time on the ground in Nigeria.

Prosecuting election in Nigeria is known to cost several billions of naira. Where will you find the resources for this project?

Elections are always expensive  thats true. However what is also true is that monies spent in Nigerian politics is not mainly focused on political mobilization or electioneering campaigns and organziation. As a political movement for true change, we will not be spending money on buying votes or distributing rice to the electorate. Our monetary needs will be greatly reduced. We will be sourcing funds directly from the Nigerian people. Nigerians have demonstrated a capacity to devote their resources to projects that they believe in.

The recent team that represented Nigeria in bobsledding at the Winter Olympics raised almost $200,000  a lot of it from Nigerians. We are already seeing and receiving commitments for support. Our approach will revolutionize the way politics is funded in Nigeria. There is also a lot of support that is coming in the form of goodwill donations. For instance  Ill be in Maryland this weekend at a town hall. A group of concerned Nigerians are funding that event. We also have something that counts for a lot  an army of technology savvy supporters and media platforms that will amplify our voice to the Nigerian people.

Barack Obama raised millions of dollars from Nigerians in the US alone in 2008/2009 and subsequently after. 100,000 Nigerian contributing $200 per person can help fund a clean election devoid of dirty money. With that, we can win the Presidency and bring them back a lot of change!

You are from the south of Nigeria. There are those saying you should wait till 2023 when Buhari or any other northerner would have completed the norths turn of leadership rotation? What do you say to that?

Where has our Turn  by  Turn politics gotten us? Im a firm believer that when it comes to the life of a nation  all sentiments must be set aside and only the most capable hands should be employed to manage the affairs of Nigerians. If I believed in Buharis ability to lead NIGERIA, I would have supported him. When Jonathan  a Southerner like me was in office, I had a principled opposition to the way he was running Nigeria. It was Albert Einstein that said, it is madness to keep doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome. Nigeria has a unique opportunity in 2019 to elevate competence over tribalism, elevate character over dishonesty, principle over indecisiveness. Im sure when the dust clears there will be candidates from across Nigeria expressing an interest in the presidency. Let Nigerians decide who should lead them.

Our patriots from across Nigeria wont bother about zoning when they realize the person running the country is completely detribalized and doesnt treat anyone different because of their tribe, religion, creed, and class. We have had it all. Mediocrity hiding behind zoning and a wicked, selfish sense of entitlement. The only thing zoning does is empower political actors to enrich themselves and plug their friends and cronies in the position of authority to steal, kill and destroy. For the rest of us north or south, we are zoned to misery.

Recently Garba Shehu, a spokesperson to the President, said Buharis followership in Kano and across Nigeria is so huge and phenomenal that it has to be studied by political scientists. How can you defeat such a man in 2019?

Buharis followership is large  but remember that it took four tries and an alliance with the South-West and with progressive democratic forces before he was able to become President. We are all witnesses to the unprecedented set of circumstances that saw an incumbent president defeated at the polls. If there is anything we have learned in the last few years, it is the fact that the Nigerian electorate has become impatient with purposeless leadership. My candidacy is generating significant interest across Nigeria, especially amongst the youth. The youth demographic is the largest single voting block. The coalition of progressives, youths and previously disenfranchised Nigerians that we are building will be a force to reckon with. I have been in the business of building movements since my time as a student activist in the late 80s and early 90s. I am confident that we will be able to build a broad coalition of Nigerians committed to taking their country back and setting it firmly on a path to prosperity and unprecedented progress.

What will you do differently if elected president of Nigeria?

Nigeria struggles because past presidents have had three major issues. Firstly, there is an abject absence of a clear vision as to where the country should be headed. Where should NIGERIA be in the next five, 10 or even 50 years? Where are the national plans that map out the countrys vision and the paths to their actualization aside from the propaganda we see on NTA? Today, we are impressed by Chinas sustained growth, but since 1953 China has produced a series of 5-year plans that has guided their growth. Now they are on their 13th five-year plan (2016-2020). With that China became the most powerful and prosperous nation on earth using its populace as its best resource.

China solved its housing crisis and even now boast of unoccupied apartments in ghost cities built in the last 10 years. China built one of the fastest rail services with an amount of money equivalent to the sums stolen during the oil imports scam. Same goes for the the UAE. Dubai was built into the architectural marvel that is now a magnet to NIGERIAs thieving elites. I will be instituting a series of four-year plans to overlap with Nigerias political tenure system that will chart our path to growth and progress. Secondly, even where a clear vision might exist, nepotism, tribalism and favoritism has robbed us of the service of our best people. I am a completely detribalized Nigerian. My antecedents are that of an activist that has worked to build alliances and networks across this nation over the last 30 years.

I understand first hand the value of having competent and capable people in the right positions. Ive created a world-class media company in the last 12 years and taught in a private college for eight years helping to mould some of Americas greatest minds.

Thirdly, corruption has crippled us as a nation. Where past presidents have been slow in tackling this issue and sometimes even complicit through their actions or inactions in promoting corruption, I will be decisive in dealing with this cancer that has ravaged the Nigerian nation.

You are a long-term activist and indeed a very popular figure across Nigeria. But Gani Fawehinmi was an activist who served Nigerians all his life. He made to be president in 2003 but the same people he served for almost his entire life abandoned him at the polls. Are you not worried you might get a similar treatment?

Gani was, as you said, a household name across Nigeria. The reality was that in 2003, there was still some hope and expectation by the Nigerian people that the status quo political system would be able to lead NIGERIA to progress and growth. It is now clear that those largely naive aspirations were ill-founded. After numerous failed governments, Nigerians have demonstrated that they are ready to try new concepts and ideas and to go beyond the status quo in seeking solutions. That led them to pick a south-south Ijaw man as president in 2011 and in electing an opposition candidate who had failed to win the presidency three times before, in 2015. Gani came before his time. Also, there are other factors now present in our current political reality. For example, the power of social media helping young people to engage and interact, the power of technology to help change election outcomes, an accuracy of results, real-time reporting and capture of results.

It is also important to state that elections in 2003 and beyond under Obasanjo and the Peoples Democratic Party were not worthy to be referred to as credible elections. For instance, just imagine if Nigerians seized the opportunity offered by Gani in 2003 and thus elected him over an Olusegun Obasanjo, just imagine where will be today. Imagine, an Obafemi Awolowo or Aminu Kano over a Shehu Shagari. There is an appetite by the Nigerian people for candidates with character, and a proven and demonstrable track record of being able to drive for real change. The APC has failed Nigerians in this area. The movement we are building will be offering revolutionary change.

On the platform of which political party are you planning to run?

That is something we are working on. We are currently in discussions with progressive groups and parties, the goal is to have a broad coalition of progressive parties that could lend their structures and ideologies to defeat the old order. When the time is right we will be announcing what party platforms that will be utilized.

You have spent over 12 years of your life building SaharaReporters into a formidable news and anti-corruption platform? What becomes of the website now that you are crossing into partisan politics?

Sahara Reporters will continue to speak truth to power. The platform is more than just Sowore. When I win the presidency, I will be turning over all of my assets to a blind trust that will run it. Sahara Reporters will continue to be run by independent-minded citizen activists. Even now, the website is managed by several others who have been groomed and schooled in the founding traditions of the website. That is what Sahara Reporters is and that is how it will remain. SaharaReporters is driven by its ever loyal readers and users!

Thank you very much for speaking to us.

Thank you very much too for interviewing me.

*********************

Source: PREMIUM Times

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Loading...Home | News | General | Watch The Hilarious Moment Donald Trump Told Another Man His Father Is Dead Even Though He Isnt

President Donald Trump has been caught on camera insinuating that a steelworkers father has died even when he is not.



Trump points to the heavens while talking about a steelworkers father  who is still alive

A video has shown the moment controversial American president, Donald Trump told a steelworker his dad would proudly be looking down on him from heaven  before learning that the man was still alive.

According to The Sun UK, the US President made the cringe-worthy gaffe while hosting Pennsylvania steel workers at the White House following his decision to impose tariffs on steel imports.

Worker Scott Sauritch told the blunder-prone billionaire that his father lost his job because of foreign imports.

Addressing Sauritch in front of reporters, Trump said: Whats your fathers name?

Sauritch replied: Herman.

Trump added: Well, your father Herman is looking down. Hes very proud of you right now.

But to the Republicans embarrassment, Sauritch said: Oh, hes still alive.

Amid laughter in the room, Trump said: He is? Well then, hes even more proud of you.

The gaffe happened during an event promoting Trumps controversial policy of imposing tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.

The steelworkers attended to speak in favour of the measure which would involve hikes  including 25 per cent on steel imports and ten per cent on aluminium  which would take effect in 15 days.

Watch the video below:

https://youtu.be/OrYRGih-QWQ

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Loading...Home | News | General | 2019: Igbo leaders rule out support for Buhari

Igbo presidency not as important as restructuring

Buhari is quickest route to Igbo presidency  Osita

By Emmanuel Aziken, Emeka Mamah, Clifford Ndujihe, Vincent Ujumadu, Anayo Okoli, Henry Umoru, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Peter Okutu

The candidature of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential election with the expectation of an Igbo born president in 2023 is not enough sweetener to draw Igbo votes to the president, a cross-section of Igbo leaders has deposed.

Igbo elders & Buhari

In separate responses to Saturday Vanguard, the Igbo leaders affirmed that nothing short of the restructuring of the country to put the various geopolitical zones on equal footing would appease them. The leaders, including elements from the apex Igbo socio-cultural body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, politics, and other Igbo-centred organisations dismissed suggestions that voting for President Buhari in 2019 would make the prospect of an executive president of Nigeria from the Southeast a realisable prospect.

One of President Buharis leading canvassers in the Southeast, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, director-general of the Voice of Nigeria, VON was, however, unwavering in his expectation that Buhari was the surest and safest channel to the realisaiton of a Nigerian president from the Southeast. Okechukwu further deposed that the Buhari administration had done enough to earn the confidence of the people of the region.

Among those who spoke to Saturday Vanguard on the issue were a former minister of health, Prof. ABC Nwosu, former president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, chairman of the Senate Southeast Caucus, Senator Enyinninya Abaribe, National Chairman, United Progressives Party, UPP Chief Chekwas Okorie, Secretary of the Eastern Consultative Assembly, ECA, Evangelist Elliot Ugochukwu-Uko among others.

It will amount to slavery to extend APC rule  Prof. Nwosu

Ndi Igbo voting for APC in 2019 hoping to become president in 2023 will be making the biggest mistake of their lives. They will in effect be voting themselves into irrelevance and second-class citizenship in Nigeria.

How can the APC where the leadership consisting of President Buhari, Vice President Osinbajo, the chairman of Party, Odigie-Oyegun and national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu midwife an Igbo presidency in 2023? How will that happen? It cannot happen. As Chief MKO Abiola asked: How can you shave a mans hair in his absence?

The best option for Ndigbo is to look for an alternative where they are represented in the center of power in 2019. Ndi Igbo being represented at the centre as Vice Presidential candidate in 2019 will ensure that they are not dealt out in the backrooms where who shall become president and who becomes vice president are settled. If Ndi Igbo are in an alternative political party that absorbs a third force, this will put them at the center where they will make sure that they are represented. They cannot afford to wait till 2027 and so, the northern presidential candidate in this alternative party shall serve out the remaining four years and no more. All those advocating that Ndi Igbo should wait till 2027are enemies of Ndiigbo and consequently, enemies of Nigeria because Ndigbo are nation builders.

For emphasis, the Igbo ethnic group cannot endure beyond 2023. The restiveness in Igbo land and the neo-Biafra agitations are self-evident and only opportunistic ambitious presidential candidates will fail to see this restiveness. The tenure of the president that will emerge in 2019 must be for years only.

If Mandela with all his greatness did four years, the next President of Nigeria must do four years and give way in the interest of peace and political stability. This was what the north had expected of President Jonathan in 2015. The rest is history. Ndigbo must avoid like leprosy any presidential candidate whose body language indicates eight years especially those of them who have no views on restructuring which is the topmost Igbo agenda currently.

For the Igbo, restructuring is top of the agenda. The presidency is second. And good governance can only happen when there is peace and security. Restructuring brings about massive devolution of power and resources from the centre to the federating units and stops the massive roguery at the centre.

The Igbo position is that there must be devolution and restructuring of Nigeria. Those benefiting from the present unfair structure are the ones resisting restructuring not realizing that they are hurting themselves in the long run.

The summary is that if Ndigbo vote for APC in 2019, they will be voting themselves into slavery in Nigeria. So, the alternative should be for them to look for a platform that offers only a four-year waiting period, a platform where an Igbo man is at the centre, preferably as the running mate. Thats what the Igbo should be looking for.

Ndigbo expect that any Nigerian whether from the north, south-west or South-South will show understanding that continuing to exclude a major group in Nigeria from the presidency is wrong and a recipe for political instability.

Nigerias presidency is open for contest at any time- Chief Chekwas Okorie

I can tell you with every authority that there is nowhere Igbo sat and had any meeting, not to talk of whether they agreed or not to support Buhari. The Umbrella body of Igbo people remains Ohaneze, and the president-General had overreached himself sometimes when he said that the turn of Ndigbo would be 2023 and I am sure he received disapproval from so many prominent Igbo and young ones. And he has not repeated that statement or retracted it, but it is not the position of Ohaneze or Ndigbo.

It will be political naivety for any Igbo man to think that it will be the turn of Ndigbo at any given date in the future. Political power is not given. It is struggled for. It is taken. So, the Igbo people have to do what is necessary and reach out to other political parties to project any Igbo person to run for president. Our position is that the presidency of Nigeria is open to everybody and Igbo people are not shying away from it.

Igbo are no more interested in who becomes Nigerias president  Ikedife

I am not interested in who or when Igbo will produce president in Nigeria. We have gone beyond that. The large number of agitators for self determination is an indication that the people want to be on their own.

Because there appears to be lack of coordination among the pro-Biafra agitators, we are trying to set up a coalition that will coordinate the activities of those clamouring for self determination. The good thing is that none of them is saying it does not want Biafra.

Even other tribes in Nigeria are clamouring for self determination, especially with the problem of the Boko Haram and the herdsmen.

Ndigbo are not focused on presidency under a flawed structure, chairman, Southeast Senate Caucus, Abaribe

Ndigbo are not focused on Presidency under the flawed structure that is prevailing in Nigeria. Ndigbo are more focused on restructuring the country where justice, equity, fair play and true federalism hold sway. After that, we can now seek the Presidency.

Ndigbo not interested in election, want restructure  Ugochukwu-Uko, Founder of Igbo Youths Movement, IYM and Secretary of the Eastern Consultative Assembly, ECA.

All these are bunkum and balderdash. The Igbo position is clear: Nigeria must be restructured before fresh elections. Igbo people are not interested in any election, but Igbo leaders who are in the minority are the ones talking about election. 95 per cent of Igbo are not interested in an election where 60 per cent of voters in a section of the country are 12 to 13-year olds.

They are saying there is no reason for election when the country is under great insecurity; they will not vote in an apartheid Nigeria where the Fulani hold 98 per cent of top security appointments and Igbo are maltreated.

. They are plainly fed up with Nigeria as presently constituted. All they desire is to see Nigeria returned to the way it was before Gen. Yakubu Gowon unilaterally created States in May 1967, thereby abolishing the regions.

Our people are split into two groups, those who want out completely and those who want Nigerians restructured before next years elections.

Those allotting a particular year to Igbo president are seen as clowns, jesters, enemy of the people and entertainers. 99% of the people are not interested in elections. They are tired.

A country where Fulani herdsmen rule the land, kill at will and are clearly above the law.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo will negotiate with parties or 2019 presidential aspirant based on their programmes  Special Assistant to the President General of Ohanaeze, Chief Emeka Attamah

The most important thing to Ndigbo and other Nigerians is restructuring of the country so that the youth will realise their potentials.

The President General and the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo have repeatedly said that our people will negotiate with those they will support to know what is there for them. Ohanaeze is not a partisan organisation, so it will be wrong to talk about support to President Muhammadu Buhari, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, or any other party or individual for that matter.

Our interest is not Igbo presidency but good governance  Prince Barr Uche Achi-Okpaga, Ohanaeze spokesman

Our interest is not on lgbo presidency but on good and purposeful, devolution of powers and respect for the lives and dignity of all individuals and tribes in Nigeria.

We have reiterated this severally that, by the current political architecture in Nigeria, Igbo Presidency without restructuring means little or nothing at all. Any quarter that intends to use 2023 lgbo presidency to assuage or hoodwink us is on a wild goose. Every day we cry of lopsided appointments, but it has continued unabated

Now every security agency is headed by the North, every military and para-military agency is headed by the North. Every anti-graft agency is headed by the North and virtually Fulani.

Why on earth would they not be sentimental? Are they not

human beings? That is why we have severe insecurity all over the place because, at the top security echelon, there is no cross-fertilisation of inter-regional security initiatives. So, today, in a bid to sustain northern political hegemony, we are playing politics with security and Nigerians are killed in their tens and hundreds incessantly.

Until we restructure to address these imbalances and shelve the Federal Government of many items on the Exclusive Federal list and assign them to the states, Nigeria will remain like a stationary machine; all motion, no movement. If we restructure Nigeria today, all the increasing agitations for self determination from Biafra, Ijaw, Oduduwa among others will subside appreciably.

Backing Buhari Is the quickest route to Igbo President  Osita Okechukwu, director-general, VON

There is some uncomfortable element of flexibility with facts, as per the relationship of Ndigbo of the South East region of our dear fatherland, with President Muhammadu Buhari

To be candid one cannot single out the pains, Ndigbo are suffering under President Buhari which other Nigerians are immune from. Except he is not sharing money. One cannot, in all honesty, categorise Mr. President who is constructing and jump-starting Enugu-Onitsha Highway, Enugu-Port Harcourt Highway, Second Niger Bridge, Enugu Water Scheme, Abakiliki and Aba township roads, Aba-Calabar Road, Western Corridor railways, etc.; as one inflicting unnamed pains on my people.

Rather, those who allowed our critical infrastructure to collapse, impoverished us, created the material conditions for gross unemployment; while enriching themselves as hitherto  ministers under the past administrations  are the ones who callously inflicted pains on Ndigbo and by extension Nigerians.

As per the chances of any Igbo man or woman becoming president of Nigeria soonest, President Buhari presents the best option. The first point which will make me and many Nigerians to vote for him is because of the massive critical infrastructure  Roads, Rails, Agric and Power projects (RRAP). It is unprecedented  5,000 kilometers of federal roads, 5,000 kilometers of standard gauge rail lines, agrarian revolution and additional 5,000 megawatts of electricity.

Buhari Second Term will be hell for Ndigbo- Sir Don Ubani, Ukwa leader

Allowing Buhari to do a second term will be as bad as one opting to burn from fire to hell. It would be better to allow a broad-minded patriotic northerner to replace Buhari in 2019. His tenure could be negotiated.

Leaving Buhari to go for a second term would amount to unmitigated disaster.

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Loading...Home | News | General | Nigeria ready to host African tourism ministers  FG

Nigeria has formally invited African Tourism Ministers to the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)/Commission for Africa (CAF) meeting scheduled to hold in Abuja from June 4 , to June 6, 2018 .

on Thursday . I have tried to contact, individually, every Minister. I have sent an email to every Minister reminding them of the meeting and assuring them that we will leave no stone unturned to host a very successful meeting. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, personally extended the invitation to the Ministers at a meeting they held on the sidelines of the ongoing International Travel Trade Fair (ITB) in Berlin, Germany,. I have tried to contact, individually, every Minister. I have sent an email to every Minister reminding them of the meeting and assuring them that we will leave no stone unturned to host a very successful meeting.

: Minister for Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed

The truth is that no matter the level of preparation that is made, if you are not there, it is not a success. So I really wish to appeal to all of us to please attend the CAF meeting in June, the Minister said, shortly after handing over the invitation letters to his African colleagues. He said the participants at the meeting are guaranteed to experience the best of Nigeria, especially in the area of the Creative Industry, where Nigerias competitive advantage is widely acknowledged.

Meanwhile, Alhaji Mohammed has urged the global tourism body, UNWTO, to involve African Heads of State in its plan to rebrand the continent and make it more attractive to global tourists.

Contributing to the debate on the UNWTOs rebranding process for Africa in Berlin, he said Ministers other than those of tourism should also be involved. The UNWTO could make Presidents and Heads of State from across

Africa honorary Champions of Tourism as a way to get them involved.

There could also be a forum where the UNWTO will invite other ministers, including those of Finance, Budget and Planning, Health, Interior, Foreign Affairs, Infrastructure and Agriculture, to come and hear first hand how tourism impacts their various portfolio.

Tourism is the barometer through which the world will feel the temperature of any country. There is no area of governance that is left untouched by tourism, the Minister said.

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Loading...Home | News | General | Obaseki optimistic Benin Monarchs parley with priests will boost human trafficking fight

The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has commended the initiative of the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo NOba NEdo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, to engage all priests, priestesses, native doctors, traditional chiefs, market women and village heads on ways to curb human trafficking, kidnapping and other security challenges in the state.

Concerned Edo Citizens, at Oliha Market, in Benin City on the campaign against human trafficking, on Tuesday, 12 December 2017

In a press release issued by the Benin Traditional Council and published in major national newspapers, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, invited junior and senior priests and priestesses, native doctors of all manifestations, traditional religious groups, all Benin chiefs and dukes, village heads, all market women leaders, directors and officials of NAPTIP amongst others, to an emergency meeting on Friday, March 9, 2018, at the Obas Palace to deliberate on ways of tackling human trafficking, kidnapping and other security challenges in the state.

According to Obaseki, the initiative is commendable, it is a royal endorsement of the state governments fight against human trafficking, illegal migration and other crimes in the state.

Those who know the factors fuelling human trafficking and illegal migration will appreciate the wisdom behind this meeting that His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, has called. Some traditional priests, priestesses and native doctors have valuable ideas and inputs that we need to develop a robust bouquet of strategies that we will use to finally bring an end to this modern day slavery and criminal trade in humans.

He added that he was confident that after the meeting at the Royal Palace on Friday, some priests and native doctors will adjust their ways because there are instances where some of these priests and native doctors have breached their codes of practice and are involved in the illegal trade.

The governor noted that As a government, we could not have asked for a better deal from the Oba of Benin. He is rich in wisdom and always there to offer his support to us. I am excited about the meeting, especially with the apex anti-human trafficking agency, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) scheduled to attend.

He maintained that it was time for all Edo people and friends of the state to come out and proffer workable solutions to the crisis.

It is time to be frank about this crisis and tackle it with all we have. We cannot continue to fold our arms and watch as we lose the most productive class of our population to human trafficking and illegal migration.

Obaseki assured that the emerging Edo State under his leadership is committed to harnessing the human resources of the state through technical education, skills acquisition programmes and employment creation so that the people can live decent lives and do jobs that are dignifying and more rewarding in the long-run.

We are setting the stage for socially and legally approved enterprises and ventures that will keep our creative youths at home and contribute to nation building. We have committed the last one year of our administration to industrialising the state and things can only get better, he assured.

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Loading...Home | News | General | Abia 2019: Ikpeazu on the track

By Emmanuel Aziken

The adoption of Governor Okezie Ikpeazus second term aspiration by his Ukwa Ngwa kith and kin was a reorder of the maxim about a prophet not being honoured in his home.

Dr. Ikpeazu made history in 2015 when he became the first Ngwa person to be elected governor of the state bringing to fulfilment the decades-long aspiration of his kindred.

In nearly three years in office, the former biochemistry lecturer turned politician has ably marshalled the forces of government in Abia to endear himself to his people given the testimonies that overflowed last weekend.

Ikpeazu

Ikpeazus adoption came at Okpuala Ngwa, the ancestral headquarters of Ngwa people, during the Great Ukwa Ngwa Declaration event last weekend.

The governor was not unmindful of the significance of the declaration saying the adoption was a show of love and demonstration of the unflinching support of Ukwa/Ngwa people for him.

As an Ukwa Ngwa son, I understand the significance of what my people have done today. I am happy that my people have made this great and historical declaration. This has demonstrated our resolve and unity as a people. I thank everyone that is here today to make this historic declaration. I will respond to your call, but before I do that, let me use this opportunity to call on our people and all Abians to go and get their voters card as that is the only way I will be assured that you want me again in 2019. You shouldnt be here asking me to contest again in 2019 if you dont have your voters card. Governor Ikpeazu said.

The governor used the occasion to call on the people to ensure that they get their Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs if they really want him to re-contest in 2019.

The endorsement of the governor by the Ukwa Ngwa was significant given the fact that the Ukwa/Ngwa populate nine of the 17 local government areas of the state; Aba North, Aba South, Isialangwa North, Isialangwa South, Osisioma, Obingwa, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa West and Ukwa East.

The ringing endorsement of the governor was in the heels of the 2014 One Million Man match on the Government House when the Ukwa Ngwa people led by former Senate President Senator Adolphus Wabara, Elder Emma Adaelu among others trooped out to beseech former Governor Theodore Orji to support their cause to have Ikpeazu succeed him.

Four years on and with Ikpeazu safely in office as governor, they did not need another match; this time they were on home ground.

The motion for Ikpeazus adoption was moved by Senator Wabara who said:

Our son and our brother, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is a silent achiever and performer. He has performed creditably, and that confers on him the right to lead once more. Our people today speak with one voice to make a proclamation in support of the governor, asking him to contest again as Governor in 2019.

A former director-general of the National Directorate of Employment, NDE, Chief Chukwu Wachukwu, seconded the motion saying:

Abia North was governor for eight years with Orji Uzor Kalu, Abia Central governed for eight years with Senator Theodore Orji. Abia South is completing four years with Governor Ikpeazu, therefore, we as a people unanimously, through a voice vote, declare our support for the re-election of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu as Governor of Abia State in 2019, because he has done well and also because he must complete the eight-year tenure of Abia South people.

Also speaking, eminent statesman, Elder Emmanuel Adaelu, explained that the governor has the constitutional right to seek re-election in 2019, and as such deserves the support of his people and the generality of Abians.

Remarkably, Chief Reagan Ufomba, a former governorship contender in the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA) in Abia State, was fulsome in his endorsement of the governor saying that the re-election of the governor must be taken as a common project by all Abians.

In the spirit of equity, inclusiveness, fairness, and justice, re-electing Governor Ikpeazu in 2019 is task for all Abians, from Ukwa through Umuahia to Arochukwu, because he has done well, and there is no alternative than to allow him to continue with his good work till 2023.

As a great Ukwa Ngwa son, know it today that your people are behind you. What this means is that the majority of Abia have asked you to contest again in 2019. It is no longer about you, and you dont have a choice again, we, the people of Ukwa Ngwa, we are asking you to contest again in 2019 to complete your tenure, and also to sustain the tempo of your outstanding performance.

Eze Bernard Enweremadu, the Eze Ukwu of Ngwa Ukwu, spoke on behalf of the Ukwa Ngwa traditional rulers saying:

Where we are gathered today is Okpuala Ngwa, the ancestral home of Ngwa people. God of heaven and our ancestors who gave us this land will bear witness that what we are asking for is our right. If it is not just, if it is not fair if it is not equitable for an Ngwa man to govern Abia eight years, as others did, may we never succeed. But if it is just, if it is fair and equitable for Okezie Ikpeazu, an Ngwa man, to complete his eight-year tenure as those before him did, God and our ancestors will grant us victory. As it was in 2015, so shall it be in 2019. Eze Enweremadu said.

Governor Ikpeazus Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Enyinnaya Appolos in his comments on whether his boss should re-contest or not,said:constitutionally the governor has the right to seek re-election in 2019.

Abians too want him to contest. Various groups and even individuals are saying you have done well; we want you to contest in 2019. But he has not said so.

As Enyinnaya Appolos from Isiko and Abia, having seen what Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has done, I will want him to and as one who has the right to air his views with all that the governor has achieved, I would want him to contest in 2019. Knowing where Abia used to be before 2015 and what Abia is at the moment, I can only imagine what Abia will look like by 2023, the frontline testifier of Ikpeazus strides asserted.

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Loading...Warned that his corpse must not be taken to the mortuary

One year after his death, his friends have abandoned us

Says late father believed poverty is worst form of violence

SIMON EBEGBULEM, BENIN CITY

It is one year now that former two time governor of old Bendel State, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia died but his foot prints are still very visible in both Edo and Delta states which comprised the old Midwest. The late elder statesman who died on March 9, 2017 was given a state burial by both state governments and was finally laid to rest on March 17, 2017. His instruction was that he should be buried within seven days and his body must not be taken to the mortuary. It was the first task Governor Godwin Obaseki who was just four months in office then had to tackle. Obaseki in collaboration with his colleague in Delta state, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa executed late Ogbemudias wish to the letter.

In this interview with Saturday Vanguard, eldest son of the late statesman, Mr Samuel Ogbemudia Jr, who is making plans to mark the first year remembrance of his fathers death disclosed how the family had coped since the death of his father. He said what he learnt from his father had kept the family going adding however that some of his late fathers friends had abandoned the family.

How has it been with the family in the past one year that your father died?

It has not been easy because my father was a man of many parts and we have many big family challenges but so far we have coped. I have been able to survive because of what I learnt from him.

What challenges would you say you have faced so far in his absence?

I have been facing challenges from some of his colleagues, his friends, family members who wanted to do things the way they were doing it when he was alive but I made them to realize that I have my own character and ways of doing things. The family has been fine, we are all together apart from some little squabbles which we have sorted out and decided to move ahead. It is one year now that he left us so we are trying to get together and move on with our lives.

Samuel Ogbemudia Jr.

How have you been able to execute your fathers directives and keep the family together?

within seven days and his body must not be taken to the mortuary. Daddy dug his own grave and directed us before he died that he must be buriedand his body must not be taken to the mortuary. He shared all his property to his children which some of them disagreed with and this wanted to cause some crisis within the family but the matter was sorted out. It was more or less like a distraction but everybody is moving on now. I can tell you that what I learnt from him has been keeping this family together.

First and foremost, one thing I learnt from him was patience. When he was alive, people said a lot of negative things about him. He always told me let them come and say it to me directly. Similarly, I hear a lot of negative things about my person, but rarely do they say it to my face. He left all of us with assets and having taught us economic management, we are all trying to cope and not to be distracted.

I tell my younger ones, respect begets respect. I respect everybody and also expect respect from others. I like being open and I tell them to be open to me too. One thing I believe in life is that if a man is rich and the people around him are poor, then that person is poor. That is why I try as much as possible to make people around me happy, just like my father. I am not a greedy person but I am okay. Like my father would always say, poverty is the worst form of violence that you can see from anybody. When somebody is poor and cannot pay medical bills, cannot feed, it is hell. Poverty is hell and it is a killer and as far as I am concerned, if I have N10 and my neighbour doesnt have at all, I am ready to give out N5. That was what I learnt from my father. He hated seeing people suffer.

What about your fathers friends?

A lot of his friends have abandoned us but few of them are still in touch with us like Justice Uwaifo, Barr Odigie, Oshiomhole and others. One thing that my father said in terms of being relevant was that as long as you have your health, you have your brain, you have your education, you can always be relevant. In terms of education it does not necessarily mean going through the four walls of a university but thinking a lot. There are people who did not make it to the university but they have achieved a lot. I am very optimistic and at peace with myself. But for some of his friends they were a disappointment. Those of them who think we would not survive have failed.

What I have learnt so far is that people have become very treacherous, they want to bring you down. There are some good ones though and that is why I said Nigeria is Gods own country. This is a country where you will have problem and somebody will help you out unlike in America or England. Another thing I learnt from my father was that if somebody tells me something about anybody, I have to investigate whether it is true before acting. Some of my fathers friends were sycophants because of what they wanted from him. There were some people who were looking for leadership in the South South and wanted to use him but he knew such people and he tolerated them. But one thing is that you cannot fool him. They were after power. What my father kept saying was that what is most difficult is not being in government but coming out of government clean. He believed that good name is better than riches.

If your father were to be alive would he support President Buhari for a second term?

I think he would but the only problem he would have with Buhari is the issue of his health. Whether he would be strong enough to go for a second term. But as far as it has to do with performance in office, Buhari has tried in many aspects. But my father would be asking about his health so that he would not be in office while others are actually in power leading the nation. Currently that is what many Nigerians are suspecting, that he is not really in charge. Buhari I knew in 1984 is not the same today and I feel it is because of his health status. So these are the issues, it is not as if Buhari is bad but he must be in the best frame of mind and health to lead this nation to greater heights and that is what my father would wish for Nigeria.

The one year anniversary coincided with your sister being crowned the chairperson of Egor LGA in the just concluded Local Government election, how do you feel about that?

So far so good, we had got in touch with the Benin Baptist Church and they have promised to come and pray at his grave side.

On Sunday there will be thanksgiving in church. Basically we want to honour him but it is going to be low key because it is one year. I am in touch with Governor Obaseki and I expressed the gratitude of the family for the opportunity given to our sister and daughter, Eghe Ogbemudia who emerged chairperson of Egor Local Government Area. I thank him for that and the APC in the state for their effort and I believe that she will not let the Ogbemudia family down.

She has the pedigree, the intelligence and I believe she will do well as chairperson of Egor LGA. She campaigned seriously for Obaseki and my father mentioned it to Governor Obaseki about her becoming Local Government chairman and he equally mentioned the names of some other persons. The governor did very well, in fact he honored my late father with a presidential burial, God will bless him. Some other persons would have disregarded Daddys instruction but because of the love he has for him he executed everything Daddy said right from his burial till date. I also thank former governor Adams Oshiomhole who has been with us through thick and thin.Home | News | General | When R.S.V.P marked 2018 African Heritage Week

Never has African Heritage week been celebrated as it was this February at Lagos premium restaurant, R.S.V.P Lagos. Following the success of its first edition, R.S.V.P created a month-long celebration of modern re-imagined versions of African culture which featured five distinct interactive exhibitions in Cuisine, Art and Music.

These collaborations projected the relationship between fine dining, music, arts and how each of them has played dynamic roles in Africas heritage, individually and collectively.

In collaboration with Michelin Star Chef  Kwame, top online arts platform  ArtOja, Sculptor  Obinna Makata, Graphic Designer  Omoligho Udenta and Contemporary Artist/DJ  AYE!, R.S.V.P hosted lovers of the brand and food enthusiasts to a spectacular experience

The month long celebration kicked of with commissioned art installations within R.S.V.Ps restaurant by ArtOja, Omoligho Udenta and Obinna Makata. Guests enjoyed infamous dishes and cocktails in a rare interactive space.

Following the indoor experience was NAGO, a soundscape and poolside party curated by AYE! which took place on the 23rd, Feb 2018. The night featured non-stop music and cocktails. Bringing the event to a wrap on the 24th of February was the Kitchen Takeover by Chef Kwame Onwuachi; a celebrated US based Jamaican/Nigerian chef who brought a unique menu twist to diners.

Never has African Heritage week been celebrated as it was this February at Lagos premium restaurant, R.S.V.P Lagos. Following the success of its first edition, R.S.V.P created a month-long celebration of modern re-imagined versions of African culture which featured five distinct interactive exhibitions in Cuisine, Art and Music. These collaborations projected the relationship between fine dining, music, arts and how each of them has played dynamic roles in Africas heritage, individually and collectively.

In collaboration with Michelin Star Chef  Kwame, top online arts platform  ArtOja, Sculptor  Obinna Makata, Graphic Designer  Omoligho Udenta and Contemporary Artist/DJ  AYE!, R.S.V.P hosted lovers of the brand and food enthusiasts to a spectacular experience

The month long celebration kicked of with commissioned art installations within R.S.V.Ps restaurant by ArtOja, Omoligho Udenta and Obinna Makata. Guests enjoyed infamous dishes and cocktails in a rare interactive space.

Following the indoor experience was NAGO, a soundscape and poolside party curated by AYE! which took place on the 23rd, Feb 2018. The night featured non-stop music and cocktails. Bringing the event to a wrap on the 24th of February was the Kitchen Takeover by Chef Kwame Onwuachi; a celebrated US based Jamaican/Nigerian chef who brought a unique menu twist to diners.

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Loading...Home | News | General | Bill on Hate Speeches: Matters arising

By Rose Moses

At the Senate the other week, another controversial subject was thrown into the political space as Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (APC, Niger) proposed a Bill seeking for establishment of an Independent National Commission for Hate Speeches.

The Bill also prescribes death sentence for any person found guilty of any form of hate speech that results in the death of another person upon conviction.

Hate Speech

Similarly in August last year, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, then acting President, had at a function, described hate speech as a specie of terrorism. According to him, hate speech employs violence and intimidation to achieve certain political objectives and as such, said offenders would be punished under the Terror Act.

The Bill by Senator Abdulahi, who by the way, is spokesperson of the upper legislative chamber, among other things, reads that :A person who uses, publishes, presents, produces, plays, provides, distributes and/or directs the performance of any material, written and/or visual, which is threatening, abusive or insulting or involves the use of threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, commits an offence, if such person intends thereby to stir up ethnic hatred, or having regard to all the circumstances, ethnic hatred is likely to be stirred up against any person or person from such an ethnic group in Nigeria.

Expectedly, the bill has stimulated discourse in many quarters, with some Nigerias, ever suspicious of the Nigerian legislators, wondering whose interest Abdulahi was actually trying to protect with the Bill.

And for this category of Nigerians, they would like Sen. Abdulahi to look inward and at the policies of the APC led Federal Government, which most have alleged rode on the back of hate speech to power, and which they term as founder and inventor of hate speeches in present day Nigeria.

Hate speech, they further claim, was also boosted by President Muhammadu Buharis statement at an international forum where he said it will not be possible to treat those who gave him 97 per cent vote same way as those that gave him five per cent.

And as if to confirm the above statement made at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in Washington DC couple of months after he was sworn in as president, appointments into key positions and handling of other national issues in the Buhari government, have been glaringly lopsided.

That apart, the way and manner the Federal Government treated agitations by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) when compared to what obtains in the ongoing deadly attacks by Fulani herdsmen in the country easily defines bias.

When it comes to the war against corruption, a senator and actually a member of the presidents All Progressives Congress (APC) party, Shehu Sani, satirically describes the presidents apparent predisposition, saying when members of the presidents circle are involved, the case is treated with some nice smelling perfume but when opposition members are involved, government deploys the use of insecticide.

Little wonder therefore that any criticism of this administration inadequacies, or actions and inactions are usually labeled as hate speech, which largely goes to explain why the proposed Bill has been hugely condemned and said to be in bad faith, even when that may not be so.

A legislative lobbyist/consultant, Akinloye Oyeniyi MLS, in a chat, however, said the proposed Bill is one of those that will not go far on the floor of the red chamber because the hate speech, which it seeks to address, is already taken care of under slander, libel, treasonable felony and other crimes.

In the same token, the commission it seeks to establish is duplication of the statutory functions of the National Human Rights Commission.

Obviously in law making process, there are preliminary considerations drafters and sponsors of Bills must adhere to, among which are conformity with the constitution in the area of supremacy, legislative competence, fundamental objectives and directive of principles of state policy, fundamental rights, and auster clauses, said Oyeniyi.

In other words, a proposed Bill must not be in conflict with any existing law, policy or case law, just as customs and religious factors, as well as implementation are put into consideration.

Thus, going by the the contents of the proposed Bill by Senator Abdulahi, it would seem it is already dead on arrival for the simple reason that it is in conflict with the Constitution, existing laws like Criminal Act and Penal Codes and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Act.

What Nigeria desperately needs right now are laws that will entrench peace, justice and good governance; laws that will holistically address the three monsters of insecurity, corruption and impunity, currently holding the nation down.

When that is done, things like hate speeches will certainly no longer be an issue, since hate speeches hardly thrive in peaceful and just environment, where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

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Loading...Home | News | General | APC Crisis Deepens: NWC member accuses colleagues, says, our party, now for the highest bidder

By Omeiza Ajayi

A member of the National Working Committee NWC of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, Hilliard Eta has taken his party leadership to the cleaners, saying crucial decisions are now taken in favour of moneybags.

Chairman, APC Committee on True Federalism/Gov Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State (L), presenting the committees report to the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, at the APC Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday

In my place, we have a saying that when a lizard falls into a ditch, it becomes a play thing for the fowl. The party has now become a play thing between the National Chairman and the National Organizing Secretary. Anybody who has money can procure anything, he said.

Eta who is the National Vice Chairman, South-South of the party made the declaration at the partys national secretariat Friday in Abuja while addressing journalists on the festering crisis in the Cross River state chapter of the the APC.

He also accused the partys Deputy National Chairman, South, Engr. Segun Oni of complicity in the matter.

His accusations came days after a national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu wrote the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, accusing him of kow-towing to pressure from money-bags.

According to him, what was expected of the party leadership was to have given all the necessary support to the reconciliation committee headed by a former Lagos state Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

From all intents and purposes, these issues are orchestratedyou know, the Asiwaju committee was constituted just a few days ago and these issues have been hanging on Cross River state since the appointment of the Minister.

The question that you will now ask is how come that immediately after the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu committee was constituted by the president, the National Chairman, the Deputy National Chairman, South and the National Organizing Secretary became so much in a hurry, so much interested and so much aggressive in their attempt to have this all-important chairman that they could not have in more than two years. What is the purpose? he queried.

Explaining the issues in the Cross River chapter, he said; There was a consensus in the Cross River state chapter that we should have a congress to bring in a substantive chairman since the erstwhile chairman had been appointed as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

That was the agreement by the people of Cross River state and based on that, I wrote on behalf of the zone to the National Working Committee NWC to give the zone the authority to conduct a congress to that effect and the NWC said I should liaise with the office of the National Organizing Secretary (headed by Sen. Osita Izunaso) for that purpose.

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Loading...Home | News | General | Libya Returnees shock FG: Some returnnes have gone back to Libya

Why more will follow

By Omeiza Ajayi

In what appears an indictment of the federal government, a cross section of Libyan returnees from Edo state has said more Nigerians would continue to flee to Libya in spite of the sufferings and torture associated with such trips except governments at all levels become more responsive to the yearnings of the youth.

Accusing the government of being the major stimulator of such dangerous journeys, the returnees said if elected public officials fulfilled even half of their electioneering campaign promises, the number of irregular migrants from Nigeria would reduce drastically.

Libya returnees

They consequently advised international humanitarian agencies, particularly the United Nations Migration Agency, the International Organization for Migration IOM as well as the European Union EU against routing their projects through the Nigerian Government, lamenting that such lofty gestures hardly ever get to the intended beneficiaries.

They spoke in Benin-City, Edo state at a ceremony organized by IOM to launch and hand over a Migrant Resource Centre MRC to the Federal Government.

What I have to tell the EU-IOM is that they should please, not partner with the government or any other agency in Nigeria. If there is any project you have for the returnees, please do it fast. We heard that some money was set aside to empower us but till now we have not seen anything since we finished our training last year, said Mr Iluobe Ehis who returned last year.

Another returnee who simply identified himself as Collins said;  Talking about reintegration, up till today nothing has been done. They trained us last year but the grants they promised us have not been given. My candid advice to IOM and EU is that if you want to spend money on returnees, do not partner with the Nigerian government. Some of us that returned have gone back again.

Other returnees expressed frustration at the government, saying most of the procedures for reintegration are often hijacked.

In a swift response, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Boss Mustapha and the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons NCFRMI, Hajia Sadia Umar Farouk who were both represented at the event, absolved the federal government of any blame in the matter.

Represented by Mrs Roseline Obiechina, the SGF said; I want to point out the fact that you cannot venture into a country without partnering with the government of the country. I cannot be here and hear you say that they should not partner with the government. The Office of the SGF makes efforts to ensure that every programme gets to the target population but if it is hijacked at the state level, then that is very unfortunate. There are procedures. International bodies cannot come and operate here without collaborating with the government on ground.

On her part, the representative of the NCFRMI said;  There is an SOP  Standard Operating Procedure for handling returnees. The SOP is in the process of being operationalized and I can assure you that by the time that is done, most of your fears would have been addressed .

While handing over the MRC to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, IOMs Chief of Mission, Ms Enira Krdzalic said the initiative seeks to among other things, support the Government of Nigeria to improve migration governance through the development of migration strategies and implementation of migration policies action plans; strengthen national structures and capabilities for managing reintegration in a dignified and sustainable manner; sensitize communities on dangers of irregular migration; and strengthen migration data and communication on migratory flows, routes and trends in order to support evidence-based policies and programmes design.

Represented by Mr Abrham Tamrat, the IOM boss said the MRC is important at a time when the number of deaths, exploitation and abuse recorded on the Central Mediterranean migration route are at an all-time high. Irregular migration along the Central Mediterranean route is increasingly dangerous for migrants.

Crossing the Mediterranean to Europe is by far the deadliest route, with one death recorded for 35 arrivals. Over 70% of the migrants interviewed by IOM on their arrival in Italy reported that they were victims of trafficking or other exploitative practices during their migratory journey along the routes of the Central Mediterranean.

Many of these migrants were tricked, forced or persuaded to leave their homes for better opportunities abroad. Many of them entered Libya through several illegal routes with the hope of crossing the Mediterranean Sea to Europe, but become stranded living in terrible conditions and seeking the opportunity to return home when they could no longer continue their journeys to their final destinations. Although many of them have been assisted to return home, many are still stuck in terrible detention facilities in Libya.

From April 2017 to date, IOM with funding from the EU has facilitated the return and reintegration of over 7, 000 Nigerian migrants.

On his part, Sen. Ngige said the need for the establishment of MRC in Benin City is understandable, in view of the high incidence of irregular migration and trafficking in persons from the State.

It is important to note that the establishment of MRC in Benin City is that it will serve as an authentic one stop shop, where potential and returning migrants will be able to access relevant migration information and a wide range of services through direct assistance, and information provided by the MRC network.

This will ensure that intending, actual and returning migrants make informed decisions about their migratory aspirations thereby minimizing the risks and maximizing the benefits of their migratory experience.

According to him, the Ministry has established Job Centres in Anambra, Bauchi, Delta, Lagos and Abuja to provide assistance to applicants on job placements and employment opportunities, so as to mitigate the challenges of job search.

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Loading...Home | News | General | NAF sensitises journalists on reportage of counter-insurgency operations

By Joseph Erunke

THE Nigerian Air Force, NAF, yesterday, organised a one-day sensitisation workshop for journalists covering defence beat on the requisite skills and knowledge on the application of air power in the counter-insurgency operations.

The Workshop, organised by the Directorate of Public Relations and Information, DOPRI, of NAF, Headquarters, Abuja was aimed at better equipping defence correspondents with requisite skills and updated knowledge on the application of air power.

According to the organisers, the Workshop was also intended to acquaint defence correspondents with various air power terminologies in a bid to enhance professionalism in the reportage of NAF events; thereby, projecting the NAF in a more accurate and balanced manner.

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, while declaring the Workshop open, said information management in todays world was critical to national development and the way it was processed could affect national security positively or negatively.

Abubakar, represented by the Chief of Administration, NAF Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Yahaya noted that there was a growing need for journalists to understand the technicalities involved in air operations as the nation strives to maintain peace in the country.

He said: A Defence Correspondent must, therefore, understand and indeed know the terminologies associated with his beat to enable him to report events professionally.

Just as it is often said that a man cannot give what he does not have, so also will a Defence Correspondent with inadequate knowledge about the military not be able to analyse NAF operations effectively. Abubakar said.

He, however, enjoined the defence correspondents to make good use of the opportunity offered by the workshop to acquire the required knowledge about the NAF.

In his presentation titled: Military-Media Relations, the Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya charged the media to be more professional in their reportage while also remaining conscious of the need to uphold integrity.

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Loading...Home | News | General | Governor Bello of Niger State stoned during a visit to Bida LGA

Governor Bello of Niger State who turned up at Bida L.G.A of the state with his entourage, was reportedly stoned by people of the community who were allegedly chanting  Ba mua so meaning we dont want.

According to Twitter users, Governor Bello has been rejected for performing woefully these few years he has been Governor of the State. @Sir_elmustys tweet read;

Niger State Governor Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello of APC an his entourage on a visit to Bidda local government. You can see one of the advantages of democracy, the rights of people to disown and reject you if you fail woefully.

Niger State Governor Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello of APC an his entourage on a visit to Bidda local government. You can see one of the advantages of democracy, the rights of people to disown and reject you if you fail woefully.

pic.twitter.com/KKEfQSCwBH

 Sir_elmusty (@Sir_elmusty) March 9, 2018

Among all governor-elects only Gov. Bellos family has been listed by Forbes magazine among the richest not only in Nigeria, but also in Africa. The Bellos are involved in various kinds of business activities including construction, oil and gas, and communications.

Abubakar Bello senior, Abus father, is said to own 40% of MTN Nigeria. Abu Lolos in-law is also one of the richest Africans, because his brother Ibrahim is married to Aliko Dangotes daughter. Aliko Dangote, though having lost $10 billion of his $25-billion fortune under President Jonathans mismanagement of the economy and especially naira, is still Africas richest man, according to Forbes.

Abu Lolo himself is married to Dr Amina Abubakar, daughter of Nigerias former head of state Abdussalami Abubakar and former first lady Justice Fati Abubakar. Fati Abubakar, who is the incumbent chief justice of Niger state, is likely to swear her son-in-law in as governor unless she chooses to delegate this responsibility. These credentials, including the fact that Abu Lolos father Col Sani Bello used to be a military governor of Kano state, make Abubakar Sani Bello the richest governor-elect in Nigeria. However even with all these, it seems his under-performance has knocked him off from the favourable position he once occupied, before the 2015 election.

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Loading...Ten persons have been confirmed killed by gunmen that invaded rural settlements in Daffo District of Bokkos Local Government, Plateau State, on Friday.



Mr Danjuma Wabas, Councillor representing Daffo District told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), that the deceased, including five women, four men and an infant, have been burial.

Many of the fear-stricken villagers had fled to some other settlements.

Among the houses destroyed in the attack was that of a former Deputy Governor of Plateau.

Worst hit villages are Ngakudung, Farunhai, Mhorok, Ganda and Warrem-Hotom.

Also hit were Maidunna and Josho, where Sen. Joshua Dariye (APC/Plateau Central), took relief materials last week, following an attack on the village in February.

Some of the villagers, who spoke to NAN, said that the attackers wore black uniform and had sophisticated guns.

The attackers wore black uniforms and with scarfs tied on their heads, Mr. Malo Mafulul, said at Ganda village.

Among those who died in the hospital was Mrs. Naomi Zakaria, who was shot in the stomach, he said.

We rushed her to the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos but she died shortly after we arrived there, he said.

Major Umar Adams, spokesman of Operation Save Haven (OPSH), the security outfit in- charge of the state, confirmed the attack also.

Yes, we are aware of the attacks, but we are yet to ascertain the number of casualties.

When the report came to my officers, the first four women that were shot were rushed to the hospital for medical attention. As at that time, only one infant, who is less than one year old, was confirmed dead.

The situation only got worse when some youths mobilized to confront the attackers, he said.

He, however, said that calm had returned to the affected areas, adding that five persons had been arrested in connection with the attacks.

Adams said that most of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), were taking refuge in some worship centres in Bokkos town, while some of those injured were being treated at Bokkos Cottage Hospital and Plateau Specialist Hospital in Jos.

The STF spokesman urged the people to exercise restraint and allow the security agents to deal with the situation.

The youths should exercise restraint and support the security agencies to restore sanity to Daffo District and Bokkos Local Government, he said.

Mr Simon Angyol, the Chairman of the Interim Management Committee of Bokkos Local Government, also confirmed the attacks and described it as very sad.

The attacks are getting too many. It is a very difficult situation for the entire Bokkos Local Government, he said.

He called on the federal and Plateau governments to come to the aid of the victims, saying that most of them were women and children whose situation had gone beyond the capacity of the local government.

Angyol, however, commended the security agencies for their quick response which restored calm to the affected areas.Home | News | General | Ill fight impunity if I become President  Pastor Ighodalo

Says Nigeria needs a nationalistic figure as President

Advises Christians to be actively involved in politics

By Ebun Sessou

Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, General Overseer of the Trinity House Ministries International in this interview speaks on some burning national issues including restructuring of the country, insecurity and disunity in the church among others.

Excerpts:

Pastor Ituah Ighodalo

What is your desire in life?

My initial desire in life was to be a businessman, make lots of money, live a comfortable life and help as many people as I can. But, as I grew older and traveled to other countries and I saw the environment in which we operate, I realized that if I had the opportunity to give the right kind of leadership in this country, I will transform and make things easy for people to live the good and right life. Regardless of not having that opportunity, I am using all I have to create opportunity and environment that is better for the people as much as I can.

Will you consider contesting presidential election to effect the change you want for the country?

If that opportunity arise, I will take it because it is a very good platform to make a change. And if there is anyone better than myself in that position, I will support the person with everything I have. I am not bothered about who is there and it does not have to be me. My desire is that the right thing is done not only in Nigeria but all over Africa for the benefit of the people who are genuinely going through a lot of hardship. Leading Nigeria is not rocket science.

We just have to shut out the evil and wicked people and keep them busy and tell them that they do not have to do wickedness for Nigeria to thrive. It is very bad for an individual to take what belongs to Nigerians and that is why I will fight against impunity if I am the President of Nigeria. We will match people who are serious with people who are experienced on the use of the natural resources. We will do master planing for the future. Everybody will have to eat and nobody will have more than what they need and that is the bible economy. It is important to think about those coming behind us.

People have been canvasing for restructuring of Nigeria, what is your take on this?

The short answer is that we need a Nigeria where sincere, genuine, value added economy activity can thrive. Whatever we need to do by whatever name to get that environment is what we should do. I also think that the deprivation policy is unfair and that is part of what is tightening this nation. I traveled to Kogi state three years ago for a funeral and I saw hills of granite growing out of the ground and it was affecting the road, even marbles. Those granites are wasting away, yet we are importing granites to this country. Before Dangote came, the limestone was lying fallow in Ibese, Lokoja, we were importing cement.

Nigeria was the biggest exporter of Cocoa after Ghana, Nigeria was the biggest producer of Palm Kernel but today, it is Malaysia Malaysians took the seed out of Nigeria in 1962. Nigeria rubber is one of the best in the world, Nigeria coal is one of the best in the world, Nigeria gold is one of the best in the world. We have potato from Jos, cassava everywhere, pineapple from Calabar. What do we not have in this country. I grew up on groundnut pyramids from the North. We did not have oil when I was growing up.

People were sent on free education because all our resources were working. Cocoa is still there, nobody stole it rather government stopped investing on it. The Israelite do not have 5 percent of these resources yet they export oranges. This is the problem in Nigeria. Nigerians are the second most valuable human resource in the United States. God has been partial to this country beyond measure. The biggest house owners in the United Kingdom rated third are Nigerians.

What do you think is responsible for the current security challenge in the country?

It is a failure of leadership. When the righteous rules, the people rejoice but when evil people are in power, the people lament. As blessed as Nigeria is, it has not been fortunate to have the right people in power on a consistence basis. So, they have come with wrong ideas, establishment of corruption, bastardization of the economy, wrong vision and bad economy. And when the economy is bad, it naturally encourages criminality to thrive because people must survive.

While corruption shows lots of luxury, the poor and hungry people are saying we will survive and so, they want to take from those who seem to have, so that they can have and survive but if the economy is restructured such that there is job opportunity, there is no reason for anyone to engage in criminality. Until that fundamental issue is addressed and follow it up with enforcement of the law, then, we cant have a crime free society. There are many countries today that are almost crime free. The crime rate is low because the prosperity rate is high. If we have good leadership that knows what is doing, crime can be a thing of the past in Nigeria.

We have had a crime free Nigeria in the past before the advent of the colonial masters and British rule and corruption. Nigeria as an entity in various parts was relatively safe. There were no burglary proofs, high wired fences, no armed robbers. The society was free of evil and corruption. The only thing was ritual killing and in those days, it was not rampant. We did not have to kidnap someones son and kill.

But, the modernization of the society, corruption and criminal tendencies have brought about this ugly situation.

All Progressives Congress, APC produced a supposedly credible candidate, President Mohammadu Buhari who came at a time the country was in pain, yet we are still begging for solution

We have not been blessed to have good leadership consecutively. I will not call Buhari the Messiah. He has some good points and there are also some weaknesses. He is probably one of the best because he has some features of a leader and he has the desire to rid Nigeria of corruption but you need a bit more to lead a nation.

You need a nationalistic favour, ideas and exposures, phenomenal wisdom and huge capacity to make a difference. Right now, the president seems not to understand what it means to fight corruption. The vision and the drive as to where the Nation is going is not realistic. We want to be like the people of Germany and France where people believe, fight and die for their nation and flag. Unfortunately, corruption has hampered the growth of the nation. But, Nigeria can still do a bit better.

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Loading...Home | News | General | Dapchi abduction: Stop playing politics with safety of our children  CSOs warn FG

By Emmanuel Elebeke

Worried by the growing threats to the education sector in the country, a coalition of Civil Society organizations called the Civil Society Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA) has warned federal government to stop playing politics and lip services to the safety of Nigerian children in schools.

The group urged the government to urgently come up with concrete measures to address the increasing security threats in the interest of the nation and future generations.

Prsident Buhari and Dapchi school girls

The CSACEFA, which is an umbrella body of NGOs working in the area of education in Nigeria in collaboration with the One Campaign and the Malala Fund , spoke at a media parley on Friday.

It said the nation can no longer afford to continue to relegate the importance sector of the economy such as education to the background, when we are aspiring to be among the top world economies.

Addressing the media, the National Moderator of CSACEFA, Kabiru Aliyu, said: It is saddening to note that education has received low priority and attention both at the national and state levels over the years. Little wonder we are bedevilled with the various crisis we experience in the country today.

Aliyu, who listed insecurity, funding, teacher development , poor teaching and learning environment as major inhibition of the education sector said the issue of security and how it affects the educational system, especially in the North East of Nigeria is worrisome.

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Loading...Home | News | General | Why Benue killings have continued !

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

Once again Benue has been thrown into deep mourning, no thanks to heartless marauding herdsmen who last Monday afternoon stormed Omusu village, Ojigo ward of Edumoga, Okpokwu local government area of the state killing 26 persons mostly women and children, injuring scores while many are still unaccounted for.

The invaders also razed houses and food barns and property of their victims after which, as usual, they disappeared in a gorilla fashion without any trace.

Benue killings

The latest bloody attack came about two months after the new year day killings in Logo and Guma local government areas that sent close to 80 persons including pregnant women, children and the elderly to their early graves.

The global outrage that greeted that pogrom could have been enough to force the militant herders to sheath their sword but alas the blood of the innocent has continued to flow in Benue communities where the stench of blood has become more or less an odour the people have come to live with.

Regrettably, after the new year day killings and the mass burial accorded the victims of that massacre, pockets of killings continued unabated and thousands of Benue sons and daughters numbering close to 170,000 rendered homeless only to find solace in eight IDPs camps established by the state government for their upkeep.

The bloodletting in the state that turned over half of the state into theatres of war compelled helpless though decorous Governor Samuel Ortom to advise the people of the state to learn to defend themselves even if with sticks and pestle.

In a state owned radio programme monitored in Makurdi the state capital the heartbroken Governor Ortom said I think the people should have the right to defend themselves and not make themselves easy prey to be killed in their homes.

Benue killings

So any lawful means you can adopt to defend yourself just go ahead in Benue state. We are not going to wait for the Inspector General of Police to do it because he has failed in his assignment.

It is unfortunate. The man should resign because he has failed woefully. He doesnt have the capacity and has become the mouthpiece of our aggressors. There are many good Police officers who can take over that job and perform creditably by turning around the security architecture of this country and make things work and protect lives and property. That man has no business being the IGP. The Governor had said.

Perhaps, of special note in the Benue killing spree is the fact that immediately the Governor urged the people to defend themselves from the militant herdsmen the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris issued an order to state Commissioners of Police to, as a matter of urgency, disarm all militias, vigilantes and other armed protective units set up by state Governors across the country.

The IGP also warned state Governors who had set up such armed security outfits that they had no powers to do so.

Interestingly, in what appeared a case of deliberate double standard on the part of Nigerias number one Police officer and the federal government, the directive to Commissioners in the various state commands made no mention of herdsmen who roam the nooks and crannies of the country with AK47 rifles and other highly dangerous sophisticated weapons with which they unleash horror and terror on the citizenry across the country.

Residence of Benue state in Abuja, protesting over the killings of their relatives by the Fulani herdsmen at the National Assembly gate in Abuja Thursday. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan

Hence while the directive was being implemented in Benue and undoubtedly enjoying the cooperation and support of the people of the state, armed herdsmen have ignored the directive and they appear to run a exclusive government of their own, killing and maiming.

Interestingly, in late 2015 Governor Samuel Ortom had introduced an amnesty programme in Benue through which majority of those in possession of illegal weapons in the state willingly surrendered same to the government for a fee.

At the end of that exercise close to 1,000 different calibre of weapons and firearms were surrendered to the government and later destroyed in public in 2016 in partnership with the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons in commemoration of the United Nations Arms Destruction Day.

So as it were, Benue people were seemingly unarmed ab initio despite the threat posed by armed herdsmen and plea by the people to the federal government to check the excesses of the herdsmen especially the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautsl Hore who had threatened to resist the Benue Open Grazing Prohibition Law that came into effect in November 1, 2017.

Hence since the order to disarm all armed groups in the county was issued by the IGP on January 31, killings by herdsmen in Benue had continued unabated.

A timeline of these killings includes the murder of six persons in a heavy gun battle between officers of the Benue state Police Command and over 200 suspected herdsmen at Yogbo community in Guma local government area of the state.

February 5: Herdsmen attacked Waku village and a part of Gbajimba town in Guma local government area of the state, killing two and destroying Governor Samuel Ortoms farm house.

February 8: Herdsmen killed another three and injured scores in Anyiin in Logo local government area.

February 9: Another black day in the state when four personnel of the state Police Command were confirmed missing and unaccounted for after they came under heavy attack by suspected herdsmen at Adzege village Ayilamo in Logo local government area of the state.

Two of the officers were later found dead while two others escaped to safety.

This was followed by the killing of two operatives of the National Security and Civil Defence Corp, NSCDC, Mr. Adams Godwin and Abah Patrick who were reportedly murdered by suspected herdsmen at Awange near Kasseyo town in Guma local government area of the state on the February 12.

It was the turn of over 5,000 inhabitants of Mbatoho Chile, an Island close to Benue State Government House, at Mbalagh council ward of Makurdi local government.

The invaders on February 26 also rendered the Tiv inhabitants of the community homeless after destroying several houses, farmlands and food barns of their victims. They were reported to have asked the locals to quietly vacate the land for their own good.

March 4: No fewer than five persons were ambushed and shot dead at Umenge village in Guma Local Government Area of the State by herdsmen when the victims reportedly sneaked into the besieged community to assess the possibility of retuning back to the community since the military had commenced the Exercise Ayem A Kpatuma or cat race, to ensure the safety of the locals but non of them left the community alive.

Then came the bloodiest of all the killings after the new year day killing which claimed 73 lives in Guma and Logo local government areas.

On March 5, no fewer than 26 persons, mostly women and children were murdered in cold blood in a bloody Monday evening attack on Omusu village at Ojigo ward Edumoga in Okpokwu local government area of Benue state by suspected herdsmen.

The attackers also left scores injured and many others missing, several houses, huts and food barns were also set ablaze by the marauding herdsmen who invaded the quiet community shooting sporadically at anything on sight.

Suffice it to state here that several of these killings occurred even after the launch of the military spike operation in the state code named Exercise Ayem A Kpatuma to stem the incursions of herdsmen in the state.

Regrettably. The exercise has not stopped the wanton killings in Benue which prompted an outcry by the people that the military exercise was rather abating the herdsmen to kill the more and also take over Benue communities.

Reacting to the development, the chairman of the joint leaders of the Benue ethnic leaders, Chief Edward Ujege described the order of the IGP as a bait to further the operations of the herdsmen in Benue state.

According to Chief Ujege, why have the killings continued if the IGP is sincere about the order to disarm all armed groups in the country?

Its all double standards because from all indications that order is not applicable to armed herdsmen, that is why they have continued to kill our people unchecked, its just unfortunate. The federal government is complicit in the entire affair and we are totally disappointed.

Until all herdsmen are disarmed and the killings stopped, we will continue to hold firm to our belief that the federal government has remained unfair if not taken side in this matter.

On his part, the leader of a right group, the Independent Human Rights and Crime Monitoring Group, IHRCMG, Patriot Solomon Adodo, maintained that the IGP must come clean with his order because information at our disposal clearly indicated that herdsmen are not being disarmed hence the ongoing killings despite the order.

We expected that the order would be enforced totally but that is not the case at the moment so we suspect double standards in the entire drama that is currently playing out.

Lending his voice to the issue, Comrade Terrence Kuanum, leader of the Global Human Rights Watch, the order by the IGP is noting but double standards. It has further given armed herdsmen leverage to perpetrate violence and killings in Benue unchecked because they still kill at will and move around with sophisticated weapons in Benue communities without hindrance.

We want to see decisive action from security personnel and we can only be convinced when we start seeing the arrest of the masterminds of the killings which have continued despite the order from the IGP.

Few days ago, Governor Samuel Ortom also raised fresh concerns about herdsmen incursions in the state, lamenting that there had been influx of over one million cattle into the state after the launch of Exercise Ayem A kpatuma by the military to check herdsmen killings in the state and the order of the IGP directing state police commands to disarm all armed groups in the country.

According to the Governor, more than 60 people have been killed since the mass burial in the state for the 73 killed on new year day. This is aside the 26 women and children killed at Omusu village, Okpokwu local government area of the state.

The Governor who reiterated that there were no loose arms in the state, haven disarmed the people of the state at the inception of his administration through his amnesty programme urged the relevant security authorities to do the needful by totally enforcing and implementing the order of the IGP without bias.

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Loading...Home | News | General | 2019: Will Buhari surmount challenges that brought Jonathan down?

By Clifford Ndujihe, Deputy Political Editor & Levinus Nwabughiogu

AND 22 governors showed up to mark register when 110 daughters of citizens of your nation were captured by Boko Haram that you said you have already technically defeated? It just shows how insensitive our leaders are. We have gotten to a stage that our president has become a king and a monarch

For 16 years of PDP, they borrowed N6 trillion. For three years of APC, they borrowed N11 trillion. And they are not going to pay the debt. You and I, and our children and our childrens children will pay the debt unless they write them off again.

President Muhammadu Buhari

With these words, Senior Overseer of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, expressed disgust over President Muhammadu Buharis performance so far as well his decision alongside 22 governors to attend an elaborate wedding Fatiha of Idris Abiola Ajimobi, the son of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, and Fatima Umar Ganduje, the daughter of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State, in Kano, last Saturday, at a time 110 schoolgirls from Dapchi in Yobe State were still in captivity.

In some quarters, the presidents handling of the Dapchi schoolgirls, who were abducted on February 19, 2018, has been likened to former President Goodluck Jonathans initial attitude to the Chibok schoolgirls, who were kidnapped on April 14, 2014. Both abductions were done by the Boko Haram insurgents.

Unceasing Boko Haram attacks

Attending a wedding in Kano after failing to visit Yobe State since the schoolgirls kidnap or other states like Benue, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Rivers, Kaduna and Taraba where sectarian crises, violence and herdsmen/farmers clashes have claimed over 1300 lives since the beginning of 2018 elicited thumbs down for the president.

In response to pressures and criticisms arising from the above lapses, President Buhari visited Taraba State, on Monday, to commiserate with people who lost loved ones in the wake of violence that engulfed the area recently.

President Buhari, who assured that he would visit other troubled states soon, said he visited Taraba State first because the large-scale killing at Mambilla Plateau was more than the number of those killed in Benue and Zamfara states.

While his visits to other states are awaited, it is to be seen if the belated tours would yield the desired dividends and appease those who felt that the visits should have been done much earlier.

Former President Jonathans perceived ineffective war against Boko Haram and inability to rescue the Chibok schoolgirls are considered as some of the stumbling blocks that stalled his re-election in 2015.

Currently, the Boko Haram insurgents are still on the prowl wreaking havoc in many parts of Yobe State and Borno State, the epicentre of the insurgency. War against insecurity is one of President Buharis three cardinal electoral campaign promises. The other two are improving the economy and combating graft.

It is arguable whether or not the All Progressives Congress, the APC-led government has made a significant impact on any of these core campaign promises. While the government insists it has done well with the president saying that things could have been worse but for his intervention, his critics think otherwise.

Fayose faults Buharis anti-graft war

Ekiti State, Governor, Ayo Fayose, has consistently picked holes in the anti-graft war. Last week, he said: Under Buhari, perfume is being sprayed on corruption when it affects his men. One can go on and on, but the painful reality is that Buharis government is not only corrupt the government itself is corruption.

Is the President going to use APC broom to sweep the report on Maina under the carpet just as he did to others before it? What has happened to the report submitted on the fraudulent reinstatement of Maina? What happened to the probe panel on the alleged N500m bribe said to have been paid to the Chief of Staff (COS), Abba Kyari by MTN?

Who brought the five sacks in which the EFCC claimed that it found N49 million cash to the Kaduna Airport? Who is the owner of LEGICO Shopping Plaza, Ahmadu Bello Way, VI, Lagos inside which the EFCC claimed that it found N448.8 million cash?

Wave of endorsements

Like Jonathan before the 2015 poll, the president is swimming in wave of re-election endorsements ahead of the 2019 election.

By the end of September 2014, five months to the 2015 election, all organs of the PDP had adopted Jonathan as the partys sole presidential candidate and thereby alienated other aspirants and interests in the PDP. Among the organs that adopted Jonathan were the National Executive Committee, NEC, Board of Trustees, BoT, 36 state chairmen and PDP Governors Forum, PDPGF. The adoption was ratified at the partys December 10 and 11, 2014 Presidential primaries.

Now, the endorsement queue for Buhari is stretching by the day, 11 months to the election.

On January 12, 2018, seven northern APC governors, namely, Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Abubakar Bello (Niger), Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Jibrilla Bindo (Adamawa) and Simon Lalong (Plateau) met with the president at Aso Rock and endorsed him for second term.

El-Rufai, who spoke to State House correspondents after the closed-door meeting, said the governors wanted Buhari to rule beyond 2019 to ensure continuity and stability of the country. We are interested in continuity and stability and we want the president to continue with that, he said.

On January 20, 2018, all the governors elected on the banner of the APC endorsed Buhari for second term, and okayed the re-appointment of Mr. Rotimi Amaechi as Director General of the Buhari Campaign Organization.

Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (APC Governors), Rochas Okorocha of Imo State said that APC governors met and resolved that Buhari should re-contest because he has done well to deserve a second tenure and four years is not enough to show what the President can offer. We believe that another four years will bring out the best in him.

Other groups and bodies that have endorsed Buhari include South-East APC, South-South APC, and some state chapters of the party including Enugu, Kano, and Plateau among others.

The National Executive Committee, NEC, last week, passed a vote of confidence on Buhari and extended the tenures of the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, and state chairmen of the party by 12 months.

In marketing the president, some APC governors and leaders said there is no alternative to Buhari in 2019, arguing that failure to re-elect him will cause political instability in the country. Recently, a serving minister wore a campaign fez cap urging re-election of Buhari and Osinbajo in 2019 to the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting in Abuja.

Indeed, PDP faithful had such comments in favour of Jonathan before the 2015 election. It is to be seen if the views of APC faithful endorsing Buhari will stand or go the way of Jonathan.

Cabal hijacks govt

Looking at the appointments and some policies of Buhari since he came on board, some of his trusted backers are fingering outsiders or cabal for most of the observed lapses.

According to them, the criticisms trailing the anti-graft war that some have dubbed half-hearted or selective are traceable to the activities of the cabal.

The Presidents wife, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, first hinted on the actions of the cabal as early as April 14, 2016, when she said that Buharis government had been hijacked and hinged her support for Buharis re-election on cabinet shake-up and changes in the way things were being done.

The soft-spoken Aisha Buhari, in a BBC Hausa interview monitored in Kano, said that Buharis government had been hijacked by a cabal that is behind presidential appointments.

She said that he is yet to tell me, but I have decided as his wife, that if things continue like this up to 2019, I will not go out and campaign again and ask any woman to vote like I did before. I will never do it again.

She lamented that most of the officials of the government were not known to the President and the first family, adding that they are usurpers who did nothing to help the APC struggle in 2015. The President does not know 45 out of 50, for example, of the people he appointed and I dont know them either despite being his wife for 27 years, she stressed.

At a stage, Jonathans government was considered to have been hijacked by a cabal that alienated many PDP stakeholders, especially those who were perceived to be against Jonathans re-election.

Before long, a crisis of confidence arose between the PDP leadership and these stakeholders, which comprised seven governors, and a host of state and federal lawmakers among others, who gathered on the plank of New PDP (N-PDP).

The crisis reached a climax on November 27, 2013, when five of the seven aggrieved governors defected to the APC. Over time, other members of the N-PDP joined APC and made the new mega party a huge force electorally. Led by Abubakar Kawu Baraje, N-PDP leaders who defected to APC includedRotimi Amaechi, Abdufatah Ahmed, Magatakarda Wammako, Murtala Nyako, Senator Bukola Saraki, Barnabas Gemade and Aminu Tambuwal among others.

Despite the defection of N-PDP members, the remaining PDP approached the 2015 election with a divided front. At a stage, Dr. Jonathan was seen undertaking campaign shuttles to Lagos and other cities that should have been done by lieutenants.

A PDP leader in the North said the PDP lost to itself and not APC in 2015 because many party leaders and stakeholders were made onlookers in the campaigns, which were handed over to Dr Ifeanyi Ubahs Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN.

APC crises, extension of Oyeguns tenure

Now, APC seems to be heading the PDP way unless drastic steps are taken. There has been side-lining of some core supporters. Some bigwigs such as former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, recently left the party with his supporters for the PDP. Misgivings between the party leadership and the National Assembly, which started from the election of Bukola Saraki as Senate President and Yakubu Dogara as House of Representatives Speaker are yet to be fully resolved. The problem led to the emergence of a PDP senator, Ike Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President.

In what some observers and backers of Dr. Saraki finger as part of the Presidencys angst against the Senate leadership, the Senate President, since 2016, has been under trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, for false assets declaration. And when the CCT discharged Saraki, the Federal Government appealed and the matter is still in court.

Apart from the Executive/Legislature issue, the APC seems to offer more opposition to itself than the PDP, if the face-off between the National Assembly and some government appointees such as the Customs Comptroller, Economic and Financial Crimes, EFCC, Chairman; tango among government agencies and discontent in the presidency, are anything to go by. The party is also facing crises in many states that can hurt its electoral quest next year.

Currently, a host of APC federal and state lawmakers are said to be on the verge of defecting to another party.

Aware of these misgivings among stakeholders, President Buhari, recently, appointed Asiwaju Bola Ahmed to reconcile aggrieved members of the APC across the country.

While Tinubu is still gathering steam to carry out the onerous assignment, the APC NEC, on February 28, 2018 granted Odigie-Oyegun one year tenure extension, a move that is raising fresh dust in the party with a section of the party arguing that only National Convention and not the NEC has the power to extend Odigie-Oyeguns tenure.

According to Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, What has been done is a mere expression of interest. The power of the convention to extend tenure is exercised only by way of constitution amendment. The power of the NEC of our party cannot go beyond doing so by way of constitution amendment.

Article 30 of the APC Constitution states: This constitution and the schedules hereto, can be amended only by the National Convention of the party.

However, Odigie-Oyegun explained that it was impossible for everyone to agree 100 per cent with the decision of the partys NEC on this sensitive political issue.

Some notable leaders of the party such as Senate President Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Dogara shunned the NEC meeting with Saraki saying he could not attend because the meeting took place the same time he was at the CCT where he was fighting to clear his name as the defendant in an ongoing case. Can Tinubu, who is also considered to have been wronged, redress these issues?

Tinubu, on his part, had issues with the party leadership, which include the Kogi State Governorship election in 2015 where the party side-stepped his loyalist, Hon Abiodun Faleke, for Yahaya Bello, who went on to become the governor after the death of Abubakar Audu. Faleke was running mate to Audu Abubakar but the party elected to field Bello, who came second in the primaries, as its governorship candidate in the supplementary election after Audus expiration.

The former Lagos State governor was also peeved at the way the Ondo State governorship primary was handled by the Odigie-Oyegun-led NEC in 2016 for which he accused Odigie-Oyegun of handing the ticket to Rotimi Akeredolu and thereby sabotaging the will of democracy by overriding the decision of the appeal panel that asked for a fresh governorship primary.

Odigie-Oyegun countered Tinubu then by describing his complaints as reckless falsehood. Of late, Tinubu also accused the national chairman of frustrating his reconciliation efforts, a charge that the Odigie-Oyegun flatly denied and pledged his support for Tinubu in the exercise. This was the state of affairs before Odigie-Oyeguns tenure was extended last week, raking up more discontent in the party.

Tinubu is not a magician  Timi Frank

Asked if Tinubu could address the crises, embattled Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Comrade Timi Frank, reportedly said the choice of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was right but he is not a magician to resolve the myriad of problems in the APC before the 2019 polls.

His words: It is a glaring thing that all that Tinubu is expected to repair now were caused by the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyeguns indecision, which I loudly spoke about. When I demanded his resignation, some people felt I was being sponsored. But thank God that today I have been vindicated because all eyes can see clearly what Chief Odigie-Oyeguns style of leadership has done to the ruling party. At this level, if care is not taken, APC might soon become history.

I dont know how the national leader will go about this reconciliation task. But I pray that God will give him the necessary wisdom. To be frank, I dont know how he will succeed in reconciling the likes of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Governor Umar Ganduje in Kano, Senator Shehu Sani and Governor Nasir el-Rufai in Kaduna, Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Governor Mohammed Abubakar in Bauchi, Rotimi Amaechi and Senator Magnus Abe in Rivers State, Senator Dino Melaye and Governor Yahaya Bello in Kogi State, former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, and Chief John Oyegun in Edo; crises in Ondo, Lagos, Gombe, Bayelsa, Cross River, Osun, Ekiti, Jigawa, Niger, Delta states and so on.

APC has lost it  Prof. ABC Nwosu

I expect that the PDP shall come back to power for several reasons. The first is that the PDP guarantees political stability for Nigeria and its continued existence as one nation where all constituent groups have a sense of belonging. This is in sharp contrast to the APC where many constituent groups are marginalised and have begun to question the reason for the existence of Nigeria. The second reason is that PDP had clear plans on the economy and during its 16 years rule, there was economic growth. Nigeria was freed from debt peonage. The ICT sector exploded. The exchange rate stabilised at under N200 per dollar. And the electricity sector was identified as emergency case, serious money invested in NIPP and similar projects.

Of course, the PDP government being human was bound to make some mistakes which it did. The ICT succeeded, the debt relief succeeded and the economy grew. Sovereign Wealth Fund was established. But the privatization and the electricity programmes did not. So, if the PDP had continued, it would have gone back to the drawing board to see why these failed. This is in contrast with the APC that continues to say it makes no mistakes and that it never promised anything in its manifesto. And everything was PDPs fault.

Even the corruption issue, I have said several times that on May 29, 1999, President Obasanjo of the PDP same day of his inauguration gave me the blueprint for ICPC and NDDC which were immediately transmitted to the National Assembly. The EFCC followed. These to date are the legal instruments for the anti-corruption war in Nigeria. Even the Whistle-Blower idea belongs to the PDP.

So, the APCs claims on anti corruption war are laughable especially in view of serious corruption cases many from the centre of government which are in the public domain. Nigerians now make a joke of snakes swallowing money. Monkeys carting away money and even a popular comedian has withdrawn his account with a popular bank that has elephant as its logo!

The abduction of Dapchi girls is a sad and unfortunate incident and my sympathy lies completely with the parents of the girls. It will be wrong for me to make any further comments on this except to pray that these girls and the remaining Chibok girls are returned safely to their families and schools secure because education is the key to the future.

How all these shall play out in 2019, I do not know. All I shall do is to work very hard for my party, the PDP, to return to power because I believe in my party and its founding principles.

Furthermore, the present restiveness in the polity and parlous state of the economy make it imperative for me to give everything within me for the PDP to return to power. I believe sincerely that Nigeria will be better for it.

On Benue Crisis

Benue crisis is just one symptom of the diseases of general restiveness in the polity because of the insensitivity of the APC government to the problems of the governed ditto with the herdsmen/farmers clashes, non inclusiveness of the southeast, caverlie attitude to the Niger Delta environmental situation, etc.

These issues will impact on the 2019 general elections. Nigerians are watching.

Current issues will impact negatively on Buharis second term ambition -Chief Chekwas Okorie, National Chairman, United Progressives Party, UPP.

The issues on the ground will impact negatively on president Buharis ambition for second term. The same type of situation arose during Jonathans term and many people voted against him. Many people did not vote at all because they neither preferred Buhari nor wanted Jonathan back. So, they stayed at home on the day of election. Jonathan lost as a result of loss of goodwill and support because by the margin of defeat; there were 2. 5 million votes.

The votes in the south east alone would have risen up if they were satisfied that Jonathan represented their interest during his tenure. The same thing has happened. In fact, the situation is even worse now that President Buhari has so triggered off ethnic sentiments across the country.

I do not see how he would win a second term even in the north, the Hausas are beginning to see themselves as separate from the Fulanis.

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Loading...Home | News | General | Lord Rochas Okorocha and his son-in-law project

By Dr. Ugoji Egbujo

Rochas Okorocha is his own enemy. He preaches power rotation and Igbo presidency in Abuja. But at home, he wants to keep the Imo governorship in his familys piggy bank. He has built more roads than any other governor in Imo states history. But he is known outside the state only for puerility and building of statues. Okorocha has energy and drive. But he lacks circumspection and sense of optics.

Okorocha

He lets his ego and fantasies intrude and tarnish his industry and purposefulness. It is true his opponents have exploited the rich vein of animosity against Hausa Fulani hegemony. He wouldnt be the butt of all these jokes if he were hauling missiles of bigotry at Buhari from APGA or the PDP. But no other man with his political vulnerability would arm his opponents like Okorocha.

Okorocha is ambitious. And thats not a bad thing. But self confidence that rears its head without self restraint could be more destructive than arrogance. In small things and in big things, Rochas Okorocha pays no respect to his audience and its sensibilities. Okorocha wanted to stem the rising tide of narcotics consumption in the state. He chose to compare that evil with armed robbery, needlessly. He got lost in translation. He ended, leaving his audience with a moral confusion. The video clips of a governor suggesting that armed robbery was a lesser crime than drug abuse went viral and accentuated the image of a bumbling clown the virulent opposition had created for him. But Okorocha isnt a clown.

He thinks Imo state is too small a stage for him. He believes he has outstanding abilities. He craves a national or global role. Thats heart warming. No one wants a shiftless surfeited leader who seeks no promotion and is unmindful of history. But in cobbling a track record, Rochas has deployed a brand of imagination that doesnt yield to circumspection and doesnt acknowledge raised eyebrows. A streak of precarious single-mindedness. An abject deprivation of collegiate thoughtful decision making process. Rochas is a loose canon.

He builds roads and lavishes money on pillars that would be used for Christmas decorations. His sister oversees the decorations. He pays more attention to the quantity rather than the quality of roads. It catches his fancy, he mounts a hundred meter high huge hand sculpture somewhere, just somewhere. Some hospitals have been completed for years but he hasnt thought of equipping them. So they are locked away. You cant fault him for industry. He is restless.

He thinks of Imo airline. It sounds nice. He gets a plane and hands it to Dana Airline. And Imo is written on it. He commissions it. Thats all. He thinks the people need to farm. He thinks state civil servants who are owed salaries are idle. He doesnt retrench. He asks state civil servants to work three days in the office and stay in their farms on Thursdays and Fridays. He ignores raised eyebrows. He is committed to innovation. He is not afraid of trying new things. But many of them quite frankly have been absurd. He gets fed up with the farming experiment, he cancels it overnight.

He thinks the state owes so much in pensions. He thinks he cant pay it all. He asks owed pensioners to sign away a huge percentage of owed pensions. He rebuffs questions about the morality of such coercion. His name and the weird idea spreads around the country. No one hears about the hospitals he has built in all the local government areas in Imo state. No one hears of his free education programmes. They hear of a certain Rochas who approximates Charlie Spencer Chaplin.

He looks at his people, his people. He sees suffering. He announces a commissioner for happiness. Not such a bad idea. But it is his sister again. His opponents go to town with mockery. Rochas sneers at them in superciliousness. No one hears that he has tarred the road that runs in front of my ancestral home in Orodo. That road had been promised by every regime since Ochefu and Atom Kpera. They all failed. He did it.

Rochas has done more roads than other governors. But no governor has exhibited more unbridled self aggrandizement than Rochas Okorocha. He says he is gifted with the brain of a genius. So he embraces informality and disdains processes. He is easy going, self effacing. But all people see is greed. No governor has appointed more relatives into top government positions than Rochas Okorocha. His son-in-law is Chief of staff. His sister is his deputy chief of staff and commissioner. The ministerial position allocated to the state came, he gave it to his daughters father-in-law.

Rumours that Rochas wanted to perpetuate himself in office sprouted. They sounded so outlandish. Rochas wants to be the senate president. He would like to be president of the country and perhaps AU chairman, sometime in the future. Rochas wants to be an icon like Mandela. Imo is too small for him. But the rumours now have a foundation. He says his son-in-law must be governor. He says his in-law is the most qualified for the job.

He can support whomsoever he chooses. And a son-in-law isnt necessarily disqualified by virtue of whom he married. He could actually be the most qualified. Rochas has worked hard to make his endorsement count. But he is set to be remembered as a power hungry man who is motivated only by self interest. Yes, same Rochas who was once synonymous with generosity and philanthropy. In a country where democracy and political morality include power rotations and quota system, Rochas Okorocha should let another family try.

He says God ordained it .His family must be filled with the sort of geniuses that arent found in other places. It may actually not be out of the reach of his fantasy to create a Kennedy type dynasty. And attribute it to God. Rochas is innovative, ambitious and irrepressible. He needs tact.

If all politicians in Africa thought like Rochas, then countries could all become family corporations. Because without institutions, and without transparency and accountability, any African president could, with a little dose of tyranny, perpetuate his family and generations over his country. If Awolowo and Zik and Sarduana had the sort of imagination that Rochas has, people like Rochas Okorocha who came from the lowest rungs of the society would never be governors.

I like Rochas Okorocha. I only wish he could once in a while step out of himself. Perhaps, he would gain a little self-restraint.

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Loading...Home | News | General | Sex is not important in a serious relationship  Aisha Ibrahim

Following her passion for acting, budding actress, Aisha Ibrahim has featured in many movies including Ogbon Inu and Kulusoni. Also, leaving her comfort zone as an actress to take a shot at production, the Lagos State University graduate of Theatre Arts has produced a movie of her own entitled Emotions. She revealed in this interview the reason she became a producer among other issues.

BY ADETUTU ADESOJI

It is believed that people venture into acting for fame and money, is this same with you?

For me, it is my passion for the craft that drives me. I wanted to act right from my childhood and as a child I wasnt thinking of money or fame, all I wanted was to do something that I love.

How and when did you know you wanted to be an actress?

That was in 2006 at the University of Ibadan when I was doing a diploma course in Theatre Arts. It was then I realized that I had something to offer and wanted to showcase my talent so I decided to major in acting. There were so many courses to study under Theatre Arts but I chose acting because I knew that was what I wanted to do. After studying Theatre Arts at diploma level at the University of Ibadan I went ahead to get a Bachelors degree at the Lagos State University. Dr Sola Fosudo and Yemi Amodu were among my trainers.

Aisha Ibrahim

What movie do you consider your breakthrough?

I consider many movies my breakthrough, Ogbon Inu, Kulusoni and so many others; I played very good roles in these movies so I will say they are all breakthrough movies.

Do you in anyway feel threatened by the big players in the industry?

I dont feel threatened by anybody, instead I see them as people that inspire me. I want to learn as much as I can from them. I work on myself everyday and if I keep at it I know I will get to the point that these people are.

Without training do you think an actor can succeed in the industry?

Well, I would not say that actors cannot find their way in the industry without undergoing training, so many people have talents but they still need to be trained. A talent needs to be polished for it to be perfect; I believe talent is not just enough. Anyone can get to wherever they want to but it will take time if they are not trained.

What do you consider before accepting a script?

I look out for the production itself, I want to know the people in charge of the project. Money is not the first thing that comes to mind, although money is important but as an actor if you are solely drawn by money you might end up not doing much. There is a difference between working for money and working because you have the passion for what you do. There are times I get scripts and fall in love with the story and there wont be money in it for me, I take up such jobs because I love what I do.

Have you produced any movie yet?

I have produced one already and working on another one. The title of my first movie is Emotions, I just submitted it online but it has not been uploaded yet. Also, I have a working title for my new movie Onibara (customer).

Going by its title Emotions, is it an English or a Yoruba movie?

It is 70% English and 30% Yoruba but it will be listed as a Yoruba movie.

Which is more financially rewarding, being an actress or a producer?

Being a producer is more financially rewarding than being an actress. As a producer you own all the money, you are in charge of the production and in place to pay your crew members, while as an actress you will work a times and not even get paid.

Have you ever been asked for sex in exchange for a role?

I have had a terrible experience while I was coming up in the industry back in 2011 when I used to go for English movie auditions. This experience made me step back from attending these auditions, they are very blunt over there, a director asked me to compromise before I could get a role and it was like a slap on my face. I had to reject the offer, for me, messing up in an industry you are looking to work and go far in is not the right thing to do because at the end of the day it will come back at you.

It doesnt happen like that in the Yoruba industry?

Im not saying it doesnt happen in the Yoruba industry, of course, it happens but it is easier for you to become a producer and make you own movies especially if you know what you are doing and have the money.

How would you rate the Nollywood industry?

I would rate it 80%, the industry is improving every day, you see people trying new concept every time. We are improving more on our effects, makeups and every other thing; I believe we will get up there very soon.

It is believed that there is discrimination in the industry, how true is that?

I would say it is very true because everyone prefers to call their people for their productions. Yoruba producers prefers to call Yoruba actors for their movies, the same happens in the English industry too, that is just the way it is.

We dont see more of Yoruba movies in the cinema why is that?

For this, I think the cinema is supposed to cut across all languages and not focus only on one language that is why Yoruba movies dont go in cinemas.

Are you saying Yoruba movies are not accepted in the cinema?

Although some of our Yoruba movies are not shot for cinema standard, we only shot for the cinema when necessary. Language barrier also wont allow Yoruba movies make much money in the cinema, you wont see Hausa movies as well in the cinema.

What is your relationship status?

Im in a relationship.

Do you see yourself getting married soon?

Yes, very soon by the grace of God.

Why do you think actresses take long to marry?

It is not easy for an actress to find a husband because most times we come across men who do not want us as wives but only as flings because they believe so many people are after us as well. They cant bring themselves to trust an actress and settle down with her. So, even if a man gets together with an actress, it doesnt last because not every man is comfortable with a person that is always away on set. It takes only a man that understands the nature of the job and is ready to support, but then as an actress you have to make your man trust you no matter what.

In your opinion how important is sex in a relationship?

Sex is not the most important thing in a relationship especially if it is a serious one. It is only a big deal if the people involved are just messing around with each other.

Who is Aisha Ibrahim?

Im a young up and coming talented actress. Im from a family of four, my dad is late, and I have a sister. Im an indigene of Kano State, my dad was Hausa while my mother is Yoruba from Lagos State. I speak the Yoruba language fluently and very little Hausa.

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Loading...Home | News | General | Oba of Benin forces native doctors to revoke curses placed on victims of human trafficking (photos)

- Oba of Benin ordered native doctors to reverse oaths victims of human trafficking were forced to take

- The ceremony was done at the king palace on Friday

- This will reportedly encourage victims of human trafficking to return home without fear

Hundreds of native doctors converged on the Oba of Benin palace on Friday, March 9, 2018, to revoke the curses placed on victims of human trafficking in order to encourage victims to return home to Nigeria without fear of repercussion.

The order for the oath reversal was made by the Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, The Nation reports.

Oba Ewuare 11 said Governor Godwin Obaseki had pleaded with him to help reduce the spate of human trafficking in the state.

The Oba of Benin ordered native doctors to revokes curses placed on victims of human trafficking. Photo source: PM News

The king said the palace frowns at the use of native medicine as a way to perpetrate evil in the land through aiding and abetting human trafficking.

READ ALSO: Niger state youths boo Governor Bello

He said: You native doctors whose business is to subject people to oath of secrecy and encouraging evil act in the land, you have to repent, stop doing it.

The king placed a curse on the native doctors to stop them from forcing victims into taking oaths in the future. Photo source: PM News

This is not a joking matter and if you do not repent, youll see the repercussions.

What the Palace stands for is peace and the development of the state. I want to use this medium to tell you that the act of using charms to aid trafficking, the palace seriously frowns at it.

We want us to join hands together to fight against human trafficking in the land."

The king placed a curse on the native doctors to stop them from forcing victims into taking oaths in the future. Photo source: PM News

Meanwhile, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, has hailed the actions of the king.

Speaking at the palace of the Benin Monarch, Okah-Donli, who was represented by the Edo state Commander of NAPTIP, Barr. Nduka Nwawwenne, expressed confidence that the king's action will reduce the scourge of trafficking in persons, PM News reports

She said: The major reason is that victims of human trafficking who are supposed to give evidence in court dont usually open up because of the oath of secrecy they have taken.

These oaths are taken with some personal items like finger nails, pubic hair, menstrual pads, pictures, clothings and things like that. They are also told that the moment they open up and reveal their traffickers, they will be punished by the oaths they have taken.

"So, because of that, we are not able to get enough evidence to prosecute suspected traffickers.

With the pronouncement of His Royal Majesty today, I think a giant stride has been taken and am sure that people will now open up, because, in the first place, oaths will not be administered on them [trafficking victims].

I believe that now that curses have been placed on them, His Royal Majesty has forgiven those that administered it previously. So, I believe in it.

Since the Oba is highly revered, am sure that the juju priests and native doctors will comply with what Oba has pronounced. Am sure that victims will now open up and most importantly, they will not be taken to shrines to be administered with oaths.

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NAIJ.com earlier reported that Edo state government said it will construct permanent shelter for indigenes of the state among victims of human trafficking and irregular migration currently being returned to the country.

Mrs Abieyuwa Onyemwense, Secretary of Edo Taskforce on Anti-Human Trafficking, disclosed this to newsmen in Benin on Friday.

Nigerians speak on slavery in Libya - on NAIJ.com TV

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Loading...Home | News | General | 11 killed, 50 houses razed in fresh Plateau attacks

- Eleven people have been killed in two villages in Plateau state

- The victims were said to have been killed in Ganda village of Daffo District in Bokkos local government area and Miango village in Bassa local government area

- The attack also took place few hours after President Muahmmadu Buhari visited Plateau to commission a peace building agency

Eleven people have been killed in fresh attacks in two villages in Plateau state on Friday, March 9.

The clash between suspected herdsmen and farmers in Ganda village of Daffo District in Bokkos local government area and Miango village in Bassa local government area occurred few hours after the inauguration of the Plateau state Peace Building Agency by President Muhammadu Buhari in Jos, Plateau state capital city.

Confirming the clash, the spokesperson for the Miango Youth Development Association, Lawrence Zongo, said five people were killed in the village.

Identifying the victims of the clash as - Emmanuel Joseph (16), Christopher Joseph (16), Peace Joseph (6), Henry Audu (25), Illa Isa Peter (52) - Zongo said two of them were set of twins.

Vanguard reports that the youth leaders also said that a four-year old boy, Cenka Amos, was injured in the clash.

READ ALSO: Some of us that returned have gone back again - Libya returnees cry out

He said Amos is currently receiving treatment at the Enos Hospital, Miango.

Zongo said: What happened to us is very bad, (it happened) despite the presence of President Muhammadu Buhari. The state government has been preaching peace but Plateau State went up in flames. Five persons, including a set of twins (Emmanuel Joseph and Christopher Joseph) and their brother, Peace Joseph, were killed.

We have been devastated and shocked. Despite all the peace meetings with the Fulani people, the assailants keep killing our innocent people without provocation. It is sad that the military cannot arrest the Fulani persons behind the killings. The government has failed in protecting lives and property of citizens. Our demand is that the perpetrators should be arrested and prosecuted.

Also speaking on the incident, the a former Plateau state House of Assembly member, Sunday Abdu the attack which began on Thursday, lasted till the early hours of Friday.

READ ALSO: Niger state governor allegedly stoned by angry youths

"The bodies of the five killed people have been deposited at the hospital morgue. We are no longer in a hurry to bury our dead. Whenever we are going to bury them, we will let you people know.

The Fulani herdsmen are killing us but they are the ones crying. What kind of pretence is that? I still appeal to the security personnel not to relent, but to step up vigilance and surveillance to stop this pogrom and unwarranted carnage," Abdu said.

The spokesperson for Bokkos local government area, Jerry Datim, confirmed the attack in Ganda village.

Datim said over 50 houses were razed while six people were killed and many others injured.

He called for assistance from the federal and state governments to provide adequate protection for residents of the communities.

Also confirming the killings, the spokesperson for the Plateau state police command, Matthias Tyopev, gave the names of the victims of the clash.

READ ALSO: APC government didn't do enough to protect abducted Dapchi schoolgirls - Atiku

Although some name were different from those listed by Zongo Matthias said: Yesterday (Thursday), March 8, 2018, at about 8 pm, some unknown gunmen attacked and killed four Irigwe people at Datanko village and one Fulani Christian at Nzharuvo village in Miango District. The deceased persons were identified as Emmanuel Joseph (male, 16 years), Christopher Joseph (male, 16 years), Peace Joseph (male, six years), Henry Audu (male, 25 years) and Samuel Isah (male, 48 years).

Meanwhile, Samuel Isah has been buried, while four other corpses have been deposited at the Jos University Teaching Hospitals mortuary. Chenka Amos, four, is still lying unconscious at Enos Private Hospital, Miango. The investigation is in progress; intensive patrol is being sustained," he added.

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NAIJ.com earlier reported that President Buhari while visiting Jos on Thursday, March 8, said the cycle of violence across the country must come to an end.

The president urged all traditional leaders in the state to take charge of peace keeping and building programmes in Plateau state.

He said the federal government is committed to supporting and assisting the peace building agency in its effort to arrest the vicious cycle of violence and lay the foundation for sustainable peace in our country.

Who is Nigeria's greatest president ever? on NAIJ.com TV

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Loading...Home | News | General | APC government didn't do enough to protect abducted Dapchi schoolgirls - Atiku

- Former vice president Atiku accused APC government of failing to use 150,000 policemen guarding VIPs to protect the abducted schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe state

- Atiku who said the government did not do enough to protect the schoolgirls described the failure as carelessness

- He urged the authority to take firm action to ensure that it would never reoccur in the country

Former vice president Atiku Abubakar has spoken on 110 girls from Government Girls Science Technical College (GGSTC) Dapchi, Yobe state by kidnapped Boko Haram insurgents on February 19, describing the failure as carelessness.

Atiku declared that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) did not do enough to protect them.

Atiku, who responded to questions from This Day via email, expressed disappointment that the government failed to use the 150,000 policemen attached to VIPs to protect vulnerable schoolchildren in the northeast.

READ ALSO: Some of us that returned have gone back again - Libya returnees cry out

According to him, ''Let me paraphrase Oscar Wilde and say that to lose one set of girls to Boko Haram may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose another set, looks like carelessness.

''As an opposition party, the APC was vocal to the point of exploiting the issue of the Chibok girls kidnapping. They did not cut the Jonathan administration any slack.

''They criticised that government every step of the way and some may even claim that they undermined the then governments efforts at resolving that unfortunate incident.

''So, it is rather surprising that a set of people who were so unsparing in their critique of the previous government would be in a situation whereby they have allowed these same terrorists to kidnap 110 girls.

''What would I have done differently? Recently, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Chief Mike Okiro, revealed that 150,000 policemen were guarding various elites and those we know as big men.

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''If I had my way, I would have recalled all of those 150,000 policemen who are not performing core police duties and send them to provide security for every school in the North-East region. That to me would be a better use of their time and services.

''We already know that Boko Haram has an agenda to cripple Western education in Nigeria. So, how could we have left those schools unguarded? Why should the police be guarding VIPs who can afford personal guards and leave vulnerable girls unguarded?

''We are spending billions trying to encourage girls to go to school only to allow them be abducted by terrorists. I condemn these abductions and I urge the federal government to take firm action to ensure that it would never reoccur in Nigeria.''

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had reported that a member of the federal House of Representatives representing Remo federal constituency under the PDP, Oladipupo Adebutu blamed the weakness in President Buhari's administration for the abduction of 110 girls from Dapchi, Yobe state by the insurgents.

Adebutu said the president must resign if his government fails to rescue the abducted girls as soon as possible.

He made this statement during an interview with journalists after the inauguration of PDP secretariat in Odogbolu local government area.

Nigerians react as Boko Haram terrorists kidnap over 100 girls in Dapchi, Yobe | Street Gist on NAIJ.com TV:

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Loading...Home | News | General | Niger state governor allegedly stoned by angry youths

- Youths Niger state allegedly attacked the governor

- The angry mob stoned the governor's convoy during his visit to Bida LGA

The convoy of Niger state governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, was on Thursday, March8, 2018, attacked by angry youths from Bida local government area of the state and the governor and his entourage stoned by the mob.

The mob attacked the governor over alleged non-performance and constant travels outside the country on the claim of inviting foreign investors to in the state, Tribune reports.

READ ALSO: Some Libya returnees have reportedly gone back

The youths pelted the governor's convoy with stones while shouting "ba mu so" loosely translated to "we don't want again", Abu Lolo, So Daya,  meaning, Governor Sani Bello, One Chance or One Term for Lolo", Tribune reports.

The governor was on a visit to the late Etsu Musa s market, scene of last week Thursdays fire incident in Bida, the ancient Nupe Kingdom for a condolence visit and for an on-the-spot assessment of the damage caused by the fire incident when the youths attacked his convoy.

It took the effort of the mobile policemen to escort the governor away from the angry mob.

Recall that this was not the first time the governor's convoy would be attacked a mob.

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NAIJ.com earlier reported that Governor Bello's convoy was attacked by youths on February 29, 2016.

The youths had spotted the governors convoy in the ever-busy Bosso road near the Obasanjo Shopping Centre and rushed to his vehicle making uncomplimentary remarks about Bellos administration.

Should President Buhari seek reelection in 2019? - on NAIJ.com TV

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Loading...Home | News | General | Why Buhari is paying condolence visits to violence affected states - PDP reveals

The opposition PDP said President Buhari's visit to violence affected states in Nigeria is not genuine

- The party said president has turned his belated tour of violence affected states to campaign rallies

- PDP who noted that through its national publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan also said Nigerians are aware that the APC has failed

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday, March 9, disclosed the reasons why President Muhammadu Buhari has been visiting the violence affected states in Nigeria.

The party through its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan said President Buhari is unconcerned about the real victims of violence in the affected states but rather to campaign rallies.

Ologbondiyan said it was observed earlier that the president was not ready to empathise with the people over the persistent loss of lives and it cried out.

READ ALSO: EFCC docks 3 INEC officials over N163.9 million election bribe

According to him, ''We have said it before that the visits were afterthoughts. We have since discovered that the visits were aimed at wooing voters for 2019 and nothing more. The President does not empathise with the real victims of the violence.

''The afterthoughts visits of president are only geared towards mobilising votes from the affected states. But Nigerians are aware the APC has failed.

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''It is sad that the president will be going round commissioning projects when he was supposedly on condolence visits.

''What is the link between cutting tapes and visiting the graveyard? Is there any link between commissioning of projects and the graveyard? We have all seen that the whistle stop trips embarked upon by President Buhari is meant to woo voters ahead of 2019.''

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had reported that the government of Plateau state declared Thursday, March 8, a public holiday to enable residents welcome President Buhari on a one-day working visit to the state.

Izam Azi, head of service, announced this on Tuesday, March 6, in Jos, after an emergency State Executive Council meeting. The holiday will afford civil servants and other citizens the opportunity to give the president a rousing welcome, Azi said.

Yakubu Dati, commissioner for information and communication, has said that there would be restriction of movement during the visit, especially around areas the president would inaugurate projects.

President Buhari commissions first Nigerian drone - on NAIJ.com TV:

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Loading...Home | News | General | No governor can hijack PDPs structures, says Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has stated that no single governor can hijack the structures of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying those making insinuations to that effect are economical with the truth.

Gov Wike

Speaking during a special appearance on Channels Television Sunrise Daily at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Friday, Governor Wike said all governors are equal and work in unity for the stability of the PDP.

Governor Wike stated that no governor can control party affairs in another state, which is not within his jurisdiction.

He said: All governors are equal in the party. There is no single Governor that can finance a political party as big as the PDP.

Speaking on comments credited to Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor Wike said the former leader has left the PDP and destroyed his membership card. He wondered why the Former President is so interested in developments within the PDP.

The governor noted that the stability of the political party is not attained by financial muscle, but by the cooperation of all members.

Speaking further, the governor said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the present circumstances lack the capacity to conduct credible elections.

He said beyond mere rhetoric, INEC should take concrete steps to convince Nigerians that they will improve on the conduct of elections.

Governor Wike said that the first step that INEC should take is to transparently investigate the printing of Fake INEC result sheets by Rivers APC chieftains.

The governor added that INEC should further explain how the Police got original result sheets with same serial number of the Rivers East Senatorial District election, where INEC declared Senator George Sekibo winner, only for the police to tender a different result, relied upon by the court to declare APC winner in that election.

Commenting on the re-ordering of election sequence by the National Assembly, Governor Wike said that he believes it is not targeted at the President as some APC leaders have argued.

On projects delivery in Rivers State, Governor Wike maintained that he has instituted a system to do away with the era of abandoned projects which he inherited from his predecessor.

He added that the State Government has reached out to all the 23 Local Government Areas with meaningful projects and in other cases, he has completed projects abandoned by the Amaechi administration.

I am guided to execute projects that will be completed in four years. I will not start any project that will be abandoned, he said.

He stated that his administration is actively promoting women participation in government and also empowering women. The governor noted that N500million has been set aside as an empowerment scheme for Rivers women.

He reiterated that he has not been reached through official channels on the visit of the President. He noted that the communication line between the Presidency and the Rivers State Government is not through a press statement issued by Femi Adesina.

If you are sayimg that the President is coming to commiserate with the families of the people who died on 1st January, 2018, I have no problems with that. Since 1st January, 2018, nobody has called to commiserate with the Rivers State Government. When the January 1 attack happened, APC leaders politicised the attack , he said.

The governor noted that for close to three years, Rivers State has not benefitted from the APC Federal Government. He informed that the Ogoni clean up has remained in the realm of rhetoric, while the Bodo-Bonny Road is about to be abandoned. He stressed that the East West road, the Port Harcourt International Airport and other Federal Projects have been left unattended to, pointing out that in the coming days, political flag off and promises will be heightened around the neglected projects to hoodwink Nigerians.

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Loading...Home | News | General | Kano Deputy Gov monitors ongoing JAMB

By AbdulSalam Muhammad

KANO  Kano State Deputy Governor Professor Hafiz Abubakar has paid an inspection visit to monitor the conduct of the ongoing Joint Admission and Matriculation Examination across the State.

Kano State Deputy Governor Professor Hafiz Abubakar monitoring the conduct of the ongoing Joint Admission and Matriculation Examination across the State.

Some of the Centres inspected by the Deputy Governor include E-learning Center and Julious Berger Centre in Bayero University, Rain Bow Detail Technology Centre at Mandawari and FCE Kabuga Centre at Federal College of Education, Kano.

Professor Hafiz, who is also the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology said despite the minor hitches being experienced at some of the Examination Centres, the exercise is recording successes.

 From all the arrangements at some JAMB Centres and the provision of facilities on the ground, We hope that at the end of the day, these Candidates would by the grace of God pass their Examination he said.

He advised the JAMB Officials to redouble their effort in doing all what is needed to ensure the smooth conduct of the Examination.

Receiving the Deputy Governor, the JAMB Coordinator of E-learning Centre at Bayero University Umar Sani Hanga said there are about 150 Candidates currently sitting for the Examination at the Centre, adding that to this end, the Centre did not record any problem.

At RainBow Detail Technology JAMB Center, the Proctor Dr. Aminu Sabo infomed the Deputy Governor that the Centre has registered over 250 Candidates who are currently sitting for the Examination.

Also briefing the Deputy Governor at FCE Kabuga Centre, the Proctor Dr. Kassim Mohammed explained that even though the Center has the highest number of Candidates sitting for the Examination, all Candidates got enough sitting space and were expected to finish their Exams sessions within the designed schedule.

During the inspection visit, the Deputy Governor was accompanied by the Special adviser to the Executive Governor on Education Dr. Bakari Ado Hussain and the Senior Special Assistant on Administrative Matters office of the Deputy Governor Hon. Habibu Abubakar.

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Loading...Home | News | General | Amazing 3 Fruits that Forces Men To Have Stronger Erections, Gives Men Sexual Stamina in the Bedroom and They Are Powerless to Stop it!

Who Else Wants To Discover 3 Amazing Miracle Fruits That Permanently Cures Weak Erections, Premature Ejaculation

And Low Libido?

If you are looking for a natural method that helps men to get stronger erections, satisfy any woman and last 25minutes plus in the bedroom, then heres good news for you

I have discovered 3 amazing fruits that any man can use to improve his sexual performance and stamina without spending on drugs.

But there are lots of fruits, so how did I discover these 3 fruits that are almost like natural Viagra?

Let me tell you my little story about how I came to know about these miracle fruits:

About 6 months ago, I attended the wedding ceremony of a relative. I had to travel all the way from the city to our town.

Few days before the wedding, the groom to be and I were discussing with my uncle, and heres what he said to us

I know you people live in the cities but I need to advise you 2 things that would save your marriage.

One of them is not to take your bedroom work as a man for granted. Aside from giving birth to children, you need to be able to satisfy your woman sexually.

I quickly asked him how can we possibly do that?

He said, there are natural herbs, fruits and vegetables that when eaten helps cleanse your body of toxins, and gives you a stronger heart and liver.

They also enhance blood flow to give you stronger erections and manpower.

My uncle was saying the truth.

Have you ever thought about this?

During the olden days, our fathers never had access to any blue pill known as Viagra for getting erections.

Instead they only relied on 1) Jedi herbs to clear their body system,

2) daily exercise like walking and farming

and 3) eating healthy foods like vegetables and fruits.

Talking about fruits that naturally helps enhance sexual performance and gives you stronger erections.

There are 3 of them which so many Nigerian men overlook but they are sold everywhere

Plantain Bananas Avocado Other watery fruits like watermelon, oranges etc.

Make no mistake about it. Eating these fruits alone will help you renew your sexual energy and manly power.

But aside that, once you combine eating fruits and vegetables with natural medicines that revive your sexual stamina, it makes you a stronger man in the bedroom.

Before you rush and start buying concoctions or drugs, which are usually sold as medicines to cure jedi-jedi, the truth is that

Most of them are plain rubbish

and do not work!

That is why one of the good herbal substances I recommend for men have been proven to help burn poison that kill your manpower out of your body.

Over 642 Nigerian men attest to the fact that it cures, and treats the root cause of premature ejaculation and weak erection.

And the good thing is that this herbal medicine is certified and approved by NAFDAC, made from herbal ingredients and do not have side effects.

Introducing

Duraman Herbal Capsules



APPROVED BY NAFDAC

(NAFDAC REG. NO. A7-1514L)

Duraman herbal capsules is one of the herbal supplements (NAFDAC Approved) that helps men get firmer erections and maintaining the sexual energy to perform.

And once you start using it, your lovemaking sessions with your woman, becomes more intense, lasting and fulfilling.

A quick list of Duraman herbal capsules benefits includes:

Increases your bodys testosterone production

Improves firmness and sensitivity of erections

Enhances energy, endurance, and stamina in sex and other physical activities

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Cures waist pain, helps in getting healthier skin and muscle tone

Strengthens immune system

OKyouve heard all this before.

But what separates Duraman Herbal Capsules from other performance enhancers like the other ones youve come across online is

its ability to achieve the desired results without adverse side effects such as jittery nerves, heart palpitations, upset stomach, diarrhea and dizziness.

Bottomline is, Duraman herbal capsules is effective, safe and gentle.

Duraman contains 30 capsules, to be taken 1capsule morning and 1 capsule night for complete cure quick ejaculation, weak erection and low libido (or sexual urge).

Just one container is enough to treat the root cause of premature ejaculation and weak erection, and get rid of it permanently

Suffering from watery sperm? Use Duraman herbal capsules with natural honey and within few days, start to notice how thick your sperm becomes.



Duraman herbal capsules works irrespective of your age even baba of 65years old will get stronger erections and enough sexual stamina after using it.



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And the good thing is, with DURAMAN HERBAL CAPSULES you will begin to results almost IMMEDIATELY.

Fast forward to today, my wife and I are enjoying sex like young couples again.

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Instead, she wants more sex and I last up to 25minutes plus without any fear or anxiety of releasing too fast.

And once you can satisfy your woman in bed, she gives you that respect, and does not take you for granted

because she knows that it is RARE to find real men that can perform their duties in bed.



And If You Suffer from Having a Small Manhood Size

and You Want a Natural Method to Increase Your Manhood

Length and Girth, Then Heres Good News for You

My wife used to complain bitterly about my small manhood size and how it makes sex boring for us.

She even makes fun of me and calls me nicknames like small prick, oga toothpick and things like that just because I was small in my boxers.

It was like an embarrassment to me because it really affected my sexual confidence and self esteem a lot.

So, I discussed with my Doctor friend based in London, UK about my condition.

He recommended a solution imported from Japan that helps men increase their manhood size without any side effects.

At first, I was skeptical but decided

to give it a try.

He gave me TITAN GEL, a natural manhood enhancement gel imported from Japan that increases manhood size within 2 to 4 weeks of using it.



Titan gel Changed My Sex Life Completely

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Just so you know, this is NOT one of those fake get 8inches by 1 week products advertised everywhere on the internet by bunch of crooks who just wants to rip you of your money.

The truth is, this thing actually works and the results are gradually!

But let me even tell you something that happened after using the TITAN GEL:

You see, once I started using it, one day while at the swimming pool just relaxing with my very close friend All of a sudden he noticed how big my manhood was becoming.

Go Here Now To Get The TITAN GEL That Over 1,300 Nigerian Men Have Used To Secretly Increase Their Manhood Size And Satisfy Their Woman In Bed

Before he was among those friends of mine that usually tease me and make silly comments about how I have a small tiny prick

But now, once he saw how huge my manhood has become he secretly started to beg me to show him what I used to make my John Thomas bigger.

At first, I didnt want to tell him, just to make sure I punish him for those times that he made fun of me.

But then, when I thought about how I suffered in shame because of my very small dick size and lots of fake stuff that I have tried, I decided to reveal the secret to him.

Once he started using the TITAN GEL as well, he was surprised at the results he got within 2 weeks of using it, his manhood has added extra 1.5inches.

At this point, let me show you the TITAN GEL that helped me increase my manhood size to 5.5inches and save my marriage from crashing!

Efficacy: Very effective to promote blood circulation, increased thickening of the penis , improve sex , increase libido and enhance sexual performance of men to meet womens desire.

Usage: clean the penis and the testicles , then with your hand holding the penis up and down, massage for 5 to 7 minutes , until the gel is completely absorbed by the penis can, use 1-2 times a day.

What the enlargement gel does is to increase manhood size (both length and girth) and also improve the strength of your penis without any side effects.

All I had to do was to follow the instructions on the TITAN GEL, and do the penile massages using the enlargement gel.

Truth is, after a few weeks of using the titan gel

One day my wife put her hand to touch my manhood, and discovered it has now become bigger and fatter.

To make sure it was real, we had to take a measuring tape to measure the penis and it has increased from 3.5inches to 5.5inches.

The good thing about TITAN GEL is that the INCREMENT you get from using it are permanent.

No shrinking of penis after you stop using it.

You see, once you have a bigger manhood that can satisfy a woman in bed, she treats you like a mini-sex god.

She prepares tasty meals for you, and cannot quarrel or nag simply because she wants that deep satisfying sex from you.

To top it all, she will want more sex from you.

Even when she had a hard, stressful day at work, at night she will never deny you of sex.

Bottomline is, these 2 products helped me overcome my problem of weak erection, premature ejaculation, and small manhood size that I have been struggling with for so many years.

But dont take my word for it, below are testimonials from customers who were once like you but have now cured their PE and small penis size problem

My wife ordered the Duraman herbal capsules, titan gel and nadi capsules from your store. and she insisted I give it a try. I am now 53 and I have tried all kinds of medications just to help me get good erections and stay longer. At the end of the first week of using the Duraman and nadi capsules, I started to notice that my erections were more frequent and i dont release too fast during sex with my wife. I dont know how it works, but to me, it is God sent. thanks for this wonderful products Abdul M.  Chikun lga, kaduna

Another testimonial

AMAZING could be the best word I can use to descrbe my situation. I have had high blood pressure for more than 10 years and even had quick ejaculation. About two months ago, I placed order for the complete kit of Duraman, titan gel and nadi capsules. I started taking it regularly, as prescribed. Within few weeks, I noticed that I now last up to 15minutes and still have much sexual energy to go another round. During my semi-annual checkup, my primary physician was stunned to see that my blood pressure to be 120/81. I cant think of anything else but that your products is really helping me improve my sexual performance and regulating my blood pressure. Thanks for the service Mr. Adepoju A.  Dutse Alhaji, abuja



More feedback from satisfied customers

My small sexual organ affected my marriage badly because my wife used to complain that whenever I entered her, she does not feel anything. I was really bothered until I came accross your Duraman herbal capsule and enlargement gel for men. I started using it and within 2 weeks I measured my manhood and saw the increase of about 0.9inches.. after a month, it now bigger and have added 1.8inches. Now my wife loves to give me blowjob, plays with my manhood and sex is hotter and fun with my bigger manhood. Thanks to your Duraman, titan gel and nadi capsules that saved my marriage and restored my sexual confidence. Definitely recommending your products.

Barrister Olatunji, Port Harcourt



Another testimonial.

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Here is a breakdown of the price

Duraman Herbal Capsule + Nadi capsules  N15,000

TITAN GEL  N13,000

But if you are ordering for both, instead of paying the normal price, you will get a discount of N6,000

BOTH (DURAMAN HERBAL CAPSULE, TITAN GEL + Nadi capsules)  N22,000

(That is you will get a discount of N6,000 instead of paying N28,000  So, you will pay N22,000 only for BOTH)

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You will pay for the products only when it has been brought down

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Pay on Delivery Option Available to All States in Nigeria

Heres How to Order for Your own Duraman Herbal Capsule & TITAN GEL at a Discount Price today

Depending on the product that you are ordering for

*If you are ordering for only Duraman Herbal Capsule indicate the code DURAMAN HERBAL CAPSULE in your text message

*If you are ordering for only TITAN GEL indicate it TITAN GEL in your text message

*If you want to order for the 2 products together text Duraman Herbal Capsule AND TITAN GEL

DURAMAN HERBAL CAPSULE  N15,000

TITAN GEL ONLY  N13,000

DURAMAN HERBAL CAPSULE AND TITAN GEL  N22,000

Heres what to send to us

Text the CODE with the following information below

1. Your Full Name

2. Your Phone Number

3. Delivery Address

Send This Information as a text message to 08179478879

Please Note: Your address Must Include Local Government and State. Detailed Enough to make it traceable by our courier company that will come around to deliver to you.

You will get a SMS and Call from us within 24 hours to confirm your Order Before we Parcel It Across to You.

DELIVERY TIME

Once we received your order, and your details are correct, you will receive an sms or call confirmation from us. Your products will then be sent to our courier service partner and the items should get to you within 2-5 Days.

Note: The product will be packaged discreetly and no one else will know whats inside, and every other information will be kept private and 100% confidential.

Option 2

If you live in Lagos, or nearby, you can also walk into our marketing department office to pick up the products.

You will meet our team ready to give you these products at same price

That is you Pay at our office, and get it instantly

Vantagesoft Marketing Enterprises

Suite 3B, First Floor, Shopping plaza beside NNPC Filling station,

Ilo awela road, opposite Toll Gate Bus stop, ota

off Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway

(Monday  Saturday 9am  5pm)

Customer support line: 08179478879

That is all you have to do to place order and get your own bottles of the Titan gel and Duraman Herbal Capsule

Remember, if you procrastinate on this, two things are bound to happen:

Either the prices for the product goes up pretty soon and you pay the normal price which is times 2 or,

Your sexual performance continues to worsen because you refuse to use something that actually helps transform your life

Dont procrastinate, go ahead and get access to the 2 products and start using them to become a better lover in the bedroom.

Heres How to Order for Your own Duraman Herbal Capsule & TITAN GEL at a Discount Price today

Depending on the product that you are ordering for

*If you are ordering for only Duraman Herbal Capsule indicate the code DURAMAN HERBAL CAPSULE in your text message

*If you are ordering for only TITAN GEL indicate it TITAN GEL in your text message

*If you want to order for the 2 products together text Duraman Herbal Capsule AND TITAN GEL

DURAMAN HERBAL CAPSULE  N15,000

TITAN GEL ONLY  N13,000

DURAMAN HERBAL CAPSULE AND TITAN GEL  N22,000

Heres what to send to us

Text the CODE with the following information below

1. Your Full Name

2. Your Phone Number

3. Delivery Address

Send This Information as a text message to 08179478879

Please Note: Your address Must Include Local Government and State. Detailed Enough to make it traceable by our courier company that will come around to deliver to you.

You will get a SMS and Call from us within 24 hours to confirm your Order Before we Parcel It Across to You.

DELIVERY TIME

Once we received your order, and your details are correct, you will receive an sms or call confirmation from us. Your products will then be sent to our courier service partner and the items should get to you within 2-5 Days.

Note: The product will be packaged discreetly and no one else will know whats inside, and every other information will be kept private and 100% confidential.

Heres full details of how to order now and Get the Duraman Herbal Capsule & TITAN GEL within a few days at your doorstep

Right now, all you need to do is get access to the 2 products; and start using it to get a much bigger manhood and cure your premature ejaculation within the shortest time you ever thought possible.

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Over 2,300 Nigerian men have used these 2 products to improve their sexual performance and they have wonderful testimonies to give about it.

Solomon  08179478879

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General

Loading...Home | News | General | Unilag Alumni to raise N408.5m scholarships for indigent, first class students

By Ishola Balogun

Unilag Alumni Association, Lagos State branch has projected a total of N408.5million in scholarships to outstanding indigent students and First Class students in 4th-6th year courses in the ivory tower.

Unilag

While N348million will go to 500 indigent students, N60.5million will be given in scholarships to 100 students with 4.5 and above GPA.

The association also listed some prominent Nigerians including Minister of Communication, Barrister Adebayo Shittu for awards.

The chairman of the association, Dr Lukman Adeoti, stated this during a press briefing heralding the AGM/Annual alumni week of the association held at the Afe Babalola auditorium, University of Lagos, Akoka, recently.

Dr Adeoti while rolling out the achievements of the association, stated that the group has secured 10 hectares of land at Owode, Obafemi, Ogun State and will continue to support students at various levels in order to achieve academic excellence.

He thanked governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his support while also calling on well meaning Nigerians to identify with its programmes tagged Support Our University Projects, SOUP such as Indigent Students and scholarship awards; Academic Excellence and Professional project where the association organises seminars to help under-achievers students in Third Class and probation as well as Skill Acquisition Training/Entrepreneurial development programme.

As part of the week-long activities, Special Jumaat Prayers will be held at the university Central Mosque today while special Thanksgiving has been slated for Sunday at the UNILAG Chapel.

The event will climax on Sunday with the AGM, election of new officers and Award night.

-Prominent among the awardees are Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, FAS, Vice Chancellor of the institution who will be honoured with Distinguished University Administrator Award; Chief Henry Oladele Ajomale, Chairman, All Progressive Congress, APC, Lagos, will be receiving Distinguished Democratic Leadership Award; Babatunde Fowler, Chairman Tax Board will be given Tax Legend Award; Minister of Communication, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, for Innovation in Information and Communication Skill Award; the chairman Police Service Commission, Dr. Mike Okiro among many other distinguished Nigerians.

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Loading...Home | News | General | Ogbemudias lessons for Obasanjo

By Emmanuel Aziken

Recent missives from Generals Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida on the pathetic state of the nation reflect the patriotism that men and women of the Nigerian military were trained to pursue. Having fought for the unity of the nation, their observance of the sorry state of the country and the drift towards ethnic insurrection is understandable.

Olusegun Obasanjo

The intervention to change the narrative has apparently not been welcomed by the authorities. It is noteworthy that Obasanjos 81st birthday passed on last Tuesday without the customary greeting from the presidency.

As the former president intervenes through his Third Force, he could well look on the experience of a former military colleague, the late Brig. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia who died a year ago, yesterday.

Indeed, Ogbemudias radiant legacy in governance continues to shine despite many political disappointments.

Gen. Ogbemudias laurels in governance in the former Midwestern Region despite the claims of several successors in the two states remain unrivalled. No one, military or civilian has as at date neared Ogbemudia in terms of accomplishments. His achievements in office were underpinned by a philosophical sense of equanimity that defied all manner of intrigues and perfidies laid against him.

He was also a man of great fortitude who could smile at whatever storm that was organised against him. And there were several.

An accomplished graduate of the best and biggest military academies in the world, including Fort Bragg, California, USA and the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, England, he brought his training in public administration from his foreign military trainings to bear in governance. It has been said that civil servants who served him as military governor were shocked at the ease with which he escaped the traps many otherwise simple-minded political office holders fell into.

The events that followed his sack from office as military governor in 1975 perhaps left a scar on him.

In fact, it took a personal but private visit by President Shehu Shagari to his Benin residence in 1981 to compel him into the politics of the Second Republic. Shagari needed Ogbemudia as the National Party of Nigeria, NPN candidate to help him win Bendel State. Ogbemudia, however, insisted that if he must contest that his own man must be the party chairman and thus, he brought along, Chief Tony Anenih, who had served as Divisional Police Officer, DPO in Warri while he, Ogbemudia was military governor.

Though he won the 1983 election, his term was cut short by the Muhammadu Buhari coup which truncated the Second Republic. It was, however, an energetic three months.

As he aged gracefully, it was the pleasure of your correspondent to have developed a relationship with him. It was not always clear, as to why Ogbemudia made what some considered improbable political decisions especially towards the end.

His last political venture was to break the hegemony of the two major political parties in Edo State, the APC and the PDP through a third force, styled as the Edo Mass Movement, EMM. Initially, the movement garnered momentum as many political heavyweights who appeared to have either lost out or been disappointed with the goings on in the two major parties initially showed interest. But in the end, real politics of brawn and butter took sway over the election process.

Though Ogbemudia was not such to have been swayed by those permutations, he, to the amazement of many members of his Third Force stepped back at the last minute and gave in to the prevailing political force of the APC. Why did he do it? Your correspondent looked forward to drawing a response from him, but there was no opportunity before his death exactly a year ago yesterday.

In the face of the overwhelming powers of the incumbent administration at the federal level, General Obasanjo is like Ogbemudia faced with the challenge of marshaling a Third Force to break the hegemony of the two tainted tendencies in the landthe PDP and the APC. Like Ogbemudia, Obasanjo is open to the vagaries of an unprincipled political class that could soil his deserved reputation in statecraft.

Ogbemudias experience is a lesson for Obasanjo to look up to; albeit to sidestep what many on this side of eternity see as the faults of a great man!

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Loading...Home | News | General | Day I filled my Car with Water instead off Fuel  Prisons CG

By Omeiza Ajayi

It was a case of the rich also cry Thursday in Abuja when the Controller General of the Nigerian Prisons Service, Ahmed Jaafaru, recounted how some time ago, he was stranded along the Kaduna-Abuja road as a result of bad fuel which he bought from a fuel service station in Abuja, the nations capital.

The CG spoke when he presented empowerment tools to 45 ex-convicts and also commissioned the renovated Henry Akingba Medical Centre at the Prisons Headquarters in Abuja.

Ahmed Jaafaru

At the event which was the last lap of the Offenders Reform Programme of the Service, one of the beneficiaries (names withheld), a fuel tanker driver, said he was sent to prison after he was nabbed for mixing several litres of water with the fuel in his tank.

I remember the day I was stranded at Jere, the Prisons boss began.

We bought fuel and half of it was water. I had to sleep in Kaduna. Some tanker drivers will take tankers and stop by the bush and then take three drums of fuel from inside the tank. They will now refill the tank by pouring three drums of water into the tank to mix with the fuel.

I believe they were later arrested because I called my friend who was the owner of the filing station and through out that night, he had to switch on all the pumps to dispense the several thousands of litres of water that had been discharged to him as fuel.

Presenting the aftercare materials to the ex-offenders, the CG urged the beneficiaries to justify governments heavy investment in providing these tools by working hard and being worthy ambassadors of the Nigerian Prisons Service.

According to him, the idea of imprisonment for punishment alone has become primitive and outdated. It is our sincere conviction that incarceration is not the end of life for anybody, as every jail term if desired, can be used to transform the life of an individual and return him back to the society as a better, productive and responsible citizen.

Earlier, Deputy Controller General, Health and Social Welfare, Mrs Husseina Kori said the aftercare of the prisons service is a post-discharge programme aimed at equipping discharged inmates with start-up materials to hit the ground running in the various skills they have acquired while in incarceration. The scheme also monitors the performance of these persons so as to actualize our mandate of reformation, rehabilitation and re-integration of inmates back into the society.

While handing over the medical centre to the service, Managing Director of AIICO MultiShield Limited, the services Health Management Organization, Dr Leke Oshunniyi said the decision to embark on a Corporate Social Responsibility Project for the benefit of the NPS was made sometime in the year 2016. I am delighted that what was once a vision is now a reality. We hope that this event will mark the beginning of an even closer relationship between us.

Let me seize this opportunity to thank on behalf of all Nigerians, the Controller General, officers and men of the Nigerian Prisons Service for their quiet but indispensable role in the security of our great nation. Only few people outside of the Service know that there are over 200 prisons in Nigeria. This is an indication of the quiet efficiency and effectiveness of the NPS in subserving its role, said Dr. Oshunniyi.

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Loading...Home | News | General | Tejuoso Market: Take possession of your shops or risk forfeiture, Govt tells allottees

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Says: We ll not tolerate street trading

Lagos State Government has urged shop owners at Tejuoso Market to take possession of their allotted shops or risk forfeiture to state government. According to the State Government, the unlawful act of trading on road medians and walkways at the market was responsible for traffic gridlock and accidents as well as abuse of children under school age.

The states Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim Folami stated this during sensitization tour against streets trading, low occupancy of shops and Cleaner Lagos Initiative, CLI, held at Tejuosho Market, Surulere Local Government.

Folami said government would not condone traders disobedience to the law banning street trading in the state.

According to him, Street trading does not align with the vision and mission of the State Government for transiting from a Mega City to a Smart City. The norm should be reversed in order to pave way for more even developmental strides by the government.

We will not tolerate street trading, our roads and streets are not meant for trading. Any of the traders selling on the major roads neglecting the modern-day markets built by government is violating the State government laws, such traders are at risk.

It is erroneous believe that selling on the streets is the best way to get patronage. We should be aware of the dangers associated with this practice especially to our sons and daughters; it is not safe for them, they can be abused Folami stressed.

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Loading...Home | News | General | LASU-ISEHRI ROAD: Family laments attempt to revoke ownership of 52.15 acres of land

By Ifeanyi Okolie

Members of Beku-Onimaba Ruling Family of Igando, Lagos State, have lamented that the Lagos State Government, is making attempts to revoke its right of ownership of 52.15 acres of land situated along the Lasu-Isheri Expressway, which was recently given back to them, by the Federal High Court, Ikoyi.

Vanguard gathered that the government, had through a letter, which was allegedly signed by the state governor, Akinwumi Ambode, threatened to revoke the familys right of ownership of the said land.

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode

The letter which emanated from the Lands Bureau Office of the Governor, stated partly thus: I Akinwumi Ambode, the Governor of Lagos State hereby gives this notice to the holder revoking the existing right of occupancy in respect of the parcel of land with effect from the date of service of the notice.

But, members of the Beku-Onimaba Ruling family told Vanguard in an interview that they were surprised to receive the revocation letter.

They told Vanguard that they took the Lagos and Federal Government to court in year 2012, when they discovered that the said parcel of land which they originally ceded to the Federal Government for the purpose of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, in 1983, was being used for commercial purposes and some of them allotted to politicians and traditional rulers within Igando, Lagos State.

The head of the family, Ganiyu Ige, told Vanguard that his family secured a judgment over the said parcel of land in March 13, 2017, from the Federal High Court, Ikoyi.

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Loading...Home | News | General | Ahead of 2019, INEC reveals when Aba residents can collect their PVCs

- The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured that resident of Abia state will collect their Permanent Voter Cards in May

- The electoral body said the PVCs for those who registered before December 31, 2017 had been produced for most states in the federation

- INEC appealed to public to exercise patience with INEC over the distribution of the PVCs

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday, March 9, said it would begin the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) across the country in May.

Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Abia, Dr Joseph Iloh, said this at the 5th triennial delegates congress of Abia council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Umuahia on Friday, March 9.

Delivering a lecture on Voter Registration: Foundation for Credible Election and Good Governance, Iloh said that PVCs for those who registered before December 31, 2017 had been produced for most states in the federation.

He, however, said that distribution of the cards would commence when production of the cards for the remaining states had been completed.

READ ALSO: Islamist group are willing to surrender - Mama Boko Haram

The REC explained that the delay in the production and distribution of the cards was occasioned by the fact that the job was being handled by one team.

He said that the decision to entrust the job to one team was to avoid a mismanagement of the process by multiple hands.

He appealed to the media and the public to exercise patience with INEC over the distribution of the PVCs.

Iloh said that the commission was doing its best to ensure that the 2019 general elections were not only free, fair and credible but that the people were happy at the end of the exercise.

He said that voter registration was a continuous exercise but would be suspended 30 days to the commencement of the general elections.

READ ALSO: Only PDP states are working in Nigeria - Fayose boasts as he commissions roads in Rivers

He expressed delight that the commission had deployed super-fast machines that had the capacity to register at least 500 persons per day in Abia.

The REC said that the measure had resulted in substantial increase in the number of registrants in the state.

He decried the lukewarm attitude of some citizens toward the discharge of their civic responsibilities by refusing to be captured in the voter register for the upcoming polls.

Iloh assured Abia indigenes that the election year would be violent-free, devoid of ballot-box snatching and intimidation of voters by desperate politicians, using thugs.

He said that card readers would be used during the polls, adding that the commission had taken inventory of functional and non-functional ones, while a new set was being expected in the state.

We have also taken note of all the lapses in the last general elections and we are working hard to avoid those lapses in 2019 elections, he said.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the six-member executive committee of NUJ in the state was re-elected for another three-year term.

The team, which was inaugurated by the Vice President of NUJ, South-East Zone C, Mr Chris Isinguzo, is headed by Mr John Emejor of Information Chapel as Chairman.

NAIJ.com earlier reported that INEC had said it discovered many ineligible voters in its Taraba state chapter.

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The electoral body said the ineligible voters were all registered during the ongoing continuous voters registration exercise.

INEC warned that action by the ineligible voters is not contrary to the guidelines for election registration but violates the electoral act.

Source: NAN)

Who is Nigeria's greatest president ever? - on NAIJ.com TV

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Source: Naija.ng

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Loading...Home | News | General | Only PDP states are working in Nigeria - Fayose boasts as he commissions roads in Rivers

- The Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose, has commissioned reconstructed roads in Rivers state

- Fayose commending his Rivers counterpart said commissioning has become an attitude for Nyesom Wike

- He said only Peoples Democratic Party governed state were working in Nigeria

The governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, on Friday, March 9, commissioned the reconstructed High Street and Rehabilitated Prof Okujiagu Street and Danjuma Drive, Off Odili Road, Trans Amadi, Port Harcourt.

While commissioning the roads, Fayose commended the Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike on his effort in making the state a better place for the residents.

He also commended Wike for his excellent performance and the delivery of projects in Rivers state.

READ ALSO: Tears in Plateau as gunmen kill 11, burn 50 houses

Fayose said: Commissioning has become an attitude for Governor Wike. Everyday, there is a new project. I commend him for transforming the state."

Likening Wike to the Biblical Daniel who has remained upright in his dealing, Fayose said only the Peoples Democratic states are working across Nigeria.

Only PDP states are working in the country. We will not allow our voices to be brought down," Fayose said.

Also speaking Wike assured the people of Rivers state that he will remain focused on developing the state.

READ ALSO: Niger state governor allegedly stoned by angry youths

The governor said warned individuals and groups who rely on peddling lies against his government.

Wike said: "The people know the truth and the truth will always prevail.

For instance, we have transformed Borokiri, which was abandoned by the immediate past administration," the governor added.

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NAIJ.com earlier reported that a special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on political matter, Babafemi Ojudu, threatened to probe the government of Fayose.

Ojudu while declaring his ambition to run for governorship in Ekiti state described Fayose's led administration as a useless government.

The presidential aide said it became important for him to run for governorship in the state in order to bring back sense to Ekiti Government House.

Governor Fayose warns Nigerian youths ahead of 2019, tells them what to do - on NAIJ.com TV

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Source: Naija.ng

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Loading...Home | News | General | Outrage in Rivers as minister reveals 804 capacity Port Harcourt prison accommodates over 4000 inmates

- The minister of interior has revealed that Port Harcourt prison built for 904 capacity houses over 4,000 inmates

- Abdulrahman Dambazau said Rivers state has been recommended as one of the states from the six geopolitical zones for the construction of a 3000 capacity prison

- The minister told Governor Nyesom Wike that a federal government's proposed prison project would be carried out on a land that was allocated to the Prisons Service

The minister of interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, has decried the level of congestion in Nigeria prison facilities.

Dambazau said the Port Harcourt prison which was built at 804 inmate capacity currently accommodate 4,204 inmates in the state.

Speaking during a courtesy call on the Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, the minister said the Stakeholders Panel on Prison De-congestion have recommended Rivers as one of the states from the six geopolitical zones for the construction of a 3000 capacity prison.

READ ALSO: Oba of Benin forces native doctors to revoke curses placed on victims of human trafficking (photos)

A statement by the spokesperson of the Rivers state command of the Nigeria Prison Service, Juliet Ofoni, said that Dambazau assured the governor that a federal government's proposed prison project would be carried out on a land that was allocated to the Prisons Service in 1979 in Bori, Rivers state.

Reacting to the minister's remarks, Wike promised that the Rivers state government will provide necessary support and cooperation towards the commencement and completion of the new prison project.

Wike urged the federal government also to complete the ongoing construction of a prison at Omoku to help de-congest other prisons in the state.

READ ALSO: Niger state governor allegedly stoned by angry youths

Also speaking, the controller general of prisons, Ja'afaru Ahmed, informed the Rivers state governor that the contractor handling Omoku Prison had been contacted to hasten the project for early completion.

Others on the minister's entourage are Success Bello, ACG works and Logistics Abuja; Dr JJ Olorunmola, ACG, Zone E'; commissioner of police Ahmed Zaki, controller of prison, Rivers state OT Tinuoye; controller of prisons, Bayelsa state VU Chabua and officer in charge Port Harcourt Maximum Prison, DCP Felix Lawrence.

NAIJ.com earlier reported that the Senator representing Kogi west senatorial district, Dino Melaye had said he was ready to be remanded in prison.

PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app

Melaye made the statement during his arraignment by the federal government for allegedly giving false information to the police on an attempt on his life.

The Senator was slammed a two-count charge by the police for allegedly framing Edward David, the chief of staff too the governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello

Kogi West senatorial district to recall senator Dino Melaye from the Nigerian Senate on NAIJ.com TV

[embedded content]

Source: Naija.ng

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Loading...Home | News | General | Macaulay to politicians: Stop politicising Nigerias security, devt

Calls on FG to take stringent actions against terrorism, insurgency

commends Gov. Okowas effort in curtailing clashes

BY ITEVEH EKPOKPOBE

Perturbed by the apparent depreciation of democracy in Nigeria, Immediate Past Secretary to Delta State Government, Comr. Ovuozourie Macaulay has called for urgent attention and input of national stakeholders to better foster cohesion, security and development.

Macaulay

Macaulay advised politicians and leaders in the country to refrain from politicking at the expense of the security and development of Nigerians.

Reacting in a statement, to a debate by the National Assembly in relation to the falling standard of democracy and the surge of herdsmens insurgency in the country, the veteran labour leader said the countrys nascent democracy was a far cry from the expectations of Nigerians.

He decried and condemned the kidnap of school girls in Dapchi, as well as the recent herdsmen attack in Abraka, Delta State.

According to him, there is no doubt that the nations security is currently bedeviled by challenges in contemporary history as the propensity of expansion of violent criminal tendencies have skyrocketed under the countrys democracy.

Worse is the rapidly menacing violent activities of herdsmen, who maraud the countrys geography, invading peoples farms with their cattle and mercilessly killing men, women and children in their numbers, on any slight challenge by farmers or concerned parties. He added.

Macaulay, also commended Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for his efforts geared towards curtailing further clashes in state even as he called on the Delta State House of Assembly to expedite action on the anti grazing bill on its floor to chart a defined policy framework to curb herdsmen insurgency in the state.

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Loading...Home | News | General | I was raped as a student  and Im not the only one

When Hannah Price was sexually assaulted as a student, she felt unable to report it. She has since discovered she is far from alone  and that sexual assault may be far more common on campus than official figures suggest

I dont remember being taught about consent at school, other than No means no. What I do remember is being told not to walk home on my own, or Id risk being raped by a stranger in a dark alley. But when I was raped it was not in the street, but in my own student house, and I had taken the precaution of being walked home by someone I knew.

Hannah Price

It was the first social event of that academic year at the University of Bristol and it had been a fun night. It was everyones favourite time of term  lectures had not properly begun and deadlines were still far from our minds. I drank, laughed and danced until I was ready for sleep.

As I was leaving the club, a guy also at the social said he lived near me and offered to walk me home. Walking home alone, late at night, in the dark was something I actively tried to avoid, so I gladly accepted his offer. Wed only met a few weeks before, so conversation was light  we chatted about the night and what to expect in the new term.

When we got to the steps that led up to my house, he politely asked if he could pop inside for a glass of water because he was feeling unwell. Maybe this is when I should have heard alarm bells, but even as I was pouring the drink in my kitchen nothing struck me as amiss. Not until after hed finished the water, and the pretence was over.

With his first demand to go to my room, came my first rebuff  my first spoken No.

To this day, it still strikes me how a charming disguise can so quickly disperse, and turn into aggression.

Despite my refusal to go to my bedroom, and my repeated attempts to get him to leave, he was relentless: Why would you let me in if you didnt want something to happen?

The more I said I wasnt interested, the more forceful he became. I lost count of how many times I said No. And then suddenly there was someone physically stronger than me, refusing to leave until he got what he wanted.

His hand grabbed my arm so fiercely that it became instantly clear that his intentions had never been to get me home safely.

It is a strange feeling, being so paralysed by fear in your own living room. In that moment, I realised saying No wasnt going to be enough.

He took off my tights. When he was done he finally left.

The next day I locked myself in my room, only leaving to shower away the reminders of the night before. I lay there overwhelmed with disgust, self-blame and guilt.

I never reported what happened to anyone in authority.

Who would believe me if I did? I had been drinking. I let him into my house. I didnt physically try to fight him off  fear took over. Surely that meant it was my fault?

What happened didnt fit any label that I recognised: he wasnt a stranger, there was no dark alley.

I knew I would have to see him again. I was in a student bubble, studying and socialising with my peers  even at an institution as big as my university was, bumping into someone is inevitable. And because of his charismatic public persona and popularity it seemed easier, and less traumatic, to suppress what had happened, than face up to it.

This was my first time living independently. There was no-one I felt I could turn to at the university. I worried that what happened wasnt serious enough to be believed or taken seriously.

The universitys policy stated that if you were reporting what was a criminal offence they couldnt and wouldnt do anything until it had been dealt with by the police.

But I was wary of going to the police. The year before, I had reported another student to the police for attacking me in a nightclub. There were witnesses and CCTV evidence  nevertheless, the fallout was hugely stressful. I was alienated from some of my friends. I had to deal with the anxiety about running into that student on a daily basis  my mental and physical health quickly declined.

Multiply that by 100 and that is what I imagined reporting my sexual assault to the police would be like.

The process for sexual assault can take ages. How would my studies be affected by a serious criminal investigation and trial?

The likelihood of bumping into my perpetrator wouldnt reduce over that time, so would I even be safe? There would also be the embarrassment and fear of being shamed and the added doubt that our mutual friends might not even believe me, and accuse me of ruining someones life.

So I told no-one, I saw him all the time and forced myself to pretend that it was nothing.

But every now and then there would be glimpses to remind me of what happened  moments where he would stand a little too close or persistently message me late at night.

That night was over three years ago. Yet, it wasnt until this summer, when I was done with my degree and had left university that I was able to acknowledge to myself, and others, that I was raped.

And Im not alone. Whats shocking is how many other stories there are like mine.

As a student journalist, I searched for a long time for a way to bring this issue of sexual assault and harassment on campus into the spotlight but, like me, no-one was comfortable enough to speak out publicly.

After reading an article about two incredibly brave rape survivors in India who maintained their anonymity by using social media, Snapchat suddenly seemed like the perfect fit  its an innovative and modern platform that millennials are familiar with. The apps facial and voice-disguising software allows each participant to disguise their identity to the level theyre comfortable with, while capturing their raw emotion and strength.

And so I founded a campaign, Revolt Sexual Assault, to expose the real nature and extent of sexual assault and harassment experienced by former and current students at university in the UK, and call for policy reforms to address this problem.

Ive now heard countless stories of sexual violence from brave students  each of which has been incredibly powerful and impossible to forge. Beneath the filters, you can see the deep and long-lasting effects that these assaults have had on survivors.

Part of the problem is that people dont recognise sexual assault and harassment when it happens  because it happens so much.

Since I was of secondary school-age Ive been cat-called at bus stops  men twice my age would shout out what they would like to do to me and my friends. Passers-by didnt bat an eyelid, so soon I didnt either  it was normal.

Ive been looked up and down like a piece of meat, Ive left train carriages and bars because of how uncomfortable I was made to feel, and been told I deserved it for how I was dressed. In broad daylight, on my way to the library, I was groped in the street.

In my second year, when someone grabbed my bum in a club and I told them that that was sexual assault, I was met with laughter  and in another case, a punch in the face.

Ive listened to women almost casually open up to experiences of waking up in the night to someone having sex with them, while they had been unconscious  and then go on to rationalise their rapists actions, truly believing it was their fault for going home with that boy, or for drinking too much.

The sad reality is that the more students I listen to through Revolt Sexual Assault, the same themes emerge: students like me are suffering in silence, blaming themselves and having their student years spoilt because of sexual violence and the lack of support available from universities.

But there is very little data available. Universities themselves record very low numbers of sexual assault and harassment. Thats why, in partnership with The Student Room, an online student community, we launched the first national survey on this issue in a decade.

The number of responses to the online survey suggests that this problem is widespread.

 4,500 students from 153 different institutions in the UK responded, most reporting sexual harassment or assault

 10% reported their experiences to the university or police

 6% reported an experience of sexual violence to the university

 2% of those who reported sexual violence to the university were satisfied with the reporting process

 31% of students felt pressured into doing something sexual

Its easy to dismiss these statistics because the sample was self-selected and depended on individuals choosing to answer, but behind the numbers there are young people with real stories to tell.

We gave students the option to expand on their answers, and thousands felt strongly enough to do so. Reading each of these accounts was heartbreaking.

But the most telling results for me were how few respondents felt they had received the help they needed.

Many young people experiencing sexual violence in the UK dont feel supported enough by their universities to go to the police, or to ask for help. Why?

Now that movements such as Me Too and Times Up have had such an impact, its time to have a conversation about sexual violence on campus.

Since I first wrote about my own experience, trolls have criticised my story, victim-blamed me, called me an attention seeker, a liar and a slut, devalued my feelings, belittled my campaign and accused me of ruining my attackers life (though I have never named him).

But I have already done these things to myself. Thousands of young people like me have done them to themselves. And this is why a change in culture is so important.

Ive had the pleasure of meeting some of the strongest, most amazing people through my work at Revolt Sexual Assault. I am in awe of their decision to trust me with their stories. It is thanks to them that I have come to terms with what happened to me

* Source: bbc.com

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Loading...Home | News | General | 2019: Will Buhari surmount challenges that brought Jonathan down? (opinion)

Editor's note: Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the authors Clifford Ndujihe and Levinus Nwabughiogu in this piece discuss if President Muhammadu Buhari will overcome the challenges he is facing presently or will it bring him down just like his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan.

And 22 governors showed up to mark register when 110 daughters of citizens of your nation were captured by Boko Haram that you said you have already technically defeated? It just shows how insensitive our leaders are. We have gotten to a stage that our president has become a king and a monarch

For 16 years of PDP, they borrowed N6 trillion. For three years of APC, they borrowed N11 trillion. And they are not going to pay the debt. You and I, and our children and our childrens children will pay the debt unless they write them off again.

With these words, Senior Overseer of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, expressed disgust over President Muhammadu Buharis performance so far as well his decision alongside 22 governors to attend an elaborate wedding Fatiha of Idris Abiola Ajimobi, the son of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, and Fatima Umar Ganduje, the daughter of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State, in Kano, last Saturday, at a time 110 schoolgirls from Dapchi in Yobe State were still in captivity.

READ ALSO: There is no war or any insecurity issue in Rivers - PDP tells Buhari

In some quarters, the presidents handling of the Dapchi schoolgirls, who were abducted on February 19, 2018, has been likened to former President Goodluck Jonathans initial attitude to the Chibok schoolgirls, who were kidnapped on April 14, 2014. Both abductions were done by the Boko Haram insurgents.

Unceasing Boko Haram attacks

Attending a wedding in Kano after failing to visit Yobe State since the schoolgirls kidnap or other states like Benue, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Rivers, Kaduna and Taraba where sectarian crises, violence and herdsmen/farmers clashes have claimed over 1300 lives since the beginning of 2018 elicited thumbs down for the president.

In response to pressures and criticisms arising from the above lapses, President Buhari visited Taraba State, on Monday, to commiserate with people who lost loved ones in the wake of violence that engulfed the area recently.

President Buhari, who assured that he would visit other troubled states soon, said he visited Taraba State first because the large-scale killing at Mambilla Plateau was more than the number of those killed in Benue and Zamfara states.

While his visits to other states are awaited, it is to be seen if the belated tours would yield the desired dividends and appease those who felt that the visits should have been done much earlier.

Former President Jonathans perceived ineffective war against Boko Haram and inability to rescue the Chibok schoolgirls are considered as some of the stumbling blocks that stalled his re-election in 2015.

Currently, the Boko Haram insurgents are still on the prowl wreaking havoc in many parts of Yobe State and Borno State, the epicentre of the insurgency. War against insecurity is one of President Buharis three cardinal electoral campaign promises. The other two are improving the economy and combating graft.

It is arguable whether or not the All Progressives Congress, the APC-led government has made a significant impact on any of these core campaign promises. While the government insists it has done well with the president saying that things could have been worse but for his intervention, his critics think otherwise.

Fayose faults Buharis anti-graft war

Ekiti State, Governor, Ayo Fayose, has consistently picked holes in the anti-graft war. Last week, he said: Under Buhari, perfume is being sprayed on corruption when it affects his men. One can go on and on, but the painful reality is that Buharis government is not only corrupt the government itself is corruption.

Is the President going to use APC broom to sweep the report on Maina under the carpet just as he did to others before it? What has happened to the report submitted on the fraudulent reinstatement of Maina? What happened to the probe panel on the alleged N500m bribe said to have been paid to the Chief of Staff (COS), Abba Kyari by MTN?

Who brought the five sacks in which the EFCC claimed that it found N49 million cash to the Kaduna Airport? Who is the owner of LEGICO Shopping Plaza, Ahmadu Bello Way, VI, Lagos inside which the EFCC claimed that it found N448.8 million cash?

Wave of endorsements

Like Jonathan before the 2015 poll, the president is swimming in wave of re-election endorsements ahead of the 2019 election.

By the end of September 2014, five months to the 2015 election, all organs of the PDP had adopted Jonathan as the partys sole presidential candidate and thereby alienated other aspirants and interests in the PDP. Among the organs that adopted Jonathan were the National Executive Committee, NEC, Board of Trustees, BoT, 36 state chairmen and PDP Governors Forum, PDPGF. The adoption was ratified at the partys December 10 and 11, 2014 Presidential primaries.

Now, the endorsement queue for Buhari is stretching by the day, 11 months to the election.

On January 12, 2018, seven northern APC governors, namely, Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Abubakar Bello (Niger), Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Jibrilla Bindo (Adamawa) and Simon Lalong (Plateau) met with the president at Aso Rock and endorsed him for second term.

El-Rufai, who spoke to State House correspondents after the closed-door meeting, said the governors wanted Buhari to rule beyond 2019 to ensure continuity and stability of the country. We are interested in continuity and stability and we want the president to continue with that, he said.

On January 20, 2018, all the governors elected on the banner of the APC endorsed Buhari for second term, and okayed the re-appointment of Mr. Rotimi Amaechi as Director General of the Buhari Campaign Organization.

Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (APC Governors), Rochas Okorocha of Imo State said that APC governors met and resolved that Buhari should re-contest because he has done well to deserve a second tenure and four years is not enough to show what the President can offer. We believe that another four years will bring out the best in him.

Other groups and bodies that have endorsed Buhari include South-East APC, South-South APC, and some state chapters of the party including Enugu, Kano, and Plateau among others.

The National Executive Committee, NEC, last week, passed a vote of confidence on Buhari and extended the tenures of the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, and state chairmen of the party by 12 months.

In marketing the president, some APC governors and leaders said there is no alternative to Buhari in 2019, arguing that failure to re-elect him will cause political instability in the country. Recently, a serving minister wore a campaign fez cap urging re-election of Buhari and Osinbajo in 2019 to the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting in Abuja.

Indeed, PDP faithful had such comments in favour of Jonathan before the 2015 election. It is to be seen if the views of APC faithful endorsing Buhari will stand or go the way of Jonathan.

Cabal hijacks govt

Looking at the appointments and some policies of Buhari since he came on board, some of his trusted backers are fi*gering outsiders or cabal for most of the observed lapses.

According to them, the criticisms trailing the anti-graft war that some have dubbed half-hearted or selective are traceable to the activities of the cabal. The Presidents wife, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, first hinted on the actions of the cabal as early as April 14, 2016, when she said that Buharis government had been hijacked and hinged her support for Buharis re-election on cabinet shake-up and changes in the way things were being done.

The soft-spoken Aisha Buhari, in a BBC Hausa interview monitored in Kano, said that Buharis government had been hijacked by a cabal that is behind presidential appointments. She said that he is yet to tell me, but I have decided as his wife, that if things continue like this up to 2019, I will not go out and campaign again and ask any woman to vote like I did before. I will never do it again.

She lamented that most of the officials of the government were not known to the President and the first family, adding that they are usurpers who did nothing to help the APC struggle in 2015. The President does not know 45 out of 50, for example, of the people he appointed and I dont know them either despite being his wife for 27 years, she stressed.

At a stage, Jonathans government was considered to have been hijacked by a cabal that alienated many PDP stakeholders, especially those who were perceived to be against Jonathans re-election. Before long, a crisis of confidence arose between the PDP leadership and these stakeholders, which comprised seven governors, and a host of state and federal lawmakers among others, who gathered on the plank of New PDP (N-PDP).

The crisis reached a climax on November 27, 2013, when five of the seven aggrieved governors defected to the APC. Over time, other members of the N-PDP joined APC and made the new mega party a huge force electorally. Led by Abubakar Kawu Baraje, N-PDP leaders who defected to APC includedRotimi Amaechi, Abdufatah Ahmed, Magatakarda Wammako, Murtala Nyako, Senator Bukola Saraki, Barnabas Gemade and Aminu Tambuwal among others. Despite the defection of N-PDP members, the remaining PDP approached the 2015 election with a divided front.

At a stage, Dr. Jonathan was seen undertaking campaign shuttles to Lagos and other cities that should have been done by lieutenants. A PDP leader in the North said the PDP lost to itself and not APC in 2015 because many party leaders and stakeholders were made onlookers in the campaigns, which were handed over to Dr Ifeanyi Ubahs Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN.

APC crisis, extension of Oyeguns tenure

Now, APC seems to be heading the PDP way unless drastic steps are taken. There has been side-lining of some core supporters. Some bigwigs such as former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, recently left the party with his supporters for the PDP.

Misgivings between the party leadership and the National Assembly, which started from the election of Bukola Saraki as Senate President and Yakubu Dogara as House of Representatives Speaker are yet to be fully resolved. The problem led to the emergence of a PDP senator, Ike Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President.

In what some observers and backers of Dr. Saraki finger as part of the Presidencys angst against the Senate leadership, the Senate President, since 2016, has been under trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, for false assets declaration. And when the CCT discharged Saraki, the Federal Government appealed and the matter is still in court.

Apart from the Executive/Legislature issue, the APC seems to offer more opposition to itself than the PDP, if the face-off between the National Assembly and some government appointees such as the Customs Comptroller, Economic and Financial Crimes, EFCC, Chairman; tango among government agencies and discontent in the presidency, are anything to go by.

The party is also facing crises in many states that can hurt its electoral quest next year. Currently, a host of APC federal and state lawmakers are said to be on the verge of defecting to another party. Aware of these misgivings among stakeholders, President Buhari, recently, appointed Asiwaju Bola Ahmed to reconcile aggrieved members of the APC across the country.

While Tinubu is still gathering steam to carry out the onerous assignment, the APC NEC, on February 28, 2018 granted Odigie-Oyegun one year tenure extension, a move that is raising fresh dust in the party with a section of the party arguing that only National Convention and not the NEC has the power to extend Odigie-Oyeguns tenure. According to Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, What has been done is a mere expression of interest.

The power of the convention to extend tenure is exercised only by way of constitution amendment. The power of the NEC of our party cannot go beyond doing so by way of constitution amendment. Article 30 of the APC Constitution states: This constitution and the schedules hereto, can be amended only by the National Convention of the party.

However, Odigie-Oyegun explained that it was impossible for everyone to agree 100 per cent with the decision of the partys NEC on this sensitive political issue. Some notable leaders of the party such as Senate President Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Dogara shunned the NEC meeting with Saraki saying he could not attend because the meeting took place the same time he was at the CCT where he was fighting to clear his name as the defendant in an ongoing case.

Can Tinubu, who is also considered to have been wronged, redress these issues? Tinubu, on his part, had issues with the party leadership, which include the Kogi State Governorship election in 2015 where the party side-stepped his loyalist, Hon Abiodun Faleke, for Yahaya Bello, who went on to become the governor after the death of Abubakar Audu.

Faleke was running mate to Audu Abubakar but the party elected to field Bello, who came second in the primaries, as its governorship candidate in the supplementary election after Audus expiration.

The former Lagos State governor was also peeved at the way the Ondo State governorship primary was handled by the Odigie-Oyegun-led NEC in 2016 for which he accused Odigie-Oyegun of handing the ticket to Rotimi Akeredolu and thereby sabotaging the will of democracy by overriding the decision of the appeal panel that asked for a fresh governorship primary.

Odigie-Oyegun countered Tinubu then by describing his complaints as reckless falsehood. Of late, Tinubu also accused the national chairman of frustrating his reconciliation efforts, a charge that the Odigie-Oyegun flatly denied and pledged his support for Tinubu in the exercise. This was the state of affairs before Odigie-Oyeguns tenure was extended last week, raking up more discontent in the party.

Tinubu is not a magician  Timi Frank

Asked if Tinubu could address the crises, embattled Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Comrade Timi Frank, reportedly said the choice of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was right but he is not a magician to resolve the myriad of problems in the APC before the 2019 polls.

His words: It is a glaring thing that all that Tinubu is expected to repair now were caused by the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyeguns indecision, which I loudly spoke about. When I demanded his resignation, some people felt I was being sponsored. But thank God that today I have been vindicated because all eyes can see clearly what Chief Odigie-Oyeguns style of leadership has done to the ruling party.

At this level, if care is not taken, APC might soon become history. I dont know how the national leader will go about this reconciliation task. But I pray that God will give him the necessary wisdom.

To be frank, I dont know how he will succeed in reconciling the likes of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Governor Umar Ganduje in Kano, Senator Shehu Sani and Governor Nasir el-Rufai in Kaduna, Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Governor Mohammed Abubakar in Bauchi, Rotimi Amaechi and Senator Magnus Abe in Rivers State, Senator Dino Melaye and Governor Yahaya Bello in Kogi State, former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, and Chief John Oyegun in Edo; crises in Ondo, Lagos, Gombe, Bayelsa, Cross River, Osun, Ekiti, Jigawa, Niger, Delta states and so on.

APC has lost it  Prof. ABC Nwosu

I expect that the PDP shall come back to power for several reasons. The first is that the PDP guarantees political stability for Nigeria and its continued existence as one nation where all constituent groups have a sense of belonging. This is in sharp contrast to the APC where many constituent groups are marginalised and have begun to question the reason for the existence of Nigeria.

The second reason is that PDP had clear plans on the economy and during its 16 years rule, there was economic growth. Nigeria was freed from debt peonage. The ICT sector exploded. The exchange rate stabilised at under N200 per dollar.

And the electricity sector was identified as emergency case, serious money invested in NIPP and similar projects. Of course, the PDP government being human was bound to make some mistakes which it did. The ICT succeeded, the debt relief succeeded and the economy grew. Sovereign Wealth Fund was established. But the privatization and the electricity programmes did not.

So, if the PDP had continued, it would have gone back to the drawing board to see why these failed. This is in contrast with the APC that continues to say it makes no mistakes and that it never promised anything in its manifesto. And everything was PDPs fault.

Even the corruption issue, I have said several times that on May 29, 1999, President Obasanjo of the PDP same day of his inauguration gave me the blueprint for ICPC and NDDC which were immediately transmitted to the National Assembly. The EFCC followed. These to date are the legal instruments for the anti-corruption war in Nigeria. Even the Whistle-Blower idea belongs to the PDP.

So, the APCs claims on anti corruption war are laughable especially in view of serious corruption cases many from the centre of government which are in the public domain. Nigerians now make a joke of snakes swallowing money. Monkeys carting away money and even a popular comedian has withdrawn his account with a popular bank that has elephant as its logo!

The abduction of Dapchi girls is a sad and unfortunate incident and my sympathy lies completely with the parents of the girls. It will be wrong for me to make any further comments on this except to pray that these girls and the remaining Chibok girls are returned safely to their families and schools secure because education is the key to the future.

How all these shall play out in 2019, I do not know. All I shall do is to work very hard for my party, the PDP, to return to power because I believe in my party and its founding principles. Furthermore, the present restiveness in the polity and parlous state of the economy make it imperative for me to give everything within me for the PDP to return to power. I believe sincerely that Nigeria will be better for it.

On Benue Crisis Benue crisis is just one symptom of the diseases of general restiveness in the polity because of the insensitivity of the APC government to the problems of the governed ditto with the herdsmen/farmers clashes, non inclusiveness of the southeast, caverlie attitude to the Niger Delta environmental situation, etc.

These issues will impact on the 2019 general elections. Nigerians are watching.

Current issues will impact negatively on Buharis second term ambition -Chief Chekwas Okorie, National Chairman, United Progressives Party, UPP.

The issues on the ground will impact negatively on president Buharis ambition for second term. The same type of situation arose during Jonathans term and many people voted against him. Many people did not vote at all because they neither preferred Buhari nor wanted Jonathan back.

So, they stayed at home on the day of election. Jonathan lost as a result of loss of goodwill and support because by the margin of defeat; there were 2. 5 million votes. The votes in the south east alone would have risen up if they were satisfied that Jonathan represented their interest during his tenure.

The same thing has happened. In fact, the situation is even worse now that President Buhari has so triggered off ethnic sentiments across the country. I do not see how he would win a second term even in the north, the Hausas are beginning to see themselves as separate from the Fulanis.

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.

Source: Naija.ng

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Loading...Home | News | General | Obasanjo visits Benue, describes killings as shocking, senseless

- Former president Olusegun Obasanjo has paid a solidarity visit to Benue state

- Obasanjo sympathised with the family, the governor and all the people of the state

- He said somebody must accept the responsibility of putting the killings to an end

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday, March 10, arrived in Makurdi, the Benue state, to condole with the government and people over herdsmens attacks, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

He said: ''It is sad beyond description and that is why I have taken it upon myself, having been to Maiduguri where we had a meeting of zero hunger forum. If circumstances were normal, the Benue governor would have been with us. So, I am here to pay a condolence visit and share the sadness of Benue people with them.

''I felt coming to the graveside and laying a wreath will express my sorrow and my sympathy and empathy with the family, the governor, all the people of the state and indeed, all Nigerians without any exception. A Nigerian life lost is loss to all of us.

OBJ pays a solidarity visit to Benue state. Photo credit: Channel Television

''Hearing that aside the 73 buried here, more than 80 others have been killed in different parts of Benue is even more shocking to I believe it will be more shocking to all Nigerians who will be hearing that. There is no doubt that we havent got it right. We havent got it right because whatever is behind this, normally in any civilized society we must get to the root of it.

''And until we get to the root of this we will be burying victims. We will be assuming what is not assumable, because we must know why is this happening and who we must put and end to it. And somebody must accept the responsibility to put an end to this. If it has to be a collective responsibility, then so be it. But there must be an end to it.

READ ALSO: Oba of Benin forces native doctors to revoke curses placed on victims of human trafficking (photos)

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo visits the mass burial grave site in Benue state. Photo credit: Channel Television

OBJ pays a solidarity visit to Benue state. Photo credit: Channel Television

''I do hope that there would be an end to this. gorvernor, please accept my condolence and do not give up trying to work with men and women that have the interest of this state and the interest of Nigeria at heart to find a permanent solution.

''This to me goes beyond what is on the surface. And we need to find out what is at the bottom of it. And that is the responsibilities of leaders and of course, they must leave no stone unturned to find what the root cause of this and put a stop to it.

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''We must know why it is happening and we must put an end to it, someone must take responsibility to put an end to it. We cannot talk of a free, secure country where we will want development to take place and investors to come to be suffering this type of senselessness.

Nothing can be worse than what we have seen here; graveside of innocent people who should not have died that have died. The living still have hope, but those who have died are gone forever. Those who lost their loved ones, what do we say to them? Since I have taken time to come here, I will try to see anything that is worth seeing but finding solution is paramount.''

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had reported that Benue state governor Samuel Ortom after a meeting with security council in the state told the displaced indigenes of Mbatoho Island at the government house, on Tuesday that security agents will swing into action.

Ortom also insisted that the open grazing prohibition law will not be repelled. He said: ''We just came out of a security meeting today.

The Mbatoho community attack and displacement by these mercenary herdsmen featured extensively and we have taken steps.

Victims of Herdsmen killing buried in Benue State - on NAIJ.com TV:

[embedded content]

Source: Naija.ng

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Loading...Home | News | General | Help us eradicate child abuse in Nigeria - UNICEF begs Aisha Buhari

- The United Nations Childrens Educational Fund (UNICEF) has pleaded with the First Lady of Nigeria to commit to eradicating child abuse in the country

- UNICEF called for partnership from Aisha Buhari in championing the rights and educational advancement of Nigerian children

- Aisha Buhari pledged to continue her advocacy and support to eradicate all forms of abuse against women and children in Nigeria

The United Nations Childrens Educational Fund (UNICEF) has appealed to Mrs Aisha Buhari, wife of the president, to partner with it in championing the rights and educational advancement of Nigerian children.

Mr Mohamed Fall, the Country Representative of UNICEF made the appeal on Saturday at a reception in honour of Buhari as a strong advocate of rights of women and children at the National Centre for Women Development (NCWD) in Abuja on Saturday, March 10.

The event was jointly organised by the centre and the Blaugrana International Sports, with the theme: Legends For Children Project.

The UNICEF presented Buhari with a Global Award of Excellence for Humanitarian Services in recognition of her service to humanity through her pet project the Future Assured.

READ ALSO: Oba of Benin forces native doctors to revoke curses placed on victims of human trafficking (photos)

Fall said the award was relevant considering her efforts in providing support to victims of insurgency, especially the protection of the rights of women and children, who suffered gender-based violence.

He lamented that there were over 10 million out-of-school children in the sub-saharan Africa hence the need for stakeholders, especially the wife of the president to join the campaign and advocate for child enrollment in school.

We are very excited and overwhelmed that after a rigorous screening, you stood tall among the competitors.

This is our own way of saying, continue with the good work.

The UNICEF sees you as a mother of the children in the entire sub-saharan Africa and we urge you to continue in assisting UNICEF to champion the cause of child rights to education in Nigeria, he said.

READ ALSO: You've taken a decisive, commendable step - Saraki hails Oba of Benin for cursing traffickers

Responding, the Buhari pledged to continue her advocacy and support to eradicate all forms of abuse against women and children in the country.

Buhari, who was represented by the wife of the Speaker of House of Representative, Mrs Gimbiya Dogara, said her passion to advance the cause of women and children was borne out of her love to give back the society.

She called on stakeholders to join the campaign against child abuse and promote the enrolment of out-of-school children to ensure brighter future for the younger generation.

The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Musa Bello, the chief host, said the FCT administration had prioritised the child rights in education by providing necessary infrastructure to primary schools.

He said that the FCT administration would sustain support to the Federal Government in providing basic educational support to meet the UN standard of attaining universal basic education.

The director general of the centre, Mrs Mary Ekpere-Ita, commended the wife of the president for her support to women and children in the country.

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Ekpere-Ita called on stakeholders to assist in providing necessary support to women and children to complement governments efforts in tackling unemployment.

She urged wealthy individuals in the country to support the eradication of all forms of women and child abuse in the country.

NAIJ.com earlier reported that more than six children between the ages of three and 10 were rescued by the Lagos state police command from a suspected human trafficking camp in Ejigbo.

The children were rescued during a raid carried out by operatives of the command on Tuesday, January 9.

The owner of the camp, Comfort Anwana, 25, was also arrested during the raid by officer of the Nigeria police.

Source: NAN

Is the Nigerian police your fried? - on NAIJ.com TV

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Loading...Home | News | General | Saraki reacts to Oba of Benin's rain of curses on human traffickers

- The Senate President has commended the Oba of Benin for revoking curses placed on victims of human trafficking

- Saraki said the Oba's action is commended and highly decisive

- He also commended the Nigerian Immigration Service for their involvement in curbing trafficking and illegal migration in Nigeria

The Senate President Bukola Saraki has commended the Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, for revoking curses placed on victims of human trafficking in Edo state.

Saraki in a tweet on Saturday, march 10, said the actions by the Oba is decisive and commendable.

Stating that the Oba of Benin played a key role in the roundtable organised by the Senate on illegal migration and human trafficking, Saraki said Nigeria and its people need more of the leadership role displayed by the Oba.

READ ALSO: Outrage in Rivers as minister reveals 804 capacity Port Harcourt prison accommodates over 4000 inmates

Saraki said: "It is great to hear that the Oba of Benin -- who played a key role at the Senate Roundtable on illegal migration and #HumanTrafficking -- has taken this decisive and commendable step. We need more of this."

In another tweet, the Senate President also commended the Nigerian Immigration Service for playing its part in combating human tracking across Nigeria.

READ ALSO: Niger state governor allegedly stoned by angry youths

He said: "It is also great to see the Nigerian Immigration Service playing its part to combat #HumanTrafficking by actively working to find those officers who aid and abet the traffickers. Kudos to the Comptroller General for keeping to his commitment."

NAIJ.com had reported that the Oba of Benin on Friday, March 9, invited native doctors to his palace to break curses palced on victims of human trafficking who returned from Libya.

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Giving the curse revoke order, the Oba said the governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki, had pleaded with him to help reduce the spate of human tracking the state.

The Oba of Benin also placed curses on any human trafficker who goes contrary to the state's plan or makes moves to continue in the business of trafficking humans.

Nigerians speak on slavery in Libya - on NAIJ.com TV

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Loading...Home | News | General | Urhobo, Isoko youths drum support for Buhari

By Ochuko Akuopha

Coalition of Urhobo and Isoko Youths, CUIY, has vowed to mobilize support for President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of the 2019 general election.

President Muhammadu Buhari

It also expressed confidence in the leadership of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Coordinator of the group, Comrade William Omoro, while interacting with newsmen at Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State, expressed satisfaction with the performance of Buhari, saying the President deserved to be reelected for a second term.

While urging Buhari to contest for the presidency in 2019, he said the President had the interest of all Nigerians at heart. He said the Buhari led administration had been busy stabilizing the the dwindling economy that was bastardized by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and had succeeded in taking the country out of recession.

Commending the President for his dogged and relentless the fight against corruption, he said his introduction of NPower scheme had given hope to the unemployed youths in the country.

While listing some other achievements of Buhari to include the effective the implementation of Treasury Single Account, TSA, the signing into law of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, FUPRE, Bill and the provision of take off grant to the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko amongst others, he enjoined Nigerians to give him the support he needs to build on his successes.

He commended the National Working Committee of the APC for extending Oyeguns tenure, expressing optimism that the initiative would bring bring stability to the party.

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Loading...Home | News | General | President Buhari's visit: Alternative routes for motorists will be provided - FRSC

- The Benue state command of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said it has made adequate arrangements to ensure free flow of traffic during President Muhammadu Buharis visit

- David Mendie, the FRSC commander noted that they prepared and ready to handle all traffic related matters during the presidents visit

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Benue Command, said it has made adequate arrangements to ensure free flow of traffic during President Muhammadu Buharis visit on Monday, March 12.

FRSC Commander in Benue, David Mendie, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Makurdi.

He said the command was prepared and ready to handle all traffic related matters during the presidents visit.

READ ALSO: Benue herdsmen attacks: Obasanjo reportedly backs Ortom on anti-open grazing law

He said the number of personnel deployed to locations in the state would depend on the presidential entourage.

Mendie said plans would be concluded when they were furnished with the presidents itinerary.

We will provide alternative routes for motorists, especially on routes earmarked for the president, he said.

In a previous report by NAIJ.com, Benue state government on Friday, March 9, cancelled the planned mass burial for victims of Fulani herdsmen attack in Okpokwu area of the state because President Muhammadu Buhari is billed to visit on Monday, March 12 to commiserate with people of the state over herdsmen attacks and massacre of people.

It was learnt that the state governor, Samuel Ortom had announced the mass burial for the victims of Fulani herdsmen attack during his visit to Omusu Edimoga in Okpokwu local government area of the state.

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Twenty four persons were said to have been killed during the attack which left many people injured and several persons missing.

Nigerian herdsmen vs Nigerian farmers - on NAIJ.com TV:

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Loading...Home | News | General | Group gives Tambuwal 48 hours to declare stand on Buhari's presidential ambition

- A group has given the Sokoto state governor a 48-hour ultimatum to declare his stand on President Muhammadu Buhari's 2019 ambition

- The All Progressives Congress (APC) Adalci Buhari Saka said Aminu Tambuwal must declare whether he is with President Buhari or not

- The group also threatened further actions against the governor is his intention on the matter is not made known within the given time

A group has called on the governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Tambuwal, to declare his stand on President Muhammadu Buhari's ambition to run for 2019 presidency.

The group, under the auspices of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Adalci Buhari Saka said Tambuwal must declare whether he is with President Buhari or not, Daily Trust reports.

Speaking to journalists in Sokoto, the group said they will take further actions if the governor fails to make hi stand known on the matter.

The group accusing Tambuwal of anti-party activities said, as a matter of urgency, the governor should be thoroughly investigated.

READ ALSO: If Tinubus reconciliation fails, there will be mass defection from APC - Shehu Sani

"We don't understand his romance with the leading members of the opposition PDP which was widely publicized.

He has a strong relationship with Governor Wike who is the perceived leader of the modern PDP and the national chairman of the party. He visits them and they come and visit him in Sokoto as well," the group said.

Speaking on the issue, the spokesperson of the group, Bashar Lawal, they will do all that is necessary if Tambuwal does not state his position within the slated ultimatum.

Lawal said: "We are giving him 48 hours to declare whether he is with Buhari or not and if he fail to do so we will do what is necessary."

READ ALSO: Benue herdsmen attacks: Obasanjo reportedly backs Ortom on anti-open grazing law

"But they keep blaming the federal government despite receiving successive funding as bailouts, Paris club refunds in addition to the regular monthly subvention from the federal government," he said.

Lawal also alleged that the Sokoto state governor was engagee din persecuting members of the defunct CPC.

The group also cite the consfication of farmlands worth N300 million of the former gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of APC, Aliyu Sanyinna and the demolition of part of the school owned by their spokesperson, Bashar.

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NAIJ.com earlier reported that a coalition of Urhobo and Isoko youth group has promised to mobilise support for President Buhari's 2019 presidential ambition.

The youths also urged the president to ensure he runs for presidency come the next presidential election.

The Coalition of Urhobo and Isoko Youths said the president deserved to be reelected for a second term since he had the interest of all Nigerians at heart.

The next President of Nigeria. Who will win the 2019 elections? on NAIJ.com TV

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Loading...Home | News | General | Benue herdsmen attacks: Obasanjo reportedly backs Ortom on anti-open grazing law

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo has reportedly thrown his weight behind the Benue states anti-open grazing law.

Obasanjo allegedly advised Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom, not to give up on the anti-open grazing law, urging him to continue to work with people that have the state's and the nations interest at heart, the Independent reports.

NAIJ.com gathered the former president insisted that Nigeria needed to get it right for it to move forward.

READ ALSO: If Tinubus reconciliation fails, there will be mass defection from APC - Shehu Sani

Obasanjo, who spoke at the graveside of the 73 persons that were massacred by suspected killer herdsmen on 1st January 2018, described the killings as senseless.

Obasanjo, who stopped over in Makurdi briefly on Saturday, March 10, after the meeting of the Zero Hunger Forum that was held in Maiduguri, also laid a wreath at the tomb of the victims of the massacre.

He said any responsive government needed to get to the root of the killings and put a permanent stop to it.

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NAIJ.com previously reported that Obasanjo said that Boko Haram insurgency can only be defeated if governments tackle the issue of hunger and joblessness.

He made this statement in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, where he presided over a meeting of the Zero Hunger Forum, a social development goal program of both the Nigerian government and international development partners.

The meeting was attended by the host governor, Kashim Shettima, and officials from the federal ministry of agriculture, as well as others from Borno, Benue, Sokoto, Ogun and Ebonyi states.

Victims of Herdsmen killing buried in Benue State - on NAIJ.com TV:

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Loading...Home | News | General | 2019: President Buhari deserves to be re-elected for a second term - Urhobo and Isoko youths

- The Coalition of Urhobo and Isoko Youths (CUIY) vows to mobilize support for President Muhammadu Buhari

- The group urged the president him to contest for the presidency in 2019, adding he has the interest of all Nigerians at heart

- The coordinator of the group, Comrade William Omoro, said the president deserved to be reelected for a second term

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, a Coalition of Urhobo and Isoko Youths (CUIY) has vowed to mobilize support for President Muhammadu Buhari, urging him to contest for the presidency.

According to Vanguard, the coordinator of the group, Comrade William Omoro, expressed satisfaction with the performance of Buhari, saying the president deserved to be reelected for a second term since he had the interest of all Nigerians at heart.

The group also expressed confidence in the leadership of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun as national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

READ ALSO:Obasanjo pays solidarity visit to Benue state (Photos)

Omoro said the Buhari led administration had been busy stabilizing the the dwindling economy that was bastardized by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and had succeeded in taking the country out of recession.

While praising President Buhari for his dogged and relentless the fight against corruption, the group coordinator said his introduction of NPower scheme had given hope to the unemployed youths in the country.

He enjoined Nigerians to give Buhari the support he needs to build on his successes.

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NAIJ.com previously reported that a southeast based pressure group, the Movement for the Actualization of South-East Presidency (MASEP), stated that the best realistic chance for the Igbo to produce the president of the country is 2023 after President Buharis second term.

Leadership reports that the group at a press conference in Abuja recently said the president has done well and should be supported by well-meaning Igbo sons and daughters for another term in office.

The next President of Nigeria. Who will win the 2019 elections? on NAIJ.com TV.

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Loading...Home | News | General | UTME 2018: Candidates praise JAMB as some panic over use of computers

- The UTME 2018 candidates who had their examinations today, March 10, commend JAMB for its proper organisation

- However, some of the candidates panicked as they were not familiar with the use of computer

- Other candidates who are yet to write their exams are, therefore, advised to familarise themselves with computer before their turn

Some candidates, who sat for the first session of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME), on Saturday, March 10, commended JAMB as few panicked due to their unfamiliarity with the use of computers.

Abayomi Otubela, the proprietor of Lagooz Schools Agege, Lagos, whose school serves as one of the UTME centres, announced this to the parents of the candidates at the waiting lodge in the centre.

Students writing Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Mock Examination at Mater Dei High School Imiringi in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa state. Credit: NAN

Otubela said some candidates had difficulties navigating through the computers, which made them to panic.

Some of our children are fidgeting because they are not familiar with the use of computers.

Some of them said they cannot even navigate to move to the next subject, so we had to put them through the process before the examination started, he said.

He advised parents to inform those, who had not written the examination, to get familiar with the use of computers and the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) software.

READ ALSO: If Tinubus reconciliation fails, there will be mass defection from APC - Shehu Sani

For those of you, who have people that havent written, let them get familiar with the use of computer and JAMB software.

That was why JAMB conducted the mock examination so that they can familiarise themselves with the software," he said.

He also advised parents to encourage their children to prepare well academically in order to gain admission into the schools of their choice.

Meanwhile, some candidates sitting for the ongoing UTME in some centres in Lagos, Benin and Abuja have commended the JAMB as CBT proceeds smoothly in most centres.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the examination commenced on Friday, March 9 across the country, with computer Based Test,(CBT).

A cross section of the candidates writing the test at Connection Computer Centre, Lagos, commended JAMB for its proper organisation.

Kehinde Adenuga said the organisation of the examination was convenient for applicants.

The process of registration and allocation has been convenient, as everything is done online.

The first batch started by 7am, and I will be in the next batch to write by 9am. I can only pray for the best, he said.

Chime Lucky, another candidate, expressed hope for success in the test.

I wrote JAMB in 2017 but I didnt do too well, I hope and pray that I am able to secure admission this year, she said.

Obinna Ume, a parent, who brought his ward to write the test, also commended the arrangement.

There is no rowdiness and the candidates are expected to have basic knowledge of computer to write the test.

This is commendable and it will go a long way to encourage computer literacy among students, he said.

Akinyele Ariyo, supervisor for the examination centre assured that the test was foolproof against manipulation.

The examinations we are conducting are well organised and protected against malpractices.

The questions are computer based and cannot be leaked by anybody, and the centres are monitored with security cameras connected to a central server he said.

Ariyo said that his centre accommodated 250 candidates for each batch, with three batches in a day.

READ ALSO: There is no war or any insecurity issue in Rivers - PDP tells Buhari

Also, some 2018 UTME candidates in Benin on Saturday, March 10, tasked the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to be time cautious.

One of the candidates, Endurance Abang, said that the exams was schedule for 7am but could not start until 8am.

Abang said that some of the candidates travelled early to their various centres without food only to start waiting for JAMB officials.

He however, called on JAMB to make mock examinations compulsory for all the candidates that enrolled for the exam, adding that it would enable them to familiarise with computers and other back-ups equipment used at the exam centres.

Solomon Osarodion, another candidate, lauded JAMB for the smooth conduct of the examination. He, however, blamed JAMB for not commencing examination early enough as slated.

Osarodion said that JAMB should ensure proper monitoring of all the facilities used during the exams as he said that some of the computers are outdated.

A centre administrator, Daniel Egeonu, said that JAMB has a way of monitoring all its accredited centres before the commencement of each exam, adding that JAMB would not accredit any centre without meeting its requirements.

Egeonu, however, blamed late commencement of exams on the part of candidates not arriving centres early enough.

Also, Idowu Odufoye, an Inspector of Call (IC) from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) told NAN that they recorded a hitch-free screening at the centre.

We carried out the screening in four different stages and there was no problem with the candidates.

They complied, obeyed instructions and none of them were caught with any incriminating material," Mrs Odufoye said.

According to Moshood Momoh, a JAMB official, no issue was encountered during the examination and the candidates behaved very well and were orderly.

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NAN reports that out of 250 candidates registered for the first day at the centre, only one candidate was absent.

NAIJ.com previously reported that JAMB advised candidates for the 2018 UTME yet to receive their examinations details to visit its website for such information.

The boards head of media, Fabian Benjamin, gave the advice in an interview with NAN on Friday, March 9, in Abuja, following complaints by candidates.

The examination commenced on Friday in JAMB approved computer based test centres with some 1.6 million candidates registered for test holding from March 9 to March 17.

Nigerians express mixed feelings as JAMB reduces admission cut-off to 120 - on NAIJ.com TV:

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Loading...Home | News | General | People, corruption, insurgency fighting Buhari will not prevail  Oyegun

declares PDP dead, buried in Katsina

By Bashir Bello

KATSINA  THE National Chairman of the ruling party, All Progressive Congress, Dr. John Oyegun on Saturday said people, corruption and even insurgency are fighting back at President Muhammadu Buhari.

L-R; President Muhammadu Buhari and APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun during the Party 4th National Caucus Meeting held Monday night at the Presidential Villa Abuja

Though Oyegun who stated this on Saturday while receiving decampees from the PDP, PDM and APGA into the party in Katsina, said they will not prevail.

The National Party Chairman also declared the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP dead and buried in Katsina State.

According to him, We are a party working to change these nation. Yes, people are fighting back, corruption is fighting back, even insurgency is trying to fight back but Buhari is our president they will not prevail.

In spite of all the distractions, we have a president who is single minded, focus, determined, who have improved the foundation of this country destroyed by the PDP.

Today, he is already building a 5000km railway network to modern capacity.

Today, we can boast that electricity is still very low but for the first time, enjoy stable 7,000 megawatts of electricity in this country. When they handover to us it was 3000 but we have added 4000megawatts of electricity.

We are almost self sufficient in rice production. That is only the beginning. For this year, we depended on rainfall and God, but your President has vowed to make sure that you have at least three tons of rice every year, Oyegun said.

He told the indigenes to ensure that they voted the party back into power come 2019.

Similarly, the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari said it is working to ensure that the state give President Buhari a resounding victory in the upcoming general elections.

Earlier, the APC State Chairman, Alhaji Shittu S. Shittu promised an equal and level playing ground for all members of the party including the decampees.

Meanwhile, the Funtua Zonal Vice Chairman of the party and the Chairman of the event Organizing Committee, Alhaji Bala Musawa debunked allegations by critics that it woo decampees into the APC in the state.

Musawa said the party did not woo nor pay any decampee to decamp into the party.

He said the decampees are well to do persons and have made it in life and as such nothing can one use to woo them.

The persons deserted the other party because they were convinced and have seen the light and are now join the fold of APC, Musawa said.

However, one of the decampees, Senator Ibrahim Idah, former Senator representing Katsina Central Senatorial zone under the PDP said he regretted joining the PDP saying he made mistake to have joined the party (PDP).

Idah destroyed his party membership card saying the APC now owns his heart.

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Loading...Home | News | General | Five people shared N5b in one day

Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor

FRESH facts have emerged revealing how N5 billion got missing in the vault of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF after N62.3 billion had earlier been discovered missing in the agency.

The seized money.

This revelation was made at the inauguration of boards and parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity in Abuja.

The Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, who disclosed this to Saturday Vanguard said the latest discovery was made by an audit panel constituted by the ministry to look into the affairs of the agency. Ngige said the failure to explain how the fund got missing in one day, suggested that the officials might claim that it was eaten by rats.

However, it was discovered that five top officials of the NSITF conspired and withdrew the huge sum from a first generation bank and converted it into Dollars after which it was shared.

Ngige said the looting would not have been possible if the NSITF had maintained a cash book as stipulated by Financial Regulations.

He said the absence of an accounting system in the NSITF paved the way for the plundering of the funds by persons, who were appointed by the government to oversee its affairs. For that reason, Ngige, yesterday, declined to inaugurate the board of the NSITF along with those of National Directorate of Employment, National Productivity Centre and Michael Imoudu Institute for Labour Studies.

However, the non-inauguration of the NSITF board infuriated the Chairman-designate, Chief Frank Kokori, who had reported Ngige to the House of Representatives and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Unknown to Kokori, who enjoys tacit support from National Employers Consultative Agency, NECA, the Nigeria Labour Congress and others, the Presidency was behind the probe.

The House committee in a letter dated March 1, 2018, ordered the NSITF through the minister, to furnish the lawmakers with records of all financial transactions from 2011 when the last board was inaugurated to date.

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Loading...Home | News | General | 400 voices billed to perform at classical choral concert

It will be a kaleidoscope of heads, colourful costumes and arrangement of voices as Christ Apostolic Church, Yaba Mass Choir engages in an exciting choral concert to celebrate its 20th year anniversary. In its 78 years of inception, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Yaba has consistently produced musicians through its classical music platform. And it is worth noting that todays gospel music had its root in Apostolic Church music with many successful Nigerian gospel musicians beginning their careers from the church choir.

From left: Elder Sesan Taiwo; Pastor S.E.A Oludare, Supritendent, Christ Apostolic Church, Yaba; Deaconness Shade Jacobs, Chairperson, Mass Choir Planning Committee; and Lekan Oluyelu during the unveiling of 20th edition of the Mega choral concert in Lagos

CAC Yaba Mass Choir affiliated to the Royal School of Music, UK, in line with tradition celebrates the 20th anniversary of her formidable choir with a mega choral concert featuring a massive 400 voices to be held on Sunday, March 18, at the church headquarter, Odewale Street, Alagomeji, off Hughes Avenue, Yaba, Lagos.

Unveiling the theme of the concert as Songs of Praise 2018, the Superintendent of the church, Pastor S. E. A. Oludare revealed that it is going to be one of the major events of the year that will attract people from all over the world to witness the power of music and evangelism. Christ Apostolic Church Yaba has members all over the world. We are hoping to attract the most influential members of the church across the globe to be here with us. Our vision is to make CAC Yaba a headquarter of praise music. The type of music we are showcasing is mainly classical concert music. It is music presented in its original form, both in English and local languages. This programme over the years has been able to revive and redirect how music should be, Oludare said.

The chairperson, concert planning committee, Deaconess Shade Jacobs while speaking with Vanguard Arts & Reviews said Christ Apostolic Church, Yaba will be 78 years this year. The mother church will be celebrating a centenary at the end of this year and this mass choir will be 20 years on the 18th of March. God has been very faithful to us and it has been a very good way of drawing people to Christ, evangelizing and listening to good music that lifts the soul. The Lord even told us that what we cannot achieve by prayer, we can achieve by praise.

We have tested this over the years and it has really worked. For this reason, participation in the programme has been tremendous as people always ask when next are we doing the programme. The beauty of this particular one is that we have over 400 choristers participating in the mass choir singing comprising about 30 different CAC churches scattered all over Lagos. Peoples problems have been solved by coming to the programmes, listening to the music and it has increased our church membership tremendously. It has also impacted the life of our youths richly in the way of the Lord. Deaconess Jacobs said.

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Loading...Home | News | General | Cultural awareness brings unity- School Principal

By Chris Onuoha

Culture is the way of life of a people. But a peoples culture can be ruptured or diluted as a result of foreign influence, redundant use of mother tongue, lack of appreciation of cultural values and non-teaching of heritage through history studies in school. And if measures are not taken by custodians of culture and institutions to correct the anomaly, it becomes a festering problem.

Students of Neander International School, Epe, performing during the Schools Cultural Day

It was in line with this philosophy that Neander International Schools, Epe, Lagos celebrated the Schools Cultural Day last Wednesday in the school hall, exhibiting Nigerias cultural diversity in tune with the institutions foundational vision aimed at inculcating cultural education into the youths.

Students adorned in various traditional attires regardless of states of origins thrilled the audience made up of students and staff of the school to a masterly display of how traditional marriages are conducted in their nativities. There was a North Central drama, South East, South South and South West traditional marriages. Also showcased were cultural dances from each zone. However, group from South West presented a newscaster in Yoruba language Iroyin that attracted applause from the audience. Another interesting display was a wrestling contest by two suitors from Igbo extract as one of the criteria to measure how a man can protect and take care of a woman.

The school principal, Mr. Idris Agbaje, in his remarks said that knowledge of peoples culture is vital and cannot be left to go extinct. We need to let the young people understand that first and foremost, they are Nigerians. They need to understand the culture of their country and one way we are doing that is by exposing them to know our culture. You must understand that this country is one with people from different background. We believe in instilling this in the mind of the young ones so that when they grow up, tribalism, nepotism and ethnic strife will not be found among them. There will be inter-tribal marriages. All in all, it will help build the unity of this country. In doing this, everybody should be involved  parents, teachers and every adult who understands the need to inculcate in the youths their cultural values. Some of the children too can speak their language, but because they dont want to appear local, they hide it and speak only English. But with a programme like this, they can see that it is even a thing of pride for them to be able to speak their local dialect.

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Loading...Home | News | General | Nasarawa LG polls: APGA kicks against electoral process

Nasarawa State Chapter of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), has faulted the process for the May 26 local government election announced by the State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC).

APGA Logo

Alhaji Musa Saidu, APGAs State chairman told newsmen on Saturday in Lafia that the State Working Committee had deliberated and observed that the process for the forthcoming local government polls was at variance with the law.

He argued that NASIEC at the time of issuing notice for the proposed local government election had only two board members instead of the seven required by the law establishing the commission.

We observed that the electoral commission certainly lacked the quorum to take decision to conduct local government election,Saidu said.

He said the acting chairman of the commission, Aliyu Dogara, had informed political parties on March 5, that the Electoral Law for the polls was still undergoing amendment at the State Assembly.

Saidu said the situation was disturbing as the amendment of the electoral law, which should include public hearings, ought to have been completed before the notice for the polls by the commission.

Surprisingly, the state assembly has not notified the public of any ongoing amendment to the states electoral law.

The secrecy surrounding the amendment of the electoral law puts the process in jeopardy as it is feared that the secret amendment is designed to upturn the provisions for free and fair election in the state, he lamented.

The party also challenged the nomination of Mr Henry Omaku by Gov. Umaru Al-Makura as the chairman of NASIEC.

The nomination is awaiting the confirmation of the state assembly.

The APGA big wig alleged that Omaku was a commissioner at the Local Government Service Commission and a card-carrying member of the APC.

In view of the fore-going, we doubt the sincerity and integrity of the proposed local government election.

We call on NASIEC, the state government and House of Assembly to immediately rectify the disturbing issues surrounding the election,he warned.

Newsmen, report that NASIEC had on March 1, released a comprehensive timetable for the conduct of local government election in the state with the election slated for May 26.

Newsmen also recall that the last local government election in the state was held in March 2014.

NAN

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Loading...Home | News | General | As FOCAC Beijing Summit draws near

By Zhou Pingjian

As President Mahammadu Buhari recently said in his felicitation message to President Xi Jinping on the occasion of the Chinese lunar new year, I am looking forward to China hosting the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in Beijing in September this year, and have every reason to believe that the Year of Dog will bring us more success stories and mutual benefits for China-Africa cooperation.

The Chinese Government is working hard to ensure the success of the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, according to Premier Li Keqiang while delivering the government work report to the ongoing first session of Chinas 13th National Peoples Congress on March 5. This year marks the 18th anniversary of FOCAC.

The past 18 years have seen fruitful progress in China-Africa practical cooperation across the board. Two-way trade and Chinas total non-financial investment in Africa in 2017 were 17 times and around 100 times that of 2000 respectively, which shows Chinas contribution to Africas economic development has risen significantly. FOCAC has become a pacesetter in China-Africa cooperation, a champion for greater international attention to and input in Africa, and the largest and most effective South-South cooperation platform in the world.

The FOCAC Johannesburg Summit held in December 2015 was a great success, and it is now Chinas turn to hold a new FOCAC. China decides to upgrade the forum to a summit in response to the positive and urgent wishes of the African members of FOCAC. President Xi Jinping and President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, the FOCAC co-chair, will jointly invite all the leaders of the forum members to attend the summit.

Building on the success of Johannesburg Summit, we are willing to strengthen communication and consultation with our African friends to elevate the FOCAC Beijing Summit to a new level. We hope to, through the joint construction of the Belt and Road between China and Africa, inject fresh and strong impetus into China-Africa mutually beneficial cooperation and elevate it to a new level.

China-Africa cooperation has always been open and transparent. China welcomes the concerted efforts made by the international community to support Africa in achieving peace, stability and development. Some allegations by some people in the international community however, are biased and not fact-based, and we frankly dont agree. Take the concessionary loan provided by China to African countries. Has it increased the debt burden of countries concerned? Are there any political considerations behind it? The answers are definitely negative, contrary to the claim. That kind of claim, I should say, is full of groundless words with an attempt out of ulterior motives.

In recent years China has indeed increased its financing support to African countries including Nigeria, with China-Africa cooperation having been increasingly expanded and deepened. However, as Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi made it very clear during his visit to Africa early this year, it needs to be stressed that China has always adhered to the following principles in this process:

First, the response made to the development demand of Africa itself. Any country has huge capital demand at the initial stage of economic take-off and industrialization and Africa is of no exception. Based on the wishes put forward by the African countries, China provides financing support within its due capacity and offers timely assistance to the economic and social development of the African countries, which has been unanimously recognized and welcomed by all countries.

Second, never attach any political conditions. Like African countries, China had a painful experience of having its economy under the control of the foreign countries and then suffering unfair treatment and even being exploited and oppressed. Therefore, China will never do what the western countries have done or impose its will on others no matter in assistance or cooperation, but will always respect and work together with Africa, considering both righteousness and benefit with the former as the top priority.

Third, stick to the principle of mutual benefit and win-win results. The nature of China-Africa cooperation is South-South cooperation, one of whose major characteristics is equal treatment, mutual benefit and win-win results. Only by doing in this way can sustainable and long-term cooperation be achieved and common development of both sides realized. To this end, the financing support provided by China to Africa must undergo serious feasibility studies and market-oriented arguments to ensure that each cooperation project can achieve the desired economic and social effects.

The current debt owned by some African countries was accumulated over a long period of time instead of occurring in recent years. China is not a main creditor of African countries. The solution to debt issues is to achieve diversified economic development by taking the path of sustainable development. China firmly supports this solution. Chinas financing support to Africa is mainly invested in infrastructure construction and the productive field.

The Chinese companies have built a large number of infrastructure projects such as highways, railways, ports, airports and communications facilities in Africa, which greatly improved the environment for Africas economic development, added to its appeal to foreign investment and enhanced its capability to achieve self-driven development. In addition to loans, the Chinese government is more inclined to encourage and guide Chinese enterprises to increase their direct investment in Africa and has offered support in this regard, and actively explores new investment cooperation model such as the Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

China always attaches high importance to Africas debt sustainability. We are committed to intensive development. The large infrastructure projects are planned and moved forward along with promoting Africas industrial development. While pursuing the economic and social benefits of the relevant projects, we have also laid emphasis on enhancing African countries capability for independent and sustainable development so as to avoid adding to African countries debt burden.

There is a saying in China that Only your feet can tell whether your shoes are suitable or not. Africa has the best say on Chinas cooperation with Africa. There is another saying in China that Justice naturally inhabits mans heart. African people will have their own judgment and naturally come to the fair conclusion that who helps Africa sincerely and who is the most reliable partner of Africa. We hope that relevant countries can contribute more to Africas development and view China-Africa cooperation in a fair and objective way.

As the FOCAC Beijing Summit draws near, we believe we will surely be able to open up broader prospects for China-Africa comprehensive strategic partnership irrespective of detractors and distractions, as long as we adhere to the principle of shared growth through consultation and collaboration.

Dr. Zhou Pingjian is Ambassador of China to Nigeria

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Loading...Home | News | General | N30bn Is Missing From NSITF  Labour Minister, Chris Ngige Cries Out

Dr. Chris Ngige has given reasons why he refused to inaugurate the board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund as directed by the President.

The minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige has raised alarm stating that N30 billion is missing from the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), according to LeadershipNG.

This comes after the minister inaugurated other boards but failed to inaugurate the NSITF board which is under the Ministry of Labour. The boards inaugurated by the minister include those of the National Productivity Centre (NPC), National Directorate of Employment (NDE), and Michael Imoudu National institute for Labour Studies (MINILS).

Giving reasons why the board was not inaugurated alongside others yesterday, Ngige said he had the consent of the president to stay action on inaugurating the NSITF board the pending the outcome of the administrative enquiry recently set up by the ministry to investigate the mindless looting of the agency.



The minister urged members of the other boards so inaugurated to be accountable in the discharge of their mandates to avoid a repeat of the rot in the NSITF.

Ngige said: The operations of the various parastatals must strictly conform to financial regulations, especially Section 32 and the provisions of the Procurement Act. The audited accounts of the parastatals must always be prepared and submitted to the relevant authorities as and when due.

The NSITF, for example, is reeling from massive looting with no audited account for five years. A whooping sum of N5billion was unearthed by an audit panel of enquiry as having been taken out of the NSITF coffers with First Bank in a single day without vouchers.

Worse still, the organisation maintained no cash book as required by financial regulations. This resulted in massive looting of funds by board members acting in concert with the management staff.

When we say N5 billion was taken in one day, thats not the only amount missing. Over N30billion cannot be accounted for and the members of the past board participated actively in the looting. We want to know how board members, who are not part of the management, found their way so deep to have participated in plundering of the agency, Ngige said.

The labour minister revealed that some indicted management staff and members of the previous board, including their chairman, had been charged to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

We dont want the new board to go into a stench; putting a new wine in an old wine skin, it will be polluted. Thats why the president agreed for us to do an administrative enquiry there to explain the total failure of the internal audit mechanism for checking that no money leaves the establishment without voucher, and in this instance, over N30 billion missing and N5 billion of it without any voucher, no trace. It is unacceptable, he stated.

Ngige asserted that having discovered that the former board was neck deep in massive corruption, it was imperative to forestall recurrence. He, therefore, said that once the panel of enquiry concluded its findings and government issued a gazette on its conclusions, a new board would be inaugurated.

We will make sure that people who are going there will be people of character and quality so that such a thing will never happen again because the NSITF is the flagship board of this ministry and for the constituent tripartite organisations, he said.

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Loading...Home | News | General | Handsome Nigerian Teenager Shot Dead In The UK (Photo)

The mother of a young Nigerian teenager shot dead in the UK on Thursday revealed that she warned her son before his sad death.

A Nigerian teenager, Kelvin Odunuyi, 19 living in the UK has been gunned down as he stood with friends at the entrance of the Vue cinema in Wood Green, at just after 12.30am on Thursday.

According to UK Guardian , police were called to Hollywood Green, Wood Green, north London at about 12.32am on Thursday to reports of a shooting, the Metropolitan police said.

Officers found the young man suffering from a gunshot injury outside the cinema complex.

It is believed that the assailants fled on a moped after shooting the teenager. He was taken to hospital where he died a short time later. No arrests have been made, and the mans next-of-kin have been informed.

DCI Luke Marks said: At this early stage, were trying to piece together exactly what has happened.

However, we believe two people made off on a moped shortly after the incident and this is one line of inquiry that were actively pursuing.

We would urge anyone who witnessed the incident, or has any information, to come forward and speak to police as soon as possible.

His mother, Afishetu Oniru told The UK Standard that her son was at the wrong place at the wrong time.

At the family home in Harrow on Friday, she told the Standard: He was a lovely jovial boy. He was clever and loved by all who knew himhe had everything going for him.

Mrs Oniru said relatives, including his father who runs a property business in Nigeria, had paid her sons fees at the prestigious 26,000-a-year Fulneck School in Pudsey, West Yorkshire, as a boarder, and that he had ambitions to work in the oil industry.

He moved to Heartlands High School in Wood Green.

She said: We sent him away because it was the best school for him. I have always lived in London but when we moved to Wood Green for a short time I got scared for my family.

We now live in Harrow and I told him not to go back to Wood Green to see friends. But he did and now he is dead after being shot dead in a random attack. Police said it was wrong place at wrong time.

He was with a big group when two boys on bicycles came along shooting  he was hit, its a tragedy. I am devastated.

I knew he would be safe at home with me but he went there and now he is dead. Another mother is grieving, enough is enough, the government needs to act to stop the bloodshed.

Mr Odunuyi, a rapper who performed under the name DipDat and was also known as Lampz, was pronounced dead in hospital two hours after the shooting.

The killing, the first fatal shooting of a teenager in London in 2018, is thought to be part of an escalating postcode war  between gangs in Wood Green and nearby Tottenham.

A police source confirmed the killing was being treated as gang-related. It was claimed that Mr Odunuyi was not a gang member, but socialised with people who were.

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Loading...Home | News | General | If Tinubu Fails, There Will Be Mass Defection From APC  Shehu Sani

The senator Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the senate has revealed that the governor of the state is a tyrant and if Tinubu fails in reconciling aggrieved members, there will be mass defection from APC.

Senator Shehu Sani explains his rift with Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, its genesis and how it has mutated and now involves Senator Hunkuyi, creating a sharp division within the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state. Sani, who was a pro-democracy and human rights activist before coming to the National Assembly, represents Kaduna Central Senatorial District and chairs the Ad hoc Committee of the Senate, which investigated former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr.Babachir Lawal, for breach of the Public Procurement Act and for abuse of his official position.



In your opinion, what precipitated the worsening of the crisis in Kaduna chapter of APC which resulted into demolition of a house of a senator aligned to your faction of the party?

The Kaduna APC crisis came in different stages- the one that began with me and the one that is continuing with Senator Hunkuyi and others. There are both ideological and political differences between me and (Governor) El-Rufai. He came from a political establishment. For the 16 years of PDP rule, he spent 13 years as a PDP man, he was never known until 1999 when he was appointed the DG of Bureau of Public Enterprises and later, Minister for FCT. This was a man who used to call Obasanjo his mentor and he used to call (Late) Umar YarAdua his mentor and teacher and he used to call Jonathan Goodluck his very good leader, and now, it is Buhari. What I know is that the Nasir- el Rufai that betrayed Atiku, betrayed Obasanjo, Jonathan, Atiku will also betray Buhari.

But the relationship between you and the governor seemed to have kicked off on a good note as members and aspirants on the platform of APC

A: No, I came from a social, political movement and he came from the political establishment and then we found ourselves in APC. I was not his favourite candidate for the Senate. His favourite candidate was then the incumbent candidate

But there was this information that he supported you financially with about N109 million during the campaign

A: Oh my God! We live in a world of Google now. If you Google Nasir, you will see where he generally said that he supported General Saleh. We are not in 1960, we are not in 1950. Check the interview he granted in 2016 to Vanguard newspaper where he said he supported General Saleh. So, which one are you going to believe  what his aides say or what he said personally? And as far as I am concerned, you can check my Facebook posts, I said it very clearly, that I would not give and delegate any kobo to win election. Vote for me based on my ideas and principles and I was voted in that manner. I didnt say that in a room or just inside my mind. I said it publicly.

The next thing I want you to understand is that the APC raised funds for its campaign, the election centrally with the support of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Bukola Saraki and other business moguls. That money was shared to all the 36 states and put in custody of the gubernatorial candidates to pay agents of the party. Did we pay the people who voted for us? No, we didnt. Did we give them some incentives to vote for us? No, we didnt. We differ politically and ideologically. He has a different candidate who I defeated at the primary and from then, when it comes to sharing positions of offices in the state, he gave those positions to the person I defeated. But he removed him recently from the position he gave him when he (Senator Saleh) went against him. Senator Saleh was the Senator from 2011 to 2015 and El-Rufai wanted him to be the senator from 2015 to 2019, but I defeated him. But to compensate him, El-rufai gave him the position of Chairman of Kaduna State House of Assembly Commission. But when General Saleh attended our meeting just some days ago, he sacked him. And he also sacked all political appointees that owe allegiance to Senator Hunkuyi and Saleh. Luckily for me, I dont have one political appointee in his government, so there is nobody to sack.

Many things happened in the past three years. First of all, he induced members of my ward to issue a fictitious suspension against me, a suspension that has no constitutional value in the party, but was only done for the purpose of just announcing it to embarrass me publicly. And I also warned Senator Hunkuyi that we are heading to tyranny, but he never agreed with me until two years after when the fangs of the tyrant in Kaduna now descended on him.

Many things happened in the past three years. First of all, he induced members of my ward to issue a fictitious suspension against me, a suspension that has no constitutional value in the party, but was only done for the purpose of just announcing it to embarrass me publicly. And I also warned Senator Hunkuyi that we are heading to tyranny, but he never agreed with me until two years after when the fangs of the tyrant in Kaduna now descended on him.

After my purported suspension, first, for eleven months, then indefinite suspension and Nasir discovered that that would not give him the peace he needs because I simply kept on my activities, the next thing he did was to send his agents to start moving round the schools which I attended from primary school, secondary to the Polytechnic to even the NYSC, trying to see whether I forged my documents or not.

I have all their correspondences and letters and the contacts which they have made with my schools. That also did not work. The next thing was that my constituency office was attacked eleven times by thugs, but that was not enough. And now, they moved to organising protests, spending heavy amounts of money on radio, trying to destroy my reputation and incite people against me, but that also did not work. They went around, planting stories that I am anti-Buhari and I said I can criticise Buhari, I dont hide my views, I am not a hypocrite nor am I a sycophant. That also did not work. The next thing that happened was that my own personal house was also attacked and the one that happened some weeks ago was the attempt to frame my own aides in a murder case. But that also has not worked.

I do not believe that people should be punished for their ideas or for dissenting, because I am a chief dissenter myself. But you cannot be in the Senate where you have the opportunity to disagree and you walk out to go and call press conference and make false allegations against people. I am not elected into the Senate to be pro or anti-Buhari. A senator has a set of rules and order to which he is duty bound to comply with. But when you tag somebody as being anti-Buhari, all you are trying to do is to whip up sentiment against that person and create a lot of issues for that person.

What led to the opening of the new APC Secretariat located in the building which has now been demolished?

Now, I and Senator Hunkuyi agreed that, this party is not working because he too becomes a victim of the man he has been working with. And then, we said we should open our own APC office because what Nasir did after he won the 2015 election was to appoint 18 of the 26 members of the Kaduna APC into his cabinet, leaving the party empty. And by the constitution of the party, those persons appointed into political offices have virtually lost their seats in the party. And now, having seen that the party is empty, he started appointing people to various positions within it which is against what the constitution of the party says. There must be a mini convention or a consensus before that can be done. But he also handed over the party office to his political adviser, so that it got to a point that you dont even have a party.

As a journalist, if I asked you, please, show me any clip, on radio, TV, audio or newspaper of the acting chairman of Kaduna APC, you would not have any. The person that is supposed to be the chairman of the party now is Danladi Wada who is on our own side. But he brought somebody called Shuaibu Laoje. The only thing he does at APC meeting is opening prayer and closing prayer. Apart from that, he doesnt know anything.

So, when it comes to the point of going to the media, the governor will hide Shuaibu Laoje and will bring an acting Secretary or the acting publicity secretary to speak on behalf of the party. That is what they have been doing.The chairman of the party became the deputy governor of the state, so the party now is only having a deputy chairman who happens to be Danladi who is on our side. But Nasir said he cannot be the chairman because he is our candidate. He brought Laoje and for the past two and a half years, you journalists have never seen him because the man cannot express himself. He is simply a decoy. If we say this is our deputy chairman and you say this is your own deputy chairman, thats okay, but please, lets bring them together and lets see who is better.

But the argument was that the move by your faction to set up the new APC Secretariat and even the purported suspension of Governor El-Rufai done before then was because the President set up a committee headed by Asiwaju Tinubu to reconcile party chapters where there are crises across the states. The claim was that your group hurriedly set up the secretariat to gain an advantage in the reconciliation process?

If Nasir thinks we are irrelevant, why did he move bulldozer there? If you think and believe that the masses of Kaduna State are with you and these people are simply rabble rousers, why move the bulldozer there? So, what he did was to simply engineer his own faction to suspend me for two and a half years. He used his own party to suspend Senator Hunkuyi and the two groups that were set up  the Akida and the Restoration Group. He even expelled them from the party. But when his own suspension came for six months, he lost his senses, rationality, sense of reasoning and moved a bulldozer against our office. But what we are telling him is that the message has been sent. Nasir in Kaduna is fighting a lot of people  he is fighting traditional rulers, Muslim religious leaders, Christian religious leaders, labour market women, the political class- almost everybody. So, with that kind of person, how do we win the 2019 election?

Will this infighting not affect the chances of APC in the 2019 general elections?

Yes, Kaduna State is the only state with a PDP Senator in North West. Ten local governments out of 23 are effectively under the control of PDP. So, what becomes of the other local governments that are under APC, but are not united? So, if this disunity continues, it is going to affect us. If he (El-Rufai) believes in Tinubu, why is he moving a bulldozer? We are saying that nobody could have addressed the problems of APC except the President himself because the governors are party to the crisis, the Senators, Reps are party to the crisis, the party itself is also a part of the crisis.

How far can Tinubu or the three-man committee led by former Governor Segun Oni go in solving the crisis afflicting Kaduna APC?

I can tell you when you are talking of reconciliation and peace in APC, there are some fires that Tinubu can extinguish with a cup of water and there are some fires he has to use a bucket of water and there are some fires, he has to pipe an ocean in order to extinguish. There are areas Tinubu can have some achievements. But he can only make that achievement if the parties are prepared to make peace. If one party is prepared for peace and the other party is not, there cannot be peace. But it is better late than never- this reconciliation ought to have been done since last year, but it appears that even Tinubu himself is aggrieved and has been sidelined in the affairs of the government. But now, inviting him to tackle this problem, I believe that if he succeeds, he will bring the APC family together and they will be stronger.

In the event that the reconciliation fails in Kaduna APC, are you thinking of jumping ship to another party, because there are even speculations that you are preparing to contest the governorship on the platform of another party?

A: I can tell you that if Tinubu fails, there is going to be mass defection from APC.

Is it true that you have your eyes on the governorship of Kaduna State?

I have the constitutional rights to contest if I want to. But as things are now, we need to put our ambitions in our pockets and allow the process of reconciliation to continue because reconciliation cannot go on with ambitions and bulldozers. Even, before you have peace in war situations, you must have a ceasefire. For now, we are giving a grace of time for Tinubu to succeed. If he succeeds, the outcome of the deliberations will form the roadmap for the future of the party and if he fails, we will simply apply our senses.

It is always good to look at the messenger and the message. Governor El-Rufai is the chief architect of that committee because he wants political relevance. How can an APC that promised restructuring only think of restructuring when it is a year to an election? Documents of that committee is more or less a campaign document for 2018. There will be no restructuring, you can quote me.

 TheNEWS Magazine

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Loading...Home | News | General | Since PDP prominent politicians defected to APC in Kastina, the party can't survive - Oyegun

- Chief John Oyegun said hundreds of thousands of PDP members has defected to the APC in Kastina state

- Oyegun said a two time speaker of the state House Assembly, Nura Khalih also a two-time governorship candidate of the ANPP all defected to party

- He also called on the people of the state to give maximum support to President Buhari to enable him continue in his leadership of the country

Chief John Oyegun, the national chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC) on Saturday, March 10, declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Katsina state as dead and buried.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oyegun made the declaration in the state during a grand reception organized by the state APC chapter to receive prominent politicians who defected to his party from the PDP.

He said since hundreds of thousands of PDP members had defected to APC, then the party was completely dead and buried.

READ ALSO: If Tinubus reconciliation fails, there will be mass defection from APC - Shehu Sani

According to him, ''Prominent politicians like Sen Idah, Barrister Yau Gwajo-Gwajo, a two time speaker of Katsina House Assembly, and Nura Khalih also a two-time governorship candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) have all defected to APC today.

Since PDP prominent politicians have defected to APC in Kastina, opposition party can't survive - Oyegun

''Now that prominent people and their followers have joined the APC, then, we have the right to declare PDP, APGA, and PDM as dead and buried in the state.

Oyegun called on the people of the state to give maximum support to President Buhari to enable him continue in his leadership of the country.

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He said: ''When the APC administration took over the mantle of leadership in 2015, the Nation Electricity supply was only 3000 megawatts.

''Today, the electricity supply is 7000 megawatts. The country has witnessed an increase of 4000 megawatts.''

Oyegun revealed that the president had used his experience to control insecurity in the country to its barest minimum.

The chairman said that President Buhari had introduced several ways of reducing poverty through giving agriculture and economic empowerment to the people.

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had reported that the APC in the state asked the chairman of PDP in the state Salisu Majigiri, to defect to the ruling party.

Alhaji Bala Musawa who is the Zonal vice chairman of the ruling party said the PDP only existed in name and urged Majigiri to move to the APC.

APC official tells why his party could be voted out in 2019 - on NAIJ.com TV:

[embedded content]

Source: Naija.ng

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Loading...Home | News | General | Identical twins arrested for alleged examination malpractice in UTME

- Security operatives nabbed two identical twins for alleged examination malpractice in the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME)

- The lookalike brothers were caught at the University of Maiduguri centre, Borno state

- The twins were apprehended after they had tricked invigilators and security personnel to gain entrance to the exam centre

Two identical twins have been arrested for alleged examination malpractice in the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), at the University of Maiduguri centre, Borno.

Babagana Gutti, Chief Examiner Officer in the state, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the twins were apprehended by the security operatives on Saturday in Maiduguri.

Gutti said that the lookalike brothers tricked invigilators and security personnel to gain entrance to the centre.

READ ALSO: Benue herdsmen attacks: Obasanjo reportedly backs Ortom on anti-open grazing law

He said one of them tried to sit for the examination on behalf of his brother.

The JAMB official explained that one, Hussain Andulhammeed, was captured in the biometric registration for the Compute Base Test (CBT), adding that the second persons Hassan took advantage of their semblance and sat for the examination in place of his brother.

We do not suspect foul play until one of the invigilators noticed the other identical twin outside the examination hall.

The invigilator became curious and asked him few questions; but not satisfied with answers he put them together for verification.

It is unfortunate our findings showed that he was in the examination hall in place of his brother, he said.

Gutti added that the candidates had been penalised and handed over to security personnel.

He explained that the examination was going smoothly in the eight designated centres in the state.

NAN report that about 1,700 candidates registered for the examination in the state.

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In a previous report by NAIJ.com, some candidates, who sat for the first session of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME), on Saturday, March 10, commended JAMB as few panicked due to their unfamiliarity with the use of computers.

Abayomi Otubela, the proprietor of Lagooz Schools Agege, Lagos, whose school serves as one of the UTME centres, announced this to the parents of the candidates at the waiting lodge in the centre.

Otubela said some candidates had difficulties navigating through the computers, which made them to panic.

Nigerians express mixed feelings as JAMB reduces admission cut-off to 120 - on NAIJ.com TV:

[embedded content]

Source: Naija.ng

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Loading...Home | News | General | Happening now: Katsina agog as APC receives decampees, PDP big shots

Crowd sign of endorsement of PMB, Masari  APC National Chair

By Bashir Bello

KATSINA  Mammoth crowd in Katsina state as the ruling party, All Progress Congress, APC receive big shots from Peoples Democratic Party, others who decamped into the party in the state.



The event was a grand reception organized by the APC in the state to receive the decampees into the party.

The Decampees includes, Senator Ibrahim Idah (PDP), Hon. Yau Umar Gwajo-Gwajo (former Speaker under PDP), Alh. Bature Umar Masari (Former Director General PDP Katsina State Campaign Organization for 2015 General elections and Hon. Musa Adamu Funtua (Former Commissioner of Agriculture under PDP).

Others include Engr Nura Khalil, Gubernatorial candidate under ACN, Abubakar Shuaibu Bakori, Dr. Yushau Armayau (Former Chairman Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM and 34 Local government executives), Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi Tsauri (All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA and his supporters) and 264 Councillors of the PDP defunct local government administration.

The National Chairman of the party, Dr. John Odige Oyegun described the crowd as astonishing and a sign of approval that the people are behind President Muhammadu Buhari and the Governor, Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina state.

Oyegun applauded the quality and calibre of decampees into the state.

He described the defection as first of it kind since he has been receiving decampees.

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Loading...Home | World | Africa | 1893 MHRRM UK Matebele Genocide Demo on the 24th March 2018

The 1893 Mthwakazi Human Rights Restoration Movement's (1893 MHRRM's) UK Chapter, hereby announces that it will be holding another Matebele "Gukurahundi" Genocide Demonstration against the Zimbabwean government on the 24th March 2018. The Demonstration will take place outside Zimbabwe's UK embassy, the Zimbabwe House, located at number 429 Strand, London, WC2R 0JR from 1pm to 5pm.

The Demo will also be denouncing the on-going systematic Human Rights violations in Matebeleland. As we all know, the genocide in Matebeleland continues unabated under different forms and guises including cultural and linguistic genocide as well as the brazen confiscation of Matebele Land.

Any form of protest or assembly in Matebeleland invites beatings and arrests from the security apparatus or invites the massive deployment of armed security personnel and its heavy water tanks in the streets of Bulawayo. Last week we witnessed the massive deployment of this security apparatus against the Matebele people for wishing to exercise their Rights. We also witnessed the deployment of the Courts and all manner of Politicians to keep Matebeleland and its people under siege. We condemn this aggressive behaviour of this tyrannical regime against the people of Matebeleland in the strongest terms possible. The regime must retreat and abandon its systematic Human Rights violation forays in Matebeleland.

The Demo will also denounce the white-wash works of the compromised National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC). It has been established beyond doubt that the works of this Commission are purely whitewash in nature and are meant to cover-up for those implicated in the genocide. That Commission is not fit for purpose. It is a toothless hyena.

In that regard, the NPRC is utterly rejected, rebuffed and repudiated by the people of Matebeleland. It is a nullity as far as we are concerned. It is clear to all and sundry that its results will be adulterated. The 1893 MHRRM therefore calls for its disbanding and the urgent establishment of an international and independent Truth and Justice Commission headed by a prominent Judge to deal with the Matebeleland Genocide in an open, transparent, fair, just and independent way in order to set conditions favourable for sustainable Peace in that country.

For those who know little about the Matebele "Gukurahundi" Genocide, the following links are recommended for viewing:

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Diaspora Matebele Genocide Conference Latest

Preparations for the first Diaspora Matebele Genocide Conference on 12th May 2018 in London, UK are at an advanced stage. Three high profile personalities based in Matebeleland at present will be gracing this event and the names will be revealed nearer the time.

The following are the contact telephone numbers for any queries regarding the 1893 MHRRM and the above Demo.

Tel: 07889422695/07763305905

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Loading...Home | World | Africa | Is The Voice Of The People; The Voice Of God?

"How fortunate for governments that the people they administrate don't think"-----Adolf Hitler. Which he followed with: "The great masses of the people will more easily fall victims to a big lie than to a small one."

Many at times, we hear people say: "The voice of the people; is the voice of God". Sometimes this same conjecture is replicated as; "the will of the people; is the will of God". I have been brainstorming on these statements for days now. I couldn't help but put my ideas on paper.

The statement mostly reads" the people have spoken and the voice of the people is the voice of God."

I would like to state clearly that, while the first part of the statement may be true the second however, "the voice of the people is the voice of God" is absolutely incorrect and non scriptural.

This is a statement that I have heard many times from my youth, and has been used by the devil to cunningly deceive people into believing that what is popular is of God.

Vox populi, vox Dei is a Latin phrase that means the voice of the people is the voice of God. This expression was first used by Alcuin. Alcuin was an English scholar who was later described by Einhard (a dedicated servant of Charlemagne) as "The most learned man anywhere to be found".

The full quotation from Alcuin reads:

''Nec audiendi qui solent dicere, Vox populi, vox Dei, quum tumultuositas vulgi semper insaniae proxima sit", which is translated as; ''And those people should not be listened to who keep saying the voice of the people is the voice of God, since the riotousness of the crowd is always very close to madness".

The usage indicates that the phrase had long since become an aphorism of common political wisdom better put, a biting aphorism.

But is the will of the people, the will of God..?

According to Alexander Hamilton; ''The voice of the people has been said to be the voice of God; and, however generally this maxim has been quoted and believed, it is not true to fact. The people are turbulent and changing, they seldom judge or determine right".

While religionists and theologians assume that this is God's world, it is not! Let me repeat, this is not God's worldit does not reflect His Way. Its customs, beliefs, values, philosophies, traditions and practices are not of God.

But God is callingand working witha small number of people, whom He is training for a very special purpose.

In the book of 1 Samuel 8:5-22, there is a wonderful story of the children of Israel; God's chosen people who wanted a king at all costs. They came to the man of God named Samuel and told him they wanted a king, he spoke to God, and God told him His mind to speak to the people but they refused to listen. They said they wanted a king like all the other nations and that certainly was not God's voice or even his mind because he revealed his mind to the king to speak to them but yet still they rebelled. In verse 18 and 19 he told them how wicked the king would be, how he would enslave them and abuse them and that they would cry out to God because of the wickedness of the king but God would not hear them. Nevertheless they refuse to obey Gods voice through his servant.

In the book of 1kings 13: 11  25 another story is told of a young prophet who was sent by God on a mission with clear instructions that he should not stop to eat, drink or go back by the way he came. After completing his assignment he left but an older prophet came after him and told him "I am a prophet to, God spoke to me by an angel and said you should come with me to eat, drink etc". Whilst at home with the old prophet the word of God came to remind him of His instructions from God through the mouth of the same old lying prophet. On his way back he was killed by a lion because he listened to a voice that he thought was the voice of God.

Clearly in these stories the voice that was being heard was not God's; the people's choice of a king, was not God's voice either.

This statement(" the people have spoken and the voice of the people is the voice of God.") has been used by many people and leaders as a means of deceiving people into believing that decisions made by large groups or crowds of people are representative of God speaking. This is absolutely false and in many cases is used as a means of manipulation.

When the Nation of Israel refused the rule of God through his prophets and insisted on having a king like the other nations God allowed them to choose their own form of government which in their case at that time was a king. Through the centuries different types of governments have arisen some with more merit perhaps than others.

Democracy allows us to choose through the process of voting to put in office the person we think will do the best job. This does not guarantee that the individual chosen is the choice of God to rule the people. Evil men through the democratic process have gained the upper hand and became dictators.

This is why people of faith should pray for wisdom from God to make the right choice at election time. However whether we win or not we are to honor and obey those who rule over us while they are in office according to Romans 13:1-7.

A man may not be the choice of God but if enough people who do not know God or His ways vote for the man he is going to get into office. This is why people of faith should pray for wisdom and seek to discern the will of God at election time. Sometimes we make a mistake or we are outnumbered.

Furthermore, once the man is in office we must honor and obey him as our leader according to Romans 13:1-7 unless he orders us to disobey God.

If he gives us a law that requires us to act contrary to the law of God, it is NOT valid! As Christians we have a right to disobey that law. According to Acts 5:25-29, the apostles been commanded by the rulers not to preach the Word of God. Peter stood against the rulers and boldly said; IT IS BETTER TO OBEY GOD THAN MEN. The apostles continued to preach the gospel as Christ had commanded them to do in Matthew 28:18-20, and Mark 16:15-16.

Politicians who give freebies during elections equally claim that the voice of the people is the voice of God. I disagree strongly. Rather it's MONEY that spoke and Ecclesiastes 10:19 says "money answereth all things."

Other than that why do they campaign during elections If God has already chosen them to lead? Many at times Politicians share money during election and in some cases are able to buy elections. So let's be very clear about this.

When it relates to politics, be informed that God plays no part in politics. God may have allowed the corrupted elements to succeed in buying votes to win the election; however, he played no part in what went on in choosing a political leader. God is a spirit and they that worship him must worship him in truth and in spirit.

The basic tenet of politics is falsity. A politician is defined as a schemer who tries to gain advantage in an organization in sly or underhanded ways. (Word web)

The bible says MANY ARE CALLED BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN!! That in itself is an indication that the voice of 'the masses' many times will be contrary to the will of our creator!!

I wish that persons of the faith would speak more forcefully to the involvement of representatives of 'Christianity' or 'the faith', in a POLITICAL CAMPAIGN riddled with hurtful, derogatory and denigrating utterances never once challenged by them as being 'UNGODLY'

In Exodus 32, the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, "Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don't know what has happened to him." Aaron heeded to their call (the voice of the people) and instructed the people to "Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me. It would interest you to read the rest of the story but my line of reasoning here is; the voice of the people resulted in the making of the golden calf..But was that the voice of God?

The voice of God is a voice of truth, justice, love, honesty, integrity, etc. What people usually respond to is a voice of greed, corruption, lies, hypocrisy, dishonesty etc., and voice of God is very far from that.

Consider also; Our Blessed savior was delivered by the Jews to Pilate their Governor. Pilate, although heathen tried all ways to save Jesus, and being the custom at the feast of the Passover, to release to them a prisoner ,at their choice, he propose to them Christ or Barabbas(a murderer and robber).

And what was the voice (the wish) of the people?

John 18:40 reads; But they shouted back, "No! Not this man. We want Barabbas!"

Pilate asked, "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?". They all answered, "Crucify him!"(Matthew 27:22).As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, "Crucify! Crucify!" But Pilate answered, "You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him."(John 19:6)

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!"(Matthew 27:24)

Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. (Mark 15:15)

Now let us Judge if the voice of the people; was indeed the voice of God?

Even in our political history, we are told that the citizens had cried (voice of the people) "let the blood flow" prior to and after June 4th, 1979. But was that the voice of God at all?

I believe your answer is an emphatic No.

For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. (1 peter 2:15)

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.( Ephesians 5:15-20)

The voice of the masses is never to be paralled with the voice of God, likewise the will of the masses must never be paralled with the will of God.

"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent."-- Thomas Jefferson

RENDER THEREFORE UNTO THE POLITICIAN WHAT BELONGS TO THE POLITICIAN (YOUR VOTES), AND TO GOD THE THINGS (YOUR HEART/MIND) THAT ARE GOD'S.Ernest Aggrey.

Ernest Aggrey(DONMIRAGE77@YAHOO.COM)

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Loading...Home | World | Africa | Donor agencies shun funding Zimbabwe military, govt appeals for increased demining funding

The government of Zimbabwe has appealed to donor agencies funding demining activities in the country to increase the funding.

The appeal was made by vice president Constantino Chiwenga at Munhumutapa Hotel during the launch of Zimbabwe National Mine Action Plan 2018-2023.

Chiwenga is also Zimbabwe's minister Defence and War Veterans Affairs.

"I appeal to donor agencies already funding demining in Zimbabwe to consider increasing the funding," he said.

Chiwenga urged agencies with the capacity to chip in with some monies to consider helping in Zimbabwe.

"We urge others with the capacity, to consider funding and supporting this noble humanitarian cause for the sake of Zimbabwe's future generations.

"A boost in funding will enhance the demining operations by increasing the number of teams hence expedite the completion of the programme," he said.

Chiwenga however bemoaned lack of funding for military deminers, as agencies are not willing to directly fund the military team.

The Zimbabwe National Mine Action Strategic Plan is a policy document crafted by government in collaboration with strategic partners in charge of mine action in the country under the auspices of the Geneva Centre for Humanitarian Demining.

The purpose of the plan is to guide Zimbabwe's mine action players in their operations.

The strategic plan has two parts and the first gives background to the landmine problems in Zimbabwe and also details the mission statement.

The second part of the plan outlines four strategic issues to be pursued by operating teams. These goals relate to the five pillars of mine action which are stockpile destruction, survey and clearance, mine risk education, victim assistance and advocacy.

Currently, Zimbabwe has four accredited international demining organisations. These are the Hazardous Areas Life Support Organisation (HALO) Trust, Norwegian People's Aid (NPA), Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and Apopo.

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Loading...Home | World | Africa | Zimbabweans demand action from Mnangagwa over missing Itai Dzamara

Zimbabweans, civil society activists and members of the Dzamara family gathered at Africa Unity Square in Harare this Friday morning in memory of Itai Dzamara who went missing on March 9 2015.

Itai's wife who was among those who gathered at the recreational park bitterly appealed to Mnangagwa's administration to help bring closure to her family.

"Government is not doing anything to find my husband and police is quiet. They are not saying anything about. May you please help us reunite with him whether alive or dead."

Sheffra said since Itai Dzamara disappeared, she is has been struggling to fend for their two kids and fatigue has since set in civil society organisations which used to come to their rescue.

An international human rights organisation, Amnesty International called on government to work tirelessly and establish leads on Dzamara's whereabouts.

"The Zimbabwean authorities must honour the promise they made to investigate "all the leads to establish the whereabouts" of disappeared pro-democracy activist and journalist, Itai Dzamara, Amnesty International on the third anniversary of his enforced disappearance.

They called on Mnangagwa to honour a commitment he made in Geneva when he was vice president of Zimbabwe in 2016.

"As Vice President, Emmerson Mnangagwa personally announced on behalf of the Zimbabwe government that they are actively investigating the disappearance of Itai Dzamara. Yet three months since his inauguration as President, we are all still in the dark," said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International's Regional Director for Southern Africa.

"Dzamara's family and the world, need to know that no stone is being left unturned in the pursuit of justice for Itai."

Other activists which attended the event are pastor Patrick Mugadza who has been vilified by Zanu PF government for fighting for democracy.

He called on Zimbabweans to speak up arguing that if people keep quiet, more citizens will go missing.

Mugadza who was staged a one man demonstration and also prophesied the death of Mugabe was arrested on allegations of creating alarm and despondency.

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Loading...Home | World | Africa | Mohadi assesses state of Bulawayo firms

VICE President Kembo Mohadi has pledged to engage the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) and foreign investors to revive Bulawayo industries.

The VP yesterday visited some companies in Bulawayo for an assessment and to come up with strategies to revive them.

He went to the Tshova Mubayiwa terminus in Belmont where Arckrock Trading is planning to construct a state of the art terminus, Pump and Steel Supplies and Zapalala Milling plant.

Speaking after the tour, VP Mohadi said there was a lot of potential for Bulawayo to regain its status as the country's industrial hub.

"The situation is not good given the fact that most industries are operating below capacity. There's capacity underutilisation because our companies don't have credit facilities and support from the central bank.

"Pump and Steel Supplies is doing fairly well and they have gone a long way in achieving import substitution. I think the RBZ should be coming on board to assist them. I'll try to engage the RBZ to see to it that our companies are supported," he said. VP Mohadi said he would be happy if the companies were operating at least at 50 percent as this would assist in absorbing a lot of workers.

"Right now Pump and Steel Supplies only has 350 workers but they could be having more if they were operating at 50 percent and above," he said.

VP Mohadi said there was an insatiable demand for the company's products but it was failing to meet demand due to lack of financial support.

"Generally the few companies that are still operating in Bulawayo are operating below capacity. With the new dispensation, our aim is to resuscitate Bulawayo companies.

"If they could come forward we would assist them to get Foreign Direct Investment or foreign capital so that they're revitalised. I'm sure we all recall that Bulawayo was the country's industrial hub," said VP Mohadi.

He said he was impressed by the idea of a terminus to be built in Belmont, saying it would help decongest the city centre, where most commuter omnibuses rank.

"I was impressed by the idea of the new bus terminus in Belmont. They have good plans and we'll do what we can to assist them achieve their dream.

"A lot of people used to move from all over the country to come and work in Bulawayo because of the industrialisation that was taking place. We want to see that happen again," said VP Mohadi.

On the Zapalala milling plant, VP Mohadi said it has potential to grow.

He said the people of Bulawayo can do better if given a chance to develop the city and revive the economy.

"I have received quite a lot of inquiries from investors who want to invest in the country. I've asked most of them to come to Bulawayo. The response we're getting from the international community is positive given the fact that we've now moved away from the 51/49 percent Indigenisation policy.

"It will be between the investor and the local company to agree on how best they can do their business. It's only in the mining sector where we have restricted the 51/49 percent policy to two minerals.

"This is because we want to turn around the economy as quickly as possible," said VP Mohadi.

"Bulawayo is one of the cities that are earmarked for Special Economic Zones and it's situated where it easily connects with the whole of SADC and Central Africa by rail and road. This is another way of promoting industries and luring investors to invest in Bulawayo."

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Loading...Home | World | Africa | Mnangagwa back from Botswana

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is back home after a working visit to Botswana with his counterparts Edgar Lungu of Zambia and Ian Khama of Botswana.

The three leaders inspected the progress at the Kazungula bridge, linking Zambia to Botswana which initially was a project of three countries but Zimbabwe had pulled out following some differences.

Now Zimbabwe is back in the fold as the three leaders agreed that Zimbabwe will, together with Botswana also put up a one stop border poster at Kazungula so that the country also benefits from the construction of the bridge.

Speaking to journalists soon after arrival, President Mnangagwa said he is happy to be working with his counterparts following a fallout between the countries ten years ago adding that the economic spinoffs are beneficial to the three countries.

He said Botswana has also mooted the idea of sending its coal from Moropule coal fields via Zimbabwe to Maputo and that railway line has to be revamped to carry large tonnages of coal.

The 923 metre long rail-road bridge saw the three presidents walking on the temporary bridge seeing work in progress and they were satisfied by the Japanese company Daewoo and is expected to be complete next year in March.

President Mnangagwa was received by the two Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi.

Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa left Harare for Kasane, Botswana this morning to join his counterparts from Botswana and Zambia.

The three leaders will inspect the Kazungula rail-road bridge mooted in 2005 and construction began three years ago.

Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia relations will go a gear up when the three leaders are expected to see the progress made at the rail-road bridge which is almost complete.

The bridge links Zambia and Botswana but is also SADC infrastructure that is a part of the north-south corridor.

The people of Zimbabwe and Botswana opened a new page when President Mnangagwa visited Botswana recently on a state visit.

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Loading...As promised, President Trump will impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, starting March 22. But Trump has made significant concessions, in response to protests from some of Americas key trading partners.

The tariffs  25% on steel imports and 10% on aluminum imports  will exclude Canada and Mexico. And there will be a provision allowing other trade partners to essentially appeal the tariffs, find ways around them, or make the case that their imports dont really harm the U.S. economy.

Any country with which we have a security relationship [can] discuss with the United States and the president alternate ways to address the impairment of our steel and aluminum industries, a senior Trump administration official told reporters on March 8. This administration has the ability to modify the order.

President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Thursday, March 8, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Canada is the biggest source of steel imports to the United States, and Mexico is the fourth largest. With those two countries exempt, the burden will fall on imports from Brazil, South Korea, Russia, Turkey, Japan and a bunch of smaller producers. China is the worlds biggest steel producer, but it ranks 11th in terms of imports to the United States. And the United States has imposed a variety of tariffs on Chinese steel during recent years, which has led to a sharp reduction in imports.

The loopholes allow Trump to claim hes keeping a campaign promise, by going to bat for two heartland industries that have endured sharp cuts in production and employment. Yet theyre also likely to reassure investors and business people worried about trade wars, since there are ways around the tariffs for at least some importers. Those loopholes will blunt the price hikes some purchases of the metals are likely to face, and reduce the likelihood of escalating back-and-forth tariffs.

Trump seeking concessions

The exemptions for Mexico and Canada are contingent on the outcome of efforts to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, which are underway, with no conclusion imminent. Trump wants concessions from both countries that would boost American-made content in the thousands of products that cross the three nations borders every day. Trump may view the exemption from his metal tariffs as a carrot to be dangled during the negotiations, and the threat of ending the exemptions as leverage he can use.

Story continues

Trump will still have to deal with retaliatory measures imposed on U.S. exports by other countries, in response to Trumps steel tariffs. European countries are relatively small exporters of steel to the United States, yet they have still threatened proportionate tariffs on American products such as Kentucky bourbon and Harley-Davidson motorcycles built in Wisconsin. Assuming they follow through, markets will be watching closely to see if Trump escalates furtherthe gloomy trade-war scenarioor backs away, content with his metal tariffs.

The United States routinely imposes tariffs on a wide range of imports, when theres evidence that foreign producers are selling those products in the United States at artificially low prices. But those tariffs normally apply to a narrow range of products form specific countries that in many cases are subsidized by the home government.

Trumps steel and aluminum tariffs are different. Theyre based not on any finding on uncompetitive practice by a foreign producer, but on a little-used law that allows the president to impose tariffs for national-security reasons  such as during a war. Theres obviously no war, but Trump claims the decline of the American steel and aluminum industries is a national security problem because it threatens critical infrastructureroads, bridges, power plants, water treatment facility, and the like. Trade experts think thats a stretch, but they acknowledge that Trump has the authority to impose the tariffs. And now, the loopholes give Trump a way of saying imports no longer threaten national security, if he feels like theyve accomplished their goal at any point in the future.

Confidential tip line: rickjnewman@yahoo.com. Encrypted communication available.

Read more:

Rick Newman is the author of four books, including Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman

Follow Yahoo Finance on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedInLunaticoutpost.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program , anaffiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.Amazon, the Amazon logo, MYHABIT, and the MYHABIT logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.Don't be a pest to the forum.No profanity in thread-titles or usernamesNo excessive profanity in postsNo Racism, Antisemitism + HateNo calls for violence against anyone..This website exists for fun and discussion only. The reader is responsible for discerning the validity, factuality or implications of information posted here, be it fictional or based on real events. The content of posts on this site, including but not limited to links to other web sites, are the expressed opinion of the original poster and are in no way representative of or endorsed by the owners or administration of this website. The posts on this website are the opinion of the specific author and are not statements of advice, opinion, or factual information on behalf of the owner or administration of LunaticOutPost.Com. The owners or administration of this website can't be hold responsible for content hosted on sites that posters link to in; including, but not limited to, posts, signatures, private messages and such. This site may contain content not suitable for minors and if you feel you might be offended by such content, you should log off immediately.This site may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Users may make such material available in an effort to advance awareness and understanding of issues relating to civil rights, economics, individual rights, international affairs, liberty, science & technology, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material. The material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.In accordance with industry accepted best practices we ask that users limit their copy / paste of copyrighted material to the relevant portions of the article you wish to discuss (no more than 50% of the source material) provide a link back to the original articleIf you are a legal copyright holder or a designated agent for such and you believe a post on this website falls outside the boundaries of "Fair Use" and legitimately infringes on yours or your clients copyright please contact [email protected] This website is owned by :Marco ZwaneveldDrijfriemstraat 522516 XR The HagueNetherlands.I will not rent, sell, share or otherwise disclose your personal information to any third party.We might contact you from time to time regarding your purchases or the services (like forums and announcement lists) you have subscribed to.Some of the 3rd party advertisers on lunaticoutpost.com may use cookiesto track peformance and/or to serve relevant ads.If you wish to read more and/or opt out of such cookies, please visit: http://www.networkadvertising.org/choices/Washington, March 10, 2018 (AFP) - - The United States is working to exempt ally Australia from its newly unveiled foreign steel and aluminum tariffs, President Donald Trump said Friday, tying the effort to a security agreement.

Major US trading partners have condemned Trump's decision to impose the punitive tariffs as protectionism and an affront to allies, amid growing fears of a global trade war.

After a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Trump said the Australian leader "is committed to having a very fair and reciprocal military and trade relationship."

"Working very quickly on a security agreement so we don't have to impose steel or aluminum tariffs on our ally, the great nation of Australia!" the American president added.

There were no immediate details on what such a "security agreement" would entail.

Australia and the United States have been joined in the ANZUS Treaty security alliance since it took effect in 1952.

Turnbull told reporters that Trump "was able to confirm that he would not have to impose tariffs on Australian steel and aluminum," and that now the paperwork will be done "to put that direction into effect."

Australian steel and aluminum account for just a small percentage of the US import market, but Canberra has warned the tariffs would distort trade and lead to job losses.

"That was a very good and productive discussion with the president," Turnbull said.

Trump had indicated he would be flexible toward "real friends."

During Thursday's signing of the tariffs, 25 percent on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminum, he confirmed Canada and Mexico would be exempted permanently if the ongoing renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement is successful.

But both Mexico and Canada rejected Trump's linkage of the levies to ongoing NAFTA talks.

The US leader had also added Australia to a list of likely exemptions.

Story continues

"We have a very close relationship with Australia, we have a trade surplus with Australia, great country, long-term partner, we'll be doing something with them," he said.

But Trump took aim at Germany -- the biggest economy in the European Union trade bloc -- as a bad actor likely to face tariffs.

Railing against countries that had "taken advantage" of the United States, Trump accused Germany of behaving unfairly by contributing much less than the US towards the funding of NATO.

bur-oh/itDamn, so many Friday nights my grade 7 self spent there.



I guess this will force people to find more legit ear piercers.

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Claire's is better than fucking Piercing Pagoda. those idiots pierced my cartilage with a Bedazzler.

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Yikes. I'm Canadian so our classic options are Claire's or a hair salon.

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They also fucked up my ears. Regrets!

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LMAO

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My holes are crooked from PP :/ they circled my earlobes before the piercing and they looked OK to my mom and I, but in hindsight they made the circles so big that they couldn't look crooked, yknow?

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lmfao i got my second and third lobe piercings there, no shame at all lol. i drew the line at cartilage though.

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omg i got my ears pierced there, and the hole they made was crooked in 1 ear so its hard af to get some earrings thru 

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malls are so 20 years ago lol

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I got the second holes in my ears pierced there and they did a fairly good job tbh.

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I got all 6 holes done there in elementary/middle school. I had a cyst years later in one hole and two closed so I got them repierced at a tattoo/piercing place.

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So I want to get my ears pierced but don't know wear to look. Wish I could get it done in a clinic but I don't think they would do that there? My mom pierced my ears at home but they weren't even because on one side the earring would face to the side instead of front like the other one. Anyways one always closed up so I haven't worn earrings in a long time and now they both are closed.

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I still remember the "oh shit" look on the Claire's piercers face after she fucked up my lobes

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Toys R Us too. Retail is dying :(

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lol

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Lol smh

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lmfao

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he always looks like he belongs on some sort of registry 

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I am actually really bummed about Toys R Us closing. I brought my three year old there for the first time this past weekend and he was so unbelievably excited. He thought it was the most amazing place ever.

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Aw, Im a little sad about toyr r us. A big highlight of my Christmas was receiving that huge 400 page toy guide in the mail (and I remember being v disappointed the first year they cut back so it was a paltry 20 or so page magazine).

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Shopping online is much easier and cheaper a lot of the time.

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the Millennials are at it again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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damn this and Toys R Us? RIP childhood. Those 10 for $5 deals were my shit in jr high.

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Ahhh I lived for the $1 mystery bags!

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mom would give me $10 to go shopping at the mall and I'd come back with like 20 items from Claire's lmao. she'd be like "where the hell did you get all that shit?"



ah nostalgia and memories.

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omg the 10 for $5 deals i remember so vividly.

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Whoops wrong thread!



Edited at 2018-03-10 02:11 am (UTC)

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Lmao @ anchor blue.



I feel like Hot Topic is safe because styles come and go, but the Hot Topic misunderstood teen/tween is forever!

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Plus they have all that licensed merch for whatever the newest band/show is

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Hot Topic doesn't cater to that crowd as much anymore. Now it's all internet meme and movie merchandise.

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You can't have a Hot Topic at the mall if there's no mall.

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But you can have Hot Topic online!

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hot topic is all pop culture stuff now, I like going in there for the funkos

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The Nightmare Before Christmas will live on for eternity

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nah hot topic was dying because the emo phase died out in the mainstream but when they switched to the fandom pandering it got a second life



i was recently there because we were looking for game of thrones merch for a friend's bday and its 90% fandom shit and therest was some rock/emo stuff thrown in the back corner lol

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They're the Funko capital of the world now it seems and they're selling kpop merch/anything that appears to be part of a subculture (not rly tho but whatever people tell themselves) but has rabid fans. They're going to outlive us all.

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I don't live in the US and we don't have Hot Topic here, but I'll always associate it with that one South Park episode where all the kids turn into ~vampires. (this is kinda random, sorry.)

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Hot Topic also owns Box Lunch, Her Universe and Torrid, so they have more than one of their eggs in one basket.



That said, Hot Topic LLC's eCommerce BURN IN HELL tbh (I've bought from every brand they own online bar Hot Topic and holy moly how hard can it be, they screw up EVERY. THING.)

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Hot Topic has changed so much in the past 15 years it's wild. I remember it being the dark gothic store and now it's all about popular bands and fandoms it's weird. I think they were even playing Justin Bieber at one point when I was walking by one of the last time I was in the mall.

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Hot Topic and especially Torrid are still going strong

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I still have a friend that works at Claires I wonder how long itll take to liquidating and close the stores

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Probably a while before it gets to that point since they're filing for Chapter 11. They'll keep operating and do some restructuring.

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My icing closed last month with no warning and I love icing. I had just gotten emergency gallbladder surgery and it was my first time out of the house so my husband took me to go mall walking, and I saw icing was closed and I cried. Pretty hard.



Sorry I'm simultaneously 60 and 12.

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omg my bff worked at Icing when we were teenagers and they closed her store probably eight years ago (or more) and I was so upset when I saw there was another store there lol. We both worked at stores in the mall so we spent a ridiculous amount of time there and it just felt like my childhood was over.

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Noooo their one dollar clearance! lol

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Hey if anything, it'll be even cheaper! You can have one last blast stocking up lol

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Haha very true! I spent so much time/money there cause I worked in an office attached the the mall. Now we've moved offices so not sure if I'll remember to go back and get more cheap jewelry!

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omg someone hold the non goths.

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u mean da ~*~preps~*~

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Damn.



RIP in peace.

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RIP to my prom accessories

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10 year old me is crying. I spent so much money on cheap jewelry that gave me rashes.

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Deadddd at this comment right before mine. 

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LOL. I remember being devastated when I went to the doctor because their earrings were making my ears swell, and he was like, "sorry, but you should stick to sterling silver earrings, your ears are too sensitive for the cheap stuff."



I wanted hundreds of pairs of long dangly earrings and giant faux diamonds. :(

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I found the metal of their earrings always smelled bad

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Lol! I got the worst rash from my junior prom necklace that I bought from there.

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I thought I was hot shit when I used to get all my jewelry from Icing by Claires (more sophisticated for teenaged me).



I used to get the only rash from that shit 

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I used to see The Icing in Seventeen and YM and other magazines of my youth, and felt left out because Canada only had regular Claire's.

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Noooo I'm in Ontario and we had Icing in one of our malls! It's been closed for years and I never saw one anywhere else lol.

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When I made my once a year holiday trip to the mall last I was surprised to see Claire's was still a thing. Not for long apparently.







Two billion? So did they just keep buying merchandise even though they weren't selling any of it?



Edited at 2018-03-09 11:34 pm (UTC)

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Two billion killed me. Like whaaaat???

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two BILLION? how sway

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Im not surprised. You can get cheap costume jewelry literally anywhere.

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Forever 21/H&M are probably to blame

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Charming Charlie is the best.

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i <3 charming charlie's

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I just get so overwhelmed there and have no idea how to look for anything. After 15 minutes I just give up and shove something in my basket that collects dust in my closet.

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The Charming Charlie at my local mall looks like it was gutted the last time I was in there, half their jewelry was gone.

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I love that store.

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im so mad the one in my downtown mall closed. Apparently all the ones in my city closed except for one way out in the richer suburb.



it was my first time ever seeing it and the color blocking was like heaven on earth to me, lol

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You can get it for literal pennies from aliexpress.

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LinkFormer top Trump aide Steve Bannon told the French far right on Saturday that "history is on our side" as he addressed the party conference of a National Front that is seeking to bounce back from crushing electoral setbacks. "The tide of history is with us and it will compel us to victory after victory, after victory," Bannon, once a powerful figure in the Trump administration and former head of Breitbart News, told the FN conference in its northern stronghold of Lille. "Let them call you racists, let them call you xenophobes, let them call you nativists. Wear it as a badge of honor. Because every day we get stronger and they get weaker," Bannon said in an address which drew strong applause from FN leader Marine Le Pen. Le Pen, who will wind up the gathering with a speech on Sunday, suffered a bruising loss to centrist Emmanuel Macron in last year's presidential poll and the party won only eight seats in the general election that followed. Her poor showing in a final TV debate against Macron raised questions about her fitness to lead one of the world's biggest economies and in the months since both party and leader have appeared somewhat deflated. Le Pen arrived in Lille having vowed to ditch the tainted FN brand, seen as a key hurdle to winning power, in favour of an as yet unannounced new name. The party canvassed 51,000 members last year about the name change proposal and on Saturday it emerged that just 52 percent had voted in favour among the 30,000 who responded. That compared with 90 percent of respondents wanting a referendum on continued EU membership and 98 percent wanting to cut immigration to France. - 'King of fake news' - Bannon, who has repeatedly expressed support for Europe's far-right movements, fired the opening salvo at the gathering -- after the head of Macron's Republic on the Move party, Christophe Castaner, had earlier dubbed him "the king of fake news and of white supremacists". Bannon said he agreed with Le Pen's expressed belief that "it is not about left versus right," while blaming the media for having "always kept us out of power". Warming to his theme, Bannon added: "You argue for sovereignty and they call you a nativist. You argue for your freedom and they call you a xenophobe. You argue for your country and they call you a racist. But the days of that smear are over." Speaking earlier in Paris, former party head Jean-Marie Le Pen, replaced by Marine in 2011, dubbed the American's visit "paradoxical" and "not exactly the definition of 'de-demonisation'" his daughter has sought to give the party. Marine Le Pen is running unopposed for a third term and her address Sunday will see her try to turn a page on the anti-Semitic, openly racist party of her former paratrooper father. "Without a name change we will not be able to forge alliances. And without alliances we will never be able to take power," she said last month. - 'Swallow pride ' - Despite doubts voiced by some older party faithful in Lille, FN youth leader Gaetan Dussausaye insisted that the party had to "swallow its pride" as "the FN brand is still a block for voters". Observers said the party may keep the word "national" in a future label with "Rassemblement national" (national assembly) a putative alternative. The soap opera squabbles of the Le Pen dynasty have long kept French media in thrall. Jean-Marie Le Pen said that in losing heavily to Macron his daughter had "not been equal to the challenge" -- a sentiment echoed by many FN members. Others woes have stacked up since, including the party's alleged misuse of EU expenses. But party members credit Marine with massively expanding the party's support, doubling its score from 5.5 million votes in the 2002 presidential election to 10.6 million, or almost 34 percent, in 2017. Le Pen is hoping for a rematch with Macron in next year's European elections by forming alliances with other eurosceptic parties around the bloc while banking on divisions at home between pro-Macron centrists and rightwingers tearing his party apart.When the roughly 3,000 Chinese lawmakers line up to cast their votes on controversial changes to the constitution on Sunday, some may dismiss it as nothing but a ceremonial show.

Given the Communist Partys iron grip on the National Peoples Congress and the two-thirds majority needed for passage of the changes, endorsement is almost a certainty.

Still, President Xi Jinping is leaving nothing to chance.

A flurry of closed-door meetings and public displays of support over the last few days signal that the vote is much more than a change to the countrys founding document  its a ballot on Xis absolute authority.

And its for just that reason, analysts say, that it will be worth watching to see just what the final number in favour will be.

Much of the lobbying for the amendments, which include plans to scrap the two-term limit on the presidency, has taken place in camera but there have been several choreographed reminders for the public of the endgame.

On Wednesday, Xi joined the Guangdong delegation for a panel discussion, telling the delegates that he totally agreed with the constitutional revision.

According to a deliberately worded text released by state media, the president said the party had solicited input from various sectors and the revision reflected the common will of the party and the people.

It was the first time that he had commented publicly on the amendments, and it sent a clear message from Chinas most powerful leader in a decade.

The six other members of the Politburo Standing Committee  the countrys de facto most powerful body  drove the message home the same day, dutifully pledging their full support to the changes at other provincial panel sessions.

The amendments were the will of the people and would strengthen the guiding political principle of the partys overall leadership, they chimed.

Two days earlier, NPC secretary general Wang Chen sought to give the changes a veneer of wider approval, telling the 3,000 delegates that the decision to scrap the term limit was in response to the overwhelming demand from the grass roots.

Story continues

During consultations and surveys at the grass-roots level, many regions, departments and members of the party and the public have unanimously called for the rules on presidential term limits in the constitution to be revised, Wang said.

In ending presidential term limits, Xi Jinping is thinking global and acting local

The unified rallying call from the top left no doubt as to how they wanted the delegates to vote in what has been described as the most controversial changes to the constitution in two decades.

And that is why a lower-than-expected yes vote could undermine the legitimacy of the revision and challenge Xis authority. Even though the bill is set to be approved, the leadership needs to secure enough backing to at least give the appearance that it is not a top-down decision.

Beijing-based political analyst Wu Qiang said he thought the changes would pass with a very high approval rate because it was exactly what the carefully selected lawmakers had been chosen to do.

Xi has hand-picked almost all of the delegates on the basis of their reliability and loyalty, Wu said.

Wuhan University law professor Qin Qianhong agreed but said there might be still some absentee or even opposition votes.

Is keeping Xi Jinping in power the answer to Chinas economic woes or a recipe for disaster?

Nobody wants to appear intolerant of dissenting opinion just to secure 100 per cent approval, Qin said.

But there is a very clear limit to that tolerance. A source from the legal community said many Chinese constitutional scholars were told not to voice their views on the amendments  at least until it was all over.

An official of a provincial-level law society told me that they had been asked by the China Law Society to ban all of its members from organising or taking part in any academic conference on constitutional amendments until the closing of the Two Sessions, the source said.

So sensitive is the issue that most of the top lawmakers and political advisers gathering in Beijing in the last week or so have simply walked away when asked about the changes.

Analysts said the leadership was aiming for a higher level of endorsement for the proposal on the NPC floor than the two previous constitution amendments in 1999 and 2004.

In 1999, just 21 of the 2,860 or so delegates voted against and 24 abstained from the amendment to include late paramount leader Deng Xiaopings theory in the national constitution.

Five years later, the opposition was even more muted  10 of the 2,890 delegates voted against and 17 abstained from a constitutional revision to include former president Jiang Zemins signature theory of the three represents and protection for private assets in the document.

Party gives its version of how Xi Jinpings plan to change the constitution unfolded

On Sunday, anything but a landslide could tarnish on the newly revised constitution.

Rana Mitter, professor of modern Chinese politics at the University of Oxford, said he would be immensely surprised to see any opposition votes to the draft constitutional changes, adding: It would be clearly outside the bounds of possibility to have significant opposition to this.

I think there will be a very strong push to have as few of those [opposition] votes as possible  Consensus, or the appearance of consensus, will be ... a process of bargaining behind the scenes.

And every vote counts  just ask Ling Jihua, the former top aide to Xis predecessor, Hu Jintao.

More than five years ago, Ling was assured of a seat on the partys Central Committee, making a shortlist for an election in which the number of candidates matched the number of vacancies.

But according to a former delegate to the 2012 national congress, there was still some room to manoeuvre.

Can China avoid sliding back into strongman politics as Xi Jinping reshapes charter in his own image?

The delegates are entitled to vote down some of the candidates in the election, especially when the result will be announced immediately following the election, the cadre said.

I remember there was an uproar among the delegates when it was announced that Ling Jihua had the least number of votes at the time. Its a scenario that seems awkward and humiliating for those unpopular leaders.

Today Ling is behind bars, imprisoned for life two years ago for corruption, illegal possession of state secrets and abuse of power.

Additional reporting by Nectar Gan and Sarah Zheng

This article Why every vote counts in Chinas biggest foregone conclusion first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018.

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Page: 1 2 3 Britain will respond if Russia is proved to be behind nerve attack - May James

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03-10-2018 01:03 PM



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Post: #1 Britain will respond if Russia is proved to be behind nerve attack - May

Advertisement



Quote: LONDON (Reuters) - Britain will respond appropriately if evidence shows Moscow was behind a nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy and his daughter in England, Prime Minister Theresa May said on Thursday.

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britai...KKCN1GK1B6 You should be dancing, yeah



- Bee Gees, Musical group So the question now is will Britain respond if it's proven not to be the Russians, and rather some Rogue Agency within the Western Intel Networks?...Like the MI5 Inc. (This post was last modified: 03-10-2018 01:04 PM by James .) How

lop guest

User ID: 1337

03-10-2018 01:21 PM











Post: #2 RE: Britain will respond if Russia is proved to be behind nerve attack - May





NO working navy anymore.



The ships leak and have major engine cooling problems so they can't really sail outside of British waters.



http://gibraltarmessenger.net/#4 Britain will respond? Respond with WHATNO working navy anymore.The ships leak and have major engine cooling problems so they can't really sail outside of British waters. James

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03-10-2018 01:21 PM



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Post: #3 RE: Britain will respond if Russia is proved to be behind nerve attack - May





Quote: With a mid-term election only weeks away, officials in the Bush White House pressured FBI director Robert Mueller to publicly blame Osama bin Laden. That theory fell flat. Weaponized anthrax capable of causing infections through the lungs is a sophisticated substance requiring advanced laboratories and highly specialized scientific skills. It couldnt have been made in a cave in Afghanistan.



Other investigators and politicians tried to pin the blame on Saddam Husseins government in Iraq. Some people imagined a lone, unibomber-type culprit.



Meanwhile, the thrash metal band, Anthrax, found themselves in an awkward position. They had been using the name without controversy since 1981 but were being attacked in the media for appearing insensitive. The band issued a press release suggesting that they change their name to Basket Full Of Puppies.



During the course of a seven-year investigation, a prime suspect eventually emerged. Bruce Edwards Ivins, a government biodefence researcher who worked with anthrax. He committed suicide in July of 2008. Soon after, the Justice Department explained the convincing case that they had intended to bring against him.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsoni...180960407/ Remember how this 'Investigation' turned out in the US: You should be dancing, yeah



- Bee Gees, Musical group Monk-1

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03-10-2018 01:23 PM



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Post: #4 RE: Britain will respond if Russia is proved to be behind nerve attack - May

I think its more likely the eastern block working with mossad to try to stir things up. LoP Guest

lop guest

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03-10-2018 01:23 PM











Post: #5 RE: Britain will respond if Russia is proved to be behind nerve attack - May

Also if it is not proved... LoP Guest

lop guest

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03-10-2018 01:26 PM











Post: #6 RE: Britain will respond if Russia is proved to be behind nerve attack - May

f*#k the brits, all spies deserve death, harboring one takes all their credibility away Monk-1

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03-10-2018 01:27 PM



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Post: #7 RE: Britain will respond if Russia is proved to be behind nerve attack - May

The eastern europeans.. They like their poisons. James

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03-10-2018 01:29 PM



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Post: #8 RE: Britain will respond if Russia is proved to be behind nerve attack - May

LoP Guest Wrote: (03-10-2018 01:23 PM) Also if it is not proved...

No doubt in my mind the Western Intel agencies did these attempted Murders and put their Expendable British Plebs at severe risk. Cui Bono?



Russian Media:



Quote: In Russia, some media took an almost jocular tone.



Do not choose England as your next country of residence, whether you are a professional traitor to your homeland, or you just hate your country in your free time, said Kirill Kleimenov, news anchor on Russias state-run Channel One, as he introduced an item about the story on the evening news bulletin.



Somethings not right there, maybe its the climate, but in the past few years there have been a lot of strange occurrences there with a terrible outcome. People hang themselves, fall out of windows, are poisoned, or crash in helicopters in simply industrial quantities.

No doubt in my mind the Western Intel agencies did these attempted Murders and put their Expendable British Plebs at severe risk. Cui Bono?Russian Media: You should be dancing, yeah



- Bee Gees, Musical group (This post was last modified: 03-10-2018 01:31 PM by James .) Monk-1

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03-10-2018 01:30 PM



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Post: #9 RE: Britain will respond if Russia is proved to be behind nerve attack - May

James Wrote: (03-10-2018 01:29 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (03-10-2018 01:23 PM) Also if it is not proved...

No doubt in my mind the Western Intel agencies did this Murder and put their Expendable British Plebs at severe risk. Cui Bono?



Russian Media:



Quote: In Russia, some media took an almost jocular tone.



Do not choose England as your next country of residence, whether you are a professional traitor to your homeland, or you just hate your country in your free time, said Kirill Kleimenov, news anchor on Russias state-run Channel One, as he introduced an item about the story on the evening news bulletin.



Somethings not right there, maybe its the climate, but in the past few years there have been a lot of strange occurrences there with a terrible outcome. People hang themselves, fall out of windows, are poisoned, or crash in helicopters in simply industrial quantities.



The "western intel services" share too much. The "western intel services" share too much. Monk-1

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03-10-2018 01:31 PM



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Post: #10 RE: Britain will respond if Russia is proved to be behind nerve attack - May

When countries not even at war with some places they hand out information like candy. Is this what NATO is and can the countries be entirely trusted? I don`t think so. (This post was last modified: 03-10-2018 01:34 PM by Monk-1 .) James

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03-10-2018 01:38 PM



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Post: #11 RE: Britain will respond if Russia is proved to be behind nerve attack - May

Monk-1 Wrote: (03-10-2018 01:23 PM) I think its more likely the eastern block working with mossad to try to stir things up.

I agree. Most Intel Agencies in the West. like their ridiculously fake Governments, are owned by Big Corporate Money. They certainty do not want to end the Military, economic 'stale-mate' with the Russians - Their main tool for the Plunder of their Proles' Public Purse. I agree. Most Intel Agencies in the West. like their ridiculously fake Governments, are owned by Big Corporate Money. They certainty do not want to end the Military, economic 'stale-mate' with the Russians - Their main tool for the Plunder of their Proles' Public Purse. You should be dancing, yeah



- Bee Gees, Musical group (This post was last modified: 03-10-2018 01:38 PM by James .) LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 1337

03-10-2018 01:48 PM











Post: #12 RE: Britain will respond if Russia is proved to be behind nerve attack - May

Britain`s response ; "That was very naughty. We don`t do that, do we ? You make me very angry indeed." MR2

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03-10-2018 02:03 PM



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Post: #13 RE: Britain will respond if Russia is proved to be behind nerve attack - May

LoP Guest Wrote: (03-10-2018 01:48 PM) Britain`s response ; "That was very naughty. We don`t do that, do we ? You make me very angry indeed."

That's a bit harsh there dude....remember they are British... That's a bit harsh there dude....remember they are British... NoContract

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03-10-2018 02:09 PM



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Post: #14 RE: Britain will respond if Russia is proved to be behind nerve attack - May

LoP Guest Wrote: (03-10-2018 01:48 PM) Britain`s response ; "That was very naughty. We don`t do that, do we ? You make me very angry indeed."

Nah , you're forgetting the "kill them in a tunnel " option





Nah , you're forgetting the "kill them in a tunnel " option "Well, I'll put it this way: you can certainly say belief in God makes people behave worse. That can be proved beyond a doubt. "

Christopher Hitchens







Perception is a personal experience , not a universal application Richard Eldritch

Hussar!

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03-10-2018 02:16 PM



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Post: #15 RE: Britain will respond if Russia is proved to be behind nerve attack - May

Ok It's true that Britian isn't the military power it once was BUT our banks hold all their money. "Tricky Dicky Ritchy Eldrich is indeed an asshole. You should commit yourself to a monastery and live out your dwindling days milking goats and making foul smelling cheese in some dank basement, wot." Advertisement

















Beijings top man in charge of Hong Kong affairs on Friday rejected concerns that the central government has changed its policies towards the city, sparked when Premier Li Keqiang omitted two Basic Law references in his work report for this year.

Zhang Xiaoming, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, said the spirit of the citys high degree of autonomy and Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong were already included in the one country, two systems principle.

He made the remarks after Li omitted two references to the Basic Law in his work report on Monday that were included in his reports from 2015 to 2017.

But the premier vowed the central government would fully implement the one country, two systems principle in Hong Kong.

I remember that (President Xi Jinping) has once said, since the one country, two systems is a success, and that the people support it, what are the reasons to change it? Zhang told reporters inside the Great Hall of the People.

The one country, two systems principle is an overall concept that already includes the meanings of Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong, Macau people governing Macau, and high degree of autonomy.

The director also said that it was more important to state that the one country, two systems principle needs to be understood and implemented comprehensively and accurately  as it was stated in the report.

The other reason for the omission was that there was simply limited space in the report, he said.

The one country, two systems is a principle that is supported by people in Hong Kong and Macau as well as Chinese everywhere, he added.

He made the remarks against the backdrop of escalating concerns that the citys high degree of autonomy is being eroded. Critics have often cited the disqualification of six popularly elected legislators, Beijings interpretation of the Basic Law, and the jailing of young democracy activists.

Under the Basic Law, Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy. Its capitalist system and way of life shall remain unchanged for 50 years until 2047.

Story continues

Zhang also said that measures to facilitate the lives of Hongkongers who work and live on the mainland will keep coming, though he could not reveal what they would be. Some of the new measures could be introduced as pilot schemes for the Greater Bay Area initiative, he added.

The Greater Bay Area initiative was endorsed by the Chinese leadership to foster integration between Hong Kong, Macau and nine neighbouring mainland cities.

(Xis) Chinese dream has Hong Kong and Macau compatriots (in it), Zhang added.

Zhang also said that Xi had this week attended a meeting of Guangdong deputies to the National Peoples Congress, Chinas legislature.

(Xi) said that the Greater Bay Area initiative is the central governments important policy. He demanded Guangdong seize the opportunities, Zhang said.

Xi also said that the authorities in Guangdong province, Hong Kong and Macau need to enhance their co-ordination and make the project a world-class one.

Zhang added he had not heard reports that his office would be merged with the Taiwan Affairs Office. Reports have suggested that the merger would take place to consolidate efforts to fight pro-independence ideologies.

This article Affairs office chief Zhang Xiaoming seeks to allay fears over China's policy towards Hong Kong first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018.Australia has announced that it will open its first "pop-up embassy" in Estonia's capital Tallinn, where the ambassador is to work for two months of the year. For the rest of the year, the embassy will maintain a virtual presence in the cyber-savvy country, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said in a statement on Wednesday. "Estonia is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world," she said. "The new embassy will develop our engagement on cyber, e-government and digital transformation, and support Australia's involvement in a number of high-level events on these issues." Diplomat Kerin Ayyalaraju was also appointed Australia's ambassador to Estonia. Australia has previously been represented in the country by an ambassador in Stockholm. Estonian Foreign Minister Sven Mikser, who discussed the opening with Bishop on a visit to New York, said the government was pleased with the decision. "This will doubtlessly make Australia more prominent in Estonia and in our region on the whole," he said. "The ambassador working at the pop-up embassy will certainly expand the already constructive and intensive cooperation that our two countries enjoy." He also expressed hope "that Australia's positive example of this innovative pop-up embassy encourages other countries to implement similar cooperation solutions in Estonia". Australia is home to one of the largest overseas Estonian communities with 8551 people of Estonian descent, according to a census in 2011.Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is a tease. With just over 100 days before his governments five-year term ends, only he seems to hold the answer to the date of the general election.

In parliament this week  the legislatures last meeting before the June 24 deadline  the premier displayed his trademark coyness over the timing of the vote. Walking past a gaggle of journalists, he drew hoots of faux exasperation when he stopped in his tracks, his face breaking into a wide grin, and asked aloud: Whens the election? What am I announcing today?

With the coming polls seen as the toughest the long-ruling Barisan Nasional coalition has faced in decades, observers say it is no surprise that Najib is holding his cards close to his chest.

Malaysias constitution grants the prime minister discretion to call elections any time during a parliamentary term, with the assent of the countrys constitutional monarch.

The current parliament sitting lasts until April 5, and government and opposition insiders say parliament is likely to be dissolved soon after that date.

That would mean the actual vote could be held in late April, or in early May  before the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan on May 16.

But the actual polling day notwithstanding, sitting MPs and political observers say major curveballs ahead of the campaigning period are unlikely.

After all, most of the fireworks went off months ago. Najibs government and the opposition Pakatan Harapan coalition have been in election mode for nearly 18 months now  an outcome of Najibs reluctance to call the vote. Whether it is a delaying tactic to wear down the opposition or trite indecision to find the most opportune time to summon the will of the people is anyones guess.

The biggest bombshell to drop so far was news of the defection last year of Najibs 92-year-old former mentor Mahathir Mohamad to Pakatan Harapan, in protest against the premiers alleged involvement in the wide-ranging scandal at the 1MDB state fund.

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That was followed by Mahathirs reconciliation and alliance with another protege-turned-rival, the jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

If Mahathirs defection from Barisan Nasional was not stunning enough, the rapprochement with Anwar certainly was.

Anwar Ibrahim was deputy prime minister when Mahathir unceremoniously sacked him in 1998. The one-time student activist was then jailed for sodomy and corruption  charges he claimed were manufactured by his former boss who had grown wary of his national influence. Anwar, a skilled orator popular among urban Malays, was at the helm of the opposition soon after his release in 2004 until he was jailed again in 2015 for a second time  again on a sodomy charge.

This time he blamed Najib for engineering the charges to keep him out of active politics.

With their de facto leader Anwar in cold storage, Pakatan Harapan insiders are banking on the Mahathir factor to win crucial votes from the majority Malays.

Both sides are likely to do battle over three other issues: the economy, the support of ethnic Chinese voters and the future of two semi-autonomous Malaysian states in Borneo, Sabah and Sarawak.

The vote will be as much a watershed moment for Najib as it is for Malaysia.

In power since 2009, this years general election is the 64-year-olds second as commander-in-chief of Barisan Nasional. During his first outing at the helm in 2013, Barisan Nasional failed to staunch the tide of the 2008 tsunami when it lost its two-thirds majority in the national legislature, recording its worst-ever performance with just 47 per cent of the popular vote. The coalition lost seats in urban centres including Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru in the south as well as in Penang. Ethnic Chinese voters, who first defected from Barisan Nasional in 2008, consolidated their support for the opposition in 2013. The only saving grace for the ruling party was reeling back the Kedah state into its column, controlling 10 out of the 13 states. In 2008, it lost five states to the opposition but regained one soon after.

Barisan Nasional is made up of its linchpin party the United Malay National Organisation (Umno), the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), as well as 11 other smaller parties.

The main wild card confronting Najib is his head-to-head battle with the countrys most seasoned political animal, Mahathir.

The nonagenarian was a protege of his father Abdul Razak, the country second prime minister. Mahathir, disillusioned with his successor Abdullah Badawi, lobbied strenuously for Najibs ascension to the premiership in 2009.

Campaigning in Najibs rural ward in the state of Pahang a fortnight ago, Mahathir reiterated his sense of remorse and regret.

The son of Razak is not exactly like his father  [For Najib] cash is king, money can buy everything, Mahathir was quoted as saying.

The father is unlike him. He worked hard until his early demise.

THE ECONOMY

The popularity of Mahathir in rural areas will push Barisan Nasional strategists to tread warily and sidestep direct attacks on the former strongman prime minister at the hustings, say observers.

Instead, University Malaya political science professor Awang Azman Awang Pawi said Najib would make enhancing the economy the centrepiece of his election platform.

Merideth Weiss, a Malaysian politics specialist at the University of Albany in the United States, said Najibs campaign was likely to have two messages: a focus on the economy and growth, and a reassurance to the majority Malays that their special rights would not be eroded.

Ethnic Malays and tribes people  known as bumiputera (sons of the soil)  in Borneo enjoy special rights in education and business as part of the countrys decades-old affirmative action policy to bridge a wealth gap with the wealthier Chinese community.

Bumiputera citizens make up about 60 per cent of the countrys 32 million people.

Since the release of a bumper election budget last October, Najib has criss-crossed the country to press his case as the most able steward of Southeast Asias third largest economy.

At the height of the 1MDB scandal in 2015, few would have expected the premier to campaign three years down the road from such a position of strength  let alone as a competent economic tsar.

At the time, the multibillion dollar heavy losses at the property and energy fund had routed investor confidence and the value of the Malaysian ringgit.

Najib  the architect of the fund  was forced to deny charges that he plundered hundreds of millions of dollars from it for personal gain. He continues to maintain his innocence, and says the nearly US$700 million found in his personal account were donations to Barisan Nasional from the Saudi royal family  not diverted funds from 1MDB as alleged by The Wall Street Journal.

The US Department of Justice in 2016 launched a civil suit against 1MDB, decrying its losses as kleptocracy at its worst.

In a business conference in January, Najib for the first time admitted lapses of governance at the fund but lauded the countrys economic recovery in the aftermath of the scandal.

And last month, he chided Mahathir and others in the opposition for claiming that the country was bankrupt as a result of the 1MDB losses.

Said Najib: If we were bankrupt, why would all the rating agencies rank us so highly?

The International Monetary Fund this week boosted his case in a special report on the country.

The Washington-based body said its US$296 billion economy showed resilience in the midst of external shocks, and was well on its to way achieving high-income status.

Wong Chen, one of the architects of the oppositions economic manifesto, said the bloc relished a fight for hearts and minds on the basis of the economy.

Wong and others in Pakatan Harapan are confident of demolishing Najibs glowing narrative about the economy on the campaign trail. Their argument is stark: voters are not feeling the impact of stellar growth because of the surging cost of living.

GDP growth of 5.9 per cent in 2017 was powered by a staggering 18.9 per cent year-on-year growth in total exports. But online, many Malaysians grumble that the robust headline figures are hardly having a rosy impact on their daily lives.

Sticky wages, the roll-out of a six per cent goods and services tax (GST) in 2015, and the Malaysian ringgits nearly 20 per cent depreciation against the US dollar since 2014 are key reasons fuelling anxieties and unhappiness on the ground.

Its going to be an election about the economy anyway  economic voters [who make up] about 25 per cent of the total voting population will decide this election, Wong told This Week in Asia in an interview in Kuala Lumpur. You saw in the lead-up to the Lunar New Year in the retail stores, no buzz, nothing is happening. The mood on the ground does not correlate with the economic numbers, Wong said.

In parliament this week, the governments attempts to play down cost-of-living concerns left many fuming online. Johari Abdul Ghani, the second finance minister, attributed less-than-stellar retail sales to cannibalisation in the sector. He also pointed to an increase in Malaysians overseas spending as a good sign.

Barisan Nasional MP Bung Moktar Radin meanwhile argued that the countrys high obesity rate  it is ranked Asias fattest country  was testament to the countrys prosperity.

The ruling coalition must have a better strategy if it wants to use the economy as campaign fodder, said Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani, an analyst with the BowerGroupAsia political risk consultancy in Kuala Lumpur.

REBELLIOUS ISLANDERS

Another key facet of campaigning is likely to be the status of the semi-autonomous provinces of Sabah and Sarawak. The two provinces account for a quarter of the 222 seats in parliament.

In Sabah, the tourism haven home to some of the worlds best beaches, Najib is facing a headache borne out of the 1MDB scandal.

At the height of the saga in 2015 he sacked Shafie Apdal, a Sabah native, from cabinet over the then rural and regional development ministers dissenting views on the way the government was handling the scandal.

The 60-year-old Shafie in 2016 went on to form a new party called the Parti Warisan Sabah, or the Sabah Heritage Party.

That outfit is now threatening to upend Barisan Nasionals stranglehold on the state.

Sabah may be a major battlefield where Barisan Nasional may lose up to 10 more seats, says Liew Chin Tong, an opposition MP and one of the blocs election strategists.

Also at stake are the terms of autonomy for the two states. Politicians in Sabah and Sarawak have long complained that the federal government has gradually eroded the states special autonomous status enshrined in their merger agreement with the rest of Malaysia in 1963. The two territories were British colonies before that.

This week, the state government in Sarawak  controlled by Barisan Nasional  said it had regained full regulatory authority over its oil and gas sector.

Some view it as a pre-emptive carrot by Najib to retain the state as a political fixed deposit, but political analyst Oh Ei Sun believes there is little chance of a rebellion anyway.

The key is delivery of tremendous resources to the backward and inaccessible interior, said Oh, a Sabah native and senior adviser for the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute think tank.

As long as Barisan Nasional can continue to deliver that, Sarawak will still be a fixed deposit.

THE CHINESE VOTE

As with previous elections, there is likely to be a fierce battle to woo Chinese voters, who make up about 23.2 per cent of Malaysias total population.

In the aftermath of the 2013 vote, the minority community faced a backlash for backing the opposition. In the late-night press conference after results were announced, Najib blamed his coalitions weak showing on a Chinese tsunami.

Mahathir, then still a Najib ally, said the ethnic group was ungrateful.

The post-election day headline on Utusan Malaysia, the mouthpiece of UMNO, demanded to know: What else do the Chinese want?

Fast forward five years, and the ruling coalition has changed tack.

At MCAs annual conference in November, Najib implored the Chinese community to support Barisan Nasional instead of the opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP), which gained the most from the 2008 and 2013 Chinese swing.

MCA used to be a major player, but after the bashing in 2008 and 2013, it now holds only seven seats. Its losses were the gains of the DAP  the biggest constituent party in Pakatan Harapan with 38 seats currently. Please give us the support because you cant have everything your way. It doesnt make sense. You always complain we give a lot to the Malays but its because they support us, Najib said at the MCA conference.

That tough message has accompanied several sweeteners, including the announcement of 10 new Chinese-medium schools in the states of Selangor and Johor, where the Chinese population is above the national average.

Also being used by Najib as campaign fodder are a slew of problems in the DAP stronghold of Penang.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is facing a corruption trial, and the Barisan Nasional has been incessant in finding fault with his administration.

The opposition is not without new cards up its sleeves. Without the financial war chest that comes with federal incumbency, Pakatan Harapan is employing modern day guerilla techniques in electioneering  including the use of data analytics to pinpoint winnable parliamentary seats.

Najibs recent courtship of the hardline Islamist Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) meanwhile is also being used as a Chinese vote puller, observers say. It was booted from the opposition coalition over its insistence on imposing a stricter form of sharia law on the countrys Muslim population. Weiss, the US professor, said if PAS formed an electoral pact with Najib, I would not only expect the Barisan Nasionals non Malay peninsular votes not to increase, but Sabah and Sarawak would be much more in play.

WHAT NEXT, MALAYSIA?

No matter the outcome, there is a degree of uncertainty that will accompany Malaysias 14th general election as an independent nation. Before the current parliament session ends, the government may push through new election boundaries. Pakatan Harapan says some of the mooted changes favour the incumbent government. Barisan Nasional currently holds 132 seats. PAS has 13 seats, while Pakatan Harapan holds 72 seats. Shafie Apdals Warisan holds two seats.

A Pakatan Harapan victory  unlikely according to neutral pollsters  would not immediately precipitate the new dawn that the blocs leaders have touted in recent months. Unveiling its manifesto late on Thursday, the coalition promised to enact a slew of populist measures if handed power: abolition of the GST, toll reduction, and an increase in royalties to oil-producing states like Sabah and Sarawak.

But victory would come with the re-instatement of Mahathir to the apex of politics.

The leader, once assailed by the DAP for entrenching cronyism, bypassing the rule of law, and outright corruption, says he will cede power to Anwar within two years. Their fraught history means few believe the transition will be smooth sailing.

Anwars daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar told This Week in Asia her father  due for release on June 8  was an incorrigible optimist who believes his stunning reconciliation with Mahathir is in the national interest.

There are question marks about a Barisan Nasional victory too. Mahathir on Thursday raised the spectre of a dictatorship if the premier wins a landslide at the polls.

If [Najib] gets a two-thirds majority, he will change the laws, Mahathir warned at the unveiling of the Pakatan Harapan manifesto.

In politics since the age of 23, the premier does not have a clear successor.

His 65-year-old deputy Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is a year older than him, while other lieutenants are viewed as lacking the national clout to helm Barisan Nasional.

For now, Najib in his public appearances has been projecting a picture of confidence, teasing journalists, as if saying: What, me worry?

Malaysians will decide soon enough if he should. 

This article What could go wrong for Najib when Malaysia goes to the polls? first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018.

More from South China Morning Post:By Scott Bransford

YOUNTVILLE, Calif. (Reuters) - Details emerged on Saturday about a decorated former U.S. serviceman who took three women hostage at a California veterans home where he had undergone treatment for PTSD, in a standoff that ended when police found him and his captives dead.

The Veterans Home of California in Yountville, the largest such facility in the United States, was the scene on Friday of the latest mass shooting to rock a country already shocked by the slaughter last month of 17 people at a Florida high school.

Officials named the gunman as Albert Wong, 36, of Sacramento, and said he had served with the U.S. Army on active duty from May 2010 to August 2013 and spent a year in Afghanistan. He received four medals including an Afghanistan campaign medal and was awarded an Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle, the Pentagon said.

Wong had been a patient of Pathway Home, a program at the Yountville complex for former service members suffering post-traumatic stress disorder after deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. The San Francisco Chronicle, citing unnamed sources, said he had been asked to leave the program two weeks ago.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic situation in Yountville and mourn the loss of three incredible women who cared for our Veterans," U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday on Twitter.

The incident, which began at about 10:30 a.m. local time on Friday at the sprawling facility in the heart of Napa Valley's wine country, some 60 miles (100 km) north of San Francisco, ended almost eight hours later.

According to Larry Kamer, the husband of one of the Pathway Home administrators, Devereaux Smith, Wong walked into the program's building carrying a rifle during a going-away party for one of the employees.

Kamer, who volunteers at the home, said his wife told him by phone during the siege that the gunman had let her and three other women leave the room where the party was taking place, but that he kept three female employees behind as hostages.

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"These brave women were accomplished professionals, dedicated to their careers of serving our nation's veterans, working closely with those of the greatest need of attention," Pathway Home said in a statement.

The hostages who died were named as Pathway Home Executive Director Christine Loeber, 48, the program's clinical director, therapist Jen Golick, 42, and Jennifer Gonzales, 29, a psychologist with the San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

Despite repeated efforts by police negotiators to communicate with Wong throughout the day, authorities said they had failed to make contact with the gunman after he exchanged gunfire with a sheriff's deputy at the start of the standoff.

Officers who eventually entered the room where the hostages were being held found all four bodies there, police said. No details were immediately given about how the four died.

James Musson, a 75-year-old Army veteran and resident of the facility, told Reuters many who lived there voiced concerns about lax security, saying visitors could walk in and out without restriction and that public safety officers were not armed.

The siege came less than a month after a former student killed 17 people at a Florida high school using an assault-style rifle. That massacre in the Fort Lauderdale suburb of Parkland sparked a student-led drive for new restrictions on gun sales to curb mass shootings that have occurred with frightening frequency in the United States in recent years.

(Additional reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee, Suzannah Gonzales in Chicago, and Ginger Gibson in Washington; Editing by Daniel Wallis and James Dalgleish)Hong Kong-raised Lamia Sreya Rahman is not yet fluent in Cantonese despite having studied the local dialect for more than a decade.

Its not because she is lazy or anything to do with her Bangladeshi ancestry. Rather, its because what she was taught in school was too simple, according to the 20-year-old. It allowed her to strike up only rudimentary conversations with residents of the city of seven million.

The content taught in school is frankly too easy and repetitive, Rahman said at a recent panel discussion at the Hong Kong legislature. I have been studying Cantonese for 15 years, and I am only able to say: I want to go to the bathroom, and I want to eat fishballs.

Chinese is taught as a second language to ethnic minority pupils in Hong Kong schools. They are allowed to take an easier public examination in the language to secure a place in tertiary education  a policy critics describe as a band-aid remedy for their difficulties integrating with mainstream society. The language, experts say, is the key to social integration and mobility.

Rahman, in her third year of an American studies and criminology course at the University of Hong Kong, said her less than satisfactory Cantonese skills had hindered her integration into society and possibly her future career.

What the government overlooks is the fact that we might be the future of Hong Kong, Rahman said while studying with a friend at a coffee shop in Mei Foo recently. And even if the government has started to recognise the problem, its solutions are still rather short term.

She said many of her friends from a similar background were looking for other ways to learn Cantonese rather than relying on being exempt from learning the language to an advanced level.

I dont know any place better than I know Hong Kong, Rahman said. I am ethically Bangladeshi, but I know much less about Bangladesh than I do about Hong Kong.

Story continues

If Cantonese is supposed to be part of my identity, and I am not given a chance to learn it properly, does it make me any less of a Hongkonger?

Rahman said what prompted her to speak up at the Legislative Council was her many experiences of racism. Ethnic minorities, many of South Asian origin, make up 8 per cent of Hong Kongs population.

Rahman first became an advocate for her peers following an unhappy incident last year as a part-time English-language teacher at a local secondary school.

Her Form Four and Five pupils used a derogatory Cantonese term, usually used to describe female Filipino domestic workers, to describe Rahman behind her back.

One day, a colleague of mine sent me a screenshot of an online discussion forum in which the students were saying: Why is a bun mui teaching us English? And I was like, what? But I had such a good relationship with them, Rahman recalls. I was thinking, maybe people dont accept me exactly the way I perceive them to.

She lamented that her teaching ability had been completely overshadowed by her ethnic roots. She never received an apology from either the pupils or school officials, and later quit the job.

I know a lot of my friends have been humiliated on public transport, Rahman said. Theres a reason why we all study at ethnic minority schools and why we cant get access to local education.

All these minor incidents sort of pushed me to do a lot of advocacy work.

Rahman, who is also the president of the Equal Opportunities Student Ambassador Club at the University of Hong Kong, said her parents were supportive of her advocacy.

She said: After I was admitted to university, my mum and dad told me: There are many ethnic minority kids who are trying to do the same as you, but failed. So why dont you take this opportunity during your four years at university to create a pathway to justice for them?

This article The hidden racism plaguing Hong Kong, and how one student is fighting back first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018.Just how much clout does the Hong Kong-based billionaire Robert Kuok have in the eyes of his fellow Malaysian Chinese after being away from home for more than four decades?

The Barisan Nasional, Malaysias ruling coalition, could be poised to find that out the hard way after one of its stalwarts launched a blistering verbal attack against the 94-year-old with a general election just around the corner.

Observers are warning the coalitions already weak support from the minority Chinese community could be further eroded because of the vitriol Tourism Minister Nazri Aziz spewed at Kuok in an interview on February 26.

Kuok, Malaysias richest man, is widely viewed as an icon of the countrys 7.4 million ethnic Chinese and overseas Chinese in the region. He rose from a small-time sugar merchant in the southern town of Johor Bahru to lead a conglomerate that includes Shangri-La Hotels and logistics titan Kerry Group in its stable.

Responding to an unverified blog post that claimed Kuok was backing the opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP) financially, Nazri called Kuok a coward who was hiding behind a wall in Hong Kong.

For added measure, the long-time ally of Prime Minister Najib Razak used a highly derogatory term for effeminate men to describe the nonagenarian in his rant.

Kuok forcefully denied the accusations and threatened legal action, even as he refused to be drawn into trading vile insults.

The attacks by Nazri and his ilk would likely have driven more Chinese either away from Barisan Nasional or from abstention to voting for change, said Wong Chin Huat, a political scientist at the Penang Institute, a think tank.

Wong said the charges against Kuok were borne out of the ruling coalitions unhappiness with Kuoks critique in his recently published memoir of the countrys decades-old affirmative action policy favouring the Malays.

Story continues

Another theory is that the coordinated attacks  other Najib lieutenants had also lampooned Kuok earlier in February  was an ill-considered strategy to whip up anti-Chinese sentiment among the majority Malays ahead of the vote.

Liew Chin Tong, election strategist for the DAP, says, ironically, the insults might benefit his party.

The DAP holds 38 seats in parliament, making it the biggest party in the opposition coalition, Pakatan Harapan.

It took over the mantle as the Chinese communitys party of choice in 2008, when the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), the ruling coalitions Chinese component party, took a beating for its long acquiescence with a political system that favoured the majority Malays.

Following the 2013 elections, the party now holds just seven seats, down from 15 following the 2008 vote and 31 in 2004. Meanwhile, seats controlled by the DAP rose from 12 in 2004 to 28 in 2008.

After two terms of supporting the DAP, Liew admits some Chinese voters may have been mulling a return to the MCA before the attacks against Kuok.

The Robert Kuok saga hurts Barisan Nasional because it hardened the swing voters among Chinese voters against them, Liew told This Week in Asia.

The swing voters are older, wealthier rural Chinese who voted for Barisan Nasional until 2013 when they switched to the opposition, he said. They may have swung back, but now it is going to be very difficult for Barisan to woo them.

Barisan Nasional leaders, cognisant of the fallout from the saga, have not been lying passive.

Najib, who had also trained fire on Kuok in public comments suggesting Kuoks success was partially due to Barisan Nasionals patronage, sought to douse the flames with a statement lauding the tycoon as a shining example of a successful Malaysian entrepreneur.

Nazri  the protagonist in this episode  this week appeared to walk back his strident rhetoric. He said he was heartened by Kuoks outright denial of funding the DAP, but refused to offer an apology.

If I have to apologise, I have to apologise to a long list of names, [some people] who are already dead. There is no precedent of Nazri apologising, he declared.

Kuok on Tuesday thanked Malaysians for their outpouring for support for him after Nazris rant.

Mr Robert Kuok would like to record his gratitude to fellow Malaysians who have spoken up in his support and against attempts to besmirch his reputation and undermine his loyalty to the nation, his office said.

On election night, Barisan Nasional will be hoping Chinese voters show similar grace. 

This article Will insulting Robert Kuok cost Najib and Barisan Nasional the Malaysia election? first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018.French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday said defence ties with India had reached a new high after the two nations signed a key security accord for the Indian Ocean to counter China's growing influence in the region. "Defence cooperation between the two countries now has a new significance," Macron said as a gushing Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood by his side. Under the deal, India and France will open their naval bases to warships from each other, a move seen as an attempt to undermine China's territorial ambitions. "A strong part of our security and the world's stability is at stake in the Indian Ocean," Macron said. "The Indian Ocean, like the Pacific Ocean, cannot become a place of hegemony," he added in an apparent reference to China. Modi, who welcomed Macron with a bear hug on his arrival Friday, said the accord was crucial as the Indian Ocean region would play a "very significant role" in the days to come. The comments from the leaders followed a slew of agreements signed by the two countries in the spheres of defence, space and clean energy. "From the ground to the sky, there is no subject on which India and France are not working together," said Modi. A technical agreement was also signed on the French-assisted nuclear power project at Jaitapur in western Maharashtra state. Sources in the French presidency told AFP they were optimistic of a final agreement being signed before the end of the year. The $9.3-billion framework agreement for six nuclear reactors was signed during a visit to India in 2010 by then president Nicolas Sarkozy. But the project has since run into stiff opposition from environmentalists concerned about seismic activity in the area and fears about the safety of nuclear power in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan. - 'Good chemistry' - Earlier in the day, Macron talked about his personal rapport with Modi which was established after their meeting in Paris last year. "I think we have very good chemistry, our two great democracies have a historic relationship," the French president said. Modi broke protocol to receive Macron at the airport, exchanging warm hugs and robust handshakes. "You welcomed me in Paris last year with an open heart and a lot of warmth. I am happy that I have got an opportunity to welcome you in India," Modi said at the start of his speech Saturday. On Sunday, Macron will attend a solar power summit designed to showcase India and France's commitment to fighting climate change, which both leaders have made a priority. Travelling with his wife Brigitte, France's 40-year-old president will also visit the monument to love, the Taj Mahal, a few hours drive from the Indian capital on Sunday. On Monday, he heads to the chaotic Hindu holy city of Varanasi on the banks of the river Ganges, which the Indian premier has promised to modernise and clean up. Macron's visit comes after a somewhat misstep-laden visit to India by Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau. Both he and Macron are often compared internationally because of their broadly similar political views, as well as youth and good looks. But Trudeau's visit hit a series of embarrassing bumps and he received a fairly cool reception during his stay in India. Trudeau was pilloried on social media and in the Canadian press for donning traditional Indian clothing at every opportunity. And there were red faces when it emerged a former Sikh militant was invited to a dinner with him in Mumbai. Macron has so far opted for more sober and predictable dress -- a dark suit.A Venezuelan military court on Saturday ordered seven army officers and two sergeants to be jailed on charges of treason and "instigating a rebellion" against President Nicolas Maduro. If found guilty the accused soldiers "face up to 30 years prison," defense attorney for the suspects Alonso Medina told AFP. All nine -- six lieutenant colonels, a first lieutenant and two sergeants, one of them a woman -- were ordered sent to prison in a hearing that ended early Saturday, Medina said. "No concrete evidence against the officers was presented, only testimony based on alleged intelligence reports," the lawyer said. Two of those detained are battalion commanders -- one in Caracas, and the other in San Cristobal, on the border with Colombia. The soldiers were taken into custody by military counter-intelligence agents on March 2, accused of belonging to an anti-Maduro movement known as the "Movement of Transition towards the Dignity of the People," Medina said. The arrests come more than a week after Maduro ordered 24 retired and active duty military officers demoted and kicked out of the service. Among them was Raul Baduel, a minister of defense under Maduro's predecessor, the late Hugo Chavez. The arrests are being carried out as a way "to keep the military institution submissive and loyal" to the government's so-called Bolivarian Revolution, said Rocio San Miguel, an expert on military affairs. "The biggest danger that Maduro faces comes from his generals and admirals," San Miguel told AFP. "And since he can't act against them, he picks on the mid-level officers to see how they react." Analysts believe that the military's support is key to Maduro maintaining power amid a worsening crisis that has driven hundreds of thousands of Venezuela to try to flee the country. Maduro is seeking a second six-year term in elections set for May 20 that most of the main opposition parties are boycotting.Epic RecordsJudas Priest's new studio album, Firepower, was released Friday and in celebration of its arrival, a themed pop-up shop has opened in New York City at Sony Square NYC.

The shop is located at the same place where the metal gods will take part in the recently announced signing event scheduled for Monday, March 19, at 6 p.m. ET. Fans who purchase a copy of Firepower at the shop, located at 25 Madison Ave., will receive a wristband that allow them to attend the meet-and-greet and autograph session.

Only a limited number of wristbands will be handed out, on a first-come, first-served basis. No posed photos will be allowed, and the band only will sign copies of Firepower purchased at the Sony Square NYC shop.

The pop-up store, which will remain open through March 19, will feature a display showcasing a gallery of rare photos of the band, stage outfits, lyric sheets handwritten by frontman Rob Halford and other memorabilia. In addition to copies of Firepower, the shop will sell the band's entire catalog on vinyl and a variety of official Judas Priest merch.

In conjunction with the album's release, Judas Priest has premiered a video for the new track, "Spectre," on its official VEVO YouTube channel. The clip for the ominous, hard-rocking song features close-up footage of the band members performing the tune, interspersed with eerie, grainy glimpses of lightning, a striking snake, a skull, fires, surveillance footage of traffic intersections and mushroom clouds.

Judas Priest launches a North American tour in support of Firepower this Tuesday, March 13, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.Username: Password: or Register Thread Rating: 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average

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Armed civilian in Texas halts mans violent crime spree LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: kaput

03-10-2018 11:44 PM











Post: #1 Armed civilian in Texas halts mans violent crime spree

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Police in Grand Prairie, Texas, said the killer murdered his ex-girlfriend and set her home on fire in the 2900 block of Hastings Drive. He then drove to a nearby nail salon, assaulted another woman and attempted to set the business on fire.

What did the civilian do?



But a good samaritan with a concealed weapons carry permit put an end to the crime spree.



He held the suspect at gunpoint while this individual had a gun himself. Had he not been there, there is no telling what could have happened. We are in his debt and very grateful for him taking action when he did, assistant chief Daniel Scesney told KXAS.



After leaving the home of Chi Pham in the 2900 block of Hastings, the killer drove to a nail salon about a mile away in the 5100 block of Magna Carta Boulevard, the report states.



He went inside the salon and pistol-whipped a woman before trying to burn down the building, according to the report. Police said he specifically targeted both women.

What were the criminal charges?



The killer and Pham recently ended their romantic relationship, police said. They also had worked together at the salon in the past. The killer was arrested on murder, aggravated assault and arson charges.



Pham was a single mom with two children. She also was caring for her sisters three children after their mother died from cancer, KXAS reported. All of the children are now staying with Phams mother.



Shes a very good person, hard working woman. I just cant believe this is happening to her, Lon Vo, a friend of Pham told the TV station. When I called I just heard the kids crying in the background. Its just devastating.



Multiple law enforcement agencies are continuing to investigate.



https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Armed-...37983.html A mans violent crime rampage ended when an armed civilian held him at gunpoint until police arrived, KXAS-TV reported.Police in Grand Prairie, Texas, said the killer murdered his ex-girlfriend and set her home on fire in the 2900 block of Hastings Drive. He then drove to a nearby nail salon, assaulted another woman and attempted to set the business on fire.What did the civilian do?But a good samaritan with a concealed weapons carry permit put an end to the crime spree.He held the suspect at gunpoint while this individual had a gun himself. Had he not been there, there is no telling what could have happened. We are in his debt and very grateful for him taking action when he did, assistant chief Daniel Scesney told KXAS.After leaving the home of Chi Pham in the 2900 block of Hastings, the killer drove to a nail salon about a mile away in the 5100 block of Magna Carta Boulevard, the report states.He went inside the salon and pistol-whipped a woman before trying to burn down the building, according to the report. Police said he specifically targeted both women.What were the criminal charges?The killer and Pham recently ended their romantic relationship, police said. They also had worked together at the salon in the past. The killer was arrested on murder, aggravated assault and arson charges.Pham was a single mom with two children. She also was caring for her sisters three children after their mother died from cancer, KXAS reported. All of the children are now staying with Phams mother.Shes a very good person, hard working woman. I just cant believe this is happening to her, Lon Vo, a friend of Pham told the TV station. When I called I just heard the kids crying in the background. Its just devastating.Multiple law enforcement agencies are continuing to investigate. LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 1337

03-10-2018 11:51 PM











Post: #2 RE: Armed civilian in Texas halts mans violent crime spree

The same Valentine's day that the Florida school shooting went down; in North Texas (Amarillo?) there was a church holding Ash Wednesday service of some sort with 100 to 150 attendees. An armed gunman came in, held them ALL hostage, locked them into one room and had children tying each other up at gunpoint.



A citizen got the gun away from the perp and held him until police arrived. When police arrived they shot the HERO because he was now armed (with the gunman's weapon). Nobody else was shot though.



That's a story yall probably didn't hear because of the Florida school story at the same time.















Syrian regime forces on Saturday cut off the largest town in Eastern Ghouta from the rest of the rebel-held enclave near Damascus, pressing on with a 20-day assault that has left more than 1,000 civilians dead. Government troops and allied militia launched their military campaign for Eastern Ghouta on February 18 and have since overrun more than half of the area, defying global calls for a halt to the violence. The assault has followed a divide-and-conquer strategy, eating away at rebel-held territory, and government forces on Saturday successfully isolated Ghouta's main town of Douma in a blow for the beleaguered rebels. Regime fighters cut off a road linking Douma with the town of Harasta further west and also captured the town of Misraba, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. "Regime forces have therefore divided Eastern Ghouta into three parts -- Douma and its surroundings, Harasta in the west, and the rest of the towns further south," the Britain-based monitor said. Shelling and air strikes slammed into Douma on Saturday, trapping residents inside their basements for hours, AFP's correspondents in the town said. Rescue workers and medics were struggling to navigate the town's rubble-littered roads to bring wounded residents back to field clinics. At least 20 civilians -- including four children -- were killed in Douma on Saturday, in addition to 17 civilians in other battlefront towns, said the Observatory. The deaths raised the assault's total toll to 1,031 civilians, including 219 children, according to the Observatory. More than 4,350 have been wounded. - 'Bomb shelters full' - Douma's opposition-run local council issued an urgent "distress call" on Saturday to international organisations. "The bomb shelters and basements are full, and people are sleeping in the streets and in public gardens," the statement said. "For three days, it has been hard to bury the dead because of the intense bombing on the cemetery," it added. Eastern Ghouta is the last remaining opposition-controlled zone on the outskirts of the capital, and rebels there have regularly fired rockets onto Damascus. On Saturday, at least one child was killed and four other civilians wounded in rebel shelling on eastern districts of Damascus, according to state news agency SANA. Rebels have tried to slow the advance with an attempted counter-offensive, but President Bashar al-Assad's forces steamrolled their efforts. Syrian state television broadcast live footage from Misraba hours after it was captured by the army on Saturday, showing dozens of civilians in a dark basement, surrounded by troops. One elderly man broke down into tears as he relayed how his family had fled to Douma under fierce bombardment. Eastern Ghouta is home to around 400,000 people, living under a five-year siege that has made food and medical aid exceedingly rare. On Friday, an aid convoy by the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent delivered food to hunger-stricken residents. It was the second convoy in one week, after deliveries on Monday were interrupted by heavy bombardment. - 'Scared faces' - The UN refugee agency's Syria representative, who entered Ghouta with Monday's convoy, said the area was "on the verge of a major disaster". "I've never seen such scared faces in my life," Sajjad Malik said Friday. He described seeing a five-storey building that had been reduced to rubble, with a powerful stench emanating from several bodies trapped underneath. Two Islamist groups are the most prominent rebel factions in Ghouta, but jihadists from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) -- once linked to Al-Qaeda's Syria branch -- also have a presence. On Friday, 13 HTS members and their relatives were bussed out of the enclave. Rebels said they would be taken to HTS territory in the northern province of Idlib, in an arrangement struck following consultations with the UN and international players. Such evacuation deals have been repeatedly agreed in Syria's seven-year war, most notably in the second city of Aleppo in late 2016. After a ferocious month-long government assault, thousands of rebel fighters and civilians were bussed out of the city's east. That paved the way for Syria's government to announce the full recapture of Aleppo -- the largest defeat to date for the fractured opposition movement. Syria's conflict erupted with protests against Assad but has since developed into a full-blown war drawing in world powers. Russia has intervened on Assad's behalf while Turkey has backed rebels against his regime, rival jihadists and Kurdish forces. Saturday, Ankara-backed rebels advanced against Kurdish militia in northwest Syria, coming to within two kilometres (just over one mile) of the flashpoint town of Afrin, the Observatory said. Elsewhere in Syria, the White Helmets rescue force suffered its first female fatality on Saturday, after air strikes hit a rebel-held town in Idlib province.Slovakia's President Andrej Kiska, Speaker of the Slovakia's National Council Andrej Danko and Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico react after a meeting at the Bratislava castle Slovakia's President Andrej Kiska (L), Speaker of the Slovakia's National Council Andrej Danko (C) and Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico react after a meeting at the Bratislava castle, Bratislava, Slovakia March 9, 2018. REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa

By Tatiana Jancarikova

BRATISLAVA (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Slovaks rallied on Friday to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Robert Fico's government following the murder of a journalist that has shocked the central European nation and stoked anger over sleaze in public life.

Investigative reporter Jan Kuciak, who was shot dead at home with his fiancee last month, had covered fraud cases involving politically connected businessmen. His last unfinished story looked at Italian businessmen with suspected mafia links operating in Slovakia.

One of the businessmen, who denies having ties to the Italian mafia, had dealings in the past with two people who went on to work in Fico's office. They have both resigned but deny any connection with the murder.

Nobody has been charged with the murders.

Kuciak's journalism and then his murder have rekindled public frustration with the government's failure to tackle graft and cronyism in Slovakia nearly three decades after the fall of communism and 14 years after it joined the European Union.

Fico has led the country of 5.4 million for 10 of the last 12 years and the economy has flourished, but the protesters in the capital Bratislava on Friday - estimated at up to 50,000 by the public broadcaster - chanted "Enough of Fico" and jangled keys just as they did in 1989 anti-communist rallies.

Organisers demanded a thorough investigation of Kuciak's death and a "new trustworthy government".

"Politicians in power have lost our trust," said protester Maria Kuliovska, a 30-year-old mother on maternity leave. "We don't trust them to guarantee an independent investigation. They have failed to investigate all previous scandals."

Thousands marched in other Slovak cities, while hundreds of people gathered in cities in Europe and elsewhere.

President Andrej Kiska, a political rival of Fico, has said Slovakia is suffering a crisis of trust and has called for a revamp of the three-party coalition or an early election.

Story continues

Kiska, Fico and parliamentary speaker Andrej Danko - the country's three highest officials - failed in talks on Friday to agree a planned written declaration to help defuse tensions.

After their meeting, flanked by the president and prime minister, Danko read a brief statement: "We want society to remain peaceful and calm and (Slovakia's) top three officials will do their best to prevent the events of recent days from being politically exploited."

INVESTIGATION

Slovak media called Friday's protest the biggest since 1989. Some universities let students out early. One of the country's largest banks, Slovenska Sporitelna of the Austrian group Erste Bank <ERST.VI>, said it would allow its employees to leave work early to take part.

Police and state officials, including Fico, had warned of potential violence at demonstrations, though there were no reports of disruption.

Fico has accused foreign forces of trying to destabilise Slovakia and has questioned the president's meetings with financier George Soros in New York last year without any foreign ministry official present.

The attack on the Hungarian-born billionaire echoes those of Hungary's prime minister, Viktor Orban, who has accused Soros of interfering in Hungarian politics.

Fico said he would meet his two coalition partners at the weekend to seek a deal to keep the government in place. He has resisted a call from the Most-Hid party to sack Interior Minister Robert Kalinak, his close ally.

Some analysts say Fico's coalition could break up, though he might be able to continue leading a minority government with the backing of a far-right party in parliament.

Martin Slosiarik, an analyst at Focus polling agency, said Fico had never faced a crisis on this scale.

"Kuciak's last story has had a serious impact on people's trust in the system of government, and the murder of two young people has added a strong moral aspect," he said.

(Reporting by Tatiana Jancarikova; additional reporting and writing by Jason Hovet; editing by Gareth Jones)The United Nations on Friday was in talks with South Sudan's government after it ordered a UN radio broadcaster be shut down. The decision to close Radio Miraya would be another blow for press freedom in South Sudan, where foreign correspondents have been forced to leave and authorities have targeted other media outlets. Radio Miraya was ordered to end its broadcast because of "persistent non-compliance and refusal to be regulated" under domestic laws, said Elijah Alier, who chairs South Sudan's media authority. Alier told reporters in Juba that the request to withdraw the frequency allocated to Radio Miraya would go into effect on Friday. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, however, said talks were ongoing with Juba about the decision. UN officials are "in touch with the South Sudanese authorities to clarify the situation. At this point, the UN radio station is still broadcasting," said Dujarric. Run by the UN mission in South Sudan, Radio Miraya started broadcasting in 2006. It bills itself as an independent radio station that provides impartial news and information. South Sudan this year entered its fifth year of war, with nearly four million people uprooted and millions more in dire need of humanitarian aid.AIM I students at their graduation last year. (Photo: Photo Credit: Julienne Schaer)

BROOKLYN, N.Y.  The day starts around 7 a.m. Schneida Howard, a counselor at a charter school in Brooklyn, New York, sends off a wave of texts to a group of 10 students. At the very least, she hopes to get them out of bed at a decent hour. At best, she hopes to get them to school bright and early.

Any time of the day, any day of the week, her students need her. Sometimes they want her to stop them from doing something stupid, relishing the adult guidance. Other times they just need someone to shoot the breeze with, like an aunt or a big sister, because they have no one else. Her son has become so used to hearing his mother talk to students that he will ask her for updates on their lives. Is so and so back at home with her mommy now? the sixth-grader might ask.

Howards students attend New Visions AIM Charter High School I, a charter high school near the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn. The school was created in 2012 under a different name with different management, but with the same audacious mission: to educate the students whom other schools had failed. These are the toughest of students, the kids who have either been in jail, become homeless or live in foster care.

Some kids have experienced all three.

Students who attend AIM I are 15 to 21 years old, the oldest age that a student can attend a public school in New York, by law. Every matriculated child has been held back for at least one grade, and oftentimes has faced insurmountable obstacles in their personal lives.

Last year, with a school of about 200 students, only about 30 graduated, and many had taken more than four years. This number, while representing a huge increase from previous years, falls far short of goals set by state education leaders. While these numbers may paint a picture of failure, the reality is so much more complicated.

HuffPost spent three weeks embedded at AIM I at the end of the 2016-17 school year, with several follow-up visits this year. The school gives kids one last shot at an education. Our goal was to observe how that happens.

Story continues

After all, many kids who make their way through AIM I wont graduate or move onto higher education. Its a story, with ups and downs, successes and failures, that may be informative to schools around the country, as year after year, the share of homeless children and children in foster care remains high. It is the story of the thousands of complicated extra steps a school must take to serve a difficult-to-reach population when there is no other stable institution lending a helping hand.

The School Day Begins

The first few minutes of the day are key, Howard said. Because so many students are coming from shelters or foster homes and unstable situations, they may show up apathetic or mad, already on the defense.

Their day doesnt start out as pleasant as most, Howard said, sitting at the front desk one morning in between greeting students as they arrive. By the time they come in here, say about 9 in the morning, theyve already had an argument. Theyre maybe hungry. Theres no telling from one extreme to the next.

Counselors like Howard, usually the male ones, are on watch for texts from students asking to escort them to school, so that they might feel safer. Walking to school includes traversing blocks in hostile territory and going past two nearby homeless shelters, one for women and one for men, both serving clients with psychiatric illness or substance abuse issues.

Howard said she likes to make silly jokes as the kids come in, hoping to reset their day. She calls female students beautiful. She ogles the children of the teenage mothers and fathers who use the daycare located on school premises.

Most of them just need to be loved and understood. They feel no one understands them. And no one cares. Unless you show them you understand, she said calmly, with an air of maternal wisdom.

Counselors, like Howard, keep tabs on hungry children, sometimes discreetly whisking them away to a back room to provide them with snacks. Other students, often homeless or transient, are given a bag filled with personal hygiene products like toothpaste and deodorant. Some are taken to the locker room for a shower and set of clean clothing. Teachers can tell who is homeless by who rushes to the front of the lunch line.

Teachers and students complain that the school looks like a prison. There are bars on the windows, a metal detector at the entrance. Natural sunlight rarely makes its way inside. Security guards roam the halls. These characteristics are not unusual for schools serving high-minority populations in New York City.

But its still more welcoming than most other spaces the students find themselves.

AIM I staff members said they have heard stories of unimaginable trauma from students. Theres the student who has trouble around male teachers after having been raped in a group home. Theres the student who is bouncing in between homes because her mothers boyfriend assaulted her and her mother does not believe it happened. Theres the student who has a very sick, non-English-speaking father, and she acts as his caretaker and translator. One teacher suspects a few of her students are victims of sex trafficking.

Stakes are high. Its literally by any means necessary to help our students get their education, said school principal Kristin Greer.

Every Hour, Every Day, Something New

Greer, a young principal at 32 years old, is always effusive and warm when dealing with students, but firm when it comes to motivating staff or fixing specific obstacles. She has been the schools principal for three years and tries to inject joy into the school wherever she can.

Before she started at AIM I, the school had already cycled through multiple principals. AIM I has still seen high rates of staff turnover, especially after undergoing a management change last year, but Greer tries to maintain a level of normalcy in a school where no two days are ever the same.

The school is almost never at full capacity. Last year, on any given day, about 100 of the schools 200 students were expected to show. Numbers tended to drop throughout the year, as it got warmer. Students with good attendance are sometimes rewarded with gift cards. Counselors will drive to students scattered apartments throughout the week to try and find them and bring them to school. Sometimes they find students at home, maybe in their pajamas.

Ali Engel, a literacy specialist at the school, said all her students are smart, but they werent given the right tools to succeed at school.

Its pretty hard for kids whose basic existence outside depends on never, ever, ever being vulnerable, to show up somewhere to admit you dont know something, said Engel, a 28-year-old whos been working at the school for three years.

And then, even on smooth days, the realities of the outside world can sometimes creep in.

Last year, about once a month, the school received a visit from the New York Police Department or federal authorities who were searching for a student wanted in connection with a crime.

A strict protocol immediately goes into place when a police officer visits the school. Teachers close their doors and sometimes cover them so students are unable to see the officers roaming the halls or making an arrest. Some students have involuntary reactions to seeing cops, having experienced so much trauma previously. They might urinate or defecate in fear.

One day last May, authorities came looking for a student, but he wasnt there. Staff members contemplated the students fate, discussing how he was going to learn some lessons the hard way.

For many students, the impact of trauma will follow them wherever they go. Engel sees the effects on her students brains as they try to make connections to material. She pointed to scientific evidence showing how trauma will change ones brain.

Theyre actually doing, like, 12 different types of school at once while theyre here, Engel said. Theyre taking preschool and high school.

Last year, a student from another high school located in the same building as AIM I was killed, a student with whom some AIM I students were friends. Gun violence is part of the daily reality for the schools students.

Teachers feel the pain, too.

Most of our students are victims of PTSD, depending on how you define that, said Caitlin Chavez Baker, a 30-year-old English teacher who worked at the school until the end of last year, but continues to work at a high-needs school. Because of secondhand trauma, especially new teachers, I think that they should have a good therapist.

Not Throwing Away Their Shot

There is a sizable, dedicated group of regular students, who show up early and often. There are also the stragglers: those that show up after several months of missing in action, deciding they want to do school again. Theyre usually welcomed back.

Classes at AIM I are 90 minutes long. They used to be shorter, but having to pack up and switch classrooms so often was too distracting for the students to settle back down.

Teachers work with students of all levels. Some students read at a first-grade level. Some read at a nearly college level. Most are at a fourth- to sixth-grade level, Baker said. Still, teachers are expected to get all these students to achieve on state standardized tests.

To pass Bakers class last year, at the very least, students had to show up four out of five days a week, something many of her students didnt muster.

The fact that some students show up at all can feel like a success.

Whereas other schools might look at it and say, Oh, they only graduate 30 kids, but thats 30 kids that couldnt make it through somewhere else, anywhere else, which I think is huge, Baker said.

Bakers classroom management style is tailored to the specific obstacles her students face. In class, Baker constantly asked her students if they they were hungry or thirsty. She said there is a big difference in behavior once students are hydrated and well-fed. She rarely gave her students homework, either. How could you give a child homework when they might not have a home, she said.

Other teachers will sometimes assign work via an online program, so that students can work remotely, wherever they might be. School counselors and administrators constantly update students schedules, trying to find new and creative ways to get a student the credits they need to graduate. Its part of the flexibility that comes with being a charter school.

This idea  of catering work to students individual situations  is a common thread connecting different parts of the school, where theres a 6-to-1 staff-student ratio.

Success at AIM I is about getting a child who had disengaged from the system to start showing back up.

AIM I, until the end of last year called Roads Charter High School, was almost shut down after failing to meet the graduation and standardized testing goals the schools authorizing body had set for it in the 2016-17 school year. Then it was taken over by New Visions, a different charter school management organization.

Charter schools in New York are usually run by nonprofit management organizations under five-year contracts; unlike district-run public schools. Charter schools are exempt from certain rules and regulations that district schools are beholden to. In the case of AIM I, this means greater autonomy in terms of staffing, hours and curriculum than a traditional public school. New Visions management organization runs eight charter schools in addition to AIM I and AIM II, AIM Is sister school located in the Bronx. The other eight schools are not specifically designed to serve students who have fallen behind, like AIM I.

In The Homestretch

One day during lunch, Greer, the principal, blasted Humble by Kendrick Lamar and danced with students.

Students at AIM I can select an area of study when they enroll; Greer instituted programs like cooking and arts to give them a broader array of options. Theres a new program, called Hope Dealers, where successful adults come and talk about their paths  Darryl McDaniels of Run DMC even paid the students a visit.

Last spring, the school had its first school play. They performed The Wiz. There were some last-minute kinks along the way. It was delayed several weeks from the original performance date to give kids more time to rehearse. On the night of the performance, the student who played the cowardly lion never showed. But by the time the curtain closed, teachers were weeping with pride. Quiet kids, who teachers struggled to get to class, were performing onstage and taking on leadership roles.

It was a small but meaningful victory.

So many of the students at AIM I are close to the finish line of a really long race, almost too exhausted to get to the end. To make that final push, staff members have to run alongside them, feed them water, and yell words of encouragement.

Teachers and counselors stay late, tutor on weekends, make themselves available over the summer, accompany students to doctors appointments, counsel them about relationships and talk to them late at night about whatever anxiety might be keeping them from performing their best.

If I dont intervene, if staff here dont intervene, if we dont get the parents involved, agencies involved, whats going to happen? Greer asked. She has spent years trying to change the culture of the school from the top down, by sheer force of personality.

There are some indications that its working.

In the 2016-17 school year, the most students graduated in the schools history, though the schools four-year graduation rate was still far below the New York City average.

And some students made progress in ways they had never expected. Jahquel Shorter McKoy was the first in his family to graduate high school last June, a feat he originally didnt think possible. Teachers had watched McKoy, now 21, transform before their eyes, and beamed with pride when recalling his time at AIM I.

Before going to AIM I, McKoy had dropped out of his previous high school.

School wasnt for me, McKoy said. I didnt think I was gonna get my high school diploma. Lot of people doubted me, too, at my other schools. Cause I was in the hallways. But look at me now.

McKoy is an obvious success story. Then there are the ones that are less obvious  the students who dont show up in easily defined metrics.

One day last May, Howard mediated a conflict between one of AIM Is students and a student in the neighboring school. What could have ended in a physical fight instead ended in a case of hurt pride and bruised egos.

The student in question had grown leaps and bounds emotionally in her years at AIM I, Howard said, but how do you quantify emotional development? The student was still prone to conflict, but the arguments have become easier to defuse. Her academics had improved too. Instead of wandering the halls for all of class time, she might now go to class, take a bathroom pass, and only stay out for 10 minutes. These soft improvements could translate to better life decisions outside of school too, teachers hoped.

When I advocate for my students, and then you see they actually get it? Howard said. It really just makes it worth it.

Reporting for this article was supported by a fellowship from the Education Writers Association, a nonprofit journalism group.

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Also on HuffPost

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Exactly four years after Malaysia Airlines flight 370 vanished en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur, the fate of the plane still remains unknown. Questions still abound about the planes disappearance, while the search for the airliner continues.

Heres what we know about MH370 four years after the flight was lost.

The Disappearance

Malaysia Airlines flight 370 was traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014 when it lost contact with air traffic control. Two hundred and thirty nine passengers were on board the Boeing 777.

Trending: Trump Still Hasn't Appointed A US Ambassador to South Korea or Filled 56 Other Such Vacancies

The First Search

After the plane vanished, Malaysia, Australia and China joined forces to launch an extensive search for the aircraft. The ensuing two year search for the flight was the costliest in the history of aviation at around $200 million, scouring some 46,000 square miles.

The search was officially called off in January 2017.

Despite every effort using the best science available, the search has not been able to locate the aircraft, authorities said at the time.

MH370

Reuters

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What Was Found

The initial search yielded only three pieces of debris collected from the Indian Ocean confirmed officially to be from the plane. Those included a portion of the left outboard flap and a portion of the right outboard flap, as well as the right flaperon, a flight control device located on the wing.

What Happened

Despite the multinational search, the fate of the plane remained unclear and questions about its final moments remained unanswered. Authorities were still unclear about who was in control during the planes last moments.

Competing theories surfaced about what happened. Some believed it had been hijacked or that the pilots were in control of the plane, while others thought it was not controlled at the tiem of the crash.

Story continues

Investigators, however, said they believed someone could have switched off the transponder on the plane before diverting the flight. The plane was believed to have crashed somewhere off the western coast of Australia, in the Indian Ocean.

Most popular: Carrie Fisher Slaps Oscar Isaac 24 Times in New Star Wars: The Last Jedi Blu-ray Clip

MH370 Search

REUTERS/Rob Griffith

Renewed Search Efforts

After initial efforts were called off, the search was resumed in January by a private United States based technology firm called Ocean Infinity. The company struck a no find, no fee deal with Malaysia, agreeing that Malaysia would pay $70 million only if the plane was found.

Ocean Infinity was using submarine drone technology to focus the search precisely on specific areas of the seabed. The company planned to continue searching until the end of April.

Investigators were waiting to release the final investigation report until Ocean Infinitys search came to a close.

In the event that the aircraft is found, the team will conduct further investigation, the investigation team said in a Tuesday statement, according to Channel News Asia. If the aircraft is not found a decision is made to discontinue the search, the team will resume the completion of the report and release it in the months ahead.

MH370 Search

REUTERS/Rob Griffith

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekWhen bicycle seller Willie Sebastian was offered a plot of land by the Indonesian government, little could he have known it was the start of a long and humiliating process that would eventually leave him not only empty-handed but feeling like a second-class citizen in the country of his birth.

As part of a drive to beautify the area around the Prambanan temple complex in Yogyakarta  a site that has welcomed such foreign dignitaries as Barack Obama  the state government had promised Sebastian an 80-metre square plot in return for him agreeing to relocate his store. Ever the good citizen  and optimistic about his prospects in the new area  Sebastian agreed and headed for the land agency in Sleman regency. But when he arrived, the wheels fell off the deal.

Sebastian was denied a land ownership certificate because he was a non-native. Instead, he was forced to sign a form relinquishing his rights to the plot. It was very painful to see the land that we bought with our savings, from our hard work, unlawfully handed over to the government, recalled Sebastian, 67.

He is one of countless ethnic Chinese who have been caught by an obscure policy prohibiting non-native ethnic groups from owning land in Yogyakarta, a special administrative region and sultanate on Java island.

The policy dates back to 1975, when the regions then vice-governor Paku Alam VIII told officials not to issue land ownership certificates to Indonesians of Arab, Indian and Chinese descent on the grounds that this would prevent capitalists from exploiting the land of native Indonesians  the pribumi. The instruction stemmed from a decades-long perception that these ethnic groups  in particular the Chinese  were both well-off and well versed in exploiting their wealth. (Ironically, it was a draconian rule by the dictator Suharto barring Chinese from government or military posts that did most to establish their reputation for business acumen, as it meant they had little choice other than to develop their own businesses).

Story continues

Under the 1975 policy, landowners of these ethnicities were asked to voluntarily downgrade their rights: from land owners to land users. Unlike land owners, land users must pay tax and lose their rights after a maximum thirty years. In issuing the policy, the sultanate referred to a hierarchy dating back to the Dutch colonial period that divided Indonesians into three classes  Europeans, East Asian migrants or non-pribumi, and native Indonesians or pribumi. Today, pribumi make up 95 per cent of the population.

Indonesia has taken steps to put this past behind it. The usage of the words pribumi and non-pribumi was banned after Suharto stepped down in 1998 and this was reinforced by a 2008 anti-discrimination law.

Yet discrimination continues in pockets such as Yogyakarta, where the land rights policy is implemented on an ad hoc basis. Sebastian, for instance, had no problem buying land soon after the reformasi that followed Suhartos downfall. It was not until 2002, when he was relocating from the temple area and registered for a different plot, that he was informed of the policy.

The policy has often been challenged by Chinese Indonesians and even governmental agencies in Jakarta, but to no avail. The latest lawsuit was filed in September by a Chinese Indonesian named Handoko, a Yogyakarta-based lawyer, against the provincial land agency and Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, the regions de facto governor. The court last month upheld the policy, ruling it was in accordance with good governance, as it was made to protect the poor against the rich. Yogyakarta officials welcomed the courts decision, saying the policy was a form of positive discrimination. Suyitno, an expert witness in the case and an adviser to the sultan, told local media the instruction would be applied in Yogyakarta as long as the equality gap remains high . Handoko has filed an appeal.

This is not the first time Handoko has taken on the policy. In 2015 he asked the Supreme Court for a judicial review and a year later he went to Yogyakartas administrative court. Both cases flopped  the Supreme Court did not recognise the instruction as a statutory law; the other court said it was outside its jurisdiction.

Others have also tried, and failed. Sebastian, who leads the group Nations Children Against Discrimination, wrote in 2010 to then-president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, asking Jakarta to review the policy. Initially, things looked good: the national land agency instructed its subordinates in Yogyakarta to abandon the practice. Since then the same recommendation has been issued by the National Commission on Human Rights (twice), and the countrys ombudsman. All have been ignored. I have also wrote to President Joko Widodo but there has been no reply yet, Sebastian said. This makes me wonder whether [Yogyakartas] governor is too powerful.

Anti-Chinese sentiment has deep roots in Indonesias flawed past  there were anti-Chinese riots after the fall of Suharto on rumours Chinese were hoarding rice, while decades earlier hundreds of thousands were slaughtered after the abortive coup in 1965 that helped bring Suharto to power. For decades, Suharto had enforced a ban on expressions of Chinese culture, such as dragon dances.

That sentiment has flared in recent years, with increasing racial and religious tensions permeating the nation. Last month, a sword-wielding man attacked church-goers in St Lidwina church in Yogyakarta, injuring four people including a pastor.

In October, an event to mark the 500th anniversary of the birth of Protestant Reformation was cancelled after hardline Islamic groups said the service was a front to convert Muslims.

Tensions came to a boiling point last year during Jakartas gubernatorial election. The incumbent governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, an ethnic Chinese Christian, landed in hot water when a fake video purporting to show him insulting the Koran went viral. Ahok, as he is widely known, is now serving a two-year sentence in prison for blasphemy.

Sometimes I wonder, what is ethnic Tionghoas sin? Sebastian said, using a colloquialism for Chinese Indonesians. Suhartos oppressive rule for thirty-two years turned tionghoas into an inferior group, we were afraid to speak out. We finally found someone brave and vocal like Ahok, then they feared us.

WATCH: Jakarta rally turns violent as Muslim hardliners attack police

Campaigners say one of the biggest hurdles in tackling discrimination over land rights is that many people are in the same position Sebastian himself once was  unaware that such a policy even exists.

Yogyakarta is, after all, good at papering over the cracks. A recent week-long festival in the tourist area of Malioboro celebrated the Lunar New Year. Among the acts was a group of hijab-wearing women singing Islamic chants and playing rebana, or Malay tambourines. I like that there is a rebana performance, it shows we respect each others culture, said Sari Puspita, a Yogyakartan who visited the festival. Like many in her hometown, Sari was unaware ethnic Chinese could not own land.

Nevertheless, campaigners cling to hope, though even Handoko is not optimistic things will change in his lifetime. To me, it feels normal to be disappointed, but I will keep on fighting, Handoko said.

In the US, black people fought for their rights for hundreds of years. I think this country will still be racist even after I die. 

This article Why are ethnic Chinese still being denied land in Indonesia? first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018.Martin Shkreli, the failed hedge funder turned drug executive turned internet troll who emerged for a time as the smirking face of greed in the American pharmaceutical industry, is going to jail. On Friday, a federal judge in Brooklyn sentenced him to seven years in prison for securities fraud. Before the punishment was handed down, Shkreli reportedly delivered a long, sobbing, and self-lacerating plea for leniency. I am here because of my gross, stupid, and negligent mistakes, he told the court.

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All true. And yet, despite the spectacular karmic payback the world seems to have handed Shkreli, its hard to feel any satisfaction at his fate. As much as anything, his sentence is emblematic of a system where penny-ante scams are punished with the full force of the governments wrath and the biggest grafts are still legal.

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Shkreli became notorious as the CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals, where he cornered the market for a six-decade-old generic drug taken by AIDS patients and infants, then raised the price more than 5,000 percent, from $13.50 to $750 per pill. Shkreli wasnt the first or only pharmaceutical executive to make a killing price-gouging on old, well-past-their-patent drugs. But he was the most attention-hungry and flippant, delivering unapologetic TV interviews and spouting rap lyrics on Twitter, where he took on his critics. He trolled Congress during a House hearing. He disrespected the Wu Tang Clan. He didnt make himself easy to love.

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The case against Shkreli had nothing to do with any of that. Instead, it focused on his early misadventures as a Wall Street schemerthe sort of small-time white collar criminality that would barely merit a newspaper mention if it hadnt involved one of the most loathed figures in American business. Prosecutors claimed that Shkreli lied to investors in his first two hedge funds, which were essentially tiny Ponzi schemes, then paid them back with money funneled illegally from his first successful venture, a company called Retrophinwhich is where Shkreli initially got into the business of buying up old drugs to raise their prices. (He was ultimately convicted on three of the eight counts).

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That sums up a lot about the state of U.S. capitalism and law. Its perfectly kosher to milk grotesque profits from old, life-saving medications. But playing games with a relatively small amount of investors cash can get you put away for the better part of a decade. One might argue that prosecutors wouldnt have ever bothered pursuing Shkreli, and instead let his conflict with Retrophins board keep playing out in civil court, where there was a lawsuit, if he hadnt become a headline fixture. But that doesnt change what he was actually convicted for.

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Meanwhile, little has changed in the pharmaceutical industry. As pretty much everyone expected, Donald Trumps promise to do something about pharmaceutical prices has come to nothing so far. His latest secretary health and human services, Alex Azar, has made concerned noises about the cost of medications, but its hard to believe hell do anything serious to combat the problem, given that he was CEO of Eli Lilly when the company was busy pushing up the price of insulin. Shkrelis old company Turing is still trucking along, albeit with a branding change. Its now known as Vyera, a name that seems purposely forgettable.

Altogether, Shkrelis downfall is a perfect fable for our time. In America, its fine to screw patients. Just dont screw investors.This article is published through a partnership with New York Medias Strategist. The partnership is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Every editorial product is independently selected by New York Media. If you buy something through our links, Slate and New York Media may earn an affiliate commission.

After a course of Accutane in the mid-aughts, my acne calmed from the fiery sort that inflames entire faces, to an annoying and painful monthly reminder that my period is neigh. I got cysts, exclusively, always on my chin. And though these cysts are sometimes unassumingpink but no whitehead, usually not too raisedthey are very painful. I avoided permanent scarring by getting cortisone shots in every single one, usually three or more a month. These days, though, my derm visits for acne are sporadic. Instead of getting a couple cysts every month, Ive gotten down to one every few months. Spearmint tea, I truly believe, has made the difference.

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Early last year Id read that spearmint tea had anti-androgen (a male hormone) effects, downregulating the testosterone in the blood thats thought to cause hormonal acne. That was certainly what I hadmonthly breakouts in the lower part of my face. But when I read about spearmint, the claim sounded like kooky wishful thinking. So I turned to a professional, the dermatologist Dr. Carl Thornfeldt, who in addition to being the creator of the Epionce skin-care line, has a research-heavy background. It has now been documented that spearmint is the most potent of the different mints in killing skin-disease-causing bacteria and yeasts, he said. Spearmint also has the most anti-inflammatory activity of the mint varieties. He suggested one cup of organic spearmint tea twice a day, citing a study that compared that dose of spearmint tea with 100 mg of the antibiotic minocycline. The tl;dr is that after three months, both the tea and the minocycline diminished acne lesions by about half, but the tea produced zero side effects (not to mention its cheaper and doesnt require a prescription).

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I started drinking Traditional Medicinals Organic Spearmint herbal tea last spring, brewing it in big batches and icing it so I could drink it like water. After two months of drinking, I was getting fewer cysts, down to one a month compared to two or more. Now, after almost a year on spearmint, a cyst sighting is rare. Thornfeldt explained that spearmint tea works due to the efficacy of the compounds inside it: flavonoids, menthol, limonene, and rosmarinic acids which each have either anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal or anti-viral properties (or some combination of both). Basically, it works on all the processes that drive adult acne, he said.

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More Strategist-Approved Acne Fighters

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Writer Leah Bhabha calls Ursa Majors Fantastic Face Wash the best acne-fighting cleanser shes ever tried: While the aloe and rice seed soothe my skin, its the sugarcane thats the real clincher. Sugarcane naturally contains alpha hydroxy acids, which not only fight blemishes but lighten dark spots and lessen scarring.

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Pimples: We all get them. The best way to diminish them is to slap on one of these buggers, which beauty writer Rio Viera-Newton calls the Holy Grail. Drop everything and buy them. Not even going to explain, will just say if you pop or pick a zit, put this on immediately afterward, go to bed, and in the morning youll see what Im talking about and thank me.

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Writer Kelsey Mulvey discovered the magic of the Indie Lee Blemish Stick when she interned at Indie Lee and discovered its powerful effects: I cant tell you how many times Ive used the Blemish Stick before leaving my apartment in the morning and noticed that the pimple was significantly smaller (or completely gone) by lunchtime. I dont just like the Blemish Stick; I hoard it. I have three tubes in my apartment and at least one in my purse at all times. Whenever a conversation turns to skin care, I whip it out of my bag and go off on a five-minute tangent about how its the miracle product.

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In her very detailed guide to face masks, Viera-Newton cites the power of the light therapy mask: The light drama made me expect this to be more fun than actually effective, but I was pleasantly surprised by how well it worked on getting rid of active blemishes. Its not hydrating, per se. It actually sometimes feels like its drying my skin out. But if youre struggling with breakouts, this is a very worthwhile investment.

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On a trip to Japan, Viera-Newton discovered this tea-tree serum for pimples, which she loved so much, she used it to the very last drop. Its a good thing that I bought three of these last time I was in Japan because running out sends me into a spiral. This serumwhich, unlike other tea-tree serums, isnt terribly concentrated and harshreduces redness and inflammation in ways no other has been able to accomplish for my skin. I blow through these like its my job (which, I guess, it is?).

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Writer Hannah Morrill found herself plagued by bacne after becoming pregnant, but her dermatologist recommended a spray that stopped it in its tracks: My bacne cleared up nearly overnight. After about four days, crimson welts had subsided entirely, faded to a barely there blush, or had started healing. Within a week, I felt comfortable wearing a low-backed tank. Ive since evangelically recommended the product to my trainer, my boyfriends brother, and a 22-year-old I work with. Plenty of us (pregnant or not) could use a surefire cure for body acne.

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Writer Or Gothams pimple went away, but the scarring had not. He got it under control with Murads Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum: I rub the serum onto clean skin, when it is most receptive. My skin is left with an activated tingle that tells me its working. I repeat this process every night before bed for only as long as I need to. Usually, by the third night, I can see a visible reduction in dark spots. By the fifth day, they become imperceptible. After a week, Ive forgotten about them entirely.

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Writer Gaby Dunn introduced us to the clay mask she discovered as a pimply teenager: By now, Ive used this product on and off for about 15 years. Sure, it clears up a zit, but no expensive face mask has ever worked as well at refreshing my skin either. Theres a tightening sensation you feel as the clay mask dries that I swear tightens my face even after Ive rinsed it off. I hesitate to even tell you about it, because Queen Helene could triple its price and Id still buy it.

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The Cuts beauty director Kathleen Houin her guide to cult French pharmacy products you can buy on Amazoncalls this a cousin of prescription acne fighter Retin-A: The amount of vitamin A is low enough so that it doesnt cause the flakiness of typical Retin-A creams, but strong enough that youll notice a difference. Ive used it successfully as a blemish treatment, dotting it on oncoming zits to find them completely gone the next morning.

BUY: A313 Vitamin A Pommade

$23, AmazonThe Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee continues to pay the price for its decision to go nuclear last month in a failed attempt to knock out a first-time congressional candidate in Texas. Sen. Bernie Sanders delivered the latest blow on Friday, and his remarks suggest that the left is unlikely to forgive and forget the DCCCs very public effort to put a thumb on the scale in a competitive primary.

I detest that type of politics, Sanders said during a South by Southwest panel in Austin, Texas, according to the Houston Chronicle. And I think most Americans do. The Vermont senator added: That is to my mind, absolutely unacceptable. And its got to end.

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That marked the second consecutive day that Bernie publicly shamed the DCCC for its decision to dump its opposition file on Laura Moser, a progressive journalist (who has written for Slate, among others) running in Texas 7th Congressional District. Im especially distressed that the DCCC tried to do negative attacks against a very respectable and intelligent candidate who is running a serious campaign, Sanders told the Texas Tribune on Thursday. Thats just not acceptable. I suspect that it backfired on them, and I hope they dont do it again.

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Despite the broadside from Washingtonor as Sanders seemed to suggest, because of itMoser qualified Tuesday for a May runoff for the Democratic nomination. That means this already nasty intra-party fight between progressives and the partys establishment could last for another two months. If nothing else, it will give the DCCC something to consider as it continues to grapple with how to harness the anti-Trump energy of its grassroots without angering it.

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Moser had already made something of a name for herself on the left even before the DCCC went after her, but the public attack gave Sanders supporters flashbacks to the 2016 primary and unleashed another round of support. Our Revolution, a group that evolved out of Bernies 2016 campaign, quickly came to her defense with an endorsement, and small-dollar donations from around the country soon followed. Moser says she raised more than $100,000 in the six days following the attack, a significant slice of which, the campaign made no secret, came from small donors outside of her district.

Joining Moser in the runoff is Lizzie Pannill Fletcher, a Houston area attorney with the backing of some establishment-friendly Democratic groups but who has faced serious criticism from local unions. They say the firm she is a partner in once turned a courtroom into an anti-union and anti-immigrant circus while representing a commercial cleaning company in a lawsuit.

The winner of the runoff will go on to face Republican Rep. John Culberson in November in a race Democrats are hoping to flip on their way to retaking control of the House. Whether that happens very well may depend on whether the left and the establishment are still on speaking terms after Texas Democrats select their nominee.The Stormy Daniels affair appears to be growing more complex by the daywith its dueling lawsuits and contradictory claimsbut one central fact appears beyond dispute: On the eve of the 2016 presidential election, attorney Michael Cohen paid the former porn star $130,000 in hush money, so that she would stay silent about her alleged affair with his client, Donald Trump. Given the timing, the payoff to Daniels looks a lot like an unreported campaign contribution, which would constitute a crime under U.S. law, but Cohen insists that he simply paid the money from the goodness of his heart.

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That might seem like a pretty shaky defense, even if Cohen really used his home equity line to get the funds as he claims, but it turns out to be no defense at all. Cohen should be in hot soup either way.

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As a New York lawyer, Cohen is required to follow Rule 1.8 of New Yorks Rules of Professional Conduct, which provides that While representing a client in connection with contemplated or pending litigation, a lawyer shall not advance or guarantee financial assistance to the client. There are some exceptions for indigent clients, which are obviously inapplicable to Trump, so the only real issue is whether Cohens payment was made in connection with litigation. If so, it is pretty clear that Cohen has violated his states legal ethics rules.

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We know, of course, that Danielss Nondisclosure Agreement has ultimately ended up in court, but that is not the question. The real issue is whether the payment, when made, was related to litigation, rather than, say, a contract or other transaction.

Fortunately, the NDAwhich uses the pseudonyms PP and DD for Daniels and Trumpwas appended to Danielss current lawsuit, so we can turn to the document itself for more relevant information. According to Paragraph 2.2, PP claims that she has been damaged by DDs alleged actions against her, including but not limited to tort claims. Paragraph 2.5, meanwhile, explains that The Parties wish to avoid the time, expense, and inconvenience of potential litigation, and to resolve any and all disputes and potential legal claims which exist or may exist between them.

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It doesnt take a lawyer to recognize that that Trump-Daniels agreement contemplated litigation, which means that Cohens financial assistance was prohibited under the New York ethics rules.

Cohen probably wont have to worry much about the election law violation, which can only be prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice. The Daniels affair is unrelated to the Russia probe, which means that Attorney General Jeff Sessions is not recused and Special Counsel Robert Mueller wont likely be looking into it. Sessions is already on thin ice with Trump, so the chances that he will indict his bosss attorney are pretty much nil.

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The New York bar authorities, however, are not under the control of the White House, and they have no reason to ignore Cohens evident flouting of the ethics rules. Other New York lawyers have been disciplined for simply making loans to struggling clients in tort-related cases, and the same has happened in other states (all of which have similar rules). A disciplinary complaint by the Attorney Grievance Committee which could lead to suspension or disbarmentmight well cause Cohen to be more fully candid about the precise origin of the funds for the Daniels payoff.

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Of course, Cohen might decide that he has to stop answering questions about the NDA, given the attorney-client privilege, but the New York Rules of Professional Conduct address that possibility as well. According to Rule 1.6, a lawyer may disclose confidential information in order to defend himself against an accusation of wrongful conduct, meaning either a crime or an ethics violation.

Cohen could clear himself completely if it turns out that he was just a conduit for payoff money from Trump himselfand thus there was neither a campaign contribution nor any financial assistancebut his loyalty to his client runs deep. He was purportedly willing to mortgage his house to keep Trumps alleged dalliances under wraps, but will he be willing to keep mum at the risk of his law license? For now, the hush money can only be characterized as an unlawful campaign contribution or prohibited financial assistance to a client. Unless he has a better explanation, it looks as though Michael Cohen may find himself, like other Trump enablers, left twisting in the wind.An eight-hour-long siege at the Pathway Home in Yountville, California ended in tragedy after law enforcement officers found the body of the gunmen and three hostages Friday evening. Albert Wong, a 36-year-old former Army rifleman, who had taken hostages at the 600-acre facility north of Napa wine country had been kicked out of a treatment program at the center.

Wong served with the Army on active duty from May 2010 to August 2013 and spent a year in Afghanistan. He received four medals, including the Army Commendation Medal, given to those who set themselves apart by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service.

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Although officials arent confirming any motives for the killings, the connections seem evident. Wong killed Executive Director Christine Loeber, 48; Clinical Director Jennifer Golick, 42; and Jennifer Gonzales, 29, a clinical psychologist at the Pathway Home. Golicks father-in-law said she had recently kicked out Wong from the program. That information was confirmed by state Sen. Bill Dodd, who didnt specify the reasons why Wong had been kicked out.

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These brave women were accomplished professionals who dedicated their careers to serving our nations veterans, working closely with those in the greatest need of attention after deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Pathway Home said in a statement.

Statement from Pathway Home where 3 employees were killed after being taken hostage by a gunman just before 10:30am at the Yountville Veterans Home.

Victims were the executive director, therapist, and a psychologist.@CBSSF pic.twitter.com/sAOw42xDUL  Katie Nielsen (@KatieKPIX) March 10, 2018

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Wong appears to have traveled to the Pathway Home, which is the largest veterans home in the country, Friday morning and barged into a going away party for an employee. They were having cake and toasting, apparently he just walked in with this rifle, according to a man who said his wife works there. It seems Wong let some people go and took others hostage.

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Anne and I are deeply saddened by the horrible violence at the Yountville Veterans Home, which tragically took the lives of three people dedicated to serving our veterans, said California Gov. Jerry Brown, who ordered flags at the capitol to be flown at half-staff.

President Trump took to Twitter to mourn the loss of three incredible women who cared for our veterans.

AdvertisementOn Thursday, a landmark deal was announced from the White House. President Donald Trump had agreed to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and that country would continue freezing nuclear and missile tests. For at least the third time in the past 24 years, North Korean leadership also would agree to seek to denuclearize the peninsula, the holy grail of diplomacy in the region.

Trump was reportedly so excited about the agreement that he popped his head into the White House briefing room to tease it. When ABC News Jon Karl asked the president if the announcement would be about negotiations, Trump responded excitedly, Its almost beyond that. Hopefully, you will give me credit.

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The media did give Trump the credit he desired. The news dominated the cable networks for a short while. The New York Post on Friday morning led with the headline The Kim and I: Jong-un, Trump to Summit Over Nukes. The New York Times led with the headline North Korea Asks for Direct Talks, and Trump Agrees and the subhead Meeting With Kim on Nuclear Program Could Happen Within 2 Months. That piece of news was based on a direct quote from South Koreas National Security Adviser Chung Eui-yong, who in his announcement said that President Trump  said he would meet Kim Jong-un by May to achieve permanent denuclearization. The Washington Post, for its part, offered a slightly more skeptical subheadline to its lead story: Presidents bellicosity secures a diplomatic coupfor now.

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By Friday afternoon, the press quietly learned that for now should be considered a major caveat for this White House. Press secretary Sarah Sanders repeatedly told reporters that the meeting would not take place without concrete actions from North Korea. When pressed on what that would look like, Sanders said they would have to denuclearize.

Sanders: The understanding, the message from the South Korean delegation is that they would denuclearize. And that is what our ultimate goal has always been, and that will have to be part of the actions that we see them take. Reporter: Is that before or after the meeting? Sanders: Wed have to see concrete and verifiable actions take place. Reporter: Before the meeting? Sanders: Yes. Yeah.

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So the meetingagreed to by Trump to take place by Maywont take place until North Korea shows verifiable and concrete proof that it is doing the thing that it has promised to do on repeated occasions and never done.

Sanders was pressed further on what those concrete steps might look like. Thats something that is going to be determined by the intelligence community, the national security team, and not something that I would relay from the podium to all of you, she said. Of course, there is a system in place in Iran for determining that a rogue regime is not building a nuclear arsenala system the current president has repeatedly rebuked and threatened to undoso its entirely possible to publicly outline such concrete steps.

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Ultimately, this is just the latest episode in our current administrations general policy of government by gimmickry, a practice that Slates editor in chief Julia Turner predicted would become the norm just before Trump took office, when the then-president elect announced that he was saving a Carrier plant:

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The resulting press opportunity is the policy. The approach collapses any distinction between the work of leadership and the promotion of that work. It bypasses the abstractions of administration and substitutes visceral image-making instead. What Trump has laid out here is a troubling blueprint for government by stunt. . The approach is opportunistic rather than strategic, concerned with short-term victories rather than the unglamorous work of building something enduring and strong, anticipating and minimizing unintended consequences, understanding historical imperatives, and assessing the potential levers that can effect systemic change.

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Of course many of those Carrier jobs were lost within 13 months. And it took less than 24 hours for the White House to walk back its groundbreaking North Korea announcement. The walk-back is the flipside of the government by stunt: Theres no immediate downside to running a country as a hollow PR apparatus. Whether or not the meeting ever happensand more importantly, whether or not North Korea gives up its nukesTrump got his headlines and won his news cycle. The press coverage of a meeting not occurringshould it fail to take placewont be nearly as noisy.

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His supporters will remember his Nobel Prizeworthy victory. The media will ultimately forget about the episode like weve forgotten about the first time he gave up on Obamacare repeal, his subsequent Obamcare repeal victory party, his $1 trillion infrastructure plan, his agreement in September with Democrats to pass a DACA fix, his promises less than two weeks ago on gun control, and any countless number of other pretend policies that were actually PR stunts.

In the case of North Korean nuclear diplomacy, Trump could be long gone from the scene before this particular policy stunt ultimately results in failure. The stakes of Thursdays announcement, from Trumps perspective, were ultimately very low. Unfortunately, for the rest of us they couldnt be higher.President Donald Trump is taking North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un at his word. On Saturday, the commander in chief seemingly couldnt stop patting himself on the back for agreeing to the meeting with the North Korean leader, saying he has support from the regional heavyweights and is confident that his demands will be met.

North Korea has allegedly vowed not to carry any missile tests until after the proposed meetings will take placea promise that the commander in chief seems ready and willing to believe. North Korea has not conducted a Missile Test since November 28, 2017 and has promised not to do so through our meetings. I believe they will honor that commitment! Trump wrote on Twitter.

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North Korea has not conducted a Missile Test since November 28, 2017 and has promised not to do so through our meetings. I believe they will honor that commitment!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 10, 2018

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Trumps tweets came mere days after he shocked the world on Thursday when he immediately told South Korean officials he would be willing to meet for talks with North Korea.

Although Trump made no comment about the timing of this meeting in his Saturday tweets, the South Korean officials who met with him at the White House said the meeting would be held by May.

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Chinese President XI JINPING and I spoke at length about the meeting with KIM JONG UN of North Korea. President XI told me he appreciates that the U.S. is working to solve the problem diplomatically rather than going with the ominous alternative. China continues to be helpful!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 10, 2018

The president also took to Twitter to push back against claims that some of the most important U.S. allies in the region are opposed to the talks. In two separate tweets, Trump said that the leaders of China and Japan support the idea. President XI told me he appreciates that the U.S. is working to solve the problem diplomatically rather than going with the ominous alternative, Trump wrote on Twitter, in reference to Chinese President Xi Jinping. China continues to be helpful! Trump also wrote that he spoke with Japans Shinzo Abe, who was very enthusiastic about talks with North Korea.

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Spoke to Prime Minister Abe of Japan, who is very enthusiastic about talks with North Korea. Also discussing opening up Japan to much better trade with the U.S. Currently have a massive $100 Billion Trade Deficit. Not fair or sustainable. It will all work out!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 10, 2018

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The pair of tweets represent Trumps simplistic characterization of conversations in recent days with Asian leaders whose reactions to his diplomatic gambit have been more complicated, notes the Washington Post. Although its true that regional leaders seem glad that Trump has moved on from the warnings of fire and fury like the world has never seen when talking about North Korea, there are other concerns now. The Post explains:

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Among them are that Trump was too quick to agree to a meeting without any apparent conditions, and that his sometimes impetuous approach could lead to unfortunate concessions. The leaders of Japan and China see significant promise but also a certain risk in the prospect of a [U.S.-North Korea] summit, said Daniel Russel, a regional expert at the Asia Society who until last year served as assistant secretary of state for East Asia. For both Abe and Xi Jinping, the rhetoric of bloody nose and fire and fury was quite concerning, Russel said. Im sure [the prospect of a summit] comes as a relief to a certain degree. But the leaders must have each wondered why they hadnt been informed in advance and  certainly in the case of our close ally Japan  why there had been no prior consultation before the U.S. announcement.

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Trump is clearly annoyed at how the media have raised questions about his agreement to meet with the North Korean leader and dedicated a tweet to the issue, noting that the press was startled & amazed when the agreement was first announced. But by the following morning the news became FAKE, Trump wrote. They said so what, who cares!

In the first hours after hearing that North Koreas leader wanted to meet with me to talk denuclearization and that missile launches will end, the press was startled & amazed.They couldnt believe it. But by the following morning the news became FAKE.They said so what, who cares!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 10, 2018

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In a fascinating piece, the New York Times takes a close look at how we got to Trumps agreement to meet with Kim, which starts off by detailing just how shocked everyone was that the commander in chief said yes so quickly:

AdvertisementPresident Donald Trump goes out of his way to insult and antagonize people. For his adversaries, this can be infuriating. But for his political allies and his fellow Americans, its exasperating. Trump cripples his party legislatively by alienating key lawmakers. He drives election turnout against Republican candidates. And hes turning the world against the United States.

On Thursday, Trump announced tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. In some ways, the tariffs resemble those imposed by President George W. Bush in 2002. There are technical differences between the two cases, but the most consequential difference might turn out to be Trumps abrasiveness. His open enthusiasm for a trade war, combined with his explicit disdain for military allies, undermines the legal rationale for the tariffs. It challenges other countries to retaliate, and it compounds the damage to Americas relationships and power.

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Trump loves to gloat, pick fights, and humiliate others. In just the past week, he has gratuitously insulted Democrats, the Oscars, and his four predecessors by name. He has taken credit for the Olympics, Swedish prosperity, and solving the conflict over Jerusalem. He has heaped contempt on the Palestinians (theyre wanting to come back to the table very badly), the press (being mocked all over the world), and everyone who works for him (I still have some people that I want to change, I have a choice of anybody).

Meanwhile, European leaders, alarmed by the tariff plan, have bent over backward to be nice. Visiting the White House on Tuesday, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven ducked questions about a trade war. Friends differ from time to time, said Lofven, but its important for us to try to find a way to cooperate. At a news conference on Wednesday, European Union trade commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom called the United States our friend and ally and cautioned that a trade war has no winners. We have no intention of escalating, said Malmstrom. She promised that the EU would do everything that we can to try to offer a dialogue.

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Trump, true to form, has done everything possible to provoke a fight. Standing next to Lofven, he claimed that the European Union has not treated us well and has taken advantage of the United States. On Monday, in an appearance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said the United States has been ripped off by virtually every country in the world, whether its friend or enemy. Trump blamed U.S. budget deficits on military aid to our allies. He groused that NATO helps Europe a lot more than it helps us. Announcing his tariffs on Thursday, he hurled sarcasm: Many of the countries that treat us the worst on trade, and on military, are our allies, as they like to call them.

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Trump openly advocates a trade war. A week ago, he tweeted that given our trade deficits, trade wars are good, and easy to win. By cutting off trade, he predicted, We win big. Its easy! He dared the EU to retaliate against American tariffs, vowing, We will simply apply a Tax on their Cars. On Tuesday, standing beside Lofven, Trump warned Europe that he would match any retaliation with a big tax of 25 percent on their cars. And, believe me, they wont be doing it very long. Trump repeated that trade wars arent so bad because the trade war hurts them; it doesnt hurt us.

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Trump is wrong. Trade wars do hurt us. Thats why Bush, having stripped the United States of 200,000 jobs through collateral damage from his own tariffs (in effect, he raised the cost of goods made here), withdrew the tariffs in 2003 in the face of $2 billion in countertariffs authorized by the World Trade Organization. At the time, Americas trade partners didnt even have to use the approved sanctions. This time, theyre threatening to retaliate right away. And Trump is baiting them to do so.

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Even if our trade partners dont rise to the bait, they can act against us through the WTO. Trump thinks he can bypass the WTO by asserting that his tariffs are necessary to protect national security. Thats laughable. Hes applying the tariffs to NATO allies. Hes also using the tariffs as leverage against Canada and Mexico, to get a NAFTA deal that, in his words, will be fair for our workers and fair for our farmers. Thats a patently economic and political, not military, concern. In his press conference with Lofven, Trump predicted that Republicans would do very well on the 18 election, because our jobs are being protected, finally, like with what were doing with the tariffs. He brags about putting tariffs on washing machines, hardly an instrument of national defense.

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On Wednesday, Malmstrom made clear that the EU is ready to file a WTO case and discredit Trumps national security excuse. Trumps needlessly aggressive rhetoric (trade wars are good) and his open disregard for alliances (claiming that were ripped off by virtually every country in the world, whether its friend or enemy) could be part of the case. And the WTOs adjudicators arent angels. They come from all over the world, including continents and countries Trump has directly insulted. Did I mention that Trump frequently insults the WTO directly? He did it again this week.

If our trade partners dont take their case to the WTOor dont win the case, because the WTO declines to second-guess a national-security claimthe ill will Trump has cultivated will hurt us even more. In a world ungoverned by an effective global institution, our power to rein in Chinese dumping, commercial espionage, and intellectual property theft would depend on cooperation from trade partners. Instead of courting them, were attacking them. From Brazil to Europe to South Korea, governments are dismayed by Trumps assault. Japan, Australia, Canada, and eight other countries just signed a trans-Pacific trade agreement without us. Theres talk that China, not the United States, might join the deal.

Trump doesnt seem to care. I like conflict, he joyfully observed on Tuesday when a reporter asked about turmoil in his Cabinet. I like watching it, I like seeing it. Thats one reason why so many people dislike our president. But hes still our president, and thats what hurts us most. Hes tearing down our country. Hes tearing down our world.Like boxers, politicians like Fico always believe they can win one last fight

With his political career in danger, and no substantive punches left to throw, Fico is flailing about in an attempt convince people that all this alarm about the Ndrangheta mafia infiltrating his own office is the work of foreigners and George Soros.

Robert Fico (Source: Sme)

Top storiesWall Street analysts have given VanEck Indonesia Index ETF 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 VanEck Indonesia Index ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys.

View MarketBeat's top stock picks here.Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments, Inc. The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC. It invests in the fixed income markets of Massachusetts, United States. The fund primarily invests in undervalued municipal securities and other related investments which are exempt from regular federal and Massachusetts income taxes. It seeks to invest in investment grade securities that are rated Baa/BBB or above by S&P, Moody's, or Fitch. The fund employs fundamental analysis with a focus on bottom-up stock picking approach to create its portfolio. It benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against the Standard & Poor's (S&P) Massachusetts Municipal Bond Index and Standard & Poor's (S&P) National Municipal Bond Index. The fund was formerly known as Nuveen Massachusetts Premium Income Municipal Fund. Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund was formed on January 12, 1993 and is domiciled in the United States.

Read MoreThe Bank of Nova Scotia provides various banking products and services in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, the Caribbean and Central America, and internationally. It operates through Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Banking and Markets, and Global Wealth Management segments. The company offers financial advice and solutions, and day-to-day banking products, including debit and credit cards, chequing and saving accounts, investments, mortgages, loans, and insurance to individuals; and business banking solutions comprising lending, deposit, cash management, and trade finance solutions to small businesses and commercial customers, including automotive financing solutions to dealers and their customers. It also provides wealth management advice and solutions, including online brokerage, mobile investment, full-service brokerage, trust, private banking, and private investment counsel services; and retail mutual funds, exchange traded funds, liquid alternative funds, and institutional funds. In addition, the company offers international banking services for retail, corporate, and commercial customers; and lending and transaction, investment banking advisory, and capital markets access services to corporate customers. Further, it provides Internet, mobile, and telephone banking services. The company operates a network of 952 branches and approximately 3,540 automated banking machines in Canada; and approximately 1,400 branches, 5,200 ATMs, and 22 contact centers internationally. The Bank of Nova Scotia was founded in 1832 and is headquartered in Halifax, Canada.

Read MoreUnit Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration, acquisition, development, and production of oil and natural gas properties in the United States. It operates through three segments: Oil and Natural Gas, Contract Drilling, and Mid-Stream. The Oil and Natural Gas segment explores for, acquires, develops, and produces oil and natural gas properties. Its producing oil and natural gas properties, unproved properties, and related assets are primarily located in Oklahoma and Texas, as well as in Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. The Contract Drilling segment is involved in the contract drilling of onshore oil and natural gas wells for a range of other oil and natural gas companies primarily in Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming, North Dakota, Colorado, and Utah. It has 55 drilling rigs in its fleet. The Mid-Stream segment buys, sells, gathers, processes, and treats natural gas for third parties. This segment operates 3 natural gas treatment plants, 14 processing plants, 22 gathering systems, and approximately 1,475 miles of pipeline in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Unit Corporation was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Avery Dennison: ADC PHILIPPINES INC., ADESPAN S.R.L., ADHIPRESS BANGLADESH LTD., AVERY CORP., AVERY DE MEXICO SRL DE CV, AVERY DENNISON (ASIA) HOLDINGS LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON (CHANGZHOU) FILMS TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD, AVERY DENNISON (CHINA) COMPANY LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON (FUZHOU) CONVERTED PRODUCTS LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON (GUANGZHOU) CO. LTD., AVERY DENNISON (GUANGZHOU) CONVERTED PRODUCTS LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON (GUANGZHOU) INTELLIGENT LABELS CO. LTD., AVERY DENNISON (HONG KONG) LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON (INDIA) PRIVATE LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON (IRELAND) LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON (KENYA) PRIVATE LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON (KUNSHAN) COMPANY LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON (MALAYSIA) SDN. BHD., AVERY DENNISON (QINGDAO) CONVERTED PRODUCTS LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON (SUZHOU) CO. LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON (THAILAND) LTD., AVERY DENNISON (VIETNAM) LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON AUSTRALIA GROUP HOLDINGS PTY LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON AUSTRALIA INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS PTY LTD., AVERY DENNISON AUSTRALIA PTY LTD., AVERY DENNISON BELGIE BVBA, AVERY DENNISON BELGIUM MANAGEMENT SERVICES SPRL, AVERY DENNISON BENELUX BVBA, AVERY DENNISON BV, AVERY DENNISON C.A., AVERY DENNISON CANADA CORPORATION, AVERY DENNISON CENTRAL EUROPE GMBH, AVERY DENNISON CHILE S.A., AVERY DENNISON COLOMBIA S. A. S., AVERY DENNISON COMMERCIAL EL SALVADOR S.A. DE C.V., AVERY DENNISON CONVERTED PRODUCTS DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., AVERY DENNISON CONVERTED PRODUCTS EL SALVADOR S. A. DE C. V., AVERY DENNISON DE ARGENTINA S.R.L., AVERY DENNISON DO BRASIL LTDA., AVERY DENNISON DOMINICAN REPUBLIC S.R.L., AVERY DENNISON EGYPT LLC, AVERY DENNISON ETIKET TICARET LIMITED SIRKETI, AVERY DENNISON EUROPE HOLDING (DEUTSCHLAND) GMBH & CO KG, AVERY DENNISON FINANCE GERMANY GMBH, AVERY DENNISON G HOLDINGS I LLC, AVERY DENNISON G HOLDINGS III LLC, AVERY DENNISON G INVESTMENTS III LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON G INVESTMENTS V LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON GROUP DANMARK APS, AVERY DENNISON GROUP SINGAPORE PTE LTD, AVERY DENNISON GULF FZCO, AVERY DENNISON HOLDING & FINANCE THE NETHERLANDS BV, AVERY DENNISON HOLDING FRANCE, AVERY DENNISON HOLDING GMBH, AVERY DENNISON HOLDING LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON HOLDING LUXEMBOURG S. A. R. L., AVERY DENNISON HOLDINGS LLC, AVERY DENNISON HONG KONG B.V., AVERY DENNISON HONG KONG HOLDING I B.V., AVERY DENNISON IBERICA S.A., AVERY DENNISON INNOVATIONS LLC, AVERY DENNISON INTELLIGENT HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS LLC, AVERY DENNISON INTELLIGENT LABELS EUROPE S.R.L., AVERY DENNISON INTELLIGENT LABELS HK LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON INVESTMENT LUXEMBOURG II SARL, AVERY DENNISON INVESTMENTS LUXEMBOURG III SARL, AVERY DENNISON INVESTMENTS LUXEMBOURG IV SARL, AVERY DENNISON ISRAEL LTD., AVERY DENNISON ITALIA S.R.L., AVERY DENNISON JAPAN KK, AVERY DENNISON JAPAN MATERIALS COMPANY LTD., AVERY DENNISON KOREA LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON LABEL LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON LANKA (PRIVATE) LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON LUXEMBOURG S.A.R.L., AVERY DENNISON LUXEMBOURG SALES SARL, AVERY DENNISON MANAGEMENT GMBH, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS BELGIUM SPRL, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS EUROPE B.V., AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS EUROPE GMBH, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS FRANCE S.A.R.L., AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS GMBH, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS IRELAND LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS NEDERLAND BV, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS NEW ZEALAND LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS PTY LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS ROM SRL, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS RUSSIA LLC, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS SALES BELGIUM SPRL, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS SALES FRANCE S. A. S., AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS SALES GERMANY GMBH, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS SDN BHD, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS U.K. LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS UKRAINE LLC, AVERY DENNISON MAURITIUS LTD., AVERY DENNISON MEDICAL LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON MOROCCO SARL, AVERY DENNISON NETHERLANDS INVESTMENT I BV, AVERY DENNISON NETHERLANDS INVESTMENT II B. V., AVERY DENNISON NETHERLANDS INVESTMENT III BV, AVERY DENNISON NETHERLANDS INVESTMENT VII B.V., AVERY DENNISON NETHERLANDS INVESTMENT VIII BV, AVERY DENNISON NETHERLANDS INVESTMENT X BV, AVERY DENNISON NETHERLANDS INVESTMENT XI COOPERATIEF U.A., AVERY DENNISON NETHERLANDS INVESTMENT XII BV, AVERY DENNISON NORDIC APS, AVERY DENNISON NTP A. S., AVERY DENNISON OFFICE PRODUCTS COMPANY, AVERY DENNISON OFFICE PRODUCTS HOLDINGS COMPANY, AVERY DENNISON OFFICE PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING U.K. LTD., AVERY DENNISON OVERSEAS CORPORATION, AVERY DENNISON PENSION TRUSTEE LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON PERU S. R. L., AVERY DENNISON POLSKA SP. Z O.O., AVERY DENNISON PRAHA SPOL. S R. O., AVERY DENNISON R.I.S. FRANCE S. A. S., AVERY DENNISON R.I.S. IBERIA S.L., AVERY DENNISON R.I.S. ITALIA S.R.L., AVERY DENNISON RBIS (CAMBODIA) CO. LTD, AVERY DENNISON RBIS (CAMBODIA) TRADING CO. LTD, AVERY DENNISON RBIS PTY LTD, AVERY DENNISON RETAIL INFORMATION SERVICES (PTY) LTD, AVERY DENNISON RETAIL INFORMATION SERVICES COLOMBIA S. A. S., AVERY DENNISON RETAIL INFORMATION SERVICES DE MEXICO S. A. DE C.V., AVERY DENNISON RETAIL INFORMATION SERVICES EL SALVADOR LTDA. DE C. V., AVERY DENNISON RETAIL INFORMATION SERVICES GUATEMALA S. A., AVERY DENNISON RETAIL INFORMATION SERVICES HONDURAS S. DE R.L., AVERY DENNISON RETAIL INFORMATION SERVICES LLC, AVERY DENNISON RETAIL INFORMATION SERVICES PERU SAC, AVERY DENNISON RETAIL INFORMATION SERVICES UK LTD., AVERY DENNISON RFID COMPANY, AVERY DENNISON RIS KOREA LTD., AVERY DENNISON RIS TAIWAN LTD., AVERY DENNISON RIS VIETNAM CO. LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON S.A. DE C.V., AVERY DENNISON S.R.L., AVERY DENNISON SCANDINAVIA AB, AVERY DENNISON SCANDINAVIA APS, AVERY DENNISON SECURITY PRINTING EUROPE APS, AVERY DENNISON SHARED SERVICES INC., AVERY DENNISON SINGAPORE (PTE) LTD., AVERY DENNISON SOUTH AFRICA (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON SUPPORT SERVICES, AVERY DENNISON SYSTEMES D'ETIQUETAGE FRANCE S.A.S., AVERY DENNISON TEKSTIL URUNLERI SANAYI VE TICARET LIMITED SIRKETI, AVERY DENNISON TRADING COMPANY LTD, AVERY DENNISON TREASURY MANAGEMENT BV, AVERY DENNISON U.K. II LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON U.K. LIMITED, AVERY GRAPHIC SYSTEMS INC., AVERY LLC, AVERY OFFICE PRODUCTS PUERTO RICO L.L.C., AVERY PACIFIC LLC, AVERY PROPERTIES PTY. LIMITED, AWESOME PROFITS LTD, BEST COURAGE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, CHOICE CLEVER PROFITS LTD, CREATERO GMBH, DENNISON INTERNATIONAL COMPANY, DENNISON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, DM Label Group, Dunsirn Industries, EUSTON FINANCIAL LIMITED, EVERGREEN HOLDING SARL, EVERGREEN HOLDINGS V LLC, Finesse Medical, HANITA COATINGS (KUNSHAN) CO. LTD, HANITA COATINGS EUROPE B.V., HANITA COATINGS USA LLC, HANITA EUROPA GMBH, HEBEI YONGLE TAPE CO. LTD., Hanita Coatings, INK MILL LLC, JAC ASIA PACIFIC SDN BHD, JAC CARIBE C.S.Z., JAC DO BRASIL - LOCACAO DE EQUIPAMENTOS INDUSTRIAIS LTDA, JACKSTADT FRANCE S.N.C., JDC Solutions, JINTEX LIMITED, Jackstadt GmbH, L&E AMERICAS SERVICIOS S. A. DE C.V., L&E Packaging, MACTAC ASIA-PACIFIC SELF-ADHESIVE PRODUCTS PTE LTD, MACtac Europe S.A., MARKSTAR INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, MODERN MARK INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, NINGBO AVERY DENNISON SHENZHOU EMBELLISHMENT CO. LTD., P. T. PACIFIC LABEL INDONESIA, P. T. PAXAR INDONESIA, PAXAR (CHINA) LTD., PAXAR B.V., PAXAR BANGLADESH LIMITED, PAXAR CANADA CORPORATION, PAXAR CORPORATION, PAXAR DE EL SALVADOR S. A. DE C. V., PAXAR DE GUATEMALA S. A., PAXAR DE MEXICO S. A. DE C. V., PAXAR DO BRASIL LTDA, PAXAR FAR EAST LIMITED, PAXAR PACKAGING (GUANGZHOU) LTD., PAXAR PAKISTAN (PRIVATE) LIMITED, PLYMOUTH YONGLE TAPE (SHANGHAI) CO. LTD, PT AVERY DENNISON INDONESIA, PT AVERY DENNISON PACKAGING INDONESIA, RVL AMERICAS S DE R.L. DE C.V., RVL CENTRAL AMERICA S. A., RVL PACKAGING FAR EAST LIMITED, RVL Packaging Inc., RVL SERVICE S. DE R. L. DE C. V., Rinke Etiketten GmbH, SECURITY PRINTING DIVISION INC., SKILLFIELD INVESTMENTS LIMITED, Stimsonite Corp, TIGER EIGHT GROUP LIMITED, WORLDWIDE RISK INSURANCE INC., YONGLE TAPE LTD, and Yongle Tape Co.Wall Street analysts have given iShares MSCI Poland ETF 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 iShares MSCI Poland ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys.

View MarketBeat's top stock picks here.Wells Fargo & Co. is a diversified, community-based financial services company. It is engaged in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance. It firm operates through the following segments: Community Banking, Wholesale Banking, Wealth & Investment Management, and Other. The Community Banking segment offers complete line of diversified financial products and services for consumers and small businesses including checking and savings accounts, credit and debit cards, and automobile, student, and small business lending. The Wholesale Banking segment provides financial solutions to businesses across the United States and globally. The Wealth and Investment Management segment includes personalized wealth management, investment and retirement products and services to clients across U.S. based businesses. The Other segment refers to the products of WIM customers served through community banking distribution channels. The company was founded by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo on March 18, 1852 and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Thermo Fisher Scientific: 236 Perinton Parkway LLC, 27 Forge Parkway LLC, ABR--Affinity BioReagents, ACI Holdings Inc., ARG Services LLC, ASPEX Corporation, Abgene Inc., Abgene Limited, Acoustic Cytometry Systems Inc., AcroMetrix LLC, Acros Organics B.V.B.A., Advanced Biotechnologies Limited, Advanced Scientifics (ASI), Advanced Scientifics Inc., Advanced Scientifics International Inc., Affymetrix Biotech Participacoes Ltda., Affymetrix Biotech Shanghai Ltd, Affymetrix Inc, Affymetrix Japan K.K., Affymetrix Pte Ltd, Affymetrix UK Ltd, Afora S.A.U., Ahura Scientific, Alchematrix Inc., Alchematrix LLC, Alfa Aesar, Alfa Aesar (China) Chemical Co. Ltd., Alfa Aesar (Hong Kong) Limited, Allergon AB, Alphine Mountain Limited, Ambion Inc., Apogent Denmark ApS, Apogent Finance Company, Apogent Holding Company, Apogent Technologies Inc., Apogent Transition Corp., Apogent U.K. Limited, App-Tek International Pty Ltd, Applied Biosystems B.V., Applied Biosystems Finance B.V., Applied Biosystems International Inc., Applied Biosystems LLC, Applied Biosystems Taiwan LLC, Applied Biosystems Trading (Shanghai) Company Ltd., Applied Biosystems de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Applied Scientific Corporation, Avances Cientificos de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Avocado Research Chemicals Limited, B.R.A.H.M.S. Biotech GmbH, B.R.A.H.M.S. GmbH, B.R.A.H.M.S. UK Ltd, BAC BV, BAC IP BV, Barnstead Thermolyne LLC, Beijing Phadia Diagnostics Co Ltd, Bender MedSystems GmbH, BioTrove Corporation, BioTrove International Inc., Bioanalysis Labsystems S.A., Biochemical Sciences LLC, Biolab, BmT GmbH Laborprodukte, Bonsai Tecnologies - Sistemas para Biotecnologia e Industria Unipessoal Lda, Brammer Bio, Bumi-Sans Sendirian Berhad, CAC Limited, CB Diagnostics AB, CB Diagnostics Holding AB, CEPH International Corporation, CHK Holdings Inc., CRS Robotics, CTPS LLC, Capitol Scientific Products Inc., Capitol Vial Inc., Cellomics Inc., CellzDirect Inc., Cenduit GmbH, Cenduit LLC, Cezanne S.A.S., Chase Scientific Glass Inc., Chromacol Limited, Clintrak, Clintrak Clinical Labeling Services LLC, Clintrak Pharmaceutical Services LLC, Cohesive Technologies (UK) Limited, Cohesive Technologies Inc., Columbia Diagnostics Inc., Compendia Bioscience Inc., Comtest Limited, Consolidated Technologies Inc., Consultores Fisher Scientific Chile Ltd, Core Informatics, Core Informatics LLC, Core Informatics UK Ltd., D-finitive Technologies Inc., DCG Systems B.V., DCG Systems C.V., DCG Systems G.K., DCG Systems GmbH, DCG Systems Korea Ltd., DCG Systems LLC, DPI Newco LLC, DSM Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Dharmacon, Diagnostix Ltd., Dionex (China) Analytical Ltd, Dionex (Switzerland) AG, Dionex (UK) Limited, Dionex Austria GmbH, Dionex Benelux B.V., Dionex Brasil Instrumentos Cientificos Ltda, Dionex Canada Ltd., Dionex China Limited, Dionex Corporation, Dionex Denmark A/S, Dionex Holding GmbH, Dionex I LLC, Dionex Pty Ltd., Dionex S.A., Dionex S.p.A., Dionex Singapore Pte Ltd., Dionex Softron GmbH, Dionex Sweden AB, Distribution Solutions International Inc., Doe & Ingalls Investors Inc., Doe & Ingalls Limited, Doe & Ingalls Management LLC, Doe & Ingalls Properties II LLC, Doe & Ingalls Properties LLC, Doe & Ingalls of California Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Florida Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Maryland Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Massachusetts Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of North Carolina Operating LLC, Doublecape Holding Limited, Doublecape Limited, Drakeside Real Estate Holding Company LLC, Duke Scientific Corporation, Dynal Biotech Beijing Limited, EGS Gauging Ltd., EGS Gauging Technical Services Company, EP Scientific Products LLC, Ecochem N.V., EnviroEquip Pty Ltd, Epsom Glass Industries Limited, Equibio Limited, Erie Electroverre S.A., Erie Finance Limited, Erie LP Holding LLC, Erie Scientific Company of Puerto Rico, Erie Scientific Hungary Kft, Erie Scientific LLC, Erie U.K. Limited, Erie UK 1 Limited, Erie UK 2 Limited, Erie UK Holding Company, Erie UK Senior Holding Limited, European Laboratory Holdings Limited, Eutech Instruments Europe B.V., Eutech Instruments Pte Ltd., Eutech Instruments Sdn Bhd, Ever Ready Thermometer Co. Inc., FEI Asia Pacific Co. Ltd., FEI Australia Pty Ltd, FEI CPD B.V., FEI Company, FEI Company Japan Ltd., FEI Company of USA (S.E.A.) Pte Ltd., FEI Czech Republic s.r.o., FEI Deutschland GmbH, FEI EFA Inc., FEI EFA International Pte. Ltd., FEI Electron Optics B.V., FEI Electron Optics International B.V., FEI Europe B.V., FEI France SAS, FEI Global Holdings C.V., FEI Hong Kong Company Limited, FEI Houston Inc., FEI Italia Srl, FEI Korea Ltd., FEI Melbourne Pty Ltd., FEI Microscopy Solutions Ltd, FEI Munich GmbH, FEI Norway Holding AS, FEI SAS, FEI Saudi Arabia LLC, FEI Servicos de Nanotecnologia Ltda., FEI Technologies Inc., FEI Technology de Mexico S.A. de C.V., FEI Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., FEI Trondheim AS, FEI UK Ltd., FHP LLC, FRC Holding Inc. V, FS (Barbados) Capital Holdings Ltd., FS Casa Rocas Holdings LLC, FS Mexicana Holdings LLC, FSI Receivables Company LLC, FSII Sweden Holdings AB, FSII Sweden Holdings I AB, FSIR Holdings (UK) Limited, FSIR Holdings (US) Inc., FSUK Holdings Limited, FSWH Company LLC, FSWH II C.V., FSWH International Holdings LLC, Fermentas China Co. Ltd, Fermentas Inc., Fermentas International, Fermentas Sweden AB, Fermentas UK Limited, Fiberlite Centrifuge LLC, Finesse Scientific Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Finesse Solutions AG, Finesse Solutions Inc., Finnzymes Oy, Fisher Alder S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Asia Manufacturing Ventures Inc., Fisher Bermuda Holdings Limited, Fisher BioImage ApS, Fisher BioPharma Services (India) Private Limited, Fisher BioSciences Japan G.K., Fisher BioServices Inc., Fisher Bioblock Holding II SNC, Fisher CLP Holding Limited Partnership, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 1, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 2, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 3, Fisher Canada Limited Partnership, Fisher Chimica BVBA, Fisher Clinical Logistics LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services (Bristol) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Colombia) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Korea) Co. Ltd, Fisher Clinical Services (Mexico) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Peru) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services Colombia S.A.S., Fisher Clinical Services GmbH, Fisher Clinical Services Inc., Fisher Clinical Services Japan K.K., Fisher Clinical Services Latin America S.R.L., Fisher Clinical Services Limited Liability Company, Fisher Clinical Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Clinical Services Peru S.R.L, Fisher Clinical Services Pte Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services U.K. Limited, Fisher Emergo B.V., Fisher Germany Holdings GmbH, Fisher Hamilton China Inc., Fisher Hamilton Mexico LLC, Fisher Holdings ApS, Fisher Internet Minority Holdings L.L.C., Fisher Laboratory Products Manufacturing (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Fisher Luxembourg Danish Holdings SARL, Fisher Manufacturing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Maybridge Holdings Limited, Fisher Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Scientific (Austria) GmbH, Fisher Scientific (Hong Kong) Limited, Fisher Scientific (M) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Scientific (SEA) Pte. Ltd., Fisher Scientific A/S, Fisher Scientific AG, Fisher Scientific Australia Pty Limited, Fisher Scientific Biotech Line ApS, Fisher Scientific Brazil Inc., Fisher Scientific Central America Inc., Fisher Scientific Chile Inc., Fisher Scientific Colombia Inc., Fisher Scientific Company, Fisher Scientific Company L.L.C., Fisher Scientific Costa Rica Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Fisher Scientific Europe Holdings B.V., Fisher Scientific GTF AB, Fisher Scientific Germany Beteiligungs GmbH, Fisher Scientific GmbH, Fisher Scientific Holding Company LLC, Fisher Scientific Holding HK Limited, Fisher Scientific Holding U.K. Limited, Fisher Scientific Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Scientific Holdings (S) Pte Ltd, Fisher Scientific International LLC, Fisher Scientific Investments (Cayman) Ltd., Fisher Scientific Ireland Investments Unlimited, Fisher Scientific Ireland Limited, Fisher Scientific Japan Ltd., Fisher Scientific Jersey Island Limited, Fisher Scientific Korea Ltd, Fisher Scientific Latin America Inc., Fisher Scientific Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Fisher Scientific Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Scientific Mexico Inc., Fisher Scientific Middle East and Africa Inc., Fisher Scientific Norway AS, Fisher Scientific Operating Company, Fisher Scientific Oxoid Holdings Ltd., Fisher Scientific Oy, Fisher Scientific Pte. Ltd., Fisher Scientific S.A.S., Fisher Scientific S.L., Fisher Scientific SPRL, Fisher Scientific The Hague I B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague II B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague III B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague IV B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague V B.V., Fisher Scientific U.K. Limited, Fisher Scientific UK Holding Company 2, Fisher Scientific UK Holding Company Limited, Fisher Scientific Unipessoal Lda., Fisher Scientific Venezuela Inc., Fisher Scientific Worldwide (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Fisher Scientific Worldwide Holdings I C.V., Fisher Scientific Worldwide Inc., Fisher Scientific de Mexico S.A., Fisher Scientific of the Netherlands B.V., Fisher Scientific spol. S.r.o, Fisher Servicios Clinicos (Chile) LLC, Fisher Servicios Clinicos Chile Ltda, Fisher WWD Holding L.L.C., Fisher Worldwide Distribution SPV, Fisher Worldwide Gene Distribution SPV, Flux Instruments, Fuji Partnership, G & M Procter Limited, G V Instruments Limited, GV Instruments Canada Ltd., GV Instruments Inc, Gatan Inc, General Scientific Company Sdn Bhd (M), Genomed molekularbiologische und diagnostische Produkte GmbH, Gerhard Menzel B.V. & Co. KG, Gold Cattle Standard Testing Labs Inc., Golden West Indemnity Company Limited, Goring Kerr Detection Limited, Greenville Service Company Inc., HENO GmbH i.L., Hangar 215 Inc., Helmet Securities Limited, Henogen, HighChem, HyClone International Trade (Tianjin) Co. Ltd, Hybaid Limited, I.Q. (BIO) Limited, IDnostics AG, ILS Laboratories Scandinavia AB, Inel Inc., Inel SAS, InnaPhase Inc., InnaPhase Limited, IntegenX, Intrinsic BioProbes Inc., Intrinsic Bioprobes Inc., Invitrogen (Shanghai) Investment Co. Ltd., Invitrogen Argentina SA, Invitrogen BioServices India Private Limited, Invitrogen Europe Limited, Invitrogen Finance Corp., Invitrogen Holdings LLC, Invitrogen Holdings Ltd., Invitrogen Hong Kong Limited, Invitrogen IP Holdings Inc., Invitrogen Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ion Torrent Systems Inc., Ionalytics Corporation, JSC Thermo Fisher Scientific, Jouan LLC, Jouan Limited, Jouan SA, Kendro Containment & Services Limited, Kendro Laboratory Products Ltd, Kettlebrook Insurance Co. ltd., Keystone Scientific, KonTEM GmbH, Kyle Jordan Investments LLC, LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, LTC Tech South Africa PTY Ltd., La-Pha-Pack GmbH, Lab Vision (UK) Limited, Lab Vision Corporation, Lab-Chrom-Pack LLC, Lab-Line Instruments Inc., Labomex MBP S. de R. L. De C.V., Laboratoire Service International - L.S.I, Laboratory Management Systems Inc., Laboratory Specialties Proprietary Ltd., LambTrack Limited, Laser Analytical Systems Inc., Liberty Lane Investment LLC, Liberty Lane Real Estate Holding Company LLC, Life Sciences International (Poland) SP z O.O, Life Sciences International Holdings BV, Life Sciences International LLC, Life Sciences International Limited, Life Technologies AS, Life Technologies Australia PTY Ltd., Life Technologies BPD AB, Life Technologies BPD UK Limited, Life Technologies Brasil Comercio e Industria de Produtos para Biotecnologia Ltda, Life Technologies Chile SpA, Life Technologies Clinical Services Lab Inc., Life Technologies Co. Ltd., Life Technologies Czech Republic s.r.o., Life Technologies DaAn Diagnostic (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd., Life Technologies Europe B.V., Life Technologies Finance Ltd., Life Technologies Finland Oy, Life Technologies GmbH, Life Technologies Holdings PTE Ltd., Life Technologies Inc., Life Technologies International B.V., Life Technologies Japan Ltd., Life Technologies Korea LLC, Life Technologies Limited, Life Technologies Magyarorszag Kft, Life Technologies New Zealand Ltd., Life Technologies Norway Investments US LLC, Life Technologies Polska Sp z.o.o., Life Technologies SA, Life Technologies SAS, Life Technologies s.r.o, Linkage Biosciences Inc., Linkage Biosciences S.a.r.l., Loftus Furnace Company, Lomb Scientific, Lomb Scientific (Aust) Pty Limited, MTI-GlobalStem, Marketbase International Limited, Matrix MicroScience Inc., Matrix MicroScience Ltd., Matrix Technologies Corporation Limited, Matrix Technologies LLC, Maybridge Chemical Company Limited, Maybridge Chemical Holdings Limited, Maybridge Limited, Medical Analysis Systems Inc., Medical Analysis Systems International Inc., Medical Diagnostics Systems Inc., Metavac LLC, Microgenics Corporation, Microgenics Diagnostics Pty Limited, Microgenics GmbH, Microm International GmbH, Microm Laborgerate S.L.U, Molecular BioProducts Inc., Molecular Probes Inc., Molecular Transfer Inc., NAPCO Inc., NERL Diagnostics LLC, NOVODIRECT GmbH Labor- und Industrie- Megerate, Nalge (Europe) Limited, Nalge Nunc International (Monterrey) LLC, Nalge Nunc International Corporation, Nanjing WeiKangLe Trading Industrial Co Ltd, NanoDrop Technologies LLC, National Scientific Company, Navaho Acquisition Corp., Neomarkers Inc., New FS Holdings Inc., NewcoGen PE LLC, Nihon Dynal K.K., Niton Asia Limited, NovaWave Technologies Inc., Nunc A/S, ONIX Systems Inc., OXOID CZ s.r.o., Odyssey Holdings Corporation, Odyssey Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Odyssey Luxembourg IP Holdings 1 S.a r.l., Odyssey Luxembourg IP Holdings 2 S.a r.l., Odyssey Venture Corporation, Omega Data Systems, One Lambda Inc, Onix Holdings Limited, Orme Scientific Limited, Owl Separation Systems LLC, Oxoid (ELY) Limited, Oxoid 2000 Limited, Oxoid AS, Oxoid Australia Pty. Limited, Oxoid Company, Oxoid Deutschland GmbH, Oxoid Holding SAS, Oxoid Holdings Limited, Oxoid Inc., Oxoid International Limited, Oxoid Investments GmbH, Oxoid Limited, Oxoid N.V., Oxoid New Zealand Limited, Oxoid Pension Trustees Limited, Oxoid Senior Holdings Limited, Oxoid UKH LLC, PAX - DSI Acquisition LLC, PE AG, Pacific Rim Far East Industries LLC, Pacific Rim Investment LLC, Panomics L.L.C., Panomics S.R.L., Patheon, Patheon API Inc., Patheon API Manufacturing Inc., Patheon API Services Inc., Patheon Austria GmbH & Co KG, Patheon B.V., Patheon Banner U.S. Holdings Inc., Patheon Biologics (NJ) LLC, Patheon Biologics Australia Pty Ltd, Patheon Biologics B.V., Patheon Biologics LLC, Patheon Calculus Merger LLC, Patheon Cooperatief U.A., Patheon Development Services Inc., Patheon Finance LLC, Patheon France SAS, Patheon Holdings B.V., Patheon Holdings I B.V., Patheon Holdings II B.V., Patheon Holdings SAS, Patheon I B.V., Patheon I Holding GmbH, Patheon Inc., Patheon International AG, Patheon Italia S.p.A., Patheon KK, Patheon Life Science Products International GmbH, Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC, Patheon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Patheon Pharmaceuticals Services Inc., Patheon Puerto Rico Acquisitions Corporation, Patheon Puerto Rico Inc., Patheon Regensburg GmbH, Patheon Softgels B.V., Patheon Softgels Inc., Patheon U.S. Holdings Inc., Patheon U.S. Holdings LLC, Patheon UK Limited, Patheon UK Pension Trustees Limited, Pelican Acquisition Corporation, Perbio Science (Canada) Company, Perbio Science AB, Perbio Science BVBA, Perbio Science France SAS, Perbio Science Inc., Perbio Science International Netherlands B.V., Perbio Science Invest AB, Perbio Science Nederland B.V., Perbio Science Projekt AB, Perbio Science Sweden Holdings AB, Perbio Science Switzerland SA, Perbio Science UK Limited, Phadia AB, Phadia Diagnosticos Ltda, Phadia GmbH, Phadia Holding AB, Phadia International Holdings C.V., Phadia Korea Co. Ltd, Phadia Luxembourg Holdings S.a.r.l., Phadia Malta Holdings Limited, Phadia Oy, Phadia Real Property AB, Phadia Sweden AB, Phadia Taiwan Inc., Phadia US Inc., Phadia s.r.o., Pharmacaps Mexicana SA de CV, Phenom-World B.V., Phenom-World Holding B.V, Phenom-World Innovations B.V., Phinotex, Pierce Biotechnology Inc., Pierce Milwaukee Holding Corp., Pierce Milwaukee Inc., Polychromix, Power Sweden Holdings I AB, Power Sweden Holdings II AB, Power Sweden Holdings III Aktiebolag, Princeton Gamma-Tech Instruments LLC, Princeton Security Technologies, Prionics AG, Prionics Asia Ltd., Prionics Deutschland GmbH, Prionics France SAS, Prionics Italia S.r.l., Prionics Lelystad B.V., Prionics USA Inc., Priority Air Express LLC, Priority Air Express Pte. Ltd., Priority Air Express UK Limited, Priority Air Holdings Corp, Priority Solutions International, Promedica Pty Limited, Proxeon, Proxeon Biosystems ApS, Qiagen, REP GBP I-B Blocker Inc., Raymond A Lamb Limited, Remel Europe Limited, Remel Inc., Richard-Allan Scientific Company, Robbins Scientific LLC, Robocon Labor- und Industrieroboter Gesellschaft m.b.H, Rupprecht and Patashnick, Rupprecht and Patashnick (R&P), Russell pH Limited, S.C.I. du 10 rue Dugay Trouin, SCI Inno 92, STC Bio Manufacturing Inc., Samco Scientific (Monterrey) LLC, Samco Scientific LLC, Saroph Sweden AB, Schantz Road LLC, Seradyn Inc., Shanghai Life Technologies Biotechnology Co. Limited, Shanghai Thermo Fisher (C-I) Trading Co. Ltd, Shanghai Thermo Fisher (S) Trading Co. Ltd, Southern Trials (Pty) Ltd., Specialty (SMI) Inc., Spectra-Physics AB, Spectra-Physics Holdings Limited, Spectra-Physics Holdings USA LLC, Spectronex, Staten Island Cogeneration Corporation, Sterilin Limited, Stokes Bio Ltd., Sweden DIA (Sweden) AB, SwissAnalytic Group GmbH, Systems Manufacturing Corporation, TFLP LLC, TFS Breda B.V., TFS LLC, TFS Singapore HK Limited, TFSL Financing GP LLC, TFSL Senior GP Holdings 2 LLC, TK Partnership, TKA Wasseraufbereitungssysteme, TMOI Inc., TPI Real Estate Holdings LLC, TSP Holdings I LLC, TWX LLC, Technology Design Solutions Pty Ltd, Thermedics Detection de Argentina S.R.L, Thermo Allen Coding Limited, Thermo Asset Management Services Inc., Thermo BioAnalysis LLC, Thermo BioAnalysis Limited, Thermo BioSciences Holdings LLC, Thermo CIDTEC, Thermo CRS Holdings Ltd., Thermo CRS Ltd., Thermo Cambridge Limited, Thermo Cayman Holdings Ltd., Thermo Corporation, Thermo DMA Inc., Thermo Detection de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Thermo Dutch Holdings Limited Partnership, Thermo EGS Gauging LLC, Thermo Eberline Holdings I LLC, Thermo Eberline Holdings II LLC, Thermo Eberline LLC, Thermo Electron (Calgary) Limited, Thermo Electron (Chile) S.p.A., Thermo Electron (Karlsruhe) GmbH, Thermo Electron (Management Services) Limited, Thermo Electron (Proprietary) Limited, Thermo Electron A/S, Thermo Electron Australia Pty Limited, Thermo Electron Export Inc., Thermo Electron Holdings SAS, Thermo Electron Industries, Thermo Electron LED GmbH, Thermo Electron LED S.A.S., Thermo Electron Limited, Thermo Electron Manufacturing Limited, Thermo Electron Metallurgical Services Inc., Thermo Electron North America LLC, Thermo Electron Pension Trust GmbH, Thermo Electron Puerto Rico Inc., Thermo Electron SAS, Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments LLC, Thermo Electron Sweden AB, Thermo Electron Sweden Forvaltning AB, Thermo Electron Weighing & Inspection Limited, Thermo Elemental Limited, Thermo Environmental Instruments LLC, Thermo Fast U.K. Limited, Thermo Finland Holdings LLC, Thermo Finland Holdings MT1 B.V., Thermo Finland Holdings MT2 B.V., Thermo Finnigan LLC, Thermo Finnigan Limited, Thermo Fisher (CN) Luxembourg Holding S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher (CN) Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher (CN) Malta Holdings Limited, Thermo Fisher (CN-I) Luxembourg LLC, Thermo Fisher (CN-II) Luxembourg LLC, Thermo Fisher (Cayman) Holdings I Ltd., Thermo Fisher (Cayman) Holdings II Ltd., Thermo Fisher (Finland Holdings 2) LLC, Thermo Fisher (Finland Holdings) Limited Partnership, Thermo Fisher (Gibraltar) II Limited, Thermo Fisher (Gibraltar) Limited, Thermo Fisher (Heysham) Limited, Thermo Fisher (Kandel) GmbH, Thermo Fisher CHK Holding LLC, Thermo Fisher China Business Trust, Thermo Fisher China Business Trust II, Thermo Fisher Costa Rica Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Thermo Fisher Cyprus Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Detection Mexico LLC, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics (Ireland) Limited, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics AB, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics AG, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics AS, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Aps, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Austria GmbH, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics B.V., Thermo Fisher Diagnostics GmbH, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics K.K., Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Limited, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics NV, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics S.L.U., Thermo Fisher Diagnostics S.p.A. , Thermo Fisher Diagnostics SAS, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Thermo Fisher Eurobonds Ltd., Thermo Fisher Financial Services Inc., Thermo Fisher GP LLC, Thermo Fisher German Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Germany B.V., Thermo Fisher India Divestco Private Limited, Thermo Fisher India Holding B.V., Thermo Fisher Insurance Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Insurance Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Investments (Cayman) Ltd., Thermo Fisher Israel Ltd., Thermo Fisher Production et Services SAS, Thermo Fisher Project Cyprus LLC, Thermo Fisher Re Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Asheville) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Australia) C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Barbados) Holdings Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Breda) Holding BV, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Bremen) GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific (CN) Limited Partnership, Thermo Fisher Scientific (China) Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (China) Holding Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (China-HK) Holding Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (DE) Holding S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Ecublens) SARL, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance I) B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance I) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance II) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance III) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance III) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Fuji) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Holding II) B.V. & Co. KG, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Hong Kong) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (IVGN) B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (IVGN) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Johannesburg) (Proprietary) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Mexico City) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Milwaukee) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Mississauga) Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Monterrey) S. De R.L. De C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (NK) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN) Austria Holding GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN) UK LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN) UK Limited Partnership, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN-I) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN-II) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN1) UK Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Panama) B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Panama) Dutch LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Praha) s.r.o., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Real Estate 1) GmbH & Co. KG, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Real Estate 1) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Schweiz) AG, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Shanghai) Instruments Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Shanghai) Management Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Suzhou) Instruments Co. Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific AL-1 LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific AU C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific AU II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific AU LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific AU Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Africa Proprietary Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Aquasensors LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Australia Pty Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific B.V.B.A., Thermo Fisher Scientific BHK (I) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific BHK (II) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics UAB, Thermo Fisher Scientific Beteiligungsverwaltungs GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Biosciences Corp., Thermo Fisher Scientific Brahms LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Brasil Instrumentos de Processo Ltda., Thermo Fisher Scientific Brasil Servicos de Logistica Ltda, Thermo Fisher Scientific C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cayman Investments LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Chemicals Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific China (C-I) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific China (S) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings I B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings II B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings III B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings IV B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Chromatography Holdings Aps, Thermo Fisher Scientific Chromatography Holdings S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus I C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus I Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus II Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus III C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus III Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus IV C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus V C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Denmark Senior Holdings ApS, Thermo Fisher Scientific Erie 1 Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Erie Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Erie Financing S.a r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Europe GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC Finance C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC II B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific FSIR Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific FSIR Financing S.a.r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific FSUKHCO Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Falcon Senior Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Finance Company BV, Thermo Fisher Scientific GENEART GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Germany BV & Co. KG, Thermo Fisher Scientific GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific HR Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Holdings (Cayman) I, Thermo Fisher Scientific Holdings (Cayman) II , Thermo Fisher Scientific Holdings Europe Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific IT Services GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific India Holding LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific India Pvt Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Malta) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Sweden) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Sweden) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments Malta (Sweden Financing) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Invitrogen Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Japan Holdings I B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Japan Holdings II B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Japan Holdings III B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific K.K., Thermo Fisher Scientific Korea Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific LSI Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life CV GP Holdings II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life CV GP Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Enterprises C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Enterprises GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing (Cayman), Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings I C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings III C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life International GP Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life International Holdings I C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life International Holdings II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments I S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments II S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments III S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments IV S.a.r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta Holding I LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta Holding II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta I Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments US Financing I LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments US Financing II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life NL Holdings GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Netherlands Holding C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior GP Holdings II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior GP Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior Holdings C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior Holdings II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Switzerland Holdings GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Tech Korea Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Enterprise Holding Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment I LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment UK I Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment UK II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investments Holding LP, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Israel Investment I Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Israel Investment II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Luxembourg Holding LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Enterprise Holdings S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg German Holdings S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Life Technologies UK Holding S.a r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Sweden Holdings I S.a r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Sweden Holdings II S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Venture Holdings I S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Venture Holdings II S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Malta Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Messtechnik GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Mexico City S. de R.L. de C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Middle East Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Milano Srl, Thermo Fisher Scientific NHK Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific New Zealand Holdings, Thermo Fisher Scientific New Zealand Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Norway Holdings AS, Thermo Fisher Scientific Norway US Investments LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Odyssey Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Odyssey Holdings Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Operating Company LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy, Thermo Fisher Scientific PN2 C.V, Thermo Fisher Scientific PN2 LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific PRB LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific PRB Malta Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific PRB S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Panama I Cayman Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Peru S.R.L., Thermo Fisher Scientific Pte. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Re Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific SL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Senior Financing LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Senior Holdings Australia LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific South Africa Proprietary Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific SpA, Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra Malta Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra-Physics Holdings Luxembourg I S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra-Physics Holdings Luxembourg II S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra-Physics Investments Malta Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Switzerland Holdings C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific TR Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Taiwan Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific West Palm Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Wissenschaftliche Gerate GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Worldwide Investments (Cayman), Thermo Fisher Scientific eCommerce Solutions LLC , Thermo Fisher Senior Canada Holdings LLC, Thermo Foundation Inc., Thermo Gamma-Metrics Holdings Pty Ltd., Thermo Gamma-Metrics LLC, Thermo Gamma-Metrics Pty Ltd, Thermo Holding European Operations LLC, Thermo Hypersil Ltd, Thermo Hypersil-Keystone LLC, Thermo Informatics Asia Pacific Pty Ltd., Thermo Instrument Controls de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Thermo Kevex X-Ray LLC, Thermo Keytek LLC, Thermo LabSystems Inc., Thermo LabSystems S.A., Thermo Life Science International Trading (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Thermo Life Sciences AB, Thermo Luxembourg Holding S.a.r.l., Thermo Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Thermo MF Physics LLC, Thermo Measurement Ltd, Thermo Measuretech Canada Inc., Thermo Neslab LLC, Thermo Nicolet Limited, Thermo Onix Limited, Thermo Optek (Australia) Pty Ltd., Thermo Optek Limited, Thermo Optek S.A., Thermo Orion Inc., Thermo Portable Holdings LLC, Thermo Power Corporation, Thermo Process Instruments GP LLC, Thermo Process Instruments L.P., Thermo Projects Limited, Thermo Quest S.A., Thermo Radiometrie Limited, Thermo Ramsey Italia S.r.l., Thermo Ramsey LLC, Thermo Ramsey S.A., Thermo Re Ltd., Thermo Scientific Microbiology Pte Ltd., Thermo Scientific Microbiology Sdn Bhd, Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments Inc., Thermo Scientific Services Inc., Thermo Securities Corporation, Thermo Sentron Canada Inc., Thermo Sentron Limited, Thermo Shandon Inc., Thermo Shandon Limited, Thermo Suomi Holding B.V., Thermo TLH (UK) Limited, Thermo TLH L.P., Thermo Trace Pty Ltd., Thermo-Fisher Biochemical Product (Beijing) Co. Ltd., ThermoLase LLC, ThermoSpectra Limited, Trek Diagnostic Systems LLC, Trek Diagnostic Systems Ltd., Trek Holding Company II Ltd., Trek Holding Company Ltd., Trex Medical Corporation, USB Corporation, Union Lab Supplies Limited, United Diagnostics Inc., VG Systems Limited, Westover Scientific Inc., ZAO PE Biosystems, eBioscience GmbH, eBioscience Ltd, eBioscience SAS, and picoSpin LLC.Lloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial services in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates through three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance and Wealth. The Retail segment offers a range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings accounts, mortgages, motor finance, unsecured loans, leasing solutions, credit cards, and other financial services to personal and small business customers. The Commercial Banking segment provides lending, transactional banking, working capital management, risk management, and debt capital market services to small and medium-sized entities, corporates, and financial institutions. The Insurance and Wealth segment offers life, home, and car insurance products; and pension, investment, and wealth management products and services. It also provides digital and mobile banking, and telephone services, as well as advisory services for savings, investments, and planning for retirement. The company offers its products and services under the Lloyds Bank, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, Scottish Widows, MBNA, Schroders Personal Wealth, Black Horse, Lex Autolease, Birmingham Midshires, LDC, IWeb, and Agricultural Mortgage Corporation brands. Lloyds Banking Group plc was founded in 1695 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

Read MoreThe title in English would be The Emperor Showa. And his Majesty's Mausoleum is named the Musashino no Misasagi, thus the long title: ...This week, Anabel & Jorge Valente share with us their best travel finds in Morocco

The exotic door to Africa

On the surface Morocco is the country of the delicious tajines and the big beach resorts. But Morocco is so much more than this. Those that give themselves the time and the opportunity to immerse, instead of touch-base, will discover a lot behind and beyond the all inclusive hotels

 Diariesofmagazine.com

We drove a little more than 1,000 kilometres from Luxembourg to Barcelona where we took a ferry that slowly rocked us into Tangier. From there, the country of the 1,000 smiles and 1,000 spices and 1,000 landscapes opened up to us.

 Diariesofmagazine.com

Where to go then?

Everywhere would be a reasonable answer! Morocco has everything on offer: the sandy beaches that all Europe searches throughout the year, but also immense deserts, snow covered mountains, lost villages, deep canyons, imperial cities, Roman ruins and colonial fortresses.

 Diariesofmagazine.com

Besides the places to visit, there is also the delicious food to taste. There are so many spices in the souks and so many inviting restaurants, that pretty much immediately after you step into Morocco you will be tasting cumin, cinnamon and clove! Try the food sold on street stalls as well. They are as tasty as in restaurants, much cheaper and perhaps even more authentic. Dare to go to the butcher, ask for a good piece of meat, yes one of those that hang outside, and take it to another stall where they will grill it and serve it to you for very little. Guaranteed satisfaction!

 Diariesofmagazine.com

Get yourself any kind of transportation, private or public, and go inland where you will discover unbelievable places. You will still be wondering if that mountain covered in snow was really Morocco, if those people were really doing ski when suddenly that mountain gives place to a huge valley surrounded by ochre mounts, such vast bareness that seems to have no end, only to be unexpectedly interrupted by a lavish green oasis

 Diariesofmagazine.com

Moroccans, Berbers, Gwanas

Moroccans, Berbers, Gwanas they all share genuine smiles, hence the land of the 1,000 smiles. We were surprised by the easiness with which Moroccans communicate. We were surprised by the authentic interest they showed towards the stranger who comes to visit the less travelled places, by the pride they showed when they heard us say that their village was beautiful or their family hospitable. Their smiles were priceless!

 Diariesofmagazine.com

Most photogenic country

Without hesitation, Morocco is one of the most photogenic countries we have ever visited. Each corner offered a new photographic opportunity. Whoever created this country had a colossal palette of colours and used them all without restraint. Blue villages, ochre cities, green oasis, golden deserts, and carpets of all possible colours and patters and each colour in Morocco seems to have more hues than elsewhere, just think of blue blue Mogator, blue Majorelle and we feel like adding Blue Chefchaouen

 Diariesofmagazine.com

Morocco is magic and its magic happens spontaneously. Everyday there is guaranteed magic at the Djemaa el-Fna square in Marrakesh. Where else do you find snake charmers, story tellers and Chleu dancing boys? But Moroccan magic goes beyond the staged performance. Magic happens unexpectedly, either through the early morning light in the souks or when walking in a water cistern

 Diariesofmagazine.com

About the Diaries of

Anabela discovered her passion for travelling soon after finishing her language studies. She has travelled all the continents including Antarctica, and knows that there is so much more to be seen and experienced with all the senses.



Anabela and her companion Jorge are passionate travellers and they are keen on sharing her travel experience. After an epic journey through South America with their motorbike they decided to launch Diaries of.

More than making the readers travel around the world whilst reading it, Diaries of intends to inspire the readers to see the world for themselves. The Valente will take our readers through a series of very inspirational destinations...Will you catch the travel bug?A number of ports along the Saigon River are to be moved or converted for other purposes in a bid to ameliorate urban traffic congestion in Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring areas.

The plan is in agreement with a long-term vision by the Vietnamese government regarding the development of a pan-regional cluster of ports in southeastern Vietnam, according to the Ministry of Transport.

The ten ports which lie along the terminal portion of the Saigon River have been earmarked for relocation and transformation in use.

Ports with the largest area in the group include Ben Nghe Port, Vietnam International Container Terminals (VICT) Port, and Saigon Port, which boasts enormous economic significance and has existed since the French colonial epoch.

One of the four current components of Saigon Port Tan Thuan Wharf, in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City  will be placed by 2020 in Hiep Phuoc, a zone of the outlying district of Nha Be, to ease the building of one out of three future bridges over the Saigon River  Thu Thiem 4 Bridge.

The remaining nine ports either continue their operation without physical expansion and are subject to relocation after 2020; or have their activity ceased when the land lease contracts expire.

Hiep Phuoc Port in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The government attaches the prime importance the to-be-built Hiep Phuoc Port, along Soai Rap River of Nha Be District, considering it as Ho Chi Minh Citys chief port in the foreseeable future.

This location is expected to handle cargo ships with a carry capacity of 50,000 metric tons (in technical parlance, 50,000 DWT-Dead Weight Tonnage) or container ships with up to 4,000 TEU, where TEU stands for Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit, inexactly equal to the volume of a twenty-foot-long container.

Several specialized wharfs will be constructed in the proximity of industrial facilities.

The above scheme is part of the detailed planning which has been approved by Vietnams Ministry of Transport regarding the formation of an inter-regional hub of ports in the southeast of the country by 2020, with a vision up to 2030.

This center is scheduled to consist of four main ports in Ho Chi Minh City and its nearby provinces of Dong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Binh Duong and Long An.

The port complex in Ho Chi Minh City, playing a paramount role, will have wharfs along the Saigon River; Dong Nai River; Nha Be River; and Soai Rap River, which is joined by the Saigon and empties into East Vietnam Sea.

The future ports in the hub are arranged in a configuration conducive to the evenness in their paces of growth and to collective efficiency.

Another goal is reduce traffic congestion in Ho Chi Minh Citys downtown by diverting the flow of freight away from the metropolis.

A priority in investment by 2020 is on Cat Lai Port, in District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, one of Vietnams largest and most modern ports, and on transport routes linked to this location.Seafood has joined five other groups of commodities that brought in at least US$1 billion in export value for Vietnam in the first two months of this year, the latest customs data show.

Vietnams exports topped $33.62 billion in the Jan-Feb period, a strong 22.9 percent jump from a year earlier, according to the General Department of Customs.

The billion club in the period consisted of six groups of commodities, telephone and parts; computer, electronic products and spare parts; machines, equipment, tools and components; footwear; textile and garment; and seafood.

Exports of these commodities, all of which achieved double-digit growth rate, were collectively worth $19.57 billion, accounting for 58.2 percent of the total value.

Seafood was the newcomer of Vietnams billion-dollar staples, raking in $1.1 billion from exports in the two-month period, up 20.4 percent over the same period last year.

Topping the billion club was exports of mobile phones and parts, which rose 41.7 percent year on year to $6.63 billion in two months.

Exports of textiles and apparels also surged 22.3 percent from a year earlier to $4.3 billion, the highest growth in recent years.The final steel beam was placed atop the under-construction Landmark 81, a skyscraper being developed in the Ho Chi Minh City-based Vinhomes Central Park urban area, during a topping out ceremony on Friday.

The rite, marking the installation of the final piece of structure, was held 46 days earlier than scheduled, its main contractor, Vietnams Coteccons, said at the ceremony attended by Minister of Construction Pham Hong Ha.

Once completed, the 81-story tower, standing 461.2 meters high, will be the tallest of its kind in Vietnam, and one of the worlds top ten skyscrapers.

Officials are seen at the Landmark 81 topping out ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City on March 9, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Coteccons, a 100 percent Vietnamese construction firm, has beaten other branded and famous international developers to win the tender for this project, which marked a new milestone for the development of Vietnams construction sector, minister Ha said in his remarks.

Coteccons chairman Nguyen Ba Duong also said they had never dreamed of the day when a Vietnamese company would be tasked with building an iconic construction for not only Ho Chi Minh City but also Vietnam.

Duong said the company takes pride in the fact that the topping out ceremony was held after nearly nine million hours of safe work, with an average construction speed of two to three floors completed a day.

This is why we could reach the topping out mark 45 days earlier than initially scheduled, he said.

An aerial view of the topping out ceremony for the Landmark 81 on March 9, 2018. Photo: Coteccons

Coteccons has had to deploy a number of new pieces of technology and equipment to ensure safety for the construction, especially after its height began to cross the 300-meter mark, according to the chairman.

During construction, we have welcomed visitors who are famous tower developers such as Taisei, Shimizu, Gammon and Jardine, which indicates that Vietnamese contractors are totally able to compete with global peers in major international projects, Duong said.

The Landmark 81 has made Coteccons the first-ever Vietnamese contractor to be listed among 50 global construction companies capable of developing towers taller than 300 meters, according to the chairman.

The Landmark 81 now stands behind Dubais Burj Khalifa (848 meters) and Chinas Shanghai Tower (632 meters), but above Malaysian landmark Petronas Towers (451 meters).

An aerial view of the under-construction Landmark 81 on March 9, 2018. Photo: Coteccons

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!Vice Admiral Phillip G. Sawyer, commander of the U.S. Navy 7th fleet, has an exclusive interview with Tuoi Tre News on the prospect of strengthened bilateral naval ties between Vietnam and the U.S. in the future.

The interview was made when Vice Adm. Sawyer was in Vietnam during a historic five-day port call by a group of U.S. Navy ships, led by aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.

The landmark visit marked the largest military presence of the U.S. in Vietnam since the war ended in 1975.

The supercarrier, accompanied by guided missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain and destroyer USS Wayne E.Meyer, and 6,000 sailors and officers left the coastal city on Friday.

A Vietnamese naval officer watches as guided missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain approaches Tien Sa Port off Da Nang City, central Vietnam, on March 5, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Do you think the U.S. Navys presence in the Asia Pacific is enough to protect freedom of navigation in the area?

The U.S. Navy presence has helped promote a free and open Indo-Pacific for the past 75 years.

As part of that presence, the U.S. 7th Fleet has provided security by flying, sailing and operating anywhere international law allows. That will continue to happen.

At the same time, we are by no means the only navy operating in the region and there are many other like-minded navies that patrol the region in ways that promote security and stability. No one can do this alone.

That is why we spend so much time developing relationships with partner navies, like the Vietnam People's Navy [VPN], that share interests in freedom of navigation and unimpeded maritime commerce.

What are major outcomes of the carriers visit to Da Nang?

As Ambassador Kritenbrink has said, the visit by USS Carl Vinson, USS Lake Champlain and USS Wayne E. Meyer is a significant, historic milestone in our relationship with Vietnam as part of the comprehensive partnership, and our relationship with the VPN.

More importantly, these ships brought nearly 6,000 sailors to Da Nang, and they had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this beautiful city and connect with its people. We haven't brought so many sailors here before at once. So the relationships are the most important outcome.

Additionally, the visit provided an opportunity for me to meet with my VPN counterparts at Naval Zone Three to discuss ways to move the navy relationship forward.

Colonel Nguyen Quang Vinh (left), deputy head of the Department of External Affairs, Ministry of Denfense, shakes hands with Vice Admiral Phillip Sawyer, Commander of the 7th Fleet, U.S. Navy, during a welcome ceremony at the Tien Sa Port, Da Nang, on March 5, 2018. Photo: Nguyen Khanh/Tuoi Tre

In your views, how mutual trust between the two countries militaries has been improved since the normalization in 1995?

From a naval perspective, we've come a long way since USS Vandegrift first visited Ho Chi Minh City in 2003 and USS Curtis Wilbur first visited Da Nang in 2004.

Many more ships have visited Da Nang over the years, often in conjunction with the U.S. Navy's Pacific Partnership mission or our Naval Engagement Activity [NEA].

Our leaders also meet during the year either in Vietnam or in the United States. Trust and confidence have grown as our navies have had more opportunities to interact over the years, culminating in this most recent ship visit.

Again, it's all about the relationships between our people, and it takes time to build those.

You have mentioned a U.S. submarine may visit Vietnam in the future. How about this possibility? Could you share about prospects of the two countries defense ties?

Our naval relationship develops through an ongoing dialogue based on shared interests and reciprocal engagements.

We want to advance the relationship at a pace that works for the VPN. So we'll continue to discuss the best way to do that.

There are no specific details for a submarine visit, but it is one of the ways we will look at advancing the relationship as our dialogue continues.

USS Carl Vinson carries a crew of 3,000 sailors and 2,000 airborne staff. Photo: Nguyen Khanh/Tuoi Tre

Is this your first time to Da Nang and Vietnam? What do you like most about the city during this visit?

I was very impressed by the beauty and energy of Da Nang, and especially the warmth of its people.

The way Da Nang opened its people's arms to our ships and sailors was not lost on me and I look forward to returning.

Vice Admiral Phillip G. Sawyer is a native of Phoenix, Arizona. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1983, he started his career as a submarine officer. Sawyer assumed duties as Commander of the 7th Fleet of the U.S. Navy on August 23, 2017, to replace Rear Admiral Joseph Aucoin. Aucoin was dismissed following a series of accidents occurring to active U.S. warships operating in the Pacific theater last year. The 7th Fleet, headquartered in Yokosuka, Japan, is the largest U.S. fleet based in Asia. It takes on sensitive missions in the East Vietnam Sea and the Korean peninsula region.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!Nguyen Minh Hung, 38, became the first driver to be slapped with an administrative fine for causing congestion at a toll station in southern Vietnams Can Tho City on Friday.

The tollgate, which charges drivers for using the National Highway 91 through Can Tho, has been criticized for its location, which forces even those who only drive on a few hundred meters of the road to pay the full toll.

After arriving at the toll station at around 2:00 pm on Friday, Hung demanded that he be charged for only the 100-meter distance he would drive on the National Highway 91 before turning on another road.

His demand not met, Hung refused to neither pay the toll nor move his vehicle out of the tollgate as a sign of protest, which lasted nearly an hour.

The driver was later handed an undisclosed administrative fine by the traffic police of Can Thos Thot Not District for violating a ban on parking vehicles at toll stations for more than five minutes.

The regulation, rolled out nationwide in January, has been seen as a counter-measure to constant drivers protest at controversial tollgates across Vietnam.

A driver passes the Cai Lay toll booth in Tien Giang, southern Vietnam, on December 1, 2017. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The protests, ignited by outcries last August at the Cai Lay tollgate in southern Vietnams Tien Giang Province, condemn similar build-operate-transfer (BOT) traffic projects which are located so that drivers are forced to pay fees for roads they dont use.

Starting from Cai Lay, the wave of drivers opposition has spread to a number of other tollgates in the Mekong Delta region, prompting the Directory of Vietnam Roads to issue a ban on drivers stopping for more than five minutes at toll stations, effective from January 25.

Violating drivers are to face administrative fines as decided by local transport departments, it said in the statement announcing the new regulation.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!Hoa Binh Construction Group and the Le family are very sad to announce: Mrs. Tran Thi Tuyet, Dharma name Tam Nghia, widow of the late Honored BOD Chairman Le Mong Dao, passed away at 19:25 March 7th, 2018, on January 20th of the Year of the Dog in the lunar calendar, at her private residence at 226/13 Le Van Sy, Ward 1, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City. She was born in 1922 and reached a great longevity of 97 years.

Casketing ceremony at 14:00, March 8th, 2018, or January 21st of the Year of the Dog in the lunar calendar.

Viewing begins at 16:00, March 8th, 2018.

Funeral at 06:00, March 12th, 2018, or January 25th of the Year of the Dog in the lunar calendar.

Location: The Go Dua Cemetery, Quang Binh Pagoda, Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City.

With respect, we kindly request visitors to bring no donation.

Biography

Mrs. Tran Thi Tuyet, Dharma name Tam Nghia, was born in 1922 in Dien Ban Town, Quang Nam Province.

She was born to an intellectual family whose father was a teacher from Hue.

She experienced great hardship during her childhood: her mother passed away when she was 8, and she was raised by her father and maternal grandfather.

In spite of the hard life, she always strove to overcome her circumstances.

She attended Jeanna dArc School in Hue.

Later on, she married Mr. Le Mong Dao, who was a teacher and the rector of Bo De School in Hue.

He became an Honored Chairman of the BOD of Hoa Binh Construction Group.

The couple had 13 children, 11 remaining to this day; together they had more than 70 descendants, including children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and in-laws.

In 1967, they decided to uproot the family from Hue to move to Saigon in search of a new life.

In the new environment, they worked untiringly, producing cakes, jams and gift boxes for Tet to support their family, and maintain good schooling for their children.

Despite their own hardship and material scarcity, they were always ready to help poor and unfortunate people around them, both physically and emotionally.

They lived by Buddhist teachings and always gave their children gems from Vietnamese culture.

Their children can still remember proverbs like: Love others like yourself; People of the same country must love each other; Even torn paper needs to maintain its unique characteristics, and others.

The children were encouraged to model their lives after Bodhisattva: with Generosity and Forgiveness; Compassion and Detachment.

Thanks to these teachings, they prepared their descendants to grow up into people with respect as well as success.

The Le Mong Dao Educational Sponsorship Fund led by Mrs. Tran Thi Tuyet delivered thousands of scholarships to poor students who work hard to excel.

She was also the sponsoring member of the Vietnamese Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City, which belongs to the Vietnamese Buddhist Association.

Since 1978 she made a resolution to become a vegetarian, to pray for an early ending of wars, and the safe return of all service-men and -women.

After 40 years, she departed this life to return to Buddha at 19:25 March 7th, 2018, which is January 20th, the Year of the Dog, having enjoyed a great longevity of 97 years.

She gifted her descendants a priceless heritage, which is her example of forbearance, of a heart of compassion and detachment, of kindness and forgiveness, and her love for humanity and responsibility with life.Le Thi Kim Don, head of the education and propaganda division of the Central Highlands province of Kon Tums Party Committee, decided to give her employees lottery tickets, instead of usual presents, on the International Womens Day this year.

She bought 40 lottery tickets on Thursday morning, kept four to herself and gave the remaining 36 to 14 officials under her management, two of whom were male.

When lottery results came out the same afternoon, the officials were pleasantly surprised to learn that 18 out of the 40 tickets had been winning numbers.

Two tickets were winners of jackpot worth VND2 billion ($88,000) each, while 16 including Dons four tickers won smaller prizes of VND50 million ($2,200) per ticket.

The jackpot-winning tickets had been given to two officials, a man and a woman, according to the Party committee of Kon Tum.

All tickets that Don bought had been issued by the Lottery Company of Binh Dinh Province in south-central Vietnam.

The chance of hitting the jackpot for conventional lottery tickets in Vietnam is six in a million, as there are six jackpot-winning tickets for every million tickets issued.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!ABC has again partnered with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for multiple events to screen from late March, many with familiar ABC faces.

Lavish, loud and full of laughs, The Gala, hosted by Matt Okine, and the Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow raise the curtain on ABCs MICF programming. These two premiere nights of laughs showcase a stellar line up of the best comedians from across the globe, Festival legends, and the brightest new stars on the comedy circuit.

The Great Debate returns in 2018, this year moderated by the brilliant Magda Szubanski. Magda will do her very best to keep our feisty bunch of debaters in line as they try to sway the audience to their point of view. Upfront: The Queens of Comedy sees the fiercest and funniest ladies of comedy join forces to deliver a night of outstanding wit, charm and lip; and Comedy Up Late, hosted by Susie Youssef, brings the Festivals breakthrough performers to a new national audience.

Exclusive to iview, Three Minutes with is a 20-part series featuring a variety of comedians answering relevant  and some irrelevant  questions!

The Gala

Hosted by Matt Okine, The Gala is Australias premiere night of giggles and giving, showcasing a star-studded line-up of local and international comedians to raise funds for Oxfam.

8.30pm Sunday 25 March on ABC, iview and simulcast on ABC Comedy.In 1953 the Korean War came to an end and the 38th parallel was recognized as the line of demarcation. No peace treaty was signed and so technically the North and South are still at war. Over the decades the north has been developing nuclear weapons and now has reached a stage where it can be considered a nuclear power. The United States for years has been asking for a denuclearisation of North Korea but the North never gave up its nuclear program. Kim Jong-un the Korean dictator has now indicated that he would like a meeting with the US President Donald Trump.

The message has been passed to Washington and Donald Trump. CNN has reported that the invitation and the desire for a meeting were passed to the South Korean delegation by the Korean Dictator himself during a dinner meeting in the capital of North Korea.

Verbal duel

The world, long used to the verbal duel between the US President Donald Trump and the Korean Dictator Kim Jong, has been taken aback by the developments. Many are hoping that a breakthrough has been achieved and North Korea will denuclearise and people are calculating as to what the North will ask in return for it. But some of the observers have opined that the situation is not so simple. It is not understood how the Korean Dictator has changed color so suddenly.

It probably surprised the US President too. To be fair to Donald Trump, he had always said that he would like to meet the Korean Dictator given the right circumstances.

The thaw

The thaw in relations started prior to the Winter Olympics in South Korea. Kim Jong appeared to have a change of heart when he sent an invitation through his sister to the South Korean President Moon, to make a visit to North Korea.

The north korean leader Kim Jong, is a very shrewd man and we do not know what the background to his change of heart could be. As per reports emanating from South Korea, it appears that North Korea will be denuclearised.

Kim a shrewd man

One should remember the old saying "if wishes were horses beggars would ride." This is my view of the present situation.

I do not see how the North Korean Dictator will throw away his nuclear deterrent. In any case, North Korea has never said that they will denuclearize but there are hundreds of statements made by Korean leaders that have stated that come what may they will never give up their nuclear deterrent.

The question

Will the North denuclearise? it appears highly improbable and many are wondering what the reason s behind the desire of the Korean leader to meet with Donald Trump. One reason could be that he would like to break away from the clutches of China by becoming closer to the USA. The Korean people, by and large, are not too enamored of China. They also hate the Japanese who had colonized them for many years.

In the background of this hatred, one can see that Kim Jong-un is playing cards close to his chest.

Nevertheless, he has taken a bold step and though Kim Jong will not give up his nuclear weapons he may well call halt to further development. In all probability, the fact that North Korea has got the status of a nuclear power would give Kim Jong the strength to talk to the United States on an equal footing. Credit must also go to Donald Trump who went at North Korea with hammer and tongs. At the same time, he did mention that he would be ready to meet Kim Jong. This shows Donald is a pragmatic man and it is possible that a meeting between the two leaders could be a Win-Win situation for bothAll throughout FBI Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into his 2016 election campaigns potential ties to the Russian government, US President Donald Trump has denounced it and begged for it to end and erred on the side of obstruction of justice, which has had a lot of critics calling for impeachment. Mueller has been desperate for an interview with Trump as a part of the probe, which has resulted in a number of arrests so far, in order to crack it wide open.

Trump has persistently fought against having an interview with Mueller for the probe, which many have said is evidence that the President has something to hide.

So, his attorneys have always pushed back against the FBI counsel whenever he has suggested the prospect of an interview. However, it now seems as though the Presidents lawyers are using an interview with Trump as a kind of bargaining chip  in other words, theyll let Mueller have his interview if it means the probe will end sooner.

The FBI probe probably wont end in impeachment

All of the arrests and revelations and breakthroughs that are coming out of Muellers FBI Russia probe are all well and good and everything, but it probably wont end in the Presidents impeachment, because of the way that these processes work. Even if Trump does get impeached, hell just be replaced by Vice President Mike Pence, who shares his views on literally everything.Earlier this week, the man his neighbours and townfolks described as "friendly, sociable and living in full view", Sergei Skripal was found ill on a bench in Salisbury along with his 33-year-old daughter, also ill. He had been living a quiet and reserved life away from his former occupation, having "been thoroughly debriefed" indulging in his love of polish sausages, vodka and lottery tickets. Which is why the unusual circumstances led to the counterterrorism unit getting involved as well as warnings from Boris Johnson if the Kremlin does get linked to the suspected nerve agent used on Skripal.

Russophobia or Putin Patriotism?

Allegedly Russian spy Sergei Skripal was recruited by Mi6 in 1995 and since then has given up the names of thousands of Russian Intelligence Officers. Russia, as well as the Russian embassy in London, has denied any involvement in the attack accusing the UK of "Hysteria and Russophobia". In support of this Skripal spent several years in a Russian prison and was "thoroughly debriefed" and the several years following an assassination could have been easily arranged in that time. Now, however, it is suspect that this has happened close to the Russian Presidential elections, to which this could have been some vote-winning ploy. Made suspect by a tweet from the embassy "He was actually a British spy, working for Mi6" despite this it seems unlikely that the assassination attempt of an unknown spy would cause patriotic passions to rise.

Cautious yet firm

Number 10 has been somewhat cautious about linking this incident directly to the Kremlin despite Theresa May making a somewhat passive aggressive threat last November "We know what you are doing and you will not succeed" a statement made directly at Russia. It seems the likelihood of this attack is a warning to other operatives in aiding western intelligence, as numerous other assassinations on Russian Intelligence Officers have been in financial warfare, this seems to ring true as a further warning to those who aid Mi6 or the CIA.

Even as a deterrent this is likely not to be met with tepid warnings if it is successfully linked back to Russia. A bold risk such as this in terms of political climate could have only have come with a signature from the president at the very top. Especially with today's announcement that the military has been brought in to further investigate, the nerve agent has been described as rare and allegedly not terribly difficult to track its source, however, "but the authority behind it is another matter"The other day, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un gracefully extended a handwritten invitation to US President Donald Trump to visit him in Pyongyang, via the communications boss and national security expert for South Korea. The visit will supposedly entail talks and negotiations about potential denuclearisation of Kims arsenal, which would be great for international peace, but it all seems a little bit too convenient.

A lot of people think the fact that Kims invitation came so easily and what with all the enthusiasm hes showing towards a meeting with Trump, that maybe its some kind of trap.

Just months ago, these two world leaders were calling each other all kinds of names and insults. The North Korean leader called the US President a dotard (which means an elderly person who is rapidly declining in their mental capacity and going senile) and Trump called Kim short and fat, but weirdly phrased it by saying he would never say that about Kim, but did say it, so he would say it. It was strange.

And now, apparently as early as by May, Trump will be jetting off to North Korea to sit down with Kim and talk about denuclearisation. Its all very suspicious, and its got a lot of people being sceptical about how serious the invitation is or what else it could entail, besides denuclearisation negotiations.

The Queen has already joked that if she got the US President over for a state visit, then she could legally kill him. Who knows what could happen?

Pyongyang wants US to stop their hostile policies

Every country in the world is hostile towards North Korea. The UN has issued the volatile nation with countless sanctions that Kim and his regime have persistently ignored.

China, the only real ally of North Korea, denounced the nation when it continued to test intercontinental ballistic missiles, despite Chinese President Xi Jinping sternly telling Kim to stop. But perhaps no country is more hostile towards Kim and his nuke-toting regime in Pyongyang than the United States, especially under the rule of Trump.

Former US President Barack Obama was very diplomatic in his relations with North Korea when he was in office. But Trump has never treaded lightly in discussing matters of the nuclear crisis going on in North Korea. He once called Kim Jong-un, the ruthless and volatile dictator, Little Rocket Man. Its insane! People in America have been worried about a nuclear holocaust for every minute of every day since Trump was inaugurated last year  there was even a false alarm in Hawaii that had people fearing for their lives a few months ago.

Denuclearisation of North Korea would be great  if it happens

What Kim hopes to achieve from these talks with Trump  or what he claims to want to achieve from these talks with Trump  is getting the US to back off with their hostile policies against North Korea.

Kim is just a young guy whos been thrust into a major position of power. He wants allies overseas, but he doesnt know how to get them. He sees countries all over the world that have a nuclear arsenal and, fearing that they might nuke him, he wants to have the best nukes in the world, so that he can pretty much be invincible, because if they fire their nukes at him, hell fire his right back at them.

At least, thats one theory. Another theory is that hes a diabolical genius bent on the destruction of both the world and Donald Trump. As a wise man once said, some men just want to watch the world burn. Maybe Kim is one of those men. Who knows? Hes kind of hard to read. Its hard to guess what will happen when Trump goes to North Korea  well just have to wait a couple of months until it happens.When the Most Haunted team came to Codnor Castle they were in for a surprise. Codnor Castle is one of the most haunted places in the UK with poltergeist activity, a man committing suicide and apparitions aplenty.

Most Haunted is a production of Antix Productions owned by husband and wife team Yvette Fielding and Karl Beattie. The show has been running for many years now and started its early run on Living TV. It is now shown on Really part of the UKTV network.

Yvette Fielding placed a trigger object by a column, in this instance a doll supposedly cursed.

As the programme went on they encountered the usual alleged paranormal activity orbs, knocks, bangs and misty forms on camera.

As the team entered the room where the cursed doll had been placed the doll caught fire. Everyone panicked and managed to put the flaming doll out using their feet. A locked off camera caught the doll bursting into flame all on its own. There appeared to be no logical reason why this would happen and even a fireman from the Cheshire Fire Service said it was odd. There was no device on the doll according to the fireman that would cause the doll to set on fire. So are we to conclude this bizarre incident was genuine? Apparently even the Most Haunted team were shaken by this.

'Most Haunted' accused of fakery

Many sceptics have accused shows like Most Haunted and Ghost Adventures of fakery. Setting out to mislead the public to keep their interest. Either because no genuine paranormal activity has taken place or the show is a fake.

Derek Acorah a supposed psychic medium was caught out by the resident sceptic Kieran O'Keefe on Most Haunted a few years ago.

Other members of the crew have also been accused of misleading the viewing public.

Some have also accused Ghost Adventures of not being real. This programme is headed up by Zac Bagans with a paranormal investigation team in tow. Like Most Haunted, they visit alleged haunted places looking for spooks. Ghost Adventures seem more tech-savvy than Most Haunted as the kit they use to confirm the existence of spirits or not is state of the art.

Most Haunted and Ghost Adventures are probably the most well known of these programs, however, a plethora of these shows have sprung up in their wake.

Real dangers in paranormal investigation

The Ghost Adventures team and the Most Haunted crew if they are to believed have stated paranormal investigation has affected their lives. For example, cameraman and fall guy of Ghost Adventures Aaron Goodwin has claimed spooks wrecked his marriage. Also, Yvette Fielding claimed she did not want to make anymore Most Haunted yet here her she is doing just that. (Must be short of money or foolhardy!).

Finally, by all means, watch these shows but messing with things you do not understand is not recommended.

There are real dangers from Quija boards and other things to do with the paranormal.

This may seem laughable and absurd but speaking as a Christian messing with the paranormal is a definite no, no. There is the good and the bad side and I know which I would rather follow, however, the choice is yours.Consumers could be left with a hangover if Donald Trump's tariff plan turns into a trade war  draining the wallets of drinkers on both sides of the Atlantic (Shanghai: 600558.SS - news) .

In America, the price of beer may increase if brewers pass on the 10% surcharge on imported aluminium to consumers, while bourbon could be on Europe's retaliatory list.

Aluminium is increasingly the packaging of choice for beer brewers worldwide, and it's likely they will face higher raw material costs once any tariff comes into effect.

A fifth of all aluminium consumed in the US goes towards goods packaging.

Major US beer producers have deep concerns over the prospect of larger overheads and thousands of job losses for the industry after the President proposed the tariffs - which he has now confirmed - last week.

Felipe Dutra, finance director for AB InBev (Brussels: ABIT.BR - news) , the brewing giant behind popular brand Budweiser, said about two million jobs depend on America's beer industry.

He urged the Department of Commerce and Mr Trump to consider the impact of the tariffs.

Rival MillerCoors also said it was disappointed.

"Like most brewers, we are selling an increasing amount of our beers in aluminium cans, and this action will cause aluminium prices to rise. It is likely to lead to job losses across the beer industry," it said in a statement.

The Beer Institute, a trade group representing around 5,000 US brewers, estimates the tariff will drive costs up by $348m (250M) annually, threatening more than 20,000 jobs.

Chief (Taiwan OTC: 3345.TWO - news) executive Jim McGreevy challenged Mr Trump's assertion that the tariffs against imported aluminium and steel were in the interests of national security.

He urged the Department of Commerce "to exclude imported aluminium and cansheet used to make beer cans from these tariffs so as not to unnecessarily increase costs on American business (Other OTC: ARBU - news) and put jobs at risk".

Ultimately, beer drinkers could carry the can for the tariffs, as any price rises could be passed onto them.

Responding earlier this week to the tariff threat, European Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom told journalists that certain types of bourbon are on a retaliatory list , alongside peanut butter, cranberries and orange juice.

She (Munich: SOQ.MU - news) joked that Europeans would be able to "plan their whisky drinking", as soon as the full list was made public.By David Lawder, Antonio De la Jara and Dave Sherwood

WASHINGTON/SANTIAGO (Reuters) - President Donald Trump pressed ahead with the imposition of 25 percent tariffs on steel imports and 10 percent for aluminium on Thursday but exempted Canada and Mexico, backtracking from earlier pledges of tariffs on all countries.

Describing the dumping of steel and aluminium in the United States as "an assault on our country," Trump told a news conference that the best outcome would for companies to move here and insisted that domestic production was needed for national security reasons.

"If you don't want to pay tax, bring your plant to the USA," he said.

Details of the plan came from a briefing by administration officials ahead of Trump's speech. Other countries can apply for exemptions, according to the administration, although details of when they would be granted were thin.

Trump has offered relief from steel and aluminium tariffs to countries that "treat us fairly on trade," a gesture aimed at putting pressure on Canada and Mexico to give ground in separate talks on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which appear to have stalled.

Trump has also demanded concessions from the European Union, complaining that it treated American cars unfairly and has threatened to hike tariffs on auto imports from Europe.

U.S. stocks extended gains ahead of the announcement, as the Associated Press reported key details. The benchmark Standard & Poors 500 index was last up 0.3 percent, but the S&P composite 1500 steel index was down 2.7 percent.

U.S. Treasury bonds yields rose slightly, with the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note at 2.86 percent. The Canadian dollar and Mexican peso gained against the U.S. dollar.

LINK TO NAFTA REJECTED

Mexico rejected any linkage to NAFTA in robust terms on Thursday. Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo told Reuters, "Under no circumstance will we be subject to any type of pressure."

Story continues

Canadian Trade Minister Francois-Phillippe Champagne told Reuters his country would not accept any duties or quotas from the United States.

Trump's unexpected announcement of the tariffs last week roiled stock markets as it raised the prospect of an escalating global trade war. He appeared to have conceded some ground after a campaign by legislators from his own Republican party, industry groups and U.S. allies abroad.

The president said he was pleased with progress in the NAFTA talks, although he repeated that he would be willing to terminate the agreement. The talks were launched after Trump took office last year saying that if the pact was not negotiated to better serve American interests, Washington would leave.

Many observers take a dimmer view of the six-month-old talks, saying little progress has been made and the negotiations are stalled over issues such as autos. Car manufacturing's contribution to the U.S., Mexican and Canadian economies far outweighs that of steel and aluminium production.

COUNTERSTRIKE

Several major trading partners have said they will respond to the tariffs with direct action.

"If Donald Trump puts in place the measures this evening, we have a whole arsenal at our disposal with which to respond," European Financial Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said.

Countermeasures would include European tariffs on U.S. oranges, tobacco and bourbon, he said. Harley Davidson Inc <HOG.N> motorcycles have also been mentioned, targeting House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan's home state of Wisconsin.

Even as Trump threatened tariffs and prodded his NAFTA partners, 11 nations gathered in Chile to sign a landmark Asia-Pacific trade pact, one that Trump withdrew from on his first day in office.

Both Guajardo and Champagne were speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of the signing ceremony in Santiago.

Trump, who won the White House after a career in real estate and reality TV, has long touted an economic nationalism, promising to bring back jobs to the United States and save the country from trade deals he views as unfair. That has put him at odds with many in his Republican Party.

Beijing, which until now had kept largely silent on the issue, sharpened its rhetoric significantly. One lever that China has is U.S. agricultural exports and it has said in the past that it could target soybeans.

"Especially given today's globalisation, choosing a trade war is a mistaken prescription. The outcome will only be harmful," Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on the sidelines of an annual meeting of China's parliament. "China would have to make a justified and necessary response."

China had a record $375.2 billion goods surplus with the United States last year.

Trade tensions between the world's two largest economies have risen since Trump took office, and although China accounts for only a small fraction of U.S. steel imports, its massive industrial expansion has helped create a global glut of steel that has driven down prices.

Most economists and trade specialists say they doubt the steel and aluminium tariffs alone would trigger a global trade war, but point to the risk of further U.S. measures against China as a major tipping point. Trump has also threatened to impose hefty tariffs on European car exports if the EU does take retaliatory measures.

(Additional reporting by Michael Martina, Elias Glenn, Kim Coghill, Brian Love, Nichola Saminather, Doina Chiacu and Andrea Hopkins; writing by David Stamp and David Chance; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Frances Kerry)The director of China's state assets regulator Xiao Yaqing speaks to the media after his news conference during the ongoing National People's Congress (NPC), China's parliament, in Beijing, China March 9, 2017. REUTERS/Jason Lee

BEIJING (Reuters) - Reducing debt and curbing risks remain priorities for China's state-owned firms, the head of the country's state assets regulator said on Saturday, as Beijing continues its restructuring and deleveraging efforts.

Xiao Yaqing, chairman of the State Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), also told reporters on the sidelines of China's annual meeting of parliament that proposed overseas investments by Chinese state companies should be reviewed "fairly".

"Chinese enterprises, especially state-owned enterprises, are independent market players first," Xiao said. "You can't scrutinize this type of investment more vigorously, while scrutinizing other types of investment more loosely."

In recent months, outbound investment by China's state-owned enterprises (SOEs) has been increasingly scrutinized by foreign governments.

The U.S. government has blocked several high-profile deals amid rising trade tensions between Beijing and Washington, while European leaders agreed last year to consider screening investments by state-owned Chinese firms.

The value of overseas assets held by China's central government-controlled enterprises reached 7 trillion yuan (798.6 billion pounds), Xiao said, with investments in more than 185 countries and regions.

The state assets administrator characterized further internationalization by state firms as "inevitable and completely understandable".

State firms, at home, would be pushed to improve their asset quality and boost their equity capital, Xiao said.

The regulator would seek to use debt-for-equity swaps to further reduce debt at state-owned companies, he added.

In 2015, Beijing introduced reforms to its state-owned industrial sector aimed at strengthening central government-owned enterprises, while introducing more professional management systems such as the adoption of boards of directors.

Xiao said those reforms would quicken this year, along with increased oversight by SASAC of enterprise activities.

Story continues

The sector reported a rebound last year, with enterprises owned by China's central government showing profit growth of 15.2 percent, to 1.4 trillion yuan, the fastest in five years.

Total profit from China's central government-owned firms for the first two months of 2018 rose 22.6 percent from a year earlier to 266.7 billion yuan, Xiao said.

One important element of China's state sector plan has been merging the giant state behemoths, in an attempt to create large, globally competitive conglomerates.

China has already cut the number of SASAC-controlled conglomerates to 98, from 117 five years ago, following key mega-mergers in the power, heavy machinery and steel sectors.

Sixty-seven central SOEs were on the Fortune Global 500 list in 2017.

(Reporting by Xiaochong Zhang, Matthew Miller and Shu Zhang; Writing by Se Young Lee; Editing by Stephen Coates and Dale Hudson)* Mead Johnson gave Reckitt more new things

* Some see Pfizer (NYSE: PFE - news) consumer unit as stretch for Reckitt

* Mead Johnson performance has improved since purchase

By Martinne Geller

LONDON, March 10 (Reuters) - Reckitt Benckiser (Xetra: A0M1W6 - news) has no regrets about its $17 billion acquisition of Mead Johnson last year, its chief executive said, even though there are concerns it may now be too stretched to buy Pfizer's coveted consumer health business.

The Pfizer business, which is currently on the block, would fulfil Reckitt CEO Rakesh Kapoor's long-stated plan to transform Reckitt from a British maker of household cleaning products into a global leader in consumer healthcare.

But some analysts question whether Reckitt has the managerial and financial strength to pull off a deal that may be worth up to $20 billion so soon after buying the Mead Johnson baby formula business.

Kapoor declined to say whether Reckitt was bidding for the Pfizer unit, which makes Centrum vitamins and Advil painkiller, or another smaller vitamin business being sold by Merck (Jakarta: 28586808.JK - news) .

The CEO told Reuters that the Mead Johnson acquisition had already benefited Reckitt, although it has only just reversed several quarters of decline in that business.

"I can easily say that if I knew then what I know now, I would still have gone for Mead Johnson," Kapoor said.

"If you think about what Mead Johnson brings, it gives us a material platform in many emerging markets where we did not have it, gives us a new category and was a catalyst to create RB2.0," he said, referring to its new business structure operating as two units, one focused on health and one on hygiene and household goods.

GlaxoSmithKline (Other OTC: GLAXF - news) is a potential rival bidder for the Pfizer business. The CEOs of GSK and Reckitt have expressed interest in the Pfizer sale, though neither company has confirmed its participation.

Liberum analysts estimated that Reckitt could afford to pay more than GSK while still adding to earnings, helped by potentially selling off assets in the home and hygiene unit to fund the deal. But analysts at Jefferies have expressed scepticism about big divestitures, saying recently that buying Pfizer "adds up to leverage beyond the pale."

Story continues

Even (Taiwan OTC: 6436.TWO - news) after selling a small food business to reduce leverage, Reckitt's net debt stood at about 3.5 times its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) at the end of the year.

Pfizer's business would expand Reckitt's presence in developed markets in consumer health categories where it already has its own brands like MegaRed supplements and Nurofen tablets.

It would also give it a world-leading position in the still-fragmented consumer health market, which is buoyed by aging demographics and greater awareness of health and wellness.

Mead Johnson took it into a new area of baby formula and dramatically boosted its presence in fast-growing markets like China.

"Mead Johnson is giving us something we didn't have," Kapoor said.

Reckitt has a track record of doing deals, dating from the 1999 combination of Britain's Reckitt & Colman with Benckiser of the Netherlands. Yet its main focus is organic growth, as it works its way back from weak performance last year, due to a series of issues, from a cyber attack and a failed product launch to a market slowdown and a tax change in India.

The company's shares are down about 17 percent year-to-date and 27 percent since closing Mead Johnson.

Based in the English town of Slough, Reckitt is also preparing for Britain's exit next year from the European Union. This includes considering whether it needs to build new product testing facilities in the EU.

"With Brexit it is possible, unless the deal is negotiated in a different way, that we will have to create some labs for testing and quality control outside (Britain)," Kapoor said. "That's something we're working on as a scenario."

"It's going to cost us more money if we have to and it is duplicating what we already do today. Do I like it? Of course I don't ... but it's the kind of impact we have to work on."

He said it would cost "millions of pounds". (Reporting by Martinne Geller. Editing by Jane Merriman)ASUNCION (Reuters) - South American trade bloc Mercosur formally launched discussions for a trade deal with Canada on Friday, in a move officials said would signal an embrace of free trade at a time other countries are moving toward protectionist policies.

For Canada, the talks with the group, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, come at a time when the future of NAFTA is facing increasing uncertainty.

U.S. President Donald Trump exempted Canada and Mexico from tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, though the White House tied the exemption to NAFTA talks. Mexico told Reuters on Thursday it would not yield to pressure.

"We are sending a message to the world," Canada's trade minister, Francois-Philippe Champagne, said at a meeting in Paraguay's capital. On Thursday, Champagne was in Santiago for the signing of an Asia-Pacific trade deal without the United States, which withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership last year.

Paraguay's Foreign Minister Eladio Loizaga said the first meetings would take place later this month in Ottawa, and Uruguayan Foreign Minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa said he expected the pact to close by the end of the year.

The move comes as Mercosur is also seeking to sign a free trade deal with the European Union. The prolonged negotiations had been expected to come to an end last year, but have dragged on amid resistance from European farmers to increased imports of South American beef and biofuels.

Mercosur is the fourth-largest trade bloc in the world, encompassing a population of 260 million. Canada's overall bilateral trade with Mercosur is worth C$8 billion ($6.24 billion) per year, compared with C$48 billion for the Pacific Alliance countries of Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Chile - all of which have free trade deals with Canada.

($1 = 1.2826 Canadian dollars)

(Reporting by Daniela Desantis; Writing by Luc Cohen)Shonda Rhimes, Ryan Murphy Barack and Michelle Obama?

The former president and first lady are in advanced negotiations with Netflix to produce a series of shows exclusively for the streaming service, The New York Times reports.

The Obamas would produce and star in shows that reflect inspirational stories and continue the work they advocated in the White House, said the report. One should could see the former president moderate conversations on topics that dominated his presidencyhealth care, voting rights, immigration, foreign policy, climate change. While a show featuring Michelle Obama could focus on nutrition, a topic she championed as first lady.

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Barack and Michelle Obama

JIM YOUNG/AFP/Getty

President and Mrs. Obama have always believed in the power of storytelling to inspire. Throughout their lives, they have lifted up stories of people whose efforts to make a difference are quietly changing the world for the better. As they consider their future personal plans, they continue to explore new ways to help others tell and share their stories, said Eric Schultz, a senior adviser to Obama.

Netflix has 118 million subscribers globally, giving the Obamas a sizeable platform to continue engaging with the public.

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The deal could be lucrative to the Obamas post-White House careers, too, and supplement the reported $65 million publishing deal they signed with Penguin Random House in 2017. Michelle Obama will be first to release her memoir, Becoming, November 13.

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The Times report said its unclear how much money Netflix is willing to spend on the Obamas, but the streaming service has been on a big spending spree to lock down some of TVs most powerful players in the last year.

Story continues

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Greys Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes jumped from ABC to Netflix in August 2017 in a deal that is estimated to be worth $100 million spanning four years.

Ryan Murphy, the uber-producer behind Glee, American Horror Story, American Crime Story and Feud, joined Rhimes at Netflix in February. He is reported to have signed a $300 million, five-year pact.

Mark Borkowski, a media analyst and PR strategist, tells Newsweek that the Obamas' deal could eclipse both of those. He says Netflix may offer the former first couple $500 million.

"Competition between streamers is so intense. We see money being flown at [creators]," says Borkowski. "It depends what it is, what that program is, what it becomes...is it [related] to a foundation or charity work? It could make it a less [expensive] deal. But it'll still be a big deal."

Its unlikely the Obamas will be producing fictional series for Netflix like Rhimes and Murphy, but if youre wondering what it might look like if they did, the former president is a noted fan of Game of Thrones and The Wire . Michelle, meanwhile, is a fan of Empire and Scandal.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekPHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP)  Cambodia's Supreme Court has rejected an application for bail for an opposition leader charged with treason who is seeking to be released for medical treatment abroad.

The court ruled Friday that Kem Sokha must be kept in pretrial detention for his own safety and because the investigation into his case is ongoing. His Cambodia National Rescue Party was dissolved last November by a court ruling on a complaint by the government.

Kem Sokha's case is widely regarded as a political setup by the government to cripple its strongest opponent ahead of a general election this July. The party's dissolution was linked to Kem Sokha's alleged offense.

Kem Sokha's lawyers say he suffers from high blood pressure and diabetes, and has fallen sick in prison since being detained last September.

See Also:This story originally appeared on Mother Jones and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk Collaboration

With its year-round sunshine and vast tracts of fertile land, California is one of the jewels of U.S. food production, providing a third of the nations vegetables and two-thirds of our fruits and nuts. As the climate warms, can we continue to take this $50.5 billion bounty for granted?

Thats the question posed by a team of University of California researchers in an eye-opening new paper published in the journal Agronomy, in which they digest recent research to document the most current understanding on Californias climate change trends in terms of temperature, precipitation, snowpack, and extreme events such as heat waves, drought, and flooding, and their relative impacts on the states agriculture.

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They address these topics one by one, and the results are hardly comforting to U.S. eaters.

For one thing, the scientists found, a temperature change of just a few degrees is closely related to yield reductions in some of the most cherished California crops: almonds, wine grapes, strawberries, walnuts, freestone peaches, and cherries. Avocado production could plummet by the middle of the century. Because of fewer winter chill hours, by the end of the century, the paper suggests, only 10 percent of the Central Valley will remain viable to grow fruits like apricots, kiwis, peaches and nectarines.

california strawberry climate change

FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images

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Story continues

Then theres the Sierra Nevada snowpack, the hoard of frozen water that gathers in the mountains on Californias eastern fringe over winter, before melting in the spring and irrigating farmland in the Central Valley, the states most productive farming region. Californias devastating recent drought (2012-2016) was largely driven by paltry winter mountain snows, which provide almost 80 percent of the states precipitation in an average year, the report notes.

And those dry times may already be back. As I reported in early February, a winter had left the snowpack at just 24 percent of its long-term average for the time of year. This past weekend, a big snowstorm raised it to 37 percent of averagestill not great. Such levels may soon be considered the new normal. Californias snowpack has already reduced considerably in recent decades and is projected to shrink further in the future climate, the authors report.

california crops strawberries row

JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images

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Under an optimistic scenario, the snowpack is projected to be 48 percent lower in coming decades than it was in the 1961-1990 period. Under a more dire but realistic scenario, the pack will undergo a 65 percent loss.

Of course, when Central Valley farmers lack access to irrigation water that comes from melted snow, they revert to pumping it from underground aquifers. As we learned in the last drought, such massive withdrawals of a finite resource cannot go on long without causing severe problems, including dry wells, infrastructure-destroying land subsidence, and soil thats too salty to grow most crops.

On top of the shrinking snowpack, the authors also note that daytime and nighttime heat waves are expected to become more frequent and intense. And as temperatures rise, the impact of pests, diseases, and weeds is increasing substantially, with their altered growth cycles possibly becoming concentrated and impacting crop harvests, they note.

In short, Californias climate has already changed significantly since the first half of the 20th century, when the state emerged as a linchpin of our food system. And this change can be expected to continue in the future. As I put it in a 2015 New York Times piece, the time has probably come to de-Californify the nations produce supplythat is, increase fruit and vegetable production in less water-stressed areas.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekThe former U.S. ambassador to Panama says he left his post this week because he could no longer abide the Trump administrations scapegoating of immigrants, jingoistic chest-beating and ... schoolyard bullys attitude.

John Feeley discussed his reasons for stepping down on Friday in a scathing op-ed in The Washington Post titled Why I Could No Longer Serve This President. Sections of his far more restrained resignation letter to the White House were leaked in January, shortly after Feeley told the administration of his plans.

Feeley, a career diplomat and former Marine Corps helicopter pilot, said he made up his mind to leave last summer, after President Donald Trump blamed both sides for the violence at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. An avowed white supremacist was charged with murder after police said he deliberately drove his car into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer.

The presidents failure to condemn the white supremacists and neo-Nazis who provoked the violence made me realize that my values were not his values, Feeley wrote.

Feeley said he resigned because the traditional core values of the nation have been warped and betrayed by Trumps foreign policies and his national security strategy. Among the policies Feeley listed were Trumps amateurish country-specific travel ban, his plans for a big, beautiful border wall, his decision to end protections for undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children, and his withdrawal from the Paris climate change accord.

But Feeley also spoke up for voters who backed Trump, whom he called legitimately aggrieved. They deserve better, he noted in the Post. They deserve enlightened and informed debate about the true nature of the globalized economy, automation, and the need for education and reimagined job-skills programs to keep us competitive.

Instead, Feeley wrote, they are being offered the siren song of populist scapegoating of immigrants, jingoistic chest-beating and a schoolyard bullys attitude that taunts: I win, you lose.

Story continues

Read Feeleys full op-ed here.

Also on HuffPost

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Concrete pipes connecting the bauxite residue deposit to its water treatment station are pictured at the alumina refinery Alunorte, owned by Norwegian company Norsk Hydro ASA, in Barcarena, Para state, Brazil March 5, 2018. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Thomson Reuters

By Marta Nogueira

BARCARENA, Brazil (Reuters) - A Brazilian government-backed institute is readying new evidence of contamination near the world's biggest alumina refiner, Norsk Hydro ASA's Alunorte, in the northern state of Para, a researcher told Reuters.

A more complete report being prepared for release next week should reveal that there was a waste leak at the plant, said Marcelo Lima, a public health researcher at the Evandro Chagas Institute, a research facility linked to the Ministry of Health.

"It will tell more of the story, with new evidence," Lima said on Thursday.

Flooding at the Alunorte plant last month sparked fears of a leak of toxic bauxite waste around the facility and government warnings of contamination.

A Feb. 16 thunderstorm dropped 200 millimeters (8 inches) of rain in 12 hours, causing red-colored water to flood streets, homes and areas of Amazon rain forest near the plant.

Authorities ordered the plant, in Bacarena city, to cut output in half until it addressed government concerns, leading Norway-based Hydro to declare force majeure with no time set to restart the plant.

Hydro has so far denied any negative environmental impact.

The company said in a statement on Friday that it had received a report from federal watchdog Ibama mentioning a lateral leak. It said the leak was contained and there was no contact with the environment.

The company and government continue to present divergent accounts of what happened.

Five officials at the Alunorte facility, who asked not to be named because of company policy, said the incident began with a lightning strike leading to a power failure.

Pumps shut down as the storm, flooding the administrative area of the plant that did not contain hazardous bauxite waste, according to the officials.

A small amount of untreated water from the area leaked out of cracks in a sealed, out-of-operation drainage tube and reached the nearby forest, they said.

Story continues

At a separate refinery area, which includes two large waste deposits from processing bauxite, pump units connected to waste treatment areas suffered shutdowns but were quickly reconnected, the officials said.

But according to Lima, a separate duct leak, to be detailed in the new report, would have carried waste from bauxite processing at the company's oldest waste deposit.

The institute has also collected samples showing the presence of harmful materials in soil and water, including lead, which could indicate that bauxite leaked as well, he said.

(Reporting by Marta Nogueira; Writing by Jake Spring; Editing by Steve Orlofsky)

See Also:HELSINKI (Reuters) - A Moroccan man charged with two murders and eight attempted murders "with terrorist intent" was criminally responsible for his knife attacks in Finland last August, a psychiatric assessment showed on Thursday.

The trial of Abderrahman Bouanane, who was 22 at the time at the attacks, is due to begin in the city of Turku later this month. The state prosecutor has demanded a life sentence for him if the court rules he was fully aware of his actions.

Bouanane has admitted the attacks but has denied that his motive was terrorism. The police have concluded that he was a "lone wolf" who saw himself as a soldier for the Islamic State militant group. ISIS did not take responsibility for the act.

Bouanane arrived in Finland in 2016, lived in a reception center in Turku and had been denied asylum.

It is the Nordic country's first terrorism-related attack. A life sentence in Finland means at least 12 years in prison.

(Reporting by Jussi Rosendahl; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

See Also:LONDON (Reuters) - Four people were arrested after they climbed on to a first-floor balcony of the Iranian embassy in London on Friday and waved flags in an apparent protest against the government in Tehran.

The four were arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage and being unlawfully on diplomatic premises, a spokeswoman for London's Metropolitan Police said.

No one was hurt during the incident and the four were arrested when they came down voluntarily after around three hours.

Iran's ambassador to Britain, Hamid Baeidnejad, tweeted that the assailants were "advocates of the Shirazi cult" and had replaced Iran's national flag with that of their group. He said all staff at the embassy were safe.

Shi'ite cleric Grand Ayatollah Sadegh Hossein Shirazi, whose son was recently arrested for insulting Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been a fierce critic of Irans clerical leadership.

Iranian state television quoted a Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying that Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi had protested about the incident to the British ambassador in Tehran.

"Britain is responsible for the safety of Iranian diplomats," said the spokesman, Bahram Qasemi.

Iran's state news agency IRNA said the attackers had carried knives and sticks. Iran's English-language Press TV said a religious group was behind the attack, without elaborating.

Images posted on social media showed four men in black attire on the balcony of the embassy, waving a blue and white flag.

In 1980, gunmen seized the embassy to try to secure the release of Iranian political prisoners. One hostage was killed in the five-day siege, and another died when British commandos stormed the building, killing all but one of the gunmen.

(Reporting by William Schomberg in London and Parisa Hafezi in Ankara; Editing by Kevin Liffey)00

AFP photographer Ed Jones has been capturing everyday life in North Korea for several years. As one of the few Western journalists allowed to enter the secretive state on a regular basis, his access has generally been restricted to what the regime wants the world to see: Pyongyang's wide boulevards and pretty traffic policewomen, along with the country's regular choreographed mass propaganda events venerating its leaders past and present.

However, he has also traveled into North Korea's rural heartland, photographing the harsh realities of life in the poverty-stricken villages along the eastern coast up to the Chinese border. His photos show a world far from the gleaming skyscrapers in the showpiece capital. People wheel bicycles along unpaved roads; children pull handcarts loaded with firewood and animal feed; and farmers wash vegetables in polluted streams.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekSTOCKHOLM (Reuters) - North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho will visit Sweden in the near future and meet with his Swedish counterpart, Margot Wallstrom, the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter reported on Friday, citing sources.

A Swedish foreign ministry spokesman and a spokesman for Wallstrom both declined to comment.

Sweden's embassy in Pyongyang represents U.S. diplomatic interests in North Korea in the absence of U.S. diplomatic relations with the country.

The report comes after U.S. President Donald Trump said earlier on Friday he was prepared to hold an unprecedented meeting with Kim Jong Un following an invitation from the North Korean leader.

The United States has no formal diplomatic relations with North Korea, which has limited the options for the two sides to reduce tensions over North Korea's missile and nuclear weapons programmes.

Sweden, however, was the first Western European nation to set up an embassy in Pyongyang, in 1975, and it has been acting on behalf of other western states in dealing with the secretive government in North Korea.

Sweden has been taking an increasingly active role in international talks related to North Korea behind the scenes Dagens Nyheter reported, citing sources.

(Reporting by Anna Ringstrom, editing by Larry King)The policeman who was stabbed to death during the Westminster terror attack last year has been given an award for outstanding bravery.

PC Keith Palmer was posthumously honoured by the Metropolitan Police for his heroic response during the attack outside the Houses of Parliament last March, when he confronted attacker Khalid Masood.

The 48-year-old officer, who was married with children, has been named the winner of the Outstanding Bravery of the Year prize at the Met Excellence Awards.

Masood, who was armed with two large knives, had just driven a car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge when he came face to face with PC Palmer, fatally wounding him.

The 52-year-old terrorist was shot dead by armed officers shortly after.

Four other people were killed in the Westminster attack.

PC Palmer had served on the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Group since 2016 and had been with the Met for 16 years.

Last year it was announced that he was to be awarded a George Medal in the Queen's civilian gallantry list and will be remembered with memorial stone in Westminster.

A memorial fund was set up in his memory.

Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood was also honoured at the ceremony, being given an outstanding contribution award for his efforts in rushing to help save PC Palmer.

Other winners at the Met Excellence Awards included PC Philip Stone, who coordinates the organisation of the national and international recovery and identification of human remains for the coroner to repatriate them to their families.

PC Stone, who last year coordinated the response to terrorist attacks and human disasters across the UK, was given the police officer of the year accolade.NSW Police arrested six people involved in a methamphetamine supply operation in Bathurst on March 8 following more than seven months of investigation into illicit drug deals in the central-west town.

Authorities said that on Thursday morning, six people were arrested across a number of businesses and homes and four search warrants were executed across four properties in West Bathurst and Bathurst.

The six people were taken to Bathurst Police Station and were charged with offences relating to drug supply, resisting arrest, and participating in criminal groups. Credit: NSW Police via StoryfulFor at least two decades, leaders in North Korea have been seeking a personal meeting with an American president. The rhetoric since Donald Trump took office made the likelihood of this happening an every-increasing distant reality - until now.

The US President has derided Kim Jong-Un as a maniac, referred to him as little rocket man and threatened in a speech last year to totally destroy North Korea, a country of 26 million people, if it attacked the United States or one of its allies.

Kim responded by calling Trump a mentally deranged US dotard.

Kim Jong-Un having a jolly old time in a field of wheat in 2016, long before Theresa May divulged of her own similar scenario. (Photo: KCNA KCNA / Reuters)

So the news of a possible summit between the two seemingly comes as a surprise - but is it? Not quite.

1) Its Exactly What North Korea Has Wanted For Years

North Korea is economically and politically weak and has been a pariah on the international stage for decades.

The countrys nuclear programme, developed at the expense of providing basic living conditions for the majority of its citizens, has been its only leverage.

The increase in rhetoric between Kim and Trump effectively provided the cover to advance it to the point it directly threatened the Untied States which, in turn, has now led to a diplomatic coup for North Korea - a possible meeting with the President on equal terms.

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Its a markedly different approach to Barack Obama who once warned Pyongyang that you dont get to bang your spoon on the table and somehow you get your way.

Michael McFaul, US ambassador to Russia under Obama, said: Our assessment was that the North Koreans werent serious about denuclearisation and therefore sitting down to a summit just accords legitimacy... to the regime, not just the leader, without achieving any concrete national security objective for the United States.

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The United States has long said it wants any talks to aim at Pyongyang abandoning its nuclear weapons and missile programs.

But this is unlikely as it is those very weapons which are right now responsible for Kim currently being treated like any other world leader instead of a pariah.

Story continues

The administration must go into any meeting with a plan to ensure that negotiations with Kim Jong-un produce real results, not a photo op that lends legitimacy to North Koreas murderous regime, US Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat who is vice chairman of the Senate intelligence committee, said in a statement.

2) Its Incredibly Risky For Trump

Worryingly, South Korean officials said Friday that Trump almost immediately agreed to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, without preconditions, by the end of May, reports Reuters.

Even proponents of a diplomatic approach towards North Korea worry the administration could be rushing into a summit with little time to prepare.

Trump is a self-proclaimed dealmaker and its likely he saw the opportunity for an easy win and to do something none of his predecessors had managed to do.

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Trump, known for his distaste for details, will have to lear a lot of details. (Photo: Leah Millis / Reuters)

But history shows that Trump isnt even particularly good at deals involving real estate, never mind nuclear weapons and sensitive geo-political positioning.

Bill Richardson, Clintons US ambassador to the United Nations who has made multiple diplomatic missions to North Korea, called the Trump-Kim summit a gamble.

Adding to the concern are the mixed messages coming out of the White House, a characteristic trait of Trumps administration.

The President will not have the meeting without seeing concrete steps and concrete actions take place by North Korea, so the President will actually be getting something, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told a news briefing on Friday.

Sanders did not specify what actions North Korea needed to take, and a White House official later had to clarify, saying she was not intending to set new conditions for talks with Kim.

Then, just hours later, Trump appeared to wholly abandon this cautiousness.

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3) China May Be Feeling A Little Left Out

Trump has to be sensitive to the interests of China, which has had to engage in a bit of a PR blitz in the last few days to try and prove it is an integral part of the talks.

Beijing has key strategic concerns when it comes to North Korea, and has long feared that a collapse of its isolated neighbour could push waves of refugees into northeastern China, or that nuclear war on the Korean peninsula could contaminate swathes of the country.

The emotional ties are deep, too. The two countries fought side by side in the 1950-53 Korean War - a son of Mao Zedongs died in the conflict - and China has long viewed North Korea as a useful buffer between it and US forces in South Korea.

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The possible talks were negotiated solely between North and South Korea and China has been using its state press to insist it played a role, despite the fact it has been mostly sidelined.

The Communist Partys official Peoples Daily cited Chinas plan for North Korea to suspend nuclear and missile tests, and South Korea and the United States to suspend military drills as leading to this moment.

It should be understood that these easing of tension signals are actually an effect brought about by the dual suspension proposal, the paper said on Saturday.

The paper cited Trump as telling Chinese President Xi Jinping in a telephone call on Friday that Chinas position that the United States should talk to North Korea was the correct one.

The US side profusely thanked and put high importance on Chinas important role in the Korean peninsula issue, the paper said in its regular Zhong Sheng, or voice of China, column, which presents the papers position on foreign policy.

Exactly what China wants to do is unclear at this point, though it might want to host the Trump-Kim get-together.

One thing that is certain though is it will not sit by and watch the US gain any more geopolitical advantage in an area it considers its own backyard.

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4) North Koreans Are Still In The Dark

Despite reports from North Korean media of a South Korean delegation visit earlier this week, the northern press failed to cover Kims invitation to meet Trump or South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

While trumpeting the thaw in relations between North and South Korea, North Korean media outlets have continued to criticise the United States, especially over joint military drills it plans to conduct with South Korean troops at the end of the month.

The Grand Monument, a bronze statue of Kim Il Sung, on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang (Photo: Gerhard Joren via Getty Images)

In North Korea, the leadership wont decide to release it to the media until they know for sure the summits are happening, said Shin Beom-chul, a professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy in Seoul.

There has to be an agreement within the Norths inner circle about this. Theres no reason why it should promise denuclearisation of North Korea to its people right now when there is a possibility of things falling apart, Shin said.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.As people slowly leave some Japanese towns and cities, wild boars are coming in to replace them.

As the countrys aging population gradually dies, wild boars are filling the void, lured by rice paddies without human supervision and the hospitable landscapewhere they find plenty of shelter and not enough people to deter them from coming. What used to be a problem just in southern Japan, with boar sightings and occasional attacks on humans, has blossomed into an issue for the entire country, according to a report in The Washington Post.

Japans population has grown older in recent years: Estimates from the United Nations Population Division indicate that about 35 percent of the country was least 65 years old in 2017. And the agency projects that the problem will only get worse, and seniors will make up roughly half the country by 2050.

Trending: Trumps North Korea Gambit: Why Does Kim Jong Un Want to Talk?

This goes against the worldwide pattern, in which people younger than 65 make up the large majority of the population, both now and in projected numbers for 2050.

wild-boar-japan

REUTERS/Toru Hanai

Wild boars, also known as Eurasian wild pigs, have moved in to supplant the shrinking population. In the Iwate Prefecture, authorities caught 94 boars last year, The Washington Post reported. Thats up from just two caught in 2011.

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On top of aging, Japans northern stretches have also faced depopulation linked to the Fukushima nuclear plant meltdown and the tsunami that destroyed coastal areasboth events related to a devastating earthquake in 2011, as The Washington Post points out.

All of this, plus warmer temperatures and less snow, make the conditions right for wild boars.

Story continues

Because of depopulation, there are more and more abandoned fields and rice paddies, a Tokyo University wildlife management professor, Koichi Kaji, told the publication. Theyre perfect places for wild boars to hide and feed.

Most popular: 'Riverdale' Star Lili Reinhart Slams 'Cosmopolitan Philippines' for Photoshop Fail

The authorities want farmers to get licenses for guns and traps to help reduce the animal population, but many are too old to help in that defense.

Some people are getting creative, including designing a robotic but realistic-looking wolf known as the Super Monster Wolf that is meant to scare off the boars.

Super Monster Wolf

TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty Images

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekChancellor Philip Hammond has triggered the sale of 11.8bn worth of Bradford & Bingley loans bought during the financial crisis. The Government said the funds would be sold to Prudential and Blackstone and delivered "value for money" for the taxpayer. Mr Hammond said: "The sale of these Bradford & Bingley assets for 11.8bn marks another major milestone in our plan to get taxpayers' money back following the financial crisis. We are determined to return the financial assets we own to the private sector and today's sale is further proof of the confidence investors have in the UK economy." - The Daily Telegraph

Three BT employees raised the alarm about its 531m Italian fraud problems a year before the scandal was made public, it is claimed. Staff at its Italian arm were said to have warned their supervisor in Madrid long before the telecoms giant told investors about the irregularities. The reports raised questions over how promptly BT started investigating the fraud, which wiped almost 8bn off its value when it was made public. And it piles fresh pressure on BT chief executive Gavin Patterson over how the firm responded to the scandal. - The Daily Mail

The armed forces face a 10bn funding shortfall amid escalating costs for new ships and jets. Military chiefs have quietly begun a review to find at least 1bn a year in additional savings over the next decade from budgets that are already stretched. This includes a plan to reduce the size of the Royal Marines and remove the frontline role of one of its three commando units, while overseas training is about to be suspended. - The Times

The boss of the London Stock Exchange will receive a 5m boost from the collapse of the merger with Deutsche Borse because he will not waive share options that he agreed to give up if the deal went through. The news could anger shareholders who face having to pay tens of millions of pounds to advisers hired by the exchange in its latest doomed attempt to merge with its Frankfurt-based rival. - The Times

The Trump administration is getting tough on Iran and reinforcing Americas long-established military ties with its Gulf allies despite protests by human rights activists abroad. Rex Tillerson was yesterday revealed to have made his first big decision as secretary of state: resuming sales of fighter jets to Bahrain which were suspended by President Obama last year because the island nation had failed to upgrade its human rights record in line with US demands. - The Times

The boss of one of Britains biggest energy companies has hit out at the prospect of a price cap on bills after Theresa May promised to step in to fix a market that is "manifestly not working for all consumers". Alistair Phillips-Davies, chief executive of SSE, said that it was disappointing that the retail energy market was still facing intervention having just undergone an 18-month investigation by the competition watchdog. - The GuardianPrinted media has been facing a massive battle amid the growth of digital media and electronic platforms. The old-school format of printing is slowly becoming obsolete due to audiences preferring to consume their media in an electronic form, which is primarily due to the current technological climate we live in. NME Magazine has unfortunately fallen victim to this modern mindset as they have recently released a statement with regard to the continuation of their printed Music Magazine.

NME Magazine stopping the press

NME Magazine has been around since 1952 and has been producing engaging content surrounding the music industry.

The magazine contains articles and information about bands, genres, trends, and icons; with many people enjoying the creative content they produce.The magazine has been at the forefront of the fast developing music landscape, but after 66 years of production, they have finally decided to stop the press on their magazines amid a new creative development.

The news comes from the group managing director for Time Inc., Paul Cheal, who says that the magazine has faced increased hardships due to the growing costs of advertisement for companies and products. NME Magazine is free to the public, and like many other publications that label themselves as free for the public, they are able to survive based on the revenue they make from the adverts they put in the pages of their magazine.

Paul Cheal has stated that due to the lack of advertisement in NME Magazine, the publication has been dangerously close to losing money. NME is not making enough advertising money in order to maintain their free publications. But, this news is not the end of NME.

NME Magazine's next steps

While their printed magazines will be ceasing production, NME Magazine will instead look at their online platforms and will increase their focus on them.

This would mean that NME will no longer need to fear advertising costs and producing free media, but instead, they will now be looking to grow their online audience.

This will be a large step for the magazine, as a lot of its money has come from the printed advertisements. However, the advertising deals that they currently have may be able to transition into the digital format as things such as pop-up advertisements, banners, and links can exist on their websites.

So, while NME Magazine may not be producing printed media anymore, they will continue to publish content on the digital platforms they have. This is an attempt to keep up with the current mindset of the modern-day consumer, as well as the technological advancements that have made printed media almost obsolete.China had launched its first prototype space station Tiangong-1 in 2011 with the intention of using it as a platform to set up a larger space station. The craft is now at an altitude of fewer than 186 miles and has gone out of control. China had officially informed on September 14, 2016, that it would re-enter the atmosphere in the latter half of 2017, but it would be an uncontrolled re-entry.

New Zealand Herald reports that Tiangong-1 has hydrazine onboard which is a "highly toxic" chemical and could be dangerous to Humans. The revised re-entry dates have been identified as between March 29 and April 9, and the Space Debris could fall in the US, Europe, Australia or New Zealand.

This will be a loss for space research

Tiangong-1 is an 8.5-tonne craft launched by China in 2011 and had been operational till 2016. During this period it must have been engaged in some sort of research work which will now be lost once it crashes into the Earth as space debris.

Its descent is being monitored by space agencies all over the world including the Paris based European Space Agency (ESA). The precise date and where the debris will fall will be known only during the finals weeks. Initial estimates had put it between March 17 and April 21 which is now revised to between March 29 and April 9. The exact location is difficult to predict but in the opinion of experts, the most probable impact would be in the band of latitudes of 43 north and 43 south.

Major portions of the craft are expected to burn up during re-entry, but some portions will survive and come down as debris which may contain hydrazine. This is a dangerous chemical and was in the spacecraft as fuel for its rockets. Long-term exposure to this can have health hazards and even lead to cancer in humans

Space debris and magnitude of the problem

Space debris is a genuine problem and these are created by humans.

They consist of parts of satellites and rockets that have been launched into space over the last seven decades. According to Futurism, there are thousands of such junk that are littering space and floating about as potential dangers to space missions. It is possible to detect only a tiny portion of this junk which are comparatively larger in size.

Fragments of the Chinese space station Tiangong-1 will add to the numbers. Today the focus of space organizations like NASA and ESA are on missions to the moon and Mars. They will need to draw up plans to evade such debris that can harm space vehicles and even jeopardize missions.With Valentine's Day just a week away, millions of Americans will be looking for the perfect gift for their loved ones. For Donald Trump, he'll be looking to pocket some extra money with Trump-inspired holiday gifts promoted by his son.

Don Jr. on Valentine's Day

Ever since the day Donald Trump announced that he was running for president, many wondered how he would be able to balance his plethora of private business with being president. The former host of "The Apprentice" came under fire early on during the campaign when speculation grew about whether or not his foreign business deals would interfere with his potential presidency.

Since then, Trump's ties to Russia have dominated the headlines, as he continues to keep his personal tax returns hidden from the public.

With the president feeling the heat, members of his family are doing their best to promote the Trump brand. In a tweet on Wednesday, Donald Trump Jr. promoted the Valentine's Day gifts from the offical Trump store. "When roses just won't cut it," the younger Trump wrote. Attached to the tweet was a picture of a "Spa Teddy Bear" wearing a white bathrobe with a gold Trump logo on the front. The bear is positioned to straddle a mini Trump airplane that is also available for purchase.

Trump's gift list

Donald Jr. also gave a link to the offical website for the Trump store, which sells a variety of items for Valentine's Day. Included for purchase are a wine glass, spa slippers, a "double trouble" pullover sweater for $150, as well as a ladies Northstar jacket for $98. In addition, the website also sells a tumbler drinking cup for $50, and a Lattice embossed blanket for $50.

Instant backlash

In response to Donald Jr's tweet, critics of the president wasted no time firing back. "And if you pay the bear $130,000 it won't talk about what you did to it," one tweet read.

You win!  cryptobysmol (@cryptocolic) February 7, 2018

With a trump vodka martini perhaps?  Sharon Thompson (@MotherSquid) February 7, 2018

"Trying to hawk your cheap cr*p before it's too late eh?" one Twitter user wrote.

"I thought the Trump Shuttle went bankrupt in 1992? What's next, should we do Trump Steak for dinner?" a follow-up tweet stated. "Teddy Bear stuffed in China rides one of my dad's failed businesses. Classic!" a social media user wrote.

Can I order one of those tacky gift for STORMY DANIELS? #StormyDaniels #RemoveNunes # Urinetrouble  MIKE-HONCHO (@RAPMOGUL) February 7, 2018

  Burnt Peacock (@Burntpeacock) February 7, 2018

trying to hawk your cheap crap before it's too late eh?  All I Got Was Santa Claus (@Scattered211) February 7, 2018

"For those of you looking to get divorced this Valentine's day," a tweet read with mockery. "Can I order one of those tacky gift for STORMY DANIELS?" yet another post added. As expected, the backlash continued to pour in as the opposition to the entire Trump family showed no signs of slowing down at any point in the near future.Ever since the news broke that Donald Trump had ordered the Pentagon to throw a military parade in honor of his presidency, backlash quickly followed. The latest name to push back against Trump's decision is the man who reportedly killed Osama bin Laden.

A military parade is third world bullshit. We prepare. We deter. We fight. Stop this conversation.  Robert J. O'Neill (@mchooyah) February 8, 2018

Parade reaction

It's no secret that Donald Trump is an alleged supporter of the United States military and veterans. As have many other Republicans, Trump used the talking point in support of the military to help generate backing during his campaign, which he has continued to stand by since his election win in November 2016.

Despite Trump not making much progress for veterans and the military over the last year, the Washington Post reported last week that the president wants to hold a multi-million dollar military parade.

Navy SEAL who says he killed Osama bin Laden calls Trump's military parade "third world bullshit" https://t.co/Ad8DNHHhhc pic.twitter.com/ZFXvtIkTLP  Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) February 8, 2018

Military officials who heard the request during a recent meeting were flabbergasted, as the costs are projected to reach millions of dollars, with the Pentagon unsure as of press time how it would cover the expenses. Responding to the news in a tweet on Thursday morning was retired Navy SEAL Robert J.

O'Neill, the man who reportedly fired the fatal shots into former al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, and he wasn't pleased with the idea of a parade.

Trump wants to have a massive military parade  heres what they look like around the world https://t.co/wnpngmla2O pic.twitter.com/9eehZtSqrh  Business Insider (@businessinsider) February 8, 2018

"A military parade is third world bullsh*t," Robert O'Neill tweeted.

"We prepare. We deter. We fight. Stop this conversation," he added. O'Neill, who is politically conservative, recently had dinner at the White House with Donald Trump, but doesn't appear on board with his latest plan.

Instant backlash

At the White House on Wednesday, Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Secretary of Defense Gen.

James "Mad Dog" Mattis confirmed the plans for a military parade, noting that they were in the "brainstorming" phase. Not stopping there, Mattis went on to defend Trump's request, claiming it would be done to honor the military by showing "affection and respect" for the troops.

Despite the defense from the White House, even some over on Fox News are not on board. Co-host of "Fox & Friends" Brian Kilmeade referred to the potential parade as a "waste of money," with fellow network host Shepard Smith ripping into Trump, suggesting he go play with toy soldiers instead. In an attempt to troll the president, the D.C. Council chimed in on their offical Twitter account on Wednesday, writing, "The DC government will open on time today. DC Public Schools will open on time today. Sadly, the Giant Tank Parade is cancelled. Permanently."Authorities in California have named Albert Wong, 36, a decorated former Army infantryman as the shooter at the countrys largest veterans home. Wong who was a former patient entered the Pathway Home during an employee meeting, wearing all black with his rifle and took three women hostage.

The standoff between the gunman and law enforcement lasted approximately eight hours before he killed he shot the victims and committed suicide. The victims are Christine Loeber, Executive Director, Jennifer Golick, Clinical Director, and Jennifer Gonzales, a clinical psychologist.

Wong had just recently been dropped from the program. Wong had been receiving treatment for PTSD. It is unknown at this time if that was the cause of the shooting.

The Pathway Home

The Pathway Home is a nonprofit post-traumatic stress disorder program at the Veterans Home. According to their website, The Pathway Home provides with support to post-9/11 veterans in professional and clinical help along with educational and vocational training. They help Veterans who are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury. The Pathway Home has helped thousands of veterans since opening in 2008 and have an average of 840 veterans who live there full time.

The Home helps veterans from all military branches including the National Guard and Reserves.

At this time the program only helps male veterans but does has plans to help women veterans. In 2017, Congressman Mike Thompson recognized the Pathway Home and released a statement, that he was very proud of the work they have provided and thanked them for their service.

Condolences

California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. stated on Twitter, Anne and I are deeply saddened by the horrible violence at the Yountville Veterans Home, which tragically took the lives of three people dedicated to serving our veterans.

Our hearts go out to their families and loved ones and the entire community of Yountville. Governor Brown has ordered that flags are half-staff in honor of the victims.

President Trump also stated on Twitter,we are deeply saddened by the tragic situation in Yountville and mourn the loss of three incredible women who cared for our Veterans.

We are deeply saddened by the tragic situation in Yountville and mourn the loss of three incredible women who cared for our Veterans.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 10, 2018

Albert Wong had served in the Army, as an infantryman, had received four service awards. One in which was Expert Marksmanship. He also was a security guard and licensed private investigator.The LA Times also reported that Wong served in Afghanistan between 2011 to 2012.Once the news broke that Donald Trump would soon meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un over the country's nuclear program, speculation quickly increased. After Sarah Huckabee Sanders elaborated on the story, she quickly faced mockery.

CBS News' Chip Reid: "Isn't the president giving Kim Jong Un exactly what he wants, which is respect and stature on the international stage?"@PressSec: "Not at all. The president is getting what he wants. He is getting the opportunity to have the North Koreans denuclearize." pic.twitter.com/J1hxYxv2Oz  CBS News (@CBSNews) March 9, 2018

Sanders on Kim Jong-un

The relationship between the United States and North Korea has never been strong, and has only become worse over the last year.

Donald Trump appeared to have increased tensions since his election due to his controversial remarks about Kim Jong-un, most notably over his use of the now infamous "Rocket Man" nickname. Despite this, stunning news was announced on Thursday night noting that Trump and Kim have agreed to meet by May to discuss the possibility of North Korea becoming denuclearized.

Q: "Is there a possibility that these talks with North Korea with Kim Jong Un may not happen?" @PressSec: "Look, they have to follow through on the promises that they have made. We want to see concrete and verifiable action on that front." https://t.co/f9l00iY0Oe pic.twitter.com/5Vhs8nFMgw  CBS News (@CBSNews) March 9, 2018

Critics of the president raised their concerns, which were addressed and elaborated on further during the Friday White House press briefing, as reported by CBS News on March 9.

As expected, Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders was grilled on the upcoming meeting, saying Trump was "hopeful" about the outcome, while saying that "We are not in the negotiation right now. We have accepted the invitation to talk based on them following through with concrete actions on the promises they have made."

After being asked whether or not Donald Trump would push for the release of three American journalists in North Korea as part of the deal, Sarah Sanders simply replied, "That's something we'll continue advocating for and pushing for." CBS News reporter Chip Reid then pressed further, asking "Isn't the president giving Kim Jong-un exactly what he wants, which is respect and stature on the international stage?" As expected, Sanders doubled down on her defense of Trump, answering, "Not at all.

The president is getting what he wants. He is getting the opportunity to have the North Koreans denuclearize."

Sanders slandered

After fielding questions on North Korea, Sarah Huckabee Sanders faced immediate scrutiny across social media. "Remember this is the guy who invited Dennis Rodman. Trump is in the same category of egotistical petulance," one tweet read.

SHS is among the worst liars of this administration. The tell is her snarky delivery and eye twitch.  Lolannie (@annorannie) March 9, 2018

Sarah slanders is at it again. Fire her  greg_munro (@greg_munro) March 9, 2018

Im turning 40 this year but I dont *feel* old until I start thinking about the fact that somehow that frumpopotamus Sarah Huckabee Sanders is younger than I am   rob roberts (@skie) March 9, 2018

"Sarah slanders is at it again. Fire her," a Twitter user wrote. "Does Trump really think he alone can make that happen? He's going to go in there and pound his chest and KJU will show him just what an old buffoon he really is," an additional tweet noted.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders always looks like she just shit her pants and is worried someone will notice.  Alex Smith (@giraffetermath) March 9, 2018

Does Trump really think he alone can make that happen? He's going to go in there and pound his chest and KJU will show him just what an old buffoon he really is.  3031 Spirits Fusion (@PAGilmore_CEO) March 9, 2018

Remember this is the guy who invited Dennis Rodman........Trump is in the same category of egotistical petulance.  Bobbie Hill (@BobbieHill) March 9, 2018

"Sarah Huckabee Sanders always looks like she just sh*t her pants and is worried someone will notice," a social media user added. "SHS is among the worst liars of this administration. The tell is her snarky delivery and eye twitch," yet another tweet stated.The Christian faithful were undoubtedly horrified when 20-year-old Kaylee Muthart decided to remove her eyes outside of the South Main Chapel and Mercy Center in Anderson County, South Carolina. According to eyewitnesses, Muthart stood across from the church and used her hands to gouge out her own eyes.

Muthart is now recovering from the incident and has spoken to Cosmopolitan magazine about why she decided to "go medieval" on her eyes. Muthart says in the article that her increasing reliance on narcotics was to blame for her bizarre self-surgery.

Formerly, Muthart had been a straight-A student who occasionally dabbled in marijuana, but after a serious relationship fractured, Muthart began taking Xanax, ecstasy, and crystal meth.

At this point in her life, doctors diagnosed Muthart with bipolar disorder. For a time, Muthart managed to limit her intake of narcotics, but she left her job one day because she was too "embarrassed" about the fact that she had picked her face raw while on a meth trip.

Closer to God

Muthart began studying the Bible and taking the Christian faith more seriously as she descended further and further into her drug addiction. It became common for Muthart to take ecstasy or meth and read the Bible to herself. Muthart's mother tried to intervene in her daughter's life by sending her to rehab, but it was all for naught.

On February 6, 2018, Muthart took a larger-than-normal dose of meth and convinced herself that God wanted a "sacrifice" from her. Muthart's hallucination told her that once this sacrifice was complete, she and everyone in the world would die. "I don't know how I came to that conclusion, but I felt it was, without doubt, the right, rational thing to do immediately," Muthart said.

On that date, while standing outside the small chapel, Muthart used her fingers to grab, turn, and remove her own eyeballs. When the church's pastor found Muthart, her eyeballs were in her hands and she was screaming "I want to see the light!" Because of this drug-induced frenzy, Muthart is now blind.

Slow recovery

Despite incredibly painful headaches, Kaylee refuses to take painkillers.

She now claims to be clean of all narcotics and is currently trying to raise money on GoFundMe in order to acquire a seeing-eye dog. As of this writing, the GoFundMe page has earned over $21,000. Its goal is $50,000.

Upon reflection, Muthart says that she would rather be blind than addicted to drugs. Hopefully, more addicts can come to the same conclusion without succumbing to the delusions that wrecked Muthart's life.Facebook has played at times a negative role in the Political Discourse, according to Facebook co-founder and Mark Zuckerbergs Harvard roommate Chris Hughes. The algorithms are not neutral, he said Thursday at a Bloomberg Beta event promoting his new book "Fair Shot: Rethinking Inequality and How We Earn."

Hughes continued, saying, to Katie Roof from TechCrunch, Facebook is finally coming to recognize the responsibility that they have to shape public discourse.

Hold on a second here

In my world, Facebook should not have any responsibility in shaping public discourse.

Their job is NOT to set the course but to provide access to a platform that allows people to express their own opinion. Granted this past political season was the worst I can remember, however, Facebook should not be responsible for what people post. If there are issues with ads. As long as the companies have legal standing in the United States they have a right to state their opinion even if it is not agreed with.

The Russian influence

Russia has always tried to influence our elections just as we have meddled in other countries' elections. In this case, to actually see how Russia did it tech-wise, you have to admit they were more on top of electronic meddling than we were. If the U.S. had been tech-savvy we wouldn't have had half the problems that confronted us over the last 18 months including servers not being backed up, stolen e-mails, lost smartphones and more.

To make Facebook responsible for poster discourse smacks of Pravda, a Russian newspaper, formerly the official newspaper of the Communist Party. Most people I know, do not want Facebook to shape our opinion, we want Facebook to stay out of our discourse and mind their own business.

Shared responsibility

In October of 2017, Facebook handed over 3,000 ads that were bought by one Russian company to influence the November elections, however, it must be noted that only 44 percent saw the ads before the election.

Does Facebook have a responsibility toward its members when accepting money from a company trying to influence U.S. elections?

Possibly, but it opens the door to censorship and then you must ask Facebook to determine, unbiased of their own Political Opinion, who is legitimate and who is not. In the face of such concerns, Facebook is hiring 1,000 ad reviewers who will spend more time looking into the background of suspect companies, but again, this begs the question: If the company is legitimate can stopping them not be considered censoring information as long as the information is accurate?

Then one must ask, who decides what is fake news and what is not?

I went out to my Facebook friends, many of whom have strong political opinions, and asked them their thoughts on whether or not they use Facebook as a political soundboard. Their thoughts and opinions surprised and pleased me. (Permission given to quote).

Alicia D.: " I don't typically share politics and if I find someone's views repellent, I hide them or unfollow, but I don't engage. It's not worth it, I don't think that fb fights change anyone's minds, and it's too often a family member that I disagree with."

Maer W.: "I share things I know those who believe as I do might find interesting. To those who don't I pass on by their posts, no matter how ridiculous I find them, and I expect the same courtesy in return.

I tried a very few times to show facts refuting something and was firmly told it was fake news. I have better things to do with my time than spend it on people who are not capable of civil discourse."

Jennifer P.:" I do not (use Facebook for a political sounding board). If someone holds extreme views that have the appearance of a warning or red flag of possible dangerous behavior, I'll unfriend or move on. There are, however, people whom I like and respect whose political views may be different from mine. I try to understand their point of view and hope that by showing respect and kindness they'll see that I, and others of my way of thinking, are not their enemy. It's what I hope will create and support common ground and understanding."

Louanne S.:" I never discuss politics to someone that I do not agree with.

Old saying : Silence is is Golden with politics and religion."

Jeff C.: "Very strong opinions, but keep them private. I'm an election judge and don't feel it proper to broadcast personal views one way or the other."

Luanne W.: "I generally don't use it to try to change their mind - I post and hope that something that I post will get through to them. For those I know are hopeless, I just shrug and move on."

LouAnn P.: "Never do politic"s

Paula S.: "No time to argue"

Thank you for participating fellow Facebook friends. Together maybe we can bring civil discourse out of the hands of companies and back into our own.Danielle Staub may not have the best relationship with Caroline Manzo and Jacqueline Laurita but she's actually on board with the two women potentially returning to the cast of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey." One season after Bravo TV brought Staub back to their hit reality show, rumors are swirling in regard to the potential returns of Manzo and Laurita, and, if they do end up coming back to the show, Staub will be ready.

I would love it because [Teresa Giudice] and I have each others back," Staub explained to Us Weekly magazine while attending Wednesday night's premiere of "First We Take Brooklyn." According to Danielle Staub, Manzo and Laurita did what they did to her to Giudice.

So, they are ready to team up against the former cast members if they ultimately decide to return to their roles on the show.

Teresa Giudice and Danielle Staub reconciled in 2016

After years of being on the outs following Giudice's infamous table-flip during "The Real Housewives Of New Jersey" season one, she and Staub reunited at the end of 2016 for a yoga class and decided to put their past issues behind them. As fans well know, Giudice did a lot of reconciling after her time behind bars in 2015 gave her a new outlook on life. Speaking of their reunion, Staub said that she was certain that she and Giudice could be friends and noted that they just needed some time before it could happened.

Staub went on to say that Teresa Giudice is doing well, despite her husband Joe's current incarceration, and noted her as a happy girl.

As for her marriage, Staub said that Giudice and her hubby speak daily and even revealed that she often speaks to Joe when she is with Giudice. "He's amazing," Staub said of Joe Giudice, adding that the father of four has been doing some soul searching behind bars. "I'm happy for them," she added.

Caroline Manzo weighs in on her potential return to 'RHONJ'

Following rumors of her return, Caroline Manzo spoke to Us Weekly, saying that while she's not on board quite yet, she's also not opposed to the idea completely. Manzo and her family moved on from the show in 2013 and starred in her spinoff "Manzo'd With Children" for three seasons.

Since then, she and her family have been enjoying time away from the cameras.

To see more of Danielle Staub, Teresa Giudice, and their co-stars, including Margaret Josephs, Dolores Catania, Melissa Gorga, and Siggy Flicker, tune in to "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" season eight on Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. on Bravo TV.On Monday night's episode of "Vanderpump Rules," Tom Schwartz's wife, Katie Maloney, found herself in the midst of a verbal battle with scheana marie at a Los Angeles bar when her husband came to her rescue. As the two women, and Lala Kent, attempted to win their argument, Schwartz put in his two cents and labeled Scheana Marie a "bootleg Kardashian."

During an episode of "Watch What Happens Live" that was filmed just after the "Vanderpump Rules" episode aired, a caller phoned in and asked about the dispute. However, with their question about Schwartz potentially regretting the comment, they also pointed out that Schwartz's statement about Scheana Marie was quite accurate.

Does Tom Schwartz regret his diss?

"In the moment I didn't, but the day after, I did," Tom Schwartz explained to Andy Cohen of his regret, according to a report by The Daily Dish on February 6. As for the caller's comment about Schwartz's statement being on point, both he and his wife, Maloney, who was also appearing on the show, remained silent.

Tom Schwartz and Katie Maloney have never been all that close to Scheana Marie and as "Vanderpump Rules" continues, their relationship with the SUR Restaurant server appears to be getting more and more strained. Most recently, Maloney and Scheana Marie butted heads after Maloney spoke of a rumor that suggested her boyfriend, Robert Parks-Valletta, had cheated on her with another woman at a nightclub in Los Angeles.

As fans of the show will remember, Scheana denied the allegations completely and said that she and Parks-Valletta will most definitely end up together.

What is Katie Maloney saying about their feud?

During an interview at the end of last year, Katie Maloney spoke of her relationship with Scheana, stating that while they have had their moments of being friends, being close was likely not an option for the two of them.

"Im not going to hate you. Im not going to ignore you or go out of my way to be rude," she explained to Us Weekly magazine. Maloney then said that if she comes into contact with her "Vanderpump Rules" co-star, she will say "hello" and ask her how she is doing.

To see more of Katie Maloney, Tom Schwartz, Scheana Marie, and their co-stars, including Lisa Vanderpump, Stassi Schroeder, Jax Taylor, Tom Sandoval, Ariana Madix, Kristen Doute, James Kennedy, and Lala Kent, tune in to new episodes of "Vanderpump Rules" on Mondays at 9 p.m. on Bravo TV.derick dillard just doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut. He has been making comments on Twitter that have cost his family a lot, and he has yet to learn to stop. Dillard was removed from Counting On after attacking I Am Jazz star, Jazz Jennings. Both shows air on TLC and the network sided against Jill Duggar's husband.

What got him fired

Essentially, Derick Dillard was cut loose from Counting On because he slammed the network. While he was bullying a teenager with his comments, he was also talking badly about the same company that paid his salary.

When the viewers called for him to be terminated due to his comments, TLC was not taking it lightly. They issued a statement to make it clear they were no longer working with Derick Dillard and had no plans to in the future either.

Just last week, Derick Dillard slammed the media for reportedly using the Florida shooting victims to push an agenda. There is a lot happening in the world, and much of it is political. Dillard talked about how the media was similar to TLC and tagged the network in his tweet. It was a bold move, one that caught a lot of attention. Counting On fans can't believe he is still opening his mouth, especially with Jim Bob Duggar reportedly unhappy with him. While the damage has already been done, Derick is just adding insult to injury.

No, I criticized the medias use of kids again...like @TLC uses Jazz. My heart goes out to the victims, but all ideas should be heard, and subjected to criticism.



Derick Dillard Slams Parkland Shooting Victims and Fans are Outraged - In Touch Weekly https://t.co/GcAiXImxeg  Derick Dillard (@derickmdillard) March 1, 2018

Latest move

According to In Touch Weekly, Derick Dillard made another bad move on social media.

He invited Jazz Jennings to have coffee with him. The same teenager he was throwing under the bus because she is transgender is now the same teenager he wants to have coffee with. Counting On fans continue to be baffled by his lack of judgment before using social media. At this point, Jennings has not responded to Dillard's offer, but it is likely she will refuse.

He has already made his feelings known, and crossing paths with someone who hurt her isn't in Jazz's best interests.

The fallout from Derick Dillard and his social media comments is still happening. He recently ranted about how his second child, Samuel, had to remain in the NICU for two weeks. This was kept a secret from the public and is just now being talked about. Dillard will now have to figure out how to support his family without the money that TLC used to provide them with. Changes are coming, and if Derick Dillard doesn't learn to keep quiet, it could be bad for his whole family. They have already been through enough in the last few years, they don't need this too.Former President Barack Obama is negotiating with streaming giant Netflix to produce a new show on the platform. In response, Fox News viewers were not happy.

Former President Barack Obama is in talks with Netflix for a series of programs, possibly to highlight inspirational stories https://t.co/cuKhMx8H4M  The New York Times (@nytimes) March 9, 2018

Fox News on Obama

For the eight years that Barack Obama was in office, conservatives on the Fox News Channel marked him as enemy number. While the right-wing media uses he term "media bias" in how they describe the current relationship between the press and Donald Trump, Fox News didn't hide their disdain for the former president.

Along with most hosts on the network, right-wing viewers have been just as critical of the Obama years.

As reported by Fox News on March 9, Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama are close to signing a deal with Netflix to produce an exclusive new show that would focus on a variety of topics, ranging from inspirational stories to healthy eating. The New York Times also notes that the Obamas would not use the program to play politics, and wouldn't speak out his conservative critics or Donald Trump. Obama adviser Eric Schultz spoke to the New York Times on Friday and said that the former president and first lady "believe in the power of storytelling to inspire."

Netflix boycott

Once the news of Barack Obama and Michelle Obama working on a deal with Netflix, Fox News tweeted about the story and received massive backlash from their right-wing followers.

"Just what Netflix needs, more crappy shows," one tweet read.

Boycott Netflix!!  Deborah June Baldwin (@DeborahJuneBal1) March 9, 2018

Will cancel my Netflix  Deplorable Deb (@Ziemann24) March 9, 2018

Might have to cancel Netflix,I couldnt stand the last 8 years of them.  C.D.Williams (@cdw1410) March 9, 2018

"Good bye Netflix.

No business from me," an angry Fox News follower wrote. "I will cancel immediately," yet another tweet added. "Netflix is getting into the propaganda business?? Let me know when I should cancel my account," a follow-up tweet stated. "Time to dump Netflix. They raised the price, no new shows, and way too much BBC," a conservative Twitter user posted.

I'm not paying to watch him and I won't. I couldn't stand to watch him on TV for free....certainly would never pay for it.  Happy Old (BOT) Woman (@di8285502) March 9, 2018

@Netflix is getting into the propaganda business?? Let me know when I should cancel my netflix account.   The Tom  (@Tom_Sjolund) March 9, 2018

I will cancel immediately  Jail the Corrupt Bastards (@Curious_66) March 9, 2018

"Might have to cancel Netflix,I couldnt stand the last 8 years of them," a social media user replied. "Boycott Netflix!!" a follow-up tweet added. "I'm not paying to watch him and I won't. I couldn't stand to watch him on TV for free....certainly would never pay for it," a tweet read. As expected, conservative viewers of Fox News were not pleased to read that Barack Obama and Michelle Obama could soon return to the spotlight in a new program on the streaming platform, which currently has nearly 120 million subscribers. While many Obama critics are calling for a boycott, Netflix has not yet offered a response or statement in return.Star Wars legend Mark Hamill has received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It has been nearly 40 years since he began his journey portraying Luke Skywalker and his battle between the Empire and the Dark Side.

Hamill was surrounded by fellow Star Wars legends including Director George Lucas, co-star Harrison Ford, his trusty sidekick R2-D2 and a handful of Stormtroopers to provide security. Mark Hamill took the stage with the same gusto he shows at all of his appearances, waving to fans who lined the streets.

Star Wars icon left speechless

Hamill says there is no way to describe his joy and thankfulness for the award and even saying he hasnt been this speechless since the Force Awakens, a joke about his short and silent appearance on the film.

He said he couldn't say it was a dream come true and questioned whether he was truly worthy of this honor.

Can't say this is a dream come true because I was never foolish enough to think something like this could ever happen. When part of me doubts I deserve such an honor, I remind myself that someone got a "Star" for just one crappy reality show. #BeyondGr8ful  https://t.co/CEzO0jdD3k  Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) February 22, 2018

Mark Hamill does not let the fame and fortune go to his head. He spends time with several charities including Force for Change and the Starlight Childrens Foundation. He continually interacts with his Twitter followers, making jokes and dropping fake clues while he films his latest Star Wars film.

Hamill even took to Twitter, to encourage a seven-year-old girl who was afraid to wear a Star Wars shirt to school, saying the Force is always strong with females.

Just tell her to feel free to use this gesture if her classmates give her any grief. "Boy stuff"? PLEASE! The Force is, & always will be strong with females here on Earth & in galaxies far, far away.

- mh pic.twitter.com/lAI4AGr0sc  Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) March 8, 2018

While many know him for his role as the Jedi master, he has become popular for his animated roles including the Joker in "Batman: The Animated Series" and several other Batman series.

Hamill thanked George Lucas, saying he wouldnt be here without him.

George Lucas applauded Hamill and said he was proud of him for getting his star. Lucas said Hamill was always enthusiastic about what he was doing and thats what he wanted for the person who would play Luke Skywalker.

Star Wars hero Harrison Ford pays tribute

Harrison Ford paid tribute to Carrie Fisher, who passed away in 2016, during his speech at the ceremony. Ford said he was sorry that the other member of their trio could not be there to celebrate. Hamill responded saying he could feel Fishers presence. Harrison Ford received his star in 2003.

In honor of Hamills latest achievement, Disney is celebrating with its own #JediDay. The force behind Star Wars is encouraging fans to combine the hashtag with "The Last Jedi," to honor Marks return in "The Last Jedi." The award comes as the studio prepares for the release of "The Last Jedi" on Digital March 13 and Blu-ray March 27. Hamill said looking back its been one wild ride, from the big screen to the small screen."The Sopranos" creator David Chase announced that a new chapter is being written for the hit drama. This time, it will be a prequel film. Chase had previously told EW that he could not find a way to bring the show back, without it being a prequel.

New Line recently purchased the screenplay titled The Many Saints of Newark. Chase said the film will be set in the 1960s, at a time when African-American and Italian gangs in New Jersey were fighting each other. Fans can expect characters from The Sopranos to return, with the possibility of Tonys father Giovanni Johnny Boy and Tonys uncle Junior.

The prequel will take place as a war erupts between the two communities, which eventually turns deadly, which leads to the Long Hot Summer of 1967. However, details of the plot remain unknown and will probably quite a while before someone speaks about the storyline of the prequel.

Warner Bros. chairman Toby Emmerich is thrilled that Chase is returning to the Soprano universe with a feature film and expanding our insight into the hit mob series. Chase is also serving as producer and will be assisting in selecting a director for the prequel film. Chase was not expected to be the director, as he only directed two episodes of The Sopranos, and prefers to be a producer.

Fans have been waiting for a new story

This return to "The Sopranos" universe is welcome news for the many fans who consider the HBO series to be the greatest of all time. The show had run for six seasons from 1999-2007. It made HBO, what it is today and launched the market for DVD sales of popular shows. The series earned 21 Emmy Awards, five Golden Globe Awards, and the first two seasons won Peabody Awards.

David Chase will revive The Sopranos with a prequel film: https://t.co/VxljJRzg7E pic.twitter.com/4Jjr510lJH  Slate (@Slate) March 10, 2018

The film launched the careers of many top-rated stars including Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli, James Gandolfini and Steve Scirripa. Chases last film was the 2010 Paramount film "Not Fade Away." While the film is expanding the story of "The Sopranos," it is not explaining anything about the confusing finale, because of its role as a prequel film.

Fans have been agonizing over the ending and were originally hoping for the series to return and answer some questions that have left people puzzled.

The hit series introduced America to a gritty cable drama. The prequel does not have a cast or scheduled release date and is only described as a prequel to The Sopranos. Lawrence Konner who is co-writer is also responsible for bringing the Sex and the City, story to the big screen with two films, earning a combined total of $704 million worldwide.Corgnati brings unmanned expertise to PAE joint venture

The PAE ISR joint venture has named Chris Corgnati as chief operating officer where hell bring his expertise in the development, acquisition and integration of unmanned systems.

The appointment reflects PAEs commitment to the unmanned sector of the market, said Chico Moline, president of PAEs National Security Solutions business unit. PAE ISR is a joint venture of PAE, American Operations Corp. and Battlespace Flight Services LLC. It works with U.S., NATO and international defense organizations.

Prior to joining PAE, Corgnati was vice president of NASA and Defense Department programs at Crown Consulting. He also was the director of ISR capabilities for the Chief of Naval Operations and headed the U.S. delegation for the NATO joint capability group on unmanned aerial systems. Another DOD position was director of homeland defense air and maritime policy for the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

He holds a bachelor of science in business administration and management from Villanova University and a masters of science in IT management from Naval Postgraduate School.CONSOL Coal Resources LP produces and sells high- British thermal unit (Btu) coal in the Northern Appalachian Basin and the eastern United States. It owns a 25% undivided interest in the Pennsylvania mining complex, which consists of three underground mines and related infrastructure that produce high-Btu thermal coal located primarily in southwestern Pennsylvania. The company markets its thermal coal principally to electric utilities. CONSOL Coal Resources GP LLC operates as a general partner of the company. The company was formerly known as CNX Coal Resources LP and changed its name to CONSOL Coal Resources LP in November 2017. CONSOL Coal Resources LP was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.

Read MoreGetty Images

En espanol | The American College of Physicians (ACP) on Tuesday published new recommendations for blood sugar management in those with type 2 diabetes. The guidelines call for relaxing target glucose levels and differ from those established by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and other medical organizations. As a result, the news ignited plenty of back-and-forth on the subject.



The standard recommendation has been to shoot for an A1C  a blood test measuring blood sugar levels  of less than 7 percent. This recommendation is supported by many medical associations, including the ADA and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE). Above 7 percent, their experts say, patients have undue risk of life-threatening health problems associated with high blood sugar.



One of those problems, of course, is diabetes, the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.



But the ACPs new target, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, is for between 7 and 8 percent. Why is it controversial? The ACP recommendation is higher than the standard recommendation for diabetic patients and, according to a recent ADA press release, "has the potential to do more harm than good for many patients for whom lower blood glucose targets may be more appropriate." For people ages 80 and older and those with chronic medical issues, however, the recommendation would not apply.



The ADA publicly rejected the ACPs guidance, as did the AACE.

Its been clear over the years that decreasing the A1C decreases common diabetes complications, including kidney, eye and nerve complications, says AACE President Jonathan Leffert, M.D.

A lower diabetes risk, he says, also decreases the risk of heart problems, which "is very important because diabetes patients are two- to fourfold more likely to develop heart issues.



But in releasing its lower A1C guidelines, the ACP stressed how a too-low glucose level can lead to health problems. There are harms associated with overzealous treatment or inappropriate treatment focused on A1C targets, Jack Ende, M.D., president of the ACP, told NPR. Symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) include lightheadedness, fatigue and fainting.



But Leffert argues that hypoglycemia is an acute problem, meaning its symptoms are nonchronic and momentary, whereas those of high blood sugar affect life expectancy.

While theres plenty of disagreement between the groups, both sides emphasize the importance of personalized care, making sure that all patients and their doctors discuss how best to control their blood sugar.

Were always trying to balance risks, and most physicians understand the importance of personalizing goals, which has been part of our guidelines for many years, Leffert says.Waffle House waitress Evoni Williams says she did nothing special when she cut up Adrien Charpentiers food for him as he dined at her Texas restaurant. But, others disagree and are rewarding her act of kindness in a big way.



It was Saturday morning when Charpentier was sitting at the Waffle House counter with his oxygen tank having breakfast. The 78-year-old can handle grits and the soft bites, but when it came to the piece of ham he ordered, he needed help. He told the 18-year-old worker behind the counter that his hands are no longer up to par.

If I want to cut my meat, I look like I'm stabbing it," Charpentier told KHOU, a news station in Houston.

Without hesitation, Williams picked up the knife and starting cutting.

Another customer at the restaurant took notice of what was happening and thought it was the nicest thing. Laura Wolf shared what she witnessed on Facebook, writing in part:  I'm thankful to have seen this act of kindness and caring at the start of my day while everything in this world seems so negative. If we could all be like this waitress & take time to offer a helping hand.Medicare beneficiaries with high prescription drug bills were looking forward to seeing lower out-of-pocket costs a year earlier than expected under the bipartisan budget agreement that President Trump signed into law last month. But now big pharmaceutical companies are trying to persuade Congress to rescind that provision of the law.



Right now, Medicare Part D beneficiaries pay a larger percentage of their medication costs once the total tab reaches a certain threshold. Thats due to an odd provision in the prescription drug plan called the coverage gap, or doughnut hole.

Drug companies want to roll back this progress before the ink is dry on the budget law, says David Certner, AARP legislative policy director for government affairs. They are already out in force lobbying Congress to keep drug prices high and protect their profits. AARP is urging its members to contact their lawmakers and demand that they protect the progress that has been made to lower drug costs for older Americans.

Under the Affordable Care Act, the doughnut hole has been steadily closing and was scheduled to be eliminated in 2020. The budget law closes the coverage gap next year by requiring drug manufacturers to pay more of the cost of enrollees' drug expenses in the coverage gap. This permanent change will lower out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries with high prescription medication costs.

In 2018 beneficiaries enter the doughnut hole once they have spent $3,750 on their prescriptions; then they must pay 35 percent of the cost of brand-name drugs and 44 percent of generics. Theyll pay that share until their out-of-pocket costs reach $5,000. Once they reach that limit, they exit the doughnut hole and pay no more than 5 percent of their prescription drug costs for the rest of the year.

Some 28 percent  nearly 11 million  of Part D enrollees reached the doughnut hole in 2014. Of those, 3.4 million spent enough out of pocket for their drugs to reach the catastrophic level.

Patients with chronic illnesses such as leukemia or lymphoma, multiple sclerosis, viral hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, cancer and schizophrenia are among those most likely to have high drug costs.

Congress must pass another budget bill by midnight on March 23 to keep the federal government running. The pharmaceutical companies are urging Congress to revise this drug provision as part of that legislation.

Congress needs to do their job and make prescription drugs more accessible and more affordable, not less says Certner.All Aberdeen Reads selection tells story of World War II survival

A former Aberdeen woman has written her mom's WWII-era story and it's the topic of this year's All Aberdeen Reads.Infill developers are eyeing several different sites along the heavily traveled Paseo Del Norte corridor for new projects.

With no shortage of residential rooftops nearby, two vacant parcels of land are primed for a new Wecks restaurant and a daycare/early education center.

Site development plans being considered by the city include applications for a 5,000-square-foot Wecks at 7301 Paseo De Norte NE, and a 14,000-square-foot facility called Primrose School of Sandia on a vacant infill site on the north side of Palomas NE between Wyoming and Barstow. The street now is home to three residential facilities serving senior citizens and several office buildings.

At one time, U.S. Eagle Credit Union considered acquiring the nearly one-acre site that the preschool company now is eyeballing, but a zoning change asking for a drive-through riled neighbors in the adjoining Countrywood subdivision. The credit union eventually nixed its plans to build a store at the site, according to EPC documents.

The preschool/child day care center proposal also has raised concerns about traffic from residents living near Palomas, the only way in and out of their neighborhood, but EPC staff recommended approval of the two-story building, which would be west of the MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care facility.

According to the EPC application, Primrose plans to serve about 190 children and will create up to 40 new jobs. Calls to Primrose headquarters in Katy, Texas, seeking comment were not immediately returned.

On its website, Primrose executives say each school awards up to $2.5 million in local construction-related work. Primrose has 342 schools in 27 states and is targeting 480 franchise-operated facilities by 2020.

Wecks, owned by Art Kaplan since 2004, will build its newest eatery on Paseo del Norte between Louisiana and Wyoming, according to the development application. The site is an informal overflow parking lot for New Covenant Church.

The Albuquerque breakfast-and-lunch chain will build the restaurant on a 0.8-acre site that was originally owned by the church. It will be accessed off of Holly Avenue.

Wecks currently has a restaurant nearby at 6650 Holly NE, which will close, said Joe Garcia, vice president of operations.

We should be in our new Paseo location within a year, said Garcia of the freestanding eatery. He said the company also plans a ground up store on South Coors, one mile south of I-40, in about 18 months. Wecks, whose slogan is A full belly tradition since 1991, currently operates 14 eateries in the state, including stores in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Los Ranchos, Los Lunas, Santa Fe and Farmington.

The Paseo trade area has 50,000 workers in a three-mile radius, according to commercial real estate brokers.

With the corridor awash in activity, developers of medical and dental offices also are looking at infill opportunities, such as Rio Grande Realty & Investments. The applicant recently asked for a zone map amendment to develop a medical office complex on a vacant three-acre site on the south side of Palomas.A judge sentenced a woman on Friday for her part in the slaying of an Albuquerque woman nearly three years ago.

Shawna Cannon, 40, pleaded guilty to kidnapping and was sentenced to six years in prison followed by three years of probation in the 2015 death of 29-year-old Tiffany Boyer, according to court documents.

In a statement released Friday, District Attorney Raul Torrez said Boyers case would not have been solved, or prosecuted, without the thorough, meticulous, and patient investigation by APD Detectives Rich Lewis and Dan Torgrimson alongside BCSO Detective Gerry Koppman.

Police say Cannon, along with William Alexander, 56, Joshua Taramasco, 30, and Stephanie Stepp, 26, took Boyer to a house in Northeast Albuquerque in August 2015 and beat her to death with a hammer.

According to court documents, the group blamed the disappearance of their friend Machete Bob on rape allegations Boyer allegedly made against him.

Boyers body was found months later in Torrance County, where it appeared it had been dumped.

For months after her disappearance, the family of Tiffany Boyer did not know whether she was safe or dead, Torrez said. Detectives gave Tiffanys family the certainty of knowing how Tiffanys last hours ended.

Police arrested all four suspects in June 2016, charging them with murder and kidnapping among other charges.

According to court documents, Taramasco and Stepp are in prison, serving their sentences.

Stepp was sentenced to 24 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder, conspiracy and kidnapping.

Taramasco pleaded guilty to kidnapping and received an eight-year sentence.

Alexander was found guilty of first-degree murder following a jury trial and is set for sentencing on April 3.

The staff of the District Attorneys Office worked long hours over a year and a half in order to fairly present the facts of this investigation to the court and achieve some justice, Torrez said.SANTA FE  A suspect was at large Friday night after a Santa Fe County sheriffs deputy chased down a speeder, then fired at a truck that the driver was steering toward the officer, according to the State Police.

A news release from State Police spokesperson Ray Wilson said there apparently were no injuries from the shooting.

Court documents filed Friday in Magistrate Court say Deputy Blaine Lattin was patrolling N.M. 599 about 1:30 a.m. Friday when he attempted to stop a speeding 2007 Ford F-150 pickup.

The driver, later identified as 26-year-old Santa Fe resident Carlos Alonso-Villa, did not stop and led the officer on an 80 mile-per-hour chase, according to an affidavit filed with his arrest warrant. The driver hit a dead end at Dail Circle and Willy Road off Agua Fria.

Lattin stepped out of his patrol car before Alonso-Villa first sideswiped the car, then started to head for the deputy himself, the affidavit states.

It was at this time Deputy Lattin feared for his life and/or safety and fired three (3) rounds from his duty issued service weapon striking the truck in the area of the drivers side door, the affidavit adds.

The car, which according to the affidavit belonged to a friend, continued for about 200 yards before Alonso-Villa got out and ran. A female passenger in the truck was detained.

Alonso-Villa is wanted for aggravated assault on a peace officer and aggravated fleeing of a law enforcement officer. He was already facing an arrest warrant issued in November 2017. Court documents say he didnt appear at a compliance hearing relating to a 2016 case in which he later pled guilty to attempting to receive stolen property.

Anyone with information is asked to call New Mexico State Police at 505-827-9066. Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office is also asking anyone who knows Alonso-Villas whereabouts to call 911 or 505-428-3720.TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  Weeks after their children were gunned down in the worst high school shooting since Columbine, parents of the victims stood in the Florida Capitol and watched Gov. Rick Scott sign a far-reaching bill that places new restrictions on guns.

Hours later, the National Rifle Association filed a federal lawsuit to block it.

The new law capped an extraordinary three weeks of lobbying after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, with student survivors and grieving families working to persuade a Republican-run state government that had shunned gun control measures.

Surrounded by family members of the 17 people killed in the Valentines Day shooting, the GOP governor said the bill balances our individual rights with need for public safety.

Its an example to the entire country that government can and has moved fast, said Scott, whose state has been ruled for 20 years by gun-friendly Republican lawmakers.

Tony Montalto, whose daughter Gina was killed in the shooting, read a statement from victims families: When it comes to preventing future acts of horrific school violence, this is the beginning of the journey. We have paid a terrible price for this progress.

The bill fell short of achieving the ban on assault-style weapons sought by survivors. The gunman who opened fire at the school used such a weapon, an AR-15 rifle.

Nevertheless, the bill raises the minimum age to buy rifles from 18 to 21, extends a three-day waiting period for handgun purchases to include long guns and bans bump stocks, which allow guns to mimic fully automatic fire. It also creates a so-called guardian program enabling some teachers and other school employees to carry guns.

The NRA insisted that the measure punishes law-abiding gun owners for the criminal acts of a deranged individual.

The Parkland gunman gave repeated warning signs that were ignored by federal and state officials. If we want to prevent future atrocities, we must look for solutions that keep guns out of the hands of those who are a danger to themselves or others, while protecting the rights of law-abiding Americans, Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRAs Institute for Legislative Action, said in a statement.

The signing marked a major victory for the teens who lived through the attack and swiftly became the public faces of a renewed gun-control movement. Just days after the shooting, they began holding rallies, lobbying lawmakers and harnessing the power of social media in support of reform.

The governor told the students: You helped change our state. You made a difference. You should be proud.

Scott, who said hes an NRA member and will continue to be one, said he is still not persuaded about the guardian program that will let districts authorize staff members to carry handguns if they complete law enforcement training. Its not mandatory.

If counties dont want to do this, they can simply say no, he said.

The governor singled out two fathers whose children were killed, saying that they walked the halls of the Legislature since the shooting seeking change.

I know the debate on all these issues will continue. And thats healthy in our democracy, he said. This is a time for all of us to come together, roll up our sleeves and get it done.

Student activists from the school called it a baby step.

Obviously, this is what weve been fighting for. Its nowhere near the long-term solution, said Chris Grady, a senior at Stoneman Douglas High. Its a baby step but a huge step at the same time. Florida hasnt passed any legislation like this in God knows how long.

In schools, the measure creates new mental health programs and establishes an anonymous tip line for reporting threats. It also seeks to improve communication between schools, law enforcement and state agencies.

Broward County teachers union President Anna Fusco said teachers supported the bill but not the provision allowing them to carry guns.

She said she wants Scott to veto the money for the guardian program when he receives the budget. The governor cannot veto individual items in the bill itself, but he does have line-item veto power with the budget.

The Broward County school superintendent has already said he doesnt want to participate in the program.

Meanwhile, the 19-year-old former student accused of assaulting the school went before a judge. Nikolas Cruz faces 17 counts of murder and attempted murder. In a brief hearing Friday, he stood with his head bowed as he appeared via video conference.

Cruzs public defender has said he will plead guilty if prosecutors take the death penalty off the table and sentence him to life in prison instead. Prosecutors have not announced a decision.

___

Associated Press writers Jason Dearen in Gainesville, Tamara Lush in St. Petersburg, and Curt Anderson, Terry Spencer, Jennifer Kay and Adriana Gomez Licon in Miami contributed to this report.

___

Follow the APs complete coverage of the Florida school shooting here: https://apnews.com/tag/Floridaschoolshooting.To what shall North Koreas latest pronouncement to give up its nuclear weapons in exchange for certain security guarantees be compared?

Choose from one of the following familiar promises: Of course Ill respect you in the morning; I promise to pay you back; Im from the government and Im here to help. There are more, but you get the idea.

It has always been this way with North Korea. It reaches an agreement and then breaks it when it suits, only to use the period when the agreement is in force to violate it and then create a false pretext to nullify it, all the while continuing to build a nuclear arsenal. North Korea then reaches another agreement, which, again, it violates, and the cycle continues.

If North Korea were applying for a loan, no bank would lend it a dime because of its deplorable credit rating, yet the West, which often appears to bank more on hope than reality, continues to dole out food and other aid hoping good intentions change Pyongyangs behavior.

The Arms Control Association (ACA), a national nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to promoting public understanding of and support for effective arms control policies, has compiled a list of North Koreas broken promises and behavior that includes selling missile and nuclear technology to Iran and other enemies of the United States. The list runs 37 pages.

Heres just one of the items posted to ACAs website: In 1994, faced with North Koreas announced intent to withdraw from the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), which requires non-nuclear weapon states to forswear the development and acquisition of nuclear weapons, the United States and North Korea signed the Agreed Framework. Under this agreement, Pyongyang committed to freezing its illicit plutonium weapons program in exchange for aid.

Following the collapse of this agreement in 2002, North Korea claimed that it had withdrawn from the NPT in January 2003 and once again began operating its nuclear facilities.

The pattern repeated again in 2003, the ACA found, during the Six-Party Talks involving the U.S., North Korea, China, Russia, South Korea and Japan. After two years of stalemate and one crisis after another, North Korea pledged in 2005 to abandon all nuclear weapons and existing weapons programs and promised to return to the NPT agreement.

By 2009, after what by then had become familiar disagreements over inspections leading to verification that North Korea was living up to its promises, Pyongyang violated the 2005 agreement by launching missiles and vowing never to return to talks, a pledge it repeated until this latest reported promise to hold new talks about abandoning its nuclear weapons.

Last November, President Trump properly returned North Korea to the list of state sponsors of terrorism. Pyongyang had been there before, but was removed from the list in 2008. Not that it had stopped sponsoring terrorism, but the West does these sorts of things from time to time, falsely believing that what free people do affects the behavior of tyrants and dictators. Apparently, we have forgotten that communists lie as a matter of policy  and they arent the only ones, as we have seen with Islamic fundamentalist regimes.

Assuming North Korea is now serious about talks following Kim Jong-uns promise to never abandon his nukes  that promise is more credible  what is likely to come of it? If history proves anything, and it does, the answer is nothing that will benefit South Korea, the rest of Asia and most especially the United States. But it will make us feel good for trying. Kim knows this. Its probably why he will lead us down this dark road again, only to get mugged at the end of it.

Email: tcaeditors@tribpub.com. Copyright, Tribune Content Agency LLC.In West Virginia, striking public school teachers and staff celebrated a victory this week, inspiring educators outside their state to take action for better pay and working conditions. Their nine-day wildcat strike  the longest in recent West Virginia history  put in stark relief another national debate on teachers: President Donald Trumps plan to arm teachers with concealed firearms in the aftermath of the Valentines Day school massacre in Parkland, Fla. As the Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie said at a CNN town hall after that mass shooting: We dont need to put guns in the hands of teachers.  We need to arm our teachers with more money in their pocket.

Thats exactly what teachers in West Virginia went on strike for, and why teachers from England to Oklahoma are doing the same thing: organizing, engaging in collective bargaining and, if needed, striking for decent pay, benefits and a properly funded education system that serves their students, as well.

West Virginia is Trump country; he won with 68 percent of the vote, beating Hillary Clinton by more than 40 percentage points. Yet the Mountain State has a long history of militant labor activism, dating back to the coal wars in the early 20th Century. Almost every West Virginian knows somebody whos been on strike  parents, grandparents, friends, aunts, uncles, just somebody, striking middle school teacher Jay ONeal, from Charleston, W. Va., told us on the Democracy Now! news hour. People know what it means to be on strike.

The wildcat strike, illegal under West Virginia law, involved more than 20,000 teachers and 13,000 school staffers. Strikers were concerned that many West Virginia schoolchildren, one in four of whom lives in poverty, are dependent on meals provided at school. At my school something like 70 backpacks full of food were sent home with kids, ONeal explained. We also sent home flyers for churches and community centers that had organized food and meals for them. We are in a high-poverty state. Most of our kids depend on breakfast and lunch coming from school. The writer Barbara Ehrenreich, known for her perennial best-selling book on American poverty, Nickle and Dimed, wrote about the food backpacks, This is our dystopian welfare state: severely underpaid teachers trying to keep poverty-stricken kids alive.

After nine days on strike, the teachers won. The Republican-controlled House of Delegates, Senate and governor agreed to a 5 percent raise and a freeze on health insurance costs, while a task force that includes teachers and union members works on a health insurance funding plan. The 5 percent raise applies not only to teachers, but to all state employees in West Virginia. Gov. James Justice also agreed to another demand of the strikers, pledging not to cut the state Medicaid budget in order to pay for the raise.

Speaking to us from Pittsburgh, labor journalist Mike Elk talked about the strikes impact elsewhere: The Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers voted to strike last Monday.  By that Wednesday, the school district had folded and given them everything they wanted. Graduate students at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, are in their second week of a strike. Across the Atlantic, tens of thousands of lecturers and other university workers are on strike. Priya Gopal, university lecturer in Cambridge, England, told us, We were very, very heartened to see that striking teachers in West Virginia posted a picture of themselves holding up a placard sending us solidarity  there is a kind of collective awareness now in Britain and in America that these struggles are really against the erosion of the idea of education as a public good.

The West Virginia strike inspired teachers in Oklahoma, where, by many measures, teachers earn the lowest in all 50 states. Teresa Danks, a Tulsa elementary school teacher, made headlines last year by panhandling on the street to raise money for schools. On top of our low salaries, our high insurance and all the other problems that are happening in the classroom, she told us, teachers are paying out of pocket for everything. A Facebook group calling for a statewide teacher walkout in Oklahoma quickly grew to 45,000 members. A strike is scheduled for April 2. Similar labor actions are brewing in Kentucky.

Many student walkouts will be happening as well this spring, in response to the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Teachers nationwide are now armed  not as President Trump would have them, with concealed firearms, but with collective bargaining power and the willingness to strike.It happens 2.9 billion times each month. All across this nation citizens are being pestered by privacy-invading telephone calls from either live or tape-recorded telemarketers, spammers and scammers even though there are state and federal laws against such unwanted calls.

Think about this. 2.9 billion calls a month translates to 96.6 million of these annoying and frustrating calls placed every single day. Thats four-and-a-quarter million phone calls every hour, causing many who answer the calls to want to tear their hair out.

So, whats Washington doing to help alleviate this productivity killing, ever-present nuisance that plagues us? After all, unwanted pre-recorded calls are clearly illegal unless the company has your prior written permission to phone you.

Both the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission are tasked with enforcing the federal robocall laws and regulations. Back in 2003, the FTC set up a handy-dandy Do Not Call Registry citizens can sign up for. Just plug in your home and/or cell phone numbers and  voila!  you are, supposedly, protected from this most bothersome form of communication.

I just double-checked my home phone number the other day, which by the way is an unlisted and blocked number, and the FTCs registry told me: You successfully registered your phone number ending in xxxx on June 29, 2003. Most telemarketers will be required to stop calling you 31 days from your registration date. Really? Then why am I still getting multiple maddening phone calls every single day?

Just for kicks I also checked the numbers for both my cell phone and my husbands and got a similar message. No need to re-register, I was informed, we were shielded from the telephonic nuisance. Yeah. Right.

Back in 2016 Senator Chuck Schumer introduced a spiffy sounding bill called the Repeated Objectionable Bothering of Consumers on Phones Act (ROBOCOP) which would have required phone companies to offer free tools to block the calls. Schumer promised the bill would grant us all some relief.

The ROBOCOP Act will finally help put a rest to these dreaded calls that are interrupting family dinners, or worse, scamming people out of their hard-earned money, Schumer said during a splashy news conference.

Robocalls are one of the things that annoy Americans the most, Schumer said. Well, Im annoyed, Mr. Schumer, that you didnt work harder to actually get that bill passed. It died in committee.

Since that time entrepreneurial companies have developed computer software  apps  to help consumers control these calls by blocking them from even ringing through on your phone.

The YouMail firm is a pioneer in the field of counting and mapping robocalls and its list of the worst robocalling hotspots across the nation is considered a must-read. Even the FCC cites its statistics. YouMail offers a free blocking app and boasts that it helps consumers ward off over 500 million unwanted calls a year.

A newcomer in the field is RoboKiller. This app promises it can automatically block over 100,000 telemarketers and robocalls from ringing through even if they change their numbers. They also have a revenge feature, an Answer Bot  different recordings of human conversation  that will engage the live telemarketer in meaningless chatter so as to waste their time.

But before you rush to get one of these apps realize that there are now all sorts of pretaped robocalls you probably want to get. Your doctors office might be calling to remind you of an upcoming appointment. The company you bought your new appliance from could be calling to give you a delivery time. Utility companies are using robocalls these days to tell customers when they need access to read your meter.

Just last fall, Lois Greisman of the FTC admitted to Congress that Americans privacy is being invaded by the sheer number of unwanted calls and that robocalls are also frequently used by criminal impostors posing as trusted officials or companies. Well, if these calls are illegal to begin with why do they keep happening 2.9 billion times a month?!

Greisman said the FTC is using every tool at its disposal to fight these illegal calls, yet every year multiple millions of us continue to file complaints. It is pretty clear that Washington has dropped the ball on this problem.

Mid-term elections are coming up, folks. I intend to copy this column and write a form letter saying, in effect, I am a taxpaying U.S. citizen. You are supposed to uphold the anti-robocall law and protect me. Step up the prosecution of these annoying scofflaw companies! Or get lawmakers to pass laws with teeth in them. I plan to send it to the White House, the FTC, the FCC and all my elected officials in the U.S. Congress. And I will remind them I vote. Join me?

www.DianeDimond.com; e-mail to Diane@DianeDimond.com.Sixteen-year-old Jeremiah De La Pena faces larceny and tampering with evidence charges in connection with the shooting death of an Albuquerque man in a crowded city park last week. De La Pena allegedly brought a gun he had stolen at a party to the park, where another teenager he was with used it to shoot Larry DeSantiago, 25.

Sergio Griego, 17, was charged with severely beating his grandmother last month.

Enrique Palomino and Matthew Baldonado were both 14 when charged in connection with the mobbing murder of local bartender Steve Gerecke.

And Josiah Montano and Frankie Sedillo, both 16, were arrested along with 14-year-old Frederick Jimenez last month for having firearms in a parking lot at Albuquerque High School. Witnesses said Montano was waving a loaded handgun out the front passenger window. There was another pistol in the glove compartment and a rifle in the trunk.

But if proponents of a proposed rule under consideration by the state Supreme Court have their way, court records in criminal cases like those involving the juveniles listed here would be automatically sealed  shut away from public view. Even the criminal complaints laying out the alleged offenses would be blanketed by a veil of secrecy.

While the records of juveniles charged with first-degree murder would remain public, all the cases cited above and the vast majority of all criminal juveniles cases involve a lesser charge and would automatically be sealed.

Sweeping change

Proponents of the new rule that upends years of practice include the Second Judicial District Court and defense and other lawyers who work with juvenile defendants. They argue that the proposed secrecy rule is consistent with a goal of not punishing children for their youthful transgressions by having those records open and publicly available. For example, attorney Shasta Inman says those records could make it difficult for a persons chances later to join the military, gain employment and otherwise become productive members of society. Attorney Charles Peifer, representing the Albuquerque Journal and KOAT-TV, counters that members of the public affected by crimes have the right to follow the prosecution and outcome of those cases. Sadly, we live in a time when juveniles are, with some frequency, accused of serious criminal conduct ranging from activities related to mobbing crime sprees where juvenile gangs roam victim to victim to a planned mass shooting at a school.

Closer to home, as a parent, would you like to know that your high school students new friend got busted for having a gun on campus or dealing drugs? Or called in a shooting threat to the local high school? What if you were that students high school counselor? Wouldnt it allow you to extend help to the accused?

Opponents of the proposed rule include the news media  the Journal, KOAT-TV, KRQE-TV and The New Mexican newspaper of Santa Fe among others  along with the District Attorneys Office and the Foundation for Open Government. The Eleventh Judicial District has also expressed serious reservations.

Sealed records, open hearings

The judges of the Second Judicial District argue that since the hearings in such cases would still be open, that sealing the records balances the privacy of alleged juvenile offenders with the publics right to know. First, it seems nonsensical that the Legislature would have intended open court proceedings in cases where the complaint and other records are sealed. In the practical sense, how would the public know when there is an open hearing if all notices of it are sealed? The more likely consequence, as expressed by reporter Wheeler Cowperthwaite of the Rio Grande Sun in Espanola, is the rule would functionally close the entire juvenile justice system, even though the Legislature has mandated that it be open.

Another argument advanced by proponents is that the new secrecy rule follows a state law enacted in 2003 and amended in 2005. It is important to note that it has been common practice for court records in juvenile criminal cases to be public  both before and after the adoption of that statute. What the Legislature did was designate certain juvenile records, such as psychiatric evaluations, as confidential. And the New Mexico Juvenile Justice Handbook explains that the statute is not being construed to include legal records, such as pleadings, court orders, and transcripts.

So attempting to bootstrap that to full-blown secrecy is a failed argument.

Shutting out crime victims

The office of District Attorney Raul Torrez, meanwhile, points out that the rule conflicts with the state constitutional protection for crime victims, who are entitled to be informed of matters involving their cases  which could no longer happen if the files were closed. DA staff attorney Diana Garcia also says that while initial allegations such as an arrest could be reported by the news media, the outcome of a case would be inaccessible. That not only frustrates the public but could be harmful to the juvenile proponents are seeking to protect.

Another point worth noting is that the Legislature has put in place a mechanism for juveniles to have court records sealed after two years when certain conditions have been met.

And the courts need look no further than the states guardianship system to realize that something approaching complete secrecy  even if well-intentioned  promotes injustice and abuse. The courts have agreed that new transparency provisions in guardianships are an important reform.

What this proposal reflects, pure and simple, is a desire by proponents that the court enact, by rule, a sweeping public policy change. Pro and con arguments notwithstanding, thats the role of the Legislature. Not the judiciary.

This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.SANTA FE  Native American lawmakers have taken exception to several of Gov. Susana Martinezs vetoes on a $6.3 billion budget bill, saying she struck down vital projects for tribes that have long struggled with infrastructure and poverty issues.

However, top Martinez administration budget officials have said many of the vetoed projects were not properly vetted and should not have been included in the spending bill approved by lawmakers during this years 30-day legislative session.

In addition, the two-term Republican governor did sign off on dozens of tribal infrastructure projects in two different public works bills, including $15.6 million for Native American senior centers and tribal schools.

She vetoed funding for water projects, broadband and more that was tucked into the states annual spending bill for the fiscal year starting in July.

It is reckless and irresponsible that Gov. Martinez would single out these critical investments in our Native communities that are in serious need, said Rep. Wonda Johnson, D-Church Rock.

Specifically, Martinez used her line-item veto authority to ax a total of $800,000 in state matching dollars for a broadband project involving several northern New Mexico tribes, and for a separate broadband project for tribal land located along U.S. 550, including Jemez Pueblo.

The governor also vetoed a $200,000 expenditure to build an communications tower on the Jicarilla Apache nation aimed at improving emergency management connectivity in a rural part of northwest New Mexico.

In her executive message to lawmakers earlier this week, Martinez said the appropriations were not requested by the agency that administers the funding.

A total of $10 million for broadband projects statewide was included by lawmakers  and signed into law by the governor  in a separate bill passed during the session that ended Feb.15.

Meanwhile, the governor left intact a $949,500 appropriation for minority students at the University of New Mexico, but vetoed language earmarking $20,000 of that amount for Native American student services. She also vetoed similar earmarks for African-American and Latino student groups.

Martinez said the money for student services represented an inappropriate earmark within the budget bill.

But some lawmakers suggested her actions showed a lack of compassion.

These communities, including my own, have historically been underserved, and Gov. Martinez doesnt understand that when Native communities thrive, their local communities and our entire state will succeed, said Rep. Georgene Louis, D-Albuquerque, a member of the Acoma Pueblo.Copyright  2018 Albuquerque Journal

At least 300,800 gallons of contaminated water were illegally dumped into storm drains at the Transit Departments West Side facility between 2014 and 2016, the citys Inspector General found.

The reason?

The hose used to carry wastewater from the steam clean and bus wash bays to an underground tank  where it would be decontaminated  wasnt long enough.

Instead, that water  along with oil, grease, brake and transmission fluids and cleaning products  made its way to a retention pond south of the facility near Unser and Interstate 40.

The Feb. 28 report lays most of the blame on one supervisor who repeatedly ordered employees to empty the contaminated water into storm drains instead of addressing the hose issue.

There is sufficient evidence to substantiate that the maintenance supervisor improperly used his authority to mislead and train employees to improperly discharge the contaminated water from the steam clean bay and bus wash facility into the storm drainage system, the report states.

Water from the bus wash and steam clean bays is supposed to be transported to underground tanks that would separate contaminants from the water before it was discharged into the retention pond.

The report said the supervisor instructed employees under him to only discharge water to the storm drain on weekends, so management would not notice.

Employees told the OIG the supervisor was intimidating and often reminded them that employees can be replaced.

Once a manager discovered an employee discharging water into the storm drain, a hose of appropriate length was ordered and the practice ceased in the summer of 2016.

Rick De Reyes, a spokesman for the transit department, said two maintenance supervisors and another employee are currently in the disciplinary process as a result of the incidents.

Current employees will be retrained and incoming employees will be trained in properly disposing of wastewater.

A transit employee said in the report that the storm drains would eventually drain to the Rio Grande, but Jerry Lovato, executive engineer with the Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority, said its unlikely the contaminants traveled that far.

Lovato said water from the West Side facility, known as the Daytona Transit Facility, drains into a city earthen channel and storm drain system until it enters the concrete Amole del Norte channel, which empties into Amole Dam, an AMAFCA facility.

Amole Dam, which is gated, drains to the Middle Rio Grande Conservation District, but Lovato said the gate is normally closed.

Given the amount of flows discussed in the report, it is very unlikely that the water reached the Amole del Norte channel, Lovato wrote in an email. This is due to the fact the majority of the system is earthen upstream of the Amole del Norte. I am pretty sure that most of the water ponded in the first two ponds and did not travel much further downstream.

The report was provided to the New Mexico Environment Department and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The city has hired an environmental engineering firm to collect and analyze soil samples in the area.

NMED spokeswoman Allison Scott Majure said the state has partnered with the EPA investigating the incidents, as the EPA is responsible for enforcing the federal Clean Water Act in the state.

Majure said a draft of the Daytona Transit Facility Inspection Report will be released next week for evaluation by the EPA.

In the meantime, NMED staff are working with the responsible party (City of Albuquerque), and the EPA to finalize a Sampling Analysis Plan (SAP) that will define the scope of sampling to be conducted, including an array of chemical constituents that may have been released, Majure wrote in an email. The SAP and the EPA Inspection Report will drive the next investigative and enforcement steps as well as any potential cleanup activity, while we work together to see that New Mexicos surface water is protected.

Safety violations found

OIG interviews with transit employees also revealed safety concerns for transit workers.

One employee interviewed mentioned the Transit Department was fined $55,000 by the states Occupational Health and Safety Bureau, which administers standards of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and state workplace safety laws, for unrelated violations.

De Reyes said the city corrected all the violations to federal and state specifications and the fines were not enforced.

Once it was demonstrated to them that corrective action had been taken on every single one of their concerns, they did not fine us, De Reyes said.

Majure said fines are often waived for public sector employers if violations are corrected by the prescribed due date.

In this case, CABQ corrected the violations prior to the due dates so the penalties were deemed paid in accordance with statute, Majure wrote.

According to documents, 14 violations, which are unrelated to the illegal discharge issues, were found during 2017 inspections that stemmed from employee complaints.

Four of those were ranked as serious violations.

One such violation which incurred a $10,000 penalty detailed vehicle lifts at both the Daytona and Yale Boulevard facilities that were in poor condition.

The rotary lifts must be very carefully lowered so that it doesnt get too off-balance and the bus on it falls off, the citation reads.

Other citations included:

 Workers were required to work atop 16-foot buses with no fall protection. ($10,000);

 There were no lock out/tag out procedures when working with high voltage, intended to ensure electricity is off while employees are working on electrical components. ($10,000);

 At the Daytona facility, fuel leaking from nozzles was collected in uncovered plastic buckets. ($10,000);

 Electrical insulation gloves for employees conducting electrical work were not tested every six months. ($5,000);

 Electrical panels were found with exposed wires and internal components. ($5,000).It might have been a lovely late afternoon were it not for the whipping winds and the acrid stench of doom blowing through our East Mountain neighborhood.

But it was the first Sunday in March, it was sunny and unseasonably warm and we werent about to let a little gale-force wind or smoky smell keep us from relaxing outside.

We chalked up the odor to a neighbors wood stove, and I had no fire alerts on my cellphone. Still, my son fretted. It smelled to him like the forest behind our home was on fire.

Thats when we saw the clouds of smoke roiling in David Canyon, just beyond my backyard in the Cibola National Forest.

Losing our neighborhood to fire is something we know is always a possibility when your home is among the 800 or so residences in the wildland-urban interface abutting the Sandia and Manzano mountains, especially when a lackluster winter has turned the forest into a tinderbox.

Its a gamble we take for the benefit of living in a beautiful, bucolic place of ponderosa and peace. On Sunday, it appeared we were about to lose that bet.

What happened next shows that despite the fire readiness meetings various agencies have already put on for us residents in preparation for the upcoming fire season, what isnt ready is the system that is supposed to alert and inform us about fire.

Just after 5 p.m., neighbors living west on N.M. 337 from Tijeras to Chilili had also become concerned about the heavy smoke and smell. Many of us are connected through NextDoor, a private online social network, and the connections started buzzing. Phone trees maintained by other neighbors started ringing. A Facebook page called East Mountain 411 started rocking.

A dispatcher for the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office east area command center told me that other calls about the fire had been coming in and that units were already on the way.

I alerted the news staff at the Journal. Then I and others headed out to a trailhead near my home, the easiest way into the forest, expecting to find some answers and a battalion of fire crews heading in to save the forest and our neighborhood.

Instead, we found two men sitting in a Bernalillo County Fire Department vehicle. One of the men had little information to provide us. The other man, he told us, was on the phone talking to officials with Kirtland Air Force Base, because it was believed the fire may have started on base land.

Kirtland spokesman Jim Fisher said he learned of the fire about 5:15 p.m. and headed to the office. From his vantage point, he could not discern smoke from the dust clouds kicked up by the high winds.

The fire, he said, was small and burning on a remote hillside of low-lying pinon and juniper, miles from forested lands and homes, and it appeared it would likely run out of fuel to burn once the fire hit the rocky face of the hill. Kirtland crews were already working to put out the flames.

We were never concerned it was going to be a threat, Fisher said.

But Bernalillo County Fire communications specialist Larry Gallegos said he didnt know that.

The problem is, Kirtland didnt tell us anything,  he said. They were tight-lipped. They said they were taking care of it and they never let our 911 people know anything other than they didnt need us.

By 6:30 p.m., my colleagues at the Journal said they were being told by county fire folks that the fire was wrapped up.

That, I knew, didnt seem right, given the smoke and the wind.

Neighbors were also skeptical. Many were angry that no official word had been sent out to inform us where the fire was burning or whether to prepare to evacuate.

Some neighbors prepared to evacuate anyway. Others furtively searched web sites run by New Mexico Fire Information, the U.S. Forest Service, the East Mountain Interagency Fire Protection Association and local media and found nothing.

Finally, at 7:20 p.m., two hours after fear and panic and smoke had set in, an email advisory alert was sent out by the Bernalillo County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. It read:

Crews are on scene of a fire on Kirtland Air Force Base. Smoke may be visible in the East Mtns. Check local media for updates.

Which told us nothing we didnt already know.

Kirtland also released information just after 7:30 p.m. through its social media accounts and through interviews with the Journal.

As night descended, the winds shifted and the smoke cleared. By morning, we learned that the fire, located some six miles northwest of my neighborhood, had burned through 135 acres of brush and cactus and was largely out. The cause is still under investigation, Fisher said.

Just as Fisher had said  though not publicly enough  the fire had never been a threat.

But for two crucial hours the public was left to worry and wonder and prepare to lose everything. That shouldnt have happened.

With all the technological means by which we communicate, we still had a failure to communicate here.

The lesson learned here from us is we could have provided more specific location of the fire, given a more accurate picture of what was going on, Fisher said.

That goes for any agency tasked with fighting fires.

So let Sunday be a dry run in what portends to be a very dry, very dangerous fire season. Lets get it right next time. Lets communicate.

UpFront is a front-page news and opinion column. Comment directly to Joline at 823-3603, jkrueger@abqjournal.com or follow her on Twitter @jolinegkg.BEIJING  The day Chinas ruling Communist Party unveiled a proposal to allow President Xi Jinping to rule indefinitely as Mao Zedong did a generation ago, Ma Bo was so shaken he couldnt sleep.

So Ma, a renowned writer, wrote a social media post urging the party to remember the history of unchecked one-man rule that ended in catastrophe.

History is regressing badly, Ma thundered in his post. As a Chinese of conscience, I cannot stay silent!

Censors silenced him anyway, swiftly wiping his post from the internet.

As Chinas rubber-stamp legislature prepares to approve constitutional changes abolishing term limits for the president on Sunday, signs of dissent and biting satire have been all but snuffed out. The stifling censorship leaves intellectuals, young white-collar workers and retired veterans of past political campaigns using roundabout ways to voice their concerns. For many, its a foreshadowing of greater political repression ahead.

The result has been a surreal political atmosphere laced with fear, confusion, and even moments of dark comedy that undermines the picture of swelling popular support for the measure being peddled relentlessly by state media.

Theres a lot of fear, said Ma, who writes under the pen name Old Ghost. People know that Xis about to become the emperor, so they dont dare cross his path. Most people are just watching, observing.

Once passed, the constitutional amendment would upend a system enacted by former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in 1982 to prevent a return to the bloody excesses of a lifelong dictatorship typified by Mao Zedongs chaotic 1966-1976 Cultural Revolution.

Party media say the proposed amendment is only aimed at bringing the office of the president in line with Xis other positions atop the party and the Central Military Commission, which do not impose term limits.

Its passage by the National Peoples Congress nearly 3,000 hand-picked delegates is all but certain. But observers will be looking to see how many delegates abstain from voting as an indication of the reservations the move has encountered even within the political establishment.

After Mas post on Chinese social media went viral two weeks ago, the 70-year-old writer decided to switch to Twitter, which can only be accessed inside China using a virtual private network, to continue issuing warnings about China moving dangerously backward.

The police have not visited me yet, he told The Associated Press on Friday from his Beijing home. But Im preparing for it.

Ma remains in the capital, but some well-known dissidents and potential troublemakers have already been holidayed  bundled off to faraway cities, their travel expenses paid by state security. Retired elders from the Communist Partys liberal wing have been warned to stay quiet.

The governments censorship apparatus had to spring into action after the term limit proposal was unveiled, suppressing keywords on social media ranging from I disagree to shameless to Xi Zedong. Even the letter N was blocked after it was used as part of an equation for the number of terms Xi might serve.

Yet, occasionally, dissent has surfaced through the cracks.

On Wednesday, International Womens Day, law students at the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing  Xis alma mater  hung red banners that ostensibly celebrated the schools female classmates but also satirized national politics.

I love you without any term limits, but if there are, we can just remove them, read one, while another banner declared that A country cant survive without a constitution, we cant go on without you.

University administrators werent amused. A student witness said the banners were quickly removed and notices posted requiring campus shops to register students who use printers to make large banners.

Chinese studying overseas have been more blunt. Posts in recent days popped up at the University of California, San Diego, with Xis picture and the text Never My President and spread to more than eight overseas universities, said Lebao Wu, a student at Australian National University in Canberra.

To be sure, Xis confident, populist leadership style and tough attitude toward official corruption has won him a significant degree of popular support.

Sipping on a Starbucks drink in Beijings business district on Friday, a 56-year-old surnamed Zhang who works in insurance said citizens desired freedom, but wanted a powerful leader who could deliver stability and wealth even more.

Letting Xi rule indefinitely will strengthen the partys leadership and offer the quickest path toward development, Zhang said. We need a powerful leader. People need an emperor in their hearts. The Western idea that you are not alive unless you are free has not taken root in peoples hearts.

However, a 35-year old IT industry worker surnamed Huang said her friends were concerned about China returning to the Mao era.

I saw on (state broadcaster) CCTVs evening news that they were saying everyone fully supports the constitutional amendments, but no one asked us for our opinion. Our opinion is quickly censored, she said. This is China. What can we do about it?

Neither would give their full names as is common among Chinese when commenting on politics.

Even some of the governments most outspoken critics have been reluctant to loudly criticize the constitutional amendment.

He Weifang, a well-known blogger and law professor at Peking University, limited his remarks this week to the observance that the constitutional amendment proposal contained 21 articles, and if a delegate supported some articles but opposed others, he or she was entitled to vote against it.

He, who lost his job once for supporting the late dissident writer and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo, declined to discuss the term limit amendment, saying the subject was a bit sensitive.

Others havent held back, driven by an urgent sense that their country is at a crucial point in its history.

Li Datong, a former editor of the China Youth Daily state newspaper and one of the few voices of open opposition, said delegates know the amendment is wrong but no one has the courage to speak out. He compared Chinese citizens to Germans who allowed Adolf Hitler to seize power in the 1930s.

I know that just a few ordinary Chinese citizens coming out and expressing their opinion will not change anything, but Im doing this so I can face future generations, Li said.

When they look back at this time, I dont want them to say, Not a single person in China stood up and opposed this. When people talk about Nazi Germany, they always ask why the people living during that time didnt do anything about it, Li said. I want to be able to face my past.

In the run-up to the vote, congress delegates have lavished extra praise on Xi. The party boss of a northwestern province that contains a significant Tibetan population compared him to a living Buddhist deity.

If you do good things for the people, bring good lives to the people, you should be able to keep serving forever, said Zhou Shuying, an artist and delegate representing a rural county about 130 kilometers (80 miles) west of Beijing.

Im speaking from the bottom of my heart, she said, then paused to make sure reporters heard her clearly. Im really speaking from the heart.PHOENIX  The Phoenix Police Department says two officers fatally shot a 27-year-old man who had fired at the officers.

Police say no officers were injured in the incident that occurred Friday when officers responded to a call about a couple arguing in a street near West Osborn Road and North 59th Avenue.

Sgt. Alan Pfohl says David Gardea first pointed a gun at one officer exiting his vehicle and that the officer fired back.

Pfohl says the Gardea then ran before pointing his gun at both officers and that they shot at him.

According to Pfohl, the incident ended when Gardea again ran before stopping and firing at the officers, who fired back.MIAMI  A seventh-grade student at Miami Arts Charter School had a funny feeling about her math teacher, so she went home and Googled him.

It didnt take her long to find a 2007 newspaper article from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune detailing troubling allegations against Scott Manas.

While he was teaching at a middle school in Hillsborough County in the mid-1990s, the article said, Manas had allegedly taped a photo of a female student inside a cabinet and collected mementos from her  including a lock of her hair and a tissue she had used to blot lipstick  in a desk drawer.

Investigators later discovered that Manas had also written inappropriate notes to other girls and that hed told one student he loved her, according to the article. As a result, Manas had been sanctioned by Floridas Education Practices Commission, the body that evaluates allegations of teacher misconduct, but had kept his teaching license. No criminal charges were filed.

Manas could not be reached for comment. He told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune in 2007 that he was unfairly singled out and made an example of for other teachers.

The School Board took what she said and just ran with it, despite her reputation at school and the way she dressed and presented herself to others, he told the newspaper.

The Miami Arts Charter School student posted the results of her sleuthing on Snapchat on Feb. 7. By the time she got to school the next morning, everyone was talking about the allegations. And by Monday morning, Feb. 12, the teacher had been fired.

But questions remain. Parents said they dont understand why school administrators didnt find out about the allegations when they hired Manas last year. They said the lapse is symptomatic of broader problems at the publicly funded, privately managed arts school, which recently made the news after principal and founder Alfredo de la Rosa responded to an email from a concerned parent with sarcasm and a poop emoji.

I just dont feel that theyre doing a thorough job of vetting the teachers and making sure theyre safe for the kids, said Evelyn Benitez, the mother of the seventh grader. If this slips through, and this is pretty obvious, what else slips through? At the parents request, the name of the seventh grader is not being published.

Since the Hillsborough County allegations resurfaced in early February, some female students at Miami Arts Charter have told their parents about interactions with Manas that made them uncomfortable, said Elizabeth Miller, a parent whose daughter goes to the school. In addition to teaching math, Manas tutored some students and sponsored the schools anime club, parents said.

They have completely lost my trust, Miller said, referring to the schools administration. We need everyone to be properly vetted. Now Im questioning every last person you have given access to my kid.

De la Rosa said he was not aware of the allegations against Manas when he hired the teacher in 2017, but conceded that he probably should have Googled him. When de la Rosa interviewed Manas for a job, Manas was already working at another Miami-Dade charter school, Miami Community Charter Middle School, which meant he had already been cleared to teach by the school district.

Miami Arts Charter submitted Manas name to the school district for a background check and drug testing, but the district instructed the school to fill out a transfer form instead, emails de la Rosa provided to the Miami Herald show.

In Miami-Dade, the school district processes background checks for teachers at both traditional public schools and charter schools. Teachers moving from one county charter school to another within a 30-day period dont have to go through another background check.

When they come to me from another charter school Im assuming that theyre OK, de la Rosa said.

Sanctions from the Education Practices Commission dont appear in a background check because theyre not criminal charges, and Manas doesnt have a criminal record in Florida, a Department of Law Enforcement background check shows.

The Department of Education has an online database the public can search for disciplinary actions against teachers, however.

A search for Manas name shows that the commission gave him a letter of reprimand and one year of probation in 2000 for alleged misconduct while teaching in Hillsborough County. Teachers placed on probation by the commission are closely monitored and have to notify the state immediately if they change jobs. The settlement agreement Manas signed with the commission is not an admission of guilt.

Manas was also required to complete a college-level womens issues course as part of the settlement agreement, records show, and to undergo an evaluation through the Recovery Network Program, a state program that helps teachers struggling with drug, alcohol or mental health issues.

The administrative complaint, which details the allegations against Manas, no longer appears in public records. The Herald was unable to independently verify that the description of the allegations that appeared in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune article matches the allegations in the complaint. Administrative complaints are exempt from public records if they have been sealed or expunged or deemed confidential for another reason.

De la Rosa said he had not previously searched for sanctions in the Department of Education database before hiring a teacher but would now add that step to his hiring checklist. We hadnt been doing that before, and its obviously a very good practice and well certainly be doing it in the future, he said. This is the first time anything has come up from a search like that.

De la Rosa added that he had not previously received any complaints about Manas from students. Since the Hillsborough County allegations resurfaced, he said some students have complained that they felt uncomfortable when Manas took photos of them in his classroom. De la Rosa said Manas explained the photos as an effort to document the schools Spirit Week.

Miami Arts Charter, which first opened in 2009, has received acclaim for its arts and music programs and in 2016 was ranked as one of Floridas top 100 public schools by U.S. News & World Report. The school has earned As and Bs in its state ratings.

Several other teachers have recently been arrested or fired, however, and some parents said this undermines their confidence in the school.

In January, a 30-year-old teacher at the schools Wynwood campus, Valeria Ashley Costadoni, was arrested on charges of having sex with a student beginning when the teen was 15. Through her attorney, Costadoni declined to comment.

Two months earlier, a teacher at the Homestead campus had been arrested and charged with driving under the influence and resisting arrest with violence. She was subsequently fired.

Last year, another staff member was fired amid rumors that he had taken a student on a spring break trip to Mexico. De la Rosa said he investigated the allegations and found no evidence a trip had taken place or that anything inappropriate had happened between the staff member and the student. There seemed to have been a friendship problem among several young ladies, de la Rosa said. The student did admit she was friends with this teacher, which I was not comfortable with.

De la Rosa fired the employee in the interest of safety and just to be sure, he said. He later reported the rumors to the Homestead Police Department. Police investigated and found no evidence of any wrongdoing, said Homestead Police Detective Fernando Morales.

The issues at the school stem in large part from teacher turnover, said parents and former employees. At the Homestead campus, numerous teachers have either quit or been fired since the campus first opened in 2014.

One former student said that during her first year at the Homestead campus she saw three different teachers and a substitute come and go in one class before a fourth teacher finally finished the year.

These were some of the concerns that prompted Nancy Tyler, then the parent of a student at the Homestead campus, to email de la Rosa in January. When Tyler asked why parents in Homestead hadnt been told about Costadonis arrest, the principal responded by telling the parent: You live many miles away. In fact, Im sure nobody there even knows who you are. You just like the drama. You will have to satisfy your need for gossip by watching TV. Then he signed his email with a poop emoji. (De la Rosa said the emoji was an accident.)

The turnover at the Homestead campus is higher than we would like, but no worse than at other schools, de la Rosa said. He added that of the 37 teachers hired for the 2017-18 school year, six have left.

This has to a lot to do with the overall teacher shortage in Florida, particularly in Homestead due to the location and lower population of available qualified teachers, de la Rosa said. He added that only a small group of parents have raised concerns about the school.

Some parents said they have little recourse when there are problems at Miami Arts Charter. De la Rosa is the principal at both campuses and owns the for-profit charter school management company that helps run the schools, although he said the company has waived its fees in recent years and hasnt actually made a profit.

While charter schools are publicly funded, they arent directly overseen by the Miami-Dade school district. That independence is a draw for many families because it gives schools more flexibility with their curriculum, allowing them to offer robust arts programs like the one at Miami Arts Charter, for example.

But the lack of oversight can also become a problem when there are issues at the school. Charter schools have a board of directors to make sure the school follows the law and is financially sound, among other oversight functions. In general, however, when parents have an issue at a charter school, There isnt a lot they can do about it, said Laura Dinehart, the executive director of Florida International Universitys School of Education and Human Development.

Thats part of being in a charter school, she said, speaking hypothetically. Its like if you have an issue with a private school principal. In the public system, if theres somebody at the head thats not doing their job, perhaps you call the district because theres some district oversight, but in charters or private schools, the school is generally on their own.

Joyce Slattery, a parent with children at the Homestead campus, said she went to de la Rosa in early February when the allegations against Manas first resurfaced and demanded an explanation. She wanted to know why Manas had been allowed to finish the school day instead of being immediately removed from the classroom while the school investigated.

We just want more transparency, Slattery told the Herald in February. We dont know whos who and whats what.

De la Rosa has since held a meeting with parents in which he discussed Manas firing, among other topics.

Slattery isnt taking any chances. She has taught her children to check online to see whether their teachers are certified and whether theyve been disciplined by the state. She has encouraged them to search the names of any teachers they have doubts about and has been checking names on her own as well.

I didnt do this beforehand, she said. I had confidence the school did this.Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier?

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Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page.Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan served as the mayor of Istanbul before ascending to the helm of the country as prime minister in 2003. During a television debate in 1994, he voiced strong opposition to a proposed third bridge over the Bosporus to the lush, forested area north of Istanbul. According to the then-mayor, such construction would be a serious mistake because it would serve the interests of rent-seekers while destroying [Istanbuls] remaining lungs in the area.

The environmental plans for Istanbul  considered the citys constitution and updated most recently in 2009  put the northern areas off limits to development and all kinds of public and private investment to protect the citys remaining forests and water basins. Yet Erdogan  who put his signature on the plans as a mayor  removed the red line in 2013 as he spearheaded projects to build a third bridge over the Bosporus, complete with belt highways and a third airport for the city, flouting the huge environmental damage.

Both projects were based on the build-operate-transfer model of public-private partnership. In return for 25 years of operational rights, the companies would pay certain rents but would enjoy profit guarantees by the government. Accordingly, the Treasury would pay the difference if traffic through the bridge and the airport fell under the guaranteed figures.

In addition to the two giant projects that are meant to complement each other, yet another involves the construction of an artificial waterway called Canal Istanbul  the preparatory work for which becomes a topic for discussion, especially during election times.

The third bridge is already operational but underperforming. The construction of the new airport, meanwhile, is planned to be completed in stages. The facility is scheduled to become operational on Oct. 29, the 95th anniversary of the modern Turkish Republic, with an initial capacity of 90 million passengers per year. The inauguration will mark the closure of Ataturk Airport, Istanbuls main air hub at present. According to Funda Ocak, the head of the State Airports Authority, Oct. 29 is the date for the inauguration ceremony, while actual moving in will start at 3 a.m. on Oct. 30 and end at 11:55 p.m. on Oct. 31. Turkish Airlines, the national carrier, will halt its flights for 12 hours at 2 a.m. on Oct 31 and move its aircraft to the new airport by road.

The airport project was awarded in 2013 to a consortium of business groups with close links to Erdogan, namely Kalyon, Cengiz, Limak, Kolin and MNG. The same companies have stood out in public projects for years, winning tender after tender in major sectors such as power distribution and the construction of subways, tunnels and dams. The thriving companies have responded in kind, financing the Sabah-ATV media group, which is organically linked to the president.

According to the consortium company IGA, in which the partners have equal shares, the new airport will reach an ultimate capacity of 200 million passengers in 2028, when all construction stages are completed. Under the contract, the company gets operating rights for 25 years, during which it commits to paying the government 22 billion Turkish liras ($5.8 billion). In return, the government has allocated more than 7,000 hectares of land for the project and mobilized public banks for financing, in addition to other assistance.

One of the controversies surrounding the project pertains to the size of the allocated land. In a research note on the issue, BETAM  the research center of Bahcesehir University  draws a comparison to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, stressing that it has five runways and covers an area of 1,900 hectares, while Istanbuls new airport will have six runways but has been allocated a much vaster land of about 7,400 hectares. The study then makes a comparison to Ataturk Airport, saying, Roughly calculated, Ataturk Airport is established on an area of 1,178 hectares and has a traffic of 45 million passengers [per year]. When the new airports traffic reaches 150 million passengers, this would require a capacity approximately three times bigger than that of Ataturk Airport. Based on this, we estimate that the new airport needs an area of 3,500 hectares. Even if we assume that passenger numbers meet the expectations, it remains questionable whether an area as vast as 7,400 hectares is [really] needed.

According to IGA, the utilized land is even bigger: 7,650 hectares. So why allocate such a vast amount of land, which is apparently more than double of what the airport requires? Because the project also involves the construction of an airport city next to the airport. On this aspect of the project, IGA offers the following information: The airport city, which we plan to build in a vast area stretching from the outside of the terminals to the southern boundary of the airport, will have office buildings, airport hotels, a mosque, a conference and exhibition center, a shopping mall, a medical center and training facilities. No doubt, the airport city is a no less profitable opportunity than the airport itself.

The project also guarantees profits to the contractors, meaning that the Treasury will make up for any gap between the guaranteed and actual number of passengers. According to BETAMs optimistic estimates, the Treasury will have to pay close to 93 million euros ($114.3 million) from the central government budget if the number of passengers fails to exceed 80 million per year, and 154 million euros ($189.1 million) if traffic remains below 68 million passengers. Of note, the traffic at Ataturk Airport stood at some 60 million passengers on average in the past four years.

Apart from the generous land allocation and profit guarantees, the contractors have enjoyed support in getting loans from public banks after their attempts to secure financing from abroad failed. According to the World Bank, loans worth $5 billion have been used in the first phase of the $35 billion project. Private Turkish banks Finansbank, Denizbank and Garanti issued only about $1 billion of those loans, while the remaining bulk came from public banks Halk, Ziraat and Vakif. Pundits see the possibility of financial strains for the three public banks in the future, given the magnitude of the risk they have taken.

On the labor side, about 30,000 people have worked in difficult conditions on the construction of the airport, which has been marred by deadly work accidents. Last month, the Labor Ministry said 27 workers had died since construction began in May 2015, denying reports that about 400 workers had perished and that most incidents had been covered up through compensations to the families of the dead.

Crucial elections next year lurk behind the haste to get the first phase ready for Oct. 29, despite an important drawback, namely the delay in the construction of a metro line to the airport. According to Development Ministry data, the 34-kilometer (21-mile) metro line between the airport and Gayrettepe, a downtown area on Istanbuls European side, will be worth 5.5 billion Turkish liras ($1.4 billion)  with only 1 billion lira in work slated for completion by the end of 2018. Full completion is scheduled for 2022. By then, access to the airport is expected to remain a major problem, with reports suggesting that travelers will be forced to use the idle third bridge.

In sum, Istanbuls newest airport  intended to capitalize on the citys strategic location between continents  is headed for an opening ahead of key elections mired in myriad problems from huge environmental damage of lavishly allocated public land to poor access and looming burdens on public finances. Unfortunately, the likelihood of it becoming a financial black hole for Turkey is high.Tourism numbers in Antarctica have grown from 4,000 to more than 30,000 a year in less than two decades, Greenpeace says.

Life in the islands fringing the Antarctic Peninsula is abundant, a place of seemingly endless variety. The whole region is richly biodiverse, a living example of how things can be, when free from the influence of man.

We made a landing on the small cobble beach at Hannah Point, named after the British sealing vessel Hannah that was wrecked here in 1820 while operating in the South Shetland Islands.

Vertical cliff edges soar up to 50 metres above sea level where several prehistoric-looking giant southern petrel raise enormous young, fluffed up in self-grown downy duvets.

On the beach a welcoming colony of hundreds of Gentoo penguins stumble about across the stones, sometimes falling flat on their fronts. Others are swimming in the shallows, dipping and gliding underwater.

Elephants seals, colossal and snorting, are packed side by side on the edge of the beach, every now and then one will raise a vast jowly head and give a fearsome steamy roar. Its mesmerising.

Megacolony

The Arctic Sunrise, our Greenpeace host vessel, stopped at known landing points. But while we were at sea we heard of the discovery of a so-called megacolony of up to a million penguins on the Danger Islands in the northern part of the Weddell Sea.

This discovery more than ever emphasises the need for protection of these waters, said Will McCallum, the campaign leader of the bid to turn a large part of the Weddell Sea into an ocean sanctuary. Its fantastic to think that colonies of this size still exist but we must protect them.

To the west of the Antarctic Peninsula, its a different story. Numbers of Adelie penguins are dropping. And last year in the east of the continent there was a mass penguin die-off on Petrels Island. From a colony of about 18,000 breeding penguin pairs, just two chicks survived.

French scientists found thousands of starved chicks and unhatched eggs. Its thought the adults could not reach their feeding grounds because of too much sea-ice, possibly created by an excess of fresh meltwater in the system. It could be just part of the natural order but a similar event happened in 2013, when no chicks survived.

On the whole Antarctic waters harbour a bountiful ecosystem but it is incredibly fragile and the pressures are growing in all directions, from climate change to krill fishing to accessibility.

Another species

Another landing dropped us on the volcanic Penguin Island, where amid all wondrous fecundity, another species stalked the shores  tourists. Just offshore a cruise ship was anchored. Greenpeace expedition guide Tom Foreman told me the numbers of tourists had grown significantly in recent years.

In the early part of the 2000s, the numbers were around four to five thousand. Now its more like 30,000 a year, he said.

This is something that has to be closely controlled and its true to say most cruise operators are heavily self-regulated. Passengers must disinfect their boots and gear, coming on and offshore to prevent the spread of disease between different landing sites. But sometimes, its impossible to control numbers.

We saw at least two stray tourists wandering dangerously close to some fur seals, whose bacteria-filed bite is so infectious it means a hospital evacuation immediately. So if thats allowed to happen, who knows the dangers the building tourist numbers will present to the animals themselves?

The bottom line is Antarctica is still in pretty good shape. But its apparent this unique landscape needs to be very carefully managed as multiple threats loom on the horizon.US President Donald Trump called Jerusalem the capital of Israel on December 6 and began the process of moving his countrys embassy to the city.

The move sparked global condemnation from world leaders.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem at the end of the 1967 War with Syria, Egypt and Jordan; the western half of the holy city had been captured in the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.

Israels occupation of East Jerusalem effectively put the entire city under de facto Israeli control. Israeli jurisdiction and ownership of Jerusalem, however, is not recognised by the international community, including the United States.

The status of Jerusalem remains one of the main sticking points in efforts to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

International community position

Under the 1947 UN Partition Plan to divide historical Palestine between Jewish and Arab states, Jerusalem was granted special status and was meant to be placed under international sovereignty and control. The special status was based on Jerusalems religious importance to the three Abrahamic religions.

In the 1948 war, following the UNs recommendation to divide Palestine, Zionist forces took control of the western half of the city and declared the territory part of its state.

During the 1967 war, Israel captured the eastern half of Jerusalem, which was under Jordanian control at the time, and proceeded to effectively annex it by extending Israeli law, bringing it directly under its jurisdiction, in a breach of international law.

In 1980, Israel passed the Jerusalem Law, stating that Jerusalem, complete and united, is the capital of Israel, thereby formalising its annexation of East Jerusalem.

READ MORE: Who owns Jerusalem?

In response, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 478 in 1980, declaring the law null and void. The illegal Israeli annexation of East Jerusalem violates several principles under international law, which outlines that an occupying power does not have sovereignty in the territory it occupies.

The international community officially regards East Jerusalem as occupied territory.

Moreover, no country in the world recognises Jerusalem as Israels capital, with the exception of the US and Russia, the latter which announced its recognition of West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and East Jerusalem as the capital of the future Palestinian state.

As of now, embassies in Israel are based in the commercial capital, Tel Aviv, although some countries have based their consulate offices in Jerusalem.





Palestinians in Jerusalem

Despite Israels de facto annexation of East Jerusalem, Palestinians who live there were not granted Israeli citizenship.

Today, some 420,000 Palestinians in East Jerusalem have permanent residency ID cards. They also carry temporary Jordanian passports without a national identification number. This means that they are not full Jordanian citizens  they need a work permit to work in Jordan and do not have access to governmental services and benefits such as reduced education fees.

Palestinian Jerusalemites are essentially stateless, stuck in legal limbo  they are not citizens of Israel, nor are they citizens of Jordan or Palestine.

Israel treats Palestinians in East Jerusalem as foreign immigrants who live there as a favour granted to them by the state and not by right, despite having been born there. They are required to fulfil a certain set of requirements to maintain their residency status and live in constant fear of having their residency revoked.

Any Palestinian who has lived outside the boundaries of Jerusalem for a certain period of time, whether in a foreign country or even in the West Bank, is at risk of losing their right to live there.

Those who cannot prove that the centre of their life is in Jerusalem and that they have lived there continuously, lose their right to live in their city of birth. They must submit dozens of documents including title deeds, rent contracts and salary slips. Obtaining citizenship from another country also leads to the revocation of their status.

In the meantime, any Jew around the world enjoys the right to live in Israel and to obtain Israeli citizenship under Israels Law of Return.

Since 1967, Israel has revoked the status of 14,000 Palestinians, according to Israeli rights group BTselem.





Settlements

Israels settlement project in East Jerusalem, which is aimed at the consolidation of Israels control over the city, is also considered illegal under international law.

The UN has affirmed in several resolutions that the settlement project is in direct contravention of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits an occupying country from transferring its population into the areas it occupies.

READ MORE: What are illegal Israeli settlements?

There are several reasons behind this: to ensure that the occupation is temporary and to prevent the occupying state from establishing a long-term presence through military rule; to protect the occupied civilians from the theft of resources; to prevent apartheid and changes in the demographic makeup of the territory.

Yet, since 1967, Israel has built more than a dozen housing complexes for Jewish Israelis, known as settlements, some in the middle of Palestinian neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem.

About 200,000 Israeli citizens live in East Jerusalem under army and police protection, with the largest single settlement complex housing 44,000 Israelis.

Such fortified settlements, often scattered between Palestinians homes, infringe on the freedom of movement, privacy and security of Palestinians.

Though Israel claims Jerusalem as its undivided capital, the realities for those who live there cannot be more different.

While Palestinians live under apartheid-like conditions, Israelis enjoy a sense of normality, guaranteed for them by their state.Since March 3, the main topic of conversation across India has been the ruling Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) unexpected electoral success in three small northeastern states  Tripura, Nagaland, and Meghalaya. In a country of 1.3 billion people and more than 860 million voters, such widespread interest in seemingly minor assembly elections can be considered a tad exaggerated. But the interest is somewhat justified because results of these elections appear to have nationwide, and global, consequences.

First of all, as result of these elections, the BJP has widened its electoral base and tightened its stranglehold over parliamentary politics in India. The party is now in power  on its own or with coalition partners  in 22 of the 29 Indian states. The wide-spread electoral success of a party which does not camouflage its majoritarian character unsurprisingly attracts attention as well as scrutiny. But after showing that it has an appeal even in the northeast, the BJP is now better placed than ever to argue on the global stage that it is an inclusive political force.

Defeating communists

The BJPs victory in the state of Tripura particularly attracted global attention. In this small state bordering Bangladesh, the ruling party managed to defeat the Communist Party of India (Marxist), which had been in power there since 1992. This development made headline news around the world because a communist party was swept aside, most humiliatingly, by a Hindu sectarian party.

On the surface, the ideological divergence between the winner and the loser could not have been greater  from the left, the state swung incontrovertibly to the right. But the swing in this traditionally left-wing state was actually not that drastic. The body politic of Indian communist parties, which embraced parliamentary democracy after Indias independence, is completely in contrast with the Stalinist image their names evoke. Although in theory CPI(M) believes in a revolutionary framework, in practise, the party makes key decisions and selects candidates keeping Indias complex caste and social equations in mind.

Moreover, during the years CPI(M) governed West Bengal  it lost power in the state in 2011 after being in office since 1977  it, too, initiated neoliberal economic policies to spur growth and retain power. Even in Kerala, Indias most literate state, where CPI(M) is currently in office, economic policies of the present government are not significantly different than those pursued by the previous coalition headed by the Congress party.

At best, Indian communists function as social democrats underscoring perpetually left-of-centre character of Indian economic policies. Despite criticism from small groups of committed neoliberals who accuse successive federal governments of pursuing social protectionism, no party in India eschews egalitarianism or drastically slashes social sector spending. Modi, too, despite promising to bring minimum government, maximum governance in India during his election campaign, has been pursuing economic policies that have a populist flavour since he assumed office 45 months ago.

The annual budget Modis government presented in February  the last before next years parliamentary poll  was termed an election-year quasi-populist promissory document with a slew of programmes aimed at pleasing the rural poor and boosting the health sector. Modis decision to not rollback back significant anti-poverty measures of the previous government even led to one of his prominent critics on the Right, Arun Shourie, defining the current government as  Congress plus a cow; suggesting Modis is a regime that is only right-wing when it comes to its pro-Hindu and Islamophobic political programmes.

A patron-client relationship

In the latest round of state elections, the BJP had success not only in Tripura, but also in Nagaland and Meghalaya. These states are in Indias northeast, a region that has a troubled history of integration. Almost all of the eight states situated in this region  with Sikkim being the last addition following a 1975 referendum  witnessed long periods of militant separatist agitation. A peace process is still under way in Nagaland. Also, most of these states are primarily tribal or Christian majority states. On the face of it, demographic profiles of these states should have been a deterrent against the spread of the Hindu-nationalist BJPs influence.

Yet, the BJP is now ruling Tripura and is part of coalitions in both Meghalaya and Nagaland. Previously, the party also formed a government in Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. Currently, Mizoram is the only state in the region which does not have a BJP government, on its own, or in coalitions and there are signs that even this last Congress-governed state will yield to the BJP when polls are called this winter.

In Indias northeast, Assam, Manipur and Tripura are the only states with a significant Hindu population and thereby, the only ones where the BJPs electoral success can, at least partially, be tied to its ideological stance.

So how is a Hindu-nationalist party managing to gain ground across the northeast?

Because of the history of separatism in the region, political parties in each of these states, including the Congress and the BJP, function primarily as arms of state power, and not as ideologically integrated political units.

The BJP units in these states are not committed to the partys long-term aspiration of converting India into a Hindu nation. People living in these states support the BJPs presence, not because they have sympathy for the partys ideological stance, but because it allows proximity to state power and, more importantly, to central funds. After the BJP took control of the federal government from the Congress in 2014, political leaders in these states gradually switched loyalties to the BJP, the way clients align with new patrons.

The BJPs victory in Tripura has made the partys cadre euphoric. Following their victory, BJP supporters started demolishing statues of Lenin, as if they were freeing their homeland from an oppressive tyrant like Saddam Hussein. His supporters violent expression of excitement worried Modi and he asked them to stop demolishing these statues. But the prime minister also bolstered enthusiasm in his victory speech to party workers claiming the BJPs success in Tripura would convert into triumphs in other states due to vote this year, and eventually in the 2019 parliamentary election.

But while success in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland may be adequate to motivate BJP workers and harness greater zeal and commitment, it will not have a significant impact in other states. The CPI(M) after all, failed to extend influence beyond West Bengal and Tripura despite controlling these states for several years.

Despite the BJPs recent gains in the southeast, the continuation of the partys success in upcoming state elections is not guaranteed and Modis route to re-election in 2019 is not devoid of obstacles.

Last year, after the astonishing verdict from Indias most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP won three-quarters of assembly seats, Modis re-election was considered certain. Yet, within months the support evaporated and in provincial polls in Gujarat in December, the BJP won the lowest number of seats in almost a quarter of a century.

Reasons for the ground suddenly becoming shaky for Modi were three-fold: dissatisfaction over non-delivery of a slew of promises made by him in 2014, financial crisis which gripped every Indian when Modi dramatically scrapped high-value currency notes in November 2016, and hasty introduction of Goods and Service Tax in July 2017, which quickened the pace of shifting Indian economy from the informal to formal sector. There is the additional concern over rising joblessness and agrarian distress  farmers committing suicide because of rising debts has become an epidemic in rural India.

Despite still being a frontrunner, Modi knows that his path to re-election will not be paved with even cobblestones. Much will depend on what he is able to deliver in the remainder of his tenure. Additionally, he will have to project an overarching political idea which catches the imagination of the people.

In 2014, Modi dwelt on the poor performance of the Congress-led government and institutionalised corruption to win and he promised a bright future in which development would gallop. Today, despite the Modi governments claims that it has reached its economic goals, and visible progress in certain sectors, there is a possibility that in the publics perception there is a schism between the prime ministers campaign promises and performance.

At the moment, the BJP is the only party with a good probability of securing a majority on its own in the upcoming general election. Having realised between 1996-2014 that coalition governments are no impediment to growth and development, Indians may well experiment with another political partnership in 2019. Currently, BJP faces different adversaries, at times more than one, in various states and the absence of a national challenger to Modi may or not be significant in the long run. The BJPs new-found success in the northeast is noteworthy, but it is not a definitive sign that the partys long-term, nationwide dominance is guaranteed.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.US President Donald Trump meeting with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un? The notion appeared illusory over the past months as tensions have been building between Washington and Pyongyang over North Koreas repeated provocations and advancement of its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. But things have dramatically shifted in recent weeks, starting with a series of inter-Korea talks and now the looming possibility of a US-North Korea summit. Indeed, earlier this week, top South Korean envoys dropped the news at a quickly arranged press conference at the White House, following their meeting with Trump. South Koreas National Security Advisor Chung Eui-yong revealed that Trump had agreed to meet Kim Jong-un by the end of May in order to achieve permanent denuclearisation.

What are the prospects for the US-North Korea summit? On the positive side, there is a deep need for diplomacy and engagement with the North. This is especially true considering the dangerous uptick in tensions on the peninsula, coupled with anxiety among North Koreas neighbours. The Trump administration has responded with its maximum pressure and engagement strategy that has tightened the screws on Pyongyang through a far tighter sanctions regime, enhanced deterrence with allies such as Japan and South Korea, and also more vociferously discussed the potential for the use of military force against North Korea. The risks and costs associated with the military option have been discussed at length and it remains an untenable choice.

In this light, it is enticing to see the opening of a diplomatic path as a breakthrough on the Korean Peninsula. Unfortunately, there remains little chance that Kim is willing to barter away his one main insurance card  the nuclear programme  for regime survival. Indeed, Kim has staked his regime legitimacy on his push to develop nuclear weapons, alongside economic development, in his byungjin line. This sets up the meeting later this year with divergent expectations from the two sides. Washington expects tangible progress and commitment towards denuclearisation. Pyongyang, meanwhile, is looking for security assurances, diplomatic recognition and acceptance from the Trump administration of its status as a nuclear weapons state. If Trump leaves the summit with Kim, without a firm path towards the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, the gamble will be a failure.

Direct bilateral negotiations with the US has always been the primary goal for Pyongyang which wants to talk to Washington on an even platform, nuclear weapons state to nuclear weapons state.

Therefore, it is important to slow down before making any large pronouncements that this is a breakthrough or the beginning stage to denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula. The fact remains that, to date, there has been no effective change to the main irritant between the North and the United States  the nuclear and ballistic missile programme. Moreover, despite the message relayed from South Korea that the Kim regime is apparently willing to discuss denuclearisation with the US, to date, there have been no concrete measures or even signs that North Korea is willing to negotiate in good faith or put their nuclear weapons programme on the table for discussion. It is also important to remember that we have heard nothing officially from North Korea on the details of what it is willing to concede. Couple this with the fact that North Korea has a long track-record of breaking its promises with regard to denuclearisation.

This sets up a massive risk for the Trump administration in agreeing to a summit with the North. To be clear, direct bilateral negotiations with the US have always been the primary goal for Pyongyang which wants to talk to Washington on an even platform, nuclear-weapons state to nuclear-weapons state. It is for this reason, and the prudent policy of not accepting North Koreas nuclear weapons programme, that Washington has consistently avoided rewarding Pyongyang with a concession such as high-level summit diplomacy. No sitting US president has ever met the Kim regime, despite visits from former Presidents Carter and Clinton after they left the White House. Therefore, if the upcoming Trump-Kim summit does indeed happen (which appears probable, but is not guaranteed) it will be an historic change in US approach.

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In the weeks leading up to this summit, the US must take a number of critical steps to manage the considerable risks of the Kim-Trump summit. First, Washington needs to have clear, sustained, and coherent coordination with its main allies in the region  Japan and South Korea. The announcement of Trumps willingness to meet Kim appears to have blindsided Tokyo in particular, which had been lockstep with the Trump administration on its maximum pressure approach and has dismissed the notion of talks for talks sake. This policy shift will require crucial alliance management with Tokyo, and also Seoul, to ensure a united approach to North Korea.

The second critical area will be for the Trump administration to understand that North Korea will expect concessions for its willingness to float denuclearisation as a possibility. What will these concessions look like? Traditionally the North has asked for a suite of demands associated with US hostile policy, ranging from establishing diplomatic relations, sanctions relief, ending bilateral military exercises, to the signing of a peace treaty. The concern remains that Pyongyang will use this summit to secure concessions that weaken deterrence and drive a wedge between the US and its allies, without living up to its promises.

Finally, Washington also must be careful not to be tempted into a de-facto acceptance of the status-quo or the double freeze option  which could be construed as the US putting its true redline on the Norths continued development of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capabilities. This move would have significant consequences to its alliance relationships in the region, which have been under threat for some time now by Pyongyangs medium-range missiles.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.Today, despite all the accumulation of power, Xi and the CPC are far more vulnerable than is apparent.

In advance of the National Peoples Congress (NPC) meeting in Beijing, which will mark the official start of Xi Jinpings second term as the president of the Peoples Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Partys (CPC) Central Committee proposed a set of constitutional amendments, chief among them being the removal of presidential term limits and the inclusion of Xi Jinping Thought in the countrys constitution.

NPC deputies are expected to overwhelmingly support these changes in a vote on Sunday, effectively allowing Xi to remain at the helm of Chinese politics for as long as he deems fit.

Ever since the 19th Party Congress in October 2017, Xi has been making moves to upend norms of collective leadership and succession that were cobbled together after the excesses of the Mao Zedong era.

Xis rapid consolidation of power has led some to conclude that China is descending into an era of dictatorship, with an all-powerful strongman in charge. Such claims, while not without basis, gloss over the underlying nature of the CPCs specific brand of authoritarianism and the shifting dynamics of governance in modern-day China. Today, despite all the accumulation of power, Xi, and even the party itself, is far more vulnerable than is apparent.

One can, for the sake of convenience, classify these vulnerabilities into two broad, interlinked categories: structural and policy-level threats.

Structural threats

Ever since Xi took charge as the CPC General Secretary in late 2012, he has been working towards increasing the centralisation of power. To achieve this, he restructured and centralised the policymaking architecture of the party and unleashed a ruthless anti-corruption campaign.

The former permitted him to have greater personal supervision over key policy areas. The latter, meanwhile, helped blunt opposing factions and earn local and institutional compliance, through either the demonstrable threat of coercive action or placement of key confidantes in positions of authority.

The centralisation of political power in itself is not necessarily problematic or a threat to the regimes stability. What matters is how power is exercised, ie, whether it flows through a system of institutions that place necessary checks and offer opportunities for corrective action, or it is arbitrarily imposed on the elites and the populace alike by the force of personality.

Under Xi, the constitutional amendment on presidential terms and the violation of party norms on succession imply that the latter is becoming the dominant means of exercising power. This heightens the threat of bad policy decisions going unchecked and potential abuse of power, which, in turn, increases the possibility of deepening fissures among the elites and broader social upheaval. Moreover, personalisation of power in this way renders the leader directly vulnerable to real and perceived failures, which can no longer be viewed as the products of structural mishaps or secondary actors.

Xi, therefore, now bears greater personal liability for failure to achieve key social, economic and foreign policy objectives, thereby impinging on broader national stability.

Policy-level challenges

At the moment, Xi and the Party are also facing serious policy level challenges. These threats are particularly acute since they come at a time when Xi faces the daunting task of guiding the Chinese economy from a stage of rapid to high-quality growth. What this means is focussing on reducing credit risks, containing pollution, tackling inequality and moving up the manufacturing value chain to avoid the middle-income trap.

In doing so, however, he must contend with entrenched political, bureaucratic and business interests. In fact, the desire to effectively manage this economic transition has often been cited as the underlying rationale for Xis consolidation of power, placement of aides in key positions and establishment of the new National Supervision Commission (NSC). This is Xis strategy to address the emperor is far away problem. However, this does not guarantee success. For instance, even during Xis reign, provinces far away from the capital have falsified economic data. And while the NSC now brings state functionaries under a Party-style discipline campaign, operational questions and concerns over who will check the guardians remain unanswered.

Moreover, the social and economic policies adopted by Xi have seen increased the Partys role in private enterprises, bolstering of state-owned enterprises, controlled market opening, as well as support for  and investment in  innovative Chinese businesses. Xis policies also heightened restrictions on dissenting voices and expanded state intervention in peoples daily lives. Such policies inherently cause friction with the redefined principal contradiction facing Chinese society, ie, the desire for balanced and adequate development that satisfies peoples need for a better life. This implies the promise of responsive governance, which would require reduced control and greater openness. The bargain that Xi appears to be offering is better economic opportunities and welfare assistance along with the promise of an improved environment in exchange for greater social control. Pulling this off requires a tricky tightrope walk to assuage Chinas growing middle class and the maintenance of personal credibility.

Likewise in the external domain, Xi has broken from Deng Xiaopings dictum of hide your capabilities and bide your time. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is as much an economic programme as it is a geopolitical campaign to take China to the centre of world affairs. Under the BRI, Xi is seeking to expand Chinese business, military and diplomatic influence around the world.

The BRIs success, however, is contingent on the sustenance of Beijings economic muscle. It is the remarkable growth that China has enjoyed over the past 40 years that has allowed a build-up of capacities to launch such an ambitious global initiative. Slowing growth will, therefore, impinge on Beijings capacities to execute BRI projects. Moreover, Xis global ambitions manifested through the BRI are also constrained by geostrategic, political and security challenges. For instance, the alignment of counter-balancing forces in the form of the Quadrilateral Group  India, US, Japan and Australia  of countries, the growing concern over the CPCs so-called influence activities in the West, the threat of attacks from violent non-state actors targeting Chinese projects and citizens abroad and the spectre of resurgent nationalism derailing Chinese investments in recipient countries.

All of these pose serious challenges, which, if not managed well, could lead to questions being asked at home and even potentially threaten the regimes stability. And that could result in China sliding down a dark and slippery slope.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.An Algerian businessman has said he would pay all the fines faced by women in Denmark who choose to wear full-face veils, as the Danish government on February 6 proposed a ban on full-face veils in public spaces. The measure has yet to be approved.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency in front of the Danish parliament, on Saturday, Rasheed Nekkaz said that he had already paid 1,538 fines for women facing similar circumstances in six countries, including France, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Austria, and Germany.

Nekkaz is famed for paying the fines of women who wear full-face veils or burqas after the garments were banned in many European countries, including France, in 2010.

Political activist

The Algerian businessman and political activist amassed a fund of one million euros to pay for these fines.

Governments in Europe arent producing solutions for Muslims to adapt to Europe, which is why Muslim communities in Europe need to be much stronger in order to protect their interests, he said.

It is very important for me to be able to give European governments the message on restricting freedom that they cant just do whatever they want, he said.

If there is a veil ban in a country on those who want to wear them, I will be the one paying their fines, he added.

Nekkaz said that before Denmark, he travelled to Iran to support the freedom of 29 women arrested on March 8 for refusing to wear veils on International Womens Day.

The reason Im here isnt to defend religion, but to defend freedom. The principle of freedom is a universal right, he said.

So I defend the freedom of those who want to wear veils in Europe and those who dont want to wear veils in Iran, he said.

Nekkaz said that it is important that the Danish government understands that the women are wearing veils of their own free will.

Veil ban limits freedom

At a Saturday protest at the Danish parliament, Sara, a 30-year-old Turkish woman, told Anadolu Agency that the veil ban would limit her freedom.

As she wears the veil, Sara said that the ban would prevent her from going outside.

Sara said that among Denmarks 5.7 million population, only about 50 women wear the veil.

Sara stated that the veil ban is just the beginning of other bans targeting Muslims.

My question to Danish politicians is: You speak about freedom, but where is our freedom? Where is our freedom of religion? she asked.Abdullah Morsi, the son of the former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi has said that the Egyptian government will not allow the outside world reach his father for fear of being exposed.

Earlier this month, a group of senior British MPs, ranging from the governing Conservatives to the opposition Labour and Liberal Democrats, petitioned the Egyptian government to allow them access to former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, but they were denied.

The petition came amid growing concern over the deteriorating health of the former president and reports emerged that he has been denied access to basic medical treatment while in jail.

British delegation

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Abdullah Morsi said that the Egyptian authorities are directly responsible for the inhumane condition in which his father is subjected to and that they are worried that this would be revealed if Morsi was to receive visitors.

Abdullah said that logic and reason dictate that the regime should allow the British delegation to do its work if it is serious in refuting the accusations made against it, but the regime fears of being exposed in front of the world, that is why it looks for justifications.

Morsis son explained that the British Parliamentary delegation was formed and tasked to investigate and document human rights violations perpetrated against his father, with the aim to rescue the president and end the complete isolation he is living in.Concerns over Britain and Saudi Arabias roles in Yemen bloodshed swell following crown princes visit to London.

London, England  The international community, including Britain, must load pressure on the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen to avoid further bloodshed, a Yemeni politician told a conference in London on Saturday.

Abdulrahman al-Hamdi addressed delegates the day after Mohammad bin Salman, the kingdoms 32-year-old crown prince accused by activists of being the architect of the Yemen conflict, left the UK having signed further deals with Britain, with Downing Street announcing plans to sell 48 Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Riyadh.

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The world should assert more pressure on the allied forces. A military solution to the conflict in Yemen will be a disaster, said al-Hamdi, a former member of the Yemeni parliament who was ambassador to the Czech Republic from 2009 until 2014.

Al-Hamdi served mostly under Ali Abdullah Saleh  the president who stepped down and fled to Saudi Arabia following protests in 2011, and who was killed by Houthi rebels in December last year in Yemen.

History is repeating itself. There is a history of Saudi intervention in Yemen, from the revolution in 1962 to the 1994 Yemeni civil war, said al-Hamdi at the event, which was hosted by the Cordoba Foundation and titled Yemen: War, Politics and Human Tragedy event.

Yemen is being destroyed. A nation is dying, said al-Hamdi.

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The controversial three-day visit by the Saudi crown prince, also known as MBS, drew criticism from some sections of the British public, with protesters calling for his arrest over his role in the calamitous war in Yemen.

Before he arrived, thousands had signed an online petition calling on Prime Minister Theresa May to cancel the trip over Saudi Arabias involvement in the Yemen conflict, which has killed thousands and caused what the United Nations and several countries say is the worlds worst humanitarian crisis.

When he was in London, protesters greeted MBS with chants of hands off Yemen!.

Al-Hamdi rejected Saudi Arabias claim that it was intervening to support the legitimate government of Yemen.

In reality, all sides in this conflict are motivated by power, he said. Saudi Arabia is destroying all of the infrastructure in Yemen, especially military infrastructure.

Yemen is like the Saudi Vietnam

The kingdoms involvement is taking place as part of MBS consolidation of power within Saudis ruling family, he said.

British arms companies have profited from the war in Yemen, reportedly earning more than 6bn ($8.3bn) in trade with Saudi Arabia since Saudi became involved in the conflict in 2015.

On Thursday, Downing Street confirmed that new deals were signed with the kingdom, to the tune of more than $90bn.

At the London conference, politicians, academics and campaigners joined British opposition politicians in slamming Prime Minister May for rolling out the red carpet for the Saudi prince, and for failing to criticise the kingdoms record in Yemen.

This is designed to curb the growth of democracy in the region, said Bill Law, a journalist who has reported from the Middle East for the BBC.

Yemen is like the Saudi Vietnam. The poorest country in the Arab world is being systematically destroyed by the richest. Hugh Miles, author

Hugh Miles, an author and consultant specialising in the Middle East, suggested that the conflict in Yemen was quickly becoming a disaster for Saudi Arabia, as popular support in the kingdom for the war declines.

Drawing a comparison to US foreign interventions, he said: [Yemen] is like the Saudi Vietnam.

The poorest country in the Arab world is being systematically destroyed by the richest.

Deals struck amid Brexit-driven economic fears

Several speakers said the latest developments between Saudi Arabia and the UK could be driven by fears over economic weakness after Britain leaves the European Union.

Law said: By and large, the government got what they needed assurances that Saudi will invest in the UK post-Brexit.

In the kingdom, Mohammed bin Salman is credited with leading a series of social reforms, such as allowing women to drive and lifting a 35-year ban on cinemas.

However, activists say Saudi Arabia still has a poor human rights record and have warned against interpreting these reforms as heralding new freedoms.

Carol Turner, vice chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament UK, said: It was absolutely predictable that Saudi Arabia would make the propaganda it did out of the visit, and that Theresa May would use it to sell more weapons.

While May has defended her governments close relationship with the kingdom by arguing that the UK played an influential role in bringing to light issues Saudi Arabia faces, delegates were not convinced by recent reforms.

Liberalisation is a distraction from the war in Yemen  this is a strategy, said Miles.Calls for the ban of the rapid-fire gun modification grew louder after mass shootings in Las Vegas and Florida.

The US Department of Justice has submitted a regulation that would ban so-called bump stocks, a type of gun modification that increases the rate of fire for semi-automatic rifles.

The proposal, submitted on Saturday, comes after President Donald Trump announced last month that he was in favour of the ban following a mass shooting in Florida.

President Trump is absolutely committed to ensuring the safety and security of every American and he has directed us to propose a regulation addressing bump stocks, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement.

To that end, the Department of Justice has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a notice of a proposed regulation to clarify that the National Firearms and Gun Control Act defines machine gun to include bump stock type devices, he added.

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Under US law, machine guns are officially banned. However, semi-automatic rifles like the AR-15 are legal because of their lower rate of fire.

Bump stocks use the recoil of the semi-automatic rifle to allow the weapon to fire at a higher rate, effectively turning a semi-automatic into a machine gun.

Saturdays proposal would classify bump stocks as part of a machine gun, making it illegal to buy or sell them.

The proposal must still be approved by the Office of Management and Budget before it is published and subject to a commentary period. It does not, however, require approval from Congress, where it may have faced opposition due the pro-gun ownership lobbys power.

Las Vegas shooting

Bump stocks were heavily criticised last October after one of the deadliest mass shootings in US history.

The gunman, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, used the modifications to increase his rate of fire, allowing him to kill 58 people at a concert in Las Vegas.

Although Trump announced in October he would be in favour of the ban, no proposal was ever introduced.

The discussion again gained momentum after a gunman opened fire on a Florida high school last month, killing 17 people.

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Bump stocks were not used during the Florida shooting, but calls, led by students, for stricter gun control have been heard nationwide.

After Februarys shooting, Trump said he supported a ban on bump stocks, as well as potentially arming teachers  a proposal that has been criticised by many students and teachers.

On Thursday, state legislators in Florida passed a bill that, among other things, banned bump stocks on a state level.

That state law also raised the minimum age for all gun purchases from 18 to 21.

The bill did not outright ban the sales of AR-15 style assault rifles, which are often used in mass shootings, including both the Florida and Las Vegas shootings. Gun control advocates have long called for such a ban, but so far have not had any success.

Just hours after Florida Governor Scott Pruitt signed the Florida legislation on Friday, the National Rifle Association (NRA) filed a federal lawsuit against the state over the portion of the law that raises the minimum age to buy a firearm.Former FARC rebels make debuts in Colombian elections

After more than 50 years of fighting, former FARC rebels are running for office, but are facing violence and intimidation and are struggling to reach outside their traditional base.The popular brand apologised for the campaign featuring Sana Safinaz models and members of Kenyas Maasai tribe.

The popular Pakistani fashion brand Sana Safinaz is facing heavy criticism at home, after a photoshoot abroad.

The brand launched its summer collection on March 10, featuring Sana Safinaz models posing with members of the Maasai tribe in Kenya.

Critics say the brand used the tribesmen as props instead of having the models interact with them in a genuine way.

Many took offence to photos showing Maasai men holding umbrellas for the models.

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As a potential customer who does purchase Pakistani clothes online, when I see that, I see that the native man is of a lesser value than the model, Sosun Mubbashar, a rights activist, told Al Jazeera.

There should be no need to exploit the people and culture of the land, Mubbashar added.

I am sorry am I missing something here with this campaign? Sanasafinaz using these people as an ornament to selling their over priced lawn?? Mind blown at why they would deem this acceptable to the slightest. #disturbingAF pic.twitter.com/rVcWyXJfnF  S H A H (@ShahTalks) March 7, 2018

The brands Instagram page was flooded with criticism, but many, like Mubbashar said their comments were deleted from the post.

Twitter user sosun said: Sana Safinaz deleted the comments I left under their posts on Instagram .. this is yall fav brand? Cant relate.

sana safinaz deleted the comments I left under their posts on instagram this is yall fav brand? can't relate https://t.co/PgXR1n2j6k  sosun (@soandsun) March 9, 2018

Apology

Safinaz Munir, one of the founders of Sana Safinaz, said the backlash against the brand was unwarranted.

First of all, youll notice that many of the negative comments on Instagram and Twitter are coming from paid accounts, from fake accounts, Munir told Al Jazeera.

And even with that, if you look at the response weve gotten, youll see that of 400 comments, 300 of them are positive. People are loving this campaign, she said.

Following the criticism, the brand removed the offending photos from its social media platforms and posted an apology and explanation about its intentions.

Two years ago we read an article on the internet that talked about ethical tourism, the statement read. It describes the plight of African tribes that were being exploited, it said.

The article went on to say that avenues promoting responsible tourism exist that encourage and support local projects, it added.

We do apologise deeply for any offence we have caused despite this never being our intention.

The brand maintains that it employed the Maasai people photographed for the campaign.

Wider conversation needed

The apology itself prompted criticism from several, including feminist sociologist Nida Kirmani who said the apology replaces one colonial fantasy, of going to Africa and discovering this exotic place and exotic people, with this other colonial fantasy, of a white saviour complex.

Salima Feerasta, editor of karachista.com, said it is not just the brand that is guilty of such elitism.

I think its time to have a wider conversation about how designer collections are sold in Pakistan, Feerasta told Al Jazeera.

Its an aspirational product, and as such, its positioned in such a way that campaigns routinely show models in exotic locations, enjoying the trappings of luxury.

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The brands Elan, Saira Rizwan, and Farah Talib Aziz have all been criticised for campaigns. Feerasta said this is a trend that needs to change from within the industry.

Designers have a responsibility, she said. They have a customer base of millions, and subtly they can change the way people see the world, she added.

With these campaigns, they can reinforce stereotypes, or they can break them. So maybe its time to talk about how they use that power.Palestinian Authority official says a political solution is needed to the issue, not a humanitarian one.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) has rejected an invitation by the White House to attend a Gaza stakeholders summit next week, a senior official of the self-government body said.

Ahmad Majdalani told the Voice of Palestine radio on Friday that the PA would not attend the meeting, saying that the issue in Gaza was political par excellence.

The United States is well aware that the real cause of the tragedy of the Gaza Strip is the unjust Israeli siege. What is needed is a political solution to this issue, not a humanitarian, he said.

Jason Greenblatt, an assistant to President Donald Trump, said that the meeting on March 13 will be a brainstorming session devoted to solving the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and to improving life in the besieged enclave.

In response to the burgeoning humanitarian situation in Gaza, key countries and stakeholders are preparing to act: There was a meeting in Cairo on Thursday, and there will be a brainstorming session at the White House next week to find real solutions to the problems that Hamas has caused, Greenblatt wrote on Thursday in an op-ed in The Washington Post.

More 1,000 dead

The Gaza Strips collective of charitable organisations recently said more than 1,000 Palestinians have died as a result of the ongoing Israeli blockade on the coastal enclave.

The coordinator of the organisations, Ahmad al-Kurd, said: Out of the 1,000 or so victims of the blockade, 450 died as a result of the collapse of the health situation in Gaza, such as the lack of medical supplies and the crisis of medical referrals for outside treatment.

Gaza residents continue to face a desperate situation because of the blockade with water and electricity shortages, as well as a lack of medicines and doctors unable to perform surgeries.

The Israeli blockade of the occupied Gaza Strip, in its current form, has been in place since June 2007, when Israel imposed a land, sea and air blockade on the area after Hamas won elections in the enclave a year earlier.

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Israel controls Gazas airspace and territorial waters, as well as two of the three border crossing points; the third is controlled by Egypt.

Movement of people in and out of the Gaza Strip takes place through the Erez (known to Palestinians as Beit Hanoun) crossing with Israel, and the Rafah crossing with Egypt.

Both Israel and Egypt have kept their borders largely shut and are responsible for further deteriorating the already-weakened economic and humanitarian situations.

Israel allows passage through the Erez crossing only in exceptional humanitarian cases, with an emphasis on urgent medical cases.Letter sent to UN Security Council details yet more airspace violations committed by Emirati and Bahraini aircraft.

Qatar has informed the United Nations Security Council of yet more airspace violations committed by aircraft of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, the third such violation in four months.

In a letter sent the UNSC on Friday, Qatari authorities said a Bahraini military aircraft overflew the exclusive economic zone of Qatar on February 28.

The plane was intercepted by a Qatari fighter jet before it left Qatari airspace, according to the letter.

On January 14, an Emirati military aircraft overflew Qatari territorial waters without permission from authorities in Doha, the letter further stated, adding that on February 25, another Emirati military aircraft approached the Qatari border before changing course after warnings were issued.

The Qatari mission to the UN called on the members of the Security Council to take the necessary steps to end the violations, asserting that the Qatari government reserved the right of response and defence, guaranteed by international covenants.

In a similar letter sent in January, Qatari authorities informed the UNSC of UAE airspace violations, saying they took place in the context of irresponsible and provocative actions by the UAE against Qatar.

In June 2017, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt broke off ties with Doha accusing it of supporting terrorist groups and aligning itself too closely to their regional rival, Iran.

The quartet imposed a land, sea, and air blockade on Qatar, and also prevented Qatari aircraft from entering their airspace.

Qatar vehemently rejected the accusations but refrained from imposing reciprocal punitive measures on the four states.

In July 2017, the Qatari government condemned the UAE for its alleged role in orchestrating the hack of Qatars state news agency and publishing false comments attributed to Qatars emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The UAE has denied involvement in the hack.Since the Gulf crisis, Qatari dairy firm imported thousands of cows from Europe and the US.

The Qatari market is expected to become self-sufficient in dairy products by the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in about two months.

Speaking to Anadolu news agency, Moutaz al-Khayyat, chairman of the board of directors for Baladna, said the company is now in a position to fulfil the demand of the local market.

The move comes as part of efforts of the Gulf state to overcome an air, sea and land blockade imposed on it by four Arab countries since June 2017.

The company expects to increase the production of fresh milk and yoghurt to 500 tonnes a day, which is sufficient for domestic demand, with a surplus of 100 tonnes for export.

New cows

While the blockade by the four countries continues, al-Khayat said in two days the company will collect 3,200 cows shipped by sea from the US, to supplement its existing stock.

Baladna company, immediately after the blockade, had imported 4,000 cows from the United States and Europe, he said.

The new number of cows represents a significant step towards a more sustainable and productive growth phase and will help us meet the market demands of high-quality fresh dairy products, al-Khayyat said.

Qatar had relied mainly on dairy product imports from Saudi Arabia with 400 tonnes of milk and yoghurt imported daily.

We will be exporting after self-sufficiency in dairy products in Qatar, al-Khayyat said.

Output potential

The farm is equipped to comfortably house more than 20,000 cows, Peter Weltevreden, Chief Executive of Baladna, told Anadolu news agency.

He added the farm is specially designed to suit Qatari environment and high temperatures.

After the arrival of the new number of cows, production will increase to about 200 tonnes of fresh milk daily, Weltevreden said.

By 2019, he said, the farm will function in full capacity with 20,000 cows.

In May 2018, 3,200 cows will arrive and in November of the same year 3,000 more, he added.

The farm includes a milk packaging plant and another plant is planned for the end of 2018.

Most of the packing equipment for Baladnas products are imported from Turkey, and many Turkish experts and consultants are working with us, he added.

Every day, many people visit Baladna Farm that includes a zoo, a large park and a restaurant, according to the companys employees in charge of the farm.False stories by Sinhalese nationalists about Muslim birth rates and wealth are behind Kandy mob attacks, say analysts.

A day before anti-Muslim mobs swept through a peaceful hill town in central Sri Lanka, the leader of a Sinhalese nationalist group took a stroll through the towns centre.

We have been distributing leaflets and have now reached Digana, Amith Weerasinghe said into the camera of his phone. But the problem is we havent come across even 20 shops that are owned by Sinhalese.

In a measured tone, he continued: This town has come to belong only to the Muslims. We should have started to address this a long time ago.

We, as Sinhalese, are to blame. If there are any Sinhalese in Digana or nearby, please come.

That video, posted on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, was shared widely.

It preceded a campaign of vandalism and arson attacks in the central Kandy district, where Digana is located, prompting the government to deploy the army, declare a state of emergency and block access to the internet.

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The violence, triggered by the death of a Sinhalese man after being beaten by a group of Muslim men over a traffic dispute, left at least two dead, and mosques, as well as dozens of homes and businesses, torched or destroyed.

It raised fears of instability in Sri Lanka, a South Asian nation still struggling to recover from nearly three decades of ethnic civil war.

That conflict  with Tamil separatists  ended in 2009, but a fault line has emerged in Sri Lanka once again. This time, it is along a religious divide, between Sinhalese Buddhists who make up about 75 percent of the Indian Oceans countrys 21 million population and the Muslim minority, who make up about nine percent.

Threatened minority

The two communities have lived harmoniously for the most part for generations, but surviving feelings of insecurity among the Sinhalese community, as well as recent economic and cultural changes in Sri Lankan society have given rise to a venomous strand of Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism, according to analysts.

Jehan Perera, executive director of the Colombo-based National Peace Council, said rising anti-Muslim sentiment has much to do with the historical insecurity of the Sinhalese who see themselves as a threatened minority.

Tamil separatists were seen as part of a larger Tamil community across the Palk strait in neighbouring Indias Tamil Nadu, while the Muslims are seen as part of a larger collectivity  the global Islamic community  who may one day take over Sri Lanka, he said.





That belief has caused fears over an alleged increase in the Muslim population and birthed false rumours of a Muslim plan to reduce the Sinhalese population, including by feeding them contraceptives.

Such a rumour led to mobs setting fire to Muslim businesses in February in the east of the country. There, a Muslim chef was accused of adding a sterilisation pill to food sold to Sinhalese customers.

These are absolutely false and made up stories, Perera said.

Another factor stoking anti-Muslim sentiment is small town jealousy over perceptions that Muslims hold more economic power, said Nizamuddeen Mohamed Ameen, president of the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka.

This a myth, he said. In many cities, many of the small shops belong to the Muslims. They are traditionally business people, but their businesses are small, selling everyday things.

Other sources of mistrust include increasing Arab influence over Sri Lankan Muslim culture in recent years, Ameen and Perera said.

Muslims are disproportionally represented in the more than a million Sri Lankans who go abroad to work, mainly in the Middle East. When they return, they are bringing money home and coming back with a more Arab mindset than they left, Perera said.

In a way, a lot of money is coming from Arab countries in to Sri Lanka, mosques are being built. And many Muslim women dress differently  they wear the niqab unlike before, he said referring to the full face veil worn by some Muslim women.

Ameen agreed: Our mothers covered their hair, but they dont wear the niqab. Muslim attire has changed, and [Sinhalese] think [Muslims] are following Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries model.

Impunity

Such beliefs and rumours are spread and amplified on social media via memes, videos and posts on social media platforms, especially Facebook pages run by Sinhalese nationalist groups, analysts said.

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The most prominent of these groups are Weerasinghes Mahason Balakaya and Buddhist monk Galagoda Atte Gnanasaras Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), the latter of which has links with hardline Buddhist group Ma Ba Tha in Myanmar.

While the BBS and Mahason Balakaya do not enjoy popular support, some of their anti-Muslim sentiments are shared by the Sinhalese majority, said Perera.

They have also been emboldened by the failure of President Maithiripala Sirisenas government to take adequate action, despite the incitement and the hate speech, other activists said.

For instance, a June 2014 speech by Gnansara was widely perceived to be the trigger for anti-Muslim riots in southern Aluthgama, in which four people were killed and at least 80 were wounded. But he was not arrested at the time.

Later, in 2017, the police declared a manhunt for him after he failed to answer court summons to stand trial for hate speech.

He turned himself in, only to be be released on bail. The case is still ongoing.

In the Kandy riots, Sri Lankan authorities have arrested Weerasinghe and nine of his associates, but critics said the move was too little, too late.

Thyagi Ruwanpathira, a Sri Lankan human rights activist, said Weerasinghes arrest was not at all sufficient.

Arrests have been made after other attacks in the past, but we rarely see any convictions, she said.

If the government and law enforcement authorities were able to break this cycle of impunity and inaction in the face of violence against ethnic and religious minorities, perpetrators would not feel so emboldened, she said.

Religious and political leaders must communicate to the public that violence against minorities will not be tolerated and that no ethnic or religious community are entitled to the country over anyone else, she added.Government forces capture largest town in Eastern Ghouta as death toll surpasses 1,000 in three weeks.

Syrian forces have captured the largest town in Eastern Ghouta, effectively splitting the rebel-held enclave in three, a monitor told Al Jazeera.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said on Saturday that government forces had captured the town of Mesraba, which lies 10km east of Damascus, and had begun advancing into its surrounding farms.

The UK-based monitor told Al Jazeera that Eastern Ghouta had been divided into three parts  Douma and its surroundings, Harasta in the west, and the rest of the towns further south.

Syrian state television reported earlier that army operations were intensifying in the central part of Eastern Ghouta, with opposition activists also reporting that roads connecting the towns were covered by army fire.





The governments latest offensive on Eastern Ghouta, which began on February 18, has seen 1,002 people killed, according to the Observatory. The figure includes 215 children and 145 women.

The Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) told Al Jazeera that at least 49 people, including 14 women and 10 children were killed on Friday, and a further 200 wounded.

President Bashar al-Assad and Russia say the campaign is needed to end rebel rule over the areas civilians.

Aid agencies have struggled to deliver aid to the besieged enclave, bringing in only a portion of the amount they wanted.

The Syrian governments offensive follows a pattern of previous assaults on rebel strongholds, deploying massive air power and tight sieges to force rebel fighters to accept evacuation deals.

These involve rebels surrendering territory in exchange for safe passage to opposition areas in northwest Syria, along with their families and other civilians who do not want to come back under Assads rule.

Opposition evacuated

In a surprise move, several members of Syrias armed opposition have been evacuated from rebel-held Eastern Ghouta late on Friday, sources told Al Jazeera.

The evacuation came as the Syrian army intensified its operations in the central part of the besieged Damascus suburb, state television reported on Saturday.

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Jaish al-Islam, one of the main rebel groups in Eastern Ghouta, announced it had agreed to the evacuation of several Hayet Tahrir al-Sham fighters  previously part of al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front  who were detained by the group in Eastern Ghouta.

According to Syrian state media, 13 fighters were evacuated with their families through the al-Wafeedin passage and bussed to Idlib province.

The agreement for the evacuation was reportedly reached with the help of the United Nations and several international entities, in addition to civil society members.

The evacuation deal came after Jaish al-Islam sent a letter last month to the UN vowing to facilitate the evacuation of the former al-Qaeda members.

Eastern Ghouta, which is home to about 400,000 people, has been under siege by the government ever since armed opposition groups took control of it in mid-2013.More than a dozen fighters and their families evacuated from Eastern Ghouta and brought to Idlib, state media reports.

In a surprise move, several members of Syrias armed opposition have been evacuated from rebel-held Eastern Ghouta late on Friday, sources told Al Jazeera.

The evacuation comes as the Syrian army intensified its operations in the central part of the besieged Damascus suburb, state television reported on Saturday.

Jaish al-Islam, one of the main rebel groups in Eastern Ghouta, announced it had agreed to the evacuation of several Hayet Tahrir al-Sham fighters  previously part of al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front  who were detained by the group in Eastern Ghouta.

According to Syrian state media, 13 fighters were evacuated with their families through the al-Wafeedin passage and bussed to Idlib province.

The agreement for the evacuation was reportedly reached with the help of the United Nations and several international entities, in addition to civil society members.

The evacuation deal came after Jaish al-Islam sent a letter last month to the UN vowing to facilitate the evacuation of the former al-Qaeda members.

Split down the middle

Syrian state TV reported that the army is close to cutting the enclave in two.

The Syrian army was advancing near Mesraba and Mudeira, two small towns which represent the last link between the northern and southern halves of the enclave, which is located near to the Syrian capital, Damascus.

Jaish al-Islam and Failaq al-Rahman, another large rebel group in Eastern Ghouta, said they have staged counter-attacks in recent days that retook some lost positions.

The ferocious three-week assault on the last major rebel stronghold near Damascus has captured about half its area and killed 960 people, according to a war monitor.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also said on Saturday that warplanes, helicopters and artillery were used in bombardment of the area overnight.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russia, his main ally, say the campaign is needed to end rebel shelling of Damascus and to end the rule of rebels over the areas civilians.

The offensive follows the pattern of previous assaults on rebel strongholds, deploying massive air power and tight sieges to force rebels to accept evacuation deals.

These involve rebels surrendering territory in exchange for safe passage to opposition areas in northwest Syria, along with their families and other civilians who do not want to come back under Assads rule.

However, both Jaish al-Islam and Failaq al-Rahman have said they are not negotiating such deals for themselves.

Shortages

The intensity of the governments attack on an enclave that has been besieged since 2013 and suffers acute shortages of food and medical supplies has drawn Western condemnation and demands by UN aid agencies for a humanitarian halt in fighting.

The United Nations estimates that some 400,000 people are trapped in the enclave.

Living conditions are harsh  Shop owners and traders are sending their workers to the shelters to sell food for three times their price before the offensive, said a man in Saqba who identified himself as Abu Abdo in a voice message.

Aid agencies have tried to deliver aid into Eastern Ghouta, but they have only been able to bring in a portion of the amount they wanted.

A convoy was unable to finish unloading on Monday because of continued fighting, bringing in the remaining undelivered food parcels on Friday despite bombardment nearby.

However, UN agencies said most medical supplies had been stripped from the convoy by Syrian government officials and added that the food supplies brought in were insufficient.

The government has opened what it says are several safe routes out of Eastern Ghouta for civilians, but none are known to have left so far and Damascus and Moscow accuse the rebels of preventing them from fleeing the fighting.We should not forget and get them out.

Syrian women who once languished in government-controlled prisons speak about torture and rape at the hands of government guards and investigators, pleading for help hoping to raise awareness of what is going on in government prisons.

Assads government, however, denies allegations of systemic torture.

Girls rape

AHY, who was imprisoned for six months from 2015 through 2016 in a prison in Homs run by the Syrian government, told the Anadolu news agency that she faced torture and as a nurse was prevented from providing medical assistance to those who opposed the government.

They raped teenage girls without showing mercy. We could do nothing. They tortured me and my elder sister in various ways, AHY said.

She lamented that Syrias society alienates female former prisoners.

It is the most difficult thing to be a woman in Syria.

Narrating her life story, AHY said she took refuge in Turkey a year and a half ago with her three children, leaving her pro-regime husband behind.

Electric chair

Another former prisoner, LA, who was jailed for nine years during the rule of Hafez al-Assad, the father of Bashar al-Assad, said there has been no end to the ordeal.

Saying she was jailed for opposing the regime, LA, a law faculty graduate, recounted her torture in prison.

The beatings and torture never stopped. They put me in an electric chair. I was also beaten while lying on the ground.

Residing in Turkey for four years, LA also mentioned the violence and oppression in regime prisons.

Women there are dying every day. There are scores of women in prisons.

We should not forget and get them out.

Conscience Convoy

On Tuesday, the International Conscience Convoy, which describes itself as the voice of oppressed women in Syria, embarked on a three-day journey with 55 buses from Istanbuls Yenikapi Square.

They held a final rally to mark International Womens Day in Hatay, which borders Syria, after making stops in the Turkish cities of Izmit, Sakarya, Ankara and Adana.

Women from over 50 countries, including Syria, Chile, Palestine, Iraq, England, Brazil, Malaysia, Pakistan, Kuwait and Qatar, addressed a large crowd at a fairground in Antakya district.

More than 6,700 women, including 417 young girls, are still being held in prisons run by the Syrian government, according to a statement by the Conscience Convoy.

Syria has been locked in a devastating civil war since March 2011, when the Bashar al-Assad government cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity.Politicians from the UKs main opposition party have denounced a $140 million humanitarian deal with Saudi Arabia, saying it made a mockery of Britains reputation as a global leader in delivering humanitarian aid.

Kate Osamor, the shadow international development secretary, denounced an agreement signed between the two countries on Friday, as the kingdom remains embroiled in a bloody bombing campaign in Yemen that has killed thousands of civilians and precipitated a humanitarian crisis.

The $140 million deal is aimed at creating vital infrastructure in drought and conflict-stricken countries, but the was greeted with fury by opposition MPs over Saudi Arabias role in the Yemen conflict.

Theresa May implied she would lobby Mohammad bin Salman to stop bombing civilians and end the use of starvation as a weapon of war, Osamor told the Guardian newspaper.

Over 22 million Yemeni lives depend on permanent, full access for aid, food and fuel in Yemen. Instead, she has won no concessions and simply handed on a plate to Saudi Arabia a new humanitarian partnership and an endorsement from DfID [the Department for International Development], the worlds best aid agency.





It will whitewash Saudi Arabias reputation and role in the war, and it is a national disgrace, Osamor said.

Osamors comments came as Downing Street also announced plans to sell 48 Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Riyadh.

Since the start of the war in Yemen, the UK has approved arms export licences to Saudi Arabia worth $6.3bn, including the sale of Tornado aircraft, tanks, armoured vehicles, grenades, missiles and bombs.

The Saudis already operate 72 Typhoons from a first batch of jets ordered in 2007, despite previous concerns raised by human rights groups and anti-war campaigners.

The fighter jets are considered the most advanced swing-role combat aircraft currently available and have a top speed of more than 1,500mph and carry a large number of missiles.

Colluding in war crimes

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has repeatedly denounced the arms deals and earlier this week accused Prime Minister Theresa May of colluding in war crimes by selling weapons to Riyadh.

Germany has suspended arms sales to Saudi Arabia, but British arms sales have sharply increased and British military advisers are directing the war, Corbyn told May during Prime Ministers Questions at the House of Commons.

It cannot be right that her government is colluding in what the United Nations says is evidence of war crimes.

Amnesty International also slammed the agreement, saying: Selling more fighter planes to a country leading a military coalition that is already laying waste to homes, hospitals and schools in Yemen, is just adding fuel to a humanitarian fire.

Fridays weapons announcement comes after Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman wrapped up his controversial state visit to the UK which drew angry protests and calls for his arrest over his role in the Yemen war and the blockade of Qatar.

The Saudi crown prince, who is accused of being the chief architect of the war, arrived on a three-day visit on Wednesday, with the ruling Conservative Party and the UKs royal family rolling out a red carpet for the young heir to the throne.

In the lead-up to the trip, tens of thousands of Britons had signed online petitions calling on Theresa May, the prime minister, to cancel bin Salmans visit over his actions towards his southern neighbour.

According to Save the Children and UNICEF, at least 110,000 children have died from preventable causes brought about by the war in just the last two years.The man, identified as Imayyer Shehadeh, was shot in the chest and succumbed to his wounds shortly after.

A young unarmed Palestinian man has been shot dead in the occupied West Bank during a confrontation with Israeli soldiers and settlers in the village of Urif, south of Nablus.

The 23-year-old, identified as Imayyer Shehadeh, was shot in the chest and succumbed to his wounds shortly after at the Rafidia hospital in Nablus.

The settlers raided the village and then the army stepped in, Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian official who monitors settlement activities in the northern West Bank, told Al Jazeera.

Its unclear who shot him exactly, he said.

It was basically the Palestinians on one side and the settlers and the occupation army on the other.

A 16-year-old Palestinian boy was also shot with live ammunition at the scene and is being treated for his injuries.

An Israeli forces spokesman told AFP news agency that a riot was instigated, during which troops used riot dispersal means and fired live rounds.

Between 600,000 to 750,000 Israelis live in the occupied Palestinian territories of East Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza. They live in hundreds of illegal Jewish-only settlements built on Palestinian land.

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The presence of the settlers within and around Palestinian towns and villages causes near-daily friction between the communities.

At least 12 unarmed Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the occupied Palestinian territories since the start of 2018.

On Friday, Israeli forces shot and killed 24-year-old Mohammad al-Jaabari in the southern West Bank city of Hebron during a confrontation with the army.

Jaabari, a father to a four-year-old, was mentally disabled and suffered from a speech impairment.

The situation in the occupied Palestinian territories has been particularly tense in recent months after US President Donald Trump publicly announced his recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Trump also vowed to move the US embassy from the Israeli commercial capital Tel Aviv, to Jerusalem.Bill and Hillary: Today's Julius and Ethel Rosenberg?

In a recent interview on Secure Freedom Radio, I discussed with Frank Gaffney some of my research at Judicial Watch into Bruce and Nellie Ohr, the dynamic Democrat duo who lie at the heart of the Hillary Clinton-DOJ-FBI-Fusion GPS conspiracy (the "Clinton Conspiracy") to throw the presidential election to Hillary and, failing that, to undermine the Trump presidency with fabulist claims of "Russian-Trump collusion." A historical analogy occurred to me in our talk: Bill and Hillary Clinton are the 21st-century equivalent of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. The Clinton Conspiracy has everything one could ask for in a Cold War spy thriller: high politics; disinformation; a torrid love affair between two central co-conspirators; a key Russian-speaking Stalin apologist operative using a ham radio, apparently, for furtive communications; a patriotic senior government official learning of the illegal operations and blowing the whistle; and even the attempted overthrow of a sitting U.S. president. The problem, of course, is that this isn't fiction.A bill requiring 18-20 year olds to hand over or transfer ownership of heretofore legally possessed "assault weapons" is gaining sponsors in the Illinois Senate after passing the House last month.

It is no longer a conspiracy theory spawned by deplorable bitter clingers, but a creeping reality spawned by shootings law enforcement could have prevented but didn't. The Illinois House has passed legislation requiring 18- to 20-year-olds to give up certain legally purchased and legally owned firearms :

The bill, HB 1465, was sponsored in the House by Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg) and passed by a vote of 64-51 on February 28. After being introduced in the upper house by Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago), the bill has added seven co-sponsors in the last week. Notable among them was Sen. Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove), the NRA "A" rated 2014 Republican nominee for U.S. Senate. The NRA-ILA described the weapons covered by HB 1465 as "commonly-owned semi-automatic firearms." The bill also requires 18-20-year-olds to forfeit ownership of any magazines that hold more than ten rounds of ammunition.

Gun confiscation is here. First they will come for the young, who can go to war with guns but can no longer go hunting with them or protect their families. If you are a 20-year-old single mom with a restraining order against a violent ex-boyfriend, well, you'll just have to trust your life to 911 as your door is being kicked in. Meanwhile, the government wants you to give it your guns:

Fox 2 reports that critics of Mussman's bill were taken aback by "the idea that the government would confiscate property." Mussman responded to these concerns by assuring them "authorities will not visit homes to pick up weapons." Rather, "a first offense for getting caught with prohibited firearms would be a misdemeanor offense."

That is what you call a distinction without a difference. If there is another shooting law enforcement fails to prevent, rest assured that the misdemeanor will become a felony, the voluntary turn-in will indeed become a door-knock, and the requirement to give up your weapons and your Second Amendment rights will expand to other groups such as veterans and seniors deemed unfit because of stress and age to own firearms. President Trump recently rolled back an Obama-era executive order attempting to accomplish that last one.

Restricting the right to purchase and own a firearm sounds good, but age and maturity don't always coincide, and the fact is that most mass shooters have been over 21. Again, if you can carry a gun to defend your country, you should be able to own one to defend yourself and your family. This legislation is naive, dangerous, and arguably an unconstitutional ex post facto law.

"Passing a law that makes it illegal for a 20-year-old to purchase a shotgun for hunting or adult single mother from purchasing the most effective self-defense rifle on the market punishes law-abiding citizens for the evil acts of criminals," an NRA spokesman told the Hill.

Any law that requires an individual to be 21 or older to buy a firearm "effectively prohibits" adults aged 18-20 from buying a firearm "deprives them of their constitutional right to self-protection." The bill that will now head to the Illinois Senate, HB 1465, Makes it unlawful for any person within the State to knowingly deliver or sell, or cause to be delivered or sold, an assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge to, any person under 21 years of age. Makes it unlawful for any person under 21 years of age to knowingly possess an assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge 90 days after the effective date of the bill. Provides exemptions and penalties. Provides that it is unlawful for any person within the State to knowingly deliver or sell, or cause to be delivered or sold, a large capacity ammunition feeding device to a person under 21 years of age. Provides that it is unlawful for any person under 21 years of age to possess a large capacity ammunition feeding device within the State. Republican gubernatorial candidate Jeanne Ives voted no on the measure, and expressed her concern about the issue earlier this week when Illinois Review asked her about raising the age buying a gun to age 21. "What other rights are we going to raise to age 21?" Ives answered. "The age is arbitrary. The average age of a mass shooter is somewhere in the 30s."

It is typical of gun-control zealots that their answer to the slaughter invited by gun-free zones is to create more gun-free victims. Those who fear an armed citizenry are typically those who believe that all rights are on loan from an all-powerful government. The Founders wisely wrote the Second Amendment to protect the other nine in the Bill of Rights.

Critics of the Second Amendment say they are not going after guns used for legitimate activities such as hunting. But when the Founders wrote the Second Amendment, it was because the British were coming, not because it was the start of deer season. As Fox News contributor Judge Andrew Napolitano notes:

The historical reality of the Second Amendment's protection of the right to keep and bear arms is not that it protects the right to shoot deer[.] ... It protects the right to shoot tyrants, and it protects the right to shoot at them effectively, with the same instruments they would use upon us. If the Jews in the Warsaw ghetto had had the firepower and ammunition that the Nazis had, some of Poland might have stayed free and more persons would have survived the Holocaust.

The AR-15 is a defensive weapon, such as when it was used by a 15-year-old, who grabbed his father's and used it to ward off home invaders:

Not only did this brave 15-year-old defend his home against 2 burglars, but also his 12-year-old sister who was in the house with him. He grabbed his father's AR-15 and shot one of the burglars multiple times. They got away but had to go right to the hospital where the minor was arrested and the adult who was shot was flown to a different hospital.

In the hands of British redcoats, the musket was an assault weapon. In the hands of a law-abiding American, even those between 18 and 20, an AR-15 is what the Second Amendment is all about.

Daniel John Sobieski is a free lance writer whose pieces have appeared in Investors Business Daily, Human Events, Reason Magazine, and the Chicago Sun-Times among other publications.A self-described equity feminist, Sommers is best known for her harsh criticism of the modern feminist movement. Sommers has pushed back against claims of widespread wage discrimination against women, along with feminist claims of a pervasive rape culture on college campuses.

Last year, Joe Patrice took to his blog at "Above The Law" to call for the firing of a pair of tenured professors who wrote an op-ed that offended him. This week, Patrice used his blog to defend a group of thuggish students who disrupted a speech by Christina Hoff Sommers.

Sommers was invited to speak at Lewis and Clark Law School by the local chapter of the Federalist Society. Prior to her arrival, a coalition of far-left student groups campaigned to prevent her from speaking on campus, calling Sommers "a known fascist" and describing her appearance as an "act of aggression and violence."

After failing to get her appearance canceled, these students showed up at her speech waving signs and chanting. A large blonde woman wearing a windbreaker that read, "Stay woke," marched a group of students to the front of the room, and led them in a call and response chant:

"We choose," "we choose." "To protest," "to protest." "Male Supremacy," "male supremacy." "Not give it," "not give it." "A platform," "a platform." "Christina Sommers," "Christina Sommers." "Has repeatedly," "has repeatedly." "Deligitimized," "deligitimized." "The suffering of women," "the suffering of women." "Worldwide," "worldwide." "We believe," "we believe." "Our siblings," "our siblings." "And our comrades," "and our comrades." "Woman are not," "woman are not." "Liars with victim mentalities," "liars with victim mentalities." "Rape culture is not a myth," "rape culture is not a myth." "Microaggressions are real," "microaggressions are real." "The gender wage gap is real," "the gender wage gap is real."

After the chanting was finished the singing began:

What side are you on friends?

What side are you on? No platform for fascists

no platform at all We will fight for justice

till' Christina's gone

The disruptive students were so obnoxious that Sommers couldn't deliver her remarks or hold a Q&A session.

Following the incident, I searched in vain for someone who would defend the disruptive students' thuggish behavior. Their behavior was so bad that nobody seemed willing to defend them  but then one man rose to the challenge. Like a 19th-century mountaineer attempting to scale Everest without oxygen, Joe Patrice took to his blog to defend the indefensible.

According to Patrice, Sommers was herself part of a nefarious right-wing conspiracy to suppress free speech. Conservative student groups invite provocative speakers, and then conservatives off campus use the disruptive protests to justify a crackdown on campus speech.

From the outset, the goal was to hack the very concept of free speech. They'd tried their hands at seeking more restrictions on free speech in the 1960s, but too many Americans balked at the idea of fiddling with constitutional freedoms just to "solve" the problem of civil rights protesting and anti-war students. But what if they could turn the very ideal on its head? What if the protestors played the role of the tyrannical government enforcers (somehow?) and it was instead the mild-mannered conservatives who were the true free speech heroes?

Patrice argues that the students who prevented Sommers from speaking were merely exercising their First Amendment rights, "If everyone just ignores people like Sommers, she can't complain that students exercising their free speech rights are violating the real free speech. Frankly, it's my personal worldview."

Frankly, Joe, your personal worldview is moronic. The First Amendment does not grant an unlimited right to make noise. Playing the Sean Hannity show so loud that it wakes up one's neighbors may be an expression of one's deeply held political beliefs, but it isn't constitutionally protected speech. Contrary to what Joe believes, you can be prosecuted for disrupting a public meeting or shouting down a speaker.

In 2011, ten college students were convicted of disrupting a speech by Israeli then-ambassador Michael Oren. The students had conspired beforehand to disrupt Oren's speech. When Oren tried to speak, a conspirator would stand up and start screaming slogans. Once that conspirator had been removed, another conspirator would stand up and start screaming. The students were convicted of conspiring to disrupt a public meeting. The students appealed their convictions on First Amendment grounds and lost.

At heart, Joe Patrice is an authoritarian. Like every authoritarian, Patrice doesn't believe that the public should be allowed to hear opinions he disagrees with. The First Amendment makes it impossible for the government to censor Sommers, but that doesn't stop Patrice from embracing extra-legal means of censoring his opponents.While discussing black movies Fences, Get Out, and Black Panther, my friend said something outrageous. He said it is impossible for a white person in America not to be racist because racism is entwined in all things American. Folks, he sincerely believes his absurd view of America.

I had a fascinating phone conversation with a black longtime friend. Though we've had passionate political clashes over the years, including periods of not speaking, we remain friends. He is a clergyman and college professor in his 70s.

He went on to recount horrific incidences of racial injustice: a black boy sharing an elevator with a white girl igniting a race riot, black inventions stolen, and black businesses destroyed. These events happened in the 1920s. And yet the passion with which my friend reported them was as if they had happened yesterday.

My friend's anger at America is as if eight years of Obama never happened and Oprah is not worth three billion dollars. He believes that police routinely murder young black men. He believes that America's evil white power structure labors 24-7, scheming to undermine blacks economically and culturally.

In his circles of black academia, his erroneous beliefs are deemed inarguably true. His colleagues think any black who doesn't subscribe to these obvious truths is either an idiot or an Uncle Tom.

Throughout our phone conservation, my friend repeatedly referred to whites as "crackers." It never dawned on him that his derogatory use of the term "cracker" is as racist as whites calling us the N-word.

My friend was even annoyed by praises showered upon Billy Graham in response to his death. Though he would deny it, my friend has a deep hatred for whites. And yet I have witnessed God use him to bless people. I've come to realize that neither facts nor truth can penetrate my friend erroneously viewing white Americans as blacks' nemesis. Therefore, I am praying for God to heal his vengeful heart against white Americans.

On the bright side, I caught an interview with black Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas, a hero of mine.

Justice Thomas said he is worn down by what is going on in our country's culture. Justice Thomas said, "At some point, we're going to be fatigued with everybody being the victim." Justice Thomas recounted a conversation he had with a young black woman who said, "I am really tired of having to play the role of being black. I just want to go to school."

Folks, I know where this black sista is coming from. She just wants to be an American pursuing her dreams without being forced to carry the baggage of viewing herself as a victim of her skin color. Isn't this what civil rights pioneers fought, suffered, and died to achieve?

Decades ago, we allowed leftists to infiltrate public education, transforming our kids into their operatives. Consequently, black Millennials who have never suffered an ounce of racism believe that racial loyalty requires them to riot in the streets demanding racial justice. Leftists have our kids hating and fighting a war with a nonexistent enemy.

If a black awakens on a sunny morning, grateful to be born in the greatest land of opportunity on the planet, viewing the world as his oyster, knowing that between him and God, they can achieve great things  leftists will call that black an Uncle Tom traitor to his race. Leftists have decreed that we black Americans must view ourselves as victims in this evil, eternally racist country.

Clarence Thomas grew up in extreme poverty, familiar with feeling cold and hungry. He was sent to live with his grandfather. Justice Thomas said regarding his grandfather, "He is the single greatest human being I've ever met." Clarence's grandfather would not allow him or his brother to wallow in their bad circumstances, whine, or complain.

With only nine months of education, Clarence's grandfather never saw himself as a victim. He never knew his father, and his mother died when he was 7. His grandmother, who was a freed slave, took him in. And then she died. His uncle, a hard man with 13 kids, took him in. And yet Clarence's grandfather never complained.

Whenever young Clarence wanted to complain, his grandfather would say, "You have to play the hand you're dealt." Clarence's grandfather became a great businessman, including owning his own farm.

Justice Thomas has a bust in his office with his grandfather's favorite quote: "Old Man Can't is dead. I helped bury him." Justice Thomas said that is the mindset his grandfather grew up with.

Isn't Justice Thomas's self-reliant mindset far superior to and more empowering than bitterly viewing oneself as a victim, placing one's success or failure in the hands of someone other than himself? Justice Thomas marveled that he grew up in a world of total illiteracy only to find himself in the Library of Congress. Justice Thomas is expressing the greatness of America, folks.

Why isn't Justice Thomas's grateful and hope-filled vision of America, a land ripe with opportunity, being touted by civil rights activists, inspiring black youths to make right choices to become all they can be? Instead, leftists demand that black Americans view themselves as victims. I choose to live in Justice Thomas's America.

Lloyd Marcus, The Unhyphenated American

Help Lloyd spread the Truth

http://LloydMarcus.comEarly in his tenure as secretary of the Department of the Interior (DOI), Ryan Zinke asked for a briefing on DOI grant programs and found to his dismay that not a single person could tell him how much DOI disbursed in grants every year or what projects it had funded or was committed to funding. Saying he feared that the grant program was open to fraud and abuse, Zinke order DOI to review its major grants and cooperative agreements.

Some recent inspector general reports from within various federal agencies show that the Trump administration is attempting to weed out abuse, fraud, and waste in government programs.

Zinke's fears proved prescient. A February 20 DOI inspector general (I.G.)'s report found that Richard Ruggiero, head of the Department of International Conservation (DIC), which is within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), had violated federal ethics laws when Ruggiero took advantage of a federal cooperative agreement providing nearly $325,000 in funding to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). The agreement financially benefited a family member who was an independent contractor with IFAW.

The I.G. report says that before Ruggiero took over DIC, the department had signed a cooperative agreement with IFAW to establish a professional training program for conservation leaders overseas, providing the $126,871 to fund the program. Within nine days of Ruggiero becoming DIC chief, the cooperative agreement was modified several times, extending the program for three years and increasing DIC's grant to $324,108.

The I.G. discovered that Ruggiero shared confidential "nonpublic" information about the agreement with his family member. In addition, according to the I.G.'s report, neither Ruggiero nor his family member "disclosed their relationship in writing" to the FWS, a requirement of federal ethics laws. When questioned about his participation in decisions related to the IFAW grant, Ruggiero initially denied any role in the agreement. Later, Ruggiero admitted his involvement and acknowledged he should have recused himself from working on the agreement. Beyond Ruggiero's wrongdoing, the I.G. report says several senior employees knew that Ruggiero had a conflict of interest but failed to report this fact to their supervisors or the Ethics Office, as required by agency rules.

The I.G. report also notes that the IFAW grant was not the only instance where Ruggiero acted to benefit this family member.

"We also found that Ruggiero was a decision maker on other grants awarded by the FWS with which his family member was involved, and that he did not report applicable income on his financial disclosure forms between 2012 and 2017," the report stated.

After receiving the I.G.'s report, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia declined to prosecute the case. Zinke responded to the report with a statement saying, "This Inspector General report identified exactly the kind of mismanagement and tax dollar abuse I have been concerned about and I am looking to root out at Interior. The previous administration created an environment that was so unaccountable that it led to bad actors taking advantage of taxpayers in plain sight."

A second report, this one from the Department of Energy (DOE)'s I.G., found that in its push to commercialize the capture and storage of carbon dioxide from coal-fired power plants, the Obama administration failed to exercise proper oversight over more than $400 million it gave to a now bankrupt Texas company. This was a case of incompetence rather than malfeasance.

Summit Texas Clean Energy (Summit) partnered with DOE on the Texas Clean Energy Project, which promised to capture 2 million tons of carbon dioxide per year from a coal plant, or 90 percent of its annual emissions, and bury them underground. The project never became operational.

Because the project was continually beset with delays and Summit proved unable to attract private financing to finish it, the Energy Department stopped supporting the deal in June 2016, but not before it spent approximately $450 million in taxpayer money. Summit filed for bankruptcy in October 2017.

The I.G. report noted that under the terms of the project, DOE was supposed to obtain invoices from Summit prior to allowing expenses or reimbursing the company, but the I.G. found that DOE had approved more than $38 million in reimbursements without receiving proper documentation. Among the expenses the IG deemed "potentially unallowable" were bills sent by Summit to DOE for more than $1.2 million in lobbying costs and $1.3 million in "questionable or prohibited" travel-related expenses.

Under federal law, companies partnering with the federal government are disallowed from charging the government for their lobbying activities. The travel-related expenses included more than $650,000 paid to a consultant for Summit, which the consultant spent on items such as a spa service, alcohol, first-class travel, limousine services, receipts in foreign currency, and business meals.

The I.G. said the Energy Department under the Obama administration was to blame for these prohibited expenses being reimbursed because it had not implemented required "invoice review controls" and that "[the Office of] Fossil Energy had not always exercised sound project and financial management practices in its oversight of the project." That's the understatement of the year!

One lesson to draw from these two cases is that government regulatory agencies are just too big for Congress or even their own auditors to exercise proper oversight. Because bureaucrats aren't held accountable when they undertake illegal activities or exercise inept financial controls, they play fast and loose with taxpayers' money, resulting in poor program results and squandered resources.

It's good to see the Trump administration attempting to rein in out-of-control agency officials. However, I believe that to really have a far-reaching effect, punishment for such activities must ensue. Only when bureaucrats lose their jobs and pensions or spend some time behind bars for their malfeasance will they take seriously their charge to serve the public and spend taxpayers' dollars wisely.

H. Sterling Burnett, Ph.D. (hburnett@heartland.org) is a senior fellow on energy and the environment at The Heartland Institute, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research center headquartered in Arlington Heights, Illinois.Editor Lifson, a Bay Area resident, tells me the coffee shop is located "between a genuine Hispanic ghetto and a respectable neighborhood that is gentrifying."

A coffee shop in Oakland will refuse to serve police officers in uniform, according to social media posts. A police sergeant was turned away last week, despite the fact he is president of the Latino Police Officers Association of Alameda County.

KCRA:

The sergeant who was turned away from the shop a few weeks ago said he was surprised by employees refusing to serve him, but walked out without any incident or any coffee. Coffee shop workers did not respond to requests for comment on the policy, but a post on their Instagram account showed a photo with writing in Spanish that says, "Talk to your neighbors, not the police." The writing below the photo describes an exchange with a uniformed police officer on Feb. 16, and the post clearly states: "We have a policy of asking police to leave for the physical and emotional safety of our customers and ourselves." The post includes another picture of Facebook posts in which people object to the shop's policy because they refused to serve a sergeant in uniform who is also the president of the Latino Police Officers Association of Alameda County. On top of the posts, the shop wrote the words, "Not my president."

Why don't they just hang a sign on the door  "Half-price latte for all armed robbers"?

Their stated reason for not serving police: for the "physical and emotional safety of our customers and ourselves." That's very nice, I'm sure, but you have to wonder if some of the servers aren't armed themselves, considering the neighborhood and the clientele. Otherwise, I have a feeling that if they are robbed, any patrol cars in the area will find something more important to do  like getting a cat out of a tree.

While most Oakland police officers are, I'm sure, professional and brave, the "community" doesn't see it that way.

Below the pictures, the post goes on to say:

OPDs recent attempts to enlist officers of color and its short term touting of fewer officer involved shootings does not reverse or mend its history of corruption, mismanagement, and scandal, nor a legacy of blatant repression. The facts are that poc (people of color), women, and queer police are complicit in upholding the same law and order that routinely criminalizes and terrorizes black and brown and poor folks, especially youth, trans, and houseless folks. For these reasons and so many more, we need the support of the actual community to keep this place safe, not police.

This would actually be an interesting experiment: pull the police out of the neighborhood so that instead of cops rousting black, brown, and poor folks, gang-bangers and other criminals can run wild. After a few muggings and murders, they might be singing a different tune.Vermont senator Bernie Sanders will not endorse his longtime California Senate colleague Dianne Feinstein in her re-election bid. Sanders says it's an issue for the "people of California" to decide.

The former presidential candidate has publicly endorsed other Democrats on the campaign trail. On Thursday, he announced his support for liberal candidate Marie Newman in her Illinois primary challenge against a seven-term Democratic incumbent. Feinstein, who's served five consecutive Senate terms, failed to secure an endorsement at California's state Democratic convention last month with nearly two-thirds of the party's delegates voting against her, according to the LA Times. The Hill reports that Feinstein was one of Hillary Clinton's biggest supporters, urging Bernie Sanders to drop out of the presidential race. According to Politico, Feinstein's centrist approach has caused her to maintain a troubled relationship with the liberal wing of her party.

As of late January, the Sanders organization, "Our Revolution," has endorsed 113 candidates at all levels of government, and 44 have won.

Jim Geraghty:

In the 2017 elections, Our Revolution endorsed 113 candidates, of whom 44 won. (In order to be endorsed by Our Revolution, a candidate must be nominated by a local group, agree with Our Revolution's platform, and pledge to run "a positive campaign" and "reject money from corporate interests.") The group also supported a winning Maine voter referendum to expand Medicaid coverage in the state. These were mostly low-profile races for state legislatures, mayoralties, city councils, and school boards. Some were in predictable parts of the country  four of the wins came on the Cambridge, Mass., city council, and another five candidates were elected to local offices in Somerville, Mass. And as Todd notes, off-year local races have the lowest turnout of any elections in the four-year cycle, and are thus the lowest-hanging fruit for a band of committed ideological activists.

Some of those candidates were extremely well funded but ended up losing. This points to the fact that no matter how much money and enthusiasm a Sanders clone can generate to win a Democratic primary, his chances in the general election against a Republican are greatly reduced due to the wild-eyed radicalism.

Establishment Democrats like Feinstein find themselves in trouble this election cycle not because they necessarily disagree with Sanders on a lot of issues  they don't  but because they are insufficiently radical on issue like the economy, the "1%," and especially health care. And Democratic primary voters, energized by anti-Trumpism, want to go all in with the Berniecrats.

There are going to be enough primary victories for Sanders clones to radically alter the make-up of the Democratic Party. Sanders doesn't have to win the presidency to take over the party. After all, George McGovern was slaughtered by Nixon in the 1972 election, and two years later, more than 50 of his acolytes entered Congress in the Watergate class of 1974.

The establishment Democrats aren't stupid about politics. They know that in order to take over the House in November, there can't be a bunch of radical socialists on the Democratic ticket. But the Democratic base appears to prefer the candidates who can stir their blood and carry the fight to Washington. It will be interesting to see if the Dems shoot themselves in the foot and run a bunch of candidates who can't win in the general election.Jill Abramson, once the editor-in-chief of the Democrats' Holy of Holies, the very NYT op-ed page, has just revealed an extremely private secret.

In her own private purse, says Ms. Abramson, Who Cannot Tell a Lie, she keeps a much-loved plastic doll of ex-president Barack Hussein Barry Soetoro Obama, Jr., presumably to hug at times of stress after the latest tweet from Pretender to the Throne Donald J. Trump, aka Satan with red horns.

This news sent a thousand psychiatric couches aflutter in Manhattan, wrestling with the Freudian significance of a plastic Obama doll in a worshipful woman's purse, given her far too obvious fantasy life.

Thank you, Ms. Abramson, that will be all until next week. Don't let the door hit you on the way out, please.

Ah, yes, Ms. Mayer? Please come in!

Oh, my, my.

Shades of Kehinde Wiley, Obama's personally selected "Kill Whitey" artist for the White House portrait gallery. Those avant-garde pics are gonna stay there forever, for the delectation of future historians, and we're not going to spoil their fun.

Sometimes the mad left is far too projective for words. Don't these people have psychiatrists to check their stuff before they go public?

On the other side of Manhattan, at the Manhattan Institute, they were sending a package of sharp needles to the New York Times, along with a complete Voodoo instruction manual. Plastic copies of famous people are known to capture just a little bit of soul stuff, they say.

And now the geniuses who run Netflix are paying the Obamas, Mr. and Mrs., a gazillion dollars to help them make a new version of Jesus Christ Superstar!  starring you-know-who, with Michelle as Mary Magdalene in the lead female role.

These people are who they are, and they are never ashamed to drop trou and wave their business at the world, like Harvey Weinstein.

Oh, my.

The new series will be webcast to more than 100 million netizens  for the Obamas, by the Obamas, and of the Obamas.

Children will be watching this for generations to come.

Meanwhile, Herr Bob Mueller, official DOJ special prosecutor for POTUS #45, has accused Trumpista Kellyanne Conway of Hatch Act violations, for endorsing a Republican in public, an unprecedented violation of presidential advisory behavior.

The Hatch Act of 1939 has never been enforced, not in its first 79 years, but there's always a first time.

Mr. Mueller and his merry band of cackling witches must be running dry. But don't expect Herr Mueller to stop investigating his increasingly paranoid leaks, not until the next election, or maybe never. Keep lookin', because ya never know what you might find.

This is true. I swear. It's in the New York Times, for Heaven's sake. You're not allowed to doubt it.

Sigmund Freud is dead, but the left keeps coming up with the same neurotic stuff, over and over and over again. It's hard to believe, but every single day, they do it again. They can't stop.

Over in the Kremlin, they can't stop laughing, and who can blame them? Putin just poisoned a couple of personal enemies in London, using nerve poison, just to make sure they died in the most agonizing way. But Chris Steele is the hero of the hour on the left, where self-delusion has no end.

Jill Abramson used to love the Russians, but now she hates them, because, ummm...something. I forget.

Putin doesn't care, as long as the Democrats' madhouse keeps running in D.C. He likes to confuse the enemy, and Americans are more confused than ever.

It's a kinda nostalgic moment for an old KGB colonel. It's just like old times.

Image: Claudia Dunitz via Flickr.When plans for the privately financed and privately controlled center were announced, evidently, it was presumed that the grateful citizens of Chicago would be thrilled to offer their city-owned park land in tribute. But the community organizers were not so sure that reducing the amount of park space is in their interest. In fact, Friends of the Parks, a well established civic organization that had previously prevented appropriation of park land by a museum to honor filmmaker George Lucas, expressed its concerns, as did other groups representing neighborhood residents.

Ex-president Obama was so concerned that he addressed concerns in a talk with community organizers at the end of February:

Friends of the Parks was not impressed. In an email to members yesterday, the organization seemed to feel that Obama was talking down to them:

Friend of the parks,

There is so much to say in response to Mr. Obama's speech last week. Unfortunately the tone of the dialogue about the Obama Presidential Center is not living up to the standards that the Obama Foundations says it cares about in terms of disagreeing with one another while still being civil.

We are thankful for a number of people who have made their voices heard recently, challenging some of the inaccuracies of many of the accusations that have been put forth and calling for a different kind of discourse.

Statement from Our Executive Director Juanita Irizarry

"Friends of the Parks remains extremely excited about the Obama Presidential Center coming to Chicago's south side. And we're glad that our hometown, former president considers equitable investment in Chicago's parks to be important. We agree with him on that. What we don't agree on is the appropriateness of long-term disinvestment in parks that culminates in the all-too-common argument that the only way to fix a park is to build a building in it.

We are thankful that Obama's visit included a public announcement of the Obama Foundation's intent to pay for a turf field to make up for the one that will be displaced by the OPC. And we appreciate that the Obama Foundation had given Friends of the Parks a heads up on that in follow up to our conversations with them about the issue. But since it is an element of the CBA Coalition "Sustainability" platform, we wish the foundation would also sit down and talk with our allies who are leading the charge for a community benefits agreement.

We are saddened by Obama's dismissiveness toward the many Chicagoans who dare to express opposing views or the need for appropriate vetting and review, not the least of which is the federally-required Section 106/NEPA review. Apparently, he's been away long enough that he has forgotten how the "City that Works" works. On a daily basis, we Chicagoans suffer the consequences of poor public policy decisions that stem from inadequate long-term planning, transparency, and oversight.

In the end, Friends of the Parks has absolutely no argument with the idea that our first African-American president merits a prominent site. But we believe that refraining from building on parkland would more fully honor the legacy of a former community organizer who sought Friends of the Parks' advice years ago on expanding the amount of green space on Chicago's south side and later made it a point of his presidency to protect public lands.

And so would leading a process that would engage the community in a much more healthy discourse than what Chicago is experiencing at this time. We remain hopeful that Obama will be the change in this regard."Folded into a far corner of the Grand Havana Room, a private Midtown cigar club on the penthouse floor of 666 Fifth Avenue, Mr. Sharpton looked downright stately.

A stunningly dishonest article in the New York Times attempts to rehabilitate Al Sharpton. The title, Al Sharpton, Reconsidered , reveals the goal of restoring Sharpton to polite company. It begins with an interview placing Sharpton in a grand setting:

Feigning balance, the article covers Sharpton's support of Tawana Brawley hoax, calling it:

... the worst thing he's done: His loud support of Tawana Brawley, an African-American teenager whose claims of abuse and rape by a gang of white men turned out to be a hoax.

While his support for Brawley was bad  and even worse was his refusal to pay a judgment against himself for libel, absurdly claiming poverty and that he didn't even own the suits he wore  Sharpton has actual blood on his hands for provoking two fatal race riots in New York City.

In 1991, a three-day riot  actually a pogrom consisting of attacks on Jews by blacks  took place in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, following a car accident in which:

... two children of Guyanese immigrants were accidentally struck by one of the cars in the motorcade of rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the leader of Chabad, a Jewish religious movement. One child died and the second was severely injured. In its wake, several Jews were seriously injured and one Orthodox Jewish man was killed. Two weeks after the riot, a non-Jewish man was killed by a group of black men; some believed that the man had been mistaken for a Jew.

What fanned the riots were false claims that a Jewish-owned ambulance took away an injured Jew and left the black children behind. Tensions were further aggravated at a funeral for the dead child. City Journal reported:

At the funeral of Gavin Cato, banners commemorating the accident victim shared space with others that said things like "Hitler did not do the job," while Al Sharpton caricatured Jews as "diamond dealers." ... The Times reported Sharpton's "diamond dealers" slur, but it ignored his other incendiary remarks at the funeral, where he compared Gavin Cato to slain civil rights leaders and drew parallels between the Hasidim and supporters of apartheid. According to the Long Island edition of Newsday, Sharpton "seemed to scoff ... at labeling Gavin's death an accident." This observation, however, was excised from the same story in the tabloid's New York City edition.

The other race riot fanned by Sharpton was even more fatal. Via American Renaissance:Turns out she issued a "stand down" order to National Security Council officials who sought to retaliate against Russia for its hacks into our electoral system.

Susan Rice, who didn't exactly care about a terrorist attack in Benghazi on Sept. 11, 2012 and gladly went on television to lie about it to the public, is repeating her same pattern.

According to the Daily Caller, citing a new book out, Russian Roulette: The Inside Story of Putin's War on America and the Election of Donald Trump:

One day in late August, national security adviser Susan Rice called [NSC official Michael Daniel] into her office and demanded he cease and desist from working on the cyber options he was developing. "Don't get ahead of us," she warned him. The White House was not prepared to endorse any of these ideas. Daniel and his team in the White House cyber response group were given strict orders: "Stand down." She told Daniel to "knock it off," he recalled.

Daniel, as it happens, was planning to release embarrassing information about Vladimir Putin's fortune to the Russian public in retaliation for Putin's government's hacking of Democratic National Committee emails, via WikiLeaks.

This represents the second time that we know of that Susan Rice backed off from punishing perpetrators of enemy acts on the U.S. The latter case, with the Russians, was obviously squelched because Rice was so busy unmasking Americans caught up in intelligence dragnets, who were explicitly expected to be protected from that. And those unmasked for what Rice claimed in congressional testimony was for "national security purposes" just happened to be Trump campaign workers and advisers. See, to Rice, it was a matter of national security that President Trump never be allowed to take office after the American people elected him.

Rice's indifference to national security outside the realm of politics and advancing the progressive Obama political agenda suggests an unfitness for duty quite unlike anything we have seen or is legal. Cabinet officials I have dealt with during previous administrations were always scrupulously careful not to politic in their official capacities, citing the law and their showing their own seriousness about keeping that law.

Not so Susan Rice. Preserving and advancing socialism was her idea of national security, and unmasking Americans to Get Trump was far more important to her than stopping a national security threat or punishing a miscreant to ensure deterrence.

Every crisis had its political opportunities, didn't it?

Rice's dereliction of duty and subornation of the legitimate functions of government to Obama politics look like a crime. If the Justice Department won't deal with it, maybe the congressional committees need to get involved and expose it, allowing this kind of activity to define Democrats for the voters. Let them explain that one away as they once again grasp for what they consider their divine right of office.Before the recap of the story, be it known that it is an insult to 40 years of top-draw black actors to have children spout rubbish that "it's good to see people of my color on the screen." Bilge. What about Denzel? Sidney Poitier? Wesley Snipes? Diana Ross? Top singing trios, Richard Pryor? Beyonce? Even blaxploitation stars who held sway for a decade or more? Will Smith? Jamie Foxx? Even O.J.?

Or were they all Caucasian, but we just didn't notice?

So though most people will have heard the story to death in trailers and TV guest appearances, by star Chadwick Boseman and his cohort from BP: Young T'Challa is the newly anointed king of the remote (mythical African) nation of Wakanda, nonetheless amazingly technologically advanced while cut off from the rest of the squalid world. Wakanda is somewhere near Kenya and Zimbabwe. After T'Challa's wise though flawed father dies, and the new king is announced, he is challenged from afar in his ascension by a foreign and vengeful outsider bearing a longtime grudge against the now gone king for his erroneous behavior back decades.

Boseman is fit but scarcely attractive, and not all that charming in this megahit. He does not command your fealty except in a clinical sense, easily bested by more charming females in the cast, including Angela Bassett as the imperious queen mother.

Earning already close to a billion dollars, this film, taking place largely in a fantasy Africa, is a racist; overstuffed; and often, yes, boring mess. Every tribal stereotype seen for the past decades in National Geographic, including plate-mouth tribal people, ring-around-stretched-neck women, and many more can be found here in stepped up fashion-forward fiery tribal dress, the equal of Cinemascope and Technicolor tropes, as opposed to the originals. Eight visits to African countries tell this reviewer that the costumers took liberal license in the scenic design and the fanciful costumery.

The set design for this overlong film is like those holiday cakes sodden with too many sugared fruit bits: loaded with calories, with questionable healthiness, taste, and edibility.

The plot involves generational transition for the young king of Wakanda, a mythical country somewhere around Kenya and Zimbabwe. Women figure strongly in the proceedings, as younger siblings of the "black panther" king, mostly bald-headed, and displayed in remarkable arrays of beadings and finery, headgear and spears.

Spear fights proliferate, too many of them, interrupted by escapades involving American challengers and car chases and changes of venue to London and elsewhere, lest a moment go by without a meme for some viewer somewhere.

Aside from a clinical interest in watching what has become such a phenom, I found it tedious and uninspiring, another Batman in clingy instantaneous magic bodysuit, copying Robert Downey, Jr.'s Iron Man's, but tighter. Truth to tell, after an hour or so, I did what I never have before: I hauled out my cell phone and caught up with emails. The film simply appealed to my yawn instinct. As much as the several set pieces were lushly designed and mind-blasting  I was bored.

True to expectation, the film is rich with racialist and stereotypical notions of Wakandan high-tech ingenuity in the form of super whizz-bang Vibranium, with its endless energy supply and force. Spear fights and encircling female warrior scenes are accompanied by gorilla grunts and earth-poundings. The sole Caucasian character who figures in the proceedings is a skinny, wimpy nerd (Martin Freeman), a CIA operative who compares in no way to the brawny blacks who decide his fate, save him, and repair him after he is lethally damaged. Vibranium again, doing the magical work of regeneration, blah, blah.

To be sure, some virtue-signaling is available in some lip service to doing good, providing other countries with the benefits of Vibranium and the high tech produced in Wakanda, but the rest of the script dismisses these banalities in fights, acrobatic clashes, special effects, bad-mouthing enemies and the like.

It is mystifying why this peacock of a fake history actioner has beguiled so many people into separating from their $20. Aside from Angela Bassett as the Wakandan Queen mother and Forrest Whitaker as the somber Merlin character in Wakandan affairs, few protagonists stand out beyond their iffy "African" accents.

I've been to all the countries in that section of Africa. They are nothing like Wakanda. The comparison is not complimentary. And the film is a vanity production, having little value as an imaginary fictional could-be history.

Happily, a film one can be easy of mind at missing. It's no Darkest Hour or Dunkirk. Not even a Big Fish romance or Three Billboards.

RED SPARROW

Directed by Francis Lawrence (no relation to Jennifer)

Even with its several shocking scenes, when audiences gasped in empathy for the tortures undergone by Jennifer Lawrence and her American CIA handler-lover (Joel Edgerton), this movie held one's interest throughout. It is apparently fictional, but one does not doubt that such "spy schools" probably exist, though without Charlotte Rampling as mistress-trainer and dom-at-arms.

The narrative holds, it seems a tight script, and the initial negative critical reception seems...wrong, at least to the audience we sat with.

The first few minutes of the film, Lawrence is a Bolshoi ballerina, and she executes lifts and pirouettes she trained long months to execute. She is no Natalie Portman in Black Swan, however. When she sustains a cataclysmic accident to her leg, she can no longer perform for the Bolshoi, and her housing; her medical coverage; and care for her ailing mother, played by Joely Richardson, are all withdrawn. She is forced by her Putin-like uncle (a chilling Matthias Schoenarts) to enroll in the "sparrow" institute.

It's even worse than Olympic training under handy now disgraced gymnastic doctor Larry Nassar.

The intel training she is sent to, a school for "sparrows," is little more, in Lawrence's character, Dominica Egorova's words, than "whore school." The star had to do some of her acting, even hand to hand combat, unclothed or in icy water. Not an easy role.

We follow her as she learns to survive the precipices of satisfying her minders in Moscow, her uncle, and her growing love interest with a handsome American CIA agent bent on installing a mole deep within the Kremlin.

How Dominica manages to avoid being shot by the Soviet minders, and tries to do her task as honey-pot spy, is involving and engrossing. Lawrence is effective with her Russian accent, as is Jeremy Irons, Ciaran Hinds, and the rest of the cast. Some of the scenes, as indicated above, are hard to take, shocking and grim, but the film holds one's interest throughout.

Even when your hands are covering your eyes in revulsion and disbelief.

HONDROS

Directed by Greg Campbell

This documentary follows the war correspondent and career trajectory of honored war photographer Chris Hondros by showing the poignant and often unexpected, thoroughly unglamorous backstories behind this award-winning photojourn's best known captures. Spurred by his strong reaction to the events of 9/11, he was driven by a commitment to bear witness to the wars of our time. Chris was among the first in a new generation of war photogs since Vietnam, many of whom we see as they trudge through the minutiae of permits, schlepping from dusty outpost to bullet-riven front in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.

Hondros examines the complexities inherent in covering more than a decade of conflict, trying to maintain a "normal" life. It also examines the unknowable topographies inherent in making split-second life-and-death decisions  before, during, and after his prize photos were caught. Told in vivid retrospect, through interviews with friends, colleagues, and family, the film chronicles the sensibilities and loving reactions of his fellow photographers, as, almost inevitably  given the risks of where photographers have to emplace themselves, hide, jump out at "opportune" moments  Chris was killed in Libya, back in 2011. He left a lasting impact and a significant body of important witness on his profession and his colleagues in arms that are still felt today.Tech giant Google is setting up a Google Assistant Fun House at this years South By Southwest expo in Austin, Texas to show off the possibilities of its AI assistant platform. Google Assistant, when hooked into a smart home properly, can easily control just about every aspect of it by voice, and through any compatible device in the home. In the Google Assistant Fun House, however, Google plans to show off some fairly creative uses of Assistant-powered tech, including a sock sorter and a beer vending system, among others. This all comes alongside an update that brings a few new actions and capabilities to Assistant, allowing for a bit of extra usefulness outside of the crowd that fancies using Assistant in the most novel ways possible.

The update starts out with allowing you to sign up for updates from your favorite Actions for Assistant, giving you a notification whenever theres a new development with a particular Action. Assistant will also gain the ability to accept new audio commands, including looping a song or piece of media through a simple voice command, or even turning off a phone or tablets screen while media plays, depending on which Action is playing the media. There are also a few new Actions on board for Assistant users to enjoy, including Actions from American Idol, a trivia game from iHeartRadio, and The Mindfulness App, along with a few other new Actions. Arguably the biggest addition to the new update is the ability to set up Custom Device Actions within an Action, allowing users or developers to change how an Action behaves or add new options depending on what type of device or what specific device is addressing the Action.

Google has been working hard to make Assistant more full-featured and useful in a bid to surpass Amazons Alexa ecosystem and Microsofts Cortana digital assistant. Google also has some competition in the form of Samsungs Bixby, present on the Galaxy S8 and more recent devices, but Samsung has yet to release a smart speaker featuring Bixby as of this writing. Google Home has a long way to go to move ahead of the Amazon Echo in both developer mindset and user numbers.The legendary game-makers at Nintendo have teamed up with the Google Maps division to celebrate March 10  otherwise known as MAR10 (Mario) Day. What that means for Maps users is that theyll have the opportunity to swap out the usual navigation U.I. in the mobile app in favor of something Mario Kart flavored. In fact, it swaps out the usual position indicator for Mario in a classic red kart from the popular game series Mario Kart. The iconic character flows along the route, pumping his fist to urge users forward along the journey to their destination. Best of all, this feature will be rolling out globally, starting today, and will be in place for about a week. To help spread the word, the company is urging users to share their own images of the specialty U.I. on social media, with the hashtag #MarioMaps.

Meanwhile, enabling the feature is easy enough. Users simply need to make sure they update to the latest version from their respective app store  this will be available for both Android and iOS. After updating and opening the app, all it takes is a tap on the newly added question-mark brick icon at the bottom of the screen. A card will pop up, asking users if they want to enable Mario Time. Its worth mentioning that users should be careful not to become too distracted by the enterprising plumber while driving.

Of course, this is hardly the first time Nintendo and the search giant have teamed up. However, it stands to reason that this new promotion has a lot to do with the fact that a new Mario Kart game is actually slated to make its way to the companys mobile OS in the future. True enough, this is just the latest in a long line of titles that the gaming giant has continued to push to mobile platforms over the past year or so. However, this particular game just seems to fit Googles navigation platform too perfectly for this opportunity to have been missed. In any case, its always great to see two companies known for thinking outside of the box collaborating on projects.There will be no follow up smartphone to the Moto X4, according to a new report out of Android Police which credits an unnamed source familiar with the companys plans for the information. More specifically, the report looks to confirm this is not the case of Motorola not developing a new Moto X phone, but more so, the company has now abandoned the launch of a phone that was already in development.

While still not announced by the company, the device in question has largely been referred to as the Moto X5 for obvious reasons. A device which had largely expected to be announced soon and especially considering it had leaked in very clear detail alongside the next in line Moto G phone, the G6. On that note, the suggestion Motorola is now discontinuing interest in the Moto X line is not thought to be reflective of the companys other smartphone lines. As the report does also point out Motorola is simply looking at this as more of a streamlining exercise where its focus will shift to Moto Z, G, and E-branded phones.

This might not come as too much of a surprise to some as the Moto X line is one that had effectively been discontinued before with Motorola removing the X series from its portfolio in favor of the companys new flagship line  the Z series. Therefore it was more of a surprise than not when Motorola returned the line to market with the Moto X4 in August of last year. Although by November of the same year the first indications of the Moto X5 were starting to come through, this is a line which has likely struggled to find its position among the Z, G, and E lines. Of course, with this being a line that has already been resurrected once before there is nothing suggesting a new X model wont come through again at some point in the future. For now, the only firm suggestion being made is in reference to the companys immediate ambitions for the X series. As an extension of this news, the same source was noted explaining how Motorola will be taking a stricter approach to its range of Moto Mods in the future  by releasing fewer.Samsung is diving deeper into five 2018 QLED TV enhancements which are new and improved features that werent available in the QLED TVs it was selling last year, and although Samsung announced these features the other day when it officially unveiled this years lineup of TVs, it has now put out five videos along with descriptions that go a little bit more in depth as to what these features are and how they will improve the user experience for the viewer when enjoying content.

One of the biggest improvements, though aesthetic, is the ambient mode. This feature has a few parts to it, some of them more functional and useful than the others, but all are relatively useful in some way or another. Ambient mode for the uninitiated will for starters, allow the new QLED TVs to blend into the wall for a more seamless look. It does this with sensors that Samsung integrated into the back that are capable of recognizing the design on the wall and mimicking it on the display of the TV, so it almost appears as if the TV is part of the wall. Ambient Mode also displays useful information on screen at any given time, such as weather information and reports, news headlines, the time, and the date. Whats more is that Samsung boasts this is capable of operating all day without having to worry about burn-in issues. This essentially turns your TV into a home decor piece while its not being watched, and there are numerous customization options too.

Another new enhancement is the addition of the Bixby support and the inclusion of the SmartThings and SmartThings Cloud platforms, which not only open up voice capabilities for control of channel changing, volume adjustment and more, but also on-TV control of other smart home products that you may have plugged in and set up around the home. Samsung has also improved the color contrast of its displays with technology called Direct Full Array, which in the most basic of explanations helps to make whites on the screen appear more pure and blacks on the display appear deeper. More than that though Samsung employed the use of a full grid of LEDs so that it could better illuminate each segment of the screen. Its the use of this technology which helps to regulate the brightness and thus make the contrast between white and black in any picture more noticeable. This also helps the colors on-screen appear more vibrant as well, so you get an all-around more vivid picture for anything youre viewing.

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The last two enhancements are the One Invisible Connection technology and the offering of more displays at sizes of 75-inches or above. In regards to the latter, Samsung says that more and more people prefer TVs with larger size displays, so with this years QLED TV lineup it added more models with 75-inch screens or larger. This makes it possible for more consumers to get the option of a large screen without having to go all the way for the top-tier model. As for One Invisible Connection, this is Samsungs new iteration of the cable that it included on QLED TVs from last year, called Invisible Connection. The aim with the new cable type was to make it possible to prevent the TV cable from interfering with the rooms aesthetic by using a single, slim cable for not only power to the TV but also the transmission of AV data. This partnered with the One Connect Box allows the viewer to control the TV and other peripheral devices with a single remote and by pointing it at a single unit.

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https://youtu.be/I2LZEt5UoFYThird-party Google Assistant devices can add custom commands now thanks to Google enabling the option for manufacturers who make those products. Ever since Google Assistant has been available in any of its forms across the various devices which its now been integrated into, there have been just a couple of commands available to activate said devices, even starting with just one, OK Google, before adding Hey Google not too long ago. That isnt really changing, but brands who make Google Assistant products will be able to create custom commands for various functions of their products after the Assistant has been activated, which should make things feel a little bit more personalized.

For the brands, this is a big thing as each brand will have their own special offering in terms of features that will make it unique and differentiate it from other brands selling the same types of products, and with custom command support in place, each brand can add their own flavor of commands for features or functions that are specific to those products, as opposed to only being allowed commands that were universal to a product type or category. This is certainly good for consumers, but its likely to be better for the brands as it will help them make their products more useful to the consumer with a veritable and unique set of Assistant commands and actions.

This could be really useful for home appliances which have tons of different settings, as manufacturers will have more freedom to add Google Assistant commands for all of or most of them. Ovens, coffee makers, microwaves. All of these now have the ability to have voice commands set up that would allow users to say things specific to those devices, like starting a pot of coffee or setting the defrost option. This could end up giving more control to the user in the end, moreover it enables manufacturers to add a complex set of voice commands to their products for extremely intricate Google Assistant integration. That level of complexity, too, could entice buyers to look more at their products as opposed to those from competitors as controlling it all through Google would be much simpler than not having the option.Think about it for a second. With the suggested price set at $200,000 excluding destination in the U.S., the average selling price is in the ballpark of $40,000 over retail. What that means for Lamborghini is profit, a lot of it considering the Volkswagen Group underpinnings that go into the Urus The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 is sourced from Porsche , developing 650 horsepower and 850 Nm (627 pound-feet) of torque on full song. The platform comes in the form of the MLB Evo that also underpins the Audi Q7. The ZF 8HP automatic transmission is also shared with other Volkswagen Group vehicles. Make no mistake about it, the Urus is a cash cow.Speaking to CNBC , the automakers chief executive officer declared: We were expecting a positive feedback from the customer, but not at the level we are receiving now. 70 percent of Urus customers are new to the Raging Bull, and Lamborghini has also seen an increase in female buyers.The success of the worlds fastest SUV goes further than that, with the head honcho making a case for Russia and India. Both markets have been strong for this car, the main reason being the bad roads that make it hard for Lamborghini to sell the low-slung Huracan and Aventador. The question is, has the Raging Bull of SantAgata Bolognese sold out with this model?Even Domenicali believes the Urus is a car you either love or dont. But the truth of the matter is, the profit made from the Urus will go into bettering its super-sports car lineup, bettering the Huracan and Aventador to levels that were previously unimaginable for such a low-volume automaker.On that note, the Aventador SVJ will soon get Lamborghini into 800-horsepower territory. What's next after that, who knows?AMG

kW

Speaking to Motoring at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, chief executive officer Andy Palmer let it slip that the newcomer will be based around an all-new carbon fiber monocoque with aluminum sub-frames. A first for Aston Martin, the supercar in question wont make use of the twin-turbocharged V12 that powers the DB11.The publication bets its two cents on the Mercedes--developed 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 found in the Vantage, assisted by the 48-volt integrated starter-alternator the three-pointed star calls EQ Boost. The thing is, theres a bit of a problem with that.Neither of the three variants of the 4.0-liter engine has seen application in a mid-engine car. To this effect, its hard to make a case for the M176 / M177 / M178 in the Aston Martin supercar, although Affalterbach might prove this hypothesis wrong.According to an older report, the culprit could come in the form of a turbocharged V6 , but thats somewhat underwhelming if you bear in mind the competition uses eight cylinders in this segment. Going back to Motorings take on what the future holds for the Aston Martin Whats-Its-Name, the Australian publication expects the EQ Boost-ed V8 to pack up to 600, translating to 816 PS or 805 horsepower.Whatever solution the Gaydon-headquartered automaker has in store for the Valkyrie s smaller brother, theres no mistaking it will be a world-class supercar with the looks to kill and performance to thrill. A little bit of aerodynamic trickery inspired from the V12-powered hypercar could also make it quite a capable track tool.On that note, Aston Martin poached three Ferrari employees to make the 488- and 720S-rivaling supercar happen. With the Prancing Horses expertize, you can bet your sweet bippy that something special is in the pipeline.The two are Elon Musk and Richard Branson. Their companies, SpaceX and Hyperloop One. Their history: separate, yet intertwined.The whole modern hyperloop idea belongs to one guy: Elon Musk. Having toyed with the thought of the Hyperloop system for quite some time, he shares his vision with investor Shervin Pishevar. The two soon entered into a competition that may come to change the world.In 2013, Elon Musk published what became known as the Hyperloop Alpha paper , a 58-page document describing the hows and whys of a hyperloop system. The paper ends up, via Pishevar, in the hands of then President Barack Obama, who expresses his support for the project.A year later, as Musk was already starting to think how to make the Hyperloop a reality, Shervin gathers a crew with which he establishes a new company, Hyperloop Technologies. The name of the entity is changed to Hyperloop One in 2016. Hit by sexual harassment allegations in 2017, Pishevar takes his leave and hands over control of the company to Richard Branson and his Virgin group.Now, based on Musks initial idea, the two entrepreneurs are head to head, racing us to the future.The Hyperloop system is a very simple one. It comprises in essence two elements: a vacuum tube, be it underground or otherwise, a capsule to travel through it carrying people or cargo.In theory, the capsules, or pods, are to be sent shooting through a partially vacuumed tube by some means of magnetic propulsion. In Elon Musks case, that means of propulsion is comprised of linear induction motors, while Bransons company is going for passive magnetic levitation. For use at speeds of under 100 miles per hour (160 km/h), the pods could be fitted with wheels.The key to the whole thing is the vacuumed tube, which in theory could be achieved by using pumps to suck the air out of the tube. Once that is achieved, the pods can be accelerated by whatever means to a top speed of 760 mph (1,220 km/h).The proposed system would make the nearly six-hour trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco last only 35 minutes, SpaceX predicts. Hyperloop Ones Indian network of tubes would take travelers from Pune to Mumbai in as little as 25 minutes. This trip usually takes a little over three hours.There are several things going against the predicted success of a hyperloop system. The first would be the fact that, for a buried network of tubes, some serious, expensive and time-consuming digging would have to be done.Secondly, the two companies would have to develop a pump system for the creation of vacuum in the tubes better than anything currently in use. Musk theorizes that hard or near hard vacuum be very hard to maintain, so the tubes would likely have to use a low-pressure system.Thirdly, there is the Kantrowitz limit. In gas dynamics, this states that when a fluid flow experiences a reduction in area, the flow speeds up to maintain the same mass flow rate. Simply put, it is the maximum amount of contraction a flow can experience before it chokes.For the Hyperloop system, the Kantrowitz limit would mean either the creation of a tube with a huge diameter (expensive and hard to do) or designing the pods to go very slowly, thus defeating the point of the entire system.Musk proposed a third solution to go around this problem: mounting an electric compressor fan on the nose of the pod that actively transfers high-pressure air from the front to the rear of the pod.A fourth bump in the road for hyperloop is the cost. Musk estimated each pod would cost $1.35 million. The entire passenger system would send SpaceX or Hyperloop One back $6 billion for the passenger-only version, or $7.5 billion for the pods capable of carrying vehicles as well. It's not easy to predict how much digging for the tubes would cost.Far, far away. Musks idea of having the project operate as an open source idea has drawn several other companies to the task.Hyperloop Transportation Technologies comprises 800 engineers from all over the world working on a solution to Musks proposed idea. Canadian TransPod is working on creating both tubes and capsules. The Indians from DGWHyperloop do the same thing in their part of the world. So do Arrivo, Hardt Global Mobility, Hyper Chariot and Zeleros.Still, there is a good chance that, out of the millions of crazy ideas out there, this one will not become a reality during our lifetime. And perhaps not even our grandchildrens lifetime.Trying to speed up the development of functional prototypes, SpaceX announced in 2015 the Hyperloop Pod Competition, intended to stir university teams into designing and building pods. There were two competitions until now, held in January and August 2017.The 2018 Hyperloop Pod Competition challenges teams to achieve a maximum speed with their pods. The final will take place on July 22, 2018.An evolution of the RX-Vision presented in 2015, the Vision Coupe looks more like a sculpture than a preview for the next-generation Mazda6. The concept, as you can tell from the live photos from Geneva, is gifted with golden ratio proportions.The long hood and short deck complement the four-door body style like a hand in glove. Even when its sitting still, the Vision Coupe has a sense of latent speed. The latest expression of the Kodo  Soul of Motion design language, this fellow also brags with large wheels wrapped in low-profile tires for extra visual drama.Moving on to the cockpit, Mazda aimed to create an interior thats both driver-oriented and spacious for the passengers. In stark contrast to modern cars and other concept vehicles, the automaker believes that touchscreen infotainment systems and displays can easily become a barrier that blocks the drivers view.The solution to this niggle comes in the form of a see-through screen, which functions as a display when it is required. When the driver doesnt need all that information, the screen turns off, providing perfect visibility and a sense of airiness to the cabin.Although this concept moves Mazda up the desirability scale, the automaker refused to comment on what hides under the hood. But being based on the RX-Vision from three years ago, the SkyActiv-R is our best bet. A high-revving, next-generation rotary motor in a four-door coupe doesnt sound half bad, doesnt it?The focus, however, is on the SkyActiv-X tha'ts confirmed to debut in the all-new Mazda3. From the standpoint of fuel economy, the 2.0-liter four-cylinder mill is at least 20 percent better than the SkyActiv-G, possibly 30 percent. Heres looking at you, Mazda, for keeping internal combustion relevant in the age of Teslas and all-electric paraphernalia!According to the 2018 Brand Finance Report , the three-pointed star brand isnow worth $43.9 billion, 24% more than in the previous year. According to the people behind the report, aside for the specific criteria being taken into consideration for determining brand value, Mercedes-Benzs rise is largely due to the huge increase in sales reported for the past year.The second place goes to Toyota, who dropped 6% compared to the previous year, to S$43.7 billion, while the third spot is occupied by BMW, whose brand value is estimated at $41.8 billion. Volkswagen, which in 2016 suffered a severe drop in brand value following the Dieselgate scandal, is on the rebound, occupying an honorable fourth place ($25,014 billion).Despite the fact that Mercedes-Benz is the most valuable brand of the year, the biggest surge in value belongs to Aston Martin. The Brits registered an increase of 268% compared to 2017, reaching $3.6 billion and becoming the fastest-growing brand in the automotive sector. Overall, Aston Martin ranked 24th in the report.Following on from our tremendous financial results, this endorsement of the Aston Martin brand is further proof of our successful global brand strategy, said Andy Palmer, Aston Martin CEO.The fast-growing Chinese auto market managed some serious leaps in terms of brand value, no less than six Asian brands managing to make their way in the top 50: Haval, Geely, BYD, Baojun, Foton and JAC Motors.According to the report, brand value is established after compiling data from several key indicators. These indicators include marketing investment, stakeholder equity, business performance and royalty rate. Brand revenue is also taken into consideration.SUV

Theres room for one more utility vehicle in there, however, and Mitsubishi doesnt appear to think that the subcompact segment is worth considering, at least not for the time being. According to Car Buzz , the newcomer would arrive in the form of a Bronco-fighting SUV, which is a little bit curious.You see, the 2020 Ford Bronco will arrive in 2019 as a mid-size utility vehicle for the lifestyle-oriented customer, riding on the underpinnings of the Ranger pickup truck. The Pajero Sport (a.k.a. Montero Sport) is also of the mid-sized variety, and under the skin, it shares the body-on-frame construction with the L200 workhorse, which is also called Triton in various markets.Tsuneshiro Kunimoto, whose roles are that of vice president and general manager of Mitsubishi design, declared in Geneva this sort ofwould be a good decision for Mitsubishi, although its not clear how the newcomer would differ from the Pajero Sport . The official couldnt provide a launch date, but Kunimoto-san did indicate development is already taking place.While we wait for more info on this subject to surface, its best to remember that the U.S.-spec Ranger is an evolution of the T6 that went official in 2011 in Europe and Down Under. With Mitsubishi lacking in the mid-size SUV department in the U.S., chances are something similar might be in the offing.Think about it. With the Outlander and Outlander PHEV taking care of the mid-size crossover segment, a body-on-frame SUV would further the automakers presence in this part of the world. Stealing sales from the Toyota 4Runner and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited doesnt sound half bad, doesnt it?Bell Helicopters Image

In its 20th annual Turbine-Powered Civil Helicopter Purchase Outlook, released in late February 2018, Honeywell forecasts 4,000 to 4,200 new civilian-use helicopters will be delivered from 2018 to 2022. Honeywell says they feel a better long-term global economic outlook this year means customers are holding firm in their intentions to invest in new helicopter purchases.

In addition to better global economic conditions expected in the coming years, potential positive impacts of U.S. tax reform on new helicopter demand and lower volatility in oil and gas-related markets have helped fleet managers confirm what they told us last year, Ben Driggs, president, Honeywell Aerospace, Americas says. With the expectation of stable purchase plans for new helicopters over the next five years, Honeywell is focused on bringing increased value to operators current and new fleets by offering Connected Helicopter engine, Health and Usage Monitoring Systems, and avionics solutions that help boost a platforms efficiency and availability.

Key survey findings this year include:

The next 12 months, helicopter fleet utilization is expected to increase significantly in North America and modestly in Europe and Latin America. Operators purchasing new aircraft are largely considering factors like brand experience and performance when choosing make and model. The outlook showed stable new purchase-plan rates for the next five years for North America, Europe and Asia. Latin America showed higher growth rates for the next five years with lower rates in the Middle East and Africa.Flu remains "active" in the U.S., although rates of infection continue to drop, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.

By the numbers: As of March 3, the rate of people seeing a doctor for influenza-like illness was 3.7%  lower than prior week's 4.9%, but higher than 2.2% baseline. Lab-confirmed hospitalization rates reached 74.5 per 100,000. And, 5 more pediatric deaths were reported, bringing the total this season to 119.

What's next: Health officials at a congressional hearing Thursday said after this rough flu season, they are working on better flu vaccine methods (per STAT) and antiviral medications (via CNN).In a brief filed in a federal court, a group of former Justice Department officials say they are worried about the possibility that the DOJ's suit to block the proposed AT&T-Time Warner merger is motivated by President Trump's loathing for Time Warner subsidiary, CNN.

Why it matters: This group of former officials includes fired U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara and John Dean, who was Richard Nixon's top White House lawyer. The judge overseeing the case may have recently tamped down AT&T's attempt to pursue its argument that the decision to block the deal might be political, but the issue isn't going away.

What they're saying:

"To be clear, DOJ may well have acted independently and outside the cloud of any White House interference in this matter," said the group. "But when the president specifically threatens to use the power of DOJ to punish a perceived opponent, it raises serious constitutional concerns. Public confidence in the rule of law demands a full inquiry, if for no other reason than to ensure the public that the Department continues to adhere to its obligation of ensuring the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans."News that President Trump has accepted an invitation for the first meeting between a U.S. president and a North Korean leader has provoked a range of reactions, from optimism that North Korea might actually curb its nuclear weapons program to concern that such a meeting will only legitimize its brutal regime. For those working to keep the U.S. in the Iran nuclear deal, however, a Kim-Trump encounter  assuming it comes off  would be encouraging.

Under the terms of the Iran deal, Trump has until May 12 to renew waivers for nuclear-related sanctions against Iran. Should he fail to do so  which would effectively remove the U.S. from the deal  negotiating a new non-proliferation agreement with North Korea would prove immensely difficult.

While Iran has said it will stick with the deal as long as Europe, Russia and China do, Tehran would be tempted to push its boundaries in increments  such as testing more advanced centrifuges or increasing its stockpile of low-enriched uranium  if the U.S. pulls out.

A U.S. decision to withdraw from the Iran deal would thus antagonize an international community whose cooperation Washington needs to maintain  and possibly augment  economic sanctions against North Korea. China, North Koreas economic lifeline and a party to the Iran deal, would be particularly incensed.

The bottom line: If the U.S. wants the international community's support  and particularly China's  going into a North Korea nuclear summit, it will be in the Trump administration's best interests to keep its commitments under the Iran deal.

Barbara Slavin directs the Future of Iran Initiative at the Atlantic Council.Vice News reports that a Dropbox folder called "Hoes hoin" is circulating online, containing 267 explicit photos of female U.S. service members.

Why it matters: This is the second scandal of its kind. Last year, a Facebook group of more than 30,000 U.S. and British Marines, veterans, and civilians  Marines United  was caught sharing "thousands of nude photos" of female service members. In December, Congress made "non consensual sharing of nude photos a criminal offense in the military," Vice reports.

After the first scandal, the Marine Corps was allocated $18 million to deal with misogyny, and the photo-sharing specifically.

The new Facebook group was called "Blame Marines United (Non-Butthurt Edition)," and had around 400 members.

The file of photos contains images "clearly taken by another person in the room," photos of women "performing sexual acts," women "fully clothed, in apparent attempt to shame or discredit them," and even side-by-side collages of "a fully clothed service member in uniform on one side and a nude photo of the same woman on the other."

A Dropbox spokesman said in a statement: "This link has been taken down and banned so it cannot be recirculated on Dropbox. As always, we investigate reports of content that violate our Acceptable Use Policy. If we find a violation, we take down the content and, when appropriate, take other measures such as banning the content and/or reporting to law enforcement."

Go deeper: Two officials said sexual misconduct allegations of Marine officer went ignored.The National Rifle Association filed a federal lawsuit over a Florida gun bill signed into law Friday afternoon by Florida Governor Rick Scott  a former favorite of the NRA. The lawsuit claims that the Florida bill violates the Second Amendment by raising the minimum age to purchase a gun to 21, reports the AP.

What's in the bill: The bill includes $67 million for sheriffs to train armed school personnel, bans the sale of bump stocks, raises the minimum purchasing age to 21, and more.The Palestinian Authority turned down an invitation by the Trump administration to participate in a meeting on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which will take place at the White House on March 13, according to a senior Palestinian official.

Why it matters: This is yet another example of the deep crisis between the Trump administration and the Palestinian leadership which erupted after the President's Jerusalem announcement on Dec. 6. Since then the Palestinians refuse to engage in talks with the White House.

What they're saying: Ahmad Majdalani, member of the PLOs Executive Committee told the "Voice of Palestine" radio today that Gaza is a political issue and not a humanitarian issue.

He added: "The United States is well aware that the real cause of the tragedy of the Gaza Strip is the unjust Israeli siege. What is needed is a political solution to this issue, not a humanitarian."

President Trump's special envoy for Middle East peace Jason Greenblatt has revealed in an Op-Ed, published Thursday in the Washington Post, that a "Brainstorming session" on Gaza will take place next week "to find real solutions to the problems that Hamas has caused."

Greenblatt also revealed that a similar meeting took place in Cairo last Thursday.

Greenblatt didn't attend this meeting, which included representatives from the EU, Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt and Norway (which heads the forum of international donors to the Palestinians).

The donor forum  also called the Ad Hoc Liaison committee  will convene in Brussels later this month.

Big picture takeaway from Greenblatt's op-ed: "As most people understand, an essential part of achieving a comprehensive peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians, both in Gaza and the West Bank, will be resolving  and rebuilding  Gaza. The president has been clear that he wants a fair and enduring agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians that will enhance Israels security and give all Palestinians the opportunity for a prosperous future. We are ready to work with any party truly interested in peace to reach this goal. Solving the situation in Gaza is an important step toward resolving the ultimate problem."By Trend

An Azerbaijani delegation led by the economy minister, co-chairman of the State Commission for Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Iran in the economic, trade and humanitarian spheres, Shahin Mustafayev, will pay a visit to Iran on March 12-14, the ministry said on March 9.

During the visit, there will be held 12th meeting of the state commission. Also, a number of meetings will be held with Iranian officials and prospects for expanding cooperation between the countries will be discussed.

Previously, it was reported that the meeting of the intergovernmental commission between Azerbaijan and Iran will be held in Iran's city of Astara in January. Then the meeting was postponed. As part of this event it was planned to hold the opening ceremony of the cargo terminal and the Astara (Azerbaijan) - Astara (Iran) railroad within the North-South international transport project.

According to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan, the trade turnover with Iran in 2017 amounted to $257.1 million, 27.4 percent more than in 2016. In 2017, the export of Azerbaijani products to Iran amounted to $16.8 million.

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Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order to increase the monthly salary (tariff) for the Special State Protection Service's military servicemen and civilian workers, who are not public servants.

Under the decree, monthly salary (tariff) for the Special State Protection Service's military servicemen and civil workers, who are not public servants, is increased on average by 10 percent from March 1, 2018.

The Cabinet of Ministers was instructed to address issues arising from the order.

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Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order to increase the monthly salary (tariff) for military servicemen and civilian workers, who are not public servants, at the State Security Service and Foreign Intelligence Service.

Under the decree, monthly salary (tariff) for both Services' military servicemen and civilian workers, who are not public servants, has been increased on average by 10 percent from March 1, 2018.

The Cabinet of Ministers was instructed to address issues arising from the order.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has today signed a decree approving a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in provision of services between the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations and the Islamic Organization for Education, Science and Culture (ISESCO).

The memorandum was signed on Nov. 10, 2017 in Rabat, Morocco.

Under the decree, after the entry into force of the memorandum, the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations is tasked to ensure the implementation of the memorandum's provisions.

The Foreign Ministry was instructed to notify ISESCO about implementation of the internal procedures required for the entry into force of the Memorandum of Understanding.

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Azerbaijan appreciates the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) mission for coming and carrying out observations, but Azerbaijans Electoral Code, the voters' choice as well as the election results are the main thing for Azerbaijan, political analyst Fikret Sadikhov told Trend March 9.

He said that one can expect only objective and fair approach from the observation mission in the presidential election.

They attended the last presidential election as well, Sadikhov said. Quite sound judgments and objective assessments were voiced that time, but there were some subjective views as well.

He noted that even now there certainly will be those dealing with some minor facts at the elections in Azerbaijan.

Therefore, they can draw any conclusions, it is their right, functions and tasks, Sadikhov added. Of course, their judgments and conclusions are important for the public, including the foreign public. However, for Azerbaijan, first of all, the results of the voting are important.

He noted that if the observers are objective, they should honestly and fairly draw concrete practical conclusions for themselves, considering the political practice and the choice of the Azerbaijani voters.

Commenting on the current activity of the mission, Sadikhov noted with regret that a number of observers come to Azerbaijan guided not by the desire to objectively evaluate the results of the election and to inform the general public about it in their reports and statements, but with some bias, subjectivity.

This happens because there are external forces that are interested in such a subjective approach to results of the election, he noted, adding that these forces are critical of the political realities of Azerbaijan and plan certain destabilization scenarios in the country.

It is clear that there are political forces that stand behind those observers, Sadikhov said. Azerbaijan is well aware of this fact. Those are forces that are not interested in a stable situation in Azerbaijan. They would like to see a different path of Azerbaijans development, its subordination to the interests of some leading country, power, or some political forces that would dictate their conditions and impose their own development parameters.

In this aspect, various subjective judgments are possible this time as well, and this factor cannot be ruled out, he said.

However, they are not the main elements of the election campaign in Azerbaijan; it is the voter who makes the choice, Sadikhov added. Such judgments are unlikely to affect the outcome of the election and the entire election campaign, let alone the development of Azerbaijan.

Presidential election will be held in Azerbaijan on April 11, 2018.

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Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order on measures to develop the education infrastructure in the Gakh, Gabala, Oguz and Shaki districts.

According to the order, 5.056 million manats will be allocated to Azerbaijans Education Ministry in order to create 15 modular schools.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzPJ Lhuillier Group of Companies president and chief executive Jean Henri Lhuillier holds the 2017 Grand Stevie Award.

The PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies brought home a Grand Stevie Trophy during the 2017 International Business Awards in Barcelona, Spain. The organization is behind the countrys largest micro-financial institution, Cebuana Lhuillier. The company received the Grand Stevie Award for placing 8th over-all after bagging 18 awards, including five gold, four silver, eight bronze and a Peoples Choice trophy. PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies president and chief executive Jean Henri Lhuillier won Gold Stevie awards for Executive of the Year for Insurance and Executive of the Year for Diversified Services. He also won Bronze Stevie awards for Executive of the Year for Conglomerates, Executive of the Year for Financial Services, Maverick of the Year and Innovator of the Year. Winning these prestigious global awards brings us much pride and honor as we have always reveled in the quality of our products and the programs we implement. These awards will continue to motivate us to further introduce innovative products and services towards achieving our ultimate goal of financial inclusion for the country, Lhuillier said. PJ Lhuillier also brought home Gold Stevie awards for Company of the Year for Diversified Services and Most Innovative Company of the Year and Bronze Stevie awards for Company of the Year for Financial Services and Company of the Year for Insurance. The companys Disaster Resilience advocacy program was also awarded with Silver Stevie awards for Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year and PR Campaign of the Year for Consumer Services. The Cebuana Lhuillier Legacy Book won a Gold Stevie for Company History Publication while the Cebuana Lhuillier Ninong Ceb Facebook Group for employees and the Cebuana Lhuillier Financial Inclusion campaign won Silver Stevie awards for Best Facebook Group and PR Campaign of the Year for Public Service, respectively.The Cebuana Lhuillier Website and Cebuana Lhuillier Isang Bangka campaign also won Bronze Stevie awards for Website Awards Financial Services and PR Campaign/Program of the Year for Internal Communications, respectively. PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies also bagged 8 trophies in the 2017 Golden Bridge Awards, including a Grand Trophy for placing 4th overall in the competition. Representing the only Asian country among the winners, the company won two gold trophies for Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year and Milestone of the Year and five bronze trophies for Executive of the Year, Company of the Year, Business Expansion of the Year, Company Growth of the Year and Best Apps. In 2017, the PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies won a total of 59 awards from various international and local award-giving bodies, including eight Anvil Awards, two Philippine Quill Awards and four CEO World Awards, among others. The International Business Awards is the worlds premier business awards created to honor and generate public recognition of the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and working professionals worldwide. Golden Bridge Awards, on the other hand, is an annual industry and peers recognition program honoring Best Companies of all types and sizes from all over the world.By Trend

Georgian President Georgi Margvelashvili expressed his condolences to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in connection with fire in the Republican Drug Rehabilitation Center, which led to casualties.

"I was deeply saddened by the news of fire in the Republican Drug Rehabilitation Center in Baku. On behalf of Georgian people and on my own behalf, I extend my deepest condolences to you, government and nation of Azerbaijan, the letter said.

"Your Excellency, I ask you to convey my condolences to the families of the victims, and to the wounded - wishes for a speedy recovery. You can always count on the support of Georgia."

Prime Minister of Georgia Georgy Kvirikashvili also expressed his condolences to President Ilham Aliyev.

"On behalf of the government and the people of Georgia, on my own behalf, I express my deepest condolences to you in connection with the fire in the Republican Drug Rehabilitation Center that led to the death of people. During these difficult moments we are next to the fraternal Azerbaijani people, share the grief of the families of the victims, wish them patience and endurance," the letter said.

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The OSCE mission can directly monitor all processes related to the presidential election in Azerbaijan, Chairman of Azerbaijans Central Election Commission (CEC) Mazahir Panahov said.

He made the remarks March 9 at a meeting with Corien Jonker, head of the observation mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the CEC said in a message.

Having greeted the head and members of the observation mission, Panahov expressed satisfaction with the meeting and highly appreciated the initiative for its organization.

Jonker expressed her gratitude to Panahov for the warm welcome and said that the OSCE ODIHR will observe the pre-election and the election process.

Then the members of the observation mission inquired about preparations for the presidential election in Azerbaijan scheduled for April 11.

Panahov spoke about the high organization of the election, the work done to conduct transparent and fair election and the large-scale briefing program of the CEC.

He brought to the attention of the members of the observation mission the activity of the CEC and numerous projects being implemented to freely ensure the rights of Azerbaijani citizens to elect and be elected, and also said that all steps are taken in the conditions of full transparency.

Panahov said that the CEC is always open for cooperation with international organizations, and also noted that presently, the professional working group is checking the submitted signature lists and other election documents.

The process of verification, which is completely open to the public, is regularly monitored by authorized representatives of political parties, presidential candidates and the media, he added.

Panahov, along with other international organizations, also invited the members of the observation mission to take an active part in verifying the signature lists, as well as in any other election-related processes in general.

During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.

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Uzbekistan and Tajikistan plan to increase the trade turnover between the two countries to $1 billion, the press-office of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said on March 9.

The corresponding agreement has been achieved during the official visit of the Uzbek president to Dushanbe.

Earlier, the two sides considered a possibility of increasing the trade turnover to $500 million.

As a result of the fruitful talks between the heads of state, as well as the direct dialogue between business circles, the trade turnover is planned to be increased to $1 billion, Mirziyoyevs press office reported.

The sides signed a total of 27 documents in Dushanbe, including the joint statement on strengthening of friendship and neighborliness, the agreement on certain parts of the Uzbek-Tajik state border.

The trade turnover between the two states increased by 20 percent and totaled $240 million in 2017.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzIn the wake of the nationwide nursing shortage, hospitals and other healthcare facilities, including Aurora, Colo.-based UCHealth and Falls Church, Va.-based Inova Health System, are offering large incentive packages to recruit and retain nurses, according to a CNNMoney report.

To fulfill the nation's growing healthcare needs, the U.S. will have to produce over one million new registered nurses by 2022, according to the American Nurses Association.

UCHealth, a nine-hospital, nonprofit health system that operates over 100 clinics across Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska, currently has 330 openings for RNs. UCHealth is struggling to find nurses locally and has been looking for candidates from other states and countries.

The health system is now offering new recruits relocation allowances and signing bonuses of up to $10,000, which provides nurses with up to $4,000 annually to invest in continuing education, Kathy Howell, BSN, RN, chief nursing executive for UCHealth, told CNNMoney. It also offers the Traveler RN program, which allows nurses to complete a 13-week rotation at different UCHealth facilities.

Inova Health System, a six-hospital system based in the Washington, D.C., metro area, is offering candidates who have at least two years of critical care experience and live over 50 miles from one of its hospitals a $20,000 sign-on bonus and up to $20,000 in reimbursable relocation costs, CNO Maureen Sintich, DNP, RN, told CNNMoney.

In addition, Morgantown-based WVU Medicine, an eight hospital-system in West Virginia, will begin offering tuition reimbursement for employees and their children this fall. WVU aims to hire 200 nurses and will also offer free housing to some of its nurses as part of its commuter program.

However, Seun Ross, MSN, DNP, director of nursing practice and work environment at the American Nurses Association, is concerned these bonuses and perks may not be enough to retain nurses long-term. "What's to stop nurses from accepting a job because of the perks and then hop to another hospital after two years because of their perks," Dr. Ross said.

Dr. Ross suggests for health systems to invest in career development, offering better pay and improving the nursing work environment to make sure nurses avoid burnout. "All it takes is for one nurse to tell her friend that where she works is a great place for these reasons and applications will come in," Dr. Ross said.The following hospital and health system credit rating and outlook changes and affirmations took place in the last week, beginning with the most recent.

1. S&P affirms 'A+' rating on St. Clair Memorial Hospital of Pittsburgh

S&P Global Ratings affirmed its "A+" rating on St. Clair Memorial Hospital of Pittsburgh's series 2012 revenue bonds.

2. Moody's affirms 'Baa1' rating on Martin Memorial Medical Center

Moody's Investors Service affirmed its "Baa1" rating on Stuart, Fla.-based Martin Memorial Medical Center's outstanding bonds, affecting approximately $260 million of debt.

3. Fitch affirms 'A' rating on Bon Secours' bonds

Fitch Ratings affirmed its "A" rating on Marriottsville, Md.-based Bon Secours Health System's outstanding bonds, affecting $641 million of debt.

4. Fitch assigns 'AA-' rating to UnityPoint Health

Fitch Ratings assigned its "AA-" rating to West Des Moines, Iowa-based UnityPoint Health's proposed $82 million series 2018A bonds. Fitch also assigned the health system an issuer default rating of "AA-."

5. Moody's affirms 'A3' rating on Middlesex Hospital

Moody's Investors Service affirmed its "A3" rating on Middletown, Conn.-based Middlesex Hospital, affecting approximately $40 million of rated debt.

6. Moody's affirms 'Aa2' rating on University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics

Moody's Investors Service affirmed its "Aa2" rating on Salt Lake City-based University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics, affecting approximately $74 million of rated debt.

7. S&P upgrades Phoenix Children's Hospital to 'A-'

S&P Global Ratings upgraded Phoenix Children's Hospital's long-term rating to "A-" from "BBB+."

8. Fitch assigns 'BBB+' rating to Jupiter Medical Center

Fitch Ratings assigned its "BBB+" issuer default rating to Jupiter (Fla.) Medical Center.

9. Fitch assigns 'AA-' rating Hawai'i Pacific Health

Fitch Ratings assigned its "AA-" issuer default rating to Honolulu-based Hawai'i Pacific Health.West Des Moines, Iowa-based Mercy Health Network named Sean Williams president and CEO of Mercy Iowa City (Iowa), effective May 1.

Here are three things to know:

1. Mr. Williams is currently president and CEO of Mercy Medical Center-Clinton (Iowa), a role he has held for eight years.

2. He holds a master of healthcare administration degree from Des Moines (Iowa) University.

3. He will take over from interim CEO Shane Cerone, who, along with Mercy Iowa City COO Casey Greene, will assist in the transition.From a Pennsylvania hospital settling a kickback case to the Department of Justice suing a Wisconsin nursing home, here are the latest healthcare industry lawsuits and settlements making headlines.

1. UPMC Hamot, cardiology practice ink $20.7M settlement in kickback case

UPMC Hamot and cardiology practice Medicor Associates, both in Erie, Pa., finalized an agreement to pay the federal government $20.7 million to settle allegations they knowingly submitted claims to Medicare and Medicaid in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law.

2. Kentucky AG files fourth opioid crisis lawsuit

Kentucky's Attorney General on March 8 filed a lawsuit against AmerisourceBergen, alleging the drug distributor engaged in deceptive business practices related to the overdistribution of opioids in the state.

3. DOJ sues Wisconsin nursing home over mandatory flu shot policy

The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Ozaukee County, Wis., March 6, alleging county-owned Cedarburg, Wis.-based Lasata Care Center discriminated against a former nursing assistant's religious objections to receiving a flu vaccine.

4. Judge: UnitedHealth shareholders can comb 12 years of alleged Medicare fraud records

A Delaware judge ruled UnitedHealth Group's shareholders can rifle through 12 years of the payer's records to support allegations UnitedHealth directors partook in Medicare fraud.

5. Hidden camera planted by patient's family unearths abuse at Michigan nursing home

The family of an 89-year-old man is suing Autumnwood of Livonia (Mich.) nursing home after a hidden camera allegedly captured the facility's staff yelling at and roughly throwing the patient onto his bed and wheelchair.

More articles on legal and regulatory issues:

Ex-DOJ attorney sentenced to prison for stealing whistle-blower lawsuits

Feds launch investigation into Tenet's Detroit Medical Center: 7 things to know

Judge says former pharma executive Martin Shkreli responsible for $10.4M in financial losses: 8 things to knowLawmakers in the Illinois House are considering legislation to require the state Department of Veterans Affairs to give families quicker notice of Legionnaire's outbreaks at its veterans' homes, according to a March 8 report from .

State Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, drafted the bill, which would require VA officials to alert veterans' home residents, their family members and VA employees of a Legionnaire's outbreak within 24 hours, according to the

The Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy experienced three separate outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease between 2015 and 2017, causing 64 infections and 13 deaths. Last month, state health officials confirmed four cases of Legionnaires' in the facility.

Internal state health official emails obtained by WBEZ and released in February suggest state officials waited nearly a week to inform the public about the 2015 outbreak.

Legionnaires' is a virulent form of pneumonia contracted through the inhalation of water carrying Legionella. Those with weakened immune systems like the elderly are at greater risk of infection.

To learn more about Legionnaires' disease, click here.

More articles on infection control:

125 Milwaukee residents infected in Syphilis, HIV cluster: 5 things to know

Flu remains widespread in 34 states as viral activity wanes: 5 things to know

Making flu vaccinations mandatory for healthcare workers reduces absenteeismA study published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology examined the effect of mandatory and nonmandatory influenza vaccination policies on both vaccination rates as well as absenteeism among healthcare workers.

Researchers conducted the retrospective observational cohort study at three university medical centers with mandatory flu vaccination policies and four Veterans Affairs healthcare systems with nonmandatory vaccination policies.

Researchers included 2,304 outpatient healthcare workers at mandatory vaccination sites and 1,759 outpatient workers at nonmandatory vaccination sites. They performed the study over three viral respiratory illness, from 2012 through 2015. Study participants reported their flu vaccination status and symptomatic days absent from work every week for 12 weeks during the peak illness season each year.

The study shows the proportion of participants who received the flu vaccine was lower at nonmandatory sites each year as compared to mandatory vaccination sites. Of healthcare workers who reported at least one sick day, vaccinated workers had fewer days of absenteeism compared to workers who were not vaccinated.

"These data suggest that mandatory [healthcare worker] influenza vaccination policies increase influenza vaccination rates and that [healthcare worker] symptomatic absenteeism diminishes as rates of influenza vaccination increase," study authors concluded.A 44-year-old nurse who worked at a nursing post in remote Coral Bay, Australia, saved his own life after diagnosing and treating his own heart attack, according to a case report published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

When the nurse experienced heart attack symptoms, he was nearly 100 miles from the nearest medical facility and more than 600 miles from Perth, the nearest major city. In response to his symptoms, the nurse gave himself an electrocardiogram and emailed the results to an emergency room physician using Australia's Emergency Telehealth Service.

A number of other serious heart attack signs appeared on a second ECG the nurse emailed to the physicians. To treat himself, the nurse prepared his own intravenous line for treatment drugs, including clot-busters and painkillers.

He also "attached his own defibrillator pads and prepared adrenaline" as well as two drugs to correct his irregular heart rhythms, the report authors wrote. The vessel blockage driving the heart attack cleared, and there was a resolution of the irregularities on the ECG, as well as the nurse's symptoms.

These treatment steps allowed the nurse to have more time before emergency help could arrive, the report authors wrote. The nurse was airlifted to a cardiology center in Perth, where he received a stent and drugs for his heart condition. He was discharged 48 hours later.

Although the nurse's efforts to save himself were essential for this case, "a person's self-management of a [heart attack] cannot be considered medically appropriate if any other option is available," the report authors concluded.Pierre Boyer

The Philippines consumes more cognac than France, the only country that produces the premium variety of brandy. This is according to Pierre Boyer, the 28-year-old brand ambassador of Martell cognac in Southeast Asia. The cognac market is growing in the Philippines, Boyer says in a cognac tasting event organized by Martell in Makati City. Boyer, who was born and raised in the city of Cognac and is an active cognac enthusiast, says the expanding economy of the Philippines and the penchant for premium brands is driving the growth in demand for cognac in the country. The Philippines is one of the worlds largest markets for brandy, with homegrown Emperador Inc., which owns Bodegas Fundador in Spain, now considered the largest producer.Boyer says what makes cognac different from other brandy types is the place where it is produced. The variety is named after the city of Cognac in the western part of France and is produced in the surrounding wine-growing region spanning 75,000 hectares in the departments of Charente and Charente-Maritime. Martell is the oldest cognac producer in France, having first produced the premium cognac in 1715. Martell, now owned by Pernod Ricard, is also one of the four largest producers of cognac, along with Courvoisier, Hennessy and Remy Martin. Martell cognac contains fine brandies dubbed eaux-de-vie or waters of life, according to Boyer. Boyer graduated with a Masters in International Business from HEC Paris in 2015 where he wrote a thesis about the French wine industry. He joined the Pernod-Ricard group as a marketing trainee in Paris in 2013 and became the brand ambassador for Martell cognac and Mumm and Perrier-Jouet champagne at Pernod-Ricard Malaysia in 2016.Boyer says cognac is made from Ugni blanc, a dry and acidic grape variety which is distilled twice and aged for at least two years. Boyer says while Ugnic blanc is not a good variety for wine, it is perfect for distillation and aging of brandy. Martell is the oldest among the 200 cognac houses in the Cognac region, says Boyer, and is most famous for Cordon Bleu. It also produces very superior old pale or VSOP and extra old or XO cognac.

Pernod Ricard, the parent company of Martell, is also the one behind Chivas Brothers scotch, Malibu rum, Beefeater gin and Absolut vodka. Boyer, who is now based in Kuala Lumpur, says China and the United States are two of the largest markets of cognac, but one of the fastest growing markets is Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Before moving to Kuala Lumpur, Boyer has lived in Cognac, Paris, Brussels and Rotterdam and traveled around Southeast Asia, Africa and North America. Boyer says cognac has an alcohol content of 40 percent and drinking it should depend on ones preference and ability to handle alcohol. On whether cognac should be enjoyed pure or mixed with water, ice or juice, Boyer says: It is should be the way you like it.Elizabeth Hurley has spoken about the brutal attack on her 21-year-old nephew after he was stabbed in London.

The actress said it was an appalling time for their family and thanked fans for their support.

She was photographed returning to London shortly after the attack on Miles Hurley, who is a model.

She wrote on Twitter: My 21 year old nephew was repeatedly stabbed in a brutal attack in London on Thursday night.

The police & hospital are being fantastic. Thank you for all your messages. It is an appalling time for him & our family. The police will be appealing for witnesses.

My 21 year old nephew was repeatedly stabbed in a brutal attack in London on Thursday night. The police & hospital are being fantastic. Thank you for all your messages. It is an appalling time for him & our family. The police will be appealing for witnesses.  Elizabeth Hurley (@ElizabethHurley) March 10, 2018

On the day of the attack, Miles had paid tribute to his aunt in a post celebrating International Womens Day.

He posted a picture of her with another family member, writing: Love & appreciation for all the strong, happy and independent women around me.

Hurley has previously shared Miles modelling photos, tweeting: Heres my handsome nephew.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: Police were called at 20.52 on Thursday, 8 March to Ascalon Street, SW8 following reports of a stabbing.

Officers attended with the London Ambulance Service (LAS). A 21-year-old man was discovered with stab wounds to his back.

Another man, also believed to be aged 21, was also found suffering from stab wounds.

They were both taken by LAS to a south London hospital where their conditions are described as not life-threatening or life-changing.

They are believed to have been attacked by a group of males who got out of a vehicle and assaulted them before fleeing the scene.

A crime scene was put in place. Road closures were also in place but have since been lifted.

There have been no arrests.A female member of the Catholic Church, which Mary McAleese described as an 'empire of misogyny'

Former Irish president Mary McAleese is a reporter's dream. She is never shy in front of a microphone and, as an accomplished journalist herself, is almost unrivalled in her ability to craft a headline-grabbing soundbite. It wasn't by accident that she used the words 'empire of misogyny' to describe the Catholic Church.

The Church has a long way to go on women's issues, but even people sympathetic about some of the points Mrs McAleese was making will recognise her 'empire of misogyny' comments as hyperbolic.

When it comes to the Church and women, too often there is an almost exclusive focus from some campaigners on the issue of female ordination.

The absence of women priests is seen as a gaping wound and there is no doubt that, for the women who feel they would like to be priests, that feeling of exclusion is real.

But the focus on priesthood and ordination also runs the risk of ignoring much deeper questions about decision-making and how authority is exercised in the Church.

As it stands, the Catholic Church is far too clerical - that is to say, dominated by clergy. It is only when there is a proper rebalancing of power between priest and people - the ordained and the non-ordained - that the Church can be authentically reformed.

What do I mean by this? Well, virtually every report into the mishandling of allegations of sexual abuse against priests highlights the phenomenon of clericalism as a major factor of cases not being handled properly.

Time and again, bishops and religious superiors put the Church's good name and the reputation of the accused cleric ahead of child welfare.

It's not unique to the Church. It's the same pattern of behaviour that we have all too often witnessed in other institutions when things go wrong.

As things stand, decision-making and governance in the Church is vested in priests and bishops alone.

Advocates for the ordination of women argue that this is why it's vital for women to become priests, so they can start to exercise real power within the Church.

But what about shifting away from clerical power to a culture of co-responsibility within the Catholic Church, where priests and laypeople make decisions together?

What campaigners for women priests fail to understand is that the current model of leadership in the Church doesn't exclude women because they are women, it excludes them because they are not ordained.

The ordination of women would simply add more members to the particular caste making all the decisions within Catholicism.

One can see how this might be appealing to women who feel that their voice is unheard, but a more radical approach would be to call for a reform of how the Church is governed - one that would fully embrace the vision of the reforming Vatican II agenda that sought to put laypeople front and centre in the Church, working together with priests and bishops.

Critics of a more lay-based approach to governance will often grumble that the Church is not a democracy - and they're right.

In fact, theologically, it is much more than a democracy - it is a communion, which means everyone working together for the common good.

Paradoxically, obsessing about women priests plays into the hands of those opposed to the meaningful reforms that would give laypeople their rightful place within Church decision-making.

It focuses minds away from what can actually be achieved in terms of the Church and it allows opponents of reform to dismiss all calls as coming from a radical fringe.

Those women impatient for reforms in the Church would do well to set aside the megaphone diplomacy and join in advocating for a Church where ordination is not seen as the golden ticket to power, but where people work and make the important decisions together.What you don't know won't hurt you, right? Wrong - I want to know everything. If I could put a tracking device under my children's skin, I would. Before having children, I had no idea what anxiety really meant. Now I know, I have felt it every day since the day my eldest was born 13 years ago. Danger is everywhere.

I've worried about them choking on sausages or bits of Lego, crawling into a fire, being suffocated by a blanket, chasing a ball onto the road The world that used to look so 'normal' now seems like an evil place full of danger and pitfalls.

I look at strangers with suspicion, the sight of a white van makes me break out in a sweat.

I now understand my mother. I get it, Mum, I finally understand why you were so protective. It's b***** scary.

As the youngest of three you'd think I would have got away with murder - I didn't. I was stupid, really stupid. There was nothing stealthy about me. I would never have been approached by secret agencies to spy for them. I was a lot more Mr Bean than 007.

No matter what I did, I always got caught. If I climbed out the window or drank too much or came home after curfew, my mother would be waiting for me. It was as if she had a sixth sense.

My mother knew about everything I did, except that time I went to Spain

Having decided to study Spanish because I liked the sound of the rolling 'Rs', I soon found out that I wasn't actually very good at it. With my Leaving Cert looming, my parents very generously sent me to Spain to study for a month.

It was a big deal and they made sacrifices to send me to this Spanish language school, so I knew that the onus was on me to come back fluent. I'd study hard and come back speaking like a native. People would ask me if I was actually Spanish. My teacher would be in awe of my fluency and perfect accent. I'd ace the Leaving and get that elusive A.

And sure, I might get a tan while I was there, too. This was the 1980s when Irish teenagers thought that scorching themselves in the midday sun, lying on a sheet of tin foil while lathered in olive oil was a good idea.

We had no fears or worries about skin cancer. As I said to my pasty friends: "Sure isn't it better to be red than white?"

I certainly followed that rule. I was bright red with the body burnt off me every summer. If you were looking for red, I was your woman. Bright, throbbing red. Off I went to Spain where I was housed with a family. My mother thought that having me live with a Spanish family would keep me safe, put manners on me and help me learn even more Spanish. After attending classes all day long, I'd come home and sit with my Spanish family and we'd chat about our day.

I arrived at the apartment, with my mother's words, "You are an ambassador for your country", ringing in my ears. To be fair, even when I went on a school trip to an adventure centre in Donegal my mother told me I was an ambassador for my country, so it wasn't news to me.

I tried in my incomprehensible Spanish to chat to the mother of the house who just shook her head and shrugged. Clearly realising I was a lost cause she smiled, handed me the key to the front door and I never saw her again.

When I got up they had all gone to work and school, when I got home well, more of that later.

On my first day in the language school I shuffled into the classroom feeling awkward and embarrassed and peered up from under my fringe to see if I could see anyone that might be a potential friend for the next month.

I spotted her fairly quickly. She was about my age and looked equally uncomfortable. When the teacher asked us to introduce ourselves she said her name was Charlie and she was from Manchester.

I smiled at her, hoping she'd smile back. She did. That was it, I had a friend. Charlie was great fun and up for a laugh. She was sharing an apartment with a bunch of older American students who had all brought locks for their individual kitchen cupboards. They stored their food inside and then locked it in. The fridge was a minefield of Post-It notes stuck to milk cartons, butter, yogurts all stating who owned what. A scourge on anyone who dared to touch another's food!

Charlie and I thought this was hilarious and occasionally ate a yogurt and then stuck the top back on, just to wind them up.

One night Charlie and I, and a group of other non-cabinet-locking students, went out to a local bar. The owner was a round man with the biggest smile you've ever seen. Halfway through the night, he hopped over the bar, climbed up to a little DJ booth at the back, put on a gorilla mask (I never quite got to the bottom of that one) and started spinning discs. The bar turned into a mini nightclub.

We had a great night and went back there regularly. On the fourth night we were there the owner said he needed new staff, were Charlie and I interested?

Making money while hanging out in our favourite place? Sounded like a win-win. "Unfortunately, I can't actually pay you in cash," he said, "but you can drink as much as you like."

Charlie and I were 16, the notion that we could drink whatever we wanted and however much we wanted every night was like mana from heaven. "When do we start?" we shouted. "How about tomorrow night?" he said.

"Should we come in early for training? Get to know how to mix up the drinks, familiarise ourselves with the prices," I asked, trying to sound somewhat professional.

He roared laughing. "Training? Just charge what you think seems about right and stick it in the till."

That first night, for every drink Charlie and I served, we'd have one ourselves. After an hour, we were legless. After two, we were paralytic.

Charlie passed out drunk behind the bar at midnight and I went for a "snooze" in the storage room shortly thereafter.

The next day, I woke up with my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth and the sun streaming in the through the curtains. Uh Oh. I squinted at my watch, it was one o'clock in the afternoon. I'd missed most of the day's lectures. I was too hungover to move so I just went back to sleep.

The next three weeks followed more or less the same pattern. Go to work, drink, serve, drink, serve. Go home, pass out, wake up after lunch and repeat.

Charlie and I tried to make it to the last lecture of the day, but more often than not, we missed it.

I came home after the month away speaking Spanish. My language skills had improved, a lot. My mother was delighted, although she looked slightly bemused when her Spanish friend said that my Spanish was very "colloquial". Laughing at my accent and quick-fire responses, he said: "It's strange, your daughter speaks Spanish like a drunk in a bar."

Sorry, Mum, for not attending the classes, but I did achieve my goal to learn Spanish, albeit in my own way.

Doesn't the end justify the means?

Our Secrets and Lies by Sinead Moriarty is published by Penguin Ireland, 7.99Eamonn Holmes has to think outside the box when it comes to buying a gift for Mother's Day. "Mum doesn't like flowers and she's a diabetic, so you can't get her chocolate," he says. "You ask her what she wants, and she says she doesn't need a thing.

"She'll say: 'The only thing I'd like is your Daddy back, and you can't give me that. She's absolutely convinced she'll meet my dad again when she dies."

The award-winning broadcaster (58) has found the solution to his gifting dilemma - in art.

"I have to be increasingly inventive to get her a present she approves of," he laughs. "What she relates to, in a rich vein, is old pictures, so what I do is get them turned into paintings, some abstract.

"I get old pictures of Dad and get them transformed into a watercolour painting and framed. She thinks that's absolutely amazing - it's like giving her a painting she never knew she had, and memories come back from the time of the picture.

"She can re-live old times, like when we used to go to Omeath (Co Louth) on the ferry for a day out, all of us and our uncles. Probably drove home from the ferry drunk, back in those days."

Josie, who turns 90 this year, still lives in north Belfast, not far from where Eamonn grew up with his four brothers in a two-up, two-down house off the Antrim Road, with an outside toilet and no bathroom. Eamonn recalls his mother baking and polishing, and keeping the home immaculately clean, while his father, Leonard, went out to work as a carpet fitter. Leonard died of a heart attack in April 1991, with more than 1,000 attending his funeral.

Josie had a tumour removed in 2010 and made a good recovery. But, down the line from his home in Weybridge, Surrey, Eamonn admits he worries about her. "She's frail, which is a big concern, but she's tough," he says. "We're very alike. She's very feisty - all her kids say the same. She can be formidable. She has an opinion on everything and she has very little time for my celebrity-hood and that sort of life.

"She'll always criticise and slag off these ones. She'll say: 'Who cares about them?' She does watch me on television but she doesn't pretend to overly enjoy it!

"She doesn't like you getting above yourself in life, or thinking you're greater than anyone else in the family."

Like many true mother-hens, Josie likes to keep her chicks nearby.

"I live part of the time in east Belfast - it's 11 minutes away from her but she'll say, 'What took you away there?'" Eamonn laughs. "There are not as many people around her from her younger days now.

"She says, 'Everyone I know is dead'. That's a sad state to get to, to not have anyone around relevant to your time. Having someone to listen is a great joy for her."

Last December, Eamonn made the Queen's New Year Honours list and will receive the prestigious OBE for his services to broadcasting at an investiture ceremony later this year.

He is considering bringing his daughter, Rebecca, by his first marriage, and his son, Jack, to the ceremony, explaining that Jack's mother, Ruth Langsford, would be prepared to "stand aside", given the two-guest limit.

While Josie doesn't travel too far from home these days, Eamonn and his brothers visit her frequently and look after her every need.

Says Eamonn: "Mum is proud of the OBE but I don't think she thinks it's as good as her brother-in-law getting a BEM, the lowest of the honours, for diffusing limpet landmines off ships in World War Two. That was worthy of a much higher award than a BEM.

"Mum thinks if I make people happy, that's good.

"And if they object to me in any way, that's okay too. That's a good thing for me. She doesn't make any difference in me and my brothers. She's as egalitarian as can be, if that's the word, and she still treats us all as if we're about seven."

As for Ruth, Eamonn leaves it to Jack to mark Mother's Day at home in Surrey.

"I get annoyed when people ask me what I'm doing for Ruth for Mother's Day," he complains.

"Ruth's not my mother. Jack takes care of her and I look after my mum. I'll make sure he's on the ball, and he will be.

"They get on very well. It was his 16th birthday last week and Ruth had the whole house decorated for three days and these different tea parties and so on. It was a whole birthday weekend. I'm not like that but they do very big things at Christmas and so on."

For the first time in many years, Eamonn will be unable to see Josie on Mother's Day, on Sunday, as he is pre-recording the current series of Do The Right Thing ("a re-working of That's Life"), which goes out on Channel 5.

"We do the filming the weekend before it goes out, so, my guilt is that I won't be with Mum on Mother's Day this year," he concludes. "But I'll see her soon. Mum enjoys reminiscing about the old days, and when she talks, she talks and talks, and you listen. She loves talking, and to have someone to talk to.

"There won't be that many Mother's Days left, and I think the best gift you can give - especially an older mother - is time. That's a wonderful gift."

Catch Eamonn and Ruth on Do The Right Thing, Channel 5, Thursdays, 9pm

'In any situation in life, good or bad, I can turn to my mum and ask her to be here'

Jonathan Rea is 9,500 miles away from his mum Claire (55) this weekend, but the World Superbike champion isn't forgetting Mother's Day.

"Unfortunately, I'm in Australia and away from my mum this year but I am making it up to her and having a nice bunch of flowers sent," he says. "I will, however, be celebrating an UK Mother's Day with Tatia, my wife, and our two little boys. Me and the boys will pick out some nice flowers to give to her, and we'll have a date night tomorrow."

From Antrim, Jonathan (30) grew up in awe of his road racer father Johnny, a former Isle of Man TT winner, and was always close to his mother, who stayed at home to look after him and his siblings, Richard, Kristoper and Chloe, while Johnny worked long hours in the family business.

The Rea household was non-sectarian; the young Jonathan was so naive that he thought red, white and blue kerbstones represented a race track. He was even bullied at school because he didn't understand sectarianism.

"I was very, very close to my mum in the earlier years - I could confide in her on anything and she helped me through being bullied at school," he recalls. "We had a very, honest, open relationship.

"She is an amazing mum. Whilst dad went out and worked to keep the family business open, mum pretty much brought us up and made sure we were always turned out well. We never went without, but I don't feel that we were spoiled."

An accomplished cross-country runner in her younger days, Claire has struggled with back problems, which worries Jonathan.

"Her health is average - she could be in a healthier state in these later years," he says. "I would love to see her take up sport and do more exercise, but it is trying to fit it into a hectic schedule. She likes going out with friends, eating nice food.

"She enjoys paddle-boarding when she comes to our house in Australia - actually, she is not that into paddle-boarding! She enjoys taking my dog Bruno out for walks and she enjoys shopping here."

The Rea boys were given motorbikes at a young age by their father Johnny, while Chloe got a quad bike. Jonathan's love of racing started early, and his mother Claire regularly took him to various competitions when he was growing up.

"I don't think she ever stopped worrying about me but I feel that my mum did enough of job when I was younger to show me that she really trusted me," he recalls. "Although, if I was away out-of-sight, out-of-mind or whatever, I know that she would be thinking of me. But that she knew I was switched-on enough to make good decisions that she had instilled in me,

"She taught me right from wrong; she taught me very valuable lessons as a kid, the difference between needing something and wanting something. She and dad have been a huge influence on me. I was lucky my parents both instilled great morals in me. The person I am today is down to both her and my dad."

Looking back, Jonathan recalls that his mother was quite strict and firm with her ground rules when he was a teenager. But he knew how to get around her.

"In my later years I understood how I could push her buttons," he laughs. "Not that she was a pushover, but I managed to get my own way sometimes. But she was pretty strict especially when it came to being a teenager and wanting to go out and hang out with my mates in the town, or going out at weekends.

"Mum was always the one who would come and pick me up and I had always to be on time, and if I was one minute late at the agreed meeting time or meeting place, I wasn't allowed to go out for the next few weeks."

The champion rider made all his family extremely proud last year when he received an OBE. With his earnings from racing, he is happy to help out financially and buy his mother thoughtful gifts.

"We celebrated occasions like Mother's Day when I was a teenager by all the family going out for a nice meal together," he remembers. "Generally, I would have signed the card that my dad bought, and he always bought a present from the kids, as well as probably flowers from him.

"I help my mum with her home now, which I am very proud to say. I've flown my mum around the world to visit me and to come to my races. I think one of the most extravagant gifts I bought her was a nice watch.

"Mum means the world to me know because I know in any situation in life, good or bad, I can turn to my mum and ask her to be here," he adds. "More recently, now with my own kids, my mum really steps up and comes over to help me out with the kids. She is not only an amazing mum but an amazing grandmum - or nanny, as she prefers to be called!"

'Don't ignore a call from your mother, you could regret it'

Although Vinny Hurrell is happy to splash out for his mother on any given occasion, he subscribes to the idea that it's the thought that counts. "I remember when I was about 12, I was sent to get the groceries, with the money to pay for them," he recalls. "I decided to buy Mum some sweets and kept them for Mother's Day, so she was paying for them herself, really. But I was only 12!"

The BBC Northern Ireland presenter and Stephen Nolan producer/sidekick grew up in Randalstown, Co Antrim, as the middle child of five - he has two older sisters, Donna (41) and Emma (39), and two younger brothers, Donal (35) and Patrick (26).

His mum, Jean (60), worked in retail after many years of helping her husband Donal (63), a small farmer, run his butcher shop in Randalstown, as well as a stint co-running an inn in her hometown of Longford.

Vinny (36) recalls his mother making him sit down to study for his 11-Plus for an hour each day, which he spent doodling. As a result, he didn't pass the exam, but his parents encouraged him to obtain a good education anyway. He went on to study for a degree in journalism and media studies at Staffordshire University in Stoke-on-Trent before spending a year in Australia backpacking.

"Mum has always made me feel 100% supported," he says. "Since university, I tried for years to get on the BBC training course. It wasn't paid, you just got an allowance. When I eventually got a place, I had an offer for a HRSC job as well, and I remember asking my mum if I should just go for the proper paid job.

"She said, 'Don't be silly, go for the job of your dreams'. I was quite glad she said that. I mean, I was 24 and plenty would have told me to stop dreaming and go and get a proper job and earn some money.

"She's very good at giving me honest feedback, though. She'll say, 'Well, I'm not sure about this or that,' or 'What was that you were talking about?', and she tells me to slow down a bit, that I'm too fast."

Vinny's parents met at the height of the Troubles, when Jean was visiting her sister, who had moved from their native Longford to Northern Ireland. The couple settled in Randalstown, Co Antrim, and have lived there ever since, apart from a few years in Longford while Vinny was at university.

"Mum's one of 11 children originally and she would have stayed with her aunt a lot because there wasn't the space in the family home in Longford," Vinny explains.

"She wasn't fazed by the Troubles when she moved to Northern Ireland. She just kept going and didn't complain. She's very softly spoken - she has a very gentle brogue, but you wouldn't want to cross her or upset anyone belonging to her!

"She's always been fantastic. We've got a great relationship - she's like a rock. She's hard-working and determined. She'd take the clothes off her back or the food out of her mouth for us."

The award-winning broadcaster credits his parents for giving him a good work ethic.

"Dad had a butcher's shop in Randalstown and a small farm, and my mum helped out with both," he says. "And when we moved to Longford, he bought a pub with accommodation, like a small hotel, and mum worked there morning, noon and night. She'd be working to 2am, then up at 5.30am to do the breakfasts.

"She worked in clothes shops too, up until last year. She's always been busy, and my sister has four children, who keep her occupied as well."

The Hurrell family got together when Jean turned 60 last year and rented a cottage in Rostrevor, Co Down, for a few days to celebrate.

"It's still great to spend time with her. You tend not to realise how lucky you are to have someone until they're not around. I feel lucky to have both my parents," Vinny says.

"We'd bring mum out for dinner, not just on Mother's Day.

"We've sent her on holidays to New York and Lanzarote. The five of us club together, so it's easier.

"But I don't think it's important to be extravagant. It's more about spending time together. Mum's happy if we meet up for dinner at someone's house, so we're all together."

Vinny will visit his mother on Sunday with a gift, even though Jean has other plans.

"I can't tell you what the present is or it would spoil the surprise. Now she's going to think it's something really amazing!" he laughs.

"I always keep the receipt in case she wants to change it. She does say, 'Oh, that's too much', but isn't that what all mothers say regardless? I'd like to take her to dinner, but my sisters are taking her away to some hotel spa thing. I'm not invited!

"I'm sure they'll spoil her. As someone once told me, don't ignore a call from your mother - you could live to regret it one day.

"There are these sayings which come up on Facebook that mum is always right, and I still would turn to my mum for advice. It is always good advice."

The Vinny Hurrell late night magazine show goes out on BBC Radio Ulster on weekdays at 11pmThe devastated partner of a Co Antrim man who lost his courageous battle against cancer has praised his determination and zest for life.

Adrian McAleese, originally from Ballymena but living in Dundonald, was given six months to live after being diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in October 2016.

The shock diagnosis came just months after his mother passed away.

A combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy only slowed the progression of the disease, which had already spread to his lymph nodes, liver and bones. He died on Tuesday.

In a heartfelt tribute, his partner of 18 years Tim Gough praised the "sheer determination and zest for life" that enabled Adrian to exceed expectations and defy the odds.

"He fought with everything he had right until the end," he wrote on social media.

"Our lives are all the better for having known him - he will be sadly missed but never forgotten."

Tim said his partner's "humility, courage and strength" in such a difficult time had a positive impact on everyone who knew him.

"I am so proud to have had him as my partner, he was such an inspiration to me and to everyone who knew him," he added.

The former events manager at Titanic Belfast, who regularly wore a neck-brace to prevent a tumour at the top of his spine from dislodging his vertebrae, set up an online fundraising page before his death, which has raised over 4,000.

Adrian became passionate about helping hospice staff "continue their wonderful work looking after and supporting people like me" as a result of his own experience of palliative care. He previously opened up about how it empowered him to live a meaningful life despite having a "death sentence" hanging over him.

Speaking before he died, Adrian said the hospice team "very calmly walked into our lives in the shape of our nurse Ursula" and changed everything for the better.

"One moment I'd been in pain and fear and waiting to die, and the next, with the specialist help of the hospice team, my symptoms and pain were brought under control, my fears were dispelled and I was living again," he added.

He credited carers with transforming him from a "broken" and "lost" person and helping revive his dreams and enjoy the happiest year of his life.

"I'm living and loving and experiencing a wonderful life and Tim and I are busy ticking off wishes on our list and building memories," he said.

"Over the past year I have come to rely so heavily on the hospice staff and I will never be able to thank them enough for what they have done for me."

While celebrating what he knew would be his last Christmas, Adrian asked people to donate to the NI Hospice instead of sending Christmas cards and gifts.

Now he has made his final appeal to mourners attending a celebration of life service at Roselawn Crematorium which he planned in his final months.

Those attending the service have been encouraged to wear colourful attire to reflect Adrian's personality and donate money to the NI Hospice in lieu of flowers.

His brother David, who thanked everyone for their "kind words of sympathy and support", praised Adrian's care team.

"Their love and care towards Adrian over the past few months has been an inspiration and indication of true dedication to care and respect of the highest standard," he said.

Donations can be made via Adrian's JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/adrian-mcaleese1A series of cross-border counter-terrorism powers returning from the EU following Brexit, which affect Northern Ireland, have been outlined by the Government.

They include the sharing of DNA databases to find terrorist profiles, alerts seeking suspected insurgents and the seizing of criminal assets.

Northern Ireland's border with the Republic is a major issue in the Brexit negotiations.

The Cabinet Office has published 82 areas where common frameworks may be required, essentially understandings between police forces or other bodies rather than specific laws.

They include preventing cyber-crime and human trafficking; combating child pornography; surveillance; standardised requests for information and evidence; and cross-border threats to public health.

Dissident republicans have exploited the border in the past, and work on tackling organised crime has been carried out by the PSNI and the Garda.

Yesterday the UK Government published its provisional analysis of returning EU powers affecting devolved administrations.

Justice and policing powers are devolved from Westminster to Stormont, which collapsed last January.

The Cabinet Office said none of the existing powers of the devolved governments will be affected.

The civil service has been representing Northern Ireland during meetings on what Brexit means for devolved regions.

David Lidington, the Prime Minister's de facto deputy, said: "The vast majority of these new powers will be in the control of the devolved administrations on the day we leave the EU.

"There is a much smaller group of powers where the devolved governments will be required to follow current EU laws for a little bit longer while we work out a new UK approach.

"We are discussing with the devolved governments how this process will work but, as the UK Government, we feel very strongly that we must have the ability to take action to protect the UK internal market, which represents a huge investment to everyone in the UK."An 18-month jail sentence handed to a paedophile former RTE producer has been criticised.

Kieran Creaven admitted grooming a 13-year-old girl and attempting to engage a child in sexual activity.

He was arrested after a sting operation by so-called paedophile hunters, and appeared before Leeds Crown Court for sentencing yesterday.

Creaven received 18 months in jail for attempting to meet a child after sexually grooming her and 12 months for attempting to incite a child into sexual activity.

The sentences will run concurrently.

Last night, the woman who set up the fake teenage girl's Facebook profile which snared Creaven criticised the sentence.

The care worker - part of the controversial Leeds-based group Predator Exposure - said: "I think he should have got more. I think 18 months is a slap on the wrist, really."

Leeds Crown Court heard that Creaven had an obsession with pornography and watched sexually explicit videos involving children as young as eight.

In one exchange with the decoy he said he wanted her "underneath the covers to snuggle her" and to "hug her, smell her hair and kiss her".

When arrested on November 18 following the sting operation by Predator Exposure, he had a list of names of young girls, two boxes of condoms and two mobile phones.

The court also heard how he attempted to travel to Leeds on an earlier date to meet what he believed to be a child, but this trip had been cancelled due to illness.

Creaven's defence counsel said that he had had an addiction to pornography and alcohol over the last 10 years and that he was relieved to have been arrested.

Creaven had been employed by RTE since 1998.

The grooming took place over a four-month period in 2017 in which he sent vile messages to a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl.

However, the 'child' was a member of a vigilante group.Murder victim James Hughes was described as a Good Samaritan

A West Belfast man is to stand trial later this year accused of murdering his neighbour.

James Brendan Patrick Devine (43), formerly of Divis Tower, appeared at Belfast Crown Court yesterday to be formally arraigned on two charges.

He pleaded not guilty to murdering James Hughes in his flat at Divis Tower on a date unknown between November 4 and 7, 2016.

He also denied stealing 6,080 from Mr Hughes between the same dates.

The body of the 62-year-old was discovered in his 14th floor flat in November 2016.

Defence counsel Greg Berry QC told Mr Justice Colton that two psychiatric reports indicated Devine had been "suffering from chronic paranoid schizophrenia since 2006".

He added: "Mr Devine does not take issue with the fact that he caused the death of Mr Hughes. The issue now is about his mental capacity at the time.''

Mr Berry told the court the issue around Devine's fitness to plead had now been resolved.

"Nobody has really trodden the issue around diminished responsibility and we have put that in motion and a report will be completed within four weeks by Dr Maria O'Kane," he said.

However, Mr Justice Colton said given that Dr O'Kane had written a previous report on the defendant's fitness to plead, he wanted the report completed within two weeks.

Prosecution lawyer Philip Henry said he would direct a forensic psychiatrist, Dr Christine Kennedy, to start work immediately on her report on the issue of diminished responsibility.

Mr Justice Colton set the trial date for Monday, June 18. The trial is expected to last one week.

The judge remanded Devine back into custody to a psychiatric unit at Knockbrack Healthcare Clinic in south Belfast.

Mr Hughes had lived most of his life in London where he was the manager of a psychiatric nursing home before returning to Belfast.

A priest at his funeral described him as a "generous man'' who gave people gifts "with thought and meaning".

In one incident in London, Mr Hughes saved a man's life after he had fallen under a train, severing part of his arm.

Fr Martin Graham said: "Without a second thought, James jumped on to the track, put a tourniquet on the wound to stem the flow of blood and accompanied the man to the hospital.

"Like the Good Samaritan, James was passing by and immediately went to that man's aid.''The Police Federation has warned the Government that the "meagre" 0.3% increase in the Department of Justice's budget will inflict "real damage" on the PSNI.

Federation chairman Mark Lindsay told the Belfast Telegraph the department was once again "the poor relation", with a "wholly inadequate" rise in funding in the spending plan unveiled by Westminster.

"The PSNI is facing a 2.7% cut which is 17.55m in real terms. That is unsustainable," he said.

"Services will be undermined by this drastic surgery to the budget with huge consequences for ordinary, everyday policing. Officers want to get on with the job of serving the community, tackling drugs, trafficking and, of course, terrorism.

"The Government needs to realise that giving policing such a low priority is a false economy. At some stage down the line, there will be a price to be paid for this degree of erosion in officer numbers and PSNI budget."

Mr Lindsay urged the Government to "pull back from this unfathomable course of action".

On Thursday, Secretary of State Karen Bradley revealed the Government's 12bn spending plan for Northern Ireland, which included 410m from its confidence and supply deal with the Tories.

DUP MP Sammy Wilson said: "This money will help unionists and nationalists alike. The 5.5% increase for hospitals will help everyone. The 4.3% increase in schools funding will help everyone.

"(The) 100m to implement hospital reforms that Michelle O'Neill walked away from, will help everyone. The 200m infrastructure boost with help everyone."

Mr Wilson accused Sinn Fein of "whingeing" about the budget while failing to produce any "realistic ideas". He added: "Hot air from Sinn Fein will not fund public services."

The Department of Health received a 2.6% increase in real terms in the budget.

SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan welcomed the extra money, but said there was still a 160m funding gap.

"The more pressing issue is that we are now looking at handing political control of our health service to the Conservative Party and the DUP," he said.

"The Tories in control of our health service is worst-case scenario for patients and professionals."

People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said the budget was "a bad deal for ordinary people".

"What extra money the DUP has scraped doesn't scratch the surface of what is needed in the public sector," he added.

"In particular, what's on offer for health and education is shameful, given the clear message from educators and medical professionals that they can't make ends meet.'The three were being questioned last night about a number of alleged offences, including false imprisonment, intimidation and attempted intimidation' (stock photo)

Three so-called paedophile hunters were arrested in a PSNI operation on Friday.

Two people were detained in Ballymena, Co Antrim - a 24-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman.

The third suspect, a 51-year-old man, was taken into custody in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, by detectives.

The three were being questioned last night about a number of alleged offences, including false imprisonment, intimidation and attempted intimidation.

It is understood that a fourth person of interest to the investigation has agreed to voluntarily hand himself in to officers for questioning.

Yesterday's arrests came ahead of a controversial parade in support of so-called paedophile hunting groups.

The parade is scheduled to take place in Belfast this weekend.EW DELHI, IndiaFrench President Emmanuel Macron Saturday said he wanted his country to be Indias best partner in Europe as he started a three-day trip to the country aimed at ratcheting up security and energy ties. Macron, who was welcomed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his traditional bear hug on his arrival late Friday, also said collective security will be on top of the agenda during talks later Saturday. France is the entry point to Europe. We want to be Indias best partner in Europe, Macron said after a ceremonial reception at New Delhis presidential house. The first (objective of my visit) is to seal for the decade to come a strong pact around collective security in the region between our two democracies. The two countries are to sign an accord to step up military cooperation in the Indian Ocean where regional power China has been flexing its muscles. Macron also talked about his personal rapport with Modi which was established after their meeting in Paris last year. I think we have very good chemistry, our two great democracies have a historic relationship, the French president said. Modi broke protocol to receive Macron at the airport Friday, exchanging warm hugs and robust handshakes. Welcome to India, President @EmmanuelMacron! Your visit will add great strength to the strategic partnership between India and France, he tweeted Friday. On Sunday, Macron will attend a solar power summit designed to showcase India and Frances commitment to fighting climate change, which both leaders have made a priority. AFPTravelling with his wife Brigitte, Frances 40-year-old president will also visit the monument to love, the Taj Mahal, a few hours drive from the Indian capital on Sunday. On Monday, he heads to the chaotic Hindu holy city of Varanasi on the banks of the river Ganges, which the Indian premier has promised to modernise and clean up. Macrons visit comes after a somewhat misStep laden visit to India by Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau. Both he and Macron are often compared internationally because of their broadly similar political views, as well as youth and good looks. But Trudeaus visit hit a series of embarrassing bumps and he received a fairly cool reception from Modi. Trudeau was pilloried on social media and in the Canadian press for donning traditional Indian clothing at every opportunity. And there were red faces when it emerged a former Sikh militant was invited to a dinner with him in Mumbai. Macron has so far opted for more sober and predictable dress -- a dark suit. AFPPrince Edward is greeted by a well-wisher in the crowd during the parade by 2nd Battalion, The Rifles

Following months of preparation 2 Rifles took to the streets of Lisburn yesterday to stage a homecoming parade before a special royal guest.

The spectacle that attracted crowds of well-wishers came after 250 troops returned safely in January from a tour of Iraq.

Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Neil Bellamy told the Belfast Telegraph that homecoming parades were a special moment for the soldiers, not only to be celebrated by the public but also by the reunited unit.

Lisburn and Castlereagh mayor Tim Morrow hosted a breakfast reception for the 2nd Battalion, The Rifles (2 Rifles) at Lagan Valley Island Centre before the real excitement took place.

Around 500 military, led by the band of the 2 Rifles, went on parade around the city centre to Market Square North, where the Earl of Wessex, Royal Colonel of the battalion, took the salute.

While some regiments parade with a mascot, Lt Col Bellamy said that as a traditionally light and swift regiment, they were best known for marching with a bugler.

The commander said the soldiers look forward to homecoming parades, which have become rare in recent years, and also revealed that months of preparation had gone into the event.

"Since our return in January some have been off on leave in February, so the parade was a chance to be reunited and it was a watershed moment to be back together as a family," he said.

"It has taken a great deal of planning by us; from readjusting from being in operational mode, getting the logistics and infrastructure support in place to the huge amount of effort to co-ordinate the event.

"But we've had great support from Castlereagh and Lisburn Council, who also put a great deal of effort into the planning.

"Historically, it is something we didn't do very often. It is really nice to get an opportunity like this on our return home."

During their six-month deployment in Al Anbar Province the unit took part in Operation Shader, the UK's contribution to the war against Islamic State in Iraq.

Riflemen stood guard over the Al Asad Airbase, supporting Iraqi operations to retake towns seized by IS in 2014.

And 2018 is set to be another busy year for 2 Rifles with Lt Col Bellamy describing a recent upturn in recruitment and training exercises planned to take place in Jordan and Kenya.

"Any soldier will say they prefer a busy year, those that join the Army tend to do so for a sense of adventure," the commander added.The SDLP has written to Secretary of State Karen Bradley to ask why a by-election has not been called in West Tyrone following Barry McElduff's resignation almost two months ago.

However, sources have told the Belfast Telegraph that Mrs Bradley is planning for the poll to be held on May 3, the same date as England's council elections.

Daniel McCrossan, an SDLP MLA for the area, said the "prolonged vacancy" in the constituency was unacceptable.

The Northern Ireland Office did not respond to requests for comment.

Mr McElduff resigned amid controversy after he tweeted a photograph of himself with a Kingsmill loaf on his head on January 5, the anniversary of the Kingsmill massacre.

Sinn Fein has selected 26-year-old Carrickmore solicitor Orfhlaith Begley as its candidate.

With a 10,000-plus majority in last year's Westminster election, the party is a clear favourite to hold the seat.

So far there have been no moves in Parliament for the issuing of a writ for a by-election.

A poll is usually held between four and five weeks after the writ is issued.

Although the technical procedure to call a by-election is complicated by the fact that Sinn Fein doesn't take its seats in the House of Commons, a by-election was held in Mid Ulster in March 2013, two months after Martin McGuinness resigned as its MP.

When former Prime Minister David Cameron stepped down as Witney MP in September 2016, a by-election was held the following month. A similar timetable occurred when Labour's Sadiq Khan stepped down as Tooting MP after his election as London Mayor.

In previous instances of a Sinn Fein MP resigning, the writ for the by-election has been moved by the Leader of the House.

Mr McCrossan said he was concerned by the delay.

"I've written to the Secretary of State asking her to explain why, two months on from Barry McElduff's resignation, nothing has happened," he said. "As a result of Sinn Fein's abstentionist policy, people in this constituency haven't been represented at Westminster for 10 years.

"But the collapse of the Assembly means an even bigger vacuum has been created in terms of representation, and it is wearing for ordinary people.

"Many are asking when this by-election will actually be called." Mr McCrossan said the SDLP had initially assumed the delay was due to the Stormont talks.

"We believed the thinking was that an election during that period could jeopardise the negotiations. With the talks collapse last month that justification is long gone," he said.

"As a border constituency, West Tyrone faces huge challenges with Brexit and we need our voice heard at Westminster now more than ever."

The overwhelming majority of by-elections are held within three months of a vacancy, although there have been exceptional cases of a six-month gap.

It has been mooted that a victims' campaigner could run against Sinn Fein if the other parties agreed to pull out of the race. But the DUP and the SDLP are unlikely to do so.Troops have been deployed to help police probing the nerve agent poisoning of spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter as attention turned to the cemetery where his wife and son were laid to rest.

A convoy of military vehicles rolled into the car park at Salisbury District Hospital to recover a police car - while a short distance away at the cemetery, officers in hazmat suits were seen putting up a blue forensic tent over his son's memorial stone before appearing to place items in several yellow barrels.

The grave of Mr Skripal's wife Liudmila, who was buried in 2012, and the memorial stone of his son Alexander - who was cremated last year, were cordoned off at the London Road cemetery.

Mr Skripal (66), and Yulia (33), are still in a "very serious" condition five days after they were discovered slumped on a bench in the Wiltshire city centre.

Around 180 troops, including Royal Marines, RAF Regiment troops and chemical warfare specialists, are understood to have been deployed after Scotland Yard requested specialist help to remove vehicles and objects from scenes scattered across the city amid contamination fears.

A Met spokesman said: "The public should not be alarmed and the public health advice remains the same. Military assistance will continue as necessary during this investigation."

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: "We have the right people with the right skills to assist with this crucial inquiry."

Home Secretary Amber Rudd earlier visited the city centre and the hospital where Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, who was part of the initial response by authorities, is in a serious condition.

Police launched an attempted murder inquiry after Mr Skripal and his daughter were exposed to a nerve agent. Ms Rudd declined to reveal any further details about the substance, how it was deployed, or who is suspected of carrying out the poisoning.

Lord Blair, a former Met Commissioner, suggested on the BBC's Today programme the detective attended Mr Skripal's home.

Police said 21 people had been seen for medical treatment since the incident.Children could have time limits imposed when they are on social media sites, the secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport has suggested.

Matt Hancock said the negative impact on young people from too much screen time is a genuine concern.

He told The Times there is more to be done on the issue where children are concerned, suggesting an age-verification system to tackle the problem.

He told the newspaper: There is a genuine concern about the amount of screen time young people are clocking up and the negative impact it could have on their lives.

For an adult I wouldnt want to restrict the amount of time you are on a platform but for different ages it might be right to have different time cut-offs.

A small-scale poll by the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) recently found most school leaders questioned believed the mental health and wellbeing of pupils had suffered as a result of social media use over the past 12 months.

The Government has said it wants the UK to be the safest place in the world to be online and has announced it will introduce a new code of practice this year, setting out the minimum expectations on social media companies.Donald Trump says he believes North Korea will honour a commitment to suspend missile tests (AP)

Donald Trump said he believes North Korea will abide by its pledge to suspend missile tests while he prepares for a summit with leader Kim Jong Un.

The US president noted in a tweet that North Korea has refrained from such tests since November and said Kim has promised not to do so through our meetings.

I believe they will honour that commitment, he wrote on Saturday.

Mr Trump shocked many inside and outside his administration on Thursday when he told South Korean officials who had just returned from talks in North Korea that he would be willing to accept Kims meeting invitation.

Earlier on Saturday, Trump tweeted that China was pleased that he was pursuing a diplomatic solution and that Japan was very enthusiastic about the proposed talks.

Mr Trump has spoken with both Chinese president Xi Jinping and Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe since Thursdays announcement, and said Xi appreciates that the US is working to solve the problem diplomatically rather than going with the ominous alternative.

He had previously threatened North Korea with fire and fury like the world has never seen.

Mr Trump also said China  North Koreas most important ally and trading partner  continues to be helpful.LOS ANGELESA gunman and three women thought to be his hostages were found dead Friday at a California veterans home after an hours-long standoff with police. The assailant struck at 10:20 a.m. (1820 GMT) at the Veterans Home of California-Yountville in the Napa Valley, the largest veterans home in the United States with around 1,000 former servicemen and women. Shortly before 6:00 pm this evening law enforcement personnel made entry into the room where we felt the hostages were being held by the suspect and unfortunately made the discovery of three deceased females and one deceased male suspect, Captain Chris Childs of the California Highway Patrol told a news conference. This is a tragic piece of news, one we were really hoping we wouldnt have to come before the public to give. The Napa County Sheriffs Office had earlier issued an advisory on social media telling people to avoid the area following reports of gunfire, as the California Highway Patrol dispatched officers, air support and a SWAT team to the site. Childs said a sheriffs deputy who was first on the scene exchanged fire with the suspect, adding that we credit him with saving the lives of others in the area by eliminating the ability for the suspect to go out and find further victims. The three victims were described by local media as employees of The Pathway Home, an on-site counseling service for veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is was not immediately clear whether they had been targeted or were chosen at random. The San Francisco Chronicle said the gunman -- apparently a 36-year-old war veteran wearing a stash of bullets around his neck and waist -- had been on the PTSD treatment program, adding that his weapon was a rifle. It quoted state senator Bill Dodd identifying the programs executive director, Christine Loeber, as being one of the dead, although the victims names have not been officially released. Police did not say how they died, although local media, citing unnamed sources, reported that the assailant shot the three women before turning the gun on himself.Dodd, whose district includes the center, said the gunman had been asked to leave several days earlier, according to the Chronicle. Its a residential program so guys live in the building, staff work in the building, Larry Kamer, whose wife Devereaux Smith was working at the center, told the local ABC7 News channel. Smith, a development director for The Pathway Home, was one of four women released by the gunman, said Kamer. There was a going away party for a couple of the staff who were leaving today. They were having cake and toasting and all that and then he apparently just walked in with this rifle. Kamer said the gunman was calm and talked to everyone present. The discovery came after several fruitless hours of trying to contact the man by the sheriffs department, City of Napa Police and the FBI. California Department of Veterans Affairs secretary Vito Imbasciani said in a statement the agency was devastated by the deaths. Our hearts are heavy for the entire Yountville Veterans Home community and the families and friends who are grieving for those who died, he added. Nothing matters more than caring for our veterans and employees during this difficult time. We appreciate the tremendous law enforcement response today and unfailing support of this community. AFPFrom left: Dulaang Filipino Trainer and Artistic Director Riki Benedicto, Marvin Primcias, Gracielle So, Ian Santos and Jason Nathan Dawis.

National Commission for Culture and the Arts recently recognized artists who have earned international recognition and accolades from the past year with the 10th Ani ng Dangal Awards, a culminating activity of the annual celebration of National Arts Month. Among the recipients were Riki Benedicto and Gracielle So in the Dramatic Arts Category for winning at an global youth festival in the City of Minsk in Belarus. The Teatralny Koufar International Student and Youth Theatre Festival lauded the Dulaang Filipino (DF), the resident theater company of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), for Best Performance and Amateur Theatre and a Special Jury Prize for the Best Physical and Sound Solution for its presentation ofOedipus by Sophocles.Benedicto directed the production, while So won as Best Actress. DFs success in Minsk was doubly important, because it was the only group from Asia which was invited to join the festival. Companies from Belarus, Bulgaria, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Tunisia, and the United Kingdom competed for the grand prizes as Best Amateur Theatre, Best Theatre of Professional School, Best Youth Professional Theatre, Best Actor and Actress, Best Performances, and Special Jury.Oedipus, first presented in 2014, is a one-hour reduction of Sophocles Theban trilogy of Oedipus Rex,Oedipus at Colonus and Antigone, in Filipino translations by Rolando Tinio and Onofre Pagsanjan. The play has been performed at the UP Theater Councils Curtain Call Play Festival in 2014 and at the Mont-Laurier International Theatre Festival in Quebec, Canada in 2015. It recently won the International University of La Rioja Award (UNIR) in La Rioja, Spain, for Best International Show in the IV Premios Escenamateur Juan Mayorga de las Artes Escenicas.Posted Saturday, March 10, 2018 3:30 am

Arrests

The following arrests were reported by the Webster County Sheriffs Office and are not meant as an indication of guilt.

Feb. 6

 Curtis R. Snead, 51, was placed on a 12-hour detox.

 Austin L. Cain, 19, was placed on a 24-hour hold for fourth-degree assault.

Feb. 7

 Rheaya G. Goodwin, 30, was brought in on Webster County and Greene County warrants for forgery, and a Cole County warrant for fraud.

Feb. 8

 Kelly R. Harrison, 49, was brought in on a writ of body.

 Donna J. Golden, 47, was arrested on Fordland, Rogersville and Marshfield warrants for no insurance and failure to register a vehicle.

 Gregory D. Kesterson, 46, came in on a Webster County warrant for possession of a controlled substance.

 William B. Mascol, 24, was brought in on a Webster County warrant for third-degree assault.

 William A. Barnett, 33, was brought in on a Webster County warrant for no seat belt and a Polk County warrant for a probation violation.

 Amber M. Deckard, 21, came in on a Wright County warrant for a traffic violation.

Feb. 9

 Francesco M. Cruz, 23, was arrested on a Marshfield warrant for no insurance and a Fordland warrant for speeding.

 Robert R. Swearengin, 57, was arrested on a Webster County warrant for driving while intoxicated.

 Matthew S. Goodman, 27, was brought in on a writ for court.

 Dirk B. Orme, 45, was brought in on a writ for court.

 Samantha M. Oxenrelder, 34, was placed on a 24-hour hold for second-degree burglary.

Feb. 10

 Brendan D. Brooke, 18, was arrested for driving while suspended.

 Curtis R. Speed, 51, was placed on a 12-hour detox.

 Kelsey A. Lee, 24, was arrested on Marshfield warrants for no insurance, stealing and speeding.

 Mercedees N. Shelton, 23, was arrested on a Rogersville warrant for no insurance.

 Carter E. Cantrell, 17, was arrested for driving while intoxicated.

Feb. 11

 Albert L. Herndon, 38, was placed on a 24-hour hold for fourth-degree domestic assault, first-degree peace disturbance, first-degree property damage and a Greene County warrant for speeding.

Feb. 12

 Jeremy L. Cooper, 30, was arrested on a Wright County warrant for speeding.

 Chesley K. Rost, 27, was arrested on a Webster County warrant for no seat belt.

 Roland A. Hill, 46, was arrested for driving while revoked.

Filings

Other miscellaneous actions

Feb. 15

 J.G. Wentworth Originations LLC

Personal injury - vehicular

Feb. 15

 Dustin Price v. Vanessa Shannon

Change of name

Feb. 16

 In re: Maria De Jesus Nieves

Dissolution with children

Feb. 20

 Sarah N. Martin v. Jeffery A. Martin

Dissolution without children

Feb. 16

 Brenda Buckler v. Robert Buckler

 Kyleigh A. Dean v. Justin J. Dean

Motion to modify paternity

Feb. 15

 Justin R. Crawford v. Wendy D. Goodwin

Reg. foreign judgment - dissolution

Feb. 16

 State of Missouri, Flores et al v. Darren W. Cummins

Felony

Feb. 14

 State of Missouri v. Johanna Gortmaker

Feb. 20

 State of Missouri v. Larry J. Black

 State of Missouri v. Dirk Orme

 State of Missouri v. William Terrill

 State of Missouri v. Delbert Ritter

 State of Missouri v. Levi T. Harris

 State of Missouri v. Rheaya A. Goodwin

 State of Missouri v. Robert J. Allen

 State of Missouri v. Albert J. Herndon

Certificate of lien - Department of Revenue taxes

Feb. 16

 Department of Revenue - CE v. Karen Blazer

Administrative order

Feb. 16

 Webster County Childrens Division v. Jennifer Sue Lee Smith

Transcript judgment

Feb. 14

 Division of Employment Security - BPC v. Jeffery Bird

 Division of Employment Security - BPC v. Stacy A. Bingham

Dispositions

The following dispositions were reported by the Webster County Circuit Clerks office.

Transcript judgment

Feb. 14

 Division of Employment Security - BPC v. Jeffery Bird - Other final disposition.

 Division of Employment Security - BPC v. Stacy A. Bingham - Other final disposition.

Administrative order

Feb. 16

 Webster County Childrens Division v. Jennifer Sue Lee Smith - Other final disposition.

Certificate of lien - Department of Revenue taxes

Feb. 16

 Department of Revenue - CE v. Karen Blazer - Other final disposition.

Trial de novo

Feb. 14

 Crystal L. Hansen v. Director, Childrens Division Department of Social Services - Tried by civil court.

Motion, rules 29.15 or 24.035

Feb. 15

 David J. Suter v. State of Missouri - Dismissed by court with prejudice.

Dissolution with children

Feb. 16

 Dennis F. Hays v. Stacey J. Hays - Consent judgment.

 Michelle D. Kiblinger v. Brian D. Kiblinger - Consent judgment.

Motion to modify

Feb. 16

 Michael A. Riggs v. Amanda Riggs Derosa - Consent judgment.

Judgments

The following judgments were reported by the Webster County Circuit Clerks office.

Feb. 14

 Division of Employment Security - BPC v. Stacy A. Bingham. Certificate of assessment of overpaid benefits. Judgment for petitioner in the amount of $1,126.25.

 Division of Employment Security - BPC v. Jeffery Bird. Certificate of assessment of overpaid benefits. Judgment for petitioner in the amount of $2,061.25.

 Crystal L. Hansen v. Director, Childrens Division Department of Social Services. Order and judgment entered against respondent.

Feb. 16

 Department of Revenue - CE v. Karen Blazer. Certificate of tax lien - individual income tax. Judgment for petitioner in the amount of $3,737.21.

 Dennis F. Hays v. Stacey J. Hays. Court dissolves marriage. Debts and property divided.

 Michael A. Riggs v. Amanda Riggs Derosa. Court grants modification and signs judgment.

 State of Missouri v. Brandon Shayne Warren. Warren sentenced to seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections, given suspended execution of sentence and five years probation.

Marshfield P.D.

The following calls were handled by the Marshfield Police Department.

Jan. 12

 Checked suspicious vehicle in the 200 block of Commercial.

 Checked well being of person in the 500 block of Commercial.

 Responded to alarm in the 900 block of Washington.

 Checked suspicious vehicle in the 900 block of Washington.

 Assisted motorist in the area of Washington and Spur Drive.

 Responded to motor vehicle wreck in the area of Spur Drive and Banning.

 Assisted paramedics in the 500 block of Hubble.

 Assisted motorist in the 900 block of Washington.

 Responded to property damage reported in the 600 block of Madison.

 Assisted citizen in the 500 block of Church Street.

 Responded to theft in the 600 block of Johnson.

 Responded to motor vehicle wreck in the 1300 block of Spur Drive.

 Responded to theft in the 400 block of Washington.

Jan. 13

 Responded to disturbance in the 600 block of Madison.

 Checked well being of person in the 700 block of St. Charles.

 Checked suspicious activity in the 300 block of Young.

 Responded to disturbance in the 1300 block of Banning. One subject arrested.

 Assisted citizen in the area of Banning and Hubble.

 Responded to motor vehicle wreck in the 14000 block of Highway 38.

 Checked well being of person in the 400 block of Dill.

 Checked suspicious subject in the 14000 block of Highway 38.

Jan. 14

 Responded to motor vehicle wreck in the area of Jefferson and Mill.

 Responded to 911 call in the 400 block of Dill.

 Responded to 911 call in the 400 block of Jackson.

 Responded to noise complaint in the 300 block of Buffalo.

 Responded to noise complaint in the 100 block of Kman.

 Checked suspicious subject in the 14000 block of Highway 38. One subject arrested.

 Responded to motor vehicle wreck in the area of Mill and Jefferson.

Jan. 15

 Responded to 911 call in the 600 block of Church Street.

 Assisted motorist in the 14000 block of Highway 38.

 Assisted motorist in the area of Spur Drive and Vivian.

 Responded to noise complaint in the 100 block of Kman.

 Checked well being of person in the 200 block of Buffalo.

 Responded to animal complaint in the 300 block of Maple.

 Assisted motorist in the 1200 block of Spur Drive.

 Responded to disturbance in the 700 block of St. Charles. One subject arrested.

 Assisted citizen in the 14000 block of Highway 38.

 Responded to animal complaint in the 200 block of Walnut.

 Responded to theft in the 200 block of Pine.

 Responded to motor vehicle wreck in the 200 block of Marshall.

Jan. 16

 Assisted agency in the 200 block of Washington.

 Checked suspicious subject in the 1000 block of Banning.

 Responded to motor vehicle wreck in the area of Elm and Burford.

 Assisted paramedics in the 1100 block of Banning.

 Responded to disturbance in the 400 block of Church Street.

 Responded to report of property damage in the 200 block of Pine.

 Responded to theft in the 14000 block of Highway 38.

 Assisted motorist in the area of Banning.

 Assisted motorist in the 900 block of Ferndale.

 Checked suspicious subject in the 1000 block of Banning.

 Responded to theft in the 300 block of Crittenden.

 Responded to disturbance in the 500 block of Church Street.

 Responded to motor vehicle wreck in the area of Burford and Elm.

 Responded to disturbance in the 400 block of Church Street.

 Checked well being of person in the 800 block of Jameson.

 Assisted motorist in the 500 block of Church Street.

 Assisted citizen in the 300 block of Crittenden.

 Assisted motorist in the area of Pitts and Burford.

 Responded to theft in the 14000 block of Highway 38.

 Responded to animal complaint in the 600 block of Vine.

Jan. 17

 Checked suspicious vehicle in the 14000 block of Highway 38.

 Checked suspicious vehicle in the 1000 block of Washington.

 Responded to report of property damage in the 500 block of Church Street.

 Assisted citizen in the 300 block of Buffalo.

 Responded to motor vehicle wreck in the area of Spur Drive and Washington.

 Responded to theft in the 14000 block of Highway 38.

 Responded to theft in the 300 block of Pitts.

 Responded to animal complaint in the 200 block of Pine.

 Assisted motorist in the 800 block of Fraker.

 Assisted motorist in the 100 block of Kari.

Jan. 18

 Assisted citizen in the 700 block of Buffalo.

 Responded to theft in the 200 block of Jackson.

 Responded to theft in the 14000 block of Highway 38.

 Assisted paramedics in the 500 block of Lindsey.

 Assisted paramedics in the 400 block of Warren.

 Responded to disturbance in the 300 block of Jefferson.

 Assisted paramedics in the 400 block of Warren Court.

 Responded to disturbance in the 300 block of Jefferson.

 Assisted agency in the 100 block of Hubble.

 Assisted motorist in the 400 block of Crittenden.

 Responded to theft in the 300 block of Crittenden.

 Checked well being of person in the 700 block of Buffalo.

County commission

The following are minutes from recent meetings of the Webster County Commission.

Jan. 10

 Although associate commissioner Dale Fraker was absent due to illness, associate commissioner Randy Owens and presiding commissioner Paul Ipock met with a number of officeholders regarding their 2018 budgets.

Budgets were reviewed for associate court and circuit clerk. Present were: Associate Circuit Judges Kenneth F. Thompson and David T. Tunnell; Jill Peck, circuit clerk.

 The following presented their 2018 budget requests: Ben Berkstresser, prosecuting attorney; Kevin Farr, collector; Danielle Boggs, public administrator; and Gary Don Letterman, recorder.

 Nathan Morris gave an update on implementation of improvements to enable a new phone system for the courthouse.

 The commission originally planned/posted budget meetings with the Sheriff for Thursday, Jan. 11. However, due to the illness of Fraker  and to the significant disruption associated with the arrest/termination of former chief deputy Brent Grey  said meeting was canceled.

Jan. 12

 A meeting was held concerning underground utilities for the jail project. Those present included: Craig Ericson, representing Septagon Construction Management; Dale Gillespie, representing Gillespie Excavating; and Ben Berkstresser, prosecuting attorney (as county counsel).

 After Gillespie exited, a conference call was placed to Nick Smith and Jeff Harrelson, also of Septagon Construction Management, Inc., for the purpose of reviewing details related to the jail project contract with Wright Construction Company.

 Berkstresser then provided counsel on legal issues.

 Tom Simmons, emergency management director, presented his 2018 budget request.

 Michael Taylor, coroner, and Robbie Jernigan, deputy coroner, presented the 2018 budget request for the coroners office.

 Ben Berkstresser returned for further discussion regarding legal issues.

 Nicole Sorenson, custodian, met with the commission briefly concerning work to be done in the basement courtroom.

 Mary Clair, treasurer, gave a general update concerning investment of jail project funds held by the trustee (Bank of Oklahoma).

Food service inspections

The following are Webster County restaurant and food service inspections.

Restaurants are graded using a state-issued matrix that rates restaurants according to current health codes. Violations are categorized as either priority or core. Priority items are more likely than other violations to contribute to food contamination, illness, or an environmental health hazard. A priority items application supports, facilitates or enables the elimination, prevention or reduction of hazards associated with foodborne illness or injury to an acceptable level. Core items may lead to conditions favorable for food contamination, illness or environmental health hazards. Core items include general sanitation, operational controls, sanitation standard operating procedures, facilities or structures, equipment design, or general maintenance.

The Webster County Health Units environmental public health specialist is in charge of restaurant inspections, along with the inspection of schools, gas stations and senior citizen centers.

In an effort to make this report more reader friendly, verbiage in this report may differ slightly from the exact wording used by the inspector on the official inspection report form. For a copy of official inspection forms, please contact the Webster County Health Unit at 859-2532.

Seymour High/Junior High School

416 E. Clinton, Seymour

Type of inspection: Routine

Feb. 20

Priority violations

 No priority violations observed.

Core violations

 Leaking faucet in 3-compartment, 2-compartment, and dishwasher sinks. Correct by next routine inspection.

 Milk crates stored on floor in walk-in cooler. Corrected at the time of inspection.

Seymour Elementary

425 E. Clinton, Seymour

Type of inspection: Routine

Feb. 20

Priority violations

 No priority violations observed.

Core violations

 Milk crates stored on floor in walk-in cooler. Correct by next routine inspection.

Golden China Buffet

1150 Spur Drive, Marshfield

Type of inspection: Routine

Feb. 23

Priority violations

 Raw chicken stored uncovered in walk-in cooler. Correct by next routine inspection.

Core violations

 Mold and mildew build-up due to water leak under dessert buffet line. Correct by next routine inspection.

El Charro

1369 Spur Drive, Marshfield

Type of inspection: Routine

Feb. 23

Priority violations

 Food items stored uncovered throughout facility. Correct by March 23.

 Breaded chicken stored at room temperature recommended to discard. Correct by March 23.

 Food not date marked. Correct by March 23.

Core violations

 Uncovered vegetables stored under cooling unit in walk-in cooler. Correct by March 23.Posted Saturday, March 10, 2018 7:15 am

Earlier this week, Secretary of State Jay Ashcrofts Securities Division ordered Michael Peregrine and Owen K. Stephenson to cease and desist after Peregrine, aided by Stephenson, allegedly sold unregistered, non-exempt securities to a Rock Port investor.

The order also alleges that Peregrine, Westboro, made untrue statements, omitted material facts and engaged in fraud. Stephenson, Rohnert Park, California, allegedly received funds in connection with the sale of the securities and materially aided Peregrine.

The division alleges that in 2014, Peregrine solicited the investor, a longtime friend, to buy $100,000 of common stock in a mining company with which Peregrine was associated. Peregrine told the investor she would get rich and would recoup the investment with substantial interest within six months. The investor moved $100,000 via wire transfer to a bank account she believed to be associated with the mining company.

Unbeknownst to the investor, Peregrine sold the investor stock from his own personal portfolio. Peregrine did not disclose that the money was wired to Stephensons bank account, and was used for personal expenses, among other things. The investor was also not made aware that the CEO of the mining company, who signed the stock certificate, was a convicted felon. The investor requested financial statements from Peregrine but never received them. The investor never received any return on her $100,000 investment.

Even if you think you know someone, you should still make sure to check them out, Securities Commissioner David M. Minnick said. They may not be giving you all the facts. If an investment sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Look into the person or company offering the investment, and be a cautious and well-informed investor.

The division also ordered Peregrine and Stephenson to show cause why they should not be ordered to pay restitution plus interest, civil penalties and investigation costs totaling more than $120,000.

Ashcroft urges all investors to know the risks. If you have any questions about an investment opportunity or wish to check the background and registration status of a financial adviser, please call the toll-free investor protection hotline at 800-721-7996, or go online to www.missouriprotectsinvestors.com to file a complaint.Members of Brandons Mauritian community will celebrate their home countrys 50th year of independence tonight at the Park Community Centre.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 10/3/2018 (1290 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Advertisement Advertise With Us

Members of Brandons Mauritian community will celebrate their home countrys 50th year of independence tonight at the Park Community Centre.

Hosted by the Mauritius Cultural Association of Brandon, the evening will feature a dance group, dinner and local dignitaries, as well as the regional manager of Air Mauritius who will be travelling in from Mississauga, Ont.

The celebration will also mark the 10-year anniversary of the arrival of Brandons first Mauritian families.

"This is so amazing," said Kerselin Fumier, president of the Mauritius Cultural Association of Brandon. "Its like marking a milestone in Brandon, Manitoba."

Mauritius is a small island nation in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. The former Dutch, French and British colony earned its independence from the U.K. in 1968 and has a population of nearly 1.3 million people.

An original contingent of 30 families arrived in Brandon in March 2008 after being recruited to work at the local Maple Leaf Foods plant.

Ten years later, the Mauritian community has grown to include approximately 65 families and 250 people, Fumier said.

It was hard at first having to leave his family and country behind in Mauritius, Fumier said. But 10 years later, he looks back on the experience as having all been worth it.

"Now we can call Brandon our homeland."

Fumier said along with the community in Brandon, he hopes Mauritians from Winnipeg and Regina will come out to mark the occasion.

"Its a big celebration," he said. "Fifty years doesnt come every year. Its just once."

On Monday, the Mauritius Cultural Association of Brandon will officially mark the 50th anniversary of Mauritian independence with a flag-raising ceremony at Brandon City Hall.

 mlee@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @mtaylorleePosted Saturday, March 10, 2018 5:45 am

During a medical checkup, a fellow told his doctor that he no longer feels like doing things around the house.

Now, Doc, I can take it, the fellow said. Tell me in plain English what is wrong with me.

Well, the doctor said, in plain English, youre just lazy.

OK, the man said, now give me the medical term, so I can tell my wife.

Hard-to-understand words certainly arent helpful in communicating. Thats why the Bible warns we are to avoid them in sharing the gospel, so that our conversations about the Lord are fully understandable.

Except you utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? (1 Corinthians 14:9)

Ive heard people talk about conversations with their doctors, lawyers, even repairmen and preachers, saying things like: That went right over my head, or: Those big words were impressive, but I have no idea what they meant.

When Moses was called by God to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, he resisted at first, saying he was a poor communicator.

Then Moses said to the Lord, Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent  for I am slow of tongue. The Lord said to him, Who has made mans mouth?  Is it not I, the Lord? Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to say. (Exodus 4:10-12)

People reading this column speak with a wide variety of accents, depending on which part of Americas heartland they live in. Even so, all have been perfectly equipped to share the gospel in a clear and compelling way.

You realize, of course, the gospels have been written in such a way that everyone can understand them. There are no hard-to-understand words. Its written simply and clearly. There are no philosophical phrases, no scientific terms, nothing but simple words that even children can understand.

So, dont feel like you need to learn large theological terms to present the gospel, like the fellow who wanted a large word to confuse his wife about his laziness. Instead, we should put all our efforts into keeping it simple.

Roger Alford offers words of encouragement to residents of Americas heartland. Reach him at rogeralford1@gmail.com.Latest:: Ulster and Ireland rugby player Paddy Jackson would be the "last person in the world" to rape someone, his friend has told Belfast Crown Court.

Rory Harrison, 25, from Manse Road in Belfast is accused of perverting the course of justice and withholding information about the attack alleged to have happened after a night out in June 2016.

He was asked about a message hours later in which the complainant stated what happened had not been consensual.

Harrison told the court: "My initial reaction was shock that something had happened she was not consenting to.

"The more I thought about it, I have known Patrick since I was eight or nine. He is the last person in the world to rape someone.

"I didn't believe it. I thought she had maybe done something and then regretted it."

Jackson, 26, from Oakleigh Park in Belfast and Stuart Olding, 24, from Ardenlee Street in the city deny raping the same woman at a house party in Jackson's home during the early hours of June 28, 2016.

Jackson denies a further charge of sexual assault.

The court had taken the unusual step of sitting on a Saturday in a bid to make up time in the high profile case.

Harrison spent almost two hours being questioned by his defence barrister Gavan Duffy QC.

He dismissed the woman's message and did not inform Jackson of its content when they met for lunch the following day, the court was told.

When asked why, the defendant said: "Because I did not believe it.

"I did not want to worry him (Jackson) about something I had absolutely no faith was true."

Harrison, who has a history degree from UCD, has been close friends with the accused for years.

He attended Methodist College in Belfast alongside Jackson and met Olding later through rugby.

Answering questions about his perception of Jackson in social situations, he said: "He's exactly the same guy I knew at mini rugby when I was eight or nine as he is now despite all he has been through."

Mr Duffy asked: "Has he been changed by his success?"

"Not at all," Harrison said.

Judge Smyth also told jurors to wait until all the evidence had been heard before making up their minds.

Harrison was not part of WhatsApp groups called "Jacome" and "The Juicers" in which explicit messages were exchanged, the court heard.

However he was in text and telephone communication with Blane McIlroy, 26, from Royal Lodge Road in Belfast, who is accused of exposing himself to the alleged rape victim.

McIlroy denies the allegation.

Harrison explained comments about "hilarious scenes" as referencing the presence of Northern Ireland footballers at Ollies nightclub where the men had been partying, in particular a photograph he posted on Facebook of himself with the player, Will Grigg.

"Everyone was singing 'Will Grigg's on fire' and some people were taking their tops off," he said.

It was not a reference to the hilarity of a rape or sexual assault, the court was told.

"Would you ever think that?" asked Mr Duffy.

Harrison answered: "Absolutely not."

Meanwhile, another message in which Harrison wrote "walked upstairs and there were more flutes than July 12" was described as a joke because he had presumed there had been consensual sexual activity between Jackson and the complainant as well as Olding and a different woman from the party.

"It was an attempt at humour," Harrison said.

Mr Duffy asked: "If you honestly believed that a rape had taken place at Mr Jackson's house would you have joked about it?"

"No, I would not," said Harrison.

The court has previously heard how the four defendants met for lunch at a cafe on Belfast's Ormeau Road the day after the alleged attack.

Prosecutors have suggested it was there they concocted a story or cover-up.

Harrison was present 20 or 25 minutes, but left because he had to collect the family dog from the groomers, the court heard.

He denied there had been any clandestine conversations.

Harrison is the last of the four defendants to enter the witness box of courtroom number 12 at the Laganside court complex.

Dressed in a navy suit, white shirt and patterned tie he was escorted from the dock to the witness box by a prison guard where he swore an oath on the Bible.

His father, a solicitor who does not specialise in criminal work, and mother, a nurse, have supported him throughout the trial, the court heard.

He accepted being "fairly drunk" on the night in question having consumed six cans of beer, four pints of Guinness, a few gin and tonics, four or five vodkas and lemonade and a few shots.

There were some memory gaps, he admitted.

However, he did remember the woman "staring" at Jackson and saw her "follow" him upstairs, he said.

Harrison believed the complainant had been upset when she left the party because she had been "rejected" by Jackson.

Mr Duffy said: "It has been speculated by the Crown that you knew or believed that she had been the victim of rape at that time?"

Harrison replied: "No, I did not."

He also denied attempting to cover up or "manage" the woman.

Meanwhile, it was as Harrison, Olding and Jackson were having lunch on June 30, 2016 - his birthday - when senior figures at Ulster Rugby contacted the two players telling them to go to the police station, the court heard.

"I was surprised," said Harrison who said he went home and slept.

Indeed, he was still recovering from the excesses of partying when the police called to his house to take a witness statement.

"I was woken by my sister at about 3pm. She said the police are in the kitchen. They want to speak to you."

He said he was "shocked", tired and hungover but gave a statement over the course of the one-and-a-half hour police visit.

He did not contact a solicitor, answered all of the officers' questions and did not lie, Harrison told the court.

Message exchanges between Harrison and McIlroy after the police visit were also detailed to the court.

Harrison said: "I thought she had maybe gone up with Patrick and had been engaged in some sort of sexual activity, regretted it and now she was saying this."

Mr Duffy said: "Did you believe there had been a rape or sexual assault?"

"No," answered Harrison.

He also explained a comment in which he told McIlroy to "leave" his phone if going to the police.

"I was aware that that police seize phones. It is pretty inconvenient when you lose numbers and photographs," he said.

His defence lawyer asked: "Were you trying to impede an investigation or conceal anything?"

"No, I was not," Harrison said.

In October 2016, Harrison was questioned by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) under caution on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

He had voluntarily attended the PSNI station in Belfast, without a solicitor on the understanding he was going to clarify points in his witness statement, it emerged.

However, having contacted his father, a solicitor was subsequently sent to represent him.

Harrison said he answered every police question to the best of his ability and did not attempt to cover anything up.

Mr Duffy said: "Have you done anything to pervert the course of justice?"

Harrison answered: "No, I have not."

The barrister added: "Have you concealed any criminal activity?"

"No I have not," he answered.

The case has been adjourned until Monday.

Dismissing the jury of eight men and three women for the weekend, Judge Patricia Smyth repeated warnings not to discuss the case.

The judge said: "May I remind you in the strongest terms possible do not discuss anything to do with this trial or the fact that you are sitting on the jury with either family or friends.

"Please, please abide by this direction."

Update: 11.30am : Jackson would be the "last person" to rape someone, Harrison told Belfast Crown Court, answering questions from his defence barrister Mr Duffy.

He was asked about his reaction to a message from the complainant hours after the alleged attack, in which she told him what happened was not consensual.

Harrison said: "My initial reaction was shock that something had happened she was not consenting to.

"The more I thought about it, I have known Patrick since I was eight or nine. He is the last person in the world to rape someone.

"I didn't believe it. I thought she had maybe done something and then regretted it."

Update: 11.15 : Rory Harrison told the court he believed the complainant was upset when she left the house because she had been "rejected" by Jackson.

Gavan Duffy QC asked: "Did you speculate to yourself about what might have happened?"

Harrison replied: "Yes, I thought that maybe she had been rejected by Paddy."

Mr Duffy added: "It has been speculated by the Crown that you knew or believed that she had been the victim of rape at that time?"

Harrison replied: "No, I did not."

Later, he denied attempting to cover up or "manage" the situation.

Harrison also told the court the complainant had been "staring" at Ireland rugby player Jackson during the party where the rape is alleged to have happened on June 28th, 2016.

He said: "I think she was looking at Paddy. It is something that I would notice on a night out, that people would look at him because he is recognisable and famous."

He added: "I noticed it and I thought she was staring a bit longer considering we were at the house and she knew he was there."

He told the court he saw the woman "follow" Jackson upstairs.

He said: "Yes, I noticed (the complainant) following him up.

"After I seen her stare at him I thought that's where she was going, that's maybe why she was following him."

Update: 10.15 : A friend of two Ireland and Ulster rugby players accused of perverting the course of justice and withholding information about an alleged rape has begun giving evidence at Belfast Crown Court.

Rory Harrison, 25, from Manse Road, in Belfast denies the charges against him.

He described being "fairly drunk" and could not remember getting back to Paddy Jackson's south Belfast house where the rape is alleged to have happened on June 28th, 2016.

Answering questions from his defence barrister Gavan Duffy QC, he described being "good friends" with rape accused Jackson.

"He's a good friend of mine, I would not get to see him very much until this had all begun," he said.

Asked about his relationship with Stuart Olding, who is also accused of rape, he answered: "I am friendly with him but I would not see him very often, and any time I would have it would be through Patrick."

Blane McIlroy, who is accused of exposure, has also been a "friend" since school days at Belfast's Methodist College, the court heard.

Harrison spoke of memory gaps in the night due to alcohol consumption.

He drank six cans of beer, four pints of Guinness, a few gin and tonics, four or five vodkas and lemonade and a few shots during the course of the night in question.

Asked about his memory of leaving Ollies nightclub, he replied: "Not a huge amount."

When he returned to Jackson's house, he spent the bulk of his time beside a speaker playing music, the court heard.

Jackson, 26, from Oakleigh Park in Belfast and Olding, 24, from Ardenlee Street in the city deny raping the same woman on June 28, 2016.

Jackson denies a further charge of sexual assault.

McIlroy, 26, from Royal Lodge Road in Belfast has pleaded not guilty to exposure while Harrison has pleaded not guilty to perverting the course of justice and withholding information.

The case continues.

7 am: The jurors in Paddy Jackson and Stuart Oldings trial at Belfast Crown Court have agreed to sit for a few hours today.

The Ireland and Ulster rugby players are accused of raping a 19-year-old student at Mr Jackson's Belfast home in June 2016.

Their friend, Blane McIlroy, denies exposing himself to her and another friend called Rory Harrison is accused of trying to cover up what happened.

The jurors are due to sit from 9am this morning to 12.30pm this afternoon as there have been a number of setbacks in proceedings and the trial is already running one week over the original timeframe.

Paddy Jacksons defence closed its case yesterday after he began giving evidence on Wednesday.

Stuart Olding and Blane McIlroy have also given evidence in defence of the allegations against them and Mr. Harrison may do the same today but he's under no obligation to do so.

The court may also hear from other character witnesses.

- Digital DeskSave the 8th campaigners are expecting tens of thousands of people to join their march this afternoon.

The organisers of today's 'All Ireland Rally for Life' in Dublin say it's more important than ever for Irish people to take to the streets to let their feelings be known.5.17pm: Following a meeting of the British Government's Cobra committee, Home Secretary Amber Rudd said there were more than 250 counter-terrorism police involved in the investigation which was proceeding with "speed and professionalism".

Police investigating the Salisbury nerve agent attack have identified more than 200 witnesses and 240 pieces of evidence, Ms Rudd said.

Following the Cobra meeting, Ms Rudd said there were more than 250 officers from eight out of 11 of the UK's counter-terrorism units involved in the investigation.

"This is a serious, substantial investigation. We need to give the police and the investigators the space to get on with that," she said.

"I want to stress that they are proceeding with speed and professionalism. We are putting in enormous resources to ensure that they have all the support that they need to do that."

7.50am: Emergency Cobra meeting called over UK nerve agent attack

Investigators have been summoned for emergency talks on the crisis in Salisbury, where the fallout from a suspected nerve agent attack continues to widen.

UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd will chair a meeting of the Government's Cobra committee at 3pm on Saturday to receive updates on the police case, Downing Street said.

Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia are still fighting for their lives after being exposed to a toxic substance in the Wiltshire city last Sunday.

Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, who was part of the initial response by authorities, is also in a serious condition.

Around 180 troops, including Royal Marines, RAF Regiment troops and chemical warfare specialists, are understood to have been deployed in the city on Friday after Scotland Yard requested specialist help.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said armed forces personnel will return to Salisbury in similar numbers on Saturday as the probe and cleanup operation continues.

Police turned their attention on Friday to the cemetery where the 66-year-old Russian's wife and son were laid to rest.

Officers in hazmat suits were seen placing a blue forensic tent over his son's memorial stone before appearing to stuff items in several yellow barrels.

The grave of Mr Skripal's wife Liudmila, who was buried in 2012, and the memorial stone of his son Alexander, who was cremated last year, were cordoned off at the London Road cemetery.Apparent fears of chemical contamination have also seen Mr Skripal's home cordoned off while detectives attempt to pin down the origins of the substance used to incapacitate him.

A short distance away, a convoy of military vehicles rolled into the car park at Salisbury District Hospital to recover a police car.

Mr Skripal and Yulia, 33, are still in a "very serious" condition five days after they were discovered slumped on a bench in the city centre.

Suspicion is mounting that Russia carried out the attempt on their lives as an act of revenge against the former intelligence officer, who was convicted in 2006 of selling state secrets to MI6.

He was later released as part of a spy swap with the US.

The Kremlin denies responsibility and British ministers have urged caution over apportioning blame until the facts become clear.

Defence minister Tobias Ellwood told the Press Association that the military's presence reflected the "seriousness" of the situation, adding: "We mustn't get ahead of ourselves but we must have a robust response and it's something that we'll be discussing with our Nato partners and with the forthcoming summit in Brussels in July.

"Some big questions arise as to how do you stand up to a clandestine and sinister attack deliberately done to play havoc in our society?"

Meanwhile, Salisbury's MP John Glen, also Government minister, attempted to reassure his constituents that a "whole range of tools are at our disposal" once it is established who was behind the incident.

"The Government will not be acting precipitously in response to what has happened. Now is the time for cool heads and a rational examination of the facts," he said.

"Once these are established, then and only then, will an appropriate and proportionate course of action be taken. A whole range of tools are at our disposal depending on who has perpetrated this act, including a number of financial and economic levers."

Mrs Rudd had earlier visited Salisbury and the hospital where DS Bailey is receiving treatment.

Lord Blair, a former Met Commissioner, suggested on the BBC's Today programme the seriously ill detective had visited Mr Skripal's home.

He said: "There obviously are some indications the officer, and I'm very sorry that he has been injured, has actually been to the house, whereas there was a doctor who looked after the patients in the open who hasn't been affected at all.

"So there may be some clues floating around in here."

Police said 21 people had been seen for medical treatment since the incident.

The figure includes members of the public and emergency staff, some of whom have had blood tests as well as receiving support and advice.

The attack is being treated as attempted murder.

- Press AssociationPolice in England are investigating a possible hate crime after reports that anti-Islamic letters were posted across the country.

West Yorkshire Police confirmed it had around six reports of letters advertising "Punish a Muslim Day".

The force said it had received a couple of letters for further analysis to determine the full circumstances and their possible origin.

A police spokesman said: "Counter Terrorism Policing North East are coordinating the investigation at this time and will consider any potential links to existing enquiries.

"Anyone with any concerns about a communication they may have received should contact their local police force."

Social media users in London and Birmingham also reported receiving the letters.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said it was not yet clear whether any criminal allegations relating to the letters had been reported in the capital.

Iman Atta, director of anti-Muslim hate monitoring service Tell MAMA, said: "This has caused quite a lot of fear within the community.

"They are asking if they are safe, if their children are safe to play outdoors. We have told them to keep calm, and to phone the police if they receive one of these letters."The UN envoy for sexual violence in conflict found "a gross lack" of support for women and girls who were raped and forced into sexual slavery by Islamic State extremists in Iraq, and survivors she met "were like living corpses".

Pramila Patten said the survivors were released early this year and told her they are confined to camps because of the double stigma of being victims of sexual violence and sexual slavery, and of being associated with IS - and fear of being perceived as an affiliate of the militant group.

"Some also expressed a fear of being detained," she said.

"So they are very much confined, including by their parents. They are not stepping out of their camp and have not had an opportunity to avail themselves of even the limited psycho-social support that there is inside the camp."

Ms Patten, who visited Iraq from February 26 to March 5, said many women who remain displaced expressed serious concerns for their safety if they return home and shared their fear of reprisals.

She said she met with all religious leaders, and while "they show a lot of empathy toward the women returning" she was told that Turkmen women will be rejected by their community.

She added Yazidi women, who have historically been subjected to persecution, expressed a wish to leave Iraq.

During a lightning charge in June 2014, IS fighters took over Iraq's second-largest city, Mosul, and nearly a third of the country, plunging it into the most severe crisis since the US-led invasion in 2003.

Mosul was liberated last July, and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared an end to the Islamic States' self-styled caliphate.

But Ms Patten said the impact of the conflict and IS occupation is impacting not only the women but their children.

She said provincial authorities in Mosul told her women who were raped and held as sex slaves have abandoned their children born to IS fighters.

As a result, she said, the authorities have had to set up orphanages for "thousands of children."

Ms Patten said she will be seeking more information about the orphans, who are from all religious faiths - Turkmen, Shiite, and Yazidi.

In talks with prime minister Mr Abadi and regional and provincial officials, she said it was essential to shift "the stigma from the victims to the perpetrators".

Despite all humanitarian efforts, Ms Patten said, "I find a gross lack of both physical and mental health, psycho-social support, and especially in the quality of the psycho-social support that is required by survivors of sexual violence.

"There is a need for very specialised service, which I think is simply not there," she said.

In her meetings, Ms Patten said she also called for a scaling-up of medical, mental health and psychological services and economic opportunities for victims of sexual violence.

Ms Patten said she also relayed to government officials a strong message from survivors to step up efforts to free those still in captivity and locate the missing.

According to officials dealing with genocide and religious leaders, she said, 3,154 Yazidis are missing including 1,471 women and girls - and 1,200 Turkmen are missing including 600 women and 250 children.

- Press AssociationThe gunman who killed three people who work for a California programme that treats veterans for post-traumatic stress disorder was kicked out of the therapy, a relative of one victim said.

Albert Wong, 36, was identified as the man who went to The Pathway House therapy centre on the sprawling campus of the largest veterans home in the country and took a psychologist and two executives hostage, authorities said.

Gunshots were fired around 10:30 am after Wong arrived at the Veterans Home of California-Yountville but nothing more was heard from him or the women until their bodies were found at about 6pm, authorities said.

Wong slipped into a going-away party for two employees of The Pathway Home, authorities said.

Killed were programme executive director Christine Loeber, 48; clinical director Jennifer Golick, 42; and Jennifer Gonzalez, 29, a clinical psychologist with the San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

"These brave women were accomplished professionals who dedicated their careers to serving our nation's veterans, working closely with those in the greatest need of attention after deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan," The Pathway Home said in a statement.

Ms Golick was the top psychologist at The Pathway Home, a non-profit organisation that treats combat veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.

It was "far too early to say if they were chosen at random" because investigators had not yet determined a motive, California Highway Patrol Assistant Chief Chris Childs said.

However, Ms Golick's father-in-law said she had recently ordered Wong removed from the programme.

Ms Golick called her husband, Mark, at around 10:30 am to say that she had been taken hostage by the former soldier, he said.

Police say that 15 to 20 shots were fired at the Yountville Veterans Center, where three people were taken hostage. https://t.co/PmEDdRErzO Video: @MarkIbanez2 pic.twitter.com/E5gCs0p7LN  KTVU (@KTVU) March 9, 2018

Wong had been an Army infantryman who served a year in Afghanistan from 2011 to 2012. He held a number of service awards, including one for expert marksmanship with a rifle.

Yountville, about 53 miles north of San Francisco, is one of the Napa Valley's most upscale towns, located in the heart of wine country.

A sheriff's deputy responding to an emergency call Friday morning got into a shootout with the gunman but was not injured.

Highway Patrol Sgt Robert Nacke said negotiators were unable to make contact with the gunman throughout the day.

- Press Association and Digital DeskAn English teacher from Britain working in the United Arab Emirates has been thrown in prison for insulting the Gulf country on social media and was forced to sign false confessions, his mother told the media.

Christian Wilke, 39, has been arrested since October last year over what authorities called electronic insult towards the Gulf country, Middle East Monitor reported.

Wilke, who had been teaching English in capital Abu Dhabi, was allowed to see a lawyer for the first only after 52 days following his arrest, according to his mother, Christine Wilke-Breitsameter.

His trial was conducted in Arabic, the mother also noted. He was sentenced one year in prison for a five-year old facebook post that the government found critical. The court also fined him $15,400 for the electronic insult.

Wilkes prison conditions are described as filthy. He has lost 18 kg since his detention. He developed pneumonia but was denied adequate medical care, the mother added.The White House tried to swat away criticism that the US is getting nothing in exchange for agreeing to a historic face-to-face summit between president Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said North Korea has made promises to denuclearise, stop its nuclear and missile testing and allow joint US-South Korean military exercises.

But questions remained over exactly what North Korea means by "denuclearise" and what the US might be risking with a highly publicised summit that will build up Kim's stature among world leaders.

"Let's not forget that the North Koreans did promise something," Ms Sanders said, responding to a reporter's question about why Mr Trump agreed to a meeting - unprecedented between leaders of the two nations - without preconditions.

She added: "We are not going to have this meeting take place until we see concrete actions that match the words and the rhetoric of North Korea."

Still, the White House indicated that planning for the meeting was fully on track.

"The deal with North Korea is very much in the making and will be, if completed, a very good one for the World. Time and place to be determined," Mr Trump tweeted on Friday evening.

The previous night's announcement of the summit marked a dramatic turnaround after a year of escalating tensions and rude insults between the two leaders.

A personal meeting would have been all but unthinkable when Mr Trump was being dismissed as a "senile dotard" and the Korean "rocket man" was snapping off weapons tests in his quest for a nuclear arsenal that could threaten the US mainland.

The European Union, Russia and China - whose leader spoke by phone with Mr Trump on Friday - have all welcomed the move to hold talks.

North Korea's government has yet to formally comment on its invitation to Mr Trump. South Korea said the president agreed to meet Kim by May, but Ms Sanders said Friday that no time and place had been set.

The "promises" on denuclearise and desisting from weapons tests were relayed to Mr Trump by South Korean officials who had met with Mr Kim on Monday and brought his summit invitation to the White House.

Mr Trump discussed the offer with top aides on Thursday. Some expressed their reservations but ultimately supported the president's decision to accept it, according to US officials.

Still, some politicians and foreign policy experts voiced scepticism about the wisdom of agreeing to a summit without preparations by lower-level officials, particularly given the lack of trust between the two sides.

North Korea is also holding three American citizens for what Washington views as political reasons.

"A presidential visit is really the highest coin in the realm in diplomacy circles," said Bruce Klingner, a Korea expert at the conservative-leaning Heritage Foundation, adding that Mr Trump "seemed to spend it without getting anything in return, not even the release of the three US captives."AGL Energy's $200 million upgrade of its Bayswater power station is a missed opportunity to curb the country's largest source of asthma-inducing sulphur dioxide, says the not-for-profit legal service Environmental Justice Australia.

AGL recently trumpeted investment in the Hunter Valley plant, the company's largest, which increased its capacity by 100 megawatts through efficiency improvements "without additional emissions or burning more coal.

Trucking on: Bayswater power station in the Hunter will become more efficient - but not necessarily cleaner. Credit:Rob Homer

However, Bayswater emitted 63,470 tonnes of SO2 in 2015-16, more than any other power plant in Australia - or even the US, where stricter curbs apply, EJA said, citing Australia's National Pollutant Inventory and the US Air Markets Program Data.

"AGL is spending significant money to expand the capacity of Bayswater, prolong its life and increase company profits," said Nicola Rivers, EJA's director of advocacy and research.A 25-year-old man is in custody after he allegedly fled the scene of a fatal crash on the M1 at Mount White on Friday afternoon.

One man died and another man was injured when two utes and a pantech Coles truck collided about 4.45pm on Friday, causing traffic chaos for drivers heading out of Sydney.

Police originally thought only the truck and the ute were involved in the crash but they now say a third vehicle - another ute - played a role.

Paramedics arrived to find two people trapped in vehicles on the highway north of Sydney. Credit:Nine News

"The driver of the second utility is alleged to have left the scene," NSW Police said.Disaster assistance has been made available to help flood-affected north Queensland residents recover from what has been declared a 'catastrophe'.

The region has been hammered by rough weather over the past four days, with more than 600mm of rain falling in some areas.

SES assisting residents in the flooded Shire of Hinchinbrook. Credit:Facebook - Kylee Blanch

Premier Annastacia Palaszcuk, who will travel to flood-affected regions on Sunday, said the full extent of the damage would not be known for weeks.

She said flooding would have a detrimental impact on banana and sugar cane crops, as well as the aquaculture industry.The bridge has since been washed away but that hasnt managed to dampen the spirits of the town, Mr Robb said. It is what it is, people deal with it and get on with it, he said. The train line in town was the only way you get from one side of town from the other and people were walking across there with their carton of beer. Then you have other people drive their boat into town so they can get their beer. It is pretty much all about the beer, everyone is prepared, they have their water they have their food but no one seems to have enough supply of beer so they have to keep going into town to get it.

The bridge across Palm Creek washed away over the weekend after major flooding in Ingham, north Queensland. Credit:John Stephen Robb State Disaster Co-ordinator and Deputy Commissioner Bob Gee warned the flooding event was not over. "We've still got half the town (Ingham) split, highways cut off, so road safety, thinking about the water you're using and staying prepared," he said. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk travelled to Ingham on Sunday to assess the damage and said there were still a number of isolated properties. I spoke to the mayor to make sure we have communication open to those people, she said.

She commended north Queenslanders for doing a mighty job in helping help each other, especially farmers near Tully who helped emergency services find back roads to reach 71 year 6 students and eight teachers stranded at Echo Creek Adventure Camp since Wednesday. The first lot of children have been evacuated, the second lot are being evacuated this afternoon, she said. I understand all these children will be home eating dinner with their families tonight." Three children with gastro were airlifted to Cairns on Saturday, however authorities decided it was safer to leave the remaining students where they were until Sunday morning.

Department of Education deputy director general Jeff Hunt said the children had made the most of lighter rainfall on Saturday. The children were able to get out and participate in the normal camp activities like archery, adventure course, climbing frames and the like, he said. Deputy Commissioner Gee grew up in flood country and said these kids will remember this for the rest of their lives. A local in Ingham taking advantage of the north Queensland floods.

Three-hundred-and-thirty-nine rapid assessments had been done so far, Ms Palaszczuk said after the region between Cairns and Townsville was declared a disaster by the state government and a catastrophe by the Insurance Council of Australia. The Department of Environment and Science northern wildlife operations manager Dr Matt Brien warned residents in flood-affected areas between Townsville and Cairns to stay away from floodwaters. Crocodiles prefer calmer waters and they may well be on the move as they search out a quiet place where they can wait for the floodwaters to recede, Dr Brien said. Similarly, snakes are good swimmers and they too may turn up in unexpected places." A spider clings to a branch to stay dry as flood levels slowly ease across parts of north Queensland. Credit:Andrea Gofton/Facebook

The warning comes as Ingham residents, whose homes were flooded on Friday, share photos of the town's wildlife, including one spider clinging to a branch, surrounded by floodwaters. Disaster assistance was made available for the local government areas of Hinchinbrook, Mareeba, Cassowary Coast and Yarrabah on Saturday. More than 200 homes were inundated at Ingham, where flood waters started to recede on Saturday, and some residents at Innisfail had to evacuate. While rain started to ease on Saturday, the Bureau of Meteorologys senior forecaster Rick Threlfall warned the Herbert River was likely to stay above the major flood level of 2009 for Sunday. Floodwaters inundated homes across north Queensland, including this Morehead Street property at Ingham. Credit:Joanna Pickersgill/Facebook.

It is a very slow-reacting river the Herbert River, it is only very gradually going to recede through the remainder of today and Monday, he said. It is still quite showery but nothing like theyve seen, no widespread heavy rainfall, so it shouldnt add to the flooding problem. Most of the shower activity is really just on the north east and the tropical coast around Tully and Innisfail but away from there, we are not expecting any significant rainfall over the next couple of days. SES assisting residents in the flooded Shire of Hinchinbrook. Credit:Facebook - Kylee Blanch The Bruce Highway remained blocked in the area after the Herbert River peaked at 14.7m on Friday."Brazen" Irish scammers have been linked to at least a dozen theft and fraud incidents across south-east Queensland.

Men, women and children with Irish accents have allegedly been targeting Brisbane businesses and unsuspecting residents, scamming them of tens of thousands of dollars.

Queensland Police believe these Irish tourists have been involved in scams across the south-east. Credit:Queensland Police Service

Queensland Police Detective Superintendent Tony Fleming said a team of officers and Australian Border Force were working to track down the group of "disrespectful" men and women accused of the highly brazen crimes.The ALP, as some party insiders explained, had higher priorities back then  such as trying to govern the country as a parliamentary minority. Batman and its neighbouring seat of Wills don't appear to have been given any strategic thought.

The Greens took the seat of Melbourne in the next election of 2010 in what any amateur demographer or North Fitzroy real estate agent could see was a launching pad for a takeover of the city's progressive and rapidly gentrified inner north, so often lampooned as the land of tofu, single-origin coffee and, in recent times, stop Adani signage.

In 2007, Batman was the safest Labor seat in Australia, held by a landslide-proof 76-24 against the Liberals. On March 17, when we, the burghers of Batman, cast our vote in a byelection caused by a citizenship malfunction, it's close to an even money chance that the fortress will fall.

Even in 2010, there were blatant signs of what was coming. The voting booth closest to my home, at Northcote High School, recorded a 48 per cent primary vote to the Greens, the second highest for them in the country (just behind North Fitzroy). Batman was the safest in the country only v the Libs.

By 2016, with an ill-suited David Feeney clinging to the seat by his factional fingernails, this booth had a Greens primary vote of 63 per cent (clearly number 1 in Australia).

One would think that Labor apparatchiks  including Feeney  would have been alarmed by the trend in 2010; that they might have noticed the wholefoods industry moving steadily north up High Street and would be ready to find a palatable candidate for bourgeois Batman  the Courtney Barnett fans whose hearts bled for refugees  once Martin Ferguson departed.

Ferguson, a NSW native and ex-ACTU boss, had been parachuted into the seat in 1996 with scant local connections, but you could have pre-selected any hack and still held that margin until the early 2010s. It was evident to me that Ferguson had ceased to be a good fit for Batman's lower half when a friend from the Institute of Public Affairs effusively praised his performance as resources minister.

If Ferguson gradually became demographically unsound, the choice of David Feeney as the prospective new member for Batman mystified and/or outraged the politically engaged in the southern half of Batman  Northcote, Thornbury, Fairfield and those parts of Preston (especially west) that were transforming into bitumen Green strongholds.Ankara: A Turkish court has ruled that two journalists should be released on bail for the duration of their trial for subversion, a lawyer at the courthouse said.

Murat Sabuncu, editor-in-chief of the newspaper Cumhuriyet, and writer Ahmet Sik were ordered released, the lawyer said. However, the paper said that its lawyer, Akin Atalay, was remanded in custody until the next hearing on March 16.

Released on bail: Ahmet Sik, an investigative journalist of opposition newspaper Cumhuriyet. Credit:AP

Prosecutors charge that Cumhuriyet was effectively taken over by supporters of Fethullah Gulen, a US-based cleric blamed by the government for a 2016 failed coup.

Seventeen staff members face terror charges in the trial. Some were released on bail last year.The Iraqi ministry of defense has announced this week acquisition of two South Korea-manufactured warplanes as part of a 2013 deal for the delivery to 24 war jets to the Iraqi government.

The two jets arrived in the Martyr Mohammed Alaa airbase in Baghdad International Airport, the ministry noted on its website.

The T-50 type jets follow two fighters delivered in March last year.

In line with the 2013 military agreement, several pilots have been trained in South Korea.

The Iraqi army is trying to take full control of national territory after declaring in December victory over the Islamic State group (IS) following three years of fierce fighting.In addition to the troubling behavior Cruz exhibited at the schools he attended - including an incident in which he reportedly brought a backpack with bullets to class - law enforcement officers were also alerted that Cruz might be dangerous. The FBI did not act on two tips about Cruz, one of which involved Cruz posting online that he planned to become a "professional school shooter." The Broward County Sheriff's Office was also warned about Cruz, and had received a report that he "planned to shoot up the school." Cruz alternated between periods of good behavior and periods of paranoia during which he acted out at school and at home, making fun of his peers, cursing at school staff and making threats, according to notes from his time at Cross Creek. The records obtained by the Herald documented weekly therapy sessions from February 2014 to December 2015. In one session, Cruz acknowledged to his therapist that he watched YouTube to "research wars, military material and terrorist topics." He said he wore military clothing. His mother, Lynda Cruz, who has since died, told Cruz's therapist that his obsession with the military resulted from his "excessive gaming." Surviving students have called for gun reform. Credit:AP

School administrators spoke with Lynda Cruz in the months that followed about their mutual concerns about Cruz's desire to own a gun and take shooting lessons. The therapist, a September 23, 2014, notation said, "shared concerns with parent about his obsession with guns/military and his poor anger control." The note also cited concerns over the possibility that Cruz would "deploy aggressive behaviors at home." At the time, Lynda Cruz was considering buying her son a pellet gun for his birthday. A different therapist who appears to have visited the family at their home suggested the mother develop a "plan" in which the youth would be allowed to buy a gun if he was able to "earn it" with good behavior. There was "a plan in place at home in order to control his use of the pellet gun." Cruz's school therapist, however, expressed reservations. "Parent was advised against getting him a gun (pellet) or classes for his birthday," the September notation said. "Parent advised to restrict access to any weapon." The therapy files also show Cruz's strong desire to be sent to a regular high school. He frequently discussed transferring with his therapist but also expressed anxiety about being mainstreamed. In some sessions, the therapist described Cruz as "receptive" or noted that he'd had "positive" behavior at school. The therapist role-played with Cruz to teach him how to interact with his peers and avoid conflict. But after other sessions, the therapist noted troubling behavior at school and at home.

In one April 2014 session, the therapist discussed Cruz's "aggressive behavior at home due to his not getting his way." Cruz responded by saying that he saw the therapist as a threat. The therapist noted that Cruz was "very paranoid." The next month, Cruz cursed at school staff and made comments to his teacher that made the school "fear that he may act out and harm others," the therapist noted. Cruz told the therapist he liked to make his teacher feel uncomfortable. A meeting was scheduled to discuss a treatment plan "to keep client and others safe," the therapist wrote. Around this time, the therapist explained to Cruz that he wasn't ready to attend a regular high school. Cruz also fantasized about a "perfect summer" that revolved around guns and shooting, according to a short paper he wrote. Under the heading "What my perfect summer would be," Cruz wrote about "buying some type of gun and shooting at targets that I set up with large amounts of ammo just for fun for hours," stopping only when he got bored or ran out of ammunition. Cruz said he also wanted to get a job and make money "so I can get things that I want for myself (instead) of come to this time wasting school that support stuped [sic] selfish children that I don't care about and gets in the way of my chances of leaving this place."

Cruz also wrote about his loneliness. "I will never be happy with my life I have no money or friends (sic)," he wrote. He complained about his "annoying mother who won't leave me alone." In preparation for a summer 2014 recess, Cruz's school therapist and psychiatrist jointly wrote a letter to another one of the his psychiatrists articulating serious concerns. "At home, he continues to be aggressive and destructive with minimal provocation," the letter said. "For instance, he destroyed his television after losing a video game that he was playing. Nikolas has a hatchet that he uses to chop up a dead tree in his backyard. Mom has not been able to locate that hatchet as of lately." "When upset he punches holes in the walls and has used sharp tools to cut up the upholstery on the furniture and carve holes in the walls of the bathroom," the letter added. By the next April, though, after Cruz had shown "tremendous progress" in his behavior, Cross Creek began efforts to move him to a traditional school. Psychiatric notes from that period describe a significantly less erratic youth. His mother reported that he was making friends and had exhibited no signs of inappropriate behavior "in the community. She is happy that he has been doing better," an April 28, 2015, notation said.To ease exporters' GST refund woes, revenue authorities will set up camps across the country for a fortnight beginning March 15, CBEC Chairperson Vanaja Sarna said today.

The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has already given refunds to the tune of Rs 5,000 crore but as much as 70 percent of total refunds to exporters is still stuck even after eight months of GST roll out.

Sarna said there are instances of exporters committing errors while filing refund claims and to help them, the department has started giving out refunds partially with manual intervention.

"Now to solve it completely we have instituted a special fortnight campaign, starting from March 15 which will go on till March 29. There are going to be camps all over the country so that all exporters can come with refund problem and they will be explained what their problem is, they will be asked to rectify it and then the process will be completed and refunds will be given. So we hope that by March 31 all pending refunds as far as exporters are concerned will be sorted out," Sarna said.

The issue of refunds to exporters has been hanging fire for over five months now, with exporters complaining that delay in GST refunds has blocked their working capital.

The revenue department, on the other hand, has argued that there are discrepancies in forms submitted by exporters with the customs department and those with the GST Network (GSTN).

The GST Council in its meeting today decided to implement e-wallet scheme for refunds to exporters by October 1. Under the e-wallet mechanism, a notional credit would be transferred to the exporters account based on their past record and the credit can be used to pay taxes on input.

To ease exporter woes, the Council has also allowed exporters to continue to claim tax exemptions until October 1, 2018.

Accordingly, merchant exporters can pay a tax at the rate of 0.1 percent on goods procured for export purposes and obtain a refund for the same.

Also, domestic procurement made under Advance Authorisation, EPCG and EOU schemes are being recognised as 'deemed exports' with flexibility for either the suppliers or the exporters being able to claim a refund of GST/IGST paid thereon.

An official statement issued after the Council's meeting said that the CBEC and GSTN have started detailed data analytics and preliminary data analysis has revealed that there is variance between the amount of Integrated GST (IGST) and compensation cess paid by importers at Customs ports and input tax credit for the same claimed in GSTR-3B.

Besides, it has come to light that there are major data gaps between self-declared liability in GSTR-1and GSTR-3B.

"It was deliberated that this information may be further analysed and adequate action may be initiated accordinglOn his first visit to India after he assumed office in May 2017, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday that one of the reasons he came to visit India was to deliver a message that France should be the best partner for India, especially in Europe. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the French President discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation in defence, security, trade, and investment. India and France inked total 14 pacts in the areas of railways, education and logistics support between the armed forces of the two nations. The leaders also assured to protect classified information, and discussed ways to enhance cooperation in civil nuclear power.

Agreements in the field of environment and urban development were also signed. Macron arrived in India on Friday night. He was given a ceremonial welcome at the RashtraPati Bhawan on Saturday morning. On a four-day visit to India, Macron was received at the airport on Friday night by Prime Minister Modi.

Addressing a joint conference with Macron, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the two countries have robust cooperation in the fields of defence and security. He also said the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) was important for the peace and prosperity of the world. Macron said India and France have decided to work together to deal with threats of terrorism and radicalisation. Defence cooperation between the two countries now has a new significance, the French President said. Both the leaders also talked about cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

"Another chapter in the glorious book of our friendship! PM Narendra Modi welcomes President of France Emmanuel Macron at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi ahead of the bilateral talks," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted along with pictures of the two leaders.

PM Modi and President Macron will also co-chair the founding conference of the India-initiated ISA (International Solar Alliance) on Sunday. The alliance, launched during the Paris Climate Summit in 2015, is a coalition of the 121-member countries, which work for efficient exploitation of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

French President Macron and Prime Minister Modi will also visit Varanasi, where a group of local youths and some French nationals have formed a club to work towards improving man-to-man contact between the people of the two countries. Macron will also visit Agra, and have a town hall interaction with students in New Delhi.

President Macron also visited the library of the Alliance francaise in New Delhi on Saturday morning. "French institutes and French alliances are the artisans of the development of our language and our culture abroad," he said.

With PTI inputsEuropean aircraft major Airbus has been in the news for the problems its customers, like Indigo, have been facing with the Pratt & Whitney engines on some of their planes. The company is apparently working on ensuring both an immediate solution and also a long-term fix. Pierre de Bausset, president and managing director, Airbus India and Srinivasan Dwarakanath, president, Airbus division in India, who were both in Hyderabad for the Wings 2018 aviation event, spoke to Business Today on this and range of things.

They did not see any signs of tapering demand for bigger planes, like the A380s, and in fact, saw a market that was bound to grow. They also talked about the changing landscape in India. Both were upbeat on India and have some big growth numbers with them that they plan to chase.

Excerpts from the interview:

Have you reached your market potential with Indigo, Vistara, Air India (domestic), Go Air and Air Asia, your five customers in India, since there is no new airline here? Or is there room for more? If so, where do you see new growth coming from?



No. We have only scratched the potential. We have identified the potential as huge. This is a fast growing market. In fact, it is the fastest growing market in the world for the moment. One of the reasons for that is that it is starting from a low base as the GDP per capita is lower. So, there is a potential for much more.

We are in fact, at the golden period of Indian aviation. If you look at the last three years, the passenger growth in India has been more than 20 percent, but in terms of people, we still have about 110 to 120 million passengers compared to huge numbers in terms of train tickets. So, there is a lot of potential in terms of growth. The penetration is also low in India as compared to China.

In terms of propensity to travel, India will become the third largest in the next couple of years.

The numbers that we have are related to demographics much more than to the number of existing airlines. Having said that you do have a number of very good airlines in this country and these people know how to handle the ramp up.



The challenges that Airbus customers like Indigo are facing with the engines seem to be occupying the mind of many people. Where do you see the problem and how long do you think it will take to resolve the issue?

In Indigo, they use Pratt & Whitney engines. Last year, we had a couple of challenges on the Pratt & Whitney engines. They had a fix for that and one of the modifications which they put in had resulted in some challenges this year as well. We work very closely with Pratt & Whitney, the airlines and also with the authorities to look at how best we can satisfy the needs of our customer. Pratt & Whitney has come back and said they have found a fix and there is a press release from them as well and they have presented that to the authorities. Therefore, as and when they supply us with the engines, we will fit them onto the aircraft and supply it to our customers worldwide.

There are two aspects here. One is whatever issues we have today, how do we immediately solve them, what is the permanent fix, and the root cause for it? The immediate solution is there as Pratt & Whitney has said they will deliver the engines soon. But the root cause is something they are working on. At the moment they are analyzing that.

The bigger picture to me (Pierre de Bausset) is very simply this: Pratt & Whitney pushed the envelope technologically with that engine in a remarkable way, and in doing so, they obviously took risks, like we all do in that industry. We look at our history; we look at Boeing's history. The 787 start was a difficult start. It is a successful product today. The A380 was a very difficult start but it does beautifully for the customers today. If you push the envelope you got to fix things and that is why in our industry we have something called as the 'launch customers' - the first customers to take on a new model of something; they usually get a very attractive price for it. But they know that the countervailing risk is that things may go wrong and they will have to cope with these little difficulties. It gets fixed and they are super happy. The performance of the Pratt & Whitney engine is remarkable in terms of what it was supposed to achieve for fuel saving etc. So, in the long term, you are going to see very happy customers.

What is your take on the UDAN scheme of government? At what stage will it start showing in demand for your aeroplanes?



There will be demand for aircraft. How it will show up is, first there will be demand for our sister company, ATR. We own 50 percent of that. This is where it is going to start, as when you start new routes you have got to test them and stimulate them. You put smaller aircraft there, people start flying. See that it works, see that they like the service, and then naturally airlines will put bigger planes over there.

We often hear that the demand for wide-body aircraft is diminishing. What does this mean for your A380s? What do the customers prefer today?



If you look at routes like London, Mumbai, Delhi, these are really A380 routes. If you look at Heathrow airport in London, you have 10 percent of the passengers flying in and out on A380. If we look at Delhi; if we need to achieve that sort of target for Delhi, we need 10 times the A380s flying in to remove the congestion. So there is a lot of potential. Indian carriers carry today only 35 percent of international passengers going out of India.

There will be a market for point to point and there is a significant market for hub and spoke as well. If you look at Middle East carriers, they know how to operate A380. Between Dubai and London, you have four A380s per day. Airports are getting congested and there are only a few ways in which you can overcome that - either build more airports, and that takes time, or have more wide-bodied aircraft flying into these airports which can take more passengers. So, there is definitely a market for A380.

While you are concentrating on A380s, the real question is whether you are going to see a growth in the modules that operate on certain routes, and yes, you are going to see that for sure. Take the example of Jet Airways, which has A330s on international routes. It has put these A330s on domestic routes because they realized that the 737s that they had were not sufficient to handle passenger volume. The bigger-body aeroplanes are not going to be limited to international routes. The only way to get decongestion in Mumbai is to actually make sure on certain trunk routes, like Delhi-Mumbai, you put bigger modules and transport more people in a single flight. It is happening around the world. Many are taking wide-bodies.

If your question is will Indian carriers take A380 when they start looking at more and more international travel then A380 is definitely a viable proposition for them.

What is the key positive about the Indian market that is attracting you and what, in your view, is the biggest challenge in India?



The challenge is infrastructure - from air traffic control, to airport availability, to everything you need. The other challenge would be skills - pilots, maintenance engineers. My (Pierre de Bausset) confidence, however, comes from the fact that, when I was listening yesterday to Secretary, civil aviation, I was quite struck by what he said at the end of the (close door) CEO forum. He said, we are not here as a regulator that will just give authorization and regulate everything; we are here as a facilitator.

I believe it is going to work out, particularly because there is demand. There is demand from the people, from business, and because of that, there is going to be money flowing into the industry. If there is money, it can be funded because there is demand, and if there is an attitude from the government to facilitate rather than make it difficult, then I am very confident this will happen because this is a country where entrepreneurship is fantastic.

What is also exciting about India is there are a lot of first-time flyers coming in. We are at a nascent stage of the industry.

How does your order book look today?



At the Airbus level, we have a backlog of more than 530 aircraft to deliver into the country, and we have more than 300 aircraft already in flight. Our market share is 70 percent (in flight and backlog, compared to competition).The Union Public Service Commission has released an employment notification calling out for aspirants to apply for the post of Translator (Burmese and Persian), Legal Officer (Grade II), Public Prosecutor, Store Officer and Senior Lecturer (textile processing). Those interested can check out the eligibility, salary scale, how to apply and the complete details of the government job here. Selected candidates can earn up to INR 2087000. The last date to apply for the civil services post is Mar 29, 2018.

UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018: Check Selection Process, Cut-off Marks, Exam Dates, Preparation Tips

UPSC Recruitment 2018 Vacancy Details

CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Post Translator (Burmese and Persian), Legal Officer (Grade II), Public Prosecutor, Store Officer and Senior Lecturer (Textile Processing). Organisation Union Public Service Commission Educational Qualification Degree in relevant field Maximum Age Limit 40 years Experience 3 to 7 years Salary Scale INR 15600 to INR 2087000 Job Responsibilities Execute the duties stipulated by UPSC Job Location India Industry Civil Services Application Start Date Mar 10, 2018 Application End Date Mar 29, 2018



Click here to read the detailed notification.

How To Apply For UPSC Recruitment 2018

In order to apply for UPSC Recruitment 2018, follow these steps:

Step 1 Log on to the UPSC official website. Step 2 Click on the link that reads, ONLINE RECRUITMENT APPLICATION (ORA) FOR VARIOUS RECRUITMENT POSTS. Step 3 The application details will be displayed on the screen. Step 4 Click on the link to register as a new user. Step 5 Fill your details in the registration form. Step 6 Enter the captcha code. Step 7 Click Save and Continue and follow the subsequent pages to complete the registration. Step 8 Come back to the application details page and click Apply Now against the relevant advertisement. Step 9 Enter your login credentials. Step 10 Enter the captcha code.

Step 11

Click Submit.

What Are The Best Books To Prepare For UPSC ExamWomen have not been spared in war-torn Yemen where the Houthis have killed 675 women over the last three years, according to the Yemeni minister of social affairs and labor.

The [Houthi] coup militias have killed more than 675 women since their coup against the legitimate government, Ibtihaj Abdullah Al-Kamal was quoted by Middle East Monitor as saying.

Besides the hundreds of women wounded, more than 4,500 cases of violence against women were registered in a number of provinces, the official said.

He accused the Houthi group of forming a womens military brigade, recruiting more than 350 women and using them in military operations and raids.

According to Middle East Monitor which carried the statements, the accusation was made Thursday on International Womens Day, where the world witnessed celebrations, strikes and protests to mark the day.

In May last year, it was reported that the Houthis opened training camps for women who were then being exploited and deployed across Yemen.

The Houthis took control of the capital Sanaa back in September 2014, with the assistance of an alliance of convenience with late and former president Ali Abdullah Saleh and forces loyal to him.

The Saudi-led coalition was invited in March 2015 by the internationally recognized President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi to defend the country against the Houthi armed group.

Human Rights Watch accuses the Houthis of abduction, enforced disappearance and torture of a number of individuals, including journalists and political prisoners.A Canadian with a vacation home in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, has sent Castanet video of a brazen daytime robbery of what appears to be a jewelry store.

The video, taken from the street by a Kelowna resident, shows the robbery in progress.

A man with his face concealed is seen firing gunshots in the air before kicking a security guard and hitting him in the head with the gun.

A few seconds pass, and then several armed men are seen leaving the Diamond International store and piling into a grey minivan.

The final few seconds of the video show a woman carrying a baby in the foreground as the van speeds away.

The person who provided the video wishes to remain anonymous for safety reasons. However, they did tell Castanet that the robbery happened last week. Several local newspapers in Puerto Vallarta confirm the incident.

Puerto Vallarta is a popular destination for Okanagan residents. Kelowna International Airport offers direct flights to Puerto Vallarta.

On Thursday, the Canadian embassy issued a safety and security warning for travellers visiting Playa del Carmen, on the east coast of Mexico. That warning comes in the wake of an explosion last month on a tourist ferry, which injured more than 20 people.

It should be noted that there has been no travel advisory issued for Puerto Vallarta and, that Playa del Carmen is on the opposite side of Mexico, a 4.5-hour flight away from Puerto Vallarta.Photo: The Canadian Press

The first woman to ever be permanently appointed to lead the RCMP promised Friday to leave no stone unturned in her efforts to modernize a law-enforcement organization that remains plagued by complaints of sexism, workplace bullying and discrimination against Indigenous Peoples.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed Friday the appointment of 31-year veteran Brenda Lucki as the Mounties' new commissioner, a move he said will promote gender equality and address harassment in the workplace at the national police force.

"I will not have all the answers, but I definitely plan on asking all the right questions. And maybe some difficult ones," Lucki told a gathering at the RCMP training academy in Regina shortly after her appointment was announced.

"I plan to challenge assumptions, seek explanations and better understand the reasons how we operate. This means that no stone will be left unturned. And if what we find works, then we carry on until we unearth the issues that need addressing."

Trudeau highlighted Lucki's background working with Indigenous groups, including her induction into the Order of Merit of the Police Forces for her efforts to improve relations with First Nations in northern Manitoba.

Friday's appointment comes at a time when the force's relations with Indigenous communities are particularly strained.

Last month's acquittal of Saskatchewan farmer Gerald Stanley in the shooting death of Indigenous youth Colten Boushie sparked accusations of bias against Indigenous people by police and in the justice system.

Lucki has contributed to United Nations missions in both the former Yugoslavia and in Haiti, and has served as commanding officer of the RCMP training academy at Regina's Depot division since 2016.

She was awarded the United National Force Commander's commendation for bravery, two UN protection forces medals and the Canadian peacekeeping service medal.

Trudeau described Lucki as an exceptional leader known for her hard work and tireless efforts to improve the status quo.

"She will also play a vital role in advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, promoting gender equality and equity, supporting mental wellness across the RCMP, addressing workplace harassment and protecting the civil liberties of all Canadians," he said.

Lucki is the first woman to be named RCMP commissioner on a permanent basis; Beverley Busson was interim leader for six months in 2007.

The force has continued to face embarrassing revelations about sexism and sexual misconduct in RCMP ranks, even one year after then-commissioner Bob Paulson apologized for discrimination against female officers and agreed to a $100-million settlement of two class-action lawsuits.Many religions feature some zany attributes and even approach cult status, but the World Peace and Unification Sanctuary really takes the cake. Started as an offshoot of the notorious Unification Church, its beliefs are even stranger. The Pennsylvania church also follows a strange interpretation of some parts of the Bible involving the AR-15 assault rifle. Thats right, the same one used in the recent Parkland school shooting.

Two brothers started the church as a breakaway from their father

Hyung Jin Sean Moon serves as pastor of the World Peace and Unification Sanctuary, located about 120 miles north of Philadelphia. His brother, Moon Kook-Jin, who goes by Justin, owns Kahr Arms, a firearms manufacturing company. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, many attendees also purchased their arms there.

We sell a few guns, Moon said. Thats no secret. Thats my profession. Im a gun manufacturer, so I support the Second and First Amendment.

Next: You might recognize their fathers name.

The Moons come from a line of church leaders

You may know Sean Moon, who leads the church, as the youngest son of the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon. The man proclaimed himself a messiah when he founded the Unification Church in South Korea in 1954. By 1974, the church had kicked off a worldwide movement that many call a cult, drawing crowds of 25,000 or more.

Moons organization reveres both the Christian Bible and Moons Divine Principle as sacred texts. Part of the teachings, according to Vox, say that true enlightenment can come through marriage to other church members. That subsequently led to mass weddings around the globe, often arranged between virtual strangers.

Next: The church maintains long ties to another organization.

The Unification Church and the GOP maintain relationships

Over the years, The Unification Church became closely involved with right-wing and GOP politics. As The New Republic reported in 2013, the late Moon exerted, extraordinary political influence, building a vast network of powerful right-wing organizations and forging alliances with every Republican presidential administration since Ronald Reagans. As late as 2004, Republican lawmakers attended ceremonies.

An elaborate ceremony even took place in which Republican Roscoe Bartlett bowed down before the couple. Democrat Danny Davis carried in one of two golden crowns, which they placed on the Moon and his wifes heads. Moon informed the audience that kings and presidents declared him humanitys savior. He assured them Jesus, Buddha, Hitler, and Stalin had become reborn as new persons through his teachings.

Next: Moons followers embedded themselves into American politics.

Church leaders cozied up to American political powers

According to The New Republic, Moon instructed female followers to get close to political leaders. Some of them obtained offices, including in former Speaker of the House Carl Alberts. In 1983, Moon went to prison for tax-evasion charges, stemming from some seriously complicated financial dealings.

The church responded by launching a $30 million campaign to overturn his conviction, with his daughter In Jin leading the charge. Its campaign painted Moon as an innocent man prosecuted for his religious beliefs, which evangelicals ate right up. A coalition, including the American Civil Liberties Union, thenSenate Judiciary Chairman Orrin Hatch, and religious conservative leaders such as Jerry Falwell and Tim LaHaye, all rallied behind Moon.

Next: Moons influence did not stop there.

The former pariah became a martyr for religious freedom

By the summer of 1985, Moon got released from prison and began benefiting from the Reagan Revolution. His newspaper, The Washington Times, became the mouthpiece of conservatives, and Reagan himself even read it. Church influences got involved in the Contra Affair, and even helped stage a coup in Bolivia, helping funnel money into anti-Communist efforts in Latin America. Moon also launched the American Family Coalition. It quickly surpassed the Moral Majority as one of Americas leading religious conservative organizations, which remains influential today.

Next: You might recognize some of these names as Moon allies.

The Bush family stood alongside the Moon church

As Moons influence on American society began to wane in the 1990s, he turned his attention toward conservative black churches and Democrats. The church even launched the Womens Federation for World Peace. That organization said his theology called for the liberation of women. Several times, former President George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara, who raked in Moon family donations, appeared alongside Moons wife, who spearheaded the organization. Now-former Vice President Joe Biden, who considered a presidential run in 2008, even got involved in the Moon empire.

Next: The Biden family put their money in the Moons.

Even Biden sided with a faction of the Moon empire

According to sworn statements from people involved in the deal, Biden worried that his son Hunters lobbying career could hurt his campaign. He allegedly asked his brother James to find Hunter a new job. and Paradigm Global Partners, Moons son-in-laws James Parks hedge fund, came to the rescue. In the spring of 2006, James Park, Anthony Lolito, and James Biden signed an agreement that gave them a controlling stake in the company, in return for $21 million in cash. Hunter Biden became CEO, with a $1.2 million salary.

Soon though, the Bidens realized Paradigms books did not rest on solid ground. Financial backers fled, the economy crumbled, and in 2010, Paradigm filed for voluntary liquidation. It was a thicket, Hunter Biden told The New Republic. Every time you thought you saw a way out, there would be another road block. Pretty much everyone involved took a financial loss, and the family unity never really recovered.

Next: Today, Sean Moons church takes a terrifying new turn.

This gun-worshiping church represents a new faction

Moon died in 2012, and his children splintered, now operating independently. The AP notes that Sean Moons church retains no ties to the original Unification Church. The younger Moons congregation is a breakaway faction of the Unification Church, which had distanced itself from Wednesdays event, it said in a statement. Part of the churchs new teachings believe the AR-15 represents a vital part of their doctrine.

Within the past year, Moon incorporated a belief about the AR-15 into his teaching, NPR reports. It references Revelation 2:27, which states, He shall rule them with a rod of iron.

Next: A recent service sparked concern in the community.

An elementary school closed for fear of the churchs service

On Feb. 28, the church held a Cosmic True Parents of Heaven, Earth and Humanity Cheon Il Guk Book of Life Registration Blessing ceremony. It came as part of the churchs week-long Festival of Grace, which included a President Trump Thank You Dinner. Attendees brought their AR-15s, allegedly to receive blessings.

Concern over Wednesdays gathering prompted a nearby elementary school to cancel classes for the day. It also sparked a small demonstration outside the church. One protester told The AP, its scaring people in the community.

Next: The members hold some scary beliefs.

Some members believe in bearing arms as a religious doctrine

During the service, Moon prayed for a kingdom of peace police and peace militia, where the citizens, through the right given to them by almighty God to keep and bear arms, will be able to protect one another and protect human flourishing. Many of the attendees wore crowns, some of them made of bullets. We pray they would stand as kings and queens with their crown and rod of iron, he continued.

Jonathan Franco told Scrantons WNEP TV, If you dont have a rod of iron then, unfortunately, you can come into a situation where your life can come to an end. Who else is there to blame if you yourself didnt take the responsibility to preserve your own life?

Sreymom Ouk, who attended the ceremony with her husband, Sort Ouk, and an AR-15, told the AP that she needed the weapon to defend against sickos and evil psychopaths. People have the right to bear arms, and in Gods kingdom, you have to protect that, she said. You have to protect against evil.

Follow The Cheat Sheet on Facebook!Iran-backed Shia militia groups operating under the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) will be officially included in the Iraqi security services.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi issued a decree on Thursday giving the Iran-backed militia groups the same rights as members of the military.

The Iraqi Prime Ministers decision will allow the 40 paramilitary militia groups to have similar salaries as the military, and access to military institutes and colleges.

Launched in 2014 following a call by top Shia cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani to reverse the control of the city of Mosul by the Islamic State (IS), the Shia groups have grown powerful with the support of Iran.

The PMU fought alongside the regular army to take back much of Iraqi territories controlled by IS. Up to 60,000 fighters are combatting under PMU leadership.

It will remain under control of Prime Minister al-Abadi himself who has been reluctant to heed western and Sunni calls to dismantle the groups, worried as Iran off-shot in Iraq.

Washington has demanded the groups to go home in reference to Iran, known as the regional power behind the militias.

The decree comes two months ahead of a high-stakes general election. The PMU enjoys popular support among Iraqs majority Shia population and is expected to sway voters, London-based Middle East Eye commented.

The Thursday decree also slots into a 2016 decision by the parliament to bring the umbrella group under government control.Madeleine L'Engle, a devoted Christian, wrote and published "A Wrinkle In Time" in 1962. But while the children's book earned success as a bestseller, the author received the hardest criticisms from her fellow Christians.

As Disney releases the big screen adaptation of "A Wrinkle in Time," the history behind its religious controversy has once again surfaced. At the time the book came out, Christian readers complained about the facets of her story - mainly that it showcased magical elements from three beings who used crystal balls and had mythical powers. They sought the banning of the book from libraries and schools because of this for fear that it would influence children.

"A Wrinkle In Time" centered on a teenager named Meg Murry who magically discovers an intergalactic world where she meets guardian beings Mrs. Who, Mrs. Which, and Mrs. Whatsit. They tell her that she has to save her missing father from a Black Thing, an act that would also help restore order in the universe.

As an Episcopalian, L'Engle presented an unorthodox idea that combined science and religious themes in her book, which also turned off conservative Christians. She wrote the three beings as messengers of God. She referenced the Book of Daniel and also equated Jesus Christ to Gandhi, Buddha and Einstein as the world's best fighters.

"She was engaged in this project of revisioning Christianity, pretty much like C.S. Lewis was with The Chronicles of Narnia," Professor Marek Oziewicz of the University of Minnesota stated. "I'm not sure if she was trying to equate them, but she was definitely speaking about something that she called the 'heresy of love.'"

Over the years, people would continue to challenge the story and message of "A Wrinkle In Time," hence it remained controversial for decades. The author claimed in a 2001 interview that the criticisms did affect her, but at the end of the day, she learned to live with it.

Hollywood took an interest in developing the book into a movie in the early '80s but it was regarded as "unfilmable." Director Ava DuVernay took on the project for Disney when the studio finally pushed production in 2016. Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling signed up for the roles of the guardians, and the actresses said "A Wrinkle In Time" was actually one of their favorite books growing up.

"A Wrinkle In Time" began its run in U.S. theaters on March 9.Pope Francis reminds Catholics that they should not pay or donate money to priests, especially those who say Mass during a loved one's funeral. The pontiff emphasizes that this practice is unnecessary since sacrifices and redemption are both free.

Some parishes expect a payment of around $10 dollars for Masses for specific individuals. The pope, however, made it clear he was not in favor of this.

"You do not pay for the Mass," Pope Francis told an audience at the Vatican in his sermon last March 7.

"The Mass is Christ's sacrifice, which is free. Redemption is free," the pope added. "If you want to make an offering, do it, but you do not pay for it!"

Pope Francis also spoke about the eucharistic prayer and its different formulas, which begins with a thanksgiving and proceeds with the acclamation of God's holiness. He also described the consecration, where believers share in the body and blood of Jesus Christ as an act of faith. To understand the formula of the Mass is to learn to imbibe the Eucharist in the lives of Christians.

Pope Francis then listed the three attitudes that believers should always have and practice. He said these were "to give thanks always and everywhere, to make one's life a gift of love and to build communion in the church and with everyone."

In light of this, Pope Francis invited the members of the Catholic Church to observe its annual "24 Hours for the Lord." The highlight of this initiative is the Sacrament of Reconciliation, where dioceses all over the world remain open for 24 hours to hear confessions from both followers and non-believers.

The main purpose of "24 Hours for the Lord" is to encourage those who feel uncomfortable about going to Church to seek and renew a relationship with God. The Pastoral Council released a guide about the initiative on its official site.

The "24 Hours for the Lord" event has been taking place since 2014.A total of 6,585 euthanasia or mercy killing acts have been carried out in the Netherlands since the practice was legalized more than 15 years ago, the latest report from the regional monitoring committee revealed.

The annual report showed that there was an 8 percent rise in assisted deaths in the country from 2016 to 2017. There was also a notable increase in the euthanasia rate in cases related to patients with dementia, Alzheimer's disease or other psychiatric problems.

At least 90 percent of these assisted suicide cases were carried out on patients who suffered from cancer, Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis (MS). Jacob Kohnstamm of the committee believes that these numbers will continue to rise in the next few years. The termination of a patient's life is usually carried in people above 70 years old.

"Doctors know more about euthanasia and people are more aware of the issues," Kohnstamm told NRC. "Given the post war population increase, this trend will continue."

The report also stated that most of the cases followed the country's strict laws on euthanasia. Nevertheless, the committee learned that there had been 12 life terminations that were problematic, such that the patients did not ask for a second opinion about their condition or they were not provided with proper medical care before they opted for assisted suicide.

A separate study on euthanasia in the Netherlands that was conducted in August 2017, however, suggested that there had been 431 cases done without the patient's consent. One woman, whose mother died through mercy killing without a request, shared her story in an upcoming documentary movie about the practice in the Netherlands.

The Archbishop of Utrecht, Cardinal Willem Eijk, has been vocal about the country's laws on euthanasia. He believed the law simply changed how doctors would be able to kill the patients and it was not about the patient's welfare.

The Netherland's established its Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide (Review Procedures) Act in 2002.Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

I'm not usually much for writing about current events.

However, a recent news item serves to underscore a very important point in the Christian's struggle against prevalent naturalistic worldviews.

Dr. Lawrence Krauss is a widely read astrophysicist and university professor, and is known publicly for his deep commitment to materialistic naturalism. Krauss makes no bones about his polemic stance against religion:

"Science is only truly consistent with an atheistic worldview with regards to the claimed miracles of the gods of Judaism, Christianity and Islam," he has remarked, which would be news to the scores of scientists who hold to these religious persuasions.

The New York Times recently reported that "Arizona State University has suspended Lawrence M. Krauss, a prominent theoretical physicist, while the university investigates accusations of sexual misconduct over a decade."

And while I certainly do not aim to highlight this egregious circumstance out of disrespect to the families involved, one cannot help but notice the irony in this situation--namely, that Krauss is well-known for (at least implicitly) advocating the existence of a moral standard despite his atheistic views.

Krauss is famous for his claim that "teaching creationism to children is child abuse." On his view, it is dishonest and immoral not to teach children about evolution. (Of course, many creationists do and should teach their children about evolutionism, so they become better-equipped to defend against it.)

For centuries, Christians have held that only on a theistic worldview is such a moral standard possible. But Krauss's own view is that we are the children of stardust!

He writes in his book A Universe From Nothing, "Every atom in your body came from a star that exploded. And, the atoms in your left hand probably came from a different star than your right hand. It really is the most poetic thing I know about physics: You are all stardust. You couldn't be here if stars hadn't exploded, because the elements - the carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, iron, all the things that matter for evolution and for life - weren't created at the beginning of time. They were created in the nuclear furnaces of stars, and the only way for them to get into your body is if those stars were kind enough to explode. So, forget Jesus. The stars died so that you could be here today."

One must wonder how any objective source of moral values can be recognized on such a view? Moreover, if such objective values could be realized, one must further question what dutiful obligation we would have to hold to them!

It seems as though only if there is a transcendent Creator who has ordered the cosmos, given us an intelligent mind after His own, and given us specific commandments and directives should we be obligated to act in a moral fashion, and according to a moral standard.

Of course, as Christians, we hold to the doctrine of the Imago Dei--that is, that all of humanity is created in the Image of God. It is this which gives human life intrinsic worth and value. But on Krauss' evolutionary view we are the highest evolved form of animal--but an animal nonetheless!

Since we don't punish "lower-evolved" organisms such as bats and bacteria for infidelity of any sort, why should we be punished? Our culture argues for "human rights," but who has assigned these rights? If we are the result of myriad "unguided" processes, there is, by definition, no "guide" to give us the necessary basis for morality, rights or ethics of any sort!

The truth to be gleaned is this: Even Christians, who do have an objective moral standard, sin every day and fail their Lord. That Dr. Krauss has allegedly committed a serious crime is not "proof" that his worldview is wrong, nor is it the "fruits" of it, necessarily.

But what must not be missed or taken for granted is his inconsistency. He has responded to these allegations by denying their truthfulness. But on his view, why are the allegations wrong? If atheism is true, it seems just as reasonable that he accepts the charges and argue on the basis of an absent moral standard.

With no Creator to set the rules, there are no rules. Rather, to be consistent, he should contend that his choices are merely his preferences, but as he has already demonstrated, that will not be his play.

Instead, he will agree with our judicial system--which is ultimately rooted in the judgments and commandments of God--that it is immoral and disgraceful to harm another human being, and deny the charges against him.

Whether the allegations are true remains to be seen. What has been made clear, however, is that Romans 2:15 is still true--there is a moral law written in the heart of Dr. Lawrence Krauss, the same as is written in each of us.

Steve Schramm is a preacher, apologist, and writer. He helps Christians defend their faith with confidence and clarity while offering solid answers to religious skeptics on the toughest issues facing our culture. His first book, Truth Be Told: An Apologetics Primer for Independent Baptists, is due out early 2019.

Steve is also the Founder and President of The Creation Academy. His weekly blog posts, podcasts, and videos can be found on his ministry website, steveschramm.com.Saudi authorities have requested the postponement of the annual Arab summit to next April as the initial date, March 23, coincides with the presidential elections in Egypt.

The announcement was made by the Arab League Chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Saudi Minister of State for African Affairs who was chairing in Cairo a meeting of the Arab League.

Egypts presidential polls are scheduled for March 26-28, few days after the initial date of the Arab Summit.

The decision to postpone the summit came few days after Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman visited Cairo earlier this week.

Al-Sisi is forecast to win a second term in office. He had won the 2014 elections following a military coup in 2013 against first democratically elected President Mohamed Morsi.Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Darkness is falling in Russia  143 million people spread across 11 time zones are slaves of an evil they either cannot see, or cannot stop.

Vladimir Putin calls himself a Christian, but he has declared war on the Gospel, and speaks of war with the West.

Preaching the Gospel in the open air is now illegal in Russia. So is sharing the Gospel with friends and co-workers -- even in your own home. So is inviting friends to come to church to hear the Word of God.

Christianity Today described the Russian law signed in July 2016 as the "most restrictive measures [against religious freedom] in post-Soviet history."

Yet there is no end in sight to this religious persecution, with Putin expected to be re-elected March 18, and he bragged about Russia's nuclear weapons and showed a video of multiple warheads aimed at Florida in a recent speech.

The Lord calls us to be watchmen on the walls in Ezekiel 33. We must always be ready to identify emerging threats to our nation and to warn our leaders and people.

The Scriptures also call us to take the Gospel into dark places; Jesus calls us to be "the light of the world."

We must stand with our brothers and sisters who love Christ but hear the prison doors closing and locking around them. We must never stop communicating the good news, especially to nations enslaved by cruel and wicked tyrants.

Finally, the Scriptures call us to be prayer warriors. Most of us can't walk into the Oval Office or other corridors of power. It is, therefore, easy to feel that we have no influence when global events spin out of control.

But we have direct access to the King of kings and the Lord of lords. So let us pray without ceasing for everyone involved. We can have tremendous impact on the course of men and nations by getting on our knees in intercessory prayer.

Jesus never taught His disciples they were powerless in the face of evil. To the contrary, He said "power will come upon you" and "you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and even to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

He said, "Love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44)

So, let us pray without ceasing for Vladimir Putin, his family and his advisors  pray they are saved or removed from power.

Let us pray for our brothers and sisters in Russia, that "words may be given [to them] so that [they] will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which [they are] ambassador[s] in chains. Pray that [they] may declare it fearlessly, as [they] should." (Ephesians 6:19-20)

Let us pray, too, for President Trump, and Vice President Pence, and their advisors, for the wisdom to know how best to counter the Putin threat and safeguard the American people and our allies in NATO and the Middle East.

In the face of such evil, let us not be silent or cower in fear. Rather, let us be strong and courageous and serve Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.

My father's family escaped from the last czar, in the face of persecution of Russian Jews in the early 20th century, and I'm so grateful that they did. But I don't intend to run from this czar. With whatever means I have, I intend to confront him.

What if you and I worked together? What if we sounded the trumpet, to arouse our government, the people, and the Church to each play our part? What if we took to heart what one man can do he if believes that "nothing is impossible with God"?

Our task is to be faithful.

Faithful to see threats.

Faithful to sound the alarm.

Faithful to rouse the people to action, even in the face of grave danger.

Let us, then, be faithful, come what may.

Joel C. Rosenberg is a New York Times bestselling author. His latest book, "The Kremlin Conspiracy," released March 6, 2018. This article is adapted from an address to the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Nashville on March 2.While even today it is common to talk about "putting out a fleece," we as believers need to ask what we should make of Gideon's attempt to find God's will this way, and if indeed he was even in the will of God to seek to do so. Was he engaged in faith or presumption?

That is, is it ever appropriate for Christians today to say something like this? "God, if you make someone knock on my door in ten minutes time, inquiring about our house, I will then know it is your will to sell this house." Is this a valid method? Or is it improperly putting God to the test?

Indeed, is this a valid and spiritually-acceptable method of determining God's will? Was Gideon right to employ it? May we do the same today? These are all good questions, so in order to properly answer them, it is of course necessary to look more closely at the Judges passage.

The full story is found in Judges 6-8, and needs to be read in context. The Midianites and others had come to challenge Israel. We are told in 6:11-12 how Yahweh had appeared to Gideon. It is actually a bit humorous. The angel of the Lord appears to him and says, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior".

Yet Gideon had effectively been hiding from the Midianites in the threshing room. Not much of a warrior there! God often graciously condescends to our lowly and humble estate. The first thing Gideon says is, "Hey, if the Lord is with us, then why are we in such a pickle" or words to that effect (v. 13).

The Lord says he will use him to defeat the Midianites. In response Gideon asks for a sign (v. 17). Yahweh agreed and performed a clear revelatory sign for him. Emboldened by this, at God's command, he tore down some pagan altars which never should have been there.

The locals made a stink about this but Gideon stood his ground. It is after all this that we read about the Midianites and others crossing over the Jordon, as they had done before (v. 33). It is at this point that Gideon asks for the sign of the fleece.

He tells Yahweh: If this fleece will be dew-soaked while the rest of the ground stays dry, then I will know that you have sent me and will be with me. And sure enough, the next morning he finds the fleece soaking wet, while the ground next to it is dry.

But the story does not stop there. In vv. 39-40 we read: "Then Gideon said to God, 'Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.' That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew."

In chapters 7 and 8 we read about how Gideon defeated the Midianites, after of course he greatly pared down his numbers so that God would get the glory, not him. So his original army of 32,000 men was shrunk to just 300. There are of course wonderful spiritual lessons to be drawn from that as well.

But the fleece episode, and the earlier sign which Gideon asked for, can now be more properly assessed. Were these requests legitimate? Were they acts of faith or maybe indications of unbelief? Are they something which believers today should emulate?

A few things seem to be clear about this episode. First, this was actually not about discerning God's will, or discovering what God wanted. Yahweh had already clearly told Gideon what he was going to do. All Gideon had to do was agree with God about this and get on with the job.

But instead Gideon had to go through three different tests before he actually does what he is supposed to do. So he was not exactly acing in faith here. So if we take this as an example for us today, we can only use it as far as it is used there. That is, God's will has already been revealed, and we are just wanting confirmation about it.

Also, it seems this whole episode is one about a lack of faith  even unbelief. Simply having the angel of the Lord appearing to him should have been enough. Then he got another miraculous sign from Yahweh: the divine fire consuming the meat and the bread.

Yet he still wanted another, double, confirmatory sign. He was probably aware of how this may not have been pleasing to God when he said, "Do not be angry with me" If he was doing something patently acceptable in Yahweh's sight, there would have been no need to make such a statement.

Indeed, twice Gideon says that God had promised that he would deliver Israel through himself (vv. 36, 37), but in spite of this promise which he was fully aware of, he still puts God to the test by demanding more signs. This was not an act of faith but of unbelief.

Lastly, we of course have no clear New Testament example of, or command for, such a test. Instead, we have Jesus and the apostles downplaying this, and at times getting upset when people asked for a sign. As Jesus complained, "A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah" (Matt 16:4). Or as Paul said, "Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles" (1 Cor 1:22,23).

In sum, as K.L. Younger remarks, this fleecing "is nothing short of a pagan divinatory test of the deity." He continues, "The fleece incidents are far from a model for the discernment of God's will. . . . His problem is his lack of willingness to trust the lord, to take him at his word. Thus the fleece incidents are about Gideon's unbelief and stubbornness in response to God's call. In such cases, God is not obligated to respond, and if he does, it is only by grace. Those who use this passage as a means of discerning God's will are simply misapplying Scripture."

Of course all this is not to say that God cannot and does not provide signs. Indeed, in biblical times miracles were primarily used as confirmatory signs of divine revelation. Today however Christians are not to depend on signs and wonders as they seek God's will. Thus we need to be careful here.

As Herbert Wolf comments, "If this 'fleece' consists of a careful observation and interpretation of God's leading through circumstances, the procedure can be a healthy one. But Gideon's method was to make purely arbitrary demands of God, and insist on immediate guidance. Such an approach can hardly be recommended for Christians today."

Instead, like most aspects of the Christian life, there is the long hard slog of doing what is right, having strong faith, and persevering, even when things are not always perfectly clear as to the way ahead. There are no short cuts to spirituality, in other words.

Daily trusting God, denying ourselves, and remaining obedient and faithful, that is the stuff of the normal Christian life. And that is the stuff of seeking God's will. God may well choose to confirm his will with a sign of some sort, but that tends to be the exception to the rule.

Learning how to trust God, walk with God, and depend on him, even in the darker times or when things are not always crystal clear, is how God is mainly glorified and how we mainly are to follow him today. So it seems that putting out a fleece to discover God's will is not what believers today should be doing.

Adapted from Bill Muehlenberg's weblog at www.billmuehlenberg.com.

Bill Muehlenberg lectures in apologetics, ethics and theology at several Melbourne theological colleges. Bill used to work with the Australian Family Association, Focus on the Family, and other pro-family and pro-faith organisations.2019 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe debuts at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show

AMG, the high-performance brand by Daimler AG's automobile division Mercedes-Benz, has debuted the 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. The car's name may be a mouthful, but its design and engineering can more than make up for it.

The brand, which has specialized in two-door roadsters, first came out with a four-door concept car at last year's Geneva Motor Show. This year, AMG plans to finally come out with the actual model.

The car's name may be a bit confusing. AMG calls the car a coupe, but coupes are typically two-door models. It may seem like the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe is simply a larger coupe, but it is actually based on Mercedes-Benz's E-class architecture for sedans. However, model's design still borrows from the design of the AMG-GT coupe.

At first glance, it is clear that AMG has put a lot of stock into the model's appearance. This model is slung low, with a long hood fronted by a Panamericana grille with vertical bars. AMG also offers customers designs that differ in terms of aerodynamics; the car's V8 versions have an optional Aerodynamics Package that includes modified features like a manually adjustable fixed rear wing.

AMG intends to come out with three versions of the car. One is the base end AMG GT 53, another is the standard GT 63, and the third is the GT 63 S. The last two have twin-turbocharged V8 engines, while the GT 53 has a turbocharged 3.0-liter I6 engine. Of course, either engine is a fine choice, although the V8 versions will likely offer a better driving experience.

The GT 63 and GT 63 S will go on sale early in 2019, while the GT 53 is expected to follow sometime later.

Those features  and more  are what customers can expect from the exterior of the car and from what is under its hood; however, the interior may not be up to scratch for some. A look at the interiors reveals a center console housing the car's controls, like audio volume and other buttons and switches.

This is certainly not as streamlined as the interiors of other high-end cars in the Geneva Motor Show that have a more minimalistic design approach to their consoles. Still, even though the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe's interior may not seem as sleek as that of other cars, it still showcases the latest of the brand's technology.

The 2018 Geneva Motor Show runs from March 8 to March 18. The Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe will make its official debut at the event, along with other new and top-of-the-line cars from other brands.Nvidia GeForce 2018 graphics cards release date, news: Turing GPUs expected to launch in July

The rumors are rife that Nvidia is about to introduce its latest families of graphics cards in the first half of 2018. Particularly, the graphics processing unit (GPU) manufacturer is reportedly planning to launch the new Turing graphics architecture in July, which will replace Nvidia's current gaming graphics cards based on Pascal architecture. There are still no concrete details regarding the Turing GPU's features, but they are expected to exceed the capabilities of the GTX 10-series Pascal cards.

The reliable Nvidia graphics card tipster from Tom's Hardware Germany, Igor Wallossek, recently predicted that the all-new Turing graphics architecture will be officially announced this July. Wallossek also stated that the Turing GPUs are likely to be the successors of the 10-series Pascal cards, including the most recent GTX 1080 Ti.

As of now, Nvidia is believed to showcase at least three new families of GPUs in 2018, namely the Volta, Ampere, and Turing. Gamers have been particularly concerned about Nvidia's replacement for the powerful Pascal-based graphics cards, and according to Wallossek, the Turing architecture will boast huge improvements over its predecessor. On the other hand, the Ampere architecture will be focused on high-performance computing and artificial intelligence (AI) machine learning features and is likely to be the upgraded version of Volta GPU.

It is interesting to note that Alan Turing, a huge icon in science and technology, has been known for his work in computer science and cryptanalysis. According to Tech Radar, naming a next-gen gaming GPU after Turing is quite unexpected, as his legacy is more in line with the development of professional applications.

Earlier, it was thought that the next-gen GeForce graphics cards for gaming would be the first to be presented by Nvidia in 2018, although Wallossek tipped that the introduction of Turing architecture will be delayed. With this, the launch of Ampere graphics cards will come first, possibly taking place this month.

The 2018 Nvidia GeForce gaming GPUs based on Turing architecture are expected to boast 16gbps GDDR6 video memory or HBM2, the same feature delivered by the recently launched Nvidia Titan V. The Turing graphics card is also likely to follow the same 12-nanometer manufacturing process used in Volta.

Nvidia could start with the production of Turing graphics cards in June. On the other hand, the Ampere launch could happen at the GTC 2018 conference, which will run from March 26 to 29.Saudi Crown Prince signs off UK visit with push for fighter deal

Britain and Saudi Arabia took a step closer to a multi-billion- pound arms deal on Friday, touching on the most inflammatory element of their relationship at the end of an official visit to London that has mixed warm diplomacy with angry street protests.

In Riyadh, images of the 32-year old Saudi meeting the head of the Anglican church on Thursday dominated newspapers, with headlines citing it as an example of the conservative kingdom's more tolerant approach to religion.

As the visit came to a close, the two countries also said they had made trade deals worth more than $2 billion, without providing details.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was in the British capital for three days on a mission to build broader trade and investment ties, meeting Queen Elizabeth, Prime Minister Theresa May, key ministers and executives.

The countries signed a letter of intent to finalise talks on a multi-billion-pound order for 48 Typhoon aircraft made by BAE Systems. The deal has been under discussion for years but has proven tough to seal.

"The Crown Prince's visit has opened a new chapter in our two countries' historic relationship," British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said.

"We have taken a vital step towards finalising another order for Typhoon jets that will increase security in the Middle East and boost British industry and jobs in our unrivalled aerospace sector," he said.

Britain and Saudi Arabia have set themselves a 65 billion ($90 billion) trade and investment target for the coming years, with London looking for new post-Brexit markets for its services sector, and Prince Mohammed seeking to convince wary investors his country is a tolerant and modernising place.

But for now the heart of bilateral trade ties remains defence and security. Britain credits Saudi intelligence-sharing with saving British lives and has licensed billions of pounds of weapons and ammunition sales to Saudi Arabia.

That has provided a controversial backdrop to the warm diplomatic welcome for Prince Mohammed, with hundreds turning out on Wednesday to protest arms sales and Saudi Arabia's role in Yemen's civil war.

Prime Minister May defended the two countries' defence ties on Wednesday, saying all arms sales were strictly regulated.

The deal for the Typhoon fighters has become bogged down in negotiations over where production of the jet will take place, with Saudi Arabia keen to have some parts of the process on Saudi soil.

"If agreed, this shameful deal will be celebrated in the palaces of Riyadh and by the arms companies who will profit from it, but it will mean even greater destruction for the people of Yemen," said Andrew Smith of the Campaign Against Arms Trade.

Despite an unusual advertising blitz that saw adverts promoting Prince Mohammed and Saudi Arabia appear in national newspapers and on taxis and electronic billboards across London, the visit was knocked from the British front pages by the poisoning of a Russian double agent.

Prince Mohammed's itinerary was largely private, including meetings with bankers, executives and lawmakers, and he did not speak publicly at any point during the trip.

But, in Riyadh, images of the 32-year old Saudi meeting the Christian cross-wearing head of the Anglican church on Thursday dominated newspapers, with headlines citing it as an example of the conservative kingdom's more tolerant approach to religion.

An image of the heir-apparent striding up Downing Street towards May's office was lauded by Saudis on social media as emblematic of his youth, confidence, determination and enthusiasm.

The thorny topic of Yemen was on the agenda at a private dinner at May's country residence on Thursday night, but it was tempered with gifts: May's office said she presented Prince Mohammed with a family tree showing the descent of the Al Saud dynasty.

Downing Street said the framed document was originally created by Queen Victoria's consul general in Jeddah in 1880.

The two countries pledged 100 million pounds of joint funding to support economic growth in the Horn of Africa and East Africa, the joint statement said.Thursday night, hundreds of food junkies came out to the Houston Chronicle's headquarters to sample some of the eateries recognized by Alison Cook, the newspaper's celebrated food critic.

Last month, Cook released her list of the top 100 restaurant in Bayou City and ranked 30 of her favorites.Jacob McAdams

Teens looking to prepare for prom or any upcoming formals can attend classes next week on etiquette, accessory crafting and dating safety at the Houston Public Library.

The Carnegie Neighborhood Library & Center for Learning, located at 1050 Quitman, will be hosting prom-preparation classes Tuesday through Thursday, as will the Northeast Multi-Service Center, located at 9720 Spaulding on Wednesday and Thursday. Classes are targeted to anyone between ages 13 and 18. Registration is not required.



The Carnegie library will host a class on dating safety at 2 p.m. Tuesday. Carnegie will hold a do-it-yourself accessories class at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday and a dating etiquette class at 2:15 p.m. Thursday. The Northeast Multi-service Center will hold a dating etiquette class at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday and a do-it-yourself accessories class at 2:15 p.m. Thursday.



The safety class will be presented by representatives from the Houston Police Department and the Houston Health Department.Two men were hospitalized after a southwest Houston crash early Saturday, according to police.

A 31-year-old man driving a Ford Explorer west on West Airport blew through the traffic light at Fondren around 3 a.m. and crashed into an pickup truck, Houston police said.

The driver of the Explorer was rushed to Ben Taub Hospital in critical condition, and the driver of the pickup was taken to Memorial Hermann Southwest with minor injuries.

No charges have been filed and the investigation is ongoing.A judge issued a ruling Thursday that will prevent a manslaughter trial of the man accused of causing the drowning of a transgender woman along the River Walk last year, after prosecutors opted to present their evidence in the case at a probation revocation hearing.

The accused, Mark Daniel Lewis, 20, of Live Oak, was on probation for failing to register as a sex offender and prosecutors sought to use the manslaughter accusation to revoke it. State District Judge Joey Contreras, after a hearing that effectively amounted to a bench trial of the manslaughter case, ruled that Lewis actions in the death of Kenne McFadden, 26, did not rise to the level of criminal conduct.

RELATED: Affidavit: Driver picked up escaped inmates with child in car

I think this is a terrible tragedy that occurred, Contreras said of the drowning before deciding it was not true that Lewis had violated the terms of his probation.

Lewis now cannot be tried for manslaughter because of the double jeopardy rule, Assistant District Attorney Jason Goss said. Revoking probation only requires a preponderance of the evidence to prove a defendant violated its terms, a lower standard than in criminal proceedings, which require proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

The judge has the ability to make that determination after hearing the evidence, Goss said.

A Bexar County grand jury indicted Lewis in late November for manslaughter, based on allegations that he recklessly caused the death of McFadden, whose body was found floating in the San Antonio River downtown last April.

Prosecutors Thursday presented evidence that Lewis admitted to two different San Antonio police officers that he had inadvertently pushed McFadden into the water, telling one of the officers that she had groped him. She was heavily intoxicated and, according to her family, could not swim.

RELATED: Teen trapped in Alamo Heights cave

San Antonio Park Police Officer Terry Hardeway testified that he saw Lewis and McFadden together on the River Walk on April 7, two days before her body was found. Video from a nearby store that was played in court showed the two together that night. Hardeway recognized McFadden, testifying that she was a regular in his patrol area who hed previously arrested for public intoxication and was known for harassing people by dancing close to them.

Hardeway said he saw Lewis and McFadden embrace multiple times that night. A couple hours later, Hardeway said Lewis approached him at a Whataburger and told him that he had pushed someone into the river. Hardeway checked the area where Lewis said the incident occurred, near Texas Land & Cattle steakhouse, but saw no one in the water.

Days later, the officer encountered Lewis again, near the Alamo. He testified that Lewis said to him, Youre the cop that thinks that I pushed somebody in the river.

According to testimony, a month later SAPD detective Raul Juarez interviewed Lewis at the Bexar County Jail, where he was in custody after being arrested on an active warrant in another case. In the videotaped interview, played in court, Lewis at first said he did not know McFadden before admitting that they had been in jail together before.

Eventually, Lewis told Juarez he attempted to assist a visibly intoxicated McFadden after she was pushed to the ground by another man. Her blood alcohol content was later determined to be 0.20, according to testimony.

In the video, Lewis said he and McFadden shared a consensual kiss but said McFadden grabbed his buttocks and asked to go home together. I hate physical contact. I hate when people lay their hands on me, Lewis told Juarez, adding that he had been sexually abused in the past.

Lewis then admitted he pushed McFadden away, causing her to fall into the water, and when he last saw her, she had resurfaced and grabbed onto the ledge.

I didnt mean to push him into the river, Lewis said in the video. I meant to push him away.

Prosecutors argued that Lewis actions were not reasonable based on the romantic interest expressed through their kiss, adding that he should have voiced his opposition to the touching rather than using force.

Lewis attorney, Daniel Rodriguez, said his clients attempts to defend himself were reasonable under the circumstances.

After the judge ruled the evidence was insufficient to prove criminal wrongdoing, the victims mother, Joann McFadden, collapsed in the courtroom and was taken to a hospital by paramedics.Creekwood Fishing Derby set for March 17

The 11th Annual Creekwood Fishing Derby is scheduled from 8-10 a.m. on Saturday, March 17. Participants should bring their fishing poles. Bait will be provided.

The derby is sponsored by The Woodlands Professional Firefighters Association. T-shirts will be given out at the event on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Prizes will be awarded for longest, heaviest and smallest fish caught. No registration is required. The event is free and open to all ages.

Creekwood Park is located at 3383 S. Panther Creek Drive, The Woodlands. For more information, call the township Parks and Recreation Department at 281-210-3950.

Trinity Episcopal to Break Ground on Children's Building

Trinity Episcopal Church, The Woodlands, is about to begin construction of a new, $2.9 million Children's Building. The ground-breaking ceremony will be held on March 18 after the 11 a.m. morning worship service.

The new building will include nursery facilities, workrooms, ample storage space, an office, five classrooms and a large multi-purpose room. The Trinity Kids Corner, a child care service that is open to the public, will be housed in this space, as will Christian formation and other ministries to the children of the parish.

To learn more about Trinity, visit TrinityWoodlands.org

Cooper 7th Grader to Compete at State Bee

Each year, students in schools across the United States, District of Columbia, Department of Defense Dependents Schools and U.S. territories, participate in the National Geographic Bee, using materials prepared by the National Geographic Society. The annual bee is an academic competition that includes participants in fourth through eighth grade who are posed questions on culture, economics, current events, politics and geography.

Twelve students participated in the school-level Bee at The John Cooper School on Dec. 15 by placing first during elimination rounds in their history classes. Of those, seventh-grader Neel Pandula was determined the school-level winner, took a qualifying test and is one of 100 top-scoring students to be named a National Geographic State Bee Semifinalist. Pandula will compete at the state level of the competition on April 6 in Bedford.

Student art to be displayed on Market Street

The Woodlands Arts Council (TWAC) promotes and supports artists of the future through its Student Art Scholarship Competition. Student artists who are active public, private and home-schooled juniors and seniors from the Montgomery County area submit their original works in painting, drawing, mixed media 2D, mixed media 3D, digital art and photography to the competition.

This year, 232 pieces were submitted online, according to TWAC Cultural Outreach Coordinator Chloe Snow, and they will be featured in a special exhibition at Market Street on Thursdays through Saturdays from March 15-31. Members of the local community are invited to visit the Student Art Scholarship Exhibit at TWAC offices located at 9595 Six Pines Drive, Suite 1060, from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

A panel of professors and artists from the greater Houston area will judge each submission and select first, second and third place winners in each category that will be announced on March 24. Each year, TWAC awards more than $20,000 in scholarships through this competition. The selected award-winning works, along with honorable mentions, will be on display in the Student Art Scholarship Booth at the 2018 Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival scheduled for April 7 and April 8 in Town Green Park.

State Board of Education Rep. joins 'Art Around the World'

As one way of fulfilling its mission, The Woodlands Arts Council (TWAC) brings art programs and opportunities to seven Title-1 schools and one alternative high school in Montgomery County. Barbara Cargill, District 8 Representative on the Texas State Board of Education, joined TWAC representatives on a recent visit to Runyan Elementary in Conroe.

On Feb. 16, kindergarten students at Runyan participated in "Art Around The World," that was facilitated by The Woodlands Children's Museum. After learning from an exhibit that featured containers created in various world cultures, students learned about, then created, their own pinch bowls out of clay that were glazed and later fired.

"The students clearly enjoyed this opportunity," Cargill said. "It was a privilege to be able to visit with them and experience firsthand the impact that The Woodlands Arts Council is having in my hometown of Conroe."

Howard Hughes announces spring promotion

The Howard Hughes Corporation announced the launch of its spring promotion for new home purchases in the Village of Creekside Park in The Woodlands.

When homebuyers purchase a new home in Creekside Park between March 1 and April 30, 2018, they will receive $2,500 toward closing costs. Homes must close on or before Dec. 31, 2019. Participating builder incentives may also be offered. Certain restrictions apply.

A variety of new residences are offered in the Village of Creekside Park, ranging from single-family and patio homes to townhomes, with pricing starting from the $310s to $1 million plus. Homes are available in 12 neighborhoods throughout the Village of Creekside Park with new enclaves underway. Thirteen local and national homebuilders are developing homes in Creekside Park.

For more information on The Woodlands spring promotion and builder incentives, visit www.TheWoodlands.com.'Like' us on Facebook Follow us:

Posted on: Mar 10, 2018



SPIRITUALITY: THE INWARD PATh



Article - 02





The spiritual path is akin to walking on a razors edge, it has been rightly said. This path is an inner journey towards the discovery of the true Self and is fraught with several hidden dangers. Hence in the Indian spiritual tradition, and in many others like the Sufi system or in the Buddhist sanghas, the spiritual aspirant was advised to be under the guidance or tutelage of a preceptor, or the Guru.



In these times of unbridled freedom, and the push towards individualism, the guru-shishya parampara (the preceptor-disciple system) might seem archaic. One may wonder as to why this necessity for a Guru? Are not the scriptures (shastras/sacred texts) enough to guide one along this path? And in this digital age and age of quick-fixes, there are so many self-help apps even, that promise quick enlightenment! Not many have the time for the process of spiritual learning. So why at all, do we need a Guru?



To put it in a nutshell, learning in any field is a process that cannot be hurried. Just as to learn carpentry, or music, or architecture or accounting, or any skill for that matter, one needs to be apprenticed to an expert, so too in spirituality. In the spiritual realm too, to be with one who has already traversed the path, and seen the light, is essential, to withstand the rigours and avoid the pitfalls of this important journey of the spirit. After all, one meaning of the term Guru is dispeller of darkness.



Then comes the vital question as to how does one find a genuine Guru, in this materialistic Kali Age? The Iron Age or Kali Yuga is also called Kalaha Yuga - the age of conflict and confusion. How does one find a Teacher who is true and will not mislead or betray? It is in this context that Bhagawan in His loving mercifulness has said,



The Guru has often to tell you that you have forgotten your real name or that you have lost the most precious part of yourself. If you do not get such a Guru, pray to the Lord Himself to show you the way, and He will surely come to your rescue.



And thus, many have been led to Bhagawan Himself, the Poorna Avatar of the Kali Age, by many mysterious coincidences and nudges from the Universe. To get the Omnipresent Divine Himself as the Guru is due to His Grace, and to continue to receive His inner guidance and loving protection at all times, is the legacy of Bhagawan for His beloved devotees.

Go to Article - 01





And the Greatest of All is LOVE



by Ms. Depy Spyratou (Surya)

Depy Spyratou was born in Kenya, Africa, where her parents, who were Greek expatriates, had migrated in the 50s and had a coffee plantation. Born in Nairobi during the Mau Mau uprising against the colonial powers, Depy credits her family being unharmed due to Bhagawans mysterious intervention and protection during those dangerous times.



She spent her early childhood in the beautiful African wilds, finding solace in nature, when she lost her mother early on. At the age of twelve, she moved to her native Greece for schooling and lost the country that she had loved with a passion. After graduating with a Masters in Business Administration, she has worked and lived in many countries including Greece, Cyprus, United Kingdom, Kenya, Iceland, India, Tanzania and Germany. She also has a deep interest in wild life and photography. However, in her own words, I am an artist at heart, a modern-day nomad and a pilgrim of all world religions. Depy considers India as her spiritual home, and Puttaparthi specifically as her true place of origin and rest.

There have been many blessings in my life, and many losses too. Together, they have led me to the One who would never let me down, the One who would never abandon me. And through it all, it is He who has taken care of me and given meaning to this birth, and to this life.



The Unmistakable Mysterious Signs from Sai



I have often tried to remember when exactly my beloved Swami first made His existence known to me in this lifetime. Looking back, it was sometime in the early 90s, 1992 perhaps, when I first heard His name and saw His face in a photograph, while living in Iceland. Swami had unobtrusively entered my life and then He never left!



The author on a blissful morning in Puttaparthi

But even before that, unknown to me, He was always watching over us in His ever-bountiful Love. I recall how years before I came to know of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, I went to the Spiritual Society of GB, in London, with my daughter.

My husband had died in an accident and we wanted to try and find out, with the help of a medium (who can communicate with souls of the other world), what had really happened.

At one point, I asked the medium whether my husband was now protecting his daughter, from another dimension. To my surprise, she answered: "No, her father is not taking care of her, but since her birth, a man from the East is always by her side. He is a Holy man, and men dressed in white bow before him".



As I knew of no holy man at that time, I went on to interpret her statement with my limited knowledge. She must mean a Muslim in some mosque somewhere in the Arab world! India was far from my thoughts.



In the early 90s, I had just moved to Iceland - a big change for me, a Greek, born and raised in East Africa!

One of my earliest friends in Iceland was Margaret. She often travelled to India for her business, and during her trips she had visited a certain Sathya Sai Baba. Until she spoke of Him, I had never heard His name, or anything about Him.

One of her friends had a meditation hall and there Margaret had hung a framed photo of Swami that she had brought with her from Puttaparthi. This was the first time that I saw Him. I looked, took note and then carried on with life as if I hadn't seen! But the seed must have been silently planted.



Sai Prepares Depy's Heart for His Descent



At around the same time, in the company where I worked, one of the directors had also visited India. He was very spiritual and constantly urged me to 'go to India'. One day, he gave me a present; it was the best gift that he could have given me. It was the beautiful book Autobiography of a Yogi by Sri Paramahamsa Yogananda.



After that, my whole life changed. The quest for the Divine and the spiritual, awoke in me  my search began, for Truth and Beauty, and for God, who is all this and so much more. I longed to fly East, to India, and in 1995, my dream came true.



With friends, I stayed in Rajasthan and then stepped into Varanasi, where I visited the home of Sri Lahiri Mahasaya, the Guru of Sri Yukteshwar Giri, who was in turn Sri Yogananda's Guru! I felt very blessed and this was the beginning of my spiritual search. After Varanasi, I spent two glorious weeks, alone, at Sri Yogananda's Ashram at Ranchi, and I felt so much that I belonged to India, to spiritual India.



While I was there I remember someone asking me if I knew Sai Baba and I also remember my answer, with amusement. 'That man, who does miracles and where so many crowds go? I would never go there!'



From Ranchi, I took the train to Kolkata, to Sri Yoganandas ashram, and his room, where he had experienced several visions of Divinity. I also had the opportunity of praying in Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa's room at Belur Math, which was very special due to the strong energy in the room. An early morning visit to the famous Kali temple at Kalighat, was another unforgettable experience.

The joy of letting a light float on the serene waters of Mother Ganga in Varanasi

I was by now totally carried away by my quest, I was on my way but still had no idea what treasure I would eventually find or where all this was taking me. My hunger for the real and the meaningful in life was getting stronger and stronger.



During this time, I also visited Mother Meera in Germany. I saw her devotees crying out of love during darshan and felt a little bit sad that I couldn't cry like them! I remember thinking what a wonderful feeling it must be to shed tears of devotion and love. I wanted to share that feeling too but it would take more than five years for me to experience that immense joy and love myself.



Back in Iceland, around 1997, an Indian gentleman who we met at a dinner party, showed me a photo of Baba that he had in his purse. 'I always have Sai Baba's photo with me because I was told that if you have His photo, He will always protect you'.

'Interesting', I thought, and moved on, yet again.



It was now 1999 and I was back in Greece, physically and mentally exhausted from difficult personal events. I felt my heart aching all the time. Not knowing how to strengthen myself, I asked a cousin to give me a contact she had of a reflexologist. She gave me a phone number and I called Vasso in the October of 99.

Although she generally went to her patients homes, for some unknown reason, I insisted that I must visit her at her home! Little did I know that this drive to meet her would change my life forever, bringing in the biggest blessing of my life.



Her home stood alone, on a hill surrounded with pine trees. I walked in, to be greeted by a smiling, warm person, and right behind her was a full-size photo of the One I had said I would never ever visit! As I was soon to learn, our plans and Swami's plans have very little in common! After finishing the session, I went back home, and I took with me the book by Samuel Sandweiss, Sai Baba: The Holy Man and the Psychiatrist.



When Words Lost Power and Heart Erupted in Ecstasy



I read it and on my next visit I informed Vasso that I wanted to go and visit this Sai Baba. When she told me that a group of Greeks would be going in February 2000, I immediately decided to go with them. But when I arrived at the airport there was no group flying to my destination, so I flew on to Bahrain, thinking I was on my own. Again, Swami had other plans for me; perhaps He did not like the idea of a lady devotee arriving solo in Mumbai at 4 A.M. and going alone to a hotel for the night.



At Bahrain Airport, while I was at the gate, a woman asked me in English, 'Where are you going?

And I answered, 'I am going to Puttaparthi'. I do not know why I said Puttaparthi and not India. Of course, Marion and Kalinka were also going to Puttaparthi. What a fantastic coincidence! Marion and I were together for the rest of that trip. How beautifully Swami arranges everything!

I, who was never going to visit 'this man', was finally Home. And at this, my eternal home, I found out what it feels like to cry out of love and devotion. When I saw Swami for the first time, my heart just cracked open and so much love flowed through my being that it could not be contained. I looked down the line where I sat, and everyone else was similarly crying that day.



When people ask me about Swami I always say to them that what I feel for Him has not come from books or knowledge. My heart felt such bliss and this bliss, and this love is what He is for me. He is an experience that cannot be explained. Each of us experiences Him uniquely. Experiencing Him cannot be taught or learnt, for He is PURE, ENDLESS LOVE.

Part 2



- Radio Sai Team

If the person next to you were to go into cardiac arrest, would you know what to do?

Ron Mullins has seen what can happen when a person who could help does not know what to do, properly provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation-known as CPR.

Several years ago, Mullins-a volunteer with the American Heart Association and a cardiopulmonary resuscitation instructor-had a friend go into cardiac arrest. The person who was with her at the time did not know how to perform CPR. By the time medics arrived, the woman's brain had been starved of oxygen and as a result, she died. The same scenario played out two years later with another one of Mullins' friends. The man had been running on a treadmill when he suddenly collapsed because of cardiac arrest. A nearby person saw the man collapse but did not know CPR. That person also died because his brain was deprived of oxygen for too long.

Those experiences prompted Mullins to do something about raising awareness of the importance of learning how to perform CPR.

"This is unacceptable to keep having this happen. That's what drove my passion to be on the table of the American Heart Association," he said.

An easy CPR method

A study commissioned by the American Heart Association in 2015 that examined what is called "bystander CPR" showed that The Woodlands bystander CPR rate-defined as the percentage of times a bystander was conducting CPR when emergency medical support arrived at the scene of a heart attack-was significantly lower than the national average.

More Information Upcoming Classes March 24: 1 - 3 p.m. at Station 6, 1100 Windsor Lakes Blvd. April 7: 10 a.m. - noon at Station 4, 7900 Bay Branch Drive April 7: 2 - 4 p.m. at Station 2, 9303 Gosling Road April 14: 10 a.m. - noon at Station 8, 11800 Gosling Road April 14: 2 - 4 p.m. at Station 5, 10100 Branch Crossing Drive See More Collapse

"It was abysmally low in our area," Mullins said of the study results. "We need people to understand that they need to know CPR."

Mullins and a small group of volunteers formed an ambassador group and on Sept. 29, 2016, began a campaign to educate the community about a simplified version of CPR-called "Hands-Only CPR."

From the 1960s to 2008, CPR guidelines were to lay a person out flat, tilt their chin up to prevent airway obstruction, and alternate between hard, rapid chest compressions and administering mouth-to-mouth breaths after pinching the nostrils closed.

"The methodology has been simplified," Mullins said. "A lot of people didn't know how to find a pulse. A lot of people were extremely queasy about kissing someone else."

In 2008, new guidelines were established and the "Hands-Only CPR" technique was developed. The Hands-Only method involves two steps: first, call 9-1-1, and then begin chest compressions and continue until medics arrive.

Mullins spoke with some friends in law enforcement and asked them why people were not performing CPR. He was told the number one and two reasons people give are "I don't know how to do it" or "I'm afraid I'm going to do it wrong."

"There's really no wrong way to do it. You're just compressing the chest," Mullins explained. "While there's an optimal way to do it, and in the class we teach the optimal way, but there's no wrong way."

Local classes

The CPR Awareness Campaign for this spring was launched Feb. 3 at the The Woodlands Fire Station 7, where Mullins taught residents the two step method. In coordination with The Woodlands Township, the campaign is hosting CPR classes throughout the township at the eight fire stations.

"The events that we're having at the township actually came about because of an article I read about the Tyler, Texas, fire department," Mullins said. "So I went to Chief (Alan) Benson (of The Woodlands Fire Department) and said if Tyler, Texas, can do this, certainly we can do better."

The pair worked together and built a program where a class will be held at each of the fire departments this year. The program consists of three phases: Phase 1, teaching classes at the eight fire stations; Phase 2, over the summer, at festivals and events, provide a CPR class to those who reach out and request one; and Phase 3, in October, provide education and training exercises at the safety expo for National Night Out.

As a further incentive to get people to learn CPR, the program is offering scholarship money donated by program sponsors as part of the Village Challenge for Hands-Only CPR training. The villages with the top three percentages of residents trained will receive a donation for their scholarship fund for their local school. Training does not include CPR certification.

Why CPR is vital

"In the course of the year, on average, we have about 350,000 people have a cardiac arrest event in the United States," Mullins said. "That's one in 1,000."

It's important to start CPR immediately when someone goes into cardiac arrest because time lost equals life lost. For each minute the heart is not pumping blood, there is about a 7-10 percent chance for the loss of life due to brain death.

Chest compressions alone will not restart the heart, but the compressions do allow oxygenated blood to reach the brain.

"There's a Hollywood myth, that if you do chest compressions-if you do CPR-you're going to recover the person," Mullins said. "If someone has a cardiac arrest, the only thing that can restart the heart is an electrical pulse from a defibrillation. Expect to do CPR until the medics arrive. The most important reason we're doing CPR is to keep oxygenated blood to the brain."

Mullins explained that the classes are to help people become more comfortable with CPR so that when they are in a crisis situation they know what to do. He believes frequent training and continued education could help save someone's life.

"We as human beings are going to rise to our element of training. You train so that when you get into a situation that is dynamic, you have muscle memory to do it," Mullins said. "We don't know how we will react in the circumstance. If we practice and practice, we still may panic, but we can think about the next step-call 9-1-1. Get them on their back and start doing chest compressions."

Mullins added that he doesn't want anyone else to go through the same experience he did when he lost his friends.

"I don't want that to happen to any more of my friends. I don't want that to happen to anyone else in the community," Mullins said.Tammy Johnson was able to get to know her community and embrace her passion for Jeeps two years ago when she founded the Crosby Jeep Club, a group that volunteers within the community and helped evacuate stranded residents during Hurricane Harvey.

The Crosby Jeep Club is not just for members of the Crosby community, they have over 400 members on their Facebook page that live in the Greater Houston area and share the same passion for offroading, Johnson said.

What originally started with a group of 14 members expanded to 487 people who hang out with fellow Jeep owners and learn how to customize the vehicle. The members also plan their next offroading trip together.

"It's just a way to meet people. We've met so many great people along the way in the last two years," Johnson said.

The club started growing when Dwayne Moser started selling tickets for a drawing to win Jeep parts. Usually they give away parts like bumpers and windshield wipers that can be quite pricey.

"A Jeep is like the Mr. Potato Head of vehicles," member Larry Kolster said. "You're always taking stuff off and changing it out. So a regular car is like, 'Well what do I need more parts for?' while every Jeep owner that's a serious Jeep owner, they always need new parts."

Crosby Jeep Club members usually meet once a week at a local restaurant in Crosby to discuss their usual item on the agenda: Jeeps.

Meetings in this club are not like the typical organization where members have to pay dues or even have positions, to them it's more like hanging out with friends, making connections through Jeeps and even showing off their Jeeps.

Don't think that these Jeep enthusiasts just go offroading and talk about Jeeps all day, they're involved with the Lake Houston community as well.

The Crosby Jeep Club participated in the Crosby Christmas Parade and saved residents from the flooding in their homes brought on by Hurricane Harvey. After the natural disaster hit, many families in the Lake Houston area were affected and have been trying to get back on their feet. The Crosby Jeep Club took it upon themselves to adopt several families in the area and provided them with either a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

"It's just been fun I guess is the word," Johnson said. "I've always had Jeeps since I graduated high school in '88. I think it's been really fun to see all the different things that people are doing with their Jeeps. It's just fun to experience how much people love them as much as I do."A hungry child cant learn. A man afflicted with dysentery from foul drinking water cant work.

These principles inform Joanne King Herrings efforts to help villagers in Khairabad, in northern Afghanistan. Shes convinced that the best strategy to improve the lives of impoverished people is to provide direct aid in a few key areas all at once, then get out of the way.

We cannot fix it; they have to fix it, said Herring, the 88-year-old Houston philanthropist and socialite featured in the 2007 film Charlie Wilsons War. So how do we equip them? Food, water, basic health care, education, and jobs.

The approach has been so effective in Khairabad that the government intends to use it in other rural settlements, said Hamdullah Mohib, Afghanistans ambassador to the United States, who visited Houston on Friday.

Were implementing that on a larger scale, said Mohib, who sat next to Herring at a luncheon event sponsored by Sister Cities of Houston and the United Nations Association.

HAPPY: River Oaks swans celebrate Joanne Herring's birthday

Before Herring tucked into her hamburger and Mohib into his chef salad, Herring worked the crowd of diplomats, business leaders and others. Chatting with Mohib, she occasionally put her hand on the ambassadors shoulder for emphasis.

Amid the clatter of plates at a River Oaks-area restaurant, Mohib thanked Herring for her well-known role in persuading American leaders to support Afghans resisting Soviet invaders in a 10-year war that began in 1979.

A woman from this city started helping our freedom fighters, Mohib told the gathering of about 50 people.

Herring rose to speak briefly, but her words were hard to hear, and someone encouraged her to hold the microphone closer.

Im not a rock star, Herring said, laughing.

Yes, you are! someone in the crowd replied.

Read more: Joanne Herring celebrates Charlie Wilsons War

The village development project, of course, is not Herrings first work in Afghanistan. Her behind-the-scenes role in the Afghan-Soviet conflict is familiar to many Americans through Charlie Wilsons War, a 2003 book by George Crile that was adapted into a movie starring Tom Hanks as the hard-partying East Texas congressman and Julia Roberts as Herring.

After the 1979 invasion, Herring and a small crew slipped into Afghanistan and made a film documenting Soviet aggression. Herring showed the film to officials in Washington and found a champion in Wilson, a Democrat from Lufkin who was a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee.

Wilson, who died in 2010, played a key role in channeling shoulder-fired Stinger missiles and other weapons to the Afghan fighters, known as mujahideen. These weapons gave the Afghan forces the firepower to down helicopter gunships, ultimately forcing the Soviets to withdraw in 1989.

After the war, much of the world forgot about Afghanistan, Herring said. Attention was refocused on the ancient nation, however, after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, when a U.S.-led coalition launched a military campaign against terrorist strongholds in Afghanistan. That launched a conflict that has lasted for more than 16 years.

About a decade ago, Herring began looking for an opportune target for economic development in the country. A friend in the U.S. military suggested Khairabad, saying he knew and trusted a village leader there.

I said, OK, lets do it, Herring recalled.

Taking advantage of the broad network of contacts she had made in her previous work as honorary consul to Pakistan and Morocco, Herring started lobbying for money and political support to begin a development project in Khairabad. She talked her way into a meeting with then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and forced my way into Admiral Mullens car, she said, referring to Mike Mullen, then the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

I didnt get a good nights sleep for 10 years, Herring said.

In the end, though, much of the $450,000 she raised came from donors in Houston, she said. Her associates in Afghanistan asked the villagers what they needed most, then began meeting those needs through Marshall Plan Charities, a nonprofit led by Herring.

Read more: For Joanne King Herring, the ideas keep coming

The money that Herring raised was used to build a school and a health clinic, to buy seeds for crops, to train villagers to repair bicycles, and to provide fabric and training for women to weave rugs and sew school clothes for children.

Her nonprofit dug wells. It provided tablets and pencils for the school.

A 2015 letter from a village elder, translated from Urdu, made its way to Herring. Its message: The village was flourishing. Villagers were learning skills to help feed themselves. The health clinic was saving lives. The school was thriving, but more pencils and pads were needed.

Those were the most beautiful words I ever heard, said Herring, who has never seen the village she worked so hard to assist.

The transformation of one small village might seem inconsequential in a country of more than 34 million people. But if the Khairabad strategies were applied more widely, Herring said, the American military presence in Afghanistan might no longer be needed. The development work her nonprofit is doing is far less costly than keeping soldiers in the country, she said.

Mohib, the ambassador, said Herrings work in Afghanistan offers an important lesson.

If one woman from Houston can make such a difference, he said, imagine what millions of Houstonians could do.One man was killed and another jailed after an allegedly drunk driver ran a red light Saturday morning in northwest Harris County.

A father and his 19-year-old son were headed west along the 1800 block of West Mount Houston around 3 a.m. when the driver of a Hyundai Elantra blew through the intersection at Veterans Memorial, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.A Houston man has been arrested and charged with murder more than eight months after allegedly shooting two people, one of them fatally.

Fransisko Ramon Morgan, 40, is in the Harris County Jail without bond. He was arrested Thursday in Conroe by U.S. Marshals after an extensive investigation into the July 2017 shooting that left Termaine Harris, 33, dead and another person wounded.Some Jack Yates High School students were more focused on cafeteria dance-offs with police officers than the hip-hop royalty in their midst on Friday in the final moments of school before spring break.

But Brad Jordan didnt mind. Hell catch the serious ones, the musical talents and the business minds this fall when he returns to campus as a guest lecturer.

Unassuming in a pullover sweater, jeans and glasses, Jordan is a southern hip hop pioneer, rapper and record producer best known as Scarface of the Geto Boys. He visited the school Friday to talk to students about a music entrepreneurship program coming to Yates next academic year.

I was still in high school when my career started, Jordan said, lamenting that he had to learn the business through trial and error during his early days as a member of the Houston rap group.

Jordan grew up on the citys south side in a community much like where the students he will be teaching live now. His three decades in the music business spans from eight-track tapes in the late 1980s to digital streaming today. He intends to teach the rudiments of music production and, of course, how to make money.

Well learn how to produce, well learn how to write, well learn how to engineer, we will learn how to make videos, Jordan said. We will learn how to put our music on a platform for sale and you will be paid for the music if you sell any records.

Considered one of the top lyricists of all time, Jordan wrote and produced the Geto Boys biggest single Mind Playing Tricks On Me. He has collaborated with hip-hop giants including Jay-Z, Kanye West, DJ Khaled and Nas.

In a 2013 interview with Complex, Jordan said he never saw or received checks in the millions until he became president of Def Jam South two decades ago.

The spring break send-off was part of an ongoing intervention program from the One Houston, One Hood initiative, which seeks to redirect students from todays tribulations to tomorrows promise.

The program, which made a stop this year at the Houston Independent School Districts Worthing High School, sprang from brainstorming sessions between One Houston, One Hood leader Gerry Monroe, Houston Police Department officials and Houston City Council member Dwight Boykins, who represents the area.

It looks like every time they take a holiday break, we end up losing kids. A lot of these kids that were losing come from schools on that Scott Street corridor  thats why we targeted Yates and Worthing first, said Monroe, an education activist and Yates alumnus.

He said Fridays event was a platform to protect students and prepare them for opportunities that await them this academic year and next.

We might have a multimillion-dollar business run out of a schoolhouse, said Monroe, who cut a music video and performed the rap lyrics for his school board campaign last year.

Officers who shared cake and punch with students represented the Houston Police Department, HISD Police Department and the Harris County Precinct 7 Constables Office.

HPD Assistant Executive Chief Troy Finner, who oversees the departments field operations, said the event creates opportunities to interact with young people in a positive environment, which aligns with the community policing goals of HPD Chief Art Acevedo.

Most are doing well, but theres a group we have to extend ourselves to, he said by phone. Acevedo wants us to make every contact count and its great when we can do that at school.

The music entrepreneurship program also offers a bridge to college as well as a new school-to-work option amid HISDs financial and accountability turmoil.

Yates Principal Kenneth Davis said a music studio is part of the new building under construction. Houston Community College is helping the school develop a curriculum in which students will earn college credits.

People get confused. They think the money is made at the microphone. Ninety percent of the product is not behind the microphone  its behind the scenes, Davis said. The new studio that were developing is actually a music studio with sound boards and mixing, to industry standards, and theyll be able to create music and put videos and programs together  and rap and sing.

Students who will attend Yates next year expressed excitement about the new music entrepreneurship program.

I like the idea that I can come into the class and mess around with some beats  and turn it into something, said junior Zachary Steward, 17, a band drum major.

Yates alumnus Christopher Knight, now the band director, said the program gives students a multi-faceted way of looking at music.

For me growing up, we were just players but we did not look at the business side, he said. If I had the same opportunity  I would probably be much farther in my music career.Emergency personnel worked through the night to rescue a teenage girl from Robber Baron Cave after she became trapped there during a school field trip Thursday afternoon.

The San Antonio Fire Department first received a call that someone was stuck in the cave, located on the city's North Side, around 2:40 p.m., said Joe Arrington, public information officer for SAFD. By that point, the 18-year-old had been stuck for an hour, he said.

Firefighters pulled her out around 11:45 p.m. and she was transferred to San Antonio Military Medical Center for treatment.

RELATED: Affidavit: Driver picked up escaped inmates with child in car

She became lodged in an area called the "Hole in the Floor" 350 feet into the cave. The area has a "narrow circular opening that you have to pass through," Arrington said. The 18-year-old, who attends Robert E. Lee High School, has not suffered any injuries, he said, adding her arms and feet are not trapped while her torso is stuck.

She was hooked up to an IV while the rescue team attempted to free her, he said.

At p.m., SAFD Chief Charles Hood said firefighters built a support beneath the teen to help lift her out of the opening.

"At this time she is conscious. She is alert. She is a trooper," Hood said at the time. "She is still in good spirits after everything that she has been through."

The firefighters worked in 30 minute shifts using a chisel to carve through the rock to free the teen.

RELATED: Witness details Bandidos hit on Hells Angels in Austin

Hood said it took about five minutes and 40 seconds to reach the teen, after which they spent 20 minutes working before using another five minutes to get out.

Firefighters chipped away at the rock around her and even encountered tough limestone.

RELATED: Mother collapses after learning man won't face trial in daughter's death

"We're fighting with Mother Nature right now," Hood said at the time.

In addition, Hood said opening the hole around the teen brought potential for her to slide down, which would constrict her diaphragm and make it difficult for her to breathe.

Rescue workers secured her in a harness that keeps her in place as they chisel at the rock.

They also placed cribbing and an air cushion beneath her to support her legs.

"As she had been in there for a while she has lost some leg strength," Hood said. "We have continued to keep her warm, to keep her fed, to monitor her vitals."

Hood said that the teen's mother fought rush hour traffic from Houston and was at the scene along with other family.

District 10 Councilman Clayton Perry and North East Independent School District representatives were also present.

Cave experts with the Texas Cave Management Association had been attempting to rescue her about an hour before firefighters were called, officials said.

"We'll be here for a while," Arrington said. "It's a long, drawn out process."

Staff Writer Jacob Beltran contributed to this report.

Kelsey Bradshaw is a digital reporter for mySA.com. Read more of her stories here.| kbradshaw@express-news.net | Twitter: @kbrad5Thad Waites, MD, FACC, cardiologist at Hattiesburg Clinic and on the medical staff at Forrest General, will be awarded the American College of Cardiologys 2018 Master of the ACC Award (MACC) at the Convocation Ceremony on March 12 during the ACCs 67th Annual Scientific Session in Orlando, Fla. The ACC chooses only three people worldwide for their highest honor.

I would like to congratulate Dr. Waites for being honored on a national level by his most distinguished colleagues. His presence and influence have made a huge impact on our Heart and Vascular Department and the Pine Belt community, said Andy Woodard, Forrest Health president.

A native of Waynesboro, Mississippi, Waites has practiced medicine for nearly 50 years. He was first inspired to go into the medical field by his brother, the late James C. Waites, MD.

He said, My brother was a physician, but I was a bit of a rebel then. Although he was my idol and hero, I wasnt going to just do what my brother had done. In college, I took an occupational assessment that read overwhelmingly for medicine so I thought I should pay attention. I have loved medicine, and I have loved cardiology. I cant imagine being in a profession that I would have enjoyed more.

Waites has held many positions throughout his career including the ACCs Board of Governors and a member of the ACCs Board of Trustees, and he currently serves as chair for the ACCs Health Affairs Committee and vice-chair for the Mississippi State Board of Health. He has been a cardiologist at Forrest General Hospital since 1987.

While reflecting on his career, Waites remarked that he has enjoyed many different kinds of experiences. As a medical student, he spent one summer in the mission field in Indonesia. He also served the United States in the military as a flight surgeon in both the Marine Corps and the Navy. In the Navy, he volunteered to become part of a federal program in the Beaufort, South Carolina area providing care to patients who had limited access to medical care on the islands.

Im enjoying life and being a part of my patients lives. I love keeping up with all the people I know in Waynesboro. My wife and I are so pleased we moved to Hattiesburg, and for me, back to Mississippi. I dont think Im leaving a legacy so much as my patients have left a legacy for me. I think that would be the best way to say it, Waites said, when asked about his legacy.

According to the ACC, The Master of the American College of Cardiology (MACC) is the ACCs ultimate in recognition and is awarded to cardiovascular professionals who have consistently contributed above and beyond to the goals and programs of the College, and who have provided leadership in important College activities. Reserved for those who have been in good standing for more than fifteen years, MACC recognizes those who have served the College with distinction.

Waites said he feels honored to receive such a prestigious designation and to have been nominated and then ultimately selected by his peers and fellow members of the ACC. He has been a member of the ACC for 38 years.

For more information about the American College of Cardiology, visit www.theacc.org .Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress, by Steven Pinker (Viking, 576 pp., $35)

Steven Pinker has written the ultimate feel-good book, a celebration of human achievement that is remarkable in its scope and depthand readability. This is already annoying some critics, which cant be a surprise to Pinker. As he notes, Intellectuals hate progress. Intellectuals who call themselves progressive really hate progress.

They will find much to hate in Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress, Pinkers analysis of the trends in human welfare over the past three centuries. While Nietzsche, Marx, Rousseau, Heidegger, Marcuse, Sartre, Foucault, Derrida, and what Pinker calls a chorus of eco-pessimists have been lamenting science, technology, capitalism, racism, and the other purported horrors of the modern world, things just keep getting better for everyone else. As the Cassandras go on predicting disaster, humanity becomes richer, freer, healthier, better-educated, more peacefuland, yes, happier.

Pinker, a professor of psychology at Harvard, told part of this story in his previous book, The Better Angels of Our Nature, which tracked the long-term decline in war and other forms of violence. In an earlier book, The Blank Slate, he castigated the unscientific thinking of academics who refused to recognize the biological bases for human traits. His new book expands on these themes as he defends the accomplishments and values of the Enlightenment against postmodernists, deconstructionists, fundamentalists, and others hostile to science and humanism.

He presents graph after graph showing that virtually every measure of human well-being has been improving since the Enlightenment and shows no sign of reversing. The overall trends will be familiar to fans of economist Julian Simon, founder of the Cornucopian intellectual movement, and successors like Gregg Easterbrook (who has just published another excellent book on the topic), Matt Ridley, Ronald Bailey, Stephen Moore, and Johan Norberg. But Pinker rounds up new data and new reasons to celebrate, superbly synthesizing a vast body of research in economics, social and cognitive psychology, philosophy, engineering, political science, and intellectual history.

He counters the rhetoric of Black Lives Matter with statistics, noting that police shootings have declined in recent decades and that a black suspect is no more likely than a white suspect to be killed by police. Public-opinion surveys show a long-term decline in racist, sexist, and homophobic sentimentsbut perhaps this reflects social-acceptability bias, and people have just become savvier at hiding their feelings when asked these questions. Are there still plenty of closet bigots? Consider what people do when they think no ones looking. Pinker presents graphs of Google searches for racist, sexist, and homophobic jokes, and the same downward trend is clear.

His thoroughness can be dauntingthis is a big bookbut Pinker keeps the writing sprightly even when hes deep into economic questions like the Easterlin paradox, which was based on international comparisons showing a limited effect of wealth on happiness. Lifting people out of poverty made them much more satisfied, but once they got above a certain level it didnt seem to make much difference if their income rose. This was a favorite finding among critics of capitalism and fans of income redistribution, but it hasnt held up well. Newer research demonstrates that happiness and other measures of wellbeing keep increasing with wealth, even in countries already prosperous.

Pinker nicely sums up the data with a joke: A dean is presiding over a faculty meeting when a genie appears and offers him one of three wishesmoney, fame, or wisdom. The dean replies, Thats easy. Im a scholar. Ive devoted my life to understanding. Of course Ill take wisdom. The genie waves his hand and vanishes in a puff of smoke. The smoke clears to reveal the dean with his head in his hands, lost in thought. A minute elapses. Ten minutes. Fifteen. Finally a professor calls out, Well? Well? The dean mutters, I should have taken the money.

Of course, if the dean had taken the money, it would have increased the level of income inequality on campus, a problem that would no doubt trouble the liberal professors at that meeting. But their concern isnt as widely shared as they think, as Pinker explains in his chapter on income inequality. Inequality is not the same as poverty, and it is not a fundamental dimension of human flourishing, Pinker concludes. In comparisons of well-being across countries, it pales in importance next to wealth. An increase in inequality is not necessarily bad: as societies escape from universal poverty, they are bound to become more unequal, and the uneven surge may be repeated when a society discovers new sources of wealth. But these surges tend to subside and reverse, he shows, and in any case the most important trend is the worldwide plunge in poverty. And on a global level, income equality is definitely declining, thanks to the spread of capitalism and technology.

Will these hopeful trends continue? Pinker worries that the Enlightenments rational values are endangered by dogmatists and populists on both the Left and the Right. He builds a solid case against the Left, showing how the Green movements misanthropy and technophobia have been bad for both humanity and the environment. He faults Greens for opposing nuclear-power technologies that would reduce carbon emissions and for their fantasies about powering the world with wind and solar energy. (Citing Robert Bryce, he notes that simply meeting the annual increase in global demand for energy would require turning an area the size of Germany into wind farms.) He carefully catalogues the left-wing damage to science and scholarshipthe taboos against researching intelligence and other topics, the bias resulting from academias ideological monoculture, the campus assaults on free speech, and the toxic tribalism of identity politics. The humanities have yet to recover from the disaster of postmodernism, with its defiant obscurantism, self-refuting relativism, and suffocating political correctness, he writes, dismissing postmodernists as morose cultural pessimists who declare that modernity is odious, all statements are paradoxical, works of art are tools of oppression, liberal democracy is the same as fascism, and Western civilization is circling the drain.

Pinker lambastes conservatives, too, but with less convincing evidence. He accuses Republicans of being anti-science, based on stupid things said by President Trump and others, but he doesnt show that theyve significantly harmed scientific research. (Trumps scientific appointees have been an improvement over the agenda-driven activists in the Obama administration.) Pinker also criticizes the Republican libertarian wing for its desire to cut regulations and social spending, noting that countries that combine free markets with more taxation, social spending, and regulation than the United States (such as Canada, New Zealand, and Western Europe) turn out to be not grim dystopias but rather pleasant places to live, and they trounce the United States in every measure of human flourishing.

But elsewhere, he shows that government social spending in the U.S. is higher than in Canada, and that when employer-provided benefits are taken into account, Americas social spending is higher than that of every other developed country except France. Nor is the U.S. a model of laissez faire when it comes to taxes and regulations. It has fallen to 18th place in the Heritage Foundations index of economic freedom, ranking below Canada, nine European countries, and New Zealand (a favorite of libertarians because of its extensive privatization). If Americans arent flourishing, its not because their government is too small. The countrys low standing in some international comparisons of well-being, as noted by Kay Hymowitz in her analysis of child-poverty rates, has much more to do with its demographics and its relatively open-border policy of welcoming large numbers of immigrants with low levels of education and work skills.

Of course, there are some unenlightened right-wingers, particularly those yearning for what they remember as a better time in the past. They wont find that happy yesteryear in Pinkers graphs, but they and those gloomy left-wing intellectuals could all profit from this book. Some of them might even feel better.

Photo: Steven Pinker (Photo by Rebecca Goldstein)"I was working on the O. J. Simpson case  a turning point in the way hard news integrated celebrity news," she tells Elle . "I wasn't interested in that. It's valuable to have those early experiences to learn what you don't want."

Instead of going to film school, DuVernay went to the University of California, Los Angeles and majored in English and African-American studies. Initially, she set her sights on a career in journalism, but an internship at CBS News quickly changed her trajectory.

"When people tell [my story], it's about race and gender  'black woman director'  but my story's also really about age, because I didn't pick up a camera until I was 32," she tells Refinery29 .

But unlike many directors who got their start in the industry with film school and assistant positions, DuVernay's journey has been far from traditional.

Ava DuVernay is a director, producer and screenwriter whose highly-anticipated movie, "A Wrinkle in Time," has earned her recognition as the first African-American woman to direct a film with a budget over $100 million .

She went on to do film marketing and publicity and in 1999 she started her own publicity firm called The DuVernay Agency and worked with films like "Collateral," "Dream Girls," and "Invictus."

In 2008 she created a documentary called "This is Life" about the hip-hop scene at a local cafe, but tells The Washington Post that even then, filmmaking was not part of her plan. It wasn't until 2010 when she created her first feature film, "I Will Follow," that she realized she had stories that needed to be told. She shot the film in 11 days on a $50,000 budget.

As her interest in working behind the camera continued to grow, DuVernay started taking private directing classes and held onto her day job as a safety net.

"I kept my publicity job while making my first three films," she says. "I knew that as a black woman in this industry, I wouldn't have people knocking down my door to give me money for my projects, so I was happy to make them on the side while working my day job."

Now, 13 years after picking up her first camera, DuVernay has many people knocking on her door, including rapper and business mogul Jay-Z, who called on her to direct the video for the song, "Family Feud." Her work has also earned a Golden Globe nomination for her 2014 film "Selma," and an Oscar nomination for her 2016 documentary "13th."

Her latest film, "A Wrinkle in Time," is an adaption of Madeleine L'Engle's 1962 book about a young teenage girl who travels through space and time. For the film, DuVernay tapped Reese Witherspoon, Oprah Winfrey, Mindy Kaling and newcomer Storm Reid to help her bring the story to life.

"For me to pick up a camera as a black woman who did not go to film school  this is a testament to whatever path you're on right now is not necessarily the path you have to stay on," DuVernay tells Refinery29. "If you're on a path that's not the one that you want to be on, you can also pivot, and you can also move, and age doesn't make a difference, race, gender. It's about putting one step in front of another, about forward movement to where you wanna be."

Like this story? Like CNBC Make It on Facebook.

Don't miss: How 'Black Panther' director Ryan Coogler went from living in his car to becoming Marvel's youngest filmmakerAnkumah says he first studied the "underpinnings of technology" as a high school student at an all-boys boarding school in Ghana  all without access to computers.

"Looking back at it, it's crazy and also pretty humbling," Ankumah told Fortt Knox for CNBC. "[The] first time, freshman year at Cal Tech, I had to get exposed to computers, and I guess as they say the rest is history."

Ghanaian immigrant Abe Ankumah had never worked on a computer before enrolling in college at California Institute of Technology  now he runs data computing firm Nyansa.

"I showed up at Cal Tech with other kids who had been using computers when they were 5 ... who had been building their own video games at a much younger age," he said. "Literally the first time I got my hands on a computer and I had to actually sort of go through my first programming exercise, it was all about, OK how does this work, and really sort of peeling that onion."

Ankumah added a computer science major to his electrical engineering studies because, as he says, he wanted to get his hands dirty in understanding how computers worked.

In 2013, he founded the Palo Alto-based Nyansa alongside CTO Anand Srinivas and VP of Engineering Daniel Kan.

It counts roughly 30 employees, raised $15 million in Series B funding from a round closed in January, and has more than 300,000 devices under constant review.

Nyansa's clients include Tesla, Uber, Proctor and Gamble and the International Red Cross.

"Think about what Google Analytics does for websites  we do that for computer networks," Ankumah said. "We basically take data that is riding over computer networks and surface a bunch of different insights that are used for business purposes."

The company works to make network analytics reports simple and readable, an effort reminiscent of Ankumah's early education with only the fundamentals of technology to build on.

"Every device connected to an enterprise computer network, we monitor that device in real time, all the time, over time," he said. "When issues happen, we actually translate that in plain English for the IT operations teams to actually go triage and solve those problems."Colombians in Bogota celebrate the conclusion of peace talks on August 24, 2016. Guillermo Legaria | AFP | Getty Images

On Sunday, Colombia will hold a parliamentary election that analysts view as the latest test of an increasingly fragile peace agreement  as well as the country's ability to appeal to global investors. Decades of civil strife haven't deterred investors from viewing Colombia  which the World Bank ranks even higher than more developed markets like China and South Africa as a country where it's easy to do business  as a draw for capital. Spanish bank Santander estimates the Latin American nation has pulled in over $16 billion in foreign money over the last decade, mainly from the U.S. and Europe. However, confidence among investors could be shaken in the shadow of a contentious election season. Sunday's vote takes place in a polarized environment. As part of the peace agreement, former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)  the guerilla army that laid down its arms as part of a peace agreement, but is still responsible for more than 200,000 politically-inspired deaths  will send at least 10 representatives to Colombia's bicameral legislature. The parliamentary election is seen by analysts as a dry run for a hotly contested presidential election in May, and may unsettle investors with a prolonged bout of political instability.

Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos Jaime Saldarriaga | Reuters

Current Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos, barred from running for reelection, can point to a successful yet controversial deal with FARC rebels, which ended more than five decades of heavy conflict. He also elevated Colombia's presence on to the international stage, while opening certain sectors up for more investment. Still, "the primary risk for investors from the presidential and congressional elections is that they are likely to further complicate the implementation of the delicate peace accords reached with the former leftist FARC rebel group," Michael Arone, chief investment strategist with State Street Global Advisors told CNBC in an interview. Politics isn't Colombia's only looming problem: In February, its outlook as an investment grade credit was downgraded to "negative" by ratings agency Moody's Investor's Service, which cited a deterioration in its public finances. Also looming in the background of the discussion about Colombia's economy is its reliance on commodities. The country produces less than 1 million barrels of oil per day, and the recent bear market in oil took a severe toll on the economy.

We are prepared to look beyond sporadic violence. Douglas Johnson managing director, CranganoreEven CNBC's Jim Cramer was taken aback by the blowout quarterly earnings report from Taser maker Axon Enterprise.

Shares of Axon roared 28 percent the day after the report and another 14 percent in the next week, making the "Mad Money" host wonder how Wall Street managed to underestimate it so dramatically.

But Axon, which changed its name from Taser International 11 months ago, hasn't exactly been sitting still.

A law enforcement technology company, Axon has broadened its specialty from non-lethal weapons like tasers to evidence capture technology, specifically audio recorders and body cameras complete with evidence management and computer-vision software.

Axon is also in a unique and beneficial position when it comes to law enforcement, Cramer said. In April, CEO Rick Smith told Cramer that Axon would give away free body cameras to every police force in the United States.

While that may have seemed like a publicity stunt, it was actually a network-building move; once Axon got police to use its hardware, they had to get the matching software to make it functional.

"The company basically traded its lumpy hardware sales ... for higher margin, recurring subscription revenue from the software side," Cramer said.

Better yet, both sides of the political aisle seem to agree that body cameras are essential for police, "and the data backs this up," the "Mad Money" host said. "Police departments with body cameras get fewer excessive force complaints and fewer lawsuits."

But for Cramer, the biggest positive driver for Axon wasn't the stock's 82 percent run since Smith's "Mad Money" interview or its burgeoning software business or its management's wildly positive future guidance.

"The most bullish thing about this quarter ... was about Rick Smith's new compensation package," Cramer said.

"Smith's not getting a salary or a cash bonus or stock options that vest automatically" he continued. "He's getting a performance award where his options will not vest unless he hits specific targets tied to Axon's market capitalization, as well as its revenue and profitability."

Smith's first target is a six-month average market cap of $2.5 billion, up a few hundred million dollars from Axon's current market cap (just over $2 billion). However, the six-month average is a lot lower, Cramer noted.

"For each of the remaining milestones, Smith needs to grow the company's market cap by another billion dollars," the "Mad Money" host said.

"In short, if the CEO creates actual shareholder value for you, the shareholder, he will be richly rewarded, but if he fails to create shareholder value, he gets next to nothing," Cramer said. "Don't you wish more companies were like this?"

Axon's stock looks quite expensive, though, trading at nearly 100 times next year's earnings estimates. But accounting for the company's growth rate, it's only trading at 29 times 2020 earnings  and could get cheaper if Axon keeps beating earnings estimates, Cramer said.

"I like this company very much and I would adore the stock on any kind of pullback from these levels," Cramer concluded. "I can't tell you to pull the trigger right here, though, because I hate to chase, but if Axon gets slammed the next [time] we have a market-wide sell-off, its stock definitely belongs on your shopping list."Hidden on the backside of the world famous Aspen Mountain in Colorado  which attracts millionaire and billionaire skiers from around the world  is a 435-acre private property with a tiny log cabin that's on the market for just under $31 million. Get an exclusive look at the massive winter playground on an upcoming episode of CNBC's "Secret Lives of the Super Rich."

Source: CNBC

"We're completely off the grid back here," says ski mountaineer and real estate broker Max Taam of Douglas Elliman, who specializes in Aspen's back country. "When I show clients this property, I meet them in downtown Aspen and we take a very quick 15-minute gondola ride up Aspen Mountain," explains Taam.

Source: CNBC

Once they reach the top, Taam takes clients for a "quick ski down" to the remote home. Taam tells "Secret Lives of the Super Rich" the 1,000-square-foot log cabin was originally constructed in Finland before being disassembled log by log, brought across the Atlantic, and reconstructed in the location where it now sits. The retreat is powered by solar panels and has two bedrooms and a living room with sweeping views of the Elk Mountain range.

Source: CNBC

Outdoors, there's a private zip line for cruising through trees.

Source: CNBC

The homeowners have also collected a variety of toys, like all terrain vehicles and snowmobiles, to get around the hundreds of acres.

Source: CNBC

There is even a Chevrolet Suburban fitted with tracks for wheels to conquer icy roads. All of it comes with the property.Satellite manufacturer Swarm Technologies is under scrutiny by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the unauthorized launch of four prototype satellites in January, the regulatory authority confirmed to CNBC on Friday. The news was previously reported by IEEE Spectrum.

Swarm -- founded in 2016 by former Google and Apple engineers Sara Spangelo and Benjamin Longmier, respectively -- launched its first four SpaceBee satellites aboard an Indian-built PSLV rocket in January. This was a snub to the FCC, which had dismissed the company's application a month before.

The FCC confirmed to CNBC that it revoked Swarm's authorization to launch its next four satellites, contracted to go to orbit aboard a Rocket Lab mission in April.

"We're aware of the situation and can confirm that we set aside their grant while we're looking into the matter," an FCC spokesman told CNBC in a statement.

"We're currently in the process of finalising the manifest for this flight, as it was always possible the launch could have been a third test flight. Rocket Lab will not launch spacecraft that do not have the relevant regulatory approvals or licenses," said Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck in a statement.

Swarm, Spangelo and Longmier did not respond to requests for comment.

Anthony Serafini, chief of the FCC's Experimental Licensing Branch, notified Swarm of the authority's investigation in an email to Spangelo, the company's CEO. The FCC told Spangelo it is setting aside the previously-granted April license "in order to permit assessment of the impact" of the unauthorized January launch.

According to the IEEE Spectrum report, Serafini raised concern to the company that the miniaturized technology would be difficult to track in orbit because the satellites are so small -- about the size of a home internet router. Swarm tried to make the satellites easier to track, both trying GPS locators and experimental radar reflectors, according to the report. But Serafini raised concerns about both methods, and the FCC therefore dismissed Swarm's application.

Spaceflight Industries, which sold payload space for 19 satellites onboard PSLV-40, facilitated Swarm's inclusion on the rocket, a person familiar with the situation told CNBC. While Spaceflight acted as a broker between Swarm and the rocket provider -- Indian Space Research Organisation's commercial division, Antrix -- Spaceflight was not the intermediary between Swarm and the FCC. Spaceflight received an email from Swarm three days before the launch, CNBC learned, which told the broker that Swarm's FCC license was pending and approval was imminent.

While an unusual situation, Spaceflight did not know of the concerns the FCC raised with Swarm, which allowed Antrix and Spaceflight to move forward with the launch. According to the person familiar, there is a "softness" in international regulatory rules between launch providers, satellite payloads and the FCC. That gray area allows for launches to move forward, with the stipulation that any satellites placed in orbit do not begin transmitting before the license is approved. Regulations are stiffer in the U.S., the person clarified, but legally the launch was clear to move forward.

IEEE Spectrum also reported Spangelo's work at Google included developing "a spacecraft concept" for the X Company division of Google-parent Alphabet which works on experimental long-term projects, many of which never see the light of day.

A person familiar with the situation disputed this, and told CNBC that Spangelo did not work on such a project. But she did work for two X Company programs before leaving to found Swarm: the Wing team -- a drone delivery project -- and the Rapid Evaluation team, this person said.

The FCC's denial of Swarm's application due to space debris concerns raises further questions. Officially, no federal agency has this regulatory authority, a person familiar with similar disputes told CNBC. The FCC assumed the responsibility to govern launches in this way, but the most recent meeting of the National Space Council may mean that regulatory authority is now in the hands of the Department of Commerce instead. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced he intends to make the department a "one stop shop" for regulatory approval in the commercial space industry.

The Department of Commerce did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.Spring break is almost here, so it's officially time to pack up your swimsuit and beach reads and get some much-needed vitamin D. But don't worry if you haven't made any travel plans yet  here are tips on booking and where to go without breaking the bank.

Booking tips To get the best deal on flights, you should travel mid-week, according to Hopper, an app that uses data to predict and analyze airfare. Friday is the most popular day to depart, says Hopper, so it's also the most expensive. In fact, it will cost you 20 percent more than flying on a Tuesday, the cheapest day to depart. When it comes to your return trip, Hopper's Spring Break Cheat Sheet recommends avoiding a Sunday flight  it will cost you 10 percent more than returning on a Friday. Also try avoiding peak spring break travel time. Hopper pegs the most expensive times to travel from a U.S. airport this spring between April 2 and April 15, when flights can have a 25 percent premium. Where to go Beyond booking, where you go can also make a difference for your budget. Here some popular but affordable destinations offering deals this spring break season. Keep in mind that flight deals are often fleeting and airfare fluctuates frequently. Key West, Florida

This sunny location was named the Top Domestic Deal Destination for Under $500 in a report from travel search engine Kayak. Domestically, Key West is seeing the biggest drop in airfare when compared to last year, Kayak says, with prices down 13 percent and a median airfare of $421. While a search for hotel prices in Key West for the beginning of April yield pretty hefty rates  from over roughly $250 a night to over $410 a night  Airbnb offers some pretty affordable and unique accommodation options. For example, this Key West boat rental sleeps three and starts at $165 a night. Las Vegas

Las Vegas ranked fifth on Kayak's list for Top Domestic Deal Destinations Under $500, with airfare down 12 percent this year at a median price of $238. Airlines often offer flash sales for tickets to this hot spot too. Airfare Watchdog recently highlighted a number of deep deals for flights to Sin City, including $66 round-trip flights on Alaska Airlines from Los Angeles, $94 round-trip flights from Washington, D.C. on United and flights slightly over $100 from Chicago on Spirit. The deeply discounted flights are currently available for select dates ranging from late March to late May. While you're there, be sure to get the most for your money. The Platinum Hotel and Spa ranked sixth in the Top 25 Value for Money Hotels in the U.S. for 2018 in TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice awards. As of Friday, rates at the beginning of April are going for a little less than $150 a night, and the hotel offers amenities like indoor and outdoor pools, walk-out balconies, a spa and a salon. Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida

Before the summer crowds flock to the most magical place on earth, use spring break as an excuse to squeeze in a trip. Disney World is currently offering up to 20 percent off rooms at select Disney Resort hotels. The deal is valid for stays most nights from April 15 through June 10, when you book through April 7. The offer is valid for Disney Resort hotels like Disney Deluxe Villas and Disney Deluxe Resorts. However, be prepared for at least a few long lines. Kayak's study found that Orlando is the most-searched destination for spring break travel this year, edging out Las Vegas (which ranked second), Los Angles (ranked third) and Miami (ranked fourth). The Caribbean

Caribbean islands dominated Kayak's ranking of the Top International Deal Destinations for Under $500 for spring break this year. Trinidad and Tobago topped the list, with flight prices down 20 percent and a median airfare of $430, followed by Turks and Caicos, which currently boasts a 14 percent decrease in airfare from last year and a median airfare of $420. Saint Thomas, part of the United States Virgin Islands, rounded out Kayak's top three, with a median airfare of $461, down 14 percent from last year. Southwest Vacations, which offers leisure vacation packages for Southwest airlines, is currently offering deals (some with savings of over $200) for resorts on Caribbean islands like Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Aruba for departure dates beginning in mid-March. Note: Last year, Hurricane Irma and Maria devastated many Caribbean islands and recovery is still in progress. This resource from the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association lists the latest updates, so be sure to check it out before you go. You can also explore voluntarism opportunities and help communities in need re-build. Mexico

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico snagged the number one spot on U.S. News & World Report's ranking for the Best Cheap Spring Break Destinations. The report states that people can often find round trip flights for $350 or less on many airlines. Cabo San Lucas ranked second on U.S. News & World Report's list. Meanwhile, Monterrey, Mexico ranked fifth on Kayak's ranking of spring break locations in the category for Top International Deal Destinations Under $500, with median airfare of $322, down 12 percent from last year. Nagoya, JapanPresident Donald Trump holds up a proclamation during a White House ceremony to establish tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum at the White House in Washington, March 8, 2018. Leah Millis | Reuters

In the space of a week, U.S. President Donald Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs went from a "no exemptions" plan to one filled with carve-outs for Canada and Mexico, and likely for other allies and hundreds of imported products not available domestically. People familiar with the shift say Trump's mind was changed by a furious last-ditch lobbying campaign from the Canadian government, Republican lawmakers, business groups and the United Steelworkers - the very union whose members stand to benefit most from the tariffs. Trump said on Friday he was ready to work out an exception for Australia, while Japan, South Korea, the European Union and Brazil called for similar treatment. The exemptions for Canada and Mexico, which are temporary, were also seen as being prompted part by the North American Free Trade Agreement talks, where U.S. negotiations could use the prospect of making them permanent as a bargaining chip. "I have to think that the exclusion was probably also granted because we're going to be a little more accommodating to them at the (NAFTA) negotiating table," said Mark Warner, a Canadian trade lawyer.

Asked whether Canada had offered any concessions to secure an exemption, a Canadian government official said there was no evidence of this and that Canada had not changed its NAFTA negotiating line. A Mexican government official also denied that any concessions were offered to Washington. Forcing Mexico to pay the tariffs, however, would make it very difficult to complete NAFTA talks, the official said. "If you do that, kiss good-bye any possibility of ... well, basically anything," the official added. NAFTA's legal structure, which offers its members tariff-free access to each other's markets, was a major complication in applying the tariffs to Canada and Mexico, according to a prominent Washington trade lobbyist, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. "I do think the possibility of NAFTA partners walking away from the table mattered quite a bit," the lobbyist said.

Trump tactics

Trump first drew the link between the metals tariffs and NAFTA on Monday in a Twitter message. Less than 24 hours after White House adviser Peter Navarro declared that there would be no exceptions to the tariffs, Trump tweeted that they may come off for Canada and Mexico "if a new and fair NAFTA agreement." Adding new elements to the negotiations to create wiggle room on big decisions was a Trump tactic familiar to David Bozell, a supporter of the president. "If he doesn't see that there's room to maneuver, he'll create some," said Bozell, president of For America, a conservative grassroots political group. In the days leading up to Thursday's announcement, the biggest trade move of Trump's presidency, key industry players and trading partners were still in the dark about the contours of the plan.

United Steelworkers President Leo Gerard had voiced opposition to tariffs on Canada, whose steel and aluminum industries are fully integrated with those of the United States and where workers are represented by the Pittsburgh-based union. Yet USW members were already traveling to Washington to appear with Trump at the White House signing ceremony before the union knew if it could fully support the plan. "We didn't know exactly what the exclusion was until it got announced," Gerard, who is Canadian, told Reuters. "We kept making the case that Canada wasn't the enemy."

Canadian phone lines 'humming'

Canada's Liberal government also had sprung into action to defend NAFTA and cross-border steel and aluminum trade once it became clear last week that Trump was serious about imposing tariffs. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Trump on Monday to "forcefully defend" the interests of Canadian workers and to stress that the tariffs would not help talks to modernize the NAFTA trade pact, according to a government official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Trudeau also spoke on Thursday with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan, prominent Republican critics of the tariffs, the prime minister's office said.US President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin at the APEC leaders' summit on November 11, 2017.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told NBC News he "couldn't care less" if citizens of his country meddled in the 2016 U.S. elections because they were not linked to the Kremlin.

In an interview with NBC, Putin denied U.S. charges that he was behind the interference in the elections which resulted in Donald Trump becoming President.

"Why have you decided the Russian authorities, myself included, gave anybody permission to do this?" asked Putin in the interview.

Last month, a federal grand jury has indicted 13 Russian nationals and three Russian entities for alleged illegal interference in the 2016 presidential elections, during which they strongly supported the candidacy of Trump, special counsel Robert Mueller's office.

"So what if they're Russians?" Putin said of the indictment. "There are 146 million Russians. So what? ... I don't care. I couldn't care less. ... They do not represent the interests of the Russian state."

Read the full NBC News story here.Steven Woolfe is an independent MEP for North West England

One of our most celebrated soldiers, Major Robert Campbell, faces the prospect of being dragged before an inquiry team for the eighth time for the same allegation, despite being cleared time and time again. After the last investigation, the officer was assured his ordeal was finally over and he was recently awarded a long service and good conduct medal.

Major Campbell, who is now disabled after being injured in service in Afghanistan, was first cleared of the manslaughter of an Iraqi teenager 12 years ago. Since then he has been repeatedly hauled back before different investigation committees in what must feel like a never-ending attempt to pin the blame on him.

It is the duty of our Government and the Ministry of Defence to protect our military and veterans. Through the Military Covenant, the Government has always promised to ensure that that those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly. David Cameron should be praised for taking the Military Covenant seriously  even if his promise to enshrine it in law was never followed through.

But words are empty if they are not backed up with action  and I worry that this latest news shows the Governments commitment to the military only goes so deep. Despite Major Campbell putting his life on the line for this country, we have provided him with 15 years of uncertainty. We have made it impossible for Major Campbell to return to a normal family life, and now this uncertainty is only likely to continue.

To make matters worse, the original investigations were driven by a discredited lawyer, Phil Shiner, who has since been struck off for bringing false accusations against our soldiers. Shiner was found to be paying sweeteners to informants to change their evidence. This is not someone we can trust.

The Government should intervene and stop this new action by the Iraq Fatality Investigations (IFI) unit immediately. There are many MPs on the Conservative benches, such as Johnny Mercer, Tom Tugendhat, and Leo Docherty, who are valiantly fighting for it to be halted. But I think we should go further than that too: we also need to rethink our approach to many of these cases, which have turned into public witch hunts carried out using taxpayers money.

As Major Campbell has pointed out, it is the Government itself which is funding these cases. In fact, the MoD has paid more than 100 million to human rights lawyers like Phil Shiner over the years, and this latest investigation is expected to cost the MoD 200,000 more. There comes a time when further investigations must cease. The MoD should review both how the IFI is acting and introduce safeguards to ensure that it is not bring spurious cases over and again.

While, as a barrister, I am the first to say that all allegations must be fully and properly investigated, there is a time when we must draw a line under accusations  and a time when further investigations must be viewed with suspicion and halted. When you get to the point where someone has been investigated seven times, an eighth time must, surely, look like its fed more by a vindictive and cowardly anti-military cabal than by honesty and fact.

Certain sections of British society  like the militant left  will always side against our military, it goes with the territory, but what is more alarming to me in this case is the fact that the MoD has not been more outspoken in fighting back against these vicious allegations. It begs the question: why are they not doing more to protect and defend their own people?

Where will this end?

If the MoD constantly sends out the signal that theyre willing to allow any investigation under any circumstances without a fight, this can only lead to mass demoralisation amongst our service personnel and could eventually affect this countrys ability to defend itself. Which soldier will act first in a war zone if theyre worried they might spend the next 15 years under investigation? The MoD needs to take a hard look at itself  it should say that they will stand up for our military.

Sadly, I think that this is only the latest example of the mistreatment of our veterans at the hands of the state. More than 7,000 ex-serviceman and women are currently living homeless on our streets, many of them suffering from mental health problems including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder caused by their time in uniform. Care is woefully inadequate with veterans having to wait up to two years for treatment via Government-approved schemes.

At the same time, since 2015, the Government has announced the closure or sell-off of more than 90 military sites, including the Royal Marines Condor Airfield in Scotland, Cawdor Barracks in Wales, and Cavalry Barracks in London. At a time when so many of our veterans need housing, how can it make sense to sell off these sites to developers who will likely knock them down to build housing estates? Wouldnt it make more sense to repurpose these sites as housing and specialist facilities for our veterans?

Its time to start fighting back. The MoD is treating these men appalling. They have lost the respect of many and its time we started acting like we accept the responsibility we have for looking after our own brave military personnel.Suella Fernandes is Under Secretary of State at the Department for Exiting the European Union, and is MP for Fareham.

Last weeks keynote speech by the Prime Minister at Mansion House set out the fundamentals of what the UK wants from a new economic partnership with the EU. The speech united advocates from both sides of the debate, and will hopefully set the tone as we embark upon the next stage of the negotiations. I for one took great inspiration from the Prime Ministers call to get on with it.

In a far-reaching address, she set out precisely what this Government wants from a future relationship with the European Union, and why it is so important that we work together to come up with the broadest and deepest Free Trade Agreement ever struck.

And I thought her five tests for striking a deal  a deal that is enduring, respects the result of the referendum, protects jobs and security, is consistent with the open and tolerant society that we are, and strengthens the union of this countrys nations and people  rung loud and clear.

I have always been hugely optimistic about what Brexit means for our country and, now that I have been appointed as a Minister to the Department for Exiting the European Union, I am more excited than ever about what the future holds.

Since the referendum, there has been a great deal of noise about life outside the EU and, at times, the debate has been too negative. Indeed, the Labour Party is intent on talking down our country and our ability to thrive outside the EU. As the nation with the worlds language, a leading financial centre, the home of parliamentary democracy and a legal system emulated around the world, as well as being a net contributor to the EU and one of the EUs biggest customers, our prospects as we leave the EU are bright.

So during the months ahead, I intend to make the positive case for the rich array of opportunities that are to be had as an independent trading nation. The fact that we will be free to strike our own trade deals with other countries for the first time in decades is one of my main messages.

With 90 percent of growth expected to come from outside Europe in the coming years, by leaving the EU we will put ourselves in a better position to capitalise upon that growth. Free trade has historically led to more consumer choice, jobs and prosperity. It has enabled millions of people around the world to be lifted out of poverty.

Outside of the EU, we will have the ability to explore and develop new and emerging markets generating unrivalled opportunities for a country like ours  one that is brimming with talent and creativity. The world stands on the cusp of the fourth industrial revolution. Britain led the first, and I am convinced that we can lead this one too.

This does not mean we want to turn our backs on our European partners  far from it. True, there will be some changes: we are leaving the Single Market and Customs Union, and it follows that there will be less access to each others markets. But that should not mean the undoing of our countless achievements so far.

We have solid foundations built from close relations with EU Member States and the rest of the world. Those foundations are underpinned by international agreements that cover everything from trade to air services, fisheries, data flows and more. We are working to help ensure that we continue to enjoy the benefits of these agreements. And many of the challenges that the world faces today have no respect for national borders: climate change, cybercrime and international terrorism are just a few examples.

If we are to combat these threats we must continue to work hand-in-hand with our allies, both in Europe and further afield. When it comes to security, our future relationship with the EU is of particular interest to me as this is also a key part of my portfolio, and I am determined that the cooperation we have enjoyed to date will continue.

We have never shied away from our responsibilities in this area, because we know that the security and stability of this country depends upon the security and stability of the wider world. We remain the second largest defence spender in NATO, and the only EU member state to spend two per cent of our GDP on defence, as well as spending 0.7 per cent of our Gross National Income on international development. We should be proud of this. We are and always have been an outward facing nation, and there are no plans to change this.

But in June 2016, the people of this country voted for a fundamental change in the relationship that we have with the EU  a change in which our future lies outside of the EUs institutions, giving us the freedom to make our own laws, sign our own trade deals and control our own borders. What this decision will not do is to change the kind of country that we are; a country that has always been, and will continue to be: tolerant, open and fair; a country that is open for business; a country that takes its responsibilities seriously; a country that leads from the front.In many ways Donald Trumps presidency of the United States has been going better than might have been expected from a Conservative perspective. He won after mounting a hostile takeover of the Republican Party. How could he expect to work with those who he had showered in personal abuse  and who had often responded with some pretty robust criticisms of their own?

All of Trumps bigoted outbursts have provided a parody of a Conservative leader  making life simple for the agitprop Left. Yet before he gatecrashed the Republican Party he used to make donations to the Democrats. Although a capitalist, it is doubtful whether Trump ever was a true believer in free enterprise. Rather than a faith in open competition, his background suggested the ultimate corporatist. For the author of The Art of the Deal, crony capitalism was the way to get on  securing political favouritism.

On a daily basis, those of us fortunate enough to live in the free world, have cringed with embarrassment at the tweets of our leader. Yet there have been some impressive achievements  most particularly tax cuts which have been a source for economic optimism and offer an example to the rest of the world. It seems quite likely that once a new Italian Government is formed  with a similarly colourful leadership  that it will adopt the same approach.

Now the gloom has started to descend again though with Trumps threat to free trade. He proposes import duties of 25 per cent on steel and ten per cent on aluminium. The President talks of winning a trade war. But with trade wars everybody loses. Senator Jeff Flake, a Republican, said he will introduce legislation to halt the tariffs, declaring:

I urge my colleagues to pass it before this exercise in protectionism inflicts any more damage on the economy.

For allies on the issue Trump will be looking for Democrats such as Senator Joe Manchin who said it was past time to defend our interests, our security and our workers in the global economy.

Trump is also able to glow with the endorsement of The Guardian leader writers for his protectionism. The Guardian declares:

Not everybody gains from trade, and some gain a lot more than others. So if there is a trade war Mr Trump will be not the only one to blame. Those who trumpeted the benefits of globalisation said the benefits would be fairly shared. They have not been. They said there would be help for those who lost well-paying jobs. It never arrived.

The Guardian is surely right to see that we wont see trade restricted to the disastrous extent of the 1930s and also to make the obvious point that we dont have complete free trade at present. It says: This is not the way the world actually works. Trade is managed rather than free. But neither of those points provide justification for more tariffs.

In 2009, Barack Obama imposed a 35 per cent tariff on Chinese tires. In his 2012 State of the Union address he boasted that over a thousand Americans are working today due to those cheap imports being stopped. Indeed an analysis from the Peterson Institute of International Economics did show 1,200 jobs saved. But:

Our analysis also shows that American buyers of car and light truck tires pay a hefty price for this exercise of trade protection. According to our calculations, explained in this policy brief, the total cost to American consumers from higher prices resulting from safeguard tariffs on Chinese tires was around $1.1 billion in 2011. The cost per job manufacturing saved (a maximum of 1,200 jobs by our calculations) was at least $900,000 in that year. Only a very small fraction of this bloated figure reached the pockets of tire workers. Instead, most of the money landed in the coffers of tire companies, mainly abroad but also at home. The additional money that US consumers spent on tires reduced their spending on other retail goods, indirectly lowering employment in the retail industry. On balance, it seems likely that tire protectionism cost the US economy around 2,531 jobs, when losses in the retail sector are off set against gains in tire manufacturing. Adding further to the loss column, China retaliated by imposing antidumping duties on US exports of chicken parts, costing that industry around $1 billion in sales.

Free trade has provided the most extraordinary reduction in poverty in developing countries, while also further enriching the western world. Yet there is still easy populism to embracing economic nationalism. Against all reason, many still talk as if there is a fixed amount of wealth and a zero sum game to grab a bigger share. However, we shouldnt be too pessimistic about public opinion  since Trumps attack on free trade his ratings have gone down not up. A poll on the specific issue found that 31 per cent backed the tariffs with 50 per cent opposed. An example of unpopular populism?

1776 saw the publication of Adam Smiths The Wealth of Nations, which set out so powerfully how free trade offers the path to prosperity. That same year saw the formation of the United States of America. Its very existence was a protest against the trade restriction of the 1773 Tea Act and the crony capitalism of the East India Company.

Of course it could still be that a trade war doesnt materialise. That it is all bluster from Trump  all part of a negotiating tactic. But it is a dangerous time, with macho threats being issued and a narrative that it would be weak to back down. If it is pursued, great harm will done. For Trumps sake  and for the rest of us  let us hope it can be averted.KEMPTVILLE, Ontario  In a presentation to the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario (CDSBEO) Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario (STEO) explained that they are facing a shortage of school bus drivers.

STEO is the transportation consortium that provides transportation services for both the CDSBEO and the Upper Canada District School Board of Eastern Ontario. STEO explained their situation in a presentation to the CDSBEO trustees at their meeting on March 6, 2018.

The shortage is impacting the consistency of school bus drivers on daily routes, as well as availability of charter buses. Normally a bus company would have a driver pool with a ten per cent spare ratio, and a few charter drivers. Right now the charter drivers are driving school routes, the spare drivers are driving school routes, and office staff are helping with school routes, said Operations Manager Marc Gosset.

Gosset explained that STEO was working closely with the school boards to find solutions to the shortage, which is not unique to Eastern Ontario.

STEO has also recently launched a new BusPlanner Delays App to notify schools and parents of any delays or cancellations of service.

The app is available for Apple and Android through their respective app stores and is free for school staff, parents and guardians.

Thank you for making this presentation this evening. I do know from representation of our Board on the STEO Committee, Vice-Chair Ron Eamer, Trustee Nancy Kirby and Associate Director Bonnie Norton, continue to update us on the good work happening at STEO and this evenings presentation certainly reinforces those reports, concluded Chair Todd Lalonde.Crystal River Cruises welcomed the Crystal Debussy to its fleet, which will debut next month. The latest addition to the Crystal portfolio brings the river fleet to four river ships since Crystal launched its river experience in 2016, according to a statement. The vessel was delivered from MV Werften earlier this week.

The 106-guest Crystal Debussy will travel along the Rhine River, beginning with her April 9, 2018 maiden voyage round-trip from Amsterdam. Throughout 2018 and 2019, the ship will sail routes of seven and 10 days between Amsterdam and Basel along the Rhine and Moselle rivers, visiting Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands and Belgium.

In addition, Crystal will welcome the Crystal Ravel to the fleet next month, joining sister ships: the Crystal Bach, the Crystal Mahler, the Crystal Debussy, and the lines first river ship the Crystal Mozart.

Crystal River Cruises also recently unveiled Crystal Collection of more than 200 shore-side adventures to enhance the journey. Each river itinerary features Signature Events, events that offer musical performances in landmarks including Viennas Belvedere Palace, Linzs St. Florian Monastery, Rudesheims Monastery Eberbach, and others. Excursion group sizes are limited to no more than 15 guests.Sea Cloud Cruises has published its sailing itineraries for 2019.

Bookings are now open for the 2019 itineraries, according to a press release.

The fleet of Sea Cloud Cruises consists of two sailing ships: the Sea Cloud, welcoming 64 guests onboard and the Sea Cloud II, with 94 guests.

Sailing trips include a premiere 16-night sailing around the British Isles from Portsmouth to Edinburgh and a premiere sailing to Cape Verde, visiting five islands. Among highlighted trips for 2019 is also a special viewing of the Bucket Regatta in St. Barts, which sees a fleet of more than 40 sailing yachts racing.

Among the highlights are the Sea Cloud and the Sea Cloud II sailing together for seven nights from Casablanca to Las Palmas.Heres a quirk you might not believe if you lived through the states loss of 90,000 manufacturing jobs, more than a third of its total, between 1999 and 2016: Connecticut gained 2,900 factory positions in 2017.

Thats only the third annual gain since the 1980s, and its the largest one-year gain in more than a generation.

Happy Days are here again? Not so fast. The state as a whole added just 2,300 jobs in 2017 even with the manufacturing jump  meaning all other sectors combined actually lost 600 jobs for the full year. That makes two straight years with lame growth, a fraction of the nations pace.

So its a mixed picture, overall lousy, based on Fridays annual revision of the jobs numbers weve been following every month from the Department of Labor. Economist Donald Klepper-Smith of DataCore Partners reported Monday that Connecticut ranked No. 43 in job creation in 2017, behind all other states in the Northeast.

The bright spot? When was the last time manufacturing outpaced all other sectors combined for a full year in Connecticut? My guess after following this for more than 25 years: never, or at least since Sam Colt and Oliver Winchester set out to win the West.

The picture comes into focus in Stratford, where Straton Industries, a defense and aerospace subcontractor that machines parts and assemblies, added a half-dozen employees over the last few months alone  a 10 percent gain. And the company could use more workers if it could find them with the right skills, said Dave Cremin, the president and owner.

The lack of skilled labor has been our biggest challenge for a decade, Cremin said.

Cremin is bullish about Connecticuts high-end manufacturing picture.

Across town, Sikorsky Aircraft has been stable at about 7,900 local employees for a year or so, but is looking ahead to a likely ramp-up after it signs contracts for the CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopter.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy inked a $225 million aid package for Sikorsky a couple of years ago to ensure the giant rotorcraft will be built here, just as production of the storied Black Hawk reaches long-planned declines.

In East Hartford and Middletown, Pratt & Whitney reaches peak output of its geared turbofan commercial jet engines and its f135 engine for the Joint Strike Fighter. Both programs have faced controversy, but hiring remains robust.

And in Groton, Electric Boat is at full employment building Virginia-class attack submarines and designing the next-generation Columbia class of subs to carry nuclear warheads.

Call it my naive hope, but if factory declines led Connecticut down, maybe a new era of gains could pull an ailing state back into economic health.

For now, lets shoot for coming out of intensive care.

The world is in a technological growth phase and it boils down to, who can make this stuff? Were a skilled state, thats one thing weve got going for us, Cremin said. I think that bodes well for us ... The world needs the high end right now.

Straton is boosting training, has an apprenticeship program and spends about $400,000 a year on new equipment, Cremin said.

A couple of miles toward Milford, close to the Housatonic River, the very small Glyne Manufacturing Co., which shapes high-end tubes, hasnt added to its staff of 10 other than to replace people it lost. But the feeling is good and work is steady, Vice President Tom Frei said.

It just seems like there are a lot of people we havent done work for in a couple of years and now there are small jobs, Frei said.

Its a tempered hope. Stratford is the town where Phil Young just won a special election to the state House of Representatives, making him the first Democrat to represent his district in 44 years. Is that a sign people are starting to see progress? Does it mean Democrats will hold the governors seat despite Malloys unpopularity and deep budget shortfalls Connecticut still faces?

We can hardly say that, considering Young, a chef, won by barely more than 60 votes in a genteel race. Coming off a door-to-door campaign, Young, 54, said families in his district, the eastern side of town, are kind of treading water.

Its gotten better, but its not great, Young said in his first week on the job at the state Capitol. I did not see that people were really rosy out there, no I did not. People were kind of dissatisfied with the pace of things.

But not utterly dissatisfied, either, he said.

What if the pace does pick up? Preliminary numbers from the labor department showed a gain of 3,400 jobs in the Connecticut economy in January. If we do have a good year, will that help the Democrats hold on to power?

If we gain momentum, Thank God for Donald Trump, said J.R. Romano, the Republican state chairman. There is a trend in the right direction. ... and it is finally hitting the shores of Connecticut.

Democrats say the gains under Trump, including Fridays bump of 313,000 jobs for February, are still below what the economy did in the last few years under former President Barack Obama, whose policies set the stage for sustained growth.

That debate wont end, and clearly the state picture depends primarily on the U.S. economy  and on federal defense spending. Ironically, Malloy is hurt by his worst-performing sector, government jobs, precisely because hes the only governor in recent memory who has actually cut the state payroll significantly.

The state job report is based on monthly surveys of employers, and the annual revisions use payroll data and other measures to draw a clearer picture. What we learned was that while manufacturing was much higher than we thought, the total number of jobs in finance  another crucial engine of prosperity  was lower than we had thought, by a couple of thousand jobs.

Im using yearly averages here, since were looking at full years. If we look at the year-over-year change in December, manufacturing was up by a head-spinning 6,300 jobs.

Overall, we thought we had created 5,900 jobs in 2017 based on the monthly reports, which was a lousy year. The new total of 2,300 jobs for the year is downright anemic, especially with a banner year on the machine shop floors.

Connecticut is going to have to make those tough choices to really get fiscally responsible, said Cremin, at Straton Industries. I dont know how youre going to power your way out of this.BRIDGEPORT  They may have God on their side, but the pastors at war with PSEG, a South End power plant owner, also know when to replace the power of prayer with that of political pressure.

At the request of U.S. sens. Richard Blumenthal and Christopher Murphy, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, PSEG will meet Monday with religious leaders who have accused the energy provider of breaking a deal to hire locally.

We have been contacted by community leaders who have approached us with concerns regarding PSEGs minority business outreach and community engagement, the four elected officials wrote the company recently. We encourage all parties to come to the table to have an open dialogue about their concerns.

Jim Gilroy, a PSEG spokesman, confirmed the company has since had meetings and conversations with each signatory and executives will sit down with concerned religious leaders Monday for a private discussion.

The sides so far have seemed very far apart and accused each other of spreading misinformation.

PSEG since 2002 has operated the controversial coal-fired plant in the South End with its landmark red and white smoke stack. Under a deal brokered a few years ago by then-Mayor Bill Finchs administration and concluded by current-Mayor Joe Ganim, PSEG agreed to retire the coal plant in 2021 in exchange for building a gas-fired facility next door.

Some critics did not want either plant, but the city likes PSEGs tax payments. So the company also agreed to establish a jobs apprenticeship training program and also try to hire residents and contractors.

The Rev. Carl McCluster, whose Baptist Church is located across from PSEGs property, The Rev. Moses Mercedes and their allies have for months now alleged that they put their credibility on the line by supporting PSEG. In return, they claim, the company reneged on its side of the deal by reducing the apprenticeship program slots from over 100 to 50 and not doing enough to hire locally.

But the wording in the deal with the city is vague, requiring PSEG to make a good effort without establishing actual goals. It does not, for example, mention how many students the apprenticeship program should accommodate.

One of the major disagreements is over PSEGs and the citys decision to partner with construction trade unions on that apprenticeship program, rather than a minority-run, faith based organization from Georgia that the pastors wanted. PSEG has argued union cooperation ensures apprenticeship students construction careers in Connecticut.

PSEG Vice President of Governmental Affairs Richard Thigpen last month told Ganim and the City Council that of the 224 union workers building the gas plant, 28 were from Bridgeport. He said PSEG has committed to set aside 15 percent of the total work hours for city residents, is at 13 percent now, and would like to exceed that.

And Gilroy for this story said that PSEG has committed more than $109 million to certified minority businesses and more than $8.5 million to both large and small businesses within Bridgeport.

So far neither Ganim nor the South Ends two city council members  Denese Taylor-Moye and Jack Banta  have expressed dissatisfaction with PSEG. Still the pastors have persisted, enlisting more allies, like the Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport; holding rallies, most recently at last Mondays City Council meeting.

Bridgeport, a Democrat-dominated town, has been influential in state and federal elections, so it would have been difficult for Blumenthal, Murphy, Himes and Malloy to ignore the pastors. Still their letter avoided direct criticism of PSEG.

Besides the meeting with the pastors, PSEG executives will also be in in Bridgeport Monday for a public relations event  the first of five graduation ceremonies for its apprenticeship training program.

The program prepares its graduates for potential registered labor apprenticeship programs, Gilroy said. It represents a half-million-dollar investment to support residents of the city of Bridgeport.A middle school teacher in Florida has been suspended for 10 days after allegedly using the n-word, calling students "dumb" and making other racist or inflammatory comments in class.

David Swinyar, a math teacher at Kernan Middle School in Jacksonville, Florida, was suspended without pay Tuesday by Duval County Public Schools. The district had been investigating Swinyar since October, when a student's mother complained about the teacher's behavior.

That complaint led to interviews with more than two dozen students and staff members, who alleged, among other things, that Swinyar yelled at and confronted students in a "physically aggressive manner," according to a copy of the district's investigation report obtained by The Washington Post.

Swinyar was also accused of making racist remarks, including using the n-word, to some of his students last semester.

"If my daughter was dating someone who used the 'f' word, I wouldn't have any respect for that n-----," Swinyar said during one of his classes, according to the report.

Several students testified that the classroom grew quiet after that, seemingly in shock over Swinyar's use of the slur. When some questioned him about it, Swinyar denied using the word, saying he would "never" do so, according to the report.

Shortly after the incident, one male student left the classroom to report Swinyar's "aggressive tone and demeanor" to his mother, but Swinyar allegedly followed the student, "began 'yelling' at him . . . [and] also snatched the phone out of his hand," the report said.

Another student told district investigators that Swinyar had been discussing relationships when he told students: "If your boyfriend says bad things to you and/or treats you wrong, that means that he's acting like a n-----," and, "You all should not be dating all these different African-American boys because they are not worth it."

In all, at least 24 students and several staff members gave statements about Swinyar's behavior to investigators and to the Kernan Middle School principal and assistant principal. Allegations of racist comments aside, the interviews also painted a picture of a teacher who was easily angered and who liked to "confront students by getting in their face," the report said.

"When Mr. Swinyar gets mad, he becomes aggressive," one female student testified, according to the district's report. "Additionally, Mr. Swinyar belittles students by talking down to them about their low [Florida Standards Assessments] scores. He loves to talk about politics and Donald Trump. He also talked about attending a black church. Mr. Swinyar often 'mocks' black preachers."

However, despite finding Swinyar's behavior rude, the student said that overall she thought he was a "good teacher," according to the report.

Swinyar had no past disciplinary actions on his record, the report said.

The district concluded that "there is a preponderance of evidence to support that Mr. Swinyar exercised poor judgment when he engaged in inappropriate communication in the presence of, and/or toward students."

About 22 percent of Kernan Middle School's 1,285 students are African-American, according to the district.

In an email to school board members and district officials, Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Patricia Willis defended the disciplinary action as consistent with a four-step process outlined by a collective bargaining agreement.

An employee being disciplined typically receives a verbal warning, then a written reprimand, before progressing to steps three and four: suspension without pay and termination, Willis said.

"To skip a step, we must demonstrate that the conduct is severe and in doing so, we consider factors such as the employee's previous disciplinary history, if any, potential harm to the physical or mental well-being of students and/or whether the conduct impairs the employee's effectiveness in performing his/her duties or confidence in the eyes of the students or parents," Willis wrote in her email.

In this case, the district decided that Swinyar's conduct was severe enough to merit skipping the first two steps, despite his lack of previous disciplinary actions, Willis said.

An attorney representing Swinyar through the Duval teachers union did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday. Swinyar is appealing the outcome of the investigation, according to a Duval County schools spokeswoman.

Several students also alleged during their interviews that Swinyar watched pornography in the classroom on his laptop and cellphone. Swinyar's district-issued laptop was subsequently turned over to investigators, who did not find any "inappropriate sites or materials" on the computer. The report deemed those allegations unsubstantiated.

After Swinyar returns from his unpaid suspension, he will be "reassigned to an appropriate district position with no contact with students for the remainder of the year," Willis said.

Swinyar's contract with the district expires June 30, and it will be reconsidered for renewal in May, along with all other annual employees' contracts, she added.

On Wednesday, Kernan Middle School Principal Julie Hemphill sent a letter home to parents regarding Swinyar's suspension, though it did not name the teacher, according to a copy of the letter posted by Action News Jax reporter Danielle Avitable.

"The type of behavior demonstrated by the teacher is unacceptable and will not be tolerated because it does not reflect the positive learning environment we are committed to building at Kernan Middle School," Hemphill wrote.The 5 biggest fights as Pa. lawmakers return to challenge governor

The Republican-led House and Senate intend to fight against the Wolf administration's school mask mandateBlack Diamond Group Limited rents and sells modular space and workforce accommodation solutions. It operates through two segments, Modular Space Solutions and Workforce Solutions. The Modular Space Solutions segment provides modular space rentals to customers in the construction, real estate development, manufacturing, education, financial, and resource industries, as well as government agencies in North America. Its products include office units, lavatories, storage units, large multi-unit office complexes, classroom facilities, banking and health care facilities, custom manufactured modular facilities, and blast resistant structures. This segment also sells new and used space rentals units; and provides delivery, installation, project management, and ancillary products and services. The Workforce Solutions segment provides workforce housing solutions, including rental of accommodations and surface equipment, and provision of turnkey lodging and travel management services in Canada, the United States, and Australia. This segment also provides associated services, such as installation, transportation, demobilization, and sale of used fleet assets. This segment primarily serves the resource, infrastructure, construction, disaster recovery, and education sectors. The company also provides specialized field rentals to oil and gas industries. Black Diamond Group Limited markets its rental assets, custom sales, and ancillary products and services through in-house sales personnel, its website, social media, web campaigns, and its digital marketplace. The company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

Read MoreBanco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA engages in the traditional banking businesses of retail banking, asset management, private banking, and wholesale banking. It operates through the following segments: Spain, the United States, Mexico, Turkey, South America, and Rest of Eurasia. The Spain segment includes mainly the banking and insurance business that the group carries out in Spain. The United States segment consists of the financial business activity of BBVA USA in the country and the activity of the branch of BBVA SA in New York. The Mexico segment refers to banking and insurance businesses in this country as well as the activity of its branch in Houston. The Turkey segment reports the activity of Garanti BBVA group that is mainly carried out in this country and, to a lesser extent, in Romania and the Netherlands. The South America segment comprises of operations in n Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The Rest of Eurasia segment includes the banking business activity carried out by the group in Europe and Asia, excluding Spain. The company was founded in 1857 and is headquartered in Madrid, Spain.

Read MoreCona Resources Ltd. acquires, explores for, develops, and produces petroleum and natural gas reserves in western Canada. The company has 100% interests in the Cactus Lake property located to the south of Macklin, Saskatchewan; the Winter property located to the northwest of Unity, Saskatchewan; and the Court property located to the southeast of Kerrobert, Saskatchewan. It also has interests in the Waseca and Rex formations; and in the Thermal properties located to the southeast of Macklin, Saskatchewan. The company was formerly known as Northern Blizzard Resources Inc. and changed its name to Cona Resources Ltd. in July 2017. Cona Resources Ltd. was incorporated in 2009 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

Read MoreDowDuPont Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in agriculture, materials science, and specialty products businesses in the United States, Canada, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The company's Agriculture segment produces, and sells hybrid corn seed and soybean seed varieties; sunflowers, wheat, alfalfa, canola, cotton, rice, and sorghum; silage inoculants; and crop protection products that include weed control, disease control, and insect control. Its Performance Materials & Coatings segment manufactures and sells architectural paints and coatings, and industrial coatings; performance monomers and silicones; standalone silicones; and home and personal care solutions. The company's Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure segment offers ethylene oxides, propylene oxide derivatives, cellulose ethers, redispersible latex powders, and acrylic emulsions; sustainable solutions; and chlorine and caustic soda. Its Packaging & Specialty Plastics segment provides ethylene, and propylene and aromatic products; and polyolefin elastomers and ethylene propylene diene monomer rubbers. The company's Electronics & Imaging segment offers materials and systems for mobile devices, television monitors, personal computers, and electronics. Its Nutrition & Biosciences segment provides specialty ingredients, as well as cellulosic- and alginates-based pharma excipients; and enzymes, biomaterials, biocides, and antimicrobial solutions and process technologies. The company's Transportation & Advanced Polymers segment offers engineering resins, adhesives, lubricants, and parts for transportation, electronics, healthcare, industrial, and consumer end-markets. Its Safety & Construction segment provides engineered products and integrated systems for construction, worker safety, energy, oil and gas, transportation, medical device, and water purification and separation industries. The company was founded in 1897 and is headquartered in Midland, Michigan.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of General Motors: 2140879 Ontario Inc., ACAR Leasing, ACAR Leasing Ltd., ACF Investment, ACF Investment Corp., AFS SenSub, APGO Trust, Adam Opel, Adam Opel GmbH, Aftermarket (UK), AmeriCredit, AmeriCredit Consumer Loan, AmeriCredit Consumer Loan Company Inc., AmeriCredit Financial Services, AmeriCredit Financial Services Inc., AmeriCredit Funding, AmeriCredit Syndicated Warehouse Trust, Annunciata Corporation, Argonaut Holdings, Argonaut Holdings LLC, BOCO (Proprietary), BOCO (Proprietary) Limited, Banco GMAC, Banco GMAC S.A., Baylis (Gloucester), Boco Trust, Boden Brussels, CHEVYPLAN, CHEVYPLAN S.A. Sociedad Administradora de Planes de Autofinanciamiento Comercial, Cadillac, Cadillac Europe, Cadillac Europe GmbH, Carve-Out Ownership, Carve-Out Ownership Cooperative LLC, Chevrolet Deutschland GmbH, Chevrolet Sales (Thailand), Chevrolet Sales (Thailand) Limited, Chevrolet Sales India, Chevrolet Sales India Private Ltd., Chevrolet Sociedad Anonima de Ahorro para Fines Determinados, Controladora General Motors, Controladora General Motors S.A. de C.V., Cruise, DCJ1, DCJ1 LLC, DMAX, DMAX Ltd., Dealership Liquidations, Dealership Liquidations Inc., Delphi Energy and Engine Management Systems UK, Delphi Energy and Engine Management Systems UK Overseas Corporation, EDS (Electronic Data Systems), FAW-GM, Fundacion Chevrolet, G.M.A.C., GCAR Titling Ltd., GM (UK) Pension, GM (UK) Pension Trustees Limited, GM APO Holdings, GM Administradora de Bens, GM Administradora de Bens Ltda., GM Asia Pacific Regional Headquarters Ltd., GM Auslandsprojekte, GM Automotive, GM Automotive Services Belgium, GM CME, GM Canada Holdings, GM Canada Limited, GM Components Holdings, GM Components Holdings LLC, GM Cruise, GM Cruise Holdings LLC, GM Cruise LLC, GM Defense LLC, GM Eurometals, GM Eurometals Inc., GM Europe Treasury, GM Finance, GM Finance Co. Holdings LLC, GM Financial, GM Financial AB, GM Financial Canada, GM Financial Canada Leasing, GM Financial Canada Leasing Ltd., GM Financial Colombia Holdings LLC, GM Financial Colombia S.A. Compania de Financiamiento, GM Financial Consumer, GM Financial Consumer Discount, GM Financial Consumer Discount Company, GM Financial Del Peru, GM Financial GmbH, GM Financial Holdings LLC, GM Financial Insurance Services, GM Financial Mexico Holdings, GM Financial Mexico Holdings LLC, GM Financial Real Estate, GM Financial de Mexico, GM Financial de Mexico S.A. de C.V. SOFOM E.R., GM Financial del Peru S.A.C, GM Global Business Services, GM Global Propulsion Systems -Torino S.r.l., GM Global Purchasing and Supply Chain, GM Global Technology Operations, GM Global Technology Operations LLC, GM Global Tooling, GM Global Tooling Company LLC, GM Global Treasury Centre Limited, GM Holden, GM Holden Pty Ltd., GM Holdings U.K. No.1 Limited, GM Inversiones Santiago Limitada, GM Investment Trustees Limited, GM Korea, GM Korea Company, GM LAAM Holdings, GM LAAM Holdings LLC, GM Mexico Holdings, GM Mobility Europe GmbH, GM PSA Purchasing Services, GM Personnel Services, GM Personnel Services Inc., GM Philippines Inc., GM Plats (Proprietary), GM Regional Holdings, GM Regional Holdings LLC, GM Retirees Pension Trustees, GM Retirees Pension Trustees Limited, GM Subsystems Manufacturing, GM Subsystems Manufacturing LLC, GM Technical Center Korea Ltd., GM Viet Nam Motor Company, GM-DI Leasing, GM-DI Leasing LLC, GMAC - Instituicao Financeira de Credito, GMAC Administradora de Consorcios, GMAC Administradora de Consorcios Ltda., GMAC Banque, GMAC Continental, GMAC Espana de Financiacion, GMAC Holdings (U.K.), GMAC Lease B.V. (aka Masterlease Europe), GMAC Nederland N.V., GMAC Prestadora de Servicios de Mao de Obra Ltda., GMAC Servicios, GMAC UK, GMAC de Venezuela, GMAC-Prestadora de Servios de Mo-de-Obra, GMACI Corretora de Seguros, GMACI Corretora de Seguros Ltda, GMAM Real Estate I, GMCH&SP Private Equity II, GMCH&SP Private Equity II L.P., GMF Australia Pty Ltd, GMF Europe, GMF Europe Holdco, GMF Europe LLP, GMF Floorplan Owner Revolving Trust, GMF Funding, GMF Germany Holdings, GMF Global Assignment, GMF Global Assignment LLC, GMF International, GMF International LLC, GMF Leasing LLC, GMF Leasing Warehousing Trust, GMF Wholesale Receivables, GMGP Holdings, General Motors (China) Investment Company, General Motors (China) Investment Company Limited, General Motors (Thailand), General Motors (Thailand) Limited, General Motors - Colmotores, General Motors - Colmotores S.A., General Motors Advisory Services LLC, General Motors Africa and Middle East, General Motors Africa and Middle East FZE, General Motors Asia, General Motors Asia LLC, General Motors Asia Pacific Holdings, General Motors Asia Pacific Holdings LLC, General Motors Asset Management, General Motors Asset Management Corporation, General Motors Australia, General Motors Australia Pty Ltd., General Motors Austria, General Motors Austria, General Motors Auto, General Motors Auto LLC, General Motors Automobiles Philippines, General Motors Automobiles Philippines Inc., General Motors Automotive Holdings, General Motors Automotive Holdings S.L., General Motors Belgique Automobile NV, General Motors Belgium, General Motors Chile, General Motors Chile Industria Automotriz Limitada, General Motors China LLC, General Motors Daewoo Auto and Technology, General Motors Daewoo Auto and Technology CIS LLC, General Motors East Africa, General Motors Egypt, General Motors Egypt S.A.E., General Motors Espana, General Motors Europe Holdings, General Motors Europe Limited, General Motors Financial Chile, General Motors Financial Chile Limitada, General Motors Financial Chile S.A., General Motors Financial Company, General Motors Financial Company Inc., General Motors Financial International, General Motors Financial Italia, General Motors Financial Suisse, General Motors Financial UK, General Motors Financial of Canada, General Motors Financial of Canada Ltd., General Motors Finland, General Motors France, General Motors GBS Hungary, General Motors Global Service Operations, General Motors Global Service Operations Inc., General Motors Hellas, General Motors Holden Australia, General Motors Holden Australia NSC, General Motors Holden Australia NSC Pty Ltd., General Motors Holden Australia Pty Ltd., General Motors Holdings LLC, General Motors IT Services (Ireland) Limited, General Motors India Private, General Motors India Private Limited, General Motors International Holdings, General Motors International Holdings LLC, General Motors International Operations, General Motors International Operations Pte. Ltd., General Motors International Services Company, General Motors International Services Company SAS, General Motors International Services LLC, General Motors Investment Limited, General Motors Investment Management, General Motors Investment Management Corporation, General Motors Investment Participacoes, General Motors Investment Participacoes Ltda., General Motors Investments, General Motors Investments Pty. Ltd., General Motors Ireland, General Motors Israel, General Motors Israel Ltd., General Motors Italia, General Motors Japan, General Motors Japan Limited, General Motors LLC, General Motors Limited, General Motors Manufacturing Poland, General Motors Nederland, General Motors New Zealand Pensions, General Motors New Zealand Pensions Limited, General Motors Overseas, General Motors Overseas Commercial Vehicle, General Motors Overseas Commercial Vehicle Corporation, General Motors Overseas Corporation, General Motors Overseas Distribution, General Motors Overseas Distribution LLC, General Motors Peru, General Motors Peru S.A., General Motors Poland Spolka, General Motors Portugal, General Motors Powertrain (Thailand), General Motors Powertrain (Thailand) Limited, General Motors Research Corporation, General Motors South Africa, General Motors South Africa (Pty) Limited, General Motors Suisse, General Motors Taiwan, General Motors Taiwan Ltd., General Motors Technical Centre India, General Motors Technical Centre India Private Limited, General Motors Treasury Center, General Motors Treasury Center LLC, General Motors Turkiye, General Motors UK, General Motors Uruguay, General Motors Uruguay S.A., General Motors Venezolana, General Motors Ventures, General Motors Ventures LLC, General Motors Warehousing and Trading (Shanghai), General Motors Warehousing and Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., General Motors de Argentina, General Motors de Argentina S.r.l., General Motors de Mexico, General Motors de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., General Motors del Ecuador, General Motors del Ecuador S.A., General Motors do Brasil, General Motors do Brasil Ltda., General Motors of Canada, General Motors of Canada Company, General Motors-Holden's Sales, General Motors-Holden's Sales Pty. Limited, GigaPower LLC, Global Services Detroit, Global Services Detroit LLC, Global Tooling Service Company Europe, Global Tooling Service Company Europe Limited, Go Motor Retailing, Go Trade Parts, Grand Pointe Holdings, Grand Pointe Holdings Inc., Grand Pointe Park Condominium, Grand Pointe Park Condominium Association, H.S.H., Haines & Strange, Holden New Zealand, Holden New Zealand Limited, IBC Pension Trustees, IBC Pension Trustees Limited, IBC Vehicles, Lease Ownership Cooperative, Lease Ownership Cooperative LLC, Lidlington Engineering Company, Lidlington Engineering Company Ltd., Limited Liability Company "General Motors CIS", Master Lease Germany, Maven Drive, Maven Drive LLC, Millbrook Pension Management, Millbrook Pension Management Limited, Monetization of Carve-Out, Monetization of Carve-Out LLC, Motor Repris Automocio, Motors Holding, Motors Holding LLC, Motors Properties, Motors Properties (Trading), Multi-Use Lease Entity Trust, North American New Cars, North American New Cars LLC, Omnibus BB Transportes, Omnibus BB Transportes S. A., OnStar Connected Services Srl, OnStar Egypt Limited LLC, OnStar Europe, OnStar Europe Ltd., OnStar Global Services, OnStar Global Services Corporation, OnStar LLC, OnStar de Mexico, OnStar de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Opel Bank, Opel Danmark, Opel Group, Opel Group Warehousing, Opel Leasing, Opel Norge, Opel Sonderdienste, Opel Southeast Europe, Opel Sverige, Opel Szentgotthard Automotive Manufacturing, Opel Wien, P.T. G M AutoWorld Indonesia, P.T. General Motors Indonesia, PIMS, PIMS Co., PT. General Motors Indonesia Manufacturing, Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center, Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center Company Ltd., Prestadora de Servicios GMF Colombia S.A.S., Rapid Motor Vehicle Company, Reliance Motor Car Company, Riverfront Holdings III Inc., Riverfront Holdings Inc., Riverfront Holdings Phase II Inc., SAIC GM (Shenyang) Norsom Motors Co. Ltd., SAIC GM Dong Yue Motors Company Limited, SAIC GM Dong Yue Powertrain Company Limited, SAIC GM Wuling Automobile Company Limited, SAIC General Motors Corporation Limited, SAIC General Motors Investment Limited, SAIC General Motors Sales Company Limited, SAIC-GMAC Automotive Finance Company Limited, SAIC-GMF Leasing Co. Ltd., Servicios GMAC S.A. de C.V., Shanghai Chengxin Used Car Operation and Management Company Limited, Shanghai OnStar Telematics Co. Ltd., Sherwoods (Darlington) Limited, Sidecar Technologies, Skurrays Limited, Stam-Terberg Autobedrijven B. V., Strobe Inc., VHC Sub-Holdings (UK), Vauxhall Defined Contribution Pension Plan Trustees Limited, Vehicle Asset Universal Leasing Trust, Vickers (Lakeside) Limited, Vision Motors Limited, WRE, WRE Inc., and Zona Franca Industrial Colmotores SAS.Cartier Resources Inc. engages in the acquisition and exploration of mining properties in Canada. The company explores for gold deposits. Its flagship project is the Chimo mine property located to the east of Val-d'Or, Quebec. The company also holds interest in Benoist, Fenton, Wilson, Cadillac Extension, Dollier, and MacCormack metal deposit projects, which are located in Quebec. Cartier Resources Inc. was incorporated in 2006 and is headquartered in Val-d'Or, Canada.

Read MoreTransMontaigne Partners L.P. provides integrated terminaling, storage, transportation, and related services. The company operates through Gulf Coast terminals, Midwest terminals and pipeline system, Brownsville terminals, River terminals, Southeast terminals, and West Coast terminals segments. It offers its services for companies engaged in the trading, distribution, and marketing of light and heavy refined petroleum products, crude oil, chemicals, fertilizers, and other liquid products. The company operates 8 refined product terminals in Florida with approximately 7.0 million barrels of aggregate active storage capacity; a 67 mile interstate refined products pipeline; 2 refined product terminals with approximately 5 million barrels of active storage capacity; and 5.4 million barrels of aggregate storage capacity. It operates 1 crude oil terminal in Cushing with an aggregate active storage capacity of approximately 1.0 million barrels; 1 refined product terminal located in Oklahoma City with aggregate active storage capacity of approximately 0.2 million barrels; 1 refined product terminal located in Brownsville with an aggregate active storage capacity of approximately 0.9 million barrels; and a 16 mile LPG pipeline from its Brownsville facility to the U.S. border. In addition, the company operates a 174 mile bi-directional refined products; 7.1 million barrel terminal facility on Houston Ship Channel; 12 refined product terminals with approximately 2.7 million barrels of aggregate active storage capacity, as well as operates a dock facility; 22 refined product terminals located along Colonial and Plantation pipelines with an aggregate active storage capacity of approximately 11.9 million barrels; and 2 refined product terminals with active storage capacity of approximately 5.0 million barrels. TransMontaigne Partners L.P. was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.

Read MoreValidus Holdings, Ltd. provides reinsurance coverage, insurance coverage, and insurance linked securities management services worldwide. It operates through three segments: Reinsurance, Insurance, and Asset Management. The Reinsurance segment underwrites property reinsurance products on a catastrophe excess of loss, per risk excess of loss and proportional basis; and aerospace and aviation, agriculture, composite, marine, technical lines, terrorism, trade credit, workers' compensation, and other specialty lines, as well as casualty and financial lines. The Insurance segment underwrites property, accident and health, agriculture, aviation, contingency, marine, and political lines insurance products; bankers blanket bond, commercial crime, computer crime, cyber- crime, professional indemnity, and directors' and officers' insurance products for various financial institutions and other companies; and commercial and institutional risks comprising general, professional, and product liability, as well as miscellaneous malpractice insurance products. This segment also underwrites marine and energy liability, and political risk insurance products, as well as insurance products for repair, maintenance, and upkeep of aircrafts and premises for small companies. The Asset Management segment manages capital for third parties through insurance-linked securities, and other property catastrophe and specialty reinsurance investments. Validus Holdings, Ltd. was founded in 2005 and is based in Pembroke, Bermuda.

Read MoreAnadarko Petroleum Corporation engages in the exploration, development, production, and marketing of oil and gas properties. It operates through three segments: Exploration and Production, WES Midstream, and Other Midstream. The company explores for and produces oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). It is also involved in gathering, processing, treating, and transporting oil, natural-gas, and NGLs production, as well as the gathering and disposal of produced water. The company's oil and natural gas properties are located in the United States onshore and deepwater Gulf of Mexico; and Algeria, Ghana, Mozambique, Colombia, Peru, and other countries. As of December 31, 2018, it had approximately 1.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent of proved reserves. The company was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas.

Read MoreBank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. The company's personal banking products and services include checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, and financial and investment advice services; and commercial banking products and services comprise business deposit accounts, commercial credit cards, business loans and commercial mortgages, cash management solutions, foreign exchange, specialized banking programs, treasury and payment solutions, and risk management products for small business and commercial banking customers. It also offers investment and wealth advisory services; digital investing services; financial services and solutions; and investment management, and trust and custody services to institutional, retail, and high net worth investors. In addition, the company provides life insurance, accident and sickness insurance, and annuity products; creditor and travel insurance to bank customers; and reinsurance solutions. Further, it offers client's debt and equity capital-raising services, as well as loan origination and syndication, balance sheet management, and treasury management; strategic advice on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and recapitalizations, as well as valuation and fairness opinions; and trade finance, risk mitigation, and other operating services. Additionally, the company provides research and access to markets for institutional, corporate, and retail clients; trading solutions that include debt, foreign exchange, interest rate, credit, equity, securitization and commodities; new product development and origination services, as well as risk management advice and services to hedge against fluctuations; and funding and liquidity management services to its clients. It operates through approximately 1,400 bank branches and 4,800 automated banking machines in Canada and the United States. The company was founded in 1817 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.

Read MoreNew Jersey Resources Corp. is a holding company. The firm provides safe and reliable natural gas and clean energy services, including transportation, distribution, asset management and home services. It operates through the following segments: New Jersey Natural Gas, NJR Clean Energy Ventures, NJR Energy Services, NJR Midstream, and NJR Home Services. The New Jersey Natural Gas segment provides regulated retail natural gas service to residential and commercial customers in central and northern New Jersey. The NJR Clean Energy Ventures segment invests in, owns and operates solar projects. The NJR Energy Services segment manages a diversified portfolio of natural gas transportation and storage assets and provides physical natural gas services in the U.S. and Canada. The NJR Midstream segment serves customers from local distributors and producers to electric generators and wholesale marketers. The NJR Home Services segment provides heating, ventilation and cooling service, sales and installation of appliances services to its customers, as well as solar installation projects, and is the primary contributor to home services. The company was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Wall,

Read MoreTenaris SA manufactures and supplies steel pipe products. The firm operates through the following business segments: Tubes and Other. The Tubes segment includes the production and sale of both seamless and welded steel tubular products and related services mainly for the oil and gas industry, particularly oil country tubular goods used in drilling operations, and for other industrial applications with production processes that consist in the transformation of steel into tubular products. The Other segment includes all other business activities and operating segments, including the production and selling of sucker rods, industrial equipment, coiled tubing, heat exchangers, and utility conduits for buildings and the sale of energy and raw materials that exceed internal requirements. Its principal finished products are seamless and welded steel casing and tubing, line pipe and other mechanical and structural steel pipes for different uses. The company was founded in 1909 and is headquartered in Luxembourg.

Read MoreJPMorgan Chase & Co. is a financial holding company. It provides financial and investment banking services. The firm offers a range of investment banking products and services in all capital markets, including advising on corporate strategy and structure, capital raising in equity and debt markets, risk management, market making in cash securities and derivative instruments, and brokerage and research. It operates through the following segments: Consumer and Community Banking, Corporate and Investment Bank, Commercial Banking, and Asset and Wealth Management. The Consumer and Community Banking segment serves consumers and businesses through personal service at bank branches and through automated teller machine, online, mobile, and telephone banking. The Corporate and Investment Bank segment offers a suite of investment banking, market-making, prime brokerage, and treasury and securities products and services to a global client base of corporations, investors, financial institutions, government and municipal entities. The Commercial Banking segment delivers services to U.S. and its multinational clients, including corporations, municipalities, financial institutions, and non profit

Read MoreAshtead Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the construction, industrial, and general equipment rental business in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. It offers range of products and services, such as general tools, air compressors and accessories, compaction and earth moving, climate control services, power and HVAC, pump solutions, remediation and restoration, flooring solutions, and lighting and grip. The company also provides power generation, heating, cooling, scaffolding, traffic management, temporary flooring, trench shoring, and lifting services. It offers its products and services for facilities maintenance and municipalities, such as office complexes, apartment complexes, government, hospitals, data centers, parks and recreation departments, schools and universities, shopping centers, pavement/kerb repairs, and golf course maintenance; construction of airports, highways and bridges, office buildings, data centers, schools and universities, shopping centers, residential, and remodeling; emergency response for fire, hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, winter, storms, residential emergencies, covid-19, alternative care facilities, points of distribution, and mobile testing facilities; and entertainment and special events, including national events, concerts, sporting events, film/TV production, theme parks, festivals farmers' markets, local 5k runs, and cycle races. The company operates 873 stores in the United States, 75 stores in Canada, and 193 stores in the United Kingdom under the Sunbelt Rentals brand. Ashtead Group plc was founded in 1947 and is based in London, the United Kingdom.

Read MoreAmerican Electric Power Co., Inc. engages in the business of generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. It operates through the following segments: Vertically Integrated Utilities, Transmission & Distribution Utilities, AEP Transmission Holdco and Generation & Marketing. The Vertically Integrated Utilities segment engages in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity for sale to retail and wholesale customers through assets owned and operated by its subsidiaries. The Transmission & Distribution Utilities segment engages in the business of transmission and distribution of electricity for sale to retail and wholesale customers through assets owned and operated by its subsidiaries. The AEP Transmission Holdco segment engages in the development, construction and operation of transmission facilities through investments in its wholly-owned transmission subsidiaries and joint ventures. The Generation & Marketing segment engages in non-regulated generation and marketing, risk management and retail activities. The company was founded on December 20, 1906 and is headquartered in Columbus, OH.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of The Travelers Companies: 10762962 Canada Inc., 350 Market Street LLC, 8527512 Canada Inc., Aetna Life and Casualty Co, American Equity Insurance Company, American Equity Specialty Insurance Company, Aprilgrange Limited, Arch Street North LLC, Auto Hartford Investments LLC, Bayhill Restaurant II Associates, Camperdown Corporation, Constitution State Services LLC, Discover Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Discover Specialty Insurance Company, F&G UK Underwriters Limited, Farmington Casualty Company, Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Company, Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Underwriters Inc., First Floridian Auto and Home Insurance Company, Gulf Underwriters Insurance Company, IHP Capital Partners Fund VIII L.P., Northbrook Holdings Inc., Northfield Insurance Company, Northland Casualty Company, Northland Insurance Company, Phoenix UK Investments LLC, SPC Insurance Agency Inc., Select Insurance Company, Simply Business Holdings Inc., Simply Business Inc., St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company, St. Paul Guardian Insurance Company, St. Paul Mercury Insurance Company, St. Paul Protective Insurance Company, St. Paul Surplus Lines Insurance Company, Standard Fire Properties LLC, Standard Fire UK Investments LLC, TCI Global Services Inc., TPC Investments Inc., TPC U.K. Investments LLC, The Automobile Insurance Company of Hartford Connecticut, The Charter Oak Fire Insurance Company, The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company, The Family Business Institute LLC, The Phoenix Insurance Company, The St. Paul Companies Inc., The Standard Fire Insurance Company, The Travelers Casualty Company, The Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Company, The Travelers Indemnity Company, The Travelers Indemnity Company of America, The Travelers Indemnity Company of Connecticut, The Travelers Lloyds Insurance Company, TravCo Insurance Company, Travelers (Bermuda) Limited, Travelers Brazil Acquisition LLC, Travelers Brazil Holding LLC, Travelers Casualty Company of Connecticut, Travelers Casualty Insurance Company of America, Travelers Casualty UK Investments LLC, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of Europe Limited, Travelers Commercial Casualty Company, Travelers Commercial Insurance Company, Travelers Constitution State Insurance Company, Travelers Distribution Alliance Inc., Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company, Travelers Global Inc., Travelers Indemnity U.K. Investments LLC, Travelers Insurance Company Limited, Travelers Insurance Company of Canada, Travelers Insurance Designated Activity Company, Travelers Insurance Group Holdings Inc., Travelers Lloyds of Texas Insurance Company, Travelers London Limited, Travelers MGA Inc., Travelers Management Limited, Travelers Marine LLC, Travelers Participacoes em Seguros Brasil S.A., Travelers Personal Insurance Company, Travelers Personal Security Insurance Company, Travelers Property Casualty Company of America, Travelers Property Casualty Corp., Travelers Property Casualty Insurance Company, Travelers Seguros Brasil S.A., Travelers Syndicate Management Limited, Travelers Texas MGA Inc., Travelers Underwriting Agency Limited, Ultramar Travel Management, United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company, Xbridge Limited, Zensurance Brokers Inc., and Zensurance Inc..Coeur D'alene, ID - A North Idaho middle school teacher is in jail, accused of possessing graphic child pornography photos and videos.

Jeremy R. Campbell, 35, is an eighth grade teacher in the Plummer-Worley School District who was arrested Thursday at a home in Coeur d'Alene. Authorities said he was looking at photos and videos of children and teens performing sex acts. The home where he was arrested is right across the street from Borah Elementary School.

Campbell now faces 10 felony counts of sexual exploitation of a child by possession of sexually exploitive material.

The investigating agency is the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

In Kootenai County District Court Friday, Judge Mayli Walsh read descriptions of each charge and the disturbing material Campbell's accused of having and watching, which included porn photos and videos with young people ranging from infants to teens. Some of the material reportedly included children performing a sex act on a donkey.

The maximum penalty for each count is a $10,000 fine and up to 10 years in prison.

"So, given the maximum possible penalty that you are facing..that does inherently create a risk of flight for you, Mr. Campbell, and therefore the court will set your bond in this case in the amount of $350,000," Judge Walsh said.

If he posts bond, Campbell must have another hearing to determine additional conditions of release.

Plummer-Worley School District Superintendent Judi Sharrett sent parents a letter Thursday acknowledging Campbell was arrested. The letter noted that "the District is taking this matter very seriously and following all appropriate protocols." It went on to encourage parents to contact Sharrett or a building principal if "you would like to discuss the effect this situation is having on your child."

The Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Kootenai County Prosecutor's Office, Coeur d'Alene Police Department, Untied States Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Marshals Service.

Anyone with information regarding the exploitation of children is encouraged to contact local police, the Attorney General's ICAC Unit at 208-334-4527, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.The victim was identified as M. Aswini, a second year B.com student at Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research here.

Chennai: A 19-year-old college student was murdered in broad daylight by her spurned lover, a few hundred meters from her college in KK Nagar on Friday evening. The victim was identified as M. Aswini, a second year B.com student at Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research here.

The assailant, Alagesan (28) was caught by the public and treated to mob justice before he was handed over to the police. Police sources said that he had also bought a bottle of kerosene with him to commit suicide after attacking the girl.

The incident sent shockwaves across the otherwise quaint residential neighbourhood. The incident happened around 3 pm on Friday. Aswini was walking on Loganathan street adjacent to her college on her way to the bus stop when Alagesan approached her. The two of them had a heated conversation and, all of a sudden, Alagesan took out the knife he was carrying and slit her throat and stabbed her, police sources said.

Alarmed college students and public rushed to the aid of Aswini and moved her to a private hospital nearby. However, she was declared brought dead after which KK Nagar police secured her body and moved it to the Government multi specialty hospital for autopsy.

Aswini's parents were informed of the incident. Bereaved family members demanded strict action against the assailant. Meanwhile, Alagesan was beaten black and blue by college students and public and his limbs were tied until police reached the scene.

Police secured him and moved him to a hospital for treatment. Alagesan, police said was working as a water-can supplier in Maduravoyal where Aswini's family also resided. The duo had known each other for two years and had parted ways recently after which Alagesan had persistently stalked and harassed her. KK Nagar police have registered a case of murder and are investigating.French President Emmanuel Macron began his official engagements on Saturday morning, when he was given a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi. (Photo: AP)

New Delhi: French President Emmanuel Macron, who is on his four-day India visit, arrived in New Delhi on Friday evening. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Macron will meet on Saturday for detailed talks on boosting ties between their countries.

The visit of the French President is aimed at strengthening the bilateral economic, political and strategic dimension of our engagement, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

French President Emmanuel Macron began his official engagements on Saturday morning, when he was given a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi.

"I think we (India and France) have very good chemistry. Our two great democracies have a historic relationship," President Macron said at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

"Our aim is to begin a new era in ties between our two countries. For France, India is our priority and has always been. India has been France's first ally in the region. It is the entry point for France in the region, and my aim is to make France the entry point for India to Europe," Macron said outside the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He later visited the Raj Ghat to pay his tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.

The French President is accompanied by his wife Brigitte Marie-Claude Macron, businessmen and top officials.

Also Read: Macron in India: Ties that keep growing

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed President Macron by receiving him at the airport and greeted him with a hug. "Welcome to India, President @EmmanuelMacron! Your visit will add great strength to the strategic partnership between India and France," tweeted Modi.

President Macron will "spend a lot of time with Prime Minister Narendra Modi," reports quoted a source in the French presidency as saying, adding that the two leaders had "formed a close relationship" during President Macron's first nine months in power.

Also Read: India visit without Trudea blunders: Macron to spend lot of time with Modi

President Macron will also meet Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj. Later on Saturday noon, Modi and Marcon will hold a bilateral meet that will be followed by delegation-level talks and signing of various deals.

Agreements on civil nuclear cooperation, solar energy and transfer of electric mobility for Indian Railways and metro lines linked to smart city projects -- for cities like Pune and Nagpur -- are on the cards. Space cooperation is on the agenda as is a larger framework on naval cooperation. Around 40 business leaders are accompanying the French president.

Modi and President Macron will co-chair the founding conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), on Sunday. The ISA is a flagship Indian initiative launched by Modi and the French president on the sidelines of the Paris climate conference in 2015. This meeting will be of great significance against the backdrop of the United States, under President Trump, pulling out of the Paris accord. India and France have pledged to achieve reduction in emissions as committed at Paris.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet said, "The ISA is a unique effort that brings the world together to harness solar energy and create a cleaner as well as greener future."

President Ram Nath Kovind will host a dinner on Saturday evening for the leaders of 24 nations who will attend the conference, including Macron.

French President Macron will also pay a visit to Narendra Modi's constituency, Varanasi. Both the leaders will take a boat ride in the Ganges, which will also include a private lunch. They will visit Mirzapur to inaugurate a 100 MW solar power plant.

President Macron and his wife will also visit the Taj Mahal.HYDERABAD: A day after two SSC students jumped to their death because they could not deal with their alleged academic pressure, the police are probing into the details behind the incident. While police are questioning the friends of the two girls and the management of the school, child rights activists have demanded a high-level inquiry into the incident.

The students Bhargavi Patel and Kala Sravani, who were at the formers home for combined studies, jumped from the eighth floor flat of the apartment complex located at LB Nagar, on Thursday evening. LB Nagar police registered a case under section 174 of the CrPC.

Meanwhile, Akshara International School where the two girls were studying, had declared a holiday on Friday. They will be in our hearts and we express our condolences, said a message by the school management.

Investigating officials said that though the incident appears to be a clear case of suicide, they are still probing into the details, as the cause of suicide is not known still and even the parents are clueless about it.

The parents said that the Sravani had come to Bhargavis residence in the afternoon and they continued to study together till evening. They were very normal during the whole time and were preparing for the second paper of the pre-final test on Friday. After finishing the formalities of handing over the bodies to the families, we will be questioning their friends and also teachers. Since it was a Friday, they were not available, an official said.

Balala Hakkula San-gham has demanded an inquiry to find out what went wrong and what really happened on the fateful day. BHS while appealing to the parents said that instead of feeling that by giving material things and money to their children, they were doing enough, they should spend quality time with the children.Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said that the state will take its stand only after seeing what is actually done in the regard. (Photo: PTI/File)

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Saturday set a deadline of six weeks for the formation of the Cauvery Management Board and said that the state will take its stand only after seeing what is actually done in this regard.

Earlier on Saturday, PMK youth wing president and MP, Anbumani Ramadoss suggested all MPs and MLAs in Tamil Nadu resign to exert pressure on the Centre to constitute the Cauvery Management Board.

Meanwhile, DMK Working President and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly MK Stalin wrote to Chief Minister K Palanisamy urging that a special session should be held before the budget session scheduled to start next week, especially in light of "step-motherly attitude by the Centre" shown towards the state on the inter-state dispute involving poll-bound Karnataka.

In his letter, Stalin recalled that he had placed the same demand with Palanisamy during a meeting between the two on March 3 in order to reiterate Tamil Nadu's stand on Cauvery.

Tamil Nadu wanted the Centre to constitute the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) as directed by the Supreme Court, which had recently pronounced its verdict on the inter-state dispute involving Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry.

On February 22, an all party meet chaired by Palaniswami decided that the chief minister will lead a delegation of leaders of all parties, farmers and MPs from the state to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Cauvery issue.

The meet had also resolved to urge Modi to immediately set up the CMB and Cauvery Water Regulatory Authority as per the apex courts order to set up the bodies within six weeks.Thiruvananthapuram: The ruling LDF on Friday decided to field Janata Dal leader M. P. Veerendrakumar for the forthcoming Rajya Sabha polls. The lone Rajya Sabha seat from Kerala had fallen vacant after Veerendrakumar resigned in December protesting against Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumars decision to join NDA.

The LDF decision came in the wake of letter written by Veerendrakumar extending full cooperation to the ruling front.

The nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha election to be held on March 23, will be filed on March 12. Of the 9 Rajya Sabha seats from Kerala CPM and Congress have three each, IUML and KCM one each. Given the existing strength of CPM in the Assembly, Veerendrakumars victory is certain.

Though the CPI had in the past staked claim for Rajya Sabha as they have just one member in current Lok Sabha and their lone RS member D. Raja is scheduled to retire in July 2019, this time around it didnt raise demand for the seat. Other allies also did not stake claim for the seat which they felt should go to Veerendrakumar. They all are in favour of bringing back JDU and RSP into LDF fold.

The LDF, however, decided to take up the issue of JDUs entry into LDF at a later stage. For the moment they want Veerendrakumars party to extend cooperation to the ruling front.

Veerendrakumar thanked the LDF leadership for considering his candidature for the coming RS polls.

The LDF decided to hold election convention for the forthcoming Chengannur bypoll on March 20. Chief minister and all top leaders of LDF will take part in the election convention.Hyderabad: The Telugu Desam (TD) and the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) did not get any invitation till Saturday for the much-hyped dinner to be hosted by former Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi has decided to host dinner to all Opposition parties on March 13 in Delhi. In fact, TD and TRS leaders were not expecting an invitation from the Congress to the dinner. The TD in Andhra Pradesh and TRS in Telangana are arch rivals of the Congress. Both have decided not to attend the dinner even if they receive an invitation.

TRS chief and Telangana state Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is busy with the formation of the Third Front as alternative to the BJP and the Congress at the National-level.

I dont think the Congress will extend an invitation to the TRS. We are also not expecting an invitation from the Congress, TRS MP A.P. Jitendar Reddy said.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, he said that if at all Congress invites them for the dinner, they will not attend. Meanwhile, TD MP C.M. Ramesh said that they did not receive any invitation from the Congress for the dinner.SALT LAKE CITY  The Utah State Bar has determined that "human error" is to blame for a pornographic image making its way into a promotional email that went out earlier this week.

The email sent Monday afternoon to lawyers throughout the state included a banner advertising the Utah State Bar's spring convention, which began Thursday in St. George. But where the body of the message usually would have appeared there was a photo instead depicting a woman's bare chest.

A second email quickly followed, apologizing for the incident and promising to investigate it.

The mishap made headlines nationwide.

"We have determined a link to the inappropriate image was inadvertently added to the email as a result of human error," the Utah State Bar Commission reported in a statement issued Friday. "That error is being addressed as a personnel issue."

The statement went on to assure Utah State Bar members that the image did not come from the organization's database and contained no malware. The commission indicated it is now "taking steps to assure this type of problem doesn't happen again."

"We apologize again for this incident and have committed to improving controls over our communications," the statement concluded.SALT LAKE CITY  Dr. Rita Wright, director of the Springville Art Museum, said she often hears people from out of state comment on the number of artists from Utah and their high-quality work. She attributes Utahs art success to artist William Bill Whitaker, the granddaddy of Utah artists, who she said was at the heart of the growth and mentoring of this generation of artists.

I really do attribute a large part of the entire art mentality in this state a great deal to Bill Whitaker, Wright said. Most of the young and rising figurative artists in this state would at some point or another have been able to sit down with him to reflect on their work and give them critique and guidance, she said, referring to the way he worked with colleagues and students as just a magical thing.

Whitaker died on March 6, 2018, at 74. In a recent tribute, The Springville Museum of Art called him the grandfather of Utah figurative art and remembered him as one of the most respected figurative artists in the country. Many of his portraits of LDS apostles and prophets are displayed in the Conference Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City. He also has large-scale works in the Church History Museum and at Brigham Young University.

A legacy at BYU

BYU professor of illustration Robert Barrett met Whitaker when they were both studying with portrait artist Alvin Gittins at the University of Utah. Whitaker spent a semester in Mexico painting with Gittins and looked up to him as his mentor.

Whitaker served a full-time LDS mission to Germany, where he worked with publications and media. He continued that work when he returned from his mission and did illustrations for the LDS Church and church magazines, Barrett said.

After Whitaker graduated from the U. with a degree in business in 1967, he left for California to study at the Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles and work as an designer for Capitol Records. He then went to BYU to teach in 1971.

BYU brought him up to teach in those days what was called commercial art. I would say it was graphic design and illustration, Barrett said, who has taught at BYU for 36 years. Thats what we have these days, so he was sort of a precursor.

Whitaker stopped teaching in 1981 to pursue art full time. He returned to BYU to do workshops with students and later had a studio in the Harris Fine Arts Center as an artist-in-residence. The department also sought advice from Whitaker about its curriculum and setting up drawing classes, Barrett said.

I always felt like he was super supportive of me in my role here at BYU and what I was trying to do with the students, Barrett said. Hed come over to my house and visit us and comment on my work and tell me what a great job he thought we were doing here at BYU with the students.

Barrett said Whitaker worked with a total of about 15 BYU students as interns in his studio and was always generous in terms of offering critique and encouragement. One of those students was Mary Sauer.

Sauer worked as Whitakers apprentice from 2007 to 2009. She is now a professional artist who is represented in two galleries and is a finalist for the Portrait Society of America international competition. She is working on a commission for a painting for the Church History Museum.

A lot of what I do in my painting goes back to what Bill taught me as an artist, she said. Bill always said, Youll be able to do this. Just follow the Spirit and the Spirit will tell you what to do.

Sauer described Whitaker as a man who was truly happy, living and loving his dream. She said Whitaker had a way of emotionally building her up when offering advice and criticism.

I felt like he was a father to me in a lot of ways. He called me and some of the other students his art babies, Sauer said.

Michelle Christensen, a former designer for Anthropologie who now runs mylittlebelleville.com, is another art baby who benefited from the patient hand of Whitaker. As an illustration major at BYU, she apprenticed with Whitaker for about a year, around the same time as Sauer. Whitaker also helped with portraits for her BFA project.

His studio was kind of like a refuge, Christensen said. Youd go there and its almost like youre stepping into another place. It was always peaceful. It was always clean. He would always say, Be very aware of how youre feeling with your work.

Whitaker taught her to treat her workspace as she would care for herself and how to pay attention to subtle details. He was humble, well-spoken, gentle and kind, had a great sense of humor and even played the banjo for them when he was taking a break, she said.

He said to not feel frustrated when I saw mistakes in my work, she added. He said to rejoice in your mistakes. He said its part of your gift that you can see them. That was really profound to me.

A lifelong mentor

A designated living master by the Art Renewal Center, Whitaker garnered numerous accolades for his work over the course of his career. He was named an AOA Master by Artists of America and garnered a host of awards and medal from other institutions. Outside Utah, his work was displayed in the 1981 American Western Art Exhibition in Beijing, China, and the Museum of Fine Art in St. Petersburg, Florida, according to his biography on the Universtiy of Utah's Utah Artists Project. Whitaker was also featured in the 1982 PBS Television series Profiles in American Art.

Wright first worked with Whitaker when she was the curator for the LDS Church History Museum. He was serving as a type of "art missionary, she said, when they worked on projects and portraits for several of the general authorities. Thats when I first got his vision and his passion and dedication to art in Utah and the artists role in conveying some of those cultural and spiritual values."

Wright continued to work with Whitaker years later when she became director of the Springville Museum of Art. He would come through the museum and look at his students work with fatherly concern and pride. Whitaker was a juror for the 2017 Spring Salon, and Wright said she will never forget the opportunity she had to spend almost nine hours with him, side by side, as he was going through looking at the various works.

Whitaker was her master teacher, she said, who taught her the power of art. We would have philosophical discussions about how art serves a much different purpose than just an illustration of a subject, Wright said. It really engages people in a very different way emotionally, spiritually, even physically.

Wright also remembers the day Whitaker invited her to his art studio. He was working on a painting of Joseph Smith and had spent time researching the Joseph Smith papers and the clothing and costumes during that time period to make sure his painting was as accurate as possible.

He wanted this to be not just a painters study or portrait, but he wanted to have a real emotional, spiritual sense of the man through his study and his thoughtfulness, and, he would even say, through prayer and contemplation, Wright said. He wanted to not just make this a superficial portrait; he wanted to convey some very powerful thoughts and feelings he had.

This painting of Joseph Smith is currently housed in the permanent exhibition "The Heavens are Opened" in the Church History Museum. Other recent aquisitions from Whitaker include a full-length portrait of Emma Hale for the same exhibit and a portrait of President Dallin H. Oaks which hangs in the Conference Center. Laura Allred Hurtado, global acquisitions art curator for the Church History Museum, said the Church History Museum collection has nearly 70 works by Whitaker.

Whitaker also worked on the Temple Art Evaluation Committee. Barrett said he became a cheerleader to this group of LDS artists, telling them, We've got to do a better job of the art were doing in the temple. Come on, guys, give it your best effort!

Wright served with Whitaker on this committee and said they spent time before and after meetings talking about ways he could engage artists and help them improve. It was just his whole nature to mentor, to critique with a patient, thoughtful approach, she said.

He had layers of abilities, layers of understanding, layers of warmth and generosity that kept unfolding and unfolding, Wright said. We were all fed by him.

He was a deeply spiritual, sensitive man and artist of faith and conviction that set an example for all that his profession and faith were never at odds, she added.

Whitaker is survived by his wife, Sandra, a watercolorist, and three children.

Whitaker's viewing will be held March 15, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Nelson Mortuary, 4780 N. University Ave, Provo. On March 16, another viewing will be held at 10 a.m. before his 11 a.m. funeral at an LDS chapel, 345 E. 4525 North, Provo, according to the Springville Museum of Art.SALT LAKE CITY  Utah's Vivint Solar is named in a 17-count civil complaint, filed Thursday by New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas, that includes allegations of unfair business practices, fraud and racketeering.

In a release, Balderas said an investigation conducted by his office uncovered evidence that Vivint's actions in New Mexico have led to "hundreds of clouded titles" to residents' homes, that the company employs "high-pressure sales techniques and procedures designed to mislead consumers" and binds customers into 20-year contracts under which rates increase "by over 72 percent" over the life of the agreement.

I will fight to protect the rights of all New Mexico consumers and hold giant, out-of-state corporations accountable who abuse, mislead and employ dishonest practices to defraud our hardworking families, Balderas said. Every New Mexican deserves access to clean, affordable energy, and the development and expansion of rooftop solar should be encouraged by businesses that use the industrys best practices to help consumers become more energy independent.

In a statement issued Friday afternoon, Vivint Solar disputed characterizations made in Balderas' press release.

"Much of the interest in this lawsuit has been driven by this press release that not only misrepresents Vivint Solar's dealings with consumers in the state, but also does not accurately describe the attorney general's own allegations in the disputed lawsuit," the statement read. "It was also issued before the lawsuit was filed, giving Vivint Solar little opportunity to respond."

The statement goes on to say that the company intends to address all the issues in court, but sought to clarify how their contracts with customers, called purchase power agreements, actually work.

"To be clear, Vivint Solar does not, has not, will not and cannot ever jeopardize its customers' home ownership," the statement reads. "Vivint Solar does not take a lien on its customers homes under its purchase power agreements or solar system lease agreements. A (purchase power agreement) is commonly used throughout the residential solar industry as a means of providing consumers with access to clean, affordable energy with no upfront investment by the customer; in exchange, the customer agrees to pay for all energy produced by the solar energy system."

In an op-ed published in December by The Hill, Daniel Stevens, executive director of the nonprofit watchdog group Campaign for Accountability, wrote that Vivint and Elon Musk-owned competitor SolarCity account for the majority of complaints filed about solar companies with the Federal Trade Commission.

"First among the companies receiving high numbers of customer complaints, two companies in particular stand out: Vivint and SolarCity," Stevens wrote. "Complaints against these two  among the largest providers  constituted nearly 56 percent of all the complaints filed with the Federal Trade Commission about solar companies. Among other things, consumers reported being tricked into buying or leasing solar panels and ending up with increased, rather than lower, utility bills."

In an interview Friday, Stevens said his organization has gathered solar company consumer complaint data from multiple states and has previously requested investigations, based on evidence of "false and misleading actions," by the attorneys general of California, Florida, Oregon and Texas. Stevens said he was "not surprised" by the allegations leveled against Vivint Solar in Balderas' filing.

"Our initial focus was just looking at contract-related issues," Stevens said. "But what we found was the complaints were much more widespread."

According to a spokesman for Balderas, the New Mexico Attorney General's Office had received seven complaints since 2016 about Vivint Solar. He also noted some early complaints went through an informal resolution process under the state's Consumer and Family Services Division.

Vivint Solar was founded as an offshoot of Vivint, now Vivint Smart Home, in 2011 and became a publicly traded company in 2014. Both companies have their roots in APX Alarm Systems, a company co-founded in 1999 by former BYU student Todd Pedersen.

Shares in Vivint Solar peaked at $15.85 per share in July 2015 but declined sharply in the year following, dropping as low as $2.24 a share in May 2016. On Friday, Vivint Solar stock closed at $3.25 a share for a market capitalization of about $373 million.SALT LAKE CITY  Salt Lake City Council Chairwoman Erin Mendenhall likened the council's emergency meeting Friday to what it would do after a "major earthquake."

"Today, I feel the same sense of trauma," she said, pausing as she choked up.

The council held the special meeting two days after the Utah Legislature swiftly passed a bill city leaders said would have grave consequences for the city's northwest quadrant by creating an inland port authority board with the power to usurp city administrative land use decisions and capture 100 percent of the project area's tax increment.

Mendenhall said SB234 would mean a tax increment opportunity loss of almost $500 million to Salt Lake City schools over the next 25 years and a loss to "every city function that can be supported by the kind of growth that almost a quarter of our city that is being taken away from us (can achieve)."

"Our city suffered a major casualty this week," Mendenhall said. "It's what feels like an amputation to me at this point."

Mendenhall's comments came right before the City Council and Mayor Jackie Biskupski held a roughly 90 minute closed meeting with attorneys. Afterward, both offices issued statements calling on Gov. Gary Herbert to veto the bill.

In a prepared statement, Biskupski called the bill "an unprecedented land and power grab of nearly 22,000 acres."

But their calls come the day after the governor already said he had no plans to veto the bill.

Herbert was not available for comment Friday, but his spokesman, Paul Edwards, said in a statement the governor still plans to sign it.

"(The governor) met with Mayor Biskupski yesterday to listen to the city's concerns," Edwards said. "Although at this moment in time (at the front end of the bill review period) we always share the caveat that we need to see the final copy of the bill and review it for any unintended errors or consequences before providing a definitive response, if the bill comes forward in the form that we anticipate, the governor plans to sign it."

Edwards noted that the governor first introduced the concept of an inland port at his Global Summit several years ago, so "he has been watching this closely."

"We recognize that it may require some modifications and improvements in the future, but we believe the basic fundamentals are in place to start moving forward with this very important driver for economic development in the state," Edwards said.

If the governor doesn't veto the bill, Salt Lake City may have another recourse.

Biskupski told the Deseret News in an interview as she walked out of Friday's closed meeting that if the state implements the bill, there "is opportunity" for a lawsuit.

"There's the potential for sure," the mayor said. "There are significant issues in the bill that were just not thought through very well. What I'm hoping for is that the state moves slowly and perhaps continues to work with the city to get back to a reasonable partnership. ... But it will be interesting to see if they start implementing the bill."

Mendenhall said the city has "a lot of legal concerns" with the bill "and we are going to examine every option that the city has to protect our local authority."

"Whatever led to the passage of this bill is not good process and not good policy, it was backroom politics," she said.

House Speaker Greg Hughes, R-Draper, has disputed city's claims that SB234 usurps city land use authority. He said the state drafted the bill to work in "concert" with the city to develop a global trade area or inland port  a project he has argued would be too big for one city or even one county.

Hughes did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday evening.Lenovo will soon unveil its latest S5 smartphone in China and it will most definitely be going up against Xiaomis Redmi Note 5. Lenovos CEO Chang Cheng teased the upcoming smartphone in images on Weibo and it can be seen featuring a dual rear camera setup, a metal unibody design and a rear mounted fingerprint scanner. Design of the smartphone looks similar to the Lenovo K520, which was spotted earlier on TENAA. Cheng also quoted a post from Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun and took a jab at Xiaomis Redmi Note 5.

Image credits: Weibo

Quoting the Weibo post of Lei Jun, who announced on Weibo that the Redmi Note 5 will come with Snapdragon 636 processor and 6GB of RAM in China, Cheng said to wait till March 20 for a better performing smartphone. In another image of the smartphone, Cheng also showcased the front of the alleged Lenovo S5. It is expected to come with a 2.5D curved glass display with an 18:9 display aspect ratio. It is speculated to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor and come with a 5.65-inch full-HD+ display. It is rumoured to run on Android 8.0 Oreo out-of-the-box and sport 4GB RAM and could be backed by a 3000mAh battery.

Recently, the Lenovo K520 was spotted on TENNA, the Chinese certification authority. As per the listing, the smartphone is powered by a 2.0 GHz octa-core processor which is coupled with 3GB or 4GB RAM and comes with options of 32GB and 64GB of expandable storage. It is seen featuring a 5.65-inch full HD+ display with 2160 x 1080p resolution. In the camera department, it could be equipped with 8MP dual rear cameras and an 8MP front-facing camera.

Additionally, Its all but confirmed that Xiaomi will launch its Redmi 5 on March 14 in India, which is being teased as the Compact Powerhouse smartphone. It will be an Amazon exclusive device and the online retailer has put up a microsite dedicated to the device. You can read more about the upcoming Xiaomi smartphone here.Significant progress has been made on Irish Waters plans to develop an innovative sewerage scheme for Gaoth Dobhair which will provide for residential and economic development in the area by developing an essential wastewater network for homes and businesses.

This new network will protect and improve the water quality in Gaoth Dobhair Bay and local rivers and streams, provide better treatment of wastewater to protect the environment and ensure Gaoth Dobhair is in compliance with Irish and European regulations.

Over 40 homes have signed up to the Demonstration Project and initial surveys of these homes have been completed. Irish Water have thanked the people of Gaoth Dobhair for their support in this.

Detailed designs are currently being drawn up for these homes based on feedback received. Irish Water will be engaging again over the next few months in meeting individual householders to agree the final layouts. Householders will be notified in advance of these individual meetings being arranged.

In addition to the individual designs for homes, the preliminary model and layout for the overall network will be finalised in the coming months.

The next steps will be to appoint a contractor to deliver the Demonstration Project and commence the procurement of specialised pump units, which must adhere to EU regulations. In order to ensure quality of design of the equipment needed to deliver this project, construction will commence towards the end of 2018.

Irish Water is proposing a Pressure Sewer System as the preferred approach for Gaoth Dobhair. This would include an upgrade of the existing wastewater treatment plant and an Integrated Wetland being constructed downstream of the existing outfall. This will reduce untreated wastewater in the environment by having enhanced treatment of wastewater.

In an area of difficult ground conditions for excavating (such as Gaoth Dobhair), this approach allows all properties and sites in the area to be connected to the scheme, where they may have previously been constrained by the ground conditions if a traditional sewerage system was used.By Julia Conley

Nearly two dozen federal programs and agencies are in danger of losing funding under President Donald Trump's 2019 budget proposal, released Monday. The proposed cuts will potentially result in drastic changes to social welfare programs and other government efforts to improve the lives of working people across the country as well as those in impoverished nations.

While programs heralded by progressives may be in peril, the budget calls for a 13 percent increase in spending by the military, up from the Pentagon's 2017 level of spending. The president is asking for $686 billion in defense spending$80 billion more than the Pentagon currently receives for its bloated and unaccountable budget.

"When our nation can't manage to turn the lights on for the people of Puerto Rico, when we can't help those suffering from opioid addiction get treatment, and when we can't ensure education and healthcare to all of our citizens, how is it possible we can justify spending billions more on weapons that don't work to fight enemies that don't exist?" said Stephen Miles, head of the peace group Win Without War in a statement last week, ahead of the budget release.

Below are some of the initiatives that the president is asking Americans to sacrifice while ramping up military spending.

International Reproductive Health Aid

As part of the anti-choice global gag order the president reinstated to bar health organizations that rely on federal funding from providing abortion care and counseling, the administration is requesting new investments in family planning efforts, "with an emphasis on evidence-based methods, including fertility awareness"suggesting funding for contraceptives in impoverished countries will be slashed.

"This budget confirms that Trump and his cronies in his White House of ill-repute are hell-bent on substituting religious dogma for evidence and that the gratuitous cruelty of their first year can be expected in the second as well," said Brian Dixon of the Population Connection Action Fund.

Department of Education (DOE)

The president is requesting a 10.5 percent decrease in funding for the DOE. The budget would eliminate the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and reduce the number of income-based loan repayment plans offered. Meanwhile, more than $1 billion would be spent on private school vouchers, charter schools and other initiatives that shift funding away from public schools.

Public Media



The president is proposing eliminating federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the non-profit which helps finance PBS and NPR, over a two-year period.

The budget cut would likely be rebuked by much of the U.S. population. On Monday PBS released the results of a survey that found that Americans ranked the organization as the number-one most trusted public institution in the country.

"PBS, our 350 member stations and our legions of local supporters will continue to remind leaders in Washington of the significant benefits the public receives in return for federal funding, a modest investment of about $1.35 per citizen per year," PBS President Paula Kerger said in a statement.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The president's budget proposal would bring funding for the EPA to its lowest level since 1990, with a 34 percent reduction in spending from 2017. Funding cuts for climate change research, the Environmental Education Program, and programs that protect American waters from pollution are among those that will be made.

"President Trump's budget is nothing short of devastating for all Americans who value clean air, safe drinking water and protected public lands," said Rhea Suh, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council, in a statement. "Congress must reject it, and instead invest in a cleaner, safer, and more prosperous future for everyone."

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Under the proposed budget, the Trump administration would cut the budget for SNAP benefits by about 27 percent and would dictate the food that low-income households are able to purchase using the benefits, also known as food stamps. About half of a family's monthly benefits would come in the form of a box of pre-selected food, including "shelf-stable milk, ready to eat cereals, pasta, peanut butter, beans and canned fruit and vegetables," according to the budget.

"They have managed to propose nearly the impossible, taking over $200 billion worth of food from low-income Americans while increasing bureaucracy and reducing choices," Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America, told NPR.

Medicare and Medicaid

Hundreds of billions of dollars in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid are also included in the budget. On social media, critics summed up the president's plan as consistent with the tax law he signed in Decemberwith sacrifices coming from working families as the wealthy benefit.

"Donald Trump has proposed a federal budget that steals from working families to pay for his massive $1.5 trillion tax cut that largely benefits the wealthy and big corporations," said Frank Clemente, executive director for Americans for Tax Fairness, in a statement. "He's taking away health care from seniors, food from families, college loans for the next generation, and support for people with disabilities to benefit the fortunate few."



To the extent the proposals reach Congress, Clemente added, lawmakers "should reject the Trump budget and create a tax system that makes the rich and corporations pay their fair share so we can invest in all Americans, not take from them."

Reposted with permission from our media associate Common Dreams.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misspelled Natural Resources Defense Council.PHILADELPHIA - Today, in a late-breaking featured clinical research session at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions 2018, researchers from Penn Medicine present first-of-its-kind data on the impact of real-time CYP2C19 genotype results when prescribing antiplatelet drugs in the clinic.

Following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)--a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of narrowing arteries inside the heart--patients are often prescribed aspirin and antiplatelet medications, which keep stents open by preventing blood platelets from sticking together. However, existing research suggests that some patients--specifically those who carry a mutation of the CYP2C19 gene, which impact the liver's ability to process the antiplatelet drug, clopidogrel--may not benefit from this drug, but instead would require different antiplatelet medications, such as prasugrel or ticagrelor, to prevent heart attack and stroke.

"One of the main things we aimed to do in this study was integrate a clinical trial protocol into the physicians' daily practice, in order to provide the most beneficial medication regimens to patients based on their specific genetic needs, while also identifying what drives physician behavior when prescribing," said senior author Jay Giri, MD, associate director of the Penn Cardiovascular Outcomes, Quality, & Evaluative Research Center and an assistant professor of Cardiovascular Medicine. "Clinicians were provided with a real-time, rapid response genetic test and an appropriate level of education for using said test, which would identify patients' genetic mutation, CYP2C19 Loss-of-Function (LOF) alleles. We thought this precision medicine approach would impact the medications being prescribed to patients following PCI."

As Giri and his colleagues suspected, access to the genotype data in an everyday clinical setting did, in fact, influence prescriber behavior.

In the study, 504 participants from two Penn Medicine hospitals--the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center--were randomized into two groups: one group received a rapid point-of-care genotyping of CYP2C19, and the other did not receive any genotyping, which is the current standard of care. 249 participants were genotyped and 255 received the standard care. The participants in the genotyped group received a cheek swab within one day after PCI to determine CYP2C19 genotype, and results were available to clinicians within 90 minutes of the test being done. Physicians were verbally provided genotype results along with decision support, a one page summary of the treatment recommendations by genotype according to the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Guidelines (CPIC). Ultimately, the treating physician was the sole decision maker in the prescribing.

Researchers found that in the genotyped group, the use of prasugrel or ticagrelor was significantly higher and the use of clopidogrel was lower as compared to the usual care group. In fact, genotype-guided drug recommendations were followed in 71 percent of cases, whereas in 29 percent of cases, physicians did not follow the recommendations.

"This implies that physicians consider factors beyond the genotype when deciding the most appropriate antiplatelet medication for their patients, which is the premise of precision medicine." said lead author Sony Tuteja, PharmD, MS, a research assistant professor of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, who presented the results of the study today in a late-breaking featured clinical research session at ACC 2018. "Ultimately we concluded that access to pharmacogenetic test results significantly impacted antiplatelet prescribing behaviors. It remains to be seen whether a reduction in important clinical outcomes like heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular related death follow what is predicted by the genetics."

Researchers noted that this study raised more questions for the field, specifically, how do physician behave in an era of precision medicine, and will the availability of patient-specific genetic information impact the standard of care?

"Often times we have a situation where the data in large clinical trials will say one thing, but precision medicine data will say another, so we need to figure out what the physician will do in those situations and what drives their decisions," Giri said. "Are clinicians influenced more by a patients' genetic make-up, or by the population-based research they have access to? Ultimately more research is needed to really identify the impact and usefulness of real-time genetic testing for making clinical decisions, which we intend to evaluate for interventional patients. As it turns out, Precision Medicine is a lot more than just precise genetics."

###

Additional Penn authors on the study include Henry Glick, William Matthai, Ashwin Nathan, Karen Monono, Craig Carcuffe, Karen Maslowski, Gene Chang, Taisei Kobayashi, Saif Anwaruddin, John Hirshfeld, Robert L. Wilensky, Howard C. Herrmann, Daniel M. Kolansky, and Daniel J. Rader. This study was funded by an intramural grant from the Penn Center for Precision Medicine. SpartanRx quality control kits for CYP2C19 genotyping were provided by Spartan Bioscience, Inc.

Editor's Note: Daniel Rader, MD, has been a consultant for Eli Lily and Company and a member of the Sanofi Advisory Board.

Penn Medicine is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $7.8 billion enterprise.

The Perelman School of Medicine has been ranked among the top five medical schools in the United States for the past 20 years, according to U.S. News & World Report's survey of research-oriented medical schools. The School is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $405 million awarded in the 2017 fiscal year.

The University of Pennsylvania Health System's patient care facilities include: The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center -- which are recognized as one of the nation's top "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S. News & World Report -- Chester County Hospital; Lancaster General Health; Penn Medicine Princeton Health; Penn Wissahickon Hospice; and Pennsylvania Hospital -- the nation's first hospital, founded in 1751. Additional affiliated inpatient care facilities and services throughout the Philadelphia region include Good Shepherd Penn Partners, a partnership between Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network and Penn Medicine, and Princeton House Behavioral Health, a leading provider of highly skilled and compassionate behavioral healthcare.

Penn Medicine is committed to improving lives and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities. In fiscal year 2017, Penn Medicine provided more than $500 million to benefit our community.The Council of the Swiss Abroad has called on parliament to reject a proposal limiting welfare benefits to residence status in Switzerland or contributions to the countrys social security system.

In a resolution, adopted unanimously on Saturday, the assembly criticised the proposals of a committee of the House of Representatives as a breach of legal equality set down in the constitution.

The proposals are tantamount to a blatant discrimination of all those Swiss citizens who live abroad [notably in countries outside the European Union and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)] for whatever reason, the resolution says.

It also contradicts the international mobility of citizens, according to the resolution.

In the same vein, Francois Baur, a representative of the Swiss Business Federation on the council, said the proposals of the parliamentary committee were not at all in the interest of the Swiss economy, notably the export-oriented sector and companies with subsidiaries abroad.

The House of Representatives in due to discuss the issue next Wednesday.

+ Read more on the proposals and why the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad is opposed

The planned cuts in welfare benefits were just one of several parliamentary and other political issues discussed by the 140-member assembly in the Swiss capital Bern on Saturday.

The council is part of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) which represents the 780,000 Swiss citizens living across the world. About 158,400 of them have registered to take part in votes and elections in Switzerland.

Banking woes

OSA President and council speaker Remo Gysin on Saturday presented details of an accord with several Swiss financial institutions aimed at easing tensions over access to bank accounts for Swiss Abroad citizens.

Gysin announced that the Geneva Cantonal Bank agreed to offer bank accounts to all Swiss expatriates who comply with international regulations.

I hope the deal will set an example for the whole sector, Gysin said.

He also said the five major Swiss financial institutions were willing to boost information together with the OSA and the government, posting essential know-how on the websites of the foreign ministry and the OSA.

They also agreed to facilitate the opening of a bank account in Switzerland for expats and to appoint special advisers.

Progress

We made progress after years of deadlock even but we havent reached the end of the road yet said Gysin.

He promised to review the situation in two years.

OSA vice-president and Senator Filippo Lombardi added that the political pressure built up in parliament over the past few years was beginning to pay out.

The banks made a moral and technical commitment. Having them sit at a table with us was an achievement after nine years of stalemate, Lombardi said.

He said new and amended motions would be launched in parliament if the overall situation will not improve for Swiss expat banking clients.

E-voting

A priority for the Swiss expat community is electronic voting and therefore a recurring topic at council meetings.

OSA director Ariane Rustichelli led a discussion with parliamentarian Franz Gruter, a former IT businessman and Claudia Pletscher from Swiss Post which developed an e-vote system together with a Spanish company.

The Peoples Party politician argued that the risks of cyberattacks were inevitable and would undermine the credibility of direct democratic tools, notably votes and elections.

The question is not if there will be an attack, but when the attack will happen, Gruter said. Many of his statements prompted accusations from the audience that he was a scaremonger.

For her part, Pletscher said her company had developed a system where manipulations do not go unnoticed.

There is no absolute security, but we can assure control over the transfer of a vote online.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, many delegates expressed a lively interest in the subject but appeared to agree with proponents of e-voting.

The first trials with e-voting were launched in 2004 in canton Geneva and about 200 tests with a limited number of voters, notably the Swiss Abroad community, have taken place in 14 of the 26 Swiss cantons since.

The Swiss government said it wanted most cantons to grant their voters the e-voting option for the next parliamentary elections in October 2019. The OSA insists that all Swiss expatriates can use the online channel to elect the members of the House of Representatives.

+ The long road to e-voting for the Swiss Abroad

New OSA members The council unanimously approved a request by the Swiss Center of North America to join the OSA as an associate member. The non-profit organisation, based in New Glarus, is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Swiss cultural heritage in the US and Canada. The New York Swiss Gymnastic Society was also made an associate member of the OSA.













swissinfo.ch





A proposal seeking nationwide rules for the funding of political parties has been given a boost following surprising cantonal ballot box victories on this issue last weekend, says Oscar Mazzoleni, a political scientist from Lausanne University.

On March 4, 68.5% of voters in the western canton of Fribourg approved an initiative by the youth chapter of the Social Democratic Party calling for greater financial transparency by parties.

In canton Schwyz, a traditionally conservative region in central Switzerland, voters backed a similar initiative proposed by the small and high-profile leftwing Young Socialists. It was a narrow victory -50.3% in favour  of around 300 votes.

This was the first time that an initiative for greater financial transparency in politics had gained voters backing in Switzerlands main German-speaking region. As a result, the Young Socialists are now considering a similar move in Basel City.

So far, only three cantons in the French and Italian-speaking parts of the country  Geneva, Neuchatel and Ticino  have already introduced rules on political transparency. However, cantons Basel Country and Aargau  both in German-speaking Switzerland  threw out similar proposals in 2013 and 2014, respectively.

At the federal level, a cross-party committee last October handed in enough signatures for a nationwide vote on the issue. The government has outlined its opposition to the proposal, while parliament must still discuss the initiative before a date is set for a vote on a constitutional amendment.

swissinfo.ch: To what extent will last weekends two cantonal votes on political transparency boost the chances of a proposal for a nationwide vote on this issue?

Oscar Mazzoleni: First, we should say that the initiatives in Fribourg and Schwyz were not identical. They both have their own particularities. The national peoples initiative calling for greater transparency is different again.

What they do have in common is that they show an increasing gap between two policy principles. On the one hand, there is the traditional view that political parties are private organisations and the state must not intervene in private matters.

On the other hand, there are calls for strict rules about the funding of political parties and their campaigns. In addition, pressure for greater transparency is mounting at the international level and among the media.

The votes in Fribourg and Schwyz were two successful public test cases.

The federal government and the centre-right majority in parliament are taking a risk if they continue to take a hard-line stance on this issue in the campaign on the nationwide transparency initiative.

It is a window of opportunity for those who want reforms or regulations. However, those people defending the status quo must think long and hard about what arguments they want to use to convince voters.

swissinfo.ch: The government rejects the peoples initiative for more transparency on political funding at the national level, despite repeated calls by the Council of Europes anti-corruption body, the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), to review funding rules in Switzerland. Why is this?

O.M.: Up to now, the government has defended the position of the majority in parliament. Rules are not necessary, according to parties on the right and the centre-right.

Another reason against regulations is the Swiss federalist system, which grants the cantons wide-ranging autonomy. Election campaigns take place essentially at a cantonal level.

An intervention by the national authorities on these matters is considered a breach of Swiss traditions.

In the past, the government has repeatedly rejected GRECO recommendations.

swissinfo.ch: Opponents say the votes in Fribourg and Schwyz are due to special circumstances. They argue that they were protest votes against the authorities following the recent revelations about suspected financial irregularities at the state-run company, PostBus, or cases of alleged tax-dodging by some politicians. How credible are these arguments?

O.M.: Im convinced that the relationship between ethics and politics is becoming increasingly important for the public. This is especially the case in the context of alleged political scandals which directly or indirectly involve political parties or their representatives.

But this is an international phenomenon, and theres nothing specifically Swiss about it.

The greater insistence on ethical standards is particularly common in debates about salaries and politics. One way of tackling the perceived problem between ethics and politics is to call for more transparency.

This is a recurrent pattern, not only in Switzerland. But it is difficult to say whether the cases mentioned had a decisive impact on the votes in the two cantons.

Public opinion tends to veer in this direction in the current political climate. There is increasing public attention on this relationship between morals and politics, especially because of the new means of information.

Other ballots Last weekend, numerous cantonal and communal votes took place in many of the 26 cantons. Voters in Basel Country threw out a proposal to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 years old. In cantons Zurich and Bern, voters rejected proposals to grant parliaments a bigger say in educational programmes, preventing the introduction of common school syllabi in the German-speaking cantons. Elections to the Zurich city council and the local parliament saw the political left boosting its power at the expense of centrist and right-wing parties. Elections also took place in cantons Glarus, Obwalden, Nidwalden and Fribourg.



Adapted from Italian/urs ,











swissinfo.ch





Greece on Saturday freed two German journalists who had been arrested at the border with Turkey for allegedly entering a restricted area, a judicial source said.

The pair, a 31-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman, were working for regional German television channel NDR on a documentary about refugees, the station said in a statement.

It said they accidentally entered the prohibited area on Friday.

The station said that according to Germanys embassy in Athens, as well as local authorities, this type of incident occurs frequently as the prohibited area does not have sufficient signage or fencing.

The journalists were cleared by the court, as is often the case in such incidents.

They had told the court that they had been reporting and were not aware the area was restricted.

The Evros river on the Greek border with Turkey has for years been a crossing point for migrants and refugees seeking to enter Europe. Many die in the attempt from the cold or by drowning.

Last week, Turkish troops arrested two Greek soldiers in the same area. The two men, who are on trial in Turkey, say they lost their way in poor weather and entered Turkish territory by mistake.Gunshots erupt from the rehabilitation center. Bodies line the halls, a man lies motionless in his upturned wheelchair, police crouch low to the ground. Theres a gunman at large.

David Colbath is tense, his brow getting sweaty, his lips beginning to tremble. But his hand is steady, his aim true. In minutes, he kills two gunmen.

And then the screen goes blank.

Its just very real. Its another scenario that you have to adjust your body to and understand that its just a 10-by-10-foot screen  And thats all it is, David, Colbath said to himself Friday, still shaking from the active shooter video simulation. Its a 10-foot screen and were working on getting me better. Thats what were doing.

Once a week, Colbath, who owns a fence-building company, heads to the Center for the Intrepids Firearms Training Simulator at Brooke Army Medical Center, where he practices shooting targets using his left arm, after his dominant right arm was shot in the Nov. 5 massacre at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs. He was struck by eight bullets.

We had you on the operating table and bullets were falling out everywhere, he said the doctor told him.

Colbath, 56, is one of the many Sutherland Springs residents who have decided to arm themselves. They stand in contrast to students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people were killed on Feb. 14. The students have organized and have become leading national advocates for stricter gun control laws.

I dont want to go out in my life again where I am so vulnerable that theres nothing to do but sit and wait and get shot, Colbath said.

The Sutherland Springs massacre, which took the lives of 25 congregants and one unborn child, was the deadliest in modern Texas history. It left the residents with a new understanding of the fragility of human life  and a new drive to protect themselves.

Frank Pomeroy, the Sutherland Springs pastor, carries his concealed gun to church every Sunday  and every day. Rod Green, another congregant, does too. And Sherri Pomeroy, Franks wife, is working on her license to carry.

Frank got her a gun for Christmas  something Sherri said shes not thrilled about but felt was necessary.

Months ago Id say this and Id be blabbering, Colbath said. Today Im saying this with 100 percent experience, conviction, knowledge: Anything is possible.

Guns and deer

His father taught him how to shoot, and in turn, he taught his son. In the summers, Colbath and his son would go shooting in his 80-plus-acre property almost every day.

I grew up in a gun family. Guns and deer, thats all we ever talked about. We didnt talk about bicycles and cars, we talked about guns and deer, he said.

Colbath owns 30 to 35 guns, though he said now hes thinking of selling many of them because I dont need all these guns. He has traveled across North America and Africa to hunt.

We could get philosophical and talk about God-given rights and things, but its what country people grow up with. I dont care what the color of your skin is, you live in the country, we all shoot. Its kind of why you live in the country, to go do things like that.

Since the November massacre, his son has been asking him about going hunting or shooting on their property, but Colbath has a tough task ahead: learning to shoot with his nondominant hand.

His right arm has a large bullet wound scar, with twisted muscle that looks like a dent in his large forearm.

But the determination he has to relearn to shoot has less to do with game  though he looks forward to resuming that with his son  and more to do with protecting himself and his family.

Its empowering, said Scott Fitzgerald, firearms training instructor at the facility. If you break it down, its empowering somebody to protect themselves, protect their family if the situation was to ever arise. You never want that situation to arise, but you never know.

Fitzgerald said he always keeps a gun on him, too, as preparation for a worst-case-scenario. During training sessions, he goes beyond helping patients shoot targets and teaches them how to whip their gun out of their bag or holster, or how to load magazines while keeping an eye on the target in front of them.

It takes practice, practice, practice, Fitzgerald said. It is a very perishable skill. You couldve been the best shot ever when you were 10 years old. It doesnt mean nothing 10 years down the road.

Worst-case scenario

Friday was the first day Colbath tried an active-shooter scenario. The simulator offers multiple scenarios: at schools, workplaces, shopping centers, hospitals. But no church, Fitzgerald said.

The small room is on the fourth floor of the fortresslike rehabilitation facility, with a Wounded Warrior Project sticker and the phrase A day wasting ammo is never a wasted day hanging from a whiteboard on its door.

Inside are numerous guns that were stripped of their inner workings and replaced with electronic mechanisms. Colbath used a 9 mm Glock 19, a semi-automatic handgun that is generally sold with a 15-round magazine. Using Bluetooth, a computer tracks the shots of the gun, which is quieter and has less recoil than an unaltered Glock 19, Fitzgerald said.

Colbath started out shooting at crosshairs on a screen, which evolved to large gray plates, headstone-shaped slots, and then shapes of human torsos. Colbath inhaled sharply before each round of shooting.

I got his clavicle a couple of times, right? he said excitedly after aiming at torso-shaped targets.

Because hes right-eye dominant but using his left eye, he has to tilt the gun when he holds it up.

Its like TV shooting, he said, to which Fitzgerald replied: Gangster.

They werent joking, though, when the active shooter scenario was running. Having been through the massacre, the experience was hair-raising. At one point, an innocent patient flew out from a corner screaming, Dont shoot! as Colbath jerked his gun toward her but resisted pulling the trigger.

When the last gunman was shot, he slumped onto the counter, his eyes watering.

God almighty that was tough, he said. Touch that right there.

And Fitzgerald put his hand on Colbaths furious heart, telling him: You did good, man.

Colbath went quiet, pleased that he didnt get shot but reeling from the experience.

I am not gonna kid with you that Im glad I was ready for that. Its been four months, and the booms didnt scare me. The shaking scared me, like it was in a real scenario. It really did, he said.

Fitzgerald assured him he had done well  he hadnt shot any innocent, he wasnt shot, and he had killed the gunmen. It was a best-case scenario, in a worst-case scenario.

Im sorry, Im out of words. It affected me. Not in a bad way. I cant say I feel good, but I feel good that I completed it and I was successful, he said. Look, I dont think Ill ever be in a shooting, I dont think Ill ever need it. But if the situation comes, I want to be prepared.The American Civil Liberties Union filed a class-action lawsuit Friday accusing President Donald Trumps administration of separating hundreds of immigrant parents and children who are seeking asylum.

The lawsuit expands a legal challenge over the detention of a Congolese asylum-seeker whose 7-year-old child was put in federal foster care by border agents, and asks a judge to find family separation unlawful.

The practice appears particularly pronounced in West Texas, where lawyers have reported dozens of cases.

Whether or not the Trump administration wants to call this a policy, it certainly is engaged in a widespread practice of tearing children away from their parents, Lee Gelernt, deputy director of the ACLUs Immigrants Rights Project, said in a statement.

An investigation by the Houston Chronicle in November identified 22 cases in Texas in which parents were prosecuted for the misdemeanor crime of illegal entry and had their children removed to foster care, although they had no previous history of immigration violations.

The ACLU suit, filed in federal court in San Diego, argues that the separation violates parents rights to due process because their children are removed without a hearing. The government released the Congolese woman this week, but she has yet to be reunited with her child.

The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to questions about the lawsuit. Last week, its acting press secretary, Tyler Houlton, said in a statement about the Congolese woman that it does not currently have a policy of separating parents and children.

However, we retain the authority to do so in certain circumstances  particularly to protect a child from potential smuggling and trafficking activities, he said.

Immigrant parents and minor children are usually held together or released to await their cases in the backlogged civil immigration courts. A landmark 20-year-old federal settlement bars the prolonged detention of children and holds they should be kept with their parents.

But last summer, the government began ramping up criminal prosecutions of parents, forcing the removal of children who cannot be kept in prison.

In Fridays filing, Michelle Brane, director of the migrant rights and justice program for the Womens Refugee Commission, a nonprofit in Washington, D.C., said the group had found 426 cases of immigrant parents and children who have been separated, either because the adults were prosecuted or because they were split in immigrant detention.

Mayra Jimenez, director of the childrens program at RAICES, an immigrant advocacy group also known as Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services, said in the suit that her organization had identified more than 100 such cases.

The government has declined to release its statistics, and the separations are difficult to track because they play out among three mammoth federal agencies  the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security and Health and Human Services, which cares for unaccompanied migrant children.

Most adults in immigration detention facilities do not have access to lawyers.

The filing Friday expands the case to include a Brazilian woman who told Border Patrol agents near El Paso last fall that she was seeking asylum, a special status granted to people who have suffered persecution or fear they will be persecuted because of race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group or political opinion.

She spent 25 days in jail for the misdemeanor crime of illegally entering the country, while her 14-year-old son was placed in federal foster care in Chicago.

She has been detained since September in an immigration facility in El Paso and has only been able to talk to her son six times.

If we cannot be released, I would like us to be detained together, the mother said in the lawsuit. I worry about him constantly.

Such separations also include Blanca Vasquez, who told Border Patrol agents last October that she feared returning home and asked for a lawyer, according to federal records. Gang members in El Salvador had killed her husband, a sergeant in the military, and persecuted her sons.

Vasquez told the Chronicle that federal officials removed her 13-year-old son without telling her where they were taking him. They put her in prison for two months while she awaited trial on the misdemeanor charge of illegal entry.

The public defenders office for the Western District of Texas argued it was a violation of her due process rights. The lawyers said Vasquez and four other Central American parents named in a separate lawsuit pleaded guilty only because they didnt know what the government had done with their children and wanted to quickly reunite with them.

A federal magistrate judge in El Paso agreed such concern could be a factor, but declined to dismiss the charges in November. The public defenders have appealed the case.

Supporters of reduced immigration say separating parents and children is sometimes necessary so that immigration officials can determine if they are actually related and not the victims of human smuggling.

Immigration fraud in support of wider criminal conspiracies is a daily occurrence, Matt OBrien, director of research at the Federation for American Immigration Reform, said in a statement. Keeping children with their alleged parents can often mean leaving them with criminal poseurs who wish to exploit them.

But Vasquez said she had her sons birth certificate and identification proving she was his mother.

She served out her federal sentence and was transferred to immigration custody. An asylum officer in December determined she did not have a credible fear of returning home.

She was about to be deported when lawyers at ALDEA, a nonprofit in Pennsylvania, read about her case in the Chronicle and intervened.

In an unusual about-face, the asylum office found in a second interview that Vasquez did have a reasonable claim, and an immigration judge ordered her released last month on a $7,500 bond. She was freed Thursday in El Paso, nearly five months after being detained, and will reunite soon with her son in New Orleans.

Immigrant advocates have called family separations so fundamentally unconscionable it defies countless international and domestic laws on child welfare, human rights and refugees, according to a complaint filed with the Department of Homeland Security in December.

The United Nations convention on refugees, to which the U.S. is a signatory, holds that countries should not impose penalties on refugees who enter unlawfully to ask for asylum.

The Trump administration considered splitting up parents and children shortly after taking office. To discourage families from making the dangerous journey north, it threatened to prosecute parents who paid smugglers and separate families apprehended at the border.

The number of families crossing the U.S. southern border plummeted.

Facing intense criticism from advocates, then-Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly  now White House chief of staff  backed away, saying separations would occur only in extenuating circumstances such as illness.

But over the summer family arrivals began rising once more.Two men held in a Laredo immigration detention center suffered bat bites earlier this month, prompting one mans lawyer to raise concerns about conditions in the facility.

Officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Geo Group Inc., which operates the Rio Grande Detention Center, acknowledged that the men were bitten and said the facility is being inspected.

Laura Figueroa, a lawyer for detainee Yonathan Morales Galviz, said bats have been an issue at the facility for some time. She said the bat that bit Morales, whos from Venezuela, and another detainee could not be tested for rabies, but the men are expected to undergo rabies treatment. Morales told her hes been moved to another dormitory that also has bats, Figueroa said.

To me it shows they know this type of detainee is never going to say anything about it or take any action other than complain to the guards. It just shows they're not going to take any action unless they have to, she said. You have guards that were telling detainees, Oh, we know about this bat problem. Just kill them and we'll open the back door so you can dispose of the bats.

An ICE official said the men were bitten on March 3 and both are receiving treatment.

The area the bat was found in was temporarily evacuated, and the facility is currently undergoing a thorough inspection and abatement plan that is consistent with state and federal protections, ICE said in a statement.

This past weekend, a bat was able to access one of the housing units at the Rio Grande Detention Center. Medical treatment has been provided to two detainees who received bat bites, and enhancements are already underway to the eaves of all buildings to ensure no such occurrences in the future, Pablo Paez, Geos executive vice president for corporate relations, wrote in an email.

Rita Espinoza, the chief of epidemiology at the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, said bats are known carriers of rabies and that mild weather in Texas makes them a concern year-round.

Sometimes a person may not know theyve been bitten by bat, because its such a small bite, so we always say if there has been possible direct contact with the skin of an individual, then that would be enough of an exposure for prophylaxis to occur, Espinoza said.

Whenever theres a bat inside of a building, theres always a concern about them roosting, she added. We say that make sure thats being inspected and looked at and evaluated to make sure you remedy the situation.

Figueroa said that Morales, 28, is claiming withholding of removal, a status similar to asylum. Hes not eligible for asylum because he was convicted of theft and deported in 2009.

Morales worked for a prosecutor in Venezuela who became an outspoken critic of the authoritarian government and had to flee, she said. Morales came to the U.S. with his girlfriend and 3-year-old son in December. Her client was put into detention but the son and girlfriend were released, Figueroa sad.Now Playing: It is day two for the trial of a former Texas State student accused of driving drunk and causing a crash that killed a man and his unborn child. Video: Fox7

The woman who admitted to driving drunk and plowing into a young couple's car, killing a man and his unborn baby, is likely to learn her punishment before the week ends.

Shana Elliott, a 22-year-old former Texas State University student, pleaded guilty to intoxication assault with a vehicle and two counts of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle Monday.Before he was sentenced to 40 years in prison Friday, a sobbing San Antonio man asked the court and his family to forgive him for not protecting his 5-year-old son, Josiah Williams, who was beaten and so malnourished he weighed 38 pounds at the time of his death.

Im asking for their forgiveness. I wasnt the father I was supposed to be. Im sorry, Charleston Williams told state District Judge Ron Rangel through heavy sobs before he was sentenced to prison. He was my son! He was my son!

Josiah Williams was found bruised, emaciated and unresponsive on Dec. 27, 2012, at the home he shared with his father, stepmother, half sister and stepbrother in the 3900 block of Gayle.

Charleston Williams was sentenced to the maximum allowable under a plea deal, after becoming the third defendant convicted in the boys death. His wife, Crystal Williams, 35, was sentenced to life in prison in June 2016. She pleaded guilty to injury to a child, admitting that she did not seek medical attention for Josiah, but denied that she did not provide nourishment for him.

When Josiah was found a few days after Christmas, his eyes were black and swollen shut and his body showed multiple injuries that were in various stages of healing. He was said to have been kept in a closet, away from the other children. Adults did not feed him or take him to school or the doctor for care.

At Crystal Williams' trial and that of her mother, Gloria Proo, jurors saw graphic photographs of Josiah taken shortly after he was found. Proo, 53, who was said to have lived with her daughter and son-in-law and watched the children, was sentenced in September 2017 to 88 years in prison for her part in the childs death.

Charleston Williams told the court that he sought custody for Josiah when the boy's mother was incarcerated on drug charges. Josiah went to live with him, his wife, their daughter and her son. Williams said he worked six days a week to support them all.

The defendants mother, Sonia White, told the court that Crystal White changed her son and was controlling, domineering, in charge.

She asked the judge for leniency for her son, whom she called a protector of women and children.

The statement prompted one question from Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Boyd, who prosecuted all three cases stemming from Josiahs death.

You understand, Josiah was not protected by him, she asked White.

Yes, I do, the woman answered.

Charleston Williams' attorney, J. Charles Bunk, had asked for a 30-year sentence, stating that Williams knew he was partially responsible for what happened to his son, but pointed out that Williams at that time was the only one working around the clock to support the household of six people.

He's the only one of the three that said I did this, Bunk said. He's stepped up and accepted responsibility. He's not telling the court he's wrongfully convicted.

Boyd asked Rangel for the maximum sentence, pointing to the numerous injuries and signs of abuse and neglect found by the medical examiner that the child suffered at the hands of the adults in the house. She also recalled testimony in the two previous trials that days before he died, Josiah was left at home while the parents took the other children to Six Flags to get their pictures taken with Santa Claus.

Josiah was old enough to know that his father wasn't protecting him, Boyd said. He didn't provide food or medical attention. Josiah's spirit died, then his body shortly thereafer.

Clarissa Baeza, Josiah's aunt, gave a tearful victim impact statement for her sister, Carlotta, the child's mother, who did not attend proceedings Friday.

You as his father could not protect him, she said. Now he's gone. He was loved by so many people.

There were many reasons to not forgive Williams, but it must be done, Baeza said. I pray for you to be forgiven by God so you can see Josiah again.

Baeza's mother, Patty Quintero, told Williams that he got a cushy 40 years when he should have gone to Death Row. Josiah, she said, died thinking no one wanted him, all alone, with no one to love him.

Rangel presided over all three cases in the 379th District Court.An accidental call made to 911 landed an Elmendorf woman in Bexar County Jail, according to police.

On Feb. 15, Elmendorf police were dispatched to a home on County Road 163 in response to an accidental shooting, authorities said.

Linda Moreno Flores, 45, told police her boyfriend was shooting at dogs who were chasing their cats then left the rifle on the porch. She claimed she picked up the rifle and accidentally fired it, striking her boyfriend in the leg.

RELATED: Firefighters remove teenager trapped for hours 350 feet inside Alamo Heights cave

An accidental 911 call, however, revealed a different story, police said.

Detectives reviewing the case noticed Flores and her boyfriend made an accidental call while she drove him to the hospital, according to the affidavit.

The dispatcher noted that "(Flores) had indeed shot (her boyfriend) because she was mad at him for coming home late," according to the affidavit.

Flores and her boyfriend could allegedly be heard on the phone coming up with their story about how the shooting occurred.

Flores was arrested Thursday on suspicion aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a first-degree felony. A judge set her bail at $75,000, according to magistrate records.

Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here. | fsabawi@mysa.comWASHINGTON  Austin minister Mary Wilson had $929 in her campaign account but led against three other Democrats with far more money vying for San Antonio Rep. Lamar Smiths open seat.

In her fundraising appeals, Wilson wrote that people also were welcome to send donations to groups that included Save the Children and the Equal Justice Center  which provides legal services in Texas for low-income families and workers.

Politics is so much about winning  how I get the next buck in my campaign or someplace else. Ive tried not to do that and tried to send a message that loving each other may be really difficult to do, but its important. I think that resonated with people, she said.

Money and political connections, presumed to be the tickets to political success, often were trumped in Tuesdays primary elections by gender and grass-roots organizing.

San Antonio teacher Rick Trevino, who also spent little in his campaign, is pitted against Gina Ortiz Jones in the May 22 Democratic runoff for the nomination to take on U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-San Antonio, in November. Jones captured 41 percent of the vote in a five-Democrat field.

Trevino raised one-twentieth of the $500,000 in contributions taken in by Jay Hulings, who came in fourth despite support from U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro and his brother, Julian, a former San Antonio mayor.

Trevino invested in a mail campaign aimed at working-class communities from South San Antonio to the colonias of Eagle Pass. It worked. The district includes 800 miles of the border, stretching all the way to El Paso.

The political establishment, the consulting class and the media class want you to believe that this is an expensive business. They serve themselves. But you see that down on the ground, its a crapshoot. You need a message to make it stick, he said.

In the race led by Jones, more than 44,000 Democrats voted, eclipsing the total in 2012  a presidential year, when turnout typically runs higher  by about 4,600. Three Democrats sought the nomination that year. In 2014, about 26,000 Democrats turned out for uncontested incumbent Democrat Pete Gallego.

Wilson was the leading vote-getter in a contest where nearly 51,000 Democrats turned out, compared with fewer than 15,000 who supported an uncontested Lainey Melnick in 2010. Smith faced only Libertarian and Green Party opposition in 2014.

For Democrats, the trends offered hope. But some of the results underscored the dilemma the out-of-power party faces in November in choosing whether to run moderates or rely on a revved-up base fond of traditional liberals.

The choice of which type of candidate is the best alternative presents itself clearly in the runoff between Wilson and Joseph Kopser, the Austin entrepreneur, ex-Army Ranger and prized national Democratic recruit who positioned himself as a moderate in a distinctly liberal field.

Kopser, 47, is a West Point graduate trained in aerospace engineering. He became wealthy after developing a transportation app called RideScout and selling his company.

He said he intends to continue pressing a message of inclusion.

Im still speaking to as many people who will have me in their homes, still writing to as many people who will read our literature and trying to find a way on social media to engage as many people as we can to let them know that there is a solution, and that is everybody coming to the table, he said.

He added: Ive got the biography, but more importantly, Ive got the right tone and vision, which is that weve got to get people back to the table.

Wilson, 58, taught math at Austin Community College before joining the clergy. She is a pastor of a United Church of Christ congregation, delivering sermons weekly and teaching Sunday school.

I have to say I did not expect to make first place. I was hopeful that I could make the runoff, she said. Ive had people ask me, do you think gender played a role, being the only female candidate? Im not naive enough to think that it didnt. I dont think thats what got me in the runoff, but it may have been enough to get me in first place.

After the primary, contributions started landing in Wilsons spartan campaign, which will enable her to hire help for the runoff. She also received the endorsement of Derrick Crowe, who placed third in the balloting. Crowe noted her success in overcoming the dismissive attitude from the establishment.

Wilson said she intends to continue pressing a message that seems out of step in todays rancorous politics: that people, even politicians, need to love one another.

As the saying goes, ya dance with the guy that brung ya, she said.

Trevino, another second-place finisher, was preparing a considerably more barbed approach in his campaign against Jones.

He is the son of two nurses; his mother was born in Nuevo Laredo and his father in Laredo. He taught history and geography at Sam Houston High School before his candidacy. A class project he supervised on food deserts  a shortage of nutritious foods in some San Antonio neighborhoods  won a letter of praise from the Obama White House.

Trevino, 32, was regional organizer for the presidential quest of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and, much like Sanders, advocates a host of liberal solutions  among them single-payer national health insurance, also known as Medicare for All.

He observed that the brunt of Jones financial backing is national rather than from Texas. She is the establishment candidate. Her song-and-dance is for the donor class, he said.

Trevino took aim at Jones background in Air Force intelligence, noting that it resembles that of Hurd, a former CIA operative.

I think this district deserves someone with more relatable life experiences, someone 100 percent invested in domestic issues, he said.

Jones, 37, is a San Antonio native who received a four-year Air Force ROTC scholarship to attend Boston University after graduating near the top of her class at Jay High School.

She was deployed to Iraq as an Air Force intelligence officer and later worked on national security and trade issues in the Obama administration.

Responding to Trevino, Jones, who is openly gay, said she is proud of the support she has received from national organizations.

They are looking to represent people who have been traditionally underrepresented, she said. Whether youre talking about women or veterans or the LGBT community, they are the communities that have the most to lose by not being represented.

She added: Im a first-generation American raised by a single mother. Ive got the personal experiences to know whats going on in Washington and how it affects the folks of this district.

The GOP results in Smiths district assure that the Republican candidate in November will be as conservative as Smith, a frequent critic of immigration policy who gained a national reputation as Science Committee chair for questioning the science underlying predictions of devastation from climate change.

Chip Roy, 45, who led impressively in the 18-candidate field with 27 percent of the vote, was chief of staff for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, an ardent conservative who often departs from GOP orthodoxy. Roy, based in Austin, also was a top aide to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

The congressional district was drawn for a conservative representative, running along Interstate 35 from North San Antonio to Austin and including a large swath of the Hill Country.

Roy was backed in the primary by the conservative Club for Growth and the Freedom Fund, which is connected to the House Freedom Caucus, an alliance of the most conservative House members. Much like Cruz, Roy shuns newspaper interviews.

Matt McCall, 54, of Boerne, who advanced to the runoff against Roy, operates a human tissue bank that works closely with the American military outside of the United States. He challenged Smith twice in primaries unsuccessfully, positioning himself as a more conservative alternative.

Im a constitutional conservative. I want to get back to freedom, opportunity and growth and a way-smaller government, he said, summing up his views.

On his Twitter page, McCall features a cartoon with Cruz carrying Roy across a stream. He likely will press that theme while hammering Roy for seeking to represent a district in which he doesnt live.

Chippy has played his Ted Cruz card. He has all the Ted Cruz people hes ever going to get, McCall said.

Hes Teds boy. Hes never been anything in his life but a political aide. Not only is he not from the district, he doesnt know the district. If he did, he would understand that people believe its important to live here, he said.AUSTIN  Texas voters propelled historic numbers of women to victory in primaries for U.S. Congress and state legislative races, fueling a pink wave amid a national reckoning over sexual harassment and womens marches in protest of President Donald Trumps election.

A majority of the female candidates are Democrats, raising questions about how they might fare in November in a state long dominated by Republicans. Still, Texas is poised to send its first two Latinas to Congress, after Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, and Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, won their primaries to replace outgoing congressmen in Democratic-leaning districts.

Women are gathering. It may not be in big crowds all the time, it may not be on television, but they are organizing, said Rep. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, who is running for Garcias open state Senate seat. Its long overdue, but I am glad that its happening.

Women make up half the population but are underrepresented in Texas at the state and federal levels. The states two U.S. senators are men and just three of the 36-member congressional delegation are women. Only one in five members in the Texas Legislature are women, which puts the state below the national average.

The tide, however, may be turning this election cycle.

Fifty Texas women ran for U.S. Congress this year, a figure thought to be a record high, and 15 won their primaries Tuesday, tying the bar set in 2012, according to the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University. That number, however, will only rise with 14 more women headed into May runoff elections, three of which feature all-women contests.

Democrat Mary Wilson, an Austin pastor who raised the least money in the four-way primary for Congressional District 21, said women voters helped propel her first-place finish Tuesday. She will face off against entrepreneur and former Army officer Joseph Kopser in a runoff on May 22.

We have a perspective that has often not been part of the political process. Lets face it, Congress is 80 percent male, Wilson said. So when we have a culture in which the president has been on record bragging about sexually assaulting women, we have the #MeToo movement and Times Up. I think women are resonating with other women who are willing to put themselves out there.

Those factors, and others, are catalysts for women candidates this cycle, just as as Anita Hills testimony against then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas helped drive the year of the woman in 1992, said Rebecca Deen, a University of Texas at Arlington political scientist.

If I had any message, it is the explanation this cycle is not simple, she said, also noting that while the year is historic, its hard to know whether it suggests a larger trend.

The pink wave isnt confined to Democrats. Of the 50 female Texas congressional candidates, 13 are Republicans, two of whom secured their partys nomination while two more are headed into runoff elections, according to the center.

Houston Republican Ava Reynero Pate will face off against U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, in November.

Pate said she was motivated to run for a second time after seeing the energy of the new generation and said she believes women need more representation.

We, the women, are the heart of America, she said. There has to be a little bit more compassion in there.

Texas Legislature

At the state level, 87 women won a primary or made it into a runoff, a record since at least 1992, according to data from the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University. It comes at a time when Texas is struggling to confront issues that include a spike in maternal mortality rates.

Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, said since she first ran in 1986 theres become a greater equality in expectations for men and women so that both should balance family responsibilities with professional and public services responsibilities.

I truly believe we will see more equality in terms of numbers as todays boys and girls become tomorrows leaders, she said.

Still, the spike in female candidates comes as womens representation in the Texas Legislature has steadily declined over the past decade, falling from nearly 24 percent in 2009 to just over 20 percent now, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Women made small gains in the 31-member state Senate during that time, raising their ranks from six to eight members. But female representation in the 150-member House dropped from 37 members a decade ago, to 29 last year, according to the NCSL.

At least one, Rep. Diana Arevalo, D-San Antonio, wont be returning after she lost the Democratic primary to former Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer.

Democratic women vying for seats in the Texas Legislature outnumber Republican female candidates more than 4-to-1, by about 71 to 16, in line with national trends.

Across the country, Democratic women held more than 1,100 state house seats in 2017, compared with 707 Republicans, according to the NSCL. Six out of the eight women in the Texas Senate, however, are Republicans who are poised to grow their ranks next session.

On Tuesday, three Republican women incumbents won their primaries, including Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels. Meanwhile, Angela Paxton, wife of Attorney General Ken Paxton, defeated a male challenger in the hotly contested GOP primary to replace outgoing Sen. Van Taylor, R-Plano.

Women often have so much on their plate that we have hesitated to add more. But women are multitaskers, and they are recognizing that they can become actually elected officials and still balance their lives, Campbell said. Thats the big thing. As women are seeing more women achieve success, then more women will follow in the same footsteps.Shana Elliott, a former Texas State University student, was sentenced to seven years in prison Friday afternoon on each count in the deaths of a man and his unborn child.

Officials with the Hays County District Clerk's office could not immediately confirm Elliott's punishment.

Elliott, who pleaded guilty Monday, received seven years in prison each for two counts of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle in the deaths of Fabian Guerrero-Moreno and his unborn child, who were killed in a drunk driving crash in August 2016.

RELATED: Mother who lost child, husband in drunk driving accident shares heartbreaking photo from hospital

Now Playing: It is day two for the trial of a former Texas State student accused of driving drunk and causing a crash that killed a man and his unborn child. Video: Fox7

Guerrero-Moreno and his 19-weeks-pregnant wife Kristian Guerrero were driving through San Marcos in August 2016, when Elliott's vehicle plowed into theirs. Elliott had been drinking on the San Marcos River that day.

Guerrero took the stand after the verdict was read to speak directly to Elliott.

"You're a murderer and a thief. You stole my life," Guerrero said. "You don't know me. You don't know what my life was like before Fabian. He finally made my world stable. I finally felt safe and you stole that from me."

Guerrero survived a brain bleed. Elliott was sentenced to 10 years of probation for injuring Guerrero.

Kelsey Bradshaw is a digital reporter for mySA.com. Read more of her stories here.| kbradshaw@express-news.net | Twitter: @kbrad5The citys historic commission narrowly rejected a new design for an apartment complex next to the Hays Street Bridge on Friday after three hours of heated testimony from East Side residents who said it would tower over the iconic bridge and nearby historic homes.

The Historic and Design Review Commission was initially split, with four members supporting the five-story complex and four against it, but chairman Michael Guarino reversed his support in a second vote to break the logjam. He said after the meeting that he thought it likely the developer would appeal the vote to the citys Board of Adjustment.

The proposed development is so complex that it probably is something that the Board of Adjustment is going to want to consider, he said. This is at least a resolution, of a type.

The vote marks the projects second failure before the HDRC. The commission voted it down in December after another contentious hours-long meeting.

Its developer, Mitch Meyer, unveiled a new design last month that responded to many of the commissions concerns, including by pulling the 147-unit complex 10 feet farther away from the bridge. Instead of having a parking garage on the ground floor, the new design would feature live-work units  units that could be used as residences, office space or both  as well as retail and common areas.

The new design also split up the complexs facade into several parts to make it appear less monolithic, and ensured that a small property in between the complex and the bridge wouldnt be built on in the future, as residents feared.

We started from scratch, building from the ground up using the comments and concerns, said James McKnight, a lawyer who represented Meyer before the commission.

Meyer didnt respond to a phone call seeking comment after the meeting.

Of the 21 local residents who spoke against the project on Friday, some said the new design was better than the old one  night and day, longtime opponent Liz Franklin said. But they said it was still too big compared with other buildings in the neighborhood. The architects made the new design five stories tall, versus four previously, in order to pull the apartments farther away from the bridge.

We have something that looks like downtown pushed into the neighborhood, East Side resident Brian Gordon said. If the issue was the height last time too, I dont know why they went higher  Now the project is towering over all the structures.

The complex, known as The Bridge, has become a lightning rod amid concerns about overdevelopment and rising housing costs in Dignowity Hill, a historic neighborhood just east of downtown that is being transformed by an influx of new residents looking for an urban lifestyle.

Many East Side residents say the property shouldnt even be eligible for development. It is the subject of an ongoing lawsuit between the city of San Antonio and the Hays Street Bridge Restoration Group, which says the city reneged on a promise to turn it into a park.

The restoration group says the citys sale of the property violated the terms of a 2002 memorandum of understanding that the group says required the land to be made into a park.

A Bexar County district court jury decided in 2014 that the city failed to comply with the terms of the memorandum by not turning the land into a park, but the 4th Court of Appeals sided with the city in March. The restoration group has appealed the ruling to the Texas Supreme Court.

The land was donated to the city by beer distributor BudCo. When the city sold the land to Alamo Beer in 2014 for $295,000, it gave the company a grant of about the same amount that was to be used for landscaping.

The HDRC meeting was postponed to Friday from its usual time on Wednesday out of respect for H. Douglas Steadman, who has been called the bridges savior for his efforts to preserve and rehabilitate it. Steadman died on Feb. 12, and his funeral service was on Wednesday.

His son, Darryl Steadman, told HDRC that his father said on his deathbed that he regretted ever letting the city get control of the property where the apartment complex is proposed.

Those crooks have sold the land that belonged to the public, Steadman said, quoting his father.The initial foothold San Antonio secured as a frontier village with the 1718 founding of a mission and presidio got a major boost 13 years later, as 56 Canary Islanders arrived, establishing the first organized civil government in Texas.

As San Antonio observes its Tricentennial, descendants of those early settlers from the 13 volcanic islands off the coast of northwest Africa will revisit creation of the villa of San Fernando de Bejar, under a royal decree of the king of Spain, as a key milestone in the citys genesis. Historians have documented hardships the Canary Islanders faced in traveling overseas and coping with conflict and hostilities in the untamed land known as Nueva Espana.

Spain, seeking to fend off colonial French expansion, sought families to come to the New World. In 1719, the Spanish governor proposed relocating 400 families from Las Canarias or other lands under Spain to the province of Tejas.

According to the late historian Frank W. Jennings, King Philip V ruled virtually all of South and Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean Islands and what now is Florida and the American Southwest, while the French claimed a long north-south territory from around New Orleans up to Canada. He wanted to establish a city between the Rio Grande and Nacogdoches.

In San Antonio: The Story of an Enchanted City, Jennings described how the islanders had evolved from ancient natives going back to the Stone Age, and were robust, fair-skinned and handsome, but had suffered invasions by a variety of exploiters, from the Romans to the Spanish. The islands, named for the Latin word canis, for dog, because of the many ferocious canines that had lived there in ancient times, later were the inspiration for the name of a bird species, canaries. Even though the islands encountered volcanic eruptions, epidemics and famines, it took eight months in 1729 to enlist families to travel to Tejas. T.R. Fehrenbach, another historian with a passion for San Antonio who has died since a second edition of his book, Lone Star, was printed in 2000, wrote that the Canary Islander families were of obscure origins but had possibly been exiled from Spain for political reasons.

Life in these barren islands induced them to volunteer for the Texas frontier, at a time when almost no Spaniards could be persuaded to go, Fehrenbach wrote.

Departing on March 27, 1730, from the island of Tenerife, 25 families stopped in Havana about two months later. Ten families went on and landed the following month at Vera Cruz, Mexico, then made a journey by land to Texas, led by Juan Leal Goraz. By the time they arrived in San Antonio on March 9, 1731, the number of families increased through marriages to 15. Although the group often has been described as 16 families that came to Texas, it included four single men who were counted as the 16th family in an allotment of supplies. Two men died in Vera Cruz, leaving widows to continue the trek. In San Antonio, the Islenos were sheltered and fed by the orginal settlers until they could fend for themselves, Jennings wrote.

A marker by the Bexar County Courthouse tells of the nucleus of pioneers from the Canary Islands who came to Texas and laid out a village on the west side of Main Plaza, with a Casa Real, or government building, on the east side.

On Friday morning, Mayor Ron Nirenberg welcomed a 30-member delegation from the Canary Islands at the Spanish Governors Palace  here to help mark the Tricentennial.GREENWICH  State Rep. Fred Camillo made it official Thursday night: He will be seeking a sixth term in office representing the states 151st District in Hartford.

Camillos announcement had been expected for weeks, and he made it before a crowd of nearly 50 supporters inside Redmens Hall on East Elm Street. And the Greenwich Republican said it was one he had known for some time he would make.

Weve come a long way in the state, Camillo said. (The Republican caucus) got a lot of great things done last year in last years budget, which is unheard of in the previous four terms. Im very hopeful we can continue the cooperation we had last fall. And Im interested to see what happens with the election in November to see if theres a change at all in the state in leadership.

Camillo was joined at Thursdays announcement by a crowd of supporters that included state Sen. L. Scott Frantz, R-36; Selectman John Toner; several members of the towns Board of Estimate and Taxation; former Selectman Peter Crumbine; town Ambassador Bea Crumbine; and former state Sen. William Nickerson.

As he looked out into the crowd of friends and longtime supporters, Camillo recalled his initial campaign launch 10 years ago in Cos Cob. He thanked everyone for all they had done for him over the years and pledged to keep fighting for them in Hartford.

Camillo is the third member of Greenwichs delegation to announce re-election plans. Frantz announced last month he would seek a sixth term in the state senate. State Rep. Livvy Floren, R-149, has said she will go for her 10th term in the legislature. That only leaves the question of whether state Rep. Michael Bocchino, R-150, will seek a third term.

Bocchino did not give any indication of his plans but said Friday he expected to make an announcement within the next two weeks.

The seats in the state legislature have been on Republican lock in Greenwich for generations. But the Democrats had a historic performance in the 2017 municipal elections, winning the town finance board for the first time and over-performing historical vote totals in other key town races.

Greenwich Democratic Town Committee Chairman Jeff Ramer said last month he has gotten more interest from potential candidates than in past years but acknowledged it has been difficult to recruit candidates in the past. Ramer could not be reached Friday for additional comment.

In 2016, Camillo ran against Greenwich resident Dita Bhargava in a presidential election year campaign in which she often linked Camillo to the behavior of Donald Trump, who he was supporting. Camillo said he expects Trump to again be an issue but hopes voters will not mix national politics with local and state issues.

When President (Barack) Obama got into office and Gov. (Dannel) Malloy was elected it energized the opposition, and we got the Tea Party, Camillo said. Look at what happened with that. When I got elected in 2008, there 37 Republicans against 114 Democrats, and now its almost even. Now theres a Republican president who can be a little bit of a lightning rod. And even if you dont support him on everything, they will go after you because you have an R next to your name. Thats politics.

Camillo said he will be able to rebut that if it comes up as an issue.

Were going to run on my proven record and a continued vision for everybody in the district, Camillo said. Bringing Donald Trump or a national issue to this race isnt the solution to local issues and making Connecticut a leader in economic and quality-of-life categories like it used to be.

As for major accomplishments by the Republicans in Hartford, Camillo pointed to what he said were positive changes to the estate tax as well as a spending and bonding cap being phased in for the state.

If elected to a new term, Camillo said he would continue to push for bills that would offer additional protections for seniors from financial and health care scams, for animal welfare and for protecting police officers.

One of those bills is the so-called Good Samaritan laws that protect people who are trying to help even if their actions have unintended consequences. Camillo said he wants to make sure there is help for people who try to assist animals in need.

We saw several pets die last year in the extreme heat, but this can also be for extreme cold, too, he said. So far 27 states have that law, and we should, too. Were going to try and do it.

Camillo said he is the same the guy who was in Cos Cob 10 years ago, asking for votes for the first time. He said he still enjoys the work and serving all of his constituents, no matter their political party. That makes it worth it, he said, to endure the long drives back and forth from Hartford and an often-frustrating legislative process.

The reward is seeing people satisfied when you answer their call and youre able to get something done for them, Camillo said.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.The government has announced 25m for 5G projects across the UK, with a focus on rural areas to help progress the agricultural industry.

On the first anniversary of its Digital Strategy, the UK government has today (10 March) announced the winners of a 25 million competition to pave the way for a future rollout of 5G technology.

The six projects will begin in the Orkney Islands, Inverness-shire, Perthshire, West of England and south Wales.

They will test 5G across a range of applications, including smart farming with drones and the use of the Internet of Things (IoT).

They are part of a 1 billion commitment through the Digital Strategy to keep Britain at the forefront of connectivity.

However, the government has been urged by the NFU to ensure farmers can access next generation technology.

In summer 2017, only 9% of farmers surveyed could confirm they receive broadband speeds of 24Mbps or more and only 15% had a reliable outdoor phone signal across the farm.

The projects hope to change this. Each testbed will receive between 2 million and 5 million in government grants to explore new fifth generation mobile communications technologies that use high frequency spectrum to deliver internet speeds of over a gigabit per second.

'RuralFirst'

The projects include 5G RuralFirst, led by Cisco and lead partner University of Strathclyde, will deliver testbeds and trials, primarily on the Orkney Islands, to exploit 5G benefits for rural communities and industries like agriculture.

5G Rural Integrated Testbed (5GRIT) will look at innovative ways to deliver a range of rural applications such as smart agriculture, tourism and connecting poorly-served communities. It will be spread across Inverness-shire, Perthshire, Monmouthshire, Cumbria, Northumberland, North Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

Margot James, Minister of State for Digital and the Creative Industries, said: "New technology has the potential to transform business and society and were determined everywhere in the UK will be prepared for a 5G future.

"These testbeds will show how our rural communities can harness the power of this revolution in connectivity, bringing benefits across agriculture, industry and wider society."

But NFU Vice President Guy Smith said its "very frustrating" for farmers who "waste time everyday" due to current poor connections. He said farmers cannot take advantage of on-farm technology.

One member spent two and half hours trying to set up a banking service, thwarted by a broadband service that kept dropping out, Mr Smith explained.

Another explained how it was not possible to gain real time information from contractors and agronomists.

A third could not contact their vet and a fourth explained wider rural services, such as their holiday and business letting services had been impacted.He Hired Detectives To Spy On His Wife Sheeba

As per an IANS report, Nawaz is accused of keeping Call Detail Record (CDR) of his estranged wife Sheeba to keep a look on her and her calls. The report further mentioned that the details were obtained from private detectives which were hired by the actor.

Was This The Reason For Spying?

It has been reported that these call records will prove beneficiary to the actor for the divorce procedure. Because of this, police summoned Nawaz, Sheeba and his lawyer Rizwan Siddiqui.

More Details

The report further quoted Deputy Commissioner of Police (crime) Abhishek Trimukhi as saying, "Three arrested accused, Prasad Palekar, Ajinkya Nagargoje and Jigar Makhwana, informed the police that an advocate had obtained the CDRs of Nawazuddin Siddiqui's wife from private detectives. Hence to verify the same, we have summoned them."

He Spilled Further Details

He further added, "We have summoned Nawazuddin, his lawyer Rizwan Siddiqui and wife Sheeba to find out who is the one who ordered to obtain CDR illegally. CDR can be obtained only by an officer of the rank of SP. But the private detectives were selling CDR data to private clients for Rs 30,000-50,000."

How Nawazuddin's Name Came Into The Picture

His name cropped up when when one of the accused detectives took his name. Police are investigating an inter-state CDR (call detail record) racket run by private detectives in Mumbai and Thane. This racket was unearthed on January 24.

Guilty Or Innocent?

Till now, it has not been proved whether Nawaz is guilty or not.Arshi Borrowed Rs 40,000 From The Priest!

According to MiD DAY report, a priest from the Sai Dham Temple in Kandivli has alleged that Arshi borrowed Rs 40,000 from him over two years ago and never returned it.

Arshi Seeks Priests Help!

The priest has submitted a written complaint to the Samta Nagar Police Station. Narrating the incident, the priest revealed as to how Arshi and her publicist came to his temple, back in 2015, and told him that someone stole her purse and mobile phone.

Arshi Stopped Visiting The Temple!

He adds that Arshi asked him for some money as she was going through a financial crisis and needed the money for a medical treatment. It is then the priest gave her the money. But after this incident, Arshi stopped visiting the temple and avoided his calls.

The Priest Says Arshi Was Like His Daughter!

Later, she said that she would return the money as she got her dues from the producer. But it never happened. The priest was quoted by the leading daily as saying, "Arshi was like my daughter; I helped her in a time of distress, but she broke my trust. I seek the police's intervention so I can get my money back."

Arshi Accuses Priest Of Extortion & Sexual Harassment!

But, Arshi has a different story to say! She has submitted a counter-complaint, accusing the priest of sexual harassment and extortion. She has alleged that although he referred as his daughter, he would touch her inappropriately!

Arshi Doesnt Owe Any Money To The Priest!

Arshi's publicist Flynn was quoted as saying, "The allegation is completely baseless. Arshi does not owe any money to Pandit Ramesh, he is just trying to extort her."

The Priest Is Spreading Rumours & Harassing Arshi!

"The police has not informed us of any complaint. We will soon file a complaint against Pandit Ramesh, as he is spreading rumours and harassing Arshi."Quote:

Blwnsmoke Originally Posted by

Very few Ford dealers supply a rental so stick with them.



You are incorrect on how the ESP works. The ESP if purchased within the 3yr/36 ALWAYS starts at day of original purchase. So if you buy a 6 year ESP when your vehicle is 2 years and 364 days old (last day of bumper to bumper), you are only extending it 3 years, not 6 years. So you are basically losing 3 years of rental coverage you could have had PLUS paying more because you bought it after the 1yr/12k mark.



The only time you can buy an ESP where it doesn't default back to the original start period is AFTER your 3yr/36k warranty expires. At that time you have to buy the ESP in 1 yr/12k increments and an inspection is required from a Ford dealership or they will contract out to a 3rd party. This is typically in the $100 price range for the inspection. Pending they find nothing wrong, you then have a 30 day Grace period before it goes into effect unless you are extending an extended warranty.



example - my 6 yr/125k was expiring on April 11th of this year. I had 119,8xx. I was able to extend it 1 more time for 3yr/36k but could only go as high as the base plan (top two levels were not allowed with my mileage). So I'm now covered till April 10th 2020 or 156,8xx miles. My inspection was waived because I was still covered by the original ESP



so right now Ford offers up to 8yr/150k. If you buy a truck on May 1st 2017 and do not buy the ESP, your bumper to bumper expires on 5/1/2020 or 36k. Let's say on April 30, 2020 you buy a 8yr/150k ESP and you currently have 30k on the odometer, you are covered for 5 more years expiring on May 1st 2025 or 150k on the odometer, not 2028.



So again, I'll buy them at time of vehicle purchase, take the 0% through my guy for 24 months, get the free rental coverage AND save from the fee jumping up in price since you get the same term/mileage coverage.



(Keep in mind everything I am saying is in regards to a Ford ESP.)Farmers have been warned to ensure they comply with imminent changes to wage and pension rates for workers which could be subject to HMRC spot checks.

The warning was made by chartered accountant Saffery Champness which highlighted increases in the national living wage (NLW) and national minimum wage (NMW) that come into effect from 1 April 2018.

The firm also pointed out from 6 April a 1% increase in employer contributions would be introduced under pension auto-enrolment.

Inspection regime

Saffery Champness agri-business and landed estates specialist Martyn Dobinson explained: HMRC carried out a number of compliance checks in the rural sector last year to see that minimum wage levels were being met.

We have no reason to believe that that inspection regime wont continue.

Mr Dobinson added: We are therefore urging all employers to be aware of the correct minimum wage levels after the changes come into force and to be sure that their records are correct and up to date.

The NLW, which is obligatory, applies to most UK workers aged 25 and over. From April 2018 the NLW increases by 4.4% from 7.50 to 7.83/hour.

The NMW applies to most workers under 25 increases to and rates are set according to various age brackets (see England wage rates from April 2018, below ).

See also: Welsh farmers face up to 5% rise in worker wage rates

Pension auto-enrolment contributions

Employers are also advised that their contributions under pension auto-enrolment increase to 2% from 6 April 2018, and by a further 1% from April 2019 onwards. Employee contributions increase to 3% and 5% respectively at those same dates.

Many workers may still be employed on contracts drawn up before October 2013 which are covered by the agricultural minimum wage (AMW).

NFU economist Anand Dossa explained the AMW was set before the abolition of the Agricultural Wages Board and pay levels were above the legal base requirement.

Mr Dossa pointed out that farmers must continue to comply with any individual legal contract stipulations with workers.

But he added the level of wage rises was down to the individual business as long as it met or exceeded the NLW or NMW rates.

Another area of potential confusion in wage rates was on farms which supply accommodation to workers as part of their job.

Particular care needs to be taken that any charge made for housing does not push wages below the minimum thresholds.

The government sets a value of accommodation  known as the offset rate  which from April 2018 is 7.00/day or 49.00/week.

If an employer charges more than the offset rate, the difference is taken off the workers pay which counts for the NMW or NLW.

This means the higher the accommodation charge, the lower a workers pay when calculating the minimum wage.

However, if the accommodation charge is at or below the offset rate, it doesnt have an effect on the workers pay.

If the accommodation is free, the offset rate is added to the workers pay, which boosts its value.

England wage rates from April 2018 Age Rate (/hour) Increase (% change) National living wage (NMW) (25+) 7.83 33p (4.4%) NMW (21-24) 7.38 33p (4.7%) NMW (18-20) 5.90 30p (5.4%) NMW (16-17) 4.20 15p (3.7%) Apprentice NMW 3.70 20p (5.7%) Accommodation offset 7.00 60p (9.3%)

In other regions of the UK wages are still negotiated by agricultural wages boards so differ from rates set in England. All of the regions are yet to finalise pay rates for April 2018.

In Northern Ireland rates remained under negotiation on 9 March but proposals announced earlier in the year suggested farmworkers would get a 3.5% increase from 1 April 2018.

The Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) for Northern Ireland proposed a standard worker (grade 2) should receive 7.42/hour, while the craft grade (grade 4) should increase to 8.76/hour.

In addition, the accommodation offset will rise to a maximum of 37/week

In Wales long delays in finalising rates for April 2017 meant wages were only agreed last November and backdated by seven months.

Forthcoming rate rises are also subject to delay and no rate has been set for April of this year. Scotlands wage rates are to be announced shortly.Android P packs notch support like iPhone X: Will Google Pixel 3 flaunt it? News oi-Abhinaya Prabhu Android P will feature the iOS-like notch support.

The Android P developer preview for the Pixel 2 and first-generation Pixel smartphones is out. For now, the complete set of features that the next iteration of Android will bring remain unknown except for few aspects. One of the features that Android P might arrive with is said to be the notch as seen on the iPhone X.

As the Android P's developer preview tips at the support for the new kind of notch displays, we can expect the Android Oreo successor to let app developers create apps with this notch in mind. Back in February, there were reports speculating that Android P might include the notch and now the same appears to have been confirmed.

The Android P developer page explains that the iteration will support the latest edge-to-edge screens with a cutout for the speaker and camera. And, this is none other than the notch seen on the iPhone X. Android P will highlight the non-functional areas for the app developers where they shouldn't show the app content. Already, Apple is asking developers to keep the notch on top of the iPhone X in mind while designing their apps.

Having said about the Android P's support for a display notch, the next big question that comes is whether the Google Pixel 3, which is slated to be unveiled later this year will come with a notch display. From the launch pattern of Google, the upcoming flagship smartphone will be the first smartphone to arrive with the company's latest Android iteration and will highlight the best of the OS. This way we can expect the Pixel 3 to feature a notch at the top of the display.

It is too early to speculate about the Pixel 3 and we haven't come across many leaks speculating the how the hardware of the smartphone might be. And, we cannot be sure if the smartphone will arrive with a notch on the front. Lately, we have been coming across several leaks and rumors hinting at the implementation of the notch display on many Android smartphones. In fact, we have already witnessed the launch of the Asus ZenFone 5Z and Essential Phone with this iPhone X feature. This makes us believe that the Android world is getting ready for the notch and maybe Android P is getting ready to support the same.

How to take a long screen shot on any Android mobile

The notch on the iPhone X has a purpose as it includes a slew of sensors such as the TrueDepth sensor, Infrared camera, Face ID for facial unlock and Animoji feature. If Google pixel 3 arrives with the notch, we aren't sure what functionality it might bring. Probably, a facial recognition technology might be in the works.

Via

Best Mobiles in India

Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow NotificationsMeizu E3 Kumamon Bear edition might launch on March 21 News oi-Sandeep Sarkar The Meizu E3 is said to be powered by a MediaTek Helio P60 chip and will be packed with 3300mAh battery.

Meizu which is a Chinese consumer electronics company might release E3 Kumamon Bear edition. Some images are surfacing online which shows the customized version which comes along with a drawing of the Kumamon bear and its name at the back of the device. The device is also painted black.

As per some reports from the Gizmochina, the Meizu E3 will feature a 5.99-inch display which comes with a 1080p resolution along with an FHD display. It is being also reported that the device will be available in two different RAM variants, 4GB and 6GB RAM variants along with 32GB 64GB and 128GB storage variants.

The Meizu E3 is said to be powered by a MediaTek Helio P60 chip and will be packed with 3300mAh battery. On the imaging front, the E3 will feature dual 12MP + 20MP dual rear camera setup, whereas the front will sport an 8MP camera. It is being speculated that the E3 camera image quality will be better than that of Meizu M6 Note, this is due to the presence of a better CMOS sensor than that of the M6.

The Kumamon bear is a mascot which was created by the government of Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. This campaign was started in order to attract the tourists after the opening of new railway line in the region. The Kumamon version, Meizu is expected to also launch an Operation Red Sea version of the device; it would be interesting to see what else Meizu has in store for the users.

Top 10 Tips & Tricks for Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

In one of our previous articles, we covered how Meizu is gearing up to launch several smartphones on the market soon. The Chinese handset maker is expected to launch, Meizu 15 series which will be the company's anniversary smartphone as well a mid-range device dubbed as Meizu E3 for which the company has postponed the launch from March 7 to March 21.

You can read the complete story here.

For all latest technology related news subscribe to Gizbot.

Best Mobiles in India

Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow NotificationsXiaomi teaser confirms wireless charging for Mi Mix 2s News oi-Vishal Kawadkar Xiaomi's new teaser has some new hidden information.

Xiaomi will be unveiling its Mi Mix 2s on March 27 and ahead of the launch, we have already seen a couple of teaser hinting the specification of the smartphone. But now a new teaser from Xiaomi has surfaced pointing towards the existence of a wireless charging technology for the upcoming flagship.

This isn't the first time that the device was tipped to feature the wireless charging tech, but this seems to officially confirm the incorporation of the new feature. Although the teaser doesn't clearly mention that the device will support wireless charging, the image shows the presence of a charging pad and sign diagrams.

The poster also has a sign that resembles Qualcomm's Quick Charge which means the device will not only support wireless charging but will also have a fast charging support. What remains to be seen is whether the company bundles the wireless charging pad along with the device.

Notably, the Mi Mix 2S could be the first Xiaomi smartphone to come with an under-display fingerprint scanner. The report further claims, the smartphone's camera will support Slow-mo. As far as other specifications are concerned, the Mi Mix 2S is likely to sport a 6.01-inch OLED display with an aspect ratio of 18:9. Powered by Qualcomm's latest flagship Snapdragon 845 processor, it will pack either 6GB of 8GB of RAM. The smartphone is further expected to come with 128GB/256GB of internal storage, MIUI 9 based on Android 8.0 Oreo and a 3,400mAh battery.

Previous teaser poster shows the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S sporting a full-screen design with negligible bezels on the top and sides. The chin of the smartphone can't be seen from the image. Presumably, it will house the selfie camera and the sensors on the bottom bezel like its predecessor. However, we have come across some renders of alleged Mi Mix 2S, in which the selfie camera is positioned at the top right of the smartphone.

Furthermore, the company will be launching a new smartphone in India on March 14. From the teaser that was found to be included in the Mi TV 4A video, it was speculated to be the Redmi 5 smartphone that was unveiled along with the Redmi 5 Plus in China in December last year. Now, the company seems to have likely confirmed the same.

Xiaomi Mi LED TV 4 First Impressions

To recall, the Xiaomi Redmi 5 boasts of a 5.7-inch HD+ display with a resolution of 1440 x 720 pixels and an aspect ratio of 18:9. The smartphone is equipped with a Snapdragon 450 SoC paired with Adreno 506 GPU. The device comes in three variants - 2GB RAM and 16GB storage, 3GB/4GB RAM and 32GB storage.

Best Mobiles in IndiaAirtel Payments Bank asked to pay Rs. 5 crore fine by RBI for KYC violation News oi-Chandrika RBI has said that their action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked Airtel Payments Bank to pay a fine of Rs. 5 crore for violating Know Your Customer (KYC) norms, said an official statement. The apex bank said that their action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and it will not affect the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers.

"The Reserve Bank of India has imposed, on March 7, 2018, a monetary penalty of Rs. 50 million on Airtel Payments Bank Limited for contravening the 'Operating Guidelines for Payments Banks' and directions issued by RBI on Know Your Customer (KYC) norms," said the statement.

RBI looked into the complaints and media reports accusing the Airtel Payments Bank of opening customer accounts without a clear/specific consent of the customers. They also made a visit to the back between November 20 and November 22, 2017.

"The supervisory visit report and other relevant documents, revealed, inter alia, contraventions of 'Operating Guidelines for Payments Banks' and the directions issued by RBI on KYC norms. Based on the documents, a notice dated January 15, 2018 was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed for non-compliance with guidelines and directions issued by RBI."

"After considering the bank's reply and oral submissions made in the personal hearing, RBI came to the conclusion that the aforesaid charges of non-compliance with RBI guidelines/directions were substantiated and warranted imposition of monetary penalty," added the statement.

Shashi Arora, CEO and Managing Director, Airtel Payments Bank recently stepped stepped down from his position following the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) suspending Aadhaar linked e-KYC services on December 16 due to alleged misuse by the company.

The UIDAI's interim order had come after some customers of the telecom major claimed that the company had opened their bank account in Airtel Payments Bank when they used the Aadhaar linked e-KYC services without their consent.

How to control storage space used by WhatsApp on Android

Written with IANS inputs

Best Mobiles in IndiaApple employee threatens customer over deletion of iCloud account News oi-Chandrika The Cupertino giant has again found itself in controversy over the allegations of a Chinese customer.

Apple has always had a love-hate relationship with its customers. Late last year, the company landed in trouble after admitting that it intentionally slows down old iPhones to prevent sudden shut downs. The Cupertino giant has again found itself in controversy over the allegations of a Chinese customer, who is identified by his surname Qin.

Qin turned to the micro-blogging site Weibo to claim how an Apple employee threatened to leak all his files stored in the cloud, including photos, emails, and contacts, because he wanted to delete his iCloud account. According to the Weibo post, he wanted to close his iCloud account after coming to know that local local cloud storage would be handled by state-owned Guizhou-Cloud Big Data Industry Development Co. Ltd.

Qin contacted an Apple employee asking him to close his iCloud account because he hadn't used it in a while. To Quin's surprise, the employee started showing him an "arrogant and neglectful attitude," and asked him to share personal information. This didn't end there as the same employee called him back again to check his email addresses linked to iCloud.

The employee, a senior adviser for Apple, then threatened to leak all files in the cloud if Qin did not send a friend request on the messaging platform QQ within an hour. "I can't say you'll wish you were dead, but I can at least cause some hassles for you," the employee was reportedly quoted as saying.

The customer also told the website Sixth Tone that he had filed a police case against the anonymous employee. He further claimed that Apple fired the employee following an investigation.

"I've started getting calls from strangers," Qin added. "I don't know how much of my information has been leaked. This unsettling feeling is terrible."

8 Ways To Make Your iPhone Battery Last Longer!

While this news is likely to concern Apple users, the authenticity of the report is questionable at the moment. As such, there are some sketchy details, which do not make any sense. As always, the iPhone maker has decided keep mum on this matter and has not issued any official statement. In any case, we will keep you updated on this story.

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Windows Insiders- new privacy screen settings layout coming to Windows 10 News oi-Sandeep Sarkar All customers can review and update their privacy settings at any time in Start > Settings > Privacy.

Microsoft has recently made an announcement that Windows Insiders will get the first look at the new privacy set up experience coming to Windows 10 this spring. The updates will include changes to the setup experience for privacy settings. This new design conveys intensive information to help customers make focused choices about their privacy and offers two new settings for Inking & Typing and Find My Device.

Microsoft is also offering various experiences to its Insiders to hear multiple points of view, along with preferences on the best set up experience that showcases privacy set up choices. All customers can review and update their privacy settings at any time in Start > Settings > Privacy.

Windows offers previews to people who sign up for our Windows Insider program so they can provide us feedback while the product is still in development. By better understanding how they use Windows 10, and listening to their feedback, they help us build better products that more people and organizations will enjoy.

General changes, improvements, and fixes for PC

 Fixed an issue where if you tried to open a file that was available online-only from OneDrive that hadn't been previously downloaded to your PC (marked with a green checkmark in File Explorer), your PC could bugcheck (GSOD).

 Fixed an issue where post-install at the first user-prompted reboot or shutdown, a small number of devices experienced a scenario wherein the OS fails to load properly and might have entered a reboot loop state.

 Fixed an issue where the Microsoft Store might be completely broken or gone altogether after upgrading.

 Fixed an issue where when you denied Movies & TV access to your videos library (through the "Let Movies & TV access your videos library?" popup window or through Windows privacy settings), Movies & TV would crash when you navigated to the "Personal" tab.

 Fixed two issues impacting the usability of Windows Mixed Reality on the previous build (Windows Mixed Reality running at a very low frame rate (8-10fps), and a potential crash at startup that could cause Windows Mixed Reality to not work).

 Fixed an issue from recent flights resulting in the Direct Messages section of Twitter.com potentially not rendering in Microsoft Edge.

 Fixed an issue from recent flights causing precision touchpads to periodically need a few tries to be able to move the mouse.

 Fixed an issue impacting the Italian touch keyboard layout where the period key would act as a delete key in UWP apps.

 Fixed an issue impacting the Czech touch keyboard layout where numbers on the &123 view couldn't be inserted into UWP apps.

 Fixed an issue where you couldn't use touch to interact with the Timeline scrollbar.

 Fixed an issue where a failed app update could result in that app becoming unpinned from the taskbar.

 Fixed an issue where the controls in the Focus Assist Settings subpages didn't have accessible labels.

 Fixed an issue from the last few flights where after launching, minimizing, then closing UWP apps enough times, you would stop being able to launch UWP apps.

Windows 10 Fall Creators Update - GIZBOT

That said we will keep you posted on further releases from Microsoft, for more technology related news stay connected with Gizbot.

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Sun Sunday

83 /54

More sun than clouds. Highs in the low 80s and lows in the mid 50s.Thanks to a complex system of credits and deferment, Amazon won't pay any federal income taxes after topping $5.6 billion in income in 2017. The Seattle-based online retailer will end up paying out roughly $769 million in taxes for the year, but $724 million of that will be in foreign taxes.

That's according to an analysis of the online behemoth's 2017 10-K form, which "provides a comprehensive overview of the company's business and financial condition," according to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Public companies are required to submit the form every year to the SEC in addition to quarterly updates (10-Q forms) and, when announcing major events shareholders should know about, the 8-K or "current report" form.

Matthew Gardner, senior fellow at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, wrote about Amazon's tax bill that won't come due in a Feb. 13 blog post. Without being privy to the company's tax return, no one can say exactly how CEO Jeff Bezos and Co. avoided what could have been more than $1.3 billion in federal taxes based solely on the annual financial report, but there is information to be gleaned.

RELATED: City experts: Amazon's HQ2 search set off 'race to the bottom'

For example, Amazon took out a $917 million tax deduction on stock options exercised by current or former employees. Unlike wages, which are also deducted from any company's taxable income, the stock options don't require any cash expenditures by the company.

"Even though these don't represent as meaningful out-of-pocket expenses for the companies, they're still allowed to deduct the fair value of the stock options when they're exercised," Gardner told SeattlePI. "When somebody who has been given this right cashes them in, the company gets to deduct this from their taxable income."

Amazon's stock price closed at just under $1,512 per share on Tuesday.

Another ingredient in the low tax bill is likely capital expenditure depreciation, Gardner said, where companies are allowed to write off the cost of some expenses -- say those incurred while building a distribution center, for example -- up front. Those taxes are essentially shifted to future years' tax bills.

Some of the disclosures in the 10-K form are maddeningly vague. For instance, a table on page 65 lists a tax credit of $220 million, but there's no indication of whether or not those credits apply to federal, state or foreign taxes.

Bezos, a frequent critic -- and target -- of President Donald Trump, nevertheless earned a windfall from the Trump administration's U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, passed in December. Amazon readjusted estimates for taxes deferred under the old 35 percent corporate tax rate to meet the new tax law's 21 percent figure, which resulted in an estimated $789 million reduction for Amazon.

Gardner is quick to point out that there's no evidence that Amazon engaged in behavior that is unusual, let alone illegal. But he thinks it might be relevant for cities attempting to attract the company's second North American headquarters (HQ2).

"At a time when states all want to see HQ2 coming to them, but they don't necessarily have the cash to spend on tax incentives, it's potentially helpful for them to know that at least in 2017, Amazon doesn't appear to be a company that's excessively burdened by the workings of the tax system to begin with," he said.

Seattlepi.com reporter Stephen Cohen can be reached at 206-448-8313 or stephencohen@seattlepi.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter at @scohenPI.Greenwich

Neighbor to Neighbor, a nonprofit food bank serving the town, got the news it had been hoping for when the state Superior Court rejected an appeal by neighbors of its planned new facility.

Residents of the Putnam Park Apartments had appealed the 2016 approval of the facility by the towns Planning and Zoning Commission. The new food bank is planned for property at 220 E. Putnam Ave. that is owned by Christ Church, which is within walking distance of its current location. Neighbors said they were not against the work of Neighbor to Neighbor but said a food bank would disrupt the area and the quality of life in the neighborhood.

The court found there was substantial evidence in the record to support the Planning and Zoning Commissions approval of the plan and said the commission had taken steps to limit the impact on neighbors and the environment.

The new 6,363-square-foot building will the expand refrigerator and freezer space and be fully compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act. The current location inside Christ Church is too small to keep pace with community needs, according to Neighbor to Neighbor.

The court decision was issued March 6.

We are confident the project will allow us to continue to serve Greenwichs most needy residents with dignity and respect and without disruption to our neighboring property owners, Neighbor to Neighbors Executive Director Nancy Coughlin said in a statement.

The attorney for the neighbors could not be reached for comment. No further information was available about when construction would begin.

Downtown

The 44th annual St. Patricks Day Parade is all set to step off on Sunday, March 18. But the Greenwich Hibernian Association began its celebration off all things Irish a bit early.

At its annual St. Patricks dinner dance March 3, the association formally installed Pat Wilson as the grand marshal of the parade. She was presented with the ceremonial sash by association president Haydn OShea and Cathy Laverty, last years grand marshal. Her friends, family and members of the association took the moment to give Wilson a big ovation.

Her installation as grand marshal was not a surprise for Wilson, a lifelong Greenwich resident. The honor was first announced in January. The dinner dance is a major event for the Greenwich Hibernian Association, which puts the parade together every year.

The association has praised Wilson for her Irish roots: Both of her parents were born there. They came to Stamford after immigrating to America in the 1920s before moving to Greenwich to start their family. And Wilson is well versed in all aspects of the parade and the Greenwich Hibernians: She has previously chaired the parade committee and served as the associations treasurer.

She stepped down as chair after the 2017 parade and is being honored as grand marshal in her first year away from the committee. At the dinner dance, she announced that Kyle Wilson and Ian Wilson, her grandsons and frequent parade participants, will serve as her aides in the parade along with Lauren Russell, Marie Muskus, Joseph Lalor, Bill Russell, Vesper Roche and Chantilly Roche.

Were really excited, said James Dougherty, publicity chairman for the parade. Its going to be a great parade, and were very happy to be honoring Pat Wilson for all shes done over the years. Right now, were just hoping for some good weather.

Four pipe bands will be in the parade lineup along with several Irish dance troupes and marching bands. The Shriners are expected to make an appearance, Dougherty said. And the Irish Naval Service Review will also be taking part  just one day after marching in the New York City parade. On a local level, Greenwich Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will be marching as will town groups, including the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich and the Knights of Columbus.

The parade will start at 2 p.m., taking its usual route from Town Hall, up Field Point Road, with a right turn onto the Post Road and then all the way down Greenwich Avenue.

But it wont be the only event held during St. Patricks Day weekend. On Saturday, March 17, the actual holiday, a flag raising will be held outside Town Hall at 9 a.m.

Central Greenwich

Whats the perfect  if unusual  spot for a pajama party in town? The Junior League of Greenwich found the just the place as they hosted 50 special guests for a special night at the Bruce Museum on March 1.

The invited guests  50 kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, ranging in age from 6 to 10  came in their pajamas for the special VIP night at the museum. They explored the exhibits and were led by a museum docent on a scavenger hunt for art and artifacts, including the spacesuit for the first dog in space, which is part of the museums latest exhibit.

The kids ended up in the museums mineral room, where they checked out the Bruces collection of rare crystals and sparkling geodes. And after that, the kids enjoyed arts and crafts, making their own pet rocks. Then they topped off the evening by digging in for a pizza party while watching the movie Journey to the Center of the Earth.

This was the events third year. The leagues goal is to show the children everything that the Bruce Museum has to offer in the arts and sciences and to expose them to new ideas and topics.

Debra McLaughlin, president of the Junior League of Greenwich, said the event came about from the leagues project in a day initiative and has been a huge success.

Its very rewarding for our members to be able to do this and see the kids react to the museum, McLaughlin said.

Don Palmer, director of programs for the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, praised the partnership with the Junior League and the Bruce. The kids get excited for the party, he said, and loved taking part in the scavenger hunt. Plus, he said, it allows them to learn more about the museums exhibits.

This is broadening their horizons, Palmer said.

Cos Cob

The snowstorm that rocked Greenwich this past week forced many events to be shuffled. But the storm wont stop a special workshop for residents to learn more about the Mianus Pond Fishway.

The program, which is designed to educate and train volunteers, had been set for March 7 but was postponed until 6:30 p.m. March 14 in Town Hall. It is put together by the towns Conservation Commission.

The goal is to expand the group of volunteers who monitor the fishway, which is in Cos Cob along East Putnam Avenue near the David N. Theis Memorial Bridge leading into Riverside.

Volunteers will be trained in how the ins and outs of towns fish ladder, which allows fish to get from brackish water  a mix of fresh and saltwater  to fresh water. The number of fish  specifically herring  that move through the ladder are charted along with the conditions.

Volunteers do not need any prior knowledge of fish passage  just an interest in the fishway. The workshop will cover the fishways history, how it is operated and what kind of fish use it, according to Sarah Nahabedian, conservation resource manager for the town.

The fish ladder observations are done annually from April until June. All interested residents are invited to take part in the March 14 meeting. It is free, but attendees are urged to register in advance by emailing sarah.nahabedian@greenwichct.org or by calling 203-622-6461.Anyone who went to Eastern Connecticut State University or who has been to Willimantic has seen the famous Frog Bridge. And now a national site has taken notice.

The site 24/7 Wall St. recently named the Frog Bridge Connecticut's "strangest roadside attraction."

"Officially, it's the Thread City Crossing, but it's known as the Frog Bridge because of the four copper frogs on each end of the steel bridge over the Willimantic River.

The frogs commemorate 1754's The Battle of the Frogs, a story about a large-scale death of frogs fighting over the last water in the middle of a drought. The frog deaths were loud enough to convince residents that the French and American Indians coming to town to slaughter them. The invaders never came, and the frog battle became a part of Willimantic history," the site writes.

But this is certainly not Connecticut's only oddity. Click through to see some unique sites and things to do in Connecticut.

RELATED: 15 strange things to know about Connecticut



In 2017, Wild Bill's Nostalgia Store in Middletown was named Connecticut's most overrated "tourist trap."

Some of the store's attractions include PeeWee Herman's bike, a picture of PT Barnum, a non-working fun house, sculptures and the famous jack-in-the-box. The store is also featured in Atlas Obscura, Road Side America, Road Trippers and other sites and travel books. Page said they don't advertise the store, but rely soley on word of mouth and press.Samsung's DeX dock is now available for $79.99 in the US straight from the Korean maker's website - $70 off its original MSRP. Meanwhile, Amazon will sell you one for $82.99.

It's the old version of the dock, the one introduced with the Galaxy S8 (but will work just as fine with the new S9 and S9+), that keeps your phone upright. The new dock, on the other hand, lets you use the phone as touchpad potentially saving you from carrying a mouse.

DeX v.2 (a.k.a. DeX Pad) is available on Samsung's website for $99.99, so it only made sense for the old version to get a discount.

Source 1  2These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales.Introduction

It's true what they say - you don't fix what's not broken. And that's what Samsung did for the Galaxy S9 - it didn't change what was already great, it just tweaked specs wherever possible. And it has worked out just fine for them.

Futuristic is what we used to call the Galaxy S7 and S8 design, but now the iconic glass curves are just mainstream. You can see them shine on the cheapest of smartphones, even on knock-offs, all the way up to the current Galaxy S9 series. The shape might be wearing off, but Samsung has managed to keep its coolness for yet another year thanks to some stunning choice of colors.

There is a new chipset - Snapdragon or Exynos - and regardless which one ends up in the Galaxy S9 which is available in your region, it's enough to know that they are both blazing-fast.

But the camera is where the company has really pushed the envelope. With a variable aperture of f/1.5 to f/2.4, now the Galaxy S9 should be able to rule the field in either bright daylight or after dark. We also appreciate the 4K at 60fps video recording and the 960fps slow-mo clips with automatic motion detection.

There are even more tweaks which may not be as apparent, but you would appreciate them once you start using the Galaxy S9. The loud stereo speakers tuned by Harman - a first for the Galaxy S lineup - promise immersive sound with Dolby Atmos support. The combined fingerprint, face, and iris recognition for versatile unlocking seems like something we need on every modern phone. There is more, of course, but before we kick off this review, let's dig into the specs.

Samsung Galaxy S9 specs

Body: Polished aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 front and back; IP68 certified for water and dust resistance. Midnight Black, Coral Blue, Titanium Gray, Lilac Purple color schemes.

Polished aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 front and back; IP68 certified for water and dust resistance. Midnight Black, Coral Blue, Titanium Gray, Lilac Purple color schemes. Display: 5.8" Super AMOLED Infinity, 2,960x1440px resolution, 18.5:9 (2.06:1) aspect ratio, 570ppi, HDR 10 compliant.

5.8" Super AMOLED Infinity, 2,960x1440px resolution, 18.5:9 (2.06:1) aspect ratio, 570ppi, HDR 10 compliant. Rear camera: 12MP, f/1.5 and f/2.4 aperture, dual pixel phase detection autofocus, OIS; multi-shot image stacking; multi-frame noise reduction; 2160p/60fps video recording; 1080p/240fps; 720p/960fps super slow-mo with automatic motion detection.

12MP, f/1.5 and f/2.4 aperture, dual pixel phase detection autofocus, OIS; multi-shot image stacking; multi-frame noise reduction; 2160p/60fps video recording; 1080p/240fps; 720p/960fps super slow-mo with automatic motion detection. Front camera: 8MP, f/1.7 aperture, autofocus; 1440p/30fps video recording.

8MP, f/1.7 aperture, autofocus; 1440p/30fps video recording. OS/Software: Android 8.0 Oreo; Samsung UX v.9; Bixby virtual assistant with Bixby Vision; KNOX with Intelligent Scan

Android 8.0 Oreo; Samsung UX v.9; Bixby virtual assistant with Bixby Vision; KNOX with Intelligent Scan Chipset (review unit): Exynos 9810: octa-core CPU (4x2.7 GHz 3rd-gen Mongoose + 4x1.8GHz Cortex-A55), Mali-G72 MP18 GPU.

Exynos 9810: octa-core CPU (4x2.7 GHz 3rd-gen Mongoose + 4x1.8GHz Cortex-A55), Mali-G72 MP18 GPU. Chipset (US and China): Qualcomm Snapdragon 845: octa-core CPU (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver), Adreno 630 GPU.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 845: octa-core CPU (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver), Adreno 630 GPU. Memory: 4GB of RAM; 64GB / 128GB / 256GB storage; microSD slot for cards up to 256GB, UFS cards support.

4GB of RAM; 64GB / 128GB / 256GB storage; microSD slot for cards up to 256GB, UFS cards support. Battery: 3,000mAh; Adaptive Fast Charging; WPC&PMA wireless charging.

3,000mAh; Adaptive Fast Charging; WPC&PMA wireless charging. Connectivity: Single-SIM, Dual-SIM available in certain markets; LTE-A, 4-Band carrier aggregation, Cat.18 downlink; USB Type-C (v3.1); Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac; GPS, Beidou, Galileo; NFC; Bluetooth 5.0.

Single-SIM, Dual-SIM available in certain markets; LTE-A, 4-Band carrier aggregation, Cat.18 downlink; USB Type-C (v3.1); Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac; GPS, Beidou, Galileo; NFC; Bluetooth 5.0. Misc: Fingerprint reader; iris recognition/face recognition; Stereo Speakers with Dolby Atmos; 3.5mm jack; bundled AKG headphones.

If recent indications floating around are to be trusted, the Galaxy S9 will be sending off a design that has inspired so many. Once a shape from the future, the Galaxy S9 have perfected everything there is to this body, including the fingerprint sensor position. And with the anniversary Galaxy S10 coming next year (please don't call it X) we are probably enjoying this sleek glass shape in its current form for the last time.

Samsung Galaxy S9 unboxing

The retail package of the Samsung Galaxy S9 should be an example of a flagship treatment and we hope other makers (one Cupertino-based company in particular) take notes. Inside the Galaxy S9 box you'll find a proper (fast) charging plug, a USB Type-C cable, a microUSB-to-Type C and USB-to-USB-C adapters.

There is also a premium AKG-tuned in-ear headphones with mic bundled with the Galaxy S9.

This complete accessory treatment is one of the things we hope other companies adopt. There is nothing sweeter than popping your phone out of the box and start using it right away instead of going on a shopping spree for adapters and cables.

Okay, we would have appreciated a protective case too, but we're pushing our luck, we know.Samsung's Galaxy S9 and S9+ are just starting to arrive in the hands of the first people who pre-ordered them. Yet the Korean company has already put out the first software update for the duo, one that will be waiting for you when you first turn on your brand new S9 or S9+.

It's not a huge thing, but it does bring with it the March security fixes, both Google's general ones for Android and Samsung's for its own applications and features. The update is available in Germany at the moment and should make its way to many more markets in the coming days.

It comes in at 242MB, and after you apply it your S9 will be on build G960FXXU1ARC5, while the S9+ gets G965FXXU1ARC5. You can check for the update from Settings > Software update if you haven't received the notification. Note that you should also be able to install via Samsung Smart Switch if you want to.

SourceColt 1851 Old Model Navy Revolver



NEW YORK ADDRESS, FACTORY ORIGINAL, HIGH CONDITION, CASED



General Specs: Colt, Year 1856, .36 Caliber, Revolver



Serial Number: 41781



****To see other gun, refer to GA# 955446047



This fine Colt, sn41781 made in 1856, came to us as part of a two-gun set in a fine walnut case. The second gun is an equally fine Colt 1851 Old Model Navy with a London address and a serial number of 41786, only 5 digits apart. The guns will be sold separately or together to facilitate a speedy sale. The case will be part of the sale of either gun or will go with the pair if sold together to the same party. This New York addressed gun is in superb factory original condition with all matching parts. The 7 , .36 caliber barrel retain 97% factory blue that is the rich, dark blue you hope to find on such a revolver. The bore is bright and shiny, rifling crisp and sharp, with a few scattered patches of minor pitting. The cylinder retains all the sharp, clear engraving, matching serial number, 98% factory blue. The frame retains about 60% fading factory case color, the rammer 95% vivid factory case color, and hammer has traces of case color. The mechanics are crisp with strong springs, solid cylinder lock up, and all pins remaining as new on the cylinder. The original factory walnut grips have no cracks or repairs and most all of the original varnish remaining and are serial numbered to the gun. This is an incredible find and a remarkable Colt 1851 with strong condition. The grip straps have never been polished or cleaned and are only slightly tarnished. The screws are all in excellent shape. The condition of this gun is collector quality and rarely seen on a Colt that has had 161 birthdays. A true investment quality Colt revolver. If you are able to buy both and keep them in the more modern made French fit box you would have a most impressive pair of Colt 1851 Navy pistols, one from each of the period manufacturers address and both in superb factory original condition. Thanks for looking and dont let this Colt get away! Better yet, buy them both! Thanks for looking.



Barrels



Barrel Length: 7 1/2"****** Bores: bright, crisp****** % Blue: 97% factory barrel; 98% cylinder factory ****** Sights: factory ******



Action



Action: tight, as new****** Case Color: 60% factory frame****** Screws: excellent****** Engraving: cylinder scene crisp, untouched factory****** Trigger Type: crisp****** Trigger Guard Color: brass unpolished, excellent******



Stock



Type: walnut grips excellent, number to gun******



There are more photos upon request. We offer a 30 day mechanical warranty on this fine shotgun. Call us for full details. PLEASE SEE MY OTHER FINE VINTAGE FIREARMS. Just open one of my ads and click on the line that says see all items from this seller and a very nice list of fine sporting and collectible arms will appear. I have many more fine sxs shotguns not yet listed. Thanks for looking!



We employ a full time gunsmith on premises and can perform alterations to suit your needs within a few weeks of purchase.

Read MorePublished on 2018/03/09 | Source

Investigators look at the scene where Jo Min-ki's dead body was found in Seoul on Friday. /Yonhap

Actor Jo Min-ki was found dead in an apparent suicide in the underground garage of his apartment complex in Seoul on Friday afternoon, police said. He was 53.

Advertisement

His wife found him around 4 p.m., unconscious and with a rope around his neck. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but pronounced dead an hour later.

Jo has been accused of sexually molesting more than a dozen students, mostly at Cheongju University in North Cheongchung Province where he taught.

As the allegations became public and a string of new victims came forward almost every day, he resigned his teaching post and was supposed to face questioning next week.

The veteran actor made his movie debut in 1991 and has appeared in numerous films and TV dramas since then.Login or sign up to follow actresses, movies & dramas and get specific updates and news

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HelpPublished on 2018/03/10 | Source

Added episode 4 captures for the Korean drama "Queen of Mystery Season 2" (2018)

Advertisement

Directed by Choi Yoon-seok-II, Yoo Yeong-eun-I

Written by Lee Seong-min-II

Network : KBS

With Kwon Sang-woo, Choi Kang-hee, Lee Da-hee, Park Byung-eun, Kim Hyun-sook, Kim Won-hae,...

16 episodes - Wed, Thu 22:00

Synopsis

"Queen of Mystery" tells the story of a prosecutor's wife who's always dreamed of being a detective. After actually solving a case, she ends up in an unlikely crime-fighting duo with a young police captain.

Broadcast starting date in Korea : 2018/02/28

MoreThe Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed that a man accused of the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe in a shooting in 2013 will face trial on indictment.

This means he will stand trial in the Central Criminal Court.

Aaron Brady (27), from New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, is charged with murdering a garda, namely Adrian Donohoe, at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth, on January 25, 2013.

The officer, a married father-of-two, was killed while on duty.

Det Gda Donohoe had been on a cash escort with colleagues when he was fatally shot during a botched robbery in the car park of the credit union.

Mr Brady was charged last Sunday and remanded in custody following an appearance before Dundalk District Court.

He faced his second hearing yesterday, when he appeared via video-link at Cloverhill District Court. Dressed in a grey tracksuit and black runners, and sitting with his arms folded, he spoke a number of times, initially confirming his name and later to confirm instructions to his lawyers.

Detective Inspector Pat Marry, who arrested him, was also present for the hearing.

State solicitor Michael Murphy asked Judge Victor Blake to adjourn the case for four weeks, adding the DPP has directed "trial on indictment".

Defence counsel Conor Fegan, instructed by solicitor Niall Manley, asked Mr Brady if he consented to being further remanded in custody for four weeks instead of two.

The accused replied "yes" and had the same answer when asked by Judge Blake if he was agreeable to appearing via video-link at his next hearing.

Judge Blake further remanded him in custody pending the preparation of a book of evidence. The case returns on April 6.

Detained

He had been arrested in Dublin on February 25 and was detained for a week at Dundalk Garda Station, under the provisions of Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.

At his first hearing, Det Insp Marry said when Mr Brady was charged with the murder, he replied: "I strongly deny any involvement in the murder of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe."

Bail can only be granted by the High Court in murder cases.

A man in his 60s, who was arrested in Dundalk on February 26 as part of the murder investigation, was released without charge last Saturday night.Former RTE producer Kieran Creaven sent a disgusting image of himself in an aroused state to a young girl and said he wanted to "cuddle her and smell her hair" in a four-month-long grooming process.

It also emerged that the depraved 55-year-old watched child pornography involving girls as young as eight and was in constant contact with up to 20 teenagers online.

He was jailed for 18 months at Leeds Crown Court yesterday after pleading guilty to two child sexual offences.

Creaven received an 18-month jail term for attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming and a 12-month sentence for inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The sentences will run concurrently.

The maximum prison term for this offence is 14 years.

Fake

Disturbing evidence was outlined by prosecutor Kitty Colley about how Creaven sexually groomed a person he believed to be a 13-year-old named "Kealy Nutton" with hundreds of messages sent on a daily basis.

He set up a fake Facebook profile under the name Jimmy Cee and purported to be a man in his late 30s. He also befriended hundreds of teenage girls through this account.

"Kealy Nutton" was in fact a fake Facebook account set up by paedophile hunting group Predator Exposure, which used a decoy to engage with Creaven.

Early on in the conversations, the sex offender sent the decoy a picture taken in a bedroom of himself in an aroused state.

In one message, he wrote: "Wish you were here in bed with me warm and snuggled up. I'll keep you wrapped up in my arms all night, smell your hair and kiss you."

Creaven also used his job as a producer to entice the girl, who was "clearly impressed by this", according to the prosecution.

By October, he arranged flights to Leeds to meet the teenager but had to cancel this trip due to illness. However, in November he flew to Leeds to meet the girl. He said that he would pretend to be her father in the hotel, and would sneak into her room late at night.

However, he was instead confronted by members of Predator Exposure, who streamed the encounter live on Facebook.

When searched, he was found with a list of names of young girls, two mobile phones and two boxes of condoms.

Giving details on Creaven's depraved background, the prosecution said he masturbated to child pornography involving girls and boys as young as eight, and that he chatted online to up to 20 teenage girls aged between 13 and 18.

Creaven also admitted to posting images and information of children who blocked him on Facebook online.

"The list of girls' names he was found with, he said he would buy credit for their phones and when they blocked him he would seek revenge, like putting something on Facebook about them," Ms Colley said.

Defence counsel Ian Cook said the incident had left Creaven's marriage shattered and he had expressed relief at his arrest. He also stated that Creaven signed up to a lesbian dating website, though he was "clearly not" a woman.

Judge Simon Phillips said the aggravating factors were the significant level of planning that went into the meeting and sexual nature of the images he sent.

In mitigation, Judge Phillips said there was not a real victim in the case and he took into account Creaven's early guilty plea.

Creaven is also under investigation by gardai in relation to accessing child pornography and to establish if he committed offences in this jurisdiction.

It is expected that it will take at least another four months before an analysis on a laptop and other devices seized from Creaven's Dublin home last November will be complete.A close friend of Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding has denied that he got his "lines" wrong in a false story that they concocted in the hours after a student accused the rugby players of rape.

Blane McIlroy (26), who is accused of exposing himself to the same student, also denied that his version of what happened was "preposterous".

Prosecution lawyer Toby Hedworth QC put to him that what he thought was meant to be his version was in actual fact Mr Olding's "false version of events".

Mr Hedworth asked: "Do you have any idea how preposterous your account of all this is?"

He also told him that this "put-up job" was "falling apart at the seams".

Mr McIlroy replied: "I went to the police and told them the truth."

Mr Hedworth accused him of making up "false stories".

"Has the penny not dropped? Even your own friends are suggesting you have the story wrong," he added.

Mr McIlroy replied: "No, I've told the truth from the word go."

In his evidence, Mr McIlroy told Belfast Crown Court that he walked into Mr Jackson's bedroom and saw him and the alleged victim lying naked on the bed.

He went to leave, but Mr Jackson said it was fine, so he went in and started talking to them.

He said: "Oh, what have you two been up to tonight?"

Mr McIlroy claimed that the woman "smiled" and he sat down on the bed beside her and they started kissing.

He said that the kissing was mutual.

Assumption

He claims the woman's left hand went down the waistband of his boxers and into his trousers, and she then started masturbating him.

Mr McIlroy stood up and loosened his trousers and he claimed that the woman started performing a sex act on him.

He said he "made an assumption" that Mr Jackson was using his fingers in the woman's vagina.

Mr McIlroy said that at no stage did he see Mr Olding in the bedroom.

Led through his evidence by his lawyer Arthur Harvey QC, Mr McIlroy denied saying to the woman: "You f**ked those guys, why not me?"

Asked if he tried to block her exit from the bedroom, he replied: "No, I didn't."

Did he try and push his penis into her mouth?

"No, I didn't," he said.

He also denied that he stood at the entrance to the bedroom and masturbated.

He said the reason the sex act stopped was because she asked for a condom. He went downstairs and asked Rory Harrison, but he did not have any.

He went back upstairs, to the upstairs living area, and asked Mr Olding, but he was asleep on the sofa and did not respond.

Mr McIlroy said he went back to the bedroom. Mr Jackson was lying in bed and the young woman was at the foot of the bed getting dressed.

He told them he could not find a condom.

Mr McIlroy told the jury that the woman said: "It's fine, I should go, it's late, I don't usually have one-night stands."

She went downstairs and got a taxi with Mr Harrison.

He later got a text from Mr Harrison, saying the woman was in hysterics.

He did not take this seriously as: "I saw her leave and knew she was not in hysterics."

The men met later that day in Soul Food for breakfast, Belfast Crown Court heard.

"There is a suggestion that you, Paddy Jackson, Stuart Olding and Rory Harrison combined your accounts to concoct a lying account of what happened during the course of June 27 and 28, 2016," Mr Harvey said to him.

"No," replied Mr McIlroy.

In cross-examination, Mr Jackson's lawyer, Brendan Kelly QC, put it to Mr McIlroy that the fly-half denied he invited him into the room. He also said Mr Jackson denied involvement in any sexual activity when Mr McIlroy was in the room.

"That's how I recall it," said Mr McIlroy.

Possibility

In his examination, Mr Hedworth put it to Mr McIlroy that he said to another woman at the party: "Let's go and have sex. It will be the best night of your life."

Mr McIlroy said it was "jokingly said".

The court heard that the woman refused, said she was leaving and ordered a taxi.

It was ordered at 4.26am and the meter started running at 4.28am. Mr McIlroy sent a text to Mr Jackson at 4.27am asking him: "Is there a possibility of a threesome?"

"You weren't getting it from the object of your affections so instead you tried to get it elsewhere," Mr Hedworth said.

"So you sent Paddy Jackson a text asking if there was a possibility of a threesome."

Mr McIlroy replied: "Yeah, I said is there a possibility".

Mr Jackson did not reply to the text.

"You wanted to go up and join him in having sex with the alleged victim," Mr Hedworth said.

Mr McIlroy said: "I was asking if this was a possibility."

He said he then went upstairs to go to bed. He walked into Mr Jackson's bedroom and saw him and the alleged victim lying naked on the bed.

"So you just sat down and joined in," Mr Hedworth said, asking him if he thought Mr Jackson was "going to thump" him.

"No," he said.

"You had just walked in on him and his partner for the night engaged in sexual activity," he put to him.

"She didn't seem to mind," Mr McIlroy responded.

Mr Hedworth suggested Mr McIlroy's account was "complete fantasy island".

"No, it's not," he replied.

The men met for lunch in Soul Food later that day.

Mr Hedworth put it to Mr McIlroy that the men "hatched" a plan to cover-up what had happened.

"You thought your job was to give this version of events", the lawyer said.

"But you gave Stuart Olding's false version of events".

"No, no, that's not what happened," Mr McIlroy said.

He said the men talked about many things at that meal, including a planned holiday and the rugby tour of South Africa.

He said there was no mention that the alleged victim was upset when she left the house.

Mr McIlroy also said he was "not proud" and "embarrassed" about text messages he sent later that day, specifically a message he posted alongside a picture of himself and three girls who attended the party, which he captioned "Love Belfast sluts".

Mr McIlroy said: "I was just being stupid. It was a foolish comment to make and they obviously weren't."

When asked what his reaction had been when he found out Mr Jackson and Mr Olding had been arrested, he said: "I was shocked. I knew they had been out the night before. I just wanted to make sure they had a solicitor or someone to advise them. I was just in shock."

Mr Jackson (26), of Oakleigh Park, Belfast, has pleaded not guilty to rape and sexual assault at a party at his house in the early hours of June 28, 2016.

Mr Olding (24), of Ardenlee Street, Belfast, denies one count of rape on the same occasion. Both men contend the activity was consensual.

Mr McIlroy (26), of Royal Lodge Road, Ballydollaghan, Belfast, has pleaded not guilty to one count of exposure, while Mr Harrison (25), from Manse Road, Belfast, has pleaded not guilty to perverting the course of justice and withholding information relating to the incident.

The trial continues.Gardai Technical Bureau at the scene in the fires aftermath

A man described as suffering from psychosis has been remanded in custody after he was charged over a fire at a Dublin apartment in which a mother and her three young children suffered horrific injuries.

Gardai launched an investigation after a blaze broke out and gutted a flat at Tyrone Place, Inchicore, Dublin, at 11pm on September 18, 2017.

Treatment

Four occupants were treated in hospital following the fire. Maggie Green (30) was take to St James's Hospital; her sons Francie and John, aged eight and 12, were taken to Crumlin Children's Hospital; and her seven-year-old daughter Savannah was rushed to Temple Street Hospital for treatment.

Ian O'Connor (28), from Emmet Crescent, Inchicore, Dublin, was arrested yesterday morning and taken to Kilmainham Garda Station where he was charged with arson contrary to the Criminal Damage Act.

He was then taken before Dublin District Court.

Garda Colm Reynolds told Judge Grainne Malone that Mr O'Connor "made no reply to the charge after caution".

He had objections to bail and said it was expected that further charges would be brought.

Dressed in a tracksuit, Mr O'Connor spoke briefly during the hearing telling the judge he was in receipt of social welfare and to confirm he was applying for legal aid, which was granted.

He has not yet indicated how he will plead.

Judge Malone noted from defence solicitor William Cadogan that there was no bail application at this point but she said this did not preclude Mr O'Connor from applying for bail at a later stage.

Mr Cadogan told the court his client suffered from "a lot mental illnesses, he has had psychosis", as well as "a number of other issues".

The solicitor said the garda would agree his client "may need protection" in custody.

Judge Malone remanded him in custody to appear again next Friday at Cloverhill District Court for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to be obtained in relation to his trial venue.

Attention

Gda Reynolds said he imagined the direction would be for trial on indictment, meaning the case could go to the Circuit Court.

He also said: "There may b e further charges."

Judge Malone directed that Mr O'Connor was to receive medical and psychiatric attention in custody.

A second man, in his 30s, who was also arrested yesterday, has been released from custody and a file will be submitted to the DPP.The Government is examining funding free contraceptive pills and condoms as part of its package of measures to reduce crisis pregnancies.

Health Minister Simon Harris was outlining his policy statement on the type of abortion services that would be provided should the Eighth Amendment be repealed.

The minister kicked off the Dail debate on the abortion referendum yesterday, making the final steps before a vote on whether or not to keep the Eighth Amendment, to take place at the end of May.

He said he was considering the ancillary recommendations from the Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment which called for free access to contraception as a way of reducing the number of unplanned pregnancies.

Access

The committee made recommendations on free access to contraception, comprehensive sex education, and obstetric care and counselling.

"These recommendations are extremely important to me as Minister for Health and to my commitment to ensuring that all women accessing maternity services should receive the same standard of safe, high-quality care," he said.

"If our underlying principle is that abortion should be safe, legal, and rare, then we must do all we can to reduce the number of crisis pregnancies and to support women in every way," he added. Mr Harris announced that he has asked the Chief Medical Officer to look into the feasibility, and in particular the cost, of a State-run contraception service.

He said providing free access to contraception, which is currently limited to those with medical cards only, would require new legislation.

It is anticipated that, for the most part, terminations will be through the use of abortion tablets. The Government has yet to establish exactly how it will provide abortion services to women.

The policy paper, read to the Dail by the minister, concentrated mainly on the circumstances in which an abortion would be lawful, as opposed to detail of how it would be rolled out.

If the Eighth Amendment is repealed, women will be able to have an abortion up to 12 weeks into their pregnancy regulated through a GP-led service. GPs and other health practitioners will be licensed to prescribe the abortion pill.

A woman will be obliged to wait 48-72 hours before a termination can take place. This "consideration period" will begin from the first meeting with the woman's GP.

Mr Harris referred to the nine women a day who travel from Ireland for an abortion.

"No matter what her circumstances, she cannot access the care she needs in her own country," he said.

Responding to Mr Harris's speech, Caroline Simons, legal consultant to the Pro Life Campaign, said: "It was chilling listening to Minister Harris saying he was 'really looking forward' to bringing the Referendum Bill before the Dail today.

"What his Bill provides for is withdrawing the right to life from an entire vulnerable group of human beings, namely unborn babies."

She said the Government's proposals are "more extreme than England's abortion laws where one in every five pregnancies now end in abortion".

Undefined

"Voters who support abortion in so-called limited circumstances need to know that what they hope for with repeal and what they'd get are two entirely different things. It is clear beyond any doubt from today's announcement from Government that a vote for repeal is a vote for abortion on demand up to birth," she added.

"The proposal provides for abortion for any reason in the first three months of pregnancy and up to birth on a ground of health (including mental health) that is undefined and that has led to wide-ranging abortion in countries where it has already been introduced.

"In Britain, there are time limits on the so-called health ground. So today's Government proposal is, objectively speaking, more extreme than the law in Britain."Leo Varadkar will listen to the views of parents and groups

The Government is considering putting an age limit on smartphone use as it looks to clamp down on the dangerous role social media can play in the lives of vulnerable young people.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he and his cabinet colleagues have given the idea some consideration recently after campaigns around the issue gathered pace in recent months.

Mr Varadkar said he is willing to listen to the views of parents and groups representing young people on the matter. However, he has not committed to imposing an age restriction.

Concern has grown in recent months that predators are using social media apps that are easily downloaded on to smartphones to groom vulnerable young children.

Sacked RTE producer Kieran Creaven, who yesterday was sentenced to 18 months in prison after admitting to grooming a child online, used social media to send hundreds of messages to what he thought was a 13-year-old girl.

However, the account he was in contact with was actually manned by a group looking to expose predators who use social media platforms to groom children for sexual activity.

The use of smartphones has also led to concerns children find it harder to escape bullying.

Mr Varadkar acknowledged growing concerns about the use of smartphones by young people yesterday. He said the issue could be addressed in the future by putting an age limit on those who would be able to buy or use a smartphone.

Discussions

"It is an idea that has been put out there," said Mr Varadkar, "and it is something that the Government is giving some thought."

He said parents and children will be afforded an opportunity to feed into the Government's discussions.

"I would certainly be willing to listen to parents and hear what the Parents Council and also organisations representing young people have to say about it before making any decisions."

It comes after the Taoiseach this week said the Government would have an action plan on online safety ready by the end of June.

However, he said key stakeholders also had a role in protecting children.

"Government action alone cannot remove all these risks. A wide range of stakeholders including parents, educators, tech firms and law enforcement have roles to play in making the internet a safer place," he said.Theres already a trade war, and its being waged by Beijing.

Chinas ascension to the World Trade Organization nearly 20 years ago has failed in its large-scale strategic objectives. It hasnt created a liberalizing regime or a free-market economy in China; in fact, it hasnt even created a China ready and willing to abide by the norms of free trade.

The regime of Xi Jinping hasnt been pushed toward democratic reforms by a rising middle class. China still champions state-led, rather than market-led, capitalism. And it takes advantage of the WTO, using nontariff barriers and industrial policy, to push mercantilist policies.

President Donald Trumps prospective tariffs on steel and aluminum have put renewed focus on China trade, although the tariffs are a comically inept misfire if their true target is China. The rubric for the levies could be: How to lose a trade war with China in one easy step.

The tariffs dont really affect China, from which we import only about 3 percent of our steel. Meanwhile, they send the message that the U.S. government is lurching toward protectionism, and alienate our allies. They run exactly counter to what would be a sound approach to Chinese mercantilism, as a compelling report by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation underscores.

The report argues that there are two ways to wave the white flag on China trade  one, favored by the Washington establishment, is to accept Chinese cheating as the way of the world; the other, perhaps favored by Trump, is to adopt a mercantilism of our own. Both would concede to the Chinese an outsize role in forging new, less desirable rules of the road in the global trading system and poorly serve Americas interests.

A better approach begins with acknowledging that China is a unique problem. For all of Trumps complaints, Mexico isnt pursuing a well-honed strategic agenda of exploiting the global trade system at the same time it undertakes an aggressive neoimperialist foreign policy. Only China is doing that.

China isnt the first developing country to adopt a policy of maximizing exports. What makes it different is its sheer ambition and its size, which gives it leverage over foreign companies and considerable international influence.

Whats the harm to the U.S.? Yes, technology accounts for a large share of job losses in manufacturing in recent decades. Yes, lower-end manufacturing would have left our shores regardless. But there is no doubt that Chinas practices have harmed the U.S. manufacturing sector, and that Beijing works to block higher-value-added exports from the U.S. and is pursuing a comprehensive strategy to dominate in advanced industries.

By no means should we emulate China. We should continue to pursue free trade as a policy, not as a theology that prevents us from acknowledging that there is such a thing as unfair trade.

The ITIF report urges using the global free-trade regime against China. That means bringing more actions against China in the WTO and working to update the rules to capture Chinese cheating. It means joining, and influencing, a multilateral agreement like the Trans-Pacific Partnership. It means forging bilateral agreements with up-to-date standards that reinforce principles that China undermines.

We obviously cant do this alone. Wed have to lead an alliance of international partners to pressure China on specific practices, with tailored consequences if we get nowhere.

Such a broad-based effort to crack Chinas mercantilism wouldnt be protectionist, but the opposite. There is obviously no chance of doing this, though, if we are engaged in an absurd cycle of tit-for-tat tariffs with the likes of the EU.

Trump can have emotionally satisfying tariffs to scratch his protectionist itch, or he can have a strategy to muster an alliance of truly free-trade partners to pressure China. He cant have both  and you can be sure China knows which option it prefers.Should county income tax rate be cut? Some commissioners think so.

Other commissioners and Washington County officials urge caution on the tax-cut push, citing unusual revenue and savings because of COVID-19.Police on Saturday claimed to have solved the murder of retired Indian Air Force officer G K Nair (62) and his wife Gomati (60) after arresting a former servant of the couple.

DIG (Bhopal urban) Dharmendra Choudhary told a press conference that the duo were killed by their former domestic help Raju over a monetary dispute.

The 35-year-old accused confessed to the crime, the DIG said.

The elderly couple were found by their neighbours lying in a pool of blood in their residence in Bhopals Narmada Valley Colony on Friday morning, stunning the quiet middle-class locality. They used to live alone in the house.

Raju has confessed to the murders and the main motive appears to be a dispute over returning money that he had taken for his sisters marriage from the Nair couple. We are investigating whether anyone else was also involved in the murder, the DIG said.

He said police also recovered eight gold bangles and a gold chain that Raju had stolen from the house.

Police though claimed Raju was arrested from Bhopal in the morning, it was not clear why he had come back to the city after fleeing to Gwalior and whether the recovery of jewellery too was made here.

Police refused to divulge further details for the sake of investigation.

Police sources investigating the case said the accused and his wife worked for the family for several years, and had taken a loan of Rs 2 lakhs for his sisters marriage from Nair.

Following Rajus reluctant to repay the money, Nair had evicted him from his house seven months ago. Following the eviction, Raju shifted to Indore with his wife.

On Friday night Raju had gone to Nairs house ostensibly to talk about returning the money, but his real intension was to kill the couple as he was armed with a sharp knife he had purchased from Gwalior recently, sources said.

During the course of discussion, Raju again engaged in an argument with Nair and struck him in his throat with the knife at the couples first floor bedroom.

Raju also received injuries in his left leg during the scuffle. Hearing the commotion, when Gomti, who was downstairs, came up, Raju killed her too.

Then he washed his hands and escaped through the terrace. He buried the knife in a nearby vacant plot and fled to Gwalior by a train, sources added.Kareena Kapoor Khans son Taimur has become an Internet sensation and the actor today said she does not like the fact that her little one is being watched so closely.

The one-year-old star kid has been followed by the paparazzi round-the-clock since his birth in December 2016. I do not like the fact that everyday Taimurs moves are monitored, pictures are out, what he is doing, where he is going, what he is wearing, discussing his hairstyle. He is just a 14-month-old. I dont know how to stop it. You are just following him around, Kareena said.

The actor, however, added, I think he is getting used to it because off late, if I compare his pictures, he has started posing.

She was in conversation with senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai on The Kapoor Clan: Films, Family and Feminism with her sister actor Karisma Kapoor at the India Today Conclave.

In 2016, soon after Bollywood power couple Kareena and Saif Ali Khan decided on calling their first child, Taimur, people on social media started questioning the choice of name. There was (a) lot of trolling but there was an immense amount of support as well. Not that the trolls or anything matters. Because the night before (the delivery) when we went to the hospital, Saif asked me, if its a boy, do I want to change the name from Taimur?

... He even told me to change the name to Faiz, as it is more poetic and romantic. I was like no, If it is a boy, my son is going to be a fighter, he will be called Taimur. Taimur means iron and I will produce (an) ironman. I am proud to have named him Taimur, Kareena said.

The Bajrangi Bhaijaan actor said, after Taimurs birth, her life was no more my own and her son was her heartbeat. ... (My heart) it beats in this gorgeous looking boy, who I see every night sleep and everything is in his two tiny little hands, Kareena said.

Karisma shared that it was a tough time for her sister to cope with the controversy over her sons name barely after the arrival of her newborn. Saif was so tense seeing Bebo in that state. They (remained) were strong and stuck to their decision to name him Taimur. Today, he is the love of the country and of the world., she said.

Karisma, who has two kids - daughter Samiara and son Kiaan, said her children were her greatest blessing(s). Children are the most important thing in the world. It is the greatest blessing in the world. It (motherhood) has made both (Kareena and me) of us more mature, giving and selfless. Today, my life is very normal. I go to drop my kids to the school, (I) go to the market with them, (I) go to the toy shop. There is no question of having bodyguard and cars around, she added.

On a lighter note, Sardesai asked Kareena that she was meant to fly and do things in her own way - be it selection of movies or getting married to Saif, who had quite a reputation.

The actor shot back saying, Are you saying Saif was not marriage material? I like bad boys. There is nothing wrong in that.Romanian actor, model and TV host Iulia Vantur seems to be in love with India, especially Mumbai, where she has a fairly huge circle of friends now, comprising mostly Bollywood stars. Owing to her proximity with actor Salman Khan and reports of their rumoured relationship, there is constant speculation that she might settle in India forever.

But an evasive Iulia puts the rumours to rest, saying, I let life do the planning. I dont plan as such. I just let myself be in the present with whatever I have. I believe that the right decision will be taken at the right time. So, I cannot say right now.

Meanwhile, Iulia has sung a few songs, including her recent single, Harjai, with actor-host Maniesh Paul. While fans have been forever waiting for her to make her Bollywood soon, Iulia says that even she isnt sure if she would act in Bollywood films.

I dont have plans to act in Bollywood [at this moment]. I had no plans to sing either. I had no plan to work in India. I was doing very well in Romania, and I never thought I would do something else in another country. Everything came to me by fate, shares Iulia.

And now, I believe it because someone once told me that at one point in time, you will get a chance to do something, so make sure you make the most of it, she says, adding that even music was initially just a hobby and she only decided to take it as a profession when she started to enjoy it.

However, Iulia quickly elaborates that she keeps getting film offers here and there. Its not that I have never acted on-screen. I have played myself in a film and have done an American movie as well. For me, its (acting) again a hobby and I havent taken it seriously [yet], she shares. I have done acting on stage, too, and that was such a beautiful experience, so its not like I havent pursued an acting career. Now that I live in India, lets see what comes eventually, she signs off.

Interact with Monika Rawal Kukreja at Twitter/@monikarawalSalman Khan, the busy Bollywood star, is always available for his friends. On Friday, the actor attended the wedding of his friend Shweta Kaushik with Vinay Venkatesh in Mumbai, reported Mid Day.

Vinay is the son of Viji Venkatesh and a member of a band called Bhayanak Maut, the report added.

Salmans pictures from the wedding are all over the social media. Sporting a black blazer with jeans, Salman is all smiles in the photos.

Twitter handle Salman Khan Universe wrote: Salman Khan @BeingSalmanKhan at Shweta Kaushik & Bob Sandvagenes wedding with Viji Venkatesh-ji on 8th March , 2018.

Salman Khan @BeingSalmanKhan at Shweta Kaushik & Bob Sandvagenes wedding with Viji Venkatesh-ji on 8th March , 2018. pic.twitter.com/sSiH3u3AsA  Salman Khan Universe (@salmanuniv) March 9, 2018

Another handle by the name Azhar Khan wrote: Salman Khan @BeingSalmanKhan at Shweta Kaushik & Bob Sandvagenes wedding celebration in Sun-N-Sand Hotel, Mumbai Yesterday !!

Salman Khan @BeingSalmanKhan at Shweta Kaushik & Bob Sandvagene's wedding celebration in Sun-N-Sand Hotel, Mumbai Yesterday !! pic.twitter.com/Gth9cSOBtZ  Azhar Khan (@AsliDevil) March 9, 2018

In the pictures, Salman can be seen posing not only with the couple but also with others guests.

On the work front, Salman is shooting for his next film Race 3. The film also features Anil Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Bobby Deol, Saqib Saleem and Daisy Shah. Sometime in February, Jacqueline completed shooting for her part in Race 3 in Bangkok.

She posted an Instagram story from her last day on the sets.

In the post, Jacqueline is seen asking Remo if it is pack-up yet. The director-choreographer replies in negative and then the actor says, No? But it is my last day! Will you miss me? When Remo says he will miss her, she quips, Stop thinking about it!

The video has the following text written over it: Im crying already, dont wanna pack up.

Race 3 is the third film of the Race franchise. While the first two films were directed by Abbas-Mustan and featured Anil Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Bipasha Basu and Ameesha Patel in lead roles, DSouza is at the helm of affairs this time. Salman Khan will be seen in a grey role in the film.

Follow @htshowbiz for moreWe all know Bollywoods baadshah Shah Rukh Khan loves taking selfies. Over the years, his social media account has been filled with pictures of him alone or often with his little bundle of joy, AbRam Khan. However, it looks like there is a star who disapproves of his selfie taking skills.

The star in question is his Zero co-star Katrina Kaif.

On March 7, SRK tweeted a rather dark-looking selfie of his, stating that he was on his way to the sets of Aanand L Rais Zero. He captioned it: I took this pic in colour on the way to @aanandlrai #Zero shoot. Its taken so long in traffic, the colours have faded...

I took this pic in colour on the way to @aanandlrai #Zero shoot. Its taken so long in traffic, the colours have faded... pic.twitter.com/eLfJbYW1jg  Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) March 7, 2018

He followed it up with another picture on Friday, this time a much brighter one. He wrote: My media manager strikes again!! #KatrinaKaif, extremely disturbed with my last dark selfie, took it upon herself to rectify my photography game. Here is a sample of her amazing love for taking pics & keeping us all so entertained on the sets.

My media manager strikes again!! #KatrinaKaif extremely disturbed with my last dark selfie took it upon herself to rectify my photography game. Here is a sample of her amazing love for taking pics & keeping us all so entertained on the sets. pic.twitter.com/OOkoKMljPp  Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) March 9, 2018

Aanand Rais Zero is about a person who is vertically challenged who travels from Meerut to New York. The film stars SRK in the lead role (of a dwarf) and also stars Katrina and Anushka Sharma. Speaking about his choice of SRK for the role, Rai had earlier said, I always felt he is a very basic Delhi boy. Whenever I saw him in those valleys of Switzerland, I felt Oh Delhi boy wahan tak pahuch gaya (the Delhi boy has achieved great heights). I never felt he didnt belong there. That is the reason why I think he has a great connect in our country because he represents a basic middle class boy who has achieved it, said Aanand.

Follow @htshowbiz for moreActor Rahul Roy, who starred in the original Aashiqui, is looking forward to his return to the big screen with Welcome To Russia. Im happy with the production. It is being shot very well technically and has a good love story and good music, Rahul said in a statement.

Rahul plays Arsan in the movie, directed by Nitin Gupta and produced by Neole Films. The character is half Russian, half Indian, a high ranking cop in Russia, also a marksman, a thoroughly corrupt cop who is involved with the Russian mafia. My look and role is very different and exciting. This film will be released this year and I am looking forward to it, he added.

Rahul had last year said he hopes to explore different arenas of Indian cinema. He said he had not worked in India for a long time as he was in Australia for nine years before deciding to come back in 2015.

During the peak of his career, Rahul featured in Hindi movies like Junoon and Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee. Much later, he won the first season of TV reality show Bigg Boss in 2007.1. The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

The show everyones talking about! This show is based on the murder of fashion supremo Gianni Versace by serial killer Andrew Cunanan with an all-star cast of Edgar Ramirez as Gianni Versace, Ricky Martin as his lover Antonio DAmico and Penelope Cruz as his sister Donatella. With plenty of sex, violence and fashion  whats not to love about this?

Watch on: FX

2. The Alienist

The Alienist

Based on the famed novel by Caleb Carr, this psychological thriller is set in 1896. Dr Laszlo Kreizler, a criminal psychologist (aka alienist) along with a newspaper illustrator is secretly called upon by the police commissioner to investigate a string of gruesome murders in New York City.

Watch on: TNT

3. Ugly Delicious

Ugly Delicious

Momofukus award-winning chef David Chang travels the world with a host of friends, food writers and celebrities to break down age-old food myths. With eight episodes that focus on the evolution of pizza, barbeque, fried chicken etc., this show is an appetiser!

Watch on: Netflix

4. Waco

Waco

What really happened in the 51-day standoff between the FBI and David Koreshs religious faction in Waco, Texas, in 1993 that culminated in a mass fatal showdown? Now, the truth can be known from eyewitness accounts in this show.

Watch on: Paramount Pictures

5. Sharp Objects

Sharp Objects

Hollywood star Amy Adams stars in the upcoming miniseries based on Gillian Flynns book of the same name. The show centres around a crime reporter just out of a psychiatric hospital who is forced to confront personal demons when investigating the violent murder of two girls in her hometown.

Watch on: HBO

From HT Brunch, March 11, 2018

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Connect with us on facebook.com/hindustantimesbrunchBill Hayes left San Francisco after 25 years of living there when his long-time partner, Steve, died unexpectedly. He wanted a fresh start and moved to New York City, not realising that this would lead him to fall in love thrice over  with renowned neurologist Dr Oliver Sacks who Hayes was with, till his death from cancer in August 2015; with New York and its people as a muse to his creativity; and his own internal love affair as a writer and photographer. He chronicles all of this in his exquisitely written memoir, Insomniac City: New York, Oliver, and Me.

I aimed for discretion. I didnt want it to be explicit, but I wanted it to be intimate. I think theres a fine line between the two

Ask him how he managed to remember specific details and conversations after all these years, and Bill says, There was a very important event that happened to me on May 9, 2009. Oliver Sacks, who I was just getting to know, told me that I must keep a journal. And I wrote those exact words down on a scrap of paper: You must keep a journal, he smiles. From that day on, I would write down stories, encounters on the subway, conversations with taxi drivers, go-go boys, homeless people When I came to write this book after Oliver had died, I had a 750-page journal to go through. The dialogues, the conversations, the details were all there.

Love, life, lifetimes

Insomniac City is both a meditation on grief and a celebration of life

Hayes first got acquainted with Sacks through a series of letters over the proofs of one of Hayes books (The Anatomist: A True Story of Grays Anatomy) that the doctor had enjoyed and promised to provide a blurb for, but forgot. When they met many years later in New York, they bonded over a common ailment  insomnia. Whether its their walks in the parks, conversations about classical music or literature, it is all intimately detailed. On Sacks 76th birthday, Hayes writes, After I kiss him for a long time, he has a look of utter surprise on his face, eyes still closed: Is that what kissing is, or is that something youve invented? I laugh.

Sacks, who was 30 years his senior, was not openly gay. In fact he had not had sex for three-and-a-half decades till he met Hayes. Was it a conscious decision to not include sexual details in the book? In a way, says Hayes, in Mumbai for a book promotion.I aimed for discretion. I didnt want it to be explicit, but I wanted it to be intimate. I think theres a fine line between the two.

The last quarter of the book was the most challenging to write since it dealt with Sacks illness. Oliver gave me a great gift in a way that he wrote about his own sexuality in his biography, he wrote about us and he wrote, of course, about his illness and facing death. So I felt freed to write about it; that it wouldnt be indiscreet. But to write about someones death is not easy, and I wanted to honour that. To let the reader know that Dr Sacks faced his final days exactly the way he wrote about it in his essays for The New York Times  with bravery and candour.

Cities of light

While it does deal with grief, Insomniac City is a book thats bursting with life; with positivity. One of the stories that didnt make it to the book involves the two things that they did as a couple in Sacks last year. We marched in a Black Lives Matter protest and we also went to a gay bar together for the first time ever, Hayes laughs. With his writings and photographs having appeared in publications such as Vanity Fair and the New Yorker, Hayes photographic book How New York Breaks Your Heart came out last month. Its a history about exercise, says Hayes, about his new book Sweat. Its going to be a mix of memoir and history.

Whilst going on to talk about his travel plans of enjoying the backwaters in Kerala before his return to New York, you wonder whether hes exhausted New York as a backdrop to his works. He nods slowly. Well, that has been on my mind and Im here in Mumbai now, so you never know, he smiles. I still love New York and I have work there, but Im curious to get to know other cities.

From HT Brunch, March 11, 2018

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Connect with us on facebook.com/hindustantimesbrunchIt was in June 2013 that audaciousness set into me and I decided that rather than doing the beaten track, it would be better to experience something that would not just be mesmerising but dangerously dramatic. Which is when I went off to the Arctic. The trip was memorable to say the least, but what was more telling was mans frailty when compared to the full force of nature. Many of my friends thought I was insane to have undertaken that expedition, but for me it was not about just another item being ticked off ones bucket list: it was an experience you could have just once in your life. Or so I thought.

Penguin in deep thought at Paradise Bay (Seth Seth )

Passage to hell

In January this year, I undertook yet another expedition, but this time to the end of the world: Antarctica and, no, it wasnt a fancy luxury cruise where you take photographs from the comfort of your ships balcony. It was much more. Even having done the Arctic, nothing can prepare you for the vagaries of Antarctica, and the unsettling experience begins much before you can imagine.

Getting to an expedition ship for Antarctica is in itself an arduous ordeal: you have to fly from Delhi to London and then onto Santiago, and thereafter to Ushuaia, which is the last known city on this planet. This journey totals about 27 hours of flying. Fatigue becomes your companion much before you can imagine. And not to mention the temperatures that you are flying through: from Delhis mild winter of about 12Celsius to Londons 2 Celsius to Santiagos 33Celsius to Ushuaias 1Celsius: and all within 27 hours. But I had been adequately warned that this was going to be much tougher than the Arctic and in many ways it was.

Six hours into the ocean, we entered the Drake Passage. The ship rolled to its sides and the front and rear like youve never seen anything before

We boarded the Silversea Expedition ship called Silver Cloud, an ice-cutter, in order to help us navigate the treacherously iceberg-laden waters of Antarctica. We sailed out from Ushuaia at 5 in the evening; having done the Arctic before, I was already in discipline mode and didnt touch a drop of liquor though the finest are available on board and are part of your package.

I am glad I didnt. Six hours into the ocean, we entered what is like hell on earth: the Drake Passage. It is here that ones discipline stands in good stead. The ship rolls to its sides and the front and rear like youve never seen anything before. Glassware is removed; you are advised to keep away any glass bottles in your suite or in the washroom, and it is best if you are strapped to your bed. If you can manage to open the door to the balcony (winds are 180 miles per hour plus the rolling of the ship), you will see nothing but darkness for a full 48 hours.

Penguins at Yankee Harbour on a pebble-laced beach (Suhel Seth )

People were falling ill like you couldnt believe. I remember going to the restaurant as we were still sailing through the Drake Passage and seeing it completely empty; many of the passengers were violently seasick and perforce skipped breakfast, and, as I later discovered, their other meals too. All of this was happening even before we had entered Antarctica, which is what made it seem all so scary. The swimming pool was emptying out on its own thanks to the massive snow storms we encountered while sailing through the Drake Passage: this was to be the most exacting part of the journey, or so we thought.

Cutting through the ice

Glacial formation around Petermann Island is quite a sight to behold (Suhel Seth )

On the day after we cleared the Drake Passage, we set foot on Yankee Harbour, home to the earliest American whalers. We saw penguin colonies and pebbled glaciers, but environmental adherence was paramount.

In pursuance of the Antarctica Treaty that many nations are signatories to, there is a cap to how many people can visit Antarctica every year, and thank god for that. There are also stringent hygiene rules that need to be maintained. For instance whenever we left the ship, we first went to the Mud Room where we would slip on gumboots that had been sanitised so that we didnt carry any extraneous material to the glaciers and cause some kind of damage to that ecosystem. Also, each of the landings in Antarctica is a wet landing. You get into the Zodiac boats and then alight close to the glacier, you step off in the ocean and then begin that gruelling walk.

A relaxing elephant seal on an iceberg (Suhel Seth )

We then sailed to Esperanza, an Argentinean station, and saw how things were being run by a skeletal staff of scientists and two school-teachers for the children of the families stationed there. What was most heartening is that the post office, which doubles as a gift shop, had a soft drink vending machine.

We then headed to Mikkelsen Harbour and from there to Cierva Cove, but this is where the allure of Antarctica kicks in, as well as the expertise of those manning the bridge on the ship. You have to navigate through a litter of icebergs, and as we know, the tip of an iceberg hides about 10 times the size of that iceberg below the surface. The beauty of nature was awe-inspiring. We went through what is known as the worlds most scenic water passage; narrow as you cant imagine but stunning: the Lemaire Channel passage. Make a trip to Antarctica for this, if for nothing else.

A bright sun was shining down on us when we made the crossing, and when you looked down at the water you could see your own reflection. I remarked to the captain that this likely is the purest air you can breathe on the planet, and he concurred. The breathtaking beauty of the Lemaire Channel will remain etched in my mind forever, as will be the deft navigation of the ship through all the ice.

Tough by nature

Iceberg en route Lemaire Passage (Suhel Seth )

Of the many places we then visited and climbed were the Petermann Island and Paradise Bay, but even more daunting was the glacial climb at Neko Harbour, home to some amazing wildlife including birds and many types of the penguin family. Here we took a steep climb to what could be the top of the world at the end of the world. And we still werent done.

Imagine climbing with a trekking pole and four layers of clothing, including a very warm and very heavy parka, and you know how tough it can be. But there were still two places to experience and in many ways, conquer. Whalers Bay is something that no trip to the Antarctica can be complete without. A small bay between Fildes Point and Penfold Point at the east side of Port Foster, Deception Island, in the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica, the bay was so named by the French Antarctic Expedition, 1908-10, under Charcot, because of its use at that time by whalers.

Antarctica can be experienced in many ways. Luxury isnt one of them. Nor should you visit if you arent excited

From here we sailed to Half Moon Island, and this was going to be the last land-stop of our Antarctica sojourn. But the excitement hadnt ebbed since we had to again go through the Drake Passage, and people were already preparing to hunker down for this treacherous journey. So when we reached Ushuaia and were back on terra firma, it took a while to acclimatise to calmness and a sense of the known.

Antarctica can be experienced in many ways. Luxury is not one of them. Nor should you visit if you arent mentally excited. Not just about the trip, but also about following in the footsteps of great adventurers and discoverers. That should be the adrenalin boost you should experience. This trip, much like one to the Arctic, will make you respect and adore nature as you should: with humility and reverence.

WANT TO GO TO ANTARCTICA? For Indophiles and vegetarians

If youd like an all-Indian experience and a ship that caters to all-Indian guests, log on to www.thewhitecontinent.com Its great for strict vegetarians and nationalists who want to see the Indian flag on the ship that sails them. It has the lowest prices too! For a younger adventure

Log on to www.plushplaces.in and watch Mumbai-based travel enthusiast Rahul Jagtiani on his trip to this snow-covered land. Rahuls a fun chap whos always happy to guide those who share a passion for travel.

( Author bio: Suhel Seth is Managing Partner of Counselage India: suhel@counselage.com; He is on Twitter @suhelseth)

From HT Brunch, March 11, 2018

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Connect with us on facebook.com/hindustantimesbrunchMember states at the founding conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) on Sunday pledged to pursue an increased share of solar energy in their overall power consumption thereby realising the huge potential the sector offers to create jobs and empowering poorer communities.

A three-page Delhi Solar Agenda issued at the end of the conference stated that the ISA reiterated its commitment to the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development that calls for eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions and for transforming our world in which development and application of technology are climate-sensitive, respect biodiversity and are resilient.

Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then French President Francois Hollande at the Paris climate summit in 2015, the ISA was conceived as a coalition of solar resource-rich countries to address their special energy needs and provide a platform to collaborate on dealing with the identified gaps through a common, agreed approach.

It is open to all 121 prospective member countries falling between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Of these, 61 have signed the framework agreement and 32 have also submitted their instruments of ratification.

The Agenda emphasised that our endeavour has the potential to achieve sustainability by generating growth, enhancing skills, creating jobs, unleashing entrepreneurship, fostering innovation and increasing incomes.

It acknowledged the importance of access by women and youth to advance knowledge and solar energy technologies, especially in poorer communities, rural and remote areas.

The ISA member states also agreed to increase their efforts to pursue an increased share of solar energy in the final energy consumption in our respective national energy mix, as a means of tackling global challenges of climate change and as a cost effective solution by supporting and implementing policy initiatives and participation of all relevant stakeholders, as applicable, in our respective states.

The Agenda also called for facilitating affordable finance, access to appropriate, clean and environment friendly technology and undertaking capacity building, including forging mutually beneficial partnerships with reputable international institutions and reputable financial institutions for the benefit of developing countries.

It also called for exploring innovative financing mechanisms that can generate a sustainable market for the deployment of cost effective solar technologies, coupled with constructive policy initiatives to catalyse public and private investments to reduce the cost of solar projects in developing countries.

The member states agreed to facilitate joint research and Development, to consider off-grid solar applications to cater to the energy requirements of poorer and remote communities and to facilitate awareness and skills enhancement of local communities in the monitoring and maintenance of solar technologies.

Earlier in the day, addressing the inaugural session of the conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a 10-point action plan to promote the use of solar energy.

Modi said there should be a full ecosystem for availability and development of technology, economic resources, development of storage technology, mass manufacturing and innovation.

He called for concessional financing at lower risk for solar projects and said regulatory aspects and standards should be developed to find solutions fast.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who co-chaired the conference with Modi, announced an additional investment of 700 million euros for global solar energy generation by 2022 to reduce the use of fossil fuel and help combat climate change.

Without taking US President Donald Trumps name, Macron said that while some left the climate deal, others stayed because they wish good for their children and grandchildren.

Under the ISA, 100 centres for excellence would train 10,000 technicians to achieve the target of 1,000 GW of solar energy that needs $1,000 billion, Macron said.

He lauded Indias solar commitments that has 20 GW installed solar capacity - one of the fastest growing in the world. The country has increased its solar power capacity by about eight times over the past four years.

Indias wind power generation capacity is 32.8 GW. It aims to achieve 175 GW of clean energy by 2022, of which 100 GW will be solar.Nirav Modi, alleged to have, along with associates, defrauded Punjab National Bank (PNB) to the tune of Rs12,600 crore, has denied he is a fugitive from the law and the reason for the government rushing through the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill.

In a March 7 e-mail to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Modi said he cannot come to India because he has business to take care of elsewhere, but added that the agency can reach him on his Gmail ID. The e-mail was in response to yet another summons to Modi from the federal investigating agency.

The Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill was approved on March 1 by the Union cabinet to enable the government to speedily confiscate properties of economic offenders who flee the country.

Various media houses have already tagged me as a fugitive, though I am not one. Moreover it has come to my knowledge that a great deal of mileage is being drawn by the political parties and media by connecting a Bill with me, branding me as the reason for the passing of the said Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, said the email, parts of which were seen by Hindustan Times.

Modi also alleged that he was being subjected to trial by media and political parties.

The reporting by the media and the political parties is such, as if I am already convicted (under the law), said Modi.

A CBI spokesperson confirmed the receipt of the mail and added that the agency had asked Modi to join the investigation as soon as possible. The agency has asked him to approach the nearest Indian mission to get a one-time emergency travel document to return as his passport stands revoked.

In the e-mail, Modi said no reason has been provided for the revocation of his passport, nor for the attachment of his properties by the Enforcement Directorate and the income tax department. He added that by visiting the office of law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas in Mumbai to collect documents, CBI violated client-attorney privilege.

In view of the acts of the Investigating Agency of raiding the office of an advocate, now, even the professionals are wary of giving me legal advice, and I am not a position to retrieve any documents/information, to answer notices, queries and proceedings initiated against me by multiple agencies, wrote Modi.

He also claimed that he was facing threats from employees who have not been paid salaries and from the families of employees who have been arrested.

Modi alleged that the CBI was forcing arrested suspects to toe its line although the Constitution gives them the right to remain silent.

There have been recent reports that a family committed suicide due to their treatment by the CBI, said Modi and pasted links to media reports on suicides committed by BK Bansal, his wife and two adult children.

Bansal was posted as a director general in the corporate affairs ministry when the CBI arrested him on the charges of taking q bribe. The Bansals alleged torture by CBI officials as the reason for committing suicide.

Modi and his family left India in the first week of January and have not returned since.

Punjab National Bank has alleged that Modi and his family members had committed a fraud of Rs12,600 crore, making it Indias biggest bank scam.Could it be that former holders of high constitutional office, where neutrality is a sine qua non, are unconcerned about the message their post-retirement behaviour sends out? Are they oblivious of the possibility their conduct could raise disturbing questions about the institution they used to head? Or do they simply not care?

Im writing this with specific reference to General VK Singh, who served 42 years in the army and rose to be its chief. But, sadly, hes not the only example. Hes just the latest.

Recently, photographs of Singh, now minister of state for external affairs, dressed in full RSS uniform and surrounded by other RSS members have been widely circulated. They came as a rude shock not just to me but many others who want to protect the secularism of our army. Alas, thats not a principle the RSS respects.

While the RSS does not accept the separate religious identities of Indias Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis and Jains, insisting theyre all Hindus, the army has the deepest respect for every individual religion. Regiments of the Indian Army, depending on their character, have their own mandirs, masjids, gurudwaras or churches. They have regimental maulvis, pandits, granthis and priests. Indeed, Im told if a unit has 120 soldiers of a particular religion it will automatically have a religious functionary of that faith.

Army commanding officers participate in all religious festivals. On Eid they will happily wear a topi, on Diwali a tikka and on Gurupurab a pagri. In fact, the army is the only place where a maulvi will conduct the proceedings on Janmashtami if the regimental pandit is on leave!

None of this is true of the RSS. Actually, its perceived as the complete opposite. So what does it mean when a former chief embraces this organisation? Was he a secret RSS member during his years of military service? Was his commitment to the armys principle of religious neutrality hypocritical? And, most worryingly of all, are there other RSS-supporters masquerading in uniform who the army is unaware of?

When a former chief allows such questions to be raised about the institution he recently served its more than disillusioning. Its distressing. It suggests he was unfit for the uniform he wore. That also means he didnt deserve the respect he got as army chief.

However, Singh is not unique. Weve had chief election commissioners who, on retirement, have joined politics and gone on to become Cabinet ministers. Yet MS Gill was unconcerned about the questions this raised regarding his neutrality as CEC or, for that matter, the institution itself. Weve also had chief justices of India whove accepted partisan political membership of the Rajya Sabha and the party discipline that imposes on them. Yet Ranganath Misra didnt care about the doubts this created for the Supreme Court and judiciary.

The errant General, it seems, is part of an inglorious tradition. It also includes comptroller and auditor generals who became MPs and Supreme Court judges who became Lok Sabha speakers or governors.

In each case the individual may have benefited but the institution lost out. Even greater damage was done to the morality that should underpin our public values and democracy. When propriety is ignored in the pursuit of self-interest the idea of India is diminished. And when that happens at the hands of former army chiefs or judges an apology is insufficient. But do these people even feel sorry for what theyve done?

(A third collection of Sunday Sentiments columns called As I Like It was published on Wednesday by Wisdom Tree)

The views expressed are personalAs the Trivendra Singh Rawat government completes a year in office, all eyes are set on the key portfolios which the chief minister has kept with himself.

Besides industries, Rawat took charge of important portfolios, including health, public works department, and intelligence department.

The last one year was sluggish as far as the industrial growth in the state is concerned. The sector is still struggling as no new substantial project has came in the state during the period amid buzz that many of the industrial units mulling to shift base from the state.

Industrial development started in Uttarakhand in 2003 with the announcement of a 10-year concessional package by the Centre. Though the central scheme for a tax-holiday to set up industrial units in the state lapsed in 2010, there have been demands that the tax sops for setting up units be continued.

Progress so far

The state has witnessed investment of more than  35,000 crore in the industrial sector since 2003 when the industrial estates were set up by the State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited (SIIDCUL) in Dehradun, Haridwar, Pantnagar, Rudrapur and Sitarganj.

The last year has not seen much activity on the industrial front and the investment figures have remained static.

There have been talks about Chinese companies willing to invest 300-400 crore in the textile sector in Uttarakhand. Apart from this, an LPG filling plant has been set up at Sitarganj and a company that manufactures helmets is also setting up a unit in Rudrapur.

Red tape to blame

More than 1,700 acre of land, earmarked for industrial use in Udham Singh Nagars Sitarganj, has found no takers. After developing Rudrapur as an industrial estate, the state government set up a similar one at Sitarganj.

As many as 146 industrialists set up units there, availing subsidies and tax exemptions provided by the Centre and the state government, officials familiar with the project said.

In 2014, the state government developed the phase-2 of the Sitarganj industrial estate on 1,700 acre of land. Inaugurating it, the then chief minister Vijay Bahuguna claimed that industries had shown interest in setting up units in the Sitarganj industrial estate phase-2.

Officials familiar with the project said Rs 325 crore was spent on developing infrastructure--roads, electrification and drainage system. Though, only 10 industrialists have bought 422 acre of land at the complex, they are yet to set up the units, the officials said.

Yogesh Jindal, chairman of the SPNG Spinning Mill in Kashipur, agreed that the industrial investment had become static in the state.

Though, the chief minister has shown willingness to enhance the growth of the industrial sector in the state but the bureaucracy has not shown the will power to execute projects and help entrepreneurs, Jindal said.

The government may be rolling out the red carpet to welcome foreign investors, but nothing is being done for the local entrepreneurs.

We wish that the chief minister revives the Udyog Bandhu system where there were meetings with the industry representative and brainstorming over ways to promote growth.

A mega policy for textile was announced for the state in 2015 during the Congress regime but it has hardly helped the industry in terms of capital and modernization, said Jindal.

GST main culprit

Like other parts of the country, industry leaders in state said that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) had been a problem area rather than helping industrialists in the state.

Pankaj Gupta, president of the Industries Association of Uttarakhand, said no major change had come about in the industrial sector of Uttarakhand and the growth has in fact declined after the implementation of GST.

No new policy has been announced by the present government due to which there is little activity on the industrial front, he said.

Ease of doing business

The Business Reforms Action Plan, 2017 also known as ease of doing business report that is prepared on the basis of 340 points, has put Uttarakhand in 19th position, a step behind Uttar Pradesh in the list of 24 states.

It is not something that state can proud about. Although, state director of industries SC Nautiyal said the last one year has seen good growth in the industrial sector.

An upcoming technology institute in the constituency of the chief minister will be a game changer, he said.

A Central institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology is being set up in Doiwala with the support of the Centre, which will give a boost to the industrial sector in Uttarakhand.

This apart, a single window system of obtaining a number of clearances for setting up industries has also been strengthened by the government, leading to good interest among entrepreneurs and investors from other states.

Mineral Sector: illegal quarrying unabated

The mineral sector in the state is also under pressure from the illegal quarrying lobby due to which the e-auctioning policy was announced in October 2017 in which bids will now be held through an e-system or online bidding.

This has been done to bring in more transparency in the bidding process.

The government has also set a target to raise revenue of 600 crore in the current fiscal from mining and quarrying activities in the state.

Deputy director mining (Kumaon) Rajpal Legha said the revenue target from mining and quarrying for the year was pegged at 600 crore, while revenue from quarrying and mining under the forest development corporation, was a separate.

A number of steps have been taken for ending illegal quarrying by inviting e-tenders and GPS tracking of vehicles, he said.Government spokesperson and cabinet minister Madan Kaushik said the BJP government, which took over reins of the state in March 2017, has been propelling the state on the agenda of industrial growth. HT spoke to him on a number of aspects of industrial development in Uttarakhand.

Has the industrial growth become static in the state?

No, the present government is committed to the development of industries in the state. We have taken a number of steps to improve and enhance the single window system in which investors and entrepreneurs do not have to face any hassles.

What steps are being taken for promotion of industries in the state?

We already have industrial estates in the major cities like Dehradun, Haridwar, Rudrapur, Pantnagar, Sitarganj and there are plans to set up more industrial estates. Non polluting industries will be set up in the hill regions of the state. The government will enhance the textile hub as well as the pharma zones. Many foreign investors have also shown interest in investing in our state.

It is being said that the investors and entrepreneurs might migrate from the state as the special industrial package has ended?

Entrepreneurs want to do business in Uttarakhand due to a number of factors like low crime rate and business friendly atmosphere. Talks of migration by entrepreneurs are not verified as most of them have expressed faith in the policies of the government, saying that they will work here for the betterment of Uttarakhand and the country.The death of 23-year-old Prashant Chauhan in a case of accidental firing is the second tragedy in his family in the last four years.

Prashant was killed on Thursday evening after his cousin accidentally shot him with his fathers gun in south Delhis Sarita Vihar.

The incident took place when Prashants cousin was posing with the licensed gun while the victim was trying to take his photograph.

Prashant, a teacher in east Delhis Shahdara, was visiting the boy and his family when

the accidental firing took place at the second-floor flat around 5.30 pm.

The accused  a Class 11 student at a private school in Jasola near Sarita Vihar  was apprehended.

Prashants relatives said his elder brother Amit Chauhan too had met with a tragic end when he died in a car crash in in February 2014 in Meerut.

The deaths of their sons have left Prashants parents devastated.

The relatives, who were present at the AIIMS mortuary to claim his body after autopsy, said his mother is grief-stricken and is not ready to believe that two of her three sons were dead.

On February 2, 2014, Prashants brother Amit was returning home with two of his friends in a Honda Civic car after attending a friends engagement ceremony in Meerut. They were travelling late on a foggy night.

Amits friend, who owned the car, was behind the wheel when the car crashed into a road divider while trying to avoid a collision with another vehicle. The three friends had died by the time they were rescued and taken to a hospital, said Veer Singh, Prashants uncle.

Another relative Shivam Chauhan said Amit was the same age as Prashant when he died in the car crash. The local police had then informed the family about Amits death.

Amit worked at a private hospital in Delhi. Prashants father Rajkumar Chauhan is a farmer while his mother is a housewife. The couple is now left with one son, Sumit Chauhan, who is a government school teacher in Delhi and the only bread winner in the family.

Asked if they suspected any foul play, the relatives said, We know the boy and his family members. It was just an accident. We dont want to spoil the boys career by pursuing the matter further, added the uncle.

Police later said that they will book the juveniles father under the Arms Act.The Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC) has constituted a four-member enquiry committee to probe allegations of question paper leaks in the ongoing higher secondary exams.

It is being alleged that the question papers of mathematics, physics and chemistry bear striking similarity to the model question papers distributed by a top institute to its students.

Kamal Gogoi, AHSEC secretary, said the council has taken note of the complaints. We have constituted a high-level probe panel, led by BC Das, a retired sessions court judge, and three other experts, Gogoi said.

The probe panel has been asked to submit its report soon. The council will decide the further course of action once the report comes in. We will take necessary action if there is any wrongdoing on anyones part, Gogoi assured.

Earlier, the All Assam Students Union (AASU), the powerful students body, had demanded a thorough probe into the matter. AASU demanded that the matter be probed within 48 hours.

Gogoi said the council had taken stringent measures to ensure the papers do not get leaked.

Earlier, in February, there were allegations that the English question paper of the Higher School Leaving Certificate (Class 10) exams had been leaked on the examination day.

The question paper did rounds on WhatsApp as the students were writing the exam. Officials of the Board of Secondary Education Assam, however, reportedly claimed that it was only after the exam had begun that the question paper appeared on WhatsApp.Calling out alleged plagiarism on online platforms is nothing new, and Indian designers have been taking the social media course to voice grievances since last year. And, this time around, the parties at logger heads are senior Goa-based designer Wendell Rodricks, and Mumbai-based celeb favourite Payal Khandwala, who has also been mentored by the former.

A couple of days back, Rodricks posted a picture on Instagram and captioned it: At a time when the fashion industry is reeling with demonetisation and GST, it is deplorable when a person one taught, mentored, befriended and got into LFW should resort to such blatant copying. Sorry... but since 1995, have been doing this pleating with innovation but now since it affects our business I am forced to call this out. The picture Rodricks shared included his creation and that of the alleged copy-er, Khandwala. The design in question? More a technique  the art of pleating, which includes strategic folding and tucking of fabric.

On the left, a Wendell Rodricks creation from his A/W 2017 collection; Fashion manager Shruti Sitara Singh in a Payal Khandwala creation from her S/S 2016 collection. (instagram/wendellrodricks; instagram/shrutisitarasingh)

When we asked Rodricks about his accusation, he said: Someone posted the images and I found them truly too close for comfort. In a country that takes years or decades to complete more serious cases, I dont want to resort to a legal case. Social media shaming will discourage other young wannabes from taking the easy way out and strive to spend more time on creativity.

However, Khandwala calls the accusation confusing. Besides the difference in garment construction, we had produced our particular garment well over a year (ours was in shown for SS 16 and his AW17) before his was even photographed. During which time it was showcased in our look book, and worn by clients and celebrities. So, how would it be physically possible to copy something from the future? Also, how does one claim ownership over a universal texture or process, unless it has been patented, which is clearly not the case? It is akin to saying that an individual has ownership over the use of block-printing! We are in conversation with our lawyers and advisers and are evaluating our next course of action.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 []A complaint was lodged by Union women and child welfare ministry with Gurgaon police that some persons had been falsely promising lakhs of rupees by misusing the name of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme launched by the ministry.

According to the complaint, the accused had promised to thousands of people that if they filled a form, which was fake, and send it to the ministry then they would get Rs 2 lakh for a girl child. A case of cheating under Section 420 of the IPC was registered against unidentified persons at Shivaji Nagar police station.

An official of the ministry, who filed the complaint, told police that this fraud had assumed a very serious proportion and had spread across the state. He also said that initially the complaints were coming from Haryana and the forms were also posted from this state, but now, the menace has spread to two other states.

Read I Major call centre racket duping US citizens busted in Gurgaon, 33 arrested

The official asked the Gurgaon police to investigate the matter so that more people are not cheated out of their money, as there was no such scheme launched by the government. He also said that post office officials should also be made aware so that posting these forms is discouraged.

Gurgaon police said that a case has been registered and the culprits would be nabbed soon.Veteran actor Colin Firths wife Livia Giuggioli has revealed that she briefly dated Marco Brancaccia, her alleged stalker, during a secret split with the Hollywood star.

The couples representatives announced that they briefly split three years ago but reunited shortly, after which Brancaccia harassed the Italian producer.

The news was out in the open as they were involved in a police investigation, The Times reported.

A few years ago Colin and Livia privately made the decision to separate. During that time Livia briefly became involved with former friend Mr Brancaccia. The Firths have since reunited.

Actor Colin Firth and his wife Livia Firth pose for photographers upon arrival at the world premiere of the film The Mercy in London on January 6, 2018. (Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Subsequently, Mr Brancaccia carried out a frightening campaign of harassment over several months, much of which is documented. For obvious reasons, the Firths have never had any desire to make this matter public, the statement from Firth and Guiggioli read.

Brancaccia has denied stalking Guiggioli and has claimed she wanted to leave Firth for me.

The couple married in 1997 and has two children Luca, 16, and Matteo, 14.

Follow @htshowbiz for moreWonder Woman star Gal Gadot, who hails from Israel, has called for equal pay and opportunities for women in Hollywood after a year dominated by sexual harassment scandals.

Decoding feminism, Gadot said in a tweet: Feminism is not about burning bras/hating men or growing hair under the armpit. Its simply about equality between men and women. Equal pay, equal opportunities... We should all be feminists!

Feminism is not about burning bras/hating men or growing hair under the armpit.. It's simply about EQUALITY between men and women. Equal pay, equal opportunities etc. We should all be feminists!  #internationalwomansday2018 pic.twitter.com/6LpyGpwSXu  Gal Gadot (@GalGadot) March 9, 2018

The actress will also feature in Wonder Woman 2, for which director Patty Jenkins has cast Kristen Wiig too. Wiig is known for films like Bridemaids, Ridley Scotts The Martian and all-female reboot Ghostbusters, which also starred Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnon.

The sequel is rumoured to be set in the 1980s against the backdrop of the Cold War.

Follow @htshowbiz for moreHollywood veteran Susan Sarandon has revealed that her Twilight co-star Paul Newman once gave a part of his salary to her after he came to know that she was being paid less than the male leads in the film.

The 71-year-old actor said on the sets of the 1998 movie she discovered that her two male co-stars (Newman, Gene Hackman) were receiving a higher pay than her.

The films poster although showed all three stars being given equal billing.

She said the producers said it was favoured nations, but they meant the two guys.

The phrase favoured nations is a contract between a producer and an actor, which ensures the actors are given the same terms as their co-stars.

Sarandon told BBC 5 live that Newman stepped forward and said, Well Ill give you part of mine. So, yeah, he was a gem.

The actor recounted the time when Emma Stone had called for equal pay in Hollywood, some of her male co-actors stepped up and offered their part of the fee.

Emma Stone once came forward and said she got equal pay, because her male stars insisted upon it and gave up something of theirs. That happened to me with Paul Newman at one point, when I did a film with him ages ago, she said.

Follow @htshowbiz for moreIndias diplomatic engagement will place significant focus this year on Bhutan, including a planned visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the tiny Himalayan nation wedged between India and China.

A series of events planned to mark the golden jubilee of diplomatic relations between the two countries follow the tense 73-day standoff between Indian and Chinese troops on Bhutans Doklam plateau last year.

There will be high-level exchanges between two countries in a manner that befits 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. This includes Prime Minister Modi visiting that country sometime this year. The prime minister has accepted the invitation and the dates will be decided through diplomatic channels, said an official familiar with planning for the trip, requesting anonymity.

Bhutan and India established diplomatic ties on January 8, 1968. Bhutan, which doesnt have diplomatic ties with China, last year objected to Chinese troops constructing a road in Doklam, at the India-Bhutan-Tibet trijunction , prompting Indian troops stationed in Bhutan to intervene. The military standoff ended in August, following which New Delhi and Beijing have moved to put their ties back on track.

Bhutan was also the first foreign port of call for Modi after he took over as prime minister in May 2014, visiting the country the following month.

Indias ties with Bhutan are special and each high-level visit reinforces this, said another official, and he recalled Modis statement that India was happy to the privileged partner of the Himalayan country during his first visit there.

In another event this year, India will host the Je Khenpo, the spiritual head of Bhutan who is appointed by the king, to lead a prayer for world peace. The current Je Khenpo, Trulku Jigme Choedra ,is the 70th in the line of succession.The construction of a Bhutan-India friendship stupa is another planned event, but the location of the proposed monument is not yet known.

Officials said India will also step up development assistance to Bhutan this year with the launch of new projects in hydropower and infrastructure and the conclusion of projects that are under construction .

One project where work is in the final stages and is likely to be inaugurated during Modis visit is the Mangdechhu hydropower project, a 720-MW run of the river power plant being built on the Mangdechhu river in Trongsa Dzongkhag district of central Bhutan.

So far, the Indian government has constructed three hydroelectric projects in Bhutan with a total capacity of 1,416 MW. The projects are operational and exporting surplus power to India. Hydropower exports provide more than 40% of Bhutans domestic revenue, and constitute 25% of its gross domestic product.An Indian Coast Guard helicopter on a routine patrol crash landed in Raigad district of Maharashtra on Saturday afternoon, injuring a woman pilot, the Navy said.

All the four crew members of the Coast Guard in the chopper were rescued from the scene of the accident by the navy and flown to naval hospital Asvini at Mumbai, a Navy officer said, without elaborating.

A Chetak helicopter of the Indian Coast Guard, during a routine patrol off the coast south of Mumbai, crash landed six nautical miles north of Murud near Alibaug at 1448 hours today, the Western Naval Command said in a statement.

The incident took place near Nandgaon village in Murud area.

One ICG woman pilot has suffered injuries and is being treated at the naval hospital in Mumbai, it added.

The officer said the Navy launched two Chetak helicopters and a Seaking C chopper on a search and rescue mission and located the ICG helicopter.

One ICG Chetak helicopter and an Air Force Mi 17 chopper were also part of the search operation, the officer said.The 25th round of boundary talks between Bhutan and China, of great interest to India and deferred on account of last years Doklam standoff , are due to take place later this year, possibly in the second half, two persons familiar with the development said.

The Chinese side at the talks w ill be led by vice foreign minister Kong Xuanyou and the Bhutanese delegation by foreign minister Lyonpo Damcho Dorji, the two said on condition of anonymity.

Recent rounds of the Sino-Bhutanese talks have focused on four points in the western sector between China and Bhutan --including Doklam  and Pasamlung in the central-north sector. The disputed areas in the western section other than Doklam are Charithang, Dramana and Sinchulun.

Doklam, at the India-Bhutan-Tibet trijunction, is of strategic significance to India. Although sparsely inhabited, it is close to the Siliguri corridor, which connects mainland India with its north -eastern states. Doklam is the subject of territorial dispute between China and Bhutan, which have no diplomatic ties.

Bhutan last year objected to Chinese troops constructing a road in Doklam, prompting Indian troops stationed in the Himalayan nation to intervene.

Concerns are rife that China could alter the status quo on Doklam. During the standoff last year, India said Chinas move was against an understanding the two sides reached in 2012 that any change in the status quo would need the consent of the third country, which in this case was Bhutan.

The report of a joint technical field survey in the disputed areas is already complete and it was endorsed by both China and Bhutan in the last round of talks.

The survey goes by the claims mostly of land usage, population settlement and administrative control. But due to the geographic reasons, what happens in the talks is of importance to India, said one of the two people cited in the first instance.The Rajasthan Police arrested five more people on Saturday after arresting three Friday for allegedly waving black flags in a public meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Jhunjhunu on March 8.

Police presented the arrested people in a local court on Saturday and sought a days custody. Six of the arrested were given one days custody while two will be produced before a magistrate on Sunday as they were arrested late evening.

They indulged in sloganeering, tried to uproot a barricading, and obstructed police personnel in discharging their duties, said station house officer of Kotwali police station Gopal Singh.

Modi was in Jhunjhunu on Thursday to launch the National Nutrition Mission and extend the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign to all 640 districts in the country.

During the meeting, as Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje got up to speak, a number of people in the crowd started hooting and waving black flags and banners. Raje continued her speech despite the protest. A number of BJP leaders and police personnel were seen rushing to the corner to pacify the crowd.

The arrested are contractual workers on administrative posts in the National Health Mission department and have been demanding that they be made permanent employees. They had been trying to meet Vasundhara Raje for some time but were not given any appointment.

The arrested people have been booked under Section 147 (rioting), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of duty), Section 353 (assault to deter public servant), and Section 336 (act endangering life or safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code, Singh said.India and France on Saturday inked 14 key agreements in the strategic areas of security, nuclear energy, and protection of classified information, as companies from the two countries signed contracts worth 13 billion ($16 billion).

The agreements, including those in the field of education, environment, urban development and railways, were signed after extensive bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in New Delhi on Saturday.

Addressing a joint press conference after the talks with President Macron, PM Modi said the two countries have robust cooperation in the fields of defence and security.

Our strategic partnership may be just 20 years old, but our cultural and spiritual partership is even older. The values of liberty, equality and fraternity echo not just in France but have been embedded in Indias Constitution as well, the Prime Minister said.

For his part, Macron said India and France have decided to work together to deal with threats of terrorism and radicalisation.

Defence cooperation between the two countries now has a new significance, he said.

We want India as our first strategic partner here, and we want to be Indias first strategic partner in Europe, and even the western world, the French president said.

Both the leaders also talked about cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

The deals signed by companies from the two countries include a contract for Frances Safran to supply airline SpiceJet with engines, water system modernisation by Suez in the southern city of Davangere and a contract between industrial gas company Air Liquide and Sterlite, the French presidency said in a statement.

Macrons office did not provide a breakdown of the contracts values or details about the deals. It said some 200 million of investments will be made in India.

A so-called Industrial Way Forward Agreement was signed between French utility EDF and Indias NPCIL for the construction of six nuclear reactors at Jaitapur. Negotiations over the construction of next-generation nuclear reactors in India have been dragging on for years.

It was not immediately clear whether these were firm contracts or letters of intent.

Macron, who arrived in India on Friday night, was given a ceremonial welcome this morning.

Another chapter in the glorious book of our friendship! PM Narendra Modi welcomes President of France Emmanuel Macron at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi ahead of the bilateral talks, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted along with pictures of the two leaders.

Macron is in India on a four-day visit. He was received at the airport on Friday night by Prime Minister Modi, in a special gesture.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday called on Macron and discussed ways to further enhance the India-France Strategic Partnership that was forged in 1998.Nine months after ending his tenure as Indias President, Pranab Mukherjee is ready to play another role: this time as patron of a foundation named after him.

The Pranab Mukherjee Foundation, which aims to work in the field of research, education, and rural development, will be inaugurated on March 15, Mukherjees former secretary and close aide Omita Paul said on Saturday. Paul will work as its director.

Ours will be a small set up but we will collaborate with lot of people. Our objective is to improve the education system and make India a vibrant place for research in key scientific areas. We also want to work on creating smart villages, Paul said.

Setting up foundations after retiring from the countrys top post is not a rare practice. Former US President Barack Obama established his foundation to quip civic innovators, young leaders, and everyday citizens with the skills and tools they need to create change in their communities. Earlier US presidents such as Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton, too had set up their foundations.

Mukherjee, 83, had been passionate about improving the standard of education and research during his tenure at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He started monthly interactions with vice chancellors of Central universities and professors of IITs and other prominent institutes. We will continue to work towards that philosophy. Many professors from IITs, IIMs and other institutes will be roped in to give their inputs in our endeavor, said Paul.

Even as consecutive governments have focused on rural development, the foundation wants to work specifically in this sector as well. There is a lot of gap to be filled. We want to champion the idea of smart villages. You go to villages in distant areas and see, how much work needs to be done. Of course, we well not intervene with any other agency working in the same place, added Paul.

Mukherjee started his career as a teacher in a college before joining politics. After heading in various ministries, he was elected as the President in 2012.The Sharad Yadav faction of the Janata Dal (United) in Kerala on Saturday decided to nominate its state president MP Veerendra Kumar as a candidate for the Rajya Sabha polls from the state, which it will contest with the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF.

The decision to field Veerendra Kumar for the lone Rajya Sabha seat was taken at the party parliamentary meeting held in Thiruvananthapuram, party general secretary Sheik P Haris said.

The decision to nominate the 82-year-old leader was unanimous, he said.

However, he said Veerendra Kumar would file the nomination for the seat on March 12 as an independent as a case on the dispute over the partys flag and name at the national level was now pending before the Delhi high court.

Polls are being held for the Rajya Sabha seat that had fallen vacant after Veerendra Kumar resigned from the Upper House to protest JD (U) leader and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar joining hands with the BJP-led NDA.

The LDF committee meeting held on Friday had extended support and offered the RS seat to the JD(U)s Sharad Yadav faction that had quit the Congress-led UDF opposition in January.

Harish said the party expected that the next LDF meeting would take a decision on making them a partner in the ruling front.

However, he said no discussions were held in the party with regard to merging with the JD (S), now a partner in the LDF.

It is not on the agenda of our party now, he said.

Veerendra Kumar had earlier joined the UDF after snapping ties with LDF over differences with the CPI(M) on the Kozhikode Lok Sabha seat in 2009.The CPI-M in Kerala on Saturday expelled four of its cadres who are among the accused in the killing of a youth Congress functionary in the district recently.

They are among the 11 persons who have been arrested in connection with the killing of SP Shuhaib on February 12.

Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPI-M state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan were present at the meeting of the partys district committee which took the action against the workers.

Akash Thillankeri, TK Askar, K Akhil and Deep Chand were expelled for violating party norms, party sources said.

The 29-year-old youth congress activist was hacked to death at Therur near Mattanur in the district.

The Congress has demanded a CBI probe into the killing.

Opposition leader in the Kerala assembly, Ramesh Chennithala has urged the chief minister to relinquish the Home portfolio alleging that he had not allowed the police to function independently in the state.

The Kerala high court has ordered a CBI probe into the killing after rejecting the state governments contention that all the suspects had been arrested.For the first time in the history of Officers Training Academy, two lady cadets secured the top honours, including the coveted Sword of Honour, at the passing out parade held in Chennai.

Academy cadet adjutant (ACA) Preeti Choudhary received the Sword of Honour whereas senior under officer (SUO) Vreeti was awarded the silver medal.

Sword of Honour is awarded to the cadet who stands first in the order of merit. An officer cadet has to perform well in physical tests, academic training, weapon training, leadership qualities, field engineering and drill.

Both these young and inspiring ladies (now lady officers) from Haryana beat more than 200 gentleman cadets to bag top honours. Vreeti quit a highly-paid job in Japan as a design engineer before joining the OTA.

Smartly turned Cadets march past at Passing Out Parade held at Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai. General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command Lieutenant General Dewan Rabindranath Soni, reviewing the Passing Out Parade on 10 March 2018. pic.twitter.com/nwaS35J3xt  DPR (@SpokespersonMoD) March 10, 2018

In the 55-year history of OTA, from the portals of which 105 courses have passed out till date, it is only the third time that a lady cadet has won the Sword of Honour.

September 2010 was a landmark in the history of the academy when the first lady cadet, AUO Divya Ajith Kumar was awarded the Sword of Honour and the Presidents Gold Medal, a feat repeated only once later by AUO M Anjana in March 2015.

Among other lady cadets who passed with flying colours are LC Shusmita Pandey, wife of martyr Major Neeraj Kumar Pandey, and LC Neeta Deswal, wife of late Major Amit Deswal who was martyred while fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.India and France on Saturday inked 14 pacts to boost defence and nuclear energy cooperation on the first day of French President Emmanuel Macrons four-day visit to India.

Macron said India and France have decided to work together to deal with threats of terrorism and radicalisation. Defence cooperation between the two countries now has a new significance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the values of liberty, equality and fraternity echo not just in France but have been embedded in Indias Constitution as well.

Here are the highlights:

8.25pm: French President Emmanuel Macron reaches Rashtrapati Bhavan for dinner.

#WATCH: President Ram Nath Kovind, First Lady of India Savita Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and PM Narendra Modi receive President of France #EmmanuelMacron and his wife Brigitte Macron. #InternationalSolarAlliance pic.twitter.com/KvaAL7ROUq  ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018

5.02pm: Most of the issues we have today, on climate, on terrorism are because of the short-term vision of most of the leaders. They were greedy, says the French President.

4.58pm: The French President says we are in middle of revolution on digital era and climate change. We need more speediness. What we need is change in mindset, facilitate entrepreneurship and increase risk takers numbers. Artificial Intelligence is big game changer but you need to start it from ground.

4.56pm: French President Emmanuel Macron interacts with students at Delhis Bikaner House, says: I think we need more exchange between our people, our students. I want most of the researchers to come to France and I am happy to be here today.

3.25pm: PM Modi and President Macron at the CEOs Forum in New Delhi.

1.54pm: India and France have decided to work together to deal with threats of terrorism and radicalisation. Defence cooperation between the two countries now has a new significance: Macron

1.53pm: We want India as our first strategic partner here, and we want to be Indias first strategic partner in Europe, and even the western world: President Emmanuel Macron

1.42pm: India and France have robust cooperation in fields of defence and security. In the defence sector, we welcome investments from France under Make in India: PM Modi

1.40pm: India and France have signed an agreement on protection of classified information.

1.37pm: We want our (India & France) youth to know each others countries, in this direction we have signed two agreements today. One is to give importance to education in our countries. The other is a migration and mobiility partnership: PM Modi

1.30pm: Our strategic partnership may be just 20 years old, but our cultural and spiritual partnership is even older. The values of liberty, equality and fraternity echo not just in France but have been embedded in Indias Constitution as well: PM Modi

1.25pm: India and France exchange agreements. Fourteen agreements have been signed to boost cooperation, including in security and nuclear energy .

1.22pm: PM Modi and President Macron issue joint statement after the talks.

1.08pm: French and Indian companies have signed contracts worth 13 billion ($16 billion) on the first day of Macrons visit to India on Saturday, the French presidency said in a statement. Read full story

12.45pm: PM Modi is holding talks with President Macron to explore ways to deepen bilateral cooperation, including in the fields of defence, security, trade and investment, PTI reports.

11.42am: French President Emmanuel Macron and PM Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House ahead of the bilateral talks.

11.15am:

A strategic partnership since 1998! EAM @SushmaSwaraj called on President of France @EmmanuelMacron and exchanged views on further enhancing our strategic partnership in trade & investment, defence & security, culture, education and people-to-people ties. pic.twitter.com/QCsKO8e00Y  Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) March 10, 2018

10.49am: French President Macron meets external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj.

10.26am: At the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Macron said, France is the entry point to Europe. We want to be Indias best partner in Europe.

The first (objective of my visit) is to seal for the decade to come a strong pact around collective security in the region between our two democracies.

10.26am: After inspecting a guard of honour and meeting with other officials, Macron said, I am very happy and proud of this visit. I thank the President (Kovind) and Prime Minister (Modi) for this welcome.

The French President stated that the visit would open a new era of strategic partnership in the coming decades.

Our two democracies have common channels like terrorism, lots of common risks and common threats. But we have to protect this history and the state for freedom, President Macron added.

9.47am: Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte Marie-Claude Macron pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at the Raj Ghat.

9.25am: I think we have very good chemistry, our two great democracies have a historic relationship: Emmanuel Macron

9.22am:

French President #EmmanuelMacron and wife Brigitte Macron with President Kovind,Savita Kovind and PM Modi at Rashtrapati Bhawan pic.twitter.com/kPsmaxtXjk  ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018

9.15am:

French President #EmmanuelMacron inspects guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhawan pic.twitter.com/qdc8LXNwoI  ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018

9:10am: Whats on the agenda --- During the visit, India and France countries would look to boost ties, especially in the areas of maritime security and counter-terrorism. An agreement on the Jaitapur nuclear power plant, which is being built with French assistance, is expected to be signed during the visit, sources here said. Stepping up cooperation in the Indian Ocean region will be one of the top issues that will be discussed by Macron and Prime Minister Modi during delegation-level talks on Saturday.A fire officer has been booked for allegedly refusing to send fire engines after getting a call about a blaze in a chemicals factory near Mumbai, police said on Saturday.

A major fire broke out after an explosion inside a boiler of a chemicals factory in the district on Thursday night, in which three people were killed and 15 others injured.

We have booked the fire officer SS Borkar of Tarapore fire station following a complaint by district collector Prashant Narnawre, said in-charge inspector Prakash Birajdar of Boisar police station.

Birajdar said the officer did not send fire engines to the spot even after requests were made by the police control room.

According to Birajdar, the fire officer reportedly told police and officials of the Disaster Control Cell that he cannot send fire engines without permission of his seniors.

Meanwhile, Palghar guardian minister Vishnu Sawra has ordered an inquiry into the incident and assured that the guilty will be punished.After a five-month wait to get inducted into the Maharashtra cabinet, former chief minister Narayan Rane accepted the BJPs offer of Rajya Sabha candidature.

An aide of Rane confirmed the development and said the leader was likely to file his nomination on Monday.

The BJP has some issues in inducting Rane in the state cabinet, but they also do not want to leave a senior leader like him without any responsibility.

He was offered the Rajya Sabha seat, which he has decided to accept until the issues over cabinet reshuffle are resolved, said the aide.

He has been promised that his name will surely be considered whenever the state cabinet reshuffle happens, the aide said.

Rane was offered Rajya Sabha candidature by BJP chief Amit Shah in a meeting held on February 28. Rane, who was hoping to be inducted in the state cabinet, is said to have been briefed about why it was tough for chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to appoint him as a minister.

A senior BJP leader, on the condition of anonymity, said Rane was left with no option but to accept the offer. The party has clearly indicated him that they cannot give him specific timeframe when the cabinet reshuffle will happen. However, he can contest Rajya Sabha elections for now, the BJP leader said.

Rane quit the Congress in September 2017 after fallout with the party leadership. He was speculated to join the BJP, but later ended up floating his own political outfit, the Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksha (MSP). He joined the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) after reportedly being assured a cabinet berth.

However, the BJP leadership kept him waiting for five months, prompting Rane to express his resentment openly, saying his patience was being tested. Shiv Sena, BJPs ally in the state and at the Centre, is strongly opposed to Ranes induction in the cabinet.Thinkers, philosophers, writers, poets from ancient history to contemporary times as well as a popular Bollywood song were mentioned in the historic verdict on passive euthanasia delivered on Friday by the Supreme Court recognising a terminally-ill patients right to execute a living will to refuse medical treatment.

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra in respective judgements referred to Indian philosophers like Swami Vivekananda and Charvaka as well as ancient Greek thinkers like Epicurus, Plato and Hippocrates while dealing with the issue of smoothening the process of dying for patients who are terminally ill or in a persistent vegetative state.

Apart from philosophers, noted European poets and writers like William Shakespeare, Alfred Tennyson, John Locke, John Dryden, Leon Montenaeken, John Donne, Ernest Hemingway and Dylan Thomas also found mention in the apex court verdict which cited their works on life and death.

The CJI in his judgement quoted Tennyson who in one of his works said, No life that breathes with human breath has ever truly longed for death.

Shakespeare in his play As You Like It had said all the worlds a stage and all the men and women merely players.

The CJI also referred to mythological character of epic Mahabharata -- Dharmaraj Yudhisthira -- who had said that though man sees that death takes place every moment, yet he feels that the silence of death would not disturb him.

Celebrated Greek philosopher Plato, referred to by Justice Ashok Bhushan in his decision, said if a man had a sickly constitution and intemperate habits, his life was worth nothing to himself or to anyone else.

Plato had said medicine was not meant for such people and they should not be treated, though they might be richer than Midas.

Justice A K Sikri referred to the popular Bollywood number -- Rote hue aate hai sab, hasta hua jo jayega, woh Muqaddar Ka Sikandar jaaneman kehlayega (Every person comes to this world crying. However, one who leaves the world smiling will be the luckiest of all) -- and said when a persons life span comes to an end he or she has to meet death.India and France strengthened their 20-year-old strategic partnership on Saturday, signing an agreement for reciprocal logistics support between their armed forces and unveiling a blueprint to step up cooperation in the Indian Ocean to counter Chinas growing influence in the region.

The two countries signed 14 agreements, ranging from cooperation in security and space to clean energy, after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on the second day of the latters four-day visit to India.

The focus of the visit is as much on building a personal rapport between the two leaders as it is on stepping up the Indo-French defence and security partnership. Modi spoke about the warm reception Macron gave him when he travelled to Paris last year.

You welcomed me in Paris last year with an open heart and a lot of warmth. I am happy that I have got an opportunity to welcome you in India, Modi said.

Macron, who was 39 when he became president in 2017, making him the youngest French leader since Napoleon Bonaparte, spoke about his very good chemistry with Modi.

I consider todays agreement of the reciprocal logistics support between our armies as a golden step in the history of our close defence cooperation, Modi said in a statement to the media after his meeting with Macron. Second, both of us believe that in future the Indian Ocean region will play a very important role in the happiness, progress and prosperity of the world.

Major pacts 1. A pact to facilitate the two countries in combating illicit traffic and consumption of drugs as well as terror financing. 2. A pact on reciprocal logistical support. Will pave the way for provision of logistic support, supplies and services between the armed forces of the two countries. 3. Agreement to facilitate the mutual recognition of educational qualifications. 4. A letter of intent to enhance existing cooperation by creating an Indo-French Permanent Railway Forum. 5. Agreement on sustainable urban development for exchange of information on smart city development, urban mass transportation systems, urban settlements and utilities 6. An agreement on the way forward for the implementation of the Jaitapur nuclear power project 7. A credit facility agreement between India and France of Euros 100 million for funding of the smart city projects.

The agreement provides for the reciprocal provision of logistics support, supplies and services between the armed forces of the two countries during authorised port visits, joint exercises, joint training, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.

Under the terms of the agreement, Indian warships will have access to French naval bases in the Indian Ocean.

The agreement will help India expand its footprint in the region. From Reunion Island to the naval base Heron in Djibouti, on the Horn of Africa, to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, France has key naval bases.

Modi described France as one of Indias most trusted defence partners.

Macron said defence cooperation between the two countries now has a new significance, stressing that a a strong part of our security and the worlds stability is at stake in the Indian Ocean.

In an apparent reference to China, Macron said, the Indian Ocean, like the Pacific Ocean, cannot become a place of hegemony.

Over 90% of Indias trade by volume and 68% of trade by value is via the Indian Ocean, where China has been wooing littoral states in an attempt to increase its strategic footprint.

The joint strategic vision for Indian Ocean calls for France and India committing to utilizing every opportunity of their naval ships calling at each others ports for holding passage exercises.

In order to widen and deepen strategic naval cooperation, India and France will be open to inviting strategic partner countries in the region to participate in Indo-French exercises, the vision document said.

India occupies a central position in the Indo-Pacific, given its coastline of 7,500 kms, more than 1,380 islands and two million sq. km of Exclusive Economic Zone. It plays a pivotal role for the peace, security and prosperity of the region. France, a State of the Indian Ocean rim, is an important player in this region, the document said, explaining the two countries mutual interest in the region.

The raft of agreements signed on Saturday covers defence, space, education, security and clean energy.

From the ground to the sky, there is no subject on which India and France are not working together, said Modi.

Although they couldnt reach a commercial agreement for a French-assisted nuclear power plant in Jaitapur, Maharashtra, the two sides signed a pact that prescribes a way forward for the implementation of the project.On a day Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with French President Emannuel Macron, the Congress targeted the NDA government over the Rafale deal, alleging that it is turning out to be a mother scam, and asked it to come clean.

Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan said the high price India had paid to France for the purchase of the fighter aircraft compared to prices paid by countries like Egypt and Qatar was not some charity and the Modi government should answer as to where the money had gone.

People are asking in whose pockets this money has gone, he told reporters.

Vadakkan said his party had been raising the issue for the last three days. But not a word from the government or the BJP was heard in response. Not even a denial, he said.

The BJP had on Friday rejected the Congress charge, saying it was spreading lies and confusion to mislead the nation. Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said it is irresponsible and anti-national to allege corruption in the Euro 7.5 billion deal with France to supply the fighter jets.

Where is the corruption? It is irresponsible and anti-national to make such allegations, he said speaking at a media event.

However, the Congress again raked up the issue today and likened the governments stand to a cat drinking milk with its eyes shut in the belief that nobody will watch it.

The government, the defence ministry must come clean. What are they trying to hide? he asked.

You called the UPA corrupt.... If this is not corruption then what is. It is turning out to be a mother scam on which the NDA must come clean, he said.

This was clearly an attempt to cover up an operation which started on last April 8 last when the foreign secretary had said that the prime minister was not going to France for the Rafale deal but it was later signed, Vadakkan alleged.Rescuers are racing against time to save a 4-year-old child who fell into a 40-foot deep open borewell on Saturday in Dewas district, over 153 km from Bhopal.

An earthmoving machine was digging around the borewell to reach the child who has been identified as Roshan, son of a farm labourer Bhim Singh of Umriya village. Locals said the boy fell into the borewell around noon while he was playing in the area. Villagers who heard his cries for help, informed the authorities about it. A rescue team with doctors and an ambulance was sent from the district headquarters Dewas nearly 110 km away.

The borewell where the boy fell had been dug in the farm of one Hiralal a few weeks back. The digging had not been completed and the water level had not been reached.

A large crowd quickly gathered around the site where the rescue mission was in progress. Police have also been deployed in the area to the control crowd and ensure smooth rescue operation.

The rescue operations stared around 1 pm. The rescue team has also placed a pipe deep into the borewell to pump oxygen to enable the child to breathe normally. Another pipe to supply water to the child was also lowered into the borewell.

Collector Dewas Ashish Singh, who was on the spot, said they had sought help of military and state disaster response force to rescue the child.

A rescue team of military led by a major is on way to Dewas from Bhopal. A team of SDRF is also on way to Dewas. A camera was lowered into the borewell which has shown the movement of the child. The child is stuck at around 27 feet level. We have dug out to a level of 18 feet. Also, water mixed with glucose is being fed to the child. I am hoping that the child will be rescued by evening, he said

Over the past few years many children have fallen into borewells in rural India. Most have died. A common rescue strategy in such cases involves digging a parallel borewell and tunnel at the point where the child is suspected to be stuck. This consumes time and makes rescue operations laborious.

When the incident occurred, the parents of the child had gone to work on a farm. The couple has two other children.

The Gauhati high court has granted compensation of Rs 1 lakh to a private military contractor whose house was raided by an army intelligence team in what is known in army circles as the Jorhat Dacoity case of 2011, in a first of its kind order on breach of right to privacy and late night searches by army forces in an area under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA ).

The judgement could have a bearing on similar searches by security forces posted in the North-East or the Kashmir valley.

The high court division bench of justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Nelson Sailo has ruled that the right to privacy of the petitioner and his family members were infringed not only due to non-conformity with the dos and donts by the army unit which carried out the operation but by the very execution of the operation itself.

The high court order came on a petition by a private military contractor, Surajit Gogoi, whose house was raided on the night of 20 December 2011 by an army team. Gogoi was suspected to be a sympathizer of the anti-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), and according to army intelligence inputs, three of this splinter groups leaders were taking shelter in his residence en route to Mon in Nagaland.

But the raid ended in a fiasco as the army team could not find anything incriminating in the house of Gogoi and instead decamped with some phones, cash and jewellery.

Such action (midnight search) on the part of the army authority has certainly violated the rights of the petitioner and the family members under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, the court added.

Rejecting the armys plea that the operation was legitimate and bona fide and covered by the protection afforded by Section 4 of the AFSPA, 1958, the court concluded that, There is nothing on record to justify such unwarranted raid on the residence of the petitioner. Owning 12 vehicles, having three wives and living beyond his known source of income can be no ground to sanction a search operation under Section 4(d) of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958. Therefore, there appears to be a failure at the operational level as well as at the functional level, leading to gross violation of the dos and donts, enumeration of which may not be necessary because the violations are so glaring.

Senior advocate B D Das, who appeared for Gogoi, said: The court has said that privacy of a person within the confines of his house or residence is a cherished right and has to be respected. I believe this judgment will have a far-reaching impact for the army as it upholds right to privacy ahead of AFSPA.

In August last year, a nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court ruled that Indians enjoy a fundamental right to privacy, which is intrinsic to life and liberty and thus comes under Article 21 of the Indian constitution.

The Jorhat Dacoity case triggered a conflict within the top brass of the Indian Army. Following the incident, the then Chief of the Army Staff, General VK Singh, launched action against 3 Corps General Officer Commanding-In-Chief, Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag, and put him under a disciplinary and vigilance ban that jeopardized his chances of becoming the next army chief. Suhag did go on to become army chief in July 2014, retiring in December 2016.After their long winter recess, schools reopened in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, except in south Kashmir areas, where they will start functioning from March 12.

Scores of school buses were seen in the morning moving around in the city, picking up children from bus stops.

Traditionally, the schools remain shut for almost three months in winter. Also, for the last nearly 30 years, since militancy started here, education of children suffered not only due to the vagaries of winter, but also because of the adverse law and order situation.

Initially, all private and government schools, up to higher secondary, were scheduled to reopen on March 5, but authorities shut all educational institutions in the wake of Shopian firing incident, in which, six persons, including two militants and four civilians were killed in Pahnoo area in a gunfight on March 4.The Telugu Desam Party on Friday decided to go to the people explaining how the alleged injustice meted out to the state by the Centre forced the party ministers to quit the Narendra Modi-led NDA government.

The move is aimed at stemming any adverse impact of the pullout decision among the people and to counter the BJPs claim that most of the promises made in the AP Reorganisation Act were fulfilled.

An upset TDP withdrew its ministers from the NDA government on Thursday, hours after finance minister Jaitley said it would not be possible for the Centre to grant special status to Andhra Pradesh as the 14th finance commission does not permit it for any state other than those in the north-east and three hilly provinces.

The following day, a meeting  presided by party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu  of the TDPs strategy committee decided to launch a mass campaign.

The committee was constituted by Naidu to monitor the political situation in the wake of the withdrawal of ministers, and apprise him of the latest developments.

In the over five-hour long meeting held in two phases, Naidu told party colleagues to make people aware that the party ministers were forced to quit due to the Centres denial of a special-category status to the state and non-implementation of other promises made in the 2014 Act.

As part of the awareness drive, the party is planning to bring out a 50-page booklet, explaining how the NDA government had systematically watered down the promises made during the bifurcation of the state in 2014.

The booklet, which will be in three languages  Telugu, Hindi and English  will list the implementation status of the promises made in the Act. It will be circulated among the friendly parties outside the state to expose the NDA, TDP sources said.

As many as 19 promises made in the Act are still pending implementation by the Centre. The booklet contains a status report on all these promises, a senior party leader said seeking anonymity.

The booklet is a counter to the arguments being made by the BJP leaders that the Centre has implemented most of the promises. Even finance minister Arun Jaitely said except two or three issues, the Centre has resolved all others. This book will expose the hollowness of all these claims, a party leader said.

After the meeting, the chief minister also addressed the party functionaries for over an hour through teleconference. He gave them direction on launching an extensive campaign explaining to the people how the party had been putting up a strong fight with the Centre to achieve the special category status.

At the same time, we should also explain the developmental and welfare programmes taken up by the government despite the lack of adequate assistance from the Centre, the TDP leader quoted Naidu as saying to the party functionaries.

The BJP has already announced that it would also take up field studies to review the progress of various centrally-sponsored schemes and projects taken up with the central assistance in the coming days to counter the allegations of the TDP.Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile Lobsang Sangay on Saturday urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to resolve the issue of Tibet by dialogue.

He also demanded a UNESCO fact-finding mission to visit the holiest Jokhang shrine in Lhasa in Tibet and investigate a fire incident there that destroyed hundreds of Tibetan artefacts a few weeks back.

As President Xi Jinping sets out to begin his second term, I urge him to peacefully resolve the issue of Tibet through dialogue between the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the representatives of the Chinese government, Sangay said in a message on the 59th anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day.

The tragic news of fire on February 17 at the Jokhang, Tsuklagkhang, a UNESCO world heritage site, is of great sadness. There are reports of extensive damage and loss owing to the burning of dozens of precious statues, hundreds of artefacts and thangkas and murals, he said.

Jokhang is still closed to the public. I, therefore, urge UNESCO to send a mission to investigate into the matter and send journalists to Tibet for an independent investigation, Sangay, also the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) President, said.

Blaming the Chinese government for discriminatory policies with Tibetans, he said: Also de-linking His Holiness the Dalai Lama from Buddhism in Tibet is another root cause of resistance among Tibetans.

To artificially say that you can practice Buddhism but not follow His Holiness the Dalai Lama is akin to saying you can be a Catholic but not follow the Pope. This is a fundamental misreading of the very foundation of Tibetan Buddhism and Tibet as a nation, he added.

He said the rising tide of Chinas economic growth and prosperity has not lifted the Tibetans as Tibet remains one of the poorest region and ethnic Chinese who have flooded into Tibet in recent years have been the prime beneficiaries.

Quoting watchdog Freedom House reports of 2017 and 2016, Sangay said the reports listed Tibet as the second least free country after Syria and worse off than North Korea, South Sudan and Eritrea.

Reporters Without Borders also stated that Tibet is harder to get access to than even North Korea. The Tibetan administration-in-exile is based in the north Indian hill town of Dharamshala.Mercy Bawm was 17 when she died in Singapore in 2014. Four years later, her family in Mizoram is still unaware of what really happened. We couldnt bring her body home. Or even see her one last time, since we neither had passports nor the money to travel to Singapore, says Nancy, 40, her mother. Nancy is reluctant to talk about the ordeal the family suffered since the fateful telephone call from her daughters employer, informing them that Mercy had committed suicide.

It was after she died that we discovered that Mercy had not travelled to Singapore on an Indian passport, says her mother, revealing the reason why her daughters body could not be brought home. Both Mercys employer and other people from Mizoram working in Singapore, told the family that Mercy had a Myanmarese passport while working in Singapore. Neither her name, nor her age or address were real. Our daughter didnt have an Indian identity anymore, says Nancy.

Unregistered placement agencies in the north-east, in states such as Manipur and Mizoram, are sending women and young girls to Southeast Asian and Gulf countries, taking advantage of the porous border that north-east India shares with Myanmar. Myanmar is, however, just a stop-over, where the girls are given a new identity and trained for their life to come, before being sent to work in salons or as housemaids in countries such as Singapore. Their Indian documents are taken away and they are given Myanmarese passports. The physical resemblance between the people on both sides of the border makes the identity switch easy.

Educated till class 11 and from a lower middle class family, Mercy was excited at the prospect of working in a foreign country. As a housemaid in Singapore, she was hoping to earn 20,000 per month. Mercy had been offered work by a local agent, who promised her family that she would face no problems.

A year after moving to Singapore, however, Mercy had sent home only 7000. The Bawms didnt mind. Neither were they unduly alarmed  as long as they believed their daughter was happy. But then came the devastating news of her suicide. The local agent stopped answering their calls after that. He even left town for a while but is now back and has resumed work. The Bawms are, of course, shattered. Yet, they chose not to lodge a police complaint against the agent, or ask for an official enquiry into Mercys death. It will not bring our child back. And Mercy has three siblings. We have to live here, says her mother in a helpless voice. This explains why the Anti Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) in Mizoram doesnt have a single registered case of cross-border trafficking.

Not The Only One

Meanwhile, in neighbouring Manipur, Lamzakap Simte, father of Esther Hoihnunching, is a worried man. His daughter left home in the first week of April 2017 and contacted the family only in December to inform them that she had reached Singapore. On 18 January this year, Esther called us again, this time from a different number and told us that she has a different name now. Her age is 18, but on the new passport, it is 22 years. While the couple she is working for is good, their extended family is cruel. She longs for us and wants to come back, says Simte.

At his wits end as to how to help his daughter, Simte advised Esther to continue working in Singapore, till she had saved enough money to return home and was confident of doing so on her own. What if she tries to come back and gets lost on the way? wonders the worried father. I am in a fix. I fear that once the details of the Singapore agents are out, my daughter will be harmed and shifted to a new location and will be untraceable. Her identity is already changed.

In Manipur, Lamzakap Simte, father of Esther Hoihnunching, is a worried man. His daughter left home in the first week of April 2017 and contacted the family only in December to inform them that she had reached Singapore. She now wants to come back. Her father has register an FIR in Churachandpur. (Vipin Kumar/HT PHOTO)

Simte mustered the courage to register an FIR in Churachandpur in September. But Rakesh Balwal, superintendent of police, Churachandpur, says that since the girl has a new identity, her passport details or location are needed to first trace her and then initiate the repatriation process. Her Indian name and details have been sent to the state home department, he says.

Few families in the region file a police complaint when they stop hearing from their daughters  though a case of immoral trafficking was registered in Manipur in 2017 after eight girls were rescued from Yangon in 2017. One of the girls had managed to alert the superintendent of police in Churachandpur, when she realised that her identity was being changed in Myanmar.

Chinneihlam Gangte, officer-in-charge of the Women Police Station in Churachandpur, says that this kind of trafficking has been happening since 2012. We can only act if a case is registered. Parents are scared. Everybody is aware of whats happening, but no one wants to talk about it because of the stigma attached.

Leaving no trail

The modus operandi is similar in most of the cases in the region. A local agent scouts for girls and lures them with the promise of employment  to work as a housemaid or babysitter, with good food and accommodation, in Singapore, Thailand or China. The offer is irresistible for both the parents and girls: 500 Singapore dollars or 25,000 a month. Owing to AFSPA, the prevailing armed conflict and mass displacement, sources of income are limited, points out Hechin Haokip, secretary, Centre for Women and Girls in the hill districts of Chandel and Tengnoupal.

As a rule, the first six-seven months salary is kept by the agents and the girls are promised full salary thereafter. The network usually involves three sets of agents  one in India, the other in Myanmar and the last in the destination country.

On the day of travel, the girls are either picked up from home or they spend the previous night in the local agents house. They are transported in a private vehicle to the border in the wee hours of the morning. The Myanmar agent or his representative picks the girls from the border and drops them at the headquarters in Yangon.

The Indo-Myanmar border near Manipur. On the Indian side is the market town of Moreh and across the border is Tamu. It is easy to cross over, both through the official entry-exit points and through the porous border. People travel across throughout the day, and the girls evoke no suspicion when they taken to Myanmar. (Sarika Malhotra)

Girls from Mizoram are usually taken through Zokhawthar village in the Champhai district on the Indo-Myanmar border, near the Rih Dil lake. On the Myanmar side, the Khawmawi village is accessible via a bridge built over the Harhva river. Girls from Manipur are usually taken via Moreh, a small market town, to Tamu in Myanmar. The most common way of crossing the border is by simply walking across or on a two-wheeler. The constant flow of people from both sides through the day, both via the official entry-exit point and through the porous border, ensures that no one gets suspicious. There are thriving markets on both sides of the border and a visa-free movement regime (FMR) facilitates free movement of people from the two countries within 16 km of the border.

After crossing the Indian border, the girls mobile phones and Indian documents  or Aadhaar card  are taken away by the agents, says Florence Haokip, chairperson, Child Welfare Committee, Churachandpur. After reaching Yangon, the girls are divided in two groups: beautiful and ugly. The ugly ones are trained for house jobs and the beautiful girls are trained to work in spas and beauty salons. Though we do not get exact information on exploitation, the very fact the girls are divided into ugly and beautiful, is indicative enough, says Haokip.

The girls are then kept in a dormitory and trained not just for their respective jobs, but also in the language of the destination country. They are taught how to say five things in Burmese: their new name, age, mothers and fathers names, address, along with what they do and why they are going to Singapore or Thailand. This is so that they can answer questions put to them by officials when their Myanmarese passports are being made and also during immigration from Myanmar to the destination country. The duration of the training in Yangon depends on how quickly the girls are able to pick up Burmese.

One of the Manipuri girls who was rescued from Yangon in 2017, at home with her mother. The promise of a job as a housemaid or in a salon in Southeast Asia or the Gulf, with the prospect of a good salary, is tempting for the girls and their families, since most of them are not very well off. (Vipin Kumar/HT PHOTO)

The girls who were rescued from Yangon in 2017 said that they slept in a big hall on the floor.  The agent gave us some money for toiletries. If we needed anything, we had to request the dormitory staff to bring it for us, one of them said.

Once the girls reach the destination country, their Myanmarese passports are taken away by the agent. Only those who are very lucky make their way back home through the same agents. While returning, the Myanmarese passport is taken back by the agent when the girl lands in Myanmar. She is dropped to the Indian border and escorted home by the Indian agent.

Agents of fear

It is a well-oiled system, says L Pishak Singh, secretary, New Life Foundation, Manipur: The conviction rate is very low. Some victims of trafficking also go on to become agents. One such is Esther Lalpianmawii, the main accused in the 2017 case in Manipur in which eight girls were rescued. Esther worked in Singapore between 2012-2014 and started recruiting girls from the district after returning home. The officer investigating the case said, She would get 25,000-30,000 and more for scouting and dropping girls to the border. The co-agent who would scout for girls from the interiors would get 4,000 per girl. The commission is more for beautiful girls. At least 40 girls were sent to South-East Asia through her.

The agents convince parents that they are from a government-recognised agency, says Hasina Kharbhih, chairperson of Impulse NGO Network. But most of them are not. Agencies have to pay a huge fee, running into lakhs, for government recognition, and most of them want to save this money. So there is no accountability and the girls are trapped, she says.

The government is aware of the problem. Rakesh Shrivastava, secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, admits that cross-border trafficking is becoming a big problem in the north-east.

A few blocks away from the Bawms lives Tina, who worked in Singapore for four years, in stints of two years each. She says Mercys death gave her a terrible shock. Tina was 19 when she travelled through the same agents, in the same way for the first time. I still want to work in Singapore, but on an Indian passport. But even if I want to get things corrected, I cant. My thumbprint is already registered with the Singapore authorities and the Ministry of Manpower, Singapore, under the Myanmar passport. And I am scared if something happens to me or the agent, I will not be able to return home ever.

(Names, family names and addresses of some victims have been changed to protect their identity)

IT WAS LIKE HOUSE ARREST: A SURVIVOR RECALLS THE DAYS OF HORROR

On 28 July 2017, Helen (name changed) left Churachandpur, in Manipur, to work in Singapore as a housemaid. The offer was tempting. More so since her family lived a hand-to-mouth existence in a rented house. The agent had approached her five times with the offer, and finally Helen had said yes. On the day she left, Helen was picked up from her house by the agent in a private van. She was asked to carry her Aadhaar card with her.

After entering Moreh, a village in Manipur which is near the Indo-Myanmar border, the agent hired an auto till the border. Helen walked across the border, to where the Myanmar contact was waiting on the other side. They took an auto to reach Tamu and then boarded a bus for Yangon. When Helen was asked by the Myanmar agent to hand over her Aadhaar card, she became suspicious, but had no option but to comply.

When Helen (name changed) was trapped in Yangon, en route to Singapore, she was able to secretly call the police superintendents office in Manipur in 2017 and get herself and seven other girls rescued. She hadnt been afraid when she left home, but she was petrified when her Aadhaar card was taken away and she discovered she would be given a new identity. (Vipin Kumar/HT PHOTO)

On reaching Yangon, Helen was taken to a dormitory which had 50 girls, seven of whom were from the Churachandpur district. Helen was asked to hand over her mobile phone. I put the phone on silent and hid it in my toothbrush bag. My bag and I were thoroughly checked, but they did not find the phone.

Helen recalls that staying in Yangon was like being under house arrest. Our day began at 5am. Breakfast was at 7am, followed by housekeeping class. We were not allowed to rest or sleep during the day and could hardly interact with each other. A language class for two hours was a must, an hour-long Burmese class, and one hour of Thai or English. We were not allowed to even go close to the window, let alone step out of the gate. Television was allowed only on Sundays. The doors were always locked.

During the Burmese language training session, Helen understood that the purpose of their learning Burmese was so that a Myanmarese passport could be made for them. I was not comfortable with the idea. My name, parents names, home addressthey would change everything. I had not been scared when I left for the job. But when I came to know that my name and parents names were being changed, I was very scared. I knew that this was not right. But all the girls were going through the same process. And nobody knew what

to do.

In the little conversation that I had with the others, we all wished that there was a way to contact someone back home, says Helen. I had a phone, but no sim card. The Indian sim card did not work in Yangon. One of the Indian girls who was leaving for Singapore gave me a sim card which she had got from an earlier batch of girls. I hid it and waited for the right time.

Helen searched for the contact number of the Churachandpur superintendent offices and on September 8, WhatsApped photos and the location to the SPs office from the washroom. After her alert, a task force was set up, involving the Manipur Home Department, superintendent of police, Churachandpur, and the embassy of India, Yangon. Eight Manipuri girls were rescued and sent back to India on 29 September.An undertrial charged with attempt to murder uploaded a selfie on Facebook from his cell in Muzaffarnagar district jail, sending authorities into a tizzy on Saturday.

Jail sources said a smartphone was recovered on Saturday from barrack 16 A where the undertrial, Vijay Choudhary, is lodged. It was not clear whether it was same phone used to upload the selfie.

Inmates are not allowed to keep phones but there have been numerous instances in the past in jails across the state when undertrials, especially high-profile people, were found in possession of mobile phones, attributed to lax security and sometimes even connivance of jail staff.

Choudhurys selfie, uploaded on March 7, was noticed only after it was shared widely on social media. He had uploaded two more selfies on February 18 but they went unnoticed by the jail authorities.

Choudhurys latest selfie was with fellow undertrials, identified as Sachin Lambu and Mohit.

The matter has come to my knowledge. Circle officer (Mandi) Yogendra Singh has been directed to initiate a probe into the incident along with the jail administration, said city superintendent of police Ombeer Singh.

District magistrate Rajeev Sharma also said a magisterial-level probe would be initiated into the matter.

In May 2016 too a similar incident was reported in the prison, when a few inmates had uploaded selfies on Facebook.

Jolted by the security breach, the prison administration ordered all the barracks to be searched on Saturday. Jail superintendent AK Saxena and jailer AN Tripathi led the operation.

We have recovered a smart phone from barrack 16 A (in which the undertrial concerned is lodged), a source said.

The operation is still on, Saxena told HT.

Jail authorities said the undertrial Vijay Choudhary was in prison in connection with a case of murderous assault on a person. He was arrested in December last year and booked under sections 307 and 323 of the Indian Penal Code, said Saxena.

To check telephonic communication between prisoners and their supporters outside, the jail administration have installed a jammer on the premises.Bharatpur:

A 16-year-old gang rape victim from Bharatpur, miffed with police over inaction against the accused, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, seeking permission to end her life.

The girl, a Class 10 student from Jhanjhar village in Rajasthans Bharatpur district, was raped repeatedly for three days by her two neighbours, said a complaint registered with police by her father. The accused made video clips and threatened to circulate them on social media if she told anyone about the rape, the complaint said.

The girls family met Bharatpur superintendent of police (SP) Anil Kumar Tak on Friday. The girl said she wanted the accused to be arrested and punished. In her letter to Modi, she said if the accused were not punished, she would end her life.

Accused are roaming free in the village and threatening to kill my parents. Police have not succeeded in arresting them, she said.

The incident happened on January 10 when her father was admitted to a private hospital in Bharatpur for a stomach operation. Two youths of the village -- Soldar Khan and Samaydeen Khan -- called the girl to their house, saying her father had called on Soldars mobile phone and wanted to talk to her.

When she came to their house, the men raped her. They shot video clips during the rape and threatened her to make them public. They repeatedly raped her for three days, according to the police complaint.

The girl shared the incident with her mother when she returned from the hospital. Her kin organised a panchayat in the village, but the accused refused to attend.

The victims father approached Sikri police station on February 4. Police registered his complaint under section 376 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and IT Act against Soldar and Samaydeen. Police had taken the girl for medical examination and recorded her statement before the magistrate.

The girls father said, She is under depression and wants to end her life. She is more distressed as the police have failed to arrest the accused.

Investigative officer Anil Meena said main accused Soldar has been arrested on Friday. The SP said, Soldar Khan has been arrested, and police are investigating the role of Samaydeen Khan.A businessman from Alwars Khairthal who was shot dead late on Friday, was on Saturday cremated in the presence of the members of business community and political leaders.

Angry traders demanded the arrest of culprits while BJP legislators questioned the breakdown of law and order in the state.

The opposition Congress, too has threatened to launch a district-wide agitation if the culprits are not arrested within the next 48 hours.

As a mark of respect to the slain trader, shops and business centres in Behror, Tijara, Kishangarhbas Mundawar, Khairthal and Alwar remained closed for the day.

Alwar superintendent of police Rahul Prakesh said Mukesh Kumar Agarwal, owner of a provision store in Khairthal was returning home after closing his shop when a couple of motorcycle-borne people tried to snatch the bag he was carrying and another accomplice shot him from close range.

While a bullet struck him in his shoulder and the other on his thigh and the assassins fled with the bag after firing a few rounds in the air, he said.

The incident took place at 8.15 pm, police said.

Local BJP legislator Ramhet Yadav, however, claimed that the assassins target a neighbouring shop owner, who had returned home after closing his shop.

Soon as the news of the killing spread, angry residents pelted stones at the police and also stopped a number of trains by blockading the railway track, police said.

Police, however, managed to bring the situation under control.

Agarwal was rushed to a hospital in Alwar where doctor declared him brought dead, police said, adding that the body was handed over to his family members after an autopsy.

Members of the business community handed over a memorandum to the Alwar superintendent of police Rahul Prakash, demanding arrest of the culprits.

Prakesh assured that police will arrest the culprits soon.

BJP legislator from Kishangarhbas (Khairthal ) Ramhet Yadav said that if the police are unable to catch the culprits within the next 48 hours, then the government should transfer the station house officer of the Khairthal police station and the Alwar superintendent of police.

BJP MLA from Ramgarh Gyan Dev Ahuja said the law and order situation in the state has broken down completely. The BJP government in the state besides shedding tears and showing grief over rape of small girls, murder and hate crimes, cant do anything more.

Congress leaders, including former Union minister and parliamentarian Jitendra Singh, district Congress chief Tikaram Juli and local leaders met the victims family members and assured them that if the culprits were not arrested within the next 48 hours, the party will launch an agitation against the Alwar police.

.A Pakistani national was arrested on Saturday from a restricted border area under Chohtan police station in Rajasthans Barmer district, police said.

The Pak national, identified as Damaram Bheel, was caught from his relatives house at Mithe Ka Tala village in Chohtan. A resident of Pakistans Sindh province, Bheel was brought to Chohtan police station. Police have not recovered anything suspicious from him.

During preliminary investigation, it was known that Bheel reached the village late on Friday night to condole a death in the family. Police said he came to India on a valid visa on March 4, but he was arrested because he did not have the document to enter Chohtan, considered protected.

Under the Foreigners (protected areas) Act, 1958, border villages and the western part of the national highway 15 in Barmer are out of bounds for foreign nationals.

A foreign national is not usually allowed to visit a protected/restricted area until it is established to the satisfaction of the government that there are extraordinary reasons to justify such visit, officials familiar with the matter said.Rajasthan health minister Kali Charan Saraf on Saturday promised that the state government will extend all possible help to government hospitals for treating immunodeficiency diseases.

Inaugurating the two-day national conference on Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (PID) at a city hotel, he said that this conference is first of its kind in Jaipur and discussions on latest scientific achievements, research and treatment of immunodeficiency diseases will benefit the people and children of the state.

The state government will extend all possible help for the required facilities to the government medical colleges to treat immunodeficiency diseases, he said.

Conference organising secretary and Sir Padampat Mother and Child Health Institute (JK Lone Hospital) medical superintendent Dr Ashok Gupta said that national and international experts will discuss on immunodeficiency diseases, that will, in turn, help the medical fraternity.

Primary Immunodeficiency has been a neglected specialty owing primarily to the lack of medical awareness. Six years back, there were only six research papers on the subject. But today, 260 research papers have been submitted, which shows that doctors are focussing on the issue and working on it, Dr Gupta said.

He added that JK Lone hospital of Sawai Man Singh Medical College is the countrys first medical college hospital to start special programme on rare diseases along with newborn screening.

Presiding over the function, SMS Medical College Jaipur, principal and controller Dr US Agarwal said that immunodeficiency diseases is a very difficult subject. He further added that with governments support, Jaipur can make rapid strides on this subject.

Dr Gupta, citing examples, said that ear infection four or more times in a year, serious sinus infection twice or more in a year, treatment with antibiotics for more than two years, pneumonia twice or more in a year, improper development of child, repeated skin infection, all such cases can hint at PID. In such cases, facility of immunotherapy and stem cell transplantation is available.

This conference is being organised by Indian Society of Primary Immune Deficiency (ISPID) in collaboration with the Foundation for Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (FPID, USA) and SPMCHI, SMS Medical College, Jaipur.State health minister Kali Charan Saraf said on Saturday he stands by the Sawai Man Singh Hospitals laboratory report that said Rajasthan governor Kalyan Singhs throat swab sample tested positive for H1N1 virus.

Talking to the media on the sidelines of a medical conference, Saraf said, Governor Kalyan Singhs throat swab sample has tested positive for H1N1 or swine flu.

After being tested negative at Delhis Apollo Hospital, we got four other samples tested at two private-run laboratories where the samples were to be positive for the viral flu. The laboratory at the SMS hospital is a standard laboratory and there is no chance of any errors, he said

When questioned that despite the governor testing positive for H1N1 influenza according to the SMS hospitals report, he was meeting people and there can be chance of people getting infected with the virus, Saraf said: Swine flu was detected in the early stage and the SMS hospital alerted him. Today, the governor is healthy...

Singh was diagnosed with H1N1 symptoms at the state-run Sawai Man Singh hospital on March 4 and was rushed to Delhi to get re-test done at the Apollo Hospital, where he tested negative for the H1N1 virus on March 5.

The governors secretariat in a statement, said it has taken serious note of the investigation report submitted by the SMS Hospital and asked for a high-level inquiry into how the hospital had given a positive report.

The state government had formed a three-member committee to investigate into the matter on March 5 and the committee submitted its report on Friday to the minister.

The report stated that there is no ground on which the report of the SMS Medical College can be labeled as incorrect.

The committee comprised secretary medical education Anand Kumar, SMS Medical College principal Dr US Agarwal and Dr RK Maheshwari from the microbiology department

Saraf on Friday in the assembly said the SMS hospital has ultramodern equipment and trained technicians under the supervision of medical experts who test the throat swab samples of people with suspected symptoms of H1N1.

He further said that the inquiry committee was directed to re-test four positive samples in a private laboratory and all the four samples tested positive for H1N1 virus.

The quality control of swine flu testing laboratory of the SMS Medial College is vetted by the National Institute of Virology in Pune, he said.

.Kosa Bai Sahariya (75) of Kherai village in Shahabad block of Rajasthans Baran district is not getting old-age pension and ration under the public distribution system. Reason: Her thumb impression is not being detected by point-of-sale (PoS) machines because of her old age.

She is not alone. Zamanati Bai Sahariya (73), Kanhi Bai Sahariya (76), Maangi Bai Sahariya (75), Funsa Bai Sahariya (80) and many other women of Kherai village are also not getting old-age/widow pension and ration for the same reason.

Funsa Bai said, Whenever I am going to the Atal Seva Kendra of Ganeshpura gram panchayat for taking my old-age pension, the bank business correspondent (BC) denies me pension as the PoS machine is not reading my thumb impression. She faces the same problem whenever she goes to ration dealers.

Our thumb impressions have faded because we have become old and have been working as labourers for long in agricultural fields and National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) projects, she said, explaining why PoS machines are not reading their thumb impressions.

Bank business correspondent Inderlal Verma said PoS machines were not detecting thumb impressions of many elderly people.

Villager Bhogilal Sahariya said, These elderly woman are helpless. First they take pains to reach Atal Seva Kendra and ration dealer shops; they are then denied pension and ration.

Asked about the problem, Kota district civil supply officer Harlal Meena said, If thumb impressions are not detected in PoS machines, they can get ration by providing their mobile numbers to the dealer.

Coordinator of Hadauti Training Research Centre, Baran, Firoz Khan said, elderly men and women of many villages were facing that problem. If the civil supply department has given direction to ration dealers, then why are such elderly women not getting ration? he asked.

Our organisation has given a memorandum to the district civil supply officer and development officer for distribution of ration and pension to such people whose thumb impressions are not detected in PoS machines.A Bengal court has sentenced a man to 10 years in prison for sexual assault on a three-year-old, a mere 13 days after the crime and nine days after the police submitted the charge sheet.

Additional district judge II of Krishnanagar, Manas Basu on Friday pronounced 40-year-old Tapash Majumdar guilty of sexual assault on the child on February 25.

Read: Lightning justice: Court in Bengal convicts, jails man for sexual assault in 15 days

He also has to pay a fine of Rs 10,000. If Majumdar fails to pay the fine, he has to spend six months more in the jail.

The court in Nadia district bettered the record of another court in the same district that, in December 2016, sentenced a 50-year-old barber for sexually assaulting an eight-year-old girl to five years in prison in just 15 days after the crime.

This is a remarkable achievement by the court. I have never heard of justice being dispensed faster in any court. A total of 15 witnesses deposed in the case, said public prosecutor Nasiruddin Ahmed.

Read: Delay in justice and low rate of conviction are major flaws

The investigating officers did a splendid job. The role of the judiciary was laudable, said Santosh Pandey, superintendent of police of the district.

The crime took place in Purba Sonatala village under Nakashipara police station in Nadia district on the evening of February 25, when the parents took the child and went to attend the puja and house warming party of a neighbour.

Majumdar slipped to a spot behind the house carrying the child in his lap and inserted his fingers inside her private parts.

Read: Waiting for justice: 27 million cases pending in courts, 4500 benches empty

Attracted by the cries of the child, invitees ran out and caught him. Majumdar was handed over to the police and a complaint was lodged that night.

The police charged him with IPC section 376 (rape) and section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

The police submitted the charge sheet on February 28.

The judge also directed the district magistrate to arrange for paying Rs 3 lakh compensation to the family of the child as per the existing scheme of the government.

Majumdar is a daily labourer.Unidentified persons defaced a statue of Michael Madhusudan Dutt, a prominent poet-playwright of Bengal, on Friday night in Bengals Raniganj town an incident that confirmed that the virus of vandalism is now engulfing persons not related to partisan politics.

Red ink was smeared on the statue of Dutt in Raniganj. The incident took place on Friday night in West Burdwan district about 200 km from Kolkata and was noticed on Saturday morning.

Read: Statue vandalism: Violent protests break out at Jadavpur University

The civic body authorities quickly cleaned the statue.

Dutt (1824-1873) is regarded as one of the key personalities of modern Bengali literature who was also one of the earliest Indians to try his hand in writing poetry in English. Besides, he was a polyglot having studied Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Hebrew, Latin and Greek.

Dutt converted to Christianity in his youth.

We are trying to find out the identity of the culprits. We have told the police to take strong steps,  said Jiten Tewari, the mayor of Asansol Municipal Corporation. It is a matter of great shame that the statue of the poet was defaced.

Local BJP leaders, too, condemned the act.

Read: Statue vandalism: Ambedkar, Gandhi statues defaced

The string of vandalism involving some of the countrys leaders and icons started with the demolition of two statues of the leader of Russian revolution, Vladimir Lenin, in Tripura on March 6 and 7 following the victory of the BJP.

To protest the act by saffron supporters, a group of ultra-Left students vandalised a bust of Jan Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee in south Kolkata on March 7.

The virus spread fast with social reformer E V Ramaswamys (popular as Periyar) statue attacked in Tamil Nadus Tirupattur on the night of March 6 and that of B R Ambedkar being defaced in Uttar Pradeshs Meerut on the same night. M K Gandhis statue was vandalised on March 8 in Kannur, Kerala and Subhas Chandra Boses statue being defaced on March 9 in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.

Read: Statue vandalism: Rajinikanth slams BJP leader for barbaric comment on Periyar

Bengal chief minister condemned the demolition of Lenins statue and the vandalism of prominent Indian leaders. Kolkata Police arrested seven students who damaged Mookerjees statue.

In Kolkata, BJP leaders got into a scuffle with ruling Trinamool Congress supporters on March 8, when they were prevented from going near Mookerjees statue that the saffron supporters wanted to purify with milk and Ganges water.

On March 9, BJP workers carried out their purification programme on a few statues of Syama Prasad Mookerjee in Howrah and other areas of Bengal with milk and river water and applied sandalwood on the forehead of the statue.

One of Dutts important creations was Meghnad Badh Kabya (poem on the killing of Indrajit, the son of Ravana), in which he portrayed Ravana as a hero. Dutt was also famous for writing blank verse in Bengali.The Allahabad high court on Friday directed the state government to ensure that all government employees and officials, who received salary or other financial gains from the government/public exchequer, avail medical care services from government hospitals.

The court directive was aimed at ending the apathy of officials towards government hospitals and improving their condition.

The high court also directed the director general, vigilance, UP to constitute special teams to find out medical officers of the state government, who were engaged in private practice or were running hospitals, nursing homes etc and to register FIRs against them.

Hearing a PIL by one Sneh Lata Singh, alleging pathetic condition of the government hospitals in the state, a division bench comprising of justice Sudhir Agrawal and justice Ajit Kumar passed the directive after hearing all sides.

The court also directed that VIPs should not be given any special treatment if they were availing medical facilities from government hospitals.

It made it clear that if medical care was obtained in private hospitals, the government must not reimburse the employees for it.

However, the court made it clear that in case of those diseases, treatment of which is not available in government hospitals, the above condition would not apply.

The court directed immediate steps to fill up vacancies of medical, para-medical and other attending staff in government hospitals in the state.

It ordered audit of state medical colleges through comptroller and auditor general of India (CAG) with regard to alleged mismanagement in hospitals, funds made available and the expenditure thereof.

Taking serious note of the filing of a false affidavit in the case, the court issued notice to Rajneesh Dubey, principal secretary, medical education, UP government and Dr SP Singh, principal, Medical College, Allahabad to show cause as to why action be not initiated against them.

The court directed the UP chief secretary to supervise and comply with the directions of the court.Civic issues, including encroachments, garbage dumps, traffic jams and one time house tax settlement scheme figured on the agenda of HT Forum on Friday. City mayor Sanyukta Bhatia, who was also a part of the forum, assured to resolve the issues at the earliest.

Suggestions by panelists Removal of encroachments in Aminabad, one of the oldest markets in the state capital.Encroachment has reduced a 40 ft road to 8 ft. Strict action against illegal complexes and shops that are the main contributors to encroachment One-time house tax settlement scheme to boost revenue. Traders said there were many people who wanted to clear the arrears but could not due to the faulty tax assessment. Removal of encroachment from parks and setting up wellness parks near PGI. Construction of pink toilets for women visitors to the PGI.

Encroachment remained the most debatable topic . In Aminabad, one of the oldest markets of the state capital, encroachment has reduced a 40 ft road to a mere 8 ft. Its high time something was done, said Jaspreet Singh, a social activist who is running a campaign I Change Aminabad.

Singh, who is also promoting the campaign through social media, said there was need to take strict action against the illegal complexes and shops that were the main contributors to the encroachment. He also pointed out another glaring issue the Aminabad market was grappling with: poor pheri neeti and the governments announcement to allocate a place to street vendors near Jhandewala Park. The governments announcement has given an opportunity to the street vendors to encroach on the area, he added.

Sanjay Gupta, president, Uttar Pradesh Adarsh Vyapar Mandal, endorsed the view and demanded the revision of pheri neeti, saying it should be with the consent of the traders.

On house tax, he said the Nagar Nigam should launch one-time settlement scheme to bolster its revenue. There are many people who want to clear their arrears but due to the faulty tax assessment, they are unable to do so. If the Nagar Nigam introduces one time settlement, people will come forward and clear the dues that will increase the revenue, said Gupta.

Similarly, PK Gupta, spokesperson, IMA suggested removal of encroachments from parks and developing wellness parks near the PGI. He also demanded construction of pink toilets for the convenience of women visitors to the PGI.

City Mayor Sanyukta Bhatia, after patiently listening to all issues and suggestions, assured that all grievances would be addressed. She said the Nagar Nigam was getting the area videographed to curb encroachments in Aminabad market . She also said that she had already given a waiver in most of the disputed house tax cases. It had not only given relief to the tax payers but also put a check on the corruption. She also accepted the suggestion for establishment of pink toilets and said locals and social activists should help in providing adequate space to set up the toilets.Levelling allegations of harassment and non-payment of salary, around 300 outsourced employees working at the chief ministers integrated grievance redressal toll-free helpline (1076) created ruckus on Friday. The uproar was triggered after one of the women protesters fainted during the agitation outside the helplines office at Cyber Heights in Vibhuti Khand. The 1076 helpline became operation on February 13, but a formal launch is still to take place.

Staff eligible for salary only after helpline started operating PC Srivastava, managing director of UP Development Systems Corporation Ltd (state agency authorised for hiring private agencies) said that as per the contract the outsourced staff was eligible for salary only after the helpline started operating. The helpline started operating since February 13. The salary from February 13 till 28 will be paid soon as per the contract, said Srivastava.

The agitation ended only after the police arrested four male protestors and registered an FIR against them for causing nuisance and inciting others for the same. The district administration officials also appealed to the protesters to remain calm and assured them that the matter would be looked into.

Inspector Vibhuti Khand Satyendra Kumar Rai said some of the outsourced staff had been protesting for the last few weeks, demanding salary for the three-month training period. The same group of 300 employees was agitating on Friday morning too. The trouble started when a protester Shalu Yadav fainted and had to be rushed to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia hospital, he said.

Rai said some protestors accused the management of the private agency handling the helpline of poisoning Shalu. They protesters also alleged that agency officials locked some of them in a room and forced them to sign resignation letters. Hundreds of other staff members also gathered at the hospital after being told of the girls poisoning and demanded action against the agency management, said Rai.

However, the doctors denied poisoning after examining the girl. They said she fainted due to weakness and mental pressure. Extra police force was called in from Gomti Nagar police station when the crowd of protestors started swelling. The agitation was called off after additional city magistrate (ACM) IV Amit Kumar assured the agitators that he would look into the matter, said Rai.

He said four youths who were provoking other employees were arrested to prevent commission of cognizable offences under section 151 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

Meanwhile, ACM IV Amit Kumar said that according to the agency managing the helpline, over 1,000 outsourced employees were hired for the project. They said it was made clear to the staff that no salary would be paid for the training period, which was around three months, said Kumar.

He said most of the staff was clear about the contract rules, but some of them started misleading others by demanding salary for the training period. The agency management said that salaries of all staff members were credited to their accounts as per their attendance record since 13 February, 2018 (when the training ended). The agency will now clearly display the contract details outside the call centre office at cyber heights so that nobody else gets misled, said Kumar.Mayor Sanyukta Bhatia on Friday promised that the city will soon be free of roadside garbage dumps.

Speaking at the HT Forum at Hindustan Times office in Lucknow, Bhatia said she wished to be remembered as a mayor who was not afraid of taking tough decisions for public welfare.

The civic problems of Lucknow, which HT received from residents through letters, were handed over to the mayor, in the form of a booklet, by eminent citizens of city.

Bhatia assured that she would ensure that all complaints were resolved by Lucknow Municipal Corporation.

She asserted that the days of dumping waste in the open were over as she had directed officials to shift dumps to places away from roads and from where trucks could pick up and transport waste to landfill sites. I have also directed officials to install compactors in which waste can be treated and turned into manure, said Bhatia.

With this move the bad odour, which used to emanate from waste on roadsides, will no more affect residents. It will be beneficial for the environment, too. Compactors have already been placed at more than 20 points. These compactors will convert waste into manure and thus earn money for LMC, said Bhatia.

Even when I was not mayor, I always used to feel bad about the huge waste dumps on roadsides. I used to complain to the authorities but nothing was done. I am someone who loves cleanliness, whether it is my home or my city, so when I became mayor I pledged to make my city clean, she said.

Bhatia added: I have directed all zonal officers to stop spreading filth on roadsides and search a suitable place to dump waste.

She also spoke on pink toilets at public places, house tax reforms, better co-ordination between departments when it comes to road cutting, street lights and safety of women.Table etiquette is always a daunting topic  whether it is a business dinner you are going for, a black-tie event that you wish to attend or a casual brunch on a day out with friends. From types of cutlery to styles of eating different cuisines, there are different levels of etiquette that are followed throughout the world depending on the occasion.

Heres a handy guide:

* Getting started: If you are invited to have dinner with someone, it is always a good idea to respond, even if an RSVP is not requested. This helps with planning. When you are dining at the home of a friend, it is a good idea to bring a gift for the host or hostess. Some dinner parties are formal and have place cards where the host or hostess wants you to sit. If not, ask if there are any seating preferences. Wait until the host sits before you do.

* Know your glasses: If you have more than one glass on the table which resembles a wine glass, you can tell which one is for what purpose by the following simple guide. The water glass is always a thicker one with a substantial stem as opposed to wine glasses. Within the wine glasses, the dessert wine glasses have a wider mouth and smaller bowl, the champagne flutes are more elongated than others and the white wine glass has a wider mouth and a narrower body.

The water glass is always a thicker one with a substantial stem as opposed to wine glasses. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

* Use of cutlery and hands: If there are a lot of forks and knives on either side of your plate, always start the meal by using the cutlery on the outer most end and work your way in. Do not keep your knife and fork crossed on the plate at any time as that is considered rude. If you are drinking from a stemmed glass, hold it by the stem. A typical rule of thumb is to start with the utensil that is farthest from your plate and work your way toward the centre of your place setting. Dishes such as pizza, sushi pizza, the nagiri sushi, and your breads are meant to be eaten with hands so use of cutlery is not always the right thing to do specially if you are with a Japanese or an Italian, in this case.

* When to eat: If you are eating out, you should wait until all the members of your group have been served before picking up your fork. For dinners where food is served at the table, the dishes should be passed in a counter a counter-clockwise flow. Never reach across the table for anything.

* While eating: It is always advisable to turn off your cell phone before sitting down, to avoid talking and texting while dining. It is rude in the company of others or guests. Keep your elbows off the table or rest the hand you are not using in your lap. Never talk or burp while dining  its just gross, even if someone asks you a question, finish chewing your food and then answer.

Taste your food before you add salt, pepper, or other seasoning. Doing otherwise may be insulting to the host or hostess. Cut one or two bites instead of cutting all at once and taste everything served on plate unless youre allergic. If you spill something at a restaurant, signal one of the servers to help. If you spill something at a private dinner party in someones home, pick it up and blot the spill. Offer to have it professionally cleaned if necessary.

* After the meal: After you finish eating, partially fold your napkin and place it to the left of your plate. Never use a toothpick or dental floss at the table.

Having said all this, eating is always about ones comfort, so how one wishes to eat a dish is completely on them. At the end of the day, the best advice would be to enjoy your meal, make sure you convey your pleasure. Bon appetit.

 Inputs from Tushar Nagar, food and beverage manager, Courtyard by Marriott and Fairfield by Marriott, Bengaluru, and Ishan Shah, director and co-owner MAIA: Eat, Bake, Mom, Bengaluru.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for moreThe Boisar MIDC police have registered an FIR against the fire officer of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Tarapur for allegedly ignoring the Palghar district collectors call to rush fire personnel to quell the raging blasts in a pharma unit in Boisar MIDC on Thursday night.

Vikas Gajre, sub-divisional magistrate, Palghar had lodged a police complaint in the matter on the orders of Palghar district collector Dr Prashant Narnaware. The FIR has been registered against Suhas Sambhaji Borkar, the fire officer of Barc, Tarapur.

Three workers died and 15 were injured due to a series of blasts in the unit, causing damages to at least six nearby chemical units in the chemical zone of the Boisar MIDC.

Dr Narnaware said, As the chief of the District Disaster Management team (DDM), I had called the BARC fire brigade and the Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS) fire brigade to rush their state-of-the-art foam tenders to the site. But Borkar of the Barc fire brigade told me that he had to seek permission from his superiors to rush the tenders, while the TAPS did not bother to send the fire tender.

Senior police inspector Prakash Birajdar of Boisar MIDC police station confirmed an FIR has been registered against Borkar. It is a non-bailable offence and we will arrest Borkar shortly, said the official.

Dr Narnaware said, This is a violation under Section 56 and 57 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 as per law, I can order the nearest agency to help us in case of a calamity, and the agency has to comply with the order.

The collector said Thursdays blasts were no ordinary fire, but a huge chemical fire, and only water could not douse the flames. Dr Narnaware said that in such cases, foam tenders are required, and such machines are with the Taps and Barc, but no one had responded when he asked the agencies to send the foam tenders.

The MIDC fire brigade had just two foam tenders, which was not enough, and we had to call tenders from Vasai, Thane, Bhiwandi, Reliance Thermal, Dahanu and Palghar civic tenders to douse the flames, and had the Barc and Taps sent their tenders on time, some damages or lives could have been saved, said Dr Narnaware. He termed the incident as inhumane.

The collector said he had to send some officers from the Boisar MIDC police to BARC to fetch Borkar. However, on seeing the police, the TAPS fire tender was rushed to the spot, when the fire was nearly doused, he said. And we needed them when the fire was raging, he added.

There was no response from Dashrath Dogra, media officer, Barc. A message to his mobile phone and calls to his office went unanswered.

Dr Narnaware said a show cause notice has been issued to H Dhawad, joint director (safety), director of industrial safety and health (Dish), Vasai over lapses in the blasts. We have asked him to reply to our notice within five days and after the reply is received, we will take further action and if we are not satisfied with the reply, an FIR will also likely to be registered against Dish, Dr Narnaware said.

Dhawad said he has not received any notice.

Vikas Gajre, sub-divisional magistrate, Palghar is looking into the matter, Dr Narnaware said.

In fact, we had conducted a meeting post a huge fire in Wada taluka, where officials from MIDC, MPCB, DISH and others were present and we asked them to check for any loopholes in the chemical units, as there are 1,100 hazardous chemical units in Boisar MIDC alone, the collector said. But it seems none of the agencies bothered to check or conduct audit of the chemical units, and Thursday nights incident is a recent example, he said.

Assistant police inspector Kishore Shinde of Boisar MIDC police station said a case of accidental death has been registered with them and they are awaiting the post-mortem report of the three victims. We will take the statements of the injured after they are discharged from the hospital. We are also awaiting the report from Dish, Vasai and later an FIR will be registered once we receive the report, said Shinde.

Meantime, the toll in the blasts stood at three dead. Fifteen workers are still admitted in three private hospitals in Boisar while one worker, Nackched Singh, is in a coma and admitted in a Mira Road hospital, the police said.The additional municipal commissioner (city) of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will conduct fresh proceedings to determine if the long lease of the controversial piece of land at Campa Cola compound, Worli, that is in favour of Pure Drinks Private Limited, will be terminated or not.

A division bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Riyaz Chagla has directed the AMC (city) to hear all the concerned, including the federation of the six co-operative housing societies in the compound and the lessee, Pure Drinks, and Krishna Developers  in whose favour the defunct soft-drink manufacturer had purportedly transferred the lease.

The directive came after senior advocate Anil Sakhare informed the bench that civic chief Ajoy Mehta had on February 17, cancelled a July 14, 2016 order of a deputy municipal commissioner (DMC) that virtually permitted transfer of lease of land in controversial Campa Cola compound at Worli in favour of builder Krishna Developers. Sakhare also said the civic chief had entrusted the task of holding fresh proceedings for determining if the lease was liable to be terminated.

Acting on a petition filed by businessman Chandru Khemlani, in January 2018, the high court directed Mehta to personally look into the July 2016 order, as the bench had found it completely illegal. Khemlani has approached the high court through advocate Pradeep Havnur, challenging the validity of the July 2016 order of the DMC.

The 50-year-old contended that the order was issued pursuant to a show cause notice of August 2010 for termination of lease of Pure Drinks Private Limited because of breaches purportedly committed by the lessee. He said the DMC had no business to condone the breaches allegedly committed by the original lessee and other concerned persons and therefore the order was illegal.

Some of the breaches included the consumption of excess floor space index above the permissible limit and illegal construction of three upper floors on the buildings in the compound. The bench noted that the DCM (improvement) exceeded his brief and directed the six co-operative housing societies to enter into an agreement with Krishna Developers Private Limited.Four women were arrested on Friday for allegedly kidnapping a woman, tying her up and beating her because they suspected her son had eloped with one of the accuseds daughter.

Senior police inspector Sudhir Mahadik of Malad police station said Tamilarsi Chettiyar, 40, a resident of Ranchod Patel chawl in Malad (West), had been rescued. The accused  Tilgavati Kondar, 39, Sharda Kondar, 40, Vijaylaxmi Kondar, 21, and Bhuma Kondar 35  are residents of Suraj Prasad chawl.

On March 7, the Malad police received a complaint from the Kondar family about their daughter eloping with Chettiyars son. Chettiyar who was present for the probe left her home and stayed at a friends place in Orlem in Malad (West) as she was scared. However, two of the women kidnapped Chettiyar in a rickshaw on Thursday morning. I went with them as they said they are taking me to the police station, Chettiyar told the police.

The two women started beating her up and took her to their residence where the other two women joined them. They beat her up after tying her hands and confined her. When Chettiyars second son got to know, he alerted the police who rescued her. The four were arrested under section 365 of the Indian Penal Code.Burdened with the Rs34,022-crore loan waiver, the state government reduced its budgetary allocation for agriculture and allied sectors to Rs75,909 crore from the last years Rs83,000 crore. The reduction comes a day after the Economic Survey projected that the sector will contract 8.3% in 2017-18. The contraction was attributed to unseasonal rains, hailstorms and pest attack.

The negative growth may spoil the states plan to doubling the farm income in the next five years.

After announcing the loan waiver in June last year, the state government had made a budgetary allocation of Rs35,000 crore by way of supplementary demands during the monsoon and winter sessions last year.

It has so far credited Rs13,782 crore into 35.68 lakh farmers bank accounts.

The budget 2018-19 has also set aside more than Rs10,000 crore for loan waiver for the remaining farmers.

The government, which has been talking about the sustainable development of agriculture, has introduced schemes with no financial implications.

While 327 irrigation projects need more than Rs90,000 crore, the government has failed to increase allocation for them. Against last years provision of Rs8,283 crore, the 2018-19 budget has allocated Rs8,233 crore, including the provision of Rs3,115 crore for 26 projects under Prime Minister Krishi Shinchai Yojana.

The budget set aside Rs1,500 crore for the Jalyukta Shivar Yojana, its ambitious water conservation scheme. The scheme targets to make 5,000 villages drought free every year. Another Rs160 crore has been provided for farm wells and ponds, and Rs432 crore for drip irrigation. Agriculture experts, however, slammed the government for flaws in implementation of schemes.

There are big numbers thrown at farmers in the name of attractive schemes, but their benefits hardly reach them. They should clarify if provisions made for drip irrigation and wells are towards the dues that the government owes to farmers. The government has announced Rs 75000 crore, but is there any provision for the capital? asked farm activist Giradhar Patil.

Finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said that though there was a drop in the budgetary allocation, it does not include the second batch of farm loan waiver.

He said that his government will ensure adequate funds for irrigation projects, besides the central aid and lending by state agencies.

The Opposition criticised the state government for the inflated figures. It has been boasting of huge allocation, but it has not been able to give adequate power to agricultural pumps and minimum support price for produce, said Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, leader of opposition in the legislative assembly.

The state has also provided Rs3 crore for promotion of sericulture and Rs100 crore for organic agriculture.

The state has sanctioned Rs922 crore for supply of wheat and rice at Rs2 and Rs3 per kg to be distributed at 14 suicide prone districts through ration shops.In what may bring cheers to lakhs of its employees, the Maharashtra government on Friday declared that it would implement recommendations of the 7th pay commission from this year. Finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar made the announcement while presenting the budget for 2018-19 in the state assembly. The move will benefit around 18 lakh employees, including 7 lakh pensioners. This will cost the state Rs23,000 crore.

The budget has earmarked Rs10,000 crore for 2018-19 alone.

The implementation of the decision will come into effect retrospectively from January 1, 2016. However, the employees will have wait for some more months as the state government appointed KP Bakshi committee is yet to submit its report over revision of pay scale.

After the Centre announced that the recommendations must be implemented from January 1, 2016, state employees demanded immediate implementation. The state government then appointed a committee under retired IAS officer Bakshi with two principal secretaries as members. The committee took charge in April last year, but its terms of references were finalised in July. The committee has recently asked all employees unions to submit their demands and opinions. It has also asked the secretaries of all departments to collate data on number of employees and their pay scale.

The state has around 260 recognised and more than 100 unrecognised unions.

We have decided to implement recommendations of 7th pay commission from this year. A provision of Rs10,000 crore has also been made for the same, said DK Jain, additional chief secretary of the finance department. He said the Rs 23,000 crore will be needed if arrears for three years are included retrospectively.

GD Kulthe, chief advisor, Maharashtra Gazetted Officers Association, said, It is a welcome move. However, the decision will take another five to six months for implementation as Bakshi committee is yet to submit its report and the government will also need some time to start the implementation.

We have demanded the implementation of the pay commission to be made on the lines of the central government.A major fire broke out on all sides of the Adharwadi dumping ground on Saturday evening, releasing thick smoke into the entire Kalyan (West) region. This is the second time this year the dumping ground has caught fire and the first time the entire ground caught fire from all sides. Earlier this week, on Tuesday night, fire broke out in a small portion of the dump yard. However, it took around 15 hours for the fire officials to douse the fire as it penetrated inside the waste piled in the dump yard.

Soon after the fire was reported, two fire-tenders were initially rushed to the spot. As the blaze kept spreading, two more fire-tenders were added to the firefighting operation. Around 10 water tanks have been sent to the spot.

Due to strong wind the fire has spread to all the four sides of the dumping ground. It is becoming very difficult to control the fire as it is spreading everywhere. We have pressed all our officials to the spot to work on dousing it,said Dilip Gund, chief fire officer, Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC).

He added, The cause of the fire is suspected to be heat in the atmosphere.

Residents could view the entire six-acre dumping ground on fire from their terraces and balconies. They complained about thick smoke entering their houses leading to suffocation.

This is the first time it looks as if the entire dumping ground has caught fire. It looks scary as the fire is spreading throughout the dump yard. Thick smoke has covered the most of the areas in Kalyan (West). Smoke is entering our house, making it difficult to breathe, said Sreeniwas Ghanekar, who lives near the dump yard at Agra road, Kalyan (West).

Following the incident, KDMC commissioner P Velarasu instructed fire officials to conduct a detailed study on the cause of repeated fire incidents.

I have asked the fire officials to ensure there is no loss of property or lives in the incident. The fire department will also conduct a study on what is the cause of the repeated fire incidents and according to it,we will take preventive measures, said Velarasu.

There are several residential complexes, school and hospital and a slum colony near the dumping ground, and residents have been demanding that it be shut it down for a decade now.

The KDMC started operating the dumping ground in 1984. Around 650 metric tonnes of waste is dumped into it every day. The dump was filled to capacity years ago, and continued dumping has led to considerable pollution problems, especially in the past three years.

In the summer of 2016, the saturated dumping ground caught fire several times, making life tough for residents of the nearby areas. The situation deteriorated to such an extent that many residents were shifted out of their houses. Following this, the KDMC has speeded up work on closing the dumping ground. Work for closure of the ground began last month, and the civic body aims to close it scientifically in the next four to five years.

Although it has started the closure work, waste is still dumped at this dumping ground as there is no alternative space available.

The dumping of waste at Adharwadi will stop only once the project of waste segregation and converting waste into compost at Umbarde (350 metric tonnes) and Barave (200 metric tonnes) begin.

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About the dumping ground:

The dumping ground attracted the attention of the Bombay high court and the National Green Tribunal following reports on the KDMCs failure to manage the waste dumped in it and residents protests over it. On April 13, 2015, the court banned sanctions for housing projects in the civic bodys jurisdiction. The NGT has asked the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board to keep track of the work done by the KDMC with regard to solid waste management.

===================================================================================

Hard to control the fire

Fire department officials claim that it became difficult for them to douse the blaze as it penetrated inside the waste piled up in the ground. When our officials saw that the blaze was doused they stopped the operation but after some hours, the fire was again visible. This is because the blaze penetrated inside the waste. We cannot reach deep inside the waste, we can only douse the fire from its upper layer, said Dilip Gund, chief fire officer, KDMC.

He added, As the fire department is located opposite to the dumping ground it becomes very convenient for our officials and vehicles to reach there on time and start the operations without delay. We will keep a watch on such incidents and take prompt action.Shankar Gavit, 74, had swollen feet and bruises on his legs. He has been popping painkillers for the past three nights. When asked about his injuries, Gavit gave a nonchalant shrug. This pain is much better than the threat to my livelihood. If we dont do this (participate in the farmers agitation), our next generation will suffer like us. Our income is barely Rs5,000 to Rs6,000 a month which is not enough to make both ends meet.

Gavit is among 15,000-20,000 odd farmers and farm labourers from north Maharashtra who have braved scorching heat and injuries to seek attention of the government towards their demands. Among major demands of farmers is transfer of forest land they have been tilling for long, implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report and widening the scope of the farm loan waiver and compensation for crop damages.

The farmers started from Nashik on March 6, have travelled more than 100km and will cover another 60-70 km to reach Mumbai on Sunday.

Farmers joined the protest after the Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Sabha (ABKS), the Maharashtra unit of the farmers outfit, called for the 190-km march from Nashik to Mumbai to block access to the state legislature building from Monday till their demands are met.

On Friday evening, the farmers reached Valkas village near Shahapur, some 50km from Mumbai. The farmers have divided themselves into groups of 100 to 500 with vehicles carrying grains, rice and utensils. They are supposed to cook their food. A significant number of participants are members of the Left-wing ABKS. Most of them don the red Nehru caps and carry red flags with the hammer-and-sickle printed on them.

Friday was the fourth day of the march. After reaching Valkas, they bathed in the Bhatsa river and gathered for dinner. It was followed by traditional songs and some even gyrated to folk music, which, to some extent, helped them overcome their fatigue.

Jijabai Gaikwad, 75, from Dindori in Nashik, danced for a while despite being enervated. I dont care about my health. If I do not participate in this march, the next generation wont get what they deserve, she says.

According to the Forest Act 2006, tribals are entitled to get at least 10 acres, regardless of the amount of land they have been cultivating. Most of the farmers said they were yet to get 10 acres.

They alleged that government possession of forest land has turned them into farm labourers. The tiring day ended at 11pm -11.30pm as the farmers slept in the open  with a bedsheet brought from home. It was breezy near the river, but mosquitoes troubled many of them.

The farmers woke up by 4am-5am and resumed their 23-km march towards Sonale near Bhiwandi. They skipped their breakfast to cover the distance on the fifth day. Jairam Pawar, one of the farmers, said, We stop twice for lunch and dinner. We dont drink tea because we consider it as a luxury.

A young group was motivating farmers by shouting slogans such as It is just a kilometre away. But the heat dragged down their pace. After four-five hours, the march threaded to Sonale ground where they had their lunch, followed by the afternoon siesta. Energised, they resumed their journey for the next halt at Anand Nagar in Thane before their final destination,Vidhan Bhavan, on Monday.

MNS, Shiv Sena rally behind farmers

Even as the agitating farmers reached the outskirts of Mumbai on Saturday, the Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have backed the protest. The farmers, who started from Nashik on Tuesday, are camping at Mulund Octroi Naka after crossing Bhiwandi in Thane.

They have covered almost 140km and will reach Somaiya Ground on Sunday before resuming the last leg to Vidhan Bhavan on Monday.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray spoke to Ajit Nawale, state general secretary of ABKS, on Saturday. Thackeray said his party will support the farmers when they reach Mumbai. He may meet the protesters.

On the other hand, Shiv Sena leader and public works (MSRDC) minister Eknath Shinde met the farmers at Shahpur on Friday and promised that his party will support them.

Nawale said Shinde extended his partys support on behalf of its chief Uddhav Thackeray.A Mumbai couple that had sought active euthanasia in a letter to the President said on Friday that the Supreme Courts verdict on living wills is irrelevant to them as they do not have any pre-existing illness.

Retired government employee Narayan Lavate, 87, and his wife Iravati,79, a retired school principal, had written to President Ram Nath Kovind on December 21 last year asking for permission to end their life via doctor-assisted death, or active euthanasia.

The letter said they want to end their lives because it is unfair to compel them (us) to wait till some serious ailment/deformity befalls them (us). It added, Both the petitioners are in reasonably good health, not afflicted by any serious ailment as on the date of this petition. The Presidents office had responded by asking for some time to decide on the issue.

While active euthanasia, or assisted death, is the administration of medication to end a life, passive euthanasia refers to the withdrawal of life support or medical treatment in cases where a person has slipped into a permanent vegetative state, or has a terminal illness with no hope of cure.

On Friday, the husband told HT, We dont want to create a living will, as it will be executed only if we fall ill. Our case is different. We are healthy at present, but why should we wait for a terminally illness to strike?

In an interview to Hindustan Times in January, they said the fear of falling terminally ill and of not being able to contribute to the society had pushed them to write to the President to seek permission for doctor-assisted death.

The Lavates do not have any children. In January this year, Iravati had told HT,  Even in our old age, we dont want others to be responsible for taking care of us.

When the Presidents office did not respond to their December 2017 letter, the Lavates wrote a second letter on March 1. They are awaiting a response from Rashtrapati Bhavan.A Chembur resident was duped to the tune of Rs2.5 lakh by a man who allegedly promised to secure for his son a job in the anti-corruption bureau (ACB).

Jaywant Thombare, a resident of Indira Nagar in Chembur, registered a complaint in this regard against Kamlakar Mandalkar at the RCF police station. Mandalkar, 54, allegedly took the money from February 2017 to May 2017. Jaywant was seeking a government job for his son, Satyajeet.

The police said the accused falsely told Thombares family that he would ensure a job for his son with the ACB and had even given them a fake identity card of the ACB. The accused lives near the complainant. We will arrest him soon, said Shrikant Desai, senior police inspector, RCF police station.

The complainant smelt a rat when Mandalkar started giving evasive replies whenever they asked him about the job. As he failed to secure a job with the anti-graft body even after a year, Thombare approached the police. The police verified the details and filed a case.

The police are investigating if Mandalkar has duped other persons using similar modus operandi.

A case has been registered under Indian Penal Code sections 420 (cheating), 465 (forgery) and 471 (using as genuine a forged document).Worried over the deteriorating health of senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal, NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday, wrote to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to look in to it seriously as the state will be held responsible for any untoward fate of Bhujbal.

Bhujbal, former deputy chief minister, was arrested in March 2016 by the enforcement directorate (ED) for allegedly receiving kickbacks worth crores in the Maharashtra Sadan case. He was lodged at the Arthur Road jail in Mumbai.

There are reports that the 71-year-old leader is suffering from several health issues, including acute bronchial asthma and is currently at JJ Hospital.

I am getting disturbing reports about the deteriorating health of Shri Chhagan Bhujbal. He is a respected mass OBC leader with more than 50 years of contribution to the public life. I do not expect anything but proper medical treatment to be given to him, which is his constitutional right, states the letter.

I am sure that you will direct that prompt steps be taken to ensure proper medical treatment for him, he said, asking CM Fadnavis to intervene. Pawar also said till the legal matters concerning him concluded, he is deemed innocent. It s unfortunate that bail has been denied to him, his letter read.A day after the Supreme Court legalised passive euthanasia and creation of living wills, experts at a discussion on end of life care at KEM Hospital on Saturday said implementing the order will be a challenge.

Passive euthanasia refers to the withdrawal of medical treatment with the deliberate intention of hastening a terminally ill patients death. Meanwhile, a living will or an advanced directive enables a patient to give consent for withdrawal of life support systems if the individual is reduced to a permanent vegetative state with no real chances of survival.

Dr Dhavani Mehta, lawyer at Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, said the procedure laid down by the court is lengthy and practically not feasible.

Till now doctors were making the decision of withdrawing life support in consensus with relatives. However, now the procedure for passive euthanasia and living will be reviewed by a hospital medical board, followed by an external medical board, only after which the decision of withdrawing treatment can be implemented, she said.

Now teams of doctors will be required to visit the patients at the same time. We need to speak to doctors as to how feasible it is given their busy hours. But to me, it doesnt seem practically possible, Mehta said.

Veena Johari, a city-based lawyer opined that the procedure laid down by the court for implementing the advanced directives could defeat the purpose of having one. With this court order, the problem is that the doctor cant go just by this directive. Two medical boards will have to review the directive. Till the decision is made by the boards, the patient may have to be put on life support device or medicine, she said.

Meanwhile, hospitals will soon have to constitute a medical board to review cases of withdrawal of treatment. Dr Roop Gursahani, a neurologist at PD Hinduja and Research Centre, who is part of a group advocating for living wills, said, We will have to constitute a medical board. Until we get this sorted out, we are stuck, he said.The Thane crime branch has arrested a 42-year-old butcher from Bhiwandi, for allegedly purchasing 400kg of beef and two cows from a man, who was arrested last week.

The police said the accused, Sarvar Quereshi,has previously been suspected of selling cow heads and horns in the market, to people who like to keep them as display.

Sarvar, a history-sheeter, is wanted in several other cases, including an attack on animal activists. Many animal activists were injured when they tried to stop him from transporting cows in his tempo; in one case, some policemen got injured too, said a police officer, who did not wish to be named. We are now interrogating him to see what information he has about other cases as well.

Six men, all butchers, were arrested earlier this week for stealing cows from highways in Thane, Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. They include Asif Yasin Quereshi, 24, Monish Fidahuddin Quereshi, 20, Irfan Ghulam Mohammed Mulla, 35, Fazal Ayub Qureshi, 22, Layk Yasin Qureshi, 32, and Shafiq Hanif Quereshi, 32, all residents of Kalyan and Mumbra.

Following their arrest and interrogation, on Thursday, a police team went to Bhiwandi and arrested Quereshi. He was later produced in court and remanded in police custody. Datta Sarak, police sub-inspector from Thane crime branch unit 1, said: Sarvar is a history-sheeter and his named cropped up when we were interrogating the six accused. Sarvar had purchased many cows from them earlier.

The accused, who have confessed to stealing 30 cows since the past two years  all of them have been butchered and the meat sold  used to steal cows at night. On February 25, a case was lodged after two cows were stolen from Wagle Estate in Thane. Two days later, we arrested the six people, added Sarak.Kalyan residents will now be able to travel to Shahad, Murbad, Malshej Ghat and Ahmednagar without hassle.

The Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) on Saturday opened to the public a new bridge that will help ease traffic congestion.

The bridge was inaugurated by Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde, followed by which vehicles were allowed to ply on the bridge.

The three-lane, one-way bridge has been built near Bhavani chowk, Kalyan (West) over the Waldhuni river and will help divert the traffic from the old bridge, which currently allows two-way movement between Kalyan and Shahad.

The 51-metre-long and 7-metre-wide old bridge is 40 years old and currently caters to at least 20,000 vehicles a day.

The new bridge is 80 metres long and 13.50 metres wide and has been built under the Maharashtra Suvarnajayanthi Nagarothan Mahaabhiyan at a cost of Rs5.26 crore.

The civic body will build another one-way bridge after demolishing the old one.

The civic body will demolish the old bridge and build a new one to ease traffic flow. We plan to demolish the old bridge within the next eight days. During this time, the new bridge will be able to handle two-way traffic till the second bridge is complete, said a senior KDMC official.

Since the old bridge has a two-way traffic flow, Bhavani Chowk near the bridge gets congested. The new bridge is wider and will divert the traffic flow from Kalyan towards Shahad, said Amay Pingle, 35, a motorist who took the new bridge to travel to Murbad.

The new bridge connects to another bridge towards Shahad known as the Shahad bridge.

The new bridge will ease congestion at Bhavani Chowk in Kalyan, but what about the narrow Shahad bridge? said Santosh Mane, a resident of Birla College road, Kalyan (West).

The number of vehicles going to Shahad bridge will increase. The authorities should have also considered redeveloping the Shahad bridge, he added.The vice-president of India Venkaiah Naidu said at an event in Greater Noida that clean and green energy is the way forward for India and that Indian electricity producers must be prepared to overcome global challenges.

Today, global warming and climate change are affecting every aspect of our life and the new electrical policy has to factor the urgent need to protect the environment and ensure sustainable development. With India ranking second in Renewable Energy Country Attractive Index (RECAI) in 2017, clean energy is bound to play a major role in the future and is the way forward. The total installed energy production in India touched 62, 846 gigawatts in December 2017, which amounts to 18.8% of the total energy capacity of India, Naidu said.

The vice-president was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of ELECRAMA 2018, at the Expo Centre in Greater Noida on Sunday morning. Leading global manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment are taking part in the five-day flagship event of the Indian Electrical and Electronics Manufacturers Association (IEEMA).

Union commerce and industry minister Suresh Prabhu and state minister of industrial development Satish Mahana were also present for the inauguration.

Naidu said that the Indian electrical industry must gear up for global challenges in the near future.

The Indian electrical industry is facing stiff competition from imports and they are seeking a level playing field for the domestic industry. The power sector will rise to the occasion to ensure that international quality standards are met and uninterrupted power is supplied at affordable prices, Naidu said.

When we see the global electrical market, we notice that brands such as LG and Samsung have become household names despite coming from a smaller country such as South Korea. We must not envy them but prepare ourselves as a country and I feel such forums are the place to introspect in this aspect. There is a saying that wise men learn from others experiences and fools, from their own. We say that wind must flow from all sides and we welcome all good ideas, technologies and information from everywhere, Naidu said.

Regarding electrification of villages, the vice-president said that the Central government is committed to ensuring that all villages in India are electrified by this year.

The government is taking various initiatives to improve electricity distribution in the country and India rank, according to the World Banks index for ease of getting electricity has improved from 99 to 26. By December 2017, only 1,370 of 18,452 villages were yet to be electrified, Naidu said.

He said that Indians are inherently talented and in order to use that talent, the government must spend on research and development.

We have shown our talent in IT sector and most of the countries seek to employ Indians in that field. Talent is inherent in India, be it any profession  manufacturers, chefs or even bureaucrats. We must spend more on R & D and we must be more innovative. We have a talented workforce and big companies such as Honda are also coming to India. Balancing exports and imports is the task before us as India has regained economic momentum with a 7.2% GDP growth in the last quarter. In the next 15 years, we will be the worlds third-largest economy and the need of the hour is not to only keep up the momentum but accelerate growth as well, Naidu said.The councillors and leaders of the opposition parties on Saturday raked up the issue of a training programme for councillors in Panchkula on March 9, 10 and accused the mayor of discriminating against them. They alleged that they were selected and ready to attend the training, but were denied transport at the last moment by the mayor.

The 100-member Ghaziabad municipal corporation has 57 councillors of the BJP while the rest are from the Congress, Samajwadi Party(SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), part from the independents. The opposition parties alleged that this was the second training in Panchkula, which they were unable to attend due to the stepmotherly treatment meted out by the mayor. The training in January was attended only by a batch of 10 BJP councillors, they claimed.

The names of two councillors from each of the three parties were selected and we were ready to attend the workshop along with four BJP councillors. But we were denied transport at the last moment, Anand Chaudhary, leader of BSP councillors, said.

The two-day training at Panchkula was to give an insight to councillors on the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, the Swachh Bharat Mission, Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana, and Smart City initiatives of the Central government.

Several areas in Ghaziabad are still without drinking water and have cleanliness issues. As such, and the training would have been helpful to us. We were denied a second opportunity to get the training  the first time, the mayor sent only 10 BJP councillors. If this treatment of opposition councillors continues, we will protest, Zakir Ali Saifi, leader of the Congress councillors, said.

Mayor Asha Sharma denied the allegations and said, There was no promise of transport to anyone. Even during the first training, we arranged our own transport. This time, I ensured that the opposition councillors got proper representation. So, four from the BJP and two each from other three opposition parties were selected. However, they did not turn up at the last moment and I cancelled the entire training programme. No one attended it.

It is not the intent of the opposition councillors to learn and help in the development of the city. We are taking up cleanliness, water works and road repair works, but the opposition councillors are only bent on opposing all development works, she said.A committee headed by Noida authority chief executive officer (CEO) Alok Tandon has finalised an action plan to reduce vehicular congestion in the city. The committee sent the final report on the action plan to the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary on Thursday for further necessary action.

The committee report said that there is a need to take long-term steps that include construction of six new underpasses and three new elevated roads to decongest Noida, besides taking other medium-term and short-term steps.

The underpasses are proposed at the intersections of Sector 51/71, Sector 49/47 on Dadri Road, Sector 62/63 on Road No.6, and three underpasses on the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway.

We have suggested three new elevated roads above Master Plan-I, DSC Road and Shahdara Drain. But these are long-term solutions and will take two to six years to execute these projects, Noida authority chief engineer Sandeep Chandra said.

Most of the arterial roads, particularly the roads in Noida connected to the DND Flyway, Master Plan-II Road, Road No.6 and the Delhi-Noida Link Road, witness congestion during peak hours. The Noida authority struggles to provide relief to motorists from the jams on these roads.

Now, the UP government will look into the report and take action to reduce traffic congestion that troubles motorists daily.

The Uttar Pradesh ministers committeewhich consists of industries minister Satish Mahana, minister of state for sugar mills and industry Suresh Rana, and urban housing minister Suresh Khanna had constituted a panel to look into ways to address traffic-related issues in the city. The committee was formed on October 5 last year and is headed by Tandon.

The final report offers three kinds of suggestionsshort-term, mid-term and long-termto be implemented to reduce congestion. Short-term solutions that the report contains will take up to six months time to execute, mid-term solutions will be executed in six months to two years, and the long-term solutions will take two to six years time to execute, officials said.

Short-term solutions and mid-term solutions, which are a part of the report, will be executed with by the traffic and transport departments, officials said.

With short-term action, the authority will ensure that speed breakers are built near schools and hospitals. We will also take care of road strips and traffic signage within six months of getting instructions from the government, Chandra said.

Apart from this, the authority will also adopt shot-term solutions such as installation of high-tech traffic signals on all intersections and construction of 15 new foot overbridges.All entrepreneurs know the challenges of securing funding for their ideas, but the bar is often set even higher for female entrepreneurs.

Last November, the governments of India and the United States co-hosted the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in Hyderabad. Almost 1500 entrepreneurs from around the world gathered to discuss new ideas and promote regulatory climates that foster innovation. The summit, co-hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ivanka Trump, focused on the theme of promoting womens opportunities to innovate, access capital, and succeed in business.

On the occasion of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, US Chambers US-India Business Council launched the WISE initiative or the Women for Women Innovators, Social Leaders and Entrepreneurs. The initiative is led by Indias most dynamic women leaders Vanitha Narayanan, chairman of IBM India Private Limited; Vani Kola, founder and managing director of Kalaari Capital; and Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, chairperson and managing director of Biocon. The programme seeks to improve access to funding for women-led businesses; develop skilling and training programmes; provide forums for mentoring to connect rising women managers with leading executives; and advocate for policy supporting an increased presence of women in key leadership roles.

During the WISE launch, women  and men  came together to discuss the challenges women face in the workplace, raise awareness about some of the barriers to accessing capital markets, and share personal stories and frank advice about how women can succeed. Specifically, female entrepreneurs reflected on the unconscious biases they face in their entrepreneurial journey and how these biases manifest themselves in unexpected ways.

In addition, women in India  and around the world  are also struggling to bring their ideas to market. This is contrary to reason because a significant number of entrepreneurs in countries like India and the United States are women. According to the Government of Indias sixth economic census there were over 8 million women entrepreneurs in India with 14% of businesses in India now female-run. 40% of entrepreneurs in the US are women, and more than 9.8 million US firms are owned by women. There are persistent challenges to address in both democracies for women to pitch ideas, find allies and partners within the ecosystem, secure funding, and innovate.

While we rightfully celebrated International Womens Day earlier this month, we also know that over the long term, concerted action is needed to support female entrepreneurs. This is an opportune time to reflect on the progress that India and the U.S. have made in supporting womens entrepreneurship, and identify additional opportunities to support the growing start-up ecosystem of businesses led by women.

Working towards equality of opportunity is particularly relevant now, in the context of the findings of the World Economic Forums Gender Gap report in 2017. The report ranks India at 104 out of the 144 countries surveyed. The need to improve on this benchmark has motivated the Government of India to redouble its efforts on achieving parity in economic opportunity and participation.

There are many government measures in place to support Indian women entrepreneurs through umbrella support programmes and loan schemes. Stand Up India is targeted at women and scheduled caste/ scheduled tribe communities, to set up greenfield enterprises in the manufacturing, services and the trading sector. The Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) also offers three loans schemes without collateral to finance women entrepreneurs, and the Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Yojana (PMRY) assists unemployed youth with setting up self-employment ventures with preference given to women.

These are supplemented by preferential loan schemes offered by public sector banks and targeted measures by state governments  for example, the government of Maharashtra offers financial incentives for firms that are female-owned and with a hired minimum of 50% women employees.

In India, 98% of women-led businesses are micro-enterprises, and in addition to standalone programmes, many government schemes aimed at the MSME sector also make additional provision for women entrepreneurs, recognising that access to funding remains a critical gap for this group. The Micro and Small-Enterprises Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP), Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development Programme (TREAD) support project financing for women-led enterprises, and offer economic empowerment for women in non-farm activities through trade-related training and counseling, respectively.

WISE initiative: Leading through Private Sector Collaboration

According to the 2015 Nasscom Startup Ecosystem Report, funding for women-led startups in India was $0.168 billion in that year, when compared with the overall figure of $5 billion. Better access to loans and other channels of funding will drive up women entrepreneur numbers in the country while enabling more female-run businesses to achieve financial stability and funding for scale.

The EY G20 Entrepreneurship Barometer 2013 survey, says the influence of role models for women, and access to mentorship and advice is critical for existing and would-be women entrepreneurs. Mentorship and networks also enable an entrepreneur to establish and consolidate credibility with existing investors and build relationships with more diverse, and more substantial, providers of capital.

While the WISE initiative will be driven by industries and industry groups in the private sector, governments can take steps to promote these efforts. For instance, Intel and WISE are considering Back to Work programmes that involve skills training for women to re-enter the workforce after breaks in formal employment. There is strong support from Indias state governments to broaden the reach of such programmes to increase female participation in Indias workforce.

Working in partnership with NITI Aayogs Womens Entrepreneurship Cell (WEC), established to continue efforts launched at the GES, the WISE initiative will recommend policy reforms that would support entrepreneurship in India.

This cooperation and action will ensure the benefits of India hosting the GES will extend long beyond the Summit itself.

It is time we recommit ourselves to bold actions to improve womens economic empowerment. Indeed, advancing conditions that support entrepreneurship will lift all boats.

Nisha Biswal is the President of the US-India Business Council and former assistant secretary of state for south and central Asia. Nivruti Rai is the country head of Intel India.

The views expressed are personalThe Hoshiarpur district police failed to trace the whereabouts of four youths from Doaba who went missing on their way to America in August 2017.

The hapless families, who allege role of unscrupulous travel agents, are running from pillar to post to know about their sons, who last spoke to them when they reached Bahamas on August 2, 2017. Hailing from Purika and Abdullapur in Hoshiarpur, Manna Talwandi, Bhadal and Donal villages in Kapurthala, the families met former Rajya Sabha member and Indian Red Cross vice-chairman Avinash Rai Khanna on Saturday to seek help finding their sons. Khanna promised to take up the matter with the external affairs ministry.

Jarnail Singh of Purika, who had paid Rs 12 lakh in advance to Sukhwinder Singh, a Hoshiarpur-based travel agent, to send his son Sarabjit Singh to USA, said, On August 2, 2017, my son called up to tell that the agent had promised them passage to USA through sea link once the weather gets clear.

He said, The very next day the agent called to congratulate saying our son had reached the US. But after that day, our son never spoke to us again.

Kin of other missing youthsNavdeep Singh, Jaspreet Singh and Inderjit Singhalso narrated the same tale, claiming that they had paid Rs 12 lakh each in advance to Sukhwinder Singh and a Kapurthala-based agent Ranjit Singh Rana, while additional Rs 23 lakh was to be paid after the safe arrival of their wards.

The family members also informed that their sons first were taken to Moscow and then to Bahamas from where they went missing.

The families said, Agent Sukhwinder Singh is a retired police personnel and agent Ranjit Singh Rana is an employee of Powercom. Both the accused had gone underground, the families claimed.

The families also informed that they had lodged a complaint on Madad, a portal of ministry of external affairs, in November 2017 but they were yet to get a response from the government.Creation of a Punjabi Culture Parliament and a belief that the Punjabi language might be going through hard times, but will live on, were the key ideas that came to the fore on Day 1 of the two-day World Punjabi Conference held at Panjab University Law Auditorium on Saturday. Vidhan Sabha speaker Rana KP Singh and local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu inaugurated the conference. Agreeing that signboards in Punjab should have Punjabi on top, Singh said he would take up the issue with chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh. Sidhu quoted examples on how proud the French are of their language and do not acknowledge you, if spoken to in English. Why do we feel inferior? Why do we say Yeah, Yeah, than feeling proud of who we are? Je Punjabi banda Punjabi na bole, oh lagda jhooth bolda (If a Punjabi man doesnt speak Punjabi, it seems as if he is telling a lie, said.

We need to create a Punjabi Culture Parliament and create a corpus of Punjabi language and culture. For such a project, I will give Rs 50 lakh in the first year, the minister added. He also wished that a culture developed where birthdays of prominent Punjabi writers are celebrated.

Rana KP Singh said though Punjabi was going through a hard time, it cannot die. Punjab suffered when some people, for their political gains, asked people to register their mother tongue as Hindi in the Census (he was referring to the division of Punjab after partition). There is also an inferiority complex that Punjabis have about our language, he added. WPC chairman HS Hanspal lamented on the condition of Bhasha Vibhag Punjab in Patiala and how rooms meant for stay of language students had been rented out to the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and that the institution had failed to live up to its mandate.

In his address, Panjab University vice-chancellor Arun K Grover said the university had decided to present a proposal to the government that university students should be taught Gurmukhi as well as Shahmukhi script so that the divide created by partition can be bridged.

Punjab Arts Council chairman Surjit Patar said, Punjab and Punjabiat need to be revived. The council is jointly organising the event in association with the World Punjabi Conference. He talked about how schools are fining children who speak in Punjabi, even as the language was gaining increased traction globally.

Others who spoke were Punjabi University, Patiala, vice-chancellor BS Ghuman; Namdhari Satguru Uday Singh and former director, World Punjabi Centre, Deepak Manmohan Singh. Anita Singh, Jang Bahadur Goyal, Sukhi Bath, and Iqbal Mahal were honoured for their contribution to Punjabi language and culture. On Sunday, the conference shifts to Punjab Kala Bhawan.The body of Bengali TV actor Moumita Saha, 23, was found hanging from the ceiling of her room in Tollygunge area of south Kolkata on Saturday. A suicide note was also found from the flat.

Saha used to live alone in the flat in Regent Park of Tollygunge.

Police broke open the door of the flat and found her body hanging with a scarf round her neck. The police was informed by the landlord. On Friday evening Sahas relatives got in touch with the landlord after they could not connect with Saha.

Completed 21 years of my life. So far I got what I wanted, but it seems that in the struggle for life I have lost even in victory. I am starting afresh all over again. Let me see whether I lose or win? she wrote on her Facebook wall on September 15, 2017.

Officers of Regent Park police station began an inquiry into the cause of the death. Prima facie it seems to be depression as she did not get success in her career, said an officer.

Saha, who hails from Bandel in Hooghly district of south Bengal, came to Kolkata to make career as an actor.

In February last year, body of another TV actor Bitasta Saha was found in her apartment on EM Bypass in the eastern fringe of Kolkata. She, too, lived there alone.

In April 2015, TV actor Disha Ganguly, who was in her early twenties, hung herself from the ceiling fan at her south Kolkata residence.

In 2016, Puja Aich, 32, another aspiring television actor, set herself on fire and died of the burn injuries.Tamil Film Producers Council has gone a step further by announcing that they will halt film shootings and events from March 16 if their demands are not met. Initially, the strike was only about bringing down the cost levied by the Digital Service Providers (DSP) for the projection cost.

Different south Indian film industries had joined hands to bring down the cost, and the movement was headed by producer Suresh Babu. Later, DSPs decreased their fee by up to 30 percent from the Telugu film industry to end the strike. March 9 saw new movie releases in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. However, Tamil industry is not happy with the terms and continues the strike.

On Friday night, the TFPC released a statement claiming that they will not shoot movies or organise events until their demands are met. The release read, To enhance and improve the wealth and life of all our producers, we have put forth our important requests, and demands. Every film shooting will be stalled until we get an answer for this.

Following are the demands set by the council:

1. Producers will not accept or pay the VPF fee for Digital Service Providers (UFO and QUBE)

2. Flexible ticket pricing should be incorporated according to the films star value, and other factors, to increase the number of movie watching crowd. Each film should have a different ticket price.

3. Online ticket charges should be slashed and brought down.

4. All theatres should incorporate Computerised Ticket Booking.

5. To bring release regulation terms for small-scale movies, which face problems in getting theatres.

6. To regulate and bring in control, the exorbitant expenditure of production costs, for shooting a film.

The statement added, The crowd coming to the theatre has totally come down and this is due to the high ticket rates and online ticket charges. This should also be changed.So until all of the above-mentioned demands are met, our strike will continue.

The request, especially that of making ticket rates flexible will make Tamil Nadus ticket pricing system similar to that of other metro cities that adjust ticket pricing as per the star value of the film. The bigger the star, the costlier the tickets.

In these cities, the morning shows are relatively cheaper than the matinee and evening shows. Weekdays and weekends can have different charges too. Currently, the state ticket prices are fixed depending on the screen count and whether the theatre is a multiplex or not.

While the producers are fighting their cause, the theatre association too has a set of demands. Trade analyst Sreedhar Pillai tweeted, Theatre Association (mainly single screens outside Chennai City) in its meeting suddenly remembered that TN government has promised to look at abolishing Local Body Entertaiment Taxes, No need of having operators in Digital Age, Renovation of theatres with ease of license should be implemented. They want TN govt to give what they promised, if not they will go on strike from March 16!! Chennai Theatres & Multiplexes, not part of this. Idea seems 2 b 2 make Producers sweat as summer season starts.

Producer v/s DSP battle 4 supremacy takes a new turn. Theatre Association (mainly single screens outside Chennai City) in its meeting suddenly remembered that TN government has promised to look at abolishing Local Body Entertaiment Taxes, No need of having operators in Digital  Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50) March 8, 2018

Producer v/s DSP battle 4 supremacy takes a new turn. Theatre Association (mainly single screens outside Chennai City) in its meeting suddenly remembered that TN government has promised to look at abolishing Local Body Entertaiment Taxes, No need of having operators in Digital  Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50) March 8, 2018

And footfalls in theaters across Tamil Nadu on Friday after cancellation of Day Shows - Noon & Matinee at an all time low, due to lack of new Tamil content. From March 16, with Producers stopping all shoot and Theaters planning to shut down, it will be tough days ahead.  Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50) March 10, 2018

This protest may bring the Tamil film industry to a stand still on March 16. With different groups demanding different actions, some films might suffer due to cancellation of shows.

Author tweets @Priyanka_S_MCC

Follow @htshowbiz for more

ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktopThese places are strikingly beautiful even in summer and will give you the perfect break from heat and pollution in the city. So you can forget all the summer essentials and just let calmer, kinder winds to tell you nice things. Allow a deeper silence to swell in the soul of you as you travel to places where the temperatures arent soaring high. Visit South for the below mentioned destinations:

Lambasingi, Andhra Pradesh

Often referred to as the Kashmir of Andhra, Lambasingi awaits with its mist-clad forests and the rustic, classic Indian village scenery. Bask in afterglow of intoxication in Lambasingi, when the clouds descend to the earth, redrawing mountain-lines every single day in the act of embracing and leaving, continuously. Walk under the blessed paths that seem to melt into oblivion, making each step you take an acute existential experience. Lambasingi shall remain as a breezy memory in your mind.

A post shared by Lambasingi (@lambasingivalley) on Mar 7, 2018 at 5:33pm PST

Vythiri, Kerala

It isnt just for the fascinating, curiosity-provoking myths and legends that you must visit a few places, like the Chain Tree Legend in Vythiri. Its about how these places exist like they are forever pure and gentle, like solace in summer. Vythiri is known for its astonishingly cool weather as compared to other parts of Wayanad, a district in Kerala thats popular for its sprawling hills. Visit Vythiri for its salubrious, pleasant weather, when the months of summer have already crept into your drawing rooms, urging you to step out and explore the world: this is inspiration in disguise!

A post shared by Ajfar Abdulla (@ajfar_abdulla) on Feb 20, 2018 at 2:34am PST

Kotagiri, Tamil Nadu

Certain faces of civilization are in harmony with nature, the earth, like a benchmark for a symbiotic system. And this hilly region of Tamil Nadu, called Kotagiri, a town thats class apart, sets itself as the perfect example, even in Indian summer. Like an electrocardiogram of Earth, these vales and hills fall and rise in Kotagiri. See how the spikes can pierce something so inward in you that you will find a world within, an almost spiritual quest for you to set on this summer.

Devikulam, Kerala

Villages tucked away into hills and hills tucked away into taller hills. Here, mists dont roil the calm waters of rivers and lakes. Waterfalls rush down, hurriedly, washing away everything and still being graceful with all their fury; its letting loose, to undo something in you, too. With its gorgeous slopes and poised ascents, its ethnographic attractions, its water bodies and so much more, Devikulam is no less than a calling for those who want to know why Kerala is called Gods Own Country.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for moreEuropes tourist hot spots are looking for new ways to cope with overtourism, where cities like Venice, Dubrovnik and Barcelona are struggling to manage huge crowds arriving daily on cheap flights and cruise ships. They are turning to smartphone apps and car-sharing promotions to try to cope with the overcrowding, which has upset the local population and also the tourists.

Some 9% of travellers who took part in a survey by consultancy IPK said that overcrowding affected the quality of their trip last year. Security concerns over beach destinations in Egypt and Turkey and a rise in cheap flights have boosted growth in international arrivals to countries like Spain and Croatia to more than 10% over the past few years, according to data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Overcrowded destinations are successful, but there is a thin line between success and failure, said Dubrovnik mayor Mato Frankovic at the ITB travel trade fair in Berlin. But rather than trying to limit the number of visitors, who spend money on hotels, meals and souvenirs, the cities are coming up with ways to channel tourist flows away from the most popular attractions.

Barcelona is working on a joint marketing plan with the region around the city to get tourists to venture beyond the citys most famous sites such as the Sagrada Familia church or the Las Ramblas boulevard. (Shutterstock)

Dubrovnik aims to launch a smartphone app by the end of 2018 that lets users know when the narrow alleys of the old town are crowded and suggests alternative sights outside the city walls. It also plans to test a car-sharing scheme to entice tourists to explore the surrounding areas. Barcelona is working on a joint marketing plan with the region around the city to get tourists to venture beyond the citys most famous sites such as the Sagrada Familia church or the Las Ramblas boulevard.

Barcelona is small but the destination of Barcelona is beyond the city and has a lot of attributes and attractions, said Barcelona Tourism director Joan Torrella Rene. Even New York City, across the Atlantic Ocean, has launched a campaign to encourage tourists to explore the boroughs beyond Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. It is also trying to lure more visitors during off-peak times in January and February, for instance, with events such as New York Restaurant Week and Broadway Week.

That really helps give visitors tremendous value and helps us fill the slower periods, said Christopher Heywood, a spokesman for New York Citys official tourism organisation NYC and Company.

The booming cruise industry is one of the biggest challenges for some cities. In Dubrovnik, multiple cruise ships often disgorge thousands of passengers in one day, making the citys streets noisy and overcrowded. The city is now trying to stagger the arrival of the ships and eventually to ensure arrivals are spread evenly throughout the week so that there wont be 10 ships coming to port at the same time.

Venice has drawn up new rules requiring big cruise ships to take a less glamorous route to the industrial port of Marghera, rather than passing by St. Marks Square. Some travel companies are also playing a role in the battle against overtourism. Ctrip, Chinas biggest online travel agency, uses data to predict which destinations may be overcrowded and expensive and then offers customers alternatives that may be in less demand, Chief Executive Jane Jie Sun said.

Consumers like it because they get the best value from their travel. Hotels like it because they can host all these travellers better. Airlines like it because they are not running to overcapacity on one route and under on another, she said. Airbnb, criticised for its impact on local housing in popular tourist cities, said it does offer rural properties on its site, often in areas where there are no hotels. Tourism is only going to grow and by distributing over a larger surface area, you can minimise the impact, co-founder and chief strategy officer Nathan Blecharczyk said in an interview.

The UNWTO has been working with universities on the problem of overtourism and plans to publish recommendations in a few months on how destinations can cope. You need a balance between growth, sustainability and promotion of destinations, UNWTO Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili said.

Gloria Guevara, president and chief executive of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), said destinations had to plan for the long term and create infrastructure that allowed them to direct tourist flows to stimulate local economies without overburdening hotspots. At the end of the day, tourism creates jobs, creates well-being and reduces poverty. But the benefits should be for everybody, she said. The WTTC and consultancy McKinsey plan to work with six cities to try out various tactics to combat overcrowding.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for moreAs President Emmanuel Macron pitches France as Indias gateway to Europe during his India visit, new research suggests that his country has emerged as a more popular destination for Indian visitors than the United Kingdom.

The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) said that despite the UKs historic cultural and economic links with India, France attracted 185,000 more Indian business visitors and tourists in 2016, while the overall number of visits to the UK by Indians fell by 1.73% that year.

RCS has been lobbying for easier visa terms for Indians, along the lines of those offered to visitors from China.

However, Prime Minster Theresa May has linked any improvement in the terms for Indians to the return of those in the UK who are not legally in the country.

RCS director Michael Lake said: Given the strong historic ties between the UK and India in areas such as trade, culture and business, the fact that France continues to attract more Indian visitors than the UK is not only hugely surprising, but also enormously concerning.

Its clear that more needs to be done to build stronger links between such important Commonwealth partners.

RCS has been campaigning with representatives of the travel and tourism sector and MPs for a UK-India bilateral visa agreement to stop the decline of Indian visitors. The issue is likely to figure prominently during the April visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to London.

Senor Labour MP Virendra Sharma, who is supporting the RCS campaign, said: A new UK-India bilateral visa agreement will enhance trade and tourism, as well as strengthen important business and cultural ties, enabling both the UK and India to capitalise on future global opportunities.

A Memorandum of Understanding on the speedier return of illegal Indians in the UK is on the agenda of Modis visit. New Delhi has made it clear that it is willing to accept Indian citizens who may be in the UK illegally after their identity is established.

The issue was also flagged by May during her 2016 visit in New Delhi, when she told Modi: (The) UK will consider further improvements to our visa offer if at the same time we can step up the speed and volume of returns of Indians with no right to remain in the UK.

May had said before the 2017 election: The Home Office is discussing various ways in which that process (of returns) can be improved.

It is something I have said internationally, that I think where there are people who are in a country illegally, they should be returned, but it is a question of getting a smoother process so that people arent spending quite so long waiting to be returned.The gunman, who killed three people working for a California programme that treats veterans for post-traumatic stress disorder, was kicked out of the programme, a relative of one of the victims said on Friday.

Albert Wong, 36, was identified as the man who went to The Pathway House therapy centre on the sprawling campus of the largest veterans homes in the country and took a psychologist and two executives hostage, authorities said.

Wong slipped into a going-away party for two employees of The Pathway Home, authorities said.

Gunshots were fired around 10:30am after he arrived at the Veterans Home of California-Yountville but nothing more was heard from him or the women until their bodies were found at about 6pm, authorities said.

Wongs rental car was found nearby. A bomb-sniffing dog alerted on the car but no bombs were found, only a cellphone, authorities said.

Killed were programme executive director Christine Loeber, 48; clinical director Jennifer Golick, 42; and Jennifer Gonzalez, 29, a clinical psychologist with the San Francisco department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

These brave women were accomplished professionals who dedicated their careers to serving our nations veterans, working closely with those in the greatest need of attention after deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, The Pathway Home said in a statement.

Gov. Jerry Brown said flags would be flown at half-staff at the capitol and said that he and his wife are deeply saddened by the horrible violence.

Golick was the top psychologist at the nonprofit home, which treats combat veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.

She called her husband, Mark, around 10:30am to say that she had been taken hostage, Bob Golick said.

Mark didnt hear from her again, Malick said.

It was far too early to say if they were chosen at random because investigators had not yet determined a motive, California Highway Patrol Assistant Chief Chris Childs said.

However, Golicks father-in-law said she had recently ordered Wong removed from the program.

Wong had been an Army infantryman who served a year in Afghanistan from 2011 to 2012. He held a number of service awards, including one for expert marksmanship with a rifle.

Yountville, about 53 miles (85 kilometers) north of San Francisco, is one of the Napa Valleys most upscale towns, located in the heart of wine country.

A sheriffs deputy responding to an emergency call Friday morning got into a shootout with the gunman but wasnt injured.

Highway Patrol Sgt. Robert Nacke said negotiators were unable to make contact with the gunman throughout the day.

Larry Kamer told The Associated Press that his wife, Devereaux Smith, was at a morning staff party and told him by phone that the gunman had entered the room quietly, letting some people leave while taking others hostage.

Smith, a fundraiser for the nonprofit Pathway Home, was still inside the facilitys dining hall and was not allowed to leave, he said.

Police evacuated the property and closed off nearby roads to the veterans complex, which houses about 1,000 residents.

Army veteran and resident Bob Sloan, 73, was working at the homes TV station when a co-worker came in and said he had heard four gunshots coming from the Pathway Home. Sloan sent alerts for residents to stay put.

A group of about 80 students who were on the homes grounds were safely evacuated after being locked down, Napa County Sheriff John Robertson said. The teens from Justin-Siena High School were at a theater rehearsing a play.

They were a distance away from the shooting situation, Robertson said.

The state Veterans Affairs department said the home that opened in 1884 is the nations largest veterans home and cares for elderly and disabled residents.

Yvette Bennett, a wound-care supply worker who supplies the veterans center, was turned back when she tried to deliver what she called urgently needed medical supplies for two patients inside.

Of all the medical institutions she has worked with, this is the most placid, calm, serene place, she said. Earlier this week, when she last visited, she asked a doctor, Whats your magic here?

And then 48 hours later this happens, Bennett said.Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed has moved court against a presidential ordinance that enabled the Pakistani government to take action against individuals and entities proscribed by the United Nations Security Council.

Challenging the ordinance in the Islamabad High Court, the Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief, through his counsel Raja Rizwan Abbasi, said it is illegitimate and injurious to the country and a calculated effort to undermine its sovereignty.

He pleaded that authority of declaring entities as proscribed has been given to the United Nations. The ordinance is violative of law negating the sovereignty of Pakistan hence liable to be declared unconstitutional, his lawyer contended.

By virtue of the ordinance, Abbasi said, powers have been given to the United Nations which is dominated by US and different other enemy countries which are termed as G-8.

He said promulgation of the ordinance is not only prejudicial to the sovereignty but also violative of specific articles of Pakistans Constitution.

How can the authority to amend the ATA (Anti Terrorism Act of 1997) be given to the UNSC as this is the job of parliament or federal government?, he added.

Responding to the petition, justice Aamer Farooq issued notices to the principal secretary to the president and the secretaries of law, cabinet division and establishment division.

The court directed the respondents to submit replies and para-wise comments in the case.

The ordinance amended Sections 11-B of ATA, which sets out parameters for proscription of groups, and 11-EE, which describes the grounds for listing of individuals.

Both the sections now include sub-section AA, according to which organisations and individuals listed under the UN (Security Council) Act, 1948 (XIV of 1948) will be included for proscription either as organisations or individuals, on an ex-parte basis.

President Mamnoon Hussain in February signed the ordinance amending ATA with the aim of tightening the noose around individuals and organisations banned by the UNSC.

The move was apparently aimed at declaring JuD and its charity arm, the Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation, as proscribed groups ahead of the Financial Action Task Force meeting in Paris. That meeting of the anti-terror financing organization eventually decided to put Pakistan in a grey list from June this year.

It was after promulgation of the ordinance that all properties of the FIF were confiscated in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Some 148 properties and assets of the groups were also seized in Punjab province.China helped bring about a dramatic easing of tensions between the United States and North Korea, according state media outlets, adding evidence that the government sees itself as a central player in any agreement despite largely sitting on the sidelines so far.

The commentary seeks to cast the planned talks between the two Koreas - and a meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un - as the result of Chinese efforts.

The Communist Partys official Peoples Daily cited Chinas plan for North Korea to suspend nuclear and missile tests, and South Korea and the United States to suspend military drills as leading to this moment.

It should be understood that these easing of tension signals are actually an effect brought about by the dual suspension proposal, the paper said on Saturday.

The paper cited Trump as telling Chinese President Xi Jinping in a telephone call on Friday that Chinas position that the United States should talk to North Korea was the correct one.

The US side profusely thanked and put high importance on Chinas important role in the Korean peninsula issue, the paper said in its regular Zhong Sheng, or voice of China, column, which presents the papers position on foreign policy.

China has been front and centre in diplomatic efforts over North Korea, long pushing for a resumption of talks to get North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons. A decade ago, it hosted numerous rounds of negotiations that fizzled out.

It has also been deeply involved in diplomatic efforts at the United Nations.

But its relations with North Korea have nosedived. There are few high-level contacts between the two countries at present, and North Koreas youthful leader, Kim, widely derided on Chinese social media as Fatty Kim, has not visited China since taking power in 2011.

China played little obvious role in the thaw between the two Koreas at last months Winter Olympics, which saw a high-level North Korean delegation attend and set the groundwork for an inter-Korean summit in April.

Han Zheng, Shanghais former Communist Party boss, led Chinas delegation at the opening ceremony. Though he is the partys seventh-ranked leader, with a position on the partys elite Standing Committee, which runs China, he has little diplomatic experience.

China said he met the North Koreans, but gave no details on what was said. Beijing-based diplomats say contacts between China and North Korea have been sporadic, limited to party-to-party exchanges, and have yielded nothing.

Chinas role cant be avoided

Beijing has key strategic interests when it comes to North Korea, and has long feared that a collapse of its isolated neighbour could push waves of refugees into northeastern China, or that nuclear war on the Korean peninsula could contaminate swathes of the country.

The emotional ties are deep too. The two countries fought side by side in the 1950-53 Korean War - a son of Mao Zedongs died in the conflict - and China has long viewed North Korea as a useful buffer between it and US forces in South Korea.

So although peace is Beijings earnest desire, it needs to ensure Chinas interests are properly accounted for.

Zheng Jiyong, director of the Centre for Korean Studies at Shanghais Fudan University, said in an interview posted on the WeChat account of the overseas edition of the Peoples Daily that China must be involved in US-North Korea talks.

Chinas role cant be avoided, and theres no way for it to be kept away, Zheng said.

If the United States and North Korea really want results, China is the only country that can play the role of guarantor, he added.

No matter the direction of North Korea-US talks, be it war or peace, if there is no help or obstruction from China then its impossible for there to be real stability on the peninsula, he said.

State media have sought to downplay any implication that China is being marginalised, and reinforce the point that China has a vital part to play.

China will advocate the international security mechanism and help prevent North Korea from being deceived or squeezed by the US once it begins to denuclearise, widely read tabloid the Global Times wrote in an editorial.

China will welcome the dialogue between the US and North Korea, and resolutely support North Korea securing its due interests in the process of denuclearisation. Through these efforts, Chinas interests will not be pushed aside, it said.

Exactly what China wants to do is unclear at this point, though it might want to host the Trump-Kim get-together.

Chinas Foreign Ministry said on Friday the country would continue to play a positive role in pushing for a political resolution and for lasting peace and stability. But it offered no other details and avoided directly answering a question on whether it could host the Trump-Kim talks.

China will feel very good in the sense that basically North Korea has offered something that looks like an endorsement of the dual suspension strategy, said Zhao Tong, a North Korea expert at the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center in Beijing.

But in terms of the direct talks and negotiations, China is no longer the most relevant player, he said. And given the progress is taking place at such a rapid pace there is increasing concern in China that Chinas being kept out of the whole thing and that Chinas losing control, even though again China is, in general, supportive of this progress.Myanmar Buddhist monk Wirathu said on Saturday his anti-Muslim rhetoric had nothing to do with violence in the western state of Rakhine, as he emerged from a one-year preaching ban.

Wirathu is the most prominent of Myanmars hardline nationalist monks, who have emerged as a political force since the countrys transition from full military rule began in 2011.

Violence has hit Muslim communities across the Buddhist-majority country, but the nationalists sharpest vitriol is reserved for the Rohingya Muslim minority in Rakhine, who many see as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, or Bengalis.

Nearly 700,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since insurgents attacked police and army posts on Aug. 25, sparking a furious military-led response the United Nations has said constituted ethnic cleansing and possibly genocide.

Rakhine was experiencing terrorism of Bengalis, Wirathu said on Saturday, dismissing claims he had created conflict there. He cited the relative peace of his hometown, Mandalay.

If Wirathu creates conflict, Mandalay would become ash. The world doesnt know this truth, the monk said, referring to himself at a ceremony in Myanmars largest city, Yangon, to celebrate his return to preaching.

The central Myanmar city of Mandalay was hit by communal riots that killed two people in 2014 after news spread of what turned out to be a false claim that Muslims had raped a Buddhist woman.

Wirathu travelled at least twice in the past year to the violence-hit northern part of Rakhine, despite Myanmars highest religious authority imposing a one-year preaching ban in March 2017.

The state-linked bodys move was seen as an attempt by the government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to stifle nationalists who threaten to undermine the young administration. Another nationalist monk, Parmaukkha, was released from prison on Friday after serving three months for a 2016 protest against the US governments use of the word Rohingya.

Wirathu reacted to his silencing by posting online photographs of himself with his mouth taped over, and by continuing to post videos and comments online. But his Facebook account has not been accessible in recent months.

Facebook suspends and sometimes removes anyone that consistently shares content promoting hate, a spokesperson said in response to a question about Wirathus account.

Our community standards prohibit organizations and people dedicated to promoting hatred and violence against others based on their protected characteristics, the spokesperson said by email.

Wirathu said he would continue his nationalist work.

When Facebook shuts (me) off, I rely on YouTube. YouTube is not wide-reaching enough so I will use Twitter to continue the nationalist work, he said.The Syrian army has intensified its operations in the central part of rebel-held eastern Ghouta, state television reported on Saturday, an area where it is close to cutting the enclave in two.

State television reported that the army was advancing near Mesraba and Mudeira, two small towns which represent the last link between the northern and southern halves of the enclave, which is located near to the Syrian capital Damascus.

Jaish al-Islam and Failaq al-Rahman, the two main insurgent groups in eastern Ghouta, say they have staged counter-attacks in recent days that retook some lost positions.

The ferocious three-week assault on the last major rebel stronghold near Damascus has captured about half its area and killed 960 people, according to a war monitor.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also said on Saturday that warplanes, helicopters and artillery were used in bombardment of the area overnight.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russia, his main ally, say the campaign is needed to end rebel shelling of Damascus and to end the rule of Islamist insurgents over the areas civilians.

The offensive follows the pattern of previous assaults on rebel strongholds, deploying massive air power and tight sieges to force insurgents to accept evacuation deals.

These involve rebels surrendering territory in exchange for safe passage to opposition areas in northwest Syria, along with their families and other civilians who do not want to come back under Assads rule.

Late on Friday, a small number of fighters and their families from the former al Qaeda affiliate previously known as the Nusra Front left eastern Ghouta under such a deal.

But the group represents only a small portion of the insurgent presence in the enclave, and both Jaish al-Islam and Failaq al-Rahman have said they are not negotiating a similar deal for themselves.

Shortages

The intensity of the governments attack on an enclave that has been besieged since 2013 and suffers acute shortages of food and medical supplies has drawn Western condemnation and demands by UN aid agencies for a humanitarian halt in fighting.

The United Nations estimates that some 400,000 people are trapped in the enclave.

Living conditions are harsh... Shop owners and traders are sending their workers to the shelters to sell food for three times their price before the offensive, said a man in Saqba who identified himself as Abu Abdo in a voice message.

Aid agencies have tried to deliver aid into eastern Ghouta, but they have only been able to bring in a portion of the amount they wanted.

A convoy was unable to finish unloading on Monday because of continued fighting, bringing in the remaining undelivered food parcels on Friday despite bombardment nearby.

However, UN agencies said most medical supplies had been stripped from the convoy by Syrian government officials and added that the food supplies brought in were insufficient.

The government has opened what it says are several safe routes out of eastern Ghouta for civilians, but none are known to have left so far and Damascus and Moscow accuse the rebels of preventing them from fleeing the fighting.

Insurgent groups in eastern Ghouta deny this, but a Reuters witness on Friday saw gunfire and mortar fire from inside the rebel territory near one of the crossing points.President Donald Trump said Saturday that China is glad hes working on a diplomatic solution to the North Korean crisis rather than going with the ominous alternative and that Japan is very enthusiastic about the agreed-to talks.

Trump has spoken with both Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe since Thursdays announcement that he was willing to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Trump tweeted that he and Xi spoke about that agreed-to meeting and that Xi appreciates that the U.S. is working to solve the problem diplomatically rather than going with the ominous alternative.

Trump had previously threatened North Korea with fire and fury like the world has never seen.

Trump also said China, North Koreas most important ally and trading partner, continues to be helpful! Trump has repeatedly urged China to do more to pressure North Korea into abandoning its nuclear program.

Trump said in another tweet Saturday that Abe is is very enthusiastic about talks with North Korea and that the two discussed how to narrow the U.S.-Japan trade deficit. Trump wrote, It will all work out!

Trump misspelled Xis first name as Xinping in the first version of his tweet about China but later corrected it.US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson cancelled scheduled events on Saturday on the second day of a visit to Kenya because he is not feeling well, a State Department spokesman said.

The secretary is not feeling well after a long couple days working on major issues back home such as North Korea and has cancelled his events for the day, spokesman Steve Goldstein told reporters travelling with Tillerson.

Some events will go ahead without him, while they are looking at the possibility of rescheduling others, said Goldstein, under-secretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs at the State Department.

Tillerson, 65, is four days into his first diplomatic trip to Africa, where he has visited Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya, and is scheduled to go on to Nigeria and Chad.

During the trip he has also been involved behind the scenes in discussions within the administration on a possible meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

A US embassy official in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, said US ambassador to Kenya Bob Godec and Kenyan health minister Sicily Kariuki would attend events on Saturday morning.

Tillerson had been scheduled to lay a wreath at the site of the 1998 bombing of the US embassy in Nairobi, in which more than 200 people were killed, and attend an event to highlight US health assistance in Africa.The United States is working to exempt ally Australia from its newly unveiled foreign steel and aluminium tariffs, President Donald Trump said on Saturday, tying the effort to a security agreement.

Major US trading partners have condemned Trumps decision to impose the punitive tariffs as protectionism and an affront to allies, amid growing fears of a global trade war.

After a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Trump said the Australian leader is committed to having a very fair and reciprocal military and trade relationship.

Working very quickly on a security agreement so we dont have to impose steel or aluminium tariffs on our ally, the great nation of Australia! the American president added.

There were no immediate details on what such a security agreement would entail.

Australia and the United States have been joined in the ANZUS Treaty security alliance since it took effect in 1952.

Turnbull told reporters that Trump was able to confirm that he would not have to impose tariffs on Australian steel and aluminium, and that now the paperwork will be done to put that direction into effect.

Australian steel and aluminium account for just a small percentage of the US import market, but Canberra has warned the tariffs would distort trade and lead to job losses.

That was a very good and productive discussion with the president, Turnbull said.

Trump had indicated he would be flexible toward real friends.

During yesterdays signing of the tariffs, 25 per cent on imported steel and 10 per cent on aluminium, he confirmed Canada and Mexico would be exempted permanently if the ongoing renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement is successful.

But both Mexico and Canada rejected Trumps linkage of the levies to ongoing NAFTA talks.

The US leader had also added Australia to a list of likely exemptions.

We have a very close relationship with Australia, we have a trade surplus with Australia, great country, long-term partner, well be doing something with them, he said.

But Trump took aim at Germany -- the biggest economy in the European Union trade bloc -- as a bad actor likely to face tariffs.

Railing against countries that had taken advantage of the United States, Trump accused Germany of behaving unfairly by contributing much less than the US towards the funding of NATO.The hospital initially worked with the union following the election, but withdrew recognition last March, claiming that the labor board erred in conducting the election by mail rather than inside the hospital. Since March, the hospital has refused to honor its agreements with the union, provide workers with union representation or bargain a contract unless the union agreed that the contract could be voided if the hospital succeeded in overturning the election, said a news release from the NUHW.

The gravity of violations (the hospital) committed are serious, as (it) withdrew recognition and abandoned agreements with the union, Levinson Steckler wrote in a decision issued last week. She added that the hospital deprived the represented employees and the union over a year of good faith bargaining.

The hospital has two weeks to fully implement the judges ruling.

We respectfully disagree with the administrative law judges ruling, said Larry Coomes, CEO of Queen of the Valley Medical Center.Mike DeSimoni, Sr. has something to say about the empty retail shops at his Riverfront complex in downtown Napa.

Its driving me crazy, he said, of the papered-up windows in vacant storefronts.

I cant stand it, said the president of Channel Properties, the developer of the Riverfront on south Main Street.

DeSimoni was referring to the six out of 16 empty shops at the riverside shopping area.

While the second story commercial space is leased up and the condos have all been sold at least once, some twice, a string of ground floor vacancies has troubled the center, and now DeSimoni.

Cake Plate boutique recently announced the closure of its retail store. Other Riverfront spaces that are now shuttered include those formerly occupied by The Corner restaurant, Frati Gelato, Marie Lyall Shoes, Wood & Rowan nail spa and The Pear restaurant.

Thats a 38 percent vacancy rate.

DeSimoni said that hes heard that retail shopping has dropped off in Napa. I dont know if we are going through a phase or not, he said.

There is so much good going on at the building that the vacancies on the street level is sort of disturbing.

Until recently DeSimoni had his hands full with other real estate projects, he said. But now, hes ready to refocus his attention on the Riverfront.

The first step?

We are going to Marin County and see if we can drag some people up there as new tenants, he said confidently.

We want a good start for these new tenants, he said, even if he has to adjust the rent.

The Riverfront building itself is a big success, he said. The building it makes all kinds of money.

But Im a proud guy, said DeSimoni. He wants better for downtown Napa.

Scott Lyall, owner of Scott Lyall Clothes for Men, a Riverfront tenant, said that the last thing anybody wants is an empty space at the center.

But retail is very, very tough, he added.

The October wildfires really took a toll on business, said Lyall. Sales were down while visitors stayed away.

I lost probably $30,000 or more between his Napa and Sonoma stores, he said. Sales picked up in November and December, but you never get that money back.

He thinks adding new higher-end tenants at the Riverfront is the way to go.

The customer we get down here is a customer that wants quality. The tourists here are very cosmopolitan. They know good quality.

At the same time, property owners need to be flexible on lease rates, Lyall said.

In the heydays its great, but when times are tough, instead of losing a tenant  youve got to get creative and work with tenants.

Matt Mills works for Riverfront tenant Bespoke Collection. The business, which faces the river, offers a selection of boutique wines, one-of-a-kind objects dart, and unique lifestyle experiences.

One common comment Mills said he hears is that visitors dont realize there are tenants on the river-facing part of the complex.

Obviously, Id like to see more activity down here, but weve had good success in our first year and a half as a tenant. This space has worked well for us.

Danielle Mawlaoui is the owner of Danielle boutique, which faces Main Street.

She wishes landlord Channel Properties had worked harder to keep the former tenants from closing. It makes me angry, she said. While a renewed leasing effort is appreciated, They should have done more, and sooner, to help drive business to the Riverfront.

At the same time, Mawlaoui said she remains optimistic that once the new stores do get leased, it will bring more foot traffic to the Riverfront.

Michael Holmes of Ivy, Twig & Twine said his business has been great from day one, at the Riverfront.

The management has been great to me. In fact, he said, I just re-signed my lease.

On Thursday around noon, Lina Garcia and Astrid Figueroa of Tampa, Florida, walked through the Riverfront. The two were spending a day or two in Napa while visiting the San Francisco area.

They stopped at the Riverfront because it looked inviting from Soscol Avenue, but once they arrived, the two were confused.

It looks like its closed, said Figueroa, as she glanced up and down the river-facing section of the center.

Its very beautiful, said Garcia, but are we too early? Are the shops not open yet? she asked, as she stood next to the shuttered Frati Gelato cafe.

Matt Connolly of Strong & Hayden is the leasing agent for the property.

Obviously if they were doing amazing business, those former Riverfront merchants might not have made the decision to close, he acknowledged.

Connolly said the vacancies are a good opportunity for the project to look at re-tenanting with a new tenant mix. And also for new retailers or restaurants that want to come into the downtown market.

The spaces are already finished, and the Pear restaurant is fully built-out. That is a big benefit to any future restaurant tenant. Its so expensive to build a new restaurant, he noted.

Retail lease rates at the Riverfront range around $4 per square foot, plus triple net which means also paying taxes, maintenance and insurance costs, he said.

When asked if Riverfront retail was suffering because of too much competition from other shopping areas in downtown Napa, including First Street Napa, Connolly said no.

Riverfront benefits from being near the Welcome Center, Morimoto Napa and the Napa River Inn, he said.

The Riverfront area doesnt generate the same amount of foot traffic as Oxbow or First and Main, but it still offers a very convenient downtown Napa experience, said Connolly.

Projects go through transitions and tenants come and go, he said.

The Riverfront ownership has been a little more selective on trying to bring the next group in. But I think there is a lot of motivation to bring that right tenant mix.

DeSimoni said he doesnt think his rents are too high. He said he negotiates with his tenants. Hes also put millions into remodeling spaces to make them tenant-ready.

DeSimoni said that each of the tenants that have left the Riverfront had their own reasons. The owner of The Pear restaurant had other eateries located outside of Napa County, he said. The commute was too much for him, said the developer. Other tenants decided it was time for a change.

Owners of Cake Plate, The Corner and Wood & Rowan could not be immediately reached to comment on this story.

Everything is going spectacular except the retail, that tells me that either we picked the wrong ones to go in there or that retail is sick in Napa, said DeSimoni.

DeSimoni said that a high-end cosmetic retailer, shoe store and jewelry store would be a good fit.

Were just going to work hard at it.

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.21 Savage has seen a lot. Having come from a rough upbringing, 21 is enjoying a lavish lifestyle now, having the liberty to cash out at the Gucci store and cop anything he pleases. At one time, magazine covers were a pipedream, something that would never happen for the rapper out of Atlanta. Now, he's doing interviews and gracing the front page of the first ever printed publication from Canadian luxury retailer SSENSE. The "Bank Account" rapper spoke with them about his life before rap, preparing for life after music and, obviously given the publication, his fashion sense.

When discussing the rapper's affection for designers like Gucci and Saint Laurent, 21 said that before making it, he didn't know anything about clothes. When asked when he started rocking the designers he brags about, he said, "When I was rich. When I was broke, I didnt know what the hell that shit was." Fully understandable, but what was he more interested in at the time? 21 gave a simple response: "Glocks."

The rapper confirmed his newfound aversion to jewelry, stating that all the rich people he knows do not own diamonds. Thus, he's all about copping real estate and investing in stocks because he wants to see his money grow. 21 Savage has built a cult following based solely on his stoic personality and violent, sometimes ridiculous lyrics. The rapper covers SSENSE's first printed magazine and his interview for them can be read in full here.The Air Jordan 9 returns to retailers this Saturday, March 10, in a predominately black colorway that has surprisingly never released before.

The "Bred" Air Jordan 9, inspired by PEs worn by Jason Kidd and Eddie Jones back in 2002 (H/T Sole Collector), comes equipped with a smooth black leather upper, accompanied by black patent leather overlays and university red branding on the tongue, heel and midsole. The kicks are grounded by an anthracite outsole which completes the stealthy look.

All major retailers, including Nike.com, Eastbay, Champs Sports, Footaction, Foot Locker, Finish Line and most other local sneaker shops, will have the kicks in stock this Saturday, March 10th, in both men's and kid's sizes. The shoes will retail for $190.

If you're digging the all-black motif but the Air Jordan 9 silhouette isn't quite your style, be on the lookout for the "Blackout" Air Jordan 11 which is rumored to drop in late May for the first time ever. Click here for more details on that much anticipated release.Dreamville's EarthGang have been quietly amassing a stellar discography, culminating in the release of their acclaimed trifecta Rags, Robots, and Royalty. While they remain relatively slept on within the hip-hop community, those attentive listeners understand that Doctur Dot and Johnny Venus are top tier lyricists. At once clever, introspective, and experimental with it, the Gang seem positioned for a 2018 takeover. While their album Mirrorland remains a work in progress, the Gang continue to assure us that it's still on track. Needless to say, if EarthGang continue down this path, it may very well prove to be an Album Of The Year contender.

It would appear they're looking to diversify their creative endeavors. Following in the footsteps of label mate "J.I.D," EarthGang are planning a foray into the world of animation. They recently took to Instagram to announce an upcoming animated series, which looks to build on the inevitable Mirrorland narrative. EarthGang are goddamn conceptual with it. It's refreshing to see a group that's not afraid to take risks; it just so happens they're also formidable writers.

Keep an eye out for more news on EarthGang, and if you haven't already done so, take the journey through Rags, Robots, and Royalty.Please log in to keep reading.

Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever.Rising concerns about fossil fuels, interest in rooftop solar and shifts in how power is distributed are upending the traditional role of utility companies, according to chief executives.

The CEOs, speaking last week at the CERA-Week by IHS Markit energy conference, said the changes are leading many companies to remake their business models for the first time in decades. They are divesting coal-fired power plants, investing more heavily in renewable energy and adjusting to the prospect of competing with their own customers in generating electricity. In California, for example, about 4,000 to 5,000 customers of the utility Edison International install solar systems on their rooftops every month to make their own power, selling the excess to the grid, CEO Pedro Pizarro said. That means utilities may have to become both distributors and brokers who match power producers with customers.

"That is a long-term trend," he said. "You can't stop that technology, and you can't stop customers that want to get into it."

It's not unique to California. The trend of customers wanting more control over their power has become an everyday concern for the German manufacturing company Siemens, which makes transmission lines, wind turbines and solar panels, among other products. People want to make their own power and sell it back to the grid, said Judy Marks, CEO of Siemens USA.

Isabelle Kocher, CEO of the French power company Engie, said she, too, sees "tectonic change" in the world's power mix. Last month, Engie sold all of its U.S. coal and natural-gas fired power plants to Houston-based Dynegy for $3.3 billion. Engie plans to invest billions of dollars in renewables, Kocher said.

Even in Texas, a center of fossil fuel production, the winds of change are literally blowing. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which oversees 90 percent of the state's electric grid, now gets a third of its power from wind farms. Solar farms are expanding around the state, and there are more options for installing rooftop solar as panel costs continue to drop, according to industry officials.

President Donald Trump has pledged to roll back the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan, which sought to limit emissions from power plants, but such a move is unlikely to have much effect on the expansion of renewables in Texas, said Toby Baker, a commissioner with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the state's environmental protection agency.

"With the cost of solar, the amount of wind coming online, the market is doing what the Clean Power Plan was trying to do," Baker said, speaking on a panel addressing changes in Texas' power mix. "Regulations are important, but at the end of the day, low-cost natural gas and zero-cost wind are driving this more than regulation."

Despite the changes, power lines in Texas and around the country are not set up to have customers both send and receive electricity from the grid, said Paula Gold-Williams, the CEO of San Antonio's municipal utility, CPS Energy. Companies will have to invest in upgrading and changing their electricity distribution systems to handle independent power flowing into their distribution systems.

In 2011, CPS announced that it would shut down its coal-fired J.T. Deely power plant by 2018 - which would make it the first coal-fired plant to be closed in Texas.

On Thursday, Barry Smitherman, who formerly served on both Texas' Public Utility Commission and Railroad Commission, said the economics are in favor of retiring expensive and inefficient coal-fired power plants, and that the company should retire more plants to save money that it can reinvest elsewhere.Texas farm and ranch equipment dealers expressed mixed reactions to steep tariff increases on steel and aluminum imports.

Dealers exhibiting cattle chutes and horse trailers at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on Friday said they were concerned about the tariffs impact on their bottom lines but also optimistic that increased U.S. steel jobs could buoy sales in the long run.

President Donald Trump will impose tariffs of 25 percent and 10 percent on imports of steel and aluminum, respectively, set to take effect in two weeks. The president has exempted Canada and Mexico for now, and left room for negotiations with other U.S. allies to avoid or lower the tariffs.

Nationally, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers issued a statement Friday expressing profound disappointment at Trumps actions. Steel accounts for about 10 percent of equipment manufacturers direct costs, according to the group.

These Trump Tariffs will put U.S. equipment manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage, risk undoing the strides our economy has made due to tax reform, and ultimately pose a threat to American workers jobs, AEM president Dennis Slater said in the statement.

McCoy Farm and Ranch Outfitters was informed by its manufacturers in early March, around the time when the tariffs were proposed, to expect a 6 percent increase in the cost of cattle equipment. For the San Marcos-based dealer, that means a $4,000 squeeze chute, a steel cage used to contain cattle to give them injections and other medical procedures, would cost about $4,300.

McCoys dealer Cliff Mulanax predicted that is not a big enough price increase to make a huge difference for farmers and ranchers in rural Texas.

Price increases are part of life, he said. You cant be upset by it.

Still, McCoys is considering changing suppliers to those that use U.S. steel, Mulanax said. The companys cattle chutes weigh about 1,200 pounds and are manufactured using steel from around the world, including China and shipwrecks from the bottom of the ocean, he said.

For Moran Livestock Equipment, the new steel and aluminum tariffs likely wont make a huge impact on sales, dealer Rusty Morgan said. Thats because the Bowie-based distributor sells equipment primarily from W-W Manufacturing Systems & Equipment, which uses exclusively U.S. steel, Morgan said. Their cattle chutes sell for $1,200 to $3,600.

We havent had any notices yet, Morgan said. I dont know if well be impacted.

Matt Murdoch, a trailer dealer based in Seguin, said he is bracing for higher prices, although he hasnt yet been affected by the tariffs.

Murdoch sells utility and horse trailers priced from $4,000 to more than $100,000. An increase in steel and aluminum prices of 10 percent to 25 percent would be significant, as about 60 percent of his trailers are made from those metals, he said.

I try to stay neutral, but Im not the biggest cheerleader, Murdoch said of the tariffs. As a dealer, its going to hit me double because the suppliers are going to raise prices and the manufacturers are going to raise prices.

Murdoch said higher prices caused by tariffs could slow sales. Murdochs dealership averages about 60 to 70 trailer sales a month. During the oil boom, sales had skyrocketed to 125 per month as oilfield workers flush with cash rushed to buy trailers.

Dealers at the Houston rodeo expressed hope that protecting the domestic steel industry would yield more local jobs and steel production, which in turn could stabilize prices and bolster sales.

If a bunch of steel mills reopen, itll create more jobs and help us, Mulanax said. It may be worth it in the long run.The headline popped up on my computer screen as I was perusing news websites Sunday morning:

"Why is Brooklyn barbecue taking over the world?"

Certainly a provocative statement meant to get attention and clicks to the "Munchies" website, the food blog of Vice Media.

The article argued that the current boom in American-style barbecue joints opening all over the world was inspired by a barbecue joint from Brooklyn, N.Y., called Fette Sau.

Again, a provocative argument. But also inaccurate.

Though the author mentions two barbecue-style restaurants in South and Central America and one in Spain as examples, in my own experience traveling the world researching the diaspora of Texas barbecue traditions and techniques, I have never encountered any mention of Brooklyn barbecue.

Indeed, barbecue joints such as The Beast in Paris and Texas Joe's in London universally mention Texas icons Franklin Barbecue or Louie Mueller Barbecue as their inspiration.

In my international travels to document American-style barbecue, I've never heard anyone say, "We were inspired by Fette Sau."

More Information Hometown Bar-B-Que 454 Van Brunt St. Brooklyn, NY 11231 hometownbarbque.com Izzy's Smokehouse 397 Troy Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11213 izzyssmokehouse.com See More Collapse

The article was accompanied by a photograph of a rather desultory tray of barbecue. Further inspection of the article showed that it was originally published back in 2014.

I wrote the piece off as "clickbait" - a provocative article with specious arguments meant to drive traffic and advertising dollars to a website.

But then it went "viral." Users on Twitter and Facebook - many from barbecue strongholds including Texas and North Carolina - began mocking the article. None other than our own Texas Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz tweeted out jokes about the idea of Brooklyn barbecue taking over the world.

Regrettably, much of the social-media mob's ire was directed not at the article but at Brooklyn barbecue itself. They associated the sad picture of barbecue in the article with all of Brooklyn barbecue. For the Munchies website, this article turned into something of a deal with the devil - they got lots of clicks for their advertisers, but Brooklyn barbecue took a big hit to its reputation.

And yes, Brooklyn barbecue has an otherwise excellent reputation among barbecue fans. In a column last March titled "NYC a 'cue capital? For now, fuhgeddaboudit," I argued that there are, indeed, great barbecue joints in Brooklyn, but there are just not enough of them to make Brooklyn a real contender for a top barbecue city.

My heart sank as the Twitter mob spewed invective throughout the week. I imagined my friends Billy Durney of Hometown Bar-B-Que and Izzy Eidelman of Izzy's Smokehouse - two of Brooklyn's best barbecue joints - were reading the same things. Billy and Izzy are two of the toughest guys I know, but they had to be irked by the negative press about their beloved borough and the barbecue they make there.

Closer to home, I called up pitmaster John Avila of El Burro & the Bull barbecue restaurant here in Houston. Avila, a veteran of Franklin Barbecue in Austin, moved to Brooklyn in 2013 and helped open Morgan's Brooklyn Barbecue that same year. He had a front-row seat to the early days of Brooklyn barbecue.

I asked Avila what advice he'd give to his former colleagues in Brooklyn to weather the criticism.

"Just keep grinding," Avila said. "Guys like Mark Roper at Morgan's and Matt Fisher at Fletcher's know Texas barbecue. They respect the tradition. Just keep doing what you're doing."

Back in 2014, when I started exploring Brooklyn barbecue, it was a lonely task to tell Texans that there was legitimate barbecue in Brooklyn. But I've spent enough time with pitmasters such as Durney and Eidelman to know that they respect and celebrate the great traditions of Texas barbecue.

It's unlikely that a Brooklyn pitmaster would claim his barbecue is more influential than Texas'. It's not. But it is great barbecue. And I can unreservedly recommend that any Texan visiting New York should make the trip across the East River and check it out.

Brooklyn barbecue may not be taking over the world, but it is legitimate barbecue. And it offers a taste of home for any homesick Texans visiting the Big Apple.ANGLETON - So, this is what happens when you go looking for Stephen F. Austin. Sitting at his feet one evening last week - actually at the feet of a gleaming-white 60-foot-tall statue of Austin - I was waiting for a living-history interpreter/local historian to show up and tell me stories about the real Father of Texas. The statue, by Houston sculptor David Adickes - who also sculpted the giant Sam Houston statue beside Interstate 45 near Huntsville - is the centerpiece of Brazoria Countys Stephen F. Austin-Munson Historical County Park, a 10-acre patch of greensward beside State Highway 288.

It was a nice evening, and as I waited, a fellow driving a pickup stopped at the entrance gate, sauntered over to where I was sitting on a low, brick wall and pointed out his family name carved into the base of the statue. His ancestors, he was proud to say, were among Austins Old 300.

Ill tell you my story, he said, sitting down beside me. It was a story about getting shot in the head by the cops a couple of years ago while trying to evade arrest. He showed me the concave scar just below his right ear, the surgeons scar running ear-to-ear across his bald head, his glass eye. He told me in fascinating detail about his vivid near-death experience and about joining the KKK for protection while he was incarcerated.

After 20 minutes or so, my new acquaintance went on his way, and James Glover, a musket-bearing living-history interpreter, drove up in his pickup and ushered me into the small museum and visitors center at the park. The museum collects Texas artifacts from the years between 1811 and 1836. Most Texans, Glover noted, know the Alamo and San Jacinto but are not that familiar with crucial pre-Revolution events.

A wiry fellow with a scraggly, gray beard, Glover wore a black frock coat, twill pants and a wide-brimmed straw hat befitting the early decades of the 19th century. A Sweeny native, hes been a lumber salesman, a pipe fitter, a welder, an electrician and a newspaperman - whatever it takes to put beans on the table. Hes a congenial sort, but you sense a tinge of regret that he arrived too late to be an early Texan. Hes also a Battle of San Jacinto artillerist and has been the parks historic site manager since March 2016.

The bizarre tale I heard while waiting had nothing to do with Glovers story about what he considers the opening battle of the Texas Revolution - except to underscore the fact that trouble and turmoil, guns and violence, are an integral part of Texas heritage.

In his East Texas twang, Glover took me back to the fall of 1835, with Austin on his way back to Texas from Mexico City. He had journeyed to the Mexican capital three years earlier to lobby for separating Texas from its sister state of Coahuila, as guaranteed in the Constitution of 1824. Encountering a Mexican government in turmoil, a frustrated Austin couldnt get an answer, so he wrote a letter advising colonists back home to carry on as if Texas was separate.

The letter was intercepted, and so was he, Glover said. They arrested him in Saltillo and sent him back to Mexico City, where he spent almost two years in prison for trying to set up a separate state without proper authority.

Austin was freed when Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna seized power and declared a general amnesty for political prisoners. The Texas empresario made his way by ship to New Orleans and then took passage on the San Felipe, a merchant schooner owned by Thomas F. McKinney, a prosperous cotton trader who used his firms credit to help finance the Revolution.

Neither Austin nor the San Felipes captain, William A. Hurd, knew that the Correo de Mexico was blockading the coast to intercept contraband - tobacco, iron, slaves, guns and gunpowder. The San Felipe rode low in the water, its hold packed with munitions for Texas revolutionaries.

The commander of the Correo was Thomas M. Thompson, a British naval officer who had signed on with Mexico after the Napoleonic Wars had exhausted his native land. When Thompson spied the San Felipe, he fired a shot across her bow, but Hurd ignored the warning. Instead, he made for Velasco (now Surfside) at the mouth of the Brazos. Hurd not only wanted to protect Austin but also had no intention of surrendering his vessel. He dropped off his distinguished passenger - along with two pre-fab houses he had on board -- took on armed men and headed back out to confront the Correo.

So they head out to sea to do battle, Glover recounted, and they get out there and the wind stops. Theyre becalmed.

Through a spyglass from shore, McKinney saw that the ships could neither fight nor flee. He took action. He fired up a small wood-burning sidewheel steamer he owned called the Laura, latched her to the San Felipe and towed the schooner across the Correos bow. The San Felipe guns were brought to bear on the Mexican ship, which was unable to return fire because her bow guns didnt point directly forward.

Its like a T, the same thing that Nelson did at Trafalgar, Glover said.

The San Felipes six-pound cannon commenced to hurling solid-iron projectiles, grapeshot and canister. Commodore Thompson was wounded, and another sailor was killed outright. Cannon fire knocked a 3,000-pound gun off its carriage and shredded the Mexican flag. Thompson, who would switch sides the next year, surrendered the ship.

Texans with a passing interest in their revolution are likely to consider the Come and Take It Battle of Gonzales as the onset of the war. Glover begs to differ.

You have bloodshed and you have dead, he said. You have gunfire. You have somebody take over another ship, take it to New Orleans and sell it. This is the first armed conflict of the Texas Revolution.

Aside from being the first, this innocuous, little sea skirmish was extremely consequential. It cleared the coast of a Mexican naval presence, so that arms and volunteers could flow into rebellious Texas unimpeded. And it persuaded a reluctant Austin that revolt was the only recourse.

Glover said he became a serious student of Texas history in 1980, planning to devote a decade or so to his research. Stories like this one, which he shares with school groups and museum visitors, keep him intrigued nearly four decades later.

And the other story I heard? The one from the loquacious fellow who survived being shot in the head? He quit the Klan, he told me, when he found out he had fathered a Native American son and the imperial wizard told him he had to choose between Klan or kid. He chose.

Only in Texas, you might say.Associated Press

Two Brazilian grandparents who allegedly conspired to kidnap their 8-year-old Houston grandchild are free on bond, court documents show.

Carlos Otavio Guimaraes, 67, and Jemima Guimaraes, 65, are facing conspiracy and international parental kidnapping charges after allegedly helping harbor the boy in Brazil during a short family trip in July 2013. The boy was supposed to return back to Houston that same month but never did.Mayor Sylvester Turner has agreed to set clearer affordable housing policies for Houston and to help more low-income families move to neighborhoods with good schools as part of an agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The agreement, signed March 2 but announced Friday, resolves a 2017 HUD finding that Houstons housing policies violate the federal Civil Rights Act.

The dispute stems from Turners August 2016 rejection of a proposal to build subsidized housing near the Galleria. Turner refused to bring the 233-unit Fountain View project to city council for a vote on tax credit financing that would make the development possible, citing costs and other concerns.

HUD concluded that Turners decision to halt consideration of the project violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits recipients of federal funding from discriminating based on race, color or national origin. The agency also said Houston's process for reviewing applications for a key form of low-income housing maintains segregation, in part by giving too much weight to racially motivated opposition from neighborhood residents.

Earlier: HUD: City's subsidized housing procedures promote segregation, violate Civil Rights Act

In a statement Friday, HUD Secretary Ben Carson said the agreement will "expand housing options for lower income Houston residents, especially in neighborhoods with better performing schools and higher paying jobs."

"We're pleased the city is committed to making sure taxpayer-supported affordable housing development be supported and encouraged in a fair and inclusive manner," Carson said.

The agreement commits Houston to:

Implement a program city officials have discussed for months that would encourage landlords in areas with good schools to rent to 350 families with housing vouchers; denying units to recipients of housing subsidies is legal in Texas. The city will track lease and eviction rates and data on educational outcomes, and will expand the effort if the data show it is succeeding. The first family to participate in that program moved in March 2, city housing director Tom McCasland said.

Work with the Houston Housing Authority to invest $2 million in FEMA disaster aid to help victims made homeless by Hurricane Harvey, adding to $2.9 million the council recently approved to help HHA house 250 chronically homeless individuals.

Set objective policies to guide which tax-credit housing applications it will recommend that City Council support or not object to, and refrain from granting "veto" power to any individual council member when evaluating the housing applications.

Seek technical assistance from HUD to develop a comprehensive affordable housing strategy and to redesign programs in anticipation of an influx of Harvey recovery funding; the city's Harvey recovery czar, Marvin Odum, said last week that HUD has agreed to grant Houston's request for this expertise and support.

Read: City asks HUD to drop housing discrimination case

Turner thanked HUD for recognizing that the city has efforts underway that could address some of the agency's criticisms, such as the so-called Voucher Mobility Program. He also pointed to the help that HUD's support would provide in both the Harvey recovery and the city's future housing efforts.

"We are not looking to bounce back from Harvey, but to bounce forward to a more just and more resilient city - a city of complete communities where all residents can find quality homes in neighborhoods with the economic and educational opportunities necessary to build a successful life," the mayor said.

Housing advocates blasted the agreement, however.

Washington, D.C.-based attorney Michael Allen, who represents the Texas Low Income Housing Information Service, an Austin-based advocacy group that urged HUD last fall to take a hard line on Houstons alleged violations, called it a complete sham.

Its entirely weak, he said. Id even go one step further and say I think it dishonors the very principles of the Fair Housing Act.

The agreement obligates the city to, essentially, do nothing, Allen said, and does not address the Fountain View proposal. The document merely suggests that forwarding deals similar to the Fountain View one to council would be a good idea, he said, but does not mandate it.

The agreement commits the city to make a priority of advancing projects in high-opportunity areas like District G to council but does not prevent the city from also targeting investments in historically disadvantaged areas.

Housing vouchers in high-opportunity areas, thats a good idea, but theres nothing enforceable here, Allen said. And the reference to helping people made homeless by Harvey  Harvey hadnt even happened when the HUD found the city in violation, so that remedy doesnt even line up logically.

Betsy Julian, a former HUD assistant secretary for fair housing, called the agreement outrageous and said it is difficult to square HUDs serious original findings with an agreement that, at a minimum, does not require the city to go through with the Fountain View project.

This doesnt address the fundamental Title VI findings this is supposed to be resolving, Julian said. I am not one who throws compliments to HUD around casually, but that original Title VI finding was a very powerful and convincing document, so Im a little appalled that the government would enter into a compliance agreement that doesnt address those issues at all.

Affordable housing is a critical issue in Houston, a city of 2.3 million where demand outstrips the roughly 78,000 subsidized units provided by a web of agencies.

The vast majority of local tax credit housing, the regions most plentiful source of new affordable units, is concentrated in minority neighborhoods. The Houston Housing Authoritys plan to build a mixed-income, 233-unit complex at 2640 Fountainview would have been the agencys first in a low-poverty, low-crime neighborhood with good schools and access to jobs.

The $53 million proposal sparked fierce community and political opposition, however, and Turner scuttled the deal.

HUD questioned Turners justification for blocking the project, saying the city typically vets such developments  which require no city funding  so lightly that Turner recalled reviewing no other such resolutions during his tenure, though Houston at that point had acted on at least 10 such projects. The city under Turner also signed off on a $226,000-per-unit tax credit proposal in majority-minority Independence Heights.

McCasland, the city housing director, asked that critics of the agreement look more broadly at the citys actions over the past two years, such as the list of tax credit applications the council approved last year, when 10 of the 11 projects approved were in high-opportunity areas.

When the city does aim housing investment in struggling neighborhoods, he said, it will be as part of the mayors Complete Communities program, ideally accompanied by other investments in infrastructure, parks and economic development initiatives.

Theres been a strong focus on making sure that deals are not going directly into neighborhoods that have a high poverty concentration, McCasland said. Theres a very high priority on making sure family developments are located next to amenities, whether those be transit amenities or, more importantly, high-performing schools.

District G Councilman Greg Travis, who represents the area around the Fountain View proposal and opposed the deal, said hes fine with the city setting objective standards for evaluating affordable housing deals.

I have not been against such projects in my district in their totality. Some projects Ive been fine with, he said. The issue I have is these high economic opportunity areas usually have high costs associated with them. But, more importantly, most of the social services if not all of them are not in District G. Youre putting people in places that are away from their support network, not just their family but agencies and government programs. Nobody talks about that, but I guarantee you the people who need those services, they think about it.

mike.morris@chron.comA 14-year-old boy was stabbed repeatedly outside a strip center after school Friday, according to Houston police.

The teenager was standing in the parking lot of the Westpark Business Center in the 6400 block of Westpark just before 4 p.m. when a light-colored sedan pulled up.

Multiple people jumped out and one - who police described as a "known juvenile" - whipped out a sharp object and stabbed the victim repeatedly in the chest.

First responders rushed the boy to the Texas Medical Center in critical condition. The suspect fled before police arrived.Five years after Pope Francis ascended to the papacy, a new survey of U.S. Catholics reports that most still harbor warm feelings toward the pontiff - but his popularity is waning among political conservatives.

According to a new study from the Pew Research Center, the first Latin American pope retains a soaring 84 percent favorability rating among Catholics overall, with only a 1-point drop since 2014. A majority (58 percent) also still believe he represents a major positive change for the Roman Catholic Church.

But there are signs Francis' honeymoon period has ended in some circles. Roughly a quarter (24 percent) of American Catholics say he is naive, up from 15 percent in 2015, and 34 percent now say the pontiff is too liberal, compared with 19 percent who said the same three years ago.

The divisions appear to be more political than theological. According to the survey, the share of Republican and Republican-leaning Catholics who say Francis is too liberal has more than doubled since 2015, jumping from 23 percent to 55 percent. Similarly, while only 16 percent of Republican Catholics surveyed in 2015 said Francis is naive, roughly a third say so today.

By contrast, the report shows that when it comes to Democratic or Democratic-leaning Catholics, "there has been no statistically significant change in opinion on either of these questions."

"Catholics who are Republican and Republican-leaning have become more negative to Pope Francis," said Greg Smith, associate director of research at Pew. "I think this survey shows very clear evidence that Catholic attitudes about Pope Francis have become very polarized along partisan lines."

The change follows several years of Francis invoking traditional Catholic social teaching to stake out positions widely seen as politically liberal. Since becoming the bishop of Rome, the pontiff has published an apostolic exhortation deeply critical of unfettered capitalism, repeatedly offered vocal support for immigrants and produced an encyclical calling for action on climate change.

These moves have frustrated many Catholic Republican politicians in the U.S.

House Speaker Rep. Paul Ryan, former Sen. Rick Santorum and former presidential adviser Steve Bannon have all challenged or spoken critically of the pope's views on things such as economics, refugees and the environment.

President Trump himself, a Protestant, has engaged in a war of words with Francis, who questioned Trump's faith.

"A person who thinks only about building walls - wherever they may be - and not building bridges, is not Christian," Francis said in February 2016 when asked about the potential of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Meanwhile, Catholic writers such as New York Times columnist Ross Douthat have railed against the pontiff for rhetoric regarding whether divorced and remarried Catholics should be allowed to receive Communion.

The pope also has garnered attention for his more conciliatory approach to gay people, making headlines in 2013 after he responded to a question about gay priests by saying "who am I to judge?" Francis has not, in fact, challenged the church's traditional opposition to same-sex relationships but has introduced a change in tone on the issue.

The Pew report also suggests U.S. Catholics are more accepting of gay marriage than ever: 67 percent supported same-sex marriage in 2017, compared with 57 percent who said the same in 2015.

Researchers also noted that Catholics who attend Mass weekly or more often are "far more likely" than Catholics who attend services less often to "positively rate the pope's performance on each issue asked about."

"You have to remember, the pope is still the pope," Smith said.

Compared with previous Pew studies on his predecessors, Francis' favorability ratings surpass any of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's and approach those of St. John Paul II in the 1980s and 1990s.

Despite partisan differences on Francis, Catholics from across the political spectrum are in rough agreement about the pope's handling of the child sex abuse crisis.

In 2015, 57 percent of Republican and Republican-leaning Catholics and 56 percent of Democratic and Democratic-leaning Catholics said Francis was doing an excellent or good job addressing the sex abuse scandal. In 2018, the portion of those giving him positive marks on the issue has dwindled to 45 and 44 percent, respectively. (The survey was conducted before the recent media firestorm regarding Francis' promotion of a Chilean bishop suspected of covering up abuse by a pedophile priest.)

Pew's survey of 1,503 adults was conducted Jan. 10-15 and has an overall margin of error of plus or minus 6.4 percentage points among Catholics.President Trump tweeted condolences Saturday morning for the three staff members of The Pathway Home who were killed Friday by a former Army infantryman with a rife.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic situation in Yountville and mourn the loss of three incredible women who cared for our Veterans," Trump tweeted.

Gov. Jerry Brown has ordered flags flown at half-staff at the capitol in memory of the victims.

Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin also added condolences Friday night. "We are deeply saddened and affected by the tragic outcome of the hostage situation at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville and extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones involved," he said.

The staff members had been held hostage by man who had been discharged from the program, based on the grounds of the Veterans Home of California. The Pathway Home offers mental health and case management services for veterans transitioning back into civilian life.Last summer, tasked with helping displaced Texans find safe places to live after one of the nations worst floods, the Federal Emergency Management Agency decided to experiment.

Rather than muscling up its program for short-term housing, FEMA called on the state of Texas to help find trailers, lease apartments and repair flood victims homes.

But the effort, led by Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, has been hogtied in a web of paperwork, legal wrangling and efforts to increase staffing, interviews and a Houston Chronicle examination of local, state and federal records show. It took nearly a month for FEMA to ask for help and to work out an agreement with Bushs office. Another five months later, the state General Land Office has added 33 disaster recovery workers, after initially saying it needed 90.

Thousands of Texans, meanwhile, are still waiting for help with temporary housing. Some have given up on the government.

Texas now expects to spend just $1.1 billion of the more than $2.6 billion land office officials say FEMA budgeted for short-term housing programs. State officials say that the larger number was an early estimate based on maximum potential sign-ups.

We cant force people to use these programs, Bush said in an interview Friday.  Constituents had ample opportunity to use these programs, and many chose to go a different path. And look, I get it. Your house is the most important investment that you make.  And so to have a contractor come to your home in the midst of so many scams and rip off artists, leaves a lot of people without comfort. 

Hurricane Harveys six-month anniversary passed with fewer than 8,000 Texas families having made it into trailers, apartments or homes leased or repaired by FEMA-funded programs. That equates to roughly 2 percent of the 371,000 applicants who have qualified for federal assistance.

EDITORIAL: Harvey exposed every point of weakness

By comparison, roughly six months after a rainstorm inundated southern Louisiana in 2016, about 18 percent of approved FEMA applicants had moved into similar federally-funded temporary housing.

FEMA officials have cautioned against comparing disasters and emphasized that the agencys short-term housing programs are designed to serve only people without other options.

Interviews with state and local officials, however, indicate that negotiating FEMAs intricate partnership with Texas General Land Office and local governments delayed the rollout of Harvey housing programs by weeks, and in some cases months. The arrangement continues to be plagued by communication breakdowns, they said.

Weve been asking, Where are those dollars and whos getting those dollars and how many homes are being repaired? Were still having problems on that end, Mayor Sylvester Turner, an increasingly vocal critic, said Wednesday. Theres a lack of cooperation and inclusiveness, and we just need to get that worked out. Quite frankly, we just need to get that worked out yesterday.

By the time Tracy Wilson got a call in mid-February to gauge her interest in a bare-bones FEMA repair program, she had already given up on getting substantial help from the agency. The 57-year-old accountant and her daughter had been living with family since Harvey flooded their southwest Houston home.

After a couple of months, I kind of blew it off, because its just another government thing, Wilson recalled thinking. Its not going to happen.

Government-paid contractors eventually performed short-term repairs in her home, but she still doesnt plan on moving back. Nails still stick up out of her floor, and she worries about the mold.

Months of paperwork

FEMAs role in housing recovery after disasters such as Harvey is two-fold. In the storms immediate aftermath, the agency provides financial assistance to help families find safe, dry places to sleep. This can include $500 in emergency funds, a hotel room or money for a few months rent.

FEMA then works with state officials to develop programs to get families with limited options into apartments, trailers or partially repaired homes on a short-term basis. This is where FEMA changed the process after Harvey.

Rather than implementing most of these temporary housing programs on its own, FEMA took a hybrid approach. It maintained control over determining program eligibility, but put state and local officials in charge of tasks such as following up with families, procuring contractors and purchasing manufactured housing units.

An aide to Gov. Greg Abbott said FEMA asked the governor to have the state run the short-term housing programs because the federal agency didnt have sufficient resources to do so, based on the severity of damage from Harvey.

FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin Hannes cited Harveys widespread impact and Texas leadership capacity.

As we came into Harvey and we were looking at how extensive the damage could be  knowing that Texas is a leader in many facets in the country  we had started those discussions, he said. How do we improve the process to make housing more tailored? Instead of top-down driven, one solution set, is there a vehicle to really improve the process, to give multiple options, to empower the states to lead their recovery effort?

The new approach led to months of legal wrangling and paperwork.

It wasnt until Sept. 22 that the state land office and FEMA agreed to the broad terms of their partnership. Next, the agencies had to hammer out plans for each of their temporary housing programs, which include two rental options, manufactured housing units, recreational vehicles, quick-fix home repairs and more extensive home reconstruction.

They didnt even have a draft document to start from, Heather Lagrone, the land offices deputy director of community development and revitalization, said of FEMA. We were starting from scratch completely.

And then, more paperwork. The state wanted local governments to help with the programs, so the land office had to negotiate separate agreements with regional councils and the city of Houston. Those were finished between Nov. 16 and Dec. 14, with Houston being the last to sign.

State and local officials were most enthusiastic about the more comprehensive repair program, which offers homeowners up to $60,000 in repair work. They worked to get it off the ground first, leaving for last the basic, $20,000 repair program designed to convert homes into temporary shelters. This plan was finished on Nov. 30, more than three months after Harvey made landfall.

The $20,000 program requires the state to provide 10 percent of the money. FEMA fully funds the other programs.

Pete Phillips, the land offices senior director of community development and revitalization, said the state thought it was providing a better service to Texans by delaying the quick-hit program and urging FEMA to qualify more people for the comprehensive repair option. He added that FEMA didnt wait until negotiations were finished to begin placing mobile homes.

By Thanksgiving week, however, just one Texas family had been able to move into a house repaired through FEMAs more comprehensive program, and 223 were living in mobile homes, according to Lagrone.

By early March, contractors had completed repairs on just 55 homes through the $60,000 program, compared with 6,159 homes through the $20,000 program. Meanwhile, 2,160 Texas families had moved into mobile homes, and just 49 had been served by either of the rental programs the land office is partnering with FEMA to implement.

Phillips said that some Texans had resources available and could take responsibility for their own recovery instead of waiting on the government for help.

Texans, I think, are not like our neighbors in Louisiana, he said. We dont count on the government for our recovery.

Its embarrassing

By December, renters made up more than 77,000 of the Texas families with FEMA-verified losses due to Harvey. Steven Booth, his wife Catherine, and their six children are among them.

The Booths were evacuated from the house they rented for two years in Aransas Pass to an extended-stay motel in Austin.

FEMA twice has denied the familys request for rental assistance and money to replace essential belongings, such as beds that were ruined when Harvey damaged the roof of their former home. Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, a nonprofit group that provides free legal services to low-income residents, is filing appeals on the familys behalf with FEMA, which Booth contends did not adequately inspect damage.

FEMA paid the bills when the Booths moved into the extended-stay motel in Austin, but that help ended in December, and the couple now is struggling to pay the $1,300 a month it costs to stay there. Booth is working as an apprentice electrician as his wife cares for their children, who range in age from 1 to 14.

We are pretty much broke every month, said Booth, 41.

Charlie Duncan, research director for the Austin-based Texas Low Income Housing Information Service, said the programs had been far too slow.

Its embarrassing how these programs cant get off the ground and help people, Duncan said.

Hannes, the FEMA official, acknowledged what he called growing pains.

Any time youre going to use something innovative, you have to accept some risk. I think weve seen tremendous growth in the program, maturing over the period of performance that we have to-date, he said. Weve learned together how to work as a team  and we have progressively seen our ability to house people increase on a week-to-week basis.

Slow to hire

As the programs started functioning on all three levels of government, one of them faced a personnel shortage. Its normal, experts say, for the land office to have reduced its disaster-recovery staff after winding down the work on the last few disasters, including hurricanes Ike and Dolly.

And that was the case in Austin. At a legislative committee meeting in April 2017, Phillips said that under Bush, the land office had reduced its number of disaster-recovery staff from 92 to 52.

Those individuals who remain at the staff are the most highly-educated and dedicated professionals, he said.

But the office has struggled to staff up since Harvey. In documents provided to FEMA in October, Phillips team said it could need up to 90 more workers. It has hired 17, he says, and has transferred 16 others from other duties. He says 83 people are now working on disaster recovery, and he could add 20 more.

Sadly, the job market is great, so its tough getting people to take some of these jobs, and Im not going to hire just to fill a position, he said. I want quality staff, people who are going to be passionate.

Bushs office has also experienced turnover in key disaster-recovery jobs. Jorge Ramirez, the head of the disaster recovery program, was fired after Bush took office. Two other key officials resigned, and Luis Arellano, who had managed the programs finances, retired two years ago.

Arellano, hired under former Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, says the departure of key officials has been a factor in the slow recovery work.

All I know is that we are not doing as well as could be doing, he said, which saddens me because I was part of the team that got this program up and running and we were designing it for this specific reason  so we would not lose the knowledge.

The land office says the turnover and staffing levels had no impact on its response to Harvey.

Out of options

By February, Wilson, whose home flooded three times in as many years, felt like she was running out of options.

First, flood insurance paid less than half of her policy limit. Then the city of Houston said she couldnt rebuild without elevating her home. Nonprofits and contractors turned her away, if they responded at all.

FEMAs bare-bones repair program, designed to provide a quick fix, became a last resort.

Yet after the government-paid contractors finished tearing out her kitchen cabinets, replacing panels of missing drywall and installing a new toilet, she felt no closer to moving home. Wilsons shoes still stuck to the tar-covered floor when she walked. The unhooked gas line marked where her stove used to be. And then there was the mold.

They put together a cookie-cutter plan, she said. And that cookie cutter doesnt fit everybody.West University could have been the set for Leave it to Beaver when Serpell Edwards and his wife Betsy bought their home there 45 years ago. The neighbors were mostly white, the moms stayed at home and took care of the kids, and the politics were reliably Republican.

West U. was part of Houstons Seventh Congressional District, which had flipped from Democrat to Republican back in 1966, when a handsome young oilman named George H.W. Bush won the seat.

The Seventh soon came to be considered the safest GOP district in Texas, if not all of America, dominated for almost 50 years by Bill Archer, who succeeded Bush in 1970, and the current incumbent Republican, John Culberson, whos occupied the seat since Archer retired in 2000.

But now, as Texas is transformed by hundreds of thousands of new arrivals from other states and other countries, The Seventh has become one of the shakiest  among two dozen Republican districts nationally that Democrat Hillary Clinton carried in the 2016 election.

Democratic turnout surged in Tuesdays primary election, spurred in part by President Donald Trumps intense unpopularity among liberals and his seemingly limitless capacity to energize minorities, who now make up a majority of residents in The Seventh, reflecting the transformation of Texas as a whole.

We have noticed a flood of vote Democratic signs, said Edwards, 75. This never happened before.

If deep red Texas turns purple and then blue over the next several election cycles, as some political experts and demographers believe it could, The Seventh and other districts like it in and around Texas already blue major cities most likely would be ground zero.

"Politics always follows cultural shifts, and this district is coming of age right now," said Mustafa Tameez, a political consultant born in Pakistan who lives in The Seventh, worked as a homeland security consultant for former President George W. Bush and was involved the campaign of the first Vietnamese-American elected to the Texas House, a Democrat.

This is not the district of Bill Archer any more, certainly not the district that George H.W. Bush won for the Republicans, he said. And its not the district that John Culberson first ran in.

Instead of mostly white Republicans, with pockets of African-Americans and Latinos, the district is now a rainbow of different cultures  38 percent white, 31 percent Latino, 12 percent African-American and 10 percent Asian, a demographic face that looks like much of the rest of Texas, which in 2014 was 44.4 percent white, 38.2 percent Latino, 11.6 percent black and 4.1 percent Asian.

The Seventh is shaped like a jagged horsehoe. At its eastern extremity in the city of Houston, The Seventh includes wealthy River Oaks, upscale West University and Bellaire, and super-diverse, working class Gulfton, home to 80 nationalities, where the store signs on Hillcroft Avenue are in Arabic, Spanish and Urdu and the cuisine is from Latin American, the Middle East, Pakistan, Vietnam and China.

Extending west from Houston, the district takes in an east-west corridor between Westheimer and I-10 that runs a dozen miles all the way to Barker Reservoir and the neighborhoods that flooded behind Barker during Hurricane Harvey. It then turns north and includes well-to-do, increasingly diverse subdivisions all the way up to Houston National Gulf Club. And then it hooks to the northeast to encompass Jersey Village, a city at U.S. 290 and F.M. 529 that has grown from 500 mostly white residents in 1960 to an ethnic kaleidoscope of more than 8,000 today.

All the demographic and cultural trends powering political change in Texas are evident here in The Seventh, which has long been a political bellwether. The districts new residents tend to be more Democratic, though many older Latinos who oppose abortion and Vietnamese who remain strongly anti-communist have long voted Republican. But even these patterns are changing because many of their children seem to be swerving left in the era of Trump.

Trump energizes the left, the immigrant community and women, to be sure  turnout among Democratic women was particularly strong in Tuesdays primary. But Trump also uniquely energizes conservative Republicans  and more Republicans than Democrats voted on Tuesday, continuing the strong turnout that has kept the Texas Republican Party in power.

Then there is lingering Harvey anger in The Seventh, especially in the flooded upscale neighborhoods west of Barker and Addicks, where homeowners could produce a potent vote for change, feeling deceived by local politicians and officials who never told them that their homes were built on land the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers knew could flood.

This district is many more colors now than just white, and so is Texas, said Chloie Nantamba, a naturalized citizen from the Ivory Coast and nearly 20-year resident of Gulfton. What is happening here is happening across Texas.

'Republicans turned out'

The 1964 nomination of conservative Sen. Barry Goldwater of Arizona as the GOP presidential nominee buoyed support for Republicans in Houston.

George H.W. Bush, a Goldwater supporter, ran for and won The Seventh in 1966 by defeating Frank Briscoe, the law-and-order district attorney of Harris County and cousin of Dolph Briscoe, who would be elected governor six years later when Texas was still under Democratic control.

Bush won with a surprising 57 percent of the vote, the first Republican ever to represent Houston in the House. With the Republican Party in Texas on the rise, Bush established a political beachhead in Houstons Tanglewood neighborhood that, roughly a decade later, would help propel the GOP into statewide power  putting in office the first Republican governor since Reconstruction, former wildcatter William P. Clements.

With the creation of NASAs Johnson Space Center in Clear Lake in 1967, Houston began to boom. Energy, financial and medical sectors lit the fuse for growth that would continue for decades, slowing changing the demographics of Texas largest city as suburban sprawl covered lowland coastal plains.

When Bush left the U.S. House in 1970 to run for Senate unsuccessfully against liberal Democrat Sen. Ralph Yarborough, a fierce critic of Republican President Nixon, his house seat was filled by Archer, a former Hunters Creek Village councilman and mayor pro tem. After serving two terms in the Texas House as a Democrat, when Republicans were still a rarity in Austin politics, Archer had only become a Republican the prior year.

Archer won with nearly 65 percent of the vote  a benchmark he would surpass in each of his 14 re-election campaigns that spanned the next 30 years. He never dropped below 79 percent, and four times faced no opposition at all.

It was different back in the days when my mother would stand out in front of the River Oaks community center, asking people to vote for me as they went in, said Archer. People were moving in from everywhere, even in the early days, but it remained a Republican district because the Republicans turned out and voted  that was the key.

Archer retired from Congress in 2000 and was replaced by Culberson, a state legislator known for his tea-party GOP politics and an earnest technocrat style during his 12 years in the state legislature. Culberson won his first campaign with a 73 percent of the vote, eight points more than Archer managed in his first win.

PRIMARY ENDORSEMENTS: For the Democrats, Jason Westin or Lizzie Pannill Fletcher; For the Republicans, John Culberson

Between 2000 and 2010, Texas gained the largest number of new residents of any state  4.3 million people brought the total to 25.1 million  and surpassed New York as the nations second-largest state.

With the growth came hundreds of thousands of new residents who needed jobs and places to live, an influx that brought a rainbow of different ethnicities that, by 2010, had made Houston the fourth-largest city in the United States and one of its most diverse.

Culbersons share of the vote reached a high of 81.9 percent in 2010, when incumbent Republican Gov. Rick Perry was at the top of the ticket. But it sank to 56.1 percent in 2016, its lowest ever, when an anti-Trump sentiment propelled Democrat Hillary Clinton to win the district with 51 percent of the vote.

A gateway for immigrants

Change came gradually for Serpell and Betsy Edwards in West University. After they spent three years in Indonesia, where Serpell worked for an oil company, they noticed two-income families were becoming the norm.

Then, as Houston grew to more than 2 million people, the Edwards saw West U. change again and again, as upper middle-class professionals arrived, many of them working at the Texas Medical Center about four miles east on the other side of Rice University.

Now, a family from Spain lives across the street. A family from India is next door. A Chinese family lives nearby.

When Edwards put a Trump sign on his front lawn in 2016, it got torn down again and again. He eventually padlocked it to a metal frame. Nobody took it then, he said.

It used to be so civilized, his wife said.

A few miles west of the Edwards upscale neighborhood, Cesar Espinosa lives and works in Gulfton, home to more than 80 nationalities.

The building where he has his immigration consulting office highlights the districts diversity: A woman from Colombia sells lingerie downstairs, next to a man from India who operates a clothing shop. The building is owned by a Chinese man.

Some residents call it the Ghandi district for the large number of Indians and Pakistanis.

Even though I cant travel the world, it has come to me, said Espinosa, 32. There are four churches nearby: Guatemalan, non-denominational Latino, Vietnamese and Ethiopian. You can visit the world right here.

The area is the arrival point for many new refugees and immigrants to the Houston area, immigration lawyers said, because of its cheap housing. Most landlord dont do background checks, Espinosa said.

In my neighborhood, people do vote, Espinosa said on a recent afternoon. Its mostly a Democratic area.

Espinosa has never voted because he is a so-called Dreamer  an undocumented immigrant brought to this country as a child. He has been allowed to work legally under an Obama-era program Trump wants to end. His brother, however, is eligible to vote and planned to do so Tuesday. He is a U.S. citizens because their mother remarried a naturalized citizen years back when he was under 18, enabling them both to petition for naturalization.

Espinosas younger brother, Abraham, now 27, took his oath of citizenship a week after Donald Trump was elected president in 2016. The election results diminished his pride at becoming a U.S. citizen, he said, considering Trumps angry campaign rhetoric about Mexicans and immigrants.

He insulted the Mexican people, Abraham said.

Eduardo Coutin, 31, a software technician who became a naturalized citizen 11 years ago and has been a resident of The Seventh for the past four years, hasnt voted in the past and doesnt consider himself a Republican or a Democrat. But he plans to vote Democratic this year in protest against Trumps policies.

He lives in one of the many apartment communities at the north end of the district, which have sprung up rapid-fire in the past few years. Most of my complex is Latino, Coutin said.

But anyone who believes Hispanic voters are a Democratic monolith dont know Texas. I vote Republican, and I like President Trump. Write that down, said Carlo Suarez, 48, a petrochemical technician who has lived in Bear Creek, in the northwest part of the district, for 15 years. The Democrats keep telling Latinos that if we turn out to vote, we will vote for them. In all my time out here, Ive never had a Democrat show up and even ask for my vote.

Even so, he said, as people keep moving into this area, into the apartments and new houses and everything else thats getting built, things are changing.

'Everyone respects each other'

Tran Les family came to Houston in 1975, along with thousands of other Vietnamese who fled the communist regime. With a frown, she remembers being called boat people by Anglo Texans.

Her family first lived in a tiny apartment on Houstons southwest side, in an area near Gulfton where hundreds of other refugees settled. She fondly remembers the day she became a U.S. citizen  and could vote.

It was 1980. I voted for Ronald Reagan, sir. He was Republican, against the communists, she said. Most everyone was a Republican. I have voted that way ever since. So did most of the other Vietnamese people who are here.

Sitting across the table at a Minuti Coffee near Fondren and Westheimer, Les daughter, Janet Ng, 34, listened as her mother spoke. Im not interested in politics. It doesnt affect my life, she said. Its something older people do. But I have friends who do vote. They vote for Democrats.

We dont talk politics at home because it starts arguments, Le interjected. We are Catholic. We are pro-life. We are not liberal. That was the way I was raised.

Her daughter rolled her eyes, then smiled.

Tran Le has worked for years as an executive secretary for several corporations, and is now with an architectural firm in Houstons Energy Corridor. Her daughter has an engineering degree from the University of Houston and has worked as a software developer for gaming, web security and cloud-computing firms.

The family now lives together in a five-bedroom home in the northern tip of The Seventh, an upper-income neighborhood that is home to citizens  and some non-citizens  from Vietnam, Venezuela, Mexico, China, Korea, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, France and Argentina, along with Anglos and African-Americans.

Everyone lives together and respects each other, Tran Le says. There are no problems.

Every spring, Janet said, the entire neighborhoods remembers the end of the war in Vietnam. We celebrate the fall of Saigon every spring, she said. Everyone comes. It has become a celebration for more than just the Vietnamese.

A growing Asian presence

With rat-a-tat-tat precision, Mustafa Tameez recites statistics to bolster his bottom line that The Seventh represents how Texas is changing - more quickly by the day.

Houston has the largest concentration of Asian residents in Texas; Texas has third largest Asian population of any state. By 2065, students of Asian descent are expected to outnumber Latinos, who now are close to becoming the majority in The Seventh, like they already are in other parts of Texas.

At first blush, Tameez seems an unlikely Texan. But in The Seventh, hes almost typical.

Born in Karachi, Pakistan, he immigrated to the United States in the late-1970s with his parents at age 8. He grew up in Queens, N.Y., where his father worked for the New York City Police Department as a civilian manager of an impound lot.

He moved to Houston in 1994, he said, to get away from high taxes and to a warmer climate. When I left, I was probably center right politically, but after I got here I became center left.

In two years, he relocated to Briar Forest, an upper middle-class enclave north of Westheimer and east of Texas 6. He was soon working on the mayoral campaigns of mayors Lee Brown and Bill White and getting an education in Houstons growing diversity. Our goal was to get the various communities to turn out and vote: Vietnamese, Chinese, South Asians like himself, he said.

He served as a homeland security consultant for President George W. Bush, and was involved with the winning campaign of Hubert Vo, the first Vietnamese-American elected to the Texas House by beating a longtime Republican, Talmadge Heflin.

Briar Forest, in The Sevenths mid-section, is a case study in the districts growing diversity. The neighborhood lies in a belt of diversity that stretches from the Galleria to Katy-zuela, so-called for its large population of Venezuelans working for Citgo. Most residents in this zone are professionals, working for oil companies in the Energy and Engineering corridors of West Houston. Others work downtown, or at the Texas Medical Center.

Near Tameezs home are pockets of South Asians from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, East Asians from Vietnam and China, Iranians and others of Middle Eastern descent, and Latinos from South and Central America.

The districts politics, he said, are just now beginning to play catch up.

Blue to red -- and back to blue?

Bob McDowell, 67, grew up in Southwest Houston not far from where Tameez now lives, back in the days when the edge of town was west of where Greenway Plaza was developed in the late 1960s. He and other kids picked dewberries in the open fields out past where Richmond Avenue turned into a gravel and dirt road.

His father, an insurance man, had come to Houston from Louisiana after the war. The family started out in a 1,900 square-foot starter home much like the hundreds of others in the growing suburbs, filled almost exclusively with Democratic voters.

By the 1970s, when McDowell returned from four years at the University of Texas to get into the oilfield trucking business, Houston was changing. Bill Archer had replaced George H.W. Bush in Congress in what had become a solidly Republican district in less than a decade. McDowell got interested in politics by volunteering on the campaign of a local Republican when the Red Wave that would take control of Texas politics years later was just a ripple.

Now he hears the talk of a possible Blue Wave that could bring the state full cycle. In his lifetime, The Seventh has transformed and transformed yet again. And so, he said, have the politics.A freshly glazed Shipley doughnut might be as close as Houston comes to heaven on earth, so it feels like a particular sin to see the family-owned chain serving up a box of assorted scandal.

The latest sign that something is terribly amiss at Shipley Do-Nuts came last week when the Chronicles Robert Downen reported that three former female employees of the Houston-based doughnut chain had filed suit against its owner, Lawrence Shipley III, alleging Shipley regularly groped them and made unwelcome sexual comments.

The claims that Shipley ogled and spanked these women  though they have yet to be proven  are appalling in and of themselves. But when tacked onto the list of incidents of employee mistreatment over the past dozen years, the latest complaint fits into a pattern of troubling management by the companys owners.

It is well past time that Shipley gets its act together. If not, the company, which has grown to hundreds of locations since its founding in Houston by Lawrence IIIs grandfather in 1936, risks pushing its customers away and losing its cherished spot in Houstons culinary pantheon.

Reporter Mark Collette recapped the companys recent troubles: In 2006, 15 workers said they were locked into the North Main Street factory during work hours, where they were groped, punched, kicked, threatened with guns and routinely called racial slurs. Shipley settled the suit in 2008, but that same year the company paid a $1.5 million fine for harboring undocumented immigrants, and Lawrence Shipley pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor.

A Shipley franchise owner in 2015 paid $45,000 to settle a complaint that pregnant employees were forced to go on unpaid leave. And just last year, four former employees sued the company, alleging they worked unpaid overtime.

What is clear by now is Shipley management has at many times taken advantage of its employees. And contrition does not appear to be the companys strong suit  Lawrence Shipley called the women in the latest suit low lifes making a pathetic, baseless accusation, and alleged the women had defrauded the company. Never mind that one of the plaintiffs says Shipley himself locked her in one of the company-owned homes on North Main and patrolled the property with a gun.

These arent the kind of working conditions Houstonians should want to see in our hometown doughnut shop.

A company with managers who call employees wetbacks, as workers alleged in the settled 2006 suit and claim in the most recent case, is a black eye to a city that celebrates its diversity. More episodes of employees coming forward with accounts of being humiliated at their jobs only show that the companys management is incongruent with Houston values.

Shipley should be lauded for its philanthropy, like the Do-Nuts Dash, its annual charity run for childrens meals. But that does not relieve the company of its responsibility to be an honest employer.

Shipley needs to demonstrate it can follow labor laws and treat its employees fairly. If it fails to do so, Houstonians arent exactly lacking other local chains  ones that can serve up doughnuts, kolaches and coffee without a side of scandal.Network news has become so partisan, distorted and fake that licenses must be challenged and, if appropriate, revoked. Not fair to the public!

The FAKE NEWS media (failing @nytimes, @NBCNews, @ABC, @CBS, @CNN) is not my enemy, it is the enemy of the American People!

It is tempting to respond that words are not actions, and that a presidential bark, or tweet, lacks the force of law. In terms of action, Trump has not done a whole lot to undermine independent institutions. Thats to his credit.

But words fuel attitudes, and attitudes fuel deeds. Consider the firing of Comey as FBI director, the reopening of investigations into the Clinton Foundation, the collapsing faith in the media, the mounting Republican attacks on the FBI, the surge in hate crimes  and, perhaps worst of all, the White Houses relative indifference to Russian interference with our elections, meddling that poses a genuine threat to our system of self-government.

To be sure, our institutions are robust, and they have not failed to respond to the current challenges; the judiciary in particular has stood firm. But it is hard to think of a president who shows so little respect for independent sources of authority  and who seems to evaluate them by asking only one question: Are they with me?

Cass R. Sunstein is a Bloomberg View columnist. He is the editor of Can It Happen Here? Authoritarianism in America and a co-author of Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth and Happiness.Former United States Senator Mark Kirk, whom the visiting Armenian parliamentary delegation on Friday awarded with the Medal of Honor of the National Assembly of Armenia, in Washington, D.C., began his respective remarks by saying that he is indebted to an Armenian soldier for saving his life, reported the Voice of America Armenian Service.

March 10, 2018, 11:15 Armenian soldier saved future US senators life

STEPANAKERT, MARCH 10, ARTSAKHPRESS:Kirk said, arriving in Armenia many years ago as just a rank-and-file employee of the US Congress, he had visited the border with Azerbaijan to get familiarized with the situation. He added that if it had not been for an Armenian soldier beside the future senator, this visit could have been his last. He said the Armenian soldier had saved him from becoming the target of an Azerbaijani bullet in the trench.

Kirk said he had learned another lesson from that visit: History was unfair to the Armenian people, and historical justice needs to be restored; first of all, by recognizing Armenian Genocide.Shortly after the Charlottesville riots last August, I made the private decision to step down as President Donald Trump's personal representative and ambassador to the government of Panama. The president's failure to condemn the white supremacists and neo-Nazis who provoked the violence made me realize that my values were not his values. I never meant for my decision to resign to be a public political statement. Sadly, it became one.

The details of how that happened are less important than the demoralizing take-away: When career public servants take an oath to communicate dissent only in protected channels, Trump administration officials do not protect that promise of privacy.

Leaking is not new in Washington. But leaking a sitting ambassador's personal resignation letter to the president, as mine was, is something else. This was a painful indication that the current administration has little respect for those who have served the nation apolitically for decades.

Now that I am no longer oath-bound to support the president and his policies, several points warrant clarification. I did not resign over any policy decisions regarding my remit in Panama, or - as was incorrectly alleged in the media - due to the president's denigrating comments about countries that participate in the visa diversity lottery.As an entrepreneur and an angel investor, I get really excited about the future of personal finance.

As new technologies develop, from cryptocurrencies to virtual wallets, I see advantages for businesses. I also see opportunities for everyday Americans and our families to make--and keep--more of our own money.

In meetings with financial technology startups, I'm seeing so many incredible new developments on the horizon. Any innovation that improves how we live, shop, and pay sets off alarm bells--of the good kind--in my friendly neighborhood Certified Financial Planner brain.

Here's a sneak peek of why I think the next five to 10 years are going to make making money easier for all of us. It's thanks to these five emerging technologies:

1. Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies

The world of cryptocurrencies is still being forged. But there's no doubt about it, cryptocurrencies could invent totally new ways of making money that we cannot even see today.

Because they're decentralized, cryptocurrency systems could let us all potentially own our own data. That could mean Facebook doesn't make $43 a day from you; you could. This could open worlds of possibilities for everyday Americans.

The benefits are tangible for non-business-owners, too. Imagine you're a woman living in the United States who sends money to her family abroad, to make sure her kids have money for food. Using cryptocurrency, you don't have to pay 8 percent to the Western Unions of the world. That number could go down to half a percent, and more money goes to the people who actually need it.

2. Voice Technologies

Within three years, about 40 percent of consumers will use a voice assistant instead of an app or website, according to one study. Forrester Research predicts that by 2022, 50 percent of homes will have a smart speaker.

Banks are beginning to allow us to speak our instructions, instead of typing or visiting a physical location. Using Amazon's Echo (or any other smart speaker system) for banking could mean that other Alexa can alert you when your balance is low, or if you're spending over your budget in a certain period.

That's savings on overdrafts and a hands-free way to stay on track for all kinds of personal finance goals.

3. Mobile Pay

Hopefully by now we're all using automated bill-pay for our major expenses, from credit cards to mortgages. I'm looking forward to a world where all bills are auto-paid from our devices.

Anything that can make late fees a thing of the past--like the ability to schedule payments--is a win. Mobile pay could be the answer by taking human error (not to mention envelopes and stamps) out of the personal finance equation.

For small businesses, mobile pay significantly reduces the need to chase money down. An employee in the back office doesn't need to be processing invoices, which frees up human capital and, presumably, passes on that savings to customers. Plus, facial recognition software--available on the newest iPhones--means safer transactions and less money tied up when banks "freeze" your fraudulent charges while they investigate.

Here, companies are still wary of it. In China, facial recognition is ramping up--and could affect the way people shop, bank, eat, and ride. In some banks and ATMs, it's already rolled out. You don't have to carry a card with you; your face and some identifying data are all you need.

Though concerns linger about security, many insist it's better than a password. And anyone who's had their bank account hacked or credit cards breached knows it's a big money and stress drain.

4. Virtual Wallets

I'm going to be honest with you--I'm not sure when the last time was that I had dollar bills in my wallet. There are Millennials in my office who have literally never carried cash around.

How is this saving me money? ATM withdrawal fees are a thing of my past, for one. I can pay for dinner, get a cab, and settle up with the babysitter, all from my phone, thanks to apps like Venmo.

That saves me time, too. And, most important, every transaction I make is 100 percent tracked, so I can accurately analyze my spending.

5. Insurtech

You may have heard of this love child of insurance and technology, cousin to financial techology and one of my favorite innovations. As insurtech begins to grow, so do hopes for lower-cost options for consumers.

In-car sensors already track safe-drivers' performance and reward them. But let's say you're not only an exemplary driver, but also a clean-living fanatic. You drink only moderately, don't smoke, and have an ideal blood pressure.Has it only been a week? It seems a lot longer since we first wrote about the United Airlines lottery bonus, and United Airlines employees' firestorm of a response.

The airline had decided to "press the pause button" on the program after United employees launched petitions, flooded the airline's internal website with negative comments, and reached out to people like me and my Inc.com colleague, Chris Matyszczyk.

Now there's a new development, coming from an email that the airline's CEO sent to all United Airlines employees.

Quick background: United employees have had a bonus program via which they can earn an additional $125 per month if the airline as a whole meets certain performance metrics. Last week, United president Scott Kirby announced the airline would replace that system with a lottery when United met its goals. (h/t to Lewis Lazare of the Chicago Business Journal who first caught this.)

A few people would win big prizes, and the vast majority, almost 99 percent, would get nothing. United's employees erupted in anger, and then, just a few days after announcing the surprise change, Kirby said he was holding off on it: "pressing the pause button," which might quickly become four of the most famous words he's ever written.

The question for United employees has been what comes next. United CEO Oscar Munoz gave an interview in which he said the proposed bonus changes just had basically been an attempt to "spice up the process."

Meantime, however, Munoz was apparently sending an email to United's 86,000 or so employees about the whole situation, and the message itself has now been revealed. (You can read it here, and it's also embedded at the bottom of this column.)

The memo reinforces that the lottery bonus is suspended, and says United's leadership is "going to take some time to reconsider our program."

Munoz also said he and Kirby "will begin a series of listening systems across the system with you and our leaders in order to get feedback and ideas as we structure a new program ..."

And that last part of the memo that is really striking: "as we structure a new program."

In other words, United isn't just going to swallow the millions it was reportedly going to save by switching from guaranteed bonuses to a lottery, and go back to the old system. Instead, they will try to craft some kind of third program.

Not a lottery, not what the employees expected and apparently appreciated before. As John Cleese used to say, "now for something completely different."

"It was a little weird," a current United Airlines employee told me after receiving Munoz's email. "It didn't seem his usual tone to me. And he's still reinforcing there will be a change to the system that doesn't need changing."

One key detail that was included, however: Whatever change ultimately does happen won't take effect during the first quarter of this year.

This was something that many employees on the internal United Airlines employee website, Flying Together, said they were concerned about--since they'd already put in much of the effort believing they were still operating under the old system.

"That's reassuring -- that United isn't going to retroactively pull the rug out from under everyone," wrote Gary Leff on View From the Wing, in reporting on this.

Assuming United met its goals for each of the first three months, its employees will be eligible for up to $1,500--no lottery needed. It will be interesting to see whether United actually did meet its goals however, and whether announcing this wildly unpopular lottery program had any impact.

Here's Munoz's short memo, as revealed on Twitter:A South Korean actor has been found dead after being accused of sexually assaulting eight women.

Allegations against Jo Min-ki  who appeared in various television series and a number of films  emerged last month and were mostly made by students at a university where he had been teaching drama since 2010.

He was fired in February after allegations of raping and harassing students came to light, and was later edited out of the TV drama Children of the Small God.

The body of the 52-year-old, who was due to be questioned by police next week, was found in the basement of the building where he lived in Seoul, according to the BBC.

He had released a statement on 27 February apologising to his accusers after initially denying any wrongdoing.

Everything is my fault, and I am the one to blame, he said. I am deeply sorry to all the victims for the pain I've caused, and from here on out, I will not avoid the social and legal consequences of my mistakes.

He won a string of awards for TV performances in the 1990s and 2000s, and appeared on a reality programme about famous fathers and their teenage daughters.

Jo is one of a number of high-profile figures in the arts, politics and media to have been accused of sexual misconduct in South Korea in recent weeks, amid the growing #MeToo movement in the country.

The Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 in the UK. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255Netflix has announced a documentary on Rachel Dolezal is coming out - and people are not happy about it.

The streaming platform will release a documentary titled The Rachel Divide, which will show what Dolezal's life has been like since it was revealed that she is actually white and feigned being African American.

In a clip that has been released from the forthcoming documentary, Dolezal's son talks to his mother about why he doesn't think this documentary is a good idea and she gets emotional about it.

Recommended Rachel Dolezal struggling to make a living after racial identity row

Some of the negative reactions appearing on Twitter have stemmed from the involvement of Dolezal's children in the documentary.

One user said she felt bad for Dolezal's kids, for going through so much "undue stress" because of her "racial fetishisation."

Actress Patricia Arquette tweeted, "I hope people steer clear of this Rachel Dolezal thing. Her kids are clear they DON'T want any of this. For their sakes let's protect them."

One user pointed out that Dolezal keeps putting her children "in front of a camera hoping for another check."

Other Twitter users were upset with Netflix giving a platform to Dolezal instead of funding more projects from black women.

One person asked, "Why don't you take all that money and put it towards projects made by real black women?"

Netflix eventually replied to one of the users - journalist Joy Ann Reid - who had pointed out how problematic the documentary is.

Reid tweeted, "And then she sold her story to Netflix... ok yeah goodnight...."

Netflix wrote back saying, "To clarify one thing: Like all subjects for our documentaries, Rachel Dolezal did not receive any payment for this project. We worked with filmmakers Laura Brownson and Roger Ross Williams, who wanted to explore Dolezals life as a microcosm for a larger conversation about race and identity."

The streaming platform continued saying that the documentary is "a part of the larger conversation, including people who see her actions as the ultimate expression of white privilege."

Dolezal - who was a former NAACP leader - first came under fire back in June 2015 when she was asked, "Are you African American?" by a local news report during an interview about hate crimes.

It was discovered that she was actually a white woman pretending to be a black woman.

Later, she claimed to be "trans-racial."

According to USA Today, The Rachel Divide is set to air on April 27.Brunching out...

Theres almost no point rehashing the idea that Peruvian food is on the rise in the UK: it feels like its already here to stay. Although it may not be as prevalent as sushi on the high street, specialities such as the Japanese classics zingier cousin, ceviche, feel like theyre becoming big players in the restaurant landscape. Thats just one of the many items available on the Senor Ceviche brunch menu, which proves to be a veritable tour of some of Perus most famous dishes.

The 39 menu  served Saturday noon until 4pm  is all you can eat (apart from the mains, which are restricted to one per person) and all you can drink, which often feels like more of a challenge than a choice. It is the weekend, though, so mines a Peach Bellini, rather than the house white wine or house red that are also on offer. Bear in mind you are given a two-hour time limit, which doesnt help but add to the gamification of the meal. Luckily, no one is keeping count of the glasses arriving at your table

Nikkei ceviche  good, but no match for the Peruvian version (Senor Ceviche) (Senor Ceviche)

Although the menu can seem intimidating to those who might not be accustomed with the cuisine, the staff happily explain any unfamiliar terms. Aji? Basically a spicy salsa. Tigers milk? Thats the marinade that cures the ceviche, nothing at all to do with a lactating feline. You get the idea.

We start with a round of the para picar, little snacks to prepare us for whats to come. Of these, the chifa chicharrones are the pick: slow-cooked pork belly sits on top of a sweet potato puree, mixing smokey flavours with candy sweetness. The crispness of the pork rounds off a wonderful bite. The calamares and tequenos are also delicious, but the shrivelled hot wings less so, even for the most ardent fried-chicken fan.

And the ceviche? Its good. The house ceviche is superior to the nikkei (the name given to individual members of the Japanese diaspora), with the latter proving a pleasant distraction from the heavier starters but hardly exciting the palate, despite the promise of yuzu tobiko and a langoustine cracker. The aforementioned Senor Ceviche, which the restaurant takes its name from, on the other hand, is an outstanding mix of silky sea bass, slightly firm octopus, avocado, red onion and some more of that delicious sweet potato puree.

In a slightly surprising twist, the ceviche is perhaps the least good (it wouldnt be fair to say worst) of the items. Come for the ceviche, but what youre really staying for the starters, sides and particularly the mains. The super pollo, a fantastically grilled chicken thigh dish, was among the highlights. The marinade of rocoto chillies evokes a flavour which is somewhere between South American and Middle Eastern, similar in sourness to a kashk youd find in Lebanon or Turkey, proving you wont find only Japanese influences in Peruvian cooking. The slow-cooked lamb shoulder is also exceptionally good. Its near-impossible to mess up a lamb shoulder, but its equally difficult to make one that stands out. The chunks of pineapple add a hint of sweetness which plays well with the slightly gamey flavour of the meat, elevating the dish beyond the sum of its parts.

Come for the ceviche, stay for the starters, sides and mains (Senor Ceviche) (Senor Ceviche)

Senor Ceviche is a brilliant brunch option if youre bored of the usual choices and you dont require an egg on every dish you eat, just because its a Saturday. You dont exactly need to go through everything on the menu, but it can prove a good idea, especially if its your first foray into the world of Peruvian cuisine, though it almost certainly wont be your last.

Senor Ceviche; 18 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, London W1T; hola@senor-ceviche.com; 0207 842 8540; open Monday-Friday 12pm-11pm, Saturday 11am-11pm

Brunching in...

Mexican huevos rancheros recipe Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 15 mins Serves 4 400g potatoes, peeled and cut into 2cm dice

1 large onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 tbsp olive oil

100g sweetcorn

1 tsp paprika

1 green chilli, sliced

1 tin of chopped tomatoes

4 medium eggs

Fresh coriander Boil the potatoes for 6-7 minutes and drain. In a large frying pan gently cook the onion in the olive oil until softened, add the potatoes and continue cooking until the potatoes just start to crisp a little. Add the paprika, garlic, sweetcorn and chilli and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes. Pour in the tinned tomatoes and bring to a steady simmer. When the potatoes feel tender, season with salt and milled pepper. Make 4 wells in the potato mixture and crack in the eggs, making sure each egg is surrounded. Continue cooking until the egg is cooked but yet the yolk is soft, sprinkle with fresh coriander and serve straight from the pan. Delish served with crisp bread or corn chips.In a bit of bad luck, the National Restaurant Association has accidentally found itself in the midst of the heated gun debate in America - as it shares the same initials as the National Rifle Association.

As the country battles the NRA, in this case the National Rifle Association, over the need for stricter gun laws, the National Restaurant Association has had to politely remind people that they only handle restaurants, not guns.

According to their website, the National Restaurant Association, which also unfortunately goes by the NRA, is the largest food-service trade association in the world - supporting over 500,000 restaurant businesses.

And rather than promoting guns, the National Restaurant Association promotes entrepreneurship and hospitality and advocates for pro-restaurant regulation and operational freedom.

However, initial reactions to charges by the National Restaurant Association have left people in a panic.

On Twitter, people are sharing their amusing mix-ups, as well as advising the 100-year-old National Restaurant Association that maybe it would be in their best interest to change their name.

"The National Restaurant Association should really change their name, their initials are being rubbed in the mud. Not the #NRA," wrote one person.

The confusion, which could realistically be cleared up with a quick search, also engulfed politician Tammy Duckworth, a double-amputee Iraq War veteran and Illinoiss junior senator.

Duckworth, who happens to be an outspoken critic of the NRA, tweeted: It is not true that I received a $50 donation from the NRA. I received a donation from an employee of the National RESTAURANT Association.

Eventually Duckworths spokesperson had to step in, telling CNBC: "The senator was never confused about which organisation supported her, because, unfortunately for Duckworth and for the National Restaurant Association, people are still having trouble differentiating the NRAs.

But the National Restaurant Association isnt too worried, as this has also happened in the past.

A spokesperson for the National Restaurant Association told CNBC: Every once in a while this happens.Anti-abortion protesters march through Dublin to campaign for the Eighth Amendment of the constitution to be retained in this summers referendum (Caroline Quinn/PA)

Tens of thousands of anti-abortion activists have marched through Dublin to demand the retention of Irelands restrictive laws on terminations.

The mass demonstration called for the preservation of the constitutional provision that enshrines the unborns right to life.

Irish citizens will decide on the fate of the contentious Eighth Amendment of the states constitution in an anticipated referendum this summer.

The Save the Eighth rally came days after thousands of pro-choice campaigners held a similar demo in the city.

Activitsts travelled from all over Ireland to attend Saturdays event which crossed the city and culminated at Merrion Square outside Leinster House.

Among those taking part were doctors who support keeping the current laws.

They had a 100 euro Specsavers voucher for the Senator Catherine Noone, chairwoman of an Oireachtas committee which has recommended abortion law changes.

Dr Maire Neasta Nic Gearailt said: There are a great many doctors out there who are deeply concerned by, and opposed to, these proposals.

The fact that the Senator said she could not find us can be explained only two ways  that she did not really look, or that she simply could not see what was in front of her face.

Perhaps if she had looked harder, she would have discovered what a poll of GPs revealed this week  that seven in 10 doctors do not wish to be part of the Governments abortion scheme.

Doctors who oppose this radical UK-style abortion law may not have been listened to in Senator Noones committee  but we will make our voices heard in the coming weeks.

We trust that this time, Senator Noone will not miss us. But we enclose this voucher for Specsavers to be absolutely sure.

What a truly magnificent crowd at #Save8Rally absolutely breathtaking!  Mattie McGrath TD (@mattiemcgrathtd) March 10, 2018

A number of different religious groups were represented, as were campaigners focusing on the rights of people with disabilities.

Also supporting the event was Bernadette Smyth from the Belfast-based anti abortion group Precious Life.

TD Mattie McGrath said on Twitter he was delighted to meet so many people heading to Dublin for the @Savethe8thinfo rally. Buses and buses from all over Munster here!

The Eighth Amendment affords the mother and unborn an equal right to life  thus rendering abortion illegal in Ireland in all but exceptional circumstances.

If it is repealed, the Government has pledged to legislate for unrestricted abortions up to 12 weeks into pregnancy.

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A Government bill that aims to hold a referendum in late May was tabled in the Dail parliament on Friday.

That came 48 hours after the countrys Supreme Court provided clarity on the extent of protections for the unborn offered by the constitution.

The judgment overruled a previous High Court ruling and made clear that the Eighth Amendment is the sole constitutional protection for the unborn.

That decision has reduced the prospect of future legal challenges if the amendment is repealed.French President Emmanuel Macron wants to see reforms in the bloc that would deepen integration. Picture: Reuters

The Government has made a significant move to align us with a gang of other small EU countries cautious about plans for deepening eurozone integration.

The alliance is the clearest evidence yet of Ireland signing up with new allies ahead of the departure of the UK from the EU.

The group of eight small and medium EU countries - which includes non-euro members Denmark and Sweden, as well as the Netherlands, one of the founding states of the EU's predecessor - says it is economically liberal and open but wants more power retained at national level.

But the move is likely to result in a backlash from the French, in particular, and the Germans.

French President Emmanuel Macron wants to see reforms in the bloc that would deepen integration, including a joint eurozone budget or common finance ministry.

With the formation of a new coalition in Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel is expected to continue talks about reforming the 19-country currency bloc with President Macron.

Value

But the smaller EU countries - which include Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Sweden - are cautious about Mr Macron's ambitious plans and issued a joint statement.

"Further deepening of the economic and monetary union (EMU) should stress real value added, not far-reaching transfers of competence to the European level," the statement noted.

"For that reason the discussion on the deepening of the EMU should find a consensus on 'need to haves', instead of focussing on 'nice to haves'," it added.

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has said, as far back as a year ago, that Ireland will need to develop new coalitions within Europe post-Brexit to ensure that its interests are heard.

At an address at the Institute of International and European Affairs last year, while he was Public Expenditure and Reform Minister, he said that the UK was one of Ireland's largest allies in the EU, particularly when articulating concerns and policy views on competition, the digital market and aviation.

But the Nordic members, along with Ireland and the Netherlands, often joined forces with Britain to battle more protectionist traditions in France and Germany.

With the election of President Macron, eurozone integration has been given fresh impetus.

The joint statement said that reforms should focus on completing the banking union, improving compliance with budget rules and setting up a European monetary fund (EMF), with more ambitious plans left for later.

It said that the integration plans should focus on areas where member states are already closest to a compromise, such as the completion of the banking union.

The group said that it supports the idea of expanding the European stability mechanism fund into an EMF, but said that it does not back the European Commission's proposal on having the European Parliament oversee it.

"An EMF should have greater responsibility for the development and monitoring of financial assistance programmes," the statement said.

"Decision-making should remain firmly in the hands of member states."Sheep ready for shearing stand in a paddock located on a property near the central New South Wales rural town of Mudgee in Australia, March 8, 2018. Picture taken March 8, 2018. REUTERS/David Gray

Sheep farmers in rural Australia waited more than half a century for wool prices to come roaring back, only to find there arent enough shearers to trim their golden fleeces.

The industry shackles mean suppliers in Australia, which provides about 90 percent of the worlds exported fine-wool used in clothing manufacturing, are struggling to meet demand. That has forced some garment makers to sell at a loss or reduce their wool content.

Prices for very fine wool used for clothing hit a record high A$18.30 kg this week, thanks in large part to ferocious demand from Chinese garment makers.

Thats more than three times the price during the early 1990s when a massive oversupply led the government to offer indebted farmers A$2 for every sheep they shot.

The high prices coincide with the peak shearing season in some parts of Australia, but some in the industry think things are as good as they will get.

My concern for the future of the market is how opaque the Chinese market is, said Phin Ziebell, an agribusiness economist at National Australia Bank, who expects prices to fall to around A$16 kg by the end of the year.

It was chilly today so I put on my A$50 ($40) Uniqlo jumper, which is super-fine Merino wool. I cant see how that product can be manufactured at the price levels we have today.

SIGNS OF STANDOFF

Expand Close A sheep ready for shearing stands in a paddock located on a property near the central New South Wales rural town of Mudgee in Australia, March 8, 2018. Picture taken March 8, 2018. REUTERS/David Gray / Facebook

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There are early signs of a stand-off between buyers and sellers emerging at wool auction houses, according to the countrys dominant wool storage and export house AWH. Weekly pass-in-rates have topped 10 percent in some states, double usual levels.

Some of the sellers are putting too high a reserve on their wool and the buyers are obviously trying to keep the rate down, said AWH chief executive Michael Jones.

Those who can shift their wool are still making hay. Unlike most agricultural commodities, wool can hold its value for many years if properly stored.

We had some wool that had been sitting here for 14 years, said Jones. Its high value wool that farmers had put in and it was like their (pension) fund, sitting there paying a low storage rate. Even that is now being cleaned out.

Australia famously rode to prosperity on the sheeps back during the 20th century, fine tuning Merino breeds to produce a soft, durable and natural fibre popular in Europe.

That demand has now extended to Asia, and China in particular.

But high wool prices are having an impact on clothing makers, according to woolgrower body Australian Wool Innovation (AWI).

There are those selling fine wool products as loss-leaders and others blending down, but we also have people putting wool into their garments for the first time replacing synthetic materials, said AWI chief executive Stuart McCullough.

While prices remain susceptible to a China-led pullback, there is less danger of over-supply.

Flock increases in China, which in 2016 surpassed Australia as the top wool producer, are expected to pressure coarse wool prices, according to Australias chief commodity forecaster ABARES, but not significantly impact fine wool prices in the medium term.

Australias wool output is set to grow just 1.4 percent over the next 12 months, ABARES said, despite record prices.

Australias modest growth is still expected to outpace global competitors, according to industry body International Wool Textile Organisation. It expects world-wide wool output to increase 0.5 percent this year amid unfavourable weather conditions in competitors Argentina and South Africa.

New Zealand production is also forecast to be stagnant as farmers cull sheep and lambs to capitalise on high meat prices, according to ABARES.

Meanwhile, Australias sheep count is at 70.4 million, representing the fourth lowest level on record.

That is still well under half the flock in the early 1990s, when Australian sheep numbers soared under a government-backed reserve price scheme that proved unsustainable.

Now, beef prices are high so cattle farmers are not switching, while grain farmers that previously had sheep have lost the fences and shearing sheds they need to return to livestock, let alone the shearing labour.

TOO HOT AND TOO HARD

We should have been prepared for it because this has been talked heavily for the last five years, the shearing shortage, said shearing contractor Emma Morvell, whose company has had to turn down work.

The guys have been seven days a week since mid-October and weve just about burnt them out.

Sheep farmers are responding by shearing outside of traditional peak seasons but the problem remains a lack of workers entering the back-breaking industry.

Most shearers in Australia are paid a standard rate of just over A$3 per sheep, which adds up for top-performing shearers who can get through more than 200 fine wool sheep a day.

But downsides include long, hard hours in old shearing sheds during Australias hot summers, where the temperatures regularly exceed 40 degree Celsius (104F).

I cant imagine any vocation tougher, said AWIs McCullough.

There has been a very vibrant resources sector so it was easy for many young guys to say, Ill just go work on the mines where the money is just as good and conditions are a lot easier."INM to invest in its print titles, which lead the market, said chief executive Michael Doorly

Independent News & Media (INM) will move to a subscription model for online content, in a strategic shift that will include a focus on audiences in niche sectors and places, according to chief executive Michael Doorly.

However, he said the media business also plans to invest part of its 91.5m cash pile back into its portfolio of market-leading print titles, including the Irish Independent.

The shift to online subscriptions will be gradual and will involve new content and products, Mr Doorly said.

The recently installed INM chief executive said the company has no plans to close any of its print titles, which he described as the "bread and butter" of the business.

"The newspapers are profitable. Every single title makes a contribution," he said.

INM would look to buy more Irish print assets, but feels precluded from making acquisitions in the wake of the costly and lengthy process it faced in an abortive bid for regional newspaper business Celtic Media, he said.

Mr Doorly, who took over as CEO last October, was speaking after INM reported a profit before tax of 28.5m for 2017, on sales of 293m. The company's much-watched cash pile increased to 91.5m.

The directors are not proposing a dividend for 2017, but the group said it intends to make a "significant investment to reshape the business" and to deliver against a strategic plan.

INM is the country's leading media group, publishing titles including the Irish Independent, Sunday Independent, Sunday World and independent.ie. The latest financial results show net exceptional charges of 12.1m in 2017.

That included a charge of 1.5m relating to a severance payment to former chief executive Robert Pitt, who resigned last October in a move that ended a long-running boardroom row.

A 12.7m charge was booked in relation to the Belfast Telegraph masthead.

Impairments were partially offset by one-off gains, including in relation to the group's pension obligations.

The general outlook for the sector remains challenging, INM said.

"The outlook for 2018 is for continued difficult trading conditions within the media sector as key revenues - advertising, circulation and distribution - face further declines."

In response to those pressures, INM said its Board and management are currently collaborating with EY on the development of a strategic plan which will provide a roadmap for the future.

In 2017, INM appointed Michael Doorly as CEO and this month appointed four new non-executive directors, including UK media veteran Murdoch MacLennan - who was elected chairman by the new Board this week.

"These appointments bring a wealth of experience and expertise in the media industry and the wider corporate world, further strengthening and supporting INM's Board to ensure the Group is equipped to meet the demands of the rapidly changing industry," the company said.

The latest results show profits down 31.8pc compared to 2016. Total revenues fell 9.4pc. INM said reduced profits were primarily due to continued revenue challenges and increased libel and legal costs. Overall costs also fell, however, mitigating some of those impacts.

Revenue decline was primarily driven by a fall in total advertising revenues of 10.6pc, and a decline in circulation revenues of 8.4pc, which in turn impacted distribution revenues.

On a like-for-like basis digital revenues were up 1pc on the year, with growth primarily from classified businesses, including CarsIreland.ie - a unit where revenues increased by over 45pc on a like-for-like basis.

In terms of digital advertising, however, the company said Irish revenues will continue to be challenged by the domination of global platforms such as Facebook and Google.Chief financial officer Pat Fenlon said its difficult to see the commercial case at present for the UK project. The latest results showed that the ESB wrote 21m off its Poolbeg station in Dublin. Picture: Iain White

Plans for a 1bn ESB power station in the UK have now been put on ice for "one or two years", according to chief financial officer Pat Fenlon, after the UK's latest capacity auction made the proposed plant unviable.

This time last year, the ESB was waiting until the end of 2017 before making a decision on the project's immediate future.

A capacity auction held by the UK's National Grid at the end of last year resulted in an energy auction price per kilowatt that was just a third of the auction result the previous year.

The auctions are held to ensure that the UK has adequate power supplies during winter periods, when demand peaks.

Mr Fenlon told the Irish Independent that there would have to be a capacity price that would make commercial sense in order for construction of the 1,600 megawatt power station in Yorkshire to proceed.

The ESB also wants to build the plant as a joint venture.

"Right now, in the absence of something changing, it's difficult to see the commercial case, certainly over the next year or two," said Mr Fenlon.

"We will essentially keep that project on ice until the conditions would make sense for us for that investment."

He said that the ESB's full-scale rollout of its domestic energy offering in the UK - ESB Energy - will start later this year, after it successfully cleared regulatory hurdles. It currently has about 5,000 residential customers in the UK following a soft launch in the market last year.

Mr Fenlon was speaking as the ESB reported an 18pc decline in its operating profit for 2017, to 490m.

The semi-state company plunged to a 32m loss after tax after it incurred non-cash write-offs as it slashed the value of its generating assets by 276m. Its profit after tax before the impairment was 209m, while group revenue was flat at 3.26bn.

ESB, whose CEO is Pat O'Doherty, said it took the "prudent decision" to impair the its generating assets based on the estimated impact on projected revenues from the introduction of the new Integrated Single Electricity Market in May this year, and lower wholesale electricity margins.

The impairments saw 142m written off the value of the ESB's huge 915 megawatt, coal-fired Moneypoint power plant in Co Clare. It also wrote 69m off its Aghada 2 gas-powered energy plant in Co Cork, and 21m off its Poolbeg power station.

"The Integrated Single Electricity Market - a new wholesale electricity market for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland - will introduce a number of fundamental market changes, including an anticipated reduction in revenue for ESB," noted ESB chairman Ellvena Graham.

The power company also owns Northern Ireland Electricity Networks. ESB ended 2017 4.4bn in debt, compared to 4.5bn at the end of 2016. The company said that reflected positive ebitda and the impact of weakening sterling, offset by continuing capital investment.

Mr Fenlon said the repair and maintenance costs from last week's snow deluge would not be anywhere close to the 9m incurred by ESB Networks in the aftermath of storm Ophelia last October, which resulted in gusts of up to 155km per hour.

That saw the ESB reconnect 385,000 customers who were left without supply.

ESB Networks deployed 2,500 staff and 1,000 contractors, and received assistance from the Defence Forces.The Governor of the Central Bank has insisted that home repossessions must be regarded as a normal and even socially desirable consequence of the lending market.

In comments that will be seen as a possible signal to lenders, Philip Lane said repossession should always be a last resort for, but has to be among the options for tackling unpaid debt.

The Central Bank chief made the comments at a meeting of the Institute for International and European Affairs in Dublin, where he'd earlier delivered a wide-ranging speech on the Irish and world economy.

"It remains the case that it remains the foundation of mortgage lending that if all other avenues fail then the ability to repossess the house has to be part of the options.

"So I don't advocate this as a solution, but the idea that repossession should never happen, that cannot be, either."

If lenders cannot repossess, the cost of debt will reflect that extra risk, he said.

"It should be viewed as part of a normal functioning mortgage market and if that is impossible then the answer is going to be much more expensive mortgages.

"From a social point of view it is desirable that the option to repossess is there as a last resort," he said.

Protections are in place for borrowers in financial difficulty, to help keep them in their home, but a balance is needed, he said.

"It's a question - that many people who look have: What is the balance between making sure than those who are in arrears are given plenty of opportunities to come up with an agreement with their bank verses when no other option remains available, or if there is no engagement from the person effected that the court does enable a bank to move to the final option?

"When all else has failed, will the Irish system prove to be sufficiently effective in enabling repossessions to happen?"

Backlash

The comments are likely to spark a backlash from debt campaigners, but were made in the context of a drive by regulators to reduce the stock of bad loans held by banks.

A sale of 4bn of its loans by Permanent TSB as part of that drive has proved controversial. Prof Lane said regulators have no preference for how bad loans are reduced - including sales, debt write offs or repossessions, but want to see balance sheets repaired while the economy is doing well.

In relation to possible delinquent behaviour by banks themselves, Prof Lane said the Central Bank is undertaking what it called "behaviour and culture" audits of each of the five main mortgage banks and will report the findings to the Finance Minister in June.

Prof Lane said action could be taken, including imposing new conditions on errant lenders on the back of the probes, launched in the wake of the tracker mortgage scandal.

The reviews are into AIB, Bank if Ireland, KBC, Permanent TSB and Ulster Bank, he said.

In a barely veiled threat, the regulator noted that US bank Wells Fargo has been blocked by authorities in the States from growing until it addresses consumers protection failures.

In his speech, Prof Lane gave a guarded backing to the Ireland 2040 National Development Plan.

Fiscal prudence can be reconciled with ambitious fiscal plans, he said.

But he said that would require trade-offs, especially as unemployment drops.

In terms of the proposed National Development Plan he welcomed the fact it is to be introduced on a phased basis and won't mean surges in spending.

Meanwhile, the board of the Central Bank is considering an end to the printing of euro notes at its mint in Sandyford, Co Dublin.

Most notes used here come from elsewhere in the euro area, and the change would not affect supply of money into the economy.Online gambling firm GVC Holdings, which has expanded rapidly through a series of deals, will sit out any further consolidation in the British industry, its head told Reuters.

GVC, which has agreed to take over leading British bookmaker Ladbrokes Coral for up to 4bn (4.49bn), said net gaming revenue rose 17pc in 2017, helped by gains from the bwin.party businesses it bought three years ago.

Merger activity in the British gambling market has gained pace as companies bulk up in response to higher tax bills and tighter regulations and GVC has been at the forefront.

"I expect there would be some more deals in the next 12 to 18 months in UK," GVC chief executive Kenneth Alexander told Reuters.

"We bought Ladbrokes Coral and we are done for the UK. Ladbrokes is what we wanted, we got them and we are biggest in the UK when the deal closes so we don't need anything more here,."

However GVC, the owner of the Sportingbet and Foxy Bingo brands, would still explore M&A opportunity beyond Britain, Mr Alexander added. He has built GVC through a series of increasingly ambitious deals, including the 1.1bn reverse takeover of bwin.party, growing it into a FTSE 250 business.

For GVC, gains made from bwin.party deal help it post net gaming revenue of 925.6m last year compared with 794.3m in 2016.

It acquired bwin.party for 1.1bn in 2015 after a prolonged bidding with online rival 888 Holdings. Shares were up 3.9pc and among the top gainer on FTSE 250 Index. (Reuters)The most controversial part of proposals to liberalise our abortion law is to allow unrestricted termination of pregnancy up to 12 weeks. How will it work?

The precise details have yet to be unveiled, but the plan is to have GPs and obstetricians provide the service. It involves a medical abortion where a woman takes two kinds of medications to bring on a form of miscarriage.

Is there much involved for the woman and doctor?

The woman informs the doctor she is seeking an abortion. She will not have to justify her reasons. A consultation will take place and the doctor is obliged to provide all information about the procedure. The woman needs to be screened for medical history such as blood pressure and diabetes, which may make her unsuitable for one of the drugs, mifepristone. The pregnancy must be dated and may need a scan, causing delay if she is referred to a public clinic.

So can she can just get a prescription and go home to take the pills?

No. It is a major decision. There will be a gap of around two days before it goes ahead in case she changes her mind.

If she decides to go ahead, what then?

For pregnancies under nine weeks it may be possible to take the medications mifepristone and misoprostol at the same time. But she may also have to take the mifeprisone at the surgery and return one to three days later for misoprostol. It can be taken under the tongue, vaginally or in the space between gum and cheek. The law may allow the medications to be taken at home, but this has risks. She will be given antibiotics, pain medicine and advice on how to take care of herself.

Are there side-effects?

The woman will have cramps and bleed heavily. The pregnancy usually passes in four to five hours.

How safe is it?

Medical abortion has a very good safety record. But in one in every 1,000 cases the bleeding can be serious, needing transfusion. Another risk is infection. Treatment may also be needed if the uterus is not emptied fully.

Is there any risk the pregnancy will not be terminated?

This happens in fewer than one in 100 women.

Is there follow-up care?

A woman should have a check-up in around four to six weeks to see if she has recovered physically and emotionally.

How ready are doctors to deliver the service?

It will only happen if the Eighth Amendment is repealed. Expect a long delay in drafting legislation. GPs say they are not trained in providing medical abortions. In the UK, GPs refer a patient to a dedicated abortion clinic run by the NHS or a provider like Marie Stopes. The advantage is they are licensed and regulated, and provide medication on site.

If a doctor does not want to provide it, what happens?

They will have to refer the woman to a doctor who has signed up. GPs can have ethical objections and opt out. Issues like resources, workload and fear of litigation, as well as higher insurance fees, can influence participation. Family planning clinics will be involved.

What happens if a teenage girl is pregnant and wants an abortion without telling her parents?

These are the kind of quandaries that would put the plan to the test. It's a matter for the legislation.

It is proposed to allow for termination in later pregnancy where a woman's health or life are at risk. It will include risk of suicide. What is involved?

These will require sign off by two doctors, except in case of emergency. The woman will undergo a procedure in a maternity or acute hospital.

Will a woman whose unborn has a fatal foetal abnormality also be entitled to an abortion?

Yes, with no time limits.

Will women from Ireland still go to the UK?

Yes. Irish law will still exclude abortion on grounds of severe disability, which is allowed in the UK.The starting pistol has been fired in the referendum on abortion but there are several obstacles to be cleared before the Government's Eighth Amendment bill is passed.

On the face of it the debate so far has been constructive and respectful. TDs on the Opposition benches were even complimentary at the efficiency with which the Government has progressed the vote.

Independent TD Tommy Broughan said he thought the initial process of holding a Citizens' Assembly and then setting up an Oireachtas committee was just a box-ticking exercise, but said he believes it has worked out quite well.

The resounding victory for the State in the Supreme Court case finding the unborn does not have a right to life within the Constitution outside the Eighth Amendment, paved the way for the seamless publication of the referendum bill.

The Dail Business Committee - which fixes the Dail agenda - has dedicated more time on March 20 to facilitate further debate, when the Dail will sit until midnight.

In his strident pitch for a repeal of the Eighth Amendment, Health Minister Simon Harris laid out the abortion regime that would replace the current one; including an examination of free contraception to keep abortion rates low.

However, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar warned of "a realistic possibility" that some TDs may plan to thwart or slow down the movement of the bill through the Oireachtas in an effort to stop the May referendum from taking place.

"There are some TDs for whom it won't be enough for them to just to contribute to the debate, they will try to prevent the bill progressing through the Dail and the Seanad.

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"I'd really appeal to them not to do that because, whatever your views may be on this issue, I think it is time that the Irish people had their say and I would really like to have the vote in May so we can maximise participation", said Mr Varadkar.

Anti-repeal TD Mattie McGrath said the bill was being "rushed", and the manner in which the Government was dealing with it was "nothing short of disgraceful".

Mr McGrath has shut down debates on this matter by calling a quorum which demands 10 TDs are present in a debate.

Moreover, there is also the possibility that misinformation about the implications of repealing the Eighth Amendment will be disseminated by campaigns on either side, therefore muddying the waters and frightening voters in to keeping the status quo.

In January, the head of Down Syndrome Ireland intervened on the debate, requesting all political parties and any other interested groups stop exploiting children and adults with Down syndrome to promote their campaign views.

Although the Government has published its policy paper - outlining its proposed legislation and essentially the circumstances in which abortion will be permissible - this will not be contained in the Referendum Commission's public information drive. The chance that baseless concerns or factless statements will be planted in its place is particularly high.A knife assault victim's DNA was linked to a blood stained jacket found at the home of a man accused of attacking three women, a court has heard.

The trial of Slawomir Gierlowski (33) also heard evidence that his DNA profile matched semen traces found on the victim of a sexual assault in 2015.

The defendant's DNA was also linked in evidence to the underwear of a victim of a sexual assault in 2011.

Mr Gierlowski, of Galtymore Road, Drimnagh, Dublin, denies attacking three women on dates in 2011, 2015 and 2016 at locations around Clondalkin, south Dublin. The women cannot be identified for legal reasons.

In the May 2016 incident, a man armed with a hunting knife attacked a woman as she was walking along Knockmeenagh Lane to the nearby Luas stop. The woman has testified that she thought the man was going to slit her throat and she grabbed the blade to stop that happening, causing the knife to cut her tendons in three fingers.

On day eight of the trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Dr David Casey, of the Forensic Science Laboratory, said he examined a number of items relating to the 2016 incident, including a Diesel jacket with two blood stains.

The jacket was taken from the master bedroom in the home of Mr Gierlowski during a search by gardai in June 2016.

Dr Casey said that a blood stain from the cuff of the jacket generated a DNA profile matching DNA obtained from the third victim.

The witness said that a DNA profile lifted from the mouth of a beer bottle, found in Knockmeenagh Lane after the attack, matched the DNA profile of Mr Gierlowski. Dr Casey also checked the defendant's profile against DNA obtained from evidence from attacks on two other women in 2015 and 2011.

Mr Gierlowski has pleaded not guilty to nine charges, including false imprisonment, sexual assault and assault. The trial continues.Kieran Creaven arrives at court where he was sentenced to 18 months in jail. Photo: Mark Condren

Former RTE producer Kieran Creaven sent an obscene image of himself to a 'young girl' and said he wanted to "cuddle her" in a four-month long grooming process.

It also emerged that the 55-year-old paedophile watched child pornography involving girls as young as eight and was in constant contact with up to 20 teenagers online.

Creaven was yesterday jailed for 18 months at Leeds Crown Court after pleading guilty to two child sexual offences.

The married Dubliner received an 18-month jail term for attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming and a 12-month sentence for inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The sentences will run concurrently.

Disturbing evidence was outlined by prosecutor Kitty Colley about how Creaven sexually groomed a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl named 'Kealy Nutton', sending hundreds of messages daily.

He set up a fake Facebook profile under the name Jimmy Cee and purported to be a man in his late 30s. He also befriended hundreds of adolescent and teenage girls through this account.

The profile of the young girl named Kealy Nutton was in fact a fake Facebook account set up by paedophile hunting group Predator Exposure, which used a decoy to engage with Creaven.

Early on in the conversations the sex offender sent the decoy a picture taken in a bedroom of him holding his erect penis. In one message, the court heard he said: "Wish you were here in bed with me warm and snuggled up, I'll keep you wrapped up in my arms all night, smell your hair and kiss you."

Creaven also used his profession as a producer to entice the young girl, who was "clearly impressed by this" according to the prosecution. By October he arranged flights to Leeds to meet the teenager but had to cancel this trip due to illness.

However, in November he flew over to Leeds on the pretence of meeting with a 13-year-old girl. He said he would pretend to be the young girl's father in the hotel, and would sneak into her room late at night.

But instead he was confronted by members of Predator Exposure, which streamed the encounter live on Facebook.

When searched he was found with a list of names of young girls, two mobile phones and two boxes of condoms.

Giving details on Creaven's depraved background, the prosecution said that he masturbated to child pornography involving girls and boys as young as eight, and that he chatted online to up to 20 teenage girls aged between 13 and 18.

Creaven also admitted to posting images and information of children online who blocked him on Facebook. Defence counsel Ian Cook said that the incident had left Creaven's marriage shattered and he had expressed relief at his arrest.

A sexual harm prevention order was also drafted and restrictions were placed on Creaven accessing a phone with internet capabilities and being in the company of children.

Judge Simon Phillips said that the aggravating factors were the significant level of planning that went into meeting the young child and sexual nature of the images he sent.

Creaven is also under investigation by gardai in relation to accessing child pornography and to establish whether he committed similar offences in this jurisdiction.The requested page is currently unavailable on this server.

Back to [RTHK News Homepage]Noel and Aileen Gilson, parents of TV presenter Glenda Gilson, lost their 1million Dublin home Friday to Shoreline Residential Dac after the investment fund refused a final offer of 303,000 to settle their outstanding debts against their mortgage.

Judge Jacqueline Linnane said in the Circuit Civil Court she considered the 800,000 valuation the Gilsons had put on their Castleknock, Dublin, home as conservative and advised them to sell it before the bank did.

Judge Linnane said the outstanding liability against 16 College Gate, Castleknock, was just under 400,000 so there was still substantial equity left in the property. She said that if Mr and Mrs Gilson sold their home now they would still be left with enough to trade down to a mortgage-free smaller home and pay off their debt.

The judge granted the couple a six months stay on her order for possession to the bank to give them time to sell the property themselves before the bank does in six months time.

Barrister Rudi Neuman, counsel for Shoreline Residential, told the court that the Gilsons had offered to pay 303,000 against the outstanding debt consisting mainly of repayment arrears on their loan but this had been refused by the bank.

The Gilsons four bedroom three-bath house is currently listed for sale on Daft.ie for an asking price of 830,000.

They had initially offered 150,000 to settle the debt which then stood at more than twice that figure and last month their counsel Aoife Beirne said they were prepared to make an increased offer of 275,000. This was declined as was Fridays new offer of 303,000.

Mr Neuman, who appeared with Beauchamps Solicitors, said he had been instructed to proceed with the banks application for possession of the property and told the judge Shoreline Residential was prepared to agree to the court granting a six months stay to the Gilsons.

The court heard that Mr Gilson, now a retired painting and decorating contractor, had bought 16 College Gate in 1992 and had built the house on the site himself.

He and his wife, both of whom are now pensioners, had borrowed 300,000 in May 2008 to be paid back over a period of 10 years. The purpose of the 2008 loan, due for full repayment in May next, had been to refinance an existing mortgage and clear an outstanding 100,000 liability in respect of Mr Gilsons business.

Judge Linnane said Mr and Mrs Gilson were making sporadic payments in very small amounts, sometimes as little as 50, while attempting to come to an arrangement with the bank. Arrears had begun appearing in 2010 and the couple had been written to as early as 2014.

While I appreciate the defendants have health difficulties the 2014 warning notified them things had to be addressed. It was quite clear that this mortgage was unsustainable and by not addressing the problem arrears mounted. I am now told that arrears alone amount to 391,000, Judge Linnane said.

The judge said that had the Gilsons taken steps much earlier they would have ended up with even more equity than now remained in the property. That had now been greatly eroded.

Judge Linnane, granting the bank possession, said she would grant a six months stay which would give the defendants ample time to sell the property. The longer things went on the more arrears would increase and equity fall. Trading down would relieve some of the stress Mr and Mrs Gilson complained of.

Shoreline Residential was granted its legal costs for court applications going back for years and certain to amount to a significant figure on top of the existing debt.The Irish retail sector has warned that the ongoing row in the Kilkenny Group has the potential to become one of Irelands most destructive family feuds

A businessman who is suing his mother over his dismissal from the Irish luxury goods firm, Kilkenny Group, admitted that there is no sign "the legal war is over".

The high-profile family feud between Greg O'Gorman and his mother, Marian O'Gorman, who runs the Kilkenny Group, now appears set to go to full High Court hearing.

The row erupted in 2016 when Marian O'Gorman, the chief executive of the Cork-based family business, terminated the employment of her son, Gregory. Greg O'Gorman was the marketing director for the Kilkenny Group for 13 years and had played a key role in the successful expansion of the retail operation.

He immediately took legal action to stop his dismissal and to require his mother to honour a deal which he claimed has held the Kilkenny Group in trust for him and his siblings.

Mr O'Gorman said the failure of the mediation process so far to deliver a satisfactory settlement was very disappointing. "As a result of a failed mediation and failed settlement agreement, my legal team have now lodged our discovery with the Commercial Court and served the defendant and all notice parties, which include Michelle, Melissa, Christopher (siblings) and Michael O'Gorman (father), with same," he said.

"The defendant, Marian O'Gorman, and my father, Michael O'Gorman, notified several parties in December and over Christmas that a settlement had been agreed and that the legal war was over.

"I was extremely surprised to have several parties contact me to say they heard it's over when clearly I was fully aware that no agreement had been reached," he said.

"We have been reliably informed that Kilkenny in late 2017 purchased the property in Galway where they are currently trading out of (High Street). This would typically be a very unusual move when the ownership of the company is being disputed. However, there are possibly other reasons why this was done which will become more evident during this process," Mr O'Gorman said.

The discovery process, which involves all relevant company and legal documentation being inspected by both sides, has now commenced. Without a settlement, the legal battle between the mother and son will reach full hearing in mid-2018.

Mr Justice Brian McGovern in the High Court was informed that mediation talks ongoing since late last year have so far failed to achieve a settlement.

Rossa Fanning SC, for Mr O'Gorman, said there had been negotiations between the sides for some time concerning a resolution but unfortunately there was "no compromise at this time". The matter was adjourned until a High Court sitting in April with discovery affidavits now to be sought.

Mr O'Gorman said in a statement that it was "very unfortunate" the meditation process had so far failed.

He said he was confident that the discovery process would support his claim to 25pc ownership of the Kilkenny Group. "My reputation has been so damaged by being fired for no fault of my own and by the subsequent rumours that I have been unable to secure alternative employment since," Mr O'Gorman added.

Clydaville Investments Ltd, which carries on the business of luxury design under the 'Kilkenny' brand and employs 300 people, increased its turnover under Mr O'Gorman's watch from 18m in 2010 to approximately 30m in 2016 and profits rose from 300,000 to 1,500,000 over the same period.

Turnover was 27m in 2015 and the High Court was told there was a preliminary desktop valuation of some 50m for the business, including its "significant" property assets.

Mr O'Gorman has consistently maintained that his dismissal, signalled in a letter delivered to his Cork home on July 8, 2016, was with "no suggestion of misconduct or non-performance." He also claimed that the manner of his dismissal was "demeaning and humiliating". He said the dismissal had left him, his wife and three children "financially destitute" and unable to secure alternative employment. At the current time, Mr O'Gorman is dependent on social welfare. "Myself and my family have been put through 20 months of hurt and pain and I have been stripped of my career and reputation as a result of my mother's actions," he said.

"I went into mediation in good faith after months of delaying tactics from the other side, but unfortunately, mediation has broken down."

"I have now been left with no choice but to proceed with my case in the High Court for the 25pc shareholding I have been promised through our 'Family Constitution'. This is a fight for what is right and fair. During these proceedings, I believe the real truth behind this case will be brought to light."

Mr O'Gorman has claimed that under the so-called 'Family Constitution', the Kilkenny Group is divided in equal shares between him and his three siblings, Michelle, Melissa and Christopher. The 'Family Constitution' was established, somewhat ironically, in a bid to avoid the family feud which involved Mrs O'Gorman and her own siblings over the ownership of the hugely successful Blarney Woollen Mills Group founded in Cork by her late father, Christy Kelleher. Mr Kelleher's death in 1991 sparked a power struggle among his children - Marian and her sister Freda had a major falling-out that year, the latter going on to form another business, the hugely successful Meadows & Byrne lifestyle chain.

This dispute was followed in 1999 by a High Court battle when Marian, her husband Michael and her sister Bernadette Kelleher Nolan went to court to stop their brothers Pat, Frank and Kevin from removing Michael from the group's board. At the time it was thought that the move was part of a plan to remove Marian as chief executive.

The stand-alone Kilkenny Group, which had originally been owned by the government, and bought by Blarney, was carved out from the group as part of the settlement, with the brothers retaining the Blarney Woollen Mills shop on Nassau Street in Dublin, and a share in the Blarney Park Hotel as well as other assets. Relations between the factions of the family remained strained - Mr O'Gorman claims "significant business assets" were sold following the settlement of a second dispute between siblings.

Mrs O'Gorman has not publicly commented on the two-year dispute with her son.

However, Mrs O'Gorman told a newspaper in 2015 that she still doesn't speak to some family members who opposed her in previous legal actions.

In High Court papers revealed last year, Mr O'Gorman described his mother as "by nature a domineering, aggressive and belligerent person."

In January 2017, Mr Justice McGovern pleaded with both the mother and son to resolve their differences through agreed mediation. Such mediation was, he said, "very wise" and he expressed hope it would help resolve the matter.

The plea came as many with the Irish retail sector warned that the dispute has the potential to become one of Ireland's most destructive family feuds.A relative of a woman who was sexually assaulted by airline boss Anthony Lyons said that the victim was sure she was going to die during the attack.

In the early hours of October 3, 2010 the victim was walking home from a family gathering when she was attacked by Lyons.

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The 27-year-old woman was "rugby-tackled" to the ground on Griffith Avenue, Co Dublin where she was sexually assaulted by the businessman.

Speaking to Independent.ie, a close relative of the victim said that they'll never forget that fateful night.

"A family member had died and we were having a gathering at the Skylon hotel in Drumcondra. The youngsters decided to head to Carthy's and she was walking the short distance home when she was attacked.

"It was heartbreaking. She left the pub early herself and just wanted to head home. I never would have thought that something like this would have happened on Griffith Avenue."

The family member said that the victim still has flashbacks from the attack.

"She was tackled to the ground and she said he whispered into her ear 'do you think you're getting home tonight?'. She was sure she was going to be murdered."

The family member said he shudders to think what might have happened if a passer-by hadn't heard her screams.

"A young man heard her screaming and came to her rescue. He said he had nightmares because the screams were so severe. A taxi also stopped and the passenger in the car lifted her into the taxi."

Anthony Lyons was arrested by gardai after the attack.

Lyons who lived on Griffith Avenue pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to attacking and sexually assaulting the then 27-year-old woman.

After a lengthy court case, Lyons was given a six year sentence, with five-and-a-half years suspended for the attack.

He was also ordered to pay his victim 75,000 in compensation.

Following an appeal, Lyons was sentenced to another 18 months in prison.

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The family member said that the area of Griffith Avenue was very dark at the time.

"The stretch it happened on is very dark, but in fairness the council have put up some new lights in the area since the attack.

"There is a teaching college and a secondary school in the area, it wasn't safe to have such dark areas along the road."

The family member said that despite the trauma, the victim is now doing "fine".

"I admire her strength. She puts it behind her. She has tonnes of friends who are so good to her. She is so strong. If someone attacks you like that, you will always have to live with the trauma.

"The victim is the strongest of us all but Lyons' family home is only 500 metres from our house. If she came to visit and saw him, I don't know what would happen. It's not fair that we all have to think about it but she has moved on and blocked it out."

However, he claims their family never got justice.

"We never got justice. He didn't serve enough time in jail. That is not ok for what he did. People always ask our family if we could go back in time would we go through the courts and we always say 'if we could go back in time, we would be waiting for her on the avenue and none of this would have happened'."

Read More

The family of the victim are now campaigning to highlight what they claim to be lenient sentencing for sex attackers and rapists in the Irish court system.

"I got to know other victims and everything was so inconsistent," a close family member of the victim told Independent.ie.

"If you commit fraud in Ireland, you will get a severe sentence."

Read More

The family are calling for minimum and maximum sentences in order for some consistency in court.

"If a man goes to attack a girl and he knows that the minimum sentence is eight to ten years then he might think twice. Minimum and maximum sentencing would also offer some consistency in court and all the judges would be reading from the same hymn book. And if the judge gives you a sentence, it cannot be appealed. The judge has sentenced you to the correct sentence and that's it. It's not rocket science.

"That judge put a price on our family member's sex assault. It was 75,000 and six months imprisonment. That was the price for a serious sexual attack. Is our victim's attack only worth six months in jail?! You can't put a price on a sex attack. There should be no monetary value, just imprisonment."GARDAI have foiled a murder plot linked to the ongoing Hutch/Kinahan feud in Dublin city centre this morning.

Officers from the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (DOCB) assisted by heavily armed Gardai intercepted a vehicle as it travelled through the capital shortly before 8am.

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Three firearms have been recovered and three men from west Dublin have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.

They are currently being held at Clontarf and Store Street Garda station.

Three men were arrested and three firearms recovered following the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau operation in Dublin this morning. A fourth man was subsequently arrested in a follow-up operation.

Gardai said that following another follow-up search on Saturday night, two additional firearms were recovered along with a silencer and a quantity of ammunition.

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"Shortly before 8am on 10th March Gardai from the Garda Emergency Response Unit intercepted a van on Gardiners Street in Dublin," a garda spokesman said.

"Three men, one in his 20s and two in their 30s, were arrested for conspiracy to murder and are detained at Garda Station in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. Three firearms, describes as; a sub machine gun, a semi automatic pistol and a revolver, were recovered."

A man in his 40s is also detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007 at a Garda Station in Dublin after a follow-up operation. Officers also carried out searches in North Dublin, West Dublin and the North Inner City.

Justice minister Charlie Flanagan this afternoon praised the Garda operation.

He said: "I commend the Gardai for their decisive actions in Dublin City centre in an operation in which three firearms were seized and three men arrested.

"This mornings operation demonstrates the continued determination of the Government and the Gardai to target serious crime and all those involved in it, he added.

Assistant John O' Driscoll, who is responsible for Special Crime Operations (SCO) within the Garda Siochana, said "we stated on numerous occasions that our efforts at tackling organised crime, particularly where it gives rise to threat to life, is unrelenting. The action taken today, through a combination of the resources assigned to SCO and Security and Intelligence, within the Garda Siochana, has yet again resulted in the arrests of suspects and the associated seizure of firearms".

The assistant commissioner added, "those within the world of organised crime who display a total disregard for human life remain within our focus and we are determined to cause them to be arrested, charged and where the Courts determine there is sufficient evidence, convicted and incarcerated within our prisons.

Assistant Commissioner O Driscoll has previously credited operations undertaken by the Garda Siochana and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), supported by other specialised units within the organisation, including the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) and Armed Support Units (ASUs), with intervening in up to forty-five (45) circumstances, where the planned assassination of targeted persons, by organised crime gangs, was, allegedly, involved.

The assistant commissioner said, "on-going liaison with other law enforcement authorities at both national and international level, is maximising the Garda Siochana s potential to deliver regular and significant impacts on the world of organised crime.

The additional resources provided to SCO in recent times has enabled a crew of dedicated and highly skilled personnel to make significant inroads into tackling the activities of a number of major organised crime groups, through the making of arrests, the seizure of high calibre weaponry and the seizure of significant sums of money, the commissioner stated.

Detectives believe that the gang were on their way to murder a member of the Hutch gang living in the city centre.

Since the feud broke out more than two years ago at least 15 people have been killed while Gardai have prevented close to 50 hits taking place.FIVE days into the biggest single site Garda missing person's search in Cork for more than 20 years and there is still no indication the Tina Satchwell mystery is any closer to being resolved.

In 10 days, the Dingivan and Satchwell families will mark the first anniversary of the disappearance of Tina from her home in the east Cork seaside town of Youghal.

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Despite multiple public appeals and a painstaking trawl of thousands of hours of CCTV security camera footage, Tina's family are no closer to finding out what happened to the 45-year-old.

It was as if Tina had simply vanished off the face of the Earth.

Over the past week, the focus of the Garda search for clues as to Tina's whereabouts has been on the sprawling Mitchell's Wood outside Castlemartyr, an east Cork village just off the main Cork-Waterford road.

Gardai received a telephone tip-off in the wake of an RTE 'Prime Time' special on the case last January about significant movements spotted at Mitchell's Wood in March last year.

Detectives considered the contact and, when they deemed the information to be both reliable and credible, ordered a major search operation of the forestry just off the Castlemartyr-Garryvoe road.

Forty acres of the woodland has been divided into search zones - with the operation just 200 metres from the renowned five-star Castlemartyr Resort.

The area is familiar to many because it is just off a route used by many each summer to access one of Cork's most popular beaches and caravan parks.

A 60-strong team of gardai, Defence Forces engineering units and Search Dogs UK experts are now combing the zones for any clue as to Tina's movements.

Supt Colm Noonan, of Midleton garda station, stressed that every possible asset was being provided for the search and said it is expected to last for between two and three weeks.

From early on Monday morning, a 100-metre steel security fence was erected across the main entrance to Mitchell's Wood. That was later cloaked in black plastic sheeting to guard the privacy of what the search teams were doing inside the woods.

Industrial generators, mobile lighting units, a portacabin support centre, portable toilets and a Garda command vehicle were deployed on site.

Gardai even have ground search radar on standby - and secured, via the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), a no-fly zone over Mitchell's Wood amid fears curious members of the public could use camera-equipped drones to monitor what was going on behind the steel fencing.

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Whatsapp Gardai work their way through woods at the 40-acre site of the search for Tina Satchwell at Mitchells Wood, outside Castlemartyr, east Cork. Photo: Daragh McSweeney/Provision

But, five days into the search, there are no tangible clues as to what happened to Tina, who vanished while her husband, Richard, said he was attending to a short errand in Dungarvan on March 20, 2017.

He initially thought she had taken time to deal with personal issues and didn't report her missing for four days. Tina was, he said, depressed at the time.

Mr Satchwell last week did extensive interviews with 'TV3 News', RTE's 'Prime Time' and 'Ireland AM' - and insisted throughout them all that he had nothing whatsoever to do with his wife's disappearance.

He insisted that he does not believe he is a suspect - and even attended the search site itself for an interview with TV3's Paul Byrne.

Mr Satchwell said he was very upset at the thought of precisely what gardai were looking for in Mitchell's Wood.

"Just the basic thought that it is a possibility, no matter how small, that my wife could be behind them barriers," he said.

"I am sick in the stomach - I would say I have not had three hours sleep since Sunday morning.

"I am trying to fill myself with hope - I have people say to me, how will you cope if it does turn out to be ... my answer to that is I won't be able to cope.

"(Every night) I am praying and hoping that, like the search in Youghal, it all comes to nothing."

"They've [gardai] not voiced it [that I am not a suspect] but their actions are different," he added. "I went into the guards of my own accord, I made a statement and I'm not ashamed to say I was an emotional mess.

"No, I did originally [believe I was a suspect] but then originally everything was all raw with her being gone, the house was searched. I was confused and now I feel that I am not [a suspect].

"Anything that the guards ask for I am providing - our [phone] network has gone into liquidation so I've already swapped the number on her phone because I believe that's the one she would call and the guards have that and I'll be handing the new phone to the guards tomorrow."

The English-born truck driver insisted he had nothing to do with his wife vanishing.

"My wife is going to turn back up or she is going to get in touch with gardai. One way or another this will all come out and, in time, it will [be shown] that I have done nothing," he said.

"I have been with my wife for 28 years - [I have tried to provide] a good quiet, loving marriage and nothing else.

"I have never once in nearly 30 years of being together laid a finger on her - the most I have ever done to her is have a tight cuddle, loving the bones off her."

The couple got engaged two years after meeting in England and married in 1991 on Tina's 20th birthday.

Mr Satchwell said March 20, 2017, was like any other day for himself and Tina - he went on an errand but, when he returned to their Youghal home, Tina was gone.

Her keys were on the floor and two suitcases were missing.

But, critically, Tina's beloved dog, Ruby, was alone in the house. Friends of Tina's in her hometown of Fermoy insisted her dog was like her child - and it would have been out of character to abandon the pet.

Mr Satchwell initially suspected she may have gone to stay with family or friends in Fermoy. The couple had themselves lived in Fermoy for years before relocating to Youghal in 2016.

Mr Satchwell said he was shocked when he realised, around March 24, Tina wasn't with her family in Fermoy.

"When I found out she wasn't with them ... it was like the floor fell away from me," he explained. "I had been 100pc positive she was gone to Fermoy - I didn't have any reason to believe anything else."

When the Garda search operation began last year, Mr Satchwell said 26,000 was missing from his home - and that Tina might well have had assistance in her disappearance.

He is adamant that she is alive and has refused to contemplate the alternative.

"If you don't have hope, you don't have anything. I will always live in hope because that is all I have," he said. "I am hoping that Tina is out there and she is going to get in touch. I don't want to go down the road of thinking the other way because I wouldn't be able to cope."

Mr Satchwell also said that he has safely stored Christmas, anniversary, Valentine's Day and birthday presents for Tina in the hope she will be found safe and well.

Privately, gardai admitted they now fear the worst for Tina. "There have been no sightings, no contacts with friends or family, no attempts to use mobile phones or banks and nothing from CCTV security camera footage either here in Ireland or in the UK," one garda said. "We are keeping every avenue under investigation but it is clearly very, very worrying."A leading credit union body will not commit to asking the lenders it represents to stop allowing staff to enter controversial prize draws.

A damaging Central Bank report found staff and directors won a prize in raffles run in almost a third of credit unions that have a draw.

But the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) would not specify if it would now encourage credit unions to exclude staff from the draws. Most of the draws involve a prize of a car. Most organisations that run draws ban their staff from entering.

The Central Bank stopped short of telling credit unions to exclude staff from the draws, but did say they need to make it clear to members if staff are allowed to buy tickets.

Asked if it has plans to ask member credit unions to close off the competitions to staff, the credit union umbrella group would only say: "The ILCU has contacted credit unions and encouraged them to review in full all findings of the Central Bank's 'Thematic Review of Prize Draws in Credit Unions', including the recommendation in relation to staff and directors involved in the operation of the prize draw."

Half of credit unions run prize draws, with some 446,000 members participating.

Meanwhile, the ILCU has asked the Irish Independent to point out that in almost one-third of credit unions where draws took place, including those where cars were prizes, staff or directors won prizes rather than being the winners in almost one-in-three draws.

The Central Bank report states: "In approximately 30pc of credit unions who operate prize draws, staff and directors have won prizes over the period October 2014 to March 2017."A former Fine Gael leader has advised Leo Varadkar to stay away from the Twitter machine following posts by the Taoiseach this morning.

Alan Dukes said hes anti-social media and added: I think politicians should stay off Twitter because they make fools of themselves up to an including President Trump.

His remarks came in response to Tweets by Mr Varadkar where the Taoiseach appeared to hit back at opposition criticism of the governments Strategic Communications Unit (SCU).

He said that while packing for his trip to the United States  where he will meet Donald Trump this week  he got thinking about all the talk about spin [versus] substance.

Mr Varadkar then outlines six things he and the Government did during the week.

They included committing extra funds for damage caused by Storm Emma, introducing legislation for the planned abortion referendum and getting Dail approval for the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.

He also noted high level talks with EU Council president Donald Tusk and Xavier Bettel, the prime minister of Luxembourg as well as the passing of the Technological Universities Act and opening a policy debate on internet safety.

Mr Varadkar concluded the Tweet with Just sayin.

Mr Dukes made his comments on RTE Radios Saturday with Cormac O hEadhra show.

He said that the SCU was probably a good idea but argued that the execution of it has been absolutely ham-fisted.

He added: I think they let the smart-alecs get way with running it which is a very bad thing.

And among the smart-alecs I include both politicians and their hired advisers.

Mr Dukes was asked if he included Mr Varadkar in his assessment of politicians using social media and replied: I think politicians should stay away from the Twitter machine

Labour TD, Joan Burton, who was also a guest on the show and is a constituency rival of Mr Varadkars said she thinks the Taoiseach sounded peevish in his Tweets.A new agency will be established to improve land use around the country, making sure it is valued correctly and fully utilised by Government.

The agency will work in conjunction with a second body to ensure the initiatives promised under the Ireland 2040 banner are delivered.

An Infrastructure Projects Office is being established in Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe's department to drive reform on how projects are assessed and delivered.

He said this would help Government use State-owned lands efficiently.

This body will also report on the National Development Plan (NDP).

A construction sector working group is also being established.

Mr Donohoe wants this to inform policy makers and builders about issues that may affect the successful delivery of the NDP or hit the value-for-money aspect of proposed State projects.

The minister said it was important these bodies were established to make sure Ireland 2040 timelines were met and the money promised for projects was delivered.

"We will transform this into a reality by making it clear when funds will be available," said Mr Donohoe.

"We are going to put in place a unit whose job it will be to oversee its delivery of critical infrastructure projects to make sure the timings that are set, and the funding to be made available, actually happens.

"Finally, what we will put in place is an agency whose job it will be to look at how we can use land better, particularly land that is owned by the State.

"We have to integrate the supply and pricing of land into the ambition of Ireland 2040."

Mr Donohoe announced the creation of the bodies in University College Cork yesterday with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

Mr Varadkar used the event to say he wanted to make sure Ireland was ready for a worst-case Brexit.

He said if negotiations did not work out as planned, the country must have the crucial infrastructure to make sure Ireland can export to the continent without using Britain as a "land-bridge" with the rest of the EU.

These concerns could be addressed by developing the Port of Cork and Rosslare Harbour.

He also said he wanted to see other critical infrastructure delivered to the region, including high-speed trains.

"There are plans to invest in the Port of Cork which are really important - especially if Brexit goes the wrong way.

"I hope it doesn't but if Brexit does go the wrong way we are going to need to be able to get goods in and out of Ireland without necessarily having to use the land-bridge with Britain.

"That is where Cork, and Rosslare in particular, will be very important.

"We are also going to look at the Cork-Dublin trainline.

"[Tanaiste] Simon Coveney and I are very ambitious about the idea of a high-speed rail between Belfast and Dublin and on to Cork.

"We don't really know if it is viable in Ireland, but it might be and we need to examine that.

"What certainly is viable, if that is not, is improving the line speeds on existing lines."Tens of thousands of anti-abortion activists have marched through Dublin to demand the retention of Ireland's restrictive laws on terminations.

The mass demonstration called for the preservation of the constitutional provision that enshrines the unborn's right to life.

Irish citizens will decide on the fate of the contentious Eighth Amendment of the state's constitution in an anticipated referendum this summer.

The 'Save the Eighth' rally came days after thousands of pro-choice campaigners held a similar demo in the city.

Activists travelled from all over Ireland to attend Saturday's event which crossed the city and culminated at Merrion Square outside Leinster House.

Among those taking part were doctors who support keeping the current laws.

They had a 100 euro "Specsavers" voucher for the Senator Catherine Noone, chairwoman of an Oireachtas committee which has recommended abortion law changes.

Dr Maire Neasta Nic Gearailt said: "There are a great many doctors out there who are deeply concerned by, and opposed to, these proposals.

"The fact that the Senator said she could not find us can be explained only two ways - that she did not really look, or that she simply could not see what was in front of her face.

"Perhaps if she had looked harder, she would have discovered what a poll of GPs revealed this week - that seven in 10 doctors do not wish to be part of the Government's abortion scheme.

"Doctors who oppose this radical UK-style abortion law may not have been listened to in Senator Noone's committee - but we will make our voices heard in the coming weeks.

"We trust that this time, Senator Noone will not miss us. But we enclose this voucher for Specsavers to be absolutely sure".

A number of different religious groups were represented, as were campaigners focusing on the rights of people with disabilities.

Also supporting the event was Bernadette Smyth from the Belfast-based anti abortion group Precious Life.

TD Mattie McGrath said on Twitter he was "delighted to meet so many people heading to Dublin for the @Savethe8thinfo rally. Buses and buses from all over Munster here!"

The Eighth Amendment affords the mother and unborn an equal right to life - thus rendering abortion illegal in Ireland in all but exceptional circumstances.

If it is repealed, the Government has pledged to legislate for unrestricted abortions up to 12 weeks into pregnancy.

A Government bill that aims to hold a referendum in late May was tabled in the Dail parliament on Friday.

That came 48 hours after the country's Supreme Court provided clarity on the extent of protections for the unborn offered by the constitution.

The judgment overruled a previous High Court ruling and made clear that the Eighth Amendment is the sole constitutional protection for the unborn.

That decision has reduced the prospect of future legal challenges if the amendment is repealed.A crowd gathered outside Dundalk courthouse on a cold Sunday night as news broke that a man was to be charged with the murder of father of two Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe five years ago.

Aaron Brady, aged 27, of 79 New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, is the first person to be charged in relation to the murder of Detective Gda Adrian Donohoe at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, on January 25th, 2013. He has been charged under Section three of the Criminal Justice Act of 1990 of murdering a Garda in the course of his duties.

Detective Gda Donohoes widow Caroline sat in the public gallery during the short hearing, surrounded by former colleagues. Members of the US Department of Homeland Security were also in attendance at the hearing.

The special sitting of the court heard that when the charge of murdering Detective Gda Adrian Donogue in the course of his duties was put to Brady earlier that evening he had replied I strongly deny any involvement in the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe.

Mr Brady, who had been arrested in Dublin on February 25th and taken to Dundalk Garda Station for questioning, remained silent throughout the short hearing.

Detective Inspector Patrick Marry gave evidence of arresting Mr Brady at The Crescent, at 6.57pm and of charging him after caution at 8.05p.m.

He said that he gave the accused a copy of the charge sheet.

He told Judge John Coughlan that he was seeking for the accused to be remanded in custody to Cloverhill District Court on Friday March 9th.

In reply to Mr Conan Fegan, representing the accused, he said that Mr Brady was released from custody at 6.57pm and immediately re-arrested at 6.57pm for the purpose of charging. A new custody record was filled out and he was held in a cell at the Garda Station as was normal practice.

As Mr Fegan attempted to continue with his questioning, Judge Coughlan said the hearing was simply for the purpose of remand and not for the examination of the investigation.

State Solicitor Mr Fergus Mullen asked that the accused by remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Friday March 9th at 10am with evidence via videolink.

Mr Fegan asked for free legal aid which was granted by Judge Coughlan who told him that his application for free legal aid for two barristers would have to be made at a higher court.

Mr Brady, bearded and wearing jeans, grey shirt, and a black/grey coat with a red trim, was taken from the courthouse through a back door avoiding the waiting media.

Another man in his 60s who was arrested in Dundalk on February 26 as part of the investigation the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was released without charge on Saturday night. Garda sources say that a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to that man.

The search for two other people suspected to have been involved in the fatal shooting of Detective Garda Donohoe is continuing in the United States, with the FBI, Homeland Security and the Massachusetts State Police focusing on the Donchester and Quincy areas of Boston.

In an appeal directed at the Irish community in January they stated: Detective Donohoe was protecting his community on the night he was murdered.

Investigators believe people living in Boston and the Upper Norfolk County towns of Massachusetts may have information that could assist the investigation.

Detective Garda Donohoe was shot while on a cash escort with colleague Dective Garda Joe Ryan on the night of January 25th 2013.

On the fifth anniversary of Garda Donohoes murder in January, Chief Superintendent Christy Mangan said many lives were left shattered by his death and pledged that gardai would pursue those responsible to the ends of the Earth.

The Irish League of Credit Unions has offered a reward of 50,000 for information that leads to any arrest and prosecution in respect of the murder.The ongoing battle over Brexit has seen the Irish border emerging as a major stumbling block to any deal between the European Union and Britain.

The EU's draft legal text published last week included what Taoiseach Leo Varadkar called a 'backstop' where in the event of no deal being reached, Northern Ireland remain within the customs union in order to avoid a 'hard border'.

The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier said the draft text 'faithfully reflected the commitments made by the EU and UK in December'.

He said that: 'The backstop is the only way to guarantee that the joint commitments will be upheld in all circumstances.'

But the response from British Prime Minister, who rejected the draft text, has further heightened concerns that a hard border could emerge.

Louth TD Gerry Adams gave 'a cautious welcome' to the EU's draft legal text 'which would, if implemented, go a considerable way toward protecting border communities.'

'The British Prime Minister's rejection of the EU legal text published has sent the Brexit process back into crisis,' said Deputy Adams. 'This, along with the strident comments of the DUP and the anti-Good Friday Agreement remarks of leading Brexiteers, means that the Brexit negotiation process has again degenerated into a shambles.'

He warned: 'The potential for a hard border has now been given added momentum by the repeated failure of the British government to spell out its objectives and goals for the Brexit negotiation. The remaining EU 27 states still do not know, only eight months away from the deadline for the end of the negotiations, what new relationship the British government is looking for with the EU.

'In the absence of an overarching agreement between the EU and the British government, the draft legal text accepts that the alignment option means that the North shall be 'considered part of the customs territory of the EU'. It confirms that the North would remain within the customs union and acknowledges the need for many of the elements that go to make up the single market.'The Defence Forces across the North East played a vital role in ensuring vital health care was continued for many essential patients during Storm Emma.

Army personnel across the region also assisted in getting hospital and medical staff when the severe weather made travel too difficult.

A spokesman for the 27th Battalion explained that the personnel are on standby for any requests.

'Our drivers have been deployed to transport essential nursing and hospital staff to their place of work.'

He added 'We also had a number of drivers and vehicles transporting patients for medical appointments in the Leinster area.'

The spokesman said that on Friday, troops from Dundalk were tasked to transport bottled water to Drogheda.

In a statement, a HSE spokesperson said: ''Thank you to our Defence Forces for picking up our dedicated staff from Drogheda, Lusk and Donabate this morning and getting them to work safely to care for patients and service users in North Dublin Mental Health Services.'

Over 120 Defence Forces personnel and 60 4x4 vehicles have been deployed in support to @HSELive and local authorities in one 24 hour period alone.

'Teams were out all night ensuring medical staff could get to work and patients could get the treatments they need around the country.'

Health Minister Simon Harris paid tribute to the support provided by the army during the snows, tweeting 'Just to give insight into excellent work between HSELive and our Defence Forces. So far more than 40+ cases where Defence Forces have assisted including, transfer of thirty dialysis patients - movement of critical staff to hospitals and hospices.'There was a silver lining to every snow cloud when the 'Beast from the East' collided with Storm Emma last week.

With schools closed for a number of days, kids enjoyed their snow break by taking to local parks for a spot of sleigh riding!

Snow covered Ice House Hill was a popular choice for many kids, some who came prepared with sleighs, while others made do with bin lids and bags to soar down the icy hills.

After being stuck indoors during he red weather warning, kids let of some steam with a spot of snowball fighting.

Cabin fever did have an upside though as neighbourhoods across the region even took to hosting snowman building competitions.

The Argus held its own competition with tonnes of entries flooding in featuring all manner of snowy creations, from snowmen to a number of igloos and Olaf from the popular Frozen movie!

St. Helena Park too was transformed into a winter wonderland, with a number of people braving the elements to get out doors to capture the snowy scenes on camera.

Elsewhere, some families even tried to re-create the winter wonderland theme, by putting up their Christmas tree once again!

But some of the most inspiring stories to have emerged over the last week, many of them shared on social media, where the examples of community spirit.

Ordinary people , on many occasions, came out to assist those trapped and cut off by the snow. In some of Louth's most rural parts, emergency services were assisted by volunteers from the community, including those working with the Order of Malta, Red Cross, Louth Civil Defence and the Louth based Irish coastguard.Louth startup companies are being encouraged to enter the National Startup Awards powered by Bank of Ireland and Enterprise Ireland which were officially launched last week by Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys, TD.

The competition recognises and rewards Irish startups for their success in business across 15 categories.

The overall winner will walk away with a prize of 10,000 and the best early stage startup will receive 5,000 to further grow and develop their businesses.

In 2017, two Louth based startups featured at the awards. GECKO Governance was shortlisted in the FinTech Startup category and Tech Startup category and walked away with silver in the FinTech category. BikesBooking.com was shortlisted in the Service Startup category.

The competition, now in its seventh year, has become a pivotal date in the Irish startup calendar. The best and brightest startup companies are recognised at a national level for their dedication, resilience and perseverance and for contributing so much to the nation's economy.

The competition is open to companies and organisations across all sectors which have been operational for up to five years.

There are three key stages to the competition with qualifying entries first shortlisted by region and then nationally.

To enter or nominate someone for a National Startup Award visit www.startupawards.ie and submit your application by Thursday March 22nd.

Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland said: 'Enterprise Ireland is partnering with the National Startup Awards to give businesses with the potential to scale internationally the opportunity to be catapulted onto a national stage at a crucial time in their progression and development.

Entrepreneurship is fundamental to the national and regional economy and job creation, and I encourage ambitious start-ups to submit their applications in the coming weeks.'

Ingrid Halpin, Head of Bank of Ireland, County Louth, commented: 'We look forward to supporting this year's entries from young companies that are making a difference to how we all live, work and play and I am encouraging all Louth startups to enter this years awards.'

To enter or nominate someone for a National Startup Award visit www.startupawards.ie and submit your application by Thursday 22 March.

Entry is free and is open to sole traders, partnerships and companies that have been set up in Ireland and that are in business for five years from date of incorporation or less at the closing date, with up to 30 employees.

The regional finals will take place during April with the national Awards taking place in Dublin on Thursday, 17th May, 2018.The Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely welcomes Snowpoet to Wicklow, a band led by London based Jazz FM Vocalist of the Year (2016) Lauren Kinsella and multi-instrumentalist Chris Hyson. The band also features Josh Arcoleo on saxophone, Matt Robinson on keys, Nick Costley-White on guitar and Dave Hamblett on drums.

Their debut album Snowpoet won rave reviews, drawing comparisons with Bjork. Their follow up, Thought you Knew, being likened to a multi-faceted jewel, brings their sound to the next level, blending sweet hook-laden vocal lines with warm and lush arrangements.

The band was recently featured by Jamie Cullen on his BBC Radio 2 show, and on Spotify's best of UK Jazz playlist. Their Dublin concert is sold out, so unless you can get to Wexford or Waterford, this is the only chance to see them on the East Coast.

The show takes place on Sunday, March 11 and doors open at 8.30 p.m. Tickets cost 16/14.Leading authors Michael Harding, Eoin McNamee, Adele O'Neill, Julie Parsons and others will feature on the programme for the 'Way with Words, Wicklow', a pilot literature project for County Wicklow.

These are just some of the writers and poets headed for Arklow and Blessington Libraries in the coming months to give free readings, talks and writing workshops for all ages.

Others included on the programme, which has just been announced, are Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick, Michael Emberley, Peggie Gallagher, Joe Brennan, Oisin McGann, Catriona O'Reilly, Moya Cannon, Jane Clarke and Una-Minh Kavanagh.

The 'Way with Words, Wicklow' event takes place in Arklow and Blessington Libraries from March to May of this year.

Led by Nell Regan, Wicklow County Council Literature Curator, 'Way with Words' is a Wicklow County Council initiative supported by Creative Ireland, in collaboration with Wicklow Arts Office and Library Services.

As well as the packed programme taking place in the libraries, writers and poets will be out and about visiting Men's Sheds, schools, community groups and working with creative writing groups all over the county.

'Way with Words, Wicklow' was due to kick-off with a day of free events for children and teens in Blessington Library last Saturday, March 3, but this had to be postponed due to the inclement weather. For details on when then will be rescheduled, contact the library through mbirchal@wicklowcoco.ie.

Highlights for Blessington in April and May include the 2016 Irish Times Poetry Now winner and Wicklow-born poet, Catriona O'Reilly, reading on Saturday, April 28, while on Friday, May 11, author and Irish Times columnist, Michael Harding, will talk about the 'Art of the Memoir'. He will also be visiting the local Men's Shed to swap stories over a cup of tea.

Way with Words' concludes in Blessington on May 12 with the winner of the 2017 Irish Independent Crime Book of the Year Award, Julie Parsons in conversation with Rose Barrett O'Donoghue.

In Arklow Library, 'Way with Words' will run from March 20 to March 24, the library will be buzzing with authors, readers, aspiring writers and illustrators of all ages.

Aspiring writers are encouraged to attend the first workshop with a view to setting up a creative writing group in Arklow Library. This session will be facilitated by Poet Jane Clarke on Tuesday, March 20.

'Way with Words' will officially launch at Arklow Library at 6.30 p.m. on Thursday, March 22. Special guest Michael Harding will discuss the 'Art of the Memoir' at 7.30 p.m. His latest book, 'On Tuesdays I'm a Buddhist' was an instant bestseller. Michael will also be visiting a local Men's Shed to swap stories over a cup of tea.

On Friday, March 23 at 1 p.m., local author Adele O'Neill will read from her latest thriller 'Behind a Closed Door'. Later on Friday evening, the winner of the 2015 Kerry Group Novel of the Year, Eoin McNamee, and Audrey Magee, the Wicklow novelist whose debut novel was shortlisted for the Bailey's Women's Prize for Fiction, will talk books. Join them as they each recommend and discuss five books for people to read. Recommend 10 is a must for all readers and would also make a great book club outing.

There is a range of exciting children's events on Saturday, March 24, including a children's storytelling session with Wexford native Joe Brennan and an illustration workshop for the under-6's with the award-winning author of the 'Mad Grandad' series, Oisin McGann. Children's Books Ireland Book Doctors will be in the library all morning talking with young readers and issuing prescriptions for a good read.

Poet Moya Cannon will facilitate an open-mike session at 2 p.m. which will include a signed poetry recital by the Library's Irish Sign Language Group.

Also, on Saturday, March 24, blogger, travel writer, social media manager and U Magazine's Social Activist 2017 Una-Minh Kavanagh will give a workshop 'Successful Blogging' for teens.

All events are free but booking is required. Tickets from Eventbrite.ie and in both Arklow and Blessington Libraries. Contact Arklow Library: Tel 0402 39977 or Blessington Library at 045 891740. Email arklowlibrary@wicklowcoco.ie or blesslibrary@wicklowcoco.ie. Facebook: @WicklowWayWithWords. Twitter: @WicklowWords.Bray author Emma Hannigan had fought cancer for over a decade when she slipped away on Saturday, during a storm with which she shared a name.

Emma spent her last weeks urging her followers and fans to raise money for Breast Cancer Ireland, so her final gift to the world was more than 100,000 in donations. Her funeral takes place today (Wednesday) at 11.30 a.m. in Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, Foxrock, before burial at Shangannagh Cemetery.

The Bray woman fought cancer time and time again, while campaigning for funds and awareness for charities.

She has also penned 14 beautiful books since 2010, some memoir and some touching on her experience of cancer.

Emma's works of fiction and non-fiction drew many thousands of fans. The stories and characters she invented had heart, sincerity, hope, and strength.

'Today, my Emma found peace,' her husband Cian McGrath wrote last Saturday.

'She bravely fought a battle against a foe with no mercy. Emma was the epitome of strength, love and generosity, beyond anything I have ever known.

'She loved her family, loved her friends, and she left a trail of glitter and joy throughout her life - with of course added tinsel at Christmas.

'She was my wife and soul-mate, mother of my beautiful children, a friend to many and an inspiration to thousands. A loving daughter, devoted mother, best-selling author, fundraiser, public speaker, chef, and shopaholic.

'She was my guiding star and my hug to say everything would be ok. But mostly she was just my Emma, and I would need her wonderful gift with words to tell you just how much I will miss her.'

To be a successful author was Emma's dream job, she said in an interview with the Bray People in 2012. Three years prior to that, her debut novel Designer Genes was published.

In 2005, the busy mother and chef found out that she had a rare cancer-carrying gene BrCa1. She had an 85 per cent chance of developing breast cancer and a 50 per cent chance of developing ovarian cancer. She opted to have her breasts and ovaries removed. Despite that, cancer struck in 2007 and launched an obstinate onslaught that continued for years. Bored in hospital, Emma put pen to paper and wrote Designer Genes, based on her own experiences.

'If I had never been ill, I may never have started writing books,' she said in 2012, during a period of remission.

She said then that it was the simple things in life that would bring her the most pleasure - like a sunny day in Bray, with Cian and their children. The couple had a whirlwind romance, and were engaged and married within a year of meeting.

Emma was utterly devoted to her family, her community, her readers, and her writing.

She took on the role of 'official ambassador to Bray' arising out of the town's pioneering Economic Think Tank, and she contributed tirelessly to fundraising and community projects.

She made the heartbreaking announcement two weeks prior to her death that her time was short. Dubray Books then said that they would donate the proceeds of her latest book 'Letters to My Daughter' to Breast Cancer Ireland. The book subsequently reached the top of the Irish book charts.

Emma also appealed for 4 text donations to the charity, by sending the word CURE to 50300.

'I promise it will help,' she said. 'Without new drugs I wouldn't have had the last 10 years with my family. Breast Cancer Ireland would be so grateful. I'm an ambassador for them but I haven't been able to do much.'

President Michael D Higgins is among the many people who have paid tribute to the author.

'Emma Hannigan leaves a lasting legacy not only through her work as a much-appreciated author but also through her exemplary courage in dealing with terminal illness,' he said. 'She will be remembered as a powerful advocate for Breast Cancer Ireland, a great cause worthy of all of our support. To her husband, Cian, her son, Sacha, and daughter, Kim, and to her wider family and circle of friends, Sabina and I send our deepest sympathies.'Farmer Danny Summers (right) shows Wicklow IFA Chairman Chris Hill and IFA President Joe Healy damage caused to one of his sheds due to the snow

The farming community throughout Wicklow was one of the worst hit by the snow and many farmers are still dealing with the fallout.

According to Wicklow IFA chairperson Chris Hill, there have been a variety of challenges presented to farmers since last Wednesday.

Danny Summers was one such farmer who welcomed IFA President Joe Healy to his farm on Monday to show the extent of damage caused to his cattle shed.

'I'm not getting too worried about it as the main thing is that nobody was hurt. Things can always be worse. The cattle were out feeding at the time which was very lucky. We will get it repaired in time and it will all be OK,' he said.

On a wider scale, Mr Hill said that those based in west Wicklow and the Roundwood areas were worst hit, but that animal welfare, property damage, water shortages and the dairy crisis have had a widespread impact.

'Down in Arklow and the south of the county we got off pretty lightly compared to those in west Wicklow but even on the outskirts of Arklow, farmers have been dealing with collapsed sheds and snow-covered land where animals needed feeding. In Roundwood, some farms were blocked with 15 foot snow drifts and struggled to get to their animals. In other areas across the county, frozen pipes have presented us with water shortages and many have yet to assess the damage as they are still under feet of snow,' he said.

Mr Hill said that while many farmers were in a position to use machinery to clear snow, others were not, such was the sheer volume of it.

In these cases, farmers who had to deposit bales of silage on foot were at risk of being caught in snow drifts or becoming stranded out on the land. One Donard-based farmer had to trek for eight miles in the snow to discover that he had lost 21 weanlings in a drift.

'There was huge danger to farmers who had to access animals. Sheep can only survive for so long under snow and many farmers would have had to walk the land trying to count them up,' he said.

'We are not geared up for this like other countries. We don't all have snow shoes and vehicles, so we have to make the best of it with what we have. Even those who had indoor lambing had to keep them alive and out of the chill,' he said.

Dairy farmers faced the added challenge of trying to deliver milk within the five-day food safety deadline, otherwise having to dump it.

'Milk cannot be processed after five days in storage so farmers tried to get to collection points to drop it off. It is welcome that Glanbia have announced compensation of 20 cent per litre for lost milk, which is about half of the real sale value but there is still an unfortunate loss for some,' he said.

Mr Hill said that while the thaw has yet to set in fully in many parts of the county, farmers are not out of the wood yet, as the risk of flooding looms.

'We could see flooding issues in some areas depending on how quickly the thaw comes. The fallout of the past few days will certainly be experienced by farming families for some time. Many would not have storm cover insurance and this would mean a very costly clean up operation for many.'The outdoor staff of Bray Municipal District did trojan work making many of the town's roads safer over the past week, while countless members of the public took up shovels to dig away at paths and driveways.

Random acts of kindness characterised the 'Big Snow' of 2018. Random acts of kindness, and bread. It's been eight years in the making, and some couldn't quite believe it was really happening, until they abandoned their cars on Killarney Road on Tuesday night in the first flurry. The panic-buying had set in that day. By close of business there wasn't a sliced pan to be got in the town. By Sunday, there wasn't a drop of milk either, or any fresh meat or veg.

In Bray, snow continued in to Wednesday, and while it stopped for a while on Thursday, everywhere was frozen solid.

A red alert kept everyone at home, or in the Harbour Bar, on Thursday night, with another big fall on Friday. Storm Emma and the Beast of the East had a right hoolie. Sea waters came right on to the promenade - the flood leaving behind stones and an array of sea creatures.

While Bray escaped the metre-high drifts of the uplands, things ground to a suitable halt nonetheless. Snowpeople and igloos quickly appeared, and anyone who could found a hill to slide down.

The worst affected by cabin fever amused themselves on Bray Open Forum with a trip down memory lane. A simple question posted on the Facebook group 'does anyone know if Quinsworth is open today', has had 1,000 responses. They range from 'I think Gubay's is open later', to Lapello's - Bray's first and only lap dancing emporium. These businesses, of course, no longer exist, and the thread baffled those new to the area or born after 1990.

On Friday afternoon, the queues for shops like the Centras on Boghall Road and Vevay Road were literally out the door, with little more than Doritos on the shelves.

Hundreds of volunteers around the entire county took to the roads to help keep everyone safe and well. From the civil defence, Order of Malta, and Coast Guard, to ordinary people who happened to have the appropriate vehicles or skills, or the teams volunteering to help the homeless, the people of Bray and County Wicklow proved their worth.

The thaw began on Sunday, but there is still much to be done. 'Snow tourists' are asked to avoid higher ground where there are still dangerous conditions. Wicklow County Council's severe weather co-ordination group is still working.

There was a small amount of flooding on Herbert Road as snow melted and there are fears of further flooding. Irish Water urge water conservation and temperatures are not expected to soar.

'The council wishes to sincerely thank the general public for the magnificent response to tackling the after effects of this unprecedented weather event,' they said in a statement. 'These efforts have significantly complemented the work of the Council teams and the other emergency agencies.'A senior Cork County Council official has said he hoped additional funding would be made available from central government to help cover the cost of road repair works in the wake of the recent bad weather.

Tom Stritch, the Council's director of roads services, said that it would take some time to assess the full total of the damage caused to Cork's road network by Storm Emma.

"As we receive reports over the coming days we will be able to put together an accurate picture of the damage caused and the cost of repairs," said Mr Stritch.

"So far, we have yet to get any reports of significant damage but that could change as the build up of snow and ice, particularly in rural areas, continues to recede over the coming days," he added.

Mr Stritch said it was important to note this was an ongoing problem with last week's storm only serving to exacerbate the damage caused by the prolonged bad weather over the course of the winter.

"There has been significant damage caused to many road surfaces and footpaths, many of which have suffered serious deterioration over recent months," he said.

"We will have to address this whole issue and would certainly be hoping that additional funding would forthcoming from the exchequer to help bolster our existing finances as a fuller and more comprehensive picture emerges."

Meanwhile, local politicians have been vocal in their calls for a supplementary budget to be put in place to help the Council repair damage to its roads network.

Cork East Fianna Fail TD Kevin O'Keeffe called on Transport Minister Shane Ross to come up with the necessary funding without delay.

"The freeze/thaw cycle will see widespread damage to roads and cracks will quickly become potholes under the weight of vehicles.The Minister needs to reassure Cork County Council that a supplementary budget will be made available to ensure roads are repaired and do not cause potholes damage to vehicles," said Deputy O'Keeffe.

He pointed out that while Council's roads allocation for 2018 was just 44 million, it was estimated that a one-off allocation of 548 was needed to "bring the county's roads up to scratch."

"Just a few weeks ago, the Dail unanimously accepted a Fianna Fail call for an increase in investment to local and regional roads. This is even more urgent now given the recent weather. The Minister needs to secure additional funding as a priority," he said.

Kanturk/Mallow area county councillor Cllr John Paul O'Shea (FG) echoed a point made by Mr Stritch, pointing out that roads across the county had been "severely damaged" over recent months as a direct result of the weather.

"It is clear that north Cork has experienced widespread damage, which has led to many people suffering sever hardship to their daily lives as their locals roads have, in some places, been ripped up by the bad weather," said Cllr O'Shea.

"If no additional support is forthcoming our roadworks and maintenance programmes for the year will be seriously impacted. If this is allowed to happen we will see many of our regional and local roads deteriorate even further over the coming months."It is "shocking and disappointing" that so many children in Cork and Kerry are being forced to wait long periods of time to be seen by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. That is the view of Kiskeam's Deputy Michael Moynihan (FF) who said that 747 children and adolescents in total in both counties are waiting, with 120 of them waiting longer than 18 months.

"There is a serious service gap in the Cork and Kerry area. Three in 10 children waiting across the country are in these two counties including 83 per cent of all those waiting longer than 18 months. There has been a long-standing crisis in CAMHS provision in these counties and the HSE is clearly still failing to address it," he said.

He pointed out that the central issue with the latest growing list lay with recruitment. "Figures my party received late last year showed that a staff complement of 1,237 is required for a full community CAMHS service but yet just 657 were in place in 2017. This gap between what is needed and what is in place is even more pronounced in Cork and Kerry where less than half of all posts have been filled to date," he said.

Deputy Moynihan said that until the HSE and the Government "get its act together" in terms of recruiting the necessary staff such as psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses and counsellors, these waiting lists will grow and grow.

On Wednesday, the President of the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, Dr John Hillery, addressed the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Future of Mental care on the issue of recruitment and retention of psychiatrists and trainee psychiatrists to Mental Health Services.

Dr Hillery said the College has closely examined the factors adversely affecting recruitment and retention to psychiatry in Ireland and adapted its training to maximise its attraction for trainees.

As a result, the trainee experience in psychiatry is highly positive as evidenced by the annual Medical Council survey which for two years running has seen psychiatry scoring highest of all 13 training bodies - with a particularly high sub-score for supervision, assessment, and feedback.

Dr Hillery said: "Regrettably we still face significant challenges when it comes to both filling training posts in Psychiatry and also in getting specialists to stay and fill Consultant posts. This is an issue across medicine in Ireland. We know a high percentage of new medical graduates intend to go overseas, drawn by a multitude of factors including a search for adventure; peer pressure; perception of better working conditions in some accessible countries; perception of better career opportunities in some accessible countries matched by a perception of poor health service conditions and career opportunities in our own country" Dr Hillery said: "It is hard to work out why many of the simple recommendations in these reports remain unimplemented as they have been well enunciated for many years."Kevin Rice and Mary Hickey will be among the 15 couples who are looking forward to taking to the dance floor at the Charleville Park Hotel on Saturday, April 7

It promised to be a night of great fun and laughter with a few surprises thrown in for good measure and it did not disappoint.

Dance fever struck the village of Killavullen with a vengeance last Saturday night as a huge crowd gathered at Magners Bar for the launch of the Strictly Ballygown at the Movies fundraiser.

The event has captured the imaginations of pupils, staff and parents at Ballygown NS, with 15 couples set to go head-to-head for bragging rights at the dance-off finale in the Charleville park Hotel on Saturday, April 7.

The event is just one in a series of fundraisers organised by the Board of Management and the Parents Association aimed at expanding the facilities at the rapidly expanding school.

As the identities of competitors had been kept a closely guarded secret up until last Saturday night, the launch gave people a chance see the pairings and get a taste of what the atmosphere will be like on the big night.

The chair of the events organising committee Richard Riordan, said the fact that so many people turned up for the launch was indicative of the strong community bond locally.

"When rural Ireland gets together it works. The buzz that this event has created was a great reminder to everyone that all is good and alive in rural Ireland," said Richard.

"While we have a clear fundraising objective, this event has become much more than that, people are now calling it a movement. With more than 800 people due come to the Charleville Park on April 7, this promises to be an unforgettable night in aid of a great cause," he added.

For more information about the event and how to but tickets visit www,facebook.com.strictltyballygown.Fer will forget the day that 'The Beast from the East' combined with storm Emma to leave swathes of the country covered in a blanket of snow and looking like a winter wonderland.

While most of the country hunkered down to ride out the storm in the comfort of their own homes, one couple from Macroom were determined to ensure that the weather would not put a damper on their big day.

Mia Bronotte and Davey Walsh were not going to let anything as trivial as a bit of snow and wind stop them from tying the knot last Friday - with the weather serving to provide them with the picture perfect backdrop for their white wedding.

While the couple, who met in Sydney three-years-ago, were forced to put their nuptials back from noon to 5pm, Mia said there was no way they were going to cancel the wedding as many family members had travelled all the way from her native Australia for the wedding.

As both she and Macroom native Davy live close to the town centre they and many of their guests were able to walk to the Castle Hotel to exchange vows and enjoy the reception - although Mia did have don her snow boots to get there.

"Most of the guests live locally so were able to turn up and some travelled from Cork City on the day to be with us. With all of the plans in place and about 60 guests turning up there was no way were ever going to cancel the wedding. You go ahead with what you have," said Mia.

She said that far from ruining the day, the weather made the occasion even more memorable.

"While it was always going to be a special day for Davey and myself, the snow made it that little bit extra special for everyone. I don't know what we would have had to have done to top it," laughed Mia.

"When we started planning our wedding there was no way that we could have imagined it would turn out like it did. It was just a fantastic day and there will not be many couples who will have a wedding photograph album likes ours," she said.

The couple are now set to holiday in much sunnier climes when they jet off to Teneriffe for their honeymoon.New figures have revealed that the price of land in Cork rose considerably during 2017 compared to the figure for the previous year.

That's according to the Irish Farmers Journal annual Land Price Report, which provides a comprehensive breakdown of agricultural land prices across each county.

It showed that the average price of agricultural land in Cork in 2017 stood at 11,444 per acre, an increase of 14% against the figure of 10,053 recorded for 2016.

The report showed that Cork also brought the most amount of land of any county to market during 2017 at 7,134 acres. However, thus figure was well back from 9,317 acres in 2016.

The report found that the dairy sector was the key driver behind the rise in Cork land prices, reflecting the demand from dairy farmers keen to source land.

Nationally, the report found that land prices were at their highest level for three years with the average price in the Republic for 2017 coming in at 9,088 per acre, up by 3.61% on the 2016 figure of 8,771.

This was the first time that the aver per-acre selling price had risen to over 9,000. The total value of land transactions was 313 million, representing a 5% year-on-year increase. The figure for recorded land sales stood at 33,864 acres or 43.2%of the 78,350 acres offered for sale during 2017.

During what was generally a strong year for land prices, the value per acre rose in 19 counties, with just seven seeing a decline.

The highest priced agricultural land could be found in Kildare at 14,020 per acre, with Leitrim the lest expensive at 4,596 per acre.

As in Cork, one of the key drivers behind the increase in land prices was dairy, with tillage, beef and sheep farmers lagging behind as the dairy drive pushed on following the abolition of milk quotas.

The report also listed non-farmers as a major source of competition for land in 2017, with an increasing number of businesspeople investing in land as asset.

While the amount of land sold last year increased, one of the most frequent observations from across the country was the scarcity of land to meet demand, another factor that has proven to be pivotal in increased prices. Some 13 counties recorded a supply reduction in 2017, a trend most noticeable in the border counties, which may be a direct reaction to Brexit amid the uncertainty surrounding cross-border trade.

Another driver behind land prices included the increasing numbers of farmers entering into long term leases for land with very little leased land coming back onto the market.

Forestry once again proved to be a big player, with lucrative premiums and tax-free income on clear fell meaning that pensions funds, private investors and farmers are increasing regarding forestry as a solid, low-risk investment. This has served to increase the base price of marginal land in many parts of the country.

The 11th annual Agricultural Land Price Report will be published with full analysis in this weeks Irish Farmer Journal.Services across Cork have, for the most part, returned to normal after Strom Emma saw large swathes of the county experience the worst snowfalls experienced for three decades.

Thanks to the combined efforts of county council workers, HSE staff and Irish Water personnel, disruption to services was largely kept to a minimum during the bad weather and have been gradually returning to normality over the past few days.

The HSE said that it expects the majority of its services to be back up and running this week but warned that the knock-on effects of Storm Emma may still be impacting on some of those.

A HSE spokesperson said they will be in contact with people to reschedule cancelled appointments but that they expected the backlog would be putting additional pressure on both emergency departments and hospital admissions for the remainder of the week.

"For that reason, the HSE is asking people to consider whether they really need to go to an emergency department and if there is an alternative service they can avail of such as the urgent care centre in Mallow," said the spokesperson.

"We have been working with the Gardai, local authorities, other emergency services and other agencies, and we would like to thank all those for their effort, which helped us to keep essential services running in difficult conditions."

Cork County Council said that staff worked through the week to deal with the impact of snow and ice, but warned that traffic restrictions may still be in operation in some elevated rural areas.

"We would continue to ask members of the public to exercise caution and never assume that a road is safe. We would also ask motorists to be aware that some road surfaces may have hidden potholes due to the impact of this prolonged period of cold weather," said a council spokesperson.

While some areas including Mallow, Fermoy Charleville did experience brief water shortages during the height of the storm, an Irish Water spokesman said that on the whole the North Cork region was relatively unaffected by the weather.

However, he did say some reservoirs had experienced low levels due to people leaving taps running to avoid freezing.

"We will continue to monitor the situation over the coming days and weeks and it may be necessary to impose restrictions on some supplies if reservoirs become depleted on order to avoid widespread outages," said the spokesman.

He said Irish Water was continuing to ask people to conserve water over the coming weeks as supplies are replenished.

"We would request that people not run taps unnecessarily, takes showers instead of baths, ensure that outside taps are securely turned off and check for leaks," said the spokesman.

He said that their contact centre was available 24/7 on 1850 278278 for customers to report outages and leaks.

"We would like to thank the public for their patience and support as we work to restore normal supplies as soon as possible."Aerial view as Macroom town and surrounding areas lie under a blanket of thick snow. Picture by John Delea

It was a case of all hell breaking loose countrywide when Emma clashed with the Beast and Duhallow was no exception with heavy snowfall and drifts up to a metre deep in places.

Some compared the snowstorm to the 1984 fall while older people remarked that it was as bad as the 1947 Big Snow when one of the coldest episodes of weather in living memory brought death, isolation, and hunger to the people of Ireland.

However, when the going gets tough the tough get going and, panicked by media warnings, the people of Duhallow were in preparation mode well ahead of the arrival of the cold blast.

From early Tuesday, determined shoppers stripped grocery stores of provisions, in particular the bread and milk staples. Sliced Pans were in huge demand and empty bread shelves were the order of the day in shops in Boherbue, Newmarket and Kanturk as staff frantically restocked as quickly as they could.

With the 4pm lock down time fast approaching on Thursday, people mounted an extra drive to fill up their cupboards before shops closed their doors.

On Thursday morning, traffic was congested and queues at tills in Kanturk were surreal with one man joking that it was "as bad as three Christmases put together".

Several shops got into the spirit of things by playing numbers such as 'Baby, It's Cold Outside' and 'Frosty the Snowman'.

Meanwhile, the run on fuel was unprecedented across the country and The Corkman spoke to John Casey of Casey Fencing and Fuels at Allensbridge, Newmarket, who said his large stocks of coal, timber and briquettes were "cleaned out".

Many were expecting the storm to begin at 4pm but it was around 9pm before the Beast began to batter North Cork.

On Friday morning people woke to an eerie calm with bumper snow falls and an almost complete absence of traffic except for a few hardy souls who essentially had the roads to themselves.

The Araglen River at Clamper Cross in Ballydesmond was completely frozen over and farmers all over the area were out and about trying to free out frozen water pipes and clear passages to enable them to take fodder to their cattle.

The inability of trucks to travel for milk collection and the increasing worry of fodder shortages were also worrying issues for many.

But every cloud has a silver lining and the children and young at heart adults were out in the thick of it constructing chirpy looking snowmen, spacious igloos and all manner of ingenious snow sculptures.

Locals in Western Duhallow were vocal in their praise of Kelly Brothers and their staff who worked from 6am until 10pm for several days clearing snow drifts from roads and passages within a ten mile radius of Ballydesmond.

People called in to their neighbours for a chat and a cuppa and essentially looked out for each other in a warm hearted manner that highlighted the wonderful community spirit that is the hallmark of Irish people everywhere.The community spirit was there by the bucket load from the volunteers of Mallow Charleville Red Cross during both the Beast from the East and Storm Emma.

Over 40 volunteers worked on a rota system and the strong team played a huge role in the 150 call outs tasked to it within the Cork area, resulting in almost 3,000 hours of volunteer duty during the recent storm.

Chairman David OSullivan has played a role in the Red Cross in his native town of Mallow for over three decades. When he isnt volunteering at the Red Cross, he also plays a key role as the Chief Emergency Management Officer in the HSE South.

The branch recently built a new ambulance base at the rear of the swimming pool in Mallow - prior to that they did not have their own ambulance base or building.

Previously, Mr. OSullivan told The Corkman, that it was very difficult not having a base, but now there is room for their five ambulances in a state of the art premises. He readily agreed that a phenomenal amount of work was undertaken to bring the project about.

As they did not receive any Government funding and are dependant completely on voluntary donations and their volunteers, the group put their shoulders to the wheel and wanted desperately to make their dream of having their own base a reality.

They approached the executives who sit on the JP McManus Fund, who listened to the group and carefully examined their proposal. It paid off as Mr. McManus executives gave them a significant amount of money which Mallow-Charleville Red Cross then had to match and which, ultimately, allowed them to start their project.

The new base which includes the site, building, engineers and a host of other fees, cost 380,000. All money raised came from the hard work of the Mallow-Charleville Red Cross volunteers.

They continue to fund-raise in order to pay for their new building.

In addition to attending various events in North Cork, they also have a very strong presence and work load within the Mid West region, where they undertake and complete multiple activities and duties.

What is truly amazing about the Mallow-Charleville Red Cross is that many of their volunteers then progress and enter the healthcare profession. Their past and current members have gone on to become medical surgical/doctors, nurses, advanced paramedics and paramedics.

When the volunteers rolled up their sleeves during both the Beast from the East and Storm Emma, they etched out a slice of history for themselves by the acknowledgement that their voluntary work effort was the greatest in the history of Mallow Charleville Red Cross with the most significant volume of call outs and taskings for one individual Branch and Unit within the entire country of Ireland.

The smiles were there by the many North Cork and Mid West patients who were carried safely to hospital; to patients brought for dialysis and chemotherapy; to carers brought to the homes of elderly people.

In addition, nurses from rural Duhallow, North Cork and the Mid West were collected at their homes and brought to work and home again; as was a doctor from Ballincollig who got to attend to and care for patients in Mallow General Hospital. All of this is solely down to the volunteers who consistently put their shoulder to the wheel and who time and time again help out their community.During a moving exchange in Francis Lawrence's white-knuckle espionage thriller, a sickly mother embraces her daughter, who has been conscripted into an elite Russian spy programme under the auspices of patriotism.

'Hold something back. Don't give them all of you. That's how you survive,' tearfully whispers the matriarch.

Jennifer Lawrence gives all of herself - physically and emotionally - to the demanding title role of this high-stakes game of post-Cold War cats and mice, torn from the pages of Jason Matthews's award-winning novel.

The Oscar winner exposes every inch of her body in scenes of masterful seduction and sickening subjugation, including multiple sexual assaults and stomach-churning bouts of torture.

It's certainly not a film for the squeamish - the camera lingers on the aftermath of snapped bones and one sadistic sequence involving a skin grafting device is the stuff of nightmares.

Lawrence weathers these bone-crunching blows, then shatters her character's soul to smithereens when she thinks no one is looking, in the service of a tightly woven narrative, threaded with betrayal and daring double-crosses.

Crucially, it's predominantly women who decide grim fates, employing guile and intelligence to outwit men in suits and military uniforms, who have grown fat and complacent on the illusion that they wield power.

Dominika Egorova (Lawrence) is a prima ballerina at the Bolshoi Theatre, who pirouettes to finance the medical care of her mother (Joely Richardson).

The dancer suffers a horrendous injury on stage and three months later, as she hobbles through recovery, Dominika receives an unwelcome visit from her uncle Vanya (Matthias Schoenaerts), deputy director of the Russian Intelligence Service.

He press-gangs his niece into the top-secret Sparrow project, which moulds attractive recruits into weaponised assets to strike at the heart of Western governments. Before Dominika can complete her training, she is despatched to Budapest to dupe seasoned CIA operative Nathaniel Nash (Joel Edgerton), the only person who knows the identity of a mole codenamed Marble within the Kremlin.

Nash is wise to the Russian plan and believes he can turn Dominika against her motherland.

Red Sparrow is a muscular and engrossing thriller which revels in the tantalising disconnect between actions and words.

Plot mechanics are well-oiled thanks to Matthews's source material - the author was a clandestine operations officer for the CIA Consequently, screenwriter Justin Haythe concentrates on visualising mind games and daring power plays that leave us in the dark about characters' ulterior motives.

The film soars on the wings of Lawrence's fearless performance and the sterling support of Edgerton and Rampling, the latter irresistibly chilling as Matron of the Sparrow programme, who tutors charges in the art of sexual warfare.

'Every human being is a puzzle of need. You must become the missing piece and they will tell you anything,' she purrs.

Unravelling the mysteries of Francis Lawrence's puzzle picture is a nail-biting treat.Madonna's hit, Frozen, reached the top of the UK charts this week 20 years ago, and number 4 in Ireland

Two years after Madonna starred as Eva Peron in Evita, she was back with a new perspective and new, seventh studio album 'Ray Of Light'.

'Frozen', which has nothing to do with the smash-hit 2013 movie of the same name, was released as the lead single and quickly found favour with fans, and in the charts.

A No. 1 in the UK chart from 20 years ago above (and No. 4 in Ireland), it reached number 2 in the US, the sixth track by Madonna to peak at the number two position in the Billboard Hot 100, overtaking Elvis's record of most number-two hits.

In 2005 in Belgium 'Frozen' landed Madonna in hot water as a judge ruled the opening four-bar theme had been plagiarised from the song 'Ma Vie Fout le Camp' ('My Life's Getting Nowhere'), by Salvatore Acquaviva. As a result, the Madonna song was banned from a region where it had previously reached No. 3 in the charts. The ruling was overturned in 2014, lifting the Belgian ban.

1 Frozen - Madonna

2 My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion

3 Brimful of Asha - Cornershop

4 The Ballad of Tom Jones - Space feat Cerys

5 Truly Madly Deeply - Savage Garden

6 Doctor Jones - Aqua

7 How Do I Live - Leann Rimes

8 Show Me Love - Robyn

9 Be Alone No More - Another Level

10 Who Am I - Beenie ManThere are people from all over the region working in different places all over the world.

But how many spend their daily lives helping prisoners in a jail in Santiago, Chile!

That's the life of remarkable Ardee nun, Columban Sister Angela McKeever who has spent most of her religious life in Chile, decades working with prisoners.

Her remarkable story is told in the latest edition of 'Far East' and Sr Angela gives a great insight into her calling.

She has just completed 40 years in the country and 25 years visiting the 'Peni' - the oldest jail in Santiago.

It was built about 1820 and was supposed to be for 500 men. Today, there are 5,000 in the place and up to a few years ago, the figure was 7,000.

But each day Sr Angela attends and does her best to help the men, many addicted to drink and drugs. Others make weapons for fights and gang warfare is rife.

Angela works with other religious groups, allowed to enter the cells and exercise area.

There is also a women's section and Angela recalls meeting an inmate who said her seven sons were in the men's jail at the same time.

Angela was in Chile when a terrible fire broke out in the jail, some 81 men killed in the 2010 blaze.

'On the whole, jail is a cruel place steeped in darkness. We go there bringing some hope and light from the word of God. At times you do meet some who want to come out of the darkness and change their hearts of stone and walk in the light of God. So we keep on going, keep on hoping, keep on praying for those prisoners.'

Angela has written about 'rivers of pain and suffering which flow through the prison cells' and although doing great work in the jail, the men soon return after they are released.

She remarked, "My hopes have been dashed so many times; it's only by God's grace we keep going. It is by faith in him, who loves the very worst of these prisoners, that we find deep peace and a joy in reaching out to these men.' Sr Angela joined the Columban Sisters in 1966 and after her profession trained as a nurse in London.St Peter's Parish is hosting a number of talks in respect of healing and peace, in Our Lady of Lourdes Church on each Sunday of Lent at 7pm.

March 11th - Katie Ascough - A former pressdent of the UCD students union, Katie is a vocal advocate of retaining the 8th Amendment of the Irish Constitution. Katie recently won the Westminster Award for Human life, Human Rights and Human Dignity.

March 18th - Rev Daniel Nuzum - A minister in the Church of Ireland - Rev. Daniel is a Chaplain to University College Cork where he also acts as supervisor to the Chaplaincy training programme CPE. Rev Daniel has worked on the national frame work on the treatment of patients who suffer miscarriage.

March 25th - Elaine Mahon - A mother and a teacher by profession - Elaine is the Author of the Catholic religious curriculum 'Grow in Love'. Elaine has a wonderful sense of how the Church can communicate its message to the world of 2018 with respect and dignity.

Weekly Lenten Lunches

St Peters (Church of Ireland), Parish Hall, Peters St, Drogheda are running their tenth year of a series of lunches, on each Wednesday during Lent for the benefit of Drogheda Homeless Aid.

They will be offering a choice of tasty soups, sandwiches and tea or coffee, each Wednesday between 12:30pm and 2:30pm in return for a suggested donation of 6 for adults and 3 for children.

All ingredients for the lunches and costs are completely sponsored by businesses and individuals in the local community and as a result the entire proceeds will go towards Drogheda Homeless Aid.

Collon concert cancelled

The evening with Eugene Ginty and friends, arranged for last Sunday at Collon Church has been re-arranged to Sunday 15th April at 7pm. It will be the same programme and performers.

Floral Art table quiz

Drogheda & District Floral Art Group invite you to a Table Quiz on Tuesday 13th March at 8pm, in the Holy Family Community Centre, Ballsgrove. The quiz master will be the very humorous Christopher O'Brien-Lynch. Everyone Welcome.

Soroptimists donations

Last week at their meeting, Drogheda Soroptimists were able to make contributions of 1000 each to Carrie Crowley from Women's Aid and Danielle Lambe from Childline.

Dunleer Historical agm

Formed back in 2012, D&DHS will hold their 6th A.G.M. in Connors Lounge, Main Street, Dunleer on Wednesday night, 14th March next at 8.00pm.

The Society can look back on another eventful year. Among the highlights was the Annual Outing on 11th June last to Kilmainham Gaol and Farmleigh House & Estate. D&DHS took part in Pride of Place on 15th August and later in the month Eanna Ni Lamhna visited Dunleer during Heritage week for a very enjoyable walk and talk on the various shrubs and trees around the village. Also during Heritage week, Eoghan Mac Giolla Coda gave a talk on the Honey Bee in Listoke House and there was a showing by Noel Marry of his dvd "wild in the wee county" in St. Brigid's Hall.

The third Padraig Faulkner Memorial Lecture was given by Fr.Michael Murtagh in October last, which featured the life and times of J. P. Ogle Kelly and his wife Margaret Russell.County councils in Louth and Meath, members of the emergency services and big hearted farmers - with even bigger tractors - are being hailed as the heroes of last week's 'once in a generation' snow event that gripped the region and large parts of the country.

Many stories of neighbourly support have abounded since the snows began to melt, ending a testing few days, especially for those in key areas, such as Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and home carers.

One of the most dramatic incidents involved the local fire service who were called out early on Friday to dig ambulances out of the snow near Ardee.

Drogheda Coastguard were busy throughout the period and their first call out was for their 4x4 to deliver supplies to a family who's fresh running water was broken and were snowed into their home.

Fresh drinking water and other essentials were supplied by Drogheda Fire service, and delivered to the family by the Drogheda Coast Guard land unit.

Louth County Council, the HSE and An Garda Siochana under the Major Emergency Management structure kicked into action as the initial snows arrived on Wednesday.

As conditions worsened on Tuesday, the council applied 180 tonnes of salt/grit in 24 hours, an aggregate total of 1,632km of roads treated, involving 4 gritting vehicles and 6 ploughing vehicles

Gritting Crews operated during Wednesday night and used a total of 220 tonne or rock salt gritting an aggregate of 1,780 kilometres of National, Regional and town centre roads. Outdoor teams re-commenced the clearing of footpaths in Dundalk Drogheda and Ardee on Thursday.

The Red warning prevented them from working on Thursday night into Friday but they were back on the streets by 8.30am on Friday.

One of the biggest issues the council workers came across when trying to clear roads on Friday were abandoned vehicles.Louth startup companies are being encouraged to enter the National Startup Awards powered by Bank of Ireland and Enterprise Ireland which were officially launched last week by Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys, TD.

The competition recognises and rewards Irish startups for their success in business across 15 categories.

The overall winner will walk away with a prize of 10,000 and the best early stage startup will receive 5,000 to further grow and develop their businesses.

In 2017, two Louth based startups featured at the awards. GECKO Governance was shortlisted in the FinTech Startup category and Tech Startup category and walked away with silver in the FinTech category. BikesBooking.com was shortlisted in the Service Startup category.

The competition, now in its seventh year, has become a pivotal date in the Irish startup calendar. The best and brightest startup companies are recognised at a national level for their dedication, resilience and perseverance and for contributing so much to the nation's economy.

The competition is open to companies and organisations across all sectors which have been operational for up to five years.

There are three key stages to the competition with qualifying entries first shortlisted by region and then nationally. To enter or nominate someone for a National Startup Award visit www.startupawards.ie and submit your application by Thursday March 22nd.

Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland said: 'Enterprise Ireland is partnering with the National Startup Awards to give businesses with the potential to scale internationally the opportunity to be catapulted onto a national stage at a crucial time in their progression and development. Entrepreneurship is fundamental to the national and regional economy and job creation, and I encourage ambitious start-ups to submit their applications in the coming weeks.'

Ingrid Halpin, Head of Bank of Ireland, County Louth, commented: 'We look forward to supporting this year's entries from young companies that are making a difference to how we all live, work and play and I am encouraging all Louth startups to enter this years awards.'

To enter or nominate someone for a National Startup Award visit www.startupawards.ie and submit your application by Thursday 22 March.

Entry is free and is open to sole traders, partnerships and companies that have been set up in Ireland and that are in business for five years from date of incorporation or less at the closing date, with up to 30 employees.

The regional finals will take place during April with the national Awards taking place in Dublin on Thursday, 17th May, 2018.Annagassan Harbour is going to close in the 'foreseeable future' and local councillor Pearse McGeough says that is a disgrace. He has long campaigned for something to be done with the ancient harbour, which has silted up.

He says fishermen will just not be able to operate from Annagassan anymore.

Efforts to sort out the problem have been hindered by the fact that the harbour is close to two Natura 2000 sites (Dundalk Bat SAC and Dundalk Bay SPA).

Because of that, the council have been in contact with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the EPA and if works are to take place, it will require an Environmental Impact Statement, at a cost of 135.000. The council say they just don't have the funds for it.

Council Engineer Pat Finn told an Ardee area meeting that the harbour has been dredged in the past but at the moment, they were at a 'full stop' due to costs.

Cllr McGeough said there had been a proposal to flush the scour pipe if it could be repaired.

Cllr Liam Reilly said coastal erosion may be playing a part and could funding be extended for the harbour works.

The issues with Annagassan harbour date back decades, a report from 1930 on the future of the facility stating that silting was a problem.

The national Ports and Harbour tribunal visited the quay and held a Sitting in Annagassan on January 25th, 1927. One of the present day problems of silting in the quay was also referred to and diversion of the river Glyde into the harbour, to act as a scouring agent-a suggestion that invokes a good deal of controversy even today-was suggestetd by the Tribunal.

Members of the Harbour Commissioners. Mr. S. J. Harmon, secretary: Matthew Clinton, chairman, and Mr. C. D. King, gave evidence to the tribunal.

The quay, then 100 ft. in length was constructed in 1914 at a cost of 6.668.

Part of the money, 1,325 was put up by the Dept. of Agriculture and Fisheries because of the local fishing industry, but the Tribunal found that fishing had diminished over the years, and the harbour was used mainly for the import of coal and the export of timber.

Statistics were listed for the five years from 1923 to 1928 and revealed the busiest year was 1925 with 37 vessels, with a total tonnage of 5.324, visited the harbour. But with the closure of the brewery in Castlebellingham, which used half the coal trade through the harbour, it started to decline.

The tribunal concluded that the harbour was of very limited importance either from a commercial or fishery point of view. It had value to one merchant, and to farmers in the immediate area who carted their own coal, and the Tribunal added that if it was felt that in the interests of the locality that the harbour should he maintained that the co. council should be empowered to take over and work it as a Council responsibility.

WHAT was described as the death knell for the harbour came in 1979 when the Annagassan Harbour Board was dissolved and its powers handed over to Louth County Council.

The board met once during the term of the previous council following pressure from locals, but had not convened for more than 20 years before that.

Colr Nicholas McCabe told members of the Minister's intention and county secretary Brendan Hoey explained that the problem with the board was that it had no administrative staff and no funds.

He pointed out that the county council must be vested with the board's powers if it was to spend money on it, but councillors kept an open mind on the possibility of establishing a sub committee within the council to look after the affairs of the harbour.

Independent Louth CC member Colr Hugh Conlon claimed the rights of the people of Annagassan were being undermined. If the board had not met for some years it was the fault of the members, Colr Conlon said, adding that there were plenty of people in Annagassan who would like to sit on such an authority.Even the snow plough needed a helping hand on the N2 at Koockacleva, Collon on Friday. Picture: Declan Monaghan

The lack of gritting on certain routes has also been highlighted as a result of the snows.

Residents in Ballymakenny, Cockle road, Clogherhead and Termonfeckin said that gritters needed to be deployed in those areas as well as the stretches closer to the main towns.

'Are we not part of the electorate? Drogheda is 7 miles from me with 6 miles of road not on the gritting routes.

'Surely if the planners agree for developers to build large housing estates in what were once small villages then Louth County Council should be obligated to support those trying to get to work. Seems they agree to these developments with no thought about the transport infrastructure,' angry locals told the Drogheda Independent.

Calls have also been made for the likes of Tullyallen to be gritted in poor weather.

Both Louth and Meath County Councils had gritters out late at night and in the early mornings, but say that they have to work within the resources they have.

Cllr Paddy Meade also called for the Donore-Bru na Boinne stretch to be added as the route was to a world renowned centre.

Ardee station

Contingency plans were put in place around the entire county to meet the challenges the storm threw up.

Ardee Fire Station was manned full-time for a period to reduce the risk to firefighters having to respond to the fire station in the event of a call before mobilising to an incident.

Meridian help

Ardee firm Meridian Security were working in the immediate Ardee area . They prioritised calling to elderly people at no cost.

Meade Agri

One private contractor that came to the help of people in the Lobinstown district was Kevin Meade Agri who had snow ploughs and were previously employed by Dublin Airport and currently sub contracted by the NRA on the M3.Margaret Walker, representing the local group, presenting a cheque for 4,500 to Feileacain, represented by Trevor and Krystle Hunt, proceeds of a coffee morning held in The Presentation Centre. The presentation was made in Dawsons Lounge

The fruits of quite a bit of hard work were handed over to a worthy cause recently as a local group presented a cheque for 4,500 to Feileacain.

Feileacain (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Association of Ireland) was founded to offer support to anyone affected by the death of a baby during pregnancy or shortly after. The organisation was formed by a group of bereaved parents who supported each other and have now set themselves the task of formally supporting others in similar situations across the country.

Locally Margaret Walker and her team of volunteers have done great work for the organisation, raising money through events such as sponsored walks, coffee mornings and church gate collections. They were delighted with the amount raised and were even more delighted to hand over the fruits of their labour to Trevor and Krystle Hunt from Feileacain.

'We would like to offer a very sincere thank you to each and every person that had any hand, act or part in raising this money for such a worthy cause,' said Margaret. 'We're delighted with the level of generosity shown.'Andrew Kehoe of Ballindaggin being collected by his nephew Private Richard Walsh, a member of the Defence Forces, to be transported to the Wellstone Renal Centre in Drinagh, Wexford. Also pictured is Holly, the family Yorkshire Terrier

Members of the Defence Forces saved lives in County Wexford by ensuring that patients trapped in inaccessible areas were transported to hospitals and clinics for critical treatments.

Members of the 3rd Infantry Battalion from Stephens Barracks in Kilkenny also brought nurses to work in Wexford General Hospital and to nursing homes from snowed-in locations during the storm.

One of those who had reason to be grateful for the Army is Andrew Kehoe (62), a dialysis patient from Monbeg, Ballindaggin who was transported twice by Defence Forces jeep.

The Ballindaggin man was brought to the Wellstone Renal Centre in Drinagh and Waterford University Hospital for crucial treatment.

Andrew who has been receiving dialysis treatment for a few years, usually travels three times a week to his appointments in a car arranged by the HSE but this wasn't possible as Ballindaggin was one of the worst affected areas in the early part of last week.

On Wednesday last, he was collected in an Army 4x4 which was coincidentally driven by his nephew, Private Richard Walsh who also lives in Ballindaggin and brought home following his treatment in Drinagh.

On Friday, he was expecting to be picked up by the Civi Defence but conditions were so bad, it wasn't possible to reach him and he was contacted by the Wellstone Clinic on Friday night with the news that the Army was sending lorries to collect 16 people early the following day, Saturday.

Andrew was eventually brought to Waterford University Hospital by Red Cross Ambulance at 7.30 p.m. on Saturday night, along with another County Wexford patient and a nurse going to work. He received dialysis treatment there until 2.30 am and was transported back home by the Defence Forces on Sunday, much to the relief of himself and his family.

The Defence Forces were tasked as an aid to the HSE and the local authority during the severe weather conditions with the 3rd Infantry Battalion deployed in mobility and transportation roles including the collection of patients for dialysis treatment and dropping nurses to hospitals and care homes.

Army personnel used 4X4 vehicles and also snowplough and logistics vehicles in a range of tasks to support the primary response agencies and local authorities.

Almost 100 Defence Forces personnel and 30 vehicles were deployed in Wexford, Kilkenny, Waterford, Meath, Cork, Kerry, Kildare, Dublin and Donegal.

'The majority were used in support of the HSE ensuring that key staff could get to hospitals and nursing homes. We assisted palliative care nurses reaching the patients in the community as well as transporting the likes of dialysis patients to essential treatments', said a Defence Forces spokesman.

The Army also supported An Garda Siochana in mobility operations, helping county councils to clear roads and providing meals on wheels services.

Enniscorthy-based Minister of State with responsibility for Defence Paul Kehoe commended the work of the Defence Forces and the Civil Defence during

'There has been an important collaboration between the Defence Forces and primary response agencies such as the HSE. This has meant that patients were able to receive the care they need during Storm Emma', said Minister Kehoe. He said the Defence Forces ceased conducting non-essential operations such as clearing snow and ice at 4pm last Thursday and were available instead for 'in Extremis' situations of life and death.The countdown to one of the county's best traditional music festivals has officially started with the annual table quiz fundraiser for the Skerries Trad Weekend which returns to the coastal town in May.

Supporters and friends of the festival turned up in numbers recently to Keane's Bus Bar in Skerries for the annual fundraising quiz to support the festival which proved to be a big success.

The festival itself returns to Skerries in May on the weekend from Friday, May 18 to Sunday, May 20 and promises to be one of the highlights of the traditional music calendar in Fingal where the traditional music scene is always vibrant and thriving.

Already, festival organisers have nailed down the opening act for the May weekend of traditional music and it's an eye-catching one.

Headlining the opening concert of the weekend on May 18, will be traditional music supergroup, 'KGB'.

The group are made up of Paddy Keenan, one of Ireland's finest pipers and a founding member of the Bothy Band, who is joined by Frankie Gavin of De Dannan fame, one of Ireland's greatest fiddle players and finally, Dermot Byrne who is one of the country's most outstanding according players who played for many years with Altan.

Further details of the always impressive line-up for the festival will emerge over the coming weeks and months.A 15-year-old from Swords who attends St Michael's House has helped out in the organisation's 10th annual 'Bring a Book, Buy a Book' fundraising campaign and for his troubles, he got to meet with none other than Late Late Show presenter and well known fan of the written word, Ryan Tubridy.

Isaac Findley (age 15), St Michael's House service user from Swords, and he took part in the launch of this year's Bring a Book, Buy a Book' campaign which coincides with World Book Week.

At the in RTE Studios, Late Late Show presenter Ryan Tubridy was joined by St. Michael's House service users, Isaac Findley (age 15) from Swords and Katie McRory-Lyons (age 14) from Santry.

To coincide with 'Bring a Book, Buy a Book' campaign, St Michael's House has carried out research to examine the publics' attitudes towards reading and technology. The results reveal that 70% of Irish people are reading less now than they were ten years ago. The survey also revealed that, despite the fact that many organisations, including the Department of Education offer information about how to protect your child from dangers associated with online activity, more than 90% of parents are still worried about internet safety and more than 80% feel there is a lack of awareness.

The results also revealed that as reading time decreases for Irish children, screen-time on devices such as tablets and smartphones, was on the rise, with 68% of parents stating that their children had their own device. Almost one in four children, (23%) are now using the device as part of their bedtime routine; it's popularity emphasised by the fact parents stated that more than half of children (55%) prefer screen time to reading.

Barbara Wiseman, Head of Communications St Michael's House, commented: 'We are thrilled to celebrate the 10th anniversary of our 'Bring a Book, Buy a Book' campaign. In 2018, the campaign was first piloted with 15 different locations and since then has enjoyed growing success with over 200 locations taking part in 2017. We are delighted to report that over 113,000 books were successfully swapped by book lovers since 2008.'

'Bring A Book, Buy A Book' encourages schools, businesses and communities to donate their second hand books which can then by bought by their peers for just 2 per book. St. Michael's house wants parents to encourage their children to close a screen and open a book.An Aer Lingus cabin crew member from Swords had a 'hugely rewarding' experience, seeing at first hand the value of the airline's partnership with UNICEF

Naula Byrne from Swords recently joined some of her Aer Lingus colleagues as a UNICEF Ambassador on a trip to India to see where the money raised by the long-standing partnership between Aer Lingus and UNICEF is spent.

Nuala said: 'I travelled recently to India with Aer Lingus as a UNICEF ambassador to see where the money Aer Lingus Guests donate on board through our Change For Good Appeal is spent. This was a hugely rewarding and special field trip.'

Nuala travelled with fellow cabin crew members, Kate Ryan, Hannah Downey and Therese Griffin. Last year, the Change for Good initiative which encourages Aer Lingus passengers to contribute their leftover change in foreign currency to the appeal for UNICEF, raised some 1 million for the organisation. Since the initiative started, it has raised over 21 million for UNICEF.

In January of this year, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Liam Neeson thanked Aer Lingus staff and passengers for the extraordinary sums the initiative has raised over 20 years. Aer Lingus supports UNICEF Ireland as a charity partner. In February, Aer Lingus UNICEF Ambassadors, including Nuala travelled to Delhi, Agra and Firozabad, and met with UNICEF workers on the ground in the Uttar Pradesh region.A timely donation will be made this week from the North Dublin Regional Drugs and Alcohol Task Force to Focus Ireland as the biting cold weather is felt worst by those without a roof over their heads.

The task force will present a cheque for around 5,200 to the homeless charity which was raised last October by a few hardy volunteers who had to endure some inclement weather themselves as they slept out in the rain in Floraville Park in Skerries.

Siobhan Maher, the task forces' Family Support Specialist will hand over the cheque to Focus Ireland on Thursday, in Swords.

Siobhan Maher works for the task force as a family support specialist, providing a range of supports for families dealing with substances abuse.

Speaking to the Fingal Independent back in October during the sleep-out which she and other volunteers from the task force and elsewhere, Siobhan said she encounters homelessness daily in her work: 'There are more families coming in to us living in hotels now than anything else.

'Even during the week when I was collecting sponsorship for this, people were talking about rough sleepers but it's not just about the rough sleepers, it's about the people living in hotels as well and the children living in hotels.

'Children are being deprived of a childhood while they are homeless. We are seeing those families all the time. Sometimes there are drug and alcohol issues there and sometimes there isn't but when there is, living like that doesn't make it any easier and it's an added stress.

'It can exacerbate a habit because there is no light at the end of the tunnel for a lot of these people. They are on housing lists for God knows how long and in the meantime they are trying to raise their family in one hotel room - it's crazy.'

Bracing herself for the night of rough sleeping that laid ahead of her, Siobhan said: 'It is my first time to do this - my first time sleeping out, actually. I am a little bit apprehensive but you know what, I can do it for one night because there are people who have to do it all the time so I will grin and bear it. It's a little thing for me to do but hopefully we will raise a lot of money and a lot of awareness.'

Well her hopes were justified and the sleep-out has managed to raise a lot of money and awareness. That money is needed more than ever with the recent cold snap that hit the homeless more than anyone else. While the sleep-out is over and the cheque is handed over, you can still support the spirit of the task force's efforts by donating to Focus Ireland yourself and now is a very good time to do it. Well done to all who took on the sleep-out and raised such a healthy sum and no doubt, they will be at it again later in the year.A Guatemalan mother who was caught with shirts soaked in cocaine valued at 179,000 in her luggage at Dublin Airport has been jailed for three years after her case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Gardai giving evidence at the court revealed a chemical process would later have been used to extract the cocaine from the shirts.

Keila Pineda Lopez (29), of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of cocaine for sale or supply at Dublin Airport on November 22, 2017. She has no previous convictions.

Garda Michael Higgins told Derek Cooney BL, prosecuting, that Lopez was intercepted by customs officers at Dublin Airport after travelling from Brazil. Her luggage tested positive for cocaine and it was found there were 20 identical shirts soaked with cocaine.

Gda Higgins told the court that the cocaine could be extracted from the shirts at their intended destination using a chemical process. He accepted that Lopez would have had no knowledge of this process.

The shirts were analysed and the cocaine that would have been extracted from them estimated to have a street value of 179,550.

Lopez told gardai she had been approached in her home country and offered 3,000 to transport the drugs.

She said she was to be paid on her return and made some allegations of threats. Gardai accepted there had been a mixture of inducement and coercion involved in Lopez's participation in the offence.

Lopez had little English and had been given a note to give to a taxi driver with the name of a hostel on it, where she was to wait for further instructions.

She made full admissions and co-operated fully with the investigation.

Gda Higgins said Lopez had been very honest about her role and was worried about her family.

Padraic Dwyer SC, defending, said his client was a mother of one child who she had as a teenager and left school to support. She has worked as a waitress and cashier.

He submitted that her reward for this offence was to be small and there had been some coercion.

He asked the court to take into account her guilty plea, co-operation with the gardai, her remorse and the fact she will be serving her sentence as a foreign national with little prospect of visitors.

He said she was using her time in custody well to educate herself to improve her employment chances and said her prospects for rehabilitation were excellent.

Counsel submitted this offence was at the lower end of the scale and asked the court to impose as light a sentence as possible to allow her return home to her child.

Judge Melanie Greally noted a letter from Lopez in which she outlined that she regretted her actions and understood the consequences of the activity in which she was engaged.

Lopez said she had learned a lesson and would not re-offend.

Judge Greally said the circumstances of the case allowed her to depart from the presumptive minimum sentence of ten years applicable to this offence and she imposed a three-year sentence to date from when Lopez went into custody.Local Fianna Fail TD, Darragh O'Brien says the Government is failing to crack down on crime in Fingal, and needs to come up with new measures to protect communities in the North County.

The Fianna Fail party brought forward a motion in the Dail this month calling for additional Garda numbers across Dublin city and county. Fianna Fail used its Private Members time in the Dail to highlight the decrease in Garda resources in the Capital.

Deputy O'Brien explained, 'It's no coincidence that there has been a spike in crime in parts of Fingal which have seen their local Garda station either closed, operating on a part-time basis or without a Garda presence altogether.

There has been a steady decline in the number of Gardai stationed in Fingal and across Dublin which must be reversed. Donabate and Portane; a population of over 11,000 remains without any Garda presence.'

Speaking prior to a public meeting he hosted on the subject of crime in Fingal which was held in Malahide, last week, Deputy O'Brien said: 'We are calling for additional resources for Gardai and are also seeking additional measures to crackdown on repeat offenders. We want to see electronic monitoring a condition of bail for anyone convicted of a serious offence in the previous 10 years.

'These measures, coupled with additional CCTV, will help prevent criminals from targeting vulnerable people.'At the Bake-off final at Gorey Community School, front row: judge Richard Donohoe (Staffords Bakeries), 1st prize junior section, Beth OHara; school principal, Michael Finn; runner-up junior section, Mia Kinsella; judge, Brigid Kirwan (XL Gorey). Back, deputy principal, Stella Keogh; teacher, Jackie Meehan; teacher, Gail Redmond; 1st prize senior section, Ruby Levingstone; runner-up senior section, Andrea Kinsella with teachers, Marian Kavanagh, Eimear Whelan and Imelda Browne

Sweet smells lingered the corridors of Gorey Community school last week as the students got creative for the annual Great Gorey Community School Bake Off.

They enlisted the expertise from locally renowned baker Richard Donohoe from Staffords Bakery and Bridget Kirwan to judge the fruits of their efforts.

Ten junior cycle students and four senior cycle students had to serve a batch of scones and decorated cupcakes in the space of two and a half hours.

The event was sponsored by Stafford's Bakery, Alder's Jewellers, Pettitt's SuperValu, Osbourne's Daybreak, Applegreen, Mace, XL Bridge Stores, Funge's of Gorey, Yong Fu, Inspire and the Parent's Association.

The students showed great creativity as they produced some mouth-watering scones and cupcakes. The judges had to deliberate at length, but they finally chose Beth O'Hart as the winner in the junior section for her tear and share garlic, chive and cheese scones and lemon meringue cupcakes, and Ruby Levingstone secured first place in the senior section for her leek and cheese scone and Game of Thrones dragon inspired cupcakes.

Both students received a 100 cash prize and a Chrysalis bracelet. The participants were all given a goodie bag for taking part which included a bracelet.

The judges awarded second place in the junior section to Mia Kinsella. In the senior section, second place went to Andrea Kinsella.A South Wicklow secondary school was represented on a charity trip to Malawi organised by Irish development charity Gorta-Self Help Africa.

Roisin Byrne and Alanna Davidson-Gahan who attend Colaiste Bhride, Carnew, along with teacher Sinead Finlay travelled to Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi and on to the Balaka district in the southern part of the sub-Saharan country.

They were part of a group of 20 teenagers from across Ireland to take part in the visit where they saw first-hand, some of the biggest challenges affecting people in rural Africa. During their trip, organised by the Development Education unit at Gorta-Self Help Africa, the group visited a local secondary school, a university, and met with farming communities, horticultural groups, women groups and villagers who are being supported by the charity to develop village-based savings and loans groups.

'The aim of the trip is to give the students and teachers a chance to see Africa at first hand, and learn more about the challenges that people face in their daily lives - whether it relates to education, gender equality, climate, trade or the issues around farming and sustainable food production,' said Dorothy Jacob, coordinator of Gorta-Self Help Africa's schools programme.

'It's about both deepening understandings and challenging preconceptions,' she added.

The trip is arranged annually for schools that take part in Gorta-Self Help Africa's programme of school workshops, and also carry out local fundraising activities that both support the costs of the trip and contribute to the work of the charity.

During the visit the Carnew students, who were encouraged to find out more about a selected topic during their journey, undertook their own research into education in Malawi.

'I was surprised to see how enthusiastic the students were about going to school and how far they travel to get to class in the morning,' said Alanna Davidson-Gahan. "One of the students told me she travels 16km to go to school every day.'

'In Malawi, primary school is free, but secondary school is not. Students don't take education for granted, especially girls,' said Roisin Byrne. 'The one thing that struck me was the enthusiasm of female students for learning. They loved school life and wanted to stay in school for as long as possible, they wouldn't let anything distract them from their studies.'

The Carnew group, supported by their families, friends and schoolmates reached out to their local communities and organised fundraising events including table quizzes, coffee mornings, concerts and more, to fund their trip.

The purpose of the trip is to inspire students to share their learning and become engaged and active citizens in their communities once they return home.The Courtown/Arklow Coast Guard Unit were called on Friday morning by Rescue 116 to attend the scene of an accident at Laraheen House in Hollyfort.

Rescue 116 could not land due to the severe weather. A 51-year-old male had sustained a head injury during a fall earlier that Friday morning.

Courtown Coast Guard David Swimburne said the road conditions were impassable in many areas and the paramedics could not reach the patient. Luckily, farmer Paddy Syme ploughed through the snow with his tractor for the Coast Guard Unit to make their way to Laraheen House.

'The male had fainted and was unconscious for ten minutes,' said David. 'As he fell, he had hit his head on a hard surface.'

Paddy had created a track for the Unit to attend the patient and to bring him to the paramedics. 'The paramedic came from the Kilanerin side off the M11 and could not get to Hollyfort,' added David.

The Coast Guard Unit brought the patient back to Gorey where the paramedic was waiting at the Garda Station.

The Coast Guard Unit have been busy due to the severe weather. On Saturday night, they were called by local Gardai to check on an elderly man in Riverchapel.

'His family from Dublin could not get in touch with him for two days,' said David. 'Thankfully when we got there he was all OK in his home.'

During most of Sunday, from lunch time until the evening, they were busy ferrying HSE staff in and out of a residential care home in Laraheen.Gorey Business Park sold for 1.55 million through an online auction which was held on Wednesday through selling agent BidX1.

The new owner of Gorey Business Park has yet to get in contact with the tenants, who are all hoping that whoever bought the portfolio will pledge their support to the businesses currently trading there.

The Business Park, which had a guide price of 1.5 million, did not receive a lot of interest. The online auction was between two anonymous bidders and the buyer remains unknown.

Anton Clancy of MyFitt Gorey said he has had no contact so far from the new owner and did not know it had been sold.

Owner of East Coast Hunting and Shooting Paul Walsh said he has not heard from the new owner and does not know who it is.

'I just hope they have the same interest and time for us business owners as Jim Osborne did,' said Paul. 'If they follow on from Jim's idea then we should be fine.'

Joe Kinsella of Kinsella Sign and Print Manufacturers has a 'huge amount of concern'. 'The biggest problem is I don't know where we stand,' said Joe. 'The buildings are not in a great state and there is a huge amount of issues here.'

Business were notified last month that a large portion of the units will be put up for sale at an online auction. Tenants will not be affected by the sale.

A large section of the park went into receivership three years ago when KBC Bank were seeking a 6.2m summary judgement against business park owner Jim Osborne over loans secured on the park.

The industrial profile compromises of 34 industrial units and 10 office units, with 31 of the units tenanted and generating 242,980 annually. The tenants are concerned at the situation of the park as their businesses are trying to operate as normal, despite some uncertainty.

A receiver was sent into Gorey Business Park in early December 2015, when it emerged that KBC Bank were seeking a 6.2 million summary judgement against Mr Osborne over loans secured on the park.

Mr Osborne claimed at the time the park was extremely viable with an occupancy rate of almost 100 per cent.

Mr Osborne also claimed at a previous hearing that the bank and its project managers failed to do their work professionally, which led to a fire officer coming in. Some of the buildings in the park were closed by order in 2013, and Mr Osborne had to pay 1.2m to put matters right.

The bank claimed that despite a rental income of just over 600,000 a year, just 25,500 was paid to the them in 2014. Mr Osborne maintained that the application by the bank was part of an enforcement strategy and that the value of the asset was being maintained, as long as the park remained open.People across the county suffering from diabetes may have lost limbs as a result of a lack of resources at Wexford General Hospital (WGH). Fianna Fail Deputy James Browne raised the issue of a spike in lower limb amputations at the hospital in 2016 and was shocked by the reply that he received.

In the reply from the HSE, Deputy Browne was informed that, prior to 2014, Podiatry Services were provided to patients from across the county at University Hospital Waterford, which was 'not adequately resourced to meet all the demands being placed on the service there' resulting in a higher level of amputations. In June 2014, a Podiatry service was established at Wexford General and a Podiatrist was recruited and this saw the amputation figures drop. However, when this Podiatrist left the position in 2016, 'the hospital experienced difficulties in recruiting a replacement'.

'As a result of this gap in service provision,' the HSE statement continued, 'it is not unexpected that the number of active leg ulcers increased. However, I am pleased to advise that a permanent replacement Podiatrist was successfully recruited and took up duty in November 2017'

The figures supplied to Deputy Browne showed that 119 people presented with Ulcer & Diabetes Mellitis in 2016, 13 of whom had amputations, giving an amputation rate of 10.9%. This is more than double the figure of 5% in 2015 when WGH had a Podiatrist, while in 2014 the figure stood at 9.3%.

Deputy Browne was somewhat taken aback by the answer received.

'It seems to me what they're saying here is that, due to a direct lack of resources at the hospital, people have developed ulcers and had to go through amputations. While I appreciate the candid response I received, this is horrific for the people who have lost limbs. Surely with the consequences being so serious, people could have been redirected elsewhere? It sounds like something from Dickensian times when there was no other options but to amputate. I'm not an expert on the medical side of things on this, but surely other alternatives could have been looked at? The consequences are extremely serious for the people involved.'

The HSE stated that amputation rates at WGH were 'comparable and, in many instances, better than some counties of a similar population', but that 'due to the challenges in service provision, WGH has experienced a higher prevalence of diabetic foot ulcers'.

A spokesperson for the HSE said that future prevention of ulceration is essential and that this would require education, raising awareness of care providers and regular foot examination by health care providers. This is something which has been identified as a key objective in the National Programme for Diabetes, which is said to include a screening programme for early detection.Having a great time at the Junior Park Run were Paddy, Isabelle and Robbie Larkin, Sadhbh Cahill and Ann Heaslip

Taking part in the Junior Park Run on Sunday mornings milder conditions were, front from left, Isaac Vickers and Kevin OShea; back from left, Jessie and Cara Ni Loingsigh, Tiarnan O Loingsigh and Ryan Vickers

There's always one person you know who will wear shorts, no matter what the weather - rain, hail or snow - well, that is unless you are part of the Tralee parkrun.

The weekly event, a 5km run/walk held in Tralee Town Park every Saturday and Sunday morning, prides itself on its impeccable record of defying Mother Nature every single week - the parkrun has never been cancelled - and Storm Emma was to be no different.

After an early morning route inspection by the Kerry County Council and two of the parkrun stalwarts, Pat Sheehy and Tony Higgins. With a little bir of elbow grease, everything was soon in perfect condition for the Saturday morning run, much to the delight of the 128 runners that braved the cold.

The light peppering of snow throughout the park offered runners a fresh set of scenery on the usual route, thus ensuring that the 163 parkrun outing will be one long remembered.

Unfortunately, while much of the snow had receded by the the time it came to the Junior parkrun on Sunday, there was never the less great excitement on the morning; the young runners helped to celebrate National Tree Week.

With Mayor of Tralee, Norma Foley, in attendance, the group helped to with the planting of a very special tree as a celebration of the town park and their junior parkrun community.Kenmare is gearing up for a very busy weekend as 1,300 adventurers arrive in the town to take part in the inaugural Quest Adventure Race.

The sold out event is a huge boost to the town ahead of the busy summer season and will showcase the wonderful scenery of the region.

Kicking off in the Square in Kenmare, participants will run, cycle and kayak their way around Kenmare Bay, Gleninchiquin, the Beara Peninsula and Kenmare town.

There are three routes - participants will traverse the 29km 'Challenge' route, the 50km 'Sport' route and the 67km 'Expert' route. Una Brennan of Kenmare Marketing and Events Group (KMEG) says that everyone is looking forward to welcoming everyone.

"It's fantastic that Quest is coming to Kenmare, particularly at a traditionally quiet time of year. These events have a great reputation around the country and it will be great to have adventure racers coming from around Ireland and abroad to experience all that Kenmare has to offer both in terms of the outdoors but also in the local hospitality in and around the town."

Elite Event Management who produce the Ring of Beara Cycle Kenmare also run the Quest Adventure Series. Quest Adventure series has five Irish events in 2018, Quest Kenmare (10 March), Quest Glendalough (21 April), Quest 12/24 - Sneem and South Kerry (25 August), Quest Achill (8 September) and Quest Killarney (6 October). For more information visit www.questadventureseries.com/race/quest-kenmare/ or email kelly@eliteevents.ie or call 0646635512.Unborn child mortality rates among one of the poorest peoples of Central America are set to plummet thanks to the work of an extraordinary Kerry charity.

Hope Guatemala founder, Dingle man Eddy Dieckmann, announced that the relatively small charity will be building a special clinic for the impoverished Maya of Guatemala - Casa de Salud.

It's being established in particular to care for pregnant Mayan women in an area with an alarming unborn child mortality rate. The minority are treated appallingly in the country, living in dire conditions and plagued by disease and violence.

With no State health system as such, midwifery services are provided by volunteers who struggle to care for the population amid a challenging terrain and health concerns.

But Dingle man Eddy and his friends in the charity in Kerry and Clare and beyond are helping the Maya to fight their cruel circumstances. Another of the charity's tireless champions in Kerry is Hope director and Listowel native Sean McGillicuddy.

The actor, who appeared in Game of Thrones, is now urging as many as can to attend the charity's AGM taking place in the Horseshoe Bar in Listowel this Friday, March 9 at 6pm; and to signal support for Hope by attending a concert in St John's, Listowel, on Thursday, March 8, at 8pm in which the students of Tarbert Comprehensive are holding a variety concert entirely for the charity.

"It's great to see children and young people getting interested in and active with our cause particularly since our ethos is children for children," Sean told The Kerryman.

He said the developments come as Hope prepares to establish the maternity clinic in San Pedro/Guatemala. "On his recent trip, Eddy Dieckmann brought the good news that a house of health can be built thanks to a donation by a German family trust. The need could not be clearer:

" At the moment there is no sufficient health facility in the community and pregnant women have often to walk up to 60 km through the mountains to the next hospital to get advice or treatment. This often results in them lo sing their unborn children."Restrictions to water supply in Brosna, Cahersiveen, Renard and parts of north Kerry will remain in place for now say Kerry County Council, whose staff and Irish Water crews are working to repair damage.

Night-time restrictions in the aforementioned locations - including Moyvane, Ballyduff and Ballybunion - have been in place since last Thursday's weather strike, while restrictions to supply in mid Kerry at Ballyhar, Listry, Callinafercy, Cromane, and parts of Killorglin and Milltown have also affected hundreds of homes.

KCC said restrictions are necessary in order to replenish the reservoirs supplying these areas, which is occurring slowly with night-time restrictions still in place.

"The restrictions are being timed to minimise inconvenience for homeowners and businesses. Kerry County Council crews, on behalf of Irish Water, are checking for leaks which may be contributing to the problem. It is anticipated that supplies were returning to normal in full over the coming days," said a spokesperson for KCC.Civil Defence Severe Weather Relief Efforts  Crews transport essential staff to work in KUH during the bad weather. Photo by Domnick Walsh

Kerry Civil Defence, who co-ordinated the voluntary emergency services during Storm Emma, was more prepared than most - thanks to a new Unimog Mercedes.

This specially designed jeep is for travelling during extreme weather conditions, including floods and heavy snows, and was purchased by Kerry Civil Defence just before Christmas to ensure that the county is self sufficient during such weather events.

The vehicle was put to good use during Kerry's big chill as it helped ensure the safety of the county's emergency services and many of it's residents.

Nurses were transferred from the Rose Hotel to University Hospital Kerry to report for duty by the new vehicle which is over 6ft high allowing it to traverse any weather conditions.

"It came in from Germany and was built to our specifications including a cabin that can carry 16 people. It is great to have this vehicle as we would have to seek the help of the defence forces without it and they were needed in other locations," explains Tom Brosnan of Kerry Civil Defence.

Kerry Civil Defence was called to a number of emergencies during Storm Emma, including the transfer of key workers to Tarbert Power Station to ensure the county had electricity.

The voluntary organisation also came to the aid of a carer who was concerned about her client - an elderly gentleman in Castleisland who had suffered a stroke recently.

They called in the fire service jeep in this incident to allow them to gain access to the house, which they did to find him safe and sound at home.

Public health nurses were also brought to locations around the county to help those in need and dialysis patients were also transferred to UHK by Kerry Civil Defence during the worst of the bad weather.

"We are all around the county from Rathmore, Gneeveguilla, Annascaul,, Ballydavid, Cordal, Moyvane, Castleisland and Ballybunion," said Tom.

A team of nine remained on duty at Kerry Civil Defence headquarters in Tralee, for 24 hours to ensure the safety of everyone and thankfully all went well.

"There is a great community here in Kerry and everyone helped each other. We also have great volunteers with Kerry Civil Defence who are very committed," Tom added.The baffling disappearance of an Abbeyfeale native living for over 50 years in an exceptionally remote part of the Australia outback has attracted international and Australian headlines - and has caused concern and mystery in his home town according to his cousin, Limerick Councillor Francis Foley.

Paddy Moriarty, 70, left Abbeyfeale for Australia in 1966 and has since worked on a number of cattle stations.

He lived in Larrimah, a hamlet located in Australia's Northern Territory, about 430 kilometres southeast of Darwin. It is home to about a dozen people and there is history of disagreements between some of the locality's few residents.

Mr Moriarty has not been seen since December 16 of last year, when he travelled home on his quad bike with his dog, Kellie, from his local pub, the only bar within 80 kilometres. Barry Sharpe, who runs Mr Moriarty's 'local', became concerned having not seen the Abbeyfeale man for a couple of days as Mr Moriarty was known to stick strictly to routine.

Mr Sharpe paid a visit to the Irishman's house, but could not find Mr Moriarty or his dog and reported him missing on December 19.

Police in Australia are considering his disappearance as suspicious. According to ABC News, police do not have any suspects but their investigation is ongoing. In recent days, a local dam was searched, but no trace was found of Mr Moriarty.

"When they went into his house, everything looked okay and he had ticked off the day he disappeared on the calendar," Cllr Foley said. "Everybody in Abbeyfeale is wondering how he vanished off the face of the earth."

Police consider his missing dog, Kellie, as key to solving the mysterious disappearance and have appealed to anyone who may have found a dog resembling Mr Moriarty's red kelpie to come forward.A number of state agencies in the Kerry area are helping the PSNI with investigations into the deaths of four family members who perished in an alleged arson attack in Fermanagh last week.

The four victims - a woman, two teenagers and an 18 month old baby, who are all related - are understood to have lived in Tralee for a time before moving to the rural northern Irish village of Derrylin near the Cavan border.

On Monday Daniel Allen (27), with an address at Molly Road, Enniskillen, appeared before Enniskillen Magistrates Court where he was charged with four counts of murder and one count of arson arising from the blaze which broke out in the early hours of February 27.

The victims of the fire were originally from Doncaster and moved to the Republic from the UK about three years ago, settling for a time in Tralee.

During their time in Tralee they were in contact with various agencies including the HSE and Department of Social Protection. They had moved to Derrylin a year a half ago.Furious Kerry passengers left stranded by Aer Lingus in Lanzarote at the weekend said the airline treated them with "complete disrespect."

Some passengers who faced a night in the airport terminal because there was no available accommodation nearby were even told to try and make their way home to Kerry via Moscow.

Eventually some of the frustrated passengers resorted to contacting Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae in a desperate effort to get home.

Passengers from Kenmare, Dingle and Tralee were among hundreds of passengers who spent hours in Lanzarote Airport after their flight, E1877, which was due to leave at 6pm on Saturday failed to depart forcing them to remain on the holiday island until Monday afternoon.

The incoming flight was unable to land in Lanzarote and instead diverted to Fuerteventura due to what was claimed to be high winds.

It was later stated that the flight could not then return to Cork because the crew were over their working hours limit.

Kerry passengers on this flight were also left stranded in Fuerteventura even though they had intended to go to Lanzarote.

They eventually made it by boat to their destination the following day.

Denis O'Connor and his wife, Aine, from Ballyhea in Dingle, were among the stranded passengers who were forced to contact their local TD.

"We were so frustrated that we rang our TDs. People were in dire straits. We were told nothing on the ground and they even threatened to remove us by force as we didn't want to leave the airport.," said Denis.

"They treated us with total disrespect. They told us to rebook our own flights and there was none and to get our own accommodation and people couldn't do that. They said to get flights to Moscow or Manchester. There were cancer patients and parents with children all stranded," he added.

The passengers' ordeal began on Saturday evening at 8pm when they began queuing at the departure gate - having been delayed since 6pm.

At 10.30pm they were told their flight had been cancelled and that they should go to the information desk.

Some passengers opted to leave the airport but a group of around 60 remained and stayed in the airport for the entire night.

"There were people with young children, with medical conditions and elderly. They gave us 10 blankets between all of us and a food voucher and would not tell us what was going on," claimed passenger Donna Harrington from Kenmare who was stuck at the airport with her mother Christine and friend Frances O'Sullivan.

"The information we were getting is that the next Flight would be Thursday. They said high winds first but there were other planes in and out. It was nothing to do with the snow as Cork was open and then they said that staff had gone over hours and couldn't work so the plane flew home empty," said Donna.

Donna was forced to rebook flights home to Cork via London in order to make it home.

Her mother remained in Lanzarote and eventually made it home late on Monday evening

She had been forced to travel to Dublin and was bused home to Kerry from there.

Donna says that Aer Lingus treated passengers with "complete disrespect."

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae said that he received a call at 6am from stranded passengers and he began immediately to try and help them.

Eventually he called Transport Minister, Shane Ross, to intervene and a charter plane was arranged to bring the stranded passengers home on Monday.

"They had to endure the holiday from hell. The worst thing was that those contracted to work for Aer Lingus were not helpful and no information was given to the passengers who didn't know what to do," said Deputy Healy-Rae.

"I might not agree with Minister Ross on everything but I thank him for intervening here," Deputy Healy-Rae said.

As The Kerryman went to press Aer Lingus had not responded to a request for comment.A Killarney man who was caught in possession of thousands of child pornography images as a result of a Europol investigation has been jailed for two years.

Formerly of Galtymore Park, Drimnagh and now resident in Killarney, John O'Donoghue (38) also distributed illegal images and movies via email and a file sharing network. He admitted to gardai that he was addicted to looking at child pornography.

The court heard the defendant was a qualified engineer with no previous convictions. He was previously employed in the Motor Tax Office and had been living until recently in Dublin but had since moved home to Kerry.

Mr O'Donoghue pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the distribution of child pornography on dates between November and December 2009 and possession of child pornography in September 2012.

Judge Martin Nolan noted Mr O'Donoghue had been communicating online with "like-minded individuals". "This is not a victimless crime because somewhere in the world there are actual children being abused," said Judge Nolan.

On a laptop, gardai found 23 sexually explicit child movies, one child exposure movie, 3,371 sexually explicit child images, 3,342 exposure images and 175 Hentai images. On a USB key gardai found 19 sexually explicit child movies, two child exposure movies as well as 281 sexually explicit child images and 243 child exposure images. The court heard the images ranged from babies to young teens.

Garda analysis of emails and chat logs also found evidence of the distribution of images to other email addresses.

Mr O'Donoghue initially attended voluntarily for interview in 2012 and admitted being a user of a website that was a meeting place for people with a sexual interest in boys.

Judge Nolan imposed a four year sentence and suspended the final two years.Works currently being carried out on the Valentia Ferry boat will not save the service and are only an interim solution to help ensure the operation of the service for another two years.

That's according to local campaigners urgently appealing to the Government for the new boat vitally-needed to secure Valentia and Knightstown's future.

The boat is currently in dry dock in Bere Island boat yard, to allow works to be carried out to the vessel in order to bring it up to the required standards of marine safety operators who had deemed it too old to operate.

The works, which are costing 200,000, will give a reprieve to the ferry and allow it to operate for the next two summers

However, after that, the current boat, will no longer be allowed to operate as it is over 50 years old and it would be no longer feasible to invest funds in it.

A campaign has been ongoing to try and purchase a new ferry but there has been no support from either the Government or Failte Ireland to fund the new vessel which will cost 2.8m.

1m of this can be raised by the local company, Valentia Ferry Ltd, who currently run the ferry service.

"The current works will give us another two years which is enough time for us to get a new boat built," says manager of Valentia Ferry Service, Richard Foran.

"We had no choice but to invest this money in works to allow it to operate this season."

The works, he says, are only a reprieve for this vital service and the campaign will continue to try and get a new vessel.

The importance of the Valentia Ferry Service, which runs from Renard Point in Cahersiveen to Valentia, cannot be underestimated.

"This is vital for tourism in South Kerry. This is not about the ferry but about supporting all the industries in the region. The ferry ensures that Valentia is part of the Wild Atlantic Way, the Ring of Kerry, and the Skellig Ring," says Richard.

He warns, that without a new boat, in two years' time there will be no ferry service.

The reason provided for not funding a new boat by Failte Ireland and the Government is because such a project would breach state aid rules, but campaigners dispute this and say that despite repeated questioning no-one will give him an explanation of how it breaches state-aid.

"We have asked them to explain why they can't support the project, but they won't give us a reason. Civil servants are running the country, not TD's and they won't allow it," says Richard.

"Failte Ireland give out funding for infrastructure projects all the time so why not this."

"It is not a matter of if the ferry service closes now but when if capital funding is not found for a new boat."

The ferry service is self-financing once a new boat is purchased. There is no ned for any funding for the project to operate it making it a very viable project for investment.

Local operators of the ferry would be happy to see either Kerry County Council or Failte Ireland take over the ferry service if that was a more viable option, but this is not seen as a possible solution.Storm Emma and The Beast from the East transformed New Ross and district into a winter wonderland last week, and in the process wreaked havoc on transportation, services, water and ESB supply lines.

The first flurries took place on Tuesday, by which time bread was sold out from every shop in the district, from Graiguenamanagh to Wellingtonbridge and from The Hook to New Ross. Most schools closed on Wednesday.

People, stranded at home for a seeming eternity, turned to social media where jokes about 'Breadxit' and snow photo sharing was in full flow, remaining so for the following days. Along with bread, eggs, milk, cigarettes and potatoes were big sellers in local shops, including Centra, Irishtown, New Ross, where bread sold out every day. Lake Region, the county's biggest employer, employing around 800 people, informed staff that the plant would close on Thursday and remain closed until Sunday.

Storm Emma took hold on the first day of March, Thursday, as a Red Alert warning came into effect from 4 p.m. Roads across the district including at Glenmore and Campile where gritting didn't take place on Wednesday night were particularly icy that morning. All shops and supermarkets closed, as did banks, post offices, New Ross and Graiguenamangh libraries, local government buildings and lesiure centres. Only a handful of pubs remained open, along with hotels.

Area executive engineeer Abraham Dunne said there were two lorries spreading salt on national roads, with another salt lorry spreading salt in town in advance of the storm's arrival. The council winter fleet included four snow ploughs and four tractors with gritters. 'When the snow started falling on the first day all the salting lorries and gritting machines were working along with all work force of 45 men,' Mr Dunne said.

Area Manager Sinead Casey said: 'The next morning when the district was covered in blanket of snow, many of staff living in the country were snowed in and the four snow ploughs were activated. There was five council men working in town with three loading shovels clearing the main arteries of the town and around emergency services like the medical centre and the hospital and nursing home. We scaled up then hiring in over 20 large machines to clear tracks through the road network - this has been ongoing since. 99 per cent of the district roads are now passable.'

Council workers assisted the HSE, the Gardai, the fire service, ESB and the army. 'It was a great community effort as farmers, plant hire and local people all took to the roads helping one another. I want to thank all the council men and the people contracted in to drive the snow moving machines as they worked from day light into the early hours of the morning helping emergency services and trying to clear the snow.'

By Friday morning large snow drifts could be seen across the district, with the south west Wexford areas of Duncannon and Ballycullane being severely affected. A 20 minute journey to Ballycullane by a fire tender took almost three hours on Friday such was the depth of snow, By then the electricity was out in a number of villages, with no water in the taps also. Many shops opened on Friday morning with pubs reporting a strong trade from early in the day.

For residents of the Wellingtonbridge, Foulksmills and Clongeen areas it was back to the 1950s time as the power went out on Friday and didn't return until Sunday evening. James Ryan of Ryan's Undertakers said the funeral of a local man who died last Tuesday and was due to be laid to rest on Friday had to be put back three days. Access to nursing homes proved impossible meaning undertakers and hospitals across the district struggled to meet deadlines. Cllr Larry O'Brien said, on Sunday, that a full clearing operation was in place for a third day throughout the district, with access gained to most areas. The primary and regional roads were passable by Sunday afternoon as council workers and locals aimed to connect villages to main roads. Rising temperature assisted the hard workers on the ground as the thaw lead to slushy conditions across the district.

New Ross town was clear and accessible as a combination of a citizen's army including members of Geraldine O'Hanrahan GAA Club and residents cleared entrances to many estates.

ESB crews had to be helicoptered into Ballycullane on Sunday to fix the power line, while a water tanker dispensed water from Ramsgrange Church to hundreds of people, which later had to be boiled once they returned home.

On Monday morning Bealistown 38kVa substation near Foulksmills was still out affecting approximately 3,000 or 4,000 customer but power was restored to all customers later in the day.

Cllr Michael Whelan said yesterday (Monday) that water engineers had to flush the whole system in Taylorstown on Monday morning, with water due to return to homes last night and today. Cllr Michael Sheehan hailed the 'citizen's army' of volunteers and council and emergency workers around New Ross for getting roads and estates cleared and for caring for elderly people within the community. Describing the response as the town and district's finest hour, Cllr Sheehan said: 'The community was brilliant. Everyone rallied to the cause.' Builder Johann Hoff volunteered his and some of his crews services and loaders to clear snow in estates where the council had not yet reached. The JFK Memorial Park & Arboretum including Slieve Coillte was closed throughout and will remain closed until further notice whilst high drifts of snow are cleared from walks, car park and paths. The arboretum is due to reopen later this week. The events scheduled for National Tree Week have been rescheduled to Monday next - a Wellness Walk and Friday, March 16 - The Beauty of Conifers talk.

On Monday at around lunchtime New Ross Municipal Cathaoirleach Cllr Willie Fitzharris said: 'There is no area inaccessible in the district at this stage, thanks to the hard work of our operatives, local volunteer and community involvement. All outdoor staff are out relieving melt water from roads to minimise flooding. '

There were scenes of unbridled joy across the town during 'snow days' last week, anywhere with a hill as children and adults slid down slopes and had fun snowball fights, making the most of the fresh powdery snow.

Erica Whitty snowboarded her way down the High Hill in style. The skis were out over at the Brandon House Hotel where people - wrapped up in all the ski gear - got thrills meandering down the hill. Members of the area's Polish community seemed particulalry adept at taking on the 'slopes'.The new Barrow Bridge will be unique in the world and a tourist attraction for the area, the area director, engineer Eamonn Hore told a packed meeting in New Ross Library on Tuesday night.

Mr Hore said the bridge is costing 90m to build and will be the longest in the country at 887m once it is completed. The Red Bridge two miles south of New Ross will be the third largest bridge and Mr Hore said between the Greenway, which will access the Red Bridge and the Barrow Bridge, New Ross will have two new tourist attractions to add to its current offerings.

The meeting heard that Mr Hore is an engineer by vocation and has spent his entire adult life working on engineering projects.

Mr Hore said when he qualified as a civil engineer in 1979 there were six women in his class of 300. 'Today New Ross has a woman engineer as town and district manager and Mary Bowe has a significant input into the bridge so there are two women doing Trojan work in the New Ross district.'

Mr Hore gave a brief, entertaining outline of the history of road construction in Ireland. He said some people have said putting plastic cones at the town side of O'Hanrahan Bridge solved the problem of tailbacks in and out of New Ross.

'You can still get held up for 20 to 30 minutes and there has been 125 accidents on the N25 stretch from 2005 to 2011. If there is a problem on the bridge there is a 32km diversion.'

The bypass was first mentioned in the County Development Plan of 1993/1994. Contracts were signed with BAM Iridium and Dragados in January 2016, with work starting the following month.

'There were lots of combinations of roads looked at and from 46 options it was whittled down to five and two were seriously looked at.'

He said there were protests against the bypass and also against the Enniscorthy bypass but today we are month 26 into a 40 month schedule of works.

'The road will open in spring 2019; it's very much on schedule to open. Part of this project happens to be inside the Kilkenny border.'

The foundations of the bridge are very advanced and Mr Hore showed aerial shots of the sweeping roadways and the rounadbout and slip road construction sites from Corcoran's Cross to Ballymacar and on to Stokestown and along the Barrow taking in Arnestown, Camblin and Creacon, where exists are being built.

The bypass finishes at the Glenmore roundabout.'

The Barrow Bridge - which lies 6km south of O'Hanrahan Bridge - will be the eight bridge built in the vicinity of New Ross town. The first was built by William Marshal, 'The Greatest Knight', and opened in 1207, followed by bridges built under orders from the English in 1313, 1450, 1649, 1796, 1869 and O'Hanrahan Bridge in 1967.

New Ross was without a bridge for 150 years with a ferry bringing people between New Ross and Rosbercon.

The Barrow Bridge is a three-tower extradose bridge, which, at its height, is 36 metres above the Barrow, the highest in the country.

It will be 26 metres longer than the Foyle Bridge in Derry and will feature nine spans, including two central spans of 230m.

'It will be the longet bridge of its kind in the world. It's a significant engineering achievement.'

Three temporary piers have been erected to ensure the bridge stands correctly. 'They are of the very same standard as the other piers and will all come down once the bridge is built.

The piles have been bored further into the riverbed than the distrance from the river to the bridge.

'They went down 40m. Span 1 and Span 2 at Pink Rock have falsework which supports the structure and which will ultimately support the concrete for the bridge which will be a mix of cablestay and decking which gives it its unique extradose shape. It's a beautiful, spectacular bridge.'

1.2m m3 of earthworks (150 truck loads) have been used to date on the bypass and over 100,000 m3 of blacktop, along with 3,750 truck loads of concrete, 500km of cable strand. More than 800,000 man hours have been worked on the project.

Mr Hore said the bypass will not negatively affect New Ross.

He said signage will play a significant role in attracting drivers into the town, showing images of a Norman helmet and signage for visitor attractions like the Ros Tapestry, The Emigrant Flame and the Dunbrody Visitor Centre on a slide show screen behind him.

'We spent an awful lot of time redesigning them.

'New Ross will be a destination town, with the traffic gone out of it. It will be a beautiful town to visit and the bridge is a 90m tourist attraction opening in New Ross in 2019. It will be much nicer than the Waterford bridge which has 19m clearance.'

He said the bypass will save driver's lives and less people will suffer serious injury while driving. 'Motorways are seven times safer than normal roads. Over the next 15 years ten people will be alive from using the motorway.'

He said the motorway will open up New Ross and district to inward investment and business openings as everywhere will be closer. 'So this is good for the county and it is good for New Ross. Mallow have been trying to get a bypass and say it would mean a 50m boost for the town and a 5-10 pre cent increase in employment. People have started to invest in New Ross. A study of bypasses shows that they have not had a negative impact on towns that have a critical mass of above 2,000 to 3,000 people. They increase land values. So long as businesses and commercial companies capitalise on changes wrought by the bypass. It's happening at a time when economic and community investment is being put into the county so I do think it's happening at the right time.'

Describing the bypass as brilliant for New Ross, he said it will relieve traffic congestion and make New Ross a nicer town to visit.

An audience member asked if wind loads have been factored in as the Foyle Bridge has to close at times of high winds.

'Unless it's unnatural conditions, no, it won't close.'

A man asked if roads at either side of the bypass - stretching to Waterford and Enniscorthy - will be improved and was told by Cllr Fidelis Doherty that plans have been submitted for the Glenmore to Waterford stretch to be improved.

Wexford County Council Roads Liaison Officer Sean Dobbs said cyclists will be able to cross the bridge, but there will be no cycle lanes. 'It's a wide dual carraigeway with hard shoulders and a raised up standing area.'

The road will be toll free, as will the Enniscorthy to Gorey bypass.

Former Senior Executive Engineer for the New Ross Area, George Walsh said the idea for the bridge arose after a ship ran into O'Hanrahan Bridge in 1997. He said NRA officials visited the town and a lengthy diversion made people realise that a newe bridge was needed.The CEO of New Ross & District Chamber of Commerce has said business vacancy rates in New Ross, which stand at almost one in five business properties, will dramatically fall over the coming two years.

Teresa Delaney said the vacancy rate in New Ross, which stood at 20.1 per cent, has fallen by a percentage point over recent months.

The average vacancy rate in County Wexford's towns in mid-2017 stood at 10.8 per cent, among the lowest in the country.

Of the almost 212,000 commercial address in Ireland, more than 28,000 were vacant with 67.8 per cent of those empty for more than three years.

Gorey has one of the lowest vacancy rates in Ireland, however, New Ross is at the other end of the scale.

Gorey at 8.4 per cent is the town with the fourth lowest vacancy rate in Ireland, while Wexford town measures 11.9 per cent vacancy and Enniscorthy was at 15.9 per cent.

Ms Delaney said: 'We are aware of the statistics and we do see an improvement since 2016. It has come down by 1 per cent.'

Ms Delaney said the chamber is working hard to attract businesses to open in the town and district. 'We were pleasantly surprised that it wasn't as bad as we thought it may have been. New Ross has a lot to offer, depending on what you are looking for. To me the product is there but we might not sell ourselves as well as other towns and cities. We have a lot to offer but our night time economy needs to improve.'

The chamber is working on an exciting project in conjunction with Wexford County Council to promote the area, she added. 'It's at the teething stage and will be completely unique to New Ross but will get off the ground this year.'

She said New Ross has a unique offering in terms of its river tourism possibilities and its history.

'We have a river and the quay and a unique offering as we are the only town in the country that could facilitate the Santa Cruise to Rosbercon. Our use of the water for events could be built upon.'

Ms Delaney said the opening of the New Ross ring road next April will be a defining moment for the town.

'The chamber and New Ross Municipal District council have been working together to improve the town. There is good cooperation and collaboration there for the past four to five years,' she added.

She welcomed the opening of the Kennedy Boutique Hotel and the availability of the apartments on North Quay and said the opening of the Docks Hotel later this year will provide more bed nights in the town, (along with the Brandon House Hotel and B&B providers), something which was missing from the town centre in the past.

'There are businesses opening up in the town centre like EuroHome and Clothesline is in the process of moving into the Xtra Vision building, with Sam McCauley's due to move into where Clothesline was.'

Ms Delaney said the municipal district council has been aided in getting funding to improve the town streets through the chamber, adding that she is optimistic that by the first quarter of 2020 the vacancy rate will have been 'dramatically reduced' in New Ross.

Commercial premises vacancy is a good indicator as to how a town is performing economically. The recent GeoView vacancy survey is a joint initiative of An Post and Ordinance Survey. Ms Delaney said by working more closely with the county's three other chambers it will help all of the county, urban and rural, to thrive.Tubbercurry Chamber of Commerce & Community Association is hosting a Community Recognition Award Ceremony on St. Patrick's night, March 17th in Cawley's Hotel, Tubbercurry.

The recipients of this year's award are the Western Drama Festival Committee, who this year are celebrating the 75th year of the founding of the Festival. First held in 1943, the Western Drama Festival has gone from strength to strength and is a firm fixture on the annual calendar of events both in Tubbercurry and in Drama circles throughout Ireland.

Indeed, the Western Drama Festival was the first Drama Festival of its kind ever held in Ireland and is a model copied by drama enthusiasts throughout Ireland.

The founding fathers of Matt Devine, Alfie Rochford, John A Flannery and Sean O'Dowd, all now deceased, would be very proud if they returned today to see how more recent committees have developed what they established. Over the last 75 years, the Festival has been an integral part of the community and social life in South Sligo and has been highly educational for all attendees over the years.

Tubbercurry Chamber of Commerce & Community Association is a vocal outlet and advocate for the entire community and this is an opportunity to say thank you to the many volunteers in this their Diamond Jubilee year.

The evening takes the form of a buffet supper in Cawley's Hotel on St. Patricks Night at 8pm. There will be a number of speakers, a presentation to the Festival Committee, and a dance/social afterwards to top band, BackWater Jack.

This is an ideal way to socialise and say thank you to the many volunteers that make up the Western Drama Festival Committee.

The general public are invited to attend and tickets are now available for the event at 35 each from a variety of Chamber members, including, Geraldine Brennan, Gearoid Surlis, John Gillespie and Roger McCarrick.This year is a particularly special one for everyone involved with the Western Drama Festival as the iconic Tubbercurry festival celebrates its 75th anniversary.

There were large crowds of theatre fans and actors alike at the official opening of Ireland's longest running amateur drama festival in St Brigid's Hall. Groups from around the country and taking to the stage for the top-class theatre which is continuing until the weeekend.

Eileen Davey, PRO of the Western Drama Festival said everyone thoroughly enjoyed the opening night. She said: "The night went great, with a good turnout of drama enthusiasts, despite the snow.

"Lifford Drama Group were fantastic to make the journey to compete in our festival and we really appreciated them braving the elements.

"We have a really special event happening in the Tubbercurry Community Library Opening by Nick Miller this evening at 6pm. There is also a live presentation from Sligo artist Hannah Dobson, a very inspiring piece.

"The Phoenix Players are on stage in St Brigid's Hall, there will be a great buzz for the local group competing in the festival also," Eileen added.

For the full festival programme see www.westerndramafestival.comCoffee roasting specialist Andrew Willis has taken a roundabout route to launching his Sligo business. His journey has taken him from a Dublin upbringing via Europe, South America and Africa to finally settling on his grandparents' farm.

All his childhood holidays were spent with his mother's family in Beltra. There he learned to love the countryside and farming and discovered the joys of surfing. However there was a big world to explore before the northwest would once again become the centre of Andrew's world. He studied Biology at the University of Edinburgh and took his first real job in Wexford, working with the Slaney River Trust. This included talking to local groups and to journalists, which piqued Andrew's interest and led to a significant career change.

Fortune favours the brave and Andrew with the blithe confidence of youth and a reasonable command of Spanish, penned a letter to the editor of a Buenos Aires based newspaper.

It landed him an internship and a totally new way of earning a living. He took to it like the proverbial duck to water, and a year later, Andrew the journalist had emerged.

Buenos Aires has a strong Italian influence; outstanding coffee and ice cream but disappointing pizza. The coffee part stuck with him.

His next job took him to Brussels working with the EU Observer. His arrival coincided with the Greek bailout saga which he covered for three years followed by a stint in The Congo.

His final journalism job was in yet another hotspot - Colombia. This time he was with his Italian fiancee Paola in Bogota, which fortuitously also has a strong coffee culture.

Working for Bloomberg News, his mission was to cover commodities, mainly for the stock markets. He began to understand the coffee industry from the beginning of the chain, meeting farmers and seeing the entire process in operation.

Andrew was hooked and began doing roasting and cupping (tasting) courses, including attaining the rigorous Q Grader certification.

Keen to experience the practical side, he ordered a Huky coffee roaster online, in hope as much as expectation that it would make it all the way from Taiwan. Happily it arrived safely and he became a journalist by day and coffee roaster by night. The die was cast.

Fittingly Paola is from Trieste, beloved of James Joyce and home of world famous Illy coffee, where the roasting aroma fills the air. Two years ago when they married, the wedding favours were tiny bags of single origin coffee.

Andrew is passionate about allowing the unique characteristics of each coffee type to emerge.

Instead of the familiar southern European dark roast, he takes a lighter approach and lets the flavours speak for themselves.

You can taste the results at Strandhill Market, Beltra Country Market, Sweet Beat, Kate's Kitchen and Shell's Cafe.

Thirteen years ago Andrew's parents moved from Rathmines to his grandfather's old house. Last year Andrew and Paola joined them, setting up Carrow Coffee Roasters.

Life is different, life is good - and when time allows Andrew is back to surfing. www.sligofoodtrail.ie #SligoFoodTrailCouncillor Marie Casserly has hailed as a 'life saver' new measures introduced by Transport Minister Shane Ross to give cyclists more room when being overtaken.

Minister Ross said he will legislate for a Minimum Passing Distance which will entail a one metre on roads with a speed limit not exceeding 50 km/h and 1.5 metres on all other roads.

Local Independent Alliance councillor, Marie Casserly said it was something she had been lobbying for over the past four years.

"It's a great decision to keep cyclists safer on our roads," she said.

Minister Ross said: "I have been extremely concerned about the rise in cyclist fatalities on our roads.

"In 2017, there were 15 cyclists killed, which was a 50% increase on 2016.

"Clearly this is an intolerable situation which has to change. Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy and, as Minister for Transport, I am committed to do everything within my power to prevent preventable road deaths.

"It was brought to my attention that other jurisdictions apply a Minimum Passing Distance and I determined to undertake research to see if such legislation would benefit Irish cyclists."

Minister Ross directed the RSA to carry out a study of best international practice.

"While the report states that little conclusive evidence is currently available to support or rebut claims that MPD legislation will specifically address cyclist fatalities, greater awareness by both motorists and cyclists while overtaking was recognised as having safety benefits.

Minister Ross said; "If such awareness entails safer driving and fewer fatalities then it will be worth introducing the necessary legislation."

Minister Ross added; "I am also proposing that the effectiveness of the new regulations be reviewed twelve months after their introduction."

In the interim, the Road Safety Authority will be launching an awareness campaign recommending that drivers allow at least one metre overtaking distance when passing cyclists in speed zones up to 50 km/h and at least 1.5 metres when passing on roads with speed limits of over 50 km/hour.Hotel and guesthouse owners in Sligo are reporting a good start to the year according to an industry survey undertaken by the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) in advance of its 80th Annual Conference in the Slieve Russell Hotel.

Most are forecasting an increase in business for 2018 with advance bookings up from domestic and key overseas markets, helping to offset the drop in bookings from the UK, Ireland's largest market, where visitor numbers continue to fall.

The high cost of doing business, including insurance, continues to be a major concern.

Seven in ten (72%) hoteliers say their overall business levels are up compared to this time last year, with a similar number (68%) reporting an increase in advance bookings for the remainder of the year.

Business levels from the US look set to remain strong with over half of hoteliers surveyed reporting an increase in business from this market.

Visitor numbers are up too from continental Europe with almost a third (32%) reporting an increase in business from Germany and nearly a quarter (23%) seeing a rise from France.

Closer to home the domestic market remains buoyant with almost seven in ten (67%) of hoteliers seeing an increase in home-grown business.

However, in contrast, the UK market remains a significant concern with over half (56%) of hoteliers reporting a drop in business from Great Britain compared to this time last year and almost four in ten seeing a drop from Northern Ireland.

Fergal Ryan, Chair, Sligo branch of the Irish Hotels Federation said that overall hoteliers are confident about the outlook for 2018, but not complacent.

"The increase in business levels that we are seeing from key international markets and from within Ireland itself, following on from strong growth in recent years, gives us some confidence.

"However, the negative effect on visitor numbers from the weakened sterling and uncertainty over Brexit reminds us that we're an island nation, dependent on the vagaries of other, larger economies, and there is never room for complacency," he said.

Tourism currently supports 5,700 jobs in Sligo and contributes some 131 million to the local economy annually.

Mr Ryan added: "We operate in a price sensitive sector where we compete with the UK for overseas visitors.

"A sustained fall in sterling could have a negative effect on visitor numbers from other markets who may opt instead to go to the UK.

"Cost-competitiveness is critical. Government cannot influence the economic conditions affecting other countries but there is a wide policy range of measures within their control that can enhance competitiveness.

"The 9% VAT rate and zero travel tax, for example, have been hugely significant in underpinning the recovery of the tourism sector. However, more needs to be done to bring down the high costs that are stifling business in Ireland such as insurance, where the costs are now so high they are a significant concern for almost nine in ten hoteliers (88%)," he said.

The survey also noted a rise in corporate meetings and events.A Sligo cancer charity has paid a warm tribute to Wicklow writer Emma Hannigan who passed away at the week-end following a long battle with the disease.

SHOUT spokeswoman, Jo Shortt told The Sligo Champion that Emma (45) was "a fighter, brave, honest, positive but vulnerable."

"Most of all, she was a voice for all cancer sufferers, an ordinary woman with the most extraordinary strength and courage.

"We had the pleasure of sharing some time with Emma when she came to Sligo in December 2014.

"When we first contacted her with a request to join us as our guest of honour at the SHOUT Ladies Lunch, there was no hesitation  'Count me in!' delighted to be asked and excited to come to Sligo.

"She was fighting cancer for the eighth time.

"She shared with us her cancer journey, and I remember clearly her words 'cancer is no friend of mine I have cancer but I am not defined by cancer.'

"She spoke of sad times, happy times and indeed the love and support that she had been shown by so many.

'Live every day, love every day' as she held 350 of us women in the palm of her hand. We loved her, she was mesmerising."

"A force of nature and in the week that Storm Emma rocked Ireland, it was strangely fitting that this was the week she was finally taken from us.

"As we think of her now our prayers go to her family, her husband Cian and her two beautiful children Sacha and Kim who we thank for sharing her with all of us and allowed her to be the person she was.the person who in her final days was raising money for others with the hope that they might be luckier than her Generous always. She made a difference, and her legacy will live on.

"Rest easy dear Emma, thank you for everything you have done for all cancer sufferers and their families. Love and light. We feel blessed to have know you and shall never forget you."Ballintogher Parish Priest Fr Vincent Connaughton has urged the Department of Health to do more for the mental health services in this country.

Fr Connaughton made the call during the funeral mass of murder victim Jimmy Loughlin last Wednesday 27th February.

"We all accept people with physical and mental illness in life," he said during his homily. He said there were people who were working in this field of illness, "who work day and night in helping others."

"But can I say today, that no matter what illnesses exist in people's lives, no one has the right to take away a human life.

"You and I see this happening so often in our society and in other parts of the world.

"The ongoing problem of mental illness should be monitored a little bit more and (ensure) that a follow-up programme would always assure the public that medical treatment is at utmost satisfaction.

"Especially where individuals are placed into community care or community accommodation, I feel today, has to be addressed as a matter of urgency for the safety of our citizens and arising out of this terrible atrocity and violent death of such an innocent young man like Jimmy Loughlin and many others over the last few years in the Sligo region.

"Arising from this terrible atrocity of last Saturday, I now feel today within my heart that there is a greater emphasis for the Department of Health to put more funding into mental health services in this country.

"So that what happened in Sligo last Saturday should never, never, never happen again in our society of Ireland, and that no family should ever have to suffer like the Loughlin family and other families in Ireland today," he told mourners.A Dromore West bride has spoken of her joy at beating the odds of getting to the church on time after Storm Emma disrupted her travel plans home from London for her wedding.

Aine Kilgannon was due to marry her South African fiance Heath Bateman last Saturday at 1.30pm in the Church of Perpetual Succour Dromore West.

Their woes started on the Wednesday before when Heath, who works at The Weather Channel in London, had his flight cancelled after a four hour delay. They booked more flights to Shannon for the following day for himself, his parents Beverley and Gordon and brother who had already travelled all the way from South Africa for his big day. They had intended spending a day or two touring in Galway before his nuptials.

On the Thursday, Heath's flight to Shannon was cancelled, as was Aine's flight to Dublin.

Aine got to work and decided the ferry was their only option left. "I said 'we have to get the ferry' and the earliest one was at 2pm on the Friday," Aine told The Sligo Champion yesterday (Monday).

Her determination kicked in and Aine, Heath and a wedding party of 25 arrived at London Euston Train station at 6 o'clock Friday morning to get the train to Holyhead port in Wales.

"My boss Yasir Hussain actually offered to drive me to Holyhead," said Aine. "All the trains out of Euston were cancelled and we were just praying that the train would go to Wales," she said.

"It was delayed by 40 minutes and then we were told to go to platform 10 - there were screams of joy out of us," she said.

Two hours into their train journey however, Aine was told that all ferries from Holyhead were cancelled. She didn't break down. "I did not cry at all. My next mission was to get the next ferry after that," said Aine.

One lady she spoke to actually told her to 'turn back now' but Aine persisted and told her that "this was my only option."

"Even if it's the next day, I told her I had to get married tomorrow," she said.

Staff at Stena Line heard of their predicament and gave them a cabin to rest in and some prosecco while waiting for the next sailing. The captain visited them and told them the next sailing would be 5am Saturday morning.

They finally left Holyhead at 7.15am and arrived in Dublin at 12.15pm, much to mother of the bride Una Kilgannon's relief.

Templeboy bus driver Michael Finnegan was waiting to drive them to Kilronan Castle and they arrived there at 3.15pm. Having missed their church time, Fr Anthony Gillespie drove to Keadue church to marry the couple at 6 o'clock on the Saturday evening, when Dad TJ finally got to walk Aine up the aisle.

"I was on a high, the adrenalin kicked in. The staff at Kilronan Castle let us party on for longer afterwards to make up for the three hour delay to our wedding reception," said Aine, who is an account manager with Mapp Media in London.

"I was in top form!" she smiled. "It was an epic journey but we had no choice as Heath's family had travelled all the way from South Africa and they had spent so much money getting here," she said. The happy couple are now spending some quality family time showing Ireland to their South African relatives.The HSE has been given the go-ahead to build a temporary extension to the Central Sterile Services Department at Sligo University Hospital.

The 27sqm single storey extension will house the operations of the Central Service department which include the cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing of reusable medical equipment.

The CSSD was mentioned as one of two projects for Sligo University Hospital in the recently launched Project Ireland 2040.

The other project is a new mental health unit.

The extension to the CSSD will involve replacement of existing windows with powder-coated aluminium glazing on the southern side of the building which is located to the south east of the main campus of hospital buildings.

The unit will act as a replacement space to cater for existing sterilisation services only during construction works to the existing sterilisation department.

County planners granted the HSE permission subject to four planning conditions.Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has hit out at opposition TDs for comparing the PR campaign for the Government's 116bn spending plan, launched in Sligo, to Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels.

Mr Varadkar said the remarks were "beneath contempt" as he was criticised over the plan to spend 1.5m promoting Project Ireland 2040.

Labour Party TD Alan Kelly claimed this week that newspaper advertorials about the plan were "akin to something from the Third Reich, Goebbels territory".

And a furious row erupted in the Dail Sligo/Leitrim Fianna Fail TD Marc MacSharry criticised the 45,000 cost of what he termed the plan's "Goebbels-style launch" in Sligo.

Fine Gael ministers immediately demanded Mr MacSharry withdraw the remarks and the Dail was suspended amid the ensuing argument.

Later, Mr Varadkar criticised the comments by both Mr Kelly and Mr MacSharry as "wholly inappropriate".

Mr Varadkar claimed such remarks could amount to "belittling the Holocaust" and added: "Comparing an advertising campaign to the actions of the Nazis... I think that's beneath contempt."

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said he had never used words like 'Goebbels' in relation to what he described as a "propaganda campaign".

Mr Martin also said he hated "anybody using Nazi terms about anyone in a current parliamentary democracy".

He said any TD who made such remarks should withdraw them.

Mr Martin agreed the PR campaign issue was "light years away ... from what happened in the Third Reich".

But he also criticised Mr Varadkar, saying: "You do not like it, Taoiseach, when hard words are said about things you and your Government get up to."

The opposition has been critical of the Strategic Communications Unit (SCU) which was involved in the launch amid claims it is being used to promote Fine Gael.

Transport Minister Shane Ross clashed with Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty over the impact the SCU has had in their departments.

Mr Ross, who has sought details from SCU chief John Concannon about the current controversy, said the unit had not resulted in a "dramatic shift in the fortunes" in his role as a minister.

However, Ms Doherty said her life as a minister had "absolutely" been improved by Mr Concannon's PR team.

The Government has taken put two page advertisements in several regional and local newspapers outlining the Project Ireland 2040 Plan.

It's not the first time that Deputy MacSharry has been involved in a Dail row.

Last month, the Dail was suspended for five minutes after a heated row between the Healy-Rae TD brothers from Kerry and Deputy MacSharry over speaking rights.

Mr MacSharry claimed nobody else could get a look in to speak with the Independent Kerry TDs Danny and Michael Healy-Rae always getting to speak in the Dail.

Mr MacSharry said his number 11 card entitled him to speak but the Healy-Raes rounded on him over entitlements to speak and both sides started shouting at each other.John Hayden, Coxswain Nick Keogh, Ian Heffernan and Des Davitt of Wicklow RNLI with Harry Mascall during his visit to the station (Photo: Wicklow RNLI).

A ten-year-old boy from Cornwall can tick Wicklow off a 'to do' list he's compiled as part of an RNLI challenge.

Harry Mascall and his mum Jane paid a visit to Wicklow RNLI Lifeboat Station recently as part of his challenge to visit all RNLI stations in the UK and Ireland, to raise money for and awareness of the charity.

Harry started his mission on his seventh birthday when he visited a lifeboat station in Cornwall where he was spending his summer holidays. He now plans to complete his challenge to visit all 238 stations during school holidays.

After a tour of the two lifeboats and station, Harry was presented with some framed photos of Wicklow lifeboat by the crew to mark his 167th lifeboat station visit. To date, Harry has raised over 5,000 for the RNLI and his challenge can be followed at twitter.com/HarryMascall1 and he can be supported at justgiving.com.Sharon Power and Martin Bolger of the Irish Horse Welfare Trust with Mark McGoldrick and Fergal Black from the Irish Prison Service at a meeting to discuss the new equine prisoner rehabilitation unit at Castlerea Prison.

Plans are afoot to launch a new equine prisoner rehabilitation unit in Castlerea Prison later this year and a south Wicklow animal charity is at the heart of the process.

The Irish Horse Welfare Trust is playing an integral role in the pilot project which is a first for Ireland and the EU and has already raised 100,000 in funding with the help social entrepreneur Jonathan Irwin, founder of the Jack & Jill Children's Foundation.

Sharon Power, CEO of the Irish Horse Welfare Trust (IHWT), is project managing the logistics side of this exciting initiative, which has been undertaken in association with the Irish Turf Club.

'We are very pleased to be involved with the project. Its a progressive initiative that will help both horses and humans. Our online course is already proving to be a valuable learning experience for those those that do it and the prison project will benefit greatly from it too,' Ms Power said.

Also present at a recent project meeting held at IHWT headquarters in Woodenbridge were Fergal Black, Director of Care and Rehabilitation at the Irish Prison Service; Mark McGoldrick, Engineer at the Irish Prison Service and Martin Bolger and Jill Power from IHWT.

The group started with a tour of the 68-acre horse farm which currently supports 50 horses, some of whom are destined for the new Castlerea unit.

They also discussed how IHWT's online course will be tailored for Castlerea Prison and the practical, hands-on training and certification which will be managed by IHWT.

The Wicklow charity is well established with strong community links all over the country and other projects up and running via partnerships in Dublin and Limerick.

The prisoner rehabilitation concept revolves around the natural bond between the horse and the human, not only at the emotional level but also in terms of practical skills, and there will be designated courses planned for potential blacksmiths, saddlers, an ability to ride and, most importantly, the care for the wellbeing of the horse.

This unit would be the first of its kind in Europe and it is hoped that it can emulate the success of similar units internationally in terms of ultimately reducing prisoner reoffending levels through increased wellbeing and sense of responsibility and respect via equine skills development and better job prospects.

Horse welfare will be a fundamental skill that will be taught to all the inmates that are selected for the unit and the IHWT will provide suitable horses and skills to manage related courses and to advise the authorities into the future.

Once the unit is up and running, the costs of management after that will be borne by the prison service, securing its future sustainability.A small number of motorists are causing havoc in housing estates by driving recklessly at speed, councillors heard at the most recent meeting of Wicklow Municipal District.

Cathaoirleach Shay Cullen raised the issue and said that he had received complaints over speeding by residents of estates in Newtownmountkennedy, Laragh and Roundwood.

He suggested the local authority provide small 'rubber' ramps to try and slow speeding motorists down.

However, Cllr Irene Winters felt 'taxpayers' money shouldn't always be the answer to such problems.

'It doesn't always have to be about ramps. I would like to see residents associations do a leaflet drop to all houses about speeding. It shouldn't always be about the taxpayer taking the burden. I know where I live there was one car that was travelling too fast. He was approached and asked "could you please slow down. Do you not know you are upsetting a lot of people?" They slowed down after that.'

Cllr Cullen said: 'Generally, it is only a small amount of people who do it. They could be any age but more and more often it is young lads with souped up cars.'

Cllr Daire Nolan said that 'education is the key'. 'It is amazing how a little bit of neighbourly pressure can have an affect,' he said.

Cllr Mary Kavanagh said: 'Somebody has to spearhead that education project - something that puts the message out there. Not every estate has a residents association.'

At the next district meeting, the elected members will be furnished with a cost for erecting 'Children at Play' signs in local housing estates. Some of the signs will be placed on existing speed limit poles, while others may require new poles altogether.A south Wicklow secondary school was represented on a charity trip to Malawi organised by Irish development charity Gorta-Self Help Africa.

Roisin Byrne and Alanna Davidson-Gahan who attend Colaiste Bhride, Carnew, along with teacher Sinead Finlay travelled to Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi and on to the Balaka district in the southern part of the sub-Saharan country.

They were part of a group of 20 teenagers from across Ireland to take part in the visit where they saw first-hand, some of the biggest challenges affecting people in rural Africa. During their trip, organised by the Development Education unit at Gorta-Self Help Africa, the group visited a local secondary school, a university, and met with farming communities, horticultural groups, women groups and villagers who are being supported by the charity to develop village-based savings and loans groups.

'The aim of the trip is to give the students and teachers a chance to see Africa at first hand, and learn more about the challenges that people face in their daily lives - whether it relates to education, gender equality, climate, trade or the issues around farming and sustainable food production,' said Dorothy Jacob, coordinator of Gorta-Self Help Africa's schools programme.

'It's about both deepening understandings and challenging preconceptions,' she added.

The trip is arranged annually for schools that take part in Gorta-Self Help Africa's programme of school workshops, and also carry out local fundraising activities that both support the costs of the trip and contribute to the work of the charity.

During the visit the Carnew students, who were encouraged to find out more about a selected topic during their journey, undertook their own research into education in Malawi.

'I was surprised to see how enthusiastic the students were about going to school and how far they travel to get to class in the morning,' said Alanna Davidson-Gahan. "One of the students told me she travels 16km to go to school every day.'

'In Malawi, primary school is free, but secondary school is not. Students don't take education for granted, especially girls,' said Roisin Byrne. 'The one thing that struck me was the enthusiasm of female students for learning. They loved school life and wanted to stay in school for as long as possible, they wouldn't let anything distract them from their studies.'

The Carnew group, supported by their families, friends and schoolmates reached out to their local communities and organised fundraising events including table quizzes, coffee mornings, concerts and more, to fund their trip.

The purpose of the trip is to inspire students to share their learning and become engaged and active citizens in their communities once they return home.Azerbaijan breached the ceasefire nearly 220 times March 4-10 in the Artsakh line of contact.

March 10, 2018, 13:02 Azeri military breach Artsakh ceasefire over 220 times in one week

STEPANAKERT, MARCH 10, ARTSAKHPRESS-ARMENPRESS:Azerbaijani forces used various caliber firearms to fire more than 2500 rounds at Artsakh positions during the one-week period, the defense ministry of Artsakh said in a statement.

The Defense Army mostly refrained from taking counter-measures and confidently continued their service, the ministry said.Hotel and guesthouse owners in Wicklow are reporting a good start to 2018, with most forecasting an increase in advance bookings from domestic and overseas markets.

However, visitors to Irish shores from the UK continue to drop. The high cost of doing business, including insurance, is also a major concern.

72 per cent of hoteliers say their overall business levels are up compared to this time last year, with a similar number, 68 per cent, reporting an increase in advance bookings for the remainder of the year. Business levels from the US look set to remain strong with over half of hoteliers surveyed reporting an increase in business from this market.

Brian McNamara, Chair, Wicklow branch of the Irish Hotels Federation, believes hoteliers are confident of a positive outlook for 2018 but won't be allowing for any complacency.

'The increase in business levels that we are seeing from key international markets and from within Ireland itself, following on from strong growth in recent years, gives us some confidence. However, the negative effect on visitor numbers from the weakened sterling and uncertainty over Brexit reminds us that we're an island nation, dependent on the vagaries of other, larger economies, and there is never room for complacency. Tourism currently supports 8,900 jobs in Wicklow and contributes some 154 million to the local economy annually,' said Mr McNamara.

Visitor numbers are up too from continental Europe with 32 per cent of hotel owners reporting an increase in business from Germany and 23 per cent seeing a rise from France. Closer to home the domestic market remains buoyant with 67 per cent of hoteliers seeing an increase in home-grown business. However, in contrast, the UK market remains a significant concern with 56 per cent of hoteliers reporting a drop in business from Great Britain compared to this time last year. A drop in Northern Irish visitors has also been noted.

Mr McNamara acknowledges that Ireland and the UK often compete with one another as a destination for tourists from overseas, but the high cost of insurance can make life particularly difficult for Irish hoteliers.

'We operate in a price sensitive sector where we compete with the UK for overseas visitors. A sustained fall in sterling could have a negative effect on visitor numbers from other markets who may opt instead to go to the UK.

'Cost-competitiveness is critical. Government cannot influence the economic conditions affecting other countries but there is a wide policy range of measures within their control that can enhance competitiveness. The 9 per cent VAT rate and zero travel tax, for example, have been hugely significant in underpinning the recovery of the tourism sector,' said Mr McNamara.

'However, more needs to be done to bring down the high costs that are stifling business in Ireland such as insurance, where the costs are now so high they are a significant concern for almost nine in ten hoteliers.'

Employment growth within the hotel sector also looks set to continue in 2018. Over half of hoteliers (52%) expect to increase their staffing levels with opportunities available across all areas of business, from entry-level positions to jobs for experienced staff.Katy Perry posted a picture of herself in a onesie with Orlando Bloom's face emblazoned on it. Photo: Instagram

Katy Perry has fuelled rumours she is back with Orlando Bloom after wearing a onesie with his face all over it.

The 33-year-old was spotted in Santiago, Chile, after her concert at the Pista Atletica on Thursday, and the American Idol judge can be seen wearing the onesie in pictures shared by fans on social media.

Katy is sitting in the back of a car, and her eagle-eyed followers were quick to spot her ex-boyfriend's face emblazoned all over her clothes.

The onesies were specially made for Orlando's friends and family for his 40th birthday party in January last year, and celebrities including Jennifer Aniston were spotted wearing them at the bash.

Katy and Orlando have reportedly been enjoying low-key dates since they split in February last year, and a source told People that they were taking it slow this time round.

"In the past few months, they have spent a lot of time together. They both love travelling and are trying to share as many fun trips as possible. They are dating, but not necessarily putting a label on it, the source continued.

Last month, the couple fuelled reconciliation rumours after they were spotted sightseeing in Prague where the 41-year-old has been filming his new fantasy TV series Carnival Row.

They also enjoyed a romantic break in the Maldives in January, after Katy flew from Dubai to be reunited with her ex.

Back in September, the American Idol judge addressed the rumours she had reunited with the father-of-one, and told SiriusXM: "Well you know I think people are in and out of your life. It's nice to keep people you love around you."After all the promises of fire and fury, the threat and the counter-threats, Thursday's announcement that Donald Trump is to meet "Rocket Man" Kim Jong-un by May is an extraordinary, historic moment in global politics.

It was also inevitable.

Mr Kim's entire strategy has been building to this hour while Mr Trump's options have been thin throughout (even if they all remained on the table, as he and his officials were so fond of saying).

Any reading of the past year suggests Mr Kim has played a blinder in plotting a course for wannabe nuclear powers to follow.

He made acquiring nuclear weapons the only goal of his brutal administration. His calculation was simple: Once he had nukes his family was safe from the sort of regime change seen in countries such as Iraq and Libya that gave up their programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction.

His latest offer to talk comes only after he has successfully tested not just an atomic bomb, but what appears to be a two-stage thermonuclear device as well as the long-range missiles to deliver such a deadly payload.

No wonder his officials say they will forgo any further tests. They don't need them.

They also can't afford them. All indications are that Office 39 - which was set up as the Kim family's slush fund and also channels cash from businesses to the nuclear programme - is struggling to stay afloat in the face of international sanctions.

So all in all, this is a good time for Mr Kim to meet an American president, which let us not forget has been a foreign policy goal of Pyongyang's for years.

Such a meeting poses more problems for Mr Trump. What can he really expect to get out of it?

The examples of Muammar Gadaffi and Saddam Hussein have been cited by Mr Kim as reasons not to give up his weapons. There is no reason to believe he has wavered in that view. He is not meeting Mr Trump to say he is abandoning his nukes.

Instead, Mr Trump gets a way out. He enjoyed ratcheting up tensions last year with his threats but was told repeatedly by his national security and military personnel that any sort of armed intervention (no matter how limited or pinpoint) risked sparking retaliation that would have killed millions of people on the Korean peninsula - including US personnel.

Covert ops and cyber attacks could do only so much.

Mr Trump is finally going to do the only thing he could ever do: enter into talks with North Korea as a way of finding a deal that can bring a degree of safety and stability to the region.

By failing to understand this was the only outcome, by failing to use China's power against North Korea in tightening the screws, he has ceded the initiative. But at least he has a way out and an option that does not risk war.

Mr Kim, on the other hand, is triumphant. His country's nuclear programme may have crippled its economy and made Pyongyang an international pariah, but it has delivered its ultimate goal - he will meet the President of America and be treated as an equal.

 Daily Telegraph, London

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]Officials take off their protective suits near the bench where Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found in Salisbury. Photo: Reuters

The investigation into the attempted assassination of Sergei Skripal took a dramatic turn yesterday when it emerged the detective made seriously ill in the nerve agent attack was poisoned at the home of the Russian spy.

Around 180 specially trained troops from the Royal Marines and the RAF Regiment are being deployed to safely remove potentially contaminated material from sites in Salisbury.

Expand Close Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey. Photo: Getty Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey. Photo: Getty Images

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "The Counter Terrorism Policing Network has requested assistance from the military to remove a number of vehicles and objects from the scene in Salisbury town centre as they have the necessary capability and expertise.

"The public should not be alarmed and the public health advice remains the same.

"The military has the expertise and capability to respond to a range of contingencies. The Ministry of Defence regularly assists the emergency services and local authorities in the UK. Military assistance will continue as necessary during this investigation."

Gavin Williamson, the UK defence secretary, said: "Our armed forces have stepped up to support the police in their investigation in Salisbury."

Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, who is being treated in hospital, was made seriously ill after being sent to Mr Skripal's house in Salisbury.

Det Sgt Bailey was one of the first police officers to attend the house in a cul-de-sac a few hours after Mr Skripal and his daughter Yulia collapsed in Salisbury town centre.

The admission he was made ill at the house was made by Ian Blair, the former Metropolitan Police commissioner, in a BBC interview.

Asked if there were any leads in the case, Mr Blair told the 'Today Programme' on Radio 4: "There are some indications that the police officer who was injured had been to the house, whereas there was a doctor who looked after the patients in the open, who hasn't been affected at all. So there maybe some clues floating around in here."

'The Daily Telegraph' has confirmed that Det Sgt Bailey did attend the house.

The disclosure that Det Sgt Bailey was poisoned at the Skripal family home - rather than at the scene where the pair collapsed - strongly indicates that the nerve agent was administered there.

Counter-terrorism police and security services will now be investigating how the nerve agent was administered. Nerve agent is most toxic if weaponised in an aerosol spray and takes immediate effect.

The revelation that Det Sgt Bailey was poisoned at the house suggests that the Skripals may have ingested the nerve agent and will raise the possibility that Yulia Skripal had inadvertently brought some gift for her 66-year-old father from Moscow that contained the nerve agent.

Ms Skripal (33) had flown into London on Saturday, the day before the pair collapsed.

Both remain in intensive care, unconscious and fighting for their lives.

Mr Skripal was convicted of treason in 2006 and jailed for 13 years for selling secrets to MI6, which had recruited him in the 1990s. Mr Skripal, a senior intelligence officer with Russian military intelligence GRU, was pardoned in a spy swap in 2010 and settled in Salisbury.

The Kremlin is being blamed for the assassination attempt.

 Daily Telegraph, London

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]Italians are no strangers to high political drama: its modern history has been marked by dizzying changes of government. Since 1980 alone, the lurching from one political crisis to the next has resulted in the post of prime minister being filled more than 20 times.

The results then of last weekend's elections - with parties of the Italian mainstream losing to populist upstarts who will likely struggle to form lasting coalitions - augur yet another period of instability. The new cleavage in Italian politics is less about left versus right and more about pitting the triumphant populists against the established parties. The surge of the anti-establishment currents left the centre-left Democratic Party (down from 25pc to 19pc) and Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia (down from 22pc to 14pc) wondering where they will fit in this new political landscape.

Worryingly for those already watching anxiously from Brussels is the fact that more than half of voters plumped for anti-establishment parties of varying hues of Euroscepticism. The Five Star Movement, founded by Genovese comedian Beppe Grillo back when Italy was feeling the ravages of the global financial crisis in 2009, garnered more than 32pc of the vote, making it the largest party by far in the new parliament.

The Five Star Movement shares some similarities with the far-right League (formerly the Northern League) whose Trump-like mantra of 'Italians First' won it 17.4pc of the vote. Both parties call for tax cuts and the shelving of EU budget rules. Both previously demanded that Italy abandons the euro - it is currently the third-largest economy in the eurozone - but Five Star has now reneged on that call, though the League still aspires to it. Speculation that the two populist parties could form a coalition seems to have been dashed by comments from League leader Matteo Salvini - a fortysomething Milanese - that he will not leave his rightist sphere.

Both the Five Star Movement and the League made much of immigration - long a central feature of the latter's platform - on the campaign trail and whatever new government forms, it is likely to take a harder line on the issue.

With Italy the main arrival point for refugees and economic migrants who pay human traffickers to get them across the Mediterranean, anxieties over immigration have coloured its politics for several years. In the last four years, a total of more than 600,000 migrants have arrived on Italian shores, though numbers have dropped over the past year.

Nevertheless, the League's Salvini continues to describe the situation as "out of control" and clearly his message chimed with many voters this time round. The Brothers of Italy - another anti-immigration party rooted in the conservative politics that emerged in the post-fascist era - came close to doubling its electoral base to 4.4pc.

While the question of immigration swayed many voters, so too did mounting frustrations over the state of the economy.

While Italy has returned to - albeit slow - growth, its GDP is still well below pre-2008 crash levels. The country remains hobbled by high debt and an unemployment rate of more than 10pc, with young Italians hit particularly hard by the scourge of joblessness.

In this environment, the Five Star Movement - which presented itself as a maverick novelty challenging the status quo of Italy's tired old politics - appealed as something different. A key test now will be how Five Star transforms itself from a party of protest politics to a party of government, depending on what kind of coalition emerges and what role it will play.

With the parties of the right comprising the largest single bloc in parliament, and League leader Salvini vowing it will seek to govern, the next government is likely to be predominantly conservative. The blend of Eurosceptic, anti-immigration and stridently nationalistic currents swirling in the Italian body politic suggests it will be conservatism of a particular type (and feared by Brussels).

Another aspect is Salvini's courting of Moscow. Last year he signed a co-operation agreement with United Russia, the party of Vladimir Putin, whom he speaks of admiringly. He is not the first populist leader in Europe to make overtures to Russia. Nor is he likely to be the last. But what that might translate into for Italy and the EU more generally if Salvini becomes prime minister is another question.Andreas Graf takes Julius to work to meet his colleagues who supported him Photo: RTL Hessen screengrab

A little boy suffering from leukaemia whose widower father was able to take a year off work to care for him thanks to colleagues generosity has returned to nursery school after being declared well enough to leave hospital.

Julius Graf celebrated his fifth birthday by going home after weeks of life-saving chemotherapy.

His father, Andreas, says he will forever be grateful to work colleagues who donated more than 3,000 hours of overtime so that he could stay off work to care for Julius just after the boy's mother died.

Julius was three years old when he was diagnosed with leukaemia early last year, and Mr Graf, 36, used all his annual leave from the design company where he worked to be at his sons hospital bedside.

But when the boy was well enough to return to the family's home in Fronhausen, in Hessen, Germany, his mother suddenly died of heart disease.

With no holiday allowance left, Mr Graf was worried he would lose his job as an assembly worker, and was struggling to cope with both his son's illness and his wifes death.

But Pia Meier, the companys human resources manager, appealed to the factory's workers to donate their overtime - and all 650 signed up, even those who had never met Mr Graf.

Within two weeks, at an average of five hours for each employee, they had raised 3,264.5 hours, which the company allowed him to take as paid leave.

The total was equal to 81.6 weeks - or more than 18 months.

Without this tremendous help, I would've been out of a job by now, Mr Graf said, adding that he would be eternally grateful to his colleagues and the company.

Recalling when he was first told about colleagues generosity he said: At first I was speechless, could not say anything. I cried in front of friends and was completely overwhelmed.

He has cooperated with media publicity about his case out of gratitude to colleagues, he said.

And he has since also been touched by offers from strangers to donate towards Juliuss care.

Recently, an 89-year-old wanted to donate 20 euros. But we did not have the heart to accept that. That's overwhelming, he said.

His son will still have therapy until August, he said. He gets syringes every four weeks and also low-dose chemo-tablets. But Julius copes very well. We are on the right track, but that does not protect us from relapse. He must be cancer-free for five years to be cured. He goes to nursery more now, depending on how he is feeling, his father said.

Ms Meier said she had also been overwhelmed by the response from staff, pointing out that not a single worker declined to donate.

Mr Graf was able take more than a year off to take care of his son but has now gone back to working just four hours a day.An armoured vehicle arrives at the Veterans Home of California (Ben Margot/AP)

The gunman who killed three people who work for a California programme that treats veterans for post-traumatic stress disorder was kicked out of the therapy, a relative of one victim said.

Albert Wong, 36, was identified as the man who went to The Pathway House therapy centre on the sprawling campus of the largest veterans home in the country and took a psychologist and two executives hostage, authorities said.

Gunshots were fired around 10:30am after Wong arrived at the Veterans Home of California-Yountville but nothing more was heard from him or the women until their bodies were found at about 6pm, authorities said.

Wong slipped into a going-away party for two employees of The Pathway Home, authorities said.

Killed were programme executive director Christine Loeber, 48; clinical director Jennifer Golick, 42; and Jennifer Gonzalez, 29, a clinical psychologist with the San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

These brave women were accomplished professionals who dedicated their careers to serving our nations veterans, working closely with those in the greatest need of attention after deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, The Pathway Home said in a statement.

Ms Golick was the top psychologist at The Pathway Home, a non-profit organisation that treats combat veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.

The CHP is deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred at the Yountville Veterans Home of California today. We are committed to conducting a complete and thorough investigation into this tragedy so we may provide answers to the victims' families.  CHP Headquarters (@CHP_HQ) March 10, 2018

It was far too early to say if they were chosen at random because investigators had not yet determined a motive, California Highway Patrol Assistant Chief Chris Childs said.

However, Ms Golicks father-in-law said she had recently ordered Wong removed from the programme.

Ms Golick called her husband, Mark, at around 10:30am to say that she had been taken hostage by the former soldier, he said.

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Wong had been an Army infantryman who served a year in Afghanistan from 2011 to 2012. He held a number of service awards, including one for expert marksmanship with a rifle.

Yountville, about 53 miles north of San Francisco, is one of the Napa Valleys most upscale towns, located in the heart of wine country.

A sheriffs deputy responding to an emergency call Friday morning got into a shootout with the gunman but was not injured.

Highway Patrol Sgt Robert Nacke said negotiators were unable to make contact with the gunman throughout the day.A humanitarian convoy entered the besieged Syrian enclave of Eastern Ghouta yesterday morning amid a lull in the ferocious bombardment which has killed more than 900 people.

The convoy of 13 trucks loaded with 2,400 food parcels rolled into the battered rebel-held suburb from regime territory in Damascus.

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The convoy was supposed to go into Eastern Ghouta on Thursday but the delivery was called off because of the intensive bombing. The convoy is bringing the remainder of the supplies from a convoy on Monday, which was interrupted mid-delivery by fighting.

The pause in the bombing and the delivery of food will offer some respite to a small portion of the hundreds of thousands of civilians still trapped inside Eastern Ghouta.

But residents said they expected the bombardment and the accompanying ground offensive by Syrian regime forces and their allies to resume soon.

The UN Security Council voted on February 28 for a nationwide ceasefire and for the unfettered delivery of humanitarian aid to besieged areas like Eastern Ghouta.

Neither the Russian nor the Syrian regime has complied with the resolution, drawing angry words but little action from Western countries. The regime assault on Eastern Ghouta began on February 18 and has continued almost ceaselessly for nearly three weeks.

But the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that strikes had stopped in the early hours of yesterday morning, giving residents their calmest night in some time.

Hopeful

Ingy Sedky, a spokeswoman for the International Committee of the Red Cross, said the group was hopeful they could make a larger aid delivery next week.

"We also have some positive indications that a bigger convoy with additional supplies, including medical items, might happen next week," she said.

The Syrian regime reportedly stripped Monday's convoy of trauma kits and other medical supplies before allowing it to enter rebel areas. Hadi al-Bahra, a member of the Syrian Negotiation Commission, an opposition umbrella group, said that some of the food that reached Eastern Ghouta had been spoiled by delays in getting through.

Syrian regime troops and allied Shia militias have captured several districts in the east of the opposition-held pocket and are moving to sever the last corridor of territory connecting the northern and southern parts.

If Eastern Ghouta is divided in two by Assad's troops it would leave the Failaq al-Rahman rebel group in control of the southern portion, along with several smaller factions, while the Army of Islam, an Islamist rebel group, would retain control of Douma and the northern area.Saudi Arabia is targeting children in the brutal war in Yemen with a "growing sense of impunity", a charity chief has warned as the country's key power player completed a high-profile visit to the UK.

Killing and subjecting minors to appalling violence is becoming "normalised" in conflict zones around the world, Save the Children chief executive Kevin Watkins warned.

He spoke on the final day of a three-day official visit and charm offensive to the UK by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - which included talks with Prime Minister Theresa May and an audience with the queen.

Downing Street said the prime minister raised the situation in Yemen with the Saudi royal.

Mr Watkins criticised the welcome given to the crown prince, and said: "The fact that you can rape, murder, kidnap, bomb schools, bomb clinics with no consequence, speaks I think to the heart of the deeper challenge that we are addressing today."Florida Governor Rick Scott listens during a meeting with law enforcement, mental health, and education officials about how to prevent future tragedies in the wake of last week's mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida, U.S., February 20, 2018. REUTERS/Colin Hackley/File Photo

Florida Governor Rick Scott has signed a $400 million school safety bill in response to the tragedy that killed 17 people at a high school.

Flanked by family members of students who were killed during the mass shooting just over three weeks ago he said the bill, written since the shooting, balances "our individual rights with need for public safety".

He added: "It's an example to the entire country that government can and has, moved fast."

The bill is not what many of the shooting's survivors, or the school's students, wanted - they said it does not go far enough.

It also marks Mr Scott's break with the National Rifle Association, and the group's powerful lobbyist called the bill "a display of bullying and coercion" that would violate Second Amendment rights and punish law-abiding citizens.

The bill raises the minimum age to buy rifles from 18 to 21 and creates a waiting period on sales of the weapons.

It also creates a so-called "guardian" program that enables teachers and other school employees in participating districts to carry handguns if they complete law enforcement training.

Mr Scott said he is still "not persuaded" about the guardian program.

"I'm glad however, the plan in this bill is not mandatory," he said, adding the program will be up to local officials to implement. "If counties don't want to do this, they can simply say no."

He said he is signing the legislation because it makes schools safer and singled out two fathers whose children were killed, saying they walked the halls of the Legislature since the shooting to enact change.

Mr Scott said: "I know the debate on all these issues will continue. And that's healthy in our democracy.

"This is a time for all of us to come together, roll up our sleeves and get it done."

Student activists from the school where the shooting took place followed the bill's track closely and called it "a baby step".

"Obviously, this is what we've been fighting for. It's nowhere near the long-term solution," said Chris Grady, a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Mr Grady is one of the organisers of the March for Life later this month in Washington, DC.

He added: "It's a baby step, but a huge step at the same time. Florida hasn't passed any legislation like this in God knows how long.

"It's nowhere near what we want, but it's progress and uplifting to see."

Mr Scott told the students: "You helped change our state. You made a difference. You should be proud."

The bill narrowly passed the House and Senate, and falls short of what he wanted and what survivors of the massacre demanded. Florida's teachers union and the National Rifle Association are opposed.

The measure would raise the minimum age to buy rifles from 18 to 21, extend a three-day waiting period for handgun purchases to include long guns and ban bump stocks that allow guns to mimic fully automatic fire.

In schools, it would create a "guardian" program enabling staff with law enforcement training and school district approval to carry concealed handguns on campus.

It would create new mental health programs for schools and establish an anonymous tip line where students and others could report threats. It also seeks to improve communication between schools, law enforcement and state agencies.

The NRA opposes raising age limits to buy weapons or imposing new waiting periods.

In a statement Thursday, NRA and Unified Sportsmen of Florida lobbyist Marion Hammer called the bill "a display of bullying and coercion".

Broward County teachers union President Anna Fusco met with Carlos Lopez-Cantera and let him know teachers support the school safety bill, but do not like the provision that allows school employees and some teachers to carry guns after receiving law enforcement training.

She said she wants Mr Scott to veto the money for the so-called guardian program when he receives the budget.

He can not veto individual items in the bill itself, but can does have line-item veto power with the budget.

"We support the bill," Ms Fusco said. "I know there's lots of things in there that are a start, and there's in there that's going to bring some pieces back together for Parkland.

"But there's a piece in there that we're concerned about - arming educators in schools."

The programme to arm teachers would be optional, and the Broward County school superintendent has already said he does not want to participate. Ms Fusco said she expects Mr Scott to sign the bill.

Meanwhile, the 19-year-old former student accused of opening fire at the school on February 14 made his initial appearance before a judge this week on 17 attempted murder charges added by the grand jury.

In the brief hearing Friday, Nikolas Cruz stood with his head bowed as he appeared via video conference.

He is also charged with 17 counts of first-degree murder.

Cruz's public defender withdrew an initial not guilty plea, leaving him to "stand mute" for now, but has said he will plead guilty if prosecutors take the death penalty off the table and sentence him to life in prison instead.

Prosecutors have not announced a decision.Shkreli, the former pharmaceuticals executive who became known as Pharma Bro, was sentenced on March 9, 2018, to seven years prison on charges of defrauding investors. Photo: Getty Images

Martin Shkrelis jailing for seven years on Friday marked the lowest ebb in a stark reversal of fortunes on a scale more reminiscent of a Euripidean tragedy than a New York courtroom.

And like all Greek tragic protagonists, the former hedge fund owners downfall was aided by hubris.

The former pharmaceuticals boss dubbed "Pharma Bro" was sentenced after being found guilty last year of defrauding investors in two hedge funds he ran between 2009 and 2011.

He has been ordered to pay $7.36m (5.3m) in forfeiture, and was handed a further $75,000 fine on Friday.

"I'm not the same person I was," a tearful Shkreli said on Friday. "I know right from wrong. I know what it means to tell the truth and what it means to lie."

He also said: "The only person to blame for me being here today is me. There is no conspiracy to take down Martin Shkreli. I took down Martin Shkreli."

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And what a downfall it was. Just a few years ago the 34-year-old was a financial prodigy and pharmaceuticals CEO who had built his $70 million (50m) fortune through a precocious career.

Then in 2015 he shot to notoriety for hiking the price of a HIV treatment 5,000 per cent, instantly making him the public villain du jour.

Faced with widespread revulsion and condemnation, Shkreli seemed to revel in his infamy and cheerfully cultivated his pharma bro image.

He defended the price rise - even suggesting he should have hiked it higher - and then smirked as he pleaded the Fifth Amendment in a congressional hearing over the pricing.

Soon he was dubbed 'the most hated in America'.

But it was a separate matter that eventually led to his incarceration. In August, Shkreli was convicted of defrauding investors in two hedge funds he ran, MSMB Capital and MSMB Healthcare.

The charges included sending them fake accounts and hiding huge losses as well as scheming to prop up the stock price of a drug company he founded in 2011 called Retrophin.

Throughout the trial Shkreli seemed to maintain his brass-necked persona. Even his high-profile lawyer, Ben Brafman, acknowledged "there are times when I want to punch him in the face", according to reporters who were in the courtroom.

He only showed any remorse at he sentencing on Friday.

A modest upbringing

From a modest upbringing in a working-class area of Brooklyn, New York, by his early thirties Martin Shkreli had amassed a personal fortune of $70 million (50m) as the bad boy of the pharmaceuticals industry.

The son of Albanian and Croatian immigrants who worked as caretakers, Shkreli and his three siblings grew up in a small apartment in Sheepshead Bay, an area known for its high concentration of Russian immigrants.

His prodigious intellect earned him a place at Hunter College High, a public school for intellectually gifted children he would subsequently - and controversially - donate $1m (725,000) to.

Aged 17 he started an internship at Wall Street hedge fund Cramer, Berkowitz & Co, showing aptitude as an analyst with profit-making recommendations on short-selling biotech stock.

The brash businessman started his own hedge fund company in 2006, Ela Capital Management, that was later sued by the Lehman Brothers for $2.3million (1.6m) over a failed bet, only for the US investment bank to collapse before he had to pay out.

He made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list of inspiring entrepreneurs in 2012, telling the magazine: I'd like to focus on my life on creating new medicines for people who are suffering from rare disease.

Shkreli founded Turing Pharmaceuticals in 2015 and within months became public enemy number one after hiking the price of HIV drug Daraprim by more than 5,000 per cent overnight.

His rise to notoriety: The Daraprim price hike

Turing Pharmaceuticals, named after British mathematician Alan Turing, purchased the US marketing rights to life-saving drug Daraprim from Impax Laboratories for $55m ($40m) in August 2015.

Within a month, Turing increased the price of the pills from $13.50 (8.75) each to $750 (545), a factor of 56, resulting in an overwhelming backlash that thrust Shkreli to global infamy and the role of arch villain of the pharmaceutical industry.

Health experts and patients were outraged by the profit-driven price hike for the drug which is used to treat toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection, with treatment requiring a course of 100 pills.

He indignantly defended the companys actions, responding: If there was a company that was selling an Aston Martin at the price of a bicycle, and we buy that company and we ask to charge Toyota prices, I don't think that that should be a crime.

Shkreli claimed at the time he wanted to use the profits to create better, safer and more effective alternatives to treat toxoplasmosis.

In 2016, Shkreli was subpoenaed to testify before Congress over the controversy but refused to answer questions by invoking his Fifth Amendment rights, angering congressmen by smirking and displaying a bored demeanour during his appearance, later branding them imbeciles on his Twitter page.

During the 2016 presidential election campaign, Donald Trump attacked Shkreli by lambasting him as a spoiled brat. After Vermont senator Bernie Sanders camp called him a poster boy for drug company greed, Shkreli responded with a tongue-in-cheek application to become his intern.

That guy is nothing, added Mr Trump. Hes zero. Hes nothing. He ought to be ashamed of himself.

The Pharma Bro persona

The vilified former pharmaceutical CEO, who boasted about his wealth and lavish lifestyle on Instagram, was disparagingly dubbed the Pharma Bro by critics.

He bragged about drinking 9,000 bottles of 1969 Petrus and 1982 Chateau Latife-Rothschild wine on social media and shared photos of extravagant boat and helicopter rides.

In a series of TV interviews following the controversy, he refused to apologise for increasing prices of the drug on the World Health Organisations (WHO) Lists of Essential Medicines, saying: This isnt the greedy drug company trying to gouge patients, it is us trying to stay in business.

Asked by Forbes in December 2015 if he would have done the same thing again following the backlash, he created more controversy by unrepentantly insisting: I wouldve raised the prices higher.

I think health care prices are inelastic, I could have raised it higher and made more profits for or shareholders, he added.

His $1m (720,000) donation to his Hunter College High in 2015was criticised by alumni of the school, with one calling it blood money.

Wu Tang-Clan album purchase

Shkreli purchased the only available copy of Wu Tang-Clans Once Upon a Time in Shaolin double album for $2million (1.4m) before subsequently threatening to destroy it before fans could listen to it.

After Wu Tang member Ghostface Killah insulted him, Shkreli responded with a diss video, calling the rapper an old man thats lost his relevance and demanded an apology letter.

He promised to leak the one-of-a-kind album if Mr Trump won the US election and to the delight of fans played a selection of unreleased Wu Tang tracks on streaming app Periscope following his victory.

Shkreli listed the album on eBay following his clash with Ghostface Killah, with the bids exceeding $1m ($720,000), yet its eventual sale was never confirmed.

I decided to purchase this album as a gift to the Wu-Tang Clan for their tremendous musical output. Instead I received scorn from at least one of their (least-intelligent) members, and the world at large failed to see my purpose of putting a serious value behind music, he posted.

At any time I may cancel this sale and I may even break this album in frustration.

The rap enthusiast also offered Kanye West $10m (7.2m) for exclusive rights to his seventh studio album, The Life of Pablo, but later claimed he was scammed for $15m (10.8m) after transferring bitcoin funds to someone purporting to be a friend of the hip hop star.

Twitter controversy

Last year, Shkrelis Twitter account was suspended for the alleged targeted harassment of Teen Vogue columnist Lauren Duca.

He invited the journalist to President Trumps inauguration, with Ms Duca responding: I would rather eat my own organs.

Twitter confirmed the account violated its policies after Ms Duca shared grabs from Shkrelis profile which featured a photo collage of the journalist and a profile photo of his face photoshopped over her husbands.

Martin Shkreli is an insufferable troll, who has been harassing me for weeks, said Ms Duca. He doesn't even deserve the attention he got from my tweet.

Fraud charges

The 34-year-old was found guilty last year on charges he cheated investors in two failed hedge funds, using the money to start a drug company, however his defence argued he eventually made investors a profit.

Prosecutors claimed he engaged in multiple schemes to ensnare investors through a web of lies and deceit, however Shkreli claimed he was targeted by authorities because of his drug price hikes.

At its core, this case is about Shkreli's deception of people who trusted him, wrote prosecutors.

Indeed, he compounded the lies with a pattern of corrupt behaviour designed to cover up those lies. He lied to get investors' money, he lied to keep them invested in his funds and he lied once those investors wanted their money back.

His bail ahead of sentencing was revoked in September last year after he offered a $5,000 (3,600) bounty to anyone who could get a lock of Hillary Clinton's hair.

During his time in prison, Shkreli has reportedly been mentoring his fellow inmates by teaching them some ways to change their lives.

In a letter to the judge asking for leniency, he wrote, I was wrong. I was a fool. I should have known better.

The judge has ruled that Shkreli must forfeit more than $7.3 million (5.2m) in a brokerage account and personal assets which could include his Wu-Tang Clan album, a Picasso painting and a rare Lil' Wayne album, The Carter V.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]US President Donald Trump will not meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un unless Pyongyang takes "concrete actions," the White House said on Friday as it faced criticism for agreeing to talks that would boost Kim's standing.

"The president will not have the meeting without seeing concrete steps and concrete actions take place by North Korea, so the president will actually be getting something," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told a news briefing.

Sanders did not specify what actions North Korea needed to take, and a White House official later said she was not intending to set new conditions for talks with Kim.

But the comments were a sign that an end to a standoff between the two countries over North Korea's nuclear weapon program is not imminent.

Trump did little to clear up confusion over the timing of talks and any preconditions when he took to Twitter late on Friday.

"The deal with North Korea is very much in the making and will be, if completed, a very good one for the World. Time and place to be determined," he wrote.

The United States has long said it wants any talks to aim at Pyongyang abandoning its nuclear weapons and missile programs.

Hopes for a breakthrough with North Korea rose on Thursday when Trump said he was prepared to hold an unprecedented meeting with Kim.

The two leaders prompted jitters around the world last year as they exchanged bellicose insults over the North's attempts to develop a nuclear weapon capable of hitting the United States. Pyongyang has pursued its nuclear program in defiance of United Nations Security Council resolutions.

But tension eased around last month's Winter Olympics in South Korea, laying the groundwork for what would be the first meeting between leaders from North Korea and the United States, and the biggest foreign policy gamble for Trump since he took office in January last year.

The head of South Korea's National Security Office, Chung Eui-yong, speaking in Washington on Thursday after briefing Trump about a meeting South Korean officials held with Kim this week, said the U.S. president had agreed to meet the North Korean leader by May in response to an invitation from Kim.

Kim had "committed to denuclearization" and to suspending nuclear and missile tests, Chung said.

BUYING TIME?

A senior State Department official said the talks would likely only be a preliminary discussion about holding future negotiations.

"The expectation is that the talks would lead to a discussion around a conclusion that we're ready to engage in negotiations," the official said.

Trump's sudden decision to meet with Kim stunned even people in his own administration.

Sanders' comments seemed aimed at criticism in the United States that Trump took a misstep by agreeing to talks - thus giving Pyongyang the international legitimacy it seeks - but without earning any big concessions from the North.

"The Administration must go into any meeting with a plan to ensure that negotiations with Kim Jong-un produce real results, not a photo op that lends legitimacy to North Koreas murderous regime, U.S. Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat who is vice chairman of the Senate intelligence committee, said in a statement.

Some U.S. officials and experts worry North Korea could buy time to build up and refine its nuclear arsenal if it drags out talks with Washington.

A White House official said Trump remained committed to a meeting with Kim based on the conditions laid out by South Korea on Thursday: that Kim is committed to denuclearization, will refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests, and understands that U.S.-South Korean military exercises must continue.

(The North Koreans) are saying the right things and were going to listen to them at the table and were going to see where this leads, the official said.

No venue or date has been announced for the summit, which is expected to be held in May. Neutral Switzerland, which often hosts summits, said it was ready to facilitate the meeting.

CHINA WELCOMES TALKS

A Trump-Kim summit would be a major turnaround after a year in which North Korea has carried out a battery of missile tests that Washington sees as provocative and after a barrage of insults between the two leaders.

U.S.-based experts say North Korea appeared to show last November that it has succeeded in developing a missile capable of delivering a nuclear weapon anywhere in the United States.

Trump has derided Kim as a "maniac," referred to him as "little rocket man" and threatened in a speech last year to "totally destroy" North Korea, a country of 26 million people, if it attacked the United States or one of its allies.

Kim responded by calling Trump a "mentally deranged U.S. dotard."

The Trump administration has led a worldwide push to tighten international sanctions on North Korea to choke off resources needed for its weapons programs.

World leaders welcomed prospects for a possible thaw in the Korea standoff including China, which is North Korea's largest trading partner and its sole major ally.

Chinese President Xi Jinping told Trump in a phone call on Friday that he appreciates his desire to resolve the North Korea issue politically, Chinese state media said.

Xi "hopes the United States and North Korea start contacts and dialogue as soon as possible and strive to reach positive results," the report added.New Delhi, Mar 10 (IBNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron by visiting the airport here.

The French leader is accompanied by his wife Brigitte Marie-Claude Macron.

Modi showed a special gesture by visiting the airport to welcome the French President and later tweeted: " Welcome to India, President @EmmanuelMacron! Your visit will add great strength to the strategic partnership between India and France. I look forward to our talks tomorrow."

" Looking forward to co-chairing the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance with President @EmmanuelMacron on 11th March. The ISA is a unique effort that brings the world together to harness solar energy and create a cleaner as well as greener future," read another tweet.

Macron will be a on a state visit from Mar 9 to 12.

The visit of President Macron is aimed at strengthening the bilateral economic, political and strategic dimension of our engagement.

The Indian Prime Minister and the French President shall also co-chair the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance, which will take place on Mar 11.

The Indian community, including NRIs in mainland France number around 1.1 lakh people; largely originating from French enclaves of Puducherry, Karaikal, Yanam, Mahe and Chandernagore.New Delhi, Mar 10 (IBNS): French President Emmanuel Macron received a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Saturday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron by visiting the airport here.

The French leader is accompanied by his wife Brigitte Marie-Claude Macron.

Modi showed a special gesture by visiting the airport to welcome the French President and later tweeted: " Welcome to India, President @EmmanuelMacron! Your visit will add great strength to the strategic partnership between India and France. I look forward to our talks tomorrow."

" Looking forward to co-chairing the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance with President @EmmanuelMacron on 11th March. The ISA is a unique effort that brings the world together to harness solar energy and create a cleaner as well as greener future," read another tweet.

Macron will be a on a state visit from Mar 9 to 12.

The visit of President Macron is aimed at strengthening the bilateral economic, political and strategic dimension of our engagement.

The Indian Prime Minister and the French President shall also co-chair the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance, which will take place on Mar 11.

The Indian community, including NRIs in mainland France number around 1.1 lakh people; largely originating from French enclaves of Puducherry, Karaikal, Yanam, Mahe and Chandernagore.

Image: TV grab

Singapore City, Mar 10 (IBNS): Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who was apparently grilled by a questioner during a session in Singapore, said the same wouldn't have been done to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The questioner, who identified himself as PK Basu, said he had authored the book "Asia Reborn", and is a teacher of economic history, asked Gandhi, "Why is it that, when your family ruled the country, India's per capita income grew slower than the world average, but since your family relinquished the PM-ship, India's per capita income has grown much substantially faster than the world average?"

Gandhi shot back with, "And what is your hypothesis?"

Answering the Congress leader's question, the professor asked Gandhi to read his book to know his hypothesis.

"I asked you the question. I'm here to ask the question... My hypothesis is in my book. Please read the book," he said as audience laughed and clapped.

However, unfazed, Gandhi shot back, "So you are saying that I have absolutely no role in Indian politics from 2004 to today? You are saying that? Make up your mind. I either have a role or I don't, you can't give me both options."

He added, "Now you notice something else... Mr Narendra Modi would never do that. You would never have the ability to say in front of Modiji what you said to me. And I am absolutely blazingly proud of that."

Later Gandhi said, "Anybody in this room who thinks that the Congress is not party to that success, anybody who thinks that gaining Independence was not part of that success, that one man, one vote which the RSS opposed, was not part of that success, anybody who thinks that Green revolution was not part of that success... anybody who thinks that the telecom was not part of that success.. anybody who thinks that liberalisation was not part of that success... needs to write a new book."

With political discourse hitting new lows everyday, Congress President Rahul Gandhi shows how to gracefully handle detractors and call their bluff. #RGinSingapore #IndiaAt70 pic.twitter.com/OnTJz0kzUx  Congress (@INCIndia) March 8, 2018

The Congress party, who didn't take too kindly the manner in which its party president was questioned, tweeted, "With political discourse hitting new lows everyday, Congress President Rahul Gandhi shows how to gracefully handle detractors and call their bluff. #RGinSingapore #IndiaAt70"

Image: twitter.com/OfficeOfRGTokyo/New Delhi, Mar 10 (IBNS): At a time the US is making the H1-B visa stricter, Japan is looking to hire around two lakh IT professionals from India, media reports said.

Japan wants to hire professionals particularly in life sciences, finances, services and agriculture.

Japan has also said it will issue green cards to every professional to help them become permanent citizens.

The issue of green card will be done within a year.

Executive Vice President at Japan External Trade Organisation (JETO), Shigeki Maeda, was quoted by DNA, "Japan will open up its doors to about two lakh IT professionals from India, and issue green cards to settle down in Japan and support the country's rapidly expanding IT infrastructure."

"Currently there are around 9,20,000 IT professionals in the country and there is an immediate demand for more than 2,00,000 IT professionals from India which is likely to further swell to 8,00,000 professionals by 2030" he added.



Jaipur, Mar 10 (IBNS) : The Rajasthan Assembly passed an amendment to the existing law on Friday making rape or gang-rape of a girl up to 12 years of age an offence punishable with death, media reports said.

Rajasthan is the second state after Madhya Pradesh, where rape or gang-rape of minor girls is a capital offence.

The move has been taken to check the rise in crimes against women, including children.

Haryana Chief Minister Manoharlal Khattar has also hinted at bringing a similar law in his state.New Delhi, Mar 10 (IBNS) : French President Emmanuel Macron met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday to discuss further enhancement of ties in various sectors between the two countries.

"A strategic partnership since 1998! EAM @SushmaSwaraj called on President of France @EmmanuelMacron and exchanged views on further enhancing our strategic partnership in trade & investment, defence & security, culture, education and people-to-people ties," MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

Macron visited Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi and paid his tribute to him.

Accompanied by his wife, Brigitte Marcon, the French President began his four day visit to India on Friday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday welcomed Macron by visiting the airport here.

Modi tweeted: " Welcome to India, President @EmmanuelMacron! Your visit will add great strength to the strategic partnership between India and France. I look forward to our talks tomorrow."

" Looking forward to co-chairing the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance with President @EmmanuelMacron on 11th March. The ISA is a unique effort that brings the world together to harness solar energy and create a cleaner as well as greener future," read another tweet.

Macron will be a on a state visit from Mar 9 to 12.

The visit of President Macron is aimed at strengthening the bilateral economic, political and strategic dimension of our engagement.

The Indian Prime Minister and the French President shall also co-chair the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance, which will take place on Mar 11.

The Indian community, including NRIs in mainland France number around 1.1 lakh people; largely originating from French enclaves of Puducherry, Karaikal, Yanam, Mahe and Chandernagore.New Delhi, Mar 10 (IBNS) : Beginning his official engagements in India on a four-day trip, French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday said France should be the best partner for India and the entry point to Europe.

"I think we (India and France) have very good chemistry. Our two great democracies have a historic relationship," President Macron said after he was given a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapat Bhavan.

"... France should be the best partner for India, especially in Europe, the entry point for Europe. And I aim to have more and more Indian citizens coming to France studying, becoming a partner, creating start-ups and I want my country to be your best partner in Europe," he told media outside the Rashtrpati Bhavan.

Accompanied by his wife Brigette Marie-Claude Macron and an entourage of businessmen and officials, the French President arrived here on Friday night.

Macron said his first objective is to open a new era in the India-France Strategic Partnership in terms of defence and security, in terms of research and science, especially in terms of our youth, higher education and science.

It is absolutely critical because our two democracies have common challenges regarding terrorism, a lot of common risks, a lot of threats, he said.

The 40-year-old French President later visited the Raj Ghat.

Macron also met Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj in the morning. "They exchanged views on enhancing strategic partnership in trade and investment, defence and security, culture, education and people-to-people ties," tweeted Foreign Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar.

Macron is now holding bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi that will be followed by delegation-level talks and signing of various deals.

During his visit, the two countries are likely to ink agreements on civil nuclear cooperation, solar energy and transfer of electric mobility for Indian Railways and metro lines linked to smart city projects, among other things.

Prime Minister Modi on Friday welcomed the visiting French President by visiting the airport here.

Modi showed a special gesture by visiting the airport to welcome the French President and later tweeted: " Welcome to India, President @EmmanuelMacron! Your visit will add great strength to the strategic partnership between India and France. I look forward to our talks tomorrow."

" Looking forward to co-chairing the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance with President @EmmanuelMacron on 11th March. The ISA is a unique effort that brings the world together to harness solar energy and create a cleaner as well as greener future," read another tweet.

Macron will be a on a state visit from Mar 9 to 12.

The Indian Prime Minister and the French President shall also co-chair the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance, which will take place on Mar 11.

The Indian community, including NRIs in mainland France number around 1.1 lakh people; largely originating from French enclaves of Puducherry, Karaikal, Yanam, Mahe and Chandernagore.New Delhi, Mar 10 (IBNS): The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, as advised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has directed that Suresh Prabhu, Cabinet Minister shall be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, in addition to his existing portfolio.

A former railway minister, Prabhu is currently heading the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The appointment was necessitated after Ashok Gajapathi Raju of T elegu Desam Party (TDP) , an ally of the BJP, quit from the Cabinet on Thursday. He was heading the Civil Aviation ministry.

The TDP has walked out of the NDA ministry over the demands of a special status to the southeastern state but stayed in the alliance for now.

TDP ministers Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Y.S. Chowdary resigned on Thursday following the orders of their party chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

Chowdary was the Minister of State in for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences in the BJP-led central government.New Delhi, Mar 10 (IBNS): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has called upon the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to launch Special Recruitment Drives for Women to achieve the goal of 33% reservation for women.

Addressing the 49th Raising Day Parade of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in Ghaziabad on Saturday, he also asked the Force to prepare and strengthen its Cyber Security Plan.

Rajnath Singh said data theft, hacking and cyber crimes have added a fourth dimension to industrial security. Considering the changing security scenario, he said the Cyber & Information Security (CIS) Division has been recently created under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Quoting CISF motto Duty with smile, the Union Home Minister said air travellers have lavished praise on the CISF personnel for their politeness while ensuring foolproof security at airports.

However, calling upon the CISF personnel not to lower guard and always remain vigilant, the Union Home Minister, in a lighter vein, said being too courteous should not mean lax security.

Rajnath Singh said as Indias economy will surpass the $5 trillion mark in a few years, we will need to boost critical infrastructure including airports, metro and high-speed railways.

Since security to such vital infrastructure and strategic installations including space research and nuclear power plants lies in the safe hands of the CISF, he said the Force is thus contributing to Indias development and nation-building.

The Union Home Minister noted that the CISF has also been providing Consultancy Services in industrial security to the corporate sector.

Shri Rajnath Singh asked the CISF to roll out its Mission 2020 ahead of the Amrut Mahotsav (75thAnniversary) celebrations of Indias Independence in 2022. As the CISF enters its Golden Jubilee Year, he lauded the worlds largest industrial security force for its multi-dimensional roles including Internal Security in combating Left Wing Extremism.

On the occasion, the Union Home Minister presented awards and medals to CISF personnel and took the salute of an impressive parade.

He also released the CISF Coffee Table book.New Delhi, Mar 10 (IBNS): Emmanuel Macron, the President of the Republic of France, called on President of India Ram Nath Kovind, at Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Saturday.

Welcoming the French President to India, the President said that India accords high priority to its strategic partnership with France.

"Our traditional friendship is firmly rooted in the excellent bilateral understanding and mutual respect that we have. Our shared values of democracy, liberty, equality and fraternity bring us even closer," the Indian President said.

The President said that Indias strategic ties with France have been expanding not just in traditional sectors of defence, space and civil nuclear energy but also in the emerging areas of counter-terrorism and maritime and cyber-security.

"Our economic collaboration is on course. But we can do much better. Our bilateral trade of about US$ 11 billion is far below potential. We need to diversify our trade basket and look for new avenues to boost trade," Kovind said.

The President was happy to note that close to 1000 French companies have invested in India.

He said that we value these investments and would encourage France to associate with our flagship initiatives such as Make in India, Skill India and Digital India.

The President said that India commends Frances efforts in the global fight against climate change.

The two countries stand together in this endeavour. Tomorrow, we are co-hosting the International Solar Alliance and the presence of the French President at the founding conference will take our climate partnership to newer heights.

President Kovind expressed hope that this Alliance will be able to make a mark globally in bridging the gap in affordable and clean energy.

Singapore, Mar 10 (IBNS): Congress President Rahul Gandhi has said he would have thrown the proposal of note ban to the 'dustbin' in case he was serving as the Prime Minister of India.

Gandhi targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi whose government had banned old Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 currency notes in 2016.

When asked about demonetisation during an event in Malaysia, Gandhi said: "If I was the Prime Minister and somebody would have given me a file with demonetisation written on it, I would thrown it in the dustbin.

The Congress shared his video of speaking on the issue and captioned it as: " Congress President Rahul Gandhi tells us how he would have rolled out #Demonetisation better. #RGinMalaysia."

Congress President Rahul Gandhi tells us how he would have rolled out #Demonetisation better. #RGinMalaysia pic.twitter.com/2Tm82a8fjU  Congress (@INCIndia) March 10, 2018

The Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Cetnre had rolled out the note ban plan on Nov 8, 2016.

The Congress has repeatedly slammed the Centre over the move.

Gandhi commenced his Malaysia visit on Saturday.

He earlier visited Singapore.

Image: Congress Twitter pageLucknow, Mar 10 (IBNS): The by-polls in two parliamentary constituencies of Uttar Pradesh, Gorakhpur and Phulpur, will take place on Sunday as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is fighting a prestige battle against the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) alliance, media reports said.

The Gorakhpur seat had fallen vacant after the resignation of Yogi Adityanath who became the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister in 2017.

In the same year, Keshav Prasad Maurya vacated his Phulpur seat to become the Deputy Chief Minister of the state.

The Gorakhpur seat has been a bastion of Adityanath, who was the MP from the constituency for 18 years.

While the BJP is trying to retain both the seats, the SP-BSP alliance is trying to get some oxygen ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls by winning them.

In 2017 state election, the BJP and its allies had a landslide victory by securing 325 seats in a 403-member Assembly.

The SP-Congress alliance, which failed to combat the saffron surge in the state, was reduced to just 50 odd seats.

With an aim to counter BJP in the state, two arch-rivals-Akhilesh Yadav's SP and Mayawati's BSP- tied the knot for the by-polls.

In both the seats, the Congress, which had an alliance with the SP in the last Assembly polls, is fighting separately.

The poll results will come out on Mar 14.Lyrics and Music of the movie has been done by the versatile Anindya Chatterjee and he is excited at the way the duo has sung the number.

"Arijit and Shreya have voices which are out of the world. They can give life to any song effortlessly. This is a situational romantic song and it has been dealt craftily and in a manner that is both commendable and exciting," Chatterjee said.

The song is filled with hope and aspirations of two young soul trying to find feet in the shifting sands of time.



Arijit Singh said: "I liked the way Anindya da composed the song. The lyrics are very touching and the music as expected is very beautifully treated."



"I have always wanted to work with Anindya. He is so talented and his words are so filled with human emotions. The music is also done beautifully. I hope people like us as a team," Shreya said.



The music forms an integral part of this romantic comedy that talks about the aspirations of young in times of adversity.



New York, Mar 10 (JEN): Mongolia first joined United Nations peacekeeping in 2002 with the deployment of two unarmed military observers to the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara. Soon after that, it sent two more officers to the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since then, Mongolia has continued to expand its contributions to UN peace operations in hot spots around the world.

In 2006, Mongolia made its first sizeable contribution to UN peacekeeping when it deployed 250 military personnel to the UN Mission in Liberia, a West African country that was recovering from a violent civil war. Six years later, Mongolia undertook it largest deployment to date when it sent a full battalion of 850 troops to the UN Mission in South Sudan, where they continue to play an important role in protecting civilians.

Throughout its decade-and-a-half history in UN peacekeeping, Mongolian contributions to UN peacekeeping have been notable for their high standards of training and for the high number of women they deploy.

Mongolia has risen to become the 27th largest contributor to UN peacekeeping, with nearly 900 military and police personnel deployed in five operations. But they have not forgotten their first mission--they continue to send a handful of military observers to Western Sahara.

Peacekeeping is a dangerous business. UN personnel can sustain injuries in the line of duty, the workplace or in vehicular accidents, and harsh conditions and disease can also take its toll. Peacekeeping operations deploy medical contingents contributed by Member States to ensure that UN personnel  troops, police and civilians  receive the best medical care possible.

In Kabkabiya in the Darfur region of Sudan, Mongolia has for several years provided a Level Two Hospital to address this need. The unit consists of 68 personnel, 34 men and 34 women, and is responsible for providing UN personnel with health care, emergency resuscitation and stabilization, life and limb-saving surgical interventions, basic dental care and facilitation of casualty evacuation for more severe cases. It also administered vaccinations and other prophylaxis measures. In addition to serving UN staff, the Mongolian hospital unit treated more than 10,000 people from the local communities.

Since 2003, more than 14,000 Mongolian peacekeepers have served in UN missions around the world. Today, Mongolia deploys nearly 900 peacekeepers to five UN peacekeeping operations  in South Sudan, Abyei, Darfur, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Western Sahara. The Mongolian contribution consists of troops, police and unarmed military observers.

A key task of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) is monitoring the ceasefire observed by the parties since September 1991  carried out by some 200 military observers. Seen here, a Mongolian military observer serving with MINURSO, together with colleagues from Ghana, France and Bangladesh, check a map while carrying out an observation patrol in the vast area in Smara.

In recent years, the people of South Sudan have simultaneously endured civil war and high levels of food insecurity. Among their tasks, Mongolian peacekeepers provide security as the UN World Food Programme (WFP) drops much-needed food in Bentiu, South Sudan. Their responsibilities also include protecting civilians, securing UN bases, carrying out patrols, escorting convoys, supporting search operations carried out by UN Police, as well as protecting fellow peacekeepers as they carry out road maintenance and demining operations.

In May 2017, more than 850 Mongolian peacekeepers were awarded the United Nations Medal for their commitment and service to the UN and the people of South Sudan during a ceremony in Bentiu. In awarding the medals, the Head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), David Shearer, praised the Mongolian troops for their robust, calm and appropriate approach to peacekeeping. He said the courage and determination they had shown set a high standard for all peacekeeping forces to emulate.

The Mongolian peacekeepers have led the way in terms of robustness which is an approach that we would like to see more of in our peacekeeping efforts in South Sudan, Shearer added.

Ensuring justice is a key element of the work of the United Nations, including its peacekeeping operations. The Special Court for Sierra Leone was set up by the Government and the UN to "prosecute persons who bear the greatest responsibility for serious violations of international humanitarian law and Sierra Leonean law" during the countrys civil war (1991-2002).

When the UN peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone closed, the Security Council mandated the UN mission in neighbouring Liberia (UNMIL) to provide security to the detainees and the Court. Mongolia accepted the responsibility and deployed its personnel in early 2006. The well-trained and equipped Mongolian Guard Unit performed to the highest standards and completed its mission years ago.New York, Mar 10 (JEN):Flinging terrorism charges at a United Nations human rights expert is just one act in a litany of profane and inflammatory comments made by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte against the rapporteur, prompting the UN rights chief to questions the leaders mental stability.

He needs to submit himself to some sort of psychiatric examination, Zeid Raad Al Hussen, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, told reporters on Friday during a press conference in Geneva, which covered a range of other issues, including the situations in Venezuela and Myanmar.

Zeid said the Philippine Government had added UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Victoria Tauli-Corpuzs name to the alleged membership of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People's Army, which has been designated a terrorist organization.

According to Zeid, Corpuz believes that she has been targeted because of her comments on the attacks and killings of indigenous people in Mindanao.

This is of course unacceptable for a special rapporteur acting on behalf of the international community whose expertise is sought by the Human Rights Council to be treated in this way, the High Commissioner said.

And I hope and expect the Human Rights Council to respond accordingly, he added.

Turning to the outrageous attacks made by Duterte against Agnes Callamard, the UN Special Rapporteur on Extra-Judicial summary or arbitrary Executions, Zeid stressed: These attacks cannot go unanswered.

Zeid called it absolutely disgraceful that the president of a country could speak in this way, using the foulest of language against a rapporteur that is highly respected.

Since 1 July 2016, the year Duterte took office, thousands of people in the Philippines have reportedly been killed for their alleged involvement in illegal drug use or trafficking. While some killings have reportedly occurred in the context of clashes between or within gangs, it is suspected that many incidents involved extra-judicial killings in the course of police anti-drug operations, according to the Court.

In February, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced that she would open preliminary examinations into the Government of the Philippines war on drugs.



New York, Mar 10 (JEN): The United Nations and partners on Friday reached the Syrian city of Douma in Eastern Ghouta to complete distribution of food aid after intense shelling cut short deliveries to the war-torn enclave earlier this week.

The United Nations and our partners were able to go back into Douma today to deliver the remaining food assistance, said Marwa Awad, Communications Officer of the World Food Programme (WFP), from the conflict-ravaged countrys capital, Damascus.

The assistance consisted of food baskets and wheat flour bags prepared by the WFP and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The WFP and its partners, namely ICRC and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, look forward to our ability to enter again in the future to continue delivering the much-needed humanitarian and food assistance to the people inside Eastern Ghouta, she added, calling on all parties to the conflict to grant humanitarians safe access to deliver the much-needed food and other assistance.

Meanwhile at UN Headquarters in New York, Spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters that while the convoy was underway, shelling occurred in the proximity of operations, despite prior assurances of safety from all parties.

Despite such risks, todays delivery completed the planned food relief for 27,500 people, along with health and nutrition items. The UN is waiting for access authorization to cover all 70,000 people in Douma that was initially approved by the Syrian authorities.

In Geneva, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that there has been a marked increase in violent attacks on health care in Syria.

Every attack on health represents a loss that shatters families and communities and ripples through health systems. Health workers and health facilities are not a target. It has to stop, Christian Lindmeier, WHO communication officer, told reporters.

According to a monthly report from the health cluster based in Gaziantep, Turkey, 43 incidents of violence against health care facilities, services and workers were reported in February, of which 39 were verified by external monitors and four are still being verified.

That compares to 31 incidents last month, of which 28 were verified.

In all, the 67 verified attacks on health facilities and workers in the first two months of this year amount to more than 50 per cent of verified attacks in all of 2017, which totaled 112.

Of Februarys verified incidents, 28 were in eastern Ghouta, 10 in Idleb and one in Homs. The attacks targeted 20 hospitals, 16 health facilities, two ambulance stations and one medical supplies warehouse.

These unacceptable attacks resulted in the deaths of 19 people, among them four health workers. The attacks also left 28 people injured, seven of them medical staff, he said.

UNICEF/KhabiehNew York, Mar 10 (JEN): A senior United Nations official has stressed the need to ensure survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in Iraq are fully protected and that perpetrators are brought to justice.

Pramila Patten, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, this week concluded a visit to the country, where thousands of women and girls have suffered at the hands of the extremist group the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or Daesh).

She undertook an eight-day mission to Iraq, which ended on Monday, prior to which she was in Sudan from 18 to 25 February.

In Iraq, Ms. Patten met with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and other Government officials in the cities of Baghdad, Erbil and Mosul, as well as with civil society groups, religious leaders and other stakeholders.

I heard first-hand the heart-wrenching accounts of survivors of Daesh sexual violence, she told journalists at UN Headquarters in New York on Friday.

Many of the women who remain displaced expressed serious safety concerns regarding their return to their homes due to activity from different militia groups and the reported presence of former Daesh combatants within their community. Sunni women in particular shared their fear of reprisals on account of the wrong perception of affiliation with Daesh.

Patten characterised the plight of survivors who have returned home with children fathered by the extremists as extremely disturbing.

While some religious leaders may show some empathy, the tribal leaders display a profound reluctance to accept children born of rape. And I was informed by the provincial authorities of Mosul of the setup of different orphanages with thousands of children, she said.

Patten was invited to Iraq by the Government, which in 2016 signed an agreement with the UN aimed at preventing and addressing conflict-related violence.

It envisions support in areas such as evidence collection, strengthening of the legal framework and victim compensation.

In her talks with the authorities, Patten said she stressed the importance of ensuring that alleged Daesh perpetrators are held accountable  not only for terrorism-related charges but also for sexual violence crimes.

Regarding Sudan, Ms. Patten said her visit marked the first time the UN Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict has been invited to the country.

She travelled to the capital, Khartoum, and two states in Darfur, where millions are still living in camps more than a decade after fighting broke out between armed rebel groups and Government forces and allied militias.

Despite an apparent improved security situation in the province, Patten said talks with displaced women and girls in two camps revealed how precarious things are there.

I learned that the women and girls are especially at risk of sex violence when they step out of the camps, especially to pursue their livelihood activities, she said.

In El Genaina (capital of West Darfur state), I heard from women who are unable to return to their pre-war homes due to security concerns and fear of being raped. In addition, some women told me about sexual violence committed in the context of intercommunal conflicts over land and natural resources, she said.

And in that regard, she said the initiative of the Government to collect illegal arms and ammunition is quite positive and is a critical measure in the right direction to improve the security of women and girls.

However, Patten noted there is what she described as a deep-seated culture of denial of sexual violence in Sudan, making it difficult to address the crime.

She hoped one outcome of her visit will be the countrys adoption of a cooperation framework with the UN to address conflict-related sexual violence.

Her proposal is that it will focus on five areas, including survivors access to medical, psycho-social and legal services; security sector training and engagement with religious leaders and civil society.



Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict



Kabul, Mar 10 (IBNS): At least 10 militants, including Pakistani nationals, were killed during an operation carried out by Afghan forces in the country's Helmand province, reports said.

Additionally, 13 insurgents were wounded and eight arrested as the national army launched a raid in Khoshkaba area of Lashkargah city of Helmand province, the Afghan National Directorate of Security confirmed on Saturday.

Several weapons and explosives, including suicide vests and a car bomb, were seized during the raid.



Image: WallpaperLondon, Mar 10 (IBNS): A British-Pakistani man has been stabbed to death in the UK's Oldham town on Friday, police said on Saturday.

The police have launched an investigation into the case.

Nabeel Hassan, thought to be in his 20s, died of multiple stab wounds, Geo News reported.

GMPs Detective Superintendent Nicky Porter, said: My heart goes out to the mans family who have sadly had to be informed that their loved one has died.

As the investigation develops, we hope to be able to provide further details but as this only happened recently, were yet to gain a full picture of what exactly has happened and ask the public to come forward with any information.

As per Geo News report, the deceased person's parents hail from village in Gujjar Khan area of Pakistan.Saskatchewan, Mar 10 (IBNS): Numerous gatherings on a recent rally had been calling for a change in the jury selection process in the Canadian justice system for Indigenous people after Gerald Stanley acquitted in Colten Boushie shooting was found not guilty by a jury of 2nd-degree murder, media reports said.

Reportedly after an altercation with 22-year-old, Boushie ,Stanley, 56, shot Boushie in the head.

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), was reported to state 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 was reported to meet with FSIN and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the near future.

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, Trudeau was reported to state, "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The Government of Canada will provide over $110,655 for the construction of a Building Information Modelling classroom, delivered by Sheet Metal Workers and Roofers Union.

The MP from Scarborough North of Ontario on behalf of Federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Patty Hajdu made the announcement of the project funded under the Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP).

The organization will purchase equipment that will help participants, as they develop their skills to help them get jobs in the sheet metal and roofing industries.





As a result of this project, which is being funded under Stream 1 of UTIP, apprentices and existing workers will benefit from a state-of-the-art facility as they learn new skills and enhance their knowledge of new practices in their industry.

Canadas changing economy and investments in infrastructure make skills training critical to our future. Union-based skills training is a key element to achieving the Governments commitment to get more people working in the skilled trades while also reducing barriers for apprentices to complete their training.

Canadas future success depends on building an economy that is as inclusive as it is innovative. Our government is proud of this project that will help apprentices in Scarborough, and especially those who face additional barriers to participate and succeed in the skilled trades, start exciting and well-paying careers in the trades," Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour said.

I am thrilled that we were able to secure federal funding for this project, a learning centre that gives workers the skills they need to succeed. This initiative will provide mentorship and training that well equips the next generation of workers. It is especially meaningful that the union is also actively recruiting more women and building a more diverse workforce, and this new state-of-the-art facility will help them do just that, Shaun Chen said.

We are excited to be receiving this grant. It will help us to provide the best possible training and upgrading for our members. It will also help us to attract new ones. We want to bring more inclusiveness and diversity to our trade, and better training will raise the profile of the trade. It will make it more attractive to those who might not have looked at sheet metal work before, said Lea West, Director of Organizing, Sheet Metal Workers and Roofers Local 30.

(Reporting by Suman Das)The past is gone, the present is fleeting, and the future is unknown. Or so we think. It is mind-boggling to think about time travel. What if you went back in time to change events on a whim? The idea of being able to travel through time, before returning to your own is something that has always fascinated us. But has it already happened? Some people among us have already claimed to belong to another age.

1. The man from coming Taured

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The story goes that in 1954, a man arrived at Haneda Airport in Tokyo after disembarking from a plane originating in Europe. Upon arriving at the customs checkpoint the man presented a passport indicating he is from Taured. The catch was that officials said they did not recognise such a place, while he insisted that he hailed from a place that's over 1,000 years old situated on the border between Spain and France. He was taken to a hotel while the authorities investigated the matter and two guards watched over the door. The next morning he had simply vanished, along with all of his personal documents.

2. Journalist Experiences Air Raid 11 Years Before It Occurs

Facebook/Japan Focus

in 1932, Journalist J. Bernard Hutton and photographer Joachim Brandt were sent by a German newspaper to cover a story at the Hamburg shipyard. There was nothing significant about the project they set off for, until bombs began raining down. They realized they were caught in the middle of an air raid. Back home people refused to believe their story and strangely the photos they developed also showed no signs of an air raid.

Fast forward 11 years after the strange event  Hutton opened up a newspaper and saw a story about Operation Gomorrah, an air raid on Hamburg. We was left shell-shocked, because that's exactly what he and his friend experienced.

3. Visitors from another world

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Time travel is not a modern phenomenon and there are accounts that date back to the 12th century. It's when two children that appeared on the edge of a field in the village of Woolpit in England. The young girl and boy had green-hued skin and spoke an unknown language. In just a few days after being discovered, they became sick and the boy died, but the girl recovered and over the years came to learn English.

The girl later shared the story of their strange origin, about a underground place called St. Martin's Land and that she and her brother were taking care of their father's sheep one day when they found a cave. No one knows of any place of the one narrated by the girl, but many believe they could have come from the future.

4, The Man Who Traveled From 1996 to 1950 In A Matter Of Minutes '

Unsplash/Picture For Representation

On a sunny Saturday afternoon in July of 1996, a man named Frank and his wife, Carol were visiting a shopping area in Liverpool. The couple decided to run their own errands and Carol went to a bookstore, while Frank went to HMV to look for a CD he wanted. As he walked down the street he entered a strange "oasis of quietness."

Suddenly, a small box van that looked like something out of the 1950s sped across his path, honking as it sped by narrowly missing him. When he looked down, he found he was standing in the middle of the road. The off-duty policeman crossed the road and saw that the book store now had "Cripps" over its entrance. Moreover the shop was not selling books, but women's handbags and shoes.

Looking around, Frank realised that people were dressed in clothes that appeared to be from the 1950s. Suddenly, he spotted a young girl in her early 20s dressed in a lime-coloured sleeveless top. The handbag she was carrying had a popular brand name on it, which reassured the policeman that maybe he was still partly in 1996.

In the realm of strange phenomenon, Frank's experience is termed as a time slip.

5. Time traveller from 2048 warns people 'aliens will attack earth in 2018

Facebook/The Sentinel

Last year, a man named Bryant Johnson, from central Wyoming, in the US, wanted to warn the people of Wyoming that aliens will arrive next year, and that they should leave as soon as possible. According to police, the man told them he was only able to time travel because aliens filled his body with alcohol. He told police that, The aliens were coming next year and we needed to make sure to leave as fast as possible. He also claimed he stood on a giant pad which then transported him back in time. How strange does that sound!

6. When Air-Marshal Sir Victor Goddard accidentally entered a parallel universe.

Wikimedia

In his book Time Travel: A New Perspective, J. H. Brennan tells a curious story of a time slip experience that happened to Air-Marshal Sir Victor Goddard. He writes, In 1935, while still a Wing Commander, he was sent to inspect a disused airfield near Edinburgh at a place called Drem. He found it in a very dilapidated state with cattle grazing on grass that had forced through cracks in the tarmac.

Later that day, he ran into trouble while flying his biplane in heavy rain and decided to fly back to Drem to get his bearings. As he approached the airfield, the torrential rain abruptly changed to bright sunlight. When he looked down he saw the airfield had been completely renovated and was now in use and people in blue clothes. Completely baffled by what the hell was going on, Goddard got the shock of his life four years after. Europe was war torn and he happened to visit Drem again. But this time, he saw everything he saw four years back in 1935 and the same people in blue overalls servicing yellow planes.

7. The man who met himself

In 2006, a 36-year-old man name Hakan Nordkvist came back home to find his kitchen flooded with water. He crawled under the sink to fix the problem. But when he crawled inside the cabinet, he noticed that it seemed endless and so he decided to explore the space. He kept crawling further until he stopped right at the end of the tunnel. When he got out, Nordkvist realised that he had landed up in the future, in 2042!

He even met himself in the future, his 72-year-old self. And wait for it, they even took a selfie together. Cannot get weirder than this!

8. Jophar Vorin Who Told Us About Another World

Facebook

Back in 1850, a man named Jophar Vorin was found in Frankfurt, Germany, and detained for interrogation. He said he was from Laxaria, and spoke the languages of Laxarian and Abramian. He claimed to be looking for his brother, but was shipwrecked on the way to his destination.

When he was presented a map of the globe, Vorin didn't understand head nor tail, in his view, the world had five sections: Sakria, Aflar, Aslar, Auslar, and Euplar. Vorin was taken to Berlin to be questioned and studied. Vorin did exist, but claimed to be from a different world, one we still don't know of.

9. The men who were transported to the year 1905 from 1979.

In 1979, Geoff and Pauline Simpson and Len and Cynthia Gisby were traveling through France. It was almost midnight when they decided to look for a place to camp. They finally found a strange place, which had heavy metal latches, no lock and windows only had thick wood shutters.

After breakfast, they bumped into two armed French policemen who were dressed in uniforms from the year 1905. When they came back again after a trip to Spain, the hotel they stayed in was nowhere to be found.

10. A doctor who went back in time

Unsplash

In 1935, Dr. EG Moon was leaving the home of one of his patients in Kent, England when he realised his car was not where he had left it.

The driveway and the road seemed a lot rougher than he remembered. Dr. Moon spotted a man walking by the house, and he realised that the man was wearing several capes and carrying a long-barelled gun. He looked like a person from way back in time.

Moon turned to go back to the house his car was once again parked and all of it vanished within seconds.

11. The story of John Titor

hoaxorfact.com

Back in 2000, a man named John Titor claimed to have come from the year 2036. He said he was a soldier based in Tampa, FL, from the year 2036. The government, he claimed, sent him back in time to 1975 to retrieve an IBM computer, which they needed in order to debug some computer programs

He hopped off his time machine in 2000 for personal reasons, and, since he was already there, he figured, why not warn everyone about the dangerous future. His posts about time travel were so detailed, the description of its mechanics and his machine so thorough, that it seemed almost impossible that he wasn't telling the truth.Just a few days ago, Salman Khan spoke to a news agency and talked about the disadvantages that come along with his job as an actor. He was quoted saying,

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"My profession is such that I have to look good, dress up, do stylised action sequences and romance. Articles come in my affairs, me working with beautiful heroines and then suddenly a court date comes up... People see me on Bigg Boss in which I am laughing and joking."

Salman Khan's fun side is often visible when he's off-screen and that shows that no matter how big a superstar he is, small joys of life are worth living and cherishing.

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The actor recently attended the wedding of his friends Shweta Kaushik and Vinay Venkatesh's on March 8 in Mumbai and he was in his 'chill' avatar! From dancing to just being his casual self, Salman's photos prove that he is just all of us, who go to a wedding just to chill and have fun. Here are pictures from the wedding.

Twitter/Salman Khan

Twitter/Salman KhanPinterest

Reports claim that Vishal Bhardwajs Sapna Didi biopic got postponed because of Irrfan Khans ill-health and that has given DP an opportunity to give Rohit Shettys Simmba starring Ranveer Singh, a priority.

And now, after almost a week of all these speculative reports and rumors, Irrfan's wife Sutapa Sikdar who is a producer and writer took to Facebook to talk about the same. Thanking all their well-wishers, Sutapa has written why it's important to not be curious about what 'it is' but to be kind and empathetic enough to just pray. In her heartfelt note, she has behalf of her family, she referred to her husband, as her best friend and partner and wrote that Irrfan is a "warrior" and that he is "fighting every obstacle with tremendous grace and beauty."

Twitter

The team of the film is now planning to rope in Madhuri Dixit and since Madhuri has always been very close to Sridevi, for KJo, this feels like a well-deserving tribute to Sridevi. The makers are in talks with Aaja Nachle actress to play Sridevis role.

The actor recently attended the wedding of his friends Shweta Kaushik and Vinay Venkatesh's on March 8 in Mumbai and he was in his 'chill' avatar! From dancing to just being his casual self, Salman's photos prove that he is just all of us, who go to a wedding just to chill and have fun. Here are pictures of the wedding.

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After two weeks of the death of Indian veteran actress Sridevi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday rejected claims of foul play. They further clarified that if there was anything suspicious, it would have come out by now.After two weeks of death of Indian veteran actress Sridevi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday rejected claims of foul play. They further clarified that if there was anything suspicious, it would have come out by now.

On February 24, veteran actor Sridevi passed away in Dubai, where she was attending a family wedding.

Reuters

At a regular press briefing, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, As far as I know, the paperwork from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government had been handed over to us and on the basis of that the mortal remains were brought to India. Had there been something suspicious, it would have come out by now.

Commenting on the process of handing over mortal remains from one country to another, Raveesh explained that whosoever had the authority to receive the mortal remains of a person, whether it was the family or relatives or an official, it would be handed over to the concerned authority.

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According to the forensic report, the 54-year-old actor died of accidental drowning in her hotel rooms bathtub after suffering a dizzying spell. According to reports, traces of alcohol were found in her body too.With decades of war that has left Afghanistan ravaged, countless officers have lost their lives trying to save the innocents as the country became a prime area of mine bombs. Bahadur Agha was one of them. Agha, a bomb disposal technician saved thousands of lives with his bomb diffusing skills. In the process, he has been wounded six times by the Taliban whilst dismantling hundreds of bombs.

According to the UN, IEDs killed more than 600 civilians across the country last year, including more than 100 in Helmand alone  among them, Bahadur.

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He kept joking that the seventh time would be his last. He, unfortunately, was right. One wrong move and his life would scatter into the air without any trace. Agha, 31, had nothing to protect his body, no armour, gloves or even a face shield. He stayed with Afghan military convoys trying to defuse improvised explosive devices (IEDs)

Six times Ive been injured, seventh time maybe Ill be finished, he told VICE News reporter Ben Anderson in October 2016, smiling at the camera. Last December the fateful moment came. Given the security situation in Helmand, news of his death did not become widely known until last month.

Relatives and colleagues described Agha who had joined the police at the age of 15 as patriotic, skilled man driven by grief and rage over the death of family members, including his mother, at the hands of the Taliban. In the VICE documentary, he told Anderson that ""Maybe I die, no problem."

afp Anderson, who shared news of Bahadur's death on Twitter, said, "we were getting shot at but he didn't care. Everyone else took cover, he stood up and walked around," Anderson told AFP.

"He said he didn't care if he lived or died, he just wanted to kill the Taliban. And it was obvious this was true, he was totally traumatised.

afp

Bahadur's commander Ghulam Dawood Tarakhail recalled a "brave, patriotic officer and a skilled and professional deminer," Tarakhail told AFP, adding that just three weeks before he died Bahadur was awarded a medal for his service.

With inputs from AFPWhile there are huge efforts being put into conservation of wildlife and their home, some of them are still drifting into urban areas with the loss of their habitat. on Saturday a leopard in Indore strayed into a house in Palhar Nagar area and was captured even as it injured three persons during the effort.

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"The leopard, around 8-years-old, had come from a forested area near here and caused panic among local residents. It injured two forest staffers and one employee of the Indore Municipal Corporation while efforts were on to capture it," Uttam Yadav in charge of the civic-run Kamla Nehru Zoo told PTI.

He said that it was on Saturday finally captured it was struck by two tranquilising darts. It would be released into the wild after mandatory medical tests.Pets are not just companions for humans but are also fiercely loyal to their owners. Sometimes, they even go to the extent of saving their owners' lives.

In Pennsylvania, firefighters have said that a cat saved the lives of its owners, when a fire broke out. The owners were asleep when the fire broke out. The blaze at 1 a.m. Friday apparently started in the attic of the home in McKeesport, about 12 miles south of Pittsburgh.

Deputy Fire Chief Tom Perciavalle told WTAE-TV that the house did not have any smoke alarms, reported AP.

afp

The cat, however, was the alarm as it made sure to wake up the couple. According to reports, the cat came flying into the room. They thought that was unusual and they opened the bathroom door and realised that there was a huge fire.

reuters

He said that fortunately the cat was on top of his game and it potentially saved their lives. The interior of the home was destroyed, and the Red Cross helped the family find a place to stay. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.The state of affairs came to light during a health check-up camp in Ghaziabad. Twenty-seven inmates were found positive in Dasna Jail and 10 inmates were tested positive at a jail in Meerut.

The jail administration has separated these HIV positive prisoners from others for their treatment within the jail premises.

The National Human Right Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of media reports on the unfortunate set of circumstances. NHRC had issued a notice to the Yogi Adityanath Government two days ago seeking a detailed report within six weeks on steps taken to curb the deadly disease spreading to other inmates and treatment of affected inmates.

The NHRC has sought to draw the attention of state government on the plight and medical negligence in Uttar Pradesh jails if media reports are found to be correct.

The NHRC has also directed the State Government to probe how so many prisoners got affected by the HIV virus in jails.

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Frightened by the HIV positive cases in Gorakhpur jail, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath government had directed the health department to conduct the blood test on prisoners lodged in different jails across the state to segregate prisoners affected by HIV.

Most of those who tested positive for HIV in Gorakhpur, Meerut and Ghaziabad jails are under-trials facing charges of drug smuggling and pedaling.

An appalling incident came to light in February from Uttar Pradeshs Unnao district where a local quack infected 58 people with HIV over the last year by using the same syringe to administer injections.

A fee of Rs 10 and free medicines were sales pitch the quack used for over a decade in the Bangarmau town to attract patients from rural areas.

Reportedly, during the tests conducted by the Uttar Pradesh State AIDS Control Society in 70 jails of the State, 265 prisoners had tested HIV positive till December last year. These cases have been reported from the jails in Bareilly, Allahabad, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Faizabad, Agra, Meerut, Varanasi and Kanpur.

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Seemingly, there is an urgent need to conduct a probe into the matter to determine the cause of the spread of HIV infection among prisoners. It is also necessary to take immediate preventive measures so that other prisoners do not fall prey to the infection and those, who are suffering are provided necessary medical treatment, the NHRC said.

HIV emergency: Sodomy, homosexuality, unprotected sex and sharing of needles

Indian prisons are facing the HIV scare because of rampant drug abuse and unsafe sexual practices amongst prisoners.

The National AIDS Control Organisations (NACO) recently launched prisons intervention programme has found that a large number of prison inmates contract HIV because of unsafe sex and the sharing of needles within prisons.

Preliminary data from the programme shows that 2.5% of more than 35,000 prisoners tested are HIV positive.

The majority of HIV positive cases were from Mizoram, with 60 of 455 inmates testing positive  an infection rate of 13%.

NACO has decided to focus the HIV intervention on prisons in areas with high HIV prevalence and large numbers of intravenous drug users, such as Punjab and North Eastern states.

A study at Arthur Road jail in 2006 showed that men often have unprotected sex with other men, which might me consensual or coercive.

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The larger crisis that looms is that this problem may take a mammoth shape as prisons in India are rarely monitored. The prisoners are not under any HIV prevention programme and once released from jail, they often go on to pass the disease to their spouses.

As drugs pass freely into countrys jails, including the most guarded and high profile Tihar jail, many prisoners share the same needle to do drugs. Authorities are now worried as HIV is spreading due to infected needles. To add to it, sodomy and homosexuality only make prisoners more vulnerable.

In the past, jail authorities have tried to introduce condom distribution but the move was resented by some inmates, accusing authorities of promoting sex inside jails.

While this remains a Catch 22 situation for jail authorities, the issue cannot be ignored and will only take a monstrous shape if sidelined.South African special police unit Hawks have arrested an Indian-origin woman and her partner, both allegedly linked to ISIS, on charges of abducting a British couple. Fatima Patel and Safydeen Aslam Del Vecchio also face charges of robbery and theft after they went on a spending spree using the couples credit cards, building up a stash of jewellery, camping equipment and electronic devices which were found at a remote location where an ISIS flag was being flown.

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The Hawks declined to provide any further information due to the sensitive nature of the case as the search continues for the couple whose vehicle was found abandoned more than 300 kms away from where they were last seen on February 9. But the weekly Sunday Times, quoting a charge sheet after their court appearance, reported that Patel and Del Vecchio also stand accused of contravening the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorism and Related Activities Act by hoisting an ISIS flag at a modest homestead in a rural area.

Del Vecchio also faces another terrorism-related charge for allegedly participating in extremist web forums that support ISIS and offering to supply phone numbers and sim cards that are not traceable.

Yousha Tayob, the lawyer representing Patel and Del Vecchio, confirmed that the pair had appeared in the court and were remanded in custody at Westville Prison in KwaZulu-Natal province. The incident had prompted the British government to issue a travel advisory about possible terrorist attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa, but local Muslim organisations have dismissed this as an overreaction.

Twitter/Representational Image

Ebrahim Deen of the Afro-Middle East Centre told the weekly that South African Muslims posed no threat to travellers and that the incident was more related to crime than an ISIS attack.

Muslims are largely integrated in (South African) society, are not disillusioned and they face little discrimination like in Europe and elsewhere, he said.

Martin Ewi of the Institute for Security Studies said South Africa was regarded as a logistics base for terror cells in transit, and is not traditionally a target for attacks, although the arrests of Patel and Del Vecchio confirmed the presence of an active terror cell in South Africa.

We in the counter terror fraternity suspected that they were working as members of an active cell, and the kidnapping will confirm the presence of an active IS cell, Ewi said.US President Donald Trump on Thursday bracketed India, a middling American trade partner, along with China, for retaliatory trade tariffs if they do not ease up on taxing American imports.

"We're going to be doing a reciprocal tax programme,'' Trump said at a White House event where he simplified the tariff issue for his working-class base.

''They are 50, they are 75 or they are 25, we are going to be doing the same numbers. It's called reciprocal. It's a mirror of tags. So they charge us 50, we would charge them 50."

Reuters

While Trump has primarily highlighted the Harley Davidson motorbike issue with India in recent weeks to underscore differences on tariffs with New Delhi, it forms only a miniscule and inconsequential part of Indias imports from the US.

In fact, India will be largely unaffected by the tariffs except for the fact that major exporting countries that face tariff barriers in the US may now divert their goods to Indias large consumer market, affecting Indian producers.

ALSO READ: Donald Trump Wants India To Sell Harley-Davidson At Half The Price By Reducing Import Duty

Trump also undercut his own pledge by carving out tariff exceptions for Canada and Mexico, the third and fourth largest US trading partners. Most affected will be the European Union and China, which are the top two US trading partners, and which have threatened retaliation if Trump goes ahead with tariffs, resulting in a trade war and an all round increase in prices.

Reuters

New Delhi itself is Washingtons tenth largest trading partner, and here is broadly how the tariff issue breaks down in US-India bilateral trade. Indias top imports from US in 2016 were precious metal and diamonds ($7.0 billion), machinery ($2.0 billion), optical and medical instruments ($1.3 billion), mineral fuels ($1.2 billion), and electrical machinery ($1.2 billion).

While precious metal and diamonds are part of a round trade (India also exports $ 11 billion worth of the same to US), the consequential items are machinery, optical and medical instruments etc., reducing the tariff on which will largely benefit Indian consumers even as it helps US exports to India.

Reuters

The US also exports $ 1.3 billion in agricultural products to India, including tree nuts ($522 million), cotton ($250 million), pulses ($144 million), fresh fruit ($72 million), and planting seeds ($32 million). While removing tariffs on some of these items (say California almonds and Washington apples) could hurt local farmers, it will mean lower prices at stores urban Indian elites frequent.

On the flip side, the largest US import from India is pharmaceuticals ($7.4 billion in 2016) and a Trump tariff on this will simply make generic medicines more expensive for Americans (drugs imported from U.S are already expensive for Indians).

A retaliatory Trump tariff on the $ 2.1 billion of agricultural produce US imports from India (including spices ($279 million), rice ($158 million), tree nuts ($157 million), essential oils ($151 million), and processed fruit & vegetables ($114 million)), wont kill US consumers or Indian exporters. Basmati rice in US stores is, for instance, cheaper than in India.

Reuters

In any case, the overall volume of trade between US and India  less than $150 billion  is small beer compared to trade with its top four partners EU, China, Canada, and Mexico, each topping $500 billion. In fact, the US-EU trade DEFICIT is more than the entire volume of trade with India.

Trump acted on the tariff matter after months of talking up an issue that has been his pet peeve for decades, going back to his days as a young businessman, although the consensus among economists was it would hurt more US workers than it will help. They say he still sees the issue in purely business terms rather than through strategic lens.

Reuters

For instance, inasmuch as Trump has said ad nauseum that foreign imports have destroyed the American steel industry (and a country that has no steel industry is not a country to speak of), tariffs on imported steel will affect more workers in the US auto industry (which depends on imported steel) than it will benefit domestic steelworkers, who in any case produce steel at higher cost than the imports.

Experts also warn that the matter of trade and tariffs are also tied in with strategic issues: The US has geo-political obligations with some of its major trading partners, which is why Canada and Mexico have got a temporary pass.Hunt Allowed by Trump Administration's Premature Removal of Endangered Species Protection

JACKSON, Wyo., March 9, 2018  Less than a year after Yellowstone's famed grizzly bears were stripped of Endangered Species Act protection, Wyoming today proposed hunting of the bears beginning this fall. Under the regulations, the state will sell tags for 24 grizzlies in areas outside of Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks.Wyomings reckless hunt ignores the fact that grizzly bears remain endangered in Yellowstone and across the west, said Andrea Santarsiere, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. Its tragic that these imperiled animals will be shot and killed so trophy hunters can stick heads on their walls.Although grizzly bear numbers in the Greater Yellowstone area increased with endangered species protections granted in 1975, the bears continue to be threatened by isolation from other grizzly populations, loss of key food sources and human-caused mortalities, including now hunting. Overall grizzly bears occupy less than 4 percent of their historic U.S. range.Yellowstones amazing grizzly bears are loved by people around the world, and they deserve a real shot at survival, said Santarsiere. Its horrific that Wyoming doesnt see the intrinsic value that these bears bring to the states landscape.Millions of tourists from all over the world come to Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park each year in hopes of seeing a grizzly bear and other rare wildlife. The tourism industry is a major economic driver for many towns in Wyoming and Montana. But the new regulations would provide no protection for Yellowstones famed bears, which could be shot if they leave park boundaries.Just last month Montanas state game agency took the opposite approach, recommending no grizzly bear hunt this year. The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission adopted the recommendation Feb. 15.Montana made the right decision to not allow grizzly bear hunting this year and hopefully in future years, said Santarsiere. Wyomings failure to follow suit is deeply disappointing.The proposal to allow hunting comes as key grizzly bear food sources in the heart of the Yellowstone ecosystem have been collapsing and grizzly mortality rates have been increasing. The dramatic decline of whitebark pine and Yellowstone cutthroat trout has prompted bears to eat more meat, such as big-game gut piles and livestock, resulting in increased grizzly bear mortality. Drought and climate change are likely to worsen these problems.Yellowstones bears have long been isolated from other bear populations, forcing the government to keep them on permanent life support by trucking bears in to avoid inbreeding. This fact further highlights the need for recovering grizzly bears in more places.The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.6 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.What Is an Initial Coin Offering (ICO)?

An initial coin offering (ICO) is the cryptocurrency industrys equivalent to an initial public offering (IPO). A company looking to raise money to create a new coin, app, or service launches an ICO as a way to raise funds.

Interested investors can buy into the offering and receive a new cryptocurrency token issued by the company. This token may have some utility in using the product or service the company is offering, or it may just represent a stake in the company or project.

Key Takeaways Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) are a popular fundraising method used primarily by startups wishing to offer products and services, usually related to the cryptocurrency and blockchain space.

ICOs are similar to stocks, but they sometimes have utility for a software service or product offered.

Some ICOs have yielded massive returns for investors. Numerous others have turned out to be fraud or have failed or performed poorly.

To participate in an ICO, you will usually need to purchase a digital currency first and have a basic understanding of how to use cryptocurrency wallets and exchanges.

ICOs are, for the most part, completely unregulated, so investors must exercise a high degree of caution and diligence when researching and investing in ICOs.

How an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) Works

When a cryptocurrency startup wants to raise money through ICO, it usually creates a whitepaper that outlines what the project is about, the need the project will fulfill upon completion, how much money is needed, how many of the virtual tokens the founders will keep, what type of money will be accepted, and how long the ICO campaign will run for.

During the ICO campaign, enthusiasts and supporters of the project buy some of the projects tokens with fiat or digital currency. These coins are referred to the buyers as tokens and are similar to shares of a company sold to investors during an IPO.

If the money raised does not meet the minimum funds required by the firm, the money may be returned to the backers; at this point, the ICO would be deemed unsuccessful. If the funding requirements are met within the specified timeframe, the money raised is used to pursue the goals of the project.

SEC's Role Although ICOs arent regulated, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) can intervene. For example, the maker of Telegram raised $1.7 billion in an ICO in 2018 and 2019, but the SEC filed an emergency action and obtained a temporary restraining order due to alleged illegal activity on the part of the development team. In March 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York issued a preliminary injunction, and Telegram had to return $1.2 billion to investors and pay a civil penalty of $18.5 million.

Special Considerations

Investors looking to buy into ICOs should first familiarize themselves with the cryptocurrency space more broadly. In the case of most ICOs, investors must purchase tokens with pre-existing cryptocurrencies. This means that an ICO investor will need to already have a cryptocurrency wallet set up for a currency like bitcoin or ethereum, as well as having a wallet capable of holding whichever token or currency they want to purchase.

How does one go about finding ICOs in which to participate? There is no recipe for staying abreast of the latest ICOs. The best thing that an interested investor can do is read up about new projects online. ICOs generate a substantial amount of hype, and there are numerous places online in which investors gather to discuss new opportunities. There are dedicated sites that aggregate ICOs, allowing investors to discover new ICOs and compare different offerings against one another.

Initial Coin Offering (ICO) vs. Initial Public Offering (IPO)

For traditional companies, there are a few ways of going about raising the funds necessary for development and expansion. A company can start small and grow as its profits allow, remaining beholden only to company owners. However, this also means they may have to wait a long time for funds to build up. Alternately, companies can look to outside investors for early support, providing them a quick influx of cashbut typically coming with the trade-off of giving away a portion of ownership stake. Another method is to go public, earning funds from individual investors by selling shares through an IPO.

While IPOs deal purely with investors, ICOs may deal with supporters that are keen to invest in a new project, much like a crowdfunding event. But ICOs differ from crowdfunding in that the backers of ICOs are motivated by a prospective return on their investments while the funds raised in crowdfunding campaigns are basically donations. For these reasons, ICOs are referred to as crowdsales.

ICOs also retain at least two important structural differences from IPOs. First, ICOs are largely unregulated, meaning that government organizations like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) do not oversee them. Secondly, due to their decentralization and lack of regulation, ICOs are much freer in terms of structure than IPOs.

ICOs can be structured in a variety of ways. In some cases, a company sets a specific goal or limit for its funding, which means that each token sold in the ICO has a pre-set price and that the total token supply is static. In other cases, there is a static supply of ICO tokens but a dynamic funding goalthis means that the distribution of tokens to investors will be dependent upon the funds received (i.e. the more total funds received in the ICO, the higher the overall token price).

Still, others have a dynamic token supply which is determined according to the amount of funding received. In these cases, the price of a token is static, but there is no limit to the number of total tokens (save for parameters like ICO length). These different types of ICOs are illustrated below.

Image by Sabrina Jiang  Investopedia 2020

Advantages and Disadvantages of Initial Coin Offerings

In an IPO, an investor receives shares of stock in a company in exchange for her investment. In the case of an ICO, there are no shares per se. Instead, companies raising funds via ICO provide a blockchain equivalent to a sharea cryptocurrency token. In most cases, investors pay in a popular existing tokenlike bitcoin or ethereumand receive a commensurate number of new tokens in exchange.

It's worth noting just how easy it is for a company to launch an ICO to create tokens. There are online services that allow for the generation of cryptocurrency tokens in a matter of seconds. Investors should keep this in mind when considering the differences between shares and tokensa token does not have any intrinsic value or legal guarantees. ICO managers generate tokens according to the terms of the ICO, receive them, and then distribute them according to their plan by transferring them to individual investors.

Early investors in an ICO operation are usually motivated to buy tokens in the hope that the plan will succeed after it launches. If this actually happens, the value of the tokens they purchased during the ICO will climb above the price set during the ICO itself, and they will achieve overall gains. This is the primary benefit of an ICO: the potential for very high returns.

ICOs have indeed made many investors into millionaires. For example, in 2017, there were 435 successful ICOs, each raising an average of $12.7 million. So, the total amount raised for 2017 was $5.6 billion, with the 10 largest projects raising 25% of this total. Furthermore, tokens purchased in ICOs returned an average of 12.8 times on the initial investment in dollar terms.

As ICOs have come to the forefront in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industries, theyve also brought along challenges, risks, and unforeseen opportunities. Many investors buy into ICOs in the hopes of quick and powerful returns on their investments. The most successful ICOs over the past several years are the source of this hope, as they have indeed produced tremendous returns. This investor enthusiasm can also lead people astray, however.

Because they are largely unregulated, ICOs are rife with fraud and scam artists looking to prey on overzealous and poorly informed investors. And since they are not regulated by financial authorities like the SEC, funds that are lost due to fraud or incompetence may never be recovered.

The meteoric rise of ICOs during 2017 drew backlashes from a series of governmental and non-governmental entities in early September 2017. The People's Bank of China officially banned ICOs, slamming them as counterproductive to economic and financial stability.

The Chinese central bank prohibited using tokens as currency and banned banks from offering services related to ICOs. As a result, both bitcoin and ethereum prices tumbled, in what many regarded as a sign of more cryptocurrency regulation to come. The ban also penalized already completed offerings. In early 2018, Facebook, Twitter, and Google all banned ICO advertisements.

There is no guarantee that an investor won't be on the losing end of a scam when investing in ICOs. To help avoid ICO scams, investors should:

Make sure that project developers can clearly define what their goals are. Successful ICOs typically have straightforward, understandable whitepapers with clear, concise goals. Know the developers. Investors should strive for 100% transparency from a company launching an ICO. Look for legal terms and conditions set for the ICO. Because outside regulators generally do not oversee this space, it is up to an investor to ensure any ICO is legitimate. Make sure that ICO funds are being stored in an escrow wallet. This is a wallet that requires multiple keys in order to be accessed. This is useful protection against scams, particularly when a neutral third party is a holder of one of the keys.

SEC Introduces the HoweyCoin

ICO activity began to decrease dramatically in 2019 because of the legal gray area they inhabit.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission introduced a fake coin called the HoweyCoin to demonstrate to small investors the dangers of ICOs. The HoweyCoin is named after the Howey Test, which is a test to determine whether an investment is a security or not. The Howey Test is intended to determine that a transaction represents an investment contract if a person invests their money in a common enterprise and is led to expect profits solely from the efforts of the promoter or a third party.

The SEC used this standard to charge Kik, a messaging service that raised $100 million in an unregistered ICO, with unlawful sale of a security. The SEC has also taken action against Telegram, another messaging app that also ICO'ed.

According to the SEC, an ICO is no different from an IPO if the underlying token raises money for an already existing business and does not operate independently of that business.

Example of an Initial Coin Offering

As the ICO space got bigger and bigger, so too did the sums raised by the largest projects. When evaluating ICOs, one can consider both the amount of money raised in the ICO as well as the return on investment.

Sometimes ICOs with a remarkable return on investment are not the projects that raise the most money and vice versa. Ethereum's ICO in 2014 was an early pioneer, raising $18 million over a period of 42 days. Ethereum has proven to be crucial for the ICO space in general, thanks to its innovations with regard to decentralized apps (dApps). When it debuted, ether was priced at around $0.67, and as of Sept. 24, 2020, it trades at $348.99.

In 2015, a two-phase ICO began for a company called Antshares, which later rebranded as NEO. The first phase of the ICO ended in October 2015, and the second continued until September 2016. During this time, NEO earned about $4.5 million. While it is not one of the largest ICOs in terms of money raised, it has provided exceptional ROI for many early investors. The price of NEO at the time of the ICO was about $0.03, and at its peak, it traded at roughly $187.40.

More recently, ICOs have generated significantly larger amounts in terms of total funds raised. During a one-month ICO ending in March 2018, Dragon Coin managed to raise about $320 million. More recently, the company behind the EOS platform shattered Dragon Coins record by raising a whopping $4 billion during a year-long ICO.

Investing in cryptocurrencies and other Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) is highly risky and speculative, and this article is not a recommendation by Investopedia or the writer to invest in cryptocurrencies or other ICOs. Since each individual's situation is unique, a qualified professional should always be consulted before making any financial decisions. Investopedia makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or timeliness of the information contained herein.What Is a Mortgage Broker?

A mortgage broker is an intermediary who brings mortgage borrowers and mortgage lenders together, but who does not use their own funds to originate mortgages. A mortgage broker helps borrowers connect with lenders and seeks out the best fit in terms of the borrower's financial situation and interest-rate needs. The mortgage broker also gathers paperwork from the borrower and passes that paperwork along to a mortgage lender for underwriting and approval purposes. The broker earns a commission from either the borrower, the lender, or both at closing.

A mortgage broker should not be confused with a mortgage banker, which closes and funds a mortgage with its own funds.

Key Takeaways A mortgage broker is a financial intermediary who matches home borrowers with potential lenders in order to obtain the best possible mortgage terms for the borrower.

A mortgage broker can save a borrower time and effort during the application process, and potentially a lot of money over the life of the loan.

Mortgage brokers earn commissions, known as origination fees, based on the size of the loan, and may work independently or as en employee of a larger mortgage brokerage firm.

1:16 What Does a Broker Do?

How Mortgage Brokers Work

A mortgage broker serves as a middleman between borrowers and lenders in the real estate market. Whether a potential borrower is buying a new home or refinancing, a broker gathers loan options from various lenders for the borrower to consider, while qualifying the borrower for a mortgage with those lenders at the same time. The broker also gathers financial information such as income, assets, and employment documentation; a credit report; and other information for assessing the borrowers ability to secure financing that is then passed on to potential lenders.

The broker determines an appropriate loan amount, loan-to-value (LTV) ratio, and the borrowers ideal loan type, then submits the loan to a lender for approval. The broker communicates with the borrower and the lender during the entire transaction through closing.

Once agreed upon, mortgage funds are loaned in the name of the mortgage lender, and the mortgage broker collects a commission called an origination fee from the lender as compensation for its services. The borrower may be responsible for paying all or part of that fee in the closing statement. The broker only gets paid when the loan transaction is completed.

Borrowers should search online reviews and ask for referrals from real estate agents, friends, and family to find a mortgage broker who has the right credentials for the borrower's level of experience. It's important to work with an individual whom you trust and who provides good service.

Mortgage Brokers vs. Loan Officers

When consumers buy or refinance a home, the first step is often to a loan officer in a local bank or credit union. A bank loan officer offers programs and mortgage rates from a single institution. A mortgage broker, by contrast, works on a borrowers behalf to find the lowest available mortgage rates and/or the best loan programs available through multiple lenders. However, the number of lenders a broker can practically access is limited by his approval to work with each lender. That means that borrowers are generally best served by doing some of their own legwork as well in order to find the best deal.

A broker often works with several clients at one time and does not get paid unless a loan closes, encouraging brokers to work with each borrower on a more personal level. If a loan originated through a broker is declined, the broker applies to another lender. A loan officer from a big bank may keep a borrower on hold for an extended period of time because the officer is working with many borrowers at once. If a loan originating through a loan officer is declined, no further action is taken with the bank.

Some lenders work exclusively with mortgage brokers, providing borrowers access to loans that would otherwise not be available to them. In addition, brokers can get lenders to waive application, appraisal, origination, and other fees. Big banks work exclusively with loan officers and do not waive fees.By Geoff Percival

IPL Plastics has ditched plans for a Dublin IPO this summer, instead opting for a sole flotation on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

The Irish company which changed its name from One 51 late last year  yesterday reported a 36.2% rise in annual revenues to 474.4m and said progress has been made on its plans for an IPO later this year.

It confirmed Toronto as its preferred listing location but made no mention of Dublin being part of a dual IPO, which had been touted as a possibility as recently as December. Market sources suggested plans for a Dublin listing are now off the table.

Valuations for plastics companies are higher in Canada than in Ireland. Approximately 75% of IPLs revenues are generated in North America and the company is largely owned by two Canadian fund managers.

IPL generated profits of 17.6m last year, a 9.3% annual increase, and adjusted diluted earnings per share of just over 12c, which was up by 8.8% on the previous year.

Chief executive Alan Walsh said trading in the first quarter of 2018 has been satisfactory despite headwinds such as declines in the value of both the US and Canadian dollars against the euro and increases in resin and transportation costs.

Our overall 2018 results should start to see the full year earnings impact of some of the capital expenditure programmes commissioned in the latter half of 2017, coupled with a full years contribution from Macro [the US plastics company it bought for close to 135m last summer], Mr Walsh said.

At the end of last year, IPL said it would pursue acquisiton opportunities in mainland Europe  after its planned IPO  in order to rebalance its geographical spread.By Padraig Hoare

Namas failure to provide Cork property developers Michael and John OFlynn with all personal data held on them is stark and frightening for citizens, a legal expert has said.

The two had complained in 2014 to Data Protection Commissioner Helen Dixon that Nama had failed to tell them what data they were holding onto.

This is despite around 2,000 pages of highly confidential and personal information being handed over to the state agency when the OFlynn Group engaged with Nama in 2010 about restructuring its loans.

Ms Dixon ruled Nama was wrong in claiming data held relating to OFlynn Groups loans did not include personal data, and that Nama had not conducted reasonable and proportionate searches of its records to find such personal data as per the pairs request.

She said Nama breached its obligations under data- protection law, and that the body continues to fail and refuse to supply the data requested by the men.

The OFlynn versus Nama case suggests we as citizens have serious cause for concern, according to solicitor and data protection analyst, Noel Doherty.

These findings by the Data Protection Commissioner against a state agency are stark and frightening. We, as citizens, have the right to expect that state agencies comply with the law of the land.

He said most citizens would not have had the resources to fight such a case over four years.

What is even more frightening is that this case was between a state agency and comparatively well- resourced individuals who had the ability to source the best advice and sustain the case over a prolonged period. What chance would an ordinary person have to resource such a fight against state agencies? he said.

Mr Doherty said that the decision had implications for government legislation being considered to comply with the EUs general data protection regulation, which comes into law in May.

The regulation makes it considerably easier for individuals to bring private claims against data controllers when their data privacy has been infringed. If organisations fail to comply with the regulation, they can be fined up to 4% of annual global turnover, or 20m.

However state agencies are exempt from the penalties in the Governments new data protection bill.

Mr Doherty said: The bill, as currently drafted, exempts state agencies from fines for breach of data protection regulations and provides the State with wide ranging and ill-defined exemptions from compliance with the law. There will, therefore, be no sanction applicable to state agencies.Earlier in the year, The Coronas announced that theyll return to Cork this summer to play Live at the Marquee.

And after tickets to the gig sold out within days, theyve added an extra date!Brendan OConnor appeared as a guest on the Late Late Show tonight and his interview has since been highly praised on social media.

The RTE presenter talked passionately about his own experience of being the father of a child with a disability.

OConnors seven-year-old daughter Mary has Down Syndrome.

Brendan spoke up about the huge number of children on waiting lists for special needs services and called out for Irish politicians, including the Taoiseach to make a change.

They are the most vulnerable people in many ways that we have, these small little children. They have an opportunity to be independent... We are storing up huge problems of dependency, he said.

People have since taken to social media to praise and thank him for his words.

Well said Brendan O Connor! the wait to access essential services for kids with additional needs is an ongoing scandal. Kids with DD and SEN (and their families) deserve so much better #latelate  Catriona Connolly (@Catthedog04) March 9, 2018

Brendan OConnor playing a blinder drawing attention to the lack of services & therapies for special needs kids in Ireland #latelate #LateLateShow pic.twitter.com/2xNoKBt5PD  Ken Sweeney (@KenSweeney) March 9, 2018

Brendan O'Connor couldn't be more humble or realistic- he should have been given more time to talk more about special needs & the lack of help #latelate @RTELateLateShow #brendanoconnor  Helen Ahern (@Mammyto3loons) March 9, 2018

@brenoconnor what a way to use the platform.. Highlighting the facts  Brilliant interview #latelate #seethepersonfirst  gillianraftery (@GillianRaftery) March 9, 2018

I never thought I'd say this as not normally a fan, but most of Brendan O'Connor's interview on the #LateLate was v good. Certainly doing wonders for those with special needs who need their voice heard  Morgan O'Callaghan (@MorgantheBriar) March 9, 2018

Insightful and honest insight into REAL Inequality for kids with special needs. Politicians Prioritising equality issues which are insignificant compared to these kids.

#latelate  Mixer (@micklaner) March 9, 2018

#latelate I could have listened to Brendan o Connor for another hour. So eloquent passionate and such an ambassador for children with special needs.  Susan Morris (@SusanMo7741347) March 9, 2018

Never thought Id find myself saying this.... but Brendan OConnor has won me over. #LateLateShow #latelate  David Lane (@mrdavidflane) March 9, 2018

That's it Brendan, the reality in numbers #LateLate  Shona McLoughlin (@ShonaMcL) March 9, 2018

Go Brendan, go on, go on  #LateLate  Annette Lawson (@AnnetteLawson) March 9, 2018

What a super interview, well done Brendan OConnor #latelate  Liz Giltinane  (@LizGiltinane) March 9, 2018By Ray Managh

There is no legal bar to publicans obtaining late night license extensions allowing them to serve drinks into the early hours on Good Friday, the President of the Circuit Court, Mr Justice Raymond Groarke, ruled today.

A judge in the Dublin District court had refused to grant a Good Friday late bar extension to the Red Cow Inn on the Naas Road, Dublin, which meant a huge back-up in similar applications pending an appeal to the Circuit Court.

The appeal was allowed today by Judge Groarke which frees publicans to obtain bar extensions in cases where there is no objection by the State authorities, including the Garda Siochana, and where all necessary legal proofs are in order.

Barrister Dorothy Collins, counsel for the Red Cow Inn, told the Circuit Civil Court that the legislation had been amended this year deleting the two words Good Friday from the 1927 Licensing Act.

The Governments decision means that from now on Good Friday will be treated as an ordinary day in the licensing legislation under which bar extension application may be made to the District Court, Ms Collins said.

She said the requirement for such an application was that there has to be a special occasion such as a dance and the Red Cow and other public premises seeking extensions do hold dances.

She said that more than 40 applications before the District Court had been adjourned following the decision of the Court on Wednesday refusing a Special Exemption Order to the Red Cow.

Ms Collins told the court there had been no objection by the gardai to the running of the event in the Red Cow. The amended legislation meant that Good Friday shall be treated under the licensing laws the same as any other day of the week.

Judge Groarke said the appeal before him arose in the context of recent changes in the licensing legislation providing that Good Friday should now be treated as an ordinary licensing day in the context of the law.

He said there were no objections on behalf of the State and gardai and he had been assured by Ms Constance Cassidy, S.C, who appeared for a number of other publicans, that the legal proofs in each of the cases were in order.

I can assume that all of the necessary proofs are in order and I allow the appeal in each case and grant the extensions sought, Judge Groarke said.Looking for a last-minute gift for Mothers Day? Book these getaways, writes Ciara McDonnell.

Ballynahinch Castle

Treat your mum to a night in the Victorian splendour of Ballynahinch Castle Hotel in Connemara this month. Their one-night getaway package includes a five-course meal in the Owenmore Restaurant as well as a nights B&B in one of their super luxurious rooms. After checking in, we suggest wrapping up and taking a walk around the grounds of this breathtaking estate, before commandeering a seat by the roaring fire for a pre-dinner aperitif. One Night Getaway package starts at 153 per person sharing.

ballynahinch-castle.com

Killarney experience

If your mother deserves luxury this year, and lets face it  what mother doesnt, then consider a One-Night Experience at The Europe in Killarney. Begin your stay at the 5-star resort by unwinding in their lakeside thermal suite before braving the outdoor vitality pool before checking in for a 50-minute ESPA treatment.

Dine on the best of local ingredients that evening, with panoramic views over Lough Lein before staying in one of the hotels world-class bedrooms.

The Europe One-Night Experience costs from 300pp and is available Sunday to Thursday.

theeurope.com

Pery Important Person

Modern, comfortable and boasting well-appointed rooms, One Pery Square in Limerick is poised to welcome all mothers in need of a break this month. Their package includes one night B&B with dinner and bubbles. During her stay, your mum can enjoy complimentary access to the hotels thermal suite, which includes fancy-sounding things like a herbal cocoon, aroma steam, coal bunker sauna, and relaxation area.

After all that relaxing, a lie-in is prescribed, and the hotel serves breakfast until 11am to allow for some extra shut-eye. Mums Special Escape at One Pery Square costs from 85 per person.

oneperysquare.com

Enjoy the good life

Castlemartyr Resort is running its fantastically-priced Winter Escape package until the end of March, making it an ideal Mothers day gift. Priced at only 99 per person if you stay midweek, the package includes one nights accommodation in a deluxe room, a two-course dinner in the Bell Tower restaurant and a 20 spa credit per person. Make sure to book your spa treatments when you make your reservation, otherwise you wont be able to use your credit. Winter Escape costs 99 per person per night, with a supplementary 50 for weekend nights.

castlemartyrresort.ie

Divine dining

If your Mum is a foodie then surprise her with a trip to Ahernes Townhouse & Seafood bar in Youghal. Widely renowned as one of the countrys best guesthouses, Ahernes family-style hospitality and top class food will ensure the most cosy of stay.

A two-night break at Ahernes Townhouse  with one evening meal on the evening of your choice, and late check-out on the day of departure  will cost you from 320 for two people sharing.

ahernes.net

Perfect Parknasilla

Take your mother on an escape to the gorgeous Parknasilla Resort & Spa in Kenmare this year and youll enjoy it just as much as she will. Their one-night stay includes accommodation in a bright and spacious Parkland View room, and a three-course a la carte dinner with tea and coffee for two in the Pygmalion Restaurant. The real gift here is the unlimited access to the swimming pool, thermal suite, and outdoor hot tubs, which we suggest you enjoy after an extensive roam around the miles of

onsite

forest walks. Parknasilla has just reopened after its winter break, so staff and hotel will be refreshed and ready to welcome guests. The one night package at Parknasilla costs from 199.

parknasillaresort.com

The Wexford way

If you are intent on relaxing with your mother, then spas in Ireland do not get more calming than at Monart.

A midweek two-night Spa break at the world-class spa includes accommodation in a deluxe room replete with fancy bath products and ultra fluffy robes and slippers, and dinner on the evening of your choice.

The package includes unrestricted access to the thermal spa and participation in any of their scheduled classes like yoga or sauna ritual, but we would go the whole hog and book a treatment during your stay.

The midweek two-night spa break at Monart costs from 219 per person.

monart.ie

Champagne lifestyle

Five-star and super fabulous, Ashford Castle is running an offer until the end of March of a nights B&B from 275 if you pay in advance through the website. If you do book in with your mother, then be sure to check out the new afternoon tea menu created by executive pastry chef Paula Stakelum.

Highlights of this tiny feast include a vanilla-scented eclair with Granny Smith and caramelia cremeux and Irish lobster and Galway Bay prawn on brioche bread. Afternoon Tea is priced from 45 per person and you can add a Champagne tasting (eight samples of Champagne) for 29 per person.

ashfordcastle.com

Sheen luxury

Just in time for Mothers Day, Sheen Falls is launching their Spring Midweek Escape package. The midweek package includes two nights accommodation in one of the hotels newly renovated bedrooms, and dinner on the evening of your choice in The Falls Restaurant.

On the afternoon of your choosing, you and your mother can enjoy afternoon tea before using a 50 spa credit for the super luxe Easannna Spa.

The Spring Midweek Escape package priced from 499 for 2 nights based on 2 people sharing or from 380 for single occupancy.

sheenfallslodge.ieLive music review: Choice Music Prize

Vicar Street, Dublin

****

By Eoghan OSullivan

Forget the maxim Less is more  judging by the Choice Music Prize event at Vicar Street, at which all ten of the acts nominated for Irish album of the year performed two songs each, more is more.

Ships, later announced as winners of the prize for their Precession album have swelled from two to five for the night, the irresistible All Will Be sounding mammoth as a result.

The Cork band Talos have six members whose glacial vibes are punctuated by Eoin Frenchs soaring falsetto. Theyre getting used to the bigger stages, and with festival season around the corner  and a trip to the name-making SXSW next week  Talos look set to be one of the bands of the summer.

Your Love is an Island is anthemic, a slow build ceding to a monstrous bass and crescendo.

There are three solo performers on the night. Fionn Regan chooses not to play the highlight of his meandering album, the title track The Meeting of the Waters, and his ten-minute slot plods along as a result.

Four-time nominee James Vincent McMorrow is just back from a solo tour of Germany and exudes confidence, managing to silence the chatty room.

During National, a wry crooner about listening to The National (You said your favourite song was the one about death), you could hear a pin drop.

New Jackson, as host Eoghan McDermott suggests, is who you want to see at 3am, not playing at 8.30pm to seated, passive onlookers.

The second Cork nominee, Marlene Enright, is joined by Gemma Sugrue, their voices mixing joyfully on We Were in Trouble.

Were also treated to the song of the year as voted by some members of the public  That Good Thing, by

Tullamores banjo-toting, hair-dance four-piece Chasing Abbey.

Its a diverse night that leaves you wanting to hear more from most of the disparate acts. The fact that neither of the big winners were guitar-based also gave it the feel of a seminal night for Irish music.

Overall, the scene is in rude health. And Ships, a duo comprising veterans Sorca McGrath and Simon Cullen, who made their album in their bedroom and self-released it after a fundraising campaign, deserve their place at the top.When I first moved to Dublin in the late 1980s there was no cooler part of the city than Temple Bar. It all happened by accident of course, CIE was buying up the place with a plan to flatten it all to build a bus station (with a tunnel under the Liffey to connect to Busaras).

While CIE waited for planning permission, it rented out the old shirt factories and warehouses at low rents and soon the place was full of vintage clothes shops, record stores, rehearsal spaces, art galleries and ethnic and vegetarian restaurants.

These days, Temple Bar is often criticised as a vulgar tourist trap but if you look hard you will still find that bohemian spirit clinging on  visit All City on Crow Street for example for all your graffiti and vinyl record needs.

There are dozens of restaurants, some dubious but others excellent including Piglet, Chameleon, Montys, Rosa Madre and the two Klaw outlets. For this weeks pre-Paddys Day review however, I visited one of the oldest  Padraig Og Gallaghers Boxty House which opened in 1989  back then it was as just as novel and exotic as any of the ethnic restaurants.

I confess this was my first full visit in 25 years but I had tasted Padraig Ogs food a number of times since at festivals and events and I was curious to see how the Boxty House was faring  that and the fact that it was a bitterly cold day and myself and food writer (and spud expert) Aoife Cox were in need of comfort food.

The room has changed a little but is still very comfortable with homey mismatched tables and a relaxed feel throughout. The menu is filled with classics such as oysters, Irish Stew, Smoked Salmon, Coddle, and of course Boxty every way you can imagine. There is a short range of wines but a fine selection of whiskies, micro and macro beers (Murphys rather than Guinness) plus some of their own Jack Smyth beers  a red ale, a blonde and a stout.

Aoife opted for a pint of the Stonewell cider on draught and I had two pints of the equally fine Jack Smyth Stout  a stout that managed to be both full-flavoured and creamy with a pleasing smoky caramel flavour while not overpowering the subtleties in the cooking.

Boxty potato cakes are a north-midlands and border speciality and here you can have them stuffed, baked, as dumplings or fried. Aoife began with the Boxty Sharing plate which consisted of tender dumplings (not unlike gnocchi), boxty bread and supremely moreish boxty fries  thin deep-fried strips.

I began with a well-executed Seafood Chowder made with lots of fish and potatoes and good use of Gubbeen chorizo and for main I ordered Fergus Dunnes Offaly reared Freerange Bacon Chop (19)  meaty and sweet and served with positively silky Colcannon, nutty roasted carrots and parsnips and a well executed honey and mustard sauce. The stout was a good match, but the cider might have been even better.

Roast Halibut was served with a tasty nutty spiced Pearl Barley and Pea risotto (19.50) but sadly the fish was a little overcooked  Id have sent it back but Aoife felt it was serviceable and decided against. I mentioned it to our waiter so she could inform the kitchen but without hesitation she insisted we would not be charged.

I allowed Aoife first-pick on desserts (6.90 each) but regretted it when I tasted her glorious sticky toffee pudding served with cashew praline, wonderful Boxty ice-cream and salted caramel. To be fair my Buttermilk Panna Cotta with rum-glazed banana and pistachio biscotti was also good  velvety and light  both were washed down with flawless glasses of Longueville House Apple Brandy (9.90).

Only when the bill arrived did we realise we had also been comped our desserts and brandy and all protestations were firmly ignored. This was beyond the call of duty given that we had not actually returned the food, but given how charming and super- efficient she had been all evening it shouldnt have surprised me.

So as you have gathered I loved the Boxty House, yes these are familiar comforting dishes but there is flair and real accomplishment here and Id say they have another 30 years in them.

The Tab

Dinner for two with starters, mains, desserts, three pints and two brandies should have cost around 109 but actually cost 58.20 after we were comped a main, desserts and drinks.

How to

Daily: 11am to 10.30pm

The verdict

Food: 8/10

Drink: 8.5/10

Service: 9.5/10

Value: 9/10

Ambience: 8/10

In a Sentence:

An Irish restaurant serving very well executed tasty traditional food made with well-sourced ingredients 

inevitably popular with tourists but deserves more Irish customers.

- 20-21 Temple Bar, Dublin 2; Tel: 01-6772762; boxtyhouse.ieBy Joyce Fegan

There is a theory in marketing called the diffusion of innovation. It explains how, why, and at what rate new ideas spread.

The theory divides a population into five categories: The first 2.5% are the innovators, the next 13.5% are the early adopters, the following 34% are the early majority. The next 34% are the late majority, and the remaining 16% are the laggards.

At the 15% mark, when both the innovators and early adopters have embraced an innovative social concept, product or service, you have your tipping point and in comes change.

Lets imagine, now, that legal abortion is the new idea. To start, lets take a look at the status quo. Save for exceptional circumstances, abortion is illegal in Ireland.

A termination can only be carried out if the pregnancy poses a threat to the life of the mother, including suicidal ideation. If a woman has an abortion here for any other reason, she faces 14 years in prison.

Nowadays, terminating a pregnancy may also include taking a tablet at home that was ordered online. For example, in 2016, 1,748 people contacted Women on Web to import abortion pills to Ireland.

Like any criminal offence, it is rare that those who commit the crime openly discuss it. The resounding silence ensnares the issue in shame. It becomes taboo. This is our current status quo on abortion: Silence and stigma.

So how did we get here? On September 7, 1983, the people of Ireland voted to insert the Eighth Amendment into the Constitution. There were 2,358,651 people registered to vote and 1,265,994 went to the ballot boxes. Of those, 841,233 voted in favour of the amendment and 416,136 voted against it.

The amendment was passed and the newly-inserted Article 40.3.3 recognised the equal right to life of the mother and the unborn child.

It created a constitutional ban on abortion, making it impossible for any government to legislate for abortion. To amend or change, repeal or remove, as much as a single word in a countrys constitution, the ruling government must ask its people via a referendum.

The people of Ireland didnt ask the government of the day to hold a referendum. A group of 13 organisations, predominantly Catholic, formed the Pro Life Amendment Campaign (PLAC) off their own bat, in January, 1981.

PLAC then lobbied the government to hold a referendum. For more information on this, seek out Emily OReillys (current European Ombudsman) book, Masterminds of the Right.

So, here we were, post-September 7, 1983, with a constitutional ban on abortion.

After the referendum passed, Mary Robinson, seven years before becoming President, took part in a live TV debate with barrister William Binchy about the possible implications of the amendment.

Ms Robinson stated that the term unborn was legally ambiguous and it would lead to difficult test cases that would put womens lives at risk. Mr Binchy argued the opposite.

In the area of womens health, if some crackpot were to take a case in this particular area, the court would dispose of the case with no difficulty whatsoever, said Mr Binchy.

Ms Robinson was then asked if she believed there would be test cases.

I must say, I dont like the use of words like crackpot, she said.

Were talking about very serious issues and I, together with a lot of lawyers, a majority of lawyers in this country, raised the serious difficulties that are implicit in the ambiguous and complex wording of this amendment.

What were faced with, now, is a legal section in the constitution and all I can do, conscientiously and fairly and honestly, as a lawyer, is to try to assess the implications of it. It is very ambiguous. Even the concept of the wordunborn is not known to lawyers, therefore it must be determined.

Unfortunately, the former president was right and there were test cases.

In February, 1992, we had The State v Miss X. Miss X was a suicidal 14-year-old girl, who had become pregnant as a result of rape. The attorney general of the day, Harry Whelehan, had been granted an interim injunction by the High Court, restraining her from seeking an abortion in the UK. Article 40.3.3 was the justification for the injunction.

The case sparked an outcry, so much so that the people of Ireland were told that any discussion of it would amount to contempt of court.

The decision was appealed to the Supreme Court and in March, 1992, the earlier decision was set aside, allowing the girl to travel and a ruling was made that the threat of suicide was grounds for an abortion. It is understood that the girl miscarried.

Far earlier, back in 1983, there was another case. However, it never saw the legal light of day. This time, it was a young woman named Sheila Hodgers, from Drogheda, Co Louth. She was married to Brendan Hodgers and

together they had two children.

Ms Hodgers had previously had a lump removed from her breast and was on a follow-up treatment of anti-cancer drugs. The contraceptive pill was not to be taken in tandem with the drugs.

Ms Hodgers then became pregnant with her third child.

Now, back in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, in Drogheda, she was taken off the anti-cancer drugs, as they would kill the developing foetus. One month later, she developed severe back pain and a reactivated tumour was suspected.

She was not allowed any treatment, because of her pregnancy, due to an ethical code called the Bishops Contract, drawn up between the hospital management and the Catholic hierarchy.

Mr Hodgers told an Irish Times journalist that he could hear his wife screaming in absolute agony from the front door of the hospital. She was in a ward on the fourth floor.

In the early hours of St Patricks Day, in 1983, she delivered a perfectly formed baby girl. However, the child stopped breathing and died as she emerged from her mothers womb. Sheila died two days later.

However, born just after 1983, these are the not the stories I heard growing up in Ireland. Instead, I was exposed to graphic images outside College Green. You were told that abortion was not a form of contraception.

Just do not have sex. Simple. However, from the onset of puberty, you lived in fear of getting pregnant. What would you do? Who would you tell? And none of these messages came from inside my home; instead, they came from the society around me.

So, just how did we get to this tipping point, about to vote on repealing the Eighth Amendment and legislate for abortion?

First, there were the innovators, that 2.5% of men and women, like Mary Robinson, who called out the legally unworkable amendment.

Then, there were the early adopters, that 13.5% of people who have marched for change and created dialogue, through clothing and badges and murals. Not to mention those who made private tragedies public testimonies.

And then came the Citizens Assembly, where, over the course of several weekends, medical, legal, and ethics experts gave presentations about the issue of abortion. Then, there was the Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment, which went through a similar process of education and informed dialogue.

And, now, its up to the rest of us  the early majority, the late majority, and the laggards. With rights come responsibility  so, if you vote, whatever way you may vote, you are responsible for informing yourself.

The Oireachtas Committees 36-page report is a good place to start.The latest tranche of 15 inspection reports by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) found areas of major non-compliance at four nursing homes in Laois, Kildare, Cork and Dublin.

In the case of Droimnin Nursing Home in Laois, HIQA carried out a two-day inspection of the centre following receipt of unsolicited information of concern.

The concerns alleged issues on inadequate staffing and a poor quality of care provided to residents. Evidence found during this inspection did substantiate these concerns, noted the report.

The inspectors found that 28 members of staff (20 full-time positions) had resigned in the five months prior to the inspections in December 2017 and that staffing levels were inadequate to meet the care and welfare needs of residents.

As a result, a temporary hold was placed on all new admissions to the centre until such time as the staffing complement is stabilised and that the care delivered is safe.

Four of the files reviewed by inspectors did not have any nursing assessments carried out on admission. There was clear evidence that the gaps or absence of assessments had a direct, negative impact on residents wellbeing.

For example, one resident admitted with a condition that required regular pain medication did not have any pain assessment on file or a care plan directing staff on how best to manage the pain when reported.

Another resident with a history of seizures did not have any care plan to direct staff on how best to manage any seizure activity.

In a number of the files reviewed, there was no care plan developed in relation to specific needs.

At the Elm Hall Nursing Home in Kildare, HIQA inspectors found a lack of corporate governance and evidence of major non-compliance was identified within the governance and management of the centre.

This impacted on the health and safety of residents, risk and fire safety management and staffing arrangements.

HIQA inspectors had to issue an immediate action plan to the provider representative during the inspection in relation to significant risks identified that included inadequate fire safety arrangements, staff training and awareness and a lack of simulated fire evacuation drills.

HIQA found that the management systems at the centre had been ineffective and that this led to poor standards and unsafe arrangements.

All reasonable measures to protect residents from all forms of abuse or neglect were not sufficiently maintained or demonstrated due to recurrent turnover of staff and lack of governance and oversight arrangements, said the report.

At the Skibbereen Community Hospital operated by the HSE, HIQA found that, similar to previous inspections, the privacy and dignity of residents were greatly compromised by the continued major non-compliance and unsuitability of the premises.

For example, there was a shortage of storage space. Residents were required to share multi-occupancy bedroom accommodation and there was a lack of sufficient wardrobe provision for personal belongings.A judge in the Dublin District court had refused to grant a Good Friday late-bar extension to the Red Cow Inn, on the Naas Road, Dublin, which meant a huge back-up in similar applications, pending an appeal to the Circuit Court.

The appeal was allowed yesterday, by Judge Groarke, freeing publicans to obtain bar extensions in cases where there is no objection by the state authorities, including the Garda Siochana, and where all necessary legal proofs are in order.John Monaghan said doctors who believe it is wrong to terminate a pregnancy should not be compelled to refer the patient to another doctor who would perform the act.

Dr Monaghan said doctors should not carry out abortions where it is not medically indicated.

It is not healthcare. The fact that people choose to use abortion pills does not of itself make that right, he said on RTE radio yesterday.

Dr Monaghan said it might well be that GPs do not have an opportunity to fully think through what is going to happen if the Governments proposal on abortion is accepted.

Mark Murphy, a GP and a member of Doctors for Choice, said he agrees with the right to conscientious objection.

If someone disagrees with abortion and does not want to get involved or just prescribe pills, I agree that they dont have to do that, he said.

Dr Monaghan said he could not imagine a situation where he would refuse to refer a woman who needs a termination for medical reasons to another practitioner who would perform the procedure.

But to oblige a doctor to refer a perfectly healthy woman with a normal pregnancy to another doctor who would provide an abortion to me is ethically repugnant. And I could not do it, he said.

He said the Medical Council guidelines do not take account of the termination of a normal pregnancy.

Dr Murphy said he feels they are talking in a vacuum and that the Medical Council will have to update its guidelines based on any new legislation that follows the potential repeal of the Eighth amendment. A conscientious objection would be provided for, he said.

Dr Monaghan said he spent three years working in the public health system in Britain and his unwillingness to get involved in abortion was respected then but there has been an attempt to undo that recently.Paul Mulcair, aged 43, of Kinsale Garda station, was formally arrested for the purpose of charging at Cork District Court by Inspector Fergal Foley in December last.

Insp Foley returned to Cork District Court yesterday and confirmed that he had served a book of evidence on Paul Mulcair.

State solicitor, John Brosnan, then applied on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions to have the accused sent forward for trial by indictment at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge Olann Kelleher sent the case forward from Cork District Court to the circuit court on April 23.

It will then be a matter for that court to set a date for the trial of the case before a judge and jury.

Eddie Burke, solicitor, asked on behalf of colleague Dan Murphy, solicitor, for free legal aid to be extended for counsel to represent Paul Mulcair at the circuit court.

There was no objection to the accused being remanded on continuing bail.

Conditions require him to have no contact, direct or indirect, with the complainants in the case.

No details were given yesterday on the background to the alleged offences.

Paul Mulcair is charged with stealing 500 cash belonging to a named man at Eastern Road, Kinsale, Co Cork, on September 29, 2015, and stealing 2,000 cash from another named man at Haven Hill, Kinsale, on November 27, 2015.

Both charges were brought contrary to the Criminal Justice (Theft Offences) Act.

The case had been adjourned to last Friday because of the dangerous weather conditions caused by Storm Emma.Health Minister Simon Harris confirmed the plans will be published next month as he insisted the potential removal of the Eighth Amendment will herald a quantum leap forward in Irelands abortion and sexual health laws.

Speaking during a Dail debates on the referendum bill governing the upcoming vote, Mr Harris said an internal Department of Health group is examining the nature and scope of a free contraception system.

He said the group is considering how to provide and fund the service, which was called for in the findings by the Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment, and will reveal its plan early next month.

Mr Harriss comments came as he led calls to repeal the Eighth Amendment and support proposed laws to allow abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy.

At the start of the six-hour debate, Mr Harris said TDs thinking why they are unexpectedly sitting in the Dail on a Friday should instead think of a woman waiting in the ports and airports.

She might be sitting quietly next to the hen party, the businessman or woman, the honeymooners, seeming to be on a similar journey. But shes not. Her journey is a lonely one, he said.

His view was repeated by all but three of the 28 speakers, with Fianna Fail health spokesman Billy Kelleher adding: Nobody can deny this is happening.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said the Ireland of the Eighth Amendment is gone and good riddance. Independents4Change TD Mick Wallace said the current law is misogynistic and forced birthing.

Labour TD Jan O Sullivan urged those opposed to any change to examine what this means for those affected, while Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy referred to the Christmas 2014 case of a decomposing clinically dead pregnant woman kept alive on life support to question what country are we.

Fine Gael TD Kate OConnell said up to 40 women were unable to travel abroad for abortions last week due to the snow storms she called an act of God, and warned that unless the law changes, Ireland will remain a barbed-wire prison for women to do the laundry, a reference to magdalene laundries.

Three of the 28 TDs who spoke said the Eighth Amendment should be retained.

Fine Gael TD Peter Fitzpatrick said abortion involves the end of a life, while Fianna Fails Kevin OKeeffe said the bill was being rushed.

In a 20-minute speech, Independent TD Mattie McGrath claimed this weeks Supreme Court decision was a flagrant abuse of power, accused the Citizens Assembly of being a stitch-up, and told pro-choice TDs the people are waiting in their houses for you.

Meanwhile, Sinn Feins ard chomhairle will meet on March 19 to decide whether it can hold an ard fheis before the referendum to support the proposed 12th week law. The discussion has been demanded by Sinn Fein TDs, who have privately criticised new leader Mary Lou McDonald for saying the change could be delayed for logistical reasons.

Forum: 12Bord Pleanala has approved the construction of a 255-bed development at Victoria Cross. It is set to rise to between eight and 10 storeys across four linked blocks on the former site of the Crows Nest bar.

UCC acquired the Victoria Cross site from a private developer in 2016. It was allowed last December to submit the multimillion-euro project directly to Bord Pleanala, after the board ruled it qualified for rapid planning consideration under new strategic housing development terms.

These regulations were introduced in June as part of the Governments Rebuilding Ireland initiative. Projects of 100-plus houses, or 200-plus student apartments are eligible, with a ruling timeline for the board to consider all aspects, including objections, set at 25 weeks.

The site was acquired more than a a decade ago by Fleming Construction. It was later sold to a consortium, which sold it on to UCC.

Just west of the main UCC campus, at the start of the Carrigrohane Straight road, it may join the 16-storey Cork County Hall at the citys western extremity by the Lee Fields.

The facilities will include groundfloor common room, laundry, administration office and meeting room on a development with its main entrance at Carrigrohane Road. A ground-floor commercial cafe unit is included, along with a healthcare facility/wellness centre with occupational therapy, nursing and a number of other treatment and consulting rooms.

While the board has fast-tracked its decision, conditions attaching to the planning permission appear to restrict use to student accommodation only. This is likely to prevent short-term summer letting out of term, which many developers (colleges and private) deem necessary to make it commercially viable, and/ or to meet financing arrangements.

Meanwhile, demolition work is continuing on the site of the former tax office in Cork City centre. A decision to advance demolition of the seven-storey building on Sullivans Quay was taken last September after it was the scene of two fires in two days, one on the roof and the other on the fourth floor. City fire chiefs were concerned that it was the work of vandals.

The former tax and FAS offices on Sullivans Quay which are being demolished. Picture: David Keane

Developers BAM is planning to build a hotel on the site and says it has attracted a premium international hotel brand to the location.

Planning permission was granted in 2009 for a major office development and a 183-bed hotel after BAM acquired the site from the Revenue Commissioners in 2006.

However, the decade-long financial and construction downturn meant the site has remained undeveloped.

BAM lodged new plans in May, increasing the number of hotel rooms to 193 and then seeking permission to modify the plans further, increasing the number to 220 to accommodate the four-star hotel chain.

Last December, Cork City Council granted permission for the development. It would be the citys biggest hotel.The organisations legal consultant, Caroline Simons, said she can even envisage women travelling from Britain to Ireland for an abortion.

In Britain, there are time limits on the so-called health ground. So todays Government proposal is, objectively speaking, more extreme than the law in Britain.

It is clear beyond any doubt now that a vote to repeal the Eighth Amendment is a vote for abortion on demand up to birth, she said.

Ms Simons was speaking after the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, introduced the 36th Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2018 in the Dail. It paves the way for the abortion referendum.

During the Dail debate, Mr Harris called on TDs to think of the nine women in airports yesterday or the three women taking abortion pills in their homes.

Ms Simons was asked to comment on the ministers contention that abortion is already happening in Ireland.

Responding, she said she wishes the minister would do more to support womens crises. Removing the baby does not deal with the crisis situation, she said.

Women feel this (abortion) is the only choice they have. I would like to see the Government trying to help them make a more positive choice that is better for them and better for their babies.

Ms Simons was asked about the ministers proposals to introduce a free contraceptive service and if she would support such a move.

This pro-life campaign deals with one issue and one issue only and that is the abortion question  the protection of life from conception until natural death. Contraception does not come into that frame, she said.

Our job is to seek for the protection in our laws and in our society of all lives from conception until natural death.This was a lecture with a difference, however, as Boole 4 in UCC, the venue for thousands of inspiring/yawn-inducing lectures down the decades, was packed out to hear the Governments 2040 vision for the country  a plan already bedevilled by accusations that it is a mix of the new and reheated, all spun in a blender by the much-maligned Strategic Communications Unit and given the Pravda treatment in the media.

The Taoiseach wasnt having it. Queried about comments made by Public Accounts Committee member Shane Cassells, in which he referred to Leo Varadkar living in some Russian creation or Trumpland if he believed in buying the news, the Taoiseach said: We all know what the opposition is at here, what they are trying to do is to distract from the plan.

They know its a good plan, they have no alternative plan, so what they want to do is talk about the process around how the plan came about and they want to talk about the information campaign around it, but I want to talk about the detail of the plan because what this is about is a 10-year plan to invest in healthcare and housing and education, roads, traffic infrastructure, all those things and I think what people are much more interested in.

A Friday morning 10am lecture? Dose.  Joe Leogue (@JoeLeogue) March 9, 2018

Arguably, that jarred slightly with what he heard in the lecture hall, where Tanaiste Simon Coveney spoke of our national plan which he said was not owned by one party  it is the peoples plan.

Project Ireland 2040, with all its laudable targets, is meant to transcend tit-for-tat political mithering, to instead be set on a course that will see it through to completion regardless of who is in office at any one time. Maybe the SCU might need to put some Fianna Failers on the Christmas card list.

Regardless, everyone was in good spirits. There was praise for the plan, praise for the government, praise from Simon Coveney for the Taoiseach: Leo Varadkar is doing an amazing job as Taoiseach for our country.

UCC president Pat OShea addresses the Project Ireland 2040 launch at The Boole, UCC, yesterday. Picture: Eddie OHare

The Taoiseach even employed a lecture style for his presentation, complete with overheads andone-liners, such as comparing the majesty of the Paris Metro with our tardy efforts at delivering the Naas dual carriageway in 1970-something.

Afterwards, as they faced questions from wind-chilled journos, Leo Varadkar joked: Has anyone seen Michael Creed? Hes gone AWOL, hes gone back to college.

It all felt very jolly and positive and you just hope, like the students heading into the Easter break with an eye on the exams, that theyve done their revision.The selected candidate will be required to provide inspirational and ethical leadership to the organisation.

The successful candidate for the job, which is also open to officers in police forces and security services, could earn up to 250,000 annually and 30 days holidays in a five-year contract.

While policing experienced is desirable, it is not essential. Applications must be in by April 12.

The Government tasked the Policing Authority to nominate a candidate and it, in turn, asked the Public Appointments Service to carry out the actual recruitment process.

Unlike previously, there does not appear to be a separate process to headhunt or approach high-profile, potential candidates with the Policing Authority telling the Irish Examiner that all aspects, including the identification and selection of candidates is a matter for the appointments service.

Asked about the composition of the interview panel, the authority also said this was a matter for the appointments service. Attempts for clarification from that body were unsuccessful.

The commissioners position became vacant last September with the shock retirement of Noirin OSullivan.

In a statement, the authority said: The Policing Authority is keen to ensure that there is a wide field of candidates for this position. Applications are welcomed from candidates of an appropriate calibre from policing, security or civilian backgrounds in Ireland and abroad.

While policing experience is desirable, it is not essential for this role. What is essential is the appetite and capacity to lead and transform a large complex organisation which delivers one of the most important public services in Ireland.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said his department had been working with the authority and the appointments service.

The role of commissioner, the most senior post in Irish policing, is extremely challenging, the minister said.

The over-riding concern of all stakeholders has been to ensure that this process is designed to attract the widest possible pool of high-calibre candidates, so that whoever is selected and nominated by the authority for appointment by Government is tested against a strong field.

The appointments service documentation says the people of Ireland expect a modern, professional, accountable and effective police service.

The documents say over the past decade statutory and other reviews have highlighted the need for major reform of the organisation, how it is managed and the manner in which policing services are provided.

It says a transformation programme is underway, with a challenging reform agenda in cultural change, governance, performance management, technology and structural change.

Candidates are informed that there is a strong political commitment to reform. It said staffing is due to increase to 21,000 by 2021, with 15,000 gardai, 4,000 civilians and 2,000 reserves.

The appointments service also says the Government has established a Policing Commission, to report by this September.

It says the commissioner has to be an outstanding and inspirational leader and a person of utmost integrity.

A particular challenge if an outsider is appointed, is that the successful candidate must have the experience and stature to quickly gain respect and confidence within the organisation.

The selection process involves: a shortlisting of candidates (based on a CV, a key achievements form and personal statement); a competitive preliminary interview; an online questionnaire and one-to-one interview; a work sample/role play/ media exercise and other tests and another competitive interview.Judge Olann Kelleher noted that the man had not been able to raise any compensation for the thefts he carried out and was unable to work. The judge said he had considered giving Connie ODonoghue, aged 28, of 9 St Anthonys Park, Knocknaheeny, Cork, a community service order.

Following submissions from Frank Buttimer, defending, about self-harm, admissions to the psychiatric unit of a hospital, and anti-depressive medication to control ODonoghues problems, Judge Kelleher said he would impose a six-month jail term

, suspended on condition that he would keep the peace for the next two years.

Judge Kelleher warned ODonoghue that if he committed an offence anywhere in the country in the next two years, he would face jail.

You cannot hide behind your depression, warned the judge.

Inspector Daniel Coholan said ODonoghue stole the TV from Tesco in Wilton on November 19, 2016. It was never recovered.

The inspector said his understanding was that ODonoghue sold the stolen property.

On December 29, he went to Dunnes Stores in Douglas Court and stole 168 worth of items.

The compensation that was required from ODonoghue amounts to the total of those two thefts, 668.

There was a third theft to which ODonoghue also pleaded guilty, but he was caught in the act and the goods were returned to the store.

Insp Coholan said that third offence was committed on January 30, 2017, at Dunnes Stores in Douglas Court, when he rolled a trolley containing 209 worth of goods out of the shop without paying. However, he was stopped as soon as he got out the door.

Mr Buttimer said ODonoghue co-operated with the investigation and pleaded guilty to the crimes.At the first of a series of events to promote the 116bn investment, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tanaiste Simon Coveney, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe, and ministers Michael Creed and Mary Mitchell OConnor told an audience at UCC that Project 2040 would transform the country, with Mr Donohoe outlining the next steps.

That will involve regional spatial and economic strategies, metropolitan area strategic plans and the launching of a National Regeneration and Development Agency, all backed by four new investment funds.

They will distribute 1bn for rural regeneration and development, 2bn for urban regeneration and development, 500m on climate action and another 500m for disruptive technology innovation. Mr Donohoe said that those funds would be available from January 1 and would be open to expressions of interest.

The plan had already received a high-profile launch in Sligo last month, while there was severe criticism of the governments Strategic Communications Unit over its handling of advertisements placed in local and national newspapers promoting Project Ireland 2040  now the subject of a general review by the secretary general at the Department of the Taoiseach.

Mr Varadkar defended the fresh presentations on the plan and said other events would follow.

We want everyone to know about it, he said, adding that the first sectoral launch will be one on arts, culture, and heritage and how that additional billion euros is going to be spent to improve our arts and culture infrastructure and that will be in a couple of weeks time.

Mr Varadkar also revealed the cost of yesterdays event in UCC was 5,000, but said since two lecture halls had to be used to accommodate the 800 people who attended, it worked out at a cost of about 7.50 per person.

The presentation outlined how delivery of the plan will be overseen by an implementation board, with increased capital expenditure in virtually all areas and the formation of an agency to look at how land  including government land  can be better used.

Mr Donohoe appealed for public help in making the plan a reality, calling it a compass for our country and adding: We cant do it on our own.

The audience heard that population growth of 1m people over the next two decades would necessitate other cities growing at a more rapid rate than Dublin, which, Mr Varadkar said, needed breathing space.

He said that Ireland was emerging from a lost decade and was now aiming to bring investment in infrastructure above the EU average.

Mr Varadkar referred to other hopes, such as a possible high-speed rail system between Belfast, Dublin and Cork and at the very least, improved rail times on existing lines, as well as a new Bus Connect service around the country which, he said, would mean buses being more like the Luas on wheels.

The Taoiseach also said the Cork Events Centre is going to happen, with news likely in a couple of weeks, while also outlining how Moneypoint will cease burning coal in 2025 and no petrol or diesel vehicles will be on sale after 2030.

The Taoiseach and ministers later made a separate Ireland 2040 presentation at the Waterford Institute of Technology.The Workplace Relations Commission ruled the prison officer was not informed for over a year that a potential security threat to him, which left him and his family in fear, had been lifted.

The deciding officer said this failure of management to inform the complainant, despite his very clear, cogent descriptions of the affects of the matter on his family, constituted unfair treatment under the act.

I conclude that there was a link to his protected disclosure, the adjudication officer noted. The prison officer made a protected disclosure in March 2016 about training and employment practices in the institution in which he worked.

The Department of Justice refused to recognise his allegations as a protected disclosure, but in an appeal process, retired judge William Early deemed in February 2017 that he had made a disclosure.

The prison officer brought an action through the WRC, where despite Judge Earlys ruling, the prison service initially still refused to accept the original allegations were a protected disclosure. This position was then changed and the protected disclosure accepted.

The prison officer claimed he had been subjected to:

Unfair treatment at work in relation to duties;

Unfair disciplinary action;

Financial penalty through failure to pay him properly;

Unfair treatment in the failure to notify him that a security threat did not exist.

The security threat was identified by the officer in February 2015 when he and his wife believed they were under surveillance. The gardai were informed and the prison officer upgraded security in his family home.

Gardai contacted prison management in early April 2015 to say no threat existed, but the officer was not told, despite repeated attempts over 15 months to discover the status of the threat. The WRC official said this was an extremely serious issue of a potential security threat and ruled the treatment was linked to his disclosure.

The WRC found the prison officer had written to management in July 2016, reminding them he had sought a report on the security matter earlier in February. The response he received was that the matter was progressing to HQ and was awaiting a response. This despite local management having knowledge of the removal of the threat to the complainant and his family since April 2015.

Fianna Fail TD John McGuinness said the prison officer and his wife have gone through bad health in recent years because of their attempts to bring these matters to the attention of the authorities.

This case has now set down a marker for the Department of Justice and every other department or agency handling disclosures, he said. People in that position need to be taken seriously and dealt with not just by way of taking care of the person making the disclosure, but by changing the organisation.

This man is not the only one in the prison service being penalised by this kind of thing, he said.

The Protected Disclosure Act provides for protection for anybody who makes a disclosure, ensuring that they cannot be subjected to unfair treatment or any penalty as a result of making their complaint.

A spokesman said the Irish Prison Service is considering whether to appeal to the Labour Court.

Forum: 15Their concerns, they said, were ignored. Instead of action being taken on foot of their

discoveries, action was taken against them. They were belittled and treated very poorly.

Forty years ago, two technical specialists in An Garda Siochana told management how they had uncovered dangerous practice in the force. Their concerns, they said, were ignored.

Instead of action being taken on foot of their discoveries, action was taken against them.

How far has An Garda Siochana come in the last four decades?

The latter affair concerned the fallout from the murder, on July 21, 1976, of the British ambassador to this State. Christopher Ewart-Biggs and his assistant, Judith Cooke, died when a bomb exploded under the car in which they were travelling near the British embassy in Dublin.

The murders precipitated major political and policing fallout. There was huge pressure to find the killers. A hard hat found at the scene was checked for fingerprints by a sergeant in the fingerprints unit, Michael Diggin. He found no prints.

Later, it emerged that prints were found which allegedly matched those of the main suspect of the bombing.

Diggin checked with a colleague, Sergeant Patrick Corless, and both re-examined the hard hat. They found that the print was actually Diggins, left during his initial examination.

They informed their superior but were ignored. As far as somebody up the chain was concerned, the print fitted the suspect.

Eventually, the story emerged in the media. In the end, Diggin and Corless were moved out of the unit. The superior officer who dismissed their concerns continued his career on an upward trajectory.

British ambassador Christopher Ewart-Biggs.

A specialist unit lost two experienced staff who had shown adherence to the highest professional and ethical standards.

The fingerprint scandal received attention far beyond these shores.

The Washington Post reported that the affair has been a terrible embarrassment to the 9,000-man force, widely regarded as cleaner than most, and to this small countrys self-esteem.

Irelands police were indeed regarded as cleaner than most, and, in the popular version of the term corruption, it remains so. There has never been a scandal about organised misappropriation or theft of money.

The corruption that exists is more insidious. The fingerprint scandal illuminated how Garda corruption involves assembling or recording false evidence or data, covering up shortcomings, and conveying to anybody who strays from this narrative that their careers, and their lives, will suffer greatly.

These themes would course through scandal after scandal in the 40 years since.

Last Wednesday, two civilian members of the force relayed what they were subjected to when they raised concerns about the accuracy of homicide figures.

Lois West and Laura Galligan told the Oireachtas justice committee they were repeatedly shouted down when they disputed a review of the figures conducted internally in the force.

The stance [from Garda management] was still to insist there was nothing wrong, Ms West, deputy head of the Garda Analysis Service, told the committee.

It is my view that we were subjected to severe pressure to withdraw our concerns, to ignore our professional standards, and to agree with the views of the sworn members of the review team.

Our integrity, both personal and professional, was undermined and attacked.

This is the fate of whistleblowers. Since 2014, those who make protected disclosures are nominally protected from reprisal of any sort.

But just as one can find a variety of ways to skin a cat, so it is possible to undermine or belittle an employee in a manner that carefully remains on the right side of the law.

Up at Dublin Castle last week, Sergeant Maurice McCabe, whose plight as a Garda whistleblower has touched the nation, was heard in public for the first time.

He had been belittled, undermined, and attacked in a number of different ways. The most serious, currently being examined by the Disclosures Tribunal, involves allegations that there was an orchestrated campaign to brand him a child abuser.

He was also subjected to the generation of a false claim of child rape.

He believes there were efforts by Garda management to discredit him at a closed-door inquiry in 2015.

When asked how he investigated and complained about abuse of the penalty points system, he had this to say: If I was to do it again I would never have highlighted the penalty points because it was at that stage I started to get all the hassle.

One might conclude that nothing has changed. Ironically, despite the cost he has paid, one strand of Sgt McCabes legacy is that he has beaten a path others may be more, not less, inclined to follow.

The safeguards of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 have certainly made a difference to encouraging people to come forward. But Sgt McCabes experience has provided a particular roadmap.

It is notable that Ms West and Ms Galligan went to an Oireachtas committee rather than the Department of Justice.

Sgt McCabes travails led him to seek recognition with the public accounts committee after repeated failures in getting the Department of Justice to adequately deal with the issues.

Through the committee and wider purchase by members of the Dail, rather than the Government, he managed to get his complaints addressed.

Another feature of their complaint is that it found its way into the media. Ms West said on Wednesday that the pressure they were placed under eased somewhat after their story appeared in the media.

Sgt McCabes case also emerged in the media, at a time when he was desperate. And the emergence of his plight outside the blue wall contributed to having his concerns addressed.

Those inclined to blow the whistle from within the force will no doubt have noted how Sgt McCabe succeeded by taking these routes.

A signal that change may be happening slowly within the force is in the volume of protected disclosures being made.

Last year, GSOC dealt with 22 disclosures from members, up from nine in 2016. The Ombudsman continues to be under-resourced in addressing disclosures, but the volume of those coming forward does reflect a quiet stirring within the ranks.

Major cultural change is required in An Garda Siochana.

The Department of Justice, which has acted as a protector rather than an overseer of Garda culture, also needs a significant overhaul. The whistleblower is still a reviled figure for large tracts of those in the force with a vested interest.

But on the ground, turning a blind eye may no longer be the default position.

For some the spectre of propping up the discredited culture is too much to bear. Despite the continued efforts of elements within the force, and in sections of the media to belittle Sgt McCabes contribution, he has done some service in this regard.In Person There is a Problem with the Governments Diplomacy

The Irrawaddy

Ye Ni: Welcome to Dateline Irrawaddy! This week, well discuss the talk of the town on social mediaR2P (Responsibility to Protect) and ICC (International Criminal Court). U Aung Moe Zaw, chairman of the Democratic Party for a New Society, and U Bo Kyi, joint secretary of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners join me for the discussion. Im Irrawaddy Burmese editor Ye Ni.

As everyone knows, R2P is a global political commitment that was endorsed by member states of the United Nations at the 2005 World Summit to prevent genocide, war crimes, and ethnic cleansing. France proposed, at the UN Security Council, applying R2P to intervene in Myanmar in the aftermath of Nargis in 2008. Now, R2P has become popular again as Myanmar came under the spotlight because of the Rohingya crisis. Ko Aung Moe Zaw, do you think R2P can pave the way for the UN Security Council to intervene in Myanmars issue?



Aung Moe Zaw: In my opinion, it depends greatly on the political will of big countries, for example, if the United States wants to take the decisive step to handle Myanmar. According to my study, I think those countries dont have the will to conduct a military intervention. Though many countries apparently want to see improvements in human rights issues and [punishment for] war crimes in our country, I dont think they will intervene to that extent.

YN: People speculate on social media that UN peacekeeping troops will come into the country. Why are they speculating this? Is there any hidden agenda?

AMZ: Leaders of the country, important politicians and military leaders know the magnitude of the issue. But at the same time, there is nationalist instigation that is taking advantage of this [the Rohingya issue]. Weve seen provocative posts on social media that could create problems in the country. Some prominent personalities argue that we may lose Rakhine because of R2P. I believe that UN peacekeeping troops will not come into Myanmar. So, it is an unrealistic assumption that we may lose Rakhine or other parts of the country.

The most important thing is we must try to restore communication and peace between different communities in the country. The major concern of the international community ishundreds of thousands of people have left Rakhine State, and if they are forcibly brought back into Myanmar, they may continue to face human rights violations. The international community is greatly concerned about this. But, I want to reiterate that military intervention is absolutely unlikely.

YN: Ko Bo Kyi, there have been concerns about the human rights situation in Myanmar. How do you assess the diplomacy of the Myanmar government and the international communitys criticism about the human rights situation in Myanmar at present?

Bo Kyi: The international community still maintains the view that there are grave human rights violations in our country. We have to fix this within our country. When we think about protecting the sovereignty of the country, we must also try to protect the security of individuals living in the country. If there is no security for individuals living in the country, there will be no sovereignty. In other words, it is important that people are free from fear, that they should not be afraid when someone unfairly treats them. Also, individuals need personal development. The government has to take responsibility for that and give support, especially by creating jobs.

Law enforcement organizations like the Tatmadaw and police and ethnic armed organizations must take responsibility for the rule of law. As they fail to bear this responsibility, Myanmar has become the lowest-ranking country on the human rights index. And expected foreign investment inflow has stalled. Every year, countries made recommendations and resolutions at the UN to address human rights issues. We need to listen to them. In some cases, they provide technical support if necessary. If we cooperate that way, the human rights situation may improve gradually in our country. Then, we dont need to be afraid of R2P and ICC.

People tend to grow up with irrational fear in our country. We tend to fear the unknown from childhood, which is proven by childhood stories about Dae Waw [the rain deity]. Now, the stability of the country is threatened with R2P and there are reasons for us to worry about hearing again saving the country from the brink of the abyss [an excuse given by the military regime to take over control of the country amid armed revolution by ethnic groups]. We feel that circumstances are now being created for that to happen. It is a cause for concern for the future of both the country and the people.

I feel that certain people are doing certain things although they know clearly the consequences of their actions. If even people like us know that, most of those who have assumed top positions of the country know clearly what to do, and what not to do. So, there is a need to fundamentally reform diplomatic relations. We cant play a zero-sum game, and it is not a black and white issue. We need to open the door. Even if we cant open the door 100 percent, we should open the door a certain percent, and if we solve the problem through cooperation, things will gradually go in a positive direction.

YN: Talking of [the prosecution of Myanmar Army Chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing] at the ICC in the Hague in the Netherlands, most of those brought there are dictators, from Sudan, Libya and Congo. But recently, news reports said that Philippine President Duterte would be brought to ICC as tens of thousands of people were killed in his anti-drug campaign. Talking of Myanmar military leaders, international news reports said that thousands of people including children were killed [in counter-insurgency military operations]. Suppose R2P wont happen. But what is the likelihood of prosecution at ICC, Ko Aung Moe Zaw?

AMZ: I think this also concerns neighboring countries. It will depend largely on the stance of Bangladesh. But international human rights activists, politicians and some countries might try for prosecution. It will depend mainly on neighboring countries, for example, it is directly concerned with Bangladesh. If Bangladesh wants to initiate prosecution, there are reasons for us to worry. Anyway, I think military intervention and prosecution at the ICC are fairly unlikely. It is quite unlikely to arrive at a broad consensus over prosecution. Again, taking a look at geopolitics, both Bangladesh and Myanmar are under the influence of China. Under such circumstances, it will be difficult for Bangladesh to take an active part in initiating prosecution.

Anyway, the fact that such news spread around the world has a serious impact on our country. It negatively affects the economy, politics and image of the country. Even if R2P and ICC are not applied, at least renewed sanctions will be imposed for sure. It may further weaken the already fragile country. So, as Ko Bo Kyi has suggested, the government and authorities should change their tactics in international relations.

YN: Both R2P and ICC have to go through the UN Security Council. As China has veto power in the council, R2P and ICC are unlikely to be passed. I think the UN will not pass sanctions either, as China has veto power. Certain people may even think that they could endure a sanction period by relying on China, and that they will therefore be able to cope with targeted sanctions from the US and EU. Ko Bo Kyi, what do you think?

BK: The wealthy class that controls the countrys economy may think like that. But for [ordinary] people, there are many things to lose when a country imposes economic sanctions. We have to use the banking system for trade. If financial transactions are frozen, money has to be transferred through the black market. This will deter potential foreign investors, and also cause market problems. Then, some investors will leave the country. Unemployment will increase in that case; there will be financial instability and market instability. These will directly affect the people.

The ultimate responsibility lies with the rulers of the country and those who say they will protect the country to prevent this. The Tatmadaw leaders have experienced the consequences of sanctions. I would suggest that there are things they can do to prevent other countries from imposing similar sanctions. I dont want to see one trouble after another. Civil society and every citizen in the country have citizenship duties. We should think about how we can cooperate to pull our country out of trouble. We have the responsibility as citizens, and well think and make suggestions.

AMZ: There is a problem with the governments diplomacy. I think the government is too rigid even to cooperate with the UN in Rakhine and on consequential issues. It needs to cooperate at least with the UN. We need to show clearly that we have transparency, and responsibility and accountability for things that happened on the ground. The [authorities] know that only then cooperation will be smoother, and the calls for ICC and R2P will become faint. It is not that the countrys leaders do not know this fact. They know it clearly. Taking an uncompromising attitude will invite more problems and it will be the people who bear the brunt. There will be a negative impact on the economy. Our country is quite poor now. The majority of people are in grinding poverty and sanctions will be a crushing blow to the people.

YN: Ko Aung Moe Zaw, Ko Bo Kyi, thank you for your contributions!Saturday, March 10th, 2018 (12:01 am) - Score 3,627

The governments Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has today named six projects that have won a slice of 25 million (public funding) to help trial the next generation of 5G based Mobile and fixed wireless broadband ISP technology at various locations across the United Kingdom.

The investment is specifically intended to support Phase One of the initial testbeds and trials, which are being setup to help develop the countrys 5G ecosystem of the future. The funding stems from a 2016 commitment by the Government to invest 740 million from the National Productivity Investment Fund (NPIF) into digital infrastructure, which also aims to catalyse private investment in full fibre (FTTP/H) networks (here).

Margot James, UK Digital Minister, said: One year on from the Digital Strategy, we are delivering on our commitments to create a Britain fit for the future, with a thriving digital economy that works for everyone. The ground-breaking projects announced today will help to unlock 5G and ensure the benefits of this new technology are felt across the economy and wider society.

At the time of writing 5G has yet to finalise all of its official standards and is still very much in the R&D phase, although a number of UK field trials are already taking place (e.g. Vodafone + EE are testing 3.5GHz and then theres Aqivas London trial via the 28GHz millimetre wave band). Some of the trials have already recorded data speeds of several Gigabits per second (Gbps) and the IMT-2020 specification supports up to 20Gbps.

In terms of spectrum use, Ofcom expects that the 700MHz band will prove useful for cheaply delivering wide 5G Mobile coverage in rural areas. Meanwhile the bands around 3-6GHz will focus more on urban areas (limited range will confine their use to areas of high demand) and of course the very high frequencies above 24GHz (e.g. millimetre Wave) should support very large bandwidths, providing ultra-high capacity and very low latency (i.e. fixed wireless links to homes or businesses etc.).

Apparently each testbed being announced today will receive between 2m and 5m in government grants, as part of a total investment of 41m from private sector and other public sector funding, to explore new 5G mobile communications technologies.

The Six 5G UK Trials and Testbed Projects 5G RuralFirst: Rural Coverage and Dynamic Spectrum Access Testbed and Trial Lead organisation: Cisco Grant: 4.3m 5G RuralFirst, led by Cisco and lead partner University of Strathclyde, will deliver testbeds and trials to exploit 5G benefits for rural communities and industries like agriculture, broadcasting, and utilities, to address the challenges of and build the business case for 5G rural deployment. Based primarily on the Orkney Islands, and in the farmlands of Shropshire and Somerset, the project will integrate spectrum sharing strategies for 5G; bringing connectivity to rural communities, enabling smart farming in partnership with Agri-Epi Centre (including drones, autonomous farm vehicles and remote veterinary inspections); innovative methods of delivering broadcast radio over 5G working with the BBC, alongside the delivery of 5G connectivity for IoT in utility and other industries in rural areas. 5G Smart Tourism Lead organisation: West of England Combined Authority Grant: 5.0m This testbed will focus on delivering enhanced visual experiences for tourists using Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technology in major attractions in Bath and Bristol, including the Roman Baths and Millennium Square. Content and technology developments will be provided by the BBC and Aardman with support from the University of Bristols Smart Internet Lab. It will demonstrate self-provision of 5G and Wi-Fi and innovative mmWave backhaul, and will also address safety issues by providing emergency service capacity through network splicing. Worcestershire 5G Consortium  Testbed and Trials Lead organisation: Worcestershire County Council Grant: 4.8m A team of 5G and Industry 4.0 experts lead this project  working with Worcestershire LEP, the consortium comprises: Worcestershire County Council, 5GIC at University of Surrey, AWTG, Huawei, O2, BT and Malvern Hills Science Park. With local businesses Worcester Bosch, and Yamazaki Mazak it will focus on ways to increase industrial productivity through preventative and assisted maintenance using robotics, big data analytics and AR over 5G. It will also have a cyber security aspect, with QinetiQ providing assurances on the security by design of 5G and IoT technology. Entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to test 5G capabilities in a new commercial tech accelerator located at the Malvern Hills Science Park. Liverpool 5G Testbed Lead organisation: Sensor City Grant: 3.5m Sensor City will lead a consortium made up of public sector health suppliers, the NHS, university researchers, local SMEs and a leading UK 5G technology vendor. Funded for one year in the first instance, the project will see high value technologies including low-cost open source 5G networks, artificial intelligence, virtual reality and IoT deployed across deprived communities in the Liverpool City Region test bed. The consortium will use this technology to reduce the digital divide, while measuring the impact on patient monitoring and support, management of loneliness in older adults, aid to independents living in the home and the facilitation of communication between hospitals and the community. AutoAir: 5G Testbed for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles Lead organisation: Airspan Communications Ltd Grant: 4.1m AutoAir will aim to make 5G technologies available for the validation and development of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) at the UKs premiere vehicle proving ground at Millbrook. Fast travel speeds complicate cell-tower handoff, and autonomous vehicles will require more network bandwidth than is available currently. It will also investigate how these 5G connectivity solutions could be transferable to both road and rail transportation. The project is based on the accelerated development of 5G small cells operating in both licensed Sub 6 GHz and mmWave bands on a shared neutral host platform which allows multiple public and private 5G operators to simultaneously use the same infrastructure using network slicing. 5G Rural Integrated Testbed (5GRIT) Lead organisation: Quickline Communications Grant: 2.1m 5GRIT will be trialling innovative use of 5G technology across a range of rural applications, such as smart agriculture, tourism and connecting poorly-served communities, using shared spectrum in the TV bands and a mix of local ISPs and self-provision. The aim is to ultimately make high quality connectivity available across Cumbria, Northumberland, North Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Inverness-shire, Perthshire and Monmouthshire. Here the consortium will develop 5G-ready AR apps for tourists and investigate how high-bandwidth wireless connectivity can increase food production in farming, including through use of AR and an unmanned aerial system.

In terms of broadband connectivity were probably most interested to see how Quicklines 5GRIT trial turns out because it seems to have a focus on expanding Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) style connectivity into rural parts of the UK. The mention of using TV spectrum (aka  TV White Spaces) is particularly interesting since we havent seen that done with a 5G technology before, although Microsoft have played around with it using LTE (4G).

The first commercial 5G Mobile and Fixed Wireless Broadband deployments are widely expected to start from 2020, which is roughly around when Ofcom hopes to have released all of the necessary radio spectrum bands for the initial service launches to use.Linux is becoming open to more malware threats because of the applications and programming languages that can be used as a means to attack components of the open-source operating system when used in a server environment, a senior security researcher at Kaspersky Lab claims.

David Jacoby told iTWire on the sidelines of the Kaspersky Security Analyst Summit in Cancun on Friday that the most common form of malware for Linux systems was either a PHP, Perl, Java or Python script, with shell commands chained in.

He pointed out that while the kernel proper did not see many directed attacks, nobody ran the kernel alone on a server.

Many of the scripts he had encountered also had a dropper which left behind some nasties like a backdoored version of SSH or a toolset that attacked other servers on the same network or on other connected networks.

And, when Linux servers were used in conjunction with Windows systems, there was always the chance for Windows malware to attack, because any application that could read or write to files on a Samba server could also attack them.

Thus, he said, while Linux servers could not be infected per se by Windows malware, they needed to be running anti-virus software in order to trap Windows malware  else the Windows hosts on that particular network would be in danger.

Jacoby said another avenue of attack for Linux was through SE Linux, a kernel patch to add security features and patches to applications to allow them to determine the security domain in which to run processes.

One particular case he pointed to involved a vulnerability in SE Linux policies: a PHP script was allowed to open up network functions  dangerous behaviour  while Perl, Python or shell scripts were not allowed to do so.

He also highlighted the case of IoT devices where it was easy to infect devices, mostly through gaining access via the default credentials  which most people did not bother to change  and also through unpatched systems which became vulnerable because the manufacturer would not bother to issue patches beyond a year at the most.

"Practically all IoT devices are running Linux," he pointed out.

One mitigating factor for IoT devices was the fact that they were built atop ARM devices making exploitation was more difficult. "Fewer people know how to write exploits for these processors," he explained.

Jacoby played down the emergence of the cloud, saying it was just another form of hosting. "You have scalability, sure, where you can increase or decrease memory, storage or bandwidth as needed," he said.

"But at the end of the day it is just another form of hosting and it needs security measures just as servers did in the olden days."

Pointing to the example of Hotmail, the webmail service that was built by Sabir Bhatia in the mid-1990s and later purchased by Microsoft, Jacoby asked, "What was Hotmail? That was hosting too and it was a long time back."

He said one should not be carried away by terms like cloud; "it's just someone else's computer and that term didn't emerge from any technical person, but from marketing."

Given this, the security in such environments was needed to the same degree. In the end it depended on contractual obligations and also on the expertise of the person/people administering the cloud instance, he said.

The writer is attending the Kaspersky Security Analyst Summit as a guest of the company.

Photo: courtesy Kaspersky LabCzech security company Avast says it has found evidence of ShadowPad, a specialised tool used by a specific group of cyber criminals, installed on four computers at Piriform, a company it acquired last year.

Piriform makes CCleaner, a popular application that allows Windows users to perform routine maintenance on their systems. CCleaner was compromised and used to spread malware last year.

The news that CCleaner had been compromised broke on 17 September 2017 through a detailed report from Cisco's Talos Intelligence Group.

The same group published a second analysis, detailing a number of companies that it said were targeted by the malware within CCleaner. Listed were Cisco, Intel, Microsoft, HTC, Samsung, VMware, Akamai, Sony, Singtel, D-Link, O2, Vodafone, German gaming and gambling company Gauselmann, Linksys, Gmail, MSI, Dynamic Network Services and Epson.

Avast chief executive Vince Steckler and chief technology officer Ondrej Vlcek publishedon 18 September, providing details of the incident. They then put upon 20 September, afterwas published.

In its latest update, issued on Thursday, Avast said in order to complete its investigation, it had migrated all the Piriform infrastructure to its own set-up.

In the course of this process, it found that ShadowPad had been installed on the four Piriform PCs on 12 April 2017. The installation of ShadowPad was presumed to have been done by the second stage downloader of the malware that was used to compromise CCleaner.

"By installing a tool like ShadowPad, the cyber criminals were able to fully control the system remotely while collecting credentials and insights into the operations on the targeted computer," the Avast post said.

"Besides the keylogger tool, other tools were installed on the four computers, including a password stealer, and tools with the capacity to install further software and plugins on the targeted computer remotely."

The Avast post said that the investigation into the CCleaner compromised was continuing and it would issue further updates as needed.logo_ddn_tag_Site JN with Tagline logo-sns_tag_Site

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by James Carroll | ( Tomdispatch.com) |  

America may be sinking ever deeper into the moral morass of the Trump era, but if you think the malevolence of this period began with him, think again. The moment I still dwell on, the moment I believe ignited the vast public disorder that is now our all-American world, has been almost completely forgotten here. And little wonder. It was no more than a casually tossed-off cliche, a passing historical reference whose implications and consequences meant nothing to the speaker. This crusade, said President George W. Bush just days after the 9/11 attacks, this war on terrorism

That, however, proved to be an invocation from hell, one that set the stage for so much of the horror to follow. The Crusades were, of course, a centuries-long medieval catastrophe. Bushs Global War on Terror, in contrast, has already wreaked comparable havoc in a paltry 17 years, leading to almost unimaginable mayhem abroad and a moral collapse at home personified by President Donald J. Trump.

Despite the threads of causality woven together as if on some malignant loom that brought about his election  the cult of reality-show celebrity, the FBI directors last-minute campaign intervention, Russian mischief, Hillary Clintons vulnerability to self-defeat and misogyny, electoral college anomalies, Republican party nihilism, and a wickedly disenchanted public  the ease with which such a figure took control of the levers of power in this country should still stun us. Some deep sickness of the soul had already played havoc with our democracys immune system or he wouldnt have been imaginable. Think of him as a symptom, not the disease. After Trump finally leaves the Oval Office, well still be a stricken people and the world will still be groaning under the weight of the wreckage this country has brought about. How, then, did we actually get here? It might be worth a momentary glance back.

A Fever Dream of a War

This is a new kind of evil. So said the president that September 16th, standing on the South Lawn of the White House. And the American people are beginning to understand. This crusade, this war on terrorism, is going to take a while. In that way, only five days after the 9/11 attacks, George W. Bush elevated a band of petty nihilists to the status of world-historic warriors. And the American people must be patient, he continued. Im going to be patient.

He, of course, is long gone, but what he initiated that day is still unspooling. It could have been so different. September 11th was a tragic moment, but the initial reactions of most Americans to those collapsed towers and a damaged Pentagon were ones of empathy and patriotism. The selflessness of first responders that day had its echo in a broad and surprising manifestation of national altruism. The usual left-right divides of politics disappeared and the flag, for once, became a true symbol of national unity. The global reaction was similar. From across the world, including from erstwhile adversaries like Russia and China, came authentic expressions of support and sympathy, of grief-struck affection.

But in every phrase the president would speak in those weeks  this is war with us or against us dead or alive  he chose to take this country on quite a different path into the future.

Two days before invoking the Crusades, for instance, he presided over a religious service, which, though officially defined as ecumenical, took place in the neo-Gothic National Cathedral. Just three days removed from these events, he said from that churchs pulpit, Americans do not yet have the distance of history. But our responsibility to history is already clear: to answer these attacks and rid the world of evil This conflict was begun on the timing and terms of others. It will end in a way and at an hour of our choosing.

In a specifically Christian setting, that is, George W. Bush answered the criminal attacks of 9/11 not by calling on international law enforcement to bring the perpetrators to justice, but by a declaration of cosmic war aimed at nothing less than the elimination of Islamist evil. Labeling it a crusade only underscored the subliminal but potent message conveyed by television cameras that lingered on the cathedrals multiple crucifixes and the bloodied figure of Jesus Christ. Held up for all to see, that sacred icon sent a signal that could not be missed. A self-avowed secular nation was now to be a crusader, ready to display the profoundly Christian character of a culture erected on triumphalist pieties from its Pilgrim roots to the nuclear apocalypticism of the Cold War.

Bushs message was received in the Arab world just as you might expect. There, his reference to this crusade was rendered as this War of the Cross. Even then, many Muslims knew better than to regard the presidents characterization of the conflict to come as purely accidental and of no import, just as they would later disregard the insistence of Americas leaders that their countrys violent intrusions across the Greater Middle East and parts of Africa were not religiously inspired in any way. Today, of course, Donald Trumps brazen denigrations of Muslims have made clear just how on target observers in the Islamic world were about what lay behind Washingtons new global war.

At the time of Bushs cavalier use of crusade, I was one of the few here to take offense and say so. I feared even then that stumbling into sectarian strife, into  in the argot of the day  a clash of civilizations, could set in motion, as the original Crusades had, a dynamic that would far outrun anyones intentions, loosing forces that could destroy the very principles in whose name that war of choice was declared. Little did I know how far short of an accurate damage assessment my thoughts would fall.

In fact, Bushs use of that term wasnt a stumble, however inadvertent, but a crystal-clear declaration of purpose that would soon be aided and abetted by a fervent evangelical cohort within the U.S. military, already primed for holy war. With what Bush himself called the distance of history, its now possible to see the havoc his crusade is still wreaking across much of the globe: Iraq and Afghanistan are in ruins; Syria destroyed (with Russian, American, Israeli, Turkish, and Iranian warplanes testing one another in its airspace); Yemen gripped by a war-induced famine; the Turks at the throat of the Kurds; the Israeli-Palestinian peace process dead; Libya a failed state; U.S. Special Ops garrisons in Somalia, Niger, and across Africa; and Europe increasingly politically destabilized by refugee flows from these conflicts. Meanwhile, Bushs crusade became the American disease now peaking in the fever dream of President Donald Trump.

Exercises in Apocalyptic Millennialism, Then and Now

The actual Crusades were a multi-phased series of wars waged in the name of God. They began in 1096 and continued intermittently for almost two centuries until 1291. By the time the Crusading era drew to a close, moral values had been trashed; a nascent structure of capitalism had infused the new economy of Europe with greed; a dark inclination toward mass violence was seething in European consciousness; and the militarization of religion was taken for granted. The mayhem of modernity followed.

To believe that killing could be holy, Christians first had to accept that God willed such violence. So they constructed a theology in which He would ordain the bloody death not just of evil-doers (a favorite word of George W. Bush), but of His only begotten Son, whose suffering alone could atone for human sin. The instrument of Christs saving death, the cross, soon became sacred and an emblem of war against Muslims. The Crusaders would wear it proudly on their tunics and shields. This violent theology of atonement would sear the religious imagination of Christians forever after, making them all too ready to kill in the name of God. Long before the war on terror, whether explicitly or implicitly, such a theology had come to justify and often motivate similar American campaigns of killing, starting with King Phillips War, launched by Puritan colonists against the native peoples who had welcomed them to Plymouth. (God wills it!)

The Crusades themselves began with an urge to take back the holy city of Jerusalem from the Saracen infidel. As Western civilization jelled in the crusading centuries, Europe became fixed on Islam as its existential negative-other. This fixation  what scholar Edward Said called Orientalism  still undergirds the identity of the West, which is why an anti-Muslim war, fueled by anti-Muslim prejudice, turns out to fit the American Century like a mailed fist in a velvet glove.

As Said suggested, European Christian contempt for the Orientals of the Levant soon leached into other God-sanctioned projects, especially once the age of the Crusades had given way to the age of exploration. Recall Christopher Columbuss three crossed-marked caravels, the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria, as they set out from Spain for the New World, soon enough to be followed by the wooden vessels of other European powers. It didnt take long before native peoples globally began to fall victim, often genocidally so, to gun-toting European adventurers and slave traders who had learned to think of themselves as white. Though Donald Trump has no more idea of such roots of contempt for the Muslim world than George Bush did, he has successfully lifted the relit torch of race hatred yet higher.

The Crusades were an exercise in apocalyptic millennialism, a hot current that also runs just below the surface of twenty-first-century American martial ardor. Is it only an accident that the first Crusade and Bushs were both keyed to the turning of a millennium? After the year 1000, a Biblical mythology attached to Jerusalem fueled frenzied End Time expectations that culminated in the never-ending war for that city and a European obsession with it ever since. The first purpose of the primordial Holy War of that era was Jerusalems rescue from the Muslim infidel; no one should be surprised that, 11 centuries later, the establishment of an American embassy there remains a flashpoint for the anti-Muslim crusade of the present moment.

More generally, the excesses of the American reaction to 9/11 had an edge of millennial dread from the beginning. The endlessly replayed footage of the collapsing World Trade Center towers had the look and feel of an atomic attack on America (hence the almost instant labeling of the site as Ground Zero, a term previously reserved for nuclear explosions). Those scenes plucked unconscious chords strung deep in the American psyche, ones the president promptly played on. A few days after 9/11, he went before Congress to declare that God is not neutral and so claimed for his administration the mantle of being Gods purifying agent.

Almost a year later, before a throng of West Point cadets, he was still at it, insisting that we are in a conflict between good and evil and America will call evil by its name. In such a conflict, of course, outcomes are no longer to be measured by real consequences in the lives of actual human beings, but by the transcendent will of God (or, in his stead, the sole superpower of planet Earth) to whom actual human beings can naturally be sacrificed.

For much of the last century, Bush declared in his Crusader-style West Point address, Americas defense relied on Cold War doctrines of deterrence and containment But new threats also require new thinking. A hard-won twentieth-century assumption that Washington must, in the end, take the path of the lesser evil had, by then, already been summarily replaced by a determination to simply obliterate evil altogether. Deterrence and containment had saved the human species from nuclear apocalypse, but for the countrys new apocalyptic encounter with terrorism such modes were obviously insufficiently absolute.

And when a nations purpose becomes the cosmic destruction of evil, anything goes  as it has in the American Crusade. Hence the jettisoning of the Geneva Accords, the embrace of torture, the obliteration of prisoners rights, the abuses that live on in the unchecked intrusions of government surveillance, or in what Americans are too polite to call the concentration camp at Guantanamo that Donald Trump so devoutly desires to keepopen and running.

The Crusading appetite for enemies is insatiable, which is why, in the Middle Ages, the war against Islam morphed so seamlessly into wars against, first, the Rhineland Jews in Europes early pogroms; then, Eastern Orthodox believers whose cities, including Constantinople, were besieged and sacked; and finally, Catholic dissenters (think heretics) like the Albigensians and Cathars who were brutally eliminated.

In Americas version of such enemy-creep, the war against the al-Qaeda network quickly morphed into a war against terror groups in more than 60 nations, starting with Afghanistan and the Taliban, and within a year and a half Saddam Husseins Iraq, a country and regime utterly unrelated to al-Qaeda. From there, it was on to Pakistan, Somalia, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Niger, the Philippines, and parts as yet unknown.

When George W. Bush delivered his State of the Union address four months after 9/11, he redefined Americas main enemies as  again that word  an axis of evil, consisting of Iran, Iraq, and North Korea. By then, it already mattered not at all that Shiite Iran had nothing to do with the Sunni sect led by Osama bin Laden; that Saddam Hussein had nothing to do with 9/11; and that North Korea had not the remotest connection to the September crisis that so traumatized the United States. Once named in this way, the leaders of Iran and North Korea, now knowing that, in American eyes, they were the fonts of (almost) all evil, could, of course, be expected to take immediate measures to brace themselves against future American aggression  and so they did with nuclear programs that still are at the heart of the aggressively militarized policies being pushed by Donald Trump and his generals today (and with a future war in either of those countries a distinct possibility).

However, the most salient echo of the medieval Crusades in contemporary U.S. military campaigns comes under the heading of failure. For all the romance associated with the knights-in-shining-armor of that era, their God-willed liberation of the Holy City in 1099 did not survive the Muslim reconquest of 1187, a Christian defeat that would make the English king, Richard the Lionheart, a mythic figure, and guarantee Jerusalems place in the lost-cause fantasies of Europe forever after. (It was a defeat that would not be avenged until 1917, when Field Marshal Edmund Allenby finally reclaimed Jerusalem for Christians, with catastrophic consequences for Jews and Muslims alike.) Americas failures in the Middle East, despite Pentagon rhetoric about the U.S. militarys full spectrum dominance, have been no less obvious and no less total on a planet that can no longer tolerate decades, no less centuries, of war.

Licensing a War Against Evil

George W. Bushs 2003 invasion of Iraq remains a marker of virtue (and vice) in contemporary American politics. Those few legislators who were against the invasion still wear their votes of opposition as badges of honor, while those in favor were permanently shamed. (And think of how that played out in the 2016 presidential campaign.) But thats far too convenient a way to replay our recent history. In fact, the die had already been cast long before that vote, which meant that the invasion of Iraq followed the invasion of Afghanistan as inevitably as wakes follow warships. After all, Operation Enduring Freedom, supposedly meant to target Osama bin Ladens al-Qaeda network of a few hundred fighters, began with a massive bombing campaign across large parts of Afghanistan. The blind faith of the U.S. Air Force in the long-discredited tactic of strategic bombing would be touching if it didnt involve such a blindness to its effects on human bodies  and almost 17 years later, American bombers, including the latest drones and Vietnam-era B-52s, are still dropping fire on Afghani flesh as that war goes from bad to worse.

The Afghan campaign, which quite literally ignited the war on terror, was officially launched on October 7, 2001. But who remembers that everything to come  from that Afghan invasion to the deaths late last year of four U.S. Green Berets in Niger  had already been enthusiastically licensed three weeks earlier when George W. Bush stepped to that cross-shadowed pulpit of the National Cathedral to berate evil. Only hours before, the Joint Congressional Resolution on the Use of Force (The President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons) passed the Senate 98 to 0 and the House of Representatives 420 to 1. Those are the numbers that should live on in history, if not infamy.

The lone dissenter that day was Representative Barbara Lee, a California Democrat. In warning against the coming American crusade, she denounced the Joint Congressional Resolution as a blank check to the president to attack anyone involved in the Sept. 11 events  anywhere, in any country, without regard to our nations long-term foreign policy, economic and national security interests, and without time limit. She added all too prophetically, A rush to launch precipitous military counterattacks runs too great a risk that more innocent men, women, children will be killed.

As they were, as they still are. Lest one assume that responsibility for the catastrophe that followed rests solely upon Bush and his hawkish circle, remember that the administrations responses were approved by 90% of the American public, the highest presidential approval rating ever achieved, while a full 80% of them expressly favored Bushs open-ended war against Afghanistan. That war would eventually let loose mayhem across a dozen other nations (and its still spreading), leaving millions of dead, disfigured, displaced human beings in its wake. Most Americans and nearly all of their congressional representatives were complicit in what remains an unfinished global moral, economic, and political calamity that far exceeds anything the grotesque Donald Trump has so far brought about. He may yet start a nuclear war and has already undoubtedly sparked what could become a cascade of nuclear proliferation, yet for now the malign legacy of the 43rd President  that American crusade  exceeds anything the 45th one has yet imagined. And no, God does not will it.

James Carroll, TomDispatch regular and former Boston Globe columnist, is the author of 20 books, including the new novel The Cloister (Doubleday). His history of the Pentagon, House of War, won the PEN-Galbraith Award. His memoir, An American Requiem, won the National Book Award. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He lives in Boston with his wife, the writer Alexandra Marshall.

Follow TomDispatch on Twitter and join us on Facebook. Check out the newest Dispatch Book, Alfred McCoys In the Shadows of the American Century: The Rise and Decline of U.S. Global Power, as well as John Dowers The Violent American Century: War and Terror Since World War II, John Feffers dystopian novel Splinterlands, Nick Turses Next Time Theyll Come to Count the Dead, and Tom Engelhardts Shadow Government: Surveillance, Secret Wars, and a Global Security State in a Single-Superpower World.

Copyright 2018 James Carroll

Syndicated with permission from Tomdispatch.comReddit Email 37 Shares

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

The Syrian War is largely over, but the regime of Bashar al-Assad and his Russian and Iranian backers appear determined to mop up the remaining enclaves of rebel opposition, despite sweet talk of de-confliction zones and of negotiations in Sochi or Astana. It would be better at this point to come to a political settlement, since the regime has won but is still weak in many areas, and a compromise is not impossible.

Instead, Damascus is making a drive for the complete restoration of the power of the one-party Baath government, with all its fearsome police state tactics of torture and prison killings on a large scale.

Al Jazeera is reporting a sudden departure of opposition rebels from the East Ghouta enclave near Damascus on Friday night. The Saudi-backed Army of Islam (Jaysh al-Islam) fundamentalist militia in East Ghouta appears to have been holding captives from a rival militia, the Syrian Conquest Front (formerly Nusra Front, with alleged al-Qaeda links). The Army of Islam released its captives so that they could leave for Idlib.

The move comes amid an intensification of the assault on the enclave by the government of Bashar al-Assad in cooperation with Russian Aerospace Forces, which have intensively bombed it in recent weeks. Humanitarian organizations have decried the deaths in this bombings of nearly 1,000 persons, many of them civilians and children. International law forbids deliberate targeting of civilian sites or reckless disregard of civilian welfare during a military campaign.

The first batch of some 13 fighters from the Syrian Conquest Front were permitted to leave East Ghouta early Saturday and to make their way to the northern province of Idlib.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Arab Army, led by the Fourth Mechanized Division, has taken several city blocks in the Harasta suburb of East Ghouta away from fundamentalist militias. It appears to be attempting to cut a highway key to supplying the rebels.

One of the foremost military commanders of the Brigade of the All-Merciful was killed Friday, which the group acknowledged.

-

Bonus video:

EuroNews: Opposition fighters leave Syrias rebel-held Eastern GhoutaImage Group LA/ABCIt looks like Rick Ross is recovering nicely after a four-day hospital stay in Miami.

TMZ reports that the Maybach Music Group CEO was seen out shopping with his daughters Berkley and Toie, along with Berkley's mom, Briana Camille.

You can see pictures of their outing on TMZ's website.

As previously reported by TMZ, Rick was rushed to a Miami hospital on the first day of March, following a 911 call saying he was having trouble breathing.

The caller said he was unresponsive, was slobbing out of the mouth, and had a history of seizures.

TMZ further reported that the rapper was placed on life support and was possibly suffering from pneumonia.

However, Ricky Rozay's friend Fat Trel posted on Instagram that he'd talked to Ross and that reports of his declining health were grossly exaggerated.

He commented, HE IN DA HOSPITAL BUT HE IS NOT ON 'LIFE SUPPORT'HE GOOD.

Many stars, including Lil Wayne, Missy Elliott, LL Cool J, Usher and Trey Songz tweeted their support for Ross after TMZ's report.

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.Cuomo is considered a possible White House contender in 2020 and is seeking a third term this fall. But he has not been accused of any personal wrongdoing and has said he was unaware of any corrupt acts by Percoco or others charged in the case.

Johnston noted that the case against Percoco has lacked the juicy narrative of some other scandals that have seriously damaged governors with presidential ambitions.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was politically damaged in the 2013 "Bridgegate" scandal, in which some of his aides created gridlock on the George Washington Bridge as an act of political retaliation against a Democratic mayor.

The Percoco case, by comparison, is a complicated and somewhat bland stew of state contracts and lobbying regulations.

Blair Horner, director of the New York Public Interest Research Group, said the case has exposed a lack of safeguards in Cuomo's administration when it comes to state contracting oversight. Too much power rests in the hands of just a few trusted aides, he said.

But he said the case isn't likely to cause big political problems for Cuomo unless Percoco is found guilty.Croatian prosecutors announced Saturday they have charged 22 ethnic Serbs with war crimes against the civilian population and prisoners of war during the 1990s conflict.

The 22 Croatian Serbs are accused of killing 20 civilians and two policemen being held prisoner in three areas in the east of the country in September 1991, the Zagreb prosecutors office said in a statement.

The Serbs belonged to a paramilitary group operating in the east, during the 1991-95 war between Croat and Belgrade-backed Serb forces that claimed about 20,000 lives.315 Shares Share

Public health and poverty go hand in hand, the latter oftentimes affecting the former. While the root of poverty is complicated, political, and rarely based on an individuals capacity to succeed, it has more profound, long term effects that go beyond the bank account.

Consider a reality where wage theft  that is, nonpayment of wages to which workers are entitled  greatly contributes to low income. But it goes beyond that, beyond the matter of nonpayment. Receiving less than minimum wage, receiving no overtime pay, or pay deductions when an employee is sick are all forms of wage theft and can easily  and quickly  lead an individual down the path of poverty.

Such practices are not uncommon among immigrant communities where jobs are typically held in agriculture, child and home care, clothing manufacturing, repair services, day labor, and venues such as restaurants, all of which wage theft is a prevalent practice.

The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) conducted surveys of 433 workers among immigrant Chinatown restaurant workers and found that close to 60 percent reported one or more forms of wage theft. Additionally, almost two-thirds of restaurants had not posted the required minimum wage law signs, leading to a largely uninformed work base.

In many cases of immigrant employees working in kitchens or in agriculture  workplaces where the presence of illegal workers is common  the implications are clear when wage theft occurs: As a legal resident, I have power over you. While not all instances are ones of illegal immigrants and exploitation, many times, that is precisely the case.

In 2016, The Hill published an article about Latinos being hit the hardest with the wage theft epidemic that has become so prevalent in the 21st century. A recent wage theft report also indicates that wage theft is costing workers $50 billion per year all over the country.

For a worker living from paycheck-to-paycheck in low-wage occupations, with no benefits, healthcare or paid leave, getting shorted on wages can mean not being able to afford medication or falling behind on rent and utilities, writes Paco Fabian.

Cases of diabetes, obesity, and even breast cancer have all been shown to have links to low wages. Additionally, things like access to pharmaceutical needs, fresh foods, and stable housing  all of which are important variables in public health  are either threatened or virtually nonexistent.

Whether its a lack of knowledge on employees parts or lack of a moral compass on the part of employers, it is alarming that this egregious act is continuously practiced throughout the country. In his article, Fabian writes that cases of wage theft were evident at every one of the 30 worksites where The Hill had contacted federal contract workers around Washington, DC.

If wage theft is being practiced in the nations capital with little to no law enforcement taking place, imagine the vulnerability and exploitation faced by millions in other parts of the country. Though it seems like a simple equation (wage theft + poverty = poor public health), it is a complicated web that leads to that outcome.

Lack of knowledge about employment laws, language barriers, lack of citizenship, and the fear of being replaced are all very real, daily struggles faced by millions. That vulnerability leaves room for employers to abuse and blackmail.

Wage theft is a national plague that has been repeatedly swept off into corners and under rugs, but the reality of this insidious practice must be dealt with loudly and publicly. Because while yes, worker exploitation is a matter of public health and safety, it is also a matter of human rights, discrimination, and slave labor.

Vania Silva is a patient advocate.

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Support our mission and join our community now.Mend and Makedo Theatre Co brings its latest production, Jerusalem Tomorrow, to the Watergate Theatre on Thursday, March 15.

This will be the opening performance on the current tour of the latest work from the Carlow based company who were last here with Between Your Love and Mine  a Requiem by Leonard Cohen, which played to full houses across the country last June.

Jerusalem Tomorrow is a retelling of the events in Marks gospel but with a difference. The stories in the play are related by eight characters and set in modern times. Director, John MacKenna, who also adapted the work from Marks writing, says he has long wanted to get inside the heads of many of the characters mentioned in the gospels.

Take the farmer whose pigs became the home for the demons expelled from a young man. They plunged over a cliff and I often wondered how the farmer felt about that  he was witness to an apparent exorcism and was then left penniless. Hes one of the characters who appear in the play, giving his version of events. The play is a mystery play for the twenty-first century

Among the other characters theres a woman, a nurse who has been struck off, who witnesses something strange; theres a taxi-driver who drives a travelling preacher and his mother to the airport on their way to Jerusalem; an old soldier who remembers events from long ago; a musician who lost her lover to the lure of the travelling preacher and an angry Judas who feels people have got the wrong end of the stick.

Eight characters in all appear to tell their tales and the stories are interspersed with songs and music which act as a commentary on the unfolding events  songs from the pens of people like Jackson Browne and Ralph MacTell.

The four person cast  Angela Keogh; Katie Jacques; James Gormley and John MacKenna shed an intriguing light on the Easter story.We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription.Mar 10, 2018, 10:18am ET

Jeep planning "super-premium" Grand Wagoneer

The company will soon announce an electrification plan, too.

Jeep promised to position the upcoming Grand Wagoneer well above the Grand Cherokee, its current flagship model. We'll have to be patient to see the SUV in the metal, however.

"Grand Wagoneer will be super premium. We've been working on it for several years. It has a long gestation period, and will be clearly positioned significantly above Grand Cherokee," Jeep boss Mike Manley told Top Gear on the side-lines of the Geneva Auto Show.

His comments suggest the born-again Grand Wagoneer will lock horns with the Cadillac Escalade, the Lincoln Navigator, and the GMC Yukon Denali. It's too early to talk pricing, but we wouldn't be surprised to see the model start somewhere between $60,000 and $70,000. To add context, an entry-level Grand Cherokee costs $30,695. It tops out at $86,000, though that's for the Hellcat-powered Trackhawk model.

The Grand Wagoneer will arrive in about 2020, so a little bit later than expected. As we previously reported, it will ride on the same frame as the recently-introduced 2019 Ram 1500. Sources blame the delay on the complexity of switching from the Grand Cherokee's unibody platform to the 1500's body-on-frame architecture halfway through the development process.

Manley added Jeep is looking at how to integrate electrification into its lineup, though he didn't single out the Grand Wagoneer. He promised we'll learn more about the brand's hybrid and, potentially, electric car strategy when it publishes a five-year plan on June 1st, 2018. Right now, he's keeping every option on the table.

"I think the key driver is what do you want the vehicle to be able to do? Is it a reasonable range on all electric? Or diesel-like fuel efficiency? Many people are achieving that. Toyota's RAV4 hybrid has fuel economy better than a diesel in that segment. What I've been thinking with our team is how we deploy electric across the range," he explained.

Photo by Ronan Glon.Mar 10, 2018, 3:37am ET

Porsche 911 PHEV could get 700 horsepower

It will be the most powerful street-legal 911 ever.

The idea of Porsche launching a plug-in hybrid variant of the next-generation 911 has gone from an if to a when but, until recently, the model remained shrouded in secrecy. We now have a better idea of what it will look like under the sheet metal.

"The 911 plug-in must be a very strong performing car. It will be the most powerful 911 we've ever had; 700 bhp might be possible," Porsche boss Oliver Blume told British magazine Autocar. As of writing, the most powerful 911 is the GT2 RS (pictured), which offers a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-six engine rated at 700 horsepower.

Technical specifications remain a mystery at this point. Autocar speculates the powertrain will consist of an electric motor rated at over 136 horsepower and a turbocharged flat-six engine. The brand will apply some of the lessons learned from the 918 Spyder to the first-ever gasoline-electric 911, which could wear the Turbo S E-Hybrid nameplate.

Blume added the plug-in 911 will offer "a special button for the electric punch," which suggests it will come with a race car-style push-to-pass feature. He stopped short of giving away the predicted acceleration times but it should be one of the quickest 911s ever.

Porsche will introduce the next-generation 911 before the end of the year. We could see it as soon as the Paris Motor Show. We'll learn more about the hybrid model in the coming months. Don't expect it to arrive until a few years into the next-gen car's production run, however.Mar 9, 2018, 2:58pm ET

Waymo begins testing autonomous semi trucks

A pilot program will employ the self-driving trucks to haul cargo to Google\'s data centers.

Waymo has announced plans to launch an autonomous trucking pilot program in Atlanta.

"So far, the focus has mostly been on people," the company says (emphasis in original). "Now we're turning our attention to things as well."

The company has already been quietly testing self-driving trucks in California and Arizona, adapting the software to deal with the unique characteristics of operating a big rig.

The pilot program will involve several semi-trucks that will be tasked with shipping cargo to Google's network of data centers. Like the current Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid fleet of consumer-focused autonomous cars, there will be a human driver in the cab for now to monitor systems and take over control if necessary.

"Atlanta is one of the biggest logistics hubs in the country, making it a natural home for Google's logistical operations and the perfect environment for our next phase of testing Waymo's self-driving trucks," a blog post adds.

Despite the larger vehicle platform, Waymo engineers are said to have made rapid progress thanks to five million test miles using smaller cars on public roads and five billion miles in simulation. The latest announcement suggests the company has a years-long lead over several other players working on autonomous highway logistics.A prison officer, who blew the whistle on training and employment issues in the Irish Prison Service and whose actions were supported by a judicial report, has won a case against the Irish Prison Service and been awarded 30,000 in the process.

The Irish Examiner has revealed details of the ruling in the long-running case involving a prison officer which the Irish Prison Service fought at length at different levels. The officer is understood to be based in Laois with the issues that gave rise to his complaints arising at the Portlaoise prison complex.

It is reported that the officer was awarded the compensation as a result of unfair treatment he received after making a protected disclosure under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014.

The act aims to protect people who raise concerns about possible wrongdoing at work. It is often called the whistleblower law and provides for redress for employees who are dismissed or penalised for reporting possible wrongdoing in the workplace.

The Workplace Relations Commission has now reportedly ruled in his favour in relation to the original complaint and various harmful consequences he suffered as a result of his complaint.

The prison officer originally blew the whistle in March 2016 about training and employment practices. The Department of Justice refused to recognise his allegations as a protected disclosure but the officer appealed

The appeal was considered by a retired judge. Judge William Early examined the issue deemed in February 2017 that he had made a disclosure as permitted under the law.

"The discloser was treated unfairly for making the disclosures and his opportunities for career advancement were deliberately curtailed by the Irish Prison Service," found the judge.

"The IPS did not comply with its own standards as laid out in its policy in that it did not address with sufficient seriousness the concerns of the discloser and further penalised him for his complaints," he said.

The judge also investigated the response violent incidents which the officer witnessed while on duty which involved assaults on prison officers.

Judge Early found that "another example of isolation" involved the "alleged" failure of prison authorities to interview the officer after he witnessed the two violent incidents in which one prison officer suffered a broken ankle and another suffered lacerations.

"The incident of March 2015 suggests a serious criminal offence was committed. According to the discloser the DPP did not prosecute due to want of evidence. In any event it is quite extraordinary that the primary witness to the assault was not interviewed," the judge found.

In February 2015, the officer was notified that the Gardai were investigating a report from the member of the public of an incident at his local shopping centre. It was claimed he was being filmed and followed.

Because of the security risk he notified prison authorities. Gardai investigated but did not find any evidence of a security risk. The investigation was closed in April 2015 when the Gardai notified the prison service. However, the prison officer did not find out that he or his family were not at risk until more than a year later, in August 2016.

"It is difficult to understand how information of such importance was not given to the discloser in a timely manner," found the judge.

The WRC endorsed the Judge's findings. It said this was an extremely serious issue of a potential security threat and ruled the treatment was linked to his disclosure.

The WRC found the prison officer had written to management in July 2016, reminding them he had sought a report on the security matter earlier in February.

The response he received was that the matter was progressing to HQ and was awaiting a response. This despite local management having knowledge of the removal of the threat to the complainant and his family since April 2015.

The WRC deciding officer found a failure of management to inform the complainant, despite his very clear, cogent descriptions of the effects of the matter on his family, constituted unfair treatment

The WRC concluded that: "There was a link to his protected disclosure.

The Irish Prison Service can appeal to the Labour Court.Plans to upgrade the playground at Monread Park, Naas will be unveiled this month.

Kildare County Councils parks superintendent Simon Wallace is to discuss the plans with Naas councillors this month.

Cllr Darren Scully has called for the some of the 365,000 earmarked for playgrounds for new playgrounds to be spent on new playground in the Naas area (Sallins, Caragh and Eadestown) because he believes that these projects will not be concluded this year.

KCC has said that work on a masterplan for the entire park area, including the playground cant proceed once the commitments to playground in Sallins, Caragh and Eadestown are met.

Cllr Scully previously said that he has received complaints about the condition of the playground. He said security devices should also be installed.

Cllr Scully also said that new play equipment and outdoor gym equipment is needed there. It needs an upgrade. We should allocate a substantial amount of money.

SEE ALSO: Newbridge Courtyard Shopping Centre expansion plans appealedThe provision of a new second level school in Naas has moved a step closer.

Naas Community College, planned for a site at Millennium Park, can now go to tender according to the Department of Education.

The school, which will accommodate 1,000 students from Naas and surrounding towns and areas, was originally planned to open last September at the site - but contingency plans were put in place to deal with admissions of that didnt happen.

The school is currently located at Craddockstown in a much smaller premises.

SEE ALSO: Sallins woman leading national campaign to recruit Girl Guides leaders

Fianna Fail TD James Lawless, chairman of the schools board of management, said the announcement is a positive step because it means the new school building can proceed at Millennium Park and this is a great relief to parents, teachers, management and the entire school community.

He said the school started enrolment in 2014 and has reached maximum capacity at its current temporary home in Craddockstown.

The new building will cater for 1,000 pupils and is a state of the art design with facilities for music, art, science and other subjects as well as dedicated Autistic Spectrum Disorder units.

He added that the news comes after a sustained lobbying effort.

The clarity and progress is welcome and we look forward to moving to the next stage. He paid tribute to school principal Ciaran Keegan; the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board which will run the school and wider school community for managing the situation to this point.

He added: We look forward to moving quickly through the remaining stages and opening the new building as soon as possible.

He stated the school would be easily accessible to people living on the Monread side of Naas and areas like Johnstown, Caragh, Kill and Sallins. Dep. Lawless has encouraged parents to use a legal mechanism, known as Section 29, to put pressure on the Department to ensure there are adequate first year places available when it opens.A diligent teacher, thoughtful colleague and dedicated principal were just some of the tributes paid to Sheila ONeill as she retired from St Conleths and Marys Primary School in Newbridge before Christmas after 38 years.

The Leinster Leader caught up with Sheila recently.

When asked to sum up her experience of her time at the school, she replied; I had a very rewarding and enjoyable teaching experience in St. Conleth and Marys for 38  years. The Boards of Management, staff, parents and children, past and present have worked hard to create and maintain a very positive learning environment for the children and I am proud of my association with such a fine school, she said.

Looking back over the years I have seen many changes take place in the school. When I first took up a teaching post in 1979 in St. Conleths Girls School, the school was under the wonderful management of the Holy Family Sisters.

The Holy Family Sisters were very dedicated and committed to providing an excellent standard of education for the girls of Newbridge. There were three Holy Family Sisters on the staff, Sr. Elizabeth, Sr. Brid and St. Teresa as principal. In the late eighties the school transitioned to lay management and Teresa Doyle became the first lay principal.

Shelia recalls how the school then became co-ed, the name changed to St. Conleth and Marys and the green uniforms changed to the grey now worn by the pupils.

Over the course of the years in the classrooms, the children moved from desks to tables, whiteboards and markers replaced blackboards and chalk, eventually changing to interactive whiteboard as we embraced the age of technology, she says.

Very quickly we became accustomed to computers, iPads, laptops and encyclopaedias became items of historical value as we learned how to google. Technology has not only changed how the pupils learn but also how the teachers record attendance with the leabhair rolla being replaced by a digital roll book.

When asked what her plans are, Shelia points out; As regards plans for my retirement I look forward to not having to respond to the alarm clock in the morning. I intend to enjoy my new freedom with long leisurely walks on the Curragh and further afield perhaps.

In a special piece penned by the school for the Newbridge Parish News and Views magazine, the school paid tribute to their retiring principal.

At the Christmas concert and at Sheilas retirement dinner, just before the holidays, pupils, parents, Board of Management, and colleagues had the opportunity to express their appreciation and wish her well for the future. While the celebrations were tinged with regret for what was ending, there was also a great sense of happiness for Sheila that a new phase in her life was about to begin, wrote the school.

It described her as a diligent, patient, understanding and effective teacher who was committed to the social, spiritual, curricular and extra-curricular development of her students.

SEE ALSO:A woman who got into a row with another woman at Naas District Court over an alleged affair has been jailed for three months.

At the March 7 sitting of Naas District Court, Kathleen Mackey (27), with an address at 20 Avondale Drive, Athy, pleaded guilty to the public order charge.

The court heard there was an altercation outside the court between two ladies. A large group was present at the time.

A charge brought against the other woman involved, Philomena Connors (33), of 22 Millview, Ballitore, Kildare, has been adjourned until June 27.

A number of gardai had to separate the two women who were roaring and shouting. It took four gardai to separate them. Judge Desmond asked why the incident had occurred.

Jacqueline McManus, solicitor, for Ms Mackey, said her client did not want to say why.

The judge was then told told Ms Mackey believed there was an alleged affair between her husband and her sister-in-law. Ms McManus said there was no affair but her client believed there was.

The court was told Ms Mackey had 10 previous convictions, the last in 2010.

Judge Zaidan sentenced the defendant to three months in jail and he fixed recognizances for an appeal to be made.A man who drove a car away, while another mans legs were dangling out an open door, has been convicted for drink driving at Naas District Court.

At the March 7 sitting, Cathal Cullen (25), with an address at The Thatch, Barretstown, Digby Bridge, Sallins, appeared on a charge of drink driving which occurred at Brooklands, Clane, on July 12, 2015.

Garda Ronan Mannion came across a car, which then reversed down the street. It subsequently stopped for someone.

The garda then described how, with the door open, another male went to jump into the car.

The driver, Mr Cullen, took off with the other man's legs dangling out of the car.

Garda Mannion said he believed Mr Cullen panicked and his friend jumped into the car. At this point, Judge Desmond Zaidan said: He will blame his friend.

Garda Mannion said the second man was Mr Cullen's brother-in-law. He said that as the latter's legs were hanging out of the car, Mr Cullen drove very slowly.

Judge Zaidan said it could have gone horribly wrong.

Mr Cullen, who had a 53mg breath alcohol reading, was fined 500 and disqualified from driving for two years.

David Powderly, solicitor, representing him, said his job depended on his driving licence and he would now lose his licence.IFA President Joe Healy has visited farms in various parts of the country which were particularly badly impacted by the effects of Storm Emma and now farmers are assessing the full extent of the damage caused.

Farmers are now coming to terms with the impact of the weather at farm level.

This storm came at the worst possible time with calving and lambing in full swing. In the south east and parts of Kildare the situation is continuing to be extremely stressful for farmers with huge amounts of snow still on the ground Joe Healy said.

The IFA President said farmers are facing very severe damage to their farms and farm buildings as well as losses of stock. In addition, the very poor weather will have a negative impact on grass growth and put pressure on already tight fodder supplies.

Joe Healy said farmers are worried in relation to sheep on mountains and hills. He said significant difficulties are also arising on lowland farms where farmers were unable to get ewes and new born lambs out because of the conditions.

The IFA President said many growers in the soft fruit and nursery stock sectors have also been very badly hit by the heavy snowfall, which in cases has caused tunnels and glass houses to collapse, destroying plants.

You might also like to read our story on agricultural land prices here.Gardai are seizing large amounts of alcohol during searches of buses bringing young people to teen discos in Co Leitrim.

Addressing last week's Leitrim Joint Policing Committee public meeting in Drumshanbo, Leitrim District Superintendent Kevin English said an increasing number of young people were bringing an alarming quantity of drink on buses transporting them to youth discos in the region.

The Superintendent added gardai were especially concerned by the number of young people travelling from all parts of the surrounding counties, who were turning up drunk to youth events.

Superintendent English stressed that the discos themselves were extremely well run and well organised adding the main area of concern was the condition that some of the young people attending, arrived in.

He told the Leitrim Joint Policing Committee public meeting that two teenagers had to be brought to Sligo University Hospital at the last youth disco because of the volume of alcohol they had consumed before the event.

There are an increasing number of young people who are consuming a large amount of alcohol on their way to these junior discos, said Superintendent English.

We have set up checkpoints as far away as 30 miles from Carrick-on-Shannon and it is alarming the amount of alcohol that we seized on these buses (bringing these young people to the discos).

He reiterated the need for parents and operators of these buses to be vigilant.

This is not a problem with the people running these events. They are very well organised and very well run, he said.

This is a problem because of what we are finding on the buses when we search them. It is very worrying.

Previously, Superintendent English has urged those running bus companies transporting young people to youth discos to enforce a strict policy of no alcohol on the buses.

He has also urged parents to be mindful of what their children are bringing with them to youth discos.A mother of a 16-year-old autistic Co Leitrim girl has contacted the Leitrim Observer to express her deep frustration at the service providers in the area who she accuses of failing her daughter.

The woman wants to relay her story but remain anonymous to protect her daughter.

She is a single parent of the girl who is on the autism spectrum. She is classed as having high functioning autism but doesn't have an intellectual disability.

The lady is highlighting the issues she has been forced to deal with due to what she claims are very poor services in their area.

She said her daughter suffers with mental illness, has challenging behaviours, learning difficulties, and for the past year has been unable to cope with school. She is due to sit her Junior Cert this year but her mother says that is not going to happen.

She said her daughter lives in a virtual world on her phone, doesn't engage with anyone, including her, and can be aggressive and violent towards her.

It's a nightmare, her mother said.

All services have failed my daughter as she spends her days mainly in her bedroom living her life on her phone with no laughter, no friends calling, and no health or educational professional calling.

My intelligent, beautiful daughter's future is denied due to the mindset and attitude of the HSE, Tusla and the Department of Education.

Despite my constant emails, phone calls and meetings, I am left to deal with this entirely alone. How is it that in 2018 this is acceptable to some? she asked.

I am heartbroken and exhausted trying to communicate to a bunch of people who constantly refer us to another service as it's never their department.

I'm on a merry-go-round of services going nowhere. No accountability exists anywhere, complaints just get passed around.

All we would love to hear is 'yes I can help.'

The woman said the people who work in so-called caring services really need to leave their arrogant egos at home and get out and meet the people they are employed to care for.

There's no point in me complaining to the HSE. They are an incredibly bureaucratic organisation. They have massive money but the money is being used in the wrong areas with masses and masses of managers, she said.

My daughter deserves a future, a life and hope and I as a parent will continue to search for help and kindness, the lady said.

I feel so frustrated. I've knocked on the door and nobody is answering, she said, accepting there are many other parents in a similar situation.

Asked if she sees a light at the end of the tunnel, she replied, No, I see this ending very badly.AS Limericks Lifelong Learning Festival gets ready to examine the work of the late Donogh OMalley, there have been calls for a permanent monument to be built in honour of the former Minister for Education.

The Limerick mans momentous decision to introduce free secondary education together with a school transport scheme in 1966 is to this day recognised as having a major impact on development and transformation of the Irish economy.

The late Fianna Fail TD died suddenly 50 years ago this month at the age of 47.

Fianna Fail councillor Kevin Sheahan has called for a permanent monument to Donogh O'Malley.

"Donogh O'Malley was the first of the new breed of politicians in Ireland to break the mould, and break away from De Valera and others who had founded the state, Cllr Sheahan said.

They were very conservative about expenditure.

But Donogh O'Malley came along and he had an attitude which was extremely healthy for the state at the time, especially around education."

Free education and free transport brought in for rural people to be able to get to their schools.

Before Donogh O'Malley, people could ill afford to pay for second level education.

Things were very difficult in this country. But it brought second level education to every household. If another county had this person, they would have been well remembered."

"He opened education up to all citizens. Many people say he was the catalyst for the Celtic Tiger," Cllr Leddin said, adding O'Malley Park is named after the former Education Minister.

Among the 200 events at the Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival, a lecture will given by Geraldine Mooney-Simmie, head of department of education at UL, in Engine, focusing on the legacy of Donogh O'Malley.

Before Mr OMalley introduced free education and the school transport scheme, industrialisation and labour-intensive manufacturing was rapidly increasing in Ireland.

Shortages in terms of skilled workers was becoming an issue in a similar way to how present day skill challenges can impact negatively upon the economy.

In a speech announcing his radical plans to open up access for all citizens to second-level, and in turn third level, education, OMalley said: Education must move with the times it is meant to serve. His words are as relevant today in the context of a rapidly changing workforce, technological advances, automation, lifelong learning and the need to ensure that our education and training provision can cater for the skill needs of industry.

At 7pm on Thursday March 22, Dr Mooney Simmie, will share her views on the impact that his brief period as Minister for Education had on the lives of future generations at the Engine building on Engine Building, Upper Cecil Street.THE FOURTH annual Pay It Forward Kindness Festival will take place in Limerick in the coming week, and a host of free events and activities will highlight the kindness that is ever-present throughout the city.

Details of the festival were announced at a special launch event at Chez le Fab, Arthurs Quay this week, where Deputy Mayor Cllr Marian Hurley, and Liam Toland, ambassador for Pay It Forward, spoke of the kindness they see every day.

Pay It Forward harnesses the positive momentum and energy of carrying out kind acts, said Niamh Murphy, member of PIF Board of Directors.

The week of festivities will kick off with a Family Fun Day on Saturday, March 10, on Bedford Row. From 11am to 2pm, there will be face painting, childrens crafts, printmaking, animal petting, music, medical and physio consultations, kayaking on the River Shannon and a few more surprises for all to enjoy.

From Sunday 11, to Friday 15, Community Unity Days have been organised to encourage volunteers, local businesses and the people of Limerick to carry out intentional acts of kindness.

That includes little gestures such as children baking buns and delivering them to the unsung heroes of the community, handing out flowers on Mothers Day, showing the Pay It Forward movie, free pampering and massage, and talks at local schools.

People who receive these acts of kindness will then be encouraged to carry it on in return to someone else, creating the ripple effect.

For further details on the festival, see www.pifl.ie, find Pay IT Forward Limerick on Facebook or on Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat as @PIF_Limerick.THE Minister for Justice says he is confident Limericks new multi-million euro courthouse will meet the needs of Limerick and the surrounding areas for decades to come.

Charlie Flanagan made his comments on Monday evening as he performed the official opening of the courthouse at Mulgrave Street.

Located near Limerick Prison on the site of a 19th-century former artillery barracks, the 26 million complex contains six courtrooms, including the largest courtroom in Ireland.

The courthouse, which opened in the middle of February, will primarily host sittings of Limerick District Court and Limerick Circuit Court while civil and family law matters will still be heard at the historic County Courthouse at Merchants Quay.

Current and former members of the judiciary, barristers, solicitors, politicians and other court users attended the opening ceremony. Chief Justice of Ireland, Mr Justice Frank Clarke, said the new building was a welcome addition to the city.

I think what all of these new buildings are doing is bringing together the best thinking in how a modern courthouse needs to operate. Its not just the courtrooms, which are very fine in themselves but there are the ancillary facilities that are needed  both for judges and those working in the courts  and also for the parties whose cases come before the courts, he told the Limerick Leader.

In his speech to a packed courtroom 3, Minister Flanagan said the new courthouse is a landmark civic building for Limerick.

This newest civic additon in Limerick will make a great contribution to the life of the city for many years to come. To have a local courthouse thats accessible, thats modern, thats user friendly, that has such additions as a vulnerable witness suite, custody facilities, a jury reception room and adequate consultation rooms is a welcome addition, he said noting that more than 20,000 matters came before Limerick District Court in 2016 alone.

The new courthouse was built by BAM as part of a Public Private Partnership which will see seven new courthouses built across the country.POLICE in Australia are continuing their search for Paddy Moriarty, the Abbeyfeale man who has been missing from his home in Larrimah, Northern Territory, for almost three months.

Over the past week, police divers, detectives and forensic investigators carried out a search of the Larrimah Dam and have now begun searching other sites of interest. The police are continuing to regard the case as suspicious and have again appealed to people who may have information but have not yet spoken to them to come forward.

Meanwhile, there has been a significant breakthrough in tracing Mr Moriartys family and relatives.

A cousin, living in England, has provided a DNA sample to police and a number of second cousins have been identified in the Abbeyfeale area, including Cllr Francis Foley.

I have no memory of him, Cllr Foley explained to the Limerick Leader.

I would have been a child when he left.

I knew his grandfather. He was Pattie Moriarty, a brother of my grandmother Josie Moriarty. They all came from Abbeyfeale.

Pattie, Cllr Foley recalled, lived near Meenahella and he remembered that he died while saving hay in a meadow.

Another brother, Joseph, lived in the home-place, Dromtrasna Collins.

Pattie Moriartys daughter from a second marriage was Mary Theresa Moriarty, who was known as Babe. Paddy Moriarty was born to Mary Theresa, outside of marriage.

She died in 1995, Cllr Foley said, and many of the first cousins emigrated, to the US and to the UK.

Cllr Foley has no recollection of it but believes Paddy Moriarty may have come back to Abbeyfeale for a visit about 40 years ago. Since photos have appeared online and in newspapers of Paddy Moriarty, locals in Abbeyfeale have commented on his likeness to his grandfather.

Paddy Moriarty is believed to have left for Australia in 1965 on the Fairstar and worked as a stockman in Australia.

He put down roots in Larrimah, a tiny community in the Northern Territory with a population of 13 and it is there that the search for Paddy is centred. Paddy was last seen on December 16 when he left his local bar, The Pink Panther, saying Ill see you tomorrow to the bar owner, Ben Sharpe.

When he failed to turn up over the next couple of days, the alarm was raised.

But a search of his home revealed food on the table, his hat and wallet in place, the date scratched off his calendar but no Paddy Moriarty. His dog Kellie was also missing.

Cllr Foley referred to reports of tension and bad feeling within the tiny community of Larrimah.

It looks reasonably nice, he said. But he continued: It is sad that somebody left here and now, towards the end of his life, that he is gone off the face of the earth.

He and other relatives are hoping that an answer to the mystery can be found and soon.Apr 28, 2021, 10 PM

The proposed National Airmail Museum in Fort Wayne, Ind. A group has launched a fundraising effort for the museum. Image by Tessellate Studio.

Washington Postal Scene  By Bill McAllister

A group of aviation enthusiasts from Indiana has launched a campaign to raise $2.5 million for a National Airmail Museum to be located at Smith Field in Fort Wayne.

Hangar 2 at the airfield would be remodeled into the proposed museum, according to legislation introduced by United States Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind.

His legislation would designate the building as the home of the museum, but it shall not require or permit federal funds to be expended for any purpose related to that national memorial.

In a news release issued by the proposed museum on Feb. 16, Banks was quoted as describing the hangar as the perfect structure for a National Airmail Museum.

Smith Fields significance in air-related transportation and commerce in Fort Wayne and Allen County and its 1920s era design are a unique part of northeast Indianas history, Banks said.

The lawmaker credited the Friends of Smith Field, a group supporting the airport, for having worked tirelessly to make this museum a reality and said he endorsed their efforts.

Our goal is to revitalize Hangar 2 of Smith Field as the new home of the museum and to create an exciting venue that bring these amazing (aviation) stories to life through interactive exhibits, artifacts and hands-on experiences, the website for the proposed museum said.

Visitors will be transported back to a time when Fort Wayne played an essential role the development of the Airmail Service and supported the efforts of World War II.

The Indiana airfield was not the site of the first scheduled airmail flights in the United States. That feat occurred 100 years ago.

The first scheduled fight by the U.S. Post Office Department began May 15, 1918, between Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York; two of the three pilots crashed on their initial efforts.

The Indiana museums website credits another flight as the first air mail service in the United States, one conducted on Long Island, N.Y., during the week of Sept. 23-30, 1911.

In 1911, Earle L. Ovington a duly appointed airmail carrier, carried mail between an airfield and the Mineola, N.Y., post office in an experiment that was performed without expense to the Post Office Department.

The website mentions that other experimental airmail flights were conducted in different locations.

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Lee Downer, president of the American Air Mail Society, told Linns he was not aware of the museum proposal.

Im sure the society would want to be involved, he said.

The American Air Mail Society is a large organization of collectors who focus on airmail items.Hes big in Italy. Photo: Bill OLeary/The Washington Post/Getty Images

Addressing a conference for Frances far-right National Front in the city of Lille on Saturday, Steve Bannon said the party should be proud of its bigoted reputation.

Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon speaking to the crowd attending the party congress for France's far-right National Front party: "Let them call you racist. Let them call you xenophobes... wear it as a badge of honor." https://t.co/veWU4gawYf pic.twitter.com/KnovkuDZXJ  ABC News (@ABC) March 10, 2018

Let them call you racist. Let them call you xenophobes. Let them call you nativist. Wear it as a badge of honor, Bannon said, to fervent applause. Because every day, we get stronger, and they get weaker.

(The National Front, which was walloped at the polls in a national election last year and faces a murky future, may take issue with that last part.)

Bannon cast himself as an outsider trying to soak up knowledge, but did not hold back from his usual sweeping pronouncements and predictions as he attacked favorite targets like the media.

I did not come here as a teacher, Bannon said. I came here as an observer, and to learn. What Ive learned is that youre part of a worldwide movement, that is bigger than France, bigger than Italy, bigger than Hungary  bigger than all of it. And history is on our side.

Bannon has, at least temporarily, hit a wall in the United States. In January, he was cast aside by President Trump, then ousted from Breitbart, after he harshly criticized Trumps children to Fire and Fury author Michael Wolff. He also prominently supported Judge Roy Moore, who, after being accused of sexually assaulting minors, managed to lose to a Democrat in Alabama.

But Bannon is trying to reinvent his act in Europe, the spiritual home of his populist brand of bigotry.

A New York Times profile published on Saturday has some detail of what hes been up to. Bannon has set up shop at a hotel in Italy, where the political establishment suffered a dramatic defeat at the hands of right-wing parties last weekend. He has spoken with an array of the Continents nationalists, including representatives from the anti-Islam Alternative for Germany party. He may meet the increasingly autocratic Viktor Orban, the prime minister of Hungary, who has cracked down on dissent and made George Soros a national villain. He says he is contemplating buying a brand-name outlet like Newsweek in the U.S., or perhaps a website like Axios, and wants to train like-minded European propagandists in the dark arts he perfected at Breitbart.

All Im trying to be, he told the Times with characteristic grandeur, is the infrastructure, globally, for the global populist movement.

Its notable, of course, that an American rabble-rouser is traipsing around Europe, meeting with some of the most important voices behind the reanimation of of right-wing politics around the continent. But, as Bannon demonstrated during his quick, combative tenure at the White House  and has shown in spades since  he has a high capacity both for alienating those around him and for self-destruction. Whether he can overcome cultural and language barriers to actually build some kind of media infrastructure for his newfound allies (who seem to be doing just fine on their own, as he acknowledges) is an open question. Whether he really has a second act left back in America is another one.

One safe prediction: He will keep doing a bang-up job of drawing attention to himself.This Sunday marks the 100th anniversary of daylight saving time (DST), and what better way to celebrate than by losing an hour of sleep in the morning and gaining an hour of sunlight in the evening.

The time change happens at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday (March 11)  meaning that clocks everywhere will jump from 1:59 a.m. to 3 a.m. local time.

Spring daylight saving (not savings, as some people say) means that the sun will rise and set 1 hour later on March 11 than it did on March 10. In effect, this change gives people in the Northern Hemisphere more sunlight in the evening hours. And it turns out, the change may save the lives of koalas (keep reading). [Daylight Saving Time 2018: A Guide to the When, Why, What and How]

Daylight saving time was the brainchild of Benjamin Franklin, who devised the time change to conserve energy. But Franklin's idea wasn't implemented in the United States until about 100 years ago, on March 31, 1918, according to timeanddate.com.

But it's up for debate whether DST actually saves energy. The time change marginally decreased U.S. energy consumption, according to a study conducted by Stanton Hadley, a senior researcher at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and his colleagues in 2007, Live Science previously reported. But DST increased residential energy usage in Indiana, a 1998 study found, and temporary changes in Australia for the 2000 Summer Olympics also didn't save any energy, according to a 2007 study.

Whether DST conserves energy or not, the main point is whether the extra hour of sunlight improves people's lives, Hadley said. "It's people wanting to take advantage of that light time in the evening," he noted.

But even that point may be bunk. People don't exercise more because of DST, a 2014 study in the Journal of Physical Activity & Health found. In the study, researchers compared data from residents who lived in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah who participated in the 2003 to 2009 American Time Use Survey. Arizona does not observe DST, allowing the researchers to compare its results with those from the other states. (The Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona, however, does observe DST.)

Although DST didn't significantly increase activity levels in the study, the researchers noted that the research was limited to the American Southwest, and that it's possible DST would make a difference in activity levels elsewhere.

There have been a multitude of other studies on DST. Research shows that losing an hour of sleep in the spring is associated with a spike in heart attacks, Live Science previously reported. The time change is also associated with more workplace injuries, increased cluster headaches and more cyberloafing, Live Science reported. People also tend to miss more medical appointments during shifts to and from DST, a 2017 study in the journal Chronobiology International found.

But there is this silver lining: DST may decrease the number of koalas killed by motorists in Australia, according to a 2016 study in the journal Biology Letters. That's because wild koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) are nocturnal, and most vehicle accidents with wildlife happen at twilight or in darkness, during the evening commute, the researchers wrote. Shifting daylight hours with DST may reduce these wildlife deaths, according to a computer model created by the researchers. [Are Pets Affected By Daylight Saving Time?]

In Australia, where koalas live, Queensland and the Northern Territory (Western Australia) do not follow DST, according to the Australian government. In the United States, Hawaii is the only other state besides Arizona that does not observe DST.

Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. local time on Nov. 4.

Original article on Live Science.John F. Kennedy sits next to his wife, Jacqueline, in a limousine in Dallas shortly before his assassination on Nov. 22, 1963.

John F. Kennedy, 35th president of the United States, was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas. The official investigation found that Lee Harvey Oswald, acting alone, shot Kennedy from a warehouse window overlooking the president's motorcade route. Nevertheless, conspiracy theorists have speculated over the years that the full story has not been told. Some believe that classified documents held by the National Archives may identify the "real" killer of the president.

In 2017, the National Archives released 2,800 documents previously withheld from the public. However, no new information was unveiled, although President Donald Trump withheld about 300 documents for further review. This was done at the request of several intelligence agencies that sought to avoid compromising national security, law enforcement or intelligence-gathering methods, according to The New York Times. The remaining documents are to be released in late April.

Here is a review of the facts about Kennedy's last day and the aftermath.

Campaign trip

In September 1963, Kennedy began traveling to various states to bolster his run for a second term. He visited Massachusetts and Pennsylvania in October, and Florida and Texas were next on the itinerary, according to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

On Nov. 21, the president and the first lady, Jacqueline Kennedy, boarded Air Force One for Texas. The plan was to visit for two days and to travel to five cities in the Lone Star State. The president's first stop was San Antonio. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, Texas Gov. John B. Connally and Texas Sen. Ralph W. Yarborough accompanied Kennedy to Brooks Air Force Base for the dedication of the Aerospace Medical Health Center. Next, Kennedy arrived in Houston to speak to a Latin American citizens' organization and at a testimonial dinner for Rep. Albert Thomas.

From Houston, Kennedy traveled north to Fort Worth, Texas. On the morning of Nov. 22, Kennedy spoke to the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce at breakfast. "We are still the keystone in the arch of freedom," he told those in attendance. "We will continue to do  our duty, and the people of Texas will be in the lead."

The assassination

After breakfast, the presidential party flew to Dallas. The trip took just 13 minutes, and Air Force One arrived at Love Field airport at 11:37 a.m. After getting off the plane, Kennedy and his wife shook hands with the crowd that awaited them.

Then, the presidential couple joined Connally and his wife, Nellie, in an open convertible. The car was a custom-made, reinforced parade limousine built in Wixom, Michigan, in January 1961 by the Ford Motor Company. The Secret Service leased the car for $500 per year, according to the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. The Secret Service gave the car the code name of X-100.

X-100 and the rest of the procession left the airport and traveled 10 miles (16 kilometers) through downtown Dallas. The destination was intended to be the Trade Mart, where the president was scheduled to speak. He never made it that far.

Along the route, crowds lined the streets to get a glimpse of the Kennedys. According to a map of the motorcade route from the Dallas Municipal Archives, the motorcade turned off Main Street at Dealey Plaza to Houston Street. The X-100 had traveled only 7.7 miles (12 km) from the airport when it passed the Texas School Book Depository on Elm Street at 12:30 p.m. At this moment, someone shot at the car.

Connally was hit in the chest with one bullet, which broke ribs, punctured a lung, broke one wrist and ended its journey in one of Connally's leg.

The president was shot once in the neck and once in the head. He then slumped over toward Mrs. Kennedy. The president and Connally were rushed to Parkland Memorial Hospital just 3.4 miles (5.5 km) away. At 12:36 p.m., the ABC radio network broadcasted that the president had been shot, and at 12:40 p.m., the CBS television network broadcasted the first nationwide TV news bulletin about the shooting, according to CNN.

A Catholic priest administered last rites for the president, and at 1 p.m., Kennedy was pronounced dead at the age of 46. Soon after, his body was taken back to Air Force One at Love Field in a bronze casket, accompanied by his wife and the vice president.

The incriminating photo of accused John F. Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald. Oswald and others claimed it was a fake, but forensic analysis has upheld its authenticity.

The manhunt

At 1:15 p.m., approximately 45 minutes after the assassination, Oswald, a recently hired employee at the Texas School Book Depository, killed Dallas Police patrolman J.D. Tippit. Not long after, at around 2:15 p.m., police officers arrested Oswald in the back of a movie theater and held him for the assassination of Kennedy and the fatal shooting of Tippit, according to the JFK library.

At 2:38 p.m., just an hour and 38 minutes after Kennedy was pronounced dead, Vice President Johnson took the oath of office inside Air Force One. After the flight back to Washington, Kennedy's body was taken to Bethesda Naval Hospital for an autopsy. The next morning, the body was transported to the East Wing of the White House.

On Sunday morning, Nov. 24, Oswald was being transferred from police headquarters to the county jail. The event was broadcast on live television across the country. Suddenly, a man named Jack Ruby, a local nightclub owner, fired a pistol at Oswald at point-blank range. Just 2 hours later, Oswald was pronounced dead at Parkland Hospital, the same hospital where the president had died.

Nov. 24 was also the day of Kennedy's procession in Washington, D.C. His flag-draped casket, pulled by six gray horses and accompanied by one riderless black horse, traveled from the White House to the Capitol Rotunda, where he lay in state for 21 hours; around 250,000 people paid their respects.

Kennedy was laid to rest on Monday, Nov. 25, 1963, in Arlington National Cemetery during a funeral attended by heads of state and representatives from more than 100 countries. An eternal flame was lit beside the grave. President Johnson declared Nov. 25 a national day of mourning.

On Nov. 26, Ruby was indicted in Dallas for the murder of Oswald and was later convicted. His conviction was overturned on appeal, but Ruby died of cancer in 1967 before he got a new trial.

The investigation

Just a week after the assassination, on Nov. 29, Johnson started a commission to evaluate the assassination of Kennedy and the killing of Oswald. The president named Chief Justice Earl Warren as chairman of the President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy, which became better known as the Warren Commission.

The commission's job was to collect information and report back to Johnson. The Warren Commission Report, which can be read at the National Archives website, concluded that "the shots which killed President Kennedy and wounded Governor Connally were fired from the sixth-floor window at the southeast corner of the Texas School Book Depository." It also said, "The shots which killed President Kennedy and wounded Governor Connally were fired by Lee Harvey Oswald."

Conspiracy theories

Many theorists don't buy the "lone-gunman theory." Instead, they suspect that Oswald, a former U.S. Marine, didn't act alone  that he had ties to the Mafia or to Cuba or to the Soviets or to the CIA. None of the claims have ever been proven. [Related: Incriminating Photo of Lee Harvey Oswald Not Faked]

There have been allegations that the Warren Commission didn't get the full cooperation of federal agencies during its investigation. In light of those allegations, the U.S. House of Representatives created the House Select Committee on Assassinations in 1976 to reopen the investigation. The committee found "a high probability that two gunmen fired" at the president. That claim was based on a Dallas police radio-transmission tape on which some said that four or more shots could be heard being fired in Dealey Plaza, according to the JFK library.

Acoustic experts found this to be false after analyzing the tape of the shooting.

Document release

In 1992, with the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act, Congress ordered all assassination-related material to be housed together under supervision of the National Archives and Records Administration and ordered that the material be released to the public 25 years later.

In 2017, the National Archives released 2,800 documents. The collection includes 5 million copies of photographs, records, videos, sound recordings and artifacts. It takes up approximately 2,000 cubic feet (5.7 cubic meters). Before this release, 88 percent of the files had already been available to the public since the 1990s, according to the National Archives.

Trump kept around 300 files classified, though. He said that they could be a concern for U.S. national security.

The new documents, greatly rumored to hold secrets about the "real" killer of the president, contained very little new information, to the disappointment of conspiracy theorists.

"Ultimately, people have always shared these theories because they are interesting  truthfulness and accuracy are less important and often incidental," said Ken Drinkwater, senior lecturer and researcher in cognitive and parapsychology at Manchester Metropolitan University in England, and Neil Dagnall, reader in applied cognitive psychology at the same university. [JFK Assassination Files Due for Release: Why Conspiracy Theorists Are Excited]

Researchers have reported that this "treasure trove" consists of raw files and handwritten notes and is "a mess," according to Larry J. Sabato, the founder and director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, who wrote about the documents for The New York Times. Assembling the puzzle pieces into something useful or credible will take a lot of time, he wrote.

Additional resourcesShe wanted to make a difference, so she dedicated her life to helping those who were broken.

Since September 2016, Christine Loeber, 48, had been executive director of the Pathway Home center in Yountville, which helps veterans of post-9/11 wars who have post-traumatic stress disorder. On Friday, she and two colleagues were killed there by an Army veteran of the war in Afghanistan who had been treated for PTSD.

Loeber radiated positivity, her friends said. And she was one of the hardest workers they had ever met. She always cared.

When these people are in combat, their systems are programmed to keep them alive under incredibly stressful situations, Loeber told The Chronicle in November about her work helping veterans. Nobody helps them understand that when they get back they have to reprogram their nervous system to operate at a different caliber so they can be successful civilians.

Loeber always took Cindy OBriens last appointment of the day. She never showed up at the aestheticians office before 5:30 p.m. There was too much work to do at the Pathway Home. But OBrien liked her, so she stayed late when Loeber had an appointment.

They were both single women. They both lived far away from their families. They talked about dating and about OBriens ex-partner, a veteran who suffered from PTSD. Loeber understood in ways that other people didnt. And she was giving  when OBrien launched a skin care line on Valentines Day, Loeber was one of the first to order a sample.

She was generous with her words and her time and her devotion to the veterans, OBrien said. She had a strong moral compass and was extremely committed to doing the right thing. She was selfless. She really was.

Before Loeber moved to Napa, she worked for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in Santa Rosa and ran treatment and recovery programs at VA centers in Boston and Palo Alto.

For years, Loeber also taught yoga to amputees and veterans suffering from PTSD at YogaOne in Petaluma. On Fridays, after work, Loeber led a two-hour restorative class. On Sundays, she gave free classes as part of six-week-long workshops. She never canceled class  even when only one student showed up.

Often, that student was a veteran named Jim. He came specifically to practice with Loeber. Gina Mercurio, 32, a fellow yoga instructor, would encourage her to cancel the class. Small classes werent lucrative.

You go home, Loeber would respond. Im staying. Im here to teach Jim yoga.

She was really focused on creating a better world for the people that we send out to war and, when they come back, find that theres nothing here for them, Mercurio said. She was dedicated to healing people. Even if it was one person. Even if it was just one difference in one life for one day.

She ended each class with a few words of wisdom. They would lift you up from the doldrums of life, said Deacon Carpenter, who owns the yoga studio.

She was so much into her work; it was just everything for her, Carpenter said. Im just trying to wrap my head around this sequence of events knowing who she was. She was compassionate and so patient with people who were very challenged.After rough combat as an Army infantryman in Afghanistan, Albert Wong came home to the Bay Area and couldnt shake the battle horror in his head. So he turned to a highly regarded residential treatment center for troubled veterans  the Pathway Home in Yountville.

But he didnt get fixed. He left the program two weeks ago, with indications that his departure wasnt voluntary. On Friday morning, he came back with a rifle.

Wong, 36, burst into Pathway with his weapon and strings of ammunition, traded gunshots with a Napa County sheriffs deputy, took five hostages  then killed Pathways executive director, its clinical director, a psychologist with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and himself, authorities said.

Just why a veteran who earned an Army Commendation Medal in Afghanistan snapped so badly was a question investigators were struggling to answer Saturday. But as families and friends mourned the loss of three women dedicated to helping troubled veterans, they also asked why a man with apparently obvious problems hadnt been stopped.

Wong had been undergoing treatment at Pathway for post-traumatic stress disorder until two weeks ago, when organization spokesman Larry Kamer said he was separated from the program. He declined to elaborate.

Bob Golick, father-in-law of slain clinical director Jennifer Golick, told the Associated Press that she had told Wong to leave. Golick didnt give a reason, but a friend of the family said outside his daughter-in-laws home Saturday in St. Helena that it was because Wong was violent.

The California Highway Patrol, which is leading the investigation, declined to comment.

Fridays tragedy began when Wong burst into a going-away party for staffers at about 10:30 a.m. at Pathway, located at the Veterans Home of California-Yountville, a state-run complex that houses 900 veterans. Pathway is a nonprofit that leases space on the campus.

After exchanging gunfire with the sheriffs deputy and taking his hostages, Wong released two of the captives  then went silent.

Shortly before 6 p.m., law enforcement officers entered the room where Wong had been holed up and found him and the three hostages dead. A knowledgeable source said all four had been shot.

The slain hostages were Pathway Executive Director Christine Loeber, 48, of Napa; Jennifer Golick, 42, of St. Helena, who just started at the center in September; and Jennifer Gonzales, 32, the VA psychologist, who was six months pregnant.

Military records show that Wong was deployed to Afghanistan with the Army from April 2011 to March 2012, with the rank of specialist E4. He was in active service from May 2010 to August 2013 and previously was in the Army Reserve from 1998 to 2002.

While in active service, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, records show. The medal is given to those who have distinguished themselves by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service.

No information was available about where Wong got the weapon he used Friday  described in 911 transmissions as an M4-style (assault) rifle. State law says people who pose a danger to themselves or others may be constrained by mental health professionals from owning guns, but its unknown whether any legal steps had been taken to bar Wong from possessing firearms.

State records show that Wong had a security guard license and a license to carry an exposed 9mm pistol, but that both were canceled in the fall.

No officials were talking in detail about Wongs treatment, but Pathway is renowned among veterans-aid agencies as an effective program. Its focus is on people who have served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Those familiar with Pathway said there is always risk when dealing with mentally troubled people who have been trained to kill. But they note that, according to U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, military veterans are no more prone to deadly violence than nonveterans.

These guys at Pathway are just trying to come home, said trauma counselor Michael Pritchard, who has taught anger management and other skills at the program and knew two of the victims. I was never afraid of (the veterans being treated). Many of them had traumatic childhoods. Our job is to teach them to take care of each other, to love each other.

Pritchard, who is also a comedian and uses humor as a healing element in his counseling, made a promotional video for Pathway four years ago with his friend, the late Robin Williams.

We all need to do whatever we can, and Robin really cared about these guys, Pritchard said. That these three wonderful women died is a tragedy, but whats also a tragedy is that we have to do better for our young men who come home from war. Theyve suffered incredibly, and too often they were flawed and wounded even before they got there.

Wongs childhood did indeed have its challenges.

Cissy Sherr said she and her husband were Wongs legal guardians for several years after his father died and his mother developed health problems when he was a small boy. But the couple found that raising a child and working was too much once Wong entered high school, and he ended up in foster homes.

He moved back in with them in Millbrae in summer 2013 after returning from Afghanistan, Sherr said.

It was only for a month. He just needed to decompress, she said. He had seen intense combat in Afghanistan, he told the Sherrs, and would sit on the couch, staring blankly. He couldnt sleep at night. Getting back on a normal schedule was difficult.

But he had goals, Sherr said: He wanted to go back to school to study computers and business. He found the Pathway Home program and was optimistic it would help. He wrote updates to Sherr on Facebook Messenger.

He was calm and soft-spoken, Sherr said. We were so proud of the young man he had grown up to be through the years. His life was not the average life with a stable situation, what with having his dad die when he was so young and his mom not being around to raise him.

Last spring Wongs mother died, and Sherr and her husband didnt hear much from him after that. The Napa County Sheriffs Department said Wong was living in Sacramento.

It was a really rough day yesterday, Sherr said. I dont know him to be that person we were hearing about yesterday. I didnt get much sleep.

Well before Friday, there were indications that serious trouble was brewing in Wong, a friend of the Golick family told The Chronicle.

People were notified that he was violent, said the friend, who asked that his name not be used. Nothing was done. All the proper people were notified. ... Everybody knew. All the flags were there.

Another friend of Golicks, Shelley Tantau, said that this is really about Jenn, Jennifer and Christine. Its about young men with PTSD. Its about getting up, saying goodbye to your family and going off to work knowing youre not going to get shot. Its about exceptional health professionals losing their lives for doing their jobs.

Those who specialize in post-traumatic stress disorder mourned the failure of a system meant to heal those in pain from their time in uniform.

Its a tough one, said Swords to Plowshares Director Michael Blecker, who knew Loeber and whose organization also helps troubled vets. The Department of Defense doesnt spend any time on decompression for these guys, theres not enough treatment  then you have an incident like this that makes everyone think vets are walking time bombs, that we should fear them. But vets more than anything need to be integrated back into their communities, not isolated.

Many of the veterans treated at the Pathway Home transition to higher education at schools including Napa Valley College and Santa Rosa Junior College. It is known for its sometimes unconventional therapies, which have included swimming with dolphins and holding social events in which the veterans mix with children.

About 450 people have been treated at the unit since its opening in 2008, mostly for PTSD, mild traumatic brain injury and other post-deployment mental health challenges.

This whole incident is terrible and sad, Blecker said. But people I hope still have some understanding that this is not representative of all vets.

Chronicle staff writer Sophie Haigney contributed to this report.

Kevin Fagan, Jenna Lyons and Lizzie Johnson are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: kfagan@sfchronicle.com. jlyons@sfchronicle.com, ljohnson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KevinChron @JennaJourno @Lizziejohnsonnn

Memorial

and donations

A memorial service for the three victims of Fridays killings at a North Bay veterans treatment center will be held at 6 p.m. March 19 at the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater, 100 California Drive in Yountville.

The Pathway Home has set up a fund for the families of Executive Director Christine Loeber, Clinical Director Jennifer Golick and VA psychologist Jennifer Gonzales. Donations can be sent to the 3 Brave Women Fund, c/o Mentis, 709 Franklin St., Napa, CA 94559.Chris Young kept things simple and sincere during his fifth spin around RodeoHouston.

There were no pop grooves or wailing rock guitars. No hip swivels or easy pandering.

SHAKE IT: Even when he forgets lyrics, Luke Bryan brings the party to RodeoHouston

Young just sang his songs for a crowd of 64,238 paid attendance, who often sang them back to him.

Sometimes that's the most powerful thing an artist can do.

Young has a gorgeous baritone that's deep as a well. He put it to good use on No. 1 singles "Gettin' You Home (The Black Dress Song)," "Voices" and Losing Sleep."

RETURN ENGAGEMENT: Cody Johnson rides again at RodeoHouston





"Lonely Eyes" played like an '80s throwback. New single "Hangin' On" was awash in yellow lights and lush instrumentation.

He worked every part of the stage, racing back and forth to each of the star points to address the crowd.

"Houston you are an incredible, incredible city and an incredible community. The way y'all came together after Hurricane Harvey," he said before dedicating ballad "Who I Am With You" to the crowd.

"That's real love."

REGGAETON RISING: J Balvin talks Beyonce, worldwide success and 'cool vibes' at RodeoHouston

He name checked the city in the opening line of "Text Me Texas," a long-distance heartbreak ballad. ("Who's in Houston that's keepin' you from talkin' to me?") The no-frills acoustic arrangement was a set highlight.

Some of Young's material  "Aw Naw," "I Can Take it from There," "You"  isn't exactly adventurous. But it's to his credit that he makes most of it work reasonably well.On this date in ...

1918: Residents of Albany had the opportunity to ride inside the British war tank Britannia. Proceeds from fares were donated to the Albany chapter of the American Red Cross would be used to help American soldiers. The tank was brought to Albany for use in "Getting Together," the patriotic drama being performed for several days at Harmanus Bleecker Hall.

1968: Automobile and appliance dealers suffered a sharp decline in revenue in areas of Northeastern New York when new sales taxes went into effect March 1. The decline did offset an upswing of 10 to 35 percent over 1967 noted in the last 10 days of February before the sales tax took effect. The most dramatic flip-flop was at a Glens Falls auto agency where 23 new cars had been sold in the last 10 days of February, one in the first eight days of March. The normal figure for the eight- to 10-day period at this time of year was 12 to 15.

1993: The state inspector general was investigating the Hudson River-Black River Regulating District, whose board members voted themselves jobs and pay raises after their stipends were eliminated by the governor last year. The Times Union previously reported on rampant political patronage at the agency, where numerous Troy Democrats and other politically connected workers from both parties had been hired over the years. The inspector general was expected to release a report that focused on actions the district board of directors took after Gov. Mario M. Cuomo announced that he was cutting out members' $7,500 stipends.

Want to read more about the Capital Region's past? Have any memories or thoughts about how our history relates to today's events? See http://blog.timesunion.com/history/.Shadow Creek High School will host District 23 5A Zone University Interscholastic League one-act play competitions March 16-17, followed by the district finals on March 21.

"Because we are a new campus, our facility has all the bells and whistles," said David Soward, fine arts department chair and artistic director for The Off Broadway Theatre at Shadow Creek in Alvin ISD.

"It is a wonderful place to showcase our kids," he said.

Zone A competition will begin at 2 p.m. March 16. The entries, in order of performance, will be Manvel High, Ball, Santa Fe, Galena Park and Elkins.

Zone B entries will begin performing at 2 p.m. March 17. Schools competing, in order, will be Shadow Creek, Texas City, Willowridge and Marshal.

Admission is $5, which is good for one or all performances each day.

Each school is limited to 40 minutes of performance time, so theater departments often present "scenes from" full-length plays, with some parts omitted.

For example, the host school will perform an abridged version of Margaret Edson's "Wit" (sometimes spelled "W;t"), which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1999.

It is about a 50-year-old English professor who is dying of ovarian cancer.

"This was a complex, difficult decision for me because of what a challenge it is for young actors," said Soward, who is the play's director, assisted by Jason Moodie.

He entrusted the leading role to Freia Pamintuan, 18, a senior, who began competing in UIL one-act plays her freshman and sophomore years as a student of Soward's at Manvel High, then last year in "Doubt" when Shadow Creek opened.

"She brings an authenticity to the part that comes from experience," said Soward.

Pamintuan explained, "I see my performance as an ode to my grandmother, who passed away in my junior year. I try to show my respect for how resilient she was, as she faced cancer of the throat and mouth."

Another student, 16-year-old junior Abbey Frye, suffered the recent loss of her father, Larry Frye, to cancer. Her mother is Natalie Frye.

"My worst fear was that, by doing this play, we would be reopening some old wounds," said Soward. "I tried to work with the cast so that we are honest, but at the same time, we did not want to offend anyone who has encountered a death in the family."

"We had to face our sadness and share our sorrows," said Pamintuan, whose parents are Luis and Fe Pamintuan of Shadow Creek.

Following graduation, she plans to study for a bachelor of fine arts at Oklahoma City University.

Abbey Frye is among the group of Shadow Creek students who are national qualifiers at the upcoming 2018 International Thespian Convention in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Others include Angie Abrigo, Elliot Green, Katie Habermas, Isabela Heredia, Melissa Ramos, Sierra Salazar and Isaiah Woodard in group acting; Jasmin Richards and Abbey Vollman in duet musical and Lauren Green in monologue.

Last year, Pamintuan and Green, a 17-year-old senior whose parents are Jarrod and Lisa Green, won top honors in duet acting at the festival.

The stage crew for "Wit" includes Garrett Dawkins, Luis Vira, Samantha O'Neill, Erik Rodriguez and Almira Ferrer.

Don Maines is a freelance writer who can be reached at donmaines@att.netThe Veterans Home of California is seen during an active shooter turned hostage situation on March 9, 2018, in Yountville, California. Photo: Stephen Lam/Getty Images

A gunman and three female hostages were found dead at a Northern California veterans home on Friday night after an almost eight-hour standoff with police. Police found the bodies at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville just before 6 p.m. local time after they stormed the room in which the gunman had held up with his hostages. The victims all worked at the Pathway Home, a nonprofit program located at the facility which helps Iraq and Afghanistan vets readjust to civilian life, including assistance managing post-traumatic stress disorder.

According to the Sacramento Bee, the victims were the Pathway Home Executive Director Christine Loeber, 48; staff psychologist Dr. Jennifer Golick, 42; and Dr. Jennifer Gonzales Shushereba, 32, a clinical psychologist who worked in the San Francisco VA Health Care System, and who was seven months pregnant. A statement from the Pathway Home celebrated the victims as brave women and accomplished professionals who dedicated their careers to serving our nations veterans, working closely with those in the greatest need of attention after deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Three women killed during a standoff at a Napa County veterans home were identified as Christine Loeber, 48; Jennifer Golick, 42; and Jennifer Gonzales, 29. https://t.co/6loU8YNfDU  KTLA (@KTLA) March 10, 2018

The gunman, 36-year-old Sacramento resident Albert Wong, was a former patient of the Pathway Home who had left the program two weeks ago, according to California authorities. He was reportedly a decorated Army rifleman who served a year in Afghanistan from 2011 to 2012. Per a witness, Wong arrived with a rifle during a going-away party for some Pathway employees on Friday morning. Police responded to reports of shots fired around 10:20 a.m., and a Napa Valley sheriffs deputy exchanged gunfire with Wong shortly after. Authorities repeatedly tried to contact the gunman throughout the day, but were unable to. They finally stormed the building in the evening and found the shooter and the women dead of gunshot wounds. Its not yet clear when they died.

Its also not yet clear what Wongs motive was, but a family member of Jennifer Golick told the Bee that she had expelled him from the Pathway Home program. Golick was apparently able to call her husband on Friday morning and tell him she had been taken hostage, but there was no further contact with the hostages or Wong after that. Four women were reportedly able to escape, though it is not clear how.

Law enforcement personnel are seen at a building entrance at the Veterans Home of California on March 9, 2018, in Yountville, California. Photo: Stephen Lam/Getty Images

The Pathway Home, which was opened in 2008, says its mission is to provide educational, professional and clinical support in a residential setting to post-9/11 Veterans pursuing academic or vocational endeavors who are transitioning back into the civilian world following military deployment. All veterans admitted to the program live on site.

The California Veterans Home in Yountville, where the Pathway Home is located, is apparently the largest veterans home in the country, housing and caring for around 1,000 disabled and elderly veterans. Its about 50 miles north of San Francisco, and was the first veterans home founded in California, in 1884.

On Saturday morning, President Trump tweeted that We are deeply saddened by the tragic situation in Yountville and mourn the loss of three incredible women who cared for our Veterans. California governor Jerry Brown also ordered flags to half-staff in Sacramento to honor the victims.

This post has been updated to correct Dr. Jennifer Gonzales Shusherebas age and full name, which were originally misstated in news reports, as well as to add that she was pregnant at the time of her death.PANAMA CITY - In a farewell video, the U.S. ambassador to Panama, John Feeley, filmed a scene at a tin-roofed barbershop that sits in a graffiti-tagged neighborhood here under a clattering elevated highway.

This was Feeley's barbershop, a place he visited regularly despite his Panamanian driver's insisting he should not.

"I've been coming here for months," Feeley said in another video last year. "I'm very loyal."

But now, Feeley is leaving Latin America and the State Department after quitting in protest two months ago.

He has posted the last of a series of videos exhibiting the goofy, extroverted demeanor that gained him a wide viewership in Panama over the past two years. Their premise has the out-of-work ambassador ham-handedly applying for jobs in Panama - as a fireman, a taxi driver, a makeup artist - because he likes the country so much he doesn't want to leave.

"It humanizes us," he said, referring to the United States. "And right now, we need a little humanizing."

Feeley, 56, flew home from Panama on Friday, capping almost three decades as a diplomat under Republican and Democratic administrations. In the past year, he said, he realized he was working for a president whose policies and tone he could no longer promote or even explain.

"As a junior foreign service officer, I signed an oath to serve faithfully the president and his administration in an apolitical fashion, even when I might not agree with certain policies," he said in his Dec. 27 letter to President Donald Trump, first reported by Reuters and confirmed by Feeley as his words. "My instructors made clear that if I believed I could not do that, I would be honor bound to resign. That time has come."

After Feeley resigned, the State Department said it respected his decision.

"Everyone has a line that they will not cross," said Steve Goldstein, the undersecretary for diplomacy.

With Feeley's departure, however, the department loses one of its leading Latin Americanists. And because of the leaked resignation letter, he has come to symbolize a string of diplomats who have left their posts saying they feel marginalized and unwilling to represent an administration whose values they reject.

State Department officials insist that policy and procedures have not been adversely affected by the exodus.

"I don't lose a wink of sleep over the fact that we may not have our nominees in" open positions, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Friday in response to a question about departures hampering diplomacy. "We have very capable, skilled career diplomats ready to step up and serve in those positions, and they are serving superbly, and we are moving the policies forward."

"Nothing is being held up," Tillerson added. "I am very, very proud of the work of the State Department that we're getting done.''

Nevertheless, the diplomatic corps with experience in the Americas has been particularly hard hit by all the departures.

The State Department's third-highest-ranking official, Thomas Shannon, who helped shift the U.S. focus in Latin America away from small Cold War battlegrounds toward the region's big economies, announced his retirement last month. William Brownfield, a former ambassador to Colombia, Venezuela and Chile, stepped down last year, as did his wife, Kristie Kenney, also a three-time ambassador, once in Ecuador. All of them are or were career Foreign Service officers, not political appointees.

"With each of these people, and many others, you are losing encyclopedic knowledge," said Roberta Jacobson, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, who will herself resign in May.

Feeley, a former Marine Corps helicopter pilot who grew up in the Bronx in a family of New York firefighters and police officers, is a registered independent. One of his former State Department bosses said Feeley "understood hierarchy" and "would salute and move forward" even if given instructions with which he vigorously disagreed.

The realization that he could not be an emissary for Trump was not reached easily, Feeley said.

"My decision was based on a sense of my values as a citizen and a representative of broader American values," he said.

Advocating for democracy, free trade, human rights and economic development was a given, Feeley said, during his tenure in many posts, including the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Mexico. During Trump's first year in office, he said, he saw this work diminished - eclipsed by warnings and insults from the president's Twitter account.

"The whole idea of a rules-based, respectful conduct of diplomatic relations is pretty much what I spent my whole career doing. And we don't do that now," he said. "We've walked off the field. Not only are we walking off the field, we're taking the ball and we're throwing up a middle finger."

Panama's decision last June to abandon its decades-long alliance with Taiwan and establish diplomatic relations with China was one instance in which Feeley says he felt frustrated by the administration's lack of response.

China had become the second-most-frequent user of the Panama Canal, planned to build a railroad to the border with Costa Rica and promised to bring billions of dollars more in investments.

Feeley says he did not fear that China would seize control of the canal. But he did worry that the Trump administration had no effective commercial policy for Latin America and that the United States was losing influence in the hemisphere. He thought a flood of Chinese money could worsen corruption and inhumane labor practices.

Feeley briefed Vice President Mike Pence about the Chinese moves during Pence's visit to Panama in August. Later, he followed up on Pence's suggestion that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross could lead a trade delegation to the region but says the department did not respond.

"I got nothing," Feeley recalled.

Several U.S. diplomats in different countries have complained of a lack of guidance and information from headquarters under Tillerson.

In December, ahead of the U.N. vote on whether to condemn the United States for recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, wrote to member countries saying that Trump "has requested I report back on those who voted against us."

Feeley received angry calls from Panamanian officials about the letter; he said he had no idea it existed. This type of "foreign policy by ultimatum and by intimidation," he said, displayed "rank amateurism."

Goldstein said Friday that the State Department has been working to improve communications with overseas posts.

"Rex Tillerson is not a micromanager," he said. "He allows people to do their job. And if people need additional support, they need to ask for it, and should be getting it."

Before coming to Panama in December 2015, Feeley spent a decade working on Mexico issues, as a political officer and deputy ambassador in Mexico and as deputy assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs. He had aspired to one day be ambassador there.

He said he found Trump's campaign statements about undocumented Mexicans in the United States - the president described them as "criminals" and "rapists" - to be "horribly off base, beyond insulting."

As ambassador, one friend said, Feeley's frustration grew.

"He'd say, 'I'm not sure how much more of this I can take,' even though his public persona was completely lockstep, as it should be," said Edward Burris, a retired Marine lieutenant colonel who has known Feeley for decades.

Feeley's breaking point came in August with the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, when Trump failed to decisively condemn the neo-Nazis. He said he has long considered the civil rights movement one of the finest achievements in American history.

"I have spoken about those struggles for the last 25, 30 years of my life. I represented a country I knew had overcome significant structural racism," he said. "I saw his reaction [to Charlottesville] as a complete negation of the positive trajectory."

Feeley has decided to work as a consultant for Univision, focusing on the immigration debate in the United States. He discussed the plan with former Marine friends, some of whom urged him not to leave his ambassadorial post.

But Feeley said he could not ignore the oath he signed requiring him to put aside his personal misgivings to implement presidential policies.

"If you feel you can't do that in good faith," he said, "the honorable thing to do is resign."

- - -

Morello reported from Washington.

- - -

Video: The U.S. Embassy in Panama posted a satirical video to Facebook showing former ambassador John Feely trying out to be a firefighter.

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Video: The U.S. Embassy in Panama posted a satirical video to Facebook showing former ambassador John Feely trying out to be a firefighter.(U.S. Embassy in Panama)

Embed code:The Harris County Sheriff's Office has been working to deter crime after hearing residents' concerns in north Harris County.

District 1 of the sheriff's office, which patrols the area between Interstate 45 and Texas 249, began hosting monthly community meetings in February to get feedback from residents' concerns about public safety.

One concern that residents brought up in the inaugural meeting were motorists' speeding and passing red lights along FM 1960.

At a meeting tis week, deputy Kevin Sims said that after the initial meeting, deputies were stationed at different intersections and handed out 24 tickets.

"It's kind of hard to catch the red-light runners," he said.

While working with sheriff's deputies in district 2 to find traffic hotspots, Sims said the data showed many accidents were occurring at the North Freeway and FM 1960.

After steering deputies to that location, the sheriff's office made 60 citations, one felony arrest, one misdemeanor arrest and one warrant.

"That's the plan that we developed that we came up with since y'all voiced ya'lls concerns last month, " he said.

The office will continue with similar initiatives based on what residents say, Sims said.

Auto thefts and vehicular burglaries are also a major concern along the corridors north Harris County.

In October, 103 vehicles were reported stolen, while November had 108, December had 92 and January had 128.

In all four months, the major hotspots were along the FM 1960 by the North Freeway, Kuykendahl Road and Texas 249. Areas along Beltway 8 also showed prevalent thefts.

According to the data from the sheriff's office, one day of the week stands out for thefts.

"Wednesday is a hot day of the week to steal a car," said deputy Samuel Cerda.

Vehicle burglaries tend to spike at the end of year when people are shopping for presents, he said. Most of the items stolen from cars tend to be laptops, phones and cash.

The sheriff's office logged 280 burglaries in October, 380 in November, 366 in December and 267 in January.

The North Freeway, FM 1960 and Spring Stuebner by FM 2920 are locations where sheriff's deputies have found burglaries to occur more frequently. During the normal times of the year when people aren't shopping for holiday gifts, some of the areas being hardest hit by burglaries are centers with restaurants, such as Vintage Park, said Sgt. James Romine.

"They've added extra contract deputies trying to curb it," he said. "It's still getting hammered."

Many of the vehicle burglaries aren't prosecuted due to the low value of the items which are stolen, such as sunglasses and small electronics such as iPods or cell phones, Cerda said.

Of the 1,138 cases the office received in November, 10 charges were filed and in 22 cases of recovered property, the value of the items totaled $12,218.

In December, the office received 907 cases with 15 of them filed and in seven cases, there were $5,977 worth of property recovered.

January had 948 total cases received with 18 cases charged and 11 cases of recovered property worth $6,651.

Motorists should keep valuables and power cords that attach to electronics out of sight to prevent burglaries, Romine said.

Cpt. Jay Coons announced at the meeting that district 1 was chosen to lead the violent crimes unit and capital enforcement unit.

The change would is a way for the sheriff's office to decentralize its operations. One of the major changes would allow the office to police in areas where crimes tend to occur the most.

"What we're going to do with this concept is we're going to have a tactical enforcement unit go in and stay," Coons said.

Deputy Stacey Tilley told residents that both homes and businesses with alarms are required to register their alarm systems with the sheriff's office. "It's only $35. It's good for one year. It's $10 to renew thereafter," she said. "For senior citizens 65 and over, it's free."

Residents who haven't registered their alarms systems can be fined $75 for any false alarm.

Registered properties can have up to three free false alarm calls before being fined.

For more information on alarm permits, call 713-755-4600.

While the meeting had an attendance of nearly 50 residents, Larry Lipton of the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce said more diversity would be necessary at future meetings.

"Our community is not all white," he said. "It's Hispanic, it's black, it's Asian, it's everybody. We have to work together."

Next month's meeting will take place at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church at 14301 Stuebnner Airline.WASHINGTON - Over the past six weeks, the Trump administration's roster of Korean experts, already depleted, grew even thinner. The White House mysteriously dropped its choice for ambassador to Seoul. The State Department's top North Korea specialist resigned. And the senior Asia director at the National Security Council was out the past two weeks on paternity leave.

But when a high-level South Korean delegation arrived at the White House on Thursday afternoon for two days of meetings over the North Korea threat, one person swooped in to fill the vacuum: President Donald Trump.

In a stunning turn of events, Trump personally intervened into a security briefing intended for his top deputies, inviting the South Korean officials into the Oval Office where he agreed on the spot to a historic but exceedingly risky summit with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. He then orchestrated a dramatic public announcement on the driveway outside the West Wing broadcast live on cable networks.

The news shocked Washington, Seoul and everywhere in between. But inside the White House, the president - whose exchange of taunts and threats with Kim had set Northeast Asia on edge over a potential military confrontation for months - was said to be reveling in his big reveal, which overshadowed the growing scandal surrounding his alleged affair with a pornographic film star and concerns with tariffs he announced earlier in the day.

Trump's personal involvement in the White House's deliberations over the world's most serious and vexing security situation has now placed a president who considers himself a master dealmaker into the most fraught faceoff of his 71 years. A breakthrough that would reduce Pyongyang's nuclear threat would be a legacy-defining achievement. A stalemate that gives Kim a photo op for nothing in return could fracture U.S. alliances and be seen as a devastating embarrassment.

But what the whirlwind evening at the White House also illustrated was that in his unorthodox presidency, which centers so singularly on his force of personality, Trump has little worry about a dearth of qualified staff because considers himself to be his own diplomat, negotiator and strategist.

"The president is the ultimate negotiator and dealmaker when it comes to any type of conversation," White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said. "And we feel very confident in where we are."

The question is where exactly is the Trump White House - and how did it get there?

The answer wasn't clear Friday as Trump aides struggled to explain whether concrete steps from Pyongyang toward denuclearization were a precondition ahead of the summit, what the agenda of the talks will encompass and how a president known to disdain dense briefing books intends to prepare for an adversary that U.S. intelligence officials don't know much about.

In fact, it was not the details of the planning process but rather Trump's impulsive, improvisational style that was the biggest selling point as top aides fanned out to explain why the president had taken this enormous gamble. Asked why the administration did not engage in lower-level talks with the North to build out preconditions and an agenda for a leaders-level summit, one senior aide offered that Trump "was elected in part because he is willing to take approaches very, very different from past approaches and past presidents."

Across Washington, foreign policy experts tried to make sense of the news, with many betting that the talks would not happen after the Trump team heard negative feedback from Tokyo, conservatives in Seoul opposed to President Moon Jae-in's liberal government and some in Congress who fear the move is too rash.

The Japanese, who have been wary of offering Kim a propaganda platform, were blindsided by the news. Diplomats at the Japanese embassy in Washington, gathered for a goodbye party for Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae on Thursday evening, scrambled to react when the news broke.

Trump hastily called Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and invited him to visit the White House in April to confer ahead of the summit with Kim, which officials said would take place in May.

"Nobody thinks the North Koreans are serious in Japan," said Michael Green, the NSC's Asia director under President George W. Bush, who is meeting with officials in Tokyo this week. "Given how he blindsided the entire national security team . . . I would bet this does not happen."

The South Koreans, who have fretted over Trump's saber-rattling over the past several months, landed at Dulles International Airport midmorning Thursday. Perhaps battling jet lag after the 13-hour flight, they arrived at the White House in early afternoon for what they thought was the warmup act: a meeting with Trump's top aides, including Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, deputy secretary of state John Sullivan and Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats.

Led by South Korea's national security adviser, Chung Eui-yong, the delegation's aim was to debrief Trump's team on the four-hour meeting Chung held with Kim in Pyongyang shortly after the Olympics, which had provided the two Koreas a chance to reopen a long-dormant diplomatic dialogue.

But what was supposed to be an hour-long briefing took an unexpected turn when Trump himself intervened midway through. The Koreans had been scheduled to see Trump on Friday, but the president had gotten wind of the meeting and told aides he wanted to get involved immediately.

In the Oval Office, Chung explained to Trump that he had brought with him a personal invitation from Kim for a meeting - a stunning offer given Kim has not met with any foreign heads of state since assuming control of the North after his father's death in 2011.

Chung later told associates that he believed the South Koreans had a strong hand to play with Trump. The North Korean leader had agreed that joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises, which had been delayed during the Olympics, could resume. And Kim pledged that the North would not take provocative actions, including missile tests, ahead of the summit.

The risks of such a meeting, however, were well known on the U.S. side: The North has violated past agreements to freeze its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief and no sitting American president has met with a North Korea leader over fears of being set up for failure.

Earlier this week, Vice President Mike Pence, who was supposed to meet with North Korean officials during the Olympics to deliver a hard-line warning, vowed that the administration's "posture toward the regime will not change until we see concrete steps toward denuclearization." On Thursday, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, traveling in Africa, told reporters the administration was "a long ways from negotiations."

In the Oval Office, some of Trump's aides raised concerns, according to a person familiar with the discussion. But Trump, seated in an armchair next to Chung, with their aides arrayed on couches, dismissed their fears and "made the decision" on the spot.

Korea experts were dumbstruck by Trump's impulsiveness.

"He's much more of a TV personality than business person," said Christopher Hill, who led the U.S. delegation in the Six-Party talks with the North during the Bush-era that produced a weapons freeze that Pyongyang later violated. "This is not the art of a deal here - it's the an art of a teaser."

The South Koreans, stunned they had gotten done in 45 minutes what they thought might take weeks, prepared to depart. But a White House aide asked them to stay because Trump, always aware of the production value of such a moment, had an additional request: Would they help draft a statement and read it to the press outside the West Wing?

Over nearly two hours, the two teams collaborated on a brief statement. Meantime, Trump popped his head into the White House briefing room - where he has never made remarks since taking office - and told reporters that the Koreans would be making a "major announcement" at 7 p.m.

A large group of reporters, which had spent most of the day focused on Trump's morning announcement of new tariffs on steel and aluminum, assembled on the West Wing driveway at the "sticks" - journalist lingo for the bank of television microphones set up in case of impromptu press statements from White House visitors.

Shortly after the hour, with cable networks talking live to reporters in the driveway, a Marine guard opened the doors of the West Wing and Chung emerged, flanked Suh Hoon, South Korea's intelligence chief, and Cho Yoon-je, the South Korea ambassador to Washington. It was dark out and the camera lights cast a harsh light onto the officials.

Chung delivered the news in a 245-word statement. He took no questions.

The cable stations turned quickly to their analytical panels. Diplomats lit up international phone lines. And White House aides praised the president for his artful turn from bellicosity to diplomacy.

"That's a decision the president took himself," Tillerson said Friday. "This is something that he's had on his mind for quite some time, so it was not a surprise in any way."

- - -

The Washington Post's Josh Dawsey contributed to this report.Porn star Stormy Daniels sued President Donald Trump this week for the right to talk about their alleged affair and his alleged attempts to cover it up. And while it's not clear that she'll prevail in that legal fight, it is clear that her appearance in the news has been good for her marketability.

Searches for Daniels's name are skyrocketing, according to data compiled and analyzed by Pornhub.com.EDWARDSVILLE  Recess Brewing is starting a new trend for the rest of the year  Easy Like Sunday Yoga.

The first session of the yoga series is set for 2 p.m., Sunday, March 25 and will continue every last Sunday of each month, from now until December. The sessions will be led by Kelly Masinelli and all yoga skill levels are welcome to attend.

Recess Brewing Owner Matt Flach said after hosting a yoga session on a Sunday and having a successful turnout, he decided to add more Sunday sessions.

Last month, February, was the first time weve done (yoga) on a Sunday afternoon. The response was so overwhelming that we were at capacity. So, weve actually decided to do it the last Sunday of every month, Flach said.

The cost to participate in the yoga sessions is $15 per person and includes a one-hour yoga session and a drink from the bar afterwards: hard cider, wine or soda. Those interested in participating will need to call the taproom or stop by in person to reserve a spot, as spots are limited.

Flach said pre-registration is simple and no payment will be required beforehand.

Its open to everybody and all you have to do is come to the taproom or just give us a call and we can put their name down. They wont need to pay beforehand in case anything comes up. (That way) theyre not out of any money and just show up the day of, Flach said.

Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes and bring a yoga mat and a bottle of water. Flach said there will also be water available at the taproom, so a water bottle isnt a necessity for this event.

The brewery features a signature brew almost every month and Flach said this months brew is Udderly Pollinated  a milk and honey kolsch brew, which will also be available to yoga participants.

We come out with a new beer about every month, just depends on our schedule. After the session, they get a drink included and that can be soda, wine, beer, ciders. Its their choosing; we try to keep it open, Flach said.

The brewery will also be hosting a St. Pattys Celebration this month, set for noon to 11 p.m., Saturday, March 17. The party will feature beer, traditional Irish food and music.

To reserve your spot for the Easy Like Sunday Yoga event, visit the brewerys website at www.recessbrewing.com or call 618-692-5101. To learn more about upcoming events at the brewery, visit its Facebook page by searching Recess Brewing on Facebook.WASHINGTON - A bipartisan Senate bill quickly moving toward passage could allow two of the nation's biggest banks to reduce the amount of money they must keep on hand as a buffer against collapse by a collective $30 billion, an internal analysis by a top banking regulator has found.

That reduction in capital could weaken one of the safeguards Congress helped put in place after the 2008 financial crisis, some banking experts say.

The analysis by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., a government agency that helps oversee the nation's banking system, found that JPMorgan, which has $2.6 trillion in assets, could lower its required capital stockpile by $21.4 billion, if federal regulators decide the law applies to them. Citigroup, which has $1.9 trillion in assets, could reduce its capital position by $8.6 billion. The analysis was obtained by The Washington Post.

The report comes as the Senate is weighing legislation to scale back banking regulations passed as part of the 2010 Dodd-Frank law, which was forged in response to the 2008 crisis. The bill cleared a procedural Senate hurdle this week with support from all voting Republicans and 17 senators in the Democratic caucus, suggesting the chamber will eventually pass it, likely next week.

Proponents say the bill reduces regulatory burdens for midsize banks that don't pose a risk to the financial system, but liberal Democrats, the Congressional Budget Office, and some banking experts have said it could expose two of the biggest financial firms to new risks. That's because it contains language that would allow regulators reduce how much capital some banks are required to hold.

Banking experts widely agree that by holding substantial amount of capital in recent years, banks have been less vulnerable to the type of crisis that nearly toppled the world financial system a decade ago. But there's disagreement on Capitol Hill and among experts about whether the Senate legislation could free JPMorgan and Citigroup to hold less capital. Defenders of the bill, and even some of its opponents, say JPMorgan and Citigroup would not be subject to lower capital requirements even if the bill passes.

At issue is a special capital surcharge imposed by regulators on banks holding more than $250 billion in assets. For every dollar of assets they have on their balance sheet, these banks are required to keep an offsetting percentage in capital.

The Senate bill would allow banks to not count certain safe assets in that ratio if the bank was determined to be "predominantly engaged" in custodian banking. Three banks - Bank of New York Mellon, State Street, and the Northern Trust Corporation - would be mainly affected by this provision.

These banks play a special role in the financial system, where they primarily hold on to assets on behalf of financial institutions and do not engage in either trading activities of their own or provide services to ordinary consumers. Some experts believe that they can be subject to less rigorous rules.

JPMorgan and Citigroup, though they have much broader businesses, also take part in custodial banking activities and as a result could also argue that they should benefit from the new rules, as critics of the bill fear.

Ultimately, the decision on how to enforce the new law is expected to fall to the nation's banking regulators - the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the FDIC.

Earlier this week, the Congressional Budget Office gave the two Wall Street giants even-odds of getting regulatory approval to reduce their capital if the legislation passes. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., proposed an amendment to the bill on the Senate floor Thursday to make clear only custodial banks would not benefit from the new capital requirements.

The FDIC report was based on the premise that JPMorgan and Citigroup would be allowed to reduce their capital, but the agency was not making any conclusion about whether they would or should be.

"It's a significant reduction in capital for banks that are highly systemic. Why do we want to do that?" said Sheila Bair, who served as chair of the FDIC under former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Bair believes it is probable JPMorgan and Citigroup qualify for the exemption. "When you get into a downturn, you need your banks to keep functioning. Highly leveraged banks -- banks overburdened with debt themselves -- will pull back, and that will make the next recession much, much worse."

Some experts fear the legislation could be only the beginning of relax capital standards for big banks. "It's a very slippery slope," Bair said.

Paul Volcker, who served as chair of the Fed for nearly a decade, also told the Senate Banking Committee in a letter that the new capital requirements "would put Congress under pressure to expand the exclusion."

"If this applies to JP Morgan, it would allow them to fund themselves with a lot fewer resources to handle a crisis by allowing them to take on far more risky debt," said Mike Konczal, a banking expert at the Roosevelt Institute, a left-of-center think-tank. "It would allow them to jack up their profits in short-term but put everyone else at risk because they'd have less resources to handle a crisis in the long-run."

The FDIC analysis shows the required capital surcharge for JPMorgan, currently $159.7 billion, would decline to $138.2 billion, or 13.4 percent, if the bank were granted an exemption. Citigroup, meanwhile, would see its capital surcharge decline from $121.1 billion to $112.5 billion, or 7.1 percent.

As first reported by The Intercept, Citigroup has pushed Congress to broaden the new exemption, suggesting to the bill's proponents that they will not benefit from it as currently drafted. "As Congress has sought to make a common sense change to the way capital rules treat custody assets, we have asked that they apply that change to all custody banks to maintain a level playing field in this important business," a spokesman for Citigroup said.

A JPMorgan spokesman did not return a request for comment.

Defenders of the proposal have adamantly denied that either JPMorgan or Citi would benefit from the measure.

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., who backs the bill and was one of the main architects of the 2010 overhaul of banking rules, said it was part of CBO's job to raise "hypothetical red flags" and said the intention of the bill was not to benefit JP Morgan and Citi.

"The legislation makes clear that the [holdings requirement change] will be granted only to custody banks, which is because of their unique business model," a Warner spokeswoman wrote in an email.

"I think the CBO is not exactly the source of analysis on risk," added Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., a cosponsor of the bill, in an interview. "A lot of this is being exaggerated to make the case against this bill."

Citigroup was the top recipient of federal bailout money during the 2008 crisis, ultimately claiming $476 billion in aid, according to the inspector general for the bailout. The money was eventually paid back. JPMorgan was on stronger footing during the crisis but was still aided in buying Bear Stearns and accessing a number of other emergency programs launched by the Federal Reserve and Treasury.

- - -

The Washington Post's Renae Merle and Erica Werner contributed to this story.Washington

The Trump Organization has donated $151,470 in foreign government profits at its hotels and similar businesses last year to the U.S. Treasury, an executive said in a statement Friday.

George Sorial, executive vice president and chief compliance counsel, said the Feb. 22 voluntary donation fulfills the company's pledge to donate profits from foreign government patronage while Donald Trump is president.

The company said last week that it had made a donation, but refused to disclose the amount. The Daily Mail first reported the figure on Friday.

The amount spent at the Trump-owned commercial properties became an issue on social media as media organizations and watchdogs filed public records requests with the U.S. Treasury and lawmakers demanded answers. Ethics experts have challenged the methodology by which the Trump Organization determines its profits as incomplete and misleading.

"They could have paid 10 times more or 100 times more, and we would equally have no way to judge whether the amount paid reflects their actual profits or how they calculated it, and which governments have been patronizing Trump properties," said Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen.

Ethics experts have criticized the pledge Trump made at a news conference held days before his inauguration because it didn't include all his properties, and left it up to Trump to define "profit."

The pledge was supposedly made to ameliorate the worry that Trump was violating the Constitution's emoluments clause, which bans the president's acceptance of foreign gifts and money without Congress' permission.

Several lawsuits have challenged Trump's ties to his business ventures and his refusal to divest from them. The suits allege that foreign governments' use of Trump's hotels and other properties violates the emoluments clause.

Trump's attorneys have challenged the premise that a hotel room is an "emolument" but announced the pledge to "do more than what the Constitution requires."

As a privately held company, The Trump Organization isn't required to disclose its definition of profit. In its statement Friday, it said it made its calculation according to "our policy," but didn't say what that policy was. It also cited an accounting standard called the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry, but that standard doesn't provide a definition for profit, Hanson said.

In an eight-page pamphlet provided by the Trump Organization to the House Oversight Committee in May, the company provided more details. It said it would send the Treasury only profits tied to foreign governments.

Public Citizen sent a letter to the Trump Organization last month because their methodology would seemingly not provide a donation from any unprofitable properties receiving foreign government revenue.

Hotel management professor Bjorn Hanson said there is no commonly accepted definition of profits in the industry. The widely varying definitions means some hotels can show big profits, while others show very little, even if they are doing equally well.

Some hotel companies, for instance, show lower profits than others because they subtract a host of costs  interest on loans and estimates of future expenses for replacing wallpaper and sheets  that others leave out.

"I teach hotel finance, and I tell my students, 'Don't ever use the term profit,'" said Hanson, professor of hospitality and tourism management at New York University. "People won't know what you mean."

Earlier this year, Public Citizen found that foreign government advocacy groups were among the most high-profile interests using Trump properties dating back to the 2016 election.

Although few records are available showing amounts spent by Trump Organization clients, Justice Department foreign agent records revealed that a public relations firm working with the Saudi government spent $270,000 for lodging and catering at the Trump D.C. hotel sometime between Oct. 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017.Joe Bidens thinking about another presidential run. He should stay home and wait for a draft. Photo: Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images

Its started again, if it ever ended.

Speculation over Joe Bidens presidential ambitions is ramping up along with his ambitious midterm political schedule (most notably his appearances with Pennsylvania special election candidate Conor Lamb). And its entirely unsurprising. Biden has never made his hopes to become president a secret: He ran for the job twice and came pretty close to jumping in once again in 2016.

Theres also a superficial plausibility to the idea that hes what his party and his country want and need. A lot of observers look at those Rust Belt white, working-class areas that gave Donald Trump the presidency and figure Biden would have won had he not been distracted by his sons illness and death and outmaneuvered by Hillary Clintons head start. Hes ahead in early 2020 polls of Democratic possibilities, though you have to figure a lot of this is the result of sky-high name ID after two terms as vice-president and what seems like an eternity in the Senate (the presiding officer in the Senate when Biden was sworn in was Spiro T. Agnew, for Gods sake; Jesse Helms was a fellow member of Bidens freshman class in the chamber).

That long, long resume points to the biggest problem with the idea of Biden 2020, bigger than lefty mistrust of him or his rep as being a tad handsy or his occasional gaffe-itis: Hes been walking the earth for three-quarters of a century, and if elected in 2020, would turn 80 halfway through his first term.

This hasnt been an instant disqualifier for Biden, partly because Donald Trump is a septuagenarian as well, and doesnt seem particularly more robust than his potential rival. And Biden has the very good fortune of the age issue being muted to a considerable extent by fans of Bernie Sanders, who is even older.

Still, Biden and his people understand his age is a problem, along with the associated sense (outside the People of the Bern) that Democrats need a fresh face to take on the insanely unconventional Trump. Bidens two previous unsuccessful runs for the presidency are also a relevant data point. If Hillary Clinton was a blast from the past when voters wanted change, what about Biden, who was already in Congress when HRC was a law student dating this smart young dude from Arkansas named Bill?

According to Politico, Team Biden is brainstorming a range of tear-up-the-playbook ideas for a White House run.

The one that most directly addresses his age problem is the hoary gimmick of the one-term pledge, which three presidents made and kept in the 19th century, and that relative oldsters like Bob Dole and John McCain have considered (but rejected) more recently.

[S]ome donors and supporters have been pitching Biden directly for month [the idea to] kick off by announcing that hed only run for one term. One person whos pitched the idea said Biden would try to sell voters on a reset presidency. The former vice-president would pick a younger Democratic running mate and argue that hed be the elder statesman to get the country and government back in order post-Trump and be the bridge to the next generation.

The one-term pledge probably makes more sense for Biden than many other unconventional strategies, but it sounds like hes already ruled it out on grounds that he doesnt want to be a lame duck from Day One. He needs the threat that hell be around to kick ass and take names all the way until 2025, when hell 86. That is indeed a sobering prospect.

Some other unconventional ideas for Biden 2020 uncovered by Politico have varying degrees of promise:

Skipping Iowa and New Hampshire and going straight to South Carolina, where he has always had a strong base of support.

Thats an idea that many candidates over the years have considered and rejected, for the very good reason that it runs the risk of letting a rival (or rivals) build up a head of steam in the massively covered first two events, making a late start suicidal. The last Democratic candidate to actually try it was Al Gore in 1988. It failed miserably, as Gores plan to sweep a southern regional super-primary fell prey to a pincers movement from Mike Dukakis (who won in New Hampshire) and Jesse Jackson. Besides, someone purporting to be a party-unifying eminence grise cant really skip major contests and expect to maintain the required reverence from activists and media. Some candidates (mostly Republicans) have skipped or underplayed Iowa without catastrophic effects, mostly to save money, which is not likely to be Bidens problem. Hes as good a retail politician as anyone else, and looks very natural at the Iowa State Fair with a pork chop in his hand. If hes going to run, skipping Iowa and New Hampshires a bad idea.

Announcing a running mate right out of the gate and possibly picking one from outside of politics.

Unlike the late-start notion, this is something no major candidate has actually tried. Theres probably a good reason for that. Setting up a ticket from the get-go, unless its just a dazzling no-brainer, is mostly an attention-getting device, and again, Joe Biden doesnt need that. And it sacrifices the tactical flexibility that can be useful to a putative nominee seeking to unify the party and send a distinct message to the general electorate. If the idea is simply that Biden needs a running mate to counter his age or his ultimate-Washingtonian image, he can make it known hes inclined to that direction without naming names, and potentially giving himself a dual problem. The age issue means that any Biden running mate will be examined more closely than the usual veep because she or he will be more likely  actuarially  to get the big job than the usual veep. And dumping a veep choice during the campaign itself would be a catastrophe, as the late George McGovern proved.

Its telling that the only two early running-mate announcements in living memory were by desperate candidates looking for a half-court hook shot at the buzzer: Ronald Reagan in 1976, whose startling choice of moderate Senator Richard Schweiker was designed to shake loose some delegates in Pennsylvania; and Ted Cruz in 2016, who announced Carly Fiorina as a prospective veep only after he had been mathematically eliminated from the nominating contest. Desperation is not a good look for Joe Biden, which may be the problem with all these outside-the-box strategies.

Making a pitch that he can be a bridge not just to disaffected Democrats, but to Republicans revolting against President Donald Trump.

This, of course, isnt that audacious a strategic idea. To the extent it involves outreach to Republicans in the primary season, it will run up against both polarized partisan voting habits and (in some states, as Bernie Sanders discovered) closed primaries and caucuses. And there could be a backlash if Biden is perceived as less than loyal to his party.

If the idea is simply that Biden advertises himself as having a better chance than other Democrats to attract Republican voters in the general election, thats even more conventional: Its usually called an electability argument. Public-opinion research suggests that electability is generally overrated as a voting consideration. And candidates who overemphasize this quality are perpetually at the mercy of polls showing them doing more poorly than their rivals in general election trial heats (as happened to Nelson Rockefeller on the eve of the 1968 GOP convention).

The more closely you examine these allegedly far-out options, as Politicos headline writer calls them, the more it seems Biden might do better just running a regular campaign and seeing how he does in the first few contests. Assuming the field is as large as it looks to be right now, his name ID alone should give him a punchers chance of surviving to the postNew Hampshire primaries.

But I have an even better idea: Biden should just keep doing what hes doing, building up good will across the party, and staying out of the presidential races long and agonizing invisible primary. Thanks to the probable size of the field and Democrats strict use of proportional delegate awards, 2020 could be the year when we finally see a stalemated nomination battle where no one has it all locked down in the late going, possibly aggravated by ideological or insider/outsider splits like the ones we saw in 2016. Thats when a party-unifying Candidate of National Salvation like Joe Biden could be just what the donkey orders, particularly if it looks like the existential threat of a second Trump term is otherwise likely. And then theres always the possibility of a nominee or putative nominee self-destructing. Who else are you going to call on in that situation?

Yes, thats a very long shot; a legitimate draft is a rare beast in American politics. But it sounds like Biden and his people realize a long shot is what theyve got over anyone. Why not avoid the grief of a grueling, party-rending knife fight and stay home? If his party needs Joe Biden, they will know where to find him.For President Donald Trump, this week might have been the best of times. He surprised the world with the announcement that he would meet North Korea leader Kim Jong Un. He delivered to his base and alarmed Republican politicians by promising new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. The economy produced 313,000 jobs in February. For a reality TV aficionado, no one could have written it better for him.

Behind the curtain, things were rockier. The decision to meet the North Korean dictator came with no serious staff preparation and caught many of his advisers by surprise. The internal debate that resulted in the tariffs announcement was messy, and along the way Trump lost his chief economic adviser, Gary Cohn. Meanwhile, an alleged affair with a porn star brought new and troubling questions about buying her silence, and, oh yes, special counsel Robert Mueller continued to squeeze those around the president.

The week produced a sequence of events that fed the appetites of friend and foe of the president, another week in which where one sat determined what one saw. For Trump's loyalists, it was another example of a president willing to abandon old habits, ignore cautionary signals from "so-called experts" and break some crockery. "That's a decision the president took himself," Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Friday, a day after he had said the administration was a long way from negotiations with North Korea.

For the president's opponents, the week provided fresh evidence of an impulsive president who doesn't know history or policy and doesn't care, who lives in the moment and worries little about longer-term implications of his actions. Yet even among some critics, there was grudging acknowledgment that the president's hard-line approach to North Korea - his saber-rattling and belittling tweets toward Kim and the tightening of sanctions - all probably contributed to the invitation for a meeting between the two leaders.

The week represented a pair of huge policy gambles that inevitably will define the president's first term in office - that is, if he carries through with them. Trump's new tariffs, if truly implemented, risk a global trade war that many economists say would produce no winners and many losers. His sudden willingness to meet face to face with the leader of North Korea represents a step no other sitting president has been willing to take, a high-stakes act of diplomacy by a president who claims to be a dealmaker like no other.

This is the president that Trump promised he would be when he campaigned for the office in 2015 and 2016. He pledged not to be predictable or conventional. He demonstrated he has no fixed ideology or convictions - although hostility to long-standing U.S. trade policy might be the one area of consistency in a record otherwise dotted with contradictions and reversals. He listened only occasionally to his top advisers, relying instead on his own instinct and self-confidence.

Trump has shown repeatedly he is prepared to ignore orthodoxy and question policies that other administrations have accepted as constants. He has hectored NATO allies over their defense spending, frustrations shared but rarely aired as undiplomatically by other presidents. He questioned whether U.S. military policy in Afghanistan would ever work, before finally accepting recommendations of his military advisers. He has defended his brinkmanship approach toward North Korea by noting that the policies of past administrations had not shut down the North Korean nuclear program.

Thursday's announcement on tariffs was staged for maximum appeal to the president's blue-collar base, even if his statement about the tariffs left considerable flexibility regarding the implementation. Flanked by industry workers, he said past U.S. trade policies had resulted in "an assault" on the country and that they had "betrayed" working men and women. But, he also said, "America will remain open to modifying or removing the tariffs for individual nations as long as we can agree on a way to ensure that their products no longer threaten our security." Tariffs could go up or down, carrots and sticks deployed at will.

Overall, it will take time to know whether what Trump launched Thursday becomes one more example of a U.S. leader initiating unilateral tariffs, as some of his predecessors did, or a move in the direction of broader protectionism that would then trigger the kind of reciprocal actions by other nations that could threaten the existing order on global trade practices. Clearly, many believe the latter, though Trump's unpredictability and malleability are major caveats. For now, the protectionists around him have won, and he appears to be one of them.

Negotiations with North Korea present a different series of challenges and risks. The spur-of-the-moment decision to accept Kim's offer for talks must give way to a far more orderly and deliberate process of preparation before the two leaders sit down with one another. The president's national security advisers will have to play catch-up, at a time the administration has lost some key officials whose expertise would be valuable right now. And though the announcement said the meeting would take place by May, there is not yet a fixed date.

In dealing with Kim, Trump must reckon with the same charge leveled at President Barack Obama and his advisers by their critics when they sat down to negotiate with the Iranian regime over its nuclear program: How could they deal with such an untrustworthy adversary? Trump's views about the Iranians are clear. He has declared repeatedly that the nuclear pact was flawed and that the Iranians are not trustworthy. Does he believe that the North Koreans, who have violated the terms of past agreements, are any more trustworthy? If not, how can he produce something that has eluded other administrations?

Trade and North Korea represent matters of high policy and potentially serious impact on the country's well-being. The Stormy Daniels matter is anything but that. It is the tawdry side of this presidency. That it reached a new stage of controversy as the other issues were unfolding seemed somehow fitting, if also revolting. This is the tabloid part of the Trump presidency.

The issue that presents problems for the president is not an alleged affair. It is a variation of the old formulation of what did the president know and when did he know it? What did he know about the payment from his lawyer Michael Cohen to the porn star that occurred shortly before the election, and where exactly did the money come from?

Cohen has long said he made the payment from his own funds, without interaction by the Trump campaign or the Trump Organization, and that Trump did not know anything about it. On Friday, multiple news outlets reported that Cohen had used his Trump Organization email account to arrange for the funds he paid Daniels as part of a nondisclosure deal. But in an interview with ABC News, he said he regularly used the email account for numerous purposes and dismissed the accusation from Daniels' lawyer that this was proof Trump knew of the transaction.

Every week of the Trump presidency brings drama on a grand scale, but few weeks captured the essence of this president - how he operates, what he thrives on and all the noise and controversy that surrounds him - more than the one just completed. For Donald Trump, it's always about the show. For everyone else, it will be about the consequences of what he set off this week.SATURDAY

 Anderson, James Jimmy. 10 a.m. Saturday at Sager Funeral Home in Beardstown. Family will meet with friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

 Bettis, Charlotte I. Family will meet friends from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Bogarts Banquet Hall, 2142 Old State Road, Jacksonville.

 Carmody, Thomas F. Funeral Mass 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Johns Catholic Church in Carrollton. Visitation at the church from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday. A prayer service will be held just prior to the visitation. Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in Carrollton is in charge.

 Dobbins, Daniel Augustine. Mass of Resurrection 9:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Marys Catholic Church in Pittsfield. Visitation 4-7 p.m. Friday with prayers at 4 p.m. Friday at Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield.

 Fishel, Shawn E. Fishman. A Celebration of Life 4-8 p.m. Friday at Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown. Graveside memorial services 2 p.m. Saturday at Beardstown City Cemetery.

 Frank, Mary Gladys. Noon Saturday at Bethlehem Tabernacle Church in Greenfield. Visitation at the church will be from 10 a.m. Saturday until the time of the service. Shields-Bishop Funeral Home is in charge.

 Goodwin, Lydia. Memorial service 1 p.m. Saturday at Worthington Funeral Home in Rushville. Family will meet with friends at the funeral home from 11 a.m. Saturday until the time of services.

 Graves, R. Steven Rudy. Graveside funeral services and military honors 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Walnut Ridge Cemetery in Virginia. The family will meet friends from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Virginia. A celebration of life 2 p.m. March 17 at WBs Pub-N-Grub in Charleston, where his family also will greet friends.

 Hamm, Betty Jean. Memorial service 2 p.m. Saturday at Grace United Methodist Church. The family will meet friends following the service. The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge.

 Hoover, Doris M. Memorial service 11 a.m. Saturday at Williamson Funeral Home. The family will meet friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

 Turner, Russell R. 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Williamson Funeral Home. The family will meet friends from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

 Weimer, Ruth Ann Schaefer. 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Johns Lutheran Church. Family will meet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the church. Sager Funeral Home is in charge.



SUNDAY

 Prather, Howard Dwain. 1 p.m. Sunday at Wood Funeral Home in Rushville. Interment with military rites will follow at Rushville City Cemetery. Visitation 5-7 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.



MONDAY

 Akers, Dorothy (James). 11 a.m. Monday at Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in White Hall. Visitation 9-11 a.m. Monday, prior to the service, at the funeral home.

 Beddingfield, Kathryn I. Graveside service 11 a.m. Monday at Concord Cemetery in Concord. Williamson Funeral Home is in charge.

 McCombs, William Charles Bill. 11:30 a.m. Monday at Sager Funeral Home in Beardstown. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Johns Lutheran Cemetery. Family will meet friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

 Osterman, Debra Jean Hardwick. 3:30 p.m. Monday at Daws Family Funeral Home in Roodhouse. Visitation at the funeral home from 1 p.m. Monday until the time of the service.

 Taylor, Leslie Renee Cox. 7 p.m. Monday at Neece-Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in Waverly. Visitation at the funeral home 5 p.m. Monday until the time of the service.

 Utter, Richard Lee. Memorial service 10 a.m. Monday at Hendricker Funeral Home in Mount Sterling. Memorial visitation 4-7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.



TUESDAY

 Logan, Trisha Renea. 11 a.m. Tuesday at Worthington Funeral Home. Visitation 5-7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.



SATURDAY, MARCH 17

 Graves, R. Steven Rudy. Celebration of life 2 p.m. March 17, 2018, at WBs Pub-N-Grub in Charleston, where his family also will greet friends. Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Virginia is in charge.In an effort to repair tattered relations, the Trump administration has told Turkey it will move to rein in Kurdish fighters that have been the backbone of the U.S. campaign against the Islamic State in Syria, according to U.S. and Turkish officials.

The first step and "the crux of the matter," a senior Turkish official said, is to withdraw the Kurds from the Syrian town of Manbij and relocate them east of the Euphrates River. The town, about 25 miles from Turkey's border, has come to symbolize the fevered competition for territory and influence in northern Syria among the United States, Turkey, and other regional powers.

The American pledge, if carried out, would satisfy a long-standing demand by the Turkish government and fulfill a promise first made by the Obama administration to keep the Kurdish forces east of the Euphrates. The Kurds helped to take Manbij from the Islamic State in 2016 and have been there since.

Turkey has shown no tolerance for any development that strengthens Kurdish political and military groups in Syria, especially along the lengthy border Turkey shares with Syria. Turkey accuses them of being "terrorists" seeking a permanent Kurdish enclave allied with separatist Kurdish militants inside Turkey, known as the Kurdistan Workers' Party.

Officials gave no timeline for moving the Kurds from Manbij to positions east of the Euphrates, 20 miles away, and did not indicate how the relocation would be accomplished. The officials said this would be discussed by newly established working groups from the U.S. and Turkish governments. The first session was held Thursday and Friday in Washington.

This tentative warming of relations, however, is already coming at a cost to the United States. Saying they feel let down by Washington, U.S.-allied Kurdish forces said last week they are withdrawing from the front lines of the fight against the Islamic State in southern Syria to join the battle against Turkey in the north.

The United States, which has pursued Islamic State forces with single-minded focus, has long insisted the Kurds were the most effective partners in the fight against the militants, despite Turkish complaints.

U.S. commanders on the ground in and around Manbij have previously warned that several hundred American troops deployed there would defend the Kurds against any attack by Turkish troops, now massed a few miles away. Turkish officials were outraged last month when U.S. commanders touring the area with American journalists praised the Kurds and vowed to fight alongside them if there were a Turkish attack.

A shootout between two NATO members, both agree, would be catastrophic.

The U.S. relationship with Turkey has been on a downward trajectory for several years because of what both sides have been doing, and seeking, during Syria's civil war. An outright rift between the countries has seemed increasingly likely in recent months.

Beyond quarreling over the Kurds, the United States and Turkey have also traded diplomatic volleys in the aftermath of a coup attempt in Turkey in 2016. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stoked anti-American sentiment at home, and American policymakers have explored the possibility of imposing sanctions on Turkey in response to Erdogan's increasingly authoritarian policies.

The possibility of a deal over Manbij has, at least temporarily, cooled temperatures, according to senior U.S. and Turkish officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity about the still-tenuous rapprochement. The meetings that began last week, which are set to continue in both capitals over the coming months, will deal with a constellation of divisive issues, another senior Turkish official said, including the Trump administration's opposition to Turkish plans to buy a Russian surface-to-air missile system.

The Turkish official said "the Americans understand our concerns more clearly" after visits last month to Turkey by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Trump national security adviser H.R. McMaster. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis also met with his Turkish counterpart in Europe.

It is far from clear, though, whether the improvement in relations will last. A senior Trump administration official expressed trepidation about whether the United States could persuade the Kurdish fighters to pull back.

"A lot of our ability to move forward [with Turkey] is going to depend on that, because we did make a commitment to the Turks, and they're going to hold us to it," he said. In return for the original U.S. promise to keep the Kurds clear of Manbij, Turkey has allowed American warplanes to continue using its Incirlik air base to strike Islamic State targets in Syria.

"It's tricky for us, because we've spent a lot of years with those guys," the U.S. official said of the Kurds. "Especially in terms of our [American] fighters, we've built profoundly deep personal relationships, and nobody wants to see those erode."

But senior U.S. military officials and diplomats, who describe the partnership with Turkey as paramount, appear to have concluded that they can no longer keep deflecting the complaints of a critical ally.

Turkey has already displayed its impatience with the presence of Kurdish forces along its border. In January, Erdogan launched an offensive against Kurdish fighters in the northwest Syrian enclave of Afrin.

Other issues dividing Washington and Ankara have also proved daunting, including Turkey's repeated insistence that the United States extradite Fethullah Gulen, a Pennsylvania-based Turkish cleric whom Erdogan accuses of directing the failed coup. U.S. officials have chafed at this pressure to extradite Gulen.

U.S. lawmakers, meantime, have become increasingly impatient with Erdogan's broad crackdown on dissidents, journalists and others after the coup attempt, and with the Turkish imprisonment of U.S. citizens. A brawl in May outside the Turkish ambassador's residence in the District of Columbia, where police said Erdogan's personal guards attacked anti-Erdogan protesters, also prompted outrage.

Several U.S. lawmakers have called on the Trump administration to impose sanctions against the Turkish government. Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., in urging sanctions, has cited the cases of Andrew Brunson, a pastor from North Carolina imprisoned in Turkey, and Serkan Golge, a dual U.S.-Turkish national and NASA scientist sentenced last month by a Turkish court to 7 1/2 years on terrorism charges.

"The recent level of thuggishness is unprecedented for an ally in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization," Lankford said in a statement.

Some lawmakers have said that the upcoming State Department spending bill should require the secretary of state to block entry of Turkish officials who are "knowingly responsible for the wrongful or unlawful prolonged detention of citizens or nationals of the United States."

Nicholas Danforth, a Turkey analyst at the Bipartisan Policy Center, said both governments have compelling reasons to quiet their feud. If the dispute escalates, the U.S. government faces the possibility of forfeiting the use of military bases in Turkey or could see more U.S. citizens arrested. And Turkey, facing the prospect of sanctions, is aware that deteriorating relations could hurt its economy.

Tensions have also threatened efforts to achieve the goals both countries share in Syria, Danforth said. Turkey's singular focus on the Kurdish fighters has impeded the fight against the Islamic State and weakened Ankara's hand in negotiations to end the Syrian conflict, "undermining Turkey's ability to achieve a peace deal that would secure its interests," he said.

- - -

Fahim reported from Istanbul.A rescue effort to free an 18-year-old Lee High School student trapped in the Robber Baron Cave was something Texas Cave Management Association President Joe Ranzau said he had never seen before.

At the height of the rescue, 75 firefighters were on scene. Many of them took turns working 30-minute shifts over a 10-hour period until the teen was finally freed shortly before midnight Thursday, Fire Chief Charles Hood said.

The incident occurred during a field trip to the cave that was supposed to be an opportunity to learn about its exclusive biology and its history in the Prohibition era, and to crawl through its mazelike passageways, which are managed by the association.

North East Independent School District spokeswoman Aubrey Chancellor said students have gone to the cave as part of a field trip for many years.

The path they took Thursday is traveled by both school groups and enthusiasts alike, Ranzau said.

Normally for our youth education programs, we follow a consistent circuit, he said.

During this particular trip, the school group had been exploring the cave for some time, cave officials said. With the help of three cave guides and their teacher, they had already traveled through a lengthy passageway known as the Entrance Hall.

They traversed the Lighted Passageway and then crawled south to the angled tube known as the Hole in the Floor, cave manager Mike Harris said. It was there that the 18-year-old, who has not been identified, got stuck about 1:40 p.m.

Its a maze cave thats multilevel, Ranzau said. The Hole in the Floor literally is that  a hole that you can use to drop down to the next level.

But you do have to turn your body just slightly as youre going through, he said.

Although the teens torso was stuck, her arms and legs were free. Hood described her predicament as being wedged in some rock.

Cave experts with the association worked for about an hour trying to get her out but then called the San Antonio Fire Department for help, officials said.

Firefighters used the same route as the students, Harris said.

That meant firefighters had to maneuver through about 350 feet of cave passages to reach the teen, which took about 5 minutes and 40 seconds.

Rescue workers routed wiring through another entrance  one that had been sealed to keep out visitors  to provide power to their equipment, which they had to carry with them to the site.

Once there, firefighters would work for 20 minutes before making the return trip.

Hood said the firefighters had to work in 30-minute shifts as they were making sure they were monitoring their own vitals to ensure they could continue the rescue. They swapped spots with another crew for rest, food and rehydration before heading back in. They hooked the student up to an IV to keep her hydrated.

As for the teen, rescue workers had secured her in a harness to keep her in place while they used a chisel to carve through the rock trapping her.

Hood explained that there had been a potential that as the opening widened, she could have slid down into a position that would have constricted her diaphragm, making it difficult to breathe.

Because the hole is at an angle, the student was not suspended, Ranzau said. Her legs were up against the surrounding tunnel as rescue workers built a platform beneath her.

As the rescue dragged on into the evening and temperatures inside the cave dropped, they worked to keep her warm.

Finally, at 11:45 p.m., the teen was freed from the cave and reunited with her family, including her mother who had driven in from Houston.

She was then taken to Brooke Army Medical Center for treatment after spending 11 hours trapped in the cave.

Chancellor said that one of the teens friends stayed with her at the cave for support, as did the teacher leading the class. Twenty classmates were able to exit through a different passage and were taken back to school.

The cave is about a mile long and roughly 30 to 80 feet underground with both walking and crawling passages, Ranzau said.

Cave managers said Friday that the limestone in that section wasnt jagged or loose because the area is well-traveled.

On average, people moving down the hole take 45 seconds to pass through. Others can take up to 30 minutes.

Visitors are not limited by specific height and weight limitations, but Ranzau said its up to each individual to determine which paths they can and cant handle. Many of the groups that are guided through the caves are kept on passages appropriate to their skill level, Ranzau said.

Its just the nature of their abilities and the nature of the specific place that theyre at, Ranzau said.

For instance, there are passages in this cave, the Hole in the Floor for one, that I dont go through, Ranzau said.Though she had little formal education, Johnnie Mae Martin Perez had a head for business and the ability to create delicious food from practically nothing, talents that came in handy as she opened restaurants in the various towns in which she and her family lived.

Moving throughout the United States for her husbands work as a cameraman for CBS television, Perez would buy an old, rundown restaurant, almost condemned, said her daughter, Mary Ann Perez Maxwell. Shed redo it, clean it up, fix it up and  always had a basic, simple menu, nothing fancy, to start. It amazed us all, what she could do with nothing.

Raising five children at the same time, Perez usually had help.

I can remember washing dishes in the third grade in Atlanta, her daughter said. My brother could cook breakfast; we all did something.

Perez died Monday at 83.

More Information Johnnie Mae Martin Perez Born: Sept. 9, 1934, San Antonio Died: March 5, 2018, Victoria Preceded by: Husband Richard Henry Perez; son Larry Paul Perez; parents Annie Mae and John Henry Martin; five brothers; three sisters Survived by: Sons Richard Renee "Ricky" Perez and daughter-in-law Gail, John Anthony Perez and daughter-in-law Dawn, and Thomas Gregory "Tommy" Perez; daughter Mary Ann Perez Maxwell and son-in-law Mart; a brother; five sisters; numerous grandchildren; and great-grandchildren Services: Visitation at 4 p.m., rosary at 5 p.m. Sunday at The Angelus Funeral Home chapel, 1119 N. St. Mary's St.; Mass at noon Monday at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 223 E. Summit Ave.; burial at 1 p.m. March 30 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery See More Collapse

The second oldest of 15 children, Perez married at 15, moving with her new husband, who had joined the Navy, to California.

Returning to Texas while her husband served in Korea in the early 1950s, Perez took care of her growing family.

By 1961, they were living in Houston, where her husband had started working for KHOU-TV as a cameraman working with Dan Rather.

From there, the family went to New Orleans, the first of many moves.

CBS used to transfer Dad every couple of years to a different area, including Washington, D.C.; Virginia; New York; and Georgia, Maxwell said.

Often left to raise their children alone while her husband covered history-making events, Perez did the best she could.

I dont know how she did it, said Maxwell, the youngest child and only daughter. When we were going through some hard times, shed have $5, buy a pound of hamburger meat for 89 cents a pound, and a loaf of bread and come up with something, including one of her familys favorites, a bean burger made of hamburger meat, Fritos, refried beans and Cheez Whiz from a jar.

After her husband died in 1990, Perez began working for one of her sons, who was in the automobile business.

She started doing dealer trades, flying to car dealerships throughout the country and driving a car that had been requested back to Texas to be sold, her daughter said.

She loved it, Maxwell said. She got to travel again, got to see the sights.

Perez also took classes to earn her GED while in her late 60s.

She kept it to herself, but she had to do it for herself, her daughter said.A Shepherd man is being held without bond after being charged with thousands of crimes related to child sex abuse and child pornography in San Jacinto County.

James Tumlinson, 26, is facing two first-degree felony counts of Continuous Sexual Assault of a Child, 3,191 third-degree felony charges for Possession of Child Pornography and seven second-degree felony counts of Possession and Promotion of Child Pornography.

WIFE CALLED POLICE: Texas coach arrested on child porn charges

Sheriff Greg Caper and Chief Dan Todd with the San Jacinto County Sheriff's Office both say the case is the worst they have seen in their decades of law enforcement experience.

"It is atrocious to even think that another human being could even be capable of such nasty and grotesque activities," said Caper.

Tumlinson was arrested Feb. 28 at a home in the 900 block of Joyce Street in Shepherd after an investigation by the sheriff's office. Since that time, investigators have identified a second person of interest, Cody Franklin, 28, who is not yet in custody.

"He is in hiding right now," Todd said.

So far, investigators have identified four of the alleged victims in the photos, but Caper and Todd believe additional victims could be identified as the case progresses and more charges are likely to be filed against Tumlinson.

The sheriff's office plans to release a photo of Franklin and more information as it becomes available.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff's office detective bureau at 936-653-4367.Fingland said some freshman students approached him about a week ago about creating an event where students can speak with mind. He finalized the details with the students Friday afternoon, he said. Weedsport district Superintendent Shaun O'Connor deferred to Fingland on how to best approach the protest situation. The district hasn't come up with a plan for the April event, O'Connor said.

What will the district do if students decide to try to join in on outside demonstrations? Fingland said he doesn't anticipate it coming to that.

"I could put someone outside, but I don't think that's probably in play," Fingland said.

Auburn Enlarged City School District Superintendent Jeff Pirozzolo said he wants the event to serve as "a teachable moments for our children," while also allowing students to respectfully honor those who died. Pirozzolo said assemblies for the district's high school and middle school will be held at 10 a.m., when the walkouts are supposed to begin. The district is still working out its plans for the elementary schools. Pirozzolo said he and high school principal Brian Morgan have talked about setting up student speakers for the event.

Pirozzolo said he does not want students leaving the building, for safety reasons.

"We're hoping that our students follow the program that we're setting up for them," he said.

Staff writer Kelly Rocheleau can be reached at (315) 282-2243 or kelly.rocheleau@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @KellyRocheleau.

Love 2 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 4

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.It was anyone but me. Photo: Olga Maltseva/AFP/Getty Images

In an interview with NBC previewed on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that some of the people recently indicted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller for disrupting the 2016 U.S. election might be  gasp  Jewish.

NBC anchor Megyn Kelly, who was criticized for being too timid in her questioning of Putin in an interview last year, was more direct this time around. She asked Putin about the 13 Russians who Mueller and his investigators say helped organize a wide-ranging conspiracy to foment political unrest in the U.S. and ultimately help Donald Trump get elected.

Why have you decided the Russian authorities, myself included, gave anybody permission to do this? Putin responded, turning the tables on Kelly, as he is wont to do, by reminding her that America has a habit of interfering in Russian elections.

Kelly asked Putin if his constituents should be concerned that he was unaware of the hacking. But Putin didnt take the bait, continuing to insist that the state had nothing to do with it.

There are 146 million Russians. So what?  I dont care. I couldnt care less.  They do not represent the interests of the Russian state, he said.

Later, he cast doubt on whether those who had been indicted actually met his definition of citizens.

Maybe theyre not even Russians, he said. Maybe theyre Ukrainians, Tatars, Jews, just with Russian citizenship. Even that needs to be checked. Maybe they have dual citizenship. Or maybe a green card. Maybe it was the Americans who paid them for this work. How do you know? I dont know.

Though Putin has allied himself with the deeply conservative Russian Orthodox Church, which has recently promoted anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, hatred of Jews has generally not been a big part of his nationalist playbook. But apparently hes fine with scapegoating the group, and other minorities, when it suits his political interests.

Several U.S. federal agencies have agreed that the election hacking was directed from the highest echelons of Russian government. But one prominent American who has yet to be convinced is President Trump, who has taken Putins word for his innocence, and not-at-all-suspiciously showered the despot with praise again and again.

Ahead of an upcoming election that will mostly be a formality, Putin has ramped up his aggressiveness against Western interests. At the beginning of the month, he unveiled plans for new invincible nuclear weapon that seemed straight out of the Cold War zenith.Women and children seeking asylum shouldnt be detained for long periods at all, but taxpayers also shouldnt be fleeced in the process.

This latter point was made crystal clear in a recent federal review of the bizarre three-way deal among a small Arizona city, a detention center in Dilley and the Corrections Corp. of America.

Express-News Staff Writer Jason Buch first reported on this contract in 2014, a time when thousands of Central Americans were crossing the border seeking asylum. In the rush to provide bed space, mostly for women and children, ICE modified an existing contract with the small city of Eloy, Arizona, to open the 2,400-bed South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley.

In essence, ICE created a straw man contract to skirt federal procurement laws. Eloy collects $438,000 a year for simply existing as a pass-through, the report found.

This insulated Corrections Corp. of America, now known as CoreCivic, from government scrutiny, the report says. But this agreement very much deserved scrutiny. Under the original terms, ICE paid CoreCivic as though the detention center were full even when it wasnt.

The inspector general recommends stricter contracting guidelines and negotiating a new contract with the city of Dilley. This should be done.

ICE has about 40,000 detention beds, most of which are funded through intergovernmental services agreements, Mark Fleming, with the National Immigrant Justice Center, told Buch. But about 30 percent of those beds are not owned by the local city or county.

It seems abundantly clear that ICE should be signing contracts with local entities only when those cities and counties own the detention facilities. There is no need for a middleman except to play the system.1 Kenya unification: Kenyas president and opposition leader announced Friday they will work together to unite the country, which has been divided along ethnic lines following last years disputed elections. President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga spoke after holding discussions, the first talks between the two since the elections sparked widespread turmoil. Following last years election in August, Odinga pressed a lawsuit challenging Kenyattas victory and the Supreme Court ordered a new election. Odinga boycotted the repeat election in October, saying adequate electoral reforms had not been made. On Jan. 30 Odinga held a protest event, a mock inauguration in which he was sworn in as the peoples president. The government reacted by shutting down some broadcasters and arresting some participants.

2 Drone strike: The spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban says the son of their chief, Mullah Fazlullah, was among 21 holy warriors killed this week when missiles fired by a U.S. drone struck a seminary in Afghanistan. Mohammad Khurasani, a spokesman for the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, in a statement Friday identified Fazlullahs son only as Abdullah. Khurasani had earlier said 21 students were killed in Wednesdays drone strike on the seminary near the Pakistans Bajur tribal region, based on a tip from Pakistani intelligence. Khurasani warned that they will launch retaliatory attacks soon. Fazlullah is the leader of Pakistani Taliban and is believed to be hiding in Afghanistan.by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, March 9, 2018

Since the biggest challenge for marketers looking to reach consumers on Amazon remains a lack of understanding of how the marketplaces ad network and search services work, Merkle has created a playbook geared toward outlining the nuances, benefits and limitations of its ad business.

Merkle's Amazon Ads Playbook looks at proven strategies for managing Amazon ad campaigns. It provides tips on how to optimize product page data to appear on relevant search queries and drive conversions, and how to engage the display programs through the Amazon Advertising Platform or Amazon Media Group.

Consumer behavior continues to change Amazons business, and is seemingly pushing Amazon to build out its search capabilities and ad business. Todd Bowman -- senior director of SEM and feeds at Merkle and one of the authors of the ad guide -- believes Amazon will build out its search engine allowing consumers to find and sell products from across its owned sites, but doubts that the company would fully integrate the network.

advertisement advertisement

Amazon is already incorporating Whole Foods products through their Pantry and Fresh programs to provide customers with their private labels and fast delivery with Fresh, Bowman wrote in an email. I am not sure Amazon will ever take an approach to fully integrate all of their owned brands. Instead, I see Amazon utilizing its .com search engine to find and sell products from its owned sites if they improve selection, quality and can be sold profitably at a low price.

Amazons increased focus on search clearly would support its growth in advertising. One JPMorgan estimate suggests Amazons fledgling's ad business brought in $2.8 billion in 2017, and that number should reach $6.6 billion in 2019

JPMorgan is not the only firm predicting changes. A new Forrester study suggests brands will invest 55% more in online marketing and advertising by 2023, but fewer dollars will go toward traditional search channels like Google, Bing and Oath. A change in consumer shopping habits will transition to Amazon and other retail websites. Consumers will go to Google and traditional search engines when they need answers to questions.

How Amazons search ad business works varies depending on strategy, Bowman says.

For organic results, Amazon determines ranking based on relevance, sales velocity, total reviews, average review scores and product data. Amazon wants products that have the best chance to sell showing at the top of organic results and uses the factors outlined above to make that determination.

Similar to Googles paid-search ads, Amazon considers which ads to serve based on product relevancy, targeted keyword and match type, bid and click through rate (CTR) to determine the auction result rankings for Sponsored Products and Headline Search Ads, Bowman explains.

Generally the higher the bid, the better chance the ad will serve on the first page. Match type is important, but exact match has more weight than phrase, and phrase more than broad. Its not surprising to learn that the product must be relevant to the query.

You can have $15 max bids but your bid wont matter if youre trying to show an ad on a product that is not relevant to the search, he said. For CTR, Amazon doesnt have a visible quality score for sellers to monitor, but they do pause keywords in Headline Search Ads campaigns if they have a low CTR.

Amazon also offers a program called Bid+ for Sponsored Products that provides marketers the ability to increase bids by 50% to get to the No. 1 spot.

The Product Display auction is similar to the other two, but without the keyword and match type component. Since Product Display ads can target lifestyles, categories or other ASIN, Amazon relies more on the bid and relevancy to determine the product that shows.

Most of these tips explained by Bowman are available in the playbook.We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Heres our process.

Vitamin D, which is often called the sunshine vitamin, boasts a range of physiological roles. A new study reveals that, following a heart attack, it might protect against consequent heart failure. Share on Pinterest How might the sunshine vitamin benefit our heart health? Few foods contain vitamin D. Instead, the vast majority is synthesized in our skin following exposure to the sun. During a study of rickets in children, vitamin D was initially identified as an important player in bone health. We now know that vitamin D has an array of duties in the body beyond that of bone health. For instance, vitamin D is thought to impact the workings of muscles and blood vessels. And, even more recently, evidence has been gathering that the vitamin might have a protective effect on heart health. Specifically, studies have linked low levels of vitamin D to coronary artery disease and heart failure .

Vitamin D and heart failure Heart failure is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition, wherein the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood and oxygen to nourish the tissues of the body. In 2009, around 1 in 9 deaths in the United States included heart failure as contributing cause. And because heart failure is so common, understanding exactly what is involved physiologically is important. Due to the recent evidence that vitamin D might protect against heart failure, scientists are keen to get a clearer understanding of the relationship. Although the benefits of vitamin D for heart health are becoming well-established, the mechanisms at work are not understood. Recently, a team of researchers from Westmead Institute for Medical Research in Australia decided to take a closer look. The benefits of vitamin D are becoming increasingly known, but we still dont fully understand how, mechanistically, it can help with heart disease management. We wanted to know more about how vitamin D protects the heart after a heart attack. Lead researcher Prof. James Chong To dig into this problem, the scientists used a mouse model and a form of vitamin D called 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D), which interacts with hormones. They wanted to understand how 1,25D affected an important set of heart cells. The cells of interest to the team are known as cardiac colony-forming unit fibroblasts (cCFU-Fs), and they are responsible for forming scar tissue following a heart attack.Advertisement

According to the CSIR, mostly an appropriate diagnosis is not arrived at due to lack of general awareness on genetic diseases, lack of access and high cost of appropriate genetic diagnostic services."It is estimated that an average patient with rare disease has to go through multiple healthcare visits and diagnostic tests and takes approximately seven years to arrive at a precise diagnosis," the CSIR said.Genomics, however, look at the individual case and figures out a personalise case for better treatment.It added that so far through the CSIR-IGIB's previous efforts, over 14,000 genetic tests have been carried out, benefiting over 4,000 needy patients from across the country through a clinical network encompassing over 25 major medical centres spanning the length and breadth of the country."CSIR has a major focus on R&D pertaining to Affordable Health Care. The tests developed and licensed to Dr Lal PathLabs would provide a much needed support system to the doctors in diagnosing the identified genetic disorders," said Dr Girish Sahni, Director General, CSIR.Source: IANSAdvertisement

"Sleep spindles have been linked to the benefits of sleep for memory in previous research, so we wanted to investigate whether these brain waves mediate reactivation. If they support memory reactivation, we further reasoned that it could be possible to decipher memory signals at the time that these spindles took place."The research findings could be important for enhancing understanding of how the brain learns and retains information. Improving knowledge of the mechanisms that are active during sleep could also have implications for further study into memory conditions that arise as a result of these mechanisms failing.Reactivating memories during sleep occurs spontaneously, but to understand the impacts of this mechanism, the researchers devised a simple test that would allow them to see the reactivation in a controlled manner.Dr Cairney said: "We asked participants in our study to learn associations between words and pictures of objects or scenes before a nap. Half of the words were then replayed during the nap to trigger the reactivation of the newly learned picture memories"When the participants woke after a good period of sleep, we presented them again with the words and asked them to recall the object and scene pictures. We found that their memory was better for the pictures that were connected to the words that were presented in sleep, compared to those words that weren't."The team monitored brain activity during sleep using an electroencephalogram (EEG) machine and this showed them that sleep spindles occurred when memories were reactivated by the presentation of the associated words.Dr Bernhard Staresina, of the University of Birmingham's School of Psychology, said: "Direct induction of sleep spindles - for example, by stimulating the brain with electrodes - perhaps combined with targeted memory reactivation, may enable us to further improve memory performance while we sleep."Our data suggest that spindles facilitate processing of relevant memory features during sleep and that this process boosts memory consolidation."Importantly, the researchers were able to differentiate the brain signals associated with reactivated objects and scenes. This demonstrates that spindles produce a specific code for the content of reactivated memories; a process that may underpin our ability to remember more after sleep.Dr Cairney said: "When you are awake you learn new things, but when you are asleep you refine them, making it easier to retrieve them and apply them correctly when you need them the most. This is important for how we learn but also for how we might help retain healthy brain functions."Source: EurekalertAdvertisement

One of the current primary treatments for severe allergic contact dermatitis is the use of corticosteroids. Long-term use of corticosteroids can result in skin atrophy, spider veins, loss of skin color or corticosteroid acne. They can disrupt the skin's barrier and lead to adrenal suppression, altered growth, hypertension, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and cataracts, and they may increase the risk for certain cancers.The experimental cream, on the other hand, successfully treated allergic contact dermatitis in mice, without the side effects of corticosteroids. The new cream works in a different way by preventing or stopping the process that initiates inflammation.This project is part of a long collaboration that Dr. Bazan developed with Dr. Ricardo Palacios-Pelaez from Spain on inflammation, immunity and neurodegenerative diseases."Now with the new cream, we targeted some of those mechanisms in a relatively less complex condition in the skin, always with translational-enabling goals," said Bazan.Other members of the research team included Drs. William Gordon, Surjyadipta Bhattacharjee and Bokkyoo Jun at LSU Health New Orleans Neuroscience Center of Excellence, as well as Drs. Virginia Garcia Lopez, David Rodriguez Gil, Javier Alcover Diaz, Fernando Pineda de la Losa, Ricardo Palacios Pelaez, Concha Tiana Ferrer and Gabriela Silvina Bacchini from Madrid, Spain; along with Helene Varoqui at Ochsner."While our results are very promising, additional studies are needed to determine the ideal duration of treatment and the most efficacious concentrations of the active components in the test formulations that will best alleviate ACD," Bazan concluded.The research was supported by a grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, as well as LSU Health New Orleans Neuroscience Center of Excellence.This work is part of Bazan's innovative research searching for novel fundamental principles of tissue/organ injury involving inflammation, immunology, genetics and epigenetics. Most of his efforts are focused on responses to damage to the brain and retina and include Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, pain, Macular degeneration and traumatic brain injury, but as these findings demonstrate, fundamental discoveries have broad application.Source: EurekalertPresident Trump and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Photo: Noel Celis/AFP/Getty Images

Since President Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to execute U.S. drug dealers, his administration is looking into a new policy allowing just that, according to the Washington Post.

The potential policy, which is being studied by the Department of Justice and the White House Domestic Policy Council, could include making the trafficking of large quantities of fentanyl a capital crime, as well as other ultra-severe penalties for drug offenders.

Last week, the president promised strong policies to tackle the opioid crisis, and suggested that capital punishment might be the best solution to accomplish that.

Some countries have a very tough penalty, the ultimate penalty, and they have much less of a drug problem than we do, he explained during a White House summit on March 1. And Trump often jokes about killing drug dealers, a senior administration told Axios last month. Hell say, You know the Chinese and Filipinos dont have a drug problem. They just kill them. 

The same report alleged that Trump often leaps into a passionate speech about how drug dealers are as bad as serial killers and should all get the death penalty, since he believes showing sympathy to drug offenders will never work. And the president has long expressed admiration for how Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has encouraged the extrajudicial murder of anyone suspected of dealing drugs. An estimated 12,000 people have been killed by police and vigilantes in the Philippines after having been suspected of drug offenses.

Trump has privately endorsed Singapores policy of executing dealers, as well, and according to the Post, Singaporean representatives have briefed senior White House officials on their countrys drug policies, which include treatment and education, but also the death penalty, and they provided a PowerPoint presentation on that countrys laws.

It might be legally possible to make more drug-related offenses capital crimes in the U.S., but critics of harsher penalties for drug offenders point out that such a policy could backfire and worsen the epidemic. If users subsequently become afraid of any contact with authorities, including medical personnel, they may not seek addiction treatment or emergency assistance in the event of an overdose.

Almost 64,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2016, two thirds of which were linked to opioids, and opioid-related deaths were likely undercounted. The number of U.S. opioid overdoses likely went up last year, and a 2017 forecast by STAT news predicted that 500,000 to 650,000 Americans could die from the epidemic over the next decade, particularly if the rapid spread of powerful synthetic opioids like fentanyl and carfentanil continues and treatment efforts arent improved and expanded.

Many experts have recommended addressing the demand, rather than the supply, of opioids, prioritizing interdiction over enforcement, but the president and administration officials like Attorney General Jeff Sessions have had other ideas. In addition to wanting to kill drug dealers, Trump has sought tougher law enforcement and harsher sentences, including mandatory minimum ones, and Sessions has instructed federal prosecutors to seek the most severe penalties for drug offenses. The president has also said that he believes the government should do a better job scaring kids about the dangers of drug use to prevent them from ever trying them  an approach which already failed with the Just Say No campaign three decades ago.

The president and his administration seem to believe that the best way to prevent more people from dying as a result of the opioid crisis is to make them more afraid of dying. Its just a matter of who is administering the lethal injection.

This post originally said that almost 64,000 Americans died of opioid overdoses in 2016, but that was actually the number of overdose deaths from all drugs. About two thirds of those deaths were linked to opioids. We regret the error.Advertisement

"The same software could do facial recognition, measure their heart rate after climbing up some stairs in the subway, and you could do that for 100,000 people a day," Chahl said.The drones were created in conjunction with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to be deployed during humanitarian crises.However, Chahl said that the device could also be used for bad things like spying or weaponisation."If we can start doing these things, so can somebody who has a bad agenda," Chahl said."Somebody could take their data and do something with it, you could try to sell them something, you could deny them insurance, you could tell their employer."Source: IANSUPPER THUMB  Within the last month and a half, there have been six alleged threats of terrorism in Tuscola Countys nine school districts.

Five of them have resulted in youths facing criminal charges, according to Tuscola County Prosecutor Mark Reene.

This week, a junior high school male and high school female allegedly made threats against the Caro Community School District.

Last week, a junior high school female allegedly made a threat against the Mayville School District. That happened Feb. 16, the same day a high school male allegedly made a threat against the Millington School District.

On Jan. 15, a 17-year-old allegedly made a threat against the Cass City School District. That teen, Dalton Powell of Gagetown, is the only teen being charged as an adult.

Powell is free on bond. The Caro school youths and the Mayville School youth are being detained in a juvenile facility, and the Millington School youth is under house arrest.

The sixth alleged threat came from the Unionville-Sebewaing Area School District earlier this month. It was determined to be unfounded.

Unfortunately, what we commonly experience after (a) tragic circumstance like what transpired in Florida, there seems to be a number of threats that come about as an aftermath of something like that, said Reene. That is what is continuing at this juncture.

Reene was referencing a high school shooting in Parkland, Florida, which resulted in 17 fatalities.

The message we have been trying to get out is see something  say something, and that is being done. If there is a concern, it needs to be mentioned, and that is what is happening, Reene explained. Information is getting passed along so the necessary steps are being done because of that, with investigations being done and charges made.

Caro Superintendent Bob Smith suggests that students think twice about any action or statement that could be considered as a threat, and to consider a school like an airport.

Anything said or written inside an airport (that can be viewed as a threat) will cause the arrest of a person, and (it) will create the same response in a public school, said Smith.

There are no jokes in this area, Reene said. Schools and law enforcement have no means of knowing when they are informed of a statement if it is credible or not, so it sets things in motion every single time. There are a plethora of consequences for that conduct. It doesnt end well for anyone involved.

Reene said frankly, law enforcement and schools have no choice when they receive information about a threat: They have to act.

There are consequences from being arrested for this, (from) being detained in a juvenile facility to being suspended from school  all these things and more, he said.

Reene commended the excellent job by the schools impacted by alleged threats, and noted law enforcement personnel have handled the situations as soon as possible.

The Caro School District youths have been arraigned on felony charges of making a terrorist threat, and they will have pre-trial hearings March 20 in Tuscola County Family Court before Judge Nancy Thane. It is in that court because they are being charged as juveniles. Their names are being withheld because they are being charged as juveniles.

We cannot reiterate enough how serious what they are doing is, and all of the consequences of such action, Reene said. There is no reason to be making (threatening) statements or comments like that. It serves no purpose. There is a tremendous amount of resources used, time spent investigating, costs  all of which are astronomical.

Even though four of the five youths are being charged as juveniles, they are being charged under the same statute that is used for adults.

That statute/charges is a mechanism by which they are brought before the court. The maximum sentence is part of the law, but not used in juvenile court, said Reene, noting there still are punishment mechanisms. There are a lot of different outcomes. They can be housed in a detention center until age 19 or extended to 21, or sent to treatment facilities and other avenues. There is a wide spectrum of consequences, but they do not correlate in the same manner as they do for adults.

The statutes maximum punishment for adults is 20 years in prison and/or $20,000 fine.Women Redefining Retirement to meet

MILFORD  Women Redefining Retirement will hold its next meeting at 7 p.m. March 12 at Golden Hill Health Care Center, 2028 Bridgeport Ave.

This month, the group will be assembling and filling childrens Easter Baskets to benefit Covenant for Care. Members are asked to contribute items to fill the baskets. Food collection this month will benefit the Beth El Center.

New members welcome! Find us on Facebook, or at wrrofmilford@google.com.

Business After Hours in Orange

ORANGE  The Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce and Orange Chamber of Commerce will hold a Business After Hours networking event from 5-7 p.m. March 14 at the Orange Ale House & Grille, 517 Boston Post Road.

Cost is $15 pre-registration, $20 for members at the door and $25 for prospective members.

To register, call 203-878-0681 or email chamber@milfordct.com.Persis Namuganza

Lands state minister Percis Namuganza has been expelled from the Busoga parliamentary caucus over what her colleagues described as unbecoming conduct.

At a meeting held at government chief whips boardroom at parliament, 13 out of 32 members in attendance also resolved to institute criminal summons on grounds that Namuganza threatened to harm their king, Kyabazinga William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV and speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga.

Bukooli North MP and caucus lawyer Gaster Mugoya Kyawa read the resolutions, which include banning of Namuganza from caucus among others.

We have resolved to institute criminal proceedings against Namuganza. So dont be surprised, she may appear in criminal court to answer charges, Mugoya said.

According to the caucus, Namuganza is also legally barred from carrying out any activities in constituencies of members of the caucus and her appearance is restricted to her Bukono constituency.

Genesis

The caucus accuses Namuganza of threatening as well as inciting her voters to kill, injure and harm the Kyabazinga and Kadaga at a rally she held at Ivukula in Namutumba district last week.

Namuganza allegedly insulted the Kyabazinga and Kadaga after installing a new chief in her Bukono constituency behind her back, which to her was a serious issue.

At a function to launch boreholes in Bukono, Namuganza reportedly told off Kadaga and Gabula to concentrate on fighting jiggers in Kamuli, which to her are a serious threat than poking their noses into Namutumba affairs.

Kadaga should have declared war on the famine and drought that has hit Busoga. She should have declared war on jiggers that attacked Kamuli. But for her to come and declare war on me, I will also declare war on her because she isnt immune from death, Namuganza said.

If I die, Kadaga should be the first suspect. As her grandchild, why is Kadaga after me? Kadaga is not fit to be my mother; she is in fact my grandmother. All she knows is to contest on a seat for affirmative action, which is a weak position. Why doesnt she go and contest on a direct ticket like me. Why doesnt she go and contest in Kamuli Municipality so we get to know her political strength? she added.

According to video recordings, Namuganza rallied her voters in Bukono to use stones and sticks to chase away the Kyabazinga if he ever goes back to that area in her absence. The caucus and some people within Busoga sub-region have since protested against Namuganzas attack to the Kadaga and Kyabazinga arguing that her actions contravene section 83 of the Penal Code Act.

Section 83 (1) states that any person who incites any other person to do an act of violence against any person by reason of his or her race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex or office commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years.

The no holds barred Namuganza has also previously had verbal exchanges with the state minister for ICT Idah Nantaba during a consultative meeting on lands for MPs. Namuganza accused Nantaba, who previously served in her position of being jealous after the former took over the new lands state minister.

Attempts to have Namuganza respond to the caucus resolutions were unsuccessful, as the minister could not pick our calls.A Pentagon memo that surfaced Friday night reveals the first official guidance for President Donald Trump's controversial military parade in Washington, D.C.

The memo, signed by Navy Capt. Hallock Mohler, executive secretary for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, confirms the parade is set to take place on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Guidance provided in bullet points instructs that the parade include only wheeled vehicles, not tanks.

"Consideration must be given to minimize damage to local infrastructure," the memo reads.

Parade guidance also calls for a heavy air component at the conclusion of the parade, "to include older aircraft as available."

CNN first reported news of the memo Friday.

While the memo does not specify which aircraft will make up the aviation element, the instruction to seek out older aircraft may be a cost-mitigating measure. It has been estimated that a major military parade, would cost anywhere from $10 to $30 million. The last such parade, organized at the end of the Gulf War, cost roughly $12 million.

In the memo, the Joint Staff are tasked to plan the parade, while U.S. Northern Command is instructed to execute it.

"This parade will focus on the contributions of our veterans throughout the history of the U.S. Military, starting from the Revolutionary War and the War of 1212 to today, with an emphasis on the price of freedom," the memo reads.

Other guidance show the parade will be integrated with the annual Veterans Day parade in Washington, D.C. and follow a route from the White House to the U.S. Capitol. In addition to military equipment, the parade will include pageantry, with veterans dressed in period uniforms.

One element of the parade will highlight the evolution of women in the military from World War II to the present, according to guidance. The Army's Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps will also make an appearance.

"Veterans and Medal of Honor recipients should be surrounding POTUS in the reviewing area at the Capitol," the memo reads, using an acronym for president of the United States.

Trump has discussed a parade to show off military strength since he paid a visit to Paris last July and observed the French Bastille Day parade.

While public opinion has been divided on the value of such a parade, Pentagon officials said last month they were studying options to execute the event at Trump's bidding.

""We're all aware in this country of the President's affection and respect for the military," Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Feb. 7. "We've been putting together some options."

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.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.PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Florida -- There may be darker days ahead for the Air Force's most active Reserve unit as a looming pilot shortage and shortfalls in related career fields create challenges throughout the force.

Reservists here who train for combat search and rescue missions anywhere in the world say they're preparing to feel the brunt of the shortfall, and have a message for the Air Force: don't forget about us.

"Especially in the rated career fields -- pilots, navigators, loadmasters, flight engineers -- we're starting to see the same challenges as the active-duty," Col. Mike LoForti, commander of the 920th Operations Group, said.

Military.com on Feb. 20 toured hangars and facilities used for the combat-search-and-rescue mission and spoke with officials here about the 920th's evolving operations.

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"You would never think you would have to worry about losing a navigator to the airlines," LoForti said, "but one of my navigators was just hired by an airline. And they're going to train him to be a pilot because of all his flight experience: 3,000 hours as a navigator."

LoForti said he's preparing for the competition to be fierce, not just throughout the Air Force, but with the civilian airlines as well.

"To be honest, I can't compete with the airlines, and I don't want to try to," LoForti said. "I'm just losing them where I'd never thought I'd lose them before."

That's happening as the Reserve tries to snap up active-duty members on the brink of leaving the service altogether, added Col. Kurt Matthews, commander of the 920th Rescue Wing.

The goal of the Reserve is to try and "catch at least 70 percent" of active-duty members who need a change of pace, Matthews said in a follow-up interview with Military.com. But there could be setbacks there, too.

"You hear Lt. Gen. Maryanne Miller, chief of Air Force Reserve, testifying before Congress that a lot of these initiatives for active duty don't apply to the Reserves. And likewise the [director] of the Air National Guard is doing the same thing, saying, 'Hey, wait a minute. We have similar issues but we don't benefit from initiatives going on in active duty all the time,'" Matthews said.

"More often than not, the Reserve has to compete and work that itself, and try and get similar bonuses or whatever it happens to be," he added.

In an ironic twist, initiatives such as aviation bonus hikes or the ability to give pilots preferred rotation choices -- which the active-duty side hopes will create an incentive for retention -- may hurt the Reserve, Matthews said.

"It retains folks we try to capture," he said, "but we try to keep a balance."

When LoForti served as the chief of the Flight Standards Division/Personnel Recovery and Special Operations Division, at Air Force Reserve headquarters, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, two years ago, there were only 10 full-time pilot slots open throughout the entire Reserve Command. Now, there are about 300 full-time openings, he said.

But both commanders hope that dedicated service will not only be a reminder, but also a motive for citizen airmen to stay in the cockpits and on the flightlines.

Reminder of mission

Personnel recovery isn't always associated with the Air Force as much as the fighter jocks are. Even the drone or space career fields, where the service seems to be promoting its mission these days, get more attention.

But CSAR has a history, and will always have a stand-out place in the service's mission, LoForti said.

The 920th specifically is the most active Reserve unit, and the only Reserve rescue wing in the Air Force. Overall, it is is responsible for 18 percent of all Air Force rescue operations, and has made over 3,000 combat saves since 1956, according to officials here.

One of their best-known missions was the race to save Marcus Luttrell, a Navy SEAL on the run from the Taliban, after he and his team were ambushed during Operation Red Wings in 2005.

LoForti played an audio recording from when then-Lt. Col. David Goldfein was shot down in his F-16CJ fighter jet over Serbia in 1999, during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia. LoForti himself was in Hungary when Goldfein was shot down, and listened in on his distress calls, aware a mission to find him was about to spin up.

"I've taken a hit, and I'll be getting out of the airplane," Goldfein says over his communications system in the recording. "I'm gonna take to land for as long as I can. Start finding me, boys."

While the 920th was not involved in rescuing Goldfein, now a four-star general and Air Force chief of staff, the rescue was a testament to what CSAR ops mean to the Air Force, LoForti said.

Crews here recently got a taste of training with six A-10 Thunderbolt IIs in what LoForti said was training for a downed-aircraft scenario. Someday, that training may even include F-22 Raptors from Florida's Tyndall Air Force Base or Alaska's Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

"This is our bread and butter; this is what we train to day-to day," LoForti said.

But with only a handful of CSAR wings left across the total force, the services of the 920th are needed more than ever, he said.

"So we get tasked more often. It increases our operations tempo, so we're pretty busy," LoForti said.

Regardless of challenges, he said, "we're making sure every person in their Air Force Specialty Code is training to that mission. That's the one. That's why we're here."

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @oriana0214.The Marines' future heavy-lift helicopter just got more formidable.

In a recent test, the CH-53K King Stallion lifted an external load of 36,000 pounds into a hover, then continued into flight, manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp. announced this week.

The King Stallion is set to replace aging CH-53E Super Stallions, with initial operational capability likely to happen in 2020. Ahead of then, the Marine Corps is already buying the new aircraft in greater quantities each year. The service's fiscal 2019 budget request included funds for eight more King Stallions.

Prior to the recent lift test, the King Stallion had successfully lifted up to 27,00 pounds, with one load including a joint light tactical vehicle, the 14,000 Humvee replacement for the Army and Marine Corps. That load already represented an increase over the capacity of the Super Stallion.

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"The CH-53K can carry a 27,000 lb. external load over 110 nautical miles in high/hot conditions, which is more than triple the external load carrying capacity of the legacy CH-53E aircraft," Lockheed said in a news release.

The 36,000-pound external load, which brought the King Stallion's total weight to 91,000 pounds, represents an expansion of the capability envelope for the aircraft. The King Stallion is now the heaviest helicopter ever flown by the Lockheed-owned company Sikorsky, according to the release.

"The payload capability of this helicopter is unmatched, triple that of its predecessor and better than any other heavy lift helicopter in production," Col. Hank Vanderborght, U.S. Marine Corps Program Manager for the Naval Air Systems Command's Heavy Lift Helicopters Program, said in a statement. "The CH-53K program continues on pace to deploy this incredible heavy lift capability to our warfighters."

Recent testing also included angle of bank to 60 degrees, takeoffs and landings from surfaces sloped up to 12 degrees and gunfire testing.

"The successful completion of these last critical envelope expansion tests further demonstrates the maturity of the CH-53K aircraft," Dr. Michael Torok, Sikorsky's vice president for Marine Corps Systems, said in a statement. "We look forward to bringing this unique and exceptional heavy lift capability to the United States Marine Corps and our international customers."

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.Research paper on data migration





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Data migration, a practical example from the business 

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hGHgbjThe state-controlled Herald newspaper reports that a Zimbabwean magistrate has issued a warrant giving the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZAC) the green light to carry out detailed investigations on a PhD awarded in controversial circumstances to former First Lady Grace Mugabe by the University of Zimbabwe.

According to the newspaper, the warrant which was issued by magistrate Elisha Singango in Zimbabwes capital city, Harare, empowers ZACC to search and seize all documents relevant to its investigations on whether or not University of Zimbabwe (UZ) Vice Chancellor Professor Levi Nyagura corruptly awarded former First Lady Grace Ntombizodwa Mugabe a doctoral degree.

Former Zimbabwe First Lady Grace Mugabe

The warrant compels the university to provide Mrs Mugabes pre-registration form, research proposal to the relevant U.Z department, minutes of the departmental board assigning a supervisor to the former first lady, academic certificates of her supervisor, minutes detailing academic committee meetings on the doctoral degree and U.Z recommendations to the University Council on conferment of the degree to Mrs Mugabe.

The university is also expected to provide copies of progress reports on the Post Graduate Center focusing on the doctorate and general academic regulations on the conferment of PhDs in the Department of Sociology at the University of Zimbabwe.

Singango issued a similar warrant early this year which was quashed by the High court. VOA was unable to get a comment from ZACC, Nyagura and Mrs Mugabe. Nyagura, who was arrested over the issue, is currently on bail.

Lawyers of the University of Zimbabwe claim that the search warrant is invalid, arguing that some of the demands are in violation of the higher education institute's ordinances.

Allegations against Professor Nyagura are that he unlawfully recommended the conferment of a Doctor of Philosophy Degree to Mrs Mugabe without the approval of the University Council and the Senate Committee. The alleged crime is criminal abuse of office.

Ten UZ lecturers from the Sociology Department wrote a letter to protest to ZACC and Professor Nyagura demanding that Mrs Mugabes degree be revoked.

But Nyagura, in an interview with the Herald, dismissed the lecturers' claim saying they were ignorant Messrs and doctors with no academic capacity to supervise a PhD student.

Higher Education minister Professor Amon Murwira recently told parliament that Professor Nyagura is still reporting for duty as he has not yet been fired by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who appoints university vice chancellors.Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga met Friday in an apparent effort to settle months of violent post-election tensions. The meeting came just hours before a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

In the surprise meeting, Kenyatta and Odinga agreed to work toward unifying the country after last years divisive presidential election. The two  who, after their meeting, appeared together to give separate statements to the press  acknowledged the country was heading in the wrong direction.

Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta at Harambe House in Nairobi

Healing divisions

Odinga, who has refused to recognize Kenyatta as president, paraphrased U.S. president Abraham Lincoln. He said Kenyans needed to know where they are and where they want to go before they can better judge what to do and how to do it.

"Fifty-four years since independence, we are challenged to audit our progress toward the ideals for which our fathers fought to establish a free and independent country and for which many of our compatriots died."

As leaders, said Odinga, they had a duty to reflect on their performance in reaching Kenyas goals since independence: justice, unity, peace, liberty and prosperity for all.

Kenyatta said the two men came to a common understanding that for Kenya to come together, its leaders must come together.

"And this is what me and my brother have agreed," Kenyatta said, referring to Odinga. "That starting today, we will begin a process of bringing our people together. That we will begin a process discussing what ails us and what creates division amongst us."

Reconciliation panned

Miguna Miguna, a prominent Kenyan opposition lawyer and politician who was deported to Canada in February, denounced the Kenyatta-Odinga reconciliation.

In a statement posted to Facebook on Friday, he called the rapprochement "a fundamental betrayal of the innocent Kenyans who have lost their lives" supporting Odinga in several elections over the last decade.

Last fall alone, Kenyan security forces killed at least 55 people in election-related violence, according to Human Rights Watch. Miguna, whose deportation was ruled illegal by Kenya's High court, said in his statement that he would return to Kenya on March 26 "to continue the struggle for electoral justice."

Support for collaboration

On the streets of Nairobi, Kenyans also welcomed the leaders agreeing to work together.

Its a really good step towards harmonizing the country," said Brian Wanjoki, a pedestrian. "Because the electioneering period has left us divided ... supporters of both sides. So, I think its a really good idea that theyve met. And, hopefully we can progress from this.

Another man, Philip Ndungu, also seemed encouraged by the leaders' meeting.

Noting "the economy has been down," Ndung'u said if the two "resolve their issues, well, at least it will show that we are moving forward and the issue to do with the election is it behind us.

Devil in the details

Kenya was plunged into political crisis after the Supreme court annulled the August presidential election, due to irregularities, and Odinga and his supporters boycotted a second round in October.

Odinga refused to recognize Kenyattas win; in January, he held a rally where his supporters symbolically inaugurated the opposition leader as president. Observers feared further division would follow the provocative action and the governments crackdown on independent television and the opposition.

Fridays breakthrough came just hours before U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's first official visit Kenya. That's not a coincidence, said independent political analyst Martin Andati.

"The meeting must have been come out of pressure from the U.S. secretary of state," Andati said. "... You know the West has been very keen on trying to get Uhuru and Raila to meet. So, it helps ease the political tensions....

While Andati called the agreement on unification significant for healing Kenyan politics, the devil will be in the details. We need to understand what exactly has been agreed upon, he said, noting the Kenyan leaders statements contained only generalities.The mathematical (and other) thoughts of a (now retired) math teacher,We searching for sawdust wood with highest quality of it and with ISO

certificates paper.University center of the North-UNINORTE/Laureate Course of Full Licenciatura in History Music and History: Brazil of years 80. Andres de Arajo Gamma Elisngela Maciel SUMMARY: Music in detriment of other cultural manifestations is here, the way for which we look for to promote the relation between student, History and reality. The musical experiences of the national rock of middle of years 80 are express in this article as counterpoint of the economicista analysis of the call ' ' decade perdida' ' , showing how much the musical expression if made exempts and the efficient one to understand the end of the Years of Lead and charrete without conductor of the second half of century XX. It is as didactic resource in the lessons of History that music if presents in this article. Word-key: Music, History, Youth and popular Culture. Introduction musics of the present time make possible the pupils to think on the reality which are inserted? They develop the critical sense? They lead to the reflection, dealing with seriousness the questions politics, social, economic and cultural? These investigations had been necessary for the delimitation of the subject and adequacy of the problematic one to the pertaining to school reality. Thus, this work considers the Brazilian rock as pro-active cultural manifestation considering the reflections of its composers in the context of the decade of 1980. Reflecting on music and the form with that it comes being absorbed for some students, we perceive the relevance to use it knot history education, thus, ' ' the use of music is important for ahead pointing out the young of a media next to its experience, by means of which the professor can identify the taste, the aesthetic one of new gerao' ' , it affirms Circe Bittencourt. Knowing a little of history and living deeply a small part of its trajectory, we want to show through the rock the possibility of saying the language of the young, using it as a sort musical, capable to disclose to youth after century XX, the social inaqualities among others problems faced for our society, absentees in the current compositions that condition the young the disinterest for the excellent causes, becoming them incapable to believe a society less go off and less individualistic.The rollout of the e-mobility programme by Union Minister of State Power R K Singh cleared the government's stand on improving the battery charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in the country. The government noted that charging standards need to be enhanced in vehicles. Read on for a round up of all the important stories of the past week in the automotive industry.

Government launches national e-mobility programme

The programme will look to provide an impetus to the entire e-mobility ecosystem including vehicle manufacturers, charging infrastructure companies, fleet operators and charging infrastructure of service providers. The move has made many things clear for manufacturers as well as buyers of e-vehicles.

The programme will be implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), which will aggregate demand by procuring electric vehicles in bulk to get economies of scale. These electric vehicles will replace the existing fleet of petrol and diesel vehicles. EESL had procured 10,000 e-vehicles last year and will issue a new tender very soon for 10,000 more e-vehicles to cater to the growing demand. With these 20,000 electric cars, India is expected to save over 5 crore litres of fuel every year leading to a reduction of over 5.6 lakh tonnes of CO 2 emission annually.

The government is also focusing on creating charging infrastructure and policy framework so that by 2030 more than 30 per cent of vehicles are electricity vehicles. During the programme, it was highlighted that a license would not be required for establishing a charging infrastructure and the tariff for this would be less than Rs 6.

In December last year the government was committed to launching an electric vehicle policy that would have laid down thorough guidelines for adoption of e-mobility in future. However, in January there made a U-turn and stated that there was no need for such a policy, but an action plan would be initiated headed by Niti Aayog.

Tata Motors unveils E-Vision electric sedan

The larger theme from this years Geneva Auto Show was very similar to the Indian Auto Expo held last month. Electric mobility dominated the concept of nearly every car maker that participated in the event. From glitzy super cars to compact city hatchbacks car makers left no stone unturned to be a part of the electric revolution.

Tata Motors, which was celebrating 20 years at the Geneva Auto Show, unveiled the E-Vision, a concept electric sedan alongside the H5X and 45X concepts. Although it is a design study, if approved by members of its board, it could make it to production in about four years time. The company has not revealed mechanical or price details of the car, but pundits have positioned the E-Vision in the same bracket as that of Tesla Model 3, which is priced at USD 35,000.

This was not the first time that Tata Motors showcased a concept electric car at the annual event. In fact the Geneva Auto Expo, widely considered to be among the most popular shows worldwide, has been a breeding ground of ideas for Tata Motors. In 2012, the company had showcased the Megapixel, a compact four-seater hybrid concept with a mileage of 100 km per litre. This concept never made it to showrooms.

Ducati, Indian, BMW cut bike prices

Ducati and Indian have joined the bandwagon and cut prices of their imported bikes line-up after the government announced a massive reduction in customs duty a few weeks back.

Vehicle prices of US-based luxury cruiser brand Indian have been reduced by up to Rs 3 lakh, the fall is steeper in the case of Ducati at Rs 8.5 lakh. Last month, BMW Motorrad, the bike making division of the German luxury auto giant, had slashed prices by up to 10 percent with a maximum cut of Rs 1.6 lakh and a minimum cut of Rs 40,000.

The Indian government, last month, had cut customs duty on all fully-imported bikes by up to 25 percentage points and brought it down to 50 percent. A day later US President Donald Trump had severely criticised Indias high tax structure on imported bikes from the US.1. Haryana - 28.7 percent (Image: Reuters)

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Debt-laden Bhushan Steel today said its chairman B B Singal was called for questioning by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) yesterday in a case pertaining to alleged siphoning of funds worth over Rs 1,000 crore.

Responding to a clarification sought by the BSE, Bhushan Steel said, "Yes, B B Singal, Chairman appeared before SFIO on March 8, 2018, in compliance with the summon issued in this regard."

On Thursday, a source said that the SFIO had questioned Singal in the national capital with regard to alleged siphoning of funds.

The agency, which comes under the Corporate Affairs Ministry, has been probing allegations of fund diversions at the company since last year.

The diversion of funds is estimated to be more than Rs 1,000 crore, the source added.

Bhushan Steel is one of the 12 non-performing accounts referred by the Reserve Bank of India to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for insolvency proceedings. The company owes more than Rs 44,000 crore to its lenders.

In recent weeks, the SFIO has been asked to investigate a significant number of companies for fraudulent activities, especially those related to diamond merchants Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi in the Rs 12,700 crore Punjab National Bank fraud.

Last month, the ministry ordered the SFIO to probe around 110 companies and about 10 limited liability partnerships related to Modi and Choksi.

Besides, the white collar crime investigation agency has already questioned various bank officials with regard to the scam.JLR

Luxury car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover(JLR), a subsidiary of Tata Motors, is expecting a drop in growth this year due to the hike in customs duty on components and imposition of high GST rates on the premium segment, managing director of JLR India Rohit Suri said.

The impact of customs duty hike on parts and kits by five per cent would raise prices ranging between 3.5 per to five per cent across the various models of JLR, he said.

"The hike in customs duty hike as announced in the budget was really disappointing. This will have an adverse impact on the growth in 2017," Suri said. "We were expecting a double digit growth in 2018. But the customs duty hike would depress it down to a single digit", he said.

In 2017 JLR sold around 4000 cars in India, which was 49 per cent year-on-year growth over 2016, Suri told reporters on the sidelines of a showroom launch here today.

The proportion of Jaguar sedan and SUV Land Rover sales was almost 50:50, he said. Regarding GST, he said it was 50 per cent for SUVs and 48 per cent for sedans inclusive of cess.

"This too is very high", Suri said. Spanning across 11 models of Jaguar and Land Rover models in India, the prices range between Rs 40 lakh to Rs 1.6 crore, depending on the model. JLR, which stared operations in India four years ago, had a low-volume manufacturing plant in Pune and was pitted against other luxury brands like Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Porsche.

It had a market share of 11 per cent in the category. Asked about the probable launch of electric vehicles in India from the JLR stable, Suri said "In India, we have to see whether the infrastructure support is there, like charging points". JLR already has the technology and a vehicle, I-Pace, was just showcased in the Geneva Motor Show.Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the Philippines' National Defence Secretary Delfin N Lorenzana held wide-ranging talks to strengthen bilateral defence and security cooperation with a focus on the maritime sphere.

Officials said Sitharaman and Lorenzana deliberated on possible areas of defence cooperation and exchanged views on the security situation in the Indo-Pacific region.

The two countries had signed an agreement to step up cooperation in the defence sector during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Philippines in November last year.

President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte had expressed interest in acquiring fast offshore patrol vessels during talks with Modi.

Separately, Defence Minister of Mongolia Enkhbold Nyamaa also met Sitharaman.

The two ministers also explored ways to boost bilateral defence cooperation, officials said.Representative Image

US war aircraft manufacturers Lockheed Martin will soon invite innovation ideas through its annual scheme meant for start-ups and university students to take forward their ideas and enable them enter the market.

"Applications for this programme, launched in 2007, will be received from March 21. It looks for start-ups and university students, who have got innovation, and they may be allowed to take their ideas to the next stage, enabling them to enter the market," Lockheed Martin India, Chief Executive Phil Shaw was quoted as saying in a release here.

Every year, the company has been getting around 1,500 applications for "India Innovation Growth Programme", Shaw said while addressing the audience at the Keralas first ever national level hardware start-up conclave conducted by Maker Village here today.

"People need exposure, investors or venture capitalists. The programme is set up to identify the innovation that is taking place in India. From the ideas, an expert panel will select the best 10 and they will be going to the United States each year to be exposed to the innovation ecosystem in the US," Shaw said.

Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defence, security and advanced technologies company. In his keynote address, Kerala IT Secretary, M Sivasankar said Maker Village should associate itself with talents emerging from work experience fest being held in schools and colleges.

"One major thing that is happening in Kerala is the huge thrust, which we are trying to give on democratising of internet by ensuring that high quality bandwidth is available to every citizen and republic at large," he said commenting on the digital initiatives of the state.

Meanwhile, Kerala's first ever national level hardware startup conclave, organised by Maker Village here, concluded on a positive note with an array of speakers and stake-holders emphasising the need to tap the great potential in the hardware domain.

Around thousand participants, including hardware startups, officials representing the Centre and state governments, industries, technology firms, funding agencies, accelerators, hardware incubators, branding gurus and academic institutions from across the country attended the event held at Gokulam Convention Centre.

Major companies including Lockheed Martin, Siemens, Dassault Systems, Qualcomm India, Intel, ARM, Imec, Bosch, Tejas Networks, Invecas, Rambus and Texas Instruments India also participated in the event.India and France today inked key pacts in the strategic areas of security, nuclear energy as well as protection of classified information after extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Agreements in the field of education, environment, urban development and railways were also signed in the presence of the two leaders.

Addressing a joint media event with Macron, Modi said the two countries have robust cooperation in the fields of defence and security.

On his part, Macron said India and France have decided to work together to deal with threats of terrorism and radicalisation.

Defence cooperation between the two countries now has a new significance, the French President said.

Both the leaders also talked about cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Macron, who arrived here last night, was given a ceremonial welcome this morning.

"Another chapter in the glorious book of our friendship! PM Narendra Modi welcomes President of France Emmanuel Macron at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi ahead of the bilateral talks," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted along with pictures of the two leaders.Congress President Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to meet French President Emmanuel Macron during his four-day India visit.

According to sources, the meeting is slated for Sunday after Gandhi returns from his two-nation visit to Thailand and Singapore that is part of his overseas Indians outreach plan.

The Congress, which has launched a tirade against the government over the Rafale deal that Prime Minister Narendra Modi struck during his visit to France in April 2015, however, said that the issue would not be raised during the meeting.

"The Congress party will not discuss India's defence deal with the head of state of a foreign country. This is our internal matter and this discussion the government has to do with France and not the Congress.

"We are demanding answers from our government and not from the French government," Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said.

Alluding to the Rafale deal, he said that when one goes to buy something, the buyer has to ensure whether the product is good or not, as the seller will obviously say his product is good.

The buyer has to decide looking at his pocket, Surjewala said.

"The government has to ensure that its money is not wasted and gets the best deal in the least money. There should be no loss to the state exchequer.

"It is not the responsibility of Mr Macron, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Defence minister, on which they have failed," he alleged.

The Congress has been attacking the government on the Rafale deal and demanding answers from it over the price of the aircraft.

The Congress today alleged that the government has caused a loss of Rs 12,612 crore to the state exchequer by buying the aircraft from Dassault Aviation, the French manufacturer of Rafale fighter jets.

The party alleged that the company sold each jet to India at Rs 351 crore more than those sold to Qatar and Egypt 11 months ago.

The government has refused to divulge details of the purchase price of Rafale jets due to the "secrecy clause" in the agreement signed with the French government.

Surjewala said if a president or prime minister of any country come to India, "He is our guest and there are no differences between the government and the opposition".

The heads of state formally meet the opposition leaders, as they had been meeting Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley in the past, he said.

Gandhi, who is the leader of the principal opposition party in the country, has been meeting visiting heads of state and government after he took over as party chief.

Gandhi recently met visiting Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen and Canadian Premier Justin Trudeau.Uttar Pradesh is undergoing by-polls for Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha seats on Sunday. The by-elections are being held a year before the crucial Lok Sabha polls and the contesting political parties are leaving no stone unturned to mark victory on the two constituencies.

Both the seats were vacated by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs and the party is now trying its best to retain them by marking victory in the by-polls. The Opposition parties, on the other are making all efforts to snatch the seats away from the ruling party. It is visible as the arch-rivals Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) have come together for the first time in 25 years in the state to take on BJP.

Here are the key facts about the by-polls:

Why by-polls are being held in UP?

The by-polls on Gorakhpur and Phulpur seats are being held after they were vacated by Yogi Adityanath to take over as the chief minister (CM) of the state and Keshav Prasad Maurya as the deputy CM, respectively.

What are the dates of the by-polls?

Both the seats will undergo voting on March 11 (Sunday).

What are the important aspects of Gorakhpur by-polls?

Gorakhpur constituency has been a bastion of Yogi Adityanath who has contested and won on the seat five times in a row. The BJP campaigned aggressively projecting Adityanath as the partys face, but with Yogi not contesting, the opposition may have sniffed a small chance at pulling off an upset.

What are the important aspects of Phulpur by-polls?

Phulpur constituency, once represented by Indias first PM Jawahar Lal Nehru, had long been become a BSP, when in 2014, BJPs Keshav Prasad Maurya won it the first time.

The constituency has gained much attention in this by-poll as it has brought the rivals BSP and SP together. The Mayawati-led party has not put up a candidate against the SP. Instead, its workers are campaigning for the candidate fielded by Akhilesh Yadavs party.

Candidates contesting for Gorakhpur seat:

Upendra Dutt Shukla - BJPPravin Kumar Nishar  SPSurheeta Kareem  CongressAwadhesh Nishad  Bahujan Mukti Party

Girish Narain Pande  Sarvodaya Bharat Party

Along with these names, five Independent candidates are also contesting in the by-polls for the seat.

Candidates contesting for Phulpur seat:

Kaushalendra Singh  BJPNagendra Pratap Singh Patel  SPManish Mishra  Congress

Kanhaiya Lal  Bahujan Mukti Party

Along with these names, nine Independent candidates and nine other contenders are in foray for the Phulpur seat.

Date of results:

The result will be declared on March 14.Douglas V. Gibbs is a proud member of the American Authors Association

Douglas V. Gibbs is a proud member of the Military Writers Society of America.MK Stalin, DMK president

Opposition DMK today described as an "eye-wash" a meeting convened by Union Water Resources Ministry with stakeholder states on Cauvery issue yesterday and called for a special session of Tamil Nadu Assembly to discuss the river water dispute.

DMK Working President and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly M K Stalin wrote to Chief Minister K Palaniswami urging that a special session should be held before the budget session scheduled to start next week, especially in light of "step-motherly attitude by the Centre" shown towards the state on the inter-state dispute involving poll-bound Karnataka.

In his letter, Stalin recalled that he had placed the same demand with Palaniswami during a meeting between the two on March three in order to reiterate Tamil Nadu's stand on Cauvery.

Tamil Nadu wanted the Centre to constitute the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) as directed by the Supreme Court, which had recently pronounced its verdict on the inter-state dispute involving Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry.

On February 22, an all party meet chaired by Palaniswami decided that the chief minister will lead a delegation of leaders of all parties, farmers and MPs from the state to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Cauvery issue.

The meet had also resolved to urge Modi to immediately set up the CMB and Cauvery Water Regulatory Authority as per the apex courts order to set up the bodies within six weeks.

In his letter today, Stalin said that while the prime minister was yet to meet the proposed all-party delegation, and that the panel has been asked to meet Union Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari first, "now only an officials-level meeting an eye-wash drama done with electoral motives, has been conducted by the Centre," he alleged.

"The Central government has insulted the overall sentiments of Tamil Nadu on this very important issue. The government not willing to meet all-party leaders from Tamil Nadu is against democratic ethos," Stalin said in the letter.

He pointed out that three weeks have passed since the Supreme Court verdict, but the Centre "has not come forward to constitute CMB". He also wanted to know if the state government officials present at yesterday's meeting in New Delhi had "opposed' Water Resources Ministry Secretary U P Singh's remarks that the apex court had in its order not used the words Cauvery Management Board.

The Ministry had held the meeting on Friday in New Delhi with officials from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry. The DMK leader said that "with Centre not constituting the CMB and holding eyewash like consultation with an eye on Karnataka polls, exerting further pressure on it over CMB without further delay becomes more imperative."

"Therefore, I, on behalf of Principal Opposition party DMK, urge you to convene a special session of the Assembly to (discuss) the livelihood of farmers and people's drinking water supply," he told Palaniswami. This session should be convened ahead of the budget session which would be held following the presentation of the budget by Finance Minister O Panneerselvam on March 15, he said.Congress president Rahul Gandhi said today that demonetisation was "not a good" initiative and if he were the prime minister he would have thrown the proposal in the "dustbin".

Gandhi is on a five-day trip to the Southeast Asian countries. He began the Malaysia leg of his visit today and interacted with an "enthusiastic gathering" of Indian diaspora in Kuala Lumpur.

Asked how he would have rolled out demonetisation differently, Gandhi said "if I were the Prime Minister and somebody would have given me a file with demonetisation written on it, I would thrown it in the dustbin, out of the door and into the junkyard."

"That is how I would have rolled it out, because that is what I think should have been done with the demonetisation which was not good at all," he said in a video shared by the Congress party on its Twitter handle.

The demonetisation initiative was rolled out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8, 2016, announcing the invalidation of high-value currency notes currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.

Congress party has strongly criticised demonetisation, saying the move has led to economic slowdown.

Earlier at the University of California, Berkeley Gandhi had said that Modi had caused "tremendous damage" to India's economy with his "reckless and dangerous" decisions like demonetisation and "hastily-applied" GST.

Responding to a question on women empowerment, Gandhi also said equality was not "good enough" for women empowerment and asserted that women have to be given more support than men to end the bias against them.

"I don't treat women equal to men, but better than men. I think there is a bias in all societies, including in western society and that bias needs to be corrected. And to correct that bias, equality is not good enough, you have to be partial to women and give them more support than you give men," he said.

Gandhi also addressed a gathering of young professionals at IYCON in Kuala Lumpur.

"Met Mr Subramaniam Sathasivam, President of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) in Kuala Lumpur. Originally a part of the AICC until 1946, the MIC has played a major role in the Malaysian Independence Movement," he wrote on his facebook page.

Gandhi's trip is part of the Congress party's efforts to connect with the diaspora.

He called on Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday and discussed a wide range of topics related to India-Singapore ties.

The trip is being organised by the AICC Overseas cell headed by technocrat Sam Pitroda, who helped former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi lead the IT revolution in India.

Pitroda had earlier successfully organised Rahul Gandhi's visits to the US and West Asia.

Later in the year, the Congress president is also expected to travel to Dubai and Canada.Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today said he does not aspire to be the Prime Minister and is "content" with what he has achieved.

Asked about strained relations of the BJP with allies -- the Telugu Desam Party, Shiv Sena and Akali Dal -- and if he could emerge as a consensus candidate if his party fails to get the required numbers in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he said the BJP would retain power under Narendra Modi's leadership.

"I am contented and not dreaming of becoming the Prime Minister nor do I aspire for it. I am confident that the party has elected Modi and under his leadership alone we will fight and win the 2019 election," the Union minister said at the India Today Conclave here.

"I don't see such dreams. I work as per my 'aukaad' and 'haisiyat' (status and capacity). I have not given my photo to anyone, never passed my biodata or put up my cutout anywhere. Nor does anyone come to airport to receive me. I work as per my ability," Gadkari, who holds Transport and Shipping portfolio, said.

He exuded confidence that all allies of the BJP would come together for the next general elections, but parried a specific question on whether the Shiv Sena, which has gone public with its intention of going solo, will be with it, saying there is nothing certain in politics.

Drawing from a popular Marathi phrase, he said even though they might be bickering, it is not possible for the allies to do without the BJP.

Interestingly, the BJP leader also made it clear that even though he loves Maharashtrain culture, he has settled well in New Delhi after initial difficulties and has no intention to return to Mumbai.

The minister also said a false perception has been created about Modi and asserted that the prime minister is "democratic" who listens to others on important policy matters.

Gadkari cited specific instances like the policy on oilseeds where he has publicly differed with the prime minister and added that cabinet meetings last for over four hours at times.

Even after cabinet meetings, ministers, including External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, often hold meetings with Modi and BJP president Amit Shah, he said.

Modi is very disciplined and a person of convictions in his personal life, which may lead some to believe that he is very stiff, Gadkari said, reiterating that this does not mean that he will not listen to anyone.

To a question on whether the BJP under Shah and Modi is different than under earlier leaders, he seemed to suggest that change is the only constant and one has to be so.

When asked about BJP's slogan of 'Acche Din' and if the party will be going to the electorate with a message of having delivered on the promise, Gadkari said human aspirations are limitless and belief in 'Acche Din' is based on a person's ability in admitting the same.

He said availing 'roti (food), kapda (clothing) and makaan (housing)' can make a person believe in the 'Acche Din' slogan and enumerated the steps taken by the Modi government to address these needs of the people.Bollywood actor-turned-politician and candidate of the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Shatrughan Sinha salutes during an election campaign rally in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh May 11, 2009. India is holding a general election between April 16 and May 13. REUTERS/Ajay Verma (INDIA POLITICS ELECTIONS) - GM1E55B1OBR01

BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come up with the "best possible package" for Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, saying the issue has been "hanging fire".

The Patna Sahib MP's remarks came in the backdrop of two Union ministers belonging to the TDP in Andhra Pradesh resigning from their posts yesterday, over the issue of grant of special status to the state.

The southern state has been raising the demand after the creation of a separate state of Telangana. "Sir, what is all this happening. You had promised, the Government had promised. Chandrababu Naidu and Andhra Pradesh certainly deserve the Andhra package, the best possible package.

And so does our Bihar and our friend Nitish Kumar (Bihar CM). Bihar's special package has been hanging fire," the actor-turned-politician said in a tweet.

Sinha, who has been critical of the Narendra Modi government in the past, said a special package for Bihar "was promised to us since ages, especially after the separation of Bihar and Jharkhand".

Kumar has been pressing for special status for Bihar over the years, owing to resource crunch faced by the state, hit by recurrent floods and droughts, along with a high density of population.21:21 With that, we bring our coverage to a close.

20:54 India and France today inked 14 pacts, including in key areas of defence, nuclear energy and protection of classified information besides resolving to boost cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that the synergy between the two sides was from "land to sky".

The

agreements were signed after extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, including on ways to intensify counter-terrorism efforts.

The two leaders strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, and terror-related incidents in France and India.

Reaffirming their commitment to further Indo-French ties, the two leaders decided to take it to a new level by agreeing to hold biennial summits between the Prime Minister of India and the President of France, a joint statement issued after Modi-Macron talks said.

Addressing a joint press event with Macron, Modi said France is among the "most trusted" defence partners and that today's pact on reciprocal logistic support between the armed forces was a "golden step" in defence relations.

On his part, Macron, who arrived here yesterday on his maiden visit to India, said defence cooperation between the two countries now has a "new significance".

Macron also said, "We want India as our first strategic partner here, and we want to be India's first strategic partner in Europe, and even in the western world."

20:07 India and France today inked an an agreement to expedite the Jaitapur nuclear power plant project, with the aim of commencing work at the site around the year-end.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron encouraged the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) and EDF France to accelerate the contractual discussions for the project, which is yet to see a consensus on key aspects such as credit limits.

The two leaders emphasised on the need for the project to generate cost-effective electricity, remain economical and competitive financing package from the French side with reliable, uninterrupted and continued access to guaranteed fuel supply for the lifetime of the power plant.

They also agreed to further their collaboration on transfer of technology and cost-effective localisation efforts of manufacturing in India.

"The two leaders reiterated the goal of commencing works at the Jaitapur site around the end of 2018, and encouraged NPCIL and EDF to accelerate the contractual discussions in that respect," a joint statement released after the delegation-level talks said.

The EDF and the NPCIL is yet to agree on the cost per unit and the credit aspect, which France will give to India for building the plant in Maharashtra.

Indian sources also said that unless the EDF is out of its financial mess, the NPCIL will not go ahead with a final contract or a General Framework Agreement with the French company.

Besides defence and space, nuclear energy is a key component of the Indo-French strategic partnership.

19:08 No-frills airline SpiceJet today inked USD 12.5 billion deal with French major Safran Group for CFM aircraft engines.

At current exchange rate, the deal is worth more than Rs 81,000 crore and is one of the biggest in the aviation sector.

SpiceJet and Safran Group, have now finalised the purchase of LEAP-1B engines to power a total of 155 Boeing 737 MAX planes, along with spare engines to support the fleet, according to a release.

CFM engines are manufactured by CFM International, a joint venture between Safran and General Electric.

18:42 NCP chief Sharad Pawar today cautioned Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis that his government would be held responsible if jailed party leader Chhagan Bhujbal suffered any "untoward fate in the days to come".

In a letter written to Fadnavis, Pawar pointed out that 71-year-old Bhujbal was languishing behind bars since March 14, 2016 (in a Prevention of Money Laundering Act case) and was in a fragile state of health.

"I am saddened to record that if Chhagan Bhujbal suffers any untoward fate in the days to come, your government will be held responsible for the same," Pawar stated.

He said he did not expect anything, apart from proper medical treatment, which was also Bhujbal's constitutional right.

"Knowing fully well the overall health condition of Chhagan Bhujbal and his advance age, I am sure you will direct that prompt steps be taken to ensure that proper medical treatment be administered to him," he stated.

17:20 Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leaders today met with 30,000 farmers are coming to Mumbai from all over Maharashtra.

The farmers are protesting against the statement government for 'failing to fulfill its promises', and have reached Thane. They intend to reach Mumbai on Monday where they will 'gherao' the assembly.

Shiv Sena, which has been at loggerheads with its partner in the BJP state government, has announced its support to the farmers, as has Raj Thackeray's MNS.

16: 25 Even as the controversy over the origin of the Taj Mahal continues, an RSS thinker has now said the Jama Masjid was not built by Shah Jahan and that it was instead originally called Jamuna Mandir.

"Taj Mahal was not built by Shah Jahan. It was a Hindu Temple. Red Fort was also not built by him," the RSS member said on NDTV's Big Fight, evoking much laughter.

Read more.

13:54 PM Modi urges lawmakers to work for progress in 'aspirational' districts

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said "hardcore politics" of struggle and agitation is no longer as relevant as it used to be, and urged the lawmakers to work together for the progress of over 115 under-developed districts.

Addressing a National Legislators Conference on "We for development" at Parliament's Central Hall, he spoke about social justice in the context of all-round development.

If all children go to schools and all households get electricity, then it would be a step towards social justice, the prime minister said.

13:34 US President Trump briefs Chinese President Xi on North Korea developments

US President Donald Trump today spoke with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and briefed him on developments in ties with North Korea, the White House said.

"The two leaders welcomed the prospect of dialogue between the United States and North Korea, and committed to maintain pressure and sanctions until Pyongyang takes tangible steps toward complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearisation," the White House said in a readout of the call.

During the call, Trump expressed hope that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un might choose a "brighter path" for North Korea's future.

13:00 GST Council approves staggered rollout of E-Way Bill from Apr 15

GST Council has approved staggered rollout of E-Way Bill from April 15. It has also deferred reverse charge mechanism till July 1.

Sources told CNBC-TV18 that states will be divided into 4 lots for staggered roll out of E-Way Bill. Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu are likely to roll out Intra State E-Way Bill from April 15.

12:31 Deal with North Korea very much in the making: Trump

A deal with North Korea is very much in the making, and if completed, it would be a very good one for the world, US President Donald Trump has said, a day after he stunned the global community by accepting an invitation to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The Washington Post said Trump's personal involvement in the White House's deliberations over the world's most serious and vexing security situation "has placed a president who considers himself a master dealmaker into the most fraught faceoff of his 71 years".

"The deal with North Korea is very much in the making and will be, if completed, a very good one for the World. Time and place to be determined," Trump said in a tweet, as experts and analysts scrambled to decipher the unexpected and surprising decision of the president.

"A breakthrough that would reduce Pyongyang's nuclear threat would be a legacy-defining achievement. A stalemate that gives Kim a photo-op for nothing in return could fracture US alliances and be seen as a devastating embarrassment," the daily said.

12:05 Heads of 23 nations to attend International Solar Alliance Summit

Heads of 23 nations and 10 ministerial representatives of different countries will attend the first International Solar Alliance Summit, co-hosted by India and France, at Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Sunday.

The summit will deliberate on finance mechanism for the promotion of solar energy, crowd-funding and technology transfer. Demonstrative projects will be showcased by different nations.

President Ram Nath Kovind will co-host the summit with French President Emmanuel Macron. It will focus on various aspects of promoting solar energy in the 121 countries associated with International Solar Alliance (ISA).

The summit assumes significance in view of India's ambitious renewable energy target of having 175 GW clean energy capacities including 100 GW solar and 60 GW wind power.

"India welcomes esteemed dignitaries from Guinea, Tuvalu, DR Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius for the International Solar Alliance Summit," tweeted Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson of external affairs ministry.

11:07 Kejriwal writes to Modi, Rahul Gandhi; seeks appointments to resolve sealing issue

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi, seeking time to meet them for resolving the issue of sealing of shops in the national capital.

In his letter to the prime minister, he stressed on bringing a Bill in Parliament to remove anomalies in the law which are the reasons behind sealing of commercial establishments, and warned that unemployment caused by the drive could impact law and order situation in the city.

"The reason behind sealing is anomalies in the law. It is the responsibility of the Central government to remove these anomalies," the chief minister said.

Kejriwal had yesterday threatened that he would go on hunger strike if the sealing drive is not stopped by March 31.

10:41 Pak troops shell forward posts, villages in J&K's Poonch

Pakistani troops resorted to heavy shelling from across the border, targeting forward posts and villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, the police said.

Heavy shelling from across the border in Mankote sector started around 7.40 am, prompting strong retaliation from the Indian Army, a police official said.

He said shelling from both the sides was going on when last reports were received, however, there was no immediate report of any casualty in Pakistani shelling.

There has been a spurt in ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the LoC and the International Border this year, resulting in the death of 21 people, including 12 security personnel.

10:28 Odisha to continue demand for special category status: CM Patnaik

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has said his government and the ruling BJD will pursue its demand for according special category status for the state.

"We have always been demanding for special category status for Odisha. We'll do so again," Patnaik told reporters yesterday while responding to neighbouring Andhra Pradesh's demand for such status for it.

10:20 India has played responsible role in Afghan economic development: US

India has played a responsible role in the economic development of Afghanistan, the Trump administration said today noting that the trilateral India-Afghan-US cooperation is not aimed at Pakistan.

"India, we've seen over the last several years, play a responsible role in the economic development and reconstruction of Afghanistan. And that role has been appreciated by the government of Afghanistan," senior US diplomat for South and Central Asia, Alice Wells, told a Washington audience.

Early this month, Wells was in Kabul to attend the Kabul process meeting. On the sidelines of it, she participated in the India-US-Afghanistan trilateral, which again raised eyebrows in Pakistan.

The trilateral meeting, she said, was to review how the three countries can better work together on development trade and investment priorities.

10:11 Three women hostages, gunman found dead at California Veterans Home

Three women and a gunman who held them hostage at a California veterans home were found dead late on Friday, bringing a tragic end to an all-day siege at the sprawling facility for ageing and disabled former members of the US military, police said.

A state senator earlier told reporters that the gunman was a member of the Pathway Home, a program for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, and that the hostages were believed to be employees of the facility, reports Reuters.

09.53 Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron with a hug as he landed in Delhi on Friday night. Macro is in India on a four-day official visit with his wife Brigitte Marie-Claude Macron. The foreign ministry statement lists his agenda as strengthening the bilateral economic, political and strategic dimension of our engagement.

The PM tweeted, "Welcome to India, President @EmmanuelMacron! Your visit will add great strength to the strategic partnership between India and France."U.S. President Donald Trump reacts after signing an executive order on education during an event with Governors at the White House in Washington

US President Donald Trump will not meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un unless he sees some "concrete" action by Pyongyang, the White House said on Friday.

"The president will not have the meeting without seeing concrete steps and concrete actions take place by North Korea, so the president will actually be getting something," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said at a news briefing.trends India-UK Createch Summit: Collaboration to create powerhouse of creativity The first edition of India-UK Createch Summit was held recently in Mumbai to capitalise on opportunities in tech innovations and creativity in India and the UK. The summit brought together British industry creativity heavyweights from augmented reality and created new post productions to showcase revolutionary technology in film and advertising to bring to life magnificent characters.Donald Trump and Xi Jinping

US President Donald Trump spoke with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and briefed him on developments in ties with North Korea, the White House said.

"The two leaders welcomed the prospect of dialogue between the United States and North Korea, and committed to maintain pressure and sanctions until Pyongyang takes tangible steps toward complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearisation," the White House said in a readout of the call.

During the call, Trump expressed hope that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un might choose a "brighter path" for North Korea's future.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Trump has spoken with a number of world leaders after he was briefed on North Korean by the visiting South Korean national security adviser.

A day earlier, Trump also called Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, during which the two leaders agreed to continue to maintain pressure on North Korea till the time it takes tangible steps toward complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearisation.

The White House said this in a statement after the conversation between Trump and Abe to discuss the situation in North Korea and to continue the close coordination between the two countries.

Trump and Abe assessed that the maximum pressure policy, together with international solidarity, brought them to this critical juncture wherein North Korea has agreed to refrain from testing of nuclear weapons and missiles.

"The leaders affirmed their strong intention to continue close trilateral coordination with South Korea to maintain pressure and enforce international sanctions until such point that North Korea takes tangible steps toward complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearisation," the White House said.

Trump expressed his hope that Kim's invitation signals his desire to give the North Korean people a brighter future, it said.Paramount, however, is ensuring house hunters get preapproval first. Brookes says too many of her clients are approaching home buying the way they would have prior to January 1.

Just make sure you get the new preapproval under the new stress test rules, she said. Use a bank or broker whos doing an official preapproval. Theres a pre-qualifier and a preapproval, which is when you look at income documents up front, so submit them all up front during the preapproval process because a lot of people are missing that. They go to the bank and only get pre-qualified and they cant actually afford the home because the bank didnt look at all the income documents up front.

Clients who enter into agreements to purchase a home they subsequently realize they cannot affordbecause they didnt get preapprovedare susceptible to lawsuits.

Youre liable and youll lose your deposit. Even the realtor can get sued. If the seller sells to someone else for less youll have to pay for the difference, she said. You dont walk into a grocery store without knowing how much moneys in your wallet, so dont buy a half-million dollar house without knowing whether or not you can afford it.

Brookes also suggests clients who dont qualify for their dream home with a chartered bank can go to the alternative channel. While it will be more costly, stretching amortization can reduce the monthly payments.

We can extend amortization up to 30 years, which drops the mortgage payment. Even if the interest payment is higher, if we consolidate all their debt into a refinance, you can save up to $2,000 a month.Powered by a thriving oil and gas industry, Midland reclaimed its crown as the metropolitan statistical area with the states lowest unemployment rate.

January figures released by the Texas Workforce Commission showed Midland had an unemployment rate of 2.4 percent, up slightly from 2.3 percent in December and below the 4 percent reported in January 2017. Amarillo came in second with a 2.8 percent unemployment rate.

Odessa also saw an increase in its unemployment rate, to 3.3 percent from 3 percent in December but its January 2018 rate is well below the 5.8 percent recorded for January 2017.

Midland lost 500 jobs from December to January as the 400-job gain in the mining, logging and construction sector was more than offset by the loss of 400 jobs in the trade, transportation and utilities sector, the loss of 200 jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector and the loss of 100 jobs each in the information, the financial activities and the government sectors.

But from January 2017 to January 2018, Midland added 9,100 jobs for a growth rate of 10.3 percent.

That upward revision exceeded expectations, Amarillo Economist Karr Ingham said. He said the new figures indicated Midland added approximately 8,000 jobs more than had originally been reported.

The outcome was exactly what was expected: a sharp upward revision in the number of jobs. All along we knew there were more jobs being added than the Texas Workforce Commission was estimating, and to a significant degree, he said.

Original estimates had Midland job growth around 2 percent last year, rising to 3 percent in the second half of the year. But to reach 10.3 percent growth rate is extraordinary, he said. Even in the boom leading up to mid-2014 before oil prices collapsed, he said Midlands job growth rate was about 9 percent. The only other month in which Midland reported year-over-year growth in excess of 10 percent was July 2011.

Midland and Odessa now lead the state in terms of job growth and low unemployment, a replay of the years from 2010 to 2014 when oil prices were in excess of $100, Ingham said.

The mining, logging and construction sector dominated with 5,900 new jobs, followed by trade, transportation and utilities with 1,000 jobs, leisure and hospitality with 800 new jobs, the professional and business services sector with 500 new jobs, the manufacturing sector and financial activities sector with 300 new jobs each and the education and health services sector and other services sector with 200 new jobs each. Government was the only sector to lose jobs  100  in those 12 months.

Midlands 2.4 percent is scary  its beyond full employment, said Willie Taylor, chief executive officer of Workforce Solutions Permian Basin. Skilled workers, unskilled workers, they all can go to work.

Unemployment claims in the Workforce Solutions offices he oversees are about half what they were a year ago, Taylor said.

Employers around the basin are complaining about their inability to find enough workers, Taylor said, noting there is only so much that can be done about the labor shortage.

Job seekers say they would love to come here to work but they cant find a place to stay, he said. He said hes been told apartment rents in Midland and Odessa are expected to rise 20 to 30 percent.

Such low employment will put upward pressure on wages, he said. Its a job seekers market and they know it.

Companies can bring in workers, but thats a challenge because wages in Midland and Odessa may be higher, but so is the cost of living. Also challenging recruitment efforts is the fact that, unlike the aftermath of the Great Recession when unemployment was high outside Midland-Odessa, employment is now healthy across the nation, giving less incentive for potential workers to relocate.

Thats why its important to grow the workforce locally by working with the schools, community colleges and area universities, Taylor said.

Midland College, Odessa College are at capacity in their training courses, and thats good. We know people will be coming out of those courses into the workforce  diesel mechanics, truck drivers. The truck-driving schools in Midland and Odessa -- theres no way they can keep pace with demand. He said.

While the low employment puts upward pressure on wages and a strain on infrastructure such as housing, roads and water, Ingham said he believes such issues were dealt with during the downturn caused by the low oil prices.

Im sure a lot of headway was made in those areas, he said. There will still be issues but Im sure a lot of heavy lifting was done during the downturn.

Total nonfarm employment jumped to 97,300 from 88,200 in January 2017, while the civilian labor force rose to 95,600 from 94,700 in December and is above the 88,300 reported in January 2017. Nonfarm employment can count workers who come from outside the MSA to work, while the civilian labor force counts those who are residents of the MSA.

Taylor speculated that the nonfarm employment could reach 100,000 by summer, something Ingham agreed was in the realm of possibility.

Statewide, the unemployment rate inched up to 4 percent from 3.9 percent in December. The state has added 2,400,500 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs over the year, including 16,000 jobs in January. Annual employment growth for Texas was 2 percent in January, marking 93 consecutive months of annual growth, according to the Workforce Commission.

While Midland reported the lowest unemployment, McAllen-Edinburg-Mission posted the highest rate at 7.6 percent.

Midland unemployment

January 2018 2.4 percent

January 2017 4 percent

Preliminary numbers for January with December numbers in parentheses:

Midland 2.4 (2.3)

Amarillo 2.8 (2.5)

Austin-Round Rock 3.0 (2.7)

College Station-Bryan 3.1 (2.7)

Lubbock 3.1 (2.7)

Odessa 3.3 (3.0)

San Angelo 3.4 (2.9)

San Antonio-New Braunfels 3.4 (3.0)

Sherman-Denison 3.4 (3.0)

Abilene 3.6 (3.1)

Dallas-Plano-Irving 3.6 (3.1)

Fort Worth-Arlington 3.6 (3.2)

Wichita Falls 3.6 (3.1)

Tyler 3.8 (3.5)

Waco 3.8 (3.3)

Laredo 3.9 (3.4)

Killeen-Temple 4.1 (3.6)

Victoria 4.4 (3.9)

El Paso 4.6 (4.1)

Longview 4.6 (4.1)

Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land 4.8 (4.3)

Texarkana 4.8 (4.0)

Corpus Christi 5.9 (5.3)

Brownsville-Harlingen 6.8 (5.9)

Beaumont-Port Arthur 7.3 (6.6)

McAllen-Edinburg-Mission 7.6 (6.6)It appears a former associate minister will not appeal the dismissal of a lawsuit he brought against a Jacksonville church.

Stuart Smiths civil breach of contract lawsuit against First Christian Church was dismissed in January. He had until Feb. 18 to appeal the decision but did not.

The complaint filed Oct. 19 by attorney John Paul Coonrod on behalf of Smith was dismissed Jan. 19 by circuit court Judge Chris Reif, citing as the reason for dismissal the ecclesiastical doctrine that prohibits civil courts from exercising jurisdiction over religious matters.

In the suit, Smith  who was employed by the church from Nov. 4, 2014, to Sept. 1  said he had voiced concerns about the hiring of associate minister Shane Allen and the reorganization of management prompted by Allens hiring.

Among the suits allegations, which present only one side of a complaint, were criticisms of Allens qualifications, experience, domineering leadership style, personal immaturity, plagiarism of sermons, few hours spent at work, and questionable past.

Smiths concerns were expressed to First Christians senior minister, J. Cook, before being emailed Aug. 30 to the churchs leadership team, according to court documents.

Two days after the email was sent, Smith was fired.

According to the complaint, Smith was not awarded his agreed-on severance of one years pay. Smith sought $62,000 plus court costs, as well as $7,151 in lost wages over the span of six weeks.

On Nov. 16, First Christians defense attorney, Ashlie Kuehna, filed a motion to dismiss that rebutted some of Smiths claims. Among them, the motion indicated that Smith was hired on an at-will basis, which would allow for termination at any time.

In the motion, Kuehna said that Smith aired his frustration about Allens hiring and it resulted in a paid two-day suspension to process the change and decide if he wanted to stay in his position. In an affidavit, Smith said it was not a suspension but 1 days he took off voluntarily.

Chief among the allegations made by the motion for dismissal was insubordination, including times when Smith allegedly refused to work with Allen, to whom he was supposed to report. Those instances led to a July 13 church meeting during which church staff were told to work together or risk termination, according to the motion.

In the email Smith sent to the board, Smith wrote that, though he was frustrated by Allen, who he said has much potential to be a great pastor, he had tried to work with him during his time there.

He is unwilling to meet with me to work towards that goal for the sake of the church and therefore Im left holding an olive branch he wont accept, the email reads. This is un-biblical and to the detriment of First Christian.

Smith did not receive his severance pay, the motion said, because an audit of the churchs musical equipment after his termination showed that several pieces of equipment, including two amplifiers and a GuitarViol, were missing. The churchs music department was under Smiths supervision.

In his response, Smith acknowledged that he had the equipment but said he had tried to return them.

The motion noted that both the U.S. Constitution and the Illinois Constitution provide protections for religious institutions through ecclesiastical doctrine.

Had the court not decided as it did and dismissed the suit, the defense also was prepared to argue that Smiths at-will employment allowed him to be discharged for any reason or no reason at all.

Nick Draper can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1223, or on Twitter @nick_draper.JERSEYVILLE  Officials and developers of a newly-announced 1,400-acre rail-served business park have said they hope to see upwards of 1,000 new jobs created over the next few years, but the impact of the development could reach a far wider area.

While the emphasis is on the 1,000 jobs, Shari Albrecht, executive director of the Jerseyville Economic Development Council, said that includes only jobs within the business park.

Mid-American International Gateway Business Park is a 1,400-acre development near Crystal Lake Road southeast of Jerseyville. Served by the Kansas City Southern Railroad, as planned it would include logistics, assembly and manufacturing.

The project has been in development for about four years and is collaboration between the Stonemont Financial Group, an Atlanta-based private real estate investment firm, the KCS and the Jerseyville Economic Development Council. The project was unveiled to the general public on Friday.

At Fridays announcement, it was said the infrastructure and development costs would be about $500 million, and it could directly create around 1,000 jobs.

After Fridays announcement, Albrecht said the development would likely spur other growth, including new housing, retail and commercial development in Jerseyville, especially along U.S. 67 heading south.

That $500 million investment and 1,000 jobs figures does not include construction of other infrastructure or development not in the park itself.

Were getting a lot of attention, she said Wednesday about last weeks announcement.

She said they were concentrating on the development inside the park at this time, and would address ancillary development later.

At this point were working with Stonemont Financial Group so that we understand their timeline for their project, she said. Weve also been in contact with a retail consultant and some other consultants to help us put together an economic impact study.

She noted the city itself has three distinct commercial districts: downtown, south on U.S. 67, and east and west on Illinois Route 16.

If were going to recruit and work with existing businesses to expand, we want to make sure all of them are in a position to make sure they are successful, she added.

A timetable has not been determined, and will rely in great part on the timetable for the business park development.

A major talking point Friday was the need to finish the expansion of U.S. 67 from two to at least four lanes from just north of Godfrey to Jerseyville and beyond.

They all know the importance of (U.S.) 67 being finished, Jerseyville Mayor Bill Russell said after the meeting. This development will drive that completion. A lot of the engineering is done. Were confident this project will move this along.

While the emphasis on job creation has been Jerseyville and Jersey County, Albrecht said workers will come from throughout the region.

Because of its population, that is expected to benefit Madison County.

Representatives of Madison County Community Development and Employment and Training departments were at Fridays announcement, which also included Alton and Godfrey officials.

Tony Fuhrmann, Madison County Employment and Training administrator, said he expects the development to have a big impact, especially in northern Madison County because thats where the largest pool of available workers will be.

I think there will be job opportunities, especially in the northern area, he said Wednesday. Well try to work with those companies to see what kind of training they need.

Because of similar development in Madison County, he said they have a lot of experience in working with logistics companies.

The logistics park up there will need some of the same skill sets, he said.

Fuhrmann also said that changes in how the state deals with workforce development could mean a greater involvement by Madison County Employment and Training officials to the north.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is considering rearranging workforce development areas into regional economic areas.

Fuhrmann said there is a possibility that Jersey and Calhoun counties could become part of Madison Countys region.

Im waiting to hear from DCEO on what the plan is and the time frame, he said.

Reach reporter Scott Cousins at 618-208-6447.If we were talking about the recent flu outbreak, the Republicans would be the ones arguing that we need to stock the nurse's office with Tamiflu but avoiding even the hint that students and faculty get flu shots because, after all, there is no guarantee that such preventive measures are 100-percent effective.

In the case of deadly gun violence, we are not as well-informed, courtesy of a Congressional ban on gathering such evidence. So you would think that elected officials would be eager to find out more, to see what is known about the causes of gun violence and the most effective ways to prevent it.

Other countries that do not have an epidemic of gun violence, including Australia which had a strong gun-owning-and-using culture before a massacre inspired dramatic changes in the laws, have taken steps to make sure that these deadly weapons have a harder time getting into the hands of those who will use them to kill other humans. In Albany this week, that effort took the form of a proposal for more lengthy and thorough background checks before someone can purchase a weapon.

With any other epidemic, prevention is universally understood to be preferable to a cure. Even allowing for the lack of certainty about efforts on both sides of that argument, rarely do you see anyone maintain that you should focus solely on one and completely ignore the other.Constituents will always oppose if they ...TC Supervisor and RCRC Vice Chair Randy Hanvelt lobbies a Congresisonal staffer on Capitol Hill March 5 2018 View Photos

Sonora, CA  Following this past weeks whirlwind U.S. Capitol trip to lobby for Tuolumne and other rural counties in the state a local lawmaker recaps how things went.

In an interview with Clarke Broadcasting, Tuolumne County Supervisor Randy Hanvelt recounts his latest trip to Washington as a member of the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) leadership delegation. As reported here, Hanvelt was recently appointed the organizations Vice Chair.

A last-minute call from Sacramento to talk at a state budget meeting last Friday about economic and other impacts of wildfires shifted his initial travel plans, which were further derailed by a noreaster hammering the East Coast that grounded his flight in Detroit Friday overnight. However, after arriving Saturday morning, Hanvelt and his group hit the ground running through a weekend full of policy sessions on public lands management; among these were Western Region Caucus and Western Interstate (WIR) meetings, where all the involved states have at least 50 percent publicly owned lands. With Yosemite National Park, the National Forest and BLM managed lands all within its boundaries, Tuolumne County itself contains over 70 percent federally owned lands.

Focused Efforts On Capitol Hill

We went lobbying on The Hill all day Monday and met with various lawmakerssaw the FCC [Federal Communications Commission] and new U.S. Forest Service Chief Tony Tooke, who resigned [two days later over surfacing sexual misconduct allegations], Hanvelt recalls. After meeting and working with Tooke in recent years he conveyed a bit of disappointment, as having a personal in with the agencys top executive could have been helpful.

Hanvelt continues, On Tuesday, same deal [more lobbying] but with RCRCs connections we got invited to the White House. There, the group participated in a three-and-a-half hour meeting in the Eisenhower Executive Office Wing with BLM officials and White House advisors, including Kellyanne Conway. It was absolutely amazingthey took questions, talked really franklydid not beat around the bush  I was really impressed, he admits.

Listing off key issues his group was pushing, Hanvelt states, We were selling forest management, health, resiliency. We were trying to impress upon them that we need PILT [payment in lieu of taxes], because when the government owns 50 percent or more of your county, all of the land is not in the tax base  but that does not mean that it does not cost you something. RCRC is also currently pushing for a Secure Rural Schools (SRC) funding extension and rural broadband access, which Hanvelt especially sees as a major issue for public safety reasons. Too, he adds, The Farm Bill has not been renewed  it is two years behind  so we are putting in the effort to try to get it passed.

A Colorful Wind Up, Plans Moving Forward

After the session, the RCRC entourage got a tour of the wing that included a stop in Vice President Pences ceremonial office, where Hanvelt slipped in for a photo opp behind what turns out to be the original mahogany desk that President Teddy Roosevelt had commissioned for his own use. (To view the photo, click into the image box slideshow.) Later, a final dinner in Georgetown on what would be his last night in DC brought an even bigger final thrill when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife arrived in a swarm of Secret Service personnel  subsequently settling down for a quiet party-of-two dinner within the sight line of Hanvelts table.

The RCRC board will debrief at its meeting in the coming week, according to Hanvelt. Moving forward, he says, We keep pushing for the help to do the things that our county needs. The Forest Health [platform] is everything  its public safetyeconomicsthe environmentair quality and water. We are pushing hard at the federal level and state level to make that happen.Twain Harte School View Photos

Update at 5:30 p.m.: A suspect remains at large after sparking a search and a school lockdown in the Twain Harte area around 2 p.m. The man took off running after a deputy made a traffic stop near Twain Harte Elementary. Deputies were able to confirm that the suspect was no longer on or near the campus after about 20 minutes of combing the area and the lockdown was lifted. Further details and a description of the suspect are below.

Update at 2:45 p.m.: Tuolumne County Sheriffs officials report that a lockdown at Twain Harte Elementary has been lifted and confirmed that a male suspect is no longer on the campus. Deputies continue to search for the suspect. Details regarding the search and lockdown are below.

Original post at 2:30 p.m.: Twain Harte, CA  Tuolumne County Sheriffs Deputies are actively searching the Twain Harte area for a suspect forcing the lockdown of Twain Harte Elementary.

Sheriffs officials report that a deputy made a traffic stop near Twain Harte Elementary located at 18815 Manzanita Drive. Two men were inside the vehicle. One of the males was arrested, but the other man took off on foot. Sheriffs officials describe him as a white male who is heavy set. He is wearing, blue jeans and a dark blue shirt. Currently, deputies are searching the area.

The elementary school was placed on lockdown as a precaution while the investigation is going on. Deputies will remain on scene to make sure the students are safe, according to sheriffs officials, who add that they believe the male subject is off the campus at this time. We will update you on this story as soon as further details come into the newsroom.A roomful of friends gathered Friday night at the Sausalito Yacht Club to say farewell to one of the towns most colorful characters.

He was Ron MacAnnan, a wealthy businessman who owned a classic 82-foot yacht, always drove an old truck and was famous for both his frugality and his generosity.

MacAnnan died March 2 after he fell overboard from his yacht Pursuit and drowned in Sausalito Yacht Harbor. He was 92.

Weve lost one of the greatest guys in Sausalito, said Hank Easom, an old friend. He was an institution.

MacAnnans pride and joy was the Pursuit, which was tied up at the wooden boardwalk along Bridgeway, Sausalitos main street. The boat is a sleek wooden racing yacht built in 1929 and is a waterfront showpiece, with its wooden hull painted gleaming white and a single mast, 96 feet tall.

The Pursuit is so big and fast it requires a crew of 12 to sail it. MacAnnan raced it in years past to Mexico and Hawaii, then brought it to Sausalito. He lived aboard for 28 years, moved ashore, then decided to sail the Pursuit again in 2010, when he was 84. He last raced the Pursuit in the Master Mariners Regatta in 2015.

Ron wanted to sail it again because he felt that was what the boat was meant to do, said Oleg Harencar, who made a film about MacAnnan called Life on the Water.

It was an honor to sail on that boat with Ron said Robert David, a frequent crew member. It was a great sight coming in the Golden Gate with the spinnaker flying, said Easom.

Ronald Rowe McAnnan was born in the Napa Valley town of St. Helena in 1925, went to military school and served as a gunner on bombers in World War II.

He became a general contractor and moved to Sausalito in 1959. One of his first jobs in town was moving a decrepit old yacht club building from the edge of the street to the edge of the bay. He mounted the structure on new pilings over the water, bought the building, and converted it to the Ondine and Trident restaurants. He owned several other Sausalito waterfront properties and at the end of his life lived in one of the towns classic Victorian houses.

Despite his wealth, MacAnnan always drove a 1949 truck and spent much of his time rummaging through dumpsters in search of material to salvage.

He was always amazed at what rich people threw away, said Vince Maggiora, an old friend.

MacAnnan was careful with money and drove a hard bargain. He was little gruff sometimes and he did things his way, Easom said, but he had a heart of gold.

MacAnnan had health problems in recent years, and used a walker to get around. But he still insisted on going to his boat every day to work on maintenance projects.

MacAnnan is survived by his wife, Carol, of Sausalito.

At the end of the service Friday, his friends offered a final sailors toast: To Ron. Fair winds and following seas.She was 32 years old, and her life was just beginning.

Jennifer Gonzales had gotten married last year. She wore a white lace gown and deep red lipstick, matching the color of her bridesmaids dresses. The wedding party took photos walking arm-in-arm down a street in Sacramento  the group was so big that it stretched from curb to curb.

That was Jenn. She loved her big family and her big friend group.

Gonzales and her husband, T.J. Shushereba, were having their first baby this summer. Gonzales was six months pregnant. The couple had plans to travel to Washington, D.C., to celebrate their one-year wedding anniversary March 18.

But on what should have been an ordinary workday at the Pathway Home in Yountville, everything changed. Gonzales and two colleagues were killed Friday by an Army veteran who had received treatment there for post-traumatic stress disorder.

I feel like we are going to wake up and its not going to be true anymore, and well be happy again, said Kate Donovan, a friend of Gonzales who lives in Seattle. To have somebody who was sleeping in your bed with you and your dog a month previously, and making jokes, and leaving funny voice mails on your birthday ... its devastating.

Gonzales worked as a clinical psychologist with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and spent time at the Pathway Home so she could help veterans find academic and vocational programs to return to school. She was widely respected in the field and considered a PTSD expert.

When the VA sent Gonzales paperwork to Marjorie Morrison, she did a double take. Morrison, the CEO of PsychArmour, a free online library with courses on how to support military veterans, was looking for an expert to write about the subject. She was expecting someone a bit older.

She was young and super smart, Morrison said. When the VA says, This is our expert, its a big deal.

Gonzales dedicated much of her short life to helping veterans struggling to build a life after deployment. It was a natural fit for a woman so kindhearted, tender and passionate.

She saw the big picture, Morrison said. Of all the things that people do for veterans, the least sexy thing is getting colleges prepared for them. Its not as exciting. But she saw it as a good place to do research. It was a way to help them understand what these people go through.

Gonzales was a helper in the Mister Rogers sense, said Susan Hennessey, a lifelong friend. She called her a sunny, beautiful, unfailingly kind little girl who grew up to be a sunny, beautiful, unfailingly kind woman.

Jenn was good, from head to toe, Hennessey said in a Twitter post. Thoroughly good in a way that is exceptionally rare. ... She dedicated her life to helping veterans who were hurting.

Gonzales loved to travel. She wanted to visit every state before she turned 30, so she did just that. She loved sandwiches and wanted to open a shop with 50 offerings  a sandwich representative of each state.

She loved her husband most of all. Sushereba proposed to her in Los Angeles. They were walking on Candy Cane Lane looking at Christmas decorations. In front of one house was a sign with twinkling red and green lights. It read: Doc, will you marry me?

They were planning a baby shower for next month. Gonzales loved to read, and the event was going to be book-themed. For each dessert, there would be a corresponding childrens book, including chocolate chip cookies for If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.

She was so happy at this stage in her life, Donovan said. She was the happiest I had ever seen her.Crime in California increased in 2015, the year after voters reduced penalties for many drug and theft offenses. But a new study concludes the ballot measure, Proposition 47, did not cause crime to rise  findings a prosecutors group sharply disputes.

Researchers at UC Irvine compared 2015 crime rates in California to the rates in other states whose levels of specific crimes, like homicide, rape and larceny, had been virtually identical to Californias from 1970 through 2014.

They found that the 2015 rates in those comparison states were the same as Californias rates for violent crimes. While California appeared to have somewhat higher rates of larceny and motor vehicle theft in 2015 than those other states, the differences do not appear to be significant, the researchers said.

The question isnt whether crime went up, but what caused crime to go up, said Charis Kubrin, a professor of criminology, law and society at UC Irvine. Our analysis tells us Prop. 47 was not responsible, so it must have been something else, such as poverty, inequality, guns or drugs. She said it was the first systematic analysis of the ballot measures effect on crime rates and has been reviewed by top scholars in the field.

What the measure did do was cause less harm and suffering to those charged with crime, Kubrin said. Its good to cut criminal justice costs, especially when that money can be earmarked for crime prevention programs.

The report drew an immediate rebuttal from the Association of Deputy District Attorneys, a group of Los Angeles County prosecutors that opposed Prop. 47 and is supporting a proposed initiative to partially overturn it.

The initiative, being circulated for the November ballot, would make a third-time theft of $250 or more a felony punishable by a state prison term. Prop. 47 made all thefts of less than $950 misdemeanors, subject to county jail terms of a year or less. The measure would also allow DNA collection of those convicted of post-Prop. 47 misdemeanors and would roll back part of Prop. 57, a 2016 ballot measure that made some convicted felons eligible for early parole hearings.

Michele Hanisee, president of the prosecutors group, said the UC Irvine study admits that after Prop. 47 passed, crime went up, savings on incarceration were minimal and the recidivism rate remains high.

The post-Prop. 47 statistics on crimes like murder and rape were irrelevant because the initiative did not apply to those crimes, she said. But larceny, which had sentences reduced under Prop. 47 for thefts of less than $950, rose in California while declining across the United States, Hanisee said. And she said the study did not even consider drug crimes, whose sentences were also lowered by the 2014 ballot measure.

Asked about the criticism, Kubrin said drug crimes are very difficult to compare from one state to another, because of great variations among drug laws and enforcement and a lack of data. But she said she is confident in the reports findings that Prop. 47 caused no increase in violent crimes or property crimes, including larceny.

We collected 44 years of pre-(Prop.) 47 crime data, Kubrin said. I knew how politicized this issue was. I stand by the findings 100 percent.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko

More online

To see a summary of the study, with charts:

https://webfiles.uci.edu/ckubrin/Prop%2047%20Fact%20Sheet_Final.pdfOne of Texas' top restaurants is also one of San Antonio's least tidy, as multiple violations landed it on this week's list of dirtiest restaurants.

Range, the new steakhouse owned by local celebrity chef Jason Dady, earned low marks during a random health inspection after a leak was observed underneath the ice machine, hot water was not readily available at any of the first-floor sinks and cleaning supplies were stored near packages of peppercorn butter.

It was one of the 45 restaurants to make this week's list, which included local favorites like Bill Miller BBQ, Tommy's Restaurant and Fred's Fish Fry, as well as three spots inside North Star Mall.

To make the Express-News' list of dirtiest restaurants, an establishment must earn a score of 89 or below  or anything less than an "A"  during a random city health inspection.

SEE LAST WEEK'S VIOLATIONS: San Antonio restaurant inspections: March 2, 2018

Also spotted with less-than-appetizing conditions this week was La Foccacia Italian Grill on South Alamo Street, where an inspector spotted black-buildup in the ice machine, a dead rodent, rodent feces and a dead and live roach in the establishment. The restaurant also did not have oyster tags, which list the last-possible date the oysters in supply can be sold and safely consumed.

Taqueria El Rodeo de Jalisco, located in the North Side, was forced to throw out 7 gallons of carne guisada, 5 gallons of chicharrons, 10 pounds of carne asada and 4 pounds of rice during its inspection because the foods were not stored at the proper temperature.

Health inspectors who visited the H-E-B in Lincoln Heights observed mold in the three-compartment sink at the deli area, water from sinks at the seafood counter leaking directly onto the floor and olives at the olive bar held at too warm a temperature.

And employees at various restaurants were seen handling cooked foods with their bare hands: lemon chicken at Beifang Chinese Restaurant, tortillas at a Bill Miller BBQ along Interstate 10, shredded cheese at a Taco Cabana on Southcross Road, and bacon and a sausage link at the IHOP Express in Stone Oak.

The San Antonio Express-News examines hundreds of restaurant inspections each week conducted by the San Antonio Food and Environmental Health Services division to bring you the eateries with scores of 89 or below.

Restaurants are graded on a 100-point system, where "100" is a perfect score, and demerits are based upon the number of violations found during a regular food establishment inspection. There are three categories of demerits and each are assigned a demerit score of 3, 2 or 1 points, according to the health division.

Scores and demerits listed are only representative of the state of the restaurant at the time of inspection and establishments are surveyed at random.

See the other restaurants that landed on this week's list of dirtiest restaurants in the slideshow above.

erobinson@mysa.com | Twitter: @eeelizzzabethCOL Goldenberg

The state Division of Military and Naval Affairs is reminding residents about key dates affecting New Yorkers during the 100-year anniversary of America's entry into World War I. This is an excerpt from an article written by Col. Richard Goldenberg of the New York National Guard. For the full story, see: http://readme.readmedia.com/New-Yorks-Irish-Soldiers-Bloodied-Battle-Tested-in-Trenches-of-WWI-for-St-Patricks-Day-1918/15414725

March 7, 1918 was the day the New York National Guardsmen of the 69th Infantry Regiment, New York City's "Fighting 69th," experienced their first major combat loss.A traffic stop Thursday morning was routine for Brian Wallace, a police officer in Marietta, Georgia.

Until he got kidnapped, police say.

Wallace pulled over a white Ford Fusion with three men inside about 7:30 a.m. Thursday for an unspecified reason, Marietta police said in a statement. While the driver, Cory Moody, was cooperative, Wallace said he felt his body language was off and had him exit the car, according to the statement. Wallace also smelled marijuana, so he called a backup officer, Sgt. Brian Honea, to help search the car, police said.

When Honea arrived, Moody allegedly tried to get back inside his car. The two officers tried to pull him out, and almost succeeded. Moody was almost out of the car when the passenger allegedly put the car in drive and tried to take off. Dash cam footage shows Honea getting knocked to the ground. Wallace was stuck inside the car and pinned against the driver's seat as it raced off, police said.

Wallace and Moody allegedly wrestled inside the car, police said, as the vehicle sped to 71 miles per hour through congested traffic, muddy dirt roads and rough terrain - with the driver's door still open. About a mile into the drive, Wallace was able to pull the door shut and keep himself from being thrown into traffic, police said.

One of the suspects was able to exit the vehicle before it stopped, police said, and they later found and apprehended him.

The car came to a stop after getting stuck in a muddy pit, about a mile after it had taken off, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The two suspects tried to run away but were quickly arrested by responding officers, according to WSB-TV, a local television station.

Moody and the passengers, Eyzaiya Moody and Walter Gadson Jr., will likely be charged with assault, kidnapping, fleeing and eluding and possession of a firearm, in addition to the original traffic violation charges, police said, though charges had not been finalized as of Thursday afternoon.

The men are from Massachusetts and have been identified as gang members, police said. Two handguns that had been thrown from the vehicle have been recovered, police said.Ursula Marvin was a planetary geologist at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Mass., when she and her colleagues were asked to examine an extraterrestrial object: a 10-pound chunk of Sputnik IV, a Soviet satellite that had crashed, superheated at 1,535 degrees Celsius, onto a street in Wisconsin on Sept. 5, 1962.

Investigating a fragment from Sputnik IV  a less heralded part of the space program that had begun with the thunderclap of the first Sputnik's orbits of Earth in 1957  proved irresistible to a mineralogical expert.Donald Trump was so eager to have Vladimir Putin attend the 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow that he wrote a personal letter to the Russian president inviting him to the event, according to multiple people familiar with the document.

At the bottom of the typed letter, Trump scrawled a postscript adding that he looked forward to seeing "beautiful" women during his trip.

Trump's letter to Putin, which was described by people with knowledge of its contents, shows how interested he was in attracting the personal attention of the Russian president. The real estate magnate, who owned the Miss Universe pageant, wrote the note at a time when he was looking to expand his brand to Russia.

The letter, the first known attempt at direct outreach by Trump to Putin, has been turned over to investigators probing Russia's interference in the 2016 campaign. It is unclear whether Trump's missive was ever delivered to the Russian president - and if so, whether Putin responded.

John Dowd, an attorney for President Trump, said he was not familiar with the letter. "It's all nonsense," he said. A White House spokesman and attorneys for the Trump Organization declined to comment.

At the time, Trump made no secret that he hoped Putin would attend the Miss Universe pageant, which was being held in Russia for the first time.

In a June 18, 2013, tweet, Trump wrote: "Do you think Putin will be going to The Miss Universe Pageant in November in Moscow - if so, will he become my new best friend?"

His letter to Putin was written that month, according to the people familiar with the document.

The pageant was part of a years-long effort to bring the Trump name to Russia. Trump has repeatedly sought to build a tower in Russia since the late 1980s, without success.

But in 2013, a new opportunity emerged through another business he owned: the Miss Universe pageant.

Trump was approached by billionaire Moscow developer Aras Agalarov and his pop star son, Emin, who said they would pay to bring Miss Universe to the Russian capital.

Trump was eager for Putin to attend the event, but the Russian president canceled a planned appearance at the last minute, Aras Agalarov told The Washington Post in a 2016 interview.

"That was a very complicated situation then, because I promised Trump he would meet Putin," Agalarov said.

Instead, Putin sent a "friendly" letter and a gift of a Russian lacquered box, he said. "So he was leaving with very warm feelings," Agalarov said. "He was very happy."

During the pageant, Trump suggested that Putin was following the event and Trump's role in it. "I do have a relationship, and I can tell you that he's very interested in what we're doing here today," Trump told MSNBC while in Moscow.

Investigators for special counsel Robert Mueller III have asked witnesses questions about the Miss Universe pageant and Trump's interest in having Putin attend the event, according to people familiar with the inquiry.

Mueller's team also has examined Trump's relationship with the Agalarovs, which extended beyond the 2013 pageant.

In June 2016, a music promoter representing Emin Agalarov emailed one of Trump's sons, Donald Trump Jr., and asked if he would meet with a Russian lawyer who the promoter said could give him damaging information about Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

"If it's what you say I love it especially later in the summer," Trump Jr. responded. Days later, he met with the lawyer at Trump Tower in New York. A U.S.-based employee for the Agalarovs also attended, as did Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and then-campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Trump Jr. has said that no information about Clinton was provided at the meeting.

Over the years, Donald Trump has offered inconsistent stories about whether he met Putin before he became president.

In October 2013, a month before the Miss Universe pageant, he told late-night host David Letterman that Putin was a "tough guy" and that he had "met him once."

During a Republican primary debate in November 2015, Trump said that he knew Putin "very well."

But in July 2016, he told a CBS affiliate in Miami, "I have nothing to do with Russia, nothing to do, I never met Putin, I have nothing to do with Russia whatsoever."

By that time, Russia was widely suspected of stealing emails from the Democratic National Committee, which had been published by WikiLeaks.

"I don't know who Putin is," Trump said at a news conference the same day. "He said one nice thing about me. He said I'm a genius. . . . I never met Putin."

In the same news conference, Trump called on Russia to find and release Clinton's emails.

The following month, at a campaign rally in Wisconsin, Trump defended himself from criticism from Clinton that he wanted to befriend Putin: "I'm saying to myself, what's wrong with that? That's good."

- - -

The Washington Post's Josh Dawsey and Tom Hamburger contributed to this report.With nearly every 15-minute update on the Eversource and United Illuminating power outage maps, the total number of customers without power declined Saturday.

Despite the total number being far less than it was at the peak of the storm  with 142,000 without power in Connecticut  there is still more work to be done. Crews are out in towns and cities throughout the state, working with local public works departments to clear roads and get power back on.

UPDATE 9:55 P.M.  LOCAL

As of 9:50 p.m., Eversource and United Illuminating report a total of 6,192 customers without power across the state of Connecticut.

Wilton

Twelve roads in Wilton remain closed as of Saturday evening.

More Information Eversource power recovery schedule Bethel - substantially complete Brookfield - substantially complete Danbury - Friday at 11:59 p.m. Darien - Friday at 11:59 p.m. Greenwich - substantially complete Monroe - Saturday at 12 p.m. New Canaan - Sunday at 11 p.m. New Fairfield - Saturday at 12 p.m. New Milford - Saturday at 12 p.m. Newtown - Sunday at 8 p.m. Norwalk - Sunday at 11 p.m. Oxford - Saturday at 2 p.m. Ridgefield - substantially complete Seymour - substantially complete Stamford - substantially complete Weston - Sunday at 11 p.m. Westport - Sunday at 11 p.m. Wilton - Sunday at 11 p.m. See More Collapse

A full list of those roads  and roads that have recently become passable, but are still impacted by trees/branches/wires  can be found on the Wilton police Facebook page.

UPDATE 9:15 P.M.  OUTAGES

A total of 5,895 Eversource and United Illuminating customers are still without power as of 9 p.m. Saturday.

UPDATE 8:15 P.M.  OUTAGES

There are 6,321 households statewide still without power Saturday evening.

Eversource reports 5,812 customers in the state without power and United Illuminating reports 509.

All towns and cities served by Eversource in the southeastern part of the state report less than 501 customers without power.

UPDATE 7:45 P.M.  LOCAL UPDATES

Fairfield

Police said there was significant power restoration in town Saturday by United Illuminating crews.

While UI is not telling us the exact number of crews, UI crews will continue to work throughout the night, police said on Twitter.

Full restoration for the town is expected by roughly 4 p.m. Sunday, police said. But, police said, that does not include homes requiring an electrician to fix the connection to a home before UI can finish their work and restore power.

There are still 12 wires down in town as of 5:40 p.m. Saturday. Crews are working to clear them to make town safe and allow officials to open schools on Monday, police said.

Any trees or branches cut by the Department of Public Works or utility companies that have been left on the side of the road will be removed in the near future, police said.

Shower facilities continue to be available at the Parks and Recreation facility on Mill Plain Road between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday.

More details can be found at fairfieldct.org/storm.

New Canaan

Police remind residents to check on neighbors without power and to call the EOC with any concerns.

Trumbull

Those still without power in Trumbull should check out uinet.com to see whether their outage needs something addressed by an electrician before UI can get involved in restoring power.

Debris from the storm should not be moved from where it was left by public works or utility companies, town officials said. After power is restored, the town will devise a plan to deal with the debris collection and removal.

Westport

All roads in town were reopened as of 1 p.m. Saturday, police said.

And though the roads are passable for vehicular traffic, police encouraged residents to take extreme caution while driving around town because there is still the possibility of downed electrical equipment, hanging branches and any other debris causing obstruction.

Areas cut off by barriers and caution tape should be avoided.

There is ... a great deal of cleanup work to be done and all town departments will be out clearing up the issues over the next few days, town officials said.

UPDATE 6 P.M.  OUTAGES

Eversource reported 9,622 customers without power.

Bethel - 273

Brookfield - 49

Darien - 25

Danbury - 171

Greenwich - 211

Monroe - 7

New Canaan - 224

New Fairfield - 35

Newtown - 262

Norwalk - 359

Oxford - 48

Redding - 24

Ridgefield - 39

Seymour - 9

Stamford - 223

Weston - 370

Westport - 677

Wilton - 476

United Illuminating reported 1,489 customers still in the dark.

Ansonia - 10

Bridgeport - 8

Derby - 2

Easton - 309

Fairfield - 256

Milford - 654

Orange - 1

Shelton - 9

Stratford - 2

Trumbull - 86

UPDATE 4:15 P.M.  EVERSOURCE, OUTAGE RESTORATION

An updated list of restoration times has been published by Eversource at: http://bit.ly/2oYhcZU. Most of the cities and towns listed are classified as substantially complete.

New Canaan, Weston, Westport and New Canaan still have estimated restoration times of Sunday at 11 p.m. Those four towns are among the 24 out of 148 in Connecticut served by Eversource that are not listed as substantially complete.

Eversource said despite this being the estimate, some customers in those areas could have power restored sooner.

UPDATE 3:30 P.M.  OUTAGES

Eversource reported 12,808 customers without power.

United Illuminating reported 1,854 customers still in the dark.

UPDATE 3:15 P.M.  EVERSOURCE SCAM

The extended outages have led to scammers trying to take advantage of the situation, with businesses in Norwalk and Westport receiving calls from a fake Eversource representative demanding payment for power restoration.

The Westport Police Department has received complaints from multiple businesses ... Businesses have received calls from persons purporting to be from Eversource Energy advising they will not have their power restored unless they provide over-the-phone payment, said police Lt. Jillian Cabana.

Norwalk police echoed a similar situation in the city Saturday.

Local businesses have been receiving calls from a fake (Eversource) representative today demanding money, police said. This is a scam.

The power company would never, ever ask customers to pay to get power back, said Eversource spokeswoman Tricia Modifica.

Our crews are working tirelessly to restore power to all residents and business. (The scam) is very disheartening. Customers have really endured enough having to be without power. They shouldnt have to deal with this, too, Modifica said.

Anyone who has received a call and is unsure of its authenticity can call Eversource directly at 800-286-2000.

Original story

Cleanup and power restoration efforts continued around Connecticut Saturday, after more than three days since the state was struck by a powerful snow storm.

The number of residents still without power at 7 a.m. Saturday morning numbered 25,091, according to power utility statistics.

The remaining power outages are mainly concentrated in mid-Fairfield County, from Fairfield and Easton down to Norwalk, New Canaan and Wilton, as well as along the border of New Haven and Middlesex counties to the east.

Despite a 30-percent reduction from Fridays totals, some residents have taken to social media and other platforms to express their frustration with their power utility companies.

I know you are working hard and I feel for you all but I really would like you to clear this live wire from my driveway so I can feel safe again, wrote Karen Engelke to Eversource.

We recognize the significant disruption to our customers lives when they lose power and we greatly appreciate their patience. Given the progress being made in very difficult conditions, we estimate power will be restored to the vast majority of customers by Sunday at 11 p.m., responded Eversource officials from the companys Twitter account.

On Friday, Fairfield state Sen. Tony Hwang wrote a letter to United Illuminating President and CEO Tony Marone, requesting more help be sent to the town to speed along power restoration and cleanup efforts.

The entire legislative delegation from Fairfield would like to request additional assistance for our town at this time, Hwang wrote in his letter.

He stressed that he understands that UI is under pressure and working hard, but said Fairfield was significantly impacted by this weeks storm.

As power crews work to restore power to customers, local public works crews are still working to clear roads that have been blocked off by fallen trees and downed power lines since Wednesday night.

In Westport, all roads were reopened as of 1 a.m. Saturday after more than two days of cleanup in the wake of the latest noreaster.

Westport police did note, however, that while all roads are now passable for vehicular traffic, they still urged extreme caution around concerning downed electrical equipment, hanging branches and any other debris causing obstruction.

Please refrain from approaching any areas still secured with barriers or caution tape as there still could be a danger risk. There is a great deal of cleanup work to be done and all town departments will be out clearing up the issues over the next few days, added police spokesman Sgt. David Librandi.

Cleanup efforts in Wilton have been a little bit more slow-going, according to Lt. Rob Kluk, though crews are beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

As of 7:30 a.m. Saturday, only 16 roads in Wilton are still closed  down from the more than 100 closures the town had in the immediate aftermath of the storm. With eight or more Eversource crews working in town, Kluk said he hopes to reopen the rest of the roads by days end Saturday.

Thats the hope, at least, Kluk said.The Keeley Cure initially had gold in it, but the real gold was in the number of satisfied alcohol or other drug-addicted customers who were cured and the social support system from the community of Dwight.

Lynn Neville brought the history of the Keeley Institute to life for those attending a recent meeting of Dwight Historical Society at the Prairie Creek Public Library in Dwight.

The location was appropriate because the building itself is the former clubhouse utilized by patients at the Keeley Institute, located adjacent to the Country Mansion restaurant, also a former Keeley building.

Dr. Leslie E. Keeley, the son of a country doctor, was born in 1832 in New York. He headed West as a young man, graduating from Rush Presbyterian Medical College in Chicago. In 1864, he enlisted and served in the Union Army during the Civil War.

As an assistant field surgeon, he knew opiates were used as anesthesia, as well as alcohol, and the opiates, alcohol and tobacco were also often used in excess by the soldiers  and they became addicted, Neville said.

Keeleys theory was that drunkenness is a disease.

Keeley suspected that the alcohol, opiates and tobacco contained toxic germs that  taken in large and repeated quantities  poisoned the brain, altered the cells and resulted in a disease, Neville said.

Keeley came to Dwight in 1866, working as a traveling doctor on a 400-mile circuit.

While doing his house-call medical duties, he also worked on a cure for drunkenness. Major Curtis Judd, a prominent businessman in Dwight, became Dr. Keeleys brother-in-law in 1888, and was a major financial backer for Keeley.

Keeley and Judd were two of the institutes founding members. The third founding member was an Irish chemist, John Oughton, who joined Keeley in search of a cure.

In 1879, after years of research and experiments and with Oughtons help, Keeley was able to proclaim, Drunkenness is a disease  and I can cure it, Neville said.

He created the Double Chloride of Gold Cure For Addictions. The cure was also sold through mail order. It was, however, never patented because then the formula would have to be disclosed.

From 1888 to 1895, the mail-order cure cost $5 for tobacco (about $140 in todays dollars), $9 for alcohol ($250 today) and $10 for opium ($280 today).

From 1879 to 1890, more than 10,000 had taken the Keeley cure.

As the Dwight Institute location started to be overwhelmed with patients, Keeley, with a vision of serving the world, decided in 1890 to 1891 to begin to open franchises. Between 1891 and 1965, the Keeley Institute had more than 126 Keeley franchises in operation.

With the prosperous enterprise, Keeley had visions of bringing thousands more people to Dwight for the Keeley Cure, but the Dwight infrastructure was lacking with no electricity, poor roads, poor sidewalks, and the need for water and sewer line improvements, Neville said.

Because Dwight officials knew other cities were courting Keeley to relocate his headquarters, talks were conducted in 1891 between Dwight officials and the Keeley Co. to work together to improve the village and keep the Keeley Institute in Dwight.

Among the improvements was the construction of the Chicago and Alton Railroad depot (now the home of the Dwight Historical Society).

At the peak of the Keeley years, 17 trains per day were stopping in Dwight, serving 700 new patients arriving each week. New arrivals were greeted by townspeople and staff at the train stop.

Keeley patients were free to shop and walk the streets of Dwight, returning to the Institute for the lectures and counseling sessions, meals and for the gold cure injections and tonics, Neville said.

Townspeople knew the rules: no gambling, no driving cars, no fraternizing between male and female patients and absolutely no sodas or alcohol.

Tavern owners would watch out for Keeley patients and report a patient who tried to buy alcohol.

By the 1890s, the Keeley was reporting that at least 300,000 people had been treated.

But along with success came copycats. Because there is nothing proprietary about the cure and it wasnt patented, by 1900 there were 800 other gold cures. The number of Keeley franchises dropped to 70.

In 1900, Keeley changed the formula to eliminate the gold in the cure. He died that same year at age 68. Major Judd retired and John Oughton lived in the Manse (now the Country Mansion) and by 1916 was the sole owner of the business.

Oughtons oldest son, Dr. James H. Oughton Sr., was the medical director at the Keeley.

But with prohibition around the corner, business continued to slow.

In 1892, the annual gross revenue for the Keeley was $727,000 in 1892 dollars. By 1920, after Prohibition went into effect, revenue fell to $75,000.

Dr. James Oughton was named president of the Keeley in 1925 after the death of his father, and the formula was changed again, with the term used as tonic medicines.

Prohibition was repealed in 1933, and the income spiked to more than $180,000 with 900 treated that year.

Throughout the history of the institute (which closed in 1966) the cure included many of the same supports, such as mutual sharing of difficulties, Alcoholics Anonymous roundups, church attendance, vitamin therapy, and nutritiousness and exercise.

The Keeley Institute was good to and for Dwight, Neville said, and Dwight was good to the Keeley.MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. - President Donald Trump on Saturday again called for enacting the death penalty for drug dealers during a rally meant to bolster a struggling GOP candidate for a U.S. House seat here.

During the campaign event in this conservative western Pennsylvania district, the president also veered off into a list of other topics, including North Korea, his distaste for the news media and his own election victory 16 months ago.

Trump said that allowing prosecutors to seek the death penalty for drug dealers - an idea he said he got from Chinese President Xi Jinping - is "a discussion we have to start thinking about. I don't know if this country's ready for it."

"Do you think the drug dealers who kill thousands of people during their lifetime, do you think they care who's on a blue-ribbon committee?" Trump asked. "The only way to solve the drug problem is through toughness. When you catch a drug dealer, you've got to put him away for a long time."

It was not the first time Trump had suggested executing drug dealers. Earlier this month, he described it as a way to fight the opioid epidemic. And on Friday, The Washington Post reported that the Trump administration was considering policy changes to allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty.

But on Saturday his call for executing drug dealers got some of the most enthusiastic cheers of the night. As Trump spoke about policies on the issue in China and Singapore, dozens of people nodded their heads in agreement. "We love Trump," one man yelled. A woman shouted: "Pass it!"

Trump was ostensibly here to inject some last-minute political capital behind Republican Rick Saccone, whose race against Democrat Conor Lamb could be a harbinger of the Republican Party's fate in the midterms.

But in classic Trump fashion, he quickly steered away from his main reason for being there. He touted his decision to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and boasted that it was something his predecessors couldn't do.

Trump also delivered a profane attack on the news media, calling NBC News anchor Chuck Todd a "sleeping son of a bitch" and deeming CNN "fake as hell," as the enthusiastic crowd booed at the mention of journalists and chanted "CNN sucks!"

And he rattled off several falsehoods, such as a claim that 52 percent of women voted for him in his presidential win (it was 52 percent of white women, according to exit polling).

The rally at an airport hangar in the Pittsburgh suburbs took Trump back to familiar political terrain and a base that carried him to a surprise victory in 2016.

Trump talked up his decision this past week to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports - a move deeply opposed by congressional Republicans and the business wing of the GOP yet popular in this Pittsburgh suburb, the heart of steel country. Both candidates in the special election to fill the seat vacated by Tim Murphy (R) back the president's decision on the import duties.

"A lot of steel mills are now opening up because of what I did," the president told the crowd in this conservative district. "Steel is back, and aluminum is back."

Trump also warned allies in the European Union to "get ready for tariffs" and threatened to impose taxes on German automakers Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

Despite his allegiance to Trump, Saccone has underwhelmed national Republicans in this heavily pro-Trump district, and public polling ahead of the Tuesday election has shown Saccone neck-and-neck with Lamb, a former federal prosecutor and Marine.

For more than an hour before the rally began, Saccone stood near the entrance with his wife, chatting with people as they arrived. A number of people walked past, not seeming to notice or recognize him. Rally signs for the candidate were sparse.

Trump himself rarely mentioned Saccone during the first portion of the rally, saying he believed the candidate was "handsome" and deriding the Democrat as "Lamb the sham." But Trump also acknowledged that Saccone was in a "tough race" and urged his supporters to come out and vote.

"We need our congressman, Saccone. We have to have him," Trump said. Referring to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the president added: "The only chance she's got to become speaker is electing Democrats."

He finally pulled Saccone to the stage near the end of his 75-minute rally, as the candidate exclaimed: "If President Trump's in your corner, how can you lose?"

"Go out, vote for Rick. He'll never, never disappoint you," Trump said. "Vote with your heart, vote with your brains. This is an extraordinary man."

At another point in the rally, Trump also urged a crackdown on sanctuary cities and vowed to toughen enforcement at U.S. borders and to root out MS-13 gang members.

"We have to build a wall," Trump said. "For people, for gangs, for drugs. The drugs have never been a problem like we have right now."

He recalled his testy telephone conversation last month with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, which ended in an impasse over Trump's promised border wall and an agreement to scrap Pena Nieto's planned trip to Washington.

Trump said Pena Nieto asked him on the call to affirm Mexico's position that it would not pay for the wall.

"He said, 'Is it a dealbreaker?' " Trump recalled. "I said, 'Bye, bye. We're not making a deal.' "

Midway through the rally, Trump hinted that he may not run for reelection, yet he rolled out a new campaign slogan ("Keep America Great!") and took repeated swings at potential 2020 Democratic challengers, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. - again pulling out his "Pocahontas" taunt. He also went after Rep. Maxine Waters, calling the California Democrat - who has called for Trump's impeachment - a "low-IQ individual."

And he couldn't resist recounting his stunning electoral victory 16 months ago: "They said he cannot win, he cannot get - remember? - to 270. And we didn't! We got to 306."

The rally in Moon Township had originally been scheduled for mid-February but was postponed after the deadly school shooting in Parkland, Florida. The campaign statement announcing the new date did not mention Saccone; rather, it said Trump would come to Moon Township to tout the GOP's new tax law.

This was Trump's first campaign rally in more than three months, breaking his pattern of gathering with his strongest supporters as often as twice in a month. His last two rallies were aimed at helping Republican candidates in the U.S. Senate race in Alabama, although the president did not make those men the centerpiece of his comments.

On Sept. 22, Trump held a rally in Huntsville, Alabama, to encourage his supporters to vote in the GOP primary for Luther Strange, who had been appointed to fill the Senate seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, R. While on stage, Trump acknowledged he "might have made a mistake" in endorsing Strange, who went on to lose the primary to Roy Moore, whom many of the president's supporters had endorsed.

Trump then backed Moore, continuing to support the former Alabama Supreme Court judge even as he was accused of sexual misconduct involving teenage girls when he was in his 30s.

On Dec. 8, the president held a campaign rally in Pensacola, Fla. - not far from the Alabama state line. Although those close to Trump had said the president would not mention Moore during the event, Trump did just that, telling his supporters: "So get out and vote for Roy Moore. Do it. Do it. Do it."

Moore's Democratic opponent, Doug Jones, went on to win the race, becoming the first Alabama Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate in more than two decades.

Since those two rallies late last year, Trump has not held any official campaign rallies, although he did name his new campaign manager last month, Brad Parscale. But that doesn't mean the president has refrained from giving addresses that sound a lot like his signature campaign speeches.

Last month, Trump showed up at the Conservative Political Action Conference and gave an unscripted 75-minute address in which he attacked Democrats, mocked Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., encouraged campaign-style chants about locking up his political opponent and recited the lyrics of a song about a tenderhearted woman who cares for an ailing snake, a parable that he frequently uses to paint undocumented immigrants as violent criminals.A 19-year-old woman was arrested Saturday after she allegedly lured a man to a West Side apartment complex where four suspects robbed him at gunpoint and fled.

Amanda Tafolla now faces a charge of aggravated robbery. She remains in the Bexar County Jail on a $75,000 warrant.

RELATED: Drowning of 26-year-old on River Walk ruled homicide

According to her affidavit, Tafolla connected with the victim on social media and the two decided to meet up on August 30, 2016, at the Ingram Ranch Apartments in the 2400 block of Oak Hill Drive.

When the victim, a 34-year-old man, arrived to the apartments, he got out, greeted Tafolla and was immediately confronted by an armed suspect who demanded his wallet and cell phone.

Another suspect then took his car keys and unlocked the doors so two more suspects could go through it and took what they found.

After robbing the victim, one of the suspects gave him back his car keys and all the suspects fled the scene, including Tafolla.

RELATED: Police find man fatally shot in vehicle across street from Southwest Side elementary school

The victim drove to a nearby Walgreens, where he called police and reported the robbery. He later provided detectives with Tafolla's social media profiles, which they used to track her down to an address in Donna, Texas.

Deputies with the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office interviewed Tafolla in September 2016. Her affidavit says she admitted to the robbery during the interview but was later released.

She was arrested on Saturday on an arrest warrant issued in November.

Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com

cdowns@mysa.com

Twitter: @calebjdownsGoing leadfoot all the way down to the Gulf Coast is both dangerous and illegal. Nobody likes to share the road with speedsters suffering from leadfoot syndrome.

And Texas' highways are guaranteed to be jammed packed this weekend.

So, it's a good thing Texas law enforcement agencies will be out in force, forgive the pun, to try and keep those roads safe, and sane.

RELATED: Best stops for food off I-10 in Texas from El Paso to Beaumont

If you are one of those who tries to make the best time on your road trips by going 90 mph, then don't look through this gallery.

But if you are just looking to enjoy your family vacation and do not want to get caught up with the po-po and their quest for speeders, here is a list of areas you might consider avoiding.

Click through the gallery to see the worst speed traps in San Antonio and Texas:

And while there is no cure of leadfoot syndrome, Texas law officers across the state are deployed and ready to help motorists alleviate the symptoms.

Or you could just slow down before it comes to that.Two competing visions for San Antonio have emerged in recent weeks, and the differences couldnt be more striking.

One is selfish. The other is inclusive. One is narrow. The other is broad. One is retrograde. The other is forward-thinking. One is a quagmire. The other has the potential and power to move people.

Im referring, of course, to the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Associations proposed charter changes, and the emerging rapid transit plan from Mayor Ron Nirenberg and VIA Metropolitan Transit.

RELATED: Nirenberg calls on fire union to end 'foolish games,' negotiate

Voters soon may weigh in on each of these visions. Fires proposed charter changes likely will be on the November ballot. The transit plan most likely will be on the ballot in November 2019.

On the surface, these topics have nothing to do with each other. One is about transit. The other would change the citys charter, but is really the latest salvo in a protracted labor dispute. That said, the underlying ethos for each vision is so different, and the potential impact of each initiative is so sweeping for the community, that its hard to imagine voters supporting both.

Very clear lines have been drawn about what type of governance this community values, and what type of vision resonates with voters.

If successful, fires proposed charter changes would radically transform city government. They would cap the city managers salary to 10 times that of the citys lowest-paid employee and place an eight-year term limit for that position. The charter changes would make it relatively easy for voters to undermine City Council decisions on spending, taxes and utility rates. And they would require binding arbitration between the city and its public safety unions should negotiations hit a wall.

The proposal has been decried as a wrecking ball  one that would threaten the citys Triple-A bond rating, hurt the recruitment of talent and sow civic chaos.

This all may very well be true, but the greatest flaw of the fire unions proposal is that it is a monument to selfishness.

RELATED: Mayor, chamber ramp up opposition to fire union campaign

This isnt about improving government for the people. This is about making it easier for a small group of people to exercise control over local government. Fire hasnt had a new contract since 2014, and its leadership has chafed at the thought of (gasp!) contributing to health care costs. These charter changes would not only open the door for a more malleable city manager, they would allow for fire to flex muscle over the mayor and council because every decision made could be open for a citizen re-do.

Call it the #GetMine movement. But at what cost? Certainly more than the compensation for City Manager Sheryl Sculley, the subject of fires wrath.

Now compare this vision from fire with the emerging transit plan from VIA and Nirenberg: seven high-speed transit corridors that connect people from across the community. The mode of transit might be bus or light rail, or a mix of both. Regardless, riders would be in a dedicated lane, free from traffic.

Perhaps details will emerge that will make this plan untenable for voters. But for now, just think about the underlying possibilities. Its a vision that tackles congestion, air quality, economic segregation, economic development and growth. Its a vision that is largely premised on shifting existing funding  possibly moving Edwards Aquifer protection and linear creek funding to city bond packages  as opposed to new costs. Its a vision that serves the entire community, not just a small group of people.

And its a vision that is premised on serving the future: Linking the University of Texas at San Antonios two campuses. Connecting Brooks City Base to downtown. Creating a quick connection to the airport.

RELATED: Editorial: Fire union would rather take a wrecking ball to S.A. government than negotiate

Nothing worthwhile comes easy, and this wont be an easy vision to turn into reality. It will require tough community choices about funding and routes and salesmanship from the mayor. But its a transformational vision to address the communitys future and improve the quality of life for residents.

In that sense, the transit plan is the exact opposite of the fire unions proposal. One seeks to move the community forward and serve the greater good, while the other seeks to hold it back as an act of selfishness.A week ago, as she accepted the 2018 best actress Oscar, Frances McDormand asked all of the female nominees sitting in the audience to stand and be seen.

Considering how many people were nominated, there werent that many women standing.

And that was even after McDormand urged the iconic Meryl Steep to stand so everyone else would do so as well.

GoldDerby, an awards site that predicts winners of Hollywood awards as if they were horse races at the track, reported that outside of the 10 women nominated in the gender-specific Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress categories, 47 women were nominated in 17 of the 20 categories. Four won Oscars. Outside of the 10 men nominated in the actor categories, 151 men were nominated. Thirty-two men won Oscars.

Those numbers tell a story of an industry with unwritten rules regarding womens looks, how much they get paid, how well they hold up as they age and so on. And the Harvey Weinstein allegations also shine a light on forces that have long worked against women in the business of making films and keeping the rest of us entertained.

There are lots of inequalities, even in the way we talk about them when they come into our homes via movie channels: Whats the male equivalent of the ingenue? Is there a male equivalent to the word starlet?

Things might be changing, but as of the 2018 Oscars, not fast enough.

Before she left the stage with her Oscar, McDormand tossed out the idea of inclusion riders. Thats the part of a contract in which a star asks for something as part of the deal. That could mean a fresh bowl of M&Ms on the set or the condition that half of the people working on the film are women. Or people of color.

Or that any characters of color in the picture are portrayed by actors of color.

Or that pay is the same for people doing the same job. It might be dicey to measure whether an actor playing a minor character is doing the same job as another actor playing a minor character, but there are technical jobs that are much easier to gauge.

The idea McDormand tossed out is one intended for people who can afford to walk away from a project and who, most likely, have already done so for far less than lasting social change.

What was really cool about this was that this doesnt just apply to Hollywood. The idea of inclusion riders shouldnt stop at the gilded doorways of A-list actors. Imagine the social change that wed see if that idea wafted over to the gilded doorways of A-listers in every industry.

A-listers  those with clout, those in demand, those who can call the shots  have power. Maybe its because of some insane talent or extraordinary skill set, a superhuman drive or focus or a game-changing blessing from a very rich relative; if someone has the kind of power to call the shots in their world, they have the power to change the landscape in the world they share with the rest of us, too.

Thats how real change happens. And thats how the world becomes a better version of itself.As a great admirer of the U.S., a frequent visitor having journeyed to 43 states, I fought back tears as I visited the Columbine Memorial in Denver in 2016.

Moved by the senseless slaying of children and teachers in the incomprehensible setting of a school, I was also angry at how this could have happened in modern America. At the time of the massacre, there was an outcry with hope that this would lead to new gun laws.

Nineteen years later, absolutely nothing has been done.

If anything, America has regressed in responding to the frequency and horror of such massacres. Inactivity, inertia and indifference follow quickly after an outpouring of grief. Numbed by the routine of it all, memories fade and anger dissipates until the next massacre.

The gun culture gripping the U.S. continues to shock and dismay European friends of your remarkable country.

Setting aside the extremism of a troubled minority, suggesting the answer to the problem of guns is more guns and the National Rifle Associations clamor to further undermine the worlds weakest gun control laws  what should be done to address what is essentially a moral, political, cultural and constitutional problem, immersed in a dysfunctional democracy?

The massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida will become yet another date that will live in infamy, a phrase immortalized by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

For any impartial observer, this nightmare  a nation awash in more than 300 million guns, a deep-seated and violent gun culture and a propensity for this to be acted out in schools  would lead any self-respecting European country to act.

No single solution will halt all shootings, but restrictions will save lives. Though legally purchased guns are part of American society, addressing repeated massacres can only begin with dialogue. Shutting down the dialogue before it starts solves no problems.

Is the frequent slaughter of schoolchildren a price the U.S. is willing to pay to preserve the most primitive and lax gun laws in the developed world; to protect myths, seriously distorted history and delusions of bygone eras; and to tolerate a Congress too cowardly to address gun control?

Why do U.S. citizens allow members of the House and Senate to accept money from the NRA for political services rendered? And why are these politicians allowed to vote on matters in which they have a financial interest.

In the United Kingdom, they would be outed and condemned by the press and public of all political colors and would not be able to vote!

One of President Donald Trumps first acts in office was to make it easier for the mentally ill to buy guns. Congress, without shame or remorse, is content with the AR-15 being the gun of choice for mass shootings. The NRA invested millions of dollars in politicians and elections in 2016. Whose interests are they serving?

Is fear the driving factor?

In his Gettysburg Address, President Abraham Lincoln did not say government of, by and for the lobbyists, but of, by and for the people, a noble notion that dates to ancient Greece.

If the politicians lack the courage to tackle gun regulation and the vested interests, what excuse do the people or voters have? Is it fear?

Again, Roosevelt said, The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. U.S. citizens, at the ballot box, can change the political dynamic and start to exercise their own power and priorities, which I am sure wont include the indiscriminate killing of schoolchildren.

Supporters of unhindered gun freedom will argue that school massacres can be blamed on the mentally ill, that good men with good guns can solve the problems caused by bad dudes with bad guns, that schools should be turned into fortresses, that school teachers can be armed to form classroom militia, that children should have lessons on how to deal with mass murderers. Harden our schools has become the desperate mantra of a failing gun lobby. Schools shouldnt be killing fields.

This, of course, is the politics of a madhouse.

These people do not represent the majority of gun owners in America, but they have captured politicians of all parties, especially Republicans, and dictate the terms of the gun debate. They offer siren voices against progress, while supporters of new regulations rise and fall as memories of each incident dim, the press spotlight fades and congressional interest wanes.

Politicians in Congress then mimic the lobbyists, including those of lucrative gun manufacturers, by responding to the killing in Parkland, Florida, by saying its too early to jump to conclusions, or lets wait until we get all the facts; or its a complex issue, or lets not politicize the issue, or the falsehood that every country has this problem.

Its not about abolishing

Second Amendment

In terms of massacres in schools, and indeed in churches, cinemas, musical events and colleges, the U.S. is a rogue outlier in a universe of its own. Japan, Germany and the U.K. are exemplars of countries that have strict gun laws and will never tolerate elevating nearly unfettered gun ownership above the welfare of children.

What is the price of a childs life?

Americans can be distracted by debates about other issues, such as the role of mental illness, but other countries dont have so many guns, have universal background checks and dont allow the public to own military-style weapons.

The gun lobby may have a cause, but they dont have a case to frustrate and deny the American people the regulations so urgently needed to save childrens lives. Ardent gun lobbyists seek refuge in the Constitution and the Second Amendment. But the debate in the aftermath of Parkland is not about abolishing the Second Amendment, banning guns, undermining the spirit or practice of gun ownership or taking anything away from millions of decent and peace-loving Americans responsibly acquiring and using guns.

This is about the incredibly modest idea of regulating the buying and selling of guns, banning military-style weapons and introducing universal background checks.

The Second Amendment mentions a well-regulated militia, which doesnt rule out the idea of control. After nearly 250 years, there has to be some doubt about the literal interpretation of an idea conceived in the time of mad King George of England. The Founding Fathers didnt foresee the world as it is today, and the current debate is not about an inalienable right being taken away.

Who runs America?

On the wider political front, many western democracies, including the U.S., are caught up in the politics of extremes, where the victims are compromise, cooperation, the common good and, ultimately, truth. Politicians should have the courage to put schoolchildren first. People should rebel against the tyranny of extreme views on either side of gun debate. Congress should stop being in the pockets of the gun lobby and ban politicians from accepting vast sums of money.

Common-sense measures to regulate guns do not compromise the inspirational ideals of the land of the free and the home of the brave. This vision of country doesnt fit so easily with America being the only place in the world where school massacres are commonplace.

So who runs America? What kind of country do you want to live in?

May this new and passionate generation of articulate young Americans be more successful in forcing their elders and politicians to answer the call for action and stop defending the indefensible.In this regard, the ISA, African Development Bank (AfDb), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Green Climate Fund (GCF), and New Development Bank (NDB) on Saturday signed a joint financial partnership declaration, here.

ISA, headquartered in Gurgaon near here, is now a treaty-based intergovernmental organisation that was established following the Paris Declaration as an alliance dedicated to the promotion of solar energy among its member countries.

The solar alliance is working for deployment of over 1,000 GW of solar energy and would mobilise more than $1,000 billion into solar energy by 2030, according to the statement.

The event, which will see France's President Emmanuel Macron along with heads of states from neighbouring countries, Asia, Pacific and South America in attendance, aims at strengthening cooperation for solar-led initiatives across the member nations.

Michigan State Basketball: Predicting each round of 2018 Big Ten Tournament

This season, IN handled Rutgers on the road and has a pair of win's over Minnesota, including an 80-56 thumping on February 9th. The Badgers will need to win four games in four days to win the championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Barclays: Time To Buy Anthem (NYSE:ANTM)? Has $270 Valuation Target

Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 134,043 shares in the company, valued at approximately $31,616,722.41. The company reported $1.29 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the Zacks' consensus estimate of $1.25 by $0.04.

Endocyte, Inc. (ECYT) Given Consensus Recommendation of "Hold" by Brokerages

Zacks Investment Research upgraded shares of Endocyte from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, February 9th. According to the Analysts, the Low Estimate Earnings of the current Quarter is $0.03 whereas, High Estimate is $0.34.

The Government of Sri Lanka joined the ISA in keeping with its policy declaration to prepare the groundwork for the country to fulfil the basic energy requirements of the people through renewable energy sources.

Following talks, the Japanese Premier will host the Sri Lankan President to a State dinner. Leaders from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Seychelles, Ghana, Australia, Venezuela, Fiji and Mauritius are arriving to attend the conference.

President Sirisena will attend a business meeting organized by the Japan External Trade Organization, which will be co-hosted by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry.Dual enrollment classes give students an inexpensive opportunity to get ahead on their higher education before they graduate from high school. But the rigor of those classes and the cost of providing them are growing concerns.

They bear examination by both educators and the public.

While dual credit classes are free to high school students they carry a price tag for the providers. Until recently, the cost of dual-credit courses was covered by the Alamo Colleges. However, the rising popularity of the classes and the associated costs prompted the college district to start billing school districts in the fall.

The Alamo Colleges billed area school districts $819,300 for dual enrollment classes for the fall semester and a similar bill will be going out this spring. The bill is for classes in which the the community college district provides the teacher.

If the school district staffs the class, the college district pays the school district. The stipend is supposed to help cover the higher salary of a teacher with a masters degree, which is required to teach college-level classes. In the fall, the Alamo Colleges paid out $412,800 in stipends for teachers with master degrees teaching college level classes.

The cost sharing does not cover all the associated costs. The rising cost of the dual credit program is a key factor in the college districts $6.8 million budget shortfall this fiscal year. The transfer of reserve funds and deferral of some costs helped balance the budget, but those are not long term solutions.

In all likelihood, the districts taxpayers or students and their families will likely end up picking up the check.

The growth in dual enrollment classes is attributed to the elimination of the cap on the number of dual credit courses a student may take and a requirement that all school districts offer students the opportunity to earn the equivalent of at least 12 hours of college credit.

Its understandable how that won easy legislative approval.

Studies show dual-enrollment students increase the likelihood that these students will graduate from high school and go on to college. It saves families money and gets students to a degree quicker.

It also improves the states chances of meeting its 60x30TX goals of at least 60 percent of Texans ages 25-34 having a certificate or degree by 2030.

These are all worthy goals, but there are some alarm bells clanging about the rapidly expanding dual-credit program that cannot be ignored.

Texas Commissioner of Higher Education Raymund Paredes is concerned about the quality of the higher education being offered to high school students. Many university administrators have told him that some dual credit students are not prepared for the rigors of the college-level work on their campuses.

Texas has long had a problem with college readiness for its graduating seniors  only 110,000 students in the state have met those standards based on ACT and SAT scores. Many first-year college students have to spend their first semesters in college taking remedial classes.

If the state has 150,000 students enrolled in dual credit courses, the college readiness of those taking dual-credit courses should be better.

A study on the issue is under way and should be completed by the end of the year. Among the areas under review are the rigors of the dual credit curriculum compared to those of regular classes in the same subjects.

There are minimum requirements for students to enroll in dual credit programs, but the quality of the instruction for those courses, as with all classes, can vary.

The goal for dual credit classes should not just be to have students graduate from high school with college credit. The instruction provided high school students taking college level course needs to ensure students can continue to the next level of work in those subjects on a college campus.

Getting students who achieved well in high school to enroll in college is the easy part. Having them stay until they earn a degree is the difficult part.

If they arrive on a college campus unprepared for the rigor, no one benefits.

We eagerly await the results of this study. If it finds less rigor in dual-credit classes in high school, this will not be a reason to ditch the program. Instead, it will be a call to make the classes better.FORMER President Robert Mugabes association with the newly formed National Patriotic Front (NPF) led by Retired Brigadier-General Ambrose Mutinhiri has infuriated President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the government and Zanu PF, setting the stage for a political showdown between the deposed veteran leader and his erstwhile confidante.

Following a meeting between Mugabe and Mutinhiri at the former presidents Blue Roof mansion in Borrowdale on Sunday, the official announcement of the formation of NPF and its registration with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, the country drifted into uncharted political territory in which Mnangagwa and his former boss are fighting on unfamiliar territory.

As the gloves come off, some military personnel rounded up Blue Roof staff on Wednesday morning including the mansions comptroller Funny Mpofu, who is basically the chief security guard, to quiz them on the visitors Mugabe has been receiving and the agenda of their meetings.

The staff were rounded up in the morning and questioned throughout the day. They were released in the evening. This happened after Mugabe had left for South Africa to visit his sons. Grace had also left the residence when the raid occurred,

There is a dangerous situation developing at President Mugabes residence. Soldiers took workers from there in the morning for apparent interrogation at some barracks and the workers have not returned. The former first lady is very anxious and not sure whether to remain there. Its a dangerous developing situation, a security officer close to the developments told the Zimbabwe Independent on Wednesday.

Retribution continues, everyone who worked here is just being harassed.

The quizzing of staff came after the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) withdrew the last three remaining high-ranking bodyguards who were providing security to Mugabes residence, a move government officials said was in response to the former presidents political manoeuvres.

According to a memo written by the police chief, Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga, several officers including Mugabes aides Martin Kwainona (Senior Assistant Commissioner Police Protection Unit) and Vincent Mariga (Assistant Commissioner Police Protection Unit) have been reassigned to the Economic Surveillance Unit and Depot as Assistant Commissioner in charge of administration respectively. The memo, which resulted in the redeployment of 29 other senior officers, was dated March 3, 2018.

Graces aide, Olga Bungu, who was also working for the Police Protection Unit, was reassigned to the Economic Surveillance Unit.

Mnangagwa also reduced security personnel and whittled down his allowances following a recent meeting between the former president and ex-vice-president and National Peoples Party (NPP) leader Joice Mujuru at his Blue Roof palatial home in Borrowdale.

Addressing the Zanu PF youth league assembly on Wednesday, Mnangagwa confirmed that the fallout with Mugabe had deepened, saying his administration was closely monitoring his moves. He said government would take appropriate action if it is proven that Mugabes actions undermine the cohesion of the State.

The former president paita nyaya (there is an issue). Currently we see in the media speculations about his activities. I have no doubt that in no time the facts and reality will be made known and we will only take a position when the reality and the issues are known and it is factual, Mnangagwa said.

Zanu PF youths also shouted Pasi naMugabe (Down with Mugabe) at the meeting, where youth league secretary Pupurai Togarepi said Mugabe was now Zanu PFs enemy.

Mugabe and Mnangagwas relationship deteriorated as a result of the protracted succession battles in Zanu PF which culminated in Mugabe being toppled after a military intervention in November last year. The military action is widely seen as a coup.

Prior to the military intervention, Mugabe had on November 6 dismissed Mnangagwa from Zanu PF and expelled him from the party. Mugabe was however forced to resign after the military took over strategic places countrywide, detained him at his house and violently raided the houses of his backers, detaining scores of people in the process.

His resignation came after a march by thousands of people in support of the military action, his expulsion from Zanu PF by the central committee and the commencement of impeachment proceedings by parliament.

Mugabe last month told African Union Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat that he was pressured by the army to resign and obliged in order to avoid conflict and bloodshed. He said Mnangagwa was illegally in power. He also accused him of denying him his benefits and harassing his wife.

Mnangagwa was sworn-in as president on November 24 after returning from exile in South Africa, where he had fled following his sacking.

Officials in NPF told the Independent that the party had its roots in the G40 faction which was fronted by Grace and had the support of Mugabe behind the scenes. Through NPF Mugabe is hoping to ring fence the Mashonaland provinces from Mnangagwa, whom he believes will fair badly in urban areas and the Matabeleland provinces because of his association with Gukurahundi massacres in the early 1980s.

They revealed that after a series of negotiations during the military operation, Mugabe and his G40 supporters initially thought a resolution could be found, possibly with regional intervention.

They said there was strong belief that the situation could be reversed and when Mugabe made his asante sana speech, the G40 group thought of forming an anti-coup resistance movement.

But when Mugabe was forced to resign, key G40 personnel who were scattered in several countries including Zambia, South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Burundi and Kenya decided to abandon the resistance movement partly because consultations had become difficult due to distance between them.

After Cabinet was sworn in on December 4, a 15-member team then met on December 7 to discuss how to respond.

The team got in touch with Mugabe to share ideas. One of the principles agreed was that Mugabe will not be involved directly in the party. It was also agreed that Grace will not be directly involved as an active leader and that the leader of the party must be within the country, an NPF official said.

It was agreed that the movement will operate underground although at some point its leader and those close to him must come out. The others were to remain in the background.

There were some misunderstandings within the group as some people in exile including former political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere wanted to lead the party. He however faced resistance because there were questions over how he would lead while in exile. There was also concern that he was negotiating with Mnangagwa and the military to return, and could therefore not effectively lead.

Officials said Kasukuwere then withdrew from the project.

Kasukuwere has been negotiating with Mnangagwa and the military through emissaries. His wife and children, who fled the country after their home was raided by soldiers twice in November, have since returned to Zimbabwe.

Some people associated with G40, including former ministers Walter Mzembi and Makhosini Hlongwane, have informed Mugabe they will not join the project as they are negotiating with Mnangagwa and the military.

Before settling for Mujuru, the group considered approaching former defence minister Sidney Sekeramayi to lead the movement but he was turned down as he was considered weak. Mujuru was also asked to consider leading the party when she met Mugabe at the end of January.

She did not give a response, resulting in Mutinhiri assuming the task. Mutinhiri was considered because he was a prominent war veteran and former Zipra chief of staff. He served in the military after independence and has been a minister.

In the resignation letters dated March 2 and addressed to Zanu PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu and National Assembly speaker Jacob Mudenda, the former Zipra commander said he was now joining people who were working to restore democracy in Zimbabwe.

I leave Zanu PF because of my principled stance that I cannot be part of an institution that harbours power usurpers bent on subjugating our people, part of the letter to Mpofu reads.

Giving up his Marondera West seat, Mutinhiri said he took the decision after thorough consideration of the events of the past four months after the unconstitutional overthrow of Mugabe.

He said Mugabe was illegally replaced by Mnangagwa after a military coup on November 15.

It is a matter of profound national concern to me that, subsequent to the military coup, Zanu PF as well as government and state institutions have been captured by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) in blatant and unprecedented violation of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, he said.

The former minister, once touted as a potential vice-president, said as a trained soldier, a former freedom fighter, a former Zipra commander during the war, a former diplomat and ex-cabinet minister, he was alive to the values and ethos of Zimbabwes armed liberation struggle.

The fundamental values and tenets of both Zimbabwes heroic liberation struggle and the constitution of Zimbabwe dictate that executive authority is derived from the people and not from the gun, reads part of the letter to Mudenda. In other words, the enduring principle of Zimbabwes armed liberation struggle and constitutional democracy is that politics must always lead the gun.

The ZDF coup of November 15 2017 violated a cherished heritage of our armed liberation struggle and of our hard-won constitutional democracy.

He accused the security forces of abusing their positions to turn the guns they were entrusted with by the people of Zimbabwe to defend their sovereignty, into weapons to shoot their way into national politics.

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Related Zimbabwe Latest NewsRussian President Mr Vladimir Putin has praised President Mnangagwa for bringing political stability to the country and steering Zimbabwe towards economic growth.

The message was delivered by Russias Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Sergey Lavrov, when he met President Mnangagwa at his Munhumutapa Offices yesterday.

As for the messages we conveyed from President Putin to the President of Zimbabwe, these messages are in support to the efforts of the President of Zimbabwe in stabilising the political situation in the country and consolidating society and developing comprehensive and multi-faceted cooperation with countries that are willing to help Zimbabwe in addressing its economy, he said.

President Mnangagwa took over the leadership of the country after the Zimbabwe Defence Forces launched Operation Restore Legacy that led to the resignation of former President Mugabe.

The operation was meant to rid Zanu-PF and Government of the G40 cabal whose actions were causing untold suffering to ordinary people in the country.

Mr Lavrov slammed illegal economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West and America, saying they distorted free market principles.

I do not grasp why we should impose anything on any of our partners, Zimbabwe included. We work with any country that is ready to that on the basis of mutual rights and mutual benefits, he said.

We are certainly against any unilateral steps such as sanctions or trying to impose measures forcing this or that country to do something. Such measures as those imposed against Zimbabwe we believe these politicised steps distort the market and the countries that invoke these measures interfere illegally within the play of free market forces, he said.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Retired Lieutenant General Sibusiso Moyo also slammed recent utterances by US Secretary of State Mr Rex Tillerson that Chinese aid to African countries could only increase their indebtedness.

Africa has its own self determination in terms of charting its own course in terms of economic cooperation with any member of nations in the international arena. So whether Africa goes left, right or straight forward that is up to them, Minister Moyo said.

He said Zimbabwe welcomed Russias investments in the country and wanted to benefit from its technical expertise. Zimbabwe has its own choice to invite its counterparts and corporates from Russia so that they can come and invest in Zimbabwe. It is the desire of Zimbabweans that we benefit out of the technology that the Russians are competent at so that we can also develop in terms of upgrading through the Special Economic Zone so that we can industrialise, value add and create value in what we do together with our partners who have stood with us in various international fora.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe and Russia plan to develop military-technical cooperation, in which the eastern European country would intensify its supply of weapons to the Zimbabwean army.

This came out during meetings between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Russian Foreign minister Sergey Lavrov in Harare Thursday.

Addressing a news briefing at the end of the meeting, Lavrov said a joint working group would be established to foster cooperation in this area.

Considering the experience of our interaction, which is long, very successful and is positively regarded by both sides, in the sphere of military, technical cooperation, we stated (in the meeting with Mnangagwa) that the decision to establish a working group on military-technical cooperation that first convened would also foster development of cooperation in this important area, Lavrov said.

He said that the cooperation would help strengthen Zimbabwes position on the international stage.

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Related Zimbabwe Latest News- Governor Ifeanyi Okowa says one area where economic crime assumes a frightening dimension is illegal oil bunkering

- He charges the EFCC to collaborate with other sister agencies to bring those responsible for illegal oil bunkering to book

- CCT allegedly commences plan to try Ike Ekweremadu over reported false declaration of assets

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa Delta state governor has urged Nigerians to support the anti-corruption war of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in order to secure the nation's economy.

Okowa made the charge when officers of the Benin zonal office of the commission paid him a courtesy visit in his office recently.

Legit.ng learnt that the governor lamented that one area where economic crime has assumed a frightening dimension was illegal oil bunkering.

READ ALSO: I am not plotting to remove Saraki - Senator Adamu

He said apart from the loss of money by the federal government, the environment also suffer from degradation through constant destruction of oil pipelines.

Governor Okowa charged the EFCC to collaborate with other sister agencies to bring those responsible for illegal oil bunkering to book, photo credit: EFCC - Facebook

He, therefore, charged the commission to collaborate with other sister agencies to bring those responsible to book and assured the officials that the state government will work with the EFCC to tackle corruption in the state.

Meanwhile, the deputy president of the Nigerian Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, is reportedly to be charged before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), according to a report by The Cable.

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The report said Ekweremadu is to be arraigned for false declaration of assets following accusations of having assets in the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States of America which he allegedly refused to disclose in his declarations to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

It further said officials of the justice ministry as well as those of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would be travelling to the UAE to seek the forfeiture of eight properties allegedly linked to the deputy Senate president.

Legit.ng learnt that the forfeiture is being pursued under a bilateral agreement reached between the two countries after President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office in 2015.

Nigerians react as snake reportedly swallows N36million | Street Gist

Source: Legit- A twenty year old girl has won the 2019 Hizif female category of National Quranic Recitation Competition

- The winner, Maimuna Hussaini, is a 300-level student of the Department of Bio-Chemistry, Ahamadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria

- She was presented with a brand new car and the sum of N500,000 by the FCT minister

The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammed Bello, on Friday presented a new Hyundai car 2017 model and N500,000 to a 20-year-old contestant, Maimuna Hussaini, who emerged overall winner of 60 Hizif female category of National Quranic Recitation Competition.

The 32nd National Quranic Recitation Competition was organised by the Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, and held in Katsina State from Feb. 23 to March 3, with 156 participants from 32 states and FCT.

Maimuna, who is a 300-level student of the Department of Bio-Chemistry, Ahamadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, hails from Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT.

READ ALSO: Only zero hunger can completely defeat Boko Haram - Obasanjo

The winner, who represented FCT in the competition, was also presented with a Digital Quran and a laptop computer by the Minister at a brief ceremony held at the National Mosque, Abuja.

The minister, who was represented by Sen. Isa Maina, Secretary of FCT Education Secretariat, urged parents and guardians to invest heavily in moral education of their children.

Bello, who said that moral education was very essential to moral upbringing of every child, assured of the readiness of the FCT administration to support any efforts aimed at instilling good virtues in children.

We believe that a lot of the problems we have in this country has to do with moral upbringing; for some reasons we got a generation whereby moral education has taken a back seat.

I know when I was young, moral education was very essential to upbringing of every child but unfortunately, these days the story is not the same.

I can assure FCT Quranic Foundation that we are your partners and we have a responsibility to support moral education of children in FCT,  he said.

He expressed the determination of the FCT education secretariat to support the education of the winner to the higher level.

Alhaji Idris Musa, Emir of Jiwa and Chairman Board of Trustees, FCT Quranic Recitation Foundation, expressed delight for having FCT indigene as the overall winner of such a national competition.

The winner has done us proud, it is kudos to her parents and a thing of joy to the people of FCT and Nigeria," Musa said.

The emir, who disclosed that the foundation had acquired a portion of land to build Tsangaya school, solicited the assistance of FCT minister to handover the existing FCT Tsangaya facility to the foundation.

Musa also appealed to wealthy Muslims in the country to support the foundation financially to enable it to continue to mentor children to memorise the Holy Quran.

The Chairman, Gwagwalada Area Counci, Alhaji Mustapha Adamu, said that the council would organise a big reception for the winner as part of efforts to inspire others to emulate her.

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The father of the winner, Alhaji Hussani Abubakar, expressed gratitude to the almighty Allah for blessing him with a daughter that memorised the Holy Quran.

Abubakar advised parents and guardians to invest in the education of their children as the best legacy to live behind for their children.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that gifts were also presented to other participants who represented FCT in the just concluded National Quranic Recitation Competition.

Legit.ng earlier reported that 156 participants from 32 states and the FCT would take part in the 32nd edition of the national Quranic recitation competition which was held in Katsina between Friday, February 23 to Saturday, March 3.

Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar, the chairman of the local organizing committee, revealed this at the pre-competition media conference on Wednesday, February 21.

Ex Bishop David Abioye's driver quits Living Faith Church, converts to Islam On Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit.ng News- Some Libya returnees to Nigeria have reportedly gone back to the country

- The returnees allegedly took the dangerous journey back because the Nigerian government failed to fulfil the promise to empower them

- The returnees are calling on NGO to not partner with the government

Some Libya returnees from Edo state have accused the federal government of abandoning them and failing to fulfil its promise of empowering them with funds after giving them initial training.

The returnees, while accusing the federal government of neglect, said more Nigerians would continue to flee to Libya if the situation in Nigeria is unfavourable to them.

In a shocking confesion, a returnee said some Nigerians who were evacuated by the federal government from Libya have found their way back to Libya.

READ ALSO: EFCC docks 3 INEC officials over N163.9 million election bribe

The returnees accused the government of being the reason for this dangerous decision to return to Libya.

Vanguard reports that the returnees made this statement in Benin-City, Edo state at a ceremony organized by International Organization for Migration (IOM) to launch and hand over a Migrant Resource Centre MRC to the federal government.

They consequently advised international humanitarian agencies, particularly the United Nations Migration Agency, the IOM as well as the European Union EU against routing their projects through the Nigerian government, lamenting that such lofty gestures hardly ever get to the intended beneficiaries.

What I have to tell the EU-IOM is that they should please, not partner with the government or any other agency in Nigeria. If there is any project you have for the returnees, please do it fast. We heard that some money was set aside to empower us but till now we have not seen anything since we finished our training last year, said Mr Iluobe Ehis who returned last year.

Another returnee who simply identified himself as Collins said: Talking about reintegration, up till today nothing has been done. They trained us last year but the grants they promised us have not been given. My candid advice to IOM and EU is that if you want to spend money on returnees, do not partner with the Nigerian government. Some of us that returned have gone back again."

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Legit.ng earlier reported that no fewer than 144 Nigerians, which included four pregnant women, were on Thursday, March 1, returned from Libya with the assistance of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the European Union (EU).

The returnees arrived at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at 10.30pm.

They returned aboard a chartered Airbus 320 with registration number LZ-MDI operated by VIA Airways.

What is working well and what needs improvement in Nigeria? - on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit.ng- Youths Niger state allegedly attacked the governor

- The angry mob stoned the governor's convoy during his visit to Bida LGA

The convoy of Niger state governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, was on Thursday, March8, 2018, attacked by angry youths from Bida local government area of the state and the governor and his entourage stoned by the mob.

The mob attacked the governor over alleged non-performance and constant travels outside the country on the claim of inviting foreign investors to in the state, Tribune reports.

READ ALSO: Some Libya returnees have reportedly gone back

The youths pelted the governor's convoy with stones while shouting "ba mu so" loosely translated to "we don't want again", Abu Lolo, So Daya,  meaning, Governor Sani Bello, One Chance or One Term for Lolo", Tribune reports.

The governor was on a visit to the late Etsu Musa s market, scene of last week Thursdays fire incident in Bida, the ancient Nupe Kingdom for a condolence visit and for an on-the-spot assessment of the damage caused by the fire incident when the youths attacked his convoy.

It took the effort of the mobile policemen to escort the governor away from the angry mob.

Recall that this was not the first time the governor's convoy would be attacked a mob.

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Legit.ng earlier reported that Governor Bello's convoy was attacked by youths on February 29, 2016.

The youths had spotted the governors convoy in the ever-busy Bosso road near the Obasanjo Shopping Centre and rushed to his vehicle making uncomplimentary remarks about Bellos administration.

Should President Buhari seek reelection in 2019? - on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit- Oba of Benin ordered native doctors to reverse oaths victims of human trafficking were forced to take

- The ceremony was done at the king palace on Friday

- This will reportedly encourage victims of human trafficking to return home without fear

Hundreds of native doctors converged on the Oba of Benin palace on Friday, March 9, 2018, to revoke the curses placed on victims of human trafficking in order to encourage victims to return home to Nigeria without fear of repercussion.

The order for the oath reversal was made by the Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, The Nation reports.

Oba Ewuare 11 said Governor Godwin Obaseki had pleaded with him to help reduce the spate of human trafficking in the state.

The Oba of Benin ordered native doctors to revokes curses placed on victims of human trafficking. Photo source: PM News

The king said the palace frowns at the use of native medicine as a way to perpetrate evil in the land through aiding and abetting human trafficking.

READ ALSO: Niger state youths boo Governor Bello

He said: You native doctors whose business is to subject people to oath of secrecy and encouraging evil act in the land, you have to repent, stop doing it.

The king placed a curse on the native doctors to stop them from forcing victims into taking oaths in the future. Photo source: PM News

This is not a joking matter and if you do not repent, youll see the repercussions.

What the Palace stands for is peace and the development of the state. I want to use this medium to tell you that the act of using charms to aid trafficking, the palace seriously frowns at it.

We want us to join hands together to fight against human trafficking in the land."

The king placed a curse on the native doctors to stop them from forcing victims into taking oaths in the future. Photo source: PM News

Meanwhile, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, has hailed the actions of the king.

Speaking at the palace of the Benin Monarch, Okah-Donli, who was represented by the Edo state Commander of NAPTIP, Barr. Nduka Nwawwenne, expressed confidence that the king's action will reduce the scourge of trafficking in persons, PM News reports

She said: The major reason is that victims of human trafficking who are supposed to give evidence in court dont usually open up because of the oath of secrecy they have taken.

These oaths are taken with some personal items like finger nails, pubic hair, menstrual pads, pictures, clothings and things like that. They are also told that the moment they open up and reveal their traffickers, they will be punished by the oaths they have taken.

"So, because of that, we are not able to get enough evidence to prosecute suspected traffickers.

With the pronouncement of His Royal Majesty today, I think a giant stride has been taken and am sure that people will now open up, because, in the first place, oaths will not be administered on them [trafficking victims].

I believe that now that curses have been placed on them, His Royal Majesty has forgiven those that administered it previously. So, I believe in it.

Since the Oba is highly revered, am sure that the juju priests and native doctors will comply with what Oba has pronounced. Am sure that victims will now open up and most importantly, they will not be taken to shrines to be administered with oaths.

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Legit.ng earlier reported that Edo state government said it will construct permanent shelter for indigenes of the state among victims of human trafficking and irregular migration currently being returned to the country.

Mrs Abieyuwa Onyemwense, Secretary of Edo Taskforce on Anti-Human Trafficking, disclosed this to newsmen in Benin on Friday.

Nigerians speak on slavery in Libya - on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit- Eleven people have been killed in two villages in Plateau state

- The victims were said to have been killed in Ganda village of Daffo District in Bokkos local government area and Miango village in Bassa local government area

- The attack also took place few hours after President Muahmmadu Buhari visited Plateau to commission a peace building agency

Eleven people have been killed in fresh attacks in two villages in Plateau state on Friday, March 9.

The clash between suspected herdsmen and farmers in Ganda village of Daffo District in Bokkos local government area and Miango village in Bassa local government area occurred few hours after the inauguration of the Plateau state Peace Building Agency by President Muhammadu Buhari in Jos, Plateau state capital city.

Confirming the clash, the spokesperson for the Miango Youth Development Association, Lawrence Zongo, said five people were killed in the village.

Identifying the victims of the clash as - Emmanuel Joseph (16), Christopher Joseph (16), Peace Joseph (6), Henry Audu (25), Illa Isa Peter (52) - Zongo said two of them were set of twins.

Vanguard reports that the youth leaders also said that a four-year old boy, Cenka Amos, was injured in the clash.

READ ALSO: Some of us that returned have gone back again - Libya returnees cry out

He said Amos is currently receiving treatment at the Enos Hospital, Miango.

Zongo said: What happened to us is very bad, (it happened) despite the presence of President Muhammadu Buhari. The state government has been preaching peace but Plateau State went up in flames. Five persons, including a set of twins (Emmanuel Joseph and Christopher Joseph) and their brother, Peace Joseph, were killed.

We have been devastated and shocked. Despite all the peace meetings with the Fulani people, the assailants keep killing our innocent people without provocation. It is sad that the military cannot arrest the Fulani persons behind the killings. The government has failed in protecting lives and property of citizens. Our demand is that the perpetrators should be arrested and prosecuted.

Also speaking on the incident, the a former Plateau state House of Assembly member, Sunday Abdu the attack which began on Thursday, lasted till the early hours of Friday.

READ ALSO: Niger state governor allegedly stoned by angry youths

"The bodies of the five killed people have been deposited at the hospital morgue. We are no longer in a hurry to bury our dead. Whenever we are going to bury them, we will let you people know.

The Fulani herdsmen are killing us but they are the ones crying. What kind of pretence is that? I still appeal to the security personnel not to relent, but to step up vigilance and surveillance to stop this pogrom and unwarranted carnage," Abdu said.

The spokesperson for Bokkos local government area, Jerry Datim, confirmed the attack in Ganda village.

Datim said over 50 houses were razed while six people were killed and many others injured.

He called for assistance from the federal and state governments to provide adequate protection for residents of the communities.

Also confirming the killings, the spokesperson for the Plateau state police command, Matthias Tyopev, gave the names of the victims of the clash.

READ ALSO: APC government didn't do enough to protect abducted Dapchi schoolgirls - Atiku

Although some name were different from those listed by Zongo Matthias said: Yesterday (Thursday), March 8, 2018, at about 8 pm, some unknown gunmen attacked and killed four Irigwe people at Datanko village and one Fulani Christian at Nzharuvo village in Miango District. The deceased persons were identified as Emmanuel Joseph (male, 16 years), Christopher Joseph (male, 16 years), Peace Joseph (male, six years), Henry Audu (male, 25 years) and Samuel Isah (male, 48 years).

Meanwhile, Samuel Isah has been buried, while four other corpses have been deposited at the Jos University Teaching Hospitals mortuary. Chenka Amos, four, is still lying unconscious at Enos Private Hospital, Miango. The investigation is in progress; intensive patrol is being sustained," he added.

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Legit.ng earlier reported that President Buhari while visiting Jos on Thursday, March 8, said the cycle of violence across the country must come to an end.

The president urged all traditional leaders in the state to take charge of peace keeping and building programmes in Plateau state.

He said the federal government is committed to supporting and assisting the peace building agency in its effort to arrest the vicious cycle of violence and lay the foundation for sustainable peace in our country.

Who is Nigeria's greatest president ever? on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit- The rejection of the Peace Corps bill by President Muhammadu Buhari is still a major topic in the polity

- An international youth expert, Comrade Ben Duntoye has called on the president to quickly reconsider and retract his position on the bill

- He described the reasons given by the president for not passing the bill as vague and in-explicit

An international youth expert and former president of the Pan African Youth Union, Comrade Ben Duntoye has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to quickly reconsider and retract his position on the Nigeria Peace Corps bill.

At a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, March 9, the Executive Director, African Youth Support Centre and Former President, Pan African Youth Union, Comrade Ben Duntoye listed some of the main functions of the Peace Corps.

Durotoye is confident that the Peace Corps will create millions of jobs for Nigerian youths. Photo credit: Kenny Adewole

READ ALSO: Charly Boy displays emotion as police stops Peace Corps from occupying its office

They include:

1. Vehicle for mass mobilization and engagement of the Nigerian youth into regimental community development services

2. Domesticated para-military volunteerism for ad-hoc interventions like national clean up exercise, population census, voters registration and elections

3. Maintenance of peace and order in schools and public places and

4. General neighbourhood services

He stated that talking about overlap of responsibility with any existing structure is totally out of place.

According to him, his center; African Youth Support Centre has done a careful study of the bill before the public hearings organized by the National Assembly and discovered that the NPC is structured to be the most cost effective aagency of government in Nigeria.

He added that the organisation has the potentials of attracting international funding and support like its counterparts around the globe.

The national outburst of jubilation across the country that followed the news of the passage of the bill by both chambers of the National Assembly was a clear and good testimony that the NPC bill was both people oriented and commanded the general goodwill of well-meaning Nigerians and the masses, Duntoye said.

He said his centre could not comprehend the rationale behind the rejection of the bill by the president, since no technical or convincing reasons were offers except the vague and in-explicit assertion of economic constraints and security concerns, which to us are inadequate and surmountable.

He continued: The NPC can be established without full salary, but sustainable subvention till the nation's economy improves. Again with proper legislative backings the agency can on its own source financial support from the Organised Private Sector and development partners and be useful in nation building, without stringent financial burden on government purse.

He lamented that the same Mr. President and Federal Government that vowed to create a million jobs every year for the Nigerian youth is the same government turning down such a progressive bill.

This is very irreconcilable. The government should have more courage to get funds to employ young people through the Peace Corps Bill. Failure to do this will justify the political conspiracy theory against the person of Ambssador Dickson Akoh by some political actors in the country, Duntoye said.

He appealed to the National Assembly to remain steadfast and committed to its resolve to better the lives of the Nigerian youths and masses by exploring all constitutional provisions to remedy the rejection of the bill.

While awaiting the news of positive response to this public outcry, we shall embark upon mass mobilization of millions of Nigerians to prove the popularity of the NPC bill to the local and international community, he concluded.

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Meanwhile, the council of commandants and Board of Trustees of the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) have called on President Buhari to reevaluate and reconsider his decision to withhold his assent to the Peace Corps bill.

They made the call at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, March 2, arguing that there was no security agency in Nigeria that was currently undertaking the functions ascribe to Peace Corps in the said bill.

Speaking on behalf of the organisation, the national commandant, Dr Dickson Akoh said the bill does not conflict with that of the functions of any existing security agency in the country.

EXCLUSIVE: Be patient with President Buhari, Femi Adesina tells Nigerians on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit- The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured that resident of Abia state will collect their Permanent Voter Cards in May

- The electoral body said the PVCs for those who registered before December 31, 2017 had been produced for most states in the federation

- INEC appealed to public to exercise patience with INEC over the distribution of the PVCs

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday, March 9, said it would begin the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) across the country in May.

Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Abia, Dr Joseph Iloh, said this at the 5th triennial delegates congress of Abia council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Umuahia on Friday, March 9.

Delivering a lecture on Voter Registration: Foundation for Credible Election and Good Governance, Iloh said that PVCs for those who registered before December 31, 2017 had been produced for most states in the federation.

He, however, said that distribution of the cards would commence when production of the cards for the remaining states had been completed.

READ ALSO: Islamist group are willing to surrender - Mama Boko Haram

The REC explained that the delay in the production and distribution of the cards was occasioned by the fact that the job was being handled by one team.

He said that the decision to entrust the job to one team was to avoid a mismanagement of the process by multiple hands.

He appealed to the media and the public to exercise patience with INEC over the distribution of the PVCs.

Iloh said that the commission was doing its best to ensure that the 2019 general elections were not only free, fair and credible but that the people were happy at the end of the exercise.

He said that voter registration was a continuous exercise but would be suspended 30 days to the commencement of the general elections.

READ ALSO: Only PDP states are working in Nigeria - Fayose boasts as he commissions roads in Rivers

He expressed delight that the commission had deployed super-fast machines that had the capacity to register at least 500 persons per day in Abia.

The REC said that the measure had resulted in substantial increase in the number of registrants in the state.

He decried the lukewarm attitude of some citizens toward the discharge of their civic responsibilities by refusing to be captured in the voter register for the upcoming polls.

Iloh assured Abia indigenes that the election year would be violent-free, devoid of ballot-box snatching and intimidation of voters by desperate politicians, using thugs.

He said that card readers would be used during the polls, adding that the commission had taken inventory of functional and non-functional ones, while a new set was being expected in the state.

We have also taken note of all the lapses in the last general elections and we are working hard to avoid those lapses in 2019 elections, he said.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the six-member executive committee of NUJ in the state was re-elected for another three-year term.

The team, which was inaugurated by the Vice President of NUJ, South-East Zone C, Mr Chris Isinguzo, is headed by Mr John Emejor of Information Chapel as Chairman.

Legit.ng earlier reported that INEC had said it discovered many ineligible voters in its Taraba state chapter.

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The electoral body said the ineligible voters were all registered during the ongoing continuous voters registration exercise.

INEC warned that action by the ineligible voters is not contrary to the guidelines for election registration but violates the electoral act.

Source: NAN)

Who is Nigeria's greatest president ever? - on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit- The recent refusal to sign the peace corps bill has created apprehension among thousands of Nigerian youths whose hope of being employed through the corps

- Mohammed Kabir from Kano state who represents the feeling of thousands of other Nigerian youths in different parts of the country said he is confused

- Kabir said when he got the opportunity to enlist with the peace corps, last year, 2017, he was so happy but it seems now that all the hope is lost

The recent rejection of President Muhammadu Buhari of the proposed peace corps of Nigeria establishment bill has created apprehension among thousands of Nigerian youths whose hope of being employed through the corps is now hanging in a balance.

Leadership reports that some of the youths expressed anger by asking what kind of government is this? ''They promised to create jobs, but are blocking opportunities that would give thousands of youths employment.''

Mohammed Kabir from Kano state was seen standing with two of his friends, John Imasuen and Sani under a tree at the premises of the FCT Abuja command of the Peace Corps of Nigeria said he is confused by the rejection of the proposal.

READ ALSO: Native doctors in Benin revoke curses placed on human trafficking victims

Kabir said: ''I am just confused, Mohammed began his story, I am just totally confused. I left school in 2014, I read accountancy at the Kano state polytechnic and since then I have been moving from one menial job to another.

''When I got the opportunity to enlist with the Peace Corps, last year, I was so happy that I didnt mind some of the demands they were making as requirements for enlistment.

''When I saw the opportunities the peace corps offered me, I didnt look back, I borrowed money to buy the form and make other payments. My hope had been that when I get posted to a good place, from my salary I would pay back the loan.

''All hope is not lost yet. Something can still happen. If members of the National Assembly passed the bill, they have a reason for passing it and they will not allow the narrow interest of a few individuals to prevail.''

PCN Public Relations Officer, Patriot Millicent Umoru while responding to questions on what she thought could have informed the Presidents decision not to sign the bill said, the President was being ill-advised by some selfish individuals.

READ ALSO: PDP reacts to Buhari's condolence visit

According to her, ''We have been having a running battle with the Nigerian Police which think we are coming to take over their job. But that is not true, Peace Corps is basically to provide intelligence for the police.

We do not have the power to arrest or prosecute, our duty is basically with schools and neighbourhood watch.

We are not in competition with the police in any way. Umoru who suddenly became emotional wondered why youths will not keep finding their way out of the country when the authorities keep frustrating them at every turn.

For more than a year, the police sealed our headquarters and they have refused to leave there even when there are two court judgments ordering them to leave, she said, adding, ''How can we move forward as a country when we do not follow the rule of law?''

Although there have been calls from different quarters including the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) among others, urging the President to rescind his decision and sign the bill, there are also dissenting voices saying that there is no need for another paramilitary body in Nigeria.

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Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, though acknowledged the role National Commandant of PCN, Dickson Akoh played in the resolution of the crisis in NYCN, he does not see the need for Peace Corps in the Nigeria security system.

'He said: ''What problem is the peace corps going to solve that the police and civil defense cannot solve if they are empowered.

''If the police is properly equipped in terms of intelligence gathering, do we need another agency to come in? On what becomes of the youths who paid through their nose to enlist in the corps, We warned people not to pay that money but they will not listen believing that the bill will be passed.''

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that the National assembly confirmed President Buhari's rejection of the proposed PCN establishment bill.

The president conveyed his rejection of the bill in a letter read during plenary on Tuesday, February 27, by Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house.

The national assembly passed the bill in 2015, after a prolonged battle involving the organisation and the nations security agencies.

Nigerians speak on slavery in Libya - on Legit.ng TV:

Source: Legit.ng- Nigerian government has signed six agreements with the UAE to recover looted fuds and properties in the country

- The number of politicians who allegedly have assets from looted funds hidden in the UAE are under probe were said to be over 20

- The AGF and EFCC acting chairman has departed Nigeria for UAE to finalized the deal

The federal government of Nigeria, on Friday, March 9, has launched steps to recover looted funds as well as assets built with stolen money in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by ome former governors, ministers and senators.

The Nation reports that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN), and the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu left Nigeria for Dubai on Friday night to finalize the deal with the UAE government.

READ ALSO: PDP tackles presidency, APC over alleged illegal importation of military wares

The number of the affected Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) under probe were said to be over 20 but the government is yet t release the names of those involved.

Recall that the Nigeria government had on January 19, 2016, signed six agreements with the UAE following a state visit by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The pacts include Judicial Agreements on Extradition, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters and Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal and Commercial Matters (the recovery and repatriation of stolen wealth).

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Legit.ng earlier reported that Femi Falana, renowned human rights lawyer, has informed the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), that the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has recovered N750 billion loots in two years..

The senior advocate of Nigeria made the comment on Wednesday, February 28, at the ongoing 40th anniversary celebration of the NLC in Abuja, the nations capital.

What is the problem with Nigeria? - on Legit.ng TV:

Source: Legit.ng- The Senate President has commended the Oba of Benin for revoking curses placed on victims of human trafficking

- Saraki said the Oba's action is commended and highly decisive

- He also commended the Nigerian Immigration Service for their involvement in curbing trafficking and illegal migration in Nigeria

The Senate President Bukola Saraki has commended the Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, for revoking curses placed on victims of human trafficking in Edo state.

Saraki in a tweet on Saturday, march 10, said the actions by the Oba is decisive and commendable.

Stating that the Oba of Benin played a key role in the roundtable organised by the Senate on illegal migration and human trafficking, Saraki said Nigeria and its people need more of the leadership role displayed by the Oba.

READ ALSO: Outrage in Rivers as minister reveals 804 capacity Port Harcourt prison accommodates over 4000 inmates

Saraki said: "It is great to hear that the Oba of Benin -- who played a key role at the Senate Roundtable on illegal migration and #HumanTrafficking -- has taken this decisive and commendable step. We need more of this."

In another tweet, the Senate President also commended the Nigerian Immigration Service for playing its part in combating human tracking across Nigeria.

READ ALSO: Niger state governor allegedly stoned by angry youths

He said: "It is also great to see the Nigerian Immigration Service playing its part to combat #HumanTrafficking by actively working to find those officers who aid and abet the traffickers. Kudos to the Comptroller General for keeping to his commitment."

Legit.ng had reported that the Oba of Benin on Friday, March 9, invited native doctors to his palace to break curses palced on victims of human trafficking who returned from Libya.

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Giving the curse revoke order, the Oba said the governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki, had pleaded with him to help reduce the spate of human tracking the state.

The Oba of Benin also placed curses on any human trafficker who goes contrary to the state's plan or makes moves to continue in the business of trafficking humans.

Nigerians speak on slavery in Libya - on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit.ng- Senator Shehu Sani said the APC restructuring plan is just a campaign for 2019 elections

- He said the ruling party is not prepared to implement restructuring

- The APC lawmaker also said the ruling part will experience mass defection if Tinubus reconciliation committee fails

Senator Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna Central senatorial district, said the plans by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to implement restructuring is just a mere form of campaign for the forthcoming 2019 elections.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the senator claimed that Governor El-Rufai of Kaduna state came up with the idea of restructuring just to gain political relevance.

He said: Governor El-Rufai is the chief architect of that committee because he wants political relevance. How can an APC that promised restructuring only think of restructuring when it is a year to an election? Document of that committee is more or less a campaign document for 2018. There will be no restructuring, you can quote me.

READ ALSO: Oba of Benin forces native doctors to revoke curses placed on victims of human trafficking (photos)

Speaking about the crises in the ruling party, Sani said Tinubu should be given chance to reconcile the aggrieved party members, as instructed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He, however, said that the ruling party will express a mass defection if Tinubus reconciliation fails.

He said we need to put our ambitions in our pockets and allow the process of reconciliation to continue because reconciliation cannot go on with ambitions and bulldozers. Even, before you have peace in war situations, you must have a ceasefire.

For now, we are giving a grace of time for Tinubu to succeed. If he succeeds, the outcome of the deliberations will form the roadmap for the future of the party and if he fails, we will simply apply our senses. It is always good to look at the messenger and the message.

I can tell you that if Tinubu fails, there is going to be mass defection from APC.

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Legit.ng previously reported that Senator Sani accused Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai of tyranny, describing him as a military administrator.

The APC lawmaker said this in reaction to the demolition of APC faction secretariat, a building belonging to Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, in Kaduna state.

Sani said El-Rufai demolished the building because he is angered by his suspension from the party.

APC official tells why his party could be voted out in 2019 - on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit.ng- The United Nations Childrens Educational Fund (UNICEF) has pleaded with the First Lady of Nigeria to commit to eradicating child abuse in the country

- UNICEF called for partnership from Aisha Buhari in championing the rights and educational advancement of Nigerian children

- Aisha Buhari pledged to continue her advocacy and support to eradicate all forms of abuse against women and children in Nigeria

The United Nations Childrens Educational Fund (UNICEF) has appealed to Mrs Aisha Buhari, wife of the president, to partner with it in championing the rights and educational advancement of Nigerian children.

Mr Mohamed Fall, the Country Representative of UNICEF made the appeal on Saturday at a reception in honour of Buhari as a strong advocate of rights of women and children at the National Centre for Women Development (NCWD) in Abuja on Saturday, March 10.

The event was jointly organised by the centre and the Blaugrana International Sports, with the theme: Legends For Children Project.

The UNICEF presented Buhari with a Global Award of Excellence for Humanitarian Services in recognition of her service to humanity through her pet project the Future Assured.

READ ALSO: Oba of Benin forces native doctors to revoke curses placed on victims of human trafficking (photos)

Fall said the award was relevant considering her efforts in providing support to victims of insurgency, especially the protection of the rights of women and children, who suffered gender-based violence.

He lamented that there were over 10 million out-of-school children in the sub-saharan Africa hence the need for stakeholders, especially the wife of the president to join the campaign and advocate for child enrollment in school.

We are very excited and overwhelmed that after a rigorous screening, you stood tall among the competitors.

This is our own way of saying, continue with the good work.

The UNICEF sees you as a mother of the children in the entire sub-saharan Africa and we urge you to continue in assisting UNICEF to champion the cause of child rights to education in Nigeria, he said.

READ ALSO: You've taken a decisive, commendable step - Saraki hails Oba of Benin for cursing traffickers

Responding, the Buhari pledged to continue her advocacy and support to eradicate all forms of abuse against women and children in the country.

Buhari, who was represented by the wife of the Speaker of House of Representative, Mrs Gimbiya Dogara, said her passion to advance the cause of women and children was borne out of her love to give back the society.

She called on stakeholders to join the campaign against child abuse and promote the enrolment of out-of-school children to ensure brighter future for the younger generation.

The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Musa Bello, the chief host, said the FCT administration had prioritised the child rights in education by providing necessary infrastructure to primary schools.

He said that the FCT administration would sustain support to the Federal Government in providing basic educational support to meet the UN standard of attaining universal basic education.

The director general of the centre, Mrs Mary Ekpere-Ita, commended the wife of the president for her support to women and children in the country.

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Ekpere-Ita called on stakeholders to assist in providing necessary support to women and children to complement governments efforts in tackling unemployment.

She urged wealthy individuals in the country to support the eradication of all forms of women and child abuse in the country.

Legit.ng earlier reported that more than six children between the ages of three and 10 were rescued by the Lagos state police command from a suspected human trafficking camp in Ejigbo.

The children were rescued during a raid carried out by operatives of the command on Tuesday, January 9.

The owner of the camp, Comfort Anwana, 25, was also arrested during the raid by officer of the Nigeria police.

Source: NAN

Is the Nigerian police your fried? - on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit- The PDP in Rivers state said President Buharis planned visit to the state is not based on insecurity

- The opposition party said there is no crisis in the state to warrant a presidential visit

- It claimed the presidents visit is aimed at settling the APC crisis in the state

Ahead of the planned visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Rivers state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that it is not necessary for the president to visit the state as a result of insecurity.

The state public secretary of the PDP, Samuel Nwanosike, said that there was no war or any form of insecurity in Rivers state that would warrant a visit by the president based on insecurity, Punch reports.

However, Nwanosike said that the people of Rivers state would be happy if President Buhari would visit the state to apologise for the absence of any federal government project for about three years.

READ ALSO: If Tinubus reconciliation fails, there will be mass defection from APC - Shehu Sani

Legit.ng gathered that Nwanosike made this remark in Port Harcourt on Friday, March 9, while receiving hundreds of defectors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP.

He claimed that President Buharis visit is only aimed at settling the internal crisis rocking the APC in the state.

He said: We heard that President Muhammadu Buhari is visiting crises-rocked states and that he would visit Rivers State. We want to tell him that there is no crisis in Rivers state.

The people of Rivers State are living happily in a peaceful state. We are not under any war. He should visit states in the North-East and Central. If he comes to the state, he is only coming to settle his partys crisis.

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Legit.ng previously reported that Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers declared that the proposed visit by President Buhari may be aimed at reviving the fortunes of the APC that he (Wike) claimed to be dead in the state.

A statement by Simeon Nwakaudu, his spokesperson, said Wike made the declaration when he flagged-off the reconstruction of Egbelu Street and the link roads in East-West in Rumuodara, Obio Akpor local government area on Thursday, March 8.

The Rivers governor said the federal government had not informed him of the president's visit and the reason behind his visit.

Meet Hwande, Benue state's incoming 'saviour' - on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit.ng- PDP leaders showered praise on former governor of Delta state, James Ibori,

- Despite the fact that Ibori admitted stealing public funds and jailed in the UK, the PDP leaders said Ibori is a blessing to the Niger Delta region

- The opposition party leaders said they needed Iboris leadership acumen to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)

The national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, and ex-Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and other national and state PDP leaders on Saturday, March 10, eulogised former Governor James Ibori .

Premium Times reports that the PDP leaders praised the sterling leadership qualities of former Governor James Ibori, describing him as a unifying figure and a blessing to the Niger Delta region.

Legit.ng gathered that a statement by the press unit of the Delta state government house said the officials spoke at Ovwor-Olomu in Ughelli South local government area of Delta state during a grand reception in honour of Ibori.

READ ALSO: Benue herdsmen attacks: Obasanjo reportedly backs Ortom on anti-open grazing law

Recall that Ibori returned to Nigeria on February 5, 2017 after serving jail term in the UK.

Former Governor Ibori had on February 27, 2012, pleaded guilty in a London court to 10 counts of money laundering and conspiracy to defraud.

Before Judge Anthony Pitts, he admitted stealing $250million as alleged by the prosecution.

The metropolitan police accused Ibori of spending some of the stolen money buying six houses in London  paying 2.2m in cash for one Hampstead mansion  and putting his children in expensive British private schools.

After pleading guilty, Crown Prosecution Service lawyer, Sasha Wass, made a short submission, saying the prosecution was discontinuing Iboris trial because the former governor had accepted the entirety of the prosecutions case as it has always been set out.

Ibori was later sentenced to 13 years in UK prison. He was however released and deported to Nigeria in February 2017.

The PDP leaders, however, described the former governor as a unifying factor in the development of the Niger Delta region and Delta state in particular.

Despite being aware of Iboris antecedent, the PDP national chairman, Secondus, and his colleagues, lavishly showered praise on Ibori at the occasion, saying the PDP needed his leadership acumen to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Secondus said: Ibori must be celebrated because he is a man of the people not just in Delta state but across the nation, today, he is a factor in this country. On behalf of the masses of our country, we salute you, we salute your courage because you are a man who believes in the struggle of the party.

You [Delta State] have a son that has built a political structure that is envied across the nation. Delta State remains the only state in the nation that has a stability in political succession. It remains the only state where all the Governor that have ruled the state are still members of the PDP.

In his own remark, Governor Okowa said Ibori laid the foundation of development in the state and established a political structure which served as a bridge builder and development agent across the country.

Uduaghan on his part, called for an end to rumour mongering and sycophancy in the state.

The chief host of the reception, John Oguma, said Ibori impacted positively on the state.

Oguma described Ibori as a national leader who helped in stabilising the nations political terrain.

In his response, Ibori advised the political class especially those seeking political office not to heat up the polity, saying power belongs to God and that only He can give power.

PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app

He said he has forgiven all those who played one role or another in his incarceration.

Legit.ng previously reported that the governor of Bayelsa state, Seriake Dickson and Ibori inaugurated an advocacy for a referendum.

The duo said the their call for a referendum in Nigeria is to the interest of the people of the south south region.

Speaking at the conferment of chieftaincy titles by the Pere of Kabowei Kingdom, HRM Erebelu Shedrack, Aduwo III, on their subjects in Patani, Delta state, the duo said the interest of the region is paramount to them.

Nigerians want PDP back in 2019 - Goodluck Jonathan declares at PDP Caucus Meeting - on Legit.ng TV

Source: LegitDiamond inclusions suggest free flowing water at boundary between upper and lower mantle PhyrOrg (Robert M)

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Bitcoin Is Ridiculous. Blockchain Is Dangerous Bloomberg

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Scott Kelly: NASA Twins Study Confirms Astronauts DNA Actually Changed in Space Newsweek (Kevin W)

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Real Organic Project is being born Medium. Glenn F:

Real organic farmers have been hinting at taking steps to disavow the USDAs NOSB (National Organic Standards Board) for its inclusion of hydroponically grown vegetables into the approved-as-organic list and for not excluding CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) from the list for awhile now. It looks like a new organic project is here. The Real Organic Project will work to support real organic farming.

North Korea

China?

Why Chinas silence on Xis term limits move portends trouble South China Morning Post

New Cold War

Newly revealed Russian weapons systems: political implications The Saker, Unz Review (Olga, Wat). Important. A few sour notes in some asides. One of the reasons why Russia can credibly meet or beat the US in terms military-related technological superiority is that top mathematical and physics grads have been going into finance since the mid 1980s. And much of the effort deployed in Silicon Valley since the dot-bomb era has been towards technologically trivial products, like apps or at most surveillance, which does more to protect US elites from the riff-raff than from foreign threats. Be sure to get at least as far as the discussion of the cruise missile in a container.

Poisioned British-Russian Double-Agent Has Links To Clinton Campaign Moon of Alabama

New Huge Anti-Russian Provocation ahead of Russian election Defend Democracy

Current U.S. Policy of Provoking Russia is Fundamentally Flawed Army Press [Military Review, 2009] (Mirko)Yves here. This Real News Network interview with MITs Theodore Postol (the second part of a series) discusses some of the history in the fraught relationship between Russia and the US which spurred Putin to invest heavily in technologies that could circumvent some of our core weapons platforms.

AARON MATE: Its The Real News. Im Aaron Mate. This is part two of my conversation with Theodore Postol, Professor of Science, Technology and National Security Policy at MIT. Were talking about Russian president Vladimir Putins recent speech where he announced upgrades to his countrys nuclear arsenal, calling it a response to the US withdrawal from the ABM treaty in 2002, as well as the recent Nuclear Posture Review issued by President Trump. I want to go to one more clip from his speech where hes reacting to Trumps Nuclear Posture Review which lowered the threshold for nuclear use by the US, and this is what Putin said.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: (Translator): Several points of the renewed US nuclear strategy which lower the threshold of using nuclear weapons provokes great concern. You can reassure anyone in any way behind the scenes, but if we read what is written and what is written is that it can be launched in response to an attack with conventional weapons or even a cyber threat.

AARON MATE: So, thats President Putin speaking last week. Professor Postol, so hes talking there about this lowered threshold under Trumps review which called for the authorizing the use of nuclear weapons even in response to a non-nuclear, non-military attack like a cyber attack, like if vital US infrastructure is hacked and damaged, the Trump review would authorize nuclear weapons in response to that. As we wrap, Professor Postol, your thoughts on this move by the Trump administration, and overall, where you think this nuclear competition is going under Trump in the aftermath now of Putins speech.

THEODORE POSTOL: Well, I think this competition has been in place, in fact, as Putin said it, certainly since 2004. He actually signals 2004 as a time where there was a decision made in Russia that you couldnt talk to the Americans and were just going to have to go ahead and build some weapons to make it clear to them that theres no possible advantage they can gain from missile defenses. He made that pretty clear in his speech. And the issue of using low yield nuclear warheads in conventional military situations or in response to a cyber attack, first of all, I dont know how you would know where the cyber attack came from. I think when you look carefully at the issues associated with cyber attacks, its so easy to conceal the true perpetrator, the identity of the true perpetrator. It would be a remarkable, remarkably reckless thing to do, to respond in any military way to a cyber attack without absolutely having the information that clearly showed you knew who did it.

And against anybody whos even modestly competent, even some of these hackers who really are not very competent people, you can hide your address, your location from anybody youre attacking. So, its kind of a crazy, thoughtless and dangerous kind of statement to be making that youre going to use nuclear weapons or any kind of military force in response to a cyber attack unless you claim also that you have the means to determine unambiguously who was responsible for the attack.

So, it shows a kind of reckless attitude on the part of the Department of Defense people and ignorance, or ignorance, or recklessness and ignorance among the people who wrote the Nuclear Policy Review, and Im afraid that that is evident in a whole bunch of things they say. The idea that a low-yield nuclear weapon would be seen as different from a higher-yield nuclear weapon shows a complete lack of understanding of how information promulgates in the world.

We did not even know when the World Trade towers were attacked who did the attack. I was in Washington when that attack occurred. We, at one point, did not know if there were tens of aircraft across the country or more that were going to engage in similar attacks. We had to ground the whole air travel across the nation.

This is, when something like this happens, you dont really know whats going on. It takes time to collect the information. Youd need to have sensors, youd need to have the ability to evaluate the information from these sensors and that information doesnt exist if you dont have those abilities.

So, the fact that you could pick up a telephone and talk to somebody on the other side of the world does not mean you know whos on the other end of the telephone and whats really happening there. And all of this is embedded in this incredibly dangerous and uninformed position put out in this Nuclear Posture Review. Its just hard to believe that any competent soldiers were involved, at least from my point of view. I know many competent soldiers and I think any of them would tell you immediately you never know exactly whats going on and sometimes not ever. Its a crazy policy.

AARON MATE: You know, compounding the dangers, I have to mention this. You put out a paper last year with some colleagues in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, talking about how because of the modernization program of the nuclear arsenal undertaken by President Obama, the US has increased the killing power of its nuclear weapons by a factor of three or more. Right?

THEODORE POSTOL: Right. I mean, in fact I, who have during my career, have reviewed actually real nuclear war planning because I was at the Pentagon working for Chief of Naval Operations. When I look at the situation we have today with the American nuclear arsenal, I dont know how were going to use all these weapons because the number of what you might call targets, Russian ICBMs and command centers, has been reduced substantially because of arms reductions. So, the number of missiles we would shoot at is much smaller. And it turns out that these weapons that were modernizing are much more numerous than any of the targets we might have shot at earlier in an attempt to disarm Russia.

And because we have so many weapons that are now capable of attacking the Russian forces that were not capable earlier, we now have weapons freed up for other missions. I cant find targets for them. Im sure people do find targets for them, but the point is that the effective firepower of our arsenal relative to the threat were now facing is very, very, very large, even by these crazy, nuclear war fighting standards, which I think are crazy, that are applied in a lot of the military planning today.

AARON MATE: So, we have targets that dont exist and a couple that with what you were talking about earlier, which is missile defense systems which dont even really work.

THEODORE POSTOL: Yeah, and its a very dangerous situation when you have people on all sides either misunderstanding or not caring what the facts are. This comment from the White House, We have no missile defenses that work. Its a joke. Now, Putin seems to understand that. So, hes not afraid that we have a working missile defense. Hes afraid we might think we have a working missile defense because our political leadership is so out of touch with the realities of our own military capabilities and limitations.

AARON MATE: Okay, one last question. One thing that is commonly cited, I believe its even cited in the Nuclear Posture Review that was recently released by the Trump administration, is that Russia has pulled out of the INF, the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty. I believe that happened after the US, under Bush pulled out of the ABM. But if you could address that, what about that charge against Russia, that theyre 

THEODORE POSTOL: Well, I think thats a very unfortunate thing the Russians did. However, their argument for doing that is not ridiculous. What they have said is, Look, you have these ballistic missile launch sites that youre putting in. You have one in Poland and one in Romania. Now, these ballistic missile launch sites, theyre defensive, supposedly ballistic missile defense systems, they are derived, theyre land based but theyre derived from a sea-launched system. Theyre called vertical box launchers. A typical destroyer or a cruiser, a modern cruiser or destroyer has them.

They look like kind of square coffins and inside the square coffin is a missile. And that missile can be a surface-to-air missile or a ballistic missile defense missile or a cruise missile, a missile thats designed to fly like an airplane and carry a nuclear weapon. And those launchers are designed from the beginning to be compatible with launching any type, any kind of these types of missiles. And those launchers have been put in the ground in Romania and in Poland for supposedly for ballistic missile defense interceptors. But they can carry nuclear armed cruise missiles, sea launched cruise missiles that would be launched from these ground locations.

And the Russians had been complaining about this for years, for quite awhile. And the United States doesnt want to talk to them about it. So, the reaction was Okay, this is a violation of the INF treaty. Youre putting a missile of long range into Europe that can attack Russia, and so were going to withdraw from the INF. Were not going to follow all the terms of the INF.

Now, I happen to disagree with that Russian decision. I think their argument is sound. Let me be clear, their argument has merit. But I think it would be better just to ignore the situation for now and just try to not allow things to escalate beyond what theyve already done. But I want to underscore the Russian argument is not bogus and people ought to be thinking about it and addressing it.

AARON MATE: Well leave it there. Theodore Postol, Professor of Science, Technology and National Security Policy at MIT. Thank you.

THEODORE POSTOL: Thank you.

AARON MATE: And thank you for joining us on The Real News.(Natural News) Dog owners in Wisconsin are on their toes after a rare and deadly respiratory infection left two dogs in an animal shelter dead. The dogs that lived in Ozaukee, caught strep zoo, a fatal infection that in rare cases, can spread to humans.

Strep zoo, or streptococcus zooepidemicus, is a bacterial infection which is characterised by sudden onset of clinical signs including pyrexia, dyspnoea and haemorrhagic nasal discharge.

The staff of the Wisconsin Human Society (WHS) campus where the dogs lived, had to euthanize the infected animals after they failed to respond to treatment. WHS also decided to limit the spread of the disease by not accepting dogs from the public in two areas where the sick animals are found  for now.

Strep zoo may not hog the headlines, but it shouldnt be taken lightly. It kills dogs and and ruins businesses. A humane society in Kentucky has announced that it will shut down for two weeks to clean and quarantine its area after a dog got infected with strep zoo. The 14-day closure means the group cant receive or have animals adopted.

Strep zoo can infect the air, and spread its deadly effects through body fluids or contaminated surfaces.

According to the WHS, symptoms in infected animals include coughing up blood, nasal discharge, vomiting, and labored breathing. Strep zoo is treatable with antibiotics. But like most diseases, animals only respond favorably if the disease is controlled in its infancy.

But this is no reason to be complacent. WHS warns that strep zoo can strike without warning and cause sudden death.

Breeding ground

The disease finds its breeding ground in animal shelters because the population of dogs living close together is big. This makes them more prone to infections, and allows for the easier spread of the contagious disease.

Strep zoo has killed seven dogs in 10 days in an animal shelter near Milwaukee. It also killed a dozen dogs in a Miami shelter.

There are more alarming statistics. In 2014, the Royal Veterinary College at the University of London noted that 2007 saw over a thousand dogs suffering or dying from haemorrhagic pneumonia caused by Streptococcus zooepidemicus at one rehoming center in California.

The latest update talks about a possible outbreak in Arizona, where over 30 dogs showed strep zoo symptoms in one of the shelters.

No wonder the disease has become a cause for concern in the veterinary circles.

The Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD) Group at the Royal Veterinary College studied the disease and asked dog owners and vets to recognize the signs of the disease before it gets out of control.

Should human owners and handlers of dogs with strep zoo fear for their health?

So far, at least one person was reported getting the illness from a dog in Ireland eight years ago. The case could be isolated. So the alarm bells have not been sounded yet.

But those who are in close touch with horses, and those who take unpasteurized dairy, should be extra careful. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that humans can catch the disease from these sources. (Related: Kissing your puppy could send you to the hospital; CDC says virus is spreading.)

Sources include:

LiveScience.com

ScienceDirect.com

ABC15.com(Natural News) A new analysis warned that the Pennsylvania gas industry is under-reporting the extent of their methane emissions. Theyre belching as much as twice the amount of air pollution they officially report to the state, reported a StateImpact news article.

The warning comes from the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), whose researchers analyzed 16 peer-reviewed studies for their report. The environmental organization says the Marcellus shale fracking industry is producing double the methane that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) officially reported them to be releasing.

The primary component of natural gas, methane is considered a more serious threat than carbon dioxide is over the long run.

Thanks to the boom in hydraulic fracking, Pennsylvania transformed into the second biggest gas-producing U.S. state, right behind Texas. But its shale gas wells are leaking significant amounts of methane.

The EDF adds that half of the methane could be attributed to the states older, conventional gas drilling industry. (Related: Study links pollution from fracking to low birth weight babies.)

Pennsylvania is dotted by 70,000 conventional gas wells. The majority are vertical wells drilled into shallow rock formations instead of the very deep Marcellus Formation tapped by fracking companies.

According to one of the studies, conventional natural gas wells are leaking an average of 23 percent of their content. The larger fracking wells in the Marcellus shale region lose 0.3 percent in comparison.

The high rate of methane loss in conventional wells could be attributed to their age, said EDF researcher David Lyon. They are older, more common, and less productive than the fracking wells, so they get less attention and maintenance.

Abnormally leaky wells slip under the radar

Another reason for Pennsylvania underestimating the gas industrys emissions could be traced to gas companies rigidly adhering to formulas devised by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for emission reports.

The EPA formulas evaluate the extent of leakage in a gas well depending on the equipment employed by the company. But Lyon said that the calculations presume the well is in perfect shape.

The EDF based its analysis on field measures of gas wells. So, it caught what Lyon calls super-emitters, abnormally leaky wells that are responsible for most of the methane emissions.

The organization urged Pennsylvania to strictly enforce emission rules on its natural gas industry. The control systems are available, cost-effective, and have been proven in other states, said EDF director Andrew Williams.

While Pennsylvanias DEP is defining permissible levels of methane emissions for Marcellus shale fracking operations, it neglected to do the same for conventional gas wells.

The finalized DEP methane permits are expected to be released this spring. The DEP will require fracking gas companies to monitor their wells for methane leaks, in addition to developing new unconventional gas wells and compressor stations.

Fracking industry debates matter with methane pollution researchers

The EDF report was slammed by David Spigelmyer, president of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, as an activist report intended to drive a political agenda.

According to Spigelmyer, the Marcellus shale fracking industry reduced its reported levels of methane emission even as it boosted gas production at the same time. He based his claims on EPA-certified and DEP-approved methodology used by Pennsylvanias fracking companies.

Researchers involved with the investigation of methane emissions side with the EDF report. Amy Townsend-Small of the University of Cincinnati noted that the primary source material is a Carnegie Mellon University study thats considered to be one of the best in current scientific literature.

According to air pollution researchers, the main lesson to be drawn from the EDF analysis is that conventional gas wells should also be counted in Pennsylvanias overall inventory of oil and gas emissions.

Learn more about environmental damage at Fracking.news.

Sources include:

StateImpact.np.org

Post-Gazette.comPolice are investigating a robbery and a possible shooting Friday afternoon on Highway 101 in San Francisco.

Officers responded before 1:30 p.m. to reports of a robbery where a single car forced a silver Hyundai to stop on the southbound Interstate 280 connector to Highway 101. Officials say suspects got out and broke car windows and stole from the vehicle occupants.

The Uber driver who was pinned on I-280 says the passenger was a jeweler who was picked up in the Tenderloin. The driver noticed a white car following them as they entered the freeway and soon after got in front of them and forced them to stop. Another car then pinned them from behind as well.

The driver says men got out of their cars and went over to break the car windows. They stole the driver's phone and the jewelry belonging to the passenger.

An investigation shows the victims appeared to be targeted.

California Highway Patrol officials said a gun was brandished during the incident. Shell casings have also been found on the freeway.

The connector from southbound Interstate 280 to southbound Highway 101 was shut down due to the investigation.

No other information was immediately available.Millions of Europeans who arrived late to work or school Wednesday had a good excuse  an unprecedented lag in the continent's electricity grid that's slowing down some clocks.

The problem is caused by a political dispute between Serbia and Kosovo that's sapping a small amount of energy from the local grid, causing a domino effect across the 25-nation network spanning the continent from Portugal to Poland and Greece to Germany.

"Since the European system is interconnected ... when there is an imbalance somewhere the frequency slightly drops," said Claire Camus, a spokeswoman for the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity.

The Brussels-based organization, known as ENTSO-E, said in a separate statement that "this average frequency deviation, that has never happened in any similar way in the Continental European power system, must cease."

The deviation from Europe's standard 50 Hz frequency has been enough to cause electric clocks that keep time by the power system's frequency, rather than built-in quartz crystals, to fall behind by about six minutes since mid-January. The problem mostly affects radio alarms, oven clocks or clocks used to program heating systems.

ENTSO-E said it's working on a technical solution that could bring the system back to normal within "a few weeks," but urged European authorities and national governments to address the political problem at the heart of the issue.

"This is beyond the technical world. Now there needs to be an agreement between Serbia and Kosovo about this lack of energy in the Kosovo system. You need to solve it politically and then technically," Camus told The Associated Press.

The friction between Serbia and Kosovo is part of a broader dispute that goes back almost 20 years. Since the war in Kosovo ended in 1999, the Serb-dominated north of Kosovo that remains loyal to Belgrade, haven't paid the Kosovo government for the energy they consume.

A 2015 agreement was meant to resolve the dispute, but Serbia has blocked its implementation.

Serbia's power grid company EMS blamed the problem on Kosovo, claiming that in January and February the country "was uninterruptedly withdrawing, in an unauthorized manner, uncontracted electric energy from the Continental Europe synchronous area."

Kadri Kadriu, deputy manager of Kosovo's grid operator KOSTT, acknowledged that electricity from elsewhere was diverted to the Serb minority in the north, but said consumers there hadn't paid for their electricity, causing considerable financial burden to the company.

ENTSO-E warned that "if no solution can be found at political level, a deviation risk could remain."

So far the only consequence seems to be the effect on clocks.

"The system is built in such a way that all your basic needs are really secured by the distribution and the transmission system operators," Camus said. "Frankly, there is no risk other than those clocks running behind."

Dusan Stojanovic, Jovana Gec, Llazar Semini and Sylvain Plazy contributed to this report.Students at Lyons Township High School and across the country have been planning for weeks in preparation for next weeks student walkout over gun laws--and school administrators across the area say safety must come first.

"The final goal is to unite the school and get the gun control we feel we deserve," said LTHS student Mary Beck.

Mary beck is one of many students fed up with campus violence. She says she's planning to join high school students across the city and suburbs in a national walkout Wednesday.

"Were going to come outside and form a human chain," she said. "United in what we believe in."

The students are protesting what they call congressional inaction on gun control.

At Hinsdale School District 86 the superintendent says students are not encouraged to leave class.

"To disrupt school and put themselves in a potentially unsafe situation, were saying they dont have a First Amendment right to do that," said Supt. Bruce Law.

Hinsdale students could face disciplinary action to be determined on a case by case basis.

Chicago Public Schools provided its policy on student demonstrations to NBC 5 which states:

Students who walk out and do not return should be marked as an unexcused absence and their parents should be notified that the student has left school grounds and not returned after student walk out.

Lyons Township officials plan to release a statement to parents next week.

Some students say they plan to walkout between 10 and 10:17 a.m. in memory of the 17 lives lost at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

District 300, which has schools in Algonquin, Carpentersville and Hampshire, says students who walkout will face consequences--but has provided options for students to express their feelings and frustrations inside the building.An Indiana man is facing felony charges for allegedly stealing two dogs from a woman who rejected his romantic advances and then beating them to death, the Times of Northwest Indiana reports.

Anthony Priestas, 23, of Hammond, Indiana, is charged with two felony counts of killing a domestic animal.

On the morning of Feb. 21, Priestas allegedly stole a pair of pugs from the home of a Crown Point woman who refused to date him. A witness reportedly told police she saw Priestas walking away from the home that morning with both of the dogs.

He then allegedly took the dogs to a county road in rural Porter County and began beating them.

A woman reportedly heard the dogs yelping in pain and went to check what was going on. Then, she said, she saw Priestas raise one of the dogs over his head and slam it to the ground repeatedly.

The witness reportedly said she yelled to try to stop Priestas, but he began beating the dog with a black object. When she told him police were on the way, he allegedly threw the dog into some nearby water and left.

Police said they arrived and found both dogs dead in the water.

Priestas, who is being held in Porter County jail without bond, pleaded not guilty. His attorney, Steven Alvarez, claimed that Priestas is an animal lover and said he is confident the justice system will show my clients innocence and they have the wrong person locked up.Looking to run in the 2018 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K this year? We've got some great news for you, as a special flash sale is here!

The registration fee, normally $55, has been slashed to $39 on St. Patrick's Day, event organizers said, in honor of 39 years of Shuffling.

This year's run, scheduled for March 25, will once again take runners through downtown Chicago, starting and ending in Grant Park. Returning for its second year is the 2-mile lakefront walking course, which starts and finishes at the same spots as the 8K.

2017 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle

Carey Pinkowski, the race's executive director, will join runners this year for the first time since 1988 to help raise money for the American Cancer Society, one of the race's charitable partners.

Pinkowski finished in third place with a time 24:07 when he last ran. But don't be discouraged if you can't keep that pace; the minimum pace required is to finish the 8K in one hour and fifteen minutes.

More than 20,000 shufflers took to the streets for 2017's Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle.An act of kindness shared on social media has landed a waitress at a Texas Waffle House a $16,000 scholarship to college.



Evoni Williams, 18, of Galveston, was working a very busy shift at the Waffle House in La Marque on March 3, when an older, partially disabled customer asked for help cutting his food.



Another customer in the restaurant, Laura Wolf, noticed the man was on oxygen and struggling to breathe when he mentioned that his hands "don't work too good." She snapped a photo of Williams cutting the man's food and then shared the following post on Facebook where she said she was "thankful to have seen this act of kindness and caring."

In the following days the photo would be seen more than 102,000 times, including by some of Williams' friends who tagged her in the post.

Williams and Wolf got in touch and eventually met. Meanwhile, as the post began to go viral, officials with the City of La Marque and Texas Southern University jumped into action.

Representatives for both appeared together at a news conference Thursday at the restaurant where they each brought Williams to tears recognizing her kindness and compassion.



First, city officials shared a proclamation with Williams that March 8, 2018, was declared Evoni Williams Day. Soon after, Wendell Williams, special assistant to the president of TSU, said she was exactly the kind of student they wanted at the university and awarded her a $16,000 scholarship.

Williams, still shocked at the unfolding events and a little timid, then fielded questions about the incident from the assembled media, saying, "That's just me. It just came from the heart. I would do it any other time, not just this time."

In an interview recorded by KPRC-TV, Williams said she had food ready to deliver but stopped to cut some of the meat for the man so that he would have some thing to eat right away. After delivering food to her other customers, Williams said she went back and continued to cut the rest of the man's food.



Williams said she'd started working at the restaurant in June 2017 so that she could save money for college. When asked by the media if she'd been thinking about where she'd like to go she said, "Yes, well, not no more!"

What to Know An investigation is underway after video surfaced on social media of a woman on top of a bucking horse inside a Miami Beach nightclub.

The incident happened at Mokai Lounge on South Beach.

It's unclear at this time how or why the horse was in the nightclub.

The Mokai Lounge nightclub in Miami Beach has lost its business license after a video surfaced on social media of a woman on top of a bucking horse inside its premises.

Miami Beach City Manager Jimmy Morales determined that the incident was an "actual threat to the public health, welfare and safety" of the city and amounted to cruelty to animals.

I was disgusted and offended that any legitimate businessperson would think this was an appropriate action to take, Morales said in a statement.

In the video, a woman can be seen trying to stay on top of a horse as a large crowd surrounds the animal.

Animal cruelty is an abhorrent and vile act, Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said. I fully support the immediate actions taken by the City Manager and his staff to ensure that this is remedied quickly.

Its unclear why or how the horse made it into the nightclub, but Miami Beach Police say they are now looking into the incident.

Last night MBPD was made aware of this incident at Mokai. We are very concerned over the allegations. As such, we have launched a joint investigation with @MiamiBeachNews Code Enforcement. https://t.co/WsSaMqrHhh  Miami Beach Police (@MiamiBeachPD) March 9, 2018

Miami Beach responded to the incident on Twitter, saying: Last night, MBPD was made aware of this incident at Mokai. We are very concerned over the allegations. As such, we have launched a joint investigation with @MiamiBeachNews Code Enforcement.

Miami Beach Police Department spokesman Ernesto Rodriguez said it has been gathering evidence and talking to eyewitnesses who may have been inside the nightclub.

"We do need additional video and we do need some more testimony from those inside," Rodriguez said. Very disturbing, very troubling video. This was a recipe for disaster inside of that nightclub as seen on that video.

Police later said the horse was located and deemed healthy and safe.

Very packed nightclub. That horse could have easily been more spooked than what it already was and could have charged at the guests inside of there," he said.

Rodriguez said the entire city is working on the case.

"From the police perspective to see if theres any applicable animal cruelty type charges from a city perspective not only code enforcement but our city manager as well looking into revoking licenses or whatever is appropriate to ensure that behavior like this does not happen anymore," he said.About Me Scott Because prophetic scriptures are found throughout the bible, it is obvious that a comprehensive, systematic approach would be useful, if not necessary, for the understanding of prophecy. Past prophecies have been fulfilled in a literal manner, as confirmed by the dating of these writings and historical records of confirmation. These past prophecies also serve as a model of how to interpret future prophecies. A literal view of prophecy clearly indicates a certain sequence of events will occur within a single generation, concluding with the Tribulation and Second Advent and these events will be obvious. The prophetic signs appear to be present in this generation and we believe these signs are revealed in the news from around the world. View my complete profileThe NBC Connecticut meteorologists have issued a First Alert for a third nor'easter in just as many weeks.

The European Ensemble forecast below shows the wide spread of possible outcomes for the storm's location late Monday into Tuesday.

Here's a breakdown of three possible scenarios.

Fringe effects: Where the storm comes close enough to bring some snow - likely a few inches across the state.

Closer track: This would bring a storm similar to Wednesday, with heavy wet snow for some, and rain and mixing along the shoreline.

A total miss: We don't see any issues from the storm.

There is still a lot of uncertainty with the track of this storm, but as of Saturday it looks like the most likely scenario will be the fringe effects, with a few inches of snow statewide. However, there is still the chance of the track shifting closer, hitting us with another significant storm.

A total miss is the least likely scenario.

NBC Connecticut will continue to monitor the forecast. Check back for updates.Hartford police have identified a suspect accused of making a threat against the St. Patricks Day Parade.

Police said Friday the threat did not appear to be valid, and on Saturday police announced that they had identified the suspect, who is a former Connecticut resident no longer in this part of the country. The person was not publicly named.

The event, which draws tens of thousands of people to the city, went ahead as scheduled with security in place.

Hartford police said threats toward the St. Patricks Day parade, school shootings and other acts of terrorism were posted on several social media pages, including a local TV station, and detectives and crime analysts in the command center immediately began to vet the threat.

The investigation revealed several indications that the account used was a fraud or spoof, according to police.

They met with the person whose account was spoofed and determined the account had been created to annoy and harass the victim whose name the account was created in.

Authorities are asking people to reach out to police directly to investigate rather than repost on social media.The White House tried to swat away criticism Friday that the U.S. is getting nothing in exchange for agreeing to a historic face-to-face summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said North Korea has made promises to denuclearize, stop its nuclear and missile testing and allow joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises. But questions remained over exactly what North Korea means by "denuclearize" and what the U.S. might be risking with a highly publicized summit that will build up Kim's stature among world leaders.

"Let's not forget that the North Koreans did promise something," Sanders said, responding to a reporter's question about why Trump agreed to a meeting  unprecedented between leaders of the two nations  without preconditions.

She added: "We are not going to have this meeting take place until we see concrete actions that match the words and the rhetoric of North Korea."

Still, the White House indicated that planning for the meeting was fully on track.

"The deal with North Korea is very much in the making and will be, if completed, a very good one for the World. Time and place to be determined," Trump tweeted late Friday.

He added Saturday: "North Korea has not conducted a Missile Test since November 28, 2017 and has promised not to do so through our meetings. I believe they will honor that commitment!"

The previous night's announcement of the summit marked a dramatic turnaround after a year of escalating tensions and rude insults between the two leaders. A personal meeting would have been all but unthinkable when Trump was being dismissed as a "senile dotard" and the Korean "rocket man" was snapping off weapons tests in his quest for a nuclear arsenal that could threaten the U.S. mainland.

North Korea's capabilities are indeed close to posing a direct atomic threat to the U.S. And the wider world has grown fearful of a resumption of the Korean War that ended in 1953 without a peace treaty.

The prospect of the first U.S.-North Korea summit has allayed those fears somewhat. The European Union, Russia and China  whose leader spoke by phone with Trump on Friday  have all welcomed the move.

Trump praised China's Xi Jinping, writing on Twitter Saturday morning, "Chinese President XI XINPING [sic] and I spoke at length about the meeting with KIM JONG UN of North Korea. President XI told me he appreciates that the U.S. is working to solve the problem diplomatically rather than going with the ominous alternative. China continues to be helpful!"

North Korea's government has yet to formally comment on its invitation to Trump. South Korea said the president agreed to meet Kim by May, but Sanders said Friday that no time and place had been set.

The "promises" on denuclearization and desisting from weapons tests were relayed to Trump by South Korean officials who had met with Kim Monday and brought his summit invitation to the White House. Trump discussed the offer with top aides on Thursday. Some expressed their reservations but ultimately supported the president's decision to accept it, according to U.S. officials who were briefed on the talks and requested anonymity to discuss them.

Still, some lawmakers and foreign policy experts voiced skepticism about the wisdom of agreeing to a summit without preparations by lower-level officials, particularly given the lack of trust between the two sides. North Korea is also holding three American citizens for what Washington views as political reasons.

"A presidential visit is really the highest coin in the realm in diplomacy circles," said Bruce Klingner, a Korea expert at the conservative-leaning Heritage Foundation, adding that Trump "seemed to spend it without getting anything in return, not even the release of the three U.S. captives."

Some say Trump could be setting himself up for failure amid doubts over whether Kim has any intention to relinquish a formidable atomic arsenal that he has made central to his personal stature and North Korea's standing in the world. Kim would also boost his own standing by becoming the first of the three hereditary leaders of North Korea to sit down with an American president.

Evans Revere, a former senior State Department official experienced in negotiating with North Korea, warned there is a disconnect between how the North and the U.S. describes "denuclearization" of the divided Korean Peninsula. For the U.S. it refers to North Korea giving up its nukes; for North Korea it also means removing the threat of American forces in South Korea and the nuclear deterrent with which the U.S. protects its allies in the region.

"The fundamental definition of denuclearization is quite different between Washington and Pyongyang," Revere said, noting that as recently as Jan. 1, Kim had vigorously reaffirmed the importance of nukes for North Korea's security. He said that misunderstandings at a summit could lead to "recrimination and anger" and even military action if Trump were embarrassed by failure.

"There is good reason to talk, but only if we are talking about something that is worth doing and that could be reasonably verified," said former Defense Secretary William Perry, who dealt with North Korea during President Bill Clinton's administration. "Otherwise we are setting ourselves up for a major diplomatic failure."

The White House maintains that Kim has been compelled to reach out for presidential-level talks because of Trump's policy of "maximum pressure."

"North Korea's desire to meet to discuss denuclearization  while suspending all ballistic missile and nuclear testing  is evidence that President Trump's strategy to isolate the Kim regime is working," Vice President Mike Pence, who has visited the region, said Friday in a written statement.

However, other presidents have lodged economic sanctions against North Korea, as Trump has. And the North has made a habit of reaching out after raising fears during previous crises, with offers of dialogue meant to win aid and concessions. Some speculate that the North is trying to peel Washington away from its ally Seoul, weaken crippling sanctions and buy time for nuclear development. It has also, from the U.S. point of view, repeatedly cheated on past nuclear deals.

Without question, the North wants a peace treaty to end the technically still-active Korean War and drive all U.S. troops from the Korean Peninsula, removing what it says is a hostile encirclement of its territory by Washington and Seoul.

Associated Press writers Darlene Superville, Matthew Lee, Zeke Miller, Jill Colvin and Tracy Brown in Washington, and Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul contributed to this reportThe evening before a house exploded in northwest Dallas and killed a 12-year-old girl, Atmos Energy crews were investigating and repairing gas leaks directly behind the house, company emails obtained by The Dallas Morning News show.

The emails also show that Atmos discovered at least 28 leaks in the neighborhood in the two days after the home blew up.

About 12 hours before the explosion, an email from an Atmos Energy employee to the Texas Railroad Commission described how the company had been monitoring a situation in a residential area of Dallas near Love Field airport. Atmos was investigating two separate leaks involving house fires and measured gas was potentially a factor in both.

At about the same time, neigbhor Juan Armillo said Atmos Workers knocked on his door saying they had detected a gas leak in his backyard. Armillo said crews worked from 7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 22 until 2:00 a.m. Friday. Less than five hours later, the deadly house explosion happened across the alley, about a block away.

"It could have been my kid," said Armilla. "It's not like it was somebody else's gas leak. The gas leak was in the backyard and they coulda said, you know what, evacuate your houses. There's a gas leak. But they didn't."

Armilla said he doesn't trust Atmos. "Of course I'm mad. I'm more than mad. I'm emotionally distressed," he said. "That little girl didn't have to die."

After those emails were released, investigators were back at the home on Espanola Saturday.

Atmos Energy released a statement to NBC 5 Friday night. It read, "The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the incident on Espanola Drive and the days leading up to that incident. Atmos Energy is following federal guidelines that state the NTSB is the contact for questions."

Read more about this story from our media partners The Dallas Morning News.

North Texas authorities say a man who escaped from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement Detention Facility in Alvarado has been re-captured.

At about 5:30 a.m. Saturday, Jose Manzanares Montalavan, 23, was last seen in the line for breakfast at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, according to ICE spokesperson Carl Rusnok.

Officials said Manzanares Montalavan scaled a fence of the facility and fled near Gas Line Road where it is believed he could have been picked up from the area.

ICE officials said Manzanares Montalavan was originally arrested by immigrations officials in July 2017 for illegally entering the United States. He was placed on the agency's "Alternative To Detention" program with an ankle monitor. The ATD program was created to ensure appearance at immigration hearings by illegal immigrants who were determined not to pose a threat to national security or community safety.

However, Manzanares Montalavan was removed from that program in November 2017 following an arrest for aggravated sexual assault. He was then placed into ICE custody in the Prairieville Detention Center, pending a hearing before a federal immigration judge.

ICE officials announced Saturday afternoon that Manzanares Montalavan had been re-captured, but details of the arrest were not released.

Practice is something the Sujoe siblings do wellfrom playing a string instrument like violin, to stringing letters together while perfecting their calligraphy.

What do you like about calligraphy? NBC 5s Kristin Dickerson asked 11-year-old Hephzibah Sujoe. Just kind of bringing out the beauty of letters, Hephzibah said.

But its not the way the letters look that wins them awards, its the words those letters create.

The two compete in spelling bees.

Hephzibah, started competing four years ago when she was in third grade. Now in sixth grade, she beat students from almost 500 schools earlier this month to win a regional competition, which qualified her for the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

So are you nervous about the national competition? Kristin asked Hephzibah. Its kind of like a mix of being nervous and excited, Hephzibah said.

Both are feelings that her older brother, 17-year-old Ansun, knows well.

As a seventh grader in 2014, Ansun won his regional spelling bee and then he won the Scripps National Spelling bee.

His trophy is proudly displayed at their family home in Fort Worth.

I got to share this with my co-champion, but in the end we got our separate trophies, Ansun said while proudly holding the very heavy award.

Has spelling always come easy to you? Kristin asked Ansun. Oh no, especially not when I started, Ansun said.

Their parents, Angel Sujoe and Sujoe Bose, say their children practiced spelling 6 days a week (although Ansun has now retired from spelling bee competitions and no longer has to practice).

School days an hour, but Saturdays we work a little more probably 4-5 hours, Angel said.

They also practice all year longadding even more hours during the summer months when school is out.

Their familys dedication was celebrated together after Ansuns national win, which earned them a trip to the White House in 2014 to meet President Obama.

He also left me a note that said, dream big dreams and he signed his autograph in it, Ansun said about then President Obama.

I never ever even dreamt about it, I never dreamt about it that I would be in the White House one day and get to meet President Obama, so I give all the glory to God, Angel said, after sharing that she grew up in a small community in India.

They are a family dedicated to success, whose children are learning skills and work ethic that will translate well into their futures.

One success helps you drive for another success, so now Im focusing on getting into a good college, getting a good job, Ansun said. So its kind of like one passion develops into another.

The Sujoe siblings play three musical instruments a piece and they also compete in math, science, and speech competitions.

We are really proud of them, and we are really blessed by them, Angel said.Two men who reportedly escaped the Hill County Jail Saturday morning were captured in Waco just hours later.

Billy C. Crelia III and Corey Buckner, escaped the kitchen area of the jail after a 5 a.m. headcount, according to Hill County Sheriff Chief Deputy Rick White. The men were part of kitchen trustee detail making morning breakfast. White said detention staff noticed the two men were gone within four minutes of the headcount.

The men are believed to have escaped through a fence that had been cut. Clothing was discovered in a wooded area North of the sheriff's office and canines from Texas Game Wardens and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice were brought in to search for the scene of the escapees.

According to White, the scent was lost on State Highway 22 and it believed the men were picked up on the highway.

Crelia, 38, was in the Hill County Jail on a parole violation for engaging in organized criminal activity and possession of a controlled substance. Buckner, who is also 38, was in the Hill County Jail on charges of evading arrest and a parole hold on a robbery charge.

At about 2:30 p.m., White confirmed Crelia and Buckner were back in custody after being found in a residential area in Waco.A 45-year-old man managed to sign a 16-year-old girl out of her Pennsylvania school 10 times in the last few months and now the two are missing, police said.



Kevin Esterly and Amy Yu disappeared from the Lehigh Valley on Monday with cash and some sort of paperwork, according to police.

"They're probably together somewhere," Colonial Regional Police Detective Gary Hammer said.

As of Friday evening, both were still missing, police said. The U.S. Marshal's Office and agents with the FBI are now assisting with the search.

Esterly and Yu apparently had a secret relationship for months, and investigators said Yu may even have gone on family vacations with Esterly. He is married with two children.

According to a warrant issued after the two disappeared, Esterly signed Yu out of school 10 times between Nov. 13 and Feb. 9 without her parents' permission.

Investigators said it now appears that the girl may have added Esterly to her school emergency contact list as a stepfather. That, they said, would have allowed him to remove the girl from school.

"That's when they came to find out that this young lady had added this gentleman, this Kevin Esterly, as a stepfather on school records," Hammer told NBC10.

Police said Yu's mother called Feb. 9 to report Esterly had signed her child out of Lehigh Valley Academy earlier that day.

CEO Susan Mauser did say the school has a procedure for signing out a student that only allows a person on the student's emergency contact list to take the student from school. She said the school is investigating whether that procedure was followed.

"We can confirm that Mr. Esterly was last present on school grounds on February 9, 2018," Mauser said in a statement. "After that date, due to circumstances we cannot disclose pursuant to student privacy constraints, he was prohibited from entering school grounds, and the police were to be notified if he returned."



On Feb. 15, records show police told Esterly to stay away from the teen's home.

Esterly may be driving a 1999 two-door, red Honda Accord with the license plate KLT-0529. Anyone with information about either person's whereabouts should call Allentown police at 610-437-7751 or by dialing 911.

In a state not known as a friend to labor unions, hundreds of West Virginia teachers found a way to organize a massive nine-day strike that paved the way to raises they had been denied for years.

How did they do it?

The strikers themselves say social media tools were key to fostering communication and networking. And the double whammy of rising health insurance costs and proposed corporate tax breaks provided strong motivation.

A private Facebook page set up by two teachers last fall mushroomed from 100 initial members to 24,000, providing a behind-the-scenes forum for teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria staff and other public employees to plot strategy, bolster resistance and plan demonstrations that proved crucial at decisive moments.

"I think it's remarkable," said Joseph Slater, who teaches public-sector labor law at the University of Toledo. "I think it is a testament to their organizing ability that they could get everybody, or at least the vast majority of teachers, out on strike."

The effort grew from quiet grumbling last fall among teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria staff and other public workers who hadn't gotten raises in four years, but were being hit by steadily rising insurance costs.

The discontent grew after a November public hearing with state officials about increasing health insurance costs. The meeting made it clear that it wasn't just teachers who needed to organize  it was all public workers.

"People were getting screwed and people knew it," said seventh-grade English teacher Jay O'Neal.

O'Neal and high-school Spanish teacher Emily Comer decided to expand a Facebook page he initially created just for teachers and rename it the West Virginia Public Employees United page. Other public workers joined by invitation only, to keep the activity private. By January, the site had begun to buzz with talk of a strike, prompting another spike in membership.

Teachers were aware a strike could result in the loss of pay  or even their jobs. Despite that threat, they rallied. On Feb. 22, thousands of workers walked off the job. About 37,000 workers in 55 counties were affected. Those participating included members of the American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia, the West Virginia Education Association, and the West Virginia School Service Personnel Association.

After four days of no school statewide, Gov. Jim Justice and leaders of the three unions negotiated a settlement. It was a Tuesday night. Justice called for a day of cooling off and then a return to work.

But that wasn't enough for the strikers, who wanted to see something in writing. So they voted to stand their ground and extend their walkout until lawmakers approved the raises as well.

"The membership was demanding countywide votes to stay out," Comer said. A union co-representative for her school, she was sending group texts to everyone in it.

The teachers' doubts were validated the following weekend when the Senate's majority Republicans balked at the 5 percent raise, offering 4 percent instead. Finally, after nine days without classes, the reluctant legislators agreed to 5 percent and Justice signed the deal.

Prior to the strike, the teachers had been using social media to organize "walk-ins"  actions that entailed educators picketing before school and then walking into the buildings together  and to designate days of the week where everyone wore blue, red or purple shirts. Workers posted Facebook pictures so that employees around the state would be motivated by their colleagues' activities.

There is significant interest in whether what happened in West Virginia can work elsewhere, said Ryan Frankenberry, a former staffer of the American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia and now state director of the West Virginia branch of the Working Families Party, which opened last year.

"It's definitely the buzz of our national organization," Frankenberry said.

Christi Phillips, a teacher at George Ward Elementary in Mill Creek, has taught first grade for 32 years, and took part in the last most recent strike in 1990, an eight-day walkout that involved most of the state's counties.

"I have to tell you when this started, I told my friends at work, I have the same feeling now that I had in 1990," she said. "Because it started exactly the same way. ... The only difference is the speed at which it has happened because of Facebook and social media and Twitter and the ability to text somebody three counties over and say, 'Hey, what's your county doing?'"

Teachers later that year received a $5,000 raise over three years.

"In 1990, I don't remember really how we got information," Phillips said. "It must have been a phone tree."

This story has been edited to clarify that the final approval of the raises happened after nine days without school, but not after a week's time.Death likely came quickly for a 34-year-old Anaheim father of three who became entangled in a mobile asphalt crusher in 2013, a Riverside County Sheriff's pathologist testified Friday.

Dr. Mark McCormack said Rolando Anaya had an open wound that extended from his head to well down his back, separating his spinal cord. He said Anaya likely had lost any feeling in the area before he died.

Anaya also had burns and abrasions on his left thigh, McCormack said. There was no evidence of drugs or alcohol in the man's body, the pathologist said.

McCormack's testimony came as trial continued before a Los Angeles Superior Court jury hearing the negligence and products liability claims brought on behalf of Anaya's three children against North Dakota-based General Equipment & Supplies Inc., which sold the machine to Anaya's employer, R.J. Noble Co., an asphalt plant in an unincorporated area near Corona.

Anaya's two sons are currently 17 and 11 years old; and his daughter is 14. The suit was filed in September 2015 by Eliza Perez, who was Anaya's domestic partner.

Anaya was killed on Oct. 7, 2013, after he became entangled in the conveyor belt of the device while cleaning debris and loose rock, according to plaintiffs' attorney Donald Liddy.

The area below the cone crusher and tail pulley of the conveyor belt did not have a protective guard, Liddy said. There also were no pull cords allowing a worker in the vicinity to stop the machine immediately in an emergency, according to Liddy, who said the device had a design defect.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michelle Williams Court told jurors they had time to look away if they wanted to before Liddy used a large screen to show a photo of Anaya trapped in the device.

In other testimony, Jerry Kern, one of General Equipment's founders, said via a deposition previously recorded on video that the machine would have had an emergency-stop button in the control room that would have allowed the operator to shut it down immediately if necessary. Asked by the attorney questioning him if people can be killed working around the device, he replied, "They can be. It's dangerous equipment."A group of workers from the Disneyland Resort waved signs, chanted and demonstrated outside Walt Disney Co.'s shareholders meeting in Houston on Thursday, demanding the company provide a "living wage," it was reported Friday.

The demonstration was the latest effort by a coalition of unions at the Anaheim theme parks that is pushing Disney executives to raise wages for the resort's 30,000 workers during a profitable period for the Burbank media giant, the Los Angeles Times reported. Three of those unions are currently negotiating contracts.

In addition, 11 percent of employees at Disneyland and California Adventure Park who responded to a survey said they have been homeless or have not had a place of their own in the last two years, according to the newspaper.

One of the authors of the survey said he couldn't get into the meeting to ask Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger about the findings.

"They refused to admit me to the shareholder meetings so I'm out here with the workers," said Dan Flaming, president of the Economic Roundtable, a nonprofit research organization in Los Angeles, in a Twitter video shot outside of the meeting. Flaming is not a shareholder, so that's why he wasn't allowed into the meeting, a Disney spokesman said.

The online study was paid for by the coalition and conducted by the Economic Roundtable and the Urban & Environmental Policy Institute at Occidental College.

Disney executives have blasted the survey, saying it is inaccurate because it was answered by only a limited number of union workers. The company also said that the average hourly resort worker earns $37,000 a year, which works out to nearly $18 per hour.

During Thursday's meeting, Iger fielded no questions about the survey or about providing hourly wage workers a boost in pay. But he heard from several former and current park employees who praised the company executive and the Disney theme parks for helping them advance their careers.A councilman's proposal to house about five dozen homeless people in trailers on a downtown lot as a possible model for citywide temporary shelters was given final approval Friday by the Los Angeles City Council.

The plan is part of a larger strategy being pushed by Councilman Jose Huizar and several other council members, with Mayor Eric Garcetti's support, to install a large number of trailers around the city to give shelter to the homeless and transition them into permanent supportive housing.

"It's a very different approach to what the city has taken before," Huizar said after the 11-0 vote. "Now, what's at stake here is this -- this is the first time that we are trying it anywhere in the city, and El Pueblo will show us that it can be done because we have plans to do it throughout the city."

A motion outlining the plan was introduced in January by Huizar and approved in February by the full City Council, which today signed off on a Bureau of Engineering report finding that the project has a categorical exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act.

Huizar said earlier this week that he'd held off in February on a "full vote" on the project pending significant outreach to businesses and merchants near El Pueblo, as some objected to the plan. A series of community meetings have since been held, and Huizar said he also held a meeting Tuesday night.

"When the merchants came out to the last meeting, there (were) over 15 to 30 of them here, really upset because they had not been talked to about the plan," Huizar said. "And in anything we do, whether we are creating permanent supportive housing or these types of shelters, there's always going to be neighbors that don't want them there. And it's not to say that we are going to agree with them ... but we should at least go out and talk to them and they are probably going to give us input that can makes this a better plan."

Huizar said he told the merchants that the city will reassess the plan six months after the project's implementation, and also added an amendment to his motion to that effect.

The plan calls for five trailers to be installed on a city-owned parking lot at Arcadia and Alameda streets to house people who sleep on the sidewalks in the area around the historic El Pueblo site off Main Street. It marks a significant new approach in how the city is looking to tackle the problem of homelessness.

Another motion introduced by Huizar, and approved by the City Council last week, will have the city study the feasibility of taking the same approach on a much larger scale in nearby Skid Row, where an estimated 2,000 people sleep on the streets every night.

Councilmen Mike Bonin and Marqueece Harris- Dawson also recently introduced a motion calling for a study on the feasibility of providing a safe place for the city's entire homeless population as an alternative to sidewalk encampments.

"I just want to take a second and praise my colleague for the political courage that's involved here. This is not popular," Councilman Gil Cedillo said before the vote. "We have resources. The people of Los Angeles have spoken. It's clear what the crisis is and we have political leadership here that's willing to do that."

He added, "While everyone wants to address the challenges of homelessness, no one wants it near where they are, and yet they fail to recognize that if we do not confront it head-on that it will continue to proliferate."

The El Pueblo motion says the trailers could be installed and operated for six months at a cost of $2 million, and Huizar said the annual cost after that would be about $1.4 million.

The trailer proposal came from a task force formed by the mayor to brainstorm how to get thousands of unsheltered people off the streets. The initiative to provide temporary shelter is a new strategy for the city, which has focused primarily on encouraging the construction of 10,000 units permanent housing through $1.2 billion in voter-approved bonds under Measure HHH, which was passed in 2016.

Although the 10-year plan outlined by HHH would take years for a significant amount of the units built, Huizar noted that the council is working on plans to speed up construction by cutting a lot of the red tape and oversight involved, as well as by reducing the parking requirements. Earlier this week, the Planning and Land Use Management Committee, which Huizar chairs, approved a motion outlining the proposal, along with a second motion that would facilitate the conversion of motels into supportive housing.

"The crisis is now and we want to build more sooner. Just because we say it's a 10-year plan doesn't mean that we cannot accelerate it as quickly as we can," Huizar said.

The El Pueblo plan is to install three trailers for beds, one trailer to house administrative workers and case management services, and one hygiene trailer with restrooms, showers and laundry facilities. Huizar said the hope is that the people who stay there could be transitioned into permanent housing within six months through the on-site services they would receive.

Many of the merchants near El Pueblo who have objected to the plan expressed fears that the trailers would attract more homeless to the area. Huizar said the city's studies have not found that to be true, and also that the El Pueblo shelters will be provided for the people already in the area.

"There may be some people who come here because they feel, it's better, Los Angeles, they are providing services, better weather, whatever that may be. But that percentage of individuals is not as high was some people think it is," he said.

Huizar estimates the site would cost an average of about $60 per bed per night to operate, which is an estimate that can be applied to other trailer sites under consideration, including the Skid Row proposal, which he said may need $20 million to get up and running as a "back-of-the-envelope" estimate.

Homelessness in the city of Los Angeles jumped by 20 percent in 2017 while L.A. County saw a spike of 23 percent, according to the results of the 2017 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count. In the city, the total number of homeless went up to 34,189 and the county number increased to 57,794.Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev chose Reykjavik, Iceland. Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Josef Stalin huddled at Yalta. Dwight Eisenhower and Soviet leader Nikita Khruschev will always have Paris.

So where should President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un meet up for the first face-to-face talks between a U.S. and North Korean president?

The Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea is one possibility. Sweden has offered to help. And there's always neutral Geneva, Switzerland.

Someplace in Asia perhaps  such as Beijing  hasn't been ruled out. Nor, for that matter, has a ship in international waters.

The question crackled through diplomatic and government circles Friday, one day after a South Korean official announced in the dark on a White House driveway that the two heads of state who had threatened mutual obliteration for months would take a meeting.

It's not clear what location is suitable for leaders who have sniped at each other  "Little Rocket Man" vs. "senile dotard"  in nerve-rattling Twitter exchanges about nuclear war.

"It's all about optics, from their first handshake," said Lisa Collins, a Korea scholar and fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "There are 70 years of historical baggage between the two countries ... so to have the meeting in a place that's a safe location and one that doesn't overly highlight the differences between the two countries would probably be the best."

The White House wasn't offering suggestions in the hours after the announcement.

Trump, a former reality TV star, understands well the value of "optics." But symbolism, security and practicality also come into play. Holding talks in either the U.S. or North Korea seem unlikely. Traveling to North Korea risks conferring legitimacy on Kim and his country.

As for Kim: Except for schooling in Switzerland and perhaps some vacations during that time, it's not clear that Kim has left North Korea. So Mar-a-Lago, the president's Florida estate that was good enough for Chinese President Xi Jinping last April, probably won't do this time.

More likely is the no-man's-land of Peace Village in the DMZ's Panmunjom. There is a building there with a line through the middle that marks the border  and was the site of the 1953 armistice. Theoretically, Kim could shake Trump's hand by reaching over the line without ever setting foot outside North Korea. And Trump's been wanting to visit the DMZ, anyway. A shrouded-in-secrecy stop there during Trump's tour of Asia last year was scrubbed due to bad weather.

In April, the leaders of North and South Korea are to meet there for their own historic bilateral talks.

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, meanwhile, has offered to help, given that his nation has an embassy in Pyongyang. "We are a non-aligning country," Lofven pointed out during a press conference with Trump this week. "If the president decides, the key actors decide if they want us to help out, we'll be there."

History offers some lessons in bilateral summitry.

Sometimes, talks fail. In diplomatic circles, Reykjavik, Iceland's frosty capital, refers President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev's hastily arranged arms reduction talks in 1986. They failed to produce a deal, but did result in iconic photos of the two leaders smiling together in the final years of the Cold War.

Other times, they blow up. "Peaceful coexistence" was the goal, but not the immediate result, of a summit in Paris between Khruschev and Eisenhower. The talks were tense over the Soviet downing of a U-2 plane in 1960 that Eisenhower was forced to admit had been spying on Russia. The Russian leader stalked out of the meeting, cooling any thoughts of a lasting peace for awhile.

It's good to have a backup venue: What were to be talks in 1989 between President George H.W. Bush and Gorbachev aboard a ship near Malta turned into the "seasick summit" when seven-foot waves forced the leaders to cancel some meetings.

Talks and the most powerful images sometimes go only so far. Egyptian President Anwar Sadat stunned the world when he set foot in Israel in 1977 and addressed the Israeli parliament. The visit set the tone for the Camp David peace summit and treaty in 1979. The Egyptian-Israeli agreement has remained intact and laid the groundwork for other Mideast summits. But the peace process has stalled in recent years.

Associated Press writer Matthew Lee and researcher Rhonda Shafner contributed to this report.What to Know Rapper Juelz Santana ran from Newark Liberty International Airport on Friday after TSA agents found a gun in his bag, sources tell News 4

The rapper may have gotten into a cab and is currently being sought by Port Authority police, according to the sources

NBC 4 New York has reached out to Santana's representatives seeking comment

Rapper and actor Juelz Santana allegedly ran away from a security screening at Newark Liberty International Airport Friday evening after law enforcement sources said Transportation Security Administration agents found a gun on him.

Santana, whose real name is LaRon Louis James, was going through the screening at Terminal C about 6 p.m. when sources said agents discovered the firearm.

Sources said that once the "Love and Hip-Hop: New York" star was detected by authorities, he took off running and may have gotten in a taxi.

Port Authority Police Department detectives are currently looking for the Harlem-born performer, according to sources.

The TSA didn't reveal the name of the rapper, citing privacy laws, but said that a passenger going through screening around that time had a gun in his bag. When the passenger realized the gun had been found, the TSA said the man left the airport, leaving his luggage and gun behind.

According to TSA regulations, bringing a weapon to an airport security checkpoint is punishable by a fine and in some cases could lead to an arrest. Fines for loaded guns can top $9,800.

Representatives for Santana did not return NBC 4 New York's calls seeking comment.

Half of Will Smith's Breathtaking Former NoHo Condo Hits the Market for $11.8 MillionPolice are warning of a scam targeting Connecticut businesses that are still without power after a double whammy of nor'easters.

The businesses received phone calls from people pretending to work for Eversource Energy, Westport police said. The callers say the businesses won't have power restored unless a payment is made over the phone.

Westport police have received complaints from multiple business owners.

Officials warned not to give credit card information to anyone over the phone. The power company doesn't require a payment to restore power, police said.

More than 18,000 Eversource customers remain without power, including more than 1,000 in Westport, the utility said.Three women and a suspected gunman were found dead Friday evening after a more than six-hour hostage standoff at a veterans home in Yountville, California, according to law enforcement officials.



California Highway Patrol Assistant Chief Chris Child said three females and one male were found dead.

The Napa County Sheriff-Coroner's office identified the suspect as 36-year-old Albert Wong from Sacramento who was formerly in the Pathway Home Program.

Facebook

The three women held hostage were identified as members of the Pathway Home family: Executive Director Christine Loeber, Dr. Jen Golick, a therapist and Dr. Jennifer Gonzales, a psychologist with the San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

In a statement from the Pathway Home, the women were described as "brave and accomplished professionals who dedicated their careers to serving our nation's veterans."

Courtesy LinkedIn and Pathway Home

Hotline for friends and loved ones of families affected by the Yountville shooting: (707)-948-3331

Earlier in the day, heavily armed law enforcement officials swarmed the Veterans Home of California Yountville  the largest in the country  after a gunman fired shots at a sheriff's deputy and took multiple hostages during a party organized by a veterans program.



California authorities say officers at around 10:20 a.m. exchanged gunfire with a gunman holding three veterans program employees hostage at the veterans home.[[476406353, C]]

Napa County Sheriff John Robertson told reporters Friday that many bullets were fired but that the deputies werent injured. He says he doesnt know the status of the hostages or the gunmans motive.

Child previously said offices were unable to make contact with the gunman who was confined to one room. Multiple hostage negotiators, including the Napa County Sheriff's office and the FBI, also responded to the scene.

Officials said the hostages were employees of The Pathway Home, a privately run program on the veterans homes grounds. The program treats veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Footage shows towering flames in San Francisco as crews battle a fire caused by a gas explosion.

The suspect used a rifle to fire the shots, but officials are not sure what kind yet. They also know the identity of the gunman, but are not releasing the information.

State Senator Bill Dodd said the suspect was reportedly a veteran enrolled in the PTSD program offered at the facility, but had been asked to leave earlier this week.

NBC Bay Area

According to CHP officials, a call came in at 10:20 a.m. alerting them to the "shots fired." Napa law enforcement officers were on the scene within four minutes.

The state Veterans Affairs department says the facility  located at 260 California Drive in Yountville, which is located north of San Francisco  is the largest veterans' home in the United States, with about 1,000 residents.

Yountville, which is located in the heart of California's wine country, is perhaps most famous for the restaurant, The French Laundry.



Pathway Homes program treats veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Four people were found dead following a shooting and hostage situation at a Yountville veterans home, the California Highway Patrol said late Friday. CHP Assistant Chief Chris Childs said three females were found dead, in addition to 36-year-old gunman Albert Wong.

The California Veterans Affairs office released a statement right after the shooting, saying: "Law enforcement is at the Yountville Veterans Home right now following reports of gunfire. The safety of our residents, workers and the community is our top priority. We have activated our emergency response protocol and are cooperating with law enforcement."

The Napa Valley Register described the gunman as "a man, dressed in black and wearing body armor ... reportedly armed with an automatic weapon."



A resident inside the facility told NBC Bay Area a person with body armor and weapon entered Building G - which he described as a "halfway house."

He said Building G housed veterans from Operation Desert Storm.

This 25-acre compound is known as Palazzo Di Amore. It was built by renowned developer Mohamed Hadid, who is known for creating mega-mansions. This mansion can comfortably host up to 1,000 guests and comes complete with its ow disco, bowling alley, and vineyard.

Larry Kamer says his wife, Devereaux Smith, is a fundraiser for the nonprofit Pathway Home.

He said the gunman quietly came into a going-away party and staff meeting at a Northern California veterans home and let some leave, while keeping others hostage.

Smith was at the party Friday morning of 10 to 15 people at the Yountville veterans home. Kamer said his wife was inside the homes dining hall and was not allowed to leave. He spoke to her by phone.

Kamer said he does not know why the shooter let his wife and some colleagues leave.

Jan Thornton of Vallejo is among hundreds of relatives worried about their loved ones at a Northern California veterans home that was locked down after reports of an active shooter.

Thornton says her 96-year-old father  a WWII fighter pilot  was inside a hospital wing at the home in Yountville, north of San Francisco.

Thornton says she's still shaking and that she hasn't been able to talk to her father. But, she says she was able to talk to one of his friends, who is also locked down, and that he told her that her father is safe.

She says her "heart just bleeds for the people that are being held hostage.''

Though she thinks her dad is safe, she is still worried about the stress of the situation, considering his age and that he has post-traumatic stress disorder and some dementia.

Queen of The Valley Medical Center has put a trauma team on standby for any possible patients.

Officials said some students from the Justin-Siena High School rehearsing a play on the grounds at the Lincoln Theater had been locked down when the gunman took hostages. The students were evacuated safely Friday afternoon.

Sasha Craig spotted a family car carrying her 15- and 17-year-old children. She ran toward it, blowing kisses. She says teens had been texting their parents to chill.

A post on social media said: "Hi, please pray. We have about 30 police here at the Vets home there is a shooter here. Were in lockdown in the MSC building."

Yountville Elementary School was briefly placed on lockdown due to police activity at the Veterans Home. Students and staff are safe, and the lockdown has been lifted. The school is proceeding with its normal schedule, the Napa Unified School District said.The man who shot a stranger during a racially charged road rage confrontation in Alexandria, Virginia, last summer was convicted Friday of one count of unlawful wounding and sentenced to four years in prison.

Ernest Stickell, 59, shot Dejonte Holt twice -- hitting the 33-year-old in the neck and shoulder. Stickell was found not guilty of a second charge: attempted malicious wounding.

Holt's boyfriend, Ricardo Jennings, testified earlier this week that Stickell used a racial slur against him and opened fire, missing him but hitting Holt.

Stickell said he fired in a moment of panic and acted in self-defense.

Jennings said Friday that he was glad Stickell got some prison time but that he wished he had been convicted of the second charge as well.

Jennings' mother, Earlette Williams, said she was pleased to see him convicted.



"I was hoping he got 20. I wanted him to get every year that I thought he deserved, but God saw something else. And I believe four years will help him realize the error of his ways," she said.

Stickell opened fire on Jennings and Holt the morning of Wednesday, July 19, 2017.

As News4 reported, the road rage clash began on the Beltway before 8 a.m., continued onto the Eisenhower Connector and left Holt with two gunshot wounds.

Jennings testified Wednesday that Stickell cut off Holt's SUV twice, the couple got out to confront him, Stickell called Jennings the N-word and then Stickell opened fire.

Stickell's defense lawyer said Stickell had no idea why the couple confronted him and that he opened fire out of fear.

Jennings testified that Holt was giving him a ride to work when they were cut off twice by a white van. First, as they exited the Beltway, the driver went around them and slammed on the brakes. Then, he cut them off again on the Eisenhower Connector, he said.

Jennings said Holt then drove the SUV around the van and stopped in front of it. Then, they both got out.

"What's your problem?" Jennings said he asked Stickell.

He said Stickell cursed him and used the N-word.

Jennings, who is black, said he cursed back, calling Stickell, who is white, a "cracker."

He testified that Stickell then jumped out of the van with a gun and took aim at Holt's head. He fired multiple times and hit the woman in the neck and shoulder.

She fell to the ground, and Jennings said Stickell then fired twice more, trying to hit him.

Jennings ran and hid in the bushes, and Stickell drove off.

Witnesses chased him and got his license plate number, but he was able to get away.

Later in the day, Stickell, of Mechanicsville, Maryland, turned himself in to Maryland State Police in Frederick.

Outside the Alexandria courthouse, Stickell himself told News4 on Tuesday that he would plead self-defense. He declined additional comment.

Holt, of Bladensburg, Maryland, is able to work after she was shot, but she copes with ongoing emotional distress.

Jennings' mother told News4 on Tuesday that Stickell never should have opened fire.

"You don't bring a gun to a fistfight. It wasn't fair," she said. "It should not have happened. No one should use a gun for the wrong reason."

The jury heard from several witnesses who saw the confrontation and shooting.

Stickell was the target of a racial harassment suit in 2001, as News4 previously reported. A man Stickell supervised at an auto glass company alleged that Stickell used racial slurs against him, against customers and even against Stickell's own wife, who was African American.

"In one particularly egregious episode, Stickell placed a picture of a monkey between the pages of a parts manual ... that Spriggs regularly used," court filings say. "Stickell had captioned the picture with X's and O's, along with the notation 'so you'll never forget who you are.'"A man who was struck by a falling tree in Northwest D.C. during last week's fierce windstorm has died, police confirm.

Paul Agbo, 50, of Burtonsville, was driving on the 2500 block of 44th Street Northwest, near Glover Archibold Park, when a tree fell onto his SUV.

Agbo was trapped in the vehicle before rescuers freed him and took him to George Washington University Hospital with critical injuries.

He was taken off life support on Wednesday.

The nor'easter that tore through a large area of the east coast and brought a deadly windstorm to the D.C. area claimed the lives of at least nine other people, including a 6-year-old boy in Virginia who died after a tree fell on his home and a passenger riding in a truck in James County, Virginia.Montgomery County police are searching for suspects who fired shots outside Westfield Montgomery mall in Bethesda, Maryland, Friday night.

Police believe two groups of two men started arguing with each other and carried the argument into the mall parking lot, where one or more of them fired the shots. All four men then fled the area, police said.

Officers found shell casings, but did not find anyone who had been shot, police said. Bullets struck two vehicles in the mall parking lot.



Chopper4 video showed police cruisers and officers outside of the parking garage near the mall's food court and movie theater. Yellow numbered markers appear to show where police found evidence at the garage entrance.

An officer could also be seen walking with a group of people in the parking lot nearby with a flashlight.U.S. President Donald Trump's trade envoy is meeting Saturday with top officials from the European Union and Japan, who are pushing back against new U.S. steel tariffs that have unleashed fears of a broader trade war.

The EU is seeking clarity from Washington about whether the 28-nation bloc will be exempt from the U.S. tariffs, which come into force in two weeks. If not, the EU has threatened retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products like peanut butter and orange juice.

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem met Saturday in Brussels with Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko, before U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer arrived to join them for three-way talks as well as individual discussions with the EU and Japanese trade chiefs.

The meeting had been previously planned but took on greater importance because of Trump's announcement of a 25-percent tariff on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum imports.

Key U.S. trading partners and businesses have warned the tariffs could backfire, provoking a trade war and hurting allies like the EU and Japan more than China, their main target.

Japan's government has warned the measure could hurt its economic relations with the U.S. But ahead of Saturday's talks, Seko also cautioned that "falling to exchanges of unilateral measures will not be in the interest of any country," according to the Kyodo news agency. He was apparently referring to the EU threats of retaliation.

Trump argues the tariffs are designed to protect U.S. jobs and national security. He said Canada and Mexico are exempt for now, and other countries could be spared if they can convince the administration that their steel and aluminum exports don't threaten American industry.

The EU insists that it is committed to open, global trade. Malmstroem said the real problem is an oversupply of steel on global markets, and she rejected Trump's assertion that the tariffs are needed to protect U.S. national security, especially when most EU countries are members of NATO.

"We are friends. We are allies. We work together. We cannot possibly be a threat to national security in the U.S., so we are counting on being excluded," she said Friday.

The EU exported about 5.5 million tons of steel to the U.S. last year. America bought 5 percent of Japan's steel last year but just 1.1 percent of China's steel.

Foreign steel producers are not only concerned about losing access to the U.S. market but also that steel from other exporters will flood already saturated markets, threatening jobs elsewhere.

The EU has warned that it stands ready to slap "rebalancing" tariffs on about 2.8 billion euros ($3.4 billion) worth of U.S. steel, agricultural and other products, like peanut butter, cranberries and orange juice.The Bedford Veterinary Medical Center is telling the public to beware of power company scammers, after they received a call from someone posing as an Eversource employee threatening to shut off their power if they didn't pay up.

Scammers know when to hit small businesses, at times when they're most vulnerable. For instance, in the aftermath of this most recent Nor'Easter to hit New Hampshire.

Doctor Sudha Komma runs a private veterinary practice with locations in Bedford and Hudson.

"We need to do surgeries," said Dr. Komma. "We get emergencies, we need power.

Dr. Komma said on Thursday she had reason to believe her electricity was in jeopardy.

"I got a call saying that they're going to disconnect our electricity in the next 20 minutes," Dr. Komma said.

The person on the other end claimed to work for Eversource.

"I didn't even look into [if we] did we even pay the bill or not, I was looking at my 20 minute time frame," said Dr. Komma.

Immediately, Dr. Komma said she started making plans to pay the $2,997.25 she was quoted.

"She told me to go to 1 South River Road in Bedford, that they have their office down there," said Dr. Komma.

That's when the Bedford Veterinary Medical Center staff looked into this issue.

"All of our bills were up to date, and then we were like, 'OK, its a scam,'" said Dr. Komma.

"The sense of urgency is a big red flag," said Kaitlyn Woods, Spokeswoman for Eversource New Hampshire, "we don't demand instant payments to keep your power going."

"I had to stop what I was doing and then put the clients on wait and then take care of this," Dr. Komma said.

"We have pets in the hospital," said Dr. Komma, "we need them to be comfortable."

Eversource, New Hampshire cautions customers that receive calls like this to call the company and check their status.

Eversource says, "After working for a period of time with a customer to set up a payment plan and sending notices, we do eventually reach a point where we will disconnect power if payment is not received."



To report scams to Eversource, call 800-286-2000 as well as your local police station.One of the victims killed in a hostage standoff in Northern California has Massachusetts and New Hampshire connections.

Christine Loeber, the Executive Director of the Pathway Home, was one of three women killed Friday after a more than six-hour hostage standoff at a veterans center in Yountville, California.

Loeber graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a communication degree in 1991, according to Erika Mantz, a spokesperson for UNH.

Mantz said of Loeber in a statement to NBC10 Boston that "the university was devastated to learn she was a victim of such a senseless tragedy. The thoughts and prayers of our entire Wildcat community are with her family and friends."

Loeber then went on to earn her Master's degree from Boston College, according to The Pathway Home website.

In a statement to NBC10 Boston, Boston College spokesman Jack Dunn confirmed Loeber was a 2008 graduate of the Boston College School of Social Work.

Dunn went on to say Loeber "distinguished herself at BC as a gifted student who was passionate about serving veterans. The prayers of the entire BC community are with the Loeber family in the wake of this senseless tragedy."

Dr. Jen Golick, the clinical director of The Pathway Home, and Dr. Jennifer Gonzales, a psychologist, were also killed in the shooting.

It's not immediately clear if the three victims were targeted or chosen at random.

The gunman, identified as 36-year-old Albert Wong from Sacramento, is also dead.

Wong, a former Army rifleman, served a year in Afghanistan in 2011-2012. He was a former patient at the facility where the shooting happened, according to the sheriff's office.

The Pathway Home is a non-profit post-traumatic stress disorder program at the Veterans Home of California-Yountville in the Napa Valley wine country region.Vermont state officials celebrated the upcoming maple syrup season with a ceremonial tree tapping Friday at the new Hardwick sugarhouse run by students of the Green Mountain Technology and Career Center.

Gov. Phil Scott, R-Vermont, tapped a maple tree, admired finished syrup in the sugarhouse, and sampled whats often known as Vermonts liquid gold.

Ive never had New Hampshire [syrup], Gov. Scott joked. I didnt even know that they made it.

Scotts ribbing of his neighbors to the east came following a friendly rivalry that re-emerged this week on Twitter.

Gov. Chris Sununu, R-New Hampshire, tweeted, Theres nothing better than New Hampshire maple syrup, and shared a GIF of him tapping a tree at a celebration with maple producers from his state.

Gov. Scott wasnt having it. He responded, Id say there is something better: its called Vermont maple syrup.

Vermont produces nearly half the countrys cropjust shy of 2-million gallons last year.

The production supported roughly 4,000 jobs, according to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture.

Its a good industry to get intotheres always going to be maple trees, said Eugene Carpenter, a 17-year-old student in the Green Mountain Tech Centers forestry program. Everybody loves maple syrup!

But could producers here become victims of their own success?

Matt Gordon of the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association said the number of sap taps in the state has just about quintupled over the past 15 yearsto 5-million.

That increased output and a weaker dollar in maple-heavy Canada, which carries a great deal of influence in the maple industry, mean bulk prices for U.S. syrup have fallen, Gordon explained.

Major retail chains are also applying pressure.

They just want prices cheaper and cheaper and thats, in some ways, bringing the price down, which is not necessarily helpful for us as an industry, Gordon told necn. Maple syrupit takes a lot to get it madeits not a cheap product to make. That said, [inclusion on major chains shelves] does help introduce people to pure maple syrup and I think thats good as well. So its a little bit of a double-edged sword.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture said future success may come from promoting the natural products versatility: how its not just for pancakes, but also great in savory foods, cocktails, on yogurt or granola, and many more applications.

Theres potential outside of our borders  and thats probably where the growth has got to be, said Anson Tebbetts, Vermonts secretary of agriculture. We have to assure our consumers that theyre getting real Vermont maple syrup and its not the fake stuff.

The industry is eager to share its tastes with visitors March 24 and 25, when sugarhouses across Vermont take part in the annual maple open house weekend.

For more information on that event, click here.As he blitzed through the industrial Midwest as a presidential candidate, Donald Trump pitched himself as the savior of the "forgotten" men and women in communities where factories had been shuttered and jobs were moved overseas.

Now, Trump is risking a trade war to fulfill a political promise to the voters who helped put him in the White House.

His decision to levy stiff new tariffs on aluminum and steel imports puts him at odds with most of the Republican Party, prominent business groups and even some of his own advisers, who warn that the decision could backfire and slow economic growth in a midterm election year. According to economic analysts, some of the communities that would be hardest hit by a trade standoff could be the same ones the president says he's aiming to help.

Yet those arguments had little resonance with Trump during the fiery battle over tariffs that has played out in the West Wing in recent days. Having overcome the opposition, Trump relished Thursday's signing ceremony, where he was flanked by steelworkers  some carrying their hard hats  who lavished praise on his decision.

"I'm delivering on a promise I made during the campaign," Trump said. Gesturing to the workers, Trump said part of the reason he's in the White House was "because of you and my message having to do with you."

Notably, no Republican lawmakers attended the White House event.

Current and former White House officials often describe the president as being preoccupied with keeping campaign promises to his loyal supporters, even if those decisions are unpopular with a broader swath of Americans. In public and in private, Trump still speaks frequently of his victories 16 months ago in Democratic-leaning states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan, where working-class white voters helped propel him to victory. He'll likely need to carry those states again if he hopes to win re-election in 2020.

In Pennsylvania, both the Republican and Democratic candidate running in next week's House special election endorsed the broad outlines of the president's approach on tariffs during a recent debate. Trump plans to campaign for Republican Rick Saccone on Saturday.

However, most GOP lawmakers have balked at Trump's approach, which includes exemptions for Mexico and Canada and the opportunity for other countries to appeal for a similar reprieve. And like the president, Republicans are making political calculations in doing so. Having made little progress in Congress on several GOP priorities, Republican candidates have been banking on a strong economy and the growing popularity of the party's tax overhaul to combat a Democratic electorate energized by its disdain for Trump.

But lawmakers fear a trade war could wipe away economic gains and leave them on shaky ground with voters in November.

Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin called the tariffs "a very risky action" that could put agricultural and manufacturing jobs in his state and across the country at risk.

"I'm not sure there are any winners in trade wars," said Johnson, who ran a plastics manufacturing business in Wisconsin before being elected to the Senate. "There may be people who lose less."

House Speaker Paul Ryan, who is also from Wisconsin, issued a rare statement publicly breaking with the president. "I disagree with this action and fear its unintended consequences," he said.

Even before entering politics, Trump the businessman and real estate developer railed against what he viewed as unfair trade practices that left the U.S. economy and American workers vulnerable. Those viewpoints became the centerpiece of his presidential campaign, and he vowed to not only slap tougher tariffs on exports, but also withdraw the United States from multilateral free trade agreements with allies in Asia and North America.

Hours before the president signed an executive order implementing the new tariffs, trade ministers from 11 Pacific Rim countries signed a sweeping free trade agreement the U.S. had been part of until Trump withdrew last year. The agreement was negotiated by Democratic President Barack Obama's administration, but had broad support from GOP leaders who have long backed multilateral free trade pacts.

Economic analysts warn that a trade dispute sparked by the tariffs could damage communities that backed the president in 2016. An analysis by Brookings Institution last year showed that areas that voted for Trump are more dependent on exports, which foreign countries could target in retaliation. Exports account for more than half of the local economy in Columbus, Indiana, and 25 percent of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin's economy.

The economic data mattered little Thursday to Dustin Stevens, a superintendent at Century Aluminum Potline in Hawesville, Kentucky, who attended the White House event.

"My father worked in the industry, and worked at that plant for 40 years," Stevens said. "So this hits home for all of us."

Associated Press writers Josh Boak and Scott Bauer contributed to this report.The start of the 2021/22 Norfolk Christian Football League season was heralded by the traditional 11-a-side tournament for half a dozen teams at Sloughbottom Park on Saturday September 18.

The start of the 2021/22 Norfolk Christian Football League season was heralded by the traditional 11-a-side tournament for half a dozen teams at Sloughbottom Park on Saturday September 18.

N Norfolk Christian artists in Open Studios event Two faith-filled artists from the Fakenham area will be taking part in the Norfolk Open Studios event starting later this month. Read more

Nourishment for the body as well as the spirit? Robert Ashton wonders if there is scope for our parish churches to provide a further service for their local communities. Read more

Norfolk authors poems speak to the heart Christian writer Catherine Ayre has had a book of poems published to encourage people to find out more about God. Read more

Invite for Norfolk faith groups to help prisoners The Welcome Directory is a multi-faith charity that helps faith communities to offer welcome to people leaving prison. Norfolk churches are among those who are invited to register to make a commitment. Read more

YMCA Norfolk needs Business Support Administrator YMCA Norfolk is looking for a Business Support Administrator to provide business, co-ordination and administrative support for the communities team, based in Norwich. Read more

Women's Specialist Practitioner needed The Magdalene Group is seeking to employ a Womens Specialist Practitioner to provide gender and trauma-informed support to women experiencing multiple disadvantage and to provide specialist support to female sex workers and victims of sexual exploitation Read more

Norwich church art and concerts reflect on Covid-19 Until September 25, concerts and an art exhibition at St Stephen's church in Norwich city centre will continue on the theme of "After the Storm? a reflection on the Covid-19 pandemic." Read more

Tony to raise a laugh and funds for Norfolk kids charity Raise Kids Work has invited funny man Tony Vino to a cake and comedy event to raise funds for the charity. Read more

Name change for expanding Norfolk foodbank North Norfolk Foodbank is the new name for the Cromer and District foodbank, which has changed its identity to reflect its expanding reach into the community. Read more

Filling Station reopens on Norfolk-Suffolk border The Angles Way Filling Station has reopened this month after 18 months break, having changed its name from Ouse Valley Filling Station. Read more

Dinosaurs, evolution and religion lecture Nick Spencer will give a lecture in the Cathedral on Tuesday September 21, starting at 7.00pm on the question what does evolution say about human life? Read more

The Seven Real Reasons for Unbelief Regular columnist James Knight believes that understanding the reasons why many people choose not to believe will assist Christians in reaching out to them. Read more

Burn Norwich worship nights are back Non-stop worship movement Burn has been continuing online throughout lockdown. Local group Burn Norwich are meeting in-person on October 2 in Norwich. Read more

Holt charity holds prayer meetings for Malawi North Norfolk charity Aid Africa tells of a new toilet in Malawi, and invites everyone to a monthly on-line prayer meeting to pray for their work in that country. Read more

Integrate Youth for Christ hiring in South Norfolk Integrate Youth for Christ currently have two vacancies which could be combined if the applicant has suitable skills, one based in Thetford and one in Diss. Both roles are to commence as soon as possible. Read more

New air ambulance HQ in Norwich is blessed 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. Read more

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PUPILS from Downe House School in Cold Ash performed at a charity concert in Newbury on Sunday.

St Johns Church was the setting for an evening of fine orchestral and choral music, which was held to raise money to support Christian Aid.

This is the third year that the Downe House music department has held a concert at St Johns, as part of its commitment to fundraising within the local community.

Director of music at Downe House Dr Charlotte Exon said: We are so fortunate to perform at St Johns in aid of this wonderful cause.

It was truly a phenomenal concert with three out of our six choirs performing, plus our symphony orchestra and chamber orchestra.

The standard of musicianship was exceptionally high and our musicians benefited from the wonderful acoustics in the church as well as the opportunity to perform to an appreciative audience.

The concert, which was attended by parents and local residents, was a showcase for the various Downe House choirs, orchestras and ensembles.

Girls of all ages performed and a full complement of symphonic orchestral instruments was richly represented, including organ and harp.

The various choral performances included outstanding soloists.

Dr Exon said: We hope the St Johns Concert continues to be part of our annual programme of musical commitments.

This was the most wonderful opportunity for pupils of all ages from Grade 5 to diploma standard to showcase some of their repertoire and all in a good cause.

Downe House is an independent boarding school for girls aged 11 to 18.Morvyn Hayes hopes to trace two Newbury childhood chums

A SURVIVOR of the bombing of Newbury, in 1943, is trying to find two of his childhood friends after he managed to trace a third pal to York.

Morvyn Hayes, aged 82 and nicknamed Fossil, was originally from the East End of London, but was evacuated to Newbury in 1942 after his home had been bombed out. His mother joined him six months later, in 1943.

Mr Hayes stayed with the Foster family on Link Road and quickly made friends with Harry Carter (Barber), Ruth Keevil and Russell King.

Mr Hayes said: On Wednesday, February 10, I was playing outside on Link Road with Harry Carter (Barber) when, as soon as we heard the sound of an aircraft, we were machine-gunned, with bullets ricocheting everywhere.

Harry was hit in the side of the head.

I was calling his name and trying to pull him to what I thought was safety when the 1,000lb bomb dropped and blew us both through the air.

We hit the door of a house, breaking the door.

Harry was taken to hospital and stayed there for some time.

I was then accommodated by Harry and Sammy Wragg of the well-known horseracing family, before moving to Reading.

Over the years, Mr Hayes never forgot his childhood friends and he managed to locate Harry Barber through the website www.192.com

After phoning numerous Barbers, he travelled to York with an address, hoping it was the right Harry Barber. It was, but Mr Barber had moved.

Luckily he had left a forwarding address, meaning Mr Hayes was able to find him.

Mr Hayes said: It was to be 64 years before I saw Harry again, having found him, complete with massive scar along the whole of the left hand side of his head, living near York.

He said to me he had thought about me over the years. He said he needed Mr Hayes back-up as no one believed how he had got the scar on his head.

Since the reunion, seven years ago, Mr Barber has died, but the two had remained in touch and met up a couple of times.

Mr Hayes has not been able to find Ruth Keevil or Russell King through the same means. He met Ruth at school and recalls carrying her satchel home for her.

He has this message for her: I am the one who used to be sick for you every day after drinking your radiator-warmed milk and eating your soggy green vegetables.

He nearly met up with her some years later, when a friend set him up on a blind date, but was held up with work in Blackpool and was unable to make it back to Newbury in time. He only realised some years later that the blind date had been Ruth.

I never knew it was Ruth until three or four years later, he said. It made me very sad that I had missed it.

Mr Hayes used to play with Russell King on Link Road, where they all lived.

He said: He lived in one of the larger houses in Link Road. We always thought he was a bit of a toff because he lived in a big house. You are like that when you are seven.

He was bigger than us, maybe about eight rather than seven years old. He was a clean, good-looking boy. Harry and I were a lot scruffier.

Mr Hayes hoped his long-lost friends would attend the 75th anniversary remembrance service last month in Newbury, but they didnt.

If anyone has any news of Ruth Keevil or Russell King, contact charlotte.booth@newburynews. co.uk or call (01635) 886637.Thousands were still without power in the Danbury region late Friday after a storm that blanketed the region with nearly two feet of snow knocked many households off the grid.

In Danbury alone, nearly 630 households and businesses were still without power two days after the storm. In Redding, where most of the towns residents were without power Thursday morning, 27 percent of residents were still without power Friday. The towns community center was open as a warming center for a second day.A new study indicates that the kinds of microbes living in the gut influence the severity and recurrence of parasitic worm infections in developing countries. The findings, by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, suggest that manipulating the gut's microbial communities may protect against intestinal parasites, which affect more than 1 billion people worldwide.

The study appears online in the journal Microbiome.

Studying communities in Liberia and Indonesia, the researchers found that the gut microbiomes of people able to clear the infections without drugs were more alike and differed markedly from the microbiomes of those who could not clear the infections without treatment.

"People who have sustained infections or who experience multiple infections have a different microbiome to start with compared with those who do not have as much trouble with infection," said senior author Makedonka Mitreva, PhD, an associate professor of medicine. "Our work included samples from a placebo-controlled trial of drugs against these parasitic worms. It suggests that the microbiomes of people who retained infection are somehow compromised to begin with. Something about their microbiomes makes them more prone to getting infected and to maintaining a chronic infection."

According to the World Health Organization, about one quarter of the world's population -- over 1.5 billion people -- is infected with parasitic worms called helminths. These worm infections are most common in tropical and subtropical areas with poor sanitation.

The researchers identified 12 microbes associated with worm-infected individuals and one type of bacteria associated with uninfected individuals. In particular, gut bacteria associated with increased inflammation were linked to healthy uninfected individuals, perhaps because this type of inflammatory environment makes it harder for the worms to establish themselves in the gut.

The researchers, including first author Bruce A. Rosa, PhD, a staff scientist, analyzed about 400 fecal samples from 250 people living in different villages in Liberia and Indonesia. Mitreva said one of the study's strengths is that it established common gut microbiome patterns associated with high and low risk of worm infections in two distant geographic regions -- West Africa and Southeast Asia, where such infections are prevalent.

The infections spread easily when soil is contaminated with human feces that contain worm eggs. Children are particularly vulnerable because the infections can cause malnutrition, leading to impaired growth and development. Even when infections are treated with appropriate drugs, they often recur because the infective stages of the parasite are ever present in the soil. The main species that affect human health are large roundworm, whipworm and hookworm.

"There are good drugs against most -- but not all -- of these infections. We are beginning to see more responses to treatment that are less than optimal, indicating the worms are starting to develop resistance to some of these treatments," said Mitreva, also an assistant director of the university's McDonnell Genome Institute. "The big problem is reinfection. Even if the therapy works and the infection is cleared, the exposure to contaminated soil is so pervasive that new infections are extremely common. Building on the information from this study, our ultimate long-term goal is to develop a way to alter the gut microbiome so that it protects people from reinfection."

Currently, antihelminthic drugs are used to deworm people who are infected, especially school-age children and women of reproductive age. Since the study found characteristics of the microbiome that are discriminative of infection, Mitreva said this information could be used to predict who is most likely to develop severe and chronic infections and direct more preventive efforts to those individuals.

"Ideally, we would like to be in a position to suggest some local fermented foods that could alter the microbiome and result in a decreased rate of reinfection," Mitreva said. "Rather than give more antihelminthic drugs, we want to help people fight off the infection by themselves. Right now, we are looking at the bacteria that we found were associated with protection against infection and studying their effects in mice with intestinal worm infections."Mercy Medical Center orthopedic surgeon Dr. Rebecca Cerrato is one of the first surgeons in the United States to offer minimally invasive bunion surgery, an alternative to traditional surgery that can reduce post-surgical scarring, swelling and pain, Dr. Clifford Jeng, Medical Director, Institute for Foot & Ankle Reconstruction at Mercy, has announced.

"Mercy is proud to be a leader in offering advanced treatment options to patients with foot and ankle concerns. Dr. Cerrato has helped lead the effort to bring this innovative surgery to the U.S., and has completed specialized training to employ the advanced techniques necessary for this procedure," Dr. Jeng said.

A bunionectomy involves removal of a painful bunion through corrective bone cuts (osteotomies) and soft tissue rebalancing to realign the big toe joint. While traditional bunion procedures involve large incisions over the side of the bunion, the minimally invasive approach is achieved through smaller incisions "which results in less post-operative pain, a faster recovery for the patient, and less stiffness and scarring at the big toe," Dr. Cerrato explained.

Developed originally for maxillofacial procedures, the surgeon uses a specialized burr, a needle-shaped bone cutting tool, which creates precise bone cuts through "keyhole" incisions. Through several small incisions, typically no more than 3mm, the bone is cut and the soft tissue released, allowing the surgeon to realign the big toe joint.

Patients may bear weight after surgery in a post-operative surgical shoe. Most patients transition to regular shoes after six weeks.

According to Dr. Cerrato, minimally invasive bunion surgery may be an alternative to traditional bunion surgery for some patients.

"A recommendation to undergo minimally invasive bunion surgery will depend on the type and severity of the bunion," Dr. Cerrato said.Having a colonoscopy to screen for colorectal cancer is not on anyone's list of favorite activities. However, with colorectal cancer ranking as the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, undergoing the outpatient procedure as per the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) guidelines may be one of the smartest things you can do for your overall health.

When Should You Get Screened?

It is important for individuals to go for colorectal cancer routine screenings even if they are not showing any symptoms. In general, both men and women should begin getting routine colonoscopies beginning at age 50 or at age 45 for African Americans. Other risk factors that may lead to earlier screenings are:

A family history of colorectal cancer

Colorectal polyps

Genetic changes

Early Detection Through Screening Tests

It is best to catch colorectal cancer before you become symptomatic. Doctors can actually prevent cancers from ever developing by removing polyps and they can cure more patients by diagnosing cancer at an early stage.

Possible screening tests for colorectal cancer include colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy or stool tests. A colonoscopy is an outpatient procedure that is used to try to detect colon polyps and remove them before they can become cancerous. In a virtual colonoscopy, the physician uses the images from a CT scan to examine a patient's large intestine (colon) and rectum. Stool tests are used to look for occult blood or other proteins in a patient's stool that might indicate that a polyp is present. Your doctor will work with you to decide which test is appropriate based on your individual history and symptoms.New Delhi: Heads of 23 nations and 10 ministerial representatives of different countries will attend the first International Solar Alliance Summit, co-hosted by India and France, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the national capital on Sunday.

The summit will deliberate on finance mechanism for the promotion of solar energy, crowd-funding and technology transfer. Demonstrative projects will be showcased by different nations.

President Ram Nath Kovind will co-host the summit with French President Emmanuel Macron. It will focus on various aspects of promoting solar energy in the 121 countries associated with International Solar Alliance (ISA).

The summit assumes significance in view of India's ambitious renewable energy target of having 175 GW clean energy capacities including 100 GW solar and 60 GW wind power.

"India welcomes esteemed dignitaries from Guinea, Tuvalu, DR Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius for the International Solar Alliance Summit," tweeted Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson of external affairs ministry.

Several global bankers have confirmed their participation at the event including Werner Hoyer, President & Chairman, European Investment Bank, K V Kamath, President, BRICS Development Bank, Nandita Parshad, Managing Director, Energy and Natural Resources, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Banbang Susantono, Vice President, ASIAN Development Bank.Mumbai: An Indian Coast Guard Helicopter CG 803, that took off from Mumbai for a routine surveillance sortie with four crew members on board, made an emergency landing near Nandgaon Beach, Murud in Maharastra on Saturday, said a statement from Indian Coast Guard, West.

Preliminary reports say that the crew experienced technical difficulties 25 minutes after taking off.

Following the crash three helicopters of the Indian Navy, one helicopter each of the ICG and Indian Air force were launched on a search and rescue mission to locate the ICG helicopter.

According to the statement of Indian Navy, Responding swiftly, the Indian Navy launched two Chetak helicopters and a Seaking 'C' helicopter on a Search and Rescue mission and located the ICG helicopter. One ICG Chetak and an Air Force Mi 17 helicopter were also part of the search effort.

All four crew members of the ICG helicopter were rescued from the scene of the crash and flown back to the Naval Hospital INHS Asvini at Mumbai.

One ICG lady pilot has suffered injuries and is being treated at the naval hospital.Jhansi: In a revealing incident about the state of medical care in Uttar Pradesh, the doctors allegedly put the amputated leg of the patient as pillow under his head.

The incident took place in a government medical college in state's Jhansi town.

The incident came to light when a video, showing the amputated leg under the head of the injured man, was aired by local TV networks. The man, heavily bandaged around the leg, could be seen on a stretcher inside the casualty ward of the hospital with the 'leg' placed under his head.

The man, who was a cleaner in a school bus, was injured when the bus carrying children of a private school turned turtle in a bid to avoid a collision with a tractor in Mauranipur area in Jhansi district on Saturday.

The incident took place in a government medical college in state's Jhansi town.

He was taken to the Jhansi medical college hospital, where the doctors amputated his leg to prevent the infection from spreading, according to sources.

The hospital officials, however, denied that the amputated leg had been used as a pillow but added that a probe had been ordered into the matter.

It is still not sure how the leg came to be in the room.

On February 7, there was another report of 46 people being infected by HIV due to usage of a common syringe by a quack in Unnao district's Bangarmau village.United Nations: Responding to Islamabad's bid to raise the Kashmir issue for a second day on Friday at the UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva, India denounced Pakistan as a "failed state" where terrorists thrive and Osama Bin Laden received protection, and demanded that it bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai, Pathankot and Uri attacks to justice.

"Even as terrorists thrive in Pakistan and roam its streets with impunity, we have heard it lecture about the protection of human rights in India," Mini Devi Kumam, a Second Secretary at the India's UN Mission in Geneva, said.

"We await credible action by the Government of Pakistan to bring all those involved in the 2008 Mumbai attack and the 2016 Pathankot and Uri attacks to justice," she said.

"The world does not need lessons on democracy and human rights from a country whose own situation is charitably described as a failed state," she added.

Kumam was responding to Tahir Andrabi, Pakistan's UN Deputy Permanent Representative in Geneva, who earlier on Friday invoked Jawaharlal Nehru to make his case for a plebiscite in Kashmir.

Andrabi said that at the heart of the Kashmir problem is the right to self-determination which was conceded by "the first Prime Minister of India, one of the founding fathers of India" and by the UN Security Council through a plebiscite.

Kumum said, "Pakistan keeps referring to UN Security Council Resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir. However, it very conveniently forgets its own obligation under these resolutions to first vacate the illegal occupation of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. It has also blatantly disregarded its other commitments, be it under the 1972 Simla Agreement or Lahore Declaration of February 1999."

Instead, "they continue to support cross-border terrorism in India," she said.

In the Simla Agreement signed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and then-Pakistan President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the two countries agreed that the Kashmir issue is a bilateral issue that has to be resolved without third party involvement.

The Lahore Declaration by Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee of India and Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan commits the two nations to avoid a nuclear arms race.

"It is extraordinary that the state which protected Osama Bin Laden and sheltered Mullah Omar should have the gumption to play the victim," she said.

In "gross violation" of a Council, the UN-designated terrorists like Hafiz Mohammed Saeed are "freely operating with State support, and the UN designated entities are being politically mainstreamed in Pakistan," she added.

Andrabi also accused India of "crimes against humanity" in Kashmir and of escalating ceasefire violations along the line of control and the border with his country as a diversionary tactic.

On Thursday, he said that the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner "must not falter in documenting human rights abuses by India and recognise that root of the problem is illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir."

But "the real problem in the State of Jammu and Kashmir is terrorism, which has constantly received sustenance from Pakistan and territories under its control," Kumam said in reply. "We urge the Council to call on Pakistan to end cross border infiltration; to dismantle special terrorist zones, safe havens and sanctuaries."

"Terrorism is the grossest violation of human rights," Kumam added.

She listed the various human rights violations against minorities in Pakistan and demanded remedies for them.

She said there should be "procedural and institutional safeguards to prevent misuse of blasphemy law; to end forced conversions and marriages of minorities, including Hindu, Sikh and Christian women, to prosecute all such cases; to stop targeting political dissidents and legitimate criticism in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; to stop torture, enforced disappearances and unlawful killing; including that of journalists and activists by its security agencies and prosecute all perpetrators; to stop sectarian violence, systemic persecution and attacks on Muslim minorities, such as Shias, Ahmadiyas, Ismailia and Hazaras."Bengaluru: KT Naveen Kumar, the first accused in the Gauri Lankesh murder case, may be charged under Section 118 of the IPC as he seems to be holding back information, a special investigation team probing the sensational case has told the court.

The SIT, which gave a sealed envelope with voluntary statements of the accused to the court, said the team had managed to extract some information from Naveen Kumar and sought his custody for five more days to make progress in the case. The judge was ready to accept the request for extended custody given the serious nature of the case.

The prosecution told the court that it was exploring the option of adding Section 118 to the charges against Naveen Kumar. The section pertains to concealing information on offences that could attract death penalty or life imprisonment. Since the offence he is allegedly trying to conceal is murder  which could be punishable by death or life term  Kumar will face up to seven years in jail if convicted under Section 118.

Kumar is also suspected to have hatched another murder plot  that of killing Mysore-based rationalist Professor KS Bhagwan. Police believe the plot was thwarted when Kumar was arrested with bullets in his possession.

The main accused in the case is still at large. Kumar is only one of the accused. During interrogation, he revealed some information, but hid a lot, which is why we would want to continue our investigation with him under custody, and carry out forensic tests to verify the statements he has made thus far, public prosecutor Nirmal Rani, who appeared for the SIT, told the court.

Naveen Kumar, who was arrested on February 19 by the Crime Branch for illegal possession of bullets of the same kind that killed Lankesh, was later taken for questioning by the SIT. The probe team has now made him an accused in the Gauri Lankesh case, making this its first arrest nearly six months after the senior journalist was shot dead outside her home in Bengaluru.

Kumar has earlier been affiliated with Right-wing organisations such as the Hindu Yuva Sena and is even said to have helped coordinate activities of other hardcore Hindutva groups like the Sanatana Sanstha. But Hindutva groups have distanced themselves from him, with press releases stating they were unaware of who he is.

During interrogation in the last eight days, Kumar is said to have revealed details about an accomplice, whom the police are tracking now. But investigators feel that these details could well be red herrings to mislead the investigation.

Permission has been sought from the magistrate for a lie detector test, narco analysis and a brain-mapping test. The SIT took his consent during investigation and that consent was also recorded in audio/video. Later, in the court hall, he said he doesn't want to go for this, may be because of some pressure. But he had given consent, which was taken in writing and also submitted to the court, Rani told News18.

We gave the details to the court in a sealed cover as some revelations made by Kumar are confidential and may hamper the investigation if revealed in open court, she said.

The defence lawyer, however, claimed that Kumar had not given any such consent. One CD was given to the magistrate. That CD was not disclosed to us. The magistrate wanted to give some verdict only after seeing the CD. At the same time, they wanted to do brain mapping. We objected to brain mapping because even KT Naveen Kumar is not ready to undergo this, defence lawyer Amruthesh told News18.

The court has reserved its order on whether these tests will be allowed, while agreeing to extend Kumars custody by five days. Kumars counsel claimed that there are new twists and turns and the SIT was trying to make more of this sensational case in view of upcoming Assembly elections.

His other lawyer A Vedamurthy told the court that they were not given access often enough to speak to their client and wanted directions from the court on specific timings set aside for this. The court, however, only said that they will be given access to the client as and when the latter sought a meeting.

The prosecutor also told the court there is no guarantee the accused will be in Bengaluru for the five days, as he may be taken to other places as part of the investigation to identify places and people who could be involved in the case.

Interestingly, Kumar was granted bail in the case he faces under the Arms Act  that of illegally possessing bullets. When he was arrested, around 15 bullets of .32 calibre were seized from him, leading to questions on whether he possessed them for another hit. The bail order came from a different magistrate around an hour after Kumar was named accused in the Gauri Lankesh case and his custody extended. He will, thus, remain in SIT custody till March 15.

Police sources said they tried to get Kumar involved in the reconstruction of some facets of the case, including getting him to ride a bike near Gauri Lankeshs home and recording the same to match the footage from CCTV cameras. Cyber forensic experts are part of the inquiry to establish digital evidence in the case.

Kumar is suspected to have carried out reconnaissance around the residence a few days before the murder was executed on September 5 last year. The police are now tracking the supply chain of bullets allegedly recovered from his possession.New Delhi: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has claimed to have extended its presence to 95% of Indias geography, more than the reach of the All India Radio which covers 92% of the countrys landmass.

As per a report released at the ongoing Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha at the Sanghs headquarters in Nagpur, the RSS now has record 58,976 shakhas across India.

YoY growth of Shakhas, Saptahik ( weekly ) milan and SanghMandali 2017 vs 2018. pic.twitter.com/FygHS2u29S  RSS (@RSSorg) March 9, 2018

At the beginning of the three-day general body meeting, RSS joint general secretary Krishna Gopal said, RSS activities are now being held in 95 percent geographical mass of India. We have presence across the country, except a few pockets in Nagaland, Mizoram and the Kashmir valley.

That is three percent more than the geographical area covered by All India Radio's airwaves with a network of 262 radio stations accessible to almost the entire population of the country.

The number of shakas had fallen by over 10,000 since the fall of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in 2004. However, by mid-2014, the number had increased to about 40,000 after the BJP returned to power at the Centre. The shakhas or branches carry out most of the organisational work of the RSS and hold public meetings for at least one hour.

RSS general secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi, while presenting the Sanghs annual report at its crucial triennial meeting, specifically mentioned the 'Hindu Sammelan' organised in Tripura by the organisation in September last year. The Hindu Sammelans organised in the northeastern states, especially in Tripura, was inspirational in many ways, he said.

A plan to contact each and every tribal group was prepared. The invitations were delivered personally. Each house was hoisted with a saffron flag and consequently one lakh households could be reached, the report said, adding that it was effective in every sense.

The work put in by the RSS was reaped by the BJP in the recently concluded assembly elections in the three northeastern states of Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland.

As BJPs Biplab Deb took oath as Tripura chief minister on Friday, the RSS credited the mega Hindu congregation organised by it in the state last year as "inspirational" and "effective in every sense".

In Tripura, the Congress could not unseat the CPM for all the 25 years it remained in the opposition. The same set of people in the BJP managed a comprehensive victory. The BJP, in alliance with the IPFT, ousted the Manik Sarkar government and registered a remarkable win.

In Meghalaya, the BJP, with just two seats, outmanoeuvred the Congress, which had emerged as the single largest party, in cobbling up numbers to form the coalition government. Backed by the BJP and regional parties, National People's Party (NPP) chief Conrad Sangma was sworn in as the CM of Meghalaya.

In Christian-dominated Nagaland, the BJP managed to return a credible 12 seats, while the remaining four seats were shared between the National Peoples Party (two seats), the JD(U) (one seat) and Independent (one seat). The BJP's support was thus crucial to government formation and Neiphiu Rio was again sworn in as the Chief Minister of Nagaland.

Despite an outright win in just Tripura, the BJP managed to form governments in all the three states. In Nagaland, the BJP's performance was all the more impressive as there were calls by the influential Nagaland Baptist Church Council to not allow any inroads by the party in the state. In the last election, the party could win only one seat.

The party's fortunes have seen a massive upswing with wins in state after state. Party president Amit Shah, post the results in three north-eastern states, said his party was now an established pan-India party.

In January, ahead of the assembly polls in north east, the RSS held Luitporiya Hindu Sammelan in Guwahati, Assam, in an attempt to bring the Sangh ideology closer to the people of the state.

Twenty Janjaati Rajas (Tribal Kings), heads of several tribes, including Khasi, Mising, Hajong and Tiwa, were invited for the event. It also included 2,000 prominent names from the political, cultural and intelligentsia circles. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat delivered the main address.

With BJP's footprint visible all over the country, it seems Golwalkar's mission for RSS is coming to fruition: to create all-round Anushasana in all walks of life and build together all our people into a unified harmonious national whole, extending from Himalayas to Kanyakumari.Bengaluru: Nitin is in his late 20s and is a software engineer at a top IT company in Bengaluru. He is from Delhi. Every morning he knocks on the doors of his fellow IT professionals seeking votes for the BJP in the Karnataka Assembly elections due in two months. He claims that he is the in charge of three apartment blocks and visits potential BJP voters every morning.

Speaking to News18, Nitin said, Our company policy prohibits us from participating in political activities. If they come to know they will definitely act against me. But human beings are political animals. We cant be mute spectators. We too have ideologies. Local BJP people have made me in charge of 60 voters, all from IT industry.

He said that there were many IT political activists like him. He also adds that majority of them he knows are from north India and they mostly campaign for the BJP.

For the first time in Karnataka Assembly elections, political parties are giving a special attention to voters from the IT and IT-enabled services. The Silicon Valley of India, Bengaluru, is home to over 40% of the total IT workforce in India. Even though there is no authentic data, there are about 12-15 lakh IT professionals in Bengaluru says an industry watcher. Including their family members, there are at least 25 lakh voters who are directly linked to the IT industry. According to revised voters list, Bengaluru city alone has 86 lakh registered voters. There are 28 Assembly seats in the city.

According to data accessed by News18, the demographics break-up in the IT sector based on linguistics is Kannada 40%, Tamil 15%, Telugu 20%, Hindi 10%, Malayalam 5%, and the rest 10%.

The IT professionals from outside Karnataka live closer to IT hubs like Whitefield, Electronics City, Sarjapura Road and Manyata Tech Park in Eastern and Southern parts of the city.

It is an irony that the Congress which is responsible for the IT boom in Bengaluru made no serious attempt to appeal to IT professionals. The third player JDS always stayed away from them. The BJP which had sensed an opportunity walked away with a large chunk of IT votes in the previous elections.

The ruling Congress seems to have woken up to the reality and is now making an attempt to woo these voters. Since most people working in the IT sector live in gated apartments, they are referred to as apartment voters by the locals.

Speaking to News18, Karnataka IT, Biotechnology and Tourism minister Priyank Kharge said that the Congress was also getting IT votes in big numbers. He said, The BJP organises IT Milans. We have come out with a new initiative called Nanna Karnataka (My Karnataka) to woo first-time voters and the youth. IT is also a part of it. We are planning about 60 Townhalls across the state and half of them will be held in Bengaluru. The youth and IT people are excited. Unlike the BJP, we take uncomfortable questions from the people. We try our best to convince them.

He said that the Siddaramaiah governments IT, biotechnology and start-up policies and initiatives have won the Congress praise from all quarters.

Kharge said that there are about 15 lakhs IT professionals in Bengaluru and only 65% of them are the registered voters here.

But the BJP is already miles ahead of Congress and JDS in catching the software voters claim its local poll managers. Noted political scientist Dr. Sandeep Shastri said, People in the tech industry are mostly from the upper class and upper middle-class background. More than the BJP, they are supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In 2014, he appealed to them and a majority of this section voted for him. Because then he represented innovation, reforms etc. This segment can be easily swayed by effective communication. The BJP led by Modi has mastered the art of effective communication.

Dr. Shastri said that in 2012 he did a survey on political aspirations of young people in the age group of 1634 and most answered, I love democracy, I hate politics. This group does not know how a democracy works. They seem to be divorced from realities and functioning of democracy. There can be no democracy without politics, he added.

The BJP has identified booth level IT workers and are using them to woo other software professionals. It is also planning to organise a meeting of IT CEOs and professionals with Union IT and Law Minister Ravishankar Prasad at Whitefield in a month. BJP spokesperson S Prakash says about 250 CEOs and over 3,000 professionals are expected to attend this meeting.

The JDS has also started an IT cell and trying to woo Kannadigas working in the software industry. A few months ago JDS state chief H D Kumaraswamy held a meeting with IT professionals seeking their support.

Saravanan, a senior software engineer at a global tech major, throws some light on voting patterns. It is true that IT people from Hindi speaking states vote mainly for the BJP. But the IT professionals from states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal etc are not hardcore BJP voters. Regional parties and communists are strong in these states. Many of them vote for other parties. It is wrong to say that all votes go to BJP, he said.

Pro-Kannada organisation Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) has also formed an IT cell to fight for the rights of Kannadigas in the industry. Arun Javagal, a leader of the new age Kannada activism, said that they have decided to back the party which fights for the primacy of Kannada and Karnataka.Mar 10, 2018 09:25 (IST)

The bilateral trade between India and France for the period from April 2016 to March 2017 was $10.95 billion. France is the 9th largest foreign investor in India with a cumulative investment of $6.09 billion from April 2000 to October 2017. After holding delegation-level talks with Modi on Saturday, Macron will take part in a Town Hall and have an interactive session, in which nearly 300 students from different institutions are expected to participate. On the same day, he will also take part in a Knowledge Summit which will be attended by more than 200 academicians from both sides. On March 11, President Macron will attend the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Summit, an initiative mooted by France and India. The ISA Summit, expected to be attended by several heads of the states and governments, is likely to focus on concrete projects. On the same day, he will also visit Taj Mahal in Agra. President Macron will also visit Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Modi, on March 12. He, along with Modi, will inaugurate a solar plant in Uttar Pradesh's Mirzapur.Mumbai: Thousands of farmers reached Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, on Saturday to protest against the state's apathy against farmers' plight. The march, organised by All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), will reach Mumbai on Sunday.

They plan to 'gherao' the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha after reaching Mumbai on March 12, said Sunil Malusare of AIKS, which has organised the protest.

The government has so far not issued any official statement on the protest march. While speaking to CNN-News18, Maharashtra Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said government was committed to resolve farmers' issues and that the farm loan waivers are being given.

"Enough is enough. Our patience has ended now. We have been seeking the same demands from last year. But the government is not interested in listening to us. We are not going to give up till the government listens to us. We are going to gherao the Assembly indefinitely," Ashok Dhawle, leader of Kisan Sabha, told CNN-News18.

The long march consists of not just farmers from various parts of Maharashtra, including Vidarbha, Marathwada, Khandesh, but also tribals from interior parts of the state.

Thousands of farmers from various parts of Maharashtra had reached Nashik on March 6. (Photo: CNN-News18)

Forest Act implementation

The issue, organisers said, was not just about farmers' rights, but also about tribals' rights. "The Forest Act came into being in 2005. But tribals haven't got land rights. Even today, lakhs of farmers till their traditional lands in the middle of forests. These are their ancestral lands. But they have still not got ownership rights. Why should they keep suffering despite a legislation to their rescue?" asked another farmers' leader.

Other important demands are implementation of Swaminathan Committee report and better minimum support price; and pension to old farmers.

The government had announced a loan waiver last year following unprecedented protests by farmers in various parts of the state.

Thousands of farmers from various parts of Maharashtra had reached Nashik on March 6. It has covered a distance of nearly 150 kilometres in five days.

The farmers plan to enter Mumbai on Sunday morning through Mulund check naka. They will take a halt at Ghatkopar where they will take lunch. They will thereby walk to Somaiyya college ground in Sion. On Monday morning, they will start marching towards the State Assembly, which is in session. Thereafter, they will gherao the Assembly.

Maharashtra stares at a deadlock, unless the government initiates talks with the farmers. So far, no government representative has approached the protesters officially.Guwahati: News18 Assam-North East journalist Emmy C Lawbei was brutally beaten up by Assam police on Saturday while out on an assignment to cover the protest by students on the Assam-Mizoram border.

Lawbei sustained grievous injuries on her shoulder and back. She was immediately rushed to Bairabi Hospital for primary treatment.

Lawbei shared her ordeal in a Facebook post. I was travelling from Aizawl at 6 am along with other reporters. All the journalists were ahead of the students. There was some verbal exchange followed by lathi charge. Police started chasing us, beating everyone on the way, she posted.

In her post, Lawbei said that police kept beating them even after they told them that they were journalists and not protesters. I screamed and said I'm a journalist but they keep beating us. I felt a sharp pain on my butt, back and my arms, she said.

Police also opened fire and I was so scared, I started running back towards the car. I saw my other female journalist running towards the car and I followed her. Police keep chasing, screaming and beating us. No matter how many times I shouted I'm a journalist, they turned a deaf ear. I also saw another reporter getting hit on his head, he lost his glasses and ran towards safe area. Another Reporter from Kolasib also got injured. I ran as fast as I could and got into the first car I saw, she recounted the horror.

We all returned to Bairabi hospital and got medical treatment, Lawbei said.

The Assam administration had on March 7, clamped prohibitory orders under section 144, CrPc with immediate effect in certain pockets of Hailakandi district (Assam), bordering Mizoram, apprehending encroachment attempts from the other side.

The prohibitory orders were imposed in Kachurthal and other areas under the Ramnathpur police station, bordering Kolasib district of Mizoram, after Hailakandi Deputy Commissioner Adil Khan and other officers visited the areas.

Lawbei said that police have zero respect for the journalists, they were fully aware that who we were yet they assaulted us. Lawbei called it a horrible experience but she hopes that something positive would come out of the situation.

There have been many incidents of attacks on journalists in the recent past. In September 2017, two journalists were shot dead in Tripura which raised concerns on the safety of the scribes. Todays incident has again put a question mark on the freedom of the press in the region.New Delhi: Radhabai Gulabrao Umbalkar, 47, was molested, stripped and paraded naked by upper caste men in her village in Buldana tehsil, Maharashtra. Nine months later, the perpetrators are still roaming free.

On June 2, 2017, after an argument with her husband over monthly finances, Radhabai followed him when he left home in a fit of anger. But, he had gone too far.

I followed to bring him back but he had walked too far and I could not see him. I stopped by the farm to ask a group of people standing there if they had seen my husband. They did not reply initially and then asked me to bring my son and brother-in-law, said Radhabai, her memories of that day are crystal clear.

The group denied telling her about her husband unless she brought them along.

By the time Radhabai got the two men and went back to the same spot, there were 30 men waiting for them. They immediately started attacking Radhabai and her family members.

Radhabais son narrated the incident, the thought of which still scares him. They identified us as Dalits and started mouthing obscenities. They then pushed me to the ground, started kicking me and my uncle. They hit us with iron rods, wooden sticks and whatever they found, he said.

Both men suffered serious wounds; her brother-in-law had to undergo 13 stitches on his head. When Radhabai tried to intervene and save her son and her brother-in-law, the men caught her by her arm and pushed her to a corner.

The mob consisting of upper caste men stripped off her clothes and hoisted them as a mark of victory till she was reduced to bare skin.

They then tied her arms and made her walk the entire village, stark naked.

The men poked twigs and branches in my genitals. A few men brutally tugged at my breasts, scratched my thighs and slapped me multiple times. I was bleeding profusely. There were men recording the entire march as well, she said firmly, resolute and unmoved perhaps because she has lost all hope of getting justice.

The alleged perpetrators then threw her in a heap of garbage. Radhabai wrapped herself in doormats which other Dalit villagers provided her, and walked straight to the police station.

But like in most cases in the country, the road to justice isnt easy either. The police officials refused to register an FIR and instead filed a non-cognisable report, a copy of which News18 reviewed. In the case of a non-cognisable offence, the police are not under the liability to investigate the case unless the court directs so.

None of them have been arrested in the case so far. We visit the police station almost every week but in vain, said Radhabais son.

Sangram Patil, police inspector in-charge of the case, chose to disconnect and never answer calls and text messages after News18s reporter asked him about the case.

Nothing is going to happen to them. They will walk free and I will live with this, Radhabai said.

While the horrific incident of rape and assault on 16 December 2012 in the national capital shook the entire country, multiple Dalit activists and social workers say that the lower caste women in India face multiple Nirbhaya like situations, every day.

"When Nirbhaya happened, entire Delhi came on the streets to protest. We see Dalit women raped and abused in a similar fashion almost every other day, with no reaction from anybody at all. You know what is even more saddening? Most women have accepted that this is how it is supposed to be. Those men from upper caste will treat them the way they want and they will have to live with it," said Kaushal Devi, a social worker with Dalit Sthree Sakthi, an NGO.

According to the latest National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) report, crimes against Dalits in India have risen by 51% over the last 10 years to a total of 40,801 crimes recorded in 2016. Uttar Pradesh accounts for one in every four crimes against Dalits nationwide.

While the world marked Womens Day on March 8, these Dalit families and their tales of injustice were left out of that celebration. The experiences narrated had one thing in common  the will to outrage a woman's modesty did not just end with a heinous act, it continued thereafter in one form or the other.

About 100 kilometres away from Radhabais village, in Washim districts Mothegaon village in Maharashtra, 35-year-old Sangita Powar had gone to finish some bank work.

The house in Mothegaon was owned by her father.

However, Sanjays work as a security guard in Karjat made him rent a house there. Sangita moved to the Karjat house with her father Sanjay Powar, a Dalit man, along with her two sons-- one 12 years old and the other 17, after she got separated from her husband.

It was a Tuesday on the seventh day of February last year when the 57-year-old grey-haired man was preparing to doze off in his rented room when he received a call.

Sangita was alone in the Mothegaon house. I received a call late in the evening from my friends and neighbours there. They were rushing her to the nearest hospital after they heard loud wails from the house. She had severe burns and was unconscious by the time they reached, said Powar, frustrated and helpless at the same time.

The village hospital was quick to realize that it was not an accident and the woman was brutally raped by multiple men. Sangita was shifted to a hospital in Mumbai the very next day.

We shifted her to Mumbai where a few of my relatives stay. Police officials registered an FIR based on what onlookers told them and the broken sentences that Sangita could price out, said Powar.

The 35-year-old was raped and burnt alive. She struggled for a month in the hospital and subsequently passed away.

News18 reviewed copies of the FIR where the complainant alleged Ranjeet, Devidas Deshmukh and 3 others who were involved in the act.

Multiple phone calls and text messages to police inspector, in charge of the case Uttam Kamaji More went unanswered.

The perpetrators are out on bail. They burnt her after doing what they did. Her sons live with me now. The elder one will start working soon, said Sanjay, now playing the role of a father to his grandchildren as well.

According to the Census 2011, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra cumulatively account for 42% of the Dalit population in the country.

The NCRB report for 2016 states that 25.5% of the total crimes against Dalits were encountered in Uttar Pradesh, home to 20.5% of the total population. The same report revealed that the top most reported crimes involved an assault on women to outrage her modesty and rape.

It is not just sexual aggression that results in the crimes. They want to impose their caste superiority by pushing them to the wall. The crimes are not generally about just raping or assaulting, it is a long series of crimes that follows, said Ramesh Nathan, general secretary, National Movement for Dalit Justice, an NGO.

NCRBs report shows that rape of a Dalit woman is three times more likely than murder of a Dalit and fifteen times more likely than arson (setting fire to a Dalit property).

In order to expedite the prosecution of atrocity cases and improve access to justice for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes, every state government has been mandated to set up an adequate number of special courts. Cases are to be completed within two months from the filing of the charge sheet.

According to the annual report 2016-17 by the department of social justice and empowerment, Maharashtra has 3 exclusive special courts in a state with 36 districts. Uttar Pradesh, on the other hand, has 40 such courts with 75 districts in the state.

All the eight rape survivors the reporter met said the same thingthere are many others who they know of who have been subjected to similar crimes but chose not to report them.

There are so many women who decide not to report this due to fear of being socially ridiculed, said Sushma Kumari, social worker, working for Dalit Sthree Shakti, an NGO.

Kumari said that even after these women gather the courage to complain, police officials refuse to register FIRs and no national media covers them. We are left with just the option to prepare for another incident, she said.Kolkata: A life-size statue of Michael Madhusudan Dutt, a prominent poet during the 19th century Bengal renaissance, was found defaced in Raniganj of West Bengal's Purba Bardhaman district on Saturday, police and eye-witnesses said.

Dutt's face was smudged with red colour by unknown miscreants, triggering condemnation in the political circles as also among the locals.

The act was discovered by morning walkers, who reported to the police .

The Asansol municipality workers then washed and cleaned the statue.

Dutt was one of the first Indians to write poems in English, and converted to Christianity in his young age. A scholar -- he knew a number of languages, including Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, Dutt was also a playwright.

The attack on Dutt's statue is only the latest in a series of acts targeting statues of political icons and country's leaders.

Communist revolutionary Vladimir Lenin's statues were vandalised in Tripura amid post-poll violence earlier this month.

Statues of Mahatma Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, E.V. Ramaswamy, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Syama Prasad Mookerjee have been attacked at various places in the country since then.New Delhi: Hadiya, in the centre of the love Jihad controversy, on Saturday said that it all happened because I embraced Islam".

She made the comments during a visit to Kerala, the first since the Supreme Court upheld her marriage with Shafin Jahan.

"The Constitution gives all the freedom to choose their religion, which is a fundamental right of every citizen and all this happened because I embraced Islam," Hadiya told IANS.

Hadiya and her husband arrived in Kozhikode on Saturday from Salem and drove to the office of the Popular Front of India (PFI) where she briefly interacted with reporters.

"With the Supreme Court upholding our marriage, we feel we have got freedom," Hadiya said. The top court on March 8, set aside an order of the Kerala High Court that annulled their marriage.

Hadiya, 24, earlier Akhila Ashokan, embraced Islam and married Shafin Jahan, a Muslim. Hadiya's father alleged that she was forcibly converted by groups with links to terrorist outfits.

"It was only the PFI that supported us all through our troubled times and what's more surprising is that two Muslim organisations whom we approached refused to help us," added Hadiya, who will be in Kerala for three more days before returning to Salem in Tamil Nadu where she is studying.

A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice DY Chandrachud on Thursday said: "Hadiya alias Akhila Asokan is at liberty to pursue her future endeavours according to law."

However, the court also said the National Investigation Agency (NIA) would continue its probe into the criminal dimension of the case, if any.

Hadiya's father has said that he will go ahead in the case seeking legal recourse to the apex court's latest judgement.

With IANS inputsNew Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said hardcore politics of agitation were not as relevant as in the past and called for the transformation of 115 "aspirational districts" to achieve social justice and improve the country's ranking in the Human Development Index (HDI).

Inaugurating the National Legislators Conference in the Central Hall of Parliament here, Modi also pitched for posting young and motivated IAS officers in these 115 districts for quicker results.

The Prime Minister said he was against classifying the 115 districts, which lag in specific development parameters, as backward. "Strategically, there has been a need to fine-tune our development model," he said.

The Prime Minister said the traditional concept of social justice has been in the context of the condition of society but there is another aspect of it.

"If one village has electricity but the neighbouring one does not, is it not social justice that it should too have electricity. The principle of social justice inspires us for this," Modi said. He said development in 115 aspirational district was social justice.

"If all children in our area get education, it is a step towards social justice. If all houses have electricity, it is a step towards social justice. It is a concept of social justice in a new form in accordance with the vision of the great men who sat in this chamber," Modi said.

He said the elected representatives can choose one area of work and things will start to change.

"There is no need of new budget. The present resources, manpower... if they work in mission mode, then it can lead to results. Work with dedication for one year and it will change the picture of the state and the country," he said. Modi said India was ranked about 130 in HDI.

"If there is an improvement in these 115 districts, it will automatically lead to improvement in the country's rankings," he said.

He said an atmosphere of competitive cooperative federalism has been created in the country and states lagging behind in rankings are facing a push from their residents.

Modi said there was a time about 20 years ago when hardcore round-the-clock politics -- of agitation, of struggle, of statements -- would count but time has changed and it is seen if a politician comes to the aid of people.

He said the structure and awareness of society now is forcing politicians to move away from hardcore politics. "People see who is with them in their hour of need, who is there to bring a change in their lives. This makes a big difference."

He said when the government identified 115 aspirational districts based on comprehensive study and 48 parameters, it found that a district that was doing badly in 5-10 aspects was doing badly in most others.

He said that within a state one district surges ahead of the other despite having similar resource allocation. "Resources is not a problem, good governance is a problem, coordination is a problem, and focused activity is a problem. If we focus on these, we can bring a big change," he said.

Modi said the collectors of these 115 districts were called for a meeting and he noticed that they were mostly above 40.

"Normally, district collectors are 27-30 year old. They are young IAS officers. But when I met district collectors of these 115 districts, about 80 percent were above 40. Some of them were 45 also. At that age, the officer is concerned about education of his children, being posted in a big city. Mostly, they are promotees of state cadre," he said.

Modi said the apparent thinking is since a district is backward, anyone can be posted there just to run it. "If we all decide that in these 115 districts, we will post a fresh, energetic performance-oriented officer for the next few years, you will see that things will start to change. I am talking to the Chief Ministers. Give him (the officer) the challenge," he added.

He urged the elected representatives of the aspirational districts to set targets for themselves. The two-day conference on the theme "We for Development" is seeing participation of legislators from across the country as also Speakers of several assemblies. Several union ministers and leaders from opposition parties attended the inaugural function.

In her remarks, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan called for efforts to reach targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the 75th year of India's Independence. She said Parliament had already discussed SDGs on four different occasions and state assemblies should also take a lead to discuss them.New Delhi: French President Emmanuel Macron arrived on Friday night on a four-day India visit and was received at the airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a special gesture. Macron was accompanied by his wife Brigitte Marie-Claude Macron, besides senior ministers from his cabinet.

"Welcome to India, President @EmmanuelMacron! Your visit will add great strength to the strategic partnership between India and France. I look forward to our talks tomorrow," Modi tweeted after receiving Macron at the airport.

Welcome to India, President @EmmanuelMacron! Your visit will add great strength to the strategic partnership between India and France. I look forward to our talks tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/v5ePFVT3Hd Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 9, 2018

Looking forward to co-chairing the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance with President @EmmanuelMacron on 11th March. The ISA is a unique effort that brings the world together to harness solar energy and create a cleaner as well as greener future. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 9, 2018

During the visit, the two countries would look to boost ties, especially in the areas of maritime security and counter-terrorism. An agreement on the Jaitapur nuclear power plant, which is being built with French assistance, is expected to be signed during the visit, sources here said.

Stepping up cooperation in the Indian Ocean region will be one of the top issues that will be discussed by Macron and Modi during delegation-level talks on Saturday.

"France has particularly supported India's perspective on terror in South Asia. We are seeing convergence in new areas, particularly maritime security, counter-terrorism and renewable energy," K Nagraj Naidu, joint secretary (Europe-west), told reporters.

Besides defence, cooperation in the areas of nuclear energy and space are the other pillars of the strategic partnership between India and France. The two sides will also sign an agreement on co-development of a full-fledged satellite constellation in the maritime domain.

"In the area of space, India and France have a matured engagement and we would like to take it to a new level," Naidu said.

The Indo-French cooperation in the area of space is more than five-decades-old.

Besides conventional areas, thrust would also be on renewable energy, high-speed train and stepping cooperation in trade.

The bilateral trade between India and France for the period from April 2016 to March 2017 was $10.95 billion. France is the 9th largest foreign investor in India with a cumulative investment of $6.09 billion from April 2000 to October 2017.

After holding delegation-level talks with Modi on Saturday, Macron will take part in a Town Hall and have an interactive session, in which nearly 300 students from different institutions are expected to participate.

On the same day, he will also take part in a Knowledge Summit which will be attended by more than 200 academicians from both sides.

On March 11, President Macron will attend the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Summit, an initiative mooted by France and India.

The ISA Summit, expected to be attended by several heads of the states and governments, is likely to focus on concrete projects. On the same day, he will also visit Taj Mahal in Agra.

President Macron will also visit Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Modi, on March 12. He, along with Modi, will inaugurate a solar plant in Uttar Pradesh's Mirzapur.New Delhi: Anais Josemon (14), a Class 9 student of a convent school here, on Saturday virtually became the face of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's book Exam Warriors -- a book on how to deal with exams -- as she was rescued by the railways after she ran away from home for failing a mathematics test.

Depressed for not being able to secure the passmark in maths, Josemon left home on March 8 and boarded the Tamil Nadu Express from the Nizamuddin station here with a plan to go to Chennai and enrol for Bible classes, her mother Ivon Peters told PTI.

She was rescued from the Bhopal railway station yesterday. on Saturday, the 14-year-old girl went to meet Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, who gifted her the book penned by the prime minister.

Met Anais Josemon from New Delhi who ran away from her home due to exam pressure and now rescued promptly by Railways and reunited with her family. Also gave her a copy of the book @ExamWarriors penned by PM @NarendraModi and told her 'be an Exam Warrior, not Worrier'. pic.twitter.com/txgfXdpTyf Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) March 10, 2018

Peters (45), who works as a nanny, said her daughter was not good in maths and that she had performed well below par even in her last exam.

She also claimed that the school did not respond to her queries to discuss the matter.

The schools just do not bother. They just refused to speak to us. I wish I had told the minister about this. This is a huge problem, which affects the students, Peters said.

She added that her daughter, who was rescued yesterday, returned home after being away for over 36 hours.

The 14-year-old girl would have remained as one of the many children rescued by the railways, if not for Goyal's tweet about her.

"Met Anais Josemon from New Delhi who ran away from her home due to exam pressure and now rescued promptly by Railways and reunited with her family. Also gave her a copy of the book @ExamWarriors penned by PM @NarendraModi and told her 'be an Exam Warrior, not Worrier' (sic)," the railway minister tweeted.

The railway ministry has brought all the major stations under the ambit of "Operation Muskaan", a campaign aimed at rescuing missing children.

According to data provided by the ministry, from 2014 to 2016, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) had rescued 20,931 children, including 1,317 (944 boys, 373 girls) trafficked children, who were found from across the railway network.Bhopal: An elderly couple living alone was found dead in their house on Saturday with their throats slit, police said.

The couple, identified as GK Nair (70), a retired Air Force personnel, and his wife Gomti (68), were found dead by their neighbours at their Narmada Green Valley residence under Awadhpuri police station, Bhopal Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Dharmendra Choudhry told PTI.

He said that the maid at the household alerted neighbours after there was no response from inside despite her repeatedly knocking on the door.

"Neighbours who peeped in from a window saw the couple lying in a pool of blood. Their throats had been slit with a sharp object," the official said.

Police said that as valuables and household goods had not been touched, they were also looking at personal enmity as a possible cause.

A reward of Rs 20,000 had been announced for information on the case and a team under the local Superintendent of Police had been formed the solve it, he added.New Delhi: A mother of three who was divorced twice through instant triple talaq has approached the Supreme Court to declare polygamy and Nikah Halala as unconstitutional among Muslims.

Earlier, BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay had filed a plea seeking a complete prohibition on polygamy and Nikah Halala for violating fundamental rights of Muslim women.

One of the earlier such pleas heard and decided by the court was that of Shayara Bano who had approached the apex court to declare triple talaq as a violation of gender justice. A five-judge bench had declared instant talaq to be an un-Islamic practice and struck it down.

Sameena Begum was first married in 1999 and she produced two sons. After repeated abuse and a consequent police complaint, she was given triple talaq. She was forced to marry again but to an already married man. After she got pregnant again, she was given triple talaq over the phone after a trivial argument.

Now, Sameena lives alone with her three children. She said she has filed the PIL not only for herself but also for others who have suffered the same plight.

She requested the court that Section 2 of Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, be declared as arbitrary and violating Articles 14, 15, 21 and 25 of the Constitution, insofar as it seeks to recognise and validate polygamy and Nikah Halala.

It has also requested the court to ensure that provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, are applicable on all Indian citizens. The plea also sought recognition that "triple talaq is a cruelty under IPC Section 498A, Nikah-Halala is rape under IPC Section 375, polygamy is an offence under Section 494 of the IPC".

"The concept of polygamy was allowed in this verse (Quran) because of utmost concern for the welfare of women and orphans who were left behind in the battle. It is pertinent to mention that by no means it is a general licence to Muslims in present times to marry with more than one woman. Besides it puts onus on them to treat the additional spouses justly, which is admittedly a difficult task," the plea said.

Bearing a similarity with the triple talaq plea, the plea too has cited international laws and countries where polygamy has been prohibited.

It also noted that polygamy is totally prohibited in Tunisia and Turkey. "In countries like Indonesia, Iraq, Somalia, Syria, Pakistan and Bangladesh, it is permissible only if authorised by the prescribed authority," it said.

Sameena said, Equality should be the basis of all personal law since the Constitution envisages equality, justice and dignity for women."

The petitioner contended that though it is illegal for Muslim women to marry a second time during subsistence of first marriage but "there is no requirement for Muslim husband so that the permission of the first wife is to be taken before contracting second marriage".The new Frida Kahlo Barbie raised eyebrows, and indeed unibrows, from the moment it was announced. Now the late Mexican artist's family alleges the rights to her image have been stolen, and accuses toymaker Mattel of misrepresenting her appearance and ignoring what she stood for.

Mattel announced on Wednesday that Kahlo, a painter known for her searingly intimate portraits as well as her defiantly unplucked eyebrows, would be included in its newest collection of Barbie dolls. It was perhaps an unlikely choice for the maker of the famously buxom blonde doll, given that Kahlo was known for upending gender norms and traditional ideas about how women should look and act.

Released just ahead of International Women's Day, the "Inspiring Women" collection includes dolls based on Kahlo, aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, African-American mathematician Katherine Johnson and other historic figures. But Kahlo's family soon issued a statement objecting to the doll. "Mrs Mara Romeo, great-niece of Frida Kahlo, is the sole owner of the rights of the image of the illustrious Mexican painter Frida Kahlo," it said. "The company Mattel does not have the proper authorization to use the image of Frida Kahlo," it added, threatening to take "necessary measures" against the California-based toymaker.

However, an American company called the Frida Kahlo Corporation insisted it was the legitimate owner of the rights. "Mattel has worked in close partnership with the Frida Kahlo Corporation, the owner of all rights related to the name and identity of Frida Kahlo, on the creation of this doll," it said in a statement.

Romeo's lawyer Pablo Sangri said the dispute arose after the family established the Frida Kahlo Corporation in 2005, in partnership with another company called Casablanca Distributors. The latter has violated their now-expired contract by failing to inform Kahlo's relatives about the uses of her "brand," he told AFP. And the contract never granted the Corporation rights to Kahlo's image in the first place, only "certain uses of her name," he said. "The Frida Kahlo Corporation doesn't hold, never held and will never hold the rights to Frida's image."

But the problem goes deeper than just a dispute over image rights, said Romeo, the granddaughter of Kahlo's sister Cristina. Kahlo was known for her assertive embrace of her Mexican identity and her unabashed, unmanicured femininity. "I would have liked the doll to have traits more like Frida's, not this doll with light-colored eyes. I would have liked her to have a unibrow, for her clothes to be made by Mexican artisans," she told AFP, adding, "It should be a doll that represents everything my aunt represented, her strength. It should be a Frida that represents Mexico."

With her slender face and almond eyes -- topped by just the slightest hint of hair between her brows -- the Frida Kahlo Barbie looks only vaguely like the real-life Frida. In recent years, Kahlo's image has been stamped onto an explosion of consumer products: nail polish, bags, shoes, coffee mugs and much, much more. Her instantly recognizable look -- unibrow, thick black braids, flowery, hand-embroidered Mexican "tehuana" dresses -- and the boldness with which she wore it have turned her into a pop icon.

But Romeo said the companies behind such products are making them without the family's permission, and violating Kahlo's legacy in the process. "These products don't mesh with what Frida was. They should contribute something to the world," she said.

Kahlo (1907-1954), the wife of the Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, is today considered one of the great painters of the 20th century, particularly for her self-portraits, often brimming with pain and isolation.A refuge for gentlemen over centuries, British women can now enjoy private members clubs, continuing the country's tradition of female activism amid the #MeToo movement. A short walk from Oxford Street, in the heart of London's West End, sits an elegant five-storey brick Georgian mansion. It houses The AllBright, a newly-opened private club and the latest in the British capital to cater exclusively to women's needs -- both personal and professional.

Founded by Debbie Wosskow, 43, a start-up entrepreneur, and Anna Jones, formerly of the Hearst Media Group, the club -- dedicated to "working women" -- already has 400 members and a long waiting list. "It's by women, for women, and we think that has been missing up to now," Jones told AFP. Wosskow said the duo had tried to empower women throughout the venture. "Everything in the building... the art on the wall, to the wine that we serve, is by women for women and showcasing female talents," she added.

Although Britain currently has its second woman prime minister -- Theresa May -- in power, gender equality is still far from assured, according to the club founders. The pair want women to spend their days working, and their evenings unwinding in The AllBright. "The objective is to try to make the UK the best place in the world to be a working woman," said Wosskow, pitching the club as "a combination of networking alongside great food, cocktails and events".

There are no smoke-filled cigar rooms, or Chesterfield leather armchairs -- staples of many men-only equivalents. Instead the decor is cosy, refined and warm, fusing British chic and Scandinavian design. Members can relax in deep sofas or work at shared tables. There is a dining area on the ground floor and an art deco bar on the top level, while other floors host more studious rooms for working and holding meetings during the day.

When AFP visited, a backdrop of jazz music competed with the constant hum of laptop keyboards.

New member Le'Nise Brothers, a nutritionist, joined "to be around like-minded women" and for networking. "It's just a different atmosphere when you're around women," she said. "(I'm) not saying that if men were here it would be a negative thing, because it's not, but naturally women's spaces just tend to be warmer and more welcoming and just very inclusive."

The founders said although the club is female-centric, men were still welcome inside its doors. "It's definitely not anti-men," said Jones. "Members can invite men in as guests."

The AllBright follows in the footsteps of other new London establishments aimed at women, like We Heart Mondays which opened last year as "a diverse creative space for female entrepreneurs". Although they cannot match their male counterparts' histories, female clubs in fact have a long history in the British capital. The Pioneer Club was among the most famous, founded in 1892 by Emily Massingberd, considered an avant-garde and feminist in the cultural circles of her time.

"Women's clubs have above all been an attempt to claim social and physical space for women especially in city centres," wrote David Doughan and Peter Gordon in a book on the subject, "Women, Clubs and Associations in Britain". The venues "provided a haven for middle-class women from the demands of family, children, servants, and tradesmen and even, as Virginia Woolf put it, 'rooms of their own'," according to the authors.

Appropriately, an inscription emblazoned across a glass window above The AllBright's discreet ground floor entrance quotes the nineteenth century British novelist and renowned feminist. "A woman must have money and a room of her own," it implores guests.When I first came to Madras in 1984 after my early life in Calcutta, what shocked me was the obsessive influence cinema had on men. Autorickshaw drivers, cycle-rickshaw pedlars, bus conductors, barbers, college students and just about everybody else fancied themselves as matinee idols. Some of men on the streets behaved like M G Ramachandran  who went on to found the All-Indian Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam after a long stint with Dravidian ideology and grassroots politics. Later, it was stars like Rajinikanth who caught the imagination of the youth, and even today if one were to interrogate some of the motorcyclists who drive with devilish speed  callous about pedestrian safety  the riders would agree that they ape their favourite screen heroes, who do the most impossible. And get away!

What now appears equally worrying is that the Tamil Nadu youth  particularly Chennai  are now aping movie stars by stalking girls in the desperate hope that they could change their minds, and when they do not, the guys are so consumed by disappointment that killing becomes an option. A former jailer once told me that one of the boys guilty of stabbing his girlfriend had said that she had no right to live, let alone marry someone else! Months later, he committed suicide in prison.

Much like what happens in Tamil cinema, some young men feel that they are well within their rights to expect reciprocal love from a girl. When this does not happen, the boys, like their screen idols, begin to stalk the girls, and when all efforts to win them fail, a knife or a bottle of acid or a can of kerosene becomes a weapon of death and destruction.

Tragically, Chennai is fast turning into a lover's grave. On Friday afternoon on a crowded Chennai street, a 20-year-old girl, Ashwini Mohan, stepped out of her college with her friends only to be accosted by Alagesan Ganesan, who was in love with her. He stabbed her dead. Alagesan was overpowered by her classmates and passersby  who after beating him up, handed him over to the police. Alagesan had been following Ashwini for some time. She and her family had even lodged a compliant with the police, who had warned him, but let him go. A clear case of the police failing to prevent a crime as heinous as murder.

Incredible as it may sound, such tragic incidents have been on the rise in Chennai. On June 24, 2016, 24-year-old Swathi, an Information Technology professional, was murdered by P Ramkumar, on a busy railway platform. He described himself as a jilted lover, and had been following Swathi for several months, before spilling her blood. On July 31, 2016, in Villupuram, near Chennai, Senthil Kumar, livid over Naveena's refusal to embrace his love, set himself on fire and hugged her. Both died. On November 13, 2017, 21-year-old Induja and her mother were burnt by Akash in Chennai, because he could not take a no for an answer. I can go on with any number of such horrific cases where young women, barely into their twenties, have lost their lives, because they exercised their right to make choice.

Ramkumar had reportedly told the police that he had been deeply influenced by his favourite screen heroes stalking the girls they loved and ultimately getting them. Despite public criticism of and outrage over such display of blatant male behaviour in films, Tamil cinema has been freely letting its heroes stalk its heroines. Why even the latest Karthi movie, Theeran Oru Adhigaram, had this, though mercifully the scene was brief.

Incidentally, Karthis work came just about the same time when Induja was burnt. In Tamil Nadu  where cinema and politics have been almost like conjoined Siamese twins  films have been a huge influence on the youth. And when the man on the screen can stalk his love, hoping against hope that she would come around and fall into his arms, why cannot a fan follow that! There are any number of Tamil actors who have stalked women on the screen. Some have succeeded. Some have not.

Dhanushs Kundan did not in the Tamil version of Ambhikapathy (originally shot in Hindi and titled Raanjhaana), where he essays the son of a Brahmin priest in Varanasi, falling in love with a Muslim girl, Zoya (Shruti Haasan). In spite of her repeated refusals  based on the fact that the two belong to different religions and are also divided by wide economic disparity -- Kundan (Dhanush) persists, following her and even embarrassing her. The end is disastrous in a movie that to me seemed to have placed its firm stamp of approval on a highly irresponsible and demeaning male attitude, which equates a womans no with bruised male ego!

I can give other examples. In Paayum Puli, Vishal is a cop who stalks and threatens a woman (Kajal Aggarwal), forcing her to love him. And audiences were made to believe that this was cutely romantic! In Nanbenda, Udhayanidhi Stalin plays a lover, who stalks. In Sethu, Vikram kidnaps a girl when she refuses him, and threatens to smash her head with a rock. In Ambikapathy, Kundan mucks up Zoyas marriage with Jasjeet Singh Shergill (Abhay Deol).

But cinema alone is not guilty of perpetuating this crime. I would also blame societal rigidity. Even in times as modern as these, Chennai continues to discourage boys and girls from mingling with each other. An educated manager in a well-known restaurant in the city has been worrying herself sick about letting her daughter enter a co-educational junior college. She has never been in mixed company, and I do not think that she can handle an atmosphere like that, she keeps repeating.

Obviously the girl may not be able to. So too a boy who may not have been given the freedom to grow up naturally in the company of girls, and the only ones he gets to meet are his cousins. A doctor friend, a practitioner of sexual medicine, tells me that it is very common in Tamil Nadu for cousins to have sexual affairs.

So, while the community frowns up mixing of sexes (oblivious of sex between cousin), cinema breaks this social barrier with the filmi hero indulging in the most scandalous and salacious behaviour to woo his girl. And when she spurns his love, it leads to something unimaginably disastrous. If Kundan can spoil Zoyas true love for Shergill, if a policeman can frighten a girl into submission and if a man can go to the extent of kidnapping a girl and forcing her to love him, young men like Akash and Ram Kumar will only tend to get encouraged by such cinematic daredevilry.

And in a country like India and in times like these, when the young have no role models to speak of (with parents too busy making money), movie stars assume a larger-than-life stature. And these celluloid heroes can do no wrong. Yes, even when they are pushing a poor girl into a frenzied state of fear, if only to force an I love you from her!

(Gautaman Bhaskaran is an author, commentator and movie critic, and may be e-mailed at gautamanb@hotmail.com)Director: Roar Uthaug

Cast: Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Walton Goggins

Theres a scene in the new Tomb Raider film starring Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft, in which she pins down an attacker, locks him in a stranglehold, and chokes him till his body goes limp in death. Presumably, its the first time shes killed anyone, and its her emotional state immediately after overcoming her enemy  disturbed, confused, possibly even regretful  that makes it clear why Vikanders portrayal of the character feels so different from Angelina Jolies more than 15 years ago.

Jolie, who twice slipped into the iconic tank top, first in 2001s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and then in Cradle of Life two years later, is regarded as the perfect live-action personification of the beloved video game character. An ass-kicking superwoman who knows her way around a pair of guns, and who can be as tough as any of the guys, often without breaking a sweat. Vikanders version of Croft gets wounded, feels pain, and puts some effort into making those incredible leaps. In other words, shes human and vulnerable.

Its an approach that serves the film well, raising the stakes just a wee bit when the shit hits the fan after Croft sets off to find her father, who went missing seven years ago after leaving her to find an ancient mythical tomb on a faraway island off the coast of Japan.

Fans of the video game might have a little more patience with the doozy of a plot that involves solving complicated Japanese puzzles or cracking riddles to get past obstacles in the way of the protagonists mission. Having traveled from London to Hong Kong, where she hires a boat owned by a drunken sailor (Daniel Wu) to take her to the island of Yamatai, she learns that the Crofts arent the only ones searching for the tomb. Thats the cue for a string of action set pieces.

But who are we fooling? Thats exactly what were here for, and Norwegian-born director Roar Urthaug stages brutal, realistic sequences that Vikander pulls off nicely, striking just the right balance between wide-eyed first-time adventurer and slick, confidence-oozing wonder woman. This movie marks the making of Lara Croft as we know her, and Vikander makes her coming of age entirely convincing.

The cast is rounded off by solid actors like Dominic West in the role of Richard Croft, our heroines father; and Kristin Scott-Thomas as the caretaker of his businesses, who will likely have a larger role in this films sequel if there is one.

The key to becoming invested in the film  despite its overall familiarity and lack of any genuine surprise or originality  is Vikanders natural performance, and her commitment to the physical requirements of the role. Shes the reason Tomb Raider isnt a complete waste of time. Im going with two-and-a-half out of five.

What's your reaction to Tomb Raider?

Write your review of Tomb RaiderPatna: As voting is underway in Bihar for bypolls, Congress and BJP allege EVM malfunction in at least 100 booths in Bhabua assembly constituency.

Bihar Pradesh Committee acting president Kaukab Qadri told News18 that he is going to approach the Election Commission as the district magistrate is not acting on his complaints. Qadri alleged that DM confessed that there was some problem with the EVMs but said it was minor and only 21 machines are non-functional.

We have a shortage of EVM experts here and due to my faulty mobile phone, I cannot get in touch with people, said Rajeshwar Prasad Singh, DM Kaimur (Bhabua).

Bhabua Congress candidate Shambhu Patel accused district administration of a sinister design to defeat him. He said the DM was colluding with BJP cadres.

About 23% electorate cast their votes till 11 am in by-elections in Bihar's Araria, 20.3% in Bhabua and 19.2% in Jahanabad on Sunday, where the ruling JD(U)-BJP combine and the opposition RJD-Congress alliance are locked in a battle.

The bye-elections are being held for Araria Lok Sabha seat and, Jahanabad and Bhabhua Assembly constituencies.

Numerically, these bypolls might not be important. However, this is being termed as a litmus test for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as this is the first public test since he pulled out of RJD-Congress alliance and allied with the BJP-led NDA.

This is also a test for NDA's unity and strength as just before the polls, Jitan Ram Manjhi, former CM and leader of Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), left NDA and joined the Mahagathbandhan.

Bypolls for Araria Lok Sabha seat was necessitated after the demise of the sitting RJD MP Mohammad Taslimuddin. His son Sarfaraz Alam, JD (U) MLA from Jokihat Assembly segment of the constituency, defected after announcement of bypolls and is fighting on RJD ticket. He is up against BJP's Pradip Singh, who was a runner-up in 2014 elections.

Going by 2014 arithmetic, the combined votes of BJP and JD (U) was much more than the winning margin of Taslimuddin. However, sources said the contest is more than a question of simple arithmetic as the social combination of the seat is learnt to be leaning towards the Mahagathbandhan. Muslims and Yadavs form more than 50 percent of total electorate who are considered to be staunch supporters of the RJD.

The BJP is banking on popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and pro-development figure of Kumar.

Jehanabad assembly seat was also held by the RJD. After the death of its MLA Mundrika Singh Yadav, the party has given ticket to his son Sujay Yadav who is up against JD (U) leader Abhiram Sharma.

In Bhabhua, Rinky Pandey is contesting on BJP's ticket as the by poll was necessitated after the demise of her husband Anand Bhushan Pandey. The RJD conceded the seat for its ally Congress which has fielded Shambhu Patel in the fray.Singapore: Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on Saturday that demonetisation was "not a good" initiative and if he were the Prime Minister he would have thrown the proposal in the "dustbin". Gandhi is on a five-day trip to the Southeast Asian countries. He began the Malaysia leg of his visit on Saturday and

interacted with an "enthusiastic gathering" of the Indian diaspora in Kuala Lumpur.

Asked how he would have rolled out demonetisation differently, Gandhi said in a video shared by the Congress party on its Twitter handle "if I was the Prime Minister and somebody would have given me a file with demonetisation written on it, I would have thrown it in the dustbin, out of the door and into the junkyard. That is how I would have rolled it out, because that is what I think should have been done with the demonetisation which was not good at all."

The demonetisation initiative was rolled out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8, 2016, announcing the invalidation of high-value currency notes currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000. Congress party has strongly criticised demonetisation, saying the move has led to economic slowdown. Earlier at the University of California, Berkeley Gandhi had said that Modi had caused "tremendous damage" to India's economy with his "reckless and dangerous" decisions like demonetisation and "hastily-applied" GST.

Responding to a question on women empowerment, Gandhi also said equality was not "good enough" for women empowerment and asserted that women have to be given more support than men to end the bias against them.

"I don't treat women equal to men, but better than men. I think there is a bias in all societies, including in western society and that bias needs to be corrected. And to correct that bias, equality is not good enough, you have to be partial to women and give them more support than you give men," he said. Gandhi also addressed a gathering of young professionals at IYCON in Kuala Lumpur.

"Met Mr Subramaniam Sathasivam, President of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) in Kuala Lumpur. Originally a part of the AICC until 1946, the MIC has played a major role in the Malaysian Independence Movement," he wrote on his Facebook page. Gandhi's trip is part of the Congress party's efforts to connect with the diaspora.

He called on Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday and discussed a wide range of topics related to India-Singapore ties. The trip is being organised by the AICC Overseas cell headed by technocrat Sam Pitroda, who helped former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi lead the IT revolution in India.

Pitroda had earlier successfully organised Rahul Gandhi's visits to the US and West Asia. Later in the year, the Congress president is also expected to travel to Dubai and Canada.Mumbai: Patidar leader Hardik Patel on Saturday said not meeting Congress president Rahul Gandhi ahead of the Gujarat polls was a mistake as it would have prevented the BJP from retaining power in the state.

The 24-year-old Patidar quota agitation spearhead, who had pledged support with the Congress for the Gujarat polls held in last December, said the opposition party would have got an absolute majority had he met Gandhi.

Speaking at the India Today Conclave here, Patel said, "I have said this before as well and I am saying it now. I did not meet Rahul Gandhi. If I can openly meet Mamata Banerjee, Nitish Kumar and (Shiv Sena president) Uddhav Thackeray, there was no issue in meeting Rahul.

"It was a mistake. Had I met him, the BJP would have won 79 and not 99 seats."

The BJP retained Gujarat by winning 99 seats in the 182-member Assembly. The Congress improved its tally, but could not oust the saffron outfit from its stronghold.

After dilly-dallying for weeks, Patel had, in November-end, declared that his Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) would back the Congress in the Gujarat polls, after the latter accepted its demand for reservation to the Patidar community.

Patel reiterated his allegation that a high-ranking bureaucrat of Gujarat had offered him a bribe of Rs 1,200 crore to get the agitating Patels call off their quota stir.

Stating that innocent people were killed in Gujarat during the quota agitation, Patel said sedition charges were slapped on people, who had to make regular court visits now.

"We also voted for (Narendra) Modi when he was the prime ministerial candidate. We had thought the youth of this country would get jobs...the farmers of the country would get a fair price for their produce, but all these things did not happen," he added.

The Patidar leader also said that the BJP ran a communal election campaign, but once it came to power, it started speaking about inclusiveness.

Top leaders of the saffron outfit were part of such campaigns, he added.

Referring to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's recent remarks on Eid celebrations, Patel said the political discourse needed to be more positive, so that people from different communities were encouraged to celebrate their respective festivals.

Speaking at the event, student leader Kanhaiya Kumar said there was a trend in the country of Congress leaders leaving the party, joining the BJP and turning virtuous individuals overnight.

"The BJP has become like a washing machine," he added.Nagpur: Pitching for the promotion of local languages, the RSS on Saturday said the government needs to formulate a suitable policy to ensure that primary education "should only be" in mother tongue or any other Indian language.

At its crucial triennial meeting of office bearers, the ruling BJP's ideological mentor passed a resolution on the need to protect and promote "Bharatiya" languages. Candidates appearing in higher education entrance exams of all faculties including technical and medical should have the option of the local languages, it said, adding that the medium of teaching and study material should also be available in Indian languages.

The RSS also welcomed that the NEET and UPSC examinations have now been started in "Bharatiya" languages, but said the same option should be available for all other entrance tests and competitive exams.

Primary education across the country should only be in mother tongue or any other Bharatiya language. For this, parents should also make up their mind and the governments should formulate suitable policies and frame necessary provisions in this regard, the Sangh said in the resolution passed by the Akhil Bharatiya Praitinidhi Sabha' (ABPS).

Seeking that preference be given local languages in all government and judicial works, the RSS said local languages should be encouraged in appointments, promotions and all kinds of functions instead of giving preference to English.

Expressing concern over declining trend in the practice and usage of local languages, it said many languages and dialects have become extinct and several others are endangered. Central and state governments should take effective steps to protect and promote all languages, dialects and scripts of Bharat, the Sangh said while calling upon its workers and society to preserve and promote their mother tongue.

The entire society including the swayamsevaks should give preference to the mother tongue in conversations and day to day interactions in the family. The tradition of collecting and reading literature in these languages needs to be cultivated, it added.

However, the RSS said it is in favour of learning various languages of the world to acquire diverse knowledge. "But, in a multilingual country like India, ABPS considers it most necessary to protect and promote all the languages of Bharat as the carrier of our culture," it added.New Delhi: Congress President Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to meet French President Emmanuel Macron during his four-day India visit.

According to sources, the meeting is slated for Sunday after Gandhi returns from his two-nation visit to Thailand and Singapore that is part of his overseas Indians outreach plan.

The Congress, which has launched a tirade against the government over the Rafale deal that Prime Minister Narendra Modi struck during his visit to France in April 2015, however, said that the issue would not be raised during the meeting.

"The Congress party will not discuss India's defence deal with the head of state of a foreign country. This is our internal matter and this discussion the government has to do with France and not the Congress.

"We are demanding answers from our government and not from the French government," Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said.

Alluding to the Rafale deal, he said that when one goes to buy something, the buyer has to ensure whether the product is good or not, as the seller will obviously say his product is good.

The buyer has to decide looking at his pocket, Surjewala said.

"The government has to ensure that its money is not wasted and gets the best deal in the least money. There should be no loss to the state exchequer.

"It is not the responsibility of Mr Macron, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Defence minister, on which they have failed," he alleged.

The Congress has been attacking the government on the Rafale deal and demanding answers from it over the price of the aircraft.

The Congress today alleged that the government has caused a loss of Rs 12,612 crore to the state exchequer by buying the aircraft from Dassault Aviation, the French manufacturer of Rafale fighter jets.

The party alleged that the company sold each jet to India at Rs 351 crore more than those sold to Qatar and Egypt 11 months ago.

The government has refused to divulge details of the purchase price of Rafale jets due to the "secrecy clause" in the agreement signed with the French government.

Surjewala said if a president or prime minister of any country come to India, "He is our guest and there are no differences between the government and the opposition".

The heads of state formally meet the opposition leaders, as they had been meeting Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley in the past, he said.

Gandhi, who is the leader of the principal opposition party in the country, has been meeting visiting heads of state and government after he took over as party chief.

Gandhi recently met visiting Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen and Canadian Premier Justin Trudeau.

He was in Italy during Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang's visit, who met UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.Patna: BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha on Friday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come up with the "best possible package" for Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, saying the issue has been "hanging fire".

The Patna Sahib MP's remarks came in the backdrop of two Union ministers belonging to the TDP in Andhra Pradesh resigning from their posts on Thursday, over the issue of grant of special status to the state.

The southern state has been raising the demand for the creation of a separate state of Telangana.

"Sir, what is all this happening. You had promised, the Government had promised. Chandrababu Naidu and Andhra Pradesh certainly deserve the Andhra package, the best possible package. And so does our Bihar and our friend Nitish Kumar (Bihar CM). Bihar's special package has been hanging fire," the actor-turned-politician said in a tweet.

Sir, what is all this happening?You had promised, the Govt. had promised! Chandrababu Naidu & Andhra Pradesh certainly deserve the Andhra package, the best possible package..And so does our Bihar & our friend Nitish Kumar. Bihar's special package has been hanging fire..1>2 Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) March 9, 2018

..Was promised to all of us since ages. Especially after the separation of Bihar & Jharkhand. People are living on the edge for most deserving issues..seems quite scary. Nonetheless expectations & faith in U is despite & inspite of everything. Long Live Bihar! Long Live Andhra! Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) March 9, 2018

Sinha, who has been critical of the Narendra Modi government in the past, said a special package for Bihar "was promised to us since ages, especially after the separation of Bihar and Jharkhand".

Kumar has been pressing for special status for Bihar over the years, owing to resource crunch faced by the state, hit by recurrent floods and droughts, along with a high density of population.New Delhi: Commerce and Industries minister Suresh Prabhu was on Saturday given additional charge of the Civil Aviation Ministry, a day after the resignation of TDP's Ashok Gajapathi Raju was accepted by President Ram Nath Kovind, a Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson said.

In a brief communique, the spokesperson said, "The President, as advised by the Prime Minister, has directed that Suresh Prabhu, Cabinet Minister, shall be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, in addition to his existing portfolio."

Raju and another Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP Y S Chowdary had resigned from the council of ministers after party supremo and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu decided to pull out his ministers.

Naidu took the decision after facing relentless attacks from the opposition for "failing" to secure special category status for Andhra Pradesh.

TDP, however, continues to be a part of the NDA.Hyderabad: The stage is set for a possible showdown as the Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC) headed plans to go ahead with its Million March anniversary rally in Hyderabad on March 10, despite no police permission.

Seven years after the Million March rally that shook the state and central governments during the Telangana agitation movement at Tank Bund, another rally is being organised to commemorate the movement in Hyderabad on March 10.

Thousands from across districts are expected to participate in the rally.

Hyderabad Police, however, has denied permission to the proposed rally citing security concerns.

Mobilising huge crowds in the heart of the city will lead to stampede and chaos affecting public safety and security. In the past, the Million March agitation programme saw vandalism, arson and violence, causing large-scale inconvenience to public, police said.

Police have already taken several TJAC activists and leaders into preventive custody and has shut the Tank Bund for security concerns.

The TJAC led by Prof M Kodandaram and other opposition parties have been protesting against rising problems of the people in the new state of Telangana. The party has posed questions to the ruling TRS government and CM KCR for their failure in fulfilling promises made during the statehood movement.

Interestingly, the rally comes at a time when Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao is showing interest in national politics to bring in qualitative change in the political system.

The Telangana CM is preparing a national agenda of development for the country by citing Telangana as a role model.

The state has achieved several milestones in development, welfare, infrastructure and other such sectors. The Telangana state schemes, innovative programmes have become a role model for the Centre and other states, KCR had said.

Raising questions on the BJP and Congress rule, KCR has given a call for a third front. The development of India for the past 70 years has not been on the lines as the people had expected it to be. People do not even have access to safe and pure drinking water, he said.

However, questioning the TRS rule, Prof Kodandaram told CNN-News18, The Telangana struggle was not merely to achieve a geographical identity, but it was a struggle for fundamental changes in social life for every individual. There is an atmosphere where the government is intolerant and indifferent to a social movement.

CM KCR and social activist Professor M Kodandaram once fought together for the Telangana statehood movement and are now standing against each other as political rivals.Serampore (WB): The workers of the BJP and Trinamool Congress (TMC) clashed over the "purification" of a bust of Jan Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee at Serampore in West Bengal's Hooghly district and three persons were arrested in connection with the incident, the police said on Saturday.

The "purification" of the bust followed the defacement of another statue of Mookerjee in Kolkata on March 7.

The statue was attacked a day after two statues of communist icon Lenin were vandalised in Tripura in the wake of the declaration of the Assembly poll results in the north-eastern state.

The clash took place on Friday when BJP supporters had gathered at the RMS ground in Serampore for the "purification" of the bust with milk and water, the police said, adding that a group of TMC workers stopped them and poured milk on the bust.

Nine BJP supporters, including the party's Serampore unit president Bhaskar Bhattacharya, were injured in the incident and admitted to the Walsh Hospital in Serampore.

Bhattacharya alleged that the TMC workers, led by two councillors, attacked the BJP workers and beat them up, adding that even he was not spared.

The BJP lodged an FIR at the Serampore police station in connection with the incident.

The TMC, however, claimed that locals were involved in the clash.

The BJP workers today blocked the GT Road at Sheoraphuli and Serampore to protest against Friday's incident.

The Commissioner of Chandannagore Police Commissionerate, Ajay Kumar, said three persons were arrested for their involvement in the clash.

Most of the attackers had fled, he said, adding, "But we will arrest all the miscreants soon."

Bhattacharya alleged that the police did not arrest any of the TMC "goons" named in the FIR.Lucknow: Gorakhpur is a saffron fortress. The city has sent the Mahant of Gorakhpeeth, Yogi Adityanath, to Parliament for six consecutive terms but the by-elections could be a tricky affair. With Mayawatis BSP supporting the Samajwadi Party candidate, the polls have become a matter of prestige for the UP Chief Minister.

Most of the candidates are relying on door-to-door campaigning for votes. It is a battle between the BJP and SP candidate now, but the Congress is ready to put up a fight.

Political observers feel that the biggest challenge for any party will be to bring voters to the polling booth. In the last Lok Sabha elections, the polling percentage in Gorakhpur was 52.86 and Yogi Adityanath won by a margin of 3.12 lakh votes. Usually, the voting percentage is lower in bypolls when compared to General Elections.

For the first time since 1989, caste arithmetic might come into play at the Sadar Lok Sabha seat, which has been in the possession of Gorakhnath temple. The relation between the Mahant of the Goraknath Peeth meant that no candidate could challenge Yogi Adityanath. Things might change because the Mahant is not contesting himself this time.

The seat was vacated after Yogi Adityanath became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.

On the final day of campaigning for Phulpur and Gorakhpur, CM Yogi Adityanath said the pre-poll understanding between the SP and BSP was proof that the two had already accepted defeat. This is purely selfish understanding between the SP and the BSP and has nothing to do with the development of the state, Adityanath said.

BJP has fielded Upendha Dutt Shukla in Gorakhpur. On the other hand, the Samajwadi Party has declared the son of the Nishad Party President, Praveen Nishad, as its candidate. The Congress nominee is Surhita Chatterjee Karim.Beijing: Chinese Muslims need to guard against creeping Islamisation, including mosques that copy foreign styles, and strive to practice their faith in a more Chinese way, a senior Chinese Islamic official said on Saturday.

China is home to roughly 20 million Muslims, many living in the western part of the country, from the Uighurs of Xinjiang who speak a Turkic language to the largely sinified Hui people.

While China officially guarantees freedom of religion, it has in recent years tightened controls in heavily Muslim areas, nervous about the possibility of radicalisation and violence.

Speaking to the largely ceremonial advisory body to China's parliament, Yang Faming, head of the government-linked China Islamic Association, said Islam had a long and glorious history in the country.

But Yang warned of problems he said had become apparent in recent years which could not be overlooked, according to a copy of his speech carried by the official Xinhua news agency.

"For example, some mosques' construction style blindly imitates foreign models. In some areas the concept of halal has become common, and religion interferes in secular life," he said.

"Some people set great store on religious rules and much less on national law, only knowing what it is to be a believer and not what it is to be a citizen," Yang added. "We must certainly remain on high alert."

Islam in China must uphold the successful experience of becoming more Chinese, be guided by core socialist values and oppose radicalisation, he said.

Religious practices, culture and the architecture of religious buildings must be Chinese in nature and style, Yang added.

Parliament and its advisory body are holding their annual session.

China has blamed a series of attacks in recent years in Xinjiang, which sits on the borders of Central Asia and Pakistan, on Islamist militants. Rights groups say the unrest is more a reaction to Chinese controls on the religious and cultural rights of the Uighurs who live there.

China denies accusations of repression in Xinjiang.

China's image among the wider Muslim community around the world is important to Beijing as it pushes President Xi Jinping's "Belt and Road" initiative to invest billions of dollars building infrastructure linking Asia, Europe and Africa.Washington: President Vladimir Putin suggested in a US television interview that Ukrainians, Tatars or "Jews," could have meddled in the 2016 US presidential election - but not the Kremlin.

"Why have you decided the Russian authorities, myself included, gave anybody permission to do this?" Putin asked in the often-combative interview with NBC television.

The leading US intelligence agencies concluded last year that Putin personally directed an intelligence effort to influence the 2016 US presidential election to undermine Democrat Hillary Clinton's campaign and boost Republican Donald Trump.

Last month US Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is conducting a widespread probe into Russia's role in the campaign, indicted 13 Russian nationals and three Russian companies for allegedly backing Trump, maligning Clinton, and engaging in other election interference.

"So what if they're Russians?" Putin said of the allegations, according to transcripts of the NBC interview released late yesterday.

"There are 146 million Russians. So what?... I don't care. I couldn't care less... They do not represent the interests of the Russian state."

"Maybe," Putin said, "they are not even Russians but Ukrainians, Tatars or Jews, but with Russian citizenship, which should also be checked; maybe they have dual citizenship or a green card; maybe the US paid them for this.

"How can you know that? I do not know either."

Despite Mueller's 37-page indictment, Putin said he has seen no evidence thus far that the alleged meddling broke any laws.

"We in Russia cannot prosecute anyone as long as they have not violated Russian law... At least send us a piece of paper... Give us a document. Give us an official request. And we'll take a look at it."

Trump has repeatedly denied any collusion with Moscow, and Putin laughed at the mere suggestion.

"Could anyone really believe that Russia, thousands of miles away... influenced the outcome of the election? Doesn't that sound ridiculous even to you?" Putin asked.

On announcing the indictment on the Russians, US Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said the document made no judgment on whether the alleged Russian propaganda campaign altered the election outcome.

"It's not our goal to interfere. We do not see what goal we would accomplish by interfering. There's no goal," Putin said.

US intelligence chiefs last month said Russia still seeks to meddle in US politics, posing a threat to mid-term congressional elections in November, and the 2020 presidential election.

Trump has acknowledged that Russia and "other countries" meddled in the 2016 election, but insisted it had "no impact on our votes whatsoever" and vowed to make sure it wouldn't happen again.

"We'll counteract whatever they do. We'll counteract it very strongly. You don't want your system of votes to be compromised in any way," Trump said Tuesday. "And we won't allow that to happen."

Russian efforts however are said to go far beyond US elections: US General Curtis Scaparrotti, the commander of NATO forces in Europe, told US lawmakers on Thursday that Russia is working to break up the NATO alliance partly through its online operations spreading false information.

"Russia is carrying out a campaign of destabilisation to change the international order, fracture NATO and undermine US leadership around the world," Scaparrotti told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday.New Delhi: "Punish A Muslim Day" letters encouraging torture, acid attacks, arson of mosques and assault are being sent to families in East London, according to reports.

The letter details a point system for each action and a reward. For example pulling a Muslim women's hijab is 25 points, throwing acid is 50 points and burning or bombing a mosque is a whole 1,000 points.

The Metropolitan Police are among the forces investigating the leaflets, which have been reported in London, the Midlands and West Yorkshire.

In a hate-filled diatribe, it encourages supporters not to be 'sheep' and says: "Sheep follow orders and are easily led, they are allowing the white majority nations of Europe and North America to become over-run by those who like nothing more than to do us harm and turn our democracies into Sharia led police states."

It promises 'rewards' for people who carry out racist and violent actions, ranging from verbal abuse, pulling headscarves from women's heads, acid attacks, electrocuting Muslims and butchering people.

There is also an image of a dagger with the letters MS, suggesting it is linked to so-called Muslim Slayer who targeted mosques in London and the United States last year with similar threats.

The Metropolitan Police have confirmed it is aware of the leaflets being distributed in the capital.

A spokesman said: "The MPS does not tolerate any form of hate crime. If anyone believes they have been a victim of such an offence we would encourage them to report it to police so it can be fully investigated."

(With agency inputs)Washington: US President Donald Trump will not meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un unless Pyongyang takes "concrete actions," the White House said on Friday as it faced criticism for agreeing to talks that would boost Kim's standing.

"The president will not have the meeting without seeing concrete steps and concrete actions take place by North Korea, so the president will actually be getting something," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told a news briefing.

Sanders did not specify what actions North Korea needed to take, and a White House official later said she was not intending to set new conditions for talks with Kim.

But the comments were a sign that an end to a standoff between the two countries over North Korea's nuclear weapon program is not imminent.

Trump did little to clear up confusion over the timing of talks and any preconditions when he took to Twitter late on Friday.

"The deal with North Korea is very much in the making and will be, if completed, a very good one for the World. Time and place to be determined," he wrote.

The United States has long said it wants any talks to aim at Pyongyang abandoning its nuclear weapons and missile programs.

Hopes for a breakthrough with North Korea rose on Thursday when Trump said he was prepared to hold an unprecedented meeting with Kim.

The two leaders prompted jitters around the world last year as they exchanged bellicose insults over the North's attempts to develop a nuclear weapon capable of hitting the United States. Pyongyang has pursued its nuclear program in defiance of United Nations Security Council resolutions.

But tension eased around last month's Winter Olympics in South Korea, laying the groundwork for what would be the first meeting between leaders from North Korea and the United States, and the biggest foreign policy gamble for Trump since he took office in January last year.

The head of South Korea's National Security Office, Chung Eui-yong, speaking in Washington on Thursday after briefing Trump about a meeting South Korean officials held with Kim this week, said the U.S. president had agreed to meet the North Korean leader by May in response to an invitation from Kim.

Kim had "committed to denuclearization" and to suspending nuclear and missile tests, Chung said.

BUYING TIME?

A senior State Department official said the talks would likely only be a preliminary discussion about holding future negotiations.

"The expectation is that the talks would lead to a discussion around a conclusion that we're ready to engage in negotiations," the official said.

Trump's sudden decision to meet with Kim stunned even people in his own administration.

Sanders' comments seemed aimed at criticism in the United States that Trump took a misstep by agreeing to talks - thus giving Pyongyang the international legitimacy it seeks - but without earning any big concessions from the North.

"The Administration must go into any meeting with a plan to ensure that negotiations with Kim Jong-un produce real results, not a photo op that lends legitimacy to North Koreas murderous regime, U.S. Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat who is vice chairman of the Senate intelligence committee, said in a statement.

Some U.S. officials and experts worry North Korea could buy time to build up and refine its nuclear arsenal if it drags out talks with Washington.

A White House official said Trump remained committed to a meeting with Kim based on the conditions laid out by South Korea on Thursday: that Kim is committed to denuclearization, will refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests, and understands that U.S.-South Korean military exercises must continue.

(The North Koreans) are saying the right things and were going to listen to them at the table and were going to see where this leads, the official said.

No venue or date has been announced for the summit, which is expected to be held in May. Neutral Switzerland, which often hosts summits, said it was ready to facilitate the meeting.

CHINA WELCOMES TALKS

A Trump-Kim summit would be a major turnaround after a year in which North Korea has carried out a battery of missile tests that Washington sees as provocative and after a barrage of insults between the two leaders.

U.S.-based experts say North Korea appeared to show last November that it has succeeded in developing a missile capable of delivering a nuclear weapon anywhere in the United States.

Trump has derided Kim as a "maniac," referred to him as "little rocket man" and threatened in a speech last year to "totally destroy" North Korea, a country of 26 million people, if it attacked the United States or one of its allies.

Kim responded by calling Trump a "mentally deranged U.S. dotard."

The Trump administration has led a worldwide push to tighten international sanctions on North Korea to choke off resources needed for its weapons programs.

World leaders welcomed prospects for a possible thaw in the Korea standoff including China, which is North Korea's largest trading partner and its sole major ally.

Chinese President Xi Jinping told Trump in a phone call on Friday that he appreciates his desire to resolve the North Korea issue politically, Chinese state media said.

Xi "hopes the United States and North Korea start contacts and dialogue as soon as possible and strive to reach positive results," the report added.France best partner for India, says Emmanuel Macron

New Delhi : French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday said that France should be the best partner for India and the entry point to Europe.

Macron, who arrived here on Friday on a four-day visit to India during the course of which he will co-chair the founding conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said he has three purposes for this visit.

Speaking to media after being accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here, he said the first one is to open a new era in the India-France Strategic Partnership "in terms of defence and security, in terms of research and science, especially in terms of our youth, higher education and science".

"It is absolutely critical because our two democracies have common challenges regarding terrorism, a lot of common risks, a lot of threats," Macron said.

"The second purpose of this trip is to organise this International Solar Alliance (conference)," he said.

"The third objective of this visit is to deliver the message that France should be the best partner for India, especially in Europe, the entry point for Europe.

"And I aim to have more and more Indian citizens coming to France studying, becoming a partner, creating start-ups and I want my country to be your best partner in Europe."

Modi and Macron will hold a bilateral summit later on Saturday following which a number of agreements across multiple sectors are expected to be signed.

On Sunday, Modi and Macron will co-chair the founding conference of the India-initiated ISA, which was launched by Modi and then French President Francois Hollande during the Paris Climate Summit in 2015.

The ISA is conceived as a coalition of solar resource-rich countries to address their special energy needs and provide a platform to collaborate on dealing with the identified gaps through a common, agreed approach.

It is open to all 121 prospective member countries falling between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.

Till Thursday, 60 countries had signed the framework agreement of the ISA and another 30 submitted the instruments of ratification.

Sunday's conference will be attended by 23 of those who have submitted the instruments of ratification and 24 of those who have signed the framework agreement.

During the course of his stay in India, Macron will also visit Agra and Varanasi and have a town hall interaction with students in New Delhi.

During his visit to Varanasi on Monday, he will inaugurate a 75 MW solar plant built by French firm Engie Solar in Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh.

This is Macron's first visit to India after he assumed office in May in 2017.Amazon is officially changing the home selling game.

Apart from delivering everything from liquor to laundry materials to food, the company is now selling a prefabricated tiny home, which they can deliver straight to your door.

SO INSPIRING: Texas tiny home for sale just the start of one man's incredible dream

According to the Amazon listing, the 320 square foot shipping-container "house" was manufactured by MODS International and is a fully-furnished including a bedroom, shower, toilet, kitchenette, living area, heating and air conditioning, and more.

The MODS International company got its start after the president, Doug Larson was working to assist New Orleanians after Hurricane Katrina.

According to the website, the construction crews were living in motorhomes during the rebuilding efforts, and when he returned home he noticed a shipping container that was about the same size and shape as the RVs they'd been living in. Shortly after, he began building temporary homes inside the containers and MODS was born.

The MODS 40-foot tiny house is listed for $36,000, plus about another $3,800 for shipping, but if you're looking to downsize this could be a great choice (and you don't even have to pick it up).

Take a look through the gallery above to see other cool tiny houses.

Daniela Sternitzky-Di Napoli is a digital producer at Chron.com. You can read more of her stories here and follow her on twitter at @Dani_DiNapoli.DANBURY  Local high school students wont miss class Wednesday if they participate in a nationwide walkout to show solidarity with students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Instead, most area schools have opted to give students a short free period around mid-morning Wednesday  exactly one month after 17 students and staff were killed in a shooting rampage in the Parkland, Fla., high school  to march in support of the survivors and to demonstrate against gun violence.

The plan is designed to walk a fine line between minimizing disruptions and encouraging students to take an interest in public affairs amid a wave of student activism washing over the country.

The irony of officially scheduling an act of civil disobedience with school administrators is not lost on the student activists who helped organize the events, but they and school officials agree it is an appropriate compromise to safely allow students to speak out.

Danbury High sisters Madison and Morgan Albano helped organize their schools event under the youth-led DHS Student Advocacy Iniatitive. They presented their idea with fellow student organizer Gillian Brown to school board members, who gave it their seal of approval late last month.

Were so inspired by the students of MSD and commend their efforts, Morgan Albano said. After Sandy Hook, we and the entire Newtown and Fairfield County community were heartbroken. After Parkland, we were once again devastated and knew something had to be done.

We want this activity to demonstrate our demand to put an end to gun violence, she continued. We must do everything in our power to make sure this doesnt happen again.

Danbury High students, who have signed a banner to send to Parkland, will read short bios of each victim and march around the schools track at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Similar events will take place at Joel Barlow, New Milford, Newtown and Ridgefield high schools during the morning.

By working with student leaders, school administrators were able to designate specific times and places for students to participate safely and securely, they said. These arrangements also will give students who do not want to participate the option of staying in their classrooms, they added.

But administrators have been careful to distance themselves from the political message of the rallies.

It is not our role to promote a specific political view among our students, Ridgefield High Principal Stacey Gross said. However, it is our responsibility to provide a safe, secure environment for them to explore various topics ... We support students ability to participate in events demonstrating citizenship, advocacy, resilience, and empathy, as well as supporting their exploration of authentic solutions to real-world problems. I am very proud of our students.

New Milford high school students also created a video to support their march. It shows a montage of students supporting youth-led activism and encouraging young people to be more engaged.

This is not a political statement or an opportunity to miss class, but a call for action, students say in the video. This is a national issue that requires the help of everyone. We are asking for change.

New Milford High Principal Greg Shugrue appears at the end of the video, too.

I stand in unity with our students and their movement to give them voice and to empower them as young leaders, he says.

The Junior Newtown Action Alliance has been especially active in the wake of the shooting. Alliance leaders Jackson Mittleman and Tommy Murray hosted a vigil last month and worked with national leaders to organize for more than 180 students and parents to attend the March for Our Lives event in Washington, D.C., on March 24.

Despite the thorny political issues, administrators have been thoughtful and helpful  though still strict  about helping students coordinate, Mittleman said.

Danbury school board member Emanuela Palmares praised students for their efforts and agreed with the schools intentional approach working side-by-side with student leaders.

As long as we provide students with a healthy outlet for them to express their feelings and express their concerns and do it in a way thats in conjunction with the school, its one example of how we can all work together and express how we feel, she said.ECI holds a meeting with CEO/DEOs to instruct SOPs related to First Level Checking (FLC) of EVM-VVPAT

Counting of votes for 3 city corporations in K'taka under wayAbout a year and a half ago Dan Weed had to sell his cows and focus on a different type of farming.

You cant make a living milking cows anymore, said Weed, a fourth-generation farmer in New Milford.

Farmers across the country are selling their dairy farms as production costs continue to outpace the actual price of milk. But the recent federal budget approved last month could offer much needed relief with more than $1 billion included for dairy farmers.

The budget also restructures the Margin Protection Program, an insurance-style tool that allows farmers to pay into the system and then receive a benefit if a certain margin is hit with milk prices dropping below the production costs.

These changes and the additional funding are welcome news for many dairy farmers, who think there could be a better chance to receive a payment for milk production losses between January and August.

It looks like it might be something worthwhile to sign up for now, said Ben Platt, a ninth-generation dairy farmer in Southbury.

A struggling industry

Platt said he doesnt want to rely on an insurance program, but this is the fourth straight year his family business has seen costs exceed milk prices.

It will definitely help but it wont make up for the losses people are seeing on the farm, Platt said.

It costs the Platts about $19 to $20 to produce 100 pounds of milk and the U.S. Department of Agriculture has set the price of milk at about $13 for that amount. Platt said the industry has fluctuated over the years but the price now is about the same as it was when Jimmy Carter was president in the late 1970s.

Fuel and feed costs have all gone up, contributing to the rising production costs. Supply and demand in the global market, meanwhile, has driven prices down.

I hope we can at least cover some of the losses, Platt said. Its a help, but I wish we could get paid a fair price for our milk.

He said larger farms are expanding their production everywhere to help offset their costs. The dairy industry in general is oversaturated with product, which is making it difficult to get good prices.

Smaller operations tend to close or switch to another type of farming.

Theres dairy farms selling left and right all over the country, Weed said, noting theres only about 120 dairy farms in Connecticut.

He said its gotten so bad that the dairy farming co-op he belongs to sent its members phone numbers for suicide prevention. He said the suicide rate is high among dairy farmers who have to work long hours, 365 days a year and end up losing money.

Its very depressing and it shouldnt be that way, Weed said. Any federal help will help.

Everyones optimistic it will turn around, he added.

Once that happens, Weed also plans to go back to dairy farming, selling his milk locally.

A broken system

In the meantime, government programs were established to help close the operating gap.

But farmers have criticized the MPP as an ineffective tool where farmers paying into the system werent actually seeing the benefits the program was created to give out, said Henry Talmage, the executive director at the Connecticut Farm Bureau.

It fell short of what it was designed to do, he said, noting the changes included in last months budget could help. Its a move in the right direction..

Among the changes is a reduction of the premium costs by nearly 70 percent for small and medium sized farms and making more farms eligible for these lower premiums. It also changes the payment calculation from bimonthly to monthly to better reflect the market. The MPPs $100 administrative fee is also waived for underserved producers, such as beginning farmers, veterans and socially disadvantaged farmers, according to a press release from U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who advocated for changes to the program.

Shortly after the budget passed, Murphy touted the improvements, but also acknowledged more work was needed.

The changes included in the budget deal are great news for Connecticuts dairy producers, Murphy said. Falling milk prices have hit farmers in my state hard, and these policy reforms and financial investments will help them start to pick up the pieces.

Still, MPP revisions, while welcome, werent needed as drastically in Connecticut where there is a state program to help dairy farmers.

That state program was established in 2005 with the passage of the Community Investment Act. The act uses funds collected through records fees to ensure theres money to reimburse dairy farmers for losses, as well as funding for open space, farmland preservation, historic preservation and affordable housing.

That program has helped keep Connecticut farms in business better than some other states, Talmage said.

Connecticuts dairy producers contribute nearly $1.3 billion and 4,286 jobs to the state annually, according to Murphys release.

However, farm milk prices are forecasted to drop in 2018, and Connecticuts already struggling dairy farmers would be in dire straits without immediate federal action, Murphys release stated.NEW MILFORD  Even though she grew up in Sherman, 89-year-old Jean Susann Sheldon vividly remembers the white papier-mache horse that stood outside of Greens Warehouse in neighboring New Milford, where her family would often go to shop.

There are two things I remember as a child (about New Milford), Sheldon said. The fountain by Town Hall and that white horse.

The horse stood out to her because she so badly wanted a horse of her own at the time, Sheldon said. Then, when her daughter got her own horse, the two would visit the warehouse to buy bridles, bits and other supplies.

The Sheldons were just two of dozens of people who shared their memories of the horse, named Chief Waramaug Green, during its 100-year birthday party held at the New Milford Historical Society on Saturday.

The party featured historical photos of the horse, a birthday cake and a watercolor rendering of one of the photos, which was auctioned off in a raffle.

Chief Waramaug Green stood next to the painting all dressed up in a saddle, just as he had when he modeled products for Greens Warehouse until it closed in 1986. He became known during that time as the horse on the porch.

The horse, which was brought to New Milford by rail in 1918, was then donated to the historical society.

He is such an icon, said Anita Regan, who is a member of the historical societys board.

Mayor Pete Bass made an appearance at the party to declare March 10 Chief Waramaug Green Day.

Those who remembered the white horse were asked Saturday to record their stories through a booth set up by Connecticut Crossroads Oral History.

Amie Walston, registrar for the society, said the memories will be available on the companys website and likely compiled for the historical societys gift shop.

So many people come in and see the horse and they have an emotional reaction, Walston said. Hes just so nostalgic. So, why not collect those emotions and that attachment?

Walston added that the horse is well known by the older generations in New Milford and the younger children who visit the historical society on field trips.

Its really a New Milford landmark, she said.RIDGEFIELD  Superintendent Karen Baldwin has been placed on administrative leave following accusations that she plagiarized portions of documents and letters to parents.

The Board of Education voted Friday  after discussing the issue for two hours in a private executive session  to put Baldwin on leave with pay and hire a lawyer to investigate the claims, according to reports in The Ridgefield Press.

Board Chair Frances Walton could not immediately be reached for comment Saturday.

The allegations first surfaced last week, when Ridgefield High School senior Paul Kim brought to light that large portions of a letter Baldwin sent to the community following the school shooting in Parkland, Fl., were the same as a letter sent by West Hartford Superintendent Tom Moore.

Kim posted on a Ridgefield Facebook group about the letters after he was called out of order when he tried to raise the issue during the public comment portion of a school board meeting.

Kim said its since become clear that the letter was not the only time Baldwin used another persons words without attribution.

Since then, parents have been reaching out to me nearly every day with another tip, Kim said. This is indicative of a larger pattern, not just one incident.

Baldwin had issued an apology in a letter to the school community explaining that Moores words were shared through the Connecticut Association of Public Superintendents and that there is a community of practice among school leaders to share resources.

But Kim said the letter failed to acknowledge what he saw as plagiarism.

Kim and someone he says wishes to remain anonymous have since compiled three other instances where portions of documents Baldwin has written appear to have been copied from another source without attribution.

The copied portions include a paragraph from a Connecticut Center for School Change resource that Baldwin used in her request to extend her contract and a paragraph in last years budget that is the same as one in a Brookfield schools document.

Another shows that a line in her 2016 Thanksgiving message was the same as one in President Barack Obamas Thanksgiving address from the year before.

Kim said examples like this one show that Baldwin has done more than just share resources with other districts.

Thats not a template or shared material, he said. Its very clear she has this pattern of taking other peoples words and not crediting them.

Baldwin could not immediately be reached for comment.

It has not yet been determined who will lead the district while Baldwin is on leave. The school board said Baldwin will remain on leave until the end of the investigation, The Ridgefield Press reported.

Kim, who is also one of the Ridgefield High School students planning the national school walkout for gun safety, said he has been raised to speak out when it is the right thing to do. He said he hopes bringing awareness to the issue will help it be resolved.

Im not here to bash anyone down just to create controversy, Kim said. I hope that whatever the lawyer assigned finds, the board will be led to a sound decision and we could all put this behind us.California rail authority announced that the cost of connecting Los Angeles to San Francisco would be $77.3 billion and could rise as high as $98.1 billion. This is $13 billion higher than estimates from two years ago and doubles the original $33 billion. Nextbigfuture states the obvious that the $77.3 figure is still a lie where they are trying to quote a price just short of triple and $98.1 billion is still wishful thinking.

The new plan projects it will cost $29.5 billion to build an initial operating segment from a station in San Francisco to Bakersfield. The original idea was that the federal government would pay about a third of what was then an estimated $33-billion project, with private investors covering another third.

The rail authority is hoping to get all of the future California greenhouse gas fees until 2050 to pay for the High-speed rail.

It would be far better to cancel this waste and focus on a network of self-driving cars and self-driving buses. Drone flying cars and pocket airports would also be something that would work better in California.

Hyperloop would only work in California when combined with Boring company tunneling. The above ground legal situation in California prevents getting the right path.

The speed of the proposed HSR system in California will not reach high-speed rail speeds because of the stops that are needed.

Phase 1 will be about 520 miles and is now claimed to have an estimated cost of $78 to $98 billion. This is $150 million to $180 million per mile. This is $94-118 million per kilometer.

The system will be five to ten timesthe average cost of $1721 million per km of high-speed rail in China and about three to four times the $2539 million per km average for similar projects in Europe.

The new draft business plan identifies the following investment priorities:

1. Meet the Commitments to Federal Funding Partner: The Authority will complete the 119-mile segment in the Central Valley and complete environmental review for the entire Phase 1 System between San Francisco to Los Angeles/Anaheim by 2022, as required by the federal grant agreement.

2. Extend the Valley-to-Valley Service from San Francisco to Bakersfield: The draft business plan recognizes the high ridership and revenue potential of linking the Silicon Valley with the Central Valley between San Francisco and Bakersfield.

3. Deliver 224 Miles of High-Speed Rail Ready Infrastructure for Use by 2027: The draft business plan proposes to construct high-speed rail ready infrastructure in the Central Valley (Madera to Bakersfield) and in Silicon Valley (San Francisco to Gilroy) to reduce travel times for existing passenger rail systems, expand clean, electrified service, and prepare the corridors for testing and potential early high-speed rail operations.

4. Continue Bookend Investment in Southern and Northern California: The draft business plan continues to prioritize improving Los Angeles Union Station, the Burbank to Anaheim corridor and the electrification of the Caltrain corridor in the Bay Area.

The rail authority also said the earliest trains could operate on a partial system between San Francisco and Bakersfield would be 2029  four years later than the previous projection. The full system would not begin operating until 2033.

The new estimates will force Californias leadership to double down on its political and financial commitments if it wants to see the system completed, against a backdrop of rising costs, years of delays, strident litigation and backlashes in communities where homes, businesses, farms and environmental preserves will have to give up land to the rails right-of-way.

The rail authoritys previous business plan made the case that it had just enough money in hand to build an initial operating system that could carry passengers and generate revenues, which would potentially attract private investors to help finance completion of the system. The new business plan implicitly makes clear that higher costs and uncertain funding leave it short of that critical goal.

The rail authority has wrestled with a more than $40-billion funding gap for the full system, which would increase further under the new cost estimates. It is still counting on the Legislature to amend the states greenhouse gas auction system so that the system could borrow against future fees through 2050, but even with that benefit the project faces a financial shortfall that only partnerships with the federal government and private investors could plug, said rail authority chief executive Brian Kelly.

The new business plan is based on a wide range of uncertainties, Kelly said. Among the most challenging is the cost of about 36 miles of tunnels through mountainous Southern California, which could range anywhere from $26 billion to $45 billion, according to the report.Trip-planning multiple choice: a) Mountains b) Sand c) Surf d) Factories.

If you picked the last vacation option, you've got company.

"We're finding a hunger," says Michael Boettcher, an urban planner and industrial-history buff. "Everyone has been to Disney World, and it's like, what else you got?"

In Japan, it's popular to take nighttime boat cruises past glittering industrial superstructures. In Germany's Ruhr industrial powerhouse region, bicyclists meander a landscape that has turned recreational. And in Canada, 1920s wooden grain elevators, dubbed the Five Prairie Giants, draw sightseers to the Manitoba plains.

The appeal? "It gives you a sense of where we've been and how that has made us who we are," Boettcher says.

On a gray November Sunday in Detroit, I joined an assembled group of about 30 people clustered in white hard hats as they awaited a tour of the city's vacant Packard auto plant. Pure Detroit, a Motor City-centric retailer and advocate, offers the excursions; Boettcher was the guide. At the sign-in booth, souvenir Packard Plant Tigers T-shirts were on display, the logo referring to the time a tiger got loose inside the abandoned plant during an ill-advised photo shoot.

For $40, visitors can walk the 1903 structures where workers once punched a time clock and produced voluptuous luxury cars. In its day, it was considered one of the most modern car plants in the world. Now, its oxidized, eerie beauty attracts explorers from distant points, including two from France on the day I ventured inside.

Packard tourists are getting a pre-redevelopment glimpse of the vast complex, which is now owned by international developer Fernando Palazuelo. His company, Arte Express Detroit, plans to invest $350 million into a proposed dramatic transformation, which is in progress.

For now, the sprawling space feels raw and unmanaged, a stark contrast to styled, branded tourist destinations.

The United States is dotted with industrial remains dating back centuries. In Massachusetts, the circa-1600s Saugus Iron Works, called the birthplace of the American iron and steel industry, is a National Historic Site. Alabama's Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, which produced pig iron beginning in 1882, is described as a web of pipes and towering stoves that stand as a "monument to the Industrial Revolution." Among its other current uses, metal arts classes are offered there. And in Seattle's Gas Works Park, a major, creative overhaul included converting a former boiler house into a picnic shelter.

Detroit's Packard Plant, visitors learn, was built in a cow pasture and became a mass-production operation, with 40,000 employees by 1940. Now, six decades after Packard shut down, it's slated for a new generation of mixed-use tenants, including an architectural firm, a public relations company and a barbershop. A brewery and restaurant is planned for one of the smaller buildings. The reinvention is expected to take 10 to 15 years, with the first phase alone requiring 260 new windows, Boettcher says.

As he speaks, his audience fans out in silent awe, snapping photos of crumbling concrete and graffiti that seems to be an effort to rewrite history, a story that includes cars that once attracted the eye of mobster Bugsy Siegel, who owned a 1933 Packard limousine. Packard cars are now museum pieces; five are on display across town at the Henry Ford collection in suburban Dearborn.

In the plant's administration building, arched doorways, dentil molding and detailing in the classic egg-and-dart motif remain. The lobby recalled my own experience as a reporter in an early 1900s-era building - one created by architect Albert Kahn, whose long list of Detroit designs includes the Packard Plant. The stone stairs I raced up and down on deadline were worn down by the feet of generations of newspaper people before me - physical evidence of time, place and work.

The decrepit structures are called "ruin porn" by industrial tourism's detractors. "I have a hard time hating the term," Boettcher says. "It's pithy. But there's so much to know. What's behind it. What made it that way."

Steven A. Walton, executive secretary of the Society for Industrial Archaeology (SIA), an organization that seeks to preserve the nation's industrial heritage, says sanctioned and preserved manufacturing sites tell us the "stories of our own mothers and fathers and grandmothers and grandfathers."

Walton, an engineer and professor of history at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, says such places also provide an understanding of production. "Even in a gutted factory," he says, "bolts and stains and tracks on the floor, overhead cranes" show the division of labor, of "thousands of people working in a coordinated symphony."

Many such sites are being preserved to illustrate the former manufacturing way of life.

In the 1990s, the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area was created in eight counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania around Pittsburgh. Last year, a record number of people toured the area's four industrial sites, a spokesperson told me via email. The Rivers experience highlights the steel industry and also showcases historic graffiti and the work of guerrilla artists, who built sculptures in the abandoned structures during the era of abandonment. The impact of industry on the environment is also a focus.

In Dayton, Ohio, the Wright Co. airplane factory, built in 1910 for flight pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright, is now part of the National Aviation Heritage Area. Monthly tours are offered while the property remains under negotiation and restoration.

The Aviation Area's website includes a video statement from David McCullough, the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author of "The Wright Brothers." In the video, McCullough describes the importance of preserving manufacturing history.

"I'd like to be able to walk in here and see their airplanes being built in various stages," he says. "I'd like to see the tools that were used. The saws, the lathes and that sort of thing. I'd like to see where they had lunch. I'd like to see the whole world, the whole reality, the community at work."

McCullough says early airplane production was one of the most important developments of all time, one that changed the world. "Structures contain a story of importance to the country and the world," he says.

They also tell the story of our consumption.

As Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky, a 2005 TED Prize winner whose work has focused on industry, said in his TED speech, seeing factories prompts us to consider "the collective appetite for our lifestyle and what we're doing to the landscape."

For families with children growing up in an era of 3-D printing production and working remotely from the comfort of a sofa, touring manufacturing sites might be as important as taking wildlife walks.

In another kind of environment - a man-made one that generated a soundtrack of clangs, hisses, grinding, knocks and roars - they'll hear the lingering silence of what once was.

---

WORKING VACATIONS

Industrial structures are being reimagined as art galleries, event spaces, museums and parks. They're also being preserved as tourism sites that highlight early manufacturing. Here are some to consider.

- Carrie Furnaces, Rankin, Pennsylvania: Part of the Rivers of Steel National Heritage area, it includes a blast-furnace tour of the iron-making process that drove the Pittsburgh-area economy.

- Gas Works Park, Seattle: A former coal gasification plant was reimagined as a public park and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Landscape architect Richard Haag included the existing boiler house and exhauster-compressor as iconic features.

- Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Elverson, Pennsylvania:This 848-acre site includes restored structures that were part of an iron plantation. The nearly self-sufficient community, a forerunner to company towns, operated from 1771 to 1883.

- Inglis Grain Elevators National Historic Site, Inglis, Manitoba: Circa-1920s slope-shouldered wooden grain elevators, dubbed the five prairie giants, represent the golden era of Western Canada's role as a global breadbasket.

- Quincy Mine, Hancock, Michigan: America's copper boom in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is revealed through several tours. Part of the Keweenaw National Historical Park.

- Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site, Saugus, Massachusetts: Home to working waterwheels, forges, mills and a 17th-century dwelling.

- Silo City, Buffalo: Tours to the top of these grain elevators (10 stories via stairs, plus a few ladder rungs) or at ground level, illustrate how malt was made from barley.

- Sloss Furnaces, Birmingham, Alabama: The site that produced pig iron from 1882 to 1970 is called a "monument to the Industrial Revolution" and is a National Historic Landmark. Sloss Metal Arts offers classes in casting, welding and blacksmithing.

- Washburn A Mill, Minneapolis: A museum beside the Mississippi River occupies the ruins of the 1874 A Mill, which was destroyed by a flour-dust explosion.

- U.S. Military Academy Foundry Preserve, Cold Spring, New York: This 1818 ironworks is a keystone of the American industrial revolution. The artillery it produced helped win the Civil War. Visitors now hike among its ruins. On the National Register of Historic Places.

- Wright Co. Factory, Dayton, Ohio: Wilbur and Orville Wright opened their aircraft factory in 1910. The building is part of the National Aviation Heritage Area, which includes the Aviation Trail.

- National Heritage Areas: The National Park Service has 13 National Heritage Areas whose primary themes are industrialization or technological advancement. Two are described above; Here are the 11 others: America's Agricultural Heritage Partnership, Iowa; Augusta Canal National Heritage Area, Georgia; Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Pennsylvania; Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, New York; John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, Massachusetts; Lackawanna Valley National Heritage Area, Pennsylvania.; MotorCities National Heritage Area, Michigan; National Coal Heritage Area, West Virginia; Ohio and Erie National Heritage Canalway, Ohio; Oil Region National Heritage Area, Pennsylvania; Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

---

IF YOU GO:

PACKARD PLANT

E. Grand Boulevard at Concord Avenue, Detroit

855-874-7873

One of the many relics of industry that dot the modern landscape, the plant is a physical illustration of the evolution of manufacturing. The sprawling, forlorn automotive factory is undergoing a massive redevelopment. While that is underway, tours of the onetime industrial powerhouse provide a picture of the setting in which workers earned a paycheck while building objects of desire and fueling America's economic engine. Closed-toe shoes and hard harts must be worn throughout the tour, and participants must be 18 or older. The tour starts at 1585 E. Grand Blvd. Tickets cost $40.

Information:

- packardplantproject.com

- shop.puredetroit.com

---

Powers is a writer based in Detroit. Her website is rebeccapowers.com.Neighborly

From Twitter: For decades, two women lived in a mansion on the grounds of the Central Intelligence Agency. Margaret Scattergood and Florence Thorne already owned the Calvert Estate when the C.I.A. bought the land surrounding them. In this string of tweets on International Womens Day, the agency told their story of this leftist couple on the grounds of the agency (More than once, Sandinistas arrived at the C.I.A.s main entrance only to be redirected to the Calvert Estate). As the women aged, officers would help them with yard work and grocery shopping. They lived in the house for more than 50 years; the home is now used by the agency as a conference center.  John Schwartz, climate reporter

_____Charles M. Campion, addicted to politics from the start, knew he had hit the big time when he became the assistant campaign manager for a candidate for state representative who was running in the West Roxbury neighborhood of Boston.

Mr. Campion was 9 at the time.

But he had found his chosen career. By the time he died on Wednesday at 62 in Boston, he had become a stalwart of Democratic campaigns, a co-founder of the Dewey Square Group, a public affairs consultancy in Boston, and a key operative for presidential candidates, including Walter F. Mondale, John Kerry and Hillary Clinton.

His wife, Heather Campion, said the cause was complications of surgery. He had a history of kidney trouble, requiring three transplants.

In a career that witnessed enormous changes in political campaigns, with the rise of cable news and the transformative influence of the internet, Mr. Campion, who was universally known as Chuck, relied on political instinct, personal connections and the power of a knock on the door.William Pulte, who built his first house as a teenager and went on to found one of the countrys largest home builders, churning out some 600,000 houses and becoming a billionaire, died on Wednesday at his home in Naples, Fla. He was 85.

His family announced the death.

Mr. Pulte was part of a new generation of home builders who got their start when a postwar nation was building miles of new freeways and rings of expanding suburbs.

These builders dotted the landscape with manufactured subdivisions and made vast fortunes off the growth of the baby boom generation, turning what had once been a mom-and-pop industry into giant corporations that were traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

Bill Pultes energy and dedication to home building helped transform the industry and helped more than half a million families across the country find a place to call their own, the philanthropist Eli Broad, a founder of the Los Angeles-based KB Home and one of Mr. Pultes home-building contemporaries, said by email.The Russian minister of culture has banned my new movie, The Death of Stalin. He said its satire was part of a Western plot to destabilize the country. Now the Russian presidential election is looming, and we all know how vehemently Vladimir Putin despises the idea of anyone interfering in the elections of a foreign power; so onto the blacklist my movie went, and no one in Russia is officially allowed to see it.

The last thing I expected was hearty congratulations, but thats what I got from many film industry insiders. Bouquets of tweets and emails arrived telling me what smart publicity this was and how great this would look on our posters; the Russians had given us a marketing campaign no money could buy.

I had to tell these same insiders that publicity is effective only if it leads more people to buy the product youre selling, and since my product was banned, then it could not, by definition, be bought. Its roughly how the marketing director of napalm must feel: He or she can dream up the most imaginative posters, but it wont make the product more readily available in the shops.

More important, though, this act of censorship gave me no joy; the overwhelming emotion has been one of sad disappointment that in the world of instant communication, and the anarchic dissemination of information, people still think its O.K. to ban stuff they dont like. That they should ban a film making fun of repression is wonderfully ironic, I know, but I still dont get any kick out of it.To understand why, one needs to understand exactly what sanctuary laws do. They draw their name from the sanctuary movement of the 1980s. During that period, Central American refugees were routinely denied asylum because the United States government supported the regimes from which they had fled. In the face of this injustice, some religious leaders took steps to actively prevent federal immigration officers from arresting and deporting these vulnerable immigrants. It was, at times, a form of civil disobedience.

Todays sanctuary laws, while bearing the same name, are markedly different. California and the hundreds of other places across the country with such laws and policies have done nothing whatsoever to actively interfere with federal immigration enforcement efforts. Rather, the defining characteristic of these laws is their passivity. They do not direct state officers to take any steps to interfere with federal enforcement efforts. Instead, they dictate that the local police and state officers simply do not assist in the federal governments deportation agenda  that they do nothing.

This may sound like an overly formal distinction, since both efforts have made it harder for the federal government to deport people. To be sure, the decision of local and state officials not to lend their resources to immigration enforcement efforts means that either there will be fewer deportations or the deportations will be more expensive for the federal government. This is one reason these laws have so rankled Mr. Trump and Mr. Sessions.

The Justice Department lawsuit emphasizes that immigration is a federal matter, that we must have a uniform scheme to oversee it and that this scheme is being undermined by sanctuary laws. In most states, federal immigration authorities are able to leverage state and local criminal justice systems. The Justice Department is arguing that Californias refusal to participate requires it to adapt and employ different enforcement strategies.Donald Trump may be going to Korea! Also, to Moon Township, Pa.!

While the presidents plan to have direct talks with the North Koreans is fascinating, in a sort of unnerving way, right now were going to look at the Moon Township angle. Theres a special House election coming up on Tuesday, and its perfectly possible that when it comes to international detente versus the 18th Congressional District, the White Houses real fixation is western Pennsylvania.

The 18th C.D. is at the heart of the white, working-class vote that won Trump the Electoral College. It also has wildly gerrymandered borders aimed at guaranteeing Republican control unless the incumbent does something incredible, like championing anti-abortion legislation after hinting to his mistress that she ought to get an abortion if shes pregnant.

Whoops. That was Representative Tim Murphy. Gone but not forgotten.

So theres this special election, which features Democrat Conor Lamb, a handsome young former federal prosecutor, versus Rick Saccone, a Republican state representative who is hanging onto Donald Trump like  um, we will not say Stormy Daniels. That would be totally tacky, and this is a serious political moment. Well just say that Saccone says he wants to go to Washington and be the presidents wingman.

The current district is going to vanish in November when new, less-outrageous boundary lines go into effect. So the only thing thats really at stake here is whether the voters are going to send an epic, albeit mainly symbolic, rejection letter to Trump. The president is obsessed. Hes scheduled to appear at a rally there this weekend, and hes sending every possible White House warrior  from Kellyanne Conway to Donald Jr.  to the front lines.The Tet offensive was a turning point in the Vietnam War for Vietnamese nationalism. With North Vietnam having been turned over to the Communists by the French in 1954, Vietnams southern provinces had become a haven for non-Communist nationalists, just as the western states of Germany were a haven for German non-Communists and the southern half of Korea was a secure state for Korean nationalists.

In the new state of South Vietnam, with American assistance, President Ngo Dinh Diem successfully built a functioning non-Communist state. Responding to this resilience of the nationalists, in 1959, the Communist regime in Hanoi decided to destroy what their rivals had achieved. Their intrusion into the internal affairs of South Vietnam made considerable headway, and set off what we now call the American war in Vietnam. But it took the Tet offensive to bring the various strains of southern nationalism together.

In early March 1968, the American ambassador in Saigon, Ellsworth Bunker, reported to President Lyndon B. Johnson on a remarkable change among the South Vietnamese.

Instead of falling apart, the Army of the Republic of Vietnam was growing  in February, after the Tet attacks, 10,084 South Vietnamese volunteered for military service, versus 3,924 the previous February. Some 10,600 draftees reported for duty that month, versus 4,006 the previous February.WASHINGTON  After spending much of her life fighting for state and local control of education, Betsy DeVos last year found herself at the helm of the federal agency that she had long said stands in the way of educational innovation.

But after a year on the job, Ms. DeVos may have learned a hard lesson: local control means she cant always get what she wants.

Ms. DeVos this week upbraided state education chiefs, telling them that while she was obligated to approve their federally mandated state education plans, she was not happy about the way they have used their freedom under the new federal law that governs elementary and secondary education, known as the Every Student Succeeds Act.

If the states are supposed to be the laboratories of democracy, Ms. DeVos isnt seeing much experimentation. But she refuses to violate her principles on states rights and tell them what to do.It looks as if President Trump will get the military parade he has coveted for months. But it will not be on the Fourth of July  and it will not include tanks.

Instead, plans are underway to hold a plane-filled display on Veterans Day in Washington, according to a Pentagon memo sent to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The memo, with Thursdays date, says its purpose is to provide initial guidance for the planning and execution of a procession that would run from the White House to the Capitol and integrate with the citys annual Veterans Day parade.WASHINGTON  At the top of a shuddering escalator in a dimly lit tunnel this week, a conga drummer played and cameras flashed at the grand opening of the M Shop, a pop-up hawking $190 cuff links, $45 yoga pants and $46 bath towels emblazoned with the iconic (the ad says) brand of Metro, Washingtons subway system.

The system is known for staggering financial problems and soul-deadening delays, tunnel floods and smoke incidents, not boutique apparel and home goods. But with President Trumps Infrastructure Week  a rollout of a plan to rebuild the nations roads, bridges and tunnels  perpetually around the corner, the subway around the corner from the White House is searching for change in the sofa cushions to pay for desperately needed repairs.

The effort has not been universally embraced.

How tone-deaf, Ashley Kempson, a Metro rider and 32-year-old event planner from Arlington, Va., said this week. Yeah, Ill definitely purchase something  right before I move away from the city, as a memento of all the hard times Metro put me through.

Metro has been plugging gaping holes in its $1.9 billion operating budget by increasing fares and cutting service, even as it traverses the wealthiest metropolitan area in America. The Washington region, fueled by lobbying, law, defense industries and technology, encompasses the affluent Virginia and Maryland suburbs, with four of the nations five wealthiest counties. Median household income in those four counties surpasses most around New York and all around Silicon Valley.The number of Chinese students in the United States has exploded over the last 15 years, as American colleges have tapped into Chinas ascendant upper class as a major source of revenue. They are by far the largest contingent of international students, with more than 300,000 studying in the United States every year.

But despite a prevailing silence on political matters, they are not a monolithic group. Those who openly joined the protest last week include Sulaiman Gu, a Ph.D. candidate in chemistry at the University of Georgia who identifies as a dissident and a Hui, a Muslim ethnic minority. He is involved in a group called the Independent Federation of Chinese Students and Scholars.

Students at the University of California, San Diego, said that they had spotted posters earlier this week at the Price Center, a student center and food court. An English-language version was still up on Friday, but a Chinese version had been removed, according to Charlie Vest, a graduate student in Chinese economic and political affairs. In the past, pro-Beijing students in the United States have mounted counterprotests against students or speakers, like the Dalai Lama, who openly criticize or are seen as threats to the government.

How broadly the protests were spreading at each college was unclear. Shiwei Terry Zhou, a senior at U.C. San Diego from Wuhan, said that while some posters had been placed on the campus, he did not think the campaign was having much influence. Most students are not anti-Xi as far as I know (they really just dont care), he said via a Facebook message.

Perry Link, a China scholar at the University of California, Riverside, said that such activism was more common immediately after the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, after which Congress passed a law letting any Chinese student who feared retribution upon return to China to apply immediately for United States residency.(A spokesman for Matteo Salvini, the leader of the anti-immigrant League, said the two would have liked to have met, but did not. A spokesman for the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, which won a third of Italian votes, did not return a request for comment.)

Aside from the occasional coffee at Campo de Fiori or photo-op at Piazza Navona, Mr. Bannon has been holed up in hotel rooms, taking meeting after meeting.

In Rome, he stayed at the luxurious Raphael hotel, where Bettino Craxi, the face of Italys corrupt establishment and mentor to Silvio Berlusconi, was pelted with coins in 1993 by an angry mob as he departed the political scene.

In Milan, he sat in a room at the grand Principe di Savoia, opposite a copy of Titians portrait of the Duke of Mantua, a master of intrigue in Renaissance Italy and a longtime sufferer of syphilis, surrounded by red damask wallpaper. Jams were on a room service cart, and a copy of a book titled Headlines All My Life was on the desk.

In both cities, he wore a blue and white striped button down over a polo shirt. In Rome the polo was orange. In Milan it was blue.

He sipped sparkling water and described a grand vision for a global populist future.

In the United States, Mr. Bannon said, he is working on a project to create a think tank to weaponize populist economic and social ideas.

He sees that work spreading to Europe, where a proliferation of populist websites in the image of Breitbart News, either owned by him or others, will spread those ideas, under his guidance.Nakesha Williams resisted help from social workers, friends and acquaintances, some who only knew her as a homeless woman, and others who knew of her past. Over more than a year, our reporter delved into Nakeshas life, trying to understand the events and forces that put her and so many of the citys homeless on the street. New York

___This year, the museum is celebrating 40 years since its founding. The anniversary is noteworthy. But its even more remarkable considering the museum was established by some 20 artists  among them Ms. Arango  amid the countrys fighting and the mounting violence among the countrys drug cartels. The city had hosted three major art biennales in 1968, 1970 and 1972, encouraging the artists to begin planning for a museum to exhibit contemporary art.

The museums location in Medellin also makes it an extraordinary landmark: in the 1980s and 1990s, the city was one of the most violent in the world. It was from here that Pablo Escobar ruled his cocaine empire and where he was killed by Colombian police in 1993. According to Human Rights Watch, more than seven million Colombians were displaced, disappeared or murdered during the 52 years of fighting. The Museum of Modern Art was founded by artists in 1978 and opened its doors to the public in 1980.

Image Debora Arango, Plebiscito, 1958. Credit... Debora Arango, via MAMM

People didnt go out then, said the museums director Maria Mercedes Gonzalez. Life took place indoors. But the artists, this museum, as well as many other social and cultural institutions persisted. There was a very powerful social will, a barrier of resistance, and, despite war and economic crisis, this city was resilient.

Encouraged by growing popularity  it hosted the First Latin American Colloquium of Non-Object and Urban Art in 1981  the museum by the 2000s was actually expanding. In 2006, city leaders approved the museums relocation to the Talleres Robledo building, in the Ciudad del Rio area. In 2010, the museum called for architectural proposals to increase its exhibition space. Five years later, it opened new galleries, a theater, book and gift stores and a cafe.The ag economy is not very good right now  fragile is the polite word for it, Mr. Gould said.

His wife, Sandy, across the table, jumped in: Its in the tank is what he means.

Mr. Gould continued, So then when you go to great lengths to upset some of your key customers, theres reason for concern.

Three out of every five rows of soybeans planted in the United States find their way out of the country; half of those, valued at $14 billion in 2016, go to China alone. Mr. Gould estimates that 90 percent of his soybeans are exported, and 70 percent of his corn, so what he calls Mr. Trumps trade antics  particularly his criticisms of Nafta  nag at him.

Its not only what happens today, but its the reputation of becoming an unreliable supplier, he said.

Still, hes not sure what will happen next, and he thinks that many farmers who supported the president are not yet ready to abandon him. I think theyre going to wait and see how this thing plays out, he said.

Farther north, in the tiny Wisconsin town of Dallas, where Andy Bensend grows soybeans on 5,000 acres, he is guardedly optimistic that the tariffs wont spill over and hurt his business  even though his entire crop is meant to be shipped overseas.Publicly, Lafarge painted a better picture of the dire event. The factory had been seized by ISIS, the company announced in a news release at the time, but Lafarge had succeeded in evacuating all of its remaining people.

But officials acknowledged to French investigators that the remaining Syrian employees had to flee on their own. Mr. Jolibois said Lafarge did not expect the situation to deteriorate so rapidly. For what its worth, in another cement factory that didnt belong to Lafarge, ISIS beheaded about 50 employees, he told investigators.

In its statement to The Times, LafargeHolcim said Lafarge Syria maintained its operations as long as the plant and its employees could remain secure. It added that former employees were put on paid leave for more than 12 months after the closing of the site.

The money has not assuaged the Lafarge employees who believed they were scrambling to save their own lives in those final hours at the factory. Many were angered when Mr. Jolibois sent them an upbeat message shortly after the evacuation.

Probably the things did not run perfectly or as good as planned, but nevertheless we achieved this key goal, he wrote, according to an internal Lafarge email seen by The Times. Lafarge Cement Syria is not dead. I am convinced that we will win the final battle.

As a response, one of the survivors sent a follow-up email to Lafarge officials on behalf of other employees, denouncing Mr. Joliboiss message as full of lies.

In it, the employees asked Lafarge to carry out an internal investigation into why workers were left to fend for themselves as ISIS advanced.

The employees said that the Lafarge officials never responded.

The factory was the only thing they cared about, Mr. Mohamad said. But Lafarge should be a lesson for Western companies in foreign countries: They should treat people working for them like human beings.In an interview, Eric Danziger, the head of Trump Hotels, disputed that teaming up with the Kushners might pose a conflict.

This is a straight-up business deal, he said. If there were something out of the ordinary about the deal, then I think that question is fair, he said, but we do market transactions that are reviewed and checked.

Mr. Danziger said that Bobby Burchfield, the Trump Organizations outside ethics adviser, had asked about the financing involved in a potential Long Branch deal with the Kushners. Mr. Burchfield, who scrutinizes how the Trump Organizations partners finance deals, among other things, often requires more information before approving a deal.

Whether or not the Trumps and Kushners reach a deal, Mr. Kushner stands to gain. He is expected to eventually own 20 percent of the hotel in Pier Village, according to documents obtained through a public records request. And he was personally involved in the project early in the presidential campaign. In documents provided to Long Branch, the Kushner Companies stated that Mr. Kushner is strictly a passive investor.

He also retains a stake in a Kushner residential tower in Jersey City that bears the Trump name.

In Livingston, Mr. Kushner has divested from the Westminster Hotel, a three-story property overlooking strip malls. While it is unusual for the Trumps to manage hotels that do not carry one of their brands, Mr. Danziger said he was discussing similar deals with other companies as a way to expand the business under the right circumstances.

An owner wants to know they can depend on and rely on the operator, and we have a lot of credibility as operators, he said.

The growing relationship between the families could be helpful to the Trumps, as the ethical restraints they voluntarily adopted after the election have proved to be a hindrance to new business. The Trump Organization, which agreed not to start any new foreign projects during the presidency, has yet to open a new hotel in the United States since Mr. Trump took office.92A: I figured out Milton Berles theme song, NEAR YOU, on the crosses. Actually! I thought I had figured out Milton Berles theme song, Dear You; the letter in question, that N for the D I had to switch to get this puzzle right, changed 72D, Marriage announcement from Bands to BANNS. Ill be amazed if this didnt trip up a heck of a lot of people. Wouldnt wedding bands signify a marriage? What the heck is a BANN? See below.

Oh, I almost forgot, what does Milton Berle have to do with dogs? Elvis!

6D: Its seed-starting season (hurrah!), and soon enough itll be too hot to grow spinach outside in New York (boo!). There are a lot of heat-loving, edible approximations for spinach; ORACH is among them.

34D: Id never heard of Hallux and needed crosses to get the solution, BIG TOE. The dictionary definition, more specifically, is a persons big toe; the innermost digit of the hind foot of vertebrates, which makes sense since most animals dont have big toes the way we do. In the spirit of proving that dogs are integral to every facet of our lives, encapsulated in this grid, I did Google hallux dog. Dont click that link if youre squeamish!

62D: I knew the cross of BAJA and AJAR close by and I confidently entered BIOME here, given B as a first letter. Im not wrong, am I? The world consists of biomes, and most if not all are or will be affected by climate change. Its just a bit more sweeping term than BAYOU, which is called for here. If you ever find yourself in Monroe, La., you can adopt yourself an actual bayou dog, which could protect you from an alligator, should your climate change enough to attract them. If they did a good enough job, you might not even know!

On a related note, that mistaken M from BIOME fell toward the end of 74A, Food cart offerings. I had GERMS there for a while; talk about meanspirited. Its GYROS! My helpmeet loves them and he is currently in the throes of a noisy cold, but theres coincidence and theres causality. Do dogs like gyros? If gyro scraps were infectious my dogs would be so sick all the time.

72D: My little Waterloo here, I had bands and thought it logical, but figured out BANNS eventually. This entry has appeared many times, but it falls in my religious blind spot; the term refers to three successive announcements of a pending nuptial, made at the church where the bride and groom belong. I might remember this term though because I like that the reason for the banns is to make triply sure that nobodys already married to someone else in the parish.Dr. Rachel Mirabel Shively and Leigh Gareth Llewelyn were married March 10 at the Edson Keith Mansion, an events space in Sarasota, Fla. William H. Pauley III, a judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan, officiated.

Dr. Shively, 34, is a medical toxicology fellow for Northwell Health, a hospital system based in Manhasset, N.Y., and an attending physician in emergency medicine at Elmhurst Hospital Center in Elmhurst, Queens. She graduated from Northwestern, and received a medical degree from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. From 2011 to 2013 she was a clinical scholar working on vaccine development at Rockefeller University, funded by a National Institutes of Health Clinical and Translational Science Award.

She is the daughter of Susan M. Burkhalter and Curtis A. Shively of Bethesda, Md.

Mr. Llewelyn, 33, is a lawyer at Lankler Siffert & Wohl in Manhattan. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of South Florida. He also received both a masters degree in English and a law degree, summa cum laude, from Duke. From 2013 to 2014 he was a clerk for Neil M. Gorsuch, now an associate justice on the Supreme Court but then a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, in Denver.

The groom is the son of Helen T. Lewis of Bradenton, Fla., and the late Gareth B. Jones, who lived in Capel Iwan, Wales.This week I wrote the obituary of Sylvia Plath, the poet and the author of The Bell Jar (a staple of high school and college reading lists), for our Overlooked series, about women who deserved an obituary in The New York Times at the time of their death but did not get one.

Plath died on Feb. 11, 1963, at the age of 30.

It quickly became apparent to me that I would have to look not only at her past, but also at the future that had not yet happened. It would be something like time traveling, only  unlike time travelers in the movies  I would know the future without having a chance to change it.

The point was that the obituary I was going to write would be very different from the obituary we would have written when Plath died. In some ways, I think, it turned out to be more true to who she really was.

I raised this conundrum with one scholar of memory, Anna Di Lellio, a sociologist who has been collecting the oral histories of women raped in the war in Kosovo in 1998 and 1999. How did she deal with the effect of time on memory, with the way we filter the past through the present?A 15-year-old girl, Masako Kobayashi, sat alone on a hill a few weeks after Japan was hit by an earthquake and tsunami in 2011, a disaster that struck on March 11, killed almost 16,000 people and led to the Fukushima nuclear plant meltdown. She gazed at the devastated land for hours. More than 200 residents of Kesen, her small community within the coastal city of Rikuzentakata, were dead. Of some 550 homes, all but two were destroyed. Most survivors left, but about 15 residents refused to abandon their town, living amid the debris for months without electricity or water.

Masako, now 22, was one of them. She had survived the disaster along with her father, Nobuo, the chief monk of the temple; her mother, Kouko; and her older brother, Takamasa. She lost her house and all of her belongings, and the most important thing for her family  the Kongoji Temple, the historic Buddhist temple according to Nobuo had been established about 1,200 years ago and had been the heart of the community for centuries  had washed away.This is part of a series on voting in America, which will run up to Election Day in November.

This is a fragile moment for the nation. The integrity of democratic institutions is under assault from without and within, and basic standards of honesty and decency in public life are corroding. If you are horrified at what is happening in Washington and in many states, you can march in the streets, you can go to town halls and demand more from your representatives, you can share the latest outrageous news on your social media feed  all worthwhile activities. But none of it matters if you dont go out and vote.

Its a perennial conundrum for the worlds oldest democracy: Why do so many Americans fail to go to the polls? Some abstainers think that theyre registering a protest against the awful choices. Theyre fooling themselves. Nonvoters arent protesting anything; theyre just putting their lives and futures in the hands of the people who probably dont want them to vote. Weve seen recently what can happen when people choose instead to take their protest to the ballot box. We saw it in Virginia in November. We saw it, to our astonishment, in Alabama in December. We may see it this week in western Pennsylvania. Voting matters.

Casting a ballot is the best opportunity most of us will ever get to have a say in who will represent us, what issues they will address and how they will spend our money. The right to vote is so basic, President Lyndon Johnson said in 1965, that without it all others are meaningless.

And yet every election, tens of millions of Americans stay home. Studies of turnout among developed nations consistently rank the United States near the bottom. In the most recent midterms, in 2014, less than 37 percent of eligible voters went to the polls  the lowest turnout in more than 70 years. In 2016, 102 million people didnt vote, far more than voted for any single candidate.There are differences between my story and Nakeshas, though. Nakesha had more friends who stuck by her and maintained an interest in helping her; I felt more alone. Many of my good friends  though certainly not all  acted toward me with an attitude like disgust, once it became clear that I needed help.

I suffered from bipolar disorder, however, not some form of schizophrenia with paranoia, like Nakesha. I was able to accept help. I stayed in shelters almost every night  in two years I dont think I slept on the street once  and eventually was given housing by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. Nakesha, by contrast, feared psychiatric treatment and the assistance of social workers and state agencies. This is the curse of paranoid people, especially intelligent and perceptive ones. They are aware of the wretchedness of their situations, but are prevented, by their delusions, from engaging with forces that will heal them, shelter them or rescue them.

Thank you for turning Nakesha Williams back into a human being  and for doing it on the front page of The New York Times, where, maybe, Nakeshas story will reach and touch people who dehumanize and objectify the homeless.

NICHOLAS N. FINKELSTEIN

BOSTON

To the Editor:

The tragic saga of Nakesha Williams is an all too familiar story of the homeless mentally ill. The tragedy is not only the impact of her illness, likely schizophrenia, which robs a young adult of the promise and opportunity of having a normal life, but also of the failure of the health care system to find a way to treat her. The many individuals who befriended her while she lived on the street, who provided for some of her material needs, failed to get her into medical treatment, which almost certainly would have resulted in a profound reversal of the slide that her life had taken.

Antipsychotic medications would have substantially reversed if not eliminated the paranoid ideas and fears that had crippled her capacity to realize her innate potential. Part of the difficulty in getting her treated was clearly her resistance, but this is the Catch-22 of schizophrenia. The illness itself obliterates an individuals capacity to have agency for ones own health. The question of whether she was a danger to herself in need of involuntary treatment was answered by the final chapter of her story.

DANIEL R. WEINBERGER

BALTIMORE

The writer is director of the Lieber Institute for Brain Development and a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

To the Editor:

Though we lost touch many years ago, I am fortunate to see my friend and former colleague Nakeshas bright light come shining through in this powerful and heartbreaking story. The evidence of her sojourn here will not be easily forgotten. Nakesha was a teacher, and it is amazing to see how her life is still teaching us all. She has given the invisibility of homelessness a name and a face. I am also struck by the many people who entered Nakeshas life to provide support along the way.ROME  When I lived, worked and ate criminal quantities of pasta here just a decade and a half ago, Italians loved America. Not uniformly, of course, and not unconditionally. Like all relationships, ours had issues. Italians found America arrogant, because it is. America rolled its eyes at the sloppy soap opera of Italian politics, because who wouldnt?

But still I thought that we were in it for the long haul  for better, for worse, for McDonalds, for mozzarella. Turns out that we werent in it for Donald Trump, for Vladimir Putin or for the swelling of nationalist sentiments that put old ways and old alliances up for grabs.

Its a different Europe from when you were here in 2004, Maurizio Molinari, the editor in chief of the Italian newspaper La Stampa, told me a few days ago. Its a world apart.

Its an Italy apart  thats for sure. The big victors in the elections here one week ago were the relatively new, ideologically vague, anti-establishment Five Star Movement, which got the most votes by a wide margin, and the far-right, ferociously anti-immigrant League, which exponentially improved its standing from just a few years ago.Much of the political commentary since the presidential election has focused on two groups of party switchers: those who voted for Barack Obama in 2012 and Donald Trump in 2016 and those who voted for Mitt Romney in 2012 and Hillary Clinton in 2016.

Trump voters who previously voted for Mr. Obama are the subject of intense fascination because they are viewed as providing critical insights into the racial and class dynamics that helped determine the outcome of the election. On the other side, many analysts see Romney voters who flipped to Mrs. Clinton as an illustration of how the Democratic Party now survives in significant part by appealing to more upscale voters.

Frustratingly, however, these perspectives play down the importance of a crucial group of disaffected voters: those who voted for Mr. Obama in 2012 but then failed to go to the polls in 2016. Because this group is disproportionately young and black, this erasure is racially tinged.

Our analysis shows that while 9 percent of Obama 2012 voters went for Mr. Trump in 2016, 7 percent  thats more than four million missing voters  stayed home. Three percent voted for a third-party candidate.Saleh had been an aide to Syrias Al Qaeda leader. He claimed that hed discarded his ideology, along with his nom de guerre; that Europe had taught him to live and let live; that he wasnt a threat.

I have no problem now with all of these people walking in the street, he said. Before, when I first became a Salafi jihadi, I had a problem with everyone who wasnt like me. It was planted in me  why is this woman not in a hijab? Why is this woman in heavy makeup? But I am not a god to hold people accountable. If I consider things wrong, I learned that I should not do them, but others can do as they please. What Ive seen here in Europe, of the kuffar, as we used to call them, Ive met people who are so much better than the people I met in jihad. They mind their own business and are respectful of others.

But did he mean it? Could a man like that really change? Were his old extremist ideas merely dormant, awaiting activation? He spoke with sincerity, but could Saleh really assimilate into a society hed once despised? Was he a threat to Europe, or is redemption possible, even for a man like him?

He had entered the world of Salafi jihadism in his late teens, exposed to the banned writings of Islamist leaders before he was detained by the Syrian regime, just shy of his 19th birthday. He didnt even pray regularly, let alone consider himself an Islamist, before he was imprisoned. I was a kid, he said, jailed with Qaeda members. The prison, he said, made me what I became. A six-year sleep (in prisoner parlance) ended when the regime opened his cell door in April 2011, releasing him with no formal charge as part of an amnesty.

With Syria in the throes of revolution, he formally joined his freed cellmates in Al Qaeda. Ten years of my life like this, he said. I havent lived a normal day. You know what I do now? I work in a restaurant. I clean tables after customers. I wipe them down. Thats my job and Im happy doing it. When I wipe a table, I feel normal, like this is what a normal person might do. It was also one of the few jobs he could get. What was I going to put on my C.V., that Id graduated from a sniper training course?

He had European friends who surprised him with the kindness they showed a Syrian refugee. His former Nusra Front colleagues didnt know where he was. He avoided Syrians and other Arabs, lest they learn his background. Only his family knew his whereabouts. He had once been an amni, a security agent, tasked with finding and surveilling Al Qaedas enemies and defectors in Turkey  men like him. He knew what might happen if an amni found him. He didnt dwell on it, although he had trouble sleeping, sometimes for days.Like the fax machine and computer, Alexander Mackenzies Northwest Passage was too forward-looking to be practical or useful. Today the melting Northwest Passage  along the North Slope of Alaska, through the maze of Canadian Arctic islands, then back down along Greenlands west coast, to the Atlantic  is regularly in the news. A holy grail for generations of explorers is now finally open, because of climate change. Giant cargo and oil tankers regularly ply those seas, and even the Crystal Serenity cruise ship, with 1,700 people onboard (many in black tie), has made the journey the past two summers.

But when Mackenzie led his expedition, this was still unknown. By the mid-1700s, all the various straits north of Hudsons Bay had been explored, often with disastrous results, and all had been found full of pack ice even in summer. That a Northwest Passage existed at all was considered incontrovertible  a moral certainty, according to a British official of the time  and so conventional geographic wisdom held that a route must pass through the continent. Starting at the St. Lawrence River, through the Great Lakes, up one of the mighty prairie rivers, and then, well, they werent sure. The maps went blank. Speculative geographers predicted a fabled River of the West, to the Pacific.

Economics had always driven this search. Britain, France and Spain, even as they colonized North America, sought a way around the continent, to reach Chinese tea and spices to supply European markets. Furs, the prime commodity of the time, could take years to procure and ship. A direct passage from North America to China would increase profits significantly.

Mackenzie embodied the enterprising spirit of the age. He emigrated to America as a boy, a refugee from Scotland, landing in New York City in 1775 in the midst of the Revolution. After his father died in the war, the teenage Mackenzie apprenticed as a clerk in a fur trading firm, quickly rising through the ranks of the international cartel known as the North West Company.

He was the youngest partner when chosen to lead the expedition with his Chipewyan partner, Awgeenah, paddling a massive river that led west from the continents center. When the river hit the Rocky Mountains it turned north, but Mackenzie was undeterred. Hundreds of miles later, at the shore of the Arctic Ocean, Mackenzie and his crew were stopped by indomitable pack ice in all directions. Even in the heat of summer, there was no way past.How, many wonder, could a Buddhist society  especially Buddhist monks!  have anything to do with something so monstrously violent as the ethnic cleansing now being perpetrated on Myanmars long-beleaguered Rohingya minority? Even if we suppose that most Buddhists, or members of any other religious group, really do hold beliefs that are pacifist and tolerant, we have no reason to expect that they will really be pacifist and tolerant. From The Stone series on philosophy.There are varying definitions of a sexless marriage or sexless relationship: no sex in the past year, no sex in the past six months or sex 10 or fewer times a year. According to one study, approximately 15 percent of married couples are sexless: Spouses havent had sex with each other in the past six months to one year.



I was once in a sexless relationship.

I have debated admitting this publicly, but my story feels different than the narrative advanced by our patriarchal society. Why? Because I was the one begging for sex from an uninterested male partner. Sex 10 times a year would have been 10 times more than what I was having.

This topic comes up a lot in my work. As a gynecologist, Im frequently asked about the right number of times to have sex a month. The answer is that there isnt one. If both people are truly happy, then its a healthy sex life.

I understand the confusion about frequency. Messaging around sex is everywhere: Its used to sell almost everything, and news articles remind us that various hormones and neurotransmitters may spike in response to having sex.Late Saturday, the sheriffs department identified the man they had arrested as Isaias De Jesus Valencia, 39, of Pomona. In a brief statement, the authorities said he would be charged with murder and attempted murder and was being held without bail.

Image Officer Casillas joined the Pomona Police Department in September 2017 and was about to complete his field training. Credit... Pomona Police Department, via Twitter

The shooting occurred shortly after 9 p.m. local time, the authorities said. The episode began after officers from Pomona, a city of about 150,000 people 30 miles outside Los Angeles, responded to a call of a person driving recklessly.

They tried to stop the driver, who led them on a pursuit before crashing into a parked vehicle.

The suspect fled to a nearby apartment complex where he barricaded himself to a bedroom in one of the apartments, a news release from the sheriffs department said. The officers attempted to contact the suspect when the suspect began to shoot through the door, striking two officers.

After Officer Casillas was shot, a second Pomona officer tried to pull him to safety but was shot in the face, Sheriff Jim McDonnell of Los Angeles County said during a news conference. Other officers extracted the officers who had been shot.

They were taken to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, where Officer Casillas died. The other officer, who was in serious condition, was undergoing surgery and expected to survive.President Trump is strongly considering Christopher P. Liddell, a White House official who was an executive at Microsoft and General Motors, to succeed his departing top economic adviser, Gary D. Cohn, according to two people briefed on the discussions.

Mr. Trump has not made a firm decision, those briefed on the process said. But Mr. Liddell, the White Houses director of strategic initiatives, is currently seen as a front-runner to replace Mr. Cohn as the director of the National Economic Council, they said.

A White House spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment.

Mr. Cohn announced his resignation this past week after losing a battle over the presidents longstanding desire to impose large tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

The president has always wanted a prominent business figure to oversee the council, according to people who have spoken with him. But his aides, mindful of the difficulties they have had attracting people from outside the White House, have been looking internally, and a successor could be named as early as next week.As he has moved the United States toward a more protectionist stance on trade, Mr. Trump has abandoned the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which includes Mexico, Peru and Chile. The United States is also engaged in difficult negotiations with Mexico and Canada over changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement.

In Colombia, Mr. Trump will be repaying a visit Mr. Santos, a Harvard-trained economist who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016 for negotiating a peace treaty with FARC guerrillas, made to the White House in May. At a news conference with Mr. Trump at the time, Mr. Santos sidestepped a question about whether he agreed with the White Houses plan to build a wall on the border with Mexico to halt the flow of drugs into the United States.

Earlier, Mr. Trump had said that coca cultivation and cocaine production had risen to record levels in Colombia, and challenged Mr. Santos to remedy the problem. The United States has a long history of cooperation with Colombia on that issue and others.

The efforts to build the border wall, along with the presidents move in recent days to establish tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, have inflamed some of the leaders with whom he will meet in Peru. After vocal protests from Mexico and Canada, Mr. Trump granted those countries a temporary exemption from the tariffs. But Brazil, a major steel exporter to the United States, has not been given any such exemption.

American presidents have attended the Western Hemisphere meeting, known as the Summit of the Americas, in previous years  Barack Obama made history there in 2015 by meeting with President Raul Castro of Cuba  but few have stoked as much indignation as Mr. Trump.As recently as the summer, Mr. Flood, who currently works at the law firm Williams & Connolly, turned down an opportunity to represent Mr. Trump. It is not clear what has changed since then.

People close to Mr. Trump have long praised Mr. Cobb as having a deft touch with an often mercurial president. Throughout last year, Mr. Cobb kept Mr. Trump from publicly airing grievances against Mr. Mueller in part by telling him that the investigation would be wrapped up by December, or soon after  an assessment that proved too optimistic.

But there have been signs in recent months that Mr. Trump may be looking to shake up his legal team and change his approach to Mr. Muellers investigation. The president has polled his advisers and friends, asking them what they think of Mr. Cobb, who persuaded Mr. Trump to take a cooperative approach to the inquiry.

In private conversations, Mr. Trump has seesawed between expressing confidence in Mr. Cobbs claim that the inquiry will wrap up in relatively short order and that he will be exonerated, and sounding frustrated with his teams legal strategy.

Mr. Cobb has clashed with the White House counsel, Donald F. McGahn II, who believed that Mr. Cobb was too willing to hand over documents to Mr. Mueller when the White House could have shielded them by citing executive or attorney-client privilege. Officials familiar with the discussions with Mr. Flood said they were unrelated to tensions between Mr. McGahn and Mr. Cobb.

It is not clear what a shake-up would mean for John Dowd and Jay Sekulow, the two lawyers outside the White House who have also represented Mr. Trump since the summer. Mr. Dowd has been at the center of a string of embarrassing incidents, including one in which he wrote a tweet for Mr. Trump that raised new questions about whether the president had tried to obstruct the investigation into his former national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn.

One person close to the president who has urged him to dismiss Mr. Cobb and Mr. Dowd has been the Fox News personality Jeanine Pirro. Ms. Pirro, a personal friend of Mr. Trumps and a former Westchester County district attorney, told Mr. Trump in an Oval Office visit months ago that Mr. Cobb and Mr. Dowd were leading him down a path toward his demise.TEMA, Ghana  As recently as the 1980s, the West African nation of Ghana was in crisis, crippled by hunger after a series of military coups. But it has held peaceful elections since 1992, and its economic outlook turned considerably brighter about a decade ago, with the discovery of major offshore oil deposits.

Now, as oil prices rise again and the countrys oil production rapidly expands, Ghana is on track to make a remarkable claim for a country mired in poverty not long ago: It is likely to have one of the worlds fastest-growing economies this year, according to the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Brookings Institution.

Its projected growth in 2018, between 8.3 and 8.9 percent, might outpace even India, with its booming tech sector, and Ethiopia, which over the last decade has been one of Africas fastest-growing economies thanks to expanding agricultural production and coffee exports.

According to the I.M.F.s projections, only Bhutan, with a minuscule economy, and Libya, whose war-ravaged economy plunged in recent years, may have a higher rate of growth this year.The president of Mauritius, who was accused of using a credit card issued by a charity to buy clothes and jewelry worth tens of thousands of dollars, will step down, the prime minister announced on Friday.

Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth told reporters that Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, the first female president of the island nation off the east coast of Africa, would resign after Monday, when the country marks its 50th anniversary.

The president of the republic told me that she would resign from office and we agreed on the date of her departure, Mr. Jugnauth said in Port Louis, the capital, according to the BBC.

He did not provide the exact date of her departure, but he said her resignation would take place before Parliament returns at the end of the month.Her main achievement was proposing, with deep conviction, an agenda of real change that shifted the conversation in Chile toward a society that valued rights and not just markets, said Ms. Sanchez, who is to the left of Ms. Bachelet politically.

Mr. Pinera, however, says there is much that his predecessor got wrong.

I dont doubt the presidents good intentions, he said during an interview this past week at his office in Santiago. But you know that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Among Ms. Bachelets most controversial changes was her aggressive push to expand access to free higher education through programs that today cover about 340,000 students. That initiative was financed by raising corporate taxes, which Mr. Pinera and other critics said drove away investors.

While it was a laudable goal, Mr. Pinera argued, Ms. Bachelets education policy is unsustainable and has degraded the quality of universities.

The education overhaul and other programs were tough to fund as economic growth slowed because the price of copper, Chiles top export, dropped. Last year, the countrys fiscal deficit topped $8 billion, or 2.8 percent of its gross domestic product  a level that Mr. Pinera called irresponsible.

When Mr. Pinera, 68, ran for a second time, he handily defeated Ms. Bachelets favored candidate, the left-wing former journalist Alejandro Guillier, in December by convincing voters that he was best suited to jump-start economic growth.

The incoming president says he will cut bureaucratic bottlenecks, court foreign investment more aggressively than his predecessor did and seek to foster unity on economic policy in an increasingly fractured, and left-leaning, Congress. It wont be easy, Mr. Pinera said. First, we will need to restore confidence in the country.Jiang Zhi, the artist who produced the image, which has been interpreted as a criticism of the lack of property rights in China, said evicted families should be treated more humanely. He said he had displayed similar photos without issue for more than a decade and was puzzled that it would be considered controversial.

Will the image of a bouquet of flowers, a gesture, a certain kind of smile, an umbrella, a hat and so on suddenly become forbidden? he said. Does this not stem from a bizarre and ridiculous sort of fear?

The image was later restored.

In Beijing, a painter, Hua Yong, was briefly detained this winter after he posted dozens of videos online documenting the destruction and his conversations with aggrieved families. Mr. Huas posts were later deleted on Chinese sites.

Mr. Hua said censorship was impossible to avoid. The duty of artists is first to record and second, to ruminate, he said in an interview. I hope I can wake up more people.

Mr. Xis government seems especially sensitive to art that uses the phrase di duan ren kou, or low-end population, a derisive reference to migrants that is used by some officials. The phrase has become a rallying cry for critics of the governments mass expulsions, though censors now block it on the Chinese internet.TOKYO  Under normal circumstances, just one of the announcements that came out of the White House on Thursday would have unnerved American allies in Asia.

But in a single day, President Trump managed to unsettle the region on not just one front but two. Hours after he signed orders to impose stiff and sweeping tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, including from key allies like Japan and South Korea, he accepted an invitation to personally meet North Koreas leader, Kim Jong-un, for negotiations over the Norths nuclear program.

For allies who have long looked to the United States to provide security and stability, it was a dizzying jolt of drama that injected fresh uncertainty into strategic calculations in the region, where China is seeking to supplant the United States as the major power.

This is without question a big opportunity for China, said Ian Bremmer, the president of the Eurasia Group, a New York-based research firm that forecasts global risks. The United States has become a less certain partner for a while now.HONG KONG  Hong Kongs pro-democracy camp fears the movement could be dealt a further setback when voters go the polls on Sunday. The expected loss of seats in the territorys legislature, democracy activists say, is the result of a system increasingly controlled by Beijing and stacked against them.

After months of street protests in 2014 failed to make Hong Kongs elections more open, the protest leaders decided to run for office themselves. Several won seats in the Legislative Council in 2016, only to later be removed after they modified their oaths of office.

Now, four of those six vacated seats are up for election on Sunday. At least one is expected to go to the pro-establishment camp, as beleaguered advocates for more direct democracy in Hong Kong are struggling in what they describe as a rigged system, which has always favored the establishment.

One democratic candidate was equivocal about the value of the seat he was pursuing, saying he felt that the local legislature was an increasingly powerless body.MEERUT, India  The vandals attacked a statue of Gandhi in the southern state of Kerala, breaking its wire-rimmed eyeglasses.

They targeted a monument to Lenin, using a hydraulic jackhammer to destroy the sculpture in the northeastern state of Tripura.

They shattered a statue of a revered figure among Dalits, lower-caste Indians, leaving it in pieces in Meerut, about 50 miles north of New Delhi.

The attacks were part of a wave of vandalism that has unleashed accusations and recriminations and sent political tensions boiling over as, one by one, at least six monuments have been vandalized since Monday.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada has appointed the first woman as permanent leader of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which has been dogged in recent years by accusations of discrimination, sexual assault and other scandals.

Mr. Trudeau said on Friday that Brenda Lucki, who has been with the national police force for 31 years, would take over as commissioner in April.

The previous commissioner, Bob Paulson, retired in June after more than five years in the job. During his tenure, Mr. Paulson gave a tearful apology as the R.C.M.P. settled a series of harassment, discrimination and sexual abuse claims that deeply embarrassed the force.

The mounted police is also under fire for not doing enough to protect Canadas largely marginalized and impoverished aboriginal population.LILLE, France  Two slumping political figures met in a symbolic embrace in Lille, France, on Saturday, but it was not clear whether the encounter would lift the faltering fortunes of either Stephen K. Bannon or Marine Le Pen.

Mr. Bannon, the former chief strategist for President Trump, was warmly applauded when he addressed the party congress of the anti-immigrant National Front, led by Ms. Le Pen. Striding angrily about the stage, he delivered a populist pep talk to a crowd still smarting from Ms. Le Pens crushing defeat in last years presidential election.

He was a surprise, last-minute guest, and his fiery speech, delivered in English through a sometimes faltering translator, stole the show from Ms. Le Pen.

A crowd that did not fill the auditorium rose to its feet, delighted that Mr. Bannon had attacked a political and economic establishment that has been the object of scorn and hatred in National Front doctrine for nearly 50 years.BEIRUT, Lebanon  Syrian government forces were close to splitting the besieged rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta in two on Saturday, as rebel leaders said they had agreed with the government to evacuate fighters from a Qaeda-linked group.

Thirteen fighters from the Qaeda-linked group, known as the Levant Liberation Committee, were bused out Friday night, bound for the northern rebel-held province of Idlib, according to rebel statements and video footage. Those fighters were detained last year by the Army of Islam, the group that controls Douma, the main city in Eastern Ghouta.

The evacuation was the first such concession by the rebels in Eastern Ghouta, a collection of towns and agricultural areas adjacent to the capital, Damascus. The agreement, struck with a delegation that accompanied a United Nations aid convoy into Douma on Friday, came as the rebels were under intense pressure.

Government forces continued to advance in a ground campaign aiming to split Douma and the town of Harasta from the rest of the enclave. Residents in at least one town have begun calling for rebels to leave, hoping that their departure would end government airstrikes and artillery attacks, which medical workers said had killed 50 people in the past 24 hours.AINISSA, Syria  At the headquarters of the Syrian Democratic Forces in Ainissa, the normally bustling offices were thinly populated on a recent day as the Kurdish-dominated coalition shifted its fighters to battle against the Turkish invasion in northwestern Syria.

Haqi Kobani, the deputy commander of the S.D.F., was holding down the fort in his capacious office, where a portrait of Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party, or P.K.K., had pride of place. While Kurds hold most of the leadership positions, the S.D.F. is a majority Arab force now, engaged with the Americans in the fight against the Islamic State, mostly in Arab rather than Kurdish areas of Syria.

Arabs love Abdullah Ocalan too, Mr. Kobani said, casting a glance at the portrait. Theres nothing hidden from our side. Everything we do is obvious and clear to the world.

Many Arabs would probably differ about their love of Mr. Ocalan, whose socialist, radically egalitarian philosophy of governance holds sway throughout the autonomous region, known as Rojava, that the Kurds have carved out in Syria, with the help of the American-led international coalition. Their uneasy alliance, held together by the fight against the Islamic State, could be severely tested as the Kurds expand their control.Anticipating challenge by ED, Karti files caveat in Supreme Court

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Anticipating a challenge to the Delhi High Court order which barred the Enforcement Directorate from arresting Karti until Mach 20, a caveat has been filed in the Supreme Court.

The Delhi High Court had barred the ED from arresting Karti Chidambaram in the INX Media case. Anticipating that this may be challenged by the ED in the SC, he filed a caveat stating that he be heard before any order is passed.

Sleep deprived, always under bright lights, Karti complains to CBI court

Meanwhile, there is no move as yet on the part of the ED to challenge the order of the HC. Karti currently is in the custody of the CBI, The Special CBI court had on Friday remanded to CBI custody until March 12.

OneIndia NewsIn a move that could upset US, China seals pact with EU

Emmanuel Macron calls for easing raw material supply for production of Covid vaccines to India, others

India, France ink 14 pacts to boost security, nuclear energy

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

India and France inked 14 pacts to boost cooperation, including security, nuclear energy in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday.

After a 90-minute long meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron and delegation-level talks between the two sides, 14 agreements have been signed between two countries. French and Indian companies signed contracts worth 13 billion euros ($16 billion) on the first day of President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India, the French presidency said in a statement.

PM Modi said, "We want our (India & France) youth to know each other's countries, in this direction we have signed two agreements today."

PM Modi lauded the common democratic value both nations cherish. He said, "Liberty, equality and fraternity not only echo in France but are also deeply embedded in India's constitution."

"Our strategic partnership is 20-year-old but we have centuries-old spiritual relationship.," he added. PM Modi welcomed investments in the Defence sector from France under 'Make In India'.

French President Emmanuel Macron, said, "India and France have decided to work together to deal with threats of terrorism and radicalisation."

OneIndia NewsKarnataka BJP calls ex-Roadies judge, Raghu Ram, a bully on camera, sissy off it

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

The Karnataka BJP took on former MTV Roadies judge and actor Raghu Ram who had said that the BJP was spreading hatred on its official Twitter handle.

The BJP tweeted, "look who is here, the on camera bully and off camera sissy, who was ousted from a reality show for his anger management issues. If you have any sensitivity left, why don't you visit the kin of 24 deceased karyakartas and know their pain before making loose talks on Twitter."

Look who's here, the on camera bully and off camera sissy, who was ousted from a reality show for his anger management issues.



If you have any sensitivity left, why don't you visit the kin of the 24 deceased karyakartas and know their pain before making loose talks on Twitter. https://t.co/V8LDx2xZap  BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) March 8, 2018

Raghu while reacting to the tweet said, "I'm so flattered you have time to tweet to me. It's election time! Surely, there are Muslims to kill, Dalits to burn! Your monthly targets aren't gonna meet themselves! Come on! Focus! And as for me, read my bio. I love muting morons. Haha! Bye!"

OneIndia NewsKarnataka elections: To provide healing touch, BJP to field 16 doctors

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

In the forthcoming Karnataka Assembly Elections, the BJP hopes to provide a healing touch by fielding doctors. The BJP's medical cell convenor, Dr. K M Basavaraj has written to the party leadership to consider fielding 16 doctors in the assembly elections.

Currently, there are 11 physicians who have been elected in the current assembly. They are Dr Sharana Prakash Patil, Dr Ashwath Narayan, Dr Srinivas Murthy, Dr Sudhakar Reddy, Dr Ajay Singh, Dr Jadhav, Dr HC Mahadevappa, Dr AB Malakareddy, Dr. Shivaram Patil, Dr Bhagavan Mukbul and Dr Vishwanath Patil. There are two doctors elected to the legislative council as well.

This is, however, a trend one could witness across all parties in the state. Both the Congress and JD(S) too are considering fielding doctors from various constituencies. The Karnataka polls may witness at least 25 to 30 assembly constituencies with doctors contesting from it.

Among the 16 doctors proposed by the BJP, the name of Dr Sundar B K too is doing the rounds. The medical cell wants Dr Sundar to contest from the Ballari City assembly constituency.

Karnataka Assembly Election dates Date of notification April 17 Last date to file nominations April 24 Last date to withdraw nominations April 27 Date of polling May 12 Date of counting May 15

OneIndia NewsKarnataka RS polls: How Congress plans to send 3 candidates to the Upper House

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

The Congress can elect two while the BJP can send one of its candidates to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka. The question is about the third seat and the Congress would 10 more MLAs to send its candidate to the upper house.

The JD(S) was hoping that the Congress would back its candidate, but that did not materialise. The Congress made it clear that it would send all three candidates to the Rajya Sabha.

There are 44 first preference votes required to elect a candidate to the Rajya Sabha. The Congress can comfortably elect two with 88 votes. The strength of the Congress in the Karnataka legislative assembly is 122.

This means the remaining 34 Congress MLAs would require the support of 10 non-Congress MLAs to elect the third candidate. The Congress says that it is very confident that it could send its third candidate to the Rajya Sabha.

It would rely on the 7 JD(S) MLAs who had fallen out with Deve Gowda and have been suspended from the party. Apart from this, there is Ashok Kheny of the KMP who was recently inducted from the party. A break MLA of the KJP and one from the BSR Congress would help make up for the deficit.

The JD(S) however has decided to field its candidate. It has shortlisted, M Farooq and Veeranna Reddy. The JD(S) is hoping to hatch a counter plan and has approached at least 10 MLAs who are opposed to Siddaramaiah.

OneIndia NewsIn show of strength, opposition leaders likely to attend meet called by Sonia Gandhi on Aug 20

On Karnataka polls, Sonia tells 'Cong to be confident, not over-confident'

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Be confident, but not over-confident was the message to the Karnataka Congress from the former chief of the party, Sonia Gandhi.

Karnataka is an important state for us and we have to do our best to return to power, Sonia Gandhi said at the India Today conclave in Mumbai.

She further said that the Congress in Karnataka is quite confident. "It is better to work hard until the very last day instead of being over-confident", she also said.

She said that the party has done well in the recent by-elections. "We one three seats-one assembly and two Lok Sabha in Rajasthan. We won two assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh", she said while assessing the Congress' performance in recent times.

Karnataka Assembly Election dates Date of notification April 17 Last date to file nominations April 24 Last date to withdraw nominations April 27 Date of polling May 12 Date of counting May 15

OneIndia NewsWho is Judge BH Loya? All you need to know about this case

'Only politics and nothing else', Maharashtra tells SC on Judge Loyas death

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

There is nothing amiss in the death of Judge, B H Loya and there is only politics in it said the Maharashtra government in the Supreme Court. Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi appearing for the state of Maharashtra told a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra that the petitions, in this case, were politically motivated with an intention to target BJP National President, Amit Shah.

The unfortunate death of the judge is being politicised and the petitions have been filed with an oblique motive, he also submitted. In the guise of judicial independence, they are shedding crocodile tears, he also said.

Rohatgi said that the four judges who were present at the time of Loya's death on December 1, 2014, have already given handwritten statements as to how he died. The medical records clearly show that Loya could not be revived despite resuscitation and the post-mortem report states that he was brought dead on the way to the hospital, Rohatgi also said.

Senior counsel, Harish Salve told the court not to order a probe as it would indirectly mean that the four judges who were with Loya during his death are conspirators in a murder.

"Is entire system is dancing to the tune of one man? if that is so, we should wind up our judiciary. See the kind of scurrilous allegations put on display in last few weeks. Did the judges who accompanied judge Loya in his last hours, bump him off? Are they guilty of murder," Salve also asked.

OneIndia NewsNASA's Parker Solar Probe captures stunning image of the Milky Way

NASA solar probe to make its closest approach to Sun in April

Solar storm heading towards Earth likely to hit today; Can impact mobile signal

High speed solar storm set to hit Earth today: GPS, internet, satellite TVs may be impacted

Fake: Govt is not charging legal fees for installation of solar pumps

Stage set for International Solar Alliance Summit, heads of 23 nations to attend

India

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

The founding conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) will be held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan Cultural Centre in the capital here on Sunday.

Heads of 23 nations and 10 ministerial representatives of different countries will attend the summit, co-hosted by India and France.

President Ram Nath Kovind, First Lady of India Savita Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and PM Narendra Modi received the leaders at the venue.

#WATCH: President Ram Nath Kovind, First Lady of India Savita Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and PM Narendra Modi receive President of France #EmmanuelMacron and his wife Brigitte Macron. #InternationalSolarAlliance pic.twitter.com/KvaAL7ROUq  ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018

The summit will deliberate on finance mechanism for the promotion of solar energy, crowd-funding and technology transfer. Demonstrative projects will be showcased by different nations.

President Ram Nath Kovind will co-host the summit with French President Emmanuel Macron. It will focus on various aspects of promoting solar energy in the 121 countries associated with International Solar Alliance (ISA).

The summit assumes significance in view of India's ambitious renewable energy target of having 175 GW clean energy capacities including 100 GW solar and 60 GW wind power.

"India welcomes esteemed dignitaries from Guinea, Tuvalu, DR Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius for the International Solar Alliance Summit," tweeted Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson of external affairs ministry.

Several global bankers have confirmed their participation at the event including Werner Hoyer, President & Chairman, European Investment Bank, K V Kamath, President, BRICS Development Bank, Nandita Parshad, Managing Director, Energy & Natural Resources, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Banbang Susantono, Vice President, ASIAN Development Bank.

Menawhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held a series of bilateral meetings with the heads of three nations ahead of the founding conference of the International Solar Alliance.

OneIndia News (with agency inputs)

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Story first published: Saturday, March 10, 2018, 21:06 [IST]TN sets deadline of 6 weeks for Centre to form Cauvery Management Board

India

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

Tamil Nadu government on Saturday set a deadline of six weeks for the formation of the Cauvery Management Board.

Speaking to reporters, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said that "the central government must form Cauvery Management Board within six weeks, adding that the state will take its stand only after seeing what is actually done in this regard.

On Friday, Union Water Resources Department had called for a meeting as the apex court in its verdict directed the Centre to put in place a mechanism to ensure implementation of the order within six weeks.

Opposition DMK described as an "eyewash and called for a special session of Tamil Nadu Assembly to discuss the river water dispute.

Stalin wrote to Chief Minister K Palaniswami urging that a special session should be held before the budget session scheduled to start next week, especially in light of "step-motherly attitude by the Centre" shown towards the state on the inter-state dispute involving poll-bound Karnataka.

In his letter, Stalin recalled that he had placed the same demand with Palaniswami during a meeting between the two on March three in order to reiterate Tamil Nadu's stand on Cauvery.

Tamil Nadu wanted the Centre to constitute the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) as directed by the Supreme Court, which had recently pronounced its verdict on the inter-state dispute involving Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry.

On February 22, an all-party meet chaired by Palaniswami decided that the chief minister will lead a delegation of leaders of all parties, farmers and MPs from the state to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Cauvery issue.

The meet had also resolved to urge Modi to immediately set up the CMB and Cauvery Water Regulatory Authority as per the apex courts order to set up the bodies within six weeks.

Karnataka is opposing formation of the board as the state may not have control over reservoirs in the Cauvery basin.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Saturday, March 10, 2018, 22:46 [IST]Trump's decision risks mutually destructive "trade war", says Macron

India

pti-PTI

Paris, March 10: French President Emmanuel Macron has warned his US counterpart Donald Trump against forging ahead with planned tariffs on European steel and aluminium, saying it risked starting a mutually destructive "trade war".

In a telephone call with Trump yesterday, the French leader expressed his "deep concerns" over the measures, saying that while he shared Trump's concern over unfair trade practises the tariffs due to come into effect in two weeks "risk triggering a trade war, in which all affected countries would be losers".

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in New Delhi on Friday on a four-day India visit and was received at the airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a special gesture.

Macron was accompanied by his wife Brigitte Marie-Claude Macron, besides senior ministers from his Cabinet. During the visit, the two countries would look to boost ties, especially in the areas of maritime security and counter-terrorism.

PTIIn a move that could upset US, China seals pact with EU

Emmanuel Macron calls for easing raw material supply for production of Covid vaccines to India, others

'Two great democracies have a historic relationship,' says Macron

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

French President Emmanuel Macron was given a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhawan on Saturday. After inspecting a guard of honour and meeting with other officials, Macron said, "I am very happy and proud of this visit. I thank the President (Kovind) and Prime Minister (Modi) for this welcome."

At the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Macron said, "I think we have very good chemistry, our two great democracies have a historic relationship. France is the entry point to Europe. We want to be India's best partner in Europe."

Delhi: French President #EmmanuelMacron and wife Brigitte Macron pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat pic.twitter.com/GQhc1CEG6z  ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018

French President arrived in New Delhi on Friday on a four-day India visit and was received at the airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a special gesture.

Macron was accompanied by his wife Brigitte Marie-Claude Macron, besides senior ministers from his Cabinet. During the visit, the two countries would look to boost ties, especially in the areas of maritime security and counter-terrorism.

OneIndia News#WhenYouAreRahul: Q&A between Rahul, economist in Singapore kicks up debate over fake video

India

oi-Oneindia Staff

By Oneindia Staff

New Delhi, March 10: Wherever Congress president Rahul Gandhi goes controversy follows him. Be it his visits to different parts of the country, especially during election times, or his foreign sojourns, Rahul's every move comes under the scanner. Like last year, when he visited the United States (US) to meet the Indian diaspora including students at famous universities and business honchos, Rahul's recent three-day trip to Singapore as a part of the Congress party's efforts to connect with the Indian community abroad is also creating massive controversy back home. After Singapore, on Saturday, Rahul reached Malaysia.

It all started with a discussion at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, where Rahul was the main guest on Thursday. During the question and answer round, an Indian-origin economist and author in Singapore, Prasenjit K Basu, confronted the Congress president about lack of growth of per capita income when his family members were Prime Ministers of India.

This is what Basu, writer of "Asia Reborn", asked Rahul: "Why is it that during the years that your family ruled India, India's per capita income was growing less than the world average? And yet, in the years since your family relinquished the prime ministership of India, India's per capita income has grown substantially faster than the world average?"

According to a video about the Q&A session, Rahul instead of answering the question immediately ended up asking Basu another question. "What's your hypothesis?" Rahul asked. To which the author and teacher said that he has written about it in his book which Rahul must read. After Basu replied to Rahul's question, the audience broke into a big laughter which clearly showed that Rahul had lost the round. The moderator at the discussion asked Rahul if he would like to ignore the question.

However, Rahul refused to keep quiet and told Basu,"You are giving a helluva lot of power to one family." "So you are saying that I have absolutely no role in Indian politics from 2004 to today? You are saying that? Make up your mind. I either have a role or I don't, you can't give me both options," he said. For his answer, Rahul managed to get a round of applause from the audience.

The drama did not end there. The Congress tweeted another video from the event where Rahul was seen taking a dig at the Indian-origin economist by asking him to write one more book about the country's economy. The video tweeted by the Congress shows another member in the audience praising the party and the country's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

"I am a great admirer of your great-grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru and I think all the good things... wherever India is today, it's because of the Congress," the unidentified audience member said.

Thereafter, Rahul gave a humorous response. "You are both going to extremes. I mean give me something in the middle. I mean, he's (Basu's) saying I am the cause of every single problem. And you are saying I'm the cause of every single solution. I mean, this is crazy," said Rahul.

The 47-year-old scion of the Gandhi family said that these extreme views reflected how polarised India has become. "This conversation shows you the polarisation. That gentleman (Basu) thinks that nothing has ever been done by the Congress party. This gentleman (second speaker) thinks that everything has been done by the Congress party," said Rahul as the audience burst out laughing.

"Let me tell you what the truth is. India's success is hugely because of India's people. However, anybody in this room who thinks that the Congress party is not part of that success...thinks liberalisation wasn't a success...green revolution was not a success ...needs to write a new book," he said.

Rahul's suggestion to those who disagree with India's success story to "write a new book" was clearly a swipe at Basu.

With political discourse hitting new lows everyday, Congress President Rahul Gandhi shows how to gracefully handle detractors and call their bluff. #RGinSingapore #IndiaAt70 pic.twitter.com/OnTJz0kzUx  Congress (@INCIndia) March 8, 2018

Now, Basu has threatened to take the Congress to the court for the video posted by the party's official twitter handle. Basu has called the video "a classic fake-news video". However, the video is not doctored. It is just that the Congress decided to highlight a "humourous answer" Rahul gave later during the discussion and mentioned Basu in it.

The author-economist allege that the Congress is using his image to "falsely advertise" the party president. "Withdraw this false video, or prepare for prosecution in Singapore's courts!", tweeted Basu.

This is a classic fake-news video. You are using my image to falsely advertise your politician, showing a sequence of events that did not occur. Withdraw this false video, or prepare for prosecution in Singapores courts!  Prasenjit K. Basu (@PrasenjitKBasu) March 8, 2018

Rahul also took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi by stating that Basu would never have the ability to criticise him. "I am proud to sit in a room and have a gentleman say this (critical comments) to me. Now, there's something else... Mr. Narendra Modi would never do that. You would never have the ability to say what you said to me in front of Mr. Narendra Modi and am absolutely blazingly proud of that," said Rahul.

"After this meeting I want to give you a hug and say you are very important to me," he added.

Now, supporters of the BJP on Twitter alleged that the video posted by the Congress did not show how Rahul tried to "dodge" Basu's question initially. The critics slammed the Congress for "juxtaposing" the question of Basu to an answer of Rahul given later during the interaction to score brownie points.

On Saturday, the hashtag--#WhenYouAreRahul--was trending on Twitter. Head of the BJP's IT cell, Amit Malviya, also tweeted under the hashtag to attack Rahul.

Strange to see Rahul Gandhi obfuscating and avoiding direct response to Prof Basus question. Also what does Rahul Gandhi have to do with UPA government between 2004-14 unless he is admitting that Dr Singh was a titular head and the Gandhis were running the show. #WhenYouAreRahul  Amit Malviya (@malviyamit) March 9, 2018

If the critics slammed Rahul, his supporters praised the Congress president on Twitter.

#WhenYouAreRahul you dont have to be afraid of press or audience, and can bravely handle any question without pre-screening.



When you are #MeekModi you will only talk to bootlicking sycophant journos through pre-screened questions.  Suryanarayan Ganesh (@gsurya) March 9, 2018

As Rahul had cited in Singapore about the polarisation of India, the tweets under the hashtag clearly showcased that politics has left the country badly divided.

OneIndia NewsWhos the 1 personality Kamal Haasan blames for igniting extremism in India?

India

oi-Oneindia Staff

By Oneindia Staff

New Delhi, March 10: Noted actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan is not someone who would mince words to express his viewpoints. He has always openly aired political views without fearing anyone. On Friday during an interaction in the national capital, the 63-year-old who has recently launched his political party, Makkal Needhi Maiam, blamed "one personality" for igniting extremism in India. However, he stopped short of naming the person whom he thinks is responsible for the countrywide extremism.

While clarifying about his controversial remarks on "saffron terror", Haasan at the India Today Conclave 2018 said this: "I had used the word 'teevira', which means extreme. We even say that someone is a teevira fan of something. Does that mean the person is a terrorising fan? No, we just mean that he is a big fan and has extreme feelings. Extremism is displaying your feelings without regard to others' sentiments. And that is definitely happening today. For example, the Periyar statue being damaged. This extremism is being ignited by one personality."

Even when the host asked Haasan to name the "personality", he refused. The actor-politician said extremism was often just a diversionary tactic. The popular actor-politician also spoke about the reasons behind joining politics.

"For too long, people have neglected politics, thinking there are others to do that job, and the job of citizens is only to cast their vote. I too thought like that. But now I have changed," he said.

"Distress had been creeping into Tamil Nadu for almost half a century now. Mediocrity had become the standard. When mediocrity is the standard, rubbish becomes acceptable, the acceptable extraordinary, and the extraordinary becomes genius. I want to be extraordinary."

Regarding launching his own political party, instead of joining an established organisation with an existing cadre, such as the AIADMK, which is also in need of a leader, Haasan said: "I am hungry and have to eat, but what is available is rotten fruit."

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Saturday, March 10, 2018, 13:16 [IST]Why Siddaramaiahs decision to unveil a Karnataka flag is a gimmick and has no legal sanctity

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

When Karnataka Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah unveiled the state flag, it was being seen as a move to bag in the votes on Kannada pride ahead of the crucial assembly elections.

The decision has been questioned by many in the opposition and also been termed as a gimmick. Without getting into the politics of it, let us examine the law. There is no precedent for any Indian state, barring Jammu and Kashmir to have a separate flag.

India follows the precedent, One Nation One Flag. However one must also bear in mind that Constitution of India does not bar states from having separate flags.

After the flag was unveiled, Siddaramaiah said that it would be sent to the Union Home Ministry for approval. The Union Home Ministry has not received any such proposal as yet.

Will Siddaramaiah's gamble to take Modi head-on pay off?

While legally there is nothing that suggests that a state can't or can have a separate flag, it would be interesting to look at what the Flag Code of India has to say. The Flag Code of India and State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act only deals with the National Flag or Tricolour. There is no mention about state or other flags in the code.

Jammu and Kashmir is the only state to have a separate flag and this is Constitutionally approved thanks to Article 370 which confers a special status on the state.

Experts and sources in the Home Ministry say that the concept of One Nation One Flag has been followed for a reason. There is a sanctity involved in this so that the entire nation respects the National Flag which is a symbol of unity.

Karnataka RS polls: How Congress plans to send 3 candidates to the Upper House

BJP MP, Prathap Simha while questioning the decision says that this is nothing but a gimmick. Karnataka already has a flag and in such an event where was the need to go and unveil another one. If Siddaramaiah has such love for Karnataka where is the need of this gimmick. Another point is where was the need for it to be sent to the Centre? It needs to be adopted by the state and how can they ask the Centre for approval. Siddaramaiah is a lawyer and he does not know that? He has only dubious intentions, Prathap Simha also said.

Karnataka Assembly Election dates Date of notification April 17 Last date to file nominations April 24 Last date to withdraw nominations April 27 Date of polling May 12 Date of counting May 15

OneIndia NewsTripura: Out of 150 samples tested at least 90 are positive for the Delta plus variant

No case of Delta Plus variant reported from sample sequencing in Tripura

Why Sunil Deodhar asked Tripura CM to get septic tanks of all minister quarters cleaned?

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar P

By Chennabasaveshwar

Hours after Tripura CM Biplab Kumar Deb took charge on Saturday, state BJP in-charge Sunil Deodhar has given an advice to his colleague.

Sunil Deodhar,widely credited for BJP's emphatic victory in Tripura, alleged that a woman's skeleton was found in septic tank at Manik Sarkar's house in 2005.

Sunil Deodhar tweeted, "Woman's skeleton was found in septic tank at Manik Sarkar's house in 2005. These people lived there for 25 years and have been political murderers, so I've requested Mr. Biplab Deb to get septic tanks of all minister quarters cleaned before they occupy them."

I request @BjpBiplab, new CM of Tripura, to get septic tanks of all minister quarters cleaned before occupying them. It should be recollected that a womans skeleton was found in septic tank of Ex CM Manik Sarkar's quarter on Jan 4, 2005 but the case was deliberately suppressed.  Sunil Deodhar (@Sunil_Deodhar) March 10, 2018

In the 2014 Indian general election, Deodhar was appointed as the campaign manager to Indian prime minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency of Varanasi. Deodhar, who hails from Maharashtra, is the BJP's national "Prabhari" in Tripura and has been spearheading various agitations on behalf of his party against the ruling Left Front.

Biplab Kumar Deb took charge as Tripura Chief Minister in Agartala today. The new CM was accompanied his 'Bhai Sahab'. His 'bhai sahab' is none other than Tripura BJP in-charge Sunil Deodhar.

Deb tweeted, "Thank you Shri @Sunil_Deodhar ji. I would rather call you Bhai Sahab, you are my foundation, following your guidance I traveled across the state. You accompanied my ups and downs in life. Once again thank you from the bottom of my heart."

I request @BjpBiplab, new CM of Tripura, to get septic tanks of all minister quarters cleaned before occupying them. It should be recollected that a womans skeleton was found in septic tank of Ex CM Manik Sarkar's quarter on Jan 4, 2005 but the case was deliberately suppressed.  Sunil Deodhar (@Sunil_Deodhar) March 10, 2018

OneIndia NewsWill Siddaramaiahs gamble to take Modi head-on pay off?

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

The BJP feels that the biggest mistake that Siddaramaiah could have made is taking the Prime Minister Narendra Modi head on during the campaign for the Karnataka Assembly Elections 2018. It is an interesting gamble by the Chief Minister of Karnataka as he had made it Modi vs him.

The BJP is of the view that this was a crucial error on the part of the Karnataka CM as he had decided to fight the elections against a national leader as opposed to those part of the state.

Karnataka elections: To provide healing touch, BJP to field 16 doctors

Is this is gamble which would prove costly? Will it pay of for Siddaramaiah? Dr. Sandeep Shastri, leading political scientist helps OneIndia understand.

"The personalised nature of politics has become quite visible in the state and national elections. Given the fact that the focus of the BJP is Modi, Siddaramaiah thinks the best way to go about it is to attack the PM. What he is trying to say is that the BJP is not contesting the elections locally."

On Karnataka polls, Sonia tells 'Cong to be confident, not over-confident'

"One must also bear in mind that some of the strongest attacks against Siddaramaiah too have come from the PM himself. I think in that sense both sides of the competition are focusing on the leadership on either side."

"Siddaramaiah is trying to argue that the Congress campaign is a localised one whereas the BJP's campaign is managed by Delhi. He has taken a gamble no doubt and this seems to be a conscious decision that he has made," Dr Shastri also says.

Karnataka Assembly Election dates Date of notification April 17 Last date to file nominations April 24 Last date to withdraw nominations April 27 Date of polling May 12 Date of counting May 15

OneIndia NewsTrump says India has just been devastated by COVID-19

Collapse of Kabul will go down as one of the greatest defeats in American history: Donald Trump

Thousands of terrorists might have been airlifted out of Kabul: Trump slams Biden

Never in history has withdrawal from war been handled so badly: Trump

Donald Trump tweets about call with Chinese President Xi on North Korea

International

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

US President Donald Trump spoke with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and briefed him on developments in ties with North Korea.

Trump tweeted that he and Xi spoke about that agreed-to meeting and that Xi "appreciates that the US is working to solve the problem diplomatically rather than going with the ominous alternative."

Chinese President XI JINPING and I spoke at length about the meeting with KIM JONG UN of North Korea. President XI told me he appreciates that the U.S. is working to solve the problem diplomatically rather than going with the ominous alternative. China continues to be helpful!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 10, 2018

"The two leaders welcomed the prospect of dialogue between the United States and North Korea, and committed to maintain pressure and sanctions until Pyongyang takes tangible steps toward complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearisation," the White House said in a readout of the call.

Trump has spoken with a number of world leaders after he was briefed on North Korean by the visiting South Korean national security adviser.

He had earlier reached out to French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, during which the leaders agreed to continue to maintain pressure on North Korea.

OneIndia News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.

President Donald Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions find California's "sanctuary" laws inconvenient, and are asking the courts to rule in favor of their convenience rather than affirming the US Constitution. That's the takeaway from United States v. State of California, a US Department of Justice lawsuit filed on March 6.

The case sounds like it's about immigration -- and the administration can be counted on to play up that perception in the secondary court of public opinion -- but it really isn't. It's about whether or not state and local governments are required to enforce, or assist in enforcing, federal law.

The California Values Act, one of the laws the administration is suing over, limits California law enforcement's cooperation with federal immigration agencies. California cops will no longer detain or investigate people on suspected violations of federal immigration laws, or hand prisoners or prisoners' information over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement without a warrant.

The exception to the rule under the CVA is that the names of persons convicted of violent crimes will be given to ICE before their release. But if you go to jail for 30 days for unpaid parking tickets, LAPD won't be telling ICE about you.

If the federal district court adheres to US Supreme Court precedent, the Trump administration will lose on this.

In 1997's Printz v. United States, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government cannot require local chief law enforcement officers to perform background checks on gun purchasers pursuant to the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act.

The feds can do it themselves. Local law enforcers might assist, if state or local law allows or requires them to. But federal law can't compel their participation, nor can Congress force state legislatures to pass laws requiring them to assist, because "[t]he Federal Government's power would be augmented immeasurably and impermissibly if it were able to impress into its service -- and at no cost to itself -- the police officers of the 50 States."

SCOTUS got it right back then. Hopefully the US courts will stick to the principle.

California may lose on another count, that of the Immigrant Worker Protection Act, which forbids employers to cooperate with ICE absent a court order or subpoena. It's disgusting to think that an employer would snitch out his workers to a bunch of jackbooted thugs who think the Fourth Amendment doesn't apply to them, but California probably can't forbid it.

Whatever you think of federal immigration laws, they're not the issue. The issue is federalism.

The FBI doesn't hand out speeding tickets in Peoria because that's the Peoria Police Department's job, not the FBI's.

Similarly, it's not California's job to spend its state and local law enforcement money doing ICE's job for it.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.

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Even before Hurricane Maria struck the island nearly six months ago, the majority of Puerto Rico's residents lived with water that violated health standards set by the U.S. law. Since the storm, residents say the situation has only gotten worse. Among the sources of potential water contamination are mountains of coal ash generated by a coal-fired power plant owned by a private company called AES. For years, residents have demanded the company stop dumping toxic coal ash into their community, saying the waste is poisonous to their health and the environment.

We speak with Mekela Panditharatne, a lawyer with the Natural Resources Defense Council who just returned from the island and wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post headlined "FEMA says most of Puerto Rico has potable water. That can't be true."

This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.

AMY GOODMAN: I want to bring in another part of the country -- Puerto Rico -- right now to talk about what's happening there, where residents have been organizing against coal ash disposal. Even before Hurricane Maria struck the island six months ago, the majority of Puerto Rican residents were living with water that violated health standards set by U.S. law. And since Hurricane Maria, residents say, the situation has only gotten worse. Among the sources of potential water contamination are mountains of coal ash generated by a coal-fired power plant owned by a private company called AES. For years, residents have been demanding the company stop dumping toxic coal ash into their community, saying the waste is poisonous to their health and the environment.

For more, we're also joined in Washington, D.C., by Mekela Panditharatne, a lawyer with the Natural Resources Defense Council, who just got back from Puerto Rico, her recent piece in The New York Times headlined "Puerto Rico Needs More Than Bandages," also wrote The Washington Post op-ed "FEMA says most of Puerto Rico has potable water. That can't be true."

Mekela, welcome to Democracy Now! How does this story about coal ash, before and after the hurricane, fit into this national story?

MEKELA PANDITHARATNE: Well, for example, the southern coastal town of Guayama is home to a five-story-high pile of coal ash that was produced by this energy company AES. Now, AES has been producing coal ash, and that has been deposited in landfills scattered across Puerto Rico, including in a community called Penuelas, which has been really a locus in these environmental justice fights.

Coal ash does pose significant human health risks, in part because it produces what's known as fugitive dust. That's when parts of the coal ash stack will blow away during a windy day and contaminate the surrounding environment. When coal ash gets wet, it can also seep into the soil and into the groundwater and potentially cause drinking water contamination.

AMY GOODMAN: And so, how did the storm affect the coal ash contamination? The plant is still running?

MEKELA PANDITHARATNE: The plant is still running. And residents of Guayama have expressed concern that after the hurricane there may be contaminants leaching into the soil and into the groundwater in that area.

AMY GOODMAN: And how is the government responding now? I mean, you have so many crises in Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico home to 23 Superfund sites, including the island of Vieques, which the U.S. Navy bombed with -- bombed and napalmed for so many years.

MEKELA PANDITHARATNE: Well, what we're seeing in Puerto Rico at the moment is really the culmination of a long-standing drinking water crisis that has in part been contributed to by these coal ash sites and by these plentiful Superfund sites. Even before Maria, Puerto Ricans had the worst drinking water quality of any state or territory in the nation: 99.5 percent of Puerto Ricans were served by drinking water in violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Around 70 percent of Puerto Ricans were served by water sources that violated health base standards, so that had unlawfully high levels of contaminants or weren't being treated in accordance with federal standards. Those contaminants included coliform bacteria and disinfection byproducts, but also the kind of volatile organic compounds that you would expect to see from leaching from these kind of Superfund sites and coal ash deposits.

AMY GOODMAN: As you mentioned, in Puerto Rico's southern town of Penuelas, residents have been fighting for years to stop this private company, Applied Energy Systems, or AES, from dumping the coal ash in a landfill next to their community. Last year, before the hurricane struck, Democracy Now!'s Laura Gottesdiener and Juan Carlos Da'vila spoke to one of the community leaders about the organizing efforts to stop the toxic dumping.

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Trump accepts Kim Jon Un's meeting invitation President Trump has accepted an invitation from Kim Jong Un to meet, according to South Korea National Security Adviser Chung Eui-yong.

(Image by YouTube, Channel: CNN) Details DMCA



President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un juxtaposed after Trump accepted invitation to meet face to face

Trump accepts Kim "invitation" to meet face to face with North Korean leader

On Tuesday I wrote, "The ball is in US court for direct talks with North Korea", OPEDNEWS.

Little did I know at the time North Korean leader Kim Jong-un would "invite" President Trump to meet face to face within the next two months.

But that's exactly what's happened. The invitation had been presented to the two South Korean envoys who met directly with Kim in their bilateral talks concluded on Monday. The envoys were then dispatched by South Korean President Moon Jae-in to Washington to meet with Trump and convey the details of their meeting with Kim.

So today it was revealed Trump accepted Kim's invitation.

To say the least Kim's invitation and Trump accepting immediately upon hearing it came as a complete surprise but that fits perfectly with Trump's unpredictable nature.

To be sure we'll now hear the pundits, think tank "experts", MSM outlet all weighing in with their own prognostications forecasting, bemoaning, screeching what they believe will be the result of that meeting.

Well I wouldn't put much stock in what any of them has to say. None of them foresaw Kim's invitation to Trump and nobody could predict Trump so easily accepting it.

We're in uncharted territory as far as Trump is concerned. That may also be with Kim but I doubt it. That's because unless Trump goes on the record guaranteeing the US won't invade North Korea and overthrow the North Korean regime Kim isn't about to relinquish his nuclear weapons as they're the only deterrent that's prevented the US from initiating a new war on the North.

The South Korean envoys did say after their meeting with Kim, "The North Korean side clearly stated its willingness to denuclearize. It made clear that it would have no reason to keep nuclear weapons if the military threat to the North was eliminated and its security guaranteed."

For what it's worth here is my two cents. I believe a final peace treaty could be signed between Kim and Trump officially ending that long ago Korean war. That would be a good first step in their negotiations. It's something the North has wanted for decades but the US has never been willing to meet with North Korea and sign a peace treaty.

Secondly, with a peace treaty in hand that would immediately confer "legitimacy" on North Korea-particularly in the eyes of the West-leading to the next step of North Korean denuclearization and the US guaranteeing the North's security and ending the military threat.

But really...can anyone know beforehand what Trump will actually do? Who knows maybe the "Donald" will dumbfound everyone and pull off what no other US president has been able to do end the insane confrontation with North Korea and pull back from the brink of nuclear war. Here's hoping he does.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 Hightower Lowdown

Remember last year when Donald Trump and his congressional Trumpeteers bragged that their yuuuuuge tax cut for corporations would spark a yuuuuuge corporate spending spree to create new jobs and higher wages?

Well, just as they promised, we're now seeing corporate chieftains spending wildly! Only... they're spending their tax-cut windfall on themselves, not on boosting America's economy.

Mainly, they're pouring billions into a self-serving scheme called "buybacks" -- literally buying-up shares of their own corporation's stock. Why? Because reducing the total number of shares on the market increases the value of each remaining share, giving those lucky shareholders a bigger piece of the company's profit pie. Yes, less magically means more!

But it's not magic, it's manipulation. And the top executives doing the manipulating are primary beneficiaries, since most of their pay comes in the form of millions of dollars worth of their corporation's stock. Google executives, for example, are spending $8.6 billion from their taxpayer bonanza on buybacks, PepsiCo is in for $15 billion, and Apple for $30 billion.

If Trump and the GOP Congress had really intended that their trillion-dollar giveaway of the people's tax revenue be spent for the benefit of all, they would've required the corporate recipients to plow the bulk of the money into our nation's grassroots economy. Instead, once again, our corrupt political officials duped taxpayers into giving away public funds in the name of workers, but they actually stiffed workers, enriched CEOs, increased inequality, diverted tax dollars from urgent national needs -- and enabled corporate powers to donate even more corrupting campaign cash to the politicians and party doing this to us.

In other words, the Trump tax scam worked just as the GOP intended.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 Share Blue

Twelve of the 15 states that will likely take the biggest tariff hits are states that sent Trump to the White House.



Donald Trump - Caricature

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More than 100 Republican members of the House have signed off on a letter condemning Trump's looming tariffs. That's a rare occurrence for a GOP whose obsequiousness to Trump has become a hallmark.

Rushing in to try to stop Trump as he blindly readies his plan to impose stiff tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, angry Republican politicians, especially red state representatives, are getting an up-close look at what it's like dealing with an erratic, illogical president.

In Wisconsin, which went for Trump by the narrowest of margins, Republican Gov. Scott Walker has warned that tariffs could hurt the state's canning and beer industries. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) has also condemned the looming trade war. And Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) lamented how the White House doesn't understand today's global economy.

Red state leaders are freaking out, and not only because most of them oppose Trump's protectionist agenda: Many realize the real damage could come when U.S. trading partners strike back -- and the states that are going to pay the highest price are the GOP states that voted for Trump.

"We will put tariffs on Harley-Davidson, on bourbon and on blue jeans -- Levis," European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announced last week. (Since then, the EU has expanded its possible tariff hit list to include a huge array of American products.)

Harley-Davidson is based in Wisconsin and of course, red states such as Kentucky and Tennessee are seen as the home of American spirits.

In fact, 12 of the 15 states that will likely take the biggest tariff hits are red states, according to new analysis from the Brookings Institute.

"Many businesses in states that carried [Trump] in the election, including manufacturers in the Rust Belt region, rely heavily on steel and aluminum imports," CNN reports. "States with these kinds of imbalances could experience greater secondhand effects than they do in benefits."

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Another departure from the White House, but then it is almost a weekly affair now. This time it is Gary Cohn, his chief economic adviser. A former president of Goldman Sachs, he was the head of the National Economic Council. Apparently he was furious at Donald Trump's import tariffs on steel and aluminum.





Consumer Reports (CR) is a U.S. magazine. It tests products in order to advise consumers. In the March 2018 issue, it tested sport-utility vehicles. Now General Motors products were prominent in ads during the Winter Olympics. Here is how they fared.





Among compact SUVs, the Subaru Forester was tops, scoring 84 points, GM's Equinox was at number 8 (scoring 65 points) and its GMC Terrain was last at number 10 with 55 points. In the Luxury Compact segment, at the top was a BMW X3; GM did not place in the top 10. In the Large and Midsize group, Audi's Q7 was the leader with 90 points. GM's Chevrolet Traverse Premier scored 67, its Buick Enclave 63 points and the GMC Acadia Denali 57 points.





Consumer Reports did not recommend any of these GM vehicles for purchase. The obvious question: If CR is unable to recommend a GM SUV to Americans, why would any sane German want to buy one? Angela Merkel had a point and a good one.





To make matters worse, Mr. Trump was also sued this week. Now Donald Trump has been involved in a myriad lawsuits but this one is different. Stephanie Gregory Clifford is an American pornographic actress known professionally as Stormy Waters, Stormy Daniels or plain Stormy. On January 12, 2018, The Wall Street Journal ran a story claiming that Michael Cohen, Mr. Trump's personal lawyer, paid Stormy $130,000 in October 2016 (just before the presidential election) for her silence about a sexual liaison with Donald Trump in 2006. Mr. Cohen claims he paid the money out of his own pocket implying it was without Trump's knowledge. Wouldn't anyone love a personal lawyer like Mr. Cohen?





To complete the transaction Mr. Cohen first set-up a company in Delaware, a state with the most convenient rules. This company then paid a Stormy Daniels representative. Why such elaborate precautions? At the time, she was in talks with the Good Morning America TV program and Slate magazine to relate the story of her affair.





Cohen denies his client had an affair, denies he was reimbursed by Trump, has a letter supposedly signed by Daniels denying the affair and the hush money. He claimed in a statement to The New York Times on February 13, 2018, that the money was for matters with no connection to Trump.





Shortly after The Wall Street Journal story, In Touch Weekly published excerpts of a 2011 interview with Daniels on the subject of her alleged affair with Trump in 2006 after she passed a lie-detector test.





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From Strategic Culture



Cruise missile type Termit fired from Kotelny, New Siberian Islands.

(Image by Photo: mil.ru) Details DMCA



The United States of America spends something like $80 billion annually on intelligence gathering and analysis. When the CIA was founded by the National Security Act in 1947 the intention was to create a mechanism that would warn about an imminent threat. The memory of Pearl Harbor in 1941, when Japan attacked the U.S. naval base was still fresh, and the legislation was popularized by the slogan "no more Pearl Harbors."

In spite of the dedication of considerable resources and manpower, there have been some major intelligence failures in the past 70 years, starting with the inability to anticipate the breakout of the Korean War and including the embrace of false intelligence on Saddam Hussein's alleged weapons of mass destruction. But the most recent failure is perhaps more consequential than either Korea or Iraq.

On March 1st, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke before his country's Federal Assembly plus a large group of both local and foreign journalists, outlining his plans for the economy and also dealing with other domestic issues should he be reelected later this month. The final third of the presentation was on national defense and, in its substance, was clearly directed at a global audience, particularly the United States.

He explained...

"During all these years since the unilateral U.S. withdrawal from the ABM Treaty [in 2001] we have been working intensively on advanced equipment and arms, which allowed us to make a breakthrough in developing new models of strategic weapons."

He was referring to the RS-28 Sarmat ballistic missile, which has almost unlimited range and ultra-high speed, enabling it to employ trajectories including strikes coming over the South Pole that can defeat existing American Anti-Ballistic Defense systems. Russia has also produced and deployed a hypersonic glider weapon system Avangard.

But the real game changer is the Russian ability to negate America's ability to project power through its navy. The already deployed air-launched Kinzhal anti-ship missile has a range of 2,000 kilometers and a hyper-sonic speed that makes it nearly impossible to intercept. The development has made America's 13 aircraft carrier groups obsolete. President Putin made clear that Russia now has an overwhelming military advantage in cruise and ballistic missiles that are capable of penetrating U.S. defenses.

The new reality may or may not impel policymakers in Washington to approach Moscow and seek a new round of negotiations for arms control, but the real shock deriving from the Putin announcement is the failure of the intelligence community to anticipate the developments and advise their significance. Some of the new systems were hardly secret, with development of the Sarmat, for example, known to western governments for a number of years.

There will no doubt be a blame game in Washington over the inability to learn of Russia's arms programs, but the questions that probably will not be asked relates to the intelligence agencies themselves and their capabilities, or lack thereof. It is no secret that organizations like the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) have seen their basic missions change since 2001. An organization that used to pride itself on its ability to conduct classic espionage operations involving recruiting and running spies suddenly heard from policymakers that those skills were no longer in demand. Many officers who were made redundant or forced to retire were precisely those individuals who had cut their teeth on running operations directed against the old Soviet Union. They had the language and cultural skills necessary to collect information on Russia. With their departure, those capabilities also largely vanished.

Instead of spying, American intelligence agencies working mostly against what was broadly described as "terrorism," used technology to locate potential targets and kill them. The CIA's Clandestine Services, once the haven of its spies, became under President Barack Obama, a largely paramilitary operation focused on military solutions rather than espionage. This process was accelerated under Obama's CIA Director John Brennan, who worked assiduously to reduce the influence of the former spies within the Agency. Brennan reportedly had once wanted to become a spy but was kicked out of the training program as "unsuitable."

So, has America learned that its intelligence agencies are doing all the wrong things and that the national defense strategy is unsustainable because the Russian-American relationship is now on a new footing? Possibly, but it is perhaps more likely that Washington will avoid asking the hard questions.Quicklink Not Found

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From Alternet



VOTE

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How steep is the Democrats' path to regaining political power this fall? What can the 2016 election -- and developments since -- tell us about what it will take to win in 2018's midterm elections?

There have been some positive signs in the news, even this week. Texas held the first congressional and state primary election of 2018. Democratic turnout was double from 2014, the last midterm year. Some progressives did well, but overall, hundreds of thousands more Republicans voted. Many were in races where the GOP drew district lines and took other steps to advantage their side.

In Washington State, legislation heading toward the governor's desk will add it to a growing list of states that automatically register every eligible voter. That should be the case in every state, but it's not. Voting in blue-state America can be a world apart from voting in red-state America. And even though it's easier today to register and vote, especially for young people, getting people to the polls in non-presidential races remains a very big challenge. Since the 1970s, midterm turnout keeps falling; a third of people who vote in presidential years simply skip the midterms.

How steep is the climb for Democrats in 2018 and 2020? Steeper than many people think, especially in the red-run states that determine who has a majority in the House of Representatives and the Electoral College. That's because the process of voting, from the starting line of registration to the finish line of having one's ballot counted, is marred by anti-democratic features. Some are hidden; others are visible. They affect who can vote, whether those votes count, and in close elections, who wins.

My new book, Democracy Betrayed: How Superdelegates, Redistricting, Party Insiders, and the Electoral College Rigged the 2016 Election, describes how these factors came into play in 2016's election -- and why they still matter in 2018 and 2020.

The book has four parts: what the Democratic Party did to Bernie Sanders; what the Republicans have done to Democrats this decade; the flawed recounts of 2016; and everything that's unfolding under Trump.

I'm talking about the way the GOP games the rules of voting to betray the promise of our democracy: one person, one vote; and fair counts, in which the winners are declared and the losers go back to try again. If you're reading this, chances are you receive daily emails from political parties or organizations begging for money, for whatever political crisis needs attention, whether causes or candidates. What none of these emails mention are their chances of winning. Concretely, how big are the barriers? What matters most? What does it really take to win?

What's new in 2018 is that we can name, with precision, the obstacles to free and fair elections. We can say how much of an advantage one side has -- or doesn't have -- to win. We can say the percentage of that party's voters needed to turn out and cast ballots that will count. We can say what the impact of laws over-policing the process are -- how much they discourage participation or undermine turnout. We can say which new partisan proposals under Trump would have the biggest negative impacts. We can also say what Russia did and didn't do in 2016, and what the biggest threats are in 2018 and 2020.

Concretely, the Republicans have a 10 point or more structural advantage in the most politically contested states. That's 10 percent more votes that are likely to be cast and counted in specific races for Congress and state legislature. This didn't come out of nowhere. The GOP built it while the Democrats were asleep in 2011. Then the Democrats were out of power and couldn't stop the GOP. If you want to know how big the blue wave has to be to take back the House, this is it.

Democrats must have more than 10 percent of their reliable voters turn out in November -- 10 percent more of their base than reliable Republican voters -- to stand a chance of winning back state legislatures and the U.S. House. They actually need more than that among their party and its allies, independents say, to get a winning majority of votes when the ballots are counted. That is because the voting process can be filled with errors and mistakes that disqualify ballots. They need a turnout wave this big because the boundaries creating the districts they're voting in do not mirror their state's overall political divisions.

Let me break this down. It starts with what's been in the news lately, but wasn't in 2010 and 2011 -- gerrymandering. That's the once a decade process where legislatures, or in some states like California, commissions, redraw political boundaries for anything that's not a statewide race. The formal term is redistricting. It can be fair or it can be very unfair. It can be a reflection of the state's political profile, or it can be a one-sided extreme power grab.

Gerrymandering has been in the news a lot; most recently in Pennsylvania, over its congressional maps. Why? After Obama and the Democrats won a landslide in 2008, a few smart Republican political operatives saw a way back into power. Gerrymandering gave them control of Congress this decade, and it gave them all those red-state majorities that have sued to block Obamacare, ignore climate change, attack abortion and LGBT rights, and stop gun controls.

What did the GOP do? In 2009, Republicans realized that if they won enough state legislative races and governor races in 2010, they'd monopolize redrawing their political maps. So they ran unprecedented nasty campaigns in 16 states that accounted for 190 House seats. Recall that 218 House seats is a majority. It worked and they won. In 2011, they redrew boundaries for their state legislatures and House districts with a clear goal: create unassailable Republican supermajority delegations. How? They segregated voters. They knew every voter's political history. It's not a secret. They cut and pasted and deleted and added neighborhoods. That's gerrymandering: segregating voters. You've seen all those strange maps, like jigsaw puzzles, not county lines. The Democratic epicenters were cracked apart into multiple districts, or overly packed, to take away the competition from the GOP.

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From Sputnik

The British are well known for their dramatic flair when it comes to stories of Cold War espionage and murder mystery. Think Ian Fleming, John Le Carre' and Agatha Christie.

But this week's episode of a former Russian spy being poisoned on a public park bench in a quaint English town has suspiciously a tad too much drama about it.

It is being speculated that the Russian exile, who had been living in Britain since 2010, may have been poisoned with a deadly nerve agent. He is reportedly in hospital in a critical condition.

Within hours of 66-year-old Sergei Skripal being rushed to hospital in Salisbury, along with his adult daughter, British politicians and media were cranking up the story that the pair had fallen victim to a murder plot implicating the Kremlin.

British Prime Minister Theresa May held a top national security summit in Downing Street, and her Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was telling the parliament on Tuesday that further sanctions would be imposed on Russia "if" Moscow was found to be involved in the apparent poisoning incident.

Johnson's use of the word "if" seemed to be irrelevant because he had already laid on the innuendo thick and fast to impugn Russia. "We don't know exactly what has taken place in Salisbury, but if it's as bad as it looks, it is another crime in the litany of crimes that we can lay at Russia's door," intoned Johnson with affected gravity and notable haste to implicate Moscow.

Moscow has dismissed the rampant speculation as "wild" allegations aimed at whipping up "anti-Russian sentiment" among the British public.

British media outlets then quickly moved on to report security sources as saying that Britain's counter-terrorism forces "are hunting a network of highly-trained assassins suspected of launching a nerve agent attack." The would-be assassins were also described as "state sponsored" and conjectured to have access to a "specialist laboratory."

It is being speculated that Sergei Skripal and his 33-year-old daughter, Yulia, were exposed to the deadly nerve toxin known as VX during an afternoon stroll through their adopted hometown of Salisbury on Sunday.

Skripal had been living in Britain for the past eight years where he had been exiled as part of a spy swap. The former GRU military intelligence colonel was found guilty of treason by Russia in 2006 after being exposed as a double agent for Britain's foreign intelligence service MI6. After serving four years in prison in Russia, the disgraced spy was handed over to Britain in a Cold War-style exchange.

What is being recklessly speculated in the British media is that the Kremlin ordered Skripal's assassination out of revenge for his past betrayal.

To drive home the innuendo, comparisons are being made to the death of another Russian secret service agent Alexander Litvinenko. He died in a London hospital in 2006 from suspected poisoning with radioactive polonium. Again, the British media and politicians engaged in tenuous allegations of Kremlin involvement in Litvinenko's death.

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Plastic Additives Market

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Plastic Additives Market 2017-2021" to its huge collection of research reports.Plastic additives are the materials or agents added to the plastic to improve, retain, or modify the properties of the plastic. Plastic additives improve processing conditions, stability, curb surface tension, control blocking, protect from getting oxidized, ensure resistance from flames, and provide the required stability to the final product. Plastics cannot work without additives. With the help of additives, plastics can be made safer, cleaner, tougher, and colorful.Technavios analysts forecast the global plastic additives market to grow at a CAGR of 5.06% 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 plastic additives market for 2017-2021. The report presents a detailed picture of the market by way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:AmericasAPACEMEAGlobal Plastic Additives 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 vendorsBASFClariantThe Dow Chemical CompanyEvonik IndustriesExxonMobilLANXESSMitsui ChemicalsOther prominent vendorsAdeka CorporationAkzoNobelAlbemarle CorporationBaerlocher GroupEmerald Performance MaterialsGrafe Advanced PolymersKaneka CorporationMillikenPolyOneSaboSakai Chemical IndustrySongwonMarket driverRising demand from the automotive segmentFor a full, detailed list, view our reportGet Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @Market challengeBan of phthalates plasticizersFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendIncreasing demand for bio-based plasticizersFor 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?About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @Global Needle Coke Market To Expand At A CAGR Of 5.5% Between 2017 And 2025, To Become US$4,424.3 Mn

Needle Coke Market

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Needle Coke Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2025" to its huge collection of research reports.Needle Coke is a premium grade, high-value, petroleum coke employed in the manufacture of graphite electrodes of very low thermal expansion coefficient for the electric arc furnaces in the steel industry. Only a few companies in the world manufacture needle coke. Production of needle coke involves specific feedstocks, coking environments, and calcination settings. The hardware components employed are similar to that of conventional delayed coker unit. Any heavier streams in the refinery and particularly with low sulfur content are considered as the feed, depending on the type of hydrocarbon molecules present.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The Asia Pacific region is estimated to hold a significant share of the needle coke market due to the rise in demand for steel and increased mining activities in China and India. The market in North America is anticipated to expand at a considerable pace during the forecast period due to higher demand for needle coke from India, China and other countries in Asia for superior needle coke in steel production including Russia. Needle coke has a direct impact on determining the prices of graphite since there is a direct correlation between steel production through EAF and graphite prices. Needle coke is majorly petroleum derived, and hence, prices can fluctuate significantly as its oligopolistic in nature.Global Needle Coke Market: Research MethodologyPrimary research represented the bulk of research efforts, supplemented by extensive secondary research. We reviewed key players product literature, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents for competitive analysis and market understanding. This has proven to be the most reliable, effective, and successful approach for obtaining precise market data, capturing industry participants insights, and recognizing business opportunitiesSecondary research sources which were typically referred to, but are not limited to, include: company websites, annual reports, financial reports, internal and external proprietary databases as well as relevant patent and regulatory database, national government documents, market reports, news articles, press releases, industry magazines, webcasts specific to companies operating in the market, and regulatory databases such as Factiva and Bloomberg, national government documents, statistical databases, and webcasts specific to companies operating in the Needle Coke market.Get Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @We conduct primary interviews on an ongoing basis with mining industry participants and commentators to validate data and analysis. Primary and secondary research were conducted to understand and arrive at trends, which were employed to carry out forecasts for the needle coke market. These help validate and strengthen secondary research findings. These also help develop the analysis, teams expertise and market understanding.Global Needle Coke Market: Competitive LandscapeKey major players operating in the needle coke market include Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., Phillips 66, JXTG Holdings, Inc., Seadrift Coke LP, C-Chem CO., LTD., PETROLEUM COKE INDUSTRIES CO. (K.S.C), Baotailong New Material Co., Ltd., Bao-steel Group, Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited, Shanxi Hongte Coal Chemical Co Ltd., Sinosteel Anshan Research Institute of Thermo-Energy Co., Ltd., Petrochina International Jinzhou Petrochemical Co., Ltd., and Shijiazhuang Deli Chemical Co.Global Needle Coke Market has been segmented as follows:Global Needle Coke Market: by Type- Petroleum Derived- Coal Tar Pitch DerivedGlobal Needle Coke Market: by Grade- Intermediate- Premium- Super PremiumGlobal Needle Coke Market: by End-User- Steel Industry- Aluminum Industry- Lithium Battery- Nuclear Power- AerospaceOthers (Electric Carbon Brush, etc.)Global Needle Coke Market: by RegionNorth America- U.S.- CanadaLatin America- Brazil- Mexico- Rest of Latin AmericaMake an Enquiry of this report @Europe- France- Germany- Russia- Turkey- U.K.- Rest of EuropeAsia Pacific- China- India- Japan- ASEAN- Rest of Asia PacificMiddle East & Africa- GCC- South Africa- Rest of Middle East and AfricaAbout ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @Global Calcium Carbonate Market Will Increment US$22,311.06 Mn By The End Of 2025, Expanding At A Notable CAGR Of 5.0% During 2017 To 2025

Calcium Carbonate Market

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Calcium Carbonate Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2025" to its huge collection of research reports.Calcium carbonate is the chemical compound found abundantly in nature in the form of limestone, chalk and marble. It is also found in the shells of marine animals which inhale the carbon dioxide and produce calcium carbonate. Ground calcium carbonate accounted for major share in 2016 followed by precipitated calcium carbonate. In terms of geographic distribution, Asia Pacific dominated the global calcium carbonate market with more than 50% of the market.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Global Calcium Carbonate Market: Scope of StudyThis report analyzes and forecasts the market for Calcium Carbonate at the global and regional level. The market has been forecast based on volume (Kilo Tons) and revenue (US$ Mn) from 2017 to 2025, considering 2016 as the base year. The study includes drivers and restraints of the global calcium carbonate market. It also covers impact of these drivers and restraints on demand for calcium carbonate during the forecast period. The report also highlights opportunities in the calcium carbonate market at the global and regional level.The report includes detailed value chain analysis, which provides a comprehensive view of the global calcium carbonate market. Porters Five Forces model for the calcium carbonate market has also been included to help understand the competitive landscape in the market. The study encompasses market attractiveness analysis, wherein end-users are benchmarked based on their market size, growth rate, and general attractiveness. Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow the fastest CAGR.Global Calcium Carbonate Market: Market SegmentationThe study provides a decisive view of the global calcium carbonate market by segmenting it in terms of form of product type  ground calcium carbonate, precipitated calcium carbonate. These segments have been analyzed based on present and future trends. The study also provides segmentation of calcium carbonate market based on the applications such as paper, plastic, paint, rubber, adhesives & sealants, building & construction, others. Regional segmentation includes current and forecast demand for calcium carbonate in Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa.The report provides the actual market size of calcium carbonate for 2016 and estimated market size for 2017 with forecast for the next eight years. The global market size of calcium carbonate has been provided in terms of volume and revenue. Market volume has been defined in tons, while market revenue is in US$ Mn. Market numbers have been estimated based on key applications of calcium carbonate. Market size and forecast for numerous end-users have been provided in terms of global, regional, and country level markets.Get Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @Global Calcium Carbonate Market: Research MethodologyIn order to compile the research report, we conducted in-depth interviews and discussions with a number of key industry participants and opinion leaders. Primary research represented the bulk of research efforts, supplemented by extensive secondary research. We reviewed key players product literature, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents for competitive analysis and market understanding. Secondary research includes a search of recent trade, technical writing, Internet sources, and statistical data from government websites, trade associations, and agencies. This has proven to be the most reliable, effective, and successful approach for obtaining precise market data, capturing industry participants insights, and recognizing business opportunities.Secondary research sources that are typically referred to include, but are not limited to company websites, annual reports, financial reports, investor presentations, ICIS, Factiva, European Cosmetics Council, The European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC), Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products (AISE), Journal of Surfactants and Detergents (JSD), American Chemical Society (ACS), Chemical Watch, statistical databases, trade journals, market reports, news articles, press releases, webcasts specific to companies operating in the market.We conduct primary interviews on an ongoing basis with industry participants and commentators to validate data and analysis. These help validate and strengthen secondary research findings. These also help develop the analysis teams expertise and market understanding.Global Calcium Carbonate Market: Competitive LandscapeThe report comprises profiles of major companies operating in the global calcium carbonate market. Key players operating in global calcium carbonate market include Minerals Technologies Inc., Omya AG, United Mining Investments Co., Imerys, Yuncheng Chemical Industrial CO., Ltd, Global Calcium Carbonate Industries, Huber Engineered Materials, Zhenjiang Jiande Longhua Plastic Chemical Co., Ltd, Mississippi Lime Company, Okutama Kogyo Co. Ltd, Maruo Calcium Co. Ltd, Schaefer Kalk GmbH & Co KG, etc. among others.Calcium Carbonate Market: By Product Type (Volume Kilo Tons, Revenue US$ Mn; 2016-2025)- Ground Calcium Carbonate- Precipitated Calcium CarbonateCalcium Carbonate Market: By Application (Volume Kilo Tons, Revenue US$ Mn; 2016-2025)- Paper- Plastic- Paint- Rubber- Adhesives & Sealants- Building & Construction- OthersCalcium Carbonate Market: Regional Analysis (Volume Kilo tons, Revenue US$ Mn; 2016-2025)North America- U.S.- CanadaEurope- Germany- U.K.- France- Italy- Rest of EuropeMake an Enquiry of this report @Asia Pacific- China- Japan- ASEAN- Rest Of Asia PacificLatin America- Brazil- Mexico- Rest of Latin AmericaMiddle East & Africa (MEA)- GCC- Rest of MEAAbout ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @Bakery Premixes Market Globally Expected to Drive Growth through 2024

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Overview:Bakery premixes are substances that includes combination of ingredients making-up part (usually 40-60%) of the end products to which only flour is added for production of variety of bakery products. Bakery premix contains unique formulations in baking ingredients that offers variety of taste, texture and color to the bakery products such as cake, pastry, white bread rolls, baking flour, muffins, bakery improvers, donut and bread rolls. Many bakery manufacturers are using bakery premixes in various customized bakery products on a large scale globally. Bakery premix provides various benefits to manufacturers including greater product consistency and reducing the chances of incorrect weighing of raw materials used in process of bakery products coupled with decreased labor and inventory costs. Baking premixes also includes leavenings and customized combos of flours and flour types in various products. Manufacturers of bakery products are using standardized enriched blends of various premixes in bakery products in order to fulfill the customer demand for customized bakery products. Thus, the baking premixes helps in increasing the shelf life of products on a large scale.Download PDF Brochure @Global Bakery Premix: Market SegmentationThe global bakery premix market is segmented on the basis of type, application and region. The bakery premix market is segmented on the basis of type mainly into complete mix, dough-base mix and dough concentrates. The complete mix includes dry powder blend which requires end user to add water resulting into thick batter and is primarily used by commercial baking industries for more cost-effective processes. The dough-base premixes are partial mixes that requires end user to add water, shortening and eggs and can be modified with inclusion of other ingredients for producing various bakery products. The dough concentrate is a mixture of shortening, dough conditioners, dehydrated eggs and flavors mixed in baking flour.The bakery premix market is segmented on the basis of application type in which bakery premixes are used in applications such as bread and non-bread products. Bread products includes specialty bread, toast bread, white bread rolls, whole-meal bread rolls and non-bread products includes cakes, pancakes, pastry, muffins and donuts. Hence, the global bakery premix market is expected to significantly increase the revenue contribution over the forecast period.Buy this Report at:Global Bakery Premix Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the global bakery premix industry can be divided by major regions which include North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. Globally, among all regions, North America has developed as the most dominant market in bakery premixes followed by Europe. Increasing consumer awareness regarding the benefits of customized premixes in bakery products coupled with inclusion of essential ingredients such as vitamins and minerals, has strengthened the growth of global bakery premix market and hence is projected to significantly expand the revenue contribution of the market over the forecast period.Global Bakery Premix Market: Growth DriversThe global bakery premix market driving factors are increasing demand for customized bread-based bakery products with various formulations in baking ingredients due to changing consumer preference, is a major factor that is fuelling the growth of global bakery premix market. Along with changing consumer lifestyle, the demand for natural ingredient bakery products is increasing and hence is driving the global bakery premix market over the forecast period.Global Bakery Premix Market: PlayersSome of the key players identified across the value chain of the global bakery premix market includeEnhance Proteins Ltd., Echema Technologies LLC, Lesaffre, Puratos, Malindra Group, WATSON-INC, Karl Fazer Ab., Allied Mills, Swiss Bake Ingredients Pvt Ltd, Archer Daniels Midland Company and Bakels Worldwide.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Global In Vitro Diagnostics Market Will Reach US$89,862.2 Mn By The End Of 2025 To Exhibit A CAGR Of 5.6%

In Vitro Diagnostics Market

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "In Vitro Diagnostics Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, & Forecast 2017 - 2025" to its huge collection of research reports.This report on in vitro diagnostics market studies the current as well as future prospects of the market globally. The stakeholders of this report include companies and intermediaries engaged in the manufacture, commercialization, providing in vitro diagnostics products as well as new entrants planning to enter this market. This report comprises an elaborate executive summary along with a market snapshot providing overall information of various segments and sub-segments considered in the scope of the study. This section also provides the overall information and data analysis of the global in vitro diagnostics market with respect to the leading market segments based on major types,applications, end users, and geographies.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Global In Vitro Diagnostics Market: Key SegmentsBy technology type market further segmented into point of care, molecular diagnostics, immunoassays, clinical chemistry, whole blood glucose monitoring, hematology, clinical microbiology, coagulation and hemostasis, and others. On the basis of applications in vitro diagnostics market has been segmented as drug testing, infectious disease, oncology, metabolic disease, autoimmune disease, and others. Further the market has been segmented according to its end users that includes diagnostics laboratories, hospitals, academic & research centers, home care and others. Each of the market segments have been extensively analyzed based on the market related factors such as increasing adoption rate worldwide, and technological advancement, in various geographies. Moreover, historical year-on-year growth have been taken into consideration while estimating the market size. The market size and forecast in terms of US$ million for each segment has been provided for the period from 2015 to 2025. The report also provides the compound annual growth rate (CAGR %) for each market segment for the forecast period from 2017 to 2025, considering 2016 as the base year.The market overview section of the report explores the market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities that currently have a strong impact on the in vitro diagnostics market and could influence the market in the near future. Market attractiveness analysis has been provided in the market overview section in order to explain the intensity of competition in the market across different geographies. The competitive scenario among different market players is evaluated through market share analysis in the competitive landscape section of the report. All these factors would help market players to take strategic decisions in order to strengthen their positions and expand their shares in the global in vitro diagnostics market.Get Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @Global In Vitro Diagnostics Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, in vitro diagnostics market has been segmented into five major regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. The market size and forecast for each of these regions has been provided for the period from 2015 to 2025, along with their respective CAGRs for the forecast period from 2017 to 2025, considering 2016 as the base year. The report also provides with market size and forecast for major countries in the respective regions. A detailed qualitative analysis of factors responsible for driving and restraining the market growth and future opportunities has been provided in the market overview section. This section of the report also provides with market attractiveness analysis, Porters five forces analysis, market strategy overview, and market share analysis by key players, thus presenting a thorough analysis of the overall competitive scenario in the global In Vitro Diagnostics Market.Companies Mentioned in ReportThe key findings section included in the report would assist existing market players in expanding their market shares, and new companies in establishing their presence in the global In Vitro Diagnostics Market. The key players operating in the in vitro diagnostics market are Abbott., Becton Dickinson and Company, Biomerieux SA, Danaher Corporation, Gen-Probe Incorporated, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Life Technologies Corporation, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Siemens Healthineers (a division of Siemens AG), Sysmex Corporation, Qiagen N.V., Diasorin and Thermo Fisher Scientific Corporation. The global in vitro diagnostics market is dominated only by few players such as F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd and Abbott that operates global market.The global In Vitro Diagnostics Market is segmented as follows:Global In Vitro Diagnostics Market, by Technology- Point of Care- Molecular Diagnostics- Polymerase Chain Reaction(PCR)- Isothermal Nucleic Acid Amplification Technology- Microarray- Hybridization- DNA Sequencing and Next Generation Sequencing- Other MDX Technologies- Immunoassay- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA)- Radioimmunoassay (RIA)- Enzyme-Linked Immunospot (ELIspot) Assay- Rapid Tests- Other Immunoassay Techniques- Clinical Chemistry- Basic Metabolic Profile- Electrolyte Panel- Liver Panel- Lipid Panel- Renal Panel- Thyroid Function Panel- Specialty Chemical Tests- Whole Blood Glucose Monitoring- Hematology- Clinical Microbiology- Coagulation and Hemostasis- OthersGlobal In Vitro Diagnostics Market, by Application- Drug Testing- Infectious Disease- Oncology- Metabolic Disease- Autoimmune Disease- OthersGlobal In Vitro Diagnostics Market, by End User- Diagnostics Laboratories- Hospitals- Academic & Research Centers- Home Care- OthersGlobal In Vitro Diagnostics Market, by GeographyNorth America- U.S.- CanadaEurope- Germany- U.K.- France- Italy- Spain- Rest of the EuropeMake an Enquiry of this report @Asia Pacific- China- India- Japan- Australia & New Zealand- Rest of Asia PacificLatin America (LATAM)- Brazil- Mexico- Rest of LATAMMiddle East & Africa- GCC Countries- South Africa- Israel- Rest of Middle East & AfricaAbout ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @IQF Meat and Poultry Market Driven by Increasing Demand for Frozen Meat and Poultry Products

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Global IQF Meat and Poultry Market: OverviewIndividual quick freezing (IQF) is one of the major technology used to keep variety of fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry and sea food products fresh for longer duration and to streamline the supply chain of these with rare chances of loss or damage to the stored products. IQF is a process to freeze meat and poultry products at -30C to - 40C temperature which preserves meat and poultry products for longer duration, sometimes even a year, while maintaining the major attributes such as taste, colours, flavours and texture till it reaches at consumption point. IQF meat and poultry products are stored in extreme low temperature or in advance refrigerators. IQF technology is ideal for preserving meat and poultry as it prevents the development of microorganisms responsible for staleness and bad odour from the products IQF meat and poultry products are expected to have same nutritional value and quality after freezing as it possess when the products are fresh, and this a major factor which is supporting the growth of IQF meat and poultry products worldwide. With the development of basic infrastructure in various developing countries, and easy availability of storage space and economical prices is expected to drive the demand of IQF meat and poultry across the globe.Download PDF Brochure @...Global IQF Meat and Poultry Market: SegmentationIQF meat and poultry market is segmented on the basis of product types, end-user and regions. On the basis of product type, IQF meat and poultry market can be segmented in IQF meat products and IQF poultry products. IQF meat products is further sub-segment as cooked meat, raw/minced meat/marinated meat and others (beef, lamb and horse meat). IQF poultry product is further sub-segment as chicken breast, steaks, chicken fillets, duck breast. Among meat products marinated meats needs more care while freezing due stickiness of the product. Among poultry products chicken breast expected to be dominant in terms of revenue contribution followed by chicken fillets and steaks. As new category of ready to eat meat and poultry products is emerging which is a mix of meat and poultry products, with vegetables coatings and required different variety of packaging during storage.IQF meat and poultry is segmented on the basis of end-user includes food service including hotel/restaurant/catering, food manufacturers and retail. Among all these end-user segment food manufacturers is expected to be dominant contributor in terms of revenue in the IQF meat and poultry market.Buy this Report at:...Global IQF Meat and Poultry Market: Regional OutlookGlobal IQF meat and poultry market can also be segmented on the basis of regions, viz. North America, Latin America, Western and Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa. Among all the regions North America is expected to dominate the market for IQF meat and poultry in terms of volume consumption and value. The U.S. is expected to contribute highest revenue in the IQF meat and poultry market followed by Canada. Market in Asia Pacific is expected to grow with the growing focus of infrastructure development and increasing number of cold storages in Indian sub-continent. Increased usage on-the go food products is expected to drive the growth of IQF meat and poultry in North America region. This growth is also due to increased disposable income and rising preference of the consumer towards packaged and convenience food product across the region.Global IQF Meat and Poultry Market: DriversIncreasing demand for frozen meat and poultry products by end consumer is expected to support the growth of IQF meat and poultry through super/hypermarket and other outlets. Rising demand of food products with longer shelf life coupled with the increasing demand for packaged meat and poultry across the year is expected to support the growth of IQF meat and poultry market during the forecast period. Increased demands for prepared food is ultimately driving the IQF meat and poultry market.Global IQF Meat and Poultry Market: Key PlayersSome of the major player in IQF meat and poultry product market, across the value chain are, The Linde Group, Forrester (Sales) Ltd, Pinnacle Foods, Waltloo Meat & Chicken, Brecon Foods Inc., Findus Group, Kuhne + Heitz, Unitemp, La Senda Frozen Foods, and Alm Group among the others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Global Sales Tax Software Market Analysis, Technologies & Forecasts to 2023

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QYReports has added a report, titled Global Sales Tax Software Market Size, Status and Forecast 2025, which provides an overview of the various factors enabling growth in the market. It also presents insights into various restraints that pose threat and highlights opportunities that will help the market pick pace in the forthcoming years. The report accumulates exhaustive information obtained via proven research methodologies and from trusted sources within the industries. It also includes expert opinions to provide readers a clearer perspective regarding the global market.Key Players:Avalara, Vertex, Inc., SOVOS, AccurateTax.com, EGov Systems, CFS Tax Software, Xero, Thomson Reuters, Exactor, Wolters Kluwer, FedTax, Sales Tax DataLINK, PrepareLink LLC, LumaTax, LegalRaasta.com, Service ObjectsFor Sample Copy of this report:A birds eye view of the Sales Tax Software industry made available in the report helps readers to understand the key drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities that are shaping the global Sales Tax Software market. Furthermore, the report evaluates challenges experienced from buyers and sellers side. The report offers advice from key industry experts on how these challenges can be overcome.The future potentials of this market are analyzed and the prevalent trends are been looked upon with utmost detailing. The growth in all the major geographic regions are been studied in detail in this particular report. With exact data on the top most regions for this market and the reason they hold that position is studied and elaborated.Avail 30% Discount on this Report:The regional study of the global Sales Tax Software market is performed through its segments into key regions North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East & Africa and Latin America. Each region provides a diverse array of influential factors and therefore opportunities for the various players in the global market. The report thus helps players visualize the various dynamics involved in the market and how they can use them either to their advantage or circumvent challenges to gain more success.The market intelligence profiles these players and offers a detailed report about the competitive landscape present in the global Sales Tax Software market. Additionally, the report also includes a Porters five forces analysis, which examines the threat of the new entrants, the bargaining power of buyers and suppliers, and the intensity of the competitive rivalry. The report also discusses the business and marketing strategies expected to be implemented in the coming few years.Get Complete Report@:About QYReports:We at, QYReports , a leading market research report publisher accommodate more than 4,000 celebrated clients worldwide putting them at advantage in todays competitive world with our understanding of research. Our list of customers include prestigious Chinese companies, multinational companies, SME's and private equity firms whom we have helped grow and sustain with our fact-based research. Our business study covers a market size of over 30 industries offering unfailing insights into analysis to reimagine your business. We specialize in forecasts needed for investing in a new project, to revolutionize your business, to become more customer centric and improve the quality of output.Contact:QYReportsJones John(Sales Manager)+91-9764607607sales@qyreports.comTapioca ingredients/extracts Market Driven by Increasing Demand of Convenience Food

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Overview:Tapioca refers to the starch extracted from cassava root. Once the cassava plants are harvested, their roots are treated in order to remove toxins present in plants. The starch obtained is known as tapioca, which is further processed into various forms such as flakes, powder ball-shaped pearls or sticks. Tapioca is highly rich in carbohydrate, and have lower content of protein, saturated fat, and sodium. Tapioca also contains the vitamin B-complex, comprising folate, pantothenic acid, and B6, as well as iron, calcium, manganese, copper, and selenium. The major producers of tapioca includes Brazil, Nigeria and Thailand. Owing to the unique composition of vitamins, carbohydrates, minerals, and organic compounds in tapioca, it has gained high preference in staple food. Tapioca ingredients/extracts are widely used as a thickening agent for sauces, gravies, casseroles, pies, soups, and other desserts.Download PDF Brochure @In addition, tapioca ingredients possess high medicinal value, thus is very beneficial for health. It helps in increasing blood circulation and red blood cell count, protects heart health, healthy weight gain, lower cholesterol, prevent diabetes, improve metabolic activities, improve digestion, protect against birth defects, protect bone mineral density, and maintains fluid balance within the body.Global Tapioca ingredients/extracts Market: Market SegmentationThe global tapioca ingredient/extracts market is segmented on the basis of form, application, function and region type. On the basis of form, tapioca ingredient/extract market is segmented into natural, dried, toasted, and fermented.On the basis of application, the tapioca ingredients/extracts market is segmented into food & beverages, animal feed, and other end-user application. Food & beverages application is further sub-segmented into confectionary, beverages, processed foods, and others. Sub-segments of animal feed include swine feed, ruminant feed, poultry, and others. Tapioca has gained high demand in food & beverages industry owing to its neutral flavor and strong gelling power. It serves as a thickening agent in the sweet and savory foods. Tapioca needs to be soaked first, and then boiled with a liquid to form a gel. Additionally, tapioca, being a gluten free product, is the most common ingredient in the gluten free foods. This is due to its ability to improve moisture and texture in the absence of gluten. Other end-user application includes medicines & pharmaceuticals, weaving & textiles, paper making, cosmetics, and others.Buy this Report at:Based on functions, the global tapioca ingredients/extracts market is segmented into thickening, binding, emulsifying, stabilizing, and others (gelling, adhesion, moisture retention, film formation, fat substitution and others). Thickening function of tapioca is expected to gain high demand during the forecast period.Global Tapioca ingredients/extracts Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the global tapioca ingredients/extracts market can be segmented into major regions including North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. Globally, among all regions, North America is expected to be the largest market for tapioca ingredients/extracts. Increasing demand of convenience food is one of the major factor contributing to the high market share of tapioca ingredients/extracts in North America. Asia Pacific region is projected to be the fastest growing market owing to the increased applications of tapioca ingredients/extracts in the food & beverages industry.Global Tapioca ingredients/extracts Market: Growth DriversTapioca ingredients/extracts market is expected to witness modest growth during the next couple of years. The growth is supported by various macro-economic factors such as population growth, recovered GDP, and increased disposable income have played a major role in elevating the demand of tapioca ingredients/extract market. In addition, its high demand is attributable to the increased applications of starch based products in food & beverage industry. Rapid urbanization coupled with the changing life-style and eating habits, along with the growing awareness level regarding health benefits of tapioca ingredients/extracts are fueling the growth of global tapioca ingredients market. Food technologist and companies in this market are continuously involved in research & development activities to enhance the tapioca ingredients/extracts profile so as to modify it as per use.Global Tapioca ingredients/extracts Market: PlayersSome of the key players identified across the value chain of the global tapioca ingredients/extracts market include Avebe U.A., Archer Daniels Midland Company, Cargill, Incorporated, Ingredion Incorporated, Tate & Lyle PLC, Emsland-Starke GmbH, Agrana Beteiligungs-Ag, and Tereos Syral S.A.S among others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Long-Grain Rice Seed Market Top Manufactures Analysis, Size, Share, Trends and Forecast to 2022

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Long-Grain Rice Seed Market report conveys an essential review of the Long-Grain Rice Seed Market including its definition, applications and technology. Additionally, the Long-Grain Rice Seed Industry report investigates the international Major Market players in detail.The latest report on the Long-Grain Rice Seed industry takes a closer look at the value chain assessment for the forecast period, 2018 to 2022. Along with the detailed analysis of the performance of the prominent market players, the study brings to light their winning strategies. Apart from this, the researchers behind the market intelligence report examine the weaknesses, strengths, opportunities, and restraints expected to shape the progress of the Long-Grain Rice Seed market for the forecast period, 2018 to 2022. The market intelligence report includes detailed statistics on market segmentation based on product value, application, classification, and sale.Get 15% Discount on this Report @Scope of the Report:Furthermore, application of Porters Five Forces Analysis to determine the status of various aspects such as the capability of both the suppliers and customers, threats posed by different substitutes, the intensity of competition and promising new vendors makes the study a valuable resource. Extensive analysis of data pertaining to the current as well as emerging trends offers clarity regarding the Long-Grain Rice Seed market dynamics. Besides, information on the performance of different companies, profit, gross margin, strategic initiative and more are presented through various resources such as tables, charts, and infographic.Market segment by Application, Long-Grain Rice Seed can be split into Agricultural Planting Scientific and Research PlantingMarket segment by Type, Long-Grain Rice Seed can be split into Japonica Rice Indica RiceBuy This premium Report @This report focuses on the top players in global market, like Dupont Pioneer Bayer Nuziveedu Seeds Kaveri Mahyco RiceTec Krishidhan Rasi Seeds JK seeds Syngenta Longping High-tech China National Seed Grand Agriseeds Dabei Nong Group Hefei FengleIn market segmentation by geographical regions, the report has analysed the following regions-North America, China, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia, IndiaFull Report With TOC:The study further offers a comprehensive assessment of the revenue generated by the various segments across different regions for the forecast period, 2018 to 2025. To help business owners gain a thorough understanding of the current momentum the research taps hard to find data on aspects including but not limited to demand and supply, distribution channel and technology upgrades. Most importantly, evaluation of stringent rules and regulations and government initiatives shaping the progress of the Long-Grain Rice Seed industry offers an understanding of what is in store for the business owners in the years to come.The research provides answers to the following key questions: What will be the market size of the Long-Grain Rice Seed industry by 2022? What will be the estimated market share over the next few years? What are the key driving forces fueling the growth of the Long-Grain Rice Seed industry across different regions? Who are major vendors expected to dominate the market for the forecast period 2018 to 2022? What are the current and emerging trends likely to influence the progress of the industry worldwide? What are the type of opportunities market vendors can rely on to stay competitive over the years?Follow us on LinkedIn:Follow us on Twitter:Follow us on Google Plus:Follow us on Facebook:About UsPlanning to invest in market intelligence products or offerings on the web? Then marketexpertz has just the thing for you - reports from over 500 prominent publishers and updates on our collection daily to empower companies and individuals catch-up with the vital insights on industries operating across different geography, trends, share, size and growth rate. There's more to what we offer to our customers. With marketexpertz you have the choice to tap into the specialized services without any additional charges.Contact Us40 Wall St. 28th floor New York City,NY 10005 United States+1-800-819-3052Sapphire Substrates Market - Thriving Electronics Sector to Back Healthy Expansion of Market

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The global market for sapphire substrates exhibits a largely fragmented and an intensely competitive vendor landscape, observes Transparency Market Research (TMR) in a recent report. The leading five companies collectively accounted for a nearly 30% of the market in 2015, while small- and medium-sized players held nearly 65% of the global market in the said year. Leading vendors in the market are focusing on collaborations to ease the level of competitive rivalry and expand their product portfolios and consumer bases. Geographical expansion and exploiting emerging regional markets are also increasingly being sought out as ways of achieving better growth opportunities in the market.TMR analysts suggest that the global sapphire substrates market will exhibit a healthy 4.10% CAGR over the period between 2016 and 2024. Considering the numbers hold true, the market is expected to rise from a valuation of US$0.4 bn in 2015 to US$0.6 bn by 2024.Request Sample:Market in Asia Pacific to Outpace other Crucial Regional MarketOf the key areas of application for the global sapphire substrates market, including radio frequency integrated circuits, light emitting diodes, and laser diodes, the report states that the LED segment was attributable for a large share of the overall consumption in 2015. The segment is also expected to continue to hold prominence over the reports forecast period.Geographically, the market in Asia Pacific is presently the leading contributor of revenue to the global sapphire substrates market. The regional market accounted for a massive 60% of the overall market and is expected to continue to have a stronghold on the global market over the reports forecast period. Factors such as the presence of a large number of LED manufacturers, a well-established consumer electronics industry, and the presence of several semiconductor manufacturing facilities could bode well for the development of the regions sapphire substrates market over the reports forecast period.Massive Expansion of Global Electronics Industry to Help Market Gain Pace over Forecast PeriodTMR analysts expect the advent and increased adoption of the silicon-on-sapphire (SoS) technology to act as a key growth driver for the global sapphire substrates market in the next few years. Vast advantages of sapphire in terms of insulating capacity as compared to other materials have been the key factors encouraging the increased uptake of SoS technology across a number of applications. The vast rise in demand for LED products across a vast number of application areas could also act as a promising growth driver for the market.Browse Our Report:Moreover, the glorious expansion of the electronics sector in the past few decades has had a positive impact on the development of a number of associated technologies, including the silicon-on-sapphire technology. The increased uptake of sapphire substrate in a vast varieties of electronic products has in the past and will continue in the future to be a major thrust for the for the global sapphire substrate market.On the flip side, however, the market has suffered a great deal from the oversupply of sapphire ingots in the recent past. The vast potential showcased by sapphire attracted a large number of companies in the global market and led to plummeting costs and reduced profitability for leading players. Moreover, the increased popularity of GaN-on-Si-based LED products is also hampering the growth prospects of the global market.This review of the global sapphire substrates market is based on a recent market research report published by Transparency Market Research, titled Sapphire Substrates Market (Wafer Diameter - 2 inches, 4 inches, and 6 inches; Application - Light Emitting Diode (LED), Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits (RFICs), and Laser Diodes) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024.Get TOC of This Report:Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Surgical Drapes Market is projected to reach US$ 3.8 Bn in 2025 at a CAGR of 3.3%

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The global surgical drapes market exhibit the presence of several tier 1, tier 2, and tier 3 companies. This is indicative of a highly competitive vendor landscape. According to a new study by Transparency Market Research (TMR), some of the prominent companies operating in the global surgical drapes market have resorted to strategies such as product differentiation, aggressive pricing, and product upgrades to buoy competitive strength. Besides these, several companies are forging distribution partnerships aimed at reached wider audiences, thereby expanding their regional and global footprint.According to TMR, the global surgical drapes market is likely to remain steady during 2017 and 2025, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.3% during the time-frame. At this pace, the market is expected to value US$3.8 bn by the end of 2025. Among end users, the market is expected to witness significantly high demand from the hospital segment. Besides this, the market is forecast to be led by North America among its key regional segments.Read Report Overview:Rising Incidence of HAIs to Fuel Demand for Surgical DrapesThe global surgical drapes market will continue exhibiting strong growth in the forthcoming years on account of the rising incidence of hospital-acquired infection (HAIs). Besides this, the probability of surgical site infections (SSIs) increasing owing to the use of unsterilized equipment is fuelling the demand for surgical drapes. Surgical drapes help in preventing the incidence of SSIs, which is identified as one of the chief market drivers. In addition, surgical drapes protect from various forms of contamination such as skin flora, which is identified as one of the key triggers of SSIs. They are used by patients and healthcare workers alike, which has bode well for the overall market. The fact that surgical drapes are available in various sizes and diverse ranges has helped the market hold on to its steady growth as well.Request Sample of Report:A recent study by the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases has revealed that hospital acquired infections are more prevalent in low and middle-income nations. According to organization, emerging nations showed high prevalence of hospital acquired infections compared to the US and a few of the developed countries across Europe. Because adoption of preventive methods such as using surgical drapes can help reduce the prevalence of HAIs, their demand has been rising at a steady pace over the years. Considering this, the use of surgical drapes has increased significantly during surgeries. As an outcome of these factors, the market is witnessing a significantly high demand for surgical drapes, a condition, which is unlikely to change in the coming years unless breakthroughs occur in the healthcare sector.Download Brochure of Report:Increasing Number of Surgeries to Fuel Demand for Disposable Surgical Sterile DrapesOver the years, the adoption of surgical drapes has increased in the Americas. The region witnesses a significantly high number of surgeries conducted in a given year as a result of the rising incidence of chronic ailments and other factors. Incise surgical drapes are mostly used during complex surgeries such as limb amputation due to diabetes, trauma, cardiac surgeries, or maxillofacial surgeries. Against this backdrop, experts have identified the markets potential to keep exhibiting positive trajectory through the course of the forecast period. To the markets advantage, government initiatives aimed at spreading awareness regarding HAIs will lead to the increased adoption of disposable surgical sterile drapes, said a lead TMR analyst. Given the scenario, the global surgical drapes market is expected to remain steady through the course of the forecast period.About us:Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a U.S.-based provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Coffee Premixes Market Driven by Changing and Varying Lifestyle

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Overview:Coffee premix is a fusion of different ingredients made from premium quality coffee beans with distinct flavors and aromas, which produces a unique result for consumption. It contains caffeine, coloring agents, preservatives and other ingredients. The use and necessity of coffee premixes are rising both at individual level and at Quick Service Restaurants (QSR), thus, adding more to the demand for the particular market at a substantial rate over the years. The consumption of coffee is high, and, to meet the most of the growing demand, new flavors are being introduced in the market. Coffee premixes have a relatively longer shelf life because it is sealed, which prevents it to absorb moisture. In case of revenue, instant coffee premixes mixed with milk or water captured the largest market share among all other instant beverage premixes and is projected to be the leader during the forecast period. The coffee premixes market growth is largely connected to the growing end user industry of coffee. Coffee premix can be consumed with milk or water, as per individual preferences. Seasonal menu components served in restaurants and quick serve restaurants (QSR) is an opportunity for coffee premix market. For instance with desserts, sweet coffee premixes is preferred generally as toppings or granules.Download PDF Brochure @Global Coffee Premix: Market SegmentationCoffee premixes is intermediate which can be directly purchased by end users for their own consumption and, it can be also used in vending machines. The global coffee premix market is segmented on the basis of type, brewing, flavors and forms. Different types of coffee beans used to make premixes are green, black, brown and white. Coffee premixes on the basis of brewing style can be mainly segmented into instant, cappuccino, mocha, latte, espresso and regular. Among all the brewing style, regular occupies the largest market share followed by cappuccino. Flavors are segmented into chicory, chocolate, maple walnut, honey cinnamon and rosemary. Chocolate occupies the largest market share among all the flavors available in the market. Different forms of coffee premixes market are roasted/grounded, blended and soluble.Global Coffee Premix Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the coffee premixes industry can be divided by major regions which include North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa. Coffee premixes consumption is highest in Finland followed by Norway and Netherlands. Production of coffee premixes is highest in Brazil followed by Vietnam and Colombia. The plantation of coffee covers 25,000-30,000 square kilometers of the land in Minas Gerais, Sao Paulo and Parana which are the south eastern states in Brazil and it contributes 40% of the worlds total coffee supply.Buy this Report at:Global Coffee Premix Market: Growth DriversCoffee is the major application of coffee premixes which is the main growth driver for this market. The changing and varying life style is one of the driving force behind the coffee premix market. People are going experimental, so they tend to try different flavors of premixes available in the market. Health awareness is also a driving force in the market. Black coffee premixes are calorie and fat free, containing soluble fibers, which help fighting diabetes and boom mental state. Other driving health issues are, overcoming depression, improve physical stamina, burn fat, regulate blood pressure level, and the antioxidants enhance brain activity. The packaging of coffee premixes is also one of the drivers. Packaging in small sachet, provides the consumers ease of carrying it, anywhere. With the growth in service sectors and rise in number of work places, there is a high demand of coffee premixes across the globe.Global Coffee Premix Market: PlayersSome of the key players identified across the value chain of the global coffee premix market includes Nestle (Nescafe), The Coca Cola Company (Georgia), Starbucks Corporation, Unilever, Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company Limited, European Coffee Federation, Paulig Juhla Mokka, Vending Updates India Pvt. Ltd. And others. The companies are expected to expand their business by enhancing their product portfolio in global Coffee premix market. The companies are projected to frame certain strategies in future in order to gain the competitive advantage in global Coffee premix market till 2024.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Foot Care Tools Market: Industry Drivers, Restraints, and Trends Analysis For 2025

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Rising number of individuals across the globe are getting concerned about hygiene and started to become conscious about their appearance. Individuals have increasingly started to visit salons for manicure and pedicure frequently. Owing to these reasons, foot care tools market is expanding with a significant CAGR across the globe. Increasing fashion trend and consciousness among individuals regarding status in society, the pedicure is increasingly adopted by people. Foot care tools are extensively used by podiatry professionals, pedicure centers such as salons, etc. and used by individuals for personal use as well.Download Brochure For More Information@Foot care tools market is expected to increase in terms of revenue significantly over the forecast period, owing to increasing inclination of individuals towards pedicure.Foot Care Tools Market: SegmentationFoot care tools market can be segmented on the basis of product type, end-use, sales channel and region.On the basis of product type, foot care tools market is segmented into nippers, files, scissors, burs, curette, callus trimmers, tips, forceps, nail clippers, nail splitters and others.Foot care tools market can be further segmented on the basis of end-use into podiatry, pedicure and personal use.On the basis of sales channel, foot care tools market can be segmented into direct and retail sales. Direct sales refer to direct selling of tools to hospitals, salons, spa and beauty centers. Retail sales are further segmented into pharmacies/drug stores, beauty and cosmetics shops, specialty stores, online retail, modern trade, convenience stores and other retailing formats.On the basis of region, Foot care tools market can be segmented into seven key regions: North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Middle East and Africa and Japan.Foot Care Tools market: Drivers, Restraints, and TrendsIncreasing consciousness among individuals regarding personal care is expected to fuel the growth of the foot care tools market. Pedicure and manicure are getting popular among customers and increasing fashion trend is driving the sales of foot care tools. Owing to increasing inclination of consumers, salons and spa are increasingly buying the foot care tools. Increasing problems related to foot among individuals is also increasing demand for podiatry treatments which is fueling the demand for foot care tools in hospitals and podiatry clinics.Low penetration of foot care tools and weak distribution channel could be considered as a restraint and could hamper the sales of foot care tools. Regions with low disposable income and personal care spending such as African countries are expected to contribute minimal revenue share.Increasing sense of fashion among individuals is trending across the globe and is expected to increase the pedicure segment sales over the forecast period.Foot Care Tools Market: Regional OutlookDepending on the geographic regions, global foot care tools market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, APEJ, MEA and Japan.Foot care tools market is expected to have a relatively high share in North America and Western Europe. Latin America also holds significant value share.Get Toc Of Research Report@Asia Pacific excluding Japan is expected to expand with relatively high CAGR over the forecast period, owing to increasing fashion trend across the region and increasing cosmetics and personal care expenditure. The Middle East and Africa is expected to expand with relatively low CAGR over the forecast period. Japan is a saturated and fully grown market owing to which foot care tools market is expected to expand slowlyPopulation around the globe is getting concerned about their appearance among society and are increasingly adopting fashion trends.Foot Care Tools Market: Key PlayersSome of the prominent manufacturers of Foot care tools are A. Algeo Limited, Gehwol, CPC Healthcare, Supremed, Pedicare Professional Footcare Instruments Limited., Gebruder Nippes GmbH & Co. KG, and other regional players.About Us:-Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a next-generation provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.Contact Us:-State Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWind Turbine Gearbox Market to Expand with Significant CAGR During 2025

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Increasing demand for clean energy has propelled the market for wind turbines. Majority of wind turbines operating currently use a gearbox system. Rise in the number of wind turbines across the globe has boosted the wind turbine gearbox market. Different components in a wind turbine play an important role in optimizing the speed for maximum efficiency. Thus, a gearbox plays a critical part in a wind turbine, as it accelerates the slower turbine rotations to fast generator rotational speed. Yet, in contrast to conventional gearboxes, a wind turbine gearbox does not switch gears. Rather, it retains a single gear ratio between the generator and rotor rotation.Read Report Overview @The global wind turbine gearbox market is expected to expand at a substantial pace in the near future primarily due to the rise in demand for clean energy. This increase in demand for clean energy is encouraging power generation companies and agencies across the globe to construct wind farms. The cost of wind technology has fallen significantly in recent years as wind farms are becoming more and more common. This, in turn, is making the technology reasonably priced for power generation companies. Low cost of technology and government support from various countries in Europe, the Middle East, and North America have augmented the adoption of wind power. Developing countries such as India and China also offer a huge motivation to the demand for wind power as the government of these countries are funding various projects for the growth of the wind energy sector. Thus, growth in the wind power industry is driving the wind turbine gearbox market.High rate of failure of wind turbine gearboxes as a result of wide variability in wind patterns and speeds is the major drawback of the wind turbine gearbox market. Gearbox failures often account for significant part of the cost of repair and restoration of wind turbines. The frequency of occurrence of a gearbox failure is comparatively lesser than the number of failures of sensors, control systems, and electrical units; however, the costs of gearbox repairs are significantly high. Furthermore, the number of days out per failure are considerably higher in case of a gearbox failure. Nevertheless, the need to produce clean energy and the common goal to reduce carbon dioxide gas emission are estimated to boost the wind energy sector, thus augmenting the market for wind turbine gearbox in the near future. Furthermore, to overcome the increasing instances of power supply shortages is estimated to augment the demand for wind energy in the commercial as well as the residential sector. This, in turn, is estimated to propel the demand for gearbox wind turbines.The wind turbine gearbox market can be segmented based on capacity, application, and region. In terms of capacity, the market can be divided into less than 3MW, between 3MW and 6MW, and more than 6MW. Based on application, the market can be bifurcated into onshore and offshore. In terms of region, the wind turbine gearbox market can be segregated into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America.Request to view Sample Report:Key players operating in the market include GE Energy, Suzlon Energy, Bosch Rexroth, Dana Brevini Power - Transmission SpA, Winergy, and Gamesa.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Directional Drilling Service Market Progresses for Huge Profits During 2025

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Directional drilling controls the trajectory and deviation of the well during drilling operations. It deviates a wellbore and explore the oilfields from a targeted location. Rise in energy demand due to the shale gas revolution, urbanization & industrialization, and oilfield discoveries in onshore as well as offshore locations are major factors driving the directional drilling service market. Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) or directional boring is a steerable trenchless method of installing conduits, cables, and underground pipes with minimum effect to the contiguous area. HDD is primarily used for utility installation, cable laying, and underground construction.Read Report Overview @Directional drilling services have transformed the oil and gas industry. Oil and gas can be extracted economically from the deep ocean floor using directional drilling. It is also used to deplete and formerly abandoned oil wells. Directional drilling technology increases the area covered by a single rig, saving capital expenditure. Increase in demand for chemical and petrochemicals products and rise in exploration and production activities in distant locations and deep waters are boosting the oil & gas segment of the market. Volatility of the crude oil market and environmental concerns during drilling operation are restraining the directional drilling services market.The direction drilling services market can be segmented based on application, type, services, and region. In terms of application, the market can be bifurcated into onshore and offshore. Based on types, the market can be split into conventional and rotary steerable system. The conventional segment is expected to holds a major share of the market in Asia Pacific due to rapid urbanization & industrialization in the region. In terms of services, the direction drilling services market can be divided into measurement while drilling (MWD) & survey, logging while drilling (LWD), motors, rotary steerable system (RSS), and others (automated drilling systems, well bore positioning, side tracking, hydraulics, well planning, drag analysis, and torque). The rotary steerable system (RSS) segment is expected to account for a major share of the directional drilling services market due to the increase in use of directional and horizontal drilling activities in exploration and production (E&P) of shale gas.Based on region, the directional drillings services market can be segmented into North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. North America is a dominating market for directional drilling services as most of the directional and horizontal wells are drilled in the region. In North America, the evolution of the directional drilling services market can be ascribed to factors such as drilling activity for shale gas in countries like U.S. and Canada. The U.S. is the dominant player in this region owing to the increase in E&P activities for shale gas in the Gulf of Mexico. The market in North America is followed by Asia Pacific, which is also driven by E&P activities in China and India. China is one of the major consumers of oil & gas, was planned to increase natural gas consumption as it seems to be replace coal as a chief energy source due to stringent government regulation. Middle East and Africa is also key market player for E&P of crude oil. This is expected to increase in near future due to the increase in production of onshore and offshore exploration activities. However, uncertainty of the upstream oil market and low crude oil prices increases the focus on renewable energy, which can restrain the directional drilling services market.Request to view Sample Report:Key players operating in the global directional drilling services market include, Halliburton Company, Baker Hughes Incorporated, National Oil well Varco, Inc., Weatherford International plc, Jindal Drilling & Industries Limited, Cathedral Energy Services Ltd., and Schlumberger Limited.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:LNG Re-liquefaction Plants Market to Record Sturdy Growth by 2025

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Demand for clean fuel vehicles running on natural gas is gaining momentum due to the rise in concern about environment protection. Governments across the world are promoting the usage of natural gas vehicles owing to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Natural gas global consumption continues to increase significantly. The replacement of liquid fossil fuels, such as HFO, diesel, effects on the environment, with emissions of NOx, SOx, and particulates being almost entirely eliminated and CO2 emissions being notably reduced. LNG is a natural gas that has been liquefied at a temperature of -161C. Its volume is about 1/600 times that of natural gas.Read Report Overview @As transportation fuel, LNG helps decrease cost and carbon emission when compared to crude oil alternatives. Mini and small scale liquefaction plants are an increasingly attractive complement to large scale LNG infrastructure. Technological advances have made monetization of small and stranded gas reserves possible in new locations. The re-liquefaction system is a technology used in new LNG ships for the transport of liquefied natural gas. It is feasible to design fast LNG carriers with well insulated cargo tanks. The produced steam is used to drive steam turbines that help propel ships. It is also used to produce electricity.Due to the increasing cost of LNG, the shipbuilding industry is looking for alternative propulsion systems to drive steam turbines, with opting for the efficient propulsion system. Natural gas ship re-liquefaction plant has enabled the use of slow-speed marine diesel engines for propulsion. LNG re-liquefaction is widely used in gas handling on land, boards, and carriers. Currently, re-liquefaction technologies are being applied on-board liquefied natural gas carriers on the basis of economic criteria and energy efficiency. Other areas of the re-liquefaction technology are selected based on the availability of on-board space, compact or light weight, quick startup features, reliability of the operation, high availability and operability, low cost, and easy maintenance.Re-liquefaction plant can be used in combination with two stroke slow speed marine diesel engine, medium speed four stroke marine diesel engine, or gas turbine. Considering the current level of efficiency, two stroke marine engines are preferred. Re-liquefaction LNG plants are used in new LNG ships, which are employed for the transportation of liquefied natural gas. The re-liquefaction plant primarily controls cargo tanks pressure and prevent the discharge of methane gas into the atmosphere.Based on application, the LNG re-liquefaction plants market can be divided into vehicles, ship, and cargo vessel. The vehicles application segment consists of automobiles running on LNG. These are primarily heavy duty vehicles and other vehicles utilizing the LNG re-liquefaction technique. The ship application segment comprises ships and barges running on LNG.In terms of region, the LNG re-liquefaction plants market can be divided into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific is expected to lead the market during the forecast period, followed by North America. This dominance of Asia Pacific is primarily due to the large usage of re-liquefaction technique in China. The LNG re-liquefaction market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to expand at a significant pace during the forecast period due to the increase in demand for natural gas as a cleaner alternative for other fossil fuels and rise in number of heavy duty vehicles in the region.Request to view Sample Report:Key companies operating in the Re-liquefaction plants market include Cryostar, Clean Energy Fuels, ENN Energy Holding, Kunlun Energy Company Limited, FortisBC, ENGIE, Sinopec, and CNOOC Ltd.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Ethyl Linalyl Acetate Market Size Observe Significant Surge during 2024

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Ethyl linalyl acetate is a colorless, clear liquid chemical used as a perfuming agent and fragrance ingredient. It is a more refined alternative to linalyl acetate. Ethyl linalyl acetate is one of the most versatile and useful esters. It is softer, floral, more bergamot and less lavender than linalyl acetate and has an elegant, refreshing effect in floral bouquets. Ethyl linalyl acetate is increasingly being in perfumery, and seems not only to substitute linalyl acetate in many cases, but is useful in many applications. On the other hand, linalyl acetate has limitations in soaps and floral fragrances. The compound has greater stability, richer odor, and better tenacity. It also blends excellently with the conventional perfume and soap perfume materials with almost no limits of application. To the perfumer, ethyl linalyl acetate represents a source of fragrances, which no other material can provide. A good grade of ethyl linalyl acetate has soft sweetness quite different from its isomeric primary alcohols, geraniol, or citronellol. Furthermore, it serves as a natural and desirable top note in perfumes as it has lower boiling point than these alcohols. Its esters, particularly the acetate, impart predominant note in essential oils such as bergamot, and lavender. Ethyl linalyl acetate is an excellent base for old-fashioned but still popular cologne-type fragrances.View Report Preview:Ethyl linalyl acetate is used in large quantities in soap and detergent products, and has been found to be stable and non-discoloring. Additionally, its mellow character and fresh odor are of value in giving a natural character to perfumes based on synthetic aromatics. These properties extend the use of ethyl linalyl acetate to a wide range of floral and non-floral fragrances. Ethyl linalyl acetate is also employed in large quantities in soaps and detergents, including liquids of high alkalinity. Furthermore, fragrance compositions add fresh smell of pine to exotic top notes to fine perfumes and household cleaning products. The ethyl linalyl acetate market is expected to experience healthy growth during the forecast period. It is primarily driven by the demand from companies that manufacture food and beverages, cosmetics, perfumes, toiletries, and household products. Additionally, emerging middle class in developing countries is a key driver boosting the ethyl linalyl acetate market. Growth in the market is dependent on the availability and geographical distribution of flavors and fragrances among consumers. Furthermore, manufacturing aroma chemicals by chemical synthesis has opened up a branch of chemistry.Based on end-use type, the global ethyl linalyl acetate market has been divided into soaps and detergents industry, cosmetics and toiletries industry, fine fragrances industry, and household cleaners and air fresheners industry. The global ethyl linalyl acetate market has been witnessing growth in recent years due to the increasing demand for natural ingredients. Additionally, several factors contribute to the growth of the flavors and fragrances market, including worldwide rise in industrialization, which is leading to large-volume production of flavored or scented products such as processed foods and beverages, personal care products, soap, detergents, oral hygiene products, and household cleaners. Despite the various advantages offered by flavors and fragrances, some restraining factors hamper the market. These include fluctuation in raw material prices.Asia Pacific dominated the global ethyl linalyl acetate market in terms of revenue in 2015. India and China are projected to exhibit rapid growth, boosting the usage of flavors and fragrances in the region. Furthermore, developing regions continue to acquire an increasing share of the global market. This creates vast market opportunities. Leading flavor and fragrance manufacturers are expected to continue to make investments in these areas. The ethyl linalyl acetate market is expected to expand at a rapid pace in developing countries; however, industrialized countries are slated to continue to account for the majority of demand. For instance, the U.S. alone accounted for around one-third share of total demand in 2015. Other countries with significant share of the market include China, Japan, France, Germany, and India.Key players operating in the ethyl linalyl acetate market include BASF, Bell Flavors & Fragrances, China Flavors & Fragrances, and CPL Aromas.Request to view Sample Report:The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Sodium Ferrocyanide Market to Witness Exponential Growth by 2027

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Sodium ferrocyanide, the sodium salt of harmonization compound. Sodium ferrocyanide is also known as yellow prussiate of soda. The yellow crystal is soluble in water and impenetrable in alcohol. Sodium ferrocyanide is a chemical stabilizer and are known as E535 in the European Union. Sodium ferrocyanide is added to food grade and road salt as an anticaking agent. The anticaking agents are placed in powdered products for the ease of packaging, consumption, and transport.Request For Sample @The compound when combined with iron, converts into a dark blue pigment called Prussian blue. Which are used as stabilizer for coating on welding rods. In the petroleum industry, sodium ferrocyanide is used for elimination of mercaptans. Sodium ferrocyanide is produced industrially from, ferrous chloride, hydrogen cyanide, and calcium hydroxide. Sodium ferrocyanide is complex cyanides and belong to the ferrocyanide salt and are mostly used for anti-caking. The compound is approved by WHO and is authorized in food for human consumption by the parliament and council directive on food additives other than colors and sweeteners.Global Sodium Ferrocyanide Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe major factor enhancing the sales to world sodium ferrocyanide is the usage of the compound acceptable for food application an anticaking agent in salt, and further also its usage in a feed as they are safe for target animals and human consumption.Further, the global market for sodium ferrocyanide is driven by the growing levels of consumer inclination towards the benefit of packaged food and also the increasing spending power of the consumers for better quality food. Sodium ferrocyanide not only helps in maintaining the free-flowing capability of packaged material, but they also enhance the texture and other organoleptic properties.Global Sodium Ferrocyanide Market: SegmentationThe global sodium ferrocyanide market is segmented by application into:PhotographyBlue PigmentsBlue print paperMetal & Leather TanningDyeing IndustryBiochemicalOthersGlobal Sodium Ferrocyanide Market: Segmentation OverviewThe global sodium ferrocyanide market is segmented into application and geography. By application, the market is sub segmented into photography, blue pigments, blueprint paper, manufacture of aniline black, metal & leather tanning industry, dyeing industry, anticaking agent, and biochemical process.Global Sodium Ferrocyanide Market: Regional OutlookDepending on a geographic region's global Sodium ferrocyanide market is segmented into seven broad regions: North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan and Middle East Africa. Europe dominated the market and served the maximum demand and is anticipated to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. Further, a vast number of consumers are inclining towards westernized eating habits. Individuals in developing countries are rapidly extending their demand. North America contributes significantly to the demand of sodium ferrocyanide owing to the busy schedule of the consumers.Request For TOC @Global Sodium Ferrocyanide Market: Prominent vendorsSome of the key players identified across the value chain of the global Sodium ferrocyanide market include Sichuan Chemical, Heibei Chengxin, Evonik Industries AG, Ziguang Chemical, Kao Corp., Changzhou Xudong, Kun Lun, Jinxi Meihua, Hubei Jusheng, Huber Engineered Material, Anshan Beida, Hindusthan, Ideal Chemicals, and GACL., amongst others. Few of the strategies adopted by the key players in the market are partnership and collaboration with other operators, expansion into the untapped market, and joint ventures with the organizations in emerging countries to gain the strong foothold in the market. To ensure product differentiation and to acquire a considerable share of the market, major vendors are adopting creative strategies and are constantly developing innovative products.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:How Collaborative Robots can work Alongside Humans and Offer Assistance Proactively, Forecast to 2024

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Market OverviewThe global collaborative robots (Cobots or Co-robots) market was valued at USD 145.3 Million in 2016 and is expected to witness enormous growth over the forecast period. The force-limited joint is the unique feature of cobots which has been designed to identify forces due to impact and respond quickly.The market is expected to witness significant growth owing to the substantial traction because of reduced total cost of ownership and benefits associated with co-bots from small and medium size enterprises. The significant growth of cobots is spurred by three key markets which include electronic manufacturers service companies and electronics manufacturers, manufacturers seeking optimized agile production methodologies and SMEs.The robots offers advanced industrial automation solutions to end-user industries and are considered as the one-stop solution for safe working environment. The low price of co-robots with high return on investment is projected to spur the industry growth over the forecast period. The Cobots are designed with advanced software and sensors which has further reduced the injuries of the employees.Key Players:Few key players include Cisco, Akros Silicon, Inc., Flexcomm Technology, Microsemi Corporation and Maxim Integrated. Other players include ON Semiconductor, Shenzhen Quanma Industry Co. Ltd., Silicon Laboratories, STMicroelectronics, VISIX.Request a Sample Report @Cobots with payload capacity of above 10kg is anticipated to grow significantly during forecast periodThe cobots above 10kg payload capacity are estimated to grow significantly owing to their capability of handling immense tasks with high precision and reliability. Assemble and pick & place application are expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period owing to their high flexibility for performing application-specific tasks with easy programming and changing end grippers. The assembly application growth is attributed to the growing demand in major industries which include electronics, automotive, and furniture & equipment.The automotive industry is estimated to dominate the application segment in 2016 owing to the huge application in assisting employees in the production line and assembly line for enhancing the operational efficiency and productivity of the process. The growth is attributed by the increased efficiency in deployment of cobots for enhanced productivity.Although, various industries are deploying the cobots at a significant rate, however rapidly changing robotics industry, lack of skilled force and compliance with stringent regulations are few factors are projected to hinder the growth over the forecast period.The collaborative robots market is segmented based on payload capacity, industry, application and region. The payload capacity segment include upto 5kg, upto 10kg, and above 10kg, whereas the application segment is segregated into assembly, pick & place, handling, packaging, quality testing, machine tending, gluing & welding and others. The industry using the technology includes automotive, food & beverage, furniture & equipment, plastic & polymers, metal & machinery, electronics, and pharmaceutical.Europe is accounted for major share in 2016Europe cobots market is expected to hold the major share of over 40% followed by North America and Asia Pacific. The industry growth is driven by strong government funding for factory automation solutions and collectively or independently developed robot-human collaboration for increasing efficiency and reliability which is further driving the market over the forecast period.Browse Report @About us:Xpodence Research have the most extensive collection of market research reports of many categories. Xpodence Research provides the best market research solution for every industry by publishing the best possible results of great market research firms worldwide. For every particular problem, theres a particular solution, so according to the customer needs, we provide the best possible results to them from different market research organization, whether its a Custom Research or Syndicated Research reports because the product that wins is the one that bridges customers to the future, not the one that requires a giant leap.Every organization, whether it is related to Pharmaceuticals, Technology, Eatables, Consumable Goods and many more demands a market research results so that they can take important decisions for more productivity and better output in this swift world. Xpodence Research gives the best possible outcome, perfect forecast, analysis and insights of market research in the form of report which is beneficial for various organisations and also to the manufacturing companies in taking the best decisions for quality production.Contact us:Xpodence Research244 , Madison AvenueNew York City, NY - 10016United StatesToll Free +1- 844-445-2861Email: sales@xpodenceresearch.comSoftware Containers Market Plying for Significant Growth During 2017  2027

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Software containers provide operating system virtualization which helps the application to run on cloud and data centres. Software containers package the applications code and configurations into separate building blocks which can be run on cloud. These software containers are lightweight and offer operational efficiency.Request For Sample @Software containers offer a number of advantages such as speeding up the configuration cycle, providing granular control over resources, which help to improve efficiency and applications can be scaled up and down as per requirement.Software Containers Market: Drivers and RestraintsWith cloud computing becoming more mainstream, companies are rapidly adopting software containers for improving the overall efficiency of the application. Software containers also facilitate cost savings by reducing the expenses on hardware. Software containers also offer environment consistency because all application files and necessary infrastructure are stored at one place and can be deployed consistently over any environment. Software containers also keep a track of different versions of application code which can help in inspecting the difference between several versions.One of the major challenges in the software containers market is persistent storage which occurs when containers running databases are used in production setups. Another major challenge to the market is networking issues related to software containers.Global Software Containers Market: Market SegmentationGlobal Software Containers Market can be divided on the basis of application.Segmentation on basis of Application for Software Containers Market:The major segments of Software Containers market on basis of application include:Monitoring and loggingSecurityStorage and continuous integration/continuous deploymentManagement and orchestrationNetworking and data management servicesOthersGlobal Software Containers Market TrendsA major trend prevailing in the market is merger and acquisition. In May 2016, Apprenda Inc., a platform as a service (PaaS) cloud software company acquired Kubernetes support company Kismatic, which offered commercial support to Kubernetes. In January 2017, Cisco acquired ContainerX, a privately held company focused on developing enterprise-class container management technology.Request For TOC @Global Software Containers Competitive LandscapeSome of the major software containers vendors include Docker Inc., CoreOS, Codenvy, Inc., Google Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Amazon Web Services, IBM Corporation, Red Hat, Inc., and VMware among 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:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:Global Microalgae Market is Anticipated to Grow US$ 75 Mn by 2026

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According to a recent Persistence Market Research report, the global microalgae market is set to record an average expansion between the forecast period 2017 and 2026. Over US$ 75 Mn revenues are estimated to be procured from sales of microalgae across the globe.Future Prospects of Microalgae to Remain Positive with its Robust Adoption in Agri-foodMain products obtained from microalgae, dried algae in particular, are nutrient-rich and engulf high-value compounds that include pigments, fatty acids, and anti-oxidants. Economic opportunities for nutrients derived from microalgae have been deemed to be comparatively smaller than those derived from other commodity crops.However, future prospects of microalgae-derived nutrients are anticipated to be positive, provided with scientific & technological developments coupled with robust adoption of microalgae in the global market for agri-food. On the other hand, challenges such as complex regulations pertaining to incorporation of microalgae in food, low consumer awareness, and climatic conditions are likely to constrain adoption of microalgae in the foreseeable future.Request to sample report @Cost of microalgae persists to be high compared to oil crops or woody biomass, which can be mainly attributed to cultivation energy consumption. Several researchers across the globe have therefore been examining and exploring cultivation practices adopted for microalgae with an aim of curtailing operation costs and energy consumption.Research activities at national and international level have resulted into the development of new strategies and technologies that are contributing well to cost-reduction and pushing the microalgae sector toward the industrial development at a global level.Hypermarket to Remain Dominant Sales Channel for MicroalgaeHypermarket/supermarket will continue to be the dominant sales channel for microalgae, with revenues projected to hold more than 45% market share during 2017 to 2026. However, sales of microalgae in this sales channel segment will register a relatively slower expansion, owing to robust sales growth in retail stores and online stores through 2026. Retail stores and online stores will collectively account for over half market revenue share by 2026-end.On the basis of application, food and feed industry will continue to spearhead the global market for microalgae, in terms of revenues. Pharmaceutical industry will also prevail as a major revenue contributing application segment in the market. Between chemical industry and cosmetics industry, the former will hold a slightly greater market revenue share, whereas latter will exhibit a comparatively faster expansion through 2026.Spirulina and Chlorella to Remain Leading Product Type SegmentsBased on product type, spirulina and chlorella are expected to lead the global microalgae market during the forecast period, in terms of revenues. These two product segments are likely to account for over 80% market revenue share throughout the forecast period. Dunaliella salina will prevail as the least lucrative product in the market.The market for microalgae will witness the fastest expansion in North America through 2026. In terms of revenues, North America will endure as the largest market for microalgae, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ). Revenues from microalgae sales in Europe and APEJ will record a modest increase through 2026.Microalgae harvesting entails several technical limitations for new market entrants in terms of investment cost and energy demand, which in turn has necessitated the development of affordable and efficient technologies.With growing emphasis on reducing operation costs & energy consumption and help small and medium-sized enterprises to capitalize on untapped markets for expanding their businesses, cost-effective technologies are being integrated with SME microalgae extraction and harvesting systems.Request Report for TOC @Key companies that are actively contributing to growth of the global microalgae market include Taau Australia Pty Ltd., Algae.Tec Limited, Fuqing King Dnarmsa Spirulina Co. Ltd, Cellana, LLC, E.I.D.- Parry (India) Limited, TerraVia Holdings, Inc., DIC Corporation, and Cyanotech Corporation.Get full Report Now @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated re-search, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Con-sumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comLED Modules And Light Engines Market Significant Profits Estimated to be Generated by 2027

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LED modules and light engine, as a market has gained traction in recent times due to its applications ranging from industrial to residential sector. LED modules and Light Engines are the devices with LED on printed circuit board and driver IC respectively.The primary and foremost feature for the use of LED modules and light engines over its straight competitors like light bulbs is that LED modules and light engines are easy to manufacture, more efficient and provides more reliable products than its straight competitors.LED modules and light engines market gained hype due to boom in LED TV market and monitor backlight market. Some other markets which contribute to the growth of LED modules and light engine market are cell phone flash, architectural lighting and automobile lighting.LED modules and light engines Market:Drivers and ChallengesWith the increasing adoption of smart/connected lighting and LED luminaires and lamps, in different sectors, the use of LED modules and light engines is proliferating. Henceforth, the primary driver for LED modules and light engines market is the use of these products in many applications across sectors like automobile, electronics, healthcare etc. LED modules and light engines are not only used in these sectors but also in broad sectors like commercial sector, residential sector, industrial sector and outdoor sectors which makes it a very vast market with number of opportunities. Moreover, the decline in prices and an improved light quality and flexibility provided by LED modules and light engines drives its growth in the market.Request For TOC @The major challenge faced by the LED modules and light engines market is that it plays by the rule of one company. The other competitors report that the market is closed due to specification followed of just the one company making it a closed manufacturers' standard. In addition to this, a few of the LED modules and light engines suffer from 120Hz flicker which reduces the efficiency to almost 83%. This impedes the growth of LED modules and light engines market.LED modules and light engines Market: SegmentationSegmentation of LED modules and light engines Market on the basis of applications:The type of applications of the LED modules and light engines tells us about the major sectors the company is working in that is the vast field view.CommercialResidentialIndustrialSegmentation of LED modules and light engines Market on the basis of form factor:The segmentation on the basis of form factor tell us about the form in which LED modules and light engines are going to be found as the fine product.Downlights: These have a, comparatively, lower selling price and are more easy to use. Downlights incorporate a higher percentage of LED modules and light enginesTroffers: These are less integrated LED modules and light engines which results into lower costsHigh bays and Street lights: These have more integrated LED modules and light engines, and henceforth has higher ASP and slower price declinesLED modules and Light engines Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players of LED modules and Light engines Market are Philips Lumileds, Cree, Osram Opto, GE, Everlight, Nichia, Sharp, Toyoda Gosei, Samsung LED, Seoul Semiconductor and LG Innotek.Key Contracts:In January 2015, Nichia and Mitsubishi Chemical reached an agreement on patent cross-licensing related to red phosphor for white LEDs. The patents targeted by the cross-licensing in the agreement which include Nichias patents and MCC and NIMSs patents. The companies also announced that Nichia, Citizen, MCC, and NIMS have reached an agreement to share the U.S. patent, which is one of the basic patents that MCC and NIMS co-own.Request For Sample @LED modules and light engines Market: Regional OverviewBy geography, LED modules and light engines market can be segmented into the following regions namely North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, APEJ, Japan and Middle East & Africa. Among various regions, the LED modules and light engines Market in North America is expected to dominate during the forecast period owing to the adoption of LEDs and applications including LEDs on a common utility purpose by several industries. Europe, after North America, is expecting a slower growth rate in the LED modules and light engines market because of the lack of manufacturers and a complex technology.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature.FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:Global Foodservice Packaging Market Growing at a CAGR of 5.3% During 2017  2025

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Persistence Market Research (PMR) has published a new research report titled FoodService Packaging Market: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast 2017  2025. The report states that food service packaging is expected to witness an increment in it demand owing to the growing number of fast food chains across the globe and the inclination of consumers towards quick food services.An upsurge in the overall consumption of products across the globe has factored the price hikes on packaged goods. Diversity in demand for packaging solutions comes to play a key role for classifying the products on the basis of their function in protecting the goods and their appearance-enhancing attributes.The global packaging industry remains at the cusp of miscellany with a wide range of packaging formats congregated across multiple applications. Owing to this, the global food service packaging market is expected to witness a CAGR of 5.3% over the course of the forecast period.Get full Report Now @Concern over Hygiene and Consumer Convenience to be Core Driving Factors Influencing Market GrowthConsumers across the globe are gradually concerned about the hygiene related to the packaging of their food and are opting for food products that are convenient to carry. A large chunk of foodservice disposables are a one-time use and recyclable. As these products are mainly made of plastic and foam, they help reduce food contamination and also maintain food hygiene. Furthermore, these are most cost effective as compared to non-disposable foodservice products.Request to sample report @The aforementioned properties are boosting the adoption of foodservice disposables by food service operators. Disposable foodservice products are lightweight and can hold both hot and cold beverages and food, which is further expected to fuel market growth.Asia Pacific to Surge Ahead of all RegionsOwing to the growing number of food chains in the region, the demand for food service packaging is also expected to rise at a substantial rate. The growth of the market in the region can also be attributed to the growing disposable income of people in the region and also their inclination towards fast food services.The sedentary and hectic lifestyle of people in the region has also impacted their eating habits, thus impelling them to order food online or order a takeaway from restaurants. As a result, the demand for food service packaging has risen substantially and is expected to stay the same in the coming years.Companies Look Forward to Product Quality EnhancementThe companies operating in the market are focusing on product differentiation and quality enhancement in order to retain their consumer base. The run to make the products attractive and hygienic is impelling manufacturers to invest in structured R&D initiatives.Some of the companies operating in the global foodservice packaging market are Dart Container Corporation, Georgia-Pacific LLC, Anchor Packaging Inc., D&W Fine Pack LLC, Gold Plast SpA, Berry Global Group Inc., and DOpla S.p.A.Request Report for TOC @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated re-search, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Con-sumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comGlobal Off-Street Parking Management Systems Market to Raise at a CAGR of 8.9% from 2017 to 2025

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Persistence Market Research presents pertinent insights and a revised forecast of the global off-street parking management system market in its published report titled, Off-Street Parking Management Systems Market: Global Industry Analysis 2012  2016 and Forecast 2017  2025. As per the report, global off-street parking management system market was valued at nearly US$ 3,301 Mn in 2017, and is expected to register a CAGR of 8.9% from 2017 to 2025. The rise in the demand for flexible payment solutions and proliferation of internet-enabled solutions is driving the growth of this market.Get full Report Now @Rising Vehicle Parc and Increasing Rate of Urbanization Driving the Global Off-Street Parking Management Systems MarketRising concerns for safe and obstacle-free walking spaces for pedestrians is driving the demand for off-street parking facilities, which is expected to further increase over the next five to six years. This is expected to increase concerns of the public as well as private sectors towards the construction of parking garages and lots.Also, increasing car parc size has a direct impact on the utilization of parking spaces in various nations. This poses challenges for companies to maintain a proper balance between demand and supply in developed as well as developing nations.Request to sample report @Urbanization is increasingly gaining importance as a key factor depicting the economic condition of a nation. This is due to concerns by governments of various nations seeking modernization in all aspects of their respective countries. In addition, urbanization has led to a changing consumer lifestyle, which is expected to fuel the demand for parking management solutions, primarily in developing nations.By 2050, 66% of the total worlds population is expected to be living in urban areas, and this is anticipated to drive demand for more efficient parking management solutions to suit varied consumer needs.Global Off-Street Parking Management Systems Market: Segmentation and ForecastGlobal Off-Street Parking Management System market is categorized by SCS, by solutions, by end-user and by region. By SCS, the market is segmented as parking software, system devices and professional devices. The parking software sub segment accounted for relatively higher CAGR of 9.1% during the forecast period.The system devices sub segment is accounted for the largest market share of 41.7% in 2017. Moreover, proliferation of internet-enabled solutions and demand for flexible payment solutions are the factors which are fueling the growth of the off-street parking management system market.By solutions, the market is segmented as access control parking fee and revenue management, parking reservation management, valet parking management, parking guidance and slot management, and others. The parking guidance and slot management sub segment accounted for relatively higher CAGR of 9.6% during the forecast period. The parking reservation management sub segment is accounted for the largest market share of 33.1% in 2017.By application, the market is segmented as government and municipalities, airports, healthcare, corporate and commercial parks, commercial Institutions, and others. The commercial institutions sub-segment accounted for relatively higher CAGR of 9.7% during the forecast period. The airports sub-segment accounted for the largest market share of 30.9% in 2017.Global Off-Street Parking Management Systems Market: Regional ForecastEurope off-street parking management system market was estimated to be valued at nearly US$ 880 Mn in 2017 and is slated to reach a value of nearly US$ 1,750 Mn in 2025, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.8% during the period of assessment. The North America off-street parking management system market accounted for the largest market share of 29.6% in 2017.Request Report for TOC @Global Off-Street Parking Management Systems Market: Competitive LandscapeSome of the popular vendors in off-street parking management system market are IBM Corporation, Xerox Corporation, Cubic Corporation, Kapsch TrafficCom AG, TIBA Parking , Amano Corporation , Kudelski SA, SWARCO AG, Nortech Control Systems Limited, and CREE, INC.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated re-search, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Con-sumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comSolid growth ahead for global Mobile Fronthaul market by 2025

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Mobile fronthaul involves the movement of data and voice from a cell site remote radio head (RRH) to a centralized baseband unit (BBU), which then connects to the mobile telephone switching office (MTSO). With mobile fronthaul, the RU equipment falls under the RRH heading, but is still located at the macro cell site. Similarly, the BBU moves to a centralized location, where it serves multiple RRHs. The optical links that connect the BBU to multiple RRHs is referred to as Mobile Fronthaul. With a mobile fronthaul network in place, providers can take advantage of Optical Transport Network (OTN) technology to move data from the cell sites to the BBUs.For more information about this Report visit @Mobile fronthaul enables the maximum and efficient utilization of all the network equipment. Mobile fronthaul technology gathers statistics about each connection and each link, including BER, as well as uplink and downlink delays. Mobile fronthaul technology allows remote configuration of each node and into which OTN container each CPRI link should be mapped. Mobile fronthaul enables load-based sizing of the fronthaul traffic. CPRI links from small cells or secondary carrier/sectors can be selectively enabled or disabled for fronthaul transportMobile Fronthaul Market: Market Drivers and RestraintsKey drivers for mobile fronthaul equipment are deployment of 4G and 5G mobile network, growth in smartphone market also contributing in mobile fronthaul market, transformation from traditional technologies to mobile fronthaul technology enable companies in reduction of deployment and maintenance cost.By type:,, Centralized RAN, Cloud RAN (C-RAN),,By network: ,, Passive WDM, Semi-Passive WDM, Active WDM, Optical Transmission Network,,By end-users:,, Telecommunications, Networking, Government, EnterprisesOn the basis of regions, mobile fronthaul market can be segmented into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan, and Middle East and Africa.North America and Western Europe mobile fronthaul market is predominantly mature as compared to the other regional market as they are fast in the adoption of technology. Mobile fronthaul market in Asia Pacific excluding Japan and Japan are expected to possess maximum potential in the forecast period. Mobile fronthaul market in Latin America and Middle East and Africa are also projected to witness positive growth during the forecast period.Request to Sample of Report-Mobile Fronthaul Market: Competition LandscapeKey Vendors for Accelink Technologies Co.ltd, MACOM Technologies, Nokia Corporation, E-blink SA, Finisar Corporation, OE Solutions, InnoLight Technology Corporation, Eoptolink Technologies Inc, Microsemi Corporation, Xilinx, Inc.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:Dimethyl Ether (DME) Market to witness comprehensive growth and insights shared in detailed report

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https://www.tmrresearch.com/dimethyl-ether-market.html

Dimethyl Ether (DME) Market: SnapshotMajority of the DME manufactured these days is an end-product of two-step process where the first step involves methanol generation with the help of natural gas or coal being used a feedstock. And the second step involves dehydration of methanol for the production of DME. Dimethyl Ether has the potential of replacing diesel in the conventional engines with small modifications that need to be made in the fuel injecting systems. The market potential of DME as a fuel for transport is huge as consumption of diesel in growing at a great pace because of the boom in the transportation sector.Among the variety of applications of DME, blending of LPG is considered to be the biggest market for dimethyl ether. Scarcity of LPG is a great cause of concern in the nations that have small gas reserves and thus have a very limited options of using natural gas instead of LPG. DME has proven to be a trustworthy source in such nations to cut down their imports of LPG by combining a prescribed amount of dimethyl ether in LPG without altering the current infrastructure. DME can also be used as a propellant of aerosol under the category of liquefied gas propellants. The numerous other applications of DME includes its utilization in the form of solvent, refrigerant, chemical feedstock, and for brazing and welding operations. Some of the prominent companies in the global DME market include names such as Azko Nobel N.V., Mitsubishi Corporation, Jiutai Energy Group, and Zagros Petrochemical Company among others.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Dimethyl Ether (DME) Market: OverviewDimethyl ether (DME), also known as methoxymethane, is the simplest ether which has widespread applications in chemicals industry and is extensively used as aerosol propellant. DME can be produced using a variety of feedstock such as biomass, methanol, and fossil fuels. The most prominent feedstock are natural gas, particularly in North America, or coal, especially in various Asian countries. The compound has several properties similar to LPG and is therefore extensively used as an excellent substitute for traditional fuels. In addition, various characteristic fuel properties of DME, particularly high cetane number and energy efficiency, make it attractive to be used in several diesel engines. Other popular applications of DME are as transportation fuel, power generation fuel, and domestic gas, thus it forms a crucial element stimulating the growth of transportation, agriculture, and construction industries.The largest producer and consumer of DME is China, where it is produced commercially. In countries such as in Japan, Korea, Egypt, and Brazil, DME has been a key energy source for decades.Request TOC of the Report @Global Dimethyl Ether (DME) Market: TrendsThe widespread use of dimethyl ether as a non-petroleum based alternative fuel is propelling the market. Since it is considered as a clean and high-performance compression ignition fuel, it can be extensively used in diesel engines; its use eliminates particulate exhaust emissions of automobiles and can significantly save the high cost of diesel particulate filters. This has spurred the demand for DME across transportation sector, especially in the North America.Most frequently, DME is blended with LPG, usually in equal proportion, to be used in domestic cooking and heating applications. Currently, more than 65% DME produced globally is blended with LPG. Blending offers many benefits in terms of its use as ultra-clean fuel for several domestic applications. China has upped the production of DME blended with LPG by using methanol as feedstock; commercial production of DME has helped China reduce the reliance on LPG-based fuel. Dehydrating methanol enhances the combustion efficiency of DME and hence is used as cost-effective fuel alternatives in heavy-duty trucks and ships. These trends are offering lucrative avenues for the market players to capitalize on.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Global Dimethyl Ether (DME) Market: Market PotentialConcurrent applications of DME as transportation fuel in several regions such as in Europe, Japan, and North America, portend well for the market. The use of DME, either standalone or blended with LPG, is proliferating in large number of automobiles in industrialized nations as they are considered as cleaner energy. This has in turn increasingly reduced the dependency on LPG to fuel their economies. Various performance evaluation plans are underway, especially in North America, to assess the viability of DME as alternative fuel in large commercial vehicles and urban fleets. Producers of DME source the raw materials from natural organic waste found in urban landfills, which is expected to considerably reduce the carbon footprint in the coming years. Led by these promising developments, Oberon Fuels, a producer of the Dimethyl Ether (DME) fuel, has recently announced the start of a customer demonstration of a Pinnacle-series heavy duty trucks from Mack Trucks. Oberon has partnered with the American truck manufacturing company and they are working with the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) to test the vehicle operation at the Fresh Kills Landfill to evaluate fuel performance and viability. If this drives become successful, DME will expectedly reduce GHC emissions by as much as 80% by 2050. Initiatives such as these expand the potential of the market in developed and emerging nations.Global Dimethyl Ether (DME) Market: Regional OutlookCurrently, Asia Pacific is a major market for DME where it is primarily used for blending with LPG and as aerosol propellant. Advancement in infrastructure for providing domestic fuel supply to several Asian countries coupled with the surge in demand for cost-effective, clean, and alternative fuels in transportation sector have stimulated the use of DME fuels. Increasing R&D activities related to DME production in advanced nations of Asia Pacific along with increasing production capacity in Japan and China are anticipated to boost the regional market.North America market is poised to show impressive growth over the forecast period. The increasing adoption of bio-based fuel in automobiles and continued improvements in vehicular emission technology have led to the wide demand for DME as a viable alternative. Increasing R&D investment by several automobile manufacturers have contributed to the growth momentum.Global Dimethyl Ether (DME) Market: Competitive AnalysisKey automakers and fuel producers are making substantial investments in various programs meant for evaluating the viability of DME as a cost-effective and environmental-friendly fuel. Out of large number of companies exploring lucrative avenues in the DME market, major players include Akzo Nobel NV, Korea Gas Corporation, China Energy Ltd., Royal Dutch Shell plc, Mitsubishi Corporation, Oberon Fuels, Inc., Shenhua Ningxia Coal Industry Group Co., Ltd., Fuel DME Production Co., Ltd., and Grillo-Werke AG.About UsTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.comPayments Landscape in Greece: Opportunities, Trends and Risks to 2021

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A fresh report has been added to the wide database of Market Research Hub (MRH) titled "Payments Landscape in Greece: Opportunities and Risks to 2021", provides detailed analysis of market trends in the Greek cards and payments industry. It provides values and volumes for a number of key performance indicators in the industry, including cash, credit transfers, direct debit, payment cards, and cheques during the review-period (2013-17e).Request For Sample Report-The report also analyzes various payment card markets operating in the industry, and provides detailed information on the number of cards in circulation, transaction values and volumes during the review-period and over the forecast-period (2017-21f). It also offers information on the country's competitive landscape, including the market shares of issuers and schemes.The report brings together research, modeling, and analysis expertise to allow banks and card issuers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages. The report also covers details of regulatory policy and recent changes in the regulatory structure.This report provides top-level market analysis, information and insights into the Greek cards and payments industry, including -- Current and forecast values for each market in the Greek cards and payments industry, including debit and pay-later cards.- Detailed insights into payment instruments including cash, credit transfers, direct debit, cheques, and payment cards. It also, includes an overview of the country's key alternative payment instruments.- E-commerce market analysis.- Analysis of various market drivers and regulations governing the Greek cards and payments industry.- Detailed analysis of strategies adopted by banks and other institutions to market debit and pay-later cards.Scope- In the wake of the economic crisis, the Greek government was forced to implement austerity measures in 2015 to gain access to a 86bn ($103.2bn) bailout package from the IMF, the EU, and the European Central Bank. Consequently, the government imposed capital controls and took a number of measures to arrest the outward flow of money, curb tax evasion, and encourage electronic payments, including restrictions on cash withdrawals at ATMs, remittances, and the use of payment cards abroad. Some of the measures include the compulsory acceptance of card-based payments at retail outlets and by certain categories of professionals (such as doctors, lawyers, electricians, and plumbers) effective from January 1, 2016. In extension to that the government identified 85 different business categories that are required to install POS terminals, for which the government set a deadline of July 2017. Refusal by these business categories to accept card-based payments attracts a fine of 1,500 ($1,800).Browse Full Report with TOC-- To make online payments more convenient, MyBank, a pan-European e-authorization solution, was made available to Greek consumers from May 2016. To make payments, users need to select the MyBank option on the online retailers website, which connects them to their online or mobile banking platform. Here they need to approve a SEPA credit transfer order containing the details of the online retailer. Participating banks in Greece are Piraeus Bank, NBG, Eurobank, and Alpha Bank. According to the Hellenic Bank Association, between January-August 2017, transactions valued at 15m ($18m) were made using MyBank.- Debit card penetration is anticipated to grow further over the next five years, as in June 2017 the government introduced a new regulation making it compulsory for private companies to pay employee salaries only through a bank account. Employers who do not comply with the regulation will be penalized by the Labor Inspectorate.Reasons to buy- Make strategic business decisions, using top-level historic and forecast market data, related to the Greek cards and payments industry and each market within it.- Understand the key market trends and growth opportunities in the Greek cards and payments industry.- Assess the competitive dynamics in the Greek cards and payments industry.- Gain insights into marketing strategies used for various card types in Greece- Gain insights into key regulations governing the Greek cards and payments industry.Table of ContentsMarket OverviewExecutive SummaryCard-based PaymentsE-commerce PaymentsAlternative PaymentsPayments Infrastructure & RegulationAppendixEnquire about this Report-About Market Research Hub:Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of transport & logistics market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:Read Industry News at -Cloud Security in Banking Market Explores New Growth Opportunities By 2017 - 2022

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A new market research report, titled "Cloud Security in Banking" has been included to our repository. One of the leading factors pouring the expansion of this market is the growing market for military sector. The increasing population has led to an accumulative claim for the characteristics and this will drive the market globally. The intensifying per capita profits of the people in this market is alternate reason behind the rising plea for global market. The accumulative number of accidents owing to failure is one of the subordinate causes fueling the progress of this market. As governments make stringent safety rulebooks and guiding principle in an effort to decrease the number of accidents, the plea for Global Cloud Security in Banking Market will reinforce during the prognosis period from 2017 to 2022.Request sample pdf of Report at:Competitors in this market are thrashing to tart up the safety of Global Cloud Security in Banking Market. Investments are made on examination and enlargement by leading contenders so as to persist in competition as well as bring about enhancements in the Military industry. Foremost contestants are upholding the use of worthy resources and purchasing raw resources from well-known industries. This is serving them to improve Global Cloud Security in Banking Market that are in effect, robust, and harmless.The report subdivisions the Global Cloud Security in Banking market on the basis of first-class ethics and studies each of the subdivisions along with their sub-sections in an abridged manner. Illuminating the top subdivision, the subdivision with sedentary growth, and also the strongest growing subdivisions, the report happens to be crucial for those aspiring to invest in the global market. Readers are able to make detailed and nifty choices involving investments in this market, hereafter making profits and upholding a strong place in the market in the future.Avail Discount up to 30% on this report now at:The US is the most astounding spender in the market, with a large number of projects being sought after in the areas of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) programming products, the tactical local area network (TACLAN) group of frameworks, programming support for radars, net-driven systems networking products, an inclination to distributed computing, and cyber security. Europe is foreseen to develop as the second biggest market, with a noteworthy segment of expenditure inferable from The UK, Russia, and France. Asia-Pacific is another significant high-roller in the area, with most prevalent militaries formulating programs to build up to vigorous communication systems among different strategic units and securing critical networks and framework from cyber undercover work alongside discovering attacking patterns and adoption of open source programming.Some of the cutting-edge contenders working in the Global Cloud Security in banking market are described in the report for the objective of systematic case study. The business and economic summation of these enterprises along with their principal tactics approved have been given in this report.Table of Content:Chapter 1 Cloud Security in Banking Market OverviewChapter 2 Global Economic Impact on IndustryChapter 3 Global Market Competition by ManufacturersChapter 4 Global Production, Revenue (Value) by RegionChapter 5 Global Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by RegionsChapter 6 Global Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by TypeChapter 7 Global Market Analysis by ApplicationChapter 8 Manufacturing Cost AnalysisChapter 9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream BuyersChapter 10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/TradersChapter 11 Market Effect Factors AnalysisAbout Research N Reports:Research N Reports is a new age market research firm where we focus on providing information that can be effectively applied. Today being a consumer driven market, companies require information to deal with the complex and dynamic world of choices. Where relying on a sound board firm for your decisions becomes crucial. Research N Reports specializes in industry analysis, market forecasts and as a result getting quality reports covering all verticals, whether be it gaining perspective on current market conditions or being ahead in the cut throat Global competition. Since we excel at business research to help businesses grow, we also offer consulting as an extended arm to our services which only helps us gain more insight into current trends and problems. Consequently we keep evolving as an all-rounder provider of viable information under one roof.Sunny Denis10916, Gold Point Dr, Houston, TX, Pin - 77064,(Sales Manager),+1-8886316977,sales@researchnreports.com ,Anti-Corrosion Coatings Market Aims Bigger with Technological Innovations 2025

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Global Anti-Corrosion Coatings Market: OverviewAnti-corrosion coatings protect various metal components from oxidation, exposure to industrial and environmental chemicals, moisture, and salt sprays. Preventing contact between corrosive materials and chemical compounds, these coatings might also feature nonstick properties. As rust and corrosion prevention is a key concern of a number of industries that have high humidity, salt, water, and mist, the global market for anti-corrosion coatings market is expected to soar.Global Anti-Corrosion Coatings Market: Key TrendsWidespread usage in oil and gas equipment such as drill pipes and oil storage tanks is fuelling the demand for anti-corrosion coatings. As these equipment are exposed to underground water and marshy land, they need to be protected from corrosion from moisture. Moreover, the increasing demand for energy generation via oil sands, tar sands, shale gas, and oil shale is likely to further provide an impetus to the market.The polyurethane coatings segment has been exhibiting significant growth thanks to the availability of a wide range of colors and glossy finish that attracts consumers. These products can endure temperatures up to 110 degrees Celsius. By application, the solvent based coatings might emerge at the fore due to government regulations emphasizing the use of low volatile organic compounds in products.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Anti-Corrosion Coatings Market: Market PotentialIn February 2017, NEI Corporation announced that the patent and trademark regulatory body of the U.S. has issued allowance for two patent applications of the firm. These two products possess hydrophobic coatings, displaying high corrosion resistance, apart from their excellent adhesive properties.In the same month, Guntner launched a new coil protector designed for the food industry. The product possesses powder coating that is highly resistant to corrosion apart from being food safe.U.S.-based manufacturer of grapheme, Applied Graphene Materials (AGM) has been aiding James Briggs Ltd, a paints manufacturer, in the development of anti-corrosion grapheme coatings.A group of engineers and scientists has developed a hexagonal boron nitride monolayer that exhibits exceptional resistance to corrosion. Although this product needs to be developed further for it to be introduced in the commercial market, the future potential for it is immense, experts believe. Both anodic and cathodic currents were found to be unsuccessful at penetrating the automatically thin layer coating.Request TOC of the Report @Global Anti-Corrosion Coatings Market: Regional OutlookNorth America dominates the anti-corrosion coatings market, which is supported by rising volume of military investment. The U.S., flaunting one of the worlds largest fleet bases, is likely to represent maximum share of the anti-corrosion coatings market in North America.Asia Pacific is likely to emerge as a leading regional market owing to the foreign investments that have been pouring in. The extensive growth of the end-use industries such as oil and gas, power and energy, marine, tanks and pipes, and construction are responsible for increasing demand for anti-corrosion coatings in the developing countries of this region such as India, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Australia, and China. China is slated to emerge at the fore, as a vast population, immense production base, and growing volume of foreign investments propel its expansion.Global Anti-Corrosion Coatings Market: Competitive AnalysisSome of the leading companies operating in the global anti-corrosion coatings market are Hempel, The Sherwin-Williams Company, BASF, RPM International, PPG Industries, Chugoku Marine Paints, AICA Kogyo, Jotun, Axalta Coating, Kansai Paints, Ashland, Tnemec, Akzonobel, Sokema, Valspar, Nippon Paints, and AnCatt.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Japan-based Kansai Paint is planning to acquire Sadolin Tanzania, Sadolin Kenya, and Sadolin Uganda, with a view to tap the vast potential of the market in this region.Several companies are also making sure that they improve their production capabilities. For example, PPG Industries completed a new production line at Wuhu, China. The plant produces highly efficient high solids and waterborne coatings.About UsTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.comCompound Fertilizer Market: Roadmap to Win and Drive Customer Value and Forecast to 2025

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Market HighlightsThe global compound fertilizer market has witnessed significant growth owing to the requirement to increase productivity and to optimize the yield & fertilizer intensity gap across regions. In addition, rise in awareness about soil profile and nutritional balance further propels the growth of the compound fertilizer market. However, the increase in trend of nitrogenous fertilizers may restrict the growth of this market. The compound fertilizer market is expected to witness numerous growth opportunities, owing to increase in investment in agricultural sector, especially in Africa.Market OverviewA compound fertilizer contains two or more vital plant nutrients. It also contains secondary nutrients and trace elements. The compound can either be organic or inorganic.The organic compounds in this fertilizer accounts to fish, bone meal, manure, and compost. On the other hand, the inorganic part of this fertilizers accounts to the combination of various chemicals in the manufacturing process.Request Sample Report @Industry Key PlayersSome of the key players in the global compound fertilizer market include Alberta Corporation, Hanfeng Evergreen Inc., Hubei Xinyangfeng Fertilizer Co., Ltd., Kingenta Ecological Engineering Co., Ltd., Luxi Group Co., Ltd., Sinochem Group, Stanley Fertilizer Co., Ltd., The Mosaic Company, Wengfu (Group) Co., Ltd. and Yara UK Limited.The essential plant nutrients comprises of phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium, which are very essential and is required for plants to complete their life cycle. Whereas, the secondary nutrients that are required for the plant growth are sulfur, calcium, and magnesium. The secondary nutrients are present in the soil but it also needs to be replenished periodically. The trace elements may be added, such as boron, copper, and cobaltMarket SegmentsThe global compound fertilizer market can be segmented on the basis of type, application, and region. On the basis of type, the global compound fertilizer market can be segmented into two-element compound fertilizer and three-element compound fertilizer. On the basis of applications, the global compound fertilizer market can be segmented into rice, wheat, corn, fruit trees, vegetables, tobacco, and others. On the basis of region, the global compound fertilizer market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.Browse full Report @About UsXpodence Research has the most extensive collection of market research reports of many categories. Xpodence Research provides the best market research solution for every industry by publishing the best possible results of great market research firms worldwide. For every particular problem, theres a particular solution, so according to the customer needs, we provide the best possible results to them from different market research organization, whether its a Custom Research or Syndicated Research reports because the product that wins is the one that bridges customers to the future, not the one that requires a giant leap.Every organization, whether it is related to Pharmaceuticals, Technology, Eatables, Consumable Goods and many more demands a market research results so that they can take important decisions for more productivity and better output in this swift world. Xpodence Research gives the best possible outcome, perfect forecast, analysis and insights of market research in the form of report which is beneficial for various organizations and also to the manufacturing companies in taking the best decisions for quality production.Contact UsXpodence ResearchUSA Office244, Madison AvenueNew York City, NY - 10016United StatesToll Free +1- 844-445-2861Email : sales@xpodenceresearch.comDimethyl Carbonate Market : Dynamics, Policy, Economic, Technology and Market Entry 2025

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Global Dimethyl Carbonate Market: OverviewDimethyl carbonate (DMC) is a flammable, clear, and colorless liquid with a pleasant odor. Used as a methylating reagent and in the making of other chemicals, the compound is likely to witness growing demand over the next few years. It is also used in the cold sterilization of beverages, working against microorganisms that spoil beverages. Pharmaceuticals, polycarbonates, pesticides, and solvents can be some of the prominent application segments of the global dimethyl carbonate market.Recently, the production of dimethyl carbonate has undergone a favorable transition. Previously, phosgene was used to produce dimethyl carbonate, resulting in harmful by-products. However, the current use of methanol, oxygen, and carbon monoxide in the process of production is significantly less toxic and eco-friendly. In addition to these advantages, by the virtue of its biodegradable properties, the demand for green reagent is poised to soar in the coming years.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Dimethyl Carbonate Market: Key TrendsSectors such as optical media, automotive, electronics, lighting, glazing, appliances, and medical have been exhibiting growing demand for dimethyl carbonate. Large scale construction activities increase the demand for paints and coatings that use dimethyl carbonate due to its exceptional solubility and cost-efficiency. As this product is a VOC-exempt solvent, the paints and coatings industry widely uses it as a carrier solvent.On the other hand, tedious procedures for obtaining licenses might pose a threat to the growth of the market. Nevertheless, the high efficiency, advantageous properties, and technological advancement in the area of dimethyl carbonate is likely to bring forth substantial growth opportunities. Dimethyl carbonate can be viewed as an ideal alternative for ethanol, as it possesses lower toxicity, lower vapor pressure, and higher boiling point.Global Dimethyl Carbonate Market: Market PotentialOne of the major developments in the global dimethyl carbonate market is the collaboration of AkzoNobel with research institutes in 2015 to produce dimethyl carbonate through a catalyst, using carbon dioxide.Request TOC of the Report @The expanding market for lithium-ion batteries worldwide is likely to present opportunities potential for growth. The growth in global battery market will lend a hand to the expansion of the global dimethyl carbonate market, as advanced batteries are deployed in smartphones, tablets, laptops, electric cars, and even planes. CATL, a leading company producing batteries, aims at extending its output to emerge as the largest producer in the U.S., leaving behind the joint production of Panasonic and Tesla Motors by the end of 2017.The polycarbonate industry will also contribute towards the growth of the market. China-based Luxi Chemical, a leading company manufacturing polycarbonates, announced in December 2016 that it is planning to build two new production lines.Global Dimethyl Carbonate Market: Regional OutlookBased on geography, the global market for dimethyl carbonate can be segmented into Asia pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. North America, with the U.S. at the lead, appears to be dominating the regional milieu. The growth of this region can be attributed to the upgrading of public infrastructure coupled with government initiatives.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Asia Pacific has emerged as a regional market with great potential. The rising scope through applications in paints and coatings, automotive and electronics is expected to help the market achieve new heights. Moreover, the dimethyl carbonate markets in regions of Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa are slated for considerable growth.Global Dimethyl Carbonate Market: Competitive AnalysisSome of the major companies operating in the global dimethyl carbonate market are HaiKe Chemical Group, BASF SE, Sigma-Aldrich, AkzoNobel, UBE Industries Limited, Tangshan Chaoyang Chemical, Alfa Aesar, Dongying City Longxing, EMD Millipore Corporation, Shandong Shida Shenghua Chemical Group Co., Ltd., and UBE Industries. Expansion of manufacturing capacities, development of a strong product portfolio, and catering to the unfulfilled needs of various regions are some of the chief concerns of numerous market players.About UsTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.comHospital Based Health Technology Market Global Industry Analysis Forecast 2023

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A new market research report, titled "Hospital Based Health Technology" has been included to our repository. One of the leading factors pouring the expansion of this market is the growing market for military sector. The increasing population has led to an accumulative claim for the characteristics and this will drive the market globally. The intensifying per capita profits of the people in this market is alternate reason behind the rising plea for global market. The accumulative number of accidents owing to failure is one of the subordinate causes fueling the progress of this market. As governments make stringent safety rulebooks and guiding principle in an effort to decrease the number of accidents, the plea for Global Hospital Based Health Technology Market will reinforce during the prognosis period from 2018 to 2023.Request sample pdf of Report at:Competitors in this market are thrashing to tart up the safety of Global Hospital Based Health Technology Market. Investments are made on examination and enlargement by leading contenders so as to persist in competition as well as bring about enhancements in the Military industry. Foremost contestants are upholding the use of worthy resources and purchasing raw resources from well-known industries. This is serving them to improve Global Hospital Based Health Technology Market that are in effect, robust, and harmless.The report subdivisions the Global Hospital Based Health Technology market on the basis of first-class ethics and studies each of the subdivisions along with their sub-sections in an abridged manner. Illuminating the top subdivision, the subdivision with sedentary growth, and also the strongest growing subdivisions, the report happens to be crucial for those aspiring to invest in the global market. Readers are able to make detailed and nifty choices involving investments in this market, hereafter making profits and upholding a strong place in the market in the future.Avail Discount up to 30% on this report now at:The US is the most astounding spender in the market, with a large number of projects being sought after in the areas of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) programming products, the tactical local area network (TACLAN) group of frameworks, programming support for radars, net-driven systems networking products, an inclination to distributed computing, and cyber security. Europe is foreseen to develop as the second biggest market, with a noteworthy segment of expenditure inferable from The UK, Russia, and France. Asia-Pacific is another significant high-roller in the area, with most prevalent militaries formulating programs to build up to vigorous communication systems among different strategic units and securing critical networks and framework from cyber undercover work alongside discovering attacking patterns and adoption of open source programming.Some of the cutting-edge contenders working in the Global Hospital Based Health Technology market are described in the report for the objective of systematic case study. The business and economic summation of these enterprises along with their principal tactics approved have been given in this report.Table of Content:Chapter 1 Hospital Based Health Technology Market OverviewChapter 2 Global Economic Impact on IndustryChapter 3 Global Market Competition by ManufacturersChapter 4 Global Production, Revenue (Value) by RegionChapter 5 Global Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by RegionsChapter 6 Global Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by TypeChapter 7 Global Market Analysis by ApplicationChapter 8 Manufacturing Cost AnalysisChapter 9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream BuyersChapter 10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/TradersChapter 11 Market Effect Factors AnalysisAbout Research N Reports:Research N Reports is a new age market research firm where we focus on providing information that can be effectively applied. Today being a consumer driven market, companies require information to deal with the complex and dynamic world of choices. Where relying on a sound board firm for your decisions becomes crucial. Research N Reports specializes in industry analysis, market forecasts and as a result getting quality reports covering all verticals, whether be it gaining perspective on current market conditions or being ahead in the cut throat Global competition. Since we excel at business research to help businesses grow, we also offer consulting as an extended arm to our services which only helps us gain more insight into current trends and problems. Consequently we keep evolving as an all-rounder provider of viable information under one roof.Sunny Denis10916, Gold Point Dr, Houston, TX, Pin - 77064,(Sales Manager),+1-8886316977,sales@researchnreports.com ,Payments Landscape in Austria: Trends, Opportunities and Risks to 2021

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Market Research HUB has added a new report titled "Payments Landscape in Austria: Opportunities and Risks to 2021" to it's vast database of reports which provides detailed analysis of market trends in Austrian cards and payments industry. It provides values and volumes for a number of key performance indicators in the industry, including cash, credit transfers, direct debit, payment cards, and cheques during the review-period (2013-17e).Request For Sample Report-The report also analyzes various payment card markets operating in the industry, and provides detailed information on the number of cards in circulation, transaction values and volumes during the review-period and over the forecast-period (2017-21f). It also offers information on the country's competitive landscape, including the market shares of issuers and schemes.The report brings together research, modeling, and analysis expertise to allow banks and card issuers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages. The report also covers details of regulatory policy and recent changes in the regulatory structure.This report provides top-level market analysis, information and insights into the Austrian cards and payments industry, including -- Current and forecast values for each market in the Austrian cards and payments industry, including debit, credit and charge cards.- Detailed insights into payment instruments including cash, credit transfers, direct debit, cheques, and payment cards. It also, includes an overview of the country's key alternative payment instruments.- E-commerce market analysis.- Analysis of various market drivers and regulations governing Austrian cards and payments industry.- Detailed analysis of strategies adopted by banks and other institutions to market debit, credit and charge cards.Scope- The uptake of alternative payments is gradually increasing in Austria. While several companies are entering this space to capitalize on growing demand, existing players are updating their offerings to stay ahead of the competition. Klarna collaborated with ACI Worldwide in January 2018 to facilitate convenient e-commerce payments. In December 2017, Klarna partnered with Worldpay to enable the latters clients to accept payments via invoice or installments through Klarnas invoice and credit service. Meanwhile PayPal collaborated with Apple in July 2017 to enable iOS users to make payments via PayPal on the App Store, iTunes Store, iBookstore, and Apple Music.Browse Full Report with TOC-- The Austrian Supreme Court made one-off loan-processing fees lawful in June 2016, allowing banks to include processing fees and commissions that must be paid by borrowers in addition to the principal loan amount. The fee depends on the total loan amount rather than the actual expenses incurred in processing a loan. Charging a one-off loan processing fee is a common practice that has been applied for decades by banks in Austria, and the courts ruling will encourage banks to continue this exercise. This may lead consumers to look for other low-cost borrowing options such as credit cards.- Contactless payments are becoming mainstream in Austria, with all of the countrys major banks offering contactless cards and major schemes including Visa and Mastercard having introduced contactless technology. The number of contactless cards in the country rose from 3 million in 2013 to 11 million in 2017. The introduction of the NFC SIM-enabled Bankomatkarte Mobil app in March 2016 further boosted the adoption of contactless payments in Austria. The app was launched by Payment Services Austria, and enables Maestro card holders to make contactless payments through PayPass technology at 35,000 contactless terminals across Austria.Reasons to buy- Make strategic business decisions, using top-level historic and forecast market data, related to the Austrian cards and payments industry and each market within it.- Understand the key market trends and growth opportunities in the Austrian cards and payments industry.- Assess the competitive dynamics in the Austrian cards and payments industry.- Gain insights into marketing strategies used for various card types in Austria.- Gain insights into key regulations governing the Austrian cards and payments industry.Enquire about this Report-About Market Research Hub:Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of transport & logistics market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:Read Industry News at -Basmati Rice Market By Top Key Players - McCormick & Co. Inc., LT Foods Ltd, Hain Celestial Group Inc

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Rice is basically one of the major staple food in the world, accounting for over half of the total staple food consumed globally. Though rice is produced and milled globally, it is primarily consumed in the Asia-pacific regions especially in India, China and Pakistan wherein the production of basmati rice in these countries accounts for a major chunk of global production.Shifting preference towards healthy eating habits and nutrients by health conscious people, growing demand of brown rice from Middle-east and African Countries, increasing demand for ready-to-eat food products are some of the drivers that are expected to boost the growth of Basmati Rice market. Ensuring market penetration through better distribution while remaining economical poses a challenge for players who want to enhance their market and lower harvest are anticipated to hinder the growth of market to a certain extent.Sample Brochure Enlightening the New Advancement and Future Prospects@The global Basmati Rice market can be segmented on the basis of rice type, species, sales channel, application and region. on the basis of product type, the global Basmati Rice market can be segmented into raw, steamed and parboiled. On the basis of species, the global basmati rice market can be segmented into white, brown and others. On the basis of sales channel, the global Basmati Rice can be segmented into horeca, convenient stores, online platform and modern trade. On the basis of application, the global Basmati Rice market can be segmented into food and cosmetic and personnel care. On the basis of region, the global Basmati Rice Market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. Currently Asia-pacific basmati rice market accounts for the largest share of the global market. In addition, brown rice segment is anticipated to gain a higher cagr during the forecast period.Obtain Report Details @Some of the key players in the global Basmati Rice Market include McCormick & Co. Inc., LT Foods Ltd., The Hain Celestial Group Inc., Estraco Kft., East End Foods, The Rice 'n Spice Intl Ltd., KRBL Ltd., Amira Nature Foods Ltd., Mars Inc., and REI Agro Ltd.About Us-Xpodence Research is a U.S. based Market Research Company and offers the most extensive collection of progressive surveying syndicated and customized research reports of various categories for private and public industries across the globe.We offer the comprehensive market research solution for all the industries by performing the in-depth study of industry trends, verticals globally. We believe in building an eternal bond with our customers through providing them inclusive research study both customized and syndicated based on their specific requirements.The organizations in every industry such as Technology, Pharmaceuticals, Consumable Goods, Food & Beverage and others demands a market-based solutions for various significant decisions based on productivity and output globally. Our services are tailored specifically to our clients by proposing them the potential outcome, based on our in-depth analysis and insights for exploring the growth strategies through providing the best possible decision for quality production.Contact Us-Xpodence ResearchUSA Office244 , Madison AvenueNew York City, NY - 10016United StatesUK Office109 ,Straford Street,LeedsWest Yorkshrie LS11 6JGUnited KingdomToll Free +1- 844-445-2861Email-sales@xpodenceresearch.comThyroid Gland Disorders Treatment Market is Anticipated to Reach US$ 2,609.9 Million by 2025

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Hormones released by thyroid gland play a crucial role in stimulating metabolism, growth, and calories processing. Globally, thyroid gland disorders such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroid nodules affect around 5% to 10% of the population. Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism affect majority of the population primarily due to growing incidence of autoimmune diseases such as Graves disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Moreover, iodine deficiency is a widespread problem across the globe and is measured as a prime risk factor for the increase in prevalence of thyroid disorders.Request for Sample Copy of Report @The global thyroid gland disorders treatment market is likely to expand at a steady pace due to the rising prevalence of both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism across the world. Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are more common in women than in men. Furthermore, factors such as sedentary lifestyle, consistent expanding pool of geriatric population, and initiatives by the key players in thyroid gland disorders treatment market to introduce innovative therapeutic option are key factors influencing the growth of thyroid gland disorders treatment market.According to the report, the global thyroid gland disorders treatment market accounted for US$ 1,954.7 Mn in 2016 and is anticipated to reach US$ 2,609.9 Mn by 2025 at a CAGR of 3.3% from 2017 to 2025.On the basis of disorder, the thyroid gland disorders treatment market has been primarily categorized into two segments: hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. The hypothyroidism segment includes drugs such as Levothyroxine and Liothyronine. The hyperthyroidism segment covers drugs such as Propacil and Imidazole.Enquiry for discount on this report @The thyroid gland disorders treatment market is expanding at a moderate growth rate primarily due to rise in thyroid disorder patient population globally, rise in demand for drugs for hypothyroidism such as Euthyrox and Synthroid in developing and developed regions, and continuous efforts by leading thyroid drug manufacturers to develop advance therapeutics. However, the increased availability of several generic drugs has led to a decline in the overall market revenue.Based on geographic distribution, North America is the largest market for thyroid gland disorders treatment. According to numbers published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, around 1.2% people in the U.S. suffer from hypothyroidism each year. Moreover, women are 2-10 times more susceptible than men to develop thyroid conditions. High prevalence of thyroid gland disorders, better availability of diagnosis and treatment methods, better awareness among general public, and favorable reimbursements together define the dominance of North America market.On the other hand, the Asia Pacific market is likely to register the fastest market growth in terms of sales of thyroid gland disorders drugs during the given forecast period. Countries such as India, China, and Japan together determine the market trends in Asia pacific. Large consumption of generic formulations across these countries contribute to the growth of the market, mitigating the lower sales revenue in the region. Recent growth in investments and awareness initiatives by the market incumbents also contribute to the market growth in the Asia Pacific region.Report Overview @Some of the leading players in the global thyroid gland disorders market are Merck KGaA, Pfizer, Inc., ALLERGAN, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Sanofi S.A., AbbVie Inc., Lannett Company, Inc., Mylan N.V., Aspen, and Novartis AG. The vendor landscape of the global thyroid gland disorders treatment market is consolidated, with relatively small number of companies accounting for a majority share of the market.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Angiography Devices Market will have a Revenue of US$ 33,370.3 Million to Share from by the End of 2025

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The strong prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, which the WHO has identified as the number one cause of death across the World, has been luring numerous research and development activities for several decades. And now, angiography devices have been invented as a mode of medical imaging to visualize blood vessels and body organs, especially the arteries, veins, and heart. As the technology is harnessed further to make it more affordable for a larger pool of patients, and healthcare infrastructure improves in some of the most promising emerging economies, such as the BRICS nations, the market for angiography devices is primed for a prosperous future. According to this business intelligence study, the demand in the global angiography devices market will multiply at a notable CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2025. The analysts of this study has estimated that the vendors operating in the global angiography devices market will have a revenue of US$33,370.3 mn to share from, by the end of 2025.Report Overview @Apart from the prevalence of coronary artery disease, increasing cases of blockages in blood vessels in non-coronary diseases, particularly among the geriatrics, is expected to drive the demand in the angiography devices market. In addition to that, growing percentage of people with obesity across the world, resilient R&D and consequent product launches by various leading players, and government subsidies to increase the ubiquity of essential medical equipment are some of the other key factors augmenting the demand in the global angiography devices market.On the basis of product, the angiography devices market has been segmented into angiographic systems and consumables. The consumables segment is further sub-segmented into catheters, guidewires, balloons, contrast media, incision closure devices, and accessories. The consumables segment dominated the market in 2016 and is anticipated to maintain a strong demand throughout the forecast period. The growth of the segment can be attributed to the rising repeat orders for consumables. The angiographic systems segment is anticipated to witness a sluggish growth in the forecast period owing to the obsolescence of the existing devices and the lack of funds for the replacement of the devices.Request for Sample Copy of Report @Technology-wise, the market for angiography devices has been bifurcated into MRI, CT, X-ray and others. The X-ray segment, which currently provides for the maximum demand, is further segmented into image intensifiers and flat-panel digital detectors. The profitability of this segment can ba ascribed to the increasing demand for flat-panel digital detectors. However, CT and MRI are anticipated to lead the future market growth owing to their non-invasive nature of performing the angiography. Application-wise, the angiography devices market has been segmented into renal, cerebral, carotid, peripheral, aortic, and coronary. The coronary angiography segment dominated the demand in 2016 and is foreseen to remain in high demand throughout the forecast period. The growth of the segment can be attributed to the rising burden of coronary artery diseases among the population in the aging and young population. According to the U.S. Census, the number of people aging above 65 years of age is anticipated to increase from 40 Mn in 2010 to 81 Mn in 2040, which is considered to one of the major factors leading to the rising burden of the disease.The analysts of the report have evaluated that North America provided for a demand worth of US$8,543.6 mn in 2016, and estimated the opportunities from this region to aggregate up to US$12,026.6 mn by the end of 2025. However, the Asia Pacific angiography devices market is projected for a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2025, with the opportunities expected to translate into a revenue of US$8,225.8 mn by 2025.Enquiry for discount on this report @The report profiles some of the leading companies in the global angiography devices market, including AngioDynamics, Merit Medical Systems, Medtronic plc, Shimadzu Corporation, GE Healthcare (a business of General Electric Company), Koninklijke Philips N.V., Siemens Healthcare, Canon Medical Systems Corporation, Cordis Corporation (Johnson & Johnson Company), and Boston Scientific Corporation.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirementUS Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Basal Cell Carcinoma Treatment Market: Leading Players to Involve in Partnerships with Local Participants

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The rivalry between Sun Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., Mylan N.V., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., and Merck & Co. Inc. characterizes the competitive landscape present in the global basal cell carcinoma treatment market, states a new research study by Transparency Market Research (TMR). Currently, the leading players are focusing on increasing the efficiency of their products by inculcating the latest technologies, in order to gain a competitive edge over the peers. Over the coming years, these participants are expected to involve more in partnerships with regional players in a bid to strengthen their regional presence, notes the research study.Request for Sample Copy of Report @According to the estimation of TMR, the global market for basal cell carcinoma treatment was worth US$4.66 bn in 2016. The opportunity in this market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 9.20% during the period from 2017 to 2025 and reach US$10.14 bn by the end of the period of the forecast. Among all the treatment types, the demand for surgeries is higher, thanks to their efficiency. Analysts predict this trend to remain so over the next few years, establishing the dominance of the surgical basal cell carcinoma treatment segment. Among end users, basal cell carcinoma treatments find most significant usage in hospitals and specialty clinics. Geographically, North America is projected to continue on the top in the near future, thanks to the presence of an advanced medical and healthcare infrastructure and the rising expenditure on healthcare in this region, states the market report.The market for basal cell carcinoma treatment is benefiting significantly from the increasing prevalence of basal cell carcinoma, rising consciousness among consumers about the disease, and the presence of favorable reimbursement scenario in high prevalence regions, says a TMR analyst. The rising prevalence of various cutaneous malignancies, specifically non-melanoma skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, is influencing the demand for basal cell carcinoma treatment tremendously across the world.Enquiry for discount on this report @The increase in geriatric population, who are highly susceptible to several types of skin diseases, such as actinic keratosis and various other non-melanoma skin malignancies, is also boosting the growth of the global basal cell carcinoma treatment market, reports the research study.On the other hand, the high propensity of basal cell carcinoma remaining underdiagnosed may obstruct the growth trajectory of the worldwide market for basal cell carcinoma treatment over the next few years. The high treatment cost and the lack of awareness in emerging economies can also restrain the markets growth in the years to come. However, the rising demand for better disease treatments in emerging economies, as a result of escalating disposable income, is expected to provide lucrative growth opportunities for market players in the near future, states the report.Report Overview @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Equine Healthcare Market: Rising Trend of Horse Racing in China to Spell Growth for Market

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Owing to the large number of companies manufacturing the same product varieties, the vendor landscape of the global equine healthcare market has become largely fragmented and highly competitive, observes Transparency Market Research in a recent report. Companies can benefit from putting an increased emphasis on geographical expansion and targeting regional markets with promising growth opportunities such as Asia Pacific.Request for Sample Copy of Report @Some of the leading players operating in the global are Bayer AG (Bayer Animal Health), Boehringer Ingelheim, Ceva Sante Animale , Eli Lilly and Company (Elanco) , EQUINE PRODUCTS UK LTD , Merck & Co. (Merck Animal Health), Sanofi (Merial), Purina Animal Nutrition LLC., Vetoquinol S.A. and Zoetis.According to the report, the global equine healthcare market was valued at US$601.7 mn in 2016 and is expected to register a CAGR of 4.2% from 2017 to 2025, rising to an estimated valuation of US$862.7 mn in 2025.Of the key distribution channels that supply equine healthcare products, the segment of veterinary hospitals and clinics is estimated to hold the dominant share in the overall market in 2016 owing to the vast availability of drugs and vaccines. Owing to the emerging trend of dispensing of equine healthcare products through pharmacists, the market share of the retail pharmacies and drugs stores is also expected to grow during forecast period.Enquiry for discount on this report @Geographically, the market in North America accounted for the dominant sharer in the global market in 2016 and is likely to witness a vast surge in its valuation by the end of the reports forecast period. The highly popular trend of horse riding among adults in North America and the steadily expanding equestrian industry owing to the high popularity of horse riding in the region are expected to continue to drive the regional market for equine healthcare.The global equine healthcare market is driven by the trend of horse-racing that refuses to die down across a number of countries despite several regulations by governments, high incidence of equine infections, and global animal health development management programs. While a large number of horse-owners across regions such as Europe and North America are showing waning interests in joining equine shows, events, and racing, increased focus on raising high quality breeds of horses to cash in on the high returns opportunity by exporting them to locations such as China could act as a driver for the market.Rising per capita incomes, increased expenditure on animal healthcare, and the reviving horse racing industries in countries across Asia Pacific is also likely to have a positive impact on the global equine healthcare market in the near future. China has been expanding the capacity of equine industry and investing in horse racing by importing high quality breeds from other countries. Thus China can emerge as a leading market for equine healthcare products, as large volumes of nutritional supplements, drugs, and vaccines are needed for race horses. Moreover, the highest animal healthcare expenditure in Australia also makes it one of the key driving forces for the global equine healthcare market.Report Overview @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Buruli Ulcer Treatment Market Competitive Landscape Analysis with Forecast by 2027

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Global Buruli Ulcer Treatment Market: OverviewBuruli ulcer, caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans is an interminable devastating disorder that impacts basically the skin and bone now and then. The organism has a place with the gathering of microscopic organisms that causes tuberculosis and disease. The right strategy for transmission is dim. The essential weight of disease falls on kids living in sub-Saharan Africa, however stable people of all ages, races, and financial classes are defenseless. In spite of the way that it has been represented in more than 33 countries around the world, the best weight of the disease is in the tropical ranges of West and Central Africa, Japan, and Australia. It essentially impacts kids between 5 to 15 years. In any case, in some astoundingly endemic districts in Ghana, the regularity of Buruli ulcer has been evaluated to be as high as 150.8/100,000 individuals, and in southern Benin, a present survey has uncovered area rates of 21.5/100,000 consistently, higher than for either tuberculosis or uncleanliness.Download Report Brochure @This ailment consistently prompts ulcers on the arms or legs, which can in like manner destroy skin or delicate tissue. Exactly when not properly treated, the disease can realize irreversible distortion or whole deal functional failure. The illness is in like manner endemic in a couple of various countries outside Africa, including nation regions of Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, French Guiana, and Mexico. In Australia, Buruli ulcer treatment remains phenomenal, however there have been additions in both quantity and occurrence of endemic territories over the latest 15 years.Buruli ulcer, brought about by Mycobacterium ulcerans is a perpetual crippling sickness that influences primarily the skin and bone sometimes. The organism has a place with the group of microscopic organisms that causes tuberculosis and infection. The correct method of transmission is hazy. The fundamental weight of malady falls on kids living in sub-Saharan Africa, however sound individuals of any age, races, and financial classes are vulnerable. Despite the fact that it has been accounted for in more than 33 nations around the globe, the best weight of infection is in the tropical areas of West and Central Africa, Australia, and Japan. It basically influences kids matured 5-15 years. Notwithstanding, in some exceptionally endemic regions in Ghana, the commonness of Buruli ulcer has been assessed to be as high as 150.8/100,000 people, and in southern Benin, a current review has revealed location rates of 21.5/100,000 every year, higher than for either tuberculosis or leprosy.Disease regularly prompts ulcers on the arms or legs, which can likewise devastate skin or soft tissue. At the point when not appropriately treated, the ailment can bring about irreversible disfigurement or long haul practical inability. The disease is likewise endemic in a few different nations outside Africa, including country territories of Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, French Guiana, and Mexico. In Australia, Buruli ulcer treatment stays uncommon, however there have been increments in both occurrence and the quantity of endemic territories over the most recent 15 years.Request for TOC @Buruli Ulcer Treatment Market: Drivers and RestraintsGrowing incidence of Buruli ulcers is expected to increase demand for antibiotics and surgeries.. As per WHO (World Health Organization) major have likewise been accounted for from South East Asia , Australia, South America and Central regions in Africa. In the course of the most recent 2 decades the rate of Buruli ulcer has expanded, in spite of critical underreporting of cases. In 1999 there were 6000 new cases in Ghana; in 2004 (Australia), there were 25 new cases, 47 more in 2005 and 72 in 2006. Ordinarily, 05 cases for every year happen in the Daintree area (Australia) in any case, in 20112012, there was a noteworthy flare-up, with no less than 75 cases recognized. In Victoria (Australia), 157 cases happened in 20112012. The development is basically determined by expanded prevalence.New companies in the antibiotics industry have indicated expanded competence and safety profiles along with lessening the chances of ulcers. The ulcer showcase likewise has majorly two different procedures of treatment, which are via antibiotics and surgery. Late information recommend that combinations of anti-mycobacterial antibiotics that incorporate rifampicin and either streptomycin or amikacin can execute M. ulcerans in human injuries. Temporary rules now suggest the utilization of chose hostile to mycobacterial drugs, generally consolidated with surgery, for the treatment of Buruli ulcer. Effective treatment will abbreviate the course of the sickness and limit distortion. Skilled surgery, expert nursing care, and therapeutic physiotherapy are regularly required to accomplish great results.Yet, the remedial action of such events still rests an undiscovered area of research and development for pharmaceutical & healthcare organizations to carry innovative medications and advanced treatment into the Buruli ulcer treatment market. However nonappearance of conclusive treatment, reactions, restricted adequacy of the medications and high cost of surgery accessible in the market and reliance in manifestation based treatment in a few cases is required to hamper treatment growth & development of the overall Buruli ulcer treatment market over the forecast period.Buruli Ulcer Treatment Market: OverviewAround 70% of those suffered with Buruli ulcer are kids under 15 years of age. In Ghana the normal cost to treat Buruli ulcer is over US$ 780 for each individual. The acknowledged current treatment for Buruli ulcer is typically surgery. Inconveniences incorporate contracture distortions, removal of appendages, and inclusion of the eye, breast and genitalia. In a few areas 2025% of those with recuperated injuries are left with inabilities that have a long-term social and financial effect. The current financial and social weight forced by Buruli ulcer is colossal. The global market for Buruli ulcer treatment is expected to witness firm growth owing to increasing incidence rate of the ulcers coupled with new treatment (branded and generic) approach.Buruli Ulcer Treatment Market: Region  wise OutlookGlobally the Buruli ulcer treatment market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan and Middle East and Africa (MEA). North America and Western Europe are expected to be the leading markets in the global Buruli ulcer treatment market. Rising treatment options among the young age population, prescription rates and the maturing worldwide population are additionally considered vital drivers for this market. Public awareness via hospitals, drug manufacturers, medical campaigns and simply available diagnostic tests are relied upon to lift interest for Buruli ulcer treatment items in these areas.Obtain Report Details @Japan and APEJ are relied upon to take after next as far as interest for the treatment of Buruli ulcer treatment advertise. Eastern Europe, Latin America and MEA markets are likewise anticipated that would witness normal development over the forecast period. Nonattendance of populace based reviews in creating nations is a noteworthy test in appraisal of ulcer related contaminations in these nations.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Contact UsTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Fibromyalgia Treatment Market Share and Growth Factors Impact Analysis 2017  2027

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Fibromyalgia disorder is characterized by musculoskeletal pain along with characteristics of fatigue, sleep disorders, memory and mood issues, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, depression, and anxiety. It is believed that fibromyalgia alters the pain sensations mechanism controlled by the brain.An individual with fibromyalgia also can have symptoms such as tension headaches, migraine, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Symptoms of fibromyalgia can be gradually accumulated with the time, or it can be done by some external factors such as physical trauma, infection, psychological stress, and surgery. However, the real cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown. Prevalence of fibromyalgia is more common in women than in men, and it can be nine times higher in women compare to men.Download Report Brochure @Fibromyalgia Treatment Market: Drivers and RestraintsFibromyalgia treatment market is expected to witness high growth over the forecast period as the number of trauma cases and surgeries are increasing across the globe. Although there is no cure for fibromyalgia, however, some drugs in fibromyalgia treatment are used to reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia such as narcotic and non-narcotic analgesics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and muscle relaxants. As fibromyalgia associated with age, increase in geriatric population across the globe is also a factor to increase in the prevalence of fibromyalgia, which in turn, likely to boost the growth of fibromyalgia treatment market.Fibromyalgia is hard to diagnose as most of the symptoms are associated with other diseases as well, which in turn lower the diagnosis rate of patients having fibromyalgia in turn hampering the growth of fibromyalgia treatment market. Fibromyalgia treatment Combination therapies to treat fibromyalgia has many side effects and can cause severe damage to the patients. Also, other indications such as diabetes, kidney problem, heart disease can lead to severe damage to the patients if these drugs are used in fibromyalgia treatment. These factors are expected to hinder the growth of fibromyalgia treatment market over the forecast period.Fibromyalgia Treatment Market: OverviewFibromyalgia is diagnosed with the chronic pain symptoms at tender points, a person has fibromyalgia if he or she has pain in at least 11 of 18 specific tender point sites. However, fibromyalgia treatment involves the high rate of chances of misdiagnosis if the individual does not meet the criteria of ACR. The introduction of new drugs is expected to boost the growth of fibromyalgia treatment market over the forecast period. Most of the drugs in fibromyalgia treatment are prescribed as off-label as these drugs available for other indications in the market such as including antidepressants, opioids, anti-epileptics and muscle relaxants.Request for TOC @According to the European Network of Fibromyalgia Associations (ENFA), around 14 million people are affected in Europe by fibromyalgia and approximately 400 million people globally. Along with drug therapies, fibromyalgia treatment includes aerobic exercise which is also recommended to lower the pain and relieve the stress in fibromyalgia patients.Fibromyalgia Treatment Market: Region-wise OutlookThe fibromyalgia treatment market covers the market scenario for North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan, Japan, Latin America and MEA. There are very few players with approved drugs in the fibromyalgia treatment market giving opportunities for emerging players for market entry. U.S. is the biggest market for fibromyalgia treatment. As North America is strong in terms of international company presence and also active research and development investments coupled with an increase in healthcare expenditure, the North America fibromyalgia treatment market contributes maximum revenue share in global fibromyalgia market. With the increasing number of approvals for new drugs in future, fibromyalgia market is expected to grow faster in developed and emerging economies.Obtain Report Details @Fibromyalgia Treatment Market: Key Market ParticipantsSome of the participants in fibromyalgia treatment market include Daiichi Sankyo, Eli Lilly, Innovative Med Concepts, Pfizer, Theravance Biopharma, Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Innovative Med Concepts, Meiji Seika Pharma, and Tonix Pharmaceuticals. The fibromyalgia treatment market is competitive in nature as many generic drugs are available and used as off-label. Leading companies in fibromyalgia treatment are focusing on various new drug development and expanding their operation in the new countries for maintaining their foothold in the fibromyalgia treatment market.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Contact UsTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Cardiac Patch Market Current Scenario and Future Growth Analysis by 2025

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Cardiomyocytes are the single nucleus cylindrical and elliptical cells of the heart measuring 80120 m in length and 2030 m in diameter. Cardiomyocytes have a limited capacity to regenerate. The lost cardiomyocytes are replaced by fibroblasts and myofibroblasts which form scar tissues. The formation of these non?contracting fibrous scars alters the workload of the myocardium and results in congestive Heart Failure (HF), which has serious implications on the patient in terms of life expectancy, and further causes hypertension, coronary artery disease, and myocardial infarction (heart attack). Hence, the regeneration of the myocardium is essential for the survival of patients. Cardiac patches are heart repair products that incorporate human cells to replace damaged heart tissue. The cardiac patch contracts and expands like a normal human heart tissue and is developed by tissue engineering approach which creates three-dimensional porous scaffolds to create functional cardiac patches for transfer of exogenous cells.Download Report Brochure @Cardiac patch, which is a suitable alternative to heart transplant, recovers the heart tissue and ensures its sound functioning. The integration of advanced features such as therapeutic control through drug release is another groundbreaking innovation which is expected to be introduced in the cardiac patches and marketed globally in the coming decade. Such improvisations and additional features to the existing cardiac patches is anticipated to fuel the growth of the global cardiac patch market significantly during the 2017-2025 period. However, the limitations of cardiac patches such as the formation of aneurysms and the obstruction of growth potential because of ingrown tissue and calcification leads to multiple replacements and can hamper the market growth.The global cardiac patch market can be segmented based on end-users and region. In terms of end-users, the market can be divided into hospitals and specialty clinics. The hospitals segment is likely to hold a major share in the global cardiac patch market owing to higher number of procedures performed in hospitals and its continued rise each year. The hospitals segment is likely to continue to dominate the market during the forecast period owing to the availability of novel surgical procedures in these settings. Additionally, the number of hospitals is higher than other healthcare facilities/providers across the globe, especially in low- and middle-income countries.Request for TOC @In terms of region, the global cardiac patch market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America and Europe are expected to dominate and account for more than half the share of the global market through 2017 to 2025, owing to factors such as higher prevalence of heart disorders as compared to other countries coupled with high per capita healthcare expenditure and product availability. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are listed as a major cause of mortality across the world, and are also responsible for one in every three deaths in the U.S. According to the American Heart Association, 45% of all the deaths in the U.S. occurred due to heart diseases each year, and an estimated 92.1 million people in the U.S. were living with cardiovascular diseases in 2016.Obtain Report Details @The global cardiac patch market has few players currently but would witness market entry of some startups. The major players operating in the global cardiac patch market are W. L. Gore & Associates, BARD Peripheral Vascular, MAQUET Holding B.V. & Co. KG, and Taewoong Medical Co., Ltd. among others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Contact UsTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Future of Global Alternative Sweetener Market analyzed by top research firm

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The world alternative sweetener market is probably going to encounter an unassuming yet dependable rate of development over the coming years. One of the key drivers for the worldwide alternative sweetener market presently is the expanding interest for more beneficial low-calorie foods, particularly in urban ranges of center market areas. Makers in the market are endeavoring to create and dispatch different sorts of sugar substitutes, principally pushed by the rising wellbeing cognizance among buyers. The world alternative sweetener market is additionally determined by the rising sugar costs. Late investigations have demonstrated that there is practically zero connection amongst growth and the utilization of low-calorie sweeteners. Then again, normal alternative sweeteners are important for those endeavoring to dealing with their calorie check by either eliminating sugars or are hoping to enhance their general wellbeing. At present developing wellbeing awareness among customers is caused by the developing rates of heftiness and diabetes, alongside various other ceaseless medical problems.Request For Free Sample Of The Report @The worldwide alternative sweetener market's provincial division incorporates the key regions of North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Latin America. Among these, North America had taken up the main offer in the world alternative sweetener market for 2014, a factor ascribed to the developing stoutness plague, expanding dangers related with cardiovascular illnesses, and the developing number of patients experiencing diabetes. Nourishment and refreshment creators in North America are focusing hard on the improvement and commercialization of low calorie and sugar free items to meet the buyers require in North America.Moreover, the developing check of corpulent shoppers is bringing about an unfaltering decrease in the general utilization of sodas in North America and additionally Europe, in this way making a fall popular for high force sweeteners. Thus, the interest for sweeteners has encountered a noteworthy change in outlook in wording in purchaser decisions in two districts that are at present considered the center market locales by top players in this market. In the meantime, Asia Pacific, which held the second driving offer in the world alternative sweetener market for 2014, is probably going to demonstrate a development sought after, set apart by developing shopper mindfulness. One of the fundamental reasons driving the development of this market is the expansion in overweight, large, and diabetic patients. Customers are developing more aware of their wellbeing and focus on nourishment names to guarantee that the calorie content is in the prescribed range.Obtain Report Details @The global alternative sweetener market is segmented on the basis of type and geography. On the basis of type, the global alternative sweetener market can be segmented into low intensity sweetener (LIS), high fructose syrup (HFS), high intensity sweetener (HIS) and others. On the basis of geography, the global alternative sweetener market can be segmented into North America. Some of the companies in the alternative sweetener market are Cargill, Incorporated, Tate & Lyle Plc, Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, Ajinomoto Co., Inc., Roquette Freres S.A., Ingredion Incorporated, The NutraSweet Company and Cumberland Packing among others.About Us-Xpodence Research is a U.S. based Market Research Company and offers the most extensive collection of progressive surveying syndicated and customized research reports of various categories for private and public industries across the globe.We offer the comprehensive market research solution for all the industries by performing the in-depth study of industry trends, verticals globally. We believe in building an eternal bond with our customers through providing them inclusive research study both customized and syndicated based on their specific requirements.The organizations in every industry such as Technology, Pharmaceuticals, Consumable Goods, Food & Beverage and others demands a market-based solutions for various significant decisions based on productivity and output globally. Our services are tailored specifically to our clients by proposing them the potential outcome, based on our in-depth analysis and insights for exploring the growth strategies through providing the best possible decision for quality production.Contact Us-Xpodence ResearchUSA Office244 , Madison AvenueNew York City, NY - 10016United StatesUK Office109 ,Straford Street,LeedsWest Yorkshrie LS11 6JGUnited KingdomToll Free +1- 844-445-2861Email-sales@xpodenceresearch.comDental Implants and Prosthetics Market Research Study for the Period 2015 - 2025

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Dental implant is an artificial tooth that is placed in jaw to act as replacement tooth. People who have lost their tooth or teeth due to injury, periodontal disease and other reasons may use dental implant as an alternative to the natural tooth. Prosthetics are used to reconstruct the intraoral defects such as soft or hard structure of the jaw, missing parts and others. Rising number of people suffering from periodontal disease is one of the important factors driving the growth of dental implants and prosthetics. For instance, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has estimated that 47.2% of the total population above the age of 65 years suffers from some kind of periodontal disease. Thus, with the rise in periodontal diseases globally the dental implants and prosthetics market is also expected to grow in near future.The global dental implants and prosthetics market can be segmented as follows:Dental Implants MarketBy TypeTitanium Dental ImplantsProcedure StageSingle StageTwo StageConnector TypeExternal HexagonalInternal HexagonalInternal OctagonalZirconium Dental ImplantDental Prosthetics MarketCrowns and BridgesPorcelain fused to Metal Crowns and BridgesAll Ceramics Crowns and BridgesMetallic Crowns and BridgesDenturesAbutmentsRequest to Sample Report -Rising edentulous population, increasing disposable income and growing awareness for dental care are some of key factors driving the growth of dental implants and prosthetics market. For instance, it has been estimated that in 2010 approximately 160 million people globally were edentulous which accounts for 2.3% of the global population. In addition, increasing geriatric population and changing lifestyle also propel the growth of this market. According, to the World Health Organization (WHO) it has been estimated that the global elderly population is expected to reach around 2 billion by 2050; thiswas around 524 million in 2010. Moreover, the global geriatric population is expected to grow at the fastest rate in developed countries such as Italy, Germany, the U.K., the U.S. and Japan. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, around 40 million people in the country belonged to the elderly category in 2011. Around 89 million people are estimated to be beyond the age of 65 years by 2050.Thus, increasing geriatric population globally augments the demand for dental implants and prosthetics.Technological advancements in the field of dentistry also drive the growth of this market. With the introduction of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology has significantly reduced the dental treatment time. Thus, all the above mentioned factors collectively drive the growth of dental implants and prosthetics market. However, unfavorable reimbursement policies restrict the growth of this market during the study period.Geographically, Europe accounts for the largest share of the global dental implants and prosthetic market as the key players are domiciled in this region followed by North America. In addition, increasing geriatric population, presence of organized distribution channels and rising disposable income are of the major factors driving the global demand of this market during the forecast period 2015 to 2025. In addition, Asia-Pacific is estimated to be fastest growing market for dental implants and prosthetic owing to increasing healthcare awareness, population aging and rising medical tourism in countries such as India, Japan, Malaysia and others. However, economic slowdown in developed regions such as Europe and North America coupled with unfavorable reimbursement policies inhibits the global growth of dental implants and prosthetics market.Request Report TOC @3M Company, Biomet, Inc., Nobel Biocare, Straumann, Zimmer Holdings, Dentsply International, Zimmer Dental, BioHorizons, Inc., Ivoclar Vivadent AG are some of the leading companies having their presence in the global dental implants and prosthetics market.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 :Hard Disk Drive Market Forecast, By Countries, Application, With Sales, Price, Revenue And Growth Rate Forecast, 2018-2022: Kingston Digital, Corsair, Plextor, Galaxy Technology

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Market Expertz recently broadcasted a new study in its database that highlights the in-depth market analysis with future prospects of Hard Disk Drive Market. The study covers significant data which makes the research document a handy resource for managers, industry executives 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 in this Global Hard Disk Drive market includes Western Digital, Seagate, Toshiba, Hitachi, Intel, Samsung, Sandisk, Micron, Liteon, Fusion-Io, Kingston Digital, Corsair, Plextor, Galaxy Technology, Shinedisk, Biwin, Adata.Get PDF sample Copy of Hard Disk Drive Market Browse Data Tables and Figures spread through 110 Pages and in-depth TOC in depth report and 17 company analyses at @A recent market intelligence report on Hard Disk Drive Market takes a closer look at the major driving forces, restraints and opportunities anticipated to shape the future of the Hard Disk Drive Market for the forecast period, 2018 - 2022. Besides, this different adverse conditions and restraining factors expected to hinder the growth of the industry worldwide is also scrutinized. Trends from both past and present fast gaining momentum and stimulating market growth and development form an important part of the study.Next, the market assessment report also takes into account the top performers and the new entrants when weighing up on the competitive landscape of the Hard Disk Drive market for the forecast period, 2018 - 2022. Relevant and hard to find facts pertaining to the import and export status, supply chain management, product price, profit and gross margin are clearly explained through resources such as charts, tables and graphic images. A comprehensive coverage of various segments and the breakdown of their sale figures according to the regions form an important part of the scope of this study.Market segment by Type External Hard Drives Internal Hard DrivesMarket segment by Application Nearline Storage Enterprise Mobile/PC Non-PC UseClick to More Inquiry of Hard Disk Drive Market at @The report segments the Hard Disk Drive Market on the basis of geography, end-user, end-use, product application, type, share, growth rate and size to reveal where the industry will be in the coming years. The researchers assessing the industry have included the details about the recent decisions and events such acquisition and mergers, collaborations, product launch and investments. Important decisions connected with such events come handy for business owners when positioning their brands in the global market and finalizing the marketing strategies.The research provides answers to the following key questions: What will be the growth rate of the Hard Disk Drive Market for the forecast period, 2018 - 2022? What will be the market size during the estimated period? What are driving forces keeping the prospects of the Hard Disk Drive Market across different countries high? Who are the prominent market players and what is their approach to stay competitive? What are some of the key trends in the Hard Disk Drive Market industry? What are the major challenges expected to hinder the growth of the industry in the coming years? What opportunities can the business owners bank on to generate more profits and reduce cost?Browse Complete Report here@About usPlanning to invest in market intelligence products or offerings on the web? Then marketexpertz has just the thing for you - reports from over 500 prominent publishers and updates on our collection daily to empower companies and individuals catch-up with the vital insights on industries operating across different geography, trends, share, size and growth rate. There's more to what we offer to our customers. With marketexpertz you have the choice to tap into the specialized services without any additional charges.Our in-house research specialists exhibit immense knowledge of not only the publisher but also the types of market intelligence studies in their respective business verticals.Contact40 Wall St. 28th floorNew York City,NY 10005 United Statessales@marketexpertz.com+1-800-819-3052Portable Medical Devices Market to Witness an Outstanding Growth by 2025

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The portable medical devices market encompasses all healthcare associated diagnostic and therapeutic medical devices that are miniature in nature and can be easily transported from one location to another without any inconveniences. The market for portable devices has evolved greatly over the years particularly due to miniaturization of electronic components. Low power consumption technology has also greatly helped in developing portable technologies. As the world has begun shrinking due to increased connectivity, telemedicine, home-care and remote monitoring have become familiar terms with modern healthcare. Several factors led to the increasing need for portable devices, of which the major impact factors include increasing demand for diagnostics in remote areas of the world where a significant population continues to reside, increasing number of emergency medical services such as ambulances and helicopters that are required to be well equipped, military medicine for on-field applications and aging population that has begun to feel the pressure of moving to and fro from hospitals for simple diagnostic procedures. In a field like healthcare, the upcoming markets such as wearable medical devices and smart wearable sensors have culminated in the large revenue generation since the past several years which is expected to continue in the coming years as well.Several government initiatives to reduce the hospitalization time for patients has begun over the world and particularly in North America primarily enforced due to high healthcare expenditure that the government has had to endure. Re-hospitalization may be investigated by government to understand if there has been a shortfall from medical experts that led to re-hospitalization and may result in the medical expert being penalized along with the hospital. Thus portable medical devices will play a major role to reduce healthcare expenditure and increase space in hospitals by freeing beds for serious patients.Request to Sample Report -The market can be perceived and segmented through various aspects such as the general medical application such as cardiovascular, urological, neurological etc. Pacemakers, defibrillators, heart rate monitors, electrocardiographs and dialyzers are some portable devices available today. Increased wireless capabilities with the help of networking technologies such as Bluetooth, LAN, and WAN have also led to a significant rise in the portable technologies market. This increase in connectivity and safety has led to the inception of new consumer markets of medical devices that do not require intensive training. Portable devices such as activity monitors and heart-rate monitors are increasingly popular with all ages of people and are also used in veterinary science. A large number of companies such as Nike, Adidas, BodyMedia, Lark Jawbone, Polar, Fitbit, Sketchers and Scosche have ventured and gained considerable success in this field.Larger diagnostic machines such as bone densitometers and blood pressure monitors became popular due to the use in remote areas for monitoring health of villagers and non-urban population due to low awareness.In contrast, urban areas such as cities have seen increasing demand for complex portable medical devices such as defibrillators for usage in offices, public areas such as parks and railway stations due to rising incidence of sudden cardiac arrest, heart attacks and other cardiovascular ailments. Companies manufacturing this automated external defibrillators and bone-densitometers include GE Healthcare, Hologic, Philips, Cooper Surgical, HeartSine, Sorin Group, Zoll Medical, PhysioControl, Schiller AG and Cardiac Science.Request Report TOC @In terms of geography this market is distributed into four major regions of North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World of which North America accounts for a significant portion mainly due to a large number of companies manufacturing portable medical devices and equipment. Along with this, a greater amount of marketing takes place in the region which increases the awareness. Europe is also a significant market for devices such as defibrillators, home monitoring and remote patient monitoring along with on-field medical devices. Asia-Pacific market is expected to rise tremendously in coming years due to increasing awareness, connectivity and availability of portable medical devices. This will be further supplemented by the downward trend of cost of these devices which will result in a greater affordability. Rest of the World region will soon follow suit with Asia-Pacific as emerging economies such as Brazil, Middle-East and North African countries are already exhibiting greater purchasing power of portable medical devices.This research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data and statistically-supported and industry-validated market data and projections with a suitable set of assumptions and methodology. It provides analysis and information by categories such as market segments, regions, product types and distribution channels.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 :Pumps for Brake Assist System (BAS) Market Top Manufactures Analysis, Size, Share, Trends and Forecast to 2022

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Pumps for Brake Assist System (BAS) Market report conveys an essential review of the Pumps for Brake Assist System (BAS) Market including its definition, applications and technology. Additionally, the Pumps for Brake Assist System (BAS) Industry report investigates the international Major Market players in detail.The latest report on the Pumps for Brake Assist System (BAS) industry takes a closer look at the value chain assessment for the forecast period, 2018 to 2022. Along with the detailed analysis of the performance of the prominent market players, the study brings to light their winning strategies. Apart from this, the researchers behind the market intelligence report examine the weaknesses, strengths, opportunities, and restraints expected to shape the progress of the Pumps for Brake Assist System (BAS) market for the forecast period, 2018 to 2022. The market intelligence report includes detailed statistics on market segmentation based on product value, application, classification, and sale.Get 15% Discount on this Report @Scope of the Report:Furthermore, application of Porters Five Forces Analysis to determine the status of various aspects such as the capability of both the suppliers and customers, threats posed by different substitutes, the intensity of competition and promising new vendors makes the study a valuable resource. Extensive analysis of data pertaining to the current as well as emerging trends offers clarity regarding the Pumps for Brake Assist System (BAS) market dynamics. Besides, information on the performance of different companies, profit, gross margin, strategic initiative and more are presented through various resources such as tables, charts, and infographic.Market segment by Application, Pumps for Brake Assist System (BAS) can be split into Passenger Cars Commercial VehiclesMarket segment by Type, Pumps for Brake Assist System (BAS) can be split into Electric Type Mechanical TypeBuy This premium Report @This report focuses on the top players in global market, like Hella Continental Delphi Automotive Denso Corporation Johnson Electric Robert Bosch GmbH (Bosch) SHW AG Rheinmetall WabcoIn market segmentation by geographical regions, the report has analysed the following regions-North America, China, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia, IndiaFull Report With TOC:The study further offers a comprehensive assessment of the revenue generated by the various segments across different regions for the forecast period, 2018 to 2025. To help business owners gain a thorough understanding of the current momentum the research taps hard to find data on aspects including but not limited to demand and supply, distribution channel and technology upgrades. Most importantly, evaluation of stringent rules and regulations and government initiatives shaping the progress of the Pumps for Brake Assist System (BAS) industry offers an understanding of what is in store for the business owners in the years to come.The research provides answers to the following key questions: What will be the market size of the Pumps for Brake Assist System (BAS) industry by 2022? What will be the estimated market share over the next few years? What are the key driving forces fueling the growth of the Pumps for Brake Assist System (BAS) industry across different regions? Who are major vendors expected to dominate the market for the forecast period 2018 to 2022? What are the current and emerging trends likely to influence the progress of the industry worldwide? What are the type of opportunities market vendors can rely on to stay competitive over the years?Follow us on LinkedIn:Follow us on Twitter:Follow us on Google Plus:Follow us on Facebook:About UsPlanning to invest in market intelligence products or offerings on the web? Then marketexpertz has just the thing for you - reports from over 500 prominent publishers and updates on our collection daily to empower companies and individuals catch-up with the vital insights on industries operating across different geography, trends, share, size and growth rate. There's more to what we offer to our customers. With marketexpertz you have the choice to tap into the specialized services without any additional charges.Contact Us40 Wall St. 28th floor New York City,NY 10005 United States+1-800-819-3052Brakes for Friction Products Sales Industry Market  Analysis, Technologies & Forecast to 2025  Research and Markets

Brakes for Friction Products Sales Market

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Global Brakes for Friction Products market Report offers conclusive insights into the overall Brakes for Friction Products industry along with the market size, scope and evaluation for the duration 2017 to 2025.A recent study on the Brakes for Friction Products Sales market applies both primary and secondary research techniques to accumulate vital statistics about the competitive business landscape of the Brakes for Friction Products Sales market for the forecast period 2017 - 2025. The latest market intelligence report provides business owners, stakeholders and field marketing executives critical insights about the opportunities as well as strengths to help keep up with the dramatic shift in the consumer behavior and consumption power.Get the Sample Copy of Brakes for Friction Products Sales Research Report@The study methodologies used to examine the Brakes for Friction Products Sales market for the forecast period, 2017 - 2025 further classifies the industry by type, geography, end-use and end-user to add more precision and bring to light factors responsible for augmenting business development.The research methodologies used for evaluating the Brakes for Friction Products Sales market are inventive and also provides enough evidence on the demand and supply status, production capability, import and export, supply chain management and investment feasibility.The investigative approach applied for the extensive analysis of the sale, gross margin and profit generated by the industry are presented through resources including tables, charts, and graphic images. Importantly, these resources can be easily integrated or used for preparing business or corporate presentations.Global Brakes for Friction Products market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Brakes for Friction Products sales volume, Price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players including- Federal-Mogul Aisin-Seiki Robert Bosch Brembo Continental Delphi Automotive Nisshinbo SGL Carbon AG TRW Tenneco Akebono Brake Industry Bendix Sangsin Longji Machinery MIBA AG BPW Hongma Gold Phoenix Klasik BoyunInquiry before Buying @Geographically, this report split global into several key Regions, with sales (K Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Brakes for Friction Products for these regions, from 2013 to 2025 (forecast), covering- United States China Europe Japan Southeast Asia IndiaOn the basis of product, this report displays the sales volume, revenue, product price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into Brake Pads Brake Shoes Brake Lining Brake Rotor Brake Drum OthersOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume, market share and growth rate for each application, including Passenger Cars Commercial CarsThe market intelligence study for the Brakes for Friction Products Sales market further provides an inside-out overview of necessary aspects associated with the product classification, important definitions, major orders and other industry-centric parameters. An underlying part of the study also maps the important factors associated with the recent events such as mergers and acquisition, collaboration and new product launches.In addition, the research lays down a robust groundwork for obtaining a vast amount of information that potential customers can use to increase their profits and reduce costs. The inclusion of data on market segmentation by type, application, and geography offers clarity presents an analytical picture of, what manufacturers are aiming for.The research provides answers to the following key questions: What is the estimated growth rate of the Brakes for Friction Products Sales market for the forecast period 2017 - 2025? What will be the market share and size of the industry during the estimated period? What are prime factors expected to drive the Brakes for Friction Products Sales industry for the estimated period? What are the major market leaders and what has been their winning strategy for success so far? What are the significant trends shaping the growth prospects of the Brakes for Friction Products Sales market? What are the key challenges expected to restrict the progress of the industry for the forecast period, 2017 - 2025? What the opportunities product owners can bank on to generate high profits?Browse the full Report @Follow Link Twitter:Follow Link LinkedIn:Follow Link Google Plus:Follow Link Facebook:About US:Planning to invest in market intelligence products or offerings on the web? Then marketexpertz has just the thing for you - reports from over 500 prominent publishers and updates on our collection daily to empower companies and individuals catch-up with the vital insights on industries operating across different geography, trends, share, size and growth rate. There's more to what we offer to our customers. With marketexpertz you have the choice to tap into the specialized services without any additional charges.Contact US:40 Wall St. 28th floor New York CityNY 10005 United Statessales@marketexpertz.com+1-800-819-3052Cell Phone Vibration Motors Sales Market Trends, Strategies, Emerging Growth and Forecast By 2025

Cell Phone Vibration Motors Sales Market

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Global Cell Phone Vibration Motor Market study formulates with historic data up to 2017 and gives a forecast for 2018-2025. This incorporates Cell Phone Vibration Motor market size, product scope, industry revenue and growth opportunities.A new market assessment report on Cell Phone Vibration Motors market brings to light a detailed statistics on the dramatic shift in the competitive landscape and business environment of the Cell Phone Vibration Motors market for the forecast period 2017 - 2025. The comprehensive study offers an overview of the current state of development of the business as well as predicts the course of progress across different regions. A large number of factors including the major driving forces, threats and opportunities are taken into account to present an analytical picture of the industry portrayed in the report.Get the Sample Copy of Report@Scope of Cell Phone Vibration Motors Market Research Report-The study is a professional probe into the revenue generated and capacity estimates for the Cell Phone Vibration Motors market for the forecast period 2017 - 2025 empower the business owners to maintain a competitive edge over their rivals. The research further examines and provides data on the market by type, application and geography interspersed with illustrations and other graphical representations. The market analysis not only determines the attractiveness of the industry but also the evolving challenges and opportunities and their association with the weaknesses and strengths of prominent market leaders. Other factors taken into consideration when studying the industry include profitability, manufacturing capability, distribution channels and industry cost structure and major success factors.Global Cell Phone Vibration Motors market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Cell Phone Vibration Motors sales volume, Price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players including- Nidec Fimec Motor Asmo Mabuchi Denso Mitsuba Sinano Minebea Mitcumi Chiahua Components Group LG Innotek Yaskawa Shenzhen Villon Opotech Shanghai Micro Motor Ningbo Huahong Shanbo Motor Zhonghuan Tianwei MotorGeographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate ofCell Phone Vibration Motors in these regions, from 2013 to 2025 (forecast), covering- United States Europe China Japan Southeast Asia IndiaOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into- Cylindrical Type Flat Button TypeOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume, market share and growth rate for each application, including- Fashionable Mobile Phone Business Mobile Phone OtherInquiry about the Report@The study segments the complete Cell Phone Vibration Motors market on the basis of different application, end-use, end-user, and production capability. From a business standpoint, the industry has been thoroughly examined across various countries located in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and others. The size of the industry for the forecast period 2017 - 2025 is evaluated on the basis of current sales figures and past financial report can be used to forecast the future sales.There are 16 Chapters to deeply display the global Cell Phone Vibration Motors market.Chapter 1 covers the Cell Phone Vibration Motors Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2 talks about the top manufacturers and analyses their sales, revenue and pricing decisions for the duration 2017 and 2025;Chapter 3 displays the competitive nature of the market by discussing the competition among the top manufacturers. It dissects the market using sales, revenue and market share data for 2017 and 2025;Chapter 4, shows the global market by regions and the proportionate size of each market region based on sales, revenue and market share of Cell Phone Vibration Motors, for the period 2017- 2025;ContinueBrowse the full Report@Follow Link Twitter:Follow Link LinkedIn:Follow Link Google Plus:Follow Link Facebook:About US:Planning to invest in market intelligence products or offerings on the web? Then marketexpertz has just the thing for you - reports from over 500 prominent publishers and updates on our collection daily to empower companies and individuals catch-up with the vital insights on industries operating across different geography, trends, share, size and growth rate. There's more to what we offer to our customers. With marketexpertz you have the choice to tap into the specialized services without any additional charges.Contact US:40 Wall St. 28th floor New York CityNY 10005 United Statessales@marketexpertz.com+1-800-819-3052Global Color Cosmetics Market to Surpass US$ 90.16 Billion by 2025

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Color cosmetics are a mixture of chemicals that are used to enhance the appearance or divulging an aroma to the human body. Color cosmetics market is expected to propel owing to the growth in nail care segment; for example various innovations such as Avons new wellness brand Espira to be launched in 2018 is expected to penetrate as a new wave in the nail care sector. Introduction of various features such as improved skin texture in facial makeup segment and other skin care benefits such as improvement in skin tone, moisturizing, and inclusion of anti-aging properties are expected to fuel growth of the color cosmetics market during the forecast period.Increasing inclination of women towards aesthetic appeal is one of the major driver for growth of color cosmetics market. Furthermore, new product launches such as new double wear foundation in 2017, increasing retail presence such as launch of new Sephora stores in Indian market are some of the factors playing a key role in the market. For instance, Sephora, a premium cosmetics retailer plans to open over ten to twelve stores by 2018 across the Indian market. Furthermore, increasing disposable income of population coupled with increasing adoption of branded products are driving the demand for premium color cosmetics products. Some of the leading vendors in the premium color cosmetics market include Coty, Chanel, Estee Lauder, LVMH, and Shiseido.Request a sample copy of this report:Furthermore, sales through online distribution channel is key factor driving growth of the market. The e-commerce platform allows consumers to compare a wide range of products before buying them. For instance, online cosmetic sales in China accounted for around 37% sales in 2017.On the basis of product type, color cosmetics market is segmented into nail care, lip care, eye make-up, and face make-up. On the basis of distribution sector, the market is segmented into hypermarkets, supermarkets, specialty stores, and online stores. Face make up segment is expected to account for the highest revenue share over the forecast period, due to increasing availability of cosmetic products at low prices. According to Coherent Market Insights analysis, the face make up segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period.Asia Pacific is the dominant region in the global color cosmetics market and was valued at US$ 18.40 Bn in 2016. China is leading market in this region, owing to increasing prevalence of western culture and demand for branded products. In 2016, LOreal led the color cosmetics market in China owing to its high brand presence and extensive distribution network. India stands to be another important market for color cosmetics owing to growing demand from tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Owing to the stiff competition and market maturity, retailers are increasing their presence to tier 2 and tier 3 cities to gain market presence. Color cosmetic products such as lip sticks and nail polish are some of the most popular products across all age groups in India. In addition to this, entry of foreign players into the market is further driving the market. For instance, LASpalash Cosmetics, an US-based company and KIKO MILANO, Italian company, entered the Indian market in 2016.Europe is expected to be the second largest market for color cosmetics in terms of revenue over the forecast period. Economies such as U.K., Germany, and France are major region for market. Increasing adoption of recent trends in fashion by population in this region and advent of social media bloggers and fashion influencers educating customers about new trends and fashion are increasing demand for color cosmetics, which in turn is expected to fuel growth of the market during the forecast period.The color cosmetics market was valued at US$ 62.36 billion in 2016 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.22%, in terms of revenue, over the forecast period (2017  2025).North America is projected to hold a revenue share of 21.97% in the color cosmetics market by 2025, owing to high demand for premium products such as Estee Lauder and Coty. Furthermore, in the U.S., celebrity endorsements and launch of their own product lines are driving growth of the market. For instance, popular celebrity brands such as Kylie Cosmetics and Flower Beauty are gaining traction among population, which in turn is fueling growth of the market.Major Players in Global Color Cosmetics Market:Some of the key players operating in the global color cosmetics market include LOreal Group, Coty Inc., Krylon, Estee Lauder Companies Inc., Avon Products, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Revlon, and Beiersdorf.To know the latest trends and insights prevalent in this market, click the link below: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: +1-206-701-6702High Temperature Coatings Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends, Size, Share, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2017-25

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High Temperature coatings or HTCs are used to protect the systems which subjected to high temperature conditions on a regular basis. They are designed to withstand temperatures from 150OC to 800OC. The use of HTCs helps in reducing heat losses, keep corrosion under insulation (CUI) in check, reduce thermal fatigue and maintain efficiency. CUI is the petrochemical industrys worst complication. It occurs when moisture seeps into the insulation and the high temperature condition is optimal for corrosion. The application of HTCs helps keep the effect of moisture to a minimum and subsequently translates into energy and cost savings.Low consumer awareness in medium and small scale industries about high temperature corrosion risks is a major challenge for market players. Moreover, raw material availability is dependent upon the oil industry.To get holistic sample and table of content (ToC) of the report@High Temperature Coatings Market TaxonomyOn basis of Coating TechnologyLiquid CoatingSolvent borneWater bornePowder CoatingOthers (Laser, Radiation-cured etc.)On basis of Resin typeEpoxy-BasedAcrylic-BasedSilicone-BasedPolyethersulfone (PES)Polyester-BasedAlkyd-BasedOthersPefluoroalkoxy Alkanes (PFA)PEEKPolyphenylenesulfide (PPS)UrethaneHybridsVinyl-EsterOthersOn basis of End UserEnergy & PowerOil and GasSolarWindOthersPetrochemical & Chemical IndustryMetal Processing IndustryCookware, Bake ware, and Small AppliancesMarineAutomotiveCoil CoatingsWoodstoves, Gas Stoves, and Barbecue GrillsAerospace & DefenseBuilding & ConstructionOthersLiquid Coatings, either hand applied or sprayed is losing its market, though, it is preferred over powder coatings when specialized paint colors and tolerances are required. Powder coatings offer better durability, toughness and have the environmental advantage of not having any solvents or VOCs.Epoxy phenolic coatings have high heat and chemical resistance are widely used as coatings in refineries, power generation and secondary containment. Silicone coatings can withstand high temperatures over 550OC. Polyesters tapes are used for masking applications in high temperature equipment. Acrylic coatings offer decorative properties such as color retention and gloss. They hold the largest market share in the HTC market.The largest end users are the energy and petrochemical industries due to use of heater-treater, separators, furnaces and transport of heated material. HTCs help decrease energy losses and reduce non-productive time. Automotive is also a major end user, coatings are applied on engine components and decreases effect of heat fatigue.High Temperature Coatings Market OutlookAsia Pacific is the fastest growing and the largest market for high temperature coatings. The petrochemical industry has a marked shift from North America to India and China, due to low cost of labor and close proximity to major oil producing Middle East nations. Furthermore, energy, cookware and automobile markets have also grown due to population boom. This has driven demand for HTCs.North America has augmented HTC market growth, due to growing energy, automobile, electronics and construction sector. Increased shale gas production has driven growth the petrochemical industry as well. High thermal efficiency in chemical processing can help the manufacturers in this region to compete with low-cost products made in Asia. Europe is expected to lose its market share during forecast period due to decline of end-user industries.In Latin America, the growth of HTC market can be attributed to the energy and automotive industry. Brazil is expected to strongly drive growth in both E&P and refining. Political uncertainties and regulatory complications are hindering growth in other countries of the region.To know the latest trends and insights prevalent in this market, click the link below:Middle East and North Africa are consolidated regions for oil and gas and petrochemicals. A return to political stability of Iraq, Syria, and Iran are having crucial advantage in the growth of the HTC market.The companies are adopting various organic and inorganic growth strategies in order to sustain their market position. Tnemec Co. launched Endura-Heat line of products that offer CUI protection at 650OC with custom color matching available. The key players in this market include Jotun A/S, Aremco, AkzoNobel N.V., Hempel, Belzona International Ltd., The Sherwin-Williams Company, PPG Industries Inc., The Valspar Corporation, Whit ford, Weilburger Coatings GmbH, Axalta Coating Systems, Carboline, Chemco International Ltd.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.comComputers and the Internet have become mainstays in virtually every area of 21st-century American life. There are tremendous benefits and conveniences to this, of course, but there are also some downsides  such as the increased risk of identity theft that arises as we share more of our personal information online.

In fact, identity theft has been called "the crime of the 21st century," consistently ranking at the top of the Federal Trade Commission's list of complaints every year. While there are many ways for identity thieves to strike offline, the Internet has made it that much easier for them to steal sensitive personal information from unsuspecting and careless individuals online.

A New Kind of Identity Theft

With tax-filing season now upon us, there's another kind of identity theft you should be watching out for: tax identity theft. In this scheme, identity thieves enter stolen personal information (primarily Social Security numbers) on fraudulent tax returns that claim tax refunds. They then cash the refund checks themselves, leaving the victims spending weeks or months trying to clear up the confusion with the IRS to get their own legitimate tax refunds.

"You can't necessarily monitor tax ID fraud, because of the fact that so much of our information is out there," says Greg McBride, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Analyst at Bankrate.com. "Somebody can have your Social Security number and they could have been sitting on it for a while, and you would have no idea until they go and file a bogus tax return under your Social Security number. You only find out at the point where your legitimate return gets rejected."

On its website, the FTC states that tax identity theft accounted for about 20% of all identity theft complaints in 2017. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), there was a 46% decline in taxpayers reporting they were victims of identity theft from 2016 to 2017, presumably thanks in part to IRS security awareness campaigns for both tax professionals and taxpayers, and additional security measures put in place.

Despite increases in both security and awareness, identity theft criminals remain active. While the Identity Theft Resource Centre (ITRC) "only" recorded 1,138 data breaches in 2018, down from 1,579 the prior year, Experian reports that W-2 scams increased by almost 80% from 2016 to 2016.

News reports have featured a number of stories highlighting the different ways that thieves have stolen personal information from victims and used it to commit tax identity theft. For example:



A part-time data entry clerk stole tax returns she was working on and used the information to file fraudulent tax returns requesting large refunds.



An employee at a collection agency stole the personal information of debtors and then sold it to professional identity thieves, who used it to file false returns seeking fraudulent refunds.



A woman who worked as a customer service rep for a student loan processor gave the personal information of student loan borrowers to a tax preparer, who in turn used the data to file fraudulent returns requesting large refunds.

Steps to Take

Now is prime time for tax identity theft, as millions of individuals file their personal tax returns leading up to the April 15 filing deadline. Here are some precautions to help protect yourself, as well as steps to take if you believe you have been victimized:

Read any IRS notices you might receive very carefully. It's likely that any mail you receive with a return address that begins "Internal Revenue Service" is going to get your attention, but you should pay especially close attention to these due to the heightened risk of tax identity theft.



If a thief uses your Social Security number to obtain a fraudulent tax refund or a job, you will likely receive a notice from the IRS telling you that you were paid by an employer you don't recognize, that you under-reported your income, or that more than one tax return was filed using your Social Security number. Any of these scenarios is a strong indication that you may be the victim of tax identity theft.

Don't reply to any emails, texts or social media messages asking for your personal information. The IRS will never initiate contact with you in this way to ask for your Social Security number or any other sensitive personal information. Don't reply to or click on any links in any kinds of messages like this; instead, forward the message to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov so they can investigate it further.

Contact the IRS immediately if you are suspicious of fraud. If you encounter any of the scenarios described above, call the IRS at (800) 829-0433 to report the potential fraud. Trained specialists will help you sort out the mess, get your tax return filed properly, and receive any legitimate tax refund you are entitled to, as well as help you guard against becoming a victim again in the future.

Take additional steps to limit the potential damage of identity theft. After you have talked to the IRS and worked with them to clear up any issues with your tax return and refund, file an identity theft complaint with the FTC and a police report with your local police department.



Also put a fraud alert on your credit reports so that businesses must contact you to verify your identity before issuing credit in your name. Simply contact any one of the three major credit reporting agencies (TransUnion, Equifax or Experian) and they will alert the other two bureaus about your fraud alert.You can check your credit score and read your credit report for free within minutes by joining MoneyTips.



An even stronger precaution is freezing your credit. A credit freeze prevents any potential creditor from accessing your credit report to establish a new line of credit  even if you are the one making the request. You must freeze your account at each of the three credit reporting agencies separately. To apply for new credit, you'll first have to unfreeze your credit, reapplying the freeze after the new account has been opened. As of September 2018, all credit freezes are free of charge.



Like any swindle, it is always better to take steps to prevent identity theft from happening than to react to it after the fact. It might take you a while to process the changes introduced by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, but try not to delay filing your tax return for too long. "To whatever extent you can, try to file your tax return early," advises McBride. "That's really what a lot of the tax ID thieves do  they file a tax return very quickly, claim a bogus refund under your name, and then when you go to file your legitimate tax return before the tax deadline, it gets rejected." Do your best not to become a victim, and then act quickly to rectify the situation if you do.

If you would like to prevent becoming a victim of identity theft, join MoneyTips and check out our free Identity Protector tool.





Photo iStockphoto.com/PeopleImagesThe Midland branch of Civitan International celebrated Civitans 100th anniversary by providing 100 birthday bags for Midland County Emergency Food Network users  and although the anniversary has come and gone, the project is continuing.

Susan Bradshaw of the Midland Civitan Club was a centennial governor of the larger organization in 2017, serving as a liaison between Civitan International and local clubs in four Midwest states.

We looked for ways we could celebrate 100 something  a 100 project, she said recently.

A representative of the food pantry network came to a club meeting to give a presentation, and told group members about the pantrys birthday project.

People come in and they get birthday cake supplies from the food pantry, Bradshaw said.

One of our members really latched onto that idea and came back with a proposal: Members could donate enough supplies  cake mixes, frosting mixes, sprinkles, candles and birthday cards  to make 100 birthday bags.

Club member Gail Marcoe and her daughter Julieanne took on the project, and the two really have done the lions share of assembling the bags, Bradshaw said.

The club donated its 100th birthday bag to the food pantry in November, but members havent stopped working on the effort.

Since that time, weve decided to continue that project  Its really quite simple but a really neat project.

The bags have proven popular with food pantry users. Its a win-win for all of us, Bradshaw said.

Its just one of the local clubs many efforts, which range from parking cars at the Arc of Midlands annual Stroll/Walk/Run to holiday fund-raising sales of Claxton Fruit Cakes.

As a club, when we raise money we will donate to things like Special Olympics and Tall in the Saddle, Bradshaw said. We send some adults with disabilities to a summer camp.

The Midland Civitan Club is celebrating its 70th anniversary in September.

Civitan International operates in about 50 countries and is devoted to improving the lives of children and their families, she said, noting that the organization supports a research center at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, which does a tremendous amount of research now primarily focused on the brain and nervous system. The facility is the first institution of its kind in the United States to be solely dedicated to research on developmental disabilities.

In her role as a centennial governor, Bradshaw traveled to many locations, encouraging clubs to grow, to look for new members  celebrating the successes we have.

Local clubs are encouraged to look at their communities and see what is needed and focus on that.

For more information about the Midland Civitan Club, e-mail midlandcivitan@gmail.com or visit the groups Facebook page, www.facebook.com/MidlandMiCivitanClubThe 2018 Ruby Awards recently honored two area employees for their impact in the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Justin Lipscomb, principal member and co-owner for Moltus Building Group, along with Ryan Smith, global strategic marketer for DowDuPont, were recently presented with the awards for their achievements.

Since 2005, 1st State Bank's RUBY Award has honored the area's brightest professionals under the age of 40 who have made their marks in their professions and are having an impact throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Lipscomb and co-owner Mike Prezzato formed Moltus in 2013.

"Justin has a high energy, on-the-go personality," Prezzato said. "Anyone who has talked to Justin will tell you he is passionate about construction and thrives in working with our clients and co-workers."

Following graduation from Northwood University with a bachelor's degree in business administration, he began his career as a project manager for a local construction company. He then became regional manager for a national building company before desiring to start his own construction company, which led to Moltus.

"I used to sell construction products and Mike was one of my largest customers and we became friends during that process," Lipscomb said. "We had a lot of the same values regarding customer service and ideals," Lipscomb said in an earlier Daily News article.

Prior to joining Dow Corning in 2013, Smith held operational roles in the transportation industry and supply chain roles for a global specialty retailer.

"The Ruby Award is a humbling honor that energizes me for the future. To be recognized from such a qualified pool of nominees is a call to give back to my colleagues and community, and to ensure that Dow and the Great Lakes Bay Region are only improved from my efforts," Smith said.

Prior to being named global strategic marketing leader, Smith worked in Dow Performance Silicones and the Business and Technology Incubator.

Smith earned a bachelor's of science degree in finance and economics from Berry College in Rome, Georgia, and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.1.5k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard

Donald Trump can have his military parade with marching troops and airplanes overhead, but there will be no tanks.

CNN reported:

CNN Exclusive: The Pentagon has issued a memo outlining how President Trump's sought after military parade on Veterans Day will look. Parade will include period uniforms, airplanes but no tanks to avoid damaging infrastructure. Route will go from the White House to the Capitol  Ryan Browne (@rabrowne75) March 9, 2018

Im sure that Trump is going to be disappointed that military tanks wont be tearing up the streets from the White House to the Capitol, but there shouldnt be any military parade at all. If Trump wanted to honor vets, he could stop trying to privatize their healthcare. The administration could take the millions of dollars that they are wasting on the parade and use it for food and housing for vets in need.

If Trump wanted to show that he cared, he could attend Veterans Day parades in cities around the country, and see real vets march down the streets of their hometowns.

The interesting part of Trumps Veterans Day parade is that there are no signs that it will include veterans. Vets and the troops shouldnt have to come to Trump. If this president cared, he would go to them on his own dime and use the taxpayer money that is set to be wasted on this parade to help those who have served their country well.

Veterans dont need a parade. They need a president who will get them what they need.

PoliticsUSA has positions open for writers. Click here to apply.

To discuss this story and more join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.Stormy Daniels lawyer Michael Avenatti asked one question that has Trump dead to rights. If Michael Cohen wasnt working for Trump, why is Trumps name all over the hush money documents prepared by Cohen?

Video:

Stormy Daniels' lawyer asks the one question that blows up Trump's cover-up #TheBeat https://t.co/E0QeFY41Za pic.twitter.com/Ueitl1orQe  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) March 10, 2018

Avenatti said on MSNBCs The Beat With Ari Melber, I stand by the statements that I have made. The fact of the matter is that this could be cleared up very, very simply by Mr. Cohen providing all of the financial documents that he believes substantiates this claim of his, that the money was all his money, that Mr. Trump never had anything to do with it. And quite honestly, if Mr. Trump wasnt his client, then why did Mr. Cohen draft an agreement that had numerous places where Mr. Trump was to sign and has a number of references to Mr. Trump within the document. It makes no sense. If Im out on my own, I dont make all these documents that has reference to my client.

Trump is busted. Stormy Daniels lawyer was right. If Cohen was working on his own, or for someone else, Trumps name would not have been in the documents. It is common sense, and the explanation that Trump and Cohen are trying to pass off makes no sense at all. The important part of the Stormy Daniels story isnt the court case. The unraveling cover-up is what is dominating the news and coming back to haunt the president.

Donald Trump could get away with these inept cover-ups as a private citizen, but the scrutiny that comes with the presidency is in a realm all of its own. The skeletons in the Trump closet are coming out one by one, and as is the case with most political scandals, its the cover-up, not the sex that will bring the politician down.

PoliticsUSA has positions open for writers. Click here to apply.

To discuss this story and more join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.452 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard

By Scott Bransford

YOUNTVILLE, Calif. (Reuters)  Details emerged on Saturday about a decorated former U.S. serviceman who took three women hostage at a California veterans home where he had undergone treatment for PTSD, in a standoff that ended when police found him and his captives dead.

The Veterans Home of California in Yountville, the largest such facility in the United States, was the scene on Friday of the latest mass shooting to rock a country already shocked by the slaughter last month of 17 people at a Florida high school.

Officials named the gunman as Albert Wong, 36, of Sacramento, and said he had served with the U.S. Army on active duty from May 2010 to August 2013 and spent a year in Afghanistan. He received four medals including an Afghanistan campaign medal and was awarded an Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle, the Pentagon said.

Wong had been a patient of Pathway Home, a program at the Yountville complex for former service members suffering post-traumatic stress disorder after deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. The San Francisco Chronicle, citing unnamed sources, said he had been asked to leave the program two weeks ago.

We are deeply saddened by the tragic situation in Yountville and mourn the loss of three incredible women who cared for our Veterans, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday on Twitter.

The incident, which began at about 10:30 a.m. local time on Friday at the sprawling facility in the heart of Napa Valleys wine country, some 60 miles (100 km) north of San Francisco, ended almost eight hours later.

According to Larry Kamer, the husband of one of the Pathway Home administrators, Devereaux Smith, Wong walked into the programs building carrying a rifle during a going-away party for one of the employees.

Kamer, who volunteers at the home, said his wife told him by phone during the siege that the gunman had let her and three other women leave the room where the party was taking place, but that he kept three female employees behind as hostages.

These brave women were accomplished professionals, dedicated to their careers of serving our nations veterans, working closely with those of the greatest need of attention, Pathway Home said in a statement.

The hostages who died were named as Pathway Home Executive Director Christine Loeber, 48, the programs clinical director, therapist Jen Golick, 42, and Jennifer Gonzales, 29, a psychologist with the San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

Despite repeated efforts by police negotiators to communicate with Wong throughout the day, authorities said they had failed to make contact with the gunman after he exchanged gunfire with a sheriffs deputy at the start of the standoff.

Officers who eventually entered the room where the hostages were being held found all four bodies there, police said. No details were immediately given about how the four died.

James Musson, a 75-year-old Army veteran and resident of the facility, told Reuters many who lived there voiced concerns about lax security, saying visitors could walk in and out without restriction and that public safety officers were not armed.

The siege came less than a month after a former student killed 17 people at a Florida high school using an assault-style rifle. That massacre in the Fort Lauderdale suburb of Parkland sparked a student-led drive for new restrictions on gun sales to curb mass shootings that have occurred with frightening frequency in the United States in recent years.

(Additional reporting by Brendan OBrien in Milwaukee, Suzannah Gonzales in Chicago, and Ginger Gibson in Washington; Editing by Daniel Wallis and James Dalgleish)By David Lawder and David Ljunggren

WASHINGTON/OTTAWA (Reuters)  In the space of a week, U.S. President Donald Trumps steel and aluminum tariffs went from a no exemptions plan to one filled with carve-outs for Canada and Mexico, and likely for other allies and hundreds of imported products not available domestically.

People familiar with the shift say Trumps mind was changed by a furious last-ditch lobbying campaign from the Canadian government, Republican lawmakers, business groups and the United Steelworkers  the very union whose members stand to benefit most from the tariffs.

Trump said on Friday he was ready to work out an exception for Australia, while Japan, South Korea, the European Union and Brazil called for similar treatment.

The exemptions for Canada and Mexico, which are temporary, were also seen as being prompted part by the North American Free Trade Agreement talks, where U.S. negotiations could use the prospect of making them permanent as a bargaining chip.

I have to think that the exclusion was probably also granted because were going to be a little more accommodating to them at the (NAFTA) negotiating table, said Mark Warner, a Canadian trade lawyer.

Asked whether Canada had offered any concessions to secure an exemption, a Canadian government official said there was no evidence of this and that Canada had not changed its NAFTA negotiating line.

A Mexican government official also denied that any concessions were offered to Washington. Forcing Mexico to pay the tariffs, however, would make it very difficult to complete NAFTA talks, the official said.

If you do that, kiss good-bye any possibility of  well, basically anything, the official added.

NAFTAs legal structure, which offers its members tariff-free access to each others markets, was a major complication in applying the tariffs to Canada and Mexico, according to a prominent Washington trade lobbyist, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. I do think the possibility of NAFTA partners walking away from the table mattered quite a bit, the lobbyist said.

TRUMP TACTICS

Trump first drew the link between the metals tariffs and NAFTA on Monday in a Twitter message.

Less than 24 hours after White House adviser Peter Navarro declared that there would be no exceptions to the tariffs, Trump tweeted that they may come off for Canada and Mexico if a new and fair NAFTA agreement.

Adding new elements to the negotiations to create wiggle room on big decisions was a Trump tactic familiar to David Bozell, a supporter of the president.

If he doesnt see that theres room to maneuver, hell create some, said Bozell, president of For America, a conservative grassroots political group.

In the days leading up to Thursdays announcement, the biggest trade move of Trumps presidency, key industry players and trading partners were still in the dark about the contours of the plan.

United Steelworkers President Leo Gerard had voiced opposition to tariffs on Canada, whose steel and aluminum industries are fully integrated with those of the United States and where workers are represented by the Pittsburgh-based union.

Yet USW members were already traveling to Washington to appear with Trump at the White House signing ceremony before the union knew if it could fully support the plan.

We didnt know exactly what the exclusion was until it got announced, Gerard, who is Canadian, told Reuters. We kept making the case that Canada wasnt the enemy.

CANADIAN PHONE LINES HUMMING

Canadas Liberal government also had sprung into action to defend NAFTA and cross-border steel and aluminum trade once it became clear last week that Trump was serious about imposing tariffs.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Trump on Monday to forcefully defend the interests of Canadian workers and to stress that the tariffs would not help talks to modernize the NAFTA trade pact, according to a government official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Trudeau also spoke on Thursday with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan, prominent Republican critics of the tariffs, the prime ministers office said.

Canadian cabinet members also kept phone lines humming with their U.S. counterparts in an all-out push that recalled a lobbying effort in April 2017 to persuade Trump not to withdraw from NAFTA but to pursue re-negotiations instead.

We are reaching out to people in the United States and asking Are you aware that you run a steel trade surplus with Canada? Do you know quite how much U.S. steel Canada buys? said another person familiar with Canadas lobbying effort.

According to U.S. Census Bureau data, the United States exported $4.35 billion worth of iron and steel mill products to Canada in 2017 against $3.69 billion worth of Canadian imports.

Republican congressional sources said Ryan and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady had been pressing Trump all week to avoid across-the-board steel and aluminum tariffs that would hurt U.S. allies, and were working to suggest ways to narrow the tariffs further.

But an administration official insisted on Wednesday that Trumps final tariff proclamations had not been softened, saying the flexible but firm approach allows exemptions for allies, but must be offset by higher tariffs on remaining countries.

We have structured these proclamations in a way which are unequivocally designed to defend our aluminum and steel industries, the official said.

(Additional reporting by Amran Abocar in Toronto, Roberta Rampton, Susan Cornwell, Richard Cowan and Ginger Gibson in Washington, and Ana Isabel Martinez and Noe Torres in Mexico City; Editing by Peter Szekely)3.6k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard

Saturday is a good day to look back on the events of the past week. With all the news about North Korea and Stormy Daniels, it would be easy to forget about the corrupt Jared Kushner. But we shouldnt do that.

The presidents son-in-law is facing ethical charges from many different directions. He has had his top-secret security clearance revoked so he is now only playing the part of the countrys top negotiator with China and in the Middle East  he cant really do any negotiating for the U.S. without his security clearance. Kelly has cut him off at the knees.

In related news, it appears that the president may be sending Jared and Ivanka back to New York City. All of Jareds bad publicity and shady dealings are making Ivankas daddy unhappy. And Ivanka is also mad at the press for being mean to her poor little husband.

Vanity Fair had an excellent article explaining whats going on with Jarvanka (or is it RedIvan? That would be more appropriate.) It also discusses how Trump may be looking for a new Chief of Staff and National Security Advisor. (He reportedly interviewed John Bolton, who would be the worst person possible for either of those jobs.) So many changes are under way in the White House.

(A separate new article was published detailing Ivankas complaints about how John Kelly has been mean to Jared, which she thinks is SO unfair. Her anger at the way her family is being treated may also be motivating her to take the kids back to Manhattan where they could start school there in the fall.)

Meanwhile, Elizabeth Warren and other Democrats are not forgetting about Kushners misdeeds and according to another Vanity Fair article she is ready to make his life hell. Couldnt happen to a nicer or more deserving guy!

Whats going on is that leading Democrats in Congress dont think we should just forgive and forget about Kushners financial crimes which resulted in him selling out the United States for his own personal benefit.

Two separate letters sent by Warren and Sens. Tom Carper (D-Del.) Gary Peters (D-Mich.), and Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), demand that Citigroup and Apollo Global Management disclose details of over $500 million in loans they provided Kushner Companies after meeting with Jared Kushner in the White House.

The letter to Citigroup reads: Federal ethics laws prohibit federal employees from profiting from their government service, and Mr. Kushners refusal to fully divest from his financial holdings raises questions about his behavior as a Special Adviser to President Trump. It would be a serious matter if the loans provided to Kushner Companies by Citigroup resulted in a violation of federal ethics laws.

The letters to the banks also demand that they let Congress know if Kushner, during the banks meetings in the White House, discussed with the banks employees the loans that were made.

Remember, Kushner got over HALF A BILLION DOLLARS from these companies after he met with them IN THE WHITE HOUSE. Whats up with that? Is that even legal? Was he acting on behalf of the people of the United States or for his own benefit? What did the banks receive from Jared in exchange for them giving him all that money? Was this a classic pay for play deal? What was the quid pro quo? All of America wants to know the answers to these question.

Because Jared is a high rolling investor who reportedly needs upward of a billion dollars to keep his many real estate deals afloat while they are sinking in a big pool of red ink, his actions increasingly look like those of a desperate man.

So there is a lot more to tell about this particular Kushner story and well be on top of it and report back to you if and when the banks respond to Warren and the other Congressmen.Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Thunderstorms - some locally heavy downpours are possible, especially during the afternoon hours. High 81F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected..

Tonight

Thunderstorms. Low 74F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.PR-Inside.com: 2018-03-10 18:17:02

Presented at ACC.18, Five-Year Follow-up from the CoreValve Extreme Risk and NOTION Studies Show Sustained Valve Function and Durability Over Time

DUBLIN and ORLANDO - March 10, 2018 - Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT) today unveiled outcomes from the CoreValve U.S. Pivotal Extreme Risk Study and the real-world NOTION trial (Nordic Aortic Valve Intervention Trial), both of which examined patients with the CoreValve(TM) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system at five years post-implant. Presented at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 67th Annual Scientific Session, results from the studies demonstrated that patients implanted with the CoreValve TAVR system showed strong hemodynamic performance (blood flow) and improved quality of life out to five years.

The physician-initiated NOTION trial studied an all-comers population of 280 patients at least 70 years old who were randomized to surgical (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve replacement using the CoreValve System. Results at five-year follow-up showed similar rates of all-cause mortality (27.7 percent for TAVR versus 27.7 percent for SAVR) and superior hemodynamic performance for TAVR (mean aortic valve gradient of 8.22 mm Hg) compared to surgery (13.71 mm Hg).

"These five-year outcomes of the NOTION data add to the mounting body of longer-term evidence supporting the effectiveness of TAVR, said H. Gustav Thyregod, M.D., Ph.D., cardiac surgeon in the department of cardiac surgery at The Heart Center, Rigshospitalet, in Copenhagen, Denmark, and presenter of the NOTION data at the meeting. "We're pleased to see the strong hemodynamic performance maintained over time without any indication of valve deterioration."

Also presented at the meeting were the final five-year results from the CoreValve U.S. Pivotal Extreme Risk Study, which enrolled the first US IDE cohort of patients ever to be treated with the self-expanding CoreValve TAVR system. Results from the study continued to show positive outcomes at five years for the surviving patients - all of whom were deemed to be facing considerable harm or mortality with a surgical valve replacement. Patients implanted with the CoreValve system maintained a notable improvement in quality of life (mean change from baseline in KCCQ of > 20 points at 5 years) and sustained low mean gradients (7.63 mm Hg).

"It is remarkable to see patients, whose only aortic valve replacement option was to undergo a TAVR procedure, continue to live an improved quality of life five years later," said Pieter Kappetein, M.D., vice president and chief medical officer of the Heart Valve Therapies business, which is part of the Cardiac and Vascular Group at Medtronic. "While the TAVR therapy continues to show promise in less sick patients, it's important to acknowledge that the early pioneers of this therapy were those who truly had very limited treatment options. It's satisfying to see that many of these early patients continue to do well with the self-expanding TAVR platform, especially as the therapy expands to lower-risk patients who are expected to live longer."

Following the launch of the self-expanding CoreValve System in the U. S. in 2014, the CoreValve Evolut R System became the first-and-only recapturable and repositionable TAVR device approved in the U.S. for severe aortic stenosis patients at a high or extreme risk for surgery in 2015. The Evolut R system received CE (Conformite Europeene) Mark for high- and extreme-risk severe aortic stenosis patients in 2015, and for intermediate-risk patients in 2016. In 2017, the third-generation Evolut PRO TAVR system was approved in the U.S. and Europe for extreme-, high- and intermediate-risk patients.

In collaboration with leading clinicians, researchers and scientists worldwide, Medtronic offers the broadest range of innovative medical technology for the interventional and surgical treatment of cardiovascular disease and cardiac arrhythmias. The company strives to offer products and services that deliver clinical and economic value to healthcare consumers and providers around the world.

About Medtronic

Medtronic plc (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is among the world's largest medical technology, services and solutions companies - alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world. Medtronic employs more than 84,000 people worldwide, serving physicians, hospitals and patients in more than 160 countries. The company is focused on collaborating with stakeholders around the world to take healthcare Further, Together.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

-end-





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: Medtronic plc via Globenewswire

Disclaimer: If you have any questions regarding information in this press release please contact the company added in the press release. Please do not contact pr-inside. We will not be able to assist you. PR-inside disclaims the content included in this release.PR-Inside.com: 2018-03-09 22:17:19

Press Information

Thunder Energies Corporation

150 Rainville Road



Tarpon Springs, FL 34689, USA



Brian Buckley

Operations Manager

(727) 940 - 3944

email

http://www.thunder-energies.com





# 346 Words

150 Rainville RoadTarpon Springs, FL 34689, USAOperations Manager(727) 940 - 3944

Brian Buckley, Operations Manager of Thunder Energies Corporation, a publicly traded company with stock symbol (OTC:TNRG), announces the completion and submission of a grant application to the United States Air Force for funding opportunity USAFA-PASCC-BAA-2016, titled Project on Advanced Systems and Concepts for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction. Mr. Buckley states, "For the first time in history, Thunder Energies is manufacturing an equipment producing on demand a directional flux of low energy neutrons known as a Directional Neutron Source which is ideally suited to irradiate packages, suitcases and containers to detect the presence of fissionable nuclear material, such as Uranium 235. We believe that the technology developed by Thunder Energies Corporation is precisely what the Air Force is looking for in countering Weapons of Mass Destruction and Weapons of Mass Effect and we look forward to receiving feedback from the USAFA on how this technology is best suited for military applications ( http://thunder-energies.com/TEC-DNS-3-BROCHURE.pdf) Forward Looking StatementsThe information provided in this presentation is covered by patent applications and other intellectual rights owed by Thunder Energies Corporation that hereby authorize their use without consultation provided authorization for any desired scientific research. Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential future plans and objectives of the company, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Technical complications, which may arise, could prevent the prompt implementation of any strategically significant plan(s) outlined above. The Company undertakes no duty to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.Brian BuckleyOperation ManagerThunder Energies CorporationBrian@ Thunder-Energies.comADVERTISEMENT

SATIRE SATURDAY isnt oblivious to the existence of that tailor in Dutse who disappoints, the vulcaniser in Ibadan who over-pumps the tyre, and the carpenter in Awka who resorts to hide-and-seek game when the customer approaches. But there is something fascinating about their colleagues in Lagos: they bring swagger into their own way of breaching agreement and disappointing clients.

Yet, since there are many Lagos artisans who are quite ethical and never disappoint their clients, this column would as usual highlight possible signs to identify the Lagos artisan who serially breaches agreement and wears disappointment like designer kits.

First, the tailor or as some often prefer to be called, Fashion Designer.

The Lagos Fashion designer or Tailor is all shades of awesomenesshe is skilled, cosmopolitan and quite woke. But hidden in between him and his sewing machine are tales of disappointments by clients, from Amuwo-Odofin through Lagos Island. So making a choice between a Lagos tailor and Fashion designer is a dicey one.

But, frankly, the biggest sign of detecting one who serially disappoints lies in the manner he chooses to be addressed. If, upon visiting him in his shop, you notice that the inscription on his signboard reads fashion designer and not tailor, be careful.

The difference between these two nomenclatures is in the humility that comes with their pronunciation. T-a-i-l-o-r is one word that is very easy to pronounce and sounds so rural and down-to-earth, unlike Fashion Designer, a problematic two-word that is shamelessly pseudo-woke. And so while a tailor has the propensity to be humble and listen carefully to clients, a fashion designer is likely going to be arrogant and hubristic. He will likely destroy your clothe.

Anyone who sews clothe must make use of tape measure, conventionally one,

which is worn around the neck during clothe measurement. But when a potential tailor or fashion designer has two tapes around his neck, look no further for signs of looming disappointment. There are those who wear the tape measure around their necks like necklace while gallivanting around the street; they are the most notorious disruptors of party plans you will ever find around. Majority of them only mask their incompetence by those things worn around their neck.

Every Nigerian loves money, including the tailor and his client. A phone call, sometimes, might be the one step away from a million dollar clothe sewing deal. (Imagine getting a phone call from about 50 clients, maybe members of same social club, interested in Ebukas famed Agbada style at the cost it was reportedly made).

So it follows that the one who sews clothe would likely not joke with phone calls, incoming calls especially. But when you notice that he avoids call, just run and run far, far away from him/her. There is high possibility your calls would be avoided too, of course after he has ensured that your plans have been ruined.

The Fashion designer charges exorbitantly and is always busy in his shop yet you would not get your clothe at the right time. The tailor, experiences have shown, charges way less and rarely disappoints. Where the Fashion designer charges, say, N200,000 for an Agbada, the tailor may charge N2,750 and youd still get your clothe at the agreed time. The downside, however, is that in place of an Ebuka-type Agbada, you might get a parachute.Shortly after his appointment to reconcile all the crises among members of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) was announced early February, former Lagos state governor, Bola Tinubu, hit the ground running by holding a series of meetings with several conflicting groups.

He first held a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari before visiting the national secretariat of the party for the first time since 2015.

He also met with some party stalwarts individually and in groups in Abuja.

Chief among the party members he met with were the Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Kano state governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, now a Senator representing Kano Central.

Mr. Tinubu was also in some states considered the hotbed of APC crisis such as Kano and Kaduna.

His team also went to Sokoto where he met with party leaders in the state including Governor Aminu Tambuwal, his predecessor, Aliyu Wamakko, and the national vice chairman (North-West) Inuwa Abdulkadir.

In all the visits, it was clear that the former Lagos state Governor was relishing his new assignment and was determined to succeed.

However, few days after his visit to the APC secretariat and meeting with the leadership of the party, where he reportedly got their assurances of support in his assignment, Mr. Tinubu wrote a damning letter to the APCs national chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, accusing him of sabotaging his presidential assignment.

In the letter, which was also copied to President Buhari, his Vice, Yemi Osinbajo and the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Tinubu told Mr. Oyegun that disappointment greeted me when I discovered that you had swiftly acted in contravention of the spirit of our discussions.

He also wrote that Instead of being a bulwark of support as promised, you positioned yourself in active opposition to the goal of resuscitating the progressive and democratic nature of APC.

He said Mr. Oyegun mentioned Kogi, Kano, Adamawa and Kaduna States as the worst crisis-hit chapters, but regretted: You have taken it as your own personal ambition to thwart my presidential assignment in these key states.

Since that open altercation and the decision by the APC to extend the tenure of the Oyegun-led National Working Committee (NWC) and states executives, the enthusiasm with which Mr. Tinubu began his assignment appears to have diminished.

John Odigie-Oyegun

The reconciliation team he led is yet to meet with any known party unit involved in crisis since after the meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the APC which held last Tuesday.

APC got its highest number of votes in 2015 presidential election in the North-west but the zone is today experiencing what appears to be the worst form of crisis in the party.

As things stand, there appears to be a number of APC crises Mr. Tinubu would not be able to resolve.

Kano

In Kano, the immediate past governor of the state, Rabiu Kwankwaso, is locked in a serious battle with his predecessor and long-time political benefactor, Abdullahi Ganduje.

Former Governor Of Kano State Rabiu Kwankwaso

Both men have made it clear that they would never work again politically. In fact the feud between the two leaders have transcended the political to personal.

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Since he left office in 2015, Mr. Kwankwaso went to Kano only once, and that was to commiserate with Mr. Ganduje on the death of his mother.

His second attempt to return to the state he was governor twice was aborted by Mr. Ganduje.

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje

The current occupant of the government House also gave out his daughter in marriage to the son of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state last weekend and Mr. Kwankwaso was conspicuously absent.

The marriage ceremony was attended by President Buhari and 22 state governors among others. On the same day of the wedding, Mr. Kwankwaso held a political meeting in nearby Kaduna where he told his supporters that he was surprised people wasted their time to attend the wedding of a divorcee.

At the level things have gone, it will take the unthinkable to reconcile these two anytime soon.

Kaduna

The crisis in Kaduna state APC is one that can be said to be nearly impossible for Mr. Tinubu to resolve.

Even as Mr. Tinubu was busy holding meetings towards reconciliation, a faction of the APC in the state led by a serving Senator, Suleiman Hunkuyi, issued a query and subsequently suspended Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai

The faction also suspended his political adviser, Uba Sani, the commissioner for finance, Abdu Kwari, and the acting state secretary of the party, Yahaya Pate.

Mr. El-Rufai responded swiftly as the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Agency (KAPSUDA) demolished the secretariat building of the faction which ordered the suspension of the governor.

KASUPDA later claimed the demolition was part of operations the agency was undertaking across Kaduna metropolis in compliance with its mandate.

Kaduna APC is currently divided into three factions: the Restoration APC, led by Tijjani Ramallan, a media mogul and Suleiman Hunkuyi, a senator; the APC Akida, led by Senator Shehu Sani, also a senator and the Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Hakeem Ahmed; and then the APC Government House, led by the governor and his deputy.

Another major problem for Mr. Tinubu in Kaduna is the feud between Governor El Rufai and Senator Shehu Sani. Mr. Sani is currently the biggest critic of the Kaduna governor.

Zamfara

In Zamfara state, the battle is between Governor Abdulaziz Yari and Senator Kabiru Marafa.

The bone of contention between Mr. Marafa, who represents Zamfara Central in the Senate and Mr. Yari could be traced to the nomination last year of Ahmed Mahmoud to represent the state as a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).

Former Gov. Abdulazizi-Yari of Zamfara State.

Mr. Yari strongly opposed the nomination of Mr. Mahmoud on the grounds that he was not Zamfara state. He subsequently wrote a protest letter to the president of the Senate which eventually led to the dropping of the nominee.

Since then, the feud between the two APC stalwarts have degenerated and is causing serious disaffection among party faithful in the state.

Sokoto

In Sokoto state, the APC does not appear to have a major crisis requiring the attention of Mr. Tinubu, although, a chieftain of the party, Muhammad Bashar accuses Governor Aminu Tambuwal of side-lining Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) elements in the state.

The CPC was founded by President Buhari and was one of the legacy parties that dissolved to form the APC.

The trip by Mr. Tinubu to the state was actually to find a way of resolving the conflict between National Vice Chairman, Inuwa Abdulkadir, and Governor El Rufai.

The political differences between Mr. El Rufai and Mr. Abdulkadir had led to the demolition of the house of the APC leader in Kaduna in April last year.

The house, located at Yakubu Avenue, Kaduna, was pulled down by officials of KASUPDA while he was in Abuja for a party meeting.

Mr. Abdulkadir, who expressed shock over the development, wondered why the government carried out the demolition when the matter was before a court.

The demolition of my house is a personal threat by the governor. We are in court over the issue. The matter is still in court. They should have waited for the court to decide, he said.

Mr. Abdulkadir also told The Herald newspaper that It is personal because of our differences in political views and opinions. He wants to intimidate me because of political issues, but I will not be intimidated, I am not a bootlicker.

We are in the same party, I am the leader of the party, my role is to ensure fairness and equal treatment of all party members.

If he thinks he can fight me by attacking my property, so be it! That will not make me change my position.

Kogi

Kogi state is another major battle ground in the APC. The crisis involves one between the Governor Yahaya Bello and the party executives on one hand as well as between the governor and another serving Senator, Dino Melaye.

A faction of the party believed to be loyal to Governor Bello last week, announced the sack of the chairman of the State chapter of APC, Hadi Ametuo, and other members of his executive committee.

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello [Photo Credit: The News Nigeria]

The purported sack was announced by Ibrahim Ahovi, who said he was the acting state chairman of the party.

However, the National Secretariat of the party issued a statement on Saturday saying that neither the state nor zonal executives constituted in whatever name nor form can expel anyone from the party, adding that only a convention of the party can do so.

The statement issued by APC spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi said we restate that the State Working Committee of APC in Kogi State led by the Chairman, Alhaji Haddy Ametuo remains the only recognised executive committee of the party in the State.

Any disciplinary action being contemplated must be referred to the Partys National Working Committee (NWC). That is the position of the constitution, he said.

The feud between Governor Bello and the Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, appears to be unsolvable.

Matters got to a head when a recall process was initiated against Mr. Melaye reportedly on the prompting of the governor.

Dino Melaye, Senator representing Kogi West.

The Senator also survived an assassination attempt in his constituency and he promptly accused the Chief of Staff to the governor of being the plot.

The Federal Government is currently prosecuting Mr. Melaye for making that false allegation.

Governor Bello is also engaged in another fierce battle with the Senator representing Kogi Central district.

Mr. Ogembe within the week reported the governor at the floor of the Nigerian Senate, accusing him of sponsoring thugs to attack his supporters after a failed attempt to disrupt an empowerment programme he organised for his constituents.

Senators took turns to rebuke Mr. Bello and expressed worry over the undemocratic conduct.

The lawmakers subsequently set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the governors latest action.

Adamawa

Another major APC crisis is the one in Adamawa state which pitches two factions led by former Governor Murtala Nyako and current Governor Mohammed Jibrilla against each other.

Governor Mohammed Bindow

An additional crisis requiring the attention of Mr. Tinubu is one involving the Senate President Bukola Saraki and the NWC, Speaker Dogara and other National Assembly members against Bauchi governor, Mohammed Abubakar.

Others are the feud in Borno state between Governor Kashim Shettima and Senator Abubakar Kyari, Senators David Umaru (Niger East), Aliyu Abdullahi (Niger South) and Governor Sani Bello, Magnus Abe and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; as well as the intractable battle between National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun and Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank.The Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has angered a number of his colleagues for lifting the veil on the N13.5million illegal allowances members of the upper legislative chambers receive each month in addition to their legitimate salaries and allowances.

Some lawmakers who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES but asked not to be named said the revelation by Mr. Sani has damaged the reputation of the federal legislature while possibly pitting constituents against their representatives.

The aggrieved senators and members of the House of Representatives said some of their colleagues were already discreetly working out modalities to deal with the Kaduna lawmaker.

Mr. Sani had in an interview with TheNews revealed that he and his colleagues receive N13.5 million monthly as running cost, aside a N700,000monthly consolidated salary and allowances which they also receive.

Mr. Sanis revelation is the first by a lawmaker from the Senate since the clamour by Nigerians for a full disclosure of lawmakers earnings.

The revelation has sparked widespread anger among Nigerians who had always criticised the lawmakers for arbitrarily allocating jumbo pay to themselves at a time the country remained in dire need of funds for developmental projects.

Ironically, Mr. Sanis colleagues are criticising him for coming clean on the secret allowances lawmakers receive while majority of Nigerians wallow in poverty and disease.

Some of the lawmakers who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES said the revelation has the tendency of turning their constituents against them.

They said the revelation might instigate their constituents to make more financial demands from them

The lawmakers vowed to take necessary steps to make the next one year difficult for the Kaduna senator.

He has brought his useless activism to the chamber creating the impression that we are all thieves without telling Nigerians details of what the money is used for , one lawmaker said. There are are always ways of dealing with characters like that. Just wait and see.

Part of the punishment the angry lawmakers are considering is to pressure the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to exclude Mr. Sani from subsequent secret meetings of the senate, PREMIUM TIMES learnt.

They plan to prevail on Mr. Saraki to stop inviting him for such meetings, especially those where finances might be discussed.

The lawmakers are also weighing the option of recommending a probe of the whistle-blower to Mr. Saraki.

For them, Mr. Sani would have to explain why he turned himself to the senate spokesperson, speaking on behalf of others

Senator Shehu Sani

If adopted, Mr. Sani would be investigated by the senates ethics committee which shall recommend a punishment.

But some lawmakers are cautioning against any open rebuke of the senator, saying that might generate even more public anger against the Senate and its members.

Many Nigerians, including civil society organisations have commended Mr. Sanis action.

However, if eventually probed and found guilty by the ethics committee, Mr. Sani faces up to six to 12 months suspension.

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In March 2017, when the former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume asked for investigation of allegations of importing a bullet proof range rover with fake documents involving Senate President Bukola Saraki and that of perjury involving Dino Melaye, the committee recommended 12 months suspension.

The suspension was later reduced to six months by the lawmakers.

Similarly, in the House of Representatives, a lawmaker from Kano, Abdulmumin Jibrin, was suspended for 180 days for revealing what is today known as budget padding.

His suspension was recommended by the House Ethics Committee which also prescribed that Mr. Jibrin will also not be able to hold any position of responsibility for the span of the current National Assembly.

Contacted on Saturday, Mr. Sani said he preferred not to comment on his colleagues moves. He promised to make comments if the need arises in future.An investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Friday narrated how a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide, and others allegedly collected N650 million illegally in 2015.

Appearing before a Federal High Court in Lagos, Usman Zakari said his investigation revealed that the N650 million was part of a total sum of N23 billion which a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke, warehoused in the bank.

The EFCC had preferred a fraud and money laundering charge of N650 million against Mrs. Akinjide and two others over the campaign money for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State in 2015.

In 2017, the ex-minister was arraigned and remanded.

According to Mr. Zakari, who testified Friday as the second prosecution witness (PW2) in the case, Mrs. Akinjide and two others collected the cash at the Dugbe branch of Fidelity Bank in Ibadan on the standing instruction of Mrs. Alison-Madueke.

He said he found that the N23 billion was the naira equivalent of a total of $115.01 million, which the former minister collected from three oil marketers and one Lano Adesanya in the build-up to the 2015 general elections.

Led in evidence by the EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, the investigator said his investigation followed a top classified Category A intelligence about a meeting convened by the former oil minister in her house in December 2014, which was attended by Mrs. Allison-Madueke, the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Nnamdi Okonkwo, and some oil marketers.

According to Mr. Zakari, Mrs. Madueke informed Mr. Okonkwo that the oil marketers would be bringing different dollar sums to him, which she instructed the bank chief to help her keep in the banks vault until further instructions.

The investigator said pursuant to the meeting, one Auctus Integrated Limited took $17.8 million to the bank while another company, Northern Belt Oil and Gas, took $60 million to the bank. The third company which he named as one Mid-Western Oil Services Limited also paid $9.5 million.

He said, An individual, Lano Adesanya, brought the sum of $1.8 million; our findings further revealed that the three oil marketers made payment of the sum of $89 million and some fractions. Investigations further revealed that the then petroleum ministers aides made available $25 million and some fractions in suitcases, which were warehoused in Fidelity Banks cash vault.

Upon the receipt of the money by Fidelity Bank, the then petroleum minister instructed Fidelity Bank to convert the said amount into naira, precisely on March 26, 2015. Fidelity Bank complied with the instruction; the said amount was converted into naira to the tune of N23 billion and some fractions.

After the conversion, the then petroleum minister, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, instructed Fidelity Bank to pay the 1st defendant (Akinjide) and the 2nd defendant (Senator Ayo Adeseun) and one Mr. Yinka Taiwo the sum of N650 milliom, through her son, Ogbonna Madueke.

The 1st defendant and the 2nd defendant and Mr. Yinka Taiwo then proceeded to Fidelity Bank, Dugbe branch in Ibadan, Oyo State and signed a receipt of payment individually for the collection of N650 million.

He explained that they signed for the money and took it to the residence of the Mrs. Akinjide.

The defendants, he continued,collected cash payment of N650 million without going through any financial institution, an amount which was more than the amount authorised by law to be paid in cash.

He told the court that upon being interrogated, Mrs. Akinjide and Mr. Adeseun admitted collected cash payments in that amount.

But the defence counsels, Bolaji Ayorinde, Michael Lana and Akinola Oladeji, urged the court to expunge Mr. Zakaris entire evidence for being hearsay because the investigator could not give evidence about the meeting in Mrs. Diezanis residence and the payments of money, which he did not personally witness.

Im placing reliance on Section 38 of the Evidence Act, which says that hearsay evidence is not admissible, Mr. Oladeji argued, adding that the persons competent to testify about the meeting were Mrs. Diezani, Fidelity Banks MD and the oil marketers who were present.

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He said since it was not established that the people who attended the meeting were dead, Mr. Zakari could not testify about the meeting. Both Messers Ayorinde and Lana agreed with him.

But the prosecutor, Mr. Oyedepo, maintained that Mr. Zakaris evidence was not hearsay but his personal findings in the course of his investigation.

He said, The evidence given by PW2 of his investigative findings cannot be hearsay. In view of the fact that the evidence that PW2 gave was the discovery he made in the course of his investigation, the law is settled that such evidence cannot amount to hearsay.

He thereafter urged the judge to dismiss the objection.

But judge, Muslim Hassan adjourned the case till March 23, 2018 for further proceedings.ADVERTISEMENT

It was a close match, but the tactics employed by Jose Mourinho were better than Jurgen Klopps.

With more possession already conceded even before the match kicked off, Mourinho knew Liverpools major strength was the press and he negated that completely with his back-to-front tactic.

Two goals ensued from that direct route, 10 minutes apart from Marcus Rashford who fed on the relative inexperience of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was preferred ahead of Joe Gomez.

With the benefit of hindsight, Jurgen Klopp could have done these five things to get a more positive result.

Even as he said at the post-match interview, they had some decisions that did not go for them.

Three-man defence

Klopp always knew his team would have more of the possession but he still did not gamble on that assumption. The route one tactic employed by United would have been better dealt with by a three-man defensive shield, who would have had only Romelu Lukaku to handle.

Gomez ahead of Alexander-Arnold

Alexander-Arnold was culpable for both goals, unfortunate as that may sound, mistakes from an inexperienced head. The 19-year-old will learn with more games Gomez could have handled the Rashford threat more maturely. As for the first goal, Alexander-Arnold was caught on the wrong side as Rashford made hay.

Matip ahead of Lovren

Lovren almost always seems jittery when playing the big sides while Joel Matip, who may have been dropped because of fitness issues, seems unflappable on those occasions. For the two goals conceded by Liverpool, Lovren was simply not strong enough. And if it had been a three-man defence, it would have been the third centre half picking up the Belgian.

Executed too many touches in and around the box

There were so many blocks executed by Manchester United players especially Eric Bailly, who seemed determined to atone for his own goal. With the centre of the pitch crowded, the Liverpool players continued their offensive forays through the middle as they persevered in trying to waltz through. It did not happen and the goal they got was a deflection because Sadio Mane decided to take the ball on and cross.

Maybe, it was just meant to be

Liverpool should have tried to take shots from distance or play with more width or just the fact that Mourinho prepared his team very well for the Liverpool way. Liverpool had 13 corner kicks to Uniteds one; they had 68% of possession and had 14 shots, from which David De Gea had to make only two saves.

Mourinho showed why he is a great manager by almost completely nullifying the hot trio of Mane, Roberto Firmino and hot shot, Mohamed Salah. You will only write off Mourinho at your own peril. The Portuguese is still alive and kicking. Now to the Champions League.The Lagos State government has vowed to protect tenants from those it described as Shylock landlords who might be planning to use the recent increase in land use charges in the state to arbitrarily increase rent.

The states Commissioner for Information, Kehinde Bamigbetan, told journalists at a press conference in Lagos on Saturday afternoon that Lagosians should allay the fear that the governments controversial hike in property taxes will lead to an astronomical increase rent as government has decided to side with tenants and will vigorously implements its tenancy and consumer protection legislation to curb capricious increases in rent.

We would side with the tenants in their struggle, Mr Bamigbetan said.

We are strengthening our tenancy law. We are going to back the tenants against Shylock landlords, he added.

The Lagos State Tenancy Law 2011 was hailed for prohibiting landlords from demanding in excess of one years rent from prospective tenants and for making it criminal for landlords to demand or receive rent in excess of 6 months for a monthly tenant, or 1 year from a yearly tenant. It is also unlawful for the sitting tenant to offer or pay rent in excess of 1 year for a yearly tenant and 6 months for a monthly tenant.

While inaugurating the board of the state Consumer Protection Agency in January, the State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, said the agency was a strong demonstration of our commitment to the protection of the rights of consumers, the promotion of consumer satisfaction in the State and our resolve to ensure that they get value for money spent on goods and services.

He also said as the commercial nerve-centre of the country, the agency is charged to address infractions on consumers rights and will complement his administations reform towards the ease of doing business in the state.

It, however, remain to be seen if the government will match its words with action. The Lagos state government has a history of not enforcing non-revenue generating laws.

A widespread outrage greeted the governments announcement of increases in land use charges. Residents, pressure groups and professional organisations in the states have called on the government to reverse the increases.

Many residents argued that the increases will result in a hike in rent across the state as landlord will transfer the new charges to tenants.

It is clear that if these regimes of tax are allowed to stay, Lagos state would have been turned into a toxic environment and a living hell. Even ordinarily in Lagos state, accommodation is only cheap and easily affordable i.e. for those who have the parks and under the bridge to sleep and dwell, said Adesina Ogunlana, the chairman of the Ikeja branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), in a statement.

But the government had argued that the increases were marginal, and the charges had remained the same for 15 years despite the provision of the law stipulating an upward review of the charges every five years. It also argued that retirees and religious organisations were exempted from paying taxes on their properties.

Lagos needs funds to build infrastructures

Reeling out a list of projects and programmes the government embarked upon, Mr Gamigbetan explained that the funds to be generated from the increase in the land use charges will be put to proper use. He said that many of projects embarked upon were financed with funds generated from short-term loans and bonds. He said but the government has come to realise that it was not sustainable in the long-run.

He said the government has a vision to bring the state to par with some of the best cities in the world. But money is required to put the infrastructures in place.

On education, Mr Bamigbetan said the state requires as much as N180 billion to rehabilitate classrooms and N20 billion of that amount was released last year.

He painted an ugly picture of the what the future holds for youth in the state if the government is unable to raise enough funds to put the right amenities in place.

He said if the government was thinking in the short-term, it would not stir the hornets nest by increasing the land use charge. He said the government believes that difficult choices have to be made now to guarantee the rosy future the government is working towards for the state.

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The general assessment, compared to other states government, is that it has a high approval rating. Why would the government stoke the embers of controversy? Why will it go on a mission that will hurt its own self-interest to continuously be in the minds of the people in a positive light? he asked.Given this background, the 2018 Global Blockchain Investment Summit jointly hosted by GBIB (iBankey), HYSTA, and Influence Chain will take place in Silicon Valley on Friday, March 30. The event will bring together blockchain technical experts, top investors, successful entrepreneurs, and seasoned lawyers to hold discussions on the frontier topics related to blockchain technologies as well as business startup and investment opportunities, aiming to promote interactions and resource sharing among industry leaders as well as to explore cooperation opportunities.

Some topics to be discussed during the summit include:

Blockchain Primary Market Investment;

Identity Token Value;

Trading or Investing;

Blockchain Technology Development; and

Diversified Blockchain Applications.

Meanwhile, the Blockchain Investment Business College created by GBIB in cooperation with leading Silicon Valley organizations will also be officially inaugurated on March 30, 2018. The first cohort of students will take a 7-day investment course delivered by top ten investors in the world. They will also take a study tour to nearly 20 companies.

This will be a major event for the world's top blockchain experts and investors to hold discussions about a phenomenon that is overwhelming the whole world!

Official website and gateway to sign up for the event:

https://www.blockchain-summit.org

GBIB (iBankey) is a boutique investment bank focusing on the blockchain industry. The company sees a promising future in the new economic systems created by the vertical ecosystems such as blockchain technologies, digital currencies, and exchanges, and hopes to provide help for investors and projects today in the rapidly developing blockchain industry by leveraging its expertise and global team. GBIB serves both investors and projects. Its investor services mainly include due diligence and consulting; and its project services mainly include financial consulting, strategic analysis, financing, and global market development. GBIB has a team of professional investment analysts and a large number of high-net-worth LPs. Most of its founding team members are from professional investment banks such as Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and CICC. They have a lot of experience in finance and investment. Headquartered in Singapore, GBIB has partner investment organizations in Silicon Valley, New York, London, Toronto, and Tokyo.

Influence Chain is the world's first decentralized data engine for the value of influence. It is dedicated to using blockchain and distributed storage technologies to create a global ecosystem focusing on the value of influence. Registered in 2017, the Influence Chain Foundation is an influence platform spontaneously organized and operated by developers and enthusiasts from multiple countries around the world. Its goal is to uncover people with a public visibility or social influence in various industries and sectors, and demonstrate their value on the new dimensions through blockchain technologies. Influence Chain has created an ecosystem based on tokens as well as a value trading platform designed to serve the influence economy by leveraging the features and advantages of blockchain, so as to convert influence (personalized intellectual property right) into the digital asset of token holders. Among them, Influence Exchange (INEX) is a global application platform focusing on digital assets built by Influence Chain based on the conversion of the value of celebrity's influence. Today, Influence Chain has been successfully established in Asia and Europe. It has strategic partner organizations and teams in countries including South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Austria, and Switzerland.

HYSTA was created by Silicon Valley's first-generation Chinese tech entrepreneurs in 1999, aiming to promote the interactions between China and the United States through technology and cultivate the next-generation tech innovators with a global vision. Leading Silicon Valley Chinese entrepreneurs Chen Hong, Deng Feng, and Zhu Min used to serve as the chairman of HYSTA. The current chairman is David Chen, the former president of Pactera. As the most influential non-profit organization in promoting the technology exchange between China and the United States today, HYSTA already has tens of thousands of members, and its annual conference has attracted speakers who are celebrities in the United States such as former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. HYSTA has played a major role in helping increase the visibility and influence of Chinese Americans in the United States as well as in promoting the in-depth interactions between China and the United States in the technology industry. In 2002, the Businessweek magazine called HYSTA "a bridge connecting China's business stars to the United States".

More information

Official website: www.influencechain.org

YouTube: https://youtu.be/j15Upq7JW2k

Facebook: www.facebook.com/influencechain

Twitter: twitter.com/InfluencerChain

Instagram: influence_chain

Media Contact:

Ricky Li

+65-6708-8200

[email protected]

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/650963/WechatIMG208.jpg

SOURCE Influence Chain

Related Links

http://www.influencechain.org

VANCOUVER, March 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Entree Resources Ltd. (TSX:ETG; NYSE American:EGI  the "Company" or "Entree") has today filed its annual operational and financial results for the year ended December 31, 2017. All numbers are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.

2017 HIGHLIGHTS

Entree/Oyu Tolgoi Joint Venture Property, Mongolia

In September 2017, Entree management visited the Oyu Tolgoi project and toured some of the main surface infrastructure, including the concentrator and tailings facilities, as well as underground where they observed some of the development work completed as at the date of the visit. This visit also included a review of plans with Oyu Tolgoi LLC ("OTLLC") for the immediate and medium-term future.

As reported by Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. ("Turquoise Hill"):

The main focus of underground development programs at the Oyu Tolgoi project during 2017 was underground lateral development, sinking of Shafts 2 and 5, support infrastructure and the convey-to-surface system.





By the end of 2017, five development crews had been deployed, and the commissioning of a new 3,500 tonne per day development crusher was completed in the third quarter of 2017.





Shaft 5 is expected to be complete in the first quarter of 2018. When completed, Shaft 5 will be dedicated to ventilation thereby increasing the capacity for underground activities.





The sinking of Shaft 2 has been completed, including reaching final depth, shaft bottom mass excavation and concrete floor installation, marking an early milestone in the development progress of Lift 1. The fit out of Shaft 2 will take place throughout 2018. Shaft 2 will be used for access, production and ventilation.





Turquoise Hill continues to plan for first draw bell on OTLLC's Oyu Tolgoi mining licence in mid-2020 and sustainable first production from the Oyu Tolgoi mining licence in 2021.

On January 15, 2018, the Company reported the results of an updated Technical Report titled "Entree/Oyu Tolgoi Joint Venture Project, Mongolia, NI 43-101 Technical Report" (the "2018 Technical Report") that was completed by Amec Foster Wheeler Americas Limited on its interest in the Entree/Oyu Tolgoi joint venture property in Mongolia (the "Entree/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property"). The 2018 Technical Report discusses two development scenarios, an updated reserve case (the "2018 Reserve Case") and a Life-of-Mine ("LOM") Preliminary Economic Assessment ("2018 PEA").

The 2018 Reserve Case is based only on mineral reserves attributable to the Entree/Oyu Tolgoi joint venture from Lift 1 of the Hugo North Extension (also referred to as " HNE ") underground block cave.





") underground block cave. The 2018 PEA is an alternative development scenario completed at a conceptual level that assesses the inclusion of mineral resources from Hugo North Extension Lift 2 and Heruga into an overall mine plan with mineral resources from Hugo North Extension Lift 1. The 2018 PEA includes Indicated and Inferred resources from Hugo North Extension Lifts 1 and 2, and Inferred resources from Heruga.





LOM financial highlights attributable to Entree from the 2018 Reserve Case and the 2018 PEA include:





2018 Reserve Case 2018 PEA(1)



HNE Lift 1 HNE Lift 1 + Lift 2 HNE Lift 1+2+Heruga LOM cash flow



 Before-tax



 After-tax $ M $382

$291 $2,132

$1,595 $2,078

$1,522 Net present value



 5%



 8% $ M $157

$111 $505

$277 $512

$278 Mine life(2) Years 14 33 77* Metal recovered(3)



Copper



Gold



Silver Mlb

Koz

Koz 1,115

514

3,651

5,679

2,637

20,442

10,497

9,367

45,378





Notes:





1. Long term metal prices used in the net present value economic analyses are: copper $3.00/lb, gold $1,300.00/oz and silver $19.00/oz.



2. *The 2018 PEA covers a period from 2021 to 2097 (77 years), but there is an 11 year period (2054-2064) with no mining from the Entree/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property

when other mineralization from the Oyu Tolgoi mining licence is being mined and processed.



3. Entree has a 20% attributable interest in the recovered metal.

The 2018 PEA demonstrates that Entree's interest is multi-generational, with potential to deliver over $2.1 billion in undiscounted before-tax cash flow just from Hugo North Extension Lifts 1 and 2 over the first 33 years of production. After-tax, this equates to a net present value at 8% of $277 million . The 2018 PEA also brings resources from Heruga into the mine plan, but these are not scheduled to be mined until much later in the life of the Oyu Tolgoi project. Although the Heruga deposit provides considerable flexibility for future mine planning and development options, additional technical work is needed to establish the mineral resources and costs with greater certainty and to enable investors to better understand the true value of the Heruga deposit.

The economic analysis in the 2018 PEA does not have as high a level of certainty as the 2018 Reserve Case. The 2018 PEA is preliminary in nature and includes Inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the 2018 PEA will be realized. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.

Corporate

In January 2017, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement of 18,529,484 units of the Company at a price of C$0.41 per unit for gross proceeds of approximately C$7.6 million. Each unit consisted of one common share and one-half of one transferable common share purchase warrant that entitled the holder to purchase one additional common share of the Company for a period of five years following the date of issuance.

On May 9, 2017, the Company completed a strategic reorganization of Entree's business through a plan of arrangement under Section 288 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). Entree's U.S. based assets, the Ann Mason Project and Lordsburg property, were transferred to a newly incorporated company, Mason Resources Corp. ("Mason Resources") (TSX:MNR andOTCQB:MSSNF) and Entree shareholders exchanged their old Entree shares for shares of two separate and focused, well-capitalized, debt-free TSX-listed companies, each with a high quality advanced project (the "Arrangement"). The reorganization provides new and existing shareholders with optionality as to investment strategy and risk profile.

On May 9, 2017, the Company changed its name from Entree Gold Inc. to Entree Resources Ltd.

On May 9, 2017, the Company entered into an Administrative Services Agreement with Mason Resources, pursuant to which Entree provides office space, furnishings and equipment, communications facilities and personnel necessary for Mason Resources to fulfill its basic day-to-day head office and executive responsibilities on a pro-rata cost-recovery basis.

Q4 2017 net loss from continuing operations was $1.1 million as compared to Q4 2016 ($0.5 million). For the full 2017 year, net loss from continuing operations was $3.0 million, which is a reduction of 6% compared to 2016 ($3.2 million).

As at December 31, 2017, cash on hand was $7.1 million and there was a working capital balance of $7.2 million.

OUTLOOK AND STRATEGY

Entree/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property

With the completion and filing of the 2018 Technical Report, the Company is now focused on:

Assessing opportunities to crystallize value ahead of production from the Entree/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property.





Streamlining Entree's joint venture interest.





Educating the market about the risk profile associated with Entree's interest in the Entree/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property.





Working with Entree's joint venture partners to advance any exploration opportunities on the Entree/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property that may exist, including several near surface targets that have been identified.

Corporate

With the completion of the Arrangement in May 2017 and the filing of the 2018 Technical Report in January 2018, the Company's focus will be to maximize investor awareness on the results of the 2018 Technical Report and what this report means to the Company and all stakeholders, both current and potential.

Corporate costs, which include Mongolian site management, marketing and compliance costs, are estimated between $1.2 million and $1.5 million for the 2018 year.

SUMMARY OF OPERATING RESULTS

For the year ended December 31, 2017, operating loss was $3.1 million and was 3% higher than the comparative period in 2016 due mainly to expenditures of $0.2 million for the 2018 Technical Report. The operating loss for the 2017 year was 51% lower than the comparative period in 2015 due to various cost reductions mentioned below.

The Company's exploration costs in 2017 were $0.3 million, comprised of $0.1 million in administration costs for Mongolia, and $0.2 million in holding costs on all other properties. The 2017 expenditures were 32% and 80% lower than the exploration expenditures for the comparative 2016 and 2015 periods, respectively. This was mainly the result of Mongolia camp closures and staff reductions in those years.

General and administration expenditures in 2017 were $2.3 million, and were comparable to the same period in 2016 and 50% lower than the comparative 2015 period due to a reduction in corporate personnel and overhead costs in 2016 and 2015.

Total assets as at December 31, 2017 are $8.3 million and are substantially lower than the comparative periods (2016 - $53.3 million and 2015 - $61.7 million) due to the completion of the Arrangement and the resulting spin-out of the U.S. based assets into Mason Resources.

The Company's Annual Financial Statements, Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") and Annual Information Form are available on the Company website at www.EntreeResourcesLtd.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The Company's Annual Report on Form 40-F ("Annual Report") has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and is available on the Company website at www.EntreeResourcesLtd.com and at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml. Shareholders can receive a hard copy of the Company's audited Annual Financial Statements upon request.

ABOUT THE ENTREE/OYU TOLGOI JV PROPERTY

The Oyu Tolgoi project includes two separate land holdings: the Oyu Tolgoi mining licence, which is held 100% by OTLLC (66% Turquoise Hill; 34% Government of Mongolia), and the Entree/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property, which is a partnership between Entree and OTLLC. Rio Tinto is managing the construction of Lift 1 of the Hugo North underground block cave on both the Oyu Tolgoi mining licence and the Entree/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property. The portion of the Hugo North copper-gold deposit that lies on the Entree/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property is known as Hugo North Extension. The Entree/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property also includes the majority of the Heruga copper-gold-molybdenum deposit and a large prospective land package.

First development production from Hugo North Extension Lift 1 is expected in 2021. When Lift 1 underground mine development is completed, Oyu Tolgoi is expected to become the world's third largest copper mine.

QUALIFIED PERSON

Robert Cinits, P.Geo., Entree's Vice President, Corporate Development, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has approved the technical information in this release. For further information on the Entree/Oyu Tolgoi LLC JV Property, see the Company's Technical Report, titled "Entree/Oyu Tolgoi Joint Venture Project, Mongolia, NI 43-101 Technical Report", with an effective date of January 15, 2018, available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

CAUTIONARY NOTE TO U.S. INVESTORS

The SEC permits U.S. mining companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. The Company uses certain terms in this press release, such as "Measured", "Indicated" and "Inferred" resources, which the SEC guidelines strictly prohibit U.S. registered companies from including in their filings with the SEC. U.S. investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in the Company's Annual Report which may be secured from the Company, or from the SEC website at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.

ABOUT ENTREE RESOURCES LTD.

Entree Resources Ltd. is a well-funded Canadian mining company with a unique carried joint venture interest on a significant portion of one of the world's largest copper-gold projects  the Oyu Tolgoi project in Mongolia. Entree has a 20% carried participating interest in the Entree/Oyu Tolgoi joint venture, with a 30% interest in all mineralization identified above 560 metres elevation on the Entree/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property. Sandstorm Gold Ltd., Rio Tinto and Turquoise Hill are major shareholders of Entree, holding approximately 14%, 10% and 8% of the shares of the Company, respectively. More information about Entree can be found at www.EntreeResourcesLtd.com.

This News Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws with respect to corporate strategies and plans; requirements for additional capital; uses of funds; the value and potential value of assets and the ability of Entree to maximize returns to shareholders; potential types of mining operations; construction and continued development of the Oyu Tolgoi underground mine; the expected timing of first development production from Lift 1 of the Entree/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property; anticipated future production and mine life; the future prices of copper, gold, molybdenum and silver; the estimation of mineral reserves and resources; the realization of mineral reserve and resource estimates; anticipated future production, capital and operating costs, cash flows and mine life; potential discovery of new mineralized zones; potential metallurgical recoveries and grades; plans for future exploration and/or development programs and budgets; permitting time lines; anticipated business activities; proposed acquisitions and dispositions of assets; and future financial performance.

In certain cases, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budgeted", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "does not anticipate" or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". While the Company has based these forward-looking statements on its expectations about future events as at the date that such statements were prepared, the statements are not a guarantee of Entree's future performance and are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies, local and global economic conditions, legal proceedings and negotiations and the environment in which Entree will operate in the future, including the price of copper, gold, silver and molybdenum, and the status of Entree's relationship and interaction with the Government of Mongolia, OTLLC, Rio Tinto and Turquoise Hill. With respect to the construction and continued development of the Oyu Tolgoi underground mine, important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and information include, amongst others, the timing and cost of the construction and expansion of mining and processing facilities; the timing and availability of a long term power source for the Oyu Tolgoi underground mine; the ability of OTLLC to draw down on the supplemental debt under the Oyu Tolgoi project finance facility and the availability of additional financing on terms reasonably acceptable to OTLLC, Turquoise Hill and Rio Tinto to further develop Oyu Tolgoi; delays, and the costs which would result from delays, in the development of the underground mine; projected copper, gold, silver and molybdenum prices and demand; and production estimates and the anticipated yearly production of copper, gold, silver and molybdenum at the Oyu Tolgoi underground mine. The 2018 PEA is based on a conceptual mine plan that includes Inferred resources. Numerous assumptions were made in the preparation of the 2018 PEA, including with respect to mineability, capital and operating costs, production schedules, the timing of construction and expansion of mining and processing facilities, and recoveries, that may change materially once production commences at Hugo North Extension Lift 1 and additional development and capital decisions are required. Any changes to the assumptions underlying the 2018 PEA could cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements and information relating to the 2018 PEA.

Other uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by forward-looking statements and information include, amongst others, unanticipated costs, expenses or liabilities; discrepancies between actual and estimated production, mineral reserves and resources and metallurgical recoveries; the size, grade and continuity of deposits not being interpreted correctly from exploration results; the results of preliminary test work not being indicative of the results of future test work; fluctuations in commodity prices and demand; changing foreign exchange rates; actions by Rio Tinto, Turquoise Hill and OTLLC and by government authorities including the Government of Mongolia; the availability of funding on reasonable terms; the impact of changes in interpretation to or changes in enforcement of laws, regulations and government practices, including laws, regulations and government practices with respect to mining, foreign investment, royalties and taxation; the terms and timing of obtaining necessary environmental and other government approvals, consents and permits; the availability and cost of necessary items such as water, skilled labour, transportation and appropriate smelting and refining arrangements; unanticipated reclamation expenses; geotechnical or hydrogeological considerations during mining being different from what was assumed; changes to assumptions as to the availability of electrical power, and the power rates used in operating cost estimates and financial analyses; changes to assumptions as to salvage values; ability to maintain the social licence to operate; and misjudgements in the course of preparing forward-looking statements.

In addition, there are also known and unknown risk factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Entree to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others, risks related to international operations, including legal and political risk in Mongolia; risks associated with changes in the attitudes of governments to foreign investment; risks associated with the conduct of joint ventures; discrepancies between actual and anticipated production, mineral reserves and resources and metallurgical recoveries; global financial conditions; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; inability to upgrade Inferred mineral resources to Indicated or Measured mineral resources; inability to convert mineral resources to mineral reserves; conclusions of economic evaluations; future prices of copper, gold, silver and molybdenum; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining government approvals, permits or licences or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities; environmental risks; title disputes; limitations on insurance coverage; as well as those factors discussed in the Company's most recently filed MD&A and in the Company's Annual Information Form for the financial year ended December 31, 2017, dated March 8, 2018 filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available 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 statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Entree Resources

Related Links

http://www.entreegold.com

NEW ORLEANS, March 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq., a partner at the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF"), announces that KSF has commenced an investigation into General Electric Company (NYSE: GE).

On October 20, 2017, GE revealed disappointing Q3 2017 results including EPS of $0.29, well below estimates of $0.49/share, and lowered 2017 earnings expectations to $1.05-$1.10 from $1.60-$1.70, its largest earnings miss in many years. On November 13, 2017, the Company revealed it was cutting its annual dividend in half, from $0.96 to $0.48 per share, only the second time it had cut its dividend since the Great Depression. On January 16, 2018, GE announced a $6.2 billion after-tax charge for Q4 2017 following a review of its GE Capital insurance portfolio as well as a $15 billion contribution spanning seven years to shore up the portfolio's reserves. Then, on January 24, 2018, GE announced an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the company's accounting practices and the previously disclosed charge.

The Company has been exposed to significant financial losses, including losing billions in market capital over the last year, investigations by the U.S. SEC and Justice Department, as well as securities class action lawsuits.

KSF's investigation is focusing on whether GE's officers and/or directors breached their fiduciary duties to GE's shareholders or otherwise violated state or federal laws.

If you have information that would assist KSF in its investigation, or have been a long-term holder of GE shares and would like to discuss your legal rights, you may, without obligation or cost to you, call toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or email KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn ([email protected]), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-ge/ to learn more.

About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

KSF, whose partners include the Former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is a law firm focused on securities, antitrust and consumer class actions, along with merger & acquisition and breach of fiduciary litigation against publicly traded companies on behalf of shareholders. The firm has offices in New York, California and Louisiana.

To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.

Contact:

Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner

[email protected]

1-877-515-1850

206 Covington St.

Madisonville, LA 70447

SOURCE Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

Related Links

http://www.ksfcounsel.com

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., March 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Ginger Fisher is recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member in the Food Service field.

Fisher's professional title is President and Partner at RPF Specialty Food Brokers, Inc. She has worked in her current position for the past 14 years as an owner of her own business, and brings over 35 years of total career experience, as well as expertise in promoting food products to retail and club-based stores, to her role.

"Our company was founded in 2003 and was built on integrity, dedication to hard work and a drive to succeed," the company's website states. "We are a full-service sales and marketing food brokerage company that specializes in representing small-medium sized quality food manufacturers  our clients. We have built strong relationships with our clients, our distributors and our direct customers. Our wealth of knowledge from a culmination of many years in the food business, helps us achieve those goals expected by our clients, but also for the goals we have set for ourselves!"

"We purposely represent a relatively small and manageable number of clients so that each client gets the attention they deserve," the website continues. "In other words, you won't get lost in the shuffle! We feel that our experience with our clients is a true partnership and we both have a vested interest in the success of the product lines, which turns into success for our respective companies."

Prior to establishing RPF Specialty Food Brokers, Inc. with her husband, Bob, in 2003, Fisher started her career in 1982 as a Purchasing Department Clerk at John Sexton & Co. (Rykoff/Sexton then became US Foodservice) and over her 13-year tenure, left as an International Product Line Manager. Ginger then worked at Brial, LLC, as a National Director of Foodservice Sales, to Restauranic as a Purchasing Manager, and Director of Purchasing for DFG (division of IBP) and Tyson Foods. She also worked for Customcraft Foodservice as Purchasing Director.

Fisher attended Triton College for Business before beginning her career. To further her professional development, she is a member of IDDBA, SFA, Food Consultants Group and the National Association of Professional Women.

When not working, Fisher is an advocate for No Child Hungry, MD Anderson Cancer Research, St. Jude's, The Fisher House and Autism Speaks. She dedicates this recognition to her husband, Bob; her daughter and son-in-law Jacquelyn and Gordon Thompson; her mother-in-law, Mary Fisher; and to the loving memories of her parents Alvin and Bonnie Warzecha and father-in-law Dominick Fisher.

For more information, visit www.rpffoodbrokers.com.

Contact: KatherineGreen, 516-825-5634 [email protected]

SOURCE Continental Who's WhoDUBLIN, March 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

The "AI Market in Agriculture by Solution by Type, Service and Geography - Global Market Size, Share, Development, Growth, and Demand Forecast, 2013-2023" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

AI market in agriculture is expected to attain a size of $465.6 million by 2023.



The market is expected to witness high growth due to high penetration of internet of things (IoT) in agriculture industry and increasing number of IoT device installations in agriculture. The decreasing price of sensors and increasing adoption of cattle facial recognition are facilitating the market growth. Increasing government support for the development of new farming techniques, and surge in global awareness regarding the benefits of AI in agriculture over the years, are expected to boost the growth of the AI market in agriculture during the forecast period.



Among all solutions, crop monitoring is the largest market throughout the period of analysis, and AI-guided drone will be the fastest growing segment during the forecast period. Hardware based products are growing at higher pace than software in the AI market in agriculture. Due to surge in the adoption of AI based agricultural products, installation is the largest service category throughout the period of analysis. Owing to a rising number of agriculture-based startups in Asia-Pacific, the region is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period.



Geographically, North America is the largest region in the AI market in agriculture with the U.S. alone contributing more than 30% of the revenue to the global market in 2016. The country is also expected to lead the global market during the forecast period. Speech recognition, natural language processing (NLP), and animal facial recognition are some of the applications on which the companies in the U.S. AI industry are focusing.



AI in agriculture industry has been thriving on account of growing need for high volumes of agricultural produce. According to United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO), the world will need to produce nearly 70% more food in 2050 than it did in 2006, to feed the growing population. To meet this emerging demand, agricultural companies and farmers are rapidly turning to the benefits of IoT for crop analytics and greater production capabilities.



The inclusion of IoT sensors in agriculture practices are capable of providing farmers with critical information about rainfall, crop yields, soil nutrition, and pest infestation. Such information is valuable to overall farm production and offers the most precise data to be used for improving farming techniques, thereby boosting the growth of the market. With smart agriculture and precision farming already taking off high, greater use of IoT in farming is propelling the growth of the AI market in agriculture globally.



IBM and Robert Bosch GmbH are the top companies operating in the AI market in agriculture. The other key players in the industry include Intel Corporation, NVIDIA Corporation, Climate Corporation, and Microsoft Inc. There has been an increased number of product launches from these players in the recent past. For instance, in October 2017, Climate Corporation announced the launch of the Climate FieldView digital agriculture platform in western Canada for the 2018 growing season. Through the new launch's analytics-based digital tools, Canadian farmers will now be able to harness their data in one connected platform.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Research Background

1.1 Research Objectives

1.2 Market Definition

1.3 Research Scope

1.4 Key Stakeholders



2. Research Methodology

2.1 Secondary Research

2.2 Primary Research

2.3 Market Size Estimation

2.4 Data Triangulation

2.5 Assumptions for the Study



3. Executive Summary



4. Introduction

4.1 Definition of Market Segments

4.1.1 by Solution

4.1.1.1 Robotics

4.1.1.2 Crop monitoring

4.1.1.3 Automated irrigation

4.1.1.4 AI-Guided drone

4.1.1.5 Others

4.1.2 by Type

4.1.2.1 Product

4.1.2.1.1 Hardware

4.1.2.1.2 Software

4.1.2.2 Service

4.1.2.2.1 Installation

4.1.2.2.2 Training

4.1.2.2.3 Support & maintenance

4.2 Value Chain Analysis

4.3 Market Dynamics

4.3.1 Trends

4.3.1.1 Increasing adoption of robotics in agriculture

4.3.1.2 Rise in adoption of smart sensors and precision agriculture

4.3.2 Drivers

4.3.2.1 High penetration of IOT in agriculture industry

4.3.2.2 Increasing number of IOT device installation in agriculture

4.3.2.3 Decreasing price of sensors

4.3.2.4 Increase in adoption of cattle facial recognition

4.3.2.5 Impact analysis of drivers on market forecast

4.3.3 Restraints

4.3.3.1 High cost of AI solutions and lack of understanding

4.3.3.2 Impact analysis of restraints on market forecast

4.3.4 Opportunities

4.3.4.1 Rise in agriculture related data

4.3.4.2 AI powered chatbots or automated intelligent agents

4.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

4.4.1 Bargaining Power of Buyers

4.4.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

4.4.3 Threat of New Entrants

4.4.4 Intensity of Rivalry

4.4.5 Threat of Substitutes



5. Global Market Size and Forecast

5.1 by Solution

5.2 by Type

5.2.1 Global AI Product Market in Agriculture, by Type

5.2.2 Global AI Service Market in Agriculture, by Type

5.3 by Region



6. North America Market Size and Forecast

6.1 by Solution

6.2 by Type

6.2.1 AI Product Market in Agriculture, by Type

6.2.2 AI Service Market in Agriculture, by Type

6.3 AI Market in Agriculture by Country



7. Asia-Pacific Market Size and Forecast



8. Europe Market Size and Forecast



9. RoW Market Size and Forecast

9.1 AI Market in Agriculture, by Solution

9.2 AI Market in Agriculture, by Type

9.2.1 AI Product Market in Agriculture, by Type

9.2.2 AI Service Market in Agriculture, by Type

9.3 AI Market in Agriculture, by Country



10. Competitive Landscape

10.1 Competitive Analysis of Key Players

10.2 Global Strategic Developments of Key Players

10.2.1 Product Launch

10.2.2 Partnership

10.2.3 Merger and Acquisition



11. Company Profiles



Apple Inc

Awhere Inc.

Climate Connect

Ec2Ce

Fluid AI

Google Inc

Intel Corporation

International Business Machines Corporation (Ibm)

Microsoft Corporation

Numenta Inc

Nvidia Corporation

Open AI

Robert Bosch GMBH

Sekem

Sentient Technologies

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/8dg8tk/global_ai_market?w=5



Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com

MEXICO CITY, March 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Grupo Rotoplas S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: AGUA) ("Rotoplas" or the "Company"), the leading provider of individual and integrated water solutions in the Americas, announces that at the next General Ordinary Shareholders' Meeting, a capital reimbursement payable in cash will be proposed in the amount of MXN $0.37 for each outstanding share, taking into consideration the Company's current liquidity.

The aforementioned capital reimbursement payable in cash, if approved by the Shareholders' Meeting, will be paid in a single payment on May 7th, 2018.

Contacto RI:

Ofelia M Lopez Aranda T

52015000 ext. 50163

[email protected]

Safe Harbor

This press release may include certain forward-looking statements relating to Grupo Rotoplas S.A.B. de C.V., it relies on considerations of the Grupo Rotoplas S.A.B. de C.V. management which are based on current and known information; however, the forward-looking statements could vary due to facts, circumstances and events beyond the control of Grupo Rotoplas, S.A.B. de C.V.

About the Company

Grupo Rotoplas S.A.B. de C.V. is America's leading provider of individual and integrated water solutions for storing, carrying, and treating water. With almost 40 years' experience in the industry and 21 plants throughout the Americas, Rotoplas has a presence in 14 countries and a portfolio that includes 18 product lines. Grupo Rotoplas has been listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV) under the ticker "AGUA" since December 2014.

SOURCE Grupo Rotoplas S.A.B. de C.V.

Related Links

http://www.rotoplas.com

NEW ORLEANS, March 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until April 6, 2018 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), if they purchased the Company's securities between February 27, 2013 and January 29, 2018, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

Get Help

MetLife investors should visit us at https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/view-metlife-inc-securities-litigation-1 or call to speak to our claim center toll-free at (844) 367-9658.

About the Lawsuit

MetLife and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On January 29, 2018, MetLife disclosed "a material weakness in internal controls over financial reporting" that caused reserves to be reduced incorrectly relating to outstanding payouts for annuity and pension recipients and that its Q4 earnings release was postponed, with reserves expected to increase by $525 million to $575 million, Q4 earnings to decrease by $135 million to $165 million, and 2017 profits cut by $165 million to $195 million. MetLife also revealed a SEC investigation into the outstanding pension payments matter.

On this news, the price of MetLife's shares plummeted.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. ClaimsFiler's team of experts monitor the securities class action landscape and cull information from a variety of sources to ensure comprehensive coverage across a broad range of financial instruments.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.

SOURCE ClaimsFiler

Related Links

www.claimsfiler.com

PHILADELPHIA, March 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- President Trump's plan to place tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum has drawn dire warnings of starting a trade war. But the U.S. is already in a trade war, one that it is losing badly, says Made in America Again founder James A. Stuber. In his recent book, "What if Things Were Made in America Again", Stuber describes how China and other countries use subsidies, low labor standards, lax regulations, and trade barriers to consistently sell far more to the U.S. than they buy.

Made in America Again

Regarding the hue and cry that has arisen in opposition to the announced steel and aluminum tariffs, Stuber said:

"It is disheartening to see how quick many U.S. companies are to throw under the bus those companies farther upstream in the supply chain, just to protect their own niche. But they are mistaken if they believe that they are not themselves vulnerable to the foreign competition: the Chinese and the other mercantilists want to occupy the entire supply chain, especially in high value-added products. This is all spelled out in China's 'Made in China 2025' plan.

"I don't understand why we are hearing such vociferous objections to paying a fair price for steel, one that includes paying workers a living family wage and a modest profit for the company.

"I don't understand why so many of us are ready to write off entire sectors of the American economy just so other sectors can enjoy the low prices resulting from unfair foreign competition.

"At the strategic level, we must realize the necessity of self-sufficiency in such critical sectors as steel and aluminum.

"At the human level, we must understand the devastating effects we are visiting upon individuals, families and communities. In my book, I provide the example of the U.S. Steel mill in Granite City, which closed in the face of Chinese overcapacity, idling its 2,000 workers. At the worst, one worker committed suicide. More typically, one worker told his son he could not return for his junior year to complete college, as his sister had before him."

In the postscript to his book, Stuber posed the question:

Will the U.S. Steel mill in Granite City reopen? Or will it fall victim to the Chinese overcapacity in steel, and remain silent? I believe it is a metaphor for our future. As goes that mill, so will go our country.

With the announcement of the steel and aluminum tariffs, U.S. Steel announced that it would restart two of the blast furnaces at the Granite City mill, returning 500 of the 2,000 laid-off employees to work.

But what of the 1,500 other workers? "This is only a first step," Stuber said, "and it demonstrates that policy, while important, is not sufficient. The only true relief will come when American consumers buy automobiles and washing machines made with the steel from plants like the one in Granite City.

"The only true relief will come when we realize we're already in a trade war, and only consumers can win it."

About Made in America Again

Made in America Again is a movement of consumers dedicated to rebuilding the American middle class by buying things made in American communities (www.madeinamericaagain.org). Its founder is James Stuber, author of the 2017 book, "What if Things Were Made in America Again" (www.themadeinamericabook.com). Stuber is an attorney and entrepreneur who formerly served as legislative assistant to a member of the United States House of Representatives.

Media contact:

James A. Stuber

Phone: (610) 608-5074

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Made in America AgainIn filmmaker and castle-restorer Weekss Sins of the Father (Poisoned Pen, Apr.), his second Countess of Prague mystery set in the early 20th century, Countess Beatrix Trixie von Falkenburg does some sleuthing on behalf of the Austro-Hungarian emperor, Franz-Josef I.

Why did you choose a countess as your protagonist?

Someone from the upper echelons can speak to anyone, high or low. Shes a countess rather than a count, in part because I respect and admire the abilities of many women Ive met. Ive also tried to catch that element of multitasking that all women possess. In male adventures, the man just gets on with the quest regardless of anything or anyone else. For a woman in her position, its differentand Trixie has to mix her adventures with thinking about clothes, her damned husband, her urchinsand other peoples feelings, as well as what color shell next paint the drawing room.

Why did you give the countess a real-life cold case to solve, the murder- suicide of Crown Prince Rudolf and his mistress at Mayerling in 1889?

The Mayerling tragedy has aspects that are still baffling, and Rudolfs attempt to shoot his father the year before is still only a footnote in most histories. I wanted Trixie to turn her talents to his case, and her explanation fits all the available evidence. I hope Ive seamlessly melded the real and the fictional in this story. I aim to produce nothing that fact can immediately contradict; Rudolfs black book is real, for example, and is quoted.

What drew you to Prague, both to live and to use as a setting for your mystery novels?

I was asked to come there in 1994 to meet with the relevant ministries, so that I could look at the countrys castle problem. Due to communism, there were over 600 abused castlesthat is, either derelict or inappropriately used. By 2003, I had decided to move to the citya place where history is everywhere. As for the novels, I was particularly attracted to the Belle Epoque, those years when Paris, Vienna, and Prague were the epicenters of style, culture, and fashion in all of Europe, and all of Europe was accessible and at peace.

What was the first castle you restored?

My own castle, bought with the money earned from my first films. I chose a real medieval one, the tower of which had been built around 1129, on the border of England and Wales. I restored a virtual ruin to be a wonderful home, shared willingly with the enthusiastic public, which I sold in 2003 in order to finance my move to Prague. Since the castle had been lived in since the 12th century, it was proved to be Waless oldest lived-in castle. Friends, seeing their breath in the air while at dinner, used to call it Waless coldest lived-in castle. But that was all part of its charm.Though there are only a handful of bookstores in the U.S. that identify themselves as feminist, several report that Donald Trumps election in 2016 and the subsequent #MeToo movement have reinvigorated them, both in terms of sales and of their visibility in the marketplace.

In the late 1980s through the mid-90s, there were more than 100 feminist bookstores in the U.S. Today, that number has fallen to fewer than 10. One of the newest is Card Carrying Books & Gifts in Corning, N.Y., which opened in September 2017 in a 700-sq.-ft. space on the citys main street. We opened very much in response to the election, co-owner Randi Hewit said. We wanted to create a safe space in which to organize. Feminist values are American values, and our goal is to create a feminist future. The stores top-selling title has been Hillary Clintons What Happened, followed closely by Roxane Gays Bad Feminist.

Although Card Carrying was founded in response to the current political climate (as was Violet Valley, a queer feminist bookstore that opened three months ago in rural Mississippi), many prominent feminist booksellers closed their doors years ago. Other bookstores whose aim was to sell womens books tweaked their business models. A Room of Ones Own in Madison, Wis., founded in 1975, has transformed itself into a general-interest bookstore after merging five years ago with Avols Used Books. Common Language in Ann Arbor, Mich., evolved into an LGBTQ bookstore after Martin Correras and Keith Orr bought it 15 years ago. And Saras Table in Duluth, Minn., merged with Chester Creek Cafe in 2002 after a decade selling feminist books; today, AST/CCC is a restaurant with walls lined with shelves of used books in all genres for sale.

The feminist bookstores in the nations largest cities are experiencing the most significant upticks in sales, as well as in foot traffic. Weve been joking about the Trump bump, said E.R. Anderson, a bookseller at Atlantas Charis Books & More, who also serves as executive director of Charis Circle, the 44-year-old stores nonprofit arm. Charis Books reports that in-store sales were up 12% in 2017 over 2016, while off-site sales rose 20%.

The stores top bestsellers last year reflect the concerns of its customers, which for years have mostly consisted of African-American women. Topping the list was Roxane Gays Hunger, followed by such titles as Crunk Feminist Collective: Essays on Hip-Hop Feminism, edited by Brittney C. Cooper et al.; The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, a YA novel about a police shooting; Emergent Strategy by Adrienne Maree Brown, an activist handbook inspired by Octavia Butlers science fiction novels; Bad Feminist; and Reproductive Justice by Loretta Ross and Rickie Solinger. Even the two top-selling childrens books reflect the zeitgeist: A Is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara and When a Bully Is President by Maya Gonzalez.

Attendance at the stores discussion groups has also exploded in the past year, and they are drawing people beyond the stores core demographic. Chariss feminist event group, which, before the 2016 election, typically drew 2040 people to its monthly discussions, now attracts about 90, and an intergenerational consciousness-raising group, which also meets monthly, has more than quadrupled in size, from 1520 people to 90. A parenting group that focuses on battling white supremacy has had 120 members since the election, up from 30 in 2016. (In the fall, Charis is moving four miles to Decatur, where it will serve as Agnes Scott Colleges bookstore. Anderson expects sales and foot traffic to increase after the move.)

Despite the increase in traffic and sales, Anderson said that Charis booksellers are neither surprised nor overwhelmed. Everything weve been saying for the past 40 years is being listened to, she noted. Were finally not being treated as hysterical, crazy femi-Nazis. Feminism is cool. Its definitely a moment. Charis customers, Anderson added, want to plug in, and not just march in the streets.

Women and Children First in Chicago reported that sales are up 22%, year over year, since the 2016 presidential election, with nonfiction titles about politics doing the best. Hardcover nonfiction is up 40%, and store bestsellers include titles responding to the Trump administrations agenda, such as Nasty Women: Feminism, Resistance and Revolution in Trumps America, edited by Samhita Mukhopadhyay and Kate Harding, an anthology of essays that includes one by store co-owner Sarah Hollenbeck; Naomi Kleins No Is Not Enough; Eve Ewings Electric Arches; Amy and David Goodmans Democracy Now! Twenty Years Covering the Movements That Changed America; and What Happened.

Looking at our bestsellers from 2016 versus 2017, I was struck by how few fiction titles show up on the 2017 bestseller lists, said Jamie Thomas, WCFs store manager. Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders and Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Machado were among our bestsellers, but compared to the event books and the nonfiction, they were lower on the list than our bestselling fiction would have been in previous years. The only fiction title among the stores top 10 bestsellers in 2017 was The Handmaids Tale. Margaret Atwoods dystopian novel, which was published in 1985 and adapted last year as a Hulu series, sold 300 copies at WCF in 2017. Hollenbeck attributed the spike in sales of The Handmaids Tale to the television series and the current administrations stances on womens issues, describing the books popularity as a symptom of womens fear and anger.

Hollenbeck noted that WCF, founded in 1979, has always strived to reflect its customers interests and concerns, and now it is ramping up its visibility in the public sphere. WCF was a cosponsor of the Chicago Womens March in 2017 and 2018. Also, since the election, it has regularly set up political book displays and scheduled more programming prompted by current events, such as its sold-out, off-site book launch for Nasty Women in October.

More recently, the store hosted a panel discussion about the 2017 Womens March, coinciding with the marchs anniversary, that packed the store. A February 15 off-site event with Morgan Jerkins, the 25-year-old author of This Will Be My Undoing, a collection of essays on politics and popular culture from an African-American womans perspective, sold out within moments, Hollenbeck said.

Bluestockings, located on New York Citys Lower East Side since 1991, self-identifies as an intersectional feminist bookstore cooperative, according to Corey Farach, a Bluestockings Collective member. It has seen a significant increase in sales and foot traffica trend that began in 2015 when it launched an Indiegogo fund-raising campaign. The store has continued to thrive since the election, with, Farach said, an increased engagement across all metrics, including sales, traffic, and volunteers. Theres been a lot of energy in the space, Farach added, and books that activists need, would find useful, and would want to buy are prominently displayed.

Though the stores top-selling book in 2017 was Milk and Honey, Rupi Kaurs collection of inspirational poems, Rebecca Solnits Hope in the Dark, which was published after Georges W. Bushs reelection in 2004, with a third edition released in 2016, is among the stores top five bestsellers: Bluestockings has sold since the election at least one copy of Hope in the Dark every other day, Farach said.

The nations oldest feminist bookstore, 45-year-old Antigone Books, in Tucson, Ariz., said that its sales have also gone up since Trump was elected, although the Antigones co-owners were less willing to posit a connection between sales and the current political climate than the other stores contacted by PW. The Tucson areas continuing rapid growth, which resulted in the construction of a new streetcar line near Antigone, also has had a positive impact upon the stores reach, according to co-owner Trudy Mills.

Like the other feminist bookstores, Antigones nonfiction offerings with political themes have outsold its fiction titles over the past yearespecially books about racism, such as Ta-Nehisi Coatess Between the World and Me; books about feminism, like Bad Feminist and Solnits Men Explain Things to Me; and works promoting social activism, such as Becky Bonds Rules for Revolutionaries. Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls [a two-book series by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo] have also been among our stores bestsellers, Mills noted.

Describing Antigones political stance as having been more moderate historically than those of the other feminist bookstores PW spoke with for this story, Mills said that Antigone has become overtly political since the 2016 election, in keeping with its mission to provide a safe space for customers. Among its newer efforts is promoting local political rallies in the bookstores electronic newsletter.

In contrast to the other feminist bookstores that PW contacted, Book Woman in Austin, Tex., reported that, although year-over-year sales were up in late 2016 and in 2017, they were down in the first two months of this year. Owner Susan Post said that last year, the 43-year-old bookstore could not keep political T-shirts and bumper stickers in stock. After the election, sales of books and sidelines spiked, with Post noting that one customer bought a library of feminist books for her daughter. The store created a display of political books after the election, which is still up; a copy of the Spanish-language edition of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls on the display table sold while PW was conducting a telephone interview with Post. But, Post noted, things have changed since the first anniversary of Trumps inauguration: when Ellen Feldman appeared at the store in February to promote her book We Who March: Photographs and Reflections on the Womens March, attendance was light, and only nine copies were sold.

Trump is very good for feminism, Post said, speculating as to why sales at her store may have flattened in the past few months. But the reality is that this [state of affairs] is for the long haul, and people are getting depressed again.Welcome to PWs continuing coverage of the Chinese children's book market. Here, we talk with 15 Chinese publishers about the industry's game plan and priorities, uncover the story behind the import issues, check out the fast-rising pop-science segment, and delve into the workings of the social media marketing channel. All this, plus a quick look at promoting wordless picture books, the goals behind the Key Colours Competition China and IlluSalon, and so much more. Our coverage also includes original titles that these 15 publishers are bringing to the upcoming Bologna Book Fair, which will host China as its Guest of Honor.

Note: This supplement was published with the support of the publishers covered below.

Children's Books in China 2018: A Special Report

The Continuing Story of the Children's Book Market in China

Events Highlighting Chinese Publishers and Content Creators at Bologna

Untangling the Import Issues (and Rumors)

Social Media Marketing: Working the Platform

Survival in China: The Bear Grylls (Middle-Grade) Story

Promoting Wordless Picture Books in China

Joint Ventures in China: The Dos and Don'ts

The Rise of the Pop-Science Segment in China

A Wide-ranging Selection of Original Works from China

Key Colours Competition China: A Unique Model

IlluSalon Nurtures and Promotes Illustrators

Profile of 15 Children's Publishers in Alphabetical Order:

Beijing Baby Cube Children's Brand Management Company

Beijing Bright Culture Development Company

Beijing Dandelion Children's Book House

Beijing Yutian Hanfeng Books Company

China Children's Press & Publication Group

Everafter Books Publishing House

Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press

Guangdong New Century Publishing House

Hunan Juvenile & Children's Publishing House

Jieli Publishing House

Kids Media

New Buds Publishing House

Thinkingdom Children's Books

Tomorrow Publishing House

Xinjiang Juvenile Publishing House

Additional Online Articles:

Flying High with Winnie the Witch Series

Top 10 Children's Books in China

Related Reads from PW:

The Growth of Chinese Children's Books

Children's Books in China 2017 Special Report

Read the whole supplement in the Scribd reader below:

Children's Books in China 2018 by Publishers Weekly on ScribdWith nearly 100 Chinese publishers and at least half that many illustrators attending the Bologna Childrens Book Fair in March, a big contingent will be representing the land of 1.38 billion people. Most of the publications they are bringing to the fair focus on common themes and age-old plots expressed through the best and most unique of Chinas traditional art styles. The result is original works that are quintessentially Chinese but also universal, contemporary, and engaging.

The ever-popular fairy and folk stories aside, realism is poised to enter the Chinese childrens book industry. Paying homage to the countrys character, culture, and arts also involves explaining what is happening domestically, such as the challenges faced by children left in rural areas by migrant parents working in the cities, by only children, and by siblings (now that the second-child policy is in effect). The story may not always be pretty, but this is about communicating to the rest of the world present-day realities in China and how Chinese children live.

Also important is the appearance of more bilingual Chinese-English editions and audiobooks, which reflects a market driven by parents and educators who want children to master English, the indisputable language of international commerce and many workplaces.

As for innovative ideas and creativity, there is no lack of either in the worlds most populous country. But the challenge lies in getting these talents to come forward with their works. This remains quite a task in a society that largely shuns self-promotion and in which artists often exist in near-seclusion. The Key Colours Competition China (see p. 41) and the illustration platform IlluSalon (see p. 44) are actively seeking and nurturing talents and promoting them in the international arena. Their goal is not to catch the next bestseller but to inspire the next generation of authors and illustrators.

The following pages contain a selective listing of original Chinese childrens and YA titles on offer from the 15 publishers profiled in this special report. The publishers have provided the descriptions.

Beijing Baby Cube Children Brand Management Company

The Cat Without a Nose by Zhang Tianmu: In an old tailors house, there is a cat without a nose. Nobody likes him except for the old tailor. The cat thinks that his life is hopeless. But one day, something changes his mind. (Ages 36.)

Who Lives... by Ha Feng: Momo is taking you to look for new friends above and under the ground. There are many surprises under the lift-the-flap pages! With warm illustrations and rich colors, it is easy for children to understand the characteristics of these animals and their habitats. (Two titles; up to age 3.)

Beijing Bright Culture Development Company

Little Heart series by Cao Wenfang: These five picture books from Cao (sister of Cao Wenxuan, the first Chinese author to win the Hans Christian Andersen Award) were selected by kindergartners as her most popular works. Beautifully illustrated, the stories are both heartwarming and captivating. (Five titles; ages 35)

Draw a Chinese Painging; Chinese Doll and the Zodiac by Yang Tingying: Taking the Chinese doll as its focal point, this picture book strives to convey the traditional Chinese culture and beauty. Readers get an introduction to Chinese folk art and history while learning how to create a Chinese painting. (Ages 612.)

Dandelion Children's Book House

Big Feet Girl by Wan Wan: In a village where foot-binding is practiced, one big-footed girl becomes a laughingstock. However, after she saves several fishermen during a storm, someone starts appreciating her big feet. (Ages 36.)

Granny Xiu and Peach Blossom Fish by PEng Xuejun: Granny Xiu makes a tasty dish using peach-blossom fish, and children love to eat it. But some villagers say Granny Xiu is a witch and visiting her is dangerous. One day, Granny Xiu intervenes when the children encounter a wild boar. Now the boar is dead. But where is Granny Xiu? (Ages 36.)

Beijing Yutian Hanfeng Books Company

Hei He series by Hei He: Animal-focused novelist Hei from Mongolia uses animals as protagonists in his books. He tells stories about the harmonic coexistence between humans and nature, the wonders of the wild, and the need for a new brand of eco-consciousness. (Eight titles; ages 614.)

Mr. Cat and Little Fairy by Wang Yuwei: Mr. Cat finds a naughty and witty fairy who is curious about everything, and she brightens up his life. One day, he discovers that the fairy has the magical ability to make plants grow, and that his little fairy friend has only one year to live. (Ages 36.)

The Rat-a-Tat Bear by Tian Yu: When children are eager to explore the world, they just might behave like cute Rat-a-Tat Bear, who learns about his world by knocking on different doors This Youth of China recommended title is also a Childrens Book Laurel Award winner. (Ages 36.)

Xiao Xianggu series by Qin Wenjun: Written by popular contemporary YA author Qin, this series touches on a variety of topics, including determination, self-assurance, and familial love. The message of optimism and kindness is succinctly woven throughout the stories and unfolding pages. (20 titles; ages 614.)

China Children's Press & Publication Group

The Happy Milly, Molly, and Lily series by Jill Pitta & Gao Hongbo: Being with Milly and Molly, that can make you happy is the premise of this educational series that has sold in 110 countries and regions around the world. It provides children with the necessary skills to grow and deal with lifes challenges. (70 titles; ages 6up.)

Let's Read Mao Zedong by Han Yuhai: This book focuses on 14 key issues related to Mao Zedong, and in simple terms, presents his life and thinking. Full of exquisite illustrations and details it offers an objective perspective on Mao. (Ages 10up.)

Pandy Plays with Her Ball by Bai Bing: This picture book, illustrated by Manola Caprini, is about little pandas losing their balls in the bamboo forest. But who needs a ball when rolling down the hill is much more fun? The whole family can join in the fun now! (Ages 36.)

Red Kangaroo Physical Quiz series by Chris Ferrie: This set of books explains, in simple terms, the theories of classical, mechanical, optical, and quantum physics. An abundance of illustrations makes learning physics fun and easy for children, and not-so-daunting for parents, too. (10 titles; ages 8up.)

Everafter Books Publishing House

24 Hours, 24 Professions, One World by Echo Zhang: This nonfiction picture book, illustrates what happens in 24 hours for 24 people, each of whom has a different profession. The people live very different lives, but they work together to build this wonderful world. (Ages 710.)

Andersen's Fairy Tales by Ye Junjian: This well-crafted collection contains 25 of Hans Christian Andersens magnificent stories, translated into simplified Chinese by Ye, a highly respected translator from China, and dozens of brilliant tempera illustrations by Bulgarian illustrator Lyuben Zidarov. (Ages 7up.)

Dodo and Auntie Magic by Hong Zhang: If you had an aunt with magical powers, what would your life look like? Written by award-winning childrens author Hong, this book is dedicated to her niece, who inspired her to create these magical, imaginative, and fun stories. (Three titles; ages 58.)

My Friend at the North Pole by Echo Zhang: One little polar bear identifies his shadow as a close and faithful friend, but lose it after polar nights arrive. He is determined to find his friend again, and thus begins his adventurous journey. This story is a warm and lively read that combines science and creativity. (Ages 36.)

Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press

Black Cat Detective series by Zhu Zhixiang: Every Chinese family knows these stories, which are adapted from classic animated features produced by Chinas top animation studio. Black Cat Detective is the Eastern version of Sherlock Holmes. He solves crimes and safeguards other animals in the forest. (Five titles; ages 48.)

The Calabash Brothers series edited by Shanghai Animation Film Studio: A long time ago, there were seven super-brothers born in seven calabashes with different colors. They were brave and kind, and had different magical powers, which they used to fight evil and save the world. (13 titles; ages 48.)

Guangdong New Century Publishing House

Chinese Poetry in Ink-and-Wash Paintings for Children by Lin Liang et al.: The winner of Chinas national award for the most beautiful book in 2017, Chinese Poetry is illustrated by Liang Peilong and contains poems written by six renowned poets (Lin Liang, Lin Huanzhang, Jin Bo, Fan Fajia, Gao Hongbo, and Xu Lu). It showcases the rural life with optimism, humor, and wisdom. (Six titles; ages 612.)

Yuon Bo Animal Fiction by Yuan Bo: In this series, Yuan entertains with magnificent animal stories such as The Legend of the Little Elephant and The Dream of Wild Water Buffalo. Through concise and vigorous language, the author provides insights into life and nature. (Six titles; ages 813.)

Hunan Juvenile & Children's Publishing House

The Legend of the South Village by Tang Sulan: This latest fairy tale by Tang is set in the South Village. It depicts a beautiful idyllic hideaway for children and conveys the yearning for a better life and the pursuit of beauty. (Ages 713.)

Where Are You Going, Big Rat and Little Cat? series by Zhou Rui: This series of books is not just a fairy tale, an encyclopedia, and a work of fiction. It is also a fantastic travel journal that covers splendid cultures, folk customs, the geographies of various countries, and much more. (Four titles; ages 610.)

Jieli Publishing House

The Dream Makers series by Chen Jiatong: The author conjures a dreamworld to showcase true human nature. Here, Qiqi and other dream makers use their imaginations to build dreams, help other peoples dreams come true, and fight against desire and evil. They want to protect the world of dreams and resurrect lost imaginations. (Four titles; ages 712.)

A Maverick Pig adapted by Zhang Ning: Originally written by contemporary Chinese novelist Wang Xiaobo, this story is about a maverick black pig that tries to break free from his restraints and run away. Readers will love the traditional cloth art and painting styles of the Han dynasty. (Ages 47.)

Moose by Blackcrane: With poetic words and brilliant illustrations, the author tells a legendary story of a moose and a hunter. Here, human and animal trust each other and live harmoniously. Feel the warmth and love that emanates from every page of this book. (Ages 5up.)

The Repository of Classic Series for Children by Li Xiaopeng: This series presents classic stories of the natural and social sciences that are specially rewritten for teenagers. Hundreds of lively and vivid illustrations and simple prose make these great reading materials. The latest title, The Capital, has just been released. (Seven titles; ages 814.)

Kids Media

The Little Prince edited by Edited by Kids Media: Combining the enchanting story with authorized screenshots from the French film Le Petit Prince (2015), this picture book makes a classic work of literature available to younger readers. More than 200,000 copies have been sold in China. (Ages 512.)

You Can't Miss: Disney Bilingual Classic Movie Stories edited by Kids Media: This is one of Chinas bestselling Disney book series from Kids Media. It has sold more than one million copies since its launch in 2016. With beautiful pictures, authentic stories and high-quality audio files, it provides an enjoyable reading, listening, and learning experience for elementary readers. (23 titles; ages 69.)

New Buds Publishing House

Stories series by Chang Li: These stories combine traditional Chinese culture with modern twists. The thought-provoking ink-and-wash illustrations function as a cultural showcase of traditional Chinese elements and styles. (Three titles; ages 310.)

The Stories of Little Qiao and His Buddies by Mei Zihan: This series of six hilarious stories traces the exploits of Little Qiao and his buddies. The group is loud, yet imaginative, and has a very optimistic outlook on life. They are the Chinese wimpy and funny kids! (Six titles; ages 59.)

Thinkingdom Children's Books

The Beauty of Solar Terms by Zhu Aichao: The solar terms originated in China thousands of years ago. This book presents the wisdom of the ancient Chinese people and their unique understanding of time and space, which exerts great influence on daily routines to this day. It combines the history of Chinese characters, the Song of Solar Terms, and different customs across the country. (Ages 7up.)

The Creator Raises One Hand by Shanglin Chunman: It is spring and Miss Potato has fallen in love. The snow flutters down while the story is being told. This is a romantic and delightful fairy tale. (Ages 8up.)

Our First Grade by Tong Xixi: School is starting, the wishes for a new year are put inside a box, and a Mood Tree is planted inside the classroom. Little Tong Xixi charmingly describes her first-grade schools simple but beautiful life. (Ages 6up.)

The Pedigree of Chinese Deities by Shen Fuyu: This book opens the door to the 5,000-year history of China through Chinese mythology. Chinese deities originate from fairy tales, and this book presents a portrait of the 20 most influential deities for the Chinese peoples identity and way of thinking. (Ages 10up.)

Tomorrow Publishing House

The Blue Rabbit-ear Grass by Yang Hongying: This title is from one of Yangs most successful series, Diary of Smiling Cat. It tells the story of Smiling Cats adventurous journey to obtain blue rabbit-ear grass in order to save his beloved wife Tabby Cat. The message in this book is that love is the noblest feeling in the world. (Ages 812.)

White Horse and Black Horse by Cao Wenxuan: This picture book by Cao is about a black horse and a white horse born at the same time in a farmhouse, though both have different experiences growing up. Although many things change, what happens to them just shows their deep affection for each other. (Ages 38.)

Xinjiang Juvenile Publishing House

Beijing Flavor series by Bao Dongni: Warm and imaginative, these animal and human stories are about coexistence, mutual trust, and environmental awareness with ancient Chinese wisdom woven throughout. Rights sold to France and the U.S. (Three titles; ages 36.)

Chinese Stories by Li Jian: Follow elementary school student Xiaoming as he travels back to different historical periods in China, and experiences interesting adventures. Learn about Chinese culture and enjoy the many Chinese historical sites illustrated in traditional ink painting. Rights sold to France and the U.S. (Five titles; ages 36.)Eleven years ago, in 2007, China Childrens Press & Publication Group (CCPPG) participated in the Bologna Book Fair for the first time. Their booth in Hall 29 was small, shabby, and minimally decorated and very few visitors dropped by.

That was what Li Xueqian, president of CCPPG and of the Chinese section of the International Board on Books for Young People, recalled about his experience. He decided there and then not to participate in Bologna again until a more formal presence could be organized to highlight Chinese childrens publishing houses and their titles.

Six years later, in 2013, we were back with a delegation of Chinese publishers in Hall 26, effectively occupying the same exhibition hall as major European and American publishers, Li says. On that outing, our delegation sold 57 titles. Since then, our rights sales have increased and our Bologna presence has become much bigger. The Chinese childrens publishing industry effectively went global from that moment onward.

This year, China is the fairs guest of honor, marking a monumental shift from that small and shabby booth of 11 years ago. For the country, this honor is a landmark event and heralds the importance of Chinas childrens book industry on the world stage. Li, in charge of the activities and cultural programs for the China Pavilion, is busy organizing the 600-sq.-meter exhibition area for publishers and another 300-sq.-meter to display works by selected Chinese illustrators. We also have an extensive roster of forums and events, Li says, as well as cultural exchange activities, for which we are now collaborating with various Bologna municipal authorities, the Bologna Library, the University of Bologna, the Confucius Institute, and other institutions. (See p. 7 for a list of major events and programs.)

Realities on the Ground

Back in China, the childrens book market is thundering along. The latest report from Beijing-based OpenBook, a clearinghouse for publishing statistics, states that the Chinese retail book market grew 14.55% in 2017, with the childrens book segment contributing about a third of that growth. According to Li, the childrens segment expanded 19.7%, 28.84%, and 21.18% in 2015, 2016, and 2017, respectively.

So, while the Chinese childrens book market started much later than other markets around the world, in the past decade it has matured in terms of production planning, marketing, and promotion. Yet, as Ma Yuxiu, editor-in-chief of New Buds Publishing House, says, This brings us to one challenge: a mature industry means a triedand therefore, tiredand staid business model. How to innovate, rejuvenate, and push the childrens book industry into a new decade of growth and continued prosperity is now at the top of everybodys mind.

Distribution strategies, in particular, must be overhauled. Given the current market-focused economy, book distributors and marketers can no longer be just salespersons, Ma says. They must know the books published by different houses. Additionally, success in distribution will require them to be familiar with how each book is used and who the target audience is. In other words, they must have very strong market awareness, coupled with a keen understanding of publishing trends and consumer demands. Such attributes, combined, are missing from the distribution chain.

At the same time, the practice of heavy discounting, if continued, will be the industrys downfall, cautions Bai Bing, editor-in-chief of Jieli Publishing House. Consumers will demand lower pricesthat is universaland here you have Chinese consumers, who are always looking out for bargains. But cutting prices in exchange for higher sales volume is suicidal in the long run, and this is something that Jieli is determined not to do or be a part of. (Even national chain Xinhua Bookstore must accept Bais no-discounting terms for Jieli titles.)

For sure, Chinas book consumption patterns have evolved since the 1980s and 90s, observes Hu Jian, president of Hunan Juvenile & Childrens Publishing House. Novelty and higher-priced titles are getting popular, and online channelse-tailing and social media platforms, in particularhave opened up new sales and distribution opportunities. These evolving channels and patterns of consumption have created more discerning buyers, causing low-end me-too books to lose ground by the day. Fierce market competition aside, Hu believes that premium content such as original works will always have their space in the market.

Understanding What Works (and What Doesnt)

Diversified reading needs coupled with stronger individual choice has opened the Chinese childrens book market. You can no longer say for sure that a particular type of book would not work here, says Hou Mingliang, president of Kids Media and founder of IlluSalon (see IlluSalon for Nurtures and Promotes Illustrators, p. 44). That was perhaps true 15 or 20 years ago, but its definitely not in present-day China. Some stories may simply resonate with the reader or express the mainstream aesthetics of the Chinese communitythese are the two guiding principles behind most rights-buying and translations.

Cultural differences within a story can make or break an imported title, Hou says. A title revolving around a campus lifestyle unlike that in China may be tough to sell. Or books with a unique sense of humor may not translate well across borders and languages. Every title needs to be considered from various aspects. But overall, the Chinese book market is very receptive to all sorts of stories, styles, and genres. The readers are getting more sophisticated and discerning and remain hungry for new content.

The market is also on an experimentation streak, Hou says. I see a different trend every three to five months. Now, the market has AR/VR fever, and many new titles feature these technologies. Whether this trend is going to stick or fade really depends on the premise of the book. Does the content benefit from, or really need, the AR or VR to relay its message? If this technology is just a nice touch that does not add value to the content, then chances are this trend is going to be short-lived.

As for new works from debut authors, Xu Jiang, president of Xinjiang Juvenile Publishing House, finds that the main task lies in developing the manuscripts. We also need to look at the quality of the plot and accuracy of the depictions, especially in books about real locations, historical figures, and cultural icons. While we seek to tell a good story, the reader, who is young and impressionable, must be given the correct information. We will not cut corners to push for a quick launch, says Xu, who established an office in Cologne, Germany, in July 2016, to explore not only distributing books in Europe but also collaborating with European authors and illustrators on original titles. The blending of different cultures and histories comes naturally to us at Xinjiang Juvenile. Just look at our multiethnic province as the proof.

It seems that the location of Xinjiang Province, which borders eight countries, including Afghanistan, India, Kazakhstan, and Russia, has served Xu and his team well. The geographical, cultural, and historical richness of our province must have provided ample inspiration, because I do not find a shortage of illustrators, Xu says, adding that he does, however, find a lack of talent in prose writingin putting together a plot that appeals to the inner child in each of us and that inspires a child to read a book. To this end, Xu is open to manuscripts not just from his own province but also from other parts of China.

Making book covers more appealing to children, both local and abroad, is also important to Xu. Historically, Chinese publishers tend to focus on the content. The presentationand packagingis new to us, Xu says. But todays readers, young and old, are drawn by the aesthetics. We have to carefully choose the right illustration and put different elements together to form a visually attractive package. On the crowded shelf, be it online or in a brick-and-mortar store, a knockout cover presells the book.

Savvy marketing, says David Fu, president of Tomorrow Publishing House, remains all-important in the book business. Good content does not sell by itself, and by good content, I refer to titles that will net one million-copy sales. So if I have 200300 such good titles, I absolutely need to make sure that they live on for as long as possible by upping our marketing and distribution efforts to reach the widest audience. Content is definitely king, Fu says, and to survive in the long term, that must be the understanding. It will also propel a publisher to consider the potential for crossover into different formats and different markets.

Asked about different Chinese publishers sharing the same authors, Fu says: There are only so many local, and proven, talents, which complicates the matter. So, while a publisher can promote an author and the title that they publish, they cannot control where the author goes next with a new manuscript. This is the reality on the ground. What is good is that the author gets to experiment with new ideas and content with different publishing houses, and cumulatively, that makes for a richer Chinese publishing industry.

Reassessing Social Media Platforms

At Thinkingdom Childrens Books, social media platforms do not feature predominantly in the sales strategy, even though 9,300 sets of the Journey trilogy sold within two weeks in September 2016 through this new channel. The price discount for such a promotional campaign is usually deep, and we are not a fan of gaining volume sales through low pricing, says Li Xin, vice president and general editor of the childrens books division.

In any case, Li finds that the impact of selling through social media decreases over time. And if one does not have highly selective and great products to offer to the online communities, Li says, then the influence and value of the brand will erode. These factors will impact long-term growth, and we simply will not sacrifice long-time growth for short-term gains.

After analyzing sales results from the social media channel over the past few months, Bai, of Jieli Publishing House, concludes that social media platforms work much better at presenting titles for toddlers and younger children, whereas online retailers such as Dangdang and Amazon are better fits for older children.

Bai further explains that parents of young children tend to be social media savvy, and they rely on peer influence and opinion leaders to make their purchasing decisions. They have their hands full with their young kids and, therefore, have little time to trawl through online bookstores to decide on the next books to purchase. The older children, on the other hand, are reading based on recommended lists from their teachers and schools, and these titles on the lists are readily available through online retailers. The decision-making process is therefore easier and faster. (See Social Media Marketing, p. 20.)

For Li and her team at Thinkingdom, the social media marketing route is attractive only when they have a great product that potential buyers are not aware of, cannot easily access in brick-and-mortar bookstores, or would not purchase without input from opinion leaders and extensive peer reviews. Li says, Our experienced marketing team will move a promotional campaign onto social media or into the physical retail channel depending on the need, value, and effectiveness. We are fluid in that sense.

Gearing Up for Reading Services

Now that parents, teachers, and the government are focusing on reading (and reading-oriented services), the publishers role is being redefined yet again, says Huang Chunqing, chief editor of Guangdong New Century Publishing House. Publishing remains the core activity, but there is now a need to build a reading ecosystem around it. At our company, we offer reading services, supplementary materials for reading activities, lectures, and platforms to support all these services, Huang says. With the publishers expanding role, its existence is no longer one-dimensional in print products. We have to go into different channels and platforms to service our audience, particularly children and their parents, who are the actual buyers. At the same time, we need to work with teachers and schools, as they exert considerable influence on the reading list and material selection.

For now, campus reading and family reading promotions are in full swing, says Hu, of Hunan Juvenile. Publishing houses are playing very strong roles in both types of reading promotions by providing quality content, giving lectures on public reading, recommending reading lists, and building alliances with libraries and private entities. Everything is being done to help develop good reading habits and provide access to quality content in the most convenient ways. This, too, will ensure the cultivation of future generations of readers and book lovers.

Fortunately, a publishers task in promoting reading is much easier nowadays, says Huang Xiaoyan, founder and publisher of Everafter Books. Parents born in the 1980s and 1990s are much better educated, are more aware of the importance of reading to their children, and are very keen on getting their children to read more than their schoolbooks. As a publisher, we must build on that foundation and provide reading sessions, expert-led talks, and workshops related to childrens books and education to inspire and encourage even more reading.

Pondering the Publishing Portfolio

With original publications now in the spotlight, the search is heating up for new content and authors. At Guangdong New Century, the 10-volume My Childhood in China series, for instance, presents childhood stories spanning half a century and ranging in subject from the Mongolian desert to urban living from authors such as Wu Meizhen, Guan Jiaqi, and Hei He. The series is both historical and cultural and provides children with insights into the past. Another title, Chinese Poetry in Ink-and-Wash Paintings for Children, won the 2017 national award for the most beautiful book, and this six-volume work pairs beautiful illustrations with illuminating stories for contemplation and inspiration, says Huang, of Guangdong New Century.

But the ultimate publishing goals remain unchanged, Huang says. The social benefits that we as a publisher can bring to the table are our biggest objective. Profitability comes second. Aligning our publishing programs objectives and needs with those of the government makes perfect sense. Marketing reading services, for example, is easier to accomplish since the target audience and the stakeholders are already prepared and waiting.

At Hunan Juvenile, pop-science publishing expanded so significantly in 2017 that a special department was established for the genre. It is now a CNY 100 million business unit within our publishing house, says Hu, whose team has published several original pop-science bestsellers, including Naughty Human Beings: The Book of Science History for Children and Science World for Juveniles.

Another original, This Is Science: One Thousand Proofs, is based on a three-year-long Hunan TV program, Exploring the Truth. There are seven AR interactivities, 34 experiments, and nearly 200 photographs to make the science learning process more intriguing and immersive, adds Hu, who is set to launch several high-level pop-science titles, including Fabulous Telescopes and Looking for Dark Matter, as well as translations from Britannica and DK this year. (See The Rise of the Pop-Science Segment in China, p. 38.)

An Hongmin, president of Beijing Yutian Hanfeng Books Company, says that maintaining a balanced import/export portfolio is very important to him. A professional publisher will aspire to create outstanding original content that will be enjoyed by generations of readers, domestic and international. He will also want to build his editorial teams expertise beyond handling translations. After all, there is so much to learn about the packaging, presentation, and promotion of a book to suit the market.

Too many translated works in a catalogue will make a publishing company look like a distributor or rights representative, An says. While translations are usually great for a companys bottom line, it is not a long-term publishing strategy. Making an impact on the book industry means creating your own brand, titles, and stable of proven authors, says An, who is collaborating with Belgian publisher Clavis to uncover new talents through workshops and competitions. It means continuous improvement on your professionalism as a publisher coupled with an ongoing search for new talent and content. (See Key Colours Competition China, p. 41.)

For Huang, of Everafter Books, being a childrens book publisher certainly goes beyond sales and profit. We have an obligation to help children to be better people and to help them to better know the world outside their immediate circle. And we can do that by making sure that we present the best books possibletranslations and originalsto them. (Incidentally, this is the company that industry insiders call the dark horse, after it achieved CNY 100 million in sales after only two years of operation and with only 120 titles and 23 staff members.)

Rewriting the Playbook (and the Publishing Program)

But producing more childrens books does not necessarily make children read more. Books, no matter how good the values they contain are, will not fundamentally change children, says Huang, of Everafter Books.

Take the love of books and the habit of reading as examples. If the parents themselves do not cherish books or have the habit of reading, then their children are unlikely to have that longing for reading, no matter how many books surround them, Huang says. Infants, as we know, learn by mimicking their parents. Thus, parents have to be good role models and know the right values to teach their children. That is why we have produced a line of books that will hopefully teach parents how to achieve that. Chen Hes Smart Parenting: The Strategies for Raising Children Aged 0 to 6, for instance, sold more than 30,000 copies within four months of its launch.

As for publishers present-day race to outbid one another for rights, Fu, of Tomorrow Publishing House, is pragmatic but uninterested. Partnerships are built on trust and confidence, not on the highest bid for a specific title that may last only a short period. I take the time to study the publishers that I want to work with so that I have a good understanding of their lists and working philosophy. I want to make sure their professionalism and sense of responsibility resonates with mine. This process requires time and patience. And in the current competitive publishing industry, which is saturated with capital investment that brings new entrants every time you look, patience is in short supply.

Currently, the one immediate issue that is hampering the whole industry, says Li, of CCPPG, is the rising cost of paper, around 30%, within the past 16 months. With production costs going up, profit is down and less money is left for research and development. This will impede future growth, as new products and strategies are constantly required to meet shifting market demands. For Li, the signs are clear: Growth in traditional publishing has slowed down much more significantly in recent months than in previous years. Revenue is mostly flat. To survive, one must think, and look, outside the box.

And many of the answers, Li says, can be found within Chinas latest education reform, which will take effect in 2020 and is set to reduce homework and standardized examinations while moving toward an employment-oriented educational system. This reform is the biggest boon to the Chinese childrens book industry. Schools are attaching more importance to reading services, and fulfilling the demands from millions of students and teachers will driveand reshapethe industry, Li says, adding that the second-child policy together with a rapidly expanding middle class will create an even bigger market for publishers.

At the same time, Li believes his counterparts should rethink their editorial programs. Our industry pays little attention to topics such as children being left behind in rural areas, migrant parents leaving to work in cities, only-child issues, and second-child challenges, Li says. The titles currently in the market gravitate toward fantasy and history. Realism is a big missing piece. And given that most Europeans and Americans do not have a clear picture of China and how Chinese people and children live, it is important that we produce content based on present-day realities, to strengthen the information and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world.Mention pop science in China and one blockbuster comes to mind: The Magic School Bus. It has remained the #1 childrens title since its launch in 2010, with online retailer Dangdang selling nearly half a million copies in an average year. On Singles Daywhich is the equivalent of Black Friday in China and falls on November 11no less than 250,000 copies of books in the series are shipped from Dangdangs warehouse.

So far, Beijing Dandelion Childrens Book House, the Chinese home of The Magic School Bus, has translated 68 titles in the series. The authors ability to simplify complex scientific knowledge and reasoning into plain language that children can understand is the key to its popularity. And this ability is not easy to come by, locally or overseas, says foreign rights manager Jing Bo, whose team has recently introduced the German series Forschen, Bauen, Staunen von A bis Z to Chinese children.

Forschen, Bauen, Staunen von A bis Z, which Beijing Dandelion discovered at the 2014 Frankfurt Book Fair, uses innovative and creative strategies to make unique and beautiful things using various materials. Jing says, Aside from having great content, the seriess colorful and attractive design caught our eyeand the eye of many parents and children when it was launched at the 2017 Shanghai International Childrens Book Fair in November. Sales of the German series have exceeded 5,000 sets.

Beijing Dandelion also translated Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinskis Maps and Under Water, Under Earth, as well as Robert E. Wellss Wells of Knowledge science series. Wells, for instance, offers a unique learning concept through comparisonsbig and small, fast and slow, old and young, and so onthat attracts children, parents, and teachers, Jing says.

For New Buds Publishing House, Croqsciences (from Editions Nathan) marks their first foray into the pop-science segment. Featuring a whole years worth of science experiments with monthly themes and two weekly tests, this 16-volume series highlights the role of the father in family education and child development. This is a science title that doubles as a parent-child bonding tool, explains editor-in-chief Ma Yuxiu, whose team translated the series in 2016, redesigned the original flap books, and added science kits to suit the demanding Chinese market with its much lower price points. The team has also translated Scholastics Discover More series.

At Thinkingdom, the German book Uber Land und durch die Luft: So reisen die Pflanzen has proven to be a winner. When this title came out in 2010, there were very few titles in the Chinese market that combined scientific knowledge and artistic beauty. Parents and educators embraced this book, which then became mandatory reading in many primary schools, says Li Xin, vice president and general editor of the childrens books division.

Another translated pop-science bestseller at Thinkingdom is the five-volume Stone Age Geometry series, which has sold 95,000 copies since 2016. Prepublication, Lis team spent considerable time thinking of a suitable Chinese title and preface and the appropriate marketing approach. Geometry and everyday life are intertwined, but geometry is a particularly abstract discipline, Li says, adding that it is also difficult for parents to explain geometry to their children. So we came up with the idea of promoting this book by using examples in everyday life, such as the general preference for holding conferences at a round table instead of a square one. This strategy successfully aroused public interest in the book, which we promoted heavily through various sales channels, old and new, retail and social.

The increasing popularity of pop-science titles in the Chinese book marketand the disproportionate amount of translations on the bestseller listis obvious to general manager Liu Qian of Beijing Bright Culture Development Company. Sourcing local scientists to work on pop-science series is tough, Liu says. Often, their works are just too high level for children, and dumbing down is not a good solution. On the other hand, there is this perception that the Q&A format is the go-to style for pop-science titles, though children, parents, and teachers are tired of being inundated by titles in this format. Lius team is working on an original series, tentatively set to launch in 2019, which he hopes will meet market needs in an innovative way.

A six-title picture book series on currency and circulation is also on the way from Beijing Dandelion. According to Jing, How to provide correct and factual information at a level that children of a specific target age group can comprehend and accept is the biggest challenge in this segment. This makes us even more determined to publish an original series that addresses this gap in the market.

At Thinkingdom, the pop-science genre has become such a major part of the company that a Childrens Science Books editorial department was specifically created in June 2016. While there is no shortage of science writers in China, finding those who can write for children is a different matter altogether. Providing serious and rigorous scientific knowledge in a fun, lively, and entertaining way while finding a format, illustrations, and a design suitable for children is not easy, Li says, pointing out that when it comes to working with local authors, we need to assess not only their professional skills but also the suitability of their creative works for children.

Achieving the same levels of creativity and innovation that come from markets with established picture book and pop-science traditions, such as Europe, Japan, and the United States, is another challenge. Li says that two questions need to be answered: How do we retain the Chinese characteristics within the works and how do we get these works accepted internationally? This is where our new Childrens Science Books editorial department with more defined responsibilities comes into the picture.

Over at New Buds, its original pop-science series, Dont Do, Dont Know: Science Is Really Wonderful, originated with a China Central Television program. We retain the wonderful experiments and explanations while updating the text with current applications in local and international contexts as well as with predictions. It brings experimenting and science exploration into the classroom and students daily lives. This series adds value to the original TV program, making it even better and more popular, adds Ma.

Pop-science publishing in China has certainly changed since the early days of the Q&A format, which was popularizedand is still monopolizedby Juvenile & Childrens Publishing Houses 100,000 Whys series.

The biggest challenge to the genre today, Ma of New Buds says, is the surge of payment-based knowledge acquisition, which ranges from relatively low-cost online courses to top-of-the-line field tripsall of which tempt people to acquire knowledge through nontraditional methods. From the supply-side perspective, it is faster and easier to deliver knowledge through voice or video than through books. From the demand side, Ma finds that these innovative and efficient methods have changed conventional thinking on knowledge acquisition.

Ma also observes a shift in format and delivery of pop-science content, which has made this genre even more popular. Today, the content focus is on getting children to understand science principles in everyday life and to develop their scientific reasoning at a very early age. So pop-science titles now target a much younger audience than before, adds Ma, who finds pop-science publishing fun to do, in part because it allows her to learn something new.

Now that parents and children have access to excellent books, both foreign and local, they have cultivated a discerning taste for quality titles, Jing of Beijing Dandelion says. This is pushing publishing houses to produce more attractive and value-added titles, those with unique formats and styles and those that involve new technologies such as augmented and virtual reality. But, Jing reiterates, regardless of style or technology, the whole publishing premise relies on delivering quality content to readers. So while it is cliched, the phrase content is king remains true. This years Bologna Childrens Book Fair, running from March 26 to 29, will have more than 1,300 exhibitors. What they will find when they arrive is a fairground under construction: halls 29 and 30 have been dismantled, and their usual exhibitors have been moved to halls 21, 22, and 32.

It was a challenge to move everyone, largely because the shape of the halls is different, says Elena Pasoli, group product manager of the fair. But it is only for one year. She notes that halls 29 and 30 will reopen next year, which will again require another move. It is a challenge for some publishers, but we really think they are going to love the new halls when they see them.

The construction is likely a minor inconvenience in what looks to be an engaging program of conferences, exhibitions, award ceremonies, and events. New this year is the inaugural European Childrens Bookstores Conference, which will be held on March 29 and is expected to draw more than 100 booksellers from across the Continent and the U.K. Featured speakers include Julia Eccleshare, former childrens book editor at the Guardian, and Thierry Magnier, publisher and president of the Groupe Jeunesse of Syndicat National de lEdition in France. We want to create a space at the fair where booksellers are welcome, and our intention is, in the future, to extend this to include all international booksellers, Pasoli says.

Other new events include a half-day conference covering audiobook publishing, with representatives from Audible, the Audio Publishers Association, Disney, and Storytel, among others. Another half day of panel discussions will be devoted to childrens books about art, architecture, and design, featuring Steven Guarnaccia, illustrator and professor at Parsons School of Design; Allyn Johnston, v-p and publisher of Beach Lane Books at Simon & Schuster; Silvana Sola, curator of the Childrens Books on Art project and professor of history of illustration at Istituto Superiore per le Industrie Artistiche in Urbino, Italy; and others.

One of the highlights for me this year will be the opportunity for the fair to mark the 65th anniversary of the New York Times Illustrated Childrens Books of the Year, Pasoli says. The event will be celebrated with a speech by childrens book historian Leonard Marcus, as well as a pair of panelsone dedicated to editors and art directors, and another to illustratorshosted by Maria Russo, childrens books editor of the New York Times.

As always, exhibitions of books and illustrations are highlights of this years event. One pavilion, situated between halls 21 and 22, will feature more than 200 works originally displayed in a church in downtown Bologna to mark Pope Franciss visit to the city earlier this year. It is being presented under the title Nurturing a Youthful Humanism and will bring together books on topics including peace, war, refugees, migrants, and family.

Yet another exhibit will showcase more than 100 picture books related to the performing arts and movies, and it will be on display at the Cineteca film archive in the citys center. The exhibition is an extension of the fairs working relationship with Pitti Immagine Bimbo, the semiannual childrens fashion show, for which the books were initially curated. The idea behind the partnership is to help childrens illustrators craft relationships with fashion houses, who may commission or license illustrations for use in apparel designs.

China is this years guest of honor at the fair and will offer an exhibition of ancient Chinese illustrated books and some 3,000 current titles. The country will be represented by at least 100 exhibitors. China is going to be a massive presence, says Pasoli, who is also now working on the Shanghai International Childrens Book Fair, which was taken over by BolognaFiere in December last year.

Shanghai is just one of numerous international projects where Bologna is taking a lead, including the New York Rights Fair, which it is coproducing with Publishers Weekly. It is part of our effort to bring the world together, Pasoli says. Were no longer in a world where anywhere can be thought of as developing markets. When it comes to childrens books at Bologna, we are all on a level playing field.

To underscore this statement, Pasoli points to La Plage by Sol Undurraga, which was the 2018 winner of the Opera Prima Ragazzi Award (an award given to debut authors): The author is Chilean, and the publisher [LAgrume], who is French, discovered his work here at the fair in 2014 in the Illustrators Exhibition. Pasoli added that Latin American publishers and illustrators were coming to the fair in increasing numbers each year. And Undurraga will be one of the featured guests taking part in a conference titled Identity and Diversity in Latin American Illustration on March 26.

Illustration, naturally, remains central to the proceedings at Bologna. Last year, the fair introduced a new feature, the Illustrators Survival Corner, a dedicated space for publishers to conduct portfolio reviews that offers programming catering specifically to young illustrators looking to get into the business. This year, that program is being expanded and is moving adjacent to the Digital Cafe in Hall 32.

I think there is synergy there with the youth of many of the illustrators and the digital programming, Pasoli says. To wit: the Digital Cafe will itself be hosting a new event, called the iDeasfest, which is showcasing digital projects from several university students in Italy, France, and the U.K.

Neal Hoskins, who programs the Digital Cafe, pointed out that interest in the digital side of childrens publishing is booming. There was a five-fold increase in entrants for the Bologna Digital Ragazzi Awards this year, he says. The Digital Cafe is adding a new professional lounge, which will itself be a staging area for several companies looking to license content and possibly develop it into television adaptations and AR/VR experiences. Among the marquee names on hand this year will be Apple, Google, and Netflix.

Licensing opportunities are becoming even more prominent at the fair. The hall housing the Licensing Rights Fair is packed this year, says Pasoli, who anticipates having to move the event to a larger space in 2019. Speaking of moving, she promises that although some people may feel inconvenienced by the changes, next year things will be better.

I really think everyone will be impressed by what is being built on the fairgrounds, Pasoli adds. It is going to be a lot more open, there will be more light, better food, and overall, I think an even better experience, which is saying a lot because Bologna is already so great.

This article has been updated to reflect that Amazon will not be participating in the Digital Cafe as we had initially reported.With the re-institution of a comprehensive, pro-life policy that blocks the use of taxpayer dollars to pay for overseas abortions, the United States stands as a beacon of pro-women health policy this International Womens Day.

One of the first official acts of the Trump administration was to re-institute the Mexico City Policy, which bars nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) from receiving U.S. aid dollars if they conduct abortions or actively promote the procedure as a method of family planning. The policy does have an exception for abortions in cases of rape, incest, or when there is a risk to the mothers life. First implemented by President Ronald Reagan, the policy has been in place under each Republican administration and rescinded by each Democratic administration since. The current administration also expanded the policy, applying it to all groups that receive global health assistance funds from the United States, rather than just groups that receive family planning funds.

This policy reflects how Americans feel about their tax dollars being used to pay for elective abortion procedures. A decade of annual polling on abortion by Marist, the polling company for the Wall Street Journal, NBC News, and Thomson Reuters/McClatchy, shows that a majority of Americans oppose using tax dollars for abortion, whether its done in the United States or overseas. According to this years poll, 60 percent of Americans oppose taxpayer funding for abortion procedures. The poll also found that six in 10 women oppose this use of taxpayer funds.

These facts didnt stop proponents of an abortion-on-demand agenda from attacking the policy. A spokesperson for Planned Parenthood called it deadly. But the policy is truly life-affirming, ensuring that women and their unborn babies have access to NGOs that provide them with comprehensive health care, not enterprises that run on profits from abortions.

As the Mexico City Policy goes into full effect, Marie Stopes International and Planned Parenthood have chosen to forgo receiving U.S. foreign aid dollars so that they can continue peddling abortions overseas, showing where their priorities truly lie. These two organizations, though touting themselves as womens health-care providers, have elected to cease providing women with health care rather than provide that care without access to abortion. This decision shows that these organizations elevate abortion over life-saving medical care.

Marie Stopes and Planned Parenthood are in a very small minority of organizations that prioritize abortion over womens health. According to data found in a recent State Department report, of the 733 organizations that receive U.S. funding for health care, just four groups  including the International Planned Parenthood Federation and Marie Stopes International  refused to comply with the terms of the policy.

Americans United for Life applauds the reinstatement and expansion of the Mexico City Policy. American taxpayers deserve to know that they are funding aid that helps people in impoverished nations to live healthy lives, not ends new ones. And women around the world deserve medical care from health organizations that put their health, not abortion, first.

If they really want to be womens health-care providers, Planned Parenthood and Marie Stopes International should look to the other 729 organizations that have agreed to the terms of the policy as examples. Until then, they will be nothing more than fringe abortion activists.

Catherine Glenn Foster is President and CEO of Americans United for Life.In the fragmentary profiles of Christopher Steele, even in the glowing ones, he emerges not as a subtle spy but as a bumptious political activist. He has been described as very left-wing, a little creep who embraced socialism in college, an ambitious debating society president who invited a representative of the PLO to speak at Cambridge University, a showy but charmless operator ill-suited to intelligence work, an idiot whose mischief-making has made his old colleagues in British intelligence look like Kremlin-manipulated dupes. He is less James Bond than James Carville.So much is happening on so many fronts involving the president that it leaves those of us who try to follow it all gasping for air. Until now, this served Trumps interest: the less we can focus any one thing the less trouble hes likely to seem to be in. Despite my college freshman English professor admonishing us to never use the word seemIt is or it isnt, he insistedI use it here because what we in Washington see may not comport with underlying reality. The most prominent example of this is Robert Muellers investigation of Russias role in the 2016 election and the Trump campaigns possible role in that effort. But the impressive secrecy of Mueller and his team has left us with scraps of information from witnesses and their lawyers, and none of them has the complete picture of what Mueller is seeing.Athens, GA (30605)

Today

Cloudy with periods of rain. High 74F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 69F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.A military veteran who had been treated for post-traumatic stress disorder burst into a veterans home in the North Bay town of Yountville on Friday with a rifle, killed three women connected with the treatment program and then killed himself, authorities and program officials said.

Law enforcement officers found the bodies of the victims and the killer at the Veterans Home of California-Yountville shortly before 6 p.m., more than seven hours after the incident began, said Chris Childs, an assistant chief of the California Highway Patrol.

Authorities had earlier said the gunman was holding staff members of the Pathway Home, a program on the Veterans Home campus that had been treating him for PTSD until he was asked to leave several days ago.

One of those killed was the programs executive director, Christine Loeber, the Pathway Home said in a statement. Also killed were Dr. Jen Golick, a therapist with the program, and Dr. Jennifer Gonzales, a psychologist with the Department of Veterans Affairs in San Francisco, the statement said.

The CHP did not release the killers name, but a knowledgeable source identified him as Albert Wong. The source said he and the three victims were shot to death.

The tragedy began around 10:30 a.m. when the gunman walked into a staff meeting of Pathway Home, a program that treats combat veterans for PTSD. State Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, whose district includes the center, said the man had been asked to leave several days ago, for unknown reasons.

The gunman exchanged fire with a Napa County sheriffs deputy, whom Childs credited with preventing the killer from finding other victims. The deputy was unharmed.

Some witnesses said 20 or more shots were fired. The gunman took the three women hostage, along with two additional unidentified people whom he released a short time later.

The gunman then barricaded himself with the hostages inside a room in one of the buildings on the 9,000-acre Veterans Home campus, located about 10 miles north of Napa. It was there that authorities found the bodies of the victims and killer just before 6 p.m. It was not immediately known when they died.

The discovery came after fruitless hours of trying to contact the man, said Napa County Sheriff John Robertson.

We do know who he is, Robertson said at an afternoon news conference. Weve been trying to contact him by his own cell phone and phones in the (Veterans Home) dormitory.

Childs said the killers phone was found inside his parked rental car near the site of the hostage taking. Authorities checked the car for explosives after a bomb-sniffing police dog signaled that they may be present. None was found.

Dodd said the killer was a war veteran who had entered the Pathway Home program last year.

The Pathway Home has focused in recent years on post-9/11 veterans from California, many of whom transition to higher education to pursue studies at Napa Valley College, Santa Rosa Junior College and elsewhere. It was a setting of the 2017 fictional movie Thank You for Your Service, about a Marine platoon leader with PTSD.

Loeber, 48, a social worker with her masters from Boston College, worked at Department of Veterans Affairs clinics in San Francisco and Menlo Park before coming to the Pathway Home.

In an interview with The Chronicle when the movie came out, Loeber said, When these people are in combat, their systems are programmed to keep them alive under incredibly stressful situations. Nobody helps them understand that when they get back they have to reprogram their nervous system to operate at a different caliber so they can be successful civilians.

According to her Linked In page, Golick was clinical director at the Pathway Home. She described herself as a licensed marriage family therapist with more than 16 years of clinical practice.

Loeber, Golick and Gonzales were brave women (and) accomplished professionals who dedicated their careers to serving our nations veterans, working closely with those in the greatest need of attention after deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Pathway Home said in its statement.

President Trump offered his condolences early Saturday. We are deeply saddened by the tragic situation in Yountville and mourn the loss of three incredible women who cared for our Veterans, he said in a tweet.

According to radio transmissions between officers at the scene and dispatchers, the man who burst into the Pathway Home on Friday was a 36-year-old veteran wearing a stash of bullets around his neck and his waist.

Larry Kamers wife, Devereaux Smith, is a development director for the Pathway Home. She was among those present at the staff meeting, which also included a going-away party for departing employees, when the gunman entered.

Smith was able to escape before he opened fire, Kamer said.

Shes obviously quite shaken up, he said. Just imagine, youre at a normal workday gathering and a man walks in with a rifle, and hes ex-military. Its very scary.

Hostage negotiators from the Napa County Sheriffs Department, city of Napa Police Department and the FBI tried all day to contact the gunman, Childs said.

Much of the Veterans Home was locked down for the day. About 80 schoolchildren rehearsing a play in a theater some distance from where the gunman was holed up were whisked away in a bus to safety.

Friends and relatives of residents and employees waited anxiously at the entrance to the property, some distance away from the main buildings. After the initial gunfire, Fernando Juarez, 36, of Napa, began exchanging text messages with his sister, Hirma Vanessa Flores, a 22-year-old caregiver who works inside. Her texts said she was unharmed and that all she can hear is yelling, Juarez said

As of late last year, some 850 people lived at the Veterans Home. The center is across the street from the Napa Valley Museum in Yountville on California Drive and is more than 133 years old.To understand America's great gun divide, visit Springfield, Massachusetts -- birthplace of the $17 billion-a-year U.S. firearms industry.

Famously liberal Massachusetts -- with among the strictest gun-control laws and the lowest shooting-death rate -- is the king of guns. By the latest federal tally, Massachusetts accounted for a quarter of the 11.9 million made each year, more than any other state, according to Small Arms Analytics, an industry research firm.

Springfield is the unofficial capital of "Gun Valley," the chain of factories and suppliers that extends from Smith & Wesson and Savage Arms in Western Massachusetts to Sturm Ruger & Co. and Colt in Connecticut.

Along with its snub-nosed revolvers and 9 mm pistols, Springfield-based Smith & Wesson makes the popular AR-15-style assault rifles -- including the very weapon used to murder 17 students and teachers on Feb. 14 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

But residents can't walk into a local gun shop and buy the latest Smith & Wesson's M&P15 "modern sporting rifle,'' as the company prefers to call it. By and large, Springfield's own elected officials favor those restrictions, and even the town's economic boosters de-emphasize an export that contributes to 13,000 homicides a year in the U.S.

"The contradiction is striking," said John Rosenthal, a gun owner and founder of Stop Handgun Violence in Massachusetts. "We couldn't be more proud of the results of our gun laws, and we couldn't be more embarrassed that Massachusetts gun makers are wreaking havoc across the nation."

Kevin Kennedy, Springfield's chief economic development officer, calls Smith & Wesson a "good citizen." But he likes to shift the subject to a planned MGM Resorts International casino, which will become the city's biggest employer. Smith & Wesson has slashed its manufacturing workforce by a quarter over the past year. It now employs 1,000 or so, according to Kennedy.

Smith & Wesson gets short shrift in a two-minute city promotional video, called "Springfield Rising." It lauds the casino, restaurants and new rail car factory. No mention of guns.

The camera hovers for a split second over Smith & Wesson headquarters -- described only as a "legendary manufacturer" - then quickly moves to the parking lot, where cars are sheltered under an array of solar panels. "Innovative Solar Project," it reads, as if Smith & Wesson were in the green energy business.

Smith & Wesson's headquarters, a prisonlike beige-brick compound encircled by high fences and barbed wire, literally stands apart from much of the city of 150,000 and isn't open to the public. The company, now officially called American Outdoor Brands Corp., declined to comment.

This cold shoulder bothers gun enthusiasts in Springfield, 90 miles west of Boston and 140 miles north of New York City.

Just outside the city limits, Walter Lamon sells guns at Culverine Firearms, where photos of soldiers adorn a store packed with boxes of Smith & Wesson revolvers.

His business, like Smith & Wesson's, boomed under President Barack Obama because of fears of gun confiscation and fell under National Rifle Association booster Donald Trump. Shares of American Outdoor Brands have lost almost two-thirds of their value since the 2016 presidential election.

Lamon, 70, loathes Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, D, who tightened the state's assault weapons ban. A photo of Healey, with a hand-drawn Hitler mustache, hangs on a wall, reading "Heil Healey."

In Massachusetts "the gun industry and people like me are vilified," Lamon said. "That's because the majority of folks have a more liberal bent."

For almost a decade, David Upton, 34, managed orders for Smith & Wesson and experienced the gun divide even in romance: When he was dating, some women recoiled in horror at his employer, while others asked if he could take them shooting.

"The joke when I was there is that we can't sell 90 percent of the guns we make to people who live in the state," he said.

Upton, who now works at a craft brewer, said his old job has since moved to gun-friendly Missouri. In fact, Massachusetts may be losing its status as a gun leader, as manufacturers ship operations to the South and Southwest, according to Jurgen Brauer, Small Arms Analytics' chief economist.

"Increasingly, these kinds of companies feel they're in a little bit of a foreign land culturally," Brauer said. Employees bristle at being "constantly affronted by anti-gun sentiment when they go to church or the grocery store."

Springfield's firearms focus dates to the Revolutionary War, when George Washington selected the city for the nation's first armory, which functioned as a U.S. Army gun factory for almost two centuries.

There, inventors transformed the muzzle-loading rifle of the Civil War era into modern breech-loading weapons and then World War II's signature M1 Garand rifle. For the Vietnam War, the armory was the site of testing for the M16 rifle, the military version of the AR-15.

A half mile away, the Springfield Museums offer visitors the Smith & Wesson Gallery of Firearms History. Sponsored by the company, it features 1890s pistols engraved by Tiffany jewelers and a prized nickel-plated. .357 magnum.

"FOR MECHANICAL SKILL, STRENGTH, ACCURACY AND PENETRATION THEY ARE UNEXCELLED," reads an early Smith & Wesson add featuring a man in a cowboy hat and handle-bar mustache.

But Karen Fisk, the museum's marketing director, says few tourists visit that gallery; they flock instead to the new museum honoring Springfield native and author Dr. Seuss.

Bud Williams, a former schoolteacher and probation officer, focuses less on the history of guns and more on their impact today. As a state representative, his district includes Smith & Wesson. More often than he likes, he finds himself comforting the families of gunshot victims in a city whose violent crime rate rivals Chicago's. (Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg News parent Bloomberg LP, donates to groups supporting gun control, including Everytown for Gun Safety.)

"This is supposed to be a civilized society, why are there so many guns?" he asks.

To take guns off the streets, Williams, a Democrat, is planning a buyback program. In 2013 and 2016, such efforts netted hundreds of guns that were later destroyed -- though a handful of the most valuable are stored at Springfield's famed armory, now a museum run by the National Park Service.

In other words, Springfield celebrates, manufactures, sells -- and destroys -- guns.TORRINGTON  The Torrington Fire Department celebrated the recent promotion of three of its members and the efforts of an unsung hero Thursday night.

Deputy Fire Chief David Tripp, Assistant Chief Robert Shopey III, and Lieutenant Randy Chesanek were pinned by loved ones during the ceremony, marking their ascension to new ranks in the department.

Tripp was promoted to deputy chief in February, succeeding the late Christopher Pepler, with Shopey and Chesanek rising in rank to fill the resulting void.

All three were sworn into their respective roles by Mayor Elinor Carbone Thursday, pledging to make their best efforts to serve residents and act in the role to the best of their ability.

Shopey, the son of former police officer and Winsted Fire Chief Robert Shopey, said he always wanted to follow in his fathers stead as a public servant, but was unsure which path to take.

He eventually settled on becoming a firefighter  he was hit by fireworks as a child, and wanted to try to make sure that didnt happen to anyone else  and joined the Torrington Fire Department in 2010.

(Its) something I always wanted to do, said Shopey.

Chesanek said he was excited to take on the new job. He started as a volunteer firefighter and knew quickly it was what he wanted to pursue as a career. He joined the Torrington Fire Department in 1998, driven by the satisfaction of being able to help people.

Firefighter Andrew Corjulo was also presented with a Meritorious Service Award, and was praised for his dedication to his job and the department.

This is a special award for someone who just comes to work every day (and) does his job, and his officers felt it should be brought here to you  and I agree, said Fire Chief Gary Brunoli.

Corjulo said he always wanted to be a firefighter, driven by the same initiative that prompts others to do the job  a desire to help people. He joined the Torrington Fire Department in 1995.

It means a lot (to be recognized), he said.

Lieutenant Mark Garrison made a point of praising Corjulo Thursday.

Garrison said he and Corjulo had worked together since 1997, when they were tailboard partners.

Andy is the informal leader of the department, not only for his work ethic, but his professionalism as well, said Garrison. He is looked up to by everyone in the department.

Garrison said that those with questions, especially young members of the department, seek out Corjulo for help.

Hes a very committed individual, said Garrison.Dozens have been killed after Taliban militants ambushed Afghan security forces in the western province of Farah, sparking an hourslong gunbattle.

Farid Bakhtawar, head of the provincial council, said eight special forces and 10 police officers were killed in a predawn attack by the Taliban in the Bala Buluk district on March 10.

Bakhtawar said some 40 Taliban militants were also killed in the battle, which lasted around five hours.

He said air strikes were called in to support Afghan security forces.

Defense Ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said only four members of the Afghan special forces had been killed and a number wounded.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujhaid claimed responsibility for the attack.

At least 18 Afghan soldiers were killed after Taliban militants attacked a security checkpoint in Bala Buluk district on February 24.

On February 20, Taliban attacks on police checkpoints in Farah killed eight police officers. The provincial government said 13 militants were also killed in the fighting.

Farah Province, one of the poorest in the country, is situated on the border with Iran in the far west of Afghanistan.

Farah has experienced months of fighting, with some people accusing the security forces of collusion with Taliban militants involved in cross-border smuggling and drug trafficking.

On January 24, hundreds of people took to the streets of Farah, the provincial capital, protesting about the lack of security and calling on provincial leaders to resign. Six people were reportedly injured in the protests.

Some local officials have accused Iran of providing insurgents with funds, weapons, and explosives -- allegations that Iran denies.

The Kabul government has deployed hundreds of additional troops to Farah to thwart the Taliban's offensive.

The attack in Farah came just days after 17 Afghan soldiers were killed by Taliban militants in attacks on army checkpoints in the northern province of Takhar, on the border with Tajikistan.

The Taliban and the Islamic State militant group have stepped up their attacks on Afghan troops and police in recent months.

Afghan soldiers have taken what the United Nations describes as "shocking" casualties since international forces ended their combat role at the end of 2014, though troop casualty figures are no longer released.

With reporting by Reuters and APAt least 10 suspected insurgents were killed and 13 wounded in an operation by Afghan security forces in the southern province of Helmand, authorities say.

Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security (NDS) said in a statement on March 10 that the operation was conducted in the Khoshkaba area of Helmand's capital, Lashkar Gah.



Eight other suspects were arrested, the NDS said.



During the operation, security forces seized weapons and explosive materials, including suicide vests and a car bomb, NDS said in the statement.



Suspected insurgent hideouts were also destroyed in the operation.



Afghan security forces also seized caches of weapons in separate operations in southeastern Paktika Province.



No further details were provided about the operations.

Meanwhile, the death toll in a March 9 Kabul suicide bombing claimed by Islamic State has risen to 10, the Afghan Health Ministry said on March 10.

Twenty-two people were injured in the attack in the predominantly Shi'ite neighborhood of Dasht-e Barchi.

One police officer was among the dead.

With reporting by dpa and tolonews.comAzerbaijan's two main opposition parties on March 10 held a rally calling for a boycott of the presidential election that was moved forward to April 11.

The Musavat and the National Council of Democratic Forces have both announced they will not take part in the election after President Ilham Aliyev last month issued a decree bringing forward the date of the election to April 11 from the original date of October 17.

Several thousand people gathered on March 10 in the capital, Baku, to take part in the rally, jointly organized by the two parties and sanctioned by authorities.

Aliyevs decree did not explain the reasons for the decision but said the move was made in accordance with Azerbaijans constitution and the countrys Electoral Code.

The constitution was amended in a controversial referendum in September 2016. The amendments have allowed Aliyev to order early elections.

Authorities reportedly switched off the Internet in the area for the duration of the rally to prevent the live broadcast of the action on social networks.

Members of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (IHPP), which is part of the National Council, said that police warned them not to take any illegal action.

Before the rally, Gulaga Aslanli, one of the Musavat leaders, said that more than 20 activists of the party, including himself, were threatened by police.

Police also warned participants to use only preapproved slogans, such as "End The Monarchy" -- an apparent swipe at the Aliyev family's grip on power -- "Free Political Prisoners," and "End Corruption."



Azerbaijan's opposition, as well as Western governments and international human rights groups, have criticized Aliyev's government for persistently persecuting independent media outlets, journalists, and opposition politicians and activists.

Aliyev, who has ruled the oil-producing South Caucasus country of nearly 10 million people since shortly before his father's death in 2003, has shrugged off the criticism, and authorities deny that there are political prisoners in the country.

Recent international corruption investigations have also found that Aliyev's family makes frequent use of offshore companies to hide its wealth and mask the ways it gains shares in Azerbaijan's most lucrative businesses.Croatian prosecutors announced that they have charged 22 ethnic Serbs with war crimes committed during the conflict in the 1990s.

The Zagreb Prosecutor-General's Office said in a statement on March 10 that the 22 Croatian Serbs were accused of killing 20 civilians and two policemen being held prisoner in three areas in the east of the country in 1991.

The Serbs belonged to a paramilitary group operating in the east, during the 1991-95 war between Croat and Belgrade-backed Serb forces that claimed some 20,000 lives.

The prosecutor's office said eight of the suspects ordered the 14 others to molest, beat, and murder Croat civilians and to illegally take [the civilians] hostage.

The charges also claim that the eight ordered the others to torture and kill prisoners of war and burn and destroy their homes and businesses.

The charges claim that the suspects were also responsible for large-scale shelling that killed civilians and destroyed their property.

The alleged crimes were committed in the villages of Cetekovac, Balinci, and Cojlug in Croatias eastern region of Slavonia in September 1991.

Based on reporting by Balkan Insight and AFPBritish police arrested four people who had climbed on to a balcony of the Iranian Embassy in London and waved flags in an apparent protest against the government in Tehran.

London police said on March 9 that the four men, who remained in custody, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and being unlawfully on diplomatic premises.

The men, who did not manage to get inside the building, came down voluntarily after around three hours.

Images posted on social media showed four men in black clothing on the balcony of the embassy, waving a blue and white flag.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said Tehran protested to the British government over the incident, according to the IRNA state news agency.

The report said supporters of an "extreme cult" living in Britain were responsible.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi protested to the British ambassador in Tehran, demanding "absolute protection of our diplomats in London and immediate dealing of the police with the attackers," IRNA reported.

Britain's Foreign Office spokesman said in a statement: "The safety and security of diplomats and diplomatic missions in the U.K. is of paramount importance to us."

In 1980, six gunmen who supported a dissident Iranian group took over the Iranian Embassy in London, taking more than two dozen hostages.

After a six-day siege, British special forces raided the building, killing five of the gunmen and arresting another. Two of the hostages also died.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP

BRUSSELS -- Georgia's membership in NATO could contribute to the stability of the alliance and Europe as a whole, President Giorgi Margvelashvili has said.

In an interview with RFE/RL on March 10 in Brussels, Margvelashvili outlined Georgia's main objectives for an upcoming NATO summit in Brussels in July.

We want [NATO] membership. We say we want to be there, we say we deserve to be there, we say we have done everything to be there," Margvelashvili said.

"There are numerous factors that are depending on Georgia, including trade communications, including major trade routes that are going from East to West or the other way around, including the stability of the Black Sea [region]. Those are European and Euro-Atlantic factors, and bringing in Georgia is extremely important.

At the 2008 Bucharest summit, NATO agreed that Georgia and Ukraine will become members of NATO in the future, but no firm date has been set, although the membership perspective for the two countries has been reconfirmed at every summit ever since.

Georgia's advance toward eventual membership has been blocked largely due to the frozen conflicts with its Russia-backed separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which have declared independence from Georgia.

Russia recognized the regions as independent states following the 2008 war with Georgia, a move that very few countries have followed.

Margvelashvili said that Russia's rhetoric and actions, including the 2008 war against Georgia and its support for separatists in the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, should advance his country's case for membership in the alliance.

You just have to switch on the TV and listen to what the Russians are saying. They are very sincere," Margvelashvili said, adding, "We heard recently that Russia wants to recreate a bipolar world resembling the Cold War [era].

When someone tries to impose this kind of thinking, I think that this is something we should be very carefully listening to...If the acknowledgement of those problems appears to be high on NATO's agenda, then Georgia's case [for membership] should be rushed ahead much faster."

There has been speculation that Georgia at the July summit might ask that NATO's mutual-defense clause, Article 5, which requires all members to come to the aid of any other member under attack, apply only to the territory which is effectively under Tbilisi's control, and not to the two breakaway regions.

However, Margvelashvili did not give a clear answer on whether the issue will be brought up at the summit.

We are not in depth of discussion to that extent, though we have seen cases in NATO history [such as West Germany] where nations which were split into parts became members of NATO, with the commitment that at some point of the window of opportunity this will be solved peacefully.

"We are not discussing this [issue] right away. I guess the discussion was triggered by those historic cases. But we are very sure and firm and confirmed on our path to NATO, the Georgian president concluded.Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has reiterated that Kyiv is seeking a Membership Action Plan (MAP), a formal step toward joining NATO.

Poroshenko, in a post on Facebook on March 10, said a MAP was Ukraine's "next ambition" on the path toward eventual membership in the 29-country Western alliance.

"This is what my letter to Jens Stoltenberg on February 2018 was about, where, with reference to Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty, I officially [set out] Ukraine's aspirations to become a member of the Alliance," Poroshenko wrote.

A Membership Action Plan is a multistage process of political dialogue and military reform to bring a country in line with NATO standards and to eventual membership. The process can take several years.

Poroshenko's comments came after NATO updated its website to include Ukraine alongside three other countries -- Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, and Macedonia -- that have declared their aspirations to NATO membership

Countries that have declared an interest in joining the Alliance are initially invited to engage in an Intensified Dialogue with NATO about their membership aspirations and related reforms, the NATO website said.

The next step toward possible membership is a MAP. But a NATO official told RFE/RL that the alliance has not changed its position on Ukraine.

"NATO's policy remains the same," the official said. "There has been a change in Ukraine's policy, which the website reflects."

Under former President Viktor Yanukovych, Kyiv said it was not interested in joining NATO. But Kyiv has sought NATO membership since the 2014 antigovernment Maidan protests that toppled Moscow-friendly Yanukovych and ushered in a pro-Western government.

Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada on June 8, 2017, passed a law making NATO integration a foreign policy priority.

In July 2017, Poroshenko announced that he would seek the opening of negotiations on a MAP with NATO.

Ukraine is currently embroiled in a war with Russia-backed separatists in part of its eastern regions that has killed more than 10,300 people and displaced hundreds of thousands since April 2014.A newly established opposition group held its first rally in the Armenian capital on March 10.

Supporters of the Front for the State of Armenia group gathered in Liberty Square in Yerevan, where they called for the creation of a provisional government and the release of political prisoners.

The groups leaders called on opposition political parties to join hands and prevent outgoing President Serzh Sarkisian from retaining power after his second and final term expires in April.

Armenias parliament on March 2 elected Armen Sarkisian, who has no relation to his predecessor, as the countrys next president.

Following a referendum in December 2015, Armenia changed its form of government from a semipresidential to a parliamentary republic.

As a result, presidential veto powers are being stripped from the post and the presidency is being downgraded to a figurehead position elected by parliament every seven years rather than a direct popular vote.

The constitutional reforms coming into effect also limit an Armenian president to a single seven-year term.

Skeptics see the constitutional reforms as a way for outgoing President Sarkisian to maintain political control in Armenia by becoming prime minister when the mandate for his second five-year presidential term expires on April 9.The British government held another top-level security meeting on March 10 to discuss the poisoning of a Russian ex-spy and his daughter with a nerve agent.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said after the meeting it was still "too early" to say who was behind the poisoning of Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, who both remain in critical condition.

The March 4 attack on Skripal, 66, and Yulia, 33, in the southern English city of Salisbury is being treated as attempted murder.

Rudd said the investigation has involved more than 250 counterterrorism officers. She said more than 240 pieces of evidence have been collected and 200 witnesses have been identified. Around 180 troops, including chemical warfare experts, have been deployed in Salisbury after investigators requested specialist assistance.

Police said Skripal and his daughter were poisoned with a nerve agent but have refrained from specifying which one.

Meanwhile, Skripal continued to provide Western intelligence agencies with information after arriving in Britain as part of a spy swap in 2010, media are reporting.

The Financial Times and other British news outlets, citing British security sources, reported on March 9 that Skripal continued to discuss Russian intelligence capabilities with Western agencies, although his value as a source "quickly faded."

He was useful for a limited period, a senior security source who asked not to be identified told The Financial Times, which cited Skripal's continued cooperation with the West as a possible motive for his poisoning.

Skripal, a retired Russian military intelligence colonel, was convicted by a Moscow military court in 2006 of "high treason" for passing the identities of Russian intelligence agents to Britain's Secret Intelligence Service, or MI6, in return for $100,000. He was one of four Russian prisoners released in 2010 in exchange for 10 Russian sleeper agents.

While it wasnt spying, there was an ongoing use after Skripal's release in 2010 for information he provided to Western intelligence services, particularly as they trained their own spies, a second official told The Financial Times.

"This is what the Russian priorities were; this is how they infiltrate the West, how they recruit, how to counter intelligence...these types of things. Especially as we train people up, that was an ongoing use, the official said.

The security officials told The Financial Times and other media that Skripal may have given occasional presentations and talks to U.K. military and intelligence personnel after arriving in Britain.

The security officials told The Financial Times, however, that reports Skripal continued to work in recent years for private companies that do work for British military and intelligence agencies were not credible.

The news about Skripal's activities during his exile in Britain came as Britain's Ministry of Defense said some 180 troops, including some chemical experts, have been sent to Salisbury to remove ambulances and other objects involved in the incident.

Counterterrorism police, who are leading the investigation, said "the public should not be alarmed," adding, "Military assistance will continue as necessary during this investigation."

British authorities have called the poisoning an "appalling and reckless crime" that they are treating as "attempted murder" and have said they will respond appropriately if evidence shows Moscow was behind the incident.

Moscow has denied involvement and asserted that anti-Russian hysteria is being whipped up by the British media.

Police said a total of 21 people were treated in hospital following the incident, but only Skripal, his daughter, and Nick Bailey, a police officer who was among the first to respond to the incident, remain hospitalized.

With reporting by The Financial Times, Reuters, AP, BBC, AFP, and Interfax

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he "couldn't care less" if Russian citizens sought to meddle in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, insisting that the Kremlin had nothing to do with the efforts.

"Why have you decided the Russian authorities, myself included, gave anybody permission to do this?" Putin asked in an often-combative interview with NBC News aired late on March 9.

U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller last month indicted 13 Russians and three Russian companies and charged them with running a social-media campaign to sow political divisions in the United States and help Donald Trump win the presidency.

"So what if they're Russians?" Putin told NBC. "There are 146 million Russians. So what? I don't care. I couldn't care less.... They do not represent the interests of the Russian state."

Putin said that the indicted individuals are "not working for the government" and suggested instead, "Perhaps some of them worked for one of the candidates."

The most well-known of the Russians indicted, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has ties to Putin and the state. Prigozhin is accused of funneling money into the St. Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency, which is often described as a notorious "troll factory" and which is also named in the indictment.

Despite Mueller's 37-page indictment detailing charges against the Russians, Putin said he has seen no evidence that their actions broke any law. He was emphatic that he would never extradite the suspects to the United States to face trial.

"We in Russia cannot prosecute anyone as long as they have not violated Russian law," he said.

Putin rejected allegations that Russia sought to interfere in the election, despite the conclusion last year by U.S. intelligence agencies that he personally directed a campaign to do so in 2016.

"Could anyone really believe that Russia, thousands of miles away...influenced the outcome of the election? Doesn't that sound ridiculous, even to you?" Putin asked NBC interviewer Megyn Kelly.

"It's not our goal to interfere. We do not see what goal we would accomplish by interfering," Putin said.

The U.S. intelligence agencies concluded in January 2017 that in addition to aiding Trump, for whom they said the Kremlin had developed a clear preference, Russia's aims included undermining faith in the U.S. electoral system and denigrating Trump's main rival, Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton.

During the campaign, Clinton signaled that she would be tough on Russia over actions such as its interference in Ukraine, and Putin's relationship with the former secretary of state has been marked by sometimes palpable tension. As he prepared to return to the presidency in 2012 after a stint as prime minister, Putin accused Clinton of fomenting antigovernment protests in Russia.

Last month, U.S. intelligence chiefs said Russian attempts to meddle in U.S. politics are continuing unabated and pose a threat to midterm congressional elections in November.

Trump himself has repeatedly refused to condemn Russia over the alleged meddling and has said that he admires Putin as a strong leader.

Putin suggested in the interview that the reason Trump has seemed deferential to him is he knew upon taking office that he needed to develop a "cooperative relationship" with Russia and thus he needed to treat his counterpart with respect.

On another issue, Putin told NBC he has no plans to change the Russian Constitution to eliminate term limits on his presidency.

"I have never changed the constitution. I have no such plans today," he said.

With reporting by AFP

Over the past 2 1/2 years, the Armenian authorities claim to have identified and thwarted no fewer than four conspiracies by armed militant groups to overthrow the country's leadership. Two of those groups are currently standing trial, and in both instances the prosecution's case against the accused is perceived as less than convincing.

This perception serves to substantiate the widely held belief that, in the words of the opposition Zharangutiun party, the Armenian leadership is engaged in "isolating, bullying or morally degrading by means of fabricated accusations politicians, freedom fighters, and [other] persons respected and trusted by the public.

One of the two groups involved is the so-called Armenian Shield Regiment, whose members are accused of amassing weaponry with the intention of seizing government buildings and assassinating President Serzh Sarkisian.

The other comprises Zhirayr Sefilian, leader of the radical opposition movement 100 Years Without The Regime, and six other men accused of forming an illegal armed group with the aim of instigating mass unrest and seizing government facilities, charges they deny. In February the prosecution demanded an 11-year sentence for Sefilian and prison terms ranging from two to 4 1/2 years for his six co-defendants, one of whom denies even knowing Sefilian.

The charges against Sefilian are partly the result of his radical views. He has repeatedly criticized the current Armenian leadership and called for its replacement. But lawyers for the accused say the prosecution has not produced sufficient evidence to substantiate the charges against him or his co-defendants. The trial has been overshadowed by, and formally linked to, events that took place weeks after Sefilian's arrest in June 2016 -- namely, the seizure and occupation by an armed group with links to Sefilian of a police station in Yerevan, in the course of which three police officers were killed.

Sefilian, 50, is a Lebanese-born Armenian who participated in the 1992-94 fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh and was awarded one of Armenia's most prestigious military medals. He was first arrested in 2007 on a charge, which he rejected as politically motivated, of illegal possession of arms, and was jailed for 18 months.

In 2014, he established the radical opposition group Founding Parliament that launched a campaign for President Sarkisian's resignation timed to coincide with the April 2015 ceremony to mark the centenary of the Armenian genocide. Sefilian then cofounded, together with former presidential candidate Raffi Hovannisian, the New Armenian Public Salvation Front that in late 2015 staged several poorly attended protests against the planned constitutional amendments that transformed Armenia from a presidential to a parliamentary republic. He was summoned for questioning in November 2015, and again in January 2016, and warned that he risked being jailed if he did not give up his political activity.

Sefilian was arrested again in June 2016, just weeks after he had criticized Sarkisian for ruling out any attempt to recapture a small part of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh district regained by Azerbaijan in an offensive in April. Sefilian had also announced plans to create a National Resistance Committee with the stated aim of ridding Armenia of what he termed "a treacherous government and of "taking over as soon as possible, with the help of the people and the army, the function of governing the country.

Sefilian's arrest served as the catalyst for the most serious challenge to political stability in recent years. On July 17, 2016, a group of 31 gunmen, most of them affiliated with Founding Parliament, stormed a police station in Yerevan's Erebuni district, killing one police officer, fatally injuring a second, and taking five more hostage to demand Sefilian's release and Sarkisian's resignation.

Sefilian's offer to try to mediate a peaceful solution to the standoff went unheeded. On July 30, a third policeman was killed in an exchange of fire. The gunmen finally surrendered the following day.

Initially, Sefilian was charged only with illegal possession of weapons and planning to stage mass unrest. Then a further charge was brought against him in November 2016 of forming one year earlier a number of illegal armed groups with a total strength of 200 to 300 men with the intention of seizing a TV tower and other government facilities in Yerevan in December 2015 and May 2016. According to the prosecution, that plot was foiled when police discovered and confiscated the arms Sefilian had purportedly amassed for that purpose. The case against Sefilian was combined with that against the Sasna Tsrer gunmen.

The trial of Sefilian and his six co-defendants opened in Yerevan in late May 2017. The defendants and their lawyers sparred repeatedly with the presiding judge over procedural issues. Only one -- Hovannes Petrosian -- testified against Sefilian, who he said ordered him to reconnoiter the TV tower. All seven men pleaded not guilty. One of them, Nerses Poghosian, twice went on hunger strike, protesting that he did not know Sefilian personally and was never affiliated with Founding Parliament.

Sefilian's lawyer Tigran Hayrapetian pointed out that the 200 to 300 members of the armed groups Sefilian has been accused of setting up have not been identified and apprehended, and that the prosecution failed to explain why, given that those groups had allegedly been established in late 2015, Sefilian had still not implemented his plans to seize government facilities before his arrest in June 2016.

Questions also arose with regard to the weapons said to have been acquired: two Kalashnikov rifles plus 120 bullets, which would appear to be woefully inadequate for the alleged purpose. An eighth man, Artur Movsisian, who like Poghosian denied having ever met Sefilian, went on trial in the town of Hrazdan in August 2017 on a charge of storing some of those weapons  even though he was living in Russia at the time. He was found guilty and jailed for three years, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reported on December 4.

In December, following repeated verbal clashes with the presiding judge, for which he was removed from the courtroom several times for contempt of court, Sefilian denounced the trial as stage-managed on orders from the country's leadership and refused to testify. He then boycotted the next hearing, the news portal Caucasian Knot reported on January 12.

As for the Sasna Tsrer fighters who actually occupied the Yerevan police precinct, they were divided into three groups that are currently being tried separately, as is opposition politician Andreas Ghukasian. Ghukasian, 47, went on hunger strike in early 2013 in an ultimately unsuccessful bid to persuade Armenia's Central Election Commission to bar Sarkisian from the February ballot in which he sought reelection on the grounds that his Republican Party of Armenia is "abusing its position in the state and cannot be an honest rival to other participants of the elections," RFE/RL's Armenian Service reported on January 21, 2013.

Ghukasian was arrested in late July 2016, together with three prominent Zharangutiun members, and charged with inciting to "mass disturbances the more than 1,000 people who congregated close to the besieged police station in a mark of support for the Sasna Tsrer gunmen's demands. Ghukasian has consistently rejected that charge as politically motivated. In November 2017, a witness at his trial claimed that Ghukasian urged protesters to throw stones at police, and that he intended to join Sasna Tsrer. Ghukasian challenged the prosecution to prove video evidence substantiating the former allegation, which it has not done to date.

The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect those of RFE/RL.Armenias National Security Service announced in early December that an arrest warrant was issued for a U.S. citizen of Armenian descent who allegedly set up a radical group named Fighters For Justice and plotted terrorist attacks against senior Armenian officials.

If those allegations prove true, Fighters For Justice would be the fourth group in two years to be implicated in an alleged attempt to undermine or overthrow Armenia's ruling regime.

Dozens of people affiliated with three separate groups are currently on trial on such charges.

That trend suggests either that latent discontent with the countrys leadership has reached a dangerously high level or that the Armenian authorities harbor a chronic mistrust of any person, informal organization, or group perceived capable of mobilizing broad popular support and thus posing a threat to political stability -- even though most political analysts consider such fears misplaced and unfounded in light of widespread public apathy and resignation.

One prominent case involves Lebanese-born Zhirayr Sefilian, who heads the radical political formations 100 Years Without The Regime and Founding Parliament.

Sefilian was arrested in June 2016 and charged with establishing an illegal armed formation, illegal possession of weapons, and plotting to instigate mass unrest and seize government facilities. The case against him was subsequently merged with that against a separate armed group calling itself Sasna Tsrer (Daredevils Of Sassoun). It stormed a Yerevan police station in July 2016 to demand Sefilians release and President Serzh Sarkisians resignation. Three police officers were killed before the gunmen surrendered two weeks later.

The second case centers on the Armenian Shield Regiment group, which was apprehended on suspicion of amassing weaponry with the intention of carrying out political assassinations and other terrorist acts.

Eleven members of that group, including its leader, Artur Vartanian, were arrested in November 2015. More suspects, including former Deputy Defense Minister Vahan Shirkhanian and an elderly Armenian Catholic priest, were arrested in the following weeks, bringing the total in custody to 33.

In March 2016, senior National Security Service official Mikael Hambartsumian divulged details of the investigation, which he said had established that the group was plotting to seize the presidential palace and other government buildings. He said group members had also discussed the possibility of shooting down Sarkisians plane, although Vartanian had not made a decision on whether to do so.

Vartanians lawyer, Levon Baghdasarian, admitted that its members had acquired the weapons (which included 10 automatic rifles, pistols, two rocket-propelled grenade launchers, 60 hand grenades, explosives and explosive devices, and several types of ammunition, together with communications equipment) confiscated during a search of the house they had rented in Yerevan, but categorically denied they had any intention of seizing government buildings and ousting Sarkisian, RFE/RLs Armenian Service reported on November 21, 2016.

But Baghdasarian declined to clarify for what purpose Vartanian had stockpiled the weapons and explosives.

Four members of the group were sentenced in September on charges of illegally acquiring weapons on Vartanians orders. Twenty more -- including Vartanian and Shirkhanian -- were formally charged with membership in a criminal group, illegal possession of weapons, and plotting to seize power.

They went on trial in early December 2016, at which point the priest, Father Anton Totonjian, told RFE/RLs Armenian Service that the entire case is fabricated.

Totonjian later admitted in court to having given Vartanian $60,000 but denied the money was meant to finance the alleged coup, RFE/RLs Armenian Service reported.

Shirkhanian, 70, who is in failing health, rejected as untrue and politically motivated the claim that he suggested to Vartanian that the group should assassinate the president rather than simply seize government buildings, RFE/RLs Armenian Service reported on July 24, 2016.

Given that Armenia was ranked in 2014 by a German think tank as the third-most militarized country in the world (after Israel and Singapore), the fact that both Sasna Tsrer and Vartanians group had weaponry at their disposal is hardly surprising. But possession of arms, although itself a criminal offense, does not necessarily imply the intention to resort to force and stage a coup, even if, as in the case of Sefilian, the accused had publicly advocated bringing about regime change.

However incautious or inflammatory their rhetoric, it is incumbent on the prosecution to provide convincing evidence that the accused intended to move from words to deeds. But in the cases of both Sefilian and the Armenian Shield Regiment, the prosecutions case appears to have been based on incomplete or dubious evidence. That perception, together with numerous alleged procedural violations formally protested by defense lawyers, in turn fuels suspicions that the objective in bringing at least some of the accused to trial may have been to intimidate or silence outspoken critics of the ruling regime or people believed capable of mobilizing opposition to it.

The latter category also includes Samvel Babayan, the charismatic former commander of the armed forces of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, who was affiliated with an opposition grouping established by three former government ministers in the run-up to the Armenian parliamentary election last year. Babayan was arrested in March 2017 and accused of money laundering and acquiring through intermediaries -- at a price of $50,000 -- an Igla ground-to-air missile.

The prosecution never specified for what purpose Babayan wanted the missile, and one of his associates, Sanasar Gabrielian, admitted that it was he who sought to buy it from Robert Aghvanian, an Armenian living in Georgia, with the intention of making it available to the Nagorno-Karabakh army.

But Aghvanian sold the weapon to another man who did not implicate Babayan in the deal.The court nonetheless jailed Babayan in November 2017 for six years.

In a December 2017 statement cited verbatim by the news portal Caucasian Knot, seven Armenian human rights organizations alleged that the persecution of people for political reasons, judicial investigations with a predetermined verdict, a wave of pressure and defamation at the behest of the authorities, have become the norm in Armenia.

That tactic of arresting groups of people whose political affiliations were deemed to pose a threat to the regime dates back to the early years of Armenias post-Soviet history.

In December 1994, President Levon Ter-Petrossian ordered the arrest of 32 members of the then-opposition Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutiun for their alleged links to a clandestine terror organization code-named Dro, the existence of which was never definitively demonstrated. Some were released in the summer of 1995; others who were tried and sentenced were pardoned shortly after Ter-Petrossians resignation in February 1998 by his successor, Robert Kocharian.

The Armenian authorities continued acute sensitivity to the threat of political destabilization is nonetheless understandable in light of two factors.

The first is the October 1999 attack by armed gunmen on the Armenian parliament that left the prime minister, the parliament speaker, and six others dead. At their trial, which began two years later, the self-styled leader of the five gunmen said he intended to seize the parliament building and overthrow the government.

The second is the state of undeclared war with Azerbaijan over the predominantly Armenian-populated Nagorno-Karabakh region, which following a referendum in 1991 proclaimed itself a republic and declared independence from Azerbaijan, of which under international law it is a constituent part.

Although that state of not peace, but not war has continued since a 1994 cease-fire agreement, the underlying, persistent fear of renewed hostilities was reinforced by the political impact of the fighting in April 2016 along the 230-kilometer Line of Contact separating Armenian and Azerbaijani forces dug in east of the disputed territory. Some 70-80 Armenian servicemen died during the fighting, in which Azerbaijan succeeded in retaking a very small part of the territory over which it had lost control in the early 1990s.

The Armenian losses were in part the consequence of conscripts being issued insufficient equipment and being hampered by shortages of ammunition and weapons.

Those failures reinforced the perception that official corruption, which the authorities have for years downplayed and sworn to curtail, has become entrenched and endemic to the point that it now poses a direct threat to national security.

That military vulnerability has, in turn, been exacerbated, first by Russias perceived flouting of Armenian strategic interests in pursuit of a rapprochement with Baku, and second, by the ongoing uncertainty over how the configuration of power within the ruling elite will change in April 2018 following the end of Sarkisians second presidential term and the transition to a parliamentary republic in which the prime minister becomes the countrys most powerful political figure.

Despite those legitimate concerns, the authorities reliance on countering perceived threats to political stability with poorly substantiated criminal charges seen as politically motivated is likely, in the long-term, to compound long-standing public frustration at the seeming impossibility of bringing about political change by means of free and fair elections.

The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect those of RFE/RL.U.S. allies might be asked to increase their financial commitments to NATO to avoid new U.S. tariffs on their exports of steel and aluminum to the United States, the U.S. Treasury secretary has said.

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin told CNBC in an interview on March 9 that President Donald Trump will take national security into account in deciding which countries to exempt from the tariffs, and he noted that Trump wants to see NATO allies spend more on defense.

Mnuchin said Trump is specifically pushing to get NATO allies to spend the agreed goal of 2 percent of their gross domestic output on defense.

"We're spending 4 percent of GDP and many of our allies are spending 1 percent of GDP and not making commitments to go up to 2 percent, so the president is very clear.... If we're in NATO, he wants to make sure that NATO gets more money so that NATO can protect all of us and fulfill its goal," Mnuchin told CNBC.

Trump cited national security concerns as his reason for imposing a 25 percent tax on U.S. steel imports and a 10 percent tax on aluminum imports, saying that imports are "killing" the U.S. steel and aluminum industries and a nation that wants to defend itself must have a viable metals sector capable of supplying weapons manufacturers.

When he announced the tariffs on March 8, Trump indicated that European spending on NATO was on his mind. He singled out Germany for criticism both for its large trade surpluses with the United States and because it remains below the 2 percent NATO spending target.

"Many of the countries that treat us the worst on trade and the military are our allies," Trump said. "That's not fair."

Germany, which spends about 1 percent of economic output on defense, has committed to increase spending but not enough to bring it up to the 2 percent goal.

Trump exempted only Canada and Mexico from the tariffs, citing their "shared commitments" with the United States on national security. The White House said Trump will consider exempting other U.S. allies on a case-by-case basis.

Germany and other U.S. allies in Europe have said they will seek exemptions, given their longstanding alliance with the United States through NATO.

Mnuchin told CNBC that he has been speaking with his foreign counterparts and "my expectation is there may be some other countries that [Trump] considers in the next two weeks" for exemptions.

Countries seeking exemptions from the tariffs will have to make their case through U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, but the president will make the ultimate decision, officials said.

Lighthizer was expected to be in Brussels this weekend for meetings with European officials.

The European Union has warned that if the United States does not exempt NATO members, they could retaliate with tariffs on U.S. exports, including steel and agricultural products such as peanut butter, cranberries, and orange juice.

Philip Levy, a former trade adviser in President George W. Bush's administration, told AP that the flaw in Trump basing his tariffs on national security was that military allies could ask to be excluded, undermining the president's stated purpose of protecting domestic steel and aluminum mill jobs.

If national security is the primary issue, analysts said the United States might end up exempting major economic competitors in Asia and Europe such as Germany and Japan from the tariffs -- leaving China and Russia as the main targets.

Russia is the third-largest exporter of aluminum to the United States and the fourth-largest exporter of steel. China is the second-largest aluminum exporter to the United States and is not among its top seven steel suppliers.

While China does not directly export much steel to the United States, it is the world's largest steel producer and has been widely blamed for causing a glut of steel on world markets.

With reporting by CNBC, AP, and AFP

Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection to file complaint against Hotel Acuario de Tulum

Tulum, Q.R. The Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) says it will file a complaint with the Federal Attorneys Office against Hotel Acuario de Tulum for violation of an ordered closure.

Workers have carried on with construction while the company continues to ignore the closure seals imposed by Profepa for lack of permits.

The hotel project, which is located inside the Tulum National Park, was paid another visit by Profepa officials who found seven men laying bricks on the closed project.

Hotel Acuario de Tulum was shut down by Profepa for failing both security checks and lack of permit verification, in particular, they are without the Environmental Impact Authorization issued by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.

Tulum National Park has a large variety of mangroves, which contain different species of flora and fauna of the region as well as delicate beach areas and cenotes. These areas of the park are protected by the Mexican Federal Government.US Embassy again revises alert, announces reopening of consulate office

Playa del Carmen, Q.R.  The US Embassy in Mexico City has again revised its alert and now reports they will resume normal consulate operations with the reopening of their Playa del Carmen office.

The consular agency of the United States in Playa del Carmen will resume operations on Monday, March 12. They are also lifting the employee travel ban to Playa del Carmen, however, employees are still prohibited from utilizing ferry services.

US government personnel and citizens are now authorized to travel to Playa del Carmen / Riviera Maya, however, the embassy has listed several city neighborhoods citing a security threat saying that the circumstances surrounding the security threat affecting the neighborhoods is separate from the threat against ferries operating between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel.

The latest update from the US Embassy now says:

Due to an ongoing security threat, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City is revising its travel restrictions to Playa del Carmen for U.S. government personnel. U.S. government personnel are prohibited from travel to Centro, Calica, Gonzalo Guerrero, Quintas del Carmen, and Villas del Carmen neighborhoods of Playa del Carmen. These neighborhoods are bordered by Avenida Benito Juarez, 50 Avenida Sur (Highway 307), and Calle 34 Norte.

U.S. citizens should avoid those neighborhoods until further notice. U.S. government personnel are authorized to travel to resort areas in Riviera Maya including those near Playa del Carmen that are outside the restricted neighborhoods of this Alert.

Absent additional changes in the security situation, the U.S. Consular Agency in Playa del Carmen will reopen for normal operations on Monday, March 12.

The circumstances surrounding the security threat affecting the above neighborhoods is separate from the threat against ferries operating between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel. U.S. government personnel are still prohibited from using ferry services between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel until further notice. U.S. citizens should not use ferry services operating between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel.

During this past week, state governor Carlos Joaquin Gonzalez along with Marisol Vanegas, Secretary of Tourism of the state of Quintana Roo, have demanded answers from the US Embassy regarding their decision to place a travel restriction on their US employees.

A meeting has been requested by Mexican government officials with the US office, a meeting that has been granted for March 12. During this time, the state released a public statement saying that regardless of the US employee restrictions, tourism remains normal with an 80 percent occupancy rate.Kibithoo To Kanyakumari to Koteshwar (K2K2K) doesnt just sound ambitious, it is in fact a ride to be documented. The K2K goal is real for a multitude of riders. Why not? It does in fact help you discover the vast plains and ghats of a diverse country.

Going by the moniker, Abhi is not home, Abhi Surendran enjoys being a traveller. Three years earlier, the solo rider mapped his own K2K from Kozhikode to Kathmandu to Kolkata, via Bhutan.

K2K2K Ride: From Kibithoo (Arunachal Pradesh) to Kanyakumari to Koteshvar. Kibithoo is the easternmost point in India. Abhi got on with this great adventure on December 23rd 2017  at Kibithoo. While the original plan was to ride to Kanyakumari, fellow rider Twinkle Kapdi who rode from Kutch to Kibithoo convinced him to visit Kutch. The destination in the west is set as Koteshvar temple in Kutch, Gujarat.

With a flexible dateline, Abhi hopes to complete the trip by May 1st. Earlier this week, he completed the first proper leg of the journey, having reached Kanyakumari on March 4th. Making the most of his rides, he was able to dock the bike in Calcutta for a week to embark on a short trip to Andamans. That sojourn lasted a week. A break is good for the soul.

The roadmap takes your from the eastern hinterlands and is pretty much a coastal trip for the reminder of the journey. One things for certain. Why go from west to east when you can pretty much squeeze in a trip to the south. One may ask why Abhi is making the effort. Its a leisurely trip and doesnt involve a campaign or cause, and theres no deadlines to be met. Ride when you are up for it. Sit back when you fell like it. And theres always the opportunity to ride into one of many small towns and villages that we tend to skip on road trips, and otherwise. Heres to what you and your four year old Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 is perfectly capable of. Cruising they say.Back In August 2017, Ridham Dey, alongwith his dad, Abhijit Dey embarked in what can be considered an epic trip in itself. A father and son riding duo with a specific riding goal.

The initial riding goal was detailed, and the riding duo pursued and the teen has inked his name in the record books. India Book Of Records has recognised the ride with the following title  Motorcycle rider to ride to all seven motorable extremities of mainland India at the age of 18. If you thought 18 was too young, think of Ridham Dey.

In Ridham Deys words,  I just cant express my joy in words. Its something that Ive waited for such a long time. Thanks to my dad Aabhijit Dey. Hes been a motivation for me all thought my life. Secondly to my mom. Without her love and support dad and I couldnt have completed this ride. Also thanks to all my friends out there who were there at my home when required and got things sorted out. These two bikes that we had. Royal Enfield Thunderbirds proved to be what they are made for. Actual touring bikes. Be it the rugged terrain of Umling La at 19300 ft, the rains of the northeast, the highways, this beast will take you anyplace you want to. Ride safe. Always wear your gears.

Finally it's here. It's official. India Book Of Records. MOTORCYCLE RIDER TO RIDE TO ALL SEVEN MOTORABLE EXTREMITIES OF Posted by Ridham Dey on Thursday, 8 March 2018

One India, One Ride outline laid out in August 2017 is as follows. Trip Details:-

Q1. How many major geographical areas you will cover in your expedition?

A1. We will be visiting seven major geographical landmarks of India as accepted by Wikipedia and Google. Between Khardung La and Mana Pass, only one of them needs to be considered for the record. To be on the safer side, we will be travelling across both the passes. The list to be considered for the record is as under:-

Landmark Highlights for One India, One Ride.

I Turtuk, Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir Northern most inhabited village under Indian Control

II Kibhithoo, Anjaw, Arunachal Pradesh Eastern most inhabited village under Indian Control

III Kanyakumari,

Tamil Nadu Southern most inhabited village in mainland India

IV Guhar Moti,

Bhuj, Gujrat Western most inhabited Indian village

V Karondi, Jabalpur

Madhya Pradesh Central most Indian village

VI

Khardung La, Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir Highest motorable road in India (Debatable)

Mana Pass, Joshimath

Uttarakhand Highest motorable road (Technically, most acceptable)

VII Kuttanad, Kerala Lowest motorable place in India

Q2. How many team members will be there for expedition?

A2. Two riders. Me and my son, Ridham Dey. We will be riding on two Royal Enfield Thunderbirds. There may be local riders who may accompany us over short distances to share our experiences.

Q3. What will be the total distance you will travel?

A3. Approximately 14,000 kms. Exact distance cannot be estimated due to the diversions that need to be taken to overcome road blockages due landslides and political situations.

Q4. Total duration to complete this expedition?

A4. 55 days is the estimated duration. However, changes may be imposed by mechanical problems, adverse weather conditions and political situations. The progress of the expedition will be informed to via email, SMS and whatsapp whenever internet connectivity is available.

Q5. Any social issue and motive is there to attempt this expedition?

A5. The central theme is One India, One Ride and symbolically we are starting on 15 Aug from J&K and plan to end on or before 02 Oct at Kasturba Gandhis memorial in Aga Khan Palace, Pune. In this single ride we intend to bind together the four geographical extremities along with the centre of India. There are three prime issues, apart from the incidental motive about generating confidence about personal safety and security among travelers in India.

Firstly:- Less Cash Economy. We will be attempting to make cash less transactions and thereby judge the penetration of Less Cash Economy in the geographical spread of India. There will be places where cashless transactions are not possible. But, even in these places, the querries that we raise about cash transaction facilities will help to generate awareness on the subject.

Secondly:-Go Green. We will plant a sapling in each of the five villages and leave the tree to grow in the custody of a person to monitor its growth.

Thirdly:- Road Safety. Our journey across Indian road will help us to interact with a lot of drivers. We intend using the opportunity to spread consciousness about road safety by sharing our experiences. Because of being a father and son team, we have been successful in holding the attention of uckers truckers in all the stops that we make in road side dhabas and these truckers are our prime target audience.

Q6. Would you like to go for on-spot adjudication?

A6. I am not very clear about how adjudication would work in this expedition since my destinations points are in remote areas. However, I am open to the idea if you can organize judges for the adjudication in the remote areas. Notwithstanding the above, I will be generating corroborative proof of my travels by taking down contract details of village heads, police stations, post offices and military authorities. Photographs with permanent structures, mile stones, sign boards will be a mandatory action. Any other requirement desired by IBR will be met as far as possible.

3. Indian Record Holders at World Stage. We will not be able to participate in this edition of Indian Record Holders at World Stage because the expedition cannot be completed before 31 Aug. However, we remain thankful to you for the consideration you gave.

Ridham Deys correspondence with India Book of Records Team in the days preceding the ride is as follows:- We have received the mail with all your needed information. Please to inform you that this will be a record. You can go ahead with all your planning and arrangements to do this record.

After the completion of your record, you are required to send all the documents along with duly filled application form, claimant form and evidences. Please find the attached forms and do send us by courier after the successful completion of your record attempt. On the basis of your evidences and supported documents, our team will verify your attempt. And will suggest you for the final record title.SAUGATUCK, MI - There's a 150-year-old barn at the heart and soul of Ken and Lisa Tornvall's home on the edge of this resort town.

Hand-notched beams that once held up a hay barn now create a rustic vibe inside the airy living spaces of the Tornvall's trendy home at 540 Campbell Road.

Although there's still a trolley for a hay mow in the peak of the roof, the old barn is now more suitable for dinner parties and family gatherings than threshing bees.

The Tornvalls, who built the house ten years ago, have put it on the market for $950,000 with Liz Engel of Century 21 Affiliated.

Ken Tornvall said they are spending more time at their other home in Evanston, Ill. these days and decided to put the house on the market.

The transformation from barn to home began in 2006 when Tornvall bought a barn near Eaton Rapids. Tornvall, a native of Queens, N.Y. said he was inspired by a friend who had rebuilt a barn in the Adironacks.

Built in the 1860s, the old barn had been used mainly to store hay. Though the siding was weather-beaten, the bones were solid and the roof intact.

Working with barnwright David Ciolek of the Michigan Barn Preservation Network, Tornvall dismantled the barn and hauled the old posts and beams to the wooded lot he had purchased in Saugatuck.

After he and Ciolek erected the beams for the house and put a roof on it, Tornvall realized he was in over his head when it came to converting the old barn into a home.

Hamilton home builder Larry Busscher came to the rescue. Over the next eight months, Busscher created a warm home using materials provided by the original barn and other donor barns.

To keep the interior walls clean, Busscher attached drywall to the exterior before covering the exterior walls with structured insulated panels and cedar sidings. Pella insulated windows were placed throughout to bring light into the rooms.

Rough-sawn oak planks were used to cover a radiant heating system that Busscher installed throughout the main floor. Ceilings were held aloft by salvaged barn beams using hand-fabricated steel hangers.

A floating staircase was built using thick planks that were once used for a horse stall. A claw-foot bath tub was reconditioned for the bathroom on the main level.

To keep the rustic atmosphere, Busscher built a free-standing fireplace in the living room with dry-stacked stones and a travertine hearth. Antique registers provide additional heat while wall-mounted air handlers provide cooling in the summer.

Outside the living room, Busscher built a steel beamed bridge and elevated deck that soars over the wooded ravine below.

The slate-floored kitchen was built as a lean-to with counter tops and a pair of farmhouse sinks made of soapstone. Appliances include a nine-burner commercial stove and a glass-doored refrigerator.

In the master suite, the walk-in shower was lined with clear green tiles with gold leaf backing - a salvage find from the former offices of Upjohn Corp. in Kalamazoo.

The upstairs loft is spacious underneath the tamarack rafters and a 42-foot beam salvaged from the old barn. Steel stair railings add a modern touch to the rustic setting.

The stairway also leads to a cozy bedroom or office space Busscher tucked underneath the roof.

On the lower level, a bank of windows in the family room look out over the wooded lot and wetland area. The lower level includes a guest bedroom and bathroom with a walk-in shower.

Outside, Busscher used barn timbers to build a single-stall garage they were able to squeeze onto the heavily sloped lot.

This is one in a series of articles we have published about High-End Homes in West Michigan. Here are similar articles we have published recently:Working with mice, Johns Hopkins researchers report they have found previously known skin itch receptors in the airways that appear to contribute to bronchoconstriction and airway hypersensitivity, hallmarks of asthma and other respiratory disorders. The investigators' experiments in mice suggest that the receptors' activation directly aggravates airway constriction and -- if the same process is active in people -- may be a promising new target for the development of drug therapies.

In a report on the study, published Feb. 5 in Nature Neuroscience, researchers say the biochemical receptor, known as a G protein-coupled receptor, was present on nerve cells in the lower respiratory tracts of lab mice.

"The findings give us a fuller picture of what airway reactivity looks like," says Xinzhong Dong, Ph.D., professor of neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Institute for Basic Biomedical Sciences.

Dong said he and his team were inspired to study "itchiness" in the airway by asthma patients who reported the sensation in their lungs just prior to full-blown asthma symptoms such as wheezing. Though he has been studying the G protein-coupled receptor on the skin for many years, Dong said he had not yet looked for it in other parts of the body.

Using fluorescent antibodies designed specifically to light up the receptor in mice, the investigators observed it on vagus nerves, which serve as a main biochemical connection between airway cells and the brain.

To explore the effects of the receptor on the airway, the researchers used a protein called BAM8-22, which is an itch activator that specifically targets the G protein-coupled receptor, to induce a reaction. They found that mice with the G protein-coupled receptor breathed more quickly and with more effort after exposure to the receptor activator than mice lacking it, evidence that the receptors are activated before an asthma-like attack.

Currently, asthma treatments such as anticholinergics target the hypersensitive nerves that connect the brain to so-called parasympathetic neurons in the smooth muscle of the airway.

To investigate what, if any, role vagus neurons have in this system, Dong and his team repeated the experiments, while also activating the airway smooth muscles using acetylcholine -- a neurotransmitter used throughout the nervous system to activate muscles. They found that stimulation of the G protein-coupled receptor increased airway constriction more than activating the airway smooth muscles alone.

The research team then infected specially bred mice carrying G protein-coupled receptors and those without the receptor with an influenza virus -- which is known to trigger asthma attacks in humans. When the researchers then administered acetylcholine to the mice through the nebulizer, they observed that mice with the G protein-coupled receptors reacted more vigorously than those with only smooth muscle reactions, and they also showed increased airway restriction compared to their counterparts without the receptor.

"We know that influenza stresses the respiratory system in humans. Through this test, we saw that in mice, activating our receptor made the reaction much, much worse," says Dong.

In the future, Dong hopes to identify a compound that can block the G protein-coupled receptor on vagus nerves as a means of stopping airway "itch" and curbing asthma.Being on the cutting edge of science and technology excites Hollings Cancer Center (HCC) researcher Carsten Krieg, Ph.D. Each day, he walks into his lab that houses a mass cytometry machine aptly labeled Helios. Krieg explains how it can heat plasma up to 6,000 degrees Celsius, levels comparable to temperatures found on the sun.

This allows the German native, who recently joined the faculty of the Medical University of South Carolina's departments of immunology and dermatology, to accomplish an interesting feat. He creates a sort of 'Instagram' of a person's immune system. For cancer patients on experimental immunotherapy treatments, the practical application is obvious and exciting, he said.

"What I use here is a very new and nerdy technology, which is called mass cytometry, that allows you with a very high sensitivity to make pictures of your immune system. And this is possible because there's artificial intelligence, machine learning combined with algorithms that can make a very complex system easy to visualize." ??Basically, how it works is that researchers stain cells using rare metal-conjugated antibodies that target surface and intracellular proteins. "Normally in biological tissues, there are no rare metals, so this technique offers greater sensitivity in detecting targets."

Inside the Helios, the cells are ionized using an inductively-coupled plasma. The ions derived from each stained cell are maintained in discrete clouds that can be detected in a mass spectrometer. The technique can potentially detect up to 100 markers per cell, although, due to practical restrictions, about 40 are more realistic, he said. Then researchers use artificial intelligence and bioinformatics to create a two-dimensional mapping that can read the results, creating an Instagram of millions of blood cells.

"It's an easy way to look at a complex response such as one you would find during immunotherapy."

This is critical as Krieg and other cancer researchers hope to advance the field of immunotherapy. Though immunotherapy has shown great promise, the vast majority of patients either don't respond, have adverse side effects or relapse. Krieg, who comes to HCC from the University Research Priority Program (URPP) in Zurich, Switzerland, wanted to know if the technology could be used to predict which patients might respond to certain treatments.

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While in Zurich, he and his colleagues decided to use the technique to study melanoma. Research featured on the cover and in the February issue of Nature Medicine, titled "High-dimensional single-cell analysis predicts response to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy" identified biomarkers in the blood that can predict whether metastatic melanoma cancer patients will respond positively to immunotherapy. The goal was to see if a blood test for these biomarkers could identity those who are likelier to benefit, while allowing "non-responders" to begin other treatments without losing time, he said. "It's a decision instrument for physicians and for the health care system."

It's also a powerful research tool as it gets to the mechanisms behind what makes immunotherapy work. The recent study found an immune cell type known as classical monocytes in the peripheral blood may be a potential biomarker for patients who will respond to anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint therapy in metastatic melanoma. "Surprisingly, what we clearly found is that it's the frequency of monocytes that is enhanced in responders over non-responders before immunotherapy."

Krieg said he was eager to join HCC to work with immunotherapy researchers here and to take advantage of the synergy he feels across departments. He wants to continue his work in melanoma as well as look at using this technique for other cancers, including head and neck, gastrointestinal and lung cancer.

Zihai Li, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and co-leader of the Cancer Immunology Program at HCC, said MUSC is fortunate to have recruited Krieg.

"He brings not only his wealth of knowledge in immunology but also his expertise in mass cytometry technology and its applications. This technique offers a powerful platform for high dimensional analysis of patients' blood on the single cell level."

Krieg's recent study in Nature Medicine demonstrates that the technique can be used in the clinics to profile patients' immune systems to better guide decisions about immunotherapy treatment. "Importantly, MUSC has already invested in this technology by obtaining a second-generation instrument," Li said. "Dr. Krieg's arrival will catalyze the rapid development and application of this technology to benefit the patients in the state of South Carolina."

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Beyond looking for predictive biomarkers, Krieg said scientists can use this technique to closely examine how cells interact in the microenvironment of the tissue and the tumor. "We now have Instagram pictures, a picture before therapy and a picture during therapy. But you can make many more of these pictures, so you're looking after three months, after half a year, a year," he said. "This allows more of a Facebook approach, so every time you get a picture of the immune system, you're getting context."

Krieg sees the technology as ushering in a new era in cancer research. Looking back only a couple of decades, chemotherapy was the main course of treatment, he said. Then science advanced to sequence genomes and find mutations in the DNA for which specific inhibitors were developed.

"After DNA and the transcriptome, the exciting thing about this technology is the next step in evolution: we're now looking at the proteome."

The proteome is the complete set of proteins being expressed by a genome or cell at a certain time under certain conditions. "I am so excited about the work because it's the next step in science. This actually is what makes the interactions happen, where the immune cell interacts with an immune cell or a tumor cell. We're studying this whole networking of cells in your body and how they react toward your environment and in immunotherapy.

Doing real-time monitoring in patients based on their specific genetic make-up and the immunotherapy treatment they are receiving opens all kinds of research possibilities. This allows physicians to apply precision medicine to help patients and researchers to use systems biology to discover the mechanisms of disease, he said.

"I hope to make a difference in the clinic so that patients are on the right therapy from the start. Then on the research side, we want to understand how this works. Which elements do you need, when? Which element of the immune system needs to be kicked in?"BART and Caltrain riders have been clamoring for Wi-Fi service on trains almost since the Internet was invented, while sniffing with incredulity at the absurdity of low-tech transit in a region that gave flight to a high-tech world.

Finally, they are about to get their wish  but it could take as many as three years for BART and four years on Caltrain.

BART is in negotiations with a vendor to install Wi-Fi in the transit systems 46 stations and aboard all of its 775 new cars and hopes to have a deal by summer, said Ravi Misra, chief information officer.

The stations will come first  in a year to 18 months after a deal is signed  then the cars. That could take about three years, Misra said. Each of BARTs new Fleet of the Future cars will come outfitted for Wi-Fi, something the existing cars dont have. BART expects to have a full fleet of the new cars by the end of 2022.

Its going to take some time, Misra said.

More for you What other Bay Area transit agencies are doing about Wi-Fi

Providing Wi-Fi for passengers on moving trains involves erecting poles and antennas along tracks to relay signals, work that primarily will have to be done when trains arent running, he said.

Once installed, that technology can also be used to support a variety of other services, Misra said, including better police communications, maintenance tracking, mobile payment and messaging.

Then there are applications focused on passenger convenience: sending messages to riders to inform them the train they usually take is running late or overly crowded, or even notifying them of discounts at businesses their train is approaching.

BART could also use its Wi-Fi technology to connect riders to their next mode of transit, offering directions or letting them know when their bus or shuttle will arrive. And when autonomous cars hit the roads, riders could arrange to have their car waiting for them at the station just as their train pulls in.

We want to cater to our customers, Misra said.

BART also expects to sell access to its Wi-Fi technology to retailers and other businesses. Misra estimates that could generate $10 million a year in revenue.

Caltrain carries some of the worlds most tech-savvy riders as its trains travel between San Francisco and Gilroy, but has never provided Wi-Fi, despite howls, and tweets, of protest. Caltrain officials had said that installing it was too costly and would steal money away from needed improvements to the 154-year-old commuter railroad.

But theres been a change of heart.

With Caltrains conversion from diesel to electric under construction, the system is installing the technology that will be needed to provide Wi-Fi. Caltrain is on schedule to start running electric trains in 2022, said spokeswoman Tasha Bartholomew.

As with BART, however, Caltrains Wi-Fi will work only on its new trains. Plans call for 75 percent of the trains to operate under electrical power at first, with the rest running on diesel until the railroad can afford to dump its old locomotives. Caltrain hopes that a possible federal grant could allow it to replace its entire fleet of cars in four years, delivering not only faster and more frequent service but also Wi-Fi on all trains.

Wi-Fi is a top priority, Bartholomew said. I know people have urged us to get it, and we need it. Especially with these new (rail) cars, theyll be hottest thing out there, so theyll have Wi-Fi.

BART riders got an ever-so-slight taste of Wi-Fi service between 2009 and 2014. WiFi Rail, a Sacramento company, promised to install the service systemwide but was never able to provide it to more than 5 percent of the system, mainly in downtown San Francisco and Oakland, BART reported in 2014.

Passengers complained that the service was weak, spotty and unreliable, and BART terminated WiFi Rails 20-year contract. The company sued BART. The lawsuit is pending.

Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan

Wi-Fi and transit

Nationally, the number of transit agencies that provide Wi-Fi service is rising, according to the American Public Transportation Association. But its still relatively low for subway-type systems like BART, with less than 1 percent offering the service, compared with 38 percent for commuter trains, 56 percent for longer-distance commuter buses and 16 percent for transit buses. Fewer than 1 percent of the nations light-rail and streetcar systems have Wi-Fi.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

In the Bay Area, a few transportation agencies offer Wi-Fi service, but not all of them.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

The agency has Wi-Fi on all of its light-rail and bus lines and at some of its transit hubs as a way to help riders stay connected and productive while riding our system, said spokeswoman Holly Perez.

AC Transit

The system offers Wi-Fi on its Transbay buses between the East Bay and San Francisco, but not on its local service  at least not yet, said spokesman Robert Lyles. The agencys engineers are exploring the feasibility  and cost  of extending Wi-Fi to all of its new buses.

SMART

The Bay Areas newest transit system started service in August with all trains offering Wi-Fi.

It seemed like an obvious amenity people want to use for working and for getting online when traveling for leisure, said Jeanne Mariani-Belding, a spokeswoman for SMART.

Muni

Currently, the Bay Areas busiest transit system offers no Wi-Fi service on its buses, light-rail cars, streetcars or cable cars. Most of its Metro subway also lacks cellular service. But theres good news for riders hoping for subterranean communication.

The Municipal Transportation Agency has contracted with BART, which has cables and antennas providing cell phone service in its subways, to extend that service to Muni Metro, including the Market Street subway and Twin Peaks and Sunset tunnels. Work is expected to start this summer and take 12 to 18 months to complete.After learning that a new Oakland coffee shop is refusing to serve uniformed officers, Oakland police officials said Friday they want to use the incident as an educational opportunity for new recruits.

I think their position is very clear that they dont want the police in there, and I can respect that, said Sgt. Bryan Hubbard, vice president of the Police Officers Association who also runs the departments training academies. If they do call the police for any need, were going to respond professionally and give them the same level of service as anyone else regardless of their position.

Last month, when Oakland Sgt. Robert Trevino walked into the coffee collective, Hasta Muerte, Spanish for until death, a barista told him the establishment doesnt serve police officers.

Trevino is the Alameda County chapter president of the national Latino Peace Officers Association and works in the predominantly Latino Fruitvale neighborhood where the shop is located.

The cafe, which opened several months ago after a successful crowdfunding campaign, has a mural outside to memorialize Oscar Grant and others killed in police shootings. Hubbard said he hadnt spoken with Trevino to know his true reason for going in  aside from getting a cup of coffee, of course.

Now Playing: The police shooting of Oscar Grant by BART police in 2009 became part of a national debate about police reform and race relations. On the ninth anniversary of his death, Grant's mother, Wanda Johnson held her annual vigil and renewed her call for mor Video: KTVU

Knowing him personally, he highly values community policing and hes known as going out and building relationships with merchants, Hubbard said.

City Councilman Noel Gallo, who represents the Fruitvale district and has known Trevino since his youth, said the sergeant was doing exactly what he wanted more police to do: introducing themselves to local businesses, neighbors and schools and patrolling on foot or bike.

We need to work together, and thats what were trying to do with law enforcement, Gallo said, adding that the corner has been challenged for years with crime. At the end of the day, when that cafe gets robbed or shot up or whatever, were going to have to call the police.

Gallo said he will reach out to Hasta Muerte and police officials next week to see if we can work something out to trust each other, or at least get along."

The Oakland fire union has asked its members to refrain from going to the shop out of solidarity with police officers.

Trevino mentioned his espresso rejection to Sgt. Barry Donelan, president of the police association, who then sent a letter to Hasta Muerte, asking it to clarify its policy on whether it serves officers.

Obviously, this is both a surprise and a matter of concern for all Oakland Police Officers, Donelan wrote. Oakland Police Officers work tirelessly every day to serve the residents of our City. I have never heard of Police Officers being refused service by an Oakland business.

The collective didnt respond directly, but posted on Instagram a picture saying in Spanish, Talk with your neighbors, not the police alongside an Xed out police badge.

The post went on to affirm that Hasta Muerte does not serve police because police presence compromises our feeling of physical & emotional safety.

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Since then, cop supporters are trying to publicly shame us online with low reviews because this particular police visitor was Latino, the shop wrote.

We need the support of the actual community to keep this place safe, not police. Especially in an area faced by drug sales and abuse, homelessness, and toxic masculinity as we see here on this block.

Hasta Muerte did not return a request for comment.

Hubbard said he and Trevino  who teaches a section in the academy on racial diversity  will use the incident during training to drive home the point that it doesnt matter how people feel about the police, you have to treat everyone equally.

The Police Department said on Twitter it respects business owners rights and that it was reaching out to have constructive dialogue.

Working in a diverse city like this where theres mixed feelings about the police, were used to it, Hubbard said. I didnt lose any sleep over it.Thank you for reading!

Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.An effort to build affordable senior housing next to San Franciscos exclusive enclave of Forest Hill is dead, a casualty of neighborhood opposition and tough geological conditions that city officials say probably would have added extraordinary costs to the development.

The Mayors Office of Housing and Community Development said Friday that the agency would no longer fund the development at 250 Laguna Honda Blvd., which had received an initial $2 million investment from the city.

With regret, the Mayors Office of Housing and Community Development made the decision not to move forward with 250 Laguna Honda because new site information obtained through the developers property investigation revealed that the development would likely incur extraordinary costs, the city housing agency stated.

The developer, Christian Church Homes, wanted to build 150 senior apartments at the foot of Forest Hill across from Laguna Honda hospital. The project met with fierce resistance from neighbors, some of them concerned that the development would further destabilize a sandy hillside that has long been vulnerable to erosion and mudslides during storms and earthquakes.

In addition, some residents took issue with the fact that 20 percent of the project would have been set aside for formerly homeless seniors.

While the mayors office of housing acknowledged that the project faced the additional cost of an extended entitlement process due to some neighborhood opposition, it said the cost of stabilizing the hillside, not the resistance, was the primary factor in its decision.

The announcement came a day after District Seven Supervisor Norman Yee expressed his opposition to the project, saying there were overwhelming obstacles to getting it approved and built. Yee said the proposal was marred from the start by a a lack of adequate communication from the developer, which sowed suspicion within the neighborhood.

Meanwhile, Yee said, the costs were piling up. The developers plan to knock down the church, built on the property in 1962, was opposed by city planning staff, who called it an exceptional, rare and intact example of Expressionist architecture.

In addition to the likelihood of a historic preservation project, a January geotechnical engineering report recommended that the sandy slope be stabilized through deep soil mixing  a costly method where the sites soil is mixed with cement grout.

In light of the totality of these concerns and a limited amount of funding available to see it through to the end of a long and uncertain entitlement process, I am compelled to withdraw my support for this project, Yee stated in an open letter to the neighborhood.

There were so many obstacles, Yee told The Chronicle. My office has put a lot of time into trying to make this work for the city and the community, but I couldnt see a way it was going to happen. When you look at every single factor by itself, you could probably overcome it, but put it all together  the neighborhood consternation, the costs, the historic church  and I just dont see how it was going to happen.

Todd David, executive director of the pro-development group Housing Action Coalition, said the situation illustrates why San Francisco has one of the most severe housing shortages in the country. He called well-organized opposition from residents a road map for blocking equitable housing.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

I cant think of a project that I am more disappointed to see fail, David said. There are certain types of housing that the market doesnt build, and senior housing is one of them. This is also a question of equity, of making sure every neighborhood is doing its part. There is no legitimate reason this project could not have gone forward.

Resident Joe Bravo, an attorney who lives above the site, said the project was misguided from the start.

For me, as a homeowner directly on top of that hill, right above the project, this has always been about seismic safety, he said. This project has always been high-risk.Boys used to line up outside therapist Jennifer Golicks office door at the Muir Wood Adolescent and Family Services center in Petaluma, waiting for her to arrive in the morning.

Scott Sowle, founder and executive director of the treatment center, said Golick was one of the brightest Ive known, always with a big, warm smile and just the right words to say.

Golick, 42, was one of three women killed Friday at the Pathway Home in Yountville by an Army veteran who had been treated for post-traumatic stress disorder there. She was still new to the center  she joined as the clinical director in September.

She spent the previous five years at Muir Wood, a residential care program that treats troubled boys.

Jennifer helped countless families heal. Ive heard from many of them today, Sowle said Saturday. Many of our alumni boys and families have reached out to me to convey how she changed their lives and restored their family system.

She helped her colleagues at Muir Wood, Sowle said. He said another therapist had told him, Jennifer changed me fundamentally at my core. She pushed me to be a better human being, trust my instincts, and make mistakes into teachable moments. She loved all of us and helped us be better versions of ourselves.

Patricia Pike-Corkum, an addiction specialist, said, You meet a lot of different people in this field that want to help others, but there are certain people who just have that special quality, and Jen was one of them.

One of her close friends, Dina Enberg, said Golick loved listening to Tupac Shakur, attending Giants games with her 8-year-old daughter, and, recently, running Tough Mudders  multi-mile races that sprinkle obstacles around muddy courses.

She was never really a runner, and then she did one with one of our friends, and she got really into it and she started setting goals and she would just slay them, Enberg said.

Golick volunteered regularly for community coalitions on addiction, Enberg said. The two of them traveled around the country giving educational presentations on cannabis at schools, clinics and conferences.

She was an absolutely brilliant clinician and speaker, Enberg said. She was a solid and beautiful soul.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Friends and family gathered Saturday at Golicks St. Helena home, where she lived with her husband and daughter. One family friend called her a strong person. ... She could figure people out really quick.

Golicks father-in-law, Bob Golick, told the Associated Press that she had expelled the Yountville killer, 36-year-old Army veteran Albert Wong, from the Pathway Home PTSD program a few days ago.

He didnt give a reason, but the Golick family friend said it was because he was violent.

Anna Schram, a neighbor, has a son the same age as Golicks daughter. She had to find the words to explain to the boy what had happened to his classmates mother.

The man who committed this  he was also suffering and was sick, she told him. Golick was doing very dangerous work in some ways. She was also helping him.It was the last leg of a long flight from Washington, D.C., and on the final approach to SFO, San Francisco glittered in the light of a March day. Its beautiful from the air. But coming back to San Francisco after a few days in another city is always a bit of a shock.

You look at the city with fresh eyes, and its a jolt. Coming into downtown San Francisco you realize that the heart of the city is dirty; there is trash everywhere, and beggars, too.

You notice the windows on the BART train look like they havent been washed since Obama was president. The escalator at the Powell Station is out of order. It was broken when you left town, and its been broken for at least a month. You have to hoof it up the long stairway, and once on the street you notice homeless men just hanging around. Theres a guy sprawled sleeping in the bus stop at Fifth and Mission streets. People have to step around him to get on the bus.

Its remarkable how the 1874 Old Mint resembles federal buildings of the same vintage in Washington. But the Mission Street side of San Franciscos Old Mint has graffiti scrawled on it; its been there for two months. You dont see that in Washington.

We were in the nations capital because my companion, the Sailor Girl, went to a conference. I tagged along to keep her company.

A trip to Washington is always an education. Its a beautiful city, laid out to show the power and glory of the United States. We wandered around like tourists: saw the Lincoln Memorial, walked the great National Mall, peeked over the fence at the White House, poked around in Georgetown, had a drink and dinner at the Old Ebbitt Grill, Washingtons oldest saloon.

You are reminded of the government every day: the flags, the solemn buildings, the memorials. We talked to a man from Kentucky at the Vietnam War Memorial. He was there, he said, to honor his cousin, who was 19 years old when he was killed in a minefield back in 1975. He would have been nearing retirement age now.

There was a great commotion one evening on Dupont Circle  sirens, motorcycle cops, flashing red and blue lights, a phalanx of Secret Service cars, a black limousine flying a flag followed by more security, even an ambulance. A great man passing by like an emperor.

A big storm brushed by the city when we were there. Winds so strong planes couldnt land at National Airport just across the Potomac. An old tree planted in Andrew Jacksons time toppled over and wrecked a parked car. There was a snow flurry, and end-of-winter cold. Schoolkids wore big coats, like little bears.

Washington is in chaos, in the news anyway. Its on television and in the papers, so it must be true. High officials are quitting, the administration is a mess. But the chaos must all be inside those impressive government buildings. On the outside, the city looks good. Despite the storm, the streets were clean; the fallen branches were taken away the next day. The trash bins and news racks that were blown over by the wind were quickly put right. Life went on.

I rode the Washington Metro subway a bit, too. In my salad days I used to cover BART for the newspaper, so I knew the Washington system was similar. The Metro had big mechanical and safety problems a couple of years ago. The problems were hard to see last week. The stations were clean, and so were the cars. The passengers didnt put their feet on the seats, and I didnt see any sleeping derelicts on the train or in the stations. The escalators all ran.

But Washington can be a tough place, too. I remember being in the wrong part of town a few years ago. A man came up to me. Pardon me, he said, but you dont belong here. He gave me a hard look. You should leave. And I did.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

There are panhandlers in Washington, but not many. And if there were crazy people, they were not out on the streets, screaming.

They were giving out free food the other afternoon in downtown Washington to people down on their luck. They had a line, like a cafeteria, free dinner on cardboard trays.

The customers stood by the side eating the free food, and when they were finished put the trays and the empty milk cartons in trash cans.

That was the big difference. In San Francisco, they would have thrown the garbage in the street. People treat the streets in San Francisco as if the place was a dump. Because it is.

I was puzzled by all this. How could this city work so well, while San Francisco, which is so rich and so pleased with itself, be such a mess? I asked around. Its the culture, people said. We dont act the way you say they do in San Francisco. Its not done.

Maybe they take pride in their city.After rough combat as an Army infantryman in Afghanistan, Albert Wong came home to the Bay Area and couldnt shake the battle horror in his head. So he turned to a highly regarded residential treatment center for troubled veterans  the Pathway Home in Yountville.

But he didnt get fixed. He left the program two weeks ago, with indications that his departure wasnt voluntary. On Friday morning, he came back with a rifle.

Wong, 36, burst into Pathway with his weapon and strings of ammunition, traded gunshots with a Napa County sheriffs deputy, took five hostages  then killed Pathways executive director, its clinical director, a psychologist with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and himself, authorities said.

Just why a veteran who earned an Army Commendation Medal in Afghanistan snapped so badly was a question investigators were struggling to answer Saturday. But as families and friends mourned the loss of three women dedicated to helping troubled veterans, they also asked why a man with apparently obvious problems hadnt been stopped.

Wong had been undergoing treatment at Pathway for post-traumatic stress disorder until two weeks ago, when organization spokesman Larry Kamer said he was separated from the program. He declined to elaborate.

Now Playing: Christien Kafton reports Video: KTVU

Bob Golick, father-in-law of slain clinical director Jennifer Golick, told the Associated Press that she had told Wong to leave. Golick didnt give a reason, but a friend of the family said outside his daughter-in-laws home Saturday in St. Helena that it was because Wong was violent.

The California Highway Patrol, which is leading the investigation, declined to comment.

Fridays tragedy began when Wong burst into a going-away party for staffers at about 10:30 a.m. at Pathway, located at the Veterans Home of California-Yountville, a state-run complex that houses 900 veterans. Pathway is a nonprofit that leases space on the campus.

After exchanging gunfire with the sheriffs deputy and taking his hostages, Wong released two of the captives  then went silent.

Shortly before 6 p.m., law enforcement officers entered the room where Wong had been holed up and found him and the three hostages dead. A knowledgeable source said all four had been shot.

The slain hostages were Pathway Executive Director Christine Loeber, 48, of Napa; Jennifer Golick, 42, of St. Helena, who just started at the center in September; and Jennifer Gonzales, 32, the VA psychologist, who was six months pregnant.

Military records show that Wong was deployed to Afghanistan with the Army from April 2011 to March 2012, with the rank of specialist E4. He was in active service from May 2010 to August 2013 and previously was in the Army Reserve from 1998 to 2002.

While in active service, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, records show. The medal is given to those who have distinguished themselves by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service.

No information was available about where Wong got the weapon he used Friday  described in 911 transmissions as an M4-style (assault) rifle. State law says people who pose a danger to themselves or others may be constrained by mental health professionals from owning guns, but its unknown whether any legal steps had been taken to bar Wong from possessing firearms.

State records show that Wong had a security guard license and a license to carry an exposed 9mm pistol, but that both were canceled in the fall.

No officials were talking in detail about Wongs treatment, but Pathway is renowned among veterans-aid agencies as an effective program. Its focus is on people who have served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Those familiar with Pathway said there is always risk when dealing with mentally troubled people who have been trained to kill. But they note that, according to U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, military veterans are no more prone to deadly violence than nonveterans.

These guys at Pathway are just trying to come home, said trauma counselor Michael Pritchard, who has taught anger management and other skills at the program and knew two of the victims. I was never afraid of (the veterans being treated). Many of them had traumatic childhoods. Our job is to teach them to take care of each other, to love each other.

Pritchard, who is also a comedian and uses humor as a healing element in his counseling, made a promotional video for Pathway four years ago with his friend, the late Robin Williams.

We all need to do whatever we can, and Robin really cared about these guys, Pritchard said. That these three wonderful women died is a tragedy, but whats also a tragedy is that we have to do better for our young men who come home from war. Theyve suffered incredibly, and too often they were flawed and wounded even before they got there.

Wongs childhood did indeed have its challenges.

Cissy Sherr said she and her husband were Wongs legal guardians for several years after his father died and his mother developed health problems when he was a small boy. But the couple found that raising a child and working was too much once Wong entered high school, and he ended up in foster homes.

He moved back in with them in Millbrae in summer 2013 after returning from Afghanistan, Sherr said.

It was only for a month. He just needed to decompress, she said. He had seen intense combat in Afghanistan, he told the Sherrs, and would sit on the couch, staring blankly. He couldnt sleep at night. Getting back on a normal schedule was difficult.

But he had goals, Sherr said: He wanted to go back to school to study computers and business. He found the Pathway Home program and was optimistic it would help. He wrote updates to Sherr on Facebook Messenger.

He was calm and soft-spoken, Sherr said. We were so proud of the young man he had grown up to be through the years. His life was not the average life with a stable situation, what with having his dad die when he was so young and his mom not being around to raise him.

Last spring Wongs mother died, and Sherr and her husband didnt hear much from him after that. The Napa County Sheriffs Department said Wong was living in Sacramento.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

It was a really rough day yesterday, Sherr said. I dont know him to be that person we were hearing about yesterday. I didnt get much sleep.

Well before Friday, there were indications that serious trouble was brewing in Wong, a friend of the Golick family told The Chronicle.

People were notified that he was violent, said the friend, who asked that his name not be used. Nothing was done. All the proper people were notified. ... Everybody knew. All the flags were there.

Another friend of Golicks, Shelley Tantau, said that this is really about Jenn, Jennifer and Christine. Its about young men with PTSD. Its about getting up, saying goodbye to your family and going off to work knowing youre not going to get shot. Its about exceptional health professionals losing their lives for doing their jobs.

Those who specialize in post-traumatic stress disorder mourned the failure of a system meant to heal those in pain from their time in uniform.

Its a tough one, said Swords to Plowshares Director Michael Blecker, who knew Loeber and whose organization also helps troubled vets. The Department of Defense doesnt spend any time on decompression for these guys, theres not enough treatment  then you have an incident like this that makes everyone think vets are walking time bombs, that we should fear them. But vets more than anything need to be integrated back into their communities, not isolated.

Many of the veterans treated at the Pathway Home transition to higher education at schools including Napa Valley College and Santa Rosa Junior College. It is known for its sometimes unconventional therapies, which have included swimming with dolphins and holding social events in which the veterans mix with children.

About 450 people have been treated at the unit since its opening in 2008, mostly for PTSD, mild traumatic brain injury and other post-deployment mental health challenges.

This whole incident is terrible and sad, Blecker said. But people I hope still have some understanding that this is not representative of all vets.

Chronicle staff writer Sophie Haigney contributed to this report.

Kevin Fagan, Jenna Lyons and Lizzie Johnson are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: kfagan@sfchronicle.com. jlyons@sfchronicle.com, ljohnson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KevinChron @JennaJourno @Lizziejohnsonnn

Memorial

and donations

A memorial service for the three victims of Fridays killings at a North Bay veterans treatment center will be held at 6 p.m. March 19 at the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater, 100 California Drive in Yountville.

The Pathway Home has set up a fund for the families of Executive Director Christine Loeber, Clinical Director Jennifer Golick and VA psychologist Jennifer Gonzales. Donations can be sent to the 3 Brave Women Fund, c/o Mentis, 709 Franklin St., Napa, CA 94559.Ben Margot/Associated Press

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - A very important person was missing inside the Scottsdale Stadium clubhouse Friday morning for the annual talk to the team by Giants legends.

Willie Mays, Willie McCovey and Barry Bonds addressed the team and acknowledged the absence of Orlando Cepeda, who remains in a Bay Area hospital recovering from a cardiac episode and a head injury from the resulting fall on Feb. 19.Sometime during the last two tumultuous months at Four Barrel  during which the San Francisco coffee company was embroiled in a sexual harassment lawsuit that forced the exit of its founder and decimated its previously robust wholesale business  a problematic phrase appeared at the bottom of its website.

Under the Four Barrel logo and the phrase all rights reserved were three more words: All wrongs reversed.

Less than 30 minutes after The Chronicle reached out for comment following negative reactions on Twitter Thursday afternoon, the phrase disappeared from the site.

Did Four Barrel implement and quickly erase a new slogan acknowledging its recent past while declaring that it had solved problems surrounding its alleged toxic workplace culture?

Chronicle requests for comments from Four Barrel co-owners Jodi Geren and Tal Mor about the phrase went unanswered. Eventually a spokesperson for Four Barrels high-powered crisis team Sitrick and Company, the same folks who represented film mogul Harvey Weinstein, provided an explanation, albeit a curious one.

Heres what the Chronicle was told: Four Barrels website is designed by the Portland-based company Needmore Designs. Its websites always have the phrase All wrongs reversed, according to the spokesperson. It apparently looked like a Four Barrel slogan because after the company removed its social media icons last month, the two sentences somehow shifted under the vacant space below the companys name, the spokesperson said.

Via www.fourbarrelcoffee.com

Following a Chronicle investigation (wherein we simply clicked on the websites that Needmore is credited with designing  Salt & Straw, Hither Coffee and Goods, Hapa Asian Fusion and Seven Fortunes Coffee Roasters), it was clear none of the other sites bore the phrase All wrongs reversed.

In the Four Barrel lawsuit, which was settled two weeks after being filed, former employees described being sexually harassed by Four Barrel founder Jeremy Tooker. At a company party in 2015, he allegedly sexually assaulted an employee in a hotel. While Tooker was at the helm, women who complained about his behavior were ostracized or fired, according to the lawsuit.

Though Tooker left the company, Four Barrel remains partially under the same leadership that, in court documents, was accused of doing little to address harassment complaints from its employees.

Four Barrel changed its name a few days into the lawsuit fallout as a response to public outcry. Roughly a week later after it settled the sexual harassment lawsuit for an undisclosed sum, the company dropped its new moniker and went back to being Four Barrel. Its owners once said that Four Barrel died with Tookers exit. With the lawsuit gone, they brought it back to life.

If the phrase were to return to the Four Barrel site, perhaps it should be posed as a query, not statement: All wrongs reversed?

The public, just as it did this week, may have an answer.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Update, 9:20pm:

Kandace Brigleb of Needmore Designs, the company that constructed Four Barrels current website, spoke with the Chronicle about the phrasing on the coffee roasters homepage that drew attention on social media during International Womens Day.

Brigleb told the Chronicle the phrase All wrongs reversed was placed on the site when it was originally constructed. She said it was a reference to the independent indie rock record label Matador Records out of New York.

Brigleb said Four Barrel has complete control of its layout.

"We havent worked on the site since it launched, she said

The phrase All wrongs reversed was removed from the site on Thursday.It was quite a week for news, delivering the specter of a global trade war (with President Trumps announced tariffs on aluminum and steel), a legal civil war (with the Trump administrations lawsuit against California for its refusal to facilitate federal immigration enforcement) and a long-elusive peace on the Korean Peninsula (with the presidents surprise acceptance of an offer to meet with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, formerly mocked by Trump as Little Rocket Man). It also was an intriguing week for news about the news.

Dana Loesch, spokeswoman for the National Rifle Association, was out of control even before the Valentines Day massacre that claimed 17 lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. One might have thought that yet another mass slaughter by an assault rifle  the type that the NRA vehemently defends  would have caused the gun lobby to pause for a period of humility, reflection and restraint. But the NRA does not do humility, reflection or restraint.

Loeschs acerbic videos have become something of a phenomenon on social media, so comically over-the-top that even their targets share them for their dystopian portrayal of a nation practically on the brink of civil war in a battle between good and evil. She was back at it last week with a post-Parkland video ominously warning every lying member of the media that the good people have had enough.

Your time is running out, said the black-clad Loesch, against a black backdrop. The clock starts now.

Jacquelyn Martin/Associated Press

She then flipped over a sand timer as the screen faded to black.

Yet this was not even close to her most offensive  and reckless  attack on the news media.

In a Feb. 22 speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference, Loesch suggested that journalists welcome gun massacres. Many in legacy media love mass shootings. You guys love it, she said. Im not saying you love the tragedy, she added, but I am saying that you love the ratings. Crying white mothers are ratings gold.

There is so much wrong with that statement that it must be countered. Mass shootings may not sell any extra newspapers, but they must be covered, especially when four of the deadliest five in U.S. history have occurred within the past two years.

The notion that journalists delight in interviewing tearful relatives and survivors of any tragedy is simply absurd. I have colleagues who are skilled at it, but none considers it anything but difficult duty, requiring patience, empathy and a willingness to endure rejection in the most excruciating human terms.

Early in my career, as a reporter for the Associated Press in Philadelphia, I knocked on the door of a family whose severely incapacitated son had died in a suspected homicide. I came on the day the caretaker was acquitted of criminal charges. The mother emerged on the other side of the screen door, wearing an apron and holding up her hands in rubber gloves.

Young man, she said, this is the first day since my son died that Ive summoned the energy to make a meat loaf for my husband. Im not going to ruin it by talking with you.

No, Ms. Loesch, it is neither easy nor enjoyable. Nor are the editorials that we write after each mass shooting, with too many common elements that our elected officials in Washington are too timid to acknowledge, let alone address. The human toll of each story must be pursued, even if its painful to do.

It seems the only real beneficiaries of such massacres are the gun manufacturers, who typically enjoy a bump in sales from Americans fearful that the weapons that inflicted such carnage may be subject to new restrictions. Yes, thats the same industry that bankrolls the NRA and supports Loeschs vitriol.

His 15 minutes of fame

Sam Nunberg had his day of fame on Monday. It was truly winceworthy.

Nunberg, a former aide to the Trump campaign, had initially decided he would refuse to heed a grand jury subpoena from special counsel Robert Mueller in the Russia investigation. And he wanted the world to know it. He did three separate interviews with CNN, two with MSNBC and a few others with news organizations willing to offer a forum for speculation and innuendo about a candidate who fired him.

There were two good reasons Nunberg did not merit the extensive airtime he was granted. One was that the protege of notorious dirty trickster Roger Stone was not so much saying what he knew as what he was speculating (for example, that Trump himself was aware of the meetings with Russians at the Trump Tower). The other was that Nunberg was obviously seriously troubled, if not impaired. As day moved to night, CNNs Erin Burnett bluntly observed on live television that she smelled alcohol on his breath. He denied having been drinking, and wasnt on anything besides my meds  antidepressants.

As comedian Stephen Colbert observed that night, the entire news cycle jumped on the bus to Crazy Town. You know American politics has gone around the bend when the late-night comedians have become the voices of reason.

Stormy weather

You also know American politics has taken a turn  for better or worse, depending on ones perspective  when a $130,000 payoff to a porn star, ostensibly on behalf of a candidate, is not even the biggest or craziest story of the moment. The Stormy Daniels saga has gained a modicum of resonance mostly because of the odd circumstances of the hush money deal (the Trump attorneys claim that he paid it out of his own pocket; the pseudonym David Dennison, presumably Trump, in court filings), the ever-revolving White House denials and explanations, and, most consequentially, the possibility that a six-figure payment to quash a negative story on a candidates behalf could be an undisclosed contribution in violation of campaign finance disclosure laws.

Smarmy as this episode is, the bottom line is that Americans have far greater reasons to be disturbed and outraged by the actions of the Trump presidency.

John Diaz is The Chronicles editorial page editor. Email: jdiaz@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JohnDiazChronInterviews with the two candidates for San Franciscos District Eight supervisor left us with lingering doubts about each.

In the case of the appointed incumbent Jeff Sheehy, the question was whether he had the mettle and tolerance for the rough-and-tumble of City Hall politics. At several points, starting in his opening remarks, he expressed doubts about his desire for the office and a disdain for politics generally.

His answers to various policy questions were rambling, and tending to drift off point. He was especially unpersuasive in his explanation for his decision to install Mark Farrell as acting mayor  a move that aligned him with progressives who were trying to undercut the June candidacy of centrist London Breed, the board president who had been serving as interim mayor after the December death of Mayor Ed Lee.

It was almost as if Sheehy were tacitly asking us to do him a favor by endorsing his opponent.

In the case of challenger Rafael Mandelman, the issue was whether his claims of independence from the progressive faction that is pushing his candidacy truly represented an evolution in his world view or an attempt to blur the distinctions in a district (Castro, Noe Valley, Glen Park) he rightly described as liberal but pragmatic. He struck a moderate tone in acknowledging that supply and demand is a significant factor in the citys housing crisis, and there was a need to build all levels of housing. He spoke of his calls for spending restraint while he served on the City College board, and he noted that the city budget has grown from $6 billion to $10 billion in a decade without evidence of a commensurate return on investment.

Mandelman said, Ive grown as a person since his unsuccessful race against Scott Wiener, now a state senator, in 2010. He said he was not going to bust into City Hall and start fights.

His answers were notably more detailed and relevant than those of Sheehy. There is no question that Mandelman wants the job, and is doing his homework. He gets our endorsement in the June 5 primary.

This commentary is from The Chronicles editorial board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters.The United States, Canada and Mexico find themselves in contentious negotiations over the future of North American trade. The imposition of steel and aluminum tariffs Thursday, with Canada and Mexico exempted for now, has only intensified the focus of these talks. If North American free trade has enriched each partner  and on balance it has  then how did we get to this place? The answers lies as much in culture and politics as in economics.

When Canada and the United States signed the 1988 Free Trade Agreement, Canadians assumed two results were inevitable. First, the Canadian economy would be taken over by its neighbor. Second, the Americanization of Canadian culture and politics would inevitably follow. When the North America Free Trade Agreement followed six years later, critics doubled down on these concerns.

The reality has been entirely different.

The Canadian and American economies remain distinct in their mix of industries, models of labor relations, role of government in the economy, and in consumer habits. But there has been substantial mutual enrichment. We travel more to each others countries, work cross-border more frequently, trade more, and our economies have grown as a direct result of this. Why then the push to renegotiate?

The answer may lie in the second reality. Canada and the United States have grown apart in almost every other respect, whether its politics, immigration or cultural views.

Our two countries are diverging politically. Whatever its historical exceptionalism, the United States looks increasingly like the rest of the Western world  its right wing is increasingly populist, while its party of the left casts about both for generational change and feuds internally over whether to respond to right-wing populism with a left-wing variety.

In contrast, Canada has largely resisted the gravitational pull toward populism. These differences between parties are reflected by differences between the citizens of both countries. Ipsos Global Advisor data shows that two-thirds of Americans believe their society is broken. Less than a majority agree that that is the case in Canada.

The United States and Canada differ on approaches and views toward immigration. Canada takes in a greater number of migrants every year, relative to population. However, most migrants are selected principally on skills, while allowing for generous asylum and family-reunification levels. Most suggested reforms in the United States have only recently cottoned to this approach, though without the balance in the Canadian approach. Once again, policy views are mirrored by public preferences. When asked if immigrants take jobs from real Americans, 44 percent of Ipsos respondents agree. The number is 10 points lower in Canada.

Finally, our two countries are diverging culturally. Canada has typically been a more socially liberal country than the United States. For example, it was quicker to adopt gay marriage, abortion restrictions were entirely erased in the late 1980s, physician-assisted suicide is now the law of the land, and marijuana decriminalization is on the horizon. But these differences go beyond legislation. For many years, the polling firm Environics has asked respondents if they agree with the statement that the Father must be the master in his own house, a sentiment highly correlated with a number of other conservative and traditionalist attitudes. In 1992, 42 percent of Americans and 25 percent of Canadians agreed. When asked again in 2016, the divergence was even clearer: now 50 percent of Americans agreed, against 23 percent of Canadians. Even if the comparison were limited to the parts of the United States that are more liberal, stark differences remain: 43 percent of respondents in New England and the Pacific states agree that the father must be the master in his house.

Canadians, at least, sense this divergence. In 2002, 58 percent of Canadians reported to Environics that they felt Canada had become more like the United States over the preceding 10 years. By 2017, the number had dropped to just 27 percent.

Canada and the United States still enjoy a deep and mutually productive economic relationship. We share common cultural and political origins. Nonetheless, we are now on the horns of a serious economic conflict. Despite the mutual benefits of trade, there is increasing agitation to renegotiate our trade partnerships, likely with the effect of making trade more, not less, difficult. The reality that in all domains outside of economics, we have become less alike, and that will only increase this challenge.Sen. Kamala Harris defended Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf on Friday, supporting her decision to warn people of a possible sweep by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents last month.

Schaaf was criticized this week by President Trump, who called her warning a disgrace, and Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who ripped into her at a speech in Sacramento, where he said she had put ICE agents in danger by alerting criminals in advance.

I think Mayor Schaaf is doing exactly what she believes is in the best interest of her community, and I support that 100 percent, Harris, D-Calif., said.

Harris appeared at the YMCAs annual Y for Youth Luncheon fundraiser at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in downtown San Francisco, where she addressed a lunch crowd of hundreds of people.

Californias junior senator also blasted the Trump administrations newly filed lawsuit against the states sanctuary laws, which limit local agencies from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.

Harris said the administration was trying to roll back the clock.

Part of it is that theyre scared of the future, Harris said. This administration is using our tax dollars to engage in a political game instead of whats in the best interest of Californians.

Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

In her formal remarks, Harris spoke at length about the energy of youth leadership in political movements. She connected todays young activists to the civil rights movement her parents were involved in as graduate students at UC Berkeley in the 1960s.

When we look at our young people, lets see what is going on with them, Harris said. Their fuel is optimism. Their fuel is that they believe something can get done.

Criticizing the gridlock in Washington, Harris referenced the budget showdown that led to a Hobsons choice between voting to reinstate funding in the Childrens Health Insurance Program or to renew the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program  DACA still has not been addressed.

She also called out the recent spending scandals of various Cabinet members, including Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carsons decision to spend $31,000 on a dining set for his office.

Harris turned her final words to address the mass shooting in Parkland, Fla., and the student activism that has emerged nationwide. Despite being exposed to extreme violence and trauma, Harris said, the students achieved the unimaginable when their advocacy pushed the Florida Legislature to pass measures that raised the buying age to 21 and instituted a mandatory waiting period.

During her speech, Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed the bill into law.

Its easy to become frustrated, and dare I say cynical, but heres the good thing, Harris said. It is time to look at Americas youth, and in that way see our future and to find hope and inspiration.

Shortly before her speech, shots were fired at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville, where a gunman took three people hostage.

Harris called the situation another tragedy and said Congress needs to find the courage to enact long-term legislation aimed at addressing gun violence.

Its not that we need some tragedy to give us the impetus, thats not lacking, she said. Its not like were sitting around for the good ideas. Whats lacking is courage.Growing up as an undocumented teenager in Southern California, Sarahi Espinoza Salamanca didnt feel different from her high school classmates. She spoke English fluently, studied diligently and pretty much led a normal life.

But as she prepared for college in 2008, she attended a workshop on acquiring student grants and loans. It was there Salamanca realized she couldnt apply for federal education aid because she lacked legal status.

Her counselors told her that, in general, students like her drop out and go to work instead of pursuing a degree.

It was one of the hardest moments of my life, recalled Salamanca, now a 28-year-old resident of East Palo Alto.

So for several months after she graduated from high school, Salamanca didnt go to college because she didnt think she could afford it. Instead, she worked cash jobs like cleaning homes and taking care of children.

Now Playing: Video 1 of 2 Video: San Francisco Chronicle

I didnt fully comprehend it, she said. I had fought as hard or harder than my classmates.

Years later, in 2016, Salamanca harnessed her disappointment from that formative experience to launch an idea designed to help others who found themselves in her position.

Her mobile app, called Dreamers Roadmap, organizes scholarships that are available locally and nationally for undocumented students across the country, so they can be armed with the knowledge Salamanca lacked when she was in high school.

For her work, Salamanca was nominated for a 2018 Visionary of the Year award, sponsored by The Chronicle. The award comes with a $25,000 grant, which the winner may use to fund his or her work or apply to a chosen cause.

2 1 of 2 Peter DaSilva/Special to The Chronicle Show More Show Less 2 of 2 Peter DaSilva/Special to The Chronicle Show More Show Less



Sarahi embodies the traits of a true visionary  someone who lights the path forward so all of us can prosper, said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, a member of the nominating committee. Her sharp and creative mind developed an app to help undocumented students find scholarships so they could fulfill their individual dreams.

Salamancas parents brought her from Mexico to the U.S. at age 4, crossing the border to live with family members in the Bay Area. For years, Salamanca moved from city to city, rotating through relatives and just getting by.

By age 16, her mother and father had moved back to Mexico, but she stayed. Salamanca believed the only path to stability for her family relied on her gaining a good education and eventually a well-paying job.

When counselors told her shed get no funding for higher education, she thought that was it. Her path was closed.

Months later, though, a friend told Salamanca about legislation in California that had allowed undocumented students to obtain lower, in-state tuition.

Soon, she enrolled at Foothill College in Los Altos. But during her time at the community college, doctors diagnosed her father with cancer, and Salamanca took a break from studying to work and send money back to Mexico. She wasnt able to travel to see him before he died because of her undocumented status.

Now Playing: Video 2 of 2 Video: San Francisco Chronicle

It was the second time my status came in the way my life, she said.

In 2013, Salamanca gained protection under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. She returned to school while also going to technology seminars.

The next year, she was selected as a finalist for the Voto Latino Innovators Challenge, a MacArthur Foundation-funded effort to improve life for Latinos through technology. Her innovation was her app, which she saw as simple, unique and important.

Undocumented students could access all aid programs available to them. The app would allow users to narrow the information by selecting where they live, whether they are a recipient of DACA and other characteristics.

The Voto Latino judges had one question for Salamanca: How are you going to fund it?

You guys are going to give me the money to make it, she said, as the judges burst into laughter.

She was right: The judges granted her the $100,000 prize.

Though she eventually gained a green card, Salamanca said she never lost sight of her earlier struggles, and by 2016 she had released the app.

While undocumented students in U.S. colleges are difficult to track, one estimate last year placed their numbers at upward of 80,000 in California alone. Salamanca said 20,000 people across the country have used her program.

Over the years, Salamanca said, she has been occasionally pulled aside by some of these students  like a woman who told her in February that shed been able to attend UCLA thanks to money she found through the app.

That was the whole purpose, she said. If I could change the life of one student  give them that sense of hope to go to college  then thats a success for me.

Hamed Aleaziz is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: haleaziz@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @haleaziz

About VisionSF

This is one of six profiles of finalists for The Chronicles fourth annual Visionary of the Year award. The honor salutes leaders who strive to make the world a better place and drive social and economic change by employing new, innovative business models and practices. The finalists were selected by a nominating committee that included Emmett Carson, president and CEO of Silicon Valley Community Foundation; Ron Conway, angel investor and philanthropist; John Diaz, editorial page editor of The Chronicle; Steve Malnight, senior vice president strategy & policy of Pacific Gas and Electric Co., a program sponsor; Ken McNeely, president of AT&T California, a program sponsor; Libby Schaaf, mayor of Oakland; Charlotte Shultz, chief of protocol for the city and county of San Francisco; and George Shultz, former U.S. secretary of state.

Chronicle Publisher Jeff Johnson, Editor in Chief Audrey Cooper and Diaz will select the winner, which will be announced in late March.

To read more: www.sfchronicle.com/visionsfMost people are loathe to see signage beside coveted San Francisco parking spaces. But a pair of signs near Alamo Square Park are inspiring chuckles rather than groans, and they include some sound advice.

To prevent theft, the laminated signs say, you should "lock your car, take your keys, hide your belongings," and lastly, "fill a decoy purse with thousands of angry, poisonous bees."Car break-ins continued to be a major problem for many San Franciscans in 2017, as the recorded instances of "larceny theft from vehicle" is up 26 percent over this time last year.

The most recent numbers released by the San Francisco Police Department, dated to the end of November 2017, show the number of thefts from vehicles actually decreased between October (2,938) and November of this year (2,620), but the year-to-date numbers recorded so far this year are substantially worse than they were at this point in 2016.A lawsuit accusing San Francisco State University officials of tolerating and encouraging hostility toward Jews on campus was dismissed Friday by a federal judge, who said the plaintiffs had offered no evidence that administrators showed religious hostility in incidents like the disruption of a speech by Jerusalems mayor.

But U.S. District Judge William Orrick III in San Francisco said he would consider letting the case proceed if the plaintiffs, a group of Jewish students and their supporters, filed a more convincing case within 20 days.

The suit, filed in June, claimed the university had fostered and sanctioned anti-Semitism from the highest levels.

The plaintiffs said anti-Semitic name-calling, graffiti and other slurs on campus over several decades made Jewish students feel fearful, intimidated and threatened. The suit focused on two incidents: the exclusion of the Jewish group Hillel from a campus Know Your Rights fair in February 2017, and a shortened speech by Jerusalem Mayor Nir Birkat in April 2016.

Warned of protests against Birkat, an ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, school officials moved his talk away from the center of campus. Six minutes into the speech, about 20 students stood and shouted, Israel is an apartheid state, and other chants, then took a microphone and effectively silenced Birkat, according to a report commissioned by the university.

The suit accused the university of discriminating by choosing a remote location and by allegedly ordering campus police not to arrest or halt the protesters. But Orrick said Friday that the lawsuit failed even to allege that school officials were motivated by the content of Birkats speech or the views and religious beliefs of the attendees or organizers.

There were no allegations that the school shunted Jewish speakers to far corners of the campus while treating controversial non-Jewish speakers differently, Orrick said. And he said the failure of administrators to handle the protesters in plaintiffs preferred way ... for one event did not prove they discriminated against Jews.

Orrick said student organizers, not school administrators, had denied Hillel a permit for the Know Your Rights fair. The organizers said Hillel had missed a registration deadline and that another Jewish group had participated in the fair.

Even if school officials bore some responsibility for the two incidents, Orrick said, that didnt show that Jewish students suffered such severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive discrimination as to create a hostile environment forbidden by civil rights laws.

But Orrick said the plaintiffs have claimed violations of important rights and are entitled to another chance to make their case. His willingness to consider a revised lawsuit was treated as a victory by the Lawfare Project, a pro-Israel legal organization representing the plaintiffs.

Lawrence Hill, the groups chairman, said the amended suit would demonstrate how the plaintiffs, like many other Jewish students at SFSU, have faced systematic violations of their civil and constitutional rights.

Zoha Khalili, an attorney for Palestine Legal, which supports Palestinian advocates on campus, said it was now clear that this lawsuit is a meritless effort to intimidate and distract advocates for Palestinian rights.Boys used to line up outside therapist Jennifer Golicks office door at the Muir Wood Adolescent and Family Services center in Petaluma, waiting for her to arrive in the morning.

Scott Sowle, founder and executive director of the treatment center, said Golick was one of the brightest Ive known, always with a big, warm smile and just the right words to say.

Golick, 42, was one of three women killed Friday at the Pathway Home in Yountville by an Army veteran who had been treated for post-traumatic stress disorder there. She was still new to the center  she joined as the clinical director in September.

She spent the previous five years at Muir Wood, a residential care program that treats troubled boys.

Jennifer helped countless families heal. Ive heard from many of them today, Sowle said Saturday. Many of our alumni boys and families have reached out to me to convey how she changed their lives and restored their family system.

She helped her colleagues at Muir Wood, Sowle said. He said another therapist had told him, Jennifer changed me fundamentally at my core. She pushed me to be a better human being, trust my instincts, and make mistakes into teachable moments. She loved all of us and helped us be better versions of ourselves.

Patricia Pike-Corkum, an addiction specialist, said, You meet a lot of different people in this field that want to help others, but there are certain people who just have that special quality, and Jen was one of them.

One of her close friends, Dina Enberg, said Golick loved listening to Tupac Shakur, attending Giants games with her 8-year-old daughter, and, recently, running Tough Mudders  multi-mile races that sprinkle obstacles around muddy courses.

She was never really a runner, and then she did one with one of our friends, and she got really into it and she started setting goals and she would just slay them, Enberg said.

Golick volunteered regularly for community coalitions on addiction, Enberg said. The two of them traveled around the country giving educational presentations on cannabis at schools, clinics and conferences.

She was an absolutely brilliant clinician and speaker, Enberg said. She was a solid and beautiful soul.

Friends and family gathered Saturday at Golicks St. Helena home, where she lived with her husband and daughter. One family friend called her a strong person. ... She could figure people out really quick.

Golicks father-in-law, Bob Golick, told the Associated Press that she had expelled the Yountville killer, 36-year-old Army veteran Albert Wong, from the Pathway Home PTSD program a few days ago.

He didnt give a reason, but the Golick family friend said it was because he was violent.

Anna Schram, a neighbor, has a son the same age as Golicks daughter. She had to find the words to explain to the boy what had happened to his classmates mother.

The man who committed this  he was also suffering and was sick, she told him. Golick was doing very dangerous work in some ways. She was also helping him.No means no began to give way to yes means yes as the credo of sexual consent decades ago, but the shift has been swiftly propelled in recent years by legislation and, most recently, by the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements.

The concept of affirmative consent  the act of giving verbal permission clearly and often during intimate encounters  was pioneered at Antioch College, where an affirmative sexual consent policy was instituted in 1990. It was widely mocked then, but similar policies have since spread to campuses nationwide, and today, the concept is acknowledged well beyond university grounds.

Now, apps aiming to help partners mitigate confusion in the bedroom have emerged, the newest of which approaches consent like a legal contract. LegalFling, introduced in beta last Monday, lets users give explicit sexual consent via a live contract, a document that users can continuously interact with and update.

And, yes, these agreements could hold up in court, said Andrew Cherkasky, a former special victims prosecutor who now handles dozens of felony-level sexual assault cases each year as a criminal defense attorney. He stressed, however, that what LegalFling offers are not technically contracts, but documentations of intent, which are legally viable.

LegalFling aims to make the sexual dos and donts explicit in a fun and clear way, according to its website.

Condom use, bondage, dirty talk, sexting: the app lets users set boundaries before an encounter  boundaries that can be adjusted with a tap and shared with a potential partner. (Sound familiar? Netflixs Black Mirror incorporated a similar transaction in its episode Hang the DJ.)

Profile updates will be stored using blockchain technology similar to that used to trade bitcoin, according to Rick Schmitz, a co-creator of LegalFling. The transaction is encrypted, timestamped and stored. Michelle Drouin, a leading expert on technology and relationships, said the apps are good at documenting consent, but dont account much for fluctuating human emotions. They dont necessarily allow for any immediacy of ones feelings, she said.

Use of the app has to be planned, she said, and its really difficult for us to even know how we feel in the present moment, much less trying to anticipate how we might feel an hour from now.

Schmitz said that a LegalFling agreement does not override someone changing their mind or being too intoxicated, for example, to consent. The company suggests you withdraw consent via the app at that moment, but, of course, thats not always possible.

If an encounter leaves a user feeling violated, Schmitz said, they should notify the aggressor afterward in a message, and it will be added to the record.

Also possible with a tap: cease-and-desist letters, according to the website.

The creators of LegalFling, part of Dutch company LegalThings, said they decided to apply their technology to sexual consent when, in December, Sweden proposed a law that would require people to get explicit verbal consent before sexual contact.

But Drouin is not sold on apps as a solution to a very human problem. Interacting with an app during a sexual encounter is completely unrealistic, she said.

It would be very awkward within the context of an intimate encounter to be like, Wait a second, Im changing my mind on the app and also with you, she said.

More important, she said, the app could persuade someone to fulfill acts simply because they agreed to them in advance.

These digital agreements could certainly be used as evidence of, at the time the button was pushed, what an individuals intent or desires were, according to Cherkasky. We already see it all the time in social media or text messages, he said.

But these agreements do have the potential to be used as a means of protection to an aggressor, he said, especially by a violent and premeditating criminal. Its very common in domestic violence cases for an attacker to have a great deal of power over the person and force them to do a number of things, he said.

Even implying that someone doesnt have the right to change their mind is a real risk, he said. Though the risk also exists for an accused person, who may have fully gotten consent in the moment even if the box wasnt checked. It turns consent into a joke, a technicality that people think is black and white or can be recorded in a moment of time, he said.In route news, low-cost Allegiant is adding new Oakland service as part of a larger route expansion; Delta adds spokes from its Salt Lake City and LaGuardia hubs, and expands Basic Economy fares to three more international partners; JetBlue begins new routes from Atlanta; Canadian carriers add a pair of transborder routes; American trims South America service; OneJet grows at Pittsburgh; and Sun Country plans new seasonal service.

Low-cost Allegiant is growing at Oakland International with the addition of new service to Memphis starting May 30. The carrier will operate two flights a week on the route, with introductory fares starting at $59 one-way. Las Vegas-based Allegiant will also add seasonal service beginning in May between San Diego and Eugene, Oregon, twice a week; and the company unveiled plans to add Nashville to its network in June, beginning year-round service to Punta Gorda/Ft. Myers, Fla., and seasonal flights to Destin/Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Richmond, Va.; and Savannah, Ga.

TravelSkills with Chris McGinnis sponsored by . See More Collapse

New routes coming to Delta this summer include one A319 flight a day between its Salt Lake City hub and Cleveland Hopkins beginning July 8, and new service six days a week between New York LaGuardia and Chattanooga, Tenn., starting July 9, operated by Delta Connection partner Endeavor Air with a CRJ-900.

Delta announced a few months ago that it would begin selling no-frills Basic Economy fares to Europe this spring along with its joint venture partners Air France and KLM, and now Basic Economy fever is spreading to three more Delta partners. Deltas international Basic Economy product includes a carry-on bag and in-flight meal service, but no checked luggage without a fee, and no advance seat assignments. The same new pricing regime has recently been announced for flights to Canada from Delta partner WestJet; for transborder flights to Mexico from Delta and its partner Aeromexico; and for flights to the U.K. on Delta partner Virgin Atlantic.

Speaking of WestJet, the Canadian carrier tacked on another transborder route this week when it started daily flights linking Denver International with Calgary. The new service will operate year-round. Rival Air Canada Rouge also unveiled a new U.S. route, with plans to operate daily seasonal service between Las Vegas and Edmonton from October 28 through April 30 with an A319.

JetBlue started flying out of Atlanta for the first time in many years in March 2017 when it introduced service to its Boston hub with five flights a day. And this week the carrier kicked off the next stage of its Atlanta presence, beginning new service to its New York JFK hub twice a day, to Ft. Lauderdale twice a day, and to Orlando once a day. It's operating out of Concourse D although it had hoped to be using gates in the international terminal.

Got business in Bolivia? American Airlines is planning a change in service there from its Miami hub. Currently, AAs daily flight is routed Miami-La Paz-Santa Cruz-Miami, but effective July 4 the carrier will drop the La Paz stop, so the flight will operate Miami-Santa Cruz-Miami.

OneJet, which operates business jets and regional aircraft out of Milwaukee and Pittsburgh, is expanding at the latter airport. On March 21 it will begin twice-daily service on weekdays between Pittsburgh and Kansas City, and on March 29 it will kick off four flights a week between Pittsburgh and West Palm Beach, Fla. Both routes will use Embraer 135s.

Minneapolis-based Sun Country Airlines, which recently announced plans to begin seasonal service four times a week from Los Angeles to Honolulu this summer, has come out with more new seasonal routes. The carrier will fly from Seattle to Anchorage twice a week from June 7 to August 20; from San Diego to Los Cabos twice a week June 29-August 19; from Portland to Orlando three times a week June 14-August 19; from Las Vegas to Dallas/Ft. Worth four times a week June 7-August 18; and from Austin to Cancun three times a week June 15-August 13.

Read all recent TravelSkills posts here

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Chris McGinnis is the founder of TravelSkills.com. The author is solely responsible for the content above, and it is used here by permission. You can reach Chris at chris@travelskills.com or on Twitter @cjmcginnis.A man suspected of five separate armed robberies in San Jose and Milpitas was arrested Saturday, police said.

In the majority of the robberies, Daniel Mendoza, 31, of San Jose, took cash and lottery scratchers after threatening a clerk at gunpoint, police said. Mendoza would flee the scene in a black 2017 jeep Renegade with black and yellow paper plates.Ann Killion

By the time the doors opened at Thee Parkside on Thursday, March 8, word was out that the nights bar band, the Coverups, was actually Green Days side project. And the little San Francisco bar on 17th Street was soon packed elbow to elbow, nose to shoulder.

Around 10:40 p.m., Billie Joe Armstrong led his band onto the stage, reminiscent of the small East Bay bars where Green Day first started out in the late 1980s. He was joined by longtime bandmate Mike Dirnt, Green Days touring guitarist Jason White, tour manager Bill Schneider on bass and audio engineer Chris Dugan on drums. Green Day drummer Tre Cool even came onstage to bang out a few songs.HOUSTON  The American Civil Liberties Union filed a class-action lawsuit Friday accusing the U.S. government of separating immigrant families seeking asylum.

The lawsuit follows action the ACLU took in the case of a Congolese woman and her 7-year-old daughter, who the group said was taken from her mother screaming and crying and placed in a Chicago facility. While the woman was released Tuesday from a San Diego detention center, the girl remains in the facility 2,000 miles away.

Immigrant advocates say the mother and daughters case is emblematic of the approach taken by President Trumps administration. The lawsuit, filed in federal district court in San Diego, asks a judge to declare family separation unlawful and says hundreds of families have been split by immigration authorities.

The lawsuit also raises the case of a Brazilian woman who the ACLU says was separated from her 14-year-old son after they sought asylum in August. The ACLU says the woman was given a roughly 25-day jail sentence for illegally entering the country and then placed in immigration detention facilities in West Texas, while her son was taken to a Chicago facility.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not announced a formal policy to hold adult asylum seekers separately from their children. But administration officials have said they are considering separating parents and children to deter others from trying to enter the U.S.

The department declined to comment Friday on the lawsuit. DHS acting press secretary Tyler Houlton, in an earlier statement on the case of the Congolese woman and her daughter, said government officials have to verify that children entering the U.S. are not victims of traffickers and that the adult accompanying them is actually their parent.

In separate court papers filed Wednesday, the U.S. government said it is awaiting the results of DNA testing to confirm the woman is the girls mother.

We ask that members of the public and media view advocacy group claims that we are separating women and children for reasons other than to protect the child with the level of skepticism they deserve, Houlton said.

Top administration officials have said they believe the asylum process is overwhelmed and challenged by people making frivolous claims.1 School shooting: Authorities in Birmingham, Ala., charged a high school student with manslaughter and illegal firearms possession Friday in a classroom shooting in that killed a fellow student. Michael Jerome Barber was charged in the death of Courtlin Arrington. Both 17-year-olds were in a classroom at Huffman High School when the shooting occurred Wednesday. Barber recklessly caused Arringtons death after bringing a gun to school, prosecutors said in a statement. Authorities initially said the shooting could have been accidental. They reviewed videos before filing charges but didnt release details on what led to the gunshot.

2 Opioids crisis: West Virginias death toll from drug overdoses has improved slightly, with 872 deaths last year. The state hit a grim record in 2016 of 887 fatal overdoses, or 52 per 100,000 residents, the highest drug-related death toll in the nation. Public Health Commissioner Dr. Rahul Gupta said hes cautiously optimistic about progress. West Virginia is taking action with new laws to limit painkiller prescriptions, improve overdose reporting and equip all emergency responders with opioid antidotes. The health commission report describes how fatal overdoses soared from just 212 in 2001.WASHINGTON  His staff hollowing out and his agenda languishing, President Trump is increasingly flying solo.

Always improvisational, the president exercised his penchant for going it alone in a big way last week: first, by ordering sweeping tariffs opposed by foreign allies and by many in his own party, then hours later delivering the stunning news that hell meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

An on-the-spot decision with global ramifications, Trumps agreement to sit down with Kim came after a meeting with a South Korean delegation and took some of his top aides by surprise.

The president has long considered himself his own best consultant, saying during the presidential campaign: Im speaking with myself, number one, because I have a very good brain.

Trump has told confidants recently that he wants to be less reliant on his staff, believing they often give bad advice, and that he plans to follow his own instincts, which he credits with his stunning election, according to two people who requested anonymity.

Trumps latest unilateral moves come at a moment of vulnerability for the president. Top staffers are heading for the exits, the Russia investigation continues to loom, and Trump is facing growing questions about a lawsuit filed by a porn actress who claims her affair with the president was hushed up.

The White House pushed back against the notion that Trumps decision to meet with Kim was made in haste, with spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders saying, This has been part of an ongoing campaign thats been going for over a year.

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said Trump takes input from a diverse set of viewpoints, but added that he knows it was his name on the ballot and he controls timing, content and tone.

Advisers argue that tales of Trumps freelancing are exaggerated and that in many cases  as with tariffs  he is following through on long-stated promises. Still, the presidents decisions, as well as his proclivity for off-the-cuff announcements, frequently leave aides and allies guessing.

News that the president would accept a meeting never taken by a sitting U.S. president came from an unlikely source Thursday evening: a last-minute press statement by a South Korean official standing in the dark on the White House driveway.

The South Korean official, Chung Eui-yong, spoke with Trump on Thursday after meeting with national security adviser H.R. McMaster and others. Trump asked Chung about a recent meeting with the North Korean dictator. The South Korean official relayed that Kim wanted to meet with Trump  and the president immediately accepted, according to a White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Trump then asked Chung to announce it to the White House press.

Trump continues to hold that  as he said at the 2016 Republican Convention  he alone can fix things.BOSTON  The sun came out across much of the Northeast on Friday as utilities tackled the arduous task of restoring power to hundreds of thousands of customers who lost electricity during this weeks storm.

Utilities asked for patience, warning that because of the damage caused by the noreaster that dropped 2 feet of snow in some areas, pulling down trees, branches and power lines and blocking roads, it could be days before power is back on.

About 450,000 customers across the Northeast were without power Friday, according to the poweroutage.us website, which compiles statistics from utilities across the nation. New Jersey and Massachusetts had the most.

Please plan to be without power for multiple days as we work through this significant restoration, Eversource posted on Twitter. The utility serves customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

That was little consolation to some.

Its colder in the house than it is outside, Salem, Mass., resident Cindy Peters told The Eagle-Tribune newspaper.

People without power piled into relatives homes, hung out at the local coffee shop or went to warming centers that some towns opened in libraries or senior centers.

The storm was blamed for at least two deaths in New York and New Jersey.

In Maine, excessive speed on icy roads contributed to a 14-vehicle pileup on Interstate 95; no injuries were reported.

The heavy wet snow was also the apparent cause of a roof collapse in a vacant building in Bridgeport, Conn. No one was hurt.

The rush is on to restore power as forecasters monitor another system that could move up the coast Monday.SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

The San Francisco District Attorney's Office today charged a 19-year-old man who was arrested at the scene of a fatal officer-involved shooting Tuesday with second-degree robbery, according to court documents.

Victor Navarro-Flores was found in the same Honda Civic as 19-year-old Jesus Delgado-Duarte, who was allegedly hiding in the car's trunk before San Francisco Police Department officers fatally shot him.

At the scene, officers arrested Navarro-Flores and 18-year-old Cristina Juarez, who was also found in the Honda.

Navarro-Flores is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, according to court records. He remains jailed on $225,000 bail, according to jail records.

Prosecutors have not charged Juarez.

Also today, police announced that they will hold a town hall meeting Monday to discuss the fatal police shooting and share facts with community members. The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. at Cesar Chavez Elementary School at 825 Shotwell St.

The fatal shooting unfolded Tuesday around 10:35 p.m. when two people flagged down officers near 20th and Capp streets and said they had been robbed by the occupants of a black Honda Civic. Officers caught up with a vehicle matching that description nearby on Capp Street between 21st and 22nd streets.

After detaining one of the Honda's occupants, officers noticed the trunk was ajar. Officers realized that a person was inside the trunk, later identified as Delgado-Duarte, and that's when the officer-involved shooting occurred, according to police.

Following the shooting, the third suspect was detained.

Delgado-Duarte was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have not said exactly how the shooting occurred. A gun was found in the car's trunk, police said.

Several agencies are conducting separate investigations including the Police Department's homicide detail, the San Francisco District Attorney's Office, the city's Department of Police Accountability, the SFPD Internal Affairs Division and the medical examiner's office.

Anyone with information is asked to call the San Francisco police tip line at (415) 575-4444. Callers can give anonymous tips.SAN BRUNO (BCN)

San Bruno police arrested two San Francisco residents Thursday for allegedly burglarizing vehicles at a shopping center.

At 4 p.m., officers responded to a report of two vehicle burglaries that had just occurred in the parking lot of The Shops at Tanforan at 1150 El Camino Real.

The two suspects allegedly fled the scene in a silver Honda just before officers arrived, police said.

Following an investigation, police identified the two suspects and their vehicle. With help from San Francisco police, San Bruno officers located the Honda and one of the suspects in San Francisco.

San Bruno officers searched that suspect's San Francisco home where they found the second suspect, as well as a large amount of stolen property, police said.

Both suspects, 33-year-old Brian Cooper and 30-year-old Marcia Wellington, were arrested and booked into the San Mateo County Jail on suspicion of vehicle burglary, possessing stolen property and possessing controlled substances.

The case remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact San Bruno police at (650) 616-7100 or sbpdtipline@sanbruno.ca.gov. Information can be submitted anonymously.

###SANTA CRUZ (BCN)

A 17-year-old suspected gang member was arrested Friday evening in Santa Cruz for having a concealed gun, police said today.

An officer from the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team's Gang Task Force conducted a traffic violation stop at 7:52 p.m. at Ocean and Barson streets.

The officer discovered five youths and 18-year-old Camila Callaci were in a blue 2002 Volkswagen Jetta and alcohol was present.

Police said as officers were detaining a 17-year-old boy they allegedly found a loaded .45 caliber gun hidden in the youth's waistband under a long shirt.

Police alleged the boy is associated with a criminal street gang.

The boy was arrested on suspicion of possessing a concealed gun in a vehicle, possessing a concealed gun on a person, possessing a gun as a criminal gang member, possessing an unregistered gun and possessing alcohol as a minor.

Callaci was given a notice to appear for possession of alcohol by a minor.

Task force members are asking anyone who may have information related to the case or any other gang-related case to call them at (831) 454-2320.

###SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

Friday in San Francisco several groups supporting workers celebrated the introduction of a bill designed to provide more protections for domestic workers such as maids, babysitters and caretakers.

In honor of International Women's Day, the California Domestic Workers Coalition held a briefing on the steps of the Earl Warren Building at 350 McAllister St. to announce a statewide campaign seeking greater compliance with immigrant worker protections, which includes the introduction of Assembly Bill 2314.

The bill would create and maintain a Domestic Work Enforcement Program within the state's Department of Labor Standards Enforcement in order to implement labor standards for the domestic work industry.

The program will allow for more resources, education and training for California's domestic workers and domestic employers to promote fair wages and dignified labor standards in the industry.

At the event, the bill's sponsor, Assemblyman Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, reiterated the importance of this bill for domestic workers in light of the tense political climate.

"We protect everyone whether you're documented or undocumented, whether you're an immigrant," Ting said. "Whether you're a citizen, you are a Californian and you have rights and that's what AB 2314 is all about.

"Because right now we know that in our immigrant community, Jeff Sessions and Donald Trump, they're trying to scare us but we know what we need to do. When you have a bully, what do you do? You stand up to a bully. You have California that will stand up for you," Ting said.

Dozens of immigrant women who work as domestic workers attended Friday's briefing with many of them sharing similar stories of being underpaid and forced to work overtime without additional compensation.

Veronica Nieto, organizer with the Mission District-based group Mujeres Activas y Unidas, said when she first arrived to the U.S. from Mexico she worked as house cleaner seven days a week, earning only $10 per house and collecting $450 weekly. After organizing with other domestic workers, she learned about salary theft and minimum wage.

"It's hard to find employers that respect this work," Nieto said in Spanish. "For many employers, unfortunately, they feel that domestic work, because we're immigrants, it's what we deserve. So that's why were here, because we want to continue educating our employers."

Nieto said, "Many people in this country don't want to do this kind of work and they don't see it as real work. But for us, as immigrants, this is a real job. It's a dignified job."A California Air National Guard helicopter from the South Bay had a hard landing Thursday afternoon on a highway in Idaho, with its six crew members escaping injury, military officials said.

The HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter from the 129th Rescue Wing took off from Moffett Air National Guard Base and experienced a hard landing around 2:30 p.m. south of Mountain Home, Idaho, on Highway 51, according to National Guard spokesman Capt. Roderick Bersamina.WATSONVILLE (BCN)

City of Watsonville officials today explained what a U.S. Supreme Court decision on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program means for residents.

The Feb. 26 decision means that the DACA program is still in place after the court decided not to take up the Trump's administration request for a quick review of a preliminary injunction blocking most of a repeal of the program.

The case will move on to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, city officials said.

The Supreme Court's denial follows the injunction issued in January by U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco, blocking most of an order repealing the program for about 690,000 current recipients.

However, the injunction does not require the administration to allow new applications.

Alsup's injunction will remain in place until late spring or early summer when Trump's request will be taken up by the 9th Circuit Court.

While the March 5th deadline is no longer a deadline, the higher court has the option of re-imposing the deadline at any time, according to city officials. They advised not leaving the country at this time, as recipients of the program can still renew their status and work permits if they so choose to.

While no new applications are being accepted at this time, residents can get help with DACA renewals at the Santa Cruz County Immigration Project and Community Action Board located at 406 Main St. and Catholic Charities Immigration Services located at 656 Main St.

The city's message was endorsed by a coalition of community and faith-based organizations including ACLU Northern California, Santa Cruz County Office of Education, SEIU Local 521, YWCA of Watsonville and many more.

Those with further questions or those desiring resources to help with the permit can visit Santa Cruz County's We Are Here To Stay campaign website at http://www.weareheretostayscc.org.

###SAN JOSE (BCN)

Faith and community leaders gathered at First Christian Church in San Jose this morning to announce their support for the California Schools and Local Communities Funding Act of 2018, an initiative to bring $11 billion back to education and local services statewide.

The act would restore an estimated $1 billion per year to Santa Clara County for educational facilities, emergency responder services, parks, health clinics and more, including addressing the affordable housing crisis, leaders with People Acting in Community Together said.

Representatives from organizations including PACT, the Council on American Islamic Relations, Working Partnerships USA and more spoke on the benefits that placing the initiative on the ballot could bring to the state, and specifically, Santa Clara County.

"We are here today, sandwiched between institutions of education and government, on the steps of a sacred space, to proclaim boldly that we all belong," Reverend Nicole Lamarche of the Silicon Valley Progressive Faith Community said. "People of faith and conscience should not remain silent. This is a moment that urgently asks us to act."

Many of the speakers said that they believed the proposition that the act would revise, Proposition 13, was funneling tax giveaways to billionaires and corporate landowners, calling it a "loophole."

The proposed act, which the Schools & Communities First coalition is gathering signatures for in order to turn it into a measure on the November 2018 ballot, would allow California to receive more tax dollars from commercial properties by evaluating them at current market value, according to the coalition's website.

"This initiative only affects under-valued commercial properties, creating a level playing field for those businesses that already pay their fair share," the coalition states on its initiative-dedicated web page.

California Assemblymember Ash Kalra and Franklin McKinley School Board Trustee Omar Torres were also present to endorse the update on California's Proposition 13.

Proposition 13 was first passed in 1978, the year that Kalra's family moved to the state.

"We are taking on the burden of paying for our schools and our infrastructure, when we are letting those who have the most means among us benefit while our children suffer," Kalra said.

Seventh grader Salma Aceves, who attends the Lairon College Preparatory Academy in the Franklin McKinley School District, gave a personal anecdote about how a lack of funding in county schools has caused her schoolwork to suffer.

Aceves said that the school's computers were stolen in August of 2017 and they have not had the money to replace them. This means that many students have to share and wait their turn to work on projects and essays.

Torres reassured the student that he would personally work with the district to get iPads with whatever money they could spare.

Father Jon Pedigo of Catholic Charities and the Diocese of San Jose announced that faith leaders would be involved in signature gathering to make sure that "faith leaders are not simply just talking about their values, but putting them into action."

Pedigo compared PACT and other community, faith and labor organizations fighting to get the measure added to the ballot and retrofit Proposition 13 to a story from Jewish tradition when Moses woke the people up about providing for the needs of the Pharaoh, but not being able to provide for themselves.

"Moses woke the people up and he said, 'Is this okay?' and they said 'Hell no, this is not okay,'" Pedigo said. "We need to wake people up, and gathering signatures is a way to talk to them about what is important and what it means to be free."

Pedigo asked the crowd why it was necessary to build "the temples of Google" and "the pyramids of Facebook" when many in the county suffer, not being able to pay their own rent and worry about feeding their children.

"We cannot even educate our children, because we are busy working three or four jobs, and that is not fair," Pedigo said.

###

230-5239

Akemi Flynn, People Acting in Community Together, (408) 504-8030

Father Jon Pedigo, Catholic Charities and Diocese of San Jose, (408) 757-6344OAKLAND (BCN)

An Alameda man who allegedly was seeking revenge for the fatal shooting of his son four months earlier was convicted today of four counts of assault with a deadly weapon and seven other felony charges for a shooting near San Pablo Park in Berkeley in August 2015.

Jamell Tousant, 40, who has a prior conviction for robbery, is expected to get a state prison term of between 12 and 22 years when he's sentenced by Alameda County Superior Court Judge Kevin Murphy on May 18.

Prosecutor Nick Hamer admitted in his closing argument in the trial that there weren't any eyewitnesses who testified that Tousant was one of the two shooters in the 2800 block of Mabel Street, near Oregon Street, at about 6:40 p.m. on Aug. 15, 2015.

But Hamer said a mountain of circumstantial evidence, such as records from his two cellphones, bullets found at his home in Alameda and a photo that Tousant posted on his Facebook page of him posing with an assault rifle with a high-capacity drum style magazine, connects Tousant to the shooting.

Hamer said he believes that the motive for the Berkeley shooting was that Tousant was seeking revenge for the fatal shooting of his 21-year-old son, who was also named Jamell Tousant, in the 1400 block of 90th Avenue in Oakland at about 6:15 p.m. on April 25, 2015.

The prosecutor said Tousant believed that the people who killed his son belonged to the Berkeley-based Five Fingers Gang, had done research on the gang on his cellphone and thought that the four people who were shot all belonged to the gang and were involved in his son's death.

One of those four men was hit in his leg with a bullet and had to be treated at a hospital but none of the four victims cooperated with police, Hamer said.

The second shooter has never been arrested or charged, according to Hamer.

Defense attorney Ernie Castillo admitted that a car that belonged to Tousant was involved in the shooting but said Tousant should be found not guilty because the prosecution can't prove that Tousant was in the car at the time of the shooting and was one of the shooters.

Castillo said a witness to the shooting described the driver of the car that was involved the shooting as having short hair and being right-handed, but he said, Tousant doesn't match that description because he's bald and left-handed.

Tousant testified during his trial that he had loaned his car to some friends that day and wasn't at the scene when the shooting occurred.

He said, "I'm too old to shoot people. I didn't shoot anyone."

But Hamer alleged in his argument that Tousant's testimony wasn't truthful and told jurors, "His story is ridiculous."

Authorities said no one has been arrested and charged in connection with the shooting death of Tousant's son.

Hamer said that when Tousant's son was shot Tousant showed up at the hospital with a rifle and extra bullets and undercover police officers heard him making anti-police statements.

Hamer said, "From day one he (Tousant) was going to handle it (the investigation into his son's death) his way."

In addition to four counts of assault with a deadly weapon, Tousant was convicted of two counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling, shooting at an unoccupied vehicle, carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle, carrying a loaded firearm in a city and two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon.

However, jurors didn't find that Tousant personally fired a weapon in the Berkeley shooting, which was a victory for Tousant because such a finding would have meant he would have faced life in prison.

Castillo said jurors believed the prosecution failed to prove that Tousant was one of the shooters.

Castillo said he thinks Tousant should have been found not guilty of all the charges but he's glad that he was able to spare Tousant from having to spend the rest of his life in prison.

###

272-6280

Defense attorney Ernie Castillo (510) 686-1555 or (415)

608-0282DUBLIN (BCN)

Starting Sunday, National Guard aviation units will conduct an annual emergency-response training with Bay Area law enforcement agencies in Dublin that will last two weeks.

The purpose of the training is to strengthen civilian and military coordination during emergency incidents across the region. The inter-agency training will include National Guard units from California, Oklahoma, Arizona and Colorado.

Local civilian agencies participating in the training include the Oakland and Sacramento fire departments, Sonoma police, the Solano County Sheriff's Office, and the North Bay, South Bay and Sacramento incident management teams.

"By regularly training alongside state and federal emergency responders, we're able to establish the protocols and relationships that will make for a quick and seamless response when emergency incidents occur," Lt. Col. Dan Anderson, commander of the California Army National Guard's 3-140 Aviation Battalion, said.

The battalion performs emergency response missions in support of civilian agencies throughout the year. Missions include search and rescue, wildfire suppression, personnel transportation, and medical evacuation capabilities.

In addition to the upcoming inter-agency training, National Guard units will conduct combat-readiness exercises, including vehicle-rollover response and evacuation of personnel under enemy fire.

The training will be held at the U.S. Army Camp Parks in Dublin and last from Sunday through March 25. Anyone living or working in the area may experience an increase in noise, as well as aerial or ground traffic related to the training.

###Scientists discovered a gray whale probably died of malnutrition after performing a necropsy operation Thursday morning on Angel Island, according to The Marine Mammal Center.

Eight scientists arrived at Sand Springs Beach on Angel Island Thursday to determine the cause of death of a 28-foot juvenile male gray whale that had been spotted Wednesday morning floating between Angel Island and Belvedere.

Wednesday morning the whale was already dead.

Scientists said they discovered during the necropsy that the whale had a significant lack of muscle tissue and blubber, a sign of atrophy.

The animal had very little food in its stomach, suggesting it hadn't eaten in a while.

The whale did not appear to have suffered trauma, leading scientists to believe that the cause of death was malnutrition.

Scientists with The Marine Mammal Center collected tissue samples for the purpose of research and scientists with the California Academy of Sciences archived pelvic bones and a rib.

"Every whale stranding is an incredible opportunity to learn from these amazing animals and contribute to baseline data," Dr. Padraig Duignan, chief research pathologist at The Marine Mammal Center, said in a statement.

"This particular gray whale was likely in its first year of foraging on its own in the wild, and it's unknown whether this juvenile was following a food source into San Francisco Bay prior to its death," Duignan said.

###The California High-Speed Rail Authority released a new draft business plan Friday for the rail line that could connect the Bay Area to the Central Valley and Los Angeles, but its receiving mixed reactions from some local public officials.

The report says the project has major economic benefits, including creating thousands of new jobs and generating billions in economic output. It also says the rail line would reduce travel times between California's major cities.

Current travel time between San Francisco and Los Angeles by passenger rail is about 10 hours, and by car its about six hours. According to the report, a high-speed train would take passengers between the two cities in just 3 hours.

If completed, the high-speed rail line will connect to BART at the Diridon Station in San Jose and could help relieve congestion on the local transit system.

BART Board President Robert Raburn said his agency fully supports development of a high-speed rail, which he said is vital to addressing the region's acute transportation challenges in an environmentally responsible way.

"Imagine leaving your Bay Area home and being able to make stops in Silicon Valley and the Central Valley and eventually Los Angeles without ever sitting in traffic, without burning fossil fuel and without lining the pockets of a for-profit company," Raburn said in a statement.

"It's not just a dream -- connecting BART with California High-Speed Rail will make it possible," he said.

Despite the benefits of a high-speed rail line, Assemblyman Jim Frazier, D-Discovery Bay, said in a statement that there's still work that has to be done before the project can move forward.

"At first glance, the High Speed Rail project is still over budget and the funding to complete the program hasn't been identified," Frazier said.

According to the draft business plan, phase one of the project would cost about $77 billion.

"We still have no realistic way to pay for the project," Frazier said.

Frazier, who is also the chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee, has scheduled a committee oversight hearing for the updated High-Speed Rail business plan for April 2 at the state Capitol.

###Three hostages and a suspected gunman died after a day-long hostage standoff ended tragically Friday in Yountville, California Highway Patrol officials said.

Shortly before 6 p.m. law enforcement personnel entered a room at the Veterans Home of California at 260 California Drive where a gunman was holding three female hostages.

Law enforcement personnel found four people dead.

Authorities said they found the suspect's vehicle parked near the building and searched it. Authorities found a cellphone inside the vehicle but no bomb.

The hostage situation no longer poses a threat to public safety, according to authorities.

The situation began at about 10:30 a.m. Friday morning.

A man with a rifle exchanged gunfire with Napa County Sheriff's deputies in a room at the home while holding three people hostage, authorities said.

California Highway Patrol Officer Chris Childs said three SWAT teams responded.

Napa County Sheriff John Robertson said his office knew who the man was and called him on his cellphone but he did not respond.

"We don't know his motivation," Robertson said Friday afternoon at a news conference.

Early in the situation, the suspect had more than three people hostage but he released all but three of them, authorities said.

The names of the victims and the suspect will be released by the Napa County coroner's office once their families have been told.

In a statement, Gov. Jerry Brown said, "Anne and I are deeply saddened by the horrible violence at the Yountville Veterans Home, which tragically took the lives of three people dedicated to serving our veterans. Our hearts go out to their families and loved ones and the entire community of Yountville."

Brown added that flags at the capitol will be flown at half-staff in recognition of the victims and their families.

Faith and community leaders gathered at First Christian Church in San Jose Friday morning to announce their support for the California Schools and Local Communities Funding Act of 2018, an initiative to bring $11 billion back to education and local services statewide.

The act would restore an estimated $1 billion per year to Santa Clara County for educational facilities, emergency responder services, parks, health clinics and more, including addressing the affordable housing crisis, leaders with People Acting in Community Together said.

Representatives from organizations including PACT, the Council on American Islamic Relations, Working Partnerships USA and more spoke on the benefits that placing the initiative on the ballot could bring to the state, and specifically, Santa Clara County.

"We are here today, sandwiched between institutions of education and government, on the steps of a sacred space, to proclaim boldly that we all belong," Reverend Nicole Lamarche of the Silicon Valley Progressive Faith Community said. "People of faith and conscience should not remain silent. This is a moment that urgently asks us to act."

Many of the speakers said that they believed the proposition that the act would revise, Proposition 13, was funneling tax giveaways to billionaires and corporate landowners, calling it a "loophole."

The proposed act, which the Schools & Communities First coalition is gathering signatures for in order to turn it into a measure on the November 2018 ballot, would allow California to receive more tax dollars from commercial properties by evaluating them at current market value, according to the coalition's website.

"This initiative only affects under-valued commercial properties, creating a level playing field for those businesses that already pay their fair share," the coalition states on its initiative-dedicated web page.

California Assemblymember Ash Kalra and Franklin McKinley School Board Trustee Omar Torres were also present to endorse the update on California's Proposition 13.

Proposition 13 was first passed in 1978, the year that Kalra's family moved to the state.

"We are taking on the burden of paying for our schools and our infrastructure, when we are letting those who have the most means among us benefit while our children suffer," Kalra said.

Seventh grader Salma Aceves, who attends the Lairon College Preparatory Academy in the Franklin McKinley School District, gave a personal anecdote about how a lack of funding in county schools has caused her schoolwork to suffer.

Aceves said that the school's computers were stolen in August of 2017 and they have not had the money to replace them. This means that many students have to share and wait their turn to work on projects and essays.

Torres reassured the student that he would personally work with the district to get iPads with whatever money they could spare.

Father Jon Pedigo of Catholic Charities and the Diocese of San Jose announced that faith leaders would be involved in signature gathering to make sure that "faith leaders are not simply just talking about their values, but putting them into action."

Pedigo compared PACT and other community, faith and labor organizations fighting to get the measure added to the ballot and retrofit Proposition 13 to a story from Jewish tradition when Moses woke the people up about providing for the needs of the Pharaoh, but not being able to provide for themselves.

"Moses woke the people up and he said, 'Is this okay?' and they said 'Hell no, this is not okay,'" Pedigo said. "We need to wake people up, and gathering signatures is a way to talk to them about what is important and what it means to be free."

Pedigo asked the crowd why it was necessary to build "the temples of Google" and "the pyramids of Facebook" when many in the county suffer, not being able to pay their own rent and worry about feeding their children.

"We cannot even educate our children, because we are busy working three or four jobs, and that is not fair," Pedigo said.

City of Watsonville officials Friday explained what a U.S. Supreme Court decision on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program means for residents.

The Feb. 26 decision means that the DACA program is still in place after the court decided not to take up the Trump's administration request for a quick review of a preliminary injunction blocking most of a repeal of the program.

The case will move on to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, city officials said.

The Supreme Court's denial follows the injunction issued in January by U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco, blocking most of an order repealing the program for about 690,000 current recipients.

However, the injunction does not require the administration to allow new applications.

Alsup's injunction will remain in place until late spring or early summer when Trump's request will be taken up by the 9th Circuit Court.

While the March 5th deadline is no longer a deadline, the higher court has the option of re-imposing the deadline at any time, according to city officials. They advised not leaving the country at this time, as recipients of the program can still renew their status and work permits if they so choose to.

While no new applications are being accepted at this time, residents can get help with DACA renewals at the Santa Cruz County Immigration Project and Community Action Board located at 406 Main St. and Catholic Charities Immigration Services located at 656 Main St.

The city's message was endorsed by a coalition of community and faith-based organizations including ACLU Northern California, Santa Cruz County Office of Education, SEIU Local 521, YWCA of Watsonville and many more.

Those with further questions or those desiring resources to help with the permit can visit Santa Cruz County's We Are Here To Stay campaign website at http://www.weareheretostayscc.org.

An estimated 400 students and staff walked out from Alum Rock School District schools in San Jose on Thursday to "shine light on the ongoing and unscrupulous abuses that the ARUSD board members have carried out for many years," according to the nonprofit SOMOS Mayfair.

Community members are alleging ARUSD robbed students of resources, supported corporate interests over families, created an environment of fear, intimidation and division and suppressed the community's voice to make unilateral decisions that benefit just a few, the nonprofit organization stated in a release.

According to SOMOS Mayfair, many parents supported the walkout as a result of last week's special board meeting where community members felt they "witnessed a fundamental breakdown of democratic norms and were exposed to complete incompetence of the board majority."

Those who walked out stated three demands at the rally: that the Santa Clara County Office of Education practice maximum enforcement of fiscal oversight by stopping any fiscal decisions by the ARUSD board, that the focus of decision-making transfers back to students in order for them to be "moral and just," and that the school district board take direct action to support the demands.

"Parents will continue to expose the board majority whose legacy is standing on the backs of our students for political and financial gain," Cesar Chavez School parent Olivia Ortiz said in the statement. "We will not support a board aligned with corrupt corporate interest instead of serving Alum Rock families and children."

SOMOS Mayfair laid out a timeline of actions, beginning in November of 2016, that the ARUSD Board took that made parents weary of where their allegiance lay.

The most recent action listed, which took place in February, alleges that when Superintendent Hilaria Bauer requested a public evaluation of her performance the board called a special session to say that it was already conducted and denied her request.

"This is the kind of representation and leadership that this board demonstrates week after week, but time is up to step up or step out," Executive Director of SOMOS Mayfair and ARUSD parent Camille Llanes-Fontanilla said in the release.

The San Francisco District Attorney's Office Friday charged a 19-year-old man who was arrested at the scene of a fatal officer-involved shooting Tuesday with second-degree robbery, according to court documents.

Victor Navarro-Flores was found in the same Honda Civic as 19-year-old Jesus Delgado-Duarte, who was allegedly hiding in the car's trunk before San Francisco Police Department officers fatally shot him.

At the scene, officers arrested Navarro-Flores and 18-year-old Cristina Juarez, who was also found in the Honda.

Navarro-Flores is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, according to court records. He remains jailed on $225,000 bail, according to jail records.

Prosecutors have not charged Juarez.

Also Friday, police announced that they will hold a town hall meeting Monday to discuss the fatal police shooting and share facts with community members. The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. at Cesar Chavez Elementary School at 825 Shotwell St.

The fatal shooting unfolded Tuesday around 10:35 p.m. when two people flagged down officers near 20th and Capp streets and said they had been robbed by the occupants of a black Honda Civic. Officers caught up with a vehicle matching that description nearby on Capp Street between 21st and 22nd streets.

After detaining one of the Honda's occupants, officers noticed the trunk was ajar. Officers realized that a person was inside the trunk, later identified as Delgado-Duarte, and that's when the officer-involved shooting occurred, according to police.

Following the shooting, the third suspect was detained.

Delgado-Duarte was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have not said exactly how the shooting occurred. A gun was found in the car's trunk, police said.

Several agencies are conducting separate investigations including the Police Department's homicide detail, the San Francisco District Attorney's Office, the city's Department of Police Accountability, the SFPD Internal Affairs Division and the medical examiner's office.

A large housing project in Berkeley is the first in California to invoke a new bill that allows developments to be streamlined.

After stalling for years, development of the 260-unit project at 1900 Fourth St. will move forward thanks to Senate Bill 35, which went into effect Jan. 1.

Under SB 35, which was authored by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, if cities fall short of their state-required housing goals, then approval of projects in those cities are streamlined if they meet a set of objective criteria, including affordability and labor standards.

The streamlining applies only to projects for income levels that are not being built, so if a city is building sufficient market-rate units but not enough low-income units, the project must include at least 50 percent low-income units to qualify for streamlined approval, according to Wiener.

The project at 1900 Fourth St. will include 50 percent affordable housing, or 130 units in all. By invoking SB 35, it will force the city of Berkeley to approve the project within 180 days.

"This project was stalled for years, and now it will move forward with a large amount of affordable housing," Wiener said in a statement Thursday.

"Affordable housing is a major beneficiary of SB 35, since the law streamlines affordable housing in almost every California community," Wiener said.

A cute and friendly pit bull at the Peninsula Humane Society and Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shelter in Burlingame is waiting to be adopted by her forever family.

Leah is a 5-year-old gray female. She was found in March 2015 as a stray in East Palo Alto and just celebrated her third anniversary at the shelter.

"Leah's been patiently waiting now at our shelter for three years to be adopted into a new and loving family," Buffy Martin Tarbox, the shelter's spokeswoman, said.

Tarbox said Leah is a favorite among the staff and volunteers at the shelter. They recently celebrated her third anniversary at the shelter with special dog cupcakes, or pupcakes, Tarbox said.

Tarbox said that Leah is very gentle and tolerant of all handling, although she is nervous around other dogs and should probably be the only dog in her new home.

Leah's health in exceptional, however she does have a flea allergy that causes skin sensitivity to flea medicine. She's also been spayed, micro-chipped and vaccinated.

Leah is "plus-sized" and shelter officials said her new family will need to be committed to helping her lose weight.

"We affectionately refer to Leah as the friendly hippo at our shelter," Tarbox said.

Anyone interested in meeting Leah can visit the shelter at 1450 Rollins Road in Burlingame or call (650) 340-7022. The shelter is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekends.

Her adoption fee is $120. Potential adopters should arrive at least an hour before closing time to complete an adoption.

###YOUNTVILLE (BCN)

Three hostages and a suspected gunman are dead after a day-long hostage standoff ended tragically today in Yountville, California Highway Patrol officials said.

Shortly before 6 p.m. law enforcement personnel entered a room at the Veterans Home of California at 260 California Drive where a gunman was holding three female hostages.

Law enforcement personnel found four people dead.

Authorities said they found the suspect's vehicle parked near the building and searched it. Authorities found a cellphone inside the vehicle but no bomb.

The hostage situation no longer poses a threat to public safety, according to authorities.

The situation began at about 10:30 a.m. this morning.

A man with a rifle exchanged gunfire with Napa County Sheriff's deputies in a room at the home while holding three people hostage, authorities said.

California Highway Patrol Officer Chris Childs said three SWAT teams responded.

Napa County Sheriff John Robertson said his office knew who the man was and called him on his cellphone but he did not respond.

"We don't know his motivation," Robertson said this afternoon at a news conference.

Early in the situation, the suspect had more than three people hostage but he released all but three of them, authorities said.

The names of the victims and the suspect will be released by the Napa County coroner's office once their families have been told.

In a statement, Gov. Jerry Brown said, "Anne and I are deeply saddened by the horrible violence at the Yountville Veterans Home, which tragically took the lives of three people dedicated to serving our veterans. Our hearts go out to their families and loved ones and the entire community of Yountville."

Brown added that flags at the capitol will be flown at half-staff in recognition of the victims and their families.

###1)

YOUNTVILLE (BCN)

Resources have been made available to survivors of a hostage standoff Friday at a veterans' home in Yountville that ended in the death of three hostages and the suspected hostage taker, the Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs said today.

Dr. Vito Imbasciani, the secretary, said veterans and employees at the home were traumatized when Albert Wong, 36, of Sacramento, allegedly shot and killed three employees of a program for veterans.

"This is a really difficult day," Yountville Mayor John Dunbar said, adding that the community and the program lost three beautiful people.

Dunbar added, "We also lost one of our heroes who clearly had demons."

Wong allegedly took the life of 42-year-old St. Helena woman Jennifer Golick, who was the clinical director of the Pathway Home program, which suffered the losses.

Wong also allegedly killed 48-year-old Napa resident Christine Loeber, who was executive director of the program, and 29-year-old Jennifer Gonzalez, a psychologist.

Dunbar said the three women dedicated themselves to the lives of veterans, "bringing energy, vitality and personality" to their work.

The Pathway Home program served mainly veterans who fought in wars after the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The program provides educational, professional and clinical support to post-9/11 veterans pursuing school- or work-related endeavors as they transition to civilian life.

Dunbar is a board member for the program.

For a time, Wong was part of the program.

Six people remain in the program and they will continue to get care, Imbasciani said.

The situation began at about 10:30 a.m. Friday morning at the Veterans Home of California at 260 California Drive.

Wong allegedly had a rifle and exchanged gunfire with Napa County Sheriff's deputies in a room at the home, authorities said.

Napa County Sheriff John Robertson said his office knew who Wong was and called him on his cellphone, but he did not respond.

Shortly before 6 p.m., law enforcement personnel entered a room at the veterans home where they found four people dead.

Authorities said they found Wong's vehicle parked near the building and searched it. Authorities found a cellphone inside the vehicle but no bomb.

Early in the standoff, Wong allegedly had more than three people hostage, but he released all but three, authorities said.

In a statement Friday, Gov. Jerry Brown said, "Anne and I are deeply saddened by the horrible violence at the Yountville Veterans Home, which tragically took the lives of three people dedicated to serving our veterans. Our hearts go out to their families and loved ones and the entire community of Yountville."

Brown added that flags at the capitol will be flown at half-staff in recognition of the victims and their families.

Forensic examinations of the dead will be scheduled next week at the Napa County coroner's office, sheriff's officials said.

###

957-8247

Napa County Sheriff John Robertson (707) 253-4501

Governor's news office (916) 445-4571Artsploitation continues its trend of acquiring international horror flicks this week, adding the horror anthology A Taste of Phobia to its roster. Headed by Italian filmmaker Domiziano Cristopharo and UK producer Tony Newton the project is a collection of short films from filmmakers around the World which explore a number of fears and phobias.

Artsploitation will release the anthology on DVD and VOD in May. You can watch the trailer for the project below.

Artsploitation has acquired the U.S. and Canadian rights to EuroObscuras A Taste of Phobia, a harrowing horror anthology created by 14 international directors. Produced by Vestra Pictures and Enchanted Architect, in collaboration with Trash Art Pictures, the film is scheduled for DVD and VOD release in May 2018.

Of the multitude of fears, A Taste of Phobia delves into some of the weirdest and wildest, each with its own bloody twist. Presenting 14 unnerving segments, featured phobias include caetophobia (fear of hairs), henophobia (fear of young virgin girls), coprophobia (fear of feces), mysophobia (fear of contamination and germs), mazeophobia (fear of being lost), astrophobia (fear of celestial objects), mageirocophobia (fear of cooking) and oneirophobia (fear of dreams).

As someone with a high number of phobias myself -- fear of ceiling fans and hotel remotes to name just two -- I was hesitant to watch A Taste of Phobia. But after 90 minutes of seeing people traumatized, institutionalized and dying from their fears, I felt much better, said Artsploitation President, Raymond Murray. Its a cinematic colonic for a sick mind and a must for Artsploitation fans.

A Taste of Phobia combines the talents of directors known for making a bloody good splash such as James Quinn (The Law of Sodom), Sam Mason Bell (The Making Of), Jason Impey (Home Made), Alessandro Redaelli (P.O.E. 3), Chris Milewski (Welcome to the World, Dear Child), Alessandro Giordani (L'insonne: Ouverture) and Domiziano Cristopharo (Virus: Extreme Contamination, Dark Waves).

We are proud that Artsploitation will be releasing this great and scary horror movie in the U.S., said Marco Magni, international sales representative for EuroObscura. Im sure that the fans of horror movies in America will enjoy it and will also be surprised to learn about the more strange and terrifying kind of phobias that exist in the world.

A Taste of Phobia

Genre: Horror Year: 2017 Running time: 90 minutes Language: English Audio format: 2.0 stereo

Directors:

Jackson Batchelor (UK)

Sam Mason Bell (England)

Domiziano Cristopharo (Italy)

Michael J. Epstein (USA)

Dustin Ferguson (USA)

Alessandro Giordani (Italy)

Jason Impey (UK)

Sunny King (Nigeria)

Chris Milewski (USA)

Davide Pesca (Italy)

Alessandro Redaelli (Italy)

Poison Rouge (Italy)

Rob Ulitski (UK)

Lorenzo Zanonin & Alessandro Sisti (Italy)

Producers:

Domiziano Cristopharo

Tony Newton

Sam Mason Bell

Music:

Antriksh BaliAmong other things Monster Pictures does a swell job of looking after home grown talent over in Australia. Having picked up local horror flick from director and writer Steven Spiel Living Space they are about to premiere his feature film debut tomorrow night in Sydney before taking it on a traveling road show.

You will find a listing of the other four screenings below, with links to purchase tickets. We also have the trailer too.

A romantic holiday takes a sinister turn when Brad & Ashleys car breaks down in the German countryside. Forced to take refuge in an isolated farmhouse they thought to be abandoned, the couple quickly learn that the house holds a dark past. Thrust into a supernatural nightmare, the pair must battle malevolent forces lead by an undead Nazi general if they wish to survive the night.

LIVING SPACE stars Leigh Scully (Deep Water, Home & Away), Georgia Chara (Wentworth, Home & Away), Andy McPhee (Sons of Anarchy, Saving Mr Banks), Jolene Anderson (All Saints, Rush), Emma Leonard (800 Words), Charlotte McLeod and Amelia Ayres.

Monster Pictures have acquired Australian/New Zealand distribution rights to Tru Dot Films feature LIVING SPACE. Written and directed by Steven Spiel, this supernatural horror will play a series of Monster Fest Presents screenings across Australia this March.

Producer Natalie Forward said "the film is a horror fans delight. It really seeps into your psyche and will have you thinking about it for days. The set was terrifying. The house we used lent itself perfectly to a horror film and really is a character of its own in the film. For an independent film to receive a theatrical release in Australia is tough and it truly shows the quality we were able to achieve.

Writer/director Steven Spiel explains that LIVING SPACE was solely written to entertain audiences. I knew exactly what I wanted to achieve by creating this film. I was wanting to excite the audience from the very start. I wanted to send the audience on a rollercoaster ride of different emotions to ensure that people could escape their daily lives even if just for 80 minutes. LIVING SPACE is a horror/thriller based on an ideology but not rooted in reality. I feel its perfect for someone new to horror as well as seasoned fans ."

The deal was negotiated between Tru Dot Films and Monster Pictures with international sales being handled by Jinga Films.

The film will world premiere March 10th at Event Cinema George Street as part of the Monster Fest Traveling Road Show, which launched in 2016 and brings festival favorites from the Melbourne based genre festival as well as brand new horror-centric world premieres to Sydney.BRUSSELS  The European Union and Japan pressed President Trumps trade envoy Saturday to exempt them, as longtime U.S. allies, from upcoming steel tariffs that have sparked fears of a new trade war. But they appeared to win no quick concessions.

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem said after meetings in Brussels that she got no immediate clarity on the exact U.S. procedure for exemption, and that new talks are planned.

The tariffs come into force in two weeks. If the 28-nation EU cannot secure an exemption, it has threatened retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products like peanut butter and orange juice. Japan has warned of the dangers of tit-for-tat measures.

Malmstroem said in a statement that she had a frank discussion with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer about the steel tariffs, insisting that the European Union must be excluded because it is a close U.S. ally.

The two also met with Japans Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan Hiroshige Seko, and all three pledged in a statement afterward to work together to fight dumping that hurts jobs and industries around the world.

Lighthizer didnt comment publicly after the meetings. Trump tweeted that he spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, saying they are discussing opening up Japan to much better trade with the U.S.

Trump is opening up one-on-one trade talks with countries on the new tariffs, to see if he can win concessions for the U.S.

Trump insisted in a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron  a leading EU player staunchly opposed to the tariffs  that the decision is necessary and appropriate to protect national security. The White House said both presidents discussed alternative ways to address United States concerns, without elaborating.

Saturdays meetings in Brussels had been previously planned but took on greater importance because of Trumps announcement of a 25 percent tariff on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum imports.

Key U.S. trading partners and businesses have warned the tariffs could backfire, provoking a trade war and hurting allies like the EU and Japan more than China, their main target.

Trump has said Canada and Mexico are exempt for now, and other countries could be spared if they can convince the administration that their steel and aluminum exports dont threaten American jobs and industry.BUENOS AIRES  Reynaldo Bignone, the last military dictator of Argentina, died here Wednesday while under house arrest after being convicted of crimes against humanity in multiple trials. He was 90.

An army official said the cause was heart failure produced by septic shock in the Central Military Hospital.

Bignone, a former general, was the fourth and last leader of a military dictatorship that illegally imprisoned, tortured, killed and disappeared tens of thousands of people. He was found guilty of numerous crimes, including killings, tortures and the kidnapping of babies from political prisoners.

His death came just eight days after that of another former Argentine general, Luciano Benjamin Menendez, who had also been convicted of crimes against humanity.

When Bignone was handed the reins on July 1, 1982, the military junta that had engulfed Argentina in repression and economic chaos was on its last legs.

Bignone, who had retired from the military in 1981, was asked by the military leadership to succeed Gen. Leopoldo Galtieri, who in 1982 led Argentina to embarrassing defeat when British forces repulsed an invasion of the British-held Falkland Islands.

Bignone took over with the stated goal of transitioning to a democratically elected civilian government. On Dec. 10, 1983, he handed power to Raul Ricardo Alfonsin, who had been elected in late October.

Before the transition, however, Bignone led a methodical process not only to destroy evidence about the dictatorships crimes but also to justify its repression. He approved an amnesty that was effectively an effort to shield military officers from prosecution.

Bignones convictions in 10 war-crimes trials led to three life sentences and seven sentences of 15 to 25 years. He was also acquitted in one case and indicted in nine others that never went to trial, according to data from the Argentine attorney generals office.

Death was left without its last boss: The genocide perpetrator Bignone died, Hijos, a human rights group that advocates for descendants of the disappeared, wrote on Twitter. His family knows the time, the reasons and the location. It can also decide where to bid him farewell. The thousands of families who are Bignones victims cant.

Bignones convictions and sentences marked a stark shift in how Argentine society regarded him. He had once been seen as the most benevolent member of the military junta because he had led the transition to democracy, but he came to be reviled when his key role in the darkest chapters of the dictatorship became clear.

Bignone was sentenced to prison for the first time in April 2010 after being found guilty of torture and killings as the head of the Campo de Mayo military base, where illegal detention centers had held thousands.

He had also led the military takeover of the Posadas Hospital in Buenos Aires province, where another illegal detention center was set up.

In 2016, Bignone was sentenced for his role in Operation Condor, a joint effort by right-wing dictatorships in the region to track down dissidents.

He never expressed regret for his crimes. In a memoir, The Last De Facto (1992), he sought to justify the actions of the juntas.

He did so again before being sentenced in 2010, saying that there had been an irregular war under way in Argentina at the time and that the armed forces had to get involved in the fight to defeat terrorism.

Reynaldo Benito Bignone was born on Jan. 21, 1928, in Moron, Buenos Aires province, and entered the Military Academy at 19. He went on to become general secretary of the army and was named head of the Military College months before the 1976 coup that ousted President Maria Estela Martinez de Peron.

Argentinas Defense Ministry stripped Bignone of his military rank in October 2014.

He is survived by two of the three children he had with his wife, Nilda Raquel Belen Etcheverry, who died in 2013.Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev chose Reykjavik, Iceland. Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Josef Stalin huddled at Yalta. Dwight Eisenhower and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev will always have Paris.

So where should President Trump and Kim Jong Un meet up for the first face-to-face talks between a U.S. and North Korean president?

The Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea is one possibility. Sweden has offered to help. And theres always neutral Geneva. Someplace in Asia perhaps  such as Beijing  hasnt been ruled out. Nor, for that matter, has a ship in international waters.

The question crackled through diplomatic and government circles Friday, one day after a South Korean official announced in the dark on a White House driveway that the two heads of state who had threatened mutual obliteration for months would take a meeting.

Its not clear what location is suitable for leaders who have sniped at each other  Little Rocket Man vs. senile dotard  in nerve-rattling Twitter exchanges about nuclear war.

Its all about optics, from their first handshake, said Lisa Collins, a Korea scholar and fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. There are 70 years of historical baggage between the two countries ... so to have the meeting in a place thats a safe location and one that doesnt overly highlight the differences between the two countries would probably be the best.

Trump, a former reality TV star, understands well the value of optics. But symbolism, security and practicality also come into play. Holding talks in either the U.S. or North Korea seem unlikely. Traveling to North Korea risks conferring legitimacy on Kim and his country.

As for Kim: Except for schooling in Switzerland and perhaps some vacations during that time, its not clear that he has left North Korea. So Mar-a-Lago, the presidents Florida estate that was good enough for Chinese President Xi Jinping last April, probably wont do this time.

More likely is the no-mans-land of Peace Village in the DMZs Panmunjom. There is a building there with a line through the middle that marks the border  and was the site of the 1953 armistice. Theoretically, Kim could shake Trumps hand by reaching over the line without ever setting foot outside North Korea. And Trumps been wanting to visit the DMZ, anyway.

In April, the leaders of North and South Korea are to meet there for their own historic bilateral talks.Page Content

On March 1, the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General issued its much-anticipated guidance on the state's new pay equity law, set to take effect on July 1. The Massachusetts pay equity legislation amended the Massachusetts Equal Pay Act (MEPA). Among other things, the amendment changed the definition of comparable work, prohibited employers from asking applicants about salary history and established a safe harbor for employers who conduct pay audits.

The Attorney General's guidance does not have the legal force of a regulation, but it provides clear insight into how the Attorney General's Office views the law and will enforce it.

The guidance consists of a number of frequently asked questions, a guide for employers to conduct self-evaluations of their pay practices, and a sample checklist for employers to follow when reviewing policies and procedures for compliance with the amended MEPA.

This article discusses some of the key provisions in the guidance.

Multistate Employers and Out-of-State Employees

The guidance goes further than what the law provides and states that the amended pay law applies to employees with a "primary place of work" in Massachusetts and includes those who work from a Massachusetts base of operations, but travel out of state.

The guidance, however, provides little clarity regarding the meaning of "primary place of work." For example, the guidance states that employees who telecommute from outside Massachusetts "to a Massachusetts worksite" have a primary place of work in Massachusetts. It does not clarify, however, what that means. For example, the guidance does not provide an answer as to whether an employee who works for an employer's headquarters in Massachusetts, but works from home in Louisiana (for example) for a supervisor who is also in Louisiana, has a "primary place of work" in Massachusetts or Louisiana for purposes of the amended law.

The guidance states that multistate employers must comply with the new pay law if it is "possible" that the prospective employee will be chosen or assigned to work in Massachusetts. This means that all of the law's requirementsincluding its prohibitions on salary history inquiriesapply to the interview process. This includes even when the interview process is outside of Massachusetts, but there is a possibility that the employee will work in Massachusetts. The guidance further states that employer indecision on the final placement of an employee during the pre-hire stage is not a viable defense.

Comparable Work

The new definition of "comparable work" is work that "requires substantially similar skill, effort, and responsibility." The guidance notes that this is a broader definition than the "equal work" standard under federal law. The guidance also cautions employers not to assume that jobs in different business units or departments are not "comparable" unless the jobs, in fact, require different skills, effort and responsibility.

Under MEPA, differences in pay for comparable work are acceptable only when based on one of the following factors:

A seniority system (that is not affected by pregnancy, parental, or family leave).



A merit system.



A system measuring earnings by quantity or quality of production, sales or revenue.



Geographic location.



Education, training or experience (as long as reasonably related to the particular job in question).



Travel that is a regular and necessary part of the job.



The guidance reviews these factors and provides further information on applying them. For example, the guidance confirms that commission systems applied in uniform, reasonably objective fashions can account for differences in pay. Likewise, different geographic work locations also may constitute a valid reason for differences in pay.

The guidance also advises that MEPA is a "strict liability" statute. An employer's intent to discriminate against employees of one gender on the basis of pay is "irrelevant" to the analysis and the differences in pay can be justified only by one of the enumerated factors.

Salary History Inquiries

Under the MEPA, employers are prohibited from seeking salary or wage history information from a prospective employee, except in two limited instances:

When an employer is confirming wage or salary information that has been voluntarily shared by the prospective employee.



After an offer of employment with compensation has been made.



The guidance makes clear that MEPA permits asking a prospective employee about salary requirements or expectations. Employers may ask these questions during the interview process, but the guidance cautions that employers must ensure the questions are not "framed or posed in a way that is intended to elicit information from the prospective employee about his or her salary or wage history." The guidance also confirms that an employer may ask a prospective employee about his or her sales history (but may not ask about the individual's earnings through sales).

In addition, the guidance confirms that an employer may obtain information about a prospective employee's salary or wage history through public records. We caution employers, however, that when considering these practices, they understand that an employee's pay requirements, expectations or pay history will not justify a pay disparity.

Employer Self-Evaluation



Under the amended MEPA, employers may establish an affirmative defense against liability if the employer has (1) conducted a reasonable and good faith self-evaluation of its pay practices within the previous three years and before an employee files an action, and (2) the employer can show reasonable progress toward eliminating any unlawful discriminatory wage differentials discovered through the self-evaluation. Employers bear the burden of proving they have met these two requirements.

The guidance defines a "good faith" self-evaluation as an evaluation conducted "in a genuine attempt to identify any unlawful pay disparities among employees providing comparable work." It further states that the determination of whether a self-evaluation is reasonable in detail and scope depends on the size and complexity of the employer's workforce. In addition, the guidance states that "reasonable progress" toward eliminating pay disparities requires an employer to take "meaningful steps toward eliminating any unlawful pay disparities, taking into account how much time has passed since the self-evaluation, the nature and degree of the progress as compared to the scope of the disparities identified, and the size and resources of the employer."

The guidance notes that if an employer's self-evaluation is found to be insufficient in detail or scope, but nonetheless was conducted in good faith and the employer has made reasonable progress toward eliminating pay disparities, the employer will not be required to pay liquidated damages to any affected employees.

Tips and Tools

An appendix to the guidance contains an outline of general considerations and steps employers could take to conduct a basic self-evaluation of pay.

The guidance offers helpful tips for employers to consider when conducting self-evaluations, including:

Do not assume jobs in different business units or departments are not comparable unless they in fact require different skills, effort, and responsibility.



In many cases, pay groups with at least 30 employees need advanced, statistical analyses.



Consider outliersemployees whose compensation is significantly above or below the averageshould they be included in the overall analysis and, if so, are they being paid in compliance with MEPA?



Each male employee within a pay group is a potential comparator for each female employee (and vice versa). It is not sufficient to compare a female employee only to the "average" male employee performing comparable work.



Remedial adjustments should be made as soon as possible. If an employer waits longer than six months to take remedial action, it risks having the self-evaluation used as evidence against it if an employee files a claim.



Employers should consult with legal counsel to determine what type of analysis is most appropriate for their organizations.



The AG also published a downloadable Pay Calculation Tool with instructions. The guidance cautions that this Tool is intended for small group comparisons and that larger or complex pay groups likely require more advanced statistical analyses. The Pay Calculation Tool is an Excel spreadsheet that allows employers to enter employee information, assign pay groups and see how each employee's base salary and total compensation compare to the average in the group. The tool also provides spaces for the user to insert eligible explanatory factors (years of service, performance, location, and so on) to help in evaluating whether the employee's "pay gap" is justified.



Next Steps

The guidance provides helpful information for employers seeking to understand the AG's interpretation of the new law, especially those considering embarking on evaluations of pay practices and those revising their hiring processes to comply with the new law.

However, the guidance does not contain a clear "one-size-fits-all" answer on how the AG expects employers to analyze pay to avoid exposure under MEPA. Rather, the guidance provides only a "starting point" and notes that "the complexity of the analysis required will vary significantly depending on the size, make-up, and resources of each employer."

While the Pay Calculation Tool appears helpful to organize relevant data for a proactive self-evaluation, employers should take care in how they use it. Unless protected by the attorney-client privilege, the reports created using the tool likely would be discoverable in litigation and government investigations, including investigations by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, which do not recognize the affirmative defense under MEPA. Plaintiffs' attorneys also may seek copies of these reports to try to buttress other types of discrimination or favoritism claims. Therefore, employers should be cautious and consult with counsel before attempting to use the AG's Pay Calculation Tool or conducting any self-evaluation.

K. Joy Chin, is an attorney with Jackson Lewis in Long Island, N.Y. Brian E. Lewis and Samia M. Kirmani are attorneys with Jackson Lewis in Boston. Scott M. Pechaitis is an attorney with Jackson Lewis in Denver. Cashida N. Okeke is an attorney with Jackson Lewis in Greenville, S.C.  Jackson Lewis. All rights reserved. Reposted with permission.To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.

We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.

A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!At least three bidders are expected to submit final offers for global miner Rio Tinto's Hail Creek and Kestrel coal mines, which could fetch up to $US2.5 billion ($3.2 billion), people familiar with the process said.

The Anglo-Australian mining company made a strategic decision in 2017 to exit coal and focus on growth in iron ore, copper and its aluminium division. Hail Creek and Kestrel, in Queensland's Bowen Basin, are Rio Tinto's last two coal mines, following the $US2.7 billion sale of its Hunter Valley coal operations to Yancoal last year.

Final bids for the two mines that mostly produce coking coal, used in steel mills, are due on Monday, March 12. Credit:Ian Waldie

Whitehaven Coal is expected to bid, as well as private equity firm EMR Capital along with Indonesia's Adaro Energy. A consortium led by US private equity firm Apollo Global Management is also expected to be in the running.

Final bids for the two mines that mostly produce coking coal, used in steel mills, are due on Monday, March 12. All sources declined to be named as the bids were subject to confidentiality agreements.Essays

Feel Free

Zadie Smith

Hamish Hamilton, $35 In 1974, the philosopher Thomas Nagel published an essay on the subject of consciousness, in which he posed a famous question: what it is like to be a bat? Near the end of Zadie Smith's Feel Free, there is an essay in which she ponders a related and rather more pressing question: what is it like to be Justin Bieber? Zadie Smith's intelligence shines in her inquisitive essays. Credit:New York Times What would it be like, she wonders, to be the focus of so much hysterical adulation? What would it be like to have achieved a level of celebrity that makes the kinds of ordinary human interactions we take for granted all but impossible, and to have done so at such a young and vulnerable age, when historical precedent (cf. Michael Jackson) suggests that this is not exactly conducive to a person's psychological wellbeing? It is an indication of Smith's approach to essay writing that she not only spins her Bieber-inspired thought experiment into a substantial reflection on the nature of selfhood and the constitutive problem of our social being, but that she does so with reference to the work of the early 20th-century philosopher and mystic Martin Buber  which is to say, her argument turns on a segue that's cuter than a warehouse full of Hello Kitty stationery.

Feel Free, by Zadie Smith. The lure-you-with-the-Bieb, slap-you-with-the-Bube technique is very much in evidence in Feel Free. Smith's essays often use playful pop-culture references and self-deprecating humour to smooth the path for their serious concerns. The upside of this is that her writing is always lively and accessible, even at its most cerebral; the downside is that some of her conceits can come across as a little strained. Future historians seeking to understand the weird intellectual decadence that presaged the collapse of civilisation in the middle decades of the 21st century may well turn with interest to the essay in which Smith cites Fear and Trembling, Kierkegaard's treatise on the savage irrationality of religious faith, to explain her sudden realisation in her early 30s that she quite likes the music of Joni Mitchell. Feel Free is Smith's second volume of non-fiction and it roams more widely than its predecessor, Changing My Mind. The new collection extends her range to art criticism, magazine features (there is an overlong soft-profile of comedy duo Key and Peele), and thinkpieces on topical subjects such as Brexit and urban development. The glue that binds the volume, and the thing that grants the essays their charm, is her affable persona. Among other things, Feel Free provides regular glimpses of what it is like to be Zadie Smith. You check your diary: one-on-one lunch with Jay-Z. You go to dinner, find that you are seated opposite Mikhail Baryshnikov. You are relaxing at your in-laws' house when you get a phone call from an editor at Harper's offering you a regular column. That sort of thing.When yoga teacher Lara Zilibowitz instructs a live class of her Classic Flow podcast she often imagines she's leading an orchestra made up of people, rather than instruments.

"I almost feel like I'm conducting the bodies of the humans in front of me to the melodies of the musicians," she says.

Lara Zilibowitz from the Classic Flow podcast. Credit:Lyndon Marceau

Zilibowitz has been the voice of the ABC Classic FM podcast since it launched in 2016 with its successful formula of low-impact yoga moves and guided meditation set to the music of varied composers such as Bach, Arvo Part and Elena Kats-Chernin.

"It's a beautiful pairing," she says. "There have been scientific studies that classical music can be used to settle the nervous system. It's restorative and relaxing for the body and mind, which yoga also is, so the two combined is deeply therapeutic."Nitrogen fertiliser is converted into nitrous oxide by soil microbes, creating a stable greenhouse gas that can reach the stratosphere, where the ozone layer protects the earth from most of the sun's UV radiation," she said. "However, once in the stratosphere, nitrous oxide is broken down by high energy radiation from the sun to become reactive nitrogen, which can deplete ozone." Dr Murphy said that last century, concerns about ozone depletion centred on "chlorine chemistry" (CFCs) because of the massive hole over the poles. "Now its nitrous oxide, which almost stopped the Concord from flying because they were worried about reactive nitrogen in the stratosphere." The ozone layer above Antarctica, with dark blue gradient indicating depleted ozone levels. Credit:NASA's Earth Observatory Nitrous oxide damage to ozone is ubiquitous, whereas damage from CFCs creates a hole during extreme weather years over the Antarctic, Dr Murphy said. Nitrous oxide was identified as the most damaging substance to the ozone layer in the 21st century by a 2009 study published in Science. That study also suggested one of the best ways to address the problem was to give insurance to Indian farmers.

"In India, particularly, theyre putting in 10 times more nitrogen fertiliser on their crops than they need to because if a crop fails they may starve," Dr Murphy said. "Insurance could pick up the loss." Robin Schofield, director of Melbourne University's environmental science hub, said UV in Australia should be trending downwards because factors such as surface ozone, which is contained in smog, is on the rise and there is evidence of a recovery of stratospheric ozone. The UV Index and skin cancer The UV index relates to the intensity of sunburn-producing UV radiation. Sun protection is recommended when the UV Index is above 3 in clear sky conditions. The higher the number, the more severe. 11+ = Extreme. Avoid sun exposure between 10am and 4pm due to extreme risk of harm.

8-10 = Very High. Unprotected skin and eyes may be damaged and can burn quickly. 6-7 = High. Protection against skin and eye damage is needed. Reduce time in the sun between 10am and 4pm. 3-5 = Moderate. Stay in the shade near midday when the sun is strongest. Moderate risk of harm. 1-2 = Low. There is a low danger from the sun's UV rays for the average person. Note: UV intensity can nearly double with reflection from snow or reflective surfaces such as water, sand and concrete.

Sydney's monthly average maximum UV index Credit:Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency Heather Walker, Cancer Council Australia's skin cancer committee chair, said UV is the most common cause of skin cancer but the council has not seen any evidence of a trend of more extreme or high UV days. "Queensland is the skin cancer capital of Australia and they get more UV all year round," Ms Walker said. Skin cancer rates continue to rise but look like they may be stabilising over the next few years in all age groups except for the under 40s." The continued high rate of skin cancer in Australia is partly due to the ageing population, because cancer is a disease of ageing, Ms Walker said. Brisbane average monthly maximum UV index. Credit:Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety AgencyVictims of crime and witnesses in courtrooms across New South Wales are set to benefit from the "pet effect" as therapy dogs are introduced to help combat anxiety and stress.

But despite the proven effects, the ACT government has unfortunately refused to even consider such a program.

The Canine Court Companion program started as a pilot at Sydney's Manly Court, running for six months from April 2017. Two accredited therapy dogs and their volunteering owners were on hand to provide canine companionship to people, particularly child witnesses and vulnerable victims, who were navigating the intimidating court system.

Now, more court rooms will have therapy dogs on offer across the state after the pilot was deemed successful.

Research shows that having a dog to talk to and pat can calm people who might be feeling nervous or scared. It makes sense to implement the program in places like courts if there's the slightest chance they might improve the traumatic experience for those involved.The Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn has refused to throw his support behind legislation allowing child sex abuse victims to more easily sue the church.

Catholic archbishop Christopher Prowse said it was up to the ACT government to create loopholes in the ACT around the "Ellis defence" after they signalled last week it would be considered.

The Ellis defence is named after John Ellis, who was abused as an altar boy in the 1970s. Mr Ellis tried to sue the Catholic church in 2007, only for the church to argue it didn't legally exist, so couldn't be sued to compensate victims of child sex abuse by Catholic clergy.

Advocates have called for the loopholes to be legislated, with one doubtful the ACT government would do it.

Mr Prowse's counterpart in Melbourne - Archbishop Denis Hart - welcomed the recent similar moves by Victorian parliament to legislate for loopholes around the Ellis defence.Shauna Callaghan's son Ben has never had to use an EpiPen to treat an anaphylactic reaction, but she said it's reassuring to have one around just in case.

"He's very aware of [his allergies], it's all he's ever known," she said.

Shauna Callaghan with her son Ben Garani. Credit:Dion Georgopoulos

"We've never had to use the EpiPen, but he's very aware that it's there and that it would save his life."

Ben, 16, has severe allergic reactions to both peanuts and seafood, and has had the allergies since he was two years old.The ACT government has ruled out allowing therapy dogs into ACT courts, against the wishes of advocates.

A trial run in NSW saw therapy dogs and their volunteer owners visit Manly Court in Sydney to alleviate the stress felt by victims of crime.

"He brings joy": Delta therapy dogs volunteer Nicci Gradidge with therapy dog Norman. Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong

NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman announced an expansion of the NSW program earlier this month, with Goulburn among nine courts set to host Canine Court Companion dogs.

Mr Speakman said the dogs were a "huge hit".Australian Tattoo Expo

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DismissA man is in custody after he allegedly impersonated a police officer and detained and raped a woman in Sydney's south-west on Friday morning.

Luke Snowden faced nine charges at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday, including a host of sexual assault and theft charges over incidents in the early hours of Friday at Minto.

Police allege the 23-year-old contacted two adult services agencies in the Minto area on Friday, telling two women he was a police officer.

He allegedly sexually assaulted a 45-year-old woman about 2am, after they met on Hansens Road in Minto.

After the alleged incident, the woman and her driver visited the nearest house and alerted the residents, who contacted police, before she was taken to Liverpool Hospital.Operations at one of Australias largest gold mines had to be temporarily suspended on Friday after a partial wall collapse at one of the mines tailings dams.

The wall collapse at the Cadia mine comes just a few days after two earthquakes hit the area, located just south of Orange.

The wall breach was noticed in the late afternoon on Friday when workers noticed a section of the northern dam wall had collapsed into the southern tailings dam.

An aerial image showing the collapsed section of the tailings dam.

The tailings dams contain byproducts of mining and can contain materials which are harmful to the environment and human health.A man has been charged with murdering his partner, a mother of two who was found dead in a home north-west of Melbourne on Friday night.

Shane Robertson, 28, is accused of fatally striking 29-year-old Katherine "Katie" Haley in the head with a blunt object at Diggers Rest on Friday night.

Shane Robertson has been charged with the murder of his partner Katie Haley in their Diggers Rest home. Credit:Facebook

He appeared in an out-of-sessions court hearing on Saturday night charged with murder, and said he had cuts to his arm.

A summary read out by police said Mr Robertson had admitted to being involved in Ms Haley's death.The ACT government needs to implement a systematic approach to trauma support and recovery services for children in families experiencing domestic violence as a matter of priority, advocates warn.

The calls come as the government prepares to take part in an extraordinary meeting on the needs of children affected by family and domestic violence in April.

The ACT government has so far failed to implement a systematic response to children who experience domestic and family violence.

Convened by the Domestic Violence Prevention Council, the meeting will focus on responses for children witnessing and experiencing violence, interventions to interrupt the intergenerational patterns of violence, considerations of early interventions and the need for programs for those with sexualised behaviours as a result of sexual violence.

ACT commissioner for Children and Young People Jodie Griffiths-Cook said children need to be seen as primary victims of domestic and family violence instead of secondary.A referendum should be held at the next federal election to change the section of the constitution forbidding dual citizens being elected to parliament, one of Australia's leading constitutional lawyers has said.

George Williams, a Dean of Law at the University of New South Wales, said a referendum should be held to alter section 44 of the Constitution to allow for parliament to determine the criteria that MPs are disqualified if they are dual citizens.

The High Court has been the deciding factor as to whether MPs are disqualified from parliament. Credit:LUKAS COCH

The calls for change were laid out in a recent submission to a parliamentary inquiry on the constitutional section that caused multiple MPs to resign or be removed from federal parliament in 2017.

In the submission, Professor Williams said the phrase "until the Parliament otherwise provides" should be inserted at the beginning of section 44 following a successful referendum, removing ambiguity as to how MPs can be kicked out of office.Detailed new statistics on sexually transmitted infections among Indigenous children in the Northern Territory reveal the number of cases is declining and there is little evidence to link STI rates to child abuse.

The publication by The Australian last week of STI figures among Indigenous children in the Top End, compared to non-Indigenous rates, prompted calls for authorities to more actively remove children from unsafe homes.

Top End teens. Credit:Alamy

But previously unreleased data provided to Fairfax Media by the NT Health Department and the country's leading Indigenous health researcher paints a different picture, and several of the most senior experts on the subject have disputed a link between STI rates and child abuse.

The 2017 data shows 81 per cent of STI notifications in Indigenous children under 16 were among 14- and 15-year-olds, while 19 of 23 syphilis cases in children under 16 were aged either 14 or 15.This might help explain why teenagers act like, well, teenagers.

Researchers report that a hormone produced by the body in response to stress that normally serves to calm adults and younger children instead increases anxiety in adolescents.

They conducted experiments with female mice focusing on the hormone THP that demonstrated this paradoxical effect, and described the brain mechanism that explains it.

If, as the scientists suspect, the same thing happens in people, the phenomenon may help account for the mood swings and anxiety exhibited by many adolescents, they said.

"Teenagers don't go around crazy all the time," said lead researcher Sheryl Smith, a professor of physiology and pharmacology at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Centre, in a telephone interview. Federal judges fives "Pharma Bro" Martin Shkreli (waaaaaay-below-guideline) sentence of 7 years | Main | Iowa Supreme Court issues latest major ruling on juve sentencing limits and process after Miller 

March 10, 2018

Prez Trump issues his second pardon; Kristian Saucier, whom prosecutors sought imprisoned for six years, served year for taking photos in classified sub room

I am pleased to report that President Donald Trump is continuing to make use of his clemency power during the first part of his first term. A relatively high-profile case is yet again the subject of his activity, as reported in this Politico article headlined "Trump pardons sailor in submarine photos case." Here are the details:

President Donald Trump has pardoned a Navy submariner sentenced to prison for taking photos inside the classified engine room of a nuclear submarine, the White House announced on Friday. Petty Officer First Class Kristian Saucier pleaded guilty in May 2016 to two felony counts, one for unlawful retention of national defense information and another for obstruction of justice, for taking cellphone pictures inside the Navy vessel and later destroying his own equipment upon learning he was under investigation. The president has pardoned Kristian Saucier, a Navy submariner, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced at a briefing with reporters. The Justice Department later confirmed the move. Sanders added that the president is appreciative of Mr. Saucier's service to the country. The move marked just the second pardon Trump has granted since entering office, with the first extended in August to Joe Arpaio, the former Arizona sheriff who was convicted of criminal contempt of court in a case involving his tactics targeting undocumented immigrants. Saucier was sentenced to 12 months in prison for mishandling classified information. Critics have cited the episode to allege a double standard in how low- and high-ranking U.S. officials handle sensitive material. The president brought the case back into public view in January, when he compared the treatment of Saucier with that of his former electoral opponent Hillary Clinton and her top campaign officials.... Prosecutors had sought a much steeper sentence for the former Navy machinist, calling for him to face six years in prison, but the judge gave a more lenient sentence, a point the White House highlighted in announcing his pardon. The sentencing judge found that Mr. Sauciers offense stands in contrast to his commendable military service, Sanders noted.

Though I would like to see Prez Trump issuing many more clemency grants, particularly in lower-profile cases, I remain quite pleased that Prez Trump is continued to use his clemency powers more during his first three years in office than did the last three presidents combined.

Related post on prior clemency grants:

March 10, 2018 at 10:35 AM | Permalink

Comments

The pardon of Joe Arpaio was an abuse of the pardon power and is nothing to be happy about. This is a somewhat curious choice for various reasons. One notable thing is how it again is for someone punished rather lightly:

"Petty Officer First Class Kristian Saucier pleaded guilty in May 2016 to two felony counts, one for unlawful retention of national defense information and another for obstruction of justice, for taking cellphone pictures inside the Navy vessel and later destroying his own equipment upon learning he was under investigation."

Seems fairly serious. One year in prison for two felony counts, plus supervised release. This is not some grave violation of justice, even if some are criticizing it. Why exactly, among everything else, is THIS being singled out? For a full and unconditional pardon? https://www.justice.gov/pardon/pardons-granted-president-donald-trump Oh. He used it to attack Hillary Clinton during the campaign.

I'm quite supportive of use of the pardon power and change to increase its usage. But, improvement here should be done in a sensible rational big picture way. I'm in no way quite pleased with this slapdash approach.

Posted by: Joe | Mar 10, 2018 12:41:56 PM

Obstruction of Injustice - one down, a million to go.

Posted by: albeed | Mar 10, 2018 2:23:04 PM

Fair points, Joe, but I will always prefer slapdash to nothing....

Posted by: Doug B | Mar 10, 2018 5:57:23 PM

"seems pretty serious"--not really. The material was confidential, and the release was happenstance--obviously, the cover-up lying wasn't good, but someone tell that to Huma Abedin and Cheryl Mills.

They dropped the hammer on this guy. Hillary got kid-glove treatment.

Posted by: federalist | Mar 11, 2018 8:59:09 AM

"Slapdash" can be worse, "nothing" ignores the process in place that had results & "slapdash" is not the only problem with the Joe Arpaio pardon.

===

federalist's defense brief [including spinning things to what other people did*] is appreciated on some level, I guess, but still think it is pretty serious.

A Navy Times article on this case says things started when a supervisor found a cell phone at town dump & it was discovered to have classified pictures on it of a submarine. Sensitive stuff. Plus, there is evidence he shared the photos with others. And, various aspects of the photos seemed curious to investigators.

Then, during the investigation, he "smashed his laptop, a camera and an SD card." He didn't just lie. He destroyed evidence. I recently noted that lying to investigators can be pretty serious. Lying and destroying evidence when what is at issue is sensitive classified information that if it got in the wrong hands can be problematic is pretty serious too. He also told a witness not to talk.

https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2015/08/01/sailor-faces-charges-for-submarine-photos-on-cell-phone/

This all seems fairly serious if only up to a point taking everything into consideration. Which was suggested by the punishment -- a year in prison with supervised release. Many languishing in prison would like such a "hammer."

BTW, he was out of prison last September. Joe Arpaio was pardoned even before he was sentenced for something that would at most have been a minor sentence. What curious usage of the pardon power.

----



* Sauciers lawyers cited Clinton but acknowledged that the two cases were different. https://www.cnn.com/2016/08/19/politics/judge-sentence-sailor-clinton-defense/index.html

Posted by: Joe | Mar 11, 2018 11:06:41 AM

No matter how you puff up Saucier's crimes, they really aren't that big a deal. The information was confidential, which is the lowest form of classification, and the lying/destruction involved his own stuff. For whatever reason, they decided to drop the hammer, and it's impossible not to juxtapose Hillary's wiping clean of her server (a problem under the FRA, by the way) and the fact that she had TS stuff on it.

The Hillary case brings up a serious issue--different law for different people, and it is surpassing funny to watch liberals turn the hapless Saucier into a horrible criminal.

Posted by: federalist | Mar 11, 2018 11:32:51 AM

Joe, what is the "the process in place that had results"? The last three Prez granted ZERO pardons and commutations over their first two years in office. And if you are talking about Prez Obama's late-in-his-second-term clemency "process," it created no true infrastructure for a continued "process in place."

I would very much like to see a true clemency process/infrastructure created at the federal level to make clemency recs to Prez, but I am not expecting that from "law and order" Trump. Obama talked like this was something he might be inclined to do, but because he left behind truly nothing, I am still inclined to be pleased to get at least "curious usage of the pardon power" rather than no use of the pardon power.

Posted by: Doug B | Mar 11, 2018 12:08:57 PM

Post a commentFernando Juarez, 36, of Napa, center, embraces his 22-year-old sister Vanessa Flores, a caregiver at the facility, who exchanged texts with family while sheltering in place. Credit:AP

The bodies of the four were discovered nearly eight hours after the gunman slipped into an employee going-away party in a building where combat veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan receive treatment, said California Highway Patrol Assistant Chief Chris Childs.

Three workers for a program that treats veterans for post-traumatic stress disorder in California have been found dead along with the suspect who took them hostage at the largest veterans home in the US, officials say.

Yountville: After a day-long standoff, it ended in tragedy.

The three female victims were employees of the non-profit organisation Pathway Home treatment program, which is housed on the campus of the Veterans Home of California-Yountville.

Napa County Sheriff John Robertson declined to identify the victims and the gunman Friday, saying family members still needed to be notified.

Authorities said they know who the gunman was but did not reveal his identity, nor did they know the motive for the attack at the state-run home in Napa Valley.

Police at the scene of the shooting at a California veterans home. Credit:AP

Childs said investigators had not determined a motive.A tense standoff between the police and a gunman who had stormed into a California veterans home and taken three clinicians hostage came to a grim end on Friday night when officers entered the room the gunman was in to find him and the hostages dead.

Authorities said Albert Wong, 36, arrived at the Veterans Home of California-Yountville in Napa County - the largest veterans home in the United States - in the morning with a rifle and exchanged gunfire with a sheriff's deputy before crashing a farewell party for employees and took three hostages: Christine Loeber, 48, Jen Golick, 42, Jennifer Gonzales, 29.

"There was a going-away party for a couple of the staff who were leaving today. Today was their last day. They were having cake and toasting and apparently he just walked in with this rifle," said Larry Kamer, who told reporters that his wife, an employee for the Pathway Home, was at the event.

Kamer said his wife was one of the hostages who had been allowed to leave.One of the oldest cities in the world dating back to 782 BC, Yerevan, the capital of the Republic of Armenia, is the countrys political and economic hub. With more than a million residents and attracting tourists from around the world, Yerevan is compact and crowded, with an intense cultural life that draws a lot of traffic. Like all municipalities, Yerevan is vulnerable to threats driven by overcrowding, criminal activity, and natural disasters.

To improve the safety of its citizens and visitors, the city has launched a Safe City initiative to reduce and prevent crime and enhance the quality of life in the city. At the heart of its Safe City initiative is the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system, currently deployed in the citys roads and parking lots with plans to cover the entire city to better protect its people, property, and assets.Parking City Service installed the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system in no time

Collaboration for high-definition surveillance

As a first step in Yeravans Safe City Project, the municipality engaged Parking City Service, a local provider of surveillance system design, installation, and support, to manage the surveillance system deployment at the citys parking lots and to monitor traffic in the crowded downtown core. We believe that customers of the new paid parking system should receive good value for their moneyensuring the safety of vehicles is absolutely critical, said Vazgen Harutyunyan, director at Parking City Service. We looked at solutions from all the major players and selected the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system for its exceptional image quality that captures the smallest details, advanced search and playback functionality, and ease-of-use.

Parking City Service has installed 1,600 Avigilon HD 5 MP bullet cameras with adaptive IR technology in designated parking areas to date and plans to install another 5,400 Avigilon HD cameras for complete coverage across the entire city. Six operators manage the surveillance system using Avigilon Control Center (ACC) software with High Definition Stream Management (HDSM), storing up to two weeks of continuous surveillance footage on 20 Avigilon network video recorders (NVRs), located in the companys new air-conditioned data centre. Parking City Service installed the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system in no time, with excellent support from the Avigilon team. We had no issues with installation and set-up, and Avigilon answers any questions we had promptly and accurately, confirmed Harutyunyan.Avigilon Control Center is extremely user-friendly and intuitive, so we can quickly search through multiple cameras for fast results

Intuitive search-powered parking management

The Avigilon high-definition surveillance system is used primarily to manage the citys new paid parking system and regulate what has been a disorderly situation for years. We leverage the image quality of the Avigilon HD cameras to capture the license plates of vehicles parked in our lots and if payment is not made, a ticket is issued, explained Harutyunyan. Operators review archived footage to identify vehicles that have not paid, creating a five-minute video clip that is attached to the ticket. We create between 500 to 600 video clips each day, which we are able to do efficiently using the advanced search and playback features of the Avigilon Control Center software, noted Harutyunyan. The Avigilon high-definition surveillance system ensures patron safety and parking availability and helps generate revenue for the city that can be used to further improve traffic flow in the downtown core.

Searching through large amounts of footage can be time consuming work, but operators can dramatically reduce the time required using the advanced functionality of the ACC software. Operators can digitally zoom in on image details from single or multiple cameras to capture necessary data and have full control over forward and reverse playback with drag and zoom capabilities for faster search times. Avigilon Control Center is extremely user-friendly and intuitive, so we can quickly search through multiple cameras for fast resultsin fact, we can complete all our reports in just a half an hour, even when multiple cameras are involved, stated Harutyunyan.The Avigilon HD bullet cameras are equipped with built-in adaptive infrared (IR) illumination to increase in-the-dark visibility

Traffic surveillance for crime mitigation

The city also leverages the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system for public safety purposes, reviewing footage of theft, vandalism, crime, and accidents in surrounding areas for investigative purposes. Feedback from local law enforcement and municipal agencies has been positive. We can quickly and easily export video to help police in their forensic work, explained Harutyunyan. In one case, in which a man entered a building with a rifle, we were able to immediately provide footage which led to his arrest within hours. Surveillance video is also shared with the city to assess traffic flow or analyse other urban planning concerns. By collaborating with the city, we can help improve traffic flow, reduce crime and congestion, and enhance the overall quality of life in Yerevan.

Another key selling feature of the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system is its exceptional image qualityboth day and night. The Avigilon HD bullet cameras are equipped with built-in adaptive infrared (IR) illumination to increase in-the-dark visibility without using a visible light source, important for operators to effectively capture minute details, such as license plate numbers, at any time of the day or night. I also really like the fact that the Avigilon HD cameras come with an integrated lens for remote focus and zoom control, said Harutyunyan. I can easily change a cameras focus from 3 mm to 9 mm or 22 mm for even greater clarity.

Efficient incident management

Scalability was another important requirement, especially given the citys plans to expand the surveillance system right across the municipality. With the Avigilon surveillance system, we will have no blind zones in the city centre, with cameras installed on posts every 30 to 40 meters, described Harutyunyan. The Avigilon system will easily grow with us as we work towards 100 percent coverage of the entire city within the next few years.

The parking lot surveillance solution is just the first step in Yerevans Safe City Initiative to enhance public safety and protect critical infrastructure, property, and assets. With broader access to surveillance footage, city officials can respond to events faster and more accurately than before to reduce crime and manage crisis situations in real-time on every street corner. Our final goal is to create a safer city for residents and visitors alike, concluded Harutyunyan. With easier and more timely access to high-quality surveillance footage through the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system, we can easily achieve greater situational awareness for better overall protection.With a history dating back to the 1850s, the Sioux City Public Museum has evolved from its original focus on natural science to a broader emphasis on preserving the areas heritage, offering a variety of educational programmes, events, and historical exhibitions valued at more than $2 million. Having outgrown its former location in a prominent Victorian-era mansion, the museum moved to a new downtown site in April 2011a modern, open-concept building that has become known as one of the premier cultural destinations in Siouxland and beyond.

With more than 5,000 visitors each month, the Sioux City Public Museum has made public safety and asset protection top priorities. Chosen for its advanced management features, ease-of-use, and exceptional image clarity, the Avigilon high-definition security system has played a key role in helping the museum meet its security goals.The Avigilon high-definition security system is used to deter criminal behaviour and to safeguard valuable artefacts

Crime mitigation

Located in the heart of downtown, the Sioux City Public Museum is a 55,000 square foot facility with an outdoor plaza, loading dock at the rear, and skyway connected to public parking. Because of the size of the building, as well as its location in an area known for attracting a transient crowd, we wanted an advanced, high-definition security system to monitor people coming and going from our facility around the clock, explained Steven Hansen, museum director at the Sioux City Public Museum. We use the Avigilon high-definition security system to deter criminal behaviour and to safeguard our valuable artefacts.

Based on research and a strong recommendation from the City of Sioux City facilities manager, Hansen chose to work with Electric Innovations, a local provider of security system design, installation, and service who installed the Avigilon high-definition security system to monitor the entrances, permanent exhibition area, temporary exhibition area, and loading dock. We needed an advanced, high-definition security system that would provide broad coverage, overcome architectural challenges in our open-concept building, and remain unobtrusive, explained Hansen. Providing excellent local support, Electric Innovations has installed the best quality security solution possible to deliver optimal system performance.Each user can select relevant camera views from their own desktop

Live monitoring and broad coverage

Administrators and exhibition staff at the Sioux City Public Museum manage the Avigilon high-definition security system using the Avigilon Control Center (ACC) video management software monitoring the system live throughout the day from their desktop computers. A permanent monitor has been set up in the main reception area to monitor visitors as they enter and exit the permanent exhibit space. The museum installed a suite of Avigilon cameras in the main exhibit areas as well as in hallways, key entry points, and at the loading dock, and can store 29 days of continuous security video on an Avigilon network video recorder (NVR).

Without a permanent security staff, the museums administrators are responsible for the facilitys security in addition to all other operational responsibilities, so ease-of-use was a key requirement for the new system. The Avigilon high-definition security system is very simple to use, providing each of us with a variety of camera views right from our desktop, making it much easier and less time-consuming to monitor throughout the day, said Deanna Mayo, administrative assistant at the Sioux City Public Museum. Because each user can select relevant camera views from their own desktop, we can ensure broader coverage of the museum at all times.Avigilons image quality makes it much easier to identify events with greater accuracy

Effective security

While our needs are pretty basic, we can quickly and easily identify people and events because of Avigilons simple and intuitive user interface, confirmed Mayo. Avigilon Control Center provides full control over security video playback, making it easy for users to quickly retrieve evidence and speed up response times. Avigilon Control Center software is 1,000 percent more effective than our previous analogue-based system, added Hansen.

Hansen and Mayo have also been very impressed with Avigilons image quality, which makes it much easier to identify events with greater accuracy than before. I recently spoke with the captain of the police force who is very pleased that we have invested in the Avigilon high-definition security system, noted Hansen. We are located in an area that has caused concern for the police, and we have noticed a marked reduction in trespassing since deploying the Avigilon high-definition security system.Sioux City Public Museum will be able to reduce its insurance costs and protect itself against the threat of false liability claims

Safe educational experience

The Avigilon high-definition security system has played a critical role in helping the museum ensure public safety and protect its assets worth more than $2 million. I am confident that the Avigilon high-definition security system will deliver a lower total cost of ownership than other solutions because it offers greater image quality and reliability, requires less maintenance, and will free up our time for other important tasks, explained Hansen. By installing such an advanced security system, Sioux City Public Museum will also be able to reduce its insurance costs and can more effectively protect itself against the threat of false liability claims. Most traveling exhibits stipulate strict security guidelines before they can be displayed in a new location, commented Mayo. With the Avigilon system in place, we are in a much better position to host new exhibits and share the latest collections to attract new audiences, said Mayo.

With the knowledge that activity is being accurately captured around the clock by the Avigilon high-definition security system, Sioux City Public Museum administrators and patrons alike can enjoy a greater sense of security as they experience the regions past at this leading cultural institution. Avigilon has delivered the quality, reliability, and ease-of-use we need to help us deliver a safe, enjoyable, and educational experience, concluded Hansen. We have invested in the best quality and most reliable products in the industry.Russia could soon be able to conduct nuclear strikes all over the world without any chance of being intercepted, President Vladimir Putin said Thursday (March 1).

Speaking on Russian television as part of his annual address, Putin announced a new class of weapons delivery systems designed to sneak past NATO's American-built ballistic missile defenses. As Putin spoke, computer-generated graphics and video footage playing behind him showed the capabilities of a new hypersonic missile, an underwater drone and a cruise missile with "unlimited range" designed to avoid detection systems.

Experts in nuclear weapons and their politics said the move was far from a shock, given a years-long deterioration of global arms reduction efforts and the recent Trump administration announcement that the United States plans to deploy its own new nuclear tech. [7 Technologies That Transformed Warfare]

"It was not surprising," said Philip Coyle, a nuclear weapons expert who worked for the Carter, Clinton, Bush and Obama administrations in various capacities related to nuclear policy and is now a senior science fellow at The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.

"When George W. Bush decided he wanted to get out of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty," Coyle told Live Science, "we told people in his administration that this is what Russia would do. And again in 2004, Putin himself warned the United States that if we kept going the way we were going, this is what he was going to do. And he did it."

The Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM) between the United States and what was then the Soviet Union prevented either country from developing comprehensive defenses capable of shooting down incoming ballistic missiles, in order to avoid touching off an arms race in weapons designed to circumvent missile defenses. First signed in 1972, it remained in effect until President Bush withdrew the United States from the treaty in 2001 and ramped up American missile defense efforts.

Those efforts, Coyle said, pushed Russia toward developing the kind of technology Putin announced Thursday.

What can these new weapons do?

Right now, the most effective method that countries like the United States and Russia have for nuking one another is ballistic missiles. Hidden underground and in stealthy submarines all over the word, ballistic missiles can cross huge distances at blistering speeds. And in the sheer numbers of the American and Russian arsenals, they're impossible to meaningfully defend against, experts have said.

That said, missile defenses of the sort the United States has developed might be able to knock a single ballistic missile out of the air, or even a handful of them if the operators got very lucky. [Could the US Stop Nuclear Weapons?]

The new delivery systems Russia announced, some of which Putin said had already been tested, are designed to avoid missile defenses altogether.

The most significant of them was the nuclear-powered cruise missile. Unlike ballistic missiles, which leave the atmosphere on long arcs, cruise missiles skim low over the ground, meaning they can fly closer to other obscuring objects and are more likely evade detection by radar. They also can travel long distances and, guided by an onboard computer, reach targets with high precision. In theory, a cruise missile carrying a nuclear bomb could slip under American defenses and detection systems, and detonate before Americans could mobilize a response.

See more

By powering the thing with a nuclear engine, Putin said Russia would give its cruise missile functionally unlimited range; nuclear power plants put out far more energy for far longer than conventional engines, which is why the American military uses them in submarines and aircraft carriers. Putin showed a computer-generated video of the Russian cruise missile circling the world, slipping around radar systems and arriving in North America from the southern end of the Pacific Ocean.

Putin also announced the nuclear torpedo  an underwater missile with a nuclear warhead  which he said had been tested and could travel vast distances underwater before striking an enemy along the coast.

Finally, he advertised an update to existing ballistic missile technology: a missle that can deploy multiple warheads, all of which enter the atmosphere at hypersonic speeds  up to 20 times the speed of sound  and could perform evasive maneuvers in flight before striking their targets.

The upshot, Coyle said, is that none of these weapons could ever be defended against with modern technology.

The whole point of the ABM was to ward off this sort of technology

"[The ABM] was really meant to short-circuit the arms race dynamic," said Laura Grego, a senior scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists' Global Security Program.

At the time of the treaty's signing, officials with fresh memories of the ballistic missile technology race that peaked in the 1950s and '60s during the Cold War worried that missile defense technologies might provoke a new wave of arms escalation, she said.

"Deterrence requires you to be able to hold your adversary at risk," Grego told Live Science. "Defenses interrupt that. By building a defense, rather than discourage your adversary, your adversary is likely to just build more so that they can get up and over your defense. And then you build more defense. So it's an arms race cycle."

See more

Missile defenses can also "create a use-it-or-lose it dynamic," Grego said.

When two states have nuclear missiles and missile defense systems aimed at each other, both are incentivized to strike first. Wait and go second, and your reduced missile arsenal  whatever remains after your enemy's first strike  is more likely to crash ineffectively against their defenses. Go first, and you have a hope of doing enough damage to wipe out your enemy and ride out the return strike.

Missile defenses haven't worked out the way Bush-era officials hoped

Keeping fired missiles at bay is a tall order. In fact, Bush never planned to build a missile defense that could ward off the full might of the Russian ballistic missile arsenal. Instead, he pitched missile defenses as a necessary measure to defend the United States against the more limited arms of "rogue states" like Iran, as Time reported in 2007. But, as ABC News reported, the defenses turned out to be both expensive and ineffective in practice, leading President Barack Obama to scale down the program in 2009.

As recently as January, a U.S. ballistic missile interceptor test ended in failure. That was the second such failure in under a year, even though, as arms control expert Jeffrey Lewis has pointed out on his podcast, these sorts of tests tend to take place during ideal conditions, very different from the situation one might expect in an actual nuclear emergency.

Even so, arms control experts largely agree that these tests have provoked Russia's efforts to improve its methods for delivering a warhead to an American city.

"Putin's announcement is a predictable reaction to the ongoing missile defense efforts of the United States. Now, it appears that the Trump administration is going to ramp up these defenses, increasing Russia's concerns," Lisbeth Gronlund, co-director of the Union of Concerned Scientists' Global Security Program, said in an emailed statement.

"Both nations have now stated they will deploy new types of nuclear weapons," she added. "Putin's announcement further ratchets up what is clearly a new arms race between the two countries."

American defenses were likely not the only factor prompting Russia's decision, Grego cautioned, pointing out that internal politics can be as big a driver of announcements like this one as foreign policy. As Anton Troianovski pointed out in a Washington Post article, "Putin's speech, less than three weeks before the Russian presidential election, represented an escalated level of martial rhetoric even by his pugnacious standards."

Russian nukes learn to turn

As much as American missile defense systems tend to fail, the reason they work at all, Grego said, is that ballistic missiles follow fairly predictable trajectories. [The Most Dangerous Space Weapons Ever]

"Ballistic missiles, true to the name, go on a ballistic trajectory," she said. "So they use these powerful engines to get themselves moving really fast, but after the engines burn out, they're just coasting."

At that point, tracking, predicting and intercepting a ballistic missile's trajectory becomes a straightforward question of precision and physics. Really difficult, extreme precision and physics that even the best American weapons engineers can't achieve reliably. But straightforward nonetheless.

Russia's newly announced weapons circumvent that problem entirely because all of them, one way or another, arrive without going in a straight line. The underwater torpedo, low-flying cruise missile and hypersonic weapon  wherever they might be along the track of development  are all able to avoid missile defenses by simply arriving along unexpected, untrackable routes.

Plus, the cruise missile flies low over land and ocean waves, below the effective reach of radar. The torpedo swims underwater. Even if somehow they could be tracked and predicted, nothing in the U.S. arsenal could catch up with them and strike them.

"We do not have capabilities against these kinds of systems and, as far as I'm concerned, never will," Coyle said.

New tech won't fix this tech problem

Coyle, Grego and Gronlund all cautioned against responding to Russia's claimed technological advance by building new American gadgets.

"We Americans always hope that there will be a high-tech solution that will keep us from having to deal with an international problem like Russia," Coyle said. "I'm hopeful that these developments will help us realize that there is no high-tech solution, and we simply need to sit down at the negotiating table and reach new treaties and a new peace."

It's important to recognize, Coyle and Grego both said, that in many respects, this new technology doesn't change the Russian-American nuclear balance at all.

"Russia could hold everybody at risk in the United States," Grego said. "It has enormous destructive potential even without these missiles. This is a new way of doing it, but it doesn't essentially change the fact that the United States is vulnerable to Russia, just as Russia is vulnerable to the United States."

The risk, Grego said, is that now Americans will feel "motivated" to counter these new Russian technologies with new American technologies.

"There's a temptation to try to spend your way out of it, or try to 'technology' your way out of it, rather than addressing the real root question of 'Why do we have these enormous nuclear arsenals, and why are we trying to structure our security around them?'" Grego said.

Originally published on Live Science.Chunks of clay excavated from Iron Age grain bins in South Africa. Early farmers burnt their clay huts and grain storage buildings in times of drought as part of a cleansing ritual, unknowingly locking the magnetic properties of the minerals in the clay into place.

A flip in Earth's magnetic field may be brewing. And if it is, an electromagnetic blob deep under southern Africa is likely to be ground zero for the change.

New research using clays burned in cleansing rituals by Iron Age farmers finds that over the past 1,500 years, an electromagnetic anomaly in the Southern Hemisphere has waxed and waned, with the magnetic field in the region weakening and strengthening. This weirdness may presage a gradual reversal in the magnetic field, so that magnetic north moves to the South Pole and vice versa. (A flip-flop of this sort last occurred 780,000 years ago.)

The study suggests that the magnetic field under southern Africa may not just be weird today, study co-author John Tarduno, who researches the Earth's magnetism at the University of Rochester in New York, told Live Science. It may be a longstanding hotspot for changes in the global magnetic field.

"This may be the place that reversal started, at least reversals over the last millions of years," Tarduno said. [7 Ways the Earth Changes in the Blink of an Eye]

Weakening field

The planet's magnetic field is generated by the churning of liquid iron in the core. Without the field, life on the planet would be much different, if not impossible: This invisible shield protects the Earth's surface from deadly cosmic radiation.

Right now, the field is undergoing a weakening, and no one is sure why. The South Atlantic Anomaly, a region of the magnetic field that stretches from South Africa to Chile, is particularly weak, Tarduno said, so scientists have become interested in figuring out what might be going on in the core underneath that area.

The problem is that before about 160 years or so ago, with the advent of magnetic observatories and (eventually) satellite observations, there weren't many records of what the magnetic field looked like in the Southern Hemisphere, Tarduno said. Ninety percent of the data that does exist comes from the northern half of the planet. To start to rectify that disparity, Tarduno and his team excavated clays from the Limpopo River Valley of Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Botswana. In times of drought hundreds to thousands of years ago, Bantu-speaking farmers would burn down their clay huts and grain bins in ritualistic ceremonies. Unbeknown to these ancient farmers, the fire heated the magnetic minerals in the clay and locked into place a record of the strength and orientation of the field at that time. Now, researchers can study those properties to find out what the magnetic field was doing at that moment in time.

Locked in clay

The excavations unearthed these burnt clays as long ago as A.D. 425, Tarduno said, providing the longest record yet of the magnetic field in southern Africa. The data show that the magnetic field experienced sudden directional shifts between A.D. 400 and 450, and then again between A.D. 750 and 800. Between about A.D. 1225 and 1550, the field noticeably weakened. The first two shifts might also indicate a weakened field, Tarduno said, but more research is needed to determine the magnetic intensity in those time frames. The researchers reported their findings Feb. 15 in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.

What these shifts suggest is that what is going on in the Southern Hemisphere's magnetic field today may have happened before, Tarduno said.

The field shifts may have to do with underlying processes churning deep beneath the Earth's surface, Tarduno said. In recent years, scientists have documented a weird patch of magnetic field below southern Africa at the boundary between the core and the mantle, where the polarity of the field is reversed.

"That patch may be largely responsible for the decreasing magnetic field," Tarduno said.

The patch is like an eddy in a stream, he said. As for what causes the eddy, it may be something odd about the mantle right above the core in that location, he said. The mantle under southern Africa is unusual, and possibly both hotter and denser than surrounding mantle, he said.

"We think that is causing there to be changes in the flow of the iron [in the core] as it enters this region," Tarduno said.

That could mean that southern Africa is the origin for magnetic field reversals, Tarduno said, though there's no guarantee that the field will flip now  the weakening could also dissipate, as it has in centuries past.

Even if the field doesn't reverse, though, the weakening itself could have societal implications, Tarduno said.

"These are not of the nature of disaster movies. That's not the point," he said. Instead, a weakening field could let more cosmic radiation hit the Earth, making infrastructure like the power grid more susceptible to geomagnetic storms and even changing atmospheric chemistry so that more UV rays could sneak through, causing increased risk for skin cancer in humans.

"It's definitely something that we need to keep an eye on," Tarduno said.

Original article on Live Science."Cosmos" host and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson recently shot down the ideas of anyone who still thinks the Earth is flat. In a new YouTube video on the scientist's StarTalk channel, he used examples ranging from space observations to ancient Greek experiments in a conversation with stand-up comedian Chuck Nice.

"So, tell me, Neil, is the Earth flat?" Nice said to open the conversation.

"We have video from space of the rotating, spherical Earth. The Earth is round," was Tyson's laconic response. [Even a Kid Can Prove the Earth Is Round: Here's How]

Satisfied, Nice joked, "Thank you for joining us on this episode," and pretended to wrap things up. But the co-hosts continued their conversation in a 9-minute video that is based on a chapter in Tyson's new book, "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry" (W.W. Norton, 2017).

The science argument

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson wants everyone to know that the world is round. (Image credit: National Geographic Channel)

"What's odd," Tyson continued, "is there are people who think that Earth is flat but recognize that the moon is round. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and the sun are all spheres. But Earth is flat ... something doesn't square here."

Tyson explained that because of the laws of physics and the way energy works, the universe "favors the sphere" when forming planets and other bodies. Sometimes, a sphere might be distorted because it's rotating very fast. But almost everything in the universe, he added, is spherical or almost spherical.

Tyson did not address asteroids, which are small bodies of ice and rock and are irregularly shaped. It is widely recognized, however, that these asteroids have a gravity too low to pull their mass into a sphere. Worlds orbiting the sun that do have spherical bodies are sometimes called planets, but only if they meet certain criteria set by the International Astronomical Union.

In the example of Pluto  once considered a planet  the IAU ruled in 2006 that the body is not big enough to clear debris from its path and therefore should be reclassified as a dwarf planet. That's a controversial definition, one that Pluto's New Horizons spacecraft team does not agree with. But for his part, Tyson (as shown in many other sources, such as this 2017 clip from "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert ") really, really doesn't believe Pluto fits the definition of planethood.

Tyson was similarly outspoken in the new StarTalk video. He said there are people in the U.S. who believe in a flat Earth for two reasons: the country protects free speech, and its educational system doesn't teach students to think critically about the evidence.

The geometry argument

There's even more evidence that the Earth is round, Tyson said. During lunar eclipses, the moon passes into the Earth's shadow and lies directly opposite to the sun. The shape of the Earth's shadow is always round in these eclipses. If Earth were a flat planet, at times, you would see a flat shadow on the moon. But that's never happened, Tyson added. The Earth must be a sphere, because that's the only thing that casts a perfect circle every time.

Or think about a ship sailing toward the horizon, Tyson said  it gradually disappears, because the Earth is curved. Or, he said, if he were to send co-host Nice on a journey around the Earth, Tyson could turn his chair 180 degrees and eventually see Nice arriving back where the comedian had started. (Nice quipped that would take him 150 years to accomplish the trip, because "I'm no Forrest Gump. It would take me that long to run the Earth.")

Tyson further described an ancient experiment by the Greek Eratosthenes, who lived in Alexandria around 250 B.C. Eratosthenes noted that in an Egyptian city called Syene (near modern-day Aswan), you could see right to the bottom of a well at noon during the summer solstice. On the same day, you couldn't see to the bottom of a well in Alexandria.

There are two possible explanations for that observation, Tyson added. The first is that the Earth is flat and has a small sun, close to the planet. The second is that the Earth is curved, with a sun further from the planet. But if you were to extend the argument to three wells, there's no way a flat Earth's geometry would fit the experiment's results, he added.

So, what if people still believe the Earth is flat?

"That's OK," Tyson quipped, "as long as you don't run NASA."

Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.The statement was made by Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh after the agreement was successfully signed in Chile on March 8.

Talking about CPTPP impacts to Vietnam, Mr. Luong Hoang Thai, head of the Multilateral Trade Policy Department under the ministry, yesterday said that the market opening content is kept unchanged like in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), meaning standards on market opening are very high.

About cargo trade, nearly 100 tariffs will be reduced to 0 percent according to the roadmap, which usually lasts about seven years to developed nations and longer to developing nations to suit development conditions. Basically, member nations will decrease import tariff on all commodities from Vietnam to 0 percent.

At present, Vietnamese firms are imposed the average tax rate of 1.7 percent when exporting their goods to CPTPP nations.

With the block market of 500 million people and the quite large economic scale of many member nations, benefits for Vietnam are relatively clear, said Mr. Thai.

Besides cargo, other fields will benefit Vietnam including services, investment and public shopping. During the agreement negotiation process, Vietnam focused on commodities relating to the life of the majority of Vietnamese people such as seafood, garment and textile, footwear and food processing.

Recent studies show that CPTPP impact to the economy is from poverty reduction. It is expected to reduce 0.6 million people subject to hunger and poverty.

However, CPTPP will also put Vietnamese firms in severer competition. Breeding is likely to see large competition especially to chicken and pork firms. Vietnamese rivals might be ASEAN nations, South Korea, Japan and Australia since they have goods structure similar to Vietnamese products.

Hence Vietnamese firms should prepares for receiving opportunities and challenges from CPTPP. In fact not all challenges are difficulties.

For instance when Vietnam attended the free trade agreements between ASEAN and Australia and New Zealand, many were in the point of view that it would be difficult for Vietnam to compete with the two nations in the dairy industry because their costs are lowest in the world when tax rate is cut to 0 percent. However the dairy industry has risen to develop more strongly than others.

Of course some fields will be unable to compete after Vietnam's CPTPP membership, so economic structure should be gradually changed to develop fields with competitive advantages.

By VAN PHUC  Translated by Hai Mien



Season 2 Finale





This episode is it, the end of Divorce season two is here, and I couldn't figure out what exactly to write about it. If by any chance you have read my review of the penultimate episode then you probably will understand why this finale also felt like a rehashed episode of sex and the city. This episode was not some edgy writing; it was mediocre at best for a season finale. HBO produces some of the very best shows, and because of the few episodes a show gets, its crucial that they are outstanding and leave you wanting more. One of the major issues I have had lately with their shows is the rush to wrap up stories. This approach is understandable being that there is no guarantee for renewal but I wish they could leave people hanging.One of the most significant changes was seeing Robertss growth, he has undoubtedly moved on with Jackie and was trying his best to have a somewhat healthy relationship. In this episode, he finally proposed even though it was one of those proposals that would be considered terrible it was still cute. Jackie was a little hesitant but I think she was just shocked and lacked words but even her acceptance was lackluster. They also finally signed documentation and sealed their joint business venture in one of the funniest scenes of the episode. Robert visits Frances to help fix the wall she destroyed and hands her a seventy-five thousand dollar check. He did it because he was feeling like life was finally starting to go right for him, and Frances had put in more, financially in their relationship. Rejecting her attempt to kiss him was a great move, it made her realize he was choosing to make a better life with Jackie and that was a good thing. I didnt appreciate the writing about Robert finding it hard to tell Frances that he was engaged. I thought it was corny because the first person he mentions it to is Nick; Yes, Nick who is the area blubber mouth.Lets talk about the SATC part of the episode because it was getting on my nerves. Frances sees pictures of Sylvia and Skip plastered all over the papers, and she is fuming with rage. Where have we seen this scenario before? She decided to confront Skip who admits to poaching artists who had a head start, but he wouldnt concede that he did this because Frances rejected his advances. He offers her a partnership, but she turns him down. I didnt expect this from her though because my perception of her is tainted with the number of shitty things shes done, mainly how she treated Andrew. I will give props to Diane because if it werent for her badgering, Frances would not have felt strong enough to approach Skip and read him the riot act.SATC was making a comeback again; enter Diane and her drama when Frances hands her the check Robert gave her. This gift was supposed to be a nice gesture because of how supportive she had been, but it backfires. Diane is a mess, and her insecurities can be annoying sometimes. She leaves Frances at the location where they had gone to see some art and heads to a bar to drink her life away. Her driving off scene after the bar kicked her out was terrific though, Molly Shannon can give a good performance, and this was one of her best. It was funny and sad at the same time because she was not only breaking down in the process she destroyed several cars. The direction and writing in this scene should win some award because it was perfect.Nicks Ponzi situation was unexpected; again I will admit I didnt see this coming, but it was also very cliche. We have seen this same story written many times where one partner is enjoying all the money and luxurious life but, are blindsided when it all comes crashing down. I find hard to believe that in this days and age there are people still so caught up in the fake wealthy lifestyle without a clue. Diane doesnt come off as stupid to me, but they plainly made her seem like a dumb woman. Her outburst at the jail was also cringe-worthy, it was typical of lousy writing where the woman always ends up crying and yelling at the people who destroyed their cushy life, and in jail; come on! I am not sure what will happen to Diane if the show comes back for a third season but at the end of this finale she was looking for a job at Macy's or might have found one when/if they come back.The episode ended with Robert coming clean about his engagement and letting Frances know he was happy. It was funny that the women in this show did not sit down even once to discuss how their lives seemed crazy, yet this episode they reflect on the big holes that existed and they chose to ignore. If the show is going to come back and I am not banking on it, the writing needs to change. For now, I think they wrapped everything nicely, and they might be okay to see it end here but who knows.Press Release

PRIDE, SEBASTIAN AND TAMMY TRAVEL TO SOUTH AMERICA AFTER PRIDE IS PERSONALLY REQUESTED BY A FORMER COLLEAGUE TO ASSIST WITH A CLASSIFIED OPERATION THAT HAS BEEN COMPROMISED, ON NCIS: NEW ORLEANS, TUESDAY, MARCH 27Welcome to the Jungle  Pride, Sebastian and Tammy travel to South America after Pride is personally requested by a former colleague to assist with a classified operation that has been compromised, on NCIS: NEW ORLEANS, Tuesday, March 27 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.CHEAT TWEET: Pride, Sebastian and Tammy travel to South America after Pride is personally requested to assist with a classified operation that has been compromised #NCISNOLA March 27 10pm #CBS http://bit.ly/2oUZhUeREGULAR CAST:Scott Bakula (Special Agent Dwayne Pride)Lucas Black (Special Agent Christopher Lasalle)Rob Kerkovich (Forensic Agent Sebastian Lund)Daryl Chill Mitchell (Patton Plame)Shalita Grant (Special Agent Sonja Percy)Vanessa Ferlito (Special Agent Tammy Gregorio)CCH Pounder (Dr. Loretta Wade)GUEST CAST:Riann Steele (Sydney Halliday)Patrick Page (Colonel Stanley Parker)Joseph Melendez (Luis Benicio)Sydney James Harcourt (Jeff Connolly)Desmon Heck (Navy Seal Carter)Justin Hooper (Navy Seal Henley)Greg Sproles (Navy Seal Lt. Daryll Watkins)WRITTEN BY: Christopher Silber & Austin BadgettDIRECTED BY: Jim WhitmoreBir-Lahlou (Liberated Territories), March 8, 2018 (SPS) - President of the Republic, Secretary General of the Polisario Front, Brahim Ghali, received Thursday in Bir-Lahlou, Dr. Panduleni-Kano shingege, who presented her credentials, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Namibia to the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).







The Ambassador of Namibia, conveyed to the President of the Republic, greetings and wishes for prosperity of his Namibian counterpart.

The meeting discussed the best ways and means to further strengthen diplomatic relations and cooperation between the two countries.

Mrs. Dr. Panduleni-kaino shingenge, was ambassador of her country in Algeria, France and Zimbabwe, it should be recalled. (SPS)

062/SPS/TRA



Bir Lahlou (Liberated Territories), March 8, 2018 (SPS) - President of the Republic, Secretary General of the Polisario Front, Brahim Ghali, received Thursday in Bir-Lahlou, Mrs. Clara Margarita Pulido Escandell, who presented her credentials, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).

The Cuban ambassador transmitted to the president of the Republic the greetings of Cuban President, Raul Castro.

The Cuban Ambassador confirmed, in a statement to the press, that the presentation of her credentials reflects "the level of cooperation and solidarity with the just struggle of the Saharawi people". (SPS)

062/SPS/TRA



Two of 22 Saharawi political prisoners have gone on hunger strike in protest against the cruel, inhumane and degrading conditions they are forced to endure in Moroccan prisons. Naama Asfari is continuing his hunger strike which he started on 27 February in the provincial Al Ayrat 1 prison. He is in solitary confinement and has been denied his basic human rights due to a discriminatory decision taken by the newly appointed head of the prison. Naama's family have not received any information about the condition of their son since he has been denied his rights to visits. He has been put in solitary confinement for 30 days which means he is not able to see his two lawyers, Olpha Oulad and Ingrid Metonque, who were recently expelled from Casablanca airport

Mohamed Tahil, another Saharawi political prisoner, has been on open hunger strike since 5 March 2018, in protest against the maltreatment he has received at the hands of the authorities and personnel of Bozkarn prison in the south of Morocco. He was denied his right to visits on 5 March, without any reason being given.

The Gdiem Izik political prisoners have recently been transferred to a number of different prisons where the conditions would be described as inhumane. They are kept in cells with criminals, they don't have access to drinking water nor healthy food which their families try to bring for them, and they also don't have beds. Many have been denied the right to see their families and are not allowed to use the phones to call them, something which is available to other prisoners in other wings of the prison.

On 1 March 2018, the prison authority of the provincial Ait Mellaoul 2 prison in Agadir, southern Morocco, unexpectedly searched three Gdiem Izik prisoners (Mohamed Bani, Sidi Ahmed <anyed and Mobarek Lefkuir), treating them badly at the same time and insulting them verbally.

Mohamed Bani's family were informed of his condition when he called them on 2 March 2018, explaining the inhumane conditions he was living in since his transfer from Al Aryat 1 prison to Ait Melloul where he is now.

All the conditions they are currently living under, as well as the denial of their rights to phone and see their families, appear to be part of a concerted effort on the part of the Moroccan authorities to isolate the Gdiem Izik prisoners from the outside world and limit their means of getting information out about the violations against their human rights which are daily occurrences for the prisoners. Prisoners have explained that during transit they were beaten by prison guards and robbed of their personal possessions, the only things they had which connected them with their families and kept their spirits alive, which were they destroyed.

Mohamed Lamine Haddi, one of the prisoners who is being held in the provincial Tifelt 2 prison, has also been the victim of maltreament and very undignified inspections. He has been kept from other prioners and considers the conditions inhumane.

Keeping dozens of prisoners in confinement, following totally unjust trials, the Moroccan authorities are shamefully failing to fulfil their obligations under human rights law. These prisoners shouldn't even be in prison, but instead of letting them go they are forcing them to endure ever worsening conditions. Given that the conditions are so severe that the prisoners feel compelled to start hunger strikes, just to demand their most basic human rights shows the urgent needs to introduce reforms in the cruel penal system in Morocco.

The Moroccan authorities must urgently guarantee that all those prisoners put in confinement will receive food, drinking water, medical treatment and adequate sanitation. The hunger strikers have made several demands including being returned their belongings, compensation for the harm they have been caused and a commitment from the authorities to immediately bring an end to the terrible conditions of confinement which put people's physical and mental well-being in grave danger. Adala UK urges to the Moroccan authorities to allow international observers, including from the Red Cross, the complete unannounced inspections in the prisons where the Saharawi political prisoners are being held throughout Morocco. (SPS)

062/SPS

http://http://adalauk.org/?p=5470



STAMFORD  On the surface, Jessie Tarzias bedroom looks like one belonging any 18-year-old girl.

Glass jars filled with well-used paint brushes sit on one shelf, and on a pink bucket chair is a white ukulele. The bookshelf is lined with nonfiction about the supernatural and horror novels, her favorite genre. A bulletin board features photo-booth snapshots with Jessie and her friends striking silly poses at a Sweet 16 party. Theres also a tall, white umbrella lamp for filming YouTube videos, a remnant of her vlogging days.

Jessie is a high-school senior, a painter, an actress, a daughter, a big sister and a friend, among other things. She is also one of 1.4 million transgender people in the United States, according to estimates by UCLAs Williams Institute. Being transgender is just another component of Jessies life. But coming out as a young student in middle school presented a unique set of challenges.

I noticed something was different when I was 5 years old, she said. I just didnt feel comfortable with myself, with the clothes I was wearing, the way I acted, my interests. There were definitely some things I felt were still very boy-like...but I always felt there was this need for me to do something else.

Given the name Justin at birth, Jessie always wanted to wear dresses, play with dolls and put on makeup.

One night, when she was about 8 years old, she told her mother, Janet: Mom, I think God made a mistake. He gave me the wrong body. Im supposed to be a girl.

It was around 2008, before the rise of transgender figures like actress Laverne Cox or former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner. Janet and Jessies father, Nick Tarzia, said they lacked resources to learn about raising a transgender child.

Theres no manual, Nick Tarzia said. Theres no What to do when your child tells you shes transgender. Youre trying to figure it out yourself.

The Tarzias let Jessie  who struggled in school due to attention-deficit-related learning disorders  dress in a more traditionally feminine manner. However, her classmates at Rogers International Magnet School were confused by the change.

They didnt really understand, Jessie said. They were just kind of like, Youre different and we dont feel comfortable being around you. So I was pretty ostracized.

Challenging transition

It was around fifth or sixth grade when Justin befriended girls in her class who were more accepting. As she got older, she began forging renewed friendships with boys.

Its difficult when youre a little kid to understand gender, she said. Its not so black and white. To them, theyre going through a period where theyre trying to understand themselves, too. Its hard to have someone who is so different... come into their lives, and for them to automatically accept that, I imagine, is very difficult as a cisgender child.

When Justin started eighth grade, she changed her name and began introducing herself as Jessie, the final step of her coming out.

I think people knew before, Janet said. It was just the name hadnt changed. But people knew in seventh grade, in sixth grade...We all already were kind of there.

Jessie had support from her school and classmates. When she went to school using her new name, many classmates accepted the change, and stood up for her against students who were critical of the transition.

It made me feel good to know there were people supporting me other than my family, Jessie said. There were people who genuinely cared about my well-being and my happiness. It felt really freeing...to have people accept you as who you are.

Christian, Jessies 17-year-old brother who also attended Rogers International, said he saw classmates struggle with his sisters change, but the staff supported her.

I think the school handled it well, he said. Some of the students werent the best...But (the teachers) were always looking out for her.

The world hadnt exploded

The Tarzias met regularly with Rogers staff to discuss Jessies 504 plan  granted to her under the federal special-education law for children with disabilities. During those meetings, Jessies gender transition was discussed, and the school arranged for her to use the bathroom in the nurses office. But when the Tarzias learned about the Connecticut law allowing transgender people to use the bathroom of their preference, Jessie began using the girls restroom.

I had enough of walking so far out of my way just to go to the bathroom, she said. I just went into the girls bathroom and when I came out, the world hadnt exploded. Everyone was completely comfortable with it.

Overall, Jessie and her family said the Rogers community made them feel supported as she transitioned. Janet said it was not necessarily because parents and teachers knew how to handle a child coming out as transgender; the community was just focused on accepting Jessie.

They were always about her welfare, her feelings, what was best for her as a child, Nick Tarzia said.

Jennifer Argenio, a social worker at Rogers, said the entire school community was proud of Jessies transition.

I believe Jess journey, which began while attending Rogers, is a true reflection of the caring and supportive nature of our staff, students and community, Argenio said. Each and every day, we strive to make sure all of our students are equipped with both academic and social-emotional supports.

After graduating from Rogers International, Jessie was overwhelmed by the larger class sizes and workload when she arrived at Stamford High School. In addition to her learning disabilities, she was diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety, which according to the American Psychological Association, affects transgender people at higher rates than the general population.

As a result, she missed much of her sophomore year and her grades suffered. The district helped Jessies parents get her into The Spire School, which focuses on individualized education for students with social and emotional difficulties. At the West Side school, Jessies grades improved and shes been accepted to four colleges. She hopes to study social work and become a licensed therapist to help adults struggling with gender identity.

Jessie still acts in productions with the Stamford High theater company, The Strawberry Hill Players. She was recently the lead in Joannas Story, a one-act play about the struggles of growing up transgender, a plight she feels is important for the general public to understand. Its no wonder: A recent Harris poll showed only 16 percent of Americans say they personally know someone who is transgender.

After the hit show, many people said how proud they were of Jessie.

We could not have done this alone, Janet said. It really takes a village...I am so grateful to live in the right village.STAMFORD  Six years after the state legalized medical marijuana, the city may get its first dispensary.

Kind Care LLC is requesting Zoning Board approval for a special exception to operate a dispensary in the Clarks Hill Shopping Plaza at 806 E. Main St.

The Zoning Board will hold a public hearing on the request at 7 p.m. Monday in the Stamford Government Centers fourth-floor cafeteria.

The Planning Board voted last week to recommend the Zoning Board approve the dispensary, Land Use Bureau Chief Ralph Blessing said.

Zoning Board members will discuss the Kind Care application after Mondays hearing, according to their agenda. If the board approves the application, it doesnt mean there will be a dispensary in the shopping plaza. Thats up to the state Department of Consumer Protection.

The state is giving out only a few licenses, so Stamford might not end up with any, Blessing said.

Another company that was seeking a special exception to build a wellness center with a medical marijuana dispensary at 1086 Long Ridge Road withdrew its application, Blessing said. The Zoning Board was also scheduled to hear that application on Monday.

The Zoning Board requests come after the state Department of Consumer Protection said in January that it was seeking applications to open at least three more medical marijuana dispensaries, which would bring the total to at least a dozen. The deadline is April 9.

The states medical marijuana program is incredibly successful and growing rapidly, Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle Seagull said in a statement announcing the new applications. As of the end of last year, there were 22,411 registered medical marijuana patients statewide, the statement said.

The dispensary closest to Stamford is about 30 miles away in Bethel. The others are in Milford, which has two, Branford, Waterbury, Hartford, South Windsor, Montville and Bristol.

Department of Consumer Protection officials have said they will consider geographic diversity when reviewing applications for new dispensaries.

The first one opened in South Windsor in 2015, three years after the Connecticut General Assembly legalized medical marijuana.

Crime concerns

In 2014, a company called Constitution Care did not receive a license after having plans to open a dispensary at 46-50 Magee Ave. in Stamfords Shippan neighborhood.

Constitution Care, however, did obtain approval from the citys zoning enforcement officer, who determined that a medical marijuana dispensary conformed with zoning regulations for Magee Avenue.

Because Stamford had no regulations governing dispensaries, the enforcement officer consulted with the city attorney, who concluded they are permitted in zones that allow drug stores or pharmacies.

Shippan residents complained, saying that since the dispensary would be the only one of its kind in the area, it likely would draw a lot of traffic to already congested Magee Avenue.

They were also concerned about crime, and police officials agreed. Capt. Richard Conklin said at the time that dispensaries were burglarized and patients were robbed in other parts of the country.

Conklin said he was concerned that if the dispensary charged less for marijuana than the price on the street, some people registered to obtain it might sell it for profit, particularly if the quality was better.

Conklin said he also worried there was a lot of room for criminality among those operating dispensaries.

His other concern was that people registered to possess marijuana in Connecticut might run into trouble in states that do not allow it.

For those reasons, Stamford zoning officials  like those in other municipalities around the state  imposed a one-year moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries in 2014 to give them time to determine zoning requirements.

The following year, the Zoning Board approved medical marijuana dispensaries for commercial and industrial zones, which means they are allowed in most neighborhoods, including the East Side, West Side, Glenbrook, Springdale and Turn of River. The board banned marijuana growing facilities.

According to Stamford zoning regulations, no dispensary may be within a 3,000-foot radius of another; the sign may be no larger than 16 by 18 inches; it may not advertise marijuana brand names or prices; and there cannot be window displays of marijuana or paraphernalia.

Blessing said he has not heard anything about how dispensaries are operating in other towns.

Catherine Blinder, spokeswoman for the Department of Consumer Protection, said local police departments would have the best information about crime around dispensaries, and town planning and zoning boards could best speak to traffic or other possible problems, but her office is not hearing complaints.

Anecdotally, we get no reports of an increase in crime, Blinder said. At Arrow Alternative Care in Hartford, neighbors report fewer break-ins and petty crimes because there is more security.

The states applications for dispensaries require a high level of security, she said.

They are not package stores  they are medical facilities, Blinder said. I can imagine there might be a certain amount of suspicion, but the businesses that surround dispensaries report that they are good neighbors.

Patients seeking medical marijuana must obtain a doctors certification, then they or a caregiver must register with the state to buy an allotted amount of marijuana each month. Patients must renew their registrations yearly.

Patients who are 18 and older may purchase marijuana for 22 medical conditions, including cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, sickle cell disease, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord damage, Crohns disease and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The state approved six medical conditions for patients under 18, including cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, seizure disorder and terminal illness.The deal was inked in Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria, by Director of the Vietnamese ministrys Department of Foreign Affairs of Localities Nguyen Hoang Long and Deputy Secretary of Victorias Department of Economic Development, Job, Transport and Resources Gonul Serbest.



The agreement is expected to create conditions for enhancing connectivity and increasing support for effective cooperation between Vietnamese localities and Victoria in such areas as administration-to-administration ties, people-to-people exchange, trade, investment, education-training, science-technology, smart city building, agriculture, tourism, and services.





During his stay, Director Long also attended and delivered a speech at a meeting on introducing the business environment in Vietnam. The event saw the presence of Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Craig Chittick, Australian Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City Karen Lanyon, and President of the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam Chau Ta.

The Vietnamese delegation had working sessions with the agencies for external affairs of Victoria and Melbourne, the Business Council of Australia, and some Australian enterprises. They also visited the University of Melbourne, Monash University, and RMIT University

VietnamnewsI n October, Hannah Mckay was sent out by Reuters to photograph the Rohingya crisis in Cox's Bazar on the southeast coast of Bangladesh.

Over 17 days, the 29-year-old shot refugees, those who had made it safely to camps, those who were in the process of travelling and those who werent so lucky. With just a driver and fixer, a local man who had made the crossing with his family in the 90s, they rose at sunrise, broke in the middle of the day due to heat and worked until sunset.

The government of Myanmar, a predominantly Buddhist country, claims the Rohingya people - who have their own language and culture - are illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh despite their Myanmar roots being traced back as early as the 8th century.

Since 25 August 2017, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees have fled Myanmar but this is just the latest crisis. They have been subjected to military crackdowns in 1978, 1991, 1992, 2012 and 2015.

Under the 1982 Myanmar nationality law theyre denied citizenship meaning they cant receive governmental support, state education and can't claim a nationality. In 2013 the United Nations described the Rohingya as "one of the most persecuted minorities in the world".

Rohingya refugees move across the Naf River as they cross the Myanmar-Bangladesh border in Palong Khali, near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, November 1, 2017. / Hannah McKay/Reuters

Having moved to London in 2012, McKay spent time at national picture agencies and freelancing before moving in-house for Reuters last August. Over the course of her career, shes shot the Trumps, the Royals and captured world events but this was something completely new.

Id never been to that part of the world and the freedom to be able to take pictures was an incredible privilege, she says.

They were so welcoming to me as a photographer that the access was unbelievable - you could go into peoples homes, clinics, hospitals, mosques and thats something that isnt really available to us in the UK.

McKay puts it down to the fascination they held of her, being a foreigner, but also their desperation. I think they saw us as people who can help them, I think they see our cameras as a way of showing the world whats happening there. Their situation is so desperate that I think theyre willing to take any help that they can get and they can see the importance of what were trying to do.

In one shot, a woman can be seen being pulled to safety - a moment McKay broke from her role as photographer and stepped in.

Hannah McKay/Reuters

About 10 days in there was a crossing of about 10,000 refugees and wed been waiting for them for a couple of days, says McKay.

There were huge numbers of people crossing but at one moment a lady fell at our feet. I was standing with three other photographers and she was waist deep in thick mud but she literally had nothing left in her tank and couldnt get up on the riverbank to safety.

There was two other refugees who were trying to push her up but they just couldnt do it so we pulled her out and she just lay completely exhausted on the side.

Bangladesh crisis: UK charity helps Rohingya refugees prepare for winter

That whole situation - her and all the other people trying to cross was when it really hit me how real this situation is.

Every night I was able to go back to the hotel, wash, have some food and recuperate from the day but as it fell dark by that river, these people were just stuck there, stranded with no food or water or shelter. It felt like someone was just turning the lights off and it was really harrowing.

When I ask McKay about battling the internal conflict of having to do a job but also being human, shes concise in her thoughts.

Of course there are times when your heart outweighs your head and you have to do what you can in a certain moment but I also know that I have a job to do and that job is telling these peoples stories and illustrating to the world whats happening.L iz Hurley has praised the fantastic police and medics who came to her nephews aid after he was repeatedly stabbed in south London.

Miles Hurley, 21, was targeted by a gang in a brutal attack in Battersea on Thursday night.

In a tweet on Saturday, Ms Hurley wrote it is an appalling time for the family.

She said: "My 21 year old nephew was repeatedly stabbed in a brutal attack in London on Thursday night. The police & hospital are being fantastic.

Thank you for all your messages. It is an appalling time for him & our family. The police will be appealing for witnesses.

He was attacked alongside another man in Nine Elms just before 9pm after a row with a stranger, The Sun reported.

A source told the paper: His family feared the worst. Fortunately, it seems the knife missed his vital organs.

Liz Hurley is said to have returned to the UK to be with her nephew

Ms Hurley, 52, is said to be close to Miles, and has reportedly flown back from the US to be with him.

Miles is the son of her sister Kate Curran, 54, and is said to have modelled for the likes of Dolce & Gabbana.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed two men were attacked by a group who got out of a vehicle and set upon them in Ascalon Street.

Close: Liz Hurley and her nephew Miles Hurley in New York / Getty Images

He added: A 21-year-old man was discovered with stab wounds.

Another man, also believed to be aged 21, was also found suffering from stab wounds.

They were both taken by LAS to a south London hospital where their conditions are described as not life-threatening or life-changing.S cotland Yard is investigating a possible hate crime after reports a letter encouraging people to "punish a Muslim" was posted in London.

The threatening letter, which has also been circulated online, urged its recipients to join a national day of violence against Muslims in April.

It asked people to carry out violent acts including verbal abuse, removing a womans hijab or head-scarf, physical assault and using acid as a weapon.

These were ranked using a points-based system, with the letter stating: There will be rewards based on action taken.

The Met Police confirmed on Saturday that it is investigating the letter and added that no one has been arrested.

A spokesman said: Police are investigating a report of malicious communications in a letter having been sent to the occupants of a residential address in east London.

A further report has been received from a member of the public in the SW4 area who received a copy of a letter through Whatsapp.

The MPS does not tolerate any form of hate crime. If anyone believes they have been a victim of such an offence we would encourage them to report it to police so it can be fully investigated.

Meanwhile West Yorkshire Police confirmed it had around six reports of letters advertising "punish a Muslim day" and said counter terrorism police were investigating.

A police spokesman said: "Counter Terrorism Policing North East are coordinating the investigation at this time and will consider any potential links to existing enquiries.

"Anyone with any concerns about a communication they may have received should contact their local police force."

Social media users in Birmingham have also reported receiving the letters.

Iman Atta, director of anti-Muslim hate monitoring service Tell MAMA, said: "This has caused quite a lot of fear within the community.T he MI6 codename of the former Russian Spy Sergei Skripal has been revealed as Home Secretary Amber Rudd prepares to chair a meeting of the Governments Cobra committee.

Mr Skripal, who is currently fighting for his life in hospital after being poisoned with nerve agent, was a highly valued spy for the MI6 whose code name was Forthwith, The Times has revealed.

Working as a double agent, Mr Skripal,66, provided Russian military intelligence to the MI6 over a ten year period.

The former intelligence officer was convicted in Russia in 2006 of selling state secrets to MI6, but was later released as part of a spy swap.

Double agent: Sergei Skripal was found unconscious in Salisbury, where he has been living a quiet retirement

Investigators continue to look into the poisoning of Mr Skripal and his daughter Yulia,33, which took place on Sunday in Salisbury.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd will chair a meeting of the Government's Cobra committee at 3pm on Saturday to receive updates on the police case, Downing Street said.

Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, who was part of the initial response by authorities, is also in a serious condition.

Yulia: The 33-year-old is in critical condition after the suspected assassination attempt / Facebook

Around 180 troops, including Royal Marines, RAF Regiment troops and chemical warfare specialists, are understood to have been deployed in the city on Friday after Scotland Yard requested specialist help.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said armed forces personnel will return to Salisbury in similar numbers on Saturday as the probe and cleanup operation continues.

Police turned their attention on Friday to the cemetery where the Russian's wife and son were laid to rest.

The grave of Mr Skripal's wife Liudmila, who was buried in 2012, and the memorial stone of his son Alexander, who was cremated last year, were cordoned off at the London Road cemetery.

Police cordoned off the memorial stone of Mr Skripal's son / PA

Apparent fears of chemical contamination have also seen Mr Skripal's home cordoned off while detectives attempt to pin down the origins of the substance used to incapacitate him.

A police car at Salisbury District Hospital was also recovered by officers.

Mr Skripal and Yulia,are still in a "very serious" condition five days after they were discovered slumped on a bench in the city centre.

Troops seen outside Salisbury District Hospital / Getty Images

Suspicion is mounting that Russia carried out the attempt on their lives as an act of revenge against the former double agent.

The Kremlin denies responsibility and British ministers have urged caution over apportioning blame until the facts become clear.

Defence minister Tobias Ellwood said that the military's presence reflected the "seriousness" of the situation, adding: "We mustn't get ahead of ourselves but we must have a robust response and it's something that we'll be discussing with our Nato partners and with the forthcoming summit in Brussels in July.

Amber Rudd: she visited the scene where Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found after having been poisoned by a nerve agent / REUTERS

"Some big questions arise as to how do you stand up to a clandestine and sinister attack deliberately done to play havoc in our society?"

Mrs Rudd had earlier visited Salisbury and the hospital where DS Bailey is receiving treatment.

Lord Blair, a former Met Commissioner, suggested on the BBC's Today programme the seriously ill detective had visited Mr Skripal's home.

He said: "There obviously are some indications the officer, and I'm very sorry that he has been injured, has actually been to the house, whereas there was a doctor who looked after the patients in the open who hasn't been affected at all.

"So there may be some clues floating around in here."

Police said 21 people had been seen for medical treatment since the incident.

The figure includes members of the public and emergency staff, some of whom have had blood tests as well as receiving support and advice.

The attack is being treated as attempted murder.T he leader of a far-right anti-immigration group has vowed to speak in London after a planned appearance at a Ukip event was cancelled.

Martin Sellner, a member of Generation Identity, a cross-European anti-migrant group, says he will give an address at Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park on Sunday.

The pledge comes after a planned free speech conference of Ukips youth wing, Young Independence, this weekend was cancelled amid alleged security threats.

My speech for the @YIofficial conference was cancelled for the 2nd time, due to security risks caused by left wing threats, Sellner tweeted.

But we wont be silenced. On Sunday the 11th I will give my speech on Speakers Corner and I invite everybody who had a ticket for the conference to come!

Sellner, a 29-year-old from Austria, led the so-called Defend Europe mission which chartered a boat in a bid to block the arrival of boats carrying refugees and migrants in the Mediterranean.

Anti-fascist campaign group Hope Not Hate has described the Generation Identity group he co-leads in Austria as "racist and extreme".

The organisation, which was founded in France, has been likened to the alt-right in America and has grown in prominence in Germany, Austria and Italy.

Sellner has been pictured alongside former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson, and uses the hashtag #remigration on Twitter to encourage migrants to return to their homelands.

Asked whether Sellner could be blocked from entering the UK, a Home Office spokesman said they do not comment on individual cases, adding: The Home Secretary may exclude an EEA national on the grounds of public policy or security, if they pose a genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat.T he husband of British citizen Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has asked Boris Johnson for urgent updates after Iranian authorities signalled her release from prison had been sanctioned.

Richard Ratcliffe said it was not clear what was delaying his wifes return.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian dual citizen, is currently serving a five-year prison sentence after being convicted of spying charges in 2016.

The charity worker for the Thomson Reuters Foundation, denies the charges and maintains she was in Iran to introduce her young daughter Gabriella to her parents.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe with her husband Richard Ratcliffe / PA

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Ratcliffe said there had been positive signs from Iranian authorities, but the family still did not know when the family would be reunited.

He said: "We've been getting better messages from the Iranian side, from the judiciary and the prosecutor's office in Iran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif shakes the hand of Boris Johnson / AP

"This week the head of prison said, 'Oh yes, I've approved her release, I approved it a number of months ago'. So there's been clearly things to hold on to, hopefully.

"Part of the aspiration of today's message to the Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is I would like to meet to ask what's the blockage? What's going on?"

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We will continue to approach each case in a way that we judge is most likely to secure the outcome we all want.T he UK is braced for a prolonged period of rain as the Pest from the West sweeps across the country.

Heavy rain is set to move in from the south-west this week as spring gets off to a damp start.

Forecasters predicted a north-south divide as temperatures in the south of the country reached double figures while snow was expected in some parts of Scotland during the weekend.

But moving from Sunday morning, the Met Office has warned of misty, murky" conditions in the southern parts of the country.

Rain, sleet and snow was anticipated across Scotland, but elsewhere in the north forecasters anticipated a dry but cold spell.

Monday morning is set to bring more rain with further downpours predicted in the south.

Moving towards the middle of the week, winds are expected to pick up with gales anticipated in the west of the country.

Londoners can expect a wet but mild week with temperatures hovering around 12C.

The rise in temperatures follows weeks of wintry conditions that wreaked havoc in much of the UK.

UK Weather: Beast from the East freeze - In pictures 1 /64 UK Weather: Beast from the East freeze - In pictures Snow storm over London NPASLondon/Twitter The frozen canal at Little Venice, London Jeremy Selwyn A multi-car collision on the M66 NEAR Ramsbottom and Bury Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) Ice climbers at Kinder Downfall, High Peak in Derbyshire PA RFA Tidespring battles powerful weather conditions sparked by the Beast from the East EPA/Ministry of Defence Members of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards take part in a snow ball fight prior to the combined St David's Day celebration and pre-deployment service at Elizabeth Barracks, Pirbright, Surrey PA A police car on fire on the M62 near Huddersfield. PA Andrea Geile skies along Princes Street in Edinburgh PA Heavy snowfall hits St Paul's Cathedral Zuma / Splash News Storm clouds over Dublin Bay PA Paddington Station today Jeremy Selwyn The M876 to Glasgow is closed PA A man walks in the snowy conditions in Larbert PA Edinburgh Castle in the snow PA Members of the public make their way through snow the streets in Alexandria, Scotland Getty Images Jock the Shih Tzu plays in the snow Getty Images Waterloo Station tracks covered in snow Jeremy Selwyn A man clears snow in Alexandria, Scotland Getty Images Snow-covered members of the public walk through heavy snow in Westminster Getty Images A stranded car covered in snow in Whitley Bay in Tyne and Wear PA Police push a car on the on the M80 Haggs in Glasgow PA A blizzard hit Trafalgar Square School children from Wearhead Primary School, in County Durham, which stands more than 1,100 feet (335m) above sea level and which remained open despite blizzards thanks to teachers battling through the elements and a parent with a digger PA Snow continues to fall in Westminster Jeremy Selwyn A man clears snow from a car in Larbert PA Fabio Fodaro cycles during a blizzard at Helix Park in Falkirk PA The scene on the M80 Haggs in Glasgow PA Police push a car on the on the M80 Haggs in Glasgow PA Huge crowds outside Oxford Circus Tube station @_kathyharvey People walk in the snow on Horse Guards Parade Reuters Whiteout: Londoners brave the snow in Piccadilly Circus Tony Villalon Three-year-old Wilfred Martin, enjoys sledding in the snow in Richmond Park, Londo PA Victor the polar bear enjoys the snow at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster PA Giant waves crash over Seaham lighthouse near Durham as the "Beast from the East" brings heavy snow and freezing temperatures to much of the country PA Spectacular sunrise over Canary Wharf James Burns/London from the Rooftops Vehicles get stuck on a hill on the A30 near Land's End in Cornwall following heavy snow that made driving conditions difficult PA Battersea looking beautiful in the snow Hatty Collier People walk their dogs on Blyth Beach in Northumberland PA A swimmer braves the snowy conditions at King Edwards bay near Tynemouth PA Frozen foutains at Trafalgar Square Jeremy Selwyn Stationary traffic on the M20 near Ashford, Kent PA Pedestrians cross Whitehall as snow falls AP Pedestrians walk across millennium bridge in front of St Paul's as heavy snowfall hits London AFP/Getty Images A snow-covered Tube train early today Londoners woke to wintry scenes Jeremy Selwyn A lorry shed its load on the M20 overnight Kent Police RPU Snow falls on Wimbledon Common Alex Lentati A London bus travels through the snow in Oxford street EPA Snow surrounds the Angel of the North in Gateshead PA People walk past Buckingham Palac PA People walk along Bankside, London in the snow PA Snow at Horse guards in London Jeremy Selwyn Rare snow seen at Brighton Beach James Mayes Toby Stanton walks to school in Ashford, Kent, as heavy snowfall is affecting roads across the UK PA Highways England/Twitter Cars travel through Great Chart in Ashford, Kent PA A Eurostar train passes through Ashford, Kent PA Vehicles on the M20 between Junctions 8 and 9, as heavy snowfall is affecting roads across the UK PA A double decker bus carefully makes it way through the snowfall in London Jeremy Selwyn Cars drive through falling snow on the A41 in Hemel Hempstead Jeremy Selwyn Parents walk their children to school in Ashford, Kent PA Newcastle Quayside following heavy overnight snowfall PA Walkers in the snow near to Another Place by Anthony Gormley, on Crosby Beech near LiverpooL PA Fishing boats moored in Scarborough harbour PA Commuters battle the snoiw across London Bridge Jeremy Selwyn

It comes after hundreds of schools were closed and roads became treacherous as heavy snow continued to fall on parts of Britain just a week after the Beast from the East brought chaos.

About 120 schools were shut in Wales, 130 in Bradford, with scores more closed in Liverpool and Lancashire on Thursday.

Liverpool and Yorkshire were the worst hit by the latest blast of icy weather, with police in West Yorkshire warning motorists not to travel unless absolutely necessary after they dealt with "numerous" early-morning collisions.

But forecaster Charles Powell warned that we may not have seen the last of the cold weather.

It looks like it could get colder next weekend with temperatures falling back down to single figures he said.

However, he clarified that there is unlikely to be any snow.

Heading into the final two weeks of March, Mr Powell predicted unusually cold conditions for the time of year.

In London he said he expected temperature to remain in high single figures.T hree women have been shot and killed during a hostage situation at a veterans' home in Northern California.

An eight hour siege at The Pathway Home ended on Friday evening with the discovery of four bodies, including the gunman.

He was identified as Albert Wong, 36, a former Army rifleman who served a year in Afghanistan in 2011-2012 who was allegedly a former patient at the treatment centre.

Investigators were still trying to determine when and why Mr Wong killed two executives and a psychologist at The Pathway Home, a nonprofit post-traumatic stress disorder program at the Veterans Home of California-Yountville in the Napa Valley wine country region.

The siege went on for hours at Pathway Home in Northern California / AP

It was "far too early to say if they were chosen at random" because investigators had not yet determined a motive, California Highway Patrol Assistant Chief Chris Childs said.

They were identified as The Pathway Home Executive Director Christine Loeber, 48; Clinical Director Jennifer Golick, 42; and Jennifer Gonzales, 29, a clinical psychologist with the San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

"These brave women were accomplished professionals who dedicated their careers to serving our nation's veterans, working closely with those in the greatest need of attention after deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan," The Pathway Home said in a statement.

Ms Golick's father-in-law, Bob Golick, said in an interview she had recently expelled Mr Wong from the programme.

The Pathway Home is located on the sprawling campus of the veterans' centre, which cares for about 1,000 elderly and disabled vets.

It is the largest veterans' home in the US, according to the state Department of Veterans Affairs.

Mr Wong went to the campus about 53 miles (85 kilometers) north of San Francisco on Friday morning, slipping into a going-away party for some employees of The Pathway House.

Larry Kamer said his wife, Devereaux Smith, called him to say that the gunman had entered the room quietly, letting some people leave while taking others hostage.

Ms Golick called her husband, Mark, to say that she had been taken hostage by the former soldier, her father-in-law said.

Mark Golick didn't hear from her again, Mr Malick said.

A Napa Valley sheriff's deputy exchanged gunshots with the hostage-taker at about 10:30 a.m. but after that nothing was heard from Mr Wong or his hostages despite daylong efforts to contact him, authorities said.

Army veteran and resident Bob Sloan, 73, was working at the home's TV station when a co-worker came in and said he had heard four gunshots coming from The Pathway Home. MrSloan sent alerts for residents to stay put.

A group of about 80 students who were on the home's grounds were safely evacuated after being locked down, Napa County Sheriff John Robertson said the teens from Justin-Siena High School were at a theatre rehearsing a play.

"They were a distance away from the shooting situation," Robertson said.

The bodies of Mr Wong and the women were found at about 6pm.

Mr Wong's rental car was later found nearby. A bomb-sniffing dog alerted authorities to something on the car but the only thing found was a cellphone, authorities said.

Yvette Bennett, a wound-care supply worker who supplies the veterans' centre, was turned back when she tried to deliver what she called urgently needed medical supplies for two patients inside.

Of all the medical institutions she has worked with, "this is the most placid, calm, serene place," she said.

Earlier this week, when she last visited, she asked a doctor: "What's your magic here?"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State lawmakers set to tackle redistricting

Texas lawmakers are back in Austin for a third special session that will focus on redrawing congressional districts.Each weapon system boasts particular features and aptitudes for carrying out the specific missions it was designed for. For instance, its much easier to steer wheeled vehicles. This advantage translates into better maneuverability in comparison with tracked systems. The wheeled versions are cheaper, faster, more agile, and lighter in weight. The smaller number of components that could potentially be damaged enhances its survivability. Wheels can be produced using various materials in orderto fitthe environmental conditions.Tracks are better suited for rugged terrain, plus they have other strong points. Robots use both  wheels and tracks  depending on their mission.But a wheeled tank with a heavy gun is a new type of military hardware. Russias Zvezda TV channel claims that Russia will be the first country to add that to its armys arsenal. The project will be finalized within two to three years.

According to the terminology of the CFE Treaty, a fighting vehicle with a gun caliber of at least 75 mm, a 360-degree rotating turret, and a weight of at least 16.5 tons is considered a wheeled tank.

The 88 light wheeled tank (LWT) will be built on the basis of the VPK-7829 platform used by the K-17 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) and the K-16 armored personnel carrier (APC). In addition to the cannon, the platform is usually armed with a 2A42 30mm automatic cannon, a 7.62mm coaxial PKT machine gun (MG), and a Kornet-EM anti-tank (AT) missile system. The fire and forget AT missiles have spiral trajectory.The capability to fire missiles in salvo against two different targets at once increases the rate of fire and makes it possible to use fewer vehicles per mission.Fire control is computerized. A 12.7mm heavy machine gun or a grenade launcher can be installed instead of the basic 7.62mm MG. The new tank weighs 30 tons. It makes it possible to install the 125mm anti-tank Sprut-SDM cannon used by airborne troops or any other large-caliber gun.

The Boomerang platform offers full 88 drive with power steering on the front four wheels. Four wheels are fitted to each side of the hull.The diesel engine is a four-stroke, turbocharged UTD-32TR, capable of 510 hp. It uses both hydromechanical and hydrostatic transmissions. The modified engine is a single block unit that can easily be replaced under combat conditions. The hull can be fitted with variable height control suspensions.

The platform uses its V-shape to deflect mine blasts anywhere under the platform, thus protecting the personnel inside the hull. In addition to standard welded steel that offers protection from shell splinters and small arms fire, it is equipped with bolt-on ceramic armor to provide all-around protection against 14.5mm, armor-piercing ammunition, and fragments of 152mm rounds.

The vehicle is amphibious. It has a folding rectangular plate installed on the nose that opens before the vehicle enters the water, andit is then driven forward by two propellers installed on either side of the hull at the rear. The LWT is equipped with air-conditioning, an NBC protection system, and night-vision devices. Full 360 visibility keeps the crew safe inside the hull.

The concept of a LWT was prompted by the invaluable experience obtained in Syria. Heavy tanks are less maneuverable and become easy targets for jeeps with installed field artillery pieces  the weapon so commonly used by terrorist units. More agile LWTs could be more effective on the battlefield against these weapons. Besides, a wheeled tank could do a great job ofblasting bunkers and other fortifications, as well as machine-gun nests and armored vehicles of all kinds. The combination of a large-caliber cannon and its superior maneuverability make it perfectly suited for such missions. In addition, an LWT could take over some of the tasks currently being carried out by main battle tanks.

The new tanks speed, transportability, low detectability, armor enhancements, and defensive aids to minimize losses would significantly enhance the combat capability of airborne forces as well as motorized and rapid-reaction units.The wheeled chassis makes it a perfect weapon for desert operations.

The new LWT (as yet unnamed) equipped with a heavy cannon and the BMPT-72 Terminator-2 armored fighting vehicle are examples ofone-of-a-kind wheeled systems not found in other countriesarsenals. They complement each other, providing the Russian Army with the capability to effectively ease the burden on the main battle tanks whilecarrying out specific missions against terrorist armed groups in any environment, including desert and urban warfare.The mysterious apparent murder bid on an ex-Russian spy in Britain has taken on a wider European dimension.

Predictably, the incident was used to whip up anti-Russian claims in the British media. But, in addition, the European Union soon came under pressure to show solidarity with Britain in the supposed Russian assault on its sovereignty.

Former British officials were reported bemoaning the lack of solidarity from EU states over the alleged Russian violation on British soil. The EU then responded with an obligatory statement of solidarity with Britain, with the tacit acceptance of Russian malfeasance at play.

The allegations of Russian state involvement in the apparent lethal poisoning of exiled Kremlin agent Sergei Skripal in England last Sunday have been leveled with deplorable disregard for due legal process.

Within hours of the incident  which saw 66-year-old Skripal and his adult daughter rushed to intensive hospital care  British media were speculating that Russian agents had carried out a revenge assassination attempt.

Skripal was exiled from Russia in 2010 after being convicted for treason as a double agent for Britains foreign intelligence service MI6. He was living in the southern English town of Salisbury, where he was found paralyzed in a public park along with his 33-year-old daughter.

British counter-terrorism officers have disclosed that the pair were victims of a toxic nerve agent attack, without identifying the chemical used. They have claimed that the attacker or attackers must have been state-sponsored to carry out such a lethal operation. British police have not yet specified any particular agency for the attack, but as noted the British media quickly jumped to reckless speculation of Russian involvement. The speculation has been fueled by government ministers like Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson using innuendo.

Russias Foreign Ministry dismissed the allegations of Moscows involvement as more irresponsible Russophobia.

The notion that Russia would carry out a risky operation on the eve of its presidential elections this month in order to avenge a disgraced former spy who had been living openly in England for the past eight years defies credibility. Its frankly absurd given the already heightened anti-Russia hysteria in the Western media that the Kremlin would even contemplate such a scheme.

Nevertheless, the evidence does point to an assassination attempt on Skripal using a military-grade chemical weapon. Senior British toxicologist Dr Alistair Hay told Radio Free Europe this week that the chemical substance used in the attack was most likely one of the organophosphate poisons, such as soman or tabun, which are related to sarin and VX. These are nerve agents that can kill from exposure of human skin to a single droplet.

Hay, who is an advisor to the British government on chemical warfare agents, cautioned against rushing to accusations against Russia. In my view, its much, much too early to point a finger at anybody at this stage, said the expert.

All that the internationally respected toxicologist would venture to say is that the nature of the attack had military capability because of the extreme lethality of the substances involved.

If we assume that Russia was not involved  which is a fair assumption given the above reasoning  then the question is: what state agency could have carried it out? For what objective?

In particular, focus is drawn here to agencies which are seeking to sabotage Europe-wide relations with Russia. As noted above, one of the ramifications from the anti-Russian allegations over the poisoning incident was prompt pressure on the EU to show a tough response towards Moscow.

Former British ambassador to Russia, Sir Tony Brenton, reportedly accused the rest of Europe of lacking in support for Britain.

The European Union will once again fail to help the UK in its fight against Russia after a former Russian spy was allegedly poisoned in Salisbury, according to former ambassador Sir Tony Brenton, reported the Daily Express.

Another former British foreign office advisor claimed that because of the EUs bitter wrangling with Britain over the Brexit the Kremlin was taking advantage of the UKs lack of allies in the US and EU, and its inability to do much about the Skripal case.

This logic implicating Russia is unhinged. But the telling aspect is the seeming intended effect of embroiling Europe in a wider antagonistic response to Moscow.

Admittedly, the following discussion here is speculative. But its worth a posit.

Last week, the US-led political campaign to scupper the Russia-EU Nord Stream 2 project was given renewed impetus.

The $11 billion, 1,200-kilometer gas delivery pipeline is nearing completion next year.

Foreign ministers from Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia were in Washington DC to meet with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on the specific subject of the Nord Stream 2, and how it might be cancelled, reported Voice of America.

Poland and the Baltic states are advocating for US supply of gas to replace the traditional European source from Russia. The issue is of huge strategic importance. US President Trump has been vocal in his support for the European states switching to American gas exports, even though that would work out much more expensive for European consumers.

The Nord Stream 2 project is a partnership between Russian state-owned Gazprom and five private energy companies from Britain, Germany, France and Netherlands.

But the project has been buffeted by the political repercussions over allegations against Russia concerning Ukraine, Crimea and purported interference in US and European elections.

The German and Austrian governments are strong backers of the new gas network with Russia. Last week, Austrian President Sebastian Kurz was in Moscow where he met with Vladimir Putin and expressed his support for the Nord Stream 2.

However, apart from Poland and the Baltic states which are marked by vehement anti-Russian ideological politics, there are also elements with the EU administration which are similarly opposed to the Nord Stream supply. It is claimed, they say, that such an arrangement will give too much leverage to Moscow over European affairs. Such advocates tend to be pro-NATO and pro-Washington.

The point is that the campaign to undermine the Russian-EU gas partnership has come with renewed impetus  as seen in the delegation last week to Washington by the Polish and Baltic government ministers. Of course, they are pushing at an open door. American state interests are wedded to the objective of knocking out Russia as Europes gas supplier.

Now then, the timing of an assassination bid in England which is framed on Russia comes at a convenient moment in the strategic tussle over Europes global energy market. It seems significant that pressure is being brought to bear on the EU to get tough on Moscow over the alleged attempted murder of the exiled Russian spy. The get tough response being sought could be cancellation of the Nord Stream 2 gas project.

If that stands up as a motive for the latest attempt to cleave EU-Russian relations, then our focus on the likely perpetrators shifts to the following: American state agents, possibly working with British and Eastern European accomplices, in trying to kill Sergei Skripal and his daughter, with the purpose of blackballing Moscow.

Photo: politico.euFor over two decades a growing portion of foreign aid provided to Palestinians has gone to pay jailed terrorists and the families of terrorists killed while attacking Israelis (and any foreign bystanders). Currently over $350 million a year is devoted to this, which is nearly four percent of the Palestinian GDP. About twenty percent of that GDP comes from foreign aid with the United States being largest single source (about twenty percent of the foreign aid). Thats more than all Moslem nations combined. European countries account for over a quarter of the aid. Western nations have been contributing most (over 70 percent) of this aid directly or indirectly and continue to do so. Much of this aid is stolen by corrupt Palestinian officials and that is something most Palestinians and donors agree is a major problem. But the nearly $400 million a year paid to terrorists is popular with most Palestinians and for years was successfully kept out of the Western media and was not an issue with donor nations. Most of the money diverted to pay terrorists comes from aid controlled by the Palestinian government (controlled by Fatah) in the West Bank, which lost control of Gaza (were about 40 percent of Palestinians lived) in 2005.

Now the U.S. Congress is about to pass a law that would cut U.S. aid to Palestinians in an amount equal to what Palestinians spend to pay terrorists or their families. Israel is also cutting money it collects for the Palestinian Authority (customs and the like) to account for how much of its Palestinian government pays Palestinians to kill or injure Israelis. As a Practical matter the Palestinian governments, particularly Fatah (the West Bank party that controls the Palestinian Authority) would claim that the cuts are hurting Palestinians in general, especially children and are unfair. But the reality is that making the cuts and continually publicizing the reasons puts pressure on the Palestinians to stop supporting terrorism and their well (and often) publicized goal of destroying Israel and not agreeing to any peace deal that does not include the elimination of Israel and expulsion of all Jews from the area. That is another subject that the Palestinians want keep out of the Western media, even though it has been a staple of the Palestinian media since the late 1990s.

One thing most Westerners can agree on is pressuring the Palestinian government to stop paying imprisoned terrorists salaries. These Palestinians were convicted of killing people (usually Israeli civilians) but are considered heroes by the Palestinian government and most Palestinians. These payments have been made with increasing frequency and in growing quantity for over a decade. The Palestinians deliberately sought to keep it out of their English language media, so that the Western donors would not get upset and reduce their contributions. These payments were not a secret but the Palestinians understood that Westerners would not appreciate it becoming widely known in the West that much of the aid money was going to jailed terrorists. So the Palestinians made a real effort to keep this news from the Western media, which tended to be happy with Palestinian press releases and rarely bothered to translate Palestinian Arab language media and government documents.

Palestinians who are jailed, injured or killed (martyred) while trying to hurt Israelis receive large payments from Fatah. For example families of dead terrorists get an immediate payment of $1,700 from Fatah plus monthly payments for the life of immediate family. These monthly payments ($400 to over $1,000 depending on the number of wives and children) can make a family relatively affluent and open new opportunities, like enough cash to afford a people smuggler who can get one or more family members to the West.

There is also a bonus ($86 a month) if you are a legal resident of Israel and a similar monthly bonus if you were a resident of Jerusalem. Fatah is currently paying about $200 million a year to the families of over 26,000 martyrs as well as smaller payments to 6,000 badly injured while trying to kill Israelis. Monthly payments to jailed Palestinians vary according to how long they have been in jail, how many dependents they have and if they are from Israel or Jerusalem. There are also bonuses for how many Israelis the prisoner killed or injured. Some of these convicts get over $50,000 a year. Fatah currently spends about $160 million a year to reward over 6,000 jailed terrorists. Fatah considers this payment program a success even though dozens of Palestinians die in the Fatah-promoted violence each year. These attacks have left far fewer Israelis dead and for Fatah that is political gold as far as Arab language media is concerned.

With this approach Fatah and Hamas together currently spend over $400 million a year to make murder economically attractive to many young Palestinians. Most of it comes from Fatah although Hamas is trying to make more payments to Palestinians in the West Bank who support Hamas and attack Israelis in the name of Hamas. The Arab language media throughout the Middle East takes for granted that these payments are just and necessary for the war against Israel. Until recently Western donors generally refused to believe (officially) that much of their money went to reward terrorism. That is changing as a growing number of Western foreign aid donors are trying to prevent their aid from being diverted to this terrorism financial incentive program because the details of the Palestinian cash for killers program became more widely known in the West.

These economic and media attention incentives have always encouraged many Palestinian men (and some women) to join the violence. These financial incentives have become common since the 1990s and some countries used to openly boast of making them (as Saddam Hussein did up until 2003). That sort of support is more covert these days because local media is more often monitored and reported on by foreign media, often via individuals finding choice items and spreading that news via the Internet.

Over the last few years these payments became more widely known in the West and Fatah was forced to deal with this issue. At first the Fatah complained to the UN about Western, especially Israeli, media describing the millions of dollars a month Fatah paid to the families of terrorists as support of terrorism. This raised some serious legal issues for many Western aid organizations because for them it is illegal to contribute to the Palestinians if any of that money would be used to support terrorism. That sort of thing is frowned on in the West and is often illegal as well.

Fatah considers Palestinians jailed (usually in Israel) for terrorism to be freedom fighters, even if their victims were Israeli women and children (as well as some foreigners, including Moslems). The PA feels an obligation to make welfare payments to the families of imprisoned terrorists, but only because Fatah has been glorifying terrorism for decades. Some Moslem countries willingly contribute to this effort. For example, up until 2003, Iraq paid $30,000 to the family of each dead Palestinian terrorist. The PA wants the UN to get the Western and Israeli media to stop defaming Palestinian freedom fighters like this.

Publicizing this practice has forced the Fatah and their Western donors to adjust. The most frequent solution is to insist that none of the Western aid money goes to terrorist payments because that money comes from Moslem sources. This is just an accounting trick but is often sufficient for many Western donors. Moslem nations have no problem with their aid money going to imprisoned terrorists, which will be the next embarrassing item to be raised. But for now its all about recasting the books to make these payments legal for donors from countries with laws hostile to Islamic terrorists.

The Palestinians are also criticized by Western donor nations for asking for more aid to pay civil servants while refusing to cut payments to imprisoned terrorists. What the Palestinians do not want to discuss is the fact that these payments make terrorist deaths more palatable to the survivors and assist in recruiting. Knowing that you will still have an income even if sent to prison for your terrorist attacks, and that your family will receive a large payment if you are killed, is a big inducement for unemployed young Palestinians to join terrorist organizations. Yet the more of these murder attempts there are the more the Palestinian territories are isolated and travel and commerce blocked. That increases unemployment and makes being a terrorist a more attractive career choice.

Western donors have more serious problems with corruption among Palestinian government officials. This is far more expensive than the payments to imprisoned terrorists but the Palestinians are even more reluctant to discuss it. Yet the victims of the terror attacks, especially the foreign ones, do see this Palestinian scam are illegal and quite literally support for terrorism. That is illegal in most donor countries but only in the United States have the courts shown any interest in allowing lawsuits against Fatah and other Moslem nations that openly support Islamic terrorist violence against Westerners while also doing business with the West.Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday said that his party will support the panel selected by Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo for the coveted position of Senate chairman.

Addressing a joint press conference with Bizenjo, Imran said that it would be a great achievement if  for the first time in the countrys history  the chairman of Senate will be elected from Balochistan.

The people of Balochistan have been aware of their deprivations since some time now, the PTI chief said, and it would be a great feat if the incoming Senate chairman is from Balochistan.

With just two days remaining till the election to appoint the Senate chairman and deputy chairman, political parties have redoubled their efforts for the appointment of a candidate of their choice.

Bizenjo, in his address, told the journalists that PTI's initiative to take the first step to support a candidate from Balochistan was appreciable.

"Imran Khan sahib and PTI get the first credit for lending their support," he said, adding that he also values the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for appreciating the prospect of a Senate chairman from Balochistan.

"Bilawal sahib, I believe, tweeted last night that his party is ready to make a sacrifice for Balochistan and we value this gesture," Bizenjo told the journalists.

Earlier today, PPP's Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had said that a Senate chairman from Balochistan 'sounded like a good idea.'

"PPP has always fought, sacrificed, and delivered on empowering the federation," he tweeted. "From devolution to CEPEC, we have prioritized balochistan."

"Chairman senate from Balochistan sounds like a good idea. Will consult with my party and allies on names for chairman and deputy," Bilawal had said.

The chief minister said that the preferable nominations for the position will be Senators Anwaar ul Haq Kakar and Sadiq Sanjrani.A flight attendant of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was detained in Paris, France after authorities seized contraband from his possession.

French authorities detained flight attendant Tanveer Gulzar after he was allegedly found in possession of contraband on the flagship carrier's flight PK-749 in Paris.

Following the incident, a spokesperson of the PIA confirmed that the attendant in question has been suspended from duty.

Expressing shock over how the attendant was able to carry the contraband despite security checks, the spokesperson said he was not sure whether the French authorities would penalise the attendant in their country or deport him.

The airline would dismiss the accused if charges levelled against him were proven, the spokesperson said.

He added that security checking was not the responsibility of the airline.

Such an incident is not a novelty for PIA, which is already plagued by financial woes.

20kg heroin seized from PIA plane at Islamabad airport

In May 2017, 20 kilogrammes of contraband was seized from a London-bound flight of the national carrier. The drugs were found by the PIA's vigilance team concealed in the catering galley of PK-785.

Although the plane was cleared to fly to London, the smuggler remained unidentified.

Prior to that, heroin concealed in packets was seized from a PIA flight in an intelligence-based operation carried out by the United Kingdoms National Crime Agency at Londons Heathrow Airport.

Customs officials who investigated the discovery of narcotics, seized in London, believed the heroin was hidden in the plane while it was in Karachi.Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Saturday tweeted that politicization of the judiciary will be the country's collective loss.

The Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) was responding to the Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar's criticism of the government of Punjab during the hearing of Punjab's laptop distribution scheme.

Justice Nisar had expressed his dissatisfaction with the provincial government's performance and also issued a warning to the government officials to mend their ways 'while they still had time.'

"Honourable Chief Justice! It is for the people of Punjab to judge [the] performance in the upcoming elections. How can you make such statements just before [the] general election? Is judiciary a political party?" Iqbal tweeted.The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Saturday asked the federal Minister for railways Khwaja Saad Rafique to submit an affidavit in Paragon City Case.

The chief justice of Pakistan on Saturday asked Khwaja Saad Rafique as to whether he has any shares or any involvement in Paragon City project.

The minister responded that he had no shares in paragon project but said that the share holders are his supporters and voters. The CJP said that the entire city terms that the project has something to do with you and asked the minister to out rightly inform his association rather than doing a political speech.

The minister asked the court to submit a written response in this regard which was accept by the court.A Pakistan International Airline (PIA) steward was detained in Paris by French airport authorities for allegedly being in possession of four kilogrammes of heroin, on Saturday.

The suspect, according to reports, was carrying four packets of heroin weighing one kilogramme each, worth at least Rs40 million.

The flight was bound from Paris to Islamabad. According to a notice sent to PIA authorities, the plane's crew, as well as the three pilots, were made to undergo thorough checking and were detained at the airport for several hours.

So far, the PIA has received no official confirmation of the incident from the French authorities. However, the national carrier's spokesperson, Mashood Tajwar, said that the suspect had been suspended from service until further investigation. If the allegations are proven to be true, he will be terminated, Tajwar added.Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said on Thursday that Pakistan is producing surplus electricity, adding that it was the former prime minister Nawaz Sharifs vision which is now being fulfilled.

PM Khaqan Abbasi arrived in the Karak district and inaugurated Neshpa Oil & Gas and LPG project.

Upon arrival, the prime minister was received by Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Engr Iqbal Zafar Jhagara and other senior leaders of PML-N.

On this occasion, the prime minister was briefed about the salient features of the project.

The premier also addressed the inaugural ceremony, where he said that in the winter season very few complaints of loadshedding were received.

The previous governments could also have done this but no one thought of solving these issues, said the prime minister during the ceremony.

He said that the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited has played a crucial part in resolving such issues in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of the country.Mujahidullah Afridi, the prime suspect in the murder of medical student Asma Rani, was on Saturday handed over to Pakistan via the Interpol.

Asma, a third-year medical student in Abbottabad, was in her hometown of Kohat on vacation when, on January 27, Mujahid Afridi allegedly opened fire on her for refusing his marriage proposal.

Afridi reached Islamabad and was handed over to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police which was present at the airport beforehand.

The suspect has been handed over to Kohat police, sources added.

The Interpol on Thursday arrested Mujahid from Sharjah, Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Salahuddin Mehsud said during a press conference.

The KP police had approached Interpol after the accused, the nephew of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf district president Aftab Alam, fled the country following the incident.

The Interpol had placed Mujahidullah on its most wanted list.Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology is commencing a formal consultation with unions and staff in regards to a proposed reduction in its staffing numbers.

Keri-Anne Tane, Executive Director People, Engagement and Capability, says the decision had not been easy but was necessary to ensure the ongoing sustainability of the institution.

As the popularity of our programmes ebb and flow, it is essential to review all of those areas where it is no longer financially viable to deliver those programmes in their current form; this is something most institutions undertake regularly.

As part of this regular review, we have identified overstaffing numbers equating to approximately 18 FTE, spread across our entire portfolio and across the whole region. Our staff have been informed of the proposalto lower our staffing numbers and we will commence a formal consultation process of 20 working days.

In the first instance, we are offering an opportunity for staff to consider voluntary redundancy. This comes on the back of some staff having requested this opportunity following the reorganisation of our service areas at the end of 2017.

"Of course, there will be criteria around this  we dont want to lose staff in areas where our programmes are at full capacity.

Toi Ohomai regularly checks that its programme delivery is balanced against the growing needs of the region as well as the New Zealand skill shortage gaps.

This balancing of the programme portfolio sees growth in some areas and reduction in others.

We are committed to offering educational opportunities to all the people of our region, said Ms Tane.

There are no plans to close delivery areas in our area and we do not anticipate there being any impact on our student body.

In a small number of instances, we may defer programme start dates to allow for greater participation.

The last 12 months Toi Ohomai has gone through significant changes relating to the merger of its legacy institutions. These have included aligning services and programme delivery.

During this process the decreasing enrolment trend through the sector was highlighted so this afforded the institution the opportunity to implement significant non-pay cost reductions and other savings to ensure that minimal institutional resizing was required.

Our staff have been extremely professional and courageous throughout the journey of realigning our institution. Their dedication and commitment to our students has been outstanding and we thank them wholeheartedly.

The consultation period will close on Friday, April 6 with a proposed outcome expected by the end of that month.They come hurtling around the corner in the big red fire truck and suddenly theres hope. The guys in red, however, today arent walking into a blazing mess, but instead educating future fire brigades.

The open day, which continues again tomorrow, will see police officers and rescue showing off their skills to the public.

Today the fire fighters had their turn by letting others try on the equipment, sit in a fire engine and see if they have what it takes to volunteer.

Station officer Jeff Francis says not everyone has what it takes to be a volunteer fire fighter - but there are plenty of Kiwis who do.

Its dangerous, challenging and boundary pushing. It takes strength, commitment, character, heart and a desire to make a difference - you need to be made of the right stuff - but the rewards are immense.

He says the open day is about the public learning who their emergency are and being educated in what they do.

The brigade is running thin. People moving away and with other commitments means the volunteers are looking for new recruits for the first time since 2015.

The volunteer brigade operates in support of the paid New Zealand Fire and Emergency Service at Taurangas station on Cameron Rd. They train every Tuesday night and respond at the drop of a hat should disaster strike.

The brigade is also looking for volunteers to help with operational support.

Members of public will also get to go behind the scenes at Tauranga Police Station during their public open day on Sunday, March 11, from 10am-12pm.Bay of Plenty

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View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nzClick the image above to watch the video



Emergency services were notified about the object at Shelly Bay, Bowentown, just after 3pm.



The area is cordoned off.



There is no immediate danger to the public. However, people are asked to stay away from the scene.

NZDFs EOD team has been notified.

Photo: Canister washed up on Shelly Beach - NZ Police

Several of these devices have washed up on New Zealands shorline, such as the one in the video in 2013.

The phosphorous flare rockets are fired from air force planes and supposed to ignite when they hit the surface of the water. A scuttling system is meant to sink the rocket, if it doesnt ignite.

In the 2013 case, Claire Rogers was walking the remote White Beach on the western shores of Great Mercury Island, when she found the grey cylindrical device rolling in the wash near the high tide mark.

It had the words Danger do not touch. Contact Police.

The police contacted the military, who from the Rogers description decided the device was an unexploded location marker flare head. The Rogers were asked to carefully carry it above the high waterline, so it would not wash away.

A New Zealand Defence Force spokesman says they do turn up occasionally, but does not know how many bombs turn up in our little part of the world.

They pop up every now and then all over the place. They could wash up in the Coromandel or it could be the top of the west coast.

He says the rockets are destroyed safely by administering a small charge and as long as people heed the warnings they will be okay.

Within hours, the Navy had despatched bomb disposal personnel and an army explosives expert.

The device was blown up on the beach.When I was eight-years-old, my sister and I performed a rendition of One Day a Taniwha  me accompanying on guitar while she did the actions  at a talent quest at the Waihi Beach Soundshell in Pohutakawa Park.

Fast forward 38 years, and the old soundshell is still standing  just. The local community is keen to bring back some of the good times that were enjoyed there by young and old.

It was always a simple structure  a concrete block shell with a roof over the top and two changing rooms out the back  but the years havent been kind and its in need of a little TLC.

There is uncertainty about when the Soundshell was first built, but local resident Mike Hickey, 74, has been holidaying in Waihi Beach for 70 years and remembers the 1950s as a particularly busy time for the local concert venue.

We had the likes of Howard Morrison, Bill and Boyd and Brendan Dugan perform there, says Mike. Its a great venue because you can sit up under the trees and it can hold about two or three thousand people just sitting on rugs. It has a fantastic view of the beach as well.

Mike, who has also been a member of the Waihi Beach Surf Lifesaving Club for 52 years, spent many a year collecting money for the club on the gate at the annual Miss Waihi Beach contest and talent quest.

He would have seen plenty of versions of One Day a Taniwha or similar over the years.

Tag wrestling was also on offer at the Soundshell from time to time, with professional New Zealand wrestler John da Silva occasionally making an appearance.

Mike adds: Fred Smith, one of the stalwarts of the surf club at that time, used to drive around in his car with a loud speaker on the roof announcing tag wrestling at the Soundshell tonight, three against three. Six wrestlers, 120 stone of fighting dynamite.

He says it has been more than 10 years since the Miss Waihi Beach contest/talent quest has been held at the Soundshell and he is keen to see more family events held there.

Pohutakawa Park is owned and maintained by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, while the Soundshell is owned and managed by Waihi Beach Events and Promotions. A council inspection in December identified a number of items that required repair.

Recent consultation with the Waihi Beach community revealed they were keen to see it restored. The first fundraising event  Christmas in the Park  was held in December and raised more than $800 in donations.

Two scheduled talent shows were cancelled over the summer due to a clash with other local events.

Waihi Beach Events and Promotions coordinator Kelly Moselen says the idea was to draw people back to the Soundshell this summer and remind them what a great venue it is.

Its a small venue, but its a spectacular venue and anyone can hire it for an event, says Kelly.

We hope to bring back some of those talent quests of old in future.Hes a husband, a father and a successful businessman. Hes also our deputy mayor.

Now Kelvin Clout is held up as an Agent of Change  a man of high ethical standards and one of 15 New Zealanders who prolific non-fiction author George Bryant of Tauranga believes are making a real difference to the way we live.

That is why Kelvin Clout is featured in Bryants latest book.

Kelvin Clout advocates wholesome change and wants to make a positive difference to this city, says the author. He is a visionary, a man of ideas, with the practical know-how for bringing those ideas to fruition.

Its all about family, Kelvin says. He wants a city that embraces family, hence his emphasis on housing, safety, recreation and the environment. I dont buy into a poverty mentality when we live in such a beautiful region.

The Agents of Change  people like Shirley Duthie, Wendy Lobb, Richard Kempthorne and Nona Aston  may not be household names, but they are all inspirational people.

Some are making housing affordable and offering comprehensive care services, while others are saving teenagers from addiction and transforming low socio-economic areas.

Theres a doctor and his wife running a unique medical clinic and a former crisis nurse leading a top chaplaincy service. And he upholds high ethical standards.

Another of the agents is Lisa Woolley, CEO of VisionWest in West Auckland - the largest faith-based not-for-profit organisation in New Zealand with 1200 staff and 9000 clients.

This is a great story about transforming lives and giving hope, housing the homeless, feeding the hungry and caring for the most vulnerable, says George. Shes actually doing what the government keeps saying it wants to do.

I havent seen the book yet, says Kelvin Clout. But I am humbled to be included. I dont think about these things, I just get on with the job.

And theres Jeremy and Ruth Baker, who run a progressive medical clinic in Christchurch, offering holistic health to people on the fringes of society  released prisoners, addicts, refugees and those with mental health problems.

George Bryant has studied sociology and holds a number of qualifications in education, theology and management. The former high school principal, who is also an ordained minister, has written extensively on mainly social issues. Agents of Change is his 22nd book.

Ive always been impressed by people who deliberately try to improve society and devote their lives to doing so, he says. Why do they do it? What motivates them?

Most of us just follow like sheep and let others improve our lot. These people are intentional - not just to put in a mall seat for the elderly, or plant a tree in a reserve, but they have a desire to actually improve our existence, to make a positive difference to the way we live.

They are people from across the Christian spectrum  people like Kelvin Clout, whose vision, enthusiasm, faith and hard work helps to improve communities for the benefit of others, according to the author.

George also sought out a variety of occupations from around the country - social workers, politicians, an educator, an artist, a doctor, a kaumatua and an aid worker.

And, of course, they are representative of countless others.

And a man who was once Kelvin Clouts political adversary will launch Agents of Change at a function on Monday evening, March 12, at Daniels-in-the-Park on 11th Avenue.

Greg Brownless, who beat Clout by a narrow 2000 votes for the Mayors office, will officially launch George Bryants latest publication.The theme for the 2018 Greerton Village Community Yarn Bombing is to depict your favourite song.

Yarn bombers will again be decorating trees to acknowledge the non-profit organisations that support people in Tauranga.

Leigh Crockford, from Crockford Real Estate Greerton, is sponsoring this years Facebook voting of the trees. The yarn bombed tree with the most votes will receive $1000 for their non-profit organisation and $500 for the yarn bombers.

Voters will also have the chance to win spot prizes of $50 dollars each for themselves and the non-profit organisation of the tree they vote for.

Voters will need to take a photo of themselves by their favourite yarn bombed tree, post it to the Greerton Village Yarn Bombing page and share.

Yarn bombing a tree is of no cost to the crafter as the Greerton Village Community Association provides wool, knitting needles and crochet hooks.

If you knit, crochet or weave, get on board and share the love, or learn how at upcoming evening classes. If youd prefer to decorate an already-made sleeve, one can be provided.

Work on your own or join with others to yarn bomb a tree.

There is plenty of time for yarn bombers to create their masterpiece, as yarn bombing will need to be erected from June 22-24, and the Greerton Lions are on standby if you need help erecting your piece.

With a special community yarn bombing celebration day scheduled for June 30, come and enjoy the new artwork as well as live music and more, outside Greerton Library.

For more information, email: greertonyarnbombing@gmail.com or phone Carol Power on: 027 498 3947.Zespri welcomes the signing of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in Chile, with the New Zealand kiwifruit industry set to benefit significantly from the agreement.

The CPTPP will create significant value for the industry by eliminating tariffs on kiwifruit exports into all 11 Asia-Pacific signatory nations, says Zespri chief executive Dan Mathieson.

The other countries in the agreement  Brunei, Chile, Singapore, Australia, Peru, Vietnam, Malaysia, Mexico and Canada  either do not have tariffs on kiwifruit, have existing free trade agreements with NZ or do not currently import NZ kiwifruit.

We see the benefits most clearly in Japan, where New Zealand kiwifruit growers paid over $26 million in tariffs last season. This tariff relief will means savings for our growers and benefits for Japanese consumers by supporting our competitiveness against other fruit in market, says Dan.

Japan has been one of Zespris top markets for volume and value over two decades and annual sales volumes to Japan are expected to increase around 25 percent over the next five years. Zespri has grown sales in Japan by around one-third over the past three seasons in challenging market conditions, with sales of $514 million in the 2016/17 season. Over the past 20 years, Zespri has become one of New Zealands top global consumer foods brands both in Japan and around the world.

Our industry is on track to more than double global sales to $4.5 billion by 2025, as we increase production to meet rising global demand for fresh, healthy premium food. The reality is that New Zealands economy is underpinned by exports and agreements like this are critical to securing our ongoing access and competitiveness around the world.

The kiwifruit industry accounts for around 18,000 fulltime and seasonal jobs and a recent report from the University of Waikato forecasts another 29,000 new jobs in our industry by 2030 in New Zealand  these trade agreements underpin prosperity in rural New Zealand.

We congratulate the government on successfully concluding this important trade agreement and acknowledge the commitment and dedication of MFAT and MPI trade officials and previous Ministers over the years, says Dan.He was one of the main precursors and ideologists of the Bolivarian revolution. | Read MoreThe Journeys of Change bike tour in Phnom Penh. Credit:Simon Toffanello The four-hour tour takes in sights including the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh before heading out into the citys rural surrounds, where the tour stops to pick and smell the lemon grass growing by the side of the road and explore a local temple. Im involved in the tour guide team where we create our own routes and write the script for the stops and create the training course to train more Liger students as guides, says Heang. The students have created a website and business cards to advertise the tours and registered it on TripAdvisor. The Journeys of Change bike tour is run by Liger students. Credit:Simon Toffanello

Operating a lean start-up model, rather than investing in bikes the Journeys for Change team hire them for each tour with the hope of buying bikes if demand for the tours continues to grow. Its fun to make our own business and to share our experience and to connect with foreigners, says Heang. Teaching entrepreneurship The focus on entrepreneurialism at Liger is driven by Gile, who made his fortune as a futures trader and wants to apply the lessons he has learned building his business, Liger Investments, to education. He has spent $US12 million establishing the school and funds its operating cost of $US1.8 million a year.

"I had the idea I would like to do something to give back," Gile says. "We can communicate with these young people now the life lessons and entrepreneurship lessons they need to learn." Entrepreneur Trevor Gile is a futures trader. Credit:Simon Toffanello Liger's students are selected from all over Cambodia based on an assessment which looks at their intelligence, problem-solving and leadership skills. While many of the education programs in Cambodia aim to provide a basic level of education for students, Gile's aims are much higher. He wants Liger students to be the future leaders of Cambodia and believes entrepreneurship is one way forward for the rapidly developing country.

"We are investing in young people and the way that return will be received is specifically in terms of GDP to the country of Cambodia," he says. "One modestly successful doctor or lawyer will return $100,000 or more in GDP annually to the government and country of Cambodia. On this path, after this investment we have made, [a student] has the potential to return millions of dollars." While some people argue entrepreneurship is an innate skill, Gile says it's something Liger students can learn. "I am absolutely convinced it can be taught," he says. "Some people are naturally better at it than others, but a huge part of the value-add in trying to teach entrepreneurship is the ability to fast-forward the young people along the path they would otherwise take and learn through the school of hard knocks." Gile says while he learnt about different concepts at school he didn't ever get a chance to apply his learning. At Liger students are encouraged to start businesses and to fail at business as well. "Rewinding 25 years, if I knew then what I know now, the decisions I could have made, the risks I could have taken or avoided, the outcome would have been dramatically different," he says.

"We can communicate to these young people now the life lessons and entrepreneurship lessons they need to learn. Even better, we are putting them in a real world environment where they learn those lessons safely and they are learning it for themselves." Founders Agnieszka Tynkiewicz-Gile and Trevor Gile with Liger students. Credit:Simon Toffanello Dominic Sharpe, country director at Liger, says the school aims to engender entrepreneurial spirit. "It doesn't mean they all have to leave here and set up a business, but I think having an entrepreneurial mindset is what is needed now even more and in the future," he says. "It's the ability to see and create opportunities." Sharpe says there is a skills gap between what is being taught in schools and what the world needs.

"We are bringing more of a business perspective to education," he says. Students at the weekly assembly at the Liger Leadership Academy. Teaching entrepreneurship in Australia Liger's approach to teaching entrepreneurship is supported by Colin McLeod, program director of the master of entrepreneurship at the University of Melbourne's Wade Institute for Entrepreneurship. "It's hard to think of any other human endeavour where people say talent is enough, but they seem to say that about entrepreneurship," he says.

"There is no evidence to support that idea. Entrepreneurship is both about the idea of innovation and then there is the issue of commercialisation - 'how do I critically analyse things? How do I do research effectively?' These are all teachable skills." Australian schools are moving to introduce specialised entrepreneurship programs, with St Paul's School in Brisbane launching an entrepreneurs' club and schools such as Frankston High School in Melbourne participating in a '$20 boss' entrepreneurship program. But McLeod says he is not aware of any statewide or national approach to teaching entrepreneurship in Australian schools. "It's just been done on a school-by-school basis," he says. "As far as I'm aware it's only being done in a small way." Turbulent times

While Liger's students focus on their studies, Cambodia is preparing for an election, with the country set to go to the polls on July 29. It's a turbulent time for the country, with Cambodias ruling party drawing up a five-year plan critics warn will entrench the dictatorship of leader Hun Sen through intimidation, harassment and arrests. State agencies in Phnom Penh last year launched a sweeping crackdown dissolving the opposition National Cambodian Rescue Party, with its leaders jailed or fleeing to exile. Liger students learn about Cambodian history and the brutal Khmer Rouge regime but the school does not take an active role in political issues, a stance Sharpe defends. "We are non-government, non-political, we are non-religious, we are not a human rights organisation," he says. "We are here to educate and inform. Yes we talk about our countrys issues but our role is not to publicly go out, thats not our role."

Sharpe says Liger has a strong relationship with Cambodia's government. "Our role is to show the students their country to find challenges and opportunities where things can be changed and work better," he says. "Wherever you are in the world you have to work in the environment you are in." Trevor Gile and Agnieszka Tynkiwewicz-Gile want to take the Liger model beyond Cambodia. Credit:Simon Toffanello Beyond Cambodia With Liger's first class of students set to graduate at the end of 2020, Gile has his sights set beyond Cambodia.Orange farmer Graham Brown keeps a small log about the size of a weekend newspaper near his quad bike to remind him how it nearly took his life during routine spraying on a gentle slope at an equally gentle speed.

When the vehicle's wheel caught on the log, the 250 kilo quad rolled over him. Mr Brown's ribs were broken and shoulder injured, and he needed a hip replacement. The accident reduced his ability to work by 70 per cent for three years.

"Had I been pinned under it, I may well have suffocated,'' Mr Brown said.

Quads are advertised as an "all terrain vehicle" , but even a "tuft of grass" is enough to destabilise one, according to research published in Safety Science.

The research adds to the growing evidence that has found quad bikes - a booming $230 million market - are unsafe without rollover protection.Spending hundreds of hours decorating people's hands and arms while side by side, tattoo artists Amy Unalome and Elric Gordon's design styles could not be more different.

Tattoo artists Amy Unalome and Elric Gordon will be busy working at the Tattoo Festival this weekend. Credit:Wolter Peeters

Normally stationed at Empire Melbourne tattoo studio, the couple are making their mark on Sydney as part of the Australian Tattoo Expo across the weekend.

With up to 14,000 people expected at the expo, the pair will be flat out throughout the weekend, as inspired clients book ahead after seeing their unique designs on social media.

Originally from Britain, Ms Unalome creates her tattoos using a "hand poke" technique - working only by hand, without the help of a machine.One of my earliest book memories is when I was three years old and besotted with May Gibbs' stories. It was powerful to recognise the flora and fauna around me in the magical world of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. I emerged from my bedroom clutching my copy and announced, "Mama, when I grow up, I'm going to be an author. Like May Gibbs." From that point, my true north didn't change.

When Holly Ringland was nine she travelled around the US for two years with her family in a camper van. Since then she was worked in a remote Indigenous community in central Australia, studied creative writing, and written her first novel, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart (HarperCollins).

In my early 20s I read At Risk, a powerful novel about the prejudice and trauma 11-year-old Amanda and her family endures after Amanda's AIDS diagnosis. Reading hints of magical realism in fiction as the key to the interior lives of characters changed me as a reader and taught me how to be brave and truthful as a writer. I have since sacrificed food and clothing on my travels to keep Alice Hoffman novels with me.

WOMEN WHO RUN WITH THE WOLVES

Clarissa Pinkola Estes

When I was 33 and read this book for the first time, I couldn't have dreamed that two years later I would go to the US and study fairytales, archetypes and trauma with Dr Estes, using Women Who Run With the Wolves as the source. Finding my courage to finish writing the first draft of my debut novel was in part due to following where this book took me. As Dr Estes says, stories are medicine.

RUBY MOONLIGHT

Ali Cobby Eckermann

I read Ruby Moonlight in 2014. The inconsolable yearning it left me with still lingers. This generous and warm verse novel doesn't pull any punches in telling Ruby's story of survival after her family is massacred by white settlers. I wish I could visit 16-year-old me and press a copy into her hands. Ruby Moonlight is a profoundly affecting book that reminds me how individual and universal our need for love is.Within seconds of her arrival in a bright orange wig, thousands of punters wielding camera phones had shifted their attention and adulation away from the poor marchers in the parade to fixate on Cher.

Embedded within an already jam-packed area known as Gilligan's Island, PS had a fairly good view of the pop star and political activist, whose career has spanned four decades.

At Taylor Square, she got a reminder during the 40th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras when she materialised amidst the huge crowds that had converged for the parade.

There would be few people who understand how bizarre the power of celebrity is better than Cher.

Even Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his wife Lucy appeared to be "fan-girling" in full flight, as our leader quickly seized the opportunity for a selfie with Cher, which was soon disseminated on social media. Cher eventually apologised for the photo when she was informed of Turnbull and his government's same-sex marriage plebiscite.

She was then quickly surrounded by a few other notables in the largely empty (Why, when everyone else was jammed in cheek by jowl?) VVIP area, which had been set up by Destination NSW and included NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, NSW Art Gallery director Dr Michael Brand and his wife, along with a few high-powered business types.

To be fair, long before the Turnbulls were in politics, they were generous supporters of various causes and charities which had long affected the gay and lesbian community, including the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation. Turnbull also expressed his personal support for gay marriage throughout the plebiscite, a debate that unleashed so much vitriol and division in our community that many saw it as completely unnecessary. Indeed, many wounds remain unhealed.

During the parade, when PS gently ribbed Turnbull about the plebiscite, he responded "but I got it done", referring to the "Yes" vote victory.

Actually no Mr Turnbull, it was the Australian people who got it done.FEMEN: SEXTREMISM IN CANADA



9.50pm, SBS Viceland

Introducing this 2015 online snapshot of the Canadian arm of the feminist movement, editor-in-chief of Vice Canada, Patrick MacGuire, bears a startling resemblance to the mask of hacktivist group Anonymous, but don't let that put you off the report. Vice correspondent Brigitte Noel tags along to some topless protests against the Pro-Life movement, questioning the activists' objectives and effectiveness.

Femen: Sextremism in Canada Credit:AP

HAWAII FIVE-O



10.30pm, Ten

This tense chapter of the slick remake of the 1968 series belongs to Captain Lou Grove (Chi McBride), who, on his day off, chances upon a suicidal widower in a crashed car. In trying to talk the guy down, Grover revisits his own troubled past. Delving into the complexity of relationships, both with partners and children, the emotional narrative runs parallel with a frantic search for clues to an apparent murder.Thats what they call the Menindee Lakes now  storage, not lakes. There is a push to "decommission" the lakes - in other words, to dry them out - which will cause further devastation to the Lower Darling. The argument is that there is too much evaporation from the lakes, which are shallow, and thats wasteful. The new on-farm dams that have been built upstream in northern NSW and southern Queensland by cotton growers in the home country of the former and current water ministers, Barnaby Joyce and David Littleproud, are much, much bigger and deeper, so evaporation is not such a problem. Its much more efficient. This argument about reducing evaporation losses apparently does not apply to flood plain diversion levees on private farms. Masquerading as environmental mitigation works, funded by the taxpayer, farm levees have been constructed to create vast on-farm water storages, in some cases the size of Sydney Harbour. Major crimes police raided the Norman farm at Goondiwindi last year after allegations of fraud relating to misuse of $25 million of taxpayer funds provided for water saving programs.

And this week it was announced that WaterNSW would prosecute five people for water theft, after the NSW Ombudsman pointed out that - contrary to statistics WaterNSW provided to the government - no penalty enforcement notices for water theft had been issued between July 2016 and November 2017. The Wentworth-Broken Hill pipeline has happened very fast for a government project. The NSW government approved the $467 million project in late 2016. The contract was awarded and announced in October 2017, in the same month that the business case for the pipeline was published (Broken Hill Long-Term Water Supply Solution). Detailed design and planning was carried out after the awarding of the contract (according to WaterNSW) and apparently completed within two months, as work commenced in January 2018. The pipes have already been delivered - a large quantity can be seen lining the chosen route on the western side of the Silver City Highway outside Wentworth. Steel pipes lining the Silver City Highway north of Wentworth. Credit:Helen Vivian Its good to know that Australian steel manufacturers can produce 28,000 tonnes of steel and deliver a significant proportion of the 270 kilometres of rolled steel pipes, approximately 80 centimetres in diameter, in just two months.

According to the WaterNSW website: The pipeline will be completed and ready for water by December 2018. It will supply up to 37.4 megalitres during peak daily demand. To give you an idea how much water that is, 37.4 megalitres per day is 433 litres per second, or 1.5 million litres per hour pumped out of the Murray. The Wentworth-Broken Hill pipeline will fix things for Broken Hill, which can no longer rely on the Darling for its water supply. It will also ensure secure water supply for two new mines, Perilya Mines and Hawsons Iron Project. Finally, we can mark a new achievement in our technological progress calendars. Its not quite up there with going to the moon, but we have made water flow uphill and into the deepest pockets, just as some predicted when water was first commodified and "decoupled" from the land. It is hard to untangle water issues as upstream users square off against those downstream. There are dozens of different types of water titles, and a litany of government regulations which vary between states. Then there is the ad hoc manner in which many of these are applied. Whilst water is rigorously metered throughout Victoria, nearly 75 per cent of farms in the headwaters of the Darling are unmetered, so an honesty system effectively applies.

In 2012 the NSW government increased water entitlements and allowed upstream users to draw water from the river even during low flow periods. The Barwon-Darling water-sharing plan has been contentious from the day it was introduced and serious allegations were raised last month about the conduct of the then minister for primary industries, Katrina Hodgkinson, for unilaterally altering the plan after it was finalised by her department. In July 2017 the ABC Four Corners program ''Pumped'' revealed astounding malpractice and alleged corruption, which is currently being investigated by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). Some of these allegedly corrupt transactions hide behind a veil of incompetence. Hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars have been spent on water "buybacks", where the government has paid twice the going rate for water which effectively does not exist, except during heavy rainfall and peak water conditions. The Menindee Weir in the middle of the Darling River, which allows water to be regulated to the Menindee Lakes. Credit:Richard Kingsford The first of these was the purchase of $34 million of supplementary water rights, described locally as "empty buckets of water", sold to the federal government during the Millennium drought in 2008 by Tandou Station, 100 kilometres south-east of Broken Hill and just south of the Menindee Lakes. A further water sale to the federal government was made last year by the same station, $78 million for their entire 21,900-megalitre water right and for business readjustment. As was reported last month, that deal - personally negotiated by Barnaby Joyce - was at more than twice the market price for water.

Thats $112 million of taxpayer funds to one station, Tandou. Webster Limited has owned Tandou since 2015. The company also owns several large cotton properties upstream at Bourke and Moree. Webster, a Tasmanian company, is also one of Australias biggest water traders. Its shareholders include Australian Food and Fibre, which is controlled by the Robinson family, a major donor to the National Party. The outcome from this $112 million investment of taxpayer funds is that Webster will decommission the irrigated horticultural enterprise at Tandou and return the property to dry-land farming. They will take all the promised jobs and economic activity with them to their northern NSW holdings, where they get to intercept the water before it enters the Darling River. This is the real kicker - the $112 million water "buyback" will do nothing to benefit the river or water users downstream. The Darling River south of Pooncarie on the Smith property, Balcatherine Station. Credit:Ross Lake

We now know that this was not an isolated case. Last month, Fairfaxs Peter Hannam revealed details of a $17 million purchase in March 2017, at twice the market price for water, from the Tulla Pastoral Company, owned by Geoff Dunsdon, in the Warrego River in southern Queensland. This was also empty buckets of water  or "goanna water" as they call it further north. According to the November 2017 Matthews Report, commissioned by the NSW government in the wake of the explosive allegations aired by Four Corners, most of the effective water controls and regulation do not apply, or are not complied with, in the Upper Darling Basin. Joyce confirmed in an interview with The Australian that the deal with Webster meant that some of the five lakes making up the Menindee storage system would be permanently "decommissioned". The Australian reported that Joyce said letting the lakes dry out would save precious water for irrigators in the cotton communities of St George and Dirranbandi, in southern Queensland, and Bourke, Wee Waa and Moree in northern NSW. This was "a much better alternative than having to withdraw water entitlements from large cotton producers like Chinese-owned Cubbie Station, the biggest user of water in Australia". Cubbie Station in Queensland, the biggest user of water in Australia.

Some will say its the drought causing problems in the lower Darling. But there have also been floods and generous flows throughout this period. In June 2016, approximately 60,000 megalitres of water per day was measured flowing down the Macintyre River at Boggabilla, in the Darling River catchment on the border of NSW and Queensland. The Macintyre forms the northern boundary of Joyces New England electorate. By December 2016, the Menindee Lakes were at 89 per cent capacity. Just four months later they were down to 45 per cent, presumably a good deal of this water flowing to Tandou Station, a few kilometres south of the lakes. Very little if any of the water from the floods in early 2017 reached the Menindee Lakes. It was allocated and distributed to upstream irrigators. The recent frequent drying of the Darling River is a man-made situation. Fifty-six years passed between the "no-flow events" of 1945 and 2001. Now they are an almost annual occurrence and the length of time during which the river ceases to flow has doubled. Alarm bells rang from the very start of the water reforms and an ABC News report, "Water Wars", summed up the problem succinctly: In 2008-9  whilst urban water users faced severe restrictions  and the vast majority of the Basin was enduring the peak of the worst drought in living memory, the cultivation of cotton and rice consumed 981 gigalitres of water. This figure equates to the combined water consumption of Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide (990 gigalitres) over the same period, to produce a crop with a combined value of less than $650 million, in a year when the gross value of national agricultural production was in excess of $46 billion. Municipal sign at the old wharf site, Pooncarie, February 2018. Credit:Helen Vivian

This transfer of water and wealth to a very small number of corporate farming operations comes at great cost to the river and cannot be justified economically, let alone environmentally or socially. The Wentworth-Broken Hill pipeline is a vital element in what increasingly looks like a plan to sacrifice the Lower Darling to the interests of the cotton industry upstream. Broken Hill is the only populous area in the region that relied on the river. It was a problem that needed to be solved, given the NSW government's statutory responsibility to maintain water supply to the township. But Broken Hills gain will certainly be a loss to those on the Lower Darling and further downstream. The RM Consulting Group's report on the pipeline, prepared for WaterNSW in July 2017 and finalised in November 2017, states that the pipeline is designed to supply 100 per cent of Broken Hills water requirements. Why 100 per cent? Broken Hill does have some water resources of its own or it wouldnt be there. The proposed route of the Wentworth-Broken Hill pipeline, as shown in the RM Consulting Group's 2017 report. Credit:RM Consulting Group

The current average cost of water to consumers along the pipeline is $740 per megalitre, based on usage charges to consumers along the pipeline as set out in the report. So the value of the 37.4 megalitres of daily water the pipeline will supply is $26,928 per day, or about $10 million a year. Thats $467 million spent to supply $10 million of water per year, assuming the pipe flows at capacity 365 days a year. The Lower Darling is the area between Broken Hill, Menindee and Wentworth. It is characterised by dryland grazing which occupies 91.5 per cent of the area while "native landscapes" comprise 1.9 per cent. Irrigated horticulture accounts for less than 0.1 per cent of land use in the Lower Darling, according to a NSW Department of Primary Industries study of 2012. Having recently driven through this devastated landscape, it is hard to imagine the potential for ecotourism pointed to in the RM Consulting Group's report. But then again, I am from Tasmania where wilderness is wilderness and rivers have been saved by direct community action, in the days when it was possible to congregate to protest such schemes without fearing imprisonment as a terrorist. Bob Brown on the banks of the Gordon River in Tasmania. Credit:Joe Armao Recently, Bob Brown challenged the new Tasmanian anti-congregation laws when he was arrested at a logging protest in October 2017. The Victorian, NSW, Queensland, South Australian and federal governments joined Tasmania in fighting Browns challenge to the laws.

The High Court found that the laws were at odds with the implied right, in the Australian constitution, to the freedom of political communication''. The Tasmanian government was ordered to pay costs in the case. People do have the right to protest destruction of their environment and no one should be afraid to stand up when the future of Australias most iconic rivers is at stake. Several of those involved in organising recent demonstrations against the pipeline in Wentworth expressed fear of the harsh penalties applied by the anti-congregation laws and said they could not afford legal representation should they be arrested. This is not just about one river, though that would be enough. Its about the whole Murray-Darling Basin, the ecology, people and creatures who depend upon the Basin, the communities and cities downstream, the fisheries which spawn in the Darling and populate the rivers downstream. Above all it is about the state of our nation. Alleged corruption and collusion with cotton growers in the northern Basin has already claimed the scalp of the deputy director-general of water at the NSW Department of Industry, Gavin Hanlon, and increasingly there are concerns that it may extend to ministerial levels. When corruption reaches these sorts of levels, the functioning of our democracy is at risk. David Littleproud speaks in February, with then deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce to his left. Credit:Dominic LorrimerEach year Maree Clarke hits the highway for three to four days, scouring the country for road kill: echidna quills, kangaroo teeth and crow feathers for her highly collectable museum pieces. Her latest series of necklaces required a trip to New York. She won't be going though. A digital file is doing the travelling. For the first time the remnants of native road kill are being 3D printed in the US.

"I've always wanted to make [the necklaces] more affordable," she says, excitedly awaiting the arrival of her first foray into digital production. "And it's cheapest there."

Indigenous artist Maree Clark Credit:Eugene Hyland

Ten necklaces have been designed in porcelain-like high-impact plastic and 18K gold-plated brass. With the help of jeweller Blanche Tilden (making the bespoke oxidised black sterling silver chains on which five of the 10 designs will hang), Clarke will assemble the pieces in Melbourne: from single crow feathers to a mix of organic quills and gold teeth. But even before she has seen the results, Clarke is already planning variations on it with half dipped gold.

Clarke, who is connected to the traditional lands of the Mutti Mutti, Wamba Wamba, Yorta Yorta and Boonwurrung peoples of Victoria, has been studying traditional Indigenous jewellery from 19th century photographs and museum collections and recreating it.I AM WEARING a denim dress by a Melbourne designer called Dress Up. My top is from a brand that I can't remember, it's yellow and has flower embroidery on the sleeves. The boots I'm wearing are from Bared, which I work for. It's a shoe brand where all the shoes are designed by a podiatrist so they are all super comfortable and stylish. My earrings and rings are by Mavro, which is a Melbourne designer. She is my cousin's cousin. I'm very much drawn to Melbourne brands. I find that they're better quality and they don't exploit their workers like a lot of big brands do.

MY STYLE IS always changing. I sometimes have a colour scheme that I use but I don't have a specific style. I see what I wear as (like) my music tastes: I like what I like and I don't really have a set genre that I enjoy. So when it comes to clothes there's no set style, it's just when I see something if I like it, I'll get it and I'll wear it. But it also depends on how I feel when I get up in the morning so my mood does dictate what I put on.

I ADMIRE THE STYLE OF my mum. I dress very similarly to how she did when she was my age. She would always buy really expensive shoes and clothes as well, but she always bought local brands and stuff out of the ordinary. She didn't really follow trends and she didn't have anyone that she admired in terms of fashion either. She was very much herself and I admire that.

MY FAVOURITE PLACES TO SHOP are online, in bed. I purchase most of my things from Penny Lane, which is a Facebook group that people post designer stuff on. I get a lot of things from Dress Up, Sister Studios and Verner. I tend to stick to the same brands but I mostly shop on the secondhand Facebook groups and op-shops too. I buy a lot of Rolla's stuff as well. There's also a brand called Oats that I buy from. It's a girl and her mum in Melbourne and they make all their clothes to order, which is really nice. It's in their home, it's mother-daughter bonding and it just seems more real because you know where it's coming from.

MY BIGGEST FASHION MISTAKE WAS I don't really think of what I've worn as a fashion mistake. At the time those items are really cool so I guess you kind of just own it. But, I'm in the process of moving out and have been going through my wardrobe. In Year 6 I had these awful Doc Martens, which come up to mid-calf and have a huge snake print coming up the side. I used to wear them with skinny jeans and a leather jacket and I thought I was so cool. I look back at the photos now and think about how awful it looks but my sister says I should bring them back.

WHEN I WAS A KID I WORE overalls and turtlenecks. I wear those now too so I guess fashion doesn't really change. I have a twin so my mum would dress us in matching outfits, not identical ones, but different colours of the same thing.Australians are fortunate enough to have access to what is widely recognised as one of the world's leading healthcare systems.

A study last year by the Commonwealth Fund in the US ranked Australia second out of 11 different national healthcare models. The UK came first and the US was last.

However, that is not to say our system is perfect. There are many shortcomings, and almost every week serious errors, or even tragedies, come to light.

For anyone who has had to enter a hospital, it can be a daunting and bewildering experience. For an unlucky few, mistakes occur - ranging from minor misdiagnoses and discomfort through to major mistakes that can, at worst, be fatal. The stakes are high.

Which brings us to Dorothy Kamaker. As health editor Kate Aubusson reveals today, Ms KamakerI'm in the Apple Store, praying to Steve Jobs that my laptop can't be fixed. Because the last image on my screen as it died was an obscene selfie sent by a beautiful young man. And the last thing I need is it popping up in front of an IT guy.

Please don't judge me. This is what happens to your inbox when you start to date younger men in the early 21st century. Because while, on a bad day, there's more than a touch of Nanny McPhee about me, my 51-year-old self seems to be attracting many young bucks. And I'm not unusual.

Just check out this roll call of famous women and their men. Madonna, 59, is dating model Kevin Sampaio, 32  the latest in a line of hot younger beaux. Mariah Carey, 47, is enjoying an on/off romance with dancer Bryan Tanaka, 34; and Demi Moore, 55, has reportedly been canoodling with actor Tobey Maguire, 42. (Demi has also been linked to art dealer Vito Schnabel, now 31, and pearl diver Will Hanigan, now 34, as well as previously being married to Ashton Kutcher, now 40.)

And, of course, there is the glorious love story between Brigitte Macron, 64, and her husband Emmanuel, 40, the French President. (Let's not dwell on the fact she was his teacher and he was 15 when they met.)

So what in the name of Joan Collins (84, married to Percy Gibson, 52) is going on? This is what Madonna said in 2015: "It's just what happens. Most men my age are married with children. They're not dateable.A man who tried to intervene in a violent brawl in Melbourne's CBD overnight was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.

Police are investigating the assault, on the corner of Bourke Street and Hardware Lane, after the man sustained serious injuries and another man received minor injuries.

No arrests have been made and police are still investigating.

It is understood a group of men approached three men about 2.15am. A man from the group of three received minor injuries after he was assaulted.

A second man tried to intervene but was punched and received serious facial injuries and was taken to hospital.Angie Ellis of 80 20 Investments has taken the lead in the first week of the new four-week Shares Race.

Ellis, the Shares Race most successful tipster last year, has thrown down the gauntlet to her fellow contestants with her portfolio worth $112,543. She has a big lead on second-place holder, Mendy Amzalak of AMZ Capital, whose portfolio is worth $105,753.

* This portfolio is outperforming the All Ordinaries index, which is down 11.1 points since March 1, 2018.

Amzalak holds Orinoco Gold, the third-best performing stock of week one. The company has a gold mine and other prospects in Brazil. Amzalaks original $10,000 in the gold miner is worth $13,402.

He also holds Galilee Energy, the Brisbane-based oil and gas exploration company, the fourth-best performing stock with Amzalaks original $10,000 worth $12,222.Experiments suggest people are motivated to bring others down, even when there's no direct benefit to them. Credit:Shutterstock

Pyschological studies show the corrosive effects of envy. One of the most famous was carried out by Daniel Zizzo and Andrew Oswald at Warwick University, which British psychologist Claudia Hammond describes in her book Mind over Money.

Nowadays, its often said that comparing ourselves to others is the fastest route to unhappiness.

Going back to ancient times, the stories we tell about envy never end well. Cains envy leads him to murder his brother Abel... Heras envy of Aphrodite sparks the Trojan war...

Volunteers were given the opportunity to win a small amount of money but it was later revealed that everyone also received a bonus  unearned and an arbitrary amount. Some people got 6, some got 11, and so on, for no reason at all.

The participants also had the chance to fight back  they could choose to spend some of their own money on taking cash away from others. Money confiscated would be removed from the system, which in economic terms is called burning money.

What happened was that those who got a smaller bonus chose to pick on those whod lucked out with a bigger bonus  they didnt get to keep it, but they at least got the schadenfreude of seeing the winners suffer. And those that got a bigger bonus took money from everyone else indiscriminately.

Two out of three participants took the opportunity and by the time they got to go home, each person had seen almost half their winnings destroyed.

As Hammond concludes, this is an example of how envy can be destructive. If all we want to do when we see someone with more money than us is to destroy it, were not going to live in a terribly productive society. Theres a reason why envy is one of the Christian "seven deadly sins" or why the politics of envy is seen as something to avoid.A father has been stabbed to death by three assailants in his western Sydney home while his terrified girlfriend watched on.

The group of three men, who reportedly left the scene cheering, are still on the loose, with police telling the attackers they will be found.

The group approached the Dharruk residence of Erol Tokcan, 36, on Friday night before threatening and stabbing him in the chest.

Mr Tokcan was treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to hospital, where he later died.The CFMEU has been fined $13 million in recent years. Credit:Peter Braig Collective bargaining and freedom of association are fundamental rights for all, and are at the heart of the union movement, which in the mid-19th century argued successfully to reduce the working week from 60 hours to 40 hours. The campaign was summarised by a ditty: Eight hours to work / Eight hours to play / Eight hours to sleep / Eight bob a day / A fair days work / For a fair days pay. This civilised calibration of conditions as the industrial revolution historically changed how we live and work has long been annually celebrated the world over. Labour Day is marked in Victoria on Monday. It comes amid a curious furore over the amalgamation of three unions  the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, with the Maritime Union of Australia and the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia. The government wanted to block the tie-up, but the Fair Work Commission, while acknowledging a history of recalcitrance by the construction union in particular, had no other option but to approve it; the merger is permitted under the federal governments industrial relations laws. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is warning the amalgamation will lead to economic catastrophe by creating an unduly powerful conglomeration. That seems far-fetched. The new union will have 144,000 members with an estimated $310 million in assets and annual revenue of nearly $150 million.

But the building industry watchdog, which has a determined new chief, has been reinstated, and separate legislation has also been introduced, creating a regulator for registered organisations. Long-standing secondary boycotts prohibitions should assuage concerns the merged union might be able to shut down the entire supply chain of the construction industry, from the docks to the building sites. There is no shortage of law to deal with militant unions. The CFMEU, for example, has been fined $13 million in recent years, and current court cases reveal its ongoing unacceptable use of stand-over tactics and disingenuous industrial action. Mr Turnbull and employers are right to call out such retrograde behaviour. The union movements biggest threat is not external, its within. Union membership has plummeted. Only one in 10 private sector workers belong to a union. Real wages have been sluggish for years, despite strong employment growth, while profits are at historical highs. The government itself, the head of the Reserve Bank of Australia and countless economists argue the biggest threat to the economy is slow wages growth. The government looks rather silly simultaneously claiming unions have undue power, and that the union movement is existentially enfeebled. This is partly why its attempt to reintroduce a bill to create a public interest test on union amalgamations may well be again rejected by the Senate.The blaze broke out at the Top of the Town brothel. Credit:Anthony Colangelo

Firefighters have extinguished a blaze on the upper levels of a Flinders Street brothel, near the corner of King Street.

Eleven people had to be evacuated from Top of the Town brothel when the fire broke out about 7:30am on Saturday. There were no reports of injuries.

Emergency services at the scene said the fire did not appear to be deliberately lit.

It is believed the blaze began when a mattress caught fire."[But] apparently they can't make an appointment." His frustration at the lack of communication between the supplier and distributor is palpable. "Theres no internal communication. Loading "I gave ... a physical reading from the meter, tried it twice ...

"Then the service provider admitted that they do do appointments, and AGL has sworn blind that they don't." After providing his own reading, his previous bill for $6644 (reduced to $5839 if he paid on time) was revised down to less than $200. He queried the estimated bills repeatedly and discovered they were based on the average usage of other businesses in the area deemed similar to his. Radio Bar has capacity for just 50 patrons, uses gas only for hot water and does not have a kitchen. It is in the same strip as restaurants with large industrial kitchens.

Asked how much gas he used at his bar, Mr Thompson said it was only for "a shower for one or two people and some water each day". "We got a quote from the service provider, and they basically do an estimation based on the other business in that area," he said. "We're near Cutler & Co, Marion and Charcoal Lane, they use a lot of gas and they're much bigger. Bar owner Paul Thompson received an estimated AGL gas bill for more than $8000. His actual usage in that period was around $80. "There's no comparison. Who actually puts together these bills?"

The last straw came when he queried his latest bill for more than $8000. This time the employee he spoke to said it was noted on the account that the amount was based on an actual meter reading, not an estimate. But that was a mistake. Loading "The $8000 showing on their system was as it was read. Then she looked at the service providers, actual people who were supposed to read the meter, and it turns out it wasnt actually read." Soon after Fairfax Media contacted AGL about the matter on Friday afternoon, Mr Thompson received a call from a representative and was told his bill for the quarter would be revised down to $84.

An AGL spokesman confirmed Mr Thompson would be issued a revised bill based on his own reading. "We acknowledge that receiving estimated bills can be a source of frustration for our customers and apologise to this customer for his inconvenience," the spokesman said. "Distributors may provide us with estimated meter readings when they are unable to access a customers premises to read a meter. "As the premises is closed during the day, the distributor was unable to read the meter and, as a result, sent us usage data based on similar premises in the area. Thompson's previous estimated bill was for almost $6000.A wannabe race car driver may well have set a new  albeit unenviable  record in Melbourne.

It wasn't for the speed of his driving, however, but the amount of time it took him to lose his car.

The 37-year-old Yallambie man bought the 2013 Porsche Cayenne and filmed himself driving more than double the speed limit along Melbourne's Grand Prix Circuit.

Within about 10 minutes of buying the car he had been pulled over by police who impounded his brand-new vehicle.A man was rushed to hospital following a shooting in Melbourne's north-west.

Police are investigating after the man was found in Kealba with suspected gunshot wounds on Saturday afternoon.

Emergency services were called to the Stenton Road scene about 3.15pm. The man, aged in his 30s, was taken to Royal Melbourne hospital with upper-body injuries.

He was in a serious but stable condition.

Detectives were on their way to the scene at 4.20pm.Trinity Grammar has ordered an independent review into the controversial sacking of its deputy headmaster, who was dismissed after cutting a student's hair ahead of school photos.

It came as the Old Trinity Grammarians Association issued a statement saying the community had lost confidence in the school council, particularly its chair, and were dissatisfied with the leadership of the school under principal Dr Michael Davies.

More than 3700 people have signed a petition calling on the school to reinstate the popular deputy headmaster Rohan Brown.

On Saturday, a day after distressed and angry parents and students descended on the school wanting answers, the school council held an extraordinary meeting and resolved to commission a review into the deputy's dismissal.A man has been charged over the murder of a mother of two who was found dead in a home north-west of Melbourne on Friday night.

Katie Haley, 29, was found deceased by emergency services at a property on Fairfield Crescent in Diggers Rest about 11pm on Friday.

Katie Haley, 29, was found dead at a home in Diggers Rest on Friday. Credit:Facebook

A 28-year-old man, who is known to Ms Haley, was arrested in Sunbury just before 1am on Saturday morning, about 10 kilometres from the address.

He was due to face an out-of-sessions court hearing on Saturday night charged with murder.Unions will launch their biggest advertising push in more than a decade as part of a pre-election campaign to overhaul Australias workplace laws.

The ACTU said the national advertising campaign would run for eight weeks from Sunday and would be its largest since its 2005-07 campaign against the Howard governments WorkChoices laws.

TV stills from ACTU's biggest ad campaign in 10 years targeting insecure work and changing workplace laws.

It would not disclose how much it would spend but it is expected to be at least several million dollars with advertising on TV, online, print, radio and billboards.

Its anti-WorkChoices campaign involved spending $14.4 million on advertising ahead of the 2007 election, filings with the Australian Electoral Commission show.It's commonplace for strict haircut standards to be enforced at private boys schools, with principals often sending students to get haircuts during school hours.

Hair must be above the collar, off the ears, not over the eyes and not styled or cut in an "extreme manner".

The sacking of much-loved Trinity Grammar deputy principal Rohan Brown - after he was filmed cutting a student's hair with scissors on photo day - has thrust the issue of school hairstyle policy back into the spotlight.

A screenshot from a video of Trinity's deputy principal cutting a student's hair.

A Trinity Grammar newsletter sent to parents prior to week two of the 2018 school year outlined the school's hair policy that the boy breached.Donald Trump said he will meet Kim Jong-un by May according to South Korea. Credit:AP "Diplomacy is a good step, but verification is key," said Wendy Sherman, who was in the Oval Office during that visit October 11, 2000, and travelled with Albright on that ultimately unsatisfying trip. There would need to be "site inspections everywhere necessary, as we negotiated for Iran," Sherman said, a small dig at Trump, who has complained that the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran left too much room for cheating. "Kim is in the driver seat - he has many nuclear weapons and he knows where all of them are. We don't." Kim Jong-un sent an invitation letter to Trump via a high-level South Korean delegation. Credit:AP As with much diplomacy in the Trump era, this one is happening without a full playbook.

The usual approach would be to negotiate the details first  defining the scope of any agreement, including fundamental questions like whether it would be limited to the nuclear and missile programs or would include the North's conventional and cyber weapons. Under standard diplomatic tactics, a presidential summit would be held out for the end of negotiations - as the lure for the North Koreans to complete the deal. Loading Loading In this case, the summit would come first. It would not be a negotiation, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said from Africa, but a "meeting." It was a sign of how the process has been turned upside down that Tillerson  not for the first time  was out of the loop on the North Korean offer and appears to have heard about the president's decision after it happened.

Tillerson's own advisers have expressed skepticism that this effort will go very far. They recall previous commitments to "denuclearisation" that have been abandoned. That is the big risk behind this meeting  if it fails, two leaders who are acutely attuned to never backing down could find themselves back on the path to confrontation. But Trump is supremely confident that he can hammer out the broad strokes in a one-on-one encounter, which he suggested during the campaign might take place over a hamburger. And Kim seems convinced that he has the upper hand. Loading The past year of missile and nuclear tests have put Kim, by the estimates of Mike Pompeo, the CIA director, "within months" of proving he could hit any US city with a nuclear weapon. That gives the North Korean leader a Plan B that his father and his grandfather never enjoyed. The risks are many.

No inspections have taken place for years. While the CIA and other intelligence agencies have lists of "suspect" sites, the nuclear and missile infrastructure appears to have grown dramatically. The last time International Atomic Energy Agency inspection teams were allowed inside North Korea, nearly a decade ago, they could not travel outside the heavily protected Yongbyon nuclear site. Without freedom to roam the country, looking for evidence of a second uranium enrichment facility that the CIA believes exists but cannot prove, or for hidden mobile missile launchers, any agreement runs the risk of falling apart - as previous ones have. "Not only would North Korea have to make a complete declaration of existing stocks - we would also need a mechanism to access suspected sites," said Gary Samore, who also joined the meeting in 2000 with Jo and returned to the White House as President Barack Obama's top nuclear adviser. That, Samore notes, is "something North Korea has never agreed to." Kim's opening offer is to suspend missile and nuclear testing while talks are underway. That would keep things from getting worse and is fairly easy to verify if a North Korean missile is launched or an underground test conducted.

But a freeze, as Tillerson noted in Seoul a year ago, would merely enshrine a status quo that Trump has viewed as intolerable. And it is far harder to verify the production of new nuclear material; the design and construction of weapons; continued research and development; and hardening of nuclear sites. William Perry, the former defence secretary who handled the perilous 1994 crisis with North Korea, raised the critical issue on Thursday night: "How could we possibly verify such an agreement?" "We don't know how many nuclear weapons they have operational or under construction; we don't know where all their nuclear facilities are; and we have never implemented a treaty that counts warheads, simply because it is so difficult to verify," he noted. "Our nuclear treaties with the Soviet Union and Russia counted missiles, not warheads." "So it is a fundamental error to think that we could reliably verify a treaty by which North Korea agreed to dismantle all of their nuclear weapons," Perry added, underscoring that the Trump-Kim meeting is a beginning, not a solution. Jo's initiative went nowhere. He died years ago, his visit to the Oval Office a failure.Washington: US President Donald Trump spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping about North Korea, the president wrote on Twitter on Saturday.

"Chinese President XI XINPING and I spoke at length about the meeting with KIM JONG UN of North Korea. President XI told me he appreciates that the US is working to solve the problem diplomatically rather than going with the ominous alternative. China continues to be helpful!" Trump posted on Twitter.

He also spoke by phone on Friday with French President Emmanuel Macron about North Korea and new American tariffs on some metals, the White House said on Saturday.

ReutersKaty Perry. Photo: VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images

An only-in-L.A., years-long legal battle between Katy Perry and a group of nuns over property took a tragic turn yesterday when one of the five sisters involved died during a court appearance, TMZ reports.

Eighty-nine-year-old Sister Catherine Rose Holzman was one of the nuns connected to the California Institute of the Sisters of the Most Holy and Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a convent located on an eight-acre estate in Los Feliz that became the subject of a major property battle in 2015. In short, the nuns decided to sell the property to restaurateur-hotelier Dana Hollister, whereas Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez wanted to sell it to Perry.

While Sister Holzman conceded that Perry was nice after the pop star tried to win over the sisters by singing gospel music to them, Sister Holzman did not want Perry to own the property.

Katy Perry represents everything we dont believe in, Holzman said in 2015. It would be a sin to sell to her. But in 2016, Perry won the legal battle.

According to TMZ, Sister Holzman was in court for a post-judgment hearing when she died, where shortly before her death, she made a plea to Perry: And to Katy Perry, please stop. Its not doing anyone any good except hurting a lot of people.

On the nunss website Stand With the Sisters, a photo of Sister Catherine Rose is featured alongside the message Rest with the angels our most precious treasure.The viral image of a female janitor cleaning graffiti at Oxford. Photo: @DrSophieSmith/Twitter

Oxford University has issued an apology after an image of a female janitor mopping up chalk graffiti that reads Happy International Womens Day went viral.

The image was first shared on Thursday  which happened to be International Womens Day  by Sophie Smith, an associate professor of political theory at the British institution, with the caption, Oxford security makes a woman cleaner scrub out Happy International Womens Day on the Clarendon steps. What an image for #IWD. The janitors face had been obscured in the tweet.

Oxford security makes a woman cleaner scrub out Happy International Womens Day on the Clarendon steps. What an image for #IWD, @UniofOxford. #strikeforUSS #UCUstrike pic.twitter.com/E9u5S37hWW  Sophie Smith (@DrSophieSmith) March 8, 2018

It quickly went viral, with many people pointing to the symbolism of having a woman erasing a message written with the intent of supporting her. The university apologized in a tweet replying to Smiths image: We are deeply sorry for this and for offense caused. International Womens Day is hugely important to Oxford. This should not have happened.

I appreciate your apology, but far more importantly can you please make sure that the woman asked to remove the message receives a heartfelt apology, a warm cup of tea, the rest of the day off and, along with all our precarious staff, good enough pay to live in this city.  Sophie Smith (@DrSophieSmith) March 8, 2018

Smith, in turn, thanked Oxford for the apology but wrote that she hoped the woman in the image receives a heartfelt apology, a warm cup of tea, the rest of the day off and, along with all our precarious staff, good enough pay to live in this city.

The Guardian notes that Oxford laboratory manager Garrick Taylor  and the president of the Oxford UCU union  pointed out on Twitter that the image is key to the debate about equality. He wrote, During a peaceful International Womens Day rally. A low paid and probably precariously employed female cleaner was sent out in the freezing cold to clean chalk writing saying Happy International Womens Day. Did it have to be removed? Then?Karen Pence and Melania Trump. Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

In an Instagram post dedicated to Womens History Month, the GOP attempted to bolster its dubious claim that Donald Trump has excelled at appointing women to senior-level positions by featuring photos of women who are not political appointees.

While Trump did in fact name some of the women in the ten-photo post  mens-rights activists ally and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, for example  he did not appoint First Lady Melania Trump or Second Lady Karen Pence. Oh, and Ivanka, who is technically an unpaid government employee, is also in there. Congrats to Trump on empowering the women in his family! (Sorry, Tiffany.)

The post, which is really quite embarrassing, reads: Contrary to mainstream belief, @realdonaldtrump has appointed more women to senior-level government and campaign positions than previous administrations. Hes empowering ALL Americans with his winning agenda. Take a look at some of these leading ladies.

Considering that in March 2017, Trump had hired women to fill just 27 percent of the total openings in the administration, the GOP couldve just  not posted this.California Officer Killed, Another Injured as Barricaded Suspect Opened Fire

A California officer was killed and another injured after responding to a report of an unidentified individual barricaded inside a Pomona home.

Pomona Police Chief Mike Olivieri announced on Twitter that one of the two had died and the other was in stable condition on Saturday morning, March 10.

It is with a heavy heart that I must report that one officer did not survive, Olivieri stated.

It is with a heavy heart that I must report that one officer did not survive. The second officer is in stable condition.  Chief Michael Olivieri (@olivieri_ppd) March 10, 2018

The deceased officer, who has not been identified, was taken to a nearby hospital after being shot, according to a KTLA5 report. He later succumbed to his wounds.

https://t.co/KjAPKPPPio  VESTON ASH NEIT RUSKY SNORKELBOT (@vestonash) March 10, 2018

The second wounded officer was also taken to hospital, Fox reported.

There are no reports of any arrests in connection with the incident, which took place in the 1400 block of S. Palomares St., KTLA5 reported.

Video from the scene broadcast by local media reportedly showed a policeman in uniform on the ground receiving CPR, while the sound of gunfire rang out.

#BREAKING UPDATE: @NewsSourceLA Reporting The Officer was shot in the head & other officers performed CPR on the officer. Officer in very critical condition. | Live Update from @tina_patel on @CBSLA in Pomona pic.twitter.com/HPEn3lLvph  Rob Hedrick (@RobTVLA) March 10, 2018

The Los Angeles Times reported that an emergency call had been made at around 9:10 p.m. for an officer down.

Chief Olivieri tweeted that two officers had been shot and that SWAT team members had arrived on the scene, which he called still active.

At 11:45 p.m. the standoff was still unresolved.

2 Pomona officers have been shot, scene still active. SWAT on scene. Ill provide a better update soon.  Chief Michael Olivieri (@olivieri_ppd) March 10, 2018

The following morning, Olivieri broke the news of the death of one of his deputies. The two officers were both with the Pomona Police Department.

Condolences have been posted on social media.

Our thoughts & prayers go out to the men/women of @PomonaPD today. A very tragic day for LE & the officers family. #Eow #LODD  El Monte PD (@elmontepolice) March 10, 2018

Thoughts and prayers to you and Pomona PD  Vernon PD (@VernonPD) March 10, 2018

We are so sorry to hear this horrible news. Our thoughts and prayers are with the officers family, @PomonaPD and friends.  Malibu Search Rescue (@MalibuSAR) March 10, 2018

Olivieri tweeted that the body of the fallen officer would be escorted to the Los Angeles Coroners Office at 6 a.m. local time.

Pomona officers and LE officers from SGV and Inland Empire will be escorting our fallen officer from @PVHMC at 6:am, to LA Coroners Office LA  Chief Michael Olivieri (@olivieri_ppd) March 10, 2018

It is reported that at least 20 officers have died on the job so far this year.

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Surveillance Footage Shows Robber Attack Virginia Store EmployeeChinese Citizens Detained for Posts on Social Media Platform WeChat

WeChat is one of Chinas most popular social media platforms, with 494.3 million individual users within Chinas borders, at last count. For some, though, using it can be considered a crime.

Six practitioners of Falun Gong, a spiritual meditation discipline that is severely persecuted by the Chinese regime, were recently arrested and detained for posting messages on WeChat about the regimes ongoing repression of the practice.

WeChat works closely with Chinese authorities to help censor content of which the regime disapproves. Information about Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is heavily censored within China. The spiritual practice, based on Buddhist and Daoist moral teachings, was banned in 1999.

Then-Chinese Communist Party leader Jiang Zemin feared the groups popularityin 1999, there were up to 100 million adherents, according to Western media outlets quoting Chinese officialswould undermine the Partys authority. He launched a nationwide campaign in July 1999 to eradicate the practice, mobilizing the states security apparatus to arrest and detain practitioners, while state-run media spread hate propaganda to turn public opinion against adherents.

More than 4,000 practitioners are confirmed to have died as a result of torture and abuse while in custody, although the real number is believed to be much higher, due to the difficulty of getting information out of China, according to the Falun Dafa Information Center, the groups press office. In addition, large numbers of practitioners have been killed by means of forced organ harvesting in Chinas state-sanctioned organ transplant business.

Despite the violent suppression, millions of Falun Gong practitioners continue to practice their faith, according to a 2017 report by human rights watchdog Freedom House on religious persecution in China.

Many try to disseminate information about the regimes persecution to ordinary Chinese citizens, who are unable to access free information about Falun Gong on the internet or elsewhere within Chinas borders.

This most recent case is the regimes attempt to silence and punish these practitioners for their activity on WeChat. Four women and two menWang Hui, Wang Xin, Han Xiaoqiu, You Tingting, Wang Yong, and Wang Denglihailing from different cities and provinces, were arrested and subsequently detained at the Lishui City Detention Center in Zhejiang Province, according to Minghui.org, a U.S.-based website that tracks the persecution in China. Police, prosecutors, and Party agencies have since tried to coerce the six practitioners into giving up their beliefs, the Minghui report stated. They are scheduled for court hearings at Songyang County Court on March 20.

In the case of Wang Hui, plainclothes police pretended they were package deliverymen to lure her out of her home, then abducted her, in May 2017. She was brought to the local police station, then transferred to the Songyang County Detention Center. When family members and a lawyer visited the detention center to petition for Wangs release, she was transferred to the Lishui detention center. Her family was not informed until 22 days later, according to Minghui.org.

Chinas constitution guarantees freedom of religion, expression, assembly, and protest. But the reality is that, under the Partys rule, Falun Gong practitioners and other dissidents continue to be arrested for simply practicing their faith or for spreading information.

The 2017 Freedom House report explained how Chinese authorities use surveillance technology and geolocation data to identify Falun Gong adherents, locate them, and gather evidence against them. Court documents and anecdotes provided by Falun Gong refugees illustrate the varied and detailed types of evidence that authorities collect to convict adherents, from video footage on a bus to internet browsing histories and mobile phone records, the report said.

Freedom House analyzed a sample of 59 court verdicts involving Falun Gong practitioners in 2016. All were sentenced to prison for accessing or posting information. Their alleged crimes included leaving voicemail recordings, posting messages to the social media platforms WeChat or QQ, using a virtual private network (VPN) to download content from Minghui, or simply possessing large numbers of leaflets or discs for apparent dissemination, the report said.

Internet censorship grew increasingly severe during Party official Lu Weis time as head of the Cyberspace Affairs Administration. Lu was charged with corruption and stripped of his post and Party membership in February.

A number of Falun Gong adherents have been arrested and detained for internet posts about the Chinese regimes persecution.

Forty-seven-year-old Huang Qian, for example, was arrested on Feb. 3, 2015, for posting a series titled Gulag Memoir on Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter, about the persecution. Huang was sentenced to five years in prison.

Zheng Jingxian, who also used Weibo as a platform to express his opinion, was arrested on the same day and detained at the Nanzhou Detention Center in the southern metropolis of Guangzhou.

Luo Qiong contributed to this report.Flowers, candles and mementos sit outside one of the makeshift memorials at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on February 27, 2018. Florida's Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school will reopen on Feb. 28. (Rhona Wise/AFP/Getty Images)

Cop Who Stayed Outside During Florida Mass Shooting Heard Shots Inside School

The former deputy who didnt enter a Florida high school during the mass shooting on Feb. 14 appeared to be aware that shots were being fired from inside the building, despite stating he thought they originated outside.

Police radio dispatches, released by the Broward County Sheriffs Department on March 8, show that former Deputy Scot Peterson radioed that gunfire was coming from inside during the attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the Miami Herald reported.

Do not approach the 12 or 1300 building, stay at least 500 feet away, Peterson is also heard saying over the radio.

Peterson previously stated, through a statement by his lawyer, that he believed the gunshots came from outside the school buildings.

The statement said: Upon arriving at 1200 building Mr. Peterson heard shots but believed that those shots were originating from outside of any of the buildings on the school campus.

[Broward Sheriffs Office] trains its officers that in the event of outdoor gunfire one is to seek cover and assess the situation in order to communicate what one observes to other law enforcement.

According to a timeline released by the Sheriffs Office, Peterson initially radioed to report the shooting at 2:23 p.m., two minutes after Nikolas Cruz started opening fire, the Miami Herald reports.

Be advised we have possiblecould be firecrackers. I think we have shots fired, possible shots fired1200 building, Peterson told dispatch.

Investigators say Peterson then arrived outside the building, where he appeared to remain for the duration of the incident.

At 2:25pm, four minutes into the shooting, Peterson radioed, All right We also heard its by, inside the 1200, the Miami Herald reported.

When the shooting stopped at 2:27pm, Peterson is heard radioing for officers to stay at least 500 feet away at this point.

President of the Broward County Sheriff Offices police union, Jeff Bell, welcomed the release of the recordings, said the Miami Herald.

It certainly backs up that he never went into the school, Bell said of Peterson. At one point he says to keep back 500 feet. Why would he say that?

Peterson resigned after being suspended without pay and placed under investigation.

Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel previously said that Peterson should have went in, addressed the killer, killed the killer. President Trump labeled the former deputy a coward.

Cruz, 19, was formally charged on March 7 with 17 counts each of premeditated murder in the first degree, and attempted murder in the first degree, in connection with the mass shooting.

From NTD.tv

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Accused Florida Shooters Neighbors Sensed Something Amiss with Cruz from a Young AgeFarm worker Mogoala Justice Ratalele stands near his boss farmer Hans Bergmann after an incident in which he was held at gunpoint. A long campaign of violence against the country's farmers, who are largely white, has inflamed political and racial tensions nearly a quarter-of-a-century after the fall of apartheid. / AFP PHOTO / GULSHAN KHAN (Photo credit should read GULSHAN KHAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Fate of White South Africans in Question as Government Moves Towards Land Expropriation

Whites in South Africa face uncompensated land seizure, as recently amended by lawa move drawing comparisons to early Zimbabwe, and putting the fate of South Africas white population in question.

The South African Parliament recently passed a motion to amend laws so that land could be taken from white farmers without compensation, although a committee will review the decision and is expected to report back by Aug. 30, The Independent reported.

Quartz reported that the vote to amend the constitution passed on Feb. 27. The move to legally allow expropriation of white-owned land in South Africa comes as Zimbabwe that made a similar decision, is now working to compensate white farmers for lands that were seized 18 years ago. The events coincide with the fall of Zimbabwes former Prime Minister Robert Mugabe.

The idea in South Africa was pushed forward by the radical left-wing political party the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and accepted by the parliamentary majority African National Congress (ANC). South Africas newly elected president, Cyril Ramaphosa, said the land reforms would end racial disparities in land ownership once and for all, according to The Independent.

We must ensure that we restore the dignity of our people without compensating the criminals who stole our land, said South Africas new President Cyril Ramaphosa, via The Independent.

The opposition party in South Africas Parliament, the Democratic Alliance, does not support the amendment and said the decision will undermine property rights and scare off potential investors, according to The Independent.

In Zimbabwe, this kind of policy caused steady economic decline, deindustrialization, a loss of export revenue from agriculture, an unemployment rate that reached 90 percent. The policies caused an estimated $20 billion in economic loss, according to Quartz.

The Quartz article, written by South African economists, infers that when landowners have their property taken and are not paid for it, all of society ends up paying for it in some way.

An online petition calling for President Trump to save white South Africans from genocide by letting them into the United States currently has over 18,000 signatures. Another petition asks European leaders Jean-Claude Juncker, Theresa May, Angela Merkel, and Mark Rutte to let them come to Europe. That petition has over 21,000 signatures.

The white South African population currently faces ethnic cleansing and persecutions at the hands of the ANC government, the EFF, and various groups that seek their liquidation and to appropriate their property. Thousands of white farmers have been brutally murdered, often including torture and rape and mutilation. Many white South Africans today live in poverty and squalor as a consequence of the ANC governments Black Economic Empowerment policy, which shuts whites out of the labor pool, reads the petition for European leaders.

South Africas Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu has already spoken out in opposition to the governments decision. Fearing Zulu lands could be among those taken and redistributed by the government, he has pledged to have Zulu warriors defend it, according to Journal du Cameroun.

From NTD.tv

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Father Who Lost Child Tells Trump: I remember the hug you gave meLaw enforcement personnel are seen near a building after an active shooter turned hostage situation at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville, California on March 9, 2018 .(Stephen Lam/Getty Images)

Gunman and Victims Identified in California Veterans Home Standoff

Three women were shot dead during a day-long standoff at a veterans home in California on Friday, March 9 after a gunman entered a staff meeting and held them hostage.

Authorities said the three women had dedicated their lives to helping veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the gunman was a former patient at the Pathway Home treatment program for which they worked.

The Coroners Office identified the three victims as Christine Loeber, 48, executive director of the program; Jennifer Golick, 42, a clinical director; and Jennifer Gonzales, 29, a clinical psychologist.

The complex, located in Yountville, Napa County, was described by California Highway Patrol spokesman Chief Chris Childs as still an active crime scene.

The gunman, identified as Albert Wong, 36, of Sacramento later killed himself, Fox News reported.

According to the Associated Press, Wong was a former Army rifleman who served a year in Afghanistan and had undergone treatment for PTSD at the facility.

The gunman accused of killing 3 Yountville employees has been identified as 36-year-old Albert Wong, a former member of the Pathway Home Program: https://t.co/LISkPUPE25. pic.twitter.com/lqw01hUrCf  ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) March 10, 2018

The motive behind the murders are still unclear, authorities said.

Its far too early to say if they were chosen at random, Childs said during a news conference.

The siege began at about 10:30 a.m. local time and ended nearly 8 hours later.

The officers eventually entered the room where the hostages were known to have been held after no communication from the gunman for several hours, NPR reported. They found all four bodies there.

The Veterans Home of California, a residence for about 1,000 U.S. military veterans, is the largest facility of its kind in the United States. The Pathway Home is housed in a separate building on the campus.

The Pathway Home released a statement following the tragic news, ABC reported.

These brave women were accomplished professionals who dedicated their careers to serving our nations veterans and working closely with those in the greatest need of attention after deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, the statement read.

All of us at The Pathway Home are devastated by todays events. We stand with the families, friends, and colleagues who share in this terrible loss.

David Shulkin, U.S. secretary of Veterans Affairs expressed his sadness on social media after hearing the tragic news.

We are deeply saddened and affected by the tragic outcome of the hostage situation at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville and extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones involved.

We ask for patience as we continue to monitor emerging details, he wrote on Twitter.

We are deeply saddened and affected by the tragic outcome of the hostage situation at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville and extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones involved. We ask for patience as we continue to monitor emerging details.  Dr. David J. Shulkin (@SecShulkin) March 10, 2018

Reuters contributed to this report

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Trump Calls on Nation to Answer Hate with Love after Florida School Shooting TragedyIncentivizing Pediatricians to Follow the CDC Vaccine Schedule

Most American families use pediatriciansrather than generalist family doctorsas their frontline childrens health care provider. With the backing of its trade organization, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the field of pediatrics has been booming for some years, ensuring current and future demand for the many doctors-in-training who are choosing pediatrics as their specialty.

Pediatricians average annual salary (roughly $200,000) may not be competitive with some of the more specialized medical domains, but pediatrics appears to offer high career satisfaction and inducements such as flexibility and part-time work opportunities.

In addition, the 11 well-child visits recommended by the AAP over a childs first 30 months (with annual visits thereafter through age 21) ensure a steady stream of repeat customers and revenue for pediatricians. In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions ( CDC s) vaccine schedule , pediatric practices are expected to administer vaccines (often as many as six at a time) at about half of well-child visits through the adolescent years, making vaccination a foundational bread-and-butter component of pediatricians job description.

The one problem with this rosy pediatric picture is that some parents do not want to go passively along for the ride.

Partners or Adversaries?

It is quite common for pediatricians (and family doctors) to encounter parents who refuse one or more infant vaccines, most often due to safety concerns. These concerns also mean that pediatricians frequently get requests to modify or delay the vaccine schedulenearly three-fifths (58 percent) of pediatricians reported such requests in a 2014 AAP survey.

One-size-fits-all vaccine proponents argue that families who question any aspect of the CDC party line are confronting pediatricians with an alarmingly untenable dilemma between either continu[ing] to provide substandard care by foregoing many or most of the infants highly recommended protective vaccines or dismiss[ing] from the practice the family who refuses vaccines.

Rather than recognize the validity of parents safety concerns or admit to their own ambivalence about some of the newer vaccines, many pediatriciansnearly two in five according to some estimateschoose to boot uncooperative families out of their practice.

Rather than recognize the validity of parents safety concerns or admit to their own ambivalence about some of the newer vaccines, many pediatriciansnearly two in five according to some estimateschoose to boot uncooperative families out of their practice.

A recent Medscape survey indicates that one of the main things that pediatricians dislike about their job is dealing with difficult patients. However, when pediatricians dismiss families whose only crime is the desire to make informed and individualized health care decisions on behalf of their children, the doctors are doing more than just unprofessionally dumping difficult patientsthey also are protecting their bottom line.

Increasingly, insurers and provider organizations are collaborating in a value-based approach whereby insurers give bonus payments to doctors and other providers who achieve specified quality of care targets.

A widely reported example of this type of pay-for-performance model is the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Performance Recognition Program, which uses meaningful payments to reward Blue Care Network (BCN) health maintenance organization (HMO) providers who encourage their patients to get preventive screenings and procedures.

For vaccination, providers receive $400 for each eligible two-year-old who has received all 24-25 vaccines shown below, but only if the provider manages to administer each and every shot to at least 63 percent of his or her patients. Thus, there is a formidable incentive not to let any patients slip through the cracks.

Dr. Bob Sears confirms that HMO plans use incentive practices, conducting year-end chart reviews and awarding large bonuses to pediatric practices that score well. Dr. Sears explains:

This bonus varies depending on the number of patients the doctor sees. One of the requirements for a patients chart to pass the test is that they are fully vaccinated. [] Such incentivesend up forcing a doctor to consider the financial implications of accepting patients who even just want to opt out of one vaccine. Maybe a few such families wouldnt make them fail the chart reviews, but if they have too many, there goes their year-end bonus.

Under a Watchful Eye

For some vaccines especially, such as the preadolescent vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV), researchers have attributed suboptimal vaccination rates to inadequate physician adherence to guidelines. However, because insurer-provider contracts rely on extensive reporting and sharing of medical and clinical information (including immunization data), participating physicians increasingly may be subjected to a unique form of social comparison.

As insurers and practices publish data openly showing how the careeach [physician] give[s] to kids compares with the care given by their peers, no one will want to be the pediatrician who stands out.

The AAP has long recommended repeatedly measuring practice-wide vaccination rates as a strategy to improve pediatricians effectiveness in garnering vaccine acceptance. Researchers who ponder policy responsesto the problem of vaccine refusal argue that insurance payment incentives aimed at health care providers are a legitimate and valuable policy tool in this regard.

Ultimately, these subtle and not-so-subtle financial incentives and social pressures are likely to maintain widespread adherence by pediatricians to the vaccine scheduleeven in instances where contraindications are present.

Although pediatricians have a legal duty to fully inform patients about vaccine risks and side effects, the lure of monetary perks and the desire to fit in may lessen their motivation to do so.

Visit worldmercuryproject.org for more information.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.China's Falcon L-15 jet performs a demo flight at the 7th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai of Guangdong Province, China, on November 6, 2008. (China Photos/Getty Images)

On the Chinese Communist Partys Tactics for Stealing Western Military Technologies: Part 1 of 2

Since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) took over the country in 1949, the Chinese regime has consistently been stealing military technology from other countries. In recent years, theft seems to have become a national strategy for growing its military, and it has become an increasingly worrisome problem.

This January, multiple news sources reported that in an official promotion video released by Chinas state-run Hongdu Aviation Industry Group, an L-15 jet that conducted a test-flight at the China Flight Test Establishment carried a brand-new, domestic-made guided bomb underneath its prototype wing. The model name TL-20/CK-G was written on the bomb. Observers outside China immediately noted the striking similarities between TL-20 and GBU-53/B, the latest deployed second-generation Small Diameter Bomb of the U.S. Air Force.

Back in March 2017, the Peoples Liberation Army Air Forces J-20 fighter jet officially entered service. A few years ago, China and the United States engaged in a war of words on whether J-20 was a knockoff of the American F-35, because the two models shared many similarities. In 2014, a Chinese national pleaded guilty to conspiring with Chinese sources to steal design information and manufacturing technologies for the F-35 and other American fighter jets.

Outside observers noticed that as soon as U.S. unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), more commonly known as drones, entered combat service, the Chinese navy immediately released its own UAV model to the world at an airshow in 2006, with no intention of hiding the fact that its model highly resembled a U.S. drone. Over the years, the West has grown increasingly vigilant over CCPs theft of sensitive technologies to grow its military.

Official Document Highlights Plan for Stealing Tech

High-tech industries such as artificial intelligence play a vital role in military development. Technologies capable of sifting through intelligence data, and developing UAV and unmanned ground vehicles could substantially boost the combat capabilities of military personnel. Over the years, the CCP has gone on the offensive on a massive scale to get its hands on these technologies.

Last July, Chinas State Council released a notice titled the Plan on Developing a New Generation of Artificial Intelligence. The notice clearly stated that AI is becoming a new focal point of international competition. Developing AI should be treated at the height of national strategy and China should take initiative to draft plans systematically, according to the notice.

The Chinese actively search for those U.S. companies that pioneer the technologies that China lacks. They then carefully target those companies in order to acquire their expertise.  Wilbur Ross, U.S. commerce secretary, in a 2017 Financial Times editorial

The CCP also admitted that it was lagging behind developed nations, lacking in key original achievements in areas like core algorithms, key equipment, high-end chips, and software. The country also has a serious shortage of talent in top-tier AI, it said.

In consideration of this reality, the CCP outlined strategies for acquiring sensitive technologies from abroad: 1) encourage Chinas domestic AI businesses to leave home and acquire foreign companies, invest in foreign equities and venture capital, and establish overseas R & D centers; 2) attract foreign AI companies and science research institutes to set up R & D centers in China; 3) put in place special policies for attracting high-end AI talent, such as the Thousand Talents Plan to recruit top-notch foreign and Chinese professionals from abroad; 4) provide support for Chinas AI firms to partner with foreign top universities, science research institutes, and labs working in AI.

Western countries have found that these four strategies have provided opportunities for China to steal technologies from them. This article and its next installment shall discuss each strategy in more detail.

Strategy 1: The Chinese regime supports domestic businesses in purchasing on a massive scale foreign high-tech firms

The CCP first tasted victory after it bought a British high-tech company in 2008. The deal later helped the CCP to make a key breakthrough in its aircraft carrier development.

For many years, research into manufacturing a new generation of electromagnetic aircraft launch systems (EMALS) has been a focus for both the United States and China. The United States was the first to succeed, put into use on the USS Gerald R. Ford, the lead ship of the U.S. Navys supercarriers.

According to Chinese state media, last year, the countrys main carrier-based aircraft, J-15, began test flights for a catapult launch using EMALS technology. One of the key components for making EMALS is a semiconductor chip called the Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT).

The South China Morning Post reported on Nov. 19, 2017, that the CCP was able to make a key breakthrough after purchasing the British company Dynex Semiconductor, which provided the technology to make IGBT chips.

In 2008, the Chinese state-owned enterprise Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co. Ltd. purchased 75 percent of shares from Dynex Semiconductor. This took place in the middle of a global economic crisis. A source from inside the current British government, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Epoch Times that then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown did not prevent the sale because his administration did not see the transaction as a threat to national security at the time.

But the following year, the UK government listed IGBT chips on its Strategic Export Control List, which are goods that require a special license in order to be exported.

Multiple sources from Chinese media reported that the CCP has already built a large-scale IGBT manufacturing facility in Zhuzhou City, Hunan Province.

At a Congressional hearing with the Committee on Foreign Investment held on Jan. 9, 2018, Dennis Blair, co-chair of the U.S. Commission on the Theft of American Intellectual Property, an independent organization, spoke about Chinas current threats to U.S. military technology. Instead of targeting secondary technologies as it did in the past, the Chinese regime has now shifted its attention to the most advanced top-tier technologies. Their primary channel for stealing U.S. military technologies is through investment in the United States or through American allies.

In an editorial published on Aug. 15, 2017, in the Financial Times, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross wrote that the Chinese actively search for those U.S. companies that pioneer the technologies that China lacks. They then carefully target those companies in order to acquire their expertise. Ross also added that the regime also targets American startups with scientific breakthroughs to make significant investments, not for the rate of return, but the capture of new technologies, which the Chinese then use for other purposes.

A report released in December 2016 by Mercator Institute for China Studies, a German-based think tank, noted that almost all large-scale American semiconductor firms have received investment offers from parties representing the Chinese regime.

There is a long list of examples where Chinas state-owned enterprises purchased foreign firms to further the regimes own purposes. Here we list but a few:

Over the past six years, the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the parent company of Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, which is the R & D firm that designed and manufactured J-20, acquired many U.S. companies that manufacture aircraft and its parts and components. In 2011, AVIC purchased American manufacturer Cirrus Aircraft through a subsidiary company, giving it the opportunity to engage in R & D at the renowned Oak Ridge National Laboratories in Tennessee, operated by the U.S. Department of Energy.

In early November of 2016, Canyon Bridge Capital Partners LLC, a Chinese-backed firm, announced its intentions to purchase the U.S. semiconductor company Lattice Semiconductor Corp with 1.3 billion dollars. However, Canyon Bridges sole investor, China Venture Capital Fund Corporation, has ties with the Chinese regime. President Donald Trump blocked the takeover in September 2017, following U.S. defense officials advice that the deal may be a national security threat.

Soon after the failed deal, Canyon Bridge announced it would purchase Imagination Technologies, a British tech firm specializing in chip design. The deal was approved by a UK court in November.

Strategy 2: Attract high-tech firms to invest in China

In the same FT editorial, Ross lambasted Beijing authorities for pressuring American firms operating in China to turn over proprietary technology in exchange for access to the Chinese market. U.S. companies are often forced to form joint ventures with domestic firms; limited to ownership of 50 percent or less; and required to transfer their technology as part of product sale contracts, Ross wrote.

Many of those firms are tech-related. In February 2017, California-based chipmaker GlobalFoundries announced a $10 billion project to build a chip plant in Chengdu, Sichuan Province.

The New York Times reported in August 2017 that the Guizhou Province authorities would provide land and financing to a joint venture that it formed with American chipmaker Qualcomm, called Huaxintong Semiconductor. In turn, Qualcomm would provide the technology, $140 million in initial funding, and agree to shift more of its high-end manufacturing to its Chinese counterpart.

The Chinese regime had announced plans to spend about $100 billion to bring chip factories and research facilities to China, according to the Times.

By handing over proprietary technology, American firms risk losing their competitive edge and handing over critical advances that the United States could apply to the military.

Intellectual property (IP) theftof which China is the biggest infringerhas resulted in major financial losses for the U.S. economy. Theft of trade secrets cost the United States between $180 billion and $540 billion annually, according to the IP Commission, an independent group of experts who investigate the theft of American IP.

The U.S. has recently begun to take action. Trump has signed a memorandum to allow trade representatives to investigate Chinas IP theft, while the United States, EU, and Japan plan to file a complaint with the WTO (World Trade Organization) over Chinas forced technology transfers and other policies they deemed unfair to foreign businesses, according to a report by Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun.Former drug company executive Martin Shkreli arrives at U.S. District Court for the third day of jury deliberations in his securities fraud trial in the Brooklyn borough of New York on Aug. 2, 2017. (REUTERS/Amr Alfiky)

Pharma Bro Shkreli Sentenced to Seven Years for Defrauding Investors

NEW YORKMartin Shkreli, the former drug company executive who made headlines by jacking up the price of a lifesaving drug before he was found guilty of defrauding investors, was sentenced to 7 years and a $75,000 fine on Friday.

The sentence from U.S. District Judge Kiyo Matsumoto in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, was shorter than the 15 years asked for by prosecutors but much longer than the 12 to 18 months Shkrelis lawyers had sought. Shkreli did not visibly react as the sentence was announced.

Shkrelis lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, told reporters after the hearing that he was disappointed by the sentence.

I thought the sentence should have been less than seven years, he said. But Martins fine and will be fine and obviously it could have been a lot worse.

Before the sentencing, Brafman told Matsumoto that Shkreli, 34, suffered from depression and an anxiety disorder and was a somewhat broken person, whom the government wanted to throw away.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacquelyn Kasulis had said a 15-year sentence was justified in part because Shkrelis crimes were not an isolated lapse in judgment, but a pattern of conduct including separate frauds for his two hedge funds and for his drug company Retrophin Inc.

Shkreli, born in Brooklyn to Albanian immigrant parents, became known as the Pharma Bro in September 2015 after founding Turing Pharmaceuticals, buying the anti-parasitic drug Daraprim and raising its price by 5,000 percent to $750 per pill. Shkreli was indicted for the unrelated securities fraud charges in December 2015.

At the hearing, Shkreli had choked up as he said he had learned from his mistakes.

There is no conspiracy to take down Martin Shkreli. I took down Martin Shkreli with my disgraceful and shameful actions, he said.

A jury in August found Shkreli guilty of defrauding investors in two hedge funds he ran, MSMB Capital and MSMB Healthcare, by sending them fake account statements and concealing huge losses. He was also convicted of scheming to prop up the stock price of Retrophin, the drug company he founded in 2011.

The $75,000 fine comes on top of $7.36 million in forfeiture Shkreli had already been ordered to pay following his conviction.

Brafman, noting that he was old enough to be Shkrelis father, said his client had not always been easy to work with.

There are times when I want to hug him and hold him and comfort him and there are times when I want to punch him in the face, Brafman said.

Kasulis said Brafman was trying to portray Shkreli as a child.

Mr. Shkreli is about to turn 35 years old, she said He is a man who needs to take responsibility for his actions.

Matsumoto said before imposing her sentence that she believed Shkreli was genuinely remorseful and that the letters written by family, friends and acquaintances had helped her understand him more fully.

Although he has been convicted of fraud, serious crimes, and he acted for pecuniary gain, hes also a personally generous, giving and kind individual, she said.

Nonetheless, the judge said, the sentence must be severe enough to make clear that fraud and manipulation are serious offenses that will incur correspondibly serious penalties.

Shkreli has been in jail since September, when Matsumoto revoked his bail after he offered his social media followers $5,000 if they could bring him a hair from former U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

He has so far been held at the Brooklyn Detention Center, a maximum security facility. It is not yet clear where he will serve the rest of his time.

By Brendan PiersonPolice: Mom Accused of Shooting Son

A mother from Inkster, Michigan, is in custody after she allegedly shot her 17-year-old son on Thursday morning, March 8.

The teenage son was hospitalized and is currently in a critical but stable condition, according to a series of tweets from the Michigan State Police.

The domestic shooting took place at around 8:45 a.m. at the Canterbury Woods Apartments located in the 600 block of Tobin Drive, police said, according to ClickOnDetroit.

Investigators said the cause of the shooting stemmed from the boys refusal to go to school, NBC affiliate KXAN-TV reported.

The mother and her son, both unnamed, were involved in a heated argument before the mother threatened her son with a handgun.

Michigan State Police said the son first left the apartment after the argument but returned later.

Teen shot by his mother after he refused to go to school https://t.co/fiQ6n4Wtvj pic.twitter.com/CJGKqCsFP8  Philip Lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) March 8, 2018

The mother then fired at least one shot through glass in their apartment door, according to KXAN-TV.

Further: Mother and 17-year-old son were involved in an argument when the son left the apartment. Son returns and mom fires one shot striking the male in the body. Son at local hospital in critical condition. Mother in custody. No danger exists to the community, the department tweeted on Thursday, March 8.

The bullet hit her son in the back, KXAN-TV reported.

Further: Mother and 17 year old son were involved in an argument when son left the apartment. Son returns and mom fires one shot striking the male in the body. Son at local hospital in critical condition. Mother in custody. No danger exists to the community. pic.twitter.com/bSAk1LZTgQ  MSP Metro Detroit (@mspmetrodet) March 8, 2018

Authorities arrested the woman at the scene of the incident, the Detriot News reported. The investigation continues.

The mother was taken into police custody for questioning.

Canterbury Woods management, the mothers apartment, said that it was cooperating with the investigation on Thursday.

Since early this morning, we have been in touch with police about this sad situation and are cooperating with their investigation. We do not believe any of our other residents or homes were affected by this incident, the statement obtained by ClickOnDetroit said.

From NTD.tv

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Corvette ChaseStories of Hua Tuo, the Divine Physician

Hua Tuo was born in the late Eastern Han dynasty. He was a great physician who knew ways of preserving health. He had the looks of a young man despite his age and was regarded by the people at that time as a deity. His divine healing skills are recorded in Records of the Three Kingdoms, Biography of Hua Tuo.

The ruler Cao Cao was plagued by chronic headaches for many years. Knowing Hua Tuo was a divine physician, he often summoned Hua Tuo to his palace to treat him. Every time Hua Tuo administered acupuncture on him, the effect was instantaneous.

But Hua Tuo preferred a carefree life. He sought permission to return to his hometown on the pretext that his wife was sick. Cao Cao tried to summon him back to his palace several times to no avail. When he found out it was not true that Hua Tuos wife was sick, he had Hua Tuo thrown into prison.

Court officials interceded for Hua Tuo. They felt that Hua Tuo should be spared since he could save lives with his superb healing skills. But Cao Cao was not worried. He said, Surely there are other physicians on a par with him? Eventually, Hua Tuo died in prison.

Cao Cao continued to suffer from headaches after Hua Tuos death. When Cao Caos son Cao Chong became critically ill, Cao Cao lamented with regret: If only I had not killed Hua Tuo. I have sealed the fate of my own son.

An Expert in Acupuncture and Surgery

Hua Tuo was an expert in medicine. Only a few types of herbs were all it took, and when Hua Tuo prepared medicine, he did not even have to weigh the herbs.

When it came to acupuncture, he could heal patients by administering just one or two needles. Before he inserted a needle into the patient, he would say to him, Let me know when you can feel the needle. When the patient said he could, Hua Tuo would remove the needle, and the patient would instantly feel better.

It was Hua Tuo who discovered the Jiaji acupuncture points (Hua Tuos Paravertebral Points). They were later known as the Huatuojiaji Points.

Hua Tuo was also a great surgeon. If the focus of infection was in the body and neither acupuncture nor medicine worked, surgery would be necessary. Hua Tuo would give the patient a liquid form of anesthetic to drink. When the patient slipped into an unconscious state shortly afterward, Hua Tuo would open up his abdomen to remove the infected part, cleanse the area, and stitch the abdomen closed before applying a cream to the wound. In just four or five days, the pain would be gone, and the patient would gain full recovery in a month.

There was a patient who had a stomachache for over ten days. His eyebrows and beard were coming off. Hua Tuo diagnosed that half of the patients spleen was damaged and the patient had to be operated on. When the patient took the anesthetic solution and lay down, Hua Tuo opened up his stomach and found that half the spleen was indeed damaged. He removed the damaged part and the dead tissues and applied medicated cream to it. The patient took oral medicine after he came round and recovered in less than 100 days.

Taught by Celestial Beings

Hua Tuo often visited famous mountains. One day, he came to an old cave on Mt. Gong Yi and heard voices. Someone was discussing ways of treating diseases. He went closer to the cave out of curiosity and heard someone saying: Hua Tuo is right here. Let us impart the healing skills to him.

But another person disagreed. Hua Tuo should not be imparted the skills, since hes a greedy person with little compassion.

Hua Tuo jumped into the cave and saw two old men in clothes made of tree bark and straw hats.

Hua Tuo went up to them and said: Im keen to learn the art of healing, but Ive never met a good teacher. Please impart the skills to me because Im sincere about learning them. I will not disappoint you.

The old men said: We will impart the healing skills to you, but it might be the cause of your downfall in the time to come. Do not discriminate against anybody on the grounds of their social status or wealth, be avaricious, or be daunted by hardship. Then you will not come to any harm.

Hua Tuo thanked the old men and promised to bear their words in mind.

The old men smiled and pointed to a stone bed. Theres a book on the bed. Take it and leave the cave at once. Do not show the book to anyone.

Hua Tuo took the book and turned around, and the old men were gone. He hurried out of the cave, and as soon as he did that, the cave collapsed. The book from the cave contained strange prescriptions that worked wonders. Hua Tuo was killed by Cao Cao before he was 60. The words of the old men came true. (from Zhong Cang JingCentral Treasury Classic, believed to be written by Hua Tuo)

Successor to the Yellow Emperors Art of Healing

Wang Bo, who was born in the early years of the Tang Dynasty, was famous for his literary work, the Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng. Cao Yuan, who lived in the city of Changan, was a good friend of Wang Bos. According to the New Tang Book, the Biography of Wang Bo, Wang Bo became friends with Cao Yuan and learned healing skills from him.

In the literary work Preface to the Yellow Emperors Canon of 81 Difficult Issues, Wang Bo revealed the order in which the art of healing was imparted: Qi Bo, the Yellow Emperor, nine unnamed successors, Yi Yin, Tang of Shang, six unnamed successors, Jiang Ziya, King Wen of Zhou, nine unnamed successors, Yi He, six unnamed successors, Bian Que, nine unnamed successors, Hua Tuo, six unnamed successors, Huang Gong, and then Cao Yuan.

The art of healing dates back to Shangdi, the Heavenly Ruler, who passed it down to Xian Shi (Qi Bos teacher), Qi Bo, and the Yellow Emperor in chronological order. The Yellow Emperor then imparted the healing skills to Lei Gong and further on to the royalty of the Shang and Zhou dynasties.

The skills were eventually inherited by Bian Que 2,400 years ago during the Warring States period, and by Hua Tuo 1,800 years ago during the late Eastern Han Dynasty. Bian Que and Hua Tuo were revered and seen as divine physicians because they were true successors to the Yellow Emperors art of healing. They possessed the ability of clairvoyance and the skills to perform surgery.

Written by Su Lin.Syrian Army Intensifies Assault on Eastern Ghouta

BEIRUTThe Syrian army has effectively put two big towns in eastern Ghouta under siege by advancing into the area linking them to each other and to the rest of the rebel enclave, a war monitor said on Saturday March 10.

Syrian state television had earlier reported that army operations were intensifying in the central part of eastern Ghouta three weeks into the governments ferocious assault.

Both the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, and a military media unit run by the governments ally Hezbollah said the army had captured the town of Mesraba and advanced into surrounding farms.

Mesraba lies just south of the large towns of Douma and Harasta along the road linking them to the remaining southern area in the insurgent pocket. The roads connecting the towns to each other were all covered by army fire, the Observatory said.

Jaish al-Islam and Failaq al-Rahman, the two main rebel groups in eastern Ghouta, could not be immediately reached for comment. They have said in recent days that they had staged counter attacks taking back some lost positions.

The relentless three-week assault on the last major rebel stronghold near Damascus has captured about half its area and killed 976 people, according to the Britain-based Observatory.

Syrian state television broadcast live from the edges of eastern Ghouta, showing a massive plume of dark smoke rising behind houses and trees and with the sound of blasts in the background.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russia, his main ally, say the campaign is needed to end rebel shelling of Damascus and to end the rule of Islamist insurgents over the areas civilians.

The offensive follows the pattern of previous assaults on rebel strongholds, deploying massive air power and tight sieges to force insurgents to accept evacuation deals.

These involve rebels surrendering territory in exchange for safe passage to opposition areas in northwest Syria, along with their families and other civilians who do not want to come back under Assads rule.

Late on Friday, a small number of fighters and their families from the former al Qaeda affiliate previously known as the Nusra Front left eastern Ghouta under such a deal.

But the group represents only a small portion of the insurgent presence in the enclave, and both Jaish al-Islam and Failaq al-Rahman have said they are not negotiating a similar deal for themselves.

Shortages

The intensity of the governments attack on an enclave that has been besieged since 2013 and suffers acute shortages of food and medical supplies has drawn Western condemnation and demands by U.N. aid agencies for a humanitarian halt in fighting.

The United Nations estimates that some 400,000 people are trapped in the enclave.

Living conditions are harsh Shop owners and traders are sending their workers to the shelters to sell food for three times their price before the offensive, said a man in Saqba who identified himself as Abu Abdo in a voice message.

Aid agencies have tried to deliver aid into eastern Ghouta, but they have only been able to bring in a portion of the amount they wanted.

A convoy was unable to finish unloading on Monday because of continued fighting, bringing in the remaining undelivered food parcels on Friday despite bombardment nearby.

However, U.N. agencies said most medical supplies had been stripped from the convoy by Syrian government officials and added that the food supplies brought in were insufficient.

The government has opened what it says are several safe routes out of eastern Ghouta for civilians, but none are known to have left so far and Damascus and Moscow accuse the rebels of preventing them from fleeing the fighting.

Insurgent groups in eastern Ghouta deny this, but a Reuters witness on Friday saw gunfire and mortar fire from inside the rebel territory near one of the crossing points.

By Angus McDowall

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U.S. Imposes More North Korea SanctionsThieves in Brazil Make Off With $5 Million Cash From Cargo Jet

A gang of thieves in a pickup with fake security company logos looted $5 million in cash from a Lufthansa cargo flight bound from Brazil to Switzerland on March 4.

NDTV reported that the thieves mimicked the trucks used by Brinks airport security at Viracopos International Airport, Brazils biggest freight terminal, to unload the cash that was bound for Zurich from Sao Paulo.

The five thieves armed with rifles took six minutes to make off with the moneyfrom arriving at the freight terminal to disarming security guards and locking them in their own vehicles, to loading the cash and leaving, RT reported.

The crime took place just before midnight on Sunday, March 4. The plane was due to depart on Monday.

No injuries have been reported, and so far no arrests have been made.

Not the Biggest

While $5 million is a big haul, it is dwarfed by a much better known Lufthansa heist.

That crime, featured in the movie Goodfellas, took place in 1978, when a team of robbers stole $5 million in cash and $875,000 in jewelry from the Lufthansa cargo holding area at New Yorks John F. Kennedy Airport.

That haul would be worth $22 million in todays money.

Most of the people involved in the JFK Lufthansa heist ended up dead or arrested.

'Biggest bank robbery in the world': Old-school bank heist foiled in Sao Paulo https://t.co/fAiZcNumpM pic.twitter.com/UerL472e86  RT (@RT_com) October 3, 2017

Bank Robbery, Too

Cargo theft has been rising in Brazil, RT reported. Thieves mostly target semi-trailers hauling cargo out of the airport. This case differed in that subterfuge instead of straight strong-arm tactics were used.

However, creative crime attempts are not limited to airports in Brazil.

In December 2017, Sao Paulo police arrested 16 people who had constructed a high-tech tunnel under the city and into the vault of the bank of Brazil.

The tunnel was 1,600 feet long, and took four months to build, at a cost of $1.27 million.

The thieves made it into the vault, but couldnt open the safe.

From NTD.tv

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Video Catches Woman Climbing Through Drive-Thru WindowU.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaking at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Mexico on Feb. 2, 2018. (Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

Tillerson Cancels Nairobi Events Due to Illness

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson canceled his scheduled events in Kenya on Saturday, March 10, due to illness.

The secretary is not feeling well after a long couple days working on major issues back home such as North Korea and has canceled his events for the day, said a brief statement from Undersecretary of State Steve Goldstein, CBS reported.

This was Tillersons first Africa tour in his role as secretary of state.

Some events will go ahead without him, while they are looking at the possibility of rescheduling others, Goldstein said, according to the CBS report.

He later said that Tillerson was feeling better and will resume his normal schedule tomorrow [Sunday].

Tillerson arrived in Nairobi on Friday, March 9, and spoke at a press conference.

Kenya is a country of tremendous opportunity, he said at the conference, according to CNN. With a fast-growing GDP  a vibrant culture of entrepreneurship, and a regional economic leader, we are eager to find more ways to work with you.

The senior diplomat also met with President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Met and held a fruitful discussion with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson at State House. pic.twitter.com/gIJOcjwn8S  Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) March 9, 2018

According to CNN, some of Saturdays events are expected to proceed without the U.S. diplomat, but some will be rescheduled. One of those that will now take place later in the schedule is a stop at the site of the 1998 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.

Tillerson is due to travel to Chad on Monday then head to Nigeria a day later.

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Archaeologists Discover Ancient Necropolis in EgyptTrump Pardons Sailor Who Took Photos Aboard Nuclear Submarine

President Donald Trump pardoned Kristian Saucier, the former U.S. Navy sailor who took photographs aboard a nuclear submarine and argued for the same leniency Hillary Clinton received for mishandling classified information.

Mr. Saucier was 22 years old at the time of his offenses and has served out his 12-month sentence, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said on Friday. He has been recognized by his fellow service members for his dedication, skill, and patriotic spirit.

Sanders pointed out that Saucier mentored younger sailors and served as an instructor for new recruits.

The sentencing judge found that Mr. Sauciers offense stands in contrast to his commendable military service, Sanders added. The president is appreciative of Mr. Sauciers service to the country.

A federal judge sentenced Saucier to one year in prison and ordered him to pay a $100 fine. Sauciers lawyers argued that the Navy machinist should receive a lenient sentence since the FBI decided not to charge Hillary Clinton for mishandling classified information.

Like Sauciers lawyers, Trump compared the handling of the Clinton case to that of the sailor in a Jan. 2 tweet this year.

Crooked Hillary Clintons top aide, Huma Abedin, has been accused of disregarding basic security protocols. She put Classified Passwords into the hands of foreign agents, Trump wrote on Twitter.

Remember sailors pictures on submarine? Trump added, referring to Sauciers case. Jail! Deep State Justice Dept must finally act? Also on Comey & others.

Crooked Hillary Clintons top aid, Huma Abedin, has been accused of disregarding basic security protocols. She put Classified Passwords into the hands of foreign agents. Remember sailors pictures on submarine? Jail! Deep State Justice Dept must finally act? Also on Comey & others  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

Saucier, now 29, admitted to taking photos of a nuclear submarines propulsion system as a machinist in the engine room in 2009, The Washington Times reported. In May 2016, he pleaded guilty to one charge of unauthorized possession and retention of national defense information.

Sauciers lawyers argued that it would be unfair to sentence him to anything but probation given that Clinton mishandled more than 100 emails with classified and confidential information and was never charged with a crime.

It would be unjust and unfair for Mr. Saucier to receive any sentence other than probation for a crime those more powerful than him will likely avoid, the lawyers said, according to The Washington Times.

The Justice Department is currently investigating why then-Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe sat on his hands for one month after finding out that additional Clinton emails were discovered on the laptop of Anthony Weiner, the husband of Clinton-aide Huma Abedin.

Clinton was ultimately exonerated by then-FBI director James Comey in a statement he drafted before interviewing Clinton and other key witnesses. The original draft of Comeys exoneration was edited to change references to Clinton being grossly negligent, a legal term with criminal ramifications, to extremely careless.

From NTD.tv

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Father Who Lost Child Tells Trump: I remember the hug you gave mePresident Donald Trump in the East Room of the White House in Washington on March 6, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Trump Responds to Fatal Shooting at California Veterans Home

President Donald Trump responded on Saturday morning, March 10, to the fatal shooting at a veterans home where a former U.S. serviceman killed three female employees and took his own life.

We are deeply saddened by the tragic situation in Yountville and mourn the loss of three incredible women who cared for our Veterans, Trump wrote on Twitter.

Authorities identified the gunman as Albert Wong, 36, a former patient of Pathway Home in Yountville, a program housed at the veterans complex for former service members suffering PTSD after deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

We are deeply saddened by the tragic situation in Yountville and mourn the loss of three incredible women who cared for our Veterans.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 10, 2018

Wong took three employees hostage on Friday. He and his victims were found dead after an all-day standoff.

This is a tragic piece of news, one that we were really hoping we wouldnt have to come before the public to give, California Highway Patrol spokesman Chris Childs told reporters outside the facility in Yountville, a picturesque town located in the heart of Napa Valleys wine country about 60 miles north of San Francisco.

Despite repeated efforts by police negotiators to communicate with the suspect throughout the day, authorities said they had failed to make contact with the gunman after he exchanged gunfire with a sheriffs deputy at the outset of the confrontation.

We credit him (the deputy) with saving the lives of others in the area by eliminating the ability of the suspect to go out and find other victims, Childs said.

The San Francisco Chronicle, citing unidentified sources, said Wong, who lived in Sacramento, had been asked to leave the program two weeks ago.

The three hostages all worked for the program. They were later identified as Pathway Home Executive Director Christine Loeber, 48, the programs clinical director, therapist Jen Golick, 42, and Jennifer Gonzales, 29, a psychologist with the San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

These brave women were accomplished professionals, dedicated to their careers of serving our nations veterans, working closely with those of the greatest need of attention, Pathway Home said in a statement.

The Veterans Home of California, a residence for about 1,000 aging and disabled U.S. military veterans, is the largest facility of its kind in the United States. The Pathway Home is housed in a separate building on the campus.

Lockdown

The entire complex, its staff and residents were placed under a security lockdown during the siege, which began at about 10:30 a.m. local time (1830 GMT Friday) and ended nearly eight hours later.

Childs said officers who eventually entered the room where the hostages were being held found all four bodies there. He did not elaborate on how the victims or gunman had died.

The incident began when the gunman calmly walked into the Pathway Home building carrying a rifle during a going-away party for one of the employees, according to Larry Kamer, the husband of one of the programs administrators, Devereaux Smith.

Kamer, who volunteers at the home and was acting as an unofficial spokesman for the facility, said his wife told him by telephone during the siege that the gunman had allowed her and three other women to leave the room where the party was taking place, while three female employees remained behind as hostages.

The Napa County sheriffs deputy who confronted the gunman had arrived at the scene within four minutes of the first reports of gunfire, Sheriff John Robertson said.

A resident of the home, identified as Rod Allen by the CBS television affiliate KPIX-TV, said the gunman took the hostages after allowing some people at the party to leave. He fired about 30 shots, the resident said.

James Musson, a 75-year-old Army veteran and resident of the facility, told Reuters many who lived there voiced concerns about lax security, saying visitors could walk in and out without restriction and that public safety officers were not armed.

There might be something that might provide a greater degree of security, I dont know if this event will trigger something like that, he said.

Reuters contributed to this report.

From NTD.tv

Recommended Video: President Trumps First State of the Union AddressU.S. President Donald Trump holds up a proclamation during a White House ceremony to establish tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum at the White House in Washington, March 8, 2018. (Leah Millis/Reuters)

Trump Says US and Australia Working on Agreement to Avoid Steel and Aluminum Tariff

President Donald Trump said on Friday, March 8, that he is working with the Australian prime minister on a security agreement that would exempt Australia from the recently imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

Spoke to PM @TurnbullMalcolm of Australia. He is committed to having a very fair and reciprocal military and trade relationship, Trump wrote on Twitter. Working very quickly on a security agreement so we dont have to impose steel or aluminum tariffs on our ally, the great nation of Australia!

Spoke to PM @TurnbullMalcolm of Australia. He is committed to having a very fair and reciprocal military and trade relationship. Working very quickly on a security agreement so we dont have to impose steel or aluminum tariffs on our ally, the great nation of Australia!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 9, 2018

Earlier this week, Trump signed the paperwork to enact a 25 percent tariff on imported steel and a 10 percent tariff on imported aluminum. Mexico and Canada were exempted from the tariffs.

Brazil, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Europe clamored for special treatment, while Chinese producers called on Beijing to retaliate in kind. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin earlier said he expects countries in addition to Mexico and Canada to be exempted in the next couple of weeks.

The initial announcement caused threats of countermeasures, notably from the head of the European Union. Those threats have been overblown, according to Dani Rodrik, professor of international political economy at Harvard Universitys John F. Kennedy School of Government and one of the worlds leading experts on trade.

The reality is that Trumps trade measures to date amount to small potatoes. In particular, they pale in comparison to the scale and scope of the protectionist policies of President Ronald Reagans administration in the 1980s, Rodrik wrote on Friday.

Trump imposed the tariffs based on a report from the Department of Commerce, which found that the current state of the steel and aluminum market is a threat to U.S. national security. Foreign nations, especially China, have flooded the United States with unfairly priced, subsidized steel and aluminum, forcing prices down and hurting domestic manufacturers, the report found.

Brazil, which after Canada is the biggest steel supplier to the U.S. market, said it wanted to join the exemption list, and Argentina made a similar case.

Japan, the United States top economic and military ally in Asia, was next in line. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference that Japans steel and aluminum shipments posed no threat to U.S. national security.

The European Union, the worlds biggest trade bloc, chimed in. Europe is certainly not a threat to American internal security so we expect to be excluded, European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said in Brussels.

Trump campaigned on a promised to bring back American jobs and place American interests first.

Steel is steel, Trump said before signing off on the tariffs. If you dont have steel, you dont have a country.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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President Trumps First State of the Union AddressUpdate: 7-Month-Old Baby Found Dead After Alleged Kidnapping by Father

The father of a missing 7-month-old boy, whose body was found on March 7, has reportedly provided details of his sons death to police.

Victor Manuel Minjarez, 31, was arrested and charged with the murder of his son, Jody, and illegally disposing of human remains.

According to News9, Minjarez told police that Jody died a week ago in the vacant home he had been hiding out in since Feb. 19.

A probable cause affidavit states that the father told investigators he and the baby were sleeping on a mattress next to a heater. When he woke up, he found the 7-month-old with bubbles around his mouth, and heard gurgling sounds. The child also had blisters on his face. Minjarez wrapped the body in a blanket after he realized the baby had passed away, reported News9.

He said he put the body in plastic bags, and then into the trash can outside the house.

Minjarez reportedly said he did not call police or request medical attention because he knew he was wanted by authorities.

The Medical Examiner said the cause of the babys death was blunt force trauma to the head, and ruled the death a homicide, News9 reports.

NTD previously reported that Oklahoma police called off an Amber Alert issued for the 7-month-old boy after he was found dead on Wednesday, March 7.

Police were looking for Minjarez who allegedly kidnapped his son in February.

An Amber Alert was issued for Jody on the morning of March 7. By evening, police had located Minjarez at a residence in Oklahoma, where they also discovered Jodys body, said a press release.

Authorities said the incident began on Feb. 19 when police responded to a domestic violence call at Jodys mothers home in Norman. According to an earlier police statement, Minjarez allegedly violently attacked the babys mother and then fled the scene with Jody in a U-Haul pickup truck.

Police said they were unable to locate Minjarez because he was homeless. However, they believed he may have been staying in the metro, a motel, or with a friend.

On Feb. 23, an emergency Victim Protective Order was issued to the childs mother, which required the return of her 7-month-old.

Five days later, the mother allegedly received a message from Minjarez through his friend that she would never see her son again, said the statement.

UPDATE: The body of a child believed to be 7-month-old Jody Minjarez was located at the residence in OKC where 31YO Victor Minjarez was taken into custody. @OKCPD is the lead agency on these investigations as they occurred in their jurisdiction.  Norman Police (@normanokpd) March 8, 2018

Based on this information, it is believed that 7-month-old Jody Minjarez is in imminent danger of bodily harm or death, the statement said.

However, an Amber Alert was not issued until March 7, after police received evidence of further recent criminal behavior, according to the release.

Police called off the Amber Alert later on Wednesday after they discovered Jodys body.

Minjarez is currently being held in Oklahoma City Jail.

From NTD.tv

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A Mother Shares the Story of Her Sons Heroin OverdoseWaitresss Act of Kindness Rewarded With Proclamation, Scholarship

There are acts of kindness happening everywhere, but they arent always witnessed and shared.

What is better than witnessing an act of kindness? Sharing it. What is better still? Seeing the person acknowledged for her kindness.

This story started when Laura Wolf saw a waitress in a La Marque, Texas Waffle House cutting up food for an older customer who was having trouble.

Wolf posted the photo on Facebook, where it went viral, with over 100,000 reactions and 50,000 shares as of the time of this publication.

In the Facebook post, Wolf said: I dont know her name but I heard this elderly man tell her his hands dont work too good. He was also on oxygen and struggling to breathe. Without hesitation, she took his plate and began cutting up his ham.

This may seem small but to him, Im sure it was huge. Im thankful to have seen this act of kindness and caring at the start of my day while everything in this world seems so negative. If we could all be like this waitress and take time to offer a helping hand.

La Marque city officials saw the post and decided the waitress needed to know how much her kindness mattered.

City of La Marque is proud to have this thoughtful young woman working in our city and wed like to acknowledge and honor her, city spokeswoman Colleen Merritt said in a statement. La Marque Mayor Bobby Hocking is passionate about our communitys youth and wants to encourage her dreams of attending college.

To honor Evoni Williams, the 18-year-old waitress who went out of her way to help that ailing customer, the LaMarque City Council proclaimed March 8, 2018, Evoni Nini Williams Day, Click2Houston reported.

LaMarque Mayor Bobby Hocking visited Ms. Williams at the Waffle House where she works to read the proclamation to her.

Williams is working at the Waffle House to save money for college. She had planned to go to Texas Southern University.

Those plans seem sure to be realized now that Texas Southern University has given Williams a $16,000 scholarship for her kindness.

A university representative told Click2Houston, Your act of kindness is exactly the kind of student we want at Texas Southern University.

Evoni Williams started crying when a university representative gave her the check.

She said that what she did was nothing special.

Thats just me, Williams told Click2Houston. It came from the heart. I would do it any other time, not just this time.

From NTD.tv

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Supermarket Clerk has Sensational VoiceThe story of America is built upon the often poignant and fascinating stories of refugees and immigrants.

Whether fleeing from persecution or in search of a better life, folks have for centuries left their native countries to relocate here.

The issue is not new, Fairfield Museums Executive Director Mike Jehle said. While investigating the topic, it is not long before we realize, These people are us.

Central to our mission is to present a major topic each year  relevant and topical  in which we can engage the community in an open forum so that we can all learn a bit more about complex issues that define our time, Jehle said in a recent telephone chat. Last years topic was climate change.

This year, the Fairfield Museum and History Center presents a new and timely exhibit and numerous special events that explore An American Story: Finding Home in Fairfield County, which runs through July 23. The show also observes the 100th anniversary of the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants founded in 1918.

An American Story highlights the experiences of eight individuals from Cambodia, Congo, Cuba, Hungary, India, Rwanda and Syria, who have built new lives in Fairfield County over recent decades. Seeking safety and opportunity here, refugees and immigrants from around the world have added to the fabric of our communities, the exhibition points out. Biographical narratives were written by Lynne Penczer and the large-scale portraits were created by Caren Winnall.

powerful biographical narratives, authored by Lynne Penczer, and the large-scale portraits, taken by Caren Winnall,

The nonprofit museum is a community center where people come together to learn from each other ... to explore the historic context of current events and discuss ways we can work together for collective solutions to some of the challenges we face, he said.

To that end, Jehle said the museum will host special events designed to appeal to various age groups.

Programs

As described by the museum:

Museum After Dark: Thursday, March 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. Women Rebuilding will be the topic. Marco Werman, senior producer of Public Radio Internationals The World, will moderate a discussion about womens empowerment projects in Connecticut that are giving immigrant women opportunities.

Film Series: Wednesday, March 28, at 12:30 p.m. The film, Searching for Wordin Avenue, which commemorates the Hungarian community in Bridgeport and the immigrant experience, will be shown.

For Families: Monday, April 9, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Family Focus: Architecture Around the World. Using found objects and recycled materials, families can design and build a model structure. Free.

Workshop: Wednesday, April 11, 10 a.m. to noon, for ages 6-10. Adventures Around the World. Discover places around the world in the An American Story exhibit and create your own adventure picture book. $20. Register online.

More Information Fairfield Museum, 370 Beach Road. Through July 23. Daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $5; $3 seniors, students (6-22); 5 and younger, free. 203-259-1598, Fairfieldhistory.org See More Collapse

Storytime for Children: Wednesday, April 11, 10 to 10:30 a.m. Hope and Home. Discover the people who came to this country and the traditions they brought with them. Free.

Film Series: Sunday, April 15, at 4 p.m. Rebuilding Hope will be shown. Filmmaker Jen Marlowe will speak about the movie, which traces the journey of the Southern Sudanese Lost Boys, who fled Sudan as children in 1987.

Forum: Thursday, April 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. Sanctuary: Interfaith Forum on Refugees will highlight the different ways faith-based communities are offering diverse approaches to meet the needs of refugees and immigrants.

Community Day: Saturday, June 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Performances, stories and hands-on activities for children. Short documentaries, for ages 10 and older, will be shown, including Shirins Dream and Magic Shoes, curated by Northwest Film Forum. Free.I must confess that each week I think I dont know what I could possibly share with you. But, then I find my mind drifting back to times long gone and I find something that I hope is of interest and will also bring back memories to some of you who may have shared some of the same experiences.

I was an only child but I had lots and lots of cousins. In those times, there were times when the Mississippi River got out of control and broke through levees and flooded lots of farm ground and houses and farm buildings.

Two of my mothers brothers and their families lived where this flooding would happen and when it did, the families needed somewhere to live for awhile. My of my cousins always came and styed with us and also one of my mothers brother and his wife also came. We didnt have a large home, only five big rooms plus another room that was not attached to the rest of the house. We had no furnace nor bathroom. But there my folks always made room for someone to stay.

My cousins school was for only eight months and mine was for 9 months, so when their home flooded and she moved with us, I had to go to school for a month while she got to stay home at my house. It seemed so unfair to me at that time. Now my thoughts are so different. I wonder how with a five room home with no running water, no bathroom, we felt blessed and also safe.

Years have passed and the few times I am able to travel down to the Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi and I view the land that was home to my mothers brother and his family, everything is changed. And all that remains are the memories that live in my mind and heart.

There are aspects in all of our lives that hold memories of our yesterdays. I recall my confirmation year. We were required to go on Wednesday evenings from 4 until 5:30 and Saturdays from 9 until noon. We studied and we memorized so many scriptures but we felt as though we were growing up and beginning to feel a sense of responsibility for the choices we made.

I went to classes during confirmation on Saturday from nine until noon and also on Wednesday from 4 until 5 or 5;30. My eighth grade teacher allowed my friend and I to leave school fifteen minutes early so we were able to walk the mile our confirmation class. Does that sound as strange to you as it does to me. I also must share that each school day at the school I attended (it was a public school) we began the day with the Lords Pray and the pledge of allegiance.

Life has changed so much but thats what my folks said when I was in school because I went to a city school where we were served a lunch each day, where we had playground equipment, a school bus, and or course, modern bathrooms.

When my children attended school, I was amazed at how things had changed and now it is my greatgrandchildren that are going to school and I find still more and more changes. I also find that they seem to be more aware of what is happening all over the world than I was at their age. Perhaps it is because we have ways of communicating that werent available then.

Each year seems to be more change and we have the choice of accepting and moving on or withdrawing. Change can be for the good or sometimes it means giving up values and beliefs and that makes our choices difficult.

I no longer have my car and while Ive been able to go where I need to be, I must admit that I miss it a lot. When I think of something Id like to bake and dont have the things I need, Im frustrated.

When it is time for a meeting that Id like to attend and my family are all working and I need to call a friend for a ride, I feel like Im a pest. But Ive decided that I need to change from frustration to patience and as you all know, thats not so easy.

I am reminded by both my children to count my blessings and they are correct. I have a nice apartment. I have met some very nice folks. My health is pretty good for an old lady. So far, I can do most of what is required (a little slower) but still OK.

Sunday is the day that seems to give me the zest I need to meet the week ahead My family picks me up to go to church and then my church school class. Then it is h to my apartment where the family arrive for a noon meal. That means my daughter and her husband, their two sons and their wives, and four great grandchildren.

Doris Gvillo is a member of Eden Church.The gravity of the existential threat we face from Islamic Jihad is truly of epic proportions. It is essentially a battle pitting free-civilized man against a totalitarian barbarian. What is at stake is the struggle for our very soul - namely who we are and what we represent. The lives that were sacrificed for individual rights and freedoms that we've come to cherish are being chiseled away from right under our noses by the stealth jihadists. And many of us are in denial and totally clueless.



The left's appeasement and pandering to evil is nothing new. What makes their utopian delusions so infuriating and unpardonable is that it is not only they who will have to pay the consequences, and deservedly, so, they are thwarting and undermining our best efforts at resistance and are thus dragging us down in the process as well.







By Peter Lancz,, the head of the Raoul Wallenberg World Campaign Against Racism.The College of Family Physicians of Canada drew the ire of Canadian cannabis advocates in February, when it published a set of guidelines meant to help primary-care physicians decide when to prescribe cannabis.

This article was published 9/3/2018 (1290 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The College of Family Physicians of Canada drew the ire of Canadian cannabis advocates in February, when it published a set of guidelines meant to help primary-care physicians decide when to prescribe cannabis.

Cannabis and its chemical constituents, concluded the guidelines published in the medical journal Canadian Family Physician, "are not recommended for most patients and conditions by far."

Cannabis is "an ineffective and useless substance," wrote the journal's associate scientific editor Dr. Roger Ladouceur in an accompanying editorial entitled "The cannabis paradox."

"Study after study, analysis after analysis, and review after review have all reported the same findings: cannabis has little place within current therapeutic arsenals, except as a last resort in very specific situations or when nothing else has worked," wrote Ladouceur.

The state of marijuana for medical purposes in Canada is indeed a paradox of sorts.

The number of Canadians who are legally using cannabis to treat medical conditions ranging from chronic pain to seizures, from muscle spasms to insomnia, is growing at an astounding rate. At the same time, the attitude of the Canadian medical establishment remains skeptical, at best.

Those attitudes are evident in the official positions of the Canadian Medical Association, the venerable advocacy and lobbying organization that represents more than 85,000 physicians across the country.

In its August, 2016 submission to the federal government's cannabis legalization task force, the CMA called for the government's existing medical cannabis system to be abolished after the legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes. (That regulatory framework has existed, in evolving forms, since 2001. The government didn't accept the CMA's recommendation, and the federal medical cannabis program is set to continue in the near future.)

Federal legalization of cannabis "does away with the need for a separate medical system when these substances are available to anyone who's interested in trying them," said Dr. Jeff Blackmer, an Ottawa-based physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist who helped develop the CMA's cannabis policies in his role as the association's vice-president of medical professionalism.

Dr. Jeff Blackmer, vice-president of medical professionalism for the Canadian Medical Association, helped develop that organization's policies around medical cannabis. (CMA handout/Mark Holleron/The Canadian Press)

In an interview, Blackmer said "probably the majority of physicians aren't comfortable authorizing this substance." The federal government's requirement that physicians authorize legal medical cannabis use in the first place is "a responsibility that clearly was never requested" by Canadian doctors, he said. (Physicians aren't required to prescribe cannabis for patients who request it, but patients do need a physician's approval to sign up for the legal medical cannabis regime.)

Blackmer said some doctors struggle with prescribing medical cannabis because they aren't willing to base clinical decisions on what the medical establishment considers low-quality or anecdotal evidence about the benefits of the drug.

While the CMA recognizes "that some patients do seem to derive benefits" from cannabis, Blackmer said, that isn't enough for the association to consider cannabis a medicine just like pharmaceuticals.

"We're not a regulatory body, we don't prescribe regulations that if a physician doesn't follow it, their licence is at risk or anything like that," explained Blackmer. "But we have, certainly I think, very consistently urged caution when it comes to the use of cannabis for medical purposes."

At what point would the CMA acknowledge that cannabis can be used as medicine?

"The obvious answer would be, once that research meets the standard that's required for all other prescription medications," he said.

That means large-scale, double-blind, randomized controlled trials  and when it comes to cannabis, that kind of research is no easy task.

The medical profession's preference for those traditionally designed pharmaceutical studies excludes the vast majority of research on the therapeutic potential of cannabis.

For example, one frequently cited systematic review and meta-analysis of medical cannabis research published in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association in 2015 started with 505 "potentially relevant" studies but included only 79 in the final analysis. More than two-thirds of those studies didn't involve the cannabis plant itself or its individual chemical components known as cannabinoids but rather, cannabis-derived drugs or synthetic cannabinoid products produced by pharmaceutical companies and approved by government regulators.

Mitch Earleywine is a professor of psychology at the State University of New York at Albany, sits on the advisory board of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws and authored the 2002 book Understanding Marijuana, a New Look at the Scientific Evidence.

Psychologist Mitch Earleywine has found it difficult to secure government funding for cannabis-related research projects that don't explore the potential harms of the drug. (Supplied/University at Albany)

"To say I looked at 1,500 articles" when researching that book, said Earleywine, "is not an exaggeration."

Earleywine described the lack of traditional medical research on cannabis as a kind of catch-22. Despite the huge amount of existing research on cannabis, said Earleywine, "the classic, randomized clinical trials, which are super-expensive, have not been funded."

"And so, plenty of people can make that complaint and can say it's true, but we can't get (U.S. government research agency the National Institute on Drug Abuse) or a lot of the standard funding sources to fork out any funds."

Earleywine said he once applied for a NIDA grant to pursue research on the use of vaporizers to consume cannabis, but "before I was even done with the abstract I called one of the people there and they just laughed at me."

"There's no way a harm-reduction thing for marijuana is going to get funded," he said. "And I was kind of heartbroken, because they wanted grants that said 'marijuana is evil,' basically."

Until relatively recently, the vast majority of research questions asked about cannabis were about the potential harms of the drug, he said.

"It's changed over the last two decades, but generally it was, 'How do we keep adolescents from using?' 'How horrible are the negative consequences for users?' 'What's the probability of developing dependent symptoms?' and then that unfalsifiable gateway nonsense  'How does this turn into you being a heroin addict?' basically."

Even the few researchers "who have had the opportunity to do anything about positive impacts or medical utility have to jump through enormous hoops to get to just have enough funding to run some pilot data," said Earleywine.

Dr. Mark Ware, a Montreal-based family physician who practises pain medicine and serves as executive director of the Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids, has his own theory about why so much cannabis research has been premised on questions of harm and danger.

"I think that one way to look at it is that there's been a lot of focus on recreational cannabis use as opposed to medical... and as a result of that dichotomy, the focus on recreational cannabis use has always been population health issues around, 'What are the known potential safety considerations for people using cannabis for non-medical purposes?" said Ware.

"And those include the psychosis issues, and mental health and driving, and so on."

Dr. Mark Ware is executive director of the Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids, and served as vice-chair of the federal government's cannabis legalization task force. (Dario Ayala for Postmedia News)

Ware said he's confident that high-quality research on the medical applications of cannabis is on the way.

Cannabis legalization in Canada has been touted as one potential path to that kind of research, but Earleywine is skeptical. He said there's just not going to be much money to be made from researching a plant that can't be patented.

"Why would anybody fund a randomized clinical trial? It's not going to pay off," he said. "Why put a half-a-million dollars into one of those when you don't have the market cornered on the drug?"

Hundreds of thousands of Canadians have already decided they don't need the medical and scientific establishment to pass final judgment on the benefits and risks of cannabis for medical purposes. They're already using cannabis for medical purposes, legally and illegally.

In a recent Health Canada survey, 97 per cent of self-described medical cannabis users said the drug helped them manage their conditions.

At the end of September 2016, 98,460 medical cannabis users were registered with Health Canada's legal medical marijuana program, which requires a doctor's authorization in order to purchase cannabis directly from government-licensed producers. By September 2017, 235,621 people had signed up  an increase of nearly 140 per cent in a single year.

That's just a subset of the unknown total number of medical cannabis users in Canada. According to Health Canada's survey, only 19 per cent of those who reported using cannabis for medical purposes said they did so through the legal medical cannabis program.

That's just a subset of the unknown total number of medical cannabis users in Canada. According to Health Canada's survey, only 19 per cent of those who reported using cannabis for medical purposes said they did so through the legal medical cannabis program. That suggests Health Canada's official medical cannabis registration figures vastly understate the number of Canadians who are using cannabis for medical purposes.

Ware said the rapid increase in legal, registered medical cannabis patients could have a couple of different causes. It could be "that those patients are finding a way to go from having previously been using cannabis outside of the legal framework to now transitioning into a legal framework," he said.

It's also possible, he said, that the physicians who are authorizing all those registrations are doing so "because they're seeing the benefits, because they are recognizing that this is a potentially useful therapy for these patients of theirs."

***

Dr. Mark Kimmins is one of those physicians. In his previous career as a colorectal surgeon, he practised in Anchorage, Alaska when that state legalized cannabis for recreational purposes in 2015.

"And my patients began to teach me the benefits of cannabis as a medicine," said Kimmins. "I began to observe significant benefits in the use of cannabis as an adjuvant treatment to traditional pain medicines after surgery, and I began to record that and track the experience of my patients, and I began to write about that experience."

Dr. Mark Kimmins, medical director at cannabis company Sunniva, started researching the medical applications of cannabis after hearing about it from his patients. (Supplied/Sunniva)

Kimmins now works as the medical director at Sunniva, a medical cannabis company that operates in Canada and California. Sunniva is the parent company of Natural Health Services, a chain of Canadian clinics where patients consult with doctors who can authorize their entrance into the legal medical cannabis program. Natural Health Services says it has helped more than 75,000 people sign up with Health Canada.

"Cannabis was a legitimate medicine across North America until the early 1900s," he said. "And at that time, multiple North American pharmaceutical companies were actually not only selling cannabis, but they were actually manufacturing cannabis; companies including Eli Lilly, Parke-Davis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Burroughs Wellcome, etc., were all producing, manufacturing, testing, and distributing cannabis as medicine in North America."

Canadian legalization, Kimmins said, "will only be positive" in terms of fostering the kinds of medical cannabis research that could elevate cannabis to the status of a mainstream medicine once again.

"Firstly, it will remove the stigma and let people know that this is something that they can utilize without fear of breaking the law and without using something which is prohibited."

Lifting that stigma, he added, will allow academics to do top-quality research.

"And talking to the medical scientists who are interested in doing this research, they are predicting in the next five to 10 years that we will get the type of rigorous data that will support this product the same as any pharmaceutical."

In the meantime, he said, doctors who are interested in learning about the medical benefits of cannabis must educate themselves by doing their own research.

Dr. Sana-Ara Ahmed started educating herself about cannabis in 2015.

An anesthesiologist who practices chronic pain management in Airdrie, Alta., Ahmed wanted to learn about the role the plant could play in addressing what she called "the chronic pain epidemic in Canada."

Ahmed said her medical training as an anesthesiologist focused on physiology and pharmacology, but didn't include any education about the human endocannabinoid system  a series of neurotransmitters and receptors that regulate key biological functions and can be affected by the cannabinoids contained in cannabis.

"When I started learning about it, I recognized that there was a gap in my knowledge, there was a gap in all MDs' knowledge," said Ahmed, who described the decision to include cannabis in clinical practice as a "very personal decision on how you practise medicine."

Anesthesiologist Dr. Sana-Ara Ahmed says cannabis can be "a better alternative" for the pain management needs of some of her patients. (Supplied)

"I don't want to do any harm in my practice, and opioids are harmful. They're killing Canadians. Medical cannabis is not harmful. There's not a single recorded death secondary to medical cannabis, or cannabis use.

Doug Speirs | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

"For myself, it became an identification that I was working from a place of compassion, I was working from a place of having dignity and honour for my patients. And acknowledgement of their pain, and looking for alternatives so that I could empower them so they can manage their life better. And if medical cannabis was a better alternative for them, then I had to have it in my tool kit."

Physicians, said Ahmed, have been conditioned to accept the research criteria of the pharmaceutical industry.

"We're in the infancy of a new era when it comes to treating patients with a plant-based medication.... The need right now is a conversation for all medical specialties to come together and apply our knowledge to a unique situation, which is going back to the roots of how medicine always began  it started from a plant, and then we learned how to use it, and then we learned how to synthesize it," she said.

"But before we start synthesizing it and disseminating it, we need to learn how best to use it."

solomon.israel@theleafnews.com

@sol_israelOrmat Technologies, Inc. operates as a holding company. The firm engages in the provision of geothermal and recovered energy power business. It operates through the following segments: Electricity, Product and Energy Storage. The Electricity segment focuses in the sale of electricity from the company's power plants pursuant to PPAs. The Product segment involves in the manufacture, including design and development, of turbines and power units for the supply of electrical energy and in the associated construction of power plants utilizing the power units manufactured by the company to supply energy from geothermal fields and other alternative energy sources. The Energy Storage segment consists of battery energy storage systems as a service and management of curtailable customer loads under contracts with U.S. retail energy providers and directly with large commercial and industrial customers. The company was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Reno, NV.

Read More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.



Uber says it will inform all Canadians whose personal data may have been compromised in a 2016 breach after Albertas privacy commissioner ruled it must do so.

Company spokesman Jean-Christophe de le Rue says while the company disagrees with the ruling, it will comply.

Uber will email affected riders and drivers in the country over the next few days about the Oct. 2016 breach that saw the theft of information from some 57 million accounts globally.

Read more:

Uber starts offering rides to the doctor, health care providers

Uber and Lyft ride-hailing services are increasing traffic congestion, studies show

Uber Canada to force drivers to take a break after working 12-straight hours

The company previously disclosed that 815,000 Canadian riders and drivers may have been affected.

The stolen information included names, email addresses and mobile numbers. The company said an internal investigation failed to identify any location history, credit card numbers, bank account numbers or birth dates were downloaded.

De Le Rue says that when Uber learned about the breach, it conducted a thorough investigation and notified Canadian privacy commissioners, fully co-operating with their investigations.

He says the company has seen no evidence of fraud or misuse tied to the incident and continues to monitor the affected accounts.

Uber plans to ask for a judicial review of the ruling because, in its view, the breach did not create a real risk of significant harm.

The office of the information and privacy commissioner of Alberta did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In 2010, the province of Alberta became the first Canadian jurisdiction to require private-sector organizations, like Uber, to notify consumers of such breaches when a real risk of significant harm exists.

Read more about:Mike Tan stands in the open kitchen of Tuk Tuk Canteen.

He is alone. His sous chef has called in sick but its a full house at the new Cambodian snack bar on Roncesvalles Ave.

So Tan cooks with both hands, hoisting squid out of the deep fryer with his left while simultaneously tossing tamarind beef stew in the wok with his right. He stops to pound green papaya salad in a stone mortar.

It is what it is, he says later.

Read more:

Could Johnnys Hamburgers be more than a now-and-then treat?

Montgomerys Restaurant gets creative in its quest to cook with only Canadian ingredients

You can raise farm-to-table kids, even if you dont live near a farm

Tan (ex-Oddseoul) opened Tuk Tuk on Jan. 10 to showcase the food of his parents. He named it after the ubiquitous southeast Asian vehicles because their drivers are supposed to know where to find good food.

While Tan is a personable presence, sadly the journey at Tuk Tuk sputters to a halt due to unbalanced flavours.

Tuk Tuk took over the dingy space that was the Rude Boy hamburger spot. (The eponymous movie poster remains.)

Red memorial candles flicker on the copper bar top. Behind the bar, a wooden sign says 2017 in Khmer (the year Tan hoped to open Tuk Tuk). Even without a phone number or website, the restaurant is busy.

Cambodian food, like the country itself, sits between Thailand and Vietnam. Tan, 31, also cites a strong Chinese influence. He hopes to introduce non-Cambodian diners to new flavours.

The Khmer-accented cocktails includes a gin and tonic ($13) in which an abundance of lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves quickly wear out their welcome. The fragrance of lemongrass is more subtle in a homemade glass of soda ($3), so subtle its barely detectable. Ditto the coconut supposedly in the homemade cola ($3).

The lack of balance continues with the solid fare. Tuk Tuk uses a dim sum-style paper menu for guests to check off their orders.

Under the snack category fall decent crab dumplings in stiff wrappers ($16) and extra-crisp chicken wings ($12) inundated with potent fish sauce. You might like the slightly sticky Khmer peanuts ($5), essentially peanut brittle that Tan bakes in a giant brick and chips to order. Be warned: the lemongrass adds up. Again.

The servers suggest a pair of diners order four or five dishes to share. In good conscience I can suggest only one: Crisp tofu salad ($11).

This is a lovely dish, built on fried glass noodles, diced cucumber and tofu infused with sweet soy sauce and chilies. The lime dressing is heavy on the garlic, yes, but offset by grace notes of fresh mint, Thai basil and cilantro. It is the high point of dinner, the equivalent of a thrilling tuk tuk ride through Phnom Penh.

After that, its all tastebud gridlock. This includes beef stew with all its moisture sucked out ($18). The squid ($18), which weve seen go from left-hand fry basket to right-hand wok, are inedible salt bombs in their coating of oyster sauce and red curry paste.

Next time Im in Tuk Tuk, Tan has his usual help in the front kitchen.

The two cooks pivot between a flat-top grill, the deep fryer and a gas-fired wok that produces the searing flames Tan wants for Cantonese-style wok hei, the essence high heat imparts to stir-fried foods.

Even with a full kitchen complement, the squid remain too salty. I give up after the first bite.

Its a little bit saltier because of the oyster sauce but it should be palatable, Tan later says.

It should. But its not.

Amy Patakis restaurant reviews are published Fridays online and Wednesdays in print. Read more at thestar.com. Reach her at apataki@thestar.ca or on Twitter @amypataki.

Tuk Tuk Canteen

Address: 397 Roncesvalles Ave. (at Howard Park Ave.)

Chef: Mike Tan

Hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 5 to 11 p.m. Sunday, 3 to 9 p.m.

Reservations: Online only

Wheelchair access: Washrooms downstairs

Price: Dinner for two with cocktails, tax and tip: $100The Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces have issued a nationwide general order banning members of Canadas military from associating with a variety of groups, including outlaw biker gangs.

The general order was issued in February, almost four years after a military police intelligence report warned that some active and retired troops have an uncomfortably close alliance with outlaw motorcycle clubs.

The February 2018 general order addresses several banned groups. Among other things, it warns members that they must avoid any association that a member of the military knows, or ought to know, promote racism, sexism, misogyny, violence, xenophobia, homophobia, ableism and discriminatory views with respect to particular religions or faiths.

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It also bars members from participation in an activity of, or membership in, a group or organization that a CAF (Canadian Armed Forces) member knows, or ought to know, is connected with criminal activities

A Canadian Forces spokesperson told the Star that this includes a ban on associating with outlaw biker gangs. In Canada, the Hells Angels and Outlaws are considered by police to be outlaw biker gangs.

The 2018 general order follows a July 2014 report obtained by the Star under the Access to Information Act which says that some 155 active and retired military personnel associate with outlaw bikers, threatening security clearances and reliability, and impacting on CAF operations.

Canadas law enforcement community have begun to take notice of the association, says the internal intelligence report obtained by the Star.

In the heavily censored report obtained by the Star, 48 of 69 pages are totally blanked out for a variety of security reasons, including concerns that its release might reveal the identity of confidential sources or be related to investigations.

The 2014 military intelligence investigation, called Operation Nighthawk, notes that some 80 active Canadian Armed Forces members and some 75 retirees belonged to veteran-based motorcycle clubs, called V-B MC.

Many of these V-B MCs are associating with .. Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMG), which are considered criminal organizations, the report continues.

According to the Personnel Security Screening Office (PSSO), CF members are of interest to OMGs (outlaw motorcycle gangs) in view of their access to weapons, ammunition and explosives, as well as their military training, the report says.

The report also notes there is a long and complicated history between outlaw bikers and the military, and that several outlaw biker clubs have military origins that date back to World War II.

When servicemen returned from the war (WWII) they likely found the transition back to civilian life monotonous or more than they could handle, the report states. Feeling disenfranchised and cast out of normal society, they searched for relief and the company of kindred spirits, and perhaps to relive some of the wilder aspects of what they had experienced overseas.

The report notes that original members of the Hells Angels included American members of a World War II fighter squadron who painted Hells Angels on the side of aircraft. (The motorcycle club has since decided to spell its name without an apostrophe).

In Toronto, local Hells Angels referenced their military roots in 2004 when they briefly put up a billboard by the Don Valley Parkway, which included a picture of troops by a military aircraft with HELLS ANGELS painted on its side. The caption of the billboard stated Still fighting for democracy & freedom.)

Since World War II, there have been waves of veterans who have formed motorcycle clubs. Returning servicemen from the Vietnam War formed the Bandidos, Mongols, Sons of Silence, Vagos and Warlocks motorcycle clubs, the report notes.

Operation Nighthawk was launched in 2012 after investigators with the Military Police Criminal Intelligence Program noted that many veteran-based motorcycle clubs emulated the structure and operation of outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMG), the report says.

More worrisome were observations that DND/CAF members of these MCs were rumoured to be associating directly and indirectly with members and associates of known OMGs, the report says.

The report continues that many members of veterans motorcycle clubs joined them blindly, with the intention of not associating with members of outlaw motorcycle clubs.

The report describes membership in veterans motorcycle clubs as a gateway  to the OMG-lifestyle (outlaw motorcycle gang) and the criminal environment.

The report expresses uneasiness between members of military-based motorcycle clubs and outlaw bikers, stating it is of concern that any association to these types of groups provide a possible gateway not only to the OMG lifestyle but the criminal environment as well.

There exists the potential for members to be coerced into providing access to CAF/DND (Canadian Armed Forced/ Department of National Defence) assets/ expertise and information which can be used to further the criminal enterprise of the OMG, the report says.

Currently there is no policy regarding a CAF member becoming a member or associating with members and/or associates of OMGs, the report says.

There is no policy or consistent order regulating or banning the wearing of colours or other club identifiers while on DND property, the report continues. There also is no policy regarding the invitation of OMG members onto DND establishments.Famous for its radio jingle and all-inclusive resort packages, Sunwing has been cited by federal inspectors for not recording some aircraft defects discovered by flight crews.

The regulatory breach was uncovered by Transport Canada agents during a 2016 visit to the airlines Etobicoke offices, where inspectors reviewing maintenance records also found planes had not received required work.

Sunwing is one of several popular commercial airlines that have been flagged for widespread non-compliance by Transport Canada, the details of which are contained in government surveillance reports that are not public and must be obtained through Access to Information legislation.

Some of the countrys most recognizable airlines are in court trying to prevent these kinds of reports on their own operations from being released.

The Star obtained surveillance reports for Sunwing and three other commercial airlines: Jazz, WestJet and its regional carrier, WestJet Encore. Together, these airlines are responsible for more than 1,400 flights each day.

Government inspectors found each airline was non-compliant in areas of safety oversight and training, awareness and competence.

In each of these reports, the government assessed the airlines internal safety management systems (SMS)  intended to flag risks before they become safety problems. The non-compliance found in the reports relates to the airlines own safety monitoring systems, not the safety of the planes themselves.

The reports contain little detail about the specific problems found by inspectors, which range from minor issues with record keeping to major findings, described by the government as system-wide failures that will take more time and effort to fix. Transport Canada says the country has one of the safest, most secure air transportation systems in the world.

Still, the amount of non-compliance in the surveillance reports is alarming, said Virgil Moshansky, a retired judge whose inquiry into the 1989 plane crash near Dryden, Ont., led to sweeping changes of Canadas aviation safety system.

It should be concerning to everybody who flies on these planes.

Sunwing and the other airlines said in statements that they are dedicated to safety and have corrected any problem identified during inspections.

We have made changes to our operating procedures to prevent these omissions from reoccurring and have already shared this information with Transport Canada, a Sunwing spokesperson said.

The reports for Sunwing, Jazz and Encore (WestJets regional carrier) are the most recent Transport Canada assessments of the airlines safety systems. The report for WestJets 2014 inspection has since been superseded by a later audit in 2017, which we passed, a company spokesperson said. Of the four airlines featured in the reports obtained the Star, Sunwing is the only one cited for major findings of non-compliance.

In 2005, Transport Canada became the first regulator in the world to require larger airlines to create these systems to internally monitor safety performance.

It was intended to be a complementary layer of oversight alongside government inspections. On top of inspecting the airlines operations, the regulator would assess these internal systems.

But critics say Transport Canada has handed its regulatory responsibilities to the airlines, replacing boots-on-the-ground inspections with a flawed, industry-friendly model in which the inspectors role is increasingly auditing paperwork provided by the airlines internal systems.

Safety management systems are a good idea if implemented correctly, providing it be accompanied by strict regulatory oversight, said Moshansky, who recommended the industry adopt the concept after the Dryden plane crash. That has not occurred in Canada.

Instead, the government is relying on airlines  which its own audits have found to be non-compliant  to police themselves, said Greg McConnell, national chair of the Canadian Federal Pilots Association, a labour union whose members include federal aviation inspectors.

For the passengers, this is a clear indication of the cracks in the system, said McConnell, who was an inspector with Transport Canada for 24 years.

The regulators dependence on companies own safety management systems is part of a larger dismantling of aviation safety oversight in Canada, he said.

He said the government inspectors tasked with making sure airlines internal oversight is working have not received sufficient training, a concern echoed by the federal auditor general in 2012. (In court filings, one airline warned the findings of these federal inspectors can be inaccurate or misleading because of inadequate training.)

Meanwhile, Transport Canada is watering down the depth of some inspections it does of lowest-risk airlines in order to complete the planned number of inspections targeted in its 2017/2018 oversight plan, according to an internal directive.

Last year, a parliamentary committee examining aviation safety recommended Transport Canada perform more on-site safety inspections versus safety management system audits, and that the government must make sure airlines internal safety systems are accompanied by an effective, properly financed, adequately staffed system of regulatory oversight.

Transport Canada is currently reviewing its aviation oversight program.

The regulator said assessments of airlines safety management systems are just one tool its highly qualified inspectors use to ensure airlines comply with safety rules. Transport Canada said it conducts 10,000 oversight and certifications activities each month, including unscheduled on-site inspections.

Transport Canada is continuously looking for ways to make our transportation network better for Canadians, a Transport Canada spokesperson said in a statement.

Transport Canadas strong oversight program also allows the department to prioritize its resources strategically to areas that provide the greatest safety benefit. The department continuously evaluates and modifies its oversight tools to ensure they continue to be effective.

In reviewing the reports obtained by the Star, former inspector McConnell said it was difficult to conclude the exact nature of the violations because of the limited information about each finding. However, the records raise questions about industrys ability to hold itself accountable, he said, adding that it appears some incidents were downplayed.

WestJet classified one incident as extremely improbable, which by definition meant it would occur between once every 20 years and once every 100 years, a 2014 report said. Inspectors found the same event had occurred many times in the two years they reviewed.

Transport Canada also found some WestJet maintenance workers did not receive the required training, and managers responsible for creating the plans to fix problems did not receive training in root cause analysis and the development of corrective action plans.

In a statement, WestJet said the report is four years old and the issues raised by inspectors have been resolved. The airline was audited again by Transport Canada last year and passed, a spokesperson said.

WestJets highest priority is the safety of our guests and crew. Since 2005 we have been utilizing our comprehensive safety management system to manage safety risk throughout our operations, the spokesperson said. WestJet and WestJet Encore are dedicated to continuous improvement and ensuring that our more than 750 daily flights arrive safely at their destination.

Without stronger oversight from the government, critics fear airlines wont take the necessary actions to fix all the problems their internal safety systems identify.

At Jazz, which carried more than 10 million passengers last year, inspectors found some incidents identified as having medium risk did not get a corrective or preventative action, according to a 2015 report.

The regulator also found the airline had in some cases closed matters raised in internal audits without addressing the root cause at a systemic level.

A Jazz spokesperson said the Transport Canada assessment resulted in a small number of minor and moderate findings that were all addressed to the regulators satisfaction.

The regulator found the airline non-compliant with four of the six components of its safety management system, including safety oversight. A Jazz spokesperson said just one minor finding would make the airline flunk the entire section.

Jazz has an excellent safety record  one that is recognized within our industry and around the world, said the spokesperson, adding that last year the airline received an award for being among Canadas Safest Employers.

At Sunwing, which has a fleet of more than 40 jets, the federal regulator found the organization did not have a staff of investigators commensurate with its size and complexity.

It was one of three major findings of non-compliance against the airline, a classification used for violations where a system-wide failure is evident. Fixing these problems, the report notes, will typically require more rigorous and lengthy corrective action.

In auditing the airlines maintenance records, Transport Canada also found that some aircraft defects discovered by flight crews were not recorded by the pilot in command, as required. Sunwing would not answer questions about what the defects were.

Sunwing said Transport Canada has accepted its plan to correct problems identified in the audit. The regulator will continue to monitor Sunwings progress until they conclude the proposed plan has in fact addressed all the findings, a company spokesperson said.

The president of the association representing many commercial airlines warned that the findings included in these government surveillance reports can be minor, administrative issues.

Obviously, there are going to be things in there that need tweaking but as a rule, we feel SMS has been a very, very good tool for our industry to instill a safety culture amongst all employees, said John McKenna, president of the Air Transport Association of Canada.

There are also calls for Transport Canada to change what its looking for in audits of safety management systems. Kathy Fox, president of the Transportation Safety Board, said the regulator is at times simply checking to see if the airline has a safety management system  and not whether its effective.

Transport Canada is missing basic non-compliances, she said. Even where they have identified those, they havent been effective at bringing companies back into compliance.

Meanwhile, some of the countrys most recognizable airlines do not want the public to know if they have fallen out of compliance.

Air Transat, Air Canada and its low-cost subsidiary, Air Canada Rouge, are currently in federal court trying to prevent the government from releasing the audit reports of their safety management systems. An Air Transat spokesperson said the records contain competitive information and their disclosure could provide unfair insight into their operations.

In Air Canadas court filings, the airlines managing director of corporate safety, Samuel Elfassy, warned that the technical documents could be misconstrued without proper context, causing the airlines reputation to be unfairly damaged.

Paying passengers should be able to see how the airlines theyre using have fared in recent inspections, said Edward McKeogh, president of Canadian Aviation Safety Consultants.

Passengers should be getting question marks in their heads when they see airlines are getting their backs up because the government wants to release important...relevant information about how activities are conducted, McKeogh said.

If airlines know the results of the assessments will be readily available to the public, they may be more dilligent in properly following their safety management systems processes, he said.

People have to know about these things. Were talking about safety. You cant sweep that under the rug, he said.

Contact Jesse McLean at jmclean@thestar.ca or 416-869-4147

Read more about:After the tragic death of Georgia Walsh and a surge in Leaside traffic, three elementary school students have taken road safety into their own hands.

Oliver Wong, Arnav Shah and Quinlan Birmingham, students at Northlea Elementary and Middle School, created Crosswalk Company, stocking bright orange flags that residents can carry when crossing the street at busy intersections.

We created a simple flag system, said Shah, 11, of the design, primarily devised to keep children safe, although adults have been seen using the flags, too, he added. What happens is when a pedestrian comes to cross, they look both ways, the regular stuff, maintaining eye contact with the drivers, and then they put the flag up and walk across. Not only does this make them more visible, but makes them (the drivers) more aware of the problem at hand.

Read more:

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Opinion | Edward Keenan: Closing a walking path is easy in Toronto, protecting children and others using them is harder

In 2014, six-year-old Walsh, daughter of former Conservative Party President John Walsh, was struck by a van in the same Leaside neighbourhood and succumbed to a serious head injury in hospital.

Joseph Wong, Olivers father, said Leaside is beset by traffic woes, referring to cars bypassing the Eglinton Crosstown LRT project, a problem requiring creative solutions from the community.

You have cars coming through with the explicit purpose of getting across as quickly as possible, he said. These boys walk to school everyday and they recognized that this was a problem that needed some solutions, Wong said. Theyve really taken ownership of this. They have their own website, their own email address. The only thing we do as parents is host the bi-weekly meeting at one of our houses after school and just give them snacks.

Councillor Jon Burnside said the legality of the project falls into a grey zone.

Basically, as long as no one complains, its fine, he said. Its a great initiative. (The students) are responding to a need in the community, although its also a sad commentary on the state of our roads and the way people drive. Ill say some adults could take some cues from the kids creativity.

To address an uptick in traffic in the area, he said he was part of the push to legislate photo radar. But, he clarified, the problem is not just about speed.

The level of enforcement, and officers dedicated to traffic enforcement, has gone way down and I think that, correspondingly, poor driving habits have proportionally gone up, Burnside said. We have to find the resources for more traffic enforcement, adding that he established a traffic committee, which has come back with requests to block off, or put cul-de-sacs, at entry points along Bayview Ave.

Construction on Eglinton Ave. E. will be completed at the end of 2021, he said.

The trio have collected data about their project to ascertain how often its being used. During the summer, the use rate was at 16 per cent, said Birmingham, 12,  which we were actually pretty happy with because we didnt have any expectations.

However, when students returned to school, he continued, the rate bumped to 67 per cent.

There are six intersections in Leaside with the flags, then another near Blythwood Rd., the students said.

The project was hatched last summer at a week-long camp at the University of Toronto that required a business proposal. Its been invested in from community members, the students said, including realtor Patrick Rocca.

Were really proud of their thoughtfullness, their curiosity, their poise, said Barbara Sandler, principal at Northlea. Theyve joined our safety committee. We want kids to be able to walk to school safely, ride their bikes safely. (The students) are helping with that. Theyre increasing awareness.I felt I was Canadian, but, in reality, I wasnt.

Kiwayne Jones was 21, when, after having spent about a decade moving around foster homes as a Crown ward, he was given some of his documentation by the Childrens Aid Society. Among the papers was a nearly-expired permanent residency card and a Jamaican birth certificate no longer considered valid in that country.

Despite having lived here since he arrived with his parents at age 10, Jones was not a Canadian citizen.

And he still isnt today.

Hes now the representative plaintiff of a proposed $200-million class-action lawsuit brought against the Ontario government by individuals, who, as non-citizen children, were taken into the care of CAS and made Crown wards.

The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that the government failed in its duties to take all reasonable steps to maintain permanent residency status and pursue and obtain Canadian citizenship for the non-citizen Crown wards in its care, according to a statement of claim filed in Superior Court.

Genevieve Oger, spokesperson for the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, said the ministry is committed to supporting the highest quality services for children and youth who are in need of protection.

We are committed to protecting the best interests of Crown wards. The Government of Ontario is currently reviewing the claim, but, as this matter is subject to litigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further, she said.

Jones, now 29, was born in Jamaica and became a permanent resident of Canada in 1999, having arrived here with his parents. Within less than a year after their arrival, Jones was apprehended by the Toronto CAS and he was made a permanent Crown ward in 2000, according to the statement of claim.

I kind of felt disowned. I felt confused. I couldnt understand what happened, Jones said in an interview with the Star, talking about the confusion over his status in Canada after he was no longer a Crown ward.

When youre in your teenage years, youre trying to just be comfortable in your skin, and here I was now at 21 and just not knowing what my status is. I was disappointed.

In theory, being a Crown ward, the likelihood of me returning to my parents is less than one per cent, so the Crown has decided theyre going to be my parents, and all the circumstances around that would mean Im adopted as a Canadian, but thats not the reality of it.

None of the allegations in the lawsuit have been proven in court; it hasnt yet been certified by a judge as a class-action.

The proposed class members would include anyone who became a Crown ward in Ontario after Jan. 1, 1966, and who was not a Canadian citizen when he or she ceased to be a Crown ward.

Its unclear at this point just how many people could qualify to be class members.

The government is the legal parent of the children that it takes into its permanent care. This action asserts that the government has the parental duty to take steps to secure the immigration status, permanent residency, and Canadian citizenship of its Crown wards. Where that legal duty is ignored, the impact is obviously very significant, both for the individual and for society as a whole, said one of Jones lawyers, Julie Kirkpatrick.

The proposed class-action comes as a 24-year-old Nova Scotia man who arrived in Canada as a Somali child refugee, and who never received Canadian citizenship while in foster care, fights to remain in the country.

The case of Abdoul Abdi , who faces a deportation hearing after serving five years in prison for offences including aggravated assault, has sparked protests across the country, and drawn attention to the issue of provincial governments failing to put the children in their care on the path to citizenship.

Abdi was moved 31 times between foster homes. He lost his native language and developed behavioural problems that advocates say were not adequately treated. Those issues led to problems with the justice system and his non-citizenship put him at risk of deportation.

The Immigration and Refugee Board will decide on March 21 if the deportation hearing should proceed; Abdis lawyer has argued it should be put on hold pending the outcome of a judicial review of the case, which will be heard May 29 in Federal Court.

In a way, (Abdi) is an extreme example of what happens when childrens aid societies dont fulfil their responsibilities, said Nova Scotia-based lawyer Mike Dull, who is co-counsel on the Ontario class-action.

And so Kiwaynes story is similar to what happened here in Nova Scotia, but to, perhaps, a less pronounced degree. I think what weve learned in preparing this class-action is that the issues and affairs of childrens aid societies in Ontario arent unique in Ontario.

Jones said he now has all of his documentation and is ready to apply to become a citizen. He hopes the lawsuit will lead to action and concrete policies on ensuring childrens aid societies stay on top of the immigration status of the children in their care.

After he ceased being a Crown ward, Jones pursued post-secondary education, studying construction and engineering. He now works as a project co-ordinator in Toronto, and wants to pursue his dream of building community centres.

I felt I should dedicate a path of my life, working with CAS and the government, to ensure that these facilities exist, he said. I want to consider myself a success story.

With files from The Canadian PressA long-time Toronto psychiatrist, who believes homosexuality is a sexual disorder that can be overcome, has been found guilty by Ontarios medical regulator of sexually abusing two of his male patients.

Dr. Melvyn Iscove, 72, was described in a decision of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontarios discipline committee as having a special interest in the treatment of patients with problems related to homosexuality.

He also engaged in mutual masturbation and oral sex with two male patients on different occasions during therapy sessions, and once had anal intercourse with one of them in his office, the committee found.

Neither complainant described any emotional or romantic aspects of the sexual activity with Dr. Iscove, and both said that at some point, they thought that the sexual activity was part of the therapy and an attempt to cure them of homosexuality by engaging in the acts, rather than fantasizing about them, the five-member discipline panel wrote in a decision released this week.

Theories on homosexuality being an illness have long been discredited  the World Health Organization removed it from its list of mental illnesses in 1992  and in 2015, Ontario became the first province to ban so-called conversion therapy that purported to change an individuals sexuality.

As for Iscove, he denied the sexual abuse allegations, which mostly date back to the 1990s and early 2000s. His licence was immediately suspended after the guilty findings pending a penalty hearing that has yet to be scheduled.

During a penalty hearing, doctors found to have had sex with a patient automatically lose their licence.

We're both very disappointed with the result, obviously, said Iscoves lawyer, Alfred Kwinter. Dr. Iscove has always denied the allegations, he continues to do so, and he's seriously considering an appeal.

The doctor still faces a separate discipline hearing for an allegation of improper conduct in a public mens washroom, according to his profile on the College of Physicians online register.

Iscove testified in his own defence, and the discipline panel noted that he studied and applied the theories of Dr. Edmund Bergler, a psychoanalyst who theorized on homosexuality in the 1950s. Passages of Berglers writings introduced at Iscoves discipline hearing included All attempts to prove homosexuality to be anything but an illness had in my opinion failed and there are no happy homosexuals.

The discipline panel found Iscove tried to soften the effect of these passages, but in the end, endorsed or at least accepted them.

Dr. Iscove also became evasive in responding to questions as to whether homosexuality should be considered an illness, and whether it was capable of being cured, despite that these views were clearly held by Dr. Bergler. the panel wrote.

Given that Dr. Iscove had admittedly devoted his professional life to studying and applying the theories of Dr. Bergler, it was not clear to the committee why Dr. Iscove refused to acknowledge that he agreed with Dr. Bergler on these points.

According to the panels decision, Iscove testified that his patient population includes a range of problems such as marital conflict, and sexual disorders, such as frigidity, over-sexuality and homosexuality.

He stated that these patients only became responsive to his therapy when they were ready to fight it (i.e., the homosexuality), the panel said.

Both patients identities are covered by a publication ban. Now in their 40s, both men  who the panel noted didnt know each other until the discipline proceedings  came forward in recent years, about incidents that took place when they were younger. The panel believed the incidents occurred as described by the patients.

Patient A had been referred to Iscove for treatment for depression and anxiety associated with fears he was gay, when he was in his twenties. The man, who considered Iscove a father figure, testified that Iscove would directly ask him about fantasies involving the two of them.

Patient A testified that one day Iscove embraced him and that the doctor said: What are you thinking you want to do? and then You may touch me if you like, and the patient then touched Iscoves erect penis through his pants.

The sexual activity subsequently progressed to Dr. Iscove removing his penis from his trousers, then Patient A doing the same, the panel wrote. This progressed on later occasions to mutual masturbation and oral sex. Patient A estimated that such activity occurred on between 10 and 20 occasions with oral sex occurring on one-third of the episodes.

Patient B began seeing Iscove in the late 80s when he was 18, after his parents recommended he see Iscove for depression and anxiety. The patient testified that at the time, he did not have any concerns about his sexuality, and that his relationships had been entirely heterosexual up to that point.

He said he was encouraged throughout his therapy to read material by Bergler, the 1950s theorist on homosexuality, and that at every appointment, he was asked about his dreams and fantasies, especially with respect to homosexual feelings.

Fantasies that involved heterosexual relationships were identified by Dr. Iscove as being a way of denying his homosexuality, the panel wrote. Patient B firmly believed that Dr. Iscove was attempting to cure his homosexuality.

The two began engaging in sexual activity around 2007, the panel wrote.

(Patient B) considered beginning a homosexual affair with an unspecified male. After discussing this with Dr. Iscove, who persuaded him that a random partner was undesirable, Dr. Iscove made it known that he, himself, would be available, the panel wrote.

They engaged in mutual masturbation and oral sex on a number of occasions, and Patient B testified he once brought a condom asking Iscove to penetrate him, which he did.

The panel also found that Iscove committed professional misconduct regarding boundary issues, including selling a juicer to Patient B, trying to sell personal items to Patient A, and inviting Patient A to an opera rehearsal as his guest.Following the revelation that now-accused serial killer Bruce McArthur was questioned by police in 2016 but let go, Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders announced Friday he will pursue an independent investigation into his forces handling of missing-persons cases.

Stressing that there is no higher priority than the safety of the city and the confidence of the public, Saunders announced the rare external probe following a week of mounting questions about his officers past handling of the case  foremost among them whether McArthurs alleged string of murders could have been stopped earlier.

My hope is that such a review will consider not only our investigative processes but take a hard look at systemic issues of bias of any kind. I believe these issues are serious enough to warrant a review, Saunders said, adding that he immediately launched a professional standards review after the past encounter with McArthur came to light to get to the bottom of what happened.

Saunders also said he was finalizing plans for the creation of a dedicated missing-persons unit, which will review and update missing-person reports on file as well as investigate high-priority new and historic cases.

Read more:

Man reported to Toronto police in 2016 that Bruce McArthur allegedly attempted to strangle him

Bruce McArthur was previously questioned, released by police in separate incident

Torontos gay community shocked in the wake of McArthur investigation revelations

As reported by the Star, a man went to Toronto police in 2016 to say that McArthur had attempted to strangle him, according to two sources with knowledge of the incident. The man alleged that he was having a consensual sexual encounter with McArthur in a parked car when he suddenly began choking him, a police source said.

The man fought him off, and immediately made his way to a nearby Toronto police division. However, McArthur followed suit and told police that the man was overreacting, the source said. McArthur was let go.

The following year, Andrew Kinsman and Selim Esen disappeared. The two men are now among the six McArthur is accused of killing; Dean Lisowick, another alleged McArthur victim, disappeared between 2016 and 2017.

The 2016 incident appears to be the second time McArthur came into contact with police in the years before he was charged with first-degree murder. Sources told the Star McArthur was questioned prior to the incident, around the time Toronto police launched Project Houston, an investigation into three missing men that began in November 2012 and was closed 18 months later because there was no evidence to suggest criminal activity.

McArthur is now charged in the deaths of two of those three missing men: Skandaraj Skanda Navaratnam and Majeed Kayhan.

Toronto police spokesperson Meaghan Gray said the service will not comment on who we may or may not have spoken to during Project Houston.

On Wednesday, Det. Sgt. Hank Idsinga, the lead homicide investigator on the case, revealed that he had initiated an internal investigation into possible police misconduct after he came upon concerning information regarding the actions of some officers in a previous occurrence involving McArthur. Idsinga did not provide any further detail.

McArthurs apparent decision to go to police after the 2016 incident echoes his move, more than a decade before, to directly confront the authorities in the face of potential allegations of assault. In 2001, after he hit a man numerous times with metal pipe, it was McArthur himself who went to police saying he may have hurt someone.

McArthur later pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon, and as a condition of his sentence was barred from Torontos Gay Village and from contacting male sex workers.

The details of the 2016 incident align with an account from Geoffrey Davis, who told the Star earlier this week that he has a friend who was assaulted by McArthur. In that incident, Daviss friend, whom he did not identify, said McArthur started choking him unexpectedly during a sexual encounter. The friend told him he went to the police immediately after it happened, though he does not know the date of the incident.

Saunders move for an external investigation comes in addition to an ongoing internal review of how the force handles missing-persons cases, which was launched late last year. Earlier this week, Mayor John Tory and Toronto police board chair Andy Pringle said they supported the launch of an external review.

The circumstances of the alleged misconduct in connection to the concerning past behaviour mentioned by Idsinga are not clear.

Generally, in a situation where there is an alleged assault, paperwork in the form of an occurrence report should be filed. In the case of any sexual assault or attempted sexual assault, solved or unsolved, including false allegations, the police officer in charge of an investigation must also submit whats called a ViCLAS report  the Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System, is a national database for tracking violent offenders and offences.

In addition, all homicides and attempted homicides solved or unsolved must be reported, as well as missing-persons cases where circumstances indicate a strong possibility of foul play. All this then becomes searchable on a national basis, and reports in the system are continually analyzed against other cases, in attempt to establish any possible linkages with other cases across Canada.

Read more: Opinion | Photos of alleged killer may be upsetting, but they are part of the story

McArthur, a 66-year-old former landscaper, is facing six charges of first-degree murder in the deaths Kinsman, Esen, Lisowick, Kayhan, Navaratnam, and Soroush Mahmudi. The men began disappearing from the area of the Church-Wellesley Village in 2010.

Police have found the dismembered human remains of seven individuals in the planters, three of whom have since been identified through forensic testing: Kinsman through fingerprint evidence, and Navaratnam and Mahmudi through dental records. DNA testing is underway to identify the remaining four sets of human remains.

In a news conference earlier this week, Idsinga took the exceedingly rare step of releasing a photo of a deceased man who police believe is McArthurs seventh victim, but who investigators have not yet been able to identify. Tips have since poured in, but police have not yet announced that he has been identified.

While Idsinga would not reveal the source of the photo of the dead man, police sources have told the Star investigators have gathered reams of evidence in the case, including digital images. Photos of dead men were found on McArthurs computer, according to a police source.

In his statement Friday, Saunders also said that he has launched a professional standards review of the deaths of Tess Richey and Alloura Wells, both of whom went missing last year and were later found dead.

In both cases, serious questions have arisen that concern the community and me, Saunders said.

With files from Kenyon Wallace and Jayme PoissonWendy Gillis can be reached at wgillis@thestar.ca

Read more about:North America Cup eligible Noahs Mill made his first trip to the winner's circle on Friday night (March 9) at Woodbine Racetrack despite being collared late in the fifth race.

Noahs Mill was collared by the pylon-skimming Bettor BB in deep stretch, but inherited his first career victory when the favoured first-place finisher was relegated to third for causing interference at the mid-mile mark in the $14,000 pace for non-winners of one race or $9,000 lifetime.

Noahs Mill got away fourth through a :28.2 first quarter before sweeping to the lead past the top pair that prompted the judges' inquiry. Bettor BB got the jump on Noahs Mill from the pocket down the backstretch and he was urged by early leader Stormy Cash, but had caused interference while doing so. Noahs Mill charged by as they reached the half in :57.4 and proceeded to three-quarters in 1:27.2 with Redwood Again in pursuit on the outside. Bettor BB managed to find room to shoot through inside as the wire approached and reached the finish line in 1:57, with Noahs Mill a neck back and Stormy Cash regaining third one and a half lengths behind. However, the mid-mile mishap cost him the victory and Noahs Mill was deemed the official winner.

James MacDonald drove the Camluck-Tarport Baccarat gelding for trainer Isaac Waxman and owner Brenda Selwyn Waxman of Dundas, Ont. A $36,000 yearling purchase at the Forest City Sale from breeder Seelster Farms, Noahs Mill has competed in seven races (four this year) with a pair of runner-up finishes and a third-place effort among his top results.

He paid $7 to win as the 5-2 second choice on the betting board among 10 starters.

Seventy-nine three-year-old pacers have been nominated to the 35th edition of the Pepsi North America Cup. The first sustaining payment is due Thursday, March 15 and the final two payments are due April 15 and May 15.

To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.A roller-coaster Progressive Conservative leadership contest that was triggered by a sexual impropriety scandal six weeks ago concluded with a dramatic courtroom cliffhanger.

As Tories elect a new leader Saturday to succeed the discredited Patrick Brown, a judge rejected a last-minute injunction request to allow an additional week of voting.

The convention would have to be rescheduled and perhaps relocated if I were to extend the voting period. The PC leadership campaign would be further postponed, wrote Justice Todd Archibald of Ontarios Superior Court in a decision released almost eight hours after Fridays noon voting deadline had passed, leaving anxious Tories on the edge of their seats all day.

One more week without a leader impacts every member of the Progressive Conservative party of Ontario, continued Archibald, noting the unprecedented circumstances and tight timeline of the leadership race coming against a backdrop of a June 7 election.

A delay would have cost the Conservatives $250,000 in convention rescheduling and mailing expenses.

Even though some 64,053 party members had already cast ballots  a record for the party  some felt disenfranchised after not receiving registration packages in the mail.

Lawyer Jeffrey Radnoff submitted affidavits from six PC members unable to vote because they still needed a personal security code to do so, and court was presented with a list of more than 150 other members also shut out  including candidate Tanya Granic Allens campaign manager.

The two sides wrangled over whether the complainants should have first gone through internal party processes, exhausting those before turning to the courts.

Read more:

Opinion | Edward Keenan: Merriam-Webster green lights dumpster fire just in time to explain the Ontario PC leadership race

Opinion | Martin Regg Cohn: Ontarios Tories are facing a Trumpian moment of truth as they choose their next leader

Your 4 Ontario PC leadership candidates: A Ford, a Mulroney, an unknown and the favourite

PC lawyer Gina Brannan said the mail-out issue has been known for days and she was suspicious the court application was brought at the very last moment when it could have been brought much earlier, and should have  I ask you to draw the inference that theres some sort of mischief afoot.

As first disclosed by the Star earlier Friday, all four leadership campaigns rejected a proposal for the PINs to be emailed to members earlier in the week.

Still, the Doug Ford, Caroline Mulroney and Granic Allen campaigns all backed a weeklong extension, with the latter sending a lawyer to court to speak as an intervener.

Only front-runner Christine Elliott opposed the delay.

We were encouraged to see the decision of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice today which validates our election process. We know Ontarians are counting on us to come together so we can all finally turn the page on Kathleen Wynne, Elliott said Friday night.

Radnoff, and lawyer John Nunziata  who announced news of the injunction application on Twitter Thursday night  said the Ford campaign was not involved.

Ford spokesperson Lyndsey Vanstone said our campaign learned about this from Twitter and have no involvement.

Brannan told court there have to be cutoff dates for registering and voting, which are prescribed in party rules.

At some point, you have to draw a line in the sand  it cant be the never-ending story, she told court, arguing the delay would cause the party irreparable harm and that the new party leader needs to be chosen and to get out and campaign as soon as possible.

About 1,000 party members will gather Saturday in Markham to learn who will lead them into the June election to try to topple Premier Kathleen Wynnes Liberals.

Mulroney, a rookie PC candidate in York-Simcoe, insisted she was feeling very strong, very confident in spite of polls suggesting she is in third place behind Elliott and Ford.

My campaign requested that we extend the voting. They chose not to take our recommendation. Now, weve got to move forward, Mulroney told CP24.

The PC party is strong. People are looking forward to getting the Liberals out of office.

A new Mainstreet Research poll of 18,308 party members found Elliott is favoured to be the eventual winner of the preferential-ballot election Saturday.

The survey, which used emails and automated phone calls and was conducted from March 1 until Wednesday, is considered accurate to within 0.7 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

It suggested that Elliott get 35.2 per cent on the first ballot to 34.9 per cent for Ford, 17.3 per cent for Mulroney, and 12.5 per cent for Granic Allen.

Mulroneys later-ballot support will likely go to Elliott and Granic Allens to Ford.

With that in mind, Mainstreet did 1,000 simulations of the vote using all the responses and found Elliott winning 53 per cent of the time to Fords 47 per cent.

We will not be surprised if Ford wins, even though Elliott leads by a nose, said pollster Quito Maggi.

The former one-term city councillor revved up the rhetoric Friday, echoing his late brother Rob Fords stop the gravy train mantra that won him the 2010 Toronto mayoral race before a crack-smoking scandal derailed things.

Were going to go down there and sanitize Queens Park  and its politically corrupt from top to bottom, Ford thundered in Barrie.

Saturdays contest caps perhaps the most tumultuous six weeks in the long history of the PC party.

The Tories had been gearing up for the June 7 election under Brown when CTV News aired a story Jan. 24 about two women who made sexual impropriety allegations against him when they were 19 years old and he was a Conservative MP.

While the leader denied the charges in a teary 81-second statement to the media that night, he finally resigned at 1:25 a.m. on Jan. 25 under pressure from his furious caucus and after the mass exodus of his top aides.

MPP Vic Fedeli (Nipissing) was anointed interim leader by his fellow MPPs on Jan. 26 hours before the party executive overruled caucuss wishes and decided to hold a leadership election.

Fedeli spent the next few days rooting out any rot from the Brown era.

On Jan. 28, he got rid of a number of loyalists to the discredited former leader, including Bob Stanley, the PC executive director and a key figure in many of the candidate nomination problems.

That same day, party president Rick Dykstra was forced to resign after being contacted by Macleans magazine about allegations of sexual assault against him. Dykstra has denied any wrongdoing.

On Friday, Economic Development Minister Steven Del Duca said the Tories disorganization is an indictment of their ability to govern after the election.

They cant manage their own affairs, said Del Duca, adding the problems suggest a PC government would be ill-equipped to oversee health-care, education, and other provincial responsibilities.

Read more about:YOUNTVILLE, Calif.Three workers for a program that treats veterans for post-traumatic stress disorder were found dead Friday along with the suspect who took them hostage in a daylong standoff at the largest veterans home in the U.S., officials said.

The bodies of the four were discovered nearly eight hours after the gunman slipped into an employee going-away party in a building where combat veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan receive treatment, said California Highway Patrol Assistant Chief Chris Childs.

The three female victims were employees of the non-profit organization Pathway Home treatment program, which is housed on the campus of the Veterans Home of California-Yountville.

Napa County Sheriff John Robertson declined to identify the victims and the gunman Friday night, saying family members still needed to be notified.

Authorities said they know who the gunman is but did not reveal his identity or know the motive for the attack at the state-run Veterans Home of California-Yountville, in one of Napa Valleys most upscale towns in the heart of wine country.

Childs said investigators have not determined a motive.

Its far too early to say if they were chosen at random, Childs said.

Yountville is about 85 kilometres north of San Francisco.

A sheriffs deputy responding to an emergency call shortly after 10 a.m. got into a shootout with the gunman, but the officer was not injured.

Highway Patrol Sgt. Robert Nacke said negotiators were unable to make contact with the gunman throughout the day.

Larry Kamer told The Associated Press that his wife, Devereaux Smith, was at a morning staff party and told him by phone that the gunman had entered the room quietly, letting some people leave while taking others hostage.

Smith, a fundraiser for the non-profit Pathway Home, was still inside the facilitys dining hall and was not allowed to leave, he said. The Pathway Home, a privately run program on the grounds of the veterans home, treats veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Police evacuated the property and closed off nearby roads. An armoured police vehicle, ambulances and several fire trucks were at the facility, which houses about 1,000 residents.

Army veteran and resident Bob Sloan, 73, was working at the homes TV station when a co-worker came in and said he had heard four gunshots coming from the Pathway Home. Sloan sent alerts for residents to stay put.

Jan Thornton of Vallejo, California, was among hundreds of relatives worried about how their loved ones were coping with the lockdown. Thornton said her 96-year-old father, a Second World War fighter pilot, was inside a hospital wing and that she had reached one of his friends who said he was safe.

Still, she worried about the stress of the lockdown, considering her fathers age and that he has PTSD and some dementia. Thornton said her heart just bleeds for the people that are being held hostage.

A group of about 80 students who were on the homes grounds were safely evacuated after being locked down, the sheriff said. The teens from Justin-Siena High School were at a theatre rehearsing a play.

They were a distance away from the shooting situation, Robertson said.

Some of the children were driven away on school buses and others in cars. Sasha Craig spotted a car carrying her 15- and 17-year-old children and ran toward it blowing kisses.

There are my kids, she said. Like many parents, she was texting with her children inside and said the teenagers were telling their parents to chill.

The state Veterans Affairs department says the home that opened in 1984 is the nations largest veterans home, with about 1,000 elderly and disabled residents.

Yvette Bennett, a wound-care supply worker who supplies the veterans centre, was turned back when she tried to deliver what she called urgently needed medical supplies for two patients inside.

Of all the medical institutions she has worked with, this is the most placid, calm, serene place, she said. Earlier this week, when she last visited, she asked a doctor, Whats your magic here?

And then 48 hours later this happens, Bennett said.

Yountville is a small town thats home to wineries such as Domaine Chandon, which is less than a half-mile from the veterans facility, and Thomas Kellers famed restaurant The French Laundry, which is about a mile away.Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the U.S. wants to negotiate exemptions for steel and aluminum tariffs before they take effect in two weeks as pressure grows from allies who are threatening retaliation if the duties are applied to them.

Ideally, some of them will be dealt with in this 15-day process so that they dont hit those countries, Mnuchin said Friday, citing the legal time-frame for implementing the tariffs.

Im not saying every single one will be dealt with, Mnuchin said in response to questions from reporters in New York.

Read more:

Canada, Mexico get temporary exemptions from Trumps steel, aluminum tariffs

U.S. allies react with bewilderment to Trumps steel tariffs

EU trade officials warn no winners in trade war

Trump announced on Thursday that hes slapping a 25 per cent tariff on steel imports and 10 per cent on aluminum. He excluded Mexico and Canada as long as they negotiate a new North American Free Trade Agreement, and threw the door open to further exclusions for countries and niche products.

Allies from the European Union to Australia and Japan have said theyll seek exemptions and dismissed the national security concerns that the U.S. invoked to justify the tariffs.

The U.S. Commerce Department is due to release regulations for the tariffs within 10 days. Mnuchin said that the secretary of commerce is entitled to issue waivers for specific products, while only the president can exempt entire nations.

There remains a risk of backlash from allies who seek exemptions and dont get them.

Trumps official proclamations say that any country with which we have a security relationship is invited to discuss alternative ways to address the security risks of steel and aluminum imports, a process that could lead to other countries being excluded. U.S. trade chief Robert Lighthizer will be in charge of working out deals with other partners.

European Union trade chief Cecilia Malmstrom vowed to press for an EU exemption when she meets Lighthizer in Brussels on Saturday.

Europe is certainly not a threat to American internal security, so we expect to be excluded, Malmstrom, the 28-nation EUs trade commissioner, told reporters in Brussels on Friday.

Americas friends deserve flexibility and co-operation when the measures are imposed, Trump said Thursday at the signing ceremony.

We suspect many countries will argue against tariffs before the enforcement date, but those that dont receive exemptions will respond with retaliatory measures, Oxford Economics said in a note. The key risk is that this then pushes the U.S. to escalate tensions and counter-retaliate outside of World Trade Organization supervision.

Exempting some nations marks a compromise from Trumps initial plan for across-the-board tariffs, which was harshly criticized by members of his own Republican party who said it would cost U.S. jobs, raise consumer prices and hit American manufacturers. Trading partners including the EU threatened retaliation, triggering fears of a trade war.

China was quick to respond to Trumps announcement. The Ministry of Commerce said in a statement Friday that China will take strong measures to protect its own interests and warned the U.S. governments actions will seriously shake the global trade order.

The U.S. says China is the main culprit in flooding the market with cheap steel and aluminum, dragging down prices and putting American producers out of business. While China accounts for just a small portion of U.S. imports, the Trump administration has said it diverts its shipments of the metals through other countries on the way to the U.S.

The reality is that the real friends are going to be those who are willing to partner with us on national security issues and also look to make sure there is free and fair and reciprocal trade, White House Legislative Affairs Director Marc Short said in an interview on Bloomberg TV on Friday. We want to make sure that for those who are looking to take advantage of American markets that we have the same opportunities in their markets.

Trumps authority to establish the tariffs stems from a Commerce Department investigation that found that imports of the metals pose a risk to national security. The probes were authorized under the seldom-used Section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act, which gives the president broad powers to impose trade restrictions on domestic security grounds.

Read more about:BRUSSELSThe European Union and Japan pressed U.S. President Donald Trumps trade envoy Saturday to exempt them, as longtime U.S. allies, from upcoming steel tariffs that have sparked fears of a new trade war.

But they appeared to win no quick concessions.

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem said after meetings in Brussels that she got no immediate clarity on the exact U.S. procedure for exemption, and that new talks are planned for next week.

Read more:

In this depressed Pennsylvania steel town, Trumps tariffs meet deep skepticism  and almost no one wants to hit Canada

U.S. wants to decide on tariff exemptions in two weeks, Mnuchin says

Opinion | Editorial: Canada should tell Trump to take a hike on tariffs

The tariffs come into force in two weeks. If the 28-nation EU cannot secure an exemption, it has threatened to impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products like peanut butter and orange juice. Japan has warned of the dangers of tit-for-tat measures.

Malmstroem said in a statement that she had a frank discussion with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer about the steel tariffs, insisting that the European Union must be excluded because it is a close U.S. ally.

The two also met with Japans Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan Hiroshige Seko, and all three pledged in a statement afterward to work together to fight dumping that hurts jobs and industries around the world.

The meetings were previously planned, but took on greater importance because of Trumps announcement of a 25 per cent tariff on steel imports and 10 per cent on aluminum imports.

Key U.S. trading partners and businesses have warned the tariffs could backfire, provoking a trade war and hurting allies like the EU and Japan more than China, their main target.

Trump has said Canada and Mexico are exempt for now, and other countries could be spared if they can convince the administration their steel and aluminum exports dont threaten American jobs and industry.

Another country that appears set to be granted an exemption from the tariffs: Australia. After a telephone call with Turnbull on Friday, Trump tweeted: Spoke to PM @TurnbullMalcolm of Australia. He is committed to having a very fair and reciprocal military and trade relationship.

Working very quickly on a security agreement so we dont have to impose steel or aluminum tariffs on our ally, the great nation of Australia!

Turnbull went a step further, telling reporters in South Australia on Saturday that he was very pleased the President was able to confirm that he would not have to impose tariffs on Australian steel and aluminum.

There appeared some doubt between the two countries over Trumps choice of words. While Trump highlighted the nations military and trade relationships, Turnbull moved to clarify Trumps comment about a new security agreement, saying the president was referring to the legal paperwork that would lock the exemption into place.

Turnbull added Australia had the closest possible military and security alliance with the United States and it gets closer all of the time.

Trump insisted in a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron  a leading EU player staunchly opposed to the tariffs  that the decision is necessary and appropriate to protect national security.

The White House said in a statement Saturday that both presidents discussed alternative ways to address United States concerns, without elaborating.

Japans government has warned the measure could hurt its economic relations with the U.S. But Seko also cautioned that falling to exchanges of unilateral measures will not be in the interest of any country, according to the Kyodo news agency. He was apparently referring to the EU threats of retaliation.

The EU insists that it is committed to open, global trade. Malmstroem said the real problem is an oversupply of steel on global markets, and she rejected Trumps assertion that the tariffs are needed to protect U.S. national security, especially when most EU countries are members of NATO.

The EU exported about 5.5 million tons of steel to the U.S. last year. The U.S. bought 5 per cent of Japans steel last year but just 1.1 per cent of Chinas steel.

Foreign steel producers are not only concerned about losing access to the U.S. market but also that steel from other exporters will flood already saturated markets, threatening jobs elsewhere.

The EU has warned that it stands ready to slap rebalancing tariffs on about 2.8 billion euros ($3.4 billion) worth of U.S. steel, agricultural and other products, like peanut butter, cranberries and orange juice.

Read more about:POMONA, Calif.A gunman who shot two California police officers, killing one of them, was arrested Saturday after barricading himself in an apartment and holding a SWAT team at bay for more than 15 hours, authorities said.

Police in the city of Pomona tried to stop the man around 9 p.m. Friday after receiving a call about reckless driving, but he refused to pull over and led officers on a pursuit, Los Angeles County sheriffs officials said. The man crashed during the chase and fled into an apartment complex.

The officers pursued the suspect, who fired through the door, shooting one of the officers, Los Angeles Sheriff Jim McDonnell said. A second officer tried to rescue his wounded comrade and the suspect fired through the door again, striking the officer in the face, the sheriff said.

The suspect, whose name hasnt been released, was holed up in the apartment for more than 15 hours as a SWAT team used flash-bang grenades and cameras to watch him and crisis negotiators tried to coax him into coming out peacefully.

The man was taken into custody and led out of the building wearing only his underpants.

Pomona Police Officer Gregory Casillas, 30, of Upland, was killed. The other officer was undergoing surgery Saturday but was expected to recover, officials said.

He left his family at home to protect yours and his ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten, Pomona Police Chief Michael Olivieri said at a news conference Saturday afternoon.

Casillas first joined the police department in Pomona, which is 48 kilometres east of Los Angeles, as a records specialist in 2014. He then worked as a jailer and became a sworn police officer in September. He leaves behind a wife and two small children.

Gov. Jerry Brown ordered flags at the Capitol to fly at half-staff and said Casillas brave sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Outside the Los Angeles County coroners office, dozens of police cars lined the streets and officers saluted as the slain officers body was brought there in a procession Saturday morning.Having known and watched Caroline Mulroney for years in the context of the Toronto social sphere, its been pretty fascinating watching her political metamorphosis in recent months. Consistent with her monochromatic tones and equestrian-like silhouettes  and always on-point with a low, steady, never hyperbolic voice, the only daughter of a one-time Prime Minister, not to mention Harvard grad  Mulroney has always had an excellent Yelp rating in society circles. (Its why other Toronto gala fixtures like Trinity Jackman, Suzanne Cohon and Amoryn Engel immediately circled their wagons on social media, and beyond, for her candidacy.)

In fact, in a scene with no shortage of backbiting and loose talk, I dont think Ive ever heard a bad thing said about her, which  hey  is an accomplishment in itself.

Like that other political Caroline, i.e. Kennedy  whom shes always reminded me of  she does noblesse oblige exceptionally well. But also like that other Caroline  who once had an aborted run for the U.S. Senate, and looked more than a bit shell-shocked when she discovered she had to answer questions from the media after a lifetime of diligently doing the precise opposite  Mulroney has also given some of the same muddled vibes during this leadership race. Most acutely? During a klutzy press conference when she stammered answering questions about her childrens private schooling, and then, uh-oh, ended the interview prematurely after mere minutes. (Its not that she couldnt have seen the questions coming. Its that in the moment, her flight-or-fight instincts seemed to be sending her mixed messages after so many years of being a Mona Lisa in the public sphere.)

Though the principle bio-points are, by now, largely known  she grew up in the glare, and cocoon, of 24 Sussex, where, for instance, she once welcomed Princess Diana to dinner at their home, and during which time she was privy, with her other siblings, to a private post-concert meet with Michael Jackson  its her post-Ottawa life thats perhaps most illuminating. When she first moved to Toronto a decade ago, after a stint in New York, bringing her blue-chip husband Andrew Lapham with her, I remember reporting that none other than Peter and Melanie Munk were on hand to throw them a welcoming party.

Some time later, I dished on a birthday party for a friend she happened to be present at  in the middle of the day, on a weekday. Held poolside, with the likes of socialite Suzanne Rogers also in the constellation, it was a party that had on hand a handwriting analyst, there to provide a diagnosis of their doodles. Paging Big Little Lies.

Tracking her on the political hustings of late, where her hustle has been admirable, it wasnt lost on me that when she showed up for one early meet-and-greet, she did so in a bright blue jacket, courtesy of the Canadian brand Smythe. Part of the local uniform of the thinking mother, Smythe has also seen its jackets show up a fair bit on both the Duchess of Cambridge and Meghan Markle, the BFF of Carolines sister-in-law Jessica Mulroney.

One could go to town just playing six-degrees with the political heiress.

Certainly, Caroline was the only person to enter the PC race to whom Michael Buble  30 million records sold!  owes, at least in part, his career. His big break came when he played at her nuptials in Montreal, when uber-producer David Foster, another Mulroney guest, discovered him.

Certainly, shes the only person to enter the race whose much-ado wedding was also attended by Kathie Lee Gifford and is, alas, even named-checked in Barbara Bushs memoirs.

Certainly she is the only one whose eldest child bears such a weighty name. Lewis Lapham III owes his name to the first Lewis Lapham, circa the turn of the last century, the Lewis who founded Texaco, and later built a castle known as Waveny Park in New Canaan, Conn. (a house featured in the 2004 remake of Stepford Wives).

Certainly, she is the only candidate who, in terms of the current Whit Stillman-like circles of New York society, has a brother-in-law, Winston Lapham, whose own romantic resume has extended to heiresses like Amanda Hearst and Hayley Bloomingdale.

And, in the context of the lesser-known Mila Mulroney side of her family, she is the only candidate whose grandfather, Dr. Dimitrije Pivnicki, a one-time prominent psychiatrist, counted among his patients Margaret Trudeau, mother of the current prime minister.

Small world, right?

Speaking of the Prime Minister: though Carolines candidacy has given rise to inevitable comparisons to Justin, its equally interesting to point out the nuances of their respective trajectories. Though our PM has obviously more than made up for any lost time in the glamour-circle stakes since assuming office, his pre-political biography (and life in his 20s) couldnt have been more different than Carolines, be it in his schooling, the circles he travelled in, or his choice of marriage partner. (More bohemian in scope, less society-steeped, and based more or less in Canada.) For Mulroney, a simple Google trail betrays a different life-story  party photos, for instance, of her in Palm Beach with billionaire cosmetics mogul Leonard Lauder.

In some ways, in her keep-her-head-down, earnest manner, Caroline Mulroney makes me think of Chelsea Clinton. In others, however, shes Ivanka Trump, redolent of what culture critic Anne Helen Peterson has described as Ivankas force field  composed of her innocuous image, her carefully cultivated figure, her children, and her silence.

Like the latter, Mulroney wears her hair long, a subtle revolt to the vox populi often prescribed to ladies over 40 about long hair in general, and especially for ladies on the hunt for high office (think Teresa May, Angela Merkel, or Nancy Pelosi, or, even closer to home, the likes of Rachel Notley, the premier of Alberta, or, heck, Kathleen Wynne, the woman whose job Caroline endeavours to pinch).

In any case, this is one Mulroney whos only getting started.

Read more about:Senator Lynn Beyak keeps on fighting the bad fight, Editorial, March 5

In the reconciliation process, Canada is getting an opportunity for couples counselling in a longtime-abusive relationship, when our First Nations should probably just be filing for divorce. We must embrace that chance with gratitude and humility  asking for forgiveness, not thanks.

Instead, we have a sitting senator re-contextualizing colonial violence, like a wife-beater quibbling with his battered spouse about the intent and mechanics of smacking her around.

Lynn Beyak, with her tone-deaf, settler-serving revisionist history, has no place in the leadership of this country right now, and hopefully that seat wont be hers much longer.

If she wants to continue this hateful rhetoric, there should be no publicly subsidized platform for it. Free speech doesnt entail free hosting and IT support. If she thinks time will vindicate her, build a Squarespace page for posterity. They have some very attractive templates that might distract from the ugly views.

Ian McLeod, Montreal, Que.

Thank you for your editorial on Senator Lynn Beyak. I read it with interest and very much appreciated your reminder that, as senators, we should work to uphold the highest standards of dignity inherent to the position of the senator.

In the interests of our responsibility to uphold the dignity and rights of all Canadians, particularly those such as the survivors of residential schools, whose interests are too often not respected nor represented, I believe we must all do our utmost to remedy and not repeat injustices of the past. As members of the Senate of Canada, it is our individual and collective obligation to fulfil these responsibilities and to act with integrity.

For this very reason, I have offered to Senator Beyak that if she chooses to remove the letters herself, I would be willing to withdraw my motion. This offer stands.

Senator Kim Pate, independent senator for Ontario, Ottawa

Canadian newspapers on a daily basis publish articles describing U.S. President Donald Trump, the most powerful man in the free world, as a buffoon, a racist, a homophobe, etc. Yet he is not forced to step down.

Compare this to Canadian Senator Lynn Beyak, who made a personal-opinion comment that some good came out of residential schools, which I agree with, but apparently is against Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus reconciliation agenda. For this, Beyak is being vilified and judged as unfit to hold elected or appointed public office even by her own Conservatives. Sad.

Doug Wadel, Dunnville, Ont.While de-cluttering I came across the March 10, 1965, Toronto Star (Canadian Weekly) article about a sit-in and civil disobedience protest in front of the American Consulate on University Avenue supporting the Martin Luther King civil rights march to Selma, Ala.

The photos and the details brought back many memories. Sitting (and sleeping) on the pavement through four days and nights; participating in non-violent civil disobedience by moving en masse toward the stairs of the Consulate and then going limp when touched by police officers, and being (mostly gently) picked up and tossed back into the crowd; being bussed to Ottawa and Parliament Hill; becoming aware that we were being part of something that needed attention; sharing the response from others; the constant singing and the power of song.

And we made a difference. And, yes, as any experience can, it changed my life.

K. Skowron, Victoria, B.C.Trump proves Canada is unprepared for new world, Walkom, March 7

Unlike Thomas Walkom, I think Canada is prepared for the new world. Canada is just not prepared, like many other countries, for the rapid change in economic, protectionist policies being implemented by the president of our southern neighbour.

Contrary to Walkoms opinion, I am concerned that these policies will result in a recession in the U.S. Walkom quotes a Nobel-Prize-winning economist who said trade wars dont cause recessions because they dont reduce global demand for goods and services.

Demand will continue, but prices will be driven up by the tariffs and other protectionist policies, since U.S. corporations will be forced to use higher-priced raw material in their manufacturing, whether purchased at home or abroad.

For example, the price of new housing in the U.S. has gone up because of the tariffs on Canadian lumber. As we know, salaries never rise as much or as quickly as the price of goods. End result: consumers will buy less, resulting in a downturn in the economy and possibly a recession.

Since the U.S. economy is so large, a recession in the U.S. will have a ripple effect around the world. Canada, the largest trading partner of the U.S., will not be exempt from this recession. Our national pride will be on display as we claim that we are different and what happens in the U.S. will not necessary happen here. But we all know that, economically, what happens in the U.S. will happen here. And the resignation of U.S. President Donald Trumps economic adviser, Gary Cohn, only means it will get worse before it gets better.

If Walkom is correct in his assertion that Canada is unprepared, then perhaps we need to thank Mr. Trump because he is forcing us to become prepared.

Canada and Canadians are resilient. Even with new tariffs, the possible demise of NAFTA and a recession, we will survive and be even stronger.

Phil Buddle, Toronto

You have to love U.S. President Donald Trumps bombastic style when it comes to NAFTA negotiations.

He hasnt moved off his original position in hopes of wearing down his opponents. When that didnt work, he threatened to negotiate separate agreements with Canada and Mexico. When that didnt gain traction, he threatened to tear up NAFTA.

His latest threat is to introduce tariffs on steel and aluminum, using the safety and security clause within the World Trade Organization agreement. He believes invoking such measures would allow him to protect his home-grown steel and aluminum producers from outsiders.

That would be a hard case to win. It didnt work when former president George H.W. Bush was in office.

Trump has scuppered any success of winning this argument by exempting both Canada and Mexico if they agree to his terms on NAFTA. So much for his claim for safety and security.

Setting aside the resulting impact of multiple trade wars on every countrys economy, you have to give Trump full credit. He will give up something he doesnt have (unilateral implementation of tariffs) for something else he doesnt have (a NAFTA agreement).

What a deal maker. He is using the first rule in bargaining. Negotiate something you dont have to get something else you dont have.

Frank Feeley, Fonthill, Ont.

One thing Donald Trump is perfecting during his unbelievable, despicable and turbulent presidency is the long-discredited practice of dog-whistle politics, long a mainstay of such organizations as the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups.

Dog-whistle politics is political messaging using coded language that appears to mean one thing to the general public but has an additional, more specific resonance for a targeted sub-group (Trumps base). The coded words and phrases are designed to be understood by only a small section of the population.

Considering the vile hate and racism exhibited by Trump over time, should anyone be surprised with his use of this morally reprehensible and ethically despicable practice?

Emile Therien, Ottawa

Stand up to these threats, Editorial, March 6

Most of U.S. President Donald Trumps bizarre statements  making Mexico pay for his border wall and threatening to destroy North Korea  amounted to nothing. His plan to impose tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum will also amount to nothing. Cooler American heads will show him that the U.S. economy would be hurt big-time by such a stupid move.

William Bedford, Newmarket

There have been several letters to editor and other articles wondering what Canada can do about Trumps new policies. He is willing to play hardball, while Canada doesnt seem to have a clue as to how to do this. Here are a couple of ideas:

First, remind them that we can militarily pull out of any country where we are actively helping the U.S. We are not on any contract to be doing this.

Second, remind them that most of the hydro electricity powering most of New England all the way to New York City (including Trump Tower) comes from Quebec. On this one, we are on contract and probably cant do it, but just the thought of it may make him understand how we feel about this.

This all may sound very vindictive but there is not much else we can do. We are too small and they are too big for any type of trade war.

Bob Heard, Port Colborne, Ont.

Read more about:Wynne fields questions on race, gender bias, March 8

The lack of accountability in Ontario public schools has gone unaddressed for far too long. Our provincial government continues to provide school boards with funding for services with no repercussions for school boards that dont follow through with providing those services.

Premier Kathleen Wynne describes this lack of accountability as uneven services in Ontario schools. The definition of uneven is not level or smooth, like the floors are cracked and uneven.

The fact that Premier Wynne minimizes the issue with the use of this type of language demonstrates the callous disregard for our children with disabilities. School boards should be given a choice, either to provide the services for which they are receiving funding, or have the funding removed from the school board and distributed directly to the families.

Our children are not cracks in the floor for school boards to continue to walk on.

Louise Vonghia, Georgetown

Read more about:The Alberta Standardbred Horse Association (ASHA) has announced the return of the Meridian Farms 'Name That Foal' contest featuring a filly in need of a name by Mystician out of the Sportswriter mare Southwind Luna.

Prizes will be awarded for Best Name, Best Letter (explaining why the participant selected the name entered for the foal) and Best Art (a drawing of the foal) in two age groups for eight-year-olds & under and nine to 16-year-olds.

The contest rules state that the name must be a maximum of 18 letters (including spaces) and may contain only letters (no numbers, graphics, etc.).

All entries must be received in the ASHA office via mail, fax or email by April 23, 2018.

The winners will be announced on May 13, 2018 at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino in the winner's circle.

For more information, visit the ASHA website at asha.ab.ca.Intel is reportedly open to bidding for Broadcom should it look like Broadcom's bid for Qualcomm will succeed. But any such effort would face big hurdles.

In case you thought the M&A drama surrounding Qualcomm (QCOM) - Get QUALCOMM Incorporated Report , NXP Semiconductors (NXPI) - Get NXP Semiconductors NV Report and Broadcom (AVGO) - Get Broadcom Inc. Report couldn't get messier, Intel (INTC) - Get Intel Corporation (INTC) Report has reportedly added a crazy new twist.

A Wall Street Journal report that arrived after the close on Friday said that Intel could make an offer for Broadcom if it looks like Broadcom's hostile bid for Qualcomm -- and by proxy, NXP, which Qualcomm is set to acquire -- will succeed. But, it's hardly clear just how willing Intel is to seriously pursue a deal for Broadcom in the name of preventing two major rivals from joining forces.

And in the event that Intel is willing to seriously pursue an acquisition of Broadcom, which would undoubtedly create a PC, mobile and data center chip monster, it's far from certain that Broadcom shareholders and antitrust regulators will play ball.

The WSJ's sources say that Intel has been mulling a bid for Broadcom since late 2017, and is eager for Broadcom's pursuit of Qualcomm to fail "as the combined company would pose a serious competitive threat." They caution, however, that it's "far from guaranteed" Intel will make an offer, and one source calls it "unlikely" to happen.

In a statement given to Reuters, Intel slightly downplayed the WSJ's report. The company said it won't comment on "rumors or speculation," and that its focus is on integrating recent major acquisitions. Broadcom shares rose 3.4% in after-hours trading on Friday, while Intel's fell less than 1%.

U.S. regulators may have just spared Intel from having to make any immediate decision regarding Broadcom. Earlier this week, Qualcomm postponed its annual meeting (originally set for March 6) to April 5 after the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) said it's reviewing Broadcom's bid for potential national-security issues related to the company's R&D spending plans in the event it lands Qualcomm. With Broadcom set to become a U.S.-incorporated company within two months and promising to make big 5G R&D investments should it acquire Qualcomm, it's by no means guaranteed the CFIUS review will force Broadcom to abandon its bid.

A tally of shareholder votes conducted by Bloomberg suggests that Broadcom was poised to succeed in its attempt to take control of Qualcomm's 11-person board with a 6-director slate, had the annual meeting been held on time. It's worth noting here that Broadcom's $79-per-share cash/stock offer for Qualcomm represents a 45% premium to where Qualcomm traded before the first reports of a Broadcom bid arrived last October, and a 25% premium to Qualcomm's Friday close.

A mid-February Financial Times report stated Qualcomm is open to a deal with Broadcom involving a price above $90 per share. On Friday, Qualcomm announced ex-CEO Paul Jacobs is stepping down as chairman following an 8-year run, and is being replaced by former Cardinal Health CFO Jeff Henderson. That has fueled speculation Qualcomm's board might be more willing to negotiate with Broadcom going forward.

If Qualcomm and Broadcom were able to come to terms, and Intel concluded it needs to bid for Broadcom to thwart this tie-up from happening, chances are that Intel would have to offer a hefty premium for Broadcom investors to agree to a deal. Part of the reason why many Qualcomm investors are open to Broadcom's overtures is that Qualcomm's shares have gone sideways for about 6 years. Broadcom, on the other hand, has been on a massive 5-year tear as the company's aggressive M&A strategy keeps paying dividends.

Broadcom closed on Friday with a $104 billion equity value. Intel, which closed with a $244 billion equity value, would likely have to offer more than $130 billion for a deal to be considered. After accounting for Broadcom's net debt, the deal's total cost could be around $140 billion or higher, partly offset by any free cash flow (FCF) Broadcom produces until the time the deal closes.

There's also a measure of risk that Intel investors will be reluctant to support a deal. Though the specifics depend on how much of the deal's payout is in cash versus stock, odds are a Broadcom purchase would significantly boost an Intel net debt balance that's currently at $13 billion.

And at $140 billion, the purchase price would be equal to about 17 times Broadcom's expected 2018 FCF. Not a sky-high valuation by any means, but not a dirt-cheap one either. Especially given that cost and pricing synergies (relative to deal size) might not be as high as they have been for many chip M&A deals to date, given Broadcom's reputation for running a tight ship and engaging in hardball pricing tactics.

Moreover, just as antitrust questions have swirled around Broadcom's pursuit of Qualcomm, regulators would very closely scrutinize any Intel-Broadcom deal. With the companies' product lines overlapping in several areas -- among them, Ethernet switching and controller chips, Ethernet adapters, Wi-Fi chips and solid-state drive (SSD) controller chips -- asset sales would be a prerequisite for any deal clearing.

But regardless of how seriously Intel winds up pursuing Broadcom, the WSJ's report does suggest the chip giant is quite nervous about the threat a Broadcom/Qualcomm/NXP pairing would pose. As it is, Qualcomm and Intel are rivals in the 4G modem and infotainment processor markets. And in 2017, Qualcomm took aim at Intel's core server and PC franchises, respectively, by launching its Centriq server CPU line and teaming with Microsoft (MSFT) - Get Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Report and PC OEMs to bring Windows notebooks powered by its Snapdragon 835 processor to market.

All this competition, by the way, might be why Intel is reportedly mulling a bid for Broadcom rather than Qualcomm. While it's not guaranteed that an Intel-Broadcom deal will pass regulatory muster, there's almost no chance that an Intel-Qualcomm deal would.

Now combine the various Qualcomm processor and modem lines that compete against Intel with Broadcom's RF and Wi-Fi chips, as well as the many Ethernet, storage and optical component products it offers to server/storage OEMs and cloud giants. And for good measure, throw in NXP's many products for the automotive and embedded/IoT markets, including ADAS processors and autonomous driving solutions that compete against Intel's Mobileye unit. Intel has good reason to want to prevent such a colossus from emerging.

But considering the challenges and question marks mentioned above, Intel's reported mulling of a Broadcom bid could end up being more bark than bite. Given that Broadcom's shares have only moved moderately higher on the WSJ's report, many investors are apparently wagering as much.

Subscribe on Youtube for extended interviews, Cramer Replays, feature content, and more!CHICAGO  Site Selection magazine named Illinois as a destination for businesses looking to relocate.

Governors Cup rankings list the state as third in 2017 as one of the top for new and expanding facilities. This is the second consecutive year that Illinois received this honor. The recognition is awarded to states with the most qualifying new and expanded facilities per capita.

All Illinoisans know that there is no better state than Illinois, Gov. Bruce Rauner stated in a news release. One of the objectives of my administration has been to highlight our assets and better recruit businesses to locate within our state. Our efforts are paying off, but the work is not done. We continue the push to make the business environment more competitive to create good-paying jobs and opportunities across all Illinois communities.

Illinois had 419 projects over the course of the year, coming in behind Texas and Ohio.

The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), the third largest MSA by population in the United States, remained at the top of metropolitan areas  with populations of at least one million  boasting 402 projects for new and expanded facilities.

From our exceptional workforce to the seamless transportation of goods, Illinois is a world-class place to do business, said Illinois Department of Commerce Director Sean McCarthy. Interest in our state continues to rise. We remain focused on supporting our economy to ensure a better quality of life for Illinoisans.

In addition, Illinois Micropolitan Statistical Areas, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, named for projects include Ottawa-Peru, Paducah, Effingham and Rochelle. Micropolitan areas are defined by cities with populations of 10,000 to 50,000, covering at least one county.

We are constantly in contact with new companies looking to expand or locate within Illinois, Intersect Illinois CEO Mark Peterson said. The excitement and optimism about the potential that exists within our boarders is palpable. We will continue to work with our partners to capitalize on our accomplishments and bring more success to Illinois.

Site Selections Conway Projects Database focuses on new corporate facility projects with significant impact, including headquarters, manufacturing plants, research and development operations, as well as logistics sites. It does not track retail and government projects or schools and hospitals. New facilities and expansions included in the analyses must meet at least one of three criteria: involve a U.S. capital investment of at least $1 million; create at least 20 new jobs; or, add at least 20,000-square-feet of new floor area.You absolutely dont have to be an admirer of Vladimir Ulyanov, or Leninas the Soviet legend came to be knownto unequivocally condemn vandalism and mob violence. In Tripura, the razing of a statue built to commemorate the communist revolutionary, political thinker and leader of the October Revolution, was a shameful and unjustified moment of hooliganism by triumphalist crowds. The image of a bulldozer bringing Lenin down, as supporters of the BJP cheered on, cast an avoidable shadow over the partys historic victory in the north-eastern state, where it decimated the left to capture more than 40 per cent of the vote share on its own. Worse, it led to copy-cat arsonist assaults elsewhere, including defiling the statues of Ambedkar, Periyar and Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Coarse competitiveness had now covered the gamut from left to right.

Illustration: Bhaskaran

The debate that followed has been bewildering. While almost everyone agrees that what started in south Tripura emboldened prejudice and lumpenismand there are no ifs and buts in my forceful condemnation of thatwhy must that lead to the disingenuous and obligatory romanticisation of Lenin? There have been exaggerated comparisons made between Lenin and Mahatma Gandhi. It has been pointed out that Bhagat Singh was reading Lenin right before he was executed. And, any suggestion that Lenin does not quite merit a place in Indias pantheon of heroes has been met with violent disdain from the liberal left. Quite apart from the fact that repeated electoral disasters prove how anachronistic the Marxists have become in contemporary India, Lenins record as a radical and significant thinker is blemished by his years as a ruthless authoritarian. A biography of the Great Leader called Lenin the Dictator by Victor Sebestyen describes him as the godfather of post-truth politics, just a hundred years earlier. Above all, to me, despite his philosophical inspiration to Indian revolutionaries, he has no India connection important enough to be organic in any way to the countrys cultural or intellectual evolution. This is not xenophobia; we are after all, at least partly, shaped and formed as a nation from years of colonisation. But, you have to wonder why Lenin has over-stated importance in the countrys iconography, when there are so many architects of Free Indiafrom all ideological shadeswe could revere instead.

Does that mean his statue should have been brought down? No, absolutely not. Parallels have been drawn with the removal of Lenin statues in the hundreds, in Ukraine, or East Germany, or with the removal of Confederate monuments and memorials in the United States (for being racist symbols of white supremacists.) My own view is that this debate is wasteful and unnecessary. Why not allow history to evolve, grow, breathe and examine itself organically, instead of going by the fiat or diktat of changing governments and their ideologies. In any case, statues dont have to be marks of respect, they can simply be about moments in time.

But, if the political symbolism of an icon comes to be unacceptable over the years, and in the face of newer social values, the way to change this must only be through legislation. So, if the BJP government wanted to remove Lenins monument, it should have passed a resolution in the assembly and proceeded by law. That is the difference between a democracy and a mobocracy. And, I would have condemned the crowd-violence as an act of shameful bullyingirrespective of whose the statue was, and who the perpetrators were. Its the principle of law and order, and the capacity to accept diverse points of view that are the hallmarks of modern nations.

Personally, I think our politicians should have better things to do than to debate the past. Countries that fight over statues are quite literally frozen in time.

editor@theweek.inThey say there is no such thing as a free lunch. There could be some, though. India, 'the land of bikshuks, has a tradition of serving free food to rank strangers. The Bhikshuka Upanishad lays down the lifestyle of four types of mendicants, who live mostly on alms. India is also the land of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, which has the worlds largest kitchen where nearly a lakh people eat everyday. ISKON, the organisation of Krishna devotees, has a concept of community kitchen called akshayapatram, and history tells us that we have always been feeding, not feeding on others.

Last week, I attended the inauguration of the Janakeeya Bhakshna Shala (JBS)which roughly translates into peoples dining hallconceptualised by Keralas finance minister Dr Thomas Isaac. The first one of these food centres has been set up in his constituency of Allepey, on National Highway 66.

In evolutionary biology, an organism is said to behave altruistically when its behaviour benefits other organisms, even at a cost to itself. In The Descent of Man, Charles Darwin discussed the origin of altruistic and self-sacrificial behaviour among human beings. Studies inspired by Darwin have proved that the capacity to be caring, generous and being kind have been built into the brains, bodies, genes and social practices of human beings.

Food for all: Pilgrims being served food at the Langhar, Golden Temple | Hari Mahidhar

But then, how do you sustain altruism? Let us look at the mechanics of JBS. It was initiated by eight people, who worked day in and day out to provide food to nearby hospitals. Now, with the help of the Kerala State Financial Enterprices, it has started this centre spread over 1,500sq.ft. I was talking to local artists and common folk and they took me to the backyard of the JBS building and showed me a patch of landnearly four acresthat has been donated by a generous man to cultivate vegetables for and by JBS.

It made me think about the near total absence of Indian philanthropists (if you were to stack up the number of philanthropists, against the number of Indian billionaires, then you will get the picture). Of course, philanthropy in India means setting up schools or temples in the name of family members. Philanthropy is more of an ego-boosting exercise. The rich in India seldom open their wallets, but to build collections of jewellery, fast cars, yachts, private jets and ostentatious farm houses.

While on a drive down the Mattanchery Bazar road, I saw yet another heritage structure brought down by moneybags, and it brought back memories. I began wondering how they are able to execute their wishes with impunity. Isnt there any policy that protects the heritage zone? Kochi and Mattanchery area have been declared as heritage zones by the UNESCO. And, just the other day, I was reading about how a new project, commissioned by the Foundation for Jewish Heritage, has identified synagogues built before the second World War, from Cork in Ireland in the west to Vladivostok in Russia in the east. Each has been catalogued with construction dates and materials, the Jewish community it served, its present use and condition, and a significance rating. Simon Schama will launch the project with the backing of more than 40 high-profile supporters including architect Daniel Libeskind, television newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky and artist Anish Kapoor. Such a thing is possible only if we have an idea of what our heritage is, and only if we look beyond immediate short-term gains.

I have had the good luck to meet incredible people whose passion, intuition and inquisitiveness have taken them to their desired destinations. One such person is the 84-year-old Lady Helen Hamlyn. I met her last week. She was one of the first fashion designers to pass out from the Royal College of Art in 1963. And, now she preserves, protects and funds conservation. Three of the projects are in India: the Reis Magos Fort in Goa, the Nagaur Fort in Rajasthan and the Chittoor Palace in Kerala. Apparently she spots these places on her own, and is not approached by anyone in India or abroad. Altruists walk alone.

editor@theweek.inIf anything happens to me, please tell my story. This was...Hugh Grant is now a father of five! Grant's ex-girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley revealed he has welcomed baby no. 5 with girlfriend, Swedish television producer Anna Eberstein.

She let the news slip while promoting her series The Royals. "I'm very lucky that 31 years into our friendship, he's still my best friend in the world," Hurley told E! Online.

"He's a really great guy. I see him a lot; I speak to him a lot. You know, he's now a father of five; he has five kids and he's a great dad. Yeah, he will remain my best friend for life."

Elaborating about the newborn during an appearance on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, the actress said, "He had another one last week. He has five. He was over 50 when he spawned them all! He's an enchanting dad-really, really sweet. Having these kids has transformed him from a very miserable person into a fairly miserable person. It's improved him. He's gone up the scale."

The baby is the Notting Hill star's fifth child and third with his current girlfriend Anna Eberstein. Grant and Eberstein's elder children are five and three.

He also has a six-year-old daughter and five-year-old son from his relationship with ex-girlfriend Tinglan Hong.Rajinikanth headed for his annual pilgrimage in the Himalayas on Saturday. He has set up an ashram in the foothills of the mountains, and he will start by visiting saints in Uttarakhand caves in Uttarakhand. Rajinikanth considers his spiritual guru a man named Mahavatar Babaji, and his film Baba is based around the man.

The actor had recently made a political plunge and his movies Kaala and 2.0 are due for release. On December 31, Rajinikanth told fans gathered at the Raghavendra Mandapam in Chennai that he would launch a political party in time to contest all 234 seats in the next assembly polls, due in 2021.

Ithu kaalathin kattayam [It is the compulsion of time], said the 67-year-old actor, quoting from the Gita on the importance of doing ones duty and not worrying about the results. If I dont do this now, I would feel guilty till my death.

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived here on Friday night on a four-day India visit and was received at the airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a special gesture.

Macron was accompanied by his wife Brigitte Marie-Claude Macron, besides senior ministers from his Cabinet.

During the visit, the two countries would look to boost ties, especially in the areas of maritime security and counter-terrorism.

An agreement on the Jaitapur nuclear power plant, which is being built with French assistance, is expected to be signed during the visit, sources here said.

Stepping up cooperation in the Indian Ocean region will be one of the top issues that will be discussed by Macron and Prime Minister Modi during delegation-level talks on Saturday.

"France has particularly supported India's perspective on terror in South Asia. We are seeing convergence in new areas, particularly maritime security, counter-terrorism and renewable energy," K. Nagraj Naidu, joint secretary (Europe-west), told reporters.

Besides defence, cooperation in the areas of nuclear energy and space are the other pillars of the strategic partnership between India and France.

"In the area of space, India and France have a matured engagement and we would like to take it to a new level," Naidu said.

The Indo-French cooperation in the area of space is more than five-decades-old.

Besides conventional areas, thrust would also be on renewable energy, high-speed train and stepping cooperation in trade.

After holding delegation-level talks with Modi tomorrow, Macron will take part in a Town Hall and have an interactive session, in which nearly 300 students from different levels and institutions are expected to participate.

On the same day, he will also take part in a Knowledge Summit which will be attended by more than 200 academicians from both sides.

On March 11, President Macron will attend the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Summit, an initiative mooted by France and India.

The ISA Summit, expected to be attended by several heads of the states and governments, is likely to focus on concrete projects. On the same day, he will also visit Taj Mahal in Agra.

President Macron will also visit Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Modi, on March 12.

He, along with Modi, will inaugurate a solar plant in Uttar Pradesh's Mirzapur.Documents and other material recovered by the Central Bureau of Investigation during the searches conducted on March 7 and 8 at the new address of Advantage Strategic Private Limited (ASPL) at Nungambakkam in Chennai are being seen as having substantial evidentiary value for the agency probing the INX Media corruption case of 2007. Perusal of the list shows that documents seized during the search either belong to Karti Chidambaram or his family members'', said the CBI in its note.

Recoveries of these documents, CBI believes, can establish the money trail in the case.

ASPL is alleged to have been indirectly controlled by Karti, and the company is alleged to have received kickbacks in the INX Media case. Karti will be confronted with these documents by the CBI whose probe hinges on establishing the money trail in the case by linking the company with Karti or his family members.

The CBI has alleged that Karti used the office of his father, then finance minister P. Chidambaram to favour INX media and in turn received monetary gains, a charge vehemently denied by the Chidambarams who have called it a case of political vendetta.

However, the agency has secured Karti's extended custody for three more days on Friday, contending that the fresh leads and material evidence in the case requires further questioning of the accused.

According to the CBI, the new address of the ASPL is given as 2/33, Nageswara road at Nungambakkam in Chennai. However, Karti's counsel in the special CBI court Abhishek Manu Singvi contested that this address had been shared with the probe agency in July last year and whatever is in the knowledge of the accused has already been disclosed by him.

Disclosures made by an accused during custody gain special significance and have high evidentiary value as compared to information shared by the suspect when he is not in custody. This is one of the primary reasons the CBI wants to confront Karti with other co-accused like his chartered accountant Bhaskararaman, who is lodged in Tihar jail, besides confronting him with material evidence to be able to elicit some information from him. Investigators said that Karti's disclosures in custody will become important for the CBI under section 27 of the Evidence Act .

If the accused in custody discloses any information that finally leads to the recovery of any evidence in the case, it has high evidentiary value in the court of law. On the contrary, if the accused who is not in custody reveals any information that also results in recovery of any evidence, it will still heavily depend on the procedures that have been followed by the investigating agency,'' explained former CBI joint director N.R. Wasan, who retired as the Director General of Bureau of Police Research and Development.

Even though the CBI has claimed that it has evidence to establish the direct links of Karti with ASPL, Karti has denied such linkages.

Wasan said that unless the CBI is able to link the money trail to Karti in the INX Media case, the case will not be able to stand on its feet. According to him, it is going to be a real challenge for the CBI given the fact that there are so many loopholes in the existing law which make it difficult for any probe agency to determine the real beneficiaries. There is no coordination between the Company Law Board, SFIO CBI and ED in such matters. Till all these agencies work as one close unit, it will be difficult to bring such cases to their logical conclusion,'' Wasan said.Congress MLAs in Karnataka fear losing in the upcoming Assembly elections owing to doubts over the integrity of the electronic voting machines (EVMs). At least 50 per cent of them might shift to the other party due to fear of losing, alleged media convener of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee Brijesh Kalappa, triggering a fresh controversy.

In a counter to Kalappa's comments, Chief Election Commissioner O.P Rawat, who was the chief guest at the 14th national conference on electoral reforms held in Bengaluru on Saturday, hit back saying, rumours should not become prime movers for electoral reforms.

Most concerns over the EVMs have been addressed in the EVM status paper available on our website. The case of a candidate polling zero votes which is cited by people often has been investigated and it was found to be a false charge. I dread the day when rumours become prime movers for reforms, said Rawat, who seemed wary of the the constant rhetoric of political parties, who raised doubts over the EVMs' vulnerability.

Earlier Kalappa had alleged that the raising suspicion over EVMs had put a lot of pressure on the sitting Congress MLAs. Our party introduced the EVMs. But with reports of the machines voting for a single party is emerging, there is a need for another blazing reform. A lot of us feel that ballot paper is better than an EVM. There is a rumour that a party and a relative of that party are incharge of repairing dysfunctional EVMs. This makes us look at EVMs with suspicion, if EVMs and VVPAT are not used together. I urge the EC to introduce VVPAT for Karnataka polls as our MLAs are under pressure to shift to the other party due to EVMs. It is binding on EC to make us feel EVMs will not be manipulated, said Kalappa.

While JD(S) national spokesperson Tanveer Ahmed, too, reiterated that the EC had the responsibility of allaying fears over the EVMs by citing technicalities involved in making it tamper-proof.

Yashwant Deshmukh of C-voter rued the fact that though India was admired by the world for its electoral system and reforms, the country was getting overcritical. India's election history can be divided into pre-EVM and post-EVM. Before EVMs were introduced, we saw that 90 per cent of the results were pro-incumbent which means the same people kept winning. Post EVMs, 95 per cent of results were anti-incumbent. However, further reforms can help us move into a biometric electoral system, which will be a move towards attaining perfection, explained Deshmukh.

Rawat, during his inaugural address, stated that electoral reforms were necessary to enhance the overall governance, but also warned of distortion of information and insinuations on social media that are adversely impacting the electoral system and the social fabric of the country.

Citing that the biggest challenges were the criminalisation of politics, abuse of money, power and paid news, Rawat said, criminalisation of politics affects governance, too, and people get disenchanted with the system. We want bribery by candidates to be made a cognisable offence and we have exercised our powers to countermand bypolls in RK Nagar (Tamil Nadu). However, most reforms need amendment to the existing laws.

To meet emerging challenges, ECI has signed an MoUs with 20 countries for collaboration to constantly fine tune the election management system. The India International Institute of Democracy and Electoral Management has conducted 30 global and 300 domestic programmes. We have to make the system strong and transparent. But intra-party democracy is also crucial and democracy should be in one's DNA, for real reforms to take place. The EC does not have power to deregister a party. Absence of ceiling on party expenditure has also created an uneven playing field where only the moneyed parties get benefits. The election expenditures are mind-boggling today. When it comes to crackdown on paid news, we are unable to provide proof and we should be able to withstand judicial scrutiny, too. Many media houses are run by politicians or have an equation and it is difficult to decipher the payment terms. However, the silver lining is that, out of the 1,800 paid news cases reported, almost 99.9 per cent of them have seen candidates admit they have violated the rule. The cases are pending before the court, explained Rawat.The concepts of life and death have always inspired poets, philosophers and thinkers. Hence it was inevitable that the Supreme Court judges, as they made their pronouncements on legalising passive euthanasia, should draw inspiration from some of the immortal words articulated on the topic down the ages.

The top court's order, which effectively makes the right to die with dignity a part of the fundamental right to life and liberty, is made poignant by the judges delving into issues such as what makes life meaningful, and the moral, ethical, social and medical complexities associated with the question of how to approach death. And in doing so, they refer liberally to literature, philosophy as well as popular culture.

Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, in his order, quoted Swami Vivekananda to say that it has to be understood that life is the lamp that is constantly burning out, and if one wants to have life, one has to die every moment of it. He referred to metaphysical poet John Donne having written about life and death in Death, be not proud:

One short sleep past, we wake eternally

And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.

Ernst Hemingway, in his book, The Old Man and the Sea, expounds the idea that man can be destroyed, but cannot be defeated. This, wrote Misra, can mean in the present context that life sans dignity is an unacceptable defeat and life that meets death with dignity is a value to be aspired for.

Justice Ashok Bhushan, in his order, referred to Plato's The Republic, to talk about the dilemma of the medical practitioners when dealing with patients who are hopelessly ill.

Bhushan quoted from The Republic: But if a man had a sickly constitution and intemperate habits, his life was worth nothing to himself or to anyone else; medicine was not meant for such people and they should not be treated, though they might be richer than Midas.

Justice A.K. Sikri quoted popular Kishore Kumar song Rote hue aate hain sab, hansta hua jo jayega, woh Muqaddar ka Sikandar jaaneman kehlayega (Every person in this world comes crying. However, the person who leaves the world laughing/smiling will be the luckiest of all). To underline the idea of the right of an individual to have a death that is devoid of agony or suffering, Sikri also referred to a quote of Mahatma Gandhi: Death is our friend... he delivers us from agony. I do not want to die of a creeping paralysis of my faculties  a defeated man.

To emphasise the importance of an individual's ability to make personal choices on decisions that affects his or her life, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud mentioned a line from the book The Last Lecture, written by Randy Pausch, a professor at Stanford, in the shadow of a terminal illness. Pausch had written: We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the 'hardcore politics' of struggle and agitation is no longer as relevant as it used to be, and urged lawmakers to work together for the progress of over 115 underdeveloped districts.

Addressing a National Legislators Conference on "We for development" at Parliament's Central Hall, he spoke about social justice in the context of all-round development.

If all children go to schools and all households get electricity, then it would be a step towards social justice, the prime minister said.

Asserting that budget or resources were not the reason for lack of development but governance was, Modi said good governance, effective implementation of schemes and focussed activities were needed for development.

"There used to be a time when hardcore politics, round-the-clock politics involving agitations and struggle, would work. Time has changed. Whether you are in power or in opposition, what matters is whether if you come to people's help," he told parliamentarians and legislators from states.

Things like how much agitation you did, how many 'morchas' you took out and how many times you went to jail would matter to your political career 20 years back, but things have changed now, Modi told the lawmakers and asked them to work towards fulfilling developmental targets in their regions.

Lawmakers who are elected repeatedly are often those who are identified with something beyond politics by their constituents, he said.

Recalling that icons like Jawaharlal Nehru, B.R. Ambedkar and Sardar Patel sat in the Central Hall of Parliament to prepare the Constitution, he likened the lawmakers' presence in the hall today to a pilgrimage and pitched for development.

That parliamentarians and legislators from different parties are sitting together on the issue of development is a living example of federalism, the prime minister said.

He said development in the 115 districts would be a work of social justice and if the lawmakers work sincerely for one year, with people's participation, it would bring about a sea change, and help India go up in Human Development Index.

Governments have the tendency of focusing on what gives them results easily and it often results in developed districts doing better still while backward districts slide further, Modi said, adding his government has identified these 115 districts as 'aspirational' and not backward as the latter has negative connotations.

"We don't have to do a competition of backwards but of forwards," he said.

The prime minister also called for posting young officers, a reference to those directly from the IASinstead of those promoted to the all-India service from state cadrewith a sense of purpose, as district magistrates in these places.

Modi said the average age of a district magistrate is generally 27-30 years but he was surprised to find in a meeting with officials of these 115 districts that 80 per cent of them were aged more than 40 years.

Elder officers have many other concerns, such as family and career, and these districts should not be seen as places where anybody like these should be posted, he said.

Working for development in these districts would also be a form of the social justice envisaged by the makers of our Constitution and there is little possibility of any fight in this, the prime minister said.

If work is done on a mission mode with available resources and manpower, then it will lead to very good results. Where this has happened, things have changed, he said.

Underlining the importance of good governance, the prime minister said his experience showed that MNREGA, the rural employment guarantee scheme, has been used less effectively in more poor places and more effectively in richer regions because of good governance in the latter.French and Indian companies signed contracts worth 13 billion euros ($16 billion) on the first day of President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India on Saturday, the French presidency said in a statement.

The countries inked key pacts in the strategic areas of security, nuclear energy and protection of classified information after extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Agreements in the fields of education, environment, urban development and railways were also signed in the presence of the two leaders.

The commercial deals include a contract for France's Safran to supply airline Spice Jet with engines, water system modernisation by Suez in the southern city of Davangere and a contract between industrial gas company Air Liquide and Sterlite.

Macron's office did not provide a breakdown of the contracts' values or details about the deals. Approximately 200 million euros worth of investments will be made in India.

A so-called "Industrial Way Forward Agreement" was signed between French utility EDF and India's NPCIL for the construction of six nuclear reactors at Jaitapur. Negotiations over the construction of next-generation nuclear reactors in India have been dragging on for years.

It was not immediately clear whether these were firm contracts or letters of intent.India has inked a deal with France for the reciprocal logistical support between their armed forces. The agreement is symbolic of the strategic depth and maturity reached in India-France defence ties,'' said the joint statement issued after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bilateral discussion with visiting French President Emmanuel Macron.

The significance of the agreement is that France has territory in the Indian Ocean region including the Reunion Islands. France also has military bases in several African nations which have a coastline on the Indian Ocean. Djibouti, a tiny country in the Horn of Africa, hosts a strategically significant base, more so because China has recently developed a base there as a part of its String of Pearls vision.

India already has a reciprocal logistical support arrangement with the United States called the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMAO). With two million French citizens living in the Indian Ocean region, France has considerable interest in the area, and shares similar concerns with Indian. The two countries affirmed the intention to enhance military cooperation and maintain the operational quality level of joint exercises that they conduct. Varuna, the naval exercise, will begin in India soon and Garuda, the next joint air force exercise will be hosted in France in 2019. They also agreed to enhance counter terrorism cooperation.

Indo-French ties in space cooperation is nearly 50-years-old, much older than their two decade old strategic relationship. Both countries also agreed to launch the third India-France joint satellite mission, TRISHNA, meant for eco-system stress and water use monitoring. India will also accommodate French instrumentation on its OCEANSAT-3 satellite. There are two Indo French collaborative satellites in space at present, Megha-Tropiques and SARAL-AltiKa, both of which are monsoon forecasting and climate monitoring. OCEANSAT-3 will be the third, meant for observation of the oceans through ocean colour and sea surface temperatures. TRISHNA, will be an earth observation satellite based on thermal infrared imaging.

Hoping to scale up the student exchanges, which is a very modest 5,000 Indian students in French universities at present, both countries agreed to mutually recognise each others degrees.

France reaffirmed its support to India for accession into the United Nations Security Council and the Nuclear Suppliers Group, membership to both of which has been on India's wishlist for long. More importantly, though, the two countries stressed on the need to hold accountable those who support or have supported North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes.The two reaffirmed their support for the continued full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, better known as the Iran Nuclear Deal and said that Iran was complying with its nuclear related commitments. They also agreed that there can be no military solution to the conflict in Syria and that under no circumstances should there be use of chemical weapons there.

While the topic of the nuclear power plants in Jaitapur (a project with French cooperation) was mentioned, there was no fresh development related to this project.There is a reason why Sushma Swaraj, the minister of external affairs is trigger-happy on Twitter. She has her work cut out for her: on an average, 3 womendeserted by their NRI spousesreached out for help to the ministry from January 2015 to December 2017.



On mission mode, the ministry across the world has come to their rescue. In reply to a question in Rajya Sabha, minister of state for external affairs V.K. Singh stated that in this period, the ministry had received 3492 complaints of distressed Indian women deserted by their NRI spouses. These complaints had been addressed by the Ministry by way of providing them counselling, guidance and information about procedures, mechanisms for serving judicial summons on the Overseas Indian husband; filing a case in India, he stated in Parliament.

The ministry had also set up an expert committee on NRI Martial disputes, which had presented a report in August 2017. One of the recommendations, which has been accepted was to constitute an Integrated Nodal Agency (INA). This has been implemented, he said and is expected to be an effective mechanism to provide a single window and timely solution. It would also help in better monitoring of the welfare measures being undertaken.

In an effort to help NRI wives legally, the ministry had revised the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) Guidelines were revised in September last year. The amount of legal & financial assistance to distressed Indian women has also been increased to US $4000 per case, he said. Women are referred to lawyers empaneled with the embassies or NGO.Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday will hold delegation level talks in the national capital.

During the talks, both the leaders are expected to review the progress achieved in bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Several agreements are expected to be signed in various areas.

French President Macron will be accorded ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan in the morning.

The visiting leader will also meet President Ram Nath Kovind and Minister of External Affairs (MEA) Sushma Swaraj will call on him.

French President Macron arrived yesterday, who is on a four-day India visit, and was received at the airport by Prime Minister Modi in a special gesture.

Briefing media in New Delhi yesterday, Joint Secretary in the MEA K. Nagaraj Naidu said, India has a very deep engagement with France in several areas including space.

Issues of maritime security and terrorism will be discussed during the visit of French President, Naidu added.

The visit aims at strengthening the bilateral economic, political and strategic dimension of engagement between the two countries. Besides, the visit is also aimed at forging not only strong manufacturing and technology partnerships but also greater people to people contacts.

The India-France CEO's Forum will also take place during the visit.

The bilateral trade between India and France from April 2016 to March 2017 reached USD 10.95 billion.

France is the ninth largest foreign investor in India with a cumulative investment of over USD 6 billion from April 2000 to October 2017.The red flock of farmers, marching in protest against the Maharashtra government's failure to fulfill its promises, reached Bhiwandi on Saturday. The protest march, organised by All India Kisan Sabha, commenced on March 5 from the CBS Chowk in Central Nashik.

The farmers, distressed by poor yields and unsupporting market prices, are demanding a complete loan waiver from the state government.

The march is slated to reach Mumbai on Monday, where it is expected to to gherao at the state assembly building.

Last year, the Maharashtra government had announced a loan waiver of Rs 4,000 crore under the first phase of its farm loan waiver scheme.Three years ago, Sunil Deodhar met Narendra Modi in Delhi. The portly BJP leader from Pune knew the prime minister wellhe had run Modis campaign in the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat a year earlier.

Deodhar had returned after spending six months in Tripura, where he had taken charge of party affairs. He came to Modi bearing glad tidings. He said he would sweep the ruling CPI(M) off Tripura, and gift it to Modi. The prime minister reportedly burst out laughing. First, you lose at least 20kg, Modi said. Only then can you even think of sweeping Tripura.

Three years since, Deodhar has lost weightbut only around 5 kilos. In terms of his influence, though, he is now a heavyweight. By uprooting the CPI(M), which had been ruling Tripura since 1993, he has pulled off a victory that was thought to be impossible.

The BJP also sprang a surprise in Christian-dominated Nagaland, winning 12 of 20 seats it contested. And, despite winning just two seats in Meghalaya, it took the lead in forming government. The BJPs stunning show in the northeast has rattled its rivals in West Bengal and Keralatwo states the party has long been eyeing.

Moment of grief: Manik Sarkar pays his last respects to Khagendra Jamatia at the CPI(M)s state headquarters in Agartala | Salil Bera

For the CPI(M), the defeat in Tripura is especially crushing, since this was the partys first head-to-head battle with the BJP in an assembly election. Unlike in West Bengal, where a series of administrative missteps ended the left governments 34-year rule in 2011, the Manik Sarkar government in Tripura was perceived to have performed well. I would never do mistakes like [the party did] in Bengal, Sarkar told THE WEEK in 2016. Yes, I will try to change the lives of the people, and for that, some drastic measures are needed. But, I will not do anything to antagonise the people.

On March 4, a day after the results were out, I met Sarkar at the CPI(M)s state headquarters in Agartala. He looked worried, and was at a loss for words. The same day, the body of former minister and six-time legislator Khagendra Jamatia, who had succumbed to blood cancer at a hospital in Delhi on March 2, was brought to the party office. Scores of party leaders, including state secretary Bijan Dhar and central committee member Gautam Das, came to pay their last respects. Everyone raised their fists in salute, while Sarkar chose to fold his arms. He appeared so lost in thought that he seemed to have forgotten the traditional Marxist salute. When I brought this to the attention of a senior party leader, he said, I am also seeing [him like this] for the first time.

After a while, came state BJP president Biplab Deb. He paid homage to Jamatia, turned to face Sarkar, and then touched his feet. Sarkar smiled uncomfortably at the man who would succeed him as chief minister.

As Jamatia began his final journey, I approached Sarkar and asked him whether he had anticipated the results. He did not reply. I followed him to the first floor of the party office, where he went straight to his room, picked up his letter of resignation and quickly made his way out of the party office. As he started for the Raj Bhavan, I tried again to make him talk, and failed. Dhar and Das asked me not to disturb him.

What are we supposed to say? Dhar later asked me. We are not in a position to comment on why this happened. We are in the process of getting reports from the partys grassroots committees. Once it is done, we will analyse why we were defeated.

Leading the change: Conrad Sangma at his swearing-in as Meghalaya chief minister on March 6 | AFP

He said the CPI(M)s immediate objective was to shield its offices from being attacked. Do you know how many of our party offices were attacked [by BJP workers]? We will ask the new government to take steps to protect our party offices, said Dhar.

The CPI(M) seems to have had no clue about how big a challenge it was facing in the run-up to the polls. The tribal protests that broke out early last year were taken lightly by the government and the party. The BJP capitalised on it, even though it did not publicly support the Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT), which led the protests and had the backing of banned militant outfits like the National Liberation Front of Tripura.

Sarkar did not realise the gravity of the situation until it snowballed into a crisis. Even then, he dithered about taking action, fearing that tough measures would make his government look anti-tribal. Tribals make up around 42 per cent of the population in the state, and the CPI(M) had won all seats in the tribal belt in 2013. Sarkar could not afford to alienate that support base.

The BJP, meanwhile, played smart by putting immense pressure on the government. When the IPFT laid siege to railway lines and highways, the BJP organised a huge rally that brought together the Bengali community in Tripura. The party pitted the Bengalis against the CPI(M), saying the government had failed to contain the violence unleashed by tribals. The situation came to such a pass that the BJP threatened to picket the residence of the chief minister unless the government swiftly resolved the issue.

The BJP made good on its threat in July last year. Led by Deodhar, dozens of BJP workers entered the fortified zone surrounding Sarkars residence on Marx-Engels Road. As they blocked the zone from four directions, Sarkar was forced to spend 13 hours inside his bungalow.

When he came out, he promised to take decisive steps to resolve the issue, and later gave in to demands for granting more autonomy for tribals. The outcome was perceived as the BJPs victory, as it had championed the tribal cause without antagonising the Bengali community.

In the past three years, the RSS has established itself in the tribal belt, running schools and hostels without IPFTs help. It helped the BJP send a message that it took tribal issues seriously, even as it chose not to align with IPFT in opposing the government. Neither the CPI(M) nor the chief minister had any idea of what was happeninghow the BJP-RSS combine was gaining ground across the state, said political commentator Sekhar Dutta.

The BJP also capitalised on the discontent among Bengali youth. Around 10 lakh people in the state are below age 35, and about 2.5 lakh of them are new voters. Because of sluggish development and high unemployment rate, the BJP was able to whip up an anti-incumbency wave.

The highhanded approach of its cadres made matters worse for the CPI(M). Young people who were not part of the CPI(M)-affiliated Students Federation of India or the Democratic Youth Federation of India were allegedly harassed. Most of these young people were Congress supporters, who did not receive any help from the party leadership.

We tried hard to persuade the Congress to support us, said Sudip Roy Barman, who quit the Congress last year and joined the BJP. Had the Congress high command stopped hobnobbing with the left, and focused on defeating the left front in Tripura, the story would have been altogether different.

Deodhar promised to protect Congress workers if they switched their allegiance to the BJP. I remember Deodharji asking the youth to not forget that the BJP is in power at the Centre, and that each and every attack will be reciprocated, said Siraj Ali, the young chief of the BJPs minority wing in Tripura. I went to the field, feeling as hot-headed as the Marxists, and told them that if they tried to kill my party colleagues, I would kill theirs as well.

Firebrands like Siraj transformed the BJPwhich got just over 1 per cent votes in 2013into a force to reckon with. And, Deodhar mobilised RSS cadres so well that he did not need to bring in Modi or BJP president Amit Shah to attract voters. He spread awareness about Modis eagerness to reshape the northeast, and said the Union governments drastic measures like demonetisation were aimed at boosting the economy, generating jobs and improving the lives of the poor.

After he built the BJPs grassroots presence, Deodhar informed Shah that Congress leaders were primed to join the BJP. Shah then sent his point man in the northeast, Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. A former Congress leader himself, Sarma became the Pied Piper who began bringing in the Congressmen to the BJP. Six months before the polls, as the BJPs national leadership began touring Tripura, they found an organisational structure so strong that the party could man all 4,000 polling booths.

The BJP also banked on money power. Young workers who were implicated in criminal cases were provided legal and financial aid. Their travel, food and medical expenses were taken care of. But, more than the money, it was Deodhar who made the difference. Deodhar is the main architect of the BJP win, said Barman. He is fearless, and he led the battle from the front against the goons of the CPI(M).

Unlike Biplab Deb, who demanded and received Y-category security before the elections, Deodhar refused to have any security cover. The people would have rejected me had I gone to them with a security cover, he told THE WEEK. My partymen and I had to stay in villages, and ride trains and buses to bring people to the BJP. It was tough, but we all knew it was for the good.

The BJP fought the polls after joining hands with the IPFT, which ended up winning eight seats. But, the saffron partys emphatic victoryit has 35 members in the 60-member assemblyhas left little bargaining room for its ally. IPFT president N.C. Debbarma said his focus would be on securing appropriate representation for tribals in the cabinet, and not on pushing for the formation of a separate state. The state government has got nothing to do with our demand for a separate state, he told THE WEEK. The Union government would have to approve it. And, it has constituted a body to look into the matter. We will have to wait for the decision.

And, what if the demand is not met? The demand will remain forever, he said. But, we would not trouble the state government. We will help this government deliver, and will continuously deal with the Union government [on the statehood issue].

Around 10 lakh people in Tripura are below 35. Because of sluggish development and high unemployment rate, the BJP was able to whip up an anti-incumbency wave.

If the victory in Tripura is the BJPs crowning achievement, the partys good show in Nagaland and Meghalaya has helped discredit the growing criticism that Modi cannot take his allies along. On March 8, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu hinted that his Telugu Desam Party would soon part ways with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, saying Modi had failed to keep his promise of granting special category status to his state.

Modi, however, will not be too worried about Naidus departure. His newfound allies in the northeast will help offset the southern loss. In Meghalaya, despite having won just two seats, the BJP took the lead in stitching up a ruling coalition that included Conrad Sangmas National Peoples Party (19 seats), the United Democratic Party (6), the Peoples Democratic Front (4), the Hill State Peoples Democratic Party (2), and one independent. Sangma was sworn in as chief minister on March 6, ending the 15-year Congress rule in the state.

The BJPs ally in Nagaland, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party, won 18 of 40 seats it contested. Having won just six seats fewer than the NDPP, the BJP will have considerable say in the government. The fact that it overcame opposition from civil society groups and various Christian denominations will boost the BJPs hopes in Kerala, which also has a significant Christian population.

Modi made frequent visits to Nagaland. It helped dispel allegations that the BJP was not interested in solving the Naga problem, said V. Longhou, state BJP president.

The ouster of the Naga Peoples Front, which had been the BJPs partner for 15 years, has come as great relief to Modi. The NPF had been pressuring the Union government to hasten the signing of the long-pending peace agreement with the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland. Now, with Neiphiu Rio of the NDPP as chief minister, the Centre has got breathing room. It is likely to leverage the BJPs influence in the state government to buy more time, at least until the 2019 Lok Sabha elections are over, to take bold steps regarding the granting of autonomy to Nagas, as promised to the NSCN(IM).

Shurhozelie Liezietsu, NPF president and former chief minister, described the poll results as confusing. We were forced to fight the elections, he said. Despite that, we won the most number of seats. But, in the end, we lost to money power.

Even critics, however, concede that the BJP has brought about a paradigm shift in the northeast. The party has found support cutting across states, religions and communities. Thats the reason the results from the northeast have been greeted with great enthusiasm all over India, said Barman. The Congress refused to do its duty in Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya. So, the northeast rewarded our prime minister.Sunil Deodhar | Salil Bera

Now that you have won in Tripura, would good governance be a challenge?

Yes. The biggest challenge would be to fulfil promises we have given to the people... we will have to work relentlessly. We will have to keep our alliance partner with us as well.

Could you have won without an alliance with the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura? The BJP has got 35 seatsclear majorityon its own.

No. I do not think so. There were many booths where IPFT had massive vote share, which came to us. We won ten seats in tribal areas, and the IPFT won eight. Had we not contested together, we would have been defeated.

Before the election you assailed Manik Sarkar, and raised issues such as corruption and the mysterious deaths of CPI(M) leaders who could have been his potential foes.

I did not make such allegations to win votes. I stick to what I said. We will probe his role in corruption cases and other offences. And, if found guilty, jail would be his new house.

We will carry out a detailed investigation into the Rose Valley chit fund scam. Why did Sarkar write to the CBI, giving Rose Valley a clean chit? His own finance minister later said it was a Rs 35,000-crore scam. There, however, is no personal animosity. Basically, Sarkar was neither soft nor hard as an administrator. He was a niskarma (inefficient) chief minister.

It is said that the BJP would rechristen streets named after Marx, Engels, Lenin, and remove all memorials linked to communist icons.

All... Lenin, Marx and Engels will go. There is no place for such world history on Indian soil, when we have our own luminaries.

Analysts credit you for the BJP's historic victory in Tripura. What was your mantra?

I would not praise myself.... I have a long way to go. When there is commitment from workers, and they are ready to take on challenges, everything changes. I played the role of a catalyst.

Were the workers ready to face violence?

They braved bullets and a series of attacks. Thousands of youth got injured; twelve of them were brutally murdered.

Yet, you refused to take personal security cover.

How could I, when ordinary party workers faced threats every day?

Political observers say your next destination will be Bengal.

How can I go to Bengal unless [BJP president] Amit [Shah] bhai asks me to do so? I have made it clear to the party that my job in Tripura is not finished. Wherever I go, I will oversee developments in Tripura. I will ensure that the state marches ahead. It has the potential; it has mineral and gas reserves. Tripura is not 'small', though it is small in size.

So, are you ruling out a mission in Bengal?

No. One can serve Bengal, too, while serving Tripura... they are just 50 minutes apart, by air.

Do you think change in Bengal is possible?

I have a clear view on this. Mamata Banerjee ended left rule in Bengal, and we have now done it in Tripura. BJP workers in Bengal would definitely be buoyed by our victory. But, I must say our party would have to strive hard in Bengal to remove Mamata from power. If the party wishes, I am ready to contribute.

What is your take on the roles of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah in the massive victory?

I have not spoken to Modiji after the win. Before that, he had asked me to shed weight when I told him that I would gift him Tripura!

And, Amit Shah?

I had told him after taking charge, Jiyunga ya marunga, lekin Tripura aap ko dunga (I might live or die, but I will give you Tripura).

What was his response?

He asked me why I was talking about death? He asserted that the BJP was in power at the Centre, and that no political outfit would have the guts to touch a state in-charge of the BJP today. I would not forget his words; it reaffirmed my confidence.A political earthquake, with its epicentre in Agartala, has sent tremors across the country. The BJPs impressive electoral performance in the northeastern states has not only aroused national interest, but has also forced opposition parties to rethink their strategy. From Mayawati to Mamata Banerjee and Siddaramaiah to Pinarayi Vijayan, the pressure is on to resist the saffron onslaught.

In Tripura, the difference between the number of votes polled by the BJP and the CPI(M) was only 6,518, yet the seat difference was 19.

Notably, Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati swallowed her pride and announced her support for the Samajwadi Party candidates in the upcoming Lok Sabha byelections in Phulpur and Gorakhpur. Since the attack on her at a guesthouse in Lucknow in 1995, allegedly by Samajwadi Party supporters, she had been staunchly against the party. But, she knows that, even with her dalit base, she cannot win elections without expanding her vote bank. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, too, has restarted talks of forming a third front, with leaders such as Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.The BJPs run has been such that, since 2014, most of the opposition-ruled states have not been able to save their governments from the saffron party. And, there has been a pattern. Prime Minister Narendra Modi would woo the electorate with a promise of better governance, and BJP president Amit Shah would marshal his resources to translate that promise into votes. Moreover, the strong hindutva undercurrent created by the saffron brigade has emerged as a uniting force for the electorate in Hindu-dominated states.

And, now, the results in Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya have reaffirmed that the BJP is a powerful electoral force, with its far superior war machinery and an army of foot soldiers. Even in Nagaland and Meghalaya, which are Christian dominated, the BJP has not only won seats, but has formed coalition governments. The party now rules more than 70 per cent of the countrys geographical area, spread over 21 states.

Of its latest victories, Tripura was the most significant as one of only two left governments in the country was dislodged. The reverberations of the win were felt not only in neighbouring West Bengal, but also in Kerala.

These are big victories, including Tripura, which is an ideological one. Celebrate it, Modi told his MPs. Added Shah: The BJPs golden period will be when we win Bengal, Kerala, Odisha and Karnataka.

Though its aim was a Congress-mukt Bharat, the BJP is now close to achieving a communist-mukt Bharat. In Tripura, the difference between the number of votes polled by the BJP and the CPI(M) was only 6,518, yet the seat difference was 19. The BJP had a vote share of 43 per cent, compared with the CPI(M)s 42.7 per cent.

The BJPs realpolitik saw it aligning with the Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura, a tribal party known for its demand of separate statehood, to win seats throughout the state. In Christian-dominated Nagaland, the BJP promised to send 50 senior citizens to Jerusalem.

It is this electoral practicality that would worry the BJPs new targetsKerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Mamata Banerjee. Tripura will impact Bengal the most, said BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya. Tripura has a huge Bengali population, and was ruled by the left. This has been the BJPs biggest ideological victory.

As for Kerala, Modi and Shah dedicated the Tripura win to its cadres, who were allegedly killed by CPI(M) workers in the state. Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, who was in Kerala a day after the results, said: There is already resonance of the results. Everyone kept asking me how it would impact their state. The results also represent a tectonic shift in Indias political history. In Nagaland, which has more than 88 per cent Christians, we have won 15 per cent vote share and 12 seats.

The BJP, predictably, is trumpeting the wins, hoping it would rub off on voters in other states, and to quell recent murmurs of discontent within the party after its byelection losses in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

Before the elections, the narrative centred on diamond baron Nirav Modis escape, which destroyed any moral advantage the Modi government had over the tainted UPA-II regime. The Centre moved swiftly to change the narrative. Soon after the Nirav Modi scandal, a case of fraud involving Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singhs son-in-law, Gurpal Singh, came to the fore. Then came the arrest of Karti, the son of former finance minister P. Chidambaram, on charges of corruption.

The Union cabinet also approved the draft Fugitive Economic Offen-ders Bill, and announced the establishment of the National Financial Reporting Authority, which would supervise the auditors. The Centre has even started the process of selecting an anti-corruption ombudsman.

Finally, with the wins in the northeast, the BJP is again controlling the narrative. Winning elections is a barometer of the peoples faith in the government, said Shah, hard selling the victories. The focus, now, will shift to Congress-ruled Karnataka, where the contest is hotting up ahead of the assembly elections. The result there would set the tone for elections in the BJP-ruled states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, later this year.

To win Karnataka, the BJP plans to raise the issue of corruption within the Siddaramaiah government, apart from relying on its Hindu vote bank to tide over caste differences in the state. Several state leaders are ratcheting up religious issues with provocative speeches, and senior leaders, including Modi, Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, have visited many mutts to win over the religious. Moreover, the party is sending all its top leaders, including ministers, to campaign in Karnataka.

Broadly, the BJP has a four-pronged strategy. It sticks to governance and development, but does not lose a chance to talk about hindutva. On the eve of elections, it lures dissatisfied leaders from its main opponent with a promise of tickets. These leaders come with a specific vote bank, be it their caste or region. Then there is the BJPs booth management, which it has now perfected.

It also looks for small parties with captive vote banks. These parties might not win themselves, but can provide valuable support to the BJP, much like the IPFT did in Tripura.

Indeed, the BJP has been on a roll. However, it is facing problems in its own backyard. Apparently, the party believes that retaining the Phulpur seat in Uttar Pradesh would be tough. Another byelection, in the Araria Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar, could see a heated contest between the BJP and the Rashtriya Janata Dal. Also, recently, the BJP could not wrest two assembly seats from the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, despite an intensive campaign by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Additionally, the BJP governments in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh are facing anti-incumbency, and even party insiders feel that retaining the states would need a herculean effort. In fact, there is already buzz that the government could advance the Lok Sabha elections to coincide with these polls.CF Industries Holdings, Inc. engages in the manufacture and distribution of nitrogen fertilizer. The firm owns and operates nitrogen plants and serves agricultural and industrial customers through its distribution system. It operates through following segments: Ammonia, Granular Urea, UAN, AN, and Other. The Ammonia segment produces anhydrous ammonia, which is company's most concentrated nitrogen fertilizer product as it contains 82% nitrogen. The Granular Urea segment produces granular urea, which contains 46% nitrogen. The UAN segment produces urea ammonium nitrate solution, which is a liquid fertilizer product with a nitrogen content from 28% to 32%, is produced by combining urea and ammonium nitrate. The AN segment produces ammonium nitrate, which is a nitrogen-based product with a nitrogen content between 29% and 35%. The Other segment includes diesel exhaust fluid, nitric acid, urea liquor and aqua ammonia. The company was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Deerfield, IL.

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A town doctor who has a practice in obstetrics and and gynecology in Hudson was arrested on federal drug charges Friday, according to state and federal authorities.

Myra Mabry, 48, allegedly wrote 51 prescriptions for the painkiller oxycodone that an accomplice had filled at Greene County pharmacies, and she wrote 44 prescriptions for oxycodone and hydromorphone, another narcotic painkiller, that were for another person but which Mabry filled herself, authorities said. The alleged activities took place between May 2015 and June 2017, officials said.

Mabry was arraigned in federal court in Albany before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart and ordered held until a detention hearing on Monday. She is charged with distributing controlled substances outside the course of professional practice and for no legitimate medical purpose.

The case is being investigated by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency and the state Department of Health with help from Catskill police.NEW BALTIMORE  Federal transportation officials agreed last fall that state plans for a new Capital Region "welcome center" off the state Thruway in Greene County did not violate federal law aimed at limiting commercial activity along interstate highways.

After butting heads with the state over earlier efforts to sell local products at its interstate rest areas and place state tourism signs along the highways, the U.S. Transportation Department gave its blessing to plans for the new state welcome center near the existing New Baltimore travel plaza.

Federal law bars such commercial uses of travel plazas if they were were built after 1960, but the New Baltimore facility first opened in 1957.

"We concur with your opinion that the proposed upgrading and modernization of the existing facility is consistent with Federal law," wrote Peter Osborn, a divisional administrator with the Federal Highway Administration, an agency within DOT, in an Oct. 19 letter to Thruway Acting Executive Director Matthew Driscoll.

Wrote Osborn, "The proposed improvements are within the footprint of the original 40-acre site and the services provided at the location will be essentially the same." Driscoll had written to federal officials the previous month seeking an opinion on the plan.

The Thruway Authority is planning to include a TasteNY shop, which will sell state-produced food and beverage products, at the new 10,000-square-foot welcome center to be built within the cloverleaf that leads to the existing travel plaza.

Located on the east side of the Thruway across from the travel plaza, the new center would have parking for 130 vehicles and two buses, as well as shops featuring Taste NY products, vending services, a play area and "applicable site amenities," according to online documents. The building would stand 43 feet tall.

The New Baltimore facility is planned to be part of a network of 11 such centers across the state as part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's campaign to promote state products and tourism along major interstate highways.

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The Cuomo administration has clashed with federal highway officials over the commercial nature of initial Taste NY shops in highway rest areas, which then had to cease over-the-counter sales and use only vending machines.

Federal law bans most over-the-counter sales at rest areas opened after 1960 on interstate highways, although sales are allowed at facilities older than that. The law was meant to encourage travelers to leave highways and support local businesses.

Currently, the state also is building a $25 million welcome center along the Thruway in Grand Island, near Buffalo, that is expected to open this summer. Another center is expected to open later this year near the Thousand Islands Bridge on Interstate 81 in Collins Landing, Jefferson County, a road that connects New York and Canada.SCHENECTADY  A Long Island man is accused of drug possession and fleeing police after a chase that started in Coeymans and ended in Schenectady in the overnight hours Friday, State Police said Saturday.

Troopers at the Albany state Thruway barracks said they stopped Dominique Davidson in the highway's northbound lanes in Coeymans for vehicle and traffic law violations, then he sped away.ALBANY -- A developer is reevaluating his plans to build a six-story, 327-bed apartment complex at 1211 Western Ave. in Albany.

Developer Jon Grant, founder and principal of Maryland-based GSX Ventures, has proposed building the apartments along with office and retail space. The project would involve knocking down an existing office building on the property occupied by Sage Engineering Associates.

The application for the project is still pending, but it could be withdrawn or changed, said Andy Brick, an attorney representing the developer.

"Our client has been listening to concerns raised," Bricks said. "He is actively reevaluating the project as it was proposed."

Last month a public hearing on the complex was postponed after Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan asked the city Planning Board to deny a permit for the project until concerns from residents and business owners were "adequately addressed."

In her letter to the board on Jan. 30, Sheehan said her office had been "inundated" with calls, letters and emails from people expressing concerns about the project.

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"I respectfully request that any application for a conditional use permit for this project be denied until concerns regarding potential impacts to traffic, sound, light and water infrastructure are adequately addressed," Sheehan wrote.

GSX developed Aspen Albany, a 277-unit apartment complex on Washington Avenue Extension across from the University at Albany.Glenville

Trustco Bank is stronger and in a better position to grow after completing a nearly three-year supervised compliance program with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, according to the bank's top executive.

GLENVILLE  Trustco agreed to the expensive and time-consuming undertaking in 2015 after an OCC examination found potentially "unsound" banking practices at the bank. Trustco had to shore up its staffing levels and upgrade policies and procedures in a variety of areas relating to regulatory compliance, corporate governance, audit and capital planning, which required millions of dollars in additional spending. The OCC and the Federal Reserve Bank are the two major federal banking regulators.

Robert J. McCormick, the chief executive of both Trustco and its publicly traded parent company, TrustCo Bank Corp NY, told shareholders recently that the OCC program wasn't easy  but the bank's employees actually "flourished" under it and rose to the challenge.

"We are very proud of each and every member of our team who heard the guidance that our regulators were giving and spared no effort in doing what needed to be done," McCormick wrote in a letter to shareholders this month. "A lesser team might have faltered under the burden, but our team, and our company, flourished. I believe that TrustCo emerges as a fundamentally stronger institution, well positioned to face the challenges that lie ahead and, importantly, to take advantage of the opportunities we develop."

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Back on Feb. 15, TrustCo revealed in a two-sentence disclosure filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that the OCC had released it from the oversight program.

Besides that, bank officials have declined to comment publicly about the end of the OCC's special oversight, which is why McCormick's comments to shareholders are significant.

TrustCo Bank Corp NY has 846 employees and 11,878 shareholders, so the bank's exit from the OCC program is important news to a lot of people and businesses. The bank has 145 branches in New York, Florida, Vermont, Massachusetts and New Jersey.

TrustCo's shares have risen over the span of the OCC agreement from $7.05 per share to $8.75 per share, an increase of 24 percent.A military veteran who had been treated for post-traumatic stress disorder burst into a veterans home in the North Bay town of Yountville on Friday with a rifle, killed three women connected with the treatment program and then killed himself, authorities and program officials said.

Law enforcement officers found the bodies of the victims and the killer at the Veterans Home of California-Yountville shortly before 6 p.m., more than seven hours after the incident began, said Chris Childs, an assistant chief of the California Highway Patrol.

Authorities had earlier said the gunman was holding staff members of the Pathway Home, a program on the Veterans Home campus that had been treating him for PTSD until he was asked to leave several days ago.

One of those killed was the programs executive director, Christine Loeber, the Pathway Home said in a statement. Also killed were Dr. Jen Golick, a therapist with the program, and Dr. Jennifer Gonzales, a psychologist with the Department of Veterans Affairs in San Francisco, the statement said.

The CHP did not release the killers name, but a knowledgeable source identified him as Albert Wong. The source said he and the three victims were shot to death.

The tragedy began around 10:30 a.m. when the gunman walked into a staff meeting of Pathway Home, a program that treats combat veterans for PTSD. State Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, whose district includes the center, said the man had been asked to leave several days ago, for unknown reasons.

The gunman exchanged fire with a Napa County sheriffs deputy, whom Childs credited with preventing the killer from finding other victims. The deputy was unharmed.

Some witnesses said 20 or more shots were fired. The gunman took the three women hostage, along with two additional unidentified people whom he released a short time later.

The gunman then barricaded himself with the hostages inside a room in one of the buildings on the 9,000-acre Veterans Home campus, located about 10 miles north of Napa. It was there that authorities found the bodies of the victims and killer just before 6 p.m. It was not immediately known when they died.

The discovery came after fruitless hours of trying to contact the man, said Napa County Sheriff John Robertson.

We do know who he is, Robertson said at an afternoon news conference. Weve been trying to contact him by his own cell phone and phones in the (Veterans Home) dormitory.

Childs said the killers phone was found inside his parked rental car near the site of the hostage taking. Authorities checked the car for explosives after a bomb-sniffing police dog signaled that they may be present. None was found.

Dodd said the killer was a war veteran who had entered the Pathway Home program last year.

The Pathway Home has focused in recent years on post-9/11 veterans from California, many of whom transition to higher education to pursue studies at Napa Valley College, Santa Rosa Junior College and elsewhere. It was a setting of the 2017 fictional movie Thank You for Your Service, about a Marine platoon leader with PTSD.

Loeber, 48, a social worker with her masters from Boston College, worked at Department of Veterans Affairs clinics in San Francisco and Menlo Park before coming to the Pathway Home.

In an interview with The Chronicle when the movie came out, Loeber said, When these people are in combat, their systems are programmed to keep them alive under incredibly stressful situations. Nobody helps them understand that when they get back they have to reprogram their nervous system to operate at a different caliber so they can be successful civilians.

According to her Linked In page, Golick was clinical director at the Pathway Home. She described herself as a licensed marriage family therapist with more than 16 years of clinical practice.

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Loeber, Golick and Gonzales were brave women (and) accomplished professionals who dedicated their careers to serving our nations veterans, working closely with those in the greatest need of attention after deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Pathway Home said in its statement.

President Trump offered his condolences early Saturday. We are deeply saddened by the tragic situation in Yountville and mourn the loss of three incredible women who cared for our Veterans, he said in a tweet.

According to radio transmissions between officers at the scene and dispatchers, the man who burst into the Pathway Home on Friday was a 36-year-old veteran wearing a stash of bullets around his neck and his waist.

Larry Kamers wife, Devereaux Smith, is a development director for the Pathway Home. She was among those present at the staff meeting, which also included a going-away party for departing employees, when the gunman entered.

Smith was able to escape before he opened fire, Kamer said.

Shes obviously quite shaken up, he said. Just imagine, youre at a normal workday gathering and a man walks in with a rifle, and hes ex-military. Its very scary.

Hostage negotiators from the Napa County Sheriffs Department, city of Napa Police Department and the FBI tried all day to contact the gunman, Childs said.

Much of the Veterans Home was locked down for the day. About 80 schoolchildren rehearsing a play in a theater some distance from where the gunman was holed up were whisked away in a bus to safety.

Friends and relatives of residents and employees waited anxiously at the entrance to the property, some distance away from the main buildings. After the initial gunfire, Fernando Juarez, 36, of Napa, began exchanging text messages with his sister, Hirma Vanessa Flores, a 22-year-old caregiver who works inside. Her texts said she was unharmed and that all she can hear is yelling, Juarez said

As of late last year, some 850 people lived at the Veterans Home. The center is across the street from the Napa Valley Museum in Yountville on California Drive and is more than 133 years old.To fans, Miley Cyrus will always be Hannah Montana, Adam Brody will always be Seth Cohen from "The O.C.," and Robert Pattinson will always be a vampire.

However, for an actor taking on various characters, looks and motivations for different parts, sometimes it be hard to break away from the roles that defined the."Thoroughbreds" freshens the trope of toxic teenage female friendship just enough to be distinctive, and relatively inoffensive in this moment of women's empowerment. Its leads are photographed lovingly, but never while pillow fighting, and that's progress. And their characters do not compete for a boy.

But "Thoroughbreds," in which estranged friends Lily (Anya Taylor-Joy, from "The Witch") and Amanda (Olivia Cooke, "Bates Motel") reunite to compare busted moral compasses in a Connecticut mansion, is not the cerebral exercise it wants to be. It starts out strong but ends up basic, lacking the complexity of "Heavenly Creatures" or even "Wild Things."

Rookie director Cory Finley can set a mood, and early scenes mesmerize. They take place in the imposingly large yet comfortably furnished home where the self-possessed Lily lives, and where she tutors the more unruly Amanda. Close when they were junior equestrians, the girls had not spoken in years when Amanda's mother asked Lily  home from prep school  to tutor Amanda.

They get reacquainted through dialogue that is witty but not overly precocious, as dialogue often can be in teen films. Cooke and Taylor-Joy radiate intelligence and curiosity. They play Amanda and Lily as genuinely intrigued by what the other has been up to during their years apart.

If only Lily's stepfather, Mark (Paul Sparks, seething with entitlement), were on board. But he does not want one teenage girl in his house, much less two. He had shipped Lily off to boarding school, but she was expelled, with the family covering up by saying she is home for an internship.

Theirs is an emotional hothouse straight out of the pages of Town & Country. Mark and Lily show their contempt quietly, WASP-ily. The atmosphere in the house is so compellingly fraught, and aesthetically lovely, that it is a shame the girls decide to off Mark.

But thrillers need a plot, and this one is fueled by Amanda's admission to Lily that she lacks the ability to feel emotion. Lily confirms her own pathology when she entertains Amanda's murder suggestion.

You are just figuring out who is Leopold and who is Loeb when "Thoroughbreds" leaves the mansion and goes off a creative cliff, when the girls enlist the help of a criminal (Anton Yelchin, in one of his final roles before he died in 2016).

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

Yelchin's feral energy suits his character but breaks the spell of civilized hostility from earlier. The film's holes start to show. For instance, you notice how the estate's staff  omnipresent when Mark's wealth needed to be established  disappears once the story demands the girls be alone in the house.

That story proves paper thin, and requires believing Amanda is devoid of empathy yet devoted to Lily  concepts too at odds to be plausible together.COLONIE  Their eyes were smiling to match the laughter as the students dove into their lesson of Irish Gaelic while a faint skirl of bagpipes sounded another class down the hall.

What began as two friends struggling to learn Irish from a dictionary, newspaper, textbooks and children books has blossomed into three classes  beginner, advanced beginner and intermediate  attended by 55 students at the Celtic Hall off New Karner Road.

Georgine Meagher drives up from Rhinebeck every Thursday to teach the beginner and intermediate classes. The secret to keeping the students involved, she said, is to keep them focused on conversation not the rote work of conjugating verbs.

You have to get students involved. We try to make everything fun so you are part of a community, Meagher said. I love their interest. I look forward to it all week.

Matt Brady, 58, and his daughter, Marie Brady, 21, come from Schodack for the hour-long beginner class. They have the dual motivation of heritage and wanting to converse in the Irish tongue.

Matt Brady possesses an additional inspiration.

On a trip to Ireland, he said, I certainly want to be able to talk to people.

For his daughter, a University at Albany senior studying Spanish, there are challenges with picking up Irish, but she said, I just love learning languages.

Rod Aldrich of Troy and John Conway of East Greenbush recalled struggling to continue learning Irish after an initial introduction in a class more than a decade ago with Barbara McCarthy of Saratoga Springs.

Conway has traveled to Ireland eight times and wants to speak the language when he heads there again. The Irish respect you for making the effort, he said.

Aldrich, who wears a wrist band that says, "I love the Irish language in Irish, attended Irish immersion weekends and found people interested in learning Irish. An enthusiasm for the language eventually blossomed into the formal classes. He teaches the advanced beginner class with Justin Finning.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

The Capital Region is known for having strong Irish roots with many residents tracing their ancestry back to Ireland.

The local Irish language classes are now The Finning said the local efforts to learn Irish have earned recognition from the Irish government through the Two Rivers Gaelic League or Craobh Chumar an Da Uisce in Irish. The league is celebrating 125th anniversary this year of promoting the learning of the Irish language and culture.

I always wanted to learn Irish. I just never had an easy way to do it, Finning said.

The classes are held for three ten-week sessions each year. Each session costs $50. When theres a break in the classes, there are informal sessions so students can continue working on the language.

Information about enrolling in the Irish classes is available at the groups Meetup page or on Facebook.



Albany

State workers in the Empire Plazas Corning Tower were told not to drink the water on Friday.

The state Office of General Services brought bottled water to the building after sending out the following notice:

A cloudiness and odor has been detected in the water at the Corning Tower. Biggs Lab is not affected.

No other buildings are affected. Out of an abundance of caution, we ask that tenants in the Corning Tower refrain from drinking water from sinks and fountains as we determine the cause of this issue. Bottled water is on the way to the Tower and will be delivered to all floors. You can also fill your own bottles on the concourse. We will keep you apprised of information as it becomes available. We thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

One person, who cited another letter that went out to state workers in the tower, noted that sandblasting the fire suppression system on the 41st floor may have resulted in particles getting into the water system.

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OGS spokeswoman Heather Groll, though, said the cause has not been pinned down.

rkarlin@timesunion.com 518 454 5758 @RickKarlinTUTROY  A bipartisan delegation of City Council members met Friday with the state attorney generals office to discuss recommendations in its report on an investigation of a 2016 fatal police-involved shooting.

The 70-minute meeting in Albany came as the Troy Police Department is undergoing a change in its top command and promises have been made at every level of city government to improve community relations with the 130-member police force.

Republican City Council President Carmella Mantello said Attorney General Eric T. Schneidermans staff couldnt deal with some issues due to the pending June 20 trial of Rensselaer County District Attorney Joel Abelove for his handling of the grand jury presentation of the April 2016 case.

DWI suspect Edson Thevenin was killed during a traffic stop when Sgt. Randall French shot him. Abelove presented the case to a county grand jury with French testifying without waiving his immunity from prosecution. Abelove was indicted by a special county grand jury on felony perjury and two misdemeanor counts of official conduct for his handling of the shooting case.

The attorney generals staff could not answer questions about what Mayor Patrick Madden has called factual errors with the report because the city has not indicated what they are, Mantello said.

They never heard from the mayor. Theyre standing by the report, Mantello said about meeting with the attorneys and investigators involved in writing the report.

Madden has refused to explain what the factual errors are in the report citing, the pending federal civil rights lawsuit filed by Thevenins estate and his widow in U.S. District Court in Albany.

The attorney generals recommendations came as a result of the grand jury probe into investigation of Thevenins shooting. The attorney general became involved under an executive order signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo that has the state take a role in investigating police fatal shootings of unarmed civilians.

The attorney general's report called for the city to outfit police officers with body cameras and to mount dashboard cameras in patrol vehicles; to change its policy of allowing officers to fire at moving vehicles; to properly train officers in the evaluation of bullet-trajectory and other evidence; and for the department not to prejudge evidence in cases.

We met with the Troy City Council today to follow up on the recommendations outlined in our report. We are hopeful that todays meeting provided them with the information they need to work with the mayor and police department to implement these vital reforms, said Amy Spitalnick, press secretary for Schneiderman.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

Mantello accompanied Democratic Councilman David Bissember, the council's Public Safety Committee chairman, and Democratic Councilman Anasha Cummings, the councils president pro tempore, to the meeting in Albany. Mantello requested the meeting in a January letter on behalf of the City Council.

We must continue to improve community relations with local law enforcement and todays meeting was a welcome opportunity to better understanding the specific measures outlined in the report," Bissember said.

We got a better sense of whats happening in different parts of the state, Bissember said..

The Public Safety Committee will meet in a few weeks to discuss the reports recommendations and the results of conferring with the attorney generals staff, Bissember said. Its important for the city to look at adopting the recommendations, particularly on the body cameras and ensuring that the citys homicide investigations put the same emphasis on collecting evidence and maintaining public confidence.

Bissember and Mantello said that with Chief Brian Owens now leading the department they anticipate an improvement in community relations and policy changes.Best fake AirPods of 2021

The best fake AirPods are available online and cost $60 or less. We called them in to test, and here's how the fauxs fared.Pagani is known as an Italian automaker thats responsible for giving us the Zonda and Huayra supercars. Now, its taking its influence to a new level with whats called the Pagani Fabric, a new and innovative material that was created through a combination of technical fabric and high elastic modulus carbon fiber components. In other words, its a sophisticated material that Pagani plans to use as the soft top roof of the Huayra Roadster.

Its called the Pagani Fabric, and you can see it on the Huayra Roadster

The two brands wanted to create an innovative and sophisticated soft top roof that can be used on the Huayra Roadster.

The creation of this new material didnt just happen overnight for Pagani. It worked tirelessly at it, and it even had help from Italian motorcycle protective gear company, Dainese. Together, the two brands wanted to create an innovative and sophisticated soft top roof that can be used on the Huayra Roadster.

The process of creating didnt come easy either, something Pagani founder Horacio Pagani explained in a press release. Creating the reserve soft top for the Huayra Roadster was a real technical challenge, Pagani said. Our goal was to provide customers with a folding roof solution, one that takes up minimal space when stored in the car. The soft top was conceived as a lightweight, resistant tenso-structure, in which every single element contributes to carrying out the overall function through tension.

The result of the collaboration between Pagani and Dainese is a fabric that has predetermined folding areas that allow the fabric to follow the folds of the structure when the roof is closed

The result of the collaboration between Pagani and Dainese is a fabric that has predetermined folding areas that allow the fabric to follow the folds of the structure when the roof is closed. According to Pagani, this material not only ensures minimal storage space but, more importantly, its durable enough that the fabric wont suffer from any wear and tear over a long period of time.

For now, Pagani plans to use the material on the Huayra Roadster, which made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show last year. Its fitting, then, that the automaker is returning to Geneva this year to showcase the fabric on a Huayra Roadster. Moving forward, Pagani plans to use the Fabric on future open-top supercars that it builds. Considering how many one-off models it also builds for specific customers all over the world, dont be surprised if the fabric starts popping up often.

References

Read our full review on the 2018 Pagani Huyra Roadster.

Read our full review on the 2011 Pagani Huayra.

Read more Pagani news.The Polestar 1 is turning out to be a more popular model than even Polestar anticipated. Volvos new performance brand initially planned to produce a limited run of 1,500 units, spread out at 500 units per year. But, with consumer demand skyrocketing, Polestar is now considering increasing the cars supply to at least accommodate the rising demand. In the meantime, Polestar is scheduled to begin taking 2,500 ($3,000) deposits for the sedan next week.

Questions remain on how customers are going to get their hands on one

Very similar to the Volvo S90

The rising demand for the Polestar 1 isnt a surprise. A lot of people have been talking about since there was an inkling that Volvo was going to develop a model like it. That goes back to 2013 when the Swedish automaker presented the Concept Coupe back in 2013. Since that time, Volvo decided to separate Polestar from itself, raise it as a stand-alone performance brand, and help it develop the Polestar 1 that everyone and their dog seems to have fallen in love with.

Uses the Volvo Scaleable Platform Architecture

There are already 6,000 customers who are interested in the car, and thats without a confirmed price tag.

In fact, Polestar COO Jon Goodman told Auto Express that there are already 6,000 customers who are interested in the car, and thats without a confirmed price tag. You dont need to be a rocket scientist to figure out that demand for the Polestar 1 has quadrupled the companys supply plan. If recent trends hold, the demand for the car could increase even more once all details about it are unveiled.

Fortunately, Goodman indicated that supply of the car could easily be doubled if the situation presented itself. Resources shouldnt be an issue because Polestar has Volvo and parent company Geely backing it up. Infrastructure is also covered because the company is set to open ground on a massive production facility in China where all Polestar 1 units will be made. Its just a question of piecing the right puzzle pieces together to make sure the picture is complete.

Goodman indicated that supply of the car could easily be doubled if the situation presented itself.

In the meantime, there are other concerns surrounding the Polestar 1 that needs to be ironed out. Chief among them is how exactly are customers going to get their hands on one. For the longest time, Polestar has made it clear that the Polestar 1 will be primarily offered through a subscription service that will include all-inclusive, no deposit, flat monthly payments. That seemed straightforward enough, except that Polestar is now actually taking deposits for the model.

Things got even more confusing when reports came out that the Polestar 1 would be priced around 150,000 (around $185,000) if Polestar decided to sell its models outright. All that happened before Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath told Autoblog at the Geneva Motor Show that the brand will rely 100% on a subscription service.

Were inclined to believe that Polestar is leaning heavily on a subscription service for its models

So what gives, exactly? Were inclined to believe that Polestar is leaning heavily on a subscription service for its models because thats been the dominant narrative since the model was introduced last year. But, if its going to follow that method and stick to its earlier claims, why is there a deposit requirement now? Are customers depositing for a slot or the actual car?

Clearly, Polestar needs to set the record straight once and for all. I dont suppose this confusion is going to be enough to quell the interest in the sedan  its an awesome car!  but it should clarify whatever confusion remains on how exactly customers are going to get their hands on one.

References

Read what we had to say in our full review of the Polestar 1

Get up to date on the latest Polestar news

Source: Auto ExpressOh wow, the 2018 Geneva Motor Show was so much fun. So many concept cars that wont make it into production, so many supercars that we cant buy. Scratch that, and were left with the Toyota Aygo , Peugeot 508, Volvo V60, Toyota Yaris , and some special-edition models that arent all that special. Oh wait, this years show was also about quite a few good examples of laziness in the design department. Nissan takes the cake with two different cars, but Mercedes-Benz also made the list with its latest performance car.

Nothing New to Display? Refurbish!

Bored much, Nissan? Maybe you should work on that production model instead

Thats exactly what Nissan did. Remember the cool IMx concept, that is supposed to become a competitor for the Tesla Model X at some point? Well, its not there yet, but Nissan thought it was a good idea to repaint it, change the name, and show it off in Geneva as a European debut. Its gray instead of white, it has black wheels, and a body-colored nose. Thats it! But now its called the Kuro. It means "black" in Japanese, and its indeed appropriate to describe the darker appearance of the IMx, but come on, what was wrong with just showing the white concept in Geneva? Bored much, Nissan? Maybe you should work on that production model instead.

The brand also thought its a good idea to give the Juke a few new paint options and a new sound system. Sure, its not a bad idea, but the Juke is like seven freaking years old. Just launch the second-generation model already! Or at least give us a more comprehensive update. Or you could do what automakers do when they dont have anything new to show: stay home!

The New AMG CLS GT 53 63 4-Door

Nope, the title above isnt a weird new car from Mercedes-Benz, I made it up. But, only because the new AMG GT 4-Door is actually a CLS with an AMG GT front end and a somewhat unique rear fascia. Yup, the folks over at AMG were disappointingly lazy for all the hype that surrounded this performance sedan up until now. Yeah, I know, its fast, and the range-topping version has more power than the AMG GT R, but this doesnt save it from being a glorified CLS. Not that I have something against the CLS  I actually like it  but just sayin.

Im Never Watching Formula One Again!

The new Formula E single-seater revealed in Geneva reminded me, once again, that modern Formula One cars are butt-ugly. Worse than that, the new Formula E car is proof that extreme race cars can be incredibly aerodynamic but look good at the same time. And, for some reason, the folks in Formula One dont seem to get that. Well, these new Formula E cars are quicker than ever before, and they look like they mean business. Bye-bye Formula One!

References

Check out our latest news about Formula E

Read the lastest word about Nissan

Read more Pops Rants news.Add Porsche to the growing list of companies that are looking to gain entry into the flying car segment. A report from German magazine Automobilwoche quoted Porsche Sales Chief, Detlef von Platen, who revealed that Porsche was gauging the temperature on the possibility of pursuing such an endeavor. Full details of Porsches plans were not revealed, but the thought of seeing a flying Porsche in the future is enough to make some heads roll.

A Porsche flying car sounded ridiculous as recently as five years ago. But this is where the auto industry is at right now

A Porsche flying car sounded ridiculous as recently as five years ago. But this is where the auto industry is at right now. The rapid development of new technologies has made it possible for people to start talking about electric cars, autonomous driving technology, and urban air taxis without somebody gleefully mocking them for even bringing the subject up.

Leave it to one of the biggest premium automakers in the world to add more fuel to that fire. In the words of Sales Chief, Detlev von Platen, a Porsche flying car would really make sense.

If I drive from (the Porsche plant in) Zuffenhausen to Stuttgart airport, I need at least half an hour, if Im lucky, he added. Flying would take only three-and-a-half minutes.

The pending shift in the public transportation market is real, and it could get even more significant if the right technologies are developed.

The pending shift in the public transportation market is real, and it could get even more significant if the right technologies are developed. Theres no shortage of companies that have started working on their designs for flying cars in anticipation of the aforementioned shift. Daimler-backed German startup Volocopter is in on the business. The same can be said for Lilium Jet, eVolo, Joby Aviation, and Terrafugia, which happens to be owned by Chinese auto giant Geely. Even Airbus is developing its own version of a two-seater flying car. The aviation company even took to last years Geneva Motor Show to present the Pop.Up, a flying car that was designed with the help of Italdesign.

The market is still in its embryonic stage. That much is clear. But if technology progresses to the point that it becomes possible to have these flying cars in the air, look out for the ones that have Porsches badge on them.

References

Read more Porsche news.Continue reading for my take on the plant closing and what it means.

Weve all seen the news. Harley-Davidson , the iconic American motorcycle manufacturer, has announced plans to close its Kansas City, Missouri, plant next summer and move operations to its York, Pennsylvania, plant. The Harley-haters are having tailgate parties and lots of folks are wringing their hands and quoting numbers and statistics over what could be spun into a story about a failing business. But is it really? What is really going on at MoCo headquarters?

Is The Sky Falling?

Is the closing really about hardship or is it forward-thinking financially sound corporate planning?

While its easy to spread gloom and doom when a plant closes, we have to look at the bigger picture. Is it really hardship or is it forward-thinking financially sound corporate planning? Lets start with a look at the Kansas City plant.

Kansas City, MO

After removing recently discontinued lines, all that's left at the plant are the Sportsters.

The operation center in Kansas City was built by Harley-Davidson in 1998. It was the first brand-new facility built by Harley for manufacturing since 1914 when they built what is now their corporate headquarters in Milwaukee. This plant is the operation center for the Dynas and Sportsters, as well as the V-Rods, including making the V-Rod powertrains. Does that give any indication of whats going on here? The Dynas and V-Rods have already been discontinued, so all thats left at the plant are the Sportsters.

York, PA

It makes good business sense to consolidate operations wherever you can to avoid a bloated payroll and the expense of duplicate tooling.

The York plant became a Harley facility in 1973 and was purchased from AMF in 1981. If you recall last Spring, Harley announced its plans to consolidate cruiser operations from the York plant to the Kansas City plant. It makes good business sense to consolidate operations wherever you can to avoid a bloated payroll and the expense of duplicate tooling. So what happened at the York plant after that operation move to Kansas City? Did that spell doom for Harley as so many people thought? No. The York plant handles the Softails, which saw a major overhaul last year, and its the operation center for the touring models. While the Sportsters and (I think) the Streets left for Kansas City last year, the plant didnt close down; they just shifted gears. It looks like the shift facilitated the plant retooling to accommodate the brand new Softail line.

What Does This Mean?

The plant could be retooled for something we haven't seen yet.

Harley has promised 50 new models over the next five years last year, so it is very likely that the Kansas City plant is being emptied to make way for retooling. Is it possible that the Sportser line will get a major overhaul after 2019 like the Softails were last year? Could be. The Sportsters have been a mainstay product for decades, so I doubt it will go away like the Dynas did. Harley has been announcing new models here lately so the plant could be retooled for something we havent seen yet.

The Unions Are Mad

Look at Detroit before deciding whether letting labor unions dictate major business decisions is a good idea.

They didnt even give us a call ahead of time, said Joe Capra, directing business agent for Local 778 of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers. It is real devastation for these people who work here and work hard in the Kansas City area.

Well, the unions were mad when Harley sent the cruiser operation to Kansas City, but they dont get a say. Last Fall, the United Steelworkers Union and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers ended a collaboration agreement with Harley-Davidson that had been in place for 22 years. Why? Because the unions were mad that Harley wasnt consulting them on major corporate decisions the company was making to keep themselves viable. Seriously? Lets look at Detroit before we decide whether letting labor unions dictate major business decisions is a good idea.

So Is The Sky Falling Or What?

All the manufacturers are scrambling for new riders right now and Harley more than others has big hurdles to get over.

It makes major sense to consolidate plants instead of trying to bleed manufacturing money because youre spread too thin. As far as the labor unions go, Harley-Davidson has already demonstrated that they run their company to stay financially fit and doesnt let the unions derail that goal. Its corporate thinking like that that will keep the company healthy or at least as healthy as the declining industry allows. Remember, all manufacturers are scrambling for new riders right now and Harley more than others has big hurdles to get over as their old customer base is heading into retirement age and the new 18-to-34-year-old buyer group isnt interested in the old Harley image. Theres nothing wrong with trimming the fat to make way for the future.

My Take On It All

Sending its operations to another plant has happened before and it happened just before the unveiling of a significant model line.

Closing a plant doesnt mean the building goes away. Id be concerned if Harley was selling the plant, but sending its operations to another plant has happened before and it happened just before the unveiling of a model line that had a major overhaul. While Harley-haters will continue with their tailgate parties, I think the rest of us can exhale and wait to see what the MoCo has in store for us next year and beyond.

.

References

Harley-Davidson Relocates 118 Jobs Amid Heavy Third-Quarter Losses

See our article on the cruiser operation move to KC.

Harley Says Buh-Bye To Labor Unions

See our article on the end of the collaboration agreement.

50 New Harley Davidson Models In Five Years?

See our article on Harleys announcement of 50 new models.

Motorcycle Manufacturers Are Scrambling For New Riders

See our article on the shift in the market.

Harley-Davidson Announces 2018 Softail Lineup

See our article on the new Softail lineup.About

The Los Cabos Tourism Board works with advertising, marketing and public relations agencies to promote Los Cabos, Mexico as a vacation destination for travelers. In this stunning destination, visitors often journey to the tip of the Baja Peninsula, dubbed Land's End, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortes. The Arch at Land's End, a dramatic rock formation, is the icon of Los Cabos, and romantics revel in the secluded beauty of the tip's Lover's Beach.Allentown Police Department(ALLENTOWN, Pa.) -- Pennsylvania police are searching for a missing teenage girl who may be with a 45-year-old man who has signed her out of school at least 10 times, according to authorities.



Amy Yu, 16, and Kevin Esterly have both been reported missing, the Allentown Police Department said Wednesday. Allentown, in eastern Pennsylvania, is located about 60 miles north of Philadelphia.



The two were last seen on or about Monday, and authorities believe they are together, said Bill Reinik, assistant chief of police for the Allentown Police Department.



Reinik said police believe Yu willingly went with Esterly.



The two met at church and Yu appears to have been friends with one of Esterly's daughters, said Gary Hammer of the Colonial Regional Police, which has jurisdiction over Lu's school, Lehigh Valley Academy.



When Yu was asked by members of the Leigh Country Child Advocacy Center whether she was having a relationship with Esterly, she denied it, Hammer said.



However, Yu altered her school records and listed Esterly as her stepfather, Hammer added. And at least 10 times between December and Feb. 9, Esterly signed her out of school early.



Feb. 9 was the final day because that's when Yu's mother came to the school to pick up her daughter, "and the school said her stepfather already signed her out of school," Hammer told ABC News.



"The mom explained she is a single mother," Hammer said. "There is no stepfather."



The school called the Colonial Regional Police immediately and it started investigating. The department found video of Esterly signing the teen out and leaving with her, Hammer said.



Lehigh Valley Academy confirmed that Esterly has been on school grounds before and was last there on Feb. 9.



"After that date, due to circumstances we cannot disclose pursuant to student privacy constraints, he was prohibited from entering school grounds, and the police were to be notified if he returned," the school said in a statement.



The school said in its statement, "Due to federal and state privacy constraints, the school is prohibited from releasing any additional information about the student or the facts and circumstances surrounding the situation unless the parent provides express consent for the school to do so."



"We are, however, working closely with the Colonial Regional Police and the Allentown Police and are providing whatever information and assistance we can to assist them and Amys family during this difficult time," the school added.



A warrant was issued for Esterly on Wednesday for interference with the custody of a child.



Reinik, the assistant chief of police in Allentown, said authorities believe the pair are likely following media reports of the investigation.



"They have the ability to read whats going on and are interested in reading whats going on and are interested in reading what's going on," he said. "We don't want Mr. Esterly watching the internet and knowing what our next move is."



Yu stands at 4 feet 11 inches tall and weighs about 90 pounds, police said; Esterly, meanwhile, stands at 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs about 185 pounds.



They may be driving in a 1999 red two-door Honda Accord with Pennsylvania license plate KLT 0529.



Reinik said the search for Yu and Esterly consists of local, state and federal authorities, with Allentown leading the investigation.



Anyone who sees them is urged to call 911, local police or the Allentown Police at 610-437-7751.

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.In order to maintain this blog I have to pay for its upkeep including a hosting company, support services, virus and other malicious hackers. If you appreciate what I write please make a donation.ATTORNEYS representing Gary Griffith were in the process of drafting documents late yesterday as they prepare to file High Court action against the Police Service Commission (PolSC) over its decision to suspend him from acting in the capacity of Police Commissioner.It must be a matter of sadness for any citizen with even basic knowledge of governance and the concept of serving the public interest to witness the thrashing around of persons involved in the appointment of a new commissioner of police (CoP).If you look at bahn.com for your journey, you will see that it is easily possible to travel via Montreaux, although it takes a few hours more and iinvolves 5 change of train.

Put your journey into the planner, you will get the quickest journey via Bern.

Then go to Change query, put Zweisimmen and Montreux in as intermediate stops, then you will see your times and changes travelling that way.

OK, bahn is the website for German Rail, but it is excellent for journey planning anywhere in Europe.

As Krist says though, buy your ticket from SBB.Last time I went to Amsterdam was two years ago. I paid 120 euros per night in a room with huge windows next to the street as it was formerly a brothel or something (some drunk guys even knock at my window at night). I would like to go back again this year and I can't find anything "decent" for less than 180 bucks per night and you are like 5 kilometers out of the center and the reviews in other websites for these hotels are dismal (below 7 out of 10). What's going on during the months of April, May and June? Is there a major international event during those months? I mean even share rooms where you end up sleeping with 9 other strangers you need to pay at least 110 euros per one bed. I would like to know if there is a major event or if instead is permanent trend when only the very rich will be able to visit this city. Foodwise, the Netherlands was already ultra expensive unless you eat fries your whole trip.Ok, here's the deal... Was going to leave the driving to someone else but at least considering now doing a car rental instead

Going to Costa Rica this summer (2018) from Sun 7/29 (landing at SJO around 8 am) through Monday 8/6 (flying out of SJO around 2:30pm). Heading to La Fortuna for 5 nights, then Manuel Antonio for 3 nights.

So basically, I am just concerned with the routes from SJO to La Fotuna, La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio, and Manuel Antonio to SJO.

So as of 2018, What exactly can I expect? How bad is it? Are we talking unpaved roads at times? For long stretches of time? Driving on the edge of a cliff with no barrier? Many potholes? Or have these things been somewhat overblown?

I have driven before in Iceland on some unpaved roads at times. I've also driven myself in Israel and Italy (where drivers are nuts), and in Mexico. I have also driven the Taconic State Parkway in NY at night, sometimes in less than ideal weather.

So I'm by no means an expert but I have dealt with a few less than optimal driving situations before. I worry about breaking down in the middle of nowhere, stranded in the middle of interior Costa Rica on some unpaved road but wonder if this fear is just overblown and not based on reality.

So tell it to me straight. What are these 3 routes like?

Also more concerned with the above but... if I do rent, any pointers? Any particular type of car needed (we are 3 adults, well one 14 year old but he's 5' 10")? Who should I rent from? What should I be weary of? About what should it cost for 8 nights?For October / November I would actually consider travelling north to south, as you might have more luck with the weather. In theory, he rainy season will be over in the north in October (which is not always the case as Scott might know..) and when you hit the south in November the rainy seasn should be over there and the islands like Phu Quoc might be an option.

In both cases though the central part of Hoi An, Hue, Nh Trang etc will be in the middle of the rainy season So for that part I would keep some flexibility in case of severe flooding.

Also, from the south you could then easily travel to Cambodia overland, either directly to Phnom Penh or via Kep / Kampot - combining the journey there with a trip to the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc.

If you want to visit Laos I would rather trave from Cambodia - travelling to the 4.000 Islands and heading north - than from Hanoi. Though from Hanoi it is possible, I would travel via Sapa and then to Muang Khuau, Muang Ngoi, Nong Khiaw and then finally to Luang Prabang. Though it menas travelling south to north in Vietnam.

In regards of Visa, I woud just get a VOA unless you live near the Vietnam Embassy in Australia. The Embassy route is more expensive and I do not like sending my passport by mail. I had to send a few documents to the Vietnamese Embassy in Germany, and the porto was already more expensive than the fees f an online agent would cost.

I used once again vietnamvisapro.net for my VOA last week...and I got my letter within 12 hours. And once again (for the third time) I had no issue getting my Visa. The downside was the waiting time at HCMC airport this time. It took 40 minutes this time...and it seems they needed a lot of time for each passport. It doesn`t help that the tourist guides jumping the queues got always served first. And eeven though they changed the VOA area I have no idea why they did not install a board where the names of the passport ready to be picked up is used. The poor girl having to announce the name was really struggling with the names. And they do not always use the last name...but the first names. Thankfully I recognised my first names and got it...otherwise I would still be sitting there!!!

So if you are sure you only want to stay for 30 days...then maybe consider the new E-Visum

But yes, I have not heard any issues with the VOA...neither on this forum, or when checking in to my flights or waiting for the VOA. The only source of issues I read about are the embassies...as they are afraid loosing their nice income from Visas...

In regards of working online, no need to worry. All cafes offer good free WiFi. I have seen many foreigners and Vietnamese working in cafes all day. And there are some great places where you can easily send a whole day. In fact, over the last week I went to two great cafes in HCMC spending a few hours to relax and doing some reseach online. The same exist in the other places.

Hope this helps a little bit.This Guide is for People who want to visit the Cu Chi Tunnel by Public Bus. The Bus Fare is 13000 (around 1$). Additional you have to pay the Entrance Fee of 90000 Dong, Guide at Site included.

Online and on the Street you find Half-Day Tours with Pickup at the Hostel, Price: around 500000-100000 Dong (Entrance-Fee of 90000 not included).

This Guide was created on the 08.March 2018

1. Go to Bus Station Ga Hanh khach Xe buyt Sai Gon, better known as CONG VIEN. There you have to search a Green Bus with Number 13 BX.CU CHI - CONG VIEN 23/9. The Fare of 7000 you have to pay on Bus.

2. When you arrive at 2nd Bus Station in Cong Vien, take 79 Bus CU CHI - (DIA DAO) - DAU TIEN which brings you to the Street, leading to the Site (5-10 Min to walk). Busfare: 6000

3. Pay the Entrance Fee (90000) and enter Site

The Busride takes around 2.5 Hours. Total Fare: 13000 (One Way)

Way back is the same, just in the opposite direction: Street next to Site->Cu Chi->Cong Vien.

if you start not too late, its also possible to visit the war museum in the afternoon. around 30min walk from walking street. entrance fee: 40000 dongWhy do you stay 3 nights at Nagoya, while you don't see Tokyo?

I think it's better to buy the Express Pass of USJ in advance. Read these.

I think Kiyomizu-dera can be combined with Sanjusangendo and South Higashiyama on 25 as follows.-:- Message from Tripadvisor staff -:-

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We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.Leave by 2 and u will be fine. Once the HOV lanes start on the LI expressway ur driver will use them and save time.

Countless people make that trek 5 days a week to go to work. Really isnt that bad.

We live about 20minutes west of airport and my husband does it. Friday summer traffic is heavier but in the last few years my husband thinks Thursday is even worse. I guess more businesses have either Fridays off or the ability to work remotely gives people the flexibility.

Enjoy!- U.S. Secretary of State has been taken ill a day after he landed in the country for crucial bilateral talks with President Uhuru Kenyatta

- A spokesman of the State Department says this is after a couple of long days working on major issues back in the US

- The events which were scheduled to be undertaken by the secretary on Saturday, March 10 have been rescheduled to Sunday, March 11

Events scheduled to be undertaken on the second day of U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visit to Kenya were on Saturday, March 3 canceled.

According to a spokesman of the State Department, the secretary was not feeling well a day after he landed in the country.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

The secretary is not feeling well after a long couple days working on major issues back home such as North Korea and has canceled his events for the day, spokesman Steve Goldstein said.

READ ALSO: Raila wanted to take a calculated risk in engaging with Uhuru - NASA leader's adviser now reveals

According to a spokesman of the State Department, the secretary was not feeling well a day after he landed in the country. Photo: The African Voice/ Twitter

READ ALSO: All disabled police officer to start paying taxes

According to a report by Citizen TV, The Secretary of state was set to visit the site of the 1998 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi and meet with American diplomats serving at the new U.S. Embassy.

Tillerson was also set to tour Nairobis Pumwani Maternity Hospital.

It is reported that his personal doctor is monitoring him and the events he was set to undertake have been rescheduled to Sunday, March 11.

READ ALSO: Mwigizaji wa zamani wa Machachari Almasi awazingua wengi kwa mavazi yake yanayofanana ya kike

Earlier reporting by TUKO.co.ke indicated that the Secretary of State touched down in Nairobi on Friday, March 9 ahead of crucial bilateral talks with President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Coincidently, his arrival came shortly after president Uhuru and chief Principal of National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition Raila Odinga had held a meeting at Harambee House on Friday, March 9.

He later held a media briefing at the Villa Rosa Kempinski Hotel where he praised the talks between President Kenyatta and NASA leader Raila Odinga, saying the truce was a major milestone in consolidating national unity.

ALSO WATCH: Uhuru and Raila full speech at Harambee House on TUKO TV

Source: Tuko Breaking News Latest- Two Kenyan leaders of al-Shabaab have been listed as designated global terrorist by the US state Department

- The two have been linked to al- Shabaab attacks in Kenya and Somali for the past six years and responsible for hundreds of deaths

- They have been targeted in order to deny them resources needed to plan and execute attacks inside the country

Two al- Shabaab leaders from Kenya were listed as specially designated global terrorists on Thursday, march 8 by the US State Department

The two identified as Ahmad Iman Ali and Abdifatah Abubakar Abdi have been targeted with the intentions of denying them resources needed to plan and carry out attacks inside Kenya as well as in Somalia.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

READ ALSO: Vitu 5 vinavyoweza kumfanyikia William Ruto kutokana na mkutano wa Uhuru na Odinga

Members of Al-Shabaab at an undisclosed location in Somalia. The US has listed two Kenyan Al-Shabaab leaders as global terrorists. (File Photo). Photo: Daily Nation

READ ALSO: Raila wanted to take a calculated risk in engaging with Uhuru - NASA leader's adviser now reveals

According to a report by Daily Nation, Ali has directed Shabaabs Kenyan operations for the past six years and is believed to be responsible for hundreds of deaths.

The State Department said Ali coordinated the January 2016 attack on a Kenya military base in el Adde that ranked as the worst military defeat in Kenyan history.

At least 150 Kenyan soldiers were killed in that raid, according to a United Nations report.

READ ALSO: Raila - Uhuru selfish deal was meant to please Trump - Musalia Mudavadi

Ali is also responsible for Al-Shabaab propaganda targeting the Kenyan government and civilians, such as a July 2017 video in which he issues threats to Muslims serving in Kenyas security forces, the State Department noted.

Ali served as a cleric for the Nairobi-based Muslim Youth Center, which announced in 2012 that it had merged with Al-Shabaab.

He subsequently sought to recruit youth for Al-Shabaab in Nairobis slums.

READ ALSO: KDF officer takes his own life in his boss's presence

Abdi is wanted in connection with the June 2014 attacks in Mpeketoni, Kenya that claimed more than 60 lives.

Thursdays designations deny Ali and Abdi access to the US financial system and can assist law-enforcement actions by the US and other governments, the State Department said.

The designations comes weeks after a deadly terror attack in Nairobi was foiled by police in Isiolo after they intercepted suspected Al-Shabaab terrorists headed to the capital

A report by TUKO.co.ke indicated that 36 grenades and automatic riffles were found in the vehicle that was being used by the terrorists

ALSO WATCH: Uhuru and Raila full speech at Harambee House on TUKO tv

Source: TukoIt looks like the Gary Griffith vs the PSC matter is set to go all the way to the Privy Council. But Griffith's lead attorney, Senior Counsel Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj tells TV6, the determination should be quick, as he has already put the Privy Council on alert.Russian-backed militants launched three attacks on positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area in Donbas over the past day.

This is reported by the ATO Headquarters press center.

In Luhansk direction, illegal armed formations used small arms to fire at the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Stanytsia Luhanska.

In Donetsk direction, the enemy used small arms in the outskirts of Avdiivka (18km north of Donetsk) and Vodiane (16km north-west of Donetsk).

As a result of the enemy attacks, one Ukrainian serviceman was killed. Another soldier was wounded. He was taken to a military mobile hospital and received the necessary amount of medical aid.

ishThe third soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was killed as a result of the enemy shelling in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area since the announcement of the ceasefire regime on March 5.

Ukrainian Defense Ministrys Spokesman for ATO issues Dmytro Hutsuliak said this at a briefing on Saturday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Unfortunately, one soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was killed as a result of the enemy shelling yesterday. We express our condolences to the relatives, friends and comrades of the deceased soldier. This is the third loss since the beginning of the announced ceasefire agreements," he said.

In addition, as a result of the enemy fire, one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded. He was taken to a military mobile hospital and received the necessary amount of medical aid.

Russian-backed militants launched three attacks on positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area in Donbas over the past day.

ishAbout 100 Russian snipers have arrived in the temporarily uncontrolled territory of Donbas over the past month.

Head of the Donetsk Regional and Civil Administration Pavlo Zhebrivsky said this on the air of 112 Ukraine TV channel.

"Along the line of demarcation, there are not so many shelling from the means of destruction, which are prohibited by the Minsk agreements. But over the past month about 100 snipers arrived in the territory of "DPR" and "LPR"  and they shoot and teach local orcs to shoot," Zhebrivsky said.

As reported, one Ukrainian soldier was killed and another one was wounded in the ATO area over the past day.

Since the beginning of the anti-terrorist operation in eastern Ukraine (since April 2014) 2,378 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed.

ishThe North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has officially recognized Ukraine's aspiration to become a full member of the organization.

This is reported on the official website of the North Atlantic Alliance.

"At the moment, four partner countries have declared their aspirations to NATO membership: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Ukraine," the report reads.

The status of aspirant countries means that countries that have declared interest in joining the Alliance are first invited to join the Intensified Dialogue with NATO regarding their desire for membership and related reforms.

"This is very important. NATO recognized the status of an aspirant country for Ukraine! Step by step, we are approaching a full membership in the Alliance," First Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada Iryna Gerashchenko commented on the decision of NATO on her Facebook page.

She also noted that Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze met with NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller on March 9. The parties discussed this issue during a meeting, and "such wonderful news appeared on the official NATO website in the evening."

ishOn March 3, while in Poland, I visited the village of Pawlokoma, where along with hundreds of Ukrainians I honored the memory of 366 Ukrainian peasants who were on this day in 1945 brutally slaughtered by a unit of Polish Armia Krajowa.

Meanwhile, March 10 marks another tragic anniversary. In 1944, units of the Armia Krajowa along with Bataliony Chlopskie [Polish Farmers' Battalions] under the command of Stanislav Basaj slew residents of the Ukrainian village of Sagryn and several smaller settlements in the area. The death toll makes this crime even more horrendous than that committed in Pawlokoma. According to various estimates, some 800 to 1,300 Ukrainians were murdered, with 70% of them women and children.

There is no way anyone could claim any tactical reasons for attacking Sagryn. There were 20 policemen there recruited by the German occupation administration from the local population. It is clear that they were of no threat to Armia Krajowa. So, the only purpose of the punitive action was ethnic cleansing, physical destruction of the Ukrainian population.

There is nothing simpler and more logical than accepting these obvious facts, to agree that the mutual massacre of the 1940s is truly a huge tragedy, our common tragedy

These facts do not fit into the new historical concept of Poland's ruling political elite, branding the Ukrainian Insurgent Army [UPA] a criminal organization, at the same time retaining a clean and immaculate image of Armia Krajowa. Reality decries such approach. Unfortunately, there were war criminals on both sides, while both Poles and Ukrainians fell victim to mass killings.

I believe there is nothing simpler and more logical than accepting these obvious facts, to agree that the mutual massacre of the 1940s is truly a huge tragedy, our common tragedy. At the same time, such recognition is also the only way toward a Ukrainian-Polish reconciliation. We have no right to hurdle the burden of guilt onto either single side, generally blaming the whole nation and national liberation movements. We must come together to condemn the crimes committed by specific culprits, we must remember and honor our dead, together. The task of political and intellectual elites is to make sure that mourning innocent victims unites Ukrainians and Poles rather than separates them.

In saying this, I reveal nothing new. After all, just a few years ago, Ukraine and Poland were moving precisely along this path of mutual remission and reconciliation. Our partnership and sincere friendship could be considered a model for the whole Europe.

In order to preserve and develop our reconciliation, we must pursue the most honest, frank, and critical dialogue

Back in 1994, our governments entered into an Agreement to preserve the sites were victims of war and political repression are buried. According to the Agreement, a memorial to victims of mass murder was erected in Sagryn in 2008. It was envisaged that it would soon be opened by presidents of the two countries. The ceremony was repeatedly delayed for various reasons, agreements were reached on new terms, but 10 years have already passed, while the memorial is still yet to be opened officially.

Like most Ukrainians, I find it very painful to see how the sharp U-turn of Polish leaders in their historical policies has changed the atmosphere of our partnership. I just fail to understand why our sincere reconciliation has to be brought to naught and why it is being done at the time when Russia's aggressive policy threatens the future of both Ukraine and Poland, and the entire European Union.

In order to preserve and develop our reconciliation, we must pursue the most honest, frank, and critical dialogue. Nobody says that it will be simple and that we will all come to the same assessment. But we have to learn to respect each other's opinion and to come to terms with the fact that our partners see certain events of the past from their own perspective. We must also understand that attempts to impose onto others own vision of history as ultimate truth and to dictate whom to consider national heroes or not are counterproductive, to say the least.

In a recent article devoted to Ukrainian-Polish relations, I have already stated that I am ready to take responsibility for returning our relations in a normal and civilized European direction. Once again, I call on the Polish side to enter into an open dialogue and show will to understand each other.

Let us remember the testament of St. John Paul II: "Let's forgive and ask for forgiveness!"

In 2009, Polish president Lech Kaczynski made a great statement: "Historical recollections cannot relieve us of our thoughts about the present. Let us seek courage and mercy in ourselves to appeal to God with our best prayer: 'Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them who trespass against us'." It's a shame that these words have not been heard for the past several years.

Let us finally open the memorial in Sagryn and together return to the path of historical reconciliation.

Pavlo Klimkin is a Minister for Foreign Affairs of UkraineThe list also includes Georgia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has incorporated Ukraine in the list of the aspirant countries on its website.

Read alsoPoroshenko calls for keeping doors of EU, NATO open for Ukraine"NATO's door remains open to any European country in a position to undertake the commitments and obligations of membership, and contribute to security in the Euro-Atlantic area. Since 1949, NATO's membership has increased from 12 to 29 countries through seven rounds of enlargement. Currently, four partner countries have declared their aspirations to NATO membership: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Ukraine," reads the statement on NATO' website.

As reported, countries that have declared an interest in joining the Alliance are initially invited to engage in an Intensified Dialogue with NATO about their membership aspirations and related reforms.

Aspirant countries may then be invited to participate in the Membership Action Plan (MAP) to prepare for potential membership and demonstrate their ability to meet the obligations and commitments of possible future membership. Participation in the MAP does not guarantee membership, but it constitutes a key preparation mechanism.

Countries aspiring to join NATO have to demonstrate that they are in a position to further the principles of the 1949 Washington Treaty and contribute to security in the Euro-Atlantic area. They are also expected to meet certain political, economic and military criteria, which are laid out in the 1995 Study on NATO Enlargement.The country's next ambition is the Membership Action Plan (MAP) for Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has welcomed NATO's decision to raise Ukraine's ambitions towards Alliance, which became a recognition of the real state of Ukraine-NATO relations.

Read alsoNATO recognizes Ukraine as aspirant country"I welcome an important long-awaited and logical decision of NATO to raise Ukraine's ambitions towards the Alliance! It has become a recognition of the real state of our relations with NATO. My last meeting with the NATO Secretary General in Munich, as well as a recent telephone conversation with U.S. Vice President were exactly about this," Poroshenko wrote on Facebook on Saturday, March 10.

"Our next ambition is the Membership Action Plan (MAP) for Ukraine. This is what my letter to Jens Stoltenberg on February 2018 was about, where, with reference to Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty, I officially fixed Ukraine's aspirations to become a member of the Alliance," the president added.

He also expressed gratitude for a firm position on supporting Ukraine.

"I am grateful for the firm support of Ukraine, for which one of the key priorities of national security is to achieve the criteria for membership in the Alliance," Poroshenko said.

As UNIAN reported earlier, NATO had recognized an aspirant country status for Ukraine.In the Donetsk sector, the invaders used small arms twice.

Russia's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas in the past 24 hours, with one Ukrainian soldier reported as killed in action (KIA) and another one as wounded in action (WIA).

Read alsoDonbas occupation forces cover up traces of Russian presence"In the Luhansk sector, the enemy fired small arms on our strong points near the villages of Stanytsia Luhanska. In the Donetsk sector, the invaders used small arms twice. In particular, the aggressor mounted targeted attacks on the Ukrainian army's strongholds near the town of Avdiyivka and the village of Vodiane," the press center of the headquarters of Ukraine's military operations reported.

As a result of enemy shelling, one Ukrainian soldier was killed, while another was wounded. He was taken to a hospital and provided with medical assistance.

As UNIAN reported earlier, the Trilateral Contact Group for the Donbas settlement on March 2 announced a full-ceasefire in Donbas from March 5. However, the militants have not stopped shelling the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.The Russian proxies fired grenade launchers and small arms on the Ukrainian strongholds near the villages of Novhorodske and Malynove.

Russia's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas on Saturday, March 10, with one Ukrainian soldier reported as wounded in action (WIA).

Read alsoSelf-proclaimed republics in Donbas pledge "absolute ceasefire" from March 5In the Luhansk sector, the enemy fired grenade launchers and small arms on the Ukrainian army's strongholds near the villages of Novhorodske and Malynove," the press center of the headquarters of Ukraine's military operations said in an evening update as of 18:00 on March 10, 2018.

In the Donetsk sector, the invaders used heavy machine guns and small arms to attack Ukrainian troops stationed near the village of Vodiane.

"As a result of the enemy shooting, one of Ukraine's defenders was wounded. He was rushed to a military hospital and provided with the necessary medical assistance," the press center added.The additional personnel were deployed to remove potentially contaminated evidence.

A military convoy arrived at Salisbury district hospital and investigators in hazmat suits were seen at the cemetery where Sergei Skripal's wife was buried as the investigation into the nerve agent attack on the Russian former spy gathered pace.

More than a dozen vehicles were at the hospital as part of an operation to remove a police car from the site in the aftermath of last Sunday's attack, The Guardian wrote.

Read alsoBritain will act against nerve agent attackers once facts known: ministerTwo military lorries arrived at A&E with police escorts, incident response units and an ambulance. Earlier on Friday, it was reported that about 180 military personnel had been called in to assist the investigation into the attempted murder of the Russian former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia.

The additional personnel were deployed to remove potentially contaminated evidence. Meanwhile, police were seen at the cemetery where the grave of Skripal's wife, Liudmila, and a memorial to his son, Alexander, who both died in the last few years, lie in adjacent plots that had been cordoned off earlier in the week.

Police placed a blue forensic tent over the memorial to Alexander at Salisbury's London Road cemetery. Fire officers in hazmat suits were seen pinning down the tent, while other officers in white suits and gas masks were seen packing items from the cemetery into a yellow barrel.

It had previously been reported that Liudmila died of cancer in 2012 aged 59, while Alexander Skripal died in March last year in St Petersburg, aged 43, in unknown circumstances.

The Metropolitan police said reports that a body had been exhumed on Friday were untrue. It is believed that Yulia Skripal may have visited her brother's memorial stone on his birthday, 1 March  three days before she and her father were taken ill.

Read alsoRussian FSB earlier used substance that poisoned ex-Russian spy SkripalAs the investigation entered a new phase, the authorities were still seeking to establish exactly where and when a British police officer was poisoned.

DS Nick Bailey is seriously ill in hospital having visited the home of Skripal after the defector and his daughter were found slumped on a bench in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on Sunday afternoon.

Investigators want to know whether Bailey visited the scene where the two Russians were found and was poisoned there or by items there, or whether the officer was contaminated on his visit to Skripal's home.

Sources say that, while it is not certain, it is believed more likely that Bailey became contaminated on his visit to the home.

Uncertainty about how and where Sergei and Yulia Skripal were poisoned led to police requesting military assistance on Friday to secure contaminated evidence. It is understood that personnel from the Royal Marines, the RAF and chemical teams were involved in the operation.

The Met police said the units were called in because they had "the necessary capability and expertise" and urged the public not to be alarmed.

Sergei, 66, and Yulia, 33, are comatose in hospital after being found unconscious on a bench in the Maltings shopping centre.

The use of a nerve toxin is seen as a key indicator of possible Kremlin involvement, with such substances usually held only in state military stockpiles.

Moscow has repeatedly denied it had anything to do with the attack, the same line used when Litvinenko was poisoned with radioactive polonium-210 in his cup of tea. A public inquiry a decade later concluded that the Kremlin had ordered the assassination.A total of six files have been stolen.

Hackers, who attacked the servers of the German Federal Foreign Office and the Federal Ministry of Defense last year, have stolen the protocol of talks on the UK's exit from the EU (or "Brexit"), as well as documents related to the EU's negotiations with Ukraine and Belarus.

Read alsoBBC: UK blames Russia for 'malicious' NotPetya cyber attackA total six files have been stolen as a result of the attack. Cybersecurity personnel deliberately did not restrict access to the documents since they contained no classified information, according to Der Spiegel.

The attacks on the said German government servers were committed in December 2017, but they were reported only in late February this year. The media said then that the attacks were carried out by the Fancy Bears group, which is associated with Russia. It was also reported that, although the attacks were committed in December, computers were infected with malware long before that.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

China's top state-owned enterprises (SOE) regulator Saturday called on other countries to treat Chinese investment fairly and equally.

BEIJING, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Mar, 2018 ) :China's top state-owned enterprises (SOE) regulator Saturday called on other countries to treat Chinese investment fairly and equally. "It's understandable that all countries conduct investigations into foreign investment, but they should give equal treatment to all foreign investors, not discriminate," Xiao Yaqing, head of State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), told a press conference on the sidelines of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress.

Globalization is here to stay, and free trade and investment will benefit the people, Xiao said, adding that foreign investment by Chinese SOEs is market driven.

China's central SOEs had 9,112 overseas branches by the end of last year, in 185 countries and regions with a total asset volume of about 7 trillion Yuan (about 1.1 trillion U.S.

dollars). China will encourage SOEs, especially central SOEs to expand their business overseas. "In going global, it's not just about competition. There should be more cooperation to seek win-win and mutual beneficial outcomes," Xiao said.Buenos Aires, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Mar, 2018 ) :Argentine President Mauricio Macri urged President Donald Trump on Friday to exempt the South American country from US steel and aluminum tariffs. Macri made the plea in a phone conversation with Trump, a day after the US president signed off on the tariffs, sparking fears of a trade war. "Trump undertook to evaluate his request for Argentina to be exempt from any restrictive measures that affect exports of steel and aluminum to the United States," Macri's office said in a statement. A White House statement said the two leaders had discussed "potential United States tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum" and had "agreed to stay in touch to strengthen the robust bilateral relationship." The Argentine government signalled its intention to seek an exemption for its meager exports in a statement earlier Friday. Argentina's exports to the US in the sectors are so small they have no effect on the market, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"Argentine exports represent only 0.6 percent of steel and 2.3 percent of aluminum of all US imports in both sectors, and therefore Argentina does not cause nor contribute to the distortions that affect the world markets and the US," the ministry said. It said the government would try to open talks with the US "with a view to an exception being made on those tariffs." Argentina's steel producers' association has warned the tariffs could lead to iron and steel products from Asia being diverted from the US and dumped into the Latin American market. Two major Argentine steel producers stand to be affected -- aluminum company Aluar and Techint, which sells seamless pipes to the US oil industry, but has a factory in Houston, Texas. Between January and November last year, the most recent period for which official figures are available, Argentina sold around $200 million of steel tubes and around $500 million of aluminum to the US.:Maldives educationists praised high the free educational schemes of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), stating that these could serve as model for other countries to follow in accommodating down-trodden people

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 07th Mar, 2018 ) :Maldives educationists praised high the free educational schemes of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), stating that these could serve as model for other countries to follow in accommodating down-trodden people.

The delegation consisting of Maldives educationists visited the University and also had a meeting with the Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Shahid Siddiqui during which the two sides discussed areas of bilateral cooperation, a news release said on Wednesday.

The delegation was briefed about the various educational programs of the University that cover wide-range of academic disciplines. Maldives delegation led by Dr Amal Ali, rector of the MIANZ International College noted that the AIOUs initiatives providing free education to prisoners, disabled, drop-out girls and transgender groups are highly commendable.

He also praised the Accessibility Centers, set up at the Universitys 44 regional offices for visually impaired persons. Welcoming the delegation, Dr. Shahid Siddiqui said the AIOU enjoys top-ranking academic position in the country in account of its record annual enrollment of 1.

3 million students and country-wide infrastructure network.

The University has recently enhanced it collaboration at national and international level to upgrade it educational practices, he added. The Maldivian delegation included Dr Ali Najeeb, Vice Rector, Villal Colleges, Ms Hawwa Latheef, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Islamic University of Maldives, Ibrahim Munaz, Chief Inspector, Institute for Security and Law Enforcement Studies, Hassan Abdull Saeed and Vice President, Clique College.

During the briefing-session, Dean Education Dr. Nasir Mahmood and Incharge International Collaboration and Exchange office Prof. Zahid Majeed informed the delegation about the Universitys research-based activities as well as its online educational programs.

Later, the delegation took round of various departments of the University including the national library, Press and Pub lication and E-learning excellent center.(@FahadShabbir)

Prof. Dr. Habib-ur-Rehman, Vice Chancellor of state-run Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST), has been appointed as Professor Emeritus of university.

MIRPUR (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Mar, 2018 ) , :Prof. Dr. Habib-ur-Rehman, Vice Chancellor of state-run Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST), has been appointed as Professor Emeritus of university.

"The University Senate approved the appointment of Prof. Dr. Habib ur Rehman as Professor Emeritus on account of his academic achievements and contribution in the development of higher education sector in the AJK, official sources told APP here on Saturday.

The university Senate in its 10th Meeting confers the status of an Emeritus Professor to Dr. Habib-ur-Rehman in recognition of his scholarship and service to the Higher Education Sector. The Vice Chancellor thanked the honorable President of AJK/ Chancellor/ Chairperson of the University Senate and other members of the Senate for reposing confidence in him.

He is humbled, he submitted. He vowed to continue working selflessly for the Department of Chemistry in the University.

He will enjoy the privileges of the position for ten years while status shall be for life.

He was declared the Best Teacher twice in 2000 and 2005 by the Government of Pakistan. He was awarded Fellowship of the Chemical Society of Pakistan in 2006. He received the National Civil Award, Sitara-i-Imtiaz in 2008 for his academic and research achievements.

He also received Pakistan academy of Sciences Award in 1999 for his academic and research achievements in the field of Chemistry. The faculty members, staff and students of the MUST Varsity has congratulated Prof.

Dr. Habib ur Rehman for having being crowned with this honor. They lauded the contribution of Dr. Habib-ur-Rehman for his outstanding achievements in the field of Chemistry and development of higher education sector in the AJK. Appointment of Dr. Habib-ur-Rehman as Professor Emeritus of the MUST is in the best interest of the University and the nation at large, they observed.The 30th death anniversary of eminent Kashmir freedom struggle leader and former Azad Jammu & Kashmir president Khurshid Hassan Khurshid Saturday was marked with solemnity and respect and renewal of the pledge to continue his mission to bring the Kashmir freedom movement to its logical end.

MIRPUR (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Mar, 2018 ) , :The 30th death anniversary of eminent Kashmir freedom struggle leader and former Azad Jammu & Kashmir president Khurshid Hassan Khurshid Saturday was marked with solemnity and respect and renewal of the pledge to continue his mission to bring the Kashmir freedom movement to its logical end.

Major inaugural ceremony to pay tributes to the departed Kashmir leader was held here in a local hotel under the auspices of Jammu & Kashmir Liberation League. Central President of JKLL and retired Chief Justice of AJK High Court Justice (Ret) Abdul Majeed Mallick was the chief guest on this occasion.

District JKLL Chief, Shahid Mallick also present on the occasion. Justice (Retd), Abdul Majeed Mallick, on this occasion, emphasized upon Pakistan to immediately take up Kashmir issue in the United Nations Security Council for ensuring the settlement of the much delayed Kashmir issue without further delay.

Besides the JKLL President Justice (Retd) Abdul Majeed Mallick, President PPP (Shaheed Bhutto) AJK Chapter Ch. Munir Hussain Advocate, VP JKLL Ch. Shoukat Mahmood Advocate and others paid tributes to the departed Kashmiri leader for his long meritorious services for the Kashmir cause.

Eminent leaders of the UK based Kashmiri Diaspora including first Kashmir-origin Lord Mayor of British City of Bradford Choudhry Ajeeb, ex Chief Executive of Birmingham City Council Dr. Khursheed Ahmed, and hundreds of other dignitaries including the JKLL activists from across AJK attended the ceremony.

Addressing the ceremony, speakers including the JKLL President Justice (Retd) Abdul Majeed Mallick said that best way to pay tributes to late K.

H.Khursheed was to perpetuate the ideology primarily based on the freedom and sovereignty of the people of Jammu & Kashmir through the achievement of their legitimate right to self determination acknowledged by the international community through the UN resolutions.

Justice (Retd) Majeed Mallick said that late K.H.Khurshid, also the private secretary of father of the nation Quaid-e-Azam, rendered great services for the cause of Kashmiris struggle for liberation of the motherland from the Indian yoke and for the achievement of their legitimate right to self determination.

Reiterating to continue the mission of late K.K.H. Khursheed, speakers said that India could not win the hearts of Jammu Kashmir people despite initiating various measures and taking different political summersaults to muster the sympathies of the people of Jammu & Kashmir.

They called upon both India and Pakistan to immediately move for the settlement of Kashmir issue in line with the wishes of the people of Jammu & Kashmir, major party to the dispute, in order to ensure the establishment of everlasting peace in South Asia in particularly and the world-over in general.

The participants offered fateha for the departed soul of K.H.Khurshid and other martyrs of Jammu & Kashmir besides praying for the early success of Kashmir freedom movement. Meanwhile, the concluding ceremony to mark the death anniversary of Khursheed Hassan Khursheed will be held at his mausoleum in the state's metropolis - Muzaffarabad on March 11 - Sunday where Quran Khawani will be held besides a special function to pay glorious tributes to the departed Kashmiri leader.As many as 18 pilgrims, who were traveling to the Mazar of Shah Noorani sustained injuries when their vehicle over turned near the Veerab Nadi on Saturday, the area police said.

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Mar, 2018 ) :As many as 18 pilgrims, who were traveling to the Mazar of Shah Noorani sustained injuries when their vehicle over turned near the Veerab Nadi on Saturday, the area police said.

They were shifted to local hospital for the treatment where the condition of seven injured declared critical.

The critically injured were shift to Karachi for treatment. It was further stated that the injured including women and children belong to the Dadu district of Sindh.Advisor to the Prime Minister Dr Musadik Malik on Friday said the newly appointed envoy of Pakistan to the United States Ali Jehangir Siddiqui had a multi-dimensional personality, who like business matters could handle international affairs in an appropriate manner.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 09th Mar, 2018 ) :Advisor to the Prime Minister Dr Musadik Malik on Friday said the newly appointed envoy of Pakistan to the United States Ali Jehangir Siddiqui had a multi-dimensional personality, who like business matters could handle international affairs in an appropriate manner.

Siddiqui would help resolve issues with the US, like that of the Financial Action Task Force, besides improving business and bilateral relations between the two countries, he said while talking to a private news channel.

Dr Musadik said Siddiqui had got education from prestigious institutions, and, therefore, he would be able to deal with the American administration, businessmen, bankers, and other segments of the society properly.

Keeping in view the current international situation and the country's requirement, he was the most suitable person to handle the affairs with the US, he added. To a question regarding Aizaz Chaudhry, he said he had performed his official assignments as Pakistan's Ambassador to US very effectively.

To another question about the political appointment, he said in the past, retired generals, politicians and others were appointed as ambassadors.The commander of a banned outfit was among four suspected militants killed in a gun battle with security forces in the Pasni area on Friday night.

Gwadar, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Mar, 2018) : The commander of a banned outfit was among four suspected militants killed in a gun battle with security forces in the Pasni area on Friday night.

According to security officials, security personnel launched a search operation in the Shadi Kour and Paidarak areas of Kech district on a tip-off about the presence of the militants there.

The officials said that an exchange of fire with militants took place when the security personnel raided the area.

During the shootout four of the militants were killed. "An important commander of the militants was among the four dead," a security official said. The militants were identified as 'commander' Jamil Ahmed, Safar Khan and Rais Khan.(@rukhshanmir)

The elections of Hyderabad District Bar Association (HDBA) were held here on Saturday in the premises of District and Session Court.

HYDERABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Mar, 2018 ) :The elections of Hyderabad District Bar Association (HDBA) were held here on Saturday in the premises of District and Session Court. According to the Election Committee, the polling process for which 4 polling booths were set up would started at 9 pm and concluded at 5 pm.As many as 1,224 lawyers were registered to cast their votes in the election.

For the seat of president 3 lawyers including advocates Imdad Ali Unar, Asif Shaikh and Imran Alvi landed in the electoral fray.Similarly, 4 lawyers contended for the post of Vice President and 3 for General Secretary.

Around 1000 votes were cast but the vote count was stopped after complaints of casting of bogus votes by the contesting candidates.Taking notice the Sindh Bar Council seized the ballot boxes and announces that the results will be declared after counting in Karachi.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Imam-e-Kaaba Dr Al-Sheikh Saleh bin Muhammad al-Talib called on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, here on Saturday. Matters of mutual interest were discussed in the meeting.

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Mar, 2018 ) :Imam-e-Kaaba Dr Al-Sheikh Saleh bin Muhammad al-Talib called on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, here on Saturday. Matters of mutual interest were discussed in the meeting.

The Imam said various people told him about untiring efforts of Shehbaz Sharif for welfare and development of people. He said he was pleased to know that the chief minister was doing hard work for the welfare and progress of the people due to which whole province of Punjab was progressing and he prays for more successes in the future.

"Due to your hard work, progress and development would spread to whole Pakistan," he added. He said that his visit to Pakistan was a matter of pleasure for him and the people of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have a strong bond of love and religion which was above all relations, the strength of Pakistan was strength of Saudi Arabia and the power of Saudi Arabia was power of Pakistan.

He said Pakistan has a significant place in the Muslim world and it was playing a vital role for peace and stability in the region. He said that for these reasons Saudi Arab supports peace efforts of Pakistan and it was standing with Pakistan in this regard.

The Imam-e-Kaaba said we give respect and value to the cooperation extended by the Pakistani government, the people and the Pak-Army as both the countries have historical brotherly relations. He said the whole Muslim Ummah was well aware of historical ties between the people of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and both the countries have helped each other during crises.

The strength of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia strengthens the whole Muslim Ummah, he added. Shehbaz Sharif said, "Your visit to Pakistan is a matter of honour and respect for Pakistan and I welcome you and your delegation to the historical and cultural city of Lahore".

He said that the bilateral ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were above worldly benefit and peace was our mutual asset. He said that due to the visit of Imam-e-Kaaba to Pakistan, the bilateral ties between both the countries would further strengthen.

He said Saudi Arabia has always supported Pakistan and the people of Pakistan could never forget the cooperation of Saudi Arabia it provided on every important occasion. He said the Royal family of Saudi Arabia whole-heartedly helped Pakistan and stood shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan nation during tough times.

The CM said he was admirer of people-friendly policies of Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman and his policies for strengthening of education and health sectors and creation of employment, which were producing far-reaching results.

Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan Nawaf Saeed Ahmed Al-Maliki, Sheikh Saad Al-Dosari, Senator Professor Sajid Mir, Hafiz Dr Abdul Kareem and others were also present in the meeting.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Pakistan has told the United Nations (UN) that the opportunity for peace in Afghanistan opened up by President Ashraf Ghani's offer of unconditional talks to the Taliban should not be undermined by the escalation of military force.

New York, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 09th Mar, 2018) : Pakistan has told the United Nations (UN) that the opportunity for peace in Afghanistan opened up by President Ashraf Ghani's offer of unconditional talks to the Taliban should not be undermined by the escalation of military force.

Speaking in the UN Security Council debate on Afghanistan, Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi, warned that as the task ahead was complex and delicate, more kinetic actions or trying to "shape the battlefield' would evoke an escalation of attacks by the insurgents and erode rather than advance the prospect of initiating the envisaged political process.

For over a decade now, she said, Pakistan has advocated the restoration of peace in Afghanistan through a negotiated settlement between Kabul and the Afghan Taliban. "The international community has also endorsed the goal of a negotiated settlement, promoted through an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process, as the best, and indeed only, way to realise durable peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan", she added.

While reiterating Pakistan's call on the Taliban to renounce violence and agree to join the peace talks, Ambassador Lodhi told the 15-member council that both Afghan parties  the government and the Taliban  should seize the opportunity for peace by entering into dialogue aimed at ending the prolonged conflict to usher in durable peace in Afghanistan.

The Pakistani envoy said, "After 17 years, both the Afghan government and its coalition allies, as well as the Taliban, should have learnt that neither can impose a military victory on the other," she remarked.

Commenting on the report of the UN Secretary General, Ambassador Lodhi said that it paints a bleak picture of the situation in Afghanistan especially of the security environment, which in 2017 witnessed a sixty-seven percent spike in air strikes and increase in terrorist attacks and the highest number of civilian casualties "ever recorded" in Afghanistan.

Moreover, she said, the continuing presence of large numbers of terrorist groups and foreign terrorist fighters in Afghanistan pose a threat to the long-term stability of Afghanistan, its neighbours including Pakistan, and the entire region.

Voicing concern about the rapid growth of Daesh in Afghanistan, Ambassador Lodhi emphasised the need to eliminate the terrorist group and its affiliates on a priority basis in the endeavour to achieve durable peace in the region.

The Pakistani envoy quoted a recent report that noted that the Afghan Government controls only 18 percent of the country's districts, and has influence in an additional 38 percent. The rest is ungoverned, she said and argued that "It is in these ungoverned and contested spaces in Afghanistan's North and the East that Daesh and its affiliates are installing themselves and threatening Afghanistan and its neighbours".

Emphasising the need for effective border control to contain regional terrorism, Ambassador Lodhi said that Pakistan requires close cooperation from the Afghan Government and coalition forces to manage the long border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Pakistan, she said, has nearly a thousand border posts but on the other side there are only 220. "In one stretch of 648 km, there is not a single Afghan border post", she added. Ambassador Lodhi told the council that the threat of terrorism in Pakistan today emanated principally from outside its boundaries.

She also recalled what Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Bajwa had stated in his remarks to the recent Munich Security Conference: "Of the 131 terrorist attacks on our territory, 123 were conceived, planned and executed from Afghanistan".

This, she said, was happening despite the presence of the most powerful military alliance in Afghanistan. "We want to see the elimination of the sanctuaries from which these terrorists operate against Pakistan", she stressed.

In response to remarks made earlier by the Afghan Ambassador in the council, she said all parties should refrain from campaigns of vilification and coercion, adding that Pakistan's cooperation cannot be garnered by pressure and intimidation.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) would modernize motels, hotels and Tourists Information Centres, Managing Director Abdul Ghafoor said Saturday.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Mar, 2018 ) :Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) would modernize motels, hotels and Tourists Information Centres, Managing Director Abdul Ghafoor said Saturday.

In a statement, he said that free training was being offered to the employees from the College of Tourism and Hotel Management for Skill Development . Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor said special discount packages were also being offered to tourists to help them and their families enjoy peaceful environment during holidays.

He said that PTDC was also organizing tourist information seminars in private schools, colleges and universities to promote tourism in the countyr. The awareness is extremely important for tourism, which needed to be highlighted in the public he said.

He said PTDC requested Civil Aviation to provide space for setting up tourist information counter at all International Airports in Pakistan. It is our national duty to work for the promotion of tourism in the country.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua said that the current official visit is the continuation of engagement with the US.

Washington, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 09th Mar, 2018) : Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua said that the current official visit is the continuation of engagement with the US. The recent high level exchanges between the two countries are meant to better understand each other's perspective.

Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua were giving detailed briefing to Washington based Pakistani media about her current visit to the US at the Embassy of Pakistan she said that since US has announced South Asia policy, Pakistan has given a measured and considered response keeping in view, our national objectives, as a mature nation.

The end objective of both Pakistan and the US is the same i.e. peace and stability in Afghanistan. The modalities can be different so both sides are meeting frequently to find common grounds. Pakistan is pursuing border management project actively which will be completed in few years.

It will help to check cross border movement of unwanted elements effectively. Meanwhile, Ambassador Alice Wells hosted a round-table discussion in honour of Tehmina Janjua, Foreign Secretary of Pakistan to mark the International Women's Day.

A number of prominent Pakistani-American women from various walks of life also attended the event on Thursday Foreign Secretary Ms.Tehmina Janjua speaking at Boardroom Breakfast discussion with South Asia watchers at United States Institute of Peace (USIP) Janjua briefed the participants about the current state of Pak-US relations and regional issues Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua visited Washington on 07-08 March.

She met senior US officials including US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan at the State Department and Deputy National Security Advisor Dr. Nadia Schadlow at the White House. Foreign Secretary Janjua had in-depth discussions with South Asia experts at the US Institute of Peace (USIP).

She also interacted with US media. During her meetings, Janjua reiterated Pakistan's desire to strengthen its long standing relationship with the US. She emphasized the need for continuing constructive engagement across the entire spectrum of bilateral relationship.

She underscored that a mutually beneficial Pak-US relationship underpinned by mutual respect would serve the common interests of both countries. She reaffirmed Pakistan's constructive approach to work together with the United States for regional peace and stability.

Foreign Secretary Ms Janjua expressed the hope that enhanced economic engagement and realizing economic potential in the relationship can open new vistas of long term cooperation, strengthening existing bonds of friendship between peoples of the two countries.At least 10 insurgents were killed and 13 wounded during operations by Afghan forces in Helmand province, the National Directorate of Security (NDS) said on Saturday.

Kabul, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Mar, 2018) : At least 10 insurgents were killed and 13 wounded during operations by Afghan forces in Helmand province, the National Directorate of Security (NDS) said on Saturday.

According to the NDS' statement the operation was conducted in Khoshkaba area of Lashkargah city of Helmand province.

Eight other insurgents were arrested, the NDS said. During the operation security forces seized insurgent's weapons and explosive materials including suicide vests and a vehicle bomb, NDS said in the statement.

Insurgent hideouts were also destroyed in the operation. Meanwhile, NDS forces seized caches of weapons in separate operations in Paktika province. No more details were provided about the operations.Tallinn, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Mar, 2018 ) :Australia has announced that it will open its first "pop-up embassy" in Estonia's capital Tallinn, where the ambassador is to work for two months of the year.

For the rest of the year, the embassy will maintain a virtual presence in the cyber-savvy country, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said in a statement on Wednesday. "Estonia is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world," she said.

"The new embassy will develop our engagement on cyber, e-government and digital transformation, and support Australia's involvement in a number of high-level events on these issues." Diplomat Kerin Ayyalaraju was also appointed Australia's ambassador to Estonia.

Australia has previously been represented in the country by an ambassador in Stockholm.

Estonian Foreign Minister Sven Mikser, who discussed the opening with Bishop on a visit to New York, said the government was pleased with the decision.

"This will doubtlessly make Australia more prominent in Estonia and in our region on the whole," he said. "The ambassador working at the pop-up embassy will certainly expand the already constructive and intensive cooperation that our two countries enjoy." He also expressed hope "that Australia's positive example of this innovative pop-up embassy encourages other countries to implement similar cooperation solutions in Estonia".

Australia is home to one of the largest overseas Estonian communities with 8551 people of Estonian descent, according to a census in 2011.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Croatian prosecutors announced Saturday they have charged 22 ethnic Serbs with war crimes against the civilian population and prisoners of war during the 1990s conflict.

Zagreb, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Mar, 2018 ) :Croatian prosecutors announced Saturday they have charged 22 ethnic Serbs with war crimes against the civilian population and prisoners of war during the 1990s conflict.

The 22 Croatian Serbs are accused of killing 20 civilians and two policemen being held prisoner in three areas in the east of the country in September 1991, the Zagreb prosecutor's office said in a statement.

The Serbs belonged to a paramilitary group operating in the east, during the 1991-95 war between Croat and Belgrade-backed Serb forces that claimed about 20,000 lives.About me I'm Avi Green

From Jerusalem, Israel

I was born in Pennsylvania in 1974, and moved to Israel in 1983. I also enjoyed reading a lot of comics when I was young, the first being Fantastic Four. I maintain a strong belief in the public's right to knowledge and accuracy in facts. I like to think of myself as a conservative-style version of Clark Kent. I don't expect to be perfect at the job, but I do my best. My profile

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday hailed the surprise announcement of a summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong Un as a "glimmer of hope".

Berlin, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 09th Mar, 2018 ) :German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday hailed the surprise announcement of a summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong Un as a "glimmer of hope".

Merkel said it showed that "a united international stance, including sanctions, certainly offers a glimmer of hope".

"It would of course be wonderful if we could see an easing of tensions because... the nuclearisation in North Korea has been a source of great concern for all of us."Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Mar, 2018 ) :US President Donald Trump will travel to Peru next month to attend the Summit of the Americas of leaders from across the Western Hemisphere.

The decision, which a White House official confirmed to AFP, ends speculation that sour US relations with southern neighbors may stop Trump's attendance at the meeting in Lima on April 13-14. Trump spoke to host President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski earlier this week, after which a US official said his attendance had "not been confirmed." But the White House now says he will attend, following a call with an old business acquaintance, Argentine president Mauricio Macri.

During Friday's call, Trump "underscored the need for countries in the region to work together to bring democracy back to the great people of Venezuela," according to the White House.

When Trump travels to Lima, he is likely to encounter protests and perhaps a hesitant welcome from fellow heads of state and government.

Throughout his election campaign and his presidency, Trump has maligned Hispanic migrants and attacked Latin American nations over drugs, trade and the movement of people. He has promised to build a wall on the US border with Mexico and threatened to tear up a trade deal with Mexico and Canada.

Argentina and Brazil also face the prospect of punitive tariffs on steel exports after Trump's controversial announcement on Thursday. The first Summit of the Americas took place in Miami in 1994, and it has long been a forum for the United States to influence events across the region.Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Mar, 2018 ) :US President Donald Trump will visit Colombia next month, a White House official told AFP, part of his first visit to Latin America as president. Trump is expected to visit Colombia on April 15 after attending a Summit of the Americas in the Peruvian capital Lima.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

United Nations, United States, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Mar, 2018 ) :The United Nations on Friday was in talks with South Sudan's government after it ordered a UN radio broadcaster be shut down.

The decision to close Radio Miraya would be another blow for press freedom in South Sudan, where foreign correspondents have been forced to leave and authorities have targeted other media outlets.

Radio Miraya was ordered to end its broadcast because of "persistent non-compliance and refusal to be regulated" under domestic laws, said Elijah Alier, who chairs South Sudan's media authority.

Alier told reporters in Juba that the request to withdraw the frequency allocated to Radio Miraya would go into effect on Friday. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, however, said talks were ongoing with Juba about the decision. UN officials are "in touch with the South Sudanese authorities to clarify the situation. At this point, the UN radio station is still broadcasting," said Dujarric.Zambian authorities on Saturday deported controversial South African dancer Zodwa Wabantu after authorities vowed she would not be allowed to perform because she dances without underwear, the dancer's promoter said.

Lusaka, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Mar, 2018 ) :Zambian authorities on Saturday deported controversial South African dancer Zodwa Wabantu after authorities vowed she would not be allowed to perform because she dances without underwear, the dancer's promoter said.

She had been billed to perform at an album launch later on Saturday evening, but was sent back when she landed in the morning at the Kenneth Kaunda international airport. "I can confirm that Zodwa has been deported back to South Africa by the immigration department," her promoter Lucky Munakampe told AFP, adding no reasons were given for her deportation.

Immigration department officials were not reachable on their phones for comment.

Zambia's religious affairs minister Godfridah Sumaili told AFP last week that Zodwa would not be allowed to perform in the country.

"Zambia is a Christian nation where morality and ethics have to be followed. We don't expect a woman to dance without underwear," Sumaili said. Zambia is a largely conservative country where the majority of people practice Christianity.

Last year the censorship board in neighbouring Zimbabwe barred Wabantu from performing at an annual carnival after a protest by a local actress. Following a backlash, censorship authorities later backtracked and allowed Wabantu to perform at a private venue, but she refused to go saying she was afraid.The European Association of Urology Nurses (EAUN) was founded in 2000 and serves a region which has many thousands of urology nurses, nurses-in-training and other health care professionals in the urological field. The aim is to represent European urology nurses and contribute to the development of higher standards of urological nursing in Europe. The EAUN has over 2,500 members. As a member of the EAUN you receive a series of free publications and benefit from many other membership discounts and privileges. Full membership of the EAUN is open to all certified European nurses and allied health care professionals working in urology. Other membership categories are Corresponding member and Affiliate member. The EAUN organise an annual 3-day meeting for which members pay a highly reduced fee. In 2017, the EAUN meeting was attended by more than 300 nurses from 35 countries.Inspiring three-day meeting on various topical urology nursing subjects in conjunction with the 33rd Annual EAU Congress. The congress takes place at the Bella Center Copenhagen, Denmark.The topics are presented by specialists and specialist nurses in workshops, panel discussions, state-of-the-art lectures, symposia, poster abstract sessions, etc. Discussions on clinical practices and pre-congress optional visits to a local hospital guarantee you return home completely updated. Share your knowledge with your colleagues and submit an Abstract, Research Plan, Video or your Difficult Case (Deadline 1 December 2017).Check the congress website for more details, www.eaun18.org , or contact Hanneke LurvinkJim Kessler, the Vice President for Policy at Third Way, and Michael Barone, a Political Analyst and Resident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, discuss with host Carol Castiel the politics and policies of gun safety legislation in the United States in light of the recent mass shooting at Stoneman Douglass High School in Parkland, Florida  one of the deadliest in U.S. history.Dozens have been killed after Taliban militants ambushed Afghan security forces in the western province of Farah, sparking an hourslong gunbattle.

Farid Bakhtawar, head of the provincial council, said eight special forces and 10 police officers were killed in a predawn attack by the Taliban in the Bala Buluk district on Saturday.

Bakhtawar said some 40 Taliban militants were also killed in the battle, which lasted about five hours.

He said airstrikes were called in to support Afghan security forces.

Defense Ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said only four members of the Afghan special forces had been killed and a number wounded.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujhaid claimed responsibility for the attack.

At least 18 Afghan soldiers were killed after Taliban militants attacked a security checkpoint in Bala Buluk district on Feb. 24.

On Feb. 20, Taliban attacks on police checkpoints in Farah killed eight police officers. The provincial government said 13 militants were also killed in the fighting.

Farah Province, one of the poorest in the country, is situated on the border with Iran in the far west of Afghanistan.

Farah has experienced months of fighting, with some people accusing the security forces of collusion with Taliban militants involved in cross-border smuggling and drug trafficking.

On Jan. 24, hundreds of people took to the streets of Farah, the provincial capital, protesting about the lack of security and calling on provincial leaders to resign. Six people were reportedly injured in the protests.

Some local officials have accused Iran of providing insurgents with funds, weapons, and explosives -- allegations that Iran denies.

The Kabul government has deployed hundreds of additional troops to Farah to thwart the Taliban's offensive.

The attack in Farah came just days after 17 Afghan soldiers were killed by Taliban militants in attacks on army checkpoints in the northern province of Takhar, on the border with Tajikistan.

The Taliban and the Islamic State militant group have stepped up their attacks on Afghan troops and police in recent months.

Afghan soldiers have taken what the United Nations describes as "shocking" casualties since international forces ended their combat role at the end of 2014, though troop casualty figures are no longer released.The announced talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have been broadly welcomed following years of tension over the North's nuclear weapons and missile programs. Less clear is how such a meeting could affect human rights in North Korea, which has one of the world's most oppressive governments.

U.N. Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Tomas Ojea Quintana on Friday used the occasion of the announced talks to appeal for North Korea to also open a dialogue with the United Nations on human rights.

"I had always stressed that engagement with North Korea should never be underestimated, and also that human rights remain a priority and must not be held hostage to the security situation. In this regard, I urge the DPRK to consolidate the rapprochement with a parallel opening to U.N. human rights monitoring," he said in a report to the U.N. Human Rights Council.

The U.N. Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in North Korea stated in 2014 that authorities there have committed crimes against humanity including murder, enslavement, torture, imprisonment, rape, forced abortions, deliberate starvation, sexual violence and enforced disappearances.

Brief reunions

Quintana also noted that family reunions  short meetings between family members who have been separated for decades by the border between North and South  have not been held since 2015 and should be resumed as soon as possible, given the age of many of those concerned.

The average age of the 59,000 people requesting a family reunion in the North is 81.

Quintana's reporting on the human rights situation in North Korea has been rejected by Pyongyang. The U.N. largely depends on interviews with North Korean defectors to learn about conditions in the country, but Quintana has been lobbying the North to engage with the U.N. on the issue.

Some critics say the meeting with a U.S. president, a first for North Korea, will bolster the reputation of a government whose rights abuses have made it an international pariah.

A presidential meeting is "a very legitimizing gesture for one of the world's most serious human rights abusers, somebody who's had relatives assassinated and executed to consolidate his regime," P.J. Crowley, U.S. assistant secretary of state for public affairs during the Obama administration, said Friday. "We've traded this meeting for perhaps a 90-day moratorium on nuclear and missile tests."

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence criticized the North Korean human rights record in February, en route to the Olympic Games on the Korean Peninsula.

'Modern-day gulags'

"As we speak, an estimated 100,000 North Korean citizens labor in modern-day gulags. ... Those who dare raise their voices in dissent are imprisoned, tortured and even murdered; their children and grandchildren [are] routinely punished for their family's sins against the state," Pence said in remarks to U.S. troops at the Yokota Air Base in Japan.

U.S. President George W. Bush's top adviser on North Korean affairs, Victor Cha, wrote Friday in The New York Times that Pence's words must not be forgotten in the rush to put Trump and Kim together in a room.

"Any summit meeting cannot allow Mr. Pence's pronouncements during the Olympics about North Korea's human rights abuses to evaporate into thin air," Cha wrote. "Indeed, engaging the regime on improving its human rights record could be an important metric of the authenticity of the North's diplomatic overtures."

And rights group Human Rights Watch wrote an open letter to the United Nations on Thursday, demanding that U.N. officials and member states in the U.N. Human Rights Commission keep the pressure on North Korea to demand "real changes" that will improve the lives of North Koreans.David Tennant scooped the award for Best Drama Performance for his role as Dennis Nilsen in the true crime drama Des at last night's National Television Awards. David was presented with the trophy by his Good Omens and Staged co-star Michael Sheen. After being greeted by Michael on the stage, who pretended to accept the award himself, David told him 'I know how hard it was to hand that over'. He then joked 'Im very sad youre not up here receiving this awardthough obviously not that sad, because Im delighted.' He went on to thank ITV and everyone involved in the drama and praised them for helping to tell a story in a way which doesn't glorify serial killers. Turning to his wife Georgia Tennant in the audience he said : 'On a personal note I want to thank Georgia and my family. We had just had a baby when we filmed this and the last thing Georgia needed was me sloping off to go to a very dark place and play a serial killer. So thank you for putting up witOne of the South Pacifics most vocal climate change campaigners is urging Australia to abandon plans for a giant Indian-owned coal mine in Queensland.

Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner is from the Marshall Islands, a poet and daughter of the Micronesian nation's first female president, who says the proposed Adani mine and the emissions from the coal it would produce would make Pacific Islands more vulnerable to rising sea levels.

The Adani project in northern Australia would supply Indian power plants with enough coal to generate electricity for up to 100 million people. If it goes ahead, it would be one of the worlds biggest coal mines, producing 60 million tons per year.

Its supporters say it would inject billions of dollars into the Australian economy and create thousands of jobs. Australia is a major exporter of coal, which generates most of its domestic electricity.

But environmental campaigners say the mine, owned by the Indian company, Adani, would be disastrous for low-lying islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It is an argument championed by Jetnil-Kijiner, a celebrated activist from the Marshall Islands, an archipelago near the Equator with a population of about 75,000 people.

She says the effects of rising sea levels caused by climate change are already being felt in the Pacific with crops, homes and even cemeteries being washed away.

The environmental activist believes the proposed coal mine in Queensland would put more pressure on vulnerable communities.

I guess, for me, I definitely think that the Adani coal mine needs to be stopped because if that goes through, then that will affect all of the Pacific countries. I mean the reality is I have already seem one island go under, right, and we are experiencing tidal floodings that are happening as many as four times a year that are destroying peoples homes. People are already leaving, so things are urgent, things are dire. I think it is incredibly important that we do not open any more coals mines. It does make a huge difference, she said.

It was Kathy Jetnil-Kijiners address at the United Nations Climate Summit in 2014 that brought wider attention to her activism and poetry. She spoke of the environmental peril faced by the Marshall Islands and other Pacific nations.

Her speech was written as a promise to her daughter that the world would take action on climate change.

Four years later, her campaign is continuing.

The Australian government has championed the Adani mine. Federal Resources Minister Matt Canavan has told anti-coal campaigners that without fossil fuels hundreds of millions of people around the world would fall into poverty. Canavan said the global resources industry had never been more crucial than it is now.Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics says Vladimir Putin's recent comments on retaliating against nuclear-armed adversaries, which the Russian president acknowledged would lead to a "global catastrophe," represent a level of animosity not seen since the early Cold War.

Speaking to a staunch pro-Kremlin TV host in a documentary that aired in Russia just weeks before voters head to the polls in an election that has barred any serious competitors from running, Putin made tough statements in which he presented himself as an indispensable guarantor against foreign attacks.

Asked what he would do in the face of an imminent nuclear attack, Putin said he would trigger a "reciprocal strike," adding that although the resulting worldwide devastation "would be a global catastrophe for humanity ... what do we need a world for if there is no Russia in it?"

Speaking with VOA's Russian service this week, Rinkevics warned that "sometimes this kind of rhetoric can get so heated that you can't retreat from what you have said."

"These kinds of statements are absolutely irresponsible," he added. "This suicidal behavior makes no sense. I don't think anyone is considering attacking Russia. This is just stupid to think like this."

While some observers have dismissed Putin's comments as nothing more than empty threats, Rinkevics said neighboring countries worry that Russian willingness to invade both Ukraine and Georgia over the past decade imbues the comments with an ominous precedent of military follow-through.

"What we saw was that the Russian Federation didn't hesitate to use military force against Ukraine in 2014," he said. "These kinds of threats come from the Russian president, Russian politicians and Russian officials. This is serious, and this rhetoric can lead too far."

Rinkevics and his fellow foreign ministers representing the three Baltic allies exposed on NATO's eastern flank are in Washington to urge Western leaders against being naive about Russian threats.

Democratic nations in peril

Speaking with Agence France-Press after their joint meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Monday, they discussed Russia's so-called "hybrid" threat to the West.

"I think what we have seen in the past four or three years is the community of democratic nations is under the attack," Rinkevics said of Russian interference and interventions.

"The very basis of our democratic institutions are under attack through social media by fake news, and also through the influence of money, and it is very important that we stick together," he said.

The Baltic nations are aiming to bolster that message when their presidents attend a White House summit on April 3.

Having compared Putin's latest threats to rhetoric of the early Cold War, Rinkevics said it is only appropriate to mark 100 years of Baltic independence in Washington.

"It's important that we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of our sovereignty, our independence, here, together with our Lithuanian and Estonian friends, because the role of the USA has been and still is very significant," he said.

At the press conference following their meeting with Tillerson, the ministers also discussed the upcoming NATO summit slated for July.

At that summit, they plan to stress the importance of strengthening allied deterrence on Europe's eastern flank and ensuring follow-through on decisions made at the NATO summit in Warsaw in 2016, such as the Transatlantic Capability Enhancement and Training Initiative, which is designed "to promote capability development, interoperability and training [to] enhance NATO resilience in response to the challenges in the Baltic region."

This story originated in VOA's Russian service.Former White House strategist Steve Bannon sought to re-energize France's struggling far-right National Front party Saturday by speaking at a party congress and telling Marine Le Pen's nationalist supporters: "History is on our side."

Bannon's appearance in France was part of a European tour in which he's seeking an international platform for his closed-borders, anti-foreigner message that helped Donald Trump win the U.S. presidency.

The former Breitbart News chairman was an early admirer of the National Front, whose long-standing "French First" motto rallied French voters for years before Trump's "America First" campaign.

"Let them call you racist. Let them call you xenophobes. Let them call you nativists. Wear it as a badge of honor," he told the crowd at the party congress.

The National Front has never won the French presidency, and the congress in Lille is aimed at remaking its image after Le Pen's crushing defeat to independent, pro-globalization Emmanuel Macron in last year's presidential election.

But Bannon might have threatened Le Pen's makeover with his compliments for an extreme version of the National Front and lavish praise for Le Pen's more hard-line niece and rival.

'Worldwide movement'

"You're part of a worldwide movement bigger than France, bigger than Italy," Bannon told National Front supporters, denouncing central banks, central governments and "crony capitalists."

His European tour centered on last weekend's Italian election, which Bannon called "an earthquake" after populist and anti-immigration parties outperformed traditional parties. The outcome has boosted far-right movements across Europe and was seen as a victory for the forces that elected Trump and voter approval for Britain to leave the European Union.

"History is on our side," Bannon said to hearty cheers.

He praised Le Pen's vision of a political spectrum that no longer spans left-right but puts nationalists versus globalists.

Bannon gave his first European speech in Zurich earlier in the week and said Saturday that he was traveling the world to learn.

The European tour comes as Bannon's role in American politics is uncertain. He was ousted from the White House last year amid tensions and stepped down as chairman of Breitbart News Network in January after a public break with Trump.

In France, some warned that Bannon's support could damage Le Pen's efforts to cleanse the National Front of the racist stigma that has long clung to the party's image.

Invitation defended

Le Pen defended inviting Bannon to the meeting, saying it was important to listen to the man who was "the architect of Donald Trump's victory" and has written about globalization, protectionism and giving to regular people the power that "has been practically illegally captured by the elite."

Bannon also used his visit to call Le Pen's niece Marion Marechal-Le Pen one of most important people in the world, according to French media.

Bannon has publicly praised Marechal-Le Pen in the past, and she galvanized the crowd at a recent convention of U.S. conservatives. She bowed out of politics after her aunt's presidential defeat, but is expected to come back in a new role.

Marine Le Pen wants to revive her own fortunes by changing the name of the National Front, the party co-founded by her father in 1972.

A new name, a new leadership structure and new bylaws are being unveiled at the two-day congress with the hope of making the party relevant again.

'We're at a turning point'

Le Pen, running as the only candidate for National Front president, said the changes amount to a "cultural revolution" so the reshaped party can "implant itself, create alliances and govern."

"We're at a turning point ... don't bury us," she said in an interview with France's Le Figaro newspaper published Friday.

The changes pave the way for a younger leadership circle to emerge, even if the party's ideological foundation remains unchanged: nationalist, identity-driven, anti-European Union, according to Jean-Yves Camus, an expert on the far right.

The new moniker, if approved by members during a mail-in vote, will mark the ultimate break with Le Pen's father, who has called the idea a betrayal. Jean-Marie Le Pen also is to be scratched from the party's books along with his title of honorary president-for-life.

Since taking over the National Front's presidency in 2011, Marine Le Pen has worked to broaden the party's appeal by erasing the footprint of her father, who has multiple convictions for racism and anti-Semitism.

An election next year for members of the European Union's lawmaking arm will be the National Front's first chance to test its rebranding strategy. It won more seats in the European Parliament than any other French party in 2014.

However, Le Pen's credibility is among the potential obstacles to a possible far-right comeback: An annual poll published this week by the Kantar-Sofres-One Point firm showed Le Pen scoring lower on numerous questions.British government security ministers are holding an emergency meeting to discuss the investigation into the poisoning in England of a Russian who spied for Britain.



The meeting Home Secretary Amber Rudd is leading on Saturday will cover the latest police and intelligence reports from Salisbury, where a military-supported investigation is underway.



Police are looking for clues to the mysterious attack on former Russian military intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia.



They were found unconscious on a bench near the River Avon in Salisbury on Sunday. They remain in critical condition in a local hospital, poisoned with what authorities say is a rare nerve agent



Police are searching for clues at the gravesites of Skripal's wife and son, and at Skripal's house. A restaurant and pub have also been searched.British soldiers have been deployed to the normally quiet town of Salisbury to help officials decontaminate the area after a Russian former double agent and his daughter were poisoned with a nerve agent.

About 180 troops have been sent to the southwestern English town to remove vehicles involved in the incident as well as objects that could have been contaminated.

Forensic experts in bright yellow hazardous-materials suits have cordoned off the home of Sergei Skripal, who along with his daughter, Yulia, 33, were found unconscious Sunday on a bench outside a shopping mall. Both were in critical condition in a local hospital, poisoned with what authorities said was a rare nerve agent.

Officials have also cordoned off an Italian restaurant and a pub Skripal and his daughter visited before their collapse, as well as a cemetery where Skripal's wife, Lyudmila, is buried and where there is also a memorial headstone for his son, Alexander.

Lyudmila died in 2012 of cancer, while Alexander was cremated last year after reportedly dying of liver problems at age 43.

Detectives are retracing the Skripals' movements as they try to discover how and where the toxin was administered.

Officials said 21 people in Salisbury had received medical treatment as a result of the nerve agent, including a police officer who was in serious condition.

Police have not publicly talked about the nerve agent that poisoned Skripal or who might have been responsible. But suspicions are pointing to Russia.

'Pushed around'

British Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson said Britain was being "pushed around" by the Kremlin.

Prime Minister Theresa May has promised an "appropriate" response if it is discovered that Russia is responsible for poisoning Skripal, but has urged caution.

"Let's give the police the time and space to actually conduct their investigation," May told ITV news Thursday.

Russian officials deny the Kremlin had anything to do with the assassination attempt.

Skripal served in Russia's military intelligence agency, GRU, and was exchanged in a spy swap in 2010 on the runway at Vienna's airport.

After serving four years in prison in Russia for spying for Britain's espionage service, MI6, Skripal was one of four Russian double agents exchanged for 10 Russians expelled from the United States, including Manhattan socialite Anna Chapman.

The incident is drawing comparisons to the case of Alexander Litvinenko, a Russian KGB officer-turned-British intelligence agent and a highly public critic of President Vladimir Putin.

Litvinenko died an agonizing death days after drinking tea laced with radioactive polonium-210 in a London hotel in 2006. British doctors struggled in that case to identify the substance that killed him.

A British inquiry concluded Putin probably approved the killing. The conclusion was angrily dismissed by the Kremlin as a politically motivated smear.After a career spent battling wildland fires across the West, U.S. Forest Service interim Chief Vicki Christiansen must now confront another sort of crisis: the harassment and bullying of women that's persisted in the agency's male-dominated culture despite numerous efforts at reform.

Christiansen's ascension to the top of the 35,000-employee agency follows the ignominious downfall this week of its former chief, Tony Tooke, amid allegations of relationships with subordinates.

Such misconduct appears to run deep in the agency's ranks, according to employee accounts, media reports and testimony during past congressional hearings. That's a reality Christiansen appeared to acknowledge when she told employees in a Friday email that they've had to face "some hard truths" about alleged harassment and retaliation.

'Determined to confront it'

With her decades working in fire suppression, a traditionally masculine arena, Christiansen knows firsthand about the barriers women face in the Forest Service, said Oklahoma state forester George Geissler, who met with Christiansen in Washington, D.C., just days before her appointment.

During that meeting, Christiansen openly discussed the challenges women face in the agency and made clear that harassment was not to be tolerated, Geissler said.

"She's willing to confront it and determined to confront it," he said. "She understands it's not just a Forest Service issue but an overarching issue that we as wildland firefighters, we as professionals in forestry, need to recognize."

The institutional problem the Forest Service faces is far from unique among government agencies. Sexual misconduct has long been a problem in the U.S. military and over the past several years emerged as a major issue at the Interior Department.

The Forest Service is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The agency's struggles date to at least the 1970s, when a class-action lawsuit was filed alleging discrimination against women in hiring and promotions. The matter has gained renewed attention as female Forest Service employees recently stepped forward with tales of discrimination, harassment, retaliation and rape.

Lawmakers in Congress responded this week with calls for greater scrutiny of the agency.

Just over a third of the Forest Service's permanent employees are women, a figure that drops during the summer with additional seasonal hires, agency employment data show. The balance is even more skewed among firefighters: Last summer, just 13 percent of the agency's 19,500 firefighters were women, according to the data.

Women's stories

Gail Kimbell, the first woman to be chief of the Forest Service, from 2007 to 2009, told The Associated Press she'd was heartbroken by accounts from female Forest Service firefighters who appeared on PBS NewsHour saying they had been raped and groped by co-workers or supervisors and had suffered retaliation if they reported it.

Kimbell said she experienced discrimination but wasn't assaulted during her 32-year career as a full-time Forest Service employee. In 1970s, women were a novelty in the workforce, especially in field work, she said. Unlike Christiansen, she did not work as a firefighter.

She said the Forest Service has spent decades trying to improve the workplace for women. By the time Kimbell became chief, training and other programs were well-established, she said, and she supported them.

"The Forest Service continues to put effort into it. It's not perfect but it's a lot better than it was in the 1970s," she said.

In announcing Christiansen's appointment, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue tasked her with two goals: improving the agency's response to sexual misconduct while effectively managing more than 300,000 square miles (777,000 square kilometers) of forests and grasslands in 43 states and Puerto Rico.

Tooke's case and other reports of harassment have underscored that there's more work to do. During a 2016 congressional hearing, agency officials said 67 employees had been cited for sexual misconduct over the prior three years, including 21 who were fired and 28 who were suspended. The agency did not respond to requests for more recent figures.

Reporting center

In November, the Forest Service opened a "Harassment Reporting Center" with a toll-free number to make it easier for victims to report mistreatment. And on March 1, it started a one-year trial program in which only outside investigators will be used to look into sexual harassment and misconduct complaints originating in its Pacific Southwest region.

The move came in response to an audit from the inspector general at the Department of Agriculture that said almost half of service employees interviewed in the region had expressed distrust in the reporting of complaints.

The Forest Service and Agriculture Department have refused to say if an investigation into Tooke's actions was being handled by an outside entity or if it would continue upon his retirement.

In her Friday email to Forest Service employees, Christiansen pledged to stick by workers who "stand up for their colleagues and themselves."

"We've had to face some hard truths about allegations of harassment and retaliation in our agency, even as we stare down some of the biggest land-management challenges in our nation's history," she wrote. "I know we are up to the task."India and France pledged Saturday to work together to ensure freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean and signed an agreement to expedite construction of a major nuclear power plant in India by a French company.



After talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also highlighted the solar alliance and cooperation between the two countries in the fields of defense, security, technology, space and counterterrorism.



Macron, who arrived in New Delhi on Friday for a four-day visit to India, said France and India should be key partners.



And I dream to have more and more Indian citizens coming to France - studying, becoming entrepreneurs, creating startups - and I want my country to be a best partner in Europe, an entry point, Macron said at a reception ceremony.



Modi said it was critical for the two countries to cooperate in the Indian Ocean region.



Both our countries believe that for world peace, progress and prosperity in the future, the Indian Ocean region is going to play a very important role, he said.



To help ensure freedom of navigation, the space agencies of the two countries signed an accord to help them detect, identify and monitor sea vessels.



The two countries also agreed to exchange information and technical experts in the fields of environment and climate change.



The nuclear agreement is considered significant, with critics saying that Jaitpur, the site of the six-unit plant, which is to generate 9,900 megawatts of power in western India, is in a seismic zone. The opposition has grown since Japan's nuclear accident in 2011, with several villagers refusing to hand over their land to the Indian government for the project by the French nuclear energy company Areva.



Another agreement envisages reciprocal logistical support between the two countries' armed forces.



In 2016, India signed an $8.78 billion deal with France to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets in ready to fly condition, meaning they will be made in France.



On Sunday, India and France will co-host the first meeting of the International Solar Alliance, an initiative launched by the two countries on the sidelines of the 2015 Paris Climate Conference.



India says that access to solar technology is becoming a reality with costs coming down and grid connectivity improving.



The objective of the solar alliance of more than 120 countries is to work for efficient exploitation of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.



France is the ninth-largest foreign investor in India. Bilateral trade between the two countries touched $10.95 billion during April 2016 to March 2017, according to India's External Affairs ministry.



India's main exports to France include textiles, boilers, electrical machinery and equipment, organic chemicals, railroad rolling stock, mineral fuels, leather goods, and gems and jewelry.



France mainly exports aircraft, medical instruments, organic chemicals, iron and steel, plastics, pharmaceuticals and chemical products to India.Former White House adviser Steve Bannons surprise address Saturday at a key far right party meeting in France gives a boost to its struggling leader, Marine Le Pen. While other European far-right movements are surging on anti-immigrant platforms, Frances National Front is weakened and divided. Le Pen hopes to rally supporters around a new party name - and possibly a new direction.

Far-right parties in Austria and Italy may be celebrating recent polls, but Frances National Front shows how fast politics can change. Less than a year ago, National Front leader Marine Le Pen came in second in Frances presidential election against current leader Emmanuel Macron, capturing a record one-third of the vote.

But today, the National Front is in disarray. Some of its top officials have quit. Some members have not paid their dues - and the new head of the more mainstream Les Republicains party is tilting rightward to lure others away. A recent poll shows the majority of French dont want Le Pen to run for president again.

But Le Pen is betting this weekends meeting in the northern city of Lille will be a turnaround - partly by rebranding a party founded by her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, in the 1970s. National Front members get to vote on a new name for the party, which will be announced on Sunday.

"The National Front has grown up," Le Pen told French TV Friday night. "It has gone from a party of protest in its youth, to a party of opposition and now a governing party. Changing its name is one way to show this," she said.

The rebranding is part of a long effort by Le Pen to give the National Front a softer, more mainstream image since taking over leadership from her father seven years ago. The two have since fallen out, and the elder Le Pen was expelled from the party in 2015 over inflammatory remarks. Meanwhile, Marine Le Pen hopes to strike alliances with other nationalist parties before European Parliament elections next year.

Some are not convinced her strategy will work.

Critics include Le Pens former right-hand man, Florian Philippot, who quit the National Front last year to form his own party. In a TV interview, he said nobody believes in the National Front anymore - not even Marine Le Pen. He said the party has abandoned its social fight and anti-Europe values.

But analysts believe the anti-immigrant, anti-globalization platforms that resonate in Europe today will continue to give the National Front meaning and votes - under whatever name it adopts.

Obesity worldwide has tripled since 1975, according to the World Health Organization, and it's not just a problem in high-income countries such as the United States. A growing number of people are being diagnosed as overweight and obese in low- and middle-income countries. Being overweight has been connected to more deaths globally than being underweight. VOA's Elizabeth Lee looks at the reasons and a solution that starts with the mind.A video of three Iranian women singing a famous feminist song on Tehran's subway March 8 to mark International Women's Day is going viral on social media and highlighted ongoing challenges to veiling and other discriminatory laws.

The women are not wearing the Islamic head scarf, known as the hijab, that is mandated for women in public under Iran's clerically dominated system.

The song, I'm A Woman, was created about a decade ago by a group of female activists who campaigned against discriminatory laws and came under state pressure for their efforts.

The song calls on women to join efforts to fight injustice and create "another world" of "equality."

The new clip has been shared widely on popular apps Telegram and Instagram and other social-media platforms where many have praised their courage and bravery.

They hold hands while singing and show what appears to be a photo of a previous protest by a group of women's rights activists.

Once they're done, one of the three calls on other women on the subway train to clap and honor themselves for "having lived and fought all their lives against all kinds of discrimination, violence, humiliation, and insults."

"You've paid a price, yet you've been the hero of your lives," the young woman says in the video while some of the passengers clap their hands.

"Happy [Women's] Day to all of you," she adds.

Women's Day arrests

The video was posted online amid reports that more than 50 people, some of them men, were detained by security forces in the Iranian capital on March 8 for attempting to gather outside the Labor Ministry to mark International Women's Day and urge greater respect for rights.

Dozens of women have risked arrest by carrying out public protests against the compulsory hijab that requires women in Iran to cover their hair and body in public.

The protesters have been standing on utility boxes without veils on the busy streets of Tehran and other cities, waving head scarves on sticks.

Some have been violently confronted by security forces and a number have been arrested.

They have fueled public debate about the hijab rule that became compulsory following the 1979 revolution, prompting rare statements on the topic from senior officials including the president and, most recently, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Those who are deemed to have violated the rule face harassment, fines, and prison terms.

Pushing dress code boundaries

Women have pushed the boundaries of the country's strict dress code in recent years by showing much of their hair and wearing short coats and tight pants. But the debate over the veil has flared up intermittently since the laws were tightened following the 1979 revolution.

Earlier this week, prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi announced that one of the protesters was sentenced to two years in prison for attempting to "encourage corruption through the removal of the hijab in public."

Khamenei, who has the final say on religious and political affairs in Iran, broke his public silence on the veil protests this week to accuse the women in question of being "deceived" by foreign "enemies" funding the effort. He went on to acknowledge that "some of the elite are now questioning the mandatory hijab," suggesting that some "journalists, intellectuals, and clerics" were being led down "the path of the enemy."

The first of the recent hijab protests emerged amid an outbreak of street protests in December and January over economic woes and grievances against Iran's leadership, sparking a crackdown in which at least 22 people died and thousands were arrested.Myanmar police said Saturday they had opened a murder investigation into the killing of two men who residents say appeared to have been shot in the head after they were detained by soldiers in the conflict-torn north of the country.

Residents say the men were ethnic Kachin farmers who were living in camps for people displaced by conflict in Maing Hkawng, a village about 30 km (20 miles) from Myanmars border with China.

More than 100,000 have been forced from their villages since a cease-fire between Myanmars army and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) broke down in 2011.

The northern conflict is separate from the Rohingya crisis stemming from western Rakhine state, but the militarys campaign has similarly been beset by allegations of abuses against civilians.

Ethnic Kachin men Hpaugan Yaw, 65, and Nhkum Naw San, 35, had been missing since they were taken away by the military Jan. 31, according to residents and campaign group Fortify Rights, which interviewed two witnesses to their detention.

Shallow grave

A shallow grave containing two bodies was discovered Thursday by a civilian search party in a forest near Maing Khawng, in Kachin states Mansi township. Authorities visited the grave Friday and a doctor conducted an autopsy on the bodies.

The case has been filed at Mansi police station under section 302 (of Myanmars Penal Code), a murder charge, said Thura Myo Naung, a spokesman for police in Kachin state who declined to comment further other than to say police were investigating.

The Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement posted on its Facebook page the bodies had penetration wounds on the left cheek and the backs of their heads had exploded.

The men went missing while herding buffalo, according to a missing persons complaint filed Feb. 5, said the statement, which did not mention the alleged involvement of soldiers.

Military spokesman Major General Tun Tun Nyi declined to comment on the case.

Concerns raised

Fortify Rights had raised concerns about the two men last month and cited two witnesses who said they saw soldiers detain them. One witness said soldiers tried to put KIA uniforms on the men, according to the group, which kept the witnesses anonymous.

Aung Myu San, a Kachin youth leader in Maing Hkawng, said the doctors autopsy report had not yet been made available, but he had seen the bodies along with other residents.

When we personally went there to look, we saw the situation and we thought it looked like a gunshot to the mouth because the back part of the head is totally gone, he said.

Myanmars security forces are also accused of rape, murder and arson of Muslim Rohingya in a campaign launched in response to insurgent attacks in August in the western Rakhine state, prompting hundreds of thousands to flee to neighboring Bangladesh.

Myanmar has asked for clear evidence of atrocities in Rakhine, but the U.N. human rights chief Zeid Raad al-Hussein called on Friday for Myanmar to be referred to the International Criminal Court for what he said may be acts of genocide against the stateless Rohingya minority.The National Rifle Association (NRA), a U.S. gun rights group, is suing the state of Florida for enacting gun control legislation that raises the minimum age to buy rifles from 18 to 21.

Lawyers for the NRA are asking a federal judge to block the new age restriction, arguing that it violates the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Florida Governor Rick Scott, a Republican long allied with the NRA, signed the legislation earlier Friday after the Republican-controlled statehouse narrowly approved the measure.

The NRA insisted that the measure punishes law-abiding gun owners for the criminal acts of a deranged individual.

In addition to the new age restriction, the Florida bill also adds a three-day waiting period to buy long guns, which was previously only for handguns. It also bans bump stocks, a device that allow guns to mimic fully automatic fire.

The law also creates a so-called guardian program that enables school staff to carry handguns if they wish and if they complete law enforcement training.

The legislation comes three weeks after a shooter killed 17 people at Parkland, Floridas Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

What Im proud of in this state is that we reacted to a horrible situation, Scott said after signing the bill Friday. He said the bill represents a compromise for people on both sides of the gun debate and balances our individual rights with need for public safety.

Student activists had campaigned for even tougher gun control restrictions, including a ban on assault-style weapons, which was not included in the final bill.

Authorities say the accused gunman, Nikolas Cruz, was 18 years old when he legally purchased the AR-15 assault-style rifle used in the massacre.

The NRA, which claims 5 million members, is one of the countrys most powerful lobbying groups for gun rights. Founded in 1871, it seeks to educate the public about firearms and defend U.S. citizens Second Amendment rights. It has directly lobbied for and against legislation since 1975.The Pentagon says it is planning a military parade requested by U.S. President Donald Trump later this year, but says the celebrations will not include tanks because they could damage Washingtons roads.

Trump asked the military last month to explore the possibility of staging a military parade in the nations capital on Nov. 11, Veterans Day.

A Pentagon memo released Friday said the parade will end with a heavy air component, meaning many airplanes flying overhead.

Include wheeled vehicles only, no tanks  consideration must be given to minimize damage to local infrastructure, the memo said.

The memo was written by the office of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to give initial guidance to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, which will stage the parade.

The Pentagon memo did not include a cost estimate for the parade. The White House budget director recently told Congress the cost to taxpayers could be between $10 million and $30 million.

The guidance said the parade should focus on the contributions of U.S. military veterans throughout history, starting from the American Revolutionary War, and should include veterans wearing period uniforms. It said the airplanes used at the end of the parade should also include older aircraft, as available.

Trump should be surrounded in the reviewing area at the Capitol by veterans and Medal of Honor recipients, the memo said.

The Pentagon said the parade, which will travel from the White House to the U.S. Capitol, should place an emphasis on the price of freedom.

The Veterans Day holiday this year coincides with the 100-year anniversary of the end of World War I.

The inspiration to hold a military parade came from the presidents trip to France last year when he and first lady Melania Trump watched Bastille Day events in Paris July 14, as the guests of French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte.

Military parades in the United States are generally rare. In 1991, U.S. troops paraded through Washington to celebrate the ousting of Saddam Husseins Iraqi forces from Kuwait in the Gulf War.

National Security correspondent Jeff Seldin and the Associated Press contributed to this story.The Philippine foreign minister hit back Saturday at the United Nations human rights chief for issuing irresponsible and disrespectful comments about President Rodrigo Duterte, warning that such remarks could set a dangerous precedent.

Dutertes attacks against U.N. human rights activists suggest he needs to see a psychiatrist, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad al-Hussein told a news conference Friday after the Philippine leader criticized U.N. special rapporteurs.

Zeids comments came after the Philippine justice ministry filed a petition in a Manila court seeking the declaration of more than 600 alleged communist guerrillas, including a U.N. special rapporteur, as terrorists, a development first reported by Reuters.

The petition included Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, appointed in 2014 as U.N. special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, who was listed as a senior member of the Maoist rebel group.

Tauli-Corpuz has denounced the government, calling the complaint baseless, malicious and irresponsible.

Zeid said Dutertes attacks against U.N. special rapporteurs cannot go unanswered and the U.N. Human Rights Council must take a position. He said the Philippine leader needs to submit himself to some sort of psychiatric examination.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said: The Philippines takes grave exception to the irresponsible and disrespectful comments of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights that cast untoward aspersions regarding the President of the Republic of the Philippines.

Duterte has also repeatedly insulted the current U.N. special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings, Agnes Callamard, who Manila has accused of bias and of not being qualified because of her criticism of his bloody anti-narcotics campaign.

The Philippines welcomed a U.N. investigation into Dutertes signature war on drugs but objected to Callamard leading it.

Cayetano said in a strongly worded statement the Philippines was bothered by the manner in which a ranking U.N. human rights official can overstep his mandate and insult leaders of member-states without first giving them due process.

This could set a dangerous precedent that the council would have to immediately address as otherwise member-states could also fall victim to those who seek to politicize and weaponize human rights to undermine legitimate governments, he said.

Cayetano said the U.N. human rights official may not be aware of it but he is being used in a well-orchestrated effort to destabilize a legitimate government ... by parties with self-serving agendas.British government ministers met Saturday to discuss the case of a Russian man and his daughter who were mysteriously poisoned by a rare nerve agent in the town of Salisbury nearly a week ago.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said Saturday after the meeting that it is still too early to assign blame for the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, both of whom are hospitalized in critical condition.

Meanwhile, about 180 British soldiers have been deployed to Salisbury, a normally quiet town in southwestern England, to help officials decontaminate the area.

Rudd said more than 240 pieces of evidence have been collected and 200 witnesses have been identified in the case.

I want to stress that they are proceeding with speed and professionalism, she said, adding that the government is making available enormous resources to ensure that they have all the support they need.

Three sites under investigation

Officials have also cordoned off an Italian restaurant and a pub that Skripal and his daughter visited before their collapse as well as a cemetery where Skripals wife, Lyudmila, is buried and where there is also a memorial headstone for his son, Alexander.

Lyudmila died in 2012 from cancer, while Alexander was cremated last year after reportedly dying of liver problems at the age of 43.

Detectives are retracing the Skripals movements as they try to discover how and where the toxin was administered.

Officials say 21 people in Salisbury have received medical treatment as a result of the nerve agent, including a police officer who is in serious condition.

Police have not publicly talked about the nerve agent that poisoned the Skripals or who might have been responsible. But suspicions are pointing to Russia.

'Pushed around' by Kremlin

British Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson said Britain is being pushed around by the Kremlin.

Prime Minister Theresa May has promised an appropriate response if it is discovered that Russia is responsible for poisoning the Skripals, but has urged caution.

Lets give the police the time and space to actually conduct their investigation, May told ITV news Thursday.

Russian officials deny the Kremlin had anything to do with the assassination attempt.

Life as double agent

Skripal served in Russias military intelligence agency, GRU, and was exchanged in a spy swap in 2010 on the runway at Viennas airport.

After serving four years in prison in Russia for spying for Britains espionage service, MI6, Skripal was one of four Russian double agents exchanged for 10 Russians expelled from the United States, including Manhattan socialite Anna Chapman.

The incident is drawing comparisons to the case of Alexander Litvinenko, a Russian KGB officer-turned-British intelligence agent and a highly public critic of President Vladimir Putin.

Litvinenko died an agonizing death days after drinking tea laced with radioactive polonium-210 in a London hotel in 2006. British doctors struggled in that case to identify the substance that killed him.

A British inquiry concluded Putin probably approved the killing. The conclusion was angrily dismissed by the Kremlin as a politically motivated smear.Tens of thousands of protesters have once again taken to the streets of cities in Slovakia, following the murder of a journalist and his fiancee two weeks ago. Many demonstrators are calling for fresh elections and directing their anger toward the government.

The government should step down. It is obvious they all just stick together, they all just want to keep their positions in power, protester Miroslav Sputsova told the crowd Friday evening in Bratislava.

The Feb. 25 killing of Jan Kuciak and his fiancee, Martina Kusnirova, has shaken Slovakia and Europe, where there is growing concern over press freedom and safety following a number of attacks in recent months.

Kuciak had reported on fraud among Slovak businesses and politicians, including people connected to the Slovak governing party Smer. He linked the corruption to the Italian mafia group Ndrangheta.

The bodies of Kuciak and Kusnirova were found in their apartment in a village outside the capital. Both had been shot to death.

Protesters seek turning point

The protesters say the murders should be a turning point in Slovakias politics. President Andrej Kiska has called for fresh elections or a government reshuffle, but Prime Minister Robert Fico has refused to budge.

What happened after the murder of the journalist and his girlfriend suggests that there is an attempt to totally destabilize this state, Fico said in a televised statement Friday.

Earlier in the week, he offered a reward of $1 million euros to anyone who helps find the killers, appearing in front of the cameras next to the pile of cash.

He later suggested the anti-government protests are being organized overseas, and even pointing the finger at billionaire U.S. investor George Soros. His accusations echo fellow populist leaders in Poland and Hungary. Soros denies the accusations.

WATCH: EU Fears Press Freedom Under Threat, as Protesters Return to Streets of Slovakia

EU delegation

This week a delegation of European Union lawmakers visited Slovakia on a fact-finding mission. The EU has voiced growing concern over the state of press freedom. Campaigners say the restrictions and the dangers are growing.

Authoritarian governments creeping in from Turkey and Russia, now in towards Slovakia, the Czech Republic where now also the president has in public brandished a fake Kalashnikov saying this is for journalists, Bulgaria and that part of the world as well, and of course the former Yugoslavia, said William Horsley, vice-president of the Association of European Journalists.

In all those countries, violence, lack of protection, and hostility of the state authorities are a daily thing, Horsley, told VOA.

In October, Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed by a car bomb. She was also investigating corruption and had faced repeated libel lawsuits, including one brought by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. Three suspects have been charged with Galizias murder. All too often, justice is elusive, Horsley said.

Journalists, democracy in danger

The law has become hostile, the political climate now with the takeover of oligarch groups controlling the media, controlling the message and enforcing it. And above all I think the undermining of the idea of protection in the law and the independence of the judiciary. So, when journalists are attacked or even killed, there is virtual impunity, he added.

The group Reporters without Borders has warned that in some parts of Europe, the free media  and therefore democracy itself  is in danger.Russian President Vladimir Putin said he "couldn't care less" if Russian citizens sought to meddle in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, insisting that the Kremlin had nothing to do with the efforts.

"Why have you decided the Russian authorities, myself included, gave anybody permission to do this?" Putin asked in an often-combative interview with NBC News aired late Friday.

U.S. special counsel Robert Mueller last month indicted 13 Russians and three Russian companies and charged them with running a social-media campaign to sow political divisions in the United States and help Donald Trump win the presidency.

"So what if they're Russians?" Putin told NBC. "There are 146 million Russians. So what? I don't care. I couldn't care less.... They do not represent the interests of the Russian state."

Putin said that the indicted individuals are "not working for the government" and suggested instead, "Perhaps some of them worked for one of the candidates."

The most well-known of the Russians indicted, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has ties to Putin and the state. Prigozhin is accused of funneling money into the St. Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency, which is often described as a notorious "troll factory" and which is also named in the indictment.

Despite Mueller's 37-page indictment detailing charges against the Russians, Putin said he has seen no evidence that their actions broke any law. He was emphatic that he would never extradite the suspects to the United States to face trial.

"We in Russia cannot prosecute anyone as long as they have not violated Russian law," he said.

Putin rejected allegations that Russia sought to interfere in the election, despite the conclusion last year by U.S. intelligence agencies that he personally directed a campaign to do so in 2016.

"Could anyone really believe that Russia, thousands of miles away...influenced the outcome of the election? Doesn't that sound ridiculous, even to you?" Putin asked NBC interviewer Megyn Kelly.

"It's not our goal to interfere. We do not see what goal we would accomplish by interfering," Putin said.

The U.S. intelligence agencies concluded in January 2017 that in addition to aiding Trump, for whom they said the Kremlin had developed a clear preference, Russia's aims included undermining faith in the U.S. electoral system and denigrating Trump's main rival, Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton.

During the campaign, Clinton signaled that she would be tough on Russia over actions such as its interference in Ukraine, and Putin's relationship with the former secretary of state has been marked by sometimes palpable tension. As he prepared to return to the presidency in 2012 after a stint as prime minister, Putin accused Clinton of fomenting anti-government protests in Russia.

Last month, U.S. intelligence chiefs said Russian attempts to meddle in U.S. politics are continuing unabated and pose a threat to midterm congressional elections in November.

Trump himself has repeatedly refused to condemn Russia over the alleged meddling and has said that he admires Putin as a strong leader.

Putin suggested in the interview that the reason Trump has seemed deferential to him is he knew upon taking office that he needed to develop a "cooperative relationship" with Russia and thus he needed to treat his counterpart with respect.

On another issue, Putin told NBC he has no plans to change the Russian Constitution to eliminate term limits on his presidency.

"I have never changed the constitution. I have no such plans today," he said.Partial results released Saturday in the race for Sierra Leone's new president show no one has a strong enough majority so far to win Wednesday's polls as election observers criticized the country's police for intimidating opposition members before and after the vote.

With results in from 25 percent of polling stations from each of the country's 15 districts, the ruling All People's Congress party candidate, Samura Kamara, is in the lead with 44.6 percent of the vote, trailed by the opposition Sierra Leone People's Party's Julius Maada Bio, who garnered 42 percent so far, according to the country's independent National Electoral Commission (NEC).

Third-party candidate Kandeh Yumkella of the newly formed National Grand Coalition, which had hoped to break decades of dominance by the country's two leading parties, earned just 6.6 percent of votes counted. There are 16 total presidential candidates.

A presidential candidate needs to garner more than 55 percent of the vote to win in the first round, or else there will be a run-off between the top two candidates. The NEC will release another round of partial results once ballots from 50 percent of polling stations are counted.

Analysts say this year's election is one of the most hotly contested polls in the West African country's recent history. Over three million Sierra Leonians were registered to cast ballots for a new president, parliament, mayors, and local councils.

The APC ran on a track record of completing new roads and other infrastructure during the tenure of outgoing President Ernest Bai Komora, who must step down after serving two terms.

But opposition groups have criticized the government for corruption and its handling of the 2014 ebola crisis and a 2017 mudslide in the capital, Freetown, twin disasters which together claimed thousands of lives.

While Wednesday's voting took place mostly smoothly, two observer missions accused the police of misconduct before and after the vote.

"Voters were able to exercise their democratic rights peacefully, however intimidation and instances of violence marred the election," said a preliminary report from the European Union observer mission, which deployed around 100 observers to the country, pointing to arrests of dozens of candidates and party campaigners in the run up to the vote.

Another mission from the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) led by former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan expressed concern over an incident on Wednesday evening when police attempted to enter an SLPP headquarters, leading to a brief skirmish between officers and opposition supporters.

The EISA mission termed the police's action as an act of "aggression" which threatened peace and security.

Meanwhile, opposition groups have complained about flaws in the vote count.

The NGC party said there were "blatant irregularities" and demanded a review of results from some polling stations. SLPP Secretary General Umaru Napoleon Komora said his party presented evidence to NEC of other alleged problems, including that their party agents at some polling stations were not supplied with copies of vote count forms for inspection.U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has canceled a day of events in Kenya because of illness.



Undersecretary of State Steve Goldstein says Tillerson is not feeling well after a long couple days working on major issues back home such as North Korea.



There are no indications his illness is serious. Goldstein said some events may be rescheduled for later in his trip, including a planned stop at the site of the 1998 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.



A rigorous Africa schedule that included stops in three countries Friday has been made even more strenuous for Tillerson by events in Washington. Tillerson was up much of the previous night working the phones when President Donald Trump agreed to a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Friday that the political reconciliation between Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga is "a very positive step," adding that the United States supports Kenya's political inclusion and democracy. Tillerson's trip to Africa is his first as the top U.S. diplomat and promotes good governance, something high on his agenda. VOA State Department Correspondent Nike Ching reports from Nairobi, Kenya.US forces face laser weapons off Yemen coast

Newsweek :

U.S. naval forces operating off the coast of Yemen say the country's ongoing civil war has created a surge in the use of laser weapons in the area, as various factions test offensive and defensive laser capabilities.

Marine Corps Commandant General Robert Neller told the House Appropriations Committee that the area off the coast of the war-torn country has become a testing ground for a variety of laser applications, the Marine Corps Times reported.

"What's going on off the coast of Yemen is kind of a live-fire exercise," Neller said, noting that militants have been using relatively low-tech methods of attempting to disrupt U.S. systems. He assured the committee that the Marines retain the "capability to counter" such efforts, though he did not go into specifics.Neller said that the Marines are already using laser technology to combat threats, including drones. Lasers can be used to "break the link" between a drone and its controller, he explained. In the same hearing, Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer and Chief of Naval Operations John Richardson told representatives that the U.S. Navy is considering using a "family of lasers" to help combat smaller threats to ships such as drones, whether air- or seaborne.

The U.S. military, and others, have been researching lasers for many years. Laser systems can destroy targets by causing parts to overheat and can also disrupt sensors and navigation. The Navy's USS Ponce amphibious transport ship was fitted with a 30-kilowatt laser weapon in 2014 that was able to take down test drones. The weapon was also able to destroy ordinance by causing it to overheat and explode.

Defense giants Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon have all been working on their own systems for the Pentagon. As the technology advances and weapon size is reduced, their use becomes more practical.

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) requested $9.9 billion of President Donald Trump's $4.4 trillion 2019 budget proposal, some of which will be spent on anti-missile and drone-mounted laser development.

This week, Northrop Grumman was awarded a $21.5 million Navy contract to build upon the USS Ponce laser. The project is looking to develop a more powerful laser that can be used to disable or destroy enemy ships, unmanned aerial vehicles or surveillance sensors.



U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who is on the other side of the world on a week-long Africa tour, says President Donald Trump's decision to hold talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un came from Trump himself, but he downplayed any suggestion that the State Department was blindsided by the announcement.



Speaking in Djibouti on Friday, the top U.S. diplomat said he spoke with the U.S. president by phone very early in the day.



"We had a good conversation; this is something he's had on his mind for quite some time, so it was not a surprise in any way because I think this has long been something he's expressed it openly before, about his willingness to meet with Kim Jong Un," Tillerson told reporters.



Tillerson made his remarks one day after South Korean officials, standing in front of the White House, announced the summit between Trump and Kim. Tillerson sought to temper expectations for a diplomatic breakthrough with North Korea just hours earlier on Thursday.



"In terms of direct talks with the United States  and you asked negotiations, and we're a long ways from negotiations  I think ... we just need to be very clear-eyed and realistic about it," Tillerson said.



When asked about what had changed in 24 hours, Tillerson made a distinction between "talks" with North Korea, and structured "negotiations." Tillerson said what stood out for him was what he termed the dramatic shift in Kim Jong Un's position.

"Really what changed was his posture in a fairly dramatic way that, in all honesty, came as a little bit of a surprise to us as well that he was so forward-leaning in his conversations with the delegation from South Korea," the secretary said, referring to meetings this past week between a delegation from South Korea and the North Koreans in the North's capital, Pyongyang.



Some former national security officials say it's likely Tillerson was unaware such an announcement could come from Trump.



"We can only assume this announcement took the secretary by surprise because, earlier in the day, he [Tillerson] told reporters the United States was "a long way" from negotiations," said Jeff Prescott, a senior national security aide to former President Barack Obama, told VOA on Friday.



"The secretary being out of the loop would fit a pattern of an erratic foreign policy that lacks process and rigor," he added.



A number of North Korea and arms control experts have also expressed surprise at the announcement, saying they welcome talks, but are also concerned about the stakes of such a high-profile meeting, set to happen by May.



Prescott says the Trump administration must do all it can to turn this potential opening into an opportunity to advance U.S. interests, not Kim's.



"That objective has been made all the more difficult because this administration confronts today's news with one hand tied behind its back," the former Obama administration official said. "We have no ambassador in Seoulnot even a nomineeand no senior State Department official charged with overseeing the North Korean nuclear challenge."



Robert Einhorn with the Brookings Institution welcomed news of the summit and that North Korea will suspend nuclear and missile tests while talks are underway. But the senior fellow for the Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Initiative said he has some reservations on the terms of such a summit.



"I am concerned by President Trump's response to the invitation that he meet with Kim Jong Un  not that he agreed to meet but that he agreed to meet by May," Einhorn said. "Such meetings have to be well prepared, and the president should have insisted on lower-level exploratory talks that could test North Korea's seriousness before committing to a date."



House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce welcomed the summit announcement.



"Kim Jong Un's desire to talk shows sanctions the administration has implemented are starting to work. We can pursue more diplomacy, as we keep applying pressure ounce by ounce," the Republican lawmaker said Friday.



The ranking Democratic member of the House Intelligence Committee, Adam Schiff, noted the president should rely on experts in other parts of his administration to carefully prepare for such a meeting.



"In the weeks before the summit, clear-eyed diplomacy and preparation will be vital, given the risks involved in such a high-stakes leaders meeting this early in a negotiation," Schiff said in a statement. "It will require the president to rely on the expertise within the State Department, the intelligence community, and throughout the government, and not simply on his own estimation of his skills as a deal maker.'"



Former advisor to both Republican and Democratic secretaries of state Aaron David Miller told VOA the Trump administration currently lacks the experts on North Korea to prepare for direct talks.



"Right now, it is hard to identify any single individual or team of individuals that has both the negotiating experience and knowledge of the history, the cultural and political sensitivity, and knowledge of how the North Koreans behave and how they see the world," he said.U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson cancelled events in Kenya Saturday to seek respite from what has been an extraordinarily busy schedule, according to the State Department.

"The secretary is not feeling well after a long couple days working on major issues back home such as North Korea and has cancelled his events for the day," said spokesman Steve Goldstein, who is accompanying Tillerson on his trip to Africa. Goldstein added other Saturday events would proceed without Tillerson while others may be rescheduled and Tillerson was expected to resume his schedule Sunday.

After meeting Friday in Nairobi with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Tillerson hailed the political reconciliation between Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga as a positive step toward healing Kenyas ethnic and political divisions," the State Department said in a statement.

WATCH: Tillerson: Political Reconciliation in Kenya 'a Very Positive Step'

Kenyatta and Odinga met for the first time since last summers contentious presidential elections to start what they called a joint push for national unity.

Tillerson underscored at the meeting with Kenyatta "strong U.S. support for democratic institutions"  including the media  and voiced concern over "restrictions to political space."

The Kenyan government shut down three television channels in January on the day that Odinga took a symbolic presidential oath in a mock inauguration. The government defied a court order to allow the stations, which had planned to live-stream the oath, to resume broadcasts.

After Tillerson met Friday with Foreign Minister Monica Juma, she said, moving forward, the government of Kenya is committed to a genuine political process based on fundamental values.



I have reaffirmed and the president as well has reaffirmed Kenyas commitment to the values of democratic governance, constitutionalism, the rule of law, and human rights, Juma said.

U.S. Institute of Peace senior adviser Johnnie Carson said in an interview with VOA a free and independent media instills public confidence.



It is time for the parties to move forward, but it is the governments responsibility to act responsibly in defense of the rule of law, in defense of the judiciary, in the defense of free speech and defense of protection of the media, Carson said.

Other topics of discussion during Tillerson's meeting with Kenyatta were defeating terrorism in neighboring Somalia, political unrest in South Sudan and strengthening U.S.-Kenyan business relations.



Tillerson said the U.S. will seek to work with African nations, providing them with incentives to improve governance and meet their long-term security and development goals. He is on a five-nation trip to Africa that began earlier this week.



He arrived in Nairobi Friday from Djibouti. Tillerson kicked off his trip with a visit to Ethiopia on Wednesday, where he met with the countrys prime minister and the African Union Commission chief.The White House confirmed Saturday U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with regional leaders in Peru next month, a visit that will mark his first trip as president to Latin America.

"This travel demonstrates the Presidents resolve to deepen our historical ties with our partners in the region and to strengthen our joint commitment to improve security and prosperity for the people of the Americas," a White House statement said.

Trump will meet with Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski and join leaders at the Summit of the Americas in the Peruvian capital of Lima. Trump will then travel to Colombia to meet with President Juan Manuel Santos.

During the trip, Trump "will participate in a series of bilateral, multilateral, and cultural engagements" and will emphasize "fair and reciprocal trade, and secure borders."

U.S. presidents have attended all seven previous summits, which Washington views as a premier forum for projecting U.S. leadership in Latin America and the Caribbean.U.S. President Donald Trump expressed faith Saturday that North Korea would keep its promise to halt missile tests, days after his surprise acceptance of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's invitation to discuss Pyongyang's nuclear program.

The president tweeted:

It was not immediately clear whether the president was referring to his planned meeting with Kim or other meetings.

Trump said earlier Saturday that he had spoken with the leaders of China and Japan about his acceptance of Kim's invitation and that they were supportive of his unprecedented diplomatic mission.

The White House announced Thursday that Trump had accepted Kim's invitation, which was delivered to him verbally that day by visiting South Korean officials. The move revived hopes that a nearly decadelong diplomatic stalemate between the U.S. and North Korea could be broken.

But Trump faces complex, unresolved issues, according to former U.S. officials and analysts who have dealt with North Korea extensively.

Ken Gause, director of the International Affairs Group at the Center for Naval Analyses, welcomed the announcement, calling it "extraordinary and historical."

Alexander Vershbow, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Seoul during the George W. Bush administration, said the acceptance of the invitation was "the right thing for President Trump to do."

The invitation to meet by May established a time frame that raised concern among some analysts in Washington.

"I am concerned by President Trump's response to the invitation that he meet with Kim Jong Un  not that he agreed to meet, but that he agreed to meet by May," said Robert Einhorn, a special adviser for nonproliferation and arms control in former President Barack Obama's administration.

Einhorn said he thought Trump should have agreed to lower-level exploratory talks that "could test North Korea's seriousness."

A senior Trump administration official defended the president's decision, however, arguing previous lower-level talks had failed.

Some experts cautioned against overoptimism about the prospects for a breakthrough, questioning the North's sincerity toward denuclearization.

"I fear Trump is walking onto a North Korea trap," said Robert Manning, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. "A summit should be at the end of a process of denuclearization, not be based on good faith that Kim will actually denuclearize."

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who is on the other side of the world on a weeklong Africa tour, said Friday that Trump's decision had come from Trump himself, and he downplayed any suggestion that the State Department was blindsided by the announcement.

Trump's decision to talk with Kim came as no surprise to top U.S. military officials, though they were wary of setting any expectations. The Pentagon said Friday that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis had been in contact with the White House and involved in the decision to accept the North Korean leader's offer.

As part of the agreement to meet, Kim agreed that routine U.S.-South Korea military drills would continue as scheduled next month. The North usually protests the drills, which Pyongyang views as preparations for an invasion.

Despite that apparent concession, there were questions as to whether the sanctions targeting the North had made enough of an impact on its government to make Kim want to start negotiations in earnest.

"Obviously, we're cautiously optimistic that there is some forward progress here," Mattis told reporters earlier this week, following a meeting with Estonia's defense minister at the Pentagon.

"But we've been optimistic before, so we're going to have to watch actions and see if they match words," he said.

The White House on Friday emphasized that the United States had made "zero concessions" in agreeing to the talks.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, "The president will not have the meeting without seeing concrete steps and concrete actions" by Pyongyang regarding its promises to stop nuclear and missile testing

It was not clear what Kim will want in exchange for abandoning a nuclear weapons program that has been a focus since he became supreme leader in late 2011.

Jeff Prescott, a senior national security aide to former President Obama, told VOA on Friday that the Trump administration must do all it can to turn this potential opening into an opportunity to advance U.S. interests, not Kim's.

"That objective has been made all the more difficult because this administration confronts today's news with one hand tied behind its back," Prescott said. "We have no ambassador in Seoul  not even a nominee and no senior State Department official charged with overseeing the North Korean nuclear challenge."Turkey's president has criticized NATO for not supporting the country's ongoing military operation against Syrian Kurdish fighters in Syria.



Speaking to supporters Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan asked, Hey NATO, where are you? and accused the alliance of double standards. Erdogan said Turkey sent troops to conflict zones when requested, but did not receive support in return.



Turkey launched a solo military offensive against the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units or YPG on January 20 to clear them from Afrin in northwestern Syria. The country considers the YPG a terror organization but its NATO ally, the United States, backs the fighters to combat the Islamic State group.



Erdogan urged NATO to come to the aid of Turkey, saying its borders are under threat right now.A Turkish court ruled on Friday that two journalists should be released for the duration of their trial for subversion, a lawyer at the courthouse said.

Murat Sabuncu, editor-in-chief of the newspaper Cumhuriyet, and writer Ahmet Sik were ordered released, the lawyer said.

However, Cumhuriyet said that its attorney, Akin Atalay, was remanded in custody until the next hearing, on March 16.

Prosecutors charge that Cumhuriyet was effectively taken over by supporters of Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based cleric blamed by the government for a 2016 failed coup. The newspaper and staff deny the charges and say they are being targeted to silence critics of President Tayyip Erdogan.

Prosecutors are seeking up to 43 years in jail for the newspaper staff, who stand accused of targeting Erdogan through "asymmetric war methods."

Social media posts made up most of evidence in the indictment, along with allegations that staff had been in contact with users of Bylock, an encrypted messaging app the government says was used by Gulen's followers.

Rights group Amnesty International said on Twitter that the ruling was "long overdue" and called for the release of all jailed journalists in Turkey.

Speaking after his release, Sabuncu said their release was not a reason to be happy, since several journalists remained in prison.

"We should not be happy that we have been released because our release does not mean things have changed in Turkey regarding freedom of speech," Sabuncu told reporters.

Sik reiterated Sabuncu's comments, saying he would rather see anger than happiness.

"I am not happy in any way. I don't want you to be happy while Akin Atalay is still inside. I would prefer if you were angry, for anger will keep us standing," Sik said.

"Today is not a day for us to be happy, but there will come a day when we will be happy in this country," he said.

Around 150 media outlets have been shut down and 160 journalists have been jailed, the Turkish Journalists Association says.

Earlier on Friday, Turkey's highest court overturned a five-year jail sentence for Cumhuriyet's former editor-in-chief, Can Dundar, saying he should face up to 20 years in prison on espionage charges, the state-run news agency Anadolu said.

Since the July 2016 coup attempt, more than 150,000 people have been sacked or suspended from their jobs in Turkey, and another 50,000 have been arrested over alleged links to Gulen's network.

Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999, has denied involvement in the abortive putsch, in which more than 240 people were killed.White House officials say U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the Summit of the Americas in Peru this April.



Officials in the United States and Peru on Friday told media outlets in both countries that Trump has confirmed his intention to attend the summit.



The regional summit, which began in 1994, is seen as the leading forum for the United States to influence events across the region.



The decision ends speculation that tense relations between the United States and some of its southern neighbors could cause Trump to skip the summit.



Trump has been critical of Latin American policies over drugs and trade and has vowed to crack down on illegal immigration from the region to the United States.



This year's Summit of the Americas will be held in Lima, Peru, from April 13-14.



The gathering has generated controversy surrounding Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Peruvian leaders have repeatedly said Maduro is not invited to the summit because of his increasingly autocratic government, but Maduro said recently he is determined to attend.



The last Summit of the Americas took place in Panama in 2015, when then-President Barack Obama used the opportunity to meet Cuban leader Raul Castro for the first time.The state-controlled Herald newspaper reports that a Zimbabwean magistrate has issued a warrant giving the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZAC) the green light to carry out detailed investigations on a PhD awarded in controversial circumstances to former First Lady Grace Mugabe by the University of Zimbabwe.

According to the newspaper, the warrant which was issued by magistrate Elisha Singango in Zimbabwes capital city, Harare, empowers ZACC to search and seize all documents relevant to its investigations on whether or not University of Zimbabwe (UZ) Vice Chancellor Professor Levi Nyagura corruptly awarded former First Lady Grace Ntombizodwa Mugabe a doctoral degree.

The warrant compels the university to provide Mrs. Mugabes pre-registration form, research proposal to the relevant U.Z department, minutes of the departmental board assigning a supervisor to the former first lady, academic certificates of her supervisor, minutes detailing academic committee meetings on the doctoral degree and U.Z recommendations to the university Council on conferment of the degree to Mrs. Mugabe.

The university is also expected to provide copies of progress reports on the Post Graduate Center focusing on the doctorate and general academic regulations on the conferment of PhDs in the Department of Sociology at the U.Z.

Singango issued a similar warrant early this year which was quashed by the High Court.

VOA Studio 7 was unable to get a comment from ZACC, Nyagura and Mrs. Mugabe. Nyagura, who was arrested over the issue, is currently on bail.

Lawyers of the University of Zimbabwe claim that the search warrant is invalid, arguing that some of the demands are in violation of the higher education institute's ordinances.

Allegations against Professor Nyagura are that he unlawfully recommended the conferment of a Doctor of Philosophy Degree to Mrs. Mugabe without the approval of the University Council and the Senate Committee. The alleged crime is criminal abuse of office.

Ten UZ lecturers from the Sociology Department wrote a letter to protest to ZACC and Professor Nyagura demanding that Mrs. Mugabes degree be revoked. But Nyagura, in an interview with the Herald, dismissed the lecturers' claim saying they were ignorant Messrs and doctors with no academic capacity to supervise a PhD student.

Higher Education Minister Professor Amon Murwira recently told parliament that Professor Nyagura is still reporting for duty as he has not yet been fired by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who appoints university vice chancellors.24 March. The March For Our Lives demonstration, scheduled in Washington on 24 March, will see students and their families demand that the safety of students becomes a priority as well as calling for an end to gun violence and mass shootings in US schools.

A parallel standing rally in Rome, organised by the Rome chapter of American Expats for Positive Change (AEPC), will meet outside the city's US embassy at 11.00 on Saturday 24 March.

According to its mission statement: "The March For Our Lives movement is created by, inspired by, and led by students across the USA who will no longer risk their lives waiting for someone else to take action to stop the epidemic of mass school shootings that have become all too familiar."

Organisers of the Rome event stress that this is not just an "American" issue, although the majority of this type of violence is occurring in schools throughout the US. Instead they say it is about students of all ages advocating for themselves and each other and taking action, having a voice and being heard.

RSVP via March for Our Lives website. For more details of the Rome standing rally, which will take place at the corner of Via Veneto and Via Leonida Bissolati (Metro Barberini), see Facebook page March for Our Lives Rome.NRG Energy plans to shutter three old gas-fired power plants in California, the Sierra Club said in a statement Friday. The plants are operated by the GenOn unit, which is slated to be spun off under a bankruptcy deal approved last year. GenOn plans to close the Etiwanda plant in Rancho Cucamonga as of June 1; the Ormond Beach facility in Oxnard as of Oct. 1; and the Ellwood site in Goleta by Jan. 1. California regulators are pushing utilities to ditch gas-fired power plants for clean-energy projects as the state aims to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.Turkish court orders release of journalists during their trial

Ahmet Sik, a writer of the newspaper Cumhuriyet, is greeted by his friends after being released from the prison in Silivri near Istanbul on Saturday.

Reuters, Ankara :

A Turkish court ruled on Friday that two journalists should be released for the duration of their trial for subversion, a lawyer at the courthouse said.

Murat Sabuncu, editor-in-chief of the newspaper Cumhuriyet, and writer Ahmet Sik were ordered released, the lawyer said. However, Cumhuriyet said that its attorney, Akin Atalay, was remanded in custody until the next hearing, on March 16.

Prosecutors charge that Cumhuriyet was effectively taken over by supporters of Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based cleric blamed by the government for a 2016 failed coup. The newspaper and staff deny the charges and say they are being targeted to silence critics of President Tayyip Erdogan.

Prosecutors are seeking up to 43 years in jail for the newspaper staff, who stand accused of targeting Erdogan through "asymmetric war methods."

Social media posts made up most of evidence in the indictment, along with allegations that staff had been in contact with users of Bylock, an encrypted messaging app the government says was used by Gulen's followers.

Rights group Amnesty International said on Twitter that the ruling was "long overdue" and called for the release of all jailed journalists in Turkey.

Speaking after his release, Sabuncu said their release was not a reason to be happy, since several journalists remained in prison.

"We should not be happy that we have been released because our release does not mean things have changed in Turkey regarding freedom of speech," Sabuncu told reporters.

Sik reiterated Sabuncu's comments, saying he would rather see anger than happiness.

"I am not happy in any way. I don't want you to be happy while Akin Atalay is still inside. I would prefer if you were angry, for anger will keep us standing," Sik said.

"Today is not a day for us to be happy, but there will come a day when we will be happy in this country," he said.

Around 150 media outlets have been shut down and 160 journalists have been jailed, the Turkish Journalists Association says.

Earlier on Friday, Turkey's highest court overturned a five-year jail sentence for Cumhuriyet's former editor-in-chief, Can Dundar, saying he should face up to 20 years in prison on espionage charges, the state-run news agency Anadolu said.

Since the July 2016 coup attempt, more than 150,000 people have been sacked or suspended from their jobs in Turkey, and another 50,000 have been arrested over alleged links to Gulen's network.

Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999, has denied involvement in the abortive putsch, in which more than 240 people were killed.



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.In most cases of international travel, the animals health certification must be conducted by a veterinarian approved by the USDA, and the certificate must then be delivered by mail or in person to one of several USDA offices to be endorsed, stamped and returned to the pet owner (at a cost of somewhere between $100 and $200). Thats in addition to the health certificate issued upon arrival, which may require hiring an approved veterinarian to come to an overseas airport to conduct an inspection once the animal is removed from the plane.Syrian army continues attack on rebel-held Eastern Ghouta

Russian support for Syria\'s President Bashar al-Assad has put the Kremlin at odds with the opposition-backing West since the conflict erupted,

AFP, Douma :

The Syrian army continued its offensive against rebel-held Eastern Ghouta Saturday, a day after an aid convoy delivered food to the hunger-stricken residents of the enclave despite heavy bombardment.

Nearly 950 civilians have been killed since Russia-backed government forces launched a blistering assault on the last opposition bastion near Damascus on February 18.

Eastern Ghouta's 400,000 inhabitants have lived under government siege since 2013 and the enclave-more than half of which has over the past three weeks been retaken by regime forces-is home to a myriad of armed groups.

Apart from Islamist groups such as Jaish al-Islam, jihadists from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), who are mostly linked to Al-Qaeda, are also deployed there.

Syrian state television aired footage of a single bus carrying 13 "fighters" and family members out of the enclave through Al-Wafideen checkpoint, without giving their affiliation.

Some appeared to be young, while others wore hoodies to cover their heads and faces.

The limited operation came as the powerful Jaish al-Islam said HTS fighters would be evacuated to the northern province of Idlib, in an arrangement struck following consultations with the United Nations and other international players.

"It has been agreed that the first group of HTS members be released from the prisons of Jaish al-Islam ... (and) moved to Idlib at their request," Jaish al-Islam said.

HTS is the main force in Idlib, in Syria's northwest and the last province outside regime control.

Civilians continued to bear the brunt of the violence on Friday with at least six killed in air strikes on the area of Jisreen, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said.

Thirteen trucks loaded with 2,400 food parcels, meanwhile, crossed into Eastern Ghouta, the International Committee of the Red Cross said, entering what UN chief Antonio Guterres has called "hell on earth".

But "shelling" near the enclave's main town of Douma threatened "to put at risk" the joint ICRC, Syrian Arab Red Crescent and United Nations convoy, said the UN humanitarian coordinator in Syria, Ali al-Zaatari.

The aid was delivered as helicopters hovered overhead and warplanes targeted areas outside Douma, a correspondent said.

The World Health Organization said it has verified 67 hits on medical facilities in Syria through January and February, nearly half of them in Eastern Ghouta.

The facilities hit included 20 hospitals, 16 health facilities, two ambulance stations and one medical supply warehouse.

Doctors and nurses in the enclave have run out of several life-saving items, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which reported a "terrible medical catastrophe."

"Medical material is extremely limited, medical infrastructure has been hit and medical staff are exhausted," it said, adding that hundreds of people have been wounded and need urgent assistance.

In the face of the regime's Russian-backed onslaught, Ghouta's main rebel groups had so far rejected Moscow-brokered offers to evacuate civilians or any of their own fighters.



Im proud of the work weve been able to do in the last 60 days, Gov. Ralph Northam (D) said shortly before both houses adjourned. But weve left one of our largest missions unfinished, and thats the budget. He promised to call a special session soon, possibly within the next two or three weeks.The surfing program at the Naval Medical Center San Diego began in 2008 when therapists were helping an Army staff sergeant from Hawaii whose right leg and right hand were blown off in Iraq. He asked whether he would ever surf again. Therapists took him surfing and, over time, were impressed as he regained strength and self-confidence. A second patient, a Coast Guard seaman whose leg was amputated in a motorcycle accident, joined the soldier. Soon a surfing program was created for other amputees and then for patients with mental-health problems.AirAsia CEO due today in Dhaka

Business Desk :

Datuk Kamarudin Meranun Co-Founder, Executive Chairman of AirAsia Berhad and Group CEO of AirAsia X is expected to be in Dhaka for an official visit. The visit is scheduled to be from 11th to 13th March 2018, says a press release.

AirAsia, the world's leading low-cost carrier, services an extensive network of over 130 destinations across Asia Pacific. Since starting operations in 2001, AirAsia has carried more than 400 million guests and grown its fleet from just two aircraft to over 200.

The airline is proud to be a truly Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) airline with established operations based in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines as well as India and Japan, servicing a network stretching across Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the Middle East and the US.

Todays Headlines

The most important news stories of the day, curated by Post editors and delivered every morning.

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By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy PolicyFederer hopes to avenge loss to Delbonis

AFP, United States :

Roger Federer will be looking for payback when he opens the defence of his ATP Indian Wells title with a second round match against Argentina's Federico Delbonis on Saturday.

There aren't many players who can say they have a winning record over 20 time Grand Slam winner Federer but Delbonis is one of them.

In their only other ATP meeting in 2013, Delbonis won on clay in Hamburg 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/4).

Delbonis, who is ranked 67th in the world, is no stranger to upsets in Indian Wells. In 2016 he shocked world number two Andy Murray to reach the fourth round.

He reached the second round here this week by saving two match points to defeat another American Ryan Harrison in three sets.

Federer, who regained the world number one ranking last month, is on a quest to make history in the California desert by winning an unprecedented sixth Indian Wells title.

The 36-year-old Swiss marvel continues to defy the ageing process, claiming his 20th Grand Slam title and sixth Australian Open crown in January.

He has enjoyed a perfect start to 2018 by winning both events he has competed in and taking his career singles title tally to 97.

Federer told reporters on Thursday that he won't be taking anyone for granted in this draw.

"I didn't come here to lose in the first round two and two," he said. "I care about the moment. I care about the results."

Elsewhere, unseeded Gael Monfils rolled to an easy 6-3, 6-3 victory over Aussie Matthew Ebden in his opening match at the ATP Indian Wells tournament on Friday.Poura employees demand salary from govt fund

Thousands of employees and officials of 329 Pourashavas of the country staged a sit-in organised by Bangladesh Pourashava Service Association (BPSA) demanding payment of their arrears and salary from Govt revenue fund. This photo was taken from in front o

Staff Reporter :

Municipal Mayors, councilors and employees started indefinite sit-in programme in Dhaka for payment of salary from State Treasury.

Employees of about 327 municipalities took part in the programme under the banner of 'Bangladesh Pourasava Service Association' held in front of the National Press club from 9am.

"We will continue the sit-in programme until the government meets our demand," Abdul Alim Mollah, President of the association told The New Nation on Saturday.

Police drove them away from there. Then the programme took place to the opposite side of the National Press Club.

They demanded payment of their salaries, pensions and other financial facilities from the State Treasury.

The leaders of the association claim that many of their colleagues have been suffering as their salaries have not been disbursed for months.

They threatened the government of tougher agitation if their demands were not met.

The possibility of a deal over Manbij has, at least temporarily, cooled temperatures, according to senior U.S. and Turkish officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity about the still-tenuous rapprochement. The meetings that began last week, which are set to continue in both capitals over the coming months, will deal with a constellation of divisive issues, another senior Turkish official said, including the Trump administrations opposition to Turkish plans to buy a Russian surface-to-air missile system.Quader an 'unrestrained liar': Rizvi

CEC working to please govt: BNP

Staff Reporter :

The BNP on Saturday accused the Chief Election Commissioner of working to make the government happy.

"The CEC has shut its eyes to the Prime Minister's election campaign. The CEC's few recent remarks give an impression that he is not interested to hold a fair election nor to create a level-playing field," BNP Senior Joint-Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said it while addressing a press briefing at the party's Nayapaltan office on the day.

He also censured the Awami League General Secretary for his comment that the BNP staged its sit-in programme illegally, and said; Obaidul Quader is an 'unrestrained liar'. "Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader is a desperate liar. He said that BNP held its programme illegally. How did he tell such a brazen lie? What else can we call him other than an unrestrained liar?" he questioned.

He said their party sought permission for the sit-in programme from police and that they received a copy of the letter. "Even, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner spoke with our secretary general about the permission," he said.

"We had a plan to hold the programme in front of our party's central office on Thursday. As police requested us to stage it in front of the Press Club, we came here," he said.

The BNP leader voiced concern that their party's nearly 6,500 arrested leaders and activists are not getting bail from the lower courts due to the government's interference.

Rizvi strongly condemned the assault on women in the city on March 7.

Earlier, Rizvi led a procession in front of the party office in the morning as part of the protest programme in each thana in the city.WSU Holds First RecConnect Outdoor Innovation Expo at Union Station

March 9, 2018

OGDEN, Utah  Weber State Universitys Outdoor & Community Recreation Education program, in partnership with the Hall Global Entrepreneurship Center, will host RecConnect, a hybrid outdoor innovation expo and networking event March 23, noon to 7 p.m. at Union Station (2501 Wall Ave. Ogden).

Capping the Outdoor Weber entrepreneurship competition, the RecConnect expo will feature outdoor product displays, vendors and activities such as rock climbing. The community is invited to a mix and mingle networking event from 1-2 p.m. The event is free, but registration is required.

The expo will conclude with announcement of winners of the Outdoor Weber competition and a keynote speech by Marcus Lemonis, chair of Camping World Holdings and star of CNBCs The Profit beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The contest, hosted by WSUs Entrepreneurship Center in the John B. Goddard School of Business & Economics, invited students worldwide to submit videos pitching outdoor-related business ideas. Participants vied for a chance to win a $30,000 cash prize and one-on-one mentoring from entrepreneurship experts. The publics popular vote determined the top 25 competitors, and a panel of judges selected 10 finalists.

Eighty contestants, including entrants from Canada and 13 U.S. states, submitted 90-second videos sharing innovative outdoor-related business plans. Some pitched ideas to make outdoor recreation safer. Others focused on making outdoor play more convenient. The contest drew more than 194,000 site views from voters.

Visit outdoorweber.com to register for events or to learn more about the contest.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.Kind and caring Breda was always thinking of othersIn 2019, Steven Schipper will close the curtain on his long and storied career as the artistic director of the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre after a 30-year run.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 10/3/2018 (1290 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In 2019, Steven Schipper will close the curtain on his long and storied career as the artistic director of the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre after a 30-year run.

Schipper, 62, has long been rumoured to be planning his retirement from Canadas oldest regional theatre. He says his stepping down has been part of his plan for 13 years.

JEFF DE BOOY / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Schipper in 1989 as new artistic director of the Manitoba Theatre Centre.

"In 2005, I made a commitment to retire from Royal MTC on May 31, 2019, exactly 30 years to the day after I began as artistic director here," Schipper said in an exclusive interview with the Free Press in the second-floor board room of the Market Avenue venue.

Schipper makes the announcement within a few months of Robert Metcalfes announced retirement as artistic director from the Prairie Theatre Exchange and Carson Nattrasss move into the role at Rainbow Stage following the departure of Ray Hogg.

If it feels like a changing of the guard when it comes to Winnipegs most important theatre institutions, there can be no doubt Schippers departure qualifies as the biggest shake-up of Winnipegs theatre scene in recent memory.

Royal MTC is, after all, a machine of many parts, encompassing not only the programming of the John Hirsch Mainstage and the Tom Hendry Warehouse Theatre, but also the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival, the annual Master Playwrights Festival and the annual Royal MTC regional tour, which takes theatre all over Manitoba and beyond.

"Now its time for the theatre to grow under fresh leadership," Schipper says over tea poured into a mug bearing the words: Carpe Diem. "For 30 years, Ive been living a dream come true."

The dream seems to have been pre-ordained by Royal MTC founder John Hirsch, who took the Montreal-born Schipper to the Stratford Festival in the mid-1980s after seeing a play he directed in Toronto.

Schippers greatest hits Looking over the past 29 years, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre subscribers can look back at a few moments Schipper managed to score major casting coups that jacked up subscriptions and raised the profile of the theatre to an international audience.



That was certainly the case in January 1995, when Keanu Reeves, fresh from the box-office success of the film Speed, chose MTC as the place to unveil his interpretation of Hamlet.



Who can forget how MTCs Market Avenue home was surrounded nightly by adoring but freezing young women hoping to catch a glimpse of Keanu or get an autograph? recalls Kevin Prokosh, the longtime theatre critic for the Winnipeg Free Press, who retired in 2015.



Reeves is one of many names Schipper reels off when recalling casting coups, also including the likes of actors such as William Hurt, Judd Hirsch, Len Cariou, Graham Greene, Paul Gross, Martha Henry, Tom McCamus, Seana McKenna, Eric Peterson, Fiona Reid, R.H. Thomson, Al Waxman and Efrem Zimbalist Jr.



Yet it is a point of pride for Schipper that Royal MTC stages allowed important work for homegrown talent as well. click to read more Looking over the past 29 years, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre subscribers can look back at a few moments Schipper managed to score major casting coups that jacked up subscriptions and raised the profile of the theatre to an international audience. That was certainly the case in January 1995, when Keanu Reeves, fresh from the box-office success of the film Speed, chose MTC as the place to unveil his interpretation of Hamlet. Who can forget how MTCs Market Avenue home was surrounded nightly by adoring but freezing young women hoping to catch a glimpse of Keanu or get an autograph? recalls Kevin Prokosh, the longtime theatre critic for the Winnipeg Free Press, who retired in 2015. Reeves is one of many names Schipper reels off when recalling casting coups, also including the likes of actors such as William Hurt, Judd Hirsch, Len Cariou, Graham Greene, Paul Gross, Martha Henry, Tom McCamus, Seana McKenna, Eric Peterson, Fiona Reid, R.H. Thomson, Al Waxman and Efrem Zimbalist Jr. Yet it is a point of pride for Schipper that Royal MTC stages allowed important work for homegrown talent as well. Local actors have always been important to our theatre so that they now regluarly play leading roles in both our John Hirsch and Tom Hendry theatres, Schipper says. The actors can take full credit for winning those roles on their own merits. Were here to nurture our local artists, and well look to Winnipeg first, them Manitoba, then Canada and then, if were really stuck, the rest of the world. When it comes to content, Royal MTC played host to the Canadian premieres of Angels in America, Arcadia, M. Butterfly, Wit, Quills, Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Death and the Maiden and Picasso at the Lapin Agile. His annual scouting trips to London, New York and throughout Canada landed RMTC many of the most sought-after plays of the day, Prokosh says. But the company also saw world premieres of Atlantis, Gone with the Wind, Not Wanted on the Voyage, The Secret Annex, The Wave and Maureen Hunters Transit of Venus, which went on to be produced by Britains Royal Shakespeare Company. Steven will be remembered for making RMTC the leading regional theatre in Canada in his day, Prokosh says. The evidence was the enviably large number of subscribers each year. The bottom line is that he was loyal to the companys patrons over the last quarter-century and they were to him. Yet one of his proudest moments came in the humble form of a posted letter. The mother of a young adult on the autistic spectrum wrote a letter to us after seeing The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Schipper recalls, referring to a drama about an autistic English teen who turns sleuth to solve a mystery. He said two things to (his mother) hes never said before, Schipper says. First he said, Thank you, and then he said, Until I saw the play, I never knew how difficult it was for you and dad to raise a son with autism. Every day is interesting and rewarding, Schipper says. Ill miss every one. Close

"At one point said to me: You ought to prepare to be the artistic director of the Manitoba Theatre Centre," Schipper says.

Schipper got his chance when he came to Winnipeg to direct a production of Neil Simons Brighton Beach Memoirs in 1986 and was hired as an associate artistic director the following year by then-AD Rick McNair. Schipper took the job of artistic director himself two years later after the theatre suffered a particularly floundering season.

"It was a challenging time in 1989, and we were required to strategize a recovery plan," Schipper recalls. "The three tenets of that plan were to connect with our community of artists, improve the consistency of our artistry on the main stage, and to regain our financial balance."

In the ensuing years, Schipper accomplished that mission and then some.

"But I didnt make Royal MTC," he says. "Royal MTC has made me."

"Stevens pulled off a miracle," asserts Gail Asper, a former president of the Royal MTC board and Winnipegs primary theatre arts patron.

Fred Chartrand / The Canadian Press Schipper is invested as a member of the Order of Canada by Governor General David Johnston at Rideau Hall, the official residence of the Governor General in Ottawa.

"Because over all of these years, hes not only managed to keep all of the assets and different moving parts of MTC, hes also managed to grow them," Asper says.

"Other major theatres closed their second stages, and the Vancouver Playhouse closed completely so I think we owe Steven a huge debt of gratitude for keeping the main stage and Warehouse flourishing and growing the fringe festival.

"He is a very interesting combination of artistic ability and good fiscal sense, combined with a non-existent ego," says Asper, who first met Schipper 28 years ago, when she auditioned for a role in a lawyers production of 12 Angry Men, retitled 12 Angry Jurors to accommodate female cast members.

"If you had a roller-coaster impresario that constantly went from surplus to bankruptcy  which can happen  you can bankrupt an arts organization very, very easily and you can lose millions of dollars with the wrong programming and without a good business plan," Asper says. "But Stevens ability and his astute business sense has really held us in good stead."

nnn

Schipper is characteristically hesitant to blow his own horn. Reflexively, he is disposed to credit the companys success to the artists, the board of trustees ("an enlightened group of individuals"), the staff and the volunteers who keep the wheels moving.

Trust a critic to provide a more lavish ovation.

James Brennan as King Arthur in Camelot, along with Dr. Michael Eleff and Steven Schipper. (Wayne Glowacki / Free Press files)

"Steven is going to be a tough act to follow," says Kevin Prokosh, who observed Schippers tenure during his entire Free Press career as theatre critic from 1990 to 2015. "He made useful connections with many international playwrights and his relationship with Mirvish Productions allowed Winnipeggers to see plays long before they were staged anywhere else in Canada.

"We just saw Come From Away before most of the rest of the theatre world."

Indeed, the Newfoundland-centred musical is a particularly conspicuous feather in Schippers hat, he allows, not only because of how quickly it sold out, but because it demonstrated the strength of the theatre.

"Come From Away gave our staff and crew an opportunity to shine," Schipper says. "The New York producers and the creative team all told me theyd been to six theatres: La Jolla, Seattle, Washington D.C., Toronto, Broadway, and no one was as well prepared before we got there and no one did as fine a job as we did in building the show.

"So our production is now playing to sold-out audiences in Toronto and its thanks to people here who built the trees, the staff here who made everything run so smoothly, all our artists and crew and all our volunteers, our board of trustees.

"We know were pretty special," Schipper says. "But its gratifying to hear it from people who come from away."

SUPPLIED Jim Millan (left), Erica Ehm and Steven Schipper in 1992.

Schipper will retire, but he doesnt intend to stop working.

Doug Speirs | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS MTC artistic director Steven Schipper with a script from Come From Away.

"I have a lot to accomplish in the next 14 months, including planning the 19-20 season playbill," he says. "After that, Ill be honoured to share my leadership skills with another organization in business, the arts or academia."

Asked if he is a person who has to work, Schipper replies: "Yes."

"To everything, there is a season, a time to begin and a time to finish," he says, philosophically.

"In my case, Im still young enough to continue but wise enough to pass the torch before everyone else thinks its long past time for me to do so."

randall.king@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @FreepKingA 116-page report commissioned by the province to help figure out a way to modernize governments involvement in economic development goes into great detail of past mistakes and challenges, but is short on solutions.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 9/3/2018 (1290 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A 116-page report commissioned by the province to help figure out a way to modernize governments involvement in economic development goes into great detail of past mistakes and challenges, but is short on solutions.

The report by the consulting firm Deloitte, called Framework for Economic Alignment and Growth, points out a preponderance of overlapping programs, poor interdepartmental co-ordination and a general lack of focus when it comes to economic development.

It states bluntly, "The current backdrop of unco-ordinated economic development programs and initiatives is best explained by the governments lack of an overarching, integrated economic development strategy."

Forecasters are predicting slower growth in the Manitoba economy over the next few years, and uncertainty has been simmering among economic development agencies about lack of funding and strategic direction commitments from the province.

But rather than make a determination to take any specific action, the province is effectively embarking on another process to study the matter further, via public consultations with stakeholders.

That process will be led by Dave Angus, a senior executive with the Johnson Group and former CEO of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, and Barb Gamey, founder and CEO of Payworks, who advised the province and Deloitte in the production of the report.

They are now to report back to the premier in June.

Premier Brian Pallister said the significant challenges the province faces in improving its economic development dynamics are not a deterrent, but a motivation for him.

He said the report confirmed the fears of overlap in programs and lack of co-ordination.

"For too long, weve been shooting arrows and then running and marking the bulls-eye where the arrows hit," Pallister said. "That is not how we work anymore. We need to be smart and much more focused on how we support economic development."

The report recommends the province take three actions in the short term: 1) consider a dedicated arms-length economic development organization; 2) confirm economic development goals and objectives and develop a province-wide strategy; and 3) expand the current program review to all economic development programs delivered by the Manitoba government.

The province is not committing to any of those things right now, but will wait for the report from Angus and Gamey, who will start a broad consultative process, meeting with private sector businesses and anyone with a stake in economic development activities in the province.

"We roll up our sleeves today," Gamey said. "The outreach needs to be broad and inclusive to inform the strategy and provide structure for the recommendations."

She said that, among other things, she believes the province needs to have much better metrics to determine the value of programs that have been funded.

"We need to be able to look in the rear-view mirror in 12, 18, 24 months from now and see if we moved the needle in the direction we intended to, rather than having an unintended consequence," she said.

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Although Pallister could not say how it will be achieved, he said the hope is that the province will emerge from the process with better measurable outcomes, while committing less than the approximately $50 million in annual program funding that it now spends. He also said the staff at the 100-plus agencies that receive provincial funding should not necessarily expect they will have to close.

Among other things, he emphasized that increasing private sector investment in the province will be integral in making that happen.

"For too many years, the province has become known across the country as dependent on the public sector to grow," he said. "But the structural deficit has grown annually as a consequence of that dependency. It cant go on that way."

Angus said that, in addition to hashing out the overlaps in program delivery, the consultation process will also identify gaps that exist in the Manitoba economy, such as access to capital, which has plagued the province for years.

"Weve been talking about that for a long time," Angus said. "The report is also bang-on in terms of the need to align skills training at our post-secondary institutions with the economy in a better way. Im very much looking forward to engaging post-secondaries in the conversation."

martin.cash@freepress.mb.caKhaleda may get bail today

Staff Reporter :

BNP leaders and lawyers hoped that party chairperson Khaleda Zia will get bail in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case today as the High Court fixed the day to deliver the order on the bail petition.

The court on Thursday fixed Sunday for passing orders regarding the bail petition of the case over which she was sentenced to five years' imprisonment.

The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Shahidul Karim set the date for today after Khaleda

Zia's lawyer Advocate Zainul Abedin prayed to it on Thursday to pass an order on the petition.

The party leaders and activists across the country are waiting for the HC order with patience. But they are also anxious over the order of the petition as the government wants to keep her in jail through showing arrest in other cases like Zia Charitable case.

Advocate Zainul Abedin hoped that the BNP Chairperson will get bail in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on Sunday.

He expressed the hope while talking with a group of journalists on Friday after a meeting with Khaleda Zia in the jail gate.

Several other lawyers also accompanied Zainul during an hour-long meeting.

Advocate Zainul also said they have discussed with the BNP chief about the progress of her bail process.

"We also expressed hope to our leader that we firmly believe the court will grant her bail on Sunday considering the grounds placed before the court," he said.

Advocate Zainul told the HC that the bench of Justice Enayetur and Justice Shahidul on February 22 ordered the trial court to send the case records to it within 15 days, which expired on Wednesday.

He said, "The HC has jurisdiction to pass an order on the bail petition of Khaleda Zia even if the case records are not received."

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in several meetings claimed that the case was totally baseless.

Khaleda Zia's lawyer and the party's Standing Committee Member Barrister Moudud Ahmed several times claimed that the case is false and based on fake papers. He hoped that his party chief will get bail.

On February 25, the HC bench heard the bail petition of Khaleda and said that it will pass an order on it after receiving the case records from the lower court.

On February 8, Special Judge's Court-5 of Dhaka sentenced Khaleda Zia to five years' imprisonment in the graft case.

The court also sentenced Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman, now the acting chairman of BNP, and four others to 10 years' imprisonment each, and fined them a total of Tk 2.10 crore, saying that all the six convicts have to pay the fine in equal amounts.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had filed the case with Ramna Police Station in July 2008, accusing the six of misappropriating over Tk 2.1 crore that came from a foreign bank as grant for orphans.OTTAWA  The women's wing of the Metis National Council is warning Manitoba families could compromise criminal investigations and court proceedings into their loved ones disappearances, days before the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls heads to Thompson.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 9/3/2018 (1290 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA  The women's wing of the Metis National Council is warning Manitoba families could compromise criminal investigations and court proceedings into their loved ones disappearances, days before the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls heads to Thompson.

On Thursday, 20 families from various provinces filed a Federal Court suit against the inquiry commissioners, saying they've ignored the families' attempts to gain official standing in the inquiry. Official standing gives access to closed-door testimony and possibly police records  but can also provide lawyers who are paid through the inquiry's budget.

The MNC women's branch says those lawyers could help prevent families from revealing details that could botch criminal cases.

"If there are still criminal procedures still going on, and one of the family members testifies that evidence can be turned around, and be used against that family in the court proceedings," said Melanie Omeniho, head of Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak.

"If someone had a missing or murdered child, and the defence attorneys get a hold of the witnessing statements that that family has made in an inquiry, they can use it against the person that was the victim."

Omeniho said her concerns are urgent, with the inquiry visiting Thompson on March 20 and 21.

"There are so many logistical issues and moving parts to this thing, that those families have every right to apply for legal representation to support them through this," she said. "Many of the families that have been a part of this witnessing process probably should have."

Its one of the reasons a coalition representing 20 victims relatives (called Families for Justice) filed a court challenge Thursday, asking for standing in the case.

"For cases that are unresolved and, for example, there's an open police investigation, it becomes complicated to speak to the issues in way that doesn't jeopardize the criminal case," said Suzan Fraser, a Toronto-based lawyer representing the group.

She noted the issue was cited in a letter last August from nine civil-society groups, including Amnesty International. "It may be that the danger isn't that great; but the person should be fully informed, in my view, when they go before the inquiry."

Fraser noted the inquiry is a legal process, which includes sworn statements. Some of the testimony is restricted only to those with standing, because of the risk of compromising ongoing probes. If police documentation is made available, it will only be viewable by those with standing.

If someone had a missing or murdered child, and the defence attorneys get a hold of the witnessing statements that that family has made in an inquiry, they can use it against the person that was the victim.  Melanie Omeniho, head of Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak.

"So there are significant rights attached, none of which were explained," Fraser said. "It's a very complicated process to navigate."

The group filed its application six months past the May 2017 deadline, but it noted difficulties other groups had in applying, and recordings of conflicting statements from inquiry officials about how standing would apply for families.

Among the families is Winnipeg resident Alaya McIvor, who testified during the week of hearings in the Manitoba capital last October. McIvor tours Canada as an advocate for Indigenous women and girls, transgender people and those who are two-spirit, like herself. McIvor's cousin, Roberta Dawn McIvor, was killed in 2011 on the Sandy Bay First Nation reserve.

The inquirys visit to Thompson will be watched closely by the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, which represents northern First Nations. Grand Chief Sheila North, who previously called on inquiry chief commissioner Marion Buller to resign, asked this week commissioners at least split duties equally and boost support for families.

Government officials say formally changing the titles would require a complicated revisiting of the inquirys terms of reference, but the commissioners could effectively share their duties.

Meanwhile, Metis officials are calling on Ottawa to end the inquiry on its original November date, rejecting the commissioners Tuesday request to grant another two years and a $50-million top-up to their current $53.8-million budget.

The inquiry hasnt been able to say how many Metis people its heard from, which Omeniho said goes beyond making a mistake. "I believe they have actually worked to be exclusive of Metis. And when I say that, I think that it's been a very First Nations-focused process."

Omeniho said her group is going to start a parallel process, including during the Thompson hearings, "To see if we can find a way to reach out to some of the Metis people there and engage them as much as we can."

Some 18 months into the inquiry, officials are only now forming a Metis committee, and the sole commissioner from the Prairies  Marilyn Poitras, who is Metis  resigned last July. The need for Metis outreach is cited in the request for an extension, but Omeniho said thats a reason to deny it.

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"Many times, Metis are the silenced or forgotten ones, whether it's this issue or many other issues," said Omeniho, who is supported by the Manitoba Metis Federation.

Unlike First Nations, she said Metis people dont live on reserves, don't have the same amount of political organizing and face a patchwork of support from provinces, instead of a federal policy that stays relatively uniform. Its thus possible Metis women face unique risk factors.

"Until we do the research and datasets that we need, we're not going to know that," she said.

She said the group felt pained to request the plug be pulled on the inquiry, but that months of trying to get the commissioners attention have been fruitless. The inquiry did not respond to these concerns.

"We don't do this lightly; we've worked very hard for many years to try to ensure that there was some integrity in this process, and it's just very, very unfortunate and heart-breaking to us that we've been excluded up this point."

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.caOur community is grieving the loss of Tina Fontaine and is looking for answers as to how we failed her. The justice system was not able to provide those answers. A fair criminal trial is an important function of the rule of law, but it does not address our search for social justice. No one knows how Tina died  only that she was found at the bottom of the river, wrapped in a duvet cover and weighted down by rocks.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 10/3/2018 (1290 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Opinion

Our community is grieving the loss of Tina Fontaine and is looking for answers as to how we failed her. The justice system was not able to provide those answers. A fair criminal trial is an important function of the rule of law, but it does not address our search for social justice. No one knows how Tina died  only that she was found at the bottom of the river, wrapped in a duvet cover and weighted down by rocks.

What is known, however, is that she was a child who became invisible to our society. The child welfare system lost track of her and failed to let her family know that she had gone missing. Despite having contact with the health-care system and the police, Tina disappeared from our community  until she turned up dead.

It has been more than four years since commissioner Ted Hughes released his report from the Inquiry into the Circumstances Surrounding the Death of Phoenix Sinclair  another little girl who disappeared from our community until we discovered she was dead  some nine months after she had been murdered. I was commission counsel to that inquiry.

In the opening statement I made on the rst day of the proceedings, I said a central theme for the inquiry to consider was how it was that a child could become so invisible to an entire community  one which included social service agencies, schools, neighbours, family and friends  so invisible as to literally disappear? The mandate of that inquiry was to make recommendations to better protect Manitoba children, not simply to look at the child welfare system.

The inquiry acknowledged that the child welfare system alone cannot be expected to address the underlying social conditions which lead children to become vulnerable and in need of protection. To that end, in the third phase of the inquiry we looked at the circumstances that lead children and families to become vulnerable, in particular Indigenous families and children, given their overrepresentation in the child welfare system. We also examined the prevention services, programs and departments  whether government or community-based  that were available or ought to be available to support families and children.

We heard from kookum  grandmother elders  from community-based organizations and from experts who have studied how to deliver empowering and supportive services for children and families. One of those experts was Kerry McCuaig, who last week published an article in this paper about the report she and colleagues from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education had just released  "The Early Childhood Education Report 2017," which studied the benets of early childhood education and the challenges for community-based child care.

McCuaig gave important evidence at the inquiry, not only about the benets of early-childhood education but also about the importance of providing such programs in community-based centres which offer other supportive services to families.

In addition to hearing from McCuaig, the inquiry heard from the director of the Manidoo Centre, which is located in the Lord Selkirk Housing Community in Winnipeg. It provides daycare and early-childhood education for that community, along with a range of supports for the whole family, including food assistance, employment counselling and addiction services.

The inquiry heard that within six months of that centre being established, the parents of the children who participated in the program were able to go back to school, seek employment and receive addictions treatment  for the simple reason that they had a community that helped them look after their children and nd assistance with the issues of daily living.

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This evidence led to some of the most important recommendations in commissioner Hughes report, calling for the government to establish a legislative framework for the delivery of universally available early-childhood development programs and the establishment of integrated service delivery centres to provide a range of other services for families relating to public health, employment, income assistance and adult education.

The report also recommended that the government establish a structure of funding to support community-based organizations, recognizing that these organizations promote social cohesion in neighbourhoods, combat poverty by enhancing families capacity to be self sustaining and provide places for young people to gather, thereby increasing their visibility in the community.

Phoenix and her family lived in Winnipeg, but the type of recommendations the inquiry called for could be adapted to satisfy similar needs in rural and remote communities.

I recently read a book by Jonathan Sacks entitled To Heal a Fractured World: The Ethics of Responsibility. Rabbi Sacks was the chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregation of Great Britain and the Commonwealth; in the book, he denes "community" as being a place where people "miss you when you are not there." He describes community as "society with a human face."

We still dont know how Tina met her end, but MKO Grand Chief Sheila North has identied that it is up to all of us to take responsibility for Tina. As commissioner Hughes concluded in his report, strong leadership from politicians is needed in order to better protect Manitoba children, but so is public support. We all need to take action to answer the question, "Where is our human face?"

Sherri Walsh is a Winnipeg lawyer and partner in the firm Hill Sokalski Walsh Olson.Lucky old Italy just got two Donald Trumps for the price of one. One of the big winners in last Sundays Italian election was the Five Star Movement, whose 31-year-old leader Luigi di Maio has promised to stop sending out rescue boats to save migrants from drowning when their flimsy craft sink halfway across the Mediterranean. A sea taxi service, he calls it, and promises to send all the surviving illegal immigrants home.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 10/3/2018 (1290 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Opinion

Lucky old Italy just got two Donald Trumps for the price of one. One of the big winners in last Sundays Italian election was the Five Star Movement, whose 31-year-old leader Luigi di Maio has promised to stop sending out rescue boats to save migrants from drowning when their flimsy craft sink halfway across the Mediterranean. A "sea taxi service," he calls it, and promises to send all the surviving illegal immigrants home.

So does Matteo Salvini, the leader of the League (formerly the Northern League), the other big winner in the election. "Im sick of seeing immigrants in hotels and Italians who sleep in cars," Salvini told supporters at a recent rally in Milan. He pledges to send 150,000 illegal migrants home in his first year in government.

It is not yet clear whether Salvini and/or di Maio will be in government. A coalition between the Five Star Movement and the League would command a majority in parliament and is one possibility, but other combinations are also possible. However, its already clear that these two populists won more than half the votes on openly racist platforms.

"Openly racist?" Di Maio and Salvini generally stop just a millimetre short of that, but Attilio Fontana, the senior League member who has just won the governorship of Lombardy, Italys richest region, has no such qualms. "We have to decide if our ethnicity, if our white race, if our society continues to exist or if it will be cancelled out," he said recently.

Now, its true that 600,000 illegal migrants, mostly from Africa and the Middle East, mostly Muslim and mostly young men, have arrived on Italys shores in the past four years, which was bound to startle the older residents. On the other hand, there are 60 million people in Italy, so thats just one per cent of the population. Why is that such a big deal?

You might as well ask why its such a big deal that an estimated half-million illegal migrants enter the United States each year. That is only one illegal immigrant per year for every 600 people who are already in the country. Half of those illegals arent even Mexicans, and yet Trump won a lot of votes by promising to build a wall on the Mexican border to stop them.

Both in the U.S. and in Italy, the real fuel behind the populist surge is high unemployment (the official U.S. figure is a fantasy) and long-term stagnation in the incomes of the lower-paid half of the population. The immigration issue just serves as a visible symbol of the displacement so many feel as the economy pushes them to the margins.

The popular discontent and the political malaise cannot be cured by sending a few hundred thousand migrants home, even if that were easily done. In many cases, it is practically impossible.

The Mexican government currently co-operates with the U.S., so at the moment it is relatively easy to send illegal immigrants back across that border. The illegal migrants in Italy and other European Union countries are a different story because their countries of origin will generally not want them back, and EU human rights laws make it hard to just give them parachutes and push them out of planes.

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What we are seeing now, however, is a foretaste of the time when the migrant flows grow very large and the politics get brutal. In the not-too-distant future, the Mediterranean Sea and the Mexican border will separate the temperate world, where the climate is still tolerable and there is still enough food, from the sub-tropical and tropical worlds of killer heat and dwindling food.

This is a regular subject of confidential discussions in various strategic planning cells in European governments, and also in the grown-up parts of the U.S. government. Ten years ago, a senior officer in the intelligence section of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff told me that the U.S. army expected to be ordered by Congress to close the Mexican border down completely within the next 20 years. And he was quite explicit: that meant shooting to kill.

This was many years before Trump came up with "the wall," and even today its still not needed. But one day it will be, because global warming will hit the countries closer to the equator far harder than the fortunate countries of the temperate zone, and the main casualty will be food production in the tropics and the sub-tropics.

So the hungry millions will start to move, and the borders of the rich countries in the temperate parts of the world will slam shut to keep them out. If you think politics is ugly now, just wait.

Of course, a miracle could happen. There could be early and very deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, so that most of the catastrophe never arrives. But Im having trouble even believing in the Easter Bunny anymore. This is harder.

Gwynne Dyer is an independent journalist whose articles are published in 45 countries.Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 10/3/2018 (1290 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Think local, travel global

Re: Resort visit creates all-inclusive discomfort (March 9)

Were very sympathetic to the Cuban experience outlined by Carl DeGurse  one reason why we dont go to all-inclusive resorts.

We have gone south in winter looking for various kinds of fishing, do-it-yourself, which certainly takes us off the beaten path and forces interactions with locals: Tulum in Quintana Roo, Andros Island in the Bahamas, three months with our own flats, boat fishing in the Everglades.

We discovered Mayaguana, the most remote of the Family Islands in the Bahamas, in the southeast corner. We are often the only people in the small, family-owned hotel on the island of some 300 souls in four tiny villages. The hotel owner is now like a brother to us. The fly-caught bonefish are the largest average size in the nation. There is nothing to do but walk beaches with no other tracks, fish, snorkel, drink and eat locally (there are no restaurants or stores to speak of). Carl DeGurse would love it. The hotel is Baycaner Beach Resort, a fancy name for a dozen clean rooms on the beach, good food and open bar.

Harold and Cathy Welch

Clandeboye

Where theres smoke, theres fired

Re: I deeply regret my actions (March 9)

Mayor Brian Bowman may continue to still have confidence in fire chief John Lane. I, on the other hand, do not and I have absolutely lost any confidence in Bowman, too. Lane should have been fired with cause. No severance, no payout of unused sick leave, nothing other than his cushy pension.

Bowman should also be fired in October, should he attempt to run again.

Bob Sales

Winnipeg



So fire chief John Lane behaved abominably, was taken to court and the city  that is, taxpayers  are fined $115,000! I resent this. Why is there no accountability required in such a responsible position? Lane misbehaved. Lane should pay the penalty  the whole $115,000 of it  not Winnipeg taxpayers.

Louise Dyck

Winnipeg

Justice for women

The inquiry into murdered and missing indigenous women needs more money. Theres a big surprise  has anything gone right with this taxpayer-funded inquiry?

First, lets look at the mass resignations that marked the first year of the inquiry. Where is the transparency? How is this money being spent? How much went to liberal-leaning legal firms?

Before we spend any more taxpayer dollars, these questions need to be answered. Then we may actually have an effective investigation that truly serves Indigenous men and women.

Stephen J. Payne

Winnipeg



Re: Man pleads guilty to killing just before trial set to begin (March 9)

There has to be a better solution for these types of cases. A protection order just doesnt cut it in some instances. Why should these women live in constant fear?

The accused was convicted of multiple violent offences against Christina Stoyko; isnt there more we can do? Maybe a psychological assessment to determine how likely he would have been to harm her again? Or kill her? If the risk were deemed to be high, how about an ankle bracelet that automatically pings police when he goes into her neighbourhood? Or force him to move to a different city or town, or something more effective, more preventive than the current protective order.

Im not talking about everyone who has a protective order against them, but the cases in which there is a proven, repeated pattern of violence, where a psychological assessment shows high risk for further harm.

Its time to take a look at what we are doing for people who have reason to fear violence from a specific individual and do better. The predators are roaming free while their prey live and die in fear.

Julie Boisjoli

Winnipeg



Re: Womens Day a reminder to keep fighting (March 8)

Candace Johnson accurately describes International Womens Day (IWD) as "virtually ignored" and "largely irrelevant" in Canada and goes on to question why this is so. She identifies contextual differences and meaning ascribed to this global event. In her review of historical efforts toward the attainment of womens rights, she also clearly considers a fight for modern economic rights in addition to the earliest suffrage efforts 110 years ago.

She cites domestic violence as one indicator that women in Canada are lower in status than men.

One question she understandably did not tackle, is the "how." How might womens oppression take place? How would the issue of domestic violence be "largely irrelevant" or "virtually ignored" in our community? I believe it would benefit readers to know how the illusion of equality is maintained in Manitoba and across the country.

When a woman leaves a violent partner, especially when there are children of that relationship, she must eventually pass through Queens Bench Family Division. Its here where we anticipate our stories of domestic violence, and often child abuse, will be heard, respected and weighed in the adjudication of family-law matters. Its no wonder Manitobans might believe women dont experience domestic violence, because the courts provide the motivation that silences women and penalizes those who dont shut up.

Judges who are expected to weigh relevant issues in divorce cases threaten mothers with jail time and impose large financial penalties and costs awards against those who claim abuse.

When Johnson discusses the 1908 reactions to suffragist campaigning as "propaganda," and she also notes the UN considers IWD "a time to reflect on progress made," it needs to be said: we have not come far at all.

When women talk about abuses that we and our children survived, we are instantly labelled as uppity, trouble-makers, the stereotypical "woman scorned" who is out for revenge. Furthermore, we are silenced out of fear we will lose our children.

On top of the recognized disparity in economic well-being and incomes, we are fined so heavily that we cannot afford to exercise our rights or participate in the system. These realities are hidden from public view because they are considered private family matters.

In honour of IWD, I remind readers of the powerful feminist slogan, "The personal is political."

We must remember that this systematic silencing of womens voices strengthens the "myth of equal status" the author describes.

Regarding the headline: first, we are fighting.

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We are fighting a local battle with the courts every day that mothers are attacked for speaking out against domestic violence and daring to expect the courts to provide our rightful protections. We are fighting a justice minister who refuses to respond to us or invite us to the table.

Second, this issue requires an interest on the part of the media to consider how these personal issues, crimes committed behind closed doors in the family context, are a sign of oppression that signifies womens lower status in Canada. Media exposure of the battles women wage to improve our lives and the lives of our children are politically relevant.

Like the UN, I see this as "a call to change" not just on March 8, but every day of the year.

When women are no longer silenced or punished for speaking out then we will see change.

Karyn Delichte

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Read More19 killed in road accidents

Staff Reporter :

At least 19 people were killed and more than 30 others injured in separate road accidents in Gaibandha and six other districts on Saturday.

The injured were admitted to different hospitals and clinics immediately after the incidents, police said.

In Gaibandha, at least 11 people were killed and 10 others injured in two separate road accidents in Palashbari upazila of Gaibandha district.

A Rangpur-bound truck loaded with rod and cement turned turtle in Jundaha area in the afternoon when the driver lost control over the steering, leaving eight people dead on the spot, our Gaibandha Correspondent reports quoting Mahmudul Huq, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Polashbari Police Station.

Of the deceased, three were identified as Koshru, 50, Zakir, 25, and Raju, 26, all day-labourers.

In another incident, three day-labourers were also killed when a bus rammed into a three wheeler, locally

know as Bhotbhoti, carrying 25 day labourers in South Bus Stand area of the district around 9:30am, police said.

The deceased were identified as Jakir Hossain, 25, Khashru Miah, 50, and Razu Miah, 24, all inhabitants of Gabindaganj upazila. The injured were admitted to Palashbari Upazila Health Complex. Of them, five were referred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital in critical condition.

In Jessore, two cousins were crushed under the wheels of a truck in Sharsha upazila on Saturday morning.

The deceased are Fatima Khatun and her cousin Jerin, said Navaron highway police SI Politon Miah.

In Comilla, two persons were killed in a road accident on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway at Gouripu in Daudkandi upazila under the district in the morning. They are Imon Sardar, 20, and Roni Mia, 23.

In Sunamganj, a man was killed when a private car hit him in the Sadar upazila in the morning. The decease was identified as Motia Rahman.

In Cox's Bazar, a bus driver was killed in a head on collision between a passenger bus and a Magic vehicle at Gayamara in Chakria upazila of Cox's Bazar district in the morning. The decease was identified as Abu Taher, 38. In Rajbari, a man was crushed under a truck at Dhallabari in Goyalonda upazila in the district. He was identified as shipan Mia, 38. In Natore, a driver was killed in a head-on collision on the Natore-Bogra highway near the district town early Saturday. The victim was identified as Hasan Molla, 36, from Kushtia.

22 minutes ago

US stocks fall on fears of contagion from China real estate

Stocks slumped on Wall Street Monday in a broad sell-off that extends an already weak streak for major indexes. Worries about debt-engorged Chinese property developers  and the damage they could do to investors worldwide if they default  are rippling across markets. The S&P 500 fell 1.8% as of 11:50 a.m.

Read ArticleMuslim countries cannot be so shameless and helpless against Myanmar

THE United Nations and the Bangladesh government have jointly prepared a plan to provide an assistance of $950 million to the Rohingya refugees and the vulnerable locals in Cox's Bazar for a timeframe of 10 months until December. The joint plan comes amid grave concerns that the repatriation of the refugees would take more time.



The point, however, the amount is more than double the cost of $434 million, initially planned for the Rohingyas as emergency humanitarian aid for six months till last February. The donor countries, however, contributed around $400 million. But many of the donors, by now are losing interest to provide humanitarian assistance. Moreover, if unprecedented climatic patterns and disasters make a return like last year - the cost may well exceed a billion, and still refugees in smaller numbers are continuing to trickle into Bangladesh.



The joint response plan (March-December 2018) would be launched in Geneva this week, and the UN Resident Coordinator concerned has clearly stated - it is going to be more challenging to arrange funds this time. We are worried since the Myanmar government is still delaying the repatriation process on purpose while the international community keeps failing to put pressure and impose sanctions on Myanmar.



There is no alternative to continuing the humanitarian assistance until the repatriation is completed, but it has not even properly commenced as yet. We don't know when it will begin or end. Against the backdrop of such ominous developments, we believe, Myanmar government must also contribute in this huge cost of sheltering the refugees in Bangladesh besides repatriating them quickly. The refugees are Myanmar citizens and they cannot escape the responsibility for paying the costs.



We are grateful for international help for the refugee from Myanmar. But we have to say it disgraceful for Muslim countries not to be in the forefront of leadership for avenging genocide of Rohingya Muslims. The Sheikhs of Middle East are so cravenly pro-West that they cannot stand up to show courage and leadership to get the USA involved to punish the Myanmar's audacity, raping Muslim girls, kill and torture Muslim Rohingyas challenging the whole Muslim world.





On Friday, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) announced the names of its ministers in the incoming coalition government with the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU). This completes the list of ministers in the new cabinet. The CDU and the CSU had already named their government members at the end of February. Next Wednesday, Angela Merkel will stand for the fourth time for election as chancellor by the Bundestag, which will be followed by the federal president swearing in her ministers. Nearly six months following the general election, Germany finally has a regular government again.

This will be the most right-wing German government since the overthrow of the Nazi regime. This is clear from the coalition agreement concluded by the CDU/CSU and the SPD. Its focus is on a doubling of military spending, a new round of social cuts, the adoption of the right-wing refugee policies of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the establishment of a police state to suppress social and political resistance.

The ministers have been specifically chosen to implement this reactionary programme. This is clearly demonstrated by the assumption of the Interior Ministry, now extended to include homeland, by the CSU chair and former Bavarian state premier Horst Seehofer. In matters of law and order, the CSU stands even further to right than the CDU.

A further expression of this right-wing turn is the inclusion of Jens Spahn, the spokesman for the right-wing conservatives in the CDU, and the former CSU secretary-general Andi Scheuer, a right-wing demagogue, in the new government. Spahn becomes health minister and Scheuer takes the transport portfolio.

The SPD will play a key role in the new cabinet, after rank-and-file members approved the right-wing coalition agreement by a clear two-thirds majority. Although the party returned its worst election result in 70 years, it is disproportionately represented in the new government, with six ministers.

In addition to the foreign and labour ministries, the third key department is now the finance ministry, which, following the Chancellors Office, is considered the most influential centre of power. For this reason, Merkel had to hand over the economic affairs ministry to the CDU. The justice, family and environment ministries will continue to be led by the SPD.

The new finance minister will be Hamburg Mayor Olaf Scholz, who as vice chancellor is also responsible for the coordination of the six SPD ministers, and thus has a prominent role.

Scholz is one of the leading representatives of the SPD right-wing. He will strictly adhere to the rigid austerity policies of his predecessor Wolfgang Schauble (CDU). He has already promised that the goal of a balanced budget is also inviolable for the SPD. This could cause disillusionment, particularly in Paris, where the government of President Macron had hoped for a relaxation of fiscal policy.

As SPD secretary general, Scholz had supported the introduction of massive attacks on welfare and labour rights under the Agenda 2010 and Hartz laws of Chancellor Gerhard Schroder; as labour minister in the first grand coalition under Merkel, he raised the retirement age to 67. As mayor of Hamburg, Scholz recently made a name for himself with the brutal police operation against the G20 protests.

In government, the SPD fulfils a dual function. It has long played a leading role in Germanys return to militarism and great power politics; Social Democratic Foreign Ministers Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Sigmar Gabriel have long set the tone. But it is also responsible for keeping the growing opposition to social devastation and militarism in the working class under control and suppressing it.

The SPD has largely lost its electoral base among workers. However, it still maintains a dense network of elected officials, civil servants, union officials and full-time works council representatives that stifle any social protest.

With a budget of 140 billion, two fifths of the total budget, the labour ministry plays an important role. In the last government, Andrea Nahles had led this department. Nahles, herself a member of the IG Metall union, maintains close links with the trade unions and has repeatedly spoken at their rallies. Now, as chair of the SPD parliamentary faction and party leader, Nahles takes on the task of bringing the party into line behind the government.

The new labour minister will be Hubertus Heil, who until now has mainly worked behind the scenes. He was twice SPD secretary-general and lost office both times after devastating election defeats, in 2009 and 2017. Like Nahles, Heil is also a member of IG Metall and has extensive contacts. He is one of the founders of the so-called network, an influential association of SPD members primarily concerned with promoting their own careers.

The surprising appointment of Franziska Giffey as Minister of Family Affairs must also be seen in relation to the suppression of social opposition. The mayoress of the Berlin district of Neukolln, who has never held political office at state or federal level, was selected because she ticked several boxesfrom the East, a woman, and under 40. Giffey is a specialist in diverting social opposition into right-wing channels. Her political mentor and predecessor in Neukolln was Heinz Buschkowsky, who poisoned the climate against refugees in his books and public appearances. Like Buschkowsky, Giffey also stands for taking a tough course against migrants.

The most controversial decision by Scholz and Nahles, who largely determined the new ministers without wider consultation, concerns the occupation of the foreign ministry. This office will be taken over by the former Justice Minister Heiko Maas, who is a blank sheet in foreign policy terms. Despite intensive research in their archives, the media failed to find a single meaningful statement by Maas on foreign policy issues.

The Saarland-born politician owes his rise above all to his flexibility, his lack of backbone and his contempt for democratic principles. As justice minister, he was responsible for several laws that undermine basic democratic rights. These include the Data Retention Act passed in 2015, which Maas had vehemently rejected half a year earlier, and the Network Enforcement Act, which obliges large companies such as Twitter and Facebook to censor content or face severe penalties. Maas, who with his girlfriend, the actress Natalia Worner, likes to mix among the Berlin in-crowd and appear on the red carpet of the Berlinale, is also a proponent of the undemocratic #MeToo campaign.

The former foreign minister, Sigmar Gabriel, was shown the door by Scholz and Nahles, even though the polls currently rate him as the most popular SPD politician, who would have favoured remaining in office. He was supported in this by business representatives, union representatives, finance daily Handelsblatt, the Suddeutsche Zeitung, the 88-year-old philosopher Jurgen Habermas and many others.

The reason for the rift between Gabriel and the SPD leadership cited in virtually all commentary is his personal unpredictability: He has immense talent, but also great destructive power, he was flashy, but also acts destructively, has character defects, could not fit in, was not a team player and did not always have his political temperament under control.

All that may play a role. Following the membership vote on the coalition agreement, Nahles and Scholz are insisting on unity. They do not want to allow open conflicts within the party leadership to prevent the SPD from implementing the right-wing government program against all opposition. For this reason, when announcing the names of the new ministers, they stressed they were all team players.

There are not only personal, but also political reasons for the quarrel with Gabriel. Nobody wants to talk about this because an open dispute about foreign policy would bring to light the plans of all sides and could unleash horror, rejection and resistance.

Gabriel is one of the advocates of close military cooperation with France in order to build the European Union into a political superpower. For this reason, he is also prepared to make concessions in fiscal policy, which other representatives of the SPD and the grand coalition reject.

He has also repeatedly called publicly for Germany to distance itself more clearly from the US. He does not share the hope that after an exceptional period of the Trump presidency, we will return to our old partnership, he said three months ago. He has repeatedly called for a relaxation of sanctions against Russia and has made intensive efforts to move closer to Turkey, which is at odds with the United States. There are differences over this both within the SPD and the grand coalition.

On the other hand, there is agreement with Gabriel about the fact that Germany must massively upgrade its military capacity in order to pursue an aggressive great power policy. Germany must formulate its own interests, profess a strategic view of the world and should not be content with the cheap claim of pursuing a values-based foreign policy, he demands. He also coined the phrase that Europe should not renounce the military, because as the only vegetarian, we will find it damn hard in a world of carnivores.

The grand coalition is holding firm to this even without Foreign Minister Gabriel, especially Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen (CDU), who will retain her current post in the new government.The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson and accompanying warships left the Vietnamese city of Danang yesterday, concluding a four-day visit. It was the first time a US aircraft carrier had entered a Vietnamese port since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, and is the outcome of growing political ties and military relations between Washington and Hanoi.

The American ambassador to Vietnam, Daniel Kritenbrink, declared as the ships departed: Through hard work, mutual respect, and by continuing to address the past while we work toward a better future, we have gone from former enemies to close partners.

The American military, together with Vietnamese victims of US war crimes, were used as the props in propaganda stunts to demonstrate the reconciliation between the two countries. A group of sailors were sent on March 7 to a centre that cares for people suffering terrible deformities and illnesses due to the ongoing impact of Agent Orange.

Between 1961 and 1971, the US and its proxy forces in South Vietnam sprayed over 75 million litres of the toxic chemical, destroying over 20 million hectares of forest and contaminating agricultural land. At least four million Vietnamese were exposed. Some one million are disabled or suffer chronic illness. Decades later, children are still being born with severe birth defects due to genetic disorders caused by Agent Orange.

In a tragic and bitter historical outcome, the Stalinist nationalist movement that dominated the heroic, decades-long struggle of the Vietnamese people for liberation from colonial rule has effectively placed the country back under US imperialist domination.

From the late 1980s, the Stalinist regime in Hanoi ingratiated itself with US imperialism, as part of its efforts to integrate Vietnam into the flows of globalised investment and production. It offered up the Vietnamese working class as a cheap labour force for transnational corporations. Full diplomatic relations with Washington were restored in 1995.

The regime itself has transformed into the open representative of a venal capitalist class, presiding over ever-widening social inequality and brutal exploitation and political repression. The Carl Vinson visit is only the latest demonstration that the Vietnamese ruling elite is prepared to serve as an American imperialist proxy in exchange for access to US markets, profit and wealth.

Vietnams strategic importance to US imperialism stems primarily from how it can be used to intensify Washingtons struggle to undermine and block Chinese geo-political influence in the Asia-Pacific region.

Geographically, Vietnam occupies the east of the Indo-China peninsula, with a 1,281-kilometre land border with China, and is directly adjacent, across the South China Sea, to the key Chinese naval base on Hainan Island. It is among the countries that have territorial disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea. What is at stake includes corporate control and exploitation of rich deposits of natural gas and oil beneath its waters.

Hanoi claims the Paracel Islandssome 130 tiny islets and reefswhich China has held since 1974, when it seized them from the South Vietnamese US puppet state. Vietnam also asserts sovereignty over the Spratly Island chain, and has military installations on some of its main islets and reefs, which China claims as its territory.

The two countries have a history of conflict in the South China Sea. In 1988, a military clash took place over Vietnams attempt to occupy Johnson Reef in the Spratlys, resulting in the death of dozens of Vietnamese troops.

In 2014, China sent an oil exploration rig into Vietnamese-claimed waters west of the Paracel Islands, leading to a tense stand-off between the two governments. In 2017, Beijing used threats of force to pressure Vietnam to cancel plans to begin drilling for gas in an area that Hanoi insists is part of its exclusive economic zone.

Hanoi has actively encouraged American imperialism to defy Chinas maritime claims. Since October 2015, the US Navy has periodically sent warships on freedom of navigation intrusions into the 12-mile zone surrounding Chinese-held islands.

Vietnam has also urged India, which the US has labelled one of its key strategic partners, to play a far more belligerent role against China.

While the Carl Vinson was in Danang, Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang was in New Delhi for talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In statements directed against China, Tran declared that all countries in the region should protect the freedom of navigation and unimpeded trade and not let the Indo-Asia-Pacific be balkanised into spheres of influence manipulated by power politics, hindered by protectionism, or divided by narrow nationalism.

Tran called for efforts to foster the maritime order and settle disputes peacefully on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

In 2016, the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands, found in favour of a US-backed Philippines challenge to Chinas territorial claims in the South China Sea. It ruled that Chinas claim to historical rights to sovereignty over waters near the Paracel or Spratly islands were contrary to the Convention and without lawful effect to the extent that they exceed the geographic and substantive limits of Chinas maritime entitlements under the Convention.

In a statement to the court, Vietnam had supported the Philippines case. It also made clear its rejection of Chinas claims and asked that the ruling note its claim over the Chinese-held Paracels.

The 2016 ruling that China has no historical rights has become one of the main grounds for the US and its allies and partners to launch diplomatic and military challenges to Beijing.

Within the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Vietnam is pushing for resolutions condemning Chinas reclamation of land and construction of alleged military facilities on various South China Sea islets and reefs. At the same time, it is urging the US to conduct more freedom of navigation (FONOP) provocations.

Washington has consciously used the Carl Vinson visit to generate widespread media speculation that the aircraft carrier, or one of its escorts, will conduct a FONOP during its current deployment in the region. As the battlegroup sailed to Vietnam after visiting the Philippines, Rear Admiral John Fuller told the reporters who were invited onboard: We know where international law says we can operate, and I know where international law says we cant. And were going to do what international law says we can do.

If the Carl Vinson does not conduct an operation, the British government has encouraged rampant speculation that one of its frigates, the HMS Sutherland, which is currently visiting Sydney, will carry out the next provocation. British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said last month that when the Sutherland left Australia, shell be sailing through the South China Sea and making it clear our Navy has a right to do that.

Regardless of what unfolds in the South China Sea over the coming weeks, it looms as one of the flashpoints that could trigger a military confrontation by the US and its allies against China. By its alignment with Washington, the Vietnamese regime is functioning as an agent and enabler of imperialist intrigues and provocations that could result in a catastrophic war.Concerted efforts needed to root out corruption

THE Anti-Corruption Commission filed a case with Kishoreganj Model Police Station on January 17 accusing Setaful Islam, former land acquisition officer at the District's Deputy Commissioner's Office, of misappropriating Tk 5 crore. Later, the ACC recovered Tk 92 lakh of that amount raiding the house of one of the Setaful's accomplices, said the corruption watchdog, as per recent report of a local daily.



The ACC gave the money to the DC of Kishoreganj following permission from a district court. DC Sarwar Morshed Chowdhury said his office carried out an internal probe against Setaful and found that he had embezzled Tk 8.7 crore from the land acquisition fund. Receiving the transfer order, Setaful drove straight to a branch of Sonali Bank in Kishoreganj with sacks and withdrew a huge amount of cash, witnesses told investigators.



Once the matter was informed to the authorities and his colleagues, Setaful fled the scene with the money. The amount withdrawn at the time was Tk 5 crore, according to the ACC. Sources at the DC Office said Setaful, with the help of some of his seniors, misappropriated over Tk 10 crore from the fund.



In his confessional statement before a judicial magistrate, Setaful said a former DC of the district and Additional Commissioner (Revenue) were involved in the crime, reports our Mymensingh correspondent, quoting ACC sources. When any land is acquired for implementing government's development projects, the Land Ministry recommends compensating the land owners. The compensation money is sent to the District Administration before it reaches the land owner.



The embezzlement of public funds is nothing new. In the last year alone a UP Chairman was arrested on charges of embezzling rice, an on duty officer of a government warehouse gobbled up 42,000 kgs of rice, audit officials gobbled up 2.7 crore, a jute mill GM ate up Tk 7 crore in public monies, a Jubo League leader and his wife stole 31 lakhs from a bank, and a public university employee gobbled up 31 lakhs from revenue.



These are just the tip of the iceberg. Fortunately in all of the above cases the culprits had to face the arm of the law--they could not get away with it. Embezzlement of public funds is just one aspect of corruption. Taking bribes, which is far more intangible, is taking on epidemic proportions.



Unlike simple embezzlement it can't be monitored or traced unless the people directly concerned speak out against it. But this seems unlikely as the people who are most likely to give bribes do so for urgent business or official work. It is impossible to root this out without concerted efforts from all concerned.Police foil sit-in prog for increase of age-limit for Govt job

Police forced hundreds of students to move away as they tried to stage a sit-in in city\'s Shahbagh area on Saturday demanding 35 years as age-limit for govt jobs.

Staff Reporter :

The students of different university and colleges staged a sit-in programme in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh in the capital around 11:00am to draw the attention of the government to their demand of increasing the age-limit for jobs. Almost 500-600 students participated in that programme on Saturday.

They wanted to submit a memorandum to

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's office with a demand to increase the age-limit for entry into government service to 35 years from existing 30.

When they reached the Bangla Motor area, police impeded them. But the students tried to overcome the police barrier. At this, police charged batons on the students.

Several students said that about 25 students were taken into custody and five got injured. The agitating students claimed that three of the injured were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

One student said, our movement was peaceful. The demand to make age-limit 35 years for entrance into government service is logical. So, police action was not acceptable.

Police picked up few students from the procession.

Egypt Today





CAIRO  9 March 2018: Chairman of the parliamentary committee for human rights Alaa Abed claimed Friday that seven NGOs and some human rights organizations receive funding from foreign intelligence agencies to publish false reports about the general situation of Egypt and to tarnish the country before international public opinion.



The chairman stated this during a conference titled Issues related to foreign funding that aims to destroy the states institutions and Egypts role in fighting terrorism.



Abed listed Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW) among human rights organizations that aim to bring Egypt into a civil war.



Moreover, he alleged that Andalus Institute for Tolerance and Anti-Violence Studies, Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression, Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS), Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights, Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI), and Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights are among the organizations aiming to direct strikes against the Egyptian state by issuing fabricated reports regarding human rights in Egypt.



On Wednesday, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry strongly denounced on Wednesday U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad al-Husseins annual report that included "false allegations" of political rights violations in Egypt.



The ministry condemned the "fabricated incidents" stated in Husseins report, which was submitted to the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Wednesday, criticizing the "pervasive climate of intimidation" in Egypt ahead of the upcoming presidential election.



The Foreign Ministry expressed its astonishment at mentioning the 2018 election in the report, based on information described by Hussein himself as "alleged, the statement read.



Egypt rejects any attempt to cast doubt on the credibility and integrity of the forthcoming presidential election without providing any evidence or substantiated information, the statement added.



In September 2017, the HRW published a report accusing the Egyptian authorities of torturing prisoners. Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid described the report as a deliberate distortion.



Spreading rumors, provoking feelings and relying on unreferenced witnesses are all actions that shouldnt be adopted by such an organization, which pretends to defend human rights," Abu Zeid said.



Complaints of human rights violations are received and addressed, in accordance with the Egyptian constitution, where they go through independent and unbiased investigation. Media and civil society organizations also play a role in spotting such violations, he added.Modi, Macron sign key security deal with an eye on China

Modi broke protocol to receive Macron and his wife Brigitte at the airport.

AFP :

French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday said defence ties with India had reached a new high after the two nations signed a key security accord for the Indian Ocean to counter China's growing influence in the region. "Defence cooperation between the two countries now has a new significance," Macron said as a gushing Prime

Minister Narendra Modi stood by his side. Under the deal, India and France will open their naval bases to warships from each other, a move seen as an attempt to undermine China's territorial ambitions. "A strong part of our security and the world's stability is at stake in the Indian Ocean," Macron said. "The Indian Ocean, like the Pacific Ocean, cannot become a place of hegemony," he added in an apparent reference to China. Modi, who welcomed Macron with a bear hug on his arrival Friday, said the accord was crucial as the Indian Ocean region would play a "very significant role" in the days to come. The comments from the leaders followed a slew of agreements signed by the two countries in the spheres of defence, space and clean energy. "From the ground to the sky, there is no subject on which India and France are not working together," said Modi. A technical agreement was also signed on the French-assisted nuclear power project at Jaitapur in western Maharashtra state. Sources in the French presidency told AFP they were optimistic of a final agreement being signed before the end of the year. The $9.3-billion framework agreement for six nuclear reactors was signed during a visit to India in 2010 by then president Nicolas Sarkozy. But the project has since run into stiff opposition from environmentalists concerned about seismic activity in the area and fears about the safety of nuclear power in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan. Earlier in the day, Macron talked about his personal rapport with Modi which was established after their meeting in Paris last year. "I think we have very good chemistry, our two great democracies have a historic relationship," the French president said. Modi broke protocol to receive Macron at the airport, exchanging warm hugs and robust handshakes.

Four people are dead after a gunman took hostages at a Veterans home on Friday in Napa County, California, PEOPLE confirms.

After an 8-hour long standoff with police, the gunman killed himself and three hostages being held in a building on the Yountville Veterans Home campus in Yountville, California  the largest veterans home in the country.

The hostages identities have not been released but all three were residents and staff of the Pathway Home, June Iljana, a spokesperson for the California Department of Veterans Affairs, confirms to PEOPLE.

The Pathway Home provides mental health and case management services for veterans, Iljana said.

Law enforcement officials found the bodies of three women and the gunman in a room inside the property, according to KCRA.

A sheriff's hostage negotiation team at the Veterans Home of California.

Shots were first fired at about 10:20 a.m. in the dining room of the veterans home where the gunman took several hostages into one room before letting all but three escape, the outlet reported.

California Highway Patrol Assistant Chief Chris Childs told the station that an arriving deputy had exchanged gunfire with the alleged shooter which prevented him from taking more hostages.

A Napa County Sheriff's helicopter is seen at a golf course during an active shooter situation

According to The Mercury News, the gunman took a clinical worker, a psychiatrist and an executive director as hostages.

Napa County Sheriff John Robertson told the newspaper they had tried numerous times to reach the gunman via his personal cell phone and the phones within the facility but could not reach him.

The suspect is believed to have once been a member of the Pathway Home and was discharged two weeks ago, according to the Napa Valley Register.

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Childs told the Associated Press it was too early to say if [the victims] were chosen at random.

Larry Kamer told the wire that his wife, Devereaux Smith was at a staff party and said the gunman had entered the facility and allowed multiple people to leave before taking others hostage.

The facility houses about 1,000 people, according to the AP.

California Governor Jerry Brown issues a statement after the shootings, saying, Anne and I are deeply saddened by the horrible violence at the Yountville Veterans Home, which tragically took the lives of three people dedicated to serving our veterans. Our hearts go out to their families and loved ones and the entire community of Yountville.Dean McDermott was spotted in Los Angeles on Thursday, leaving a lawyers office.

The 51-year-old actor, who has been married to Tori Spelling since 2006, was photographed wearing a pair of light denim jeans, a V-neck white shirt, a blue-grey blazer, brown leather boots and black-rimmed sunglasses.

Meanwhile, a source tells PEOPLE that Spelling took their children to her mom Candys home.

This comes two days after police were reportedly called to Spellings doctors office to check on her wellbeing.

Dean McDermott

According to TMZ, McDermott called the cops to check up on his wife after she left their house on Wednesday. Three Ventura County Sheriffs units reportedly surrounded a building in Thousand Oaks, California, at around 9:45 a.m., while Spelling, 44, was inside. TMZ also had video of McDermott standing outside the office, holding the couples 1-year-old baby.

TMZ reports that deputies located the Beverly Hills, 90210 alum at the doctors office, spoke to her and determined she and their kids were okay. Because no crime had been committed, no further action was taken.

Police and Spelling did not return PEOPLEs request for comment.

Tori Spelling, Dean McDermott and their children

RELATED: Tori and Dean: 11 Years, 5 Kids and All the Ups and Downs In Between

A week prior, police were dispatched over a disturbance at the family home. LAPD officer Rosario Herrera told PEOPLE police received a call for service at 7:17 a.m. on March 1, to Spellings Woodland Hills address. Officer Drake Madison said the situation ended up being a domestic incident and that no crime was committed. He could not confirm who placed the call.

According to the audio dispatch call obtained by The Blast and TMZ, the issue involved a female with a possible mental illness. TMZ also reported Spelling called police the night before because she thought someone was breaking into her house, but it turned out to be McDermott coming home.

The couple share five children: daughters Stella, 9, and Hattie, 6, and sons Liam, 10, Finn, 5, and baby Beau, who turned 1 last week.

Story continues

Tori Spelling

RELATED: Tori Spelling & Dean McDermott Celebrate Sons Birthday Together After Disturbance at Their Home

A source recently told PEOPLE that Spelling is in a tough place and can get very stressed, noting that it isnt easy for her to juggle five young kids at home.

The last year has been really tough on Tori, said another insider. She has a ton of pressure and stress, with the kids, work and her marriage. She internalizes a lot of her anxiety and she knows its not healthy for her. Of course shes going to get to a breaking point eventually.

Tori and Dean have their ups and downs, added the insider. But they love each other and family is most important to both of them.Ava DuVernay's take on A Wrinkle in Time, starring Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon, hits theaters Friday. The film's soundtrack is led by the Demi Lovato and DJ Khaled collab "I Believe," which now has an official music video.

"I'm so excited to share the music video for 'I Believe,'" Khaled said late Wednesday on Instagram, where he premiered the video across four separate posts. "See @Ava's film and the soundtrack digitally this Friday! @Ava thank you so much for this opportunity." See the new video for the collab, which features additional production by StreetRunner, up top.

59ebb5875091f0368fcc1bab

Lovato and Khaled are currently in the middle of their joint North American tour, which kicked off last month with a run of shows in California. Friday, the tourfeaturing support from Kehlanihits the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois.

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Last October, Lovato released her feature-length Simply Complicated documentary for free via YouTube. "I wanted to share this experience with my fans," she told Billboard of the decision to follow her Tell Me You Love Me album with a documentary. "I turned 25 this year. It's a quarter of a century, it's an important year to me. The making of this album was very important, and I've gone through a lot of changes." A director's cut of the doc is available exclusively for YouTube Red subscribers.

The A Wrinkle in Time soundtrack also features new tracks from Sade, Sia, Kehlani, Chloe x Halle, and Freestyle Fellowship. Check out the No I.D. remix of Sade's "Flower of the Universe" below.

More from ComplexSize matters to Vladimir Putin.

In an interview for the upcoming Russian documentary World Order 2018, the Russian president confessed he fibbed to First Lady Melania Trump about the size of his catch on fishing trips when the two were seated next to each other at a dinner during the G-20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, last July.

Putin said he chatted with Trump about Russia. About Siberia. About fishing.

But, of course, as you do on such occasions, I fibbed a little. When you are talking about fishing, how do you not embellish? he joked.

He added that he also told Trump about Kamchatka, a peninsula in the Russian Far East, and about the fauna. About the tigers.

Before their dinner conversation, the first lady and Putin crossed paths when she was sent in to try to end a long-running meeting between her husband, President Donald Trump, and the Russian president.

RELATED VIDEO: PEOPLE Writer Natasha Stoynoff Breaks Silence, Accuses Donald Trump of Sexual Attack

The first lady attempted to intervene an hour into the meeting but, as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told reporters at the time, It didnt work.Kathy Griffin at the 2018 Writers Guild Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 11, now says she was ahead of her time with her controversial Trump photo shoot. (Photo: David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

Kathy Griffin took quite a hit for that Trump beheading photo shoot, but  nearly a year later  she can laugh about it.

The comedian, 57, posted a photo from Guccis runway show in Milan last month  a memorable catwalk session because it featured models carrying what looked like their severed heads. Griffin, who was investigated by the Secret Service for her anti-Trump pictorial, was a fan of Guccis gambit, jokingly calling herself the muse of the campaign and describing her stunt as ahead of my time.

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Last month, the fashion house generated loads of attention at Milan Fashion Week because designer Alessandro Michele accessorized models with replicas of their own heads for their march down the runway. The theme of the collection was cyborgs, and Gucci had the Rome-based visual effects company Makinarium make the noggins.

Of course, Griffin found herself in major hot water last May after posing with a severed replica of the newly minted President Trumps head in a photo shoot with Tyler Shields. But it certainly wasnt in fashion. She got death threats. She lost work. She was investigated by the government. She was trolled by Trump supporters. She lost friends. (Were looking at you, Anderson Cooper.) She even cried her eyes out during a press conference.

However, by the end of the summer, she had changed her tune, saying on the Australian show Sunrise, I am no longer sorry, the whole outrage was B.S., the whole thing got so blown out of proportion. In November, during an interview on the BBCs HARDtalk, she said, I take the apology back 1,000 percent.

Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:The former 'The Cosby Show' actress addressed the sexual assault allegations against her former co-star.

By Katherine Schaffstall

Lisa Bonet opened up for the first time about the sexual assault allegations leveled against her former TV father, Bill Cosby.

In an interview feature on the cover of Net-a-Porter, Bonet claimed that she was not surprised to learn about the allegations against the disgraced actor. While she had no knowledge of Cosbys alleged inappropriate behavior while working with him on The Cosby Show and its spin-off A Different World, Bonet often sensed a negative vibe from her co-star.

There was just energy. And that type of sinister, shadow energy cannot be concealed, she revealed.

The actress also shared that if she had known about sexual assault on Cosbys part, she would not have kept quiet. If I had anything more to reveal then it would have happened a long time ago, she said. Thats my nature. The truth will set you free.

Cosby is set to return to court next month for a retrial on charges that he drugged and sexually assaulted Andrea Constand in 2004. Constand is just one of the dozens of women who have accused Cosby of decades worth of sexual misconduct.

When asked about Cosbys current legal situation, Bonet stated, I dont need to say, I told you so. I just leave all that to karma and justice and what will be.

Bonet and Cosby famously shared tension regarding her professional choices, including his opposition of her role in the 1987 film Angel Heart in which she had a nude scene. When asked if the revelations of Cosbys behavior have changed her memories of her time on The Cosby Show, Bonet responded, No, its exactly as I remember it.

Bonets daughter Zoe Kravitz previously told The Guardian that while her mom had kept quiet about the scandal, Bonet was disgusted.

She hasnt, she really hasnt [talked], Kravitz told The Guardian in 2015. Shed plead the fifth, even to me. I think shes just staying out of it. Shes just as disgusted and concerned as everyone else is, but I dont think she has any insight. Its news to her as well.

Story continues

This story was originally published on The Hollywood Reporter.

This post Lisa Bonet Breaks Silence On Bill Cosby Rape Scandal first appeared on Vibe.40 hurt in AL infighting

UNB, Faridpur :

At least 40 people were injured in a clash between two factions of Awami League (AL) in Miargatti village of Saltha upazila here on Saturday.

Several houses of both groups were vandalised during the incident, police, quoting locals, said, adding that the injured were admitted to Faridpur Medical College Hospital.

There was a longstanding conflict between Gatti union AL General Secretary Wadud Matabbar and Joint General Secretary Nuru Matabbar over establishing supremacy in the area.

On Saturday morning, a clash erupted between the supporters of two parties in the area. At the time, both sides got involved in clashes with local weapons that lasted for around three hours.

Later, police rushed to the spot and fired at least 18 rounds of blank shots to bring the situation under control, said Delwar Hossain Khan, officer-in-charge of Slatha Police Station.

Additional forces were deployed in the area to avoid further trouble, he added.



Lisa Bonet is speaking out about the allegations of sexual assault against Bill Cosby.

Bonet  who rose to fame at age 16 as Denise Huxtable on The Cosby Show and then appeared on its spin-off show, A Different World  has stayed relatively silent in the wake of the scandal. Over 50 women have come forward, accusing the once-beloved comedian of drugging and/or sexually assaulting them. (Cosby has denied all wrongdoing.)

Lisa Bonet talks Bill Cosby. (Photos: Getty Images)

When speaking with Porter Edit, the 50-year-old actress was asked if the revelations about his alleged misconduct tainted her memory of those years. No, its exactly as I remember it, she says. However, Bonet always sensed bad energy from Cosby, who is now 80.

There was no knowledge on my part about his specific actions, but  there was just energy, she says. And that type of sinister, shadow energy cannot be concealed.

Bonet adds that she always sensed a darkness. And if I had anything more to reveal then it would have happened a long time ago, she states. Thats my nature. The truth will set you free.

This is the first time weve heard Bonet address the allegations firsthand. In 2015, her daughter, Zoe Kravitz, said Bonet tends to keep quiet regarding the scandal.

She hasnt, she really hasnt [talked], Kravitz told the Guardian. Shed plead the fifth, even to me. I think shes just staying out of it. Shes just as disgusted and concerned as everyone else is, but I dont think she has any insight. Its news to her as well.

From The Cosby Show: Lisa Bonet as Denise Huxtable Kendall, Bill Cosby as Dr. Heathcliff Cliff Huxtable, and Phylicia Rashad as Clair Hanks Huxtable. (Photo: Getty Images)

Theres not a lot of love lost between Cosby and Bonet. The actor took it upon himself to dis his TV daughter and her career moves. He opposed her role in 1987s Angel Heart, in which she performed a nude sex scene with Mickey Rourke. He said he wouldnt see it, insisting, That film doesnt offer my appetite anything.

Bonet promoted the film by appearing nude on the cover of Interview magazine. When Cosby was asked about it, he said hed heard negative comments from several people about the image. Awkwardly, he added, I just took it nice and easy and then one day I saw it on the newsstand and I bought the magazine. I looked at that picture and I said, Theres nothing wrong with it. It wasnt anything gross.

Story continues

Bonet returned to Cosby in 1988, but she was later fired for creative differences and was not invited to appear in the finale.

I dont need to say, I told you so, Bonet concludes to Porter Edit about Cosbys current situation. I just leave all that to karma and justice and what will be.

Cosbys retrial for the 2004 alleged sexual assault of Andrea Constand is set to begin April 2 in Philadelphia.

Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:"Whats cool about Jason is that hes an alpha male who stands for love and family."

It wasn't love at first sight for Lisa Bonet and Jason Momoa, but they came pretty close!

"I cant say it was full-on from the moment we saw each other, but we have been together from the day that we met," Bonet tells PORTEREdit. "In that moment, love came and it came big, and he did not run as I think a lot of men do. He basically picked me up and threw me over his shoulder, caveman style!"

The 50-year-old actress secretly married Momoa last year, and clearly the honeymoon isn't over. "Whats cool about Jason is that hes an alpha male who stands for love and family," she says in praise of the 38-year-old actor. "And to circle back to my own wounds, having an absent father, then to be fully met by a man of that stature, is really incredible."

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She adds, "Jason embodies a rare form of masculinity in this day and age -- hes a leader, hes generous. Just in terms of charisma, physique, the right use of power, responsibility, work ethic, you can go down the line."

In addition to gushing over her guy, Bonet also addresses the sexual assault allegations against her former Cosby Show co-star and onscreen father, Bill Cosby.

"There was no knowledge on my part about [Bill Cosbys] specific actions, but... There was just energy. And that type of sinister, shadow energy cannot be concealed," she recalls. "If I had anything more to reveal then it would have happened a long time ago. Thats my nature. The truth will set you free."

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Related Articles:Theres now at least one sure way to celebrate Prince Harry and Meghan Markles wedding in true British style.

The Windsor & Eton Brewery  just a five-minute pub crawl from St. Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle, where Harry and Meghan will tie the knot on May. 19  has crafted a unique royal wedding beer to commemorate the special day.

Named Harry & Meghans Windsor Knot, the pale ale is brewed from barley grown on Queen Elizabeths very own Windsor farm, plus champagne yeast and a delicate blend of British and American hops.

It gives a nice story about Harry & Meghans backgrounds, says Willie Calvert, co-owner of the Windsor & Eton Brewery. Were using some nice, fruity hops from Yamika in Washington State, and some English hops, which are more subtly flavored. English hops tend to be more of a grassy, textured flavor  a bit more like hay  whereas New World hops have more sunlight and are more strongly flavored.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Birmingham, England, on March 8.

The pale ale will be on sale beginning on March 28 at the Royal Farm Shop in Windsor and available in the pubs of London and Windsor in time for the wedding. The bottle includes a label design that features a tie combining the Union Jack and the Star & Stripes as one  and has two interlocking male and female symbols to reflect the strength and support they give each other.

Adds Calvert: The brewery was less than one year old when Prince William and Kate were married in St Pauls Cathedral in 2011, and because we have quite a close connection to the castle it was the most natural thing to do a special beer.

We called it Windsor Knot, which is a bit of a pun really as the Windsor Knot is a way of wearing a tie, but it also reflected the royal Windsor family tying the knot. It was such a popular beer that we still make it today.

So, when it came to this wedding, it was natural to do a beer for Harry and Meghan too.

Which just leaves the big question of whether the happy couple will get to sample a pint or two of the extra-special ale themselves?

Were going to send a sample to them, but it takes a little bit of organizing, says Calvert. We did the same for William and Kate and some of it got through to them, some of it didnt!Resignations from the Trump administration are not hard to come by but President Trumps former press secretary Sean Spicer says hes a little surprised at the sudden departure of White House communications director Hope Hicks.

The president really trusts her, Spicer told PEOPLE at the Champions of Jewish Values Awards Gala in New York City Thursday night. She is a very, very talented woman who has the trust of the president and I think he was really served well by her. She has got a great head on her shoulders and so she has been a great asset to the administration and the president personally.

Hicks, one of Trumps earliest and most loyal aides, tearfully resigned last week after the president reportedly berated her over a testimony she recently gave to a congressional investigative committee, according to CNN. The New York Times reported that Hicks admitted to the House panel that shes told white lies for her boss.

Spicer of course knows the pressures of working in Trumps White House  and says he doesnt miss them one bit after he himself resigned last July.

I miss the people tremendously but I had my time, I cherish it, but Sarah [Huckabee Sanders] is doing a great job and I will let her keep going, he says, adding that the stress level and intensity is gone from his life now.

RELATED VIDEO: Ivanka Trump Bids Adieu to White House Communications Director Hope Hicks: She Is Loved

Spicer also said he still keeps in touch with the president. Asked how often they speak, he replied, When he wants.

The former press secretary  whose book The Briefing, about his turbulent time with the Trump administration, is due out July 23  says the president said to me not too long ago that I look ten years younger since leaving the White House.

So does he feel ten years younger?

I do! Spicer said with a laugh.Photo credit: Getty

From Esquire

This is quite a crew of miscreants we have running things these days. If they'd planned the Great Train Robbery, theyd have left the money behind and taken the coal from the engine. If theyd burgled the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, theyd have left the Rembrandt and made off with the fire extinguishers and the Mens Room sign.

Take it away, NBC News.

President Donald Trump's personal attorney used his Trump Organization email while arranging to transfer money into an account at a Manhattan bank before he wired $130,000 to adult film star Stormy Daniels to buy her silence. The lawyer, Michael Cohen, also regularly used the same email account during 2016 negotiations with the actress - whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford - before she signed a nondisclosure agreement, a source familiar with the discussions told NBC News. And Clifford's attorney at the time addressed correspondence to Cohen in his capacity at the Trump Organization and as "Special Counsel to Donald J. Trump," the source said.

Remind me not to hire this guy to set up my money-laundering operation in the Caymans. Or to help me with my parking tickets, for all that.

In a statement last month, Cohen said he used his "personal funds to facilitate a payment" to Clifford, who says she had an intimate relationship with Trump a decade ago. "Neither the Trump Organization nor the Trump campaign was a party to the transaction with Ms. Clifford, and neither reimbursed me for the payment, either directly or indirectly," Cohen said in that statement. But an email uncovered in the last 24 hours and provided to NBC News by Clifford's current attorney, Michael Avenatti, shows First Republic Bank and Cohen communicated about the money using his Trump company email address, not his personal gmail account.

If the Benny Hill theme is running through your head right now, youre not alone.

Photo credit: Getty

That Cohen is the bozo in this little dunk-tank exercise is an occasion for unmistakable schadenfreude. Cohen was the most prominent faux tough-guy in an entourage full of them. Now, it turns out the big-time Manhattan mouthpiece has managed to bungle himself into legal jeopardy regarding a scandal involving the president*s canoodling with an adult-film actress. If the Republic is saved just because the people trying to steal it are dumb, Ill take it.

You Might Also LikePresident Trump granted an audience to a survivor of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on Thursday.

Trump and First Lady Melania met with Kyle Kashuv in the Oval Office, and the high school student later tweeted out photos taken of the event.

Was so great meeting @FLOTUS and @POTUS, he said Theyre true patriots.

Also Read:Pro-Second Amendment Parkland School Shooting Survivor to Hit Fox News

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Its the first known Oval Office audience Trump has granted a survivor of the tragedy. However, the president did hold a listening session with survivors and their parents at the White House last month.

Though considerably less well known than his classmates David Hogg and Emma Gonzalez in the wake of the tragedy, Kashuv has become a rising force among survivors as a champion of more conservative ideas to addressing gun violence.

Also Read:Florida Shooting Survivor David Hogg Offers to Go on Alex Jones' 'InfoWars' - Then Backpedals

His Twitter feed is replete with praise for conservative stalwarts like Ben Shapiro. He has also made several appearances on Fox News to promote more skeptical views of gun control and urging both sides to come together on plans to address gun violence.

President Trump has expressed his sympathy for the students, whose calls for action on gun violence have dominated the national conversation for weeks. The president has bucked NRA supporters by calling for universal background checks but has also raised hackles among liberals for supporting an idea from the organization to arm teachers.

Kashuv also had some one-on-one time with Melania Trump. The First Lady posted a video with highlights of their meeting to Twitter Thursday. Trump also plugged the ReachOut App, whch Kashuv has been promoting in recent days.

Also Read:Florida Shooting Survivor David Hogg Strikes Back at Right-Wing Trolls: 'I Am Not a Crisis Actor'

Story continues

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Its unclear what exactly anyone spoke about, Kashuv did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Related Video:

Watch Hardball With Chris Matthews on Yahoo View.

Related stories from TheWrap:

Pro-Second Amendment Parkland School Shooting Survivor to Hit Fox News

Parkland Shooting Survivors Denied Permit to Hold Gun Control Rally on DC Mall

Paramount Network Delays 'Heathers' TV Series 'Out of Respect' for Florida Shooting Victims

Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity Retract Claim That CNN Gave 'Scripted Question' to Shooting SurvivorMSNBC host Lawrence ODonnell set off a Twitter firestorm when he asked President Trump on Thursday: Mr. President, why does your confidentiality agreement with Stormy Daniels forbid her to reveal PATERNITY INFORMATION?

ODonnell was correct that the non-disclosure agreement, which Daniels released Tuesday when she sued Trump, mentions that she can not disclose paternity information. She is also barred from discussing alleged children. That led to online speculation that Trump may have been trying to hide a love child.

But Daniels lawyer, Michael J. Avenatti, told TheWrap on Friday that the references were simply boilerplate language common to NDAs.

Asked directly if Trump ever impregnated Daniels, or if she knew of any other children he was trying to conceal from the public eye, Avenatti replied: Absolutely not. No.

Also Read:Read Stormy Daniels' Lawsuit Against Trump

Here is the ODonnell tweet that spawned all of the ill-founded speculation that Trump had impregnated Daniels:

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It has, as of this writing, been retweeted 25,000 times  including by ODonnells fellow MSNBC host, Joy Reid.

ODonnell helped fuel jokes around the speculation, retweeting someone who joked about one of President Trumps adult children: So Eric Trump is secretly a 12 year old? Makes sense.

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ODonnell wasnt alone in wondering about the references to paternity and alleged children. In a New York Times op-ed, Michelle Goldberg wrote:

Should Daniels prevail in court, we might learn interesting information about the president. Among other things, the NDA forbids her from discussing Trumps alleged children or paternity information. But the scandal will lie less in the details of Trumps degeneracy than in the steps he and his lawyers took to cover it up.

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Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, filed a civil suit against the president in Los Angeles Superior Court this week, claiming that her hush agreement with Trump was null and void because the president never signed the nondisclosure agreement set up right before the 2016 presidential election.

Also Read:Stormy Daniels Lawsuit: Trump's Lawyer 'Forced' Me to Lie

Clifford also argued that even if the NDA was signed, its no longer valid because Trump attorney Michael Cohen spoke publicly about the secret agreement and payment, which she claims is a breach of the the agreements confidentiality clause.

As The Wall Street Journal first reported in January, Daniels received a $130,000 payout to remain silent about an affair she says she had with Trump. Cohen has said he made the payment himself, not acting on behalf of the president, but NBC News reported Friday that he emailed her from a Trump Organization email account.

Here are a few tweets joking about the false speculation that Daniels accused Trump of fathering a love child:

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Watch 30 For 30 Shorts on Yahoo View.Let free thinkers be our thinkers

In circumstances Dr Zafar Iqbal was attacked we cannot be sure about the motive behind the unfortunate incident. But he is known as a free thinker and needed special police protection from the government for threats on his life issued by religious groups. Some of such free thinkers lost their lives also allegedly in the hands of religious fanatics for their anti-Islam views.



The Muslims understand the reaction from oversensitive Muslims on religious matters and certainly do not support extremism to be met by extremism. But it is puzzling why the free thinkers, as they call themselves, should as a matter of priority come into clash with Islam. There are so many important issues affecting our life and liberty for genuine free thinkers to worry about and get engaged.



A free thinker is defined as a person who thinks freely and forms opinion on the basis of reason independently. But it is not free thinking that their views should be inflicted on others or calculated to incite violence. He is free to reject any dogma or be skeptical about any religion. Surely, insulting or provocative views cannot be reasoned thinking. It should be easier for a free thinker to tolerate other peoples free beliefs and opinions. He cannot rationally claim any superior right over others to be disrespectful of their thinking and beliefs.



If the free thinkers claim free thinking as a right then they must know that all rights have limits. So no social being can claim to be a free thinker for derogating other people's rights. No right can exist in absolute sense. According to an American scholar Mary Ann Glendon such conception is an illusion of absoluteness. She may not be a great scholar but it makes sense if one has to live in peace along with others.



There is no justification for disagreeing that religion is a matter of faith and speaks of divine knowledge. One either believes or does not believe. I cannot see how a reasoned research is called for on matters of faith, more particularly, by non-believers.



To serious thinkers, free or unfree, I would emphasise that our obstacle for peace and progress is not our religion. It is mono-polistic greed for power and wealth. The independence we have achieved at an immense price is proving hollow for millions due to the indifference of the thoughtful ones who could make a difference. It is a political dogma of authoritarianism which makes them support any failing undemocratic governance and wait for their downfall in shambles.



The country is under a kind of class rule where democracy and democratic tolerance are fast disappearing. The spirit of the liberation war to them is their inherent right to rule the country the way they like. The millions do not count.



We do not hear enough voices loud enough to know what the free thinkers of our country think of such important issues like independence of the country or freedom of the people. Or even about using unfettered power for unfettered corruption. Even lies by the government for hiding failures do not bother them. What bothers is Islam and not the peoples welfare.



Nobody can disagree that hateful or insulting views against Islam is a violation of universal religious right of others and cannot be justified by calling himself a free thinker.



Intolerance to religion is leftist politics under the godless system of socialism. In communist ideology no free thinking is tolerated. So if anybody wants to preach leftist politics, let him do so openly. Free thinking should not be an act deception.



It is a contradiction in terms that free thinking does not believe in free speech of others. In our situation free speech is hazardous. It is the bloggers who hurt our peoples religious sentiment, but our government is ready to provide special protection to them. This is right that ones life should be protected. But same protection is not available to those who want to use their right of free speech.



The fundamentalist leftists in an emerging democracy use the slogan of free thinking to provoke religious extremism for creating social unrest to justify authoritarianism. The end game is to help the government deprive the people of their democratic rights and freedom. The way is left open for leftist dictatorship.



We should be extremely cautious about those who want to foment religious extremism in the name of free thinking in the knowledge how dangerous its ramifications could be. We can recall the blood of river that flowed in the Indonesia in an uprising of communism during Sukarno era.



We are known as a moderate Muslim country. Some religious fanatics exist among us. So does in all religions. But unless incited by extremism of the others we can rely on for peace and tolerance as guiding virtues of Islam.



So the believers of Islam must not be easily provoked by the bloggers.



It is said that in Bangladesh the bloggers who have been found spreading spite against Islam in one form or the other are all leftist non-believers. No Islamist attacked any one for being a non-believer. They also accept that religion is a matter of personal choice.



In the past the peoples of all religions lived together happily. It is after Bangladesh became an independent country that some who came from India are anxious to see Islam as a target of attack. They were stigmatising Muslims as communal and a problem for communal harmony. They are partners of the government and they get special protection from the government. They claim to be freedom fighters with no respect for others freedom.



The main unhappiness of the general public is that some bloggers to be part of them follow the Western pattern of vilifying Islam. To them disparaging Islam is a convenient way to be recognised in the West as intellectually progressive.



We discourage the leftist extremism as much as we condemn violence in the name of Islam. We want free thinkers not to serve others as stooges but be the free thinkers for us and for our freedom.









International Womens Day (IWD) has been around for more than a century as a day of celebration for the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women all over the world. This message resonates especially loudly this year in the wake of movements like #MeToo and Times Up. Today, shop these seven fashion brands that will be donating 100 percent (yes, you read that right) of their profits to foundations and organizations that support women and girls. Happy shopping.

1. Rachel Roy: Celebrate the word WOMEN in any language with this powerful, limited edition tee featuring the brands signature rainbow foil heart design. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the Rainbow Women T-Shirt ($40) benefits World of Children.

2. LIVELY: Everyones favorite bra brand has released a limited-edition tee in honor of IWD that would do any wardrobe proud. Their latest Unapologetically Femme Tee has a simple but bold message, and 100 percent of profits will go to I Support the Girls.

3. LOLA: Womens lifestyle brand LOLA, known for creating smart reproductive care for women, by women, is teaming up with jewelry destination Ryan Porter on a friendship bracelet set that you are gonna want stat. All the profits from the LOLA x Ryan Porter x BUILTBYGIRLS ($15) set support their Girl, You Better (Net)work initiative  an annual mini-conference that gives women professional tools to start their careers. Werk it.

4. Eileen Fisher: The fashion company is releasing the second iteration of its Morse Code Capsule Collection ($88-$208) for IWD. The code, which writes out an important message the future is female, gives every dime from the four-piece collection directly to VoteRunLead, a diverse organization that helps women run for office.

Image result for Forever21 Girlfluence

5. Forever 21: The fast fashion powerhouse is teaming up with Girls Inc. and some of the brands favorite lady musicians from around the globe to celebrate female empowerment. For each piece sold, F21 will donate $1 to Girls Inc., but the brand has also committed to providing a minimum donation of $50,000. With every item under $30, you have no excuse not to nab buys like this Girlfluence Graphic Tee ($13).

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6. Zoe Chicco: The LA-based fine jewelry designer is partnering with Lauren Paul and Molly Thompson of the Kind Campaign to create a collection inspired by the non-profits goal of shining a light on girl-against-girl bullying. The 10-piece capsule includes a selection of 14k gold rings, nameplate necklaces, and these epic Itty Bitty Be Kind Stud Earrings ($265).

7. eBay x Olivia Palermo: For IWD, style maven Olivia Palermo is joining forces with e-tailer eBay to refresh your wardrobe for a good cause. Palermo created a curated list of must-have fashion and beauty items from her own closet that can be yours with all proceeds going to Dress for Success. Shop her Fendi sunnies, Jimmy Choo handbag, or even a pair of her most prized Manolos. In addition to her closet staples, Palermo is also offering a slew of tips and tricks to keep you in style all season long.

How are you supporting and celebrating women this International Womens Day? Let us know @BritandCo.

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.Photo credit: Twitter

From Cosmopolitan

Shonda Rhimes strikes again. On Thursday, Deadline reported that Greys Anatomy producers decided not to renew contracts for longtime cast-members Jessica Capshaw (Dr. Arizona Robbins) and Sarah Drew (Dr. April Kepner). The decision was reportedly based on the shows creative direction, and seems to have come as a shock to Drew, who Tweeted that she only learned of her termination 48 hours prior and was still trying to process this information. This leads fans to ask an important question: How will April and Arizona get written off the show? Here are some rough theories to get this goodbye-party started.



April dies in a drunk-driving accident.

Shes been coping with a crisis of faith, which began in episode 10 (the one where all the patients died), by drowning herself in alcohol and sleeping with surgical intern Dr. Vikram Roy. The storyline previously suggested a stint in rehab could be in her future - but what if her drinking leads to a fatal crash? Her death would certainly give fan-favorite Jesse Williams (Dr. Jackson Avery) some meaty material to work with.

Photo credit: ABC

Arizona dies with her.

Arizona and April have had overlapping storylines since the death of Karin (the wife of Aprils ex-fiance, Matthew) in childbirth, and it seems as if their plot connection is only going to deepen. In episode 10, Arizona basically blames April for Karins death, but by episode 13, shes defending her against Jackson, whos concerned about Aprils partying (he sees her roaming the ER with a banana bag - a hangover cure if youre a doctor). Shes just trying to find her happy, Arizona insists. But at the end of the episode, Arizona spots April standing on a table, passing out shots to the interns, and taking her own straight from the bottle - and Arizonas uh-oh face tells a different story. April's in a downward spiral and Arizona is tied up in it.

Photo credit: ABC

April leaves for missionary work.

April's lapse in faith has to be at the core of how she gets written off - devout Christianity is her thing. What if she returns to her religion with more fervor than ever and dedicates her life to God? In that case, what happens to Harriet? Does she stay in Seattle with her dad, with the occasional "Harriet's with her mom" dialogue thrown in for good measure?

Story continues

Photo credit: ABC

Arizona wins the research contest and moves somewhere in service of the study.

After the death of Karin as a result of preeclampsia, Arizona decides to throw her energy into fixing the maternal mortality rate in the U.S. Perhaps she takes home the prize and is required to travel somewhere with Carina, her research partner/lover, for work. Maybe that somewhere is New York, where Callie's character disappeared to. It'd be a boring way to go, but not everyone has to get McDreamied - and at least Callie and Arizona will be reunited.

Photo credit: ABC

Arizona moves to New York for her daughter Sofia.

Sofia is about to move back to Seattle - but what if she winds up hating it? Maybe Arizona can't bear the thought of Sofia leaving her again and decides to pack up and head to New York herself. Again, a boring option, but at least it accounts for the "Sofia's moving back home" storyline, which feels especially random now that we know Arizona is getting the boot. Why did the writers reintroduce Sofia if we only have half a season left with Arizona? Feels like a chess move.

Arizona decides to enlist in the army and gets hit by a bus.

She's brought into Grey Sloane Memorial hospital looking so disfigured that nobody even recognizes her .... until she traces "oo7" on Meredith's - oh, wait, that's how George O'Malley died. Anything is possible.

This post will be updated with more - and hopefully better! - theories as the rest of season 14 unfolds.



You Might Also LikeEarlier this month, we learned that Jared Kushners family just happened to receive a pair of nine-figure loans shortly after the First Son-in-Law met with the lenders executives at the White House. It wasnt a great look, particularly as it came on the heels of news that Ivankas husband had supported a blockade of Qatar just weeks after his father unsuccessfully attempted to get the countrys finance minister to invest in Kushner Cos doomed Midtown tower, and that at least four countries had discussed ways to take advantage of Kushners massive financial debts and political inexperience. In fact, one might get the sense that young Jared, who has held few jobs that were not given to him by his father or his father-in-law, has no business working in the White House, where hes accomplished approximately none of the goals he set out to tick off last year. And while we would never suggest the only thing Kushner appears qualified to do in the West Wing is use his position to improve his familys financial situation, Senator Elizabeth Warren isnt so sure!

In a pair of characteristically fiery letters sent to Citigroup and Apollo Global Managementthe institutions that lent Kushner Cos. more than half a billion dollars after a few meet-and-greets with Jared in his D.C. officeWarren, along with Representative Elijah Cummings, Senator Tom Carper, and Senator Gary Peters, reminded the companies C.E.O.s that federal ethics laws prohibit federal employees from profiting from their government service. Can you guess where this is going? Mr. Kushners refusal to fully divest from his financial holdings, the group wrote, raises questions about his behavior as a Senior Adviser to President Trump. It would be a serious matter if the loan[s] provided to Kushner Companies . . . resulted in a violation of federal ethics laws.

Story continues

Warren and Co. demanded to know, by March 20, the dates the loans were offered and the process by which Kushner Companies received them. They also humbly requested a record of all meetings between the firms and Jared, details about those meetings, and all documents related to the loan process. As The New York Times reported, the $184 million Apollo loan came after co-founder Joshua Harris met with Kushner on multiple occasions, while the $325 million Citigroup loan wound up in Kushner Cos pocket after C.E.O. Michael Corbat had a sit-down with the boy prince of New Jersey. In both instances, the money reportedly went toward projects in which Jared retains a financial stake. Incidentally, both companies benefitted from Trumps tax overhaul, with private-equity firms like Apollo breathing a sigh of relief that Trump decided not to close the carried-interest loophole that he swore up and down on the campaign trail was a goner. According to the Times, the loan from Apollo was triple the size of the average property loan made by Apollos real-estate lending arm.

Spokespeople for the various parties involved all dismissed the implication of impropriety. Peter Mirijanian, a spokesman for Abbe Lowell, Kushners lawyer, told the Times that Kushner has taken no part of any business, loans, or projects with or for Kushner Companies since entering the White House. A spokesperson for Apollo said that the executive who visited the White House was not involved in the decision to lend to Kushners family. A spokesperson for Citigroup explained that Kushner Cos. is a longtime client and that the loan was made with no deference to Jareds political position. And a spokesperson for Kushner Cos. bemoaned the attempt to make insinuating connections that do not exist.

Luckily for Kushner, the requests will probably go as far as those sent last summer by Representative Maxine Waters to Deutsche Bank asking for information about the presidents financeswhich is to say, nowhere. While a subpoena would likely get people talking, Warren would need to have the cooperation of her Republican colleagues, who apparently believe its Kushner (and the Trump family)s God-given right to profit off the presidency. It seems she will have to resign herself to exchanging scathing correspondence with interim C.F.P.B. head Mick Mulvaney, who has so far proven a more reliable pen pal.

Related Video:

Watch news, TV and more on Yahoo View.UPDATE: Saturday, March 10, 3 P.M.

"This link has been taken down and banned so it cannot be recirculated on Dropbox," a spokesperson from Dropbox told Glamour.com in a statement. "As always, we investigate reports of content that violate our Acceptable Use Policy. If we find a violation, we take down the content and, when appropriate, take other measures such as banning the content and/or reporting to law enforcement."

Original Story:

It's been one year since the U.S. Department of Defense started investigating Marines who shared naked photos of more than two dozen servicewomen on a Facebook group of 30,000 members called Marines United. Now, the military is dealing with another case of nonconsensual revenge porn: A Dropbox folder has reportedly been circulating on social media with hundreds of explicit photos of women in the military.

The folder, called "Hoes Hoin," contains 267 photos of female service members taking naked selfies and performing sexual acts, according to Vice News. Making it even worse, some of the photos show women's faces, their dog tags, or their name tags on their uniforms.

The Dropbox link allegedly first appeared last month in a male-only Facebook group called "Blame Marines United (Non-Butthurt Edition)," which has since been shut down after Marine Corps veteran Erin Kirk Cuomo learned of its existence and reached out to Facebook. Kirk Cuomo is the founder of #NotInMyMarineCorps, an advocacy group.

She also tweeted in support of the women who were featured in the photos: "What is breaking my heart tonight? Not MU, even though that is bad. The number of victims who are blaming themselves for something I could have prevented if only I hadnt done this in response to our story. I want to scream IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT #metoo #metoomilitary"

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After last year's investigation, the Marine Corps received $18 million in funds to to address the revenge porn and harassment issue, and Congress made it a criminal offense in the military to share nonconsensual nude photos. But that apparently hasn't solved the issue.

Story continues

Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Carla Gleason stated that the Department of Defense will continue to monitor social media for these kinds of groups. However, as social media platforms continue to expand, the challenge remains in becoming aware of and identifying victims of cyberbullying and cyber harassment, as well as identifying those individuals committing the offenses, she said.

This story has been updated.

Related Stories:

-Disgusting: Former Marine Blames Women for Nude Photo Scandal

-The Marine Corps Might Finally Take a Historic Step Toward Gender Equality

-Donald Trump Officially Ordered the Military to Ban Transgender Recruits"The public comments made by the faculty member are extremely disappointing and do not reflect the values of the College."

A professor at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, California, is now on leave after being caught on video yelling "Go back to your home country" at an Asian-American family, CBS2 News reports.

Tony Kao was on a walk with his wife and infant in Long Beach when a person believed to be Tarin Olson  listed as "Professor, Career Counseling" on Golden West College's website  made the comment. "I want you to tell everybody why you told us to go back to our country," Kao says in a video he captured and posted on Facebook.

"You need to go back to your home country," the person believed to be Olson replies.

"We're born and raised in the United States, and you told me to go back to our country?" he says.

"First, I wanted to express our sadness of experiencing racism first-hand with our baby who was exposed to this at such a young age in public and broad daylight," Kao wrote in the video's caption. "Second, we wanted to express our surprise that this type of racism can exist in Long Beach of all places in this age and time and to bring awareness it can happen anywhere. And finally, to encourage those that also face similar experiences to speak up and speak out."

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A few days after the video was post, Golden West College released a statement on Facebook reading, "It has recently come to our attention that there was a video posted on Facebook of a GWC faculty member making comments that the College does not condone or support. Golden West College believes in an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students." The college has released subsequent statements on Facebook addressing the issue.

Olson is now on leave from her career counseling job at the school, Coast Community College District spokesperson Letitia Clark told HuffPost. "Administrators are working diligently to find a resolution to this issue and communicate to the community that the sentiments of Tarin Olson do not represent the values of Golden West College," she said. Clark explained that Olson had been teaching a career planning class.

Story continues

"The public comments made by the faculty member are extremely disappointing and do not reflect the values of the College," Clark told Teen Vogue. "Golden West College does not condone or support her comments, and we are reviewing all internal policies and viable options for next actionable steps. Golden West College values and supports the free and open exchange of thoughts and ideas in an environment that embraces mutual respect and civility, and deeply regret that the words expressed by this faculty member were painful and hurtful to our students and all of the supportive members of our community. The faculty member is currently on leave and is not on campus or interacting with students."

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Teen Vogue reached out to Olson for comment, but has not yet received a response. She told CBS2 that she isn't racist and her students know this. "I feel my perspective will be twisted if discussing the skewed video which cut out part of the incident.[] If you would like to have a full normal interview about the displacement of European-Americans then I gladly am available to enlighten the public," she said in a statement.

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia made a statement about the video to CBS2. "I mean, this country is a country of immigrants and of diversity, and this city is a very diverse, beautiful place I think people love and feel very comfortable in," he said. "So, I never want any families to feel like theyre not welcome here; were welcoming of everybody."

Related: What Harvard and Yale Professors Think About the Campus Protests Over Racism

Check This Out:Forget romantic strolls on the beach, discovering the body of a giant fish sounds like a lot more fun.

SEE ALSO: Antarctica's seafloor is teeming with life, rare submersible footage shows

Images of an enormous fish that washed up on the beach in Queensland, Australia have gone viral.

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According to ABC News the swimmy boi was found by couple John and Riley Lindholm while taking a walk on Moore Park Beach on Tuesday. John Lindholm told ABC he estimated the fish to be 1.5m to 1.7m long, and probably weighed from 150kg to 170kg.

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Identifying the fish has been tricky, reports ABC, because of the level of deterioration. John Lindholm said he posted the images on a forum and that the had been some speculation that it was cod or grouper, but nothing definitive.

Of course, there are other possible explanations...

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The sea is dark and full of terrors...Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has transformed his agency from a mundane regulatory body into a hotly political actor. (Photo: Brian Snyder/Reuters)

WASHINGTON  Top officials at the Department of the Interior cited former coal executives and crank bloggers to challenge the overwhelming evidence of the threat posed by man-made climate change, according to department emails released through a Freedom of Information Act request by former Interior scientist Joel Clement.

On Sept. 26, Indur Goklany, a science and technology policy analyst at the Interior Department, cited a study briefing from a group called CO2Science, highlighting a selective finding that some plankton communities may benefit from increased levels of carbon dioxide, which causes the oceans to acidify.

CO2Science is the shortened nickname for the Arizona-based Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change, an oil-funded think tank run by former Peabody Energy executive Craig Idso. Rebekah and Robert Mercer, the hedge fund billionaires who bankrolled candidate Donald Trumps presidential campaign and funded the right-wing news site Breitbart, donated $125,000 to the organization last year.

On Aug. 14, Goklany  whose degrees are in electrical engineering, according to his website  sent an email to Doug Domenech, the assistant secretary for insular areas at Interior, which handles U.S. island territories like Guam. In the email, Goklany rejected data in a New York Times story detailing the threat Guam faces from climate change, claiming it doesnt show any acceleration in sea level rise due to man-made global warming or whatever.

He then linked to a very good article from Watts Up With That, a blog run by former television meteorologist Anthony Watts that promotes doubt over the existence and causes of climate change. The article  a diatribe republished from another climate change denier website and written by Kip Hansen, a blogger whose primary concern appears to be challenging New York Times stories about climate change  suggests, without evidence, that massive coral reef bleaching is a natural phenomenon, and states that the existence of mountains on Guam makes sea level rise unconcerning.

Story continues

Climate change is no more [a] threat in Guam today than it has ever been, Hansen concludes.

A screenshot of one of Indur Goklany's emails. (Photo: Interior Department)

The emails are by no means surprising from an agency that, despite overseeing research on huge swaths of the nations wilderness and federal lands, has served as the speartip of the Trump administrations efforts to politicize science and shape regulations to favor fossil fuel companies. But they demonstrate the extent to which once-fringe commentators now wield significant influence at the highest reaches of government.

Theyre in the bubble of the climate misinformation world and ignoring their own scientists, Robert Brulle, an environmental sociologist at Drexel University who tracks climate change denial groups, told HuffPost. Interior has the [U.S. Geological Survey]. Interior has the Park Service. Interior has all these people. Theyve got some really excellent resources inside of the Interior Department.

He added with a sigh: Good grief.

The emails also revealed the officials acting on their own scientific judgments. Earlier this week, The Washington Post reported Domenech targeted a U.S. Geological Survey researcher for writing that climate change dramatically shrank glaciers in Montana, insisting the scientists went outside their wheelhouse. Domenech is a long-time Republican operative who served in President George W. Bushs administration and whose son, conservative pundit Ben Domenech, is married to Meghan McCain, daughter of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

On March 10, 2017, a little more than a week after Secretary Ryan Zinke took over the agency, Goklany proudly emailed some of his own work to one of his new colleagues, Downey Magallanes. Magallanes is a top aide of the interior secretary and the daughter of Frederick Palmer, a longtime coal executive and a current senior fellow at the right-wing Heartland Institute.

Apropos of our conversation, attached are a couple of papers I wrote as an Independent Scientist, which Fred Palmer might enjoy, Goklany wrote.

Palmer, Peabody Energys former senior vice president of government affairs, has described coal and other fossil fuels as part of a divine plan. In a 1997 documentary, Palmer was quoted as saying, Every time you turn your car on, and you burn fossil fuels, and you put CO2 in the air, youre doing the work of the lord.

In one of Goklanys papers, published in 2012 by the libertarian Cato Institute, he writes that fossil fuels not only saved humanity from natures whims, but nature from humanitys demands. The second paper, titled Carbon Dioxide: The Good News, was published in 2015 by The Global Warming Policy Foundation, a United Kingdom-based think tank whose position is that the science of climate change is far from settled.

Goklany and Domenech also took aim at a National Park Service brochure highlighting the effects of climate change in Americas national parks, from melting glaciers in Montanas Glacier National Park to drought conditions in Arizonas Saguaro National Park.

Ive looked at it and see several omissions and other shortcomings, Goklany wrote to Domenech in April. He described page 2, which notes the scientific communitys consensus that human activity is driving global warming, as propaganda for a favored option.

Zinke himself has rejected scientific findings about the pace at which Montanas glaciers are vanishing. At a June 8 budget hearing, Zinke said the parks namesake features started melting right after the end of the Ice Age and that its been a consistent melt.

In early March, Goklany contacted an agency ethics official about participating in a panel discussion at Heartlands 12th International Conference on Climate Change in Washington, D.C. The ethics office ultimately gave Goklany the green light to speak in his personal capacity, so long as he not be introduced as an Interior Department official.

In his opening remarks, Goklany said that fossil fuels have made the world much more environmentally sustainable. And he argued that habitat is never really lost, only converted, and that the burning of fossil fuels is somehow helping to fight the biodiversity crisis by increasing crop productivity.

It is an astonishing claim. Around the world, conservationists are desperately fighting the rapid loss of species. In just two decades, humans managed to wipe out 10 percent of the worlds wilderness, a 2016 analysis found. And a global analysis of Earths threatened and endangered species in 2017 found that approximately 47 percent of mammals and 23 percent of birds on the International Union for Conservation of Natures Red List of Threatened Species have been negatively affected by our changing planet.

Goklany has for years maintained ties to Heartland, which transformed itself over the past decade from a tobacco industry defender under the auspice of smokers rights into a leading proponent of climate change denialism. The Illinois-based organization has become more influential than ever since Trump took office, particularly at the Interior Department and the Environmental Protection Agency. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt spoke at Heartlands America First Energy Conference in November, alongside Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.).

Heartland has stayed influential despite a series of public embarrassments. In October, HuffPost reported that the group included a convicted child sex offender in a list of scientists it submitted to the EPA. In January, a monthslong investigation by HuffPost revealed Heartland had protected a former executive charged with stalking and harassing a female colleague half his age. Heartland did not refute the stories, but responded by accusing HuffPost of attempting to smear the organization.

Related Coverage

Conservative Think Tank Included Convicted Sex Offender In Climate Expert List For EPA

Climate Denial Group Protected Former Executive Charged With Stalking Colleague, Ex-Staffers Say

The Mercers, Trumps Billionaire Megadonors, Ramp Up Climate Change Denial Funding

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Photo credit: Allentown Police Department

From Cosmopolitan

Police are looking for a missing Pennsylvania teen who was signed out of school by 45-year-old married man. According to The Morning Call, authorities believe the two were in a "secretive" relationship.

The Allentown Police Department released a statement that Kevin Esterly and Amy Yu, a 16-year-old student at Lehigh Valley Academy Charter School in Hanover Township, have not been seen since Monday. Authorities believe it's "highly possible" that they're traveling together.

The Morning Call reports that Esterly allegedly signed Yu out of the school (without her parents' permission) 10 times between Nov 13, 2017, and Feb 9.



Yu's mother, Miu Luu, called the police after she found out about the Feb 9 event. On Feb 15, Luu called the police again when she arrived home and Esterly and his wife were at her house with Yu.

Police have allegedly contacted Esterlys wife, who says she last saw her husband on Monday morning, and that he had withdrawn $4,000 from her bank account.



Police are looking for Esterlys red 1999 Honda Accord with the Pennsylvania license plate KLT 0529. Yu is an Asian female standing 4 feet 11 inches and weighing 90 pounds. Esterly, a white male, is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 185 pounds. If seen or located, police ask people to call 911 or their local police department, or the Allentown Police Communications Center at (610) 437-7751 and report their location.

You Might Also LikeYou dont need us here at Refinery29 to remind you that this past year has been simultaneously challenging and revolutionary for women. Between the steady stream of messages weve received from our public officials and the even harsher realities (finally) exposed by the #MeToo movement, weve spent much of the past year fixing problems of prejudice and inequity.

But as were looking inward, International Womens Day is also an opportunity for us all to look outward. And while we still often treat the education of girls worldwide as some far-flung impossible dream  a pursuit for people exclusively in faraway lands to worry about  the power of young women should be a top priority for both the United States and the rest of the world. According to the United Nations, countries lose more than 1 billion dollars a year by failing to educate girls at the same level as boys. And studies from the Brookings Institution report that just one extra year of secondary school can increase a girl's future income by 10 to 20%.

Its simple: A truly healthy and prosperous country is one where girls can learn. Thats been the issue at the core of Michelle Obamas legacy as First Lady, and shes not stopping now. For International Women's Day, Michelle Obama and the Obama Foundation teamed up with Refinery29 to shine a light on the importance and urgency of empowering girls around the world  to ensure they can reach their full potential through education and, in turn, support their families, communities, and countries. The result is a Q&A between Mrs. Obama and four young women from Nepal, Ghana, Guatemala, and Chicago, a critical dialogue she hopes will remind us that this is our issue to face, as much as anyone elses.

To celebrate International Womens Day, I wanted to reach out and connect with girls around the world  including in Chicago to hear their stories and to share some of mine," Mrs. Obama tells Refinery29. "Working to empower girls across the globe is my passion, and through the Obama Foundation, it will be something I work on for the rest of my life. I hope readers everywhere will be inspired to join me in this effort.

Story continues

Want to learn more about how you can help educate girls around the world? Visit go.obama.org/iwd and follow @obamafoundation on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to get updates on the work the Foundation will be doing in the weeks and months to come.

MEET PEARL NIKI QUARMYNE, 20, FROM MFANTSIMAN, GHANA

Pearl was raised in a small village by her grandmother and grew up selling pastries and toffee to provide for herself and her two brothers. She was able to attend high school with the help of Camfed, a nonprofit that helps girls go to school in sub-Saharan Africa. Now a college student, she works with girls in her community, funding their needs with the proceeds from her business selling ice blocks to local fishermen.

MICHELLE OBAMA: Pearl, what barriers did you have to overcome in order to achieve an education? What made you decide you would do whatever it took to overcome those obstacles?

PQ: My barrier was financial. Im the only girl in my family and was raised by my grandmother, who never went to school, and aunties, who were never able to finish school. I helped make ends meet by fetching and selling water; washing clothes for other families; and selling sugarcane, pastries, and toffee. Many girls I knew dropped out due to pregnancy or because they couldnt afford the materials. I couldnt afford books myself, so I would ask teachers and friends to borrow them. I was determined, because I loved school and wanted to be a teacher; I would often read ahead and help teachers with their lesson plans.

PEARL: Mrs. Obama, how do you define success?

MO: On your own terms! Success isnt about how your life looks to others  its about how it feels to you. I also think a key measure of success is how you handle adversity. Its not just about how you act when youre healthy and happy and everything is going according to plan, but also what you do when life knocks you to the ground and all your plans go right out the window. In those darkest moments, you have a choice: Do you dwell on everything youve lost, or do you focus on what you still have and find a way to move forward with passion, determination, and joy?

Read the full conversation between Mrs. Obama and Pearl here.

MEET ALEJANDRA TELEGUARIO SANTIZO, 17, FROM QUETZALTENANGO, GUATEMALA

Last year, at just 16 years old, Alejandra began to speak out against sexual violence and acoso callejero  or street harassment  in her community through local radio programs, with the help of Rise Ups Let Girls Lead initiative.

MICHELLE OBAMA: Alejandra, why is an education so important to you and to other girls in Guatemala?

AS: Schools in my community in Guatemala are missing many basic infrastructures, like computers, desks, and materials, as well as curriculums that promote both the personal and social development of young girls, particularly indigenous girls. Recently, an indigenous classmate of mine was forced by her family to drop out and marry because she got pregnant. Its still a common cultural practice for indigenous girls and girls in rural areas to live in informal unions when theyre very young, which is something my network of girl leaders is advocating against.

ALEJANDRA: So, Mrs. Obama, many girls like myself look up to you as a role model. What advice do you have for girl leaders like me?

MO: My best advice to girls, including my own daughters, is do not be afraid to fail. So often, our own fear of failure is the thing that keeps us back. We think we have to be perfect, that if we make even the tiniest mistake, its a catastrophe. Thats simply not true! In fact, the only way you succeed in life is by failing and failing well. And by that I mean you cannot let your failures eat you up or make you want to quit. You have to learn from them, let them challenge and inspire you to do more  to take some risks and to step outside of your comfort zone.

Read the full conversation between Mrs. Obama and Alejandra here.

MEET EVA LEWIS, 19, FROM CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Eva is an activist and artist who grew up on the South Side of Chicago. Shes now the founder of The I Project, a nonprofit focusing on intersectionality that promotes activism through art, and is studying at the University of Pennsylvania.

MICHELLE OBAMA: Why is an education so important to you and to other girls in Chicago?

EL: My mothers parents, who migrated from Mississippi and Alabama to Chicago during the second Great Migration, raised her to know their history and reap the benefits of education so that she could emancipate herself. She instilled those same values in me. Education gives us the tools to advocate for ourselves  and write narratives counter to the ones that have been written for us.

Education also grants us a fighting chance. We are constantly being beaten down by the multiple layers of systems that oppress us. We live in a world that sexualizes us for being women and ostracizes us for being Black. So education is a Black girls weapon. Audre Lorde, Alice Walker, and Kimberle Crenshaw couldnt create terms like Black feminism, womanism, and intersectionality to spread the word about our struggle without that knowledge.

EVA: Similar to me, Mrs. Obama, you grew up on the South Side, attended a selective-enrollment high school outside of your community, and went on to an Ivy League institution. What did that academic journey teach you?

MO: Yes, I'm a product of the Chicago public school system. I went to the neighborhood elementary school around the corner from my house, and my parents were very clear from the time my brother and I were little that school was our number one priority. So I always put 120% into it. I always wanted to be the top student; I wanted to talk, and I wanted to raise my hand.

And then I got the chance to go to a magnet high school called Whitney Young, which was a new college prep school that you had to test into. I absolutely knew it was the place for me. I wanted so desperately to be at a school where you weren't treated like you were strange because you liked to read, study, and strive to succeed.

So much like you, I would wake up before dawn every day, get on a bus, and ride for an hour and a half to get to school and then ride for another hour and a half to get home at the end of the day. I spent three hours a day commuting because I was determined that this high school was going to be my stepping stone to college. I learned a lot about discipline, perseverance, and time management, and it was absolutely worth it. Because of the education I got at Whitney Young, I was able to attend Princeton and Harvard Law School and pursue the career of my dreams.

Read the full conversation between Mrs. Obama and Eva here.

MEET NIRUPA KATUWAL, 21, FROM KATHMANDU, NEPAL

Nirupa grew up with a single mother who pushed her to get the education she never could. When Room to Read, a global education nonprofit that promotes literacy and gender equality in Asia and Africa, arrived at her school, Nirupa was given the opportunity to excel. She recently graduated from college with a degree in business and now serves as a mentor for Room to Read.

MICHELLE OBAMA: Nirupa, what barriers have you had to overcome in order to achieve an education? What made you decide you would do whatever it took to overcome those obstacles?

NK: My father left us when I was just nine months old, leaving my mother to fend for herself and a baby. Uneducated, she took a job in a garment factory making paltry wages, and she had no option but to leave me in the small room where we lived. I often skipped meals and struggled to attend school; I can still remember my friends asking about my father, and I had no answer. I personally know how life can treat you when you dont have an education  Ive seen the cost my mother paid for being illiterate. But she never complained, and even when she was sick or needed help with chores, she always said, Focus on your studies. She knew the value of education.

NIRUPA: What are your future plans to enhance women's empowerment and girls education worldwide?

MO: Back when I was First Lady, we launched Let Girls Learn, an effort to help girls worldwide attend school. And we saw that whether it's a head of state, a corporate CEO, or a teenage girl, when people hear the stories of girls who are not in school, they're moved, and they're outraged. And better yet, they want to help.

That was certainly true for me. As Ive said, I plan to continue this work for the rest of my life, and Im proud that my husband and I are creating a global adolescent girls' education program through the Obama Foundation. I want every girl on the planet to have the same kind of opportunities that I've had, and that my daughters are having, to fulfill their potential and pursue their dreams. I look forward to sharing more about our work with you soon, and I hope all of you will join us.

Read the full conversation between Mrs. Obama and Nirupa here.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Michelle Obama Talks To A Girl From Chicago About Why Education Is Vital

Michelle Obama Talks To A Girl From Nepal About Why Education Is Vital

Michelle Obama Talks To A Girl From Guatemala About Why Education Is VitalAmerica should lead in

saving the Rohingya :

Around the world, there is profound concern that America is giving up the mantle of global leadership. Our steady retreat over the past decade has contributed to a wide array of complex global challenges a dangerous erosion of the rule of law, gross human rights violations and the decline of the rules-based international order that was designed in the aftermath of two world wars to prevent conflict and deter mass atrocities.

We've seen this unfold in Syria, where the United States and the international community have shamefully failed to address brutal violence that has engulfed the country for seven years, led to hundreds of thousands dead and contributed to the worst refugee crisis since the end of World War II.

And sadly, we are seeing now this same lack of effective diplomacy in Myanmar, formerly Burma, where since last summer 680,000 Rohingya Muslims have been forced to flee a systematic military campaign of killings, arson, rape and other mass atrocities amounting to ethnic cleansing.

Attacks against the Rohingya, who are denied citizenship under Burmese law, are not new. They have faced decades of repression, discrimination, harassment and violence. In recent months, thousands of Rohingya have been slaughtered, countless women and girls have been gang-raped, civilians have been burned alive, and villages have been razed. Human Rights Watch has documented dozens of horrific cases, including that of a 15-year-old girl who reported being tied to a tree and



raped repeatedly by a group of armed men. Other survivors described children and the elderly locked in their homes and burned alive.

For more than three decades, America stood with our allies to support democracy in Myanmar and demand freedom for thousands of Burmese political prisoners. That unified stand ultimately led to the election in 2015 of the country's first civilian government after a half-century of direct military rule. Unfortunately, such promising progress has been squandered.

We need to show equal resolve now to stop the violence and safeguard the rights and freedoms of all Burmese peoples. The United States should take the lead in four ways, and ask our partners and allies to join us.

First, we must demand an end to impunity in Myanmar and hold the perpetrators of these most recent atrocities accountable. The coordinated decision by the State Department and the European Union to cease consideration of travel waivers for current and former senior leaders of the Burmese military is a good start, but it is not enough.

Passing the Burma Human Rights and Freedom Act, a bill sponsored by Senator McCain, would impose sanctions on Burmese military and security forces responsible for the bloodshed and send the strong message that those who commit atrocities will pay a price. There can be no free and peaceful future for the country built on impunity for war crimes and persecution.

Second, we must support efforts to properly investigate human rights violations. The Burmese military has issued an official report exonerating its forces of all accusations, and Burmese officials continue to dismiss allegations of wrongdoing as militant propaganda. America should champion and lead international efforts to ensure a credible, independent mechanism outside Myanmar to investigate and ultimately prosecute human rights violations and other crimes against the Rohingya, and encourage other countries to contribute to such efforts.

Third, we must support increased medical assistance for the Rohingya who have been subjected to unspeakable abuse. According to recent reports, many survivors are still not getting proper assistance because of a lack of funding for gender-based-violence programs. Addressing these shortfalls and taking steps to protect Rohingya refugee women and girls from further sexual violence should be a priority for the United States and like-minded countries. We must also take urgent steps to get medical care and assistance to Rohingya families in desperate need in Rakhine State in Myanmar.

Finally, the United States must lead efforts to resolve decades of ethnic strife throughout Myanmar, including by carrying out the recommendations of Kofi Annana's Advisory Commission on Rakhine State and extending citizenship to the Rohingya people. This cannot be achieved while the Burmese authorities continue to deny humanitarian access to large parts of Rakhine. It will take robust diplomacy to overturn this; to keep the peace talks begun in Naypyidaw, Myanmar's capital, a year and a half ago moving forward; and to bring more groups into the process.

While politics have left Americans deeply divided, we can all unite around the belief that a commitment to freedom, justice and human rights has distinguished the United States as a great nation. Our failure to hold accountable those who commit mass atrocities and human rights abuses will lead to more violence and instability.

As the humanitarian crises in Myanmar, Syria and elsewhere intensify, the world is closely watching whether the United States will reclaim the mantle of international leadership and take action. For the sake of all people who still look to America as a beacon of hope and yearn for a future based on shared values, it's critical that we do.In The Know by Yahoo

Lisa Barlow is ready for fans to finally see season 2 of "The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City." Gibson Johns interviews the Bravo star about all of the second season's hottest topics, including the Jen Shah scandal, how Lisa initially reacted to authorities showing up at Beauty Lab + Laser, the rollercoaster of emotions that followed and what her mentality is now when it comes to Jen. They also discuss Lisa's friendship with Meredith, what we can expect from the discussions around Mary Cosby's church this season, her iconic catch phrases from season 1 and much more.President Trumps steep new tariffs on imported goods are not going down well with the retail and fashion worlds.

Although Trumps Thursday orders imposing a 25 percent tariff on imported steel and a 10 percent tariff on imported aluminum are not set to directly affect retail and fashion companies, executives are worried that the move will somehow trickle down or turn into a full-blown trade war with other countries.

The retail industry is extremely concerned by the administrations apparent desire to ignite a trade war, Matthew Shay, president and chief executive officer of the National Retail Federation, said.

Shay added that a tariff is a tax, plain and simple and one on Americans, and alluded to ongoing negotiations around a revised North American Free Trade Agreements, with chatter increasing in recent weeks that Trump may pull the U.S. out of the deal entirely. Shay also said theres a continued threat of additional tariffs on consumer goods from China.

The true greatness of America cannot be realized when we build walls blocking the free flow of commerce in todays global economy, Shay said.

As of Wednesday, the Commerce Department said the U.S. trade deficit has increased 5 percent from a year ago to $56.6 billion, the highest level since 2008.

For now, Canada and Mexico, the other countries involved in NAFTA, are exempt from the steel and aluminum tariffs.

But the macro effects of the tariffs are also a concern and a spokeswoman for the U.S. Fashion Industry Association said, We know these tariffs will be catastrophic for the U.S. economy and jobs.

Were not being partisan or subjective, its trade policy 101, and we can expect widespread net job loss in the U.S. as a result, according to early studies, not to mention regressive taxes on American consumers, the spokeswoman said. While our members dont import a lot of steel and aluminum, these tariffs could result in disastrous consequences for them.

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Hun Quach, vice president of international trade at the Retail Industry Leaders Association, said earlier this week that a U.S.-led trade war will zap consumer spending and American exports.

Other countries not excluded from the tariffs are already gearing up to retaliate in ways that will hit the fashion industry directly. The European Unions trade commissioners preemptively said on Wednesday that Europe would impose its own tariffs on goods, including denim and T-shirts.

The root cause of the problem in the steel and aluminum sector is global overcapacity, commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said. It is rooted in the fact that a lot of steel and aluminum production takes place under massive state subsidies, and under non-market conditions. This can only be addressed by cooperation, getting to the source of the problem and working together. What is clear is that turning inward is not the answer. Protectionism cannot be the answer, it never is.

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Burlington Stores Beats Wall Street's Estimates for Q4While the British royal family awaits the arrival of Prince William and Duchess Kate Middletons third child sometime in April 2018, the Swedish royals have announced some exciting baby news of their own! Princess Madeleine and her husband, Chris ONeill, welcomed baby number three early Friday morning in Stockholm.

The Swedish Royal Court announced the arrival of the new baby girl on March 9. She is said to be a healthy child, weighing 7.6 pounds, and both she and Princess Madeleine are doing well.

We are delighted with the new addition to our family, ONeill said in the statement. The newest little royal joins older sister Princess Leonore, 4, and brother, Prince Nicolas, 2. Leonore and Nicolas have their long-awaited sibling, ONeill continued. They cant wait to meet their new baby sister. The little girls name is expected to be announced on Monday.

The family shared a sweet snap of their new daughter shortly after her arrival. Taken by ONeill, the picture shows the little one sound asleep while wearing an adorable pink sweater with a ruffled white collar, along with knit white pants and attached booties.

According to Royal Central correspondent Laura Dekkers, ONeill told reporters that the new arrival looked just like her older brother Nicolas did when he was born. He also expressed his gratitude for the interest in the familys addition. Thank you so much for coming out, I really appreciate it, he said. I also wanted to say thank you on behalf of Madeleine. Take care.

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Do you have any guesses for the new Swedish royal babys name? Let us know @BritandCo!

(photos via Andreas Rentz/Getty Images + Mr. Christopher ONeill)

You Might Also LikeSometimes, depression can be obvioussay, if a person regularly complains about feeling sad, hopeless, or unmotivated. But other signs of emotional distress can be more subtle. Now, a new study suggests a connection between negative emotions and two little words that may come as a surprise: I and me.

Thats right: People who frequently talk about themselves may not be narcissistic; they might actually be anxious, depressed, or neurotic. The findings are published in the Journal of Personality and Society Psychology, and they align with previous research that I-talk (as its known in psychology circles) may be a marker for depressive symptoms. In fact, the authors of the new study say, people who use a lot of first-person pronouns may be predisposed to having more negative emotions in general.

For the study, researchers looked at data from more than 4,700 individuals in the United States and Germany who participated in experiments that tracked their use of I-talk, either in written or spoken tasks. The participants also underwent screenings that measured their levels of depression and negative emotionality, also known as neuroticismthe tendency to easily become upset or distressed. Negative emotionality can manifest as depression, but it can also take the shape of anxiety, worry, tension, anger, or frustration.

RELATED: 10 Signs You Might Be a Narcissist

The researchers found that the average person speaks about 16,000 words a day, and, on average, about 1,400 of those are first-person singular pronouns. People in the study who were prone to emotional distress, however, used I and me up to 2,000 times a day.

Previous research has also suggested that I-talk may be linked to depression; some experts even believe screening for I-talk frequency could be used to assess a persons likelihood of having or developing the condition. But Allison Tackman, PhD, a research scientist at the University of Arizona and first author of the new study, says the connection may be deeper than that.

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The question is, does the fact that someone uses first-person singular pronouns a lot tell us more about their tendency to be depressed, or their tendency to experience negative emotions more broadly? Tackman says. It really appears to be the latter. Our findings suggest that I-talk would be better used to get an idea of a persons risk of experiencing mental health issues in general, rather than depression in particular.

RELATED: 6 Warning Signs of a Mental Illness Everyone Should Know

Tackman and her colleagues also looked at whether gender affected the relationship between I-talk and negative emotions, since some research has suggested that women who are depressed may be more likely to use I-talk than men. However, they found no difference between males and females. Regardless of your gender, if you are more likely to experience negative emotions, youre more likely to use first-person singular pronouns, she says.

In a way, the link between I-talk and depression or anxiety makes sense: Its easy to think about people with emotional distress saying things like I can't stop worrying, Im so sad, or I hate this. But the new study also found that there werent a lot of interactions between the words I and me and other words with either negative or positive connotations.

In other words, it didnt seem to matter what context I-talk was used insuggesting that a person doesn't have to be complaining or worrying to set off alarm bells. Theoretically, says Tackman, a warning sign of emotional distress could also be people talking about themselves (excessively, that is) in a positive light.

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Being aware of your own use of first-person pronouns may serve as a good self-evaluation as to how youre doing emotionally, says Tackman, although she acknowledges that it can be hard to notice or keep track of how often you use "I" and "me" yourself. Perhaps more importantly, she says, is keeping this finding in mind when listening to friends and family membersand, yes, those annoying acquaintances who constantly ramble on about themselves.

When someone is using a lot of I-talk, it can help to be aware and maybe start to wonder if theres something going on in that persons life, that maybe theyre not doing so great, Tackman says. Having self-focus is good but sometimes too much self-focus is an indicator that somethings wrong.Mallory Lubbock, 26, shares selfies post-skin cancer removal on Facebook. (Photo: Facebook/Mallory Lubbock)

Most selfies on the internet tend to serve little to no real purpose. But in Mallory Lubbocks case, they might actually save lives.

The 26-year-old from Iowa took to Facebook to share a series of images she took of her face that show her recent experience dealing with a cancer scare. Throughout the post, she chronicles her terrifying journey, explaining that it began in a tanning bed and resulted with a life sentence of routine checkups and likely more discoveries of skin cancer.

The pictures may seem somewhat graphic, but Lubbock tells Yahoo Lifestyle that thats the point.

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I wanted to bring awareness to not only what can happen when youre out in the sun without sunscreen but also in a tanning bed, Lubbock says. I went every single day for two years, and almost every day for four. Im so young and will now deal with this the rest of my life!

Blaming her 16-year-old self for making the poor choice to tan, the mother of two now realizes how impactful those decisions have become, although she previously believed that this would never happen to her.

I remember seeing skin cancer posts on Facebook and thinking, Oh, thatll never happen to me, Lubbock admits seeing photos likely comparable to the one that went viral in 2015. The photo posted by Tawny Willoughby (who now goes by the last name Dzierzek) was of a similar nature, where the then 27-year-old shared a raw photo of her own scars that she also attributed to tanning. The post, since being shared about three years ago, has received more than 100,000 shares and 9,000 reactions, which inspired a study about a selfies likelihood to influence important conversations.

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Lead author of the study Seth M. Noar, PhD, provides a viable comparison of the two photos, ensuring that Lubbocks is just as important a story that has the potential to gain power through more widespread attention.

In the case of Willoughby, her story went viral  it was shared roughly 50,000 times before the media picked it up, Noar tells Yahoo Lifestyle. The national media broadcasts then exposed a national audience to the story, some of whom may have also then searched for it on social media. In [Lubbocks] case, it is currently unclear how widely this has been shared or broadcast, or in what ways beyond Facebook. In any case, the potential is clearly there for another story of this kind to get major attention and engage the public on the topic of tanning beds and skin cancer.

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Just around the time of Willoughbys share in 2015, Noar and his colleagues saw near-record levels of online searches for information about skin cancer. And although he believes Lubbocks photo could have the same potential, Lubbock herself just hopes that it reaches enough young girls to steer them away from tanning beds.

I so hope it keeps a 16-year-old from getting in a tanning bed because my facial wound is so frightening, Lubbock says. Or I hope it reaches a mom whose daughter tans daily so she can show her my images and maybe she will realize this is what can happen.

As for her own children, one of whom is a little girl, Lubbock will undoubtedly tell her daughter about this horrific experience once she gets older.

I hope to God my own daughter doesnt get into [a tanning bed]. And I will do everything in my power to make sure she hopefully doesnt.

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How much did she have to drink? Why didnt she wear a more modest outfit? Why did she and the man she later accused of raping her look like two lovers while walking together on campus? These are some of the questions that defense attorneys asked a Yale University student who brought a rape complaint against her classmate.

The questioning occurred during a rare criminal trial over a campus sexual assault case, and is all the more striking amid an ongoing national reckoning over womens allegations of sexual misconduct against dozens of powerful men in industries ranging from politics to Hollywood. The court proceedings drew criticism from groups that support sexual assault victims, who said the defense attorneys questions were an assault survivors worst victim-blaming nightmare.

The trial also comes at a moment when the very definition of consent and sexual assault is being debated on college campuses, pitting students who believe schools need to do more to support alleged victims against those who think schools need to do more to protect the rights of the accused. Much of the debate has focused on campus proceedings, particularly after Education Secretary Betsy DeVos last year rolled back Obama-era Title IX guidance that had instructed colleges to use a lower burden of proof when investigating sexual assault complaints. But the Yale University case shed light on what happens when such complaints are handled in a court of law, as they rarely are.

The trial ended Wednesday when a jury found 25-year-old Saifullah Khan not guilty. Khan was accused of sexually assaulting a fellow Yale student after a Halloween party in 2015. He was suspended from the university in 2015 pending a disciplinary hearing, his attorney said. A spokesperson for Yale declined to comment.

During the trial, Khans lawyers asked whether the woman who accused Khan had previously flirted with him and how much she had to drink the night she alleged that he assaulted her. The lawyers also asked the woman why she had worn a black cat costume instead of dressing up as something more modest, like Cinderella in a long flowing gown, the New York Times reported.

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That type of questioning blames alleged victims and may discourage other women from coming forward with accusations, said Fatima Goss Graves, president of the National Womens Law Center, which advocates for womens rights, including on issues of sexual assault and harassment. These sort of myths about rape are deeply embedded not only in our culture, but also in our legal proceedings, and are a big piece of why it is that, even though we know rates of sexual violence are so high, rates of reports are so low, especially in the criminal justice system, she said.

What I worry about is the message that it may send to survivors about their ability to use the criminal justice system.

Maura Crossin, executive director of the Victim Rights Center of Connecticut, which represented the female Yale student, declined to comment.

Norm Pattis, Khans attorney, said the questions were relevant to the defenses argument.

If you dress in a sexually provocative manner, dont be surprised if someone becomes provoked. Does that justify rape? No. Was that one of the factors that led Mr. Khan to believe she might be willing to explore intimacy? Yes, Pattis told TIME on Thursday. It was directly relevant, and to suggest otherwise is criminally naive, if not stupid.

If you flirt with somebody, you have a little bit too much to drink, you invite him back to your room, and youre wearing provocative clothing, dont be surprised if the individual looking at you is going to be provoked, he added. People need to take responsibility for the signals they send. All this outrage about the questions I asked is really ridiculous. You dont get a free pass just because you claim to be a victim.

Pattis  like other lawyers and advocates for students who say they are falsely accused  said that accused students have been unable to get a fair hearing in campus sexual assault proceedings, arguing that the Obama-era Title IX guidance created an institutional bias against them. DeVos decision to roll back that guidance last year was swiftly criticized by advocates for victims of sexual assault, who have warned that it will discourage victims from coming forward to report rape and, by extension, make campuses less safe.

In testimony, the alleged victim said that on the night in question, she was separated from her friends after drinking at a party, lost consciousness several times and walked with Khan back to her dorm room. She testified that she fell asleep on her bed fully clothed and felt Khan on top of her in the middle of the night, according to the New Haven Register. When she woke up, she was naked and had bruises on her legs, the New York Times reported. Khans account differed; he said she invited him into her room and initiated sex. The jury found him not guilty after determining that there was sufficient doubt about each of the charges, one of the jurors told the Times.

When asked during the trial if she planned to file a civil suit against Khan or Yale, the woman said no. I have nothing to gain by this, she said, according to the Times. Its been difficult reliving it the last three days.

In a statement after the trial on Wednesday, Pattis criticized Yale for how it had handled the case on campus, and called for the university to readmit Khan. Were grateful to six courageous jurors who were able to understand that campus life isnt the real world, Pattis said in the statement. Kids experiment with identity and sexuality. When an experiment goes awry, its not a crime.

For those who have pushed for changes on campus to more clearly define consent and ensure that sexual assault claims are taken seriously, criminal proceedings that focus on womens outfits or flirtatious text messages are a disappointing setback.

It also shows a huge discrepancy between the way that we teach students on campus about consent, and the way that courts and antiquated laws look at sexual violence and consent, said Jess Davidson, interim executive director of the group End Rape on Campus. This case is every survivors worst victim-blaming nightmare.(SANTIAGO, Chile)  Trade ministers from 11 Pacific Rim countries signed a sweeping free trade agreement Thursday to streamline trade and slash tariffs just hours before President Donald Trump announced his plans to impose new tariffs on aluminum and steel to protect U.S. producers.

Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Trans-Pacific Partnership last year, causing fears that it would not prosper without its most influential country. But the remaining 11 members pressed ahead, saying they were showing resolve against protectionism through global trade.

The ministers dropped key provisions that the Americans had required on protection of intellectual property, among others. The renegotiated pact signed in Chiles capital was also renamed the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP.

Despite the diverse and difficult challenges, the CPTPP is a historic achievement that creates free and fair 21st century rules in the Asia-Pacific region, Japanese Economy Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said a news conference after the signing of the deal.

The pact that covers 500 million people includes Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam, which together account for 13 percent of the global economy. Its success highlights the isolation of the U.S. under Trumps protectionist rhetoric on trade and his America first philosophy.

It leaves the U.S. at a disadvantage from both a trade and a broader strategic perspective, said Joshua Meltzer, senior fellow in the global economy and development program at the Brookings Institution. It is now a trade bloc that discriminates against the U.S.

Meltzer said the United States ability to shape the rules of trade in the Asia-Pacific region is very much diminished.

The U.S., originally the biggest TPP economy, was one of the trade deals strongest supporters before Trump took office. Trump has said he prefers country-to-country deals and is seeking to renegotiate several major trade agreements, including the North American Free Trade Agreement that includes the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

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This is a strong sign against the protectionist pressures, and in favor of a world open to free trade, without unilateral sanctions and the threat of trade wars, Chilean Foreign Minister Heraldo Munoz said.

The European Union said this week that it is ready to retaliate against Trumps tariffs  of 25 percent on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminum imports  with counter-measures against iconic U.S. products like Harley Davidson motorcycles, Levis jeans and bourbon.

The EU threat and Trumps impending announcement on the tariffs were expected to escalate the risk of a trade war, in which nations try to punish each other by hiking taxes on traded goods. Experts say that tends to harm both exporting nations as well as importing countries consumers, who face higher costs.

The EU considers itself to be caught in the crossfire of a trade dispute, in which Trump has mainly singled out China for being unfair in its commercial deals.

The original TPP was conceived by the U.S. as a counterweight to Chinas growing economic influence through a robust trading bloc that excluded the Asian giant. The thinking was that China would have an incentive to open its market and liberalize its policies in an effort to eventually qualify for TPP membership.

Without the United States, it doesnt serve that purpose, said Edward Alden, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. It becomes a modest liberalization measure.

Chinas foreign minister, Wang Yi, commented Thursday on the deal before it was signed.

China did not participate in the CPTPP Agreement. However, China has always been a staunch supporter of trade liberalization and an important participant in Asia-Pacific regional cooperation and economic integration, Wang Yi said at a news conference.

Of course, we also hope that the various free trade arrangements in the Asia-Pacific region will be able to communicate and coordinate with each other and form a benign interaction, playing a constructive role in their respective fields in resisting trade protectionism and building an open world economy.Police are trying to determine the motive of a man who took three women hostage at a California veterans home before killing them. The suspected shooter  a veteran and patient who had been kicked out of a treatment program at the facility  was also found dead.

The Napa County Sheriffs Office responded to an active shooter situation in the Veterans Home of California in Yountville Friday after the gunman, identified as 36-year-old former Army rifleman Albert Wong, infiltrated a going-away party for employees there.

The hostages were employees of Pathway Home, which provides support for veterans from post 9/11 wars. Police identified them as: Christine Loeber, 48; Jennifer Golick, 42; and Jennifer Gonzales, 29.

Friends and family said that Gonzales was seven months pregnant, the AP reported. She was a clinical psychologist who worked for the San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

The Napa County Sheriffs office said more people were initially taken hostage in addition to the three who remained, but they were released by the shooter. Police have yet to determine the motive.

Larry Kamers wife Deveraux Smith was in attendance at the going-away party. Kamer told the Associated Press his wife had phoned him and told him the shooter entered the event discreetly, taking some attendees hostage while leaving others alone.

Wong, who returned from Afghanistan in 2013, was calm and soft-spoken but had trouble sleeping, Cissy Sherr, who became Wongs childhood legal guardian when his father died and his mother got sick, told the San Francisco Chronicle.

President Donald Trump and California Gov. Jerry Brown responded to the deaths and offered their condolences.

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I dont know the world we live in today, I really dont. This is a little community and we all know each other, Elizabeth Naylor, who works as an events manager 10 miles north of the veterans home, told the Associated Press. Napa Valley is a wonderful, beautiful place and to know this is in your background, its unsettling.

The Veterans Home of California in Yountville is the largest veterans home in the United states with approximately 1,000 aged or disabled male and female veterans according to the facilitys website.Director Ava DuVernays widely hyped big-screen adaptation of A Wrinkle In Time is finally hitting theaters. Fans of both Madeleine LEngles 1962 young adult sci-fi fantasy novel of the same name and DuVernay's work have been waiting in anticipation to see if the film will live up to its $100 million budget and the media bonanza surrounding it. So far, viewers are delighted with the movie, its star-studded cast, andperhaps most of allthe colorful onscreen worlds crafted by production designer Naomi Shohan.

Like the novel, the film follows 13-year-old Meg Murry as she travels to three different planetsUriel, Orien and Camazotzin search of her scientist father who mysteriously vanished four years ago. But unlike the book, which features all white characters, DuVernay's updated story is set in the inner city and filled with a multiracial cast. With the help of the three fairy-like MrsesMrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey), Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon) and Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling)Meg (Storm Reid) goes looking for her dad (Chris Pine) with her younger brother Charles Wallace (newcomer Deric McCabe) and her school crush Calvin (Pans Levi Miller). The production shot in and around Los Angeles, New Zealand, and the forests of Northern California. Here, Shohan reveals how she created the wonders that are Uriel, Orien and Camazotz.

A WRINKLE IN TIME Photo Credit: Atsushi Nishijima

URIEL

After the Mrses convince Meg to look for her father, they use a hyperspeed-traveling technique called "tessering" to move from the earth to Uriel, a majestic planet of bright green foliage, beautiful blue skies, water, and flying flowers. As you may remember from the Instagram accounts of Witherspoon and Kaling, in particular, the cast and crew headed to New Zealand for two weeks to shoot the Uriel scenes. At the time, California was in a drought or we mightve used California, Shohan explains. They also considered Iceland and Montana, but the tax incentives of New Zealand sealed the deal.

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They shot on the western shores of Lake Hawea in Central Otego, where snowcapped mountains surround the body of water and 7,000 acres of farmland. New Zealand has this magnificent blue glacial water, Shohan says.

Before filming began, a location manager met with members of the indigenous Maori community. We had a ceremony led by a Maori priest that was pretty amazing, Shohan recalls. There was some stomping and yelling in Maori and it was all about, Here you are, we welcome you, but the condition is that you take care of and respect the ground youre about to use. It was very moving and powerful.

A WRINKLE IN TIME Photo Credit: Atsushi Nishijima

ORION

The Mrses eventually escort Meg to Orion to seek help from the Happy Medium, a mystic played by Zach Galifianakis. The Happy Medium lives in a cave of glowing amber-colored beams teetering on one another like seesaws, which took about four months to build on a soundstage in Santa Clarita, California. The beams were inspired by the enormous selenite crystals of the Cueva de los Cristales in Chihuahua, Mexico. Shohan studied the smooth, liquid-looking sandstone surfaces of Antelope Canyon near Page, Arizona, to get the right look for the walls.

While the original script called for the cave to be bursting at the seams with a hoarders-like collection of intergalactic junk, Shohan streamlined the underground abode by adding objects like plants and fake skeletons into the beams' resin as it was being poured and spun in molds. You can see some of the outlines of this stuff floating in the resin, as if thats where the Happy Medium was storing his junk to keep it safe, Shohan says.

null null

CAMAZOTZ

Megs travels ultimately take her to Camazotz, a planet ruled by an evil force known as the It. Along with Charles Wallace and Calvin, Meg enters Camazotz through a mysterious forest when a sudden storm (think the most powerful of earthquakes and tornadoes combined) sends them running for their lives. They shot the sequence among the redwoods of Patricks Point and the sequoias of Sequoia National Park in northern California. (Because CGI was used to create the disaster, none of the trees were damaged.) Its very hard to walk into a place like a forest and try to analyze it for particular shots, Shohan says. You literally tromp around the forest like a complete idiot and try to figure out what goes where.

A suburban neighborhood on Camazotz features a cul-de-sac of identical, very basic houses and lawns, where a group of children bounce big red balls in unison before their Stepford Wivesstyle moms call them in for dinner (Scandals Bellamy Young makes a cameo as one of the creepy mothers). Shohan found the near-perfect dwellings in an off-base military housing complex in San Pedro, California. It even had the cul-du-sac like we wanted, and they were the right color, she says. We mainly just had to put grass down because they all just had dirt in the front yard. We put AstroTurf everywhere.

One scene, shot at the iconic Venice Beach, was especially labor-intensive. A mysterious Willy Wonkaesque character (Michael Pena) comes out of nowhere and leads Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin into a white steel structure with holes of various sizes. Each hole has a little cylinder with tapered edges attached so that light comes to a bit of a tunnel and casts shadows, Shohan explains. My amazing construction crew cast 22,000 individual different cylinders for each individual hole. It was pretty spectacular. That was the most fun I had.A 45-year-old-man reportedly signed a 16-year-old out of school multiple times before both disappeared earlier this week. Kevin Esterly and Amy Yu were last seen on Monday, March 5, Allentown Police Department said.

Court documents obtained by the Allentown Morning Call claimed that Esterly had signed Yu out of Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on 10 occasions between November and February without parental permission.

A message to the school from Newsweek asking for comment was not immediately answered. CEO of the school, Susan Mauser, told the Morning Call that students could only be picked up by people on an emergency contact list provided by parents, but did not say whether Esterly was on Yus list.

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Mauser told the paper that the school was checking to see whether protocols had been followed and were cooperating fully with law enforcement.

Court documents seen by the paper said that Yu's mother first contacted police on February 9 after arriving at the school to find her daughter had been signed out by Esterly.

In another incident on February 15, police attended Yus home and there told Esterly and his wife, Stacey, to stay away from the house. The reason why Esterly and his wife were at Yus home, or why Yus mother called the police in the first place, has not been reported.

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Allentown Police Department

Allentown Police Department put out a missing persons alert on Wednesday, March 7 saying that both had last been seen on Monday and could possibly be endangered. Authorities said the two are possibly traveling together in a two-door 1999 red Honda Accord with the license plate KLT 0529.

Police describe Yu as a 410 Asian female weighing around 90 lbs while Esterly is described as a 59 white male weighing 185 lbs.

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Related: To Keep Students Safe, Oklahoma Schools Are Using Bulletproof Storm Shelters

Yus brother, John, told local station WFMZ that the family knew Esterly from church and that the families were friendly until Yus mother found hundreds of text messages from the married man on her daughter's phone.

The court documents reportedly said that Esterly was last seen by his wife around 6 am on Monday and that she had told authorities his personal documents were no longer at the house and $4,000 had been taken from her bank account.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekKABUL (Reuters) - The Taliban urged Islamic scholars on Saturday not to take part in a conference due to take place in Indonesia aimed at building agreement and support for possible future peace talks in Afghanistan. The call follows President Ashraf Ghani's offer last month to hold peace talks with the Taliban and comes as international powers have sought to build pressure on the movement to accept negotiations to end more than 16 years of war in Afghanistan. The Taliban have so far proved unresponsive to the offer. And on Saturday they said the proposed conference of religious scholars from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indonesia was merely intended to "legitimize the presence of infidel invaders in the Islamic country of Afghanistan". The conference, proposed by Indonesian President Joko Widodo in January and due to be held later this month, was an effort to present "the sacred Jihad in Afghanistan ... as unlawful bloodshed", the Taliban said in a statement. "Do not afford an opportunity to the invading infidels in Afghanistan to misuse your name and participation in this conference as means of attaining their malicious objective." Fighting to drive out international forces and re-establish their version of strict Islamic law, the Taliban control or contest large areas of Afghanistan and inflict heavy casualties on government security forces. They have offered to talk to the United States about a possible peace agreement but have so far ruled out direct talks with the Western-backed government in Kabul, which they say is an illegitimate foreign-imposed regime. Despite their unpromising rhetoric, however, Western diplomats say that efforts have been intensifying behind the scenes to lay the groundwork for possible future talks with regular contacts through intermediaries. At the same time, the United States has stepped up battlefield pressure, notably through air strikes on the Taliban as Afghanistan's international partners have sought to build up diplomatic support from neighboring countries to push the movement to the negotiating table. They have also invested considerable effort in trying to build consensus among religious scholars against tactics such as suicide bombings, which have been regularly carried out by Taliban and other insurgent groups. (Reporting by James Mackenzie; editing by Clelia Oziel)An aerial view of the veteran's home in Yountville, California: KTVU screenshot

A gunman has taken three people hostage at a California veterans home.

Law enforcement authorities from multiple agencies responded to a report in the morning of shots being fired at the Yountville Veterans Home in Napa County, working to clear buildings and establish a perimeter.

A sheriffs deputy exchanged gunfire with the assailant, a California Highway Patrol spokesman said. The suspect released some people before retreating into a room with three hostages, all of whom were employees of a programme called the Pathway Home that works with veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

There were no reported injuries. In the early evening, California Highway Patrol spokesman Sgt Robert Nacke said he knows of no contact on Friday with the gunman or the people who were holed up with him at the veterans home.

There has not been any confirmed communication with the gunman since 10:30 in the morning, he told reporters.

Calling the situation at the veterans home dynamic and active, Mr Nacke said he had no information about the hostages or their conditions.

Police tactical teams are forming plans on how to deal with the ongoing situation, he added.

We have quite a few hostage negotiators working for a peaceful resolution to this, Napa Sheriff John Robertson told reporters in the afternoon, adding that he did not yet know what the suspects potential motivation was.

Authorities said they had identified the shooter but were not yet releasing his name. They said he was believed to have used a rifle but did not identify the model.

A man named Larry Kamer, who said his wife worked as fundraiser for Pathway Home, told multiple news outlets that the gunman entered a going-away party before seizing hostages.

Napa County Sheriffs officials directed people to avoid the area. The California Highway Patrol said it had deployed officers and a SWAT team to the scene.

Video from the scene showed an armoured vehicle joining police cars in surrounding the facility.

Story continues

The facility is Americas largest veterans home, according to California, housing some 1,000 people.

Yountville sits in the heart of California wine country, an area known for fine wine and upscale restaurants.Tracy and Danielle Lammers signed up for Medi-Share, a Christian sharing ministry that promotes itself as a cheaper alternative to Obamacare, after a job loss. (Photo: Illustration: Damon Dahlen/HuffPost Photos: Jonathan Cohn)

NORFOLK, Neb.  Danielle Lammers, a 35-year-old administrative assistant, wife and mother, had a bump on the back of her lower thigh. It had been there for as long as she could remember, but in July of last year it started to hurt while the family was on vacation at a lakeside cabin in Missouri. Her family doctor referred her to a surgeon who could remove it, though she soon learned she was pregnant and had to put off the procedure until she was in her second trimester.

Both the doctor and the surgeon seemed confident the growth was benign. It wasnt. A biopsy showed that Danielle had clear-cell sarcoma, a rare, potentially lethal cancer that typically affects people aged 20 to 40. Suddenly, Danielle needed another, more invasive operation. And she had to get it at an academic medical center in Omaha two hours away, because the doctors closer to her home in Norfolk, a farming and manufacturing city of about 25,000 residents, had never seen it before.

The surgery was a success. Danielle knew she would need regular screenings for several years to make sure the cancer doesnt return, but she was mostly able to turn her thoughts to getting ready for another baby in the house.

Then came the financial shock: about $50,000 in medical bills.

She and her husband, Tracy, had assumed the bills would be not be a problem. They are members of Medi-Share, one of a handful of nonprofit Christian sharing ministries whose popularity has exploded in the last few years. Like the other ministries, Medi-Share, based in Florida, promotes itself as an affordable, spiritually oriented way to pay for health care. The Lammers had joined about a year and a half earlier, after Danielle lost her job at a large firm in a round of layoffs and took a position at a small business that doesnt provide benefits. Tracy, who is 44 and manages a trailer repair shop, also cant get coverage through work.

The Lammers understood they were not buying a traditional insurance product. The company literature made clear the couple was ultimately responsible for their own bills, and that Medi-Share had limits and offered no guarantees of payment. Still, after listening to their friends in Medi-Share talk about their experiences  and after speaking with the companys representatives  the Lammers came to believe Medi-Share would take care of their expenses just as well as the company plan they had from Danielles old employer.

Story continues

But Medi-Share doesnt operate in the way that an employer plan would. After reviewing her records, it determined the tumor was actually a pre-existing condition  because, Medi-Share explained in a letter, Danielle had mentioned the bump to her family doctor once before, roughly three years earlier. That made it ineligible for treatment under the ministrys guidelines.

The Lammers were dumbfounded. During the conversation when Danielle had mentioned the bump, it was not causing her discomfort, and the doctor had said not to worry about it. I wasnt medicating it, I wasnt treating it, Danielle said in January, when she first told her story to HuffPost. Its not like every bump becomes cancer.

Tracy called Medi-Shares customer service: I just kept saying, How were we supposed to know? How is anybody supposed to know? After a while, he raised his voice enough that Danielle heard him from another part of the house. It is a Christian place, so you feel guilty even getting mouthy with them, Danielle said. But he kinda had to.

Tracy said it would be more accurate to say he had gotten nicely angry  although, he allowed, he might have cursed once or twice.

Eventually a manager got on the line and suggested the Lammers take advantage of an option the rejection letter had mentioned: filing a formal appeal using Medi-Shares internal review process. They did, faxing a letter from their family doctor confirming their recollections about the medical history. Two weeks ago, the Lammers learned that Medi-Share was reversing its decision. It had approved payment for a balance that had, by that point, reached nearly $75,000.

Tracy and I are beyond grateful that Medi-Share has taken the time to listen to our side of the story and re-examine our bills and our situation, Danielle said last week, after learning about the decision. The stress of having to figure out how to pay all of these bills out-of-pocket was devastating.

Although Medi-Share said it could not comment on specifics of the Lammers situation because of confidentiality rules, a spokesperson described its internal review procedure as far more personal and generous than many of the standard appeal processes in the healthcare industry.

Still, the fact that payment was even an issue says a lot about the coverage that sharing ministries provide their members. Pre-existing conditions arent supposed to matter anymore, under the Affordable Care Act. But they matter for people who enroll in ministries and other alternatives to traditional insurance. More and more Americans are doing just that.

Why Sharing Ministries Are Suddenly So Popular

Stories like Danielles were relatively common before the 2010 health care law took effect. Insurance companies selling to individuals rather than through employers routinely scoured medical records for signs that new claims were actually the result of pre-existing conditions that beneficiaries had not disclosed.

Sometimes insurers would refuse to pay for claims or even cancel coverage outright, even if there was scant evidence anybody had covered up an illness. Indignation over the practice reinforced calls for reform, and helped make the enactment of Obamacare and its protections for people with serious medical conditions possible.

Today, people who buy coverage through HealthCare.gov, a state-run analogue like Covered California, or directly from insurers no longer have to worry that prospective insurers will treat them differently or deny them coverage because they have diabetes or cancer. They also know the policies they buy will cover a set of 10 essential benefits, including mental health, maternity care, and prescription drugs, paying for pretty much anything that might be associated with a major illness or injury.

These protections are wildly popular and help explain why Republican efforts to repeal the law outright have repeatedly failed. But the new requirements have also made insurance more expensive, as insurers pay claims they might have avoided before. Although the ACA also created federal tax credits to cut the cost of premiums, the credits are smaller for people at higher incomes and cut off altogether for people with incomes above four times the poverty line (roughly $100,000 for a family of four).

That has created demand for cheaper alternatives, especially for people who dont get much or any financial assistance. Christian health ministry plans are filling that demand.

These plans are not insurance and the law does not treat them that way. They are voluntary arrangements for people who agree to certain conditions, such as abiding by Christian faith, or forswearing alcohol and smoking. They generally do not pay for services that violate religious tenets, such as abortion or maternity coverage from pregnancies out of wedlock. They also offer spiritual support, soliciting prayers for the sick from their members.

Participation in sharing plans has increased from less than 200,000 a decade ago to more than 1 million today, according to the trade association that represents them. It is almost certainly financial appeal, rather than spiritual, that is driving this sudden growth. Joining a ministry can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars a month less than enrolling in a traditional health insurance plan, especially in areas where premiums under the Affordable Care Act have become most expensive.

But the reason the ministries are so much cheaper is they arent subject to many of the ACAs requirements, even though having a membership in one provides an exemption from paying the individual mandate penalty, which remains in force until 2019.

Some ministries have annual or lifetime limits, or set other restrictions on what they will cover  for example, leaving out inpatient psychiatric care. Some limit or exclude preventative care, including basic cancer screenings. People who join sharing ministries must generally agree, in advance, to forgo lawsuits and take any disputes to arbitration. Usually that means biblically based mediation and arbitration, which is a sometimes controversial method that relies partly on religious law. A member with a problem cannot appeal to state insurance regulators for help, because sharing ministries fall outside their jurisdiction.

The ministries have many satisfied members, including people who might otherwise not be able to afford coverage. Some find them to be more personal and nurturing than huge, faceless insurance companies. But as the ministries attract a broader group of customers and market themselves more aggressively as an alternative to Obamacare, they are drawing increasing concern from consumer advocates and regulators.

One worry is that because of the pre-existing exclusions and benefits structure, ministries disproportionately attract and retain people in relatively good health, leaving the traditional insurance market with a relatively sicker group of customers. This drives up costs for insurers offering traditional plans, forcing them to jack up premiums.

The other worry is that people joining the ministries do not fully grasp the limits on their coverage, discovering the truth only when they get sick and suddenly face steep medical bills.

How Ministries Became Part Of The Health Care Landscape

As the Lammers case shows, even vigilant consumers can be confused about what Christian sharing ministries actually cover.

Danielle and Tracy have four children, including a pair of twins, and a fifth now on the way. They live in a single-story ranch-style house near the center of Norfolk, just a few blocks down the street from a bank and a Pizza Hut  and about two miles from the childhood home of Johnny Carson, the citys most famous former resident.

The Lammers say they attend church, but less often than they would prefer. Work and the kids make it shard to find the time. Our family has Christ in our hearts and in our home, Danielle said. Unfortunately, making it to a weekly service just doesnt work for us right now, but that doesnt mean we dont believe and have God in our lives.

As they sat in their living room on a frigid January evening, they recounted reading through the Medi-Share literature and talking to friends who were already members. Danielle, who has straight, light auburn hair that falls past her shoulders, was just starting her third trimester at that time, and seemed more perplexed than angry over what was happening.

Tracy and Danielle Lammers, sitting in their dining room two weeks after learning Medi-Share considered Danielle's cancer a pre-existing condition and rejected payment for treatment. Medi-Share later reversed its decision, following their appeal. (Photo: Jonathan Cohn/HuffPost)

I feel kind of silly for everything that is going on, she said. We understood it wasnt technically insurance, but it worked the exact same way as insurance.

Tracy, who is stocky with shorn hair, remembered calling the company four or five times before they signed up. He said he had thought to ask about physician networks, out-of-pocket payments, and prescription formularies  all the things he figured might become an issue.

One reason he finally felt sufficiently confident in Medi-Share, he explained, was that he found out it counted toward the individual mandate. We dont have to pay a penalty when we pay our taxes, Tracy said, cradling one of the twins in his lap. So they have to follow  in my opinion, and my doctor feels the same way  they have to follow federal, or Obamacare, rules.

In reality, ministries were something of an afterthought during the drafting of the Affordable Care Act, as Laura Santhanam recounted in a recent article for PBS Frontline. Ministries had existed as formal, incorporated arrangements only since the 1980s, and two decades later they were still serving a tiny community of people joined mostly by faith.

Rather than pick a fight that would have risked accusations that Democrats were hostile to religion, Obamacares architects agreed that ministry members would not have to pay the mandate penalty, as long as the ministries met a handful of conditions  such as submitting to regular audits in order to ensure solvency and covering medical conditions that arose after a member joined.

Notably, that meant the ministries could continue to limit or exclude coverage of pre-existing conditions, and decline to include some of the laws essential benefits.

Even with that special dispensation, the ministries were not free to operate everywhere, because they previously had run afoul of regulators in some states. In one case, Montanas insurance regulator blocked Medi-Share from his state following some payment disputes, including one in which a former pastor ended up with unpaid medical bills following a heart attack.

In response to such rulings, the ministries sought laws that would partly or wholly shield them from regulation by state insurance departments. Today, 30 states have such laws on the books. Many of them look a lot like a template from the American Legislative Exchange Council, the conservative policy network, which the organization calls the Freedom to Share Act.

In other states, regulators simply allow the ministries to operate. In Montana, GOP exemption bills kept running into vetoes from Democratic governors until a conservative Republican, Matt Rosendale, won election as insurance commissioner in 2016 and promptly reversed the old ban.

By then, Medi-Share had altered its financial model. Instead of collecting sharing contributions, pooling them, and then distributing payments, it was creating individual accounts and redistributing money among them so that members could pay their medical bills. As a result, Rosendale said, Medi-Share no longer qualified as insurance, and so was no longer within his offices jurisdiction to regulate. (Rosendales office declined to return phone calls seeking more explanation of the decision.)

Today, the ministries operate in all 50 states and market aggressively on television, radio, and the Internet.

Some ads highlight the ministries emphasis on faith. In one television spot for Medi-Share that ran in 2016, families appear interview-style, while soft music plays in the background. Youre not only getting taken care of by a medical doctor, one man says to the camera, youre also getting taken care of spiritually, through the power of prayer.

Other ads focus on affordability. Medi-Share is about half the cost of other health care programs, one of the ministrys Montana radio ads said. Honestly, this may be a game-changer for you and your family.

What The Ministries Cover, And What They Dont

Plenty of people who belong to ministries have told reporters how much they like the coverage  that they appreciate both the savings and the spiritual support, and that it was there for them when they needed it.

One of them is Erica Jackson, a Texas woman whose daughter ran up more than $12,000 in medical expenses during an emergency room visit. As she told Politicos Paul Demko and Renuka Rayasam in a recent article on the growth of sharing ministries, all but $3,700  her personal share, which is the ministry equivalent of a deductible  was covered through the ministry. Thats less than the out-of-pocket spending she would have had under many Obamacare plans. They had it all under control, she said of the ministry.

Medi-Share has covered even much larger bills, Michael Gardner, the senior director of marketing and communications at Medi-Shares parent organization, said in written responses to questions from HuffPost. (The company denied requests for interviews.) In one instance, according to Gardner, members shared $2.29 million in expenses for an infant with severe medical problems. Sixteen members have had more than $1 million in bills they were able to share with other members, he said.

Medi-Share is an example of the good that happens when the modern concept of the sharing economy is applied to the Biblical ideal of sharing our resources to lift one anothers burdens, Gardner said. While people may inquire due to the programs availability and affordability, they join and stay because they become part of a community that is committed to and effective at sharing one anothers burdens.

But ministries frequently acknowledge, as Gardner put it, that health care sharing isnt for everyone. Although they dont generally specify exactly who that might be, its easy enough to figure out.

A Medi-Share member diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis generally would be on the hook for a half-years worth of drugs, some of which cost $2,000 or $3,000 a month, because for any single condition Medi-Share covers only a six-month supply of prescriptions each year. (They would still have access to discounted prices, which Medi-Share offers to members.) The same would be true for a member with hemophilia, treated with drugs that could cost 10 times that or more. A member with a child who has autism and needs speech therapy would discover that Medi-Share, like other ministries, doesnt usually cover those services at all.

And then there are the stories of people in ministries who run afoul of pre-existing condition exceptions. One of them is an Illinois couple, Bet and Erik Olson, who adopted two children from Ethiopia. Their story was the focus a lengthy 2017 investigation by journalist Laura Turner in BuzzFeed. Both of the Olsons children needed expensive blood work, and one has a disorder that requires expensive medication. Their provider, Samaritan Ministries, rejected the bills as related to a pre-existing condition (and would not answer questions from BuzzFeed as to why).

At Medi-Share, Gardner said, the ministry goes to great lengths to ensure that prospective members understand that Medi-Share is not insurance. The guidelines spell out the limits, and members must indicate with a separate signature that they understand those limits. But experts and consumer advocates worry that people who sign up for ministries may not realize the implications of those limits until its too late.

They are being marketed as an alternative [to regulated insurance], so that suggests they are somewhat equivalent, says Karen Pollitz, a senior fellow at the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. People dont understand what they are buying isnt insurance. Its easy to get lost.

Martin Swanson, health policy director at the Nebraska Department of Insurance, told HuffPost that he and his colleagues are hearing about ministries more and more, especially at public information events. He said he always warns people that joining means giving up some coverage guarantees and that, if members run into trouble, his office wont be in a position to help them because Nebraska is among the states that exempts ministries from insurance department oversight.

There is nothing we can do, Swanson said.

Why People Who Hate Obamacare Love Ministries

Usually its brokers, not state regulators, that people consult when considering whether to join a ministry. Many brokers sell them happily  sometimes taking large commissions, though it depends on the ministry.

One exception is Courtney Callaway, an Omaha-based broker for Prime Choice Insurance. Although Callaway knows that the ministries work well for a lot of people, she wont sell them because she doesnt think she can stand behind them with the confidence she has in traditional insurance policies. To me its too dangerous, Callaway told HuffPost. Its not insurance.

Callaway understands why people go to the ministries anyway. Its because the plans from HealthCare.gov and insurers have gotten so expensive. And if they dont turn to ministries, they will turn to some other alternative.

Frequently, that means buying short-duration health insurance plans, which several major carriers sell and which typically last just three months (although some insurers package them in bundles so they last for a year). Designed as stopgaps for brief but predictable lapses in coverage, theyve become increasingly popular among people seeking a less expensive alternative to Obamacare  although, like the ministries, short-duration plans are cheaper because they offer less coverage and include a variety of pre-existing restrictions.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

Courtney Callaway, an Omaha-based insurance agent, says she doesn't sell membership in sharing ministries because they are not subject to Affordable Care Act regulations and outside the jurisdiction of state regulators. (Photo: Jonathan Cohn/HuffPost)

Callaway sells these, figuring they are better than nothing and are under insurance department regulation. But she says she goes through the plans with her clients very carefully, to make sure they understand all the ways a short-duration plan could leave them exposed to big medical bills.

Nebraska is not the only place where this is happening. Iowa and Tennessee are among the states where the insurance markets are evolving in a similar manner. Thanks to a combination of factors, some related to the design of the Affordable Care Act and some related to the way hostile Republican officials have implemented it, the underlying cost of comprehensive coverage has risen dramatically in these places.

Its not a problem for the majority of people buying on their own, because they qualify for tax credits. They can get plans for dirt cheap, or sometimes for no cost at all. But other buyers are migrating to alternative means of paying their medical bills  if not the ministries, then the short-term plans  that cost less upfront but are not as useful, or simply not available, to people with serious medical problems.

This ends up creating a cycle, as the group of people still buying traditional policies gets less and less healthy. That will make the market less attractive to insurance companies, driving up prices and reducing plan choices for consumers that want or need real insurance coverage, said Sabrina Corlette, a research professor at Georgetown University.

The Trump administration and its allies are not trying to stop this transformation. Theyre trying to speed it up, as part of their efforts to undermine the 2010 health care law. Last month, the administration proposed a regulation that would make it easier for insurers to sell short-duration plans. This past week, GOP lawmakers in Florida passed a bill that would make it easier for residents to join ministries.

One legislator there said he wasnt worried that the ministries were outside the state insurance departments jurisdiction because, as he put it, they are self-regulating.

That may be enough for many of their members. Even the Lammers seem okay for now. Their baby is due in April and they can finally think about paying for diapers rather than tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills.

But without some new action on health care from Washington  the kind that would guarantee affordable coverage for everybody, regardless of health status and income  there will be a lot more stories like theirs. And sometimes the endings of those stories will be worse.

Also on HuffPost

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Tallinn (AFP) - Australia has announced that it will open its first "pop-up embassy" in Estonia's capital Tallinn, where the ambassador is to work for two months of the year.

For the rest of the year, the embassy will maintain a virtual presence in the cyber-savvy country, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Estonia is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world," she said.

"The new embassy will develop our engagement on cyber, e-government and digital transformation, and support Australia's involvement in a number of high-level events on these issues."

Diplomat Kerin Ayyalaraju was also appointed Australia's ambassador to Estonia. Australia has previously been represented in the country by an ambassador in Stockholm.

Estonian Foreign Minister Sven Mikser, who discussed the opening with Bishop on a visit to New York, said the government was pleased with the decision.

"This will doubtlessly make Australia more prominent in Estonia and in our region on the whole," he said.

"The ambassador working at the pop-up embassy will certainly expand the already constructive and intensive cooperation that our two countries enjoy."

He also expressed hope "that Australia's positive example of this innovative pop-up embassy encourages other countries to implement similar cooperation solutions in Estonia".

Australia is home to one of the largest overseas Estonian communities with 8551 people of Estonian descent, according to a census in 2011.[caption id="attachment_5779" align="aligncenter" width="620"]

San Jose, CA - Jul. 2, 2016: Qualcomm Inc. Qualcomm Inc. is an American multinational semiconductor company that designs and markets wireless telecommunications products and services.[/caption] The takeover attempt of U.S-based telecommunications and semiconductor manufacturer Qualcomm by rival Singapore-based Broadcom has caught the eye of U.S. regulators. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), an interagency group chaired by the U.S. Treasury Secretary that reviews foreign investments in U.S. companies, ruled that the move by Broadcom posed a threat to U.S. security interests, effectively halting the acquisition for the foreseeable future. The action was unusual for the committee, and it underscores how CFIUS is moving to broaden its scope to include threats to U.S. companies dominance with emerging and critical technologies in its national security analysis. A letter from the Department of Treasury explaining CFIUS decision noted that the proposed acquisition would weaken Qualcomms technological leadership in the telecommunications space and leave an opening for China to expand its influence on the 5G-standard setting process. It added that if the acquisition were to proceed, Broadcom would likely reduce Qualcomms research and development investments and negatively affect the Department of Defense's (DoD) access to Qualcomms products and services. CFIUS has 30 days to review the deal, after which it can order an additional 45-day investigation. Once complete, CFIUS may allow the deal to go forward or send its recommendation to U.S. President Donald Trump, who can either block the deal or order mitigation. David Zaring, associate professor of legal studies and business ethics at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business, noted that the CFIUS ruling on the potential Qualcomm acquisition was unique because information and network technology wasnt traditionally something that CFIUS spent a lot of time worrying about. Whats more, by factoring in the ability of an American company to lead the way in setting the standards for nascent 5G wireless systems, the pending decision by CFIUS is something of a bet on an industrial policy that presumes that America can continue to lead in the 5G space. And those kind of bets are not ordinarily ones the government makes that often, Zaring said. The CFIUS focus on maintaining U.S. supremacy with certain technologies comes at a time when proposed legislation is looking to codify such considerations into CFIUS purview. The Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA) would significantly expand CFIUS jurisdiction to include deals impacting U.S. critical technology and infrastructure, as well as mandate CFIUS review in certain cases. Theodore Moran, nonresident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, who serves on the International Advisory Council of Huawei, a competitor of Qualcomms, noted that such reform has wide support in Congress and the White House. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, one of the FIRRMA sponsors, has talked about sensitive technology in his proposal for CFIUS reform, and U.S. Treasury Secretary [Steve] Mnuchin has talked about preserving U.S. supremacy. So this seems to be the new framework for CFIUS, and it is different form the past, he explained. The CFIUS move to block the Qualcomm acquisition wasnt the first time the committee acted with this new proposed framework in mind. In September 2017, President Trump blocked a Chinese-backed private equity firm from acquiring Portland, Oregon-based Lattice Semiconductor Corp. on the recommendations of CFIUS. Similarly, that was rejected using the argument about having to maintain U.S. supremacy in the semiconductor industry, Moran said. There are other signs that CFIUS may be acting with broader considerations in mind. The committee expected to review around 200 deals in 2018 alone, up from 97 in 2013, while the review time for each deal has increased. In addition, more deals are being withdrawn once they come under CFIUS review, such as the failed recent merger between Ant Financial Services Group and Texas-based MoneyGram International Inc. Moran, however, noted that while CFIUS is certainly changing the scope of its reviews, it may be getting ahead of itself because the proposed legislation is not yet in place. Whats more, such a broaden review may not be necessary for every case. Concerns that the Qualcomm acquisition will harm U.S. dominance with 5G technology, for instance, strikes Moran as overly alarmist. Amidst concerns over how the acquisition would affect Qualcomm's 5G supremacy, Broadcom has publicly stated it is committed to making the U.S. the global leader in 5G and will maintain Qualcomms investments in 5G, as well as focus R&D resources to technologies considered essential to the U.S. Moran believes that it likely that Broadcom, which plans to move its headquarters to the U.S. in May 2018 and operate as a U.S.-based company, will make good on its commitment given its desire to maintain a competitive edge in the market. On the specific issue of 5G, I would expect Broadcom, post-acquisition of Qualcomm, to proceed at full speed for commercial reasons, not to cede this leading-edge technological frontier to Huawei or other companies like Ericsson, he noted. Still, it is unlikely that CFIUS will change its initial ruling. You can never say never, but when I look at the [Department of Treasury] letter, I dont see a way back for the transaction from this, Zaring said. To be sure, even if the development of 5G networks was not an issue, it is still unlikely that the CFIUS would let the acquisition proceed unchanged. I would expect traditional CFIUS concerns to be so strong that if this proposed acquisition had been proposed in the past, CFIUS would insist that large portions of Qualcomms portfolio be divested, or ring-fenced with a separate board of vetted U.S. citizens, Moran said. He noted that aside from 5G issues, Qualcomm has many defense, military and intelligence connections that are very sensitive, and it possesses goods, services, and software that are dual-use and highly sensitive.Want to bring down Donald Trump?

Dont count on Robert Mueller. Forget Congress. Learn to do investigative journalism. And you might as well study with one of the only living people who really did help oust a president: Bob Woodward.

Hes best known for his historic work covering the Watergate revelations for The Washington Post with reporting partner Carl Bernstein. Woodward, still a Post journalist 45 years later, is now spilling his secrets by teaching a MasterClass (an online MasterClass.com workshop) on reporting. The timing couldnt be better: Donald Trumps various scandals, coupled with movies like Spotlight and The Post, have awakened a national interest in investigative journalism, and he is historically well-suited to offer insight.

Trending: Super Smash Bros 2018 On Nintendo Switch: 5 Fighters We Want To See

But Woodward would chasten you for approaching the work with a political agenda. Its important to get your personal politics out, the 74-year-old journalist says. The emotion should be directed at doing more work.

In one MasterClass lesson, Woodward has this advice for journalists conducting interviews: Shut upand just listen. I tried. We talked about journalism, Trump, Richard Nixon and a lot more.

The work that you've done is remarkably difficult and laborious. Is it possible to teach someone to be an investigative reporter?

I've done it now at The Washington Post since 1971that's 47 years. And [I gained] lots of experiences from Watergate. I tried to make the point in the class that technique is so important. Patience is important. It's very much against the impatience and speed of the internet reporting world. One of the great problems is that secret government gets more and more secret. If you're in a hurry or try to do interviews via the internet or emailor even the telephoneyou're not showing up to meet people and trying to build relationships of trust.

Do you have any faith that investigative journalism can survive the shifts that have occurred in journalism?

I think it is surviving! My own newspaper, the Post, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, some of the networksCNN, NBChave done some very important stories on the Russia investigation and Trump.

Story continues

Smaller papers have been facing tough times, though. Are you optimistic about the future of journalism despite all the frightening trends?

Some of the trends are frightening. But I think people still want good information. I'll go back to the lockdown, the secrecy. There are inappropriate questions to ask people, according to the White House press secretary. That is an environment that requires lots of patience and willingness to spend time against the problem. Talk to 20 people. 40 people. Not just two or six. The key to unlocking what's secret is a lot of concentrated reporting.

Bob Woodward

Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Youve described the Trump presidency as being a test for the news media. Do you think the media is failing the test?

First of all, journalists can always do better. Myself at the top of the list. I don't think journalism is failing at all in the Trump era. But we have a lot of work to do. A number of reporters have at times become emotionally unhinged about it all, one way or the other. Look at MSNBC or Fox News, and you will see those continually either denigrating Trump or praising him. I think the answer is in the middle, and in this class I talk about how its important to get your personal politics out. It's destructive to become too politicized. The emotion should be directed at doing more work, not some feeling or personal conclusion.

What's your biggest regret from your own career?

Janet Cooke made up a story that won a Pulitzer Prize, and I was one of her editors. I should have spotted it. About an alleged 8-year-old who did not exist. If Id been more aggressive, I would have discovered that he didn't exist. I personally was not aggressive enough on looking at the evidence of weapons of mass destruction before the Iraq War. I wrote stories saying theres no smoking gun evidence, and I should have realized if you dont have smoking gun evidence, you dont have hard evidence. If you dont have hard evidence, you really dont have it.

Do you think the comparisons constantly drawn between Trump and Nixon are accurate?

Well, we're going to see. Nixon resigned, and we learned from thousands of hours of his secret tape recordings the depth and level of his criminality. The piston driving him and his politics was hate. We don't have that kind of evidence in the Trump case.

Do you think this will end how the Nixon presidency ended?

No one who works on Trump as a reporter would say "X is gonna happen" or "Y is gonna happen." You never know in Trump world. I think it's possible. He has the authority to make sure that the special counsel is fired or out of office.

There has been an enormous amount of renewed interest in Watergate over the past year.

People look back at old scandals, and I think that's reasonable. [During Watergate], there was a clear crime. A burglary. No one said, "Oh, to look into that is a witch hunt." Nixon didn't like it. But it was clearly a crime. There were secret tapes that showed the nature of the criminality and the extent of it. That kind of evidenceit certainly has not yet emerged in the Trump investigations.

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Bob Woodward

Brad Barket/Getty Images

How do you think Nixon would have used Twitter?

[Laughs.] Easier to describe the creation of the universe. He probably wouldn't have used Twitter! He would have delegated it. In a sense, his secret tapes are his tweets. And they're appalling in the revelation of abusive power and criminality.

And the prejudice. The anti-Semitism is pretty remarkable.

Yes, it is. When Nixon resigned, he gave a speech. You're too young, I'm sure. How old are you?

I'm 27.

[Chuckles quietly to self.] OK, this is back in 74 when he resigned. He called his staff and friends and Cabinet to the East Room and gave a speech. It was unscripted. He was sweating. He talked about his mother, his father. At the end, he waved his hand like, "This is why I called you together." He said: "Always remember, others may hate you. But those who hate you don't win unless you hate them, and then you destroy yourself." Think about that. He identified hate as the poison that destroyed him in his administration. And it did.

That's a really telling quote.

I remember sitting there at the timeI was 31and just going, "Wow." He got it! The diagnosis was exactly right. It was hate! And it destroyed him.

I don't think President Trump has that level of self-awareness.

Well, that's an interesting question. I'm doing a book on Trump now. I'm going to stick to my reporting, which is still ongoing.

Related: Jodi Kantor, the reporter who helped bring down Harvey Weinstein

Have you seen the movies Spotlight and The Post? What do you think of the way they depict investigative journalism?

Spotlight is a great movie about that process. The nitty gritty. You've got to go into the night. It is a longtime effort to win trust with people. [Spotlight producer] Steve Golin bought and is gonna make a movie of my last book, The Last of the President's Men. The Post I thought was also excellent. I thought Meryl Streep played Katharine Graham [Woodward's onetime publisher] superbly. As did Tom Hanks as Ben Bradley [the editor-in-chief who pushed to publish Woodward and Bernstein on Watergate].

Were you fond of the movie that was made about Mark Felt last year?

I don't think it worked.

Why not?

Oh boy. It had too many characters from the FBI that you couldn't differentiate. It had the subhed The Man Who Brought Down the White House. He was a sourceand helpful. But he was not the one who brought down the White House. WeCarl and Iwere not the ones to bring down the White House. It was a series of events in the press and investigations from Congress and the special prosecutor and the Supreme Court ordering Nixon to turn over his tapes.

All the President's Men

Warner Bros.

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One of the biggest themes in journalism lately has been the Harvey Weinstein story. Publications have been devoting major investigative resources to covering sexual misconduct scandals.

I think it's absolutely appropriate. They nailed it. They nailed the Harvey Weinstein case. There were just so many examples.

Why did it take so long for that to come out?

Jeff Bezos once asked me, "Could we have learned what Nixon was aboutthis hate-driven mancould we have learned before he became president?" I said, I think we could have done better. But I don't think we could have gotten to the bottom of who he was. We now know this anger and hate was standard for Nixon. Why did it take so long? It's a hard process. You need good sources. What The New York Times and New Yorker did with Weinstein, I remember reading those stories and saying to myself, "This is a revolution of sorts." But like all revolutions, it's the old way. It's the technique of building those sources.

We've seen other reported stories that haven't received the same level of journalistic technique. Did you read about the Aziz Ansari scandal?

About who?

Aziz Ansari, the comedian?

Just a little bit. But Harvey Weinstein was the producer of producers. He was the No. 1 person. You could read that story and say, "Aha!" You could see that this was not an isolated case, as we now know.

Have you read about the current turmoil that Newsweek has been embroiled in?

I have a little bit. I don't have any facts about it, but it sounds like some people are really upset and there seem to be grounds for being really upset. What do you think?

Well, it's disturbing. The short version is that our owners' finances are under DA investigation. Our own journalists began reporting on the story. Some employees were subsequently fired for reporting on our company.

If that's all true, that's appalling. That's a form of corporate leverage that is the height of corruption, in my view.

It also seems destructive to the separation of the journalism side and the business side.

For decades, The Washington Post owned Newsweek. I know how Katharine Graham ran it. And how the editors ran it. It was a superb, tough, independent organization. Obviously, it's lost some of that. It's too bad. When people look back, you would be a casualty of the internet era. Is that correct?

Well, it's hard to sell a print magazine in this era. One concern of many journalists is that media companies that are flourishing are ones that have the backing of a billionaire, like Jeff Bezos.

Yeah, yeah.

Do you find it concerning that so many major journalistic organizations rely on billionaires for funding?

The Post is supposedly making money now. Bezos, who owns it personally, not through Amazonhe's put lots of money into it, hired many more reporters. And in the great tradition of Katharine Graham, [Bezos is] what I call "mind on, hands off." He does not put his hands on the product at all and say, "This is what editorial should be." He leaves that up to the professionals. The people at the Post who I know and still work with would not tolerate that.

The Post has gotten many scoops in the Trump era. What is the secret to its recent success?

Hard work. Persistence. You have to try to talk to everyone who might know about something. That takes weeks, months. Back in the Watergate era, Carl and I could work for weeks on a story before it was published. We would be interrogated by editors. They would say, "We need more. Get better sources. Get more concrete information." The culture of patience has once again arrived in the Washington Post newsroom.

Bob Woodward

Alex Wong/Getty Images

Are there any other veterans at the Post who were there when you were reporting on Watergate?

You mean, am I the senior person still there?

Well, that's another way to ask the question.

Yes, it is. I don't know. I'm sure there are people who go way back.

Do you plan to continue reporting much longer?

Yes. I'm doing this book on Trump. I've done [reporting] for so many decades, I kind of expect to do it as long as I can still type. Being a reporter is the greatest job in the country. You get to make momentary entries into people's lives when they're interesting. And then get out when they cease to be interesting.

Are you and Carl Bernstein still close?

Yes! We are. In fact, we have to do a CNN show tonight. I'll be seeing him tonight.

Do you two hang out socially as well?

We do, occasionally.

What do you do to wind down when you're not working?

You mean with Carl? Well, we're both married and we take our wives to dinner. Or he and Christine, his wife, will visit here. I teach a journalism seminar at Yale. Once a week. So it's, at this point, a very work-filled life.

How would you like history to remember you?

I'm not heading to the grave, to my knowledge. So I don't really know. That's for others.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekThe mystery of Amelia Earhart's disappearance may finally have been solved, thanks to a new forensics study that shows a very high likelihood that bones found on an island in the South Pacific are those of the trailblazing pilot.

In a new study published in Forensic Anthropology, Richard Jantz, professor emeritus of anthropology and director emeritus of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville's Forensic Anthropology Center, determined that the bones found in 1940 on the island of Nikumaroro "have more similarity to Earhart than to 99 percent of individuals in a large reference sample."

Jantz used new techniques to revisit the original findings of D. W. Hoodless, the physician who originally examined the bones after their discovery on the island by a British official. Hoodless determined they belonged to a man but the mistake, according to Jantz, was an honest one that's been corrected by advancements in technology.

SEE ALSO: Sorry everyone, but that shocking Amelia Earhart photo has been debunked  twice

A computer program called Fordisc that can classify skeletal measurements by sex and ancestry, which Jantz co-created, helped determine that the bones did, in fact, belong to a woman. Additionally, according to the university, Jantz used other sources, like clothing measurements and photos with Earhart next to scalable objects, to help determine her bone size.

His research also led Jantz to rule out the possibility the bones might have belonged to a native Pacific Islander or to one of 11 men killed when the ship Norwich City crashed on the island in 1929. It also backs his previous findings made on behalf of the International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR).

Given the statistical results of his study, coupled with other evidence found in the long search for Earhart, like a woman's shoe and American sextant box, Jantz determined that until definitive evidence is presented that the remains are not those of Amelia Earhart, the most convincing argument is that they are hers.

Story continues

And so it appears that one of history's greatest mysteries is finally close to being put to rest.Border Patrol officials in Southern California are defending their actions after a dramatic video of agents arresting an undocumented mother as her daughters watched on went viral this week.

The video, filmed last Saturday, shows agents pulling 36-year-old Perla Morales-Luna away from her crying daughters on a street corner in National City, California. The agents drive off quickly after placing Morales-Luna in the backseat of a Border Patrol vehicle, and her daughters appear to be left on the street confused.

Judith Castro-Rangel, who identifies herself as a teacher of one of Morales-Lunas daughters, posted the video on Thursday to Facebook, where it has been viewed more than 10 million times.

The violent and insensitive nature of the arrest has outraged human rights and immigration activists.

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The Border Patrol has accused Morales-Luna of being a human smuggling facilitator who recruited drivers to transport illegal aliens from a remote border area in eastern San Diego County to a stash house in National City as part of a larger transnational criminal organization.

The allegation came in a late Friday statement in which the agency also claimed that Morales-Luna was among a group of individuals who were arrested in a smuggling event that took place in January. It also added she had eluded that arrest and had refused to self-surrender despite phone conversations between her and Border Patrol.

In an interview with HuffPost, Morales-Lunas attorney Andres Moreno II denied that his client had any involvement with a criminal organization, adding that Morales-Luna didnt know why she was being detained until immigration agents already had her in custody.

Moreno also said that he wasnt aware of any phone calls that took place between Morales-Luna and Border Patrol.

She has not been charged with doing anything criminal, Moreno said of his client, who he claimed has been here since she was 15 years old. She has no criminal history at all.

Story continues

Moreno told HuffPost that his client was with her three daughters, ages 12, 15 and 17, on their way to pay rent when a plainclothes officer approached Morales-Luna. After she identified herself to the officer, he said border patrol agents arrested her.

Morales-Luna was transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Friday morning, where Moreno said her case will be processed. Border Patrol confirmed in their statement that she has been processed for removal.

Border Patrol spokesman Theron Francisco told the Los Angeles Times that Morales-Luna was being held on suspicion of being in the country illegally.

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Border Patrol defended their actions on Friday by saying their agents had acted appropriately.

The video clearly shows the arresting agents carried out their duties appropriately, even when faced with a barrage of insults and confrontational agitators, the agency said in a statement.

However, human rights groups and local residents detested the agencys actions, calling the arrest inhumane and grotesque.

Its really a grotesque way of detaining and enforcing immigration law, Benjamin Prado of the American Friends Service Committees San Diego U.S.-Mexico Border Program, told the Los Angeles Times. The American Friends Service Committee is a human rights group that works with migrant and border communities.

It is very quickly accelerating to a very tyrannical form of detention and arrest, snatching people up off the street, he said.

Our biggest concern is the manner in which this raid took place, the violent manner in which they detained her and pushed her in, Prado added. The terror and trauma that is being imposed on the children, her daughters.

Protesters gathered around City Hall offices in National City on Friday morning to protest the mothers arrest, according to local news stations.

Morales-Lunas attorney, who practices immigration law, said that while the video of his clients arrest has gone viral, raids like this have become commonplace.

What happened today got caught on video, thats why it has blown up, Moreno told HuffPost. But what happened is happening in every state in the union today.

Reports of immigration raids happen frequently. On one early morning in January, immigration agents cracked down on 100 7-11 stores across the country and arrested 21 people.

The arrests have prompted the American Civil Liberties Union to sue the Trump administration for allowing the Department of Homeland Security to separate migrant parents from their children for no reason.

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After seeing video of the arrest, National City Councilwoman Alejandra Sotelo-Solis told NBC 7 San Diego that she was infuriated.

This is actually one of our quarters where we have mass transit, so to have something like this go down, in the broad daylight, it really is concerning, Sotelo-Solis told the news station.

What was posted I think really showed the inhumane treatment of that woman being physically ripped from her children and then leaving the minor children here on the street not knowing what to do, she added.

Moreno told HuffPost late Friday that his client has not been presented with any criminal charges and maintained that there is no evidence proving the Border Patrols claims against her.

Allegations do not make a criminal, and they have not charged her with any crimes, Moreno said. Last I checked in this country, youre innocent until proven guilty until the government has charged you with a crime.

Clarification: Language in this story has been amended to clarify that the agency communicating about the arrest in question was Border Patrol, which is federal and not a California agency.

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Also on HuffPost

April 2015

At an event hosted by Texas Patriots PAC: Everythings coming across the border: the illegals, the cars, the whole thing. Its like a big mess. Blah. Its like vomit.

June 2015

At a speech announcing his campaign: "When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. Theyre not sending you. Theyre not sending you. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems, and theyre bringing those problems with us. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists. And some, I assume, are good people."

August 2015

On NBC's "Meet the Press": Were going to keep the families together, we have to keep the families together, but they have to go."

September 2015

On CBS's "60 Minutes": Were rounding em up in a very humane way, in a very nice way. And theyre going to be happy because they want to be legalized. And, by the way, I know it doesnt sound nice. But not everything is nice.

November 2015

On MSNBC's "Morning Joe": You are going to have a deportation force, and you are going to do it humanely."

February 2016

At a GOP primary debate: We have at least 11 million people in this country that came in illegally. They will go out. They will come back  some will come back, the best, through a process.

March 2016

At a press conference when asked if he would consider allowing undocumented immigrants to stay: "We either have a country or we dont. We either have a country or we dont. We have borders or we dont have borders. And at this moment, the answer is absolutely not.

April 2016

At an event hosted by NBC's "Today Show": Theyre going to go, and were going to create a path where we can get them into this country legally, OK? But it has to be done legally. ... Theyre going to go, and then come back and come back legally.

July 2016

At the Republican National Convention: "Tonight, I want every American whose demands for immigration security have been denied  and every politician who has denied them  to listen very closely to the words I am about to say. On January 21st of 2017, the day after I take the oath of office, Americans will finally wake up in a country where the laws of the United States are enforced."

September 2016

At a rally: Anyone who has entered the United States illegally is subject to deportation. That is what it means to have laws and to have a country. Otherwise we dont have a country.

September 2016

On "The Dr. Oz Show": Well, under my plan the undocumented or, as you would say, illegal immigrant wouldnt be in the country. They only come in the country legally.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.By Estelle Shirbon LONDON (Reuters) - Britain will respond appropriately if evidence shows Moscow was behind a nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy and his daughter in England, Prime Minister Theresa May said on Thursday. Former double agent Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, have been in hospital since they were found unconscious on Sunday on a bench outside a shopping center in the quiet cathedral city of Salisbury. "We will do what is appropriate, we will do what is right, if it is proved to be the case that this is state-sponsored," May told ITV News, when asked whether Britain could expel the Russian ambassador. "But let's give the police the time and space to actually conduct their investigation," she added, in her first comments on the attack since police said on Wednesday a nerve agent was used. Government experts have identified the substance, which will help identify the source, but have not made the information public. "Of course, if action needs to be taken, then the government will do that. We'll do that properly, at the right time, and on the basis of the best evidence," May said. Both victims remain unconscious, in a critical but stable condition, while police officer Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, who was also harmed by the substance, remains in a serious condition. "He's well, he's sat up. He's not the Nick that I know but of course he's receiving a high level of treatment," said Kier Pritchard, head of Wiltshire Police, after visiting Bailey in a hospital intensive care unit. "He's very anxious, he's very concerned. He did his very best on that night." A total of 21 people had been treated in hospital following the incident, Pritchard said. "BRAZEN AND RECKLESS" In parliament, several lawmakers defied interior minister Amber Rudd's plea to avoid speculation about who was responsible for the "brazen and reckless act". Some called for investigations to be re-opened into the deaths of Russian exiles in Britain in recent years. Rudd urged people to keep a cool head and focus on the Salisbury incident. "This was attempted murder in the most cruel and public way. We will respond in a robust and appropriate manner once we ascertain who was responsible," Rudd said. "We are committed to do all we can to bring the perpetrators to justice, whoever they are and wherever they may be." Skripal betrayed dozens of Russian agents to British intelligence before his arrest in 2004. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison in 2006, and in 2010 was given refuge in Britain after being exchanged for Russian spies. The attack has been likened in Britain to the assassination of ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko, a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who died in London in 2006 after drinking green tea laced with radioactive polonium-210. A British public inquiry said Litvinenko's murder had probably been approved by Putin and carried out by two Russians, Dmitry Kovtun and Andrei Lugovoy. Lugovoy is an ex-KGB bodyguard who later became a member of parliament. Both denied responsibility and Russia has refused to extradite them. Rudd denied that Britain's response after Litvinenko's murder had been too soft, effectively sending a message that such crimes could be carried out with impunity. "We are absolutely robust about any crimes committed on these streets in the UK. There is nothing soft about the UK's response to any sort of state activity in this country," she told BBC radio. In Russia, some media took an almost jocular tone. "Do not choose England as your next country of residence, whether you are a professional traitor to your homeland, or you just hate your country in your free time," said Kirill Kleimenov, news anchor on Russia's state-run Channel One, as he introduced an item about the story on the evening news bulletin. "Something's not right there, maybe it's the climate, but in the past few years there have been a lot of strange occurrences there with a terrible outcome. People hang themselves, fall out of windows, are poisoned, or crash in helicopters in simply industrial quantities." (Additional reporting by Sarah Young, Alistair Smout and Michael Holden in London and Christian Lowe in Moscow; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Robin Pomeroy)EASTERN GHOUTA, Syria/BEIRUT (Reuters) - Abu Alma has holed up in a basement for two weeks with his wife and baby daughter. Ten other families stay with them, hiding from the bombs that fall on Syria's eastern Ghouta. They only venture out to find medicine or bring food they had stored at home months earlier, he said. "We are living in the basement always," said Abu Alma, 30, an engineer and local aid worker. "We're trying to make it work. What can we do?" Warplanes and artillery have battered the rebel enclave near the capital Damascus for over two weeks in one of the bloodiest assaults of the seven-year war. The bombing has killed hundreds and pushed people into makeshift underground shelters. Syrian government forces have chewed off bits of farmland and marched into towns, squeezing the pocket in the eastern suburbs of Damascus. As the battles creep closer, thousands of families fled their homes and moved deeper into the enclave, residents say. The cellars were already packed before that. Russia, the Syrian government's key ally, has offered insurgents safe passage out. The proposal echoes evacuations in other parts of Syria, where fighters and civilians withdrew to rebel territory near the Turkish border. Such deals - accept state rule or leave - have helped President Bashar al-Assad's military claw back control of major cities, with support from Russia and Iran. Some in eastern Ghouta said they dreaded a similar fate. "There's a lot of fear that the regime will enter, and on the other hand people don't want to leave. They want to stay in their homes," Abu Alma said in the town of Douma. "It's harsh in the basements, but it will be much harder in the camps." "WE RAN IN THE NIGHT" Since 2013, troops have encircled eastern Ghouta, where the United Nations estimates 400,000 people live without enough food, water, or medicine. It remains the only big rebel enclave near Damascus, the seat of Assad's power. Khalil Aybour, a member of the local opposition council, said more than 16,000 people arrived in Douma alone in two weeks. He has prepared an emergency kit in case he has to suddenly run. "There are families displaced five times, like my parents," he said. "People are having to open up their shelters." Abu Firas, a farmer from the village of Shifouniyeh, escaped to Douma last week when the front lines reached his house. "The forces advanced into the farms...We lifted the kids and ran in the night...We don't even have clothes," he said. "The warplanes and rocket launchers pounced. The bullets were reaching our building." With their three children, he and his wife also live in a basement. "It's disgusting," Abu Firas added. "We want to return home...We have our lands. We abandoned them, our cows, our sheep." The army now controls the village. Moscow and Damascus say their forces only target armed militants and seek to stop mortar salvoes by Islamist insurgents that have killed dozens of people in the capital. Russian and Syrian forces have opened corridors for civilians to exit the suburbs. But there are no signs that anyone has, and they accuse the Ghouta insurgents of preventing residents from leaving. The two main factions deny this. Abu Alma said people do not trust the route and worry about an uncertain fate if they go to government territory. "Because there are no guarantees except from the Russians and the regime, and they are the same ones bombing Ghouta." To pass the time in the cellar, they read the news or try to check on the status of relatives, he said. "A MILLION DEATHS" Some people said they did not doubt that a small part of the population wanted to get out, at least for survival. One resident in Douma said that many now wanted the bombs to stop falling at any price. Their despair has grown and the government onslaught has intensified so much that they now resent the insurgents, the resident said. Ahmad al-Meshrif, an ex-rebel, left his town of Nashabiyeh with 14 relatives including his mother, wife and son. Air strikes followed them as they moved across towns over the course of two weeks, he said. "This latest attack...has not spared anything. If only you see the sheep and the cows in the streets, how the shrapnel tore them to pieces." When his family stayed in a shelter in Mesraba, he said, they could barely step out to the water pump because of the shelling. "That's aside from the psychological state they put us in. I cannot find the words to describe it." Meshrif, 35, has taken care of his nephews and nieces since two of his brothers died fighting against the army in recent years. His third brother was in a government prison. "We can no longer bear it. We put our hope in God," he said. "I would rather die a million deaths than live under (the state's) control and stop battling it - impossible." (Reporting by Ellen Francis in Beirut and a reporter in eastern Ghouta; Writing by Ellen Francis; Editing by Mark Heinrich)* Move comes as U.S. slaps tariffs on steel, aluminium imports

* Call is most explicit yet from China in trade spat

* U.S. has accused China of dumping excess metal for years

* China should target ags, coal and tech -metals associations

* Threat aimed at coal sector, major supporter of Trump (Updating to recast)

SHANGHAI/BEIJING, March 9 (Reuters) - China's metals industry issued the country's most explicit threat yet in an escalating trade spat with the United States, urging Beijing to retaliate by targeting coal and other sectors that are key to U.S. President Donald Trump's support base.

Two leading industry bodies representing producers in the world's top steel and aluminium market said they strongly oppose duties imposed by Trump to counter cheap imports, especially from China. Trump slapped 25 percent tariffs on steel imports and 10 percent for aluminium on Thursday.

The metals associations urged the government to take "resolute measures" against U.S. imports ranging from stainless steel to coal and electronics.

A widely read tabloid said in an editorial China would not be bullied by threats of a trade war with the world's largest economy and its main trading partner.

The Ministry of Commerce said the nation would assess any damage caused by the U.S. move and "firmly defend its legitimate rights and interests." It urged the United States to withdraw the measures as quickly as possible.

The ramping up of rhetoric is a big shift away from the conciliatory tone struck in recent weeks when Chinese President Xi Jinping's top economic adviser, Liu He, visited Washington for trade talks.

COAL, THE NEW THREAT

The tactics suggested by the industry associations were the first time coal has been drawn into the spat, signalling that China has more options in its arsenal if the dispute descends into an all-out trade war.

The threat also strikes at another sector central to Trump's political base and an election pledge to restore American industries and blue-collar jobs.

Story continues

"I think the purpose of mentioning coal is more like a warning that China could also take measures on U.S. products," said Wang Fei, coal analyst at Huaan Futures.

When Beijing launched a probe last month into imports of U.S. sorghum, a grain used in animal feed and liquor, it was viewed as a warning shot that Beijing was ready to target farm states that voted for Trump.

China has ramped up imports of U.S. coal over the past year, as its utilities have sought cheaper foreign fuel. That has helped to revive the fortunes of the U.S. coal industry, but the tonnage is not seen as critical to China's power sector.

In 2017, U.S. coal imports totalled 3.2 million tonnes, worth about $420 million and nearly five times the 694 tonnes taken in the previous year.

The dispute has also fuelled concern that soybeans, the United States' most valuable export to the world's No. 2 economy, might be caught up in tit-for-tat trade actions.

Experts say Beijing may not be ready to deploy that tactic, though, given China's reliance on imports of the oilseed to make animal feed for its vast livestock sector.

CHINA TO MEET TRADE WAR THREAT 'HEAD-ON'

Trade tensions between the world's two largest economies have risen since Trump took office. China accounts for only a small fraction of U.S. steel imports, but its massive industrial expansion has helped create a global glut of steel that has driven down prices.

"Trump's behaviour is a challenge to the global steel industry and will definitely encounter opposition from more countries," the China Iron & Steel Association (CISA) said in a statement on its website.

CISA appealed for "resolute measures" against imports of U.S. products, including stainless steel, galvanized sheet, seamless pipe, coal, agriculture products and electronic products. Its comments were echoed in a separate statement by the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association.

In an editorial on Friday, the Global Times said China would not be bullied by Trump's threat of a trade war.

"If the U.S. cannot adjust its own industrial structure to reduce its trade deficit and orders the world to follow its words, China and the rest of the world will have no choice but to meet the challenge head-on." (Reporting by Adam Jourdan and Ruby Lian in SHANGHAI and Josephine Mason in BEIJING; Additional reporting by Muyu Xu; Editing by Richard Pullin and Tom Hogue)If women want to live healthy and happy lives  with or without HIV  we have to take control of our destinies both as a community and as individuals. (Photo: PeopleImages via Getty Images)

Just days after the world celebrated International Womens Day, here in the U.S. we now commemorate National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which is dedicated to encouraging all women to get tested and, if necessary, treated for HIV.

HIV is often perceived as a gay mans disease. But if that were true, then none of us ladies would have to worry about it or have a day to commemorate it, right? Approximately one-fourth of all people living with HIV in the U.S. are women. When looking at global statistics, that percentage rises to 51 percent.

To properly discuss HIV rates among women and look forward to solutions, we need to first look at some of the whys. Why are so many women being diagnosed with HIV? Why are transgender women disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic? Why do Black transgender women specifically experience the highest incidence and greatest risk of contracting HIV?

And, perhaps most importantly, why arent ALL women joining together on a unified front to confront the status quo and change current HIV trends?

First, lets make one thing clear: Transgender women are women, and we face more societal challenges than most people could ever imagine. These challenges put us at increasing risk of poverty, homelessness, discrimination, violence and HIV infection. And if youre a Black or Brown transgender woman, you have to fight even harder just to stay even. (Sounds like every Black womans story, doesnt it?)

We use the term cisgender to describe women whose gender identity is the same as it was assigned at birth. The term transgender describes people whose gender identity is different from the one they were assigned at birth.

As a Black transgender woman and health provider living in the South, I know firsthand how intricately womens lives are connected, particularly as it pertains to HIV. Cis and trans women eat at the same restaurants. We see the same movies (Wakanda forever!). We shop at the same stores, and we date the same men.

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Yes, we date the same men. Does that surprise you? Heterosexual men are by definition gynosexual, which means they are attracted to women and femininity. And transgender women are women. It follows that, if our male heterosexual partners are attracted to women, this includes transgender women.

And this, right here, is why we all must work together in the fight against HIV, because no woman should believe that she has zero risk of contracting HIV.

In my work, I see a very different perspective of the HIV epidemic. Southern women are sometimes too polite to inquire about a partners HIV status. We can be too trusting to insist on regular HIV and STD testing. We might be too naive to think the man having unprotected sex with us has unprotected sex with someone else, too.

At Positive Impact Health Centers, where I work, we hear stories of down-low baby daddies and cheating husbands, sure. But we also hear stories of monogamous couples in which neither partner has ever been tested for HIV before. We hear about women in their first trimester who learn about their new pregnancy and a new HIV diagnosis at the same time. We hear about women who barely speak English but now have to learn how to manage VIH (HIV in French) or SIDA (HIV in Spanish). We hear about women who were promised the moon and stars, but instead got gonorrhea and syphilis. And far too many Black and Brown women are testing positive for HIV.

Women cannot allow ourselves to go through life as victims. If we want to live healthy and happy lives  with or without HIV  we have to take control of our destinies both as a community and as individuals. That means consistently and correctly using traditional and female condoms to prevent HIV and STD transmissions. That means requiring more from our partners and holding them accountable for their actions. That means having those intimate conversations with our partners in a nonjudgmental way. That means making HIV and STD testing a regular part of our sexual routines.

We need to ensure all women make HIV testing part of their sexual health and, if a woman finds out she has HIV, we need to ensure she is provided everything she needs to take care of herself and her family. This includes comprehensive HIV care, access to safe and affordable housing, support services and case management. This also includes transgender-specific health programs and services, access to hormones and other support services. These services will help all women living with HIV improve the quality of their lives and experience better health outcomes.

HIV is no longer a death sentence, and its preventable. And for those living with HIV, its also treatable. We cannot allow women and girls to needlessly suffer simply because they dont know their HIV status or dont have access to proper care.

Ladies, we have to stop further dividing ourselves into smaller and smaller separate groups. We are a stronger force when working together than we are when working apart. As women, we must do our part today, on National Women and Girls HIV Awareness Day, and throughout the entire year to protect ourselves, our families and each other.

Ms. Tori Cooper is a prevention specialist at Positive Impact Health Centers in Atlanta.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Protesters at the demonstration prior to the UN Climate Change Conference COP23 in Bonn, Germany: EPA

A federal appeals court has ruled in favour of 21 teenagers suing the US government for its energy and climate change policies.

The case, Juliana v. United States, will now be able to go to trial as President Donald Trumps administration is expected to try and get the Supreme Court to throw out the case.

The lawsuit alleges that decades of US energy policy takes away the childrens Constitutional right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

The complaint claimed that US energy policy over the last 50 years in promoting the use of fossil fuels and becoming one of the worlds largest polluters has put these young peoples lives in jeopardy now and spoiled the environment for future generations.

But, the new federal appeals court ruling defeated the current US Department of Justices request that the case be thrown out on the basis that it is based on utterly unprecedented legal theories.

The Trump administration also argued that its unreasonable to delve into unbounded research into the executive branch dating back to the Lyndon Johnson presidency, as Bloomberg News reported.

Mr Trump himself has repeatedly called climate change a "hoax" perpetrated by the Chinese.

The case, supported by Our Childrens Trust legal organisation in Eugene, Oregon, was first fought by former President Barack Obamas administration in 2016.

Julia Olson, the attorney representing the group of teenagers, told The Independent that though Mr Obama acknowledged climate science and that we are in a dangerous situation, but his actions did not match his speeches.

She said that the administration promoted and supported fossil fuels as much as George W. Bush before him. His signature climate policy, the Clean Power Plan (CPP) would have replaced coal with natural gas and basically flatlined US emissions through 2040 according to the US Department of Energys projections, leading to climate catastrophe.

The Trump administrations Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) head Scott Pruitt made it his mission to dismantle the CPP, legislation meant to address the fact that power plants account for almost 40 per cent of the countrys emissions.

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If left in place, the CPP would have reduced power plants carbon emissions by 2030 to a level 32 per cent lower than they were in 2005.

But now, Ms Olson said they have the green light for trial, adding that the group will request a trial date later this year.

US District Judge Ann Aiken is now deciding which of the several federal agency officials can be questioned in depositions.

Among those named are Mr Pruitt, Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Budget Director Mick Mulvaney, Ryan Zinke the Interior Secretary, Senator Mitch McConnells wife Transportation chief Elaine Chao, Defence Secretary James Mattis, and Mr Trump himself.

The teenagers had earlier requested Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, a former CEO of oil and gas giant ExxonMobil, to testify but the request was denied whilst he was going through the Senate confirmation process for his current position.

Ms Olson underscored the importance of the case to American children in particular and why this has become a court case to impose against the US government rather than only a social movement.

She said the federal government has consistently discriminate[d] against children in making climate and energy policy.

In June 2017, Mr Trump began the withdrawal process for the US to cut ties with the Paris Agreement, signed by nearly 200 countries in an effort to curb global carbon emissions and contain global warming to 2 C.

There was immediate and widespread criticism of the move from world and local leaders and CEOs alike.

More than a thousand mayors and CEOs joined in the We Are Still In coalition to say they will still work to meet the targets laid out for the US in the Paris accord despite the Trumps administrations decision.

Though the group has gotten some support from a handful of mayors and cities, Ms Olson said the Trump administration is leading the country to climate catastrophe.

Remember that the US is a primary reason that the international targets, including those in the Paris Agreement, are not binding and are not based in the science of stabilising our climate system and saving our ice sheets, Ms Olson cautioned.

This is why it is so important that the US courts provide that critical constitutional check on politicians who are not upholding the fundamental rights of these young people, Ms Olson said.The Hague (AFP) - Hillary Clinton has warned that the Trump administration "was not recognising the danger" in discussing nuclear disarmament with Pyongyang, and said Washington lacked experienced diplomats to handle the talks.

"If you want to talk to Kim Jong Un about his nuclear weapons you need experienced diplomats," Clinton was quoted as telling Dutch tabloid Algemeen Dagblad in an interview published Saturday.

"These are people familiar with the dossiers and who know the North Koreans and their language," Trump's presidential rival said in an interview conducted in Amsterdam and published in Dutch.

The former secretary of state said however that the US State Department was "being eroded" and that experienced diplomats on the North Korean issue were in short supply, with many having left.

"You cannot have diplomacy without diplomats," she said, adding "the danger is not being recognised by the Trump government."

Clinton's words echo those of veteran diplomat and former US ambassador to the United Nations, Bill Richardson, who warned that negotiating with North Korea was not "reality television."

"It's a real opportunity... I worry about the president's unpreparedness and lack of discipline. But I commend him for his very bold move in accepting the invitation," Richardson told AFP on Friday.

"But this is not 'The Apprentice' or a reality TV event. It's a negotiation with an unpredictable leader who has at least 20 nuclear weapons and who threatens the United States," he said.Japanese cryptocurrency exchange Coincheck has confirmed it will commence compensating users impacted by the $530 million NEM theft in January, from next week.

In an announcement today, Tokyo-based exchange operator Coincheck said it will begin compensating customers who suffered losses by the end of next week. While details are scarce presently, Coincheck chief executive Koichiro Wada and operations chief Yusuke Otsuka said more details will be revealed in the coming days, speaking at a press conference today.

On January 26th, the executives confirmed widespread rumors of a massive theft of some 526 million NEM tokens, worth over $530 million at the time, which is now the biggest cryptocurrency theft ever. While lifting a temporary freeze on fiat withdrawals in February  customers withdrew 40.1 billion JPY ($372 million) in a single day  the exchange confirmed it would compensate each stolen NEM token at 88 yen (0.83 USD).

Japans Financial Services Agency (FSA), the countrys financial regulator, confirmed it would ramp up its scrutiny of domestic exchanges in the days following the theft with on-site inspections.

Under new legislation that effectively recognized bitcoin as a method of payment from April 2017, Japanese exchanges are required to register with the FSA and comply with guidelines to operate in the country. Sixteen out of 32 domestic exchanges have registered thus far, with Coincheck allowed to operate among the latter half since they preceded the law. The FSA has since concluded its first phase of inspections and is gearing up to administer punitive measures against exchanges that could include suspension orders.

Coincheck, meanwhile, insists it is still hopeful of gaining a license from the FSA after receiving a business improvement order from the regulator today. Coinchecks executives confirmed the exchange will resume listing and trading some cryptocurrencies next week while suggesting that the NEM theft occurred after hackers infiltrated an employees computer using malware.

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Featured image from CCN arhive.



The post Coincheck to Begin Compensating NEM Hack Victims Next Week appeared first on CCN.

(Peter Apps is Reuters global affairs columnist. The opinions expressed here are his own.)

By Peter Apps

March 9 (Reuters) - Among those who knew Sergei Skripal in the quiet English city of Salisbury, few seem to have been aware of his background as a spy and British-Russian double agent. He frequented local pubs, bought lottery scratch cards in corner shops and joined a social club alongside local men in their 60s.

On Sunday, that past seems to have caught up with him. Skripal and daughter Yulia were poisoned by what British authorities say was a sophisticated nerve agent; they are now hospitalized in critical condition. A policeman who responded to their collapse on a bench outside a shopping center was also exposed and his condition is classed as serious.

Britain's Times newspaper reported Thursday that Britains MI5 believed Moscow was behind the poisoning. Russias Foreign Ministry has denied the charges.

However, the difficulty of manufacturing the chemicals makes them practically the calling card of a government-sponsored assassin. And that may be part of the point  to remind foes no one is safe no matter how far or long they run. That opinion is increasingly shared by experts on Russia, who see the poisoning as a sign of just how committed Vladimir Putins Kremlin has become to eradicating its enemies  and reminding others it can do so.

If Moscow was behind the attack, its timing ahead of Russias presidential election is significant. Putin is almost certain to win the March 18 vote, but he is sending a message with his increasingly bellicose rhetoric aimed at the West as well as domestic protesters.

Earlier this month, he announced Russia had developed an array of sophisticated new nuclear weapons. That speech, along with signs pointing to Russian involvement in the Skripal attack, offers another stark reminder of just how antagonistic Russia is becoming to the West  and how willing it is to tear up the conventional and military rulebook.

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Like Russias recent nuclear posturing, threats to nearby states and wider political interference, the intention seems to be to make it difficult for Western countries to respond. The most likely path will be further economic sanctions, but while that will inflict some economic hardship on those at the top, it simply serves to deepen the very divisions between Moscow and the West that Putin uses as domestic political currency.

Such action now seems part of both Putins personal brand and the anti-Western national identity he fosters. According to a recent survey, half of Russian school-age boys said they dreamed of working for the security services. Those who want more democratic change, meanwhile, are increasingly aware they must watch their step and avoid becoming too great a threat.

Any state body using a nerve agent so blatantly is clearly disregarding the traditional rules of international order, as well as the welfare of others in the vicinity. North Korea drew international outrage when it was accused of using a similar technique to kill the half-brother of leader Kim Jong Un at a Malaysian airport last year. The repercussions from that death continue: on Tuesday the United States imposed additional sanctions on North Korea after determining that Pyongyang used the chemical warfare agent VX in the murder  although that hasnt stopped South Korea from pushing ahead with cross-border negotiations.

Despite Russias denials, it is unquestionably true that Kremlin enemies often end up dead. Other high-profile killings include opposition politician Boris Nemstov, gunned down on a Moscow bridge in February 2015.

The Kremlin has long reserved particular fury for former spies who switched loyalty. In 2010, after the arrest and extradition of 10 suspected Russian agents from America, an unnamed Russian official told a respected Moscow newspaper a contract killer had been sent to assassinate the defector who betrayed them. (This could not have been Skripal, who was already in prison in Russia for spying for British intelligence.)

A Mercader has been sent after him, the official was quoted as saying about the unnamed defector, an apparent reference to Spanish communist Ramon Mercader, sent by Stalin to kill his former political ally Leon Trotsky in Mexico with an ice pick in 1940.

Inevitably, the Salisbury incident has also drawn comparisons to the 2006 London death of Alexander Litvinenko, the former spy who accused Putin of running a gangster state.

A British inquiry into that case concluded Litvinenko was murdered with the radioactive substance Polonium 210 by Russian assassins probably approved by Putin. It prompted a schism in Anglo-Russian relations, but more recently there have been worrying signs authorities in countries like Britain and the United States have sometimes turned a blind eye to suspected killings linked to Moscow.

Last year, investigative reporters from BuzzFeed News identified 14 deaths of Russians or Russian-linked individuals in Britain and quoted U.S. intelligence officials as saying they appeared to be assassinations.

They also pointed to several unsolved deaths in the United States, including of Kremlin critic Mikhail Lesin in a Washington hotel room in 2015.

Ukraine has seen multiple assassinations and attempted killings in the last two years, often of figures involved in its war with Russia or outspoken against Moscows influence. Two prominent European investigative journalists who probed Russian money-laundering were also slain in Malta and Slovakia.

Getting to the bottom of what happened is difficult in the extreme  and it might be simplistic to suggest Putin ordered all of the killings.

Foreign experts who watch Russian intelligence agencies and criminal networks closely say they are often closely intertwined. Prague-based security analyst Mark Galeotti warned this week previous informal rules that had governed espionage  and largely limited killings  were breaking down.

Russias domestically focused Federal Security Bureau, primary successor to the KGB, was increasingly active outside its borders, said Galeotti. Other agencies were also increasingly willing to take risks. "We have seen Chechens gunned down in Turkey and Austria," he wrote. "We have seen an Estonian security officer kidnapped from his own country We have seen hacks, smears, blackmail and gangsterism.

By coincidence or not, this week marks the 65th anniversary of Josef Stalins death. Putin is hardly in the same league when it comes to brutality and oppression. But as Russias latest strongman enters his late 60s and Russia begins to ponder who might follow him, he seems equally desperate to be feared. (Reporting by Peter Apps)The dramatic news that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un extended an invitation to President Donald Trump for a summit, and that Trump agreed, is nothing short of a miracle. After a year of hurling threats and insults at each other, as well as provocative military actions that nearly brought the two countries to war, the two leaders will sit down to begin a process of halting North Koreas nuclear program.

The world has certainly cheered the recent diplomatic progress made between the two Koreas. But much of the response to the groundbreaking news about the Trump-Kim talks has affirmed that Trumps policy of maximum pressure succeeded in getting North Korea to take seriously Washingtons demands to denuclearizeor face getting a bloody nose.

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This is a dangerous rewriting of what it took to bring North Korea to dialogue and what it will take going forward to convince Kim to give up his nuclear weapons.

Lets face it. Whether called maximum pressure or strategic patience, the past several U.S. administrations policiesaggressive military posturing with threats of decapitation strikes and stringent sanctions strangling North Koreas economyhave failed to bring the Kim regime to dialogue. Instead, this has only compelled North Korea to develop its nuclear and missile program with ever-greater fervor.

This narrative erases the extraordinarily nimble diplomatic footwork by South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Moon is genuinely committed to a long-term resolution of the Korean conflict, not looking for a short-term diplomatic victory. And that is what gives me great cause for both concern and hope.

To the U.S., steps toward denuclearization have been the starting and ending point for negotiations with North Korea. But for the North Koreans, it has always been about trying to secure a guarantee to merely exist.

Imagine a country that was eviscerated by indiscriminate U.S. bombing campaigns during the Korean War, when more bombs were dropped on North Korea than on all of the Asia-Pacific Theater during World War II. Eighty percent of North Korean cities were totally destroyed, which is why North Korea has developed a paranoid, bomb-shelter mindset. We can blame the North Korean regime for perpetuating it, but we also cannot deny what happened.

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Add to that baseline trauma the rapid changes that have occurred on North Koreas borders, from the collapse of the Soviet Union to a capitalist China that has become South Koreas largest trading partner, and one can understand why ensuring the sovereignty of his nation would be Kims highest priority. North Korea has had to also navigate the wild swings in its relationship with South Korea, from sunshine to darkness. Its siege mentality only heightens during the spring and fall, when the U.S. and South Korea jointly conduct the worlds largest military exercises, involving over 200,000 soldiers, B-2 bombers, and an operational plan rehearsing decapitation strikes on North Korea.

As the U.S. and North Korea drew closer to war, the world pleaded for a true statesman to avert a global nuclear disaster that could impact hundreds of millions. Thankfully, the power of democratic social movements in South Korea ushered Moon into the presidency to fulfill the mandate of his people: to improve inter-Korean relations, which he has so skillfully done with his steadfast commitment to resolving tensions with peaceful gestures and diplomacy.

At Moons invitation, hundreds of North Korean officials, athletes, and performers coordinated with hundreds of their counterpart South Koreans for a seamless opening ceremony at the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Uns sister, became the first member of the Kim dynasty to land on South Korean soil since her grandfather in the Korean War, and she shook hands with Moon at the ceremony.

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, shakes hands with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the opening ceremony of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games. Patrick Semansky - Pool /Getty Images

Without an understanding of the diplomacy that brought North Korea to dialogue or the deeper history of the U.S. role on the Korean peninsula, I fear that the Trump administration will not fully appreciate what it will take to convince North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons. With longtime North Korea envoy Joseph Yuns recent departure from the State Department, along with the continued lack of a U.S. ambassador to South Korea, the current prospects seem dim.

Yet if there were ever a U.S. president capable of striking an impossible deal, it is Trump. But first, he must educate himself about North Koreas long-held demand for a peace treaty, or at least nonaggression pact, to replace the 1953 armistice agreement, which would normalize relations and allow North Koreas economy to grow and develop. Trump could then not only negotiate the end of the North Korean nuclear threat, but accomplish what U.S. presidents have failed to do for seven decades: establish peace on the Korean peninsula.

Christine Ahn is the founder and international coordinator of Women Cross DMZ, a global movement of women mobilizing for peace on the Korean peninsula.Yes, the decision belongs on the local level

No, no one should be able to dictate whether people wear masks

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View ResultsCurt Mills

Politics, Middle East

Saudi soldiers stand guard at an airfield where Saudi military cargo planes land to deliver aid in Marib, Yemen

A conflict long overshadowed by Syria, bipartisan buzz is building on the Hill and in the press to end U.S. involvement with the Saudi-led campaign on Yemen.

The Congressional Battle Over Ending the War In Yemen

A new effort is underway on the Hill to end U.S. involvement in Yemen. Theres a verve and kick to this campaign, and a robust rolodex of Congressional sponsors and media backers.

When I asked, congressional aides who huddled with reporters in Sen. Mike Lees office last week wouldnt elaborate on conversations theyve had with the White House on a new measure that would force a vote on whether U.S. should and can continue to support Riyadh.

Privately, some White House aides have reservations about how closely the administration held hands with the Kingdoms brass in 2017, including literally, on the now famous-trip to the country that featured a sword dance, a gold medallion and a flashing orb.

But it is telling that the administration is aware of the measure, sponsored by Lee, Bernie Sanders and Chris Murphy, and at least, as yet, is not publicly lashing out against it.

Indicators abound that Saudi Arabia, and its pointman the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, have lost some steam from the high-water mark of the early part of the Trump administration, when the White House embraced the Saudis wholeheartedly.

Since then, the administration has, quietly but publicly, admonished the Saudis and has intervened diplomatically to attempt to assure crucial aid is delivered in Yemen.

Its telling that Lee is working with Bernie Sanders and Chris Murphy, two Democrats almost certainly running for president. Lee hates McConnell more than anyone, a source familiar with the matter told me, referring to the majority leader, Mitch McConnell.

Murphy, who is attempting to build a national profile, is pitching a pro-State Department, anti-war (but tough on Moscow) platform, and working with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Hes complained of a neutered State Department under Rex Tillerson to me. Sanders has staked out similar ground, in particular, in a speech in Missouri last year where Winston Churchill once gave his Iron Curtain address.

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The obvious hurdle is the majority leader, who is quite suspicious of Lee and of clampdowns on presidential authority, generally.

But a veteran anti-war activist and journalist involved in the effort sees currents at play bigger than McConnell. The country is so acutely split right now.  You have the people at Breitbart, at FreedomWorks, who are supporting this effort, he told me, while noting the center-left has become more neoconservative. He said I would be remiss to mention that Friday is the national call-in day against the war: This is great, we have CODEPINK and FreedomWorks on the same side.

And indeed, to monitor Breitbarts coverage of this has been a marvel. The allegedly hard right website is covering the Sanders-Lee-Murphy antiwar movement with as much vigor -- and support -- as any outlet on the internet.

Washington Political Editor Matthew Boyle hails a bipartisan populist coalition that is energized to end the illegal U.S. involvement in the war. In age of the neo-Buchananite White House, Boyle writes (in an extraordinarily lengthy piece): Rolling back unwarranted U.S. participation in unpopular foreign wars is actually a very popular position, part of Pat Buchanans view of conservatism that has evolved into President Donald Trumps economic nationalism, a favorite term of former White House Chief Strategist and Breitbart chairman Steve Bannon. We're going fullbore on this, a source in the company tells me.

The idea, says supporters on the Hill and outside of it, is to force defenders of the war to defend the status quo. Former State Department officials have long complained of a sinister origin of the U.S. support for the coalition: after the Obama administration inked the Iran deal, there was considerable consternation Washington was pivoting toward Tehran (something Obama denied)-- the Saudis made the Yemen effort a put-up or shut-up moment. Obama White House alums deny that narrative.

But there is a potential trump card for supporters if persuasion doesnt work: prove the war is illegal. There is bicameral, bipartisan support over the executive derailment of constitutionally-enshrined authorities, said one activist working closely with the Senators, referring to Congress authority to declare war.

Also key is that this measure is not targeted at Trump: both Democratic and Republican administrations have overseen the effort, and U.S. support for war was, of course, inaugurated under the former. Its about doing the right thing together, a senior aide to Sanders told reporters last week.

So, as President Trump prepares to potentially meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, is it possible his White House, behind the scenes, is interested in simultaneously unwinding the U.S. from another conflict? Jacob Heilbrunn, editor of the National Interest, floats Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in todays London Spectator. Could it be that Trump, frequently castigated by the left as a warmonger, really wants to create peace in our time?

Curt Mills is a foreign-affairs reporter at the National Interest. Follow him on Twitter: @CurtMills.

Image: Reuters

Read full articleBy Emil Gjerding Nielson COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Danish inventor Peter Madsen denied murdering Swedish journalist Kim Wall aboard his homebuilt submarine in August, telling a court on Thursday he disposed of her body after she died breathing in exhaust fumes. On the first day of his trial, Madsen, 47, said he had had to dismember the corpse to get it out of the submarine. He intended to dispose of the body parts at sea to restore a "normal" condition on board, he said, admitting he was not thinking rationally at the time. Madsen is accused of murdering and dismembering Wall, a 30-year-old Swedish journalist who was researching a story on the man who was already well known in Denmark for his submarines and his plan to send a human into space in a home-made rocket. Wall disappeared after Madsen took her out to sea in his 17-metre (56-ft) submarine in August last year. Later that month, police identified a torso washed ashore in Copenhagen as Wall's. He is also accused of "sexual assault without intercourse, of a particularly dangerous nature" in relation to the 14 interior and exterior stab wounds investigators found to Wall's genitals, prosecutor Jakob Buch-Jepsen told the court. Prosecutors said Wall died either by strangulation or having her throat cut. Madsen faces up to life in prison if convicted. "I plead not guilty to the voluntary manslaughter of Kim Wall," Madsen told the court. Under the Danish penal code, manslaughter is used to describe the deliberate killing of a person and there is no distinction between manslaughter and murder. Madsen, wearing a black t-shirt and jeans, told the court that Wall had died from breathing exhaust gases that had leaked into the submarine due to a technical error, while he was on the deck of the vessel preparing for to submerge. "When I turn to open the hatch cover, the most terrible minutes of my life begin. I cannot open the hatch, because the engine is sucking air from the cabin," he said. "Then I hear Kim calling." After eventually opening the hatch, he said: "I crawl down and find Kim Wall lifeless. I kneel beside her and pat her on the cheeks." He has previously admitted to dismembering her body and dumping the body parts at sea. Prosecutor Buch-Jepsen said Madsen had searched the internet for "beheading girl" just hours before the trip, and had videos of real killings of women on his computer. Investigators had found Madsen's semen on the clothes he was wearing during the trip, Buch-Jepsen said. Madsen denied in court having had any sexual relations with Wall. The trial is scheduled over twelve court hearings, with a verdict expected on April 25. (Reporting by Emil Gjerding Nielson, editing by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen and Robin Pomeroy)The start of Daylight Saving Time, when the clocks spring forward by an hour, is among the most hated days of the year. Aside from the obvious reason  losing an hour of sleep  research has shown that the time change, which this year falls on March 11, may contribute to everything from lost productivity to a heightened risk of heart attack and stroke.

How can resetting your clocks do all that? TIME asked Dr. Cathy Goldstein, an assistant professor of neurology at the University of Michigan School of Medicine Sleep Disorders Center, what really happens to your body when you lose an hour of sleep for Daylight Saving Time.

Your circadian rhythm is thrown off

Daylight Saving Times true impact goes beyond losing an hour of sleep, Goldstein says. Your circadian rhythm, an internal clock that exists so that wakefulness is promoted during the day, and sleep is promoted at night, Goldstein says, is also affected.

Thanks to circadian rhythms, the body begins secreting melatonin, a sleep-promoting hormone, around 9 p.m., with levels dropping way off by the next morning. Light exposure can moderate your circadian rhythm a bit, but the body more or less relies on consistent sleep and wakefulness cues  so when theyre altered, even by an hour, your sleep gets misaligned.

You take somebody whos very sleepy when they get up at 6 a.m., and then they get up at 6 a.m. during Daylight Saving Time, and for them thats physiologically 5 a.m., Goldstein says. Thats a big problem, because youre waking up at a time when the circadian system is not yet promoting alertness. Its still pushing for that sleepiness.

Plus, you may lose sleep on both ends of your cycle, since your normal bedtime will feel earlier, potentially making it harder to fall asleep in the first place. Even worse, DST happens on a weekend, when many people stay up later and sleep in. Because of the cumulative effects, you lose more like two or three hours of sleep, and it could take up to a week to get back on a normal schedule, Goldstein says.

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Lost sleep directly affects your health

Research has shown that losing an hour of sleep may cause you to eat roughly 200 more calories the next day, primarily from fat- and carbohydrate-heavy foods. Exercise endurance also falters after a night of inadequate sleep, Goldstein says, so your workout will likely be sluggish. Work or school performance may also suffer, she adds, citing studies that have found an uptick in cyberloafing  or wasting time online  in the days after DST.

Many studies of shift workers, whose nighttime sleep is often disrupted, have also identified health problems associated with chronic sleep deprivation, including heightened risks of obesity, cardiovascular disease and even cancer. While one night of bad sleep certainly isnt enough to cause these conditions, Goldstein says the findings highlight the importance of solid slumber.

Heres how to minimize the impact

With a little planning, you can save yourself from the worst of the DST hangover.

Before the event occurs, Goldstein recommends going to bed and rising 15 minutes earlier than you normally would. Then, continue to shave off an additional 15 minutes each night leading up to the time change. That way, by the time Daylight Saving Time rolls around, youll be more or less acclimated to the adjusted time.

To help you do that, I recommend getting lots of bright light in the early mornings, because that is what makes your internal clock earlier, and that will help you match better to Daylight Saving Time when the clock adjusts, Goldstein says.

You should also use DST as inspiration to take stock of your regular sleep habits, Goldstein says. For example, most people could do a better job of keeping sleep and wake times consistent, even on weekends. (Goldstein recommends waking up at your normal time and taking a nap on weekend afternoons, if you need one.) Another common area for improvement is minimizing technology use within two hours of bedtime, Goldstein says.Beirut (AFP) - More than 1,000 civilians have been killed since Syria's government launched a brutal offensive on the rebel-controlled Eastern Ghouta enclave nearly three weeks ago, a war monitor said on Saturday.

"The death toll has gone up to 1,002 civilians, after eight people were killed today in Harasta and Arbin," said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Rescue workers on Saturday pulled the bodies of 17 people, including members of three separate families -- from under the rubble of destroyed buildings in Douma.

Douma is the largest urban centre in Syria's Eastern Ghouta, and regime forces on Saturday were able to isolate it from the rest of the opposition bastion.

Government troops and allied militia have recaptured half of the besieged region in a blistering assault launched on February 18.

At least 215 children are among those killed since then, the Britain-based Observatory said.

Shelling and air strikes slammed into Douma throughout the day Saturday, trapping residents inside cellars transformed into makeshift bomb shelters, an AFP correspondent in the town said.

Rescue workers and medics were struggling to navigate the town's rubble-littered roads to reach the wounded and take them to field clinics.Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - Sameh al-Madhoun's eyes fill with tears as he recalls his fall from successful businessman to prisoner in a Hamas jail in Gaza.

Once the owner of a flourishing car dealership, he is one of more than 40,000 Gazans charged in the last year with failing to keep up debt payments as the economy in the Palestinian enclave collapses.

Madhoun, a 40-year-old father of four, has sold most of his possessions, including his house and some of his cars, in a bid to pay back the $3 million (2.4 million euro) debt that dragged his business into bankruptcy.

"I have paid off half of it until now. I don't know how I will pay off the rest," he told AFP from his jail cell.

"I don't own anything else now except these debts."

A decade-long Israeli blockade and a dispute between Gaza's Islamist rulers and the West Bank-based Palestinian Authorities have brought the coastal territory's economy to its knees.

Some 42,500 people were arrested in the past year for failing to pay debtors, according to Hamas police.

At least 600 are currently in jail on similar charges.

Madhoun has been detained since September, but is allowed to leave two days a week to see his young children and search for the money to pay back his debtors.

AFP met him both in prison, after being granted access by Hamas, and during one of his leave days at his former company -- now just a few cars gathering dust.

"The market collapsed. Even though prices fell there were no customers," Madhoun said.

"If it continues all the businesses in Gaza will fail."

- Economy 'all but dead'-

The economy of Gaza, a Palestinian enclave of two million people sandwiched between Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean, is "all but dead," said Maher Tabba, an official at the territory's Chamber of Commerce.

As Gazans' buying power has collapsed, the amount of goods being imported into the Strip has more than halved in just seven months, according to border officials.

Story continues

Tabba said some $112 million-worth of cheques bounced in 2017, up from $62 million in 2016.

That, he said, is "clear evidence of an economic collapse".

Tabba estimates that several hundred of those currently in prison are owners of struggling or failed businesses.

In an attempt to contain the crisis, the Public Prosecutor's Office in Gaza recently announced it would give people an extra month to find the money to service their debts.

Much of the world has dropped the policy of imprisoning debtors, but in Gaza it is still common.

Israel has maintained a blockade of Gaza since 2007 which it says is necessary to isolate Hamas, with which it has fought three wars since 2008.

Rights groups and UN officials say it amounts to collective punishment and strangles the economy in the enclave, where unemployment is around 40 percent.

But the Palestinian Authority has also sought in recent months to harm Hamas by damaging Gaza's economy, including by cutting the salaries it still pays to civil servants there despite Hamas taking over the territory in 2007.

Hamas has also largely stopped paying civil servants after an attempted reconciliation with the Fatah movement of president Mahmud Abbas stalled.

- 'Market collapsed' -

The United Nations' top official for Israel and the Palestinian territories says Gaza is facing a "full collapse."

Even Israelis are publicly raising the alarm.

The head of the army reportedly warned Israel's cabinet recently that a conflict could break out if humanitarian conditions continue to worsen in the Strip.

Another trader jailed in November, who didn't want to be named, said 35 people had been laid off when his company went bust.

"Everything I have built since I set up the company in 2002 was lost in the last year. My debt reached more than a million and a half dollars," he said.

"I was selling property to service the debt, but I wasn't able to pay it fully."

The trader said Gaza's financial woes are a result of the political situation -- and that nothing less than a solution will enable the economy to recover.

"The market collapsed because of the siege and the crisis with PA salaries," he added.

"While there is no political stability, there will not be economic security here and the market will not rise again."President Donald Trump is diving into a Pennsylvania congressional race on Saturday  a must-win for Republicans as they try to tamp down worries of a Democratic wave in Novembers midterm elections.

Trump will appear at an evening rally for Rick Saccone, a state representative who faces Democrat Conor Lamb in a special election on Tuesday. The president is set to speak in an airplane hangar at Pittsburgh International Airport, in Moon Township, in an event starting at 7 p.m. ET.

Trump will likely promote his new tariffs on steel and aluminum, which are popular in the district in the heart of steel country. Aides had considered holding a signing ceremony for the tariffs during his visit. But Lamb also supports the duties, so the issue isnt as effective a wedge for Saccone and Trump as it might otherwise be.

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The visit is a politically risky one for Trump  Saccone has lost his early lead in the race as Democrats in the district, with an anti-Trump message, gained momentum. A Republican loss would be embarrassing for the president and another sign of a weakened party heading into the midterm elections that will decide control of Congress.

Republican Agenda

The president last visited the area in January for an event promoting his tax law. The White House insisted that trip was strictly for official business, though Trump said his goals were political. Will be going to Pennsylvania today in order to give my total support to RICK SACCONE, running for Congress in a Special Election (March 13), he said on Twitter at the time. Rick is a great guy. We need more Republicans to continue our already successful agenda!

The district has long been in Republican hands. Trump won it by 19 points in 2016, but Saccone is in much weaker shape. Lamb, a 33-year-old Marine veteran and former assistant U.S. attorney, led by 3 points in an Emerson College poll released last week. A Gravis Marketing poll that had Saccone up by 12 points in January found his edge was down to just 3 points by this week. Both results were within the margin of error.

Story continues

The seat became vacant when Representative Tim Murphy, a Republican and abortion opponent, resigned in October after it was learned that he had encouraged a woman he was having an affair with to terminate her pregnancy.

Now a Toss-Up

Larry Sabatos Crystal Ball, a political forecasting unit of the University of Virginias Center for Politics, shifted the race on Thursday from Republican-leaning to a toss-up, pointing to Lambs strong fundraising and the lack of impact of Republican advertising promoting tax cuts.

Still, Saccone, 60, a conservative Air Force veteran and former college professor, appeared hopeful that the association with Trump could pull him over the finish line. Weve got Donald Trump. Weve got his son. Weve had Ivanka. What does the other side have? They have crazy uncle Joe Biden, Saccone said Wednesday as the former vice president visited the district.

Trump administration officials including White House counselor Kellyanne Conway and Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta have also campaigned for Saccone.

Even if Saccone wins, a narrow margin of victory could show that Democrats are competitive in places they hadnt been recently, forcing Republicans to spend time and money defending what had been safe congressional seats.

National Republican groups and their allies have spent more than $10 million in TV ads on behalf of Saccone, whos lagged far behind Lamb in fundraising.

Some Republican operatives working on the campaign have cited that fundraising differential  Lamb has raised $3.9 million through Feb. 21 compared with $918,000 by Saccone  as one of the reasons the Democrat has made this a competitive race.

Trump had been scheduled to campaign in the Pittsburgh area in February, but that trip was scrapped after 17 people were killed in the Parkland, Florida, school shooting on Feb. 14.Tesla billionaire Elon Musk weighed in on Thursday on Donald Trumps looming trade war with China, bombarding the president with a series of tweets focusing on unequal auto import tarrifs.

On Wednesday, Trump tweeted about Chinas massive Trade Deficit with the United States, and Musk responded the next morning by suggesting the two countries should have equal & fair rules for cars, such as import duties, ownership constraints & other factors.

Do you think the US & China should have equal & fair rules for cars? Meaning, same import duties, ownership constraints & other factors, Musk tweeted on Thursday morning.

Trending: Cocaine, MDMA and Amphetamine Capitals of Europe Ranked in New Report

He added: For example, an American car going to China pays 25% import duty, but a Chinese car coming to the US only pays 2.5%, a tenfold difference.

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Musk continued the thread by stating that the current discrepancy between the U.S. and Chinas tariffs on cars makes things very difficult and is like competing in an Olympic race wearing lead shoes. He then added that he had raised this issue with the Obama administration but nothing happened.

Just want a fair outcome, ideally where tariffs/rules are equally moderate. Nothing more. Hope this does not seem unreasonable, Musk tweeted. To be clear, I think a fair outcome for all is quite likely. China has already shown a willingness to open their markets and I believe they will do the right thing.

Although Trump did not reply to Musks comments online, he did address it at a press conference later on Thursday, called to announce new tariffs on imported steel aluminium, repoted Bloomberg.

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We send our car over there, pay 25 percent. They send their car over here, 2.5 percent. Thats from Elon, but everybody knows it. Theyve known it for years. They never did anything about it. Its got to change, the president said, seemingly taking the lead from Musk.

Story continues

Trump then went on to announce unspecified plans for upcoming reciprocal taxes or mirror taxes, again direcly addressing Musks issue of disparity between U.S. tariffs and those imposed by other countries. Although the president did not go into any detail about these new plans, he mentioned China and India before saying: Were going to be doing a lot of that.

In 2016, Tesla sold $1 billion of electric cars in China, the company reported. One year later, that figure doubled to over 2 billion. The companys latest annual report has flagged tariffs as one of the biggest threats plaguing its international operations.

Watch Trump's Thursday press conference on steel and aluminum tariffs below:

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekAnkara (AFP) - Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday said Turkish forces and allied rebels could enter the centre of the Kurdish-held Syrian town of Afrin "at any moment", a day after capturing another strategic town.

The comments reflected Turkey's increasing confidence of pressing its operation against Kurdish militia in the Afrin region of northern Syria to a successful conclusion after seven weeks of fighting.

"Now our objective is Afrin... As of now, we have Afrin encircled. We can enter Afrin at any moment, God willing," Erdogan told his ruling AKP party in Ankara, a day after Turkish forces took control of the town of Jandairis west of Afrin.

"The operations in Afrin will continue until this swamp of terror is dried," he warned.

Ankara on January 20 launched operation "Olive Branch" in the Afrin region of northern Syria against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia, who control the area but Turkey regards as a terror group.

Despite encountering fierce resistance -- which has caused the death of 42 Turkish troops -- Turkey's military and its Syrian allies appear to have gained new momentum in the last weeks.

The capture of Jandairis -- one of the key centres in the region other than Afrin itself -- was seen by analysts as giving Ankara a clear path towards its main target.

Turkish state media said Turkey's advance continued on Friday, with the forces now on the edge of the Afrin municipal district.

It said they had also taken control of the Afrin Dam -- also known as the 17 April Dam -- which stores water and provides some hydroelectric power.

Graphics published by state media show that the Turkish forces are seeking to encircle Afrin in a two-pronged pincer movement from the northeast and southwest, though they have yet to fully surround it.

- 'Today Afrin, tomorrow Manbij' -

The operation has ratcheted up tensions with the United States, pitting Turkey's army against a militia force allied with its fellow NATO member in the battle against Islamic State (IS) jihadists.

Story continues

Erdogan also reaffirmed his previous vows that Turkey would not limit itself to clearing the Afrin region of the YPG, saying it wanted to carry on to the town of Manbij to the east and then to the Iraqi border.

"Today we are in Afrin and tomorrow we will be in Manbij. And the next day we will ensure that terrorists are cleared east of the Euphrates River up to the Iraqi border," he said.

Manbij is regarded as a particularly delicate issue as the United States -- unlike in Afrin -- has a presence there, raising the prospect of a direct clash with Turkey.

On a visit to Ankara last month, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that Turkey and the US had to solve the tensions surrounding Manbij as a "priority".

Turkey sees the YPG as the Syrian branch of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which has battled the Turkish state in an over three decade long insurgency. The United States and the European Union see the PKK as a terror group but do not label the YPG with the term.President Donald Trump renewed his demand Saturday that the European Union halts its trade barriers to US products in order to spare his allies new steel and aluminum tariffs.

The American president made his comments after crunch talks in Brussels between EU negotiators and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in an effort to defuse a bitter row that many fear could turn into an all-out trade war.

The EU's top trade official said the US failed to provide full clarity on how Europe and Japan could be spared set to continue next week.

"The European Union, wonderful countries who treat the U.S. very badly on trade, are complaining about the tariffs on Steel & Aluminum," Trump tweeted.

"If they drop their horrific barriers & tariffs on U.S. products going in, we will likewise drop ours. Big Deficit. If not, we Tax Cars etc. FAIR!"

President Donald Trump's announcement of duties of 25 percent on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminum has stung the European Union, along with other major partners including Japan, whose Economy Minister Hiroshige Seko also attended the talks in Brussels.

"As long-standing security partners of the United States, (the EU and Japan) underlined to ambassador Lighthizer their expectation that EU and Japanese exports to the US would be exempted from the application of higher tariffs," an EU statement said after the talks.

But after two-way talks with Lighthizer, European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem tweeted: "No immediate clarity on the exact US procedure for exemption however, so discussions will continue next week."

- Match 'stupid with stupid' -

Brussels has gone the furthest in fighting back against Washington's shock measures, loudly announcing a list of US products to hit with countermeasures if its exports are affected by the tariffs.

In announcing the measures, European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker taunted Trump, saying the EU could match "stupid with stupid."

Story continues

Trump pushed back as he visited western Pennsylvania, in the heart of US steel country, where he boasted of his tariffs and denounced low-quality imports.

"It's not good steel -- you guys know what I mean. It's crap," Trump said, earning cheers from the crowd.

Trump said the move would spur economic growth in the region.

"A lot of steel mills are now opening up because of what I did," he said. "Steel is back, and aluminum is back."

Lighthizer, a loyalist to Trump's "America First" mantra, made no official comment after the talks, but the three sides did agree on a series of next steps to address the oversupply worldwide of steel and other materials, mainly by China.

This progress was "unexpected" and a source of cautious optimism on solving the tariff row, an EU official said on condition of anonymity.

"If Trump wants his allies to demonstrate that they are united in tackling problems with China, this is precisely that," the source added.

- US 'affront' -

With tensions at a peak, the EU had sought to keep low expectations for any breakthrough on Saturday. European Commission Vice President Jyrki Katainen said it would be "a meeting, not THE meeting."

Along with a huge range of steel products, the EU's hit list of flagship American products lined up for counter measures includes peanut butter, bourbon whiskey and denim jeans.

Germany -- singled out for particular criticism by Trump -- accused Washington of protectionism, calling the tariffs an "affront to close partners."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned that "no one can win in such a race to the bottom" while French President Emmanuel Macron said Trump risked provoking a mutually destructive "trade war."

Trump said the tariffs, which will come into effect 15 days after he formally unveiled them Thursday, will not initially apply to Canada and Mexico. He also added Australia to the list of likely carve-outs.

Complicating matters, Trump indicated that the sparing of Australia was linked to an unspecified "security agreement" outside of trade policy.

This shed light on Trump's attacks against Germany -- the biggest economy in the European Union -- that have accused Berlin of contributing much less than the US toward the funding of NATO.

The EU exports around five billion euros ($4 billion) worth of steel and a billion euros worth of aluminum to the US each year, and the European Commission, the bloc's executive arm, estimates Trump's tariffs could cost some 2.8 billion euros.

Brussels is also looking at "safeguard" measures to protect its industry -- restricting the bloc's imports of steel and aluminum to stop foreign supplies flooding the European market, which is allowed under World Trade Organization rules.

burs-oh-mlm/ohLondon (AFP) - A retired Russian double agent was leading a seemingly peaceful life in rural Britain when he and his visiting daughter were targeted in a nerve agent attack.

Here is what we know about the Sergei Skripal affair.

Who is Sergei Skripal?

A former colonel in the Russian military intelligence service, Sergei Skripal was accused of "high treason" in 2006 for selling information to Britain and sentenced to 13 years in prison.

In 2010, he benefited from a spy swap between Moscow on the one side and London and Washington on the other.

In a highly unusual move, Russia agreed to release a double agent arrested in its territory, but received 10 Russian spies released by Washington in exchange.

His new life

The former agent settled in the small city of Salisbury, south-west of London, best known for its medieval cathedral.

Here he lived an apparently unremarkable existence, setting up home in a modest red-brick suburban housing estate.

A surveillance video of Skripal captured days before the attack showed him buying milk and bacon at his local shop, where he would come "a couple of times a week" to buy scratchcards, shop owner Ebru Ozturk told the Mirror.

But another Russian exile, Valery Morozov, told British media that he had not stopped his espionage activities and was working in cyber-security.

What happened on Sunday?

Skripal and his daughter Yulia, who was visiting from Russia, had lunch at Italian restaurant Zizzi before heading to The Mill pub for a drink.

A few hours later, several witnesses spotted them on a bench near the Maltings shopping mall, visibly ill.

One of them had vomited, while Sergei Skripal had glazed eyes and was shaking his hands towards the sky.

After a witness called the police, the pair were immediately taken to hospital, where they remain in a critical condition.

The first police officer to come into contact with the pair was also hospitalised, and remains in a serious condition.

What substance was used?

Story continues

Police moved quickly to take samples after isolating the area and closing the restaurant and pub where the father and daughter visited.

Police revealed Wednesday that the nerve agent used in the attempted murder had been identified, but did not publicise the findings.

Interior minister Amber Rudd said Thursday that the toxin was "very rare", ruling out the most obvious suspects such as Sarin gas -- used against civilians in Syria -- or agent VX -- used to kill North Korea leader Kim Jong-Un's half-brother in Malaysia last year.

Rudd called the attack "brazen and reckless" and "attempted murder in the most cruel and public way".

British media have speculated on how the dose was administered, asking whether the poison was sprayed on the couple, secreted in food or drink or brought unknowingly by Yulia in a package.

Who is responsible?

Although officials have said not to jump to conclusions, Russia is under heavy suspicion.

The agent used is a sophisticated product that can only be made by an expert in the laboratory, pointing to a state actor.

And the case of Alexander Litvinenko, a Russian dissident who died of Polonium poisoning in a 2006 attack attributed to Moscow, is still fresh in the memory.

Foreign minister Boris Johnson, Britain's top diplomat, said he saw "echoes" of Litvinenko in the Skripal case, provoking anger in Moscow, which maintains its innocence.San Francisco and Oakland are battling the world's oil giants in federal court for knowingly producing fossil fuels whose emissions have triggered sea level rise. The two coastal cities argue that oil companies  including BP, ExxonMobil, and Shell  should foot the bill for hugely expensive infrastructure defenses to hold back rising waters  such as formidable sea walls.

And now  for the first time  a federal judge will listen as both sides present their understanding of climate science and the causes of global warming before the court. The hearing, referred to by the judge as a "tutorial," will address at least 14 specific questions that U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup asked both sides on Feb. 27.

"To my knowledge, no court has asked for this sort of presentation on climate science," said Justin Gundlach, a climate lawyer at Columbia University's Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, in an interview.

SEE ALSO: New York City is suing big oil for global warming

"This is an odd procedure, but one that makes sense," Gundlach said.

Oil companies and the cities have fundamental disagreements about climate science findings, so settling on some foundational realities about the effects of sending massive amounts of carbon emissions into the atmosphere could give Alsup an improved idea of how to rule in the case.

"Whats interesting about this request is that it does seem that an inevitable outcome is a list of stipulations about climate science  things all reasonable people should agree on," said Gundlach.

"Thats not to say that the parties are going to agree," he added.

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Judge Alsup wrote a court notice asking that a "tutorial" be provided over the course of five hours, in which both sides will be given 60 minutes to present on each of two subjects:

Tracing "the history of scientific study of climate change, beginning with scientific inquiry into the formation and melting of the ice ages, periods of historical cooling and warming, smog, ozone, nuclear winter, volcanoes, and global warming." Setting forth "the best science now available on global warming, glacier melt, sea rise, and coastal flooding."

While Gundlach said he's not sure what approach the oil companies will choose to take when describing climate science, he speculated that they may "emphasize uncertainties about how climate change will affect the future" as a way to avoid responsibilities for effects like sea level rise.

Story continues

The lawyers for San Francisco and Oakland will likely present evidence that, as early as the 1970s, scientists within the oil industry were well aware of the effects carbon emissions would have on the global climate.

"Defendants took these stark warnings and proceeded to double-down on fossil fuels," San Francisco and Oakland's lawyers stated in their complaint, filed in September 2017.

"Even at this time, with the global warming danger level at a critical phase, defendants continue to engage in massive fossil fuel production and execute long-term business plans to continue and even expand their fossil fuel production for decades into the future, the complaint states.

Already, climate scientists are working to crowdsource answers to Alsup's climate science questions. Many of these questions are elementary to climate scientists and are not up for much debate in the climate science community  such as the causes of ice ages:

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Beyond addressing these basic tenants of climate science, it's possible both sides may look at recent research attempting to gauge each oil corporations' responsibility for historic carbon emissions  meaning who's responsible for what fraction of the world's total emissions from burning oil and gas.

"I would think the fight would be over that  to the extent that theres a fight," said Gundlach.

This lawsuit is part of a wave of legal actions taken by everyone from 21 young Americans to New York City to try to force the oil industry and the federal government to recognize the scientific consensus on the subject and take action to address climate change.

Andrew Freedman contributed reporting.Federal officials are advising a New Jersey city to help it create a ferry service and rebuild a pier that are next to a beachfront resort co-owned by senior White House adviser and Donald Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner, The Associated Press reported.

Its the latest in a number of troubling conflict-of-interest issues highlighting Kushners dual role as a White House official and a private businessman.

The ferry project, which would help bring New Yorkers practically to the doorstep of the resort, could boost the value of the 269 condos, which are currently selling for up to $1.9 million each, a former local official told AP, which discovered the connection between the ferry proposal and the Kushner property.

The Federal Transit Administration had already given the Jersey Shore city of Long Branch $3.34 million in 2008 to redevelop a fishing pier. But now local leaders are talking with the federal officials about gaining more funds to create the ferry service, and the FTA appears to support the plan, according to the AP.

Kushner resigned as CEO of his familys real estate company, Kushner Companies, but retains major investments in a number of properties. According to his latest financial disclosure in December, he still owns part of the Jersey Shore resort.

Kushner Companies spokeswoman Christine Taylor told AP that the pier would have no specific benefit to us versus anyone else in town.

Howard Woolley, Long Branchs former business administrator, said Kushners father, Charles, has been a big supporter of the pier project. Charlie was interested in seeing it built. We all agreed it would be good for the city and good for Pier Village.

Jared Kushner is coming under increasing heat over his continued private business entanglements even as his family presses for foreign loans while he negotiates with foreign leaders as part of his White House responsibilities.

Special counsel Robert Mueller is reportedly looking into any Kushner business discussions with foreign entities during the presidential transition that may have later affected Kushners work in the White House.

Story continues

An Israeli insurer invested $30 million in Kushner family properties shortly before Kushner traveled to Israel last May to discuss Mideast peace. Insurer Menora Mivtachim invested the money in Maryland apartment complexes in which Kushner still holds a stake.

The New York Times also reported earlier this month that after the CEOs of Apollo Global Management and Citigroup attended meetings at the White House arranged by Kushner, the companies loaned the Kushner family business more than $500 million.

Representatives of Kushner Companies, including Kushners father, met with the Qatari finance minister in New York last April in a failed bid to secure Qatari financing for the firms troubled signature property, 666 Fifth Avenue, The Intercept reported. In a surprising move in June, the U.S. backed a controversial blockade of Qatar led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

If it turns out Kushner retaliated against the Qataris because they refused to invest in his familys property, he has to go, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said Sunday on ABCs This Week With George Stephanopoulos.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Staff at the centre were left shocked by the shooting: AP

An eight-hour stand off with police at a California veterans home ended with four people dead including the gunman, who is believed to have taken his own life.

Police discovered the bodies at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville, which treats veterans for post-traumatic stress disorder, following a suspected hostage situation.

The gunman, identified as Albert Wong, was a 36-year-old former patient who had served as an Army rifleman in Afghanistan.

He is thought to have slipped into a leaving party mid-morning on Friday at the not-for-profit treatment organisation Pathway Home, which operates a rehabilitation centre on the Yountville property.

Authorities described workers inside the building as hostages throughout the day, although it is unclear how long they were held alive for.

Police said shots had been fired as Wong entered the party and they had been unable to make contact with him before the four bodies were found later that evening.

The victims have now been identified as Pathway Home employees Christine Loeber, 48, Jennifer Golick, 42, and clinical psychologist for the San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs Jennifer Gonzalez, 29.

California Highway Patrol Assistant Chief Chris Childs said it was far too early to say if Wong had chosen his victims at random as investigators were yet to establish his motive.

The centre is home to around 1,200 veterans from all conflicts since the Second World War (AP)

This is a tragic piece of news, one we were really hoping we would not have to come before the public to give, he said.

Pathway Home paid tribute to the workers who died in the shooting in a statement.

These brave women were accomplished professionals who dedicated their careers to serving our nations veterans, working closely with those in the greatest need of attention after deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, the organisation said.

California Governor Jerry Brown said flags would be flown at half mast at the capitol building and that he and his wife are deeply saddened by the horrible violence.

Story continues

Yvette Bennett, a wound-care supply worker who supplies the veterans centre, was turned back when she tried to deliver what she called urgently needed medical supplies for two patients inside.

She said the facility was the most placid, calm, serene place, she had worked and had asked a doctor earlier this week: Whats your magic here?

And then 48 hours later this happens.

The veterans home is situated in the heart of Californias wine country (AP)

Yountville is situated some 50 miles north of San Francisco and has a population of around 3,000, a third of whom live on the grounds of the veterans home.

In the heart of Californias Napa Valley wine country, it is home to several vineyards as well as two Michelin-starred restaurants.

The Veterans Home of California in Yountville was established in the town in 1884 and houses around 1,200 elderly and disabled former soldiers who served in conflicts from the Second World War to the Iraq War.

Additional reporting by Associated PressLille (France) (AFP) - Former top Trump aide Steve Bannon told the French far right on Saturday that "history is on our side" as he addressed the party conference of a National Front that is seeking to bounce back from crushing electoral setbacks.

"The tide of history is with us and it will compel us to victory after victory, after victory," Bannon, once a powerful figure in the Trump administration and former head of Breitbart News, told the FN conference in its northern stronghold of Lille.

"Let them call you racists, let them call you xenophobes, let them call you nativists. Wear it as a badge of honor. Because every day we get stronger and they get weaker," Bannon said in an address which drew strong applause from FN leader Marine Le Pen.

Le Pen, who will wind up the gathering with a speech on Sunday, suffered a bruising loss to centrist Emmanuel Macron in last year's presidential poll and the party won only eight seats in the general election that followed.

Her poor showing in a final TV debate against Macron raised questions about her fitness to lead one of the world's biggest economies and in the months since both party and leader have appeared somewhat deflated.

Le Pen arrived in Lille having vowed to ditch the tainted FN brand, seen as a key hurdle to winning power, in favour of an as yet unannounced new name.

The party canvassed 51,000 members last year about the name change proposal and on Saturday it emerged that just 52 percent had voted in favour among the 30,000 who responded. That compared with 90 percent of respondents wanting a referendum on continued EU membership and 98 percent wanting to cut immigration to France.

- 'King of fake news' -

Bannon, who has repeatedly expressed support for Europe's far-right movements, fired the opening salvo at the gathering -- after the head of Macron's Republic on the Move party, Christophe Castaner, had earlier dubbed him "the king of fake news and of white supremacists".

Story continues

Bannon said he agreed with Le Pen's expressed belief that "it is not about left versus right," while blaming the media for having "always kept us out of power".

Warming to his theme, Bannon added: "You argue for sovereignty and they call you a nativist. You argue for your freedom and they call you a xenophobe. You argue for your country and they call you a racist. But the days of that smear are over."

Speaking earlier in Paris, former party head Jean-Marie Le Pen, replaced by Marine in 2011, dubbed the American's visit "paradoxical" and "not exactly the definition of 'de-demonisation'" his daughter has sought to give the party.

Marine Le Pen is running unopposed for a third term and her address Sunday will see her try to turn a page on the anti-Semitic, openly racist party of her former paratrooper father.

"Without a name change we will not be able to forge alliances. And without alliances we will never be able to take power," she said last month.

- 'Swallow pride ' -

Despite doubts voiced by some older party faithful in Lille, FN youth leader Gaetan Dussausaye insisted that the party had to "swallow its pride" as "the FN brand is still a block for voters".

Observers said the party may keep the word "national" in a future label with "Rassemblement national" (national assembly) a putative alternative.

The soap opera squabbles of the Le Pen dynasty have long kept French media in thrall.

Jean-Marie Le Pen said that in losing heavily to Macron his daughter had "not been equal to the challenge" -- a sentiment echoed by many FN members.

Others woes have stacked up since, including the party's alleged misuse of EU expenses.

But party members credit Marine with massively expanding the party's support, doubling its score from 5.5 million votes in the 2002 presidential election to 10.6 million, or almost 34 percent, in 2017.

Le Pen is hoping for a rematch with Macron in next year's European elections by forming alliances with other eurosceptic parties around the bloc while banking on divisions at home between pro-Macron centrists and rightwingers tearing his party apart.By Anshuman Daga and Aradhana Aravindan

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Southeast Asia's biggest ride-hailing firm, Grab, is in advanced negotiations to buy parts of Uber Technologies Inc's business in the region, said a source with knowledge of the talks, in what would be Uber's second retreat from an Asian market.

Ride-hailing firms have raised billions of dollars to help compete in Southeast Asia where they have been forced into losses partly due to hefty incentives to drivers and discounts to riders.

Grab has a dominant position in several markets in the region of about 640 million people, while Uber has also been expanding. The U.S. ride hailing firm announced a partnership with Singapore's top taxi operator ComfortDelgro <CMDG.SI> in December.

"Grab is much bigger in Southeast Asia and they understand the local market much better," said Xiaofeng Wang, analyst at consultancy Forrester.

A multi-billion dollar funding of Uber in January by SoftBank Group <9984.T>, already one of Grab's main investors, had opened up the possibility of a consolidation with Grab.

"Uber has to be more focused on those markets where it is doing quite well and have more advantages - like Europe and U.S.," Wang said.

Singapore-headquartered Grab's potential agreement with Uber would be similar to the one struck in China in 2016, when Didi Chuxing bought out Uber's China business and gave a stake in return, said the source, who declined to be identified as the talks are private.

As part of the Southeast Asia deal, Uber will get a stake in Grab, said the source, who declined to provide financial details.

Grab and Uber declined to comment on the Reuters story.

Though Uber expects to lose money in Southeast Asia, the company will continue to invest aggressively in the region, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said during a visit to India last month.

Grab operates private car, motorcycle, taxi and carpooling services across eight countries with more than 2.3 million drivers. It has expanded into digital payment services.

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The company, which has an estimated valuation of about $6 billion, counts sovereign wealth fund China Investment Corp, venture capital firm GGV Capital, and Vertex Ventures, a subsidiary of Singapore state investor Temasek Holdings, among its investors.

Bloomberg reported on Thursday that Grab was close to finalising a deal to acquire Uber's business in certain markets in Southeast Asia and may sign a deal this week or next, citing people familiar with the matter.

(Reporting by Anshuman Daga and Aradhana Aravindan; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)Vanessa Flores embraces another woman after she leaves the locked down Veterans Home of California during an active shooter turned hostage situation on 9 March 2018 in Yountville, California: Stephen Lam/Getty Images

A gunman who took hostages and killed three workers at a veterans facility had been treated there as a patient.

Albert Wong, a 36-year-old former Army infantryman, killed three workers and himself at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville just a week after he had been dismissed from a programme there, state Senator Bill Dodd said.

He had been treated for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at Pathway Home, a programme at the Yountville complex, after serving in the Army from 2010 to 2013. He received four medals including an Afghanistan campaign medal and was awarded an Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle, the Pentagon said.

The incident began at 10:30am local time on 9 March and did not end until eight hours later when police entered the room to find Wong and his three victims: Pathway Home Executive Director Christine Loeber, 48, the program's clinical director, therapist Jen Golick, 42, and Jennifer Gonzales, 29, a psychologist with the San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

The San Francisco Chronicle, citing unnamed sources, said he had been asked to leave the program two weeks ago.

Devereaux Smith, an administrator at the facility, told her husband Larry Kamer, a volunteer there, by phone during the siege that the gunman had let her and three other women leave the room where the party was taking place, but that he kept three female employees behind as hostages.

The employees were attending a farewell party of one of their colleagues when Wong walked in with a rifle.

Police had been unable to make contact with Wong or the hostages after the beginning of the standoff when Wong had exchanged gunfire with a sheriff's deputy.

These brave women were accomplished professionals who dedicated their careers to serving our nations veterans, working closely with those in the greatest need of attention after deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, The Pathway Home said in a statement.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic situation in Yountville and mourn the loss of three incredible women who cared for our Veterans," US President Donald Trump said on Saturday on Twitter.

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Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin said: We are deeply saddened and affected by the tragic outcome of the hostage situation at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville and extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones involved".

Flags around the state were ordered to fly at half mast per Governor Jerry Brown.

James Musson, a 75-year-old Army veteran and resident of the sprawling facility located in the heart of Napa Valley wine country, told Reuters many who lived there voiced concerns about lax security, saying visitors could walk in and out without restriction and that public safety officers were not armed.

Around 1,000 disabled or elderly veterans are residents there.

"The Pathway Home is known for its sometimes unconventional therapies, which have included swimming with dolphins and holding social events in which the veterans mix with children. About 450 people have been treated at the unit since its opening, mostly for PTSD, mild traumatic brain injury and other post-deployment mental health challenges," the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Agencies contributed to this reportThe Napa County Sheriff's office identified the three women killed at Yountville Veterans Home of California on Friday as mental health workers who worked for The Pathway Home, a nonprofit program run at the facility supporting veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and transitioning to life after the military.

The victims were the program's executive director Christine Loeber, 42, clinical director Dr. Jennifer Golick, 48, and Dr. Jennifer Gonzales, 29, who worked as a clinical psychologist at the Student Veteran Health Program at San Francisco Veteran Affairs Medical Center (SFVAMC), splitting her time between The Pathway Home and the Napa Valley College.

The suspected gunman, identified as 36-year-old army veteran Albert Wong, entered the campus armed with a rifle on Friday morning, when The Pathway Home employees were holding a going-away party for some of their colleagues.

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03_10_California_shooting

Stephen Lam/Getty Images

He holed himself up in a room with three hostages after briefly exchanging fire with a Napa County Sheriff's Office Deputy who first responded to the shooting. After an almost eight hour-standoff, authorities entered the room to find the bodies of the suspect and the three victims, California Highway Patrol Golden Gate Division Assistant Chief Chris Childs said in a press conference. He did not speculate on the motive of the killing. Its far too early to say if they were chosen at random, he said.

Loeber began working for the program in September 2016 and she described the veterans home, considered to be the largest veterans facility in the U.S. founded in 1884 in the scenic Napa Valley, as "tranquil" and "the perfect location for our Veterans to heal," in a message published on The Pathway Home website on March 1.

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According to the website, the program has helped more than 450 veterans and their families cope with the effects of their deployment. Wong, a decorated infantryman who served for three years, including a year spent in Afghanistan, was one of the veterans receiving treatment. But clinical director Golicks father-in-law, Bob Golick, said she had recently expelled Wong from the program for reasons that remain unclear, reported The Associated Press.

The Pathway Home issued a statement commenting on the tragedy. These brave women were accomplished professionals who dedicated their careers to serving our nations veterans, working closely with those in the greatest need of attention after deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, the statement said.

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California governor Jerry Brown and his wife Anne offered their condolences to the womens loved ones and to the entire Yountville community in a statement. He ordered Capitol flags to be flown at half-staff to honor the victims and their families.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekHundreds of migrants rescued off Libyan coast African migrants rescued from a ship off the coast of Zawiyah, about 45 kilometres west of the Libyan capital Tripoli, sit at the dock at the capitals naval base on March 10, 2018. (Photo: Mahmud Turkia/AFP/Getty Images)

The Libyan navy rescued 252 migrants Saturday who were trying to reach Europe, in two separate operations off the countrys western coast.

We were alerted  to the position of a migrant boat around 30 kilometres (20 miles) off Zawiya, west of Tripoli, navy Captain Rami al-Hadi Ghomed said.

He said the 140 migrants on board, including 14 women and four children, were brought back to Tripolis naval base before being transferred to a detention center.

Since the 2011 fall and killing of longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi, unruly Libya has become a key launching pad for migrants making desperate bids to reach Europe, often on unseaworthy vessels.

The second rescue operation took place around 50 kilometers off Garabulli, east of the capital.

The navy rescued 112 migrants, including 30 women and three children, aboard an inflatable boat, said navy spokesman Ayoub Kacem.

Recent years have seen thousands of migrants infiltrate the vast southern border of Libya in attempts to cross the Mediterranean to Europe.

The situation has deteriorated since Gadhafis fall as lawlessness and insecurity have pushed more migrants already present in Libya to attempt the perilous crossing.

At least 337 migrants have died or disappeared off the coast of Libya since the start of the year, according to the International Organization for Migration. (AFP)

See more news-related photo galleries and follow us on Yahoo News Photo Twitter and Tumblr.London (AFP) - The husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian woman jailed in Tehran, on Saturday demanded urgent updates from the Foreign Office in London about what was holding up her return to the UK.

Richard Ratcliffe, who took part in a small gathering outside the Foreign Office, said there had been positive signs from the Iranian authorities but the family did not know when she might be coming home.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian dual national who works for the Thomson Reuters Foundation -- the media organisation's philanthropic arm -- was arrested at Tehran airport in April 2016.

She is serving a five-year jail sentence for alleged sedition -- charges she has always denied.

"We've been getting better messages from the Iranian side, from the judiciary and the prosecutor's office in Iran," Richard Ratcliffe told Sky News television.

"This week the head of prison said, 'Oh yes, I've approved her release, I approved it a number of months ago'. So there's been clearly things to hold on to, hopefully.

"Part of the aspiration of today's message to the Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is I would like to meet to ask what's the blockage? What's going on?"

The Foreign Office did not comment on Ratcliffe's reported updates.

A spokeswoman told AFP: "We will continue to approach each case in a way that we judge is most likely to secure the outcome we all want.

"Therefore we will not be providing a running commentary on every twist and turn."Ms Pablos in her Facebook profile picture: Facebook

An undocumented immigrant rights organiser has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in what activists say is the latest example of the Trump administration targeting vocal members of the immigrant rights movement.

Alejandra Pablos, 32, was detained early Thursday morning during a routine check-in with ICE officials, just months after she was arrested by immigration officials at what has been described as a peaceful immigration protest outside of an ICE field office in Virginia.

Ms Pablos, in a video recorded before her detention and posted on Facebook, said that arrests like hers are an effort to silence immigration activists and disassemble the larger pro-immigrant movement. At least four other prominent immigration activists have been detained and threatened with deportation since President Donald Trump took office.

They are trying to tear our movement and our community apart, and Im not going to let that happen, Ms Pablos said in the video, which she pre-recorded suspecting she might be detained. They are retaliating against all activists and organisers. I need you to fight for me on the outside as I am fighting inside.

The woman, who says that she would be in danger if deported to Mexico, is currently seeking asylum and previously served two years in US detention facilities. That detention began in 2011 after she was charged with driving under the influence and for being in possession of marijuana, Tania Unzueta, a fellow undocumented organiser with the group Mijente in Tucson who is familiar with her case, told The Independent.

Ms Pablos was released following that detention on parole after serving two years at a detention centre in Eloy, Arizona, and was instructed to regularly check in with immigration officials.

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But Ms Unzueta says that the most recent detention is connected to her arrest at the January, and not because of her run-in with the law seven years ago.

To put it bluntly, I think it is an intimidation tactic for people who are speaking out on immigration, Ms Unzuenta said, saying that an ICE agent in Virginia had notified their colleagues in Arizona about Ms Pablos.

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Immigration rights groups sued ICE last month after a different immigration activist, Ravi Ragbir, was detained and threatened with deportation proceedings. The lawsuit, which has gotten Mr Ragbir a stay on his deportation order, argued that his detention was the result of his activism and not solely related to his immigration status.

ICEs targeting of immigrant-rights activists based on their protected speech and political advocacy plainly violates the First Amendment. We intend to put an end to this vindictive practice, Sally Pei, an attorney working on that case, said in a statement released the time.

When contacted for comment, ICE spokesperson Lauren Mack rejected the notion that immigrants are being targeted for their political activism, and pointed out that the agency has a directive to target criminal aliens in the US. In the fiscal year of 2017, Ms Mack said, 73.7 per cent of the undocumented immigrants detained fell into that category, they noted  a category that Ms Pablos would fall under for her previous convictions.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement does not target unlawfully present aliens for arrest based on advocacy positions they hold or in retaliation for critical comments they make, Ms Mack said in a statement representing the agency. Any suggestion to the contrary is irresponsible, speculative and inaccurate. ICE focuses its enforcement resources on individuals who pose a threat to national security, public safety and border security.

Immigration advocates, including Ms Unzuenta, disagree. When asked about the stated goal of ICE to arrest criminal aliens, advocates often reference cases in which ICE agents arrested immigrants who had been critical of the agency even though they did not have a criminal history.

Ms Unzuenta noted the case of Maru Mora-Villalpando, 47, who is an outspoken activist in the Seattle area who has lived in the United States for more than 25 years, and who has an American daughter.

Ms Mora-Villalpando was served a notice to appear before an immigration judge in December after an ICE agent showed up at her front door. Ms Mora-Villalpando does not have a criminal background, but did overstay her visa, which is a civil  not criminal  violation.

She had never been in deportation proceedings before, she had never been in contact with police, Ms Unzuenta, who is organising around the case as well, said. They found her story in a newspaper where they said she was undocumented. I think her case is one where its really clear that there is no other excuse for ICE to target her except for her public speaking.By Christian Shepherd and Natalie Thomas BEIJING (Reuters) - During Chinese President Xi Jinping's first years in office, rights activists tried to remain buoyant despite shrinking opportunities to organize. They staged small-scale protests, switched messaging platforms to avoid surveillance, supported the families and friends of those jailed, and pledged to continue their rights work come what may. But a move to end presidential term limits, enabling Xi to remain in office indefinitely, may well have slammed the door shut on any hopes for a resurgence of grassroots activism and pressure for democratic political reform. On Sunday, delegates at the annual meeting of China's largely rubber-stamp parliament are expected to ratify the necessary constitutional amendment to make Xi the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong, the founder of communist China. "To say it's a low period sounds too superficial. It will be more like a freeze, where not one inch of grass is born. A barren period, for a very long time," said Zhao Sile, a mainland journalist and activist who is a visiting scholar at National Chung Cheng University in Taiwan, where she recently published a book on social movements in China over the past two decades. A growing space for activism in the early 2000s, fueled by social media and a movement of liberal reformers in the run-up to Beijing's hosting of the 2008 Olympics, was buffeted by intermittent crackdowns from late that year to 2013, when Xi assumed power. But the Xi era has been marked by what many activists say has been an unremitting squeeze on public dissent, including the government's increasing control and censorship of cyberspace. China's State Council Information Office, which also speaks for the ruling Communist Party, did not immediately respond to a faxed request for comment for this article. Delegates gathered at the parliamentary meeting in Beijing say scrapping the two-term presidential limit is popular with ordinary Chinese who are happy to have a leader of Xi's caliber. 'MORE POWERFUL THAN MAO' Rights lawyers, once among the most active and vocal groups of reformers in China, have faced what activist groups call a coordinated campaign of repression under Xi. As an example, a day after the announcement of term limits being scrapped, central Chinas Lengshuijiang city justice bureau warned lawyers and law-firms that a failure to maintain consistency with the Communist Party when speaking about the amendments to the constitution online could mean being disbarred, according to a letter circulated online. Reuters was unable to independently verify the documents authenticity. A number of rights lawyers have been disbarred by the authorities in recent months for allegedly breaching rules governing their behavior . Such crackdowns mean that fewer people are prepared to go public with any criticism of Xi. "Any opposition he faces from his opponents will be far, far smaller than what Mao Zedong faced," said writer and activist Mo Zhixu, who is married to Zhao and is also a visiting scholar at Chung Cheng. Mo writes on Chinese politics as a member of the non-profit Independent Chinese PEN Center, which since its founding in 2001 has been an intellectual home for critics of China's political system, including Nobel Peace Prize-winner Liu Xiaobo. Liu, who was president of the centre from 2003 to 2007, died of cancer last year while in Chinese custody. In 2008, Liu and others wrote a manifesto known as Charter 08, calling for China's constitution to be rewritten to ensure liberal democracy and to abolish one-party rule. One activist inside China who is still prepared to go public is Li Datong, a former editor at the state-run China Youth Daily who was fired in 2006 after publishing article that pushed for greater civil liberties. He said news of term limits being abolished sparked outrage and anger in liberal chat groups online. Its not a policy change. Its a change of Chinas political system  of the foundation of that system. To not speak out would be to give tacit consent, he said. But under current government pressure, resistance is like a loose pan of sand. There can be no organized action, and each individuals ability to protest is limited. AFTER TIANANMEN Many current activists were spawned and inspired by Liu and others closely involved in the protests in Tiananmen Square in the center of Beijing in 1989 that called for democracy, a free press and freedom of speech. In a bloody crackdown that led to an unknown number of deaths - some foreign estimates put the numbers in the thousands - the Chinese authorities sent tanks and troops into the square on June 4, 1989. But even after Tiananmen there was hope for the activists. China's then paramount leader Deng Xiaoping initiated economic reforms that set the stage for China's decades of rapid growth that prompted many campaigners to predict that growing prosperity would spur political reform. Those expectations have been thwarted under Xi. Hu Jia, a prominent activist who was imprisoned in 2008 for three-and-a-half years for subversion, said Xi has been far more "ruthless" in his suppression of activists than the previous two administrations, but that activists should continue to take a stand - despite the consequences. Hu says he remains under surveillance and currently has been taken on an enforced "holiday" in southern China by police minders - a regular occurrence for some dissidents made to leave the capital during big political meetings. "I think that if everyone in China was a coward, if everyone was spineless then we'd still be living in the Qin dynasty," he said, referring to the first dynasty of Imperial China. (Reporting by Christian Shepherd and Natalie Thomas in Beijing; Fabian Hamacher in Taipei; Editing by Tony Munroe and Martin Howell)New Delhi (AFP) - China's mighty strategic shadow hangs over an accord signed by India and France on Saturday aimed at stepping up military cooperation in the Indian Ocean.

Under the deal signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron, each country will open its naval bases to warships from the other.

China's territorial ambitions in the South China Sea already worry world powers. And its move into the vast Indian Ocean -- stretching from the Suez Canal to the Malacca Strait -- has heightened that concern.

Modi and Macron are particularly anxious as China extended its military presence by opening a naval base in the eastern African nation of Djibouti last year.

Beijing is also building up its trading network -- the so-called One Belt One Road initiative -- which involves many of the Asian and African nations that line the Indian Ocean.

It has built a port in Pakistan's Gwadar, taken a 99-year-lease on Sri Lanka's Hambantota and bought a number of tiny islands in the Maldives.

All of this has alarmed India, which sits at the heart of the Indian Ocean region.

New Delhi experts see Chinese companies investing in assets ranging from airports to the Bangladesh stock exchange as Beijing's trojan horses.

"They essentially work at the behest of the state and all of their investments are actually not commercial investments but strategic investments and they are meant to serve a geopolitical purpose," said Abhijit Singh, an analyst at the Observer Research Foundation, a New Delhi-based think tank.

Modi made clear when he came to power in 2014 that boosting India's influence in its immediate neighbourhood was a strategic priority.

His government expressed fury when Sri Lanka let a Chinese submarine make a stopover in 2014. Colombo refused a similar request the following year.

- 'Critical partners' -

India has stepped up its patrols in the Sunda Strait in the eastern Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf, while boosting its maritime surveillance capability around the Andaman and Nicobar islands off Myanmar, where Chinese warships and submarines have increasingly been on patrol.

Story continues

Reunion island is in turn a key French territory in the Indian Ocean and Paris also has extensive Pacific interests.

"We have a strong maritime power, a big navy with our nuclear submarines," Macron said in an interview with Indian television broadcast Friday.

France is "very active in this region to preserve collective security and for me India is one of the critical partners to preserve stability in the whole region."

China strongly denies any territorial motive against India despite its huge investments and military moves. "The two countries are partners in development not rivals," said the foreign ministry in Beijing.

Liu Zongyi, a specialist at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies, told AFP that India was using the "China threat" to extend its own military power.

Some international experts have doubts about Modi's response to China in the Indian Ocean and elsewhere.

"On a regional level, the Modi government has not proposed a convincing alternative to the new Silk Road proposed by Chinese leader Xi Jinping. India just does not have the same financial and administrative strength as China," said Isabelle Saint-Mezard, a South Asia specialist at Paris VIII university's institute of geopolitics.

Brahma Chellaney, a professor at the Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi said "India is at last waking up to this new threat."

But he is among many who fear storms in the Indian Ocean.

"For the moment, China cannot take on India in its own strategic maritime backyard," Chellaney said.

"But the country is growing, deploying submarines and the situation could quickly change to India's disadvantage."Belgrade (AFP) - After a gap of 27 years, direct flights between Iran and Serbia resumed on Saturday, when an IranAir jet touched down at Belgrade's Nikola Tesla airport, Serbian media reported.

IranAir is offering a direct service between Tehran and Belgrade twice weekly, with all flights fully booked until the end of the summer, the reports said.

But the service, which was launched following a visa liberalisation agreement between the two countries, has raised fears it could open up a new migrant route for those seeking to stay in the EU illegally, a Serbian charity has warned.

A second Iranian carrier, Qeshm Air, is also planning to launch a service between the two capitals starting from March 19.

In August 2017, Iran and Serbia agreed to liberalise visas for travel between the two countries, sparking a surge in interest on the part of Iranians.

According to the Serbian non-governmental refugee support project Info Park, some Iranians are using the visa liberalisation agreement to come to Europe and stay there illegally as migrants.

Last month, Info Park said a number of Iranians had arrived in Belgrade legally as tourists but had not returned home, proceeding instead to EU countries, notably France and Germany.

"Although they entered Serbia as tourists, interviews have revealed that many Iranians use their stay in Belgrade to establish connections with smugglers, who will transfer them to their desired destination, across the borders of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary or Romania," Info Park said at the time.

It said those interviewed said they were leaving for a variety of reasons including fears for their rights and freedoms, particularly linked to their political, religious or sexual orientation.

- New migrant route? -

Info Park said an estimated 600 Iranians could arrive in Belgrade in a single week, based on the current transport capacity.

"Seeing as most of these new-arrivals do not intend to return, the migration systems in Europe must recalibrate for this new route and demographic among the migrant populaces," the NGO said.

Story continues

Serbian Trade Minister Rasim Ljajic said authorities in the two countries would investigate possible abuses of the visa liberalisation agreement.

Checks would be reinforced in Tehran and various bilateral deals would be signed with the aim of clamping down on illegal migration, the ministry said.

Since the visa requirements were lifted, around 7,000 Iranians have travelled to Serbia, of which 485 have applied for asylum, the ministry said.

Serbia was one of the countries on the so-called Balkans route to western Europe, with hundreds of thousands of migrants passing through until the route was shut down at the start of 2016.

In January, the UN's Refugee Agency, UNHCR, said there were around 4,000 migrants currently in Serbia.LONDON (Reuters) - Iran will not negotiate with the West over its presence in the Middle East, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Thursday, a few days after France's visiting foreign minister sought to raise Tehran's role in regional conflicts. Jean-Yves Le Drian flew to Tehran on Monday with a brief to reaffirm European support for a 2015 nuclear deal that opened up Iran's economy while echoing U.S. concern about Tehran's missile program and its influence in the region. "European countries come (to Tehran) and say we want to negotiate with Iran over its presence in the region. It is none of your business. It is our region. Why are you here?" Khamenei was quoted as saying by his official website. Khamenei, a Shi'ite cleric who is Iran's ultimate authority on all major matters of state, said the Islamic Republic would only negotiate on that issue with other states in the region. Iran's Revolutionary Guards have sent weapons and thousands of soldiers to Syria to prop up President Bashar al-Assad in the country's seven-year-long civil war. Israel has accused Tehran of seeking a permanent military presence in Syria. Khamenei described the presence of U.S. military forces in various regions of the world as "malicious and seditious" and said Iran would not ask for permission from Washington to be active in the Middle East. "We will negotiate with America when we want to be present in America," he said. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to pull Washington out of Iran's nuclear agreement with world powers, forged before he took office, unless three European signatories help "fix" the accord by forcing Tehran to limit its sway in the Middle East and rein in its ballistic missile program. French President Emmanuel Macron has criticized the program and raised the possibility of new sanctions. Iran has one of the Middle Easts largest missile programs and some of its precision-guided missiles have the range to strike Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed Tehran's military activities in the region with Trump in Washington this week. Iran has also been aiding the Shi'ite-led government of Iraq in its fight against the Sunni militant Islamic State group. Iranian Defence Minister Amir Hatami was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency Tehran was also ready to offer "military advisory and security" help to Afghanistan in that state's fight against terrorism - an allusion to the Islamic State fighters and also Sunni Taliban insurgents. President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that Iran's military might posed no threat to any country in the region. "Our weapons are meant to promote peace, strengthen stability and security and to prevent others from invading our country. No one should be concerned about Iran's weapons and missiles," Rouhani was quoted as saying by the state media. (Reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin; Editing by Mark Heinrich)First daughter Ivanka Trump reportedly has complained that chief of staff John Kelly is embarrassing her husband Jared Kushner. Kelly was, after all, the one who decided to downgrade Kushners top security clearance.

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Why do you have to embarrass Jared like that? Trump recently complained to a friend, according to a Vanity Fair report on Friday.

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Since Kelly downgraded Kushners clearance two weeks ago, barring him from classified information he presumably needs to tackle his foreign policy portfolio, Trumps son-in-law is looking at everything he can do that doesnt require a clearance, a former White House official told the magazine.

The White House is trying to fluff him up again, another source said in the report.

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Kelly has been angered by what he considers freelancing by the couple and faults them for changing the presidents mind, the Associated Press reported on Monday.

The couple had already grown exasperated with Kelly, The New York Times reported early this month, and saw the chief of staff as standing in the way of the presidents success.

Back in January, Vanity Fair reported that the president called Kelly a nut job and that the first daughter was leading a search to replace him. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders denied the magazines report.

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However, the magazine furthered the Kelly replacement speculation in its Friday report, stating that Trump plans to interview candidates for the chief of staff position when he visits Mar-a-Lago next weekend.

Ivanka Trump and Kushner apparently dont have job security either.

The president apparently continues considering sending the couple back to New York. Kushner could oversee the presidents 2020 re-election campaign, while Ivanka Trump could stay until the summer and then depart to put their children in a private school in Manhattan, Vanity Fair states in its latest report.

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The White House did not respond to a request for comment from Newsweek on Friday.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekCheck out J.R. Ramirez, as he discusses joining the cast of Marvels "Jessica Jones" for season 2 of the hit show. "The Power" and Arrow" actor is a series regular as Oscar, a devoted single father who moves into Jessicas building as the new superintendent. While his young son becomes enamored with Jessica and her powers, Oscar keeps his distance, worrying about the trouble that follows people like her.By Takaya Yamaguchi TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Finance Ministry will admit altering documents involved in a controversial sale of state-owned land, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said on Saturday, raising the heat on the finance minister and threatening to erode Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's popularity. The ministry plans to report to parliament on Monday that it has found instances where content was deleted from documents submitted to lawmakers, the source told Reuters on condition of anonymity. Telephone calls seeking ministry comment went unanswered. An admission would deal a fresh blow to Abe, who has struggled for months to draw a line under suspicion that a school operator used ties with Abe's wife to get a discounted deal on land in the western city of Osaka. It would also ratchet up the pressure on Finance Minister Taro Aso, who said he had no intention to step down over the affair which led to the resignation on Friday of the National Tax Agency chief, Nobuhisa Sagawa. On the day of Sagawa's resignation, media said police were investigating as a possible suicide the death of an official at a finance ministry bureau that handled the land deal. The government's chief spokesman said he had been notified about the death but declined to give details. The scandal regained fresh momentum last week with opposition parties turning up the heat after the Asahi newspaper said some documents about the land sale might have been doctored. Abe has denied that he or his wife did favors for the operator of the school, Moritomo Gakuen. Abe's grip on power has not appeared at risk so far, because his ruling coalition has big majorities in both houses of parliament. But falling support could complicate his bid for a third term as Liberal Democratic Party leader in a September party vote. Re-election would put him on track to become Japan's longest-serving premier. (Reporting by Takaya Yamaguchi; Additional reporting by Chris Gallagher; Editing by Gareth Jones and Dale Hudson)A Japanese finance ministry official linked to the cronyism allegations dogging Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been found dead, local media said Friday.

A second key official stepped down over the scandal, the finance minister confirmed late Friday, as the damaging issue refuses to go away.

Police are investigating the death of the official in Kobe in western Japan and suspect he committed suicide, with some media reporting a suicide note had been found.

A police spokesman contacted by AFP could not immediately confirm the reports.

The unidentified official, who was found dead on Wednesday, was at the heart of a scandal over the cut-price sale of government-owned land to a close friend of Abe, the reports said.

He was responsible for the 2016 sale of a plot of land in Osaka to the right-wing operator of a kindergarten at a price well below market value.

Separately, Finance Minister Taro Aso told reporters that another senior official involved in the scandal, Nobuhisa Sagawa, had decided to step down after lawmakers and taxpayers demanded his resignation.

Sagawa was promoted to head the tax agency in July, after holding a post overseeing the finance ministry division that negotiated the deal.

"Sagawa is a capable individual," said Aso.

"He said he wants to resign to take responsibility for the troubles caused."

In addition to the resignation, Sagawa will have 20 percent of his severance package docked for three months as punishment, the minister told reporters.

The scandal has dogged Abe since it first emerged last February, though the prime minister has consistently denied any wrongdoing and his approval ratings remain solid.

According to local media, the land was sold for around one tenth of its market value, and the kindergarten had announced plans to name Abe's wife Akie the honorary principal of a primary school being built on the same plot.

Abe says his wife had only "reluctantly" accepted the post of honorary principal and had since "resigned."

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Last week, allegations emerged that the finance ministry's documents on the sale had been tampered with before being submitted to parliament.

The allegation has paralysed parliament in recent days, with some opposition lawmakers boycotting debates.

The opposition has accused ministry officials of hiding some key documents and colluding to cover up the scandal.

Aso said he had told his ministry staff to come up with conclusions early next week but stressed he himself had no plans to step down over the scandal.Police have identified the gunman who took and allegedly killed three hostages at a Napa County veterans home after engaging in a shootout with police Friday morning.

Albert Wong was found dead together with the hostages after a nearly 8-hour standoff with law enforcement at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville, California.

The incident began when Wong allegedly opened fire at the facility around 10:20 a.m., California Highway Patrol assistant chief Chris Childs told reporters at a press briefing near the scene Friday afternoon.

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"Within four minutes, a Napa Sheriffs Department deputy was on scene and engaged what we now know was the suspect in one of the buildings," Childs said. "Gunfire was exchanged."

"There was an exchange of gunfire fired by both our deputy and the suspect," Napa County Sheriff John Robertson said at the briefing. "There were many bullets fired."

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Wongdressed in black, armed with a rifle and reportedly wearing body armormanaged to evade the deputy before taking three people hostage and holing up in one room, Childs said.

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The deputy was not wounded in the shooting but the condition of the hostages was not immediately known. Childs did not provide any additional details regarding the rifle type Wong used.

Wong was a decorated U.S. soldier and a former patient of the the Veterans Home of California in Yountville, the largest veterans facility in the United States founded in 1884 in the Napa Valley which cares for about 1,000 elderly and disabled veterans. Golicks father-in-law, Bob Golick, said she had recently expelled Wong from the program, for reasons that remain unclear, reported The Associated Press.

He spent three years on active duty between May 2010 and August 2013, including a year in Afghanistan, The Washington Post reported, citing Department of Defense officials. Wong was awarded four medals, including an Afghanistan campaign medals with two campaign stars, as well as an Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle.

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Police described the hostages as employees at The Pathway Home. State Senator Bill Dodd, whose district includes Napa County, said they were a clinical worker, a psychiatrist and an executive director, KNTV reporter Laura Garcia tweeted.

Larry Kramer told the Associated Press that the gunman slinked into a going-away party his wife, Devereaux Smith, a fundraiser for The Pathway Home, had been attending on campus that morning. He then let several people leave before taking hostages.

Robertson reported similar details.

"He did release hostages and kept the three people that he has now," he said. "I dont know at this time the status of the hostages."

A nearby elementary and high school were also placed on lockdown during the incident.

The sprawling 600-acre campus comprising the veterans home opened in 1984 and is the largest veterans home in the country with about 1,000 residents, according to the California Department of Veterans Affairs.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekNot only is Donald Trump the first American president to aggressively use Twitter, he's also the first to invite a possible constitutional crisis because of it.

In the question of whether Trump can legally block people from seeing and commenting on his account, a judge now has a possible solution.

SEE ALSO: Oprah knows exactly how to deal with angry Donald Trump tweets

Ever since Trump assumed the presidency, there have been legal questions around whether it is OK for him to block users from viewing his Twitter account. He is the president, after all, and his tweets are largely accepted to be official statements from the White House. To deny citizens the option of seeing them would potentially a violation of their rights.

That's the view from the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University and seven people blocked by Trump, who brought a lawsuit against Trump in a New York district court for this very thing.

According to the AP, Manhattan federal Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald proposed an actionable settlement between the plaintiffs and the president: what if he just mutes them instead of blocking them?

The suit was brought after First Amendment lawyers sent a letter to the White House social media and communications teams last summer, demanding that the president unblock the users. The Trump administration contends that his Twitter account is a personal platform and not a public one.

Buchwald told Trump's lawyers that if they didn't agree to this settlement, they might establish a new law that wouldn't make Trump very happy.

We wait with bated breath to see if these seven people will be allowed back into the tumultuous hellscape that is our president's social media.By George Obulutsa NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga promised on Friday to unite the country after elections last year in which around 100 people were killed mainly in clashes between opposition supporters and security forces. The surprise announcement could lower political tension in a country that is East Africa's richest economy and a key regional hub for security, diplomacy and trade. But some Kenyans said the meeting was merely a veneer of unity ahead of a visit to Nairobi on Friday by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and it would do little to address underlying divisions that fueled last year's violence. In a live television address with Kenyatta on the steps of the president's office, Odinga said the time had come to resolve their differences. It was the first joint public appearance of its kind by the two politicians since 2013. Kenyatta said: "We have a responsibility as leaders to find solutions. Elections come and go but Kenya remains." They said in a statement they have agreed to establish a new office staffed by advisers to tackle the divisions ranging from opposition complaints over the election to tensions between ethnic groups and corruption. Kenyatta was sworn in last November for a second term after winning a repeat presidential election last Oct. 26 that Odinga boycotted. The Supreme Court earlier nullified an August presidential poll and order the October re-run. Murithi Mutiga, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group, said the meeting between the two "titans" of Kenyan politics was key because they have been feuding for so long. "The symbolism is very important but it is vital that they also invest heavily in ensuring that a more lasting settlement emerges from their talks," he said, citing the need to stamp out violence every time elections are called. "PEOPLE AT THE TOP" The election season blunted growth in Kenya, East Africa's richest economy and a Western ally in a volatile region. In January, Odinga took a symbolic presidential oath in a Nairobi park in a direct challenge to Kenyatta. Before the Friday meeting, the two men had defied calls from Kenyan civil society, religious leaders and Western diplomats to hold talks to overcome deep divisions opened up by the disputed elections. Political analyst and writer Patrick Gathara said such a dialogue is still needed despite Friday's meeting. "We need to get out of this cycle of just these two men, or a few people at the top, meeting," he said. Prominent anti-corruption campaigner John Githongo said it was difficult to understand why the meeting happened now and he cautioned that "the devil is in the details." Odinga said the opposition had decided to change tactics for the sake of the country's unity. "We refuse to allow our diversity to kill our nation," he said. Allies in Odinga's NASA coalition, including his running mate in last year's poll, Kalonzo Musyoka, said they were not aware of the meeting and promised to give a detailed statement later. Tillerson arrives in the Kenyan capital on Friday afternoon, part of his seven-day visit to Africa. One analyst said his arrival could be linked to the rapprochement between Kenyatta and Odinga. "The U.S. should not be dismissed or discounted. They have successfully engineered this," said Aly Khan Satchu, an independent analyst in Nairobi. One lawmaker said Kenyatta, who is in his final term, and Odinga, who turned 73 in January, may be keen on securing their legacies with the new found unity of purpose. Moses Kuria, a legislator for Kenyatta's Jubilee party said the meeting could be the start of ending the cycle of disputed elections and their ruinous impact on economic growth. "We are the only country that goes for elections and ends up with an economic slump... It is good for the country," said. (Additional reporting by Maggie Fick and Katharine Houreld; Writing by Duncan Miriri; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg)It was a meeting between a new Egypt and a new Saudi Arabia; a meeting with a clear regional dimension. It was a meeting between two Arab countries seeking practical ways of complementing each other and not just an opportunity to repeat meaningless slogans.

Strictly speaking, it was a breach of protocol when Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi welcomed the Saudi crown prince at Cairo International Airport in person but the gesture was a sign of the very close cooperation between both countries and an expression of their desire to pursue their mutual benefits. This is normal since both countries face common challenges requiring real solutions.

Everything about the visit indicated there was a departure from the usual classical approach in the bilateral relations between both countries. It is no longer just Saudi Arabia giving aid to Egypt and Egypt exporting labour to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi-Egyptian relations have moved to a phase of complementarity in many domains for security, economic and political purposes. Even geographically both countries are reaching out to each other irrespective of which one owns which island in the Red Sea.

In simpler terms, both countries are showing enough maturity by abandoning the old mind frames of venomous competition in the region. Egypt feels it has nothing to gain from any harm that could come to Saudi Arabia and vice-versa.

The question in Saudi-Egyptian relations is no longer who leads the Arab world, for there is no more one Arab world. In fact, the new Saudi-Egyptian relations are based on Saudi Arabias need for Egypt and Egypts need for Saudi Arabia. This does not mean that the enormous problems facing both countries will be swept under the rug. Both countries need to educate their citizens to make it possible to speak about important common projects and about rejecting religious extremism by both societies.

The new Saudi Arabia was visiting the new Egypt. Crown Prince Mohammed put in motion a real social revolution in Saudi Arabia. He not only freed Saudi society from old and crippling complexes but initiated a real war on corruption that did not spare princes or high officials. It was no coincidence that his visit to Egypt came after the publication of Vision 2030 and after announcing the mega project of NEOM in the border zone between the Saudi kingdom, Egypt and Jordan.

It was normal then that Crown Prince Mohammed and Sisis route from the airport included several stops at sites that intimately link the Suez Canal and the Red Sea to both countries. The route included a stop at the beautiful city of Ismailia, which used to be the preferred residence of foreign communities in Egypt before the nationalisation of the Suez Canal and whose presence in Egypt was priceless on many levels.

In an unprecedented move, the Saudi crown prince met with Coptic Pope Tawadros II and invited him to visit Saudi Arabia. It was clear that the Saudi leadership shares Egyptian concerns about Egypts national unity and backs its war on terrorism. The message here is that Saudi Arabia is no longer a source for extremist religious ideologies.

The Saudi crown prince went to Egypt with several messages. The first was the Saudi leaderships belief that Egypt belongs to all Egyptians: Muslims and Christians alike. The second was that Saudi Arabia is open to all cultures. To that effect, the crown prince and the Egyptian president attended a play at Cairos Opera House.

Saudi Arabia is going through profound changes. After having received Lebanons Maronite patriarch in November 2017, the Saudi kingdom will soon welcome the Coptic pope. Furthermore, Riyadh is going to have its own opera house.

Saudi Arabia is abandoning old practices. Those practices had taken root as a reaction to Irans ideological expansionism, which started in 1979. We always come back to 1979, the year marking the beginning of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its efforts to export its revolution. Saudi Arabia was a target for that revolution so it responded by closing itself socially and culturally.

The important thing is that both Egypt and Saudi Arabia have decided to learn from their painful past and move on towards a brighter future in bilateral relations. These relations will encompass not just common projects but also a common strategic vision for the entire region.

That strategic vision begins with protecting the Red Sea and, consequently, the Suez Canal and safeguarding future projects like NEOM, for example. There is a need for a common vision on how to deal with the situation in Yemen, with Sudan and the countries in the Horn of Africa, including the lawlessness in Somalia.

The entire region is going through a difficult period. A threat to the security of the Red Sea is a threat to the security of the Suez Canal. The region is coveted by Iran and Turkey. For more than half a century, Saudi-Egyptian relations suffered the consequences of useless jockeying for Arab leadership between leading figures such as Gamal Abdel Nasser, Anwar Sadat, Saddam Hussein and Hafez Assad. These relations can now flourish under new leaderships in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. They must flourish for the sake of safeguarding the region from terror and from Iranian expansionism.President Donald Trump on Friday pardoned former Navy sailor Kristian Saucier, who had pleaded guilty to illegally retaining photographs he had taken of classified areas inside a nuclear submarine.

The pardoning is only the second of Trumps presidency, following a pardon for political ally Sheriff Joe Arpaio in August 2017.

GettyImages-929388524

Getty Images

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Saucier served as a machinists mate on the USS Alexandria, a nuclear attack submarine, and in 2009 took used his personal cellphone to take pictures of classified areas of the vessel.

After being quizzed by the FBI in 2012, Saucier destroyed a computer, a memory card and a camera. Pieces of a laptop found in woods on property owned by a relative of Saucier, NPR reported.

After pleading guilty to illegally retaining defense information, in August 2016 he was sentenced to 12 months in prison and released in September 2017.

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Saciers case was seized on by Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, as he hammered his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, about her handling of classified information and her use of her personal email account while serving as secretary of state. Trump said that Sauciers case showed that Clinton had been treated with undue leniency when FBI director James Comey recommended that she should not face criminal charges for her handling of the information.

Sauciers trial played out while the presidential campaign was at its height, and the Navy sailors attorneys also cited Clintons case in arguing for the judge to show leniency when sentencing Saucier. Prosecutors rejected the comparison, and said that unlike Clinton, Saucier had admitted to wrongdoing.

At the White House on Friday, press secretary Sarah Sanders pointed to Sauciers exemplary military service as grounds for the presidents decision. She said that he had acted as a mentor to younger sailors, and instructed new recruits.

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"The sentencing judge found that Mr. Saucier's offense stands in contrast to his commendable military service," she said. "The president is appreciative of Mr. Saucier's service to the country."

Apaio was pardoned in August 2017, after he had been convicted for refusing to follow an order to stop targeting immigrants for arrest.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekA Republican Party operative described Trump as "extremely enthusiastic" about the idea of sending an international Muslim army to Afghanistan. (Photo: Patrick Baz/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  A top GOP fundraiser pitched President Donald Trump last year on a plan to recruit a thousands-strong international Muslim army  to be advised by retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal  that would help the United Arab Emirates battle the Taliban and the Islamic State in Afghanistan, according to a leaked memo the fundraiser wrote documenting his meeting with the president.

The army would consist of two brigades (5,000 total troops) comprised of Muslim soldiers recruited from Arab and Islamic nations, Elliott Broidy, a Republican National Committee deputy finance chair, wrote in the memo. The military force would be fully funded and a completely unprecedented commitment from the UAE and Saudi Arabia, he continued. It would be an amazing win for the Trump administration, Broidy wrote.

The idea was that the soldiers would be paid a stipend but the fighting force would not be a mercenary group, Broidy said in an interview with HuffPost.

This is as if NATO countries participate in a coalition, this is the same thing. This would be a coalition task force made up of moderate Muslims from around the world, he said. They are already soldiers, theyre in uniform.

The memo is part of a cache of his emails that were leaked to various news outlets including HuffPost. Broidy, who has hired computer forensics experts to investigate the breach, believes that the government of Qatar, the UAEs regional rival, is behind the hack  an allegation the Qataris deny. (HuffPost has been unable to identify the people who leaked the emails or the motivation behind the operation.)

Last October, Broidy sent the three-page document  which memorializes his meeting with Trump at the White House  to George Nader, a Lebanese-American businessman who has advised the UAEs government. According to the memo, Broidy told Trump that he had recently traveled to the UAE on behalf of Circinus, his private defense and intelligence firm. He met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (MBZ), the countrys de-facto leader, and with the UAEs top military leaders. The purpose of the meeting with MBZ was to discuss providing Train, Advise, and Assist support to the UAE military, Broidy wrote.

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Circinus has hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts with the UAE, The New York Times reported on Saturday.

Broidys lawyer Chris Clark told HuffPost that some of the leaked documents are forged and said he has warned reporters off stories based on forgeries. But Broidy and Clark did not dispute the authenticity of the Muslim army memo, the existence of which The New York Times first reported.

Officials at the Saudi and Emirate embassies did not respond to requests for comment.

According to the memo, Broidy told Trump that the team behind the Muslim army plan was led by McChrystal, a retired Army general who had previously commanded U.S. and international troops in Afghanistan. That appeared to boost the credibility of the proposal in the presidents eyes: Trump interrupted to say that he had offered McChrystal a job but the retired general declined, Broidy wrote.

McChrystal, whom President Barack Obama fired from the Afghanistan command in 2010, did not respond to requests for comment through multiple channels. Before Trump won the presidential election, McChrystal told CNN he would decline any role in a Trump administration.

In the memo, Broidy also named Bennet Sacolick, a retired Army lieutenant general, and Brian Losey, a former commander of the Navy SEALs, as members of the team. Sacolick did not respond to requests for comment. Losey directed questions to Circinus, which also did not respond to requests for comment.

Broidy left the meeting with Trump under the impression that he had support from the top levels of government for his idea, the memo shows. He told Trump that MBZ discussed the plan with Defense Secretary James Mattis and received his endorsement, Broidy wrote. Trump was extremely enthusiastic and asked about moving forward, he noted.

Broidy suggested that Trump and MBZ hold a quiet meeting in New York or New Jersey. According to the memo, the president agreed to the idea, but his national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, indicated that such a meeting would typically occur in the White House. The Pentagon and the White House did not respond to requests for comment.

In a departure from its predecessors practice, the Trump administration does not make records of visitors to the White House available to the public.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan and President Donald Trump shake hands at the White House in May 2017. (Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

Broidys proposal isnt entirely new. Saudi Arabia launched its own majority-Sunni counterterrorism coalition in 2015 with several dozen member countries, and the U.S. military already partners with Muslim allies abroad. For that matter, around 4,000 U.S. service members self-identify as Muslim, and many of them have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Although Broidy insisted to HuffPost that the Gulf-funded brigades would not be a mercenary force, Trump has considered the idea of using mercenaries in Afghanistan in the past.

Last year, as Trump fumed at the Pentagons recommendation that he send more U.S. troops to Afghanistan, Blackwater founder Erik Prince  the brother of Betsy DeVos, Trumps secretary of education  and DynCorp International head Stephen Feinberg floated the idea of using private military contractors instead. Like Broidy, Prince has deep ties in the UAE. In 2010, he sold his stake in Blackwater and moved to the UAE, where he helped its government assemble a private military battalion made up of foreign troops.

But Trumps official military advisers shot down Princes proposal. In August, when the president announced a vague plan to continue the war effort in Afghanistan, he said the military would no longer make public the number of U.S. troops deployed to the battlefield. Broidy pitched the Muslim army idea to Trump less than two months later.

Circinus did not respond to questions about whether Broidys proposal for a Muslim fighting force had ever moved forward.

Broidys leaked memo was part of a 22-page email dump from a person or group that call themselves L.A. Confidential. It was one of several sets of documents leaked to reporters. We expose people associated with hollywood, the leaker wrote in an email sent to HuffPost.

Last week, Broidy wrote to Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad al-Thani, Qatars ambassador to the U.S., accusing the Qatari government of engaging in hostile intelligence operations against United States citizens. The letter was first reported by The New York Times.

Your agents commission of espionage against U.S. citizens may have violated numerous federal and state statutes, Broidy wrote to al-Thani in an apparent reference to his own leaked emails. He claimed that a team of intelligence community and law enforcement personnel, experts, and attorneys had gathered information implicating the Qatari government.

There is no public evidence that Qatar is responsible for the breach and Broidy declined to show HuffPost any evidence to support his claim.

When asked if Qatar is responsible for the hack, Clark hedged. Thats certainly Elliotts belief based on the work thats been done so far, he said.

A spokesman for Qatars government communications office denied that Qatar hacked Broidy or paid anyone else to steal his emails: We believe that Mr. Broidys baseless accusations are simply a diversionary tactic to distract attention from the serious allegations against himself and his client the Government of the United Arab Emirates.

Akbar Shahid Ahmed and Maxwell Strachan contributed reporting.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Lagos (AFP) - Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have killed at least five people in central Nigeria's Plateau state, police said Saturday, in the latest violence linked to tensions over grazing rights.

Thursday's attack happened just as President Muhammadu Buhari was rounding up a tour of Plateau and four other flashpoint states.

"The gunmen were believed to be herdsmen. They attacked some communities in Miango district and killed five people," state police spokesman Terna Tyopev told AFP.

He said dozens of people were injured while many houses and properties were destroyed in the mayhem.

Local media said apart from the incident in Miango, six people were also killed at Ganda village in Bokkos local government area of the state.

The police could not immediately confirm the attack.

Speaking to Nigeria's Guardian newspaper, community leader, Matawa Mankut put the toll at six dead when cattle rearers invaded the village on Friday.

"We are at the burial ground in Ganda village to give the deceased a mass burial," he said, urging the authorities to end the violence.

Since the start of the year, Nigeria has seen a growing number of clashes between largely nomadic herders and farmers over land, water and grazing rights.

Buhari has been under pressure to end the killings.

Plateau state lies in Nigeria's so-called Middle Belt that separates the predominantly Muslim north from the largely Christian south.

It has long been a hotbed of ethnic, sectarian and religious tensions between indigenous farming communities, who are mainly Christian, and the nomadic Hausa/Fulani cattle herders, who are Muslim.

Tensions have boiled over access to land and resources, escalating into a rift that has deepened along nominally religious lines.

In January, eight people were killed in tit-for-tat attacks in the rural districts of Bokkos and Bassa of the state.Mr Blankfein was born in the Bronx, where his father was a bakery truck driver turned post office mail sorter and his mother a receptionist: Getty

Its the end of an era for Goldman Sachs, and perhaps for Wall Street too.

Goldman Sachs boss Lloyd Blankfein, one of the industrys great survivors, and the institutions longest-serving boss in nearly half a century, is reportedly preparing to step down after 12 years at the top.

Born in the Bronx, where his father was a bakery truck driver turned post office mail sorter and his mother a receptionist, his was an unpromising background from which to ascend to the very top of one of the street of dreams most prestigious institutions.

His personal drive carried him to Harvard, and then a career as a lawyer, before he changed tack and decided to give investment banking a try.

Rejected by the big names, including Goldman, he found a job with a small trading firm that came to be bought by Goldman where it, and its staff, were seen as the poor relations.

That didnt last, as Goldman, which made its name as an advisor, especially to companies that wanted help with resisting hostile takeover approaches, started to see the potential in casino capitalism and the returns that could be reaped from it.

The trading business exploded and Blankfein the gambler, who had a fondness for Las Vegas casinos in his legal days, was swept all the way up to the top as a result, assisted by his skill as a salesman, and his ability as a manager of traders.

The understanding of risk, knowing when to take it and when to draw back, was said to be one of his great skills.

But Goldman Sachs ultimately took too much, as did many others during the financial crisis, and ended up getting bailed out with $10bn in funds from Americas Troubled Asset Relief Programme (TARP).

It paid back the money within a year, and the US taxpayer even made a profit.

But life became tougher for Blankfeins bank when it couldnt rely on large tranches of borrowed money to boost its returns.

It also became a household name and had to deal with unprecedented public criticism thanks to the perception of it as an exemplar of the everything bad about Wall Street.

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A great vampire squid wrapped around the face of humanity, relentlessly jamming its blood funnel into anything that smells like money, was how Matt Taibibi memorably characterised it in Rolling Stone magazine in an article that also highlighted just how prevalent alumni had become in government circles around the world.

Despite Mr Blankfeins best efforts, including an attempt to rebrand it as a tech company, and putting money up to back womens businesses, it has never quite shaken that off.

Mr Blankfein also took some heat over his eye-popping salaries, and no wonder.

Just dont expect him to show any shame on Twitter or anywhere else.New Delhi (AFP) - French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday said defence ties with India had reached a new high after the two nations signed a key security accord for the Indian Ocean to counter China's growing influence in the region.

"Defence cooperation between the two countries now has a new significance," Macron said as a gushing Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood by his side.

Under the deal, India and France will open their naval bases to warships from each other, a move seen as an attempt to undermine China's territorial ambitions.

"A strong part of our security and the world's stability is at stake in the Indian Ocean," Macron said.

"The Indian Ocean, like the Pacific Ocean, cannot become a place of hegemony," he added in an apparent reference to China.

Modi, who welcomed Macron with a bear hug on his arrival Friday, said the accord was crucial as the Indian Ocean region would play a "very significant role" in the days to come.

The comments from the leaders followed a slew of agreements signed by the two countries in the spheres of defence, space and clean energy.

"From the ground to the sky, there is no subject on which India and France are not working together," said Modi.

A technical agreement was also signed on the French-assisted nuclear power project at Jaitapur in western Maharashtra state.

Sources in the French presidency told AFP they were optimistic of a final agreement being signed before the end of the year.

The $9.3-billion framework agreement for six nuclear reactors was signed during a visit to India in 2010 by then president Nicolas Sarkozy.

But the project has since run into stiff opposition from environmentalists concerned about seismic activity in the area and fears about the safety of nuclear power in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan.

- 'Good chemistry' -

Earlier in the day, Macron talked about his personal rapport with Modi which was established after their meeting in Paris last year.

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"I think we have very good chemistry, our two great democracies have a historic relationship," the French president said.

Modi broke protocol to receive Macron at the airport, exchanging warm hugs and robust handshakes.

"You welcomed me in Paris last year with an open heart and a lot of warmth. I am happy that I have got an opportunity to welcome you in India," Modi said at the start of his speech Saturday.

On Sunday, Macron will attend a solar power summit designed to showcase India and France's commitment to fighting climate change, which both leaders have made a priority.

Travelling with his wife Brigitte, France's 40-year-old president will also visit the monument to love, the Taj Mahal, a few hours drive from the Indian capital on Sunday.

On Monday, he heads to the chaotic Hindu holy city of Varanasi on the banks of the river Ganges, which the Indian premier has promised to modernise and clean up.

Macron's visit comes after a somewhat misstep-laden visit to India by Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.

Both he and Macron are often compared internationally because of their broadly similar political views, as well as youth and good looks.

But Trudeau's visit hit a series of embarrassing bumps and he received a fairly cool reception during his stay in India.

Trudeau was pilloried on social media and in the Canadian press for donning traditional Indian clothing at every opportunity.

And there were red faces when it emerged a former Sikh militant was invited to a dinner with him in Mumbai.

Macron has so far opted for more sober and predictable dress -- a dark suit.Paris (AFP) - French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday warned his US counterpart Donald Trump against forging ahead with planned tariffs on European steel and aluminium, saying it risked starting a mutually destructive "trade war".

In a telephone call with Trump, the French leader expressed his "deep concerns", saying the tariffs due to come into effect in two weeks "risk triggering a trade war, in which all affected countries would be losers", Macron's office said.

He also argued that "such measures against allied countries, who respect international trade rules, would not be effective in fighting unfair practises" and said the European Union would respond in a "clear and proportionate manner to all practises that are unfair or contrary to international trade rules".

On Thursday, Trump defied warnings from US allies in announcing tariffs of 25 percent on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminium.

He said they would not initially apply to Canada and Mexico, and that close partners on security and trade could negotiate exemptions.

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem has said the bloc is "counting on being excluded", but Brussels has already drawn up a list of American products to target for countermeasures if its exports are affected.A former reserve sheriffs deputy is facing hate crime charges after telling Louisiana authorities that he plowed his pickup truck into a convenience store because he thought its Sikh owners were Muslim.

Chad Horsley, 27, was arrested Monday and charged with one count each of hate crimes, simple criminal damage to property, and criminal mischief, and two counts of false impersonation of a peace officer. He was later released on $56,000 bond, the Baton Rouge Advocate newspaper reports.

The store Horsley allegedly targeted in Livingston Parish, Louisiana, is owned not by Muslims, but by Sikhs, who are often the targets of Islamophobic hate.

Harjot Singh, a nephew of the store owner who works as a cashier there, told the Advocate that attacking anyone for their religious identity isnt acceptable.

Even if it was Muslims, he shouldnt have done that thing, said Singh, who immigrated to the U.S. from India two years ago. Were just trying to make a living out of here, thats all were doing.

A piece of plywood now covers what was formerly a plate glass window at the store. The damage is estimated at around $4,000, according to local station WAFB TV.

Horsley joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in 2014, but was honorably discharged in December because of liver disease, according to the New York Daily News.

Before that, starting in 2010, he served for six years as a deputy in nearby East Baton Rouge Parish in both a full-time and reserve capacity.

He blamed Muslims for killing his fellow service members overseas, Sheriff Jason Ard said in a Facebook post on Monday. He was also upset that Muslims, in his mind, were having an easier time prospering than he was despite his time in the service.

It was allegedly Horsley himself who reported the crash to police, claiming to be a witness who tried to intervene until the driver of the truck pulled a gun on him.

Investigators also allege that Horsley had been in the store a week before the incident and falsely claimed he worked for a sheriffs office. He reportedly told the on-duty cashier that he was suspected of dealing drugs from the store, according to The Washington Post. He also allegedly said he would be back around midnight to search the store, and to make sure no one was around.

Story continues

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Horsleys father, Samuel Horsley, told the New York Daily News he doesnt believe the alleged act was motivated by hatred. Instead, he said, his son mustve just snapped.

Im in shock because thats not my son, he said. Hes about as far from a racist as they come. I did not raise my kids that way [but] taught them to always look at people in their heart.

America does not do a good job of tracking incidents of hate and bias. We need your help to create a database of such incidents across the country, so we all know whats going on. Tell us your story.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Watch NBC Nightly News on Yahoo View.

A gunman who killed three hostages at a California veterans home Friday before taking his own life was reportedly a decorated soldier who had been kicked out of the homes PTSD program.

Former Army infantryman Albert Wong, 36, arrived at Pathway Home at the Veterans Home of California shortly before 10:30 a.m. with an automatic weapon, reports said.

A going-away party was underway when Wong showed up and he reportedly let some people go before he acted, reports said.

Wong, a former patient of the program, took program executive director Christine Loeber,48, clinical director Jennifer Golick and psychologist Jennifer Gonzalez, 29, hostage as the facility went into lockdown.

Highway Patrol Sgt. Robert Nacke said negotiators were unable to make contact with the Wong throughout the day. When a tactical entered the building eight hours later, all three women and Wong were dead inside.

"These Brave Women were accomplished professionals who dedicated their careers to serving our nations veterans, working closely with those in the greatest need of attention after deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan," The Pathway Home said in a statement. "All of us at The Pathway Home are devastated by todays events. We stand with the families, friends, and colleagues who share in this terrible loss."

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California Gov. Jerry Brown said flags at the capitol will be flown at half-staff in remembrance of the victims and their families.

"Anne and I are deeply saddened by the horrible violence at the Yountville Veterans Home, which tragically took the lives of three people dedicated to serving our veterans. Our hearts go out to their families and loved ones and the entire community of Yountville, Brown said in a statement.

Wong had reportedly been removed from the program at the home, which treats PTSD-afflicted veterans of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, two weeks prior to the murders but it is unclear why.

Story continues

Wong served in Afghanistan from 2011 to 2012. Hed received a number of service awards, including one for expert marksmanship with a rifle, the New York Daily News reported.

Wong, who held licenses as a private investigator, firearms trainer and security guard, also had a firearm license, reports said.

The Veterans Home of California is one of the largest veterans homes in the country

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Related Articles:A man and a teen are missing after he signed her out of school without her parents consent. (Photo: Allentown Police Department)

A man who signed a 16-year-old girl out of school 10 times without parental consent has now gone missing with the teen.

According to Philadelphia local news station NBC10, Amy Yu, a 16-year-old student at Lehigh Valley Academy, and 45-year-old Kevin Esterly, who is married with two children, disappeared from Allentown, Pa., on Monday.

Theyre probably together somewhere, Colonial Regional police Det. Gary Hammer told the station.

Investigators said the pair have been in a secret relationship, and between November and February, Esterly signed Yu out of school 10 times because the girl may have added him to her school emergency contact list as her stepfather. On Feb. 9, Yus mother had called the school to report that Esterly had signed out her daughter that day.

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Students are only permitted to be signed out by someone on the emergency list, Susan Mauser, the chief executive officer at Lehigh Valley Academy in Bethlehem, Pa., tells Yahoo Lifestyle. She also sent the following statement:

We can confirm that Mr. Esterly was last present on school grounds on February 9, 2018. After that date, due to circumstances we cannot disclose pursuant to student privacy constraints, he was prohibited from entering school grounds, and the police were to be notified if he returned. Due to federal and state privacy constraints, the school is prohibited from releasing any additional information about the student or the facts and circumstances surrounding the situation unless the parent provides express consent for the school to do so.

Mauser added, We are, however, working closely with the police and are providing whatever information and assistance we can to assist them and Amys family during this difficult time.

Yahoo Lifestyle could not reach a representative from the Allentown Police Department for comment, but according to NBC10, the U.S. Marshals Office and the FBI are searching for the man and teen.

Its unknown how Esterly managed to remove the girl on 10 prior occasions.

Story continues

We dont know details of this case, but its possible that the school records were hacked, either by the student or the man, to add his name to the emergency list, Michael Dorn, executive director of Safe Havens International, a Georgia-based nonprofit campus safety center, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. Weve had cases involving students breaking into school security cameras or emergency system notifications. Another possibility is that the man simply walked into the school and identified himself as the girls stepfather.

According to Spencer Coursen, a threat management expert and founder of the Coursen Security Group, theres also a divide between policy and practice. A school may have a 10-step process for signing out students, but if no one enforces it this can easily happen, he tells Yahoo Lifestyle.

A teen who wants to slip out of school only has to outsmart a paper trail. Many schools have parents sign out their children on a piece of paper or take attendance by hand, instead of electronically, says Coursen. And no matter the case, how often are the records audited and updated? Who is following up on protocol? Sometimes policies are stricter on paper than in practice.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) is really trying to thread that gun control needle.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) signed a bill into law on Friday that enacts several restrictions on gun purchases, including a three-day waiting period for long gun purchases, an age requirement of 21 for all firearm sales and some regulation of bump stocks, the after-market accessories that make a semiautomatic rifle fire more like an automatic.

Although the National Rifle Association was against the bill, Rubio supported it, which made sense considering he said he backed raising the legal age for purchasing a rifle at a town hall event hosted by CNN last month in the wake of a massacre at a Florida high school.

I absolutely believe that in this country if you are 18 years of age you should not be able to buy a rifle. I will support the banning of bump stocks. I will support changing our background system, Rubio said at the Florida town hall.

However, Rubio apparently wants to remain in the good graces of the NRA, which has given him more than $3 million in donations in his political career.

On Friday, when a CBS This Morning reporter asked about the town hall statement, Rubio insisted that he thought some rifles should be available to 18-year-olds.

To be clear, I said all semiautomatic rifles. I think bolt-action hunting rifles and shotguns and things of that nature is not what were talking about, Rubio said. The state of Florida has actually done that, and I am willing to support something that does that.

Rubios remarks appear at the 3:35 mark:

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Although the new Florida law raises the age for all gun purchases to 21, Rubio offered a workaround for those gun rights supporters caught in the middle.

Let me be clear about one thing for people who are concerned about this: Its not possession, so you can be 19 years old and use your fathers rifle to go hunting, he said. You just cant be the owner, you cant go in and buy it yourself. Thats an important distinction.

Story continues

HuffPost reached out to Rubio in an attempt to clarify whether underage gun enthusiasts should be able to use their parents semiautomatic weapons, but he did not immediately respond.

Some might consider Rubios remarks a bit slippery, but his spokeswoman, Olivia Perez-Cubas, insisted he hadnt changed his position since the town hall, which included students and parents from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people were killed in a mass shooting on Feb. 14.

Its important to remember the context of the town hall, which was about an assault weapons ban  he was using the term rifle in that regard, Perez-Cubas told the Miami Herald. Bolt action and shotguns are not semiautomatic. As hes said consistently ... he supports raising the age but would want to see exemptions for bolt action, shotguns and for people who hunt.

Also on HuffPost

1981: The Attempted Assassination Of President Ronald Reagan

on March 30, 1981, President Reagan and three others were shot and wounded in an assassination attempt by John Hinckley, Jr. outside the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. Reagan's press secretary, Jim Brady, was shot in the head.

1993: The Brady Handgun Violence Act

The Brady Handgun Violence Act of 1993, signed into law by President Bill Clinton, mandated that federally licensed dealers complete comprehensive background checks on individuals before selling them a gun. The legislation was named for James Brady, who was shot during an attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan in 1981.

1994: The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act

The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1994, instituted a ban on 19 kinds of assault weapons, including Uzis and AK-47s. The crime bill also banned the possession of magazines holding more than ten rounds of ammunition. (An exemption was made for weapons and magazines manufactured prior to the ban.)

2004: Law Banning Magazines Holding More Than Ten Rounds Of Ammunition Expires

In 2004, ten years after it first became law, Congress allowed a provision banning possession of magazines holding more than ten rounds of ammunition to expire through a sunset provision. Brady Campaign President Paul Helmke told HuffPost that the expiration of this provision meant that Rep. Gabby Giffords's alleged shooter was able to fire off 20-plus shots without reloading (under the former law he would have had only ten).

2007: The U.S. Court of Appeals For The District Of Columbia Rules In Favor Of Dick Heller

In 2007 The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled to allow Dick Heller, a licensed District police officer, to keep a handgun in his home in Washington, D.C. Following that ruling, the defendants petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case.

2008: Supreme Court Strikes Down D.C. Handgun Ban As Unconstitutional

In June of 2008, the United States Supreme Court upheld the verdict of a lower court ruling the D.C. handgun ban unconstitutional in the landmark case District of Columbia v. Heller.

Gabrielle Giffords And Trayvon Martin Shootings

Gun control advocates had high hopes that reform efforts would have increased momentum in the wake of two tragic events that rocked the nation. In January of 2011, Jared Loughner opened fire at an event held by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), killing six and injuring 13, including the congresswoman. Resulting attempts to push gun control legislation proved fruitless, with neither proposal even succeeding in gaining a single GOP co-sponsor. More than a year after that shooting, Florida teenager Trayvon Martin was gunned down by George Zimmerman in an event that some believed would bring increased scrutiny on the nation's Stand Your Ground laws. While there has been increasing discussion over the nature of those statutes, lawmakers were quick to concede that they had little faith the event would effectively spur gun control legislation, thanks largely to the National Rifle Association's vast lobbying power. Read more here:

Colorado Movie Theater Shooting

In July of 2012, a heavily armed gunman opened fire on theatergoers attending a midnight premiere of the final film of the latest Batman trilogy, killing 12 and wounding scores more. The suspect, James Eagan Holmes, allegedly carried out the act with a number of handguns, as well as an AR-15 assault rifle with a 100-round drum magazine. Some lawmakers used the incident, which took place in a state with some of the laxest gun control laws, to bring forth legislation designed to place increased regulations on access to such weapons, but many observers, citing previous experience, were hesitant to say that they would be able to overcome the power of the National Rifle Association and Washington gun lobby.

Sikh Temple Shooting

On August 5, 2012, white supremacist Wade Michael Page opened fire on a Sikhs gathered at a temple in Oak Creek, Wis., killing six and wounding four more before turning the gun on himself.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Shkreli, convicted of securities fraud and conspiracy, sought leniency from the court after calling the trial a witch-hunt

In a packed Brooklyn courthouse on Friday, Martin Shkreli, the Pharma Bro who rose to international notoriety after increasing the price of a lifesaving drug 50-fold, was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Shkreli, 34, was convicted of two counts of securities fraud and a single count of conspiracy last August. He had dismissed the trial as a silly witch-hunt perpetrated by self-serving prosecutors.

But before his sentencing, Shkreli wrote to Judge Kiyo Matsumoto asking for leniency. I was a fool. I should have known better, he wrote.

Prosecutors had called for 15 years. The defense had pushed for 12 to 18 months.

In court a tearful Shkreli apologized: I did not act appropriately. He said that the government had not brought him down. I took down Martin Shkreli, he said.

Shkreli, who has grown a beard since his time in prison, wore a blue prison uniform and a brown undershirt. He slouched throughout the sentencing, with his chin against his chest or hands interlaced in his lap.



His lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, argued against a lengthy sentence saying the prosecution had painted a dark picture of Shkreli.

He shouldnt be sentenced simply for being Martin Shkreli, said Brafman. Im old enough to be his father. He said there had been times I want to hug and hold him, times I want to punch him in the face for some of the things hes said.

Quite frankly, Ive got my begging voice on, said Brafman.

Federal prosecutors accused Shkreli of cheating investors out of more than $11m between 2009 and 2014 in the investment funds and paying them back  as well as financing his own life  with money from Retrophin, a pharmaceutical company he founded in 2011.

Summing up they called him a dangerous man who had failed to show contrition, mocked the justice system and needed to be stopped.

The charges were unrelated to the drug scandal that made him nationally notorious and saw him dubbed the most hated man in America.

Story continues

Shkreli rose to infamy in 2015 when, as the CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals, he raised the price of Daraprim, a lifesaving drug used by some Aids patients, from $13.50 per pill to $750.

The news sparked a national debate about US drug prices and Shkreli managed the unlikely feat of uniting Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in condemning his actions.

Shkreli seemed delighted with the attention and began a high-profile campaign trolling his critics, refusing to speak to the congressional committee that summoned him to testify against them while calling lawmakers imbeciles on Twitter.

Im not saying he made life easier being the Pharma Bro  that didnt help his case John Coffee of Columbia Law School

At the trial his bizarre behavior led prosecutors to call for him to be gagged. He eventually lost bail after he encouraged his fans to obtain a hair off Clintons head: $5,000 but the hair has to include a follicle. Do not assault anyone for any reason ever (LOLIBERALS), he wrote in a now-deleted Facebook post.

Matsumoto said Shkreli had created a danger to the public with his Clinton post. She also noted that a doctor had written to the court stating Shkrelis greed and mendacity had cost one of his patients life and that he had threatened the wife of a former employee, writing: I hope to see you and your four children homeless.

The judge cited emails Shkreli sent while in prison, where he said, Fuck the feds, as evidence that six months in maximum-security prison may not have had the desired effect of deterring Shkrelis behavior.

I would encourage you while in custody to seek mental health treatment, she said.



But she also cited acts of generosity, said he had created no problems in jail and said he was a gifted individual with the capacity for kindness.

John Coffee, director of the Center on Corporate Governance at Columbia Law School, said Shkreli would probably have been prosecuted even without the Daraprim controversy.

Lots of anonymous people get prosecuted for insider trade. If you are the CEO of a company and you are involved in basic common law fraud, I would think that would be reason enough that the prosecution would say we cant ignore this he could do it again, said Coffee.



But his behavior in court and his threat to Clinton didnt help. Im not saying he made life easier being the Pharma Bro  that didnt help his case, said Coffee.If youve always wanted to drink like the royals, now is your chance.

In honor of Prince Harry and Meghan Markles upcoming nuptials, the Windsor & Eaton Brewery unveiled the couples official wedding beer, aptly named Harry & Meghans Windsor Knot. The pale ale, which is brewed from barley grown on Queen Elizabeth IIs farm, was crafted with British and American hops along with a splash of champagne yeast.

Willie Calver, co-owner of the Windsor & Eaton Brewery, told People on Friday that the beer was created with Harry and Markles native countries in mind. Were using some nice, fruity hops from Yamika in Washington State, and some English hops, which are more subtly flavored. English hops tend to be more of a grassy, textured flavora bit more like hay whereas New World hops have more sunlight and are more strongly flavored.

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Calver said the brewery planned to send the couple samples of the blended beer, just as they did for Harrys older brother Prince William and Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, when they married back in 2011.

Windsor Knot was only one year into development when William and Middleton married, but the wedding beer was such a big hit with Brits that the brewery decided to continue sales of the specialty beer. We called it Windsor Knot, which is a bit of a pun really as the Windsor Knot is a way of wearing a tie, but it also reflected the royal Windsor family tying the knot. It was such a popular beer that we still make it today.

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When it came to this wedding," he added, "it was natural to do a beer for Harry and Meghan too.

The wedding brew will be available to the public as of March 28. Pubs in London and Windsor will sell the beer, but it will also available at the Royal Farm Shop in Windsor.

Story continues

U.K. residents will be able to guzzle down Harry & Meghans Windsor Knot for extended hours too, at least, on May 19, the day Harry and Meghan will wed. Instead of the usual 11 p.m. cut off time, bars and pubs across England and Wales were given permission to continue serving alcohol until 1 a.m. on the couples wedding day, according to BBC. The extension applies to the day after the wedding as well.

That, at least, is news worth raising a pint.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekBy Shoon Naing YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar Buddhist monk Wirathu said on Saturday his anti-Muslim rhetoric had nothing to do with violence in the western state of Rakhine, as he emerged from a one-year preaching ban. Wirathu is the most prominent of Myanmar's hard-line nationalist monks, who have emerged as a political force since the country's transition from full military rule began in 2011. Violence has hit Muslim communities across the Buddhist-majority country, but the nationalists' sharpest vitriol is reserved for the Rohingya Muslim minority in Rakhine, who many see as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, or "Bengalis". Nearly 700,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since insurgents attacked police and army posts on Aug. 25, sparking a furious military-led response the United Nations has said constituted ethnic cleansing and possibly genocide. Rakhine was experiencing "terrorism of Bengalis", Wirathu said on Saturday, dismissing claims he had "created" conflict there. He cited the relative peace of his hometown, Mandalay. "If Wirathu creates conflict, Mandalay would become ash. The world doesnt know this truth," the monk said, referring to himself at a ceremony in Myanmar's largest city, Yangon, to celebrate his return to preaching. The central Myanmar city of Mandalay was hit by communal riots that killed two people in 2014 after news spread of what turned out to be a false claim that Muslims had raped a Buddhist woman. Wirathu traveled at least twice in the past year to the violence-hit northern part of Rakhine, despite Myanmars highest religious authority imposing a one-year preaching ban in March 2017. The state-linked body's move was seen as an attempt by the government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to stifle nationalists who threaten to undermine the young administration. Another nationalist monk, Parmaukkha, was released from prison on Friday after serving three months for a 2016 protest against the U.S. government's use of the word "Rohingya". Wirathu reacted to his silencing by posting online photographs of himself with his mouth taped over, and by continuing to post videos and comments online. But his Facebook account has not been accessible in recent months. Facebook suspends and sometimes removes anyone that "consistently shares content promoting hate", a spokesperson said in response to a question about Wirathu's account. "Our community standards prohibit organizations and people dedicated to promoting hatred and violence against others based on their protected characteristics," the spokesperson said by email. Wirathu said he would continue his "nationalist work". "When Facebook shuts (me) off, I rely on YouTube. YouTube is not wide-reaching enough so I will use Twitter to continue the nationalist work," he said. (Additional reporting by Simon Lewis; Editing by Stephen Powell)845764658

A mysterious bag with 27 pairs of severed, frozen human hands washed up on a snow-covered island near the border between China and Russia, according to local reports.

Investigators arrived at the Beshenaya channel on the Amur River in Khabarovsk, in southeastern Russia, after one of the human hands was spotted. A bag of 53 other hands was later discovered.

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Fingerprints have been identified on one of the hands, while the others are being tested. The spot where the hands were discovered is a popular fishing hole roughly 19 miles from the border with China.

Local media reported that medical bandages and plastic shoe covers, usually found in a hospital, were discovered next to the bag of hands. Officials speculated that the hands may have been used for medical purposes and were chopped off in the hospital. Others said it was possible the hands were cut off to stop police from identifying the bodies of murder victims whose bodies may have been used for organ trafficking.

Don't miss: House Republicans Say Weakening Coal Regulation is Good for the Environment

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The illegal organ trade is estimated to be worth around $1 billion per year. A documentary film released in 2015 alleges that thousands of political prisoners have been killed in China for their organs to feed a shortage of kidneys, hearts and livers for transplant.

The Khabarovsk region in the Russian far east has changed hands multiple times. It officially became a part of the Russian empire in the mid-19th century. At the time, it had a population of a little over a thousand people, most of whom belonged to the military. Today, the city of Khabarovsk has a little more than 500,000 inhabitants.

The area doesnt have a big reputation for organized crime, but it is home to a neo-Nazi group called Stoltz Khabarovsk that is known to attack gay people and ethnic minorities.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekIF Trump can denuclearize North Korea then that would definitely be winning! Not a Trump supporter at all but I give credit when due and this is great news. Trumps announcement that he plans to meet with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un is drawing an overwhelmingly positive reaction on Newsroom  across party lines. President Trump has accepted Kim Jong Uns invitation to meet sometime between now and May. Thursday evening, Trump tweeted: "Kim Jong Un talked about denuclearization with the South Korean Representatives, not just a freeze. Also, no missile testing by North Korea during this period of time. Great progress being made but sanctions will remain until an agreement is reached. Meeting being planned!" The story has generated thousands of comments, with most readers cheering Trump: Im an independent and I applaud any success we have as a nation. This could really be a game changer. If, and when, the meeting happens, Trump would be the first sitting president to speak with a North Korean leader. What do you think? Is this a victory for Trump? Join the conversation in Newsroom.Hasta Muerte Coffee has implemented a ban on police to protect their customers

A coffee shop has banned police officers dressed in uniform in an effort to prevent their customers from becoming upset by their presence.

The ban began when Hasta Muerte in Oakland, California, denied a police officers request to buy a drink last month over fears for the emotional safety of other customers.

And the coffee shop stands by their decision according to a photo uploaded to the stores Instagram page.

The post reads: Last Friday, February 16, a police (OPD) entered our shop and was told by one of our worker-owners that we have a policy of asking police to leave for the physical and emotional safety of our customers and ourselves.

Since then, cop supporters are trying to publicly shame us online with low reviews because this particular police visitor was Latino.

He broadcasted to his network that he was refused service at a local business.

The coffee shop continued the post, defending the decision.

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We know in our experience working on campaigns against police brutality that we are not alone in saying that police presence compromises our feeling of physical and emotional safety, they wrote.

The post then calls on the community to unite in keeping the neighbourhood, an area faced by drug sales and abuse, homelessness, and toxic masculinity, safe.

Despite the backlash for their decision, including a letter sent to the cafe by the Oakland police union, a ban on police officers is not illegal.

David Sklansky, a Stanford University law professor and co-director of Stanfords Criminal Justice Centre, told Vice: It's not against the law to refuse to serve police officers or any other kind of occupational category. It's like saying, 'Bus drivers are not welcome here,' or, Trash collectors are not welcome.' It's a dumb and insulting thing to do to any group of workers, but it's not illegal.By Christine Kim SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea's Kim Jong Un joked about his image in international media while serving South Korean officials local spirits and cold noodles during their unprecedented visit to Pyongyang this week, two South Korean government sources said. During the meeting, Kim committed to giving up his nuclear weapons and told the South Korea officials he would like to meet U.S. President Donald Trump, delegation leader Chung Eui-yong told reporters at the White House on Thursday - a potentially dramatic breakthrough in nuclear tensions with Pyongyang. Kim made light-hearted remarks about how he is viewed outside North Korea in international media and elsewhere, one Blue House official said. The officials who spoke asked to remain unnamed due to the sensitivity of the issue. The North Korean leader, repeatedly derided as "Little Rocket Man" by Trump, was "very aware" of his image, the official said, and reacted to comments made about him in a "relaxed" manner by joking about himself from time to time. South Korean officials say Trump and Kim now plan to meet by the end of May, in what would be the first ever meeting between a sitting U.S. President and a North Korean leader. Tensions rose to their highest in years in 2017 following a battery of missile tests by North Korea, before a detente championed by South Korean President Moon Jae-In during his country's hosting of the Winter Olympics began to bear fruit. Kim told the visiting delegation Moon could rest easy at night now that Pyongyang had decided not to carry out nuclear or missile tests while talks were ongoing, a Blue House official said. "President Moon has had a rough time chairing national security meetings at the break of dawn whenever we fired missiles," Kim was cited as saying during a dinner meeting with the visiting South Koreans. "If working-level talks ever cease and hostility appears, (President Moon) and I can easily resolve it with a phone call," Kim referring to the hotline the two Koreas are planning to install to connect Kim and Moon. It will be the first such hotline to be set up between the heads of the two Koreas. The Trump administration has warned all options are on the table, including military ones, in dealing with Pyongyang, which has pursued its weapons programs in defiance of ever tougher U.N. sanctions. When the South Korean officials visited, no hard feelings were displayed and Kim Jong Un was the first to tackle sensitive topics, including the resumption of a military exercise between South Korea and the United States that was postponed for a peaceful Winter Olympics, the Blue House official said. "This is when we knew the efforts of North and South Korea taken after the Moon Jae-in administration began had paid off," said one participant of the North Korea visit. Kim's administration had also taken note of what North Korean foods the South Korean officials had mentioned while his sister Kim Yo Jong was visiting Seoul for the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. The delegation was served North Korean hotpot the first day and cold noodles - another regional specialty - the next, the Blue House official said. Kim and the officials shared several bottles of wine, liquor made of ginseng and Pyongyang soju, the official said. "The bottles kept coming," said another administrative source who had official knowledge of the meeting. The South Korean visitors to Pyongyang did not see one-on-one trackers that usually follow visitors in the North and were free to move about on the premises of the hotel, the first official added. At the dinner on the first night, South Korean officials were able to observe the relationship between Kim and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, said the second administrative source. The source said Kim did not come across as overbearing, describing the spouses as appearing "equal". "They seemed to be quite close to one another and he didn't seem like one of your conservative husbands." (Reporting by Christine Kim; Editing by Lincoln Feast)By Brendan Pierson

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Martin Shkreli, the former drug company executive who made headlines by jacking up the price of a lifesaving drug before he was found guilty of defrauding investors, was sentenced to 7 years and a $75,000 fine on Friday.

The sentence from U.S. District Judge Kiyo Matsumoto in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, was shorter than the 15 years asked for by prosecutors but much longer than the 12 to 18 months Shkreli's lawyers had sought. Shkreli did not visibly react as the sentence was announced.

Shkreli's lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, told reporters after the hearing that he was "disappointed" by the sentence.

"I thought the sentence should have been less than seven years," he said. "But Martins fine and will be fine and obviously it could have been a lot worse."

Before the sentencing, Brafman told Matsumoto that Shkreli, 34, suffered from depression and an anxiety disorder and was a somewhat broken person, whom the government wanted to throw away.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacquelyn Kasulis had said a 15-year sentence was justified in part because Shkrelis crimes were not an isolated lapse in judgment, but a pattern of conduct including separate frauds for his two hedge funds and for his drug company Retrophin Inc.

Shkreli, born in Brooklyn to Albanian immigrant parents, became known as the "Pharma Bro" in September 2015 after founding Turing Pharmaceuticals, buying the anti-parasitic drug Daraprim and raising its price by 5,000 percent to $750 per pill. Shkreli was indicted for the unrelated securities fraud charges in December 2015.

At the hearing, Shkreli had choked up as he said he had learned from his mistakes.

There is no conspiracy to take down Martin Shkreli. I took down Martin Shkreli with my disgraceful and shameful actions, he said.

A jury in August found Shkreli guilty of defrauding investors in two hedge funds he ran, MSMB Capital and MSMB Healthcare, by sending them fake account statements and concealing huge losses. He was also convicted of scheming to prop up the stock price of Retrophin, the drug company he founded in 2011.

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The $75,000 fine comes on top of $7.36 million in forfeiture Shkreli had already been ordered to pay following his conviction.

Brafman, noting that he was old enough to be Shkrelis father, said his client had not always been easy to work with.

There are times when I want to hug him and hold him and comfort him and there are times when I want to punch him in the face, Brafman said.

Kasulis said Brafman was trying to portray Shkreli as a child.

Mr. Shkreli is about to turn 35 years old, she said He is a man who needs to take responsibility for his actions."

Matsumoto said before imposing her sentence that she believed Shkreli was genuinely remorseful and that the letters written by family, friends and acquaintances had helped her understand him more fully.

"Although he has been convicted of fraud, serious crimes, and he acted for pecuniary gain, hes also a personally generous, giving and kind individual," she said.

Nonetheless, the judge said, the sentence must be severe enough to make clear "that fraud and manipulation are serious offenses that will incur correspondibly serious penalties."

Shkreli has been in jail since September, when Matsumoto revoked his bail after he offered his social media followers $5,000 if they could bring him a hair from former U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

He has so far been held at the Brooklyn Detention Center, a maximum security facility. It is not yet clear where he will serve the rest of his time.

(Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli and Chizu Nomiyama)Geneva (AFP) - The UN human rights chief said Friday that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who has launched profanity-laced diatribes against United Nations rapporteurs, needs "psychiatric evaluation".

Listing some of Manila's actions against UN envoys, including filing terrorism charges against one, rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said "it makes one believe that the president of the Philippines needs to submit himself to some sort of psychiatric evaluation".

Zeid and other UN rights officials have focused significant attention on Duterte's controversial drug war.

Police have killed more than 4,100 drug suspects since Duterte took office in 2016, but rights groups allege more than 8,000 others have been murdered in what they describe as crimes against humanity.

The UN special rapporteur on extra-judicial killings, Agnes Callamard, has become a particular Duterte target over her criticism of his campaign to stamp out illegal drugs.

Earlier this month, Duterte vowed he would never cooperate with UN investigators looking into extrajudicial killings.

"When the human rights or whoever is that rapporteur arrives, my order to you is, do not answer ...

"You're investigating us, fact finding? Well sorry, do not fuck with me," the president said, referring to Callamard.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Zeid said it was "absolutely disgraceful that the president of a country could speak in this way, using the foulest of language against a rapporteur that is highly respected."

Manila hit back against Zeid's suggestion that the president may be mentally unwell, calling his remarks an "unmeasured outburst."

"The comments of the High Commissioner bring great dishonour to the Human Rights Council and its noble endeavours", Philippine foreign minister Alan Peter Cayetano said in a statement.

"The world actually needs more Dutertes," he added.

- Terrorism charge -

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Zeid also referred to a pending terrorism case against the UN's special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous people, Victoria Tauli Corpuz.

Manila has accused Corpuz of "alleged membership of the Communist Party of the Philippines and (the) New People's Army", Zeid said.

The New People's Army, which is waging a decades-old Maoist armed rebellion, has been designated a "terrorist organisation" by the US State Department.

Zeid said that Corpuz believes she has been targeted because of comments she made regarding the alleged killings of indigenous people in the southern region of Mindanao, where Duterte has imposed martial law in an effort to curb a jihadist threat.

"This is of course unacceptable for a special rapporteur acting on behalf of the international community whose expertise is sought by the Human Rights Council to be treated in this way", Zeid said.

"These attacks cannot go unanswered," he added.

Foreign minister Cayetano also responded on the Corpuz case, insisting there was evidence linking the UN rights experts to a banned group, without detailing the nature of the charges filed against her.

"If indeed Ms. Tauli-Corpuz and the others named in the petition are innocent as they claim they are, they should see this as an opportunity to clear their names", he said.

Duterte elected by a landslide in 2016 largely on a pledge to kill tens of thousands of criminals has boasted of killings he claims to have committed personally.

He has also sidelined many of his top domestic critics.

Most recently he has moved against the country's top judge, Maria Lourdes Sereno, who faces all-but-certain impeachment following threats by Duterte over her criticism of the drug war and crackdown on civil rights.U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad al-Hussein strongly condemned Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday for his governments decision to include a U.N. investigator on a list of 600 people declared to be Communist terrorists.

Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, U.N. special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, was named in a government petition presented to a court in Manila last month. The petition accuses her of terrorism and alleged membership of the New People's Army (NPA) and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CCP). A former Philippine lawmaker and four former Catholic priests were also included on the list.

These attacks cannot go unanswered. The U.N. Human Rights Council must take a position," al-Hussein said at a news conference Friday. "The president of the Philippines needs to submit himself to some sort of psychiatric evaluation. This sort of comment really is unacceptable, unacceptable.

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03_09_Duterte

Romeo Ranoco/Reuters

His comments add to the outrage felt by Tauli-Corpuzs fellow rapporteurs. "We are shocked that the special rapporteur is being targeted because of her work defending the rights of indigenous peoples," said Michel Forst, special rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, and Catalina Devandas Aguilar, chairperson of the Coordination Committee of the Special Procedures, in a joint statement. This accusation is considered as an act of retaliation.

Tauli-Corpuz called the inclusion of her name baseless, malicious and irresponsible in a statement issued on Thursday, when she became aware of the list. I am consulting my lawyers on what legal courses of action to take to clear my names and even make accountable those who put my life and security at risk, she wrote.

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In October, Duterte said an offensive in the city of Marawi, linked to the Islamic State militant group (ISIS), was over. He then turned his attention to Communist insurgents. Duterte ditched intermittent peace talks with Maoist-led rebels a month later and designated the NPA and the CCP terrorist organizations in December.

The firebrand president made international headlines in February after saying during a speech that female fighters who join the NPA should be shot in the vagina. Philippine womens rights group Gabriela accused Duterte of promoting violence against women with his comments and led a demonstration against the president on Thursday for International Womens Day.

03_09_IWD_Manila

Jes Aznar/Getty Images

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The current administration of President Duterte...has proven to be perhaps the most macho-fascist presidency that the Philippines has ever had. A presidency that has made a joke of womens existence," Gabriela Secretary-General Joms Salvador told the crowd at the march, as quoted by Reuters.

Demonstrators held posters saying an impeachment process from Duterte's congressional allies against Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno was "tyranny." Sereno told a meeting of women judges she would fight "lies, threats, harassment and bullying," Reuters reported.

Duterte has often brushed off accusations of human rights abuses in his country, particularly in relation to the extrajudicial killings of thousands of people suspected of being drug users or traffickers perpetrated during a so-called war on drugs.

When it comes to human rights, or whoever rapporteur it is, my order to you: Do not answer. Do not bother," Duterte said in a speech to elite forces on March 1 following news that the International Criminal Court was opening a probe into the drug war.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekThey threw me to the ground, handcuffed me, then dragged me into a police van where I was punched in the face several times, Rafal Suszek, a university lecturer, tells me.

He had been taking part in an anti-fascist event in Warsaw last week on the day that Polands Law on the Institute of National Remembrance, known as the Holocaust law, came into force.

At the same time, far-right marchers shouting nationalist messages were advancing through the city carrying burning torches.

Suszek had been one of the protesters trying to block the far-right groups, but, like many of those who try and stand up against the rising tide of Polish nationalism, he found himself bruised, cuffed and arrested.

Under the controversial Holocaust law, it is now considered a crime for anyone, apparently anywhere in the world, to accuse the Polish Nation of complicity in crimes committed by the Nazis during World War II. In addition to mandating how people will be allowed to talk about Polands past, the law also has dangerous ramifications for Polands future.

The initial aim of the law, which is contrary to Polands obligations under international human rights law, was to prevent people from describing Nazi German death camps in occupied Poland as Polish camps. But its scope actually goes much further.

The issue at stake is not about the events surrounding World War II, but freedom of expression and the excessive use of the law to crackdown on dissenting opinions. By outlawing any utterance or written statement or image that is seen to damage the reputation of the Republic of Poland and the Polish Nation, or suggests Polish responsibility for or complicity in Nazi crimes, it further restricts the right to freedom of expression and will have a wider damaging effect.

From peaceful protesters to historians, teachers to journalists, anyone who openly disagrees with the official nationalist narrative in Polish politics and its take on history  namely that Poland and Poles were solely victims of historical events and not perpetrators of any crimes  is at risk of being targeted by prosecution and jail.

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The law also allows the authorities to prosecute these crimes outside the territory of Poland, including by targeting foreign media outlets. The Holocaust law was used for the first time last week when the Polish Anti-Defamation League (PDL), a nationalist organization close to Polands government, filed a complaint against an Argentinian newspaper.

The paper, Pagina 12, had used a 1950 photograph of anti-communist Polish fighters alongside an article about the pogrom in the town of Jedwabne where hundreds of Jews were killed by their Polish neighbours during World War II. According to the PDL, this amounted to a manipulation aiming to harm the Polish nation.

The Speaker of Polands Senate has clarified that the law is aimed at Polish citizens, including those living abroad. In a recent letter, he called on Poles overseas to document all manifestations of anti-Polismexpressions and opinions that harm us and urged them to notify their embassies of any slander affecting the good reputation of Poland.

Within Poland, peaceful protesters taking to the streets to express their opposition to historical revisionism have been repeatedly targeted by the police.

On Wednesday, in an act of mass disobedience, more than 40 activists in Warsaw and Wroclaw read out a statement in front of the office of the Regional Prosecutor, describing crimes committed by Poles against Jews during and after the war. After the reading they went inside the building an demanded that they get prosecuted for breaking the Holocaust law. The case is being investigated.

Two weeks ago I was in Hajnowka, a town on the border with Belarus, for a memorial marking the 72nd anniversary of the massacre of over 70 ethnic Belarusians by a battalion of Polish soldiers in 1946. The gathered relatives and supporters of those killed lit candles and talked about the past.

A few hours later, a far-right, xenophobic group, the National Radical Camp, held a rally in the town to celebrate the soldiers who had committed the massacre. They marched through the town chanting death to the killers of motherland.

At one point, two women counter-protesters appeared holding a banner that read, My motherland is humanity. They were immediately approached by riot policemen who pushed them against a fence, allegedly in order to make sure they did not obstruct a lawful assembly.

The Holocaust law, which has been mainly driven by the ruling Law and Justice Party, is an additional tool for the authorities to suppress dissenting views at a time when it is already increasingly difficult to express political dissent in Poland. Hundreds of cases against peaceful protesters are currently pending in the courts and many more are being investigated by the authorities.

Those who openly challenge the crackdown on judicial independence, undue restrictions on human rights, and the rise of xenophobic far-right nationalist groups are threatened with detention, arrest and prosecution for the peaceful exercise of their human rights, amidst a widespread campaign of demonization in the government-controlled media.

For people like Suszek who dare to stand up for their convictions and raise their voices against hatred, the Holocaust law looks set to silence dissenting opinions. Suszek told me: Needless to say, this will not change my determination to take the uncomfortable historical truth to the streets and protest against xenophobia, racism, and plain neo-fascism in the public space.

Suszeks courage not to be silenced should be welcomed by all who believe in freedom of expression.(WASHINGTON)  President Donald Trump has accepted an offer of a summit from the North Korean leader and will meet with Kim Jong Un by May, a top South Korean official said Thursday, in a remarkable turnaround in relations between two historic adversaries.

The South Korean national security director, Chung Eui-yong, told reporters of the planned meeting outside the White House, after briefing Trump and other top U.S. officials about a rare meeting with Kim in the North Korean capital on Monday.

No serving American president has ever met with a North Korean leader. The U.S. and North Korea do not even have formal diplomatic relations. The two nations remain in a state of war because the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice and not a peace treaty.

Seoul had already publicized that North Korea had offered talks with the United States on denuclearization and normalizing ties, providing a diplomatic opening after a year of escalating tensions over the Norths nuclear and missile tests. The rival Koreas also agreed to hold a leadership summit in late April.

He (Kim) expressed his eagerness to meet President Trump as soon as possible, Chung said. President Trump appreciated the briefing and said he would meet Kim Jong Un by May to achieve permanent denuclearization.

Chung did not say where Trump would meet with Kim. The White House said Trumps meeting with Kim would take place at a place and time to be determined.

Trump took office vowing to stop North Korea from attaining a nuclear-tipped missile that could reach the U.S. mainland. Hes oscillated between threats and insults directed at Kim, and more conciliatory rhetoric. His more bellicose talk, and Kims nuclear and missile tests, have fueled fears of war.

Trump, who has ramped up economic sanctions on North Korea to force it to negotiate on giving up its nukes, has threatened the pariah nation with fire and fury if its threats against the U.S. and its allies continued. He has derided Kim by referring to him as Little Rocket Man.

After Kim repeated threats against the U.S. in a New Years address and mentioned the nuclear button on his office desk, Trump responded by tweeting that he has a nuclear button, too, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!(WASHINGTON)  The White House announced Friday that President Donald Trump has pardoned a Navy sailor who took photos of classified areas inside a submarine and served a year in federal prison.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Kristian Saucier was pardoned by Trump and the president was appreciative of his service to the nation. He has been recognized by his fellow service members for his dedication skill and patriotic spirit, Sanders said.

Trump has referenced Sauciers case often when criticizing Democratic rival Hillary Clinton for her use of a private email server. In a January tweet, he referred to the Deep State Justice Dept and criticized the federal system for going after a sailor instead of a top Clinton aide.

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It was Trumps second pardon as president. He pardoned Joe Arpaio, a former six-term sheriff of metro Phoenix, in August.

Sauciers attorney, Ronald Daigle Jr., said his client was ecstatic. Hes so grateful that the president saw there was an injustice in this matter and he took action on it.

Saucier pleaded guilty in 2016 to unauthorized detention of defense information for taking photos inside the USS Alexandria while it was stationed in Groton, Connecticut, in 2009.

Saucier had said previously that he had only wanted service mementos. But federal prosecutors argued he was a disgruntled sailor who had put national security at risk by taking photos showing the submarines propulsion system and reactor compartment and then obstructed justice by destroying a laptop and camera. Saucier claimed his prosecution was driven by sensitivity about classified information amid the scandal involving Clintons emails.

Saucier, of Arlington, Vermont, was a 22-year-old machinist mate on the nuclear-powered attack submarine when he took the photos. His lawyers said he knew the photos would be classified but he wanted to show his family what he did in the Navy. He denied sharing the photos with any unauthorized recipient.

After Trump won election, Daigle discussed the case at Trump Tower with Michael Flynn, the presidents former national security adviser, who encouraged a formal pardon request. Trump was later asked about the case during an interview with Fox News Sean Hannity and said it was very unfair.President Donald Trump followed through on his pledge to impose stiff tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, while excluding Canada and Mexico and leaving the door open to sparing other countries on the basis of national security.

The president signed a proclamation authorizing the tariffs at a meeting Thursday afternoon with workers from the steel and aluminum industries. The U.S. will levy a 25 percent duty on steel and 10 percent on aluminum, the same level Trump promised when he revealed the plan March 1, according to a senior administration official who briefed reporters before the signing. The tariffs will take effect in 15 days, the official said.

Today Im defending Americas national security by placing tariffs on foreign imports of steel and aluminum, Trump said, flanked by workers from the industries and economic advisers who had backed the plan.

The president said U.S. political leaders preceding him had allowed the decline of manufacturing in the nation, and cited a protectionist predecessor, President William McKinley, in defense of the tariffs. Our factories were left to rot and to rust all over the place, Trump said.

Gary Cohn, the National Economic Council director who announced his resignation on Tuesday after failing to persuade Trump against the tariffs, stood in the back of the room.

Exempting some nations marks a compromise from Trumps initial plan for across-the-board tariffs, which was harshly criticized by members of his own Republican party who said it would cost U.S. jobs, raise consumer prices and hit American manufacturers. Trading partners including the European Union threatened retaliation, triggering fears of a trade war. International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde said no one wins in a trade battle and warned the proposed tariffs could have a serious negative economic impact.

Message Received

The message appeared to get through. Trump agreed to exclude Canada and Mexico from the duties because of their status as key regional allies and partners with the U.S. in renegotiating a new North American Free Trade Agreement, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Any U.S. trade partner has the option of asking to be excluded from the tariffs, the official said, and allies could be excluded if they can demonstrate how the tariffs would damage their national security.

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U.S. aluminum and steel stocks, which had declined earlier Thursday, continued to trade lower as Trump prepared to comment on his administrations import tariffs plan.

U.S. Steel Corp. was down 2.8 percent at 3:30 p.m. in New York, after earlier falling as much as 4.6 percent, while Nucor Corp., the largest American producer, dropped 2.9 percent. Alcoa Corp., the biggest U.S. aluminum producer, was down 1 percent after declining as much as 2.8 percent, while Century Aluminum Co. was down 7.1 percent.

The prospect of further exclusions should trigger a push by U.S. allies in Europe, Australia and elsewhere to lobby for similar treatment to Canada and Mexico.

The tariff threat has escalated tensions from Beijing to Brussels. On Thursday, Chinas foreign minister, Wang Yi, vowed a justified and necessary response to any efforts to incite a trade war. It was the Chinese governments most forceful response yet to the new tariffs.

Wang, who spoke on the sidelines of the National Peoples Congress in Beijing, urged the U.S. to work with China on a mutually beneficial solution.

A trade war has never been the right way to solve the problem, especially under globalization, Wang said. Such a conflict will only harm everyone and China will surely make a justified and necessary response.

Steel Supplier

Canada, the biggest supplier of steel and aluminum to the U.S., and No. 4 steel-provider Mexico had asked to be exempted, and indicated they would have retaliated if Trump included them in the duties.

Negotiators from the U.S., Canada and Mexico wrapped up the seventh round of Nafta talks this week in Mexico still hoping for a breakthrough on the biggest sticking points. No date has been announced yet for the next round of negotiations and its almost certain the parties wont meet their goal to reach a deal by the end of March.

If we dont make the deal on NAFTA, Trump said, then were going to terminate NAFTA and were going to start all over again, or well just do it another way.

But if a deal is made, he said there wont be any tariffs on Canada, and there wont be any tariffs on Mexico.

The EU has warned it would respond with its own 25 percent tariff on about $3.5 billion of American goods. The bloc is targeting iconic U.S. brands produced in key Republican states on a range of consumer, agricultural and steel products, according to a list drawn up by the European Commission.

Trumps authority to establish the tariffs stems from a Commerce Department investigation that found that imports of the metals pose a risk to national security. The probes were authorized under the seldom-used Section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act, which gives the president broad powers to impose trade restrictions on domestic security grounds.President Donald Trump announced that he would have a historic meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in a typically unplanned way.

The president popped his head into the White House briefing room Thursday evening to tell reporters a major announcement was coming in just two hours, one that turned out to reverse a position staked out by his own Secretary of State just one day earlier.

But experts say if he is actually going to meet with Kim  still not a certainty  it will take a lot more planning and forethought than that.

In past administrations, experts say it would take extensive preparation and negotiations with multiple agencies to prepare for a meeting like this. Generally, at least the National Security Council, the State Department, the Department of Defense and the intelligence community would all play a role in coming up with a negotiating strategy.



All of this would be so that when the two principals met, there was some kind of understanding of what they were going to talk about, what potential agreement they would reach, and a lot of it would be relatively well scripted, says Jay Lefkowitz, who served as President George W. Bushs Special Envoy on Human Rights in North Korea.

But Trump has made clear that he wants to lead this process himself  President Trump made his reputation on making deals, a senior official said Thursday of why he wants to meet face-to-face with Kim. And even when he has one, Trump rarely sticks to the script.

He may not actually have a foreign policy apparatus around him that he either trusts or has confidence in, says Lefkowitz. And he obviously has supreme confidence, whether its misguided or not, in his own negotiating skills.

The timeline would be short to do all this planning. Republic of Korea National Security Advisor Chung Eui-Yong said last night that the two would meet by May. And a senior Administration official said it would happen in a couple of months but the exact timing and place is still to be determined.

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The Trump Administration is considering appointing an outside expert to work as an envoy to North Korea, CNN reports. But for now, according to Axios, the State Departments Special Representative for North Korea is retiring, theres no permanent ambassador to Seoul and the assistant secretary for East Asia hasnt yet been confirmed. In the West Wing, National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster is rumored to be on his way out.

Theyre going to need to really beef up their team, says Joel Wit, Senior Fellow at US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

As the Trump Administration hammers down its own position and goals for the meeting, traditionally officials below the President would also be reaching out to officials in North Korea and other countries with a stake in the outcome in advance of the summit. South Korea helped broker the meeting and according to the White House, Trump spoke to both Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday about North Korean strategy and the upcoming talk.

Arranging a summit with North Korea marks a particular challenge, because the U.S. doesnt have formal diplomatic relations with the hermit kingdom.

Were going to have to start talking to them. Thats the point, says Wit. They have to have a process of communication and face-to-face communication, and given the short time frame involved, its going to have to be pretty intense.

One immediate question for the U.S. and North Korea to settle: where the summit will be held. Experts have predicted a neutral country, South Korea, the Demilitarized Zone, or even North Korea, if Kim refuses to leave his country.

But even if the U.S. opens channels of communication with North Korean officials, its not clear that anyone besides Kim himself is really empowered to represent the country. How can you actually have the kind of traditional diplomatic outreach when no one really below him has any real authority in that system? asks Lefkowitz.

In a different way, Trump himself has few officials who can speak for him, due to his propensity to change his mind and rely on his own thinking above the advice of experts. One day before Trump agreed to meet with Kim, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had said conditions werent right to meet with North Korea. The change was a decision the President took himself, Tillerson explained, according to CNN.

In a way, says Lefkowitz, we have two leaders right now who are much more wrapped up in their own worlds than I think you traditionally have when youre dealing with diplomacy.

Which is why Trump hopes sitting down together could be the first step towards a new relationship between the two countries.Washington (AFP) - President Vladimir Putin said in an interview released Friday that he "couldn't care less" if fellow Russian citizens sought to meddle in the 2016 US presidential election, insisting such efforts could not be tied to the Kremlin.

"Why have you decided the Russian authorities, myself included, gave anybody permission to do this?" Putin asked in the often-combative interview with NBC television.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller is conducting a wide-ranging investigation to determine whether President Donald Trump's campaign colluded with Moscow to help elect him.

Last month Mueller indicted 13 Russian nationals and three Russian companies for allegedly backing Trump's campaign, maligning his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton and engaging in other election interference.

"So what if they're Russians?" Putin said of the allegations.

"There are 146 million Russians. So what?... I don't care. I couldn't care less... They do not represent the interests of the Russian state."

Mueller issued a 37-page indictment against the Russians but Putin indicated he has seen no evidence thus far that the alleged meddling broke any US law.

"Are we the ones who imposed sanctions on the United States? The US imposed sanctions on us," he said.

"We in Russia cannot prosecute anyone as long as they have not violated Russian law... At least send us a piece of paper... Give us a document. Give us an official request. And we'll take a look at it."

America's leading intelligence agencies concluded last year that Putin himself had directed a broad intelligence effort to influence the US election to undermine Clinton's campaign and boost Trump's chances, but Trump has repeatedly denied colluding with Moscow.

The Russian leader also rejected those assessments.

"Could anyone really believe that Russia, thousands of miles away... influenced the outcome of the election? Doesn't that sound ridiculous even to you?" Putin asked.

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Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, when he announced the Russian indictment, said it made no judgment on whether the alleged Russian propaganda campaign altered the outcome of the election which Trump won.

"It's not our goal to interfere. We do not see what goal we would accomplish by interfering. There's no goal," Putin said.

Trump himself has repeatedly shied away from condemning Russia over the alleged meddling.

US intelligence chiefs last month said Russian attempts to meddle in US politics are continuing unabated -- and pose a threat to mid-term congressional elections in November.Washington (AFP) - President Vladimir Putin suggested in a US television interview that Ukrainians, Tatars or "Jews," could have meddled in the 2016 US presidential election -- but not the Kremlin.

"Why have you decided the Russian authorities, myself included, gave anybody permission to do this?" Putin asked in the often-combative interview with NBC television.

The leading US intelligence agencies concluded last year that Putin personally directed an intelligence effort to influence the 2016 US presidential election to undermine Democrat Hillary Clinton's campaign and boost Republican Donald Trump.

Last month US Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is conducting a widespread probe into Russia's role in the campaign, indicted 13 Russian nationals and three Russian companies for allegedly backing Trump, maligning Clinton, and engaging in other election interference.

"So what if they're Russians?" Putin said of the allegations, according to transcripts of the NBC interview released late Friday.

"There are 146 million Russians. So what?... I don't care. I couldn't care less... They do not represent the interests of the Russian state."

"Maybe," Putin said, "they are not even Russians but Ukrainians, Tatars or Jews, but with Russian citizenship, which should also be checked; maybe they have dual citizenship or a green card; maybe the US paid them for this.

"How can you know that? I do not know either."

- No laws broken? -

Despite Mueller's 37-page indictment, Putin said he has seen no evidence thus far that the alleged meddling broke any laws.

"We in Russia cannot prosecute anyone as long as they have not violated Russian law... At least send us a piece of paper... Give us a document. Give us an official request. And we'll take a look at it."

Trump has repeatedly denied any collusion with Moscow, and Putin laughed at the mere suggestion.

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"Could anyone really believe that Russia, thousands of miles away... influenced the outcome of the election? Doesn't that sound ridiculous even to you?" Putin asked.

On announcing the indictment on the Russians, US Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said the document made no judgment on whether the alleged Russian propaganda campaign altered the election outcome.

"It's not our goal to interfere. We do not see what goal we would accomplish by interfering. There's no goal," Putin said.

US intelligence chiefs last month said Russia still seeks to meddle in US politics, posing a threat to mid-term congressional elections in November, and the 2020 presidential election.

- 'Destabilization' campaign -

Trump has acknowledged that Russia and "other countries" meddled in the 2016 election, but insisted it had "no impact on our votes whatsoever" and vowed to make sure it wouldnt happen again.

"We'll counteract whatever they do. We'll counteract it very strongly. You don't want your system of votes to be compromised in any way," Trump said Tuesday. "And we won't allow that to happen."

Russian efforts however are said to go far beyond US elections: US General Curtis Scaparrotti, the commander of NATO forces in Europe, told US lawmakers on Thursday that Russia is working to break up the NATO alliance partly through its online operations spreading false information.

"Russia is carrying out a campaign of destabilization to change the international order, fracture NATO and undermine US leadership around the world," Scaparrotti told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday.Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Jews may be behind alleged meddling in the U.S. presidential election.

In an interview broadcast late Friday, Putin was asked by NBC's Megyn Kelly whether he condoned the electoral interference by 13 Russians named in an indictment by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

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Maybe they are not even Russians but Ukrainians, Tatars or Jews, but with Russian citizenship, which should also be checked; maybe they have dual citizenship of a green card; maybe the U.S. paid them for this. How can you know that? I do not know either, he said.

He said he was indifferent to the indictment.

"It's all the same to me. To me it absolutely makes no difference because they do not represent the government," Putin answered, according to the Russian-language interview transcript posted Saturday by the Kremlin.

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Speaking to Israeli daily Haaretz, lawmaker Ksenia Svetlova called on the Israeli government to condemn the comments.

"Maybe the Jews meddled in the U.S. elections. Maybe the Jews rule the world, maybe the Jews slaughtered Jews in Poland  all of these claims have one root cause  a hatred of Jews," Svetlova said.

Ronald Klein, a chief of staff of vice presidents Al Gore and Joe Biden, called for Jewish supporters of Donald Trump to pressurise the White House for a reaction to the remark.

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Every Jewish supporter of Donald Trump should be pressing the WH to see if the President agrees with his friend Putin on this statement. And every Jewish person resisting Trump just got another reason to fight even harder, he tweeted Saturday.

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In the interview, Putin went on to say that Russia had neither the tools nor the will to meddle in elections.

"First, we have principles whereby we do not allow others to interfere in our domestic affairs and do not get into the affairs of others....Secondly, we don't have this quantity of tools," he said.

In a June 2017 interview with the network, Putin had compared accusations that Russia interfered in the election to anti-Semitism.

"It's like anti-Semitism," he said, comparing Russia's critics to people who would say things like "the Jews are to blame."

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekMoscow (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is expected to be reelected for a fourth term in next weekend's ballot, has said he has no plans to change the constitution to stay in the Kremlin beyond 2024.

Asked by US television network NBC whether he would follow in the footsteps of China's Xi Jinping, who is eyeing a limitless tenure, Putin insisted he had no such intentions.

"I never changed the constitution, I did not do it to suit myself and I have no such plans to do so today," he said in an interview whose transcript was released by the Kremlin on Saturday.

Critics accuse Putin, who was first elected president in 2000 and is running for a fourth term in March 18 polls, of harbouring ambitions to stay in power indefinitely.

The constitution bars him from serving more than two presidential terms in a row.

In 2008, Putin became prime minister but maintained his grip on power, with his protege Dmitry Medvedev serving as president until 2012 when Putin returned to the Kremlin in the face of huge opposition protests.

He rejected suggestions that he could not quit power because it would put him in danger, saying he heard "a lot of ravings on this subject".

"Why do you think after me power in Russia will be necessarily taken over by people who are ready to destroy everything that I have done over the past years?" Putin said.

He said he had been thinking about his potential successor since 2000.

"It never hurts to think but at the end of the day it will be the Russian people who will decide that," he added.

- 'Creation not destruction' -

Putin will run against a motley crew of seven challengers, with his top critic Alexei Navalny barred from contesting the poll because of a criminal conviction his supporters call punishment for challenging the strongman.

Putin declined to say whether he could pardon Navalny.

"Any man can be pardoned if he deserves this," said Putin.

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The Russian president, who never called Navalny by his name in public, referred to the 41-year-old opposition politician as "certain political forces".

"What do I like in principle? It's that they expose problems and this is good, indeed it's right," Putin said.

"But it's not enough for the country's positive development. Because concentrating one's attention on problems, it's not only insufficient, it's even dangerous because it could lead to certain destruction and we need creation."

- 'Not my friend' -

Putin also denied having close ties to businessman and restaurateur Yevgeny Prigozhin, one of 13 Russians indicted by US prosecutors for allegedly running a secret campaign to tilt the 2016 US vote in favour of Donald Trump.

"He is not my friend," Putin said. "I know such a man but I don't count him among my friends."

Dubbed "Putin's chef", Prigozhin is thought to be running a Saint Petersburg-based "troll farm" accused by Washington of interfering in the 2016 election.

He has also been linked to a hugely secretive private military company, dubbed Wagner, whose mercenaries fight in Syria and were involved in a direct clash with US troops there in early February.

"We don't support him in any way, we are not standing in his way or helping him. That's his personal initiative," Putin said.

Putin denied that Russia has meddled in the US election, but said he would "not care" even if individual Russians had been involved.

"I could not care less because they do not represent the state," he said, adding that Russia would not extradite them.

Instead, Putin said, the US should sign a cybersecurity pact with Russia if it wanted Moscow to look into the matter in earnest.Russian president Vladimir Putin said he doesn't care" about the alleged meddling of Russian nationals and companies in the U.S. presidential election on 2016 that saw the victory of Republican candidate Donald Trump over his Democrat rival Hillary Clinton.

Putin discussed the indictment filed by special counsel Robert Mueller last month as part of an exclusive interview to NBCs Megyn Kelly aired on Friday night under the title Confronting Putin, which touched on several topics including the ongoing investigation into Russian interference in the U.S. election.

The Russian presidential office published a transcript of the full interview on its official website on Saturday morning, specifying the conversation took place in two seatings, in the Kremlin on March 1 and in Kaliningrad on March 2. Putin said So What? nine times throughout the interview, all in relation to the allegations.

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So what if theyre Russians? Putin said. There are 146 million Russians. So what? I dont care, he continued, adding They do not represent the interests of the Russian state.

03_10_Putin

Sputnik/Alexei Druzhinin/Kremlin via Reuters

He also denied being a friend of Yevgeny Prigozhin, a Russian businessman dubbed "Putin's chef" because he frequently served the Russian president at his restaurants, who is among those named in the indictment. He is not my friend. I know him, but he is not a friend of mine, Putin said.

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The Russian president, who is running for another six-year term in office at the March 18 election which could ensure his presence at the seat of the country's power until 2024, professed ignorance over the Russian nationals motives. I have no idea what they did and what they were guided by, he said, adding that it is not Russias goal to interfere in other countries elections.

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The interview also touched upon Putins relationship with President Trump. The Russian president described his American counterpart as a businessman with very extensive experience and a modern man, in reference to his tweeting habit.

Putin said he does not read Trumps tweets nor does he use the social network himself. I have other means of expressing my point of view or making decisions, he said.

As for the relations between U.S. and Russia, Putin said Trump understands perfectly well that trading accusations or insults at our level is a road to nowhere. He added: It would just mean depriving our countries of their last chance for dialogue, simply the last chance."

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekSecretary of State Rex Tillerson has cancelled scheduled events in Kenya on Saturday due to illness.

Tillerson arrived in the capital Nairobi on Friday, the third stop of a five-nation trip to Africa that began on Thursday, his first visit to the continent as a Secretary of State.

He travelled from Ethiopia to Kenya on Friday, making a brief stop in Djibouti, and was scheduled to head to Chad on Monday and then to Nigeria on Tuesday. While the nature of the illness was not disclosed, it was understood not to be serious, the BBC reported.

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"The secretary is not feeling well after a long couple days working on major issues back home such as North Korea and has canceled his events for the day," under-secretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs Steve Goldstein told reporters, quoted in Reuters.

The top diplomats already busy travel plan was complicated by major international developments, including proposed talks between North Korea and the U.S., which President Donald Trump accepted seemingly without consulting the State Department at a press conference in Ethiopias capital of Addis Ababa just hours before the White House announcement on Thursday, Tillerson said the U.S. was still a long way from direct talks and negotiations.

I think the first stepand Ive said this beforeis to have talks, have some kind of talks about talks because I dont know yet, until we are able to meet ourselves face to face with representatives of North Korea, whether the conditions are right to even begin thinking about negotiations, he said, describing that position as the current state of play.

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03_10_Tillerson

Tony Karumba/AFP/Getty Images

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Later in Djibouti, Tillerson attempted to differentiate between negotiation and talks. "President Trump has said for some time that he was open to talks and he would willingly meet with Kim Jong Un when conditions were right and the time was right. And I think in the Presidents judgment, that time has arrived now," he said, adding "In my comments yesterday, I was indicating comments about negotiations, but weve been open for talks for some time."

Tillersons Saturday schedule included an event for PEPFAR, the U.S. government-funded programme to fight HIV/AIDS, a visit to American diplomats at the U.S. embassy in Nairobi and a wreath-laying ceremony commemorating the 20-year anniversary of the deadly al-Qaeda bombing of U.S embassies in Kenya and Tanzania which killed 224 people.

"Some events will go ahead without him, while they are looking at the possibility of rescheduling others," Goldstein said.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekMoscow (AFP) - Russia foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova became the latest woman to accuse senior lawmaker Leonid Slutsky of sexual harassment on Saturday.

Four journalists have accused Slutsky, the head of the Duma's foreign affairs committee, of inappropriate sexual conduct over the past few weeks.

"Leonid started saying things in a restaurant that I found very unpleasant," Zakharova told Russia's NTV television when asked about the claims.

"I was surprised to see that those present... did not say anything at the time and did not support me," she said, adding that the incident took place in Saint Petersburg five years ago "when I was not a well-known person".

"I completely oppose those who say that see, she only makes this up now, she's that kind of girl, she does not dress properly, all of this is invented."

Three of the journalists have gone public with their accusations, which include making lewd sexual comments and groping, breaking the silence on a subject that remains largely taboo in Russia.

Slutsky has labelled the claims as "cheap, low-grade provocation" and dismissed them as a political attack ordered by his enemies. He even said the scandal "boosted my gravitas rather than took it away".

However on on International Women's Day on Thursday Slutsky apologised for the first time.

"I would like to apologise to those of you I have wittingly or unwittingly caused distress," he said on Facebook. "Trust me, I meant no harm."

The 50-year-old MP in the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party has been widely supported by his colleagues so far, including the party's leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky, who accused the women of "receiving orders from the West".By MacDonald Dzirutwe HARARE (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday his country was pursuing military cooperation with Zimbabwe and looking at opportunities in the diamond sector as well as fully implementing a $3 billion joint platinum project near Harare. Lavrov, who is on a tour of Africa, held meetings with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and senior government officials, and signed an agreement to establish a special economic zone for Russian firms to manufacture goods for export. "We have also talked about prospects for military and technical cooperation. We have a special group working on this particular subject," Lavrov told reporters through an interpreter. Western countries, which had traditionally supplied military equipment to Zimbabwe, including fighter jets and vehicles, stopped in 2000 after imposing sanctions on ex-president Robert Mugabe's government over accusations of human rights abuses. Chris Mutsvangwa, Mnangagwa's special advisor, later told reporters that Zimbabwe's Ministry of Defence was in talks with Russia over the procurement of military hardware. He did not provide details. A Russian consortium including arms conglomerate Rostec in 2014 partnered a Zimbabwean group to develop a $3 billion platinum operation near the capital but the project had stalled. Lavrov's visit is expected to revive the mining venture, which is one of the single biggest investments the southern African nation has seen since independence in 1980. "We have laid particular emphasis on implementation of the joint project of exploring the Darwendale platinum deposit, the largest in the world and which is currently operated by a joint venture between Zimbabwe and Russia," Lavrov said. Zimbabwe has the second largest known deposits of platinum after South Africa and the Darwendale project is considered to be the largest single deposit. Mnangagwa is desperate to attract foreign investors to kickstart the economy and has promised reforms to safeguard investments. (Editing by Ed Stoddard and David Evans)Military personnel are deployed to help remove vehicles from the scene after former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter were found critically ill - Getty Images Europe

The investigation into the attempted assassination of Sergei Skripal took a dramatic turn today when it emerged the detective made seriously ill in the nerve agent attack was poisoned at the home of the Russian spy.

Around 180 specially trained troops from the Royal Marines and the RAF Regiment will be deployed on Friday to safely remove potentially contaminated material from sites in Salisbury.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "The Counter Terrorism Policing Network has requested assistance from the military to remove a number of vehicles and objects from the scene in Salisbury town centre as they have the necessary capability and expertise. The public should not be alarmed and the public health advice remains the same.

"The military has the expertise and capability to respond to a range of contingencies. The Ministry of Defence regularly assists the emergency services and local authorities in the UK. Military assistance will continue as necessary during this investigation."

Forensic science experts, working alongside member of the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism team at the home of Sergei Skripal Credit: Vagner Vidal/ INS News Agency Ltd

Gavin Williamson, Defence Secretary, said: Our armed forces have stepped up to support the police in their investigation in Salisbury, building on the vital expertise and information already provided by our world-renowned scientists from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down.

We have the right people with the right skills to assist with this crucial inquiry. This is a dreadful incident and my thoughts remain with the victims and their families.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd visits the Maltings area of Salisbury after the attempted murder of ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia Credit: Geoff Pugh for the Telegraph

Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, who is being treated in hospital, was made seriously ill after being sent to Colonel Skripals house in Salisbury.

Det Sgt Bailey was one of the first police officers to attend the house in a cul-de-sac a few hours after Col Skripal and his daughter Yulia collapsed in Salisbury town centre.

The admission he was made ill at the house was made by Lord Blair, the former Metropolitan Police Commissioner, in a BBC interview.

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Spy poisoning | Read more

Asked if there were any leads in the case, Lord Blair told the Today Programme on Radio 4: There are some indications that the police officer who was injured had been to the house, whereas there was a doctor who looked after the patients in the open, who hasnt been affected at all.

So there maybe some clues floating around in here.

The Telegraph has confirmed that Det Sgt Bailey did attend the house.

The disclosure that Det Sgt Bailey was poisoned at the Skripal family home - rather than at the scene where the pair collapsed - strongly indicates that the nerve agent was administered there.

That means the Skripals were in all likelihood not attacked in the street, as previously thought, but poisoned in their own home.

Counter-terrorism police and security services will now be investigating how the nerve agent was administered. Nerve agent is most toxic if weaponised in an aerosol spray and takes immediate effect.

Royal Marines and defence scientists held joint drills to practice dealing with chemical and biological attacks as recently as last month.

Exercise Toxic Dagger held in February was the biggest practice of its kind and saw the marines detecting and dealing with deadly toxic threats.

Yulia and Sergei Skripal were believed to have been poisoned while out for a meal - but it has emerged they were probably exposed to nerve gas at home

The revelation that Det Sgt Bailey was poisoned at the house suggests that the Skripals may have ingested the nerve agent and will raise the possibility that Yulia Skripal had inadvertently brought some gift for her 66-year-old father from Moscow that contained the nerve agent.

Miss Skripal, 33, had flown into London on Saturday, the day before the pair collapsed.

Both remain in intensive care, unconscious and fighting for their lives.

Col Skripal was convicted of treason in 2006 and jailed for 13 years for selling secrets to MI6, which had recruited him in the 1990s.

Col Skripal, a senior intelligence officer with Russian military intelligence GRU, was pardoned in a spy swap in 2010 and settled in Salisbury.

The Kremlin is being blamed for the assassination attempt.

Profile | Sergei SkripalDramatic body camera footage released by the Sacramento (California) Police Department shows a February 22 attack on an officer, in which a man allegedly stole the officers duty weapon and fired three times.

The video was released by police on March 8. According to news reports, the officer had originally detained the man, identified as Juan Heras-Castro, and taken him to a local hospital. Soon afterwards, Heras-Castro fled the hospital, so the officer pursued him on foot.

In the video, the officer, who was not identified in the report, can be heard shouting to Heras-Castro. He is heard asking why he is running and states he had been trying to help him. As the pair eventually come face-to-face, Heras-Castro can then be seen turning on the officer, attacking him, and firing his weapon at least three times.

An off-duty firefighter saw the scene, intervened and helped the officer, police said. Heras-Castro was arrested and charged with attempted murder of an officer. Credit: Sacramento Police Department via StoryfulFile image of young men in do-rags. (Photo: Getty Images)

At a Massachusetts charter school, students are fighting back against a new dress code rule that prohibits the wear of do-rags.

Gisnael Silva, a junior at KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate, said he and other male students of color have been given in-school suspensions or been taken out of class for wearing do-rags, Item Live reports.

Silva and his classmates plan on contesting the code because they say do-rags are cultural gear and it helps maintain hairstyles. However, student dean Shauna-Kaye Clarke disagrees, saying the headgear is reflective of gang culture.

In an email obtained by Item Live, Clarke wrote that do-rags are a direct component of school to prison pipeline and unfortunately, they are also reflective of some gang culture. Previously, do-rags were allowed until a dress code amendment made in December prohibited them.

Clarke said do-rags cannot be on students heads or shoulders, and the strings from the head scarf cannot hang from their pockets.

Caleb Dolan, KIPP Academy Lynn executive director, said the school allows religious dress and culturally relevant headscarves. For example, many Orthodox Jews wear fringes  called tzitzit  hanging from their pants. Would these students also be penalized, or is the new rule just applicable to the do-rags?

I just feel like its a part of our culture that theyre trying to take away, said 18-year-old Jaeqhan McClain, a senior at KIPP.

Students have scheduled a meeting with school officials next Friday to further discuss the matter. Were going to listen to students concerns and proposals for changes to the dress code and evaluate whats best for the school, [and were] definitely excited to see what they come up with, Dolan said.

Other U.S. students of color have been targeted for alleged dress code violations.

In January, an Arizona boy was sent home because his hair was styled in two French braids. The teacher claimed he was in violation of the dress code. The mom opted to switch her son to another school where he will be accepted and not discriminated against for his hairstyle choices.

Story continues

Also, a law in South Carolina aims to ban men from wearing saggy pants. Parts of other states, such as Georgia, Louisiana, Florida, and New Jersey, have similar bans. However, many see the law as another way police can discriminate against minorities and increase harassment.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.



(SACRAMENTO, Calif.)  A California state senator has been told to stop hugging people after an investigation concluded that his trademark embraces made multiple female colleagues uncomfortable.

However, the investigation released Thursday found Sen. Bob Hertzbergs frequent hugs are not intended to be sexual and more often than not are not unwelcome.

Hertzberg, a Democrat from the Los Angeles area, has earned nicknames such as Hugsberg and Huggy Bear for greeting men and women alike with giant hugs.

The Senate Rules Committee formally reprimanded him on Tuesday and told him not to hug people anymore, but he will not otherwise face discipline.

Hertzberg released a letter apologizing to anyone who felt his frequent embraces were unwelcome. The 63-year-old said he has greeted people with hugs all his life and they were intended as a gesture of warmth and kindness and a reflection of my exuberance.

I understand that I cannot control how a hug is received, and that not everyone has the ability to speak up about unwelcome behavior, Hertzberg wrote. It is my responsibility to be mindful of this.

Three California lawmakers have resigned over allegations of sexually explicit misconduct, with one stepping down while facing the threat of expulsion.

The investigation into Hertzberg covered four complaints dating back to 2010, involving three female lawmakers and a male sergeant at arms. It found he hugged two current and one former lawmaker in ways that made them uncomfortable and made the sergeant uncomfortable by dancing briefly with his backside against him.

None of the accusers are named, but former Republican Assemblywoman Linda Halderman has previously spoken to reporters about her accusations against Hertzberg. She said Hertzberg repeatedly hugged her for prolonged periods of time during her term from 2010 to 2012 and at one point thrust into her after she told him to stop.

Halderman declined to speak with the investigators from an outside law firm hired by the state Senate. The investigators concluded Hertzberg made her uncomfortable but couldnt find any evidence supporting that he continued to hug her after she asked him to stop.

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Investigators found Hertzberg stopped hugging the second accuser in 2015 after she told him to stop, and that he was unaware that his hugs of another assemblywoman were unwelcome.

Republican Sen. Joel Anderson of Alpine said its concerning that none of the accusers are named because it shows the Legislature doesnt have enough protections for people filing claims.

If they dont feel comfortable, then how does the rank and file employee feel comfortable? How does that person in the public feel comfortable? Anderson said.

He also said its difficult to be fair to everyone involved if names are withheld.

Hertzberg said the allegations against him were exploited by opponents as he proposed overhauling Californias money bail system for offenders awaiting trial. Hertzberg also said the Legislature should do a better job of keeping harassment complaints confidential during investigations.

Investigators noted Hertzberg has been warned about uncomfortable hugs in the past, including of a 2015 complaint from a staff member who said he held her close and began dancing with her. They faulted Hertzberg for not taking past complaints more seriously, but also criticized the Senate for not giving him enough information about the complaints against him.

He missed opportunities to understand that some people were genuinely troubled by his hugging, investigators wrote, later adding, more information may have resulted in Hertzberg correcting his conduct with respect to unwanted hugs earlier.

Hertzberg was elected to the state Senate in 2014 after serving six years in the Assembly.

Democratic Sen. Ben Allen of Santa Monica said he couldnt say if the investigation or reprimand were appropriate because senators not sitting on the Rules Committee were only given a summary.

Its a sensitive investigation and Ive got a lot of sympathy for everybody involved, he said.A senior Myanmar official on Thursday rejected a UN accusation that his government has been carrying "ethnic cleansing" against the Rohingya Muslim ethnic group.

"We often heard many accusations that there is ethnic cleansing or even genocide in Myanmar.... it is not the policy of the government," Myanmar's National Security Advisor Thaung Tun, Union Minister for the Office of the Union Government of Myanmar told a press conference in the United Nations' European headquarters in Geneva.

"Whenever there is clear evidence we will make sure that action is taken against those who have perpetrated any crimes or those who have cause human rights abuses," he added.

On Wednesday, UN human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein called for a new body tasked with preparing criminal indictments over atrocities committed in Myanmar, after a similar panel was created for the Syrian conflict.

In his annual report to the council, Zeid restated his concern that "acts of genocide may have taken place" in the Rohingya homeland of Rakhine state.

An estimated 700,000 Rohingya have fled over the border to Bangladesh since an army crackdown was launched in Rakhine in August.

Myanmar blames Rohingya militants for an August 25 strike on security posts in Rakhine state that triggered a fierce army crackdown.

The UN and the US have said the retaliatory response by Myanmar security forces amounted to "ethnic cleansing". Nearly 700,000 Rohingya have fled Rakhine since August.

Thaung Tun said that "the vast majority of Muslims in that part of the country remain in the villages".

If there had been a genocide attempt then they would surely all have fled the region, he added.

"The very fact that Myanmar is willing to take back people who have crossed over the border" from Bangladesh indicates "we are not planning to have them out of the country," he said.

Bangladesh says more than one million Rohingya refugees are living in squalid camps in the country's south, having fled successive waves of violence in Myanmar's Rakhine district.DUBAI (Reuters) - A senior United Arab Emirates (UAE) official said on Saturday Turkey's policy towards neighboring Arab states was not reasonable and advised it to respect their sovereignty. Relations between the two countries have been strained by Ankaras support for Qatar after Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt imposed sanctions on Doha last year over its alleged support for Islamist militants. Qatar denies the accusations. "It is no secret that Arab-Turkish relations aren't in their best state," UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash tweeted. "In order to return to balance, Ankara has to respect Arab sovereignty and deal with its neighbors with wisdom and rationality," he said. The UAE sees itself as a bulwark against political forms of Islam, and views Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's Islamist-rooted ruling AK party as a supporter of groups like the Muslim Brotherhood which it opposes. They were drawn into a quarrel in December over a retweet by the Emirati foreign minister that Erdogan called an insult. UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahayan shared a tweet at the time that accused Turkish troops of looting the holy city of Medina a century ago, prompting Erdogan to lash out saying that the minister had been spoiled by oil money. (Reporting By Maha El Dahan; editing by Clelia Oziel)[caption id="attachment_23444" align="alignnone" width="616"]

Martin Shkreli

Martin Shkreli. Photo Credit: Seth Wenig/AP[/caption] Former pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli has been sentenced to seven years in prison after his conviction on three securities fraud counts. Shkreli was found guilty by a Brooklyn federal court jury in August following a five-week trial of two counts of securities fraud and a related securities fraud for a scheme in which he defrauded investors to two hedge funds he created, MSMB Capital and MSMB Healthcare. U.S. District Judge Kiyo Matsumoto of the Eastern District of New York sentenced Shkreli to seven years in prison on each of the fraud counts and five years on the conspiracy counts, with the sentences to run concurrently. Shkreli later paid back the investors with assets from Retrophin, a pharmaceutical company that he also founded. He conspired with Retrophins attorney, former Katten Muchin Rosenman partner Evan Greebel, who later became Shkrelis co-defendant, and other co-conspirators to manipulate the price and volume of shares in Retrophin. The jury in Shkrelis securities fraud trial acquitted him of five other counts; in December, Greebel was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit securities fraud for his role in the scheme. Shkrelis sentence is the latest in a string of losses in post-conviction legal battles. Shkreli, who had no prior criminal history before his convictions, had argued that he should receive a maximum jail sentence of 18 months. In September, Matsumoto revoked Shkrelis bail after he posted a $5,000 bounty for a lock of hair from the head of Hillary Clinton, who was on a book tour at the time, on his Facebook page to some 90,000 followers. Shkreli has been incarcerated ever since. Matsumoto granted time served for the roughly six months he has spent at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. On Feb. 26, Matsumoto found that the loss to investors in Shkrelis fraud scheme for his convicted conduct was valued a $10.4 million, rejecting Shkrelis argument that there was no loss and which had a bearing on the calculation of his sentence. The following week, Matsumoto granted the governments motion to seize $7.36 million of Shkrelis assets, which includes $5 million from a brokerage account and a one-of-a-kind Wu-Tang Clan album that Shkreli said he bought for $2 million.By Ranga Sirilal and Shihar Aneez

KANDY/COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - Sri Lankan police said on Friday they were investigating whether 10 suspected ringleaders of a wave of attacks on Muslims by Sinhalese Buddhists had outside funding or foreign help.

The suspected leader of the group, Amith Jeewan Weerasinghe, and nine others were detained on Thursday on suspicion of involvement in attacks on mosques and Muslim-owned properties in the central Kandy district by nationalist crowds.

At least two people have been killed in the clashes, which began on Sunday.

"We are investigating who funded them, their future plans, and whether they have any local political leadership and whether there was any foreign involvement behind this," police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara told reporters in Colombo.

He said all 10 suspects had been remanded in custody for 14 days and brought to Colombo for questioning. He said three were from Kandy and the other seven from outside the district.

In the 24 hours to 6 a.m. (0030 GMT) on Friday, six properties were reported to have been damaged while 65 people were arrested across Kandy, Gunasekara said.

A Reuters reporter saw a house in a suburb of the town of Kandy that had been gutted by fire after the owner and his family left in fear of an attack.

Cabinet spokesman Dayasiri Jayasekara said police in some places had failed to carry out orders to curb the violence.

Sri Lanka's Muslims make up about 9 percent of its 21 million people and mostly live in the east and centre of the island. Buddhist Sinhalese account for about 70 percent and ethnic Tamils, most of whom are Hindus, about 13 percent.

Some Buddhist nationalists have protested against the presence in Sri Lanka of Muslim Rohingya asylum-seekers from mostly Buddhist Myanmar, where Buddhist nationalism has also been on the rise.

However, in some areas, Sinhalese have helped Muslims to protect mosques, Muslim community leaders told Reuters.

Hundreds of Sinhalese including monks held a rally against the violence in Colombo on Friday, while many Muslim shopkeepers closed their doors in protest at the attacks.

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Police reimposed a curfew in Kandy from 8 p.m. on Friday until 5 a.m. on Saturday.

However, foreign visitors to the town, a prime tourist destination, were to be allowed out in the curfew if they had their passports with them.

Sri Lanka was for decades plagued by war between government forces and Tamil separatists. The government defeated the rebels in 2009.

(Reporting by Shihar Aneez; Editing by Kevin Liffey)Former White House strategist Steve Bannon, a champion of Donald Trumps America First agenda, will address the party congress of Frances far-right National Front on Saturday, a senior official of the French anti-immigrant party said.

Bannon, an American nationalist who ran the right-wing Breitbart News, was among Trumps closest aides during the 2016 U.S. election campaign, the presidential transition and his first months in office.

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But the pair had a bitter public falling out and Bannon was fired by the White House last August, though he continued to speak with Trump and tried to promote the presidents agenda.

National Front leader Marine Le Pen will meet Bannon at her partys convention in the French city of Lille on Saturday, her partner Louis Aliot said in a tweet.

The party is expected to unveil a new name as it searches for more voters and relevance in a political landscape transformed by President Emmanuel Macron, a centrist who defeated Le Pen in Frances election last May.

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In recent weeks Bannon has toured Europe, strengthening ties with European far-right leaders. In Zurich Tuesday he met with leaders of Germanys populist AfD party, which made significant gains in last years German federal election with a fiercely anti-immigrant, anti-Islam platform. At a conference hosted by the conservative weekly Weltwoche, he enthused the potential of cryptocurrency for the populist movement.

In Italy, where populists won more than half of the vote in recent elections, he has hailed the success of the Lega Nord and Five Star parties. He is reportedly planning to meet Hungary's populist prime minister Viktor Orban later this weekend.

Story continues

Bannon told The New York Times that he is seeking to create a European media network, modeled on Breitbart, to spread populist ideology, and an army of social media foot soldiers.

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All Im trying to be, he told the publication, is the infrastructure, globally, for the global populist movement.

After the release of Michael Wolffs explosive Fire and Fury in January, in which Bannon was quoted criticising Trumps children, the two had a public falling out, with the president taunting Bannon as sloppy Steve.

He was subsequently ousted from Breitbart, where he worked as CEO before joining the Trump campaign as chief executive in 2016.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekChicago (AFP) - From ketchup to automobiles and soybeans, President Donald Trump's contentious tariffs on steel and aluminum imports could bring unintended consequences for industries in the very places that handed him his election victory.

The tariffs of 25 percent on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminum will come into effect in 15 days, measures the White House says will help American industry recover from unfair trade practices.

But in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and other states where voters hoped Trump would employ business acumen to boost the economy and create more jobs, there were fears that the proposed tariffs could have the opposite effect.

"The worry is that this is a political response that is trying to help certain communities, but it may end up hurting them," analyst Joseph Parilla, of the non-partisan policy research group The Brookings Institution, told AFP.

"Rural areas, smaller towns, the type of communities that voted more for Trump, are extremely export-intensive," Parilla said, adding that exports are vulnerable to retaliatory tariffs by other countries.

- What comes next? -

To be sure, there was support for the measures in places with a direct connection to the production of steel and aluminum. In parts of Minnesota, for example, iron mining -- which produces steel's key raw material -- is a $3 billion industry.

"The steel and aluminum sectors have been under attack by predatory trade practices," said Leo Gerard, president of United Steelworkers International.

"Our members have actively fought for action," he said.

But among those that use steel and aluminum to make other products, there were concerns about what could come next.

In Michigan, the auto industry was worried about rising costs at a time of slowing sales in the US market.

"Manufacturers are not prepared to absorb a sharp increase in the cost to build cars and trucks in America," warned Cody Lusk, chief of the American International Automobile Dealers Association, which represents US dealerships of foreign car brands.

Story continues

Agriculture exporters in Minnesota and Wisconsin also were worried about retaliatory tariffs on the products they export, such as soybeans.

"We're very concerned about any ramifications of what might come of this, and how it might blow back on agriculture, particularly when we're at a situation right now with tough commodity prices anyway," Perry Aasness of the trade group Agrigrowth Council told Minnesota Public Radio.

In Wisconsin, Republican Governor Scott Walker -- Trump's vanquished competitor for the party's presidential nomination -- sounded the alarm by touring two manufacturing plants earlier this week.

To make his point, he stood in front of large barrel-shaped rolls of thin aluminum sheets at a manufacturing plant owned by industrial products maker Bemis.

That company uses the imported aluminum to make things such as individual ketchup packets.

"If (the Trump administration's) goals are protecting American jobs, this policy as they rolled it out will do the opposite, so I hope that they'll reconsider," Walker said Tuesday.

The governor's office put out a list of other companies that could also be affected - from more expensive cans for beer producer MillerCoors to tariffs on exported motorcycles made by the iconic American brand Harley-Davidson.

"The practical application of the tariffs on steel and aluminum would lead to jobs being lost in Wisconsin and moved, not to other states, but to other countries," Walker said.As many as 50,000 people gathered in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava to protest against the recent killings of a Slovakian journalist and his fiance.

The demonstration was held in SNP Square following the killings of Jan Kuciak and Martina Kusnirova at their home in Velka Maca, according to the Slovak Spectator. The gathering was thought to be one of the biggest public gatherings in Slovakias history, the newspaper reported, and attracted double the crowd of a similar memorial event held on March 2.

This footage shows protesters singing the Slovakian national anthem inSNP Square.

The demonstrators called for a thorough investigation into the killings. Kuciak, 27, had been investigating links between some of Slovakias top politicians and the Italian mafia when he was shot dead, the Guardian reported. Credit: Tomas Harsanyi via StoryfulAxios

A Norwegian company has come up with a radically different design for offshore wind turbines that could help the world achieve its renewable energy goals.Why it matters: Wind power is cheap and efficient, but the strongest winds are far offshore, in deep waters, where its difficult to drive a turbine into the seabed. Floating wind farms can be anchored farther into the ocean.Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for freeDetails: Wind CatchinDonald Trump with Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach before a meeting on alleged voter fraud on Nov. 20, 2016. Trump eventually put Kobach on his voter fraud commission, which was dismantled last December. (Photo: Mike Segar / Reuters)

KANSAS CITY, Kan.  The ACLUs top voting rights lawyer faced down one of President Donald Trumps voter fraud commissioners in court on Friday, getting him to concede that he had shaky evidence of significant voter fraud in Kansas.

The exchange came on the fourth day of a trial over a Kansas law that requires residents to prove they are U.S. citizens when they register to vote. Several residents who were not allowed to vote in the 2016 election are being represented by the American Civil Liberties Union in the suit against Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach (R).

Dale Ho, director of the ACLUs voting rights project, questioned Hans von Spakovsky, a former Justice Department official and member of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, who is one of the most prominent people arguing that noncitizen voter registration is a substantial issue. Several studies and investigations have shown it is not.

The back-and-forth between the two men in U.S. District Court ostensibly was about Kansas law (von Spakovsky is serving as an expert witness for Kobach). But Hos cross-examination had deeper significance in the national debate over voting restrictions because he was able to show that allegations of widespread voter fraud can often be based on incomplete information derived using unscientific methods.

Von Spakovsky has said that voter fraud is a serious problem both in Kansas and nationally. Questioned by Kobach in court on Friday, he pointed to a handful of cases in Kansas and hundreds of allegations of noncitizens on the voter rolls that date back to the 1980s.

But Ho noted that von Spakovsky had donated to defendant Kobachs campaign in 2010 and had voiced support for the idea that being born in the United States doesnt guarantee U.S. citizenship. Ho intended to show that von Spakovsky had formed an opinion about the Kansas law before he knew much about it and had written an expert report based on unreliable information.

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Von Spakovsky admitted that he was not aware of a single election in which noncitizen votes determined the outcome. He also conceded that his research into voter fraud had not been subjected to the same kind of rigorous peer review that academic work would face.

Ho noted that von Spakovskys expert report in the case contained incomplete information that allowed him to inflate the likelihood of noncitizens getting on the rolls. In one example, von Spakovsky pointed to a NBC News story that said 100 registered voters had returned jury duty questionnaires indicating they were not U.S. citizens. Von Spakovsky failed to note in his report, however, that NBC followed up with those voters and that about a third actually were citizens.

Under Hos questioning, von Spakovsky also admitted that his entire understanding of voter fraud in Kansas was based on a spreadsheet prepared by Kobachs office of about 30 noncitizens who attempted to get on the voter rolls in one county in the state over the course of 18 years. Pressed if he knew the circumstances behind any of the cases, such as if any of reports were caused by an administrative error or confusion, von Spakovsky said he did not.

Von Spakovskys testimony is crucial to Kobachs defense of the Kansas law. Kobach, who was also on the voter fraud commission with von Spakovsky, has to show that noncitizens getting on the voter rolls is a substantial problem and that nothing short of asking people to provide proof of citizenship can prevent it.

Ho had not spoken much during the trial since the opening arguments on Tuesday, but it was clear he had been waiting for an opportunity to question von Spakovsky. As he questioned him, Ho was icy. His questions were short and rapid, and he often raised his voice as he asked them, while von Spakovsky mostly answered quietly. At one point he turned his back to von Spakovsky. Kobach objected throughout that Ho was harassing the witness, and U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson admonished Ho to dial down his theatrics.

Robinson also questioned von Spakovskys understanding of voter fraud. In his Friday testimony, von Spakovsky said that any ineligible voter who cast a ballot was committing voter fraud because they were diluting the vote of a legitimate citizen. Robinson wanted to know if he believed it would also be voter fraud if thousands of legitimate voters were blocked from casting ballots because of a voting restriction (the ACLU estimates the Kansas law affected more than 35,000 people). Von Spakovsky said that he didnt consider it to be fraud because every voter had an opportunity to obtain the necessary documents to register.

Pressed later by Ho, he was unable to name any voting restriction in the United States that he believed to be a burden to voters.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Trump late Thursday accepted an invitation to meet with Kim for nuclear talks by May.

"President Trump has kept Kim Jong Un off balance," says former Ambassador Nicholas Burns, making a meeting possible.

"This is a real shocker. This is a real surprise," says Burns. But he also warns, " They burned us."

President Donald Trump was able to back North Korea leader Kim Jong Un into a corner with tough military talk and deft diplomacy, former Ambassador Nicholas Burns told CNBC on Friday.

Trump accepted an invitation late Thursday to meet with Kim for nuclear talks by May.

Kim Jong Un talked about denuclearization with the South Korean Representatives, not just a freeze. Also, no missile testing by North Korea during this period of time. Great progress being made but sanctions will remain until an agreement is reached. Meeting being planned!

In a "Squawk Box" interview, Burns credited Trump's veiled military threats in response to Kim's aggression and diplomatic progress with North Korean ally China for seeding an environment to make a meeting possible.

"President Trump has had some impact on China. The Chinese have done more on the last year than they had done previously," Burns said. He also said the Trump administration has also been able to get "bigger sanctions, stronger sanctions and resolutions out of the U.N."

"President Trump has kept Kim Jong Un off balance," said Burns, whose 27-year career in foreign service spanned both Republican and Democratic administrations. "I think this is positive that the president and Kim Jong Un are going to turn towards diplomacy because we were headed for a collision with North Korea."

Burns, who served as U.S. ambassador to NATO and the State Department's third-ranking diplomat during George W. Bush s presidency, said he never thought a meeting between the two nations would ever take place. "This is going to be biggest moment of the Trump presidency."

Story continues

"This is a real shocker. This is a real surprise," added Burns, who also advised the administrations of George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton . "There's never been a meeting between a North Korean leader and an American leader going all the way back to the late 1940s when North Korea was formed."

Despite the optimism, Burns said the U.S. needs to go into this meeting with a skeptical bearing and clear goals for what's possible to defuse North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

"[Kim], his father, and grandfather have played the United States and South Korea before," Burns said. "[Kim] is in a very strong position. He has nuclear weapons. He's made progress on his nuclear and missile tests."

Burns pointed out that the U.S. had agreements with North Korea in the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations.

"They burned us," said Burns, currently a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He urged Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to make sure to get "verification at every step" and to get South Korea , Japan , and China in "completely united in lock step."

However, Burns warned that Kim may not be looking to make subsitive concessions. "They want legitimacy. They want acceptance. I think they want to keep the nuclear weapons."





More From CNBC

(Photo: Leah Millis / Reuters)

Last Saturday, in a private meeting with Republican donors who had gathered at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Donald Trump attacked yet again the basic foundations of American democracy. In his freewheeling and unscripted talk, a recording of which was obtained by CNN, Trump eventually focused his comments on President Xi Jinping of China. He noted Xis plan to abolish Chinas presidential term limits, and lavished praise on this authoritarian grab at unrestricted power.

Hes now president for life. President for life, Trump enthused. I think its great. Maybe well have to give that a shot someday.

Trumps remarks are chilling for anyone who cares about American-style democracy. Even more concerning are the Palm Beach crowds approving laughter and hearty cheers, which reveal the insidious creep of Trumpisms anti-democratic tendencies into the GOP. They also demonstrate anew Trumps blatant disregard for custom and the Constitution, two of the chief guardrails of the presidency. In Trumps comments  and the fawning response from his enabling audience  we see again the dangers of this presidency: Trump is not testing the boundaries of his power. He is tearing them down right in front of our eyes.

Those boundaries have a long history. At first, the limit on presidential terms was protected by tradition rather than by law. In deciding not to run for a third term in 1796, George Washington established the unwritten rule that presidents would hold the position no more than twice. Washington knew his popularity could guarantee him an office for life  but he believed it was important, especially for a young republic, that the nations leader demonstrate the limits of his power and protect the presidency from any hint of monarchy or dictatorship.

That tradition held for nearly 150 years, until the presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The Great Depression, which had upended so much of American life, also remade Americans ideas about the presidency, and in that time of economic devastation FDR sought greater executive power and larger control of the nations economy. Millions of Americans supported his move. The New York Herald Tribunes headline the day after Roosevelts first inauguration, in 1933, depicts the nations mood in that moment: For Dictatorship If Necessary. With that sentiment gaining ground through his first two terms, FDR set tradition aside, running successfully for a third and fourth term.

Story continues

(Photo: Photo 12 via Getty Images)

If Americans seemed eager for a dictator to lead them through economic turmoil and a war in Europe, their enthusiasm cooled in the peaceful years following World War II. In 1947, Republicans in Congress passed the 22nd Amendment, which prevents any person from being elected president more than twice; it was ratified to the Constitution four years later. Thomas Dewey, the Republican governor of New York who tried and failed to defeat Roosevelt in 1944, had warned during the campaign that FDRs fourth bid for office was the most dangerous threat to our freedom ever proposed.

As maintained by tradition, then codified into law, presidential term limits have been a safeguard against tyranny and a bulwark to democracy. They have also served as a crass political weapon in the hands of dishonest partisans. During the presidency of Barack Obama, its worth recalling, crackpots on the right like Alex Jones and Rush Limbaugh routinely fanned the rumor that Obama would throw out term limits and install himself for a third term.

Such suggestions were so outlandish, Obama felt comfortable enough to joke occasionally that he was up to exactly that. But when he talked seriously about the issue, Obama affirmed presidential term limits as an essential function of healthy democracies. In a 2015 tour of several African countries, Obama chastised leaders there who held on to the presidency in order to flaunt their power and enrich themselves. Pointing to the American system as a model, Obama noted that the law is the law, and no person is above the law, not even the president.

Of course, President Trump cares little for law and tradition. Instead, he admires power, especially in some of its most brutal and authoritarian forms. Any other U.S. president would have recognized Xis move to make himself president for life as the totalitarian threat it is; Trump sees it as the deft gamesmanship of a shrewd leader. Hes the most powerful president, you know, person, in 100 years in China, Trump gushed to his audience at Mar-a-Lago.

(Photo: Jason Lee / Reuters)

Given Trumps love of pomp and praise, its no wonder hes drawn to such brash displays of power. If anything about Trump is still surprising at this point, it is how openly and brazenly he has flouted the basic conventions of American leadership  and all while Republicans sit quietly by, pretending hes not also upending longstanding conservative principles.

During the Obama administration, the right wings conspiratorial rumors about the president depended on imagining that his secret usurpation of power was exactly that  a stealthy overthrow of the Constitution, carried out in the dark of night and facilitated by a corrupt deep state.

The horrifying brilliance of the Trump presidency, however, is that he is conducting his assault on American democracy in broad daylight. In plainly announcing each move, he is warming up Republicans, if not all Americans, to his radical remaking of the nations political system. That same bluster was on full display at a recent White House meeting where Trump blithely suggested delaying due process for some gun owners while Republicans looked blankly on.

All of this points back to the truest words Trump uttered during the 2016 campaign. I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldnt lose votes, Trump boasted at an Iowa rally.

With those words, Trump acknowledged his perverse, cultlike hold over his supporters. But he also revealed his dangerous understanding of how much he could get away with as president. Hes putting that to work right now. He wont be able to make himself president for life, of course. But the very fact that he is normalizing such scandalous talk is the terrifying proof that well all have to live with the effects of Trumpism long after the man himself has left office.

Neil J. Young is a historian and author of We Gather Together: The Religious Right and the Problem of Interfaith Politics. He hosts the history podcast Past Present.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.President Donald Trump will hold a rally in Pennsylvania: Getty Images

Donald Trump will hold a campaign rally this weekend in Pennsylvania, just days before a special congressional election in the Pittsburgh area.

The race is being widely watched to see if its another sign that Democrats may sweep the midterm elections in November.

When and where is the rally?

The rally will take place at 7pm in Moon Township, about 12 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.

The township is located in Allegheny County, parts of which belong to Pennsylvanias 18th congressional district, where the special election is being held on Tuesday.

What will Mr Trump say?

The President is largely anticipated to boast about how tax cuts passed by Congress in December are benefiting Americans.

Michael Glassner, the chief operating officer for the Trump campaign, said the President is really looking forward to visiting the Pittsburgh area to highlight the benefits that his historic tax cuts are providing hardworking families across Pennsylvania and to celebrate our booming economy now that America is once again open for business.

The President is also expected to discuss the congressional election by encouraging people to vote for Republican candidate Rick Saccone, whom he has endorsed.

Mr Saccone, a state representative, is running against Democratic candidate Conor Lamb, a Marine veteran and former prosecutor.

The election is being held to fill the congressional district seat left vacant by former Republican Representative Tim Murphy, who resigned in October.

Mr Trump won the southwestern Pennsylvania district by double digits in 2016, but it is still uncertain what will happen on Tuesday.

Democrats have poured millions into the race in the hopes of flipping the district. A new poll this week showed Mr Lamb, once considered a long-shot Democratic candidate, holding a slight lead over Mr Saccone.

What else could Mr Trump mention?

The President is bound to discuss his new tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.

While several Republican free-trade advocates are opposed to the tariffs, many citizens of Moon Township likely support the protectionist move given that the township is located in the heart of steel country.

Story continues

Where can you watch the speech?

The speech is expected to be shown by many major news networks, including CNN and Fox News. It will also likely be shown on the White Houses website.The devil is in the detail.

The President told a steelworker that his father was looking down on him with pride. It was a lovely sentiment except for one thing. The dads still alive and kicking.

The light exchange that lit up the internet happened at Thursdays White House event ahead of Trumps announced steep tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, a landmark campaign promise.

The steep tariffs are great news to Scott Sauritch, the president of the 2227 steelworkers union in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, who explained why Trumps move meant so much to him with a story about his dad in the 80s.

He lost his job due to imports coming into this country, Sauritch told Trump wistfully, offering POTUS his sincere gratitude. I just wanted to tell you, what that does to a man with six kids is devastating. I never forgot that, looking into his eyes in my household [and] what that does to a family.

Whats your fathers name? Trump asked. Herman, Sauritch said.

Well, your father Herman is looking down. Hes very proud of you right now, Trump said.

Oh, hes still alive, Sauritch said.

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He is? Trump asked. Well then, hes even more proud of you, he said, as laughs rippled throughout the room.

Alive? Even more good news. Evidently paternal pride improves when your dad has a pulse.

The President has made similar sentiments about deceased loved ones before.

In fairness, the emotional tale could lead anyone to believe he had passed. But that didnt stop the internet from springing to action with jokes about the encounter. Quips about the joke killing internet users? You better believe Twitter had those in boatloads.

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See below for reactions. Congratulations Herman. Youre not dearly departed yet.

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This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.Berlin (AFP) - Key US trading partners on Friday condemned President Donald Trump's decision to slap punitive tariffs on foreign steel and aluminium as "protectionism" and an affront to allies, as fears grew of a global trade war.

Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, Europe's biggest economy and NATO ally, urged dialogue and warned that "no one can win in such a race to the bottom".

Berlin backs the European Union in "seeking dialogue with the United States, but also with countries that could be affected, like China," she said.

Earlier, German Economy Minister Brigitte Zypries said: "This protectionism is an affront to close partners like the European Union and Germany and limits free trade."

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his "deep concerns" in a telephone call with Trump, saying the tariffs "risk triggering a trade war, in which all affected countries would be losers", his office said.

The EU has threatened retaliatory tariffs on items from steel to peanut butter, bourbon and denim -- most of which are produced in states that Trump needs to win to be re-elected.

"We are prepared and will be prepared if need be to use rebalancing measures," European Commission Vice President Jyrki Katainen told reporters in Brussels.

The top EU trade official Cecilia Malmstroem said the entire bloc, as a "close ally" of the US, "should be excluded" from the tariffs, and vowed to "seek more clarity" from Washington.

Condemnation also rained in from elsewhere, with the world's second-biggest economy China deriding the tariffs of 25 percent on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminium as "a serious attack on normal international trade order".

Close US ally Japan warned the levies "could have a grave impact on the economic relationship" between the world's top and third-largest economies.

- 'Real friends' -

Story continues

In a sharp reversal from decades of a US-led drive towards more open trade, Trump declared on Thursday that America had been "ravaged by aggressive foreign trade practices".

"It's really an assault on our country," he blasted, announcing the tariffs on the metals used in everything from cars to construction, roads to railways.

Trump said the tariffs -- which will come into effect after 15 days -- will not initially apply to Canada and Mexico, and that close partners on security and trade could negotiate exemptions.

Canada was the largest US source of steel last year, followed by Brazil, South Korea, Russia, Mexico, Japan and Germany.

The US neighbour to the north was also by far the largest supplier of alumina and aluminium, followed by China, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.

Trump had indicated he would be flexible towards "real friends," and during the signing confirmed Canada and Mexico would be exempted permanently if the ongoing renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement is successful.

But both Mexico and Canada rejected Trump's linkage of the levies to ongoing NAFTA talks.

Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland termed the two things "separate issues" while Mexico's economy ministry said "the negotiation of the NAFTA should not be subject to conditions outside the process".

The US leader had also added Australia to a list of likely carve-outs, describing it as a "great country".

- 'All necessary steps' -

However, he took aim at Germany, reviving a longstanding gripe that European NATO allies do not pay their fair share.

"Many of the countries that treat us the worst on trade and on the military are our allies, as they call them," he complained, even as Merkel said Germany and the EU would seek exemption from the punitive tariffs.

Elsewhere, Brazil and Britain were also quick to launch broadsides against the tariffs, which are worth billions of dollars.

Britain blasted the tariffs as "not the right way" to tackle the problem of global overcapacity in steel while major producer Brazil immediately vowed to take "all necessary steps" in order to "protect its rights and interests".

South Korea said it would consider taking the case to the World Trade Organization if Washington refuses to exempt it from the tariffs.

But dispute cases can take three years to resolve, and there is nothing stopping countries from imposing tit-for-tat trade restrictions while the legal process plays out.

- Off the cuff -

Last week Trump stunned the world -- and his own aides -- with an off-the-cuff announcement of his plan, even before White House lawyers judged the legality of the tariffs.

Trump said he was merely fulfilling a campaign promise, saying he had been talking about perceived trade injustices "a long time, a lot longer than my political career".

While the full economic impact remains unknown, the political fallout at home was swift with the top Republican in Congress Paul Ryan publicly denouncing Trump's move, and top economic advisor Gary Cohn resigning in protest.

Even as Trump approved the tariffs, 11 partners in the Asia-Pacific were in Santiago, Chile, to sign a trade deal embraced by Barack Obama but rejected by Trump.

Global markets were buoyed by the news that Trump would meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, but uncertainty surrounding the trade row kept a lid on gains.ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish prosecutors issued arrest warrants for 243 people, including 92 teachers, in operations targeting suspected followers of the Muslim cleric the government blames for a failed 2016 coup, state-run Anadolu news agency said on Friday. The teachers, targeted in an operation in 20 provinces, had worked in schools previously closed for alleged links to the cleric, Fethullah Gulen, Anadolu said. In another operation launched in central Turkey's Konya and spread across more than three dozen other provinces, authorities issued warrants for 84 people suspected of similar ties, Anadolu. Another 57 people were ordered detained by the Istanbul chief prosecutor for using ByLock, an encrypted messaging app that the government says was widely used by Gulen's network, Anadolu said. Ankara says Gulen and his network were behind the failed coup attempt of July 2016 during which 250 people were killed. Gulen has denied involvement. More than 50,000 people have been jailed and over 150,000 sacked or suspended from the military, schools and the public institutions in a crackdown following the coup attempt. Critics say Erdogan is using the failed coup as a pretext to quash dissent. Turkey says the strict measures are required given the security threats it faces. (Reporting by Ali Kucukgocmen; Editing by Daren Butler and David Dolan)The leading U.S. general in Europe has said he did not have the resources necessary to tackle a hypothetical Russian attack against the multinational coalition he commanded.

Curtis Scaparrotti, who serves as both the head of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe for the NATO Western military alliance, told lawmakers of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday that "U.S. and allied ground forces in Europe are outmatched by Russia," Politico reported.

Related: Russia Would Overrun NATO in European War, Report Warns

Trending: Trump Will Meet Mueller But Only After Negotiating Swift End to Russia Investigation: Report

While disagreeing with some of the findings of a damning Rand Corp reportwhich recently claimed NATO forces would be overrun by Russiahe agreed with White House National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster's 2016 assessment that U.S. forces were "outranged and outgunned" by their Eastern adversary, which "has been improving and modernizing its capabilities, enhancing its ability to be a more agile force capable of executing operations across the entire spectrum of modern warfare," according to Scaparrotti's testimony.

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JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images

Scaparrotti said that NATO's 29-nation military had been reorganized to deal with a potential Russian attack since the Rand Corporation began conducting European war games in 2014. In its 2016 report, the leading think tank found the longest it would take Russian forces to march through the capitals of NATO-aligned Baltic states was 60 hours. In some simulations, it took them only a day and a half.

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Scaparrotti said Thursday that Moscow still had the advantage in terms of ground forces and, as a result, there "are still some elements of the report that are true today," as Military.com reported.

"I don't have all the forces I need in Europe today, and we have got to continue to invest and establish the posture that is required," Scaparrotti told the committee.

Last year, a number of troubling reports suggested that NATO could lose in a battle with Russia. An internal document dated June and leaked in November described NATO's command structure as having "been atrophied" since the Cold War to the point where it "would quickly fail" in an all-out war with Russia.

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Another official NATO report found in October that global military power was shifting from West to East, so much so that a third NATO-affiliated report in November stressed the need to reach out to China and other countries for support.

RussiaSaluteDivision

Konstantin Morozov/Russian Ministry of Defense

Scaparrotti and lawmakers also discussed Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent unveiling of the nuclear-capable RS-28 Sarmat, known to NATO as "SS-X-30 Satan 2," heavy intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and other weapons the Russian leader advertised as being invincible against even the most advanced U.S. defenses.

The weapons, products of Putin's years-long campaign to expand and modernize his military capabilities, have prompted major concern in the West, which has accused Russia of forcefully growing its influence in the Middle East and Europe. The U.S. and Russia blame one another for the Cold War-like arms buildup and a group of four U.S. senators, including Bernie Sanders, reached out to the White House in a letter Friday urging strategic talks with Russia.

In a Facebook post, Russian Senate International Affairs Committee head Konstantin Kosachev described the move as "encouraging" and "signs of positive, instead of negative parliamentary pressure on the U.S. president, instead of our country, emerge."

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekBy Timothy Gardner WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. mining industry asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday to overturn an Obama-era rule that prohibits the mining of uranium on public lands adjacent to the Grand Canyon National Park. The National Mining Association (NMA) and the American Exploration and Mining Association (AEMA) filed petitions asking the court to reverse the Obama administration's 2012 ban on new uranium mining claims on more than 1 million acres of public land adjacent to the canyon. In 2012, Ken Salazar, then the secretary of the interior, instituted the ban for 20 years on the public lands that the Havasupai tribe relies on for water. The ban was upheld by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in December. NMA spokesman Luke Popovich said his organization was challenging Salazar's constitutional authority to declare the large land withdrawal, and he said uranium mining does not harm the land. "There is scant evidence that uranium mining outside the park boundaries poses any threat to either the environment or visitor experience," Popovich said. He said Salazar ignored a finding by the Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management that showed mining would have little impact. Conservation groups disagreed and said the ban should remain in place until scientists have time to study the contamination risks. "Is it worth gambling the future of the Grand Canyon to allow private companies to line their pockets when the risks to groundwater are unknown?" said Roger Clark, a program director at the Grand Canyon Trust. Currently the global uranium market is so flooded that mining in the United States for the mineral used in nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons is not profitable. But that could change as the administration of President Donald Trump is considering protections on the mineral that could increase demand for domestically mined uranium. Last month uranium miner Energy Fuels said it had won federal approvals to expand operations at two mines in southeastern Utah after years of challenges from conservation groups worried about emissions of radon gas. Other companies have urged Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to reverse the 2012 ban. Last May, Vane Minerals LLC, a company in Arizona, told Zinke in a letter the company would appreciate it if he could begin the process to "terminate" the ban. A copy of the letter was seen by Reuters. Vane did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the letter. The Interior Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the letter or the petitions. (Reporting by Timothy Gardner; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)A Waffle House waitress who was captured on camera performing a good deed has been given a $16,000 scholarship from Texas Southern University.

After a photo of Evoni Williams helping an elderly customer cut up his food at the Texas restaurant went viral, the 18-year-old server was rewarded for her act of kindness with a significant bump to her college fund as well as her own day in the city of La Marque.

He was like, My hands are not functioning too well, Williams told KHOU 11. He needed me to cut his food. And I did.

The picture was taken by Laura Wolf, another patron sitting nearby, and then posted on Facebook. I dont know her name but I heard this elderly man tell her his hands dont work too good, Wolf captioned the shot. He was also on oxygen and struggling to breathe. Without hesitation, she took his plate and began cutting up his ham. This may seem small but to him, Im sure it was huge.

Texas Southern has also assigned a counselor to Williams to help her get the enrollment process started.The time has come for the 86-year-old Savanna-Sabula Bridge, a steel truss bridge that spanned the Mississippi River on the Illinois-Iowa border, to be demolished.

The Savanna-Sabula, which connected Savanna, Illinois, with the small island town of Sabula, Iowa, was demolished around 10:30 a.m. local time Friday, ushering a large cloud of black smoke into the sky. The bridge had a number of flaws, local station WQAD reports, as it was built at a time when automobiles were smaller and had a narrow roadway that was not ideal for todays cars and trucks.

Additionally, the bridge was particularly dangerous to drive over during spells of freezing rain since ice would build up on the steel, WQAD reports. The Savanna-Sabula also had an open-grate deck that allowed crossers to peer down into the water below, which could be a problem as resident Ron Mennenga told the outlet.

They kept up the maintenance on that pretty good. But when they put salt down on the bridge, it would go through the grates and end up in the river, he said.

Mennenga and other residents had fond memories of the bridge, according to WQAD, but he conceded it was time for it to come down. The Department of Transportation in 2017 spent $80 million to construct a new bridge south of the Savanna-Sabula. That structure opened last November.A 16-year-old girl who was signed out of her Pennsylvania school 10 times by a 45-year-old man in the last few months before the two went missing was able to do so because the teen had listed him as her stepfather, according to police.

Allentown police issued a missing person alert Wednesday for Kevin Esterly and 16-year-oold Amy Yu after Yu went missing on Monday.

Police also issued a warrant for Esterly's arrest alleging interference with the custody of a child.

Esterly signed Yu out of school without her parents permission 10 times between November and February, according to court documents obtained by The Morning Call.

Yu reportedly had altered her student records to list Esterly as her stepfather, according to Gary Hammer of the Colonial Regional Police.

On Feb. 9, Yus mother, Miu Luu, went to the school to pick up her daughter and was told that she left her stepfather, reports said.

Yus mother then told the school that she's a single mother and school workers called police, Hammer said.

On Monday, Yus mother reported the teen as a runaway after she had previously dropped her at the bus stop with her younger brother. Her brother reportedly said she took off.

Stacey Esterly, Esterly's wife, told police she last saw her husband at 6:05 a.m. Monday.

His personal documents were no longer in their home and $4,000 had been withdrawn from Stacey Esterlys bank account, she reportedly told cops.

Yu's mother, Mul Luu, said she came home and discovered Amy's passport missing along with cash, the New York Daily News reported.

Yus younger brother and mother told WFMZ-TV that the two families met at church years ago and Amy is friends with one of Esterly's daughters.

Luu told the station before her daughters disappearance she had discovered text messages on her phone with Esterly that sounded like they were in a romantic relationship.

Investigators said Yu and Esterly may be traveling together in a 1999 red Honda Accord, with a Pennsylvania license plate KLT 0529.

Story continues

Yu is 4 foot, 11 inches and weighs about 90 pounds.

Esterly stands at 5 feet, 9 inches and weighs 185 pounds.

Anyone with information about the pair is asked to call 911, or the Allentown Police Communications Center at 610-437-7751.

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Amy Yu, a Lehigh Valley Academy Charter School student, and Kevin Esterly, were last seen together on Monday "and could possibly be endangered," Allentown Police said in a statement.

Esterly signed Yu out of school without her parents permission 10 times between November and February, according to court documents obtained by The Morning Call.

On Feb. 9, Yus mother, Miu Luu, went to the school to pick up her daughter, only to learn that Esterly had already picked up the teen, authorities said.

Luu called police and Esterly has not stepped foot on school grounds since that day, Susan Mauser, the schools CEO, told The Morning Call.

Yus mother again called the cops on Feb. 15. Officers arrived at the Luu home and told Esterly and his wife, Stacey Esterly, they had to stay away from the girl, the court documents reportedly said.

It was not clear why the couple had been there.

On Monday, Yus mother reported the teen as a runaway.

Police said Yu was last seen with Esterly at about 7:09 a.m. at North 15th and West Allen Streets.

Yus personal documents and jewelry were also missing from her room, her mother told police.

Stacey Esterly told police she last saw her husband at 6:05 a.m. Monday.

His personal documents were no longer in their home and $4,000 had been withdrawn from Stacey Esterlys bank account, she reportedly told cops.

Investigators said Yu and Esterly may be traveling together in a 1999 red Honda Accord, with a Pennsylvania license plate KLT 0529.

Yu is 4 foot, 11 inches and weighs about 90 pounds.

Esterly stands at 5 feet, 9 inches and weighs 185 pounds.

Anyone with information about the pair is asked to call 911, or the Allentown Police Communications Center at 610-437-7751.

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Related Articles:Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the US and North Korea to begin talks as "soon as possible" in a phone call with his American counterpart, state media said Friday.

Xi praised the "positive aspiration" of President Donald Trump to achieve a political settlement of the Korean peninsula issue after the US leader agreed to meet Kim Jong Un, state news agency Xinhua added.

"I hope the United States and North Korea can start to get in touch and dialogue as soon as possible, and strive to obtain positive achievements," said Xi, according to Xinhua.

Trump Thursday agreed to a historic meeting with Kim -- the first ever meeting between a US president and a North Korean leader -- by May, in a stunning development in America's high-stakes nuclear standoff with North Korea.

Xi told Trump the move to pursue denuclearisation through "the right track of dialogue" was positive.

It comes after the South's envoy who returned from the North earlier this week said Pyongyang had offered to hold denuclearisation talks in return for security guarantees.

The North also agreed to hold a historic summit between its leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in in late April.

Envoy Chung Eui-yong, head of Seoul's National Security Office, will travel to China as well as Russia following his Washington trip where he announced Trump will meet Kim.

Under pressure from US President Donald Trump, Beijing has backed a series of United Nations sanctions against North Korea, sending relations between the Cold War-era allies to a new low.

Beijing has repeatedly called for negotiations to peacefully put an end to tensions that have raised fears of nuclear warfare, after months of fiery rhetoric between Kim and Trump.

Xi told Trump China would "firmly devote itself to achieve the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula", and to solving the problem through dialogue and consultation, Xinhua said.

Story continues

But China's foreign minister Thursday stressed that "the sincerity" of all parties to solve the nuclear crisis would be tested, noting that breakthroughs on the North Korean nuclear issue had collapsed in the past.

"Of course it takes more than one cold day to freeze three feet of ice," he said.

The thaw follows a period of extreme tension between Washington and Pyongyang that sounded like the growing drumbeat of war.Martin Pharma Bro Shkreli was sentenced Friday to seven years in prison and a $75,000 fine after he was found guilty of defrauding his investors last year.

Shkreli, however, is best known for an affront to the American public: hiking up the price of the lifesaving drug Daraprim by more than 5,000 percent in September 2015.

In a Brooklyn courtroom during his sentence hearing, Shkreli shed tears and appeared to show remorse for his past. But two and a half years after the out-of-pocket cost of Daraprim skyrocketed, the price hasnt budged, although the company has tried to make it less expensive for hospitals.

Shkreli, a former hedge fund manager and entrepreneur, earned his unflattering nickname by raising the cost of the drug from $13.50 per pill to $750 per pill. After a Bloomberg reporter suggested it cost around $1 to make, Shkreli acknowledged the drug cost very little money to make.

He faced an onslaught of criticism for what was perceived as blatant price-gouging that put the cost of care for some patients out of reach. He also didnt do himself any favors by explaining how he was motivated by profits.

His company, Turing Pharmaceuticals, raised the price of the drug very quickly after acquiring it, claiming it would use the profits to develop a new drug with fewer side effects. The company says it is now testing several new alternatives. Daraprim has been around for more than six decades, and is used to treat toxoplasmosis, an infection that can be life-threatening to people with weak immune systems  like AIDS patients.

HuffPost contacted a representative Vyera Pharmaceuticals, Turing Pharmaceuticals new name. A company representative confirmed that Daraprim still costs $750 out of pocket, with a reduced price for patients who meet certain federal poverty guidelines. (For example, a household of two people must not exceed a $48,720 annual income.)

The company announced in November 2015 that it would give hospitals a discount of up to 50 percent for the drug and provide doctors with sample starter packs at no cost. HuffPost reached out to Vyera to confirm that those discounts are still in effect, but did not immediately receive a response.

Story continues

While relatively few people need to use Daraprim, there remains no generic alternative to the drug for low-income patients.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.There are 83,000 couples in Israel running a joint household, maintaining an intimate relationship and often raising children together without being joined together in holy matrimony.

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The voices calling for the institutionalization of civil marriage in Israel usually come from non-Orthodox organizations and from representatives of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, who have involuntarily found themselves in the heart of the Israels personal status crisis. But now, a new force is joining the effortand it comes, surprisingly, from the heart of the religious sector.

Illustration (Photo: Shutterstock)

The Neemanei Torah VaAvodah movement is launching a PR campaign in a bid to enlist the religious-Zionist publics support for the move. Based on a halachic opinion from Rabbanit Nechama Barash, the organization aims to encourage the Religious Zionism movement to reconsider what has been perceived as a real taboo until now.

Rabbanit Nechama Barash. 'We need to build a civil system similar to the situation in other places'

The religious people behind the move are concerned that the legal option of common-law marriage, which is being used by 6 percent of Jewish couples in Israel, is in fact civil marriage below the states radar. As this leads to halachic complexities, they would rather see the institutionalization of civil marriage in Israel as an official, recognized path.

A normal state cant afford a situation in which 10 to 20 percent of its citizens are unable to marry, says Rabbi David Stav, head of the Tzohar rabbinical organization.

A couple may be married in accordance with Jewish law, but it wont necessarily bother to get divorced in accordance with Jewish law, and that leads to multiple cases of mamzerut (when children are born from forbidden relationships). If there was no religious marriage ceremony, there would less of a problem, explains Rabbi Ilai Ofran.

In addition to my religious values, my arsenal of values includes democratic values as well, explains Rabbi Michael Avraham. A state should let every couple live the way they see fit. Despite being a religious person, I wouldnt want it any other way.

I believe an alternative path should be established for people who arent interested in getting married through the Rabbinate, says Rabbi Yuval Cherlow.

Rabbi Avraham adds, I think that, as a religious public, we must join the protest over this violation of civil rights.

Religious public is ignorant about civil marriage

Tani Frank, head of the Religion and State Department at Neemanei Torah VaAvodah, says ignorance in the religious sector regarding civil marriage stems a misunderstanding of the problem. When a young man wearing a skullcap arrives at the Religious Council, he wont be required to undergo a clarification of Judaism.

In Israel, he says, there are many couples who are cant be married under Israeli lawand thats in itself a good enough reason to try to come up with a fundamental solution to the problem.

There are several types of groups and several problems, he says. There are those who are considered to have no religion, even though they actually feel Jewish and even practice different Jewish customs, but the state rejects them when they wish to convert.

There is a group of people who are Jewish according to the Halakha but whose Jewishness is questioned, including immigrants from the former Soviet Union or from Ethiopia. The other group is comprised of seculars who arent interested in undergoing halachic religious practices, like bride training and ritual immersion, for a wedding. And finally, men and women who are refused a divorce, agunot (women chained to their marriage) and all other people who are halachically forbidden to marry.

Tani Frank. 'Bennett may be a product of the ignorance I'm talking about' (:  )

Rabbanit Nechama Barash picked up the halachic gauntlet. Lets start with the simpler cases, she says, of people who define themselves as Jews but arent recognized as Jews by the Halakha. In other words, they have no Jewish mother according to the Orthodox criteria, and they basically have no way of getting married here.

A democracy like Israel cant afford a situation in which hundreds of thousands of its citizens simply cant get married. All the marriages in Israel are under the religious envelope, regardless of religion.

The Spousal Covenant is only for couples in which both partners are officially defined as having no religious affiliation. It doesnt apply to people who are halachically forbidden to marry, like a person considered a mamzer according to Jewish law, a divorced woman who wants to marry a Kohen, or someone with no religious affiliation who wants to marry a Jew. They have no way of getting married here.

The question is how to balance our status as a democracy with the desire to maintain traditional and Jewish values. It isnt easy, but its impossible to impose a system which doesnt serve all citizens of an entire state. We need a situation in which people come to religious marriage, like in the United States and Europe, from a place of choice. We have to build a civil system that is similar to the situation in other places with an option of civil marriage and divorce.

How can this be solved halachically?

From a halachic perspective, if one of the parties isnt Jewish, theres no issue of marriage according to Jewish law. The question is what happens if both partners are Jewish according to the Halakha and are interested in a civil marriage. Are they considered married according to Jewish law and will have to seek a get (religious divorce) in case of a separation? Like in the entire Halakha, there is a dispute here, but the dominant halachic voice of the poskim (those who rule in accordance with religious law) tends not to see civil marriage as a marriage ceremony. In other words, this isnt a religious marriage, it has no halachic validity and there is therefore no need for a religious divorce.

On the other hand, there is a minority opinion that asserts that a couple living together and establishing a joint family unit from a financial and sociological aspect is considered married and has to get a religious divorce. I personally identify with the minority approach and believe marriage is more from the halachic aspect, but I understand that most people feel differently. So I would rather take their opinion into consideration, as it allows couples to get divorced without a get and reduces the number of mamzerim. At the end of the day, I also identify with the opinion that religious marriage applies only after a very detailed and specific religious ceremony.

Rabbi David Stav, head of the Tzohar rabbinical organization (Photo: Yossi Zeliger)

According to Rabbanit Barash, in order to let the minority speak too, rabbinical courts demand a religious divorce even from couples who were married in a civil marriage. But if the man or the woman refuse, they will dissolve the marriage without the get, she says.

We suggested expanding the Spousal Covenant and letting every couple decide on a civil path. The thing is it wont be called marriage then. On the other hand, it could be a solution granting full legal rights to all couples without the need for a religious divorce if the relationship ends.

Barash stresses that the alternative civil path isnt aimed at weakening the rabbinical establishment or sabotaging the halachic way of marriage, but rather at giving couples a real choice to make their relationship official in a religious or civil way, whatever they decide, after all the options and their complexities are presented to them in full.

But I would gladly push some of the courts aside, she adds. Some of them are doing a very good job, but they arent making a sufficient effort to solve things in a systemic way, and it takes too much time as it is, causing a lot of anguish. I wouldnt want to cancel the rabbinical establishment, but I would like this to encourage them to rethink the issue. I think its important for the entire population to have a choice, because from a moral perspective I want people to be able to marry rather than live together in a state of helplessness over starting a family. If there is a choice, the religious system will have to work to make itself more attractive.

Reality is stronger than anything

So how can one enlist the religious public to a battle that allegedly has nothing to do with it? According to Frank, this battle is actually more relevant than ever to people who care about Jewish identity.

We began dealing with the common-law issue after realizing that there are many people who, unlike us, believe the states Jewish identity is reflected in the Rabbinates monopoly over marriage and divorce, and that even when there are victims and there is a democratic and moral price, it is seen as a proportional violation of rights in the name of the importance of the states religious identity.

We wanted to show that there are things happening that are very similar to the Shabbat situation. The public isnt waiting for politicians and rabbis to provide options. There is an existing legal institution, which is one of Rabbi Yaacov Medans main motives to institutionalize civil marriage, and he talks about it in the Gavison-Medan Covenant. Common-law marriage is a very problematic issue from a halachic perspective. There are religious couples, for example, who get married privately in a halachic marriage and no one knows who they are and what they are, and whether they even registered and where.

If there was any proper registration, we would know that these are couples who got married in a halachic marriage and have to undergo a religious divorce process. At the moment, chaos is much bigger.

I would like to tell all the opponents that there already is civil marriage under the radar. We have figures about a significant number of people who have found the way. Its like saying, We wont allow public transportation on Shabbat, and then local councils offer private transportation because reality is stronger than anything.

At the end of the day, you are pinning your hopes on Bayit Yehudi MKs, who have been leaving the religion and state issues to the Haredi parties for a long time now

Thats an important question, and theres no clear answer, says Tani Frank. (Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali) Bennett, in my opinion, may be a product of this ignorance Im talking about. In the previous term, when the Haredim were in the opposition and Bayit Yehudi had the Ministry of Religious Services, we didnt see any improvement on this issue. But they did deal with issues on which there was less ignorance, like the conversion issue.

I can tell you that when the Spousal Covenant issue made it to a Bayit Yehudi faction meeting, they brought Prof. Shahar Lifshitz and Rabbi Medan, and in the end Rabbi Haim Druckman pounded on the table and said, It wont happen. Both politicians and rabbis follow the public. Every congregation rabbi knows he shouldnt say things that dont receive a nod from the audience. So we have to make heads nod, and then rabbis and politicians will follow along.LONDON - Four people were arrested after they climbed on to a first-floor balcony of the Iranian embassy in London on Friday and waved flags in an apparent protest against the government in Tehran.

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The four were arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage and being unlawfully on diplomatic premises, a spokeswoman for Londons Metropolitan Police said.

No one was hurt during the incident and the four were arrested when they came down voluntarily after around three hours.

Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Sadegh Hossein Shirazi, whose son was recently arrested for insulting Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been a fierce critic of Irans clerical leadership.

X

Iranian state television quoted a Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying that Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi had protested about the incident to the British ambassador in Tehran.

Britain is responsible for the safety of Iranian diplomats, said the spokesman, Bahram Qasemi.

Iran's embassy in London (Photo: Reuters)

Irans state news agency IRNA said the attackers had carried knives and sticks. Irans English-language Press TV said a religious group was behind the attack, without elaborating.

Images posted on social media showed four men in black attire on the balcony of the embassy, waving a blue and white flag.

In 1980, gunmen seized the embassy to try to secure the release of Iranian political prisoners. One hostage was killed in the five-day siege, and another died when British commandos stormed the building, killing all but one of the gunmen.Zemenech Bililin has not seen her sisters in more than a decade, since she immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia with part of her family. Now a 19-year-old infantry soldier in Israel's military, Bililin says she is outraged that she is fulfilling her duties as a citizen but the state is shirking its responsibility to bring her relatives to Israel.

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Bililin's family is one of hundreds that have been split between Israel and Ethiopia over what they say is an inconsistent immigration policy, and whose fate hinges on an Israeli government decision over whether to allow for their reunification. Ethiopians in Israel say the bitter public feud to unite with long-lost relatives has exacerbated a feeling that the state discriminates against its Ethiopian minority.

"It's shocking in my opinion. They only do this to us, to our ethnicity," said Bililin. "The state should take responsibility and stop abandoning the Jews."

Snteayw Girmaw holds a photo of her sister Zemenech Bililin, an IDF soldier (Photo: AP)

The issue faces a critical juncture next week, when the government is tentatively scheduled to decide whether to allocate funding to bring as many as 8,000 Ethiopians to Israel to reunite with their families.

Israel clandestinely airlifted thousands of Ethiopian Jews from the country in the 1980s and 90s, spending hundreds of millions of dollars to bring the ancient community to the Jewish state and help them integrate. About 140,000 Ethiopian Jews live in Israel today, a small minority in a country of over 8 million. But their assimilation hasn't been smooth, with many arriving without a modern education and then falling into unemployment and poverty.





Members of Ethiopia's Jewish community attend a solidarity event for their relatives in Israel, at the synagogue in Addis Ababa (Photo: AP)

Although many of them are practicing Jews, Israel doesn't consider them Jewish, meaning they are not automatically eligible to immigrate under its "law of return," which grants automatic citizenship to anyone with at least one Jewish grandparent. Instead, the government must OK their arrival.

Community members have been permitted to immigrate over the last two decades in limited bursts that have left hundreds of families torn apart.

Members of Ethiopia's Jewish community walk to a solidarity event for their relatives in Israel, at the synagogue in Addis Ababa (Photo: AP)

Nearly 8,000 people in Ethiopia are hoping to immigrate, among them Bililin's sisters, who as married women applied to immigrate separately.

In 2015, Israel agreed in principle to bring over the remaining Ethiopians who have Israeli relatives, vowing that it would be the last round of Ethiopian immigration and clearing the way for the arrival of 1,300 people last year.

Israel says it has continued to greenlight the community's immigration on humanitarian grounds but it also has set a slew of requirements on those waiting in Ethiopia, in part to prevent what could be an endless loop of immigration claims.

Members of Ethiopia's Jewish community hold pictures of their relatives in Israel, during a solidarity event at the synagogue in Addis Ababa (Photo: AP)

Avraham Neguise, an Ethiopian-Israeli lawmaker in the ruling Likud party who chairs the Knesset's Absorption and Diaspora Committee, accused the government of dragging its feet and in turn damaging the Ethiopian community's already brittle relationship with the state.

"The government is pursuing a discriminatory policy by not having the remaining Ethiopian Jews immigrate," he said. "There's no doubt that it harms the community's trust."

While Ethiopians have made strides in certain fields and have reached the halls of Israel's parliament, many complain of racism, lack of opportunity, endemic poverty and routine police harassment.

Those frustrations boiled over into violent protests three years ago after footage emerged of an Ethiopian-Israeli in an army uniform being beaten by police . Thousands of Ethiopian Jews and their supporters blocked main highways and clashed with police in a bid to draw attention to their plight, including what they say is unchecked police brutality against their community members.

Members of Ethiopia's Jewish community attend a solidarity event for their relatives in Israel, at the synagogue in Addis Ababa (Photo: AP)

Activists have been lobbying the government to approve the immigration, penning letters to Israeli officials and sharing their poignant stories of separation in parliamentary committees. They see the issue as an easily solvable one that has needlessly shattered families and marooned people in a troubled country.

"Daughters are getting married in Israel without their mothers at their side. Sons are going to war and not returning without having their fathers there to bury them. We're talking about human lives here," said Alisa Bodner, a spokeswoman for Struggle for Ethiopian Aliyah, an activist group.

The community expected to see funding for immigration in the proposed budget, which is expected to come up for a vote as early as next week. But they were stunned when it was absent from preliminary versions of the budget.

Members of Ethiopia's Jewish community hold pictures of their relatives in Israel, during a solidarity event at the synagogue in Addis Ababa (Photo: AP)

The anticipated estimated cost of flying all 8,000 people to Israel along with housing and social services is roughly NIS 1.4 billion, or about $400 million, a sizeable figure but a tiny fraction of a nearly NIS 500 billion ($143 billion) national budget, according to an official from the Finance Ministry.

Neguise and the activists are engaged in a last-minute push to have the families' plight included in the upcoming budget and to do so the Israeli government must vote on the issue, which could happen on Sunday. However, it is unclear whether the government would agree to bring all of the Ethiopians to Israel, or just limited numbers as in the past.

Regardless of the outcome, hundreds of people are expected to protest outside the Knesset the following day demanding action.

The Finance Ministry said it was up to the government to decide on the issue. There was no immediate comment from the Prime Minister's Office.

The Ministry of Immigration and Immigrant Absorption said "the subject of the continuation of Ethiopian immigration is on the government's agenda." But with the government embroiled in a coalition crisis over separate issues, the plight of the Ethiopians may not be its top priority.

"It's intensely painful. I miss them like crazy," Bililin said about her sisters. "(The government) doesn't understand that pain."Religious-Zionist rabbi Yehoshua Shapira called the LGBT culture "a spreading sickness" earlier this week, raising ire among LGBT groups and politicians.

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Shapira, the head of the hesder yeshiva in Ramat Gan, is one of the prominent members of the Tkuma party, which presented its new "Jewish Israel" platform under the tagline "Religionization is Us" on Tuesday, committing among other things to oppose any recognition of same-sex couples.

The rabbi argued Tkuma's new platform does not constitute homophobia, explaining those who adopted such a position are "healthy believers."

(Photo: Hillel Meir)

"We're not phobic at all, we live without anxieties and without fears," said Shapira. "We're brave people, Israeli heroes, and we're not going to be afraid of the LGBTstan phenomenon."

He bemoaned the fact that "anyone who says anything about a healthy faithful family is considered someone with phobias. He is (branded as) an extremist. And for what? For expressing an opinion that formed the basis of all humanity and all of the Torah?!"

"We're not homophobes and we're not extremists. It is insanity to view this as the problem of religious-Zionism," the rabbi continued.

"God is my witness that I invested many hours in helping those who face difficulties in this area," he said, meaning LGBT people.

(Photo: Hillel Meir)

Tkuma's "Jewish Israel" platform, which is seen preparation for possible early elections and perhaps even separation from the Bayit Yehudi Party, addresses issues of religion and state, mostly controversial ones. The faction takes conservative positions on Shabbat observance in the public space, Israeli sovereignty on the Temple Mount, women's service in the IDF, and more.

The Neemanei Torah VaAvodah Movement claimed the new Tkuma platform was "filled with rejection of the other and defensiveness" and does not reflect the positions of the majority of religious Zionists.

Shapira rejected the criticism, saying "We're being attacked for this platform as if we left (religious Zionism) and became Haredim. We're being hated for our sanity."

Anger in Ramat Gan

The mayor of Ramat Gan, Yisrael Zinger, came out against Shapira, calling on Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman to summon the rabbi for a hearing and demand an explanation for his controversial comments.

"Ramat Gan always was and will always be a pluralistic and inclusive city, which treats all of its residents with respect and tolerance," Zinger said. "It cannot be that educators come out with statements that hurt large communities in the city and outside of it."

Ramat Gan Mayor Yisrael Zinger (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

He defined the rabbi's positions "dark and offensive," hinting that Lieberman should consider stopping state funding to the hesder yeshiva the rabbi heads.

The Religious LGBT Community forum along with the organizations Havruta and Bat Kol released a joint condemnation of the rabbi's comments, calling on "all of the moderate voices, and there are many of those, to stand up and break their silence."

The "Ramat Gan Pride" group said it plans a protest outside Shapira's hesder yeshiva next week "in support of solidarity and a pluralistic city," after the city has become in recent years "the stronghold of rabbis who call LGBTs 'sick,' encourage the exclusion of women, and scorn single-parent families."

Aviad Fenyo, the demonstration organizer, said it will express "the spirit of acceptance to all in Ramat Gan."

'He can't continue working in education'

MK Omer Bar-Lev (Zionist Union) slammed the Tkuma party, calling it "a dangerous place" and a "cult of hatred." He asserted Shapira's speech exposed "a doctrine of disgust and ignorance of the darkest people."

"Unlike (Bayit Yehudi leader) Bennett, who talks about faux-unity and in reality sweeps under the rug the rotting in his 'Jewish' Home, Rabbi Shapira is tired of hiding, and he brings the stench out to the light of day," Bar-Lev said. "'Religionization is Us,' indeed. Homophobia, discrimination and hatred is also them!"

MK Omer Bar-Lev (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

Zionist Union MK Ksenia Svetlova echoed his criticism, adding, "Darkness is not part of the values of the State of Israel, and someone who makes such comments cannot continue working in education and poisoning the hearts of young people, who he will make haters like him."

"Three years ago, at the Pride Parade in Jerusalem, Shira Banki paid with her life for this incitement against LGBTs, which appears from time to time from the rabbi 'on duty,'" Svetlova continued. "The disease of hatred, ignorance and darkness of people like him - this is the sickness that is spreading. The state needs to deal with this sickness before it's too late."Theoretical physicist Albert Einstein did not see the scientific potential in Israel, according to a letter he wrote his friend Jewish-American scientist David Joseph Bohm in 1954, warning him not to make Aliyah.

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The letter, which will be displayed to the public for the first time in a museum being built by illusionist Uri Geller in Jaffa, was given to Geller by Bohm along with one of Einstein's pipes.

Albert Einstein in 1951 with Israel's first prime minister David Ben-Gurion (Photo: AFP)

"Israel is intellectually alive and interesting, but has very narrow possibilities," Einstein wrote to Bohm.

"To go there with the intention to leave on the first occasion would be regrettable," he warned.

Two years before warning his friend not to move to Israel, Einstein turned down an offer from Israel's first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, to serve as Israel's second president, citing his desire to dedicate himself completely to science.

Part of Einstein's letter to Bohm

Bohm, a Jewish physicist who took part in the Manhattan Project to develop the first atom bomb, did end up moving to Israel in 1955 despite Einstein's warnings. He taught at the Technion in Haifa for two years, and it was in Israel that he met his wife Sarah.

He returned to Britain in 1957 to continue his research and discovered the AharonovBohm effect, showing how a magnetic field could affect a region of space in which the field had been shielded, although its vector potential did not vanish there.

Later, it was Bohm who examined Uri Geller's skills for the British intelligence agency MI5.Britain and Saudi Arabia called for the disarmament of Hezbollah in a joint statement released Friday to conclude the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman to London.

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"The two countries agreed to work together to support the Lebanese Government and to work together to disarm Hezbollah from its weapons and counter its destabilizing role," the statement read.

Prince Muhammad Bin Salman meets with British Prime Minister Theresa May (Photo: gettyimages)

Concerning Iran, the two countries "stressed the importance of Irans adherence to the principles of good neighboring behaviors, and not interfering in the internal affairs of countries in accordance with international norms and the United Nations Charter."

The Saudi Crown Prince meet with Britian's Queen Elizabeth II (Photo: AFP)

Bin Salman landed in London on Wednesday and met with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. The official Saudi Press Agency noted the visit was meant "to establish the relations between the two countries and develop them, in order to support interests shared by both sides."

Bin Salman, center, meets with British Prince Charles and Prince William (Photo: AFP)

In the conclusion statement, Britain expressed its support of Bin Salman's plan for development in his country, titled "Saudi Vision 2030," which seeks to create economic and social reforms in the Arab kingdom.

Britain and Saudi agreed to establish a "Strategic Partnership Council" that would convene once a year and discuss economic, security and humanitarian issues.

Protest outside the British Parliament over Saudi campaign in Yemen (Photo: EPA)

According to the Saudi Press Agency, London and Riyadh signed agreements that would bring to $100 billion in mutual investments in the coming decade, including $30 billion of direct investments.BEIJING - Chinese Muslims need to guard against creeping Islamization, including mosques that copy foreign styles, and strive to practice their faith in a more Chinese way, a senior Chinese Islamic official said on Saturday.

Speaking to the largely ceremonial advisory body to China's parliament, Yang Faming, head of the government-linked China Islamic Association, said Islam had a long and glorious history in the country.

But Yang warned of problems he said had become apparent in recent years which could not be overlooked, according to a copy of his speech carried by the official Xinhua news agency.

"For example, some mosques' construction style blindly imitates foreign models. In some areas the concept of halal has become common, and religion interferes in secular life," he said.

"Some people set great store on religious rules and much less on national law, only knowing what it is to be a believer and not what it is to be a citizen," Yang added. "We must certainly remain on high alert."Russian President Vladimir Putin told NBC he doesn't care about alleged Russian interference in the US presidential election because the actions weren't connected to his government, further suggesting "Ukrainians, Tatars or Jews" might have been involved.

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In an interview with the US television network, the Russian president was asked if he condoned the interference by 13 Russian nationals and three Russian companies detailed in a US indictment.

"I do not care at all, because they do not represent the government," he said, according to the interview transcript posted Saturday by the Kremlin.

Russian President Putin 'couldn't care less' about meddling allegations (Photo: Reuters)

"Why have you decided the Russian authorities, myself included, gave anybody permission to do this?" Putin asked interviewer Megyn Kelly.

"So what if they're Russians?" he continued. "There are 146 million Russians. So what? ... I don't care. I couldn't care less. ... They do not represent the interests of the Russian state."

"Maybe they are not even Russians but Ukrainians, Tatars or Jews but with Russian citizenship, which should also be checked; maybe they have dual citizenship of a green card; maybe the US paid them for this. How can you know that? I do not know either," he said.

He argued he hasn't seen any evidence of the alleged interference, noting that "We in Russia cannot prosecute anyone as long as they have not violated Russian law. At least send us a piece of paper ... Give us a document. Give us an official request. And we'll take a look at it."

Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating the alleged Russian intervention (Photo: AP)

Furthermore, Putin tried to paint the accusations as "ridiculous," saying, "Could anyone really believe that Russia, thousands of miles away ... influenced the outcome of the election? Doesn't that sound ridiculous even to you?" Adding, "It's not our goal to interfere. We do not see what goal we would accomplish by interfering. There's no goal."

In November, US President Donald Trump said Putin told him "he absolutely did not meddle in our election. He did not do what they are saying he did."

"Every time he sees me, he said: 'I didnt do that.' And I believe, I really believe that when he tells me that, he means it," Trump said, noting that Putin is "very insulted" by the accusation. Trump called the allegation an "artificial barrier" erected by Democratsonce again casting doubt on the US intelligence community's conclusion that Russia tried to interfere in the election to help Trump win.

Speaking in an interview with the Russian state television several days ago, Putin lavished Trump with praise, describing him as a great communicator.

"I have no disappointment at all," Putin said when asked about the US president. "Moreover, on a personal level he made a very good impression on me."

Putin and Trump meet in Vietnam (Photo: Reuters)

The two leaders met on the sidelines of international summits last year. Putin praised Trump as a "balanced" man, who easily gets into the gist of various issues and listens to his interlocutor.

"It's possible to negotiate with him, to search for compromises," Putin added.

He elaborated further in the interview with Kelly, calling the American president "a businessman with vast experience" and "a quick study" despite being a newcomer to politics.

"He understands that if it is necessary to establish a cooperative relationship with someone, then you have to treat your current or potential partner with respect," the Russian leader said. "Engaging in mutual accusations and insults, this is a road to nowhere."The IDF and the police are investigating suspicions of a nationalistically-motivated crime after 20 olive trees were vandalized in the Palestinian village of At-Tuwani, south of Hebron, on Friday.

In addition, Palestinian vehicles were also vandalized in the village, allegedly by extremist Jews.Israels founding fathers, who etched a commitment to encouraging Jewish immigration into the declaration of independence, might be surprised to find that, seven decades later, the state is relying on Christians to fulfill that promise.

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What was once a strictly Jewish-funded mission is increasingly being bankrolled by evangelical Christians. Israels Christian allies now fund about a third of all immigrants moving to the country, according to a tally by The Associated Press.

The figures reflect the ever tightening relationship between Israel and its evangelical Christian allies, whom Israel has come to count on for everything from political support to tourism dollars.

Israel has long depended on diaspora Jewish communities, especially in the United States, for donations and to lobby their local governments on its behalf. But evangelical communities have become increasingly important.

Israeli charities raise millions of dollars from Christians around the world, and evangelical Christians make up 13 percent of all tourists to Israel. A parliamentary caucus works with evangelical legislators around the world to foster support for Israel.

Israelis can also thank white evangelicals for helping to put President Donald Trump, an ardent supporter of Israels nationalist government, in the White House.

Israel has no better friends, I mean that, no better friends in the world than the Christian communities around the world, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a Christian media summit in Jerusalem last year.

European and American Jewish philanthropists championed immigration to Israel, known as Aliyah, or ascending, even before the creation of the state in 1948, by working to settle Jews in what was then Ottoman and British Palestine. In the decades after independence, the government partnered with Jewish groups to organize dramatic airlifts of Jews from troubled countries.

Christian support for the Aliyah largely began with the collapse of the Soviet Union and has grown in recent years as American Jews have redirected charitable donations to niche causes. That has forced nonprofits to expand their pool of benefactors.

We dont see any reason why not to rely on help, including donations, from all our friends around the world, be they Jewish, Christian or others, said Yigal Palmor, a spokesman for the Jewish Agency, a nonprofit that spearheads Jewish immigration to Israel.

The Israeli Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption, however, said it has no ties to Christian groups.

Of the more than 28,000 Jews who immigrated to Israel in 2017, at least 8,500 arrived thanks to Christian donations, according to official figures and numbers provided by the Fellowship and Jerusalems International Christian Embassy, another prominent group that raises money from evangelicals. The Jewish Agency receives additional undisclosed funds from other Christian donors, meaning that share could be even higher.

Not everyone is pleased. Some in Israel are suspicious that the evangelical embrace stems from a belief that the modern Jewish state is a precursor to the apocalypsewhen Jesus will return and Jews will either accept Christianity or die.

Liberal Jews, who make up the majority of the American Jewish community, bristle at the evangelicals ties to the political right and their support for Israels settlement enterprise in the West Bank, a major sticking point in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of J Street, a liberal pro-Israel group in Washington, said the Jewish community should be wary of taking help from those who are playing with our lives to further their own religious and ideological purposes.

Evangelical Christianity is one of the fastest growing religious movements, making up more than a third of the worlds estimated 2 billion Christians. Evangelicals say their affinity for Israel stems from Christianitys Jewish roots. Some view Israels establishment as fulfilling biblical prophecy, ushering in an anticipated Messianic age. Jews also believe in a future Messianic age, but do not believe Jesus is the Messiah.

Rabbi Eckstein and Immigration Minister Landver welcome new immigrants from Ukraine in 2014

Its a connection. Its a DNA that goes back to Sunday school, to their very being. Its a love affair, its a romance with a nation that is connected to heaven and earth, said Mike Evans, an evangelical Christian who sits on Trumps evangelical faith advisory board.

In recent years, suspicions have diminished in Israel, thanks in part to the steady flow of donations as well as evangelical representatives playing down talk of the end of days. They say it is not a central tenet for most of the worlds evangelicals or what makes them love Israel.

Johnnie Moore, the faith boards spokesman, said the skepticism over evangelical support was ignorant and offensive.

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews says it gave $188 million to the Jewish Agency over the course of a two decade-long partnership, with Eckstein even sitting on the agencys executive board. But after disagreements over how to publicize the Fellowships support, the two had a falling out and the Fellowship struck out on its own in 2014.

Its own Aliyah project has since ferried thousands of Jews to Israel from 27 countries, providing them with financial assistance beyond that extended by the state, as well as vocational training and assistance with local bureaucracy. The Fellowship said it has spent nearly $20 million on Aliyah since 2014. Eckstein said the organization believed Jewish-funded groups were not doing enough, particularly following the conflict in Crimea.

Some 200 Jews from Ukraine arrived at Israels Ben Gurion International airport recently wearing Fellowship t-shirts. They were greeted by a gaggle of boisterous Israeli student volunteers, waving flags and chanting Hebrew folk songs.

One of the new arrivals, Serghey Lanovyy, said it made no difference to him that his Aliyah was funded by Christians.

Religion is religion. You can believe whatever you want but if people need help, they need help, he said.A magician never reveals his tricks. And so, Israels intelligence agencies  the Mossad, the Shin Bet and the Military Intelligence Directorate  have kept their tricks closely guarded over the years. Some details inevitably emerged, and Israel received credit  or blame  for countless of clandestine operations against its enemies. But on the whole, Israels spies kept mum and more information remained under wraps than saw the light of day.

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That is, until now.

In his new book Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel's Targeted Assassinations, Dr. Ronen Bergman not so much as provides a peek behind the curtain as he rips the curtain open for all to see.

Eight years in the making, the book recounts the history of the State of Israel through the eyes of its spies. Its tales  some more known than others  are based on interviews with some 1,000 individuals who had a hand in creating, fostering and immortalizing Israels reputation as a deadly and cunning adversary that could get to its enemies anytime, anywhere. Bergmans interviewees also provided him with countless of documents  not all of which they were allowed to take from their top secret places of employment  to support and augment their stories.

Imad Mughniyeh

And so Bergman expertly shines a spotlight on some of the more shadowy parts of Israels history. From the early days of the Jewish Yishuv in Palestine, under first Othman and later British rule, to the present day.

Even erudite readers who make it their business to know all there is to know about Israels 70-year history will undoubtedly find much to sink their teeth into.

In this lengthy tome, Bergman uncovers and dissects the highs and lows of Israels negative treatment operations: those that were a great success as well as those that failed spectacularly and led to disastrous results.

Hamas founder Ahmad Yassin (Photo: AP)

The book covers all of Israels greatest hits (do excuse the pun): From Fatah co-founder Khalil al-Wazir (Abu Jihad) and PFLP leader Wadie Haddad to Hamas founder Ahmad Yassin and Hezbollah military chief Imad Mughniyeh. Other notable assassinations include Hezbollah secretary-general Abbas al-Musawi (Hassan Nasrallahs predecessor), Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Fathi Shaqaqi, Hamass Engineer Yahya Ayyash and Syrian general Muhammad Suleiman, Assads chief advisor.

Hamass Engineer Yahya Ayyash

Some lesser known names appear as well, as the book details Israels efforts to sabotage the unconventional weapons programs of Iraq, Syria and Iran by killing its scientists and blowing up reactors (or rather, reactors-in-the-making), and the targeted killing campaign against Hamas that put an end to the second intifada.

Of the latter category the book delves into the botched operation in Lillehammer, Norway, when the Mossad meant to kill a master terrorist who was behind the Munich massacre but instead assassinated an innocent pool cleaner, as well as the tale of why Hamas leader Khaled Mashal, who was at death's door after being poisoned by the Mossad, still walks among us today.

Khaled Mashal, survived an assassination attempt (Photo: AFP)

Bergman painstakingly explores the numerous failed or aborted attempts to kill PLO leader Yasser Arafat, but falls short of making any kind of determination on whether the death of one of Israels biggest foes was a natural one or foul play (the reason for that, conversely, is the all-mighty military censor, which wont let Bergman even hazard an educated guess).

Yasser Arafar (Photo: Camera Press)

But Bergman doesnt settle for glorifying Israels intelligence community. He highlights and criticizes the bad decision-making when it led to catastrophic results and even when the target has been eliminated, but the operation failed, as former Shin Bet director Avi Dichter put it after the assassination of Hamas military leader Salah Shehade was successful, but it claimed the lives of a dozen innocents.

Rise and Kill First also examines the issue of morality when it comes to targeted killings. Bergman describes at great length the discussions behind decisions to go ahead or abort certain missions  including several missed golden opportunities to kill Arafat  due to the risk of endangering innocent people. Further discussions revolve around the legality of assassinations, and whether they should serve solely as a tool to prevent future harm to Israel and its citizens, or perhaps also serve as punitive action against those who have already committed heinous acts against Israelis and Jews.

While the book is undoubtedly comprehensive, it was still missing some assassinations. One such assassination conspicuous by its absence is that of Hamas military commander Ahmed Jabari, who played a part in the kidnapping of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006 and led the terror groups takeover of the Gaza Strip in 2007, and whose liquidation in 2012 was the opening shot of Operation Pillar of Defense.

Also missing was the story behind the January 2015 airstrike that killed Imad Mughniyehs son, Jihad, as well as a general of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Mohammad Ali Allahdadi; the December 2015 assassination of Samir Kuntar; and the December 2016 attack that claimed the life of Hamas drone maker Mohamed Zouari in Tunisia  all attributed to Israel.

The assassination of Samir Kuntar (Photo: EPA)

But these omissions were not for lack of trying. Bergman, who studied history at Cambridge, doesnt do brevity  his book is almost 800 pages long, making it an extremely comprehensive account of Israels targeted killing as it is. It was not for lack of sources, either. Indeed, Tamir Prado, who was the director of the Mossad until 2016, noted that Bergman's ability to reach sources inside Western intelligence communities is amazing (and, I must say, also a little disturbing).

Dr. Ronen Bergman

Nevertheless, it would be very difficult, and perhaps even nigh impossible, to cover the full length and breadth of Israels negative treatment operations  be it because most of the important assassinations not covered in the book are fairly recent, or because Israel has eliminated more people than any other Western country since World War II, making the sheer scope daunting for most people, but not for Bergman.

The New York Times bestseller is definitely a must-read book for anyone with a keen interest in the history of the State of Israel, the world of espionage, and the philosophical discussions behind targeted killings.The IDF is making preparations for a new wave of riots and provocations in the Gaza Strip, expected to grow stronger as Nakba Day May 14draws close, which is also the date where the United States is set to inaugurate its Jerusalem embassy

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Nakba Day, usually marked on May 15, was inaugurated by former Palestinian Liberation Organization chief Yasser Arafat in 1988 to commemorate the Palestinian nakba"catastrophe" in Arabicset to coincide with the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948.

File photo. Nakba Day demonstrations in Gaza (Photo: AFP)

In the coming weeks, Hamas plans to set up tent encampments along the Gazan border with Israel, where thousands of the strip's denizens will be housed, with the intention to march hundreds of Palestinians every dayincluding the elderly, women and childrento the border fence in "return marches."



At the same time, Hamas also intends to hold mass fishing boat protests near the maritime border with Israel. These actions will gradually grow in intensity and culminate just before Israel's 70th Independence Day.

Hamas has presented this planned wave of protests in Gaza as the initiative of private citizens. The tent camps, made up to look like refugee camps, are intended to express Hamas's protest against what the terror group perceives as an American attempt to topple the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), thereby effectively erasing the issue of Palestinian refugees from international consciousness.

The army's Southern Command is making its own preparations to counter the protest, with one key issue in planning being the participation of women and children in the marches. The IDF fears that any attempt to forcefully prevent protesters from moving forward will cause Israel significant PR damage.

File photo. A Palestinian protest

The IDF also fears the possibility of citizens being harmed and back-and-forth around the fence escalating into armed conflict, all on the backdrop of a worsening humanitarian situation and desperation prevalent among the strip's occupants at the lack of progress in Hamas's talks with the Palestinian Authority.

Not all is rosy within Hamas's own ranks, however, with growing resentment spreading within the Gaza group and directed at its leader, Yahya Sinwar , whose political decisions are said to have exacerbated Hamas's seclusion within the Arab world.Understandably, the graves of soldiers who fell in the 1948 War of Independence at the Haifa Military Cemetery do not receive many visitors. Their parents are no longer alive and the second and third generations rarely visit the graves of their grandfathers or uncles. But the Mahal (foreign volunteers to the IDF) graves receive even less visitors.

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On Friday, the cemetery received a special visitor: Elgen Long, 91, from Reno, Nevada, was a young navigator with Alaska Airlines when he found himself in the midst of Operation On Wings of Eagles as a volunteer who lent a hand to the nascent Israeli Air Force in airlifting the Yemenite Jewish community to the newly founded Jewish state.

American pilot from Op. Wings of Eagles (:  )

X

Long asked to be taken to the grave of his friend, captain and fellow Mahal volunteer Wayne Pick, who was buried alongside his friends at the Haifa military cemetery.

He recounted, I was a navigator with Alaska Airlines and Captain Curry was the captain of a DC-4, said Long. We were in Tel Aviv and we had just brought a load of refugees from China, they were all stateless we found a way to get them to Israel. And when we got there, we got to the hotel and didnt know what to do next.

Nav. Elgen Long standing over the grave of his friend at the Haifa military cemetery (Photo: Shamir Elbaz)

The company sent us a cable and it said: Go to Aden and the commander there will meet you there. We landed and he told us of the plight of the Yemenite Jews who had found their way to Aden after crossing the desert, on foot. They were in dire straits, no facilities for them, it was hard to protect them. They were dying of diseases and they had to get to Israel and get out of there as soon as possible.

He continued: They asked us how many we could carry, so we figured they only weighed about 80 pounds each. They had no luggage and we could carry about 150 (of them) with enough fuel to get to Tel Aviv, then known as Lydda. We carried about 2,000 of them; we were the only airplane and crew there. Because it was a matter of life and death, we flew on the Sabbath, we did not stop, back and forth.

Twelve flights, 1,800 people, that was before Operation Magic Carpet (had officially begun), a few months earlier Actually Magic Carpet was with benches and seats, they could carry about 107 passengers and rarely did they fit in 120. But that continued for over a year after we left. I was one of a crew of about six men. I just did my job as a navigator; we could not land in an Arab country because of the war, which was just ending. We did not file any flight plan, it was all secret, nothing was in the papers or the radio. We just flew up the middle of the Red Sea and up the Gulf of Aqaba until Um Rushrush (now Eilat), then turned towards Beer Sheva, then to Lydda. Stand With Us brought us to Israel and sponsored and arranged for me to come here today, Long explained.

Magic Carpet, 1949 (Photo: Gov. Press Office)

This week, almost 70 years after that operation, Long returned to Israel on a trip organized by Stand With Us and the Association for the Preservation of Yemenite Jewish Heritage. During my tenure as consul, I discovered that there is a Jewish museum in Anchorage, Alaska, said Shahar Azani from Stand With Us.

When I visited, I discovered this story and Elgens story. I got to know him and we made a ceremony in his honor. When I offered him a visit to Israel he asked for two things: to meet with the descendents of the Jews he helped airlift from Yemen and to visit the gravesite of Wayne Pick in Haifa. It turns out, that Azanis own father and grandfather were participants of the airlift.

During his visit, Long could not contain his excitement and shed a tear. He practically taught me how to fly, he said, standing by Picks grave. He was a brave pilot who flew Tiger Line planes and I had just begun learning how to fly transport aircraft. He taught me how to fly, I was lacking experience and he was kind and considerate enough to take the time to help me do it right. He taught me well, he did a great job. He was a great instructor and then we became friends and had some beers together, Long reminisced.

Yemenite Jewish immigrants (Photo: Reuters)

Long brought along some small stones from his home in Nevada, which he placed on the grave. Maybe we will fly together again, soon, he promised.

This visit carries a lot of symbolism and conveys a double message, said Dr. Yigal Ben Shalom, Director of the Association for Preservation of Yemenite Jewish Heritage. Long was one of those good men who, during the early years of the state, took a huge risk for our sake and we appreciate their contribution, because wethe many Yemenite Jews who came to Israel, and their descendantsowe him a debt of gratitude for the success of the clandestine immigration to Israel.

He added: His meeting with those Yemenite immigrants and their descendants, as well as other Yemenite immigrants, points to something no less astonishing about the Zionist enterprise. With all the difficulties of a different culture and the difficulties of integration, Yemenite Jews succeeded here amazingly.

Long was so excited to meet happy, satisfied people who live here and raised families and succeeded in their careers in all walks of life. The second message is the need to preserve the memory and emphasize the heritage so that it will be known to all of Israel."The story of Ryan Ali Yazdi, 36, is almost inconceivable in the terms of the Middle East, so mired in conflict as it is. He is a member of the deposed Iranian royal bloodlinewith his grandmother's cousin being the first wife of the Persian shah and his relatives serving as ministers in successive governments in Tehran.

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In the Past few years, however, Yazdi has been giving his all in the administration of the Students Supporting Israel (SSI) group, a pro-Israeli student union active in 50 campuses across the United States, Canada, Europe and Israel.

Yazdi, majoring in East Asian studies and economics at the American Ivy League Columbia University, is the organization's treasurer, but far from chaining himself to desk work, he fights for Israel in protests and struggles in campuses nationwide.

Ryan Ali Yazdi wears an 'I love Israel' t-shirt and a necklace with a pendant containing Koranic verses

"When I visited Israel," Yazdi recalled, "I told the guidean army reservistI thought the only people treating Muslims as human beings in that part of the world were probably Israelis."

"We visited the north and heard the shooting from the Syrian civil war . I saw Israeli soldiers earnestly treating the Syrian wounded and it astounded me," Yazdi recounted.

Yazdi on his visit to Israel

He continued, "(Syrian President Bashar) Assad was massacring half a million people and no one really cares. While I'm a Muslim, I'll stand with any nation that is threatened with genocideand today the most significant such threat is made against Israel.

"Each generation has a new form of anti-Semitism. In the past it was Nazi death camps, and today, it's Iran and the ayatollahs."

Yazdi grew up in the famed upscale city of Beverly Hills in California, where he first met and connected with Jews. He still has family in Iran, however, some of which is not always ecstatic at his warm ties to Israel.

"I have relatives who are anti-Israel much like many other Iranians, but for me, as a young man, it just doesn't make sense how the Iranian peoplewho have always had good relations with the Jewish people from the time of Cyrus and up until the shah, save for maybe the incident surrounding Purimbecame so anti-Israeli," he marveled.

He further elaborated, "Iran's historical enemies are Arabs but for some reason the Arab mentality towards Jews has become prevalent. The mullahs (Islamic clericsed) in Iran are enemies to my family. I have an aunt who in 1991 was the victim of an acid attack for walking around Tehran without a hijab."

Combating BDS

The bulk of Yazdi's work in SSI centers around combating the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign. "I think BDS dehumanizes human lives in the Middle East," Yazdi opined.

Yazdi (center) in a pro-Israeli campus protest

"They think it's alright to kill Muslims in the Middle East. They don't care about what's happening in Gaza and other Arab countries when it comes to human rights, gay rights. All they care about is destroying Israel. BDS is bringing up the next generation in campuses to be anti-Semites, they're disseminating Nazi propaganda against Israel," he accused.

Yazdi is often attacked by Arabs and Muslims alike for choosing Israel's side in the bitter Middle Eastern conflict. He counters accusations by saying, "I'm not afraid of anyone. I'm often called a 'traitor' to my people or an 'islamophobe.' I don't care.

"I always warn people to never make comments about Israel within my earshot that border on ignorance, because then I immediately jump up to respond."

His harsh criticism of his homeland has sadly nullified his chances of returning there someday. Visiting Israel, however, has made him an even bigger Zionist, he said.

Yazdi and friends

"I sat in Tel Aviv, drank a coffee and smoked a cigarette and thought to myself that now I truly understood the meaning of a Jewish state. People who rose out of pogroms, the Holocaust and Arab expulsion created a magnificent country.

"I'm listening to a language that has been dead for hundreds of yearsand it really moves me. I think the rebirth of the State of Israel is one of the more important milestones in humanity's history."

Ofir Dayan, the SSI organization's foreign relations representative and daughter of Israel's Consul General to New York Dani Dayan, said, "Twenty-five percent of the members in SSI's Columbia University chapter are not Jewish

"Activists such as Ryan prove day in and day out that you don't have to be Jewish to understand which side is moral and just, and to act to illustrate that fact to the university's students and faculty."TUNIS - Hundreds of women took to the streets in the Tunisian capital on Saturday to demand equal inheritance rights as men, a subject often seen as taboo in the Arab world.

The North African Muslim country grants women more rights than other countries in the region, and since last year has allowed Muslim women to marry non-Muslim men.

But the protestors marching to the parliament building in Tunis on Saturday said they wanted to be compared with European women and to be entitled to the same inheritance rights.

Joined by some men, they carried slogans such as "In a civil state I take exactly what you take", demanding an end to inheritance laws based on Islamic law. This usually grants men the double of what women get.IDF forces broke up clashes between settlers from Yitzhar and Palestinians from the village of Urif, south of Nablus. Aamir Shahada, 21, was killed by a bullet to the chest. It is not yet clear who fired the shot.A 21-year-old Palestinian named Emer Shehadah from the village of Urif, south of Nablus, was shot and killed Saturday evening following clashes between Yitzhar settlers and Palestinians. IDF forces arrived to the scene to act as barrier between the parties and the Palestinian was shot during the ensuing confrontation.

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While the Palestinian Ministry of Health ascribed culpability for the protester's death to the IDF, it remained unclear who carried out the shooting.

File photo. a Palestinian was shot dead during clashes with settlers near Nablus in which the IDF was forced to intercede (Photo: AFP)

Another Urif resident, Hammam Sobhi, 16, was reported injured by the ministry with a gunshot wound to his foot during the same incident.

In a previous incident Friday, Israeli soldiers shot dead a Palestinian man during clashes in the Bab al-Zawiya neighborhood of Hebron, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.

An Israeli military spokesman said the man had been about to throw a fire-bomb at the troops, who were responding to the immediate threat by shooting him. He added that the incident would be reviewed, not yet confirming the details given by the Palestinian Health Ministry.

Bab al-Zawiya lies on the seam between the Israeli and Palestinian parts of the city.

Meanwhile, at the a-Tuwani village in the southern Hebron Hills, the IDF and police are investigating a suspected hate crime in which extreme right-wing activists smashed windows of Palestinian-owned vehicles.

More than 10 similar incidents have been reported in the West Bank in recent weeks.As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to meet with Haredi representatives in an effort to solve the IDF recruitment crisis which is endangering the stability of his coalition, Yisrael Beytenu Chairman and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman tweeted Saturday evening, In life, there are moments in which you have to go with what you believe and not with what pays off. Now is that time.

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Lieberman toughened his stance over the last few days and made clear that he does not intend to back down from his demand that any new IDF recruitment bill be drawn up together with the Defense Ministry and the IDF.

L-R: PM Netanyahu, Defense Minister Lieberman and Deputy Health Minister Litzman (Photo: Motti Kimchi, Alex Kolomoisky, Ohad Zwigenberg)

The prime minister met with members of the Likud and Haredi parties Saturday, including Yaakov Litzman, Moshe Gafni and Aryeh Deri, to try to solve the impasse. Ministers Yariv Levin and Zeev Elkin will be in attendance as well.

Friday, Lieberman attacked the Haredi parties over the crisis. The bill currently being drafted is not a compromise, but rather a surrender to extortion. Anyone who wants to get into extortion should surrender, Lieberman wrote.

The ultimatum, or the draft-or-budget law, was put forward by the ultra-Orthodox parties, and the ultimatum to 'draft a recruitment bill and have it pass a second and third reading by May or else the dissolution of the government the Haredim chose. Lieberman pledged that, "Yisrael Beytenu will support only a bill drafted by the defense establishment and the IDF. There is no compromise on security."

Sources close to Defense Minister Lieberman also denied reports Saturday of a deal between the Yisrael Beytenu chief and Prime Minister Netanyahu to run together in the next elections as part of a single Knesset list.

Yisrael Beytenu added the party will run independently and that no other option was entertained.

On the matter of the draft crisis, sources closed to the defense minister said, "People sticking to their chairs are busy arm wrestling and floating ultimatums. We're not party to that. Just like Haredim are not expected to support public transportation on Shabbat, we should not be expected to (support draft exemptions)."

On Thursday, Lieberman attacked Deputy Minister Litzman without naming him, saying that, "In recent days Israel has been taken prisoner by a group of extremist elements, they are threatening to drag us all to unnecessary elections in a (time of a) difficult security situation and demanding that we surrender to their blackmail, otherwise they will dismantle the right-wing government. We must not allow this to happen.

Haredim consult their rabbis

MKs Moshe Gafni, Uri Maklev and Yaakov Asher of the Lithuanian faction of the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party met with their rabbinic leadership Saturday night, ahead of their meeting with the prime minister.

Degel Hatorah MKs meet with Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky

The three Knesset members met with Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky and Rabbi Gershon Adelstein, the main decision-makers of the party since the passing of Rabbi Aharon Leib Shteinman. Gafni presented them with a watered-down version of the draft bill they are seeking and asked the rabbis for guidance.

Gafni himself advised that they should concur to having only a preliminary reading of the bill this week along with a commitment by the coalition to complete the legislative process in the summer session, and the rabbis consented.

UTJ's Hasidic faction, however, led by Deputy Minister Yaakov Litzman opposes the compromise and insists on the bill receiving full approval by the Knesset before its Passover recess. Litzmans faction will meet Sunday to discuss their next move.

Litzman's faction was said to be awaiting a decision by the leader of the faction, the Rebbe of Gur, who was the one who insisted on the immediate full passing of the bill as a condition for supporting the state budget. It was not initially clear whether he will withdraw his demand.

The compromised version of the bill does not include a clause that would make the study of Torah a Basic Law, which most coalition members opposed doing. The matter of sanctions if quotas are not met was also softened, a problematic matter for the rabbinical leadership.

If the rabbis insist on a full immediate triple reading of the bill and reject the compromise, then early elections are likely.

Netanyahu: No more controversy until November, 2019

Prime Minister Netanyahu told the Haredim on Friday that if the current crisis is resolved, he will demand they refrain from bringing up any more controversial matters relating to religion and state until the next elections, slated to take place November, 2019.

Senior coalition members declared Saturday that they will not agree to elections in June but rather only at the end of the year. They are essentially signaling to the prime minister that they wish to be partners in choosing the date for elections.

Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri consulted with the rabbinic leader of Shas, Rabbi Shalom Cohen, who is currently in Mexico, and received instruction on how to proceed when meeting the prime minister. He also instructed MK Yoav Ben Tzur to consult with other members of the rabbinic council.

The apparent compromise in the draft exemptions bill included amendments to the bill currently on the docket of the Ministerial Committee for Legislation, and was formulated by Ariel Atias, former Shas housing minister and currently legal adviser to United Torah Judaism, together with Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked and Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit. The move, it should be noted, was carried out without all of the coalition's members reaching a compromise on the issue.

The plan refers to recruitment targetsinitially about 3,800 ultra-Orthodox recruits in every recruitment cycle (both for the IDF and for civilian service)with the number intended to rise gradually.

If the goals are not met, sanctions will be imposed on yeshivas. In addition, if the failure to meet the targets continues for a period of five years, the lenient law will expire.The IDF has removed this week a video the Israel Air Force (IAF) produced for International Women's Day, containing scathing criticism against those objecting to women being given key army postings. The IDF claimed the video was not officially sanctioned by the Spokesperson's Unit, and it was removed from the IAF's official Facebook page.

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The videoproduced at considerable expense over the course of the past few weeksshows women in a multitude of roles in the air service, from combat postings to operations rooms.

The IAF's deleted video for International Women's Day (:  )

X

"They say women can't be combat soldiers, they aren't cut out for it, they aren't capable physiologically and should be at home with their children," the video said. "They say mothers can't serve in operational roles. You can't really do it. So they said."

Screenshots from IAF's video (Photo: Israel Air Force)

The creators of the video claimed they had no intention of defying rabbis or religious figures , who have recently spoken out vociferously against both coed service and women in the armed forces in general, at that the video's timing was merely meant to note the advancement of women in the army.

The combustible issue of women's IDF service has made headline numerous times recently, in light of an ongoing campaign by religious figures protesting the expansion of roles and units in which women serve alongside men.

(Photo: Israel Air Force)

The army's irregular decision to remove the video may well have been influenced by a fear of escalating responses from religious or political figures against the army.

Uploading videos, photos and other content to the air force's social media pages is carried out with the close supervision of officers entrusted with the matter.

The IAF, long considered a trailblazer in both operations and social causes alike, uploaded a post to its official Twitter account recently voicing support of a gay couple, one of whom served as an IAF officer, for Family Day.

(Photo: Israel Air Force)

The same day the video was removed, IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot spoke at a conference marking International Women's Day, with dozens of current and former army officers in attendance.

"At the opening of its seventieth year, the State of Israel is very strongmilitarily, economically and infrastructure-wise," he said. "When you talk about integrating women into the IDF, the question that needs to be asked is who is most suited to the job, regardless of gender. I can't imagine an army without women(their presence) makes it stronger and smarter."

The Na'amat Movement of Working Women & Volunteers Chairperson Galia Wolloch commented on the video's removal, and said, "The chief of staff has to speak up and provide some clarifications. The video's removal is far from an isolated incident, and is part of a growing phenomenon of what seems like acceptance of women's exclusion in the IDF.

(Photo: Israel Air Force)

"I know the chief of staff's own values do no coincide with the grave incidents we have witnesses as late. However, it should be noted Lt.-Gen. Eisenkot has yet to speak out clearly against extreme statements by hard-line rabbis and heads of preparatory programs, who incite and seek to push women out of the public sphere in general and the army in particular.

"Furthermore, it feels recently like female soldiers are sacrificed at the altar of attempts to placate certain figures."

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said, "The aforementioned video was prepared by the personnel of the IAF's newsletter and is not an official product of the Spokesperson's Unit. Without commenting on the product's content, it should be noted it did not receive proper authorization for media going up on IDF platforms. Clearly defined guidelines will be set as a result."

New female combat soldiers' group publishes video bashing rabbis' statements

On a related matter, a group of female combat soldiers banded together to counter the campaign by rabbis and civil society groups calling on girls to forego combat service.

The group, called the "Female combat soldiers' forum," contains more than 200 women who have served in combat units in the past or do so in the present. The forum produced a video showing former combat soldiers and reserve officers, some of them religious, speaking out against statements by rabbis decrying female integration.

The forum's video decrying rabbis' statements against women serving (Photo: Female combat soldiers' forum)

The forum also initiated a web petition calling on the rabbis to be fired if they refuse to apologize, as they are "inciting against women."

The video said, "The freedom to speak out nonsense does not justify a freedom to receive funding from our own pockets."

'They don't possess a capacity to learn' (Photo: Female combat soldiers' forum)

Director of the Shavim Shonot group for equal opportunities Hila Shay-Vazan, whose group created the petition, said, "Religious or secular, of any denomination, from everywhere in Israelshould stop allowing primitive statements unsuited for the 21st century.

"Each passing moment these rabbis continue receiving a salary from the state, they continue humiliating us. We will stop being silent until they grow silent."East Jerusalem residents have been complaining of being forced to wait for months at a time to receive an audience at the Population and Immigration Authority's offices in the Wadi al-Joz neighborhood on the eastern side of the capital.

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When an appointment is finally made, they said, they have been forced to wait for long hours under dire conditions, without cover from the sun or rain.

In order to make an appointment at the Authority's offices, east Jerusalem residents visit its website and ask for one. Several days later, they receive information of the appointment, with many of them claiming they received dates six months or more later.

East Jerusalem residents at the Population Authority's offices in Wadi al-Joz

Congestion at the offices is so enormous, moreover, that dozens of people arrive in the wee hours of the morning to receive an optimal place in line. "We wait outside the building for hours and sometimes go home without ever having received service," one resident said. "There's no cover to protect those waiting from the sun, rains or cold."

Said Salim, a resident of the Mount of Olives, said, "I'm an Israeli citizen and am not able to issue a passport for my wife, my children and myself. If I have one issued at Ben Gurion Airport it'll cost a fortune. I can't book an appointment either and no one answers the phones. Why this disrespect? We can't even take out a new I.D. card. They're abusing us."

Khana Khouri, another east Jerusalem resident, said, "It pains us that there's no other branch to spread the load. I personally booked an appointment and received confirmation only eight months later. It's abuse and cannot go on. We've contacted those responsible and they promise to solve it every time, but unfortunately nothing is done."

Aatdal Alabassi from the Silwan neighborhood said this week, "I'm diabetic and have a problem with both my legs. I booked an appointment four months ago and only received word to come in today.

Residents report unbearable congestion

"I'm a sick woman in need of the Population Authority's services, but it seems they don't care about the sickwe aren't people to them. They have to open more branches in east Jerusalem. Where else could we go?"

Ahmad, another resident, said, "People arriving to the Wadi al-Joz office are abused. I've never seen anything like it in the Jewish sector, only in ours. Elderly people, pregnant women and children come in, but they're all degraded. Sometimes people here pass out and need medical attention.

"It's the second time I've been back here. The first time I waited for hours and ended up not being allowed in. Today I'm going to insistscream and cause a scene. Let them arrest me."

Ismail Ottman, a public official from Abu Ghosh, attempted to ameliorate the situation. "The situation is critical," he said. "Today, after a Ynet reporter and cameraman came here, the Population Authority's security asked not to film here and let the people waiting in line inside.

Waiting times of six to eight months are not unusual, residents said

"Some of the people who arrived later thought the offices were closed, because they're not used to not seeing long lines stretching outside. We'll continue our struggle. I've contacted MKs and others, but we're still tackling a major problem. I hope the suffering can end."

The Population and Immigration Authority provided comment, saying, "The issue has been at the top of the list of priorities for a while and steps are currently under review to alleviate congestion, including searching for (a site for) another office to provide responses and services to the east Jerusalem populace."- Information and Communication Technology teacher noted for his creativity takes delivery of first computer

- He was seen with his students in pictures showing off the laptop

- Owura Kwadwo Hottish became an internet sensation after a picture of his classroom lesson went viral

Owura Kwadwo, the ICT teacher who gained national and international recognition for his creativity at teaching his students, has received a laptop from an international university to enable him teach better.

In a post made on his Facebook page, the now very popular teacher shared photos of his new laptop.

READ ALSO: More photos of notorious Nigerian forex bureau robber hits social media

He was seen in a group photo with some of his students who could not hide their joy after receiving their very first learning material.

The proud teacher captioned his post, The staff and students of Betenase M/A JHS wishes to say a very big thank you to AMIRAH ALHARTHI, university of Leeds for donating a laptop to the school to enhance the teaching and learning of ICT.

Even though many promises to kit out the ICT teacher have been made, the laptop that has been received would go a long way to enhance the teaching and learning of ICT in the school.

Owura Kwadwo, who teaches ICT at the Betenase M/A JHS warmed millions of hearts around the world when a photo of him went viral on social media.

READ ALSO: Official: Military officer who died with Ebony to be buried on March 24

He was teaching Microsoft office without a computer but used his ingenuity to sketch out the screen onto a blackboard to make his students have a feel of a non-existent computer.

He said his inspiration came mainly from the fact that his students were going to sit for the same examinations as other students who studied with computers and he had to do what he could to help his students.

ICT giants, Microsoft, who picked up the viral story have promised to send Owura Kwadwo some computers to enable him teach properly.

READ ALSO: 15 tongue-twisting Ewe names and their meanings

Star Gist on YEN brings you an exclusive interview with upcoming music star Kobla Jnr:

YEN is building a platform where Ghanaians can share local news and own experiences with each other. Witnessing an incident?

Want to tell about a local problem? Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition?

Your stories and photos are always welcome. Send us a message via YENs official Facebook page.

Source: Yen- An Instagram user has called out Emelia Brobbey for snatching someones husband in the United Kingdom

- The actress has however come out to refute the claim made against her

A social media user on Instagram has alleged that Kumawood actress, Emelia Brobbey has stolen the husband of a young lady who resides in the United Kingdom and the issue has caused a stir on Instagram

According to Instagram page known as Thosecalledcelebs, the actress is noted to have snatched the married man from a lady who is believed to have children with the man.

READ ALSO: Photos: ICT teacher who went viral gets first computer donation

The Instagram account went on to allege that Emelia Brobbey contacted her in a bid to get her to support her in getting the ladys husband at all cost.

The Instagram account, in a rather long post, detailed how she supported Emelia Brobbey in her quest of snatching the man from his young wife and also recounted how the jilted wife came cursing after the incident.

In the post that was sighted on Instagram by YEN.com.gh, the account holder said that,  I was there one sunny afternoon on my old page and a lady who was carrying about 3 months babe came to ma DM dat...Emelia has collected her husband in UK and the guy is too young for Emelia.

The account went on to reveal that, I was there minding my business and EMELIA came to ma DM to ask me about de post n i told her dat .wat she is doing is bad so she shld let de poor girl enjoy her marriage. EMELIA tried all her best to convince to be on her side . As foolish as u all sees me! I followed Emelia to fight de girl.

READ ALSO: 15 tongue-twisting Ewe names and their meanings

However, Emelia Brobbey in a rebuttal, came out and refuted the claims and stated in no uncertain terms that the whole incident was a fabrication and there was no truth to it.

She replied:

Sometime last year, the actress went on an international premiering tour with movie, Adanfo Bone.

Apart from acting, Emelia Brobbey, a mother of two, is noted for her entrepreneurial strength. She has a mineral water company known as Start mineral water.

READ ALSO: More photos of notorious Nigerian forex bureau robber hits social media

Star Gist on YEN brings you an exclusive interview with upcoming music star Kobla Jnr:

YEN is building a platform where Ghanaians can share local news and own experiences with each other. Witnessing an incident?

Want to tell about a local problem? Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition?

Your stories and photos are always welcome. Send us a message via YENs official Facebook page.

Source: Yen- Members of the Freemason in Ghana attend funeral ceremony of their brother, K.B. Asante

- They were spotted filing past the lifeless body of their fellow member

- The funeral ceremony of the former ambassador was held at the forecourt of the State House

The final funeral rites for the for late senior citizen and retired diplomat Kwaku Baprui Asante, popularly known as K.B. Asante, was held at the forecourt of the State House today, March 10.

The solemn ceremony was attended by many high-ranking members of the society including former and current statesmen.

READ ALSO: Photos: Late K.B. Asante goes home

The funeral of the senior citizen was also attended by some members of the Freemason in the country who had gone to bid their brother farewell.

Among the Freemason members present were senior citizen, VRAC Crabbe and other high-ranking members of the society and the country at large.

The members of the top society were seen filing past the mortal remains of their fallen brother and bade him safe passage into the Freemason above.

Some notable persons who were present at the funeral ceremony included; vice president Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, former president, Jerry John Rawlings and his wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings; National Chairman of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), Prof. Edmund Dele; A member of the Council of State and Sam Okudzeto.

READ ALSO: Video shows how Ebony had planned big for the future but died painfully at age 20

K.B. Asante died at the ripe age of 93 on January 22, 2018 in Accra.

He was born on March 1, 1924, K.B. Asante was the Secretary to Ghanas First President Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and served under a number of Heads of States in Ghana.

He also served as the Principal Secretary at African Affairs Secretariat from 1960 to 1966.

The senior citizen became Ghanas Ambassador to Switzerland and the United Nations Offices in Geneva, and the UN establishment in Vienna, and also the Ambassador to Australia from 1967-72.

He also served as the Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Economic Community from 1976-1978.

READ ALSO: Photos: ICT teacher who went viral gets first computer donation from international university

Star Gist on YEN brings you an exclusive interview with upcoming music star Kobla Jnr:

YEN is building a platform where Ghanaians can share local news and own experiences with each other. Witnessing an incident?

Want to tell about a local problem? Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition?

Your stories and photos are always welcome. Send us a message via YENs official Facebook page.

Source: Yen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If you are looking for the new Immoral Minority posts, you should know that they can be found here at our new home Please stop by to get caught up on politics, join the conversations, or simply check out the new digs.AFS, the regions leading FinTech enabler, and payment services provider, and Al Salam Bank-Bahrain have signed an MOU with Lanterns Lounge and Restaurant group to roll out a Digital Payroll Program benefiting both the group as well as its employers.



This is in line with the governments initiative to ensure a wage protection system for employees of the private sector announced recently. Anwar Murad, first deputy CEO of Banking at Al Salam Bank, B. Chandrasekhar, CEO of AFS, and Sanjeev Kapur, director of Lanterns, were present at the signing at Al Salam Bank headquarters in Bahrain.



Murad said: We had entered into a strategic partnership with AFS to introduce a digital payroll solution in Bahrain earlier, in line with the governments initiative announced recently. The program has been specifically designed to facilitate a large number of employers with a more convenient, automated and secured payment solution to credit employee salaries directly in their prepaid accounts. Employees will also enjoy the benefits of withdrawing cash from ATMs in Bahrain or abroad, point-of-sale (POS) purchases at retail outlets, online shopping purchases and outward remittance.



Murad further added: We are excited to provide this solution to the Lanterns group who have been customers of our bank for some time. This is a stellar example of our capability to work with industry leaders to develop unique payment solutions that offer customers a convenient, flexible and secure option for conducting payment transactions.



Chandrasekhar, CEO of AFS said: Our partnership with Al Salam Bank is a great opportunity to provide a cost-efficient and secure digital payroll program. This is another step on Bahrains path towards a digital cashless society and financial inclusion.



He added: This will be particularly helpful for employees of Lanterns empowering them with access to financial services, and control over their expenses, and security to access their funds. As they will get paid electronically, they will have access to statements and multi-lingual customer support. Lanterns group will no longer need to process cash salaries and this new solution will help them immensely in terms of managing their payroll on a monthly basis. The solution is portal based and gives access to the employer to upload the salaries on a monthly basis directly with ease.



Kapur commented: This is a very innovative solution and we are happy to be the first corporate for this initiative. We will now have the ability to transfer directly into the employees pre-paid cards and no longer require to manage cash on an ongoing basis, all at a minimal cost. Our employees too will be happy to have this facility which can be used in multiple locations. We look forward to a continuous relationship with both AFS and Al Salam Bank. - TradeArabia News Service

S&P Global Ratings was awarded a 'Saudi Arabia 100 per cent Foreign Owned Investment License' in a ceremony at the Saudi-British Business Forum 2018 in London.



S&P Global Ratings opened its branch in Riyadh in October 2017, as part of an expansion of its operations in the Middle East. It was the first international credit rating agency to be licensed to conduct credit rating activities in the Kingdom.



Yann Le Pallec, executive managing director, S&P Global Ratings, accepted the license on behalf of S&P Global Ratings. He said: We are very pleased to have received our license at todays ceremony in London. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Sagia, as well as the Capital Markets Authority and other government ministries who have supported our establishment in this important market. We look forward to working more closely with all parties to help provide access to a deeper pool of capital.



S&P Global Ratings has been involved in the development of the worlds financial markets for over 150 years and we are pleased to expand our presence in the Middle East through the establishment of an office in Saudi Arabia.



The official launch of S&P Global Ratings Saudi Arabian operations was celebrated at a formal event in Riyadh in October 2017. It was attended by senior Government officials from different ministries and authorities, as well as executives from publicly-listed companies, financial institutions and advisers. - TradeArabia News ServiceETH Zurich students have won the SpaceX competition of US entrepreneur Elon Musk with their Swissloop concept against thousands of other teams, enabling them to enter the second and final round in the summer.



The Swissloop project is supported by Leybold, part of the Swedish industry group Atlas Copco. The vacuum pioneer has been promoting the Hyperloop projects of the technology revolutionary since 2015 with its vacuum know-how.



Whether Mars will be colonized during Elon Musk's lifetime remains to be seen critically, a statement said.

Yet concerning the utopias of Tesla's founder for new revolutionary ways of transport and the vision of overcoming large distances by land, the vision has already taken on concrete forms. And the enthusiasm with which his employees and supporters around the globe take part in the innovation with the illustrious name Hyperloop speaks for the appeal of his ideas.



Through the vacuum at 1000 km/h



This is one of the reasons why teams from all over the world have been working on prototypes for the high-speed capsules since 2017. In the future, people shall travel through vacuum tubes at around 1000 km per hour. A team of students from ETH Zurich has established itself in the transfer of the tubular mail idea to passenger transport. The designers, physicists, computer scientists and mechanical engineers around Swissloop CEO Luca Di Tizio were able to assert themselves against a thousand other teams at the "Hyperloop Pod Competition 2017".



Bronze for the Swissloop capsule



In the late summer of 2017, they were initially been selected as one of 27 teams from an initial 1200 university teams and had been personally invited by Elon Musk to the SpaceX test site in Hawthorne, Los Angeles. There they were able to present their specially developed pod solution.



The success reflects the quality of their concept idea: the snow-white Swissloop pod capsule won an outstanding third place. In view of the ranking, despite some minor start-up difficulties, all members were very enthusiastic. The Swissloop crew was the first team to risk a test run with cold gas drive.



Safe sliding through the tube



The persistence and motivation with which the ETH students worked on further optimizations has now been rewarded once again: Since February 2018, it has been clear that Swissloop is officially qualified for the Hyperloop Pod Competition 2018. And this contest will also take place at SpaceX headquarters in California.



From July 15 to 21, Swissloop will work closely with SpaceX and Boring Company engineers to validate this year's pods and test whether the Swissloop pod will glide safely through the vacuum tube. The final, in which only the best teams will compete, will be held on July 22.



Great performance



We are very happy about the participation in the final and would like to thank ETH Zurich and our sponsors for their support," says Swissloop CEO and ETH student Luca Di Tizio.



Strong partners required



Leybold's commitment is a matter close to the heart of the vacuum pioneer. The specialist sees great potential in the technology and is convinced that his commitment will accelerate the success of the Hyperloop project. The challenge of creating something fundamentally new that revolutionizes traditional means of transport naturally motivates us enormously," emphasizes Johan Van der Eeken, managing director of Leybold.



Companies such as Leybold are predestined to lead such projects to success with their wealth of experience in vacuum technology. And vice versa, the project managers at Hyperloop and Swissloop choose strong partners like Leybold to make such visionary ideas a reality.



Energy self-sufficient system



The Hyperloop concept is based essentially on vacuum technology: the vacuum tunnel massively reduces air resistance and thus enables smooth driving at speeds of up to 1,000 kilometres per hour. At the same time, the tube offers sufficient space for solar panels. The energy required to maintain the vacuum can be obtained from the modules located on the surface of the vacuum tubes. This turns it into an energy self-sufficient system that is not only visionary but also sustainable.  TradeArabia News ServiceJumeirah, the global luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, has signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi United Hospitality to develop a new resort in Abu Dhabi.



Expected to welcome guests from September 2018, Jumeirah Al Wathba Desert Resort will be developed by leading hospitality company Abu Dhabi United Hospitality and operated by Jumeirah.



A luxurious, quintessential Arabian-style hotel set in the desert 50 km to the south east of Abu Dhabi in the Al Wathba District, Jumeirah Al Wathba Desert Resort will be a key addition to Abu Dhabis and UAEs luxury hospitality offering. Spread over an area of more than 20,000-sq-m, it will comprise of 90 hotel rooms and 13 villas, with complimentary premium facilities including all-day-dining, pool and rooftop bars, Talise spa and an offsite desert camp along with other leisure options as well as conference and meeting facilities. Set against a backdrop of pristine sand, the Jumeirah Al Wathba Desert Resort aims to provide a luxurious and holistic experience of the Arabian hospitality set within a classic Arabian ambience.



Marc Dardenne, Jumeirahs chief operating officer, said: Growing the Jumeirah portfolio is one of our strategic priorities, and we are very pleased to partner with Abu Dhabi United Hospitality on this development initiative, aligned with the UAE Vision 2021. Jumeirah Al Wathba Desert Resort will be the 12th luxury Jumeirah hotel in the UAE and this innovative project offers Jumeirah a wonderful opportunity to showcase our truly Arabian hospitality. We are confident the resort will be an outstanding destination and will further boost tourism in the emirate.



Sultan Al Hemeiri, managing director, Abu Dhabi United Hospitality, said: We are excited about developing Jumeirah Al Wathba Desert Resort, which we believe will draw international attention, bolstering UAEs tourism potential. The resort will leverage the scenic and calm desert landscape providing a rich and luxurious experience to tourists and residents alike. We are pleased to work with a home-grown global hospitality brand with a strong track record such as Jumeirah Group, and we look forward to a fruitful partnership to support Abu Dhabis Leadership on establishing a key tourist destination.



With this strategic addition, Jumeirah will expand its luxury portfolio, which currently extends to 20 luxurious hotels and resorts around the world. Jumeirah has a strong pipeline with 18 hotel management agreements signed for its luxury Jumeirah hotels and resorts, and a further five agreements in place for its recently launched second brand, Zabeel House by Jumeirah. - TradeArabia News ServiceTurkish Airlines has decided to purchase 50 firm and 10 optional aircraft, a total of 60 wide-body aircraft, of which six to be delivered in 2019, 14 in 2020, 10 in 2021, 12 in 2022, 11 in 2023 and 7 in the year 2024.



According to this, a total of 30 B787-9 aircraft, of which 25 firm and five optional, will be purchased from Boeing and a total of 30 A350-900 aircraft, of which 25 firm and five optional will be purchased from Airbus.



Related MoU with Airbus was signed last January at the Elysee Palace, Paris, during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans official visit to France with French President Emmanuel Macron in attendance. Also last September, during President Erdogans visit to New York to join the United Nations General Assembly, Boeing and Turkish Airlines had announced a commitment to order 787-9 Dreamliners.



Commenting on the closed orders M. Ilker Ayc, chairman of the board and the Executive Committee, Turkish Airlines, said; Today, were pleased to conclude this process which will bring a landmark benefit not only to Turkish Airlines, but also to Turkeys aviation, by firmly ordering these aircrafts to be added to our ever-expanding fleet. Goodwill agreements turned into firm orders; which we consider to be a very important initiative to meet our need for wide-body aircraft at Istanbuls New Airport, which will serve as our new hub once its construction process completed. This great step, which will further strengthen our ever-expanding fleet for 2023, our Republic's 100th year, and bring our passenger's satisfaction to a much higher level will bring a great acceleration to the steady rise of our country's flag carrier, Turkish Airlines, and will also be a considerable added value for Turkish Civil Aviation. - TradeArabia News ServiceBy Amit Kumar, TwoCircles.net

Growing up in Bokaro Steel City in Jharkhand meant a lot of things, but one thing that never escaped us (or rather, was never allowed to go unnoticed) was that we were honest, hardworking, upper-caste people who had left their privileges behind.

In the largely migrant community (non-Tribals in a Tribal region) one of our neighbours, when we lived in the government quarters allotted to the steel plant employees, was a family who never participated in any of our (Hindu) festivities. An Ambedkarite.

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They got along well with everyone else, however, and to our knowledge, that family never had an issue or a quarrel with anyone.

One thing that stood out to me was that their home had just four framed photos of varying sizes of Babasaheb Ambedkar. He is their god, they worship him, was my mothers answer. That family, at least in our street, was referred as members of the Arjak/Arajak Samaj. Many years later, I learnt that the word Arajak was the Hindi word for anti-socials/anarchists. In 199os, to me, was nothing else but a term I learnt was used to distinguish us from them.

And if you lived in Bokaro, the us vs them extended to all sections of the society: Hindus vs Muslims, Locals vs Biharis, Steel plant employees vs Private workers, people in government quarters vs the slums, even Local Bengalis vs the Bhadralok Bengalis. The anarchists were markedly different from all of us, we were told and taught.

My father, however, explained to the 12-year-old me, that the family respected, and not worshipped, Babasaheb Ambedkar, especially for what he had done for the untouchables of the country. A proud Savarna, my father nevertheless did remind me that had it not been for Ambedkar, we, as a nation ? would have been worse off than we were under the British. Not that I understood what he meant then. But I am surprised that he understood Ambedkar in this way that was not and is not common among other Savarnas.

Which makes me wonder: if Ambedkar did mean so much to all of us, how did he become a hero only of the Dalits?

Over the past week, the dismantling of a Lenin Statue in Tripura after the BJP came to power grabbed headlines across the nation. The liberals, the anti-BJP front and the concerned citizens all criticised the step taken allegedly by BJP workers. Heres the thing though: when a Lenin statue is brought down, the differentiators are clearly visible. Its the liberals/communists/academicians/progressives/everyone else against the Tilak-wearing, Saffron-hugging patriots. But when it comes to Ambedkar, who is the enemy?

From Haryana to Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, from Madhya Pradesh to Maharashtra and even in Kerala and Tamil Nadu off late, scores of Ambedkar statues have been vandalised, and if truth be told, this is neither new nor the end of it. Broken busts, broken glasses, cow dung thrown on statues, busts on the ground, black paint thrown on his face, the forms of vandalism are numerous and equally grotesque. Who targets Ambedkar, the man who gave this fragile union of states its constitution?

And more importantly, why does this issue not make non-Dalits angry? Why do these incidents remain footnotes in newspapers and three-paragraph stories on websites that talk about everything from celebrities to cars? If they appear in the news at all. In just the past one week, statues of Ambedkar were vandalised in Meerut and Haridwar. Before that, scores of Ambedkar statues were vandalised in Panipat, Kurukshetra, Sonipat and Jind in Haryana. Vandalising Ambedkar statues is everyday business. Take the 1997 Ramabai Nagar incident in Mumbai which is over 20 years old now. Violence erupted from an act of vandalism against an Ambedkar statue. People who were killed in the subsequent police firing were all Dalits. The current protesters against the increasing and unchecked vandalism of Ambedkar statues are also almost exclusively Dalits. So where are the upper-castes and where is their dissent?

Every Ambedkar statue installed across the country has a history of pain and sacrifice said a well-known Ambedkarite a few years ago on his Facebook page. The statement might look simple, and honest: but there is no denying the fact that the statement is above-all, a true reflection of our society and its deeply-casteist nature. Upper-caste hegemony is well-known, well-documented, and well-ignored by the same people who benefit from it. And for Dalits, there is no hero bigger than Ambedkar. This explains why, when the Chalo Una rally took place in August 2016, following attack on Dalits of Una for allegedly selling cow meat, the rally and its leaders garlanded Ambedkar statues installed in every town and village that had his statue. From larger towns like Ahmedabad to even small villages, garlanding an Ambedkar statue remained a common theme. Dalit womens solidarity marches begin from the Ambedkar statue in a village and move from Ambedkar statue to Ambedkar statue across states. These are acts of protest, but also acts of assertion; an attempt to show the rise of Dalit voices. And when it comes to championing the Dalit cause, no one came close to Ambedkar.

But Ambedkar was a statesman, a constitutional giant, a human rights champion, a labor and civil rights leader  not just an anti-untouchability advocate. So again, the same old question: why does he mean so little to everyone else? Why is there no outrage from political parties when an Ambedkar statue is vandalised? Why dont the local non-Dalits rise up in outrage? Where are the TV channels? If Padmavati, a corny Bollywood movie based on an equally corny fictional story can ignite such heated albeit pointless debates over freedom of expression and whatnot, then how does vandalising the statue of the man who gave ALL of us the Constitution, amongst other things, not make us angry?

The answer is simple, almost too simplistic: the non-Dalit population does not care what happens to the legacy of Ambedkar. The legacy of Ambedkar actually makes us uncomfortable.

Yes, we will thank him for the Constitution, but we will always keep him behind the soft-on-caste Gandhis and the Nehrus. His sharpness, his intellectualism, and his criticism of the fundamental ideas of Hindu society hits us too close to the gut. It becomes too personal. And asks us to take authentic action, which is not easy.

We, the upper-castes, do not feel comfortable to outwardly hate Ambedkar either (not so much as say, a Jinnah or other Muslim leaders) but we try to compensate by doing things like taking every opportunity to blame him for the reservation problem, the SC/ST problem, and so on. We will also never talk about his role beyond the making of the Constitution. We will, through various attempts (like the RSS officially does) try to push falsified ideas like that he hated only casteism, and loved Hinduism as a whole.

The reasons for attacks on Ambedkar statues, regardless of who carries it, is pretty simple. Since only Dalits consider him as a hero, vandalising an Ambedkar statue will only hurt Dalits, never others. And at a time when Dalits across the country have risen in defiance, there are few figures better than Ambedkar to target. It gets to the heart of assertion. An attack on Ambedkar attacks the heart of the assertion.

Also, notice that many attacks on these statues have happened in villages, smaller towns, and Dalit colonies, where it is harder to get the police to notice or take action. These attacks are done in the dark and almost no one ever claims the responsibility for it. As a result, they rarely if ever make news even in local papers. The statue may be there to remind us of our past, but it does precious little to change the present. Even now, the truth is that it is a childs play to vandalise an Ambedkar statue and get away with it. Take Haryana for example: in our recent story on How Jind in Haryana became a hellhole for Dalits. The people we spoke to said that every time a statue is vandalised, the police promises action but does nothing. In fact, no one has yet been arrested in Haryana for vandalising an Ambedkar statue, the locals said.

The attitude of the Savarnas to the attacks on Ambedkar statues is an apt reflection of our society: over the past four years at least, the Hindutva issue has transformed into this massive blanket which covers every issue, from freedom of expression to Dalit assertion under it. But the vandalism of Ambedkar statues cannot be categorised as a Hindutva problem because it is not. It is an all-Savarna problem.

The vandalism of Ambedkar statues, if anything, is only a brute reminder to Dalits that their assertions will come at a great price. The only thing that seems sure as of now, is that the Savarnas will remain silent over these issues. The Lenin statue in Tripura is more important, probably because Lenin is a nice, famous, and well-removed foreigner. He represents a non-threatening progressiveness for Savarnas  one in which they arent called to be held accountable for their own roles as oppressors. In Lenin, they see a hero who spoke against imperialism and capitalismtwo ideologies that Savarnas criticise even as they continue benefiting from it. But in Ambedkar, they see a man who challenged their privileges. And whoever wanted to let go of their privilege?Kolkata, (IANS): Left Front Chairman Biman Bose on Friday flayed the Congress high command for unilaterally announcing their nominee in the coming Rajya Sabha election in West Bengal, while the two parties were still discussing fielding a common candidate.

Bose claimed that the Left Front was forced to name CPI-M leader Rabin Deb as their candidate for the fifth Rajya Sabha seat in the state.

Discussion was on between the Left Front and Congress regarding nominating a common candidate for the Rajya Sabha election in West Bengal. But the Congress High-command unilaterally announced their candidate from Delhi, before a conclusion could be reached, Bose alleged.

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It was discussed that either an educationalist or someone associated with social welfare, would be chosen, but under the present circumstances, the Left Front was forced to nominate Robin Deb who has equally good acceptance within the party as well as in other segments of the society, he said.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee extended her partys support to Congress candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi in the state and announced the names of four Trinamool candidates  Subhasish Chakraborty, Abir Biswas, Santunu Sen, and Nadimul Haque for the Rajya Sabha polls.

Elections to the five Rajya Sabha seats from the state became necessary as the terms of Kunal Ghosh, Bibek Gupta and Nadimul Haque of the TMC and Tapan Sen of CPI-M will end on April 2.

Mukul Roy, who defected to BJP from the state ruling party last year, had already resigned from the upper house of Parliament.Mumbai, (IANS): A protest march by 30,000 farmers against the failure of the BJP-led government to address agrarian distress entered Mumbai on Saturday.

The march, led by All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS)  a peasants front of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), was launched from Nashik on Tuesday.

The farmers will stage a protest outside the legislative assembly here on March 12, demanding fair remuneration and loan waiver.

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These farmers will seek answer from the government for non- implementation of the demands that were promised by the government, said Ajit Nawale, state general secretary of AIKS.

Farmers in the state are reeling under the ripples of agrarian distress and they are under huge financial burden. The government has not done anything to provide them any relief. So they are left with no option but to express their anguish through the protest march, Nawale told IANS.

The 180-km long foot march was started with participation of about 12,000 farmers and the number has reached to 30,000 now, which showed the intensity of discontent among farmers, Nawale said.

As a stream of people flowing in to join the march, the number of protesters will go up to 55,000- 60,000 figure when it will reach the destination, he added.

Complete loan waiver and profit of 1.5 times input cost for all major agriculture commodities are the major demands of the AIKS.

These farmers want immediate implementation of M.S. Swaminathan committees recommendations, which ensures fair remuneration.

The agitating farmers are also demanding compensation of Rs 40,000 per acre for destruction of crops due to hailstorm and pink-worm, allocation of forest land under cultivation to farmers and implementation of Forest Rights Act.

While the organisers have said they would try to reach the assembly in peaceful manner, the government is likely to stop the protest march at Azad Maidan.

In June last year, similar protests had boiled over most parts of the state, forcing the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led government to announce a conditional Rs 34,000 crore loan waiver, which farmers said has not been implemented properly.

Similar demands of loan waiver and 50 per cent profit over the input cost have been made by farmers across the country, putting the BJP-led central government in a fix.

BJP is not just facing flak from the opposition but its estranged ally Shiv Sena has also extended its support to the protesting farmers.ABCNews.com(WASHINGTON) -- The man who attacked U.S. Sen. Rand Paul last year at his home in Kentucky pleaded guilty Friday morning in federal court.



Rene Boucher, 59, pleaded guilty to assaulting a member of Congress resulting in personal injury, a felony under federal law.



Boucher was charged after attacking Paul at his Bowling Green home on Nov. 3, 2017, while the senator was mowing his lawn.



Boucher tackled Paul from behind, fracturing several of Paul's ribs. The senator also subsequently contracted and required medical attention for pneumonia.



Boucher, who is a retired anesthesiologist and pain specialist, lives next door to Paul.



Boucher's attorney, Matthew Baker, told ABC News last November the attack was not politically motivated.



"That is absolutely and unequivocally untrue. It's just a very, very hugely regrettable incident that would not happen again in a million years," he said.



The recommended sentence is 21 months and a fine. Boucher has been released on a $25,000 unsecured bond and is to avoid any contact with Paul or his family.



Boucher is scheduled to be sentenced on June 15.

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.By Siddhant Mohan, TwoCircles.net

The roads leading to the city of Allahabad from all the surrounding major districts are a major mess, thanks to the never-ending road expansion project of state government. Navigating through the outskirts of Allahabad via traffic jams and bad roads, one reaches Phulpur, a Lok Sabha constituency scheduled for by-elections on March 11 along with Gorakhpur.

At the outset, it must be pointed out while Phulpur and Allahabad are two separate seats, there is no such clear division between Allahabad and Phulpur. The major localities of Allahabad city including the citys famous marketplace called Civil Lines fall under Phulpur constituency, while the majority of the rural areas of Phulpur district fall under Allahabad constituency.

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But when one finally understands how the Phulpur constituency is distributed, it becomes easy to configure that the constituency has an almost equal number of Hindus and Muslims. And this factor has the power to change the equation in the upcoming polls.

In the middle of West Allahabad, there is a locality called Karbala along the famous Grand Trunk Road. Just below the Karbala flyover, a mansion with a large parking space is located prominently along the road. The parking area is filled with hundreds of men who are seen relaxing and having snacks. The large glow-shine board installed at the top of the house says Public Relations Office  Atiq Ahmad (former member of parliament).

Outside the office, the campaigners are waiting for a teenager, the son of Atiq Ahmed, who is heading the campaign as his father is in jail. The campaigners, however, believes that the Senior Ahmed has a definite chance. Shibali Pradhan, a 30-year-old campaigner for Atiq Ahmad, says, There have been many governments in the past of Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party, but neither has looked towards us. The candidacy of Sansad Ji (referring to Atiq Ahmad) is important to our community.

Politician-Gangster Atiq Ahmad filed nominations for Phulpur Lok Sabha constituency after Keshav Prasad Maurya resigned to become the Deputy Chief Minister of UP. After Ahmad currently in Deoria jail for many crimes committed and other allegations  filed his nomination, the fight in Phulpur has become interesting and indicating towards a clear religious polarisation in the run-up to the elections.

Atiq Ahmad won the Phulpur seat in 2004 on the ticket of Samajwadi Party. But soon, his criminal background started gathering far too much prominence and he was expelled as soon as Akhilesh Yadav became a prominent leader in the Samajwadi Party.

Atiq remained politically dormant for the next two Lok Sabha elections but seems to have had an interesting attempt to return to politics. And this attempt has not gone unnoticed.

There is a rumour doing the rounds of Allahabad that the candidature of Atiq Ahmad is actually the idea of Keshav Prasad Maurya, an old friend of Ahmad. Both Ahmad and Maurya have fought few elections against each other and have also helped each other as and when needed. Many journalists in Allahabad are speculating that Maurya fielded Atiq Ahmad because he wants Atiq to bag Muslim votes in order to weaken the Samajwadi Party alliance.

However, this rumour is refuted by the Muslims of Phulpur, who believe that Ahmad is a serious candidate for the elections. Ehteramuddin Lalu, a 46-year-old businessman of Bamrauli Market says he strongly believes in Atiq Ahmad, who is fighting as an independent candidate, because, Atiq Bhai is our leader, irrespective of the reasons his name has been in the news.

We have seen Samajwadi Party and Congress. Both have exploited us just to gain our votes, no one has talked about what we have wanted actually, adds Ehteramuddin. We always wanted a leader who we could reach or contact any moment.

An important thing to notice while talking to the Muslims of Phulpur is their stress on the word us as a community. While Muslim community uses it to reflect Atiq Ahmads pride, Hindu community feels a strong need to vote for BJP in retaliation to Atiq Ahmad. This is the politics of Allahabad. Here no can see other getting forward with the help of a certain community. If they feel Atiq is their leader, why we should not vote for Kaushalendra Ji, says Pradeep Kumar Agrahari, 31, referring to the BJP candidate who is even being referred as an outsider.

I agree that he is an outsider, but when you see someone else do it in the name of secular pride, the outsider factor takes a backseat, adds Agrahari, stressing on the word Secular.

Umar Ahmad, the new phenomena in Allahabadi politics

Back at Atiq Ahmads office, we saw three white SUVs entering the parking area. The middle vehicle is loaded with garlands, marking it as the vehicle of Umar Ahmad, the 19-year-old son of Atiq Ahmad who is managing the campaign for his father from the jail. A bright face with a light beard and a moustache exactly like his father, Umar Ahmad shows the effect of being someone who has just been given a huge political responsibility in the biggest state of the country. Ahmad, who wears glasses, looks sluggish and tired. Soon after stepping out from the vehicle, he asks his companions to call several people inside, adding Chacha before every name.

Umar Ahmad is a third-year student of BA-LLB at Amity University in Noida and does not look like someone who is willing to answer what he has been doing and why. What do you want? Shall I leave my studies? fires Ahmad when asked about his future.

Samajwadi Party as well as Bahujan Samaj Party both have betrayed us. They sought our help when they wanted to win an election, but later we were sidelined, Umar says.

On the question of why not joining a secular alliance against BJP, Umar says, As Abbu says, we are a secular pole in this fight, but our approach is rather different. We are not joining SP or BSP as they have been appeasing us to exploit our vote.

Umar might be low on experience, but his public speeches have caught a lot of media as well as voter attention. Mohammad Aslam, a 54-year-old tailor in Chakia area, told us, His campaign is always about Muslim pride, and sometimes it has turned into Hindu vs Muslim situation which is pretty uncomfortable. But people like his spark, that is why many, including me, are going to vote for him.

Atiq Ahmads campaigners move around the area on several bikes, but almost only in Muslim localities. In fact, a schedule stuck on Umar Ahmads cabin shows Ahmads public interactions and not surprisingly, all of the areas listed in the schedule are Muslim-majority localities of Allahabad. But Umar denies that he is only trying to gather Muslim votes. We have been trying to get votes from all the communities, and we are confident that we will get them and teach BJP a lesson in elections, he says.

But Umars claims sound naive when his campaigners talk on the condition of anonymity. One such worker says, We have been told that who we have to pursue. Our daily job is to go in Muslim dominated localities and distribute pamphlets  which shows Atiq Ahmad behind the bars  and talk about the insensitive attitude of SP and BSP towards the Muslim community. When asked about what they say about the BJP, the worker replied, We say that only Atiq Ahmad can defeat BJP.

People living in mixed or Hindu-majority localities confirm that they have seen almost no presence of campaigners belonging to Atiq Ahmads camp. The condition is similar in Muslim localities, where people have not seen BJP workers. They have only seen Samajwadi Party or Atiq Ahmads workers. It is another strange fact that no one has witnessed the workers of Peace Party of Dr Ayyub, which has forged alliance with SP, campaigning to vote for the newly-forged alliance.

Pramod Shukla, a veteran journalist based in Allahabad says, The approach is slightly different in Allahabad compared to other places. BJP indeed is going to win the election after all the tussle, but the real fight is between the SP alliance and Atiq Ahmad for the second position. Atiq has come up as a big help for the BJP as he will cut off the Muslim votes that might go to SP.

Even if the rumours are true that Atiq Ahmad is helping BJP by filing nomination, his candidature and claims of teaching the BJP a lesson are going to give him a majority of Muslim votes, adds Shukla.

It is not as if parties have not tried to confront the Atiq factor. If Congress Party sources are to be believed, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad was trying to pursue Ahmads camp to halt their election campaign, but could not succeed. Talking about the BJP, Atiq Ahmad successfully filed his nomination from jail, but soon after his nomination, jail administration started conducting daily raids on Atiqs jail cell. This was supported by the talk-of-the-town that Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of the state, did not like the association between Atiq Ahmad and Keshav Prasad Maurya. Sources inform that Yogi Adityanath wanted to win an election without the interference of Keshav Prasad Maurya, who does not have a good equation with Yogi and wanted the Phulpur ticket for his son.

Even Atiqs son confirmed the raids on the cell of his father and says, They are just trying to disrupt our campaign. Sometimes they say that we have the help of BJP, and the next time they conduct raids on the cell. Then they tell the media that they have obtained restricted goods from my father. Does not it looks like something planned to malign the campaign?

Even when you do not consider Atiq Ahmad, he remains important

Phulpur has not been a regular seat for the Bharatiya Janata Party. But thanks to anti-incumbency and the Modi wave, Keshav Prasad Maurya bagged 52.4% of votes in 2014 general elections and ended up winning the seat by more than 3 lakh votes, making the seat important for the party. But Maurya is answerable to many in Phulpur now for not conducting any development works in his constituency. BJP sources inform that current candidate Kaushalendra Singh Patel is going to hold the seat just for a year and that the ticket for 2019 elections will apparently be awarded to Mauryas wife or son.

BJP is fighting hard and taking as much advantage of Atiq Ahmads candidature to consolidate Hindu votes towards itself. A party worker, who met us in Civil Lines based election office of BJP says, Atiq Ahmads candidature is like a blessing in disguise for BJP. The outsider vs insider argument is getting subsided slowly and people feel that there is need to put BJP in the main focus to defeat a criminal like him.

When TwoCircles.net tried to question BJPs officials about the correlation between Atiq Ahmads candidature and its relation with BJP leaders, we are told almost nothing. Leaders sought help from partys particular line  A criminal can never have such relations with BJP or its national leaders. The fact is just a rumour. We ask people to defeat such sectarian forces who claim to be secular.

SP and BSP managed to get 20% and 17% votes respectively in 2014 elections, while Congress was reduced to 6% and still searching chances to revive the election race. Akhilesh Yadav conducted a road-show and rally on Friday, where a fair number of BSP supporters were also visible. For SP, Atiq Ahmad is a Sarkari Candidate (government-backed candidate) who is fighting to cut Muslim votes to help BJP.

Apart from the Muslim minority, Phulpur constituency has a dominance of Yadavas, Patels, and Maurya voters, all of which are being worked upon seriously by both the SP and BJP. There is also a sizeable number of people from the Bind and Pasi community in Phulpur over whom Indrajeet Saroj, former BSP leader who is now in SP has a good grip. BSPs decision to support SP for the by-poll has added a few positive points to Samajwadi Party, which is fighting hard to break into Muslim votes.

One can say that in the final days of the election campaign, the attention has turned towards Atiq Ahmad. Ramji Rai, Allahabad-based writer, poet, and editor of monthly Samkaleen Janmat, comments, The politics of Allahabad is all different now. Values do not matter anymore. If you do something just at the time of the election, that does not materialise in terms of mandate very easily, while talking about SP alliance. He further says, On both sides, secularism comes as a need now. Parties should deal with secularism with priority to avoid such condition where Muslims and Hindus stand against each other. The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies



The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies is an organization devoted to research, conservation, and education in the sphere of marine mammal biology and ecology along the Gulf Coast. Behind the scenes, the institute conducts important research on animals from this region and cares for and rehabilitates sick and injured animals.

The group also runs the Center for Marine Education and Research, which creates educational displays based on the animals with which the institute works. The center is very hands on, featuring touch pools and a fossil dig. Guests can also participate in encounters with dolphins and other marine mammals and view related presentations.

10801 Dolphin Lane, Gulfport, MS 39503, Phone: 228-896-9182



In his statement on 12 January, President Trump made clear that he will not renew sanctions waivers on Iran unless what he sees as key flaws in the 2015 nuclear deal are fixed. The US Administration is trying to persuade other parties to the agreement to help address US concerns. The focus is on the agreements European signatories, particularly France, Germany and the UK.

Yet the Europeans strongly support the agreement. And Iran is complying with the agreement in every material respect. There is no chance that Iran would agree to renegotiate aspects of the deal and there is a risk that unilateral attempts to impose further burdens on Iran would lead to Iran walking away, blaming the US.

As analysts of the European Leadership Network note in the article 'The US, Europe and the Iran nuclear deal: is there a sweet spot?', if this impasse is not resolved, a reversion to dangerous confrontation between Iran and the US is easy to imagine.

This paper argues that there are ways for Europeans to address President Trumps concerns in a manner that would not lose Iran  provided both sides want to find a solution. The elements of a European approach might include:

- Public European acknowledgement that if Iran were to return in future to an unlimited and practically inexplicable nuclear programme which revived fears of a covert military programme, then the collaborative approach of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) would be seriously, perhaps fatally, undermined.

- France, Germany and the UK/US agreement that there should be purposeful discussions with Iran about this before the agreements next key stage in 2023 (Transition Day), perhaps initiated by the EU High Representative, reporting to the ministers of parties to the agreement.

- Agreement to commit resources to support monitoring of continuing Iranian compliance with the JCPOA and to be clearer about what would happen if Iran was believed to be in breach.

- Joint warning of the consequences if Iran were to develop a genuine inter-continental ballistic missile.

- In return, a positive US commitment to making the deal work and to fulfilling its JCPOA commitment not to stand in the way of Iran deriving economic benefits from the lifting of sanctions.

A solution on these lines might be less than the US would like and more than Iran thinks fair. But both sides will have to weigh their options if the JCPOA disintegrates. The US would not welcome another nuclear crisis; nor would resolution of issues like North Korea be eased if the US was seen to renege on an agreement which it entered voluntarily. If the US withdrew from the JCPOA, a deep wedge would be driven between the US and some of its closest partners. And, if Iran revived its enrichment programme, untrammelled by the JCPOA, the US would face troubling policy choices.

Iran for its part would have to consider the international, economic and domestic political implications of abandoning a deal that offers the best external hope of providing the economic boost which Iran needs, even if the benefits have been slower to materialise than they expected. Whether political leaders in Washington and Tehran would accept a solution similar to that outlined here will depend on many factors. But in any case, they should be pressed to answer a simple question: if the JCPOA is lost, then what happens?The Armenian parliamentary delegation held talks at the White House and the US Congress during its visit to the US.

At the White House, the visiting MPs from Armenia were received by the head of the European Affairs Division of the National Security Council Catherine Croft.

The parties discussed several regional security issues and Armenia-EU relations, News.am reported.

At the Congress, the visiting Armenian lawmakers met with analysts from the Helsinki Foundation. During this talk, the MPs presented the domestic reforms being implemented in Armenia within the framework of transition to a parliamentary system of government, measures being taken in the fight against corruption, etc.A group of Armenians who are strongly against such a behavior of the Armenian leadership, has recently made an open appeal, expressing concern over the installation of Nzhdehs monument in Yerevan, and in general over the heroization of fascism in Armenia. The appeal was published at KM.RU.

We, a group of Armenians living in different countries, are seriously concerned about the governments policy of glorification of fascism in Armenia. Recently, in Russian and other media, there has been a hot debate about the installation of a monument to the Nazi henchman Garegin Nzhdeh in the center of Yerevan, promotion of his activities as a heroic example for Armenian youth and society, the appeal reads.

It further notes that not many in Armenia have the courage to speak out against the state-level glorification of Nzhdeh, Drastamat Kanayan and other fascist henchmen.

However, we know and often hear the discontent of many Armenians who clearly understand what abyss their motherland is rolling into, but they are afraid to publicly express their opinion on this in Armenia, because this is risky, the appeal says.

Nzhdeh was an open ideologist of fascism, racism and fierce nationalism. Soon after Hitler came to power in Germany, Nzhdeh created an organization called Segakon which was preaching fascist ideology. In 1942, he created the Armenian Legion and started ethnic cleansing of Jews and Gypsies in the occupied territories, as well as carried out many other war crimes.

Nzhdeh was also the organizer and participant of the genocide of Azerbaijanis in the territory of present-day Armenia in the early 20th century.

Given that bosses of the current Armenian government were personally participating in the extermination of Azerbaijani people during the Nagorno-Karabakh war in early 1990s, especially in the Khojaly genocide, it becomes clear why they love Nazi Nzhdeh.

"The hero of the Great Patriotic War Marshal Baghramyan is the national hero for the majority of Armenians, not Garegin Nzhdeh. Unfortunately, the Armenian authorities are pursuing a purposeful policy to glorify fascist criminals and terrorists, while forgetting about the real heroes of the Great Patriotic War," the appeal says.

The letter was signed by Artur Aghajanov, Valera Yeretsyan and a group of Armenians, armenianreport.com writes.Azerbaijani Defense Minister Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov and Georgian Defense Minister Levan Izoria signed a plan of bilateral cooperation for 2018 at the meeting in Baku, the press service of Georgian Defense Ministry said.

The official welcoming ceremony of the Georgian delegation was held at the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. The defense ministers of the two countries held a one-on-one meeting. Afterwards, a meeting in expanded format was held.

During the meeting, the ministers discussed cooperation in arms control between the Azerbaijani and Georgian defense ministries.

The sides also exchanged views on the prospects for cooperation in military, military-technical, military-educational, military-medical spheres, holding of joint military exercises, working meetings and issues of mutual interest.

According to the press service, in late March the military of the three countries plan to sign a memorandum on expanding cooperation between Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey.

During the visit, Levan Izoria also held meetings with Azerbaijan`s Prime Minister Artur Rasizade and Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, the message says.The female crew of the modern tank T-72AV of the Border Guards (FPS) of Azerbaijan managed skillfully a formidable fighting vehicle.

The frontier troops of Azerbaijan are fully provided with modern military equipment, including Russian tanks T-72AV - modern maneuverable combat vehicles, taking leading positions at the battlefield, but it was not known before that they are controlled by the girls.

Probably, not a single border troops in the world are armed as well as Azerbaijan's border troops, and the level of training of Azerbaijani tank crew is above praise - after all it's not so easy to get into this elite unit, and they have to prove their skills to the men all the time.A court in Istanbul has ordered two journalists for the opposition Cumhuriyet newspaper released from prison pending the conclusion of their trial on terror charges.

The court ruled Friday that Cumhuriyet Editor-in-Chief Murat Sabuncu and prominent investigative journalist Ahmet Sik are to be released from pre-trial detention, Anadolu Agency reported.

Anadolu says the court held that the chairman of the newspapers executive board, Akin Atalay, should remain in custody.

The next hearing in the trial was set for 16 March and the suspects still face up to 43 years in prison if convicted.

Prosecutors have charged 19 Cumhuriyet employees with sponsoring terror organizations that include Kurdish militants and the network of the US-based cleric the Turkish government blames for a July 2016 coup attempt.The deputy head of the police department of Supsa in Lanchkhut district (Guria region) was detained in Georgia for a bribe, the website of the Georgian Interior Ministry reported.

According to the investigation, the accused systematically demanded money from some B.P., in exchange providing his protection, while the bribe-taker appropriated secretly and sold fuel for special equipment, Georgia Online reports.

The bribe taker has already confirmed the fact of regular bribery and expressed his readiness to cooperate with the investigation. The accused policeman can spend six to nine years in prison.The storm, which has already caused a significant damage to the infrastructure in almost all regions of Georgia, continues to rage, according to the statement of the country's Emergency Management Service posted on the Facebook page.

In Tbilisi alone 54 houses, 68 trees, seven lighting poles, six cars, six billboards and five central gas pipes were damaged by the storm, Sputnik Georgia reports.

The roofs of houses were damaged in Shida Kartli and Adjara. A part of road carriageways of the highway collapsed as a result of a landslide in the village of Sadjavaho of the Imereti region. In the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, an avalanche blocked the road in the village of Lachamula of the Mestia district, and the river in the city of Martvili flowed over its banks. There is also flooding in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, where the Kura River flowed over its banks and damaged one of the houses.

The Service 112 received a total of 254 calls, including 166 from Tbilisi.

The Tbilisi International Airport canceled two flights because of the storm, two more flights were rerouted to other airports.

The Tbilisi-Aktau and Istanbul-Tbilisi flights were canceled, and the plane flying to Tbilisi from Almaty was rerouted to Aktau. The plane flying to Tbilisi from Urumqi was rerouted to Ashgabat.

The weather forecast also announced strong winds in the capital of Georgia today - 25-30 meters per second.Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Fayssal Mikdad warned that well-known parties are leveling accusations against Syria regarding the use of chemical weapons as a result of the victories achieved by the Syrian Arab army in the fight against terrorism, SANA reports.

In a press conference held on Saturday, Mikdad said that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) continues to ignore the information provided by Syria on the use of chemical weapons by terrorists in several incidents, which is cause for suspicion and wonder, affirming that Syria has implemented UN Security Council Resolution 2118 on the dismantling Syrias chemical program despite the very difficult and complex circumstances.

He said that the goal of the propaganda campaign currently being waged against Syria by the US and its allies is not only to provide support to the terrorists, who are using chemical weapons, but also to encourage them to use it again, adding that since the beginning of this year, four incidents of chemical weapons use by terrorists have been uncovered in Suruj in Idlib countryside and Msheirfeh.Two soldiers of the National Guards of Russia were killed in a shooting after the domestic conflict in Russia's Dagestan.

A man during the domestic conflict opened fire at two employees of the National Guards of Russia in Dagestans village of Gerga. The man has been detained," TASS cited the source as saying.

The source added that causes of the conflict are being clarified.Russias progress cannot be halted, and the anti-Russia sanctions are useless here, the country's President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with the NBC television network.

"I think it is impossible to contain Russia anywhere. You need to understand this. Listen, you cannot even contain North Korea. What are you talking about? Why would you do that? Why do we have to contain, attack or cast suspicion on each other? We are offering cooperation," Putin told NBC anchor Megyn Kelly during the interview, which was posted on the Kremlin's website.

Speaking about the US sanctions, the Russian leader said that they "have nothing to do with the myth of some Russian interference in the US election". Sanctions are about something else entirely: the desire to halt Russias progress, to contain Russia," he stressed.

The president said that this policy of containing Russia has been pursued for decades and it is a misguided policy, which not only affects Russian-US relations but also US businesses because it frees up space for their competitors on the Russian market.

"You and I were at the St Petersburg Economic Forum. The largest business delegation was from the US. People want to work with us, but they are not allowed to; they are contained in order to contain Russia," Putin added.

Putin also touched upon the issue of a successor. "I have been thinking about this since 2000. Thinking is not a crime, but in the end, the choice will still be up to the Russian people," Vladimir Putin said.

Commenting on the opinion that when other people come to power, what was done earlier will be destroyed, Putin said: "What your so-called experts say is their wishful thinking. I have heard a lot of nonsense like this. Why do you think that I will necessarily be succeeded by people ready to destroy everything I have done in recent years? Maybe, on the contrary, a government will come to power determined to strengthen Russia, to create a future for it, to build a platform for development for the new generations. Why have you suddenly decided that some destroyers would arrive and wipe out whatever they can? Maybe there are people who would like this, including in the United States," he said.

"I do not think they are right, because the United States, I think, should be more interested in the other option  in Russia being a stable, prosperous and developing country, I mean if you really can look at least 2550 years ahead," he added.

"I strongly believe that my legacy would be to create a powerful development momentum for Russia, and make the country a resilient and balanced democracy that is able to benefit from the latest advances of the technology revolution. We will keep up our efforts to improve our political system and the judiciary," he said, adding that all this, taken together, would strengthen the unity of the Russian Federation and the unity of its people.

The Russian leader noted that all presidents, despite their age, must work to the best of their ability.

"First, there are many politicians around the world who are older than I am and who are still working active. There are many such people, in Europe and everywhere in the world. But if a person assumes the highest offices, he must work as if he is doing it for the first and last day of his life," the president stressed.

"There is the Constitution. I have never violated it and have never changed it. Of course, if voters give me the opportunity to serve another term, I will do it to the best of my ability," Putin concluded.The For the State of Armenia front is holding a public assembly at Liberty Square in downtown Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia, News.am reports.

The front, jointly with the Armenian Renaissance diaspora civil movement, is holding rallies in Strasbourg, London, Los Angeles, Paris, and Yerevan against the perpetuation of the [current] regime, for the freedom of political prisoners, for the state of Armenia.The Tbilisi International Airport has resumed its work after the hurricane, Rustavi2 reports.

A strong wind, the speed of which reached 25-30 meters per second, raged in Tbilisi all night and in the morning - during this time, three flights were canceled at the airport: Alma-Ata-Tbilisi, Tbilisi-Istanbul and Istanbul-Tbilisi. Also, a plane flying from Urumqi was redirected to Ashgabat: it will arrive in Tbilisi today, Sputnik Georgia reports.Turkey is ready to respond to possible US sanctions, foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told Zeit, a German newspaper, Armenpress reports.

Asked how Turkey plans to respond to possible sanctions, which are being debated in the US Congress, the Turkish FM said: If they want to punish Turkey with sanctions, Turkey will react differently than Russia and other countries.

We will respond. You shouldnt threaten us. The US is threatening many, saying approximately dont buy gas from this or that country. You cant do that, Cavusoglu said.HA NOI  Viet Nams real estate sector has witnessed significant participation from Japanese investors through cooperation with Vietnamese businesses recently, promising to bring benefits to the real estate market.

According to real estate company Savills Viet Nam, over the past years, Asian investors, including Japanese ones, were only involved in commercial real estate like commercial centres, serviced apartments or office buildings. However, at present, these investors are increasing their activity in the residential segment due to the countrys young population and an increasing middle class, presenting an extremely attractive opportunity.

Presence of big investors

Shinichi Sakaki, deputy general director of the City Bureau, at Japans Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, said the Japanese Government now has policies to support real estate developers promoting investment abroad. In addition, Japan has the experience of developing large-scale satellite towns, so it is trying to export that technology abroad.

One of the projects attracting not only investors but also the governments of Viet Nam and Japan is the cooperation agreement for the development of Nhat Tan  Noi Bai, aiming to build a smart city north of the Red River.

The project was signed between Viet Nams BRG Group Joint Stock Company, Japans Sumitomo Corporation Asia and Oceania Group and the Peoples Committee of Ha Noi.

With total investment of nearly US$4.2 billion, this project is considered Japans largest foreign investment.

Prior to that, another large Japanese investor, Mitsubishi Corporation, had co-operated with Vietnamese property developer Bitexco, to develop 240 low-rise housing units and two high-rise condominiums among a total of more than 1,000 low-rise and 17 high-rise condominiums at Ha Nois The Manor Central Park project.

Bitexco and Mitsubishi established a joint venture company, of which Bitexco holds a 55 per cent stake and Mitsubishi holds the remaining 45 per cent.

Recently, Nidec Group, one of the worlds leading hi-tech corporations and the second largest Japanese corporation on the Tokyo stock exchange (2017), joined forces with escalator firm Alpec to conquer the Vietnamese elevator market.

With many years of experience in the field of high technology as well as research and development of lifts, Nidec will send foreign experts to support Alpec in quality management, labour safety, as well as the research and development of elevator equipment. The cooperation between the two sides promises to launch modern and environmentally-friendly elevator products, in accordance with the aesthetics and economic conditions of the Vietnamese people.

Regarding potential cooperation between the two countries, Le Hoang Chau, president of the HCM City Real Estate Association (HoREA), said, in 2017, Japan replaced the Republic of Korea as the largest foreign investor in Viet Nam in general, and in the real estate market in particular. Many Japanese enterprises have participated in the implementation of major urban infrastructure projects funded by the Japanese Government, such as Obayashi, Shimizu, Hitachi, Sumimoto Construction, Mitsui and Maeda.

In addition, there are enterprises that have invested in developing big projects such as Nomura Hai Phong Industrial Zone, or Idemitsu Kosan Company Limiteds investment in Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical. Especially, in the past five years, some Japanese investment funds and enterprises have cooperated with real estate companies in Viet Nam in the form of buying shares, contributing to investment or lending for developing real estate projects in accordance with Japanese standards and suitable to consumers needs.

The potential for investment and business cooperation among real estate companies in Japan and Viet Nam is very large, with 1,200 real estate development projects of Vietnamese enterprises in need of cooperation, joint ventures or teaming up with domestic and foreign businesses, especially Japanese ones.

Potential cooperation

The cooperation between Viet Nam and Japan will bring benefits to both sides, especially in creating opportunities for Vietnamese consumers to access high quality Japanese housing products, according to Chau.

Meanwhile, regarding cooperation with Japanese units in the field of building management, Nguyen Quang Huy, deputy general director of Property and Management Company (PMC), said cooperation with Japanese businesses brought benefits such as giving motivation to develop service standards and customer service strategies in a Japanese style, improving the prestige and companys brand name, and being able to improve the foundations of implementing management, training or improving the quality of human resources.

"However, we also face many challenges; the most fundamental difficulty is the different approaches between the two sides. Vietnamese people tend to focus on a short-term approach, expecting to see results quickly. Japanese people, on the other hand, appreciate the importance of long-term planning, so they start with the smallest things," Huy told Viet Nam News.

"For example, in the field of building management, they teach staff how to cut nails, wash toilets, walk and serve customers. Therefore, Vietnamese businesses intending to cooperate with Japan should also pay attention to differences in the approach and find ways to create a workforce that loves the job, accepting career development on a long-term basis rather than short-term, he said.

According to the HoREA chairman, there is enormous opportunity for co-operation between HCM City and Japanese property developers and construction companies since the city now has some 1,200 projects, including infrastructure upgrades and beautifying works,

Speaking at a meeting with a delegation of executives from 40 Japanese companies, Chau said the projects had been undertaken by local firms who want to tie up with foreign partners.

Additionally, from 2018, the city was set to implement the National Assemblys resolution No54 on special mechanisms and policies, which would give it almost complete autonomy in deciding and awarding projects.

The city had already planned 21 programmes including removing houses along canals and giving itself a facelift.

He cited the examples of Tokyu investing in Hung Thinh Corporation and Becamexs projects and Hankyu and Nishi Nippon Railways tying up with Nam Long, Misubishi Corporation with Phuc Khang Corporation, and ACA with Son Kim Land.

Concurring, Le Tran Kien, deputy director of the citys Department of Construction, said the city aimed to relocate 20,000 people living along canals and in old apartments by 2020.

"Some 21,850 houses are located along canals and need to be moved, mostly in Districts 8, 4 and Binh Thanh," he said.

The city was considering ways to attract more foreign investment in public-private partnership projects (PPP), he said, adding that six PPP projects were underway to upgrade the city.

HCM City is now soliciting Japanese investment in a project to upgrade the Cau Dua Canal in District 4.

Speaking about the potential of co-operating with city-based companies, Keiji Kimura, chairman of J-CODE, said Viet Nam was set for rapid modernisation like Japan achieved 50 years ago.

So Japanese companies would like to share their experience with HCM City partners in handling problems like traffic jams and pollution, he said.

They were committed to apply modern technologies to develop HCM Citys infrastructure, he assured.  VNSHCM CITY  The Government should acknowledge the significant role developers play in the real estate market and in city planning, experts have said.

Dr Huynh The Du of Fulbright University Viet Nam, speaking at a workshop on March 9 on the role of developers in HCM Citys real estate market development programme, said the Government has a limited role to play in setting the scene and developers should be the ones to lead the market as they know what projects need to be built and where.

One developer said: The citys urban planning is not done in an effective way at the moment. Even the person who approves [housing] projects does not really have a clear idea of what they are doing.

Yet to some extent developers have to rely on the master plan, she added.

Du said the Government has the role of regulating the market.

Prof Richard Peiser from the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University in the US agreed that developers have a big role to play.

Often city leaders think they are the ones that lead the market and can set the context and the playing field, but developers are the ones who take the risk and someone has to take the risk.

Developers are the key because they are the ones who tidy up the land, bring the capital and have the responsibility of having the project built.

They are at the centre of making it happen.

But he also said one of the key ingredients for a vibrant and competitive real estate market is proper regulation by the Government.

To promote the development of the real estate market, the Government should also try not to limit the participation of FDI investors since they bring capital, promote competition and improve design standards in the market, he said.

Asked how local developers can compete with international players who are from more developed markets if the Government opens the doors wide to FDI investors, he said: Real estate is a very local business and local developers always have better information and certain natural advantages.

Maybe in big projects local developers would be somewhat at a disadvantage, so it is appropriate that the Government requires a certain amount of legislation to better monitor the market, he said.

Some protection is good but in general it should not keep out foreign investors, he added.

Last year foreign investment in real estate amounted to 8.5 per cent of the citys total FDI of $3.05 billion.VNSSpraying against pests can be a difficult job for farmers.

The chemicals that are used are so dangerous that many farmers die every year from breathing them into their lungs.

It is therefore very useful for them to have drones doing the spraying instead of them having to do it by hand.

After Tet it is the time to spray custard apples.

by Hong Van

About 1,700ha of custard apples are growing in Luc Nam District in the northern province of Bac Giang. After Tet (Lunar New Year festival), growers will have to spray pesticides by hand to prevent spider mites from damaging the crop.

Not many pests bother custard apples, so we just need to spray once, yet we are still concerned about its effect on health as sprayers are directly exposed to the pesticide, said Bui Van Quang from Luc Nam District.

For other agricultural produce, including rice, oranges and lychees, farmers need to spray regularly to get rid of pests.

According to the General Department of Preventive Medicine in Viet Nam, pesticide inhalation kills more than 300 farmers in Viet Nam each year and seriously affects another 5,000.

To prevent poisoning and reduce work, mechanical engineer Le Phi Cuong and his team have developed a flying drone that can accurately spray crops.

The device, named A16, carries a 10-litre pesticide tank that can cover one hectare at a time. It takes more than half an hour for an A16 to finish the work. This is about 30 times faster than through manual spraying.

Drones can be used on slopes growing plants up to 20m that are not suitable for manual spraying. Farmers can operate the drone via a mobile phone with an application interface. The faster coverage is especially useful in controling insects and diseases in time.

An A16 drone weighs only 22kg. Each costs from VN165 million (US$7,200) to VN368 million ($16,200) depending on the amount of pesticide that it can carry.

We aim for cheap, easy-to-use and easy-to-maintain techniques in Viet Nam, said Cuong.

The A16 is equipped with six to eight propellors to make sure it can return home if problems arise. If the drone encounters an obstacle, the sensor will make it stop about three to five metres in front of it. The drone can also maintain a particular height despite the field surface - on flat land or mountain terraces.

Cuong had an early interest in aviation and airplanes. When he was small, his family lived near Ha Noi Childrens Palace, where children could join a range of culture and arts activities and classes.

Every time I visited the palace, I would see various aeroplane models. I loved them. The special interest in aviation devices lingered in my mind as I grew up, Cuong added.

This passion led him to the Aviation Club in the city, a platform where members share not only their hobbies, but also knowledge about planes, drones and aviation.

Joining the club, I had chance to meet people who shared my passion. We taught ourselves and shared the knowledge with each other, said Cuong.

Specialised knowledge and practical experience gained from field trips, together with flying experiences and a good understanding of mechanics and aviation devices, enabled Cuong to launch the drone project in 2015.

He has welded 18 years experience in cultivation and plant protection with that of Pham Quoc Chien, who has 20 years experience in electronics, and Pham Quang Thanh, a major in Business Administration. They are all from the aviation club.

Other members of the group are Nguyen Hai Nam, who is a Control Engineering Technology and Automation major, Ta Huy Phuong, who is major in International Trade, and Bui Van Minh, who excels in Information Technology.

Each is in charge of different tasks  automation, software, design, engineering  as well as evaluating market impact and demand.

Drones have recently become popular in Viet Nam. I want to give farmers the opportunity to access high-tech farming machines and devices, said Cuong.

The biggest challenge for the team is to obtain a licence for the drone. In Viet Nam, when one wants to fly any aviation device, they need to ask for permission from the authorities.

Before putting the product on the market, Cuong and his team will work with leaders from the University of Agriculture and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and other authorities to see if the licence procedure can be dropped.

Each device has limits set on flying heights and scope of operations to make sure they doesnt enter areas prohibited by the Ministry of Defence, said Cuong.

The drone was displayed in the AgriTech sector at the TechFest 2017, hosted by Ministry of Science and Technology, last November. VNS





GLOSSARY

About 1,700ha of custard apples are growing in Luc Nam District in the northern province of Bac Giang. After Tet (Lunar New Year festival), growers will have to spray pesticides by hand to prevent spider mites from damaging the crop.

Pesticides are chemicals farmers spray on crops to get rid of pests.

To prevent something means to stop it from happening.

Spider mites are a type of very small spider that lives in the ground.

Not many pests bother custard apples, so we just need to spray once, yet we are still concerned about its effect on health as sprayers are directly exposed to the pesticide, said Bui Van Quang from Luc Nam District.

Concerned means worried.

To be exposed to pesticide means to have no protection against it touching you.

For other agricultural produce, including rice, oranges and lychees, farmers need to spray regularly to get rid of pests.

Regularly means often.

According to the General Department of Preventive Medicine in Viet Nam, pesticide inhalation kills more than 300 farmers in Viet Nam each year and seriously affects another 5,000.

Inhalation means breathing in.

To prevent poisoning and reduce work, mechanical engineer Le Phi Cuong and his team have developed a flying drone that can accurately spray crops.

Accurately here means on target.

The device, named A16, carries a 10-litre pesticide tank that can cover one hectare at a time.

A hectare is a measurement of land size.

This is about 30 times faster than through manual spraying.

Manual means by hand.

We aim for cheap, easy-to-use and easy-to-maintain techniques in Viet Nam, said Cuong.

To maintain something means to keep it in working order. Techniques are ways of doing things.

If the drone encounters an obstacle, the sensor will make it stop about three to five metres in front of it.

An obstacle is something that is in the way.

A sensor is something on a device that picks up any obstacle and tells the drone about it being there.

The special interest in aviation devices lingered in my mind as I grew up, Cuong added.

Lingered means hung around.

This passion led him to the Aviation Club in the city, a platform where members share not only their hobbies, but also knowledge about planes, drones and aviation.

If you have a passion for something you do not mind how much time and money you spend on it.

Each is in charge of different tasks  automation, software, design, engineering  as well as evaluating market impact and demand.

Evaluating means working out.

Market impact is the effect it has on the market.

Demand is the amount people want something.

The biggest challenge for the team is to obtain a licence for the drone.

Obtain means get.

In Viet Nam, when one wants to fly any aviation device, they need to ask for permission from the authorities.

Aviation means to do with flying.

Each device has limits set on flying heights and scope of operations to make sure they doesnt enter areas prohibited by the Ministry of Defence, said Cuong.

If something is prohibited it is not allowed.

WORKSHEET

Find words that mean the following in the Word Search:

A fruit that farmers need to spray. A type of building that Le Phi Cuong lived near as a child. A device that can be used to operate a drone. The trade in which Pham Quoc Chien has twenty years experience. A type of apple.

e l e c t r o n i c s d g t b s b l b d h f e c j p h i p p y s j o w u v a p h o n e r t u d s b h v b o g r s z r m t r e h h n m b t h c p a b s p a l a c e b n b r g f r c e b o o k a c d b o q v h l x d k r f m h i w d r k n w r d d r

ANSWERS:

 Duncan Guy/Learn the News/ Viet Nam News 2018

1. Oranges; 2. Palace; 3. Phone; 4. Electronics; 5. Custard.HCM CITY  Local authorities in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta have stepped up efforts to prevent forest fires even as the region enters the highly risky dry season.

In the southernmost province of Ca Mau, many measures have been put in place, especially to protect the 8,500ha U Minh Ha National Park.

Water in the higher parts of the park have been drying out since the beginning of this month and the threat of forest fire is high, according to the province Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

According to Huynh Minh Nguyen, director of the park, rangers have taken positions in watch towers to monitor the park around the clock.

They also regularly patrol the park to prevent people from entering to collect honey, hunt or fish, activities that could cause fires.

"The canopy is thick and like a tinderbox," he said.

More than 5,000 families living in the parks buffer zone and cajeput forests have been mobilised to help fight forest fires.

The department has called on private individuals managing forests to implement preventive measures against fires.

Forest management units should regularly assess the dryness to take proper fire-prevention measures and teach local households how to prevent fires, it said.

This month the hot weather peaks in the south, according to the South Centre for Hydrometeorology Forecasting.

"In An Giang Province, districts with large forest areas including Tinh Bien and Tri Ton are in a state of preparedness to prevent fires," Tran Phu Hoa, head of the province Forest Protection Sub-department said.

Tinh Bien alone has more than 6,270ha of forests that face the risk of fires.

Kien Giang Province has seven areas that face fire risks  the U Minh Thuong National Park, Phu Quoc National Park, Phu Quoc protective forest, Hon at  Kien Ha protective forest, An Bien  An Minh coastal protective forest, and a forest managed by the 422 Forestry Plantation Project.

The province Peoples Committee has issued orders to strengthen fire prevention measures.

Kien Giang has 86,450ha of zoned forests, accounting for 13.6 per cent of its total area, according to its Forest Protection Sub-department.

It has spent more than VN10 billion (US$440,000) on preparations to prevent forest fires this year.

Truong Thanh Hao, head of the local Forest Protection Sub-department, said the province had instructed local forest rangers, the police, army, and militia to work closely to prevent fires.

The province has built temporary dams and dredged wells in forests to store water, cleared dried branches and bushes in forests and established firebreaks.

Forest management units have stepped up checks and will close the forests at the peak of the dry season.  VNSHCMC  A talkshow introducing the ao dai and its history to local and international audiences has been organised as part of the Ao Dai Festival 2018 being held in HCM City .

Le Thi Ngoc Bich, head of the HCM City s Womens Association, said on Thursday the festival has become an important cultural and tourism event, promoting tourism in HCM City and the image of the national costume of Viet Nam , the ao dai.

This year, the talkshow on Thursday for female consul generals and wives of consul generals in HCM City was held for the first time with the aim of introducing this costume and strengthening the cultural exchange between Viet Nam and other countries.

Indian Consul General K. Srikar Reddy in Viet Nam expressed his impression with the image of women in ao dai. He said the Vietnamese ao dai shares many things in common with the Indian traditional costume sari. He hoped that the ao dai will be introduced more widely and Indian people would also get the chance to know more about and wear it.

Ao dai makes women more charming and delicate, and it also reflects the traditional culture of Vietnamese people, said Ton Nu Thi Ninh, a top Vietnamese diplomat.

As a person having a special love for the ao dai and a passion for protecting and preserving the values and quintessence of the national heritages, designer Si Hoang expressed his honour to design an ao dai for the wives of high level officials.

The Queen Margrethe II of Denmark also ordered an ao dai from Hoang during a visit to Viet Nam and wore at a World Wildlife Fund Denmark event at the Fredensborg Palace in 2012.

Making an ao dai for diplomatic events requires great meticulousness and cleverness as the costume they don must be able to show the beauty of women and the image of Vietnamese women to international friends, Hoang said.  VNSHOI AN  The ancient city of Hoi An has allocated some sections of four streets  Tran Quy Cap, Bach ang, Tieu La and Hoang Van Thu  near Hoi An market as a space for the third night market to serve tourists looking for shopping opportunities in the city.

Vice chairman of the citys Peoples Committee Nguyen Van Son said the night market with 56 pavilions will open daily from 6pm to 11pm.

He said the newly-launched night market will offer more shopping options for tourists at night, easing the crowding of tourists in the old quarters of the west side.

The city has previously launched two night markets  souvenir pavilions in Nguyen Hoang Street and cuisine corner along Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa street on the Hoai River bank.

Hoi An, a UNESCO-recognised world heritage site, also allocated new pedestrian areas on streets of Tran Phu, Nguyen Hue (in front of Hoi An market), Phan Chau Trinh, Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa and the Hoai River Square last year.

The vice chairman of the city said the pedestrian area in the old quarter is currently overloaded with tourists, which creates a burden on traffic, trading, shopping and tourism service, while streets in the citys western region, near Hoi An market and outside of the old quarter, are still quiet.

Hoi An began its pedestrian project in 2002 to help create more space for tourists and ease busy traffic in the old quarters.

As scheduled, the expanded walking streets open from 9am to 11am in the morning and from 3pm till 9.30pm in the rainy season or 10pm in summer. Motorbikes or engine vehicles are allowed access for four hours per day and at night time only.

In 2015, Hoi An, a UNESCO heritage site, designated Nguyen Phuc Chu Street a walking street where only pedestrians and non-engine vehicles are allowed.

The ancient city has made efforts to build a green and clean city based on sustainable development.

Hoi An was the first city in Viet Nam to host a Car Free Day and the first location in the central province to launch the 3-Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle) programme while promoting the use of reusable bags and the operation of a solar-powered lighting in the citys square.

According to the city, it plans to promote bicycle use among public agencies, as well as boost bicycle use among local residents, with a goal of 100,000 local bicycles in use.

Most foreign tourists use bicycles while touring the city, beaches and villages during their visits to Hoi An.

Hoi An was chosen for the 2013 Townscape Award by the UN-Habitat Regional Office in Asia . It was also listed among the top 10 Asian cities in US magazine Conde Nast Travelers Readers Choice Awards in 2012.HA NOI  Relations between New Zealand and Viet Nam are developing from strength to strength and there is significant potential to grow the relationship further, said New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.  VNA/VNS Photo Khanh Linh She particularly mentioned increasing co-operation between the two countries in the fields of trade, education and training and tourism during an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency earlier this week on the occasion of the upcoming official visit to the country by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, scheduled for March 11-14.

New Zealand is a natural partner for Viet Nam with our world class reputation for innovation, particularly in areas like high quality food and beverage, high-tech agriculture and international education, she said.

Trade co-operation is increasing significantly. Exports and imports between Viet Nam and New Zealand grew by more than a third in the last year alone, she added.

Trade relations

Viet Nam is New Zealands 16th largest trade partner, with two-way trade enjoying an annual growth of 15-20 per cent over the past five years. Two-way trade turnover hit about US$1.2 billion in 2017. The figure is expected to increase to $1.7 billion by 2020, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand, Nguyen Viet Dung.

A business forum will be organised in Auckland during PM Phucs visit to New Zealand with interest already registered from many big corporations of the two countries, Dung said during an interview with the Vietnam News Agency.

As well as the ASEAN, Australia - New Zealand FTA, which has been facilitating trade since 2010, the signing of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) agreement in Chile on Thursday is expected to help deepen the relations between the two countries and participating countries, he said.

Additionally, Viet Nam and New Zealand are participating in negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with nine ASEAN countries and five other partners of ASEAN, including Australia, Japan, China, South Korea and India, according to the ambassador.

Agriculture is also a sector that has made significant contributions to bilateral relations between the two countries.

Viet Nam exports many products to New Zealand such as fruit, cashews, coffee, pepper and seafood. Meanwhile, agricultural products of New Zealand account for more than 50 per cent of export turnover of New Zealand to Viet Nam, including milk products, fruit, wood materials, minerals and materials for the garment and textile sector.

Education and tourism links

PM Ardern also highlighted that bilateral links through education and tourism were growing fast, and the introduction of Air NZs seasonal direct flights between Auckland and HCM City made it much easier for Vietnamese and New Zealanders to experience and explore the two countries.

Vietnamese tourists travelling to New Zealand have increased 32 per cent while tourists from New Zealand to Viet Nam have risen by 41 per cent, according to Dung.

Regarding education, PM Ardern said education was a real success story in the New Zealand-Viet Nam relationship with more and more Vietnamese taking up the opportunity of a world class education in New Zealand.

She added that New Zealand had also invested in the future leaders of Viet Nam by providing 30 post graduate scholarships per annum, English language training for officials, and other targeted short term training opportunities.

According to the PM, there are significant opportunities for further co-operation in education between the two countries. A number of New Zealand universities have developed strong partnerships with Vietnamese institutions, for example, delivering joint university degrees that provide more flexibility for Vietnamese students to study both in New Zealand and Viet Nam. Viet Nam has a young population with many keen to move up the education and skills ladder. New Zealand has the education institutions to help cater to that aspiration, she said.

During the visit by PM Phuc, the two PMs will witness the signing of related agreements in education co-operation between the two sides, including a strategic education co-operation plan for the 2018-20 period and agreements between universities of the two countries with the aim of increasing the number of Vietnamese students studying in New Zealand by 30 per cent by 2020, according to Ambassador Dung. More than 2,000 Vietnamese students are currently studying in New Zealand.

International co-operation

Speaking on the relationship between New Zealand and Viet Nam in terms of international mechanisms and forums on economic co-operation that the two countries have joined, such as Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the CPTPP, PM Ardern said both countries worked closely in international and regional forums such as the World Trade Organisation and APEC. These organisations and agreements are important for ensuring the regions ongoing prosperity, mainly because they embody our shared commitment to a more open and interconnected Asia-Pacific region, she said.

Viet Nam and New Zealand set up diplomatic relations in 1975.  VNSThe 15th ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces Informal Meeting (ACDFIM-15), themed Strengthening Collaboration, Building Resilience, took place in Singapore on Thursday.  VNA/VNS Photo My Binh

SINGAPORE  The 15th ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces Informal Meeting (ACDFIM-15), themed Strengthening Collaboration, Building Resilience, took place in Singapore on Thursday.HA NOI  Administrative reform must be transparent and concrete, and ambiguous language that bureaucrats can exploit must be absolutely avoided.

The order was made by the Minister, Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung during a meeting yesterday for the advisory council for administrative reform to outline tasks for 2018, with the participation of representatives of State agencies and the business community.

As the President of the council, citing the Governments Resolution No 1 on major socio-economic goals for the year 2018, Chairman Dung asked the council members to join hands to achieve reform tasks, including cutting 50 per cent of commodities subject to special inspections.

Chairman Dung stressed that State agencies must not be duplicitous, [You] cannot just combine three administrative procedures into one and then report [to the Government] that two procedures have been streamlined. Not to mention the obscure language that might just create more problems.

He also suggested that the council members be watchful and ready to respond to issues related to macroeconomic policies and sector-specific policies, especially when there are possible regional and international impacts; and to build specific indices that can be easily quantified.

Reiterating the health ministrys report showing that with a new decree in 2018 on inspection regulations imposed on food manufacturers and traders, 7.7 million working days and VN3.1 trillion (US$135.47 million) could be saved, Minister Dung said that many ministries and agencies do not even know how many administrative procedures exist under their management. Therefore, administrative reform would mean increasing the potential for further development in several sectors.

Business feedback

Responding to the Chairman of Small- and Medium-sized Business Association, Nguyen Van Than, over the proposal to abolish the traditional red book (land use rights certificates), Chairman Dung said the when the e-Government project is completed and national databases are available online, there would no longer be the need for a physical red book.

Most agree that in 2017, the council has done completed significant work to improve the administrative procedure experience. Vu Tien Loc, Chairman of Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, called 2017 a bumper season for administrative cutbacks, referring to the trimming of 5,000 administrative procedures.

In administrative reforms, enterprises and business associations should have an authoritative voice. Increasing dialogue between the business community and the reform council is the best way to come up with beneficial optimisation, Loc said.

Concerns were raised over the low entrepreneurship index of Viet Nam, an important indicator of how conducive the business environment is, and the council was asked to pay extra attention to this issue in order to realise the Governments goal of having 1 million operational enterprises by 2020.

In 2017, in order to realise the Prime Ministers commitment to slash redundant procedures and improve the business environment, the council has held five dialogues with the participation of thousands of Vietnamese enterprises, nearly 1,000 European enterprises and 300 Japanese ones that are operating and investing in the country. A total of 100 points of feedback, divided into 23 groups of issues, have been submitted to the council and the council has collected and sent official requests to relevant agencies and ministries to handle.

The Government-established private sector development committee, comprising top executives from the countrys leading firms, has submitted 21 proposals focusing on issues such as agriculture, tourism, finance investment, and the difficulties encountered by young entrepreneurs. So far, the Government office has received official responses from 7 out of 10 relevant ministries and agencies, who have promised to study the proposals.

The 21 points raised by the Japan Business Association in Viet Nam (JBAV) reflected the enterprises top concerns, including obligatory social insurance for overseas workers, draft of the environment law, the decree on importing old machinery and equipment, and regulations on manufacturing, assembling and importing of cars. All 8 relevant ministries and agencies have delivered their official responses, and 9 proposals from the JBAC will be addressed soon.

The European Chamber of Commerce in Viet Nam (Eurocham) complained about four main issues  handling of trade, tax and customs disputes; healthcare; consumers choices; and smart and sustainable development. The Government Office, however, has only received 8 responses from 16 relevant ministries or agencies.  VNSPresident Tran ai Quang (r) receives Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea, Kang Kyung Wha, in Ha Noi yesterday.  VNA/VNS Photo Nhan Sang

HA NOI  President Tran ai Quang hosted Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea, Kang Kyung Wha, in Ha Noi yesterday, expressing his delight at the robust development of bilateral cooperation in a range of areas over the past 25 years, particularly after the two countries raised ties to strategic partnership in 2009.

The RoK has become Viet Nams most important partner, ranking first in foreign direct investment and second in trade, ODA and tourism while Viet Nam was the RoKs fourth largest trade partner and more and more Vietnamese are working and living in the East Asian nation, the President told FM Kang, who is on an official visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

Quang praised the Miracle on the Han River and congratulated the RoK on its recent socio-economic development and the success of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics 2018 hosted by the country.

He suggested the two countries further increase bilateral cooperation, adding that Viet Nam looked forward to the RoKs enhanced support in technology, and sustainable development.

He hoped the RoK facilitates Vietnamese agro-forestry and seafood products to enter the Korean market, fosters two-way trade and continues providing Viet Nam with ODA.

The President stressed Viet Nam welcomes the RoKs new Look South policy for peace, co-operation and development, and wanted the two countries to step up coordination in regional and international issues of mutual interest as well as support at regional and international forums.

Viet Nam welcomed and was ready to greet RoK President Moon Jae-ins State visit to Viet Nam, he said.

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung Wha, for her part, thanked President Quang for his hospitality. She informed the President on the outcomes of her talks with Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh during which the two sides reviewed progress of the two nations bilateral ties and discussed schedules on President Moons upcoming visit to Viet Nam.

The RoK expects President Moons visit would create impetus for the two countries ties to harvest more practical results in cooperation fields, she noted.

Meeting Prime Minister Phuc

Viet Nam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) were developing co-operation in many traditional aspects very well, and they should expand their ties to other fields in the future, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc told visiting RoK Foreign Minister.

The host leader said the two countries co-operation had been developed in a rapid, effective and trustworthy manner. While political ties have been reinforced, economic and trade partnerships have been growing strongly, bringing benefits to both sides.

He welcomed the RoKs new Look South policy with the aim of promoting peace, stability and development, which includes Viet Nam as a key partner.

He asked the countries to promote economic, trade and investment co-operation in a balanced, stable and effective fashion. They also need to take measures to boost bilateral trade to US$100 billion in 2020, promote trade balance, and remove quarantine obstacles to facilitate the export of Vietnamese agro-forestry-fishery products, including star apples, to the RoK in 2018.

Phuc expressed his hope that the RoK would continue to be the top investor in Viet Nam, involved in major infrastructure projects, renewable energy development, equitisation of State-owned enterprises and restructuring of local commercial banks.

As both are coastal nations, Viet Nam hoped the RoK would share its experience in developing a sea-based economy and support Viet Nam and ASEANs viewpoint on the East Sea issue.

For her part, Minister Kang thanked the Government and Viet Nams PM for supporting activities of Samsung, whose mobile phones manufactured in Viet Nam have been exported around the world.

She affirmed that her country paid special attention to the cooperation between the RoK and ASEAN, including Viet Nam, which played a very important role in this relationship.

The RoK was scheduled to host an ASEAN-RoK special summit in 2019, and it hoped that Viet Nam would support this event so that both sides can intensify co-operation, she said, adding that her country backed Viet Nams viewpoint on the East Sea issue.

The official said there are many Vietnamese people in the RoK and vice versa, which is a precious asset of both countries. The RoK Government is making efforts to support the Vietnamese community in her country.  VNS

SON LA  At the side of a local hydroelectric reservoir, a group of Thai youngsters are unleashing the economic potential of the northwest mountainous province of Son La.

Back in 2014, when La Van Phong had just graduated from university, the idea of ecotourism flashed across his mind. With the assistance of like-minded friends, he established the Quynh Nhai District Ecotourism Group in 2015, which transformed into Quynh Nhai Fishery and Ecotourism Co-operative in 2016.

Our startup capital was only VN20 million (US$870). Due to the financial shortage, we struggled to organise tours and had to hire boats. Fortunately, thanks to our considerable knowledge of local history and culture, we became tour guides at the same time we were managing the organisation, said Lu Van Binh, the cooperatives deputy director.

At present, the cooperative offers several services, ranging from tourism to aquaculture and fish processing.

The sightseeing tour on the Son La hydroelectric reservoir, its signature activity, takes tourists to float alongside majestic lofty mountains.

The journey will offer you unique experiences of culture, life and cuisine of White Thai people, Phong tells his guests.

The Temple of Lady Han, the goddess of peaceful aspiration, is the tours first destination. Sailing on the boat, tourists are lost in contemplation of the mountains in front of them. Under the reservoir bed lie the nine Quynh Nhai District communes which were destroyed to construct the provincial hydroelectric power plant, leaving just two above water.

On an islet, tourists enjoy traditional Northwest cuisine with grilled fishes and honey marinated chicken. On his second tour with Phongs co-operative, Le Khac Tung, 25, found everything brand new.

They offer new experiences in every tour. Its exciting that I can catch, grill and enjoy the freshness of fishes raised in the reservoir, he told Tuoi tre (Youth) newspaper.

Welcome to our home

We want to create jobs for people and promote local heritage, Phong recalled of the motivation that pushed him and his other three friends, ieu uc Trong, Tong Van Suong and Lu Van Binh to start the co-operative.

After two years, they had offered more than 200 tours on the hydroelectric reservoir and welcomed back several tourists.

Being children of the land, we share with guests the knowledge of local history and culture with pride, said Phong.

Using internet-based methods of marketing, the co-perative reaches a wide range of audiences. During festive seasons, they handle up to ten groups of tourists a day.

We encourage our friends to work for us. It was quite overwhelming but we kept trying to enhance our services, he said.

In the meantime, 40 fish cages were set up, aiming to give tourists a novel culinary experience and provide Son La Provinces specialties to the domestic market. In January, 2017, the cooperative started purchasing and processing local fishes.

Marinated with Thai ethnic species then dried, fishes become a special snack which is widely favored in the Northern provinces markets. Sold at VN200,000 ($8.8) per kilogram, the product has generated a good profit for us, Phong said.

The model combining tourism and aquaculture created jobs and sustainable income for eight cooperative members and seven other workers. In the future, Phong expects to expand the market for their dried fish products and construct a complex with a restaurant, motel and local specialties exhibition room to enhance tourists experiences in the Northwestern mountainous area.

Ngan Van ua, head of Chieng Bang Commune Peoples Committee in Quynh Nhai District, said that the Son La hydroelectric reservoir, 72km long and 10km wide, had untapped potential as a tourist destination and fishery site. Therefore, the cooperatives initiative has helped boost the local economy.

Vang A La, secretary of Son La Provincial Youth Union, praised Longs start-up as an inspiration for local youngsters. He said that the agency would continue assisting the cooperative to access sources of capital and tourists.

Local potential for tourism and fisheries under the cooperative model was awakened by young peoples initiatives, contributing to transform old economic models in the province, he added.  VNSThousands of workers found jobs in a job fair held in the northern province of Thai Nguyen yesterday. Photo baothainguyen.vn

THAI NGUYEN  Thousands of workers found jobs in a job fair held in the northern province of Thai Nguyen yesterday.

The province holds the job fair annually at the beginning of the new year in order to connect employers with workers, create stable income for employees and reduce poverty.

A total of 35 enterprises joined the job fair yesterday and registered to enroll more than 30,000 workers.

The job fair organiser said that many enterprises had demand for a lot of workers, including the TNG Investment and Trading Joint-stock Company, which needed 1,000 workers; the Samsung Electronic Viet Nam Co Ltd which needed 8,000; the Hansol Thai Nguyen Co Ltd in need of 2,000 and the Glonics Viet Nam Co Ltd, which needed 1,000.

Workers can take jobs immediately at foreign direct investment enterprises, or get introduced to find jobs in foreign markets including Japan , South Korea and Canada .

This year, besides manufacturing enterprises in big industrial zones in provinces such as Yen Binh, iem Thuy and Song Cong, enterprises in other sectors also attended the fair. The enterprises, from banking, finance, communications and real estate, bring more opportunities for workers.

The provincial Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs said that last year, more than 21,000 workers in the province found new jobs, more than 36,000 others received vocational training and more than 1,000 others got work abroad.

Nearly 30 per cent of workers found jobs thanks to consultancy from job promotion centres.

Besides the Thai Nguyen Work Promotion Centre, the Thai Nguyen Job Exchange is maintained at a larger and larger scale. Nearly 80 sessions were held supplying nearly 4,000 workers for enterprises in and out of the province.

This year the province strives to create jobs for 15,000 workers and bring 1,000 others to work abroad.  VNSONG THAP  Long Hau Commune in Lai Vung District in the southern province of ong Thap is famous for building boats. Local boat makers, however, are struggling to preserve the traditional livelihood.

From the fourth to the eighth month of the lunar year, in order to prepare for the coming flood season, local boat makers are busy with orders from customers in neighbouring areas: Can Tho, An Giang, Kien Giang and Vinh Long. During peak time for boat making, the sounds of hammers, chisels, saws and motorboat engines fill every corner of the commune. Arriving at the commune at that time, people can see numerous boats of different kinds and sizes on both the canal and the shore.

Nguyen Thanh Nam , a talented artisan in the area with 50 years of experience in building boats, said that his grandfather Pham Van Thuong was considered the father of boat building in Long Hau Commune.

Thuong was also called Sau Xuong Cui by the locals.

No one knows where he was from, but the story goes that he got married to a local girl and set up his own business in the area.

At first, he only built boats for his relatives. Then he taught his neighbours the techniques of boat building and they gradually spread throughout the region.

In the past, the locals only built Xuong Cui, a type of small boat used to catch fish in canals. Local boat makers started building different kinds of boats.

Sixty-year-old boat maker Nguyen Van Tot said that the commune used to make about 20,000 boats each year because high floods regularly arrived in the Mekong Delta province. During flood season, boats are not only a major means of transport for locals in the region, but are also used to catch fish, so people were eager to purchase boats.

In 2015, there were about 400 families in the commune making boats. Now, there are only 41 families.

Many boat makers in Long Hau Commune have changed jobs. Some left their hometown and moved to the neighbouring provinces of Tien Giang and Long An to continue working as boat makers.

Tot said that in the last few years, flood season arrived late and prolonged droughts hit the Mekong Delta provinces, negatively affecting the boat making industry and Long Hau boat makers.

Ho Van Kiet, another local boat maker, said that four generations of his family made boats in Long Hau Commune.

Previously, he employed 15 skillful boat makers in his workshop, which could make 300-400 fishing boats for customers in the provinces of Long An, ong Thap, An Giang and Kien Giang.

However, in the flood season of 2016, his workshop made a few dozen boats for customers from Can Tho only. He received few orders from other provinces.

If the business gets worse, I will have to close my workshop, he said.

Boat maker Nguyen Van Se said that because of reduced demand and reduced production, many young people left the hometown to seek jobs.

If more and more local people give up making boats, who will preserve Long Haus traditional occupation? Se worried.

Souvenir boats

Boat maker Nguyen Van Tot, of Long Hung 2 Hamlet, Long Hau Commune started making boats when he was 15 year old. He can talk for days about Long Hau boats and their differences from boats made in other boat making villages in Cai Rang, Can Tho, Ca Vom An Giang, Long An or Thap Muoi.

When the trade of wooden boats in Long Hau Commune slows down, he is very concerned about preserving the tradition, Thanh Nien ( Young people) newspaper reported.

In the last few years, besides making boats for transport and fishing, Tot made souvenir boats.

The souvenir boats are displayed in tourism areas or sold to tourists.

Tot said that making a souvenir boat was similar to making a real one, with even more tasks to do, such as rubbing, painting and writing wishes on it.

It takes few months to complete a set of more than 20 souvenir boats, Tot said.

Tourists, especially overseas Vietnamese, liked to visit his workshop to witness how to make a boat and purchase souvenir boats, Tot said.

He also said that his boats are also used to hold flowers.

Tot said that he was seeking co-operation opportunities with flower growers in Sa ec and a Lat to provide flower decorative products.QUANG BINH  A project to remedy the consequences of post-war bombs and mines in 6.13 million ha of land in Viet Nam was launched in the central province of Quang Binh yesterday.

Quang Binh is one of the two provinces suffering the most from contamination of bombs, mines and unexploded ordnances in the country. The other province is Binh inh.

The project is set to be carried out in the two provinces by the Viet Nam National Mine Action Centre, the Korea International Co-operation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Viet Nam by December 2020.

In Quang Binh, the land area contaminated with bombs, mines and unexploded ordnances makes up 28 per cent of the total land area of the province and that in Binh inh Province makes up 40 per cent of the total area of the province. The casualties caused by bombs and mines in the two provinces have reached about 6,000 and nearly 3,000 respectively.

The government of the Republic of Korea will provide US$20 million for the project via the KOICA with commitments to making real changes in the lives of many people in the central region.

Lieutenant General Le Hien Van, deputy head of the Office of the National Steering Committee on Overcoming Post-war Unexploded Ordnance and Toxic Chemical Consequences (Office 701) said the committee as well as the Ministry of National Defence highly appreciated the collaboration between KOICA, UNDP and the Viet Nam National Mine Action Centre over the passing years.

Van ordered relevant agencies and localities to smoothly co-operate to ensure the efficiency of the project.

In a related movement, the national defence ministry announced a decision on the establishment of the Office 701 in Ha Noi on Thursday.

The office was set up following the Government decision No 701, issued last May, on perfecting the National Steering Committee on Overcoming Post-war Unexploded Ordnance and Toxic Chemical Consequences.

The office was assigned to work with domestic and international organisations and individuals to promote activities remedying the consequences of bombs, mines and toxic chemicals left over after wars.

Deputy Minister of the National Defence Nguyen Chi Vinh required the office to co-operate with ministries, agencies and localities to announce the completion of a project on dioxin remediation in Bien Hoa Airport and boosting the enforcement of policies targeting Agent Orange/Dioxin victims.

The office was tasked to call upon more domestic and foreign financial supports in order to enhance its activities to remedy the consequences of bombs, mines and toxic chemicals, Vinh said. VNSHA NOI  Moved by the pain of parents whose children are born with birth defects and health problems, doctor Tran Van Khanh has spent the last twenty-odd years doing research in the field of gene therapy and genetic diseases.

Born into a family of doctors, after graduating from a medical university in 1996, Khanh worked for four years at the Institute of Biotechnology and Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology. It was around this time that she first got involved in research on molecular biology, especially mutations in genetic diseases.

In 2000 she went to Japan to get a doctoral degree. During her six years at the Faculty of Medicine at Kobe University , Khanh focused her study on prenatal diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) to prevent genetic disorders. (DMD is the most common fatal genetic disease in the world. It gradually reduces muscle strengths in boys between the ages of 6 and 11 and causes many sufferers to be confined to a wheelchair by 12 years old).

Returning to Viet Nam , Khanh continued doing research on prenatal diagnosis of other genetic diseases, helping to detect people who carry the bad genes and help young parents avoid high-risk pregnancies. About 1,000 patients in Viet Nam and their family members have benefited from her genetic therapy.

It tugs at my heartstring every time I see the pain and struggle of parents whose children are born with genetic diseases, Khanh told Kinh te & o thi (Economic & Urban Affairs) newspaper. I want to do more to help them.

I felt as nervous as the parents when their prenatal examination result came and showed that their babies inherited their diseases, she said.

But its not always bad news. Khanh was impressed by a couple from Bac Giang Province , who she helped get pregnant with in vitro fertilisation process two years ago. The wife had Hemophilia A (a genetic deficiency which causes increased bleeding) from her father. They had an abortion during the first pregnancy because the fetus carried the bad gene.

When she got pregnant the second time, Khanh conducted amniocentesis  a procedure in which a small amount of amniotic fluid is removed from the sac surrounding the fetus for testing.

We all burst into joy when the results came and showed that the fetus carried the normal gene, Khanh said.

The baby boy was born perfectly healthy. Sometimes the couple sends Khanh his photos to show her how he has been growing.

I felt so happy looking at those photos, as if I was his mother, Khanh said. My efforts had paid off.

In the past 10 years, the devoted doctor has led and participated in 29 research projects and has had 170 research articles published in domestic and international research journals. Together with her team, she created a map of genetic mutations of genetic diseases commonly found in Vietnamese patients.

Khanh is currently working to make preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)  a procedure used prior to implantation to help identify genetic defects within embryos  feasible in Viet Nam .

She is also involved in research projects about the treatment of the Brugada syndrome, a condition that causes a disruption of the hearts normal rhythm. I hope our studies will help reduce the risk of sudden death for patients and their family members that carry the same gene, she said.

With her contributions to science and society, Khanh was among the two Vietnamese female scientists awarded the Kovalevskaya Award on March 5. The prestigious prize honours the most outstanding female scientists who have gained remarkable achievements in the research and application of science.

Her research results received critical acclaim from domestic and international medical scientists, said Dr Ta Thanh Van, vice principal of the Ha Noi Medical University where Khanh is head of the Faculty of Molecular Pathology and Deputy Director of the Gene-Protein Research Centre.

They are highly practical and applicable, bringing direct benefits to patients, he said.

Its hard to have work-life balance when Khanh often leaves her laboratory at 7 or 8 pm, but she said the support from her colleagues and family got her through.

We collaborate closely within the university and with the hospitals, she said.

My husband understands my jobs demands since he himself is a researcher, she added. My mother often takes care of the household chores so that I have more time for work.  VNSV

* * *

[D]espite being supposedly "retired," the Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes OFM is certain to play a critical role in the preparations given his ongoing role as head of the Pan-Amazon Ecclesial Network, the multi-national coordinating body of the region's bishops, founded in 2014 at Francis' behest.



While the group lacks the juridic standing of an episcopal conference per se, the void is more than compensated for by direct papal imprimatur: seated next to Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio by seniority at the 2013 Conclave, the former archbishop of Sao Paulo famously urged the Pope-to-be "Don't forget the poor!" as the votes piled up in his favor  a word that, as the the first American on Peter's Chair later admitted, would lead him to shatter even more precedent by taking the name Francis upon accepting his election.



In a gesture that brought their closeness into the spotlight, the new pontiff upended yet another custom (remember: all this took place within the first 15 minutes) by plucking Hummes out from the Sistine Chapel rows to join him on the central balcony of St Peter's for his appearance before the world  a perk traditionally enjoyed solely by the senior cardinal from each of the College's three orders.



Yet what made the moment even more extraordinary was its rich backstory: on his arrival in Rome in late 2006 as Benedict's choice to head the Congregation for the Clergy, Hummes was promptly slapped down within the Vatican for comments he made just before departing Brazil that, in terms of mandatory priestly celibacy, "the majority of the apostles were married," then punctuating the point by saying "the church has to observe these things... [and] advance with history."



By bringing his "good friend" with him on his debut in white, Francis was sending a signal to the Curia he inherited  namely, that the Brazilian behind his shoulder was back at the center of things. As for what that means from here, with both Papa Bergoglio and Hummes stating since that the Amazon's church "must" have an "Amazonian face," with an "indigenous clergy"  and the region's unique culture and challenges having spurred calls from its bishops for the possibility of married priests  at first blush, the 2019 gathering has the prospect of being the most charged moment of Francis' push for an enhanced synodality in the church.

I consider it essential to begin creating institutional expressions of respect, recognition and dialogue with the native peoples, acknowledging and recovering their native cultures, languages, traditions, rights and spirituality. An intercultural dialogue in which you yourselves will be the principal dialogue partners, especially when large projects affecting your land are proposed. Recognition and dialogue will be the best way to transform relationships whose history is marked by exclusion and discrimination.



At the same time, it is right to acknowledge the existence of promising initiatives coming from your own communities and organizations, which advocate that the native peoples and communities themselves be the guardians of the woodlands. The resources that conservation practices generate would then revert to benefit your families, improve your living conditions and promote health and education in your communities. This form of doing good is in harmony with the practices of good living found in the wisdom of our peoples. Allow me to state that if, for some, you are viewed as an obstacle or a hindrance, the fact is your lives cry out against a style of life that is oblivious to its own real cost. You are a living memory of the mission that God has entrusted to us all: the protection of our common home.



The defence of the earth has no other purpose than the defence of life. We know of the suffering caused for some of you by emissions of hydrocarbons, which gravely threaten the lives of your families and contaminate your natural environment.... How can we fail to remember Saint Turibius, who stated with dismay in the Third Council of Lima that not only in times past were great wrongs and acts of coercion done to these poor people, but in our own time many seek to do the same.... Sadly, five centuries later, these words remain timely. The prophetic words of those men of faith are the cry of this people, which is often silenced or not allowed to speak. That prophecy must remain alive in our Church, which will never stop pleading for the outcast and those who suffer.



This concern gives rise to our basic option for the life of the most defenceless. I am thinking of the peoples referred to as Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation (PIAV). We know that they are the most vulnerable of the vulnerable. Their primitive lifestyle made them isolated even from their own ethnic groups; they went into seclusion in the most inaccessible reaches of the forest in order to live in freedom. Continue to defend these most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters. Their presence reminds us that we cannot use goods meant for all as consumerist greed dictates. Limits have to be set that can help preserve us from all plans for a massive destruction of the habitat that makes us who we are....



Dear brothers and sisters of Amazonia, how many missionaries, men and women, have devoted themselves to your peoples and defended your cultures! They did so inspired by the Gospel. Christ himself took flesh in a culture, the Jewish culture, and from it, he gave us himself as a source of newness for all peoples, in such a way that each, in its own deepest identity, feels itself affirmed in him. Do not yield to those attempts to uproot the Catholic faith from your peoples. Each culture and each worldview that receives the Gospel enriches the Church by showing a new aspect of Christs face.

The Church is not alien to your problems and your lives, she does not want to be aloof from your way of life and organization. We need the native peoples to shape the culture of the local churches in Amazonia. And in this regard, it gave me great joy to hear that one of Laudato Sis passages was read by a permanent deacon of your own culture. Help your bishops, and help your men and women missionaries, to be one with you, and in this way, by an inclusive dialogue, to shape a Church with an Amazonian face, a Church with a native face.

iewed from its inception as likely to be the most charged moment of one of the Pope's major efforts at reform, next year's Special Edition of the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon region has taken a further stride toward being just that.Echoing the phrases Francis employed last fall in announcing the October 2019 gathering, at Roman Noon Thursday the event's guiding theme  chosen by the pontiff  was revealed to beEven more substantially, though, the release was accompanied by Francis' rollout of an 18-member Pre-Synodal Council  the event's preparatory group  comprised of prelates both from the trenches and heavy hitters on either side of the Atlantic. Among the latter are the Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson  now head of the Curia's consolidated arm for social justice and the ongoing pointman onthe Holy See's English-born "foreign minister" Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Papa Bergoglio's own successor as president of the Argentine bench, Bishop Oscar Ojea of San Isidro; and the freshly-installed head of Catholicism's largest diocese, Cardinal Carlos Aguiar of Mexico City.Just to be clear, as Mexico is far afield from the nine nations across which the Amazon forest spans, Aguiar's placement on this task-force is but the latest proof of his ever-rising role on the global stage. Still, having already committed himself to an extreme makeover of the capital church  some 9 million in its pews  "Don Carlos" doesn't lack for experience with the jungle to the south thanks to his days as secretary-general and president of CELAM, the regional mega-conference of the Latin American bishops.On a separate yet related note, having spent this week in Rome for his first tour since taking the reins in CDMX, don't be surprised to see Aguiar start pulling his weight north of the Rio Grande in due course.Conversant in English and amid an era that finds the life of the Stateside fold bound ever more to points south than east, the 68 year-old cardinal is the most US-savvyin recent times  in the early 1970s, the future chief was one of the last students of the Montezuma Seminary, the Jesuit house near Las Vegas established to form Mexican priests outside the country due to the persecution of the local church.Even as the prep-team includes a layman and woman religious alongside the prelates (both a first for a Synodal Council of any kind), Francis' key pick to the group lay elsewhere  and came just as expected... at least, 'round these parts. Nonetheless, the choice of Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes for the lead seat of the Synod's prep-team brings to full circle a context a decade and more in the making.Now 83 and long relieved of the helm of the Congregation for the Clergy, while the Franciscan son of German immigrants has made the Amazon's future his focus since leaving Rome, Hummes is the first retired prelate to be given an institutional role in the planning of a Synod, let alone in a time when the assembly's significance and clout has been turbo-charged as never before.Here, some history bears recalling: two decades since the US bishops' election of Archbishop John Raphael Quinn as a mere delegate to the 1997 Synod for America was rejected by Rome, citing the San Francisco prelate's retired status  the moves on both sides arguably exacerbated by the recently-departed prelate's famously strong views  put simply, the world today is rather different.That Francis would summon the same John Raphael shortly after his election to absorb the latter's well-honed reflections on synodality just serves to underscore the shift. But as the broader outlook is rooted in what took place five years ago this week (above), let's return to the reporting on the day of the Synod's announcement.... ...and as another cardinal-elector likes to say, "To use a Catholic word, 'Bingo.'"Adding to that sense in the present, another choice for the Synod's preparatory group is no less conspicuous: likewise retired from his missionary vicariate in the Brazilian Amazon, 78 year-old Bishop Erwin Krautler  an Austrian-born Precious Blood Father  has long been the region's most outspoken advocate not merely for the ordination of married tribesmen to the priesthood, but women to the diaconate, to boot. (Of course, Francis' 2016 study commission on the history of the latter question quietly continues its work.)Following the Synod's announcement, Krautler (above) said his push on optional celibacy had even obtained Francis' support; according to the prelate, the pontiff encouraged him to collect "valid proposals" from the bishops.For his part, meanwhile, Hummes has largely kept circumspect on the high-octane angle  at least, explicitly so. Speaking last week to the Italian religious news outlet, the cardinal said that, amid the Amazon's deepening shortage of ordained ministers, their presence "is essential for the evangelization of Amazonian peoples, especially indigenous peoples.... But they ask for priests with an encultured Christian message so that the church may become truly indigenous. Thus the Synod will certainly address this issue."Asked what the possible solutions to the crunch might look like, Hummes foresaw the gathering's since-announced theme, obliquely remarking that "The Pope said we should identify 'new paths.'"To repeat: "Bingo."As it's ostensibly been forgotten in some quarters, in terms of priestly celibacy, recent history has seen a similar accommodation of a cultural phenomenon for the sake of souls  indeed, two of them: the Pastoral Provision chartered by John Paul II in 1980, then the Anglican Ordinariates established by Benedict XVI, both of which opened the Latin priesthood to married former clergy of Protestant communities (who, obviously, were received into the Catholic fold as laymen). That the recipients of both concessions aren't confined to remote forests, but serving well and clearly in the mainstream of ecclesial life across the English-speaking world shouldn't be lost on anyone, either; in other words, the door's already been cracked, then opened further, and all of it before this pontificate.During his January visit to Peru, the Pope made his lone public comment on the Synod since convoking it, touching on both sides of his chosen theme in an address to representatives of the Amazonian communities:past daily news Sep 13 (1) Sep 09 (15) Sep 06 (12) Sep 04 (10) Sep 03 (10) Aug 31 (17) Aug 29 (14) Aug 26 (13) Aug 22 (11) Aug 21 (12) Aug 19 (21) Aug 14 (6) Aug 13 (10) Aug 10 (10) Aug 08 (9) Aug 07 (10) Aug 06 (10) Aug 05 (8) Aug 03 (8) Aug 02 (7) Aug 01 (7) Jul 31 (14) Jul 29 (1) Jul 27 (7) Jul 25 (5) Jul 24 (10) Jul 22 (11) Jul 19 (16) Jul 17 (6) Jul 16 (10) Jul 15 (13) Jul 12 (7) Jul 11 (5) Jul 10 (8) Jul 08 (8) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (5) Jul 05 (8) Jul 04 (11) Jul 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European engineering collective Hackerloop has built a 3D printed prosthetic Nerf gun that fires projectiles in response to the users muscle contractions. The modified Swarmfire Nerf uses EMG sensors and 3D printed parts.

Engineering collective Hackerloop might have just created the most outrageous prosthetic arm in history. While weve seen some brilliantly overt 3D printable prosthetics over the years, with wild designs made to appeal to creative kids, a bionic arm that fires Nerf projectiles is surely up there with the best of them.

The collective, based in Berlin and Paris, decided to create the DIY prosthetic after realizing they had a pretty unfair advantage in their regular Nerf battles: their adversary only had one hand. To level the playing field, they used 3D printing, electronics, and EMG sensors to build a modified arm-gun hybrid that could be fired without having to pull a trigger.

The amazing Nerf prosthesis, a reconstructed Swarmfire Nerf gun, can be fired by simply contracting forearm muscles, which means people with a missing handlike Hackerloops friend and Nerf opponent Nicolas Huchetcan battle as well as anyone else.

Electromyography is a great way to make the body communicate with hardware, says Hackerloops Valentin Squirelo. We used it to detect electrical impulses and translated them into instructions for our gun. You could think of a thousand other uses.

The engineering collective admits that this isnt the most practical device for those with a disability, but argues that not everything needs to be serious to be beneficial.

You could think its not the first problem to solve for people with disabilities, Squirelo says, but in fact being able to have fun with your friends with these wonderful toys is also a real game-changer.

(Images: Hackerloop)

To build the arm blaster, three electrodes had to be placed on different areas of Huchets arm, with different inputs allowing it to detect variations in muscular activity. The voltage amplitude is transmitted to the sensor, and then to the Arduino-like microcontroller, and the Arduino then decides if the signal has reached a certain threshold considered to be a fire signal.

A fire signal is then transmitted to the modified Swarmfire Nerf gun, modified with 3D printed sheath and casing, then bang! Off goes the foam dart.

At the moment, it's not clear if Hackerloop is sharing the schematics and STL files for the Nerf prosthetic, but it would be fantastic if this became an open source project.

Two years ago, maker Jeremy Chang turned a Nerf gun into a 3D printed Halo 5 MA5D assault rifle. Less accessible, but still very cool. Perhaps somebody could merge the two projects?

Posted in Fun with 3D Printing

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Joey Brooks wrote at 3/17/2018 12:37:02 AM:That's sorta cool, but stupid at the same time.



Eliot Weinberger in the London Review of Books:

In the second century BCE, Liu An, king of Huainan, asked the scholars of his court to prepare a book that would outline everything a wise monarch should know about statecraft, philosophy, and general world knowledge. The result was the massive Huainanzi, which runs to nine hundred large pages in English translation. Here are some excerpts, based on the translation by Sarah A. Queen and John S. Major:

If a ruler rejects those who work for the public good, and employs people according to friendship and factions, then those of bizarre talent and frivolous ability will be promoted out of turn, while conscientious officials will be hindered and will not advance. In this way, the customs of the people will fall into disorder throughout the state, and accomplished officials will struggle.

If the ruler ignores what he should preserve and struggles with his ministers and subordinates about the conduct of affairs, then those with official posts will be preoccupied with holding on to their positions, and those charged with official duties will avoid dismissal by following the whims of the ruler. This will cause capable ministers to conceal their wisdom.

If the ruler is frequently exhausted by attending to lesser duties, proper conduct will deteriorate throughout the state. His knowledge by itself will be insufficient to govern, and he will lack what it takes to deal with the world.

More here.David Chandler in MIT News:

Progress toward the long-sought dream of fusion power  potentially an inexhaustible and zero-carbon source of energy  could be about to take a dramatic leap forward.

Development of this carbon-free, combustion-free source of energy is now on a faster track toward realization, thanks to a collaboration between MIT and a new private company, Commonwealth Fusion Systems. CFS will join with MIT to carry out rapid, staged research leading to a new generation of fusion experiments and power plants based on advances in high-temperature superconductors  work made possible by decades of federal government funding for basic research.

CFS is announcing today that it has attracted an investment of $50 million in support of this effort from the Italian energy company Eni. In addition, CFS continues to seek the support of additional investors. CFS will fund fusion research at MIT as part of this collaboration, with an ultimate goal of rapidly commercializing fusion energy and establishing a new industry.

This is an important historical moment: Advances in superconducting magnets have put fusion energy potentially within reach, offering the prospect of a safe, carbon-free energy future, says MIT President L. Rafael Reif. As humanity confronts the rising risks of climate disruption, I am thrilled that MIT is joining with industrial allies, both longstanding and new, to run full-speed toward this transformative vision for our shared future on Earth.

More here.John Simon in The Weekly Standard:

"There are two ways of disliking my plays. One is to dislike them, the other is to like Earnest." If it were not for that my, you might think this written by some philistineafter all, The Importance of Being Earnest is the wittiest comedy in the English language. To be sure, Oscar Wilde, who was right about a lot of things, could also be wrong about others, such as his involvement with renters, young male prostitutes, some of whom testified against him at his fateful trial. But Nicholas Frankel, author of Oscar Wilde: The Unrepentant Years, is only passingly concerned with Wildes pre-trial life; his book is mostly about the three and a half years between Wildes release from prison in 1897 and his pitiful, untimely death. Frankel, who previously edited the uncensored version of The Picture of Dorian Gray, has done a thorough job of digging through the plethora of material about Wilde that has been committed to paper. His purpose is to refute the traditional view of Wilde ending as a broken martyr, a victim of hypocritical Victorian morality. As explained on the books dust jacket, Frankel aims to give us a Wilde who pursues his post-prison life with passion, enjoying new liberties while trying to resurrect his literary career. Wilde was not successful in the attempt. As Frankel shows, Wilde was unable to produce new work during these final yearswith the exception of The Ballad of Reading Gaol, by far his best poem, about his and his fellow prisoners reactions to the hanging of a wife-killer.

When you come right down to it, why shouldnt Wilde have been unrepentant? He had paid heavily for a crime not unpopular in Britain, albeit generally practiced more clandestinely. How it must have rankled that, for example, Lord Rosebery remained free. Wilde, as he emerges from Frankels book, was basically a kindly, warm-hearted chap. He himself, and everyone he encountered, attested to his talk being superior to his writings, delightful as they are. Many people live by their wits, but the exiled Wilde largely lived by his wit alone. No wonder he had several devoted friends, starting with his first gay lover and later literary executor, the Canadian Robbie Ross, who commissioned and is buried in a small compartment of Wildes large, heroic funerary monument by Jacob Epstein. Only at the very last did Wilde become anything less than a charming companion and exquisite conversationalist, when soliciting money from everyone he knew, however slightly.

More here.Venus Vaporizers is the most popular vaporizer brand in Finland that has now launched the latest, limited edition vaporizer called the Apollo 2. The heating element in this model is completely redesigned and the mass of the construction has been reduced considerably than the previous version. While the previous version of Apollo 2 has 20W power, the limited edition Apollo 2 comes with 50 W of halogen bulb power. The bump glass envelope area has grown up to 30% and the heating element is also a little bit longer than before. All these changes are made by the company to enhance the performance of the vaporizer further and also increase its battery life.

Since the time of its launch, Apollo 2 has received a great response from the users worldwide due to its strong performance and tasty hits it provided. One of the users says in their review, Really in love with this thing. I have quite a few high-end vapes but wish I found this sooner. Extremely happy with my buy and hope to add another Apollo or Venus vape to my collection in the near future. Now the limited edition, 50W version of Apollo 2 is here to bring even more delight to the users with its quicker, stronger and tastier hits accompanied with better battery life and less heat energy wasted.

While the latest Apollo 2 vaporizer is expected to make quite some buzz, one of the other products called Venus is also very popular among the vape enthusiasts. This product uses the latest 3rd generation halogen vaporization technology and comes with a visually appealing vapor illumination chamber for both enjoyable taste and immediate visual feedback.

The Apollo 2, 50 W vaporizer quickly heats up and offers fast vapor extraction. It is also said to be the best in terms of taste as per the vaporizer enthusiast. The adjustable herb chamber volume makes it work ideally with different amounts of herb, from micro doses to full chambers of 0.3-0.4g and a powerful vapor cooling unit cools down even the strongest vapors to room temperature. The user can enjoy strong smooth vapors without irritation.

Venus Vaporizers was founded in 2012 and since then it has made its mark in the industry especially in Finland, as the sellers of the most luxurious and high performing vaporizers. It uses natural materials in the construction to ensure maximum safety, high quality and pleasant appearance of the vaporizer. The company deals with only direct sales so that the customer gets the most genuine price for the products theyre buying.

All the products by Venus vaporizers use halogen heating technology that provides the best taste and vapor production. The company also offers free international express shipping. More information about the products can be found at their official website.

Media Contact

Company Name: Steam Story Oy

Contact Person: Grace Williams (PR Manager)

Email: gracewilliamss91@gmail.com

Country: Finland

Website: www.venusvaporizers.comGov. Kay Ivey said today she has "serious concerns" about President Donald Trump's tariffs on steel and aluminum.

On Thursday, the president slapped a 25 percent tariff on imported steel and a 10 percent tariff on imported aluminum, excluding Mexican and Canadian imports.

Attending the Friday opening of Spanish auto supply firm Truck & Wheel's Vance plant, Ivey said the tariffs could impact not only jobs, but also existing trade agreements vital to Alabama's economic success.

"Alabama's economy is driven in large measure by advanced manufacturing in automotive and aerospace firms, and both of those utilize a great deal of steel and alumnium," Ivey said. "These tariffs could likely be a disruptive factor between Alabama and other countries, when you break up that two-way trading partnership."

Ivey is not alone. Earlier this week, Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield said he was concerned the tariffs could impact job gains in manufacturing. Alabama brewery industry expressed similar concerns about how aluminum tariffs might impact their canning operations.

Ivey said she was also concerned about how the tariffs might impact ongoing negotations of the North American Free Trade Agreement and the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement. The Trump Administration has undertaken new talks on both, as Trump said during his campaign and last year that the pacts have been unfair toward the U.S.

Today, the Mexican Secretariat of Economy said the negotiation of NAFTA "follows its normal course."

Some figures in the American steel industry hailed the tariff announcement as an understandable consequence of unfair foreign imports.

Thomas J. Gibson, president and CEO of American Iron and Steel Institute, said U.S. Steel will be restarting a blast furnace in Granite City, Ill. which had been idle since 2015, as a result.

"We thank the president for his continued recognition of the nearly one million jobs supported by the domestic steel industry," Gibson said.

SSAB Americas, which has a plant in Mobile, said the company produced more than 2.5 million tons of steel in its Alabama and Iowa mills. However, that steel is supplemented with SSAB's products from Sweden and Finland.

"SSAB has supported, and will continue to support, efforts to ensure rules-based, fair trade," the company stated. "SSAB's Nordic exports into the U.S. are traded fairly, following established international rules of trade, and are managed and sold by American workers to companies in the U.S. We therefore will be engaging with U.S. government officials to advocate for the preservation of this important trade relationship."Tier 1 auto supplier Truck & Wheel dedicated its new plant in Vance today, with Gov. Kay Ivey on hand.

The Spanish corporation looks to employ 74 people at its automated $35.2 million plant just off Interstate 59 in Tuscaloosa County. The 127,000-square-foot factory will supply wheel assemblies - industrial tires and sequencing for automobiles.

Gov. Kay Ivey greets people at the opening of the new Truck & Wheel plant in Vance, Ala. Friday, March 9, 2018.

Carlos Llonis, general manager of Truck & Wheel's automotive division, drew a literary connection with the work of his company. He noted that Truck & Wheel is based in northern Spain, the scene of Ernest Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises," which documents the running of the bulls in Pamplona.

Working in America represents a new challenge that will keep the company running, he said, and the company plans on investing more in technology to keep up as the automotive industry changes.

Jason Hoff, president and CEO of neighboring Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, said the Truck & Wheel factory represents the future of the industry.

"Dynamic, changing and challenging," he said, relying on technically trained employees and automation.

"The assembly of tires and wheels may not seem that important, but it's incredibly important in the process of manufacturing automobiles," Hoff said.

Truck & Wheel, established in 1998, is one of the main logistics operators in Europe, with a presence in Spain, Portugal, France and Germany. Llonis said the company, which was formed when a group of professionals in logistics and transport took a chance, began with an "American" name.

When asked if the company had American investors, Llonis said his father said, "Yes, but it's confidential," confident that it was a good way to get the story around.

Ivey, citing new numbers showing Alabama is third among state's exporting automobiles, said the company will find good, highly trained workers in Alabama.

"What we're doing, and the way we're doing it, is working," Ivey said. "And as a result, the people of Alabama are working."Bishop Robert J. Baker, head of the Catholic Diocese of Birmingham, has called for a security review at Catholic schools in light of the fatal shooting at Huffman High School in Birmingham.

"We must take every reasonable step to prevent such an event from ever happening on the property of Catholic schools or parishes," he wrote in a statement released today, calling for a review of security measures.

"Our campuses must have a zero-tolerance policy for possession of weapons and threats of violence," Baker wrote. "Only authorized and trained security people may possess guns or weapons on campus. Any unauthorized person who brings a weapon on to school or church property must be reported to authorities, expelled, or dismissed from their position without hestitation. Anyone who threatens to use a weapon must be likewise dismissed.

"Intimations of violent behavior must result in suspension or removal until or unless responsible parties can provide professional, documentable evidence of safety."

Baker said he conducted a Mass in memory of Courtlin Arrington, who had planned to attend nursing school after graduation, and asked priests across the diocese to do so as well. "She aimed at a life of service, and now that possibility has been cut off," Baker said. "The loss is incalculable."A rash of school violence threats sweeping the country in recent weeks led to two Birmingham sixth-graders penning a Last Will and Testament of sorts on loose leaf paper.

It was a simple, yet stunning, act that left 12-year-old Javon Davies' mother in disbelief.

"I was like, 'Lord have mercy.' I couldn't believe what I reading,''' said Mariama Davies. "When I was that age, I thought about lunch. They shouldn't be preparing to die."

Schools throughout the country have reacted to numerous social media threats following last month's deadly school shooting in Parkland, Florida. More than a dozen of schools in Alabama alone have investigated reported threats.

And, in addition to those reported threats, a Birmingham high school senior was fatally shot inside a Huffman High School this week. An unloaded gun was found in the locker at Birmingham's Bush Hills Academy, also this week, and a gun was found at the front door of Huffman Middle School last week.

Davies said on Thursday there was talk on Facebook of a threat at Jones Valley Middle School, where Javon is a student. That's when Javon and his best friend wrote their "letters" with the promise to give it to each other's family if anything happened to them.

Javon's friend told his mother in the letter to make sure that Javon would get his Xbox and games and controller. In return, Javon did the same for his friend, and said he also added a note to his family. "I wrote, 'Hey family. I love y'all. Y'all put the clothes on my back. You stick by my side and I love you very much. Love, Javon."

Javon said they were briefly on lockdown, where the students had to stay in their classroom while school officials checked their lockers to make sure there were no weapons. "That made me feel safe,'' he said. "I knew everything was going to be OK because I was in God's hands."

"I wasn't scared because I knew I could be powerful,'' he said. "I was born between two stars - they're big up close and they shine real bright. That's my parents and they surround me."

Davies said she was shocked when her son came home and told her what he and his friend had done. "It just broke my heart,'' she said. "I'm 31 and I haven't even thought to write a will."

Davies kept her son home from school on Friday and is taking him on a weekend trip to help clear his mind. "I want him to be as happy as he can be,'' she said. "I'm still at a loss for words."

"I hate, I hate it, I hate it,'' she said. "He has to go to school. I'm scared, but I just can't keep him at home."

Davies said she's learned a valuable lesson. "You have to prepare for the worst, talk to your kids, try to have as many safety precautions as you can,'' she said. "There's only so much you can do when they're away and at school. Talk to them, prepare them and hold them close."YOUNTVILLE, Calif. -- Three workers for a program that treats veterans for post-traumatic stress disorder were found dead Friday along with the suspect who took them hostage at the largest veterans home in the U.S., officials said.

The four bodies were discovered nearly eight hours after the gunman slipped into an employee going-away party in a building where combat veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan receive treatment, said California Highway Patrol Assistant Chief Chris Childs.

The three female victims were employees of the nonprofit organization Pathway Home treatment program, which is housed on the campus of the Veterans Home of California-Yountville.

Childs said it was "far too early to say if they were chosen at random" because investigators had not yet determined a motive.

Although authorities called the workers hostages throughout the day Friday, it was unclear how long they were alive held by the gunman.

The only shots that were heard at the center happened at around 10:30 a.m., when authorities say the suspect arrived. Throughout the day, authorities said they had been unable to make contact with the gunman and the bodies were found at around 6 p.m.

"This is a tragic piece of news, one we were really hoping we would not have to come before the public to give," he said.

Napa County Sheriff John Robertson declined to identify the victims and the gunman Friday night, saying family members still needed to be notified following the attack at the state-run Veterans Home of California-Yountville, in one of Napa Valley's most upscale towns in the heart of wine country.

Yountville is about 53 miles (85 kilometers) north of San Francisco.

A sheriff's deputy responding to an emergency call shortly after 10 a.m. got into a shootout with the gunman, but the officer was not injured.

Highway Patrol Sgt. Robert Nacke said negotiators were unable to make contact with the gunman throughout the day.

Larry Kamer told The Associated Press that his wife, Devereaux Smith, was at a morning staff party and told him by phone that the gunman had entered the room quietly, letting some people leave while taking others hostage.

Smith, a fundraiser for the nonprofit Pathway Home, was still inside the facility's dining hall and was not allowed to leave, he said. The Pathway Home, a privately run program on the grounds of the veterans home, treats veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Police evacuated the property and closed off nearby roads. An armored police vehicle, ambulances and several firetrucks were at the facility, which houses about 1,000 residents.

Army veteran and resident Bob Sloan, 73, was working at the home's TV station when a co-worker came in and said he had heard four gunshots coming from the Pathway Home. Sloan sent alerts for residents to stay put.

Jan Thornton of Vallejo, California, was among hundreds of relatives worried about how their loved ones were coping with the lockdown. Thornton said her 96-year-old father, a World War II fighter pilot, was inside a hospital wing and that she had reached one of his friends who said he was safe.

Still, she worried about the stress of the lockdown, considering her father's age and that he has PTSD and some dementia. Thornton said her "heart just bleeds for the people that are being held hostage."

A group of about 80 students who were on the home's grounds were safely evacuated after being locked down, the sheriff said. The teens from Justin-Siena High School were at a theater rehearsing a play.

"They were a distance away from the shooting situation," Robertson said.

Some of the children were driven away on school buses and others in cars. Sasha Craig spotted a car carrying her 15- and 17-year-old children and ran toward it blowing kisses.

"There are my kids," she said. Like many parents, she was texting with her children inside and said the teenagers were telling their parents to "chill."

The state Veterans Affairs department says the home that opened in 1884 is the nation's largest veterans home, with about 1,000 elderly and disabled residents.

Yvette Bennett, a wound-care supply worker who supplies the veterans center, was turned back when she tried to deliver what she called urgently needed medical supplies for two patients inside.

Of all the medical institutions she has worked with, "this is the most placid, calm, serene place," she said. Earlier this week, when she last visited, she asked a doctor, "What's your magic here?"

"And then 48 hours later this happens," Bennett said.

Yountville is a small town that's home to wineries such as Domaine Chandon, which is less than a half-mile from the veterans facility, and Thomas Keller's famed restaurant The French Laundry, which is about a mile away.

-- By Ellen Knickmeyer and Janie Har, Associated PressTALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed a far-reaching school-safety bill Friday that places new restrictions on guns in the aftermath of a deadly school shooting, cementing his state's break with the National Rifle Association. The NRA immediately fought back with a lawsuit.

The new law capped an extraordinary three weeks of lobbying that followed the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, with student survivors and grieving families working to persuade a Republican-run state government that had shunned gun control measures.

Surrounded by family members of the 17 people killed in the Valentine's Day shooting, the GOP governor said the bill balances "our individual rights with need for public safety."

"It's an example to the entire country that government can and has moved fast," said Scott, whose state has been ruled for 20 years by gun-friendly Republican lawmakers.

Tony Montalto, whose daughter Gina was killed in the shooting, read a statement from victims' families: "When it comes to preventing future acts of horrific school violence, this is the beginning of the journey. We have paid a terrible price for this progress."

Gov. Rick Scott Signs Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act; Invests More Than $400 Million in School Safety and Mental Health: https://t.co/6TxoA3RwIo  Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) March 9, 2018

The bill fell short of achieving the ban on assault-style weapons sought by survivors. The gunman who opened fire at the school used such a weapon, an AR-15 rifle.

Nevertheless, the bill raises the minimum age to buy rifles from 18 to 21, extends a three-day waiting period for handgun purchases to include long guns and bans bump stocks, which allow guns to mimic fully automatic fire. It also creates a so-called guardian program enabling some teachers and other school employees to carry guns.

The NRA insisted that the measure "punishes law-abiding gun owners for the criminal acts of a deranged individual." The group promptly filed a lawsuit to block the provision that raises the age to buy guns, arguing that it violates the Second Amendment.

The Parkland gunman "gave repeated warning signs that were ignored by federal and state officials. If we want to prevent future atrocities, we must look for solutions that keep guns out of the hands of those who are a danger to themselves or others, while protecting the rights of law-abiding Americans," Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action, said in a statement.

The signing marked a major victory for the teens who lived through the attack and swiftly became the public faces of a renewed gun-control movement. Just days after the shooting, they began holding rallies, lobbying lawmakers and harnessing the power of social media in support of reform.

The governor told the students: "You helped change our state. You made a difference. You should be proud."

Scott, who said he is an NRA member and will continue to be one, said he is still "not persuaded" about the guardian program that will let districts authorize staff members to carry handguns if they complete law enforcement training. It is not mandatory.

"If counties don't want to do this, they can simply say no," he said.

Andrew Pollack, whose daughter Meadow died, called the new law "a start for us."

His teenage son Hunter added: "Let's get the rest of the country to follow our lead and let's make schools safe. Let's harden the schools and make sure this never happens again."

The governor singled out two fathers whose children were killed, saying that they walked the halls of the Legislature since the shooting seeking change.

"I know the debate on all these issues will continue. And that's healthy in our democracy," he said. "This is a time for all of us to come together, roll up our sleeves and get it done."

Student activists from the school called it "a baby step."

"Obviously, this is what we've been fighting for. It's nowhere near the long-term solution," said Chris Grady, a senior at Stoneman Douglas High. "It's a baby step but a huge step at the same time. Florida hasn't passed any legislation like this in God knows how long."

The bill narrowly passed the House and Senate, which formally delivered the reform package on Thursday.

In schools, the measure creates new mental health programs and establishes an anonymous tip line for reporting threats. It also seeks to improve communication between schools, law enforcement and state agencies.

Broward County teachers union President Anna Fusco said teachers supported the bill but not the provision that allows them to carry guns.

She said she wants Scott to veto the money for the guardian program when he receives the budget. The governor cannot veto individual items in the bill itself, but he does have line-item veto power with the budget.

The Broward County school superintendent has already said he does not want to participate in the program.

Meanwhile, the 19-year-old former student accused of assaulting the school went before a judge. Nikolas Cruz faces 17 counts of murder and attempted murder. In a brief hearing Friday, he stood with his head bowed as he appeared via video conference.

Cruz's public defender has said he will plead guilty if prosecutors take the death penalty off the table and sentence him to life in prison instead. Prosecutors have not announced a decision.

-- By Brendan Farrington and Gary Fineout, Associated PressDylan Payne considers himself one of the lucky ones. He weighed 215 pounds before "he started cooking dope, bad," in his home state of Indiana. Years later he bonded himself out of the Chilton County Jail and got a second chance.

He was in jail for about a year on drug charges. He says he lost about 100 pounds when he was using drugs regularly. He's now a resident of Renascence, a transition home for men paroled for nonviolent offenses. The name means rebirth. Renascence is the only program of its kind in the state. And it is key to helping men such as Payne ease back into society after a hitch inside.

"I'm lucky to be here," the 24-year-old said recently while giving a tour of the home on Clayton Street in downtown Montgomery. "It's very hard to get into this program. I feel like I have a chance now.

"I know it will be hard, but at least I have a chance."

The Program

A full house at Renascence is 14 men. Numbers fluctuate as people rotate in and out. The men stay six months to a year. It's not a cakewalk. They have to get jobs, and keep them while they are in the house, They have to clean their rooms, attend weekly AA or NA meetings. Do daily chores to keep the home and yard tidy. Stay away from drugs and alcohol and generally stay out of trouble.

Dereck Wise is there to see they toe the line. He's the house manager.

"I have no problem being the bad guy," he said, only half-joking. "Structure is important. These men come from an environment in prison where everything they did was heavily structured. Someone tells them when to eat. Someone tells them when to take a shower, when to go to bed.

"So, they are used to having structure. Here at Renascence, the level of control is not as punishing, but it is strict. The men need to get accustomed to making decisions for themselves again. The right decisions."

Wise says about 11 out of a group of 14 men make it to the end of the program successfully.

The majority of the men who come through these doors have some kind of addiction issues. Wise knows what they are going through. This month he will have been clean and sober for 19 years.

"It's a constant battle, staying off the dope, the alcohol," he said. "Earlier in your recovery it's even harder. These men are here, mostly because of their addictions. That's what landed them in trouble in the first place.

"It's easy to fall back into those old habits of using. I tell them that to make it, they have to give up some things. They have to give up the old 'hood. That's where the buddies they used to get high with live. That's where the dope house they used to get high in is. They have to give up the old ways, the old habits. Hopefully, they look at me and see that it can be done. It's a struggle, but it's worth it. To get a real life back, it's worth it."

Calvin Moore knows it's worth it. He completed the program after spending "a dozen years or so, off and on," in the state prison system. He's engaged now. For the past five years he's worked at the Big Lots distribution center, where he's worked his way up to floor leader. On weekends he works at Renascence. He serves as a janitor at 2 Cities Church in downtown Montgomery. For him, the key is keeping busy.

"Man, they know where I come from, and they give me the keys to this place?" Moore, 60, said of the church, where he has converted a small room into an art studio. "I really appreciate what everyone has done for me. No one wants to hire an ex-con, I realize that. But I've had a lot of support. A lot of help to make this new life."

Having that help with the transition is a big reason why Moore has been able to stay out.

"A lot of folks, when they get out, they go back to the old neighborhoods," Moore said. "Some may go back to their families, if they have families. If their families haven't thrown them away through all the trouble they have caused. But you go back to the old places, you can fall right back into troubles again.

"With Renascence, you can make that break. I still see some of my old friends from Montgomery. I'm not ashamed of where I came from. But now, I can't spend time with those old friends. We talk when we meet, but we don't hang out. I had to get away from all that."

Renascence is a private, tax exempt program, operating from donations. Their motto is "RECLAIM. REBUILD. REINTEGRATE." Through March 22, 2017, the program has served 266 men, saving taxpayers in the state about $17,406.85 per year for each man taken in, the program's data say.

The Need

Recidivism. It's a fancy word for people returning to a life of crime after release from jail or prison. In more cases than not, it means convictions and more time inside. For some, it becomes a way of life.

The study "Recidivism of Prisoners Released in 30 states in 2005: Patterns from 2005-2010" released on April 22, 2014, shows that about two-thirds, or 67.8 percent, of prisoners were arrested for a new crime within three years. Five years out, three-quarters, or 76.6 percent, were arrested. More than a third, 36.8 percent, of all prisoners who were arrested within five years of release were arrested within the first six months after release, with more than half, 56.7 percent, arrested by the end of the first year.

Within five years of release, ". 82.1 percent of property offenders were arrested for a new crime, compared to 76.9 percent of drug offenders, 73.3 percent of public order offenders and 71.3 percent of violent offenders," the study shows.

That's why programs such as Renascence are so important, said Guy Renfro, an assistant professor of behavioral science at Faulkner University. Early in his career Renfro worked with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, reviewing parole applications among other duties.

"People forget the divisive impacts being institutionalized can have," he said. "For a long time, inmates have not had to make decisions. So, it takes time upon release for them to get back to making decisions for themselves, the proper decisions."

The old cliche, Hollywood image of an inmate leaving the Big House with a new suit and a $20 bill in their pocket just doesn't get it, he said.

"Many of these former inmates are homeless upon release," he said. "They don't have that safety net that is so vital for those initial months after release. They may not have a driver's license or identification, they likely don't have a job or a bank account. The things we take granted every day can be foreign to a person who has just been released from a lengthy prison sentence."

And there are more inmates in the states' prisons systems than ever before. According to the Sentencing Project, the United States leads the world in incarceration. There are an estimated 2.2 million people in the country's prisons and jails, a 500 percent increase over the past four decades, the project shows.

The "War on Drugs" and mandatory minimum sentences are major causes for the burgeoning population of the incarcerated, the project's data reflect. In 1980, the number of people sentenced on drug offenses in this nation was 40,900 compared to 469,545 in 2015, the group's data show. There are more people behind bars now for drug offenses than who were in jail or prison for any crime in 1980, according to the group's research.

According to the National Research Council, about 50 percent of the more than 200 percent growth in state prison populations between 1980 and 2010 was due to increase in time served for all offenses.

At the federal level, the U.S. Sentencing Commission in 2014 voted to reduce "excessive" sentences for up to 46,000 people serving time in federal prison on drug crimes, The Associated Press reported then. In 2010, Congress passed the Fair Sentencing Act, which reduced the differences between sentences for crack and powder cocaine convictions. The Sentencing Project holds that to get a handle on the burgeoning prison population nationwide that mandatory minimum sentences be eliminated or cut back, and that resources should be shifted to community-based prevention programs and treatment for substance abuse.

Alabama has struggled with overpopulation in its prison system for decades. No real effort at prison reform can be successful unless recidivism is addressed, Renfro said.

"The idea of lock them up and throw away the key is short-sighted," he said. "With the exception of the most violent crimes, most prisoners are going to be released, either at the end of their sentence or through parole. The revolving door of recidivism has to end.

"That's why groups like Renascence and what they are doing is so important."

For Payne, it's been a long and circuitous road to get to the house on Clayton Street. The construction trade took him from Indiana to Florida, then to Shelby County. He lost his job and went back to the old ways. He got back on the dope, he said. Now he's busy building something else.

"I'm 24-years-old," he said. "I have a life ahead of me. I've got to make it this time."Mark Wilson/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- The lawyer for Stormy Daniels says emails show President Donald Trump's personal attorney Michael Cohen was using his Trump Organization email just days before the 2016 election as he arranged the wire transfer of a $130,000 payment to the adult film star to remain silent about her alleged 2006 affair with Trump.



Michael Avenatti, who provided the emails to ABC News, alleges that the use of Cohens Trump.org email further supports his position that Trump was aware of the payment to Daniels whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford.



"We're one step closer to demonstrating that the assertion by Cohen and the White House that President Trump knew nothing about this is ridiculous," Avenatti told ABC News Tom Llamas on Friday.



Cohen dismissed these allegations.



Mr. Avenatti has clearly allowed his 15 minutes of fame to affect his ludicrous conclusions. The earth-shattering uncovered email between myself and the bank corroborates all my previous statements; which is I transferred money from one account at that bank into my LLC and then wired said funds to Ms. Cliffords attorney in Beverly Hills, California. How Mr. Avenatti or the media at large believes this to be breaking news is a mystery to me, Cohen told ABC News.



When asked where the $130,000 sent to Daniels attorney came from, Cohen told ABC News the funds were taken from my home equity line and transferred internally to my LLC account in the same bank.



"I think this document seriously calls into question the prior representation of Mr. Cohen and the White House relating to the source of the monies paid to Ms. Clifford in an effort to silence her," Avenatti told NBC News, which first reported the use of the email. "We smell smoke."



When asked about this statement, Cohen responded: " He should either evacuate the room hes standing in or immediately seek the attention of an ENT doctor.



The email purports to show that First Republic Bank and Cohen communicated about the payment on October 26, 2016.



"The funds have been deposited into your checking account," the email reads. The subject line of the email appears to be a reply to previous email exchanges about the payment. "RE: First Republic Bank Transfer."



I didnt wire it to Russia, I didnt wire it to Syria, or Africa. I wired it to an IOLA account in Beverly Hills. It was my money  Im sure this type of transaction has never been done before, Cohen said sarcastically. This type of account is generally used by attorneys that help oversee client and escrow funds.



Cohen has previously said in a statement that neither the Trump Organization nor the Trump campaign "was a party to the transaction with Ms. Clifford, and neither reimbursed me for the payment, either directly or indirectly. The payment to Ms. Clifford was lawful, and was not a campaign contribution or a campaign expenditure by anyone.



Cohen on Friday also sought to downplay the use of his Trump Organization email.



I sent emails from the Trump Org email address to my family, friends as well as Trump business emails. I basically used it for everything. I am certain most people can relate, he said.



He also said he feels the current criticism is part of a "witch hunt".



These incessant attacks against me are meritless and are concocted by the liberal mainstream media to continue to malign our President and distract the country from his historic achievements over the past year. This witch hunt has now gone from ludicrous to insane," Cohen said in a statement. "You cant prove a negative. They make up stories based on unnamed, unverified and unreliable sources and that becomes the breaking news of the day. This is no different than the fake dossier that placed me in Prague and thrust me into the center of this Russian collusion delusion.



Avenatti suggested Cohens assertions strained credulity.



Does Mr. Cohen really think that the American people will believe him when he states that he did all of this - the negotiation, the drafting of the agreement, the communication and the payment without any knowledge whatsoever of his client Mr. Trump? So he is admitting he violated his ethical obligations of a lawyer to keep his client informed? It makes no sense and the American people are smarter than he thinks they are. They will easily see through this, Avenatti told ABC News in a statement.



This isn't about 15 minutes of fame. It's about months of deception and lies by Mr. Cohen about what Mr. Trump knew and when he knew it, Avenatti said.



President Trump recently added yet another lawyer in his outside legal team  New York attorney Lawrence S. Rosen, multiple sources tell ABC News. Rosen is representing Cohen and Trump in this matter.



Rosen was brought in by Cohen to handle the legal issues surrounding the so-called "hush" agreement that Cohen negotiated with Daniels.

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.(ANSA) - Milan, March 9 - Rightwing populist League leader Matteo Salvini said Friday Italy should either get a "political" government or return to the polls with a new bonus-laden electoral law to ensure a majority after Sunday's inconclusive vote. "Either there's a government or the word returns to the Italians", he said in Milan.

"I would make tomorrow morning an election law that gives a bonus to the coalition or party that gets the most votes," he said.

"I don't believe in technical, short-term governments to implement one or two reforms, which risk being at the service of Brussels".

Salvini said he hoped the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) was willing to support a centre-right government to help Italy emerge from its post-election stalemate. "The PD after (outgoing leader Matteo) Renzi? I hope they're willing to give the country a way out, no matter who emerges from the (PD) primaries," said Salvini in Milan.

Asked about PD support for a centre-right government, he said "if everyone says the focus is on jobs, our programme has concrete and achievable proposals on that".

The League emerged as one of the two winners from Sunday's vote while the PD's vote dropped dramatically.

Salvini's anti-migrant, Euroskeptic force became top dog on the centre right ahead of Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right Forza Italia and earned Salvini a spot as the coalition's premier candidate.

The League scored 18%, compared to the PD's 19%, while the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S) was the top party with 32%.

However, the centre-right coalition now headed by Salvini got 37% of the vote, short of the 40% needed for a working majority.

Both the League and the M5S have been sending overtures to the PD but the party is overwhelmingly behind Renzi's vow not to cooperate.

Renzi resigned after the party's worst ever showing but the resignation will become effective only after a government is formed, he said.

The PD on Friday reiterated it will not jon a League-led administration.

The League should try to govern Italy with "those who have its programme", PD House whip Ettore Rosato said in rejecting Salvini's overture. "Everyone must have a sense of responsibility and our response to (President Sergio) Mattarella's call is a given but the first ones to be called to responsibility are those who got a mandate from voters and won the elections," he said. "The League should not hide behind pretexts and should build the conditions for government with those who have its same programmes and tones," Rosato said of the anti-migrant, Euroskeptic force which has vowed to deport hundreds of thousands of migrants and breach EU financial parameters if need be.

Meanwhile, over in Africa, a critically endangered species of frog has caught the worlds attention. Endemic to just a 10 kilometer stretch between the countries of South Africa and Namibia, this small amphibian does not croak or rivvit  it squeaks. Play the video above to see for yourself. It sounds just like one of those squeaky toys you might give a dog to play with.Squeaking aside for the moment, the Latin name for the desert rain frog is Berviceps macrops and it lives on a narrow strip of sandy shore between the sea and the dunes. It lives mostly under the ground but when the fog drifts in from the ocean it takes to the surface and emits its war cry. This may be enough to frighten off others of its species but it has become a long-lived meme on the internet.Fortunately, its unlikely that many will venture to its sandy habitat to steal specimens. Yet its environment is threatened both by industry and encroaching human populations. It is difficult to find as it is nocturnal  even though it leaves behind it very distinctive foot prints. These are usually discovered around heaps of animal dung  the frog is thought to live off the small insects which congregate around this matter.It seems it is the misty air which keeps the frogs skin moist  the areas where it is found get over 100 foggy days each year. There are no pools for tadpoles, however; the young are laid under the ground and emerge at the surface as fully-formed if tiny desert rain frogs. When they are seen above ground, they often have sand stuck to their skin.Perhaps thats why they get so angry. It isnt known really whether this is a warning, a mating song or something else. One can only hope that the desert rain frog continues to squeak its way through the millennia despite our best efforts to destroy its habitat.Animals are all over the internet in many different forms such as cute photos, memes, news stories and so on. We love these furry hair balls SO much that...

4 years agoThe thriller aspect of the book is fairly thrill-less but by the time the plan to get Zahi out is ready, you do feel invested in her escape.

Even before I got to page 1 of A Ticket to Syria by Shirish Thorat, I knew I would not require a manicure after I finished the book. Though the story is about getting a young woman from the Maldives out of Islamic State-held Syria where she was tricked into going by her radicalised husband, I had a strong feeling that thered be no nail-biting suspense and therefore, no cuticles would be harmed in the reading of this book.

Thats because the authors note that preceded the story made it clear that Thorat, a former police officer, was more interested in telling the Islamic State (IS) story than in creating a thriller, though he says the events of the novel are fictionalised truth.

Youd imagine then, that I was bored by this thrill-less thriller, that I would curse the writer, his publisher, and my editor for the fact that I had to read it, and that I would suggest that you spend your money and time more usefully on, say, fridge-cleaning equipment to eliminate the last stain of eight-month-old chicken butter masala from the shelves of your leftovers-stuffed refrigerator than on buying and reading this book.

If you did imagine that, youd be so, so wrong. This is a good book, even if it is less of a thriller than it should be. Because never before has the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) been explained to me so simply that I now actually understand what is going on in an area of the world that I have long mentally marked as FUBAR  F**ked Up Beyond All Recognition. And if, at times, in the explication of the ISIS, I got a slight feeling of discomfort as though this were a textbook I needed to mug up for an exam, it was something I could quite easily overlook, because the subject is so fascinating.

A Ticket to Syria is ostensibly about Zahi, a young woman from an increasingly radicalised Maldives, who thought she was going on holiday to Singapore with her husband, and his family but wound up in the heart of ISIS-held Syria. Almost her whole family of in-laws has been radicalised. Two sisters-in-law have abandoned their husbands to move to Syria with their children; her own husband has suddenly changed personality and one sister-in-law and her husband are eager to kill themselves for the cause.

Back in the Maldives, Zahis brother Ahmed is frantically trying to find her, but he knows that government and police sympathy are pretty much with the IS. So he calls an old friend from college for help. Ahmeds friend is a very useful man, the kind of person who knows how the underworlds work and what violence is about, which is why he is simply known as the Contact.

When Zahi finds a throwaway phone among her belongings, one shed bought on a visit to Mumbai a few months earlier and had forgotten she still had in her bag, the Contact knows that he has some collateral to work with. That functioning but secret phone would be very useful to the United States; Zahi could serve as an inadvertent spy in exchange for help. But the Contact has other contacts who are even more useful, including a spice trader-cum-smuggler in the area who had once fought in Afghanistan, and the genial captain of a merchant navy ship used to illegally collect heavily-discounted oil from ISIS-held regions of West Asia for sale in the open market.

Thorat uses Zahis story to tell the story of the Islamic State: Why, where and how it came to be, what its objectives are, how it accomplishes its goals, how it perceives itself in the world, how it compares with all the other radical Islamic groups, how it markets itself as desirable, how its economy functions, how ISIS cells are formed in countries around the world, including India, and so on. Though, as I said earlier, there is a faint whiff of the textbook about this information, its simply told and utterly fascinating  you can see why and how so many people in the world perceive the ISIS as a legitimate regime. The thriller aspect of the book is fairly thrill-less but by the time the plan to get Zahi out is ready, you do feel invested in her escape. And the Contact, despite being all-knowing and superhero-ish, is very endearing: the man who can calmly pull a person out of a country under a brutal regime with no official backing is also a man whose omelettes never turn out well and whose koi fish will not eat out of his hand.

I may have been disappointed when I read the authors note before I started the book, but by the time I finally put it down, I found it hard to bring myself back from Syria to India. That, to me, is a sign of a good book. So go forth and get this novel while I frame an email to its author, asking him for another book on similar line, but this time looking at the RSS. I think its time this particular fundamentalist organisation is just as deeply researched.

The writer is a freelance editor and writer who dreams of being a sanyasi by the seaThe civil aviaition secretary, on Thursday, had said that the Centre plans to issue expression of interests for Air India within two weeks.

Minister of State for civil aviation Jayant Sinha returning from the main exhibition centre at the Wings India exhibition in Hyderabad on Friday. (Photo: Gandhi)

Hyderabad: The government, which wants to complete the sale within the announced timeline, will split part of the $8.5 billion debt ahead of divesting the national airlines, the junior civil minister said.

Speaking to news agency Reuters on the sidelines of an event in Mumbai, Jayant Sinha said that the Centre has decided to split the massive debt into sustainable and unsustainable debt. The unsustainable part will be with the special purpose vehicle.

While Mr Sinha didnt elaborate, Reuters qouting a Bloomberg report said that the Centre had proposed the transfer of non aviation assets and upto `30,000 crore in short term loans into a seperate firm.

In a busy day for Mr Sinha, who also made a stop by in Hyderabad for the Wings India exhibition, in an impromptu conference said, To issue the EoIs, we need to get approval from the alternate mechanism that is chaired by the finance minister. That is a process we are going through. As soon as we have the go ahead, we will issue it.

The civil aviaition secretary, on Thursday, had said that the Centre plans to issue expression of interests for Air India within two weeks.

When asked about the timeline, Mr Sinha added, Our timeline is very clear. We want the whole transaction closed and done including the transfer to the partner airline in this calender year. Those are the timelines that have been established and will be maintained.

In 2017, the Cabinet finally gave the go-ahead to privatise the airline after multiple attempts to keep it solvent. But its debt burden and bloated cost structure have been a concern.

In an unrelated development, Mr Sinha remained evasive on whether there are any plans to ground these planes that are powered by P&W engines.

With repeated instances of A320 neo planes facing problems with Pratt & Whitney engines, Mr Sinha said authorities are working on the best course of action, Safety is our number one priority and we have been working very closely with safety regulators around the world to decide the best course of action for the P&W neo engine.

He was responding to a question on whether there are plans to ground the entire A320 neo planes with P&W engines till the problems are addressed.

Mr Sinha noted that the Centre has put in place appropriate safety measures for P&W engines which are consistent with practices followed around the world.In the last few years the profit of Indian banks has been coming down due to write-offs and provisioning for bad debts.

The amount involved for PSBs is reported as Rs 1,10,050 crore, it said.

New Delhi: Indian banks have written off NPAs worth whopping Rs 2.30 lakh crore for the five-year period ended March 2016, the finance ministry informed the Lok Sabha on Friday.

Moreover, in the last few years the profit of Indian banks has been coming down due to write-offs and provisioning for bad debts.

As per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data for scheduled commercial banks in 2012-13, the combined net profit was Rs 91,164 crore and the write-off amount was Rs 32,992 crore. In 2016-17, the combined net profit was Rs 43.898 crore, and the write-off amount was Rs 1,08,373 crore, said the finance ministry in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

It said that as per data received from public sector banks (PSBs), a total of 2.94 lakh loan accou-nts with aggregate amo-unt of Rs 7,645 crore have been written-off in the financial year 2017-18 till September 2017.

Around 38 loan acco-unts of wilful defaulters, amounting to Rs 516.04 crore, have been written-off in the financial year 2017-18 till September 2017 by state owned banks, said the ministry.

The finance ministry said writing-off of non-performing assets is a regular exercise conducted by banks to clean up their balance sheet, and achieving taxation efficiency.

However, it said that borrowers of such written off loans continue to be liable for repayment.

The ministry said that the total number of wilful defaulters was 9,063 for the state-owned banks on December 31, 2017, which represents a marginal increase of 1.66 per cent during the first nine months of the current financial year. The amount involved for PSBs is reported as Rs 1,10,050 crore, it said.

It said that state owned banks have registered 2,108 FIRs against wilful defaulters as on December 31, 2017, filed 8,462 suits for recovery from wilful defaulters, and initiated action under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and ESIA in respect of 6,962 cases of wilful defaulters.

Quoting RBI, the finance ministry said country-wise data on ratio of non-performing loans to total gross loans is available on the IMF database. It is observed that the ratio for India compares adversely with those of the US, UK, China and Japan.

As per the FSR relea-sed by RBI in December 2017, the gross NPAs of Scheduled Commercial Banks increased to 10.2 per cent in September 2017," said the ministry.

As per FSR, macro stress test for credit risk indicates that under the baseline scenario, the GNPA ratio of the banking sector may increase to 10.8 per cent by March 2018, it added.Earlier it was reported that Siddiqui and his wife were summoned by Thane's crime branch.

New Delhi: Nawazuddin Siddiqui is seemingly disgusted by the accusations of spying on his estranged wife.

The 'Gangs of Wasseypur' star, on Saturday, responded to the reports doing the rounds that he hired detectives to get her call records.

He tweeted, "Last evening, I was helping my daughter to prepare her school project Hydroelectric Power Generator & went to her school this morning for Project Exhibition. To my surprise the media had questions about some random allegations on me #Disgust"

Last evening, I was helping my daughter to prepare her school project Hydroelectric Power Generator & went to her school this morning for Project Exhibition.

To my surprise the media had questions about some random allegations on me #Disgust pic.twitter.com/APPaEK373q  Nawazuddin Siddiqui (@Nawazuddin_S) March 10, 2018

Earlier it was reported that Siddiqui and his wife were summoned by Thane's crime branch in connection with a Call Data Records (CDR) racket that was unearthed in January.

The duo had been summoned after some of the arrested accused had told the police that an advocate named Rizwan Siddiqui had obtained the CDR of the actor's wife from private detectives.Robert De Niro and his wife Grace Hightower hosted a surprise birthday dinner for the actor.

Anupam, who has a great body of work both on home turf and the West, has an illustrious career that spans over 35 years.

Veteran actor Anupam Kher has a memory to hold on to for a long time. Hollywood actor Robert De Niro and his wife Grace Hightower hosted a surprise birthday dinner for actor Anupam Kher at their New York home.

Anupam, who has a great body of work both on home turf and the West, has an illustrious career that spans over 35 years. The talented actor also continues to share a warm equation with all his co-stars. He was recently overwhelmed when Hollywood legend Robert De Niro threw him a surprise on his birthday.

Anupam, who is shooting for the pilot episode of an international television series for NBC, when his Silver Linings Playbook co-star Robert De Niro surprised him by hosting a private dinner for him at his residence. The director, David O.Russel also arrived at the dinner to surprise the actor.

Anupam wrote on Twitter, saying, Thank you Grace & Mr. Robert De Niro for making my birthday the biggest highlight of my entire life. Thank you for the surprise dinner for me at your home. Thank you for singing Happy Birthday song for me. Thank you for my ultimate KUCH BHI HO SAKTA HAI moment. ?? #GodOfActing (sic)The first one has a rich, presumably a spoilt brat, Vilas Naik (Pulkit Samrat) hunting for a flat for himself.

Rating:

Cast: Renuka Shahane, Richa Chadda, Pulkit Samrat, Sharman Joshi, Masumeh Makhija, Himanshu Malik, Ankit Rathi

Director: Arjun Mukerjee

Chawls in Mumbai have their own unique habitation where though primarily middle-class, yet a wide cross-section of multilayered echelons of Mumbais society reside  all displaying bonhomie and easy camaraderie that the high society condominiums seldom have. Debutant director Arjun Mukerjees 3 Storeys delves deeply into three or rather four families and their ordeals, and without dissecting the lives of characters threadbare, leaves you shocked. Not necessarily with a view to making stories follow a natural progression, but clearly, intentionally.

A format with three or four tales intersecting and overlapping into a complete whole has been quite popular in Europe, and, in Hollywood too, and even Bollywood has attempted to merge different accounts quite a few times, as in Hrishikesh Mukherjees Musafir way back in the 60s, and more recently in Onirs I Am and in Kiran Raos Dhobi Ghat.

3 Storeys, as the title suggests, has three yarns of people living on three different floors of a building. The first one has a rich, presumably a spoilt brat, Vilas Naik (Pulkit Samrat) hunting for a flat for himself. When his real estate agent takes him to Mayanagar, Vilas feels satisfied on meeting the owner Flory Mendonca (Renuka Shahane). Flory looks a tad cranky but Vilas seems to like the flat and gives his nod writing a cheque immediately as per Florys demands. It is when he starts nudging her to share her story that one gets a glimpse of tragic circumstances that led to the death of her only son and husband. What follows is a twist that would instantly remind viewers of the British novelist and short-story writer Roald Dahls unanticipated endings, and his unsentimental, macabre, often darkly comic mood, featuring villainous adult enemies of child characters. The twist is unexpected and jolts one out of their seats.

The next one is about Varsha (Masumeh Makhija) whose alcoholic and abusive husband makes her pine for her lost lover Shankar Verma (Sharman Joshi) all the more. When she unknowingly befriends her neighbour and finds out that Varshas past catches up with her when her new family moves in the same building. On Shankars return from Dubai where he works, she gets torn between being a duty-bound wife and her strain and conflict that her former love brings.

The last is about two miserable teenagers  a Muslim boy and a Hindu girl  who find their respective parents a stumbling block to their plans of elopement. Needless to add that all the stories have intriguing climaxes full of twists and turns. During the course of three acts, dark secrets and past regrets get revealed, and the narrator (Richa Chadda), who is herself a minor character living in the same building, underlines the volatility and misapprehension of the small community.

While it is commendable to see fresh ideas being dished out in Bollywood, the overall treatment of a complex structure leaves a lot to be desired. Both Renuka and Masumeh are complete miscasts in their roles. Contrary to her benign and caring image that Shahane has often displayed in playing bhabhi or wife in the little body of work that she has done, her rough disposition here is clearly to add an element of surprise for viewers. Resultantly, at times, her presence is in sync with the demands of the story, but mostly she looks ill at ease to look the oddity that she is expected to be. Masumeh tries hard to underscore the lower middle class emotions. It is Sharman Joshi who lights up the screen every time he appears. Other bit role players, including the good-hearted cop played by Himanshu Malik, are also equally convincing.

What fails to lift the film, despite its heft and unusual narrative, are some sketchy episodic tales, particularly that of the Hindu-Muslim love affair that one wished had more substance. Mukerjee, it seems underplays some of the films most dramatic moments, may be deliberately to ensure that his audience, after getting a jarring blow, ponders over. But the fleeting flashes of underlying warm sentiment dominate the films intensely striking and remarkable instants for them to register with his audience.

Wish there was more content to deal with!

The writer is a film critic and has been reviewing films for over 15 years. He also writes on music, art and culture, and other human interest stories.Sure, most romantic comedies are predictable, unrealistic and corny, but some films are so bad, theyre actually good.

Rating:

Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Saqib Saleem, Nidhi Singh, Abhilash Thapliyal, Srishti Shrivastava, Ayesha Kaduskar

Director: Aleya Sen Sharma

The first thing that came to my mind after watching Aleya Sen Sharmas Dil Juunglee was to question the source of funding for a film that clearly had no clue which way to head, because theres nothing worse than spending an early morning with a heartbreakingly bad movie. Sure, most romantic comedies are predictable, unrealistic and corny, but some films are so bad, theyre actually good. Also, the film is credited to actor producer Jackky Bhagnani as the creative director, no less!

Touted as a romantic comedy this Taapsee Pannu and Saqib Saleem starrer is the kind of film whose screenwriting, acting and plot twists are so unforgivable, they leave you more embarrassed than entertained. In fact, like many among the audience did, you might not even make it through the whole thing.

Theres no plausible story to speak of, but for all those who would still wish to know, its about Koroli Nair or Koro (Taapsee Pannu), who is the sole child of a London-based business tycoon, is nerdy and goofy. She settles in New Delhi to fulfil her pursuit of happiness and teaches English at the British Council, which makes her feel content in her own way. That she has no interest in her dads business is obviously a cause of concern for him. Her sole ambition in life is to get married and enjoy the joys of motherhood to her future kids.

Her diametrically opposite student, Sumit Uppal, a typical Lajpat Nagar highly ambitious lad wants to make it big as an actor in Bollywood, and works as the star trainer at a local gym where he has also worked on his physique. He dreams of walking the red carpet, some day, and brush shoulders with some of Bollywoods finest. He joins Korolis English class at the language school, and in a strange quirk of fate, she falls for Sumit and together they decide to elope to Mumbai where Sumit could try his luck in Bollywood. Their dreams get shattered when Sumits car, which Koro was driving, loses control, forcing all of them to fall in a canal. Taking the arduous journey to Mumbai on foot, they realise the futility of their dream, get into petty fights and become grumpy as all their hopes come crashing down.

From then on, the story that should have revolved around their friendship or romance goes all over the place. And you immediately know that you are in for a long and painful ride. If director Sen was trying to tell us the ups and downs that typically run parallel with love and friendship, more so, when the two involved belong to contrasting background, she misplaces the angle of fun, crazed love and madness.

The film jumps seven years later to a time when Koro is a hotshot, smart, elegant executive in her fathers firm in London, and calls the shots even as her fiance hovers around her.

Sen allows all the possible cliches to be fitted into the film as Koro is seen being chased by Sumit who is on a small-time assignment for a campaign that he keeps himself busy with to eke out a living. Their sudden meeting, Sumits desperate bid to win her back, and Koros first reluctance, and then gradual acceptance is so forced that it looks that Sen, somehow, wanted to include the Karan Johar sequence to make sure it looked like a homage to the director.

Or else the film looks like listening to a bedtime story by ones grandmother, who often loses track of the previous nights serialised finale. Pannu stumbles through her performance with cheesy delivery and Saleem infuses all his energetic zeal to pep up the film that actually has not one or two but three forced storylines getting fused and unified together.In light of the matter, medical officers have ordered an HIV test for all 5,000 inmates.

Ghaziabad Chief Medical Officer (CMO) N K Gupta on Friday said that the patients receive regular check-ups and medication. (Photo: ANI)

Ghaziabad: Up to 27 prisoners of Dasna Jail in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad district have been found to be infected with HIV virus.

In light of the matter, medical officers have ordered an HIV test for all 5,000 inmates.

In 2017, 49 prisoners were found HIV positive.

Ghaziabad Chief Medical Officer (CMO) N K Gupta on Friday said that the patients receive regular check-ups and medication.

Read: UP quack leaves 40 infected with HIV

"All 27 of those prisoners get regular check-ups from specialists, and free medicine. We also get other prisoners checked from time to time for symptoms of HIV," he said.BJP in-charge of Tripura Sunil Deodhar asked new CM Biplab Deb to get the septic tanks of all state ministers cleaned.

'It should be recollected that a woman's skeleton was found in septic tank of ex-chief minister Manik Sarkar's quarters on 4 January, 2005, but the case was deliberately suppressed,' Deodhar said. (Photo: File)

Agartala: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in-charge of Tripura Sunil Deodhar on Saturday said the Communist Party of India-Marxist [CPI-M] rulers may have hidden skeletons in septic tanks of their official bungalows.

Deodhar has asked the new Chief Minister of Tripura, Biplab Kumar Deb, to get the septic tanks of all state ministers cleaned before the quarters are occupied.

Deodhar said, "A woman's skeleton was found in septic tank at former Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar's house in 2005. These (Left leaders) people lived there for 25 years and have been political murderers. So, I have requested Mr Biplab Deb to get septic tanks of all minister quarters cleaned before they occupy them."

Earlier in the day, Deodhar took to Twitter to launch the attack on Sarkar. "I request Biplab Deb, the new Chief Minister of Tripura, to get septic tanks of all ministers' quarters cleaned before occupying them," he wrote.

"It should be recollected that a woman's skeleton was found in septic tank of ex-chief minister Manik Sarkar's quarters on 4 January, 2005, but the case was deliberately suppressed," Deodhar added.

In 2005, the skeletal remains of a woman were discovered inside a septic tank at Manik Sarkar's official residence.Heroin, cannabis replace liquor in parties to cut chances of getting caught.

Patna: A ban on liquor since 2016 has taken Bihar residents on a new high. Drugs seem to be fast become an alternative to liquor as officials struggle to control the spike in smuggling of contraband drugs since prohibition was introduced two years ago.

People, especially youths, have shifted to narcotics as it reduces their chances of getting caught easily. Drugs have replaced liquor in parties, said a volunteer associated with rehabilitation of addicts.

There are around 40 patients who have been admitted to our clinic for the treatment of their addiction to cannabis, marijuana and other contraband drugs. Dependence on drugs has gone up in the last one year, said Ashok Kumar Sharma, in-charge of Hitaishi rehabilitation and de-addiction centre.

A heroin seizure worth Rs 2.76 crores in Patna recently has sent alarm bells ringing and prompted the state government to work on a roadmap to stop narcotics smuggling from Kolkata on trains.

A large consignment of heroin was seized from a person named Radhey Shyam near Patna railway station. He was assigned to deliver the contraband drugs to Sasaram, said an official.

In August, last year Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials had seized heroin worth Rs 30 crores in Supaul district. Three drug smugglers were arrested with the contraband drugs which were being brought in a truck from Guwahati.

In December 2017, a large consignment of cannabis was seized from a truck in North Dinajpur area of West Bengal while it was being smuggled into Bihar. The police had arrested three persons in connection with the case.

Experts say that a large consignment of contraband drugs being brought in from various states to Bihar indicates that dependency on narcotics is raising after prohibition was imposed.

Another factor, they said is easy access to products like marijuana, cannabis and other dangerous substance like inhalers and painkillers. In rural areas, men who used to spend on liquor earlier are now smoking weeds in groups.

A recent study shows that there has been a surge in cases related to substance abuse after a statewide ban on liquor was imposed. Survey reports also show that around 25 percent of such cases were recorded within one year  between 2016 and 2017.

Insiders said that in a major crackdown against mafias dealing in drugs, the authorities had seized 73.87 acres of opium plantation during various raids last year.

There are tough laws to deal with people who have been violating prohibition rules in the state. Officials are strictly monitoring such cases and people have been arrested so it is wrong to say that cases of drug smuggling are rising in Bihar after prohibition was imposed, said JD(U) spokesperson Niraj Kumar.

Sources claim that over 14.1 tonnes of cannabis has been seized in the state since January last year. Figures show that seizure of cannabis has reached an all-time high in the state.According to experts, 3.7 tonnes of cannabis was seized in 2015, and it only increased by few per cent in 2016.

But government's concern can be gauged from the fact that several meetings have been conducted with officials to check the rising cases of drug abuse and smuggling in the state. The Bihar government banned the sale and consumption of liquor with effect from April 1, 2016 to fulfil a poll promise made by chief minister Nitish Kumar. Earlier, there was a surge of complaints from women about male members of the family resorting to drinking and creating nuisance, which affected the education of their children.

A new high

25% of the cases of substance abuse recorded, after the liquor ban was introduced in the state were between, 2016-2017

In 20162017, the authorities seized 73.87 acres of opium plantations

n August 2017, heroin worth Rs 30 cr was seized from Supaul

In February 2018, heroin worth Rs 2.76 cr was seized in PatnaRahul began the Malaysia leg of his visit by interacting with an 'enthusiastic gathering' of Indian diaspora.

Earlier at the University of California, Berkeley, Gandhi had said that Modi had caused tremendous damage to Indias economy with his 'reckless and dangerous' decisions like demonetisation and 'hastily-applied' GST. (Photo: File | PTI)

Kualalampur/New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on Saturday that demonetisation was not a good initiative and if he were the prime minister he would have thrown the proposal into the dustbin.

Gandhi is on a five-day trip to the Southeast Asian countries. He began the Malaysia leg of his visit on Saturday and interacted with an enthusiastic gathering of Indian diaspora in Kuala Lumpur.

Asked how he would have rolled out demonetisation differently, Gandhi said if I was the Prime Minister and somebody would have given me a file with demonetisation written on it, I would thrown it in the dustbin, out of the door and into the junkyard.

That is how I would have rolled it out, because that is what I think should have been done with the demonetisation which was not good at all, he said in a video shared by the Congress party on its Twitter handle.

Also Read: You wouldn't dare Modi unlike me: Rahul retorts to grilling in Singapore

The demonetisation initiative was rolled out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8, 2016, announcing the invalidation of high-value currency notes currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.

The Congress party has strongly criticised demonetisation, saying the move has led to economic slowdown.

Earlier at the University of California, Berkeley, Gandhi had said that Modi had caused tremendous damage to Indias economy with his reckless and dangerous decisions like demonetisation and hastily-applied GST.

Responding to a question on women empowerment, Gandhi also said equality was not good enough for women empowerment and asserted that women have to be given more support than men to end the bias against them.

I dont treat women equal to men, but better than men. I think there is a bias in all societies, including in western society and that bias needs to be corrected. And to correct that bias, equality is not good enough, you have to be partial to women and give them more support than you give men, he said.

Gandhi also addressed a gathering of young professionals at IYCON in Kuala Lumpur.

Met Mr Subramaniam Sathasivam, president of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) in Kuala Lumpur. Originally a part of the AICC until 1946, the MIC has played a major role in the Malaysian Independence Movement, he wrote on his facebook page.

Gandhis trip is part of the Congress partys efforts to connect with the diaspora.

He called on Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday and discussed a wide range of topics related to India-Singapore ties.

The trip is being organised by the AICC Overseas cell headed by technocrat Sam Pitroda, who helped former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi lead the IT revolution in India.

Pitroda had earlier successfully organised Rahul Gandhis visits to the US and West Asia.

Later in the year, the Congress president is also expected to travel to Dubai and Canada.With this, Rajasthan has become the second state in the country after Madhya Pradesh approving death sentence for those convicted of such rapes.

According to the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) 2016 report, the cases of crimes against children have shown a steady rise in Rajasthan.

Jaipur: The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly on Friday passed a bill approving death penalty to those convicted of raping or gang-raping a girl up to 12 years of age.

The Criminal Laws (Rajasthan Amendment) Bill, 2018, was tabled in the Assembly on Wednesday. It seeks to add Section 376-AA to the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which also limits sets the minimum punishment for raping girls below 12 years of age as 14 years.

With this, Rajasthan has become the second state in the country after Madhya Pradesh approving death sentence for those convicted of such rapes .

Whoever commits rape on a woman up to 12 years of age shall be punished with death, or rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than 14 years but which may extend to imprisonment for life which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of that persons natural life, and shall also be liable to fine, the amendment said. A similar Section, under Section 376-DD, has been added for gangrape.

Two amendments were made in the bill including that the convict cannot leave the prison for life even after completing 14 years of sentence. We have made two amendments in the case. Added life sentence & life imprisonment for convicts in offences against girls below 12 years of age, also made a provision that convict cant leave the prison for life even after completing 14 years of sentence, said Rajasthan home minister G.C. Kataria.

Rigorous imprisonment would not be less than 20 years and it may be extended to life imprisonment, which means that the convict would serve jail term till death. Rajasthan has taken initiative to send a message to the society and people that rape with innocent girls would result in death penalty, Mr Kataria said.

According to the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) 2016 report, the cases of crimes against children have shown a steady rise in Rajasthan.

The state recorded 4,034 such cases in 2016, which is 3.8 per cent of the crimes against children (98,344) registered across the country. It stands fourth in the crime against women category.PM Modi welcomed investments from France in the defence sector under Make in India.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday inked 14 pacts and witnessed the exchange of MoUs between India and France.

Macron, who is on his four-day India visit, arrived in New Delhi on Friday evening. He was given a ceremonial welcome on Saturday morning.

Addressing the joint statement, Modi said that even though India-France strategic partnership is just 20 years old, the cultural and spiritual partnership between the two nations is ages old.

He said liberty, equality and fraternity not only echo in France, but are also deeply embedded in India's Constitution.

PM Modi welcomed investments from France in the defence sector under Make in India. India and France also signed an agreement on protection of classified information.

"India and France have robust cooperation in fields of defence and security. In the defence sector, we welcome investments from France under Make in India," Modi said.

Macron, in a briefing with Modi, said that France wants India as its first strategic partner in Asia, and it wants to be Indias first strategic partner in Europe, and even the western world.

Macron added that India and France have decided to work together to deal with threats of terrorism and radicalisation.

Read: India is, has always been our priority: French President Emmanuel Macron

Earlier on Saturday, PM Modi held talks with Macron to explore ways to deepen bilateral cooperation, including in the fields of defence, security, trade and investment.

The visit of the French President is aimed at strengthening the bilateral economic, political and strategic dimension of our engagement, the foreign ministry said in a statement.'I think we have very good chemistry. Our two great democracies have a historic relationship,' said French President Emmanuel Macron.

French President Emmanuel Macron began his official engagements on Saturday morning, when he was given a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi. (Photo: AP)

New Delhi: French President Emmanuel Macron, who is on his four-day India visit, arrived in New Delhi on Friday evening. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Macron will meet on Saturday for detailed talks on boosting ties between their countries.

The visit of the French President is aimed at strengthening the bilateral economic, political and strategic dimension of our engagement, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

French President Emmanuel Macron began his official engagements on Saturday morning, when he was given a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi.

Read: Macron in India: Ties that keep growing

"I think we (India and France) have very good chemistry. Our two great democracies have a historic relationship," President Macron said at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

"Our aim is to begin a new era in ties between our two countries. For France, India is our priority and has always been. India has been France's first ally in the region. It is the entry point for France in the region, and my aim is to make France the entry point for India to Europe," Macron said outside the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He later visited the Raj Ghat to pay his tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.

The French President is accompanied by his wife Brigitte Marie-Claude Macron, businessmen and top officials.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed President Macron by receiving him at the airport and greeted him with a hug. "Welcome to India, President @EmmanuelMacron! Your visit will add great strength to the strategic partnership between India and France," tweeted Modi.

President Macron will "spend a lot of time with Prime Minister Narendra Modi," reports quoted a source in the French presidency as saying, adding that the two leaders had "formed a close relationship" during President Macron's first nine months in power.

President Macron will also meet Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj. Later on Saturday noon, Modi and Marcon will hold a bilateral meet that will be followed by delegation-level talks and signing of various deals.

Agreements on civil nuclear cooperation, solar energy and transfer of electric mobility for Indian Railways and metro lines linked to smart city projects -- for cities like Pune and Nagpur -- are on the cards. Space cooperation is on the agenda as is a larger framework on naval cooperation. Around 40 business leaders are accompanying the French president.

Modi and President Macron will co-chair the founding conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), on Sunday. The ISA is a flagship Indian initiative launched by Modi and the French president on the sidelines of the Paris climate conference in 2015. This meeting will be of great significance against the backdrop of the United States, under President Trump, pulling out of the Paris accord. India and France have pledged to achieve reduction in emissions as committed at Paris.

Also Read: Modi expected to be much more welcoming to Macron than Trudeau

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet said, "The ISA is a unique effort that brings the world together to harness solar energy and create a cleaner as well as greener future."

President Ram Nath Kovind will host a dinner on Saturday evening for the leaders of 24 nations who will attend the conference, including Macron.

French President Macron will also pay a visit to Narendra Modi's constituency, Varanasi. Both the leaders will take a boat ride in the Ganges, which will also include a private lunch. They will visit Mirzapur to inaugurate a 100 MW solar power plant.

President Macron and his wife will also visit the Taj Mahal.The trial court order came hours after a HC bench of Justices S. Muralidhar and I.S. Mehta granted Karti interim protection from arrest till March 20.

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Friday gave the CBI three more days for custodial interrogation of Karti Chidambaram, son of former finance minister P. Chidambaram, in the INX Media corruption case, while the Delhi high court granted him relief, restraining the Enforcement Directorate (ED) from arresting him in connection with its money laundering probe pertaining to the same case till March 20.

Although Karti got a breather in the money laundering case, special judge Sunil Rana remanded him in CBI custody for three days after the investigative agency claimed it had recovered certain fresh incriminating documents and CD from the Chennai office of Advantage Strategic Pvt Ltd, a company allegedly linked to Karti.

The trial court order came hours after a high court bench of Justices S. Muralidhar and I.S. Mehta granted Karti interim protection from arrest till March 20.

The high court asked the ED to satisfy it on the issue of its powers to arrest an accused under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act on the next date of hearing. Karti was arrested by the CBI from Chennai Airport on February 28 in connection with the case. The trial court asked the CBI to produce Karti before it on March 12.

The outcome of Kartis bail plea assumes significance as the high court said that if he is granted the relief by the special judge (trial court), ED will not take any coercive steps against him till March 20, when it will hear the matter. Making it clear that the trial court shall pass orders without getting influenced by the high courts directions today, the bench said certain conditions be imposed on Karti like asking him to appear before the ED, as and when called by the investigating officer, and cooperate in the probe. He shall also be directed not to leave the country and surrender his passport, it said.

Additional solicitor-general Tushar Mehta, who is appearing for both the CBI and the ED in the case, told the trial court on Friday that Kartis custodial interrogation by the CBI was needed to confront him with the recovery of fresh incriminating documents.Rohatgi said that these petitions are filed for extraneous petitions with oblique motive.

New Delhi: The Maharashtra government on Friday strongly opposed in the Supreme Court the pleas seeking an independent probe into the death of former CBI Judge B.H. Loya, saying that the petitions are politically motivated as all their attention is towards one politician (BJP president Amit Shah)

Making this submission before a three-judge bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A.M. Kanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud, senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Maharashtra, said, Apart from politics, there is nothing amiss in the death of judge Loya.

These petitions are filed for extraneous petitions with oblique motive. The unfortunate death of judge Loya is sought to be politicised. They are activated by malice. Their real intention is not for a probe into the death of the judge. All their attention is one politician. In the guise of judicial independence, they are shedding crocodile tears, Mr Rohatgi said.

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 Caravan magazine raised a suspicion about Loyas death based on wrong facts. The article was completely baseless without verification of facts.The matter is part of Call Data Records leakage racket that involves private detectives illegally sourcing CDR of people for their clients.

'We arrested 11 people and after interrogating 3, we found that an advocate named Rizwan Siddiqui extracted CDR of Nawazuddin Siddiqui's wife. Summons have been issued to Nawazuddin Siddiqui and his wife for further probe,' DCP (crime) Abhishek Trimukhi said. (Photo: File)

Thane: Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui and his wife have been summoned by Thane's crime branch in connection with a Call Data Records (CDR) racket that was unearthed in January.

The duo have been summoned after some of the arrested accused had told the police that an advocate named Rizwan Siddiqui had obtained the CDR of the actor's wife from private detectives.

The matter is part of the larger CDR leakage racket that involves private detectives illegally sourcing CDR of people for their clients. Thane's crime branch has arrested 11 in this connection, so far.

"We arrested 11 people and after interrogating three, we found that an advocate named Rizwan Siddiqui extracted CDR of Nawazuddin Siddiqui's wife. Summons have been issued to Nawazuddin Siddiqui and his wife for further probe," Deputy Commissioner of Police (crime) Abhishek Trimukhi told media.

Read: CDR fraud: Rajani Pandit sent to judicial custody

India's first woman private detective, Rajani Pandit, was also arrested in this connection, in February, in addition to four more detectives.Former Delhi HC Justice Shah called for judicial reforms, asking why the Right to Information Act has not applied to the judiciary.

Former Chief Justice of Delhi HC AP Shah said, 'The fact that all four of the top five judges of the Supreme Court, other than the Chief Justice, have been curiously kept out of all constitutional matters, is surely strange and something to be questioned.' (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Stating that "seniority is not the sole criterion, but seniority does matter" while allocating cases to judges, former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court AP Shah has said it is "strange" that four of the top five judges of the Supreme Court, other than the Chief Justice of India (CJI) - Justice Dipak Misra, have been "curiously kept out of all constitutional matters".

Justice Shah was speaking in the context of CJI Justice Dipak Misra making public the assignment of cases in the Supreme Court for the first time after he was publicly criticised by four judges (Justices Jasti Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, MB Lokur and Kurian Joseph) who are seniormost after Justice Misra.

At a first-of-its-kind press conference held on January 12, the four senior Supreme Court justices had voiced their criticism of how major cases were assigned by the Chief Justice.

Read: SC admin not in order, say 4 top judges in unprecedented press meet

"In the roster made public, we see that all four judges who made this public declaration are kept out of all important matters, be it the Ayodhya case, the Aadhaar matter or the land acquisition row. While it is true that seniority is not the sole criterion, but seniority does matter," said Justice Shah, delivering the BG Verghese Memorial Lecture on the topic "Chief Justice: First Among Equals" in New Delhi.

According to the roster that was made public, the Chief Justice will hear all Public Interest Litigations and cases related to elections, criminal cases, social justice and appointment of constitutional functionaries.

Justice Shah said, "In the present scenario, in the roster made public, we see that all four judges who made this public declaration are kept out of all important matters, be it the Ayodhya case, the Aadhaar matter, or the land acquisition row. While it is true that seniority is not the sole criterion, but seniority does matter."

"The fact that all four of the top five judges of the Supreme Court, other than the Chief Justice, have been curiously kept out of all constitutional matters, is surely strange and something to be questioned," said Justice Shah.

About the press conference by the four senior Supreme Court judges, Justice Shah further said, "I believe that the four senior judges of Supreme Court felt so troubled by the goings on in the judiciary and the Supreme Court in particular over the past few months that they felt driven to go public, for otherwise, they would be in transgression of their constitutional duties. In my mind there was no doubt as to the intentions behind the press conference. All four of the judges risked something or the other in being a part of this public conference."

Justice Shah called for judicial reforms, asking why the Right to Information Act has not applied to the judiciary.

"For many decades, the judiciary has hidden behind a mask of constitutionalism, defending its silence as an intrinsic feature of its institutional integrity and role as a constitutional authority. But such a display of silence and integrity comes up short when it is at the cost of the rule of law, and principles of transparency and accountability," said Justice Shah.

Talking about the need of reform in judicial system, Justice Shah said, "I believe the Indian judiciary has much to learn from many places - from other courts of the world, or even from within the Indian judicial system itself. Whether it is developing a strong culture of trust and consultation like the English, or building a clear, transparent, seniority- and rule-based system of allocation like the Europeans, or avoiding the ad hoc-ism of Russia, we have a lot to learn and adopt and evolve for ourselves."In landmark ruling, Indias top court rules living will permissible.

New Delhi: In a landmark and progressive judgment, the Supreme Court on Friday held that right to die with dignity is part of right to life, a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution, and allowed living will where, an ailing adult in his conscious mind, is permitted to refuse medical treatment or voluntarily decide not to take medical treatment to embrace death in a natural way.

A person in persistent vegetative state (PVS) can execute an advance medical directive or a living will to refuse medical treatment, the court said, laying down safeguards to prevent misuse of the provision to stop medical treatment of a terminally ill patient who reach a point of no return.

In a 538-page historic verdict, a five-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, said, The right to privacy protects autonomy in making decisions related to the intimate domain of death as well as bodily integrity. Recognition of the right to accept or refuse medical treatment is founded upon autonomy.

The apex court laid down principles relating to the procedure for execution of advance directive or living will and spelt out guidelines and safeguards to give effect to passive euthanasia in both circumstances, that is where there are advance directives and where there are none.

The directive and guidelines shall remain in force till Parliament brings a legislation in the field, CJI Misra said.

The bench, which also included Justices A.K. Sikri, A.M. Kanwilkar, D.Y. Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan, gave the decision on a petition filed by NGO Common Cause in 2005 seeking a declaration that right to die is part of right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Justices Sikri, Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan gave concurring judgments with different reasons.

Quoting the recent nine-judge bench verdict holding right to privacy as a fundamental right, the court said the right to privacy resides in the right to liberty and in the respect of autonomy.

The right of a dying man to die with dignity when life is ebbing out, and in the case of a terminally-ill patient or a person in PVS, where there is no hope of recovery, accelerating the process of death for reducing the period of suffering constitutes a right to live with dignity, the court said.

In a living will a person can express his/her desire in advance in writing to have or not to have extraordinary life prolonging measures to keep him/her alive even though there is no chance of recovery from his/her terminal condition. Under passive euthanasia medical treatment is denied to a person who cannot be cured. The court has recognised both the concepts.

The CJI, writing the judgment for himself and Justice Kanwilkar, said, Dignity in death has a sense of realism that permeates the right to life. It has a basic connect with the autonomy of the individual and the right to self-determination. Loss of control over the body and the mind are portents of the deprivation of liberty.

As the end of life approaches, a loss of control over human faculties denudes life of its meaning. Terminal illness hastens the loss of faculties. Control over essential decisions about how an individual should be treated at the end of life is, hence, an essential attribute of the right to life.

The court said that a persons advance directive or living will to withdraw medical care to allow him to die with dignity will take effect only when a medical board affirms that his/her condition is beyond cure and irreversible.

The CJI said the person can make an advance directive before a magistrate, who will examine whether the person executing the living will is of sound mind. There should be two independent witnesses at the time of execution of the living will.

The CJI pointed out that a certificate from a statutory medical board that a patients condition was beyond cure and irreversible would take care of apprehensions of relatives and doctors about withdrawing life support and when it should be done. The medical board will take the decision on the touchstone of modern technology.

The CJI said a family may not desire to go ahead with the process of treatment but is compelled to do so under social pressure especially in a different milieu, and in the case of an individual, there remains a fear of being branded that he/she, in spite of being able to provide the necessary treatment to the patient, has chosen not to do so.

The court noted that the possibility of misuse cannot be held to be a valid ground for rejecting advance directive, as opined by the Law Commission of India. Instead, an attempt can be made to provide safeguards for exercise of such advance directive.TDP minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju had submitted his resignation from the post of Minister of Civil Aviation on Thursday.

Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu has been assigned with the additional charge of the Civil Aviation Ministry. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: Two days after Telugu Desam Party's (TDP) Ashok Gajapathi Raju stepped down from the position of Civil Aviation Minister, the portfolio was handed over to Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu.

Suresh Prabhu has been assigned with the additional charge of the Civil Aviation Ministry.

Suresh Prabhu had stepped down from the designation of Minister of Union Railways in 2017 and was given the charge of Commerce and Industry ministry while Railways was alloted to Piyush Goyal.

"The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has directed that Suresh Prabhu, Cabinet Minister shall be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, in addition to his existing portfolio," news agency ANI tweeted Rashtrapati Bhawan as saying.

The President accepted the resignation of two TDP ministers from their posts in the Central government.

Two Union Ministers, Ashok Gajapathi Raju and YS Chowdary, have submitted their resignations to the Prime Minister on Thursday evening following the TDP supremo and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's announcement.

The portfolio of Civil Aviation ministry was taken over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the resignation of Ashok Gajapathi Raju.

Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said that two of his lawmakers will resign from their ministerial posts as the Centre has not considered their demand for special status for Andhra Pradesh.A section of Rajasthan BJP leaders have approached the top party leadership to replace Ms Raje before the state Assembly elections.

New Delhi: The high-profile chief ministers of poll-bound Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Vasundhara Raje, may be moved to the Centre regardless of the outcome of the Assembly elections due to be held in the two states later this year. Sources said both chief ministers could possibly be inducted into the Narendra Modi Cabinet.

Sources said that following high anti-incumbency and due to loss of popularity in their respective states, the saffron party leadership has decided to move them away from state politics. The results of the recent byelections in both Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, which were won by the Congress, have indicated the declining graph of Mr Chouhan and Ms Raje, saffron spin doctors claim. However, fearing a rebellion, particularly by Ms Raje and her supporters, the party has decided to defer the change of guard in Rajasthan at this juncture.

A section of Rajasthan BJP leaders have approached the top party leadership to replace Ms Raje before the state Assembly elections. It may be recalled that last month the leader of the BJPs OBC wing in Kota, Ashok Choudhary, had petitioned party president Amit Shah to change the state leadership if the party wanted to retain power in the Rajasthan. However, the fear that Ms Raje may have the capability to split the party if removed as CM has forced the BJP to continue with her, a senior party leader claimed.

In Madhya Pradesh, an RSS old guard, Mr Suryakant Kelkar, has gone on record as saying: The BJPs defeat in the Kolaras and Mungaoli bypolls was a result of anti-incumbency. Mr Kelkar, who was once reportedly Mr Chouhans mentor, said that the BJP needs to change the face of the government in Madhya Pradesh. For him, one person being in power for a long period results in a dip in the popularity of the government.

With the popularity of both these chief ministers at their nadir and the Congress winning one byelection after another, all BJP state units have been asked to seek votes in Narendra Modis name.

While the top BJP leadership and the RSS are reportedly not too pleased with Ms Raje, the saffron spin doctors continue to have some faith in Chouhans capability to pull through, a party source said. A senior RSS leader told this newspaper: Chouhan is reeling under anti-incumbency, yet we have no other leader to match his stature. If anyone can retain the state for the party, only Chouhan can.The Yogi Adityanath govt has now directed the health department to conduct the blood test on prisoners lodged in different jails across the state.

Lucknow: Even as the Yogi Adityanath government tries to downplay the HIV scare in Uttar Pradesh jails, the problem is getting bigger by the day.

UP minister for jails, Jaikumar Jacky, said on Saturday that he was worried about the HIV scare but added that the problem is that when prisoners are brought into jails, there is no provision for detailed medical checkups. They undergo a basic medical checkup that focuses on injuries, blood pressure etc. We do not know whether inmates are bringing the HIV virus when they come from outside.

According to reports, more and more prisoners are now contacting their family members and lawyers to put in bail applications on the grounds that their stay in jail may be detrimental to their health.

On Friday, 27 prisoners were found to be HIV positive in Dasna jail in Ghaziabad and 10 inmates also tested positive in Meerut jail.

Last month, 23 prisoners in Gorakhpur jail had also tested HIV positive which National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had issued a notice to the Yogi Adityanath government, seeking a detailed report within six weeks on steps taken to curb the deadly disease spreading to other inmates and treatment of affected inmates.

The state government ordered regular health checkups for inmates and it was during one such exercise that 27 prisoners, including a woman, were found to be HIV positive in Dasna jail and ten tested HIV positive in Meerut jail.

Chief medical officer of Meerut Dr Ram Kumar told reporters that they have already referred affected prisoners to ART Centre which is making arrangements for their treatment in the jail itself. He said that the jail hospital was also being given instructions regarding the care of these patients.

Jail officials, however, were unwilling to talk on the subject.

A retired jail superintendent, who had served in Pilibhit, Meerut, Varanasi and Naini jails, disclosed that conditions in UP jails are fit for spread of HIV. Inmates, who are on drugs, use the same syringe multiple times and even on multiple people. The jail barber uses the same razor on a number of inmates. Condoms are not provided to inmates because the government believes that there is no sex behind the bars. Unless we accept the reality of the condition in our jails, there will be no improvement. Everyone knows that drugs are freely available to inmates but nobody accepts this.

The Yogi Adityanath government has now directed the health department to conduct the blood test on prisoners lodged in different jails across the state.India and France inked 14 pacts in defence, security, N-energy, protection of classified information, education, environment and urban development.

New Delhi: Visiting French President Emmanuel Macron held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, after which the two countries signed 14 pacts, including one on reciprocal logistics support between their armed forces that will provide access for warships of either side to each others ports. The pact  to facilitate the reciprocal provision of logistics support, supplies and services between the armed forces of the two countries during authorised port visits, joint exercises, joint training, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts  was described by Mr Modi as a golden step in the history of our close defence cooperation. He also described France as one of Indias most trusted defence partners, adding that from land to sky there is no such topic where we are not working together with each other.

With India already acquiring 36 French Rafale state-of-the-art fighter aircraft and the two countries expressing satisfaction over the progress in the matter, news agencies cited officials as saying that the French side pushed for the procurement of another batch of 36 Rafale fighters by India during a meeting between defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her French counterpart Florence Parly.

Meanwhile, in what is also being seen as a strong move keeping in mind the increasingly assertive role of China in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), the two countries issued a Joint Strategic Vision of India-France Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region to serve as a guiding beacon for such partnership and reiterated that this cooperation will be crucial in order to maintain the safety of international sea lanes for unimpeded commerce and communications in accordance with the international law. Under the aegis of this, both countries also decided that in order to widen and deepen strategic naval cooperation, India and France will be open to inviting strategic partner countries in the region to participate in Indo-French exercises.

The two countries also issued a separate India-France Joint Vision for Space Cooperation to design and develop an Automatic Identification System (AIS) to monitor and protect the assets in land and sea. Both sides agreed to pursue the study of a constellation of satellites for maritime surveillance, and also cooperate to protect their respective space based assets, including by infrastructure and information sharing.

Another pact inked on Saturday would pave the way to take steps towards a Maritime Awareness Mission using space cooperation that will provide end-to-end solution for detection, identification and monitoring of vessels in the regions of interest for France and India.

Yet another pacton civil nuclear energy cooperation  was on the Industrial Way Forward Agreement between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd, and EDF, France for the implementation of six nuclear power reactor units at Jaitapur in Maharashtra. Another pact inked was regarding the exchange and reciprocal protection of classified or protected information that comes in the backdrop of the Indian governments recent refusal to divulge various details of the multi-billion dollar Indo-French Rafale fighter aircraft deal.

Mr Modi said: First, we have very intense and deep defence relations and we consider France as one of our most trusted defence partners... I consider todays agreement of the reciprocal logistics support between our armies as a golden step in the history of our close defence cooperation. He added: Second, both of us believe that in future the Indian Ocean region will play a very important role in the happiness, progress and prosperity of the world. Whether it is the environment, or maritime security, or marine resources, or the freedom of navigation and over flight, we are committed to strengthening our cooperation in all these areas. He also said: It is not a mere a coincidence that the echoes of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity  is registered not only in the Constitution of France but also in the Constitution of India.

The joint statement said: The two leaders welcomed the signing of the agreement between India and France for the provision of reciprocal logistics support between their armed forces, which seeks to extend logistical support on reciprocal access to respective facilities for Indian and French armed forces. The agreement is symbolic of the strategic depth and maturity reached in India-France defence ties.

Other agreements include one on combating illicit traffic and consumption of drugs and will also impact on financing of terrorism, temporary circular migration based on mobility and the encouragement for a return of skills to the home country, the mutual recognition of educational qualifications, and deepening the mutual cooperation and focus on priority areas of high speed and semi-high speed rail, creation of an Indo-French Permanent Railway Forum.

The joint statement expressing satisfaction on the on-schedule progress in the implementation of agreements including the Rafale aircraft agreement signed in 2016. The deal attracted controversy after the Opposition raised questions over the pricing. In what is being seen as a veiled reference to the role of Pakistan in state-sponsored terrorism, the two countries reiterated their joint determination to combat terrorism, with the Joint Statement referring to Pakistan-based terror organisations like the JeM and LeT apart from the Pakistan-backed terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen in the Kashmir Valley.

On the issue of terror, the joint statement went: They (PM Modi and President Macron) also called upon all countries to work towards rooting out terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, disrupting terrorist networks and their financing channels, and halting cross-border movement of terrorists like Al Qaeda, Daesh/ISIS, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, and their affiliates as well as terrorist groups threatening peace and security in South Asia.

On defence cooperation, the joint statement said: The two leaders noted with satisfaction the on-schedule progress in the implementation of acquisition related agreements, including the Rafale aircraft agreement signed in 2016. They also noted the commissioning of INS Kalvari, the first Scorpene submarine made in India by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, in collaboration with Naval Group, the French shipbuilder.

On civil nuclear energy cooperation, the joint statement said, In pursuance of the 2008 Agreement on the Development of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy between India and France as well as the January 2016 roadmap of cooperation, the two leaders noted with satisfaction the conclusion of the Industrial Way Forward Agreement between NPCIL and EDF for the Implementation of six nuclear power reactor units at Jaitapur in Maharashtra. The two leaders reiterated the goal of commencing works at the Jaitapur site around the end of 2018, and encouraged NPCIL and EDF to accelerate the contractual discussions in that respect. Once installed, the Jaitapur project will be the largest nuclear power plant in the world, with a total capacity of 9.6 GW.

On the broad gamut of Indo-French ties, Mr Modi said: There are many other dimensions of our relationships. If I mention all of them maybe it will be evening. Railway, urban development, environment, security, space means from land to sky there is no such topic where we are not working together with each other. We also work with close cooperation and coordination on the international platform. India and France have strong relations with African countries. They provide a strong basis for developing another dimension of our cooperation.

On the cultural component of ties, he added, While our strategic partnership may be 20 years old only, the spiritual partnership of our countries and our civilisations is centuries old. From 18th century till now, French thinkers have got an insight into the soul of India through the stories of Panchatantra, Vedas, Upanishads, Epics and great men like Sri Ramkrishna and Sri Aurobindo. Numerous trailblazers like Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Romain Rolland, Rene Daumal, Andre Malraux have found Indian philosophies to be motivating and supplementing their ideas.The other issue which has widened the gulf between the two communities is the presence of Rohingya Muslims in Jammu.

Srinagar: Communal tensions are brewing in Jammu and its neighbourhood for the past few months over a variety of issues on which the regions Hindu and Muslim political leaderships hold divergent and even conflicting views.

For some local watchers the situation is fast approaching such a pass which could only be dreadful. If you ask me, Jammu today is on the brink, sitting on a powder keg and it is waiting to go off, said a local analyst Tahir Hussein.

Arun Kumar Joshi, a senior journalist and resident editor of the Tribune, corroborates the view. He said, The situation is much more serious than it was in 2008 following the Amarnath land row.

The tensions were set off afresh a couple of months ago after the authorities launched what they claimed was anti-encroachment drive in the winter capital Jammu and its peripheries including Gole Gujral which is inhabited mainly by Muslim Gujjars. The nomad tribe and supporting groups, however, resisted the drive terming it selective and part of an orchestrated campaign against the nomads which was manifested in uprooting them from the lands they have been inhabiting for decades.

The Gujjar activists alleged that there was clear anti-Muslims bias behind the drive as hutments and community centres belonging to Hindu community and even their religious structures which have come illegally on the Ranbir Canal frame and elsewhere including on forest land in Jammu, Kathua, Samba and Rajouri districts were not being touched. They blamed forest minister, Choudhary Lal Singh, and his predecessor Bali Bhagat who is now the states minister for hHealth and medical education for it. Mr Bhagat had as forest minister started the anti-encroachment drive from Rajouris Kalakot area which has a mixed Hindu-Muslim population.

The members of Gujjar and Bakarwal tribes have been exasperated also over what they allege is step-motherly treatment being meted out by various official agencies in routine administrative matters.

The other issue which has widened the gulf between the two communities is the presence of Rohingya Muslims in Jammu. Various Hindu groups, including BJP which together with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is ruling the state, see in Rohingyas a major security threat and their presence part of a design to change the Hindu majority character of the rejoin. On the other hand, the Muslim parties and groups including the PDP insist on it being a humanitarian issue which, they say, calls for compassionate response.

Notwithstanding, the BJP and likeminded groups including recently formed Hindu Ekta Manch (HEM) have launched a campaign for the eviction of these refugees. Following the February 10 terror attack at Sunjawan Military Station in Jammu, no less a person than Speaker of J&K Assembly and BJP leader Kavinder Gupta was quick to blame the Rohingyas for it. Currently, a paid advertisement campaign is being spearheaded by the Hindu groups and activists against the Rohingyas through some local newspapers.

The communal polarisation only worsened following the arrest of a special police officer Deepak Khajuria for his alleged involvement in the rape and murder of 8-year-old nomad girl in Rasana village of Kathua district. The HEM which is being openly supported by the BJP has brazenly come in the support of the main accused. It has been holding rallies to demand that the investigation into the gory incident be handed over to the CBI.

Days after the chief minister had said that she was appalled over a rally being organised by the HEM in support of the alleged rapist and horrified by the participants waving the tricolour which she saw nothing short of desecration, two of her Cabinet colleagues Choudhary Lal Singh and Chander Parkash Ganga showed up at another such rally. This not only augmented communal tensions but also reflected the split in thinking and approach of the coalition partners.

The chief minister has now turned down the BJPs demand that the probe into the alleged rape-and-murder of the minor be handed over to the CBI. She told a delegation of nine BJP ministers which met her in Jammu on Thursday that the Crime Branch (CB) of the state police has almost completed the investigation and is likely to present the challan in the court soon. The investigation is currently being monitored by the high court of the state.

The CB in its status report submitted to the court on Friday said the heinous crime was committed with a predetermined view to drive the nomads out of Rasana village dominated by a particular community. The report reveals that drugs purchased by the main accused from a pharmacy in Kathua days before the minor was abducted were used to sedate her.

Prominent Gujjar leader and opposition National Conference (NC) MLA Javed Ahmed Rana alleged that the BJP and its allies are working on a well-planned strategy to instil fear among minorities in Jammu and surrounding districts. While appealing civil society organisations in Jammu to foil the communally nefarious designs of rightist organisations, he said the PDP-BJP coalition has developed irreparable cracks as was evident from latest developments. The state government, he alleged, is failing in running the administration in accordance with spirit of our pluralist Constitution particularly in Samba and Kathua districts where the police authority has been rendered dysfunctional.

The opposite camp rejects the criticism but, at the same time, sees the Muslim chief minister hand in glove with the elements which, it alleges, are bent upon to change the demography of Jammu. Team Jammu, a pressure group, said People of Jammu are utterly shocked about the active connivance of the chief minister of the state in encouraging and abetting the demographic change of Jammu region.

Its leader Zorawar Singh Jamwal alleged, Changing the demographic character of Jammu is an Islamo-fascist agenda and the involvement of the chief minister in promoting this agenda clearly shows where her heart lies and proves all those who doubted her integrity to uphold national interest in the state as correct.

He was referring to a recent media report that said chief minister, Mehbooba Mufti, has asked the concerned authorities to ensure no member of tribal communities including Gujjars and Bakarwals is harassed during anti-encroachment drives. No member of tribal communities should be harassed. Jammu and Kashmir has been a rich repository of diverse cultures and their (tribals) protection should be taken as a priority, she was quoted as saying while chairing a review meeting of the Tribal Affairs Department.

This would insulate tribal land grabbers especially Gujjars and Bakarwals and further encourage land grab without any fear of any penal action, Jamwal said. He threatened that entire population of Jammu will rise as one people to defeat the demographic invasion be it through the settlement of Bangladeshi-Rohingya Muslims or fraudulent land grab through Gujjars-Bakerwals.

But minister of state for tribal affairs and BJP MLA from Reasi, Ajay Nanda, who was also present in February 14 meeting, said that three major points mentioned in minutes of the meeting including the reported instructions to the concerned authorities from the chief minister had not been discussed at all.

We respect the rights of the tribal population but the law is the same for all citizens. Anyone who breaks law and indulges in encroachment must be dealt with severely, he said.

Amid heightening tensions, the state government has decided that only the tribal policy to be formulated by a Cabinet sub-committee headed by deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh will be implemented in the state.BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyaya had earlier filed a similar petition to quash polygamy and nikah halala provisions of the Muslim Personal Law.

New Delhi: Months after the Supreme Court declared triple talaq unconstitutional, a Muslim woman, who claims to be a victim of polygamy, moved the Supreme Court on Saturday seeking that provisions of Muslim Personal Law which validate practice of polygamy and nikah halala be declared unconstitutional.

Polygamy allows a man to have more than one wife while nikah halala is a practice where a Muslim woman divorced by her husband can remarry him only after she marries someone else, consummates the marriage and then gets a divorce.

Petitioner Sameena Begum of Delhi said that she was filing this petition not only on her own behalf but also to highlight the plight of thousands of Muslim women suffering due to the draconian practices of polygamy and nikah halala that are rampant among Muslims.

She sought a court declaration that Section 2 of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, that seeks to recognise and validate the practice of polygamy and nikah halala, is unconstitutional, discriminatory and violative of the right to equality and the right to life under Articles 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution.

BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyaya had earlier filed a similar petition to quash polygamy and nikah halala provisions of the Muslim Personal Law.

Ms Begum said in her petition that she married Javed Anwar in 1999 and two sons were born out of the said wedlock. All the time when she was at her matrimonial home, she was tortured and asked to bring money from her parents.

After the repeated torture, she filed a dowry harassment complaint with the police, prompting her husband to send a letter giving her Triple Talaq.

Ms Begum said in her petition that in 2012 she got married, for the second time, to Riyazuddin from Bulandshahr, who was already married and had a wife. The petitioner claimed she got pregnant for the third time. Soon after birth of her third son, she was given Triple Talaq over phone. Since then, she is living alone with her three children.

The petitioner said that she had approached the apex court after herself suffering due to polygamy and nikah halala and to highlight the plight of other similarly-placed Muslim women.

She said the concept of polygamy came into the picture in the 7th Century to consider the issue of taking care of large number of widows and orphans who were left without husbands and father after the battle of Uhud near Medina between early Muslims and the inhabitants of Mecca in which Muslims suffered defeat and many Muslim men were killed.

She submitted that Muslim Marriage Dissolution Act, 1939 provides nine grounds for dissolution of marriage, including impotency, incapacity to fulfil martial obligations and cruelty but there is no eligibility pre-condition for marriage.

There is also no requirement for a Muslim husband to take permission from his first wife before contracting the second marriage. As a result, Muslim men are out of the purview of the offence of polygamy, she said.

Ms Begums petition said that though the personal law of Muslims permitted having as many as four wives, it could not be said that having more than one wife is a part of religion. Neither is it made obligatory by religion nor is it a matter of freedom of conscience.

Any law in favour of monogamy does not interfere with right to profess, practice/propagate religion and does not involve violation of Article 25 of the Constitution, she said.

Mr Upadhyaya submitted that a ban on polygamy and nikah halala is the need of the hour to secure basic rights and in the interest of public order, morality and health.

He said in his petition that the court has already expressed the view in its judgement on August 22 last year that triple talaq is not an integral part of religion and Article 25 merely protects religious faith, but not the practices, which may run counter to public order and fundamental rights.

He said polygamy is a practice that has been recognised as an evil similar to sati and has been banned under Section 494 of the IPC.

He said religious leaders and priests who propagate, support and authorise practices like polygamy and nikah halala are grossly misusing their position, influence and power to subject Muslim women to such gross practices which treats them as chattel.From Vasai fort to St. John Bapist Church, the city of dreams has places which are said to have recorded paranormal activities.

In India, there is a small crew of people that go out at night, armed with EMF sensors or detectors, EVP recorders, motion sensor cameras, and touch sensors, to explore myths about the paranormal. Yes, you can call them desi ghosthunters.

One such team is The Parapsychology and Investigations Research Society (PAIRS), group of paranormal investigators and researchers, parapsychologists, demonologists, spiritual healers, and counsellors. Their modus operandi includes heading to active spots armed with equipment to try to record and, later, analyse these abnormal energies.

Before we go to a location, says demonologist Sarbajeet Mohanty, We try to get a recent picture of the location so that psychic mediums can give a reading of what to expect or find at the locations, which provides a roadmap for the investigators. Mohanty founded PAIRs with psychic developer Pooja Vijay.

Amar Dham Crematorium, Panvel

Cemeteries and crematoriums are apparently common hunting grounds for ghosts  location certainly does matter. This particular burial ground has spooked many a passer-by. One story goes that a woman crossing the street outside at night suddenly got goose bumps, and at that very moment the nearby lights went off, including those on her scooter. Others have spoken about seeing apparitions and moving shadows and hold them responsible for the accidents that happen in the area.

During their investigations, the PAIRS psychic team found that the location had multiple spirits, as recorded through changes on the temperature sensor and EMF sensor.

Amar Dham Crematorium, HOC Colony, Panvel

Mumbai Pune Highway

The story goes that PAIRS member Jignesh Unadkat was riding his motorcycle on the highway, near Bhingari, Old Panvel, when a wayward car forced him to the side of the road. It was then that he realised there was someone standing in front of him, and he veered off the road to avoid hitting the person. His bike was damaged, but he survived. When he went to look for the person, he realised there was no one there.

A few days later, Jignesh, along with Mohanty, returned to the spot to investigate this strange phenomenon, armed with a PAIRS Spirit Box app (developed by Brian Holloway of Soul Seekers, Javier Sanz of Spain Paranormal). Jignesh got two replies to questions, says Mohanty. One was, Do you recognize me...my bike overturned here some days back to which he got a yes. The other was How did you die? to which he got a one-word reply, accident.

While this may be a real story, there are many legends associated with the place. Another story has a well-dressed lady asking for a lift. Those that dont stop are treated to a vision of the women running alongside their vehicle, with an evil smile, saying, Youre next. Many crashes have been attributed to it. Mohanty says there is also a fake road appearing out of nowhere, which if taken leads to death.

Vasai Fort

Vasai Fort, or Bassein Fort, is a sprawling structure built by the Portuguese that overlooks the Arabian Sea. The fort has been under the control of the Portuguese, the British, and the Marathas and has been silent witness to many deaths. It is one of the many places in the city that locals truly believe is haunted  though that didnt stop Coldplay from shooting their video there.

Shishir Kumar, former journalist and founder-president of paranormal research organisation Team Pentacle, and his team conducted an investigation at Vasai Fort. Initially, they didnt think it was haunted because it still had many people living in the vicinity. The first time, says Kumar, everything went smoothly and none machines worked. Then I used this trick where I asked the spirits to clap as I clap, and that started happening.

Mohanty adds that their psychic readings reveal a woman who was murdered and whose body was dumped near the well in the fort. Village lore says a lady, assumed to be a witch, committed suicide in that same well, but her body was never found.

Vasai Fort, Killa Road, Police Colony, Vasai (W)

Mukesh Mills

Mukesh Mills was built in 1870s by the East India Company and was shut down in 1892 after a strike. Soon after, a fire broke out, killing thousands of people. This dark history is possibly what led to it being considered haunted. The mill is a popular shooting location, and there are many stories of how no one, not even film crew, venture there after dark. In fact actor Bipasha Basu has claimed she was unable to speak her dialogues in one room because of some strange power.

PAIRS investigations and psychic readings reveal that the location has some evil and negative spirits from its dark and painful history. Such psychic readings are a warning for us not to venture in there, says Mohanty, especially if youre a beginner.

Mukesh Mills, Narayan A Sawant Road, Colaba

St John Baptist Church

This Portuguese Jesuit Church was abandoned in the 1800s after an epidemic. Although no one visits the place any more, a Mass is conducted once a year. The claim is that the church is haunted by the evil spirit of a bride who scares anyone who enters the place.

In 1977, an exorcism was conducted there, and everyone present suddenly heard a loud moaning sound and maniacal laughter. It was believed that the exorcism destroyed the spirit.

In 2016, a PAIRS team visited the space to check if it was an active location. We were about to enter, says Mohanty, when Pooja told us that a woman was watching us from the wall nearby. When inside, we heard footsteps running away from the place. Later, one of the team members told us that while he was texting, out of the corner of his eye he saw an apparition near him. All this happened in broad daylight. Mohanty intends to return to do proper investigation.

St John Baptist Church, Seepz Road D, Andheri (E)

Disclaimer: It is highly recommend not to venture these places without proper knowledge. All PAIRS investigators have been researching this field from the past 6 to 10 years and are certified. Enter at your own risk.

By arrangement with citystory.comState budgets focus: Rail, metro, waterfront for cities and roads for rural areas.

MUMBAI: In a bid to complete infrastructure projects before the 2019 polls, the state government has focused on improving suburban railway services, completing metro rail, constructing road network and utilising sea route. Instead of starting any new infrastructure project, the government has preferred to complete the ongoing projects with the help of the Centres fund. The government tried to strike balance between the infrastructure facilities in rural and urban areas. Suburban railways and metro projects got a boost in cities and road projects in rural areas received a big push. Despite Mumbai topping the list of tax collection, the city received meagre funds in return from the budget this year.

To improve the Mumbai railway facilities under Mumbai Urban Transport Project-3 (MUTP-3), the state has told the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) to shell out rs 500 crore for this year which is equal to the Centres share of Rs 519 crore. For 266 km long routes of the Metro rail in Mumbai, the state has allocated Rs 130 crore. We are confident that the MMRDA will complete 103 km network of the metro in coming three-four years. About 67 lakh passengers can travel from the metro railway once the project is completed, Mr Mungantiwar said.

In a major move to improve road connectivity of the state, the government has allocated Rs 10,828 crore for the road projects. The state has sanctioned another Rs 300 crore for repairing roads and constructing bridges under NABARDs scheme. Under the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis Gram Sadak Yojana, the state has allocated Rs 2,255 crore with an aim to build roads of 7,000 km.

The government has already started the expansion of Mumbai-Pune expressway which will cost Rs 4,797 crore. The tendering process for the Versova-Bandra Sea Link is in progress, Mr Mungantiwar said. Under the Centres Sagarmala project, the state has allocated Rs 22 crore for water transportation. It also includes transportation to Mumbai and Konkan region. The government is going to launch water transport between Mandva and Alibaug, the finance minister said.

For electricity generation and improving infrastructure, Rs 7,235 crore has been allocated for entire Maharashtra.

However, the opposition has criticised the budget for not making substantial provision for Mumbai. There is no substantial provision for Mumbai. The budget will not help the government development of Maharashtra, former finance minister and NCP leader Jayant Patil said.

Memorials

The Maharashtra government has issued a work order for the memorial to Maratha emperor Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the Arabian Sea. Finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said that the ambitious project would be completed in three years. This budget has set aside a provision of `300 crore and also promises to increase the funds as per demand and the progress of the work. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkars proposed memorial at Indu Mill has received `150 crore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone of this memorial in October 2015. The government issued the order for starting the work on February 9, 2018.

Education

The Maharashtra government announced six skill-development universities across state for youth. The government believes that these universities would help the ecosystem of the skill development sector. The state government announced guidance centres in every district for competitive exams and allocated `50 crore for them. The government also announced the formation of Maharashtra International Education Board. It also proposed starting 100 international-standard schools this year.

Social Justice

For the welfare funds of Schedule Caste communities, `9,949 crore has been proposed in the budget. Of this amount, `2,700 crore is for funding district schemes. `357 crore is for health-related schemes, `700 crore for Ramai Gharkul schemes, `718 crore for hostels and `202 crore have been proposed for residential schools. The state government has provided `1,687 crore for orphans, widows and other vulnerable sections of society, while `600 per month will be given to divyang persons of ages 18 to 65 and 40 to 80 per cent of divyangs will get `800 per month. Those who are more than 80 percent handicapped will get `1,000 per month. The government has also announced mobile stalls for divyangs.The state government, which has avoided making major announcement in the budget, has tried to lend its support to the Centre's budget and schemes.

MUMBAI: The Devendra Fadnavis-led state government presented its third budget on Friday, declaring a revenue deficit of Rs 15,375 crore against the estimated figure of Rs 4,511 crore.

The Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have pinned the massive deficit on the government's financial indiscipline.

The state government, which has avoided making major announcement in the budget, has tried to lend its support to the Centre's budget and schemes. However, with a burden of Rs 13,782 crore owing to the loan waiver for farmers in Maharashtra, the deficit might touch Rs 34,000 crore, aggravating the state's financial woes in the future. Finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar also did not take into consideration the 7th Pay Commission, which is to be implemented from this year, which will worsen the state's financial crunch. The fiscal position of the state has indicated that the coming year will be tough and the government might resort to austerity measures.

Mr Mungantiwar said that the state would try to minimise the deficit by reducing avoidable expenditure and effective recovery of revenue.

During the year 2018-19, revenue income of Rs 2,85,968 crore and revenue expenditure of Rs 3,01,343 crore is being projected. There will be revenue deficit of Rs 15,375 crore which the government will try to reduce by various measures," the finance minister said.

The state government has also increased the plan size (the total amount of money that the government presumes to be at its disposal) by 23 per cent - which was Rs 77,184 crore in 2017-18 - to Rs 95,000 crore in 2018-19. This will help the government borrow more for various infrastructure projects and spend also more, as the funds are always in proportion with the budget size.

Contradictory to the state's trillion-dollar- economy-by-2025 dream, the state government's debt stock (all debt, national and international) is going to touch Rs 4.61 lakh crore. Comparing it with the gross state domestic product, the state will have 16.5 per cent of the debt stock against 16.3 per cent last year. The debt stock is 161 per cent of the revenue receipts.

Former finance minister Jayant Patil, an NCP leader, said that budget was represented out of frustration. "This is going to add to the government's financial woes and increase unemployment in the state. The promises made by the state in the budget are hollow and are not going to be completed. It is also very surprising that no substantial provision has been made in the budget to tackle the overall economic crisis," Mr Patil said.Survivors spoke of first hearing a deafening noise following a blast, which saw objects breaking due to the impact.

Mumbai: The 15 persons injured in the fire on Thursday night that damaged six chemical factories, including Novaphene, at Boisar in Tarapur, were rushed to three privately-run hospitals. Eight victims were admitted to Vikas Hospital, five to Tunga and two to Anand Hospital. All 15 are reported to be out of danger, said hospital sources.

Survivors spoke of first hearing a deafening noise following a blast, which saw objects breaking due to the impact.

The patients are all teenagers, who were working in the night shift at the factory. One of the injured, Dinesh Kumar said, I am from Uttar Pradesh and came here for work. I was on duty when I heard a huge noise and witnessed a blast, following which the glass near my factory splintered and fell on me, he said.

Dr Ratnakar Mane, a surgeon at Vilas Hospital, said none of the patients injuries are serious. But they are suffering from trauma and are scared. We have given them treatment so that the infection does not spread. But most of them had glasses pieces stuck to their faces, throat and abdominal areas, he said.

Ahmed Nawaz (19) said, he was working overtime when he saw a huge fire. He said, Out of curiosity, I went to see what was happening and injured myself. Due to the blast, the glass pieces on my window broke and fell on me.

Sunil Kumar (19), who was in danger of losing sight in his right eye, was brought to the hospital in the nick of time. Narrating his story, he said, I was standing there as I had finished my duty. After blast, pieces of glass fell into my right eye. I was bleeding heavily and cannot recollect what has happened after that as I was rushed to hospital.Raj Thackeray likely to welcome them at Mulund.

Mumbai: The Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha (ABKS)s march for farmers is generating a good response from various political parties. The Maharashtra Navn-irman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has supported the march, which is being carried out by 40,000 farmers. It is likely that Mr Thackeray will reach Mulund, Mumbais entry point on Sunday to welcome the farmers. The march began on March 6 at Nasik and will reach the Vidhan Bhavan on March 12.

The Communist Party of India (CPI-Marxist) has arranged a long march of farmers from Nasik to Mumbai. The farmers reached Bhiwandi on Saturday and are expected to cross into Mumbai on Sunday evening. This march has stirred the national discourse and pressure on the Devendra Fadnavis government is mounting.

Many political parties have extended their support to this walkathon by farmers seeing its political significance. The Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders have already extended their moral support for the agitation and so has the Shiv Sena. Now the MNS chief too has declared support for the protest. According to MNS sources, seeing the mass support that the agitation has received from farmers, Mr Thackeray may reach the Mulund toll point and welcome the protesters into the Maximum city.

On Monday, these farmers will reach Azad Maidan by afternoon, from where the next phase of the agitation will be declared. ABKSs leader Ajit Navale has stated that this will be an indefinite agitation by farmers.Gadkari said the NDA government would take appropriate action against persons wanted by India who are holed up abroad such as Nirav Modi.

Mumbai: Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday stated that individuals questioning the Rafale deal with France for the purchase of fighter aircraft are irresponsible and anti-national. The senior leader, who also denied harbouring any aspirations to become the next Prime Minister, expressed confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would retain power in 2019 and its allies would remain in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Mr Gadkaris remarks came a day after the Congress accused the Narendra Modi government of compromising on national security and causing a loss of Rs 12,632 crore to the state exchequer on account of the purchase of 36 Rafale jets under the inter-governmental deal.

While speaking at a conclave, the Union minister of road transport and highways said, Where is the corruption? It is irresponsible and anti-national to make such allegations. He also asked rhetorically if the country did not require a front line fighter plane such as a Rafale jet and took potshots at the previous government by questioning whether the procurement of critical defence assets could be postponed for five to six years over fears of corruption.

Citing the annual report of Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the fighter aircraft, the Congress has alleged that the company sold each jet to India at a price which was Rs 351 crore higher than that of aircraft sold to Qatar and Egypt 11 months ago.

Speaking about the nearly Rs 13,000-crore Punjab National Bank fraud case involving fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, Mr Gadkari said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has nothing to do with the businessman and it was unfair to bill the blame on it. Who was in power when he was given loan, asked the Union minister.

Mr Gadkari said the NDA government would take appropriate action against persons wanted by India who are holed up abroad such as Nirav Modi, former Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi and businessman Vijay Mallya.

Mr Gadkari said the BJPs recent victory in Northeastern states such as Tripura signified the prevailing mood in the country about NDA rule, and exuded confidence that the alliance would retain power after the next general elections.

He said, barring Gujarat, where the Congress has increased its seat tally, the principal opposition party has seen a steady decline in elections.

However, admitting that the government has more work to do in the rural and agricultural sectors, Mr Gadkari said specific measures are being taken on these frontsAs of now, legal matters regarding Mr Bhujbals health have not been decided by the Bombay high court.

Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar has written a letter to the state government, saying the latter would be held responsible should anything untoward happen to his incarcerated party member Chhagan Bhujbal.

The 71-year-old former state minister has been in jail for almost two years in a money laundering case. Mr Pawar said that it was unfortunate that Mr Bhujbals bail applications had been rejected even tho-ugh the Supreme Court has time and again held that bail is rule and jail is exception.

Mr Pawar wrote, I am getting disturbing reports about the deteriorating health of Mr Bhujbal at the age of 71. He has been in jail for the last two years and his health is in a fragile condition. As of now, legal matters regarding Mr Bhujbals health have not been decided by the Bombay high court. So, as the Supreme Court has said time and again, bail is right and jail is exception, he is deemed to be innocent.

Mr Pawar further wrote, I do not expect anything but that proper medical treatment be given to Mr Bhujbal, as is his constitutional right. The Maratha strongman also mentioned Mr Bhujbals past achievements and said that ignoring his contribution to the state wouldnt be proper. Concluding his letter on a harsh note, Mr Pawar wrote, I am saddened to record that if Mr Bhujbal meets an untoward fate in the days to come, your government will be held responsible for the same!

Mr Bhujbal has had a cough, among other health issues, since last week. He was first admitted to JJ Hospital. The matter of his treatment was raised in the Council last week where the Chairman, Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar, ordered that Mr Bhujbal be provided sufficient medical aide.When Rahul Gandhi took over as Congress president, his mother and predecessor made it amply clear that he was the final authority in the party.

Before the schedule for the March 23 biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha was announced, news reports from Kolkata said that the Trinamul Congress would give a ticket to actor-turned-politician Jaya Bachchan as there were doubts whether the Samajwadi Party would renominate her since it could only get one member elected following its diminished strength in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. But Ms Bachchan managed to outsmart other aspirants as SP president Akhilesh Yadav ignored the claims of political heavyweights in his party and fielded her again. In fact, Mr Yadav is learnt to have called up West Bengal chief minister and Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee last week and told her that she could go ahead and give the ticket to someone else as the SP had decided to give Ms Bachchan another term. According to the capitals political grapevine, the actor-politician owes her nomination to Mr Yadavs wife, Dimple Yadav, who is said to have put in a sympathetic word for her. Ms Bachchan and Ms Yadav, a Lok Sabha MP, are often spotted together, chatting cosily over tea and toast in the Central Hall of Parliament. The friendship has clearly paid off.

When information and broadcasting minister Smriti Irani was embroiled in the Rohit Vemula suicide controversy, followed swiftly by the unseemly developments in Jawaharlal Nehru University, her handling of the two incidents as human resources development minister won her many plaudits from her senior ministerial colleagues. They were full of admiration for the feisty manner in which she took on her political opponents in Parliament and silenced them with her combative speeches. But her ongoing battle with Prasar Bharati chairman A. Surya Prakash has not gone down well with her ministerial colleagues. There has been no support forthcoming for her in this case. A senior minister, who often praised her in the past, privately admitted that instead of squabbling in public, Ms Irani should have dealt with the situation quietly and with greater maturity. The ministers are also upset with Ms Irani over the abrupt manner in which she transferred their information officers. For instance, she changed the officer attached to the finance ministry barely a week before the presentation of the Budget. Despite being rendered friendless and advised not to wash her dirty linen in public, Ms Irani has not stopped providing lengthy details about her ministrys differences with the Prasar Bharati chairman in private conversations. Among other factors, she blames it on the fact that men do not like taking orders from a woman.

Vice-president M. Venkaiah Naidu, who also doubles as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, has been extremely unhappy over the continuing protests by Opposition members. He made it clear in his meetings with party leaders that it was impossible for him to run the House if there was no let-up in slogan-shouting. Several senior leaders, including those belonging to the BJP, reasoned that since the Rajya Sabha is essentially a political House, the Chairman should allow members to give vent to their grievances. They said such scenes are witnessed at the beginning of every session, but normal proceedings resume after a few days of disruptions. But Mr Naidu was not convinced and told party leaders bluntly that in which case you can find yourself another House. At one point during the conversation, Mr Naidu said that if members persisted with disruptions, it would be a good idea to adjourn the Rajya Sabha for three days. Union minister Arun Jaitley and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad sought to placate him, but all in vain. However, this did not stop the Opposition from continuing their protests while Mr Naidu lost no time in announcing an adjournment.

When Rahul Gandhi took over as Congress president, his mother and predecessor made it amply clear that he was the final authority in the party. She underlined this point in her speech at a meeting of party MPs in the first half of the Budget Session when Sonia Gandhi remarked that Mr Gandhi was also her boss. Last week when mediapersons asked for her reaction to the tie-up between the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party for Uttar Pradesh bypolls, Mrs Gandhi told them firmly that she was no longer the party chief and that this question should be put to the Congress president instead. The problem is that it is proving difficult to pin down Mr Gandhi given his travel plans.Has China done anything in recent times to deserve a more compliant India?

In diplomacy, foolhardiness is as damaging as pusillanimity. To show bravado, without the ability to implement it, displays lack of maturity. To show timidity, when the situation does not warrant it, shows lack of strategic resolve. These thoughts come to mind in the light of the recent directive sent by Cabinet Secretary P.K. Sinha to the Centre and states that senior leaders and government officials should refrain from attending functions marking 60 years in exile of the Dalai Lama. The directive was reportedly prompted by a note by foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale that such a step was advisable given that India-China relations were going through a sensitive phase. As a result, the Tibetan government-in-exile has cancelled two events in New Delhi  one, an inter-faith prayer meeting at Rajghat; and two, a Thank You India function, which has been shifted to Dharamsala.

Is this genuflection before Chinese sensitivities justified? Perhaps there are facts, or new developments, to which the MEA is privy to, but prima facie this deference to China is difficult to understand. The Dalai Lama has been in India for the past 60 years. India has reiterated to the Chinese that we recognise Tibet as a part of China, and that His Holiness will refrain from any political activity. That this has largely been the case is verifiable, and becomes manifestly clear through the nature of activities planned to commemorate the 60th anniversary  special prayers, mass tree plantations, yoga events, cleanliness drives, feeding of the hungry and homeless, and distribution of blankets to the poor. There is nothing political in this, or different from what the Dalai Lama, a deeply revered religious figure internationally, has been promoting all these years. Why is China taking umbrage, and even more important, why are we so suddenly deferential to their sensitivities?

Has China done anything in recent times to deserve a more compliant India? I dont think so. In fact, it has been particularly hostile. It has blocked Indias efforts to designate dreaded Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as a terrorist by the UN. It has done its best to block Indias entry into the Nuclear Supplies Group. It has brazenly gone ahead with the proposal to build the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Pakistan through Gilgit-Baltistan, territory that India claims to be its own. Last year in June it also escalated the Doklam crisis by attempting to build a road in the disputed area at the tri-junction between India, China and Bhutan. Geopolitical strategist Brahma Chellaney has now reported that, in spite of the Indian governments claim of disengagement, the Chinese are continuing to build sentry posts, trenches and helipads in Doklam.

Over the years, China has consistently implemented its policy towards India of engagement with containment. Containment has meant showing India its place whenever necessary and with impunity. At the time of Chinese President Xi Jinpings visit to India in September 2014, Chinese troops invaded India in significant numbers at Chumar in Ladakh. We predictably downplayed this outrageous behaviour. On bilateral trade  which is hugely in Chinas favour  China milks the Indian market while limiting market access to our exports. Geopolitically, China has penetrated deep into our sphere of influence by acquiring strategic assets in Sri Lanka, such as Hambantota port, and by meddling against our interests in Nepal, Bangladesh, and more recently, in the Maldives. It regularly gives sanctuary to anti-India insurgents in the Northeast. While we seem to have looked the other way, it has invested billions of dollars in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, an area recognised internationally as disputed, but resisted our attempts to foray for oil in the open waters of the South China Sea.

On Arunachal Pradesh, which is undeniably a part of India, but which China continues to designate as disputed and calls South Tibet, the Chinese have been unrelentingly intimidating. Earlier, the Chinese government announced that Indian citizens from Arunachal Pradesh will be given stapled visas to travel to China. We protested, but rather mutely. An effective retaliatory response to this affront should have been to say that we shall give stapled visas to Chinese of Tibetan origin. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Arunachal Pradesh last month, the Chinese lodged a formal diplomatic protest! In April 2017, when the Dalai Lama went to Arunachal Pradesh, the Chinese lost all diplomatic restraint and unilaterally named six places in that state on their own map.

The problem is that we have too low a threshold of happiness about Chinese behaviour. Earlier this year, China appeared to be a little nice to us at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting in Paris, by withdrawing its opposition to a US proposal to place Pakistan on the FATFs watchlist of countries with financial links to terrorism. We took it as a huge victory. But China plays this game of aggression and conciliation as part of a strategic plan, and support to Pakistan, notwithstanding this concession, will remain an integral part of its policy to contain India.

So, with such a track record, why are we so readily willing to kowtow to China? Are we a natural punching bag? In diplomacy, perceptions greatly matter. Nations respect nations that respect themselves. This is particularly so in the case of China. A timid and submissive India reinforces the Dragons self-belief in its ordained destiny of global dominance as the middle kingdom, and strengthens its conviction that India can be easily bullied. We need to understand that while China may be militarily stronger than us, we are not a walkover either. Such meekness, particularly from a government whose leaders took pride in their muscular approach to diplomatic relations, hardly does credit, either to them, or to our national interests. We need to have good relations with China, and should do what is required for this, but in conformity with our self-esteem, and as part of a strategic gameplan. A little bit of attitude will do our diplomacy good. Perhaps this couplet of Ghalib can inspire us: Mat pooch ki kya haal hai mera tere peeche, Tu dekh ki kya rang hai tera mere aage  Dont ask how I will fare under your sway; you see how you will fare under my watch!The subterranean tensions between the two coalition partners in Jammu and Kashmir has had its most telling effect on the states officials.

If the Reserve Bank of India has been caught napping in the Punjab National Bank episode, one reason could be that the RBI does not have a full-time deputy governor to supervise banks. The last person to hold the post was S.S. Mundra, who retired in July.

For close to seven months, the government hasnt found a replacement for Mr Mundra. Sources say the RBI has four deputy governors, including one from the banking sector. The three other deputy governors are Viral Acharya, B.P. Kanungo and N.S. Vishwanathan, all economists. Not having a DG supervising banks, a role that also includes inspection, is now a glaring loophole, which allowed the PNB fraud to go undetected by the bank.

Those in the know say that the government had initiated the process to appoint the fourth DG before Mr Mundra retired on July 30, but scrapped the panel of shortlisted candidates who had been interviewed. In December, over four months after interviews were conducted, the process was restarted with the government yet to shortlist a new set of candidates.

Trouble in paradise

The subterranean tensions between the two coalition partners in Jammu and Kashmir has had its most telling effect on the states officials. For chief minister Mehbooba Mufti it is the Peoples Democratic Party government in the state supported by the BJP high command. The chief ministers PDP has final say in all matters of governance in J&K.

Sources say that the general administration department that is headed by Ms Mufti has issued over 200 transfer orders of babus in the state without holding Cabinet meetings to avoid interference from any political quarters (read BJP) in the last two years. Even senior Indian Administrative Service and Indian Police Service officers were transferred in the last one year without discussion in Cabinet meetings. It is believed that 45 IAS and 20 IPS officers were prematurely transferred during 2016 and 2017. Few officials have been transferred three to four times in the last two years.

Though the government claims that the transfers were made in the interest of the state administration, apparently, the manner in which they were done are in violation of J&Ks transfer policy, which states that premature transfers shall be made only in unavoidable circumstances. Maybe that is the view in PDP circles as well.

MEA reshuffles envoys

The ministry of external affairs is witnessing the first changes under new foreign secretary Vijay Keshav Gokhale, who took charge in late January, succeeding S. Jaishankar. Among the first appointments was of senior diplomat T.S. Tirumurti as secretary for economic relations, the position Mr Gokhale held before taking over the post of foreign secretary.

Now, the MEA has effected a wider reshuffle and ambassadorial appointments. Sripriya Ranganathan has been appointed Indias new envoy to South Korea to replace Vikram Doraiswami, who is returning to headquarters. Joint secretary (South) Vinay Kumar has been named ambassador to Kabul while 1985-batch IFS officer Narendra Chauhan is the new envoy to the Czech Republic, replacing Krishan Kumar, who is moving to Norway as ambassador. Ravi Thapar, a 1983-batch IFS officer, has been named envoy to Serbia.

Sources say the MEA is also looking to appoint new ambassadors to Japan and Thailand, with chief of protocol Sanjay Verma, a 1990-batch IFS officer, reportedly the frontrunner for the Tokyo posting.They'll travel to deliver server racks and other cargo destined for Google's data centers.

The Alphabet Inc. unit says the trucks will have the same technology and sensors as autonomous minivans that are being tested in the Phoenix area.

Detroit: Just days after ride-hailing service Uber announced it was testing tractor-trailers that drive themselves, Google's autonomous vehicle operation announced similar testing in Georgia. Waymo says that starting next week it will run self-driving rigs in the Atlanta area with human backup drivers. They'll travel freeways and local roads to deliver server racks and other cargo destined for Google's data centers.

The Alphabet Inc. unit says the trucks will have the same technology and sensors as autonomous minivans that are being tested in the Phoenix area. Waymo wouldn't say how many trucks are being tested, but it released pictures showing two blue semis.

Uber announced Tuesday that its freight unit was using self-driving semis with human backup drivers to haul consumer goods on freeways in Arizona.While many manufacturers mocked at Apple for the Notch, Apple now seems to be laughing back at them.

Samsung was one of the first to mock at Apple for the notch on the forehead of the iPhone X in a video released soon after the launch.

Though Essential Phone was the first to sport a notch on the display, Apple was the first one to put hardware behind that notch. And if it was not for the hardware, the notch would have not been there. Well, the notch is not there for show  it is unfortunately present because there are some hardware components that require line of sight to function.

As in case of Apples iPhone X, the notch houses some most important hardware such as the IR blaster that is required for FaceID. IR needs line of sight and cannot operate behind opaque areas such as the display. The Notch on the iPhone X also houses sensors and a camera, which again cannot function with an obstruction in front of it.

Hence the notch had to be present and Apple probably had no choice. However, reports state that future smartphones from Apple would have a new display technology that could be in favour of a disappearing notch. Apple will either drill holes into OLED panels or use BM (Black Matrix) area within displays. It is presently speculated that the iPhone 2019 models will probably get rid of the notch, provided this new tech is a success.

Also read: Apple to kill notch with new display design for next iPhone

But heading back to the topic here, we are looking at a weird trend in the Android world. Google announced that Android P will sport compatibility for variable notch sizes for future notch-enabled Android smartphones. This is already seen I the Developer Preview version of the Next Android (Android P) that was released a few days ago. Android P will allow developers to handle the notch size for apps and operating systems ahead.

While many Android smartphone manufacturers mocked at Apple for the Notch design on the forehead of its flagship iPhone X, Apple now seems to be laughing back at them. This time at the MWC 2018, we saw a plethora of smartphone brands, mainly originating from China, showcasing the famous notch design display. However, putting a cut in the display and sporting the notch in their forthcoming smartphones was easy, but replicating what Apple did for their iPhone X is simply an almost-impossible task for them. The reason  the filthy expensive hardware that is used by FaceID.

Apples Face Recognition system consists of pricey hardware and software that are not as easy to replicate. Apple uses 3D face recognition sensing cameras that provide accurate scanning and incorporates enhanced security. A report from Digitimes states that the hardware technology used by Apple isnt cheap.

The report mentions that smartphone vendors, mainly in China, are still reluctant to adopt the 3D sensing tech for their new smartphones ahead because of persistent high prices of 3D sensing modules. The reason behind this high price is insufficient production capacity. The price for 3D sensing modules are presently hovering around $30 to $50 each, said sources from Taiwan-based IC-houses in the report.

Sources also said that Samsung, the Korean smartphone giant, has also refrained from using the technology for its mobiles in the short term. Qualcomm, MediaTek and Unigroup Spreadtrum & RDA have shifted their focus to develop their platform solutions enabled for more AI-centric applications, instead of promoting 3D sensing applications, said the sources.

ViaNorth Koreans appear to still be in the dark despite such a potentially historic achievement.

North Korean media appeared to have had no major coverage of Kim's invitation to meet US President Donald Trump or South Korean President Moon Jae-in to discuss the future of Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme. (Photo: File)

Seoul: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sudden overtures to Washington are making headlines around the world. Almost everywhere, it seems, except North Korea.

North Korean media noted a visit by a senior delegation from South Korea earlier this week but it appeared to have had no major coverage of Kim's invitation to meet US President Donald Trump or South Korean President Moon Jae-in to discuss the future of Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme.

South Korea's National Security Office head Chung Eui-yong told reporters at the White House on Thursday after briefing Trump that Kim had "committed to denuclearisation" and to suspending nuclear and missile tests.

However, North Koreans appear to still be in the dark despite such a potentially historic achievement.

Also Read: Trump decided himself to meet with Kim when conditions were right: Tillerson

Kim's meeting with South Korean officials made it onto the front page of the Rodong Sinmun, a leading state-run newspaper, but neither his policy concessions, as described by the South Korean government, nor his planned summit with Moon in April appeared to have been reported publicly in the secretive North.

"North Korea has not made an announcement on the two Koreas holding the summit in April yet," said Kang Mi-jin, a North Korean defector who works at the Seoul-based Daily NK website and regularly speaks to sources in the North.

"I believe such a decision is only handled by high-ranking officials close to Kim Jong Un. I do not think regular government/military officials are aware of the summit meeting yet," Kang said.

While trumpeting the thaw in relations between North and South Korea, North Korean media outlets have continued to criticise the United States, especially over joint military drills it plans to conduct with South Korean troops at the end of March.

"In North Korea, the leadership won't decide to release it to the media until they know for sure the summits are happening," said Shin Beom-chul, a professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy in Seoul.

"There has to be an agreement within the North's inner circle about this. There's no reason why it should promise denuclearisation of North Korea to its people right now when there is a possibility of things falling apart," Shin said.Despite all humanitarian efforts there is a gross lack of both physical and mental health, psycho-social support.

According to officials dealing with genocide and religious leaders, she said, 3,154 Yazidis are missing including 1,471 women and girls  and 1,200 Turkmen are missing including 600 women and 250 children. (Photo: Representational/ AFP)

United Nations: The UN envoy for sexual violence in conflict who just returned from Iraq said on Friday she found a gross lack of support for women and girls who were raped and forced into sexual slavery by Islamic State (IS) extremists, and survivors she met were like living corpses.

Pramila Patten said the survivors were released early in 2018 and told her they are confined to camps because of the double stigma of being victims of sexual violence and sexual slavery, and of being associated with IS  and fear of being perceived as an affiliate of the militant group.

Some also expressed a fear of being detained, she told a news conference on Friday. So they are very much confined, including by their parents. They are not stepping out of their camp and have not had an opportunity to avail themselves of even the limited psycho-social support that there is inside the camp.

Patten, who visited Iraq from February 26-March 5, said many women who remain displaced expressed serious concerns for their safety if they return home and shared their fear of reprisals.

She said she met with all religious leaders, and while they show a lot of empathy toward the women returning she was told that Turkmen women will be rejected by their community. And she said Yazidi women, who have historically been subjected to persecution, expressed a wish to leave Iraq.

During a lightning charge in June 2014, IS fighters took over Iraqs second-largest city, Mosul, and nearly a third of the country, plunging it into the most severe crisis since the US-led invasion in 2003. Mosul was liberated in July 2017, and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared an end to the Islamic States self-styled caliphate.

But Patten said the impact of the conflict and IS occupation is impacting not only the women but their children.

She said provincial authorities in Mosul told her, women who were raped and held as sex slaves have abandoned their children born to IS fighters. As a result, she said, the authorities have had to set up orphanages for thousands of children.

Patten said she will be seeking more information about the orphans, who are from all religious faiths  Turkmen, Shiite, and Yazidi.

In talks with prime minister Abadi and regional and provincial officials, she said it was essential to shift the stigma from the victims to the perpetrators.

Despite all humanitarian efforts, Patten said, I find a gross lack of both physical and mental health, psycho-social support, and especially in the quality of the psycho-social support that is required by survivors of sexual violence.

There is a need for very specialized service, which I think is simply not there, she said.

In her meetings, Patten said she also called for a scaling-up of medical, mental health and psychological services and economic opportunities for victims of sexual violence.

Patten said she also relayed to government officials a strong message from survivors to step up efforts to free those still in captivity and locate the missing.

According to officials dealing with genocide and religious leaders, she said, 3,154 Yazidis are missing including 1,471 women and girls  and 1,200 Turkmen are missing including 600 women and 250 children.Mr Sirisena will be in India to attend the first conference of the founding members of the International Solar Alliance in New Delhi.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena Saturday left on a foreign tour even as his country has been hit by communal violence that has killed at least two people. (Photo: File)

Colombo: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena Saturday left on a foreign tour even as his country has been hit by communal violence that has killed at least two people. His visit comes after four days of anti-Muslim riots in the central hilly district of Kandy.

Mr Sirisena will be in India to attend the first conference of the founding members of the International Solar Alliance in New Delhi. He will also visit Japan.

The President had proclaimed a state of emergency to quell the riots and Kandy was under curfew for five days. The government also blocked social media in another desperate attempt to curb rumours and violence.

Also Read: Sri Lanka president removes Prime Minister after communal riots

Sinhala mobs went on a rampage after a Sinhalese man died in a traffic accident. The incident was reportedly used to fan communal passions.

Mr Sirisena's government has come under fire for its inability to take timely action to curb the tensions.

Sinhalese Buddhists make up about 75 per cent of Sri Lanka's 21 million population while Muslims are 10 per cent.

Tensions between Muslim groups and the majority Sinhalese Buddhist community in the country have escalated since the end of the civil war in May 2009.by Melani Manel Perera

A Buddhist group organises a silent protest in Sri Lankas capital. Top monks from five Colombo temples visit four mosques in Ratmalana and Mount Lavinia. They call for living together as one community, slam communalism aroused by various interested parties.

Colombo (AsiaNews)  Several Sri Lankan Buddhist monks have expressed solidarity with Muslims, speaking out against the anti-Muslim violence unleashed this week by Buddhist Sinhalese radicals.

Yesterday, some monks gathered for a Satyagraha (silent protest) at Viharamaha Devi Park in Colombo; others took part in the Friday prayer in the mosques, which the government has closely monitored to prevent further clashes.

"We have to proceed together, said some of the monks who visited mosques in the capital. Very few people think in such a dangerous manner.

Today President Maithripala Sirisena appointed a three-member committee of retired judges to investigate incidents in Kandy, which remains under curfew.

Yesterdays silent protest against sectarian violence was organised by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP, or People's Liberation Front).

Artists, university professors and researchers, representatives of civil society groups, members of Islamic organisations and Buddhist monks of the National Bhikku Front took part in the event.

Communal clashes are destroying national unity, said some monks who were present at the gathering. We must defeat this trend."

What exploded in Kandy was not an isolated incident nor happen spontaneously, said JVP leader Anura Dissanayaka. Communalism is systematically aroused throughout the country by various interested parties, he added.

Some political movements, instead of finding solutions, are bent on spreading communalism in their communities, he explained. Politics has divided people into camps. As such, the communalism that has emerged in our country must be defeated."

After the incidents that broke out in Kandy, in central Sri Lanka, some monks and young Buddhists set out to protect mosques, even overnight.

Yesterday five monks in charge of five temples* in the capital visited four Jumma Mosque in Colombos Ratmalana and Mount Lavinia boroughs.

"We should live as one community, they said. Under one flag, we are all Sinhalese, Muslims, Tamils and Burgers who should live together. We did not come into the world saying 'I will be Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim'."

The monks also invited Muslims to visit Buddhist temples. "Let's practise the same (peaceful coexistence) in everyday life, not just when problems arise," they noted.

* Mallikarama Viharasthanaya, Lankarama Viharasthanaya, Bodhirukkarama Viharasthanaya, Kothalawalapura Samadhi Buddhist Institute, and Ratmalana Raja Mawatha Viharasthanaya.by Shafique Khokhar

The protest took place yesterday in front of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab. Many politicians, civil society leaders, and clerics were present. The cases of Patras Masih and his cousin Sajid, who is in hospital with serious injuries, were cited.

Lahore (AsiaNews)  Rwadari Tehreek, an inter-faith movement for tolerance that operates across Pakistan, held a hunger strike yesterday as a protest against the misuse of the countrys blasphemy laws.

The demonstration took place in Lahore, in front of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab, and saw the participation of representatives of civil society groups and religious leaders.

Together they protested against the recurrent attacks against members of religious minorities accused of insulting Islam. They also called for a policy and a strategy to stop the misuse of the law, often applied in a discriminatory fashion against minorities in everyday life, in the workplace, and to attack their property.

People of different religions, politicians, clerics and community leaders joined the hunger strike, to express their concern over the frequent mistreatment of minority believers and show their solidarity towards the victims of attacks.

The latest are Patras Masih, a 17-year-old man accused of blasphemy for a comment posted on Facebook, and his cousin Sajid Masih.

The latter remains in serious conditions at Lahores Mayo Hospital after he jumped from the fourth floor of a Punjab police station to escape police torture and an attempt to force him to perform oral sex on his underage relative.

Among the prominent individuals who joined the protest were Mgr Azad Marshal, bishop of Raiwind Diocese; Rev Shahid Miraj, dean of the cathedral; Rev Majeed Abel, moderator of the Presbyterian Church; Rev Emmanuel Khokhar, senior pastor of the Church of Pakistan; Saadia Sohail and Shunila Ruth, both members of the Provincial Assembly for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf; Peter Jacob, executive director of the Centre for Social Justice; Cecil S. Chaudhary, executive director of the National Commission for Justice and Peace of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Pakistan; Adoo Ram, of Rwadari Tehreek; Sabira Asmat, chief organiser for the Rwadari Tehreek of Punjab; Munir Ahmed Bhatti, president of Rwadari Tehreek of Lahore; Vickram Manzoor, secretary general of Rwadari Tehreek of Lahore.

Rwadari Tehreek chairman Samson Salamat said he was very concerned about the "deteriorating situation in which religious minorities live. The frequent incidents have intensified the sense of threat and terror.

Among other things, The biased, discriminatory and hateful behaviour of officials conducting the interrogations is not a positive sign for Pakistan's multi-religious society.

Specifically, the activists call on the authorities:

- to set up a joint team to carry out a second, fair, transparent and credible investigation into the case of Patras Masih, who was arrested in Shahdarah (Lahore) on blasphemy charges, and his cousin Sajid Masih who was brutally tortured;

- to bring to justice to those involved in the torture and who engaged in hate mongering behaviour during the investigation of Patras Masih and Sajid Masih;

- to provide adequate medical care and security measures to Sajid Masih to ensure his speedy recovery and protect him from further threats;

- to formulate, at the provincial and federal levels, a policy and a strategy to stop the misuse of the blasphemy legislation, which has been used as an instrument to persecute of minorities;

- to implement immediately the National Action Plan and take action against those individuals and groups involved in hate speech, and incitement and violence against religious minorities.The rector warns that radicalisation, as exemplified by the burqa, undermines learning. Islamist movements slam the ban. Infiltration of radical ideas in student organisations and their activities on Islamic campuses and schools is a danger. The Widodo government is trying to curb the influence of Islamists.

Yogyakarta (AsiaNews)  An Indonesian Islamic state university faced criticism from Muslim groups and activists on Wednesday after it banned female students from wearing full-face veils, citing fears over the spread of radical ideology on the campus.

The Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University (UIN) in Yogyakarta City, Java island, said it had 41 students wearing the full veil (niqab, burqa). It plans to offer them counselling and ultimately ask them to take off the veil if they wanted to graduate.

University rector Yudian Wahyudi warned that radicalisation, as exemplified by the burqas, undermined learning. "Female students wearing the burqa, and radical groups, [. . .] are disturbing the teaching process," he explained.

"We are putting moderate Islam forward," he noted, adding that the policy was a "preventive action to save the students". Students would be allowed to continue using regular headscarves that do not cover the face, he said.

The Islamic Defenders Front, a conservative group that campaigns against activities it deems un-Islamic, in a statement said that such a policy "did not make sense" and was in conflict with the country's efforts to preserve diversity.

A women's rights activist also decried what she described as a limitation on the freedom of women to wear what they want. "Using full-face veils is a choice and we cannot interfere in their choice and their freedom," said activist Lathiefah Widuri Retyaningtyas.

The Ukhuwah Islamiyah Forum (FUI), along with the Yogyakarta Mosque Activists Forum and several other organisations, asked for a meeting with university administration.

They met universitys deputy rector Waryono and asked him that university not put restrictions on students wearing the niqab on campus.

Indonesia is home to the largest Muslim population in the world, most of whom practise a moderate form of Islam. However, recently, the country has seen the growth of conservative views.

Many see this trend as a threat to its long-standing reputation for religious tolerance and diversity, enshrined in the Constitution.

For their part, the authorities have repeatedly warned about the infiltration of radical Islamic ideas in student organisations and their activities on Islamic campuses and schools.

The government of President Joko Widodo has tried to contain the influence of Islamists. But a recent survey found that almost a fifth of Indonesian high school and university students support the establishment of a caliphate over the current secular government.AT A GLANCE

The costs are up, the timeline is longer and major unanswered questions remain in the latest business plan for California's proposed bullet train. Here's a look at what's changed since the last time the California High Speed Rail Authority updated its business plan in 2016:

Route: Officials now plan to build the first operating line between downtown San Francisco and Bakersfield. The prior plan called for tracks that begin in San Jose and terminate north of Bakersfield. Officials hope the slightly longer route between cities  with stops throughout the Central Valley  will drive more commuters and other riders to the train once it opens. Crews then plan to extend south from Bakersfield to downtown Los Angeles and Anaheim.

Costs: The total cost to link Anaheim and San Francisco is now pegged at $77.3 billion, up 20 percent from two years ago. The business plan notes the cost could be as low as $63.2 billion or as high as $98.1 billion. Factors driving the higher costs include construction delays, unexpected costs and larger contingency funds. For now, though, the focus is on building the Silicon Valley to Central Valley link at an estimated cost of $25.1 billion to $36.8 billion.

Timeline: Voters were told in 2008 that the full San Francisco to Anaheim line could be running by 2020. Officials are now aiming for 2029, and only to Bakersfield. They offer vague hopes of finishing the whole system by 2033.

Challenges: Money and mountains present the biggest hurdles. Rail officials plan to build two lines  one linking San Francisco and Gilroy on the west side of the coastal range and another from Bakersfield to Madera east of the mountains. That alone will require a tough vote in the Legislature to guarantee decades of funding for high-speed rail. And officials concede that there's no firm plan for how to pay for a tunnel through the mountains to link those two lines.

 The Associated PressIn just a few short weeks, voters will choose the person who will go up against Congressman Kevin McCarthy for his 23rd District seat in the NLooking at the world through the eyes of the Web